The Annual Delray Affair Brings Art to Town

The 49th Delray Affair took place this past weekend. Atlantic Avenue was shutdown to traffic and flooded with tents and vendors with anything from ethnic cuisine to tiki hut art for sale. While the numerous creators came with their arts and crafts the "Affair" also provided musical entertainment with jazz and cover bands.

The 10 block long "Affair" is one of the oldest of it's kind in South Florida. Some examples of what was for sale included an array of colorful tye-dye shirts and signs for the garden. The "Affair" is a family event with small rides for children and toys for sale as well.

One of the most notable memories of the Delray Affair for me was from a couple seasons ago when they had a card and crayon station set up so that people could send a thank you letter to the soldiers overseas.

Boca finds Trouble Following in Delray's Footsteps to Ban Shark Fishing

In 2009 Delray Beach's city commission was able to pass an ordinance that banned shark fishing from it's beaches. The decision was brought on by safety complaints from residents as well as conservationists who argued that sharks do not do well as "hook and line" fish. 

While Delray may have been successful in their attempt to pass the ordinance, Boca Raton, however, was not. The city ran into multiple problems when fishermen argued that their right to fish is embedded in the Florida Constitution; a fact not brought up in the Delray case.

While the decision to ban shark fishing from Boca's beaches has yet to come up since addressed by the Marine Advisory Board in February there can still be cement blocks attached to liter line found on the beaches of Delray (a sure sign that people are still shark fishing).

A dead, pregnant Hammerhead shark washes up on Delray Beach last summer with a hook and line in it's mouth

Lobster Season has Generous Yield off Delray and Boca Coasts

Many people visit South Florida for not only the sand and sea but also what it yields.  The Florida Spiny Lobster is a favorite amongst Florida natives and visitors alike.

Lobster season started back in August and has just ended March 31st. Lobsters off our coasts may be taken in bag limits of 6 max per person, must meet the designated length and not possess eggs.

Every year, Capt. Tony and his boat The Diversity take locals off the Boca and Delray coast to collect their limit on the last two days of the season. This year, there were plenty of lobsters for anyone licensed to hunt; the divers took the lobsters back to the dock and had a cookout.