MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Miami, FL

Still waters run deep. In restaurants, that’s called standing water and it usually stinks. That brings us to the restaurants on this week’s Sick and Shut Down List, a roll call of South Florida restaurants that came up short on state inspections.

OUR RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: What follows comes from Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation restaurant inspections in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. A restaurant that fails inspection remains closed until passing an inspection.

If you see a problem and want a place inspected, contact the DBPR. We don’t control who gets inspected nor how strictly the inspector inspects.

We don’t include all violations, just the most moving, whether internally or literally moving (because it’s alive or once was alive). Some violations get corrected after the inspector points them out. But, you have to ask, why do the violations exist in the first place? And how long would they have remained if not for the inspection?

We report without passion or prejudice but with side dishes of humor.

In alphabetical order...

Ono Poke Shop, 2320 N. Miami Ave., Miami: Routine inspection, 11 total violations, one High Priority violation.

No vermin on the floor of the Poke. The Poke had a putrid pond, however.

“Raw sewage on ground of establishment...drain under the three-compartment sink clogged resulting in wastewater overflowing on the floor.”

Another problem at the three-compartment sink, the warewashing machine and for the wiping cloth solution was the lack of a chemical test kit to check the sanitizer used for each.

You kind of want someone who could recognize when an employee is swimming in salmonella, listeria, cyclospora, etc., so it can be a bit disconcerting when the “Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.”

At the next day’s re-inspection, the inspector ran water “for approximately three minutes at the three-compartment sink and observed water overflowing from the drain under the three-compartment sink.

“In addition, ran water for approximately three minutes at the handwash sink and mop sink behind the front counter food preparation area, and observed standing water in each sink, as water drained slowly.”

Lack of a Roto-Rooter man or a generic substitute caused a failure of the re-inspection. But the Poke passed the re-re-inspection.

Rene’s Schnitzelhaus, 8318 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise: Routine inspection, 25 total violations, 5 High Priority violations.

“Observed objectionable odors throughout establishment in the kitchen area and the front of the interior dining room.”

The malodorous scent didn’t bother the rodents that left poop on dishwasher area pipes and 20 pieces of regularity “on shelves with clean plates, clean glasses next to the reach-in freezer; in the storage area, next to an unused ice bin machine; and at the front left hand corner, close to the kitchen entrance door.”

In a sign of vermin confrontation or (shudder) unity, the roaches left 10 droppings at the cookline and near the prep table. The inspector counted 30 or more live roaches and another 30 or more dead lines at the cookline, under the three-compartment sink, “running under equipment, prep table and in the dish machine area.”

With all these live problems running around, regular readers know what the inspector also found. Sing it, children...”food not covered...” In this case, bread on a top shelf in the kitchen and sauces in the reach-in freezer.

The ice scoop was “stored on top of a dirty surface in the storage area...”

But we’re sure the ice scoop was washed and sanitized. Or, at least washed, as the dishmachine’s sanitizer measured zero.

As effective as the dishmachine’s sanitizing attempts were the attempts at washing hands in the unisex employee bathroom, seeing as how there was no hot water.

“Observed heavy limescale build up on interior of dish machine located in dish area...heavy grease buildup and limescale on dish racks...cutting boards, can opener blade, shelves for sanitized clean equipment with grease buildup.”

The inspector saw water leaking two places, from a pipe under the three-compartment sink and from the steam table. Staff put a bucket under the latter.

Not sure how this place came correct the next day on re-inspection, but the inspector says it did.

Tacos vs. Burrito, 650 NE 79th St., Miami: Complaint inspection, 10 total violations, two High Priority violations.

Another place with standing water on the floor, this time in the restrooms. Hope that was just water.

The inspector counted eight flies in the men’s and women’s restrooms, 10 in the dining room and bar, 20 in a back prep area and 25 in the dishwashing area (they like the dishwashing area.)

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.”

“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food....quart container used to scoop ice.”

After an inspection during which the inspector knew neither hands nor hair were involved in the food, the eternal Tacos vs. Burrito battle resumed.

The Florida State Seminoles (30-17, 13-11) last regular season home series of the year is a big one as the No. 6 ranked Miami Hurricanes (36-12, 17-7) come into town. Not only is this a big rivalry series but both teams have a lot to play for. Last year FSU took all four games from Miami, sweeping the ‘Canes in Coral Gables with none of the games being close and winning on in the ACC Tournament, so the Hurricanes will be out for blood. Florida State needs a series win to stay in position to secure a regional host.

Miami’s Friday starter Carson Palmquist is one of the best in the ACC. Batters are hitting just .231 off of him and he’s struck out 92 while only walking 20 in 64 innings. When batters do make contact they can draw blood as he’s given up 11 home runs and 10 doubles on the year. FSU must be smart and see a lot of pitches against Palmquist. he’s not likely to walk many but the fewer innings he’s available for the better off for FSU.

Following Palmquist is Karson Ligon on Saturday. The freshman has pitched well this year but has struggled outside of South Florida as of late. That was against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, two of the better offenses in the ACC. Ligon isn’t a big strike out guy but does a good job of inducing weaker contact.

Sunday has been a bit rough for the ‘Canes. Last week’s Friday starter Alejandro Rosario has found himself on the back of the weekend rotation. Rosario has really good stuff but has struggled to control it. He’s given up 20 walks over 45 innings and opponents are hitting .339 against him. FSU touched him up quite a bit last year but none of that means he’s not capable.

Gage Ziehl and Alex McFarlane have gotten quite a bit of use out of the pen and both have acquitted themselves well and have provided good bridges to closer Andrew Walters. Walters is certainly capable of two innings saves so if FSU is down going into the eighth that could be all she wrote.

The top of the Miami lineup is as good as any around. There’s probably a touch more strikeout in the top of the lineup but they also draw their fair share of walks. Yohandy Morales provides the most pop with 11 home runs and 16 doubles but Jacob Burke and Maxwell Romero Jr. are not far behind with nine dingers of their own. This is a very dangerous lineup that FSU pitchers will have to be careful with.

This weekend is a pivotal series as both teams look to solidify its postseason position. In addition to being No. 6 in the D1Baseball poll, the Hurricanes are also at 6 in the RPI. Florida State is 18 in the RPI, jumping seven spots after Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville.

The Seminoles have won five straight against Miami, including a 4-0 mark last season. FSU swept the Hurricanes in Coral Gables before also winning in the ACC Tournament.

Friday 5/13, 7:00 PM

Probable Starters: LHP Parker Messick (6-2, 2.56 ERA) vs. LHP Carson Palmquist (7-3, 2.95 ERA)

How to watch: ACCN

How to listen: 100.7 FM in Tallahassee

Saturday 5/14, 7:00 PM

Probable Starters: LHP Bryce Hubbart (7-1, 2.69 ERA) vs. RHP Karson Ligon (6-3, 3.48 ERA)

How to watch: ACCN

How to listen: 100.7 FM in Tallahassee

Sunday 5/15, 12:00 PM

Probable Starters: RHP Carson Montgomery (4-1, 4.66 ERA) vs. RHP Alejandro Rosario (2-2, 7.15 ERA)

How to watch: ESPN2

How to listen: 100.7 FM in Tallahassee

Tomahawk Nation will have updates in the game thread and on our Twitter.

MARATHON (CBSMiami/FKNB) – A rescued juvenile male bottlenose dolphin, flown from Texas to the Marathon-based Dolphin Research Center seven weeks ago, was successfully moved to the facility’s primary dolphin lagoon Thursday — a move that marks his final integration into a “forever family” of other permanent dolphin residents.

“Ranger,” has convalesced and been monitored over the last several weeks in a specially designed medical quarantine pool to increase his eating and weight, and strengthen both his immune system and his bond with human caregivers.

READ MORE:

He was rescued nearly one year ago after being discovered stranded in waters around Goose Island State Park in Texas, suffering from an underlying respiratory infection and dehydration following his mother’s death.

To safely maneuver Ranger from quarantine, DRC staff employed a specially designed marine mammal stretcher and carefully placed him into the natural Florida Bay water of the facility’s main lagoon. Dolphins in surrounding pools observed as Ranger speedily explored his spacious new home, taking in their neighboring sonar signals for the first time since arriving at the rehabilitation facility in late March

It only took 45 minutes for Ranger to begin interacting and taking food from Linda Erb, DRC’s vice president of animal care and training.

“We were pretty surprised that he decided to turn on and eat within probably 30, 45 minutes of getting in the pool,” Erb said. “You can imagine he hasn’t heard dolphin sounds for over a year.

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“He’s inundated,” she added. “There are dolphins all around him. He’s looking at them. I thought the last thing he was gonna be interested in was fish.”

According to DRC’s staff and trainers, an important outcome of Ranger’s final move Thursday was to ensure he would eat freely, critical to his full adjustment to the new surroundings.

An initial assessment of the orphaned calf indicated that at the time of his rescue, at just two years old, he lacked the skills necessary to forage and survive in the wild. The National Marine Fisheries Service then selected the Keys’ uniquely experienced DRC facility as a permanent home. Ranger now weighs a healthy 235 pounds.

Ranger’s relocation to the Florida Keys, as well as his continued treatment at the nonprofit DRC, was made possible by donations from worldwide and national communities and mammal rescue networks, including a special JET ICU air ambulance service that flew him from Texas direct to Marathon.

Since 1984, Dolphin Research Center, through research and education, has been dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence, cooperation and communication between marine mammals and humans and the environment.

MORE NEWS:

(©2022 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.)

For four years Miami has refused to issue permits for medical marijuana dispensaries but city commissioners have now paved the way for the first one to open.

Commissioners voted 3-2 Thursday to approve a certificate of use for the first medical marijuana dispensary in Miami, six years after Floridians voted to legalize cannabis for medical uses.

There are currently more than 425 dispensaries throughout Florida, but none in Miami.

Jason Erkes, with Sunnyside Dispensaries, has several locations but none in Miami.

"This is a really big move for the patients that need to get their medicine and it's a big move for the cannabis industry," Erkes said. "It's been debated for a long time, but I think at the end of the day they're gonna see there’s no negative societal impact."

The commission had resisted granting a certificate of use for a dispensary. Commissioner Manolo Reyes voted against allowing a Los Angeles-based company to open business in Miami.

"Because I want to establish the regulations before they are authorized to be selling this marijuana, which is being called medical marijuana, and make a clear distinction between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana," Reyes said.

Supporters of dispensaries say the state has a pretty good handle on rules and regulations, with a multi-step process to vet businesses.

"It's a very tightly regulated industry so before you can apply for a license to open a store in a city like Miami you have to be licensed by the state," Erkes said.

Thursday's vote gives MRC-44 a certificate of use to open a location in downtown Miami. For years the city has been in court with MRC-44 and the court eventually ruled that because Miami hadn't specifically banned dispensaries, it had to allow the company to operate.

Commissioner Ken Russell voted in favor of the measure and said dispensaries will be treated like pharmacies.

"I have my medical marijuana card. After two surgeries on my wrist I was prescribed opioids and I recognize the symptoms of withdrawal that are created into addiction that allow people to get hooked on meth," Russell said. "This is a really slippery slope that very normal people get caught up in and having alternative forms of pain medication is crucial."

Organization kicks off Turquoise Takeover week to raise awareness of the leading cause of cancer-related deaths

This week, the American Lung Association is turning South Florida turquoise to raise awareness of lung cancer and educate more people about life-saving screening.

The Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative's annual Turquoise Takeover celebration (May 8-14) unites America to raise critical awareness of lung cancer, the nation's leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Each year, the organization turns the nation turquoise, the signature color of LUNG FORCE.

In South Florida, through the month of May, all donations will be DOUBLED up to $35,000 by local sponsors! To help the American Lung Association unlock the full potential of this match, members of the community are invited to fundraise, turn turquoise, and take part in any number of the many engagement opportunities including:

"Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among both women and men in our state. In 2022 alone, it is estimated that 19,560 Florida residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer. But there is hope. The five-year survival rate – the percentage of people who are still alive five years after being diagnosed – increased by a dramatic 33% in the past ten years," said Frank Eidelman, MD, South Florida American Lung Association Board Member, Florida Medical Specialties Institute Chair and Allergy & Immunology Department Chair at Cleveland Clinic Florida. "Raising awareness and funds for lung cancer is more important than ever. We encourage our community to get involved in Turquoise Takeover."

Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives. Unfortunately, only 5.7% of those at high risk have been screened nationally, including 3% in Florida. Next week, the Lung Association will release new creative for the groundbreaking "Saved By The Scan" campaign called A Hope Story. This new public service announcement educates people who smoke and used to smoke about the low-dose CT scan that can detect lung cancer in the early stages, when the disease is more curable.

The "Saved by the Scan" campaign is making a difference. In fact, more than 750,000 Americans have learned if they are at high risk for lung cancer through the online quiz. If you smoke or smoked, learn more about lung cancer screening at SavedByTheScan.org.

Local Sponsors of this campaign include: Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Kelley/ Uustal, Drum Realty, 15th Street Fisheries, Memorial Cancer Institute, Denison Yachting, We Florida Financial, Alhambra Orchestra, and Parent's Choice Medical Daycare.

Turquoise Takeover Week was created by the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE – a national initiative uniting Americans against lung cancer in 2014. Learn other ways to get involved with Turquoise Takeover at LUNGFORCE.org/TurquoiseTakeover or, in South Florida, www.TurquoiseTakeoverChallenge.org.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About LUNG FORCE

The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative unites women, men and caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. Increased awareness about lung cancer, more education on lifesaving screening and more research funding are critical to fuel lifesaving breakthroughs. Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE works to provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more lives. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.

American Lung Association