By ROD HAGWOOD

Installation view of 'The World According to Federico Uribe' at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. (Courtesy Boca Raton Museum of Art)

SELECTIONS FROM THE WORLD ACCORDING TO FEDERICO URIBE

Boca Raton Museum of Art
Closes Jan. 8
BocaMuseum.org
501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 (561) 392-2500

You get a big splash of Miami-based Federico Uribe’s work as soon as you walk in the door at the Boca Raton Museum of Art at Mizner Park. The Colombia-born conceptual artist created a spectacular walk-in environment for a wow-factor as soon as you walk in the Museum. Included are works restaged from Uribe’s 2008 Animal Farm, a huge installation containing a life-sized farmer family made of colored pencils. There are also “found object” farm animals made of everything from clothes hangers and sneakers to mops and wood.

While you’re there, check out “OUTSIDER VISIONS: Self-Taught Southern Artists of the 20th Century,” which also closes Jan. 8. The show chronicles 75 artists who create with no formal training (sometimes called folk art or outside art). The exhibit is from the collection of Ted and Ann Oliver.

ARTIST UNKNOWN/THE FREE WORLD

Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
Closes Jan. 29
ArtAndCultureCenter.org
1650 Harrison St., Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 921-3274

The exhibit takes the artist outside the confines of the studio and into the limitless world of social media, with all of its rich – and sometimes bizarre – images. The website describes the show as: How people choose to represent themselves on social networking sites and chat rooms illuminates their self-image from spaces once considered private or intimate. The project explores the growing practice of utilizing found images by artists, and in doing so, presents a picture of our culture through the collective lens of these amateur photographers. The Center has also collaborated on a book to accompany the exhibit.
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Singer Melanie Amaro poses on the red carpet at The X Factor Finale show in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. Amaro was chosen as the winner for the first season of the show. She will be awarded with a $5 million record deal and a Pepsi ad campaign.(AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

By TOM JICHA

The dream came true for Melanie Amaro. The 19-year-old from Sunrise became the first winner of “The X Factor” Thursday.

The life changing moment came with stark suddenness at the end of a heavily padded two-hour finale. Steve Jones, host of the Fox series, summoned Melanie and Josh Krajcik, the survivors of a process that started with more than a hundred thousand hopefuls last spring.

“The winner of “The X Factor” is … Melanie Amaro.”

Jones tried to interview the champion but all she could get out of her mouth was, “Oh my God! Oh my God!” as she dropped to her knees and held her hands together as if to pray. Within seconds, she was engulfed by family members, who rushed the stage to embrace her.

Asked to sing one final song, she fought to hold her composure as tears of joy streamed down her face. She finished the song, “Listen,” with her former rivals surrounding and hugging her.

Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan had the same reaction at a watch party at Scuotto’s Pizza & Pasta, where Amaro’s fans gathered throughout “The X Factor” season.
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A sign outside the area in Fort Lauderdale where filming for 'Rock of Ages' continues prohibits photography. (Photo provided)

By IHOSVANI RODRIGUEZ

Try to take a snapshot of Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin or Catherine Zeta-Jones in downtown Fort Lauderdale and you may wind up posing for a mug shot.

At least that’s what producers of the “Rock of Ages” movie, currently in production and featuring the three A-List actors, are warning photographers and star-gazers with cameras.

Now a group of photographers is questioning the legal support for the warning. The National Press Photographers Association says it violates photographers’ and the public’s rights of free speech and access to public property.

Producers of the flick have placed yellow “no trespassing” signs at the entrances to three city blocks that the film about the 1980s rock scene is using for locations. They have a permit good through June 24 to shoot near the Revolution Live rock club in the Himmarshee village area — all of Southwest Second, Third and Fourth avenues between Broward Boulevard and Southwest Second Street.

The yellow signs read: “Warning. No trespassing. Photography of this area is prohibited. Strictly enforced by FLPD. Violators subjet (sic) to arrest. City Ordinance 16-1″
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Executive chef Anthony Hoff honed his skills at the Oceanaire Seafood Room in Miami. (Post file photo)

By CHARLYNE V. SCHAUB

First impression: City Fish Market, open since October 2008, is no typical South Florida restaurant. How often do you pass a fresh seafood counter to get to the reception desk of an elegant restaurant? (The restaurant sells the fish and seafood during restaurant hours until they stop seating.) The bar was noisy when we were there mid-week, giving the impression that this is a popular spot to meet, greet and drink as well as eat.

Ambience: The new owners gutted the place when they took over from the old Pete’s, leaving only the stuffed black marlin over the fireplace as a reminder. White-coated waiters, who bring to mind dining in a bygone era, preside over a sparkling white room with dark wood accents, coffered ceilings and dentil crown molding.

Background: City Fish Market is owned by Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, the same folks who own Chops Lobster Bar in Boca’s Royal Palm Plaza.

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By TOM JICHA

Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein is the focus of Thursday’s episode of “True Crime with Aphrodite Jones” on the Investigation Discovery network. The show, airing at 10 p.m., delves into how Rothstein’s illegal activities destroyed lives, including one law partner who was murdered.

Melissa Lewis was strangled to death in her Plantation home in March 2008. Police arrested Tony Villegas, the husband of Debra Villegas, one of Rothstein’s closest aides.

Debra Villegas and Lewis were close friends. The prevailing theory is that Tony Villegas, who is awaiting trial, murdered Lewis to get back at his wife or because Lewis was encouraging her friend to divorce him.
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By ROD STAFFORD HAGWOOD

Hundreds of South Florida’s beautiful women auditioned for America’s Next Top Model on Saturday at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

South Florida auditions for Cycle 17 started at 9 a.m. and were set to run through 4 p.m. Registration for the event ended at 2 p.m.

America’s Next Top Model returns on the CW on Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 8 to 9 p.m.

Cycle 16 includes two South Floridians: Angelia from Pembroke Pines (via Germany) and Mikaela from Boca Raton.

Sarah Shahi plays Kate Reed in USA's 'Fairly Legal'.

By TOM JICHA

The programmers at NBC ought to pick the brains of their counterparts at USA. While NBC can’t come up with a scripted hit, its sister cable network keeps churning them out. “Fairly Legal” looks like another one.

Adhering to its mantra “characters welcome,” USA has created another dandy. Kate Reed is sexy and tough, strong willed and vulnerable. The complete package makes her and the show irresistibly likable. It’s a star-making turn by Sarah Shahi.
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Baltimore Crab Cakes are a big reason to seek out Riggins Crabhouse in Lantana. (Post file photo)

More: Directions, leave your own review

By CHARLYNE V. SCHAUB

First impression: Riggins is a little hard to get to because it is tucked behind a Publix in the Lantana Shopping Center adjacent to Interstate 95 . But this unpretentious eatery is well worth exploring. It has it all – the sound of wooden hammers hitting blue crabs and the distinct scent of Old Bay Seasoning. You won’t go wrong ordering any crab dish.

Ambience: Outfitted with simple captain’s chairs, lace curtains adorned with sailboats, six aquariums, the Maryland flag and copies of Baltimore magazine, the interior looks like it could be a crab restaurant on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Tables are set with white paper tablecloths and rolls of paper towels.

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By BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL

Bigger is better for Nick Petakas and David Bader, who grew from an acoustic duo to the five-piece Harvey and the Buckets band.

“It’s definitely made a difference,” said Petakas, lead vocalist for the alt-country outfit.

The pair’s transition has taken them from laid back to laying down foot-stomping, rootsy riffs.
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Paul Pope (right) with Joey Fatone and Kelly Bensimon at the launch party for 'The Deeds of My Fathers'. (Mike Jachles Photo)

Page2Live: Tabloid stars, models, at Enquirer heir’s book launch | Photos

By CHAUNCEY MABE

When Paul David Pope lost his bid to take over his father’s company, The National Enquirer, in 1989, he did just what you’d expect from the third-generation poor little rich boy: He lost himself in sex and drugs and general debauchery.

But then Pope did the unexpected. Dusting himself off, he set out to become a respectable businessman and philanthropist.

“When my father passed away, I suffered and struggled,” says Pope, 42. “I thought of my father and the paper as one and the same. When I didn’t get The Enquirer, I truly lost my father.” Read the full story