New additions & improvements

Recently we have made a number of improvements to the house.

New flatscreen TV in the downstairs Master.
New Dishwasher
New back-up washing machine
New fridge being delivered shortly
Two new aluminum outdoor dining sets on the poolside
Eight new all weather rocking chairs on the beachside porch
Master shower downstairs retiled
New dinner ware, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils, pots & pans.

We are planning more upgrades to The Last Resort in the coming 6 months.

We hope our guests will enjoy the continuing upgrades to the property, while keeping it's originality.

President Obama to visit Keys

President Barack Obama will visit the Southernmost City in the spring to announce the lifting of some travel restrictions to Cuba, a newspaper reported Tuesday. The island nation, of course, is just 90 miles away from Key West.

The Washington Times cites as its source retired Maj. Andy Messing Jr. from the Army Special Forces. The Special Forces have a training site on Fleming Key off Key West.

White House spokeswoman Gannet Tseggai said no such trip is planned.

The Key West City Commission passed a resolution last week inviting Obama to visit the Little White House in Key West for the celebration of President Harry Truman's 125th birthday on May 8.

''But President Obama hasn't called, saying, `Hey, I'm coming on down to Key West,''' Commissioner Bill Verge said. "We know nothing about any visit. It's really doubtful.''

Obama's presidential campaign included pledges to lift some travel restrictions to Cuba. The restrictions include who can go, how often and how much money can be spent there. But he did not say he would lift the trade embargo against Cuba anytime soon.

Earlier this month, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council issued a 10-page marketing plan that includes a "Keys plus Cuba" advertising campaign, targeted to visitors to the Keys who are also curious about Cuba; and a "Cuba plus Keys" campaign, targeted to visitors to Cuba who might be interested in a side trip to the Keys.

The TDC would use "highly targeted" media to reach Florida Keys "prime prospects" who are tempted by trips to Cuba. And it would encourage tourists to stay at Keys hotels while taking day trips by ferry or plane to Cuba.

Meanwhile, County Administrator Roman Gastesi has called a communitywide symposium for 9:30 a.m. April 2 at the Marathon Government Center. It's designed not to address tourism, but ramifications on the Keys in the event of a mass migration from Cuba.

Gastesi cites "the recent change in political leadership of Cuba, the [ascension] of Senator Barack Obama to the post of commander in chief ... and the prevailing global economy" as reasons for the discussion.

Cancer relay to be held in Islamorada

2009 Upper Key's Relay for Life

March 20th & 21st

Each year across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. It is a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we've lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. This will be an overnight event at Coral Shores High School.

Contact: Kelly Brower, Sponsorship Chair at 305-731-3943 or email fkcsdream@yahoo.com

Great Resource for Backcountry Fishing!

Everything you ever want is here for Backcountry Fishing in the Florida Keys. From Key Largo to Key West you'll definitely find a Captain that will give you a great day out.

Marathon Sea Food Festival

Marathon’s fishing heritage takes center stage March 14 and 15 with the 33rd Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park.

Put on by the local chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida and the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, the two-day festival is a celebration of local seafood and the families that catch it.

The festivities run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

In a nod to today’s economic challenges, organizers have cut the gate fee from $8 to $5. That’s the same price charged in the festival’s inaugural year when it was held on the field where the Publix now stands.

While a lot has changed since then, one festival constant has been the seafood, including fresh and local lobster, stone crab and fish, served up by many of the same families who catch it. No questions here about where the food is coming from or where the money’s going.

Festival-goers have a plethora of seafood options to choose from, including the ubiquitous conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters (no, the conch’s not from the Keys), the leggy golden crab or some Panhandle oysters. And be sure to leave room for a key lime tart or other dessert from the sweet booth.

Proceeds from the festival are split between the chamber and OFF, both of which put much of it back into the community in the form of scholarships and other community-boosting activities.

In addition to the mouth-watering draw of local seafood cooked by local fishermen and their families, both days of this year’s festival are packed with activities for festival-goers of all ages.

Daniel Samess, executive director of the Greater Marathon Area Chamber of Commerce, is particularly enthusiastic about one of this year’s additions — Sunday’s tribute to the U.S. military.

“It’s going to be pretty exciting,” Samess said of the 1 p.m. tribute, which will include a flyover by the Navy. “It’s a first for the seafood festival,” Samess said. “We’re extremely honored.”

Throughout both days, there will be plenty of activities to entertain kids.

“We make sure it’s a real family event,” Samess said.

Adventurous kids will be all over the climbing wall and bungee ride, both of which the chamber’s Charlotte Quinn says are bigger and better than last year.

Proceeds from time in the bounce house will benefit Stand Up for Animals.

Young fishermen can test their casting ability at the Forgotten Soldiers’ booth, competing for prizes and raising money for the group, which sends care packages to U.S. service personnel overseas.

.This is the third year the festival has been held at the Marathon Community Park, after years at the airport.

“We love having it there,” said Samess, who’s in his second year at the chamber’s helm. “It’s probably not quite as big as the airport, but it’s made for events like these.”

Parking will be available at Stanley Switlik Elementary (bayside) and the Guidance Clinic on 41st Street (oceanside). Pigeon Key is providing its van as a parking shuttle, and there will also be some golf carts to ferry people up or across the street.

Check out Keys Sunday for a map of the festival grounds and more about the 33rd Original Marathon Seafood Festival.

Karen Quist