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Get a jump on Halloween at Vizcaya's bash

H alloween's not until next Saturday, but that doesn't mean you have wait to sport that spiffy new Kate Gosselin wig. Wear it to Vizcaya's 23rd annual Halloween Sundowner , which takes place 8 p.m.-midnight this Saturday. The $125 ticket includes open super-premium bar, music from dual DJs, two dance floors, Halloween costume contest and food court. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit Vizcayans Young Professionals, which engages in protecting and preserving the estate. And while Jon & Kate costumes may not be the most novel thing about the party, what's completely new is the fact that this year's bash is going green (and not in the way that you would if you ate too much candy or dressed up like the Wicked Witch of the West). According to event chair Karl Klein, ``By incorporating environmentally friendly practices into the fundraiser, the Vizcayans Young Professionals further align with Vizcaya's mission of conservancy.'' 305-856-4866 or www.vizcayahalloween.com.

Always a spectacle is Beacher

Halloween events in South Florida offer frights and fun

A.D. Barnes Halloween: Naturalist staff leads a nocturnal hike through the paved nature trails in search of native wildlife and creepy creatures of the night. A campfire with roasted marshmallows and not-too-scary Halloween stories follows; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday; A.D. Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72nd Ave., West Miami-Dade; $25 for four, $8 per person, reservations required. 305-662-4125 or adnature@miamidade.gov.

Aero Bar: 247 23rd St., Miami Beach. 305-674-1110 or www.aerobarmiami.com:

Halloween Vampire's Lingerie Party: 10 p.m. Friday.

We're digging Miami's hidden treasures

W hen it comes to watering holes in Miami, few can be considered underground. Before we figured out that it was behind a furniture store directly across from Midtown Miami, we'd have filed Bardot under that category. Same goes for Lou's Beer Garden , where a roadside neon sign beckons from Harding Avenue amid low rises and motels. Drive too fast, and you may miss the place. But if you like the idea of off-the-beaten-path beer and wine with a sleek poolside setting in a neighborhood not usually known for things sleek, slow down and stop at all-green The New Hotel at 7337 Harding Ave.

Also ensconced away from the madness of Ocean Drive is the B Bar , 1440 Ocean Dr., the Betsy hotel's ``personal retaliation against celebrity-obsessed nightlife,'' according to a press statement. You don't have to be famous to get in; in fact, if your last name is Kardashian, you're not on the list.

Keeping with the whole underground theme, we move on to Harvey's By the Bay , 6445 NE Seventh Ave., an American

Beach braces for two fashion weeks at same time

W e still find it somewhat ironic that a city in which the concept of less is more is taken literally when it comes to dress codes, has countless ``fashion weeks.'' Now that Ocean Drive's is so last week, get ready for Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach, a mouthful of a name for a series of runway shows showcasing the spring and summer 2010 collections of designers, including Richie Rich, Nicole Miller, Abi Ferri, Custo Barcelona. Celebrating its 13th season from Oct. 14-17, Funkshion will have runways at the Setai and the Bass Museum of Art, which will also double as a ``gifting and accessories showcase,'' which is a fancy way of saying, ``Freeloader Headquarters.'' The big highlight of this year's Funkshion is the 8 p.m. Wednesday opening at the Setai, featuring Rich's A*muse line presented by Pamela Anderson.

But it's not all overly inflated people and prices. Anderson and her best pal, PETA chairman Dan Matthews, will host a charity dinner at the W Hotel following the show. In addition

South Florida caterer brings empire to Miami Beach

S outh Florida restaurateur/caterer Ken Lyon is expanding his empire. Lyon, owner of Fratelli Lyon, a popular Italian eatery in the Design District and Lyon + Lyon Catering, is opening The Cape Cod Room at The Bath Club, 5937 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

The retro-classic style seafood tavern -- housed in the historic portion of the Bath Club -- built originally in 1926 -- opens to the public Nov. 1. It seats 75 (including bar and poolside) and will initially serve dinner Wednesday through Saturday nights, with brunch on Sunday.

Lyon, 53, says he based the restaurant's menu and décor (subtle touches include black-and-white nautical photos by Morris Rosenfeld and Sons) on his experiences growing up in the New England area. Born in Worcester, Mass., Lyon summered with his family on Cape Cod -- and it was there that he first began to cook professionally.