Monday, July 23, 2012

MARATHON

Birding festival set for September

The 14th annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival is scheduled for Sept. 25 to 30 this year.

It offers participants tips for becoming better birders, outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers.

Focusing on native wildlife, the family-friendly event is staged at Marathon's oceanfront preserve, Curry Hammock State Park, Mile Marker 56.2, and features field trips to national, state and private natural areas throughout the Florida Keys.

Field trips include free backcountry birding and wildlife tours of Florida Bay by Everglades National Park, botanical and photography tours of the Lower Keys' National Key Deer Refuge, and guided walks in Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park. For more information, visit www.keysbirdingfest.org or call Kristie Killam at 305-872-0774.

KEY WEST

Citizen columnist signs books

Award-winning Citizen columnist and veteran reporter Mandy Miles will be signing copies of her second book, "More of Mandy Miles' Tan Lines: Only in Key West" this week at two different venues.

The first will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Galleon Tiki Bar, 617 Front St.; the second will be at 5 p.m. Friday at the BottleCap Lounge, 1128 Simonton St., where a portion of proceeds will benefit the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition for the Homeless.

The new book features 58 reader-selected columns, photos by The Citizen's Rob O'Neal and some fresh commentary from Miles. To get a signed copy without attending, email mandymileskw@gmail.com. The book is also available for $12.95 at www.amazon.com.