SFDB's Saturday Night Turndown Service

Diana Krall, New Year's Eve



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Your New Year's Eve Sift

The last night of 2011 is upon us. Whatever you're doing, stay safe so that you'll be able to spend 2012 with the rest of us. Here's your New Year's Eve evening Sift.

A- New Year's sentiments from South Florida Lawyers, Go Hydrology!, Justice Building Blog, and Wide Lawns and Narrow Minds.

B- Bark Bark Woof Woof makes a personal assessment of 2011 and mentions SFDB so...you know.

C- Coconut Grove Grapevine posts some photos from today's King Mango Strut.

After the Strut, people hung out around the Grove and enjoyed themselves. I stuck around the end of Commodore Plaza with my friends at LoKal, the new burger place, and The Loft, next door, where Yvonne and Michael always treat us like family. I was exhausted and I didn't even march or strut. I hung out there for a long time enjoying seeing all the people who were enjoying the Grove. If only it could be like that all the time around here! Restaurants and bars were packed from one end of the village to the other.

D- Valentine's Day paraphernalia is already dominating the store shelves, according to Some Blogging Guy.

E- The305.Com continues with his 2011 Best Of selections including Beached Miami as "Website of the Year."

Either way, BeachedMiami is a mix of local music, local politics, funny “Jay Leno styled Jay Walking” type videos and tons of original content and original commentary. You can truly see quality in their content and the hard work they put into creating it. You have to be blind to not see that they’ve gone the extra mile to give a good reporting of South Florida current events.

F- Oh boy. The Reid Blog tells us about another Republican getting weepy on camera. These guys cry more than a roomful of 2-year-olds whose toys have been taken away from them.

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Making Allen West Own It

Here's a great ad from Patrick Murphy who is running against Tea Party hack Allen West in 2012. Making these right wing extremists own their bigoted vitriol is always an effective campaign tool, in my opinion.





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SFDB Cool Of The Day

Project Aura: Bicycle Safety Lighting System



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News You Won't See Covered On Fox

Hazziez

It's a good thing that Jabir Hazziez Jr. wasn't kicked off his flight because he's a Muslim.

A man foaming at the mouth lunged for the airliner’s cabin door, attempting to open it as flight attendants struggled to hold him at bay.

Most of the post-Thanksgiving travelers cruising at some 30,000 feet toward Kansas City that day were unaware of the potential disaster looming at the front of the plane.

But when a crew member came on the intercom asking if anyone had medical training, passenger Jabir Hazziez Jr. heard the sense of concern in her voice.

What happened next came as no surprise to those who know and work with Hazziez, a Kansas City firefighter, reserve Jackson County deputy and member of the U.S. Naval Reserve.

As Hazziez walked toward the front of the plane, he saw a man pacing and holding his head in his hands. The man appeared to be in an “altered mental state” and clearly appeared agitated.

“He was trying to get to the door of the plane,” Hazziez recalled recently. “I grabbed ahold of him and tried to calm him down.”

But the man only became more combative and knocked Hazziez into the cockpit door.

Using his law enforcement training, Hazziez put the man in a neck restraint and took him to the floor. The man continued kicking and trying to reach the door with his feet. Another passenger grabbed the man’s legs.

Together they held him for about 15 or 20 minutes until the plane, which had taken off in Atlanta, made an emergency landing in Memphis and authorities came on board to deal with the man. Later, Hazziez learned the man had been suffering from an adverse reaction to a vaccine.

Wow. This is really going to mess up the thought patterns of those Little Limbaughs who sit in front of their TV all day and listen to Fox news hosts explain how Muslims are out to destroy America.

On second thought, no it won't. Reality and facts are secondary to these kind of people. They'll continue their Islamophobia and sarcastically refer to Islam as "the religion of peace" every time a Muslim extremist is arrested.


- Story via Little Green Footballs


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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

New Year's Eve Day 2011. If you have any resolutions left for 2011 you have less than 24 hours to complete them. Get to it! Here's your morning Sift.

A- PhinPhanatic comes up with 10 Top Ten Moments [Good and Bad] in 2011 for the Dolphins.

Number 8: Channing Crowder – Crowder was released from the team on August 29th and he took to the broadcast booth locally and immediately charged against GM Jeff Ireland and QB Chad Henne. Crowder became as brash on the radio as he was on the field. The holdover from the Nick Saban era condemned the choices of Ireland and criticized his ideology for building a franchise winning team. His criticism of Chad Henne ignited a fan fury that carried over into open to public practices.

B- 27 new photos are up at The Street.

C- The Burger Beast manages to combine a rant directed at those who live in Broward and Palm Beach counties with a quick review of the Bird Road Cafeteria in Miami-Dade.

When I was in high school in the late 80s, there was a popular bumper sticker that read: “Will the last American to leave Miami, Please take the flag?” It was a lame redneck sentiment popularized by white flight jerks who were so lazy that they moved to Broward and Palm Beach instead of say, Kentucky, where their world view would have fit right in. Their 1-2 county retreat was laughable, if the Latin population didn’t drive and wouldn’t follow their dumb asses to the cheap(er) housing and long(er) commutes 30-50 miles away.

D- The Chowfather issues his final rankings of Miami-Dade restaurants for 2011.

E- Bark Bark Woof Woof reviews his predictions for last year [he did pretty good] and makes some new ones for 2012.

Barack Obama will narrowly win re-election against Mitt Romney. It will be a campaign of fear, loathing, excess, and outrage... and that's just on the GOP side until the inevitable coronation of Mr. Romney. The amount of money to be spent on both sides will be enough to run several mid-sized countries. Re-election campaigns are, of course, a vote on the performance of the incumbent, and Mr. Obama will have to defend his record, but the Republicans have, by their own actions, inactions, and lurch to the right in response to their hatred of all things Obama, made the choice in the election pretty clear. The stated GOP agenda has been to deny Barack Obama a second term, but other than that, they have offered nothing of substance if they win the election. That's not surprising; they never do.

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Your Evening Sift

I have a healthy Friday evening Sift for you and an abbreviated Weekend Widget in the right sidebar if you are so motivated. Have a nice evening.

A- Eater Miami and Miamism list their top viewed posts for 2011.

B- Discourse ponders expanding drug testing.

Perhaps it is time to subject investment bankers and derivatives traders to routine random drug tests. It’s widely believed that many of them use cocaine (although meth use may be rising), and I read that drug use on Wall Street is a real problem, although of course it has also beem rampant for a long time. The health of the economy is too important to be left in the hands of potentially drug-addled brains.

C- Random Pixels follows the action this morning as the Miami Herald makes a mistake in their reporting of a shooting on South Beach.

D- Sex and the Beach goes on hiatus.

I don't plan on keeping a regular editorial schedule here until further notice. Because of HeartCamp and my film production schedule, plus the possible regional Florida Tweetup (#floridatweetup on Twitter) mid-January, the blog is on hold for now.

E- Obalesque takes the long road to deliver up a political rumor he secretly thinks could happen.

F- Photographic evidence of Belle Isle's development from 1962 through 1975 can be viewed at Belle Isle Blog.

G- It's all about 2011's Best Of's today at The305.Com.

2011 Blog Of The Year

Its hard to keep track of them, and I just couldn’t pick one. But all those random Tumblr accounts that focus on Miami and all things #305, are like the greatest thing ever. Search “Miami” and “305″ in Tumblr and you’ll start finding them all.

H- Go Hydrology! reveals himself.

I- Florida Keys Girl samples dinner on luxurious Little Palm Island.

Little Palm Island is outrageously expensive (dinner for 4, over $400) and well off the beaten path. Located at mile marker 28.5 you need a reservation to board the ferry. There are plenty of restaurants that are really expensive, but Little Palm Island is totally, 100% worthwhile. It was a wonderful dining experience in addition to having amazing food and service.

J- The Sketchy Holiday Party Video is up at Beached Miami.

K- Homestead is Home wonders why the Homestead PD is not filling vacancies.

Mayor Bateman scolded City Manager George Gretsas for Homestead being short 30 police officers during a recent December meeting. The City of Homestead Employment Opportunity postings does not reflect that shortage. Did Krispy Kreme stop the Mayor and tell him business is down? How would he know and not the City Manager?

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Flashback Friday

1966...




Simon & Garfunkel, I Am A Rock


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The Ironic Curtain

-via Daily Kos



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South Florida's Yearly 2nd Amendment Celebration

It's that time of the year again...

As South Florida readies to welcome another New Year, police and public safety officials, along with grieving relatives, again warn of the dangers of a tradition that in some communities is as entrenched as it is reckless. Along with sound of firecrackers and rockets expected Saturday night, there will be gunfire.

"As much as you tell people not to do it, it continues," said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti. "People may think that it's a way to celebrate, but that bullet has to come down and if you shoot it, you own it. You are liable criminally and civilly."

The two best reasons for staying at home on New Year's Eve are the proliferation of stupid people in this world. I refuse to put my future health and welfare at risk because of DUI drivers and morons exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and actively participating in a well regulated militia. Most importantly, I will not expose my loved ones to such nonsense.

So call me a killjoy or a spoilsport but I'm sitting New Year's out again this year in my own home. That offers me some protection from my fellow South Floridians who haven't been endowed with the simple common sense and intellect that keeps many from enjoying or even attending New Years Day brunch the next day.


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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

TGIF, readers. I've fallen behind on a couple SFDB regular features like the Post of the Week and the Weekend Widget but hopefully we'll have some time to get those squared away in time for the weekend. Enjoy your morning Sift, folks.

A- Your Only in Hialeah moment of the day at Sweet Home Hialeah.

B- The Reid Report examines Mitt Romney's lame attempt to cast President Obama as some kind of person of entitlement and wealth.

But...well...Mitt Romney comparing Obama — the guy who was raised by a single mother and then by his grandparents, whose mom died haggling with health insurers and who experienced having his family live on food stamps when he was a kid and went to college on scholarship — he compared that guy, to Marie Antoinette, who inherited her wealth from the Austrian royal family and then married the king of France.

C- The Chowfather lists his Best Meals of 2011 which is different from his Best Dishes of 2011 in that it takes into account "every facet of the meal" versus just "the dish"...I guess.

D- Eye on Miami thanks their readers.

I want to especially thank the "insiders" of local and county politics who sometimes post comments and sometimes give us information and insights -- albeit anonymously-- that helps to fill out the true picture of our community.

E- Random Pixels looks back into Miami Hurricane history of the mid-'80's.


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Your Evening Sift

I'm back in South Florida and I'm guessing that a lot of people are back at work because blogging has picked up again. And everyone is writing lists...plenty of end-of-year lists and reviews. *sigh* Here's your evening Sift.

A- I'm not sure what the point of Coconut Grove Grapevine's latest story from the Grove really is other than to point out that the Grove may not be for everyone.

They wanted to know where Bayside was. When I told them it was a few miles away downtown, they got exasperated and said, forget it. I pointed to our waterfront, such as it is and they were not interested. She asked, "Is this all there is here?" and she swept her hand around the area.

I said, "We'll we are a small village, this is all we've got." Her husband seemed to like that, he said, "Thank God for that."

B- Justice Building Blog looks back at his predictions from last year and composes a new list for 2012.

C- New Year's Weekend is the perfect time for some theater as South Florida Theatre Scene shows us in their weekly wrap up.

D- Sex and the Beach files their year end social media review.

E- Transit Miami's review of all things bicycle for 2011.

F- Artlurker checks out Dogan Arslanoglu's “Investigations” at 6th Street Container Gallery in Little Havana.

Stills rendered from various iconic clips including a 1940′s atomic bomb test over Bikini Atoll and the Max Headroom Broadcast Signal Intrusion of 1987 are paired with vintage commercials advertising Coca-Cola, cereal, dental hygiene and cosmetics. Cropped into abstraction, many images are difficult to identify without a hint.

G- The year in precipitation is graphically presented by Go Hydrology!

H- Dining world headline predictions at Eater Miami who is apparently putting out year end lists for virtually every post from now until 2012.

I- Carlos Miller continues to confirm that not all TSA employees know that screening checkpoints can be filmed.

J- The Burger Beast's reveals his Top Ten Burgers of 2011.

K- Joining in what seems to have become a favorite pastime of many a SoFla blogger, Discourse critiques the Miami Herald.

That said, I might mention two other somewhat bright spots: The Local section has degraded much less than front. There’s still real news there, just not enough of it. And as the news staff of the Herald shrinks, it is running more content from Bloomberg and from the political reporters at its partner newspapers in the state, some of whom are quite good.

L- Republicans need to take a few lessons on principles from Democrats like State Senator Gwen Margolis....at Eye on Miami.

M- The Chowfather tastes truffles at The Tudor House and urges us to do the same...as if.



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SFDB Cool Of The Day

Porsche 912

-via Fancy


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South Florida Cartoons

Jim Morin, Miami Herald

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Your Only In Miami Moment Of The Day

Only in Miami can you be thoroughly challenged and entertained by the soda selection at the supermarket.

-via Miami Nice



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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

It's a good day to read about Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 and its place in South Florida history. Here's your morning Sift.

A- Redland Rambles posts a nice round up of Farm Day.

About 250 people came to hang out, eat, listen to live music, go on a hay ride, build a scarecrow, and shop at the farm market set up inside the barn. There you could find all kinds of fresh produce, honey, salt, and rice — all local and most organic (honey and salt can’t be certified organic). Outside, people browsed through a heirloom tomato plants.

B- The local media still uses Christmas cliches this time of year, Random Pixels reports.

C- The Reid Report gives us a glimpse of some of what Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is about.

And a conspiracy to flood the nation with foreigners who would displace American workers, making America less “American.” A strong anti-immigrant thread runs through Paulite Libertarianism. In my former coworker’s case, it was a constant, simmering rage at black Caribbean immigrants. For many Paulites, the culprits are Spanish-speaking migrants, especially from Mexico.

D- Miamism Pix shares a colorful photo of La Sandwicherie on Miami Beach.

E- Rumors and truths of 2011 as presented by Eye on Miami.


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Your Evening Sift

Back to South Florida tomorrow. I hear the weather has cooled some. There's ice on my doorstep here. Enjoy your evening Sift.

A- Happy holidays from Rakontur.

B- Burger Beast locates a tiny Mexican joint in Little Havana that blows his socks off.

The two of us went through the whole menu, shoving perfectly cooked pork into our mouths like porcine cannibals. If cookie monster had suddenly switched his love from cookies to carnitas – you might get an idea of what our eating habits were like in this joint. The Surtida tacos in particular were incredible. They were a perfect mix of the crunchy (Cuerito) and the moist (Maciza, Lengua) and the weird (Oreja, Tripa).

C- Burgers by the Beach enjoyed Gilbert's on 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

D- Go Hydrology! posts an interesting interactive map showing the monthly rainfall totals across the United States.

E- Key West has a new Italian restaurant that you might want to check out, according to Florida Keys Girl.

The pizza is crispy and the sauce flavorful. Vito’s is a necessary addition to the Key West dining landscape. There just aren’t so many good pizza places here.

F- Beached Miami continues with their 2011 photos of the year, this time selecting those associated with music.

G- Eye on Miami shares their Top 10 things they hated in 2011.

9. Washing clothes. This is a colossal waste of time. I haven't figured out how to get around this chore yet besides buying dozens of socks and underwear.

8. Cooking. I have gotten around this pretty good by just refusing to do it.

H- - The Miami dining scene for 2011 in one word from a number of SoFla bloggers and chefs at Eater Miami.



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SFDB Holiday Update

You thought I was kidding about seeing sheep from my hotel...

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Allen West: Yet Another Republican Man Of Principle

Before Christmas, Cuban-American congressman Mario Diaz-Balart proved to his South Florida constituency just how principled a man he is.

It didn't take long before Diaz-Balart's loud-mouthed counterpart, Representative Allen West [pictured right], demonstrated how steadfast he and his Tea Party principles are when he voted for the payroll tax extension that he had claimed he could never support.

From the Broward New Times Daily Pulp...

When it was thought that there would be a vote on the issue, West issued a statement affirming that he'd vote against what he's called a "short term fix."

"I will not be voting for this short term fix when it comes to the floor of the House of Representatives," West said on December 17.

"I will only vote to reaffirm the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act as passed by the House of Representatives."

Shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, that payroll tax extension passed in the House by unanimous consent.

And then, of course, there are those principled hard right conservatives who will vote for anyone with an "R" after their name come November 2012. Initially they've wailed that in order to win elections and stay true to their conservative beliefs, they must stay the course. They won't settle for another RINO [Republican In Name Only], they've said, pounding their fists on the table. But the moderate Republican will be nominated and those same principled conservatives will aggressively support, market and vote for the nominee because in today's changing America, a true conservative pisses off way too many people to win anything.

The 20%'ers of the Republican Party may be bold and brash when they're talking but when it comes to standing firm and voting their conscience, they have the conviction of a fat kid in a bakery. They fold like wet noodles, hope to hell that no one notices and then start all over again next election cycle.



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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

Coffee really does taste better when it's 40 degrees or colder. I had my regular Starbucks [tall Pikes, no room] yesterday while it was drizzling and 39 outside and it may have been the best cup of coffee I've had in years. Enjoy your morning Sift...and your lattes.

A- Obalesque discusses guitar men.

Page is the sloppiest, least original guitarist in the bunch. Van Halen is at best a technician. Duane Allman was very, very limited, great at what he did, but he didn’t do that much. Gilmour is a top-tenner, as is Knopfler. Brian May was f*cking [Ed.] brilliant. Neil Young isn’t even a guitarist, especially compared to Chet Atkins.

B- Beached Miami shares their favorite people photos of 2011.

C- The Van Dyke's January music calendar is ready for your review at Soul of Miami.

D- Bark Bark Woof Woof predicts that Mitt Romney will be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012.

Yeah, I know the first caucus hasn't met in Iowa and the first primary hasn't been held in New Hampshire, and Newt Gingrich is still running around the country selling books and his wonderfulness, but it's blatantly obvious that regardless of what the Tea Party and the rest of the clown posse have to say, the GOP establishment will make sure that Mr. Romney gets the nomination in Tampa next summer. Bet on it.

E- Eye on Miami visits the Genting casino in New York.

The New York Resorts World Casino was not classy by any stretch of the imagination. It was like a Target or a Walmart casino. And, most of the people eating were doing so at the buffet or food court. Even in the bar you had to drink out of tacky soft plastic cups.

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Your Evening Sift

The year-end wrap ups are beginning to show up in the South Florida blogosphere. Expect more as the week goes on. Enjoy your late evening Sift, readers.

A- Random Pixels lists his most popular posts of 2011.

B- Eater Miami taps a number of sources, including some South Florida foodie bloggers and chefs, to come up with their top SoFla restaurant newcomers for 2011.

C- Another business leaves the Grove, according to Coconut Grove Grapevine.

It's true that American Apparel is gone from the Grove -- over. They left. And now it looks like the landlords really want to rent the space out. So much so that this huge 14th Street-type sign is a can't miss feature in the windows now. I remember when that place was Miami Subs. Now, who knows what's coming in.

D- Lindburger's in Delray Beach is a super place for burgers, says Burgers by the Beach.

E- The305.Com posts the 2011-2012 Miami Heat intro video.

F- The Chowfather reveals his 38 favorite meals of 2011. 

G- Tropicult briefs us on Moombahton.

Has Miami finally caught Moombahton mania? Spurred on by forward-thinking local DJs and producers like somejerk and NeverYawn, the Moombahton movement is gaining ground in the Magic City, and it’s right about to blow up.

H- Some amazing financial stats on the Iraq War that you won't see any conservative talking about...at Discourse.


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SFDB Holiday Update

Stupid squirrel tricks...

 39 degrees, rain, leather car seats are ice cold but the coffee tastes great....


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SFDB Cool Of The Day

-via Fancy


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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

It's cold and overcast here and there are sheep grazing in a field across the street. And no palm trees. Enjoy your morning Sift.

A- Bark Bark Woof Woof identifies part of the reason why Congress doesn't understand the Occupy movement.

B- Carlos Miller continues to "test" MIA TSA employees about their knowledge of filming rights at security checkpoints.

C- Miami Beach 411 posts a video reviewing 2011 and all the fun they had.



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Your Evening Sift

Sorry about the lateness of this Sift, readers. Family first and all that, you know. Enjoy your evening Sift.

A- An "I Love Miami" hoodie is causing some controversy over at The305.Com.

B- Next time you pass through Miami's Government Center you'll understand the new art thanks to Beached Miami.

Permanently installed on Nov. 18, “Reflection” comprises six LED light boxes located in the lobby that interact with and respond to commuters’ movement and gesture via camera tracking.

C- Some Blogging Guy collected some images as he passed through Moorehaven, Florida, today.

D- The pizza at Primo's in Miramar was only pretty good and the cheese shaker was gross but Worst Pizza really liked their server.

The girl who served us was awesome. She was friendly, cute, bubbly, and just made us feel like we belonged there. Regardless of how the pizza might have tasted, I would go back for pasta or something else when in the area, just to know I could have her again.

E- Holiday thoughts from Swampstyle.

F- If you like diners, Jeff Eats has one for you in Davie.

Look, America’s “mom & pop” diners aren’t trying to cure cancer…joints like Ally’s Comfort Cafe bring “neighborhood” back into the eating equation.

If, like me- you are into the “diner” concept, you will definitely enjoy Ally’s Comfort Cafe.

G- The Burger Beast recommends the Pan con Lechon at Papo Llega y Pon in Miami.

H- The mass shooting in Texas over Christmas definitely carries with it some lessons, according to Obalesque.

But what it really demonstrates is how important it is to preserve your Second Amendment rights to carry firearms. Had the others been armed, the shooter might not have gotten off all 6 shots. Right?

I- Sketchy Holiday Party photos are up at Soul of Miami.

J- The Grove is a good place for an Apple store, says Coconut Grove Grapevine.

There is not much traffic in the Grove, but in this case, Apple is a destination. People will come to Apple and to Coconut Grove to shop at Apple. Apple really does not rely on passersby, they aren't an impulse store. The Grove lost Apple to Dadeland one time, maybe they would consider coming back again.

K- South Florida Theatre Review has collected snippets of what theater folks are saying about the 2011 South Florida season and has placed them into one neat post.

L- Bark Bark Woof Woof would like to see the President and prominent Democrats emphasize their accomplishments a little more.

One of the things that drives me crazy about President Obama and the Democrats is that they routinely fail to drive home their own accomplishments. They let the Mighty Wurlitzer of Fox News and the orcosphere carry on with lies about "massive tax hikes" and "death panels" and the "failed healthcare law" when the reality is that tax rates went down under the first stimulus plan and again with the extension of the Bush tax cuts a year ago. The healthcare law is already touching millions of lives, including kids being carried on their parents' insurance and the doughnut hole being closed for seniors on Medicare. But it's really hard to hear about those successes and accomplishments over the roar of the whackos, especially when the president himself doesn't raise his voice.

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SFDB Cool Of The Day

Teahupo'o @ Tahiti, French Polynesia

-via Fancy


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SFDB Holiday Mode

We're going to spending some time with family in an undisclosed location that's about 40 degrees colder than it is here in SoFla in a desperate attempt to inject some holiday spirit into this last week of December. The Sifts will continue sometime in the morning and sometime in the evening but the rest of the day is a big question mark at this point.  Things might/should/could get back to normal here sometime on Friday.

Humidity, I won't miss you.

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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

Happy Boxing Day! Things were a little slow last night in the South Florida blogosphere so this won't hold up your celebrations at all. Enjoy your morning Sift.

A- Obalesque wraps up his weekend.

On the positive side, this weekend I sampled 4 tequilas I’d never tasted. I conclude that until World Peace is as easy to achieve as Tequila Tipsiness, I’ll have to settle for what I can get which, when you think it over soberly, is pretty much the human condition anyway.

B- Ipanemic walks us through his Christmas Day.

When I woke up on Christmas morning, my eyes opened to a cockroach laying on its back on the floor beside my bed, legs twitching slowly as though it had been trying for a while to right itself and was slowly wearing down.

C- Go Hydrology! tells us what Tamiami Tabby is.

The original settlers of Naples didn’t have any cement mills, but with plenty of sand and water and shells they were pretty well set. Mix them together in a broth over the high heat of a buttonwood fire, and then let it dry, and tabby is what you got.

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It's Better To Give

Hopefully, you got what you wanted this year but sometimes...well, you know the saying...





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Your Christmas Evening Sift

And I think it's a wrap for Christmas 2011. Only 364 shopping days 'till Xmas 2012. Better get a move on. Sales start tomorrow. Enjoy your evening Sift.

A- Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday wishes are filed by Ipanemic, Blogging Black Miami, Justice Building Blog, The Heat Lightning, The Reid Report and Wide Lawns and Narrow Minds.

B- Food for Thought shares his Top 20 dishes of 2011.

It's always a fun task to compile these kinds of lists. The exceptionality of some dishes is immediately apparent, the experience of them firmly and indelibly imprinted on the memory. Others may need the perspective of time to truly appreciate, perhaps seeming simple at first but gaining depth and nuance upon further reflection, like the flavor development of a good braise.

C- The downtown Miami Burdines at Christmas, circa 1950's...at The305.Com.

D- Gun Free Zone's Christmas grilling included some heart-stopping delicacies.


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SFDB Sunday Secret

PostSecret


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SFDB Greetings

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Your Christmas Morning Sift

A- Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas thoughts and wishes from Some Blogging Guy, Go Hydrology!, Redland Rambles, Gun Free Zone,  The Chowfather,  Coconut Grove Grapevine, and Bark Bark Woof Woof. 

B- Some Blogging Guy says that the new Rusty Pelican is nothing like the old one and that's a bad thing from his perspective.

The quaint Rusty Pelican has become the Pretentious Rusty Pelican. They ought to change the name entirely. A friend of ours ordered something and it looked like an empty plate was delivered to her.

C- The 2011 Carlos Miller Year in Review is up for your reading pleasure this morning.

D- Bark Bark Woof Woof shares some great Christmas memories with us.

We had two fireplaces in the house, including one in the kitchen, so that's where we hung our stockings with care. Christmas morning would arrive and the four kids would line up, youngest first, on the back stairs, squirming with anticipation until we were let into the kitchen and a breakfast of Christmas baked treats, including a Scandanavian stollen baked by a family friend. (Never one who liked things like that, I often wished the stollen would be stolen....) Then we'd line up at the appropriate closed door behind which lay the treasure. Nearly fainting with the anticipation, the door would be flung open - a four-voiced gasp of breath, followed by pounding feet and squeals of delight.

E - A  listing of South Florida's classical events for January 2012 is provided by South Florida Classical Review.



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SFDB Saturday Night Turndown Service

A classic...




Dan Fogelberg, Same Old Lang Syne


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Your Christmas Eve Sift

Here's hoping that you are settling down for a nice evening with someone special. Enjoy your evening Sift but hurry back to what you were doing.

A- Nice, heart-warming Christmas Eve story at Random Pixels.

B- Holiday greetings from A Mom, a Blog and the Life In-Between and Searching for Normalcy.

C- Blogging Black Miami shows us that racism is alive and well and can be found on the Herald comment board.

D- PhinPhanatic has some thoughts on today's loss to the Patriots.

The loss means nothing for the Dolphins in the overall scheme of things. Todd Bowles will find it harder to remain the permanent head coach and the Dolphins will still be looking for both a new HC and a franchise QB. For New England, they clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

E- Some Blogging Guy shares a few images of over-the-top Christmas displays in South Florida.

F- Yeah, I know. Who really wants to read about even more transgressions by the Bush Administration on Christmas Eve? They're at Discourse if you can stomach it.


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SNL's Dysfunctional Family Christmas

I think there's something here for everyone...




-thanks to Restaurant Gal for the inspiration...

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Your Mid-Afternoon Sift

It was unusually busy this morning in the South Florida blogosphere so grab that cup of eggnog and pull up a chair. Enjoy your Day Before Christmas mid-afternoon Sift.

A- Happy Holiday wishes from Miamism, South Florida Theatre Scene, and Florida Keys Gal [who is also celebrating a birthday].

B- Some Blogging Guy describes the process and the frustrations involved in buying a firearm in Florida.

They had to run a fresh background check. Talk about stupid. I also had to fill out a long questionnaire on their laptop swearing that I was not a wacko, was not illegal, was not wanted for some crime and a dozen other really retarded questions. I guess the background check wasn’t good enough, they needed my word I wasn’t a criminal. Long story short, the entire process of purchasing a revolver at Bass Pro Shop took three freaking hours.

C- Info about the Ultra Music Festival is up at The305.Com.

D- Justice Building Blog remembers the troops this Christmas.

Bastogne was a startling example of the mettle of the American solider. But it didn't start there and it didn't end there. It continues today in places like Bagram, Kandahar, and Forward Operating Base Delaram, where today on Christmas Eve, the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Marine will - as they have done every day during eight combat rotations, get out of their tents and patrol a 2000 kilometer stretch of Afghanistan, putting their lives on the line for their fellow Marine, and in a larger sense, for all of us.

Thank you just doesn't seem enough, but it's all we have.

E- Restaurant Gal notes how dysfunctional families can be when they visit her restaurant.

To the parents of the single male child out with you tonight. For just one night, talk to each other. Talk about the weather. Talk about the traffic. Talk about anything remotely mundane and utterly boring. Long silences punctuated with sighs and downcast eyes usually lead to tears, if not in public, then later while alone. Because this is how he feels–very alone. Merry Christmas my three solitary, very silent folk. I hope you find your voices very soon.

F- Gun Free Zone finds reason to complain about the commemoration of the senseless shooting of a U.S. congresswoman and other innocent Americans.

G- The Reid Report says that Democrats have a lot to be happy about in 2011.

The Republicans clearly won 2010. They took over the House of Representatives, several key governorships and legislatures, and therefore will get the better of Census-triggered redistricting. They got the mainstream media to join their fixation on “cutting spending” and talk about it ad infinitum, rather than talking about jobs. But 2011? It was pretty much a straight sets win for President Obama and the Democrats…

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Your Evening Sift

I have a great evening Sift for you this TGIF Christmas Eve Eve. Grab a chair and make yourself comfortable. Enjoy.

A- I like the way Beached Miami videoed their telephone interview with Gilbert Gottfried.

B- Belle Isle Blog describes yet another battle raging on Miami Beach in the War on Christmas. Won't someone tell these people that we are a Christian Nation?

Each night since Hanukkah began on Tuesday, Friends of Lubavich has held a parade of as many as 100 cars with Menorahs on their roofs. The caravan, escorted by Miami Beach Police, starts on Alton Road at 12 Street and heads north to 17th Street, then east the Washington Avenue, south to Ocean Drive, then north and on and on….to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale.

C- Burger Beast posts a short instructional video on how chicharrones are made at El Jefe Luchador in Deerfield Beach.

D- Paseo is a great little Caribbean cafe in Key West, according to Florida Keys Girl.

On the corner of Eaton Street and Grinnell, in the former home of Paradise Cafe, sits the new Paseo. You won’t find a fancy sign or any other indication that what exists inside is truly sensational, but it is. The owner of Paseo is so secretive, he comes in to make the sauces when they are closed on Mondays and Tuessdays, and doesn’t share the secrets with anyone. The result? Caribbean food that is outrageously good.

E- Shorter Gun Free Zone...

I prefer gals who are more like guys.

F- There's a kickass new burger joint opening in the Grove tomorrow that is giving away free beer the entire first week they're open, so says Eater Miami.

Owner Matthew Kuscher, who spent 11 years at Houston's, plans to include some of his Puerto Rican heritage into the menu, which will include his own version of a frita: a pressed burger schmeared with guava jelly, melted gruyere and chopped French fries, and a donut burger with bacon and cheese.

G- 17 new photos are up at The Street.

H- Miami Beach 411's Carlos Miller checks out an "urban bike" that he observed during his morning cup of coffee.

The fold-up bicycle he is selling comes with carrying case, air pump, tool kit and instructions.

It’s not the most comfortable looking bicycle but it’s not meant for long distances, he said.

It’s more of an urban bike, perfect for riding to the Metrorail before folding it up and carrying it inside with you, then using it ride to your office in downtown, for example.

I- Prominent conservatives think there is something devious about the White House's Christmas card this year even though it carries the same message that it always has...at Bark Bark Woof Woof.


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Flashback Friday

1987...

You just knew this one was coming.





Publix Commercial


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The Tears Of A Clown

Yesterday was another win for the Democrats and, more importantly, a win for America.

This victory follows others, like the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the killing of OBL, and the elimination of Muammar Gaddafi, among other things. You wanna talk about change? Let's talk about change.

You might recall all the gloating and braggadocio that was on display after Republicans won big in 2010. Oh my, how conservatives were so proud of themselves and their principles. And how they were going to stick to them.

The gloating is history. As are their principles.

Clown suits litter the floor of the room where Bachmann, Santorum, Paul, Perry, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, and Romney once stood. Pitiful Republicans are ready to place their trust in any candidate who might be able to give Obama a run for his money, no matter how true or untrue they are to real conservatism. It's 2008 all over again, except they're too obtuse to realize it just yet.

But what really, really makes my day is the bellwether of the South Florida blogosphere's hard right, Babalu Blog, is spending more time ripping Republican candidates than supporting them.

Life is good.



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One More Reason To Despise Air Travel

For those of us who frequently travel by air, this is not very encouraging...

Air travelers suffer higher rates of disease infection, research has shown. One study pegged the increased risk for catching a cold as high as 20%. And the holidays are a particularly infectious time of year, with planes packed full of families with all their presents—and all those germs.

Air that is recirculated throughout the cabin is most often blamed. But studies have shown that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on most jets today can capture 99.97% of bacterial and virus-carrying particles. That said, when air circulation is shut down, which sometimes happens during long waits on the ground or for short periods when passengers are boarding or exiting, infections can spread like wildfire.

One well-known study in 1979 found that when a plane sat three hours with its engines off and no air circulating, 72% of the 54 people on board got sick within two days. The flu strain they had was traced to one passenger. For that reason, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an advisory in 2003 to airlines saying that passengers should be removed from planes within 30 minutes if there's no air circulation, but compliance isn't mandatory.

Much of the danger comes from the mouths, noses and hands of passengers sitting nearby. The hot zone for exposure is generally two seats beside, in front of and behind you, according to a study in July in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Enjoy your flight!



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Any Linkage Is Good Linkage

Reaction to Random Pixels post accusing The Huffington Post of "stealing" content from the Miami Herald has been mixed. Commentary on his charges and additional discussion can be found at the post, of course, as well as here and here. It's interesting to me that the Huffington Post has been around for years and folks are still discussing their news aggregation practices like it's a brand new concept or something. Whatevers.

What I'm not buying is the mainstream media's argument that by using large bodies of content, blogs and news aggregators are taking traffic away from the newspapers because, as one "long-time Herald reporter" told Random Pixels, ""Sure they link to our stories, but who's going to click through after they've read the entire story on the Huffington Post?"

Here's a couple answers, Long-Time Herald Reporter: Someone who likes what they just read and wants to see more stories like it, that's who. Someone who wants to see the comments to the story. Someone who wasn't planning on stopping by the Herald that morning but after reading the story might click on the link to not only take them to the specific piece that they just read but maybe the newspaper as a whole. So that they can click from article to article and drive up site traffic which means better numbers which means higher advertising rates for the Herald.

Because what the Long Time Herald Reporter and other supposedly internet savvy newspaper people apparently haven't figured out yet is that the news aggregator or blogger's post is free advertising and linkage for the publication and that the link means more traffic from potential visitors that they, in some cases, wouldn't have had otherwise. Much more, I would be willing to bet, than the numbers who read the story offsite and don't bother to visit the Herald or the New Times or the Sun-Sentinel ever again that day.

Having said that, I do not support posting a story or article in its entirety, primarily because of how much space it can take up on a blog. Yes, I've done it and was called on the carpet by Random Pixels and the Herald, but still, a link is a link and I'm not quite sure why the mainstream media isn't viewing a blog or aggregation link simply as another vehicle to their product.

At this juncture I'd like to formally state that I don't have any problem with anyone who wants to reprint an SFDB post in its entirety as long as they link back to SFDB. The way I see it, the more exposure, the better.

Makes sense to me.


-image via blogihub



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SFDB Friday Kickstart

Well, the weather outside is frightful....and so is the driving. Via The Daily Wh.at.....






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The Cooler

It's a slow news Friday, readers. Here's your Cooler.

A- Sun-Sentinel: Ummm, the fact that they're selling it at a flea market should be a tip off.

An international crackdown on counterfeit merchandise on sale for the holidays, from fake Louis Vuitton purses to phony Dora the Explorer wristwatches, brought federal agents to the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, where a raid resulted in thousands of items being seized and clues that investigators hope will lead them to the illegal manufacturers.

"This is all part of major organized crime," said Camen Pino, head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in South Florida. "It's not just one person with a suitcase in a corner selling fake watches. Every time you buy one of these items, you are helping organized crime."

[...]

Swap Shop owner Preston Henn told the Sun Sentinel on Thursday that he discourages vendors at the sprawling facility on Sunrise Boulevard west of Interstate 95 from selling knockoffs. But with about 5,000 vendors hawking thousands of different items each day, it would be impossible to patrol for counterfeits, he said.

"Can you spot a fake Omega watch?" Henn said. "I sure can't."

B- Sun-Sentinel: Chan Lowe.

C- Palm Beach Post: Communists!

Labrada was among thousands of Cuban-Americans flying to the island this week to celebrate the new year. These types of annual pilgrimages would have been sharply curtailed if two South Florida, GOP Cuban-American congressmen had succeeded in returning to the Bush-era limit of once every three years. The measure backed by U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and David Rivera was tucked into the congressional spending bill, but Republican leaders jettisoned it last week as part of a last minute compromise.

Labrada said Monday she didn't appreciate the effort to restore the old restriction.

"I think it was very disappointing, because the least we can do is help our own families," she said. "We should go and take advantage of the opportunity to bring them things and help any way we can."

[...]

Not everyone goes just to see family.

Gomez said his maintenance man just returned from a trip to Cuba to visit his dentist because he has no health care insurance in the U.S. and can't afford the visit here.

D- CBS4: Who needs Starbucks?

Over the long weekend, thousands of drivers will use the Turnpike to get to family or friends for the holiday. Some will leave very late or very early to get there in time. To help them stay alert, free coffee will be offered at the highways service plaza’s restaurants except Pompano Beach whose restaurants are closed for renovation; coffee will be available at the Shell station.

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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

TGIF, readers. We're still on the light side because of the holidays so this won't take you but a minute. Enjoy your morning Sift.

A- You knew it was only a matter of time before the Burger Beast got his own ice cream sandwich. It has now arrived.

B- Images from the Green Parrot Bar Holiday Party.

C- There isn't a better time than a holiday weekend to take in some theater so it's fortunate that the South Florida Theatre Review has all the information you need to pick a show.

D- Sometimes Republicans can't get out of their own way as Bark Bark Woof Woof notes.



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Your Evening Sift

Things are slowing down in the blogosphere as the big day moves closer. Hope you have all your shopping done. Enjoy your evening Sift.

A- Discourse highlights one of the President's many "changes" that he's been instrumental in during the past 3 years.

B- Sex and the Beach introduces us to the 12-step program on how to become a pirate.

What are the 12 steps to becoming a pirate? Most 12 step programs are about losing an addiction. This is about gaining one unabashedly, with no regrets, apologies or adverse health effects!

C- The sorry state of Coconut Grove is more complex than lack of late night bars, according to Blind Mind.

Between rising real estate costs and the decline of visitors to the Grove (for multiple reasons, lots of which have to do with the progress of other neighborhoods like S. Miami, Brickell, and the DD/Wynwood area), plus a down economy, the Grove dwindled away.

D- Street.Art.Cycle photos are up at Soul of Miami.

Photographs taken by Anthony Jordon of Street.Art.Cycles a bike ride through Wynwood Art District on Sunday, December 18, 2011. This tour pointed out the murals and collaborators responsible for the latest coats of paint on the walls, utility poles and sidewalks of our most artistic neighborhood.

E- Salumeria is a new Midtown restaurant that caters to the meat lovers out there, explains Eater Miami.

And, when they tell you it’s all about the meat, they really mean it, right down to the manual meat slicer, which unlike electric ones doesn’t heat up the cured meats, which apparently changes the curation process. A local butcher prepares the specialty meats that come from grass-fed cattle. All of the breads and pasta – except the spaghetti, which comes from Italy – are made in house. Even the fresh fruits and veggies are organic, some of it coming from a South Florida grower. The menu features several pasta dishes including Gnocchi Romana and Rigatoni Amatriciana. There are several pork dishes on the menu.

F- Political Cortadito now has a newspaper.

While criticism is important and, even, necessary to guarantee democracy, unbiased news and information can be more vital to a community. Especially one that is lacking it. La Voz de Hialeah was created in the void of such a beacon. And its aim is to cover the city in all its glory and beauty and cultural richness, not just its dirty little secrets. There is room for both and we hope that we will be allowed to public events so that we can take the images and information to the homes of the people.

G- The White House has House Republicans right where they want them, as Bark Bark Woof Woof notes.

Rest assured that the White House is enjoying every moment of this. It makes the Democrats look like the reasonable people in the room, and it shows once again that when it comes right down to it, the Republicans can't get over their obsession with defeating Barack Obama. And the White House has now -- finally -- learned that they can stand up to the bullies and they will beat the crap out of themselves in their effort to lay a glove on him. And since the summer debacle over the debt limit, it became clear to a lot of people on both sides of the aisle that the Republicans are really undisciplined -- they're liked sugar-bombed six year olds -- and their message to the voters to elect them is based mainly on lies, misrepresentations, and just plain weirdness.

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Starbucks Christmas Greetings

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The Big Picture's Year In Pictures

The Boston Globe does its usual fine job assembling the significant photos of 2011 and posting them as part of The Big Picture feature.


Part One

Part Two



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Fordistas Review Sleepless Night And Art Basel

Pretty decent video from Fordistas that documents two big cultural events that have been held in South Florida this season.




Fordistas


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SFDB Morning Chuckle

Dr. Dre-del Happy Hanukkah Card

-via Fancy



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The Cooler

Scott Rothstein is back in the news this week with some explosive allegations that may or may not be true. That and more in this morning's Cooler.

A- Sun-Sentinel: Probably because he wants some company in prison.

Convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein said his two former law partners knew he was illegally moving money through their booming downtown Fort Lauderdale firm and did nothing about it, according to transcripts of his testimony released Wednesday.

Rothstein not only implicated Stuart Rosenfeldt and Russell Adler, but said seven other attorneys inside and outside the Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler firm helped keep the Ponzi scheme alive. His extraordinary sworn statements came in the first hours of a 10-day deposition he started giving last week, offering his first detailed account of his $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme, the largest financial fraud in South Florida history.

[...]

“There is a very large category of people that fell within the…what we fondly refer to as living the rock star or Rothstein lifestyle,” Rothstein said. “And that is, in fact, we paid off a substantial number of the people that we were ultimately, for lack of a better term, bribing to do our dirty work.”

B- Sun-Sentinel: Good news for the River of Grass.

WASHINGTON -- Despite the budget crunch here and in Tallahassee, Everglades restoration continues to draw widespread support – and surprisingly generous doses of funding -- from Republicans and Democrats in both capitals.

Though deadlocked on many other issues, Congress provided $142 million for Everglades projects as part of a big spending bill signed into law last week by President Barack Obama.

Gov. Rick Scott, meanwhile, has proposed spending $40 million of state money on the 'Glades during the next fiscal year that begins July 1, more than double the amount he sought for the current year.

Everglades boosters -- who once feared widespread resistance in both capitals as lawmakers looked for ways to save money -- were surprised and delighted by the latest signs of support.

C- Sun-Sentinel: Why I don't ride anymore.

A woman police say was on drugs hit and critically injured a bicyclist in Lake Worth on Wednesday, leading to her arrest.

[...]

She veered into the bike lane and hit him from behind, throwing him forward onto the pavement, the release said. He was taken to Delray Medical Center with life-threatening injuries by helicopter.

D- South Florida Business Journal: Rothstein depo transcripts.

E- CBS4: Arrest made in hammer attack.

Fifty year old Rodobaldo Sanchez has been charged with attempted murder, armed robbery with assault, armed robbery with a weapon and armed false imprisonment. Police picked up Sanchez on Wednesday after fingerprints left on objects in the store which the robber touched came back as match to him. Police said they found a bicycle and two packs of Marlboro cigarettes on the scene that might have been stolen from the store.

F- NBC Miami: No crap.

The Broward County Commission announced Wednesday that it has partnered with 18 local cities to offer rebates to homeowners when they buy a new, high-efficiency toilet.

The potential payoff: “up to $100 per toilet for up to two brand-new water-saving models.”

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Your Morning Sift

Good morning.

I'm not going to be doing a weekend widget this weekend because, quite frankly, there isn't much going on except for something called Christmas. Enjoy your very abbreviated morning Sift.

A- Obalesque doesn't have much use for Christmas traditions.

Want to string flammable light bulbs and dried wreaths around your house?   Go ahead — FPL thanks you.  Want to spend Christmas eve and/or morning on a hard bench listening to half-baked moralizing from some semi-educated knob in clerical garb pretending he or she isn’t a full-time fundraiser?  Knock yourself out and drive carefully back and forth.

B- Random Pixels now turns his sights to the Huffington Post and accuses them of possibly stealing and improperly using content from the Miami Herald.

In another Herald story posted on the paper's website Monday evening, veteran staffer Andres Viglucci wrote about the Dade Heritage Trust's efforts to have the Miami Herald building declared a historic landmark.

By 9am Tuesday, Janie Campbell, "founding editor" of HuffPost Miami had copied and regurgitated Viglucci's story all over HuffPost Miami's homepage.

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