BOGART IS BACK!

HUMPHREY BOGART that is! American legend and great, late star of iconic films including KEY LARGO and CASABLANCA. The inaugural HUMPHREY BOGART FILM FESTIVAL will take place in Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada next THURSDAY, MAY 2^nd through SUNDAY, MAY 5^th. Events include 4 days of classic films, CASABLANCA-themed BOGART BALL, Bogart memorabilia exhibition, film workshops, Seminar by Festival Hosts: Bogie’s son STEPHEN BOGART and film authority LEONARD MALTIN plus a closing brunch with Festival Hosts. Events are being booked as we speak so make your reservations NOW!

For more details and tickets, call 1-800-822-1088 or visit:

http://bogartfilmfestival.com/

GET YOUR “CONCH” ON!

The Upper Keys hosts its annual Conch Republic Days in Key Largo and Islamorada Sunday, April 21^st through Sunday, April 28^th. Key Lime Pie Contest, progressive wine dinner, restaurant competition, conch fritter eating contest and conch shell blowing event are among the festivities. The event celebrates the mock secession of the Florida Keys from the United States in 1982 following a US border patrol blockade that virtually stopped traffic on US 1 from the mainland. In protest, local officials announced the birth of the Conch Republic, declared “war” on the US, lightheartedly pelted agents with Cuban bread, then surrendered 60 seconds later and demanded $1 billion in foreign aid. Today Conch patriots fly the blue and white Conch Republic flag and celebrate Keys’ style! For more info, visit:

http://keylargoconchrepublicdays.com/

photo courtesy FL Keys News Bureau

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

FKEC ANNUAL MEETING AND PICNIC - Florida Keys Electric Cooperative community event. Saturday, April 10^th, Coral Shores High School, Tavernier, registration starts at 11:00 am, followed by entertainment, lunch, games, exhibits and meeting. For more info, call 305-852-2431 or visit:

http://www.fkec.com/Cooperative/release-detail.cfm?rid=160

CLASSY BUT SASSY – Inaugural event! A very special ladies luncheon benefitting Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of the Florida Keys. Saturday, April 20^th, 11:30 to 1:30, Tavernier Elks Lodge. Catered lunch, cash bar, silent auction, entertainment. $40 per person. For info, call 305-852-7887.

COME FEEL THE VIBE!

THIRD THURSDAY MORADA WAY ART WALK - April 18^th - Don't miss this month's Morada Way Art Walk. Held every month in Islamorada on the Third Thursday. Located at mile marker 81.5 on the Old Highway. Hours of the FREE event are 6 - 9 p.m. Stroll along the Old Highway and Morada Way with family and friends to enjoy artists LIZ QUEENY, PASTA PANTALEO and sculptor DAVID WIRTH. Music by the BLUEGRASS JAM BAND. For info, call: 305-664-9100.

COCOMO’S…Paradise SOLD!

AMERICAN CARIBBEAN REAL ESTATE ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT OCEANFRONT SALE!

American Caribbean Real Estate in Islamorada, the exclusive area affiliate of CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE is proud to announce that the idyllic COCOMO’S just closed at $3,250,000. American Caribbean procured both sellers and buyers for this one-of-a-kind property.

COCOMO’S, AN EXQUISITE OCEANFRONT ESTATE! Ocean views and sandy beach galore! Pool, 250' of sandy beach and dockage with lift. 4B/4B and wide, welcoming porches off most living areas. Main house has 2 kitchens & 2 living rooms. Guest house is an open, bedroom floor plan with kitchen, living area & laundry. Easy ride from Miami, yet a world away! One of Islamorada's best!

22nd Annual ISLAND FEST!

AMERICAN CARIBBEAN REAL ESTATE is proud to be a SPONSOR of Islamorada's Island Festival, Saturday & Sunday, April 13 & 14, at Founders Park, mile marker 87, bayside 10 am until 5 pm rain or shine. There will be live music performances on the beach all day on Saturday, as well as the popular Smoked Fish Dip Contest! On Sunday the big event, "The Taste of Islamorada" will take place. The finest in our Upper Keys restaurants will be participating in a contest for the coveted awards of Best Entrée, Dessert, Appetizer & more. The crowd will be able to buy tickets to purchase samples of the delectable dishes they will be preparing. A world-class art show both days; an All-American Vintage Cruiser Car show both days. Plenty of activities both days for everyone, including kite flying, paint the Island Fest Dolphin for the kids on the beach, hula hoop contests, and the famous Isla-Marauder rum punch will be back again this year. Bring a lawn chair and your camera!
For more info, contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at: 305-664-4503

ART Matters!

Some students with local artist Carmen Sotolongo Kelley

The Coral Shores High School students are displaying their art work
and you are invited!

CSHS First ever Student art show WEDNESDAY,April 10th, 6-8 in the Media Center.

CSHS is located at mile marker 89.9, Oceanside in Tavernier. Call 305-853-3222 for more info.

UPPER KEYS FUN EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!

Events start April 4^th. Main event April 6^th. Mile Marker 105.5, Key Largo. Sponsored by Rotary Club. For info visit:

http://keylargobrewonthebay.com/

April 7^th, FREE event with non-perishable food donation. Mile marker 87, Islamorada. Benefits art & music scholarships. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers not permitted. For info visit:

http://keysice.com/

SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE MAKING A COMEBACK

Is Fort Myers a harbinger of recovery across the state?

Watch the video at CNN Money:

http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2013/04/01/n-florida-housing-rebound.cnnmoney