***** FLORIDA AIDS WALK AND MUSIC FESTIVAL *****

Literally just received the “below” email.
CHARITY EVENT–DANCING ON THE BEACH–FOOD TRUCKS GALORE–CONCERT BY CHAKA KHAN
Jeff Eats is gonna get to this one.
Sounds like a load of fun while supporting a worthwhile charity.
*****
Chaka Khan to Headline 2013 Florida AIDS Walk
Published: Monday, 18 Mar 2013 | 8:00 AM E

For the 8th consecutive year, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is hosting the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival benefitting South Florida nonprofits who provide much-needed HIV/AIDS services in the region – Chaka Khan to headline this year’s concert at Walk’s end on Ft. Lauderdale beach

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
AIDS Healthcare Foundation:
What: 8th Annual Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival
When: SUNDAY, March 24th 8 am – 3:30 pm
Where: Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park
Who: – Music Festival Headliner Chaka Khan, ten-time Grammy Award winning member 1970s funk band Rufus and solo pop icon
– Event Host Sheryl Lee Ralph, writer and film/stage actress (TV’s “Smash” and Broadway’s “Dreamgirls”)
– Music Festival Performer (back by popular demand) Tony Cruz, popular South Florida musician and 2012 Florida AIDS Walk Music Festival act
B-Roll: Thousands of participating Walkers with Florida AIDS Walk gear walking 5k; Live concert by 1980s pop icon Chaka Khan
CONTACTS: Mark Martin, +1.954.318.4337 or mobile 954.383.8007 mark.martin@aidshealth.org
Kyveli Diener, +1.323.308.1821, ext. 1805 or mobile 310.779.4796 kyveli.diener@aidshealth.org

The Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival – an annual fundraising 5k walk in Ft. Lauderdale benefitting HIV/AIDS service providers and hosted by leading global nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – has become a highly-anticipated event both for the citizen participants and the nonprofit organizations who receive much-needed funds that allow them to serve those living with HIV in South Florida. According to the state’s department of health, there are more than 4,500 new HIV infections in Florida every year, and an estimated 135,000 Floridians are currently living with HIV.

“South Florida is a fun, vibrant region with a thriving and empowered community, but the state still ranks 3rd in HIV/AIDS infections. The need to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease must remain a high priority,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF. “We are very proud to once again support the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival to help the tireless organizations who assist those living with HIV in so many important ways.”

This year, the Walk will be hosted by star of stage and screen and HIV activist Sheryl Lee Ralph and is followed by a live performance by, among other acts, pop icon Chaka Khan after the 5k procession that begins and ends at Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park. The walk is sponsored primarily by AHF Pharmacy, a national chain of full-service pharmacies whose proceeds fund AHF’s global work providing HIV/AIDS treatment, testing, and advocacy in 28 countries around the world. Additional supporting sponsors include Wells Fargo, LabCorp, Starbucks, Target, and local South Florida media outlets Y100, Sun Sentinel, South Florida Gay News, HotSpots! Magazine, and many more.

This year’s beneficiaries include recurring recipients AHF, Broward House, Latinos Salud, Sunserve, Minority Development and Empowerment, Inc., and The Pride Center at Equality Park as well as new local beneficiary agencies like The Village and The League Against AIDS. These organizations keep every penny of every dollar they raise themselves through sponsoring teams of Walkers in addition to receiving a monetary beneficiary gift to help support their individual missions serving the community of people living with HIV in South Florida.

“I’m very excited about having the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival out on the beach again for the second year in a row,” said Event Director Mark Martin. “Our participants had a great time last year, and we’ve fine-tuned the event since then to make it even more enjoyable all around. Our attendees are going to have a great time walking alongside the beach, then dining on unique food from gourmet food-trucks and dancing in the sand to our incredible musical entertainment! It’s almost easy to forget that this entire day is all for the great cause of caring for our Floridian friends and neighbors who are living with HIV.”

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider in the USA. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 200,000 individuals in 28 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @AIDSHealthcare
AHF
Ged Kenslea, 323-308-1833
Cell: 323-791-5526
Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation

***** Brandsmart USA *****

Unless Jeff Eats is mistaken here…I’m gonna assume that you guys know “what” BrandsMart USA is. For those of you who don’t, large appliance outlet store with numerous South Florida locations.

Just wanted to let you folks know that Brandsmart USA is a business that denies access to its stores to people who don’t produce WRITTEN PROOF that a service animal is in fact a service animal.

As discussed in a previous Jeff Eats’ “story”- Table 42 Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar (4/13/12) it is a violation of Federal Law to “ask” a person to produce WRITTEN PROOF that an animal is a service animal.

You would think that “maybe” a mom & pop restaurant or store might be fuzzy on this law…but a huge operation like Brandsmart USA that does hundreds of millions of dollars worth of business every year—should know exactly what it can do and what it can’t do.

***** March 22, 2013 UPDATE *****

Just wanted to give you guys an update.

On March 18, 2013 Jeff Eats received a call from a Brandsmart representative who advised that the corporation would make sure that all of its General Managers/Managers were well versed with reference to State-Federal Laws/Regulations concerning Service Animals.

***** Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727.

Let me start by saying, that one of Jeff Eats favorite “desserts” is (or is it- are?) Italian Ices. I’ve been hooked on the stuff, since my Brooklyn days, when I would get a large cup ($.10) at the pizza joints in my neighborhood—1 scoop cherry/1 scoop lemon. Not sure when the “hooking” first took hold, but I do have a black & white photo of me-holding a squeeze cup of ices in the Summer of 1953.

Anyway…

I’m really pissed at myself, because “big ears” Jeff Eats didn’t hear about Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices until yesterday afternoon. Amazingly, this joint has been around for something like 20 years.

Cecilie’s is located in the “ultimate” bombed-out South Florida shopping strip center. When you go there, get directions first, because the store is a real hole in the wall and give or take 1-or 2 other stores you’d never-ever think of going to this center. This center is so decrepit, that Cecille’s can’t run a a simple soft-serve yogurt/ice cream machine–because there isn’t enough electrical power running to the store.

Despite the aforesaid…

Cecilie’s makes some of the most delicious Italian Ices that Jeff Eats has ever eaten. ALL OF THE ICES ARE MADE IN THE BACK OF THE STORE. The joint has 48 flavors, four of which are sugar free (Mrs. Jeff Eats appreciated that). In speaking with Evan the owner, every day (give or take) he rotates 4 flavors in and out of the lineup…24 of the flavors are cream ices and 24 are water ices.

Let me make this one short and sweet (pun intended)…

I “sampled” 12 different flavors— cherry, pistachio, oreo cookies, jelly roll chocolate, coconut, lemon, peanut butter, cotton candy, carrot cake, honeydew, chocolate mint chip, birthday cake. Do you know what a “pig in sh@t” is? Well Jeff Eats was. Cecilie’s makes some of the best ices I’ve ever had. Just so you know, during the 1/2 hour or so Jeff Eats was there (starting at 3:30pm) at least 20 people came and went and everyone of them “tried” all kinds of ices before settling-in with a final purchase. Figure a small cup is gonna run you- 3 bucks.

A bit more “color”…the owner Evan, is about 44 years old–born in Brooklyn and raised in Philly. He opened this store 20 years ago and makes all of the ices all-by-himself. This is what Jeff Eats calls a one-man-show…Cecilie’s is open Monday 3pm-10pm, Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 1pm-11pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm…Evan is the sole counter person Monday-Saturday, he takes Sunday-off when he has a couple of young ladies run the store. By the way, Cecilie’s has a couple of tables inside and 1 table outside so if you want–you can hang-out.

Like I said a few seconds ago, I can’t believe that I “missed out” on 20 years of Cecilie’s…

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, This joint’s Italian Ices are about as good as it gets.

***** NII Holdings Inc. *****

Jeff Eats is gonna go out on a limb here…

I am recommending that you guys buy a wireless communications stock- NII Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: Bid-$4.46-Ask $4.47).

Please do you your own Due Diligence, but mine tells me that this South American Wireless Company’s business is in a lot better shape than major short players want shareholders to believe.

Once again do your own DUE DILIGENCE.

Jeff Eats thinks that the short players in this stock are gonna get killed very soon.

Update: April 10, 2013

This stock-literally in a few short days had a very nice Up run.

With that in mind, with the stock currently trading at $7.55-$7.56 I think I’d cash my chips in right about now.

It’s hard not to lock in such a nice profit in such a short period of time.

***** Vistaprint *****

Jeff Eats recently had to order some business cards/logoed tee shirts-polo shirts.

Came across a terrific online company named Vistaprint, which has a very easy system for designing/ordering all types of business/promotional items…in addition to having extremely-reasonable prices.

If the need arises, check www.vistaprint.com out.

***** Vandy’s 5 Brother Sports Bar and Italian Eatery, 1089 North Collier Boulevard, Marco Island, Florida 34145, (239) 394-5100.

Let me start by saying…Jeff Eats absolutely loved Vandy’s 5 Brothers.

The best way to describe Vandy’s Brothers—sports bar meets red sauce “mom & pop” Italian joint.

You can check menu/prices at www.vandys5brothers.com. When you’re on the site, there is a short video which tells you the story of how a “so-so” sports bar acquired a “dynamite” pizza joint—you’ll also see what the joint looks like. One bit of “color” one of the owners was a first rate NFL place kicker…you’ll get details from the video.

Vandy’s has the requisite huge bar…flat screen tvs up the whazoo (every booth has one), young energetic wait-staff, bands, tribute shows (5 bucks a head), karaoke, Texas holdem poker.

The joint’s menu is loaded with appetizers, pizzas, pastas, burgers, wings, hot/cold subs, salads, wraps, meat/chicken/seafood entrees. Just so you know, although the emphasis is on Italian “stuff”—everyone in your party is gonna find what to eat.

Now for the biggie…Is the food any good?

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “sampling”— large Greek salad ($8.50), large plain pizza ($15.75), large chicken-parm sub ($9.50), large meatball-parm sub ($9.50), meat lasagna ($15.50), broiled grouper sub ($11.99), large sausage/peppers/onions sub ($9.50). Let me make this short and sweet, the food was really good—and was a whole lot better than what many South Florida sub shops and pizza joints turn-out.

Vandy’s 5 Brothers is a homerun or should I say field-goal!

I strongly recommend that you give this one a try.

Vandy’s 5 Brothers is open 11:30am-2am 7 days a week.

***** Just Because You Are A Billionaire! *****

Back on May 31, 2012 Jeff Eats did a “story”…”Time For New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg To Retire.”

To make a long story short…

Back then, Mayor Bloomberg was trying to “pass” a law- which in essence “limited” the container size of certain beverages sold in New York City. Jeff Eats thought that the proposed law was absolutely absurd. Despite “guys” like me, the law was passed and was to go into effect this morning at midnight. Yesterday morning-the New York State Supreme Court “saw” what Jeff Eats saw—and declared the law unconstitutional and stopped it from being enforced.

Below is the original Jeff Eats story…and all I can say- is that because you are a billionaire doesn’t mean that you aren’t an idiot. Time for Bloomberg who incidentally was going to hold the New York Marathon a few days after the Super Storm Sandy Disaster (public out-cry stopped him) call it a day and just leave NYC alone. I’ll bet the people of NYC can’t wait to elect a new mayor come this November.

********** Time For New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg To Retire *****

Do a quick Google-Search… you’ll find a ton of stories about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s latest “idea” to pass a NYC law that prohibits the sale of sugary soft drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces. For the sake of fairness- there are “various” exceptions built into the proposed law which is intended to help fight obesity.

Is Bloomberg nuts or what?

I don’t know about you, but Jeff Eats is perfectly capable of deciding for himself how much Coca Cola or Pepsi or Sunkist Orange Soda I can “handle” at any given time.

Talk about the Government “getting” into your daily life. The next thing you know this guy Bloomberg will be looking to limit NYC residents to only 6 Lay’s Potato Chips a day and require them to take 10-minute showers/4-times a day.

No question in my mind…time for Bloomberg to call it a day–and retire to one of those 11 homes that he owns.

***** HUGO CHAVEZ *****

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez died yesterday.

Found this “interesting” Huff Post article.

Whatcha think?

“American flags at many Citgo facilities across the country are flying half-staff today for a reason that’s raising a few eyebrows.
The oil company, owned entirely by the government of Venezuela, has dropped the flags as a tribute to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who passed away March 5 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Chavez had a contentious relationship with the United States, and at one time, Slate recalls, the leader famously suggested that former U.S. President George W. Bush was the devil.
The intensity of Chavez’s anti-American rhetoric has left many questioning the decision to lower the American flag in his honor.
ABC affiliate KTRK reports the American flag at Citgo’s Houston headquarters appears to be slightly above other flags — including a Texas state flag and a Venezuelan flag — at the facility.
Citgo released a statement to KPLC-TV in Louisiana Tuesday, detailing its sense of loss for the leader, yet not directly explaining the decision to drop the American flag.
Via KPLC:
President Hugo Chávez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela leaves behind a legacy of support for the underprivileged and promotion of social justice that transcends geographical boundaries. We at CITGO Petroleum Corporation are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the people of Venezuela in this time of grief.
Per Title 4 of the U.S. Code, the American flag may be flown at half-staff following the death of “other officials or foreign dignitaries” if indicated in presidential instructions. However, private individuals and organizations are not legally bound to follow provisions regarding flag etiquette.
Legal or not, Citgo’s decision has incensed many in the social media sphere”

***** SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES—HALL & OATES *****

Two outrageously great Rock- bands are set to play the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood March 7-9.

Jeff Eats has seen both Southside Johnny and Hall & Oates and I’m telling you guys, it really doesn’t get any better than these two Rock-bands.

If this type of stuff is your bag, here’s a press release which I just got from the Hard Rock about a terrific Thursday-Saturday (March 7-9, 2013) of music.

Here’s the press release….

Enjoy Jersey Shore Blues Rockers Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Philly’s Rock ‘n’ Soul Duo Hall & Oates and Atlantic City’s Jerry Blavat with the B Street Band

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (March 6, 2013) – The Northeast heads South to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to kick-off Spring Break Weekend, March 7 – 9. Guests looking for a slice of hot, home-style entertainment can get their famous familiar fix at Hard Rock Live with Jersey Shore blues rockers Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Philly’s sizzling rock ‘n’ soul duo Daryl Hall & John Oates, and Atlantic City/Philly staple Jerry “The Geator with the Heator” Blavat with the B Street Band.

On Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m., Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will kick-off the weekend at Hard Rock Live with their signature rock and blues sound made famous on the Jersey Shore. The Jukes have more than 30 albums on their resume, thousands of acclaimed live performances across the globe, and a vibrant legacy of classic songs that have become “hits” to their large and famously-dedicated fan base. Their latest album Men Without Women: Live 7-2-11 (Leroy Records), produced by John Lyon, Jeff Kazee and Joe Prinzo, was recorded live in Asbury Park, New Jersey at the Jukes’ Stone Pony performance with Little Steven Van Zandt in attendance. The 2012 release features a track-by-track performance of Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul 1982 album of the same name, along with three classic Asbury Jukes bonus tracks featuring Van Zandt performing with the band: “This Time it’s for Real,” “Broke Down Piece of Man” and “It’s Been a Long Time.” Tickets are $49, $39, $29 and $19.*

For two shows on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 8 p.m., Philadelphia-based rock ‘n’ soul duo Daryl Hall & John Oates return to bring four decades of chart-topping favorites to Hard Rock Live. Starting out as two devoted disciples of earlier soul greats, Daryl Hall and John Oates are soul survivors in their own right. They have sold more albums than any other duo in music history and boast hits including “Rich Girl” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do), “Maneater,” “Out of Touch,” “Sara Smile” and many more. Their artistic fan base includes Rob Thomas, John Mayer, Brandon Flowers of the Killers, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and MTV hipsters Gym Class Heroes who had dubbed their tour “Daryl Hall for President Tour 2007.” One of the most sampled artists today, their impact can be heard everywhere from boy band harmonies, to neo-soul to rap-rock fusion. Tickets are $89, $69, $59 and $49.*

In addition to the headlining concerts at Hard Rock Live, renowned oldies DJ and Atlantic City Weekly columnist and Philadelphia native Jerry “The Geator with the Heator” Blavat and the B Street Band, the longest-running Bruce Springsteen tribute band in the world, will take the stage at Center Fountain Thursday, March 7 through Saturday, March 9 from 7 – 11 p.m. The Jersey powerhouse greats will keep the crowd cranked with live classic rock hits and popular recorded favorites from decades past.

*Additional fees may apply. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com and www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors to Hard Rock Live open one-hour prior to show start time.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to PLAYHARD! Play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. Over 90 tables offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ’em Bonus Poker, Casino War and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Additionally, over 2,600 slots include the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room, are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player’s Club members also have access to the exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef’s Table show kitchen. The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise hosts various games and tournaments of Limit and No Limit Texas Hold ‘em, 7-Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 141 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 18 restaurants, 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, Rock Spa, 21 boutique shops, 13 bars, nightclubs and lounges, the 350-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or www.facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood .

***** Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 509-0046.

Back on July 18, 2009 I told you guys about a terrific “semi-upscale” Italian joint Tavolino Della Nonna in Coral Springs. The original writeup is reprinted below.

Since that “story” appeared some- 4 years ago–Jeff Eats has eaten in Tavolino something like 4-5 times. In all honesty, until last Friday night, the last visit was probably well over a year ago.

Anyway- to make a long story short, last Friday night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple ate at Tavolino. The food was as good as the “first” outing and the owners and staff just as engaging and competent. The “update” here is–that Tavolino’s owners recently spent some-big bucks expanding the joint having added an entire “wing” dedicated to entertainment. The night Jeff Eats was there, a jazz group was entertaining a huge crowd.

Let me end this thing by saying, I highly recommend that you guys try this joint. It really has everything going for it…delicious food, terrific service, very reasonable prices–and now, a “night-club” atmosphere for those of you looking for something that you normally don’t find in an Italian joint in the heart of Coral Springs.

Posted on July 18th, 2009 · Coral Springs Italian
***** Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065, (954) 509-0046.

Last night I ate in Tavolino Della Nonna…a terrific white tablecloth Italian joint located in Coral Springs. Just so you know…A couple of you guys wrote to me and told me that I had to try this joint…so, old Jeff gave Tavolino a shot.

Anyway…Tavolino has been in business for something like 2-years. For you GPS types out there, it is located on Sample Road, within short walking distance of both Pizza Time and DeSalvo’s the well known “red sauce” joints. Tavolino is-not a pizza joint…it’s a semi-upscale restaurant with both indoor and outdoor patio seating…but don’t worry your tee shirt-shorts ensemble will work. At this juncture take a look at Tavolina’s website www.tavolinorestaurant.com for menu/prices/photos.

Like I said before, semi-upscale, but the guys running this joint make you feel like an old friend…when you eat there, you’ll see what I am talking about. The owners–shall we say, are very visible and make sure that everything is running just right. Last night, I watched as they made the rounds to each and every table, kibbitizing (in an Italian restaurant?) and making people “try” this and “that”…

Before I talk food, let me tell you about a cute “idea” that the joint has decor-wise…one little side room, is decorated Ralph & Alice Kramden, 328 Chauncey Street…there is a formica table circa 1955 that seats 6-maybe-8…so if this type of thing floats your boat, call ahead and reserve that “table.”

Onto the food…last night I “tried”– meatball appetizer ($11), tortellini appetizer ($13), veal parmigiana ($23), chicken scarpariello (on bone) ($21), snapper almondine ($23), grilled chicken/pasta ($17)…the food is absolutely delicious.

Just so you know…Tavolino isn’t a $13.95-$16.95 soup or salad-entree-pasta side-garlic rolls joint…there is no pizza, subs, calzones or stromboli. Figure on spending–something like 40-50 bucks a head for a great meal. Trust me on this one, the food runs absolute circles around most of the Italian joints down here. I know that the ala carte menu may “scare” some of you guys…the house salad is big enough to feed two as are the side pasta dishes, so if you order the “right way” you won’t have to get a second-job to pay the tab. Our waitress was super-helpful on “picks” etc…last night, they had a “strolling” magician who worked all the tables…how he changed those $1 bills into $100 bills is beyond me.

Since I am on the Hollywood Cookie Diet, I passed on dessert. I will tell you, that the dessert tray looked absolutely incredible and that everything including the joint’s bread are made in house.

You guys know that I eat in Italian joints all the time…I am telling you, that Tavolino is one of the better restaurants in South Florida. You definitely want to try this one.

Tavolino is open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 4pm-11pm and Sunday 4pm-10pm, the joint is closed on Monday.