Fast Times

SAT 9/20

Go, go, speed racer. Go before the checkered flags fall on the winners in what is fast becoming an annual episode of race fever in the Magic City. Billed as Race Week Miami, an array of activities has been scheduled around the upcoming full-throttled Super Boat International National Championship Race off South Beach and the high-octane Grand Prix Americas zooming through the streets of downtown Miami. It all kicks off with a cocktail party for the adults tonight at 6:00 and continues with the entire family in mind for Race Adventure on Watson Island tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s a Saturday filled with boat-building workshops, a racing village, and the chance to hobnob with real professional boat and racecar drivers (sorry Vin Diesel) while picking up tips about navigating I-95. You can also watch the qualifying tournament for the Miami Dragon Boat race from the viewing platform. Rounding out the week is the Miami Cup Regatta in Biscayne Bay, a FanFest, and Miss GPA pageant. Festivities end with a Vive El Merengue concert at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, at the Miami Arena. Events are free. Call 305-373-3333. — By John Anderson

SAT 9/20

Planet Plant

Aroid lovers show and sell

Office-inhabiting dieffenbachia and potted philodendrons are members of the plant family Araceae, or aroids. So is the Titan Arum (as in Fairchild Tropical Garden’s gigantic “Mr. Stinky”) as well as many other oddly beautiful and sometimes naughty-looking species. The 2003 International Aroid Society Show and Sale will bring together common and rare examples at Fairchild Tropical Garden (10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Plant lovers are welcome to bring their aroids for display or sale, or just show up to browse and shop. At 1:00 p.m. Saturday world-renowned aroid expert Wilbert Hetterscheid, among others, will speak. Admission is $10. An optional dinner and lecture costs an extra $15. Call 305-667-1651. — By Margaret Griffis