Sunday, October 21, 2012

FLORIDA KEYS

Local hotels make Top 20

Four Florida Keys resorts and hotels were named to the list of the Top 20 Hotels in Florida and in Condé Nast Traveler magazine's 2012 Readers' Choice Awards survey.

Readers ranked Key West's Marquesa Hotel No. 2, La Mer Hotel & Dewey House No. 10, Islamorada's The Moorings Village No. 11 and the Gardens Hotel in Key West No. 14.

According to the publication's survey criteria, awards reflect the combined opinions of 46,476 Condé Nast readers who rated various travel venues and services.

MONROE COUNTY

Walk-in vaccinations offered

The Monroe County Health Department encourages adults age 19 and over to get a Tdap vaccination, which is for protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

The latter can kill infants, so the best way to protect them is by vaccinating all adults, who could at anytime come in contact with babies, the department says.

Walk-in Tdap vaccination clinics are held from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., Key West, or appointments may be scheduled at 305-809-5603.

Shots are given regardless of ability to pay, but people are asked to bring an insurance card or proof of income.

BIG PINE KEY

Anti-bag group meets

The grass-roots "Got Your Bags-Florida Keys" group will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 the Senior Center behind the fire station on Big Pine Key.

GYB-FLKEYS will discuss plans for its campaign to encourage the reduction and voluntary elimination of single-use plastic bags. The group is a coalition of residents, businesses, organizations and local government that is focusing initial efforts on Big Pine, hoping the movement will spread throughout the Florida Keys.

For more information, visit www.floridakeysglee.com and click on the "Got Your Bags?" link.