Florida Authors Showcased at University of Florida

“Written Inspiration: A Children’s Book-Signing Event” at the Harn Museum of Art
will showcase Florida Authors and Illustrators

This blog entry has nothing to do with cruising, but I'll be at this book signing on Sunday with other Florida authors.  Stop by and connect with me. Keep reading for more details.

The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida will be holding “Written Inspiration: A Children’s Book-Signing Event” on November 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. The books featured at this event will appeal to children ages five to thirteen.

More than 20 authors and illustrators from various areas throughout Florida will participate in the event. Visitors may browse booths, talk with authors and have their purchased books personalized. Each author and illustrator will offer a hands-on art activity that relates to his or her book. Book readings throughout the day include Troubles on the St. Johns River by Jacksonville author Jane Wood at 1:15 p.m., Some Call Me ‘Superstar’ by Tallahassee author Carl Joseph at 2:15 p.m., Victricia Malicia by Gainesville author Carrie Clickard at 3:15 p.m., and Jason and Elihu: A Fisherman’s Story at 4:15 p.m. by Gainesville author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

“Written Inspiration” is organized through the Harn Museum of Art Store and is sponsored by Wild Onion Press of Gainesville, FL and Friesens Printing. The Disability Affairs Cabinet of University of Florida Student Government is supporting Carl Joseph’s reading of Some Call Me ‘Superstar.’ A portion of book sales supports exhibitions and programs at the Harn Museum of Art.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

The following books, authors and illustrators will be featured: 

Mark Wayne Adams, Longwood, Florida
Nicholas, That's Ridiculous
Jilli, That's Silly!
Best Sketchbook
The Belly Button Fairy
The Fart Fairy
A Guinea in My Cap?
Teddy Tales
Pop the Bubbles 1, 2, 3
My Friendly Giant
Along the Cliff Walk
Jadyn and the Magic Bubble: I Met Gandhi!
Jadyn and the Magic Bubble: Kenya, Kenya!
King for a Day: The Story of Stories

Nikole Brooks Bethea, Marianna, Florida
G is for Grits

Jan Godown Annino, Tallahassee, Florida
She Sang PromiseNikole Brooks Bethea, Marianna, Florida
G is for Grits: A Southern Alphabet

Barbara Bockman, Gainesville, Florida
Fantastic FlightDr. Ruth E. Clark, Palm Harbor, Florida
Florida Santa: Is He Real? How Do We Know it?
Whilomeena Loves White
Airport Mouse series and related activity books

Carrie Clickard, Gainesville, Florida
Victricia Malicia

Carl Joseph and Dr. Kevin McCarthy, Tallahassee, Florida
Some Call Me "Superstar"

Ann Clare LeZotte and Andre Frattino, Gainesville, Florida
Here Comes Julie Jack!

DeBorah Denson McCray, Gainesville, Florida
Diary of a Painted Lady

Shelley Fraser Mickle, Gainesville, Florida
Jason & Elihu- A Fisherman's Story
The Story of Amos, the Bummed Out Canine
The Polio Hole

Nancy H. Murray, Jacksonville, Florida
The Night the Elephants Cried- A Story of the Tsunami
Gullah, the Nawleans Cat Meets KatrinaBonnie Ogle, Gainesville, Florida
Arthur the Arthropod

Vivian Owens, Eustis, Florida
Nadanda The Wordmaker
The Rosebush Witch
How Oswa Came to Own All Music

Colleen Rand, Gainesville, Florida
Big Bunny

Merri Roderick, Naples, Florida
AlphaZany

Rob Sanders, Brandon, Florida
Cowboy Christmas

Annette Simon, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Robot Zombie Frankenstein!

Patricia Poyet Swingle, Gainesville, Florida
Incredibly Clever Critters

Elle Thornton, Atlantic Beach, Florida
The Girl Who Swam to Atlantis

June Weltman, Jacksonville, Florida
Mystery of the Missing Candlestick

Ellen Wolfson Valladares, Weston, Florida
Jonathan's Journey to Mount Miapu

Jane R. Wood, Jacksonville, Florida
Trouble on the St. Johns River
Ghosts on the Coast: A Visit to Savannah and the Low Country
Voices in St. Augustine
Adventures on Amelia Island: A Pirate, A Princess and Buried Treasure

Janelle Woodyard, Sorrento, Florida
A Girl's Guide to Softball 

About the Samuel P. Harn Museum of ArtFounded in 1990, the Harn Museum of Art is an integral part of the University of Florida. The Harn contributes to an interconnected, international community by integrating the arts and culture into curricula throughout the university’s system of colleges and centers. Its holdings include more than 8,300 works in five main collecting areas: Asian art, African art, photography, modern art of the Americas and Europe, and international contemporary art. In addition to rotating installations drawn from its permanent collection, the Harn organizes traveling exhibitions, public lectures, panel discussions, academic symposia and educational programs for adults, students and children.

The Harn Museum, at Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in Gainesville, Fla., is part of the University of Florida’s Cultural Plaza, which is also home to the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is open until 9 p.m. the second Thursday of every month for Museum Nights. The Camellia Court Café is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

10 Reasons to Cruise - Part I

10 Reasons to Cruise

Part I

By Janelle Woodyard

1)   Unpack Once: 

One reason I like to cruise is because once I get on board, I unpack my suitcase and don’t have to repack until it’s time to get off the ship.  I’ve been on non-cruise vacations where I have lived out of my suitcase.  Other vacations required a couple days at several different hotels, and I found myself packing and unpacking every other day. As a traveler, I do what I need to; however, there’s something to be said about hanging my dresses in the closet and putting clothes in the drawers for the duration of a trip.  Need a place to put your suitcase once you unpack?  Stow it under the bed.

2)   Children’ Activities:

As a mom and educator, I always make it a priority to visit the children’s activity areas.  Cruise lines have incredible children’s programs (in particular Disney, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean).  Each of these cruise lines have top-notch programs.  Parents and grandparents can feel secure knowing their little loved ones are well taken care of with crafts, sports, and activities which educate and entertain.  Don’t be surprised if your little one is excited about going back to participate in the programs.

3)   Family and Friend Time:

Cruises allow families and friends to spend time together.  Several years ago, we went on a family and friends cruise to the Caribbean.  We had so much fun and laughed so much.  Even to this day, we all look back at that particular cruise and can reminisce about allthe food we ate and the miles of laughter we logged.  Cruising with family and friends is a fabulous way to make incredible memories.  In fact, I think we’re due for another family and friends cruise.  Where would you want to cruise: Eastern or Western Caribbean?

4)   Food:

Speaking of food, cruise lines have state of the art chefs preparing the cuisine. Not only do they know how to cook, the presentation of the food is truly a work of art.  In fact, sometimes choices on the dinner menu look so inviting, I have a hard time deciding how to please my palate.  I have been known to order a couple appetizers at one sitting.  Dinner menus change every night so what is listed on the menu on Monday night might not be on the menu for the rest of the cruise.  Live with no regrets…especially when it comes to desserts.  https://twitter.com/#!/JanelleWoodyard/status/173500275737362432/photo/1

5)    Family Entertainment:

Cruise lines know how to provide family entertainment from poolside games, comedy routines, to incredible music shows.  Cruise lines offer evening shows of the highest professional caliber.  As a singer, the quality of a show is high on my priority list, and I expect the best from the cruise lines.  There are two music shows I will never forget.  One was a tribute to the Beetles, Ticket to Ride, on Carnival, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj_2DEAKMQ8.  The other one was the hit Broadway musical Saturday Night Fever, on Royal Caribbean, http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/05/04/saturday-night-fever-debuts-liberty-seas.  I believe the cruise lines have some of the best talent in musicians, dancers, and singers.

Next week, 10 Reasons to Cruise Part II.  What are some reasons you cruise?