A- The Heat Lightning gets cerebral with a post on the late Václav Havel.

So anyway, in 1989 we had the Velvet Revolution, named in part because for once nobody died and in part for the Velvet Underground, of whom Havel and others in the movement were fans (factoid: Lou Reed interviewed Havel during his presidency). And through some unknown combination of pure charisma, actual leadership, and no doubt the usual back-channel maneuvers, Havel became president of Czechoslovakia (which promptly split into the Czech and Slovak republics, so please stop calling it that).

He became shades of something like a Desmond Tutu or the Dali Lama there for awhile — a world figure who could make things happen just with his calm presence. And he led the Czechs through an extremely tumultuous transition, avoiding barbaric reprisals against members of the previous regime, backsliding into comfortable habits, and economic collapse.

B- Burger Beast introduces a new writer to the mix that might mean more restaurant reviews.

Back home in South Florida, we are blessed with many off-the-radar authentic ethnic restaurants. They are usually tucked away in nondescript suburban strip malls that might otherwise host dollar stores and delis. The food that comes out of these places is often as unusual and delicious, as the surroundings are banal. I have spent the last 20 years seeking these places out and indulging in the fruits of what truly makes Miami the “Magic City:” the diversity of our population. This column will document my findings and hip you to some wonderful places to eat in the subtropics.

C- Tropicult scores the first "official" interview ever with Entresol's founder and frontman, Eduardo Rivadeneira.

Is Miami a good place to be an up and coming electronic artist?

Yes. It’s pretty small in regards to how much talent seems to be out here. We’re in a little corner of the country, so it’s not like big names come out. Maybe people don’t expect big things to come out of Miami, but the scene here is growing a lot. There’s always new venues and more people going to the shows. I think it’s a pretty good scene to grow. You meet a lot of people, you have shows, and if people like you, it’s gonna be good.

D- Where to eat at MIA, from Eater Miami.

E- Food for Thought's description of the latest Cobaya dining experience is almost as exquisite as the 8 courses of the meal itself.

There was a whole lot I liked about this meal: concept, presentation, technique, ingredient quality, and flavor all played equally important roles. I particularly enjoyed the "echoing" technique of repeating an ingredient in multiple forms within a dish to build complexity - each of the three building blocks of the beet salad, the vadouvan in the octopus which spiced the octopus, the cauliflower purée and the macerated grapefruit, the multiple iterations of strawberry in the dessert. Most of these dishes tasted every bit as good as they were beautiful to look at, which is ultimately what really matters.

F- Searching for Normalcy heads to the Keys for the weekend and takes the camera along.

G- Transit Miami takes a good look at the two new bike racks that Metrorail has installed on Car 141.

The bike racks seen last week are of a different model than those seen around this time last year. (Perhaps the County has finally made a decision as to which models are most appropriate and cost effective for our community’s trains (?)) To accommodate these newer racks, two separates pairs of seats were removed on each side of the front of the train wagon. That makes four seats lost to two bikes.

H- Sex and the Beach explores the migration of the Burmese to the Keys.

On a recent trip to Key West, I went off the beaten path once again, this time stopping to chat with Ron Rozar, biologist and herpetologist for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which has set up office at the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is part of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and protects one of the largest remaining tracts of hardwood hammock, a globally threatened habitat.

Rozar works on the Python Project, setting traps, doing research, training law enforcement responders and educating the public about non-native species.

I- Miami Beach 411 gets an interview with South Florida's legendary crime reporter, Edna Buchanan who, we learn, inspired Carlos Miller.

She is an inspiration to anyone who loves this city and wants to tell its stories. Her use of descriptive verbs to illustrate crimes is why I pore over every article I write, seeing if I can change “showed” to “flaunted,” or “walked” to “shuffled.”

Our own Carlos Miller also got his journalistic spark from Edna Buchanan.

“Her articles got me into journalism,” he said. “She made me realize there is a profession for sarcastic people with a skill for writing. It was her articles that made me realize how crazy and unique Miami can be as a city.”

J- Eat It, Miami deems Berries in the Grove as "pretty good," and some of their fellow patrons as "cray."

Our waiter must be the best waiter in the entire state. Derrick. Ask for him if you go there. He got us drinks the second we sat down and kept our water glasses full the entire meal. This is a very easy and cheap way to make your customers happy. Please take note, restaurant owners, managers, and waitstaff.

K- Christmas carolers in the Grove have special significance for Coconut Grove Grapevine.

You may have heard them in the neighborhoods off Tigertail Avenue. First a visit from Santa, and then Sunday night, the North Grove neighborhood friends went house to house singing Christmas carols. They do this yearly -- mothers, fathers, kids -- it's a really nice way to celebrate the season. It's still Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver back in that hood -- quaint and a nice place to be.

L- You gotta chuckle to yourself as you read the latest from The Reid Report and view the graph showing yet another Republican Flavor of the Day losing his shiny.




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