Gerri Raymond is the Vice President of Tourism for the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.

We met in the last newsletter. Going forward I plan on providing you with tidbits of exciting Clearwater happenings.

•  Three new restaurants are slated to open within the next few months: Ragaa Indian Restaurant, Casanova, and La Cachette and a fourth has already opened Divino, an Italian restaurant that is getting great reviews.

•  Permits approved for over 100 new boat slips and 2,500 linear feet of dockage in addition to the existing 210 boat slips at the municipal marina on the downtown waterfront, www.myclearwater.com

•  Originally named the Davis Causeway and having no speed limit, the now 75 year old Courtney Campbell Parkway boasts over 50,000 vehicles crossing it daily.

•  As a member of the Jolley Trolley board, here is the inside track – annual and resident passes are available and we are evaluating ongoing event pick up and drop off www.clearwaterjolleytrolley.com

•  Extra special elements will be part of this year's 30th Annual MarineMax Clearwater Jazz Holiday, October 15th -18th – stay in tune at www.clearwaterjazz.com, already announced for Sunday night is the Neville Brothers!

•  Clearwater Community Sailing Center , www.clearwatercommunitysailing.com, offers annual and seasonal (4 consecutive months) memberships that provide unlimited use of their fleet of boats – great for the beginner or advanced.

•  Clearwater Super Boat National Championship will take place October 2nd - 4th with exciting racing action. Many activities will take place on land and in the Gulf - expect concerts, a water themed expo, a motorcycle show, fireworks, Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration, a fishing tournament and more, visit www.superboat.com

A wonderful time was had by all. In May, six seasoned travel writers came to Clearwater for an exciting familiarization tour. See what they had to say before they arrived and after the experience.

Before: This might be the most interesting itinerary I've ever seen. After: Thank you so much. I loved Clearwater. M. Moss, Ohio

Before: The itinerary looks terrific, especially for one who is interested in nature and anything nautical. After: I'll see that you are notified when the piece is published.  The beauty of the web-zine, (SoGoNow) at least mine, is that my columns and cover stories stay up for a month -- and every article is cross referenced in a variety of ways (e.g. Florida; beaches, etc.). The Clearwater story will be there… front and center.  It will also appear, lead by my sunset photo, in my newest book, "With Few Reservations," scheduled for publication next fall. P. Rose, Massachusetts

After - already published : Yes, a day at the beach should last all summer, and winter for that matter. And it can in Clearwater , Florida . ( www.clearwaterflorida.org/visitor )  The talcum powder like sand, the wide stretch of natural beach, the nearby amenities, the chance for glorious sunsets, a calm surf and easy beach access, all make this area a perfect get away anytime of year. T. Zinn, Oklahoma

After: Thank you so much for the insights into your area. The weather and the trip were phenomenal! J. Simms, Connecticut

After: For sure I will return in Clearwater Beach for vacation, I had such great time. N. Boulanger, Quebec

(Photo: Jason Rich)

First Florida LEED Green Building Certification for a Resort or Hotel – SANDPEARL RESORT!

The first new resort to be built on Clearwater Beach in 25 years, the Sandpearl Resort has been recognized by Expedia Insiders' Select ranking of top hotels in the world.  Sandpearl was rated #8 in the world in the 2009 Insiders' Select ranking based on customer satisfaction and value for the dollar. Another recent recognition included the 2009 AAA Four Diamond rating for both the Sandpearl Resort and its signature restaurant, Caretta on the Gulf. Most recently, Sandpearl became one of 15 resorts or hotels worldwide to earn the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) designation by the Green Building Council www.usgbc.org . . As the Sandpearl staff is happy to tell you “ We haven't gone green.  We started that way .”

The Sandpearl Resort opened in August 2007 and, based on this designation, it is obvious that it was designed with environmental stewardship in mind. It is proof that you can successfully develop in an environmentally responsible manner.

JMC Communities was the visionary leader behind Sandpearl's drive to achieve LEED certification, which is based on energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporation of a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. LEED was established for market leaders to design & construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense. For more information visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.

LEED certification of Sandpearl was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include: chilled water air-conditioning system; heat recovery exhaust system; in-room energy management system; common areas thermal comfort; ozone assisted laundry; special glazing for windows and sliding glass doors; low emission construction materials; geothermal pool heating system; ozone pool sanitizing system; extensive water conservation systems; waste conservation; and more.

This luxury resort has 253 guest rooms, a full service spa and fitness center, upscale and casual dining, state-of-the-art meeting and event space, 700 feet of pristine beachfront and enrichment programs. As part of the enrichment programs a LEED tour is regularly offered to provide you with a behind the scenes look at what it takes to receive this designation. The Sandpearl Resort is a wonderful addition to our community - visit www.sandpearl.com to learn more.

Historic Capitol Theatre

This 1921 theatre is one of the oldest operating theaters in Florida . Its beginnings were as a vaudeville theater and movie house welcoming renowned performers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Elvis Presley and Liza Minelli… (The internationally acclaimed show The Rat Pack – Live at the Sands has introduced many to the music of that bygone era.)

The City of Clearwater and Ruth Eckerd Hall have joined forces to renovate and revitalize the Capitol Theatre, previously also known as the Royalty Theatre. Pre-renovation events seat up to 450 and following renovation capacity will increase to 655. Once the funds have been raised for the renovation, the theatre will close for approximately one year while it is being returned to its original grandeur. (We hear the original building did not have restrooms.) This classic venue has functioned as a community performing arts center, a museum and a performing arts academy.

Ruth Eckerd Hall is encouraging the submission of old newspaper articles, photos or specific memories of the Capitol Theatre's past, particularly any descriptions of the interior of the theatre. You can visit the Ruth Eckerd Hall website at www.rutheckerdhall.com and click on the YouTube icon to see a photo tour of the Capitol Theatre and downtown Clearwater . There will also be a place to share Capitol Theatre memories an stories.

To stay abreast of the progress of the Capitol Theatre renovation and for information on upcoming events, sign up to receive the Ruth Eckerd Hall newsletter at www.rutheckerdhall.com .

PUT YOURSELF IN OUR SHOES

(Photo: Peter Rose)

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.