Vol. 3, No. 12

October 2007

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Photos by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Offshore raceboats cross the starting line at last year's world championship.

By Andy Newman
Florida Keys News Bureau

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Maintaining its reputation as the "Indianapolis of Offshore Powerboat Racing," Key West is getting set to host its 27th world championship Nov. 4-11.

The extravaganza kicks off with a 4 p.m. parade of raceboats down the island's legendary Duval Street on Sunday, Nov. 4. It continues through the week with races on Wednesday, Nov. 7; Friday, Nov. 9; and Sunday, Nov. 11. In between are a dizzying array of social events and many opportunities to mingle with racers and their crews in the dry pits located at the Truman Annex waterfront, at the end of Southard Street.

Race Director John Carbonell said he expects more than 60 boats, in various classes, to compete in Key West.

"This is our 27th year and the event has built over the years," said Carbonell, also president of Super Boat International Productions, one of the event's sanctioning bodies. "It's not only a race, it's a party and a lot of fans come down, watch racing and have a good time."

Nigel Hook, left, and James Sheppard celebrate their world title in the Super Vee class at last year's championship.

"Key West always has the hype," Tomlinson. "It can be flat. It can be rough. It is always challenging. If you can get through three races, it's a rewarding way to end the year."

Tomlinson said he and owner/driver David Scott of Edwardsville, Ill., plan to be in Key West with a new 50-foot boat. Budweiser Select is equipped with two 1,500 hp engines and, according to Tomlinson, can hit speeds approaching 180 mph.

More details, including a schedule of events and information on all-inclusive VIP spectator packages, are available on the Super Boat Web site by clicking here.

In addition to prime viewing from the "grandstand areas" of Truman Annex, several Key West harborfront hotels stage race day specials combining lunch and refreshments with excellent viewing venues.

By Carol Shaughnessy
Florida Keys News Bureau

BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys — In 1957, the National Key Deer Refuge was established in the Lower Florida Keys to protect and preserve the diminutive Key deer and other Keys wildlife resources. Saturday, Nov. 17, the refuge's 50 years of conservation are to be commemorated by regional officials, dignitaries, refuge staff and volunteers.

The anniversary celebration, slated for 4-7 p.m., is open to the public at the refuge's new administration building at 28950 Watson Blvd. off Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key.

A Key deer peers through brush in the refuge. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

These native habitats sustain the tiny Key deer, a subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer, and 21 other threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Since the refuge was established, the Key deer, once nearing extinction because of over-hunting and habitat loss, has rebounded to a healthy population of between 600 and 700 animals.

The refuge also is a stopping point for thousands of migratory birds each year, and a winter home to many North American bird species including the roseate tern and peregrine falcon.

More than 90,000 visitors explore the refuge each year, drawn by the chance to view the deer and other wildlife and enjoy the pristine natural lands. Popular attractions are the Blue Hole, a freshwater quarry inhabited by a diverse array of wildlife, and two interpretive nature trails — the Jack C. Watson Trail that winds through pinelands into a tropical hardwood hammock, and a wheelchair-accessible route through pine rocklands to a small wetland area.

For the 50th anniversary celebration, a free shuttle is to transport attendees between the Visitor Center at Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza, just off U.S. Highway 1 at MM 30.3 bayside, and the celebration site. The shuttle is to run every 15 minutes from 3 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.

For more information, call the refuge at (305) 872-0774 or (305) 872-2239.

Two hundred twenty-two luxury rooms and suites on the Gulf of Mexico, cuisine by renowned chef Norman Van Aken and a 6,000-square-foot conference facility are to highlight Beachside Resort & Conference Center, set to open Oct. 19 in Key West.

The resort is situated at the entrance to the island at 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Blending a sophisticated urban elegance with Key West's unique laid-back attitude, it is to offer five-star amenities on seven acres of lush waterfront property.

Accommodations include 129 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and 93 standard king rooms with plush beds, décor in soft earth tones, LCD flat-panel televisions and bathrooms with marble Jacuzzi tubs.

Suites feature fully equipped gourmet kitchens. Many incorporate spiral staircases leading to the private beach and heated pool or to a private sundeck.

Beachside's amenities are to include 24-hour front desk, concierge and room service; reserved covered parking, a fitness center, a private helicopter landing pad, valet service, a business center and free WiFi.

The property's food and beverage program is directed by master chef Norman Van Aken. Van Aken is to preside over Tavern N Town, offering small plates at the relaxed Tavern and gourmet dining at the elegant Town. Tavern N Town is to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Plans call for Beachside's conference center to offer a variety of conference, meeting, party and banquet facilities with top-of-the-line audiovisual and sound systems. Outdoor function space also is available.

For more information and reservations, click here.

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