Photo: FLL Spring Break 1966
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – As the City of Fort Lauderdale celebrates its 100th birthday this March, the 23 miles of Blue Wave beaches that make up the shoreline of Greater Fort Lauderdale will be bustling, though not with what most Americans think of as “Spring Breakers.” Fifty years ago this was the Spring Break capital of America, as some 300,000 college kids descended on the destination. Today, the story of Greater Fort Lauderdale is one of total transformation, and how things have changed.
“In contrast to 50 years ago, today’s Spring Breakers have a new mindset and think of us in a much different way,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They are coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale for our affordable luxury, beach chic vibe, trendy dining, great shopping, AND spectacular beaches. Once here, they realize that from the sawgrass to the seagrass we have it all – easily accessible and always enjoyable.”
What does the Greater Fort Lauderdale Spring Breaker of today look like? They are apt to be chic couples in the mood for golf or luxury spas, opera, ballet or Broadway shows, and staying in luxury resorts like the W Fort Lauderdale, recently named the trendiest hotel in America. Or, they might be convention goers; the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, celebrating its 20th anniversary, welcomes 580,000 attendees from around the world each year. Or they might be cruise passengers enjoying a mini-vacation before or after their voyage from the city’s Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.
What is certain is that a large number of this year’s spring visitors will be far too young to be thinking about beer and bikinis – because Greater Fort Lauderdale is the ideal escape for families with younger children. Offering great value, families will find welcoming accommodations in every price category, from cozy guesthouses and B&B’s (known as Superior Small Lodgings) to the most popular hotel brands, as well
as diverse dining experiences. With child-friendly attractions and activities, all kinds of watersports, special events throughout the spring vacation season, and, of course, the beaches, this is “the place to go” for a memorable family break from school, according to AOL Travel’s recent story 2011 Spring Break: Where to Go and Where to Avoid.
On March 27, visitors can attend Fort Lauderdale’s birthday party, an all-day outdoor event in the center of the city’s Arts and Entertainment District. But that is just the beginning of things to do. From free outdoor concerts to fun and educational experiences at the Museum of Discovery & Science, Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens to airboat rides at Billie Swamp Safari in the Everglades, canoeing, jet skiing, snorkeling and Scuba diving, and even leisurely Water Taxi rides or Jungle Queen Riverboat cruises through the Intracoastal Waterway and downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Springtime special events include Cirque Dreams Broadway at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival, the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, the 16th Wine & Culinary Celebration, and “Vatican Splendors – Art and Faith” a major touring exhibition at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art are other indications Greater Fort Lauderdale has transformed itself, and redefined Spring Break.
]]>By TOM BONANTI
Spring – Break is upon us in South Florida. Whether you’re off on a cruise to some exotic tropical paradise or just staying here in sunny South Florida, warmer weather means less clothes and more time to strut your body at the beach, on deck, or poolside. The only trouble is that all winter, spring, summer and fall, your job keeps demanding more of your time – time you’d rather spend in the gym.
On those days when deadlines, long hours, and demanding bosses keep you from getting to the gym you can still get in a workout right there in the office. Here are some super exercises that you can do on break or between meetings. These must-do moves will help you to get in a pump and burn a few calories until you can get to the gym.
The squat is the best exercise for your lower body, especially your butt. Stand tall with your feet approximately 2 feet apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Bend your knees until your thighs are nearly parallel to the floor. Hold for four deep breaths then gradually stand back up to starting position. Repeat 15 to 20 times. Keep your back straight, hands on your hips and look straight ahead keeping your chin slightly upward. To make this exercise harder, add weight by holding a couple of large books. Follow each set of squats with high kicks. Lean over a bench or chair, steady yourself on one foot and kick up and out as high as you can with the other leg for 15 to 20 reps then change sides. These are great butt shapers.
Push Ups are dynamite exercises for the entire upper body, especially your chest.
For a bigger, harder chest, boulder shoulders and pumped biceps and triceps do your push ups daily. Bend your elbows and place your palms on the floor a bit to the side and in front of the shoulders. Straighten your arms and lift your body to balance on palms and toes. Bend your elbows to lower your body 3 to 4 inches. Press back up to start. Repeat 10 to 15 times. For variation try a set with your arms out as wide as you can, then do a set with arms shoulder width apart, then bring your arms in as close as you can. This will allow you to target and isolate the muscle groups of the upper body.
Criss-cross crunches will not only give you awesome abs, but they challenge all aspects of the core at once. Lie on a towel or a small exercise mat (you can store one under your desk) with your left knee bent towards your chest and right leg extended up off the floor. Place your hands behind your head to cradle your neck and head. Never pull on them. Curl head, neck and shoulders up off the floor. Rotate from the middle so that your right shoulder is pointing toward your left knee. Hold one breath then slowly rotate to the other side by bending the right knee and extending the left leg as the left elbow moves to the right knee. Continue alternating to complete the set. Repeat 10 to 15 times on each side.
Try this routine in the morning before you get to the office. Then find an uncluttered place at work to do it on your lunch break. Bust up the afternoon doldrums by doing it again on days when you can’t get to the gym.
Tom Bonanti, is a certified personal
trainer and owner of Pump’n Inc gym
at 1271 NE 9th Avenue, Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33304, Facebook:
TrainerTomB. www.pumpnincgym.com