By Carol Shaughnessy
Florida Keys News Bureau

Photo by Andy Newman

Richard Hatch and his children Ricky, left, and Andy, right, work on the bottom of a boat at last year’s Family Boatbuilding Workshop.

At a shady waterfront park Saturday and Sunday, July 23-24, families and teams are to work together in an extraordinary maritime adventure: building and launching their own 10-foot wooden boats in just two days.

The Family Boatbuilding Workshop is to take place beside the Atlantic Ocean at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on Key West’s western shore. The two-day event is presented by Key Education Inc., a local not-for-profit organization specializing in adventure and maritime educational activities; and Bone Island Boatworks, LLC, a local boat building and repair company.

As well as learning the carpentry skills to build their own boats, participating groups learn the value of teamwork, positive communication and persevering to attain even seemingly unreachable goals.

At the end of the workshop, boats become the property of the teams that built them.

The first family boat-building workshop in the U.S. was produced in 1998 by “Wooden Boat” magazine. Since then, the concept has spread to all 50 states.

T.J. McDermott, founder of Key Education and owner of Bone Island Boatworks, introduced the adventurous event to the Key West community in July 2003. Participants launched four wooden boats in 2003 and 14 at the 2004 workshop.

“The most rewarding aspect of our program is when we see kids getting motivated and excited to achieve a common goal and to learn a new task,” said McDermott, a talented craftsman who learned his own boat-building skills from family members.

Anyone who possesses the desire and motivation can accomplish construction of a boat, said McDermott. Each boat comes in the form of a kit, and experienced boat builders guide participating families and teams through the construction process. Basic woodworking skills are helpful, but not required.

As well as family groups and teams, each year’s boat builders include youngsters referred by local not-for-profit organizations who receive scholarships sponsored by area businesses.

Sabrina Barnett	Gizelle D’Cole

By Bob Serata
Florida Keys News Bureau

A day-long music and film festival that pays homage to the ocean environment is set for Key Largo beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at Rowell's Marina at mile marker 104.5 bayside.

The Celebration of the Sea is to feature international recording artists, underwater films and environmental awareness experiences.

Former Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated supermodel Sabrina Barnett's “Come As You Are Tour” is scheduled to be a featured act. The tour, named for Barnett's new CD, includes a rock fashion show showing off Harley Davidson's new line of “Harley Ware” apparel.

Also confirmed is ex-Ford model, Univision pop star Gizelle D'Cole. The Argentina native's first single, a duet with Elvis Crespo, topped the charts in the U.S., Spain, Turkey, Puerto Rico and Argentina. Her second album, recorded with Mexican Grammy winner Pilar Montenegro, featured the U.S. and Venezuela number one hit, “Tomalo Suave.”

Dave Feder, one of the Keys' most popular musicians, will play the unique style of hillbilly flamenco-jazz guitar that has earned him an international following.

Estonian singer and actress Éha Urbsalu will also perform. Her inclusion in the 2002 compilation album, "From the Hamptons to Ibiza", led to her song "Missing" being chosen for the Rhythm Radio compilation that included Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake.

In addition, Kevens, former lead singer of Le Coup, brings an eclectic mix of electronic dun, ska and progressive reggae to the stage. He has performed with a number of top artists in the electronics scene including Prodigy, Rabbit in the Moon, Roni Size Reprazent and Christal Method.

Scheduled films are to explore the Florida Keys and Everglades ecosystems. During breaks and equipment changes between acts, films and multimedia presentations are to be shown on large video displays.

The main entertainment stage is to be set up to provide general seating on land and easy viewing aboard boats in the bay bordering Rowell's.

An Ocean Discovery Tent is to be open all day. Touch tanks will help children get to know local marine animals and the ecosystem they inhabit.

The Dive Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) is to set up their traveling “Giant Dive Pool” that lets visitors try a free sample scuba dive. Dressing rooms, towels and equipment are to be provided by DEMA.

For admission prices and continually updated festival information, visit the Celebration of the Sea website at celebrationofthesea.com.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-822-1088 or examine fla-keys.com/keylargo.

Delta Connection is scheduled to begin nonstop, round-trip Tampa-to-Key West jet service July 15, according to Key West International Airport Director Peter Horton. Chautauqua Airlines, a Delta Connection carrier, is providing the service via two daily flights.

Flight 6218 is to depart Tampa at 10:45 a.m. and arrive at 11:55 a.m. That flight returns to Tampa, leaving Key West at 12:20 p.m. Flight 6226 has a 5:05 p.m. scheduled departure from Tampa to Key West, arriving at 6:15 p.m. and departing at 6:40 p.m. for a return flight to Tampa.

The carrier is to operate 37-passenger Embraer ERJ-137 aircraft on the route.

More details and reservations are available at Delta.com.

For more travel information on the Florida Keys:
www.fla-keys.com