A few got Lucky at Solara...Casino Month

In celebration of Casino Month, we held a contest to see who could guess how many glass pebbles were in the jar. The guest seemed to really enjoy it and some had some pretty close guesses but none came as close as our winners:


Week 1
Mr. & Mrs Burrows


Week 2
Teresa Thomas
(No picture available-guest had checked out)



Winner's received the following voucher:

Congratulations Guys!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

From our family to yours

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joanna Fuchs

Back to Business at Solara...We've Officially Reopened

It's official, Solara reopened it's doors on Saturday, Oct. 23rd. After a grueling 2 1/2 months of construction (and delays) we were all excited to getting back to business of making vacation memories. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson were our very first guests to arrive and 11 other families followed throughout the day. So far everyone has had only great things to say about the resort and that is all thanks to the wonderful Solara Team that gave 110% to ensure the resort was immaculate.

Mr. and Mrs. Christenson

For those of you not fully aware all the wonderful changes that took place during our closure, here is a brief list:

* Concrete restoration on exterior of the building
* Sealing and painting the exterior of the building
* All windows and exterior doors were replaced with Category 5 Hurricane Proof Glass
* All bed linen will be replaced to Bluegreen's New Bedding Standards
* Bedbug mattress and box spring protectors were installed in all the full beds
* Dining room and leisure chairs were reupholstered
* All new pool and balcony furniture
* ALL units, hallways and social rooms were deep cleaned and have full maintenance completed.
* Pool and pool deck was resurfaced
* Activities room was completely redone with fresh paint, new desks, foosball table and carpet tile.
* Fresh Landscaping was installed.
* Brand new Iphone alarm clocks were installed in all the master bedrooms with several soothing music options available.

* Brand new pavers at the main entrance

Check out the pictures:

Miami Spice

Miami Spice 2010 is a mouth-watering summer restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Miami cuisine.

During August and September, Miami’s top restaurants offer three-course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs. Discover the tropical fusion of ingredients that makes Miami dining so wonderfully out of the ordinary. An epicure’s paradise awaits you in Greater Miami and the Beaches! For more on these restaurants and fine dining in Miami go to www.ilovemiamispice.com

I for one will be trying Gotham Steak at The Fontainebleau on Miami Beach. Alfred Portale, chef and owner of perennial New York City favorite Gotham Bar and Grill, is among the culinary leaders featured at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Gotham Steak encompasses two levels with indoor and al fresco dining. Portale’s menu expands beyond modern American steakhouse fare to include fresh seafood, specialty cuts of meat and 500+ wines from around the world. Design highlights include a brilliant chandelier of hand-blown glass, an open exhibition kitchen and a two-level, glass-enclosed wine tower.

Just reading the menu is making my mouth water...

APPETIZERS
LOCAL HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD
Minus 8 Vinegar, Feta Cheese & Mandar in Orange Oil

YELLOW FIN TUNA TARTAR
Shiso, Lime & Ginger

SUMMER CORN AND JUMBO
LUMP CRAB RISOTTO
Pequillo Pepper s, Fine Herbs & Lemon Zest

ENTRÉES
GRILLED PRIME HANGER STEAK
Roasted Finger ling Potatoes, Caramelized Shallots,
Bearnaise Sauce

MISO MARINATED BLACK COD
Bok Choy, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sticky Rice
Soy Lemongrass Ginger Sauce

BERKSHIRE PORK RIBS “TEXAS STYLE”
Barbeque Haberno Sauce, Corn Bread

DESSERTS
PASSIONFRUIT MOUSSE
Kiwi Sauce & Coconut Sorbet

TIRAMISU BROWNIE
Mascarpone Mousse, Lady Finger & Espresso Gelato

MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY BAR
Peanut Butter Ganache & Salted Caramel Sorbet

So if you are making your way down to Miami some time during August or September, be sure to check out a few of the famous and now affordable South Beach eateries, you will not be disappointed.

The Magic City Celebrates 114 Years

The City of Miami is celebrating its 114th birthday today and what's a birthday without a birthday bash! The City of Miami will celebrate by giving back to the community by unveiling a statue of Julia Tuttle, "Mother of Miami." Julia Tuttle is being recognized as a visionary and the only woman to found a major city in the United States. She made outstanding achievements in spite of the limitations placed on women in 1896. To read more about Julia Tuttle, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Tuttle

The 10-foot bronze statue will be unveiled at 9:30 a.m. in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration continues in the evening, with the City of Miami's Birthday Celebration at 6:00 p.m. at the American Airlines Arena. The event will capture all the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Magic City with live musical performances including Miami's own Jon Secada singing "Happy Birthday" and tastings from local restaurants, complimentary cocktails and much more. Tickets are $25 per person with all proceeds going to community charity organizations including Allapattah Community Action, Best Buddies, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Centro Mater, CHARLEE House, Downtown Miami Partnership, Friends of Gusman, Friends of Marine Stadium, Friends of Miami-Dade Public Library, Hands On Miami, Switchboard Miami, Voices For Children, YMCA.

It's never too late...June's Employee of the Month and Star Performer

As you can see, I am a bit behind in keeping you up to date. Sorry about that, things have just been so busy but without further adieu may I present to you Fanny Salcedo, Solara's June 2010 Employee of the month...

Fanny has been a part of the Solara family since Dec. 2002 and is a valued member of our Housekeeping team.

Another worthy person on our team is Cebert "Junior" Wedemier and he has the honor of receiving June's Star Performer Award.

Junior started with us as a Temp in our Activities department during the summer of 2008 and came back to work with us on a full time bases as our Activities Director in Aug. 2009. He is in charge of organizing all the activities here at Solara. Let's just say that he is a perfect fit for us and without him this would not be as fun (or interesting).

4th of July at Solara was a BLAST

This year Solara had the BEST 4th of July ever. How could we not, we had Uncle Sam on our team!

Did you pay your taxes???

Our very own Jonathan Berney, the newest member of our activities team dressed up as Uncle Sam to entertain our guests and staff alike. Here are some pictures of our staff having some Dress Up fun before the event.

And here are some of the best pictures from the BBQ and Picnic Games.

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

We had bobbing for apples, pin the beard on Uncle Sam, Potato Sack races and a Water Mellon eating contest with winners in both the kids and adult "division".

It was truly a BLAST and can't wait till the next big event.