944

Before you start basting the turkey and finalizing the perfect Thanksgiving menu for the new in-laws, take a break and jump into the holiday spirit with the Village of Merrick Park. Unlike your traditional tree lighting ceremony this event adds a modern twist that is enjoyable for all ages. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 19th from 6:30 – 8:30pm, with the actual lighting of the tree taking place at approximately 7:30pm.
With 55,000 “green” LED light bulbs taking center stage and a 50-foot tree as the costar this tree lighting ceremony is the perfect way to jumpstart an eco-friendly holiday season. With live entertainment and musical performances by the Coral Gables High School Choir the only thing that could make this event better would be a tall glass of grandma’s homemade eggnog. But with the numerous activites for kids and over 100 luxury boutiques and stores to fit the fancy of every adult nobody will miss the 'nog.
And what would a holiday tree lighting ceremony be without the man of the hour. With that contagious, belly rolling, laugh and those rosy cheeks the night would not be complete without an official holiday greeting from good ‘ol Saint Nick. And to help spread the season of giving and cheer, attendees can bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Voices of Children Foundation, an organization that raises funds for abused and neglected children in Miami-Dade County.
So grab a girlfriend or the whole fam damily and check out a night filled with shopping, live entertainment, and a tree lighting countdown that will serve as a warm up for New Year’s, or just think of it as a necessary sanity exercise before the in-laws come into town.
Village of Merrick Park is located at 358 Lorenzo Avenue.



Yeah it’s ladies night and the feeling’s right. That’s right - tonight at Blue Martini in Brickell 944 is hosting “Martinis & Pampering” at the Mary Brickell hotspot. Three Olives’ open bar starts at 9:44 ;) and the first 50 chicks will get a goody bag. If that’s not enough to motivate, there will complimentary spa treatments. Free people! See you there.

Scope is giving Baselers a little taste of things to come tonight with a launch party at 900 Biscayne. Sweatshoppe will be performing live with their unique blend of art, music and technology. We’re not exactly sure what to expect, except that there will be cameras inside of the face masks. Watch out!
 
Another great party this week involves a vintage Volkswagen bus, Biker Chefs and a food drive. “Peace, Love and Beaujolais Nouveau”  celebrates annual the release of Georges Duboeuf’s Beaujolais Nouveau at Au Pied de Cochon. Every year, French law dictates that the wine be made available at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday of November. The main event starts Thursday at 5pm when Biker Chefs (Sean Brasel, Kieran Masek and more) will drive up with the Beaujolais Love Bus and deliver the first case of this year’s cuvee. The party will continue till 9’m, during which oenophiles can get a taste of the red wine in exchange for your charitable canned (or boxed) food donation. Bottoms Up!

Dear Vanessa:

I have been sporting the straw fedora a lot, but I was thinking that is not the right look for winter, even a San Diego winter. I started balding this year so I want to keep wearing a hat, or something that would be a good winter head covering.

— Patrick, North Park

 

Dear Patrick:

No matter what you do, avoid the do-rag and the cowboy hat. We don’t need another Brett Michaels on our hands. Instead try the news boy/page boy hat. This has a winter feel to it and can actually be quite warm if you get the thicker version versus the thin ones used primarily for style. Two other great choices are the driving cap (very similar to the page boy) and the general’s cap; which is like a really fancy and square-ish baseball hat. These hats should give you some diversity in your head wear while still looking masculine cool.

Dear Vanessa:

Are Uggs still in style at all? I love them and hate that they aren’t cool anymore!

— Annalynne, College Area

Dear Annalynne,

I apologize, but Uggs are not “cool” in San Diego anymore. Now, they are simply utilitarian. Which is so much better than before when trendy girls were pairing it with denim skirts (eww).

Now you are wearing them specifically to keep your feet warm, and as long as you are not pairing them with velour tracksuits or on-trend clothing, you are still cool. Tuck your skinny jeans into the Uggs and wear them with a simple James Perse tee and a zip-up to hit the grocery on a cold day. Or feel free to throw them on with your house dress and the first jacket you can find when you realize you overslept and you are late to your dentist appointment. They are quality comfortable boots that heat your feet; treat them as such.

Not everyone can afford to have a personal stylist in his or her life, but now every 944 reader can have access to one. Please send any and all questions concerning fashion to ask@vanessavaliente.com. Each week one men’s and one women’s questions will be answered in Vanessa’s “Fashion Fix” Column. To visit Vanessa’s Web site go to www.vanessavaliente.com.

By Mindy Mar

Astrology symbols represent certain horoscope zodiac signs so that each zodiac sign can be distinguished from other astrological signs. The zodiac symbols help define the basic characteristics of each sun sign.

Aries: The Ram

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. The Ram represents a newborn infant as an Aries is always demanding attention. Their needs always come first. He or she is aggressive, committed to their cause, firm, independent and an idealist. As the Ram is the symbol of Aries, often the Aries person to have sharp features with well marked brows. The horns on the Ram symbolize that they means business. Since Aries ruling planet is Mars, this person is absolutely direct and to-the-point about everything that they wants.

Taurus: The Bull
Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac. Like their symbol, the Bull, Taureans are always steadfast and solid, both fierce and gentle. He or she prefers to be left alone and if pushed can become obstinate. And if pushed slightly more, then they will charge like a raging Bull. Taureans normally don’t speak much, and if they do, they make do with small and to-the-point sentences. They can be brooding and stoic, but never nervous. With Venus as the ruling planet, Taureans love grand things and doing things in grand style.

Gemini: The Twins

Ruled by Mercury, these people are always on the go, and can switch emotions incredibly fast. Their symbol, ‘The Twins’ is very appropriate as they can be one thing one moment and another thing the next with duality being the name of the game. Gemini people are eager, impulsive and quick in their movements. They can talk on both sides of an argument, and make each side sound right. With the Gemini duality, they can do two things at a time – the ultimate master multi-taskers.

Cancer: The Crab

Ruled by the Moon, Cancerians change their moods based on the phases of the moon. The Crab struts around tough and gruff with a heavy suit of armor but their hard outside shell is there protecting their soft and vulnerable side they try so hard to hide. At the first sign of danger, the Crab withdraws into its shell and scuttles back to its home where they feel safe. Cancer people have a vivid imagination and are often quite intuitive and secretive. They love their home, they never give up, and, just like the Crab, they hold on to what they want tenaciously.

Leo: The Lion

Ruled by the Sun, Leos love to be in the middle of the limelight and the glory. A cross between a loving cat and the arrogant King of the Jungle, Leos are regal, brave, dominating and self-centered. They are devoted to themselves and love to bask in their own glory and pride. Felines don’t like to take orders from anyone. They like to tell people what to do and how to do it, they are very good at taking on responsibilities. At the same time, Leos are generous and giving. Lions can be lazy and indulgent, thriving on drama and theatrics.

Virgo: The Virgin
A Virgo is a silent person and airs on the side of being a loner. No matter what, this person is always neat and clean and typically a worrier. Dependable and sincere, Virgos are workaholics. Virgos are not the lavish types; rather, they are very prudent and conservative. They can become very intense in their thinking process. In romance, a Virgo will look for quality, rather than quantity.

Libra: The Scales
A Libran is like the symbol of its sign: balanced and poised. They are good natured and pleasant. However, there is inherent inconsistency with this sign as they can never make up their minds. Like the scales, Libras fluctuate with their moods, ideas and periods of activity and rest. They are kind, gentle, fair, and also argumentative, fickle and indecisive.

Scorpio: The Scorpion
A Scorpio is a very intense and secretive person rarely revealing their mind. Scorpios can be extremely patient, but when his patience wears down they will lash out just like the scorpion that is his zodiac sign symbol. Their eyes are always deep and penetrating and intense. He or she can be a gentle and a helpful person but will never flatter you. And if you ask for their opinion, be ready to listen to short, sweet and harsh version of the truth.

Sagittarius: The Archer
Lively, witty and cheerful, Sagittarius is the life of the party. But they often does not think before he talks, and if he or she end up saying the wrong thing, they never meant it to be as tactless and insincere as it comes across. With a Sagittarius, you are always left wondering ... the sign of the Archer is always restless and cannot keep still. With Jupiter as the ruling planet, you can count on a Sagittarius to be loyal to his friends and be the one to help them when they are in trouble.

Capricorn: The Goat

Capricorns are observant, steady and they know how to take things slow. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to go to the top. Just like their symbol the Goat, Capricorn knows that slow and steady will win the race. They are determined, serious and stable. They can be stubborn and melancholy. With Saturn ruling their sign, when Capricorns decide to go for it, they just go for it. The Capricorn person is efficient and reliable and responsible. Depend upon it.

Aquarius: The Water-Bearer
An Aquarius is intelligent, witty and a dreamer. They are original and determined, but they love their freedom. They can often be perceived as superficial, cold and detached. They seek quantity rather than quality in their social circle. They have an analytical bent of mind. They are constantly seeking new knowledge and information.

Pisces: The Fish

Pisceans are just like the symbol of their sign: two fish going in opposite directions. They can never be still and their mind is always doing two things at the same time. They are very intuitive and dreamy and their powers of imagination are legendary. A born romantic, they are artistic and creative, very compassionate, generous and loving. A Piscean prefers to swim off into the deep blue sea in a dreamy state of mind versus rising to the top to face the harsh realities of life above water.

So I'm in Detroit as I type this letter. Not really because I want to be. Rather, it's because Northwest Airlines told me this was the cheapest route back to San Diego from Amsterdam. Yes, my romp through Holland and France is complete, and both countries are reportedly faring considerably well in the aftermath.

Traveling when one (like myself) has a mini deadline more or less every single day of the month can be tricky. I tried to work as much as possible while abroad, but hotels in Europe have yet to embrace the concept of “free Wi-Fi.” Cost was 20 euro per day, per computer. As I was traveling with the hubby, checking emails on the laptop added up to the price of three Smart Cars. (They love those things in Paris.)

But traveling despite such challenges was, and is, so worth it. Seeing the big wide world is an absolute necessity for anyone who prefers to avoid living a clueless, ignorant existence. Different languages, cuisines, customs, views of the world … it all opens your eyes to the fact that life, and the world, really is so much more than middle America and trashy reality TV. It makes you more appreciative of what's new and different, inside and outside your own backyard. Paris, for example, has some of the best gypsies of any tourist destination in the world. I had to bust out a few “Allez-vous en!” screams while being targeted for pickpocketing at the Sacre Coeur church.

Speaking of backyard, what's up, Detroit? I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, about 45 minutes away from the Motor City. Haven't been to these parts in years. (Your new airport terminal at the Detroit Metro Airport is the shit, btw.) I must make a trip back to my stomping grounds soon. Because no matter where I go and what I see and do, I must not forget where I'm from. Deadlines and internet surcharges be damned.

Sarah Daoust

Managing Editor

sarahd@944.com 

Editor's Pick of the Week:

Head to Stingaree this Thursday, November 19 (that's tomorrow!!!) for a fab party presented by 944!

944 MAGAZINE|STINGAREE PRESENT

JOSE CUERVO PLATINO'S MASTERS OF THE MIX WITH TONY ARZADON

HOSTED BAR 8:30-10PM

JOSE CUERVO PLATINO DRINK SPECIALS 10PM-2AM

 

GUEST LIST ONLY: RSVP to www.944.com/mixsandiego