Your Evening Sift

Well, some of us [raises hand] have started their July 4th weekend already. Take a look over in the right sidebar to see everything that is happening over the next 3 days. Quite a list. And quite an interesting Thursday evening Sift...

A- Food For Thought compares two steakhouses and their approaches to serving beef.

A couple weeks ago, I had the good fortune - though a cardiologist might disagree - of visiting two fairly celebrated steakhouses. The first was Bern's Steak House, a Tampa institution for more than fifty years and regarded by many as one of the finest steakhouses in the country. The second was one of the new foreign imported models, BLT Steak in Miami Beach, one of many spokes radiating from the New York hub of the Laurent Tourondel empire. It made an interesting opportunity for a compare and contrast.

B- The Tiny JEWELBox reminds us that today was Hump Day for the year.

C- It appears as though UM admitted too many law schoolers and is now paying them to take a deferment of 1 year. Discourse has been following the story.

D- Another great post by Brickell Life, this time all about Norman Brothers Produce.

Long before Fresh Market, Whole Foods or any of the Saturday farmer’s markets that now dot the foodie scene in Miami; the family-run Norman Bros. was working with our local farmers to procure the best products available. Strawberries, peppers, squash, lettuce and fruit were all trucked up daily from local farms down in the Redlands and Homestead for sale at Miami’s original farmer’s market. Fish and seafood still comes direct from the Florida Keys because the folks behind Norman Bros. know that’s good for the earth, good for you and good for our local economy.

E- Miami Fever throws up a couple classic South Beach images.

F- Miami Beach 411 analyzes the problem of flooding on South Beach.

Supposedly, but not in the near future, which means those who live along Alton Road will still experience major flooding after heavy downpours for at least the next five years.

And judging by the planned improvements that are set to start on 2014 at the earliest, those multimillion dollar renovations might still not make a difference because the plan is to improve the area on 5th Street between Alton and Michigan roads.

And the flooding encompasses that area but much, much more.

G- Incertus takes a look at both sides of a controversial billboard in Ft. Lauderdale that is disturbing a neighborhood.

H- South Beach USA says there is another reality show that is using Miami Beach as its venue.

Work of Genius, a reality television series on Fox hosted by Cindy Taylor this fall, has partnered with the Eden Roc Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa to design spectacular murals throughout the hotel and pool areas that will reflect the world-renowned flavor and ambiance of Miami Beach.

Work of Genius features twelve artists, each with their own distinct style, competing against each other but maintaining the ability to work in harmony. The artists have been assigned their own walls within the Eden Roc and, using the landmark hotel as inspiration, they will paint various images that will add color and sparkle to the grounds. Guests of the Eden Roc will be able to observe the artists at work and witness the creation of these unique murals, which will encompass a combined area of over 200 square feet.

Three of the twelve artists are South Florida natives and/or residents, linking this new reality series to our community.

I- The South Florida Theatre Scene has their wrap up for the week.

J- Coconut Grove Grapevine questions a trip that a Miami city employee and 9 others took to Seattle recently. Good discussion in the comments but I'm wondering exactly where he got his info.

The City of Miami's Chief Financial Officer Larry Spring and his staff took a nice little all expense paid trip to Seattle, WA on the City's money (over 10 people went). They went to party at the Government Finance Officer's Association, from June 28 to July 1.

K- Eye on Miami notes a Herald story that discusses the billions that Miami-Dade has lost in taxes due to declining home values. Make sure you read the comments.

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