Legoland Set for October 2011 Debut
April 3, 2011
WINTER HAVEN – The staff of Legoland Florida this March gave local media a look at construction on the highly anticipated park, which is situated on the grounds of historic Cypress Gardens.
At a press tour, officials showed the overall design of the 150-acre park, unveiling a conceptual map outlining the 10 themed zones. They also asserted that construction is on target for an October debut. Read more
Polynesian Tiki Fans Gather for 10th Anniversary Hukilau
March 15, 2011
FORT LAUDERDALE – Entice your senses with the alluring vibe of the Polynesian islands and the world of Tikiphiles while sipping potent potions this summer during the 10-year Anniversary of The Hukilau! The East coast’s largest Tiki and Polynesian Pop gathering will also be honoring the 55-year Anniversary of the historic Mai-Kai Restaurant, one of the remaining Polynesian Tiki treasures in North America. Read more
Meet Mimo: The Miami Modern Conference March 11
February 23, 2011
Bacardi Headquarters in Miami
MIAMI – Join local civic leaders and renowned historians for a conference on Miami Modern architecture, set for March 11-12, 2011.
This international conference on Miami’s Mid-Century Modern architecture and design, called Meet Mimo, will feature national and local experts on Mid-Century Modern architecture.
Mimo came after World War II, and translated the style of International Modernism into innovative designs with tropical exoticism, glamour and fun. Read more
Visit the Panhandle’s Freeport, Home of Zeus and Roxanne
February 10, 2011
FREEPORT – Ever since Flipper, families have associated friendly dolphins with Florida.
One sometimes forgotten family movie about dolphins is Zeus and Roxanne, which is a 1997 HBO film filmed in Florida. Starting Steve Guttenberg and Kathleen Quinlan (she being best known as the steadfast wife Marilyn Lovell in Apollo 13), it has all sorts of good values, and a mean villain too.
Great animal training, and partially filmed in the Panhandle town of Freeport, a small town in Walton County near Miramar Beach, Valpariso, Destin and Niceville.
New World Centre Opens for New World Symphony
February 1, 2011
MIAMI – A Frank Gehry designed concert hall opened this month for the New World Symphony.
The symphony was founded in 1987 by Michael Tilson Thomas as an academy to train young musicians. The new concert hall has a wide selection of performances; most notably its location will allow display of video of performances in the nearby park. They call them “Wall Casts.” Read more
Quiet Luxury at Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
January 30, 2011
SARASOTA – The flagship luxury hotel here is the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which is downtown on Sarasota Bay. The hotel, opened in 2001, has a golf club and beach club, the latter on nearby Longboat Key.
The restaurant Vernona is the hotel’s gourmet eatery; a deluxe deal is their poolside restaurant Bayview Burger Bar. Parking for diners is easy, and out front. Read more
Sarasota’s Classic Bay Haven Elementary
January 25, 2011
SARASOTA- Florida’s school choice programs mean there are dozens of options for parents.
In this Gulf Coast city, Bay Haven was one of the two original elementary schools. Opened in 1926, it was designed by M. Leo Elliott in the Mediterranean Revival style. Its twin is Sarasota’s Southside Elementary, which is a public school of high esteem.
The school is now Bay Haven School of Basics Plus.
Miami Harbor Pilots Celebrate a Century
January 18, 2011
MIAMI – The Biscayne Bay Pilots Association, the association of harbor pilots serving the Port of Miami’s maritime traffic needs and a member association of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, said in a press release that 2011 marks 100 years of collaboration with the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County in the growth of the local maritime industry. Read more
In Search of Classic Florida Motels
January 10, 2011
The classic idea for a perfect Florida vacation is a classic old motel. But they are hard to find.
These rapidly disappearing lodging spots have fallen victim to changes in fashion and the Interstate highway system. Read more
Tour Billy Graham Sites In Florida
November 20, 2010
Florida is a major part of the development of the American evangelist Billy Graham; the state is now also the home to his grandson’s church, Coral Ridge.
Graham grew up near Charlotte, North Carolina, but truly became an evangelist in Florida. Graham came to Florida because of an ad for Florida Bible Institute in Moody Monthly.
Graham immediately acquired a taste for Florida’s palm trees and warm climate. And while in school here, he preached at dozens of churches, all the while attending Florida Bible Institute. Read more
