Thursday, October 9

Seniors: Theatrical Forum
The CREATE Center at the University of Miami is hosting two Interactive Theater Forums to collect information on training needs in a modern technology-based working environment. You are welcome to participate in one of the forums If you are 55 years of age or older and speak English. Forums are held from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 4:30pm at the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus Bank United Center, Hurricane Room 100, 1245 Dauer Drive. Please RSVP with Sharon Purcell at 305-355-9081 or by email spurcell@med.miami.edu

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

Oktoberfest Continues
Meet up with friends to celebrate the annual Coral Gables Oktoberfest celebration at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus, 60 Merrick Way, continuing through Monday, October 13. The festivities include live music, special Oktoberfest beer from Bavaria and a holiday menu. Call 305-774-1883. http://www.bierhaus.cc

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

2 For 1 Drinks At Uva Happy Hour
UVA Restaurant and Lounge at 2626 Ponce presents drink specials from 5 to 8pm. 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

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.

Going for Gold: China, the Olympics and Notre Dame
Since 1986, the Hesburgh Lecture Series has brought a taste of Notre Dame's academic excellence to alumni and friends as an opportunity for the Alumni Association and the Notre Dame clubs to work together to showcase some of the University's finest faculty. Tonight, the series comes to Books & Books, where they are hosting Dr. Jonathan Noble. Noble will lecture on Going for the Gold: China, the Olympics and Notre Dame. He'll be looking at the Beijing Olympics and how they have impacted Beijing. Will they have bolstered the world's understanding of China? What are the opportunities for Notre Dame in China? How is the University enhancing its profile in China and Chinese studies? Presented in collaboration with the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Meet the author at Books And Books, 265 Aragon at 7pm. Call 305-442-4408. http://www.booksandbooks.com

Future Pacesetters Fashion Show By Tiffany
Tiffany & Company's Future Pacesetters Fashion Show returns to the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa at 7pm for the second year hosted by Lian Fanjul de Azqueta and Alfy and Raysa Fanjul, to benefit the Mission International Rescue (MIR) Charities. The models for the evening are the next generation of philanthropists, athletes, business professionals and community leaders of South Florida. Watch today's rising stars strut the catwalk adorned in Tiffany & Co. jewels and the ultra-chic designs of select Village of Merrick Park boutiques. Enjoy refreshing cocktails, exquisite hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, luxury silent auction and many surprises. 100% of the proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that provides health services and education to women, children and families who are disadvantaged, neglected and/or infected by HIV in La Romana and Southeastern Region of the Dominican Republic. Entrance tickets: $150. Reservations: Judy Reynolds, MIR Charities: 561-366-5093. http://www.fundacionmir.org

Opening Night For Festival Miami
Festival Miami, celebrating 25 years as one of the premiere cultural events in South Florida, launches its 2008 season with the first ever off-campus event: "Adrienne Arsht Presents the FSOM: Passion and Pathos," at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts for Miami-Dade County at 8pm. Dean Shelly Berg invites you to an evening of music by Academy Award winning composer John Corigliano. Violinist Jennifer Koh, acclaimed by The Strad as "a risk-taking, high-octane player," performs Corigliano's Red Violin Concerto with the Frost Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Yongyan Hu, Music Director of the EOS Orchestra in Beijing. Joshua Habermann directs the Frost Chorale in Corigliano's lush setting of L'Invitation au voyage on poems of Baudelaire, and Gary Green conducts the Frost Wind Ensemble in the Florida premiere of Corigliano's groundbreaking Circus Maximus, which American Record Guide refers to as "Corigliano's bold, brassy and marvelously theatrical Symphony No. 3." Musicians positioned throughout the hall conjure up a sometimes joyous, sometimes sinister noise—a rousing conclusion to a spectacular concert. Tickets can be purchased by calling 305-284-4940 or at http://www.festivalmiami.com

Brian Turner: Here, Bullet
Brian Turner is a soldier-poet whose debut book of poems, Here, Bullet, won the 2005 Beatrice Hawley Award, the New York Times "Editor's Choice" selection, the 2006 Pen Center USA "Best in the West" award, and the 2007 Poets Prize, among others. Turner served seven years in the US Army, to include one year as an infantry team leader in Iraq. His poetry has been published in Poetry Daily, The Georgia Review and other journals, and in the Voices in Wartime Anthology published in conjunction with the feature-length documentary film of the same name. Turner's Here, Bullet is a harrowing first-person account of the Iraq war and reflect his experiences as a soldier with penetrating lyric power, compassion, sensitivity, and eloquence. Presented in collaboration with Florida Center for the Literary Arts 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 10pm 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