Your Mid-Afternoon Sift

We're still alive here at SFDB HQ, just making it a lazy Sunday drinking coffee and watching movies while the world seems hot enough to melt outside. Enjoy your mid-afternoon Sift.

A- Duffy's Sports Grill doesn't make a very good mojito, according to Miamism's latest mojito review.

B- Make some mango jam with Redland Rambles.

Voila! We had jam! It wasn’t that difficult to make. The hardest part, and it’s not really that hard, is to track down canning supplies. Kattia bought jars, lids and canning paraphernalia at a nearby Super Wal-Mart. If your local store doesn’t carry what you need, you can find canning kits and jars online. Labels would be helpful if you’re making a batch to give away.

C- As part of their Miami Music Week, The Heat Lightning takes a look at Pool Party.

D- South Florida Food and Wine asks Chef Youssef Hammi of The Secret Garden at The Pillars Hotel in Fort Lauderdale a few questions.

South Florida Food and Wine: Where do you get your culinary inspiration?

Youssef Hammi: Many times, people ask me this very same question, personally, I get inspired by the seasons and my surroundings. Also, the fact that I go shopping every day, and see what’s fresh in the markets is in itself a blessing that many chefs don’t get to enjoy.

E- Bark Bark Woof Woof looks back at 10 years in Miami.

In a way, it's hard to believe it's been a decade that I've been back in Miami. In a lot of ways I still feel like a newcomer. I still have a strong connection with New Mexico, including being the defender of New Mexico Spanglish among a lot of other different accents and dialects. I still miss the glory of the mountains and the spectacular New Mexico sunsets, and I still have yet to find a place in South Florida that does huevos rancheros the right way. But I'm glad to be here and able to look back at all the amazing blessings that have come my way.

F- Eye on Miami issues a fever-induced review of their commenting policy.

I decided to take this opportunity, half zoned by fever, to talk about your comments that I have been moderating while sick. When we allow anonymous comments it does bring out the crazies. We just don't get the crazies from Miami we get the Republican Trolls who look for key words and pounce upon them. They do this Nationwide. Their comments are easy to identify, they came out in force on my post about a Sarah Palin on Friday. I am determined not to give these folks a voice.

G- The Reid Report looks at what a "win" would look like for the politicians currently engaged in trying to iron out our economic problems.

I can’t remember who originated this, but someone on Twitter threw out the brilliant line last week that somewhere, Nancy Pelosi is watching all of this, smiling widely and stroking a bald, white cat. Pelosi on the one hand has been marginalized in the debate, since no one seems to be negotiating with her. On the other hand, she gets to sit back and watch John Boehner demonstrate day after day that he can’t do her job. As speaker, Nancy Pelosi ran circles around poor Boehner, and he knows it. Now, all she needs is for him to come to her, as he’s going to have to, and watch her deliver the votes. In the process, she can exact a price — protecting entitlements and critical programs like Pell grants, WIC and assistance to the poor. Then, she’ll be a hero to the liberals in her caucus, and to Democrats around the country.

Personally, I would settle for a win for America.



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