A new value-added vacation program has been launched by the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council providing additional incentives to visit the Keys this winter.

The "ValuCation" program enables travelers to discover special offers at Keys accommodations, attractions and restaurants. The specials are good through April 15, 2009, and can be found at fla-keys.com/valucation.

Women and girls from around the United States and the world are to gather in Key West for sporting action during the Kelly McGillis Classic International Women's & Girls' Flag Football Championship, scheduled Sunday, Feb. 1, through Monday, Feb. 9.

According to Diane Beruldsen, president and founder of the International Women's Flag Football Association, more than 50 teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe are to join McGillis in Key West for the 18th annual championship. The sporting challenge is named for and endorsed by the critically acclaimed actress, a former Key West resident who starred in "Top Gun" and "Witness" among other films.

Flag football teams compete in divisions based on age and skill level. Women 18 and over can compete in beginners, middle and higher divisions, while separate girls' divisions accommodate players age 8-14 and 14-17.

McGillis is to lead the ceremonial players' parade, set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, down Key West's Duval Street. She also is set to play in the tournament.

For more information and a schedule of events, and to learn about the IWFFA, visit iwffa.com.

Key West's Cypress House and Pearl's Rainbow are among the Keys' newest certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize the state's environmentally conscious lodging facilities.

The properties earned "one-palm" certification for practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

"Green" aspects of the 19th-century Cypress House, located at 601 Caroline St., include a towel and linen reuse program, a recycling program, energy conservation through high-efficiency fluorescent lighting, using recycled products whenever possible and using eco-friendly and phosphate-free cleaning products and guest amenities.

Heather Carruthers and Leslie Leonelli, partners in Pearl's, initiated a linen reuse program and began separating trash for recycling a decade ago when they purchased the guesthouse for women at 525 United St.

Additional environmental practices adopted at Pearl's Rainbow include utilizing mulch and a minimum of 80 percent organic fertilizer in landscaping, planting native plants that require less water, installing high-efficiency showerheads in all baths, purchasing many supplies in bulk and using organic, environmentally friendly cleaning products and recycled paper products.

The Southernmost Hotel Collection is set for a December opening of a multimillion-dollar expansion of its Southernmost on the Beach, characterized by Key West architectural styling and lush landscaping.

The expansion, at 510 South St., features 80 luxurious guestrooms — each measuring more than 400 square feet — overlooking the Atlantic. All rooms offer private balconies, ocean views, flat-screen televisions and nautically inspired décor with mahogany furnishings.

Visit southernmostresorts.com.

he show stars a luscious drag queen called Sushi instead of a pigtailed innocent named Dorothy, but like "The Wizard of Oz," New Year's Eve in Key West features a ruby slipper.

On Dec. 31, a lavishly costumed Sushi will preside over the festivities in front of the Bourbon Street Complex on Key West's Duval Street — perched in a super-sized red high heel suspended high above the crowd.

Seconds before midnight, the ruby slipper carrying Sushi is to be lowered from the complex's second-story balcony toward the spectators below.

"In Times Square they drop the ball," said Sushi, whose annual descent has been featured repeatedly on CNN's live New Year's Eve program. "In Key West, they drop the red shoe, with Sushi in it."

As midnight strikes, Sushi is to land and pop the cork on a ceremonial bottle of champagne, welcoming 2009 in true Key West style.

Want to be part of the celebration? For accommodations information, visit gaykeywestfl.com or fla-keys.com.