Monday, February 25, 2013

KEY WEST

'Orchid Thief' book chosen

The Key West library has chosed "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean for its 2013 One Island, One Book program. Events will be held in March at the library, 700 Fleming St., and elsewhere.

Activities include two screenings of "Adaptation," the movie that is (loosely) based on the book, book club discussions and talks at the Key West Garden Club. The program will wind up with a lecture by library historian Tom Hambright, and the giveaway of an orchid. The library has the book in formats including regular and large print, audio and electronic. For more information, stop by the library, go to www.oneislandonebook.blogspot.com, call 305-292-3595 or email neihouse-kris@monroecounty-fl.gov.

UPPER KEYS

Bicycle poker run Saturday

The Florida Keys Bicycle Poker Run will be held Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. at Mile Marker 94.5 ocean side, near Snapper's.

Registration start at 9 a.m. for the leisurely 10-mile ride, and is $35 per person, $20 for students and free for kids under 12. Participants will stop at various points to draw poker cards en route to Coconut Cove Resort, at Mile Marker 84.8. There are prizes, a raffle, cookout lunch afterward, event T-shirts and more.

It's open to all. Transportation for riders and bikes back to the start is provided. The event raises scholarship money for University of Florida students from Big Pine Key to Homestead, organizer Dan Kratish said.

For more information, call 305-664-8252 or email mjbarch@att.net.

BIG PINE KEY

Learn about constrictor snakes

The Key Deer Protection Alliance Meeting will host a presentation about large constrictor snakes by veteranarian Doug Mader at 7 p.m. March 14 at the Lower Keys Property Owners Association building on Bogie Road, Big Pine Key. The public is welcome.

Mader, a graduate from the University of California, Davis in 1986, co-owns the Marathon Veterinary Hospital and is the "veterinarian of record" for the U.S. Geological Survey Python Project in Monroe County.

He is also the consulting veterinarian for The Turtle Hospital, Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm, Key West Aquarium and Theater of the Sea. Refreshments will be served. Call 305-872-8888 for more information.