IN THE NEWS

MIAMI’S ‘OLD COLORED BEACH’ RESTORED — REOPENS FOR EVERYONE

Miami’s ‘old colored beach’ –Virginia Key Beach Park, will hold its re-augural celebrations and official grand reopening dedication ceremonies on the February 22-24, 2008 weekend (Friday-Sunday, in closing out Black History Month) – an exciting line-up of gala events for the whole family – a natural tourist attraction, with headline entertainment, sandcastles, car show, old school party, salsa, reggae, historical experiences, ecological fantasy, and a breathtaking view of a tropical paradise.

Virginia Key Beach Park is conveniently situated between the glistening beach of Miami’s Biscayne Bay and the bustling Brickell financial district.  The park encompasses 82.5 lush acres of windswept beaches, landmark structures and the most unobstructed views of nature found anywhere in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Although only accessible by boat from a downtown dock on the Miami River, “Virginia Beach, a Dade County Park for the exclusive use of Negroes,” was opened on August 1, 1945. In 1982, the City of Miami closed Virginia Key Beach Park, citing the high cost of maintenance and operations. The park had basically remained closed until 1999, when a group of citizens called the Virginia Key Beach Park Civil Rights Task Force was established in response to plans of private development of the historic property. The restoration process began.

In August 2002, Virginia Key Beach Park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This reopening of the newly renovated venue will celebrate, illuminate and honor the cultural and ecological history of a memorable tropical paradise – renewed. Virginia Key, in its hey-day, was the preeminent gathering place for all social classes living, visiting, or even performing among the various marginalized communities of the segregated era.

That was then…this is now. Friday morning, February 22, 2008 begins with the vibrant sounds of Caribbean inspired music and a nostalgic opening day parade while the public tours the Historic Zone and the mock museum. Dignitaries, local leaders and the community will gather for the public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on the spot where the new museum-cultural center will soon break ground. Kids may then get onboard the newly re-commissioned ‘Biscayne Virginia Rickenbacker Central’ miniature railroad and there will be plenty of old-time favorites to go around like authentic corn dogs, popcorn, refreshing Nehi sodas and other nostalgic treats. All the activities will end with an ‘Old School Party’ complete with ‘bobby socks,’ happy hour, social mixers and hoola-hoops.

Saturday, February 23, 2008 is ‘Family Super Fest Day’ filled with continuous entertainment, food and craft vendors, morning sounds of glory, live jazz and a headline entertainer, along with local Miami artists – reggae, pop, rock, country, salsa, hip-hop, rhythm & blues.  Add to the mix a vintage car display, clowns, acrobats, magicians, storytellers, historians, mouth watering taste selections, boardwalk through the wetlands, exciting contests with prizes, commemorative gifts, picnic blankets, authentic lifeguards from yesteryear, real live drum line and step show, and the day becomes a true family extravaganza.

Sunday, February 24, 2008, is the day to experience ‘Paradise Renewed’ – kick back and independently enjoy all the wonderful amenities that Historic Virginia Key Beach Park has to offer. Explore the barrier island’s eco-friendly flora and fauna; view the restored historical structures; attach a hammock between two palm trees and just admire the scenic shoreline, cook up a family barbecue on the grill; or spread out a scrumptious luncheon at one of the many picnic areas. The public can rejuvenate their spirits, luxuriate in the natural beauty and, simply, bask in the lush open spaces of this recreational facility.

FESTIVAL OF SAIL LOS ANGELES 2008
The Tall Ships are Coming Back to the Port Of Los Angeles Including The United States Coast Guard’s Class A “Eagle”

Festival of Sail 2008 at the Port of Los Angeles will bring nearly a dozen majestic tall ships together in one location including two Class A ships, United States Coast Guard Eagle and the HMS Surprise (featured in the movie Master and Commander and Class B ships including Los Angeles’ own twin brigantines Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson.  This admission-free family event will include opportunities to board the vessels, learn about the history and craft of sailing, entertainers, food for purchase and more, all along the Main Channel of the nation’s number one container port, the Port of Los Angeles.

The event will take Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 18, with the Grand Parade of Sail set for Friday at noon at the Port of Los Angeles’ Main Channel in San Pedro.  For more information call (800) 831-PORT or visit www.portolflosangeles.org.

VISIT JACKSONVILLE FORMS MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD TO TARGET GROUPS
Local Leaders Serve to Maximize City’s Share of Multicultural Meetings and Conventions

Visit Jacksonville has established a multicultural advisory board in an effort to promote the diverse cultural heritage of Northeast Florida and capitalize on Jacksonville’s share of multicultural meetings and tourism.  The board, to be chaired by Jacksonville Councilwoman Mia Jones, will consist of political, industry and business leaders from within the community.

In its first year, the group’s main objectives will be to increase visibility of the multicultural market and the destination through community involvement, boost multicultural group bookings by 20 percent, explore trade shows and destinations in which to increase exposure and develop targeted multicultural promotional collateral. Visit Jacksonville was awarded a $20,000 multicultural grant from the state tourism office, VISIT FLORIDA, which will be used on the first such piece of collateral, a multicultural supplement to the organization’s current Visitor Magazine.

“Multicultural travelers greatly contribute to the success of Florida’s economy,” said Bud Nocera, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “I commend Visit Jacksonville on its multicultural tourism marketing efforts and am pleased that VISIT FLORIDA can offer this grant to assist with reaching out to such an important market.”

Traditionally, a large percentage of multicultural groups prefer to meet during the slower months of July through December, when hotel occupancy is lower.  The board will focus on these need period months to increase occupancy levels for local hotels through an incentive program for meeting planners who bring their groups to the region during this time.  Incentives can range from discounts on meeting space, hotel rooms and services. 

“Jacksonville is an especially attractive market for multicultural groups to meet due to our beautiful natural surroundings, great weather and economic value,” said Theda “TJ” Jackson, Visit Jacksonville’s multicultural accounts director.  “It is our hope that through the formation of the multicultural advisory board, we will be a preferred destination of multicultural meetings and conventions and, at the same time, boost Jacksonville’s economy by bringing these groups during lower hotel occupancy months.”

The committee is composed of:
Front row (l-r): John Reyes, president & CEO of Visit Jacksonville; Vida Vongsay, Jacksonville Asian American Alliance; City of Jacksonville Councilwoman Mia Jones, Chair of Visit Jacksonville multicultural tourism committee;

Second row (l-r): Larry Walter, vice president, marketing of Visit Jacksonville; Donald Harris, MMI Hotel Group/Visit Jacksonville Executive Board Liaison; TJ Jackson, multicultural accounts director of Visit Jacksonville; Ishwar Patel, ROOP LLC; and Back row (l-r): Dr. Carlton Robinson, First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce; Carol Alexander, The Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum; Jeff Long, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront; David Diaz, River City Brewing Company; Diane Brunet, First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/Brunet Garcia Multicultural Advertising & Public Relations; Shirley Smith, vice president, sales of Visit Jacksonville; Pamela Elms, Downtown Vision, Inc.