Thursday, September 18

Chamber Breakfast
Join your friends and associates for breakfast as the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presents the monthly Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast event at the Biltmore Hotel, starting at 7:30am. The event is free for chamber members who RSVP in advance, $25 for guests and members at the door. Call 305-446-1657. http://www.coralgableschamber.org

Social Progress In Mexico
The University of Miami's Center For Hemispheric Policy presents a panel discussion on the social changes that are most needed to reduce inequality, increase economic growth and stabilize Mexican democracy. Panelists include Bruce Bagley, Chair and Professor, Department of International Studies, University of Miami; Blanca Heredia, Director, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mexico; and Carlos Heredia, Resident Fellow, Center for Inter-American Studies and Programs, ITAM, Mexico, D.F., Former Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) Congressman, Former Senior Foreign Policy Adviser for the Governor of Michoacan, Mexico. The event takes place a the Hyatt Regency Venetian Room, starting at 8am. Call Isabel Artime at 305-284-9918. http://www.miami.edu/chp/

Mindy Weiss: The Wedding Book
Join friends for a lunchtime lecture with celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss and get the most complete, lively, step-by-step guide to planning the perfect wedding -- no matter your budget, taste, or personality. Weiss's clients include Eva Longoria, Adam Sandler, Shaquille O'Neal, Avril Lavigne, and Gwen Stefani; TV audiences know her through her role in planning a wedding on The Bachelorette. In The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day (Workman, $19.95) she shares all of her hard-won experience, wisdom, inspiration, and style tips. Announcing the engagement, and what to do when someone isn't happy about the news; creating a budget; the pros and cons of destination weddings. Drawing up the guest list; planning the ceremony (and how to personalize your vows); menus to inspire; contracts and wedding insurance. Shopping for the dress, six great hairstyles, tuxedo versus dinner jacket, the etiquette of invitations. Style tips for flowers, the tabletop, linens; a cake that says "you"; the crucial "Sixty Days Until I Do"; rehearsal dinner strategies; plus freezing the cake and preserving the bouquet. Meet the author and enjoy a luncheon special event at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 1pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Shakra Thursday Specials
Unwind at the Westin Colonnade's lobby from 5 to 7pm with complimentary Chair Massages and Table Tai stretches at 180Aragon. Visit their beautiful and serene Yoga Studio for Yoga for Lunch al all levels from 12:15 to 1pm, for Body Sculpting at all levels from 5:15 to 6:15pm, and for Pilates at all levels from 6:15 to 7:15pm to stretch and tone your lower back and abdominal area. 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

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
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 Yoga for Lunch at all levels from 12:15 to 1pm, Body Sculpting at all levels from 5:15 to 6:15pm, and Pilates at all levels from 6:15 to 7:15pm to stretch and tone your lower back and abdominal area. 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

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

Live At The Biltmore
This month's band is Ma'duro, a local Miami band that melds traditional Cuban music with Latin jazz, tribal beats, and contemporary dance music. In addition, Don Julio and Belvedere Vodka cocktails will be half off every Thursday this summer at Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill. at Cascade Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill, 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

Ron Arons: The Jews of Sing-Sing
In The Jews of Sing-Sing (Barricade Books, $22.95), nationally known scholar Ron Arons tells the true story of Jewish gangsters and other shady characters who served time "up the [Hudson] river" and the NY Jewish community's response. Aarons takes a genealogical approach, collecting a variety of original source documents -- FBI files, court transcripts, vital records, census information, and prison admission records not only from Sing-Sing, but also from other correctional facilities. The result is a 350-page book providing biographies of more than a dozen famous gangsters and lesser-known criminals and painting a broad canvas of Jewish criminality in New York City. The book is unique in another way -- it provides statistics of about Jews who served time in Sing Sing, including the actual number incarcerated, the crimes they committed, and how they differed from their Irish and Italian counterparts. Meet the author at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 8pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Live Music At Vinisimo
Enjoy three delicious tapas of your choice and one bottle of wine at Vinisimo, 2960 Coral Way each Thursday evening at 6pm to midnight for $40 with live music: Salsa, Rumba and Merenge all night long with Marlon & Barby. Call 305 648-2964. http://www.vinisimo.us

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.

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