Bay Walk is continuing its popular Friday Night Wine & Music Series in 2010 starting Friday, February 19 from 6-9 p.m.

This free event is open to the public and will continue through November on every third Friday of every month. The event always features live jazz music in the courtyard. Wine is sold for $3 per glass with 100% of the proceeds going to a different charity each month. This month’s charity is the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

Although Bay Walk has seen it’s struggles with the difficult economy, it is still one of our favorite places to go. Tokyo Sushi Café has some of the best sushi in town and the prices are quite reasonable. White House Black Market is an addiction for my girlfriend, there’s Game Stop for the gamers, and of course, you always have the latest movies at Muvico.

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Celebrating Christmas in Florida, as the locals know, is certainly different from celebrating it with snow blanketing the ground or Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Fortuitously, the holidays in a warmer climate affords more flexibility in how you celebrate.

There are several ways you can celebrate Christmas in Florida such as:

A Neighborhood Christmas Dinner - here are some ideas and suggestions for you and your neighbors to get together for Christmas

With the warmer weather that Florida enjoys, a neighborhood progressive Christmas dinner is far more doable than in a colder climate. A progressive dinner is one in which guests go from home to home, partaking in a different course in a different home. If such a progressive Christmas dinner was held in a colder climate, you probably wouldn’t have many people attending. After all, once they’re inside a warm and cozy house, you’ll be hard pressed to get them outside again to go on to another household that’s serving the next course. Read the rest of this entry »

First-Class Art Event Returns To Downtown Venice

Venice, Florida – Downtown Venice comes alive as this charming historic area is transformed into an outdoor art gallery for the 22nd Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival on Saturday,November 7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday, November 8, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 2009 at West Venice Avenue in Downtown Venice, 219 W. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL  34285 Admission is free and open to the public.

Despite its humble beginnings 22 years ago, with just 30 artists and 30 crafters, the festival has grown with the community’s support into a highly

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Thanksgiving is a very special time of the year for all Americans. But in Florida where the weather is a little warmer we are able enjoy Thanksgiving in a different way… and at same time we still keep up the traditions of Thanksgiving.

We’re going to start of Thanksgiving in Florida with:

Some Thanksgiving traditions for the locals of Florida

Since many Floridians are transplants from other states, they’ve had to make their own Thanksgiving traditions.  That’s because not all families can get together during the holidays since everyone is spread out in various states within the United States.  Thus, many Floridians spend holidays, such as Thanksgiving, with friends and neighbors via a potluck, backyard BBQ, or progressive dinner. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’ll be traveling to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner or packing the family up for a fall vacation, here are some ideas for spending the holiday in Florida.

Fairbanks House B&B, Amelia Island has three- and four-night Thanksgiving Holiday Packages that include a daily gourmet breakfast, bedtime sweets and more. This will put you in town as the Centre Street Merchants kick off the holiday shopping season.

The Gaylord Palms Resort near Orlando is offering a Best of Florida Christmas Package that includes two nights of accommodations, two adult tickets to ICE!, one ICE! photo, family memories event, holiday bedtime stories and character tuck-ins for the kids, and shuttle to Walt Disney World theme parks and SeaWorld. Read the rest of this entry »

We locals love to party right? And we love to try and out do other states when it comes to special times of the year like Halloween. So this year, it’s time to really get out those crazy Halloween costumes, prepare your pumpkins and get cooking some crazy finger licking, weird and gooey foods for your Halloween party.

Invite the family, invite the neighbors and make it one incredibly spooky and awesome night to remember.

First up it’s time to get working on those plans and to start with you need to think about decorating your home, your unit, your apartment or even your workplace if allowed. This time of year allows you to step outside the box and do something a little different and if you haven’t tried this before then this year is a good time to have your first Halloween party.

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All across the state a variety of celebrations will mark “Hallow Even.” Besides the usual merrymaking and playing of pranks by children, there are concerts and special events at attractions that provide scary and not-so-scary alternatives to celebrate the occasion.

Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream 2009
Tampa

September 25 &; 26,
October 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31

Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream event returns for another season; with evil on its mind. Adding one more horrific night of sheer mental madness, guests will run for cover, scream for help and hope they see the light of dawn for 17 horror-filled nights this year. The fear takes root Friday, September 25 and runs selected dates through Saturday, October 31.

Howl-O-Scream themed food and merchandise will be available throughout the park. Howl-O-Scream unleashes its voodoo spirit, Friday and Saturday, September 25 & 26 in its Freaky Preview and continues on selected Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Experience Howl-O-Scream Freaky Preview Nights and Thursdays 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Fridays & Saturdays 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Entrance to Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular 2009
Orlando

October 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 30 & 31

Halloween meets the sea during SeaWorld Orlando’s underwater “fantasea” where youngsters trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. The festivities are included in park admission and begins at 12:00 p.m. each day.

Spooktacular highlights include Trick-or-Treat Sea Sweets at several different treasure stations throughout the park, Frozen Fun Zone and strolling entertainment. | Details |

Guavaween and Guavaween Family FunFest 2009
Ybor City

Saturday - October 31

This Latin-style celebration is held each year in Tampa’s historic Ybor City which is known more for its cigars than its guavas. The legendary story behind the celebration is as much fun as the celebration itself.

Long ago, Tampa pioneer Gavino Gutierrez tried to cultivate guava commercially, but was unsuccessful. However, it is noted that a local newspaper columnist was successful in planting the idea that if New York is the “Big Apple,” then it follows that Tampa must be the “Big Guava.” So, for seventeen years the mythical Mama Guava has lead her followers in the Mama Guava Stumble Parade.

This huge street party draws more than 100,000 people. The all day fun for all ages fills the streets between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Party goers not only enjoy the parade, but a costume party and concerts. After 3:00 p.m. Mama Guava welcomes her adult revelers and the party last long into the wee hours of the morning. So, take the “bore” out of Ybor City and join the celebration!

To join the festivities take I-275 to I-4 east or I-75 to I-4 west. Exit I-4 at 21st Street (Exit #1 South) or take the Lee Roy Selmon (Crosstown) Expressway to 22nd Street (Exit #9 North).

A Disney Halloween

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2009
Disney World - Magic Kingdom

September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29
October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 & 31
November 1

Special ticketed event at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom that features “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” Mickey’s Mouse-Ka-Rade costume parties, Halloween storytelling, live shows and a special Halloween-themed fireworks display above Cinderella Castle. Families enjoy a complimentary photo, unlimited use of the attractions and opportunities to trick-or-treat throughout the theme park.

Universal Studios’ 2009 Halloween Horror Nights
Orlando

Sept 25 & 26
October 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-25 and 28-31

Universal Orlando celebrates Halloween Horror Nights at both theme parks again this year. Get ready to experience gut-wrenching scares and blood-curdling frights… some so gruesome and so shocking, you will wish it was only a movie.

There promises to be more haunted houses, hideous new creatures and inescapable scare zones to make you scream.

Event hours are 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, 6:30 p.m. until midnight all other event nights. No costumes allowed. This event may be too intense for young children.

Universal Studios takes movie classics

Fright Nights
Silver Springs - Ocala

October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31

The Ocala Jaycees’ 38th Annual Fright Nights, held at the Silver Springs attraction are sure to provide attendees plenty of frightfull fun. When the sun goes down, the Haunted Mansion, Terror Island, Creature Features, Psycho Panther Prowl and “Gator Man” river Cruise at Ft. King Waterway are just a few of the terror-filled activities that await unsuspecting guests. Held Friday and Saturday nights from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Zoo Boo 2009
Lowry Park Zoo - Tampa

September 25 & 26 (Preview nights)
October 2-3, 9-11, 15-18, 22-25, 28-31

Many animals at the Lowry Park Zoo will be decked out for the festivities when Lowry Park Zoo presents Zoo Boo. The special event features haunted houses including the Little Tyke Boo House and spooky game yard. All regular rides and attractions will be open 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday dates) and 7:00 to 10:00 (Sunday through Thursday dates) for one low price.

Besides the three haunted houses, in the past, Zoo Boo has included such fun as the Friendly Boneyard Maze, the Grinning Ghostwalk, and Creepy Crawlers Lane. Goulish Games of Eyeball Throw, Frog Guts Toss, and Air Head are available for an additional charge.

This event is great fun for small children!

22nd Annual Spooktacular
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens - Jacksonville

October 22-25, 29-31

A great kid-friendly annual event featuring live entertainment, music, bounce houses, face painting and so much more. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and stop by treat-stations location throughout the zoo. 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Gorilla Pumpkin

Halloween Haven 2009 Flamingo Gardens - Davie

October 30 & 31

There will be chills and thrills for children in the haunted house in the Gallery at Flamingo Gardens from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. The haunt is recommended for children up to 11 years of age. Classic favorites also will be shown at the Flamingo Fright Film Fest from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Half price admission ($8.50 for ages 12 and up and $4.25 for children 4-11) will include the botanical gardens, animal exhibits, wildlife encounter shows and historic Wray Home, as well as the haunted house. Tour by tram is extra. Parking is free.

MetroBoo!
Miami Metrozoo - Miami

October 30 & 31

This kid-approved, family-friendly event will feature trick-or-treating, costume contests, music, animal encounters and more each day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There are Halloween Events happening all of these days in October.

October 2009
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

Here’s a list of all the places recommended above and there is a map with directions and pinpoints below:

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Slithery Slimy Sleepover
Saturday, October 10

After the Museum closes to the general public, it will reopen at 6:30 p.m. exclusively for campers.  The camp-in ends at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, October 11.

Cost: $30 children/$20 adults  (General Public)
25 children/$15 adults (Members)

Don’t be a party pooper!  Gather your friends, family and sleeping bags for one of the best nights of entertainment in Jacksonville - a MOSH camp-in!  In the spirit of MOSH’s limited-engagement exhibit, Animal Grossology, special activities will include sampling booger-ball ice cream and edible slime, attending an Extreme Science show and planetarium show, and exploring the Museum.  Pizza will be served as a late-night snack and donuts and juice will be on the breakfast menu.

Sign Up:  Space is limited!  Sign up online at www.themosh.org, by phone at 396-MOSH, ext. 230, or in person at the Museum’s front desk.

Historical Museum Of Southern Florida

Learn about Miami and its surrounding on these upcoming tours
Join Resident Historian Dr. Paul George during the month of September and learn about the Magic City. There is so much to learn and so little time, so get going!

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Sarasota-tagged Sea Turtle Being Treated in the Keys for Shark Bites
A loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) tagged with a satellite transmitter earlier this year after nesting on Casey Key was recently rescued in the Dry Tortugas after being bitten on her front flippers by a shark.

The 200-pound adult female, nicknamed Wham, was tagged in May and nested six times before heading south to the Florida Keys, according to transmissions from her satellite tag. After being rescued, Wham was taken to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon for treatment.

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