Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
2017 The South Florida List: What’s hot. What’s not.
In South Florida’s fast-paced culture, trends come and go with the swiftness of the tides. As the year comes to a close, we decided to look back on some of the people, places and things that have been popular. Some of them (selfie sticks, for example) are
OUT: HARRY S. TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE Seven U.S. presidents reportedly used this Key West residence, now a museum, as a retreat. OUT: WYNWOOD Now that developers and higher rents are moving in, this artsy district in Miami may be losing its hipster, urban edge. OUT: HBO’S “BALLERS” The sports comedy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has left South Florida for California. OUT: AMUSEMENT PARKS Though there are still diehard park enthusiasts, for many of us, it’s starting to feel too far and too expensive. OUT: SELFIE STICKS The monopods that for a while dominated South Florida’s touristy spots and party scene have now become ho-hum. OUT: GLORIA ESTEFAN Sorry, conga queen, we still love you. But we think you’ll be pleased with your South Florida successor. OUT: FIFTH HARMONY The all-girl pop group created by Simon Cowell had its last performance as a quintet at the recent Y-100 Jingle Ball in Sunrise. OUT: RADIO PERSONALITY “YOUNG” RON BREWER He retired this month after 26 years co-hosting the popular “Paul and Young Ron Show” with Paul Castronovo, which aired on Big 105.9 (WBGG-FM) in Miami-Fort Lauderdale and 94.3 (WZZRFM) in West Palm Beach. OUT: WSVN-CH. 7’S CARMEL CAFIERO The dogged investigative reporter retired in June after 43 years. OUT: DWYANE WADE The former Miami Heat champ literally left us for his hometown of Chicago. OUT: POT Now that it’s officially legal for medical purposes in Florida, marijuana has lost some of the forbidden factor. OUT: WINE TASTINGS No one really talks about these anymore, right? OUT: KEY WEST Why drive all the way down to the original Margaritaville when Jimmy Buffett opened a Margaritaville resort in Hollywood? OUT: FREE HIGHWAYS Remember when Interstate 95, the Palmetto and other highways were free of tolls? IN: MAR-A-LAGO Thanks to President-elect Donald Trump, this is becoming the new “White House” of the South. IN: LITTLE HAITI This neighborhood just north of Wynwood has started to steal its thunder, drawing art galleries, eateries and events. IN: NETFLIX’S “BLOODLINE” This drama is still in, since it’s filming in the Keys for at least one more season, its last. IN: ESCAPE ROOMS These entertainment alternatives continue to break out in South Florida, giving people missions to solve in themed rooms. IN: LIVESTREAM CAMS They’re popping up where you least expect them. Check out Deerfield Beach’s underwater web camera, which is tethered to the city’s pier. IN: EMILY ESTEFAN Emilio and Gloria’s only daughter is making a name for herself and is set to release her debut album in February. IN: MIAMI’S CAMILA CABELLO She just ditched Fifth Harmony to launch her solo career. IN: RADIO PERSONALITY FERNAND R. AMANDI The weekday morning talk show on WIOD (610-AM) has become so popular that fans are petitioning for him to also have a show on MSNBC, where he’s been a frequent guest on the “AM Joy” show. IN: THE NBC 6 AND TELEMUNDO 51 RESPONDS TEAM WTVJ and WSCV have a new consumer team made up of Myriam Masihy and Alina Machado, which aims to solve problems for South Floridians. IN: HASSAN WHITESIDE The Miami Heat center signed a four-year, $98 million max contract this summer. In many ways, the team’s success now rests on his broad shoulders. IN: CUBAN CIGARS They’re still harder to get than legal or illegal pot. IN: CUPPINGS They’re the java version of wine tastings, and local roasters throughout South Florida have been hosting cupping events so the public can sample new brews. IN: HAVANA Cuba’s capital keeps drawing American tourists, thanks to relaxed diplomatic relations, new daily flights and weekly cruises. IN: PRICEY EXPRESS “LEXUS LANES” They keep expanding while our wallets keep shrinking.