April 01, 2005
Miami Beach Travel Reviews - March 2005
Michelle just uploaded the User Reviews that were sent to us last month. A total of 45 reviews were submitted by people from Miami to Moscow.
Her favorite review was submitted by a user from New York City about the Hotel titled "Classy, unassuming abode".
Thanks to everyone who sent us a review.
You can read all the reviews right here.
Posted by Gus at 11:25 AM | Comments (0)
Volunteers Needed To Help Dolphins
Volunteers are needed to help rehabilitate 13 rough-toothed dolphins that survived a massive stranding off the Florida Keys in early March.
According to the Marine Mammal Conservancy's, 26 dolphins were taken to the conservancy for rehabilitation but 13 have since died.
Officials said one dolphin that was born after the stranding is doing well and now weighs 18 pounds.
The conservancy is asking for volunteers to help in taking care of the dolphins. To volunteer, call (305) 451-4774.
For up-to-date information on the stranding and the 13 surviving dolphins, visit the Marine Mammal Conservancy.
If you would like to make a donation or volunteer to help the dolphins in Key Largo, visit the Marine Mammal Conservancy's donations page.
Posted by Gus at 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
Katrina Campins Runway Show
No, this is not an April Fools joke. During the runway show at Miami's Funkshion Fashion Week, Coral Gables real estate diva and former "Apprentice" star, Katrina Campins, walked the entire length of the runway not realizing that her $250 Tommy Hilfiger's shirt had malfunctioned, and her breasts were exposed.
But don't sweat it, Katrina. You look hot. Plus, you get mad props for not breaking your stride.
Posted by Gus at 06:34 AM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2005
Hot Cars & Pretty Sights
Here's a nice post from Santosh Sankar at Confessions of a Dangerous Kind about the hot cars and pretty sights that he saw on his recent trip to Florida...IYKWIM
Posted by Gus at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)
Sharks Close Delray Beaches
Lifeguards (70 miles north of Miami) in Delray, Deerfield, Boca Raton and Palm Beach had to close the beaches on Tuesday after hundreds of sharks gatherd offshore.
Experts believe the sharks off Deerfield beach were black tip and spinner sharks. Experts said the sharks came so close to shore because they were chasing baitfish. The spinner species is not known as man-eaters but they have been blamed for biting people.
Now, I don't mean to alarm you. I have never seen a shark in Miami Beach, but I did have a nasty run with a Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish.
See shark photos at NBC6.
Posted by Gus at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2005
Record Year for Miami Tourism
William D. Talbert, President and CEO of the GMCVB recently announced that 2004 overnight visitors to Greater Miami grew 5 percent to nearly 11 million visitors, fueled by 5.7 million domestic visitors and strong growth in international markets.
The international market grew 7 percent, helped by an 11 percent growth in European visitors and a 6.8 percent increase from Latin America. This overall growth in overnight visitors resulted in a nearly 6 percent growth in occupancy year-round, proving that Miami is no longer a seasonal destination.
A Smith Travel Research study shows that Miami’s 7.8 percent growth in average daily room rate — now up to $114.48 — was second only to New York’s growth rate.
Mr. Talbert added that "the Bureau’s marketing efforts helped bring high profile events like the MTV Video Music Awards and Art Basel Miami Beach, which created an international buzz about the destination."
The GMCVB recently announced a new global event for July 16-20 — Sunglass Hut Swim Shows Miami.
Posted by Gus at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)
Rescued manatees are going home
Here is local feel-good story to start off your day: Two manatees are going home and getting a new lease on life. Two years ago, a male manatee, Bo, and a female manatee, Daisy, were rescued in the Banana River in southwest Miami-Dade County. When Bo and Daisy were found, each weighed a little over 200 pounds and were sick and emaciated.
Now, they both are healthy weighing in at almost 800 pounds each. On Tuesday, Bo and Daisy were taken back to their home in the Banana River and released into the wild.
Vist NBC6 for photos of the release.
You can also track how Bo and Daisy are doing, at the WildTracks.org.
Posted by Gus at 07:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2005
New Library for Miami Beach
The Miami Beach Regional Library has opened a new facility at 227 22nd Street. MiamiDade.gov says...
"The Library serves residents and visitors from all over the world who come to obtain information, to read a paper, or to check out a book. There is a wide selection of U.S. and foreign newspapers and extensive periodical subscriptions. In addition, the library has more than 100 computers with flat screen monitors for accessing the Internet"
An official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, April 1, at 2pm. A free Family Festival Day will be held on Sunday, April 3.
Media inquires contact Marivi Prado at 305-375-5180.
Posted by Gus at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2005
Cuban Refugees Land at Fort Jefferson
Julio C. Zangroniz at Babalu has an exclusive story about a group of Cuban refugees arriving at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.
"On Wednesday, March 23 a group of 14 Cuban refugees, 13 men and one woman, walked quietly into the grounds surrounding historic Fort Jefferson, then sat meekly at a picnic table, just as if they were just another group of tourists exploring the remote outpost."
Michelle and I visited the Dry Tortugas, last February. We took a 90-minute ferry boat ride from Key West. It's a magical place.
In 2004, over 450 Cuban refugees made it to freedom there.
You can read Julio's full story, and see some touching photographs here.
Posted by Gus at 11:01 PM | Comments (0)