More than 40 flats boat left Islamorada and formed a message for the Florida Legislature to “HELP!” See full story from the Miami Herald.

Domaine Bousquet Wine Dinner

Friday, April 7, 2017

Cheeca Lodge & Spa is delighted to partner with Domaine Bousquet, the world’s most awarded organic vintner, for a journey through Argentina’s most sought after wine region.

The Bousquet family, fourth generation winemakers, hails from the South of France, but in the late 1990’s, after traveling the world in search of the perfect conditions, they selected Mendoza, Argentina, located at an altitude of 4,000 feet in the foothills of the Andes, for their new vineyard.  Mendoza’s cool nights and near constant breeze provide idyllic conditions to produce ripe organic grapes and extraordinary wines.

Domaine Bousquet’s CEO and co-founder, Ms. Anne Bousquet, will personally lead you through five unique pairings featuring her distinct organic wines and Cheeca’s signature Floribbean fare.

Event Details 

Date: Friday, April 7th, 2017 | 6:30pm: Wine & Cheese Reception | 7:00pm: Curated Five-Course Pairing Dinner

Location: Cheeca Lodge & Spa ~ Atlantic’s Edge Dining Room

Price: $98 per person plus 20% gratuity & tax

Reservations: advance reservations required, please contact: 305-517-4447 or nchaudhary@cheeca.com

Please join us for a fabulous evening of Diamonds and Denim to Support Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys

Enjoy an evening of great food prepared by Chef Andy featuring food stations, hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and live music. A silent and live auction featuring over $50,000 in trips, art, shopping sprees, boating & retail items and much more.

Don’t miss out on a chance to win a 1 Carat Diamond worth $7500 donated by Blue Marlin Jewelry. Only 200 tickets sold— $30 per chance or 4 for $100.

Wear your favorite denim and best BLING for dancing under the stars!

There will be a VIP reception starting at 5:30 pm at Cheeca Lodge. Roundtrip transportation will be provided from the Islander Resort. VIP tickets secure premium parking, delectable sushi by Chef Emilio and sake tasting.

The Gigantic Nautical Flea Market will take place all day Saturday Feb. 25th and Sunday Feb. 26 at Founders Park located at Mile Marker 87. If you are attending the event it is best to park at Coral Shores High School and take the free shuttle to the Park.

If your travel plans have you passing through Islamorada on these days please plan accordingly and allow extra time.

Safe travels to all.

2017 Jimmy Johnson Billfish Tournament $1 Million Dollars guaranteed purse. We’re Putting it up. Come & Get It!

KEY LARGO, FLORIDA (June 1, 2016) Brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, the 6^th Annual Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week will take over Key Largo, Florida March 8-11, 2017. The four-day event features its annual tournament schedule including the 1-Day Celebrity Pro Am, 2-Day Billfish Championship and 1-Day Sportfish Championship, hosted by Contender Boats and Garmin. It is with much excitement that in partnership with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the 2-Day National Billfish Championship, which is the largest tournament of the week, will have a guaranteed purse of $1 million, making 2017 the largest guaranteed tournament purse in sport fishing history.

Competitive anglers from around the country will join together for what will be a historic event, making a big splash in the beautiful setting of Key Largo in the Florida Keys. There is no need to wait for number of boats to register because the prize structure is set and the purse is guaranteed for the next champions to win any of the 31 payouts available at the 2017 National Billfish Championship. At Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week, while teams’ fish for the tournament purse, Coach Jimmy Johnson states, “It’s All About the Ring.” Each year, teams fish for entrance into Jimmy’s coveted Ring of Honor. He has three rings from his first passion in life, football, but his second passion is Fishing, which is why he has a Ring of Honor in his tournament, where select champions are invited to join. Each year, one team (the overall champions) receives his Famed National Championship Ring.

“I have to say, while it’s always been about the rings, we are making history. And, as many of you know, I love a good competition,” says Johnson. “We continue to grow each year and I am thrilled to have our partners at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino join us in our little slice of heaven down in the Keys to help us make this impact on the sport of Fishing. We look forward to seeing everyone in March!”

Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Restaurant at MM 104 in Key Largo, hosts the weekend festivities.  Guest accommodations will be made available at Marriott Key Largo and Ocean Reef Club, among other locations. Kick-off events will take place on Saturday, March 4^th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino the week before the tournament takes over Key Largo. where anglers will be decked out at the Gift Giving Suite & before heading to the Pool Side Celebration.

The 2017 JJ’s Quest for the Ring Championship Fishing Week Schedule will include the following events:

• Wednesday, March 8: Registration & Captain’s Meeting will take place at The Big Chill for JJ’s Celebrity Pro-Am and JJ’s National Billfish Championship.
• Thursday, March 9: JJ’s Celebrity Pro-Am will take place, where Jimmy’s friends, celebrity athletes and entertainers will join the pros for a fun day of competitive fishing in support of the event’s beneficiary, Community Initiatives Foundation, before heading back to Big Chill for the annual JJ’s Ring of Honor Champions dinner.
• Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11: Registered anglers will head out to start the Two days of competitive fishing for the history-making National Billfish Championship tournament. At night, registration & Captain’s Meeting will be held for JJ’s Sportfish Championship
• Saturday, March 11: JJ’s National Billfish Championship fishing will continue and the 1-Day National Sportfish Championship anglers will head out for their fun fish tournament.
• Saturday, March 11, 6PM: All tournaments will culminate with a celebratory awards dinner and pool party at JJ’s Bill Chill pool deck as participating anglers overlook the waters of the Florida Keys and join us in awarding our winners with over $1 million in prize money.

“Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is proud to enter in to this exciting partnership with Jimmy Johnson’s Championship Fishing Week. The first ever $1 million guaranteed purse at the National Billfish Championship will elevate the sportsfishing experience by offering a unique opportunity for anglers from all over the world to compete for a share of the historic prize pool,” said Larry Mullin, COO, Seminole Gaming. “We look forward to collaborating with our friend Coach Jimmy Johnson on this prestigious event and continuing to support the world of sportfishing,” Mullin added.

As part of the official launch, CI Management Group, the management team behind JJFishWeek, is offering June entry specials available to enter into the National Billfish Championship.  Fees range from $2,500-$5,000 for general entry into the tournament and across the board entries, including the optional categories, is $35,000. If the general entry amount for Division A: $5,000 is paid in June, teams will receive 25% off optional entries or $10,000 off across the board, which can be paid anytime in 2016.

Boat Entry information and the full schedule of events can be found at www.jjfishweek.com. Registration can be completed on the tournament website or by contacting the tournament office at info@jjfishweek.com or 305-255-3500 for more information.

Be sure to follow @JJFishWeek on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for up to date tournament information.