News and Happenings from Around the Region

by Apryl on October 21st, 2008

Events

EcoFocus Film Festival in Athens, Ga., on October 23-26, is designed to promoted awareness on environmental issues through the big screen. The festival features 12 environmental films and 25 environmental short films
And while I’m talking about the northeast Georgia area, the 9th Annual Fall Wine Fest Fundraiser in Watkinsville is scheduled for October 26. Benefiting Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF), the event includes wine samples from vinters around the state, food from regional restaurants, silent auction with works from local artists and much more.
Before I stop talking about events in Georgia, make plans to attend the Belle Meade Fox Hunt in Thomson. Held on Saturday, November 1, this event features Blessing of the Hounds and opportunity to ride along on a Tally-ho wagon through historic sites in McDuffie County.
Heritage Village celebrates Pinellas County’s (Fla.) past with 31st Annual Country Jubilee scheduled for October 25. Events include arts and crafts market, live music, live history activities and more.
Looking ahead to the first weekend in November, the Louisiana Swamp Fest held at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans highlights Cajun culture. Enjoy a weekend of educational demonstrations, live music and yes, food.

Hotels

The newly-opened 170-room Courtyard (Marriott) Boynton Beach (Fla.) includes a “lobby of the future” that features the signature Courtyard GoBoard™, a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines.
Even though the Dauphine Orleans Hotel has been renovated, it doesn’t mean the spirits have left. Currently the hotel is offering a Haunting New Orleans package that includes a two-night stay for two, café au lait and beignets at Café du Monde for two, and two vouchers for the Ghosts & Spirits Nighttime Walking Tour.
Here’s a resort package that can be turned into a holiday gift. The Sterling Resorts properties in Panama City Beach, Fla., is offering a Family Reunion Photo package. Book a minimum of three nights now through November 30 and receive a professional photo session on the beach. In addition, you’ll receive a free 8×10 photo. Book now by calling 866/5RESORT and mention the promo code ‘FAM.’
Have a ‘Wet and Wild Getaway’ in Albany, Georgia. The package, which is available through December 31, includes on night stay at any of the nine participating hotels, and a Family Four Pack of tickets to the Flint RiverQuarium and the Imagination Theater, and The Parks at Chehaw.
Getaway without really getting away at The Blue, a 240-suite resort located in Doral, Fla. The property is offering a “Sneak-A-Peek” package through December 20.

Attractions

Opened in mid-August, the Armed Forces Military Museum in Largo, Fla., is one of the largest, non-government funded museums in the state. The museum includes completed displays on WWI, the USMC in the South Pacific, D-Day, and extensive collections of German Third Reich memorabilia and Japanese memorabilia associated with the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor.

Announcements

Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has released its 2009 list of the state’s top 10 Places in Peril. Places on the list include Rock House in Thomson, Fort Dance in Buford, Battery Backus in Tybee Island, and Crum & Forster Building in Atlanta.
Congratulations to Charleston, S.C., which was named as the number two in Top 10 American destination by Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Additionally Kiawah Island was recognized as the number 3 island in North America, and the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island was ranked the number 3 resort in the mainland US.
And Charleston wasn’t the only southern destination recognized in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Amelia Island, Fla. was ranked as well. The destination was number 6 in the Top 10 North American islands for the second consecutive year. The Elizabeth Pointe Lodge was number 2 for Top Hotels in the US. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island,was also named #15 among Top U.S. Mainland Resorts.
Kudos to the three Mississippi golf courses who made it into 2008 Golfweek’s “Top 100 Resort Courses” list. They include at number 22, Fallen Oak Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio, in Biloxi; number 33, Grand Bear Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, in Saucier; and number 67, Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Azaleas Course, designed by Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate, in Philadelphia.

Photo credit: Keyboard in Action, flickr, creative commons by lapideo

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