Earlier this month, I mentioned Google released it's Maps API; and that we have integrated it into our site to create a local hotel map.

The feedback has been positive. People seem to really enjoy searching on the map. We decided to follow up by adding a map of Miami Real Estate.

Implementing a Google Map is important because it helps connect Real Estate Developers, and buyers researching investments in a more valuable way.

Users can browse over 90 different develpments in and around Miami, searching a street-map, satellite image, or a hybrid of the two.

The navigation is easy to use--just drag the map with your mouse, and use the slider to zoom in and out.

By providing un-biased local coverage and a unique approach to displaying real estate in a visual format, MiamiBeach411.com has become a major stop for investors seeking Miami real estate information.

Hooray! We got power. Our online restaurant reservations system is back open for business.

Big shout-out to Miami FPL for getting the power restored so quickly.

After the storm, I thought the City would put all their efforts into getting things cleaned up for the VMA's, but I was wrong.

FPL got the electricity at our offices in Little Haiti working Saturday night.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that is in the path of Hurricane Katrina today. We hope you're all safely out of harm's way.

The Hurricane Katrina page on Wikipedia is frequently updated and very helpful resource.

Hip hop producer, Marion "Suge" Knight, was shot inside of a Miami Beach Hotel during a post party for MTV's Video Music Awards, according to Miami Beach Police.

The Death Row Records founder was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg and is in good condition at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Knight was attending a party at the Shore Club Hotel in Miami where Kanye West, Common, and John Legend held a G.O.O.D. Music party. Other celebrities in attendance included Eddie Murphy, Jessica Alba, Joss Stone, and The Game.

An employee from the Shore Club told me that one shot was fired in the hotel's Red Room and the shooter was apprehended at the scene. News sources are saying that police are still looking for the suspect.

All is well in Miami Beach, Florida. Aside from some downed trees, the City fared very well during the storm.

For all you VMA'ers in town for the MTV Video Music awards this Sunday, I'm sure the weather will be fine for the show.

I just took a bike ride around the Miami Beach, and all of the restaurants on Ocean Drive are open for business. I was concened about them, because they face the ocean and would bear the brunt of the storm, but they're all ok.

Yesterday, Michelle and I lost power at 5pm, and it looks like it will be out all weekend.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to our loss of electricity, we will not be able to process online restaurant reservations. If you wish to make a restaurant reservation, call the restaurant directly.

Port Everglades is Closed. The U.S. Coast Guard has restricted ships from coming into the port as of Wednesday night. Cruise passengers should call their cruise lines for updated schedule changes.

Even though the Local Weather channels have been monitoring Tropical Storm Katrina for a while, for most residents, the storm popped up out of nowhere.

Since Tropical Storms tend to move slower than Hurricanes, officials are preparing for serious flooding.

Schools

• Broward County schools closed Thursday & Friday. Check the District's Web site at www.browardschools.com or call the Rumor Control Hotline at (754) 321-0321 for updates.

• Miami-Dade County schools will be closed Thursday. No decision has been made yet regarding Friday cancellations.

• Monroe County Schools will be open Thursday. Students may be released early depending on the track of the storm. For more information, call the Key West Rumor Control Hot Line (305) 809-1108.

• Beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, all FAU classes are cancelled. Classes held on Friday are cancelled. Classes are expected to resume on Saturday. Please check this or emergency hotlines on Friday after 3 p.m. for Saturday's status. For continual updates, visit www.fau.edu or call the FAU hotline at (561) 297-2020, (561) 799-8020, (954) 236-1800 or (772) 873-3330.

• MIAMI DADE COLLEGE announced all campuses and outreach centers will close on Thursday and Friday. Only essential and emergency personnel will be allowed on campus. A decision on the status of weekend classes and activities will be made on Friday.

• Classes will be closed at all BROWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE locations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Classes will resume on Monday as scheduled.

• UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI will remain in session Thursday. A rumor control line has been established at (305) 284-5151.

• AMERICAN INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY will be closed for classes Thursday and Friday. Please call the Campus Hotline for further information: (954) 446-6112.

• ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY is closed until further notice.

• Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind in St. Augustine sent hundreds of students home to South Florida Wednesday so parents could decide whether to evacuate. The students normally return home each weekend.

Evacuations, Shelters

The Broward Emergency Operations Center has announced a recommended evacuation of people living on the barrier islands east of the Intracoastal Waterway effective Thursday at 8 a.m.

Red Cross Shelters open at 2pm for residents who wish to evacuate. Shelter Locations

Miami-Dade County issued voluntary evacuations for residents in mobile homes and low-lying areas that flood regularly. A shelter has been opened at Charles Drew Middle School, located at 1801 NW 60 Street in Miami.

Hotlines

Broward County Hurricane Hot Line: (954) 831-4000
Miami-Dade: (305) 468-5900
Report Price Gouging: 1-866-9-NOSCAM
Report A Power Outage: 1-800-4OUTAGE

Courts

• All Divisions of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida will be suspended at 1 p.m. This includes the Court's locations in Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce. Further information about the status of the Court's operations for Friday will be available on the Court's Web site at www.flsd.uscourts.gov.

• All courthouses in Broward will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

Airports & Transportation

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will close at 7 p.m. Thursday.

• Miami International Airport is open.

• Broward County transit services stopped at noon Thursday.

• The Broward Sheriff's Office and U.S. Coast Guard activated an emergency flotilla to move large pleasure boats upriver. Miami-Dade and Broward drawbridges have been locked down for evacuating cars and for emergency vehicles.

• Tri-Rail will cease operations Thursday after southbound train P655 departs the Mangonia Park Station at 2:40 p.m. and northbound train P656 departs the Miami Airport Station at 3:19 p.m. Trains will not operate on Friday. Passengers should monitor local news reports, www.tri-rail.com or call 1-800-TRI-RAIL for service updates throughout the weekend.

Other Closings & Information

• Sawgrass Mills Mall and Boca Town Center are closed. Broward Mall plans to close later Thursday afternoon.

• The Port of Miami is closed to vessel traffic.

• Port Everglades remains open to vehicular port traffic and for businesses inside the port. The U.S. Coast Guard has restricted ships from coming into the port as of Wednesday night.

• Biscayne National Park is closed.

Additional Links:
Katrina satellite view
Hurricane local statement
Miami weather
Tropical Storm Katrina

As of 9:30am, Tropical Storm Katrin is located 70 miles east of Fort Lauderdale with winds of 50 mph. It is moving west at 8 mph.

The system is forecasted to intensify to hurricane strength before landfall sometime late tonight/early Friday. Hurricane warnings are posted from Florida City to Vero Beach along Florida's east coast. Tropical storm warnings remain posted across the Northwestern Bahamas and tropical storm watches are posted across southwestern portions of Florida. The primary threat from Katrina is from heavy rainfall.

Street flooding is expected and will be enhanced by the fact that Katrina will be moving slowly across southern Florida. The storm is expected to take 24 to 36 hours to move from the east coast to the west coast.

Note: MDCC will be closed today and tomorrow.

Additional Links:
Katrina satellite view
Hurricane local statement
Miami weather
Tropical Storm Katrina

The City of Miami Beach has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for the southeast coast of Florida. No evacuation order has been issued at this time. However, based on current forecasts, the weather is expected to begin to deteriorate by mid afternoon Thursday. Residents are urged to prepare their homes and take necessary precautions to prevent possible wind damage. Secure all loose objects outside of your residence including trash cans, patio furniture, boats and so on.

Please do not cut or trim trees prior to the forecasted storm arrival. This will result in debris piles which could become missile hazards. The City does not plan to provide complimentary debris collections. Residents must call Waste Management at (305) 471-4444 to schedule a bulk pick-up after the storm.

Please continue to monitor the storm throughout the next 48 hours. We will continue to follow Tropical Storm Katrina and will be providing updates as needed. Residents and visitors may contact the Miami-Dade County Answer Center at (305) 468-5900 for more information.

Each year, Forbes Magazine ranks the best cities for singles. Miami ranks 23rd out of 40 cities.

Here are the guidlines that the editors used to rate the cities and how Miami fared on each count:

Number of Singles - Each city is evaluated based upon the percentage of its adult population that has never been married. Miami ranks 23 on this attribute.

Nightlife - Forbes editors count the number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in a city and use this strictly numerical rating to assess the city's nightlife. Miami came in a surprising number 15 on this attribute.

Culture - The cultural index is calculated in a similar manner. In this case, Forbes editors track the number of museums, sports teams and entertainment venues. Miami scored 24th out of 40.

Coolness - Several University professors used data on the number of creative jobs and amount of diversity in each city to come up with a coolness ranking. I'm not sure how they did their math, but Miami only came out number 15 on this ranking.

Job Growth - Projected job growth is important to young singles looking to advance their careers. Economic data placed Miami as number 19 on this attribute.

Cost of Living - Miami's cost of living was the third worst in the study. The only cities studied that were more expensive than Miami were Austin and San Antonio.

Miami is a great town to be single in. Obviously, the Forbes list was put together by someone who has never partied here.

Last night, my friend George gave me a tip on where to meet girls. He says go to SoFi Lounge on Friday or Saturday night at around 1am. His words were:

"... the place is overflowing with hos beautiful women"

What is the Miami singles scene like for you? Where is your favorite place to meet girls/guys? Drop us a comment.

Neighbors are complaining that the floodlights from Shaq's Star Island home are ruining their views.

"My problem is I've got this beautiful condo with a great view and I've lost my view thanks to Shaquille O'Neal. It feels like I'm living across from a baseball stadium and that's not what I paid for. I paid a lot of money for this property" says Miami Beach condo owner Kim Suereth.

"I got a spotlight myself and shined it on him last night and today knocking on my door was code enforcement from the city of Miami and the city of Miami Beach, threatening to cite me and that I would be fined $5,000 if I did it again,"

For weeks, Shaq's neighbors have asked him to dim the floodlights, but this is not possible do to the fact that flood lights do not have a dimmer switch ;-)

NBC 6 television reporter, Tom Llamas, stopped by Shaq's house unannounced to ask him about the lights. Shaq wasn't too excited to see him.

"Get away from my house. What do you want?" Shaq responded through an intercom outside the gate of his home. "Of course, I've been told about the lights. If they don't like it, tell them to pull the shades."

The response angered Shaq's neighbors, who said that if Miami Beach doesn't fix the problem they would take matters into their own hands.

But don’t worry, it’s not what you think, the condo owners are just going to buy flood lights too.

"I'm going to buy the same lights that Shaq has and since they're in code I'll have no problem," neighbor Alain Toto said. "I'm going to put them on my balcony and others will do the same and we’ll make Star Island light up."

Come on millionaires neighbors. Let's all be neighborly and find a solution.

Maybe you can find a hardware store in Miami that sells a flood light with a dimmer switch, or at least a smaller wattage bulb.

Both sides should lighten.

Lighten up, get it? heh heh

Update: Shaq has dimmed the floodlights. Thursday night, he came outside his house and waved from across the bay to make sure neighbors were OK with the new lights.

The wrongful euthanasia of Cowboy the golden retriever, has got us thinking about what to do if you've lost your pet.

First, report it missing by calling the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter. Their phone number is (305) 884-1101, ext. 241.

You can visit the Animal Shelter which is located at 7401 NW 74th Street. The shelter is open to the public from 11am to 4:30pm.

If your pet is not at the shelter, ask to fill out a form and return every two days to check.

You can also view animals that have recently been impounded at PetHarbor.com, an independent website not run by the county. I did a Zip Code search, and was impressed with the results, but sadly saw no picture of Cowboy.

U.S. postal inspectors have arrested three American Airlines baggage handlers on charges they stole mail headed to Haiti.

In the mail bags, the men found cash, possibly being sent from local residents to their relatives in that impoverished country, where many people rely on money sent to them from Miami.

Bryan Riley, of Homestead, Nelson Rodriguez, of Miami, and Sidney Jimenez, of Pembroke Pines, were all charged with grand theft after inspectors staked out the plane they were loading.

Source: Miami Hearld (registration required)

CriticalMiami has statrted a Miami Wiki.

What is a Wiki you ask? A Wiki is a web application that allows users to add and edit content, as on an Internet forum. The term Wiki also refers to the collaborative software used to create such a website.

Wikis are collaborative in nature. What's great about them is they put the power of Web publishing in everyone's hands.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, began in 2001 and has almost 700,000 user submitted articles in many different languages.

For CriticalMiami, the idea began as an experiment to document Miami's local bands, but they hope to grow the idea to document everything.

I added some content to the Cafeteria restaurant page. It was fun and easy to go back and re-edit until I got it right.

If you're in a band, have a local interest, or know about somthing special, go to the Miami Wiki and create a page.

The Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop Circus, featuring elephants, acrobats and clowns has closed. The last performance was Tuesday afternoon. Swap Shop owner Preston Henn apparently ordered the performers to leave but it's not clear why.

After two failed attempts, the Miami Seaquarium sent Mo the manatee back into the wild.

Workers from the Miami Seaquarium drove the 1,155-pound manatee to Kings Bay in Citrus County on Tuesday for one more try at freedom.

Mo is well known throughout the state for having lived at nearly every Florida manatee-rehabilitation facility at one time or another.

The Miami Seaquarium has been Mo's home for most of the past year. There, animal keepers worked hard to teach him what he needs to survive in the wild.

See pics of Mo's release at nbc6.

Google has released it's Maps API; we have integrated it into our site to create a map of hotels in Miami, Florida.

Implementing a Google Map was important to us because it helps connect Miami hotels, and travelers researching local products and services in a more valuable way.

Users can browse over 100 different hotels in and around Miami, searching a street-map, satellite image, or a hybrid of the two.

The navigation is easy to use--just drag the map with your mouse, and use the slider to zoom in and out.

Hotels benefit greatly from online mapping. Linking a map to a business profile will allow each hotel to maximize it's visibility. Recent studies have shown that more consumers are researching local businesses online before heading out to make a purchase. By using MiamiBeach411's map, potential customers can pinpoint the exact location of a hotel in seconds.

By providing un-biased local coverage, competitive hotel rates, and a unique approach to displaying hotels in a visual format, MiamiBeach411.com has become a major stop for Miami travelers seeking hotel information.

Miami Beach is poised to join a growing list of local governments nationwide that are providing free wireless Internet access in parts of their cities.

The Wireless Miami Beach project would create a network providing free wireless Internet access throughout the city by mid-2006.

City Manager Jorge Gonzalez has announced plans to launch the Wireless Miami Beach project, with the intention of creating a wireless broadband network in Miami Beach by mid-2006.

The project's primary goal is to hook up city employees such as police officers and building officials to a secure citywide wireless network.

The dozens of wireless nodes that would be installed across Miami Beach to build the network for city employees would also be used to create about 25 hot spots -- places where anyone with a computer and a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card installed could get online for free.

Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive and city schools would be in that first wave of hot spots, with the goal of providing wireless access citywide.

"I've always been concerned about the digital divide, where the affluent have access, but those less fortunate don't, and the divide is becoming bigger and bigger,'' Gonzalez said.

---

"As a nation we are falling behind on the connectivity issue, and if I can make Wi-Fi access cheap or free to all residents, I certainly want to do that."

Other Florida cities, such as Hollywood and St. Cloud, already have some form of wireless network.

Also see: Miami Wi-Fi Hotels, Miami Internet Cafes

Here are the 16 schools in Miami that received an "F" grade from the Florida Department of Education for 2005:

• Academy For Community Ed
• Alternative Outreach Program
• Cope Ctr North Alternative Ed
• Corporate Academy North
• D. M. Wallace C.O.P.E. Ctr Alt
• Holmes Elementary School
• Homestead Senior High School
• J.R.E. Lee Opp. Schl Alt Ed
• Jan Mann Opportunity Schl Alt
• Merrick Ed. Center Special Ed.
• Miami Central Senior High Schl
• Miami D. Macarthur Sr High, N.
• Miami Douglas Macarthur S.H.,S
• Miami Edison Senior High Schl
• Northeast Academy
• 500 Role Model Academy

Miami's teacher's pets best public schools are here.

The Florida Department of Education released its 2005 school report cards. Miami parrents should be pleased to know that 153 of our 334 public schools received an “A” grade for student achievement.

• Air Base Elementary
• Amelia Earhart Elementary
• Archimedean Academy
• Arvida Middle School
• Aventura Charter
• Banyan Elementary
• Ben Sheppard Elementary
• Bent Tree Elementary
• Blue Lakes Elementary
• Bob Graham Educational
• Bowman Foster Ashe Elementary
• Calusa Elementary
• Charles D. Wyche, Jr. Elementary
• Charles R Drew Elementary
• Charles R Hadley Elementary
• Christina M. Eve Elementary
• Coconut Grove Elementary
• Colonial Drive Elementary
• Coral Gables Elementary
• Coral Park Elementary
• Coral Reef Elementary
• Coral Reef Senior High School
• Coral Way Elementary
• Crestview Elementary
• Cutler Ridge Elementary
• Cypress Elementary
• Dante B. Fascell Elementary
• David Fairchild Elementary
• Design & Architectural Sr High
• Devon Aire Elementary
• Doral Acad. Charter Middle School
• Doral Academy
• Doral Middle School
• Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary
• Dr. Gilbert L. Porter Elementary
• E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary
• Emerson Elementary
• Ernest R. Graham Elementary
• Ethel F. Beckford/Richmond Elementary
• Ethel Koger Beckham Elementary
• Eugenia B. Thomas Elementary
• Everglades K-8 Center
• Fairlawn Elementary
• Fienberg-Fisher Elementary
• Flagami Elementary
• Flamingo Elementary
• Frank C. Martin Elementary
• Fulford Elementary
• G. W. Carver Middle School
• George W. Carver Elementary
• Gertrude K. Edleman/Sabal Palm
• Glades Middle School
• Greenglade Elementary
• Greynolds Park Elementary
• Hammocks Middle School
• Herbert A. Ammons Middle School
• Hialeah Gardens Elem.
• Highland Oaks Middle School
• Howard Drive Elementary
• International Studies Charter
• Irving & Beatrice Peskoe Elementary
• Jack David Gordon Elementary
• Jane S. Roberts Elementary
• Joe Hall Elementary
• John A. Ferguson Sr High
• John G. Dupuis Elementary
• John I. Smith Elementary
• Kendale Elementary
• Kendale Lakes Elementary
• Kenwood K-8 Center
• Key Biscayne K-8 Center
• Kinloch Park Elementary
• Lakeview Elementary
• Lamar Louise Curry Middle
• Leewood Elementary
• Lorah Park Elementary
• Ludlam Elementary
• Madie Ives Elementary
• Mae M. Walters Elementary
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas Elementary
• Mast Academy
• Mater Academy
• Mater Academy Charter Middle
• Mater Academy East Charter
• Meadowlane Elementary
• Miami Heights Elementary
• Miami Lakes Elementary
• Miami Palmetto Sr. High
• Miami Shores/Barry Uni Charter
• Miami Springs Elementary
• N Dade Ctr For Modern Language
• Nathan B. Young Elem.
• New World School Of The Arts
• North Beach Elementary
• North Glade Elementary
• North Hialeah Elementary
• North Twin Lakes Elem.
• Oak Grove Elementary
• Ojus Elementary
• Olinda Elementary
• Oliver Hoover Elementary
• Olympia Heights Elementary
• Palm Lakes Elementary
• Palm Springs Elementary
• Palm Springs North Elem.
• Palmetto Elementary
• Palmetto Middle
• Parkway Elementary
• Paul W. Bell Middle School
• Perrine Elementary
• Phyllis R. Miller Elementary
• Pinecrest Academy Charter
• Pinecrest Elementary
• Pinecrest Preparatory Academy
• Redland Elementary
• Redondo Elementary
• Renaissance Elementary Charter
• Rockway Elementary
• Rockway Middle
• Royal Green Elementary
• Royal Palm Elementary
• Ruth K. Broad-Bay Harbor Elementary
• Scott Lake Elementary
• Seminole Elementary
• Skyway Elementary School
• Snapper Creek Elementary
• South Hialeah Elementary
• South Miami Elementary
• South Miami Heights
• South Miami Middle School
• South Pointe Elementary
• Southside Elementary
• Southwood Middle
• Springview Elementary
• Sunset Elementary
• Sunset Park Elementary
• Sweetwater Elementary
• Sylvania Heights Elementary
• Treasure Island Elem.
• Twin Lakes Elementary
• Van E. Blanton Elementary
• Village Green Elementary
• Vineland Elementary
• Virginia Boone-Highland Oaks
• Wesley Matthews Elementary
• West Laboratory Elem.
• Whispering Pines Elementary
• William Lehman Elementary
• Winston Park Elementary
• Youth Co-Op Charter
• Zora Neale Hurston Elementary

Unfortunately, Miami did have 16 schools receive an “F” grade this year.

I had no idea there were so many traffic cameras along I-95. Below is a list of highway webcams in Miami, FL. The Hearld web cam pictures will automatically update every three minutes:

• I-95 & NW 213th St.
• I-95 & Ives Dairy Rd.
• I-95 & NW 196th St.
• I-95 & NW 176th St.
• I-95 & NW 151 St.
• I-95 & NW 135th St.
• I-95 & NW 124th St.
• I-95 & NW 119th St.
• I-95 & NW 103 St.
• I-95 & NW 93rd St.
• I-95 & NW 79th St.
• I-95 & NW 75th St.
• I-95 & NW 62nd St.
• I-95 & NW 52nd St.
• I-95 & NW SR112
• I-95 & NW 35th St.
• I-95 & NW 29th St.
• I-95 & NW 20th St.
• I-95 & NW 17th St.
• I-95 & NW 13th St.
• I-95 & NW 4th St.
• I-95 & NW 3rd St.
• I-95 & SW 8th St.
• I-95 & SW 18th Rd.
• I-95 & SW 28th Rd.
• US-1 & SW 17th Ave.

The highway and city traffic in Miami, Florida isn't the worst I've experienced, but it's getting more congested evryday. I'd definitly be checking these cameras out beofre I skipped out of the office and jumped on the freeway.

My favorite freeway web cam shot is I-95 & SW 8th St. What's your favorite traffic camera in Miami? Post a comment.

Update: I just noticed the webcam pictures are color during the day and turn black and white at night. Cool

Sorry for the light posting these last few weeks. We're adding lot's of new bells, whistles, chutes, ladders, tools, and gizmos to the site.

The posting of local news will pick up shortly. Stay tuned :)

The NFL has cleared running back Ricky Williams to return to the Miami Dolphins, in time for him to show up to the team's training camp that starts Sunday.

Williams abruptly retired last July, just before training camp, amid speculation of a failed drug test for marijuana. He took the year off, a move that triggered one of the worst seasons in Miami history.

If smoking marijuana is supposed to make you lazy, this sure wasn't the case with Ricky. I used to see him working out in the afteroon on the Beach. I've never seen anyone train that hard before.

He always trained by himself. Come to think of it, they say marijuana also makes you anti-social, so maybe there is some truth there, but Running Backs don't get paid to be the life of the party.

I'm happy he's back.

Source: nbc6

Incidentlog.com combines data from fire and rescue events across the country with the Google Map. The Miami-Dade County feed is refreshed every 10 minutes. Users can also search by street, and setup alerts, to be notified when incidents happen on streets they wish to monitor.

Future additions will include city-based RSS police/fire/911 feeds, and radius-searching.

Gerry Kelly, a longtime veteran of the South Beach nightlife scene, has resigned from his partnership in the State nightclub on Lincoln Road.

In an email, Kelly, writes that he is resigning:

"to develop `SHINE' a new entertainment concept within the Shelborne Hotel."

Kelly said he would be a partner with Shelborne co-owner Jon Cowan, the former music director of Groove Jet and former owner of Nerve, in the venture.

Kelly also writes:

"I will keep you all posted as renovations are completed and we announce our opening dates in November."

Gerry's cool. We wish him best of luck with his new venture.

The Miami Beach City Commission has approved new guidelines for special events. Among its provisions: a key clarification allowing hotels to host some types of events without requiring additional permits.

The new guidelines formally established that common events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs and proms were part of the normal functioning of a hotel and required no additional permits.

In addition, the revisions limit each hotel applicant to five events a year. The changes also impose immediate fines for permit violations and tighten the limitations on which organizations were eligible for waivers of the special events fees.

You can find out about fees and application requirements from the City if Miami Beach's Special Events Division.

For more information contact the Miami Beach Special Events Division at (305) 604-2489.

Source: miamibeachfl.gov

Looking for somthing to do? We've recently added a number of upcoming events to our Miami events calendar. Be sure to check it out!

Officials said eight migrants, including a 4-year-old boy, were found sitting along the Rickenbacker Causeway at 6:30am Wednesday.

The migrants said they left from the east coast of Cuba Tuesday morning and arrived in Florida Wednesday.

The Coast Guard released statistics showing officers have made over 4,600 interceptions at sea this year. Of those, 1,331 were Cuban migrants.

The Coast Guard says in 2001, 777 Cubans were intercepted at sea. In 2004, nearly 1,500 were picked up before reaching the coast.

See pictures at nbc6.

The US Census has released their list of America's fastest-growing cities and not surprisingly, a Florida city tops the list again. But now the attention has moved to the east coast: for years the fastest-growing city was on the west coast, places like Naples or Fort Myers. This year, the honor goes to Port St. Lucie, where the population increased 12 percent between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2004.

Also making the top 10 list: Miramar, in Broward County, and Cape Coral. The full list of the 25 fastest growing cities is available for download at the Census site, as an Excel document.

Source: US Census

Traffic is bad and it's only getting worse.

If you're tired of waiting in line at toll booths, you can purchase a SunPass and fly through the fast lane of most of toll roads, saving time, money, and the hassle of digging for change.

Here's how to get a SunPass:

1. Decide how you will obtain your SunPass. If you can wait, purchase it online at sunpass.com. You can also mail order one by calling 1-888-TOLL-FLA.

2. If you can't wait and need one right away, you can purchase a SunPass at any service center located on Florida's Turnpike.

3. If you want a SunPass before you even get on the Turnpike, you can purchase one at any Florida CVS or Publix store.

4. If you purchased a SunPass at a retail location, you'll need to activate it before use at - https://www.sunpasssecure.com/retail_account_agreement.cfm.

Tips:

1. SunPass users get discounts on tolls. Check the most recent discount offers at - http://www.sunpass.com/discounts.cfm.

2. Remember to replenish your SunPass to avoid running out of money at the toll booth and risking a fine. You can set up automatic replenishment for your account if you prefer.

3. SunPass users actually pay less for tolls than those who have to wait in line.

Source: sunpass.com

The Learning Channel (TLC) has set up shop in Miami Beach to take viewers inside the world of tattoo artistry in Miami Ink.

"In the series, a motley crew of best friends open and run a custom tattoo parlor. The resident artists — Ami James, Chris Nunez, Chris Garver and Darren Brass — live and work together to promote the art of tattooing while running a new business."

In addition to spotlighting the artists at work, each tattoo in Miami Ink has a story to tell.

Many people get tattoos to signify some pivotal moment or event in their lives. The show will offer insight into each Miami Ink customer and the impetus behind his or her choice of artwork.

The show premieres on Tuesday, July 19, at 10pm on TLC.

Source: TLC, via CriticalMiami

Today I noticed Univision.com added a search box at the top of their portal saying "Optimized by Google" in Spanish. I tried it out, and it's great. What I especially like about the new search engine is being able to switch between English and Spanish results on the fly.

If you chooses to do a search of the www then no matter what language the keyword you use it defaults to Spanish results pages as the first option. If you change a radio button to “Internet (Inglés)” then it searches the English pages on the web.

Recently, we translated much of Miami Beach 411 en Español. Our goal is to be the first bilingual search search engine in Miami.

It's exciting to see so many of our pages appearing in the spanish results by Google.

Source: Univision.com

Hella frisch posted his 7 Unatural wonders of South Beach. His list is good. He mentions Pizza Rustica and the Holocaust Memorial. I like # 7, and what he says about the view of the Miami skyline at night:

"Miami's skyline may not be the most classically majestic, but it takes on an enhanced beauty at night thanks to the lighting. There are many great places on South Beach to see the lights of downtown Miami, including the Venetian Causeway."

If you've been to Miami, you'll know what he's talking about. With the low flying clouds and bright orange city lights, there is somthing magical about the Miami night sky.

You can read all Seven Unatural Wonders (with pics) at hella frisch.

Tonight, if you notice the moon over Miami looking particulary big, NASA says it's because of something called summer moon illusion and it is very obvious this week.

Source: Infomaniac

On Monday, July 4, the City of Miami Beach will hold a free symphony and fireworks display at 72nd Street in North Beach. The festivities begin at 7pm. Don't forget to bring a beach chair and blanket.

Source: miamibeachfl.gov

Last Saturday, someone in Miami bought a $6 million winning Lotto ticket, but has not shown up at an airport gas station to claim their prize. The winning ticket was sold at the Airport Service Center, 8701 NW 13th Terrace, state lottery officials said.

"Everybody around this area knows that somebody won here, but the winner hasn't come yet,'' Luis Fajardo, the store's cashier, said Sunday. ''We are waiting for them. Maybe they don't know, or something weird.'' The winning Florida Lotto numbers selected Saturday: 2-7-9-12-20-23."

This was the only ticket to match all six numbers and win $6,000,000. A total of 253 tickets matched five numbers to win $1,508.50 each; 9,441 tickets matched four numbers for $32.50 each; and 133,708 tickets matched three numbers for $3.50 each.

Source: Miami Hearld (registration required)

An undercover operation has stopped several hundred pounds of cocaine and heroin from entering South Florida aboard cruise ships.

"Agents said those running the drug operation were recruiting passengers and employees on cruise ships to participate in the efforts to smuggle the cocaine. Drugs were found on ships docking at the Port of Miami, Key West and Port Everglades."

Source: nbc6

This week, the Miami Beach City Commission passed a law that bars convicted sex offenders from living within a half mile of schools or other places where children gather. This City of Miami is voting on a similar law, next week.

Coincedently I came across this Google maps hack that tracks sexual preditors in Florida. Just type in your zip code and see who lives nearby.

Sadly, a college exchange student drowned early Friday when she got caught in a rip tide off the coast of Miami Beach.

"Four college students from Russia were walking along Miami Beach when they decided to go into the water off 16th Street in Miami Beach. Three of the young women immediately came out because of the roughness of the surf. However, the fourth woman had ventured further into the water and was caught in the rip tide. One of her companions tried to rescue her only to be caught by the tide as well.

The women on the shore flagged down help. Miami-Dade County sea turtle observers and a Miami Beach police officer went in after the two women.

The officer was able to pull out the second women, but was unable to rescue the first.

Miami Beach Fire-Rescue arrived on the scene and pulled the woman out of the water. She was not breathing and had no heartbeat, officials said.

She was rushed to South Miami Beach Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Source: Miami Hearld (registration required)

The US Coast Guard intercepted a vintage blue taxicab, converted into a seagoing vessel, carrying several Cuban refugges on Tuesday off Key West.

Source: NBC6.

Update: U.S authorities on Thursday said they will allow the Cuban family (that tried to make it to the United States on a bright blue taxi-turned-boat) into the country, pending a successful review of their immigration documents.

The decision came after immigration officials determined that Rafael Diaz Rey, his wife Nivia Valdes Galves, 16-year-old stepson Pablo Alfonso Valdes and 10-year-old son David Diaz Valdes had documents for entry into the United States.

Two former America West Airlines pilots were convicted Wednesday of operating an aircraft while drunk in the cockpit after an all-night drinking binge.

"Both men bowed their heads when the verdict was read after a two-week trial and deliberations over parts of two days. They face up to five years in state prison at sentencing."

Pilot Thomas Cloyd and co-pilot Christopher Hughes were arrested July 1, 2002, as their jet bound for Phoenix was being pushed back from its gate at Miami International Airport.

Police ordered the plane to turn back and arrested the pilots after security screeners smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Hughes and Cloyd got in an argument over his attempts to bring aboard a cup of coffee.

The pilots split 14 beers at a bar the night before the flight, ending their revelry about 4:40 a.m. — roughly six hours before their flight was to depart. Hours later, they registered blood-alcohol levels above Florida's 0.08 legal limit.

Source: USA Today

Webtracks just told me that we're quoted by Travel Tourism and Urban Growth. They're using parts of our History timeline on their site.

The Wyndham Oceanfront Resort in Miami Beach is offering rooms from $88 if you book by June 30th, 2005.

"Wyndham Resort Hotel has several shops, a full-service salon, four restaurants, and even a florist. Guests can rent a boat at the private dock. A self-serve business center and 40,000 square feet of meeting space cater to business travelers. The hotel’s quiet stretch of beach is more private than that of most Miami Beach hotels.

Wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi connections) is available in throughout the hotel and guest rooms for a charge of $10 per day."

For rates and availability, go here.

Miami Beach filmmaker Brett Ratner (director of "Rush Hour" and "Red Dragon") has been chosen to replace Matthew Vaughn at the helm of "X-Men 3".

Last week, British director Vaughn quit the third X-Men movie because of personal problems. The filmmaker, who is married to supermodel Claudia Schiffer, flew back to his home in London -- leaving the movie's pre-production in chaos. Enter Brett.

Six Cubans made their way to Miami Beach this weekend, and their arrival was caught on tape. NBC6 has pictures and video of their landing. (download required)

A North Miami Beach boy has made the finals of the 78th Annual Scripps Spelling Bee. Dovie Eisner, 13, beat out South Florida's best spellers to make it to the national contest in Washington, D.C.

To see the list of the words he had to spell, go here.

How rude, the Associated Press just called Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal the fattest player in the NBA.

"Only four players assessed using the body-mass index (BMI) by The Associated Press made it all the way to the “obese” range, most notably — you guessed it — Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal."

I guess he should lay off the computer a little.

Mr. O’Neal, don't let the Web take over your life. I