Wishing on a Star...

I have never really been into astronomy. The idea of staring into the night sky for hours on end, never appealed to me. Then one night I looked up and saw a cluster of stars in some kind of formation. Constellations were something so new to me. The stories about all of the "gods" who are eternally sentenced to be "stuck" in the sky, were all so interesting.

If you are like I was, a good idea might to be to check out your local planetarium. The one nearest to me is Buehler Planetarium, located on the Broward Community College Davie Campus. There, one can enjoy the use of a high-tech telescope and personally learn which constellations are visible and when to look for them.

Alone, or with someone special, wishing on a star never seemed so meaningful.

*pictures from various constellation websites.

Tranquility on a Dime

With school registration coming up and finals drawing near, students probably could benefit from some Eastern influenced relaxation techniques. Unfortunately for us, a full body massage is NOT in our budget. On the other hand, mental stimulation and sense reawakening is right up our alley.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, located in Delray Beach, is a great place to take a rejuvenating stroll and a much needed breath of fresh air. Imagine 200 acres of gardens, museums and stone walkways, for less than $10! The best part of this event is that it is great for ALL audiences. Patrons young and old, flock to this Eastern museum and gardens combination, Tuesday through Sunday of every week.

*Pictures from the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Website.

Poetry Slam

Never in my life could I have ever imagined that the words poetry and slam would be together in one sentence. In the past, I had always thought of poetry as a means of expression (usually a light, eloquent pattern of words) and not as a weapon as the High School members of the Poetry League have been using it.

This Saturday, the Broward Center for Performing Arts is hosting the Poetry Slam High School Finals. For just $15, you too can learn how to use your words to make a statement about the complex world we live in.

Consider this event Def Poetry for minors.

If you are searching for something to do in South Florida that is sure to empower yourself and your loved ones, consider this a must see.

I still have a dream

Today marks the 39th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. It was on this day in 1968, that the renowned speaker and civil rights activist was assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.

For those of us who have reaped the benefits of his activism, I felt that it was important to reflect on his life and how he influenced change in this country. For more information on the Martin Luther King story, including audio clips and speech transcripts click here.

Because this website’s primary focus is on finding cheap things to do in South Florida for under $20, I decided to compile a list of things that you can do on a day like today to commemorate the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King.

• Make a contribution to a non-violent association in Florida (Please note this list is NOT just of Florida associations).
  



• If you live near a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, take the time out to visit it and reflect on how life was prior to the Civil Rights Movement, and
  



• Educate yourself and your family by visiting an African American Library near you

Free Thursday Night Fun

For most FAU students, late night partying usually consists of a group of people hanging out either in Boca Raton or driving to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. Few people think of driving north. This blog might change your mind about that.

If you are in search of a fun way to spend your Thursday nights, consider Clematis at Night in West Palm Beach. Providing a wide range of music talent in varying genres (pop, rock, reggae, etc.), this is a cool way to have fun just for the cost of gas. That's right, this weekly cultural expo is completely free to the public and lasts from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

As if the potential of good music isn't enough, April 19th, an Art Car expedition will take place at Clematis at Night. These fully functional cars have been transformed into works of art.

*Pictures from Clematis at Night website.

Latin American Festival

Starting this Thursday, April 5, Florida Atlantic University will be hosting a month long Latin American Film Festival.

An expected 30 films will be screened at the University, all sharing a focus on Mexican cinematographers and their work in Broward and Palm Beach counties.




The cost for each venue ranges from free to $6.



This is expected to be a great opportunity for Foreign Film lovers and their friends to take a Mexican vacation--even if only for a few hours.





For more information click here.
*Pictures from various Latin American Film Festivals.

Dog Day Afternoon

If you have a cute dog, like I do, chances are you have to search for places to hang out in public with your pooch. Sure doggie parks are fun, but what other options does a pet parent have to spend time (outside of the norm) with his/her baby?

On April 7, pet lovers and owners alike will be able to watch in awe as dogs like theirs participate in a doggy parade.

For just $2 per canine friend, dogs of various colors, shapes and sizes will be showing off in Delray Beach's Sixth Annual Easter Bonnet Dog Parade.

The best part about this event? You can spend quality time with your best friend and get to know a few other pet owners. Who knows, people meet their mates in the most interesting places...

Enjoy!

*Pictures from a New York City blog linked above and the official Delray Easter Dog Bonnet Parade website.

Classic April Fools

Everyone thinks of April Fool's Day as the one day in which people can freely play pranks on friends, family members, and even strangers. This year, instead of coming up with a new prank, why not take a drive into the past?

On Sunday, April 1, 2007, you and your family can enjoy a free Classic Car Auto Show. Vintage car owners, pay a fee of $15 on the day of the show, offering you the opportunity to see what cars used to look like. Admission for the car admirer is free.

This car show happens every first Sunday of the month in Downtown Hollywood, FL.

Be on time, the show promptly starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m.

For more information on this upcoming cheap South Florida Event, please click here.

*Photos from various vintage car websites.

I think I love my __________

After seeing Chris Rock's newest Blockbuster "I Think I Love My Wife," I have decided to do an I Think I Love My ________ Post.

In South Florida, being single or being in a relationship is very difficult. On one hand, single people claim that there are no potential mates out there; meanwhile relationship people are fighting off the potential mates with a stick. It seems like no one wants you until you belong to someone else. For most people, that is a definite problem.

If you are single and in search of a potential mate in South Florida, here are a few things that you could do:

1. Check out local conversation spots, like Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern. This is a great spot to sit and unwind, while seeking out potential suitors.


2. Try Single Gourmet, a new program where singles can enjoy an all-inclusive dinner at various restaurants in South Florida. For a membership fee of $99 annually (divide that by 12 months in the year it is definitely under $20), offers South Florida professionals an opportunity to enjoy fine wine, food, and new people.


3. Attend a round-robin tennis tournament, for single avid tennis players in South Florida. For just $10, singles can participate in SportsMates, combining exercise with fun and matchmaking.

On the other hand, if you aren't single and fighting off those relationship predators, here are some tips on how to stay strong:

1. Be wary of relationship predators--usually members of the opposite sex who want to be your "friend" and help you through every difficult time that you might experience


2. Keep other couples around you. There is a website called Kupple.com, where couples can sign up and meet other couples in their area.


3. Make time for yourself as a couple. Sometimes predictability and routine can destroy a relationship (as in the movie mentioned above). In order to avoid this, try adding different touches to everything you do. For example, if you cook chicken all the time as the wife in "I Think I Love My Wife" did, try making it a new way.

After all of these things, you might realize that you have it better than many other people. Chris Rock realized at the end of the film that his wife was the whole package, and I have done the same. Maybe in time you will realize (if you haven't before) that you love yourself or your mate, and wouldn't want anything or anyone to ruin that. Maybe...maybe not.

* Photos from Yahoo Movie Website for "I Think I Love My Wife."

A pinch goes a long way

I had never understood why on St. Patrick's Day people pinched those who weren't wearing green. Perhaps because I am an immigrant, I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea of what St. Patrick's Day is.

Yesterday, after being chastised for not wearing green, I decided to find out what this St. Patrick's Day thing was all about.

According to the History Channel, St. Patrick's Day started after the death of a prominent Irish saint's death in the 1700s. People everywhere began to celebrate with a feast, commemorating this brave man who drove snakes out of Ireland. Since the first St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City in 1766, Irish immigrants and their descendants have been celebrating St. Patrick's life through cooking certain foods, attending parades, and most importantly wearing green.

Green is a symbol of the lush landscape in Ireland, the shamrock, etc. These are all things which imbue members of the Irish community with pride in their heritage. Unfortunately, those of us who don't know might just have to learn the hard way.

Below is a St. Patrick's Day quiz provided by the History Channel. Enjoy!

QUIZ

*Pictures from the Associated Press.

Daiquiri’s anyone?

If you do drink, and most college students do, you can appreciate variety from time to time. If you have been stuck in a typical hardcore burn the back of your throat kind of mood, why not try something that is ice cold fruity and sure to delay that buzz that you desperately seek?

My suggestion? Try an ice cold daiquiri. Each of these creations varying in fruity flavor and alcoholic content is sure to provide refreshment as well as a buzz later on.

In Downtown Fort Lauderdale at Riverfront there is a spot that serves the best daiquiri’s you’ll ever taste. Fat Tuesday located on the 2nd or 3rd floor of the Riverfront Plaza has daiquiris in flavors varying from Pina Colada to Banana Banshee. I suggest checking this place out if you are looking for a cocktail or few that won’t break the bank.

To find a Fat Tuesday near you, click on the link. Enjoy!

Everything but the kitchen sink in a handy dandy purse

Have you ever met someone who, no matter what your ailment is, he or she has the solution right there? I have. I call these people anything but the kitchen sink people because they carry everything you could ever imagine wherever they go.

Last week I had a bridal shower to go to and a really close friend of mine was hanging out at my house. I knew that I had to put together the bride-to-be’s gift in a gift bag, but had completely forgotten to get one. Do you know that my friend went out to her car and came back with a gift bag, tissue paper, and streamers!

Here is my South Florida Fun tip for you. If you are not one of those everything but the kitchen sink people who has everything on them all the time, you can be. Try putting together a “survival kit” with all of the things that you think you might need in a case of emergency (travel size of course). Some of these may include a toothbrush, conditioner, shampoo, band-aids, pain killer, pens, pencils, tide to go, dental floss, safety and hair pins, Kleenex, etc.

Fun idea: Why not get together with some of your friends, and go through this checklist and see how many of the following you have in your purse?

-Kleenex
-pain killers
-rubber bands
-safety pins
-hair pins
-dental floss
-eye drops
-cellular phone
-travel size toothbrush
-lipstick
-lip gloss
-glasses
-lip liner
-eye liner
-mascara
-compact
-hair spray
-deodorant
-perfume
-gum
-pen
-pencil
-paper
-calculator (not on a cell phone)
-antacids
-family pictures
-maxed out credit card
-keys
-flashlight
-tape
-Vaseline
-lotion
-jewelry
-sunglasses
-scarf

If you have more than 20 of these things in your bag, then chances are you are already an everything but the kitchen sink person. The good thing is that these are the best people to be around. Why? You are always ready for any situation!

PICTURES FROM BLUEFLY.COM.

Survivor…not just a TV show

I know it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog. But I do have a valid excuse. I went to New Orleans and just got back yesterday, and since this blog is called “South Florida Fun on a $20”, New Orleans blogs wouldn’t have been very applicable.

Anyway, this blog is directly related to an experience that I had while on vacation this past week. Imagine one day waking up and going to the airport, standing in line for hours, only to find out that you can’t fly until the next day. What would you do? Keep in mind that this isn’t a place that you are familiar with and or have family or friends living close by. Imagine being stranded at the airport with only a suitcase, your purse or knapsack, and whatever you have in your carry on. How would you survive?

In situations like this it is important to do the following things:
1. OVERPACK. People always complain about people packing too much stuff for short trips, but trust me over packing for any random thing that could pop up is a very smart thing to do.
2. ALWAYS WALK WITH MONEY. Cards are NOT enough! Remember there are some places in the world that do not operate in a plastic society; and contrary to popular belief, ATMs are NOT everywhere!
3. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR NECESSITIES IN YOUR CARRY-ON. Toothbrushes, comb, brush, deodorant, body wash, and a full outfit (including undergarments) should all be kept in your hand luggage. You need to be sure that if the airport messes up and loses your luggage, you will be ok.
4. BRING ENTERTAINMENT. No matter if your flight is scheduled for 1 hour or 14, you never know what could happen. Always pack multiple sources of entertainment i.e. find-a-word book, magazines, video games, sketch book, ipod, etc.

PICTURES FROM BBC WEBSITE

These things might sound simple, but in a time when everyone is trying to survive you don’t want to be left out.

Take a walk, it could extend your life

Ok, so the holidays are over. There aren't any major upcoming events that focus mostly on the gathering of massive amounts of people and even more dishes of food. But knowing this, does it mean that we are in the clear health wise? NO!!!

Unfortunately every year, millions of people die from diseases directly associated with lack of exercise. What does this mean for you? Just because you are trying to live on a $20 budget, doesn't mean that your health has to suffer.

I suggest walking more. This may seem almost too simple, but by parking a little further from the grocery store or walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you could be saving your life.

Best of all, unlike paying monthly gym memberships, walking is absolutely free! Click on the picture above to access information on a health and wellness website.

Pot Luck Party

Have you heard of or used the term 'pot luck'? Generally it is when a group of people gather together, each person bringing a meal to be shared by everyone.





In my opinion, if you are a party person and just can't afford to do it on your own, a potluck is a great idea! For under $20 you can buy the ingredients necessary to make a great potluck dish. The ones below are some of my favorites:

• Potato Salad (Try this recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Website!)



• Jambalaya (This website lists 187 recipes)



• Country Fried Chicken (Real down home chicken recipe)

Pictures are from Taste of Home.com.

Parks aren't just for picnics

For most people, when thinking of fun things to do in South Florida, going to the park is not on the list. This is very unfortunate, because aren't just for family reunions or holiday picnics. Parks also offer a variety of events beyond your wildest imagination.

I went to my local county website, then to parks and recreation, and found a list of upcoming events at a Broward County Park near you. Please note that for most of these parks regular admission cost is not included in the venue price.

• For the environmental conscious Florida Resident, Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood offers environmental boat tours now through March 31. $4 for ages 18 and up; $2 for ages 17 and under.




• For those in need of "rebirth", Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach is hosting a Renaissance Festival. Every weekend from now until March 11, Adults (for $17) and Children (for $6) can spend a day learning and experiencing what the Renaissance was.




• And for those of you who are looking for a fun way to spend time with your better half (your pet), Markham Park in Sunrise is hosting a Petapalooza. This venue on March 24 and 25, will have everything from pet look-alike contests to a pet psychic!

Pictures from various park websites.

For those of us who think we belong on American Idol...

American Idol has been one of the most watched television shows since its start in 2002. Why is that? Personally, I think it's because Americans are so caught up with fame and fortune, that they hold on to the dream of either themselves or someone they know making it big.

So since most people that they have what it takes to be a superstar, why not get some practice? My suggestion to you and your friends is to practice your singing via karaoke.

Here is a list of some Karaoke Bars in South Florida:

1. Muddy Waters located in Deerfield Beach


2. Red Lion Pub located in Boynton Beach


3. Singers Karaoke Klub (a little old fashioned but lots of fun)

Games, Games, and more Games

If it has been a while since you’ve had fun, this is a sure fire way to renew that level of excitement that used to exist in your life. What am I talking about? I am talking about gathering together a group of at least 5 friends of yours and having a game night!

I know might not sound that interesting, but let me explain all of the benefits. First, an in house game night is a great way to reconnect with your friends. For most of us who are in school right now, we can’t even recall the last time that we went out or even saw our friends. Having a games night would give you and your friends an opportunity to catch up.

Second, having a game night would allow you to jog your brain, even when you feel completely overwhelmed. Games like Scattegories, Guesstures, and Cranium are sure to wake up the creative side of brain that has been begging to be stimulated. Often times we, as students, get so wrapped up in doing the school thing that we completely neglect our wild, creative side.

Third, and most important, having a games night is a learning experience. Who ever thought that playing games would make you smarter, but most games can teach you something that you never knew before. Scrabble is a great game for learning new words, CSI is great for honing that investigative portion of the brain while learning new medical terminology, and Chess is a great game for learning logic and strategy.

Remember, school is something that most of go to in hopes of having a prosperous future. It isn’t meant to torment us into having no life at all. If you haven’t seen your friends in a while, and they need some fun time like you, put together a games night. You won’t be sorry you did!

Note: Below is a probable list of how much each board game is going to cost, and where you can get it from. Most of these games cost more than $20 so put your money with a friend and enjoy!

PICTURES FROM VARIOUS GAMING SITES.

GAME COST STORE
· Scattergories $22.94 Walmart
· Guesstures $22.94 Walmart
· Cranium $17.94 Target
· Scrabble $11.65 Barnes and Noble
· CSI $24.99 Target
· Chess $3.99 Walgreens (MAJOR DEAL!!! Click here)

Post Valentine's Day Celebration!!!

If you're single, last night was probably not the most pleasant night of your life. I'm sure that watching couples walk around, holding hands and smooching everywhere, was not on your to-do list.

Luckily, its all over now. :) To celebrate the end of Valentine's Day why not take part in all of the post Valentine's Day sales?

Your local drugstore (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid) is sure to have drastically reduced the price of all of their Valentine's Day candy. Just think of all of the expensive boxes of chocolate that you can get for almost nothing!

Now who has the last laugh?

• To find a Walgreens near you, click here.

• To find a CVS near you, click here.

• To celebrate the passing of Valentine's Day, click here.

Pictures are from various anti-Valentine's Day websites.

Black History Month Celebration

Most people forget that February is Black History Month. February is the shortest month of the year and, if you are a college student, a time when assignments are starting to pick up and school is really hectic.

Here at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), we offer free events almost every day in celebration of those African Americans who have made a difference.

Today's Events:

---

-Books in Black: An art exhibition at the Boca Raton campus, which pays homage to influential sculptural artists whose ancestors were of African descent.

-The HR Perspective: Impact of Racism in Higher Education: This is more of a conference or workshop in which some of the stereotypical statements, behaviors, etc. used towards African Americans will be discussed.

It is important for minority students to take part in celebrating their history. If it had not been for such influential people like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and James Brown (all who have now passed on), many of the privileges that Blacks have today would be nonexistent.

To learn more about FAU's free Black History events click here.

PICTURES FROM TIME MAGAZINE'S TOP 100, AND THE OFFICIAL JAMES BROWN SITE.

It's not too late to celebrate...

Although technically there are less than two hours left of Valentine's Day, you can still get out and celebrate.

If you are in the mood for food and not perturbed by waiting in long lines to be served, then feel free to venture out to any of your local restaurants(i.e. Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc.). Most of these restaurants are open until 12 a.m. or later, and if all else fails there are always the popular 24 hour fast food drive thru's.

PICTURES FROM THE FOOD NETWORK.

Private Valentine's Day Celebration

One day out of the year, the sale of heart shaped boxes of chocolates and big red balloons fly off of the shelves. This year, Valentine's Day fell on a very inconvenient day of the week, Wednesday.

While many people celebrate Valentine's Day with expensive gifts and dinners, it is also possible to enjoy it on a $20 budget.

My advice to those of you whose pockets are a little challenged at the moment is to make things personal. Below I have enclosed my top three cheap things to do for you and your valentine:

1. Write him or her a poem. Nothing says love and romance like a sweet heartfelt poem. Total Cost: Nothing! (I'm sure the average person has pen and paper at his or her house).

2. Make him or her dinner. This shows a person's creativity, as well as selflessness. For some quick Valentine's Day recipes log on to allrecipes.com. Cost should definintely be under $20 for the ingredients needed to make one main course.

3. Give him or her an at home spa day. Volunteer your services to your mate by providing him or her with a manicure, pedicure, and body massage. Total cost: Under $20 ( a nail clip, nail file, clear nail polish, and cheap massage oil)

These are just a few tips that you could definitely use to enjoy Valentine's Day on a very small budget.

**NOTE: Pictures are from the Hallmark Gold Crown website.

Make it a Blockbuster Night...

Last night was definitely a Blockbuster night!

The dreary weather combined with an endless stream of traffic on the roads, was enough to make me reconsider doing anything that requires dressing up or driving a far distance.

Lucky for me, there is a Blockbuster right down the street from my house.

If you are having a stay at home, watch a movie kind of night, then Blockbuster is your friend.

With new movie titles every week and junk food and magazines at the checkout counter, what more could any college student want? (Well maybe to ace all of their exams and have some semblance of a life in the process :>).

Last night I rented three movies that I had wanted to see in the movie theater, but had never gotten the chance to see:
1. Catch a Fire- starring Derek Luke, and
2. The Black Dahlia- starring Scarlett Johansson

These movies were very different in their content and intended audience, but they were both very entertaining.

Note: For a complete list of new releases check out the Blockbuster link above.

My date with myself, complete with dinner (leftover Domino's Pizza) and a movie, cost about $10.

BILL
Rental Fees $9.51
Leftover Pizza $0.00
Total $9.51

Pictures are provided from the official websites of both movies.