Las Olas Boulevard

No artwalk in August

We have received a couple of inquiries regarding the art walk for August. Please note that the art walk will not take place during August as the organizers are on vacation. The art walk should resume in September.

Las Olas art walk phone site has the latest news.

End of an era?

Mrs Golder died in April. Who? Pearl Curson Golder was a founder of Sophy Curzon, THE couture establishment on the boulevard.

Flora Ottimer Children's Boutique - moving soon!

One of the boulevard's oldest businesses in moving to modern premises early next week. Flora Ottimer Children's Boutique will be getting a brand new look!

Community Foundation of Broward moves to provide “Town Square” for community conversations

Community Foundation of Broward Moves to Provide “Town Square” for Community Conversations; Foundation’s relocation provides meeting and convening space for donors and nonprofits and allows for expansion of community work.

Alec Baldwin "Asia Bay - the best sushi in town"

I tend not to know who actors are, but even I've heard of Alec Baldwin. And he's currently on location in Fort Lauderdale.

Would you like to be in a video about our wonderful area?

One Sotheby's International Realty is making a promotional video about Fort Lauderdale and what a wonderful place it is.

New business’ mission begins Father’s Day weekend

On weekends for almost eight months now, many local residents have donated their time to help prepare a unique business near Ft. Lauderdale Beach to open; guests who visit are encouraged to sample, all under one roof, an array of familiar and international flavors of hard-to-find cooking spices, herbs, infused extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars in Ft. Lauderdale’s first ingredient store of its kind.

Stranahan House

See what's in store at the Stranahan House in this video:

Trip Advisor - don't bother

People go to the incredibly popular Trip Advisor site for advice about the areas to which they are intending to travel. That's great isn't it? Well, no.

If the Royal Wedding had been on Las Olas...

Today, Royal Wedding Day, I was talking to Rod at Grand Central Stationery, here on Las Olas. A bride-to-be had been into his store to order wedding invitations. She had bought her dress from Victoria's Bridal Couture, just across the road. The guys were getting their tuxedos from Southern Formals. It got us thinking...

iPhone exhibition by Andy Royston at the Museum of Discovery and Science

See wildlife and nature photographs taken on Fort Lauderdale Beach by Andy Royston of Tangled Spider Design Group.  Each photograph features it own QR code to enable viewers to see and learn more. The exhibition is free and is available until May 5th, 2011.

Ready for Art Walk Las Olas?

I am! It's been many years since the last Las Olas Art Walk and tomorrow, thanks to the Las Olas Association, our art walks are going to resume.

Taste Las Olas

Taste Las Olas is the working title of a new Las Olas venture - to benefit charity. And as this is a project about food, it's only fitting that the charity should be The Pantry of Broward.

East Las Olas Boulevard - the village

We're happy to report that East Las Olas Boulevard,  also known as the village, now has its own website. What's more, the site is truly interactive, encouraging the viewer to add reviews and comments.

Stranahan House fundraiser a great success

 The Historic Stranahan House Museum 4th Annual Pineapple Jazz Jam presented by AutoNation proved a great success. With 200 attendees, generous support by sponsors and donors, featured honorees Jim and Nancy Blosser, live jazz music and beautiful weather this casual affair was a true pleasure for everyone.

Art Walk Las Olas

Today, the Las Olas Association announced via Twitter that their art walk series will begin on Thursday, April 21st.

Charity of the week - Kids in Distress

Kids in Distress has been providing support services to children and families in our area for over thirty years.  On Saturday, 19th March, they are presenting Little River Band in concert to raise money and awareness. And what's more, they have given us tickets to give away to lucky winners!

Review Las Olas businesses

Who better to write about the restaurants, galleries, boutiques and stores on Las Olas Boulevard but those who have visited?

American Heart Association Pulse kick off event at Vibe Las Olas

 Over 200 young professionals attended the American Heart Association of Broward's Pulse  Kick Off Event at Vibe Las Olas on February 22nd. The event was held to introduce the new organization to the community and generate interest for their main fundraising event at Sho Nightclub on March 31st. 

Las Olas art walk

It's very exciting that Las Olas is re-instating its art walks. What's even better is that TSDG (Tangled Spider Design Group) is donating an iPhone-friendly, event-specific website for the event. In addition, they will be creating QR codes for each participating gallery.

Customer service on Las Olas Boulevard

As the webmaster of the Las Olas Boulevard website, I get so many emails from people all over the world asking many different questions about our wonderful street. You'd be amazed at some of the questions! I also get a lot of emails telling me what a fabulous time people have had here. And you know what? In all these years, I can only remember one negative email - someone who wasn't happy with the service they received at one business. Isn't that remarkable?

What's new this year ... so far

Last year, we had over twenty new businesses open their doors on Las Olas! Will the same happen this year? After all, Las Olas Boulevard is a growing, thriving and constantly changing community. What has happened so far this year?

Las Olas Village

Las Olas Village is the area where we locals go for our everyday shopping, services and dining. It's also the creative hub of the area.

Las Olas and the Superbowl

Oh yes, even I know that there's a Superbowl thingy going on this weekend - primarily because people have been contacting me asking where they can watch it on Las Olas.

Art on Las Olas

Art on Las Olas? Yes, we have fabulous restaurants, stores and boutiques but don't overlook us when it comes to art. After all, at the start of Las Olas Boulevard - at number one - we have the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale.

Las Olas Boulevard - 52 things to do

I wrote this for new year, 2011. The idea was to create an adventure for locals to experience the boulevard - a different thing to do every week. For visitors, see how many you can do during your stay!

Carroll's Jewelers celebrate 50 years on Las Olas

Yes, Carroll's opened their doors on Las Olas Boulevard in 1961. There are many exciting events being planned; the first being "50 Years, 50 Charities'.

Las Olas staff - our weekend guide ambassadors

Sometimes people ask me why we distribute the Las Olas weekend guide to the boulevard itself, in addition to hotels on the beach and other prime locations. After all, the goal is to get people to visit us - if they read the guide while they are sitting in Mangos, in Gran Forno or at the Riverside Hotel ... well, they're already here, aren't they?

Pineapple Jazz Jam at the Stranahan House

Here's a Las Olas 'save the date".  On Friday, February 25th, enjoy live jazz, classic cocktails and great food at the Stranahan House.

Las Olas parking enforcement

There are many people who work very hard to encourage visitors to come to our beautiful boulevard. We love new people to discover Las Olas and we always welcome our visitors.  Why can't our parking enforcement officers remember this?

Before you write about Las Olas, come to see us first

When I was out and about on Las Olas today, I picked up a small brochure called See South Florida. Does it mention our beautiful boulevard? Of course it does, but this is what it says...

Sorry Ted Inserra, you're wrong about Las Olas

Ted Inserra was the sous chef in the middle of the Smith and Jones furore earlier this year. He now has another position at a restaurant in the Riverfront complex and was interviewed in the Broward New Times. 

Well, you know me - I have to comment!

Foursquare contest tonight November 30th. Check in to enter draw

Tonight is Christmas on Las Olas and we have some great prizes. Mancini's, Big City Tavern and Rocco's Tacos have provided the following prizes:

Never mind the beach - what about Las Olas?

I just read the following:

The city of Fort Lauderdale is preparing to go on a major spending spree in the latest effort to revamp the beach and ensure its future as a tourist destination.

As much as $63 million could be spent on a high-style makeover that also broadens the beach's appeal beyond simply sand, surf and sun. The expansion and remodeling of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is one possible target for aid. Other possibilities include a fishing pier, a more-impressive entrance to the beach, more public parking and a wider promenade on State Road A1A.

Spend a day or two on Las Olas

I keep seeing Las Olas described on websites as 'swanky', ritzy' and 'upscale' - all of which are pretty silly words and don't really describe our beautiful boulevard at all well.

Certainly, if you want to spend a lot of money, Las Olas has wonderful quality restaurants and stores - they rival businesses anywhere. But do you have to spend a fortune to enjoy Las Olas? No!

A weekend in the life of the Las Olas guide

People have been asking me about the production of the Las Olas weekend guide. Well, it's fun and here's how it happens:

Spend the day on Las Olas

I get a lot of inquiries from people who are arriving in Fort Lauderdale from a cruise in the morning and need somewhere to go before their evening flight home. Where to spend the day? On Las Olas, of course.

The print guide!

Yet again, Las Olas leads the way!

Recently, the team at Tangled Spider Design Group launched a print version of the weekend guide to Las Olas. As you know, the internet guide - published on the website, sent to Twitter followers and emailed to the mail list - is incredibly popular. Now, the guide is also in print!

Las Olas Boulevard is busier than ever

As we approach the holiday season, it's wonderful to see just how busy the boulevard is these days.  It was a very different story  only a year or so ago.

EWM girls in the pink

October 16, 2010, is a day that will not live in infamy but will live in pink, feathered glory. Just take a stroll through Esplanade Park, and you will see the remains of what appears to have been a huge flamingo massacre.

Las Olas map and guide

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, when you're visiting the boulevard or when you're planning your trip, you could have a detailed map showing you exactly where all our fabulous stores and restaurants are?

Well, you can! Previously, the Las Olas Association has produced a map and guide which is distributed to hotels and other venues in the city and beyond. The new Las Olas representative is currently working on this map and we hope it will be printed shortly.

In the meantime, we have out the map online for you. It is designed to print on paper sized 11 x 17 but if you print on regular sized paper it is just about readable. (Just!)

We update the map often when new businesses appear - which is frequently these days - so you can be sure that you're getting the latest information.

To view or download the Las Olas map and guide, just click here!  It's a PDF so may take a few moment to load. If you don't have a printer that uses 11 x 17 paper, your local print shop should be happy to help. Just give them the web address and they'll take it from there!

CoWorking ... Las Olas leads the way

 

Ever since the I Am Las Olas project, the boulevard has been at the forefront of what's new and innovative in Fort Lauderdale. And now, the latest venture on Las Olas is something that many people have been wanting for a long time - a creative co-working space.