Affordable Pampering at The Pier Hotel

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The Pier Hotel is known for its European type service and its cozy veranda. This boutique hotel was recently purchased by Michael Perez and is in the process of a total makeover, while retaining its character.

Most of the rooms have the original claw-footed tubs along with other master craftsmen details. One interesting detail is the servant’s sinks in the hall. You will enjoy complimentary breakfast and a nightly managers reception including wine and beer.

Michael’s son, Giovanni is a graduate of Cordon Bleu in Miami and they have great plans for the dining room. Just ask about his gourmet burger!

If you are looking for a weekend getaway to explore the pleasures of St. Petersburg, then call 800-735-6607 for reservations at The Pier Hotel.

www.thepierhotel.com

SCHOOL TIES

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Guest post from: Steve Delaney

I was flipping through the channels on directv colorado and came across a movie that I hadn’t seen in a long time. The movie is called “School Ties”. It is set in a New England boarding school. A Jewish football star disguises his identity to try and fit in with all of the other kids. The main character is played by a young Dylan Fraiser. Some of the more famous actors today look like they are in their early twenties. Matt Damon has a leading role and Ben Affleck is even in the movie. Anyway, the movie deals with the trials and tribulations of young men who are trying to live up to their parent’s expectations. Dylan Fraiser is a unique character in that he wants to get into an Ivy League school like the rest of the people who are at the school, but he just doesn’t understand the lifestyle that so many of the others live. One of his friends at the school attempts suicide simply because he failed his French final and wasn’t going to get into Princeton. It is definitely a movie that is worth watching.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, located at Disney’s World’s Island of Adventure, in Orlando. For those looking for magical spells, creepy creatures, villains and heros, this is the place! The estimated cost is well over $200 million, but this park will attract millions of Harry Potter fans.
Robert Niles of theme park insider, was given a sneek preview and has lots of info on his website including a 21 minute preview of NBC’s broadcast of the theme park which aired on June 6th and gives it rave reviews. You can stroll through Hogwarts Castle gates to explore the classrooms and corridors, or get your heart pumping by riding the Dragon Challenge dueling roller coasters or ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Visit the shops of Hogsmeade or perhaps you will want to stop and feast on Scottish or British inspired entree’s in the Three Broomsticks.
The NBC television network is part of NBC/Universal and they share ownership of the Universal Orlando resort with Blakestone Group. The park had trial runs by admitting hotel guest for two hours a day while they fine tuned the rides to make sure they would run at capacity before it opened to the public. This state of the art magical journey brings the Harry Potter book series to life, like never before imagined. View the renderings in the Orlando Sentinel’s photo gallery They also provided videos. This will be a hot item for the seasons ticket holders as well as bringing new tourists to Florida.

Model Trains

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Model trains have been a beloved toy for generations. Children are fascinated by the movement and travel of the trains. Many adults took up the hobby of building model railroads with complete towns, bridges and train stations.
How did this hobby begin? When did it all begin?
Originally, they were built to promote the railroad lines, during the Victorian era. They were expensive, made of tin or lead. In 1890, a company called Marklin produced the first complete train set. Germany became the location of most model train makers until Lionel (1901), and Ives started in America. This made it possible for the average American to afford, not just the wealthy. The baby boomers made the 1950″s the most popular time for model trains. The demand declined when other modes of transportation such as autos and airplanes became popular.
Today, children and adults are still thrilled with their model trains and the industry has survived. Since its beginning, Lionel sold more than 50 million train sets and currently produces more than 300 miles of track each year.
There are also wooden trains for young children. The Toy Makers a (501C) in New Port Richey, makes a great train that is non toxic. They do sell a few, but their purpose is to make a variety of toys free, for sick and needy children in the Tampa Bay area. These trains are great for a young child’s imagination. I bought them for my grandsons and they were a great hit.

Don Cesar Resort

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If you are seeking a relaxing and peaceful getaway, or a summer vacation in Florida, you need to check out The Don Cesar Resort on St. Pete Beach, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. This resort offers many luxuries and a lot of pleasure for your entire family, at a reasonable price. The water front view is refreshing with the awesome sunsets on the water.
This resort is kid friendly and tends to bring out the kid in all of us, with their large variety of water vehicles and age appropriate activities, including special activities for your family pet. Children’s services include everything from children’s menus, supervised pool time and recreational activities, etiquette classes, camp Cesar, and so much more. The resort’s spa team are highly trained in many treatment types, that help you to relax and make you feel and look great. Their fitness center and yoga classes relieve your stress and lift your spirits. There are many specialty shops were you can locate merchandise for your every occasion or need.
This resort is referred to as the Pink Palace, since they truly treat you like kings and queens during your entire stay. This is the vacation of your dreams because you have amenities, activities for adults as well as children all in one location. If you are the type of person who needs to see it to believe it, you can go online and watch their virtual tour to preview this dream vacation spot. The Don Cesar’s Resort most likely will be the vacation your family will always remember.

Vernazza, Italy – Jewel of Cinque Terre Villages.

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Vernazza is the jewel of Italy’s Cinque Terre Villages. You will be wowed by the harbor-front beach, seaside cafes and the friendly residents. Life is slower here than in our fast paced world. Vernazza is traffic free, no museums, just sun and sand. Enjoy the hiking, swimming and midnight romancing in one of the earth’s true treasures. When the tourist boats arrive it can be a bit crowded, but the locals are happy and relaxed. In medieval times this stretch of coastline was called “The five lands.”
During the feudal era, it was watched over by castles. In the castles shadows, tiny communities grew up. They were close enough to run to the castle in times of pirate raids. Many locals were taken for ransom or sold into slavery. The signal back then was to build a fire on the roof and alert neighboring villages. Not to worry, the last raid was 1545. The harbor boasts outdoor restaurants, a hanging bar on the side of a castle, a soccer field and late night entertainment. The locals held off the developers in 1960 and today, enjoy an unspoiled land of enchantment. The main action is around the harbor and the promenade. The town’s 1,000 residents are very proud of their heritage. Families are close knit and go back centuries. Europe differs from America as several generations live together. This is the home of Pesto. Basil grows well in this climate. The vino flows cheap and easy throughout the region. If you like sweet, Sciacchetra is a sherry-like wine and served here.

Fourth of July Oration – 1888

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Fourth of July Oration 1888 – City Council and Citizens of Boston – July 4, 1888
by William E.L. Dillaway
This book was addressed to – Mr. Mayor and Fellow Citizens. (I wanted to share a small part of the address.)
“The American laborer can safely be left to take charge of the doctrine of mine and thine. If the wine and the corn are to be common, you will find the American laborer slow to contribute the fruits of his hard earnings to the case and comfort of this socialistic banquet. Such doctrines as those may arouse enthusiasm in a country where the laborer is under-fed; it may be acceptable to the long-haired philosopher who feigns contentment with light living and lighter work; but it will never be adopted by American laborers, whose absorbing ambition is to own a home, to educated the children for a better and easier living, to save something for a rainy day and leave something for the support of the widow. Therefore welcome, ye doctrinaires, ye pompous and ignorant socialists, ye red-flagged anarchists, come and live with us if you please! But remember, we shall expect you in turn to earn an honest living, like the rest of us, and be careful not to make any trouble.”

Andrew Eliot said ” Oppression makes wise men mad.”

Wealth brings strength and strength begets confidence.

Florida Highwaymen Artists

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Drove to Safety Harbor to meet the Florida Highwaymen and one Highwaywoman. They were delightful and so talented. They started selling their paintings in the 1950-60′s along the side of the highway. The oldest of the original Highwaymen is 78, so they started young. I came home the proud owner of a 5×7 original, and couldn’t be happier.

Strawberry Soup

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Strawberry Soup

1 Pound fresh strawberries

1 2/4 cups reduced fat vanilla yogurt

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate

1/2 teaspoon almond extract or 1/2  tsp lemon juice.

In a food processor or blender, combine the strawberries, sugar, 1 cut of yogurt, orange juice and extract, over and process until smooth. Garnish each serving with a collop of remaining yogurt.