Lucky 13 Top Summer Fort Lauderdale Deals

FORT LAUDERDALE – Some pretty amazing new summer deals, put together by Fort Lauderdale. The attraction discounts are nice, but what’s really potent are the deals at hotels like the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale and the Westin Diplomat. Click on the bold name for a link to the hotel or attraction website.

Here we go with the list:

1. Atlantic Coast Kayaks: Explore 300 miles of waterways from idyllic mangrove estuaries to the downtown Greater Fort Lauderdale skyline on guided or independent tours. 2-for-1 Offer – Purchase one guided kayak tour or half-day rental and a companion can kayak for no additional charge.-
2. Billie Swamp Safari: Explore 2,200 untamed acres of Florida Everglades via airboat and swamp buggy eco-tours. 2-for-1 Offer – For every paid adult ticket for a swamp buggy tour, a child can ride free
3. The Spa on the Broadwalk @ Hollywood Beach Marriott:- A boutique spa with a quaint charm for those searching for a peaceful state of bliss. 2-for-1 Offer – Purchase one spa treatment (including facial, manicure or pedicure) and get the second treatment of equal or lesser value free
4. Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale: Set in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale features a spectrum of artists and critically renowned exhibits such as its latest addition “With You I Want To Live.” 2-for-1 Offer- Buy one admission, receive the second free
5. South Florida Diving Headquarters: Travelers can enjoy a snorkeling trip which visits a living coral reef as well as the Copenhagen shipwreck. 2-for-1 Offer – Two-for-one admission for a snorkel or glass bottom boat trip
6. M. Cruz Rentals: Experience Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and Fort Lauderdale gliding on a Segway. 2-for-1 Offer – Buy one hour segway tour and get one hour free
7. Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale: Pack Your Bags offer – Family Reconnect Package – Starting at $289 a night, the package includes accommodations, American breakfast for two adults and two children at Cero Restaurant and a $50 daily resort credit. To book call (954) 465-2300. Valid through October 30, 2009.
8. Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Florida Getaway Package – Beginning at $199 a night, package includes deluxe accommodations, $50 daily resort credit, free parking and complimentary use of the resort’s beach chairs and umbrellas. Use promotional code FR6 for online bookings or call (800)222-6543 and ask for rate code FLDT. Valid through September 30, 2009.
9. The Pillars at New River Sound: Stay two nights and get and additional night for $99 or stay for 5 nights and get two nights free. To book call (954)467-9639. Valid through October 15, 2009
10. The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa: Save 20% off the best available rate when booking online through the hotel’s website of by calling (866) 716-8108 and mentioning SET#351186. Valid through October 30, 2009.
11. Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina: Beginning at $99 a night receive overnight accommodations, two welcome cocktails and two complimentary bathrobes. Travel can be booked through the hotel’s website or call (866) 450-9990. Valid through October 27, 2009.
12. Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa: Beginning at $149 a night receive deluxe accommodations, a $20 massage discount at Spa950 and 20% discount for four at BT’s Oceanfront. To book call (954) 312-2017. Valid through September 30, 2009.
13. Deerfield Buccaneer Resort Apartments: Stay four nights and receive the last night of your stay free. Rates start at $110 a nights. To book call (954) 421-9306. Valid through December 1, 2009.

Vandenberg Sunk Off Key West; Storied Naval Ship Is Now Giant Reef

KEY WEST – The highly anticipated placement of the world’s second-largest ex-military ship as an artificial diving and fishing reef, near Key West, is finally a reality. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission worked closely with its many project partners to successfully deploy the decommissioned military ship “Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg” at 10:24 a.m., May 27. Read more

Hunting for White Ibis in Orange Lake

ALACHUA COUNTY – One of the great pleasures of Florida birdwatching is the white ibis (Guara alba). In the evening, they tend to pick insects in lawns and fields, and in most cases are not afraid of humans, and so come in close enough so you can get a good look. Often, they are in groups; if you are lucky,  you can spy a mother and her young. Read more

Investor Wilbur Ross Bets on and Boosts Florida

CORAL GABLES - Investor Wilbur Ross is bullish on Florida.

“We think the long term outlook for Florida is good,” said Ross in an interview with Neil Cavuto on the Fox Business cable network. The interview came on the night of his purchase of Bank United in an Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-sponsored sale.

That same day, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that Florida was one of only a half-dozen states to have a drop in unemployment rates for the month.

Ross said that his optimism came out of the fact that Florida was a low tax state, with no state income tax, and would continue to attract tax refugees. While the state had problems, including a large amount of highly mortgaged property in foreclosure, Florida would gain in the near future because of these new residents.

Ross invested in BankUnited, a newly chartered federal savings bank, which acquired the banking operations, including all of the non-brokered deposits, of BankUnited, FSB of Coral Gables in a transaction facilitated by the FDIC.

BankUnited’s 86 offices make it the largest independent bank in Florida. The management team is headed by John Kanas, a veteran of the banking industry and former head of North Fork Bank.

“Florida still is undergoing huge amounts of foreclosure,” Ross said, “It’s a court directed system.” While the system is slow, the state, Ross believes, is far enough into the problem to know the extent of it.

Details of May 26 Vandenberg Sinking Set; Key West Spot Expects Onlookers

KEY WEST – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other law enforcement agencies will escort the decommissioned military ship “Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg” on its final voyage, Tuesday, May 26, weather permitting. The following day, the ship will slip beneath the surface and settle on the ocean floor in 140 feet of water 6 miles south of Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and will serve as an artificial reef. Read more

Catch I-95 Traffic Info on Trafficland.com

Florida’s traffic video is now on Trafficland.

Similar to public-private partnerships TrafficLand has across the country, the Fairfax, Virginia-based company will install its IP video equipment at FDOT Operation Centers in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando. Live video from the FDOT cameras will be available to the public on TrafficLand’s free website www.trafficland.com.

The addition of Florida cameras will extend TrafficLand’s national traffic camera network to over 67 markets throughout the U.S., including extensive coverage along one of the nation’s most heavily-traveled routes; I-95 from Connecticut to southern Florida. Additionally, critical evacuation cameras along the Florida Keys will become part of the network.

“Our DOT partners recognize the importance of reliable access to real-time traffic video through a scalable, redundant network that can handle the demand spikes typically seen during extreme weather and other emergency events,” said TrafficLand CEO Lawrence Nelson in a press release.

The TrafficLand public website uses interactive maps showing traffic camera locations, which users click to view live video streams. Users can save customized camera displays, schedule emails with live images from selected cameras, access cameras by Web-enabled mobile devices and even set up traffic camera Widgets on personalized home pages or blogs.

Memorial Day at Sandestin

DESTIN – Beach lovers can celebrate the official beginning of summer at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where families and friends come together each year to celebrate Memorial Day.

Sandestin is hosting a great line up of Memorial Day free events. Join the fun at The Village of Baytowne Wharf beginning Friday, May 23 through Memorial Day, Monday May 26.

• On Saturday and Sunday, children can cool off on the Roaring River
• Slide in the Village from 10 am to 8 p.m.
• At 6 p.m. each evening, bring the kids for crafts and sandcastle building until 9.
• On Friday, bring a blanket and come out and watch the movie “Hannah Montana” under the stars, where 3-D glasses will be provided.
• Additional events include live music on Friday and Saturday from Coconut Radio, a three piece acoustic group.
• On Saturday, listen to a Pops concert 8 p.m. in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Guild.
• On Sunday, don’t miss the annual Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks extravaganza at 9:15 p.m.
• The extended weekend concludes on Monday at 2:30 p.m. with a 30 minute program to salute veterans.

Admission to all events are free. Sandestin also offers a terrific value on overnight accommodations including a 25 percent discount on selected room types, plus other free offers like two free zipline passes or even free breakfast for two with overnight accommodations at the Bayside Inn. Call 1-866-91-BEACH or book online for additional savings at www.sandestin.com. Please mention codes 2292ET or 2292EU.

Viceroy Miami Hosts Dr. Etti Ben-Zion’s Detox Spa Event

MIAMI - Kor Hotel Management’s Viceroy Miami at Icon Brickell hosts the second Cleanse Miami seminar on Saturday, June 6. Guests will see the Viceroy’s 28,000-square-foot luxurious spa while experiencing Dr. Etti Ben-Zion’s intro to detox, including spa treatments and Yoga sessions.

In Cleanse Miami, Ben-Zion has extracted the most essential part of her seven-day program into a concentrated one-day seminar.

The Spa, centered around a 5,000 square-foot Water Lounge with a “floating library,” wading pool with waterborne sofas, three hot-and-cold plunge pools and fireplace will serve as the perfect platform for guests to experience better health, balance and happiness. All participants will receive 30 percent off spa treatments for the weekend of the event, June 5-7; overnight packages are available.

Viceroy’s Spa at IconBrickell, 485 Brickell Avenue. See www.viceroyiconbrickell.com/spa/ or https://dretti.com/events.php.

Florida Folk Festival in 57th Year; Set for Memorial Day Weekend

WHITE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs will host the 57th Annual Florida Folk Festival during Memorial Day weekend. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22 at the park, and performances will continue through Sunday, May 24.

“The Florida Folk Festival allows friends and families to kick off the summer with a celebration of Florida’s heritage and culture,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “For 56 years the festival has been a tradition for residents and visitors – highlighting Florida’s folk heritage, history and great music.”

Since 1953, folk artists have come together for one of the oldest state folk festivals in America; an early photo from the state’s Florida Memory collection is at right. The Florida Folk Festival is the state’s premier heritage event, celebrating Florida’s land, people and diverse culture with performances each day by native folk and roots artists; including national recording artists, songwriters and musicians of swing, folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and zydeco.

Among the more than 200 scheduled performances, Grammy Award winning, Nashville recording artist, Billy Dean, will perform on the main stage Saturday night. Other highlighted performances include, Spanky & Our Gang, Doyle Dykes, Ben Prestage and Florida Folk Heritage Award Winner Jeanie Fitchen.

Festival attendees can also learn about Florida’s Nature Coast, which includes eight counties along the Gulf of Mexico from Wakulla to Pasco County. Florida’s Nature Coast is the 2009 Folklife area theme – presented each year to reflect research and field documentation conducted by the Florida Department of State’s Folklife program. Attractions in the Folklife area will include worm grunters from Sopchoppy, mermaids from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, bluegrass gospel music, Mexican folkloric dance, and lasso and roping lessons and contests, as well as crafts and food.

Tickets for the Florida Folk Festival are $25 per day or $50 for the weekend at the gate. Children under six years of age are admitted free of charge. Ticket prices for children between the ages of six and 16 for the entire weekend are $5.00 at the gate.

Visitors planning a trip to the Florida Folk Festival are also encouraged to take part in DEP’s Rediscover Florida: 100 Ways in 100 Days campaign – an initiative urging Floridians and visitors to explore the exciting and affordable recreation Florida’s public lands offer – from the traditional (hiking, biking, and camping) to the unique (festivals, historic reenactments and museums).

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Caladesi Island State Park, just off the coast of Pinellas County, was honored with the coveted Best Beach in the Nation award in 2008.

The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is located in White Springs on the banks of the Suwannee River. Gates open daily at 8:00 a.m. For more information on the festival, call 1-877-635-3655 or visit www.floridafolkfestival.com. For more information on Florida’s state parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

Miami Family Exposition Set for May 30

MIAMI - The Children’s Trust 2009 Family Expo, sponsored by Target, will host its third annual, FREE, all-day festival to provide parents with direct access to educational, health and social services in a fun and festive atmosphere, at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center, 10901 Coral Way, on Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Already the largest free event of its kind in our community, with record crowds of more than 25,000 in prior years, The Children’s Trust is expanding to accommodate the growing attendance. For the first time, The Children’s Trust Family Expo will take place in both on-site exhibit halls, featuring workshops and more than 200 exhibitors showcasing information about summer and after-school programs, injury prevention, vaccinations, programs for children with special needs, Pre-K registration, KidCare and much, much more.

Each hall will have stages packed with entertainment; face painting; balloon sculpture; magicians; and character greeting for children to meet Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora, Diego and PBS Kids’ Clifford the Big Red Dog, Arthur, Alpha Pit and others. A special reading corner will feature storytelling and free books to take home. Target is providing an arts & craft area and free water at its Hydration Station. Mobile units, bounce houses and rock climbing walls will remain outside. The Children’s Trust will give away free gifts to the first 3,000 children. Admission, parking, all activities and entertainment are free. Food will be sold by vendors of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition Center.

“In these difficult economic times with so many families in need, an event like this becomes even more important to connect families to valuable services and especially in a fun and entertaining atmosphere that provides families with an opportunity to share quality time together at little or no cost to them,” said Modesto E. Abety, President and CEO of The Children’s Trust. “At a time when most corporate sponsorship is diminishing, we are fortunate to have significant support from Target to make the expansion of this event possible.”

The sponsorship grant is part of an ongoing effort by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that equals more than $3 million every week.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with The Children’s Trust as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

For more information about The Children’s Trust Family Expo, call 211 The Children’s Trust Helpline or visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.

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