Sunschoolers

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-05-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

Come on out to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station at Mile Marker 8 for an afternoon at the Air Lanes Bowling Center located in Bldg. A-337. Ken will begin the lesson at 1400 (2pm). If you need to be escorted onboard the base please email me to make arrangements at lettso3ATyahooDOTcom removing the ATs and DOTs, of course. Bring your own socks!

The plan on Friday, May 22nd is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks. Bring your sunscreen and swim gear!

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-05-14T02:12:00.000-07:00

Come on out to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station at Mile Marker 8 for an afternoon at the Air Lanes Bowling Center located in Bldg. A-337. Ken will begin the lesson at 1400 (2pm). If you need to be escorted onboard the base please email me to make arrangements at lettso3ATyahooDOTcom removing the ATs and DOTs, of course. Bring your own socks!

The plan on Friday, May 15th is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks. Bring your sunscreen and swim gear!

Dragon Boat Races

2009-05-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

Come out to beautiful Sombrero Beach this Saturday to see the amazing Dragon Boat Races! Racing begins at 9am with the qualifying heats and continues throughout the day with the final races from 2-4pm.

A portion of this year’s event proceeds benefits Reef Relief, a global nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and protecting living coral reef ecosystems.

For more information visit the Battle in the Bay Blog.

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-05-08T02:07:00.000-07:00

Come on out to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station at Mile Marker 8 for an afternoon at the Air Lanes Bowling Center located in Bldg. A-337. Ken will begin the lesson at 1400 (2pm). If you need to be escorted onboard the base please email me to make arrangements at lettso3ATyahooDOTcom removing the ATs and DOTs, of course. Bring your own socks!

The plan on Friday, May 8th is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks. Bring your sunscreen and swim gear!

Mommy and Me Tea Party

2009-05-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is throwing a tea party just in time for Mother's Day!

The event will be held May 9 at the Conch House in Key Largo at mm100 from 1-3 pm. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children to benefit the only maternal and child health non-profit in Monroe County. Attire is spring dressy and there is limited seating. Tickets can be purchased at The Conch House, Shear Paradise, and Cover to Cover Books. There will be light refreshments and assorted teas for all as well as guest speakers.

For more information contact Healthy Start Coalition board Vice-President Holly Merrill at 305-522-4721.

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-04-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

2009-04-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 26 from 1-4
Key Largo Community Park
ALL FREE - games, food, bounce house, demos and information
Call Kerry for more info
453-3422
879-5210

Band Concert to Benefit Local Food Bank

2009-04-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

Band Concert To Benefit Local Food Bank - Thursday April 26th

The Concert Bands from Key Largo School, Plantation Key School and Coral Shores High School will all perform Thursday night starting at 7pm.

The annual Tri-School Concert is coming early this year. This is the concert where students from the Upper Key’s three great school band programs combine, for their fun, and your entertainment. Each group will play one selection then combine with their other school’s counterpart for a combined performance. Also featured will be a musical visit to the workshop of Vulcan, the blacksmith god of fire and volcanoes in Roman mythology. “The Forge of Vulcan” will combine both middle schools with the high school concert band in a “not to be missed” performance. Coral Shores award winning concert and jazz band will also play to round out the evening. The concert should last just over an hour.

In addition, this year’s concert will help out the local food bank.

Price of Admission: Please bring something for the Burton Memorial Food Bank*

*Food Bank Nonperishable Items Needed: tuna fish; canned soups, turkey, peaches, stews, chicken, pears, veggies, beef, fruit cocktail; Spaghetti-Os; kidney beans; spaghetti, tomato and apple sauce; pancake mix; pasta of all sorts; mac & cheese; dry and evaporated milk; jelly; stuffing; biscuit mix; Vienna sausages; Ramen noodles; black beans; syrup; apple juice; rice; sugar; Jell-O; Spam; ravioli; chili; pork and beans; cereal; bottled juices; peanut butter; instant potatoes; cornbread mix.

Cash and checks Payable to Burton Memorial Food Bank also accepted.

Days of Remembrance

2009-04-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

April 19-26, 2009
Days of Remembrance
Never Again: What You Do Matters

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but, there must never be a time when we fail to protest.-Elie Wiesel

Invitation: This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is Tuesday, April 21.
We have designated Never Again: What You Do Matters as the theme for the 2009 observance. The KJCC (Keys Jewish Community Center) Holocaust Committee has prepared a varied program for the days before and after Yom Ha'Shoah. On Thursday April 23, 2009 and Sunday April 26, 2009, as part of the commemoration of Yom Ha'shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Steven J. Smith, M.D., of Marathon, Florida, will present a two part historical multimedia presentation titled "Never Again? The Failure to Stop Genocide in the Past Century!" In addition to the Holocaust, genocides covered will include those of Ottoman Armenians, Cambodia, Iraq, Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo and Darfur. Dr.Smith will focus on the background leading up to, as well as the events during these genocides. He will also discuss and illustrate the response of the United States as well as the international community to these events. Included in the discussion will be the legacy of Raphael Lemkin, who was an international anti-genocide activist and the inventor of the term genocide. There will also be discussion of the historical significance of the Nuremberg Trial.

Both sessions are open to the overall Keys community. The sessions start 7:00 PM at the Keys Jewish Community Center at MM 93 Oceanside on Thursday April 23, 2009 (part I) and Sunday April 26, 2009 (part II). The Exhibit: April 19-26, 2009 Days of Remembrance Never Again: What You Do Matters will be displayed April 19 to the end of the month.

Please join us for this important commemoration,
Yardena Kamely
KJCC Holocaust Committee

Earth Day: Green Turtle Hammock and Eco-Mariner

2009-04-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Come join the Community Open House on Earth Day, April 22, at the Green Turtle Hammock in Islamorada! Events will start at 10am with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Green Turtle Hammock Foundation and, the release of Eco-Mariner, an online education course designed to help boaters protect Florida Bay. Activities are scheduled to 2pm and include booths, kayaking and boat tours, hammock and property walks, lectures, art show, and kids' activities. A detailed schedule is below. Please arrive at 10am, allowing time to park and walk to the back of the property. Elizabeth (Libby) Moore from Sea Science will lead a story time activity for children at 10:30am at the Main House. She will also hold a drawing for 7 kits to make a Galileoscope. Galileoscopes are working telescopes similar to the telescope that Galileo used 400 years ago this year. Check them out at <https://www. galileoscope. org/> Libby is very excited about this opportunity to give these away at this event. Afterwards, the kids can visit the catch-and-release pool by the boat basin and practice their skills at catching (for wooden fish) and releasing them. Both adults and children will enjoy walking around the property, as well as visiting the booths. FWC will have several touch tanks with neat sea creatures to see and hold. Green Turtle Hammock is located at 81224 Overseas Highway at Mile Marker 81 bayside, just north of TIB bank. All parking must be at the Taste Bistro, located across the street from the Green Turtle Hammock at MM81.

All activities are subject to change and take place at: Green Turtle Hammock 81224 Overseas Highway, mm81 Islamorada, Florida 33036 Wednesday, April 22
EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES: Eco Mariner Learning Center opens its doors with the release of Eco-Mariner, an education course designed to help boaters and anglers enjoy and preserve Florida Bay. Take part in Earth Day activities, browse booths of environmental and conservation organizations, and enjoy this new community resource. Green Turtle Hammock, a non-profit organization whose mission is to nurture awareness and appreciation of the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Florida Keys, partners with NPCA and Eco-Mariner to celebrate Earth Day 2009.
10am - 2pm Eco-Mariner Course Available: Course takes approx. one hour; Refreshments and light fare served; Be among the first to become an Eco-Mariner! Explore the work of local environmental and conservation organizations at the Russell Cottage
10 - 11am Green Turtle Hammock Ribbon Cutting with Chamber of Commerce (ribbon cutting to take place at 10:30am);
Guided Boat Tours of Florida Bay led by Audubon
10:30 - 11am Playgroup led by Sea Science for children 1-5yrs story booktelling at Main House
11-11:30am Kids Catch and Release at Boat Basin
11am - 1pm Sun 103FM Live Broadcast
11-Noon Guided Boat Tours of Florida Bay led by Audubon; Guided Hammock and property tours led by GTH
Noon - 1pm Lecture by Audubon's Jerry Lorenz and Master GardenerLecture: "Good Bug, Bad Bug," Kim Gabel, environmental horticulture agent with Monroe County Extension Service, speaks on the many benefits and drawbacks of specific insects found in our native habitat;
1 - 2pm Guided Kayak Tours of Florida Bay led by Backcountry Cowboy;
Guided Hammock and property tours led by GTH
Sign in for all activities at Russell Cottage. Boat and Kayak tours depart at the Main House Dock, have limited space, and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Refreshments will be provided. For more information on these and other Earth Day activities at Green Turtle Hammock, contact: Leslie Clift, 305.852.3671 or greenturtlehammock@ gmail.com

***Tentative Schedule for Eco-Mariner Course Participants
10am: participants arrive and are checked in at Russell Cottage, contact information confirmed (including email); refreshments offered at 10:10: Participants are shown course set up and settled in at 11am: Participants conclude course and have short debrief with NPCA staff at 11:10: Course feedback gathered at 11: 15. Swag bag and invite to VIP event with guest will then be offered. This will repeat throughout day.

Homeschool PE

2009-04-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Homeschool PE
April 14, 2009
Marathon Community Park
Main Pavilion
Marathon, FL 33050
1PM
Contact: 305-743-6598

Bay Jam 15

2009-04-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

Bay Jam 15, Sunday, April 19, 2009 Islamorada Founders Park, Mile Marker 87, Florida Keys
Gates Open at 11 a.m. Music starts at noon $10 adults – at gate only. Children 12 and under Free Cash or Check Only -- No Credit or Debit Cards -- ATM machine on site

Come enjoy -
The WAYBACKS,
DAVID FEDER - guitarist extrodinaire and master of Hillbilly Flamenco
CW COLT – Caribbean Country Blues Master

also playing -
Blackwater Sound
Jimmy Hawkins
Baga Tricks
Micah
Luke Sommer Band
Steve Vaninni
Stereo Underground
Second Chance Band
Scott Youngberg

All proceeds go to provide art, music and dance scholarships to local students.
Proceeds are also used to purchase art and music supplies for students and their
teachers and instructors.

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-04-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

The plan on Friday, April 17th is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks, live music begins at 5:30pm, Zack Seemiller will play!

Homeschool PE

2009-04-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Homeschool PE
April 14, 2009
Marathon Community Park
Main Pavilion
Marathon, FL 33050
1PM
Contact: 305-743-6598

Boca Chica Bowling and Beach Day

2009-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

The plan on Friday, April 10th is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks, live music begins at 5:30pm!

The littles exploring.

The watchful mamas.

Won't you join us?

Game Night, Founders Park

2009-04-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

Game Night tomorrow at Founders Park, Islamorada.

Free for all ages!

Come play foosball, ping-pong, or board games!

Contact: (305) 853-1685

Boca Chica Bowling

2009-04-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

The plan on Friday, April 3rd is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks, live music begins at 5:30pm, Zack Seemiller will play!

Homeschool PE

2009-03-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

Homeschool PE
March 31, 2009
Marathon Community Park
Main PavilionMarathon, FL 33050
1PM
Contact: 305-743-6598

Weekend Fun

2009-03-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

Options, options, it must be season! So much to do this weekend.

March 28 : Florida Heritage Concert, Founders Park, Islamorada, mm 51
This concert is outdoors - with no seating provided - so bring your chairs and blankets. The entire family will enjoy the experience of listening to traditional concert band music in a lovely Keys setting. Admission is free.
For more information call (305) 853-7294.

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March 28 : 4th Annual Green Living & Energy Education Expo: "Greening the Economy"

Marathon High School, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, will once again provide visitors free workshops and a chance to speak to exhibitors offering services and products that can save money and natural resources. Bring the family and spend the day enjoying Green Kid's Activities and healthy organic foods. Don't miss the free Earthman Project multi-media event, the Alternative Transportation Showcase, Environmental Film Festival and recycled and sustainable art in the Artists Village. A silent auction, with items donated by exhibitors and 50/50 raffle are also offered. A free shuttle will be running from the Lower Keys.

For more information: 305-809-3509

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March 29: Keys Youth can create their own Ultimate Sundays at Founders Park, Islamorada, mm 87 with Ultimate Beach Volley Ball at 3 , Ultimate Soccer at 5 , Ultimate Frisbee at 6 and finally Dairy Queen afterwards (7th grade+ )

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Migration Mania

On Saturday at 10:30 am at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Karyn Buckley of the Marathon Wild Bird Center will talk about Human Impact on Natural Wildlife and the Things we can do to Prevent Harm to the Animals and their Habitats. Come see Sweetie the American kestrel from Cuba, Buddy the Antillean nighthawk, and Betsy the brown pelican. On display will be x-rays, bird’s nests, feathers, bones and photos.

Suggested donation: $5 per person.

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Game Night, Founders Park

2009-03-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

Game Night tonight at Founders Park, Islamorada
Free for all ages!
Come play foosball, ping-pong, or board games!

Contact: (305) 853-1685

Flagler Reenactment, Bahia Honda

2009-03-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

Bahia Honda, mm 36, will host a reenactment of the first train ride to Key West at 11 am, Friday, March 27. Visitors will see Henry Flagler as well as others reenact travel from that era. Interested visitors should meet on the gulf side of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge at the train car and bring chairs or blankets.
For more information: 872-9807

Boca Chica Bowling

2009-03-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

Come on out to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station at Mile Marker 8 for an afternoon at the Air Lanes Bowling Center located in Bldg. A-337. Ken will begin the lesson at 1400 (2pm). If you need to be escorted onboard the base please email me to make arrangements at lettso3ATyahooDOTcom removing the ATs and DOTs, of course. Bring your own socks!

The plan on Friday, March 27 is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks, live music begins at 5pm, Zack Seemiller will play!

Park Day, Ft Zach, 3pm

2009-03-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

Come for an afternoon of fun at Ft Zachary Taylor in Key West at 3:00pm!
$1.50 a person at the gate.

Or...

From Kathleen:

If you participate in the tour of the fort at 2:00 (30-45minutes), admission is free. Tell the gate guard you are a part of the "Sunschoolers" homeschool group, and that Jayne Blatherwick in the main office said if school groups come in for the tour, it is considered an educational experience and that admission is free. But you must do the tour to be admitted free.

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We are putting together a roster with everyone's name (children with ages, too), and phone numbers. If you would like to be on this list, please send Kathleen your information at kathleenpetreyATyahooDOTcom or fill it in on the roster next week. She will bring it to Fort Zach and to Boca Chica.

Homeschool PE

2009-03-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

Homeschool PE
March 24, 2009
Marathon Community ParkMain PavilionMarathon, FL 33050
1PM
Contact: 305-743-6598

There's Nothing For Kids to do in Key West - NOT!

2009-03-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Amy has a fabulous post up over at Just the 5 of us... Make sure you go over to her site as she's taken the time to link all the resources! Amy, you're the best!

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It was so hard to find activities when we were coming here...I thought, oh no, there must not be a lot for kids in that small town...boy were we wrong!!! With a little sleuth work, we discovered Key West has a plethora to offer young families!!Southernmost Hockey (inline hockey)
Key West Sailing Club
Young Navigators
City of Key West Rec
Coffee Mill Dance Studio (Despite what the site says, Penny is the sweetest woman around and absolutely does NOT require you pay for the whole session up front.)
Key West Library
Just4Kids Art Center
Key West Soccer
FREE Choir/Instrument music lessons at Bahama Village
Elie's Gym (gymnastics) (305) 294-3535
Key West Junior Football League (flag, tackle, and cheerleading prek and up) (will have sign up info around June)
FKCC pool has swim lessons and swim team from infants up
Kindermusik
Home Depot Kids' Workshop - 1st Saturday of every month is a FREE program for kids to build something to take home...the staff down here is super friendly and helpful!Karate (305) 293-0772‎
Kari's Dance Factory
Sheriff's Animal Farm 2nd Sunday of every month 1-3pm FREE

Another FYI, the Montessori Charter School is taking applications NOW through April 18 2009 for next year.

CAMPS
There are also several summer camps available. There is a soccer camp, gymnastics camp, art camp at Just4Kids, the Boys & Girls Club, MWR Key West's Youth Center, and a few more I'll remember later. Key West is anything but boring!! :)

FKCC Pool
Key West Sailing Club
Boys and Girls Club (305)296-2258MWR
Youth Center (305) 292-4437Elie's Gym (305) 294-3535
Mel Fisher's Mer Academy

Once you live here, be sure to ask EVERYWHERE for a "locals' discount". We get 10% off at even Denny's! Dante's gives 25% off!

First Sunday of every month is Locals Day...the Conch Train, Aquarium, Shipwreck Museum, and a few others are FREE to locals. :)

Hopefully this will be helpful to the newbies arriving in KW this transfer season! I'll try to update as more comes around.

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Thank you for this amazing resource, Amy!

Weekend Fun

2009-03-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Options, options, it must be season! So much to do this weekend.

Mary Immaculate, Star of the Sea is having a Carnival!
Wristband costs: $25 for one day
$50 for the megaband which is good for all four days (all rides)

Times for the Carnival:

Thursday, March 19 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Friday, March 20 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, March 21 1:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday, March 22 1:00pm to 8:00pm

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Depaula Jewelers at mm 91.2 (next to Tavernier WinnDixie) is having a Treasure Fest!
When:

Friday March 20th 11AM-6PM
Saturday March 21st 10AM-4PM
Sunday March 22nd 11AM-3PM

Meet, hear great stories, and get signatures from World Famous Treasure Divers Fizz Fismer, Mo Molinar, and Buddy Martin. There will be Artifacts hundreds of years old, from old pistols held in a water tank to swords, and who could forget TREASURE! Raffles, food and fun will be ongoing.

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Migration Mania

For the fifth year in a row, the Key West Botanical Garden is proud to present Migration Mania! This series of educational events is designed to celebrate the incredible journey of migrating birds and butterflies that stop in the Keys en route from their winter homes in the Caribbean, South and Central America to their summer homes in the north. Migration Mania helps visitors develop an understanding and appreciation of our unique bio-diversity while providing children with magical learning experiences. As a treat for bird watchers, from March 14th to April 11th the Garden will extend its hours from 8:00 am for “early birders” through 6:00 p.m. for “late birders”.

On Saturday, March 21st, at 11:00 am, Everglades Outpost will present various live animals and educate us on the Conservation of our Wildlife. Plan to come see a Florida panther, python, iguana, lemur, umbrella cockatoo and a blue and gold macaw. Wildlife experts will address such issues as what happens when exotic or non-native species are released into the wild. Suggested donation: $6 per person.

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Science Saturday

The National Weather Service on White Street is having their second annual Science Saturday.
There will be Kids’ Activities - Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, a Weather Balloon Launch,
Marine Touch Tank, Live Music, Food, Tents, Raffle Prizes, Tour the Weather Service, Meet Sanctuary Scientists, and Exhibits by Local Environmental Groups,
AND MORE!

If you know of any other cool fun things to do this weekend please leave a comment and let us know!

Friday Bowling, March 20

2009-03-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

What a great turnout!

Sarah and Oliver
Lorie and Stephen
Patti and Ben
Kellye, Abalyn and Cole
Murreanch and Jonathan
Kathleen and Lauren
Amy, Mickade, Lillian and Lucy
Jennifer and Marianna

See you next Friday!

Boca Chica Bowling

2009-03-20T03:30:00.000-07:00

Come on out to the Boca Chica Naval Air Station at Mile Marker 8 for an afternoon at the Air Lanes Bowling Center located in Bldg. A-337. Ken will begin the lesson at 1400 (2pm). If you need to be escorted onboard the base please email me to make arrangements at lettso3ATyahooDOTcom removing the ATs and DOTs, of course. Bring your own socks!

The plan on Friday, March 20 is to head for the beautiful Boca Chica Beach afterward for a little fun in the sun. The Navigator will be open for food and drinks, live music begins at 5pm. Barefoot Wade will play!

Welcome to the Florida Keys!

2009-03-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Are you newly arrived? Visiting? Or have you been a lifelong resident? If you would like to get together with other homeschoolers throughout the Keys, have you found the right spot! For the past 8 years I have lived up and down these beautiful islands and have found homeschoolers in many locations. Check back often or, even better, subscribe to our Feeds over on the right hand corner to receive frequent updates of fun field trips, park days, and meetings up and down the Keys.