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<title>Florida Keys and Key West</title>
<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/</link>
<description>The Official Florida Keys and Key West Web Site is your Premier Travel Guide to the Florida Keys: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, Key West.  Accommodations, Real Estate, Diving &amp; Snorkeling, Fishing &amp; Boating, Museums &amp; Tours, Restaurants &amp; Bars, Theaters &amp; Art Galleries, Events and more.  Brought to you by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.</description>
<language>en</language>

<copyright>Copyright 2010, Monroe County Tourist Development Council</copyright>
<managingEditor>josie@newmanpr.com</managingEditor>
<webMaster>todd@keywest.com</webMaster>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:00:00 EST</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:00:00 EST</lastBuildDate>

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	<title>Florida Keys and Key West</title>
	<url>http://www.fla-keys.com/rss/images/flakeyslogo2.gif</url>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/</link>
	<width>144</width>
	<height>91</height>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Diver Derbies to Net Lionfish and $10,000 in Cash and Prizes ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7875</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS – Putting an innovative twist on fishing tournaments, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in partnership with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), have created three fishing derbies for the dive community to capture and remove non-native lionfish from Keys waters.

Participants learn how to collect the Indo-Pacific red lionfish, whose rapidly growing populations in Atlantic waters are outcompeting native fish for food and territory, as well as how to clean and f]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Key West BrewFest to Highlight Labor Day Weekend ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7867</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — More than 60 beers and ales including unique microbrews are to be on tap at Key West BrewFest, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Sept. 3-5, beside the Atlantic Ocean. 


Also featuring mouthwatering food and live reggae and calypso music, the Labor Day weekend celebration is hosted by the Southernmost Hotel Collection and the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of the Conch Republic. Proceeds are to benefit the club and its charitable efforts both locally and worldwide. 

]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Florida Governor Discontinues State of Emergency for Keys, Other Florida Counties
 ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7874</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Florida Governor Charlie Crist Thursday discontinued a State of Emergency Order for Monroe County (Florida Keys) and 18 other Florida Peninsula coastal counties that had been threatened by the Transocean/BP oil spill.
 
Even though oil has not flowed from the well site since July 15, seven Panhandle counties including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin are to remain under an extended state of emergency in order to qualify for economic aid under state and federal dis]]></description>
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	<title><![CDATA[Stone Crab Season Opens Friday, Oct. 15]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7871</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS — Bring on the dipping sauce! Starting Friday, Oct.15, stone crab claws, brought fresh to shore from Florida Keys waters, will be steamed, cracked, plated and served dipped in melted butter or a savory mustard sauce.
	


During the seven-month-long stone crab season, hundreds of thousands of pounds of Florida’s stellar crustacean will make their way from area waters to diners across the nation who hunger for their sweet, tender meat. 
	


According to the Florida Fish and Wi]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Conch Life Scramble Brings Saltwater Golf to Marathon Sept. 24-25

]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7868</link>
	<description><![CDATA[MARATHON, Florida Keys — Keys boating visitors and residents can practice their follow-through while feeding the fish and raising money for charity during Marathon’s Conch Life Scramble Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25. The scramble is the third in a series of wild and wacky on-the-water golf tournaments in the Florida Keys.


As many as 40 teams consisting of four players and a fifth designated driver are expected to participate. Players take two shots at each of nine holes located at waterf]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Poker Run Bikers to Travel Florida Keys’ Overseas Highway Sept. 16-19

]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7851</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Motorcyclists from throughout the United States are to travel one of America’s most scenic highways to raise money for charity during the 38th annual Key West Poker Run, set for Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 16-19.


Riders on up to 10,000 bikes are expected to traverse the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1), the 113-mile roadway from mainland Florida to Key West that features 42 bridges and long vistas of breathtaking open water. 


Beginning Sept. 1 bikers can re]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Volunteer Divers to Help Plant Corals for Reef Restoration]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7862</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Increased efforts to promote “voluntourism,” or volunteer opportunities for vacationers, can contribute to the self-sufficiency and sustainability of tourist destinations. Marine scientists with Key Largo’s Coral Restoration Foundation are offering voluntourism-minded divers a chance to aid in reef conservation during planned coral restoration dives Oct. 19-21 with Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo.
	

Focused on environmental education, the advocacy group organizes le]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[America’s First Undersea Park to Celebrate 50th Birthday]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7850</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Plans are underway for a milestone birthday celebration as <a href="http://www.fla-keys.com/pennekamp50/">John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park</a>, America’s first underwater preserve, turns 50 years old. The historic event is set for Wednesday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, offering an ideal occasion for divers, snorkelers and other visitors to discover or rediscover the Key Largo park.
	

The park was dedicated Dec. 10, 1960, capping efforts by the late ]]></description>
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	<title><![CDATA[First Divers Complete Florida Keys ‘Wreck Trek’ Challenge]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7849</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS — Eleven Florida divers recently became the first “Wreck Trekker” dive enthusiasts to complete nine wreck dives as part of the Florida Keys Wreck Trek Passport Program.
	

The dive challenge, developed by tourism officials and area dive operators, showcases the world-class diving destination’s string of sunken vessels and artificial reefs, and awards participants for completing a series of wreck dives featured in a passport-style dive logbook. 
	

Rocky Welch, manager of a div]]></description>
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	<title><![CDATA[Key West to Be ‘Habitat for Insanity’ During Oct. 22-31 Fantasy Fest]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7848</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Expect Key West’s habitual eccentricity and offbeat flavor to intensify radically during Fantasy Fest 2010, themed “Habitat for Insanity.” 


Set for Oct. 22-31, the uninhibited extravaganza entices attendees to abandon real-world cares for a fantasy escape on America’s southernmost island. The annual 10-day festival offers more than 40 masquerade balls, costume contests and celebrations, culminating in a dazzling parade of large-scale floats and costumed marching gro]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival Set For Sept. 22-26]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7841</link>
	<description><![CDATA[MARATHON, Florida Keys — Nature enthusiasts can get acquainted with some of the unique birds and wildlife native to the Florida Keys at the 12th annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival set for Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 22–26. 
	

The family-friendly event is to be staged at the quiet oceanfront preserve of Curry Hammock State Park, mile marker (MM) 56.2 in Marathon, with field trips scheduled throughout the Florida Keys. 


Though the primary festival program starts Friday,]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Music and Comedy to Take Center Stage at Sept. 7-12 Womenfest ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7842</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY WEST, Florida Keys — A hot entertainment lineup and a warm welcome await attendees at Key West’s Womenfest, a celebration for lesbians and their friends set for Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 7-12, in the island city known for its all-welcoming diversity. 


Thousands of singles, couples and groups of women are expected to flock to Key West to immerse themselves in activities ranging from women-only snorkeling and watersports excursions to late-night dance parties. 


Festival highlight]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Vacation in the Keys and Get a Free Companion Airfare Certificate ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7532</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Florida Keys vacationers now have more time to get a free companion airfare certificate, good for future passage on five legacy U.S. airlines when they stay in a room for two or more nights at participating Florida Keys accommodations.

           
The promotion has been extended through <b>September 30, 2010</b>.

           
Keys properties included in the program are listed <a href="http://www.fla-keys.com/freeairfare/">here</a>.

           
While area tourism officials hope visitor]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Florida Keys’ Coral Reefs Set for Some Sexual Healing]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7824</link>
	<description><![CDATA[FLORIDA KEYS — Sparked by the August and September full moons, a rare and wondrous underwater exchange of reproductive cells heralds the continued survival of coral reefs and creates a fascinating experience for divers.
	

According to researchers, corals use multiple reproductive strategies. Nearly all large reef-building species release millions of gametes once a year in synchronized mass spawnings. This spectacular white excretion enables the immobile animals to send their eggs and sperm i]]></description>
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	<title><![CDATA[Registration Open for Key Largo Bridge Run Nov. 13]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7804</link>
	<description><![CDATA[KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Registration is open for the second annual Key Largo Bridge Run, set for Saturday, Nov. 13. Organizers are planning a 10k event in addition to a half marathon and a 5k run/walk that is open to all ages.
	

The out-and-back foot races across the 65-foot-high, 1.25-mile-long Jewfish Creek Bridge are to occupy the northbound lanes of the bridge and the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a section of the Overseas Highway that connects mainland south Florida to Key ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title><![CDATA[The Keys for the Kids

]]></title>
	<link>http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7721</link>
	<description><![CDATA[By Christina Baez,
Florida Keys News Bureau

The theme song of the popular Disney Channel children’s television show “Phineas and Ferb” describes kids’ ultimate summer dilemma in its opening lines: “There’s 104 days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it. So the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it.” 

The Florida Keys & Key West can solve that dilemma, since the island chain is jam-packed with ways for kids and families to make summer days ]]></description>
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