Posts From January 2008
by
Renata • January 31, 2008 •
Hi, I have the blues, but the wrong kind of blues.
It is the final day of January and we are feeling the chill of another Chicago winter…this is what my flower garden looks like today. I guess on the bright side there are no weeds to pull…
This is what my hot tub looked like at 2PM this afternoon, you see it started snowing at my house at 11AM, and another 6 inches has fallen since I took this picture. I have paid kids to shovel my driveway 2x — I am doing my part to stimulate the economy !!
This is our pine tree, it does seems to look at home in the snow. not sure what is more depressing tonight, the snow or looking at my little smudge pot that must certainly be ruined because I did not pack it away for winter, because I always truly believe that there will be 1 more good night….
This is the snow flying in front of my neighbor’s house. It looks very cold out and not a hint of blue in the sky, in fact I do not think we will ever have a blue sky again……
These are my cats – Chopper and Scooter, who are totally convinced that life “on the other side of the door” is going to be a much better deal than what they have.
If I were in Daytona right now, I think that it would be a good boat day. I would even agree to bring a sweater and not complain. I would be by Ponce Inlet sailing along — wind in my hair, sun in my eyes, it would really be wonderful !!
See New Symrna Beach in the background? There’s a great place for lunch there somewhere, I could be sitting in the sun with my shoes off right now…..toes in the warm sand….
Sun is reflecting off the water and sparking…and there is blue all around me,
Wait………. come back…. don’t leave without me !!!
I need those kind of blues !!
T-12 countdown to Daytona is on, we are flying out on Feb 12th. !!
On February 1st, we will officailly have the count down to the 50th running of the Daytona 500
by
Renata • January 30, 2008 •
Originally Published in ::
Yes, this is one of my favorite on-line columns and I pay close attention to this from home , as I am always on the lookout for a new and exciting place to hang out….. to catch this column yourself, I whole heartedly recommend
http://www.news-journalonline.com for Daytona Beach News and current events.
February 13, 2008
Cafe offers more than just pasta
Even though the name promises pretty much everything pasta — and Pasta Cafe certainly makes good on that promise — the Daytona Beach restaurant is much more than a noodle shop. Opened nine years ago by Chef Stan Dorfman, a graduate of Daytona Beach Community College’s culinary program and certified by the American Culinary Federation, Pasta Cafe has international cuisine on its menu. Fine Arts Writer Laura Stewart — and friend Margaret Hodge — tried Pasta Cafe recently and looks forward to a return visit.
Q. What was it like inside?
Pasta Cafe is a cozy space that seats 24 but can expand to 32 when the banquet table is set up. A small room that opens onto Seabreeze Boulevard, it feels like an informal corner bistro. The decor is eclectic, with original works as well as a custom surfboard that hints at Dorfman’s other great interest, surfing. Diners are encouraged to linger over homemade desserts like chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu, Key lime pie, mocha fudge torte and a selection of creative cheesecakes ($4.50 each). But desserts, soups and specials change constantly.
Q. What was on the wine and beer list?
It varies but is just as wide-ranging and adventurous as the menu. Domestic and imported beers (starting at $2.50 a glass) and wines ($4.50 and up by the glass) are available.
Q. What’s on the menu?
Enough to make ordering difficult; everything looked and sounded good. Margaret went with one of the specials that evening, a luscious spinach ravioli served with a creamy sauce ($11.95), and I was unable to resist one of the most popular entrees, the garlicky “seafood imperial pasta,” with shrimp and crabmeat, herbs, sherry and cream ($14.95). Each came with a loaf of warm honey-wheat bread and choice of soup (cream of broccoli the night we were there), Caesar salad or the house salad, with fresh vegetables.
Also tempting were the mini-crabcake appetizer ($8.95), Florida seafood salad with fresh blue crabmeat ($7.95 lunch; $9.95 dinner), Seabreeze bouillabaisse ($19.95) and grilled pork loin Dijon ($12.95).
Q. How was the service?
The restaurant is small enough for Dorfman to meet guests personally, and the service was prompt enough to allow diners to make a theater curtain but also leisurely enough to savor the fine food.
Q. What did you spend?
Our bill came to $31.85, without wine or tip, and we had to leave a little mousse cake on the plate. We plan to return soon, with other friends and family.
Pasta Cafe
WHERE: 318 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach
HOURS: Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; dinner 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; catering available every day
MISCELLANEOUS: Reservations accepted; Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted; handicapped accessible; catering and delivery available; serves private events and parties; on-street parking
PHONE: 386-258-3999
News-Journal
Thank you News Journal !!
I feel like I just got a day off !!~
by
Renata • January 29, 2008 •
Originally Published in ::
Yes, this is one of my favorite on-line columns and I pay close attention to this from home , as I am always on the lookout for a new and exciting place to hang out….. to catch this column yourself, I whole heartedly recommend
http://www.news-journalonline.com for Daytona Beach News and current events.
February 06, 2008
Neighborly place ladles it out
LUNCH BUNCH
Two can eat out for less than $20
News-Journal staff writer Margie Schlageter — and her husband, Tom — had lunch recently at Caffe Latte’s in Daytona Beach Shores.
Q. Why did you pick this place for lunch?
This is one of those cozy little neighborhood spots (three indoor tables and several outdoors) that has a variety of selections, and on this chilly winter day we wanted a bowl of their homemade soup. Chili plus two other freshly made offerings are available daily. I had the tomato basil; Tom chose pasta fagioli, and we were both delighted with our choices.
Q. Was that enough to fill you up?
It probably should have been, but we each got a lunch special as well. My tuna melt on grilled rye was great, and I especially liked the macaroni salad with the pasta al dente. The owner makes several salads daily — some for sandwiches and others for side dishes. Tom’s potato salad was also a good selection with his Black Angus roast beef stacked high on whole wheat. A beverage also came with the meal, and we took our bag of chips home.
Q. Did you have dessert?
No, although they do serve several bakery desserts in addition to 21 flavors of homemade ice cream plus fresh fruit smoothies.
Q. What else is on the
menu?
They have a wide selection of deli meats for sandwiches and subs in addition to offering Philly cheese steak, Reuben and Cuban sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers and salad plates. In addition, they serve gourmet coffees, espresso and lattes including a Chai tea latte.
Q. What did your meal
cost?
Two sandwich baskets including salad with soup plus beverages were $17.52.
News-Journal
Caffe Latte’s
WHERE: Pappas Plaza, 2506 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores
HOURS: Usually 11 a.m.–8 p.m. seven days a week; 8 a.m.–10 p.m. during special events and the summer
ACCESSIBILITY: The strip shopping center has plenty of parking; it is handicap accessible.
MISCELLANEOUS: Major credit cards accepted.
PHONE: 386-788-0092
Thank you News Journal !!
I feel like I just got a day off !!~
by
Renata • January 28, 2008 •
Today we are doing a restaurant review of a little out of the way breakfast place in Daytona Beach Shores….
This is a SECRET…do not tell anyone…we do not want people to know about this place !!!
Find this resort and park in the parking lot…..
It is 1 resort south of this location::
Yes, Sun Glow Pier !!! So when you find the pier, you know that you are close very close, you will start to small something VERY VERY Good !!!!
Here is the address…of Mike’s Galley
Remember “TOP SECRET”…..
No Checks – credit cards – food stamps – IOUs – Monopoly Money –Nope Nope Nope — Bring Cold Hard Ca$$H ONLY
Open all week — everyday — good thing I LOVE BREAKFAST !!!
Reasonably priced….
This is Fireman Steve & Sweet Polly… Steve has been coming to Daytona for years and then he found our condos and then found this breakfast spot— or found the breakfast spot –then us…I forget which now, BUT but this last trip he found us in our condos and then made us go out for breakfast with him…OK OK he said they had pecan rolls and I begged him to bring us here…he was reluctant and made me promise to never tell a living soul about his secret breakfast spot….
So I’ll just say that the pecan rolls are good, and sticky and gooey and nutty
Fireman Steve models the cinnamon roll….
Great Skillets….wonderful skillets….and my husband had this and
Fireman Steve had that ……. (cinnamon toast…uhhhmmmmm…)
I had more of this..Yes, that was me, it was a 2 pecan roll morning.
Do not bring the Calorie Police with you…just don’t do it…..
So we rate this a 5-star pecan roll location !!!!
Good Prices
Great Food
“Homey” Atmosphere….
I recommend that you try this one out…and remember, it’s our little secret !!!
by
Renata • January 27, 2008 •
This was originally posted on my
www.Travel-Daytona.com site on
Sept 16th, 2007
But since I will be de-activating that bog in a few weeks — I wanted this article to live on in the cyber world, since there were -0- visitors on my other site — it was really my practice blog, I wnated to post it again for your enjoyment — or your reference or your travel planning or with what ever you see fit….Didn’t you just LOVE Clint Eastwood in the Madison County version?? Me too !!~. Enjoy !!!
The Bridges of Volusia County
(Daytona Beach Bridges)
Renata’s Perspective
As a young engineering student, I loved the physics problems relating to trusses and supports for bridges. I love bridges – I see something beautiful in them.
( It is a reoccurring theme in Statics – Dymanics 101-102-103…)and seeing films of harmonics in action with the “Tacoma Narrows Bridge” collapse.
I often traveled to Brown County Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival. I loved the Pumpkin Ice Cream & Persimmon Ice Cream there is really not a better place in the country to experience the fall colors. During our trip there were color coded bridge routes to see all of the Covered Bridges. You either love and appreciate the beauty of them or you do not. Here are some facts I uncovered on the bridges of Volusia County::
Dunlawton Ave//SR 421
Port Orange Bridge is a high span bridge – 3rd bridge at this site.
1st bridge on this site was built in 1900, destroyed by a hurricane in 1932.
2nd bridge on this site was a draw bridge,built in 1952 (what happened from 32-52?)
3rd (Present bridge) a superspan structure was completed in 1990. The view from the highest point on this bridge while traveling east will make you want to stop on the top of the bridge and get a picture -it is that breath-taking!! To the south is SeaBird Island, my favorite trailer park ever – if I were retired, that area would have grabbed my interest.
Under the bridge on the east end are several bar-grills that I whole heartedly recommend for burgers and sunset photo ops….boat launch and parking off north east park.
Historical pictures and information were found at this site::
http://www.port-orange.org/living/history2V.php
Orange Av // Silver Beach Av
Silver Beach Bridge
A draw bridge. We believe that the Florida Structural Information refers to this bridge as the Silver Beach Bridge but locals call it the Orange Ave Bridge because Orange Ave is West of it. This is a draw bridge that is very similar to our own Main Street bridge.
Daytona Beach – International Speedway Blvd (Broadway Bridge)
“Timeless Ecology.” Is the theme that inspired the artwork you will find on the Broadway Bridge.
Completed in 2001, it was awarded the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal.
“The Lindenthal Medal is given for a single, recent, outstanding achievement in bridge engineering. The winning project must exhibit an improvement in bridge technology through technical or material innovation, achievement of high aesthetic merit, harmony with the environment or successful community participation in planning and design.”
Glass tile mosaics in a nature theme make the most beautiful bridge that I have had the pleasure of cruising over. There are 18 mosaics on each side (36 total) featuring wildlife of the area – Sharks – Eagles – Florida Panthers – Dolphins – Manatees – are just some of the many animals you will see depicted in the mosaics. There are also mosaics that decorate the piers of the bridge – giving the appearance of the our sea creatures swimming in the water with you. This bridge has a 65 ft vertical height -to allow unencumbered boat traffic.
Daytona Beach – Main St (Main Street Bridge)
A drawbridge. This is a drawbridge that is very similar to our own Silver Beach Bridge bridge. Daytona Beach Gilley’s 44 is on the east end of this bridge —
Daytona Beach – Seabreeze Ave (West Draw Bridge)
2 High span bridge. Completed in 1998 to replace a draw bridge. It has twin spans, going opposite directions, also has the 65′ vertical clearance for watercraft.
For additional info::
http://www.gelhardt.com/samples/finley/project17.htm
Ormond Beach – Granada Ave
High span bridge. It has small parks on the north, south, east, and west bases of the bridge and a cool under bridge pier system where you can walk or fish. Has a boat launch.
2 Additional Structures
that I considered to be worth mention::
The Dale Earnhardt Sr. Memorial Bridge.
This is a Pedestrian Walkover that is right outside the Daytona International Speedway.
The dedication of the “Dale Earnhardt Sr Memorial Bridge”
was just before race Week 2002 .
At Daytona International Speedway
The tunnel under turn 4— heading to the infield during RaceWeek is just the most exciting trip anyone can take!! As I walk thru the tunnel – as Dale Jr is taking practice laps over my head — I stop and marvel the structure for a minute — because I am always late going back to my seats or late to see someone in the Fan Zone -
Then back to the real world.
Here are a few more links that I would like to keep here for safe keeping…
http://en.structurae.de/projects/data/index.cfm?ID=p00730
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/CBR/Final_Bridge_List_08-17-07.pdf
Go !! Explore!! Report back!!
Let us know if you found anything memorable about Daytona’s bridges!!
