Governor Charlie Crist has proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month in Florida. To celebrate, they are offering a calendar with 31 fun outdoor activities. From scalloping and birding to an ol’ fashioned picnic at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove, there are lots of activities to keep you and your family and friends busy.

Take special note of the FREE day at Florida state parks. Saturday, July 17 will be free entry to all state parks, except the Skyway Fishing Pier. Canoe rentals, camping and other activities will be normal price.

Swim at the beach, snorkel in a crystal-clear freshwater spring, tube a lazy river, splash in the pool at Hillsborough River or slide into Weeki Wachee Springs at Buccaneer Bay. Hike. Bike. Sit under a shade tree. All are fun, cool and perfect for a hot summer’s day. Just go outside.

Southwest Airlines has honored the State of Florida with the unveiling of Florida One, a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist’s rendering of the state flag. Southwest Airlines’ top Leadership celebrated the high-flying tribute to the State of Florida.

“We are thrilled to honor Florida with this beautiful aircraft; it is truly a demonstration of our dedication to Florida and a tribute to our more than 2,500 hard-working Florida Employees,” said Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly. “Our pride for Florida will fly high over the 68 cities Southwest serves.”

Since beginning service to Florida in January of 1996, Southwest Airlines has grown from 17 daily nonstop departures to 284 daily nonstop departures. Southwest now carries 20 percent of all air traffic to the state of Florida. Southwest Airlines began service to the new Panama City Airport and its seventh Florida city, Panama City Beach, on May 23, 2010.

More than 200 Southwest Airlines Employees and community leaders celebrated the unveiling today at Tampa Airport. Following the unveiling event in Tampa, the aircraft began a tour of the airline’s Florida cities. At each stop, the airline will host a celebratory event in the Southwest gate area to display the aircraft to Employees and Customers.

“Florida is proud to have such a strong Southwest Airlines presence in Florida,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Not only is Southwest employing thousands of talented Floridians, but is also making Florida more easily accessible and affordable for visitors. I am grateful for their continued commitment to Florida.”

Florida One joins thirteen other 737s in Southwest’s fleet that carry a unique paint scheme: Arizona One, California One, Illinois One, Lone Star One, Nevada One, New Mexico One, Maryland One, three Shamu aircraft, Silver One, Triple Crown One, and Slam Dunk One.

The newest aircraft in the Southwest Airlines fleet is truly a work of labor and art, requiring 32 people at the Boeing Company working three shifts over the course of eight days to paint. More than 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors make up Florida One.

Southwest Airlines serves six airports in Florida, soon to be seven, and the airline is the largest intra-state carrier in Florida, carrying 46 percent of all intra-Florida airline traffic.

Florida Keys – The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council has added a component to its www.fla-keys.com website to provide travelers up-to-date information regarding the TransOcean/BP Oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

The site features official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oil slick trajectory maps as well as questions and answers regarding the oil leaks and their proximity to the Florida Keys. Additional resources can be found at the Florida Beaches affected by oil spill page. The 72-hour forecast maps are updated on a daily basis plot and project approximate positions of the oil slick. The latest forecast shows little movement from northern Gulf waters. The state of Florida has also set up a site at www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon.

“Our visitor centers and hotels have been receiving phone calls from vacationers concerned about traveling to the Keys,” said Harold Wheeler, director of the Keys tourism council. “We understand their apprehension and wanted to provide a trusted information resource based on information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other official sources.”

Florida business may be adversely affected by the oil spill and wondering, will BP be held liable for damage claims? Whatever your situation, Floridians should be wary of the oil spill.

Orlando, FL – World-renowned frozen drink fun spot, Fat Tuesday, debuts at Universal CityWalk, offering guests a party atmosphere along with some of the coolest concoctions east of the Mississippi. Channeling the high-energy, eclectic spirit of Bourbon Street, where the original concept began more than twenty years ago, this popular venue offers a wide variety of colorful frozen daiquiri drinks.

Situated on the upper level between Pat O’Brien’s and the groove, Fat Tuesday guests can enjoy unique concoctions and combinations like the venue’s signature cocktail, the “190 Octane,” known for its orange punch, and “Peachy Senorita,” made with peach nectars and purees, as well as frozen favorites, such as creamy pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris.

“Fat Tuesday’s brings the exciting, dynamic sprit of New Orleans straight to Universal Citywalk,” said Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations and Orlando Attractions. “It adds an entirely new level of fun for our nighttime entertainment guests.”

Fat Tuesday joins a powerful lineup of national brand offerings at CityWalk, including Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café. This new addition began in 1984 and is a sister concept of New Orleans Original Daiquiris. Fat Tuesday’s popularity has led to more than 20 locations in nine states with stores in cities, including Key West, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Miami. Universal CityWalk’s location is the only one in Orlando.

Islamorada, Florida Keys – Kiteboarders from around the United States are set to kick it into high gear as they skim and slide during the Islamorada Invitational ’10 set for March 25-29 at Whale Harbor Marina, mile marker 83.5 in Islamorada.

Dubbed the “II ’10″ (“Two Ten”) and hosted by Islamorada’s Seven Sports, a part of Islamorada Watersports Co., the four-day festival attracts pro, amateur and everyday thrill-seekers of all ages who want to participate simply for the love of the sport and the rush of competition.

Newbies to kiteboarding as well as festival spectators have discovered that kiteboarding and paddle boarding are truly unique, family-friendly ways to experience the waters surrounding the Florida Keys.

Brad Lange of Seven Sports said the II ’10 is open to all competitors and spectators are encouraged to attend. The higher the winds, the greater the kite activities.

“If it’s blowing ‘east 20 [mph],’ that’s when it’s all going to be jamming –we’ll have more kites in the air, races and events happening. So, the windier, the better,” Lange said.

Kiteboarding events include a boarder cross, kite race, freestyle competition, park competition, big air and kite loop competition and an ongoing Overall Impression best-photo contest for interested photographers.

First-timers and those wanting to hone their kite skills can take advantage of kiteboarding lessons offered during the action-filled event.

New to the II ’10 is paddle boarding, or paddle surfing, a sport best suited to light- or no-wind situations. Short track, team relay and circumnavigation races around Matecumbe Key are planned for II ’10 participants.

Paddling demonstrations, fun paddles and group paddling excursions are to be offered for event spectators who want to learn the eco- and fitness-friendly sport.

Riders’ meetings are scheduled daily, usually at 9 a.m., with all ‘boarding action to start by 10 a.m., weather permitting.

Food, beverages, music and entertainment are planned during day and evening hours.

Cost for four days of event access is expected to be $50 per participant, and includes a rider’s jersey shirt, watersports and beach activities such as a sunset pig roast and other parties.

Admission to watch kite and paddling competitions is free. Tickets to the beachside pig roast are $10 per person.

For more information, visit the Seven Sports Web site at www.sevensports.com or call 305-853-KITE (5483).

To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or 800-322-5397, or visit the Web site of the Florida Keys & Key West at www.fla-keys.com.

When I was 16, it was June and we had just moved to Florida. I was so excited I could picture that golden tan I was going to get. I remember distinctly my father’s words as we headed off to the beach with our towels and radio in search of the perfect tan. “Be careful this Florida sun is stronger than you’re used to, you need to have something on with at least an SPF Sunscreen of 15 at all times, 30 is better but I’ll be realistic, and reapply it often.” We rolled our eyes as we left but took the bottle he held out to us. Guess what; it turns out he was right. The first time I was ever consciously aware of the heat from the Florida sun was years later. Fast forward to ten summers; I was on a plane heading home to Central Florida from New York, sitting in a window seat with my arm resting on the window ‘sill’. I was wondering how much longer to Orlando when the pilot came on telling us to look out the window to see Cape Canaveral, it was also at that moment I noticed that my arm, still on the sill, had gotten considerably warmer. The truth is that much of Florida’s climate is considered sub tropic so the sun is stronger here than the rest of most of America.

Here are some of the best tips to remember when headed to the beach this summer:

First of all follow a doctors advice – Use Sunscreen. They have everything from SPF 2 to SPF 60 but what does SPF mean and what does it do? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is calculate in minutes – the number of minutes it takes unprotected skin to turn red compared to protected skin. You get 10 minutes for every number meaning an SPF of 2 gives you twenty minutes of protection in the sun before fair skin starts to turn red, if you have darker skin it varies.

Always make sure children are well covered, they have sunscreens made specifically for kids that now come in convenient sprays so you can get it on them quick and let their squirming bodies go play in the sand. For the rest of us protection still comes in lotions, oils and gels, there are even lighter versions for your face and ones that protect your skin from the UV rays too. When applying sun protection let common sense rule, reapply it after you’ve been swimming or if you’ve been sweating, like after playing volleyball. When you start to feel your skin getting hot cover up or it may even be time to go in. A good hat will also keep the sun off your face.

Another wonderful shade provider can be Umbrellas. They are popping up more and more on the beaches these days, they come in all shapes and sizes and are very useful in keeping the sun off of you. They are great for families with small children and for people who like being on the beach but don’t want to get much, if any sun.

Beach chairs are also making a comeback, again in all shapes and sizes, some come with carrying cases and umbrellas attached, you can even get ones with cup holders and foot rests if you’d like to really stretch out without being in the sand. They have short ones that sit right in the surf sand and ones that are taller and better in the looser sand more up shore.

Many of the best Florida beaches have lifeguards on duty, if you have small children with you it is recommended that you take advantage of this service and frequent these beaches. Lifeguards stations are dotted along the beaches and easy to spot because a lot of them are brightly colored. Lifeguards are trained in CPR, basic first ad and normally have a direct line to police and emergency services. What if you go to a beach that doesn’t have a lifeguard and find yourself in an emergency situation? Fortunately in this day and age there are people with cell phones everywhere but you should always carry some small first aid kit with you or at least in your car and know where the nearest help is located.

Two of the most common emergencies on our beaches seem to be jellyfish stings and rip currents. You can tell when you’ve been stung by a jellyfish because the affected area will start to burn or will become itchy, it can turn red and may swell up or get bumpy. Seeking medical evaluation is preferable depending on the severity of the sting but if none is readily available there are things you can do. First of all remove all tentacles that you can see but be sure to protect yourself from getting stung while doing this, also don’t rinse the area with fresh water, this may release more toxins and cause a further reaction on the area, use salt water or don’t rinse at all. White vinegar will help decrease symptoms too, it is also recommended that the person be given either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, barring any allergies, always be sure to ask about allergies. Immobilize the area to keep the toxin from spreading and keep the person as still as possible. Have them sit or lie down until help arrives or help them to a waiting car for transport to further medical care.

Rip currents are, unfortunately, somewhat common in this area. Rip currents, simply defined are areas of water rushing back out to sea from the shore and are especially prevalent on windy days. The best way to free yourself from a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore. The worst thing you can do should you find yourself trapped in a rip current is panic, this uses up your breath and can cause you to drown. Remain calm and, if there is one near, try to get the attention of a lifeguard. If there is no lifeguard near swim along the shore until you feel the pull is gone, keeping in mind you can escape so try not to panic.

Ever go to a beach and see one of those little colored flags flying? Hopefully you have. These flags are meant to be a way for swimmers to know what, if anything, is going on in the water so even if you go to Florida beaches that doesn’t have a lifeguard you can still be safe in the water. Here are the colors commonly used and what they generally mean:

Green – Conditions are favorable for swimming, low hazard
Yellow – Medium Hazard
Red – High Hazard
Purple – Marine pests present
Red Over Red – DANGER. Water closed to public use

When you get to the beach, if there is a hazard flag flying and a lifeguard nearby, you can ask for more details.

So go, enjoy beach, and be safe out there.

When I think of Daytona Beach several things come to mind. I remember hanging out on the beach during the day getting ‘the perfect tan’ then going back to the room to freshen up, out to dinner and then clubbing all night. I really enjoyed meeting all the people from all over the country there to party and have a good time.

Auto Racing

Speed Week happens and other popular races such as the Rolex 24 hour race and the Daytona 500 are run at the Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR was born from stock car racing which was born from boot legging in the Appalachians during prohibition. Bootleggers, as they were called, needed fast car to outrun the cops as they made their deliveries, many drivers did their own modification to their cars to increase the cars speed and handling. It all started back in 1947 when a gentleman named William France Sr. and some friends founded a small organization they called NASCAR.

When prohibition ended in 1933 the need for bootleggers dried up but some of these guys came to love the speed and excitement of driving down twisty mountain roads. They continued to work on and improve their cars and by the late 1940’s the races for bragging rights and money began. These races were held mostly in rural North Carolina run using modified street cars.

There are also several truck races and events that take place during the week but theses are the main racing events. Then at week after the qualifying events the Daytona 500 is run. The Daytona 500 is run for 200 laps, 500 miles on the two and a half a mile long track of the Daytona International Speedway and it’s considered the biggest, richest and most prestigious race of the NASCAR series. Touted as “The Great American Race” families save of all year and make the week their traditional family vacation. I’ve been to the infield after Speed Week and have been amazed by all the things left behind, arm chairs, sofas and all sorts of other things, it’s an awesome sight.

Bike Week

Many of the bars of Daytona Beach are on the Main Street strip. One of the draws to Daytona Beach is Bike Week 2010, held in February and March. Bikers from all over the country and world converge on Daytona Beach for a few days of booze, bikes and babes. The Hogs Breath, Dirty Harry’s, Froggy’s and the Boot Hill Saloon, the Bank and Blues club; these are just a few of the names you’ll see. If you go to any one of these places during Bike Week or Biktoberfest you’ll find a party going on, wet t-shirt contests, live music, drink specials, food, fun and some fabulous bikes, its well worth the trip.

Daytona Beach

The Main Street pier is reminiscent of the Coney Island style pier, all our friends from the North East can appreciate. They have several restaurants with fare including ‘by the slice pizza’ hot dogs, corn dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, you know, all the junk food one would associate with a good time. They have a midway will all the games and prizes you’d imagine plus some hair raising thrill rides like the big swing where you go up some hundred feet then they drop you to swing up and out, it’s quite breath taking. You can also fish off the pier so it makes for a great family day. Up at the other end of Main Street there’s a different kind of fun to be had.

Drive on the Beach

One of my favorite things about being on the beach at Daytona is the fact that you can drive on some of the beaches there, you have to be respectful of the dunes so they have where you can and can’t drive clearly marked. They also have beach patrols there in case of an emergency so don’t be afraid to suntan there it’s not like you’ll be run over form all the cars. Every year they have runs for charity and good causes on the beach, one I know of is around the Easter holiday every year it’s appropriately called the Easter Beach Run. It runs right by the Main Street Pier which is a great place to spend the day.

There is so much to do all year long in Daytona Beach I guess that’s why I called it one of my favorite cities in this big state, oh and on your way out of town if it’s the weekend and you’re headed to I-95 go under the over pass and on your left there is a great little flea market called the Daytona Flea and Farmers Market. Actually it’s rather a large flea market and voted by USA Weekend one of the top 5 markets in the country not a bad way to spend a few hours.

Lake Buena Vista, FL – Over the River & Through the Woods! To grandfather’s house we go; The horse knows the way, To carry the sleigh, Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

The same seasonal magic that brings “snow” flurries to central Florida during Disney Parks holiday events now gives guests the opportunity to experience a horse-drawn “sleigh” ride during Christmas in Florida. And where? Over the river and through the woods, of course!

This year, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at Walt Disney World in Florida is offering sleigh rides through the secluded beauty of the 700-acre backwoods resort. From Nov. 29-Dec. 30, 2009, four adults – or two adults and three small children – can climb into a shiny, fire engine-red sleigh, decked out with garland and twinkling holiday lights, and take a relaxing, 25-minute sojourn into the lush forest.

And while the resort’s woodland paths may not be blanketed with drifts of driven snow to glide through, the magic-makers at the resort’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch utilize sleighs equipped with tires to insure a smooth sleigh ride behind one of the ranch’s gentle steeds.

Cost is $60 per sleigh. Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Sleighs depart from the Blacksmith’s Shop near the Settlement area inside Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Guests driving to the resort can park at the entrance of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and board a Disney motorcoach to be transported to the Settlement area. For reservations and more information, guests can call 407/WDW-PLAY.

The New Year’s Eve at Disney World will include nine parade performances – including one on water – topped off with five fireworks extravaganzas. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat and much more. Disney always throws one of the best Florida New Year’s Parties and this year is no exception. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be a great way for the kids to celebrate New Year’s eve with a 3:45 pm parade named “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade”. The Animal Kingdom will be open 9 am – 7 pm New Year’s Eve.

Beautiful Tampa and Tampa Bay are located on the west coast of Florida and about an hour and a half from Orlando. Every time we go over there I discover something new and different, this time it was Channelside and the Port of Tampa. Of course the Tampa Port Authority is there and cruise or cargo ships can be seen coming and going at various times. There is the Florida Aquarium with several exhibits showing the different kinds of Florida water ways and what lives in them. They have a great little ‘water park’ area for the kids that has giant moray eels for kids to battle with water guns and a pirate ship they can explore. Channelside itself is an entertainment complex that has great nightlife, shopping, dinning and a movie theater. The Towers of Channelside are brand new, just completed in 2007, they are twin 30 story upscale condos, not a bad place to live if you like a lot of action.

Ybor City is also a place I’ve always wanted to go and got the chance to visit this time. It’s a great little section of the city that steeped in tradition of old world Europe. Ybor City was founded in the 1880’s by Vicente Martinez. Here you’ll find spectacular buildings, quaint shops, fabulous food, delicious coffee and hand rolled cigars and the nightlife? Don’t get me started. There are clubs every few feet, along with several entertainment venues, it’s a great place to spend a day walking around and a night dancing and parting with friends. There is a place for everyone to party no matter what you’re into. Coyote Ugly is a place where you can dance on the bar and chat up the lady bar keeps, they always have something to say. Club Prana has five different levels with different dance club styles on each for maximum nighttime enjoyment.

Another popular reason to visit Tampa is the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. They have many gaming tables and slot machines the décor itself is worth the trip. Downtown Tampa is a beautiful place itself; the buildings alone are great works of architecture. They have many fine hotels with conference centers for corporate meetings and an international airport which makes it convenient for out of country guests to visit.

If you’re looking for even more things to do in Tampa, you won’t be disappointed on that front either. Everyone knows Tampa is home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This city takes their team VERY seriously, you can take a pirate ship cruise on any night of the week and there are as many pirate flags as there are stars and stripe flying around the city, all in good fun mind you.

As I said Orlando is nearby and many people visiting there hear about fabulous Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, so they come over. That’s great if that’s what it takes to get you to visit but once you do plan to stay a day or two, if you don’t you’ll wish you had. Tampa is so much fun, even if you’ve been there a few times as I have, go again I promise you’ll find something new to love about it as I always do.

Florida is a great place to take a vacation, so to see where to go and what to do, view our pictures of Central Florida, with many of Orlando’s popular destinations and a few off the beaten path.

Key Largo, Florida Keys – Grinning jack-o’-lanterns surrounded by spectator reef fish are to make their annual appearance beneath the sea during the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest hosted by Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort, located at mile marker 104.5.

The annual Florida Halloween Event is a favorite for the many divers who visit Key Largo during the fall.

Buddy teams are to compete during the 8:30 a.m. dive Sunday, Oct. 25, to create pumpkins worthy of praise and prizes from the experienced judges, who double as the crew of the Amoray Diver dive boat.

Amoray provides contestants with hollowed-out pumpkins to take below the surface to a depth of less than 30 feet. Dive knives are to serve as carving tools, and prizes await the top three pumpkin sculptors.

“It’s always interesting to see what people carve out underwater,” said Captain Joe Goddard, who escorts divers to the event each year. “People come from all over to participate.”

Entry fee is the regular dive boat cost: $80 per certified diver for the two-tank, two-location dive including tanks, weights and snorkel equipment. The Amoray Dive Resort also offers specially priced multiple-dive and dive-lodging packages.

Divers are encouraged to sign up for the contest early because space is limited. At the 2008 challenge, the first-place prize was awarded to Spencer Lambeth, an 11-year-old from Fort Myers, Fla.

For more information about the contest, call (800) 426-6729 or visit www.amoray.com.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (800) 822-1088 or 305-451-4747, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.