36th Annual Key West World Championship Powerboat Races Return

     Super Boat International returns with teams from all around the world competing in the national race series are returning to Key West for the 36^th Annual Key West World Championship finale.    Things began on Sunday November 6^th with the display at the Truman Waterfront and the Parade on Duval Street.  Racing begins on Wednesday, November 9^th there are also races on Friday, November 11^th and the grand finale on Sunday, November 13^th..  All of the races begin at 10:00 am.

     A portion of the 6.5 mile course runs through Key West Harbor where smooth water means the boats can achieve speeds of 140 mph and provide breathtaking display of power and the driver’s skills.

     Super Boat International, the World’s Premier offshore racing series, along with Stihl Power Tools along with JM Associates are proud to announce for the third straight year, 3 hours of programming on NBC Sports to be aired early in 2017.

      There are a number of great viewing areas on the water in the area around Sunset Key and other areas, or from Malory Square on the land.  If you are interested in seeing the map of the course, go to http://superboat.com/race-course-coordinates-key-west/ .   No matter where you view the races from, it is a great show that only comes to Key West once a year.  Don’t miss this event.   See the complete schedule below.

36^th Annual Key West World Championship Schedule

Dry Pits	–	Truman Waterfront
Location	–	202 Southard Street, Key West, FL 33040

Sunday • November 6, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront, End of Southard St
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
4:00pm			Boat Parade: Duval Street

Monday • November 7, 2016
8:30am			MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING: Key West, Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
11:00am	–	5:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
11:00pm	–	5:00 pm	Race Boat Inspection: Truman Waterfront
11:00am	–	3:30 pm	Water Dunkers Test: FL Keys Community College-5901 College Rd.
6:00 pm	–	9:00 pm	Welcome Party: U.S. & International Teams, Truman Waterfront; Racer Pass, Guest Credential or VIP pass required

Tuesday • November 8, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display – Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm*	Racer Registration – Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Boat Inspections – Truman Waterfront
9:00am	–	5:00pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am		2:00 pm	Water Test / Dunkers:FL Keys Community College-5901 College Rd
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling – Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Testing for Race Boats: Off Truman Waterfront

Wednesday • November 9, 2016 – Race Day #1
6:30 am	–	7:30 am	Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Watefront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
7:30 am			Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm	Fueling -Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels –  Truman Waterfront
CLOSED			REGISTRATION: CLOSED
10:00am			Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30am	–	12:30 pm	Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm			Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm			Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm			Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront

Thursday • November 10, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Testing for Race Boats: Off Truman Waterfront

Friday • November 11, 2016 – Race Day #2
6:30am	–	7:30 am	Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:30am			Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm	Fueling:Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels –  Truman  Waterfront
CLOSED			REGISTRATION CLOSED
10:00am			Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30pm	–	12:30 pm	Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm			Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm			Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm			Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront
7:00 pm	–	11:00 pm	Duval Street Party

Saturday • November 12, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration – Truman Waterfront
9:00am	–	5:00pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels-Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm		4:00 pm	Testing for Race  Boats – Off Truman Waterfront

Sunday • November 13 , 2016 – Race Day #3
6:30am	–	7:30 am		Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:30am				Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm		Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm		Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm		Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm		Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
CLOSED				REGISTRATION CLOSED
10:00am				Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30am	–	12:30 pm		Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm				Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm				Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm				Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront
7:00 pm	–	9:00 pm		Race Award Presentation: Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd- Racer Pass, Guest Credential or VIP pass required
*REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1PM -2PM
Dry Pits			–		Truman Waterfront
Location			–		202 Southard Street, Key West, FL 33040

Sunday • November 6, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront, End of Southard St
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
4:00pm			Boat Parade: Duval Street

Monday • November 7, 2016
8:30am			MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING: Key West, Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
11:00am	–	5:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
11:00pm	–	5:00 pm	Race Boat Inspection: Truman Waterfront
11:00am	–	3:30 pm	Water Dunkers Test: FL Keys Community College-5901 College Rd.
6:00 pm	–	9:00 pm	Welcome Party: U.S. & International Teams, Truman Waterfront; Racer Pass, Guest Credential or VIP pass required

Tuesday • November 8, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display – Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm*	Racer Registration – Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Boat Inspections – Truman Waterfront
9:00am	–	5:00pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am		2:00 pm	Water Test / Dunkers:FL Keys Community College-5901 College Rd
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling – Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Testing for Race Boats: Off Truman Waterfront

Wednesday • November 9, 2016 – Race Day #1
6:30 am	–	7:30 am	Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Watefront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
7:30 am			Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm	Fueling -Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels –  Truman Waterfront
CLOSED			REGISTRATION: CLOSED
10:00am			Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30am	–	12:30 pm	Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm			Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm			Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm			Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront

Thursday • November 10, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Testing for Race Boats: Off Truman Waterfront

Friday • November 11, 2016 – Race Day #2
6:30am	–	7:30 am	Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:30am			Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm	Fueling:Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels –  Truman  Waterfront
CLOSED			REGISTRATION CLOSED
10:00am			Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30pm	–	12:30 pm	Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm			Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm			Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm			Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront
7:00 pm	–	11:00 pm	Duval Street Party

Saturday • November 12, 2016
9:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
9:00 am	–	3:00 pm*	Racer Registration – Truman Waterfront
9:00am	–	5:00pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
10:00am	–	5:00pm	Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels-Truman Waterfront
12:00pm	–	4:00 pm	Launching – Truman Waterfront
12:00pm		4:00 pm	Testing for Race  Boats – Off Truman Waterfront

Sunday • November 13 , 2016 – Race Day #3
6:30am	–	7:30 am	Racer Physicals: Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:30am			Race Morning Drivers Meeting-Truman Waterfront Registration Tent
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Race Village Open – Race Boats on Display: Truman Waterfront
7:00 am	–	4:00 pm	Passes – Credentials: Truman Waterfront Entrance
7:00 am	–	5:00 pm	Launch & Recovery of Race Boats: Truman Waterfront
8:00 am	–	1:00 pm	Fueling: Official Fuel Southern Racing Fuels – Truman Waterfront
CLOSED			REGISTRATION CLOSED
10:00am			Start of 1st Race – Off Truman Waterfront
11:30am	–	12:30 pm	Harbor Open for Commercial Traffic
12:30pm			Start of 2nd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
1:30 pm			Start of 3rd Race – Off Truman Waterfront
2:30pm			Start of 4th Race – Off Truman Waterfront
7:00 pm	–	9:00 pm	Race Award Presentation: Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N Roosevelt Blvd- Racer Pass, Guest Credential or VIP pass required
*REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1PM -2PM

Bahama Bob's Election Day Rumtini

     Well today is election day here in the United States, most of us feel like we will need some sort of a pain killing cocktail before the day is over and the results announced.  Here is a good idea for a grass roots, earthy, grounded cocktail for your afternoon or evening.

     Apples are in season right now and you can't find a better time for apple based cocktails.  Here is an idea for a appletini made with unsweetened organic apple sauce.  The applesauce, the rum, the vermouth and the syrup unite to give you a wonderful apple cinnamon base to a great sipping martini that has a little bit of substance to it.

  Apple Sauce Rumtini

• 2 oz. Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum
• 2 tsp. Bahama Bob’s Cinnamon Honey Syrup
• ½ oz. Dolin’s White Vermouth
• 2 tsp. Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce

Place all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake until thoroughly chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a lemon zest.

Bahama Bob's Cinnamon Honey Syrup

• ½ Cup of Dark Brown Sugar
• ½ Cup Sugar in the Raw
• ½ Cup Pure Clover Honey
• 1 Cups of Water
• 1 Tbsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp. Lemon Juice

Place all ingredients except the water and cinnamon in a pan and heat at 375 degrees stirring until all melts into a liquid.  Slowly add the water and bring to a boil.  Add Cinnamon and reduce heat to 230 degrees and bring to a slow boil and continue stirring for 5 minutes.  Pour into a dish that will not melt or crack and place in refrigerator for about an hour.  Pour into a dispensing bottle and put into refrigerator until ready to use.

A Limited Edition Bottling of Mount Gay XO Cask Strength Rum to Celebrate Barbados’s 50th Anniversary of Their Independence.

     Bottled at 63% abv, XO Cask Strength has been created to “symbolize the rich culture and strong personality of both Mount Gay and its nation”.  Featuring a blend of spirits matured for eight to fifteen years, the new offering is described as having “notes of ripe banana and toasted almond, followed by vanilla and spice, to create a smooth, unforgettable finish”.

     “This is our tribute to the spirit of Barbados, the original birthplace of rum, and the people that make this island so unique,” said Allen Smith, master blender.   “To taste XO Cask Strength is to experience everything that fans love about XO, but it gives connoisseurs the special opportunity to enjoy the truest intensity of XO aromas straight from the casks.”

     With just 3,000 bottles available, each will come packaged in a wooden box with a booklet on the history of rum’s origin in Barbados.   A portion of the sales of every bottle sold will be donated to the Barbados Museum and Historical Society to support its efforts in conserving the history and culture of Barbados.  

     Mount Gay XO Cask Strength is available at a suggested retail price of $185.00 from specialist liquor and spirits stores in the US and several other countries this month.

     This looks like it will be one of those must have for you collection.  Keep an eye out in your local specialized rum store for your bottle of this very special Mount Gay XO Cask Strength expression.  I know I will be watching for it as I travel around.

Read More at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/11/mount-gay-rum-marks-barbadian-independence/  

Yellow Crowned Night Heron that Dropped By for Karaoke

      Wednesday evening we were graced by this Yellow Crowned Night Heron at the Hurricane Hole for Karaoke.  This is the first one that I have ever seen, even though they are a permanent resident of the Florida Keys.  They are a very unique looking bird, but I found it to be a very pretty as well.

      The Yellow-crowned is quite common in parts of the southeast, specifically in coastal regions, often feeds by day as well as by night. Its stout bill seems to be an adaptation for feeding on hard-shelled crustaceans.  It is often called "crab-eater" in some locales.   It feeds at dusk or by night by walking slowly on land or in shallow water, or standing still waiting for prey to approach. Its feeding schedule near coast probably influenced by tides.

     Breeding behavior not well known. Often nests in isolated pairs or in very small groups, especially in northern part of range. Mating displays include stretching the neck upward with bill pointing skyward, crouching with all plumes erected, and giving a loud call.   Pairs greet each other by raising crest, calling, touching bills, nibbling at each other's feathers.

    Nest: Site is usually in trees around 30-40' above ground, but sometimes very close to ground or water in thickets of mangroves. Nest is a platform of sticks, lined with finer twigs and sometimes leaves.

Captain Morgan Rum Tax Incentives Gone Wrong

     The accusations highlight just how far corporations will go in an effort to absorb tax incentives from local governments.  Even if the investigation absolves Captain Morgan of the labyrinthine scheme to ship Captain Morgan rum to a Captain Morgan rum distillery, the investigation has brought the astounding details of Captain Morgan and Diageo’s tax breaks to light.  What possible reason could there be for Diageo to run a smokescreen Captain Morgan distillery, shipping rum to the rum factory?   How about a $165 million distillery, paid for entirely by government subsidy, for starters, the Diageo deal moved Captain Morgan from Puerto Rico to the Island of St. Croix; also offered subsidized molasses prices; a 90 percent income tax break; property tax exemptions and even government funding for 35% of Captain Morgan advertising.

Diageo Distillery on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

     When you buy Captain Morgan rum, you're buying a bottle that your tax money produced.   The subsidies afforded Diageo to steal rum distillery jobs from one U.S. territory and bring it to another.  The subsidies are so comprehensive that the net cost Diageo pays to produce Captain Morgan rum is zero.

"They can give it away and still make money," Roberto Serrallés, vice president of the Serrallés Distillery, told the Orlando Sentinel in 2010.

Read More at http://www.idigitaltimes.com/captain-morgan-rum-owner-diageo-under-investigation-tax-incentive-scheme-puts-tech-493055

     This is something that I felt was wrong from the start.  First of all Diageo is a British Corporation and has taken advantage of not only the United States Federal program that returns a large portion of the excise tax that is collected on rum sold to the United States, but they have taken advantage of the people of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands on the money that was given to them to build the distillery.  Then you throw in the tax exemptions and it is a real steal of a deal.  I can almost live with that, but when they bring rum in to the distillery from another plant outside of the U.S. Virgin Islands in tankers that were said to be carrying molasses that is really taking advantage of a situation.  This is flat out fraud and needs to be addressed.

What Bar do I go to Get the Largest Selection of Rum in the World?

     Cottons in Notting Hill Gate has an official total of 372 different rums stocked, far exceeding any other bar.   The 1960s British Navy Rum Flagon is the most expensive rum stocked, priced at $311.87 a shot and $7643.75 per bottle, while the Nepalese Khukri rum is one of the most rare, priced at $15.29 per shot and $428.05 per bottle.

     The official certificate was presented to manager Samantha Edwards 27 October,2016 at the Notting Hill restaurant, which opened in April this year.   Edwards said: “Our varied collection of rums has been meticulously sourced from around the world, including everything from the popular brands to the small batch rums. It’s fantastic that the Guinness World Records has been able to make it official that we serve more different rums than anyone else.”  See the entire list at http://cottons-restaurant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/cottons-notting-hill-rum-list.pdf 

Smuggler's Cove, San Francisco

     I know that Martin Cate's Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco, California has numbers that are just over 600 rums.  Guinness might want to rethink this world record.  Cotton's may have the largest selection in Great Britain, but not the world.

     In Key West there is the Rum Bar 275 plus rums and the Rum Barrel with a little over 200 in their rum menu.  The Tommy Bahama Bar in Las Vegas has 217 rums.  Miami has several rum bars in the 180 plus range.  New York also has some rum bars in the same range.

Oloroso Black Tea Cooler

     Black Tea , Oloroso Finished Rum, Agave Nectar and Apricot Brandy join together for an afternoon cooler.   It is an unusual combination that is not too sweet or tart and transitions through the palate to the back of the mouth highlighting many different sensory pleasures.

     I know it is getting cold for those of you in the northern sectors, but if you like iced tea, you still get the warming of the rum to get you through.  For those of us in the tropical latitudes, it is still in the low 80's and it is really refreshing, and yummy to boot.

Oloroso Black Tea Cooler

• 1 1/2 oz, White Rum
• 1 1/2 oz. Abuelo Oloroso Cask Finished Rum
• 1/2 oz. Apricot Brandy
• 1 Bar Spoon of Agave Nectar
• 3 oz. Pure Leaf Black Iced Tea

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled and strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.  Garnish with a lemon wedge.