Golfing and Inside Florida Scoops!

It’s been awhile since Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) has checked out the golf scene so who better to speak to that popular activity than Bob Baldassari, general manager of PGA Village located in Port St. Lucie, Florida!  PGA Village is home to the world famous Ryder’s Cup Trophy, Historical Center Golf Museum, Center for Golf Learning and Performance Instruction and much more.  In addition to updating our listeners on what’s new at PGA Villages, Bob will share his insights as to the “state of the golf industry” in our current economic times, not just locally but regionally and statewide as well. Also, he’ll share the planning for the 4th Annual Patriot Golf Day National Opening Ceremonies and John Shimkonis, PGA Memorial Golf tournament.  Is there a PGA/Bahamas connection?  Of course there is. Listen to the show and learn what island is slated for a fabulous resort.

Continuing to bring you the “inside scoop” on Florida’s great destinations and activities by VISIT FLORIDA’S “Insiders”, this week we are please to have in the house Kevin Mims, a freelance writer serving as the Outdoors and Nature Insider for the state’s official source for travel Planning.  Kevin promotes outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism through blogs, professionally produced videos and articles for both web and print.  Kevin is also the host of Visit Florida Live TV.  So, why and how did Kevin end up in Martin County, Florida?  A past guest stated that for him Martin County is an “outdoorsman’s paradise."  Will Kevin concur?

This week, find out if History Lady returned to Bimini and the big question is…did she hone her angling skills on the flats of Bimini?  Who is Bonefish Ebbie and more.

As usual there will be the expected and certainly the unexpected as the crew broadcast from their home base at the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida.

See you tomorrow, Friday, July 30 at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com for another fun-filled episode of Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond)!

Bimini Legends and New Beginnings

There is nothing like Bahamian hospitality, especially on the island of Bimini!  This week as the preshow noted, the Talkin' Tourism crew was hosted by the management team of the new Bimini Big Game Club/Guy Harvey Outpost Resort during a two day media event.  Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) was part of the A-list media invited to participate.  Media representatives who were on hand for grand opening festivities included Coastal Angler Magazine, Sportfishing Magazine, In the Bite, Passage Maker, Southern Boating, Marlin Magazine, Reel Adventures, Saltwater Ventures TV, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, freelance writers and more.  However, Talkin' Tourism was the only media that recorded a radio program to be aired on the Treasure Coast and distributed world-wide via the Talkin' Tourism blog.

The program was seeped in history as co-host Robin Hicks-Connors talked about the influence of Ernest Hemingway, and Michael Lerner, Ansil and Ashley Saunders and a host of other Biminites who have shared in the island's legendary history.

Bimini Big Game Club General Manager Christopher Pollock took time out of his busy day to share his reflections on the reopening of the resort and described its many amenities in great detail.  Dr. Guy Harvey, renowned conservationist, scientist, artist, diver, angler and explorer was on hand to personally welcome guests and share his passion for the environment.  

This is one show we know you will enjoy.  So, sit back, pour your favorite “boat drink” and take a one hour trip to Bimini and share the excitement of the reopening of the Bimini big Game Club/Guy Harvey Outpost Resort. Later mon!

Later this week we'll be offering you two choices to enjoy this show! You can either enjoy the audio of the show (avaialable now), or (when the streaming is finished) you can view a video file of the live remote from the Bimini Big Game Club, which we captured on Hi-Def video.

• Download the Audio file here.
• See and hear video streaming of the show below.

Bimini Big Game Club Grand Opening from Talkin Tourism on Vimeo.

Here are some photos from the event as well. Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties Impacting Streaming

For those listeners who tuned in via the Internet to listen to today's Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast (and Beyond), WPSL is having technical difficulties with the live stream. The audio file for today's show from the Bimini Big Game Club should be posted on the blog by tomorrow.

It's just another day in paradise...and maybe some influence from passing Tropical Storm Bonnie.

BREAKING UPDATE---Weather cancels Bimini Big Game Club Family Fun Tournament

Just off the wire----passing Tropical Storm Bonnie has forced the cancellation of tomorrow's (Saturday, July 24) Family Fun tournament scheduled at the Bimini Big Game Club.

No word yet on when the tournament will be rescheduled. When more information is released, an update will be issued here on the blog.

The Big Game is On!

Sometimes, the sun, the moon, and planets align to bring karma and good things to great people and places. This week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) was part of very special occasion. The Bimini Big Game Club, a hallmark big game sportfishing destination for decades, is officially re-opened and Talkin' Tourism was there. Certainly Ernest Hemmingway made his mark on the island of Bimimi as literary scholars will attest. Whether you are a sportfishing enthusiast, fascinated by Bahamian history or part FLAHAMIAN, the Bimini Big Game Club holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of thousands.

History Lady Robin will be immersed in Bimini history and lore. Radio Man is looking forward to seeing the staff in action and the marina operating. The attendees of this special media event will be the A-list of the fishing, boating and history media industry.

Join Gary and Robin as they share their impressions of the newly re-opened resort and marina, located a mere 50 miles from the coast of Florida. Despite all of the action, it is hoped that the team will be able to spend time speaking with Christopher Pollock, general manager of the Bimini Big Game Club/Guy Harvey Resort. Tune in tomorrow (Friday, July 23) to WPSl 1590 AM or on the web via http://www.wpsl.com/ and learn what is happening in Bimini that will make you want to head to an 'island in the Stream' to experience a new generation of Bahamian hospitality and fun.

And yes folks, there is a Treasure Coast connection!

Best of mARTin and Travel World News in Martin County, Florida

Larry Waterman, show guest Joan Gonzales,
and Joan's son Dan Gonzales

The Martin County Arts Council is getting pretty creative with grant funds to help provide local attraction packages to guests of area hotels.  Nancy Turrell, executive director of the Martin County Arts Council, made another appearance on Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast to let fans and listeners know about the Best of mARTin Discount offer. Local participating hotels are providing their hotel guests with FREE admission tickets to several area attractions as an added value for their guests. This is also helping drive attendance to some of Martin County’s most popular museums.  If you missed the live show and want to know what museums are participating and how the packages are being publicized, it's all contained on this week's Talkin'  Tourism audio-cast.

Also up this week, Talkin' Tourism had a very, very special guest, veteran travel writer Joan Gonzales.  Ms. Gonzales shared some of her insights as a travel writer, who now writes for internationally known Travel World News.  This online publication, geared to travel planners and travel agents, is considered the bible for the latest and hottest travel information.  Joan's primary focus is Latin America, so why was she on the Treasure Coast?  Our own Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Rozeta Mahboubi, connected with Joan at a recent travel industry trade show. Rozeta invited Joan to visit the area, in hopes of her  writing a piece on Martin County.  Accompanying Ms. Gonzales was her son Dan and friend Larry Waterman.  Dan, a former Miami-Dade firefighter moved to the Treasure Coast a few years ago.  An avid sportsman, Dan calls this area an “Outdoorsman’s Paradise” and for good reason.

So, radio Man WAS in the Bahamas after all!  Were there more Treasure Coast connections involved?  Who spied radio man in Pisces Restaurant in Port Lucaya?  Who did Radio Man run into that he had not seen in 15 years?  Is the cruise ship Discovery a good way to get to Grand Bahama for a couple of days?  All this and more on this week's Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. If you missed the show's radio or Internet broadcast, download the  audio-cast here.

See you next week, when we bring you a very special show from the grand opening of  the Bimini Big Game Club, which has reopened as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina. Get your cow bells and Bahama Mamas ready!

Thanks for listening and keep those guest and show topic suggestions coming to us at talkintourism@gmail.com.

In search of the Barefoot Bandit? Nope, just another diplomatic mission.

Photo credit:  www.FloridaSnapshot.com

For the first time in history, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast did not post a pre-show promo!  Sorry fans and listeners—life and a diplomatic mission got in the way of the standard routine.

It appears Radio Man and PR Queen were seen aboard the Discovery Cruise Ship making a crossing of the Gulf Stream on the way to Grand Bahama. Additional sightings were reported at the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism, M&K Car Rentals, Cost Right, Old Bahama Bay and the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. Sightings of the duo were also reported by two Stuart boat captains who ran into them at Pisces Restaurant, located in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, savoring a conch pizza. 

Were they trying to help track down the Barefoot Bandit?  No, that rascal had just been caught by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Were they negotiating a new FLAHAMA relationship with the Garden of the Groves?  Who knows!?  The only confirmed fact is Radio Man and PR Queen (aka the Ambassadors to FLAHAMA) were on a diplomatic mission to continue to promote tourism between our fantastic destinations!

More details to come!

Travel photography tips, summer tourism, and a Deep Horizon Oil update

After photographer Thomas Winter’s appearance on this week’s Talkin' Tourism show, there should be no more excuses for less than great vacation photos.  In a very straight forward way, Tom gave listeners excellent advice on how to take photos they will be proud to share.  Everything from great composition and camera angle, to what to shoot and what to do if you cannot find FujiFilm film (thanks for the call in Will)!  Talkin' Tourism fans and listeners will see dramatic improvements in their shots after hearing and practicing the tips Tom shared today.

Rozeta Maboubi, executive director of the Martin County, Florida Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Charlotte Lombard, the tourism coordinator of the St. Lucie County, Florida Tourism Development Council, gave interesting perspectives on the state of tourism here on the Treasure Coast.  There is certainly optimism in the air as the summer progresses and the numbers roll in. Some of the big news the two tourism officials shared, involved the Florida Police and Fire Games and the Southern Kingfish Association.

Rounding out today’s broadcast was Gary Roderick, director of Martin County, Florida’s Environmental Services Department.  Back in May, Gary Roderick appeared on Talkin' Tourism discussing plans under development on the Treasure Coast in anticipation of the Deep Horizon Oil Disaster impacting our area.  Now, 81 days later, what are his thoughts?  Did the Gulf of Mexico currents behave as anticipated?  Are there still possibilities of our coast receiving tar balls or other effects?  Thanks Mr. Roderick for putting this huge issue in its proper perspective.

Thanks to all of our listeners and fans who are checking out the Talkin' Tourism blog.  It’s popularity continues to grow every month.  What are the top five countries visiting the blog?  Download the show and you'll learn, Talkin' Tourism has truly gone global! 

'See' you next week. Same time (10 a.m. every Friday), same station (WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com), and same place (?). That last statement is extremely questionable!

Special thanks to show sponsors the Martin County, Florida Convention and Visitors Bureau and Coastal Angler Magazine!

Preserving those "Kodak" travel moments, Treasure Coast tourism updates, and the Deep Horizon Oil disaster

Vacations, whether a cruise to Alaska, bareboating in the Caribbean, a trip to Europe or a stay-cation close to home, are all memorable moments in time that we want to capture in photos.  Often, Talkin' Tourism has heard disappointment from friends and family when the trip photos are finally viewed once back home.  Whether you pursue photography as a serious hobby or are the consummate amateur, this week Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast will help you solve that problem.  

Guests this coming show include award-winning photographer and fine art printer Thomas Winter, who will share some very simple secrets for better photos. Whether you shoot with your iPhone, or a “state of the art” Nikon, you will not want to miss Tom's photo tips. Some of the issues we'll cover will include....Should you insure your camera when going abroad? How do you prove to U.S. Customs on the return that you didn't buy the camera overseas?  What are the basics of composition?  This and more from Mr. Winter.

How is the summer visitor season going on the Treasure Coast?  Rozeta Maboubi, the executive director of the Martin County, Florida Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Charlotte Lombard, the tourism coordinator of the St. Lucie County, Florida Tourist Development Council, will let listeners and stakeholders know if we are making progress in this tough economy.

The Deep Horizon Oil Disaster has been on everyone’s mind since the event took place April 20, 2010.  The Gulf Coast region and the Florida Panhandle have taken the brunt of the burden, but how is the rest of Florida being affected?  Have Treasure Coast preparations evolved as time marches forward? Gary Roderick from the Martin County Department of Environmental Services and a representative from St. Lucie County Public Services will be in the studio for Friday's show to share the latest.

Tune in this Friday, July 9, at 10 a.m. for another fun-filled, informative hours. If located on the Treasure Coast, tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM. Someplace else in the world? You can still catch the show's live audio stream via Internet connection at www.wpsl.com!

History Lady and Radio Man are looking forward to seeing you this Friday LIVE, once again, from the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Florida.

Special thanks to sponsors, Coastal Angler Magazine and the Martin County, Florida Convention & Visitors Bureau for making this week's Talkin' Tourism on the Treasure Coast possible!

A BBQ showdown and the making of an 'Old Florida' scenic designated highway

Once again broadcasting from the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island, Florida, pirate radio Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast covered a lot of ground this week.

What does a campaign to receive a scenic highway designation in Martin County and the Hobe Sound BBQ Festival 2010 have in common? Well, the common ground is not that hard to find but you will have to listen to the show to find out. Jennifer Ferrari, executive director of the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce, and guest, Don O’Steen, a competitor in the upcoming BBQ festival shed some light on how serious this competition is to its participants. Are there rules? How far away do some of the competitors come to compete? How is the event judged? Is it only for professionals or can amateurs compete? You’ll find out the answer to these questions and more when you listen to the show. Thanks Jennifer and Don!

The second half of the show featured Mary Dawson, a former Martin County Commissioner and chair of the board of the Sustaining Community Lands, the organization spearheading the effort to have the Martin Grade in Western Martin County designated as a Florida Scenic Highway, as well as Rob Dawson, the project manager spearheading the Martin Grade Florida Scenic Highway designation..

For those not familiar with the effort, Mary provided a clear explanation as to the current state of the effort and the reasons behind it. When, and if successful, Mary and Rob outlined the environmental benefits, the economic benefits for saving the road, and whether or not a road and 100-year old trees can provide cultural benefits. The first phase of the process is to demonstrate community based support for the requested designation. Mary also told listeners how to help, why they should help, and how easy it is to help.

As usual, time went by exceedingly fast and the reason why Radio Man was spotted at the West End, Grand Bahama Police Station was not revealed (but it's all good). However, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin did share some details of his first ever crossing on the Discovery Cruise ship, and a newly constructed convention and meeting facility in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama that would be the perfect size and design for Martin County.

If you missed Friday's show, you can listen to it here---our 76th live show! Enjoy the infotainment!! And remember, send in your suggestions for show topics and guests to talkintourism@gmail.com.

'See' you next week!

Scenic Highways, World-Class Festivals & Florida's 'Out-Islands'

The Martin Grade by Thomas Winter

The days of when there was nothing to do during the summer on the Treasure Coast are long gone. New events and activities along with old standards, such as Stuart’s Dancing in the Streets, keep residents and visitors alike busy. So what’s new? How about a world-class barbeque festival? Yum! The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce is doing just that on July 10, 2010 when it presents the Hobe Sound BBQ Festival 2010. This isn't just a plain, ordinary festival, it's a Florida Bar-B-Que Association sanctioned event, meaning the best of the best will be competing for $10,000 in prizes. What does that mean to you? It means that you get a chance to taste some of the best barbeque this side of the Tex-Mex border!

The Hobe Sound Chamber's executive director, Jennifer Ferrari ,will be in the house on Friday to give you all the details.

Most anyone who has traveled across the United States or abroad is familiar with special spots along the way offering scenic overlooks (such as in the mountains), scenic trails (for hikers),  or scenic highways. Martin County, Florida is in the process of applying for a scenic highway designation for a portion of highway located in western Martin County, which is known to locals as the Martin Grade. Mary Dawson,  chairman of the Sustaining Community Lands group, will be in the Elliott Museum-Talkin' Tourism studio this week providing listeners with an update on the group's efforts to bring scenic highway designation to this beautiful stretch of highway. Radio Man has been keeping up with the process and is amazed as to how complicated it is to get something seemingly a no-brainer accomplished.

Martin Grade is a 12 mile long stretch of tree-lined road featuring sable palms, pines and oaks that are over 100 years old. Just how many official Scenic Highways are there in Florida? Are there any others in South Florida? These questions and more will be answered on Friday's (July 2) show.

Rumor has it that Radio Man was sited on Grand Bahama Island this week. Included in the locations he was seen were Blue Marlin Cove, Old Bahama Bay, the West End Police Station (huh?) and Port Lucaya. What is Radio Man up to now? Scouting for another radio show location? Searching for the best Bahama Mama recipe?

Tune in again this Friday, July 2, at 10 a.m. for more fun and infotainment LIVE on WPSL 1590 AM, the Talk of the Treasure Coast, or on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.