Route 301 Route Through Florida; Watch Out for Speed Traps
May 29, 2011
When traveling from the Northeast and Atlantic states to the West Coast of Florida, Route 301 is the fastest route, avoiding the frequent backups on Interstate 4. It’s a route with some charms, and speed traps. The speeds run from 65 mph to 45 mph; each town along the way decides, and has a fellow standing by waiting. Read more
Remembering Florida’s New England Oyster House Chain
May 27, 2011
Once a popular Florida chain. The New England Oyster House apparently still isn’t around, but in the 1960s and 1970s, they had locations all over South Florida.
Florida Folk Festival Memorial Day Weekend 2011
May 25, 2011
WHITE SPRINGS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service will host the 59th Annual Florida Folk Festival at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 27, 2011 through Sunday, May 29, 2011. The Florida Folk Festival is the state’s premier heritage event, celebrating Florida’s land, people and diverse culture. Festivities will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m. on the banks of the Suwannee River featuring a performance by Grammy Award-winning country artist Billy Dean. Read more
Delightful Dry Dock on Sarasota Bay
May 25, 2011
LONGBOAT KEY – This Sarasota-area barrier isle has a reputation for being an expensive place to stay and eat. But in reality (and outside of the Longboat Key Club) the restaurants are quite reasonable for beachside eateries.
The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is located on the east side of Longboat Key, just behind and adjacent to a vertical marina “boatel.” It’s sort of tucked in to the back; it makes you feel like you are going someplace special as you have to pull your car into a funny, long, narrow parking lot. It’s one of those comfy waterfront places, casual but not too casual, with taxidermy and a wooden canoe for the decor. Sophisticated but family oriented, it serves lunch and dinner.
The large upstairs has a view of Sarasota Bay, and the first floor has a terrace that is right overlooking the dock and boat lift. On busy high-season nights, its a good place to go with kids as you can wait and walk around the pier while your table is called, or you can hang out upstairs in the bar.
412 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34226. www.drydockwaterfrontgrill.com
MangoMania in Pine Island Set for July 30, 31
May 22, 2011
CAPE CORAL – The mango is the star attraction for two days each summer on Pine Island. Go wild for fruit as
you sample locally-grown delicacies at this annual affair, an unusual celebration of all the tropical fruit grown on the island, which also includes lychee, carambola, longan, papaya, and “chocolate pudding fruit.”
Fruit, exotic fruit trees, and fruit-related products are available for purchase. The festival also offers live music, kids’ activities and rides. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission: $6 for adults; free for ages 9 and younger. July 30-31, 2011 at the German-American Social Club, 2101 Pine Island Road. Call 239-283-4842 or see www.mangomaniafl.com
Siesta Key Beach on a May Weekend; Number 1 Beach
May 21, 2011
SARASOTA – The week before Memorial Day weekend is a perfect one to visit Crescent Beach on Siesta Key. The parking is free and spaces are usually available even on Saturday. Read more
Discovery Cruise One Child Goes Free; Line To Suspend Service
May 18, 2011
MIAMI – This summer, Discovery Cruise Line is offering its cruises free to one child under 12 per family. Said Hanns J. Hahn, Vice President and General Manager of Discovery, “We know that economic conditions have provided challenges for families wanting to vacation together, so we want to make it easier by offering free cruises to at least one child under 12 in a family.”
Key Key Lime Eateries on the Keys, Miami
May 14, 2011
The Wall Street Journal recently found a few top locations for key lime pie in South Florida and the Florida Keys. There are many more, but these are some favorites:They are:
- Joe’s Stone Crab, Miami. Still a classic restaurant, ever since it was in Goldfinger. Read more
Fort Lauderdale Mall Adds Prada, Coach and Bloomingdale’s Stores
May 11, 2011
FORT LAUDERDALE – Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet, value retail and entertainment destination in the United States with over 350 stores, continues to add more to its retail mix with the recent openings of world-renowned Prada, Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, G by Guess and the first Coach Mens Factory in Florida.
Both the 25,000 square-foot Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store and the outlet concept from Prada are located in The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills, which recently completed an expansion project, adding other luxury retailers such as Canali, Giorgio Armani General Store, TAG Heuer, Tommy Bahama’s Outlet, True Religion Brand Jeans and Tumi. Read more
Remembering Murray Franklin’s of Miami Beach
May 7, 2011
MIAMI BEACH – Murray Franklin’s was once one of the more interesting nightclub in Miami in the 1950s, and was the hangout place of many notables. Franklin was comedian, but his nightclub became a place were all sorts of talent was discovered. It was where Don Rickles was discovered by Frank Sinatra and where the housewife/standards singer Roberta Sherwood was discovered by the likes of Walter Winchell and Red Buttons.
Rickles, in his biography, called Franklin the “Ed Sullivan” of Miami Beach. In the era of Wolfies and Club Pigalle, Franklin’s was a small place on 23rd Street.
A brief discussion from an old guidebook:
MURRAY FRANKLIN’S, 23rd at the Ocean, Miami Beach (JE 8-7201). Wacky wonderland of Miami Beach. Franklin himself is a very funny guy and runs a little madhouse here, with unpredictable and impromptu entertainment. This is where Roberta Sherwood was re-discovered last year. Don’t take your maiden aunt. Open from 9 pm to 6 am but the joint doesn’t start jumping until 2 am.
Does anyone have any memories of this place? Love for them to leave the comments below.
