Biltmore Hotel Celebrates 100 Years As Managers Look To Future

At the height of the Great Florida Land Boom, Coral Gables founder George Merrick had a vision. He saw a carefully planned city rising out of the woody wetlands of South Florida, one that borrowed the Old World spirit and class of Spain's Mediterranean architecture to an American populace.

Merrick founded the City of Coral Gables in Dade County in 1925, but to help investors see his grand vision, he needed a vantage point where they could view it for themselves. And so, Merrick built the now historic Biltmore Hotel: a luxury destination and a symbol of South Florida's 1920s heyday. This year marks 100 years since the hotel first opened to the public, and the hotel's management is looking to channel the glitz and glamour of the landmark's history as they embark on its next chapter.

“We've established the Biltmore Hotel again as a luxury property. One that it ties to the past and the historic legacy that she had,” said Tom Prescott, president ⁘ CEO of Seaway Hotels Corp., which manages the Biltmore. Construction of the Biltmore began in 1925. Its doors opened to the public in 1926. It's said that Merrick would take prospective investors to the top of the hotel's tower so they could survey the surrounding land.

He would convince them to move to Coral Gables and sell them plots after showing them the bird's eye view. Unfortunately for Merrick, the Great Miami Hurricane swept through the region in September 1926. The massive storm damaged parts of the facade and shattered many of its windows. READ MORE: Making the City Beautiful: How Bahamians built the iconic Venetian Pool — and Coral Gables Nevertheless, the hotel remained standing and was repaired in short order.

It would go on to host a number of balls, pageants and celebrations, counting among its guests celebrities and dignitaries from around the globe. Other references and insights: Visit website

Florida State Women's Lacrosse Embarks On Historic Inaugural Season

As the inaugural season of Florida State women's lacrosse commences, a new chapter unfolds in the university's athletic history. The team, now the 13th NCAA Division I program in the ACC, is poised to leave an indelible mark on the sport. With the arrival of players last summer, the foundation for a lasting legacy was laid, and the excitement is palpable. Coach Sara Tisdale provided details on this topic, highlighting the significance of building a program from the ground up, where every aspect, from the team's formation to the construction of the stadium and locker room, has been a carefully crafted endeavor. The players, too, are aware of the historic moment they are a part of, with Erin Schaefer expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming games, where the high-scoring and fast-paced nature of lacrosse is sure to captivate fans. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to witness the team's growth and the impact they will have on the university's athletic department, as well as the sport as a whole. With their maiden season underway, Florida State women's lacrosse is ready to etch its name in the annals of history, and the journey is expected to be nothing short of remarkable.

COLLEGE TOWN, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida State women's lacrosse begins its historic inaugural season this weekend.

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The 34th Annual Florida Renaissance Festival

She walked through the gates of the 34th annual Florida Renaissance Festival, surrounded by the vibrant hues of Renaissance costumes, as the sounds of laughter and music filled the air. The festival, held in Deerfield Beach, was a recreation of a 16th century village, where participants and reenactors immersed themselves in the era's traditions and festivities. With attractions like mock combat tournaments, theater, puppetry, and musical performances, the event was a sensory feast, transporting attendees back in time. As one attendee, Bobby Rodriguez, aptly put it, the festival was a chance to leave the problems of the 21st century behind and enter a bygone era, if only for a day. The Florida Renaissance Festival was a celebration of community and camaraderie, where people came together to revel in the joy and wonder of a bygone age. Information for this article was obtained from WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Attendees at the 34th annual Florida Renaissance Festival brought colorful costumes and celebrated at a fun outing in...

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Florida State Fair Offers Unlimited Rides For

In the land of sunshine, where excitement fills the air, the Florida State Fair is just around the corner, with a most wonderful offer to share. A flash sale is underway, with a deal that's quite grand, offering unlimited rides for a mere $20 in hand. This Anyday Ride Armband is a treasure to behold, granting access to over 80 rides, young and old. The fair's officials proclaim, with a smile so wide and bright, that this sale offers the lowest price, a savings of up to 55% in sight. The armbands can be used on the first weekend with glee, and for an extra $15, the second weekend can be yours to see. The 2026 fair, themed "America's Sunniest Celebration," promises to be a spectacle, commemorating America's 250-year history with flair and decoration. This 12-day extravaganza will take place from February 5 to 16, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, a city that's full of delight. Information for this article was obtained from wtsp. com.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida State Fair is about three months away, and anticipated guests have a chance to get unlimited rides during a flash sale ...

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Florida Senate Approves Bill To Expand Affordable Housing Options

Article from WKMG:

The Florida Senate has taken a significant step towards addressing the state's housing affordability crisis by approving a bill that would expand the construction of accessory dwelling units, commonly referred to as granny flats or mother-in-law suites. This legislation, championed by Florida State Senator Don Gaetz, aims to increase the availability of workforce housing by allowing homeowners to build compact units on their properties, thereby providing a more affordable option for individuals struggling to find housing. The bill's provisions are designed to streamline the approval process, preventing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and ensuring that these units can be built and rented out without undue restriction. As the bill now returns to the Florida House for approval, it is clear that the state is poised to embrace accessory dwelling units as a vital component of its solution to the housing affordability crisis. The experience of Orange County, where such units are already permitted, serves as a testament to the potential benefits of this approach. Homeowners like Mary Page, who has constructed a 500-square-foot unit behind her residence, are taking advantage of the opportunity to provide affordable housing for those in need. According to Senator Gaetz, "ADUs can increase workforce housing because ADUs cost less to build, cost less to rent, and are often located in areas where workers need to --- to be close to

The bill would require local governments to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly known as granny flats or mother-in-law suites, wherever...

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Human Rights Organizations Issue Travel Alert For Florida Ahead Of FIFA World Cup

In the realm of international travel, a most intriguing development has unfolded, as a coalition of human rights organizations has seen fit to issue a travel alert for the state of Florida, particularly in light of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. This warning, though not an official pronouncement from the U. S. Department of State, serves as a clarion call to international travelers, tourists, and visitors, apprising them of the potential perils that may beset their rights, liberty, and physical security within the Sunshine State. The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, slated to host seven matches this summer, has thus become a focal point of concern for these organizations. As the FIFA World Cup draws nigh, the coalition's warning takes on a sense of urgency, prompting travelers to reconsider their plans to visit Florida. The rationale behind this alert lies in the reported instances of tourists and U. S. citizens being detained for immigration enforcement purposes, a situation that has raised alarm bells among human rights advocates. The coalition, comprising various organizations, has sounded a note of caution, highlighting the risks that travelers may face in Florida, where, as they contend, federal and local agents can detain individuals without cause or proper identification. Eagles Wire, a reputable source, has provided insight into this matter,

Issued by a coalition of human rights organizations, the alert warns "international travelers, tourists, and visitors of the potential dangers that ...

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Florida Gators' Resurgence: A Path To The Final Four?

The Ascent in the Midwest

The Gators rose. They moved from the fourth seed in the East to the third in the Midwest like men climbing out of a dry well where the early winter losses to Arizona and Duke had left them thirsty and forgotten.

South Carolina fell. The Gamecocks were broken on their own floor in a record-setting display of efficiency that saw the ball move through the air as if guided by an unseen and singular hand.

Alabama followed. On a Sunday that smelled of hardwood and salt the Gators shot better than half from the field and stripped the ball away sixteen times more than they lost it while the Crimson Tide found no purchase in the red dirt of the game.

The Reckoning of the SEC

Ten teams stand. The conference remains a crowded room of contenders where only the Big Ten holds more ground and the Gators have carved their name into the wood of the table with ten wins against the strongest of the opposition.

Tampa beckons. There in the humid light of the coast they will face the Buccaneers of East Tennessee State while the ghosts of the early season wait in the shadows of the arena to see if the resurrection is true.

The climb continues. They are now within a half-game of the summit of the SEC and the two months of labor have yielded but two losses in a stretch of time that seemed to have no end.

A Questionnaire on the Current Campaign

1. Does the shift from a No. 4 to a No. 3 seed fundamentally alter the path to the Final Four?

2. How do the early season nonconference losses inform the team’s current resilience during SEC play?

3. Is the defensive pressure reflected in the plus-16 turnover margin against Alabama sustainable through the tournament?

4. How does the proximity of the opening round in Tampa impact the psychological state of the roster?

After blowing out the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road in program-record-setting fashion , followed by a home thumping of the Alabama Crimson ...

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