Thursday, May 29

Modernizing Mexico's Democracy: What Needs To Be Done?
The University of Miami's Center For Hemispheric Policy presents a panel discussion featuring Diana Villiers Negroponte, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.; Pamela StarrAssociate Director, Latin America Initiative, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Jeffrey Weldon, Professor, Department of Political Science, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Mexico, D.F. The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Venetian Room, 50 Alhambra Plaza at 8am. Call Isabel Artime at 305-284-9918. http://www.miami.edu/chp

Food For Thought Book Club Luncheons
Hungry for a good book and a good meal? Take a literary lunch break during your workday with the Thursday Book Club Luncheons at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at noon. Your paid reservation ($50 all inclusive) gets you the paperback selection for the current week, along with a delicious three course meal created by renowned chef Bernie Matz, and a professional book club facilitator to guide the discussion in the secluded Antiquarian Room. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Miracle Mile Toastmasters Thursday Lunch
With a shared interest in public speaking, members of the Miracle Mile Toastmasters meet every Thursday at 12:15pm at JohnMartin's Irish Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile. Enjoy the opportunity to network, gain confidence and become an effective public speaker. The cost of lunch is $19. Call 786-399-9609. http://miraclemile.freetoasthost.us

Shakra Thursday Specials
Are you stressed to the max and have little time? Try the Deep tissue Massage for 35 minutes for $75 that caters to your most affected areas (neck, shoulders, or back, etc.). Got more time? Shakra does all types of massages up to 4 hours for the Ultra Stressed People! Visit their beautiful and serene Yoga Studio for Yoga for Lunch al all levels from 12:15 to 1pm, Body Sculpting at all levels from 5:15-6:15pm to tone and sculpt your body, for Pilates at all levels from 6:15-7:15pm to stretch and tone your lower back and abdominal area, and Capoeira (Afro Brazilian Martial Art) at all levels from 7:30 to 9pm. Enjoy their Zen and fully equipped locker rooms as well as class props for free. The first class for new students (Florida residents) is always free at Shakra Relaxation Oasis, 271 Alhambra Circle. Call 305-774-1355. http://www.shakramiami.com

Free Drinks At Uva Happy Hour
UVA Restaurant and Lounge at 2626 Ponce presents free well drinks and half price premium drinks from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Call 305-476-8111.

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. Call 305-444-WINE. http://www.yourgrape.com

Poppin' Tropical Nights Every Thursday Evening at Fairchild
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is transformed into an open air art gallery as the monumental pop art sculptures of Roy Lichtenstein grace the garden, illuminated in the garden setting. Experience these amazing works of art at night every Thursday night from 6 to 9pm at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road. Call 305-667-1651. http://www.fairchildgarden.org

Austrian Wines And Asian Cuisine
Enjoy a special event featuring the World of Austrian Wines paired with the Asian cuisine of Yuga Restaurant, 357 Alcazar at 7pm sharp. The dinner features Stezer Gruner Veltliner 2006 with Lump Crab and Daikon Radish Cannelloni; Willi Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner "Kamptaler Terrassen" 2006 with Creamy Mussel Soup with a touch of coconut milk and asian spices; Loimer Estate Riesling "Kamptal" 2006 with Braised Duck Wontons; Glatzer Zweigelt "Riedencuvee" 2006 with Green Curry Salmon; Glatzer Blaufrunkisch 2006 with Almond Panna Cotta. The cost is $65. Call 305-442-8600.

Marjetta Geerling: Fancy White Trash
Marjetta Geerling's debut novel, Fancy White Trash (Penguin, $16.99) is as lighthearted and irreverent as its title. "If only life were as easy as your sisters." Abby's heard that one before. And it's true -- Shelby and Kait aren't exactly prim and proper. Abby is determined not to follow in their footsteps, so she has created the One True Love Plan. The most important part of the plan is Rule #1: Find Someone New. This means finding a guy who hasn't already dated Shelby or Kait. But when Abby starts falling for the possible father of Kait's baby, she has to figure out if some rules are meant to be broken. An elementary school teacher at St. Patrick, Miami Beach, Marjetta is celebrating her book launch with some live music and a truly "white trash" reception. Come dressed in your tackiest and trashiest outfit befitting this event. They'll be giving an award for the favorite at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 7pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Poolside At The Biltmore Unplugged
The Biltmore Unplugged Thursday features light jazz performances by Raiko Torres and Son Tres at 7 and 8pm. In addition, guests will enjoy half off Don Julio Tequila cocktails. Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill is perched on the edge of the resort's famous 700,000-gallon swimming pool, the continent's largest resort pool. Call 305-445-1926. http://www.biltmorehotel.com

Thursday Bierhaus Specials
It's home-made Goulash Night at the Bierhaus, with choice of two side dishes at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way. Call 305-774-1883. http://www.bierhaus.cc

Thirsty Thursday Wine Tastings
Join your hosts, Lalo Durazo, owner of Jaguar, and wine educator Barry Alberts of Berries to Wine for a weekly sampling of fine wines and great food at Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar & Latam Grill, 3067 Grand Avenue from 7 to 9pm each Thursday. The cost is $15 per person for food and wine. RSVP is not required.

Prioleau Alexander: You Want Fries With That?
The American Dream used to include a white picket fence, 2.2 kids, and a dog. In today's frantic world, it's... well, let's be honest, it's quite different. But what would happen if you did have the nerve to quit your white-collar job? Prioleau Alexander can tell you: He walked away from a lucrative career as an advertising executive, seeking a life like that dude on Kung Fu. Over the next year he worked minimum-wage jobs as a pizza deliveryman, ice cream scooper, construction worker, ER tech, fast food jockey, and even cowboy on a Montana dude ranch. In You Want Fries with That?: A White-Collar Burnout Experiences Life at Minimum Wage (Arcade, $24.95) Prioleau explores life at minimum wage and proves unequivocally that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Meet the author at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 8pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Comedy Night At JohnMartin's
Enjoy Laughs On The Mile at JohnMartin's (253 Miracle Mile), every Thursday starting at 9pm as local comedian Freddie Stebbins and friends host a night of fun and frivolity at JohnMartin's Irish Pub. Call 305-445-3777. http://www.johnmartins.com

DJ Boe Spins At The Bar
Coral Gables' legacy pub presents the music of DJ Boe each Thursday evening, with drink specials: It's Super Size It Night for an extra ounce of liquor for free. Enjoy the selection of 48 bottled beers, 10 great brews on tap and the best comfort food every Thursday at The Bar, 172 Giralda. Call 305-442-2730. http://www.gablesthebar.com