Super Bowl week at the Fontainebleau

Less than a month following the Iowa Football team's stay at the Fontainebleau for the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl, the greatest sporting event in the world takes place in Miami. Below are a couple of the parties taking place at the former home of the Hawkeyes. (Courtesy Miami Herald)

First, five parties you can't get into....



And now five parties you can get into...

Night Out on the Town

The final "Night Out on the Town" from our trip to Miami for the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl is the Bleau Bar loacted in the heart of the Fontainebleau Hotel.

The Fontainebleau Hotel has many different dining and drinking options, but we found the Bleau Bar to be the most comfortable and enjoyable of them all. On the first two nights of the team's stay at the hotel, famous musician Max Wineberg performed with his orchestra in a makeshift stage situated in the corner of this circular bar. Concerts seem to be a rarity, and this free presentation offset the price of drinks during our stay.

The Bleau Bar is the ideal place to people watch in the entire hotel. It is located across the lobby from the hottest night club on South Beach, LIV. From the blue tinted bar it was perfect to not only see the hottest stars staying at the posh resort, but see club-goers of all ages sporting the latest styles and fashions.

Drinks were higher priced than what many are accustomed to. However bottled beer was the one beverage to stick to at the average price of $6.50 (incl. tip). Any mixed or well drinks totaled up to $18. No matter the prices, during the holiday season the Bleau Bar was packed nightly.

Night Out on the Town

Blocks down from the fames South Beach entertainment area is a local favorite called Ted's Hideaway. As stated earlier, this could be placed into the "dive" category, but that may be harsh, however it is nowhere near the "club" level of some on Ocean Avenue.

Ted's is definitely the neighborhood bar. A good variety of bar games such as pool, darts, and video arcade are in one small area while the bar and tables fill up the rest. There are enough televisions give patrons a view of their favorite game from anywhere within the little hole in the wall.

What impressed me the most of our trip was the service of the bartenders. Upon ordering our first drink the young lady introduced herself to us and made sure we would be well taken care of. It was a Heck of a Deal.

Night Out on the Town

In the heart of Miami Beach's Art Deco district is The Clevelander, a popular hotel and nightclub. After recently going through a multi-million dollar renovation it is back and better than ever as a must stop while cruising Ocean Avenue.

During the day it is one of many hotels located on the strip, but it takes on new life as the hot sun goes down. The hotel pool transforms itself into a dance club. The lounge chairs are put away for a stage and dance floor with the daytime poolside restaurant begins turning out the coolest of beverages.

On the night my wife and I visited, the Ghosts of Gloria were performing. Playing the songs of Nickelback and Three Days Grace, it was disappointing to hear a group with a short playlist and a sound that was forgettable. But they were replaced by the house DJ and the vibe picked up with songs from the 80s to today.

Although the band was a little disappointing and not what I would expect The Clevelander to book, it didn't disappoint the night my wife and I had.

A Visit from the Big Tuna

Bill Parcells, Executive Vice President of Football Operations with the Miami Dolphins made an appearance at the Iowa Football practice. The one time head coach of the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys was on-site to take a closer look at the Iowa program as well as visiting with Iowa head coach, Kirk Ferentz.

(L-R Miami Dolphin General Manager Jeff Ireland, Kirk Ferentz, Bill Parcells)

The Bill Parcells coaching tree has a tie to Coach Ferentz. While with the New York Giants, current New England Patriot head coach Bill Belichick was Parcell's defensive coordinator. Belichick left New York to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. It was in Cleveland that Belichick hired the head coach at the University of Maine, Kirk Ferentz.

Parcells took time with Iowa trainer and travel coordinator, John Streif.


The Hawkeyes travel in style through Miami. Their buses leave Miami Beach's Fontainebleau for the north side of the City of Miami and Barry University.

Day 2 of Iowa Football Practice in Miami

Another sunny day in South Florida, but with temperatures "only" to get into the upper 60s. Practice today will be much like day 1 as the Iowa Football team settles into its Fed Ex Orange Bowl routine.

Max Weinberg at the Fontainebleau

Prior to the show Tonight Show Orchestra leader, Max Weinberg declared to the fans at the Bleau Bar in the Fontainebleau, "Welcome to the second and last night of the 2009 Max Weinberg Orchestra Tour." Monday was the second of two shows at the famed Fontainebleau, the team hotel of the Iowa Hawkeyes for the 2010 Fed Ex Orange Bowl.

The set started out with a Sinatra favorite, "Come Fly With Me," and followed that up from many others from the Big Band Era. He ended with a few renditions of Beetles tunes, and ended with the band marching through the crowd with horns in the air...

Barry University Practice 1

First day of practice is over for the University of Iowa football team at Barry University. Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s were a big change for this midwestern team.

Players enter the facilities of Barry University. BU is a Division II team which doesn't have football. The Iowa team is using the soccer fields for practice.
Prior to the start of Practice, Iowa Football Head Coach, Kirk Ferentz talks with members of the Orange Bowl committee, among those are Larry Gautier (far left) and Sean Crews (right of Ferentz).

Wide Receivers in the early drill period.

Kirk Ferentz overseeing members of the offensive line.

A welcome sight on the road from Barry to the Fontainebleau.