Archive for January, 2008

Olympians Swimming in Key Largo

Several Olympic medal winners, including 10-time medal winner Gary Hall Jr., plan to appear in the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic on Saturday, January 5th, in Key Largo, organizers said Thursday.

Other Olympians include Darren Mew, a 2004 Olympic finalist for Great Britain; George Bovell, a 2004 bronze medalist; Guy Barnea, member of the 2008 Israeli Olympic team; and Allison Wagner, a silver medalist in the 1996 Olympics.

Although the Olympians plan to swim in demonstration heats, the competition features some of the nation’s top collegiate swimmers.

The sprint-style meet is to begin at 10 a.m. at the Jacobs Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside in Key Largo.

”From the time someone leaves the blocks to the time the event is over, there’s a person in the water,” said Jim Boilini, the event’s director. “So there’s no interruptions, no hesitation. Just nonstop action.”

For information, call 305-453-7946.

Save-a-Turtle’s 1st 2008 Meeting 1-7-08

Monroe County’s Save-A-Turtle, Inc. will have its first meeting of 2008 next week.

The Jan. 7 meeting will be at the Turtle Hospital, 2396 Overseas Highway. The board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the general meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Russ and Mary Draper will present a DVD showing a nest hatching in Key West, and Tom Luebke will show a DVD of hospital founder Richie Moretti receiving the International Fund for Animals Welfare Award.

The nonprofit organization educates people about sea turtles and donates materials to local schools, libraries and organizations. Its volunteers look for turtle nests and assist with sick, injured or dead turtles.

For more information, see www.save-a-turtle.org or www.turtlehospital.org.