MIAMI BEACH

STICKY AND DELICIOUS: Wolfsonian-FIU’s “Museum of Thinkism” has a newly founded Ciné-Book Club (not to be confused with the ubiquitous mall food Cinnabon). This Friday’s fare: Christ Stopped at Eboli (U.S., Francesco Rosi, 1979, Italian with English subtitles) — the 145-minute-long adaptation of Carlo Levi’s novel of the same title. It stars Gian Maria Volonte and Irene Papas. Free for members and students; $10 for everyone else, at 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-531-1001.

COCONUT GROVE

IT TAKES A VILLAGE: The Cocoanut Grove Village Council is currently looking to fill the seats vacated by new District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Yvonne McDonald, whom Sarnoff has hired as an office staff member.

The Cocoanut Grove Village Council is an elected group of representatives who work to inform Coconut Grove residents about issues happening in the city and county government that could affect the Grove, to provide a forum for discussion of these issues, and to bring the views of Coconut Grove's residents to our government officials.

By-laws require the vacant seats to be filled by appointment until the next Village Council election, which will take place in November 2009.
If you interested in serving on the Village Council, apply before Jan. 1, 2007 at www.coconutgrovevillagecouncil.com  (go to Application for Appointment Packet).

THE STRUT: Despite the war in Iraq spiraling out of control, healthcare costs skyrocketing and the threat of global warming becoming more and more urgent by the minute, we can rest easy today because the Grand Marshal of the 25th King Mango Strut Parade has been chosen. The position was up for grabs on eBay, and the high bidder Donald “The Donald” Robertson, pushed the price tag up to $5,600.

“He has seen the Strut for several years so he knew what it was all about. The most important thing for us was that he had a sense of humor (and of course the check needed to clear). He joined us for Art Nasal last week and we realized he is a MangoHead all the way,” states Antoinette Baldwin of the parade committee.

The Donald lives in Miami Beach and owns the Robertson Fire Protection company.

Now that The Donald has taken office, he can start addressing some of these important issues. The 2006 King Mango Strut Parade is scheduled for Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. in Coconut Grove.

COUNTY

NO SNAPPY HEADER (BECAUSE IT’S JUST TOO SWEET): More than 1,000 Miami-Dade children and seniors who were likely to spend the holidays without receiving presents attended District 5 County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and the Barreiro Foundation’s 9th Annual Holiday Party for underprivileged children and seniors.

A county release states a record number of guests attended and presents were distributed at the annual event. Children ate free cotton candy, bounced in the bounce houses, and slid on the slides, while several seniors took their moves to the open-air dance floor.

And, of course, the party ended with a visit from Santa Claus.

“This party seems to get bigger and better each year. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to reach out to these many people and help brighten their holidays,” said Barreiro.

LOCAL CHILDREN GET BUZZED: FPL’s wacky character known as “Mr. Electricity,” aka renowned science teacher Robert Krampf, rounded the Miami-Dade elementary school circuit recently with his crazy electric one-man show known as “Mr. Electricity’s Electrifying Experience.” Mr. Electricity teaches kids about energy and electricity through exciting and interactive demonstrations. This program was just re-launched by FPL and is available to the schools at no cost. ZAP!

INTERNATIONAL

BASEL DAZZLE: This year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, the fifth edition of the international art show, closed on Sunday, Dec. 10. A record 40,000 visitors attending from every continent and 1,400 journalists were reported by Art Basel. More than 100 museums from the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia attended with delegations from their boards of trustees. The 200 galleries from 30 countries exhibited works by over 1,500 artists. The galleries were selected from more than 650 applicants, also a record number.

WHISKED AWAY: Usually, scotch whisky either gets you into a car accident, a bad relationship with someone you just met, or a fight with a dog. But on Jan. 20, scotch just might get you a whole lot more. The makers of Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky are conducting a nationwide job search for two people who they will hire to travel together as “The Chivas Life Ambassadors.” The ambassadors will be given $200,000 to travel the world, and record their adventures on an online travelogue. The duo will also mentor consumers, interact with the media and attend exclusive “Chivas Life” events such as “Elephant Polo in Thailand” and “Snow Golf in St. Moritz.” Apply in person at The Chivas Studio, 521 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach, between noon and 4 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 20.

— Compiled by Ryan Brown