What's going on in Florida - August

Here it is again folks, the best darn rundown of everything going on in Central Florida there is, courtesy of the good folks at the Orlando Sun-Sentinel. You can read the guide to the whole of Florida for this month here

Aug. 1: First Saturday Jam, Barberville. On the first Saturday each month visit the Pioneer Settlement for entertainment and fun for the entire family. 9 a.m to 5 p.m. There will be informal music jams, free workshops, food, and a barn-style dance at 3 p.m. 386-749-2959. www.pioneersettlement.org

Aug. 1: WaZoo, Tampa. Featured as one of the "10 Great Beer Festivals in the Country" by USA Today, this 14th annual tropical taste explosion features beers and beverages from around the world, food sampling from local restaurants, a wine garden, and live music. Admission $50 per person, $20 for designated drivers, $75 per person for Beastly Beverage Club. At Lowry Park Zoo. 813-935-8552 x276. www.lowryparkzoo.com/calendar_events.php

Aug. 1: A Day in Florida History of DeLeon Springs, DeLeon Springs. Historical reenactment of an early 1800s skirmish between Seminole Indians and soldiers and settlers of the period. Explore an authentically replicated Indian village and soldiers encampment, examine Indian artifacts and old weaponry, watch artisans ply their crafts, and join in the performance of Indian dances. At DeLeon Springs State Park. Admission $6 per vehicle. 386-985-4212. www.floridastateparks.org/Events-State-Proc.cfm?criteria=*

Aug. 4: Lake Louisa Summer Cycling Series, Clermont. Continuing bicycle race series. Races will be split into two categories ranging between 15 and 30 miles long. Top three finishing racers in each category will be awarded trophies. At Lake Louisa State Park. Admission $4 per vehicle. 352-217-1673. http://www.floridastateparks.org/EventsDistAll.cfm?Dist=3

Aug. 4: National Night Out, Ormond Beach. Cookout with live DJ, face painting, cotton candy, raffles for prizes. At Nova Community Center, 5:30-9 p.m. 386-677-0311. www.ormondbeach.org/Events/Default.htm

Aug. 6: 18th Annual Gourmet Feastival, Tampa. Annual fund raiser for Centre for Women. Features delectable foods and beverages from Tampa Bay's best restaurants, caterers, wineries and other purveyors. Also includes live music and fabulous Opportunity Prizes including upscale travel and leisure, home entertainment, event tickets and more. At Hyatt Regency Downtown. Admission $60 at door, $50 in advance. 813-251-8437 x251. www.centreforwomen.org

Aug. 7: National Lighthouse Day, Ponce Inlet. Join the staff at Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida's tallest, to observe National Lighthouse Day. Enjoy family-oriented activities, demonstrations and newly installed lighthouse exhibits. Watch as children participate in turn of the century children's activities. Included with regular admission of $5 adult, $1.50 children 11 and under. 386-761-1821. www.ponceinlet.org/

Aug. 7-8: ArtWalk, Bradenton. Visit the various galleries, studios, restaurants and other small businesses in the arts district on the first Friday of every month, 6 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in the Village of the Arts neighborhood just south of downtown Bradenton. 941-747-8056. www.artistsguildofmanatee.org

Aug. 15: Grape Stomp and Music Fest, Lake Placid. Henscratch Farms presents the ninth annual Grape Stomp featuring California Toe Jam Band from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the winery located on Henscratch Road. This award-winning '50s and '60s musical group brings toe-tapping energy to its four-hour concert. Attendees will join the stomp buckets with this year's MC__TBA, in an attempt to crush two tons of grapes for this year's "Foot Stomped Vintage." Participants may purchase finished wine in November, complete with their picture on the label and a caption reading "Foot stomped by my diligent feet." Included in the day is a walking tour, winery presentation, complimentary cheese and wine tasting and All You Can Eat Grapes. Admission adults $6, children 6 and under free. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com/impcal2/event.php?ID=33

Aug. 15-16: Pioneer Settlement Outdoor Extravaganza, Barberville. First annual Outdoor Extravaganza, on 30-acre facility with 18 historical buildings set to the late 1800s era. Event features hunting, archery shoot, canoeing, hiking and kayaking, venison cook-off, black powder and pioneer reenactors. Admission adults $6, children $4. At Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts. 386-749-2959. www.pioneersettlement.org/outdoorcolor2.pdf

Aug. 22: Caribbean Night and Island Market, Ormond Beach. Caribbean themed celebration at The Casements, including Island Paradise Outdoor Oasis, Kids' Caribbean Castle, Island Market crafters and Caribbean cuisine. Admission $5. 386-676-3216. www.ormondbeach.org/Events/Default.htm

Aug. 22-23: The August Stomp, Lake Wales. Live music, wine, food, grape stomping. At Lakeridge Winery. Admission $2. 800-768-WINE. www.lakeridgewinery.com/aboutus-events.php

Aug. 28-30: Caladium Festival, Lake Placid. Includes bus tours to the colorful caladium fields, sale of caladium plants and bulbs, exhibits on caladium history, Florida-friendly landscape and ornamental plants. Also includes wine display featuring the area's growing grape industry, plus arts and crafts, entertainment, and the 13th annual Antique and Classic Car Show. Admission free; bus tours $10 per person. 863-465-4331. www.lpfla.com/events/caladium.htm

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Florida's other theme parks

Check out this fantastic advice from the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the alternatives to the sometimes crowded, huge theme parks for which Florida is famous. There are some real gems in here, so thanks to Kim Ware for the advice.

Dinosaur World
For a Jurassic Park-like experience, look no further than Dinosaur World in Plant City, Fla., about 25 miles east of Tampa. The prehistoric becomes the present with more than 150 life-size dinosaurs, a boneyard, museum, caves, skeleton garden and fossil dig, where you can sift through sand in search of authentic fossils. One of the more affordable theme parks, Dinosaur World also offers various pricing specials throughout the year.
5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, Fla.; Phone: 813 -717-9865; Web: http://www.dinoworld.net/. Admission is $12.75 for adults, $9.75 for children ages 3 to 12, $10.75 for seniors over 60.

Wannado City
Wannado City, an indoor role-playing theme park in South Florida’s Sawgrass Mills Mall, allows children to experience their grown-up professional dreams. Choices run the gamut from dance club DJ to ER doctor and everything in between. Kids—-or “kidizens,” as they’re called in Wannado City —- can also set up a bank account and receive payment for their work, in “Wongas,” the park’s official currency. The park is indoors, making it a great option for rainy days. 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise, Fla.; Phone: 954-838-7100; Web: http://www.wannadocity.com/; Admission for children ages 3 to 13 is $35, and for adults (over 14) and children 2 years and under is $5.

Silver Springs
Silver Springs celebrates the beauty of Ocala’s clear, natural springs, giving visitors an up-close view through glass-bottom boats. Animal lovers will appreciate the opportunity to observe birds, alligators and crocodiles around the river, as well as learn about a variety of animals in the wildlife exhibits. The Silver Springs gardens are rich with natural beauty and provide a lovely setting for photo opportunities with the family. And finally, if the kids are in need of a little more excitement, check out Silver Springs’ new waterpark, Wild Waters, featuring a variety of slides and wave pools.
5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Silver Springs, Fla.; Phone: 352-236-2121; Web: http://www.silversprings.com/; Check the Web site for information on special offers or to purchase tickets. Admission to Silver Springs is $34.99 for adults, $30.99 for seniors age 55 and older, $24.99 for children ages 3-10. (Online purchases are discounted $5.) Pricing for the waterpark is $25.99 for adults/visitors 48 inches and over, $22.99 for children under 48 inches ($2 discount online).

Flea World/Fun World
One might not expect a massive flea market and amusement park to coexist, but that’s exactly what visitors find at Flea World/Fun World in Sanford, Fla. Rides, mini-golf, go-carts, arcade games and plenty of fair food highlight this entertainment extravaganza for kids. The park also hosts various shows, such as animal acts and jugglers, and young children can enjoy the Kids World area that features smaller rides.
4311 S. Orlando Drive, Sanford, Fla.; Phone: 407-330-1792; Web: http://www.fleaworld.com/. Free parking. Wristbands for rides are available for $6 (ages 6 and under), $12 (includes one go-cart ride) and $15 (includes unlimited go-cart rides).

Weeki Wachee Springs
Known as the “City of Live Mermaids,” Weeki Wachee Springs is different from your typical aquatic attraction, as it features underwater mermaid shows in addition to its spring-fed waterpark, Buccaneer Bay. Since 1946, the theme park has served as the setting for several movies, television shows and music videos and will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Travel Channel’s “Extreme Roadside Attractions” as well as Animal Planet’s “Into the Wild.” In 2008, the park joined the Florida State Parks system.
6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Fla.; Phone: 352-596-2062; Web: http://www.weekiwachee.com/; Weeki Wachee is open year-round. Admission to the park when Buccaneer Bay is open is $24.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 6 to 10; when Buccaneer Bay is closed, admission is $13.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 6 to 10. Children 5 and under are always free. Parking is $3 per vehicle and $10 for buses/RVs.

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Akron unveils non-stop Florida flights

Good news for residents of Akron who want to come visit us in our Florida paradise. AirTran Airways announced Friday a nonstop service between the Akron-Canton Airport and two popular Florida vacation destinations, Fort Lauderdale and Ft. Myers.
Flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will be offered four times per week and flights to Southwest Florida International Airport in Ft. Myers five times per week initially and then daily beginning in mid November.
Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz and comedian Mark Malkoff were on hand at the Akron-Canton Airport to help make the big announcement.
President and CEO of Akron-Canton Airport is thrilled to announce the return of the service to Florida. "With nonstop flights to four Florida cities on AirTran Airways, getting to 'sunsational' leisure destinations is easier than ever. Travelers will love the simplicity of flying from Canton and will love the affordable fares, too," said Rick McQueen.
Read the full story here

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Travel to be down on July 4 - AAA

This July 4 might be the best time to travel to Florida, if the predictions of a quiet one are anything to go by.
According to Bloomberg, travel in the U.S. during the July 4 holiday weekend will decline 1.9 per cent from last year as the recession and high gasoline prices keep motorists off the highways, the AAA said.

The number of people traveling at least 50 miles from home will drop to 37.1 million from 37.8 million in 2008, AAA, the nation’s largest motorist group, said in an annual outlook today. The 2008 total showed an 11 per cent decline from 2007.
Gasoline at the pump, averaged nationwide, has risen 65 per cent this year, pulled higher by a rally in crude oil. The fuel fell 0.7 cent to $2.676 a gallon, AAA said today on its Web site. Prices for regular gasoline rose to a record $4.114 a gallon on July 17, 2008.
The airline industry, which will account for 5 percent of holiday travel, is expected to see a 4.9 percent rise in bookings over the weekend, partly because of declining airfares, AAA said in its report.
The motoring organization projects a 2.6 percent decline in auto trips to 32.6 million in 2009 from 33.4 million last year. AAA’s projections are based on research by IHS Global Insight of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Gasoline futures for July delivery slid to the lowest since May 22 today and profit margins tumbled 8 percent after the government reported that stockpiles rose the most in five months last week. Prices fell 5.07 cents, or 2.7 percent, to settle at $1.8425 a gallon on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

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How much longer a free ride?

Are the days of the free Anna Maria Island trolley over? They may be if Manatee County chiefs get their way.
Manatee County Area Transit has announced it may start charging $1 a day for the trolley as most county departments undergo budget cuts to offset falling revenues. In that belt-tightening environment, it is getting harder to justify any more free rides, county officials say.
The county established the free service in March 2002, largely to reduce traffic on Gulf Drive, the island's only north-south road. The trolley quickly became a hit. During the summer low season, about 22,000 passengers climb aboard each month. During the tourist season, the monthly count swells to more than 71,000.
According to the Herald Tribune website, local and state taxpayers cover the trolley's $955,000 annual cost. In 2010, however, the state may cut its $588,000 subsidy to $280,000.
It might just start at a buck, but the real fear among residents and those who use the free service will be that this is only the thin end of the wedge. Today a dollar, what tomorrow?

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Countdown to lift-off!

The countdown has begun for tomorrow's launch of space shuttle Endeavour on a mission to deliver a porch to the International Space Station. It's nice to think that even NASA is interested in home improvement like the rest of us.
The new platform will complete Japan's elaborate three-part Kibo laboratory complex, the station's newest and largest module.
"This has been a long journey for us and our Japanese colleagues," said Scott Higginbotham, who oversees station payloads at NASA's Florida launch site.
For about six years, Japanese space agency technicians have worked side-by-side with NASA personnel in Florida to prepare Kibo. The first two sections of the lab were launched last year and this will complete the structure.
The astronauts plan to conduct five spacewalks to hook up Kibo's new porch, replace batteries on one of the station's solar panel wings and to position spare parts on platforms outside the station. The porch is a platform for experiments that require direct exposure to space - it's not somewhere to enjoy a cool drink in an easy chair and watch the sun go down.
The shuttle and its seven-member crew is scheduled to lift off at 7:17 a.m. EDT/1117 GMT tomorrow for a 16-day mission. Good luck to them...

No longer the final frontier

There was a time when every little boy wanted to be a spaceman. When space travel was in its infancy the idea of going to the moon fired a whole generation. It was the 60s and everything seemed possible.
Space travel no longer has the same mystique for the young for some reason, which is a shame because going into orbit has never been more achievable.
Where once only a chosen few could dream of space travel, now it is open to almost all thanks to a company offering a training regimen for would-be space tourists that the proprietor describes as "Space Camp on steroids". The center opened for business May 1 at the Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Aurora Aerospace offers enhanced gravity and microgravity aircraft flights and other astronaut training services for paying customers, who would then be prepared for more expensive sub-orbital or even orbital flights.
The complete program includes an aerobatic ride in an L-39 trainer, a two-seat aircraft built in the Czech Republic that is the same type of aircraft used by Russian cosmonauts in their training. The aircraft performs various aerobatic and high G-force maneuvers.
Okay, so it's not quite Neil Armstrong and walking on the moon, but right at the moment, it's the next best thing.

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