The Boca Raton Museum of Art has announced the debut of an ambitious reinstallation of several permanent collection galleries on its second-floor. The newly hung galleries present more than 150 photographs from the Museum’s extensive photography collection. The exhibition, CAMERA WORK: Photography from the Permanent Collection, takes its name from the pioneering magazine Camera Work, published by visionary photographer and galleryist Alfred Stieglitz from 1903 to 1917. The magazine championed the idea that photography was indeed art.

The Museum’s new photography installation will include several early photographs in the collection by modernist pioneers which were published in Camera Work. As with Stieglitz’s Camera Work a century ago, a deliberate effort has been made in this exhibition to mix familiar and lesser-known photographers, styles of work, and a variety of processes in order to explore ideas about the influence of photographic culture during the last century. Read the rest of this entry »

~Act raises awareness to help protect one of Florida’s most valuable and endangered natural resources~

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is alerting boaters, divers and anglers that the Coral Reef Protection Act goes into effect on July 1, 2009. The law, the result of House Bill 1423 passed during the recent legislative session, will increase the protection of Florida’s endangered coral reefs by helping raise awareness of the damages associated with vessel groundings and anchoring on coral reefs off the coasts of Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties. The law also authorizes penalties for the destruction of reef resources and provides for efficient repair and mitigation of reef injuries.

“The Coral Reef Protection Act will allow us to work with local and state governments to increase public awareness about coral reef protection and the likelihood that responsible parties who damage reefs are held accountable for their actions,” said Lee Edmiston, Director of the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). “The new law will also allow us to bring together experts to address reef damage in the most appropriate way.” Read the rest of this entry »

-The main slide at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park shut down-

SRING HILL - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has temporarily shut down the main water slide.

Due to necessary repair of the boards, the slide will be closed until it is deemed safe for public use. During the closure, fees for Buccaneer Bay will be adjusted to $15.00 plus tax for adults and $10.00 plus tax for children. All other areas of the park are open for use.

For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org.

~Make a Date with Florida’s State Parks~

TALLAHASSEE – Summertime is a perfect occasion to explore the outdoors with family, friends or even a date, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is offering a list of inexpensive ways to make a date at a Florida state park.

“Not only are parks great for family getaways, but they can also be unique date getaways,” said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “With 160 state parks in Florida, there are hundreds of opportunities for affordable recreation –from picnicking at a beach to stargazing at night.” Read the rest of this entry »

This 4th of July, check out the best spot for watching Tampa’s fireworks over the Channel! The Florida Aquarium is extending hours until 9:30 p.m. AND lowering our admission price to $10 after 3 p.m. (members are still free). Explore A Shore will remain open, as will the Cantina, for guests to enjoy until shortly before the fireworks start at 9 p.m. The $10 ticket is not available for advance purchase. (Note: Special Event parking rates of $10 per vehicle begin at 3 p.m.).

There is no better seat and no better place to spend time with friends and family this 4th of July.

Looking for something unusual? Experience the fireworks spectacular over the Channel from The Florida Aquarium’s Bay Spirit II! This brand new 72-foot-long, powered catamaran has a spacious air-conditioned lower deck with large viewing windows, bar and seating, plus a 2nd floor covered, open-air deck with excellent viewing of the fireworks and sunset. It departs the Aquarium at 7:30 p.m. for a sunset cruise and returns to the Channel for the most amazing view of fireworks - boat side! Enjoy hors d’ouvres, open bar for beer and wine and cash bar for mixed drinks. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for Members) and include Aquarium admission/parking, food , beer, wine and great seats for the fireworks. Cruise is aproximately 2-hours long.

Space is limited. Buy Tickets Now

Due to the popularity of this cruise a 48-hour cancellation policy is in place. For more information or to purchase your tickets, call 813-273-4568.

Fireworks cruise includes parking and admission to the Aquarium (a $20 value).

The Florida Aquarium’s 4th Annual GO FISHING All-Release Fishing Tournament was held on June 5th. Twenty-six guided boats and 6 private boats launched early Friday morning from the docks behind the Tampa Convention Center for a great day of fishing on Tampa Bay. Reel Animals, Captains Mike Anderson and Billy Nobles, served as Tournament Directors, gathering all the best fishing guides for the corporate teams. Anglers and their families enjoyed a captain’s party at the Aquarium on Thursday evening, complete with food, drink, live music, penguin, owl and crocodile up-close encounters, behind-the-scenes tours and a lively silent auction.

The Aquarium supports sound care and stewardship of our waterway eco-systems and wildlife. Sport fishing and seafood have been a part of the fabric of life of Floridians for hundreds of years, and will continue to play an important role in Florida’s economy. This year’s tournament stressed the importance of responsible fishing and sustainable seafood practices.

The Tournament raised over $28,000 for the Aquarium’s conservation and education programs. Our sincere thanks go to our sponsors: GEICO, Mosaic, TBO.com, The Tampa Tribune and NewsChannel 8, as well as Committee Co-Chairs Doug Montgomery and John Cavo.

Discovery Cove in Orlando’s Florida resident offer gives residents of the Sunshine State a special rate of $199 for an all-inclusive dolphin swim and $99 for non-dolphin swim admission. Admission includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages, dolphin-safe sunscreen and snorkel equipment.
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-Special Father’s Day offer at Homosassa Springs and Weeki Wachee-

HOMOSASSA - In honor of Father’s Day, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is offering free admission to fathers with the purchase of a child’s ticket at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park or Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Sunday, June 21
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-Environmental commitment a top priority for marina-

MIAMI - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership today recognized Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department’s Matheson Hammock Marina as the 193rd member of the Florida Clean Marina Program. The program now boasts nearly 200 Clean Marinas, 30 Clean Boatyards and eight Clean Marine Retailers statewide.
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4th of July Bazaar at Flamingo Gardens, Saturday 9:30-4:30, with jewelry, arts, crafts, photos, antiques, collectibles, gifts and other surprises. There are lots of vendors inside the buildings this year, so don’t worry about the weather. Admission is only 1/2 price that day so you pay $8.50 for ages 12 and up, $4.25 for ages 4-11, children under 4 are free. Admission includes the gardens, native wildlife exhibits, tours of historic Wray Home, and live Wildlife Encounter Shows; the Tour by Tram is extra. Bring your camera for photos with George and Martha Washington from 10-2, and visit the bald eagles. 3750 S Flamingo Road, Davie. 954-473-2955, www.flamingogardens.org

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