Selby Gardens and Marina Jacks Park Journal 7 Feb 26, 2011

    Today was a perfect day to be outside, the sun was out and warm, it was like summer weather. This week I went to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. I've never been there before, but I have heard that everyone that goes there loves to walk around and see and smell the flowers and the other plants.  This week was a special event that was taking place, today they were presenting the 6th Annual Asian Cultural Festival. In their mansion they had more Asian plants and a kimono showcase that belongs to...... The Selby Garden also was having stands and selling plants, and other things meant for gardening. My friend Jenny and I were the only college age people. The most of the people that were there were older people and only a few younger kids from preschool age to middle school girls (and they were selling Girl Scout Cookies). What's great about this place is that they show all the different kinds of flowers and trees and a sign with some information.  How they presented everything was that you followed a trail and you are surrounded by the trees and flowers. Lots of people were entering the garden and leaving with flowers to put in their homes. The flowers that people bought were from small plant pot size to larger tree size.

    After the Garden, Jenny and I went to see what is left of Borders Book store. because of the economy, lots of Borders are closing and only a certain number of them are staying open. Only one Borders in each state. The Borders in Sarasota is closing and everything must go, and they mean it! Inside, the store was busier than I ever imagined. Everything was from 20%, 30% to 40% off, and after a week of the news of the store closing, most of the shelves were empty. People were excited but sad inside about seeing every book on sale. More and more people were holding bundles of books. People can't resist a good deal, and don't want to waste it before it is too late. What Borders is trying to do to bring themsleves back on the shopping market is if they make enough money selling the books in store it may  save them from going out of business. They were even selling the coffee syrups and the cafe part of the spot was blocked off and closed.

    After that, I went back to the Marina Jacks Sarasota Park. Just like the Selby Garden, everyone was out and enjoying the sunny day, and what better way to spend it is going to the park. Lots of families were with their kids and dogs. At the children's playground, they had the water fountain part open for the kids to play. From my field trip to the park on Thursday night  with my Ecology Class, I learned that that water of the children's park is only used on rare occasions, because the park needs to use water that is safe for the kids incase they drink the water, they only use it when it is hot enough (summer weather). Everyone at the park looked like they were having a relaxing time. It was busy around 3:30 with people coming to the restaurant for late lunch. But also because a wedding was taking place. That is something that I never thought I would see in the park. Most people banyon that like to do outdoor weddings is on the beach. But having the wedding in the park underneath the tree and having the ocean in the background makes a nice setting for a wedding. Just watch your step on the grass.