Caroling at Solara

I think we started a new Solara tradition...

Polar Bear Dip...it was a Beary Cold Adventure

December is always a fun month around the resort. This year, we made even funner by adding a Polar Bear Dip in the Whirlpool. The Whirlpool heater was turned off the night before in preparation for the event. In the morning we added 1160 lbs of ice to the whirlpool to make sure we drop the temperature as much as possible. We ended up dropping the temperatures to 32 degrees, talk about cold. We had 5 guests that participated and after 10 min in the freezing water, we ended up with three winners. All that participated received a “I survived Solara’s 1st Polar Bear Jump” certificate, a complimentary 5x7 picture and a free ice cream Sunday. In addition, the three winners won a $50 gift certificate to our Bluegreen on-line store.

Merry Christmas

On behalf of our entire Solara team,

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas

and a prosperous New Year.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

While some of you are dealing with blizzards we here is Sunny South Florida are basking in the sun. Well, not exactly. It's been COLD these past couple of days. I know 40 degree weather for some of you is a Summer day but for us it is freezing but looking on the bright side, it puts right into the Christmas mood.

For those of you planing on joining us during the Holidays, here are a few things going on that you might be interested in:

DANCE
Miami City Ballet: George Balanchine's The NutcrackerDecember 17-19 & 21-23, 2010Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Miami

MUSIC
Handel's MessiahDecember 18, 2010Adrienne Arsht Center, Downtown MiamiHandel's most enduring classic and a timeless holiday tradition, becomes a part of The Arsht Center's end-of-year holiday celebration.

Mannheim SteamrollerDecember 26, 2010Adrienne Arsht Center, Downtown MiamiInfusing new life into traditional Christmas music, Mannheim Steamroller presents selections from their award-wining holiday album.

Destination Holiday! MGMC Holiday ConcertDecember 10 & 11, 2010Lincoln Theatre, Miami BeachMiami Gay Men's Chorus presents this holiday concert.

FUN FOR FAMILIES
Santa's Enchanted ForestNovember 4, 2010 - January 9, 2011Tropical Park, West MiamiExperience this Christmas wonderland anytime from early November through early January.

Tropical Holidays at Miami Childrens MuseumDecember 1-31, 2010Miami Childrens Museum, MiamiEvery Saturday and Sunday brings a new activity celebrating winter and the holiday season.

Snow Days at the GroveDecember 4, 11 & 18, 2010Between CocoWalk and Mayfair and on Commodore Plaza in Coconut GroveKids can build snowmen and make snow angels during the Snow Days celebration. This free event will take place the first three Saturdays in December.

Story Time & Kids Crafts with SantaDecember 11 & 18, 2010 from 10:00 am - NoonDeering Estate, Cutler RidgeThe Deering Estate welcomes guests of all ages for story time with Santa, plus arts and crafts.

Zoo LightsDecember 17-23 & 26-30, 2010 from 7:00 to 10:00 pmZoo MiamiZoo Miami will open at night for a special holiday event with bright animal shaped lights, hot chocolate, holiday songs and more.

Winter Wonder IslandDecember 18, 2010 - January 2, 2011Jungle Island, MiamiJungle Island gets into the holiday season with a magical snowfall, photos with Santa, and holiday-themed shows, games and treats.

Winter Nights & LightsDecember 18-30, 2010Miami Seaquarium, Key BiscayneThis annual holiday extravaganza transforms Miami Seaquarium into a Winter Wonderland.

With the Christmas rush, don't forget that New Year's Eve sneaks up on you after the holidays. Cross one more to-do off your list by making reservations at one of these bashes. With the number of celebs in the city, you're bound to see some out waiting for the ball (or orange) to drop, and here's where some will be- call for prices and packages, but most parties include party favors, an open bar and champagne at midnight.

Mansion Nightclub: Ring in the New Year at one of Miami's hottest nightclubs. Tickets are $200 for guys and $50 for girls for open bar until midnight, with VIP and table rates available. 1235 Washington Ave, Miami Beach. (305) 695-8411.

SET Nightclub: Tickets are $200 and include a three-hour open bar; table packages are available. 320 Lincoln Road Miami Beach. (305) 531-2800.

SOBE Live: If you're looking for a hip hop NYE, you'll find it at SOBE Live. Tickets include a 3-hour open bar, buffet, champagne toast and balloon drop. 1203 Washington Avenue. (305) 725-3353.

If clubbing isn't your thing, there are plenty of other events going on around Miami for New Year's!

King Mango Strut: The King Mango Strut is an offbeat parade taking place on the last Sunday of the year in downtown Coconut Grove.

Miami Beach New Year's Eve Party: The city of Miami Beach offers a free fireworks celebration at midnight. Gather on the beach near Ocean Drive and 8th Streeet. (305) 673-7400

Bayfront Park Amphitheater: This free even features live performances by various bands. There's a countdown at midnight for the dropping of the Big Orange, followed by fireworks. This is a great family outing, if you're kids are old enough to make it until midnight. 301 North Biscayne Blvd, Miami. (305) 358-7550.

Orange Drive South Beach New Year's FestivalThrough January 2, 2011Ocean Drive will officially be renamed Orange Drive for this exciting 3-day New Year's Celebration. The streets and beach will become one big block party with events leading up to the Orange Bowl Game.

Junior Orange Bowl ParadeJanuary 2, 2011Coral GablesA parade through the streets of Coral Gables featuring floats and marching bands. The parade begins in front of Coral Gables City Hall and travels down Miracle Mile.

A few got Lucky at Solara...Casino Month

In celebration of Casino Month, we held a contest to see who could guess how many glass pebbles were in the jar. The guest seemed to really enjoy it and some had some pretty close guesses but none came as close as our winners:


Week 1
Mr. & Mrs Burrows


Week 2
Teresa Thomas
(No picture available-guest had checked out)



Winner's received the following voucher:

Congratulations Guys!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

From our family to yours

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joanna Fuchs

Back to Business at Solara...We've Officially Reopened

It's official, Solara reopened it's doors on Saturday, Oct. 23rd. After a grueling 2 1/2 months of construction (and delays) we were all excited to getting back to business of making vacation memories. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson were our very first guests to arrive and 11 other families followed throughout the day. So far everyone has had only great things to say about the resort and that is all thanks to the wonderful Solara Team that gave 110% to ensure the resort was immaculate.

Mr. and Mrs. Christenson

For those of you not fully aware all the wonderful changes that took place during our closure, here is a brief list:

* Concrete restoration on exterior of the building
* Sealing and painting the exterior of the building
* All windows and exterior doors were replaced with Category 5 Hurricane Proof Glass
* All bed linen will be replaced to Bluegreen's New Bedding Standards
* Bedbug mattress and box spring protectors were installed in all the full beds
* Dining room and leisure chairs were reupholstered
* All new pool and balcony furniture
* ALL units, hallways and social rooms were deep cleaned and have full maintenance completed.
* Pool and pool deck was resurfaced
* Activities room was completely redone with fresh paint, new desks, foosball table and carpet tile.
* Fresh Landscaping was installed.
* Brand new Iphone alarm clocks were installed in all the master bedrooms with several soothing music options available.

* Brand new pavers at the main entrance

Check out the pictures: