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Keepers of surfing history amassing collection,
now seek permanent place for exhibits

After their recent acquisition of 59 oversized exhibit photos from Florida Atlantic University, a group of longtime Palm Beach County surfers are looking for a permanent home for their growing collection of photos, memorabilia and vintage surfboards.  Read the story in the Jupiter Courier by Lori Griffith: Surfing History Project • Check out the Surfing History Project's web site
Amaryllis shipwrecked near Palm Beach Inlet 1965
Longtime surfers in Palm Beach County say surf culture didn't take off there until the Amaryllis ran aground in shallow waters near the Palm Beach Inlet in 1965. Although noise and oil seepage was a nuisance to beachgoers, the wreck formed a sandbar during its three-year stay that slowed the waves and created ideal surfing conditions until the ship was cut up and sunk as an artificial reef. Photo by M.E. Gruber. Used by permission of The Palm Beach County Surfing History Project

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Belleair delays rezoning that could allow demolition of historic hotel
Two views of the Belleview Biltmore. At left is a postcard postmarked 1919. At right is a photo taken between 1979 and 1987, after the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Photos: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Following a packed meeting with comments from 40 speakers, the Belleair City Commission delayed for six months a decision on a proposed rezoning that could allow demolition of the historic Belleview Bilmore Hotel, located south of Clearwater on Florida's west coast. The sprawling 400-room resort hotel, built in 1895, has been closed since 2009.  One resident called the hotel "the heart and soul of Belleair" and contended the town didn't need any more condos.  But others said the hotel's deterioration was hurting surrounding property values.  Although preservation supporters contend the structure is sound, a St. Petersburg developer who has a contract to buy and replace the hotel with condos says the hotel cannot be renovated.

• Read the story in the Tampa Bay Times: What will happen to the Belleview Biltmore? No one seems to know
• Read the story in Tampa Bay Creative Loafing: Belleair ruling delays Biltmore demolition
• Visit savethebiltmore.com for more on efforts to preserve the site
• See photos of the Belleview Biltmore at Florida Memory

'Brutal' Lauderdale library given landmark status

PictureState Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
The Broward County Main Library is a landmark, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission declared, even though the complex was built just 30 years ago. Broward County, along with the Broward Trust for Historic Preservation, sought the designation because of the architectural significance of the building, designed by an internationally known architect in a style dubbed "soft" brutalism. Read the story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Broward's Main Library receives landmark designation

Madonna 80s artifacts to be auctioned
in St. Petersburg on Feb. 9

A collection of photos, art and drawings kept by Madonna's former friend and roommate are among a trove of 80s artifacts up for auction in St. Petersburg by the parents of the roommate, artist Martin Burgoyne, who died of AIDS in 1986. Some of the photos may have been taken by  a mutual friend, Andy Warhol. 
• Read the Associated Press story by Tamara Lush: Trove of 1980s Madonna pop culture awaits auction
• See all of the items set for auction
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This photo of a young Madonna with friend and former roommate Martin Burgoyne, taken in the early 1980s, will be auctioned with a number of other mementos kept by Burgoyne's parents. Photo: Myers Fine Art & Antiques Auction Gallery

Vets worried over hangars' fate in planned Tigertown refurb

A group of World War II veterans are concerned about the fate of three World War II hangars at a former Army Air Force training field in Lakeland, where the Detroit Tigers built its spring training headquarters. The Tigers are spending $40 million to renovate the facilities, and the vets would like to turn one of the hangars into a museum.  Read the story in the Lakeland Ledger: Veterans Work to Create World War II Museum in Historic Hangar at Tigertown

Historic Punta Gorda house for sale; comes with ghost

This historic house, on West Retta Esplanate in Punta Gorda, can be yours for just $1.6 million. And as a special bonus, you get a free ghost. Owner Natalie Wynn says you won't have much trouble with "Mary." She treats the ghost like she would her own teenager. 
To find out how Mary died, read the story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune by Harold Bubil:  Historic home for sale: ghost included

Harassment lasted weeks for first black student at Sarasota High

Bill Clyburn couldn't believe all the cars in the parking lot as he arrived by bus for the first time at predominantly white Sarasota High School.  At Booker High, everybody walked. As he walked to his new classes for the first time, white students called him the N-word and yelled at him to go back to Africa. "It was like that every day for a long, long time," he said. 
Read the story by Gabrielle Russon in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Meet the man who helped integrate Sarasota High

Miami Beach opts not to preserve Real Housewife's mansion

42 Star Island, Miami Beach42 Star Island, Miami Beach
The Miami Beach City Commission decided on Wednesday not to apply a historical designation to a house owned by a plastic surgeon and his wife, a cast member of "Real Housewives of Miami." The couple wants to tear down the 1925 house at 42 Star Island but is opposed by the Miami Design Preservation League.
Read the story in the Miami Herald: City Commission staying out of Miami Beach historic-home dispute.

Monument fight reveals unhealed Civil War wounds 

Opposition among Sons of Confederate War Veterans to plans to install a monument to fallen Union Army soldiers inside Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park west of Jacksonville reopens 150-year-old wounds.  Read the story in the New York Times: Blue and Gray Still in Conflict at a Battle Site.

Guest column: Schools should be named after local heroes

Writing in the Florida Times-Union, guest columnist Erick Dittus argues that the Duval County School Board's decision not to name schools after influential local and state citizens does a disservice to students and the community.  Read the guest column in Florida Times-Union: Failure to use names for schools is bad policy