Luxe Beat Magazine SEPTEMBER 2014 | Page 93

. Beebe Featured Contributor How do you enjoy spending your free time? Photography is at the top of my list, whether we are traveling to the far side of the globe or watching wildlife at a local park. Video production is a close second. I edit my wife’s video and my still photos from each trip with titles and music. I’ll post my photos at b2gallery.com and shorter versions of our videos on our YouTube channel, b2photovideo. I am happy to report that I have a backlog of video projects, as we always head somewhere else before I can catch up. We’ve also been practicing Hatha yoga at Harmony Yoga & Wellness Center for over a year now and have started Aerial Yoga training. I’ve just been elected the president of the North Tampa Arts League. What are your thoughts on the changes in the luxury market? Luxury Eco-tourism has really taken off over the last decade and it appears to be very sustainable. These trips tend to be “green” adventures that are easier on the environment. They engage and educate travelers with the means and the mindset to help make a positive difference to the people and wildlife they encounter. It’s a win-win. If you were stranded on an island, name one person and three items you would bring. Why? The one-person question has an easy answer. I’d bring my wife, Patricia. She will read this interview after all. For the three items, I should say food, medicine and clothing because luxury is subjective. Since this is purely hypothetical and just for fun, I’d have to bring a camera, laptop and a solar battery charger. What are some of the key attractions in your hometown? The Tampa Bay area has a great mix of everything. For attractions, we have Busch Gardens and Lowry Park Zoo, the Florida Aquarium and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that is home to Winter the dolphin. We are an easy drive to Orlando. There are many world-class museums, including the Dali in St Petersburg. Headlining the theater scene is the Straz Center For The Performing Arts in Tampa and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. We have many fine restaurants representing a wide variety of tastes and cultures, from world famous Burns Steakhouse and the Columbia Restaurant to modest family-owned cafes tucked into outof-the-way corners. Trang Viet Cuisine, Pepo’s Cafe and Yummy House China Bistro are personal favorites. Best of all, we have the great outdoors year round. Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland and Ft Desoto Park on Tierra Verde are at the top of our list. What are three necessities you won’t travel without? I’m sticking with my answer to the “stranded on an island” question. What does Luxe Beat Magazine mean to you? LBM is dedicated to reporting on all aspects of luxury in a new and exciting way. Since its launch earlier this year, it has published a wide range of stories between its digital covers and I appreciate the opportunity to share my stories with its readership. David R. Beebe [email protected] www.b2gallery.com