Tracy Wilson Mourning, the wife former NBA star Alonzo Mourning, is no superficial player's wife, even if she does wear impressive footwear and tools around town in a drop-top Bentley. Her Honey Shine charity, started in 2002, is serious about its stated mission, which is working with disadvantaged girls in the Miami area.
To that end, Mourning has bi-weekly workshops throughout the year and Camp Honey Shine during the summer. "Our young girls are going through tough stuff," Mourning says. "Images are being portrayed to our young girls that education isn't a priority. We want to change that." Honey Shine has a simple application process that allows any interested girl from 8 to 18 to participate. "It's about girls lifting each other up and really empowering each other," Mourning says. Visit www.honeyshine.org for more info on applications and volunteer opportunities.
Tracy's Guide to Miami:
Mayda Cisneros Couture Collection -- 305-264-2601
Studio LX -- 305 666 0748 (clothing)
Hand and Foot Company "best pedicure and manicure in Miami" thehandandfootcompany.com
Mandarin Oriental Spa (part of Miami's Spa Month promotion) www.mandarinoriental.com
Prana Yoga www.pranayogamiami.com
Table 8 - www.table8la.com
Nikki Beach www.nikkibeach.com (restaurant/club)
Literary Café and Poetry Lounge -- 786-234-7638
Miami Children's Museum - www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Tours:
Food Tours and Tours of Black Miami (Little Haiti, Overtown, Liberty City, historic Cocoanut Grove) Robbie gives a fantastic tour of Black Miami and does food tours as well:
Dragonfly Expeditions/Robbie Bell
Robbie@GoToRobbieBell.Info.
Eats:
Garcia's - best oysters in town
305-375-0765
Santo's Restaurant (Lincoln Road)
www.santomiamibeach.com
Wednesday nights : Miami Live hip-hop and R&B, great tapas-style menu
La Marea - Tides Hotel http://www.tidessouthbeach.
Hotels:
Anglers
www.theanglersresort.com
A cool, modern hotel close to the beach but not on it near the South Beach strip. The lobby restaurant and deejay make for a fun, party atmosphere, but if you want to go to20bed early, ask for one of the rear rooms away from the front. If you do want to party, this hotel will make you feel as thought you've stumbled onto a hot friendly group of friend who've invited you along for the ride.
The Setai
www.setai.com
One of the most exclusive hotels in Miami with the city's highest room rate, the Setai is strictly for those who want to and can afford to hang with Jay-Z and Beyonce, who've been spotted by its pool. But given the price of the rooms (and for some a bathtub in the middle of the room is a bit much) taking in the spa, which is part of the Spa Month promotion, or the hotel's luxurious bar and restaurants is worth forgoing pool access. (P.S., You still might get catch a celeb, as the spa overlooks the pool area.)
--Tonya Pendleton
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