Fort Lauderdale News and Events - A Wrap Up Reflecting the Many Aspects of South Florida Living

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was the latest location for filming of The Glades, a new television series that began shooting throughout Florida this summer. The filming took place June 24 through the early hours of June 26. The dramatic series features Australian actor Matt Passmore (Underbelly, McLeod’s Daughters) as Jim Longworth, an attractive, brilliant, yet hard to get along with homicide detective from Chicago who gets shot by his captain after being wrongfully accused of sleeping with his wife.

After being exiled from the department, Longworth relocates to the sleepy, middle of nowhere town of Palm Glade, Florida, where the sunshine and golf are plentiful and crime is seemingly at a minimum. Only this town outside the Florida Everglades isn’t quite as idyllic as he thought, as he finds people keep turning up murdered.

The new A&E drama series was produced by Fox Television Studios. “This new series will be viewed by millions of people throughout the United States and we are thrilled to have Bonnet House as one of the locations used for filming,” says Bonnet House CEO, Karen Beard. We hope it will attract more people to the Bonnet House Estate to explore all of the natural beauty and history it has to offer.

About Bonnet House:

Bonnet House is located one block south of Sunrise Blvd. between Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd., (A1A) and the Intracoastal Waterway at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.  Bonnet House is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission prices are $20 for individuals, $18 for senior citizens, $16 for children ages 6 – 12 and $10 for the grounds only.  Group tours are also available at a discounted price.  For more information, call (954) 563-5393 or visit the estate’s website, www.bonnethouse.org.

Tree Planting Commemorates Super Bowl

Seventeen new trees now growing at Weaver Park in Pompano Beach symbolize the end of Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida and the beginning of Super Bowl XLV to take place in Arlington, Texas, in 2011.

The trees were planted by Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, members of the National Football League (NFL), the Miami Dolphins and Pompano Beach city officials on Monday. The "Plant It Forward" tree planting event marks the passing of the Super Bowl experience from region to the next and completes the final Super Bowl XLIV Urban Forestry project in Broward County.

"There's more to the Super Bowl than just the game. The trees planted in Weaver Park complete a series of environmental projects that took place in South Florida as we hosted the 2010 Super Bowl. Now we pass that legacy on to Texas, where a tree from Broward County will grow to provide shade, oxygen and beauty for years to come," said Commissioner Jacobs.

A tree from South Florida and a shovel used at Monday's planting will be sent to a tree planting celebration in Arlington on June 17. Each year, the NFL plans a series of high profile urban forestry events to offset the carbon emissions that occur with such mega events as the Super Bowl.

"When I was a kid, trees were there for one reason -- to climb," said former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nat Moore. "The NFL and the Miami Dolphins plant these trees for the enjoyment of kids in this community."

The Miami Dolphins purchased the trees and played a significant role in the urban forestry projects before, during and after Super Bowl 2010. Broward County and the City of Pompano Beach will provide long-term care and maintenance of the trees.

All trees planted as part of the NFL Environmental Program will be included in a database of "Super Bowl trees" that will be monitored for environmental impact by state and federal forestry officials. This NFL tree database will also include trees planted over the past six years in Miami, Detroit, Jacksonville, Tampa and Phoenix.

Sea Turtles on the Move This Summer. Life after dark takes on new meaning this summer as endangered sea turtles make their way onto Greater Fort Lauderdale's eight moonlit beaches to lay their eggs deep in the sand, as they have done since the age of dinosaurs more than 150,000,000 years ago.

Of the eight species of sea turtles worldwide, the three that nest on Greater Fort Lauderdale's golden sands from March through October include: the threatened Loggerhead sea turtle, which formed 1,809 nests in 2009, the endangered Green sea turtles, which had 71 nests in 2009, followed by the Leatherback turtles, which had 45 nests in 2009. After 45-55 days of incubation, more than 1,900 nests hatched in Broward County resulting in more than 150,000 hatchlings making their way to the ocean last year.

During the months of June and July, the museum will hold their Moonlight, Sea Turtles and You! program, giving participants a chance to watch a 400-pound Loggerhead sea turtle venture out of the ocean to lay her eggs, nature permitting. Guests will also meet "Dulce," the museum's resident female Loggerhead sea turtle. The program starts at the Museum of Discovery & Science at 9pm and ends at approximately 1am. Participation is $19 for non-members and advance reservations are required. Additional information and reservations are available at 954-713-0930, or by visiting www.mods.org.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) is now accepting entries for its 25th annual festival which will be held October 22 - November 11 at venues through out Fort Lauderdale. FLIFF accepts entries in three competitions Professional, Collegiate, and High School.

Professional Submissions - Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Animation, Experimental, Florida-made, Children's;

Collegiate Submissions - Narrative (20 min or longer), Short (under 20 min), Documentary, Animation;

High School Film Competition - (entries should be no longer than 5 minutes, however, we will accept some exceptions): Short, Doc, Music Video, Experimental/Animation, Public Service Announcement

Email Bonnie Adams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions or go to www.fliff.com.

The University of Miami Lowe Art Museum will greet spring with a faculty exhibition, featuring the internationally collected glass artist, Endowed Chair, and UM Art Department Professor William Carlson. The UM Faculty Exhibition, William Carlson: Aquila Non Capit Muscas (An Eagle Does Not Catch Flies) will be on view at the Lowe Art Museum through June 6, 2010.

The Broward County Council of the Navy League, through Al and Shelly Stein, has been supporting the marines in Iraq and Afghanistan for the last five years. Capt. Neville spoke of how important the packages we send have been and how much they appreciate our efforts. If you would like to become a part in the effort to support our families and friends who are in the military reserves Call George Reeves at 305-285-4845.

The Navy League of the United States - Broward County, FL Council is working with Seafarers’ House, another non-profit organization to provide care packages to our military serving in Afghanistan.

Seafarers' House, of Fort Lauderdale, in cooperation with the Broward County Council of the Navy League donated numerous boxes of personal care items for military personnel at the Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan. Joe Giambrone, Navy League South Florida Area President, is a volunteer at Seafarers’ House and helped with the Seafarers’ House Christmas shoe box program. He worked with Chaplain Gregory Worch and Executive Director Lesley Warrick to obtain their assist with the Broward County Council’s care package program.

Broward County Council Directors Al and Shelly Stein have been responsible for providing care packages to deployed Marines and Sailors for many years. To date more than 300 packages have been sent.  Seafarers’ House and the Broward County, FL Council of the Navy League look forward to continuing their partnership of supporting our military and seafarers from around the world.

Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is a cooperation among all faiths, labor, business and civic leaders with a mission "to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service.”  With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers low cost international phone calls, free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities.

To find out more about the Navy League, visit www.navyleague.org or to find out about the Broward County Council, visit www.bcnavyleague.org. Seafarers’ House; visit www.seafarershouse.org.

The Broward Cultural Division distributed federal grant stimulus funds to, among 16 others organizations, the Old Dillard Museum. These funds directly affected twelve local musicians within the Museum’s performance portfolio, including Melton Mustafa and Alexis Caputo who have now been re-hired for two more concerts, previously slated for cancellation in December 2009 and June 2010 due to financial cut backs.   For further information on the list of grantees, or this program, visit the Broward Cultural Division website at www.broward.org/arts; or contact Jim Shermer 954-357-7502; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Knitting clubs in South Florida are contributing to the cause by donating their time and talent to produce more than seven dozen scarves, skull caps, and helmet liners for the troops serving in Afghanistan. The Broward County Council of the Navy League provides the funding for the mailing, including boxes and cards.

To contribute contact Shelly Stein at 954-472-0285. The post office charges $12.50 per box.

Broward County has received for than $584 million in federal stimulus funding for 2010. A recovery web site has been created at www.broward.org/recovery to track and update the implementation of various projects. The money will go to airport improvements, the arts, crime prevention, food and shelter programs, homelessness prevention and housing, community block grants, transportation and reducing green house gas emissions, among other projects.

Taste of Mexico - Ambiance of

South Beach: As Good as it Gets

Sometimes there is a moment when we appreciate living in South Florida even more than usual and on a sunny afternoon in February we experienced just that when we attended an "intimate" cocktail reception at the Dorchester Hotel on Collins Avenue in South Beach.

Our congenial host was owner Lloyd Mandell who also serves as Executive Manager and, on this day, impromptu parking attendant. "Just park there, we know where to find you," he advised.

The reception was for Chef John Gray, the only chef representing Mexico during the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival's "BubbleQ" evening on Feb. 25. "I was very pleased to have been contacted to attend this event," Chef Gray told us. "I've been in Mexico for quite a while."

In the two decades he has been in Mexico he has built a reputation as a pioneer for his upscale cuisine that features the "textures and taste" of Mexico.

John Gray's Kitchen opened in Puerto Morelos in 2002; John Gray's Place in Playa del Carmen in 2004; La Suegra de John Gray in Puerto Morelos in February 2008; John Gray's Downtown in Cancun in 2008; The Den at John Gray's Place opened in 2009.

For this event Gray worked over an open grill presenting special delights for guests who sat in the quaint courtyard of the Dorchester. They could also sit in "The Floating Bed", a new addition which offers guests the chance to swing gently with the breezes.

It is nice to be in South Florida in February.

Ed. Note: To learn more about the John Gray Restaurant Group visit www.johngrayrestaurantgroup.com. To find out about the Dorchester Hotel go to www.thesuitesofdorchester.com. And if you wish to find a "floating bed" check www.floatingbed.com.

"Where the Boys Are"

On January 29, 2010, Singer Connie Francis exited from a vintage muscle car, escorted by modern day muscle men, to promote the 50th Anniversary event remembering the movie "Where the Boys Are" filmed on Fort Lauderdale Beach, across from the famous Elbow Room, which still remains. Francis recalled that when she visited the beach for the first time she thought there was nothing there. Little did she know at the time that the movie would inspire millions of spring breakers for the next four decades.

Mayor Jack Seiler announced plans for a special event May 28-29, 2010 to celebrate the anniversary of the film.

"Crazy Heart"

Acting of Jeff Bridges; script

Put "heart" into familiar theme

Movie Review by Susan Lazarus and Ray Brasted

You don't have to like country music to like this movie, but it helps. Jeff Bridges, one of our favorite and, we believe, sometimes undervalued actor, shines in the role of Bad Blake in the movie "Crazy Heart".

Bridges melds into the personality of a talented, but aging country singer on the skids. We first meet him, drunk and his pants unbuckled, driving to his next gig at a bowling alley. We are looking at a man who was once famous enough that people immediately recognize him. They know his songs and want to hear them over and over. But his life is as empty as the terrain of the vast southwestern states he drives through on his way to each job.

Booze, cigarettes and sometimes aging female groupies are his companions and he hasn't written or recorded a hit song in years. Got the picture? This would be a somewhat stereotypical movie of aging star in a downward life spiral if it weren't for the acting of Bridges who channels singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who would have been perfect for the role a few years back.

Who can change his life? Not his agent. Not the young country superstar he mentored. He has no family, no friends and is killing himself. Hmmm. Maybe a woman could turn his life around.

Enter Jean (played by a coquettish Maggie Gyllenhaal) who is a reporter seeking to interview Bad for her newspaper. They have chemistry and she isn't turned off by his cigarette and booze breath or slept-in clothes. Or the fact he is more than twenty years older than her and she has a four-year-old son who needs a father figure in his life. Bad doesn't have a chance. He is totally captivated.

Their relationship hangs together out of genuine love and also their own individual need to find a future. We watch Bad struggle with being a responsible person while trying to reunite with his fan base with the encouragement of the young singer he helped to fame (played by a miscast, but adequate, Colin Farrell). But will the 57-year-old Bad work it all out before he keels over for good?

He has the help of the always dead-on actor, Robert Duvall, who  provides wisdom, support and friendship as an old friend. Duvall was one of the producers of the movie and his part probably wasn't necessary to film, but the on-screen time between Bridges and Duvall offered up some nice moments.

Finally we learn that Bridges can sing. He does his own vocals and was totally believable in the roll of a former star trying to find his long lost center. Sounds like a story line for a song. Maybe call it Crazy Heart, or something like that.

Although we start out thinking we know the outcome of each scene, the script doesn't take the easy way out and we are kept guessing what will happen next.

You will like Crazy Heart.

Ed. Note: Crazy Heart was written and directed by Scott Cooper. Producers, in addition to Robert Duvall were Scott Cooper, Judy Cairo and Rob Carliner. It screened at Cinema Paradio, Fort Lauderdale's year-around Art Theater which features movies, special events and programs. Learn more by visiting their web site at www.fliff.com.

Entre Nous completes a successful fund-raising year with

Starry, Starry Night Gala for the 24th Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

Entre Nous, the support group of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, completed another successful fund-raising year with its Starry, Starry Night Gala, opening the 24th annual Fort Lauderdale Film Festival on Friday, October 23, 2009, according to chairpersons Estelle Fineberg and Teri Pattullo.

Five hundred gala attendees - film buffs, stars, producers, directors and honorees - enjoyed an elegant buffet, dancing to the music of Joe Kuels, jazz vocals by Lisanne Lyons and live and silent auctions.

In late March Entre Nous also presented The Fine Art of Film, Fashion & Food, a benefit for FLIFF and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Scholarship Fund. Held at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale the evening included fashions designed and modeled by the Art Institute students, a buffet, silent auction and entrance into selected Museum exhibitions.

According to Gregory von Hausch, FLIFF CEO and President, Entre Nous members provide not only fund-raising support, this year amounting to $60,000, but also act as emissaries for special events such as the upcoming Academy Awards party scheduled for March 7, 2010 and their next planned fund-raiser Diving into Spring scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2010 to be held at the International Swimming Hall of Fame from 5 - 8 p.m. featuring a swimsuits through the ages fashion show.

Event proceeds benefit the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, a 501c3 organization.

For more information on FLIFF visit www.fliff.com or call 954-760-9898.