With the megamoney rolling through the northern county, it's amazing how we're only in year two of the annual Palm Beach County Boat Show. In keeping with the excess of the area, the event promises more than 250,000 square feet of boats and nautical displays, with some of the most ostentatious yachts in the world. Vintage craft float alongside the newest, sleekest, ego-stroking models. Don't be surprised to see an upgraded version of the 1940s wooden runabout, complete with art deco fins and beaver-tail decks. The luxury category will offer plenty of opportunities to salivate over leather upholstery, mahogany trim, hot and cold running wet bars, and air-conditioned cabins nicer than some of the condos that line the beach. For entertainment, after you realize you won't be able to afford one of these crafts even if you live to be 150 and the Dow Jones Industrial Index doubles every six months, you get to watch Twiggy -- not the model but the water-skiing squirrel. A mile west of the turnpike, the show is in dry dock, but for the working stiff with good credit, there'll be a broad selection of waverunners and jet skis on exhibit Thursday through Sunday at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach). Admission is $9, though kids younger than 12 are admitted free. Call 561-383-7734. -- Karen Dale Wolman
SAT 6/28
The Write Stuff
Writer's Forum boasts authors for all
They say everyone has a book inside of him. Of course, whether that book is the Great American Novel or the latest cheap paperback to hit the airport bookstore is another matter. If you want your writing to shine like a new penny, you've got two choices. First, you could read New Times and just do what we do. Or, you could attend the Writer's Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Riverland Branch Library (2710 W. Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale). Three local romance writers -- Sandra Madden, Cynthia Thomason, and Marcia King-Gamble; travel author and journalist Harold Flagg; and author Jerry Gold come together to offer tips and techniques to would-be writers. Admission is free. Call 954-791-1086. -- Dan Sweeney
