Red Snapper Season Begins June 1

TALLAHASSEE - The recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida reopens on June 1.  The harvest season is scheduled to remain open until July 24 this year. Read more

Links to News About the BP Accident

Below are some links relating to the oil spill.

So far, the oil has not hit Florida beaches.

• The live webcam link of the spill, brought to you by BP. You can actually see how much oil is spilling out.
• BP’s corporate site.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Steinhatchee Welcomes Scallop Season July 1

STEINHATCHEE - Equal parts snorkeling, hunting for hidden treasure and saltwater fishing, scalloping is a can’t-miss summer event in Florida’s Big Bend.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill has left the Steinhatchee area unaffected thus far and Steinhatchee Landing Resort, a family-style, riverfront vacation retreat, welcomes scallop seekers for a busy 2010 scallop season, July 1 through September 10. Read more

80th Year for Sarasota Tarpon Tournament

SARASOTA – This year is the 80th anniversary of the All-Release Tarpon Tournament.

The tournament was found in 1930 by the Palmer family of Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel. While the Sterling silver four foot high trophy resides at the Sarasota History Center, the competition is still very much on each year.

The event runs for five weeks, this year from May 22 to June 27. Find out more at www.sarasotatarpontournament.info

Weeki Wachee Mermaids Go To London

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park’s famous mermaids made history this past week when they performed at the Sea Life London Aquarium in England. The trip marks the first time the mermaids have traveled internationally to perform; they are also, perhaps the first time theme park characters have been mascots for a state environmental agency.

“The Mermaid show has been a part of Florida’s history since 1947 and the Florida Park Service is pleased to present the magic of the mermaids internationally,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “One of Florida’s original roadside attractions, the mermaid show is a unique tradition that you cannot find anywhere else.”

Mermaids Marcy Terry, Stayce McDonnell and Shannon Tooker ‘swam’ all the way to London last week, representing Weeki Wachee Springs State Park with two days of performances for their international fans. The mermaids performed three times a day in front of standing room only crowds to the familiar tunes from Weeki Wachee Springs. The mermaids made some new underwater friends swimming with string rays, sharks and a variety of fish at the Sea Life London Aquarium and spent time out of the water signing autographs.

The mermaids plan to leave the Florida waters again to perform in other aquariums throughout 2010, including Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Located in Hernando County, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ‘The Only City of Live Mermaids,’ is an important cultural resource and became the newest Florida State Park in 2008. One of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs is found in the park, providing a valuable natural resource for preservation and protection. The park is home to the only underwater observatory built directly into a natural spring. The mermaids can be seen performing three times daily at the park, open 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, the Florida State Park system has grown from eight to 160 parks in the last 75 years. Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service.

For more information about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, visit www.floridastateparks.org/weekiwachee

Jazz, Classical Greats at Coral Gables Congregational

MIAMI — This summer, June 3 through August 12, the Coral Gables Congregational Church Community Arts Program stages its 25th Anniversary Season Summer Concert Series. Concert goers throughout Florida and the world will again gather within the Church’s rare and intimate Spanish-revival edifice listed in the National Register of Historic Places and enjoy some of the music industry’s most revered classical and jazz artists for ticket prices that start at only $25.

• June 3 – PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND is hailed as “stunning, joyous and alive.” Direct from the Crescent city and the historic birthplace of the band nearly a half a century ago.
• June 17 – MARK KOSOWER, newly-appointed Cleveland Orchestra principal cello, is one of the outstanding cellists of his generation.
• July 1 – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY, singer and songwriter, is known as an insatiable creative spirit and as a champion of the Great American Songbook.
• July 15 – AWADAGIN PRATT, classical pianist, is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely-involving performances in recital and with symphony orchestras.
• July 29 – July 29 – NICHOLAS PAYTON, jazz trumpeter, made his recording debut in 1994 as a leader with From this Moment and ever since has been lauded as a significant, top-tier voice in jazz.
• August 12 – RAMSEY LEWIS, jazz pianist, is a captivating and multiple

Sarasota’s Hob Nob, Classic Florida Drive-In

SARASOTA – Just north of downtown Sarasota on Route 301 is the Hob Nob, an outdoor burger drive-in that opened in 1957. It’s a local landmark. Read more

Fans Fight to Save Fillmore Jackie Gleason

MIAMI BEACH – A plan to revamp the Miami Beach Convention center includes demolishing The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater.

Miami Beach needs this historic theater to keep quality live acts coming to Miami. For those who visit Miami and love it, it is a treasure. Unfortunately, some interests in Miami Beach wish to tear it down.

You can follow and support the effort by visiting the Facebook page, Save the Fillmore at Jackie Gleason.

Florida Trust Issues Eleven Most Endangered List

FORT MYERS - The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation released May 13 released the 2010 Florida’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites list at the Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in Lee County, Florida. The Most Endangered Historic Sites program is designed to increase the public’s awareness of the urgent need to save Florida’s neglected or threatened historic resources.

The historic sites included in the 2010 list include:

1. Bonnet House, Ft. Lauderdale, threatened by increased development continuously threatens the view corridors
2. Royal Poinciana Playhouse and Plaza, Town of Palm Beach, threatened by potential removal of historic landmark status and proposed development
3. Central Christian Church, Orlando, threatened by demolition due to neglect
4. Hialeah Park Race Course, Hialeah, threatened by partial demolition and new development
5. Coconut Grove Playhouse, Coconut Grove, due to development pressure
6. Sanford Grammar School, Sanford, because of redevelopment pressure
7. Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West, threatened due to severe deterioration
8. Boynton High School/Mangrove Park School, Boynton Beach, threatened because of deterioration and increasing development pressure
9. Miami Marine Stadium, Biscayne Bay; redevelopment pressure
10. Milton Historic District, Milton, threatened by potential adverse effects from a proposed road widening project
11. Bob White Citrus Packing House & Strawn Sawmill National Register Historic Districts, DeLeon Springs, threatened by vacancy, lack of financial support, and demolition pressure.

Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation promotes the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and stewardship of historic properties.

The Trust’s Passport membership program offers free or reduced admissions and other special benefits at over 80 historic sites, museums and parks across the state of Florida.

For additional information, please contact the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation at (850) 224-8128 or visit www.floridatrust.org.

Florida Wins Republican Convention

TAMPA – It’s official. Florida will be the site of the Republican National Convention.

Here is the official release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Republican National Committee today announced that its Site Selection Committee has voted to recommend Tampa-St. Petersburg to host the 2012 Republican National Convention, pending the successful negotiation of the site city agreement. The full RNC will vote on the recommendation at its Summer Meeting in August, 2010. The convention will be held the week of August 27, 2012.

“We are honored and privileged to accept the bid from Tampa, Florida to host the Republican National Convention in 2012. The host committee’s hard work and dedication resulted in a tremendous bid that we are confident will produce a successful event. The Tampa area boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention. We look forward to joining our compatriots in the Sunshine State for our convention in 2012,” said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

“We are very excited to accept Tampa’s bid for the 2012 Republican National Convention. Tampa has put a great deal of effort into showcasing their city and what they have to offer. We are looking forward to a successful convention in Florida,” said Site Selection Committee Chair Holly Hughes.

The Site Selection Committee reviewed bids from three cities: Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg and visited each city in March and April.

The committee’s decision was based on an independent and objective scorecard that was reviewed thoroughly by committee members. The committee looked at a several factors including the number and proximity of hotels, capacity of the arena to hold the convention, transportation, security, media work space, convention office space, and the ability to finance the operation.

The Site Selection Committee is made up of thirteen RNC members. Two voting members and one alternate member are elected from each of the four regions and Michigan Committeewoman Holly Hughes chairs the committee.

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