I love Miami because it is a cultural melting pot. Nearly every culture, ethnicity, and religion is represented in Miami. What better way to learn about a culture than to submerge yourself in it…if only for a day.  Little Havana is an area of Cuban influence in Miami. Cubans view Little Havana with pride – it is where many started their new lives in the United States after the exodus from Cuba. Most tourists think that this is the only area Cubans live, however, in recent years the demographics have been changing and the area is much more diverse in its residents and visitors. Little Havana, also called “Calle Ocho” a colorful neighborhood in Miami with several Cuban restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries. On 8th Street (or Calle Ocho) between 12th and 27th Avenues, you can fin... 09/19/2011

It was the Vicks® NyQuil®. I knew I shouldn’t have. But damn, you know you’re not feeling well when it’s 80 degrees on your Totaline P474-1050 5/2 Day Programmable thermostat (courtesy of JP Air Conditioning), you’re shaking like a salt shaker and the Ying Yang Twins and Lil’ Jon are nowhere in sight. I was supposed to meet Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar and…. The Vicks® NyQuil® knocked me out past noon. Although I got there late (and missed out on the créme de la créme - Manny Diaz, Ileanita,  Joe Sanchez, Julio Robaina, Matti Bower, etc.), it was pretty easy to figure out the order of things: “Parade float” with big logos marketing to the Medicare-wielding Hispanic male and female demographic subset. Convertible Mustang with Univision news anchor/reporter, talk show host, and/or act... 01/24/2009

March. The first day of spring, St. Patrick’s Day, Palm Sunday, Easter, my birthday and… Yep. Calle Ocho everyone. What else is there to do on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon after church and brunch? Festival gear in check, I grabbed my Canon Powershot SD 450 and set out to brave the streets and elements of Calle Ocho. But before I ran up the miles on my New Balance 991s, I had to go over my rules one last time. Calle Ocho Rules: 1. Roll solo. Clans, posses, crews and cliques. 2. Limit self to 1 beer/alcoholic beverage per hour. 3. It’s OK to look - just don’t stare. 4. Manitos atraz. No se toca. Let’s see how things went: | View | Upload your own After seeing this (note Sapporo) you know what happened to rule #2, right? And after demolishing, not breaking, rule #2 you know what happe... 03/18/2008

Does anybody have the number to the Karma Police? I need them to, at the very least, question whoever is responsible for this immediately, if not sooner. This is Barcelona Condominiums, a new 71-unit affordable housing project currently under construction at 2217 NW 7 St in Miami that promotes and offers the opportunity for homeownership instead of the usual for rent affordable housing. The acute lack of local affordable housing coupled with the Miami Herald’s well-documented abuses of those chosen to provide a solution to the problem, make affordable housing projects like these a welcome addition to the city. I commend any developer willing to tackle the issue of affordable housing. However, is there a reason why affordable housing has to look so…well, affordable? When will local lead... 03/07/2008