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Coconut Grove Coral Gables Florida Life Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest South Miami

Ironman Triathalon Coming to Miami

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/15462209[/vimeo]The  Rohto Ironman 70.3  is coming to Miami this Saturday, October 30.  The event will mean street closures  and increased traffic so be prepared.  The biking portion will affect the most areas.   Let’s be hospitable to these incredible athletes, share the road, and be patient!

These areas should be avoided from 7a.m – 12 p.m.  These are not all of the streets, so check the map.

In Coconut Grove:

  • South Bayshore Drive
  • Tigertail Avenue
  • Oak Ave
  • Grand Ave
  • Main Highway
  • Poinciana Avenue
  • 37 Avenue from Ingraham Highway to Main Highway
  • 42 Avenue  from Poinciana Ave to 72 Street/Sunset Dr.

In South Miami/South Gables:

  • Sunset Drive from Cocoplum Circle to Ponce de Leon
  • Ponce de Leon to SW 88 Street

In Pinecrest:

  • SW 88 Street westbound lane from SW 57 Avenue to SW 67 Avenue
  • SW 67 Avenue southbound lane to SW 120 Street
  • SW 120 Street westbound lane to SW 82 Avenue
  • SW 82 Avenue southbound lane to exit out of the Village at SW 136 Street
  • Old Cutler Road/SW 57 Avenue northbound lane to exit into Coral Gables

In Palmetto Bay:

  • SW 82 Ave to 168 Street
  • SW 168 Street to 84 Ave
  • SW 84 Ave to SW 174 Street
  • SW 174 to SW 87 Ave

Categories
Florida Life Pinecrest Things To Do

L’Atelier Gourmet and AB Fine Wines

I just came back from a wine tasting at L’Atelier Gourment and AB Fine Wines.  What a great way to spend a Friday evening!  I went with some French friends who went crazy over the pastries saying they were so French they reminded them of their childhood.  I tasted (and purchased) some amazing wines to start figuring out what I will be serving at Thanksgiving.

If you live and/or work in Downtown Dadeland, take a stroll across U.S. 1.  They have wine tastings most Friday evenings.

Categories
Pinecrest Things To Do

L'Atelier Gourmet and AB Fine Wines

I just came back from a wine tasting at L’Atelier Gourment and AB Fine Wines.  What a great way to spend a Friday evening!  I went with some French friends who went crazy over the pastries saying they were so French they reminded them of their childhood.  I tasted (and purchased) some amazing wines to start figuring out what I will be serving at Thanksgiving.

If you live and/or work in Downtown Dadeland, take a stroll across U.S. 1.  They have wine tastings most Friday evenings.

Categories
Florida Life Luxury Real Estate Marinas, Yacht Clubs and other Boating Information Things To Do

Pier 66 Marina At Hyatt Ft. Lauderdale

Pier 66 Yachting is a huge part of the South Florida Lifestyle and the yachts at Pier 66 today were gorgeous.  One was called Milk Money…I had all sorts of fun guessing where owner made the money to buy that yacht!  Want to venture a guess?  What are some of your favorite marinas?

Categories
Florida Life Home Improvement

The Importance of Customer Service

I would think that in today’s economy everyone would be striving to perfect the art of customer service.  I rely 100% on referrals for obtaining listings and buyers and know one of the reasons I do well is because I strive to provide great customer service.  I have had two experiences lately where customer service was not bad, it was absolutely non-existent.  In the first one, I contacted several pool companies to give me an estimate on diamond-briting my pool.  Out of the three companies that I contacted, only one came by and followed up with a quote and a phone call to see if I had any questions regarding the quote.  I contacted one of the companies again, only because they are well known and I figured anyone can make a mistake, and they stood me up for a second time.  Sorry, but if I have to work that hard to give you work, I can’t imagine how hard I will have to work once you have my deposit.

The second instance is actually with a company I recommended to a client.  I had referred this company before with rave reviews.  This time however, my buyer is completely unhappy because a project that should have taken 3 weeks has taken two months, she tries to get people out to the house to finish the work, they set a date and time, don’t call or show up, and no one in the company has called to follow up, apologize or explain the delays.  My client is patient and understanding, but the lack of communication has led to her frustration.  To stress how important customer service is:  in this case, I was at a gym class today and someone asked the group where my client was.  Several women started saying that she was having nothing but problems with the house (I sold it to her) because of the company installing the windows (I recommended the company).  One woman asked,  “What is the name of the company so I can avoid them”?  Imagine if my client had been happy with her windows.  Instead of having 8 women who will avoid this company like the plague, they would have been referring them instead!  In addition, I will no longer feel comfortable referring this company, as it has affected my reputation as well.  So instead of taking Yosemite Sam’s view of complaints, use them to perfect your customer service.complaint

Categories
Florida Life Restaurants Things To Do

Great Wine and Tapas Bar – In a Gas Station!

Miami Tapas Bar
Miami Tapas Bar

The other day I was heading back to the office and I was starving so I pulled into a gas station that I knew had awesome sandwiches.  Guess I haven’t been in there for a really long time because when I walked in, there was wine everywhere and the back of the gas station had been converted into a mini “taverna”,  called El Carajo, complete with a wine bar and small wooden tables.  Since I was starving, I ordered a bunch of tapas to go:  Tortilla de Chorizo, Croquetas de Bacalao, and Boquerones.  They were all delicious and I had enough to snack on later that evening and the next day.  I only wish I hadn’t had to go back to work so I could have done some wine tasting.  They had an amazing selection and very reasonable prices.  I will definitely be back.

Categories
Florida Life Neighborhood News Pinecrest Things To Do

Pinecrest Gardens To Charge Small Admission Fee

Pinecrest Gardens will be charging a minor entrance fee.  $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children is all it will cost to spend a beautiful day cruising the gardens.  Children will love feeding the fish, looking for turtles, visiting the butterfly garden, going to the petting zoo, playing on the playground or splashing in the water park.  Although many people have been enjoying the park for free, the Village of Pinecrest decided to reinstate an admission fee, though much lower than previous fees, to help cover the $1.5 million it costs to maintain the gardens and increase the programing.

Categories
Florida Life

Happy Fourth of July

sampc55d6611c06500e2fireworksredwhiteblue1Whether you are celebrating with a BBQ, on the boat, at the beach, or some other wonderful venue, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy Fourth of July.

Categories
Florida Life Freebies Things To Do

Hollywood Beach

myphoto(30)Art Deco buildings, wide beach, easy parking, and walking distance to Le Tub.  What more could you ask for for a great day at the beach!

Categories
Florida Life Neighborhood News Restaurants

Le Tub – Great Food and Views in Hollywood

Le Tub in Hollywood is one of those funky, fun, old-Florida places that I love.  Originally a Sunoco Gas Station, Le Tub was built out of flotsam, jetsam, and ocean “treasures” over a 4 year period.  The atmosphere is great, on the Intracoastal,  the food is very good beach fare and the  portions are large enough for sharing.  If you don’t finish everything on your plate and don’t want to take a doggie bag, just throw the food over the side and watch the fish have a feast.  These have to be some of the best fed fish in Florida! No credit cards.

Le Tub's Award Winning Hamburger
Le Tub's Award Winning Hamburger