The South Florida Traveler

Every year, as December rolls around, children sit around the table dreaming up their wish list of what gifts they hope Santa will bring them. But what happens when money is so tight that some parents of these children are struggling to pay their bills. Will their children’s dreams come true or will they fall through the cracks? That’s where Toys For Tots comes in.
This 501c3 began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists collected over 5,000 toys and distributed them to needy children in the Los Angeles area. Through time, this program has …read more

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 Thanksgiving – a time to spend with your family and friends and to give thanks for all that you have. Let me put an emphasis on the family part, or at least that’s what’s been with my family. But what happens when your family is thousands of miles away, and you’re stuck in sunny Florida. What to do? Start planning now, as you’ll be quizzed on the intricate details of your Thanksgiving Day. Here’s some options:

Football, football and did I say football? There’s never a bad day for football, especially on Thanksgiving Day. Tennessee takes on Detroit at 12:30 (will …read more

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As much as I complain about Bank of America month after month, I still manage to give them my business. Why? Initially it was convenience as I used to be able to do my grocery shopping and my banking in the same trip, but that stopped years ago when Publix closed the B of A in my local store, but I’m still there.
I recently learned of a new perk that Bank of America added to their accounts (checking, debit or credit cards) called the Museums on Us program. This program allows card holders to receive free admission to nearly 70 museums nationwide …read more

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Who loves twitter? It took me a long time to catch on, but recently I’ve seen its effectiveness and have people following me that I never knew existed. In that, I’ve found some interesting sites – the latest being a site that lists all the freebies you can get on your birthday. Yes, times are tough so why not take advantage of those birthday perks? Free Birthday Treats gives you a run-down of all the things you can get free on your birthday, ranging from a free dinner to free spa treatments. This site is worth checking out. And, if you …read more

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You’re planning a trip to South Florida, and are looking for a new place to stay. Sure, there are hotels lining the area, but you want something a little different, a little cozy and off the main drag. A bed and breakfast may be your answer. Here are a few that may strike your fancy:

 The Miami River Inn - this historic landmark was built between 1906 and 1910 and carries a feeling of comfort and tranquility. The River Inn has 40 rooms split into 4 cottages and each is uniquely decorate with hard wood floors, antiques, and brass, wood, and wicker furniture. …read more

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When I first moved to Florida, I jumped on the turnpike everyday to go to work. I cringed at the idea of having to pay everyday, but willingly gathered a collection of quarters and stored them in my car for my daily trip. Everyday, I would also see signs reading SunPass Lane Only. Why on Earth did I not have one? Not only would it save me money and time, I would never again have to scrounge in my car, under my seat for the lost change that I needed in order to pay the toll. It still took me about …read more

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I recently read a post on The Boston Traveler titled How to Make a Boston Cream Pie and how it was named in 1996 the state’s official dessert. I was curious as to why it is called the Boston Cream Pie, but further, I was interested in finding out the official desserts of the different states. Does Florida have an official dessert? And how does a dessert become ‘official’?
Well this is what I found out:
Florida is best known for pompano, citrus fruits and yes – key lime pie – of course.

Here are some other bits of information that I found …read more

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