I found this video on YouTube.  I wish I could have brought everyone some great footage like this, but casino's usually frown on pictures showing the gaming floor.  I actually had a worker approach me upstairs when I shot a few of mine months ago.  The video give you an idea of what the property is like and also spotlights the restaurants.  I have only eaten at the Isle Buffet (discounted if you are a slot club member) and keep meaning to try the others, but haven't gotten around to it.

Being Broward's most profitable and popular 'racino' the Isle sure seems to be getting a lot of press lately too.

Take a look at the video below:

111 E. Broward Blvd is the location of a newly approved hotel/office building combo.  At 30 stories it will be among the tallest downtown.  We'll see if the project moves forward...since approval doesn't mean it's a done deal.  Financing and other issues usually pop up.  The building looks like it will fit in Downtown though and I really think they could use a few more hotels.  We need them in order to grow the business core of the Downtown area.  Hopefully that will breathe some life down there after 5 PM other than just the Las Olas area.


Groupe Pacific is the developer in case you follow that type of information.

We're going to cover 2 drinks this week kind of a 2-4-1.  The first is my favorite fruity drink and since my Birthday is less than a week away...I wanted to feature my favorite.  The 2nd is for all those Mothers out there...Sunday is Mother's day and there will be plenty of Mimosa's consumed at Brunches around the US.  Now you can enjoy them at home (for a fraction of the price).  Happy 'Early' Mother's Day!


Bahama Mama

1/2 oz    Lemon juice (Fresh)
2 oz       Orange juice  (Fresh)
2 oz       Pineapple juice
1 1/2 oz Rum
1 oz       Coconut rum
1/2 oz   Heering cherry liqueur
1/2 oz   Grenadine syrup

Directions:  Shake ingredients with cracked ice. Serve in a 12 oz. glass. Garnish with a cherry and 1/2 slice orange in a tooth pick.


Bonus Recipe! -

The Mimosa

2 parts Florida Orange Juice
Champagne to fill glass

Directions:  Pour orange juice into a champagne glass over two ice cubes. Fill with chilled champagne, stir very gently, and serve.

**Variation - Add a slice of a strawberry to the glass

How cool would it be to get custom t-shirts made up for these types of events-  Maybe planning some kind of family reunion/trip to Disney...maybe you could get custom shirts for everyone going.  Are you organizing a softball team or a bowling team and need shirts?  There are so many events that come to mind...but you can also design just one. 

I remember long ago (I'm not telling you how long!), you could get custom t-shirts, but you were very limited on the lettering and pictures.  Today, you can basically design you own shirts!  Bluecotton.com makes it pretty easy too.  You just pick the kind of shirt you want and you can add shapes and words with just a click!  You can even upload your own pictures and put them on shirts.  (Great Father's Day gift!!!)

I've seen the sign for probably a year now "Opening Soon:  Walmart Neighborhood Market".  When I looked in the store, there was no sign of any activity...until a few weeks ago that is.

Located on US1 in the Stein Mart shopping plaza (by the Carrabba's and Anthony's Pizza) there once was a Winn Dixie.  This Winn Dixie closed when they filed for bankruptcy a few years back and it appears that Walmart set it's sights on it.  The store has been empty for over a year and just this weekend, I noticed that the front windows were blocked off and the "Opening Soon" sign was posted. 

For those of you that are not aware of the Walmart Neighborhood Market...it's quite simple.  Think of a Walmart Supercenter with just the grocery side.  Then add in some Health & Beauty products and some miscellaneous 'stuff'.  While some of you might be shaking your heads...just remember that Walmart has some pretty low prices.  With these 'Markets' they can use the buying power of the Supercenters and hopefully pass down the savings to shoppers....and we all know we need it.

I think it's a bit risky to open a new store today...but Walmart might have the brand advantage.  I couldn't find any time line as to when it will open...so who knows.  If you are dying to see an open store...all you'll have to do is travel to Coral Springs.  I went to one when I was in Vegas last year.  It's ok.  Nothing really to make a special trip for.

While we love Florida, sometimes the summer months can get a bit hot and muggy.  The good thing about living on the east coast of Florida is the ocan breeze, but that isn't enough to cool you down sometimes.  One suggestion might be to visit the beautiful Canadian city of Quebec.  I've always wanted to get up to Quebec, but for some reason...haven't gotten around to it (yet!).  Recently, I saw a beautiful area that looks like the perfect summer getaway.  Tremblant resort is located in a quiet spot right on a lake in the middle of the woods.  It looks so relaxing and better yet...the weather in the summer is like Florida's winter!  Blueberry Lake Resort offers their guests luxury accommodations in a 'log' chalet!  How cool is that?  The chalet has flat screen TV's and high speed internet too!  With a Spa, restaurant and endless outdoor activities, this would be one sweet vacation.

The website gives some pictures of the resort and surrounding area.  They have some packages as well if you are interested in staying.  It looks like the whole family can rent a cabin too.  www.blueberrylake.com

News Radio6 WIOD posted an article today stating that the North Lauderdale City Commission is spearheading a resolution that would split the state of Florida into 'two' separate states - North Florida and South Florida.  The division would run south of Palm Beach County and extend south to Monroe.  They are asking for all South Florida counties to join their cause.  They are claiming that Florida is too big to be run by the current state government and that South Florida contributes much more to the state and gets nothing in return.

Here is the actual press release.   We've all said that South Florida is like it's own state. Give it a read and leave a comment here to put in your two cents.


North Lauderdale Takes Tough Stance for Home Rule

Call it the South Florida “Boston Tea Party”, North Lauderdale City Officials have had enough and are not going to take it anymore.

The North Lauderdale City Commission passed a resolution requesting that Florida be divided into two States…North Florida and South Florida with the boundary line from Palm Beach County down through Monroe County and is encouraging Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties to join in the quest for a separation of the State of Florida.

“This has been going on far too long. We are here trying to give good service to our residents at the cheapest possible costs and we keep getting hammered by the State Legislatures,” Mayor Jack Brady said. “We believe South Florida has many different issues than those in North and Central Florida and yet we all get put into the same frying pan together….local officials are the closest to the people and we have to do what is right for our citizens.”

Florida has grown from a thinly populated rural state to the fourth most populous state of the United States.  Population estimated to be nearly 19 million. The State of Florida has also grown from two initial counties to that of sixty-seven counties of which the most populous and urban are the three counties of Miami- Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Southeast Florida contributes more tax revenue to the State of Florida than it receives from the present State government. These counties being the most populated have requirements for conducting their affairs that are different and often times more intense than other portions of the State. Florida is too varied for this one-size fits all approach to cities and counties.

In recent years, the Legislature of the State of Florida has considered a number of proposals that have had a significant adverse impact on local governments’ ability to generate revenue and effectively perform their essential municipal functions with many of these initiatives resulting in a local government regression whereby as a direct result of legislative action certain counties and municipalities are becoming increasingly unable to perform essential public services.

During a recent visit to Tallahassee as part of the Broward Days lobbying, North Lauderdale Commissioner Rich Moyle told Legislators, “last year you beat our cities up and this year you are stealing our lunch money. How are we supposed to run our cities?”  The question…Moyle said, mostly fell on deaf ears.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States provides that when any form of government becomes destructive to the extent that it no longer has the consent of the people governed, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish said government and institute a new government based on the foundation in which the people seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness and  given the size of the State and the great differences in needs and priorities between the southern portion of the State and the northern portion of the State, the North Lauderdale City Commission has determined that it is in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the State to divide the State into two separate and distinct governing entities.

           

Let me start off by saying, the Whole Enchilada Restaurant in Oakland Park, give you a 'Whole Lotta Food'!  This relatively new eatery on Federal Highway (between Commercial and Oakland Park Blvd) is really starting to put themselves on the map.  This was our first visit for lunch today and we were very impressed at the friendly staff, the clean restaurant and the huge tasty portions served up.  They certainly bump up the competition bar in the area for other Mexican 'fastcasual' restaurants.

The restaurant is similar in concept to the new hot trend of 'fresh' Mexican type grills.  It's not quite 'fast' food but not quite a full service restaurant (I call these types of places 'fastcasual').  You place your order at the counter and they get right to cooking.    The large flat screen TV was showing Napoleon Dynamite that added to the causal atmosphere.  Along with dining inside, there are also tables set up outside to enjoy the weather.

          

There is a small 'salsa' bar to the right of the ordering counter that holds up to 4 fresh salsa varieties along with cilantro and lime.



The menu is quite expansive.  With everything from huge Burritos to Taco Baskets, they also serve one huge pile of Nachos.  They even let you choose shrimp , fish and tofu as protein options with your taco, burrito or fajitas.  Jeff got the Nacho Mama platter with ground beef and I ordered the Fah-hee-tah Platter with steak.  Total bill with 2 soda drinks (unlimited refills) was just over $20.

When they brought out the plates and set them down in front of us...our mouth's dropped.  The portions are HUGE! 

The steak for my fajitas was REAL grilled steak sliced into large strips.  It was tender and tasted great.  Grilled onions and green peppers were served along with a scoop of guacamole and sour cream.  Oh, I almost forgot the shredded cheese and black beans and Spanish rice.  Oh...and there were also a handful of chips and 3 warm flour tortillas for to wrap to round out the platter.  This is a dinner portion for sure.  It's worth every penny of the $8.99 price tag and you'll have left overs for sure.



Jeff loved the nachos, but saw that he should have ordered the steak for the meat instead of the ground beef.  While he loved the ground beef, he loves his steak.  This pile of nachos is definitely one to share.  He left 1/2 behind since he was so full he could hardly move off the chair.



We hope they keep up the great work and keep serving the great food for many years to come.  Give them a try and let us know what you thought by leaving a comment.

The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Restaurant is located at:
4115 N. Federal Highway
Oakland Park, FL

FTLToday's restaurant grade:  A

We've all seen the headlines and the news reports.  The one red hot buyer's housing market has 'flipped' into a renter's market.  How can this happen you ask?  Well, there are many ways you can look at it.  Lets break down some of the main issues:

- There are the apartments that didn't convert to condo's.  While there were many greedy apartment building owners doing the 'condo conversions', many stayed put. 
- Some of the condo conversions....converted back.  Some of the developers that finished renovations just as the real estate bubble burst had to 'convert' the condo's back apartments to minimize their loss.
- Many...and I mean MANY of those 'investment' condo and house flippers got stuck with the 'hot potato'.  That simply means that they intended to buy a condo, put little or no money into renovation, then sell for a higher price and got stuck with the property.  Many of the 'flippers' already have a primary home and now can't sell the second investment property.  That leaves no option but to rent it out until it sells.

Those are probably the main reasons you can probably find some good deals on rental units right now.  While I don't see that many great deals on the 1 or 2 bedroom apartments, there are some GREAT deals on house rentals and high end condos. 

We found example that's on the water and is renting at $2,100.  That sounds like a lot right?  But check out all the stuff it comes with...my mouth watered

Ft Lauderdale Luxury Condo on the water, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Ft Lauderdale Luxury Condo on the water, Ft Lauderdale, FL, 33315. Bedrooms: 2-2. Beautiful Luxury 2/2 condo in downtown Ft.Lauderdale w/huge wrap around balcony on water w/city view granite kitchen marble bath jacuzzi floor to ceiling windows door attendant pool gym. 5 mins to beach or riverfront. Available june '08.

The dream to own a house for some renters might be just out of reach for now, but at least there are lots of options until that perfect house is found at the right price.  If the $2,100 is a bit steep for you, Apartments.com has some great properties.  They have searches for all South Florida areas and also all over the US.  Happy Hunting and tell them FTLToday sent you!

Mark's Las Olas a favorite upscale dining spot on the trendy Las Olas Blvd. strip, closed it's doors for good last Thursday.  Without warning,  workers were notified on Thursday of the closure.  There was a sign posted in the window thanking customers for their support.  A sad end for a successful 14 year run.  Mark's Las Olas opened it's doors in 1994.

Chef Mark Militello became an area favorite when the first Mark's opened in North Miami Beach in 1988.  In 1990 Food & Wine Magazine named him one of the top 10 chefs in America.  When Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida, Militello made the Las Olas location his home base and flagship restaurant.  It always packed in the people and never showed signs of financial difficulties.  Even a few of the workers commented that they didn't understand why three of the four locations closed (South Beach & West Palm locations closed a few weeks ago).  The only remaining Mark's restaurant is in Boca Raton at the Mizner Park. 

It's reported that the owner of the Las Olas location is currently working on a new restaurant concept, which may revolve around the current sushi trend.  When that will open?  I wouldn't hold my breath.  With today's economy and a few comments that they want to make the new restaurant operation and quality 'flawless' is almost the same as hanging a "Closed for remodeling" sign.  We all know what that means.  While I've never visited Mark's, it's sad to see another local business shut it's doors.  Lets hope this trend reverses really soon.