By Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff and wire reports
Published September 25, 2005
Cape St. George Lighthouse has been designated Florida's most endangered lighthouse by the state's Lighthouse Association. The stability of the 1852 lighthouse, on St. George Island near Apalachicola, is threatened by beach erosion, much of it caused by storms. Today the lighthouse is just 20 feet from the shoreline. A nonprofit group is raising funds to restore the decommissioned beacon. For more information, go to www.stgeorgelight.org
NO. 3 IN WAX
A tribute to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas in the form of a meticulously created $200,000 wax figure in a driving uniform.
The figure is part of the wax museum's newest interactive attraction, called SPEED, dedicated to auto racing.
Earnhardt died in an accident on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is in the Venetian hotel-casino. For information, call the hotel toll-free at 1-877-883-6423 or go to Madame Tussauds Web site, www.mtvegas.com
KATRINA JOB BANK
The travel industry has launched a job bank Web site to help the more than 260,000 travel industry workers affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The Web site, www.katrinajobs.org has listings that range from 100 positions at the Venetian hotel-casino in Las Vegas to an innkeeper at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge on Amelia Island.
Those seeking jobs can send their resumes in response to listings, but those without resumes can use a simple form on the site to list past employment and qualifications.
MARIA VS. MOZART
Salzburg tourism officials are considering building a museum devoted to the film The Sound of Music.
Discussions are in the works to create a center about the von Trapp family, whose story was told in the 1965 Hollywood classic about a family singing troupe that flees the Nazis.
Tourism surveys show that three out of four Americans come to Salzburg, the former home of the real-life von Trapp family, because of the musical.
TRAVEL REMINDER
It's only September, but if you're planning to travel during Thanksgiving or Christmas, you should book now.
The upcoming peak days are the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 18 and 19) and the Saturday, Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26 through 28). If you can put off returning until the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) through Dec. 17, fares should be much lower.
It will be hard to find cheap seats for domestic travel from Dec. 18 through Jan. 3.
SPOOKY KEYS ESCAPE
Spend Halloween at the Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada in the Florida Keys and get four nights for the price of three. The package for two is $962, including taxes, a savings of $289. The deal includes a Halloween party on the beach. Call toll-free 1-888-367-7625; www.cheeca.rockresorts.com
BEN FRANKLIN, MR. 300
The word "tercentenary" may not roll off the tongue, but it's worth celebrating when Ben Franklin turns 300. On Oct. 9, the Franklin Fair and Marketplace kicks off Philadelphia's celebration of this inventor-author-diplomat's birth three centuries ago by re-creating Franklin's arrival in Philly. Other Franklin fun includes Ben-inspired sculptures (through Nov. 7) and "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," a traveling exhibit of Franklin artifacts and interactive displays (in Philly from Dec. 15 to April 30).
The fair, on Market Street between Third and Fourth streets, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a Franklin look-alike arrives around 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.
Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News and Washington Post. She can be reached at 727 893-8586 or krieta@sptimes.com
