by Kate | Jul 29, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale
by Kate
As a longtime resident and beach-goer of Fort Lauderdale, I have watched countless parking meters being erected at what were once free parking zones. Nowadays, free parking on Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront is virtually unheard of and the spots there are, are few and far between. That is, unless you are smart enough (or don’t have too many outstanding parking tickets) to obtain a Resident Beach Parking Card (RBPC).
This very inexpensive card will prove to be the most valuable card you will carry, next to your glorious Florida driver’s license in which your photo, if taken at a South Florida DMV, probably looks like a criminal mug shot. Don’t let the two-page RBPC agreement scare you away; for just six dollars and a little proof of residency, the card is yours. You must have a current driver’s license, vehicle registration, a current utility bill, and a valid 12-month lease or proof of ownership of property within Fort Lauderdale. The card works like cash when you insert it into the parking meter, covering the cost of your parking in three select beachfront lots.
The three lots are:
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Park – 700 Seabreeze Blvd
- East Lot Birch/Las Olas Intracoastal
- North Beach – A1A north of Sunrise Blvd
Granted this card will not save you from the ruthless meter maids if misused, it will however, save you a few bucks here and there so you can have that one extra drink from Blondie’s that you really just couldn’t afford.
The RBPC can be applied for in-person at the Fort Lauderdale Parking and Fleet Services Department (290 NE 3rd Ave) OR online at: http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/parking/resident_beach_parking_card.htm.
by Strawberry Jam | Jul 28, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale
by Strawberry Jam
Too many South Floridians have a predictable, yet questionable, love affair with their local Starbucks. Lucky for us, there are several inviting options in Ft Lauderdale to get your caffeine fix while supporting unique and local businesses. Here are a few spots to either refuel or stay awhile and bump elbows with your neighbors.
Caffe Rustica
1826 E Sunrise Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
Located between two of Ft Lauderdale’s apples of our eyes, Radioactive Records and the Gateway movie theater, sits Caffe Rustica. With its scrumptious, homemade treats and carefully crafted beverages, Caffe Rustica is the perfect spot to grab a pick-me-up before browsing the ever-changing selection at Radioactive or before heading to that late-night movie. Outside seating is available, though its located right on Sunrise Boulevard.
Undergrounds Coffeehaus
2743 E Oakland Park Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
This locale will make you feel like you’re in your good friends’ home if not your own, especially with the presence of helpful owner Aileen. Undergrounds Coffeehaus aims to please everyone with their wide variety of books, themed nights, Turkish coffee, crafting sessions, and nearly two dozen kinds of tater tots. Most books, art, and other items around for entertainment are available for purchase. Events scheduled regularly so head over to their website to keep up with what’s going on.
Brew Urban Café
209 SW 2nd Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Broken-in leather chairs, a nice selection of national newspapers, and enticing blends of the day- it comes as no surprise that Brew was deservedly voted New Times’ best coffee shop of 2010. Enjoy some baked goods, free Wi-Fi, and super friendly service, among all the other amenities you’d expect to find in your comfy neighborhood coffee shop. Make sure you get your coffee card stamped and the 10th coffee is on them! When the sun goes down, come back and have yourself a beer or glass of wine here- they have microbrews! Two locations: Himmarshee Street and Victoria Park.
by Mercedes J | Jul 27, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale
by Mercedes J
The devil himself
Last Saturday morning at approximately 7:30am, I groggily rolled over on my comfy king size bed and relished the fact that it was the weekend. Since I did not have to get up to do anything of significance, I relaxed and starfished across the mattress.
*Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!* What the hell is that God awful racket? I tried to return to my peaceful slumber but the raucous cacophony from some mysterious creatures continued. The noise proceeded for the rest of my once peaceful morning until I finally went outside to my balcony only to see a flight of unidentifiable green whoosh past me. I soon realized that my home was being raided by a flock of Monk Parakeets, aka little tiny spawns of Satan.
Monk Parakeets look innocent enough and some Ft. Lauderdalians may even describe these feral birds as cute. These small green and white siblings to the parrot are native to Argentina and surrounding South American countries. This species of bird was brought to South Florida in the late 60s for the pet trade. However, many of the parakeets escaped bird sanctuaries during storms and/or were intentionally released by their owners. Now, South Florida is estimated to house over 100,000 of the birds.
The Monk Parakeet is the only parrot that builds a stick nest in a tree (or the side of one’s apartment complex), that could potentially reach the size of a small car. A small colony of screeching parakeets are currently hard at work building the home of their dreams directly above my boudoir window.
It is not suggested that anyone try to destroy a Monk Parakeet’s nest by themselves, as the birds are likely to reconstruct their homes as soon as it is taken down. The best solution for preventing parakeet communities from being formed in your area is to notify a bird removal/critter control agency to remove the nests as soon as you notice them.
If these parakeets are going to continue to wake me up at the crack of dawn, then I am going to play music as loud as possible while they are asleep at night. While I wait for a peaceful removal of my new unwelcome neighbors by critter control, a war of woman vs. parakeet has begun.
by Miguel Bravo | Jul 26, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale, Funny, Local Business
Say what you will about Dania, but that city keeps it real. While the rest of the county has updated itself over the years, Broward’s first city remains retro. Just drive a mile down US-1, south of Griffin Road, and you’ll pass the neon sign for Tropical Acres (established in 1949), a couple of Bates Motel replicas, ice cream juggernaut Jaxons (est. 1956), an endless row of antique shops, and an establishment known as Alex’s Flamingo Groves & Gift Shop (established in 1963) that looks like it belongs in Key Largo. For years, I have driven past Alex’s tropical mural and window display of dead sea life, wondering what kind of tacky junk I could buy to fill up the remaining empty space in my cluttered apartment. Finally, last week I walked inside this treasure trove of useless items. Dear Santa, I know it’s kind of early, but here is my wish list of items that I want from Alex’s Gift Shop (in no particular order).
The Transvestite Fantasy Creature Collection
These contemporary statues are a little pricey ($129 for the fairy man), but I’ll settle for just one of them. I think it would fit nicely in my bathroom, across from the toilet, facing the person taking a dump.
Big Foot was real
Before and after photos (how do you type out the sound of a drummer playing the ‘joke’ beat… pata-puh?). In all seriousness, who comes to Florida and buys a replica of Big Foot’s head as a souvenir (besides someone like me).
NSFW Coffee Mugs
No Florida gift store would be complete without its array of everyday items turned sensual. I know it’s a bit cliche, but I was thinking of sending this to my mom for her birthday? What do you guys think? Why are you looking at me like I’m weird or something?
UPDATE 3-8-14: Since writing this blog post in 2010, I’ve now seen a bunch of places that sell this mug. This entry has lost its luster.
These postcards never get old
In the same vein as erotic mugs, these typical, cheesy postcards are a must in any souvenir shop. Alex’s truly has one of the better collections of these classic photos. Nothing screams South Florida more than plus size women, homoerotic men, and the Hyatt in Ft Lauderdale.
I call this….wait for it, wait for it… The World SEA-ries of Poker.
Next time you’re on your way to or from Dania Jai Alai or Liggett Pharmacy, drop by Alex’s Gift Shop. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, it’ll make you chuckle. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out ABC Thrift Shop, one of Broward’s better second hand stores.
And 2 more photos.
by Strawberry Jam | Jul 23, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale
by Strawberry Jam
One of the perks of living in Ft Lauderdale is that there is always something interesting to do or another new event going on and this weekend is no exception. There’s no excuse for you to be stuck at your local watering hole week after week. Here are some picks to shake things up that sound promising enough to keep you on your feet for the next couple of days and downing enough caffeine fit for a small diner come Monday morning.
FRIDAY
This Friday ArtServe Ft Lauderdale and The Bubble team up for the fifth annual Red Eye, the yearly shindig that showcases local pieces “aimed at promoting fresh, underground art that serves as a conversation piece”. Featured visual art, sculpture/pottery, jewelery, fashion, and short films must be centered around either lowbrow/pop surrealism art or social commentary. The exhibit is $5 from 6-9pm at Art Serve at 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard. Afterward head over to The Bubble’s Itty Bitty Blazar Gala for a continuation of artwork, fashion show, and music from Dooms De Pop, Bad Ass, Radar vs. Wolf, Scott Mitchell Putesky, and Green Mantles. $10 includes drinks and treats. Read more about it in CityLink’s “Look into the Red Eye”.
Join Twilight Notes at Brew (209 SW 2nd Ave) from 8 to midnight for happy hour prices on beer and wine all night and music from Shade, Stell*R, and Adam Foster. The evening is to kick things off for their new monthly parties every first Wednesday of the month to be held at Himmarshee Sidebar.
Also this Friday catch South Florida reggae/Jamaican dub band Spred the Dub at Monterey Club (2608 S Federal Highway) from 10pm-2am. Be sure to click their link to see weekly scheduled shows as you don’t want to miss this smooth-sounding band that’s guaranteed to put on a good show or we’ll buy you a beer. Spred the Dub @ Monterey Club Facebook event link here.
For those slightly south of the heart of Ft Lauderdale, you have another free event: eLemental eXpressions featuring South Florida dubstep artists Somejerk, Okulus Anomali, Doctor Jones, Indovisual, and FTG. This runs from 10pm-4am at Now Art Cafe at 1802 S Young Circle. For time slots and more info check out eLemental eXpressions here and for a preview of what you’ll hear and for future events miamidubstep.blogspot.com.
SATURDAY
If Friday night’s quadruple whammy of art and music doesn’t satisfy your fix, take part in the elusive Laser Wolf Productions‘ latest event: Because We Like to Party. Art by local fave Gurty, the ever growing Iron Forge Press, and about a dozen others. Sounds provided by Blond Fuzz, Beings, and Web Low Boys. The event will be at a 4,000 ft. air-conditioned (!) warehouse at 1145 NE 9th Ave. $5 gets you in and another Lincoln gets you a beer cup til the keg runs dry.
SUNDAY
Squeeze those last few drops of the weekend out on the beach where Ft Lauderdale’s On Til Dawn will host Mas Carne, another of their free on-the-sand dance parties from 11am-8pm by the Yankee Clipper. Don’t forget to bring something yummy for the grill in appreciation for the free tunes and company. Check out ontildawn.blogspot.com for featured mixes and music news.
by Strawberry Jam | Jul 22, 2010 | Fort Lauderdale
by Strawberry Jam
At a time when every other new indie band name is animal related, at least three times that many seem to have a fascination with all things summer (Best Coast, Beach Fossils, Sunglasses, Beach House, YACHT, Flamingo, Tanlines, Surfer Blood, Washed Out, The Ruby Suns, Eternal Summers, Tan Dollar, Aloha, Wavves, Coconut Records, Beautiful Swimmers, etc., etc.). It’d only be a matter of time before Florida would stake out a place for itself in what is rightfully our own- minus the cliche band name.
Imposemagazine.com goes so far as to say this might be the “summer of Florida” thanks Lake Worths’ The Jameses. The “breezy garage pop” group gets love from Captured Tracks Brooklyn and Pitchfork as well.
The Jameses – Rat People
A longtime personal favorite, Millionyoung might as well be the poster child for last summer’s chillwave/dreampop/lo-fi phenomenon which is still going strong today. Aside from frequent touring and national festivals, Millionyoung is generous when it comes to making appearances at local spots like The Bubble and events such as For Art’s Sake’s Birdwatch.
Millionyoung – Love Is All Around (Mary Tyler Moore theme song)
Viernes, with their ethereal, muffled and often bass-heavy sounds, are gaining steam fast since the June 8th release of their debut album, Sinister Devices. Their cover of “I’ve Begun To Fall In Love” is set to appear on a future Sick of the Radio/R. Stevie Moore volume, which has featured Dino Felipe and Ariel Pink in the past.
Viernes – Entire Empire
Many might not know it, and some might not want to admit it, but noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells which recently played at West Palm’s Respectable Street definitely has some roots in South Florida. Singer Alexis Krauss’ mother is from a small town outside of Tampa and guitarist Derek Miller grew up in the West Palm Beach area- Poison The Well, anyone? Read more about it in the New Times interview.
Sleigh Bells – Crown On The Ground
Also rising…
The Dewars
Hear Hums
As a longtime resident and beach-goer of Fort Lauderdale, I have watched countless parking meters being erected at what were once free parking zones. Nowadays, free parking on Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront is virtually unheard of and the spots there are, are few and far between. That is, unless you are smart enough (or don’t have too many outstanding parking tickets) to obtain a Resident Beach Parking Card (RBPC).
