Archive for June, 2009

Independence Day July 4th Keys Celebrations

The Florida Keys celebrates 2 Independence Days. The mock celebrations of the Florida Keys’ Conch Republic Independence and on the Fourth of July, the real deal, Florida Keys residents like to show their colors and celebrate the nation’s Independence Day.

Lots of events are planned to keep locals and tourists entertained this year, when July Fourth falls on a Saturday. Read more…

Florida Keys Name Game – West Summerland Key to Scout Key

From time to time one of the Florida Keys undergoes a name change. This usually is an insignificant privately owned off shore island and the new owner decides to change their islands name. One example of this is the former Money Key. In 2005 vocalist Nick Hexum purchased and changed the name of the 5.5 acre island from Money Key to Melody Key stating that “it seems to naturally inspire melodies.

Big Pine Key has had many names over the years. The Calusa Indians called it Islands of Cauchiaga. It’s also been called Cayo Pinero, Cayos de Cauchiaga, New Castle Island, and Pine Island. On a British chart in 1772 it was called New Castle Island. In 1848 it was finally named Big Pine Island and from that evolved Big Pine Key.

Fiesta Key was once know as Greyhound Key since it was owned by Greyhound Bus and they operated a bus terminal there.

Vaca Key, which make up much of the town of Marathon in the Middle Keys, almost had it’s name changed to Marathon Key. The proposal was one of many initiatives just prior to Marathon’s incorporation in 1999 — to draw tourists to the Middle Keys.

These are just a few examples of the Florida Keys Name Game. Here is the latest. Read more…

29th Annual Hemingway Days in Key West

Whether composing novels in his Whitehead Street writing studio or fishing for big game in local waters, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway left a powerful legacy in Key West. His zest for life, literary accomplishments and enduring affection for the island he called home throughout the 1930s are to be commemorated Tuesday through Sunday, July 21-26, during the annual Hemingway Days celebration.

Scheduled events include a look-alike contest for stocky white-bearded men resembling Hemingway, readings and book signings by nationally acclaimed authors, an awards ceremony for the renowned literary competition directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway, a commemoration of the 110th anniversary of Ernest’s July 21 birth, a one-man play exploring the literary legend’s life and motivations, a museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia, a zany “Running of the Bulls” and a three-day marlin tournament recalling Hemingway’s devotion to the deep-sea sport.

During his Key West residence, Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his most enduring works and spent his leisure hours fishing and socializing with local and literary cohorts. Each year, fans of his writing and exuberant lifestyle come together for Hemingway Days.
Read more…

Ocean Heroes Award Winner…John Halas

The contest, launched in early May of this year, was created to honor ocean advocates who have made a difference for the oceans on a local or international level. Out of eight finalists, this year’s winner is John Halas, a marine biologist and manager of the Upper Region of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Few people have done more to protect the world’s coral reefs than John Halas. After observing coral damage caused by careless anchoring, he developed an environmental anchor and mooring buoy system that quickly spread worldwide as marine parks, dive operators, resorts, and private citizens wanted secure moorings to protect their sensitive marine habitats. John has heroically assisted more than 38 countries in efforts to protect corals, provide secure anchorages, and mark sites with moorings. Read more…

Are You Ready to Swim Key West?

Friday June 12, 2009
Pre-race Meeting & Registration
Anytime between 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Southernmost Hotel & Resort Main Pool
1319 Duval St.

Saturday June 13
1-Mile & 2-Mile Open Water Swim
7:30 am
Southernmost Beach Café Beach at the foot of Duval

FKCC Swim Around Key West
8:30 am
Southernmost Beach Café Beach at the foot of Duval

Post Race Party
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Southernmost Beach Café

For more information click this link FKCC Swim Around Key West

25th Annual Underwater Music Festival – Big Pine Key

Forty years after the release of their “Yellow Submarine” album, the Beatles are embarking on another underwater adventure. Divers costumed as the iconic quartet are to star in the 25th annual Underwater Music Festival set for Saturday, July 11, in the waters off the Lower Florida Keys. Divers portraying “Ringo Starfish,” “John Lemon-shark,” “Paul McCarpney” and “George Herringson” are to rock the waters of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef during the offbeat underwater event, which typically draws as many as 600 divers and snorkelers each year. The submerged songfest is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary south of Big Pine Key. It celebrates the colorful marine life that characterizes the Keys’ unique coral reef ecosystem while encouraging environmentally responsible diving. As well as watching the Beatles pretenders “perform” beneath the sea accompanied by backup singer “Mako Ono,” finned fans might even spot a replica yellow submarine saluting the album’s 1969 release.

Staged by local radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, the fish-friendly festival features the station’s selections broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned at the reef. The playlist is to include ocean-themed ditties such as Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” authentic humpback whale song and, of course, the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” and “Yellow Submarine.” Underwater music “afishionados” also plan to jam on aquatic instruments sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers. Blending elements of sea creatures and actual instruments, Powers’ creations include a trom-bonefish, manta-lin and drumfish. To draw attention to the underlying message of reef preservation, the musical broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements featuring tips on enjoying the ocean while minimizing impact on the marine environment.

To participate in the Underwater Music Festival’s 25th anniversary, divers and snorkelers can reserve space aboard boats run by Lower Keys dive operators or launch their own boats from public ramps and local marinas. For information about area dive charters and accommodations, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (800) 872-3722 or (305) 872-2411, or visit www.fla-keys.com or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

National Parks Waive Fees for 3 Weekends This Summer

National parks, including Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park in South Florida, will drop fees for three summer weekends. The parks will lift admission fees June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16. About half the parks charge entrance fees. Everglades charges $10 per car for a pass that is good for one week. Dry Tortugas charges $5 to visitors, who must get to the site 70 miles west of Key West by boat or ferry.

The waiver does not include other fees for camping, reservations, tours and use of concessions. But some tour operators, hotels, restaurants, gift shops and other vendors also will offer additional discounts and special promotions, the park service said. At Shark Valley, for instance, the tram tour will offer a discount: Buy one ticket, get a second ticker of equal or lesser value at half price. For more information on fees and discounts, go to www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.html.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the fee waivers on Tuesday, calling it a dual effort to provide affordable vacations and to boost the economy in communities bordering the nation’s 319 national parks.