Friday, Saturday and Sunday: July 8-10


KINGFISH CHALLENGE
Chase the big ones in this exciting competition that offers cash and prizes for the biggest catch. Registration is limited to 400 boats. Friday is the Junior Kingfish Challenge, Tournament Registration and the Captain's Meeting. Fishing days are Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a fish fry and awards on Sunday. It all begins at the St. Augustine City Marina located at 111 Avenida Menendez. For more information and registration forms, call 904.824.8324 or visit www.acgfa.com/kingfishchallenge.html.


OLDEST STORE MUSEUM
Visit the "new" Oldest Store Museum Experience now located at Historic Tours of America, 167 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine. Once a popular attraction in the Oldest City, the museum was closed for 10 years, but is now open daily in a new location. The Museum features more than 100,000 household items from a by-gone era - it's like walking into a Sears & Roebuck catalog from 1900! Plus, live actors add to the fun and charm of this wonderful museum. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children. For more information on The Oldest Store Museum Experience, visit www.trolleytours.com or contact Dave Chatterton at 904-829-3800 or via email at dchatterton@historictours.com

El CONQUISTADOR THRILL RIDE
Go for a thrilling, high-speed, one-hour ride across Matanzas Bay aboard El Conquistador, St. Augustine's newest thrill ride. Narrated tour features history, speed and fun aboard this powerful speedboat. El Conquistador departs from the City Marina's Slip 73. Tickets are $39.50 for adults and $29.50 for children (ages 4-12). Free for active duty military. Special rates for groups of eight or more. For safety reasons, children under four and pregnant women are not allowed onboard. For information and reservations, go to http://www.elconspeedboat.com/ or call 904.738.4695.

ASSASSINS AT LIMELIGHT THEATRE
Spend an evening with the infamous during a performance of Assassins at Limelight Theatre. This twisted musical by Sondheim plays out as a murderous carnival game featuring various characters who have all attempted to assassinate a U.S. President. Last weekend! Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and active military. The Limelight Theater is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.825.1164 or visit http://www.limelight-theatre.org/.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER
Experience the first theater on St. Augustine's St. George Street since a terrible fire destroyed the Genovar Opera House in 1914. The St. Augustine Murder Mystery Theatre features a great meal and great live entertainment daily with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. and an evening show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $43.15 each. For more information, call 904.671.2508 or go to http://www.staugustinemurdermysterydinnertheater.com/.


YACHT OF FUN
Have a captain and a fun-equipped 22-foot boat at your service from dawn to dusk! Yacht of Fun takes up to six people on a full day of whatever passengers prefer - fishing, swimming, stopping at waterfront restaurants, sunning - you name it. The boat leaves from St. Augustine and offers the perfect way to spend a day. The rate is $60 per person for a party of six. For more information, go to http://www.yachtoffun.net/ or call Cap'n Mike at 352.246.3836


BEACH HORSEBACK RIDING
Experience the fun and excitement of horseback riding at the edge of the sea. Country Carriages offer daily one-hour rides (weather and tides permitting) from Surfside Park on Vilano Beach. The cost is $75 per person. For reservations (a must) and more information, call 904.826.1982.


Saturday and Sunday: July 9 & 10


GUANA FAMILY KAYAK TOURS
Experience a thrilling family outing in kayaks at Guana Preserve. Get up close and personal to crabs, jellyfish, pelicans and Dolphins on a Family Kayak Tour, geared to the more inquisitive younger minds. A percentage of tours proceeds goes directly to the "Friends of the GTM NERR" to assist with their conservation efforts. $55 for adults and $45 for children ages 6 to 15. Tours are by reservation and take place from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, call 904.347.1565 or visit http://www.kayakguana.com/.

ST. AUGUSTINE ECO TOURS Get on the water and enjoy a fresh sea breeze aboard a stable vessel with St. Augustine Eco Tours. You will be transported through the estuary and the only thing you have to do is sit back & relax! Recent sightings include green sea turtles and baby dolphins. If you want to join the fun, call at 904.377.7245 or visit http://www.staugustineecotours.com/. 1.5 hour boat trip is $35/adults, $30/Kids 3-12, and $10/infant-2.


PGA TOUR GOLF ACADEMY CLINICS
The PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village is offering one-hour clinics for $20 to focus on the building blocks of a consistent swing. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 904.940.3600 or visit http://www.touracademy.com/.

Saturday: July 9

HISTORIC WEAPONS FIRING DEMONSTRATION
Take the National Park Service's ferry to Rattlesnake Island and experience daily military life at Fort Matanzas - the 18th century Spanish fort that guarded the southern approach to St. Augustine. From 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., authentically clad re-enactors will demonstrate historic weapons at the fort. Admission is free. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located on A1A at the south end of Anastasia Island approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.471.0116 or visit www.nps.gov/foma.


PLATTERS, COASTERS, DRIFTERS AND TEMPTATIONS SALUTE
Lead singer for the Platters, Myles Savage will perform at Fort Manendez at Old Florida Museum, 259 San Marco Avenue. Performances will include classic songs of these immortal groups as Myles sings for all in attendance and audience participation is encouraged. Performances are Saturdays at 7:00pm and tickets are $40. A buy one, get one FREE ticket deal is being offered for a limited time. For more information, tickets and required reservations visit http://www.oldfloridamuseum.com/ or call 904-824-8874

Sunday: July 10

BOZ SCAGGS AND MICHAEL MCDONALD AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE
Spend an evening with two of the iconic entertainers of the 70's and 80's, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald! Ever-popular Boz Scaggs and five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald share top billing in this special concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Tickets are $44.50, $59.50 & $79.50. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is located at 1340 A1A South. For more information call 904.471.1965 or visit http://www.staugamphitheatre.com/.

The Tides is the most exclusive Art Deco hotel currently on Ocean Drive of South Beach. It stands tall, with no "eyebrows" (you'll have to take my Art Deco tour to learn about this term) and unassuming, the bland beige color masks the luxurious interior.

The Tides is also home to another well kept secret--an upscale seafood restaurant, La Marea. When I walk my tour clients into this lobby and then the adjacent restaurant, the reaction is predictably the same.  If you love interior decor, this is a must see.

Every detail from the womb chairs, the eyecatching place settings, and rows of turtle shells lining the wall, leaves a memorable impression. It's quite inviting.

This past Friday I had the pleasure of dining at this seafood establishment for lunch. Worried the menu prices matched the lavish all-suite hotel guest room rates, I was pleasantly surprised that lunch was within my recessionary budget.

To freshen up from the heat wave, a Tides Royale cocktail perked me up. A blend of liquors, I immediately tasted rum. What were the green and brown colors? You'll have to try it and guess. Just leave a comment below!



For starters, I had to try the Tropical Ceviche.  Outside the heat and humidity clung to your body. So a ceviche with its protein and citrus juices is light (low fat!) but filling and the perfect antidote to the heat wave. La Marea's ceviche is a combination of shrimps, Mahi Mahi, jalapenos, red onions, papayas, cucumber and cilantro, cured in a mix of coconut milk, lime and orange.  No skimpy portions here. The ceviche was served in a deep cocktail glass which exceeded expectations.




For my entree, while I was tempted by the Seafood Salad,  I went with a favorite, the Cobb Salad.
A presentation of perky Boston lettuce with turkey breast, crispy bacon, perfect boiled egg, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, avocado and blood orange vinaigrette, the salad was heavy on the main ingredients and light on the dressing, not drowning.





My dining companion did choose the Seafood salad, if nothing else, for my curiosity so I could blog about it. The Seafood Salad is a base of avocado mousse and baby arugula covered with baby octopus, shrimps, fried calamari, orange segments, mixed radish slices and Agrumento EVOO.





For dessert I chose the Floridian Flan.  This was a surprising light orange twist, and not so sweet like traditional Cuban flans, accompanied by a lemon sorbet. Absolutely refreshing and light!



I highly recommend La Marea for lunch. Indoors the restaurant is lit with natural sunlight and you can readily get a table for two by the window and still people-watch at the same time. No reservations needed. The restaurant is a quiet refuge from the bustling cafe-style restaurants on Ocean Drive where waitresses are soliciting/hustling passerbys.

A quick note: they are updating the online menu to match the current menu.

Enjoy the ebb and flow (the translation of La Marea) of fine dining!

Aventura (North Miami)
Aerial Fireworks can be viewed from any loction along Country Club Drive. Rain date is Tuesday, July 5. Visit http://www.cityofaventura.com/

Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami
Celebrate the birth of the nation at America's Birthday Bash featuring a fireworks spectacular that can be seen from anywhere in the park plus food and beverages and a kids' zone; 3-9 p.m. Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; free admission. 305-358-7550. Fireworks display begins at 9pm or 9:15pm.

Coconut Grove
Now the Grove knows how to celebrate in style featuring a popular trend--the family fun and food truck extravaganza. Bring your own picnic basket or purchase hot dogs, burgers and more. But that's just the beginning. Get their early (starting at 11am) for lawn and board games, kite-making and crafts for the kids.   No 4th of July is complete without a Hot Dog eating contest at 3pm at the CocoWalk Courtyard. But wait there's more! Following the contest is a scavenger hunt at 3:30pm at the Bookstore (3399 Virginia Street). This act culminates with a bash on Peacock Park that includes food trucks, music by Supernova and wire walkers beginning at 5pm.  Fireworks display rounds out the day and evening!

Miami Beach
Bring beach chairs and towels and enjoy live music by Big Poppa E and the E Band and South Florida Jazz Orchestra accompanied by sultry songstress Nicole Henry. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. at Eighth St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; free admission.

Jungle Island (off the 395 bridge between mainland Miami and Miami Beach)

Salute America's armed forces with a fireworks and barbecue bash. Watch the fireworks spectacular from the terrace of Jungle Island's Treetop Ballroom. Indulge in an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet, family entertainment, including music and dancing, and interactive visits from some animal friends. $22.95 for adults and seniors, $14.95 ages 3-10, $5 for military (includes admission and dinner). 6:30 p.m. Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; 305-400-7000 or http://www.jungleisland.com/.

Homestead Concert & Fireworks
Kids' rides, food, concert, firework 5-10pm at the Homestead Miami Speedway. http://www.cityofhomestead.com/

Key Biscayne

July 4th parade on Key Biscayne featuring music, floats and fireworks. Parade begins along Crandon Boulevard at 11 a.m. and festivities conclude with fireworks at sunset. Village Green Park, 400 Crandon Blvd. Free.

The Palms at Town & Country (South Miami)
View sand sculptures at Plaza on the Green, free lunch 12pm-4pm plus there will be prize drawings every hour, a concert 7pm-8:30pm and fireworks display by the lake 8:45pm.
8268 Mills Drive, Kendall.


Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise
This 4th of July celebration includes food and beverage vendors, a sponsor tent area; a family fun zone with bounce houses, games, face painters, and jugglers and live music on stage.  3D fireworks glasses for the 9pm display are available at the Sawgrass Mills booth while supplies last 5-10pm Monday.  http://www.bankatlanticcenter.com/


Hallandale Beach
Gulfstream Park celebrates with live music, a kids' zone featuring bounce houses, face painting and pony rides, food and buffet at $17.76 per person at Ten Palms restaurant. Festivities begin at 4pm and ends with fireworks display.  Gulstream Park & Casino 901 S. Federal Highway; free parking; 954-454-7000. http://www.gulfstreampark.com/

Hollywood
Features kids' games and DJ Tony Tiru (1-6pm at Charnow Park, 300 Connecticut Street. Musical entertainment at Hollywood Beach Theatre features country music with Rodeo clowns (6-10pm). http://www.hollywoodfl.org/


Happy Independence Day!
Be Safe!