Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

National Sword Swallower’s Day in St. Augustine

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I don’t know how they do it.  Really.  What possesses a person to even try to swallow a sword?  How does it work, or is it all just made up?  When I was a kid, a boy next door had one of these fake, plastic swords that collapse when you pushed a button. You could make it look real, without any trouble.  I was wondering if that’s what they do, the real sword swallowers.

What made me start thinking about the whole thing was a press release that showed up in my inbox the other day.  It’s a mad, mad world – at least at Odditoriums around the world when Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is “crossing swords” with the Sword Swallower’s Association for a special celebration of the Annual World Sword Swallower’s Day.  Nowadays everyone seems to have a “day”,  so why should sword swallowers be any different.  Go “Forth and Swallow” I say.

A Bitter Pill To Swallow

Back to the issue at hand, is it real or is it all a fake? To find the answer, I went and did some research online. The first place I visited was of course the www.swordswallow.com – a website with a lot of general information about…should we say, the sport or maybe the art form?

Before you click on the link below, I must warn you. I found these xrays a bit difficult to stomach, but the images proved it to me.  There’s no magic or funny business going on here. All you have to do is to repress reflexes in your throat so you can swallow the sword.  Sounds like a logical explanation, but I’m wondering how on earth you practice to get to that point?

If you feel inclined to learn more about sword swallowing, and you want to check out the xrays for yourself – click here.  Remember, I did warn you.
Watch xrays of sword swallowers here
I still wonder, who wakes up one day and says “I really would like to learn how to swallow a sword”?  Apparently some people do, and on February 28th sword swallowers will be performing around the world to honor the special Sword Swallower’s day.

The event takes place on February 28 at exactly 2:28 pm.  Get it – 02/28/2015 – all this is  in celebration of the Annual World Sword Swallowers Day at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Nerves of Steel
It all started a long, long time ago.  Actually the art of sword swallowing began more than 4,000 years ago in India.  According to the information we received the practitioner “uses mind-over-matter techniques to control the body and repress natural reflexes to insert solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach”.  Sword swallowers used to be common in traveling circuses, but now there are less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers around the world.

 

For more information, visit www.ripleys.com

Father’s Day in Jacksonville, Florida

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When my kids were little, they used to draw cards for Father’s Day. Sometimes I would also get soap or a new screwdriver or other tool. I’m sure my wife was involved because she wanted me to fix the broken door handle or something similar. My kids no longer live at home, so now, I’m hoping my wife will feel sorry for me and make sure I get pampered. For me, Father’s Day Brewquets from Intuition Ale Works is the perfect gift. One of the beers you can get in your Brewquet is Honey Badger, you normally can’t even get Honey Badger in a growler! Just that, is worth it! Can you tell that Honey Badger is my favorite Intuition Beer? Growlers are always good for Dads who love beer, because when the beer is gone, you still have the growler and you can always go back and refill it. That’s the most inexpensive way to buy craft beer.

BeerGlass1

Father’s Day Brunch, Dim Sum or Dinner? Father’s Day is on a Sunday, so to me, brunch is a given. Our friends at Campeche Bay have a great brunch with what they call “topless mimosas”. All Dads will enjoy that. Campeche Bay is located in Jax Beach. (Campeche Bay Cantina )Speaking of Jax Beach, if the weather is nice, I love going to Casa Marina to sit on the deck. Casa Marina also serves brunch.

Dim Sum multi 2
Dim Sum – small steamer baskets with food for sharing

For dinner, there are so many options for places to go with Dad. I always enjoy the food at the Good Food Company, and I love to go to Fish Company for seafood. But if you are looking for something special, something to entertain the whole family, I’d suggest going to Taverna Yamas. It’s a greek restaurant in Tinseltown. On weekends they have belly dancing, and zorba dancing, and it’s great fun for the whole family. Their food is awesome too. I really like greek food. I especially love the homemade baklava. Speaking of international cuisine, if you are not up for brunch, how about Dim Sum? Sunday is a great day for Dim Sum. Dim Sum are those small plates with different types of food popular in Cantonese cooking. To eat dim sum is perfect for family gatherings, because you order food to share, by plate. My normal hangout for Dim Sum is otherwise the Dim Sum Room, located near Target and Avenues Mall. (The Dim Sum Room )I also saw online that Blue Bambo on Southside Boulevard is serving Dim Sum on Sunday, June 15th. Chef Dennis doesn’t do that every weekend, so that could be fun. Fun for Father’s Day Supercountry fest is in town on Father’s Day weekend, so for those of you who love country music, heading to Everbank Field for country music is an obvious choice. Luke Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryant and a bunch of other stars are coming. You can find out more at www.floridacountrysuperfest.com You could also celebrate Father’s Day with a visit to the Hall of Fame and IMAX Theater. Guests will enjoy complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame on Sunday, June 15 in honor of Father’s Day, which is great for the big golf lover. Dads will also receive a free round on the Putting Course, discounts in the IMAX Theater and the first 300 dads through the Museum will receive a special gift. Guests can enjoy a special scavenger hunt through the Hall of Fame and a photo opportunity with the U.S. Open Trophy. For more information visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org Going to the zoo is always fun, and on Sunday, Father’s get in for free. All you have to do is to get the special coupon with you. Click here for free admission on Father’s Day.  On Father’s Day, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers a special car show, and there’s music on the lawn and BBQ to purchase. Let’s not forget, that there are lots and lots of interesting animals to check out at the zoo. The zoo is a great option for a fun Sunday, if the weather permits. For more ideas for Father’s Day, read Kris Chislett suggestions for the wine lover here. jaxzoo

Flying High over Jacksonville

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Flying is every boy’s dream, and it has been mine for a long time. I have been in planes before, and in a helicopters, but when we were invited to fly in a WWII plane – I was thrilled!

The GEICO Skytypers are the only flying unit in the world that performs at air shows typing their messages in the sky. The team fly vintage WWII planes and they are in Jacksonville for this year’s Sea & Sky Spectacular air show at Jax Beach. The team “types” messages at 10,000 feet with puffs of smoke in dot matrix-style letters. We went out to Mayport Naval Station to meet up with the team and to fly over Jacksonville. By the time we made it out to the tarmac the skies were blue and the visibility awesome. We couldn’t have asked for better weather conditions. After getting suited up and receiving a quick safety lesson, it was finally time to climb into the plane to take off. We had a group of three planes going up at the same time because we were going to fly formation.

We were ready for take off, but we had to wait for the Blue Angels who were practicing for the air show. We didn’t mind at all because we had the best seats in the house. When the Blue Angels landed, the runway was clear for take off.

The first thing that hits you when you get up in the air is literally the wind. The open cockpit makes this a completely different experience from flying in a “regular plane”. We loved it! Our camera guy Kris also loved the fact that he didn’t have to shoot through glass. We got great footage of the planes, and also of the downtown area of Jacksonville. (You can watch the story on I Know Jax on CW 17 on Saturday at 11 p.m. – and we will be uploading the video here soon too!)

Geicos Skytypers over downtown Jacksonville

The GEICO Skytypers use six of the remaining 11 North American SNJ-2 planes left in the world to write messages at an altitude of 10,000 feet.  Each World War II-era plane has been restored and equipped and with a computer that coordinates the smoke puffs from the aircraft. The six aircraft fill the sky and come from all directions, providing spectators a unique viewing experience. During skytyping missions the pilots fly 250 feet apart in a wide “line-abreast” formation. When aligned, the smoke puffs form letters as tall as the Empire State Building. Skytyping is 17 times faster than skywriting because each pilot can create a letter every four seconds. Entire messages can be as large as 6 to 8 miles wide.  Messages are visible for 15 miles in each direction on a clear day.

These flying machines have been around for a while. The SNJ-2 planes served as a training plane for most of the Allied pilots flying in WWII. This aircraft is known by many names; the T-6 Texan (Army Aircorp) and the Harvard (RAF), but was most affectionately known as the “pilot maker” by crew members. The SNJ-2 also won honors in WWII and in the early portion of the Korean War.   A total of 15,495 planes were manufactured training thousands of pilots across 34 different countries. Today there are only eleven SNJ-2 planes still in existence, the Geico Skytypers have six of these planes.

Maneuvering the antique aircraft requires great skill and expertise. Most of the GEICO Skytypers pilots earned their wings in the military and several currently fly for commercial airlines. In addition to skytyping, the team also performs a low-altitude, precision-formation flying routine combined with a thrilling aeronautical demonstration. You will be able to see the Geico Skytypers perform on both Saturday and Sunday at Jax Beach.

We had a great flight, and we got great footage. I think I had a silly grin on my face for hours after we landed – and I had wind noise in my ears too, but that didn’t bother me at all. Once back on the ground, Ken presented me with a special badge that is only given to visitors who have been on a formation flight with the Geico Skytypers. I think I’m going to sew that one to my leather jacket. All I need now is some cool pilot sunglasses and I’ll be ready for a dogfight.

Read more about the air show Sea Sky Spectacular in Jacksonville, Florida

I am almost a real pilot now!

 

 


 

Fun things to do in Florida in October

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Who doesn’t love October? The weather is a little bit cooler and it’s a great time to spend time outside. October is always a month filled to the brim with festivals, celebrations and events. But October is not only about pumpkin patches, scary ghosts and gremlins or lederhosen and oompah bands.  Just take a look at some of our suggestions below.

First Wednesday Art Walk – Jacksonville, Florida
October 3, 2012 
The theme for the month is Hispanic Heritage. Head downtown for dance and music and much more. Here is our video from last year’s event.

 

First Friday Artwalk – St Augustine, Florida

October 5, 2012
The art walk in St. Augustine is a social affair with lots of people mingling in the streets outside the many quaint shops, galleries and other venues participating. Read more – First Friday Artwalk St Augustine, Florida

Datil Pepper Festival – St. Augustine, Florida

October 6 – 7, 2012
Spice things up with the datil pepper at this festival. The datil pepper is celebrated at this festival in St. Augustine every year. More details here – Datil Pepper Festival.

Les deMerle

 

Amelia Island Jazz Festival – Fernandina, Florida

October 7 – 14, 2012
The well-known jazz musician Les deMerle has been the driving force behind this popular jazz festival for many years and created an exciting program. Read more here – Amelia Island Jazz Festival

 

Greek Festival

 

Greek Festival – St Augustine

October 12 – 14, 2012
Experience food and culture from Greece, without leaving your own backyard – just come to this festival in October. Read all about it here – Greek Festival in St. Augustine

 

 

Biketoberfest – Daytona Beach, Florida

October 18 -21, 2012
Motorcyclists from near and far will converge in Daytona for the special Biketoberfest. Biketoberfest® is an international award-winning motorcycle festival offering a getaway weekend filled with bikes, sun, beaches and most importantly – lots of fun. During this event, traditionally scheduled on the third weekend in October, you can enjoy delicious food, live music and lots of people-watching.Read more on our event page for Biketoberfest.

Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo

 October 19-21, 2012 & October 26-31, 2012

Come to Jacksonville Zoo for the spooktacular Halloween celebration – safe for children. Pirates cove, Pumpking Patch, Enchanted Forest and much more.  6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Click here for more information. 

Daytona Beach Dream Cruise

 Southern Women’s Show

Oct 18 – 21, 2012

The Southern Women’s Show returns to Prime Osborne Convention Center. This year it’s the 24th annual show.

Here is the link for a $2.00 off admission to the show to print out!

women can shop for beautiful jewelry and hip handbags, watch fabulous fashion shows, attend cooking demonstrations and sample gourmet foods, treat themselves to makeovers, and meet celebrity guests! Visit their website for more info.

Daytona Beach Dream Cruise – Daytona, Fl

October 26 – 28, 2012
This is a car show and event for car enthusiasts from the region with lots of events around Daytona Beach, Florida. Read more on our special page for Daytona Beach Dream Cruise


St Augustine, Florida

 

Uptown Saturday Night – St Augustine

Every month antique dealers and art galleries in the Old City’s San Marco District hold the popular event Uptown Saturday Night. This monthly art event combines a festive party atmosphere with hospitality and special deals. Find out more here – Uptown Saturday Night

 

 

Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic – Jacksonville, Fl

October 24 – 37, 2012
The football fans from both universities will gather in Jacksonville for the annual battle between the two giants. Lots of events and happenings around town. Read more here Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic

 

Fun Things To Do in June on the Coast

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In the Coastal Companion Calendar of our TV show “I Know Jax” broadcasting on CW17 on Saturdays at 11 pm,  we take a look at what’s happening on the coast in the area.  

Savannah Asian Festival in June

One of the most popular cultural festivals on the coast is coming up in June, the Savannah Asian Festival. This yearly one-day festival attracts about 60,000 people, so you know it’s a popular event.

Here you can sample exotic cuisines from across the continent. Local restaurants, will be cooking up favorite dishes from Polynesia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. In addition, there’s a variety of martial arts and dance performances, and live music on stage from artists representing different countries.

There’s also traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From hand made jewelry to calligraphy sets, paintings, hand-beaded clothing, henna body painting, and even a workshop on Asian and Middle Eastern Tea Ceremonies. The festival takes place on June 23 at the Savannah Civic Center, located at Montgomery and Liberty Streets. Parking at the Civic Center is free for the day. Read more about Savannah Asian Festival here.

Greek Festival

Greek Landing Day Festival – St. Augustine, Fl

Maybe you already know that St Augustine, Florida has a strong historic tie with Greece and Greek culture. In June the community celebrates the 244th anniversary of the arrival of the first colony of Greeks in North America. Hundreds of Greeks, Menorcans and Corsicans arrived in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768 and went on to establish what was called the New Smyrna Colony.

If you haven’t tried greek food before, this is your chance. My favorite is baklava, but I also enjoy spanakopita and mousaka.

Visit the so called “Glendi” for a celebration of music, food and dancing during the Greek Landing Day Festival June 22 – 24, 2012. Admission is free.

The St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine is located at 41 St. George Street in St. Augustine.

For more information, call 904-829-8205

 

Daufuskie Day in South Carolina

Another heritage festival in our area is the annual Daufuskie Day in South Carolina. This festival was organized by islanders to preserve the gullah heritage. this year it’s the 36th year for the festival where you can taste authentic Gullah cuisine, and learn more about the culture.

You can take a boat from Savannah or from Hilton Head Island.  Daufuskie day takes place on June 23.

For more information visit www.daufuskieislandfoundation.com