Ralph's Life.....On Tour: 01/14/13

Monday 14 January 2013

Townhouse Miami.....Style and substance.....

Please note this is not a current offer.....
it's only on because it looks like me!

Where better for some sunshine
than Miami!

Now Ralph's a pretty cosmopolitan dog and likes a nice hotel as much as the next Jack Russell so when it came time for him to chose a Pied à Terre in Miami the obvious choice was the stylish yet comfortable Townhouse. Conceived as a refreshing and inviting beach house, Townhouse offers accommodations and lodging with a playful combination of modern design and old-fashioned comfort at unassuming prices. Perfectly situated in the heart of South Beach and only a few steps from the beach, Townhouse serves as an ideal hideaway for a weekend getaway or an extended retreat.

Originally built in 1939, with 69 rooms and 2 penthouses, Townhouse was creatively re-envisioned by Parisian designer India Mahdavi. Her understated approach to design resulted in a timeless mix of Art Deco and modern hospitality. It has the look and atmosphere of a boutique hotel without the boutique prices!

They offer a complimentary Parisian breakfast daily and complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day. The serene Roof Top garden is ideal for all day sunbathing and relaxation. Bond Street Lounge, Miami's outpost of the famed New York sushi restaurant is open daily from 6PM to midnight and available for in-room dining.
You can experience in Townhouse, a comfortable and creative alternative to the ordinary. A place where you are just steps away from the ocean and all the best of South Beach - where history and design come together. Relax, rejuvenate, enjoy vibrant nightlife, and the spirit of South Beach. Make Townhouse your home away from home.

The BONDST sushi is overseen by former chef de cuisine of LeCirque of New York, Andy Choi. If Carlsberg made sushi chef's the Andy would probably be the best in Miami.

Items inspired by the restaurant’s New York City flagship include:

Chilean Sea Bass Skewers
Spicy Tuna Rolls with Chili Mayonnaise
Fresh Sundried-Tomato and Avocado Rolls with Garlic Ponzu Oil and Green Tea Salt
Lobster Tempura Rolls with Yellow Tomato Dressing and Chive Oil
Sesame-Crusted Shrimp Rolls with Orange Curry Dijon

Hey...don't forget the beach is just
opposite the hotel if you want to chill!

So if you're planning a trip to Miami and looking for a stylish hotel with an outstanding restaurant that wont break the bank head for Townhouse. It's an absolute, 'under the radar' budget gem which is ideal for the European traveller, especially with the family in tow. It's opposite the beach for the kids and next to the famous Lincoln Road Mall for mum while dad can spend some time relaxing with a Margarita on the fabulous roof top terrace. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff attentive and the surroundings stylish. In fact it's so de rigueur there's every chance you might find yourself in the middle of a Hollywood Movie.....location scouts from around the world have put the Townhouse high on their list. When photographers and film-makers need a Miami Beach location with fresh and inviting interiors, exteriors, and proximity to the beach, the Townhouse provides a collection of superb backdrops.

The Rooftop Terrace.....during the day, a comfortable hideaway for sunbathing, relaxing, and enjoying a gentle ocean breeze.

At night, a staple of the South Beach scene with full bar/lounge on the weekends.

Rochdale Dog Rescue.....and how we can help.

Bruno

The third in Ralph's features on the plight of animals in general and dogs in particular takes him to Rochdale and a visit to The Rochdale Dog Rescue Centre. Pat Crabtree established the rescue in 1975 when she began helping unwanted dogs in the Rochdale area. These dogs were either in foster homes or their own homes needing new owners, and Pat began by placing advertisements in the local papers. Over time this developed, with more dogs being helped in this way.

In 1993 Coryn Shields lost her own dog (Sam the Boxer) to cancer, and when she felt ready to re-home a rescue dog she answered one of Pat's adverts. Two year old Bruno was suggested as a suitable match, and an introduction followed; it was love at first sight. A special bond was formed and Bruno became Coryn's new companion.

Having seen the good that Pat was doing Coryn offered to help if she could ever be of use.

Jake

Little did Coryn know that just a few hours later she would be driving around in the dead of night hunting for a missing dog with Pat, and another new friendship was born. Thanks to Bruno bringing them together Pat and Coryn worked together for two years, developing Rochdale Dog Rescue and re-homing more dogs in Rochdale and the surrounding areas, and in 1994 Coryn added to her family with Zara, a bitch who'd come into rescue heavily pregnant having been found as a stray.

In 1995 Pat moved out of the area, and Coryn took over the day to day management of re-homing.

As time went on, Coryn was contacted on occasions by a local Dog Warden, asking for help to save a dog in the pound who had run out of time. Although this was not a regular part of the work of Rochdale Dog Rescue, Coryn realised that there was a whole group of dogs whose plight she had previously been unaware of, and between 2004 and 2005 she began to develop a relationship with this particular pound.In March 2005 a formal link with the pound was formed, and Rochdale Dog Rescue began to offer help for all of the dogs reaching the end of their 7 days.

The team developed too, with new volunteers joining Coryn to take on other roles. In January 2006 the website became live and Rochdale Dog Rescue in its current form was born.

Please help.....

Rochdale Dog Rescue are currently facing a very uncertain future during this current economic climate as they receive fewer donations and have to pay more for our emergency boarding - their account is currently in the red and it is a real struggle each month to cover their costs for the dogs we have in their care let alone to continue to save more dogs from the pound - monthly bills are often close to £2000.

The number of dogs coming in is ever increasing as more people abandon their dogs, causing them to struggle to pay the bills and they anticipate that things will only get worse - the summer holidays can be an especially bad time as uncaring owners really do abandon their dogs before the holidays not seeming to care they are at a real risk of being put to sleep if it was not for organisations such as Rochdale Dog Rescue.

Rochdale Dog Rescue are there for all the dogs who find themselves abandoned and alone, they work really hard to save the dogs in the pound who face being put to sleep and we never turn a dog away regardless of breed/age/health/temperament. These dogs come in all shapes, ages and sizes and all of them deserve the chance of a safe future and to be loved.

Bertie

The number of dogs in boarding has steadily increased as the dogs in their care will stay with us for as long as it takes to secure a rescue space or their forever homes - like lovely Bertie who has been with them for a while patiently waiting for a rescue space or loving home and they'll continue to keep him safe but need to raise vital funds in order to be able to do so.

Sadly there are just not enough funds to guarantee the security of these dogs until their rescue space or forever home arrives.

They don't like to ask our generous supporters and visitors for more, but unfortunately unless they do so the future of the dogs in the pound and emergency boarding will be uncertain; there's a real danger that they'll run out of funds!

It costs us £5-8 a day to board a dog ..... and of course the dogs receive any vets treatment they need as well as being neutered, vaccinated and microchipped if they are with them for longer or being re-homed directly by themselves.... no donation is too small to help them through these difficult times.

There are many ways to help them raise funds in addition to donations. Please take a look at their Fundraising Forums for details on these and other ways to help.

If you are able to donate or even set up a monthly donation the button below will directly take you to Paypal. Donations can also be made by Cheque or BACS please contact them for more details.