Florida Keys Real Estate Blog
Date: 03/10/2009 Time:5:10 p.m.
GREAT PRICE REDUCTION ON A BEAUTIFUL HOME - REDUCED FROM $295,000 TO $270,000 LOCATED IN THE GATED COMMUNITY OF FLORIDIAN BAY ESTATES. 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHROOMS, LARGE CORNER LOT, FENCED BACKYARD, 2 CAR GARAGE, ATTIC SPACE.....COMMUNITY POOLS, GYM, CLUBHOUSE. CLICK BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A SHOWING.
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Date: 03/16/209 Time: 4:57
A nice price reduction on 2 lots - permit is ready - plans for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2,037 Sq. Ft. stilt home with wrap around balcony, storage - located in a desireable community in Key Largo close to schools, shops, restaurants, easy communte to Miami/Dade. Community features a bayfront homeowners park with boat ramp, temporary dockage, picnic area. $175,000. Fill out the form below with any questions, comments or concerns that you might have.
Date: 04/06/2009 Time: 2:31 pm
UPCOMING EVENTS:
DRAGON BOAT RACING RETURNS TO FLORIDA KEYS MAY 9
MARATHON, Florida Keys — The waters off Sombrero Beach are to be transformed into a swift racecourse for the Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival set for Saturday, May 9.
The dragons are a strong and powerful symbol of spring rains and growth in Chinese culture. Photo courtesy of John Duke, Florida Keys Dragon Boat Club
Often, races are decided by a fraction of a second, making for high-octane excitement and adrenaline-pumping action. Photos courtesy of Battle in the Bay
Not only are 20 paddlers working in unison on dragon boats, but a skilled steersman in the stern guides them to the finish line, like this pirate-clad Key West teammate.
Teams feel a sense of accomplishment, competing in tandem with the steersman guiding them on the stern (shown here in the green), and the drummer beating the rowing rhythm on the bow (here seated, in red).
Dragon boat racing, one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, involves 20 paddlers moving in unison — a combination of strength and teamwork.
The sport premiered in the Florida Keys in 2006 at Key West’s Truman Waterfront. This year’s venue is Marathon, promising to offer spectators and racers a convenient location in the Middle Keys.
Sombrero Beach provides a pristine setting and direct-from-the-beach launch for the sleek, 40-foot-long race boats whose elaborate designs originated in ancient China.
The legend of dragon boat racing dates back to the fourth century B.C. during the Ch’u dynasty in China. The emperor’s personal advisor, Qu Yuan, drowned himself in the Mi Lo River in defiance of the ruler’s corrupt and indulgent lifestyle. Local fishermen, in an effort to keep the river’s water dragons and fish from consuming Qu Yuan’s earthly body, beat drums and vigorously splashed the water with their paddles.
The modern dragon boat race is a re-enactment of these fishermen in the race to save their martyr Qu Yuan from the creatures of the deep. The dragons are a strong and powerful symbol of spring rains and growth in Chinese culture.
Dragon boat racing is a sport for men and women of all ages and abilities, and essential team components include a competitive spirit and the ability to work together.
According to event director Karen Bowers, a minimum of 20 teams is expected, with a goal of 40 participating teams total. Teams already on the race circuit are expected to come from South Florida and as far away as Arizona to join the Battle in the Bay.
Also expected are team boats paddled by breast cancer survivors, with inspiring names such as Save Our Sisters and the Pink Dragonladies.
Team registration and entry deadline is April 25. Great White North is returning as race day officials and is setting the 400-meter course parallel to the beach.
Racing is divided into qualifying heats, semifinals and finals, all representing more than 20 races. Sometimes races are decided by a fraction of a second, making for an action-filled day.
Team registration begins at 7 a.m. and racing begins at 9 a.m., with an awards ceremony set for 5 p.m.
The festival is free and open to the public.
Food, beverages, merchandise and a variety of entertainment are to be available shoreside.
For more information about the Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival, visit battleinthebay.org, e-mail lunarchik@earthlink.net or call (305) 766-1053.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Marathon Chamber of Commerce at (305) 743-5417 or (800) 262-7284 .
