Cherry blossoms to bloom early in DC

March 28, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

WASHINGTON

Warm weather recently is going to bring Washington’s famous cherry blossoms a few days early.

The National Park Service revised its prediction for blooming dates last week. Chief horticulturist Robert DeFeo is predicting the peak blooming will be Thursday through next Sunday. Earlier he predicted most trees would be in bloom Saturday through April 8.

The trees will likely continue blooming through April 9.

The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled to run through April 11. This year marks the 98th anniversary of Japan’s gift of the cherry blossom trees to the nation’s capital.

New boardwalk set to open

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.

Officials say a new mile-long boardwalk in the heart of South Carolina’s Grand Strand should be finished soon.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce says the ribbon-cutting for the new $6 million boardwalk in the center of Myrtle Beach is scheduled for May 15 as part of a beach music festival.

Crews have been building the boardwalk since September.

City spokesman Mark Kruea says about three-quarters of the boardwalk should be finished.

The boardwalk will include green spaces to sit.

Travel agents plan for future tourism

CANCUN, Mexico

U.S. travel specialists are meeting with their Cuban counterparts, preparing for what they hope will be the day that Americans can freely vacation on Cuba’s sunny beaches.

A 1962 travel ban sharply restricts visits by U.S. citizens to the communist-governed island. The law requires U.S. government permission to spend any money there.

President Barack Obama has indicated interest in easing restrictions, as he already has for Cuban Americans traveling to the island — but in exchange for human rights improvements.

Cuban officials say they anticipate 1.7 million Americans would come if restrictions were lifted.

Associated Press