Somewhere I heard a rumor that a Walmart might be opening up in Midtown. I did not believe it and so made no effort to check into this statement. This morning I saw it mentioned in my Twitter feed along with a petition to sign. Without hesitation I signed the petition and hope you will too.

Here are a few links you can check out in regards to the Walmart in Midtown Debate:

Grant Stern wrote an opinion piece published in Miami Herald

Follow Grant Stern on Twitter @grantstern

Follow the conversation on Twitter #nowalmartinmidtown

Click here to read and sign the online petition

“Walmart Coming to Midtown Miami” on Miami Herald “…Preliminary plans call for a 155,000-square-foot store with a full-service grocery store, which would be just slightly larger than the center’s existing Target; it would be located on undeveloped property at the south end of Midtown Miami on North Miami Avenue. The store would likely open in late 2013 or early 2014.”

“Walmart’s Midtown Miami Plan Sparks Anger, Confusion —  and Surprise Support” on Miami New Times by Tim Elfrink

“Walmart Collapses U.S. Cities and Towns”

“Walmart Collapses on Civil War Battlefield” on Huffington Post by Al Norman

Trailer for “Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price”

There are many people in Miami that want to give back, become a part of the community, and generally pay it forward. It is a new year and time to refresh your goals for 2012. Hopefully, one thing on your list is to find a way to volunteer or donate. There are many places in Miami and around the world that deserve a helping hand.   We are grateful to have worked on this website to now be at the point where it can be a source of information to others.

Our desire is to present some opportunities that you might not have thought about or known. I was reading Marie Claire magazine when it occurred to me that I can include their list on goLIVEmiami. If it were not for the subscription I received as a gift, I would not have discovered some of the organizations I read about while reading the article.

This list will be evolving. go LIVE miami welcomes you to submit a place, link, suggestion in the comments section below or through our contact page. Your submission will be added to the list.

Miami
Best Buddies Florida
Dream in Green
Tropical Audobon Society
Aqua Foundation for Women
Sumando Manos
Food for Life Network
Children First Foundation
The Little Lighthouse Foundation

Online
Charitii - Play multiple choice crossword puzzles for charity.
Charity Water - Brings clean water to developing nations. Donate or start your own fundraising campaign.

Free Rice - Want to goof off at work? For each quiz answer you correctly answer the site donates rice to the United Nations World Food Programme.
VolunteerMatch.org  - Find places to volunteer by geographic area
Infinite Family - Video mentoring site for African teens
Great Nonprofits - Volunteer recently? Post your comments and read reviews about any of the 1.8 million U.S. based nonprofits.
Good Shop - Addicted to online shopping? Well do some good while you are at it.
Common Kindness - Food coupon site that allows you to print coupons and when you redeem at the store, gives a percentage to your charity.
Sparked - Online volunteering for busy people. You can help non-profits with web-based tasks they post. Whether it is feedback, logo design, writing a letter you might have the knowledge base to help.
Deal Gooder - It is a flash sale site that benefits charities.  One deal a day, one charity, one good deed.

Coconut Grove is a small village on Biscayne Bay that was the start of the City of Miami in the 1800′s. It is a tight knit group of artists and would-be bohemians (and a lot of attorneys). Elizabeth’s Christmas parties have brought together the young and old of the Grove for 35 of the last 37 years. This video is a tribute to Elizabeth. Go to the “last hurrah” party dinner with us and meet many of the longstanding Grove intelligentia.

Please leave your comments below. And if you know someone in the video, do share this page with them. Happy Holidays from goLIVEmiami!

“You Go Where We Go” — goLIVEmiami

WHERE: 1234 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
WHAT: Chalk is the 1st of its kind in Florida to offer an ultra chic adult playground comprised of multiple ping pong tables, billiard tables and board games of all kinds under one roof.
CONTACT: 305 532-8662
WEBSITE: ChalkMiami.com

Check out Chalk Miami on Facebook!

Is time to find a new hangout? Had enough of the same old bars? Need a new spot to take your dates? Finding things to do in Miami Beach that aren’t tacky or touristy can get challenging if you have lived here long enough.

I was trying to think of when was the last time I played ping pong. It was two years ago in the basement of a house party in San Francisco. It was more like racquetball pong as walls and ceilings counted as good. There’s something soothing about that hollow pop sound a ping pong makes. Do you remember when was the last time you played board games or ping pong? Leave your comments below.

After creating and organizing the Coconut Grove King Mango Strut 30 years ago, Glen Terry has done it again. He has started the 1st Annual Wynwood King Mango Strut and goLIVEmiami was there. Glen is famous for creating organic projects like this performance art parade that anyone can participate in. Social issues are the theme with a sarcastic tongue-in-cheek approach. Create your own one man/woman float or go in a group. Watch the beginning of what will surely become a world class underground event.

The parade took place on December 10th on a 3-acre private lot on 22nd Street and N.W. Second Avenue. From there parade goers went to Wynwood Walls Art Compex. Live music was by the Gold Doust Lounge.

The Wynwood parade does not replace the Coconut Grove Parade. This year the 30th Annual Coconut Grove King Mango Strut Parade takes place on Saturday, December 31st at 2p.m.

Tell us below in the comments section what you think of the parades! We want to know!

“You Go Where We Go” –goLIVEmiami

Go Live Miami are invited to a complimentary screening for Like Crazy with cast members Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley, Alex Kingston, Oliver Muirhead, Chris Messina, Finola Hughes, Ben York Jones, & Jamie Thomas King.

Each entry admits two. Remeber to arrive early!

DATE: Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
TIME: 7:30PM
WHERE: Regal Cinemas South Beach

SYNOPSIS: A love story is both a physical and emotional tale, one that can be deeply personal and heartbreaking for an audience to experience. Director Drake Doremus’ film Like Crazy beautifully illustrates how your first real love is as thrilling and blissful as it is devastating. When a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin) they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa. Like Crazy explores how a couple faces the real challenges of being together and of being apart. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and of the Special Jury Prize for Best Actress for Felicity Jones, Like Crazy depicts both the hopefulness and the heartbreak of love.

RELEASE DATE: Nov. 11 (this is the South Florida opening date)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and brief strong language

Link to official movie website.

This screening has passed. Please follow us on Twitter @freemovietix or Facebook.com/goLIVEmiami for new updates

2nd Year Anniversary Party for W South Beach Hotel. Fun entertainment with a concert by rapper Theophilus London.

“You go where we go” –goLIVEmiami

Veni Vidi Vici Together with Chalk Ping Pong & Billiards Lounge
Presents Brunch at Royal Restaurant in the beautiful Raleigh Hotel

Music By Ess & Emm

WHEN: Sunday June 19th
WHERE: Raleigh Hotel – 1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
TIME: 11:30AM to 3:00PM

Prizes Include:
• Art books from Harlod Golen Gallery
• Palladium Tote Bags
• $100 Brunch at the Raleigh
• Anna Mixon Jewelry Piece
• Rella Jewelry Piece
• A Pair of Tom’s Shoes
• David Barton Gym Complimentary Week Pass
• Free Cuts by Control Salon ( “Best of” Winner)

Amazing Tapas Style Brunch menu priced right combined with an amazing venue and great sounds makes the Royal Brunch the Place to spend your Sunday afternoons with a little bit of Ping Pong Fun!

$50 pitchers of Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s
$40 specialty pitchers (Lola and Victoria) created by the Royal
Brunch Menu (plates starting at $6.)

Check out Chalk Miami Beach on Facebook!

Exclusive VIP Charity Dinner Event for It’s a Man’s World

WHEN: Saturday, June 18th, 2011
TIME: 7:00PM to 10:00PM
WHERE: Pangaea Lounge – Paradise Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Requested contribution $100.00 for VIP access which includes complimentary VIP entry, cocktails, appetizers, and dinner. For more information contact: victor@massivemotorsport.com

Visit Zoeller Ministries for charity information.

Martini Tuesdays is a cocktail party that meets at fabulous South Beach venues on Tuesdays at 9pm. Now in its 10th year, Martini Tuesdays is a great night for networking and meeting new friends. There is never a cover charge.

Martini of the Week “Dirty Little Secret”

DJ Just Oliver!

Check out  www.accidentalsexiness.com

Jai Rodriguez is currently appearing in Dirty Little Secrets and Summer Shorts at the Adrienne Arsht Center. www.ArshtCenter.org

WHEN: Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
TIME: 9pm – 1am
WHERE: Mondrian South Beach - 1100 West Avenue, Miami Beach - mondrian-miami.com