Candola or Can’tdola?

by | Apr 13, 2011 | Fort Lauderdale

By Strawberry Jam

This past Saturday, Red Bull hosted their first Candola competition in Fort Lauderdale’s New River. Despite the scorching heat, hundreds turned out to watch the homemade boats launch into the water and race toward the end of the 1/3 mile route and see if they can or can’t-dola. Here are a few of the ones we caught:

 

photos by Strawberry Jam

Contest: Photo Hunt

by | Apr 1, 2011 | Fort Lauderdale

By Strawberry Jam

These photos were taken in Ft Lauderdale somewhere between the Broward Center for Performing Arts and East Las Olas before the beach. Recognize any of them? Leave your guesses in the comments and win a $10 gift card to Brew if you’re correct! (Hey, we do this stuff for free).

Get Your Rod and Beef At The Field

by | Mar 28, 2011 | Local Business

By Strawberry Jam

Being a longtime Rod enthusiast, I naturally held some skepticism and high expectations when I first heard of “Hot Rod”, South Florida’s “legendary” Rod Stewart impersonator. Nevertheless, I remained quite excited over the months I’d waited until we could finally make a Wednesday night performance to see Hot Rod in the flesh at The Field Irish Pub in Dania.

What was supposed to be a 7:30pm show turned into an almost two-hour guessing game as to when the “rock star” himself would grace the stage. Meanwhile, he worked the crowd: schmoozing the ladies, posing for pictures, and accepting drinks. Clearly, the man had a following, and soon we’d find out if it was rightfully so.

Once taking the mic, he stated his first one would be a warm-up, and after receiving a warm reception shortly thereafter, he declared there was no point in finishing the song if you’ve already gotten the applause. Touché. The rest of the set included favorites and top hits (Maggie May, Young Turks) as well as a few slow ones (Tonight’s the Night). Overall, I give Hot Rod an A+ for performance and look and a B+ for voice, no complaints.

In addition to a pretty solid performance, The Field serves quite the yummy dishes. This trip we enjoyed the corned beef and cabbage, obviously, coconut shrimp (I know, but it sounded so good, and was), Irish Potato Soup, and Country Bread. The corned beef was nice- juicy, tender, and filling (enough for two meals). The soup, one of my favorites, was rich and creamy- all that you’d dream of in a potato soup. I could easily order a bowl and call it a meal in itself. Not to mention, an order of bread is literally a loaf served on a wooden board with a serrated knife. The coconut shrimp, one of the night’s specials, was served with an orange marmalade, and, like all our other dishes, was exactly what you’d expect- in a very good way. Everything was fresh and tasty as it should be and only set us back about $26 before tip, not to mention set to a pretty amusing show.

In addition to great food and entertainment, The Field is quaintly decorated like and old (large) wooden farmhouse and service is on par.

Catch Hot Rod Wednesdays “at” 7:30 and (not yet reviewed) 2ofUs (Beatles Tribute Band) Tuesdays at 7:30.

For hours, directions, and more info, head to The Field’s website.

Hot Rod at The Field from FTL Collective on Vimeo.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

 

Coconut Shrimp , Irish Potato Soup, and Country Bread

Invisible Children, and People, Are Everywhere

by | Mar 25, 2011 | Fort Lauderdale

By Strawberry Jam

Last night’s Invisible Children film screening was, at the least, another eye-opening reminder of the many hardships most of the world experiences day in and day out. With so much to do and see, it is easy to get lost in time in this great city of Ft Lauderdale, but it’s important to keep in mind that cheesy saying that goes, “to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Invisible Children’s Tony documents the beginning of the foundation, how it has grown, and the story of one of the many youth effected by child soldiering; closing with a lengthy narrative on how you can help. While donating money is convenient and helpful if you don’t have time or resources to do more (click here if you were absent last night) there are plenty of other things you can do to heal the world, make it a better place, for you and me, and the entire human race (sorry, had to).

Read
Whether it’s world news or literature, reading is one of the best ways to stay informed with what’s going on in the world, help keep things prioritized and in perspective, and educate others. Keeping in line with the child soldier theme, A Long Way Gone is one of my favorite books in general, not to mention in the topic of social issues. Though it may be a quick read, it is nonetheless a powerful account of the complexity and tragedy of war and the psychological impact it leaves on child soldiers. Another personal recommendation I can make is Banker to the Poor. Admittedly a bit dry, but the numbers and facts behind micro-enterprising and micro-lending in the poor communities so vividly outlined in this book are fascinating and somewhat unbelievable that self-sufficiency is still made so hard to maintain in poor countries.

Travel
Not everyone may have the ability or funds to do so, but if it’s possible, by all means see the rest of the world. If you’re interested in traveling but feel like you don’t have the money, try cutting back on a drink or cooking at home, etc., and you might be surprised to see how far you get. If you do make it abroad, keep in mind as last night’s film pointed out, as nice as bearing gifts sounds, it is not ideal or safe in many instances. Instead, try to seek out another way to help. There are numerous NGOs that are happy to take on volunteers for any number of days, in which you might leave a much more meaningful and direct impact on people.

Think Locally
While much of the world is indeed in worse shape than us, we have our fair share of hungry and/or homeless as well. Try to contribute locally. Ignoring or hiding a problem does not make it go away.