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Edgar Winter performs May 25 at Blast Friday in downtown Clearwater.

Edgar Winter performs May 25 at Blast Friday in downtown Clearwater.

Photo courtesy Ruth Eckerd Hall

Blast Fridays, Clearwater, FL

Have a blast at this free concert series in downtown Clearwater

by Marcia Biggs | January 22, 2012

Downtown Clearwater has always been a fun place for weekend visits thanks to popular annual concerts and festivals at Coachman Park on the waterfront, and special events like Clearwater Jazz Holiday and the Offshore Super Boat races. Lately, the opening of a new Clearwater Marine Aquarium exhibit, "Winter's Dolphin Tale Adventure," has added one more family fun experience for downtown visitors.

Part of this downtown Clearwater revival can …


"If a Tree Falls" will be screened Feb. 21 at the Eckerd College Environmental Film Festival

Photo by T.J.Watt

Environmental Film Festival, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL

Food for thought is what this film festival is about, with room for discussion afterward

by Marcia Biggs | January 22, 2012

If you’re a film buff, a number of fine film festivals are held each year in the Tampa Bay area. The Gasparilla International Film Festival is held at Tampa Theatre and is a locals favorite. High society loves the Sarasota Film Festival, an hour south of here. But the environmental community loves the Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival held each February at Eckerd College.

This …


The loveable manatee has its own festival in Crystal River, FL every January.

The loveable manatee has its own festival in Crystal River, FL every January.

Photo by Dino Vournas

Florida Manatee Festival, Crystal River, FL

Celebrate everything manatee at this popular festival

by Marcia Biggs | January 16, 2012

Winter is prime time for manatee viewing here along the Gulf Coast of Florida.  In cold winter months,  the warm-blooded mammals congregate around springs and other places where warm water temperatures help them to survive.  I recently wrote about the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, which is a guaranteed location for seeing manatees in winter. 

Here in Florida, most folks love these gentle sea creatures, and every January …


It's easy to relax on the quiet beaches of Anna Maria Island.

It's easy to relax on the quiet beaches of Anna Maria Island.

Photo from VISITFLORIDA.com

Anna Maria Island Romantic Getaway, Anna Maria Island, FL

Find your own secluded beach on this small barrier island that is so near, yet so far

by Marcia Biggs | January 16, 2012

If you’re planning a romantic weekend getaway for Valentine’s Day or anytime, you have plenty of options along the beautiful Gulf Beaches in Florida.  Only an hour south of the St. Pete beaches is one of my favorite stay-cation destinations: Anna Maria Island.  The island, which sits at the southern mouth of Tampa Bay, offers beautiful beaches, casual dining and beach bars, and a large variety of lodgings for all budgets and tastes. …


Coachman Park on the Clearwater waterfront is home to the Sea-Blue Festival

Coachman Park on the Clearwater waterfront is home to the Sea-Blue Festival

Photo courtesy Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater

Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival, Clearwater, FL

Blues legend Buddy Guy headlines the 2012 Sea-Blues Festival

by Marcia Biggs | January 07, 2012

The snowbirds are here! The snowbirds are here! Things never seem to slow down on the Gulf Beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete, even in the midst of winter. On  February 18-19, the annual Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival sails back to Coachman Park on downtown Clearwater’s beautiful waterfront, promising two days of hot blues and jazz music from nationally known artists, along with tasty seafood from area restaurants.

This year, the popular event …


The TECO Manatee Viewing Center has attracted more than 3 million visitors since opening in 1986.

The TECO Manatee Viewing Center has attracted more than 3 million visitors since opening in 1986.

Photo by Marcia Biggs

Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach, FL

You're guaranteed to spot loads of gentle sea cows during winter months here

by Marcia Biggs | January 07, 2012

One of the cool things about living on coastal Florida is the opportunity to see and even interact with manatees. The gentle sea cows are commonly found in the shallow waters of coastal rivers, estuaries and canals, where they feed on seagrass from 6 to 8 hours a day. They are easiest to spot during winter months when they congregate at springs, where year-round water temperatures of 72 degrees keep them warm during …


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Marcia Biggs

Amazing sunsets, white sandy beaches, sultry breezes and frosty margaritas ... life is good here… more



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