This weekend, with temperatures in the mid-80s and a 30-to-50 percent chance of thunderstorms, many of us may be hunting ways to beat the Florida heat and things to do when it rains. Here's what's happening around Florida this weekend:
- This is the last weekend to enjoy the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that continues through May 20, 2012. The festival, including the popular weekend Eat to the Beat! concerts featuring Micky Dolenz, The Monkees lead singer, is included in the price of regular Epcot theme park admission.
- The sci-fi fun kicks off Friday, May 18 and continues through Sunday, May 20 and every weekend through June 10 for Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios
- More than 400 dealers of antiques and collectibles will be on hand at Renninger's for the Antique Fair, scheduled this weekend — May 19 & 20.
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Photo © The Walt Disney Company
In case you missed it like I did, Dinosaur World has opened its 12-acre expansion that was announced in November of 2010. Much of the new prehistoric area is visible from I-4 near Plant City. The expansion, besides adding more parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a 5,000 sq. ft. gift shop and two new dinosaur-themed playgrounds, includes a 22,000-square foot prehistoric museum displaying everything dinosaur! What you won't want to miss though is the five new animatronic dinosaurs that roar to life!
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Photo © Dawn Henthorn, licensed to About.com
Mother's Day is now behind us, but one of the heaviest travel weekends is ahead — Memorial Day. Although it comes a bit earlier on the calendar this year — May 28 — this is the weekend that seems to mark the beginning of summertime travel; and, every year AAA forecasts millions of Americans will take to the roadways. Travelers can pave the way to a smooth trip with these timely tips and bits of information that specifies new traffic laws.
If you're not sure whether it's cheaper to fly or drive to your destination? Check this cool cost calculator from AAA and places to find the cheapest gasoline.
This can also mark the beginning of Florida's unrelenting summer heat and humidity. Make sure you are aware of heat stress symptoms and try these tips to beat the Florida heat.
What's back? Love bugs, that's what! I just saw my first one the other day, so while I'm preparing for a trip this weekend I'll need to pack something to get the crushed critters off my windshield. A couple of years ago, a reader wrote in response to reading my article "
What's Bugging Florida?" where I wrote about the not-so-lovely love bugs: "Other than avoiding the peak hours for the 'bugs' flight, not much can be done to spare your automobile. Regular windshield wiper fluid often does not easily remove the bugs and the result of running your wipers is a streaked gooey mess that cuts visibility. Keeping a bucket in your car stocked with a bottle of water, a non-scratch pad, and baking soda is your best defense. The baking soda is known to make removal of the little critters easier."
Wanda had a better idea. She included this tip in her email: "I live in Louisiana the easiest fastest way to remove the love bugs you speak of on your website that plague Florida, Texas and Louisiana — use water and a Bounce® fabric [softner] sheet, will remove the bugs instantly and not scratch the paint. Very best method there is."
Comment: This works great!!! I even tried it with another fabric softner sheet — Snuggle® — and it works just as well. Everyone should be able to keep a small supply of fabric softner sheets in their car along with a bottle of water. Great tip! Thanks again, Wanda!
