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Hurricane season is a dangerous time for Florida residents. From June to November, it’s extremely important to be prepared for the elements. Now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, it’s even more vital to be ready for severe weather. Below are a few tips to keep you and your family safe during hurricane season.  Before the storm… Create an emergency plan, and review the plan with your family.Photograph the interior and exterior of your home for insurance purposes.Buy a backup power generator, or make arrangements to relocate if a storm warning is issued.Hire a professional to trim vegetation growing on or near any overhead power lines. Preparing for an approaching storm… Turn off and unplug unnecessary appliances.Turn off swimming pool pumps and filters.Crank your fridge and freezer down to their coldest settings, in case the power goes out.Unplug your TV before lowering a TV antenna or satellite dish.Have important documents and items on hand, such as insurance policies, health insurance cards, birth...

If you love to fish, you’ve probably been frustrated by COVID-19. Before you embark on your next fishing trip, review these guidelines in order to keep yourself and others safe. If you are sick or exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home. Continue social distancing, even when you’re outside and on the water. Stay 6 feet from others at all times.Wear a mask when you’re in public and when social distancing isn’t possible. This includes a quick run into the bait shop for fishing supplies.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Wash your hands as often as possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you and make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.Only fish with your immediate family. Don’t bring anyone else aboard your boat, and kindly turn down invitations to fish with others. It might be difficult to say no, but it’s your safest bet.Avoid sharing gear with others. Make sure to have plenty of our own gear and supplies on hand when you’re...

Florida has a variety of delicious foods and cuisines. If you’re planning a visit in the near or distant future, don’t skip these Florida delicacies! 1. Stone CrabStone crab season runs from October to May. During this stretch of time, you can find crab festivals and a variety of restaurant specials in Florida. Stone crab claws are sweet and extremely delicious. Another interesting fact is, when the crabs are pulled out of the traps, only one claw is removed before they’re released back into the water. The claws take about a year to regenerate.2. ConchConch mostly comes from the Florida Keys. The shells contain thick sea snails, which are eaten in chowder, ceviche, and conch fritters. 3. GrouperGrouper is a state favorite. Order it “blackened”, and you won’t be disappointed. 4. AlligatorIf you want to try something different, alligator is a great option. The meat is usually chopped into small bites and fried. Many people claim it tastes just like chicken. 5. Cuban SandwichThis...

Summer is officially here, but we’re still in the middle of a pandemic. Many beaches are closed because of COVID-19, but some have opened up. At those beaches, there are new rules to regard and follow. Being outside is great for mental and physical health, but it’s also important to keep COVID-19 in mind and stay safe. At the beach, it’s easy to forget about what’s happening in the world, especially if alcohol is involved. Here are some ways you can protect yourself. 1. Is it even safe to go to the beach?Yes, as long as people are social distancing. Stay away from crowds, and stay six feet away from people who aren’t in your immediate household, even when you’re in the water. Fortunately, the virus is diluted outdoors where there’s a lot of circulation. But it’s still extremely important to be cautious. 2. Are all beach guidelines the same?No. Guidelines may differ widely. For instance, in New York City, beaches are...

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is calling on all boaters to celebrate responsibly this 4th of July weekend and social distance appropriately. This includes wearing a mask when entering or exiting marinas, boat ramps, fuel pumps, and dockside dining locations. Boating is one of the safest ways to relax with friends and family this summer, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practicing safe and considerate habits will ensure that everyone can continue boating this summer and beyond.  NMMA is counting on the boating community to spread the word by sharing health and safety tips on social media. Here are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Don’t raft up your boat. Anchor a safe distance from other boaters, and don’t mix boating families together. 2. Wear a mask. We know it’s hot outside, and a mask isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world to wear, but contracting COVID-19 is significantly more uncomfortable. Be diligent about covering your face when entering and...

Due to the coronavirus, the annual 4th of July fireworks show over the Manatee River has been postponed until Labor Day (September 7th). However, there are other ways to celebrate Independence Day! Dozens of restaurants around Bradenton will be open to customers. Some of them include: Red Lobster, PIER 22, Riviera Dunes Dockside, Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano, Duval’s Fresh. Local Seafood., Cafe Amici, Selva Grill, Veronica Fish & Oyster, Cafe Baci, Off The Hook Seafood Co., Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, C’est La Vie, Cork & Kale, and so many more! If you’re unsure of a particular restaurant’s hours, give them a call to confirm when they open and close.  If you plan to attend the Labor Day fireworks, plan to get there before 8pm. The show will be best viewed on the Green Bridge and on both sides of the river. It might seem like Labor Day is far away, but it’s something to look forward to, and it’s also...

After sheltering in place for a few months, are you ready to get out of the house and do something fun? Consider visiting the Manatee County Agricultural Museum! Located at 1015 6th St. West in Palmetto, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum is excited to welcome visitors back on Tuesday, June 23rd. Hours will be limited, and visits are by appointment only, Tuesday through Friday. Available time slots include 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30. You can book a time on EventBrite.com or the Manatee County Agricultural Museum website. Maximum time inside the museum is 1.5 hours, and you must leave 30 minutes before the next scheduled appointment to allow time for cleaning and sanitizing. Appointments can hold up to 8 visitors, and all visitors are required to maintain social distancing. Visitors over the age of 2 are required to bring and wear a mask. Staff will also be wearing masks. If you have any questions, feel free to call the museum at...

Life is too short to tolerate warm food and drinks when you’re out on the boat! That’s why packing your cooler correctly is essential. Whether you’re fishing or hanging out at the sandbar, a cooler filled with cold beverages is necessary. If you want to perfect the art of packing your cooler, keep reading. 1. Choose your cooler.Coolers have drastically improved over the last few years. YETI, RTIC, Pelican, Engle, and Mammoth have some amazing products for sale. It may be wise to invest in two coolers: one for food, and one for drinks. The drink cooler will inevitably be opened more frequently, which means the contents will warm faster. It’s also a pain to dig around under food to retrieve the coldest drinks. Two coolers will ensure your food stays colder for longer and remains safe to eat. 2. Prepare your cooler.Before you pack your cooler, make sure it’s clean. Pre-chill your cooler with a bag of ice the night before...

Every June, Floridians can take advantage of a license-free fishing weekend. This opportunity is a great time for people to try fishing for the first time and see if it’s a hobby they’d like to explore more seriously.  During this pandemic, people are getting outside now more than ever. Why not try a new activity? If you live in Florida (the fishing capital of the world), you might as well give it a shot.  This year’s license-free saltwater fishing weekend is June 6 & 7, and the license-free freshwater fishing weekend is June 13 & 14. During this time, a fish license is not required for Florida residents or visitors. If you plan to fish on either of those weekends, remember to stay by checking your local weather forecast, wearing a lifejacket at all times, and paying attention to the water. And don’t forget to continue practicing social distancing!...

Warm, sunny days are just around the corner! Fill your beach bag with sunglasses, a towel, flip flops, a portable speaker, and plenty of sunscreen. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Because of this, sun-lovers should be well versed on sunscreen and how to choose the best brand and SPF.  Which sunscreen should you choose?The American Dermatology Association recommends one that’s labeled “broad spectrum” because that means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause wrinkles and age spots and UVB rays cause sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. Should you choose spray, lotion, stick, or gel?This mostly boils down to personal preference. The best sunscreen is one you actually use. What’s the deal with SPF?SPF is a measure of how much UVB light a sunscreen can filter out. It’s typically suggested to use at least 30 SPF, which blocks about 97% of UVB rays. If you’re going to be outside for a...