Shout out to all the excellent firefighters with the St. Petersburg Fire Department. Thank you for…read moreall you do to save others' lives...you are heroes to the community! Thank you also for all you do to honor firefighters lost on 9/11.

Thanks to the Hero's at the St.Petersburg Fire Department for rescuing me from my cast issue, I…read moreappreciate everyone of you for coming to the door to greet me, especially the lady paramedic (didn't get your name, sorry) for her solution to the cast cut-off issue and paramedic Burch (I think he was a paramedic) for getting the job done. I live downtown and I know first hand how hard you work( no pun intended)!!Thanks!!! #SeesomethingSaysomething

Always on the lookout for something for the child and I do, I stumbled upon an Origami Festival…read morehappening here. We walked in and a large room up front had four tables set up with ladies showing groups how to make fun things with paper. It was such a wonderful way to spend the morning. If the baby hadn't started to get antsy, then the child and I would have spent all day there. Judy showed us how to make a few things and was patient with my son going through all the steps. As for the library, we had never been to this location. It was so clean. Not just tidy, but clean. Everything looked like it belong in that spot with no clutter. The kid's area was great for an antsy 2 year old to play and let off some energy. I tried to look for a book, but she wasn't having it so must of my time was in that space.

The mural on the building was done with vivid colors and beautifully done. The library was neatly…read morearranged with tons of reading materials. The children that were visiting were having loads of fun and considerate to other visitors

Where else but Gulfport would you find a skateboarding gecko sculpture! This place is unique and…read morehost of Gecko Fest as well as numerous funky houses, businesses and people. Everyone I've met here is in a good mood and welcoming! Gecko life is good in Gulfport!

The African American Heritage Trail in St. Pete includes 20 or so informational historical markers…read morealong 9th Avenue South and 22nd Street. The area was home to African American businesses, theaters, a casino, and churches and is now home to Chief's Creole Cuisine, Lorene's Fish House, and several other African American businesses, shops and eateries. There are also several churches. It's interesting to travel back in time and learn about the life here during segregation including the cultural traditions of St. Pete's African American community. Signage discusses the business owners, the civic associations, and the art institutions that developed in the area. Here's the website with links to the historical markers: http://www.stpete.org/historic_preservation/african_american_heritage_project/index.asp Here's an article about the trail: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/african-american-heritage-trail-to-open-in-st-petersburg-saturday/2191912

Excellent resource in Apollo Beach for tourists and locals. There is a massive amount of pamphlets…read moreand brochures to satisfy everyone taste. Each wall has business cards for almost every service available. The racks with brochures also have many coupon deals and % off deals to sightseeing venues or restaurants. They also provide flyers for seasonal events such as crafts fairs, arts festivals etc. For anyone looking for something to do whether from the area or not I am sure you will find something that peaks your interest ranging from free to small entrance fees as well as things to do with children of all ages, the family, solo or couples. If in the area I recommend just perusing their shelves as you may find a hidden event or attraction you didn't know existed. Shopping here is free which is always good and what you discover may be free as well.

The correct name for this historic site is the Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble…read morePlantation Historic State Park but the right name is too long for Yelp. This is one of Florida's 175 State Parks. Florida has one of the largest State Park systems in the country and includes nearly 800,000 acres and 100 miles of beach. The Florida State Park System is the first four-time winner of the Gold Medal honoring the nation's best state park system. This State Park in Ellenton contains the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. In 1843 Major Robert Gamble established a sugar plantation in a remote region along the Manatee River. It took six years to build the Gamble Plantation. Gamble was a bachelor but he built a lavish for the times 10-room, two-story mansion with two feet thick tabby walls and wide shaded verandas wrapping around three sides of the house. Gamble only operated the plantation for 12 years and left for good in 1856 due to sinking sugar prices. After the Civil War it is thought that Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin hid out here after the fall of the Confederacy. Benjamin was a prominent Jewish New Orleans plantation owner and a trusted confidante of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. At the Gamble Plantation he was helped by Archibald McNeil, a blockade runner who secured his passage to the Bahamas before he escaped to England. In 1925, the house and 16 acres of land were saved by the United Daughters of the Confederacy who restored the house and and donated to the state. The jewel of the park is the mansion which you can tour six times a day ,Thursday through Monday for $6. In addition to the Gamble Mansion the visitors center has a small museum with exhibits and a few objects from the Civil War. One of the most moving displays is a Census Bureau document listing the enslaved people on the plantation by name. During the tour park Ranger Jesse mentions it with a pledge "We know their names and we honor every one of them." Also in the park is the 1895 Patten House, a pioneer farmhouse also preserved and maintained by the United Daughters of the Confederacy but not open for tours during our visit. Other park amenities include picnic tables, benches, and restrooms. The visitor center is open from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 to 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday; it is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

As we were driving around Sarasota getting acquainted with the city, we noticed a unique building…read more We were intrigued with the graffiti art on the side of it and decided to pull in. Being from Miami, where graffiti art is very popular in various neighborhoods, we wanted to take a look. The vibrant blue colors with fish life were a perfect match for Sarasota. As in most cities, a Chamber of Commerce is a much needed organization that organizes valuable events and relationships that bring together local businesses and business leaders to build and sustain their cities. Sarasota C of C has many worthwhile events scheduled during the year to reach out to business leaders to help keep them a success. We were not able to tour the building as it was closed on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

The Bidwell-Wood House is located at 1260 12th Street and is a one and one-half story Classical…read moreRevival, wood-frame structure with a Georgian floor plan, built in 1882. The house formerly was located at 881 Florida Avenue, and prior to that, 900 S. Euclid Avenue, and prior to that it stood near the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wood Street. It was moved to its' current new home in Pioneer Park in October of 2006. This is one of the oldest document homes in Sarasota county and now serves as the offices of the Sarasota historical society. Many rooms in the home are maintained as they would have been during the late 1800s/early 1900s. It's a very interesting and informative place to visit. It also has an interesting history: On December 27, 1884, Charles Abbe was murdered in front of Mr. Bidwell's store. Bidwell was associated with the Sara Sota Vigilante Committee. It is alleged that plans for the murder took place at the Christmas Eve housewarming. Mr. Bidwell was arraigned and sentenced and the Bidwell property was sold in 1885. In recommend stopping in if you have time.