Seminole tribe is honored at Tallahassee museum

By Times Staff and Wires
Published November 25, 2007

"Seminole People of Florida: Survival and Success" at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee marks the tribe's 50th anniversary as a sovereign nation.

The free exhibit at the downtown museum includes more than 150 artifacts, historical photographs, a re-creation of an early 20th century trading post and a traditional Seminole chickee dwelling. The Seminoles have been a part of Florida history for more than 300 years.

The exhibit runs through June 1. The museum is in the R.A. Gray Building, 500 S Bronough St. For more information, call (850) 245-6400 or go to www.museumoffloridahistory.com.

Plymouth Rock to be renovated

Plymouth Rock, the famous symbol of America's founding, is going to be covered from March to May as state park officials begin a $680,000 overhaul of a granite and steel portico built over the rock's remains.

The idea is to protect the rock from any falling steel, stone or mortar. The rock is located at the spot where it's believed the Pilgrims first walked ashore from the Mayflower in 1620.

The rock has taken a beating over the years. It cracked in half when townspeople working a team of oxen tried to move it to the village center in 1774. And early tourists chipped away at the rock, taking pieces all over the country.

Don't smoke in Naples parks

Italy has taken its smoking ban outdoors in Naples, forbidding lighting up in public parks and during demonstrations and cultural events if children or pregnant women are nearby.

Violators risk fines from $40-$370, according to a city ordinance that went into effect this month. Already, smoking in Naples - like the rest of Italy - is banned in restaurants, offices and other closed public places, such as airports.

Naples decided to expand its ban outside because health officials recently reported that the death rate of victims from respiratory illness and lung cancer was "significantly" higher in Naples than the rest of the country.

Vegas for the holidays

Here are some travel ideas that are distinctively Vegas and tied to the season.

  Christmas caroling on horseback. Sagebrush Ranch, in Hidden Valley, about 45 minutes from the Strip. Wagons and horses are decked out with twinkling lights. Cost for the two-hour ride is $35 a person; children 4 and under free. Through Dec. 23, Thursdays through Sundays, three times nightly; www.sagebrush-ranch.com or (702) 256-6049.

  Christmas light botanical garden walks. At the Springs Preserve in West Las Vegas and the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson. The preserve is a new "green" site dedicated to conservation. Holiday attractions include a lighted 8-acre botanical garden. Starting Friday, 6 to 10 p.m., Fridays through Sundays; and daily Dec. 24-30; www.springspreserve.org or (702) 822-7700. The free Ethel M holiday botanical stroll is sundown to 10 p.m., through Jan. 1. There also are chocolate sculptures and a free sample. Call (702) 433-2500.

  Ice skating at Lake Las Vegas. The rink floats on the 320-acre manmade lake east of the Strip. Until Feb. 17.

Walking in the wine country

Taking a page from inn-to-inn hiking vacations in Europe, Wine Country Trekking runs independent walking tours in the San Francisco Bay area.

The forays make the most of city promenades, coastal paths, mountain trails and village lanes, with each day's journey approximately 4 to 12 miles in length.

"Tomales Bay to the Wine Country," for instance, is a three-night excursion that includes a kayak outing and wine-tasting at private estates, for $1,100-$1,300, while "San Francisco to Mt. Tamalpais" covers Sausalito and Muir Woods in four nights, for $1,100-$1,250.

Call toll-free 1-888-287-8735 or go to www.winecountrytrekking.com for more information.

Watch where you swim

The world's most shark-infested beaches according to Forbestraveler.com.

Brisbane, Australia

"Shark Alley," Gansbaai, South Africa

Kosi Beach, South Africa

Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Bolinas Beach, Calif.

New Smyrna Beach

North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Recife, Brazil

Kahana, West Maui, Hawaii

West End, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas

Times staff, wires

[Last modified November 21, 2007, 11:21:14]