Little did I know I would actually learn that champagne has 56 million bubbles per bottle, that the reason for checking the cork from a champagne bottle is to make sure it matches the label, and that proper champagne opening etiquette is to make the cork “kiss” instead of “pop”!

Magnificent 5 bedroom, 4 bath family home located in the Landings. Featuring 4,350 square feet of custom design on a 1/2 acre lot. The new owners who relocated from Brazil, are settled and enjoying our South Florida lifestyle. The sales price has been published as $965,000. For warm professional relocation assistance, contact Monica LoMonaco at 305 215 5564 or visit her at www.pinecresthome.net. Monica was the selling agent in this transaction.

The Fillmore has undergone extensive renovations and will once again offer some much- needed culture to Miami Beach residents and visitors alike.

This venue is one of the six nationwide managed by the Fillmore organization. The first Fillmore opened in the late 60’s in San Francisco, under the helm of the late Bill Graham (not the reverend). I have great memories of attending weekly concerts at the Fillmore East, in New York City’s East Village. At the height of my “hippiedom” I saw concerts by Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Cream with Eric Clapton, and so many more. Good Times!

So I welcome the Fillmore to Miami Beach and may they keep my good times going… I may be too old to rock’n'roll but I am definitely too young to die!

Unfortunately, the Florida Gators did not do as well, losing to perennial rival Auburn at home in “The Swamp”, by a score of 20-17 on a list minute field goal by the Auburn Tigers. The Gators are now 4-1 for the season, thus ending their long, undefeated run.

Florida State was victorious, beating Alabama 22-14. Any loss for Alabama’s coach Nick Saban is a celebration for me. I think Nick Saban is directly responsible for the sad state of affairs with the Miami Dolphins.

Which leads me to today’s Dolphins loss to the Oakland Raiders 35-17. The Raider’s QB, Daunte Culpepper rushed for 3 TD’s, threw for another 2, and had a great game. This is the same Daunte Culpepper the Dolphins got rid off very unceremoniously after last season, only to get Trent Green in his place. Can you hear my heart breaking a little bit more each week? Maybe the Dolphin’s owners and coaches ought to allow the fans to get involved in the recruiting process?

Sorry about the tone of this post, I will not deny I ‘m a sore loser…

His unit was directly across the big lake from 1280D. In the 30 minutes he was casting his line he caught and released two fish, the second of which he was getting off the hook when I came by. In the late afternoon, with a gentle breeze, it was a very enjoyable way to pass the time!

If you’re looking for a great value in Homestead with 24 hour security, close to Baptist Hospital, the Florida Turnpike, the Keys, and with a place to practice your fishing technique, then check out my website or call me for more information on this 2 Bedroom/2 Bath condo.

10. Strong civic groups working hard to “keep it green”

9. Zoning laws prevent urban sprawl

8. Close proximity to Florida Turnpike, Miami and The Florida Keys

7. Miles and miles of horse ranches, farms and groves

6. Wonderful place to raise children

5. No traffic

4. Neighbors that care, but are not imposing

3. Stars are brighter here

2. Peace, tranquility, privacy and stress-free living

1. Without question – more house and land for the money

If you’re tired of the rat race, call Pat Ambrose at 305-960-2634. There is everything from weekend retreats to multi-million dollar mansions in The Redland, Miami’s rural community. There’s something out there that fits your needs and pocketbook.

He performs live in Florida , on December 11 & 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Ft.Lauderdale, Florida, and tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon… www.ticketsNow.com. How fortunate we are to live in Miami (…Hollywood… Ft. Lauderdale!)… with our wealth of cultural events, and international flavor. I thought I was going to miss New York City, when I moved here … and some things, of course, I do miss … but Miami offers so much … and the possibilities seem endless. “Because WE BELIEVE” … Andrea Bocelli … right here in Ft. Lauderdale.

Just out of college (years and years ago), living in New York City with mere pennies to scrape together, I sat in the VERY top row of the peanut gallery of Carnegie Hall (biking there to save a subway token)… and saw Nana Mouskouri perform live. One gentleman in the row just below me , kept leaning over the balcony, craning his neck to see better ….. He wanted to get as close to the stage as he could… We couldn’t have been any higher, or farther away… way up there in the nose-bleed section! A lady next to me urged him to sit down so we could see better (from our VERY BACK ROW). With a bright smile and a gentle tone he turned and whispered “Ahhh…. Madame…. When Nana sings … WE LEAN”. No matter how few pennies any of us had, up there in the peanut gallery, we each had the same deep appreciation for music. She and I leaned too !

Since then, I’ve been (many times… to many events) in peanut galleries all over the world … and probably equally as many times had amazing front row seats … (or somewhere in between!) I’ve seen Bocelli perform with Celine Dion… and with the angelic English soprano, Sarah Brightman. When I’m alone in the car, I’ll belt out: “Con Te Partiro’” LOUD (for the parts I know the words for)… but mostly it’s just loud humming … which is probably a good thing, because I’m practically tone deaf. I may not be able to carry a tune, but I love music, and am SO excited that Bocelli is going to be in our backyard !

Italian Rock Star, “Zucchero” was to record “Miserere” with Luciano Pavarotti … He had Bocelli record a demo duet of the song with him, to send to “Il Maestro”, to preview. After hearing that demo, Pavarotti told Zucchero to record it with Bocelli… that Pavarotti couldn’t do it any better. The voice of an angel. That launched Bocelli into the international arena. Bocelli subsequently sang at the funeral of Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy, September 8,2007 . www.andreabocelli.com

Whether the nose-bleed section, or right up close… South Florida (like New York City) offers a wealth of cultural offerings! I feel infinitely fortunate to live here!

The factors affecting black infant mortality include poverty, poor nutrition, inadequate prenatal care, teen pregnancy, heredity, high blood pressure, stress, obesity, low birth weights and prematurity.

There are several other factors, including higher crime rates, poorly equipped schools, a disproportionately higher numbers of fast-food restaurants and liquor stores, lower numbers of grocery stores and less availability of fresh produce in urban, predominantly black communities that also affect the mortality rate, making it a whooping 13.5 per 1,000 live births. This is the highest among any group, including whites and Hispanics, which have a 5.7 per 1,000 live births.

This study was conducted at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies’ Health Policy Institute , in Atlanta, Ga. These shameful figures are taking place in the United States in 2007.

“That’s the elephant in the room” according to Michael Lu, an obstetrician-gynecologist and professor at the University of California in Los Angeles, who studies disparities in infant health.

We are the most advance and wealthiest nation in the world, yet the infant mortality rate is higher than in many Third World countries.

It is not acceptable that blacks in the United States still face such a struggle for equality. It seems so long ago since Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream…” speech, which made his points so crystal clear.

Apparently, and unfortunately, not everyone got it.

Park Hours:

Coral Pine 8 AM - 10 PM Daily

Evelyn Greer Mon -Thurs 10AM-10PM Fri 10AM-8PM Sat & Sun 8AM-8PM.

Suniland Mon – Thurs 10AM-10PM Fri 10AM-8PM Sat & Sun 8AM-10 PM.

Pinecrest Gardens Oct – May 9 AM - 5 PM June – Sept 9 AM - 6 PM.

Flagler Grove will be 10 AM - 9 PM daily when completed.

Veterans Wayside and Red Road Linear are presently available 24/7; but there aren’t any lights. Beginning October 1, 2007, Miami-Dade County will begin installing lighting along Red Road beside Red Road Linear park.

There are fees for some special facilities. There is a $3.00 per child fee for children 2 – 12 to use the Splash ‘n Play at Pinecrest Gardens . Fees for tennis courts run from $1.00 per hour for students, (Mon – Fri only 8AM- 5 PM) to $3.00 per hour 8 AM to sunset or $4.00 from sunset to 10 PM. There are other fees for renting various buildings, ball fields and facilities, as well as special caterer fees and film and photography fees. If you are interested in renting any of the facilities for a special party or event, click here for more specifics.

In the mean time, use the parks often – for FREE. They are a wonderful respite for busy, hectic lives!

And don’t forget – the Patch will be coming to Pinecrest October 18 – very close to Flagler Grove Park.

My next topic will be about upcoming events in the Pinecrest parks.

I found yoga when it was introduced in my gym a few years ago and instantly knew my days of pumping iron and step classes were over, gone forever, kaput!! Halleluyah! And not long after I began a regular practice of yoga I realized my back pain was also a thing of the past!

Yoga is not about making your body into a pretzel. It’s about calming your mind, eliminating stress and pain, cardio-conditioning, weight management, increasing flexability and a lot of other more esoteric things that come along if you really get into all the branches of yoga. And, in a short time, you are doing amazing stuff you never thought you could or would do, and it feels GREAT!

No matter what you may or may not have been doing to stay in shape, yoga takes you right back to the beginning. Actually, very buffed-up people have to work through overdeveloped muscle mass, dance-trained have to unlearn the turned-out legs, runners have to stretch out their tight hamstrings, and the treadmill/elliptical trainer/spinning crowd have to give up on the idea of no pain-no gain.

There are many variations of every yoga position, and only over time would one move into a more challenging pose; so if you’re interested in trying a class, it’s fine to go with your friend who has been practicing for a while.

In the weeks to come I will write about where you can find yoga classes, poses you can do in your office or car, styles of yoga and anything else I can think of to encourage you to try this centuries-old, healthy for everyone, life-affirming and fun form of loving your Self!