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, wildlife management, birding, and top 10 beaches

Special thanks to guests Nancy Oliver and Dr. Bijaya “BJ” Kattel of the South Florida Water Management District for joining us in the studio.

The primary topic was the new equestrian trail at Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area in western Martin County.

Here's what we covered and what you will learn if you download/listen to the show (download HERE):

• What does a quest for a Scenic Highway designation and the opening of the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area have to do with one another?

• How many acres of former cattle pasture and grazing land is now being “redeveloped” in a GOOD way?

• What does “Wildlife Management” really mean?

• Did you know that Martin Grade was once the cattle trail that Crackers used to get their cattle from Okeechobee to Ft. Pierce?

• What state in the Northeast regularly calls the most frequently about “birding opportunities” on property managed by the South Florida Water Management District?

• Dr. Beach”, Stephen P. Leatherman recently announced his list of the Top 10 Beaches for 2009. Which two Florida beaches made the top 10 beaches.

Also, check out the photos from this week's show and see the special guest you won't hear on the show.