Take Aim at Breast Cancer, Paintball Tournament

Fantasy of Flight: "Take Aim at Breast Cancer"

                     Oct. 23-24, 2010     10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

During the 2010 Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP) World Cup Paintball Tournament held at Fantasy of Flight, guests can contribute to the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. For a small donation, guests will be able to fire a round of pink paintballs at a canvas that will eventually become a work of art.  A portion of the funds collected will be donated to the Orlando Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Local Winter Haven artist, Tony Trotti, has agreed to donate his talent to creating art out of the paintball splattered canvases which will be donated to the Cassidy Center at Winter Haven Hospital to be auctioned off at their annual gala on Nov. 4th, 2010.  Community partners include Paintball Sports Promotion (PSP), Off the Wall Adventures, Inc., Procaps Direct and Artist Tony Trotti.

Cost:  Spectators receive free entry to the PSP World Cup.  $10 donation for each round.

POW Experience, Fantasy of Flight

Fantasy of Flight's Living History Symposium Series "Airmen in Captivity: The POW Experience"

                      Oct. 8-9, 2010   10 a.m. - 5 p.m.   

World War II created 93,941 prisoners of war.  However, life in the prison camps bore little resemblance of what is depicted in the movies and on television. Before the prison gates closed behind them, these fierce young airmen survived catastrophic flying trauma only to be captured and imprisoned by the enemy. What lay ahead was a psychological battlefield armed with a barrage of interrogation, isolation, and brutal conditions.

What did they experience? What did they learn? How did they manage not only to survive but to triumph over these real-life traumatic experiences? Learn about facing the enemy without as well as the enemy within, from these true American heroes.  This event features an open-forum/question-and-answer format with WWII prisoners of war.

Cost: Living History Symposium free with Fantasy of Flight General Admission - Adults $28.95, Seniors $24.95, Children 6-15  $14.95, Toddlers 5 and under free. See web site for details

AARP: 3-D...Discover, Decide & Delight

Orlando is proud to be hosting the AARP @50 National Event! With a full line up of celebrity speakers, live entertainment and an exhibit hall flourishing with products and services geared to the 50+ group,you will want to tell all your 50+ friends, neighbors and family! Join them September 30 to October 2, 2010.
There are more than 100 sessions to choose from including: Whoopi Goldberg!
A feature session with Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and Robin Roberts
Best selling author and medical expert Dean Ornish, M.D.
A panel discussion with travel industry leaders; Kevin Sheehan, CEO Norwegian Cruise Line, Ron Nelson CEO of Avis Budget Group and Mark Hoplamaizan CEO of Hyatt Hotels.
The concert list includes: Crosby, Stills and Nash, Judy Collins, Richie Havens and numerous entertainers.
Register online today! www.AARP.org

The need for Speed

If you love motorcycles, and most men and quite a few women do, then you have to check out Jay Leno and  his interviews with motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors.
(click here: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/motorcycles/motorcycles-of-pebble-beach-2010/#comments
I've had the pleasure of meeting Dale, the founder and president of Wheels Through Time in Maggie Valley, NC. He has an awesome museum of working motorcycles and a few other vehicles. Every motorcycle and vehicle in his museum will start up and run. And, they all have a story to tell.
I loved wandering through his "parking garage" filled with motorcycles, stories and memorabilia of his passion. His place is a must see for everyone, men, women and teens. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to tour the 2nd floor, but his restoration area is even fun to meander around in, if you're lucky enough. His passion has always been Harley Davidsons and the Indian cycles. His stories will take you along on his adventure of finding and acquiring parts of history, some legendary. Dale has more than 300 of America's rarest and historic classic motorcycles.
Check out the Pebble Beach interview (link above) between Jay Leno and Dale about the fastest Indian.
Then check out, www.wheelsthroughtime.com Many of their stories are being recorded and can be watched online.

Beach Sun & Fun in Sarasota and Longboat Key

Saturdays are Family Day at Ringling Museum of Art (www.ringling.org)  in Sarasota. They are offering hands-on art making activities related to an exhibition or theme at different locations as well as family friendly docent led tours with more interactivity. Kids can be a star at the Circus Museum's Wagon Room where they can create a circus banner, juggle balls, dress up and clown around in a clown costume. Step Right Up through October 2, 2010. From Oct. 23 - Dec. 12, Family Friendly activities include weaving threads of gold on their own loom!
The G.Wiz Science Museum offers more hands-on fun for kids and families with a race track, mindball, with a visit to their Critter Habitat or in the Illusion room. A new exhibit will keep you both green, with Renewable Energy Exhibits. Visit their site for current activities, camps and events; www.gwiz.org.
    Want to spend some time outdoors? Go bike riding or kayaking. Rent a bike, canoe, kayak or charter a boat to go fishing. Fishing charters will provide your tackle and bait. Kayak on your own, or take a guided eco-tour through some of Florida's beautiful ecosystems such as mangrove trees and see how many of the 200 species of birds you can identify. Visit www.AdventureKayakOutfitters.com and explore away. Family friendly and upclose with nature. Looking for more? Try kiteboarding, windsurfing and Island Style Water sports. (www.islandstylesports.com). Scuba and snorkeling are also available for training to professionals. See Sarasota through different lenses.
    Go hiking in Myakka River State Park. They offer numerous trails for hiking and biking; guided boat tours, kayak rentals and camping. (another blog talks about their canopy bridge). For a bird's eye view, climb up the tower, 75 feet high, to the observation deck to see the vast habitat. A suspension bridge is 85 feet long and only 25 feet off the ground. Walk through the treetops to see how our tropical ecosystem thrives and survives. (www.myakkariver.org)

  
Kids and adults can go behind-the-scenes, and aquariums, at Mote Aquarium and Marine Laboratory on Longboat Key. Go on tour with the staff as they make their rounds and clean and feed a variety of fish! See how new exhibits come in (fish), then go through quarantine before being introduced to their new habitat. (Below) Matt looks at scales and fins from fish to check their health. Mote is involved in  many research projects around Florida from rescuing turtles from the oil spill to tagging and tracking snook! Eco boat tours are also available.

A few great places to stay include: Cypress Bed & Breakfast (www.cypressbb.com) on the Bay in Sarasota, Sandpiper Inn (www.sandpiperinn.com) on Longboat Key to camping at RV resorts and state park campgrounds. (Sun and Fun or Myakka River, to name a few). There are even pet-friendly accommodations: Best Western Midtown in Sarasota, Captiva Beach Resort on Siesta Key and the Comfort Inn to name a few. 

Dining in? Try Mar Vista Dockside (Longboat Key) or Beachhouse (Bradenton) or the Sandbar on Anna Maria Island, Libby's in Sarasota, to numerous seafood establishments where the food is fresh and the service is friendly! History, tropical music and great atmosphere. (www.groupersandwich.com)

Events for Labor Day around Florida

Waldorf Astoria Collection – (Key West, Sept. 2-7) Located on the southernmost point of the continental U.S., Casa Marina Resort, Waldorf Astoria Collection and The Reach Resort,Waldorf Astoria Collection, are ideal for vacationers seeking the perfect tropical escape this summer. With the largest stretch of private beach in Key West, guests can unwind with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic, the waterside spa treatments at Spa al Mare, the sumptuous steaks at the famed Manhattan steakhouse Strip House and the two largest pools in the Conch Republic. Sun-seekers can experience the beachside resorts with rates starting at just $149 per night. Guests will receive a $50 resort credit for every two-night stay, $75 for every three-nights and $100 for every four-night stay, or more! For more information, visitwww.casamarinaresort.com and www.reachresort.com.

Amelia Island Plantation - (Amelia Island, Sept. 3-6) Amelia Island Plantation is promoting a special for Labor Day escapes of $179 per night at the oceanfront property, Amelia Inn. Activities include the Guinness & Golf Tournament, wine and gourmet tasting, as well as theBoardwalk Bash on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. The Boardwalk Bash offers child, youth and teen recreation programs, 54 holes of golf, 22 clay tennis courts, segway and nature tours, bike and island hopper rentals and much more. The rate is based on two people in a deluxe ocean view room. Other rates and room types are available. For more information, visitwww.ameliaislandplantation.com.

Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa – (Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 3-6) Enjoy the Labor Day holiday and wiggle your toes in the white pristine beaches of Fort Myers. Travel with your family and enjoy a bedroom suite (sleeping up to four guests) that includes two welcome drinks, daily complimentary breakfast for two, and two daily beach chairs and an umbrella for your beach outings. In addition to these services, you will also receive a 20 percent discount on anyAquagene Spa treatment. This entire package is available for a total cost of $699 plus tax, for a stay of three nights. Hurry and book your escape to Fort Myers today! For more information, call 1(888) 222-7565 or visit www.pinkshell.com. 


Read more here: www.NewTravelAdventures.com

10 Back to School Saving Money Tips

We all love saving money, but yet still want value for our dollar. Here are a few, okay 10 Tips to Saving Money during Back-to-School shopping!
1. Have your back to school supplies list handy, and with you at all times. Usually Sundays, and now Wednesday or Thursday's daily newspapers have lots of flyers and ads for stores offering everything from folders and backpacks to calculators and laptops. Go through all of the flyers and make notes as to who is offering the best deals. You don't want to be driving all over town either, this isn't going to save you gas or money.
2. Set a budget. You may not need to have everything for the first few days of school. If you can purchase the necessary items first, then purchase the rest as you are able to more comfortably. This often helps the family budget.
3. When driving around to pick up supplies, it's best if you can consolidate your trips. Don't just run out for a few items here and then run out again. Plan your driving around so you're not making extra trips.
4. Print coupons from online! There are numerous websites and blogs that offer specials and coupons and you can type in what you are looking for and usually find a coupon or special.
5. Don't forget the Dollar Stores and Dollar General, they often have good buys on paper and other elementary supplies. Probably not the expensive calculators older kids will need.
6. Buy in bulk. Shopping at Sam's Club and other membership stores offers some benefits if you have the money and space to purchase food and staples in bulk. You can also go in with a friend and buy your supplies together, that way two of you come out ahead.
7. Shop at stores where you get rewards and points. By doing this throughout the year you can receive store credit or Rewards bucks that come in handy for ink and other supplies.
8. Shop over the period of several weeks, different deals will come about over time.
9. Look for alternatives in supplies, maybe different brands or generics.
10. Anticipating needs in the future will help too. Go to parent/teacher night or open house and get a copy of the syllabus. This will give you a heads up for projects and events so plan ahead and break them down into doable projects without being overwhelming.
wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to: http://staples.twittermoms.com/about)