With living in New Jersey all of my life, and moving down to Florida 2 years ago, I am still in complete awe over the beauty of Palm Trees. I think I always will be.
Wordless Wednesday: The Beauty Of Palm Trees #wordlesswednesday
January 20, 2016 By
Having a Boat in Florida
January 19, 2016 By
You are a very lucky person if you have a boat. However, this is a luxury item that will require a great deal of care and maintenance on your part in order to keep it running properly. You need to get into a routine where your boat maintenance is concerned. Otherwise, you might end up neglecting an important task that will be a big problem once you hit the open water. Make a list of everything you need to do. Have a friend help you so the work can get finished much faster. Here are a few things you need to do when you are getting your boat ready to sail.
1. Check the electronics
You will be in very big trouble if the electrical system of your boat breaks down when you are miles away from shore. This is why you must get in the habit of going through a comprehensive test of everything related to your boat’s electrical system before you leave on your voyage. It is true that your electrical system could become damaged after you leave port. However, the odds of this happening are much smaller if you have performed a test to look for any malfunctions.
2. Consider your comfort
Boats are often not the most comfortable places in the world. This is especially true if you will be on the boat for a very long period of time. These are the times when you must seriously consider how comfortable you and your guests are going to be on your boat. It is especially important to look into this matter when you are preparing to go on a fishing trip. Fishing requires sitting for many hours at a time. Therefore, you need to make sure the seat you are sitting in is extremely comfortable. It would be a good idea to buy some new boat cushions or yacht cushions if the ones you currently have are worn out and not soft anymore.
3. Safety
Accidents that happen when a boat is far from shore can often become fatal if the people sailing the vessel are not properly prepared. You need to take inventory of all your safety gear. Are you properly equipped for many different types of situations? You should definitely make sure that you have enough life jackets for every person that will be on board your boat. Signal flares should also be taken with you.
Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey in Jacksonville, FL Jan 21-24 Giveaway
January 16, 2016 By
BELIEVE IN THE UNBELIEVABLE!
TICKETS FOR
RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS LEGENDS RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS LEGENDS
ON SALE NOW FOR JACKSONVILLE SHOW JANUARY 21-24, 2016
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents LEGENDS unveils the unbelievable to Children Of All Ages. Legendary circus artists from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder. Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena from January 21-24, 2016.
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson guides Paulo the Legend Seeker on a quest to discover real, living legends from around the world. Audiences will experience Alexander Lacey and his enduring bond with his lions, majestic leopard and tigers during one of the most captivating acts. The Solar Hawks, a dream team of acrobats, come together to amaze by attempting four consecutive triple somersaults on a one-of-a-kind double-wide trapeze specifically designed for The Greatest Show On Earth®. The Riders of the Wind, Cossack trick-riders will thrill as they thunder into the arena on the backs of thoroughbred horses stealing your breath with their daring stunts. Experience and learn about the special relationship between trainers and treasured Ringling Bros.® Asian Elephants as each trainer shows off individual elephant’s natural skills and abilities.
Free to all ticketholders, the All Access Pre-show starts an hour before the show. Come down to the arena floor and meet the performers of The Greatest Show On Earth, get autographs, take photos and enter to win a one-of-a-kind pachyderm painting.
Ticketholders can purchase an upgrade and go backstage with a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The backstage experience includes an insider look at props and wardrobe, an up close and personal encounter with the animals and a chance to meet stars from the show. Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures and learn educational fun facts. To take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, just log on to ringlingbros.expapp.com from your iPhone or Android smartphone, and provide your name, e-mail and phone number to become a VIP circus insider.
For more information visit Ringling.com.
Performance Schedule: Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 22 at 7:30; Saturday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 24 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS start at $15. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by visiting www.ringling.com or calling 800-745-3000. For group rates and information, call 866-248-8740.
Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, Nuclear Cowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, Disney Live! Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt and Marvel Universe LIVE! More information about Feld Entertainment is available online at www.FeldEntertainment.com.
For more information, and to purchase your tickets, please click here.
***GIVEAWAY***
Would you like to win tickets to the circus? I will be picking 3 winners for a family 4 pack of tickets good for opening night, January 21st at 7:30pm! To enter, please comment below with an answer to the following question: Have you ever been to the Circus? Giveaway ends 1/19.
Explore Untouched Wilderness in Orlando’s Natural Oasis
January 10, 2016 By
When I think of Orlando I think of Disney. But did you know there is a ton of fun stuff to do in Orlando besides all of the parks? There really is!
Seminole County – Orlando’s Natural Oasis has acres of wilderness areas, preserves and pristine waterways, it’s the perfect place to relax, paddle down river or enjoy an authentic Florida vacation. A few years ago we stayed in Orlando but did not go to a park. We went on our first air boat ride, played miniature golf and had dinner with Medieval Knights. We also relaxed by the pool and played games in our room. It was a great relaxing vacationing with no pressure.
Here is some great information about Orlando’s Natural Oasis:
Whether you’re canoeing crystal-clear rivers or hiking on scenic trails, you’ll experience spectacular views only Mother Nature can provide. Seminole County is home to some of Florida’s best natural attractions, including the Wekiva River, one of only two National & Wild Scenic Rivers in the entire state of Florida, the St. Johns River, Wekiva Springs State Park and ZOOm Air Adventure Park at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, to name just a few. With more than 30 parks and preserves the area is a favorite destination for hiking, biking, bird watching, wildlife study, nature photography and more. There’s something for everyone whether you are a nature lover or adventure seeker.
The Geneva Wilderness Area, a 180-acre property south of Geneva, features a beautiful variety of flatwoods, ponds and lake systems all supporting an equally diverse collection of wildlife. A hike through various habitats at this site can offer visitors with sighting white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, wild turkey, grey fox and snakes. Visitors can also be rewarded with a view of the remains of the original railroad tracks that opened Florida to tourism over a century ago. Hikers can follow the red blazes marked on the trees to experience a quick hike, or take a leisure walk and stop at the chapel and enjoy a view of the lake. Other trails mark off more challenging routes depending on the visitor’s preference.
Located on the property, the Ed Yarborough Nature Center features exhibits and special programs that highlight the diverse ecology of Central Florida.
The Florida National Scenic Trail, a 1,300-mile trail that runs from the panhandle to the Everglades, offers visitors a perfect bird watching location. It runs across several Seminole County wilderness areas, giving visitors the chance to experience some of the world’s most enchanting birds. The trail is mostly unpaved except in Lake Mary, where it follows roadways and existing trails to cross the Seminole Wekiva Trail and the Cross Seminole Trail. These two trails have been designated as Seminole County Showcase Trails because of their length, scenic views and accommodation of many users.
Those looking for an extra dose of adventure can enjoy a kayak trip down the Wekiva River. The river—nationally known and federally protected for its scenery, recreation, geology and wildlife—is one of the area’s most popular attractions. Visitors can paddle the 15-mile trail of the gentle Wekiva River between riverbanks framed with sabal palms or go horseback riding at Wekiva Springs State Park.
Park-goers can enjoy the 6,397-acre compound that includes activities from swimming, picnics, boardwalks, nature and horseback-riding trails. With almost 6,900 acres of wild scenery, the park allows visitors to see how central Florida looked when the Timicuan Indians speared fish in the spring-fed creeks and stalked deer in the uplands. Lake Jesup, another county favorite, is famed for having the highest alligator lake population in all of North America. Made up of swampy, grassy marshes, nothing beats seeing wildlife in their natural environment. Animal lovers wishing to get a deeper glance at wild life can visit the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
A trip to the zoo allows visitors to get up close and personal with over 400 animals including the Southeast’s largest collection of venomous snakes and non-venomous reptiles. The zoo’s most recent additions are a giraffe exhibit, in which visitors may hand feed the giraffes, and a leopard exhibit.
Also at the zoo is ZOOm Air Adventures a unique adventure course that allows guests to explore perfect natural habitats from an animal’s perspective—in the air. Traveling from tree to tree by zip lines and suspended rope bridges.
Seminole County offers nature lovers, families and adventurous travelers a fun and cool getaway for a reasonable rate. Whether you are looking for an exhilarating escapade or soothing break, Do Orlando North, Seminole County–the ultimate travel destination this summer.
About Orlando North, Seminole County:
A short drive from all the major attractions of Central Florida and home to Orlando Sanford International Airport, Orlando North, Seminole County offers first-rate accommodations for less, varied meeting & event venues, and diverse dining and shopping in its charming communities. Known as “Orlando’s Natural Oasis,” the destination offers visitors a wide array of thrilling outdoor activities from an aerial adventure course with ziplining to paddling alongside manatees in clear freshwater springs and rivers. Long known as an exciting and affordable meetings/groups destination, Orlando North also offers an array of sports and training facilities, soon to include the 102-acre Seminole County Sports Complex (open in May 2016). For destination information call 1-800-800-7832 or 407-665-2900 or visit www.DoOrlandoNorth.com.
The Avenues Mall Working With Local Non-Profits #RonaldMcdonaldHouse #Salvationarmy #UrbanServ
December 10, 2015 By
THE AVENUES WORKING WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS
Jacksonville community is invited to give-back this holiday season
Tis the season for giving! Simon Property Group is pleased to announce that this holiday season, The Avenues is supporting three local not-for-profits including Ronald McDonald House Charities, The Salvation Army and UCOM UrbanServ in an effort to spread generosity and cheer to the less fortunate. The Avenues will accept donations for each organization until December 21, 2015.
“We are thrilled that the Jacksonville community is so supportive of our local not-for-profit groups, and are pleased to be working with these dynamic charities during the holiday season,” said Carla De Maria, director of marketing and business development at The Avenues. “Giving back is truly the reason for the season, and it is a joy to see the city working together for these special causes.”
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville supports the health and well-being of children by providing lodging and other services for critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families. The 30-bedroom house allows families to stay together and close to their children during a very trying time. To help provide for these families, The Avenues is serving as a drop-off location for Wish List items, which include items such as paper towels, laundry detergent, non-perishable foods and cleaning supplies. For a detailed list of wish-list items, please visit: http://rmhcjacksonville.org/how-you-can-help/wish-list/
The mission of The Salvation Army during the holiday season is two-fold. The organization has set up their traditional red-kettles outside The Avenues to support the agency’s hunger and homelessness programs, such as the food pantry, throughout the year. The Avenues is also participating in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, a 36-year old program that provides Christmas gifts for children ages 0-12 whose families have proven financial hardship. The community is invited to pick an angel from the tree. When you pick an angel from the tree, you will have the information you need to make that child’s Christmas brighter, including the child’s first name, clothing size, age, and details about what kinds of gifts they might like to receive.
For more than 35 years, UCOM UrbanServ, Inc has worked tirelessly to serve the hungry and poor in our community. This year, Jacksonville residents can drop off nonperishable goods at The Avenues during the holiday season and help UCOM UrbanServ ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
About The Avenues
The Avenues is Jacksonville’s premier family-friendly shopping destination. A multi-level indoor shopping center offering more than 1.1 million square-feet of shopping, The Avenues is home to 5 department stores including Belk, Dillard’s, Forever 21, JCPenney and Sears, plus more than 150 of the most exciting stores in Northeast Florida. Retailers include Aeropostale, Aldo, American Eagle, Banana Republic, bareMinerals, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Charming Charlie, Express, Francesca’s Collections, H&M, LOFT, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, New York & Company, The Limited, Victoria’s Secret, and more. The mall is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. For additional information, please contact the mall management office at (904) 363-3054 or visit www.shoptheavenues.com.
