BREAKING: Fort Lauderdale commission unanimously votes to proceed to negotiations on Inter Miami bid for Lockhart renovation

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http://magiccity.soccer/2019/03/19/breaking-fort-lauderdale-commission-unanimously-favors-inter-miami-bid-for-lockhart-renovation-now-heads-to-vote/

BREAKING: Fort Lauderdale commission unanimously votes to proceed to negotiations on Inter Miami bid for Lockhart renovation

The City of Fort Lauderdale unanimously voted Tuesday to proceed to negotiations with Miami Beckham United on its plan to renovate Lockhart Stadium.

After questioning and deliberation Tuesday afternoon, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s commission rated the Miami Beckham United bid over the FXE football, LLC bid.

Stay with Magic City Soccer as this story develops.

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-lauderdale-lockhart-vote-20190319-story.html

Fort Lauderdale embraces David Beckham for Lockhart deal

The city of Fort Lauderdale embraced soccer legend David Beckham’s vision for Lockhart Stadium, taking the first step Tuesday toward a soccer revival for the storied property.

“It’s a great day for Fort Lauderdale,” Commissioner Ben Sorensen said during Tuesday’s discussion, citing the multimillion-dollar private investment.

Commissioners unanimously ranked Beckham’s proposal No. 1, over a rival proposal from FXE Futbol. The ranking will be ratified with a vote Tuesday night.

Commissioner Heather Moraitis said the northern part of the city, her district, desperately needs a signature park, and she said the Beckham proposal offers the best opportunity for that. It also gives young soccer players the chance to watch their athletic heroes play.

Commissioners unanimously ranked Beckham’s proposal No. 1, over a rival proposal from FXE Futbol. The ranking will be ratified with a vote Tuesday night.

Commissioner Heather Moraitis said the northern part of the city, her district, desperately needs a signature park, and she said the Beckham proposal offers the best opportunity for that. It also gives young soccer players the chance to watch their athletic heroes play.

Commissioners unanimously ranked Beckham’s proposal No. 1, over a rival proposal from FXE Futbol. The ranking will be ratified with a vote Tuesday night.

Commissioner Heather Moraitis said the northern part of the city, her district, desperately needs a signature park, and she said the Beckham proposal offers the best opportunity for that. It also gives young soccer players the chance to watch their athletic heroes play.

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-david-beckhams-inter-miami-eye-audacious-move

David Beckham's Inter Miami eye audacious move for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo

David Beckham has hinted that he may try and bring Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to Inter Miami.

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https://miami.cbslocal.com/2019/03/19/ft-lauderdale-commission-expected-to-discuss-dueling-soccer-proposals-for-lockhart-stadium/

Ft. Lauderdale Commission To Formally Vote On Beckham Group Plan For Lockhart Stadium

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https://www.theweek.co.uk/mls/100277/lionel-messi-or-cristiano-ronaldo-david-beckham-inter-miami-transfer-news-mls

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo: star duo on David Beckham’s Inter Miami wish list

Former England captain says ‘you never know what can happen in football’

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-lockhart-vote-beckham-fxe-20190319-story.html

What we know about David Beckham's and FXE Futbol’s competing bids for Fort Lauderdale site

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https://www.local10.com/sports/soccer/soccer-franchises-compete-for-stadium-in-fort-lauderdale

Soccer franchises compete for stadium in Fort Lauderdale

Commissioners to discuss new vision for Lockhart Stadium

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https://patch.com/florida/miami/fort-lauderdale-endorses-beckham-teams-temporary-home

Fort Lauderdale Endorses Beckham Team's Temporary Home

Fort Lauderdale unanimously gave its support to a plan by soccer legend David Beckham to build a temporary home for Miami's new soccer team.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- Fort Lauderdale Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously gave their support to a plan by soccer legend David Beckham and businessman Jorge Mas to construct a temporary home for Miami's new Major League Soccer team at the site of the former Lockhart Stadium which has fallen into disrepair but once served as the home of the now defunct Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Club Miami Internacional de Futbol hopes to play its first two seasons on the site and then use it for a future team that will be the equivalent of a minor league club.

Miami voters approved a referendum last November that allows a group led by Mas and Beckham to place their proposed Freedom Park soccer complex on the site of the city-owned Melreese Country Club, not far from Miami International Airport.

The new stadium will most likely not be ready until 2021 though Miami's new Major League Soccer team is set to take the pitch for the first time in 2020.

"I just think we deserve a little better than that -- to being someone's second date to the prom," soccer fan Derek Reese told Fort Lauderdale commissioners prior to the vote.

He said he met his wife at Lockhart Stadium, which is named after a former Fort Lauderdale commissioner. He urged commissioners to give priority to an alternate proposal.

"If it were up to me we'd bring back the Baltimore Orioles for spring training," added Fort Lauderdale resident Steve Webber. The Orioles play their spring training home games at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium. But before moving there, the Orioles played in Fort Lauderdale from 1996-2009.

Watch legendary soccer player David Beckham's vision for Lockhart Stadium along with businessman Jorge Mas below:

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https://stpetersburgfoodies.com/restaurants/restaurant-reviews/bodega-st-pete-in-the-edge-district-is-excellent/

Bodega St. Pete in the Edge District is Excellent!

Ooops, they did it again.

They being George and Debbie Sayegh, owners of that rustic, groovy little cubbyhole at 1120 Central known as Bodega.

You know the Joint. Across the street from Green Bench Brewers. A three-wood over 1st Avenue South bouncing along the parking lot to the Trop from their back yard.

Jammed into a tiny space with little metal tables and plastic chairs, you can sit next to Central or head to the quiet, shady and back kinda Grotto area.

Heck, you can get your order to go and have fresh brewed bev at Green Bench for that matter.

They won Creative Loafing's Best Cuban Shop in Food and Drink again. Second year in a row.

Their Cuban rocks the world, with crunchy, hot pressed Cuban bread, thick roasted pork slabs with ham and sharp Swiss cheese and pickles.

Savory, big enough to split with a friend with a side of Sweet and Spicy Jicama Slaw and a chilled Chelada (Modelo Especial Mexican Beer over ice with a salted rim and fresh lime).

Nice!

That crunchy Jicama Slaw brings some pleasant heat, a nice bite of red onion and a bit of cuke and cilantro. It is special. Great break from the meaty richness of the sandwich.

Funny thing is, neither George nor Debbie are Cuban. They did own a Cuban coffee shop in Brooklyn.

She's of Greek heritage.

George, (Sayegh is Lebanese), was formally trained in French Culinary Arts in New York. He went on to study in France for a year, worked the glitzy New York circuit, then South Beach and now has worked out of this tadpole sized kitchen on Central Ave for 3 1/2 years.

'We're roasting pork all day and night in that kitchen,' said Debbie recently.

'We're Latin inspired American, but don't just come here for the Cuban,' she said. 'Even though people from all over travel to St Pete to try it. We're very into vegetarian and vegan dishes as well. Be adventurous when you come here. We're super healthy.'

Hence, the Tempeh. 'I'm a carnivore, but since I tasted Tempeh, I've added a new, low fat protein to my diet', she said. 'I had one of our Tempeh sandwiches for lunch today.'

Tempeh is the other Tofu. It's fermented with a mold and comes out in flat rectangular pieces about eight inches long. Firm and chewy, George bakes it then spices it and pan sears it until it's crispy and, well, surprisingly good.

'I'd never tried it until this guy, Artie from Gainesville, who makes it and services Rollin' Oats dropped some off for us to sample.'

'We sell a ton of it,' said Debbie.

Bodega has several vegetarian offerings, including a tofu, avacado and jicama sandwich and a veggie platter featuring Mojo grilled Tofu.

The Lechon, a slow roasted Mojo Pork with grilled onions is deep and unctuous, no knife required.

I have to say the Pollo Asado, a Coconut marinated chicken breast with mango mayo and avocados, well, didn't have the juice and flavor bite of the Tempeh or pork. Spice that bite up!

The black beans are a bit uninspired and Debbie told me why. Unlike most recipes for the Cuban staple, they add no pork or fat to their beans. I added some hot sauce and onions and liked the heck out of them.

Bodega, which actually means Spanish groceria or wine house, has an excellent selection of Cuban coffee options, makes smoothies, herb seltzers, fresh squeezed fruit juices, and serves wine and beer. Catering is also an option.

It's a casual walk-up and order through a big wide window, grab a seat and wait for some server to start calling out your name kind of place. Beans, rice, pork, chicken, chopped Romaine Salad, or Tempeh.

Something for everybody.

But if you haven't..........get the Cuban.

One of the best little hole in the wall Latin Street food and Cuban sandwiches in the Tampa Bay area.

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https://stpetersburgfoodies.com/podcast/interview-with-michael-sponaugle-from-buya-ramen-st-petersburg-foodies-podcast-episode-29/

Interview with Michael Sponaugle from Buya Ramen – St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 29

Interview with Mike Sponaugle from Buya Ramen

Welcome to the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 29. Our featured interview today is with Mike Sponaugle. Mike is the owner of Buya Ramen in downtown St. Petersburg. He has opened several restaurant concepts ranging from New American, to Caribbean and Japanese. Michael studied finance at the University of South Florida and began his career with the restaurant group OSI (currently Bloomin’ Brands, Inc) in 1998. He announces two new locations for Buya on the show. Our featured local music is from Love and Lament. Chantal Lester answers The Fast Five Foodies Questions, and we feature the song 'Someone Like Me'.

The St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast features interviews with chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, bartenders, and more, and covers the burgeoning food scene in St. Petersburg, Florida. Episodes air every Tuesday.

This episode of the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast is brought to you by Annata Restaurant & Wine Bar, Engine No. 9, and Alto Mare Fish Bar.

Please keep them in mind the next time you are hungry for some fantastic food.

Our announcer is Candice Aviles from Meet the Chef and Channel 10 News. Our theme music is provided by The Chris Walker Band.

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/03/15/episode-194-coliseum-damn-near-killed-em/4265

Episode 194 – Coliseum? Damn Near Killed ‘Em!

The show is live from the 2019 Season Kickoff Party, live at the St Pete Coliseum!

In this episode:

Memphis 0:1 Rowdies

Pittsburgh Preview

Caleb Richards chat

Sebastian Guenzatti stops by