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.

Link:

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 »

See the original post here:

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.

Advertisement

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.

Go here to read the rest:

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

Read more:

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 ...

Read more:

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

See the original post:

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.

Excerpt from:

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

See the article here:

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.

View original post here:

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.

You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.

Go here to read the rest:

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.

You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.

Link:

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.

Be succinct, constructive, and relevant to the story. Leaving a comment means you agree to our Discussion Guidelines. We like civilized discourse. We don't like spam, lying, profanity, harassment or personal attacks.

Read the original:

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

RELATED OFFERS

Be a Travel Agent Rockstar! Travel Planners ...

We Host Rock Stars! Travel Planners ...

Your Brand Your Business Your Identity! Travel Planners ...

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.

You may use your Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook information, including your name, photo & any other personal data you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on TravelPulse.com. Click here to learn more.

Art is a veteran travel writer.

Read the original here:

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

by: Siemny Kim Updated: Feb 19, 2017 - 5:32 PM

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

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

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 explained. 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.

There's one at a parking lot -- where drivers turned their cars around when they realized they couldn't 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 isn't going to read them in any depth, Susun Livingston added.

The KIRO 7 crew didn't see anyone in the water while it was there.

The Livingstons say they've noticed people have been staying out.

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

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

They immediately headed away from the water, walking along the path.

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.

There's no date for reopening.

2017 Cox Media Group.

Original post:

Beaches closed after leak dumps untreated sewage into Puget Sound - KIRO Seattle

WEST PALM BEACH

It was a day of firsts on Saturday whenThe Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Major League Baseballs newest spring-training facility, opened its doors to the public for the first time.

The first souvenir baseball from a batting-practice foul ball went to Rocco Arnone, 10, of Boca Raton, who snagged it outside a Houston Astros practice field.

Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and 8-year-old Ryan Shenker of Potomac, Md., teamed up for the ballparks first player-fan high-five.

The first player to succumb to autograph hounds was Astros infielder A.J. Reed. He also posed for the first player-fan selfie with Lynn University student Andrew Kalmans of Houston.

If you build it, they will come, and here we come, Nationals fan Lana Turner of Stuart said, quoting the baseball movie Field of Dreams, as she strolled with her husband, John, through the$150 million spring training complex south of 45th Street.

Hundreds of fans, from as far away as California and wearing the red colors of both teams, started arriving at about 8:30 a.m. on the 160-acre site, which wasa landfill before the teams broke ground in November 2015.

They gathered along chain-link fences in front of the Astros clubhouse on the north end of the site and the Nationals clubhouse on the south end, waiting for sightings of the teams biggest stars, Jose Altuve and Bryce Harper. They happily settled for just about any player wearing an orange Houston star or a curly Washington W.

I cant believe how fan-friendly it is. You can actually see the players up close, said Julio Duran of Lake Worth, who complained that fan access at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter has become more restricted in recent years.

Around 9:45 a.m., Gonzalez the popular Nationals pitcher emerged with some of his teammates from their clubhouse and walked through a gauntlet of fans.

Gio, will you say Hi to George? yelled a man who was recording a video on his smartphone. Gonzalez turned to the man, pointed at his phone and said, George, whats going on, buddy?

The man, D.J. Stadtler of Virginia, huddled over his smartphone, tapped some numbers and just like that texted the video to his friend in Washington, D.C., George Hyder.

Stadtler, a season-ticket holder at Nationals Park, left home Thursday night and drove with his family to South Florida so they could attend Saturdays opening of the new complex.

Last spring we went to Viera (the Nationals previous spring home), and we drove down here to just to have our pictures taken. It was still a construction site, but we were excited to see it, he said.

Local residents were thrilled to see it, too, on Saturday. Robert Frazier, whos working as an Astros usher, still fondly remembers the citys last spring-training complex, West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium off Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. It closed after the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos held their final spring training camp there in 1997.

The fact that they built this (Ballpark of the Palm Beaches) just 3 miles from my home is retirement nirvana, said Jim DeOrdio, 58, of Century Village.

The Astros and Nationals werent the only baseball players on the complex Saturday. Leaning against the batting cages, intently watching Altuve and George Springer take swings, were members of the Palm Beach Lakes High School baseball team.

The high school is just a long Bryce Harper blast away, directly across Military Trail from the complex.

We are the closest high school to any major-league spring training facility probably in the entire country, said head coach George Powell, who hopes his players can volunteer at the ballpark.

I want my guys to see as much as they can so maybe they incorporate something they see from (an Astros) pitcher. Their excitement is off the charts. They have talked about this day since the start of the school year.

The first-day excitement translated into ticket sales, too.Ben Walter, the parks director of marketing, said he made more than 25 ticket sales as he walked around the complex with an iPad attached to his hand.

There were a few dubious firsts, too, on Saturday. Spencer Lazarus, 13, joked that he suffered the first spring training injury at the ballpark. He received a small cut on his left wrist when he brushed against a piece of sharp wire on a chain-link fence.

Spencer and the fence were both quickly repaired. The boy, with a band-aid on the wrist, was back in action, high-fiving Brian McCann and other Astros players as they jogged off practice fields.

A man from Virginia who didnt want to be named offered perhaps the first and only complaint about the complex, specifically about the pricey snacks offered at concession stands.

This feels a lot like Nationals Park (in Washington), he said, because bottled water is $4.50.

Read the original:

NEW: Ballpark of Palm Beaches hits home run on 'opening day' for fans - Palm Beach Post

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.

Read more:

Spring break ideas: from beaches to Europe to new museums ... - nwitimes.com

Two weeks ago, Farewell Spit in northern New Zealand saw one of its largest whale strandings ever. More than 650 pilot whales became stuck on a beach, leading to 400 of them dying. Whale strandings are common at Farewell Spit, and residents see trapped whales every year. Nonetheless, the numbers this year were unprecedented and shocked conservation officials. Whale strandings are caused by their navigational mistakes. They may follow the wrong currents that push them into shallow waters or make directional mistakes while chasing prey or escaping predators. 250 of the whales successfully made it back into the deep waters, refloated by locals and officials.

Unfortunately, many more could not be saved and had to be euthanized. Others became stranded again after returning to the beach; officials monitored the saved whales swimming nearby the beach. Large trucks transported about 200 of the whale carcasses to dunes a mile away, where they will rot. Unfortunately, the trucks could not reach some parts of the beach. The inaccessible carcasses will simply be left.

Andrew Lamason, an operations manager for the Depart of Conservation, admitted that leaving the whales in the water would make them rot faster, but would also place visitors of the beach in danger. Lamason said in a New York Times article There is nothing attractive about these whales after they have been on the beach for a few days. All their internal organs have exploded, the skin has peeled off, the smell is unbelievable...unbelievable. Since internal gas can cause the whale organs and bodies to explode, officials punctured the whales to let the gas out. Pathologists at Massey University in New Zealand will study how exactly the whales died and organic processes that occur after their deaths.

Locals and tourists came in large numbers to help with the excavation and re-floating of the whales. They were warned about the dangers of dealing with whales. When they become agitated, they can easily injure of kill a human with the flick of a tail or fin. As unfortunate as this stranding is, pilot whales are not considered endangered.

There are about one million long-finned and 200,000 short-finned pilot whales worldwide. Short-finned pilot whales, the type that ended up on New Zealands beaches, inhabit the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Longfinned pilot whales prefer much cooler waters and can be found in the Northern Atlantic. The large-scale death of so many pilot whales is reminiscent of the Faroe Island whaling tradition. The thousand-year-old tradition involves driving pilot whales into a bay where participants kill them in the water, often turning the entire bay red with blood. The tradition has come under fire and public outrage time and time again.

Locals defend the practice,saying it is primarily for food. Pilot whales are protected under the MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act) worldwide. Unlike the Faroe Island tradition, the whale stranding was not caused by humans and was much less bloody. New Zealand currently has no method to stop strandings.

Read the original post:

Hundreds of whales stranded on New Zealand's beaches - CMU The Tartan Online

Jack Ainsworth talks about the trips as if they happened last week, nine kids piling into the car with Mom and Dad.

Starting point: Their home in San Bernardino.

Destination: The beach.

It was a big standard station wagon with an extra seat that folded up, said Ainsworth. And it was funny because there was always some horrible disastrous thing that happened.

Like one of his brothers or sisters getting sick. Or the time one of the kidscouldnt wait for a bathroom stop, used a container as a commode, and tried to pour it out the window of the moving car.

It created a suction, said Ainsworth.

Ill leave the rest to your imagination.

The Ainsworths traveled from 98 degrees to 78, and whenthey ran out of land, the 18-footed brood hauled out the sandwiches and footballs and the skimboards theyd fashionedthemselves. They had to hike a ways because dear old Dad refused to pay for parking, but eventually their toes sankinto sand.

It hit all your senses, the sights, the sounds, the smells. It just embraced me, said Ainsworth. Wow! That love of the beach, and the power of it all. To see the forces of nature at work, it was so cool to me.

Ainsworth is no kid today, but as we strolled the promenade near the Ventura Pier last week, he took in the scenery with a boyish grin. And why not?The kid who grew up loving Huntington Beach, Laguna, Newport and San Clemente is the new man in charge of defending an unparalleled treasure: the glorious 1,100-mile California coast.

I have to pinch myself, said Ainsworth, who beat out two other finalists and got the job Feb. 10.

The year 2016, you may recall,was disastrous for the California Coastal Commission, beginning with the firing of beloved Executive Director Charles Lester by the politically appointed commissioners just as some huge development proposals were coming up for review. Lesters staff was demoralized, coastal stewards were frosted, and many believed several commissioners were way too chummy with developers.

It was a crummy way to mark the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Act, a citizen-inspired mandatefor limited development, coastal protection and public access to beaches. The Times exposed commissioners who skirted rules governing private meetings, among other ethical lapses. Lawsuits followed and are still in play.

The man who was asked to step up and be interim leader of the agency, in the midst of this drama, was Ainsworth, a steady hand and loyal soldier who had started at the bottom rung of the Coastal Commission staff in 1988. As the commissioners began their long search for a permanent executive director, Ainsworth wasnt particularly interested in a job that had become so politicized.

But he had a change of heart. Ainsworth, whose entire family works in public service or once did, felt a sense of duty to the staff, to California, to the coast itself.

I came to the realization that I had to take this position. Its everything Ive worked for my entire career and it would have been a betrayal to not step up and serve, said Ainsworth.

Its still not clear to me why Lester was thrown overboard, although it seems some commissioners thought they were doing what the Brown administration wanted.

We were given flimsy claims that Lesterwasnt a good manager and didnt respond quickly enough to requests. We also weretold, unconvincingly, that he didnt hire enough minoritiesor work hard enough on coastal access for people of color. The commissioners who made those charges were and continue to be, for the most part, missing in action themselves.

But the sloppy and brutal nature of Lestersdismissal was a blessing in disguise, because it made clear that the problem wasnt the staff, but the commission. Now that the rot has been exposed, theres hope for improvement.

Ainsworth, a no-nonsense guy who speaks his mind, may have just the right mix of leadership ability, scientific knowledge, staff support and political skill to maintain the staffs all-importantindependence from outside forces. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the commissioners, and Ainsworth said hes ready to collaborate.But he said he made clear to his bosses that he will manage the staff and be faithful to the Coastal Act, and he needs the commission to trust him in that role.

His job is likely to be made easier by the fact that Dayna Bochco is now the commission chair, and she doesnt put up with much nonsense fromgasbagcommissioners. Gone is Commissioner Martha McClure, who thought it was perfectly ethicalto stay at the home of a lobbyist who does business before the commission. Gone, too, is Janelle Beland, the Brown administration front person who was like a den mother to all the commissioners with the worst instincts.

And last but not least, Ainsworth wont have to deal with Wendy Mitchell, who didnt know a vernal pool from a ditch, and whose gift to California was her recent resignation from the commission.

Not that there arent still a few stiffs on the dais. But Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders have a chance this year to make better appointments, and the pressure is on to get it right, because the media and the public will be eyeballing every move.

Ainsworth has nothing to do with any of that; all he wants to do is get to work. He wants to defend the coast from any more offshore drilling or meddling by the new administration. He wants to push counties and cities to develop coastal protection plans. He wants to join efforts to create more low-cost accommodations near the beach, especially for families with nine kids who travel by station wagon. And hed like monthly meetings to be held at universities instead of hotels, so students might develop greater interest in coastal issues and possibly pursue careers in the field.

And he wants todevelop relationships with the governor and legislative leaders. Youve gotta collaborate, he said, and hed appreciatethe chance to make apitch for more funding. With thousands of permit applications to handle, he said the agency has just one geologist, one engineer and three ecologists for the entire state. And salaries are so low, its hard to hold on to good people.

Ainsworth has had a long apprenticeship for a job that wont be easy. But it seems that this is where he was supposed to end up, going all the way back to when the station wagon pulled out ofSan Bernardino.

Get more of Steve Lopez's work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

Go here to see the original:

Why the new Coastal Commission chief is a good bet to defend ... - Los Angeles Times

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / February 18, 2017 / Virginia Beach is known for its white sand beaches as well as the waterfront locations along the Chesapeake Bay. The culture of the area spills over to the shore with a relaxing atmosphere, live music, golf courses, hiking and biking paths, shopping and art venues. Diamond Resort Reviews its two resorts in Virginia Beach, each of which reflect the seaside elegance and warmth of the traditional Southern charm. The town comes alive during the summer months with fairs, live music, and a variety of outdoor activities for groups and families. Even in the off-season, the area has developed extensively, drawing in crowds year-round as there is never a lack of things to do.

https://www.instagram.com/diamondresorts/

Diamond Resorts International Oceanaire Resort sits just steps away from the beach. From your room and throughout the resort you will have views of the breathtaking coastline, access to year-round events and incredible sunsets. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a destination in and of itself. With food, games, and an Aquarium, a simple walk can turn into an all-day excursion. If you are looking for some nature away from the surf, notable attractions including False Cape, First Landing, and Cape Henry Memorial State Park are a short distance away. Diamond Resort Reviews experts tout the resort's four oceanfront pools, jetted tubs, and a fitness center with state of the art equipment. Whether you want to ride a bike along the boardwalk or just look at the ocean, you can do it here.

Allowing for a more serene vacation atmosphere, Diamond Resorts' Turtle Cay Resort is located just off the boardwalk. The Diamond Resorts team works to provide a relaxing environment, a small oasis in the midst of the crowd. Beyond the typical retreat activities, travelers are urged to venture a mere 35 miles south of the resort to visit the aviation museum, as Virginia Beach sits in the cradle of the birth of flight. As the cultural hub of Virginia, the city features the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts with year-round plays and musicals. There is also a fantastic outdoor concert venue where you can take in both local bands and larger acts depending on the current schedule.

About Diamond Resorts International

Diamond Resorts International, with its network of more than 370 vacation destinations located in 35 countries throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa, provides guests with choice and flexibility to let them create their dream vacation, whether they are traveling an hour away or around the world. Our relaxing vacations have the power to give guests an increased sense of happiness and satisfaction in their lives, while feeling healthier and more fulfilled in their relationships, by enjoying memorable and meaningful experiences that let them Stay Vacationed.

Diamond Resorts International manages vacation ownership resorts and sells vacation ownership points that provide members and owners with Vacations for Life at over 370 managed and affiliated properties and cruise itineraries.

Diamond Resorts Reviews - Diamond Resorts International: http://diamondresorts-reviews.com

Diamond Resorts International Timeshare Reviews: http://diamondresortstimesharereviews.com

Diamond Resorts (@diamondresorts) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/diamondresorts

Diamond Resorts International Why Vacations for Life - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuBW2aWUO5s

For more information: http://www.diamondresorts.com

Contact Information:

Angela Triano Tel: 551-574-8332 trianoangela@yahoo.com

SOURCE: Diamond Resorts International

Excerpt from:

Diamond Resorts Reviews - Virginia's Most Relaxing Beaches - Yahoo Finance