Susanne Talentino

Restaurant Week returns to Amelia Island, Florida

January 7, 2010 by Susanne Talentino

With an irresistible mix of eclectic dining experiences, Northeast Floridaâ€™s Amelia Island is pleased to announce its second annual Restaurant Week. The new program which runs January 24 through 31, 2010, will offer area residents and visitors a fixed menu, including three courses and a beverage, for only $19 or $29. Additionally, diners may enter to win a â€œYear of Dining,â€ with 12, $50 gift certificates to be used once a month for an entire year.

â€œWe had such an overwhelming, positive response from the 2009 Restaurant Week,â€ said Gil Langley, President & CEO of the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. â€œThis year, we have several additional participating restaurants, allowing guests the opportunity to experience even more of Amelia Islandâ€™s incredible dining options.â€

For more details about restaurant week in Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island, please visit www.ameliaisland.com/yummy.

New Year’s Eve for the family – Charleston, SC

December 26, 2009 by Susanne Talentino

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Marion Square in Charleston, South Carolina with lots of fun and activities for the whole family. This is perfect if you have family visiting town, or if you have younger children celebrating New Year’s with you. Head to downtown Charleston and Marion Square for an evening out on the town. The festivities begin at 4:00 pm and end with fireworks at 10:15 pm. On the main stage – entertainment from drumming to sing-a-longs and at 8:00 pm the headliner “Total Package” takes the stage. Fireworks at 10:15 pm!!Kidsfest Under the Tent
There’s a special tent at Marion Square for kids with everything from face painting, arts and crafts, balloon art and sing-a-longs. At 4:50 pm a bagpiper will lead the way to the Second Presbyterian church for free concerts. At 5:00 pm there’s a special concert for kids called “The Velveteen Rabbit”. this page

6:30 pm Baroque Splendor: music of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi
8:00 pm Chamber Music of Charleston
9:00 pm, Brass Concert performed by Charles Towne Brass with Julia Harlow

This event is presented by the City of Charleston. The concerts take place at Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street. For more information call (843) 724-7305

City Market’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

December 26, 2009 by Susanne Talentino

Ring in 2010 at City Market in Savannah! This is an outdoor, cool, street party. Live music starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until 1 a.m.
This event is free and open to the public, no tickets or reservations are required.

For more information 912.525.CITY

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Tybee Island, GA

December 25, 2009 by Susanne Talentino

Come to Savannah’s beach at Tybee Island to ring in 2010. Here you can bring in the New Year with a bang!

Enjoy the fireworks show launched from the Tybee Pier which will happen at the stroke of midnight. You can find an excellent spot at one of Tybeeâ€™s many restaurants and bars, or just head to the beach to watch the spectacular show!

For more details call – 912-786-5444 / 800-868-2322.

Holiday Events for the Family in Jacksonville, Florida

December 17, 2009 by Susanne Talentino

Many of us have friends and family visiting for the holidays, or we have kids who are home from school. Sometimes you just need something to do that fits the whole family. We have found a few events the family can enjoy together, and these events willï¿½ get you into the holiday spirit without breaking your budget.

We suggest you take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and enjoy a late afternoon or early evening in downtown Jacksonville.

First, take a walk around the downtown area and look at the beautiful holiday window displays.Â This is definitely going to look best when it’s starts to get dark. When the 2009 windows were unveiled and many walkers joined Mayor John Peyton for a tour of holiday windows. But if you haven’t seen them yet, don’t worry, the 15 holiday windows are still on display and you can download a printable mapÂ in pdf format right here.

Christmas Tree Light Show at Jacksonville Landing

christmas-tree-200 At night you can watch the synchronized Christmas tree light show at the landing. Over 78,000 LED lights in the Christmas tree are synchronized to blink to holiday music to spread holiday cheer in the courtyard. I’m sure this is a big hit with the younger crowd – and it’s freeï¿½ – which is always an extra plus in my book

Christmas Tree Light Shows:
Sun – Thurs 6 pm – 9 pm and Fri – Sat 6 pm – midnight

On Saturday Dec 18 at 7 pm the Navy Band Southeast perform with a special Christmas Concert at the Jacksonville Landing. This is also free.

If you come early in the day, maybe you can even combine your walk with some free holiday music at city hall. Check out the schedule below.

Holiday Entertainment at City Hall St. James

December 2009
City Hall at St. James Atrium
Free Admission

Friday,ï¿½ Dec. 18

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – U.S. Navy – Holiday Brass
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Ritz Voices

Monday, Dec. 21

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Orange Blossom Country Music Association, Inc.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – 100 Youth Voices

Wednesday, Dec. 23

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Rebecca Hewitt

The Gingerbread Extravaganza and Victorian House Tours

It’s only $5.00 to go and see the magnificent and unique gingerbread houses at Old St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, but the exhibit is well worth a visit. The proceeds go to charity, so it’s money well spent and this is definitely an event for the whole family.

OLD ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32202
This annualï¿½ event at the Old St. Andrews brings thousands to the site to enjoy the artistic Gingerbread exhibit installed in a National Register Site.