Winter The Dolphin Will Star In Motion Picture

Winter the dolphin will be playing herself in "A Dolphin's Tale," which is scheduled to begin filming today. Most of the movie will be shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. A robot double will be used in scenes that Winter cannot do. The movie will star Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd and tells the story of a boy who befriends an injured dolphin and helps her get an artificial tail.

At three months old, Winter became tangled in a crab trap line near Cape Canaveral. She was rescued and brought to the CMA for rehab, but her injuries resulted in the loss of her entire tail and two vertebrae. To the surprise of marine experts, Winter adapted in spite of her serious injuries, and modified her swim pattern to accommodate her disability. Winter has also learned to eat fish on her own and is growing at a healthy rate. A human prosthetics company and a marine mammal veterinarian, developed a prosthetic tail for Winter. With the help trainers, she is being taught to use the prosthetic.

Winter has been featured on the NBC Today Show, CNN and BBC, and is an inspiration to millions. Observing Winter playfully swim around her enclosure is truly a joy; she has overcome adversity by surviving her injury, and seems unaware of her impediment. Her story, however, is uncommon. Each year, countless dolphins become trapped in mono filament and crab trap lines and die.

Super Boat Festival VIP Parties

The Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival, based on the longest-running offshore power-boat racing sport in the USA, again hopes to bring in more tourists and pump up the local economy during a crucial time for the Gulf Coast of Florida. To rev-up an even higher level of excitement than last year’s festival and in keeping with the theme of “bigger, faster, louder,” VIP Race Experience packages will be available to FANS. Want to be treated like a VIP? For $100 per person, FANS who want to be treated like a Rock Star will experience the memory of a lifetime – and their money will go to help local marine charities.

VIP Race Experience parties and events will be graced by the Super Boat drivers, throttle men and other sporting execs and celebrities, mixing and mingling with the FANS. The VIP Experience Schedule includes:

Friday, October 1st
• Concert at BayStar Race Village – VIP Seating

• Baystar Race Village Party at the Promenade on the Bay – Hosted by Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, October 2nd
• Shepard’s Beach Party – Hosted by Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce

Sunday, October 3rd
• Hilton Deck Party – Hosted by Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort

• Hyatt Patio Party – Hosted by Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach

• Miss Clearwater Super Boat Trophy Girl Pageant – Hosted by Shepard’s Beach Resort Clearwater Beach

The VIP Race Experience also includes VIP race viewing from the Hilton Deck Party and the Hyatt Patio Party, so VIPs can avoid the throngs of crowds migrating out to the beach to view the spectacle of “NASCAR on Water”. The three-day festival will culminate with boats equipped with F-16 jet canopies reaching extreme speeds of up to 200 mph while vying for the National Championship title just off the shore of Clearwater Beach.

VIP Passes can be purchased through the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, for $100 per person.

The festival will be held October 1st – 3rd in Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.

Tourism on the Gulf Coast of Florida has been harmed by the misconception that Florida is covered in oil. Last year, Super Boat brought an estimated 60,000-plus people to Clearwater, and made an estimated impact of $5-6 million on the local economy, without spending a penny of taxpayer’s money.

For a schedule of race events and details, visit www.clearwatersuperboat.com

About the Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival:

When Super Boat International (SBI) founder and 30-year veteran, John Carbonell, wanted to produce Clearwater’s 1st Annual Super Boat National Championship and Festival two local area businessmen made it happen: Restaurateur Frank Chivas and Former Mayor of Clearwater Brian Aungst Sr.

The Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival will be produced by Super Boat International and presented by Bright House Networks. To see the full list of sponsors, partners and sponsor hotels, visit www.clearwatersuperboat.com.

Super Boat Race Course Modified This Year

The Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival Race is returning next weekend after a successful event last year.

As Super Boats equipped with F-16 jet canopies race just off the shore of Clearwater Beach while reaching extreme speeds of up to 200 mph during the Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival Race Sunday, October 3rd, the throngs of fans watching the spectacle of “NASCAR on water” will get a better view thanks to the improved sightline of a new race course. The new race course modifies last year’s course, and will not extend down to North Clearwater Beach, but will instead extend just beyond Pier 60. North Clearwater Beach will be omitted because sightlines of the race are not as good. The new race course will also give racing boats more room to get in and out of the racing area.

While the race is free, VIP race viewing at the Hyatt Regency or the Hilton Clearwater Beach are available for purchase through the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce for $100. VIP Race Experience pass holders will be treated to a variety of VIP race experience activities as well, including VIP parties. All proceeds from the event benefit three local charities, The Clearwater Community Sailing Center, Sailability and the Make a Difference Fishing Tournament.

The race will be followed by an awards ceremony in Coachman Park where the National Champions will be announced.

Race course diagram and viewing area coordinates for boaters are available online at www.clearwatersuperboat.com

Knight's Inn Will Become New All Suite Hotel

The vacant Knight’s Inn on South Gulfview Blvd in Clearwater Beach will be replaced with an all suite hotel in 2011. The name of the hotel has not yet been determined. Construction is expected to begin in early 2011 and completed by year end. There will be 45 units approximately 600 square foot each.

The property was purchased in 2009 for $3.8 million, and renovations are estimated at $2 million. A construction loan has been secured by Southwind Hospitality, owner of the Quality Inn Beach Resort located across the street. Guests of the new hotel will have access to the Quality Inn pool and beach access, and guest of the Quality Inn will have access to the new hotel's fitness center.