Island Fest was a huge success!

The 24th annual installment of the spring celebration, Island Fest, was held at Founders Park in Islamorada on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29 . From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, artists, classic cars, musicians, home-made boats, sandcastles, gourmet cuisine and much more transformed the beautiful bayfront locale into a fun-filled destination for the entire family.  

The home-made boats were great!   (I heard a rumor that the oo-tray goat was kidnapped afterwards...)

There was music going all weekend, thanks to Fuzzy Buddha Productions. 
Tall Dark & Handsome kicked off the music on Saturday.

There were sandcastles and people hula hooping on the beach...

Gourmet Food, Arts and Crafts and so much more...

...

What did you think of Island Fest this year?

Why Are We Still Taking Off Our Shoes?

Why do we take off our shoes to go through airport security?  Some of you are probably saying, “Because of the shoe bomber, of course.”  Ever since some guy put a bomb in his shoe, we've been taking off our shoes in the airport.  But, didn't some other guy hide a bomb in his underwear?  Well now, that little security measure just wouldn't be practical would it?  So, I find fault with the shoe thing.

Have you flown recently?  

I flew Southwest Airlines 2 weeks in a row this month, and both times my printed boarding pass had the words “TSA PRE” stamped at the top.  When I got to the security line, I was waived through to a separate line, conveyor belt and screening device.  

Shoes and jackets remained on and liquids remained in bags.  I asked the TSA agent how I rated that privilege and was told it was totally random.  So, a randomly selected group of flyers are given preferential treatment during security screening, and allowed to leave their shoes on.  Once again, I find fault with the shoe thing.

Did you know that children under 12 don’t have to take off their shoes?  Or that people 75 years of age and older don’t have to take off their shoes?  Fault and fault with the shoe thing.

Featured TV Series: Vikings

History channel's "Vikings" is inspired by the sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best known Vikings of mythology.  The series follows Ragnar's rise from a farmer to a chief and eventually King. His vision and desire to expand takes the Vikings to England and France in search of land and glory.

He is aided by his brother Rollo, his adviser Floki, his son Bjorn, and his wives, the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug.  However, his most trusted friend and adviser soon becomes Athelstan, an English priest taken hostage on Ragnar's first raid of the English coast.

On the one hand, by portraying the mighty and fearsome Ragnar as a husband and a father, a man with marital troubles and who cares about his people and the future, the series shows the more human side of the Vikings.  On the other hand, there is no shortage of blood lust and barbarism.  They are fierce warriors, and have no qualms about slaughtering innocents for their own expansion.

With just the right mix of historical fact, well developed human characters, violence, sex, and incredible scenery, I consider "Vikings" one of the best shows running right now.  

Watch "Vikings" Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. on History Channel.

What do you think of Vikings?

Featured Movie: Wild

“Wild” chronicles one woman’s solo journey of recovery and redemption.  Reese Witherspoon portrays a woman who has been through great trauma and loss in her personal life, including drug addiction, divorce and the death of her mother.  Her marriage has failed because of her multiple incidents of infidelity and drug use.  After her divorce, she changes her name to Cheryl Strayed, and decides to embark on an 1,100 mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.  With no experience or training, she provisions herself and starts her journey to find out who she has become.

Her adventures along the trail are interesting, humorous at times, and downright frightening and intense at others.  She encounters all kinds of people, some good, some not so much, and yet manages to find help and support in the most unexpected places.  No spoilers, but there is a more or less happy ending as she completes her journey both physically and emotionally, comes to terms with what she has done and who she is, and realizes that she can move forward.

Cheryl: “What if I forgave myself? I thought. What if I forgave myself even though I'd done something I shouldn't have? What if I was a liar and a cheat and there was no excuse for what I'd done other than because it was what I wanted and needed to do? What if I was sorry, but if I could go back in time I wouldn't do anything differently than I had done? What if I'd actually wanted to fuck every one of those men? What if heroin taught me something? What if yes was the right answer instead of no? What if what made me do all those things everyone thought I shouldn't have done was what also had got me here? What if I was never redeemed? What if I already was?”

Reese Witherspoon does an amazing job, perhaps the best acting of her career.  The movie is beautifully filmed and the scenery is breathtaking.  Laura Dern shows up in memory sequences as Cheryl’s recently deceased mother, and is great, of course, as the whacky and unconventional matriarch.

Based on a true story, “Wild” is definitely worth the watch.  

What did you think of "Wild?"

Featured Restaurant/Bar/Resort: Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill

“Go where the locals go.”

I am partial to Dillon’s because it’s my neighborhood pub.  It also happens to be a great place.  The food is fabulous, the staff is friendly and well-trained, the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, and it is always fun.  Pool, darts, video golf, and trivia are always on the menu at Dillon’s.  

That menu also includes award winning wings; salads; sandwiches; the best burgers in town; steaks and fish (of course.)  They will even cook your catch.

Every Thursday is Irish Day, complete with Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, and more. 

Along with a wide variety of beers and a full bar, Skyler, Klara, Tara, Shy and Woobie run the best bar in town.  

Dillon’s is the place to go…it’s where the locals go. 

Open 7 days a week, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Food served until 11:00 p.m. Everyday

Take Out Available

(305)852-6929

Tavernier Town Center

91200 Overseas Highway

Tavernier, FL 33070

http://www.dillonspubandgrill.com/

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

The Florida Keys certainly know how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

There is so much going on around town today.  If you are looking for somewhere to go for corned beef and cabbage, good beer and lots of people wearing all manner of tacky green things, you don't have to look far.

Dillon's Pub & Grill in Tavernier Towne is already serving up the goods and the party continues all day and into the night with live music starting up at 8 tonight.

The Lorelei is serving corned beef, cabbage, carrots and 'taters from Noon for as long as it lasts.  Live music all day.

Don't miss Robby McClung's big Bluegrass Bash party at oo-tray.  Music starts at 6:30, $20 for multiple great bands.  This will be a night of awesome music.  Drink and food specials too.

You can find me tonight at the Florida Keys Brewing Company.  Scott will be playing 5-9.  Lots of wonderful craft beers available, but they say absolutely NO green beer!  They don't serve food, but allow outside food, so I will be providing some yum yum's.  Got a crock pot full of corned beef and cabbage that will be going into puff pastry's here in a little while.  So, stop by and say hi, have a bite and a beer (or 3), and listen to some great music.

Click on the calendar to find out where all your favorite Keys musicians are playing.

What are your plans tonight?
Whatever you do, have fun and be safe!
Erin Go Bragh!

Featured Restaurant/Bar/Resort: oo-tray

oo-tray Restaurant & Bar 
80900 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL
(305) 922-2027

 "oo-tray is an Islamorada restaurant creating Global Cuisine with a local farm to table flavor. oo-tray also has a full bar that specializes as a Whiskey Bar."

General Manager Yoel Sanchez and Chef David Matlock have created a truly unique experience in Islamorada.  

With an eclectic menu of gourmet delicacies and an exceptional bar, a comfortable atmosphere, great service and music on the porch most nights, oo-tray has been a welcome addition to the upper Keys.  

Specializing as a Whiskey Bar, oo-tray does not disappoint. 

Specialty drinks like the Barrel Aged Manhattan and the Grapefruit Basil Martini definitely make it worth spending some time at the bar with Omar, Lindsea, Amy and the rest of the staff.

And the food... oh my, the food.  Everything I have tried has been amazing.  Chef Dave puts out some really good grub.  I'm partial to the "Small Plates."  My particular favorite is the Duck Wings with Bourbon Caramel Glaze. Delish!  

A local's favorite, oo-tray offers something for everyone.  

www.oo-tray.com

Featured TV Series: The Americans

The Americans was a surprising find for me.  I knew the concept, KGB spies living undercover in America, but I had not expected it to be such a human story.  The show’s creator and former CIA agent-turned-author, Joe Weisberg, has described the series as being ultimately about a marriage.

Philip and Elizabeth Jennings (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) are two KGB spies in an arranged marriage.  They were both recruited by the KGB in Russia when they were very young, and they were complete strangers when they were sent to the U.S. to pose as Americans.  They live in suburban Washington, D.C., shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected president.  As part of their “cover” they have two children, teenager Paige and preteen Henry, who are unaware of their parents' true identities. Their complex marriage becomes more passionate and genuine each day, but as Philip begins to warm up to America's values and way of life, his relationship with Elizabeth becomes more complicated.  She feels it is important to hold onto the values of the mother land and even hopes to return home one day. He does not share that dream.

Further complicating their marriage are the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control.

Live Music in the Florida Keys

Where do you find the best live music in the upper Florida Keys?

The Florida Keys are home to the arts.  Writers, painters, photographers and musicians all seem to be drawn to this beautiful island community.  Living in the upper Keys, I consider myself very lucky to be able to go out on any given night to hear amazing live music.  Whether you prefer a laid back acoustic guitarist or a full band, the upper Keys musicians and venues are versatile enough to please all musical tastes.

As part of The World According To Suzi, I will attempt to maintain a current calendar of the best music from Islamorada to Key Largo.  Click on the "Live Music Calendar" button on the right hand side of the page any time to find out where your favorite musicians are performing.

Please let me know if there are other musicians you would like to see included on this calendar and I'll do my best to find out where they are playing and get them added.

If you are a Florida Keys musician and would like to be featured on this calendar, please just send me your schedule and I'll get you added.  

Thanks for visiting Suzi's World!

In Suzi's World, there is always music, love and laughter, and the sun is always shining.

Year Of The Screaming Goat

What is the deal with all the screaming goats in advertising right now?  So far I have seen three different companies using them in commercials, two of them aired during the Super Bowl this year. 

The first one I saw was the Discover surprise screaming goat during the Super Bowl.  

In this other Super Bowl commercial, Sprint somehow implies their competitors are like screaming goats… but they later come back and apologize, correcting the description to what I presume is supposed to be a more derogatory comparison.  However, I personally find the screaming goat to be much more annoying. 

Then I saw the Geico scapegoat screaming goat ad, and really started to wonder if it was coincidence or if there was something I didn’t know about.  Why have so many advertisers decided to use screaming goats to sell their products?  I realize this is the Chinese Year of the Goat, but I’m still a little confused as to why they are screaming.  Maybe it’s just because screaming goats are funny?  This one particularly really makes me laugh.  I know it’s silly, but I giggle every time.

What are your thoughts on the sudden popularity of screaming goats?