Top Keys
Cultural News
The Florida Keys Council of the Arts lists more than 60 galleries in the tiny island city of Key West. That number increases by one during the end of January and the end of February each year, as the Key West Craft Show and Old Island Days Art Festival transform two Old Town streets into a lively open-air gallery. Click here for more information.
Top Keys
Fishing News
Some of the best sailfishing in three decades is being reported by Florida Keys charterboat captains. Click here to learn more.
Top Keys
Dive News
Sent to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off Islamorada Dec. 19, 1985, the Eagle became a life-giving foundation for countless marine animals and plants, and the prototype for a new kind of Florida Keys dive experience: diving a modern-era, mostly intact wreck. It was the first ship sunk in the Keys specifically as an artificial reef. To learn more about the Eagle, click here.
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Upcoming
Keys Events:
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Through Feb. 28
in Key West
“Mario Sanchez—
Listening to Our Ancestors” |
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Mario Sanchez was one of America’s greatest folk artists and a significant historian who preserved in wood and paint the detailed story of early 20th century Key West. At the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 281 Front St. Call (305) 295-6616 or click here.
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Jan. 6-8
in the Lower Keys
Florida Keys Medieval Festival |
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Knights and nobles, fire eaters, falconers and jousters bring medieval era to life. Lower Sugarloaf Key, mile marker (MM) 17, Bat Tower Road. Click here for more information.
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Jan. 12 - Feb. 14
in Marathon
“Social Security” |
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A comedy at Marathon Community Theatre, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sunday matinee Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. MM 49.5 oceanside. Call (305) 743-0994.
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Jan. 13 - Feb. 04
in Marathon
Bougainvillea House Gallery 4th Annual Winter Art Show |
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Entitled “Artistic Benefits,” this art sale and show at the Marathon Community Theatre, MM 49.5 oceanside, benefits productions at the theater. Call (305) 743-0808.
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January 14
in Islamorada
Art Under The Oaks |
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Features all-original, handmade works by exhibitors. Activities for kids include face painting, puppet show and reptile exhibit. San Pedro Catholic Church, MM 89.5 bayside, Plantation Key. Call (305) 664-5574 or 853-0651.
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Jan. 15 - Mar. 17
in Key West
Sculpture Key West Exhibition |
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Outdoor exhibition of contemporary sculpture at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Artists from around the world create artworks in the historic fort, moat, fields, trees and beaches. Visitors receive brochure for self-guided tour. Click here for more details.
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Jan. 16-20
in Key West
Acura Key West 2006 |
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North America’s largest mid-winter yachting regatta featuring some 300 entries. Five days of racing featuring big name sailing skippers Russell Coutts and John Kostecki. Click here for more details.
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Jan. 20-21
in Key West
Old Island Days House and Garden Tour |
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Tour extraordinary homes and gardens ranging from gingerbread-style Victorians to contemporary gems. Part of season-long Old Island Days festival. Additional tours scheduled for Feb. 17-18, 2006, and March 17-18, 2006. For more information, click here.
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Jan. 21
In Big Pine Key
Big Pine Nautical Flea Market |
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Anything and everything related to boats, motors and water. Live music all day, food and beverages, raffle items every half hour. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside. For information, call (800) 872-3722, or click here.
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Jan. 27-28
in Key West
Key West Symphony Orchestra Master Concert Series |
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Performance features works by Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Glynn Archer Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave. Click here for more information.
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Jan. 28
in Islamorada
Keys Community Concert Band Presents Pops in the Park |
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Free outdoor concert at Islamorada Founders Park, MM 87 on Plantation Key. Call (305) 853-7294.
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Jan. 28-29
in Key West
Key West Craft Show |
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Handmade and original crafts by 100 artisans displayed at the 21st annual show. Whitehead Street between Greene and Eaton streets. Call (305) 294-1241 for more details.
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Feb. 5
In Big Pine Key
Terry Cassidy’s Pickin’ Party |
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Fabulous food at a terrific outdoor setting showcasing a cornucopia of traditional folk, country and bluegrass melodies with Keys roots and flavor. Benefits Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Keys. At the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside on Big Pine Key, noon to 5 pm. Call (305) 872-4456.
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Feb. 10-12
in Key West
20th Annual Civil War Heritage Festival |
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Civil War re-enactors set up camp at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on the waterfront. Event includes a “land skirmish” between Civil War troops and a mock sea battle. Entrance on Southard Street off Whitehead Street. Call (305) 295-3033.
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Feb. 17-18
in Key West
Key West Symphony Orchestra Features Pianist John Novacek |
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Performance includes works by Rachmaninoff. Glynn Archer Performing Arts Center, Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave. Click here for more information.
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February 18
in Islamorada
Keys Community Concert Band Presents Pops in the Park |
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Free outdoor concert. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. 4 p.m. at Islamorada Founders Park, MM 87 bayside, Plantation Key. Call (305) 853-7294.
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Feb. 22
in Marathon
An Evening of Opera Highlights |
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Presented by Middle Keys Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. at San Pablo Church, 122nd Street. Call (305) 743-4687.
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Feb. 25-26
in Key West
41st Annual Old Island Days Art Festival |
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Features fine art by more than 100 artists from the United States and Canada, displayed in Key West’s historic Old Town district. Lauded by “Sunshine Artist Magazine” as one of the top 200 U.S. art shows. Whitehead Street from Greene to Eaton streets. Call (305) 294-1241.
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Feb. 25-26
in Islamorada
Upper Keys Nautical Flea Market |
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Free admission and bargains galore are on tap for attendees of the Upper Keys Nautical Flea Market organized by the Upper Keys Rotary at Founders Park, MM 87 in Islamorada. Click here for more details.
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| Vol. 2, No. 3 |
January 2006 |
Applications Available
for Popular Keys
Bridge Run
BY BOB SERATA
Florida Keys News Bureau
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| Photos by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau |
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Racers approach the top of the Seven Mile Bridge during the 2005 run. This year’s event, the 25th, is set for Saturday, April 22.
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Requests for applications for the 25th annual Seven Mile Bridge Run, set for Saturday, April 22, are now being accepted by the Marathon Runners Club.
The Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmental bridges in the world, is the centerpiece of the 113-mile Overseas Highway that connects the Florida Keys to mainland Florida. The annual race gives runners the chance to traverse the entire expanse of the landmark bridge. It was initiated in 1982 to herald the completion of a construction program that replaced most of Henry Flagler’s original bridges on the Keys’ Overseas Highway.
The run is limited to the first 1,500 applicants, and the club has set strict rules for applying because of the overwhelming number of entry forms received each year.
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Runners pass a sportfishing boat with anglers trying their luck beneath the old Seven Mile Bridge.
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To receive an application, send a legal-sized, self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to the Marathon Runners Club, P.O. Box 500110, Marathon FL 33050, USA. Race organizers project the entry fee should be close to last year’s $35 charge, which includes a commemorative race t-shirt. Proceeds fund Middle Keys youth athletic programs.
Applications are to be sent out in a batch during late February. The first 1,500 people who submit properly completed applications are to receive entries to the run.
For more information, call the Marathon Runners Club’s application information line at (305) 743-8513.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce at (305) 743-5417 or (800) 262-7284, or visit the Keys Web site at fla-keys.com/marathon.
Stars to Shine
Above Lower Keys
BY CAROL SHAUGHNESSY
Florida Keys News Bureau
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| Photos by Dan Baker/Florida Keys News Bureau |
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Steve Miller of Bristol, Ill., peers through a telescope at the 2005 star party.
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As many as 600 amateur astronomers from around the world are to gather in the Florida Keys Feb. 20-25, attracted by the chance for 180-degree viewing of the Southern Cross and other constellations during the 22nd annual Winter Star Party.
The event’s featured speaker is to be Dr. F. Story Musgrave, the only NASA astronaut to have flown on five space shuttle missions.
The star party is to take place at Camp Wesumkee, the Girl Scout camp on West Summerland Key, mile marker 34.5 off U.S. Highway 1.
The gathering is hosted by Miami’s Southern Cross Astronomical Society. Founded in 1922, the SCAS is one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere.
The Winter Star Party’s primary draw for astronomers is the large number of constellations, comets and stars that are visible from the Florida Keys — virtually the only place in the continental United States where they can be seen.
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A star party participant examines Saturn on his computer screen.
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“It’s so far south it enables the viewer to see things farther down in the Southern Hemisphere than they can see from anywhere else in the country,” said Winter Star Party founder Tippy D’Auria, an international lecturer and astrophotographer.
Event founder D’Auria is planning a lighthearted presentation that will take listeners on an imaginary tour of the solar system, and introduce a new way to measure astronomical distances.
While the Winter Star Party is open to the public as well as SCAS members, the 2006 event is sold out. For details about the 2007 event, e-mail heinrich1@alltel.net.
For more information about the Winter Star Party, visit the SCAS Web site at scas.org.
For information about accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722. Lower Keys accommodations information also is available on the Keys Web site at fla-keys.com/lowerkeys.
Airline Begins Flights
From Sarasota to Keys
Florida Coastal Airlines has begun nonstop services from Sarasota-Bradenton (Fla.) International Airport, flying to both Key West International and Florida Keys Marathon airports Mondays through Saturdays.
The airline operates twin-engine Cessna 402 commuter planes and roundtrip fares range from $149 to $179, according to the airline’s reservations office. Additional details are available, toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, at 888 I FLY FCA (888-435-9322) or via the airline’s Web site at floridacoastalairlines.com.
For more travel information on the Florida Keys:
www.fla-keys.com
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