They do make a different stuffing for me and I eat all the vegetables that were not cooked in anything animal based, but it is difficult to smell the food. Here are a few events happening in Miami that might interest the vegan community and the veg-curious.

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http://miami.earthsave.org/calendar.htm
Saturday, November 18th- Turkey Free Thanksgiving Pot Luck

This year we are celebrating our Thanksgiving meal together by having all guests bring a dish to share with others. This is the season to acknowledge the abundance of food that we are fortunate to have. What better way to acknowledge this concept than to prepare a meal for each other by all contributing a portion of the feast. In the true spirit of those first Thanksgivings, we will celebrate life and the life saving plant-based food choices.

Saturday, December 16th-Member’s Celebration at Oleta State Park

This event is to celebrate our members and thank them for their support. Oleta State Park is Miami’s largest urban park and offers canoeing, cycling, swimming and trail-walking. The details of this event will be announced at our future potlucks, through email, and on our voicemail, 305. 228.1116 in late November.
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I just can’t help thinking about the poor animals that don’t get a Thanksgiving. Who is going to speak up for them? As the years go by more and more people are realizing the effects of eating animals on our environmental and physical health. This Thanksgiving, try to leave the poor turkeys at the supermarket and pick up a Tofurky. There are many great recipes to convert your “traditional” dishes into “veg-concious” alternatives without sacrificing taste. Your taste buds will change in a short amount of time and you might not even notice the difference.

Check out: http://www.vegcooking.com/holiday-meals.asp

Sorry for the rant but I just wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t say something about it. It’s said with love of course.. ;-)

http://www.miamibookfair.com/
The mission of Miami Book Fair International
is to promote reading, encourage writing, and heighten
an awareness of literacy and the literary arts
in our multi-ethnic community.

Check out the author schedule here:
http://www.miamibookfair.com/pages/author_schedules.htm

You can also volunteer for the event here:
http://www.mdc.edu/bookfair/volunteer/volunteer_sign.aspx

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As an aspiring writer myself, I would not want to miss this event. You can meet editors, other authors, attend workshops and network with well-known players in the industry.
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I purposely waited a few weeks before I reviewed the new show Dexter on Showtime. In the past I’ve been very disappointed at shows that claim to be shot in Miami or about Miami. I don’t have to tell you which show I’m talking about, do I? Said show is shot mostly in California with cheesy graphics and stock images of South Beach, not to mention the overly dramatic lead actor. Moving on ..

Dexter is a very “thick” show, if I can use that word. It has drama, sex, violence, blood, mystery and actual substance. Dexter, the guy from Six Feet Under lives in a Miami Beach apartment and is obsessed with anything to do with blood. He has a job as a blood spatter expert and also is a fearless killer. Theories are flying over the Internet about the identity of the mystery ice truck killer that is killing and mutilating prostitutes (from Biscayne I’m sure) and draining their blood. Do a quick search if you want a few spoilers. I’ve seen all the shows and frankly, I love it! I have actually rearranged my Sunday TV lineup to include it – right after Amazing Race.

The show became “a real Miami” show when I saw a famous news anchor, Maggie Rodriguez from Cbs4 News, doing a story. Sounds dumb but that was cool. Apparently, she was guest anchor on “that other show” also. Why is “that other show” so popular? I can’t watch it for more than 5 minutes before my remote changes the channel on its own. My remote says, “Give me a __ break!”

I’m going to try to get a spot on Dexter as one of the hookers or a new cop that gives that Lieutenant a run for her money. Remember her from NY Undercover and Oz, I like her.

Anyway, check out Dexter on Sundays @ 10. You won’t be disappointed. I’d suggest you watch Shows 1 – 3 in advance. The plot is too complicated to understand if you don’t know why he has “issues with sex”. You really won’t get how creepy he really is either. The only bad things I have to say about that show are, he is always sweaty which is bull. Miami is not Arizona. Also, the filter that they use on the cameras is diffused, making Miami look like we are in the middle of the desert watching a mirage. Get over it, Miami has terrific weather, most of the time, and put some damn captions for the spanish dialogue. I’m afraid I’m missing something.. Oh, and he needs a new haircut. ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone .. Laters …

[Dexter Website] [Watch Episode 1 & 2 Here Online]

[Project Runway] [YouTube] [Uli's Website]

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A 100-year-old woman who quietly amassed a vast fortune before her death last year left $35.6 million to local diabetes and cancer research.

Eugenia Dodson donated two-thirds of the money to the University of Miami’s Diabetes Research Institute, the largest gift in its 35-year history. The rest goes to the university’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“She didn’t want any recognition in her lifetime, so she directed her lawyer to keep it confidential,” said Dr. W. Jarrard Goodwin, director of the Sylvester Center. “I told her people would be grateful. She said, ‘No, I don’t want anyone to know.”‘

[Read FULL article here]

Lately, many celebrities and other rich people donate money and want all the recognition in the world. It is nice to see that someone who deserves the front page shy away from it and give truly from the heart. You never know who lives next door to you. This woman lived a very simple life and wanted to do some good to leave her mark on the world. She is probably saving hundreds of thousands of lives with this gift. Rest in peace Eugenia. ;-)

This is the game I’ve been waiting for. Only available for 21.95 ON DEMAND or at the ORANGE BOWL.

GO PANTHERS!!

One of the world’s most unique art collectors, 71 year old Naomi Wilzig will be presented with the Key to the City of Miami Beach to mark the one year anniversary of her World Erotic Art Museum (http://www.weam.com). The tribute, in recognition of her help in “enhancing the cultural stature of Miami Beach,” will be presented to her by Tourism Director, Michael Aller, on Wednesday, October 18th.

“I am honored and proud. This past year has been a revelation to me. I have welcomed a wide spectrum of visitors of all ages, and most personally thank me for opening their eyes to this hidden genre of art — which they never realized existed,” says “Miss Naomi.” [Read FULL article here]

Wow!! I’m sure she can teach all of us a thing-or-three. Never underestimate what goes on in elders’ minds. You know how we cover the ears of the young and the old to spare their innocence. Hmm…

I guess if you were a freak 20 years ago, you probably still are. Get it grandma .. My favorite is the Male Satyr Head .. you’ll see it and probably agree !?! ;-)

Check out a slideshow of her art @ www.weam.com

World Erotic Art Museum
Open 7 days – 11am to Midnight
1205 Washington Ave

[Times photos: Lance A. Rothstein]

Nearly 2,000 Miami-Dade teachers weren’t in school today as protests over lagging contract negotiations continued countywide, especially at district headquarters, where the School Board is holding its monthly meeting this afternoon.

The tally of excused absences was 1,938 in a school system of more than 21,000 teachers, according to district spokesman John Schuster. Most of the teachers took either a personal leave day or sick day, he added.

[Link to VIDEO] [Link to ARTICLE]

Yesterday, when I spoke to my nephew about school he told me his teacher was out sick for health problems. Thank God kids don’t read the newspaper that young. He is turning 11 on Friday the 13th. He said a substitute was there and he hopes his teacher is feeling better. I know several teachers and it is a thankless job. Overcrowded schools, strange grading policies, misdiagnosed students, pressure to perform, fear of violence etc. Heard they are back in school today. Good Luck guys .. hope it works out for all involved .. our kids need you.

[ " ]Up Wake is a fast-paced tragic-comedy that fuses clowning, movement and technology to follow Zero, a toon character, throughout his day. More than a show, Up Wake is a science project where performer, original score, text projection and digitally animated images are meticulously integrated to transform a live 3-D installation into a magical journey of the human soul. [ " ]

Absolutely amazzzzzing stuff. The Miami Light Project & Natasha Tsakos are presenting this unique show. Check it out!! I will .. Shows November 30 – December 2nd.

Tickets.. http://www.carnivalcenter.org/

Laters ..

Laters ..

[Carnival Center Website]
AÏDA
October 28 @ 7 p.m.
November 12, 19** @ 2 p.m.
November 1, 4, 7, 10, 16*, 22**, 25*, 28**, 30** @ 8 p.m.