PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -

Vandals pulled down the electrical wires at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches, causing an electrical surge and frying all computers, telephones and their organ.

The incident happened on Sept.18, but church officials have only now gone public with it.

It was very, very sad, Rev. Dr. Lea Brown, senior pastor at the MCC of the Palm Beaches said. It was very demoralizing.

Rev. Brown said she discovered the incident only after trying to turn on the lights in the building. When nothing worked, she went outside and saw the damage.

All these wires were pulled down here and these black smoke marks where the electrical surge happened when the wires were pulled, Brown said. We were very fortunate that the whole building didnt burn down.

Its not the first time houses of worship in the area have been vandalized. A mosque in Fort Pierce was set on fire last year.

Local Jewish Community Centers have been evacuated at least twice after bomb threats.

Rev. Brown said it hasnt been the first time her church has seen something like this happen.

Were an MCC, things happen here that dont happen at other churches, Brown said. We get hate mail, we get phone calls, people mess with our sign out on the street.

According to hate crime data collected by the FBI, L.G.B.T. people were more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other minority in 2014.

And thats the environment that were living in at the moment, Brown said. There are many people in my congregation who are living in fear.

Rev. Brown said that several MCC churches across the state have had cases of vandalism.

The MCC of Palm Beaches did not have surveillance cameras installed at the time, but they do now.

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office is investigating. So far Brown said no suspects have been found and there is no motive.

Through their insurance claim, the MCC of the Palm Beaches was able to replace their electrical equipment.

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LGBT church in Palm Beach Gardens vandalized - WPTV.com

Florida is king of the beach again in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards with Siesta Beach on the Gulf Coast coming in at No. 1.

Overall, Florida landed seven of the top 10, and 10 of the top 25 in this year's awards, which honored 343 beaches across the world based on ratings on the travel site gathered over the last 12 months.

Siesta Beach, which is on Siesta Key, a barrier island on the Gulf Coast west of Sarasota, is no stranger to accolades. It was named best beach in the U.S. in 2011 on the annual Dr. Beach list, and was also named tops on TripAdvisor's rankings in 2015.

While the Dr. Beach list, which comes out ahead of Memorial Day, is based on criteria from Stephen Leatherman, the Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research, the TripAdvisor list is based on the quantity and quality of reader reviews in the TripAdvisor community.

While several Florida beaches on the TripAdvisor list don't rate in Leatherman's list, at least on Siesta Beach, the two jibe. Leatherman had been ranking top beaches for 25 years, with the winners of previous years pulled from consideration until last year, when he reset everything. Even then, Siesta Beach came in at No. 2.

The beach, a massive stretch that is part of a county park with ample parking and facilities, is known for its sugar-white, nearly pure quartz crystal sand that doesn't really get hot on your feet.

"Siesta Beach in Sarasota boasts that it has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I cannot argue with this claim," Leatherman said in 2011. "The beautiful blue-colored water is clean and clear, making it so inviting to bathers and swimmers."

The other Florida beaches making the TripAdvisor list are St. Pete Beach at No. 3, last year's top beach Clearwater Beach dropping to No. 4, the beach in Panama City Beach at No. 5, Hollywood Beach at No. 6, Pensacola Beach at No. 7, St. Augustine Beach at No. 8, Fort Lauderdale Beach at No. 11, South Beach at No. 12 and Henderson Beach State Park in Destin at No. 17.

Overall, Florida rated the most beaches in the U.S. top 25 with 10 followed by Hawaii with seven, California with three and one each from Maine, Maryland, Massachuestts, Georgia and Virginia.

Siesta Beach ranked No. 5 in the site's world rankings, the only U.S. beach in the top 25. The No. 1 beach in the world is Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

This is the fifth year of the TripAdvisor awards, and the third year in a row a Florida beach has topped the U.S. list. Siesta Beach has always been in the top 3.

As far as 2017 goes, here is TripAdvisor's rankings for the U.S. top 25:

1. Siesta Beach on Siesta Key near Sarasota, Florida

2. Ka'anapali Beach Lahaina, Hawaii

3. St. Pete Beach, Florida

4. Clearwater Beach Clearwater, Florida

5. Beach at Panama City Panama City Beach, Florida

6. Hollywood Beach, Hollywood, Florida

7. Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Beach, Florida

8. St. Augustine Beach Saint Augustine Beach, Florida

9. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Honolulu, Hawaii

10. Ocean City Beach Ocean City, Maryland

11. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

12. South Beach Miami Beach, Florida

13. Wai'anapanapa State Park Hana, Hawaii

14. Ogunquit Beach Ogunquit, Maine

15. Wailea Beach, Wailea, Hawaii

16. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Hawaii

17. Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida

18. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia

19. Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, Virginia

20. Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica, California

21. La Jolla Shores Park, La Jolla, California

22. Hapuna Beach, Waimea, Hawaii

23. Race Point Beach, Provincetown, Massachusetts

24. Carlsbad State Beach, Carlsbad, California

25. Poipu Beach Park, Poipu, Hawaii

rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134

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Florida's Siesta Beach named best beach in the US by TripAdvisor - Orlando Sentinel

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Do you find yourself daydreaming about warmer weather and the sand between your toes lately? Youre not alone. Thinking about the summer months and ocean is sometimes the only way to get through these dark and dreary months.

Luckily, TripAdvisor made that fantasizing a bit easier by announcing the winners of its Travelers Choice awards for the best beaches in the world.

Siesta Beach in Florida is the best beach in the U.S. according to TripAdvisor.

The travel planning and booking site revealed the best sandy spots in the U.S and around the world today, honoring a total of 343 beaches. The winners were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period. And according to a recent TripAdvisor survey, 49 percent of U.S. travelers say hotel prices are the most important factor when choosing a beach destination. So, TripAdvisor also identified the least expensive month for a hotel stay near each beach, meaning you can really start planning that much-needed holiday.

Traveling to a popular beach doesnt have to be expensive," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, in a statement. "TripAdvisor can help find the best prices for highly rated hotels and has a variety of value options for those looking to get the most out of their money while visiting one of these amazing beach destinations.

RELATED: The 16 best places to go on vacation with a baby or toddler

So, which spot came in first place? Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, Florida, took the No. 1 spot on the top 10 list of best beaches in the U.S., and No. 5 in the world. Its conveniently located about 10 miles south of Sarasota on the Gulf Coast and is known for its white sandy beaches that look more like the Caribbean than Florida.

I can't say enough great things about this amazing beach, wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer. Perfect white sand, soft on the feet and yet look around and you can also find shells. Sunset was amazing! The best time to visit the stunning stretch of sand is actually in the fall as the least expensive month is September, with rooms costing an average of $214 per night.

Florida's Hollywood Beach landed in the top 10 as one of the best beaches in the U.S.

RELATED: How this woman funded her record-breaking trip to every country in the world

Floridas beaches dominate the top 10 list. Seven out of 10 beaches are located in the Sunshine State, with St. Pete Beach coming in at No. 3, Clearwater Beach taking the No. 4 spot, Panama City Beach at No. 5, Hollywood Beach at No. 6, Pensacola Beach at No. 7, and Saint Augustine Beach at No. 8. In fact, the only other state to boast more than one beach on the list is Hawaii, with Ka'anapali Beach at No. 2, and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve coming in at No. 9.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of two Hawaiian beaches to make the top 10 list.

The only outlier is Ocean City Beach in Ocean City, Maryland, which moved up 15 spots to No. 10 this year. The reason? Its a family-friend location with lots of free activities and is perfect for aquatic sports. It has a beautiful deep sandy beach with lots on the boardwalk like shops, games, amusements parks, restaurants, and ice cream, to name a few things, noted a TripAdvisors reviewer. If youre looking to go, search for hotels in November as its the least expensive time to travel, with rooms averaging $109 a night.

RELATED: Tips for traveling with kids from parents whove been on the road for 1 1/2 years

Baia do Sancho in Brazil was ranked the best beach in the world.

In terms of the best beach in the world, Brazils Baia do Sancho came in at No. 1. While it can be a bit tricky to access the beach, which is located on Fernando de Noronha Island 220 miles off the northeast coast of Brazil visitors have raved about its beauty and incredible snorkeling opportunities. The award recognition is an opportunity for us to communicate all that this incredible place has to offer to global travelers, said Lus Eduardo Antunes, general administrator of Fernando de Noronha.

Check out the top 10 lists for Travelers Choice Beaches in the U.S. and the world below!

1. Siesta Beach, Florida

2. Ka'anapali Beach Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

3. St. Pete Beach St. Pete Beach, Florida

4. Clearwater Beach Clearwater, Florida

5. Beach at Panama City Panama City Beach, Florida

6. Hollywood Beach Hollywood, Florida

7. Pensacola Beach Pensacola Beach, Florida

8. Saint Augustine Beach Saint Augustine Beach, Florida

9. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Honolulu, Hawaii

10. Ocean City Beach Ocean City, Maryland

1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

2. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

3. Eagle Beach, Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba

4. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba

5. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, United States

6. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian, Spain

7. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

8. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India

9. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece

10. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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10 best beaches in the US and world according to Tripadvisor - Today - Today.com

CBS Local

Jersey Shore, Delaware Stops Snubbed From List Of America's Best Beaches CBS Local PHILADELPHIA (CBS) In this region, we know the benefits of the New Jersey and Delaware beaches. We visit them in droves during the summer season and even find ourselves there at points during the off-season. We might know how great those ...

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Jersey Shore, Delaware Stops Snubbed From List Of America's Best Beaches - CBS Local

A Florida beach has won the distinction of best beach in the United States for the third year in a row.

TripAdvisors list of the top 25 beaches -- which ranks beaches based on the quality and quantity of online reviewers and ratings over a 12-month period -- named Siesta Beach as the best beach in the country.

TripAdvisor makes mention of Siesta Beachs restaurants and hotels, along with its status as a year-round vacation destination along the Gulf of Mexico, as factors that helped the beach earn the top spot. Siesta Beach also landed a top five ranking on TripAdvisors list of the Top 25 beaches in the world.

Several other Florida beaches appear in the top 10 of the 2017 rankings. Clearwater Beach, which earned the top spot last year, is ranked fourth, while Saint Pete Beach, Beach at Panama City, Hollywood Beach, Pensacola Beach and St. Augustine Beach are ranked third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

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Florida beach tops list of best beaches in country - Palm Beach Post

Wednesday on First Coast Connect, we spoke with Mission House Executive Director Lori Delgado Anderson about their mission and work they do to help the homeless at the Beaches. Ahead of his appearance Thursday at WJCT host Melissa Ross spoke with former U.S. Comptroller General Dave Walker. Jacksonville Womens Leadership Forum Board President Chris Schwing talked about this years forum Game On! The Power of Women Its Our Time to Lead and Girls Scouts of Gateway Council CEO Mary Anne Jacobs talked about this years cookie drive.

Beaches Homelessness

Homelessness is not just an issue in Jacksonvilles urban core. There are also many homeless at the Beaches. At the Beaches, the face of homelessness has changed dramatically over the years.

Mission House in Jacksonville Beach was founded 20 years ago and has more than 500 volunteers. Its mission includes feeding people, helping them find affordable housing, medical services and help change the way homelessness is perceived in the community.

Dave Walker

As Comptroller General of the United States Walker often spoke about Washingtons fiscal mismanagement. Most recently, he has as CEO of the Comeback America Initiative, an organization Walker founded to engage his fellow citizens in what he calls the fight to restore fiscal sanity. On Thursday at a special event here at WJCT looking at the importance of fiscal responsibility. Hes a graduate of Jacksonville University and a frequent guest host of CNBC.

Womens Leadership Conference

The Jacksonville Womens Leadership Conference began six years ago when a local group of women wants to attend conferences that focused on the advancement of women in corporate leadership roles. This years conference focuses on the importance of being a fit leader mentally, physically and emotionally. The forum will be held March 9 at Everbank Field.

Girl Scout Cookies

One of the nations most beloved female leadership programs is the Girl Scouts. Studies consistently show girls who took part in the program go on to leadership roles when they grow up.

Its the time of year again when the girls take part in an initiative that teaches them everything from money management to decision making and people skills.

This weekend is National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. Girl Scouts will be stores all over the community selling cookies, including a special visit to the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached atkmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.

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2/22/2017: Beaches Homelessness; Dave Walker; Women's Leadership Conference; Girl Scout Cookies - WJCT NEWS

Think all Caribbean beaches are the same? Think again. Home to some of the worlds most beautiful and diverse beaches in the world, the Caribbean islands are a feast for the senses. Every shoreline promises a new twist on relaxing in paradiseor cranking up the adventure with world-class water sports.

Weve teamed up with global cruise line Royal Caribbean to highlight seven of the most stunning Caribbean beaches that prove theres a lot more than swaying palm trees, gently lapping waves, and white sandy expanses to tempt nature lovers (although that also sounds pretty great). Kick your relaxation up a notch by exploring these one-of-a-kind beaches on your next Caribbean adventure.

Reinhard Dirscherl via Getty Images

Great for snorkeling right off the shoreline, Champagne Reef will also wow visitors with its vibrant coral and plentiful sea life. Less crowded than more well-known tourist spots, Champagne Beach also offers great nightlife at waterfront Melvinas Champagne Bar and Restaurant. Order a glass of bubbly or stay for rum punch and steamed fish as you watch the sunset.

Travelers also will want to check out the Bathsheba Pools for a sheltered place to take a dip away from the crashing waves. These shallow sheltered pools are a favorite spot for Bajans to gather for a soak in natures very own whirlpool.

Richard Cummins via Getty Images

History buffs will want to check out the Mayan ruin and nearby Celarain Lighthouse at Punta Sur. The Mayan ruin is embedded with conch shells that whistle when the wind blows, while the lighthouse offers a stunning panoramic view of Cozumelif youre willing to climb the 127 steps to see it!

MichaelUtech via Getty Images

A short ferry ride will take travelers from the vibrant Antiguan city of St. Johns to its neighboring island, Montserrat, where the typical image of white Caribbean sand evaporates as soon as you step onto the docks. Experience a lesson in chemistry on Woodlands Beach, where the dark basalt sand is the result of past eruptions from the islands volcano. With a backdrop of cliffs surrounding the black sand beach, travelers can cool off with a picnic and have a chance to spot migrating whales.

Grand Cayman may be best known for Seven Mile Beach, a coral-sand beach that stretches as far as the eye can see along the western shore of the island. And while travelers cant go wrong with the snorkeling, sunbathing, and resort amenities located nearby, adventure seekers who want something a little more exciting will want to check out the blowholes on the east end of Grand Cayman. When the trade winds blow, crashing waves are pushed into caverns that send geysers shooting up to 20 feet in the air. These powerful forces of nature are an impressive sight, but onlookers should keep a safe distance and wear sturdy shoes, as the rugged rocks that form the viewing area can be sharp. The blowholes are a perfect spot for taking a memorable photo on Grand Cayman, but swimming should be saved for the much calmer waters of Seven Mile Beach!

Pola Damonte via Getty Images via Getty Images

Paradise Beach, just minutes from downtown Nassau in the Bahamas, features some of the clearest waters for diving in the entire Caribbean. With visibility of up to 100 feet, scuba divers rejoice in exploring the waters of this world-renowned island. Here you can dive amongst the remains of several shipwrecks and the Lost Blue Hole, a natural cavern that extends 200 feet deep and is filled with impressive marine life, including nurse sharks, angelfish and manta rays. Divers call the Lost Blue Hole one of the most unique and memorable dive sites in the world.

Paris is for lovers, but so too is Magens Bay Beach with its unique heart-shaped coastline. A hotspot for destination weddings, beach bliss can be found here whether youre with that special someone, friends or family. Beyond the inviting strip of white sand and warm azure water, travelers can also enjoy the nearby nature trail, coconut grove, or the six-acre arboretum, home to trees from four different continents. This Caribbean stunner will cement your lifelong love of St. Thomas.

Why settle for one beach on your next vacation when you can seek out the worlds most unique beaches during the same trip? Make your next tropical adventure one to remember with Royal Caribbean, voted number one for 14 years and counting by Travel Weekly. Visit Royal Caribbean to find the most awe-inspiring destinations and your next unforgettable adventure vacation.

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7 Stunning Beaches That Will Make You Want To Travel To the Caribbean - Huffington Post

Starts at 60

TripAdvisor confirms Queensland has the best beaches in Australia Starts at 60 Sorry, Victoria. Our apologies, New South Wales. And our sincere condolences, Western Australia. But the news is in and it's official: Queensland has the best beaches in the country. If you don't agree, then you might like to takeit up with TripAdvisor ... and more »

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TripAdvisor confirms Queensland has the best beaches in Australia - Starts at 60

The biggest storm in years took away something from Southern California that could be missed when the weather heats up the beach.

From Dockweiler State Beach to Redondo Beach, the eyeball test plus a new report on beach erosion throughout California shows how the recent weather system, combined with the El Nio of the past two years, have wiped out (and, in some cases, rearranged) acres of sand.

The report, from UC Santa Barbara and six other researchers, describes the El Nio side of the equation as the most significant erosion-related climate event of the past 145 years.

While South Bay beaches did not experience nearly as much damage over the weekend as spots further north in Malibu where runoff carved out a chunk of beach beneath a restroom at Point Dume lifeguards are moving their towers back as the sand disappears.

Weve definitely lost a ton of beach, said L.A. County lifeguards Capt. Eric Howell. Youll get that anytime theres big surf and rain.

RELATED: Why last weeks storm took down so many trees in the South Bay and Harbor Area

The recent storm, as well has one in January that dumped 3.5 inches on Redondo Beach, was just the latest factor in what has become an ongoing erosion problem up and down the Pacific coast. The study from UC Santa Barbara and others found last winter, which was relatively dry in Southern California but wetter than usual from Seattle down to San Luis Obispo, had created a situation in which beach erosion was 76 percent above normal, and that most beaches in California are eroded beyond historical extremes.

That could be a big problem, the study warns, if El Nio events become more common. About 25 million people live near the coastline.

The research was based on 29 beaches along the 1,200-mile Pacific coast, from San Diego on the south and Monterey Bay and Ocean Beach in Northern California. And while no South Bay beaches were part of the study, the effects here have been similar to whats taken place in other spots a severe loss of sand.

At the least, its an interesting sight for geological-minded beachgoers who marvel at the dramatic changes caused by storms. For some, limited beach access is a beach bummer. At the worst, the changes can be life threatening.

One year ago, El Nio swells transformed Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro into a rocky shoreline, stunning beachgoers. Officials were so concerned, they were considering a massive replenishment project, something that hadnt been done since 1991.

But months later, the sand returned, said Larry Fukuhara, director of programs at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

Last year was really bad and all of a sudden, that sand came right back, he said.

The beach has lost sand this year, too, but not nearly as much as in 2016, he said.

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I thought it was going to be even worse because of the storms, but the rocks are covered up quite a bit, Fukuhara said. Waves and currents are very complex.

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors has seen about the same amount of erosion on South Bay beaches this year as it typically does, said spokeswoman Nicole Mooradian, with Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach losing the most sand.

Were seeing a lot just after these storms, but we did see it last year, too, she said. Even though we didnt get hammered by the rain, we still got the swells and storm surges from up north.

The department has built a berm on Hermosa Beach and several on Dockweiler State Beach.

The latter beach will be getting some relief from erosion soon thanks to a $2.7 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging project underway in Marina del Rey. Some of the sand being removed from navigation channels and a sand trap near the breakwater will be dumped offshore from Dockweiler State Beach so that waves can replenish the beach naturally, said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Jay Field.

But despite the damaging effects of recent storms to the eroding coast, theres one element this year that didnt exist during last years El Nino that could help the eroding coastline: rain.

El Nio was largely considered a dud due to the unusually low rainfall, particularly in Southern California, which received 70 percent less rain than during the past two big El Nio events, the study reads.

One of the particular interests now is to see how the shorelines recover from El Nio, said UC Santa Barbara marine scientist David Hubbard.

Thats where the rearrangement of sand comes into play. While rain and powerful surf eat away at beaches near the shore, storms can speed up the pace at which new sand is brought down to the beach via rivers and creeks. Rain this year seems to be helping in that part of the process.

Finally this year, this is bringing sand back to the shoreline, Hubbard said. Were hoping this will bring beaches back to average.

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Storm erodes LA County beaches. Could it also save them? - The Daily Breeze

New Zealands DB Breweries and agency Colenso BBDO had a monster hit in 2015 with Brewtroleum, a campaign that took the yeast left over from the brewing process and turned it into a clean-burning, conflict-free biofuelletting consumers, in a sense, save the world by drinking more beer.

The campaign won big at every major award show last year, including snaggingan Outdoor Grand Prix at Cannes. And now, client and agency are back for an encoreone that also has an environmental activation at its core.

DVhas built a fleet of machines that crush empty glass bottles of DB Export into a sand substitute, which will be used to save New Zealands pristine beaches.

Two-thirds of the worlds beaches are retreating, the company says, as demand for sand is high in industries ranging from construction to pharmaceuticals. The bottle-crushing machines will create branded DB Export Beer Bottle Sand, which will be supplied to construction companies and other commercial partners, reducing New Zealands dependence on beach-derived sand.

Again, all New Zealanders have to do to help is chug a bottle of DB Export.

Heres an explanatory video:

A bit about the Beer Bottle Sand Machines themselves: As a bottle is inserted, a laser triggers a wheel of small steel hammers spinning at 2,800 rpm. As the bottle is pulverized, a vacuum system removes silica dust and the bottleslabel, leaving behind 200 grams of sand substitute.

The whole process takes five seconds.

Finding partners for the program was a critical step in achieving scale for the project. The brewer says it is in the process of finalizing a two-year deal to supply DB Export Beer Bottle Sand to DryMix, which is New Zealands biggest producer of bagged concrete. The sand will also be supplied to national roading projects, commercial and residential construction, and even golf bunkers.

Brewtroleums success came through finding partners who could make the idea more than advertising, says Colenso BBDO creative chairman Nick Worthington. Were thrilled to partner with the countrys biggest construction companies to make DB Export Beer Bottle Sand a viable alternative to beach sand. And were excited to work with DB Export drinkers to ensure a reliable supply of empty bottles.

We cant solve the problem alone, but we knew we could do more to help, adds Sean ODonnell, marketing director at DB Breweries. Our ambition is to help drive more recycling while looking out for the beaches which are an integral part of our Kiwi DNA. Were proud to launch an initiative that can help us do our bit to protect our beaches for future generations.

CREDITS Client: DB Breweries Creative Agency: Colenso BBDO Media Agency: PHD PR Agency: Spark PR & Activate Shopper Marketing Agency: Raydar Digital Agency: Union Digital

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Brewer Crushes Beer Bottles Into Sand to Save New Zealand's Beaches in 'Brewtroleum' Sequel - Fishbowl NY (blog)

Patch.com

Coastal Hazard: High Surf Advisory For Orange County Beaches Patch.com Coastal Hazard: High Surf Advisory For Orange County Beaches. DANA POINT, CA A high surf advisory was announced by the National Weather Service that will e in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 2 am. Friday. "The National Weather Service San Diego ...

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Coastal Hazard: High Surf Advisory For Orange County Beaches - Patch.com

Tuesday, February 21, 10:23 AM EST

By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

According to Jarret Dreicer, assistant administrator of operations, the expansion would enlarge and upgrade operating rooms and more than double the size of pre- and post-operative areas.

Dreicer also said it would provide a new and convenient Emergency Department entrance with a modernized and comfortable waiting room.

The medical center is at 1350 13th Ave. S. in Jacksonville Beach.

If approved, construction would begin this summer. The contractor would be Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors.

Dreicer said construction should take less than two years.

Before construction can begin, the Baptist Medical Center Beaches Board, the Baptist Health Finance Committee and the Baptist Health Board must approve the project, he said.

Dreicer said the current operating room dates back to 1988. He said modern surgery is complex, requiring more space, equipment and staff.

Each operating room would be more than 550 square feet and universal, meaning the rooms could accommodate all types of surgery, he said.

There also would be larger, private pre-operative bays with natural light that Dreicer said would provide a comfortable patient experience.

The St. Johns River Water Management District gave notice it intends to grant a permit for the project.

Those plans show the medical center proposes a 33,350-square- foot expansion along with a minor parking reconfiguration.

Dreicer said the square footage has not been determined.

The site is developed with the main hospital building, several smaller medical office buildings and a large surface parking lot, according to the Water Management District application.

Baptist Medical Center Beaches is part of Jacksonville-based Baptist Health, which is undergoing growth throughout its system.

Among its larger projects, it is expanding at its Baptist Medical Center South campus and developing a North Jacksonville complex.

Perhaps its largest project is the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center building under construction near its main Southbank campus.

Food notes

BMR Dining Group applied for a certificate of use for Barrique of Avondale at 3563 St. Johns Ave. The Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar is expected to open in the spring in the former Cowford Traders retail location in The Shoppes of Avondale. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 100 diners. Expected to be similar, the Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar in Babylon, N.Y., features more than 150 wines, a full bar, small-plate rustic food, artisanal cheeses, thin crust pizza, mini desserts and more.

A shell building to include Jimmy Hulas was approved for construction at 9711 Applecross Road in the OakLeaf area. The 5,814-square-foot project will go up at a cost of almost $960,000. Plans say there will be three restaurant spaces that offer a total of 250 seats.

Chipotle Mexican Grills proposed Regency restaurant is in for zoning review for an exception to redevelop the former Pier 1 Imports property as a restaurant with the outside sale and service of food. Its at 9395 Atlantic Blvd.

Caf Freska LLC was issued a business license to operate Tazikis Mediterranean Caf at 14035 Beach Blvd., No. 108.

Retail notes

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will remodel its West Jacksonville Supercenter at 6767 103rd St., inside and out, at a cost of almost $690,000. Property records show it was built in 2006. The renovation permit includes updates on what appears to be every department and the addition of a mothers room.

Development notes

New signage was approved for Gramercy Woods, the former Bank of America office park at 9000 Southside Blvd. The city approved three ground signs, one of which includes the names of anchor tenants Bank of America and Aetna. Harbinger is the contractor.

Crocker Partners proposes to build-out a management suite at its Prominence business park in Baymeadows. The city is reviewing a permit for a more than $540,000 renovation at 8875 Liberty Ridge Drive for work on two floors. Work would include the management suite, a conference center, the main lobby, several offices, restrooms and more. The work is in Building 700. The contractor is Tenant Contractors Inc.

Its now the 6805 Building

The former Comcast operations and call center in Southpoint now is the 6805 Building.

JLL, the leasing agent, said ownership will invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into the property to update the front of the building for a more contemporary look.

While a spokeswoman said ownership preferred not to provide a more precise investment until renovations are complete, public records show at least $1.7 million in property and exterior work has been undertaken or planned.

The spokeswoman described the planned improvements as a transformation of the exterior from a complex with a largely industrial park feel to a sleek, modern office building.

Work includes roofing, new HVAC, skylights, parking lot upgrades and a significant exterior renovation.

The work positions the structure for back-office operations and other uses.

The JLL real estate services firm announced Thursday the building offers competitive parking of 6.3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of leased space, above the market average and important for back-office users that employ a large workforce.

JLL Vice President Jesse Shimp, the exclusive leasing agent, said the buildings large open floorplate makes it a prime location for such operations or a rapidly expanding tenant. He said improvements are set to begin in March and estimated for completion by July.

IP Capital Partners bought the building, at 6805 Southpoint Parkway, in April 2015. It is 118,780 square feet in size.

The property, in the Southpoint Office Park at Butler Boulevard and Interstate 95, was built in 1989. Its most recent tenant, Comcast Corp., moved to the Deerwood North office park.

kmathis@jaxdailyrecord.com

@MathisKb

(904) 356-2466

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Beaches Medical Center Beaches considering $30M expansion of surgery center - Jacksonville Daily Record

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --DB Export has announced its mission to help save New Zealand's beaches by producing a man-made sand product. The brewery was motivated by the knowledge that our beaches are retreating partly due to sand mining which occurs on some of our most beautiful beaches -- DB Export is turning glass bottles that can't be recycled into a sand substitute suitable for everyday use.

The resulting product, DB Export Beer Bottle Sand, is designed to lessen some of the impacts inflicted on NZ beaches by sand dredging. A case study about DB Export Beer Bottle Sand is available here.

Beach-dredged sand is a major component in New Zealand roading, pathways, commercial and residential construction, pipelaying, at-home DIY projects and even golf bunkers1. The average person uses 200kgs of sand each year1 in the way of consumables and infrastructure, the majority of which is dredged. Like many other natural resources, beach sand is non-renewable and dredging causes a myriad of environmental impacts including the destruction of natural beaches and their ecosystems (dunes, wetlands), increased costal erosion, damage to sea life habitats and a reduction in protection from weather patterns such as tsunamis and storms2. Due to over consumption and black market exploitation, two thirds of the world's beaches are retreating.

Each year in New Zealand twenty-seven percent of waste consumer glass is not recycled, due to soiling or incorrect disposal3, and instead finds its way into landfill. DB Export is using glass destined for landfills to create its first instalment of DB Export Beer Bottle Sand and aims to make one hundred tonnes of sand substitute, the equivalent of more than half a million bottles.

"Our beautiful beaches are being dredged for its precious sand, which is used in many products and almost every construction project. DB Export Beer Bottle Sand is a simple initiative that we believe will have a big impact," says Sean O'Donnell, DB Breweries' Marketing Director.

"We can't solve the problem alone but we knew we could do more to help. Our ambition is to help drive more recycling whilst looking out for the beaches which are an integral part of our Kiwi DNA. We're proud to launch an initiative that can help us do our bit to protect our beaches for future generations," adds O'Donnell.

Two types of sand will be made: the first isa pure sand made of finely crushed bottles. With a particle size of between 0.4mm -1.1mm, this can be used for golf bunkers, pipe bedding and sports field drainage among other purposes. The second type, currently in development, is a sustainable concrete mixture solution made with DB Export's project partner, NZ's largest bagged concrete producer, DryMix. Both use DB Export Beer Bottle Sand as substitute for regular dredged sand and can be used for both consumer and industrial purposes.

Specially created DB Export Beer Bottle Sand Machines will visit major NZ cities so people can crush their beer bottles and see the sand that is created for themselves. To find a schedule of where the machines will be, head to dbexportbeer.co.nz.

In 2015, DB Export created the world's first commercially available biofuel with Gull NZ made from the waste product of the brewing process. The DB Export Beer Bottle Sand project looks to follow in its footsteps to make an impact in New Zealand and demonstrate our sustainability commitment to the world.

For interviews, imagery or more information please contact Heidi Thompson at Spark PR & Activate on Heidi.thompson@sparkactivate.co.nz or +64 21 1176127.

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DB Export's Mission to Save New Zealand Beaches - Yahoo Finance

The dining scene near the newBallpark of the Palm Beaches may challenge the hungry and time-strapped, but there will be plenty of ballpark fare at the 6500-seat stadium itself when it opens Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The opening menu is simple, but stadium management says there are plans to reflect some food traditions of the spring training tenant teams, the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

Well have hamburgers and hot dogs and the things people come to expect at a ballpark, says Brady Ballard, general manager at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Were just trying to open up and get into our kitchen for the first time. In time, well expand our menu and pull in more regional options.

TheBallpark has partnered withProfessional Sports Catering (PSC), an Illinois-based concessionaire operating in 31 stadiums across the country. PSC touts quality on its website: Everything we serve to your fans is fresh. No precooked, pre-wrapped mystery food.

Workers install a sign outside the Houston Astros' clubhouse during the start of spring training at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Richard Graulich/ The Palm Beach Post

Beyond hot dogs and burgers, food options will include Philly cheese steaks, nachos, sausages, shish kebabs, popcorn, ice cream, funnel cakes and more.

The two tenant teams have inspired the branding for many of the concession stands and portable stands, which bear names like The Capitol Hill Grill, Lone Star Cantina and H-Town Bar and Grill.

Options get more exciting at the stadiums suites and party decks, which can be rented per season or per single game. Parties of 40 or larger can book any ofthree dining options on the party decks, starting at $40 per person for unlimited food and soft drinks. The Ballpark Classic option includes burgers, brats, hot dogs, sides and fresh baked cookies. The Backyard Barbecue menu lists smoked pulled pork, citrus-marinated grilled chicken breasts, brats, sides and cookies. The priciest option, The Chefs Table, begins at $55 per person and includes a carving station, salads, fruits and a dessert bar.

The Houston Astros start spring training at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches Wednesday, Feb. 15. Richard Graulich/ The Palm Beach Post

Suite rentals require a 15-person minimum and start at $900 per suite per single game. On the suite menu: alligator tail bites, crab cake sliders, ahi tuna, burgers, grilled chicken, quesadillas and fish tacos. There are some nice salad options and some pretty fancy desserts, says Ballard.

All suites and party decks are sold out for opening day, when the two tenant teams face off at the ballpark.

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches:5444 Haverhill Rd., West Palm Beach; 844-676-2017;BallparkPalmBeaches.com

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Spring training 2017: food options at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Post

The sound of the waves hitting the shore has Xiulan Yang, her husband and their 15-month-old son escaping to Magnolias Discovery Park any chance they get.

You dont have to drive far away but you still have plenty of nature here, Yang said.

Related: Damaged Seattle wastewater plant continues to dump raw sewage

A KIRO 7 crew noticed the Yangs getting pretty close to the water. The crew broke the news to them that the beach was closed after millions of gallons of untreated sewage was dumped into the Puget Sound when the West Point Treatment Plant in the neighborhood flooded more than a week ago.

We were kind of surprised, Yang said. I guess I heard about the sewage leakage last week but I wasnt expecting the beaches closed.

Part of the problem is that there are few signs along this stretch of the beach. Theres one at a parking lot where drivers turned their cars around when they realized they couldnt get in.

The members of the KIRO 7 crew saw another sign where they parked their car before walking down to the beach, but it was pretty small and could easily be overlooked. The closest sign after that was about a quarter mile down the path toward the lighthouse and then another one 100 yards out.

We walk this place all the time, Scott Livingston said.

Livingston and his wife, Susun, think the signage could be better.

It does say water contaminated, but it looks familiar. It doesnt look unfamiliar for you to stop and say, There is a difference here,'Susun Livingson said.

But there was nothing familiar about the failure at the treatment plant that officials say caused catastrophic damage.

The other problem is they are very dense, so the normal person isnt going to read them in any depth, Susun Livingston added.

The KIRO 7 crew didnt see anyone in the water while it was there. The Livingstons say theyve noticed people have been staying out.

Im kind of happy it happened during the winter because it reduces the amount of traffic on the beach, Scott Livingston said.

But its still too close to comfort for Yang. She said she would have had second thoughts walking along the shore with her family had she seen the signs.

The spill is causing closures at other beaches in addition to Discovery Park. Golden Gardens in Ballard is closed, along with Indianola Dock and Fay Bainbridge Park, both of which are in Kitsap County.

Theres no date for reopening.

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Beaches closed after leak dumps untreated sewage into Puget Sound - MyNorthwest.com

PHOTO: Sunrise at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (photo by Lauren Yochum)

Aptly named The Sunshine State, its no wonder tourists flock to Florida in search of sand and surf. Boasting thousands of miles of coastline, there are plenty of spots to get your tropical fix in this state. With an average year-round temperature of 67 degrees, its always warm somewhere in Floridafrom the Panhandle to the Keys.

Seaside

Abounding with charm, clear water and white sandy beaches this city rests between Panama City and Destin. Perfect for families, the area is full of adorable cottages with ample shopping and dining options throughout the town. Visit Red Bar for an eclectic and memorable dining experience thats always worth the wait. Northern Florida can be downright chilly in the winter, so try and plan your trip in the summer months for maximum warmth and sunshine.

New Smyrna Beach

Frequented by Orlando locals, youll find a quaint city thats layered with that old Florida feel. Just over an hour from the theme parks, this laid-back town is the perfect escape from the crowds. NASCAR fans will enjoy the short drive to Daytona while experiencing a more family-friendly atmosphere in New Smyrna. Parts of the beach allow cars, while other stretches are pedestrian access only. If you happen to be accompanied by mans best friend, take your pup to Smyrna Dunes Parkan oasis of walking trails, lighthouse views with plenty of room for your pooch to roam and play.

Palm Beach

More than a beach town, this island is home to legendary resorts, expansive mansions and exceptional people-watching. After you enjoy the beach head to Worth Avenue to explore its opulence and charm. With multiple world-class resorts including The Breakers and Eau Palm Beach, you can experience a dash of luxury with a heaping side of sunshine and sand.

READ MORE 10 Best Beaches in America Outside of Florida

South Beach

Rich in culture and history, this South Florida city is must for your travel bucket list. Unlike any other beach town in Florida, this vibrant place is full of culinary creativity and endless sand. Dine and drink seaside during SOBEWFF (The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival) February 22-26, 2017. This star-studded event shows off South Beach in all its glory featuring 85 events throughout the festival. Stay at The Ritz-Carlton for unparalleled poolside service while you relax in your lounge chair overlooking the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Keys

This string of tropical islands stretches about 120 miles off the southern tip of Florida between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. These low-key towns offer up some of the most stunning views in the state, and the waters here are perfect for boating and snorkeling. Skip Key West and stay in Marathon, Florida at Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort. Located in the heart of the Keys, its easy to explore surrounding islands here, but its tough to leave the resorts private beach and spacious accommodations. In the Florida Keys its easy to lose track of time, and the perfect place to fall into beach mode.

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The Best Beaches and Beach Towns in Florida - TravelPulse

PHOTO: The beautiful Apollo Bay in Victoria, Australia. (photo via Flickr/Bernard Spragg. NZ)

If you have ever wanted to see some of Australias best beaches, theres now a complete ranking of all of them to help you make plans. Intrepid Travel shares this list on its blog.

Ocean Care Day Founder Brad Farmer worked with a coastal studies expert from the University of Sydney to compile a list of the countrys best beaches, James Shackell reports for Intrepid.

When it comes to the winner, its not exactly nearby notes Shackle.

Well lets just say you wont be roadtripping with the kids anytime soonits a 4.5 flight from Perth, way out in the Indian Ocean: Cossies Beach on Cocos Keeling, he shares.

If you arent making the trek to Cossies Beach, Intrepid Travel experts have recommended some of the best and more accessible of the bunch.

Among them is Apollo Bay, Victoria, which they say is an excellent and underrated inclusion, hugging the eastern side of Cape Otway.

READ MORE:Where to Stay on Australias Gold Coast

Another stunner is Turquoise Bay on the Coral Coast, which they note is one of the premier snorkeling beaches in Australia.

Want more expert recommendations? Read on here.

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Australia's Beaches Have Been Officially Ranked - TravelPulse

David Hubbard

During the 2016's El Nio, beaches like the one below Camino Majorca in Isla Vista lost high amounts of sand.

Dry El Nio Proved Devastating to CaliforniaBeaches

The last El Nio proved a bust for rain, but for wave-generated beach depletion, it was a boom. A paper published on Valentines Day in Nature Communications looked at 29 beaches along 1,200 miles of Pacific Coast during 2015-2016. Wintertime erosion was 76 percent above normal as seen on 3-D surface maps, aerial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), GPS topographic surveys, and direct sand quantity measurements by a U.S. Geological Survey team that included UCSBs DavidHubbard.

SoniaFernandez

DaveHubbard

Wave conditions and coastal response were unprecedented for many locations, said lead author Patrick Barnard, a geologist with the USGS. The winter wave energy equaled or exceeded measured historical maximums along the West Coast. On the other hand, rain gauges registered 70 percent less, which was actually a contributing factor in beachlosses.

The lack of rainfall means the coastal rivers produced very little sand to fill in what was lost from the beaches, so recovery has been slow, Barnard said. The study also found that beach condition prior to the storm season one of the strongest in the past 145 years predicted whether erosion would be extreme ornot.

According to Hubbard, who is an ecologist at UCSBs Marine Science Institute, climate change may increase El Nio events, possibly twofold. First we need to understand the challenges, and those include the rising sea level and the fact that most of the problems occur during these peak El Nio events, Hubbard said. Then we need to restore or manage our coasts in ways that will enable us to deal with these events and conserve beach ecosystems. I think thats the challenge that we as a society have toaddress.

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No Rain, No Beach - The Santa Barbara Independent - Santa Barbara Independent

NEW YORK - Spring break is right around the corner. For some travelers, that means seeking out beaches and sunshine. Others may be tempted by Europe, which has become more affordable for Americans, or by spring skiing.

Airfare, destinations and bookings

Airfares vary considerably this time of year. Travelers not tied to a holiday week may find flights are cheaper at other times. Most colleges schedule a week off in March, but family vacations often revolve around school breaks for Easter (April 16 this year) or Passover (beginning April 10).

Booking.com's data shows that travel March 18-April 30 will be 2 percent more expensive overall than last year, but a few domestic destinations are cheaper, including New Orleans, 8 percent cheaper than last spring; Miami Beach, 4 percent cheaper; and Tampa, Florida, 9 percent cheaper.

And take a look at Europe: A strong U.S. dollar has made vacations there much more affordable for Americans.

Expedia's top 10 destinations for March and April are Cancun, Mexico, followed by Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas; New York; Miami; Los Angeles; London; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Phoenix and Paris.

American Express Travel's top five international destinations are London, Cancun, Rome, Paris and Tel Aviv. But American Express reports a few other spots spiking compared with last year, with spring bookings to Iceland up 150 percent, to Auckland, New Zealand, up 129 percent, to Madrid up 114 percent, to Casablanca, Morocco, 103 percent, and Zurich, 101 percent.

AAA's bookings have three Florida destinations - Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami - in the top five domestic destinations, along with Anaheim, California (home to Disneyland), and Las Vegas. Internationally, AAA's top five are Punta Cana, Rome, Jamaica, London and the Bahamas.

At StudentUniverse, which caters to travelers 18-26, top spring break destinations are London; Los Angeles; New York; Miami; Paris; Madrid; Orlando; Barcelona, Spain; Cancun; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo and Dublin.

Debbie Sebastian, a Travel Leaders agent in Danville, Kentucky, says she's seeing lots of "groups traveling with Punta Cana being the most popular choice this year. The flight times and charter options make it a great option."

March is typically the Miami airport's busiest month for domestic arrivals, with 1.08 million passengers in March 2016.

Karen Malone, with Travel Leaders in Woodbury, Minnesota, says in addition to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica is also proving popular, with both destinations offering new resort choices. "We here in the frozen North are attracted to those turquoise blue waters and white sand beaches," she said.

Cancun's always big for spring break, but it's not just a destination for the pina colada-and-party crowd. "Cancun also serves as the gateway for more quiet environs like Isla Mujeres, which is growing in popularity, as well as the entire Riviera Maya and all points directly south of Cancun, including Playa del Carmen," said Travel Leaders spokesman Steven Loucks. The region has all-inclusive resorts for every kind of traveler - couples, families, multigenerational groups.

Spring skiing, spring training

Some ski resorts schedule fun events to mark the end of winter, from concerts to costume contests and parties with a beach-and-barbecue theme. Vail, Colorado's Spring Back to Vail festival is April 14-16 and includes the World Pond Skimming Championships, where skiers land in the water. Breckenridge, Colorado, has a Spring Fever festival, April 1-23.

Baseball fans often schedule trips to catch their favorite MLB teams getting ready for opening day. Late February through April 1, the Cactus League plays in the Phoenix area, the Grapefruit League plays in Florida.

Not everybody hits the beach for spring break and not every family heads to theme parks. Wendy Perrin, founder of the travel planning site WendyPerrin.com, says her best spring vacations with two boys have been to Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia; Paris; and a Panama Canal cruise. This year, she's taking the family to Morocco, "to introduce the kids to a completely different culture."

If you like visiting museums, note two important openings this spring: the American Writers Museum in Chicago on May 16 and the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia on April 19.

Other noteworthy events include the Whitney Museum of American Art's Biennial 2017 in New York, a contemporary art survey opening March 17; in Kansas City, Missouri, special exhibitions at the National World War I Museum and an April 6 commemoration of the centennial of America's 1917 entry into the war; and at the Dallas Museum of Art, opening March 12, a survey of 200 works of Mexican modern art by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and others. A new attraction opens at Graceland in early March, "Elvis Presley's Memphis," with museum exhibits, a stage and more.

Finally, spring means flowers. In Washington, D.C., the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 20-April 16 with various Japanese-themed events, though bloom times vary depending on the weather. And at Walt Disney World in Florida, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 1-May 29.

Send us your travel photos

Whether you're heading to Europe on spring break or heading to Hocking Hills for some hiking, relaxing at Myrtle Beach, Daytona Beach or anywhere in between, or just taking a family trip to the zoo or to an amusement park, we'd like to tag along.

Through your photos, that is.

Send your spring break or vacation travel photos to us at news@herald-dispatch.com. Be sure to identify each person pictured, first and last names, and tell us a little about your trip.

So grab a camera and hit the road, and we'll see you in the paper.

More here:

From beaches to Europe to museums, plan a spring break to remember - Huntington Herald Dispatch

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PHOTO: Sesame Street street sign. (Photo via Flickr/Gavin St. Ours)

Working on that big plan for the family vacation?

Why not give the kids a unique experience with Sesame Street?

Travel Planners International details how Beaches Resorts has partnered with the beloved show and the several fun activities theyve set up.

READ MORE Should Travelers Connect or Disconnect During Vacation?

Kids can partake in bird watching and learn about birds on a nature walk with Big Bird, as well as decorate feathery headbands and learn a fun dance as official Birdketeers, per the Travel Planners International blogger.

Another fun outing for the children is Story Time with Elmo. The lovable Sesame Street character tells great tales from the Caribbean and interacts with the kids as well.

Theres also Oscar the Grouchs trashland, where your little ones can let their imaginations run wild by transforming Oscars favorite scraps, such as cardboard, plastic, paper, and other items into creative objects, all while learning about how much fun it is to recycle and reuse resources, per the Travel Planners International blogger.

Additional activities for kids include the Discovery Dome and Exploring The Moon with Elmo.

Parents dont fret though, because the beach is right by and theres also a sensational spa to relax in while your kids dive into their Sesame Street adventure.

For more information, check out the Travel Planners International blog here.

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Let Your Kids Have a Sesame Street Adventure with Beaches Resorts - TravelPulse (blog)