No More "what's your sign" It's "What's Your Plate?"

Growing up in Colorado, we had one license plate. Green mountains with white background...

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Sure, you could customize it with some quippy letters and numbers to actually "mean" something but a solitary image ruled the roads. Recently, the state inverted the design. There are lots of varieties of this plate which tout your university, colonial status or others but the central design of white mountains with a colored background is the way it is.

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When I arrived in Florida, I saw dozens and dozens of plate designs, beginning with the most common:

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Then the list explodes with Universities, Armed Forces and causes. Last month I kept a list of all the different license plates I saw. I think you'll be astounded at the giant diversity and each is designed completely differently. Here goes:

1. Agriculture
2. Air Forces
3. Aquatics
4. Challenger Columbia
5. Choose Life
6. Disabled Veteran
7. Discover Florida's Oceans
8. End Breast Cancer
9. Endless Summer
10. Family First
11. Family Values
12. Fish Florida
13. Florida A&M University
14. Florida Panthers
15. Florida State University
16. Florida Whales
17. The Gator Nation
18. Go Fishing
19. Golf Capital of the World
20. Helping Sea Turtles Survive 
21. Florida Panthers
22. Miami Heat
23. Hospice: Each Day is a Gift
24. Imagine
25. Indian River Lagoon
26. Miami Dolphins 
27. Play Tennis
28. Police Athletic League
29. Protect Children
30. Protect our Reefs
31. Protect the Panther
32. Protect Wild Dolphins
33. Salute Firefighters
34. Salute Veterans
35. Save our Seas
36. Save the Manatees 
37. Share the Road
38. Sportsman’s Natural Land Trust
39. State of the Arts
40. State Wildflower
41. Stetson University
42. Stop Heart Disease 
43. Support Education
44. Support Families
45. Support Law Enforcement
46. Support Soccer
47. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
48. United we Stand
49. University of Central Florida
50. US Army
51. US Navy
52. US Paratroopers

I found this fab link to a gallery on the Orlando Sentinel website. It has images of 114 specialty plates. Cool! They also have a link that includes news on license plates.

On a final note, if you are curious about vintage plates, like I am, check out this site: PlateShack.

While you are out on the road, check out the over 100 funky images on the license plates in Florida...

Until next time, Eli

Color-fall Palm Beach

Being from Colorado and living on old city streets full of rugged deciduous trees and near hillsides packed with a banquet hall of quaking aspen trees, I delight in the colors of fall and the cooler weather that goes with it.

In the Rocky Mounatins, it brings with it their "Season", Ski Season!

Believe it or not, several ski areas are already open: Wolf Creek, Arapaho Basin, Loveland, Copper Mountain and Winter Park {30 minutes from where I grew up}. If you want to know how good the snow is, check out the Snow Report.

Living in Florida, as you might imagine, is a little different. I just shared a post about The Season in Palm Beach but what about the signs of fall here. I can tell you...they are everywhere, you just have to pay attention to see its beauty. Let me help you, below are a number of "Color-fall" images from Palm Beach.

 

Thanks for visiting today and Happy Fall!
Until next time, Eli

Palm Beach, The Four Seasons

Need a gown, this season's hottest 
trend includes lots of mini layers

The four seasons are:

1. The Season
2. After the Season
3. Hot and Humid
4. Awaiting The Season

Unlike Vivaldi, who actually has four seasons,  Palm Beach really only has one, affectionately called "The Season." After speaking with several natives, I found a consensus that the true beginning of the season is November 1st.

Around the Island, the evidence is already being seen through increased traffic, hot cars around town,  impossible reservations at local hot spots and ramp up of philanthropic events. Apparently the ebb and flow of seasonal residents gets started now and builds most of November and December, although many go North for the holidays. Then January through April, depending on the date of Easter, are the height of it all, offering a frenetic pace for tennis matches, lunches at the club and festive fund-raising "balls."

Historically {late 1800's} The Season was fairly short, taking cues from the leading island hotels,

Long or short the style is gorgeous,
and you don't need to spend a lot
to look smashing. Try Overstock.com

The Breakers, open from December to May and the Royal Poinciana, open January to April.

Year-round residents, however,
recalled [the season] closing on the 22nd of February
after the annual Washington Ball,
held alternately at the two grand hotels.(source)

Here are just a few of the many grand events that one can look forward to this Season:

November 8, 2011

to benefit the Center for Creative Education

uses the arts to enrich and transform children’s educational experience

November 12, 2011

to benefit The Hanley Center: an institution dedicated to helping

individuals and families affected by the disease of addiction (source) 

November 17, 2011

to benefit Susan G Komen South Florida:
save lives and end breast cancer forever
by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all
and energizing science to find the cures

Looking for a calendar of other events, try these links:

Palm Beach Social Calendar (Palm Beach Galas)

Palm Beach Social Calendar (The Shiny Sheet)

Palm Beach Society Magazine Social Calendar

I, for one, am looking forward to my first "Season." I hope you are looking forward to it too.

Until next time, Eli

West Palm Green Market

Now that "the Season" has officially started in the Palm Beaches, some fun events are coming back to the community. One such event is the West Palm Beach Green Market which you can find right here.

We had family in town this weekend, so we all made our way over for a couple of hours of fun. Check out some of what you'll find there.

Plenty of shady seating for having a snack or lunch.

Many four-legged furries enjoyed the day

It was a feast for the eyes...with colorful hydrangeas, roses, potted plants, orchids and more.

Gorgeous blooms from Flowers to Go

Brilliant specimens from R&R Orchids

A feast for the palate, including delicacies such as teas, spices, baked goods, Cuban food, fresh lemonade, vegetables, guacamole, and so much more.

Such a beautiful display at Organic Teas & Spices

Colorful, thick honey from The World's Finest Raw Honey company. So beautiful!

Mouth-watering sweets from Lorene's Loving Oven

"Eating the rainbow" (fruits and vegetables from all the colors of the rainbow)
has never been easier with D & D Family Farms

Parking can be a little challenging so riding one of these to the market is a great, green idea.

 Dates open: Now through April 14, 2012

Hours: 8am to 1pm

at 101 South Flagler Drive

Until next time, Eli