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Fort Lauderdale, FL Riverwalk Events

RIVERWALK – YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturdays 10 a.m.
Tune in, chill out and shape up with Yoga in the Park. Engage your mind, body and spirit surrounded by the natural beauty of Riverwalk Park and the New River. All ages and levels welcome — yoga is for everyone. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Bring water, mat and towel. Metered parking available. Normal rates apply.
Riverwalk’s Esplanade Park.
(954) 468-1541. FREE
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7660


SECOND ON SECOND THURSDAYS
Sept. 10 • 5 to 9 p.m.
Second on Second, a fundraiser involving the neighbors on Southwest Second Street in Downtown Himmarshee, returns for another networking pub crawl. The event, whose proceeds partially benefit Riverwalk Trust, will feature live music, an ever-changing collection of artists showcasing and selling their works and a free drink or appetizer at each of the seven participating establishments on the south side of the 200 block of Southwest Second Street. Admission to the indoor/outdoor get-together is just $10 in advance (prepay at www.GoRiverwalk.com) or $15 at the door. Participating restaurants and bars include Tarpon Bend Food and Tackle, Limoncello Italian Trattoria, T Mex, Himmarshee Bar & Grille’s Side Bar, Coyote Ugly, Briny’s Irish Club and Fat Cat’s. Check in locations are at Tarpon Bend and Coyote Ugly. Major event sponsors include Premier Beverage, New Times, Stephens Distributing, Rolling Rock, ArtServe, Broward Cultural Division, Classical South Florida and Riverwalk Trust. Event is rain or shine and pet-friendly. For more information, call (954) 233-1516 or visit http://www.goriverwalk.com/. 
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7457


RIVERWALK MUTTS AND MARTINIS YAPPY HOUR
Back to the Briny!
Sept. 25 • 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Riverwalk Trust hosts “the original” Riverwalk Mutts and Martinis Yappy Hour, Fort Lauderdale’s largest outdoor, pet-friendly cocktail hour, on Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The goal of the event is to bring together the Downtown community and their favorite four-legged friends for a night of celebration and networking while raising funds for the Riverwalk Trust. The event will be held along the Riverwalk at Briny Irish Pub. On this fun evening along Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk, a $20 donation ($15 prepay online) gives attendees two complimentary drinks, appetizers, live music, live radio broadcasts, chances to win raffles and prizes and lots of fun activities for their pets including dog massages, caricatures and canine contests. Dog adoptions will be available courtesy of the Humane Society of Broward County, and a portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will go toward the Humane Society of Broward County. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.GoRiverwalk.com or at the door the evening of the event. Event supporters include Briny Irish Pub, Big 105.9 FM, New Times, Premier Beverage, Barefoot Wines, Bud Light Wheat Ale, Three O Bubble Vodka, Go Riverwalk Magazine, Scott Barfield Photography, Alexan Solmar and Inspiri24 Design Studios. Non-profit partners include the Humane Society of Broward County, The Pet Project, Share-A-Pet and Broward Meals on Wheels Pets.
For more information, call (954) 468-1541, or visit http://www.goriverwalk.com/.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7726

Daily Events

International Gem & Jewelry Show
Sept. 4 through 6
Whether you are looking for a diamond engagement ring, beautiful colored gemstones or a one-of-a-kind gift, you can find it at the International Gem & Jewelry Show. Exhibitors from around the world will offer a huge selection of quality jewelry of all kinds including loose colored gemstones, fine finished jewelry, fashion jewelry, beads and more at discounts of 20 percent to 40 percent off retail prices.
War Memorial Auditorium.
(954) 828-5380. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7656

FAB! Films for Kids
Sept. 5
FAB! Films for Kids is a free program presented the first Saturday morning of each month by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Cinema Paradiso. Sponsored by Funding Arts Broward, the program features films for families followed by an activity for kids.
Cinema Paradiso.
(954) 525-3456. FREE FAM
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7447

Café Cinematheque International
Sept. 6
Café Cinematheque, the monthly brunch, film and discussion, heads to Turkey. The featured film “Pandora’s Box” is the story of middle-aged siblings in Istanbul forced to confront their own alienated lives once their mother goes missing. Following the film, Shelly Isaacs, Florida International University instructor of foreign film appreciation, will facilitate a discussion. Brunch, including baklava, vegetable kebabs and eggplant frittatas, will be served.
Cinema Paradiso.
(954) 525-3456. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7710

Poetry Reading and Author Book Signing at Sublime
Sept. 6 • 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
Come meet the author, M. Butterflies Katz, Vegan Poet, and enjoy vegan wine and refreshments as she reads a selection of her thought-provoking poetry. Event fee includes refreshments, two glasses of wine, and a personalized copy of Vegan Poet's “Metamorphosis: Poems to Inspire Transformation” (retail price $18). The book includes 50 color photos and 50 poems on animal and environmental rights. See old friends, meet new friends, and eat at Sublime afterward!
Sublime.
(954) 615-1431. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7745

SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch
Sept. 6
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with the SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch in September. Jazz Brunch is an ideal way to relax and enjoy Fort Lauderdale's scenic Riverwalk. Listen to the soulful sounds of outstanding local jazz artists on four stages. Observe performances by the Caliente Jazz Sounds, Steve B. and Friends, Clube do Choro de Miami and Billy Bones.
Riverwalk Park.
(954) 828-5363. FREE FAM
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7711

Mother/SON
Sept. 10 through 13
No one comes out alone and Emmy-nominated writer/performer Jeffrey Solomon's award-winning solo play traces his mother's poignant, often hilarious, journey out of the closet as the parent of a gay son. Playing both mother and son, Solomon depicts their tumultuous journey from rejection to acceptance and understanding, in a performance the Chicago Tribune calls “Powerfully personal, yet as universal as family values.” A huge critical success, Mother/SON won the “Audience Favorite” and “Best Male Solo Performer” at the National Gay Theatre Festival and was the hit of the Leeds Jewish International Performing Arts Festival in the United Kingdom. Presented by Inside Out Theatre Company.
Museum of Art /Fort Lauderdale.
(954) 462-0222. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7657

Briny's Brotherhood Bash
Sept. 11 • 7 p.m.
This is the second annual Brotherhood Bash sponsored by the South Florida FOOLS and hosted by the Briny Irish Pub. The event is a celebration of Brotherhood in the fire service and a celebration of the lives of the 343 members of FDNY killed in the terrorist attacks in New York City. “We will never forget” was a popular phrase in 2001, and this event puts those words into action. Offered are $2 drafts/wells, $3 wines and a free buffet from 7 to 10 p.m. There will be two live rock bands, one of which is a group of Miami-Dade firefighters called Fire Brigade. Performing throughout the night will be the Black Pearl Pipes and Drums, every member being a South Florida firefighter. There will also be an Irish band, headed by Joe Dougherty of the Briny's Pompano location. The FOOLS (Fraternal Order of Leatherhead Society) is a non-profit international organization of firefighters who strive to preserve the history and traditions of the fire service and take care of brother and sister firefighters.
Briny Irish Pub.
(954) 232-8822.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7712

Walenstein Symphony — A Romantic Evening With Tchaikovsky — Part II
Sept. 12
Themed on the Great Russian composer Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, this chamber music concert is the second part of Walenstein Symphony Orchestra's “A Romantic Evening with Tchaikovsky” series. Pieces featured will be some of his greatest works, namely his “Piano Trio in A Minor,” “String Quartet No. 1 in D Major” and the beloved “Souvenir de Florence String Sextet.”
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
(954) 462-0222. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7713

NewLIFE Expo
Sept. 12 and 13
This event will feature free music, holistic samples and 50 percent off of all books in the bookstore. There will be 150 speakers present and multiple exhibits.
Broward County Convention Center.
(954) 765-5900. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7658

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Sept. 12 • 5 to 8 p.m
Hosted by the Fort Lauderdale Woman's Cub, event tickets include a spaghetti dinner, salad, bread, dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage. Beer and wine will be sold. Money raised will assist in the renovations of the Fort Lauderdale Woman's Clubhouse.
The Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club.
(954) 830-1625. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7714

Ongoing Events

High Tea Tuesdays
Tuesdays
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please call the catering department for reservations and additional information.
The Riverside Hotel.
(954)467-0671.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7546

Touch Tuesdays
Tuesdays • 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
AreaVillage Marketing kicks off “Touch Tuesdays” at Fort Lauderdale’s renowned Samba Room. Touch Tuesdays is a socializing phenomena that will re-define networking. By incorporating a different co-host at each Touch Tuesday event, various organizations ranging from non-profits to local businesses will have the opportunity to further integrate with the community.
Samba Room.
(954) 317-8158.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7140


Thirsty Thursdays
Thursdays
Happy Hour Specials all day in Indigo & Golden Lyon.
Indigo Restaurant and the Golden Lyon.
(954) 467-0671.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7560


Third Thursdays
Ongoing
Enjoy an evening of culture, conversation and entertainment at the museum. Third Thursdays are free to the public and start at 5 p.m. Food, alcohol and entertainment are provided.
Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale.
(954) 525-5500, ext. 254.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=6901

Junior Golf
Thursdays • 6 to 7 p.m.
Children will learn the fundamentals of golf while receiving hands-on instruction. Each child will also receive a shirt and trophy. Registration fees begin at $55 for a six-week session.
Holiday Park.
(954) 828-5993. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7332

Tai Chi
Thursdays • 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Tai Chi encourages health and longevity while reducing stress.
Holiday Park.
(954) 828-5993.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7337

Fashion Fridays at Indigo Restaurant
Fridays • Noon to 2 p.m.
The Fashion Runway has hit Indigo Restaurant. Be a guest every Friday at Indigo Restaurant, located inside the Riverside Hotel for fabulous fashion shows.
Indigo Restaurant.
(954) 467-0671.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7573

Golf Fort Lauderdale
Saturdays • 9 a.m. to noon
Come take a swing and enjoy free youth golf instruction. Free classes are offered to youth between 6 and 18 years old.
Osswald Park.
(954) 497-1636.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7345

Story Time Theater
Second Saturday of each month
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre presents Story Time Theatre the second Saturday of every month. There are crafts and theater games for children ages 3 to 10.
Whole Foods Lifestyle Center.
(954) 763-6882. FAM $
http://www.goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7171

Las Olas Outdoor Green Market
Sundays • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Partake in a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade hummus and honey, blooming orchids, yummy baked goods and organic meals and other great market selections.
Las Olas Chemist Parking Lot.
(954) 462-4166. FREE FAM
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=6902

Kids Sunday at Indigo
Sundays
Kids eat for $3 at Indigo Restaurant every Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Indigo Restaurant.
954)467-0671.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7586

Free Business Magazines

  

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Free Trade Magazine Subscriptions & Technical Document Downloads


Browse through our extensive list of free Small & Medium Business magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills; topics include SMB technology, small business management, entrepreneurship and franchising. Simply complete the application form and submit it. All are absolutely free to professionals who qualify.

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Email Marketing & Small Businesses

How Email Marketing Helps Small Businesses Compete
Constant Contact recently surveyed more than 3,000 small business owners in an effort to better understand their unique challenges and perspectives. The results of that survey showed that marketing was one of the owners' greatest challenges, greater even than sales and growth planning. While 29 percent of respondents reported that they were cutting back their marketing budgets, they noted that they were also seeking new ways to make their marketing efforts more effective. This makes sense. When faced with obstacles, small businesses work harder to stay close to their customers and be more flexible. Now there are affordable tools that help them do that with their marketing as well.

While there are many tools in the digital marketing toolkit, small businesses are advised to begin with email marketing, often considered the easiest, most effective, and most affordable tool. Why? Well, for starters, email marketing is easy to do. There are professional services that enable businesses to easily create professional-looking email marketing campaigns. Also, email marketing provides a good base for building relationships with customers. Everyone uses email, and it is a low-pressure environment for reaching new and existing customers. Additionally, email marketing is a great launching pad for your other marketing efforts. It provides a platform for adding new digital marketing tools, as businesses become more comfortable with online, digital communication. For example, over time, surveys and polls can be added to an email newsletter, incorporating the ability to gather feedback and begin a more interactive marketing relationship. That feedback can be integrated into your product or used to develop content for the next newsletter.


Social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, shorten the feedback loop to nearly real time. By incorporating links to YouTube videos, “top tweets” from Twitter, and photo albums from Flickr into their newsletters, businesses can give their audience more ways to engage without adding cost. Not every channel will make sense for every company, but social networks allow businesses to broadcast their content, and any time busy small business owners can replicate a “personal” communication across many relationships, they save their most precious resource: time.

By adopting this dynamic marketing tactic, many small business owners have created an interconnected marketing effort that creates consistent reinforcement of their messages across a variety of marketing platforms. For example, a Twitter feed can include links to a sign-up page for an email marketing newsletter; the content of the newsletter can be reposted on a blog, which can in turn offer a link to a survey; a survey can then generate content for the other three platforms. A dynamic marketing program such as this will help extend relationships with current customers, create inroads with potential customers, and fend off competitive threats.

For all those small business owners who don’t know how to get started, or who are concerned that they can’t afford their current marketing buy, the prescription is simple: Begin with email marketing. Layer on additional digital communications elements as they make sense for the business and as time allows. The technology tools are generally very easy to adopt, and they provide value immediately. Soon, a multifaceted campaign will have emerged, at little cost to the business. And, in today’s climate, what could be better than a smart campaign that doesn’t break the bank?

by Wendi Caplan-Carroll
Read More: Email Marketing & Small Businesses

Thousands attend Bash in honour of Jackson

Michael Jackson impersonator Hector Jackson (centre) dances with thousands of other fans to "Thriller" in celebration of the late singer's 51st birthday in Mexico City August 29, 2009. Over 12,000 fans danced to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at the event, breaking a Guinness world record. REUTERS

Posted Sunday, August 30 2009 at 18:15
NEW YORK, Sunday
Thousands of Michael Jackson fans danced the rain away in a Brooklyn park yesterday at a party hosted by filmmaker Spike Lee, marking what would have been the 51st birthday of the late pop star.
“I was just like everyone else. I loved his talent,” said Spike Lee, who directed two music videos for Jackson in 1996. He also reminisced how Jackson had visited him in his home in Brooklyn to talk about their music video collaboration.
The day was also designated Michael “King of Pop” Jackson Memorial Day by Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz.
“We all know Michael Jackson had fans around the world, but we all know the best fans come from Brooklyn,” Mr Markowitz boasted to a roaring crowd that grew as heavy rain in the morning lightened to a drizzle by mid-afternoon.
On Friday, Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide from drug overdose on Friday, fuelling speculation his personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, may soon be charged with manslaughter or another crime.

In another development, the date of the funeral for pop legend Michael Jackson has been changed to September 3, the singer’s spokesman has said.

Jackson was scheduled to be laid to rest August 29, on what would have been his 51st birthday.
The private ceremony will still take place at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, according to a statement from Ken Sunshine.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 of cardiac arrest. The famed entertainer was 50.

There have been conflicting reports about Jackson’s burial. Early this month, reports said that the King of Pop has been laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood. (Reuters)

Read More: Thousands attend Bash in honour of Jackson 

If You Can't Stop Comparing Yourself with Others…

Who's smarter, prettier, richer? Who's got a better backhand, a flatter stomach, a faster-track job? If you can't stop comparing yourself to others, you've got a case of what Asian philosophers call monkey mind, and, honey, it will only drive you bananas. Martha Beck directs you to a more evolved, happier plane.


Marie is doing Alice's hair when along comes Tanya, a mutual acquaintance. Tanya has the perfect life: great body, well-behaved children, primo social status. Watching her walk by, Alice admires her beauty, then relaxes into the pleasant sensation of Marie's hands arranging her hair. Marie, by contrast, nearly explodes with jealousy and competitiveness. Her teeth and stomach clench as she watches Tanya flaunt her long limbs, thick hair, and—most enviable of all—her hugely swollen, rose-red rump. Tanya, Marie, and Alice are baboons, social primates who share around 95 percent of our DNA and a lot of our psychological traits. Scientists have found that some baboons (like Marie) are extremely competitive, others (like Alice) more mellow, less worried about measuring up. The more rank-conscious baboons suffer higher blood pressure—a stress-related condition we associate with driven, competitive humans.



No wonder some Asian philosophies refer to rank-obsessed human thinking as "monkey mind" and "comparing mind"—what I call "crazy mind." Constantly measuring ourselves against others sours and shortens our lives, robbing us of the very things we think it will bring: prosperity, love, inner peace, the knowledge that we're good enough. We have advantages baboons do not, though. We can notice when we've stumbled into monkey mind, and we can think our way out.
 
Read Article: If You Can't Stop Comparing Yourself with Others…

Blue Martini Presents

AMEX Helps Small Businesses

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Lock and Key Party

Lock and Key Party at Passions Night Club this Friday 8/21 From 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Pay only $22 With the Promo Code "Asense"
Includes 1 Free Drink & Appetizers til 9:30 P.M.

How it works:
Every woman gets a padlock. Every man gets a key. Your goal is to match the right key with the right padlock. Every time you unlock a lock you rreceive a raffle ticket, or get a new Lock or Key.
With each raffle ticket you get a chance to win great prizes from the party sponsors.

For additional information and registration visit: http://lockandkeyevents.com/sfl
Call 754) 264-5109

New headache for Airlines

CHICAGO - Indignant letters, e-mails and phone calls can still get results for unhappy airline travelers, but more are finding that if you really want to vent your frustrations, you can now be loud and fast and public.

At least that's the buzz on Twitter, where airlines are discovering that fuming passengers who have been stranded, delayed or just plain piqued are increasingly letting their undiluted rage fly around the Internet, often from the confines of their cramped airplane seat.

Twitter and other fast-growing social networking Web sites like Facebook and YouTube have sprung up as yet another front in beleaguered airlines public relations battle.

Read More: Frustrated Tweets new Headache for Airlines

Is cashing in on gold too good to be true?

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Lies that Can Cost You Your Job

Every day individuals fib, lie and embellish their way through the work day, not realizing that there are repercussions. The consequences may not always be as severe as termination, but it can be a reduction in bonus, a permanent mark on your record or a poor score on your yearly review, not to mention the damage done to your reputation among fellow colleagues. What follows are 4 frequent fibs that every single should avoid in the workplace.

Pulling the Healthy Sick Card

If you call in sick when you’re feeling perfectly fine you better be smart about it. Taking off one too many hangover Fridays, or regularly turning the day before calendared holiday 3 day weekends into your personal 4 day long weekends, will no doubt cause suspicious minds. So come clean to your supervisor and ask that these be reported as vacation days, or try to schedule your healthy sick days on less conspicuous days during the week.

The Faux Appointment/Emergency

Leaving work under false medical or other emergent pretenses is asking for trouble. Take it from Kristine who played hooky to get prepped for a date and was spotted getting her hair blown out at the salon by one of her co-workers. All it takes is one sighting or slip and you can lose your credibility, especially when medical or family issues are used as an excuse.

Pointing the Finger

When people’s jobs and egos are at stake, blaming others when you’re at fault can lead to war in the workplace. Remember, it’s a politics game and you’ll lose if you try to dodge the bullet by feigning innocence. Folks, the only way to keep allies and integrity intact is to play fair and take ownership of your conduct and work in good times and in bad.

Fudging Hours & Fudging Expenses

Working to make sure you get in those all those billable hours is seriously stressful. You may hit your targets by rounding up to the nearest hour but don’t press your luck. This is a serious offense, and companies’ billings are increasingly being examined by their clients and their clients’ audit units or accountants. If you’re a certified professional, lying here may not cost you just a client, but your license.


Read More: 4 Lies that Can Cost You Your Job

Cops called to Jon and Kate Gosselin's home

(People.com) -- When Kate Gosselin appeared on Monday's "Today" show, she told host Meredith Vieira that she still loves her soon-to-be ex, "the Jon I knew." However, the stars of TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8" seem to have lost that loving feeling.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, police arrived at the Gosselin family home in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, where the exes were engaged in a verbal argument. A source close to Kate Gosselin confirms she called police.
"[Police] got there and calmed the situation down," an officer tells PEOPLE. "No one was arrested and no citations were issued."
Another source says Kate called the house to find out which babysitter was helping with the children. When she didn't approve of the caretaker, an argument with Jon ensued.
"Due to the custody agreement, Kate couldn't enter the property," the source says. "The cops had no choice but to tell Kate she couldn't go past the gate."
Distraught and in tears, Kate left and checked in to a nearby hotel.
Tears are something Kate is getting used to: In this week's PEOPLE the now single mother says, "I cry all the time, in numerous airports, in airplanes."
She'd rather not have her emotional life be so public, but she says, "It's not like I can put the tears on hold. So I try to cry very incognito, behind my sunglasses. And after those tears, there's always the feeling of, 'how did I get here?'

Twitter delivers travel deals and help

Want to be the first to hear about airfare sales and hotel deals? You might want to join the microblogging service Twitter.

Twitter has become the latest place for airlines, hotels, tour operators and attractions to "tweet" their top deals. Twitter can take you deep into the Internet to find the latest information about hotels, restaurants and airfares, Everett Potter wrote in his Twitter primer for travelers in Travel + Leisure magazine.

JetBlueCheeps tweeted some $9 Boston-to-New York fares last month. United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines also are on Twitter, as are hotels, tourist offices and numerous travel writers and sites that gather travel deals and information. BestTravelDeals.net, for example, has just expanded its services to include travel deals from Twitter. You can see them to the right on the website or follow the company's Mary Song on Twitter.

Sascha Segan from Frommer's points out Twitter can not only help you find travel deals, it can also save you hours on the phone trying to get through to hotel or airline customer service. And she lists a number of travel pros to follow if you need help.

Tony Wagner of Washington, D.C., pleaded for help on Twitter when he found out he wasn't seated next to his wife and 2-year-old daughter on a Memorial Day weekend JetBlue flight and couldn't get anywhere with customer service on the phone, reports Michelle Higgins of The New York Times' Practical Traveler. He got a response via Twitter in 19 minutes.

In recent weeks, Twitter has made it easier to do searches for attractions, places or companies, say for Tweets mentioning Disney or (using the hashtag) #Disney. If you're looking for a particular business or location, start with a search. You may find that you don't want to participate in Twitter all the time, but just search when you need specific information.

Dennis Schaal of Online Travel Riffs and Notes believes the new Twitter search will change Google, Bing, Facebook and Kayak, as well as Carnival Cruise Lines, JetBlue, Hertz and Mark Travel.

If you travel a lot, even only via armchair, you might find some value in following travel writers and other travelers, or even residents of place you're planning to visit. Writes Wendy Perrin, consumer news editor for Conde Naste Traveler and author of the Perrin Post travel blog: "I know of no faster or more effective way than Twitter to have a real-time dialogue with other travelers."

Do you have any favorite travel Tweeters? Or do you find the whole service more trouble than it's worth? By the way, Smart Spending is on Twitter, too.

Read More: Twitter delivers travel deals and help

Brad Pitt Mayor? Don't hold your Breath...

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Read More: Brad Pitt Mayor? Don't hold your Breath...

JetBlue offers all-you-can-fly plan for $599

JetBlue offers all-you-can-fly plan for $599

Unlimited flight pass valid for trips between Sept. 8 and Oct. 8.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- JetBlue Airways will offer an "all-you-can-jet" pass for $599 in which passengers can book an unlimited amount of flights within a one-month span, the airline said Wednesday.

Pass holders can fly to any of JetBlue's (JBLU) 56 destinations between Sept. 8 and Oct. 8, with no seat limitations or blackout dates, the company said in a release.

Airline equities analyst Bob McAdoo, of Avondale Partners, said he "has never seen a promotion like this before."

In fact, Air Canada had a similar promotion in 2007, where it offered an unlimited flight pass starting at $1,657 per month.

Still, with JetBlue flights already slashed as low as $100, customers might have to fly 6 or 7 times in a month before they break even.

"This is a way to get people to pay attention, with publicity that doesn't cost the company much," McAdoo said. "They're doing this at a time when there are probably a lot of seats available anyway."

Customers must buy the $599 pass by Aug. 21, and they can book flights within three days of the departure date. All travel using the pass must be booked between Aug. 12 and Oct. 5.

Taxes and fees are included for domestic flights, and changes or cancellations made less than three days before departure cost $100.


Read More: JetBlue offers all-you-can-fly plan for $599

Washington D.C cancels Tax Free Holiday

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Google reveals caffeine: a new faster search engine

Google has revealed project “caffeine”, a new test version of its search engine which it claims will be faster and more relevant than ever before.

The front end of the improved search engine looks no different. It is the back end technology which Google developers hope will noticeably index new content faster. Photo: AP
In the face of increasing innovation and competition in the search market, Google is upping the ante by developing new technology which will speed up indexing search results and create a larger index.
Web developers have been invited by Google engineers to test the new search engine and give their feedback. The front end of the engine looks no different. It is the back end technology which Google developers hope will noticeably index new content faster and reduce the time between new content being published online and it then appearing in a Google search result.

Matt Cutts, a principal engineer at Google and Sitaram Iyer, a staff software engineer posted an entry on the company’s webmaster central blog, appealing to developers to try the newly improved service and send them some feedback.
“For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Google's web search. It's the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions.”

“The new infrastructure sits "under the hood" of Google's search engine, which means that most users won't notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so we're opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback,” they explained.

Read More: Google reveals caffeine: a new faster search engine

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, FL Events

@ RIVERWALK – YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturdays 10 a.m.
Tune in, chill out and shape up with Yoga in the Park. Engage your mind, body and spirit surrounded by the natural beauty of Riverwalk Park and the New River. All ages and levels welcome — yoga is for everyone. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Bring water, mat and towel. Metered parking available. Normal rates apply.
Riverwalk’s Esplanade Park.
(954) 468-1541. FREE
http://www.goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7660

CAPITAL GRILLE WINE DINNER
Aug. 11 • 7 p.m.
Hosted by Capital Grille and Kind Wines and Spirits and benefiting the Riverwalk Trust. Riverwalk Trust, Capital Grille, Kind Wines and Spirits and Premier Beverage are teaming together to create a unique wine dinner featuring a select menu from Capital Grill Chef Marc Gruverman and Sommelier Brad Kinder, representing a portfolio of fine wines that spans the West Coast from California to Washington State. Chef Gruverman is pulling out all of the stops with a delicious, five-course menu that will be perfectly paired with spectacular wines from the acclaimed wineries. This savory menu will feature select dishes including Tandoori tuna over a black bean salsa with a fresh mango relish, homemade Pear William sorbet and braised bone-in short rib over parmesan black truffle risotto. Partial event proceeds will benefit the Riverwalk Trust, a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst in building and nurturing a vibrant community centered along the New River. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat, call (954) 468-1541 or visit www.GoRiverwalk.com. $
http://www.goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7634

SECOND ON SECOND THURSDAYS
Aug. 13 • 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
Second on Second, a networking pub crawl involving the neighbors on Southwest Second Street in Downtown Himmarshee, returns to raise funds for charity. The event, which benefits Riverwalk Trust, will feature live music, an ever-changing collection of artists showcasing and selling their works and a free mixed drink, beer or appetizer at each of the seven participating establishments on the south side of the 200 block of Southwest Second Street. Admission to the indoor/outdoor get-together is just $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Participating restaurants and bars include Tarpon Bend Food and Tackle, Limoncello Italian Trattoria, T Mex, Himmarshee Bar & Grille's Side Bar, Coyote Ugly, Briny's Irish Club and Fat Cat's. Check in location at Tarpon Bend. Major event sponsors include Premier Beverage, New Times, Stephens Distributing (Rolling Rock), ArtServe, Broward Cultural Division, Classical South Florida and Riverwalk Trust. Event is rain or shine and pet-friendly. To prepay for the event visit, www.GoRiverwalk.com. For more information, please call (954) 468-1541.
http://www.goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7456

FORT LAUDERDALE BUS LOOP RETURNS
Aug. 28 • 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Fort Lauderdale Bus Loop is back with a new route! The Fort Lauderdale Bus Loop, a fundraiser for five local charities involving the Sun Trolley and nine local bars, returns on Friday, Aug. 28, offering a new route for attendees to enjoy. The new route will include venues along Fort Lauderdale Beach and Sunrise Boulevard. This event will be the seventh Bus Loop, which has raised more than $86,000 for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Young Professionals for Covenant House, Riverwalk Trust, Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation and the Broward County Gator Club Scholarships. Participants can register and begin the Bus Loop at LuLu's Bait Shack in the Gallery at Beach Place and the Parrot Lounge. Upon registering, participants will receive their passes allowing them to ride on the local trolley systems at no charge and receive one drink at each of the participating locations. The trolleys will travel along the Bus Loop route. Current participating venues include: Blue Martini at the Galleria, The Parrot Lounge, Trina Restaurant and Lounge at the Atlantic Hotel, LuLu's Bait Shack and Le Marche at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach. The last Bus Loop, which took place in June, was a huge success with approximately 1,100 guests. Additional trolleys have been added to the route with improved bus service to make transportation easier and more participant-friendly. Major sponsors include Kind Design Advertising, New Times, Go Riverwalk and Sun-Sentinel. The cost for the Bus Loop is a $20 donation at the door or $15 if prepaid online at www.BusLoop.org. For more information visit http://www.busloop.org, or call (954)574-6000.
http://www.goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7673

LAS OLAS ASSOCIATION SUMMER MOVIE SERIES
Select dates through Aug. 26
Throughout the months of July and August, the Las Olas Association will be presenting our very first Summer Movie Series on the Riverside Hotel Lawn! Each week, a new free family-friendly movie will be offered. Movies at approximately 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring your blankets, but please leave your lawn chairs and coolers at home. Chairs will be available for rent for a nominal fee and food and beverages will be available for purchase. The schedule of films selected include: “Kung Fu Panda,” Aug. 12; “Madagascar 2,” Aug. 19; and the final film … “Mary Poppins” on Aug. 26.
Moviegoers are encouraged to take advantage of pre-movie dinner specials at participating restaurants, strolling Las Olas to discover (and re-discover) stores and art galleries and enjoy the ambiance of this world class Boulevard. For a listing of restaurants offering the pre-movie dinner specials and more about the movies call (954) 937-7386 or visit www.lasolasboulevard.com.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7535

KABUKI CELEBRITY COOK-OFF
Aug. 24 • 6 p.m.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County and Benihana Restaurants announce the extraordinary Second Annual Kabuki Celebrity Cook-Off fundraiser. The event will be held at the Fort Lauderdale Benihana restaurant located at 276 Commercial Blvd. The honorary chairs of the event are Gary and Monica Correll of Publix Super Markets. Back by popular demand, Kabuki features local “celebrities” and community leaders dressed in eccentric costumes while chopping, flipping food, entertaining and performing as master teppanyaki chefs for the night. The event will also host a “Parade of Chefs” for each “celebrity” to strut their stuff, a lavish cocktail hour before dinner and a fabulous raffle concluding the evening. During dinner, the chefs perform to earn tips from their table guests that benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County and compete for different superlative awards including best costume, best knife skills and the coveted Golden Tip Award. To reserve a table or for more information, call (954) 584-9990, ext. 104, or e-mail cookoff@bbbsbroward.org. To learn more about Brothers Big Sisters of Broward’s programs and events or to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, call (954) 584-9990, or visit www.bbbsbroward.org.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7653

Daily Events

Classics on Las Olas
Aug. 12 • 6 to 9 p.m.
Featuring up to 100 vintage automobiles on display between Southeast Sixth Avenue and Southeast 10th Terrace on Las Olas Boulevard, Classics on Las Olas will draw from different eras, makes and models, from Model A Fords to 1960s muscle cars. Commemorating the times, a DJ will celebrate the eras’ timeless tunes. Participating Las Olas retailers offer exclusive promotions, discounts and hours for all attendees.
Between Southeast 6th Avenue and Southeast 10th Terrace on Las Olas Boulevard.
(954) 560-5412. FREE
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7640

Miracle Treat Day
Aug. 13
This event will mark the fourth annual North American Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day, when $1 or more from every Blizzard sold that day will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Dairy Queen will bring back the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard as the featured Blizzard of the Month for August, just in time to celebrate Miracle Treat Day. Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie is the most popular limited-time-offer Blizzard ever, since the first one was served upside down with a spoon in 1985.
Wilton Manors Dairy Queen.
(954) 566-5735.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7641

CVC Project
Aug. 15
Volunteer for this CVC Project to plant, mulch and landscape at Croissant Park Elementary. Plant donations are being solicited and we are pleased to announce the result has been great and many thanks go to the new Principal, Jaime Maradiaga for really working hard to put together this plan. Our Parks group have been actively advising the school on types and numbers of plants, trees, mulch, etc. and now it is our turn to put it into action and do the construction! Area residents and businesses are encouraged to donate to this hardworking group! All CVC volunteers are encourage to come and help. You can earn valuable NCIP Points/$ that can be used I the current grant cycle and community service hours are offered as well for participation
Croissant Park Elementary.
(954) 828-5005.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7677

Marcus Garvey Rootz Extrvaganza & Lecture Series
Aug 15 & 17 • 12 p.m.- 8 p.m.
The City of Fort Lauderdale presents the Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza and Lecture Series. This event commemorates the birthday of Garvey who is considered the most influential Pan-Africanist and Black Nationalist. This event includes a town hall meeting with historical re-enactments, a parade of the Black Star Nurses and the re-creation of Liberty Hall, the official site created by Garvey in Harlem where members of the Universal Negro Improvement Association met and held political and social events.
Carter Park.
(954)828-5363.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7674

Chris MacDonald's Memories of Elvis — 32nd Anniversary
Aug. 15
Are you still lonesome for the energy, charisma and incredible voice of the king of rock-n-roll? Enjoy a memorial tribute celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley when Chris MacDonald presents “Memories of Elvis in Concert.” This experienced and energetic entertainer has the honor of being the first and only tribute artist contracted by Elvis Presley Enterprises for the annual Elvis week and birthday week festivities at Graceland's Heartbreak Hotel for seven consecutive years. Chris has also performed in the famous Legends in Concert stage productions throughout the country and has actually appeared with Elvis' own original back up group, the Jordanaires. D.J. Fontana, who performed with Elvis on the “Milton Berle Show,” the “Steve Allen Show” and the “Ed Sullivan Show” will join Chris when he performs some of the classic Elvis hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s. With this newly updated version of his popular tribute, Chris has created a multi-media experience. Video clips of Elvis's career and close-ups of all of the live action on stage will be projected on a large screen above the stage, bringing everyone even closer to the "Memories of Elvis."
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
(954) 462-0222. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7642

Gun and Knife Show
Aug. 15 and 16
The Fort Lauderdale Gun Show is a favorite for local gun collectors, hunters and enthusiasts. Dealers and private collectors from across Florida exhibit at this show. You'll find a huge selection of guns, accessories and many hard-to-find items.
War Memorial Auditorium.
(954) 828-5380. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7643

Hippiefest
Aug. 16
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. Experience the peace, love and music that changed a generation as Hippiefest 2009 rocks the Broward Center. Nostalgia will rule the night as an all-star lineup of original singers perform hits that still sound fresh today including The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie ("Happy Together," "It Ain't Me Babe," "Eleanor"), Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night ("One," "Joy to the World," "Easy To Be Hard"), Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals ("Good Lovin,'" "Groovin,', "People Got To Be Free"), Badfinger featuring Joey Molland ("Come and Get It," "No Matter What," "Baby Blue") and Mountain featuring Leslie West & Corky Laing ("Mississippi Queen," "For Yasgur's Farm).
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
(954) 462-0222. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7649

Songwriter's Showcase
Aug. 18
Songwriter's Showcase founder Chrystal Hartigan brings local, national and international singer/songwriters together in South Florida to perform songs from the past, the present, as well as the possible hits of tomorrow. There is also an open mic session for those who want to try out their musical chops in front of an audience. Harken back to the days of 1960s Greenwich Village coffeehouses and bring your friends to Songwriter's Showcase.
Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
(954) 462-0222. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7650

Senses of Cinema/Food, Film, Wine and Discussion
Aug. 19 • 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Germany with a sampling of foods from the country with a glass of wine. Enjoy the award winning film from Germany, "Yella," introduced by Shelly Isaacs and presented with English subtitles. Following the film, join Isaacs for his post screening commentary. Directed by Christian Petzoid, "Yella" follows a woman who narrowly escapes her volatile ex-husband and flees her small hometown in former East Germany for a new life in the West. She finds a promising job with Philipp, a handsome business executive with whom an unlikely romance soon blossoms. But just as Yella seems poised to realize her dreams, she finds herself haunted by buried truths that threaten to destroy her newfound happiness.
Cinema Paradiso.
(954) 525-FILM (3456).
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7651


Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale’s Third Thursday Event
Aug. 20
The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, a division of Nova Southeastern University, continues its FREE Third Thursday monthly event series with a special music performance by Ex Norwegian, an indie rock band from Miami featuring Roger Houdaille on vocals and guitar, Nina Souto on bass guitar and vocals, and Arturo Garcia on drums and vocals. The group’s youthful energy and sound have been described as an “… eclectic mix of powerpop, shoegaze, indie rock …” by Exploding In Sound and was singled out as "... the next big indie thing" by Revue West Michigan. Ex Norwegian has also had exposure in the The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, and countless blogs and other publications. In addition to the evening’s musical entertainment, the Museum offers free admission, extended hours (open until 8 p.m.), drinks available for purchase in the Museum’s Café and Wine Bar and gift giveaways from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times Street Team.
Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale.
(954)262-0236.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7679

SassyBB Local Design Competition
Aug. 20
Join the fun! SassyBB is hosting a Project Runway style competition where designers will be divided into teams to compete against one another. The teams that will have 2 hours to create a suprise project. The winning team will receive SassyBB gift certificates. Never sewn before? No problem. Beginner to advanced sewers are welcome. The event will be lead by SassyBB owner, Kerry Szymanski, who is also a full-time professor of Fashion Merchandising at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
SassyBB.
(954) 765-1315. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7680

Auteur Explosion
Aug. 22 • 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Underlab Studios, an emerging artist movement in South Florida, has teamed up with Fort Lauderdale's historic Cinema Paradiso to establish Auteur Explosion as an ongoing monthly event that brings together local live bands, artists, filmmakers, performers and patrons under one roof to celebrate the arts. Auteur Explosion is designed to showcase the local creative community and the flavor of the South Florida culture. The Auteur Explosion participates with local colleges' film and art departments and collaborates with popular local art retailers.
Cinema Paradiso.
(954) 525-FILM (3456).
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7652


Ongoing Events

High Tea Tuesdays
Tuesdays
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please call the catering department for reservations and additional information.
The Riverside Hotel.
(954)467-0671.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7546

Cocaine killed TV pitchman Billy Mays, autopsy finds

Cocaine killed TV pitchman Billy Mays, autopsy finds

Hyperactive pitchman Billy Mays used cocaine days before his heart attack - and it killed him, officials said Friday.
Mays, 50, suffered from heart disease but his drug use contributed to his June 28 death, the Hillsborough County medical examiner said.
The TV salesman - who hawked OxiClean, Orange Glo, Mighty Putty and dozens of other products - was found dead by his wife in their Tampa, Fla., condo.
Initial autopsy results did not turn up evidence of drug abuse, but toxicology tests uncovered the coke in his system.
Mays got his start peddling products on the Atlantic City Boardwalk hustled his way into becoming a household name, recognizable by his blue shirt and thick beard.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/08/07/2009-08-07_tv_pitchman_billy_mays_.html#ixzz0NXeTT1Qm

What I Got With Cash for Clunkers

What I Got With Cash for Clunkers

by Julianne Pepitone
Friday, August 7, 2009
provided by CNNMoney.com



Caroline Radtke: SUV to Diesel
Traded: 2000 Isuzu Trooper (15 mpg)
Bought: 2009 Jetta Sportwagen TDI (40 mpg)
With two children, big grocery purchases and a drive to save the planet, we'd been considering getting a new car even before the Cash for Clunkers program. The Trooper was a good car, but I felt bad about the environment every time I filled that guzzler. And I wanted something safer for my kids.

Some people think we're trying to be big ol' cowboys with a diesel vehicle, but the Sportwagen fit our needs perfectly. We had to educate ourselves about it, but diesel is so much cleaner now. It's a great little car for only about $26,500 after the trade-in.
Diesel may not be the best choice for someone with a lead foot, but it works for my family -- without us sacrificing gas mileage or paying a nutty premium for a hybrid. And it's cute! I like a car with some sass.

Julie Callahan: Farm Truck to Cruiser
Traded: 1990 Chevy C1500 (15 mpg)
Bought: 2009 PT Cruiser (21 mpg)

We've known for a year or two that we needed to replace the Chevy. Its transmission was starting to go, and it had a bad computer. I've been waiting since I first heard about the Clunkers program, during the initial stimulus talk.

The PT Cruiser is not my first, second or probably even 10th pick for a car, but it's rated well and Chrysler matched the $4,500 federal rebate. I never could have afforded this without the rebate programs, nor would I have purchased a brand new car.

I have a bit of guilt that I'm sending the "great white dragon" (our nickname for the beloved Chevy) off to slaughter before its natural death, but it was on its way anyhow. And it's not lost on me that this program is funded by taxpayers. Does it make me part of the financial problem?

Read More: What I Got With Cash for Clunkers

Fabulous Young & Broke Party

Oprah Sued for $1 Trillion!

Oprah. A thief? According to www.PerezHilton.com and the www.NationalEnquirer.com, talk show queen and mega mogul Oprah Winfrey is being sued for an astronomical amount of money by an author who claims she stole his work.

Damon Lloyd Goffe is suing Oprah and her production company, Harpo, for a whopping 1.2 trillion dollars.


*** See the Many Sides of Oprah Winfrey ***


In the suit filed July 31, Goffe alleges that Oprah stole material from his work titled “A Tome of Poetry” and published it under the name, “Pieces of My Soul.” It’s been estimated that 650 million copies of the re-titled material have been sold and since Goffe is asking for 20 dollars per copy, that would force even the “Big O” to trade in her Bentley for a Hyundai.


*** Check Out Forbes' Most Powerful Celebs of the Year ***


The cherry on top of this seemingly sinful sundae is that the legal papers also claim "in April 2008 Oprah confessed to seizing original works of authorship."

Oprah, say it ain’t so!

Read More: Oprah Sued for $1 Trillion!

Business to Business Bartering Group

Business to Business Bartering Group

B2B South Florida Bartering has been created with the purpose of bringing together businesses to barter their goods and services. In today's economy this is a perfect time to revisit the concept of bartering. This group is for business professionals who have goods and services to offer for trading. I have started it with yahoo because I strongly believe yahoo can unite and give a voice to this group.

B2B South Florida Bartering is a great place to be a member simply because we help each other strive through these tough times. With this group you will find information being shared, deals to take advantage of, free to low cost advertising opportunities, etc.

This group is going to grow and grow fast, so get in on this while you can. We are here to help each other survive in the business world. You are able to become a member no matter if you have a Home Based Business or a Fortune 500 Company.

So let's work together and help each other out as much as possible.
Looking forward to sharing information with you as a new member ;-)

Join: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/b2bsouthfloridabartering/
Email: Email Me Here

Click to join b2bsouthfloridabartering