West Florida Beach

Hurricane Prepared and Ready

Written By: West Florida Beach - May• 17•12

Hurricane Season Safety Lessons

With meteorologists forecasting a very active hurricane season, you may want to learn how to best prepare for an oncoming storm.

Here are tips from the National Hurricane Center and the Insurance Information Institute:

Hurricane Preparedness

Determine escape routes and places where your family can meet.

Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

Locate a safe room in your home or the safest area in your community.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact.

Plan what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones. Teach your children how to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage; flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Trim trees to remove un-healthy or dead limbs or branches.

Emergency Supplies

water-one gallon daily per person for three to seven days

food-enough for three to seven days

nonperishable packaged or canned food/juices-foods for infants or the elderly

nonelectric can opener

cooking tools/fuel

paper plates/plastic utensils

blankets/pillows, etc.

clothing-seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes

first-aid kit/medicines/prescription drugs

special items for babies and the elderly

toiletries/hygiene items/moisture wipes

flashlight/batteries

radio-battery-operated radio and

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

weather radio. Replace the batteries every six months.

cash-banks and ATMs may not be open for xtended periods.

keys

photographs

computer hard drive or laptop

toys, books and games

important documents-in a waterproof container including

insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, etc.

tools-keep a set with you during the storm

vehicle fuel tanks filled

pet care items

proper identification/immunization records/medications

food and water

a carrier or cage

muzzle and leash

Added Preparedness

Take first-aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

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Tarpon Springs

Written By: West Florida Beach - May• 10•12

At the north end of Pinellas County is a Greek Gem.

Famous for the sponge fishing that brought thousands of Greek immigrants here and founded the town in 1887. Today most of the population in Tarpon Springs is still of Greek ancestry. Although sponge fishing continues, today it is mostly a tourist attraction. There are small shops and restaurants along the sponge docks.

Yianni’s Greek Cuisine and Yiamas Martini Bar are on Dodecanese Boulevard, the main drag close to the docks. Mama’s Greek Cuisine is on Athens Street. Cafe Greko and Sponge Factory are together on Arfaras Boulevard. Among shops are Simone’s Gifts, Seaside Paradise, Pandora, and Gloria’s Gifts.

There are deep-sea fishing captains available for charter at the sponge docks near the Tarpon Springs Aquarium, as well as dolphin watch cruises and sightseeing tours to the Anclote Key lighthouse.

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Destin, Florida

Written By: West Florida Beach - May• 05•12

The city of Destin covers about 8 square miles in Okaloosa County, on a peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. The largest cities in the Florida Panhandle, Panama City and Pensacola, are about 50 miles away in opposite directions.

The most popular tourist destination on the Emerald Coast, Destin is also known as “The world’s most popular fishing village” The docks at Destin are home to the largest deep-sea fishing fleet in Florida.
At HarborWalk there are party boats and tour boats. A surfing school is nearby.

The Destin area enjoys a lively nightlife, with many bars, comedy clubs, and dance clubs. A favorite family fun attraction is Big Kahuna Water Park, close to downtown Destin.

The main transportation artery through the Destin area is US highway 98. Okaloosa County Transit provides public transportation within Destin and to Fort Walton Beach. The Destin Airport is near downtown, quite convenient for visiting aircraft owners. The closest airline service is at Northwest Florida Regional Airport in nearby Fort Walton Beach.

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Cedar Key, Florida

Written By: West Florida Beach - Apr• 30•12

The Cedar Keys are a small group of islands just off the Florida Gulf Coast in Levy County. They are a federal protected sanctuary and migratory stop for many birds including the bald eagle. There are nature trails by salt marshes and Indian mounds, making this a gem in the Florida Nature Coast.

Cedar Key has been compared to Key West about sixty years ago, it is still a quiet laid-back old Florida beach town. It is now being discovered and more visitors are arriving, and has become popular as a home for writers and artists.

The small George T. Lewis Airport has a single 2300 foot paved runway with no taxiway, and sits in a small island of its own about 2 miles from the center of town. This is an invigorating walk for visitors flying in after sitting on a plane for a while. No services at the airport so flyers must arrange for ground transportation in advance. To be continued

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Bonita Springs Florida

Written By: West Florida Beach - Apr• 25•12

Bonita Springs, Florida

Situated in Lee County on the Florida Gulf Coast between Naples and Fort Myers, the town of Bonita Springs covers about 33 square miles. Interstate highway I-75 runs north to Fort Myers and to the Southwest Florida International Airport about 20 minutes away. I-75 also runs south to Naples, where it turns east towards the Everglades and the Miami area beyond.

Snook and trout abound along the quiet Imperial river as it flows through the mangroves. A great place to go kayaking or paddle a canoe while enjoying the sounds of nature. Local fishing captains offer both deep-sea and nearby fishing expeditions around Estero Bay.

The Barefoot Beach Preserve Park is an undeveloped barrier island covering over three hundred acres, a great place to get away from it all. Little Hickory Island Beach Park is another popular place.

Bonita Beach Park covers two and a half acres, with a boardwalk plus picnic shelters and a gazebo surrounded by sand dunes and coastal plants. On the north end of town is Lover’s Key State Park, made up of 4 barrier islands offering nature trails through coastal vegetation. Bicycling and hiking plus canoe and kayak rentals are available along with miles of unspoiled beaches and plenty of wildlife.

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, plus the Hyatt Coconut Plantation, are among highly recommended hotels in the Bonita area. There are several golf resorts and communities within Bonita Springs, and the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound track is also in town.

The Arts Center of Bonita Springs sponsors an art walk on the last Thursday of every month, along the Promenade in downtown Bonita. Shops, restaurants, and art galleries stay open late for this event.

The main coastal artery in all of Lee County is US highway 41, which is called South Tamiami Trail as it passes through Bonita Springs. Most businesses are located along US41. Public transportation is provided by Lee County Transit, aka LeeTran. Routes connect Bonita Springs with the downtown Fort Myers bus depot, where all LeeTran and Greyhound Bus Lines stop.

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