Vol. 3, No. 1

November 2006

---

Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Sushi, as portrayed by female impersonator Gary Marion, talks to a sea of revelers at last year's drag queen drop.

Drag Queen, Pirate Wench and Conch Shell Descents; Other Activities to Mark Start of 2007 in Florida Keys

BY CAROL SHAUGHNESSY AND BOB SERATA
Florida Keys News Bureau

New Year's Eve partiers unwilling to endure cold-weather festivities, such as the traditional ball drop in New York's Times Square, can find equally exuberant celebrations and far warmer temperatures in the Florida Keys.

Key West revelers can choose from three very different — though equally lighthearted — takeoffs on the Times Square gala as midnight approaches on Sunday, Dec. 31.

Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau Duval Street, outside Sloppy Joe's, is filled with people as they watch a facsimile of a conch shell lowered to mark the beginning of the New Year.

On the island city's renowned Duval Street, thousands of people are expected to ring in the New Year by watching a 6-foot-tall conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, descend to the roof of Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St. The gigantic manmade shell is traditionally suspended on an A-frame high above the bar's flat roof. As a huge clock counts down the seconds to midnight, the shell's descent begins. For more information, call (305) 296-2388, ext. 121.

A few blocks away at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St., renowned female impersonator Sushi is slated to take the celebration's center stage for the 10th consecutive year. Seconds before midnight, a lavishly gowned and coiffed Sushi — riding in a 6-foot red high heel that glitters as glowingly as the ball in Times Square — is to be lowered from the balcony of the complex to the accompaniment of cheers and applause from the crowd below. Performances by nationally acclaimed female impersonators are to kick off the merrymaking. For more details, call (305) 293-9800.

Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau Pirate wench Evalena Worthington is lowered from the mast of a tall ship to highlight New Year's Eve activities at the Schooner Wharf Bar.

In Key West's Historic Seaport, New Year's Eve revelry combines with a salute to the island city's colorful seafaring heritage. Just before midnight, a pirate wench is to begin her descent from the top of the mast of the tall ship Liberty Clipper accompanied by cannon blasts — completing her earthward journey as the clock strikes and the New Year officially begins. Live music, dancing and festivities at the Schooner Wharf Bar are to round out the seaport gala. For more information, call (305) 292-3302.

Those who prefer to mark the New Year with song rather than seafaring can join Island Opera Theatre for a one-woman tribute to legendary singer Rosemary Clooney. "Tenderly" is set for 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, in the Grand Foyer of the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road on the campus of Florida Keys Community College. The cabaret-style tribute is to star Maj Johnson, accompanied by the Southernmost Brass — which includes three members who performed with Clooney. The $100 per person ticket price includes hors d'oeuvres, champagne, the show, two hours of music and dancing afterwards, and party hats and balloons to ring in the New Year. For tickets, call (305) 296-1520 or visit www.keystix.com.

Revelers in Islamorada can enjoy the "blast of all blasts," set to launch at midnight Dec. 31 at Holiday Isle Resort and Marina, mile marker (MM) 84 oceanside. Food, drinks and live music throughout the property are to lead up to a spectacular midnight fireworks display. Call (305) 664-2321 for details.

Blackwater Sound in Key Largo also is to be the setting for a New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza. The display is hosted by bayside restaurants Sundowners, Senior Frijoles, Cactus Jacks, Gus' Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around MM 104. Tables fill up fast, so partiers are advised to arrive early. For information, call (305) 451-4502.

Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

Mark Beale of Voorhees, N.J., aims his telescope at last year's star party.

Astronomers
to Scan Night Skies
During Winter Star Party

BY CAROL SHAUGHNESSY
Florida Keys News Bureau

Several hundred professional and amateur astronomers from around the world are to set up their telescopes in the Florida Keys Feb. 12-18, attracted by the chance for 180-degree viewing of the Southern Cross and other constellations during the 23rd annual Winter Star Party.

The event's primary draw for astronomers and astrophotographers is the large number of constellations, comets and stars visible from the Keys — virtually the only place in the continental United States where they can be seen. The Keys' southern location, clear night skies and relative absence of city lights contribute to the prime viewing opportunities.

The annual star party takes place at Camp Wesumkee, a Girl Scout camp on West Summerland Key in the Lower Florida Keys. Participants can attend lectures and presentations by nationally recognized experts and purchase vendors' latest products, while a popular Kids Kamp is available for young attendees.

The gathering is hosted by Miami's Southern Cross Astronomical Society, one of the oldest amateur astronomical societies in the Western Hemisphere.

Space at the Winter Star Party is extremely limited, so early registration is suggested. Cost is $75 per person, with additional charges for camping, chickee accommodations and RV or trailer space. The registration deadline is Nov. 15, and a $15 late fee is imposed after that date.

For more information and registration details, visit www.scas.org.

For information about accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722, or visit www.fla-keys.com.

Snow is virtually impossible in the sunny Keys ... except at the annual Florida Keys Holiday Festival, set for Friday Dec. 1, at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside in Islamorada.

With winter temperatures expected to dip into the 70s, festival weather should be perfect for the 35-foot-tall snow-blowing community holiday tree and sled-friendly, climbable snow mountain.

Hours for the 2006 festival are Friday 4-11 p.m.

The festival parade, themed Wishes Do Come True, is set to start at 7 p.m. Friday. Santa Claus is to ride in the parade's final float and is expected to stay for pictures with good little girls and boys. A holiday arts and crafts bazaar will be open during the entire festival. Thirty-five local artists are creating one-of-a-kind pieces to be displayed during the festival, and then sold by silent auction.

A special treat for adults — while the kids play in the snow — is an inaugural wine village featuring wine tastings (tasters must be 21 years of age or older) and wine available for purchase.

Live music, dancers, carolers and delicious food are to be on hand to make the festival fun for everyone in the family. For performance schedules and more information on festival events, contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-FAB-KEYS.