Friday, September 19

Barack Obama in Coral Gables
A Women's Rally for the Change We Need with Barack Obama will be held at the University of Miami's BankUnited Center, 1245 Dauer Drive at 11:45am. Doors open at 9:30am. The event is free and open to the public; however, a ticket is required. UMTV will be streaming live on their Web site umtv.miami.edu/site/live.php

How Will The Next President Address Today's Global Challenges?
Impact 08 In Florida presents General Barry McCaffrey (USA, Ret.), Former Commander, Southern Command and Ari Fleischer, Former White House Press Secretary in a panel discussion luncheon with the topic: How Will The Next President Address Today's Global Challenges? The event takes place at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia at 11:30am. The event is moderated by Antonio Mora of CBS4 News and co-sponsored by the University of Miami Center For Hemispheric Policy, The Center For U.S. Global Engagement and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. There is no charge, but space is limited. Call 202-730-4180 or email emily@usglobalengagement.org

South Florida Arts Beat On WLRN
Tune in at 1pm to WLRN 91.3 FM to hear Ed Bell's South Florida Arts Beat program to stay abreast of cultural events in our community. You can also listen live on the internet. http://www.wlrn.org

Live Music At The Grape
Stop in to your favorite wine bar at the Village Of Merrick Park for a great assortment of wines by the glass or the bottle, plus great food and live music to round out the experience. Now, from 5 to 7pm Monday through Friday, enjoy 2 for 1 glasses of wines in the 1 to 6 category. Meet up with friends at The Grape for a great time every time. Visit their Wine Seller, where you can choose from over 140 different wines by the bottle, and take advantage of 3-SUM: Their 3 bottle case, where you can save 15-20%. Call 305-444-WINE. http://www.yourgrape.com

Happy Hour on the Bierhaus Plaza
It's Happy Hour on the Plaza at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus at 60 Merrick Way with two for one drinks from 5 to 7pm. Order the famous Bierhaus Burger, one of the best Burgers in Town, or Louisiana Fish fry with Harald's legendary potato salad or fries. Enjoy live entertainment outdoors from 6 to 10pm. Call 305-774-1883. http://www.bierhaus.cc

International Fridays at Uva Lounge
It's Happy Hour from 5 to 8pm at Uva Restaurant and Lounge, 2626 Ponce, with 2-for-1 drinks and world music by Eddie Alexander. Call 305-476-8111. http://www.uvanights.com

Donald J. Pilner Proclamation Event
Join the Beacon Council for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30 to 8:30pm to honor Mr. Donald J. Pilner at The Village of Merrick Park. RSVP to events@beaconcouncil.com

Unlashed At Gallery Ziv
Experience Unleashed, an exhibit of limited edition prints on canvas, signed and numbered at Gallery Ziv, 2912 Ponce (on the circle) by artist/sculptor Marci Ziv. Call 305-774-6006. http://www.zivart.com

Ladies' Night At The Bar
Coral Gables' legacy pub presents drink specials: ladies can drink well drinks and Yuengling on draft for free from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Enjoy the selection of 48 bottled beers, 10 great brews on tap and the best comfort food at The Bar, 172 Giralda. Call 305-442-2730. http://www.gablesthebar.com

Shakra Friday Specials
All Massages and Facial Services are 20% off at Shakra Relaxation Oasis. Check the website, and book your service now before there are no appointments left. Offers expire September 30th. Visit their beautiful and serene Yoga Studio for Basic Yoga at beginners level from 5:30 to 6:45pm Enjoy their Zen and fully equipped locker rooms as well as class props for free. The first class for new students (FL Residents) is always free at Shakra Relaxation Oasis, 271 Alhambra Circle. Call 305-774-1355. http://www.shakramiami.com

Reception And Unveiling Of Poster
miArte Gallery at 85 Merrick Way is hosting a cocktail reception from 6:30 to 8:30pm to honor poster artist George Rodez. The poster, created for the Miami-Dade County's Sister Cities Program, is entitled "Entering Through the Window to Your Soul," and a limited number of posters will be available for reception guests. Rodez is also using the Sister Cities image for a fundraising campaign to aid the victims of storms this season in Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba -- almost 1,000,000 homeless, nearly 1,000 dead, and starvation looming as an immediate problem. Through the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies, Rodez will donate 100% of all net proceeds collected from the sale of 100 limited edition canvases. These 10"x10" prints, signed and numbered with a certificate of authenticity, will be available for $100. Call 305-445-2783. http://www.miartegallery.com

The Wackness At Cosford Cinema
It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip hop and wafting with the sweet aroma of marijuana. Luke (Josh Peck) is a socially uncomfortable teenage pot dealer with no friends, issues with his parents, and a colossal lack of confidence with girls. He trades weed for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley), whose much-younger wife (Famke Janssen) is slipping away from him. Squires, a drug-addled shrink, is an unlikely role model -- but the two of them forge a friendship based on a mutual need: getting laid. The inter-generational duo set off on a crawl that takes them all over New York, where they encounter several of Luke's "business associates," including a Phish-following dreadlocked pixie (Mary Kate Olsen), a New Wave, keyboard-playing one-hit-wonder (Jane Adams), and Luke's supplier (Method Man). Propelled by an exuberant hip hop score, The Wackness captures the spell of 1994 -- a time of pagers instead of cell phones and when Tupac and Biggie were alive, but Kurt Cobain had just died. Funny and moving, The Wackness is an offbeat tale of two lost souls stumbling towards maturity. The film begins at 7pm at Cosford Cinema on the second floor of the Memorial Classroom building on UM campus. Cash only. Call 305-284-4861. http://www.com.miami.edu/cosford

Friday Night Wine Tasting Series at Christabelle's Quarter
Meet up with friends for a special tasting event hosted by wine educator Barry Alberts at the La Boheme Patio located on the third floor of the gorgeous Christabelle's Quarter, 3157 Commodore Plaza from 7 to 9:30pm featuring international wine selections. The cost is $15 per person and there is no need to RSVP. Call 305-793-3120.

Live Music In The B&B Courtyard
Enjoy live music in the beautiful Mediterranean courtyard Friday night from 7 to 11pm at Books and Books, 265 Aragon. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Rock And Roll at JohnMartin's
Friday evening is Rock 'n' Roll night at JohnMartin's, with the best local bands. Meet up with friends, enjoy some good pub food and refreshments and dance to your favorite tunes all night at 253 Miracle Mile. Call 305-445-3777. http://www.johnmartins.com

Fabiola Santiago: Reclaiming Paris
Marisol is an exuberant poet and historical archivist living in contemporary Miami. Like her adopted city, she's a sensual free spirit. Born in Cuba and transplanted at an early age to Florida, she nurses nostalgia for the legendary island birthplace she barely remembers. She also harbors a passion for scents, donning a new perfume each time she takes on a new relationship. After the death of her beloved grandmother and a series of sensuous but disappointing romances, Marisol realizes that she must break free from the shackles of her history, abandon lost causes, and embrace the only real home she's ever had -- her own wandering heart. Freed at last from yearning for old Havana, "the Paris of the Caribbean," this romantic exile must embrace a new life. Although she cannot reclaim Havana, she can experience the real thing -- Paris -- so Marisol sets out with an open ticket to chart the course of her future. Bridging the divide between the effervescent Miami of today and the mystical Cuba of yesteryear, Fabiola Santiago's Reclaiming Paris (Atria, $24.95) is a paean to place and memory, rich with humor, passion, and unforgettable characters. Presented in collaboration with Florida Center for the Literary Arts. Meet the author at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 8pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Stealing America: Vote By Vote at Cosford Cinema
This troubling documentary examines rigged elections and suppressed voter rights in America, and what they mean for the future of democracy. Legislators, activists and election officials speak out on the subject, including lingering questions about the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The film begins at 9pm at Cosford Cinema on the second floor of the Memorial Classroom building on UM campus. Cash only. Call 305-284-4861. http://www.com.miami.edu/cosford

Live Music At Titanic
Enjoy great live music, good food and drinks, featuring well-brewed beer on tap at Titanic Restaurant and Bar, 5813 Ponce. The music stars at 10pm. Call 305-667-ALES. http://www.TitanicBrewery.com>