(Press Release)_​MIAMI (October 25, 2017) — Carnival Cruise Line announced today that the massive LED “Dreamscape” atrium sculpture on the new Carnival Horizon will feature colorful, custom-designed artwork created by patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® when the 133,500-ton ship debuts in Europe in spring 2018. 
  
The eye-catching, three-deck high centerpiece in Carnival Horizon’s atrium will feature 33 different artistic creations from patients of St. Jude, one of Carnival’s largest charitable partners.
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The announcement was made at Carnival’s Day of Play, an annual event held for children and their families at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s event was Carnival Playtime and kids and their families enjoyed popular games like Sorry! Guess Who, and Yahtzee inspired by Hasbro, The Game Show, featured on board Carnival ships.  Face-painting, arts and crafts, and Carnival-themed giveaways were also offered.

​Designed by Techno Media, Dreamscape is a uniquely designed, 24-foot funnel-shaped centerpiece that debuted on Carnival Vista and is comprised of more than 2,000 flexible LED tiles that have been customized for the shipboard environment. Each day, technicians on board program the rotating artwork based on the time of day, port or occasion. 

(Press Release)_MIAMI, FL October 25, 2017 – Azamara Club Cruises®, the cruise line known for its Destination Immersion® programming, today revealed its 2018-19 sailings for the brand’s newest addition, Azamara PursuitSM. The Azamara Pursuit, announced in September, joins sister ships Azamara Quest® and Azamara Journey® in providing guests with one-of-a-kind curated experiences and access to some of the most exotic destinations around the globe.
 
“We’re thrilled to announce Azamara Pursuit’s voyages,” said Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “By expanding our destination offerings, guests will be able to experience even more regions of the world and revisit regions we haven’t been to in some time now.” Building on the Azamara brand promise, Pimentel continued, “Like its sisters, Azamara Pursuit will take guests to the most uniquely curated destination experiences.” 
 
Azamara Pursuit will increase the brand’s destination offerings by 40% and will add 61 more destinations. Guests will also stay longer and experience more with 48 late nights and 26 overnights. Guests will get to experience some of the most unique destinations worldwide, including 15 maiden calls: 

(Press Release)_MIAMI, Fla. – October 18, 2017 – Brightline, the only privately funded express intercity passenger rail system in the country, has earned the “Eagle Award” for the Fort Lauderdale Station by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida East Coast Chapter. The innovative transportation company received the prestigious honor and its contractor and subcontractors received four additional awards at the 2017 ABC Awards dinner Friday, October 13 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center.

“The Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station is a new landmark destination for the City of Fort Lauderdale,” said Mike Reininger, Executive Director of Florida East Coast Industries, Brightline’s parent company. “It is an honor to be recognized with this award from the construction community, and I thank the ABC Florida Chapter for their enthusiastic support of Brightline. I must applaud all of our partners and teammates who helped us make this project a reality.”    

“The Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station will be a transportation hub, transforming downtown Fort Lauderdale and changing what many thought was possible in South Florida,” said Peter M. Dyga, President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter. “I salute the Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station construction team as they have put our industry in the transportation spotlight.”

The station, located along NW 2nd Avenue between Broward Boulevard and NW 4th Street, spans 60,000 square feet in the “Flagler Village” area and is already revitalizing the northern area of downtown. Plans for new developments in close proximity to the station, including housing, commercial and hotel, have been announced.

(Press Release)_MIAMI, FL – October 17, 2017 – From Athens to Barcelona to Reykjavik, Celebrity Cruises has all of Europe covered with the brand’s award-winning fleet that delivers unrivaled modern luxury vacations. In 2019, Celebrity will have five stunning ships, including the newest, Celebrity Edge, sailing in the region.
 
With stops in 27 different countries, overnight stays in 16 cities, and visits to more than 90 ports of call – including three brand new Celebrity-first ports of call: Nauplion, Greece; Rijeka, Croatia; and Santa Margherita, Italy – there’s no better way to experience Europe than with Celebrity.
 
“From our expansive new itineraries, including three exciting new ports of call and overnights in 16 cities across the region, to our specially curated shore excursions, there’s a reason we’re continually recognized as the ‘Best Cruise Line In Europe’,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.
 
The newest iconic European landmark isn’t on land
As revealed today by Lutoff-Perlo at an exclusive event in London’s Somerset House, Celebrity Edge will be transporting guests to the stunning vistas of the Mediterranean with a range of seven- to 11-night sailings from iconic cities like Barcelona and Rome in 2019. The itineraries will also feature two of the new ports of call: Nauplion, Greece – a charming coastal town with a Greek island-feel – and Santa Margherita, Italy – a picturesque seaside town near Portofino.
 
With its revolutionary, outward-facing design – highlighted by signature features such as the Magic Carpet and the Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda – Europe has never seen a ship like Celebrity Edge before, and guests will have never seen Europe like they will on Celebrity Edge.
 
Beyond the Edge of Europe
In addition to Celebrity Edge, the modern luxury brand will also occupy the region with four more award-winning vessels, including Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Reflection, and Celebrity Silhouette. There really is no better way to experience Europe than with Celebrity.

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Our friends, Steve and David, were raving to us about a restaurant we should try. It's called Relish, located in West Palm Beach in the historic Northwood Village, right on US 1. As luck would have it, we had just received a special offer from Relish in the mail that same week. Always up for a new dining spot, we headed there for lunch.

Steve and David, you were right -- it's a winner!

The restaurant mission statement is "Food beyond extraordinary." And that starts with the service.

We were warmly greeted by a server and asked if we were first timers (standing and looking a little lost will bring that out). That was her cue to take us on a guided tour through their extensive menu options.

While there are appetizers and salads, the main event at Relish are their gourmet burgers, which can be customized just about any way you like. Start with the patty, which can be beef, bison, wild boar, lamb, venison, shrimp, white meat turkey, black bean ... and more. Next, you get a choice of two relishes, and there are about a dozen of those. Decisions, decisions!

But our server couldn't be more patient while we asked questions and weighed our options.

​Pam went for the white turkey burger with cheese, drunken onions (cooked in beer) and sweet roasted tomato. I opted for the black bean burger with drunken onions and savory pickle relish. She got a side of fries and I went for the onion straws. 

This was the first time to order a turkey burger that was genuine white turkey meat. The confluence of the relishes and the burger made for a sensory delight.

Along with the burgers, Relish is also reknowned for their shakes and homemade donuts. But given how large the burgers were, we'll have to come back to sample those.

One thing to note: Be prepared to pay a littled more. Burgers run from $10-15 and the shakes are $8.  Relish has two locations -- the one in West Palm and another in Boca Raton. Find out more by visiting their website, here.

We'll update you later on those shakes ... which means making more delicious decisions!

(Press Release)_Wine and pasta lovers can rejoice! Doris Italian Market & Bakery locations in Coral Springs, Sunrise, Boca Raton, North Palm Beach, Hollywood and Pembroke Pines are celebrating National Red Wine Day and National Pasta Day.
 
National Red Wine Day – Sunday, October 15:
Doris will have a special on Rocca Delle Macie SASYR from Tuscany for $9.98 750ml and Coppola Directors Cut Cabernet and Zinfandel for $19.98 750ml. This deal will go through Tuesday, October 17.
 
National Pasta Day, Tuesday, October 17:
All Anna imported Italian pasta (regular cuts only) will be 99 cents on Tuesday, October 17. 
 
To learn more about weekly deals, subscribe to the Doris mailing list at dorismarket.com.

Steel drum entertainer Wilson Jean-Baptiste performs his musical magic at the Sand Bar on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Sandpiper's Cove Restaurant and Bar in Old Port Cove. Jean-Baptiste is a regular there, and one of our personal favorites. Video by NBPL. 

(Press Release)_MIAMI, FL – October 11, 2017 – Today, Celebrity Cruises is proud to announce that same-sex marriages performed onboard are now legally recognized, marking a historic first for the modern luxury brand.
 
The motion follows a transformative vote in Malta, where a majority of the Celebrity fleet is registered, which passed the country’s parliament 66-1. The long-awaited referendum opens the door for Celebrity to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed onboard, and have the fleet’s captains officiate the ceremonies.
 
"Celebrity Cruises has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and I cannot think of a more important time in our history than right now to do all we can to support inclusion. I am absolutely thrilled to announce that starting today, we welcome same-sex couples to marry on our ships while in international waters," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "This is one for the history books!" 
 
“Celebrity Weddings has already hosted many same-sex weddings in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, where legal,” said Barbara Whitehall, Managing Director, The Wedding Experience. “We are ecstatic that this new Malta ruling opens up marriage equality for anyone and everyone sailing with Celebrity Cruises while in international waters.”
 
The Celebrity Weddings program offers onboard ceremonies and destination weddings for lovebirds. The Nautical Nuptials at Sea package includes a Captain-led ceremony, an event coordinator's services, live music, one hour of photography, cake for two, bottle of Champagne, a bouquet and boutonniere, plus additional romantic turndown amenities post-ceremony.
 
To learn more about the Celebrity Weddings program and The Wedding Experience, visit  www.celebrityweddings.eweddingcalendar.com.

(Press Release)_MIAMI (October 11, 2017) – Guy Fieri – a member of the American Royal National Barbecue Hall of Fame whose namesake burger joints are featured on 19 Carnival Cruise Line ships – will introduce a brand new full-service barbecue venue aboard Carnival Horizon when it debuts in spring 2018.

An expansion of Fieri’s casual barbecue eateries on several Carnival ships, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse combines the best of both worlds: authentic, down-home smoked-on-board barbecue and traditional sides created by the renowned chef, along with a selection of distinctive craft beers brewed on board at a brewery located within the restaurant.

The announcement will be made by Fieri at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas during the “Carnival’s BBQ Challenge with Guy Fieri” event during which kids from the local 4H Club were tasked to come up with unique barbecue recipes inspired by Pig & Anchor. The three finalists will each receive a free cruise and Carnival is making a $20,000 donation to the 4H Club of Texas in support of its mission of engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.

Diners are encouraged to have lots of napkins ready as they enjoy Guy’s Smokehouse favorites such as brisket custom-smoked for 12 hours, Memphis-style baby back ribs, dry-rubbed and grill-finished chicken, pulled pork, and cedar-smoked salmon with an apricot glaze, all cooked “low and slow” using Fieri’s signature rubs and spices. All Smoke House items are served with coleslaw, sweet pickles, and golden honey cornbread or Texas toast.

The restaurant will also offer Fieri’s signature dishes like Dragon Chili Cheese Fries featuring smoked beef brisket, cheddar cheese, onions and jalapenos; Trash Can Nachos topped with pulled pork, Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ sauce and melted cheese; and The Smokehouse Melt, with pulled pork, sliced brisket, double smoked pork belly bacon, two slices of cheddar cheese, homemade pickles and donkey sauce.

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