Vol. 3, No. 4

February 2007

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Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Runners reach the summit of the Seven Mile Bridge during last year's race.

Seven Mile Bridge Run Applications Available

The 26th annual run over the scenic Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon is set for Saturday, April 21, but the important date is "now."

The run is limited to the first 1,500 applications received by the Marathon Runners Club, so interested runners should send for an application now for the best chance to participate.

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 the mainland. The annual race gives runners the chance to traverse the entire expanse of the landmark bridge.

Original applications must be completely and correctly filled out. Incomplete, incorrect or facsimiles of applications will be refused. An entry fee of $45 per runner must be included as well.

All applications must be requested and returned via the United States Postal Service.

Requests for applications should be sent to the Marathon Runners Club, P.O. Box 500110, Marathon, FL 33050. Requests must include a self-addressed, stamped legal-sized or 4-inch by 9-inch (minimum) envelope.

Applications for the run are to be mailed out on the morning of Feb. 27, 2007. The event serves to raise funds for Marathon-area youth athletic programs.

For more information about the Seven Mile Bridge run, call (305) 743-8513.

Photo by Jane Rohrschneider

William Welch is scheduled to lead an art workshop March 11-16.

Art workshops are to include "Watercolor" with nationally recognized painter, author and teacher Skip Lawrence; and "Seeing Color with a Painter's Eyes" with renowned academic impressionist William Welch.

For writers, National Book Award-winning novelist Robert Stone is to lead an "Intensive Writing Workshop"; critically acclaimed fiction writer Roxana Robinson guides "Writing Novels & Short Stories"; and Michael Mewshaw, noted author of nine novels and six nonfiction books, is to explore "Writing Fiction and Nonfiction."

Most of The Studios of Key West's workshops are set for February and March. All are to take place at the organization's headquarters, the historic Armory building at 600 White St. in the Old Town district.

The Studios of Key West offer shorter workshops as well, with topics ranging from creating acrylic paintings of Key West houses to bookbinding.

Tuition for workshops varies. Participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and class size is limited.

For more information including pricing, visit www.tskw.org, or e-mail info@tskw.org.

From the odd and unusual, to the new and necessary, parts and equipment that make life easier in, on or under water can be found at the 12th annual Gigantic Nautical Flea Market. The event is set for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24-25, at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside on Plantation Key.

Bargains galore on fishing gear and other marine merchandise are available at the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market.

The annual open-air market, the second largest in Florida, allows bargain hunters to check out new and used boat parts, electronics, marine products, scuba and snorkel gear, dock equipment, nautical arts and crafts, fishing gear and clothing.

Flea market hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www.giganticnauticalfleamarket.org or call (305) 453-3802.

Photo by Alicia Renner/FKNB

Helen Uebbing won the women's division at last year's Conch Shell Blowing Contest.

The Conch Shell Blowing Contest celebrates the importance of conch in the Keys. Early in Key West's history, sailors employed the fluted, pink-lined shells of the sturdy sea mollusks as foghorns, and blasts signaled salvagers that a sinking ship had been spotted offshore. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs. Their island home is known as the Conch Republic.

Each year, several dozen entrants from toddlers to seniors compete in the Conch Shell Blowing Contest, creating sounds that are judged on their quality, duration, loudness and novelty.

The March 3 competition is free to enter and watch. For more information, call (305) 294-9501 or visit www.oirf.org.

Beginning Feb. 15, Florida Keys-bound visitors can take advantage of Delta Connection's new Atlanta-to-Marathon commuter jet service.

The approximately two-hour flights are to depart Atlanta daily at 10:40 a.m. Return trips from Florida Keys Marathon Airport to Atlanta are scheduled to leave each day at 1 p.m.

On Fridays, Delta adds a second flight that leaves Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. That aircraft is to remain overnight in Marathon and serve as a second departure Saturdays, leaving the Keys at 9 a.m.

Delta's new service is to be operated by Canadair CRK 200 regional jet that carries 40 passengers. Florida Keys Marathon Airport is conveniently situated between Key Largo and Key West.

For reservations and rate information, visit www.delta.com.

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