From to Ocean to Desert from Chelsea Matthews on Vimeo.
One thing nearly every Floridian has in common is a love of the beaches and ocean. Mountains and the desert, however, are a bit more foreign.
The weather and nature of the Florida coast is what brings hordes of tourists to the Tampa area every year. Whether they’re visitors from Canada trying to escape the cold or college students on Spring break, the warmth and atmosphere making for an ideal vacation destination. Across the country, Tucson, Arizona attracts a similar type of people. Like Florida, Arizona is known for warmer temperatures and gorgeous views. However, while visitors of Tampa Bay dream of flip flops and bikinis, most of those making the trip to Arizona make sure to pack their hiking boots. While the experiences are very different, both boast unique entertainment in beauty, which is why a native Floridian decided to see exactly what there is to see and do across the country. Making the trip first meant a drive to Orlando, Florida, and flying out from there to Colorado Springs, Colorado. From Colorado Springs was the second flight into Phoenix, Arizona and then a quick drive through the mountains to Tucson. After finally making it to the destination, the appeal of the west coast becomes clear instantaneously. The views alone are enough to take your breath away, and the occasional palm tree is enough to prevent complete culture shock. Cacti and desert landscape are everywhere, in stark contrast the lush plants, sandy beaches, and oceans of home. Once reaching Fourth Avenue in Tucson, the journey becomes all the more exciting. On nearly every street is a cool place to eat, artwork to look at or a piece of culture to soak in. After leaving Fourth Avenue is where the main event truly begins: the mountains. Driving to the top of “A” Mountain gives visitors a sweeping vantage point of downtown Tucson. Just after sunset, the glittering lights almost erase the memories of Florida’s shining waters.
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This past weekend Dunedin, Florida presented the 20th Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival. Creators of jewelry, photographs, paintings, and more all gathered to showcase their artistry. In addition, food vendors came to feed festival goers and market their goods.
The seasonal Dunedin Downtown Market, which is a farmer’s market where patrons can pick up fresh produce and other foodstuffs, became a part of this event for the weekend only. Saturday, due to cold temperatures, most were packing up to leave around 1:00pm, while the event was scheduled to go on until 5:00pm. The sellers of fruits, vegetables, and other homemade treats were not the only ones effected by the weather. The entire festival was plagued by clouds, light periods of rain, and temperatures in the low 50’s. These conditions, while mild just about anywhere else in the country, are quite cold to native Floridians and likely deterred a large part of the audience for the art festival. Still, many patrons bundled up and ventured out to see what the area’s artists had to offer. While at the event, visitors could take in some live music on the stage in Pioneer Park. Near the stage were food trucks and booths, featuring vegan Jamaican food, Maine lobster, and perhaps for the brave out-of-town visitors, snow cones. Further down the path were booths featuring French desserts, Caribbean jerk options, and classic festival foods like waffles and hot dogs. For those looking for a more relaxing meal or to escape the cold, restaurants were open all throughout the downtown area. The Downtown Dunedin Art Festival was put on by Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavors. Similar festivals will be happening around the state of Florida throughout the year for anyone who missed out on this event, or enjoyed it enough to want to experience even more.
On Friday evening, fans of the Harry Potter book series and film franchise gathered together to celebrate the holidays.
The Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball was held at the Clearwater Barnes and Noble, as well as other Barnes and Noble locations around the country. This ball was inspired by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where students from international wizarding schools came together for a tournament and celebration. In the past year, the Harry Potter universe has expanded considerably. In London, a stage play entitled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hit the stage, and the script of the play was released, on July 31st. On November 18th, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a film based around a textbook of the same name Potter and his cohorts read at Hogwarts, began playing in movie theatres. Shortly before the film’s release, it was announced by author J.K. Rowling that there will be five movie installments of the Fantastic Beasts story. At the party, unlike the Goblet of Fire novel and movie, there was no tournament of cruel tests, but there were plenty fun activities for fans of all ages to enjoy. In keeping with the holiday theme, there was a craft table set up for making specially themed paper snowflakes and ornaments styled after the famous Quidditch Golden Snitch. In the toys section, an employee used his phone to assess young wizards for their perfect magic wand. Trivia about both the books and films was played with competitive fans, while those looking to have more relaxed fun could participate in a waltzing lesson. While this holiday celebration was for one night only, it’s sure to be a lifelong magical memory for all who were in attendance.
For the citizens of Tarpon Springs, FL, the Christmas season officially began last Friday at the first event of the season. For some, however, the most exciting affair is the upcoming Safford House Victorian Christmas, a historical reenactment in the home in Tarpon Spring’s earliest residents.
Dressed in period costumes inside the warm, old world Train Depot Museum are Bruce Miller and Marylee Owens. At this evening’s event, both were performing as Christmas carolers at Tarpon Springs’s first ever tree lighting ceremony. However, both are actors at the Safford House performance coming later in the month. Owens is a history teacher and Miller is the docent of both the Train Depot Museum and the Safford House Museum, which gives him access to all the information to play his role perfectly. “Bruce is always Mr. Safford,” said Owens, “because he knows all the history.” The aforementioned Mr. Safford is Anson P.K. Safford, who founded the city of Tarpon Springs. After he passed away, the Heritage Society of Tarpon Springs turned the home into a museum, which is where families are invited every year for the Victorian Christmas celebration. As all three continue discussing the characters and setting featured at the event, Owens mentions that Mrs. Safford was one the first female medical personnel, who once met Florence Nightingale. “That’s why the Safford house is really cool to go to,” she said. “We have actors that portray the Safford Family, and their staff” said Helene Macneil, who oversees the live reenactment, “and they welcome guests into their home for Christmas, where they enjoy the time. The year is 1887, we have Victorian Christmas carolers, and a harpist. Anson Safford sings ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to the Victorian children and their friends that come to visit the house.” Macneil also mentions that complimentary refreshments will be offered, and there will be many activities for any children attending the event. For anyone looking to have a historical holiday or maybe just something a little different, the Safford House Victorian Christmas is something to add to the yuletide to do list. |
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