Saturday Night Funk on Tampa’s WMNF with DJ CenFlo

TAMPA – While in the Tampa Bay region on Saturday nights, do listen in on WMNF to the Saturday Night House Party.

It’s great 1980s funk, with a smither of 70s and quite a broad reach. Those who were at University of Virginia in the 1980s will be reminded of The Party Authority on WUVA (or was it TJU?)

But back to the Tampa show. It is hosted by DJ CenFlo, and its described as a “funkafied trip back to the music of yesterday.” On their website, they listed some recent artists. (Just FYI, DJ CenFlo does Sugar Hill Gang.)

We particularly like the D-Train.

You can listen online as well, and send out shoutouts while the show is live. Or put some cash into their tip jar. It’s public radio, after all.

See WMNF.

Prosecco Cafe at PGA Commons

PALM BEACH GARDENS - PGA Commons will welcome Prosecco Café, opening fall of this year.

The restaurant will be a relaxed European bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and featuring great sandwiches, wines, savory desserts, cappuccino and more.  Owner Avi Sekerel has been delightingBoca Raton with Saquella Café and now looks forward to serving Palm Beach Gardens. Avi received his education at the prestigious HotelConsult Cèsar Ritz in Switzerland, went on to open numerous restaurants, write a cook book on guiltless gourmet, and even hosted his own cooking show in Israel from 2003-2005.

Avi takes pride in his restaurants being a no-fry-zone offering fresh delicious meals at an approachable price point. Diners will enjoy gelato made fresh in front of them, artful salads, and at least three fish dishes in addition to a full diverse menu offered each day. A treat that is sure to become a favorite is “afugatto” the one calorie Italian favorite of espresso whipped with fresh made fat free gelato.

Also at the center:

• Top Drawer is expanding from 1300 to 1600 square feet.  Owner Joyce Weiss opened the unique shop in 2007 featuring “fashions for the sophisticated woman” and in the last few years has found success through excellent customer service and featuring all European hand selected fashions that you simply cannot find anywhere else.  In the boutique you will find designers such as: Le Painty, Zanella, Newman, Dismero, VotreNom, Missoni, Gran Sasso, Gossip, Vera Wang, GF Ferre and of course Elegantissimo, just to name a few. They also offer custom professional tailoring.  Grand opening at the new location is scheduled for mid summer.
• Furry Paws opening later this week, will feature pet beds, leashes, food, treats and more in PGA Commons East.   Well behaved pets are always welcome to shop with their parents to help pick out a treat!  Owner Melissa Ayers looks forward to meeting you and the furry paws!
• Coldwell Banker Real Estate is opening a branch in PGA Commons East late summer.  The brand was founded in 1906 on a commitment to professionalism and customer service that remains the core of their business philosophy today. They are the nation’s oldest real estate organization and their experience has helped make the dream of homeownership a reality for millions of families.

PGA Commons offers three distinct centers spanning one mile along PGA Boulevard between I95 and the Florida Turnpike.

See www.PGACommons.com.

State Encourages Boaters to Slow Down Around Oil Booms

TALLAHASSEE – Because of the large number of oil containment booms and cleanup equipment being deployed around the state in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boating and Waterways Section is asking boaters to slow down where oil cleanup is under way.

The FWC encourages all boaters to operate at slow speed within 300 feet of all authorized booms.  Boaters operating near any oil-containment booms or cleanup equipment should exercise extreme caution and comply with all applicable navigational rules.  Oil-skimming equipment is large and cumbersome, and it is restricted in its ability to maneuver.  As a result, boaters should be prepared to stay clear of these vessels when operating near them.

Failure to operate at slow speed in these areas could result in injury, damage to vessels and damage to the containment booms.  Additionally, the wake that results from a vessel operating above slow speed in areas where a boom has been deployed can reduce the effectiveness of the boom, resulting in further environmental damage.

FWC officers and local marine units will be on the water encouraging boaters to operate at slow speed in those areas where cleanup efforts are under way.

For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Boating.

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.

Anglers may take two red snapper daily from Gulf waters during the open season; however, the captain and crew of for-hire vessels in the Gulf may not keep the recreational bag limit.  The minimum-size limit for recreational red snapper in the Gulf is 16 inches total length.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is increasing its efforts to collect and analyze information on the number of red snapper caught in the Gulf during the open season.  By surveying fishing activity on a weekly basis, fisheries managers will have the information they need to possibly adjust or extend the Gulf red snapper sport fishing season, if it is warranted.

For more information about red snapper management and regulations, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing.

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

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

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 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.

December 2010 Allure of Seas Sets Sail

MIAMI – This December, Royal Caribbean International will once again make waves on the cruise vacation scene with the debut of the world’s next largest and most innovative cruise ship, Allure of the Seas. As did sister-ship Oasis of the Seas, the arrival of Allure of the Seas will bring an unprecedented array of brand new features and onboard amenities, including one of Broadway’s longest-running and most recognizable theatric productions, Chicago: The Musical, which will headline in the ship’s main theater. Reprising the lauded at-sea debut of Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas’ Amber Theater will join an illustrious list of venues, such as the Ambassador Theater in New York City and the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End, that have raised the curtain on the award-winning musical.

“Allure of the Seas will feature an unbelievable lineup of new entertainment options that will dazzle and delight guests of all ages,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Chicago: The Musical will become the second Tony Award-winning musical that Royal Caribbean debuts at sea and tops the list of award-winning caliber entertainment created by our own Royal Caribbean Productions team.”

Chicago fans will find that Allure of the Seas’ version of the popular production includes the same infamous cast of characters and one show-stopping-song after another, weaving together a universal tale of fame, fortune and ‘all that jazz.’ Slightly condensed to fit an approximate run time of 90 minutes, the musical will be brought to life on Allure of the Seas’ Broadway-style proscenium stage in the ship’s state-of-the-art, 1,380-seat Amber Theater.

“We’re very excited at the opportunity to partner with Royal Caribbean, and we look forward to entertaining even more guests each week with the story of Chicago,” said Barry Weissler, Producer of Chicago: The Musical on Broadway.

Auditions for the Royal Caribbean’s production of Chicago, as well as the other shows on Allure of the Seas will begin June 3. Open casting calls will be held June 3 – 5 in Chicago, June 8 – 11 in London, and June 14 – 17 in New York. More details and a full schedule can be found at www.RoyalCaribbeanProductions.com.

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Travel professionals should go www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

See http://www.allureoftheseas.com/

American Idol Celebrates First Year at Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA – In addition to recently celebrating its first year of operation in February 2010, “The American Idol Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Resort can now celebrate the success of one of its top vote-getters – Aaron Kelly. The 17-year-old crooner from Sonestown, Penn., who began his “American Idol” journey at the Disney Parks attraction, advanced to the Top Five in the finals during season nine of the “American Idol” television show.

“The American Idol Experience,” which officially opened Feb. 14, 2009 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is the first and only theme park attraction in the world based on the smash-hit “American Idol” show. The attraction provides guests the thrill and pageantry of the television show, as excited theme park guests age 14 and older audition before Disney producers and directors to see if they have what it takes to perform on stage that day. If their auditions are successful, guests at the attraction are ushered through performance coaching sessions, cosmetology and stage rehearsals to prepare for their big moment on the theme park stage. Then, the lights go down and guests perform a hit tune in the theme park’s 1000+-seat theatre.

While on-stage, judges provide critique and audience members at each preliminary show determine who will advance to the attraction’s grand finale show that night. At the grand finale, the top-vote getter is awarded a “Dream Ticket,” a ticket that allows an eligible guest to schedule a front of the line audition at one of the regional auditions for the “American Idol” television show.

“The American Idol Experience” attraction was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and 19 TV Ltd. It is based on the hit television show “American Idol” – produced by 19 TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) – and is designed to immerse Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests in the authentic feel of a live television production.

It was at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that Aaron Kelly’s road to “American Idol” stardom began.

Only four days after the grand opening of “The American Idol Experience” at the theme park in February 2009, Kelly put his talents on display for park guests and the attraction’s judges.

Once he passed the audition stages and received the most votes at his preliminary show earlier in the day, Kelly’s rendition of the Lonestar hit song “Amazed” earned him the most votes in the attraction’s Grand Finale show. As that show’s top vote-getter, Kelly was then awarded “The American Idol Experience” “Dream Ticket,” which allowed him a front-of-line spot at a regional audition for the ninth season of the “American Idol” television show.

When the regional auditions for the popular television show were announced, Kelly utilized his “Dream Ticket” and scheduled his audition in Orlando, Fla., which started him on his “American Idol” road to stardom.

Guests 14 or older inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios may audition to sing onstage that day at the attraction, subject to requirements in FAQs at Disneyworld.com/idol. Only a few singers will be chosen to sing onstage for each show. FAQs subject to change.

See http://www.disneyworld.com/idol

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