The Adam’s Mark Hotel was imploded in October to make way for a luxury West Indies-style development. It took less than 15 seconds to bring all 14 stories tumbling down. Film crews from the History Channel’s Modern Marvels program were among the spectators on October 8th. The beds and linens from the 217-room hotel were donated to Katrina survivors in Biloxi, Mississippi.

British developer Taylor Woodrow paid $31.5 million for the 2.45-acre prime beachfront site. The new project will feature 113 condos and 78 hotel rooms.

Some portions of the debris will be used to create an artificial reef especially designed to attract fish, coral, sponge and other undersea inhabitants.

 

 

*Photo courtesy of The St. Petersburg Times, captured by Jim Damaske.

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Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar will celebrate its one year anniversary in December, a new favorite locals describe as a place they simply can’t live without. Life before Jimmy’s was a life without Bonzai Shrimp and Jimmy’s Bloody Marys. Some can’t go a week without the fried shrimp dipped in Thai peanut sauce and served over rice noodles. And the Bloody Marys? Those are described as a great drink with a side salad; the skewer is filled with tomatoes, olives, pickles, and three varieties of peppers.

At the Iguana Bar, you’ll find a live band seven nights a week. With 27 outdoor tables to choose from, you will never be straining for a view of the spectacular Gulf sunset.

Check out Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar at 521 S. Gulfview Blvd, located behind the Gulfview Resort Hotel. Call 727-446-9720 to find out who is performing or log on to www.jimmysfishhouse.com.

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Who says parades are just for pirates or Fourth of July? Get into the spirit on December 9th with Clearwater’s Holiday Parade which runs from Crest Lake Park to downtown Clearwater. Marching bands, scout troops, clowns…with a festive flair! For more information, call 727-562-4800.

Make it a weekend of parades from land to sea. On December 10th, the waterways throughout Island Way Estates and the Intracoastal will be filled with “floats” of a different variety. 50 boats ranging in size from a 17-foot canoe to a 60-foot yacht will be decked out for the holidays. There is a Christmas theme, but judges will be giving points to the captains with creative decorations, lights, animation and costumes of all themes. The parade begins in Mandalay Channel at 6 p.m. The best vantage point to view the Lighted Boat Parade is Coachman Park where boats pass by around 8 p.m. before ending their journey at the Clearwater Yacht Club.

For more information about the parade route or to register your boat, call Commodore William Blum of Island Estates Yacht Club at 727-447-1230.

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The Columbia Restaurant celebrates its 100th birthday this year. The original restaurant located in historic Ybor City opened in 1905. Today, the Gonzmart family still shares their family recipes and love of Spanish wine with visitors to their Ybor City landmark and six other Columbia locations, including one on Sand Key in Clearwater Beach.

If you go for the sangria and paella, you’ll stay for the Flamenco dancing and rich stories told by people like Lula Mae Tollman, who has worked as a ladies room attendant since 1957. Columbia Restaurant opened before the incandescent light bulb was invented and on the same day the Wright Brothers took their historic first flight. It survived 13 years of prohibition and now boasts the largest Spanish wine list in the United States with more than 500 varieties.

Fourth generation owner Richard Gonzmart visits Spain two to three times a year to learn the latest trends in food and wines of Spain.

For more details about the 100 year celebration, log on to www.columbiarestaurant.com

*Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB

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They revolutionized rock music. Now you can catch a rare glimpse of the Fab Four’s groundbreaking 1964 trip to the United States. The Beatles! Backstage and Behind the Scenes will be featured through January 7, 2006 at the Florida International Museum. It comes directly from a successful season at The Smithsonian National Museum of America.

The exhibition includes photography, memorabilia, video and music. Among the highlights are 84 historic black and white photographs from the unpublished archives of CBS and LIFE photographer Bill Eppridge. Eppridge is an international, award winning photojournalist with 35 years with National Geographic, LIFE, People, and Sports Illustrated magazines. Eppridge's unique style in documentation and fine art photography over the years brought him history-making assignments as diverse as the wars in Panama and Vietnam, the original Woodstock concert, Robert Kennedy's 1966 and 1968 campaigns, the America's Cup as well as the Beatles' first tour to the United States.

Florida International Museum (244 2nd Ave. N. in downtown St. Petersburg) is located 22 miles or a short drive from Clearwater. For more information call 727-341-7901 or log on to www.floridamuseum.org.

*Photo courtesy of the Florida International Museum

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Hot on the heels of Clearwater Jazz Holiday, bands from all over the country are gearing up for the 15th Annual Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic. The Bayside Banjo Band, Clearwater locals, tops the performance list of 22 talents this year. The event mixes cool jazz and warm beach breezes from November 18th through 20th. Some of the special events include a parasol parade poolside at the Sheraton Sand Key on Friday and a Sunday morning gospel performance.

For a complete listing of band line-ups, room availability and prices, log on to www.jazzclassic.net.

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A seemingly endless supply of sun, a mild and temperate climate, world-renowned beaches, nature-based attractions and wide-ranging recreational and cultural activities make Clearwater, Florida, one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Its proximity to St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando make it an ideal “home base” for daily excursions. Come on down and put yourself in our shoes for a while!

Visitors seeking additional assistance with their Clearwater travel plans can contact the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce: 1130 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, Florida 33755; info@clearwaterflorida.org; 888-425-3279 (toll free) or 727-461-0011. More information, as well as comprehensive lists and descriptions of accommodations, restaurants, nightlife establishments and shopping options, can be found in the free Official Visitors Guide or at www.visitclearwaterflorida.com.

*Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area CVB

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