Roadside History: The Night Owl Beauty and North Miami

International House of Pancakes in North Miami, c 1970

NORTH MIAMI – In a December 1970 edition of National Geographic, the cover subject was pollution. One of the “pollutions” photographed was visual pollution. To illustrate the point, the magazine photographed the highway strip along Route 1 in North Miami.

Today, the strip is completely changed, and almost denuded of all signs. Also missing are the Holbrook Antique Arms & Gun Museum, A&V Teak and International Interiors. Holbrook was the most interesting; it sold wholesale art relics and displayed military medals.

We are curious if anyone remembers the Night Owl. It is a curious name for a salon, we admit.

Olive Trees in Florida

University of Florida extension agents believe olive trees are good idea in the Florida climate. Not only are they productive, but they require little irrigation once established.

Of course, the trees look like the Mediterranean, and olives can be of course eaten or pressed for oil.

Florida agronomists recommend self-fertile cultivars like ‘Arbequina’, ‘Mission’, or ‘Manzanilla’; planting more than one will increase production.

They need a sunny area and well-drained soil, and will produce in three years.

Find out more HERE.

Sarasota Churches Welcome Visitors

SARASOTA – Some feel that there is a special spiritual quality in Sarasota; new-agers flock to the city for the beaches, which some say is crystal quartz from Atlantis. While fun to believe, what is certain is that old fashioned religious communities flourish here. Read the story »