What's Going On This Week? Find out about all of South Florida events in one convenient place!   You  live here!!!   CHECK OUT EACH DAY OF THE WEEK! SCROLL WAY DOWN!  SPECIAL EVENTS!

STEPPING OUT FLORIDA

It's YOUR "ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE"-the premier website for the 45+ years age group-  get the scoop on what's going on in the tri-county area:  events and deals all over South Florida. Find networking, dancing, fundraising, grand openings, wine-tastings, charity galas and more. IT's FREE! And events are for everybody-    not just for singles (unless specified.)

Enjoy 'stepping out' on the town!

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           THIS WEEK"S HIGHLIGHTS:   JUST CLICK! Monday- Free classes on Federal Contracts, Jazz in Palm Beach, Broadway music at the Hard Rock, Senior Lifestyle & Healthcare Expo Tuesday- Try your hand at re-doing a piece of your furniture, Paws for the Cause       Wednesday- Legal / Medical Networking Event, Taste of the Nation, the U.S. Air Force Academy Band-NEWS!  FYI- JUST GOT WORD TODAY (Thursday, April 14…FROM ANDREW HIMSELF!)THAT ANDREW'S RESTAURANT IN BOCA WAS CLOSED  TEMPORARILY BUT RE-OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 15- (99 Mizner Blvd. Boca Raton) Thursday-  Fine Wine & Canines, singer Robert Plant, singer Smokey Robinson Friday- Lu White & The Hot Rods, Opening Night at the Caldwell Theater, Delray Affair (All Weekend), Plenty of Fish party-ANDREW'S RESTAURANT RE-OPENS TONIGHT Saturday- Jersey Boys Tribute Concert,  Reach for the Stars Benefit Sunday-  Singles Mixer, Big Band / Swing Music, The Beach Boys ___________________________________________________________________                                   COMING UP!  SAVE THE DATE!         April 13-Legal / Medical Networking Event-Networking for professionals in the Legal / Medical industries- 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm-FREE Admission, Complimentary Light appetizers and Happy Hour including 2-for-1drinks from 5pm-7pm- In addition, guests who stay for dinner receive 15% discount off of their bill-  At: Caliente Kitchen-8 East Atlantic Avenue-Delray Beach FL 33301- Expected Turnout: 60-80 people Sponsored by: Stepping Out Florida, Business Events Florida,  & YouMungus.com Headline sponsor: Integrated Health & Performance Systems, PA Invited industries: Pediatricians, Naturopathic doctors,Chiropractors,Personal Injury, Estate Planning Attorneys and Real Estate Attorneys RSVP: info@SteppingOutFlorida.com To Sponsor a Table: 561-929-4449 or email:    info@SteppingOutFlorida.com _______________________________________________________________________  APRIL 19- FESTIVE HOLIDAY PASSOVER DINNER FOR SINGLES-SOLD OUT-EVENT HAS CLOSED-WE HAVE 25 GUESTS-THANK YOU AND PLEASE ATTEND NEXT YEAR! HAPPY PASSOVER!

 2nd Night of Passover-Don't be alone for the holiday-Meet new people; holidays are a time for sharing-At Wild Olives-Come enjoy Award-winning cuisine-6pm to 9pm-Cover: Special price $45-DATE EXTENDED: Must pre-pay by PalPal by 5pm on April 18-located at 5050 Town Center Circle-Boca Raton 33456-561-544-8000-(On Military Trail, just north of Palmetto Park Road in the plaza on the east side)-sponsored by Stepping Out Florida To Pay: 

  _______________________________________________________ April 11 to 29- Don't miss this chance: FREE class!  FIND OUT IN ONLY ONE HOUR: HOW TO EARN $150,000 in a Federal Contract this Year How to sell your products and services to the U.S. Federal Government without bidding or red tape if you are a small business owner.  $497 class fee waived-  FREE-  IF YOU MENTION  STEPPING OUT FLORIDA!!     YOU CAN WIN FEDERAL CONTRACTS FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS:  CLICK HERE FOR CLASS DATES AND TIMES _____________________________________________________________________________________                             SAVE THE DATE!             APRIL 30    Wine & Food Festival!        TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!    For the Deerfield Beach Wine and Food Festival!  Visit www.DeerfieldBeachWineandFoodFestival.com    APRIL 30, 2011 Tickets are $47 and includes 40 Chef Tasting Stations, Wine from Around the World, Live Entertainment, Market Bazaar and Much More!    From 4pm to 8pm-At the Cove Shopping Center Deerfield Beach-  Call 561-338-7594 to purchase tickets! ___________________________________________________________________

Hot News!         Hot News!

                                                       Restaurant News!

Click on "Openings/Closings' in the Directory or CLICK HERE:

NEWS! Another Restaurant 'Discovery'!!

Cafe Vico in Ft. Lauderdale-   I just went (3/30/11)  to a fabulous wine-pairing dinner at this most interesting , elegant & romantic restaurant.  'Interesting'- not just because we were treated to an excellent 5 course dinner, each course with its own carefully selected wine; and not just because of the warm greeting by owner, Marco Vico who personally escorted us to the bar for a welcome "Vicotini"  (a martini with peach shnapps-yum!) and savory veal meatballs in demi-glace prior to dinner; BUT because dinner was in a separate room a few doors down from the main restaurant and had an enormous movie screen at the head of the banquet-sized table.

Yes, we watched the film "Restaurant" (how appropriate!) as we dined!  We experienced the 'Red Carpet' treatment from the reception at the bar to each of the gourmet courses (detailed at the end of the article), to the delicious and varied wines to the grand finale of 20 year old tawny port wine. 

I mustn't omit the wonderful introduction to the dinner by the owner, Marco Vico, and also by our sommelier, Pandora, who told us our Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling was on the dry side but that this particular wine-maker has 6 different Rieslings in varying sweetness. Her best line: the French saying: 'you're not drunk; you just haven't eaten enough!"      

I truly cannot wait to get back to this little gem of a restaurant—Next Wine Dinner / Movie Night: April 13-  7:30pm to 10pm-with yet another appropriate  and 'Sinfully Delicious' movie "Chocolat' (that's the French spelling) starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and Leslie Caron. Of course the menu and wines will be oh-so-French!  'Mais oui'!  -  Cover: $75 +tax and gratuity-located at 1125 N. Federal Hwy.-Ft. Lauderdale-954-565-9681-in the corner of the shopping plaza-www.cafevicorestaurant.com     

To see the upcoming menu for the next "Wine Dinner-Movie Night," go to their website and click "Special Events"- (Last night's menu included grilled jumbo shrimp, pasta with 4 cheeses and black truffle cream sauce, thin sliced beef carpaccio marinated with Dijon mustard, Chilean Sea Bass, Stuffed Veal scallopini with mozzarella cheese, prosciutto and spinach with a demi-glace sauce and profiterole for dessert)

La Stella's of Boca- O. M.G. ! We had a GREAT Dinner for 20 people on Monday, Jan. 24-What a lovely (and delicious) little discovery-the bruschetta appetizer on crusty focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar, the homemade ricotta gnocchi, the chicken cutlets with roasted peppers and shaved parmesan reggiano-MAMA MIA!!!! Thanks to the owner, Jamie-she's delightful-I love this place! Get me back there soon! (159 E Palmetto Pk. Rd. in Boca-561-544-2081) 

NOW OPEN-  Atlantic Ocean Club-'5,000 square feet of nautlical elegance' with a 1,500 sq. ft. mezzanine level-217 E. Atlantic Avenue-Delray Beach-33444-Info: 561-450-7557-AND "The Buddha Sky Bar"- the roof top space above will have an Asian-fusion menu.

  NEW! New Restaurant: "Shamata Lounge"-  Mediterranean Restaurant & Taverna-(formerly "Rivals")- renovated, live music & belly dancing Friday and Saturday-breezy, covered outdoor seating-try some different appetizers, and the delicious mixed grille with chicken, lamb chops and grilled veggies-at 133 SE Mizner Blvd.-Royal Palm Place (the 'pink' plaza)-Boca Raton 33432 Info: 561-393-7626  (From I-95, go East on Palmetto Pk. Rd., right on E Mizner Blvd and 2nd right onto SE 1st St. -the restaurant is on the left-black awning with red and white stripes.)

NEWS!  Cooking Classes by Publix!   Named "Publix Apron's Cooking School"-Classes in cakes, soups, chicken,  and wine-pairing-  are $40 -$50-  Check it out:   http://www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Plantation/Calendar.do

Also NEW:    "LIVING ROOM' Theaters at FAU-A new movie experience - now open in Boca Raton-  located right on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University, this theater specializes in independent and foreign films in a unique and intimate setting; The over-sized leather seats are built with comfort in mind, just like a chair you may have in your own living room. Enjoy a full meal right in the movie theater too. (Dine in the European cafe in the lobby or dining service in the theater before the film starts.) Tickets are: $9.50 for general admission; matinees are $7.50 for students, educators and seniors; $5 on Mondays and Tuesdays-Info:   livingroomtheaters.com   or 561-392-1000                                                    

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WANT A FREE PASS FOR A YEAR TO THE MIAMI SEAQUARIUM?

Find out how:  Click on "Bargains, Coupons & Free Stuff" in the Directory!

Just Click HERE

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MORE THINGS TO DO:    (COMMUNITY CALENDARS)

BOCA RATON:  CLICK HERE                    

DELRAY BEACH:  CLICK HERE

BOYNTON BEACH:   CLICK HERE 

  BLOG TOPIC:       BEAUTY: "IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER" or  "SKIN DEEP"  or UNIVERSAL? Has our notion of 'beauty' changed through the ages? Think back to  Helen of Troy; the Greeks said 'hers was the face that launched a thousand ships" and her abduction brought about the Trojan War. Later, thanks to the paintings of Rubens in the 1600's, his fondness for plus-sized women made it beautiful to be 'Rubenesque" or rather big. That all changed in 1966 when 16 year old  British "Twiggy" at a height of 5'6' weighed a mere 91 pounds. Our ideas of beauty have changed but here is one interesting artist's conception: Behold, the most beautiful woman ever created:

This blurry woman is the computer-generated composite of Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Cuthbert, Hilary Duff (?), Jennifer Love Hewitt. Jessica Alba, Jennifer Biel, Kiera Knightly, Kate Bosworth, Kristin Kreuk, Mandy Moore, Megan Fox, Monica Belluci, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson.  Hello, Gorgeous! ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BLOG TOPIC: Free housecleaning for women who are receiving chemo If you know any woman who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, let her know that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning–once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. "Cleaning for a Reason" will have a participating maid service in her zipcode are arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. Do a good deed: pass the word.

 BLOG TOPIC: Fooling the Wine Experts; good one!

The Subjectivity of Wine

Posted on: November 2, 2007   by Jonah Lehrer

The rules of the wine tasting were simple. Twenty five of the best wines under twelve dollars were nominated by independent wine stores in the Boston area. The Globe then assembled a panel of wine professionals to select their top picks in the red and white category. All of the wines were tasted blind. The result is a beguiling list of delicious plonk. But I was most interested in just how little overlap there was between the different critics. In fact, only one wine – the 2006 Willm Alsace Pinot Blanc from France – managed to make the list of every critic. Most of the wines were personal favorites, and appeared on only one of the lists. So much for objectivity. But results like this shouldn't be surprising. I've blogged about this before, but it's such a cool experiment that it's worth repeating. In 2001, Frederic Brochet, of the University of Bordeaux, conducted two separate and very mischievous experiments. In the first test, Brochet invited 57 wine experts and asked them to give their impressions of what looked like two glasses of red and white wine. The wines were actually the same white wine, one of which had been tinted red with food coloring. But that didn't stop the experts from describing the "red" wine in language typically used to describe red wines. One expert praised its "jamminess," while another enjoyed its "crushed red fruit." Not a single one noticed it was actually a white wine. The second test Brochet conducted was even more damning. He took a middling Bordeaux and served it in two different bottles. One bottle was a fancy grand-cru. The other bottle was an ordinary vin du table. Despite the fact that they were actually being served the exact same wine, the experts gave the differently labeled bottles nearly opposite ratings. The grand cru was "agreeable, woody, complex, balanced and rounded," while the vin du table was "weak, short, light, flat and faulty". Forty experts said the wine with the fancy label was worth drinking, while only 12 said the cheap wine was. What these experiments neatly demonstrate is that the taste of a wine, like the taste of everything, is not merely the sum of our inputs, and cannot be solved in a bottom-up fashion. It cannot be deduced by beginning with our simplest sensations and extrapolating upwards. When we taste a wine, we aren't simply tasting the wine. This is because what we experience is not what we sense. Rather, experience is what happens when our senses are interpreted by our subjective brain, which brings to the moment its entire library of personal memories and idiosyncratic desires. As the philosopher Donald Davidson argued, it is ultimately impossible to distinguish between a subjective contribution to knowledge that comes from our selves (what he calls our "scheme") and an objective contribution that comes from the outside world ("the content"). Instead, in Davidson's influential epistemology, the "organizing system and something waiting to be organized" are hopelessly interdependent. Without our subjectivity we could never decipher our sensations, and without our sensations we would have nothing to be subjective about. In other words, we shouldn't be surprised that different people like different bottles of cheap wine. PS. A lot of this material appears in my book, so check it out if you want to learn more about Escoffier, olfaction, umami and subjectivity. _________________ Jonah Lehrer is a contributing editor at Wired. He's also written for The New Yorker, Seed, Nature, and the New York Times and is a contributor to Radiolab. He's the author of Proust Was A Neuroscientist. His new book is How We Decide. 

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