Vol. 3, No. 2

December 2006

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Photo courtesy of Dolphin Research Center

Santa's smiling face may shortly be eclipsed by Santini's in holiday photos for kids and families visiting the Florida Keys. Santini, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, and other dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, mile marker 59 on Grassy Key near Marathon, are available for holiday photo sessions through Dec. 22. For more details, call (305) 289-1121, ext. 213.

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Key West and Key Largo
to Host Acclaimed
Sailing Races

BY JOSIE GULLIKSEN
Florida Keys News Bureau

Celebrating two decades of world-class yacht racing in the Florida Keys, the Acura Key West 2007 international sailing regatta, set for Jan. 15-19 and headquartered at Key West's Historic Seaport, shows no signs of slowing down. The field of competitors, including national and international greats from the yachting world, has event organizer Peter Craig elated about the 2007 lineup.

Photo by Andy Newman/ Florida Keys News Bureau Farr 40 sailing yachts cross the start line during one of nine races staged during Acura Key West 2006.

"The marquee lineup of programs and athletes is as impressive as any in the previous 19 years," said Craig. "A significant grand prix component and the debut of many new designs will add plenty of excitement as we celebrate the 20th Key West Race Week."

World-class sailors Jim Swartz, Russell Coutts, Torbjorn Tornquist, Leonard Ferragamo and Sir Peter Ogden are to lead the pack striving for the coveted championship win.

Several boats, including the Annapolis 30, Beneteau 10R, Columbia 30 and NYYC Swan 42 are to make their debut.

For information on Acura Key West 2007, visit www.premiere-racing.com.

Prior to the Key West races, the North American Multihull Sailing Association's North American Championships and 2007 Tradewinds Midwinter Open Cat Nationals are to take place Jan. 12-14 off Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside on Plantation Key.

World-renowned catamaran sailors are to set sail in races including the North American F18 Midwinters, Shark Midwinters, Harken Buoy Series, Wave National Series and F16 Midwinters.

E-mail rick@catsailor.com for full details on the championships and nationals.

Photos by Belinda Serata

The New Sousa Band plays to open the TIB Amphitheater in Islamorada.

Sousa Concert Marks Debut of New Keys Amphitheater

BY BOB SERATA
Florida Keys News Bureau

A concert, featuring marches of famed American composer John Philip Sousa, inaugurated a new million-dollar outdoor performing arts amphitheater in Islamorada recently and Sousa's great-grandson was featured at the event.

Festivities featured Keith Brion and his New Sousa Band at the TIB Amphitheater, situated at Islamorada's Founders Park.

John Philip Sousa IV narrated the concert.

"His marches are very patriotic and hopefully that will make his music timeless," said the composer's great-grandson. "Young kids come up to me and go 'wow , I didn't know about this music,' and some of them I know have downloaded Sousa music on their iPods."

Fireworks exploded to celebrate the opening of the amphitheater.

Just as Sousa did in his day, the free Founders Park concert featured songs presented in a kind of staccato order, with each Sousa march played as an encore to a piece composed by someone else. "Stars and Stripes" was played amid a fireworks extravaganza to herald the opening of the facility.

Located in the heart of Founders Park, the amphitheater takes advantage of the abundance of nature that already exists there: Florida Bay, the sky and the great lawn.

About 300 guests can be accommodated comfortably in the amphitheater layout, either seated or leaning against grassed tiers. Overflow seating on the great lawn can accommodate thousands more.

Backdrops, dressing rooms and service enclosures necessary for performances are designed as collapsible fabric shrouds. The shrouds allow for performance specific "alternate tunings" as required and are stored onsite. The stage is is 42 feet wide by 30 feet deep.

"This amphitheater is marvelous," Sousa IV said. "The community has done just a sensational job and it's been a thrill meeting all the people who have worked so hard to put this together."

The amphitheater is expected to become a major cultural and entertainment center in the Upper Keys.

Photo by Stephen Frink.com

Northeastern University swimmers warm up prior to action at the 2006 Orange Bowl Swimming Classic.

Key Largo Orange Bowl Swimming Classic to Feature Top Collegiate Stars

Some of the nation's finest collegiate swimmers are to vie for honors at a free Orange Bowl Festival event in Key Largo.

The fourth Annual Orange Bowl Swimming Classic is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside in Key Largo.

A sprint-style competition featuring two dozen separate swimming events, the classic is a highlight event of a multi-month Orange Bowl training session for collegiate swimmers from around the world in the Florida Keys.

"In just four years, the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic has developed into a prestigious event associated with the Orange Bowl," said Dr. Jim Boilini, chair of the event and president of the Jacobs Aquatic Center. "The alliance with the Orange Bowl is more than just an economic benefit for Key Largo. It is a source of pride for our community."

A wide variety of Orange Bowl Festival events surrounds the 74th Annual FedEx Orange Bowl, scheduled Jan. 2 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

For information regarding the Swimming Classic, call (305) 453-7946.