Christmas at the marina in St Petersburg
December 12th, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Lifestyle

Snowman at St Pete Yacht Club marina
We had lunch at the St Pete Yacht Club today, taking friends there to see the fabulous Christmas decorations. Every year they have trees and decorations everywhere you look – lining the halls, in each of the dining rooms.
Our table was beside the window and we had a view of the marina. We really enjoyed looking at this Snowman, hanging from one of the boats (yes, when I went out to look, it was on Spindra.) Christmas can be fun in Florida.
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Broadwater Christmas Boat Parade
December 11th, 2009 categories: Boating, Broadwater, Lifestyle

Broadwater Christmas Boat Parade
Gulfport announced that their boat parade wouldn’t be going through the Broadwater neighborhood this year. We thought we’d have to wait for the downtown St Pete boat parade tomorrow night – bigger, but it sure is nice to watch from your deck or dock. Then we heard through a Broadwater infolink e-mail that 6 boats were having an impromptu parade Friday night starting at 8 and inviting other residents to join them. We were the last of the 3 main canals on their route. By 9 we’d about given up, when we heard laughing and singing and saw the lights of TWO boats. It was fun to watch them head down the Maximo Channel and wait for them to return. Our waiting was rewarded – thank you diligent boaters for going all the way.

Broadwater Christmas Boat Parade
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St Petersburg Waterfront Parks Centennial
October 19th, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Lifestyle

Straub Park along the downtown St Petersburg waterfront
The waterfront parks in Downtown St Petersburg Florida are part of maintaining the charm and appeal of downtown St Pete. The tall condos are set back from the waterfront, with parks, roads and sidewalks along the waterfront for all to enjoy.
From the Albert Whitted airport to Coffee Pot bayou, there are 23 blocks of waterfront parks – eleven of them, in fact. Some are passive and others are filled with a variety of activities.
This month begins the Centennial celebration, which will continue for a year. It’s hard to think that development of the waterfront was a divisive issue for the City Countil back in 1906.
Visit Downtown St Petersburg Waterfront Parks Centennial for more history, photos and a calendar of events.
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O Wave sculpture by Ovation condos St Petersburg
September 24th, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Lifestyle, Ovation

O Wave sculpture by Ovation luxury condos in downtown St Pete
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Posture is Important
August 20th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle
This morning I was surprised to look out my window and see young ladies walking up and down the steps of the Museum of Fine Arts with something (a book?) on their head. It looked like a session for modeling or just for poise. The instructor shaded her skin from the Florida sun with an umbrella. Click the photo for an enlarged view.
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Egmont Passage
July 25th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
Egmont Passage Tale of the Dreamcatcher is now out. Antonino Fabiano’s latest book is even better than his first, Egmont Passage, Tale of the Seventh Mystery. I like the combination of the local setting, which is Tierra Verde and the Bayway Islands, and the history intertwined with a current plot. Fabiano brings together elements of his interesting life as background, and has created a tale that is interesting to both youth and the no-longer-so-young. Zeke, JJ and Izzy are familiar from his first book, and though the second is a continuation, it stands on its own. From the first chapter on I couldn’t put the book down until I finished reading it. I might not have found this book if Nino wasn’t a friend and client, so I’m glad I had that introduction, and pass it on to you as well. Hopefully we’ll ve having a book signing here at the ALVA International office. Until then – follow your dreams, and read Egmont Passage. Yo Creo!
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It’s the rainy season
July 9th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
It’s summer in Florida, and mid to late afternoon means rain, almost every day. Sometimes it’s a steady downpour, and sometimes it feels like the heavens have broken open and torrential windblown rain plummets us. I think we should rename the rainy season to The Green Season, which Costa Rica has done. It sounds so much better and reminds us to be grateful that the rain is keeping everything green and also replenishing our water supplies.
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Pinellas County has a coffee industry
June 17th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany
Pinellas County Florida seems an odd place to be affecting coffee around the country and the world. When you sip your morning coffee at a local coffee shop, you may not think about where the beans are roasted, and for that matter, where the roasting machines are made! Here in Pinellas County. What about the filters that affect the taste, or the flavorings Read the rest of this entry »
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Sunken Gardens
June 14th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Things To Do
Yesterday Lucy Lee Jones, a gardener in Hawaii, had a good post on Sunken Gardens, here in St. Pete. Actually, her brother, who lives here in Florida, provided the “guest post” with some beautiful pictures. It’s a beautiful and tranquil place near downtown St. Pete. Information on Sunken Gardens includes hours, admission, etc. The author bought an annual membership, which is $35 for a senior, or $50 for a family – and Sunken Gardens calls a family either adults and their same houshold children through the 12th grade, OR two grandparents with their grandchildren. What a great idea! Membership includes not only free admission but invitations to special events, and also a reciprocal agreement with over 145 botanical gardens.
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St Petersburg College downtown arts complex
May 25th, 2009 categories: Downtown St Petersburg, Lifestyle, Things To Do
The lobby of the new downtown arts complex of St Petersburg College was the venue for the pre-opening reception for the new Florida International Museum exhibit. Suspended in the dome of the lobby are a circle of contemporary shapes that remind me of dolphins. On cue, the lights come on and change colors (too fast a rotation for me, I’d like to enjoy each color for a few more seconds) – a contemporary touch for a contemporary exhibit from the Gulf Coast Museum, whose collection is now owned by St Petersburg College. This art and cultural center is also the new home for the American Stage Theater, whose first show there starts June 5th. It’s also home to the Florida Orchestra. Within walking distance is The Palladium which offers music, dance, theater and more.
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