Mar 18: Wheels & Water

This weekend you'll have a choice. Look over the latest wheels or scope out some new ways to enjoy the water. Or you can do both. Thursday through Sunday, the Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show and the Dania Beach Marine Flea Market each will draw thousands of enthusiasts looking for something to help get them around South Florida. Ironically enough, you'll have to drive to the Marine Flea Market, though you can arrive at the Auto Show by boat if you want. A Water Taxi will drop you within easy walking distance of the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, where the 19^th annual edition of the auto show is taking place. I've been to this event before and thought it was pretty cool. If you're a car lover, as I am, this year's auto show should give you plenty of reasons to drool.

The hot cars include a 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport, which I haven't seen in person yet. But wow, I'd love to. This electric sports car goes from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds but gives off zero emissions. The company's own website calls it "$130,000 of electric orange sex." Hard to argue with that. In addition to the Tesla, you'll find the auto show brimming with Jaguars and Caddies, Hyundais and Chevys, Smart Cars and Volvos. Even, ahem, Toyotas. Perhaps they'll be handing out discount coupons at that one? Seriously, this show looks like a terrific time for anyone in the market for a new car - or with money enough to only dream about one.

The Marine Flea Market is something else, mostly old stuff that's still good stuff. There's some brand new stuff mixed in as well. Happening at Dania Jai-Alai on Dania Beach Boulevard, this is just what it sounds like: a flea market for marine goods. Organizers say it's the largest event of its type in the world and who am I to question them? I live nearby and I can tell you this much - they definitely draw a crowd. The Marine Flea Market will offer everything from scuba equipment to fishing tackle, used boats to marine artworks. For more info, you can go to http://www.daniamarinefleamarket.com/. For the auto show, click on http://www.ftlauderdaleautoshow.com/. It's all rather Fort Lauderdale, really. We're totally into boats and things watergoing here, of course, and South Florida also is very much a place of fast, expensive cars. They've just thoughtfully combined both obsessions into one busy, mobile weekend.