​VISIT FLORIDA recently sent out these travel tips for visitors and residents who want to see the Sunshine State in an RV. As they note, "Every day in the Sunshine State invites a new RV adventure of different scenery, towns and attractions."

"As you drive to Florida, make your first stop at the top of Florida in the off-the-beaten-path Santa Rosa County. Park your RV and enjoy the pristine white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Start your vacation by hiking to Coldwater Creek, where you can spend the night on a private sandbar.

"Explore unique and natural formations during your next stop at the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Camp in your RV inside the state park and enjoy exclusive tours of the caverns. You can also picnic, fish, hike, canoe and boat in the nearby Chipola River and Blue Hole spring.

"Next, head south to the coast of the Apalachicola Bay and enjoy five-star amenities at the Coastline RV Resort. Take day trips to local towns such as Carrabelle and Apalachicola. Definitely make it a priority to spend a day at the beach on St. George Island, which is routinely ranked Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beaches in America.

"Follow the Gulf of Mexico coastline south to the island of Cedar Key. Park your RV at theSunset Isle RV Park and Motel and spend a couple of days exploring the 200-year-old fishing and clamming village. Feed your appetite at the local Ada Blue Café with slow-cooked BBQ for dinner and 16 flavors of homemade butter cream fudge for dessert.

​(Press Release) -- On Saturday, Sept. 3, self-proclaimed “parrot heads” can gather under the stars at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa for a Labor Day Weekend Tribute to Jimmy Buffett With Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways. Kicking off at 8 p.m., the concert will take place on the resort’s Ocean Terrace with food and beverage available for purchase. General admission tickets are $28 per person and VIP tickets, including a welcome cocktail, a meet-and-greet with Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, and early admission for sound check are available for $58. Interested parties can purchase tickets at https://palm-beach-marriott-singer-island.ticketleap.com/tribute-to-jimmy-buffett/.

The Zika virus continues to be a major health concern for Floridians and tourists. You can learn more about Zika and how it has affected Palm Beach County on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the North Palm Beach Library. Chris Reisinger, Environmental Analyst for the Palm Beach County Dept. of Environmental Resources Management, Mosquito Control Division, will be speaking on these topics:

• Number of Infections in Palm Beach County
• Mosquito Control Activities
• Consumer Information

The talk is set for 2 pm at the library meeting room.

Here are some additional resources available on Zika from Florida Health and VISIT FLORIDA:

Florida Health Zika Information Page
Current Travel Safety Information
Zika Virus Information
Zika FAQ
Preventive Measures You Can Take
Mosquito Bite Protection

SiSpa at the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa has rolled out a selection of “Admiral Services of the Si” to help guys get and stay shipshape. Designed to improve skin health and overall well-being, the “Admiral Services of the Si” treatments menu includes:
 
·        Bourbon Body Scrub 
·        Sailor’s Healing Facial
·        Captain’s Manicure & Pedicure

For more information, call 561-340-1700.

Ever seen a conch out of its shell? This one is making tracks along the bottom of a fish tank at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. You go, girl (or boy)!

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach does great work to preserve and protect the sea turtles and our oceans. The latest example: This press release by Hannah Deadman, their Public Relations and Communications Coordinator, on their balloon ban initiative:

"​Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s latest conservation project is reaching new lengths in southeastern Florida. Now, various cities and towns in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties are set to apply the non-profit’s Balloon Ban to a variety of places, including town beaches, parks and other community locations in an effort to reduce marine debris.

"After LMC staff documented hundreds of deflated balloons on local beaches and treated many turtles who had ingested marine debris, they developed the Balloon Ban project last April to raise awareness about balloons’ impact on local wildlife. Balloons are often released purposefully or accidentally and often end up in the ocean, littering the place thousands of marine animals – like the sea turtle – call home. The deflated balloons resemble jellyfish, a common prey item for sea turtle species.

"By partnering with municipalities across approximately 130 miles of South Florida coastline, the ban helps to proactively reduce marine debris in some of the most densely-nested sea turtle nesting habitat in the country. Sample ordinances, signage and educational materials are all provided free of cost to participating towns.

"The first municipality to ban balloons was Palm Beach County, which used Juno Beach’s Loggerhead Park as a one-year trial. After receiving positive feedback from community members, LMC staff decided to expand the project area.

“Our hope is that the Balloon Ban will help people realize just how much of an effect pollution has on the ocean,” said Tommy Cutt, LMC’s chief conservation officer. “The message really hits home when people see a sea turtle being treated for accidentally ingesting a balloon. Fortunately, we have a viable solution. People can make a difference by recognizing and implementing the ban to make an impact in the community.”

"Other participating municipalities include:

Dania Beach
Juno Beach
Jupiter
Lake Worth
Hallandale Beach
Hillsboro Beach
Hollywood
Miami Lakes
South Palm Beach
Surfside
Martin County
Miami-Dade County

​"Cities, towns or counties interested in partnering with LMC to prohibit balloons in designated locations may contact Tommy Cutt at (561) 627-8280 ext. 122 or tcutt@marinelife.org."

Here's news for all you foodies (like us):

"Dine Out Lauderdale is back for its 10th year – a six-week program that brings high end dining to guests at affordable prices. Participating restaurants include McCoy’s Oceanfront at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, which is offering a special three-course menu to guests with a $36 price point. Created by Executive Chef Eric Kaszubinski is making the following three course menu available Aug. 15 – Sept. 30:

Starters (select one)

Rock Shrimp Fondue with Manchego, Plantain and Pita Chips
Local Burrata, Tomato Jam, Fig Balsamic, & Lemon Oil
Charcuterie Plate with Pickled Vegetable, Grain Mustard and Fig Jam

Mains (select one)

McCoy’s Seafood Stew with Local Fish, Clams, Shrimp and Chorizo
Grilled Lamb Chops with Sautéed Tuscan Kale, Goat Cheese Polenta and Tomato Caper Vinaigrette
Pan Roasted Atlantic Salmon with Summer Vegetable Farro Risotto and Lemon Grass Butter

Finale (select one)

Dark Chocolate Brownie Sunday with Salted Caramel, Vanilla Ice Cream and Spicy Pecans
Florida Key Lime Pie with Whipped Cream
Black Forest Cheesecake with Bourbon Cherries

"Those who want to stay the night can take advantage of Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa’s Summer Staycation Package. Complete with accommodations offering sweeping views of the ocean and Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, the package provides native Floridians with valet parking, daily buffet breakfast for two, 20 percent off regular priced treatments and services at SiSpa and complimentary WiFi. Interested parties can book their staycation by using the special code L9Z."