An Art-Mackin-Wahoo Show-tini!

Artist Dan Mackin, Ellen Peitz, Robin Hicks-Connors,
and Captain Marvin Steiding.

What do you get when you mix equal parts of a world recognized tropical marine artist, a world-class art festival in a small Florida downtown, and a world-class sportfishing captain, shake them rather than stir them, and then turn on the microphones? What you get is a fantastic edition of Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!).

The 10th annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts was the catalyst that brought Ellen Peitz, Dan Mackin and Captain Marvin Steiding together for this great show. By the time you read this, the Festival of the Arts will be just a memory. But what a great memory it will be if you attended the show.

Ellen, thanks for doing such a great job of letting our listeners know how great a show it was going to be this year.

Having famed artist Dan Mackin in the studio was a flashback all the way back to show number three when Dan appeared as a guest. Listeners of this week's show got a real up close and personal look at what Mr. Mackin is all about, what inspires his art and why he chose to live in beautiful Hobe Sound, Florida. Dan also talked about his current collaboration with former Beach Boy Brian Wilson!

Continuing education is good for everyone, even those who love to fish! Captain Marvin Steiding was on hand to tells our listeners and fans about a great hands-on learning opportunity—Marlin University. And, if you're thinking about or planning a trip to San Salvador, Bahamas soon, Captain Steiding declared it's “monster wahoo season” in San Sal, so be prepared! If you don't have you're own boat to travel to San Salvador, Captain Steiding can hook you up!

Here is the audio file of last Friday's Talkin' Tourism show. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed producing it. See you next week!

Art, Marlins and the Islands of the Bahamas (and Beyond)

This week, the  Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Blue Marlin fishing in San Salvador (with a Treasure Coast connection), and Marlin University take center stage! And, a couple of surprise Bahamian tourism officials might also be thrown into the mix, so we have an action-packed guest line-up for our listeners.

The Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. To get the "insider's scoop," Ellen Peitz, co-chair of the event marketing committee, will be in our Elliott Museum studio. Ellen also represents Family Private Care the presenting sponsor of this year’s show. This festival is a perennial crowd pleaser attracting thousands of locals and visitors. Ellen will share everything about what makes this art show so special, and one you won't want to miss. Award-winning artist Dan Mackin, the featured artist of the festival, will also join Ellen to talk about the festival. This is the second time in ten years that Dan has been the featured artist. His vibrant tropical island and marine life art are a favorite and grace the walls of many famous homes around the world. Just who are they? Maybe Dan will drop a few names.

Speaking of tropical islands, Capt. Marvin Steiding, operator and owner of Reel Candy Sportfishing, and one of the most respected and knowledgeable charter captains from the Treasure Coast to San Salvador, Bahamas, will tell us about Marlin University and how you can "apply."

Last, but not least, rumor has it that there might be a guest appearance by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. They may have an announcement or two to make that relates to the Treasure Coast? What might it be? We're not spilling the conch shells! You'll just have to tune in tomorrow at 10:05 a.m. and find out for yourself.

You can catch the show on your radio at WPSL 1590 AM or on your favorite Internet browser at www.wpsltv.com. And below is a little promotion to show you what's in store this weekend at the 10th Annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts.

Show Three: Art, ArtsFest, The Beach Boys, and Nude Beaches

The third 'Talkin' Tourism' show took listeners from the new Faculty Student Art Program at the Elliott Museum, the Arts Council and ArtsFest, and whales off of Baja, to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, VISIT FLORIDA funding being restored by Governor Crist, and why some folks in Broward County claim nude beaches are good for Florida's economy.

Host Gary Guertin of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina was joined again this week by co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, president and CEO of the Historical Society of Martin County. Guests included Nancy Turrel, executive director of the Arts Council; artist Dan Mackin, who is the 2009 featured artist of ArtsFest; and Rozeta Mahboubi, executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Interesting tidbits from the show:

• This weekend marks the 22 ArtsFest, which will feature 123 artists. Visit the Arts Council Web site for more information.

• Dan Mackin began sketching and painting tropical islands and marine life in 1971 when his camera fell overboard during a sailboat trip. He and a friend traveled in a 24-foot sailboat and he kept a journal of the day’s events and recorded what they saw with his illustrations. And he has helped raise over $1 million dollars for the National Kidney Foundation through his art donations.

• Brian Wilson and Dan Mackin have collaborated on four pieces of art, which are interpretations of four of the songwriter's lyrics, entitled "Surfing USA," "Surfer Girl," "In My Room," and "God Only Knows," all big hits and synonymous with the beach lifestyle. To learn more visit Dan's Web site.

• Rozeta Mahboubi loves tourism and the friendliness of Martin County is what kept her from taking another post she was offered, which was out of state. She and host Gary Guertin discussed Governor Crist for re-instating VISIT FLORIDA's budget this week. Check out http://www.martincountyfla.comto see first hand how the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau markets the destination.

• According to an article on TCPalm, Richard Mason of the South Florida Free Beaches and the Florida Naturist Association, asked Broward's state lawmakers this week to oppose any legislation that would force nude beaches to close. Mason termed Haulover "the most successful beach in the state of Florida." He said it outdraws the Florida Marlins and Miami Dolphins combined. Read the story here.

To learn more, listen the show by clicking HERE or selecting the January 30 show link under LISTEN TO THE SHOW to the right.

Guest update for January 30 show

"Which Way to Stuart" by Dan Mackin.

A couple of guest changes for tomorrow's Talkin' Tourism. Robin Hicks-Connors returns to co-host the show with Gary Guertin. Guests include: Rozeta Mahboubi, the executive director of the Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau; artist Dan Mackin, who is the 2009 featured artist for ArtsFest; and Nancy Turrell, the executive director of the Arts Council. Topics to include: ArtsFest 2009, how Dan Mackin became an artist and his involvement with the Beach Boys, and Governor Crist's move this week to restore VISIT FLORIDA's funding for tourism marketing.