Ring in the holidays with art & music in Big Pine Key

November 23, 2008
More Florida Holiday Celebrations
Christmas at Disney World
Universal Studios Holiday Celebration
Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld
Gaylord Palms’ ICE
Florida Christmas Boat Parades

Big Pine Key, Florida Keys – Sleigh rides and snowball fights aren’t on the menu of holiday amusements in the balmy Lower Florida Keys, but the spirit of the season nonetheless flourishes in subtropical temperatures.

Visitors and Keys residents are invited to ring in the holiday season and celebrate the creative arts at the Big Pine Island Art Festival, themed “Art & Music in a Natural Key.” The event is to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mile marker 31 oceanside in Big Pine.

Scheduled highlights include live music, exhibits and booths featuring the original work of artists and craftsmen.

The festival is designed to be fun for the entire family, as well as a place to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and artwork, all while enjoying the tranquil natural atmosphere of the Lower Keys. In addition, items are to be raffled throughout the day, providing even more opportunities for attendees to obtain examples of Keys artistry.

Live music is to be provided by favorite local entertainers including Terry Cassidy, a longtime Keys resident and acclaimed singer, guitarist and banjo picker.

Young attendees can sample treats and explore their own creativity with holiday craft activities at the festival’s kids’ corner.

While art and music satisfy the spirit, food and beverages are to be available from on-site vendors to satisfy the taste buds.
Admission and parking are free.

For more information about the Big Pine Island Art Festival, visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com or contact the chamber office at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722.

For accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the chamber or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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Daytona Beach During the Winter 2008 Season in Florida

December 1, 2007

Daytona Beach is the place to this winter with Spring Break, Bike Week, Races and more. With so much to see and do you’ll want to come back again this summer.

Daytona Beach is a favorite during the winter for tourist to Florida and for good reason. Daytona visitors are driving on the beach looking at the ocean, sea birds and bikinis while many of their friends are driving in snow. With over 23 miles of beaches to enjoy, wintertime activities are exciting and numerous.

Bike Week
Harley Davidson and other motorcycle fans are looking forward to Bike Week, this event continues to gain in popularity every year. Wet T-shirt contest at Main Street in Daytona are big draws for many of the leather clad bikers. Outside Daytona at the Cabbage Patch, the main event is the Cole Slaw Wrestling, it’s a fairly wild exhibition.

This year a new venue, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona is the place to be with over 150 acres of space. There is plenty of parking for bikes and cars, trams transported visitors from remote parking areas. Bike Week in Daytona Beach will be February 29 to March 9, 2008.

Races at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway is a race fan favorite. NASCAR fans will have plenty to enjoy with two races. The Daytona 500 is February 17 and the Daytona 200 is March 8. Also popular is the Rolex 24 Hour Race on January 26 and 27 and the Spring Car Show & Swap on March 28 to 30.

Spring Break in Daytona Beach 2008
Daytona Beach is a traditional Spring Break favorite. While Panama City has taken some of the party away, there are still lots of parties taking place in Daytona this year. Spring Break this year is March 9 to 31, 2008.

Nearby Orlando

Daytona Beach is only an hour from Orlando via I-4. Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World are among the most popular Orlando Attractions. There are plenty other smaller theme parks in Central Florida like Gatorland Zoo, Wet n’ Wild, Dixie Stampede and more to keep family entertained.

Ponce Inlet
Nearby Ponce Inlet is a half hour south of Daytona and is the perfect place to get away from the crowds. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is an excellent way to get a birds-eye view of the surrounding area. Ponce Inlet is also a favorite of fishermen with the inlet offering great fishing as well as charter and head boats.

Daytona Beach Pier
The Daytona Beach Pier is a great place to spend the day. The pier is over 1000 feet long with sky lift the entire length that offers one of the best views of Daytona Beach. There is an excellent restaurant on the pier and a bar that serves tropical drinks. Fishing in winter is good with catches of bluefish, Spanish mackerel, redfish, sheepshead and black drum. There is a small tackle shop offering bait and tackle sales and fishing rod rentals.

A Favorite Vacation Destination
The relatively warm weather Florida is famous for and plenty of activities make Daytona Beach a winter time vacation hotspot for families, groups, couples and singles. In fact, there are so many things to do in Daytona Beach that you’ll want to come back again in the summer.

Kirby Collins is a Florida Web Designer and maintains a web site about Places to go in Florida.

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TWO KEY WEST RESORTS EARN GREEN LODGING CERTIFICATION

August 17, 2007

KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The Banyan Resort and the Gardens Hotel Thursday became the Florida Keys’ first certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize and reward environmentally conscious lodging facilities in the state.

The two Old Town Key West properties were awarded “one-palm” certification for their environmental commitment in ceremonies attended by State Representative Ron Saunders, Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Stacey Mitchell, director of sales for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Laura Comer and Gus Rios of the DEP.

“These businesses are stepping up to recognize how important our environment is to the Florida Keys, and how important it is to protect what we have,” said Saunders.

The Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Properties are evaluated in categories including water and energy conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality and communication of green practices to guests. They must also have goals for continued improvements that can earn them “two-palm” and “three-palm” certification.

At the ceremonies, McPherson, who is also a TDC board member, encouraged implementing green initiatives to safeguard Key West’s environment for future generations.

“I’m excited about businesses taking part in these initiatives,” he said.

Environmentally friendly aspects of the Banyan Resort, a 38-suite property at 323 Whitehead St., include a towel and linen reuse program, a recycling program, energy conservation through solar roof panels for pool heating and high-efficiency compact fluorescent lighting, and purchasing products with recycled content such as plastic lumber used for courtyard decking.

The Gardens Hotel, an 18-room property at 526 Angela St., has implemented an environmental policy to communicate green living to guests as well as elements including low-flow faucets to conserve water and energy, a linen and towel reuse program, an automatic door closer and energy-efficient garden pump, a recycling program and purchasing products with recycled content and reduced packaging. In addition, four electric cars were purchased for staff errands around Key West.

“In working with the Green Lodging program and getting more lodging properties certified, we are encouraging sustainable and responsible environmental practices throughout the tourism industry,” said Mitchell. “We’re not doing this for ourselves – we’re doing this so future generations will benefit from practices we put in place today.”

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