Upper Keys Weekly - 20-0109

In our thoughts, Australia. In our prayers, troops overseas.

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BOAT BLESSING An annual tradition | P. 18

FREEBEE FOR ALL

Transportation goes village wide | P. 13

SUCCESS THROUGH SCUBA

Program prepares youth | P. 20

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Interior Design • Furniture & Decor

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

Florida Keys Concert Association Presents Its 2020 Program

Come Celebrate our 51st Season!

Glenn Miller Orchestra You asked for a big band, and we heard you. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest big bands of all times.

Monday, Jan. 20, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon...$45-$60 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 7:30pm: Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center, Islamorada...$45

Our Rising Star: Youlan Ji Meet this young Julliard student, the 2018 Cowan first prize winner of the New York International Piano Competition. Telling stories through music is her passion.

Monday, Jan. 27, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon... $30-$45 Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7:30pm: Island Community Church, Islamorada...$30

Mary Elizabeth Bowden & David Dash with the Kassia Ensemble The award winning powerhouse husband and wife trumpet duo joins forces with Pittsburgh’s dynamic all-female string quartet to present an evening of unforgettable music.

Monday, Feb 3, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon...$30-$45 Tuesday, Feb 4, 7:30pm: Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center, Islamorada...$30

Cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist/composer Michael Brown, hailed as

“a pair of adventurous young talents”, are with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and have been captivating audiences with their thrilling performances.

Monday, Feb. 10, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon...$30-$45 Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7:30pm: Island Community Church, Islamorada...$30

Lincoln Trio Grammy nominated Lincoln Trio was chosen to celebrate the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration with President Barack Obama. They will delight sophisticated music lovers, young admirers of contemporary programs and students discovering chamber music for the first time.

Monday, Feb. 24, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon...$30-$45 Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7:30pm: Island Community Church, Islamorada...$30

An Evening of Opera Highlights One of the most highly anticipated events of the season.

A cast of great singers with piano accompanist will delight your ears and heart with wonderful arias and duets from your favorite operas.

Monday, March 2, 7:30pm: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center, Marathon...$30-$45 Tuesday, March 3, 7:30pm: Island Community Church, Islamorada...$30 Artists, Dates and Venues Subject to change

VENUES: Marathon High School Performing Arts Center • 350 Sombrero Beach Rd • Marathon, Fl. 33050 • MM50 Coral Shores High School Performing Arts Center • 89901 Old Hwy. • Tavernier, Fl. 33070 • MM90 Island Community Church • 83250 Overseas Hwy. • Islamorada, Fl. 33036 • MM 83

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Youlan Ji

Mary Elizabeth Bowden, David Dash with Kassia Ensemble

Canellakis & Brown

Lincon Trio

Opera Highlights

SINGLE TICKETS may be purchased at the door or online at floridakeysconcerts.com SEASON TICKETS for SIX Fabulous Concerts $110 (43% Savings) For season tickets fill out the form below and bring it to the first concert or Mail with check to: FLKCA P O Box 2066 • Islamorada, Fl. 33036. Season tickets may also be purchased online at floridakeysconcerts.com NAME____________________________________________ ADDRESS________________________________________

floridakeysconcerts.com Marathon: (800) 324-69 82 Islamorada: (305) 240-1000

TELEPHONE ____________________________EMAIL______________________________________________________ Please mark venue you will be attending: q Marathon q Islamorada No.of Season tickets @$110_______ No. of Preferred Seating tickets @$160 (Marathon only) __________ Total enclosed for tickets $________ Additional tax-deductible donation $________ Total $_________ All tickets will be at will call at first concert • All Monroe County teachers and children under 18 admitted free

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

Strata B by John Bunker

Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to announce the expansion of our presence in the Florida Keys with the acquisition of Jo Ann Cook’s outstanding team.

Jo Ann will continue to manage the office and operations in Marathon, FL. This partnership will allow us to further service the entire Florida Keys and build on our accomplishments as leaders in luxury real estate.

Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty 10055 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 t 305.735.4095 oceansir.com © MMXX Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Strata B is used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

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ISLAMORADA

91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 Office: 305.363.2957 www.keysweekly.com

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

550

ON THE COVER

NUMBER OF THE WEEK Bealls has more than 550 stores in 17 states, including the three in the Florida Keys. The umbrella company covers Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burkes Outlet, Home Centric and Bunulu. On Jan. 3, the retailer announced that Matt Beall will take over as CEO of the Bradenton, Florida-based company. It did $1.39 billion in sales in 2018. (By the way, it’s pronounced “bells,” NOT “bee-alls.”)

Andy Cone participates in the 2020 Blessing of the Fleet up board the fishing vessel “Warbird” on New Year’s Day in Islamorada. DOUG FINGER/ Keys Weekly

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MEADS STEPS AWAY FROM POST Councilwoman focusing on water management district

Tiffany Duong tiffany@keysweekly.com Sara Matthis sara@keysweekly.com Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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THE UPPER KEYS WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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Tuesday Noon

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JIM McCARTHY

I

jim@keysweekly.com

slamorada Councilwoman Cheryl Meads is stepping away from the dais to focus her time and attention on tackling the issues facing the South Florida Water Management District.

Meads submitted her resignation letter to top village staff and Vice Mayor Mike Forster on Jan. 7, thanking leadership and residents for the trust they placed in her during her time of service. Meads told the Weekly she couldn’t make the council meetings work with her commitments with the SFWMD governing board, of which she’s an at-large member. She acknowledged she struggled with the decision, but said “no decision is always a bad decision.”

“I’m going to miss council, but I had to choose, and I think I made the choice that can help Monroe County the most,” Meads told the Weekly.

Meads has served on the Islamorada Village Council since 2016. Last year, she was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve on the SFWMD governing board, something she said requires her full time, energy and focus. Meads represents an area that encompasses not only Monroe County, but also St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Her two-year tenure as a board member started March 2019 and goes through February 2021.

Meads, a scientist who holds a degree in chemistry with education and training in biology, microbiology and water analysis development, said she’s learned a lot since joining the SFWMD

Islamorada Councilwoman Cheryl Meads resigned from the dais on Jan. 7 to focus her full time and energy as a member of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. CONTRIBUTED

board. And still, there’s much more to learn. Meads is one of nine members on the governing board.

“I feel I am not only invested in the future of the village, which I remain passionate about, but all the Florida Keys, as well as the 8.7 million South Floridians throughout the 16 counties this governing board serves,” Meads

“I feel I am not only invested in the future of the village, which I remain passionate about, but all the Florida Keys, as well as the 8.7 million South Floridians throughout the 16 counties this governing board serves.”

—Councilwoman Cheryl Meads

said in her letter. “The many and varied water resource issues, flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, etc., touch each of us.”

Meads said Village Manager Seth Lawless and staff went out of their way to accommodate her so she could attend meetings when she was away from the area through call-in.

Since she isn’t allowed to call in any more, Meads said, she couldn’t make it work.

Mayor Mike Forster said Meads will continue to be the local champion on the SFWMD, and her dedication and commitment to be the board will be second to none.

As for the vacancy, applications will be accepted following the Thursday, Jan. 9 village council meeting.

Any Islamorada resident who’s a registered voter can apply.

Per the village charter, council has 30 days to fill the vacant seat. The person picked would be approved through a council supermajority vote — three of the four remaining members — and serve a term that ends following the regularly scheduled election in November 2020.

With Meads’ resignation, four of the five council seats are up for election this year. Mark Gregg filed on Jan. 7 to run for seat 2, which Meads formerly held. Frank Lavin and Pete Bacheler are running for seat 1, which Deb Gillis will be terming out of. Jenny Bell-Thomson is running for seat 3, which Jim Mooney will be terming out of, and Larry Zettwoch is running for seat 5, which Mayor Mike Forster is terming out of.

COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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BRIEFLY Alonso recognized for helping consumers

Film program debuts at Islamorada Library

Roberto I. Alonso has been recognized for his hard work and expertise in helping consumers enroll in and manage qualified health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This achievement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a member of the 2020 Marketplace Circle of Champions highlights Alonso’s success in actively enrolling 20 or more consumers during this open enrollment period. “Agents and brokers play a vital role in helping consumers access qualified health coverage and navigate their new health insurance plans throughout the year,” said Randy Pate, director of the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight within CMS, which oversees the Marketplace. “We thank Alonso for his dedication to providing exceptional service in helping Americans get coverage.” The Marketplace Circle of Champions program recognizes the hard work, expertise and service of Marketplace-registered agents and brokers.

Agents and brokers who assist 20 or more consumers qualify.

Islamorada Public Library announces the debut of the Cinematheque, a free weekly film screening program, each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in the library’s Community Room, beginning Jan. 14 with the classic “Key Largo.” It will be followed on Jan. 21 with another classic, “To Have and Have Not,” and on Jan. 28 with “Casablanca,” each contributing to the opening month’s theme of “A Distant Shout of Adventure.” A monthly program with details on each film is available at the library, or check out the library’s Facebook page, Islamorada Library Helen Wadley Branch, for details and trailers. The Cinematheque seeks to entertain and illuminate – from classics to indies to foreign to mainstream Hollywood. The movies will show on the big screen, in Surround Sound, with freshly popped popcorn and drinks freely available, and will include discussion after.

Farm animals visit library Farmer Jeanne of Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm will be bringing a group of four-legged friends to Islamorada Library for a visit on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. She will give a presentation on the animals that are taken care of by the correctional facility, and then allow each child to have a close-up look. Depending on which creatures are available that day, Farmer Jeanne may be bringing Mo the Sloth, the farm’s best-known animal; a skunk, a hedgehog, a tortoise, and/or an alligator. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. All ages are welcome, with adult supervision. The event is free and no registration is required. More information is at 305-664-4645. The library is at 81830 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, bayside.

Interested in ukulele, yoga or tech help?

Betsy Baste of J.O.Y (Just Older Youth) will be guest speaker during Keys Connection lecture series at the Key Largo Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 13. Baste will provide updates on the many classes and activities the group offers in the Upper Keys and what to expect in the year ahead. Hosted by the Friends of the Key Largo Library. The meeting is free and open to the public. 305-451-2396

Mayors’ Ball partners with painter Adam Rote Ben Kemmer, CEO of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, along with the Mayors’ Ball Committee leadership, sought to raise the bar on fundraising by partnering with American realist painter Adam S. Rote. The team took a risk on the 18th annual Mayors’ Ball by moving the location out of Key West where it has been hosted for the last 17 years. “The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter services children and families throughout Monroe County; therefore, the committee thought it best to host the shelter’s largest annual fund-raiser in a neutral location. “We picked the beautiful Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon to host the annual event, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11,” Kemmer said. Key West Gallery was a supporter of FKCS for the 2019 Mayors’ Ball and extended a warm introduction to Rote to partner with for the 2020 event. Rote is donating one of his “Alice in Wonderland Drink Me” paintings for the only live auction item, which fits the Mayors’ Ball in Wonderland theme. “It is with great pleasure that I am able to join an amazing cause as many of my collectors have homes in the Florida Keys,” said Rote. The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter offers services to at-risk youth and their families for counseling through the Monroe County School system and other non-profit agencies, as well as having counselors visit family’s homes if necessary. More information is at mayorsball.org.

UPPER KEYS HISTORY ‘The Coffins’ sit off the Channel 2 Bridge. BRAD BERTELLI/Contributed

‘COFFINS’ MARK DEATH OF PLANNED HIGHWAY BRAD BERTELLI www.keysweekly.com

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ight concrete structures sit somewhat ominously in the shallows off the Channel 2 Bridge. All eight are not always visible, especially at high tide. Fishermen in skiffs can be seen casting their lines around them. It is not just because fish like the structures; these concrete pilings have been sitting in the water for the better part of 100 years and ecosystems have grown around them. Locals refer to them as “the coffins.” A metaphorically apt descriptor, they contain no actual bodies – even if some of the local barstool historians tell tales to the contrary. The concrete structures do, however, mark the death of a plan to build a series of automobile bridges that would have paralleled bridges supporting Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad.

It became possible to drive a car from Miami to Key West when the first incarnation of the Overseas Highway, officially recognized as State Road 4A, opened to traffic on Jan. 22, 1928. It was not possible to drive directly to Key West, as the first version of the road was ultimately incomplete and ended, at least for a distance, at Lower Matecumbe Key. For drivers wishing to travel beyond Lower Matecumbe, it was necessary to board an automobile ferry that brought drivers to No Name Key, where the road picked back up again and continued the rest of the way to Key West. Ferries departed twice daily, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The crossing took four hours, providing the weather and tides cooperated. In 1931, two additional ferry terminals were constructed, one on Grassy Key and one on Hog Key, as well as 13.5 miles of road on Vaca Key to help connect them. The addition of these two terminals shortened the ferry ride to two 14-mile trips.

Monroe County officials believed that a solid bridge system connecting Key West to mainland America could represent a boon to the economy. The Overseas Highway Bridge Corporation was formed. Efforts to bridge the gap were thwarted with the collapse of the

American economy and emergence of the Great Depression. In October 1932, for instance, a plan was submitted for congressional approval calling for a $10.7 million loan to build the automobile bridge system. The request was ignored.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president in 1932, one of his early acts was the implementation of the New Deal promising relief, recovery and reform. To put the New Deal’s plan into motion, he created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration or FERA. Florida’s first FERA administrator was Julius Stone. Stone had an affinity for Key West and opened an office in the Southernmost City. He was convinced Key West could become a tourism mecca.

Stone posited to FERA officials the use of veterans to help build the bridge project. The idea prevailed and ultimately, three work camps were established in the Upper Keys. Each was capable of housing 250 men, largely out of work World War I veterans.

Camps Three and Five were located on Lower Matecumbe. Camp One, located near the foot of the Snake Creek Bridge, on the Windley Key side, included a hospital facility. The introduction of the workers effectively doubled the population of the Upper Keys. Workers were provided room and board as well as $1 per day. One dollar in 1935 had the buying power of about $18 in 2017.

The first bridge under construction would link Lower Matecumbe Key to the island known today as Fiesta Key. The project was halted by the arrival of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane that would take the lives of hundreds of veterans and locals alike. Up to the arrival of the hurricane, workers had built eight concrete bridge piers in the shallows off what is today the Channel 2 Bridge. Those are the eight bridge piers locals sometimes refer to as “the coffins” that may contain the sweat and spirit of some of those workers, but no actual bodies. The same cannot be said, however, for the piers supporting the iconic Bahia Honda railroad bridge.

Brad Bertelli is curator of the Keys History & Discovery Center.

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ENVIRONMENT

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

RESTORATION BLUEPRINT Stakeholders weigh in on Sanctuary proposal NOAA’s Restoration Blueprint was introduced at the Sanctuary Advisory Council’s meeting in August, and the community has been buzzing about it since.

The proposal seeks to balance the need to bring our marine environments back to health while still promoting the economies and industries depending on those resources.

Four alternatives were presented, but constituents were invited to comment upon as much or as little of the proposals as they wanted – whether that be a specific reef, certain regulations, or an entire alternative. Alternative 3, the sanctuary’s preferred plan, would result in major changes in terms of expanded boundaries, additional zoning, tighter regulation and a new management plan.

Keys Weekly spoke with environmentalists and stakeholders in affected industries about NOAA’s Restoration Blueprint.

Here’s what the community has to say:

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

Glimmer of hope for the Restoration Blueprint?

Having attended or viewed all of the public meetings held in the Keys since the unveiling of the Restoration Blueprint, and listening to all the public comments, it is safe to say it is unanimous the fisherman in the Florida Keys would like to see the Restoration Blueprint, as written, be rolled up and responsibly sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

The Restoration Blueprint requires a major overhaul. There are many areas and restrictions that simply do not make sense, cannot be enforced and will create overcrowding, user conflict and more habitat destruction than perceived or intended. We can sit back and wait for the Restoration Blueprint plan to disappear, but that is not likely to happen. A better choice is to get involved and stay engaged through public comment.

At the last sanctuary advisory council meeting I heard a glimmer of hope. The sanctuary staff promises a fair and transparent process moving forward. They have admitted to mistakes in the plans and they have begun to speak about dismantling the “alternatives.” A presentation was made regarding major coral restoration plans.

This is a movement in the right direction. The coral restoration project is a proactive plan within the scope of the FKNMS that the community can embrace and support.

In the Restoration Blueprint, the FKNMS was reaching beyond their scope with regulations imposed on fisheries. The fisheries regulations should be determined by the state and federal fisheries management councils and not to be decided by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary or the SAC. Adding mooring buoys to popular anchoring areas will ensure improvement in coral protection and is another positive action that can be embraced and supported by all. It is essential to the preservation of our coral resources, and anyone who enjoys the waters of our Florida Keys will gladly utilize them! Proper mooring buoy placement within the Key Largo management area will eliminate the need for the 132-square-mile proposed no-anchor zone restriction. This vast closure area is nearly equivalent to the size of the 137-square-mile land mass of the entire Florida Keys. The proposed closure would cause increased, devastating pressure on areas just outside of the boundaries, such as Pickles Reef and beyond.

We must not forget the three essential elements in our groundwork toward solutions: • Adequate law enforcement and focus on the water patrols.

• Education programs like the Blue Star program, which should be available to all.

• Water quality, the number 1 impactor on the health of our reefs. Without clean water, nothing will ever improve.

My involvement with the marine sanctuary began back when decisions were being made where to put the yellow balls to mark SPA boundaries. I have been a member of the sanctuary advisory council representing charter/sport fishing for almost 10 years. I have always trusted the process and I have great respect for all the members of the SAC. Just like many Keys residents, my wife and I have enjoyed the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys and all they have to offer since we were kids. Our two daughters were born here and they greatly respect and enjoy our surrounding waters as we do. No doubt my grandson, due to be born in May, will follow the same.

I am 100% committed to conservation and preservation of our land and water resources and will continue doing the right thing to protect them!

Captain Steve Leopold Offshore Charter Fishing Guide

The Restoration Blueprint is available at floridakeys.noaa. gov/blueprint. NOAA is taking public comment on the proposals through Jan. 31, 2020.

Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations. gov (docket number NOAANOS-2019-0094).

Steven Leopold is a long-time offshore charter fishing guide in Islamorada and sanctuary advisory council member.

To review the Weekly’s coverage of the Restoration Blueprint and community opinions about it, visit keysweekly.com/42/ category/sanctuaryblueprint/.

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

Uncorked... the KEY LARGO & ISLAMORADA

Jan. 9 -19 th

th 2020

11 Days of Food & Wine Events in Key Largo & Islamorada

Fabulous Eateries - Over 30 Delicious Foodie Events!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

World Class Wines Keys & International Cuisine Lobster & Seafood Wine Education Cooking Demonstrations Mixology & Craft Beers Martinis & Margaritas Celebrity & Local Chef Events

Prices to fit all budgets and tastes!

Flavors of the Keys OUR RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO OFFER SPECIAL PRIX FIXE DINNERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FESTIVAL AT $39 + TAX + TIP CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR MENUS

Sundowners Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Ballyhoo’s Snooks Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Capt Craigs Key Largo Conch House Green Turtle Inn Snappers Key Largo Fisheries

Visit the web for schedule, details & reservations!

Ciao Hound Reelburger Skippers Kaiyo Whale Harbor

Grand Tasting Sat. Jan 18 • 11am-4 pm at the beautiful, oceanfront Postcard Inn Resort Mile Marker 84, Islamorada A multi-sensory experience of Fine Cuisine & World-Class Wines Check out VIP benefits and buy tickets online

www.FloridaKeysUncorked.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

BRIEFLY Volunteers sought during tax season United Way of the Florida Keys is seeking volunteers to assist with a free tax preparation program for households with limited incomes in Monroe County. Volunteers are needed to work as IRS-certified tax prep assistants or greeters. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed as tax prep assistants, greeters or translators. After attending a free, one day, hands-on training on Friday, Jan. 10 in Key West or Saturday, Jan. 11 in Marathon, and passing an online certification, volunteers assist at tax preparation events. These are regularly scheduled during the weekday or evening throughout the Keys, January through April.

Volunteers’ scheduling and location are flexible. (Translators are not required to participate in the one-day training.)

Through this program, volunteers help fellow Keys residents maximize their tax return so they are better able to provide for their families, thereby making our community more affordable. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn, grow and serve. The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program is designed to assist qualified taxpayers with completion of their annual tax returns and to ensure that limited income families receive every available benefit. UWFK is pleased to offer the VITA program through a grant from Wells Fargo. More information is available via email to VITA@ KeysUnitedWay.org or by phone at 305-735-1929.

COCKTAIL PARTY SUPPORTS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY The organizing committee at Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys has begun planning its 18th annual Cocktail Party scheduled for March 6, 2020 at the Islander Resort in Islamorada. Committee members Susan Latham, Lisa Coakley, Jack Niedbalski, Michele Pope, chairperson, Alyse Martin, and Olivia Hammon recently met to discuss the event. Those wishing to donate auction items auction may call Habitat for Humanity at 305-453-0050. CONTRIBUTED

DANCERS PERFORM AT NURSING HOME Nearly 75 dancers from On Your Toes Dance Studio spread holiday cheer recently at Crystal Health & Rehab Center, Plantation Key Nursing Center in Islamorada. Dancers, led by studio owner/director Stephanie Zlockie, performed a variety of numbers including ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop, from their program. Residents of the nursing center watched the hour-long performance in the cafeteria of the center. Zlockie and instructor Bernice Dionne, left, pose with dancers and residents of the nursing home. CONTRIBUTED

COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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ARTS AND OAKS

Fine art, crafts at 37th annual event JIM McCARTHY

I

jim@keysweekly.com

t’s a festival of fine and original crafts, and it lies underneath the oaks at San Pedro Church in Tavernier.

Set for Saturday, Jan. 18, the 37th annual Art Under the Oaks is bringing artists and craft vendors from near and far to showcase and sell their works. From painting and sculpture to specialty food booths, there’s a little something for everyone to check out.

There will also be a bake sale and live entertainment, as well as a raffle of donated art and a half-day offshore fishing trip courtesy of Doghouse Sportfishing Charters.

“It’s a beautiful day in the Upper Keys, and you can just spend it wandering around, eating, listening to music and looking at the great artwork,” said Lynn Clements, event chairperson. “We usually have strong turnout every year, and it speaks to the quality of workmanship.”

Clements said some 100 vendors are signed up so far, with more potentially coming.

Admission to Art Under the Oaks is free, and on-site parking costs $5. Free and convenient, air-conditioned shuttle buses run continuously from the parking lot of Coral Shores High School at MM 90, oceanside. Parking is not allowed on the U.S. 1 (Overseas Highway) right-of-way.

More information,, including how to inquire about booth applications, is at www.sanpedroparish.org, www.artundertheoaks. com, via email artundertheoaks@yahoo.com or by phone at 305852-5372 ext. 3.

Visitors stroll from one tent to another under the tall oaks during a bright and sunny afternoon in 2019. WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Barrie is busy painting a tropical piece during last year’s Art Under the Oaks.

With hand-painted creations, Beach Art

by Barrie features murals, custom light switches, underwater and beach paintings and more.

WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

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DENTAL CARE YOU CAN

Key Largo Dentists, Dr. Travis Bennett and Dr. Sandy Brito are dedicated to quality dental care. At our beautiful offices we offer a wide array of dental procedures including CT scans, implant /gum surgery, implant prosthetics, full mouth restoration, same day in office crowns and bridges, fillings, orthodontics (braces and Invisalign), teeth whitening, smile makeovers and many other services. “No sell dentistry, state of art office with a staff that cares!”

50+ Years Experience and History working in Multiple types of Construction Dr. Travis W. Bennett, D.M.D. Implant and General Dentistry

TAVERNIER 90290 Overseas Hwy. | 305.852.5099 Tuesdays and Thursday 9AM-5PM

www.everyonelovesagentledentist.com

• Residential • Commercial • Marine Concrete Repair • Many Others • Governmental, City, County, State and Federal, FDOT Prequalified • NACE 10377 (Cathodic Protection Inspector) and SSPC 1111116269 (Coatings Inspector)

KEY LARGO 102965 Overseas Hwy. | 305.451.2616 Monday thru Friday 9AM-5PM

RA

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WN NO

Dr. Sandy M. Brito, D.M.D. Family and General Dentistry

IMPLANT COSMETIC FAMILY DENTISTRY

• Fully Insured - Longshoremen’s, Workmen's Compensation, Liability & Umbrellas

305-394-0747 | 347 Aviation Blvd. | Marathon Building Contractor CBC 044320 • General Contractor CGC 1510157 • Roofing Contractor CCC 1331887 Plumbing Contractor CFC045270 • Mold Assessor MRA 2915 • Mold Remediator MRSR 3088

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STATE NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

SESSION PREVIEW NuĂąez, Flores preparing for another busy year

State Sen. Anitere Flores speaks during last year’s legislative session.

CONTRIBUTED

L

solidify what’s long been a handshake agreement between the state and t. Gov. Jeanette NuĂąez and the administration of Gov. Ron Monroe County. Senate Bill 748 curDeSantis prepare for what they hope will be a productive and rently sits in committee. successful session in Tallahassee. For state Sen. Anitere Flores, “This is a real several Keys-related issue for the Keys as issues top her prioriwe bump up against ties list as she enters the deadline,â€? Flores her last year in office. said. “As we get In just five days, legislators “It would be terrible if at a closer and closer, will commence another year of time teachers talk about init is important for debating bills and passing an creases in salary that MonMonroe County ofon-time spending plan. Lawmakficials to know that ers like Flores have been hard at roe County wouldn’t really the agreement will be work filing bills on a whole host see any.â€? more formalized.â€? of issues. Notably, Flores has — State Sen. Anitere Flores Legislation didn’t again filed a bill to divvy the costs pass through the from lawsuits anticipated when House for different the state no longer hands out reasons last year, building permits in the Keys in Flores said. She hopes the result is dif2023.

If passed this year, the state and local governments located in an area of ferent this time around.

On the administrative side, a $91.4 critical state of the concern, like the Keys, would share judgments to defenbillion budget proposal was unveiled dants who are successful in property-rights litigation. Flores said it would

in lead-up to session with key investments in K-12 education, the environment and public safety.

NuĂąez said the administration has been laser-focused on a number of matters facing the state over the past year. With priorities outlined

by DeSantis in motion, and some even accomplished, NuĂąez said there’s never a shortage of issues and budget items to hone in on. “Since day one, we’ve been focused on working on the issues,â€? NuĂąez said. “The governor is focused on doing what he set out to do and what he campaigned to do.â€?

Nuùez said she was particularly excited to see the administration’s environmental agenda take off during session last year, with more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, $40 million to

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STATE NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

expedite the Tamiami Trail project to restore clean water south and $25 million to combat blue-green algae and red tide. Locally, canal restoration was added as a priority of the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern program.

Nuñez said she expects more investments in water quality this session with recurring funds in the governor’s budget proposal for the Everglades and water resources.

And Nuñez said the governor’s not shy to call up the administration in Washington D.C., to pony up its fair share.

“The governor really relies on his relationship with the president,” Nuñez said. “The president always jokes on how he’s always calling for more money. It just shows the amount of effort and intensity the governor has to fulfill the vision of Florida.”

On the education side, pay raises for teachers are gaining attention from many educators across the state. The governor’s budget includes hundreds of millions to recruit and retain teachers as well as bonus programs.

Concerns have been brought forth over how the plan rewards long-time teachers. And here in the Keys, teachers are already at a higher salary rate.

“We recognize and will look at those inequities to make sure we’re addressing the overall issue, which everyone can agree there is a deficiency in starting teacher pay,” Nuñez said. “On top of that, what are things that we can do that won’t break the bank? Each district has unique challenges, and they’ve done things to address those challenges. As we look at the profession, there’s a shortage. We really want to attract the best in the industry, attract those stellar teachers and mold our future generation.”

“The governor really relies on his relationship with the president, the president always jokes on how he’s always calling for more money.

It just shows the amount of effort and intensity the governor has to fulfill the vision of Florida.”

— Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez listens to Michael Crosby of Mote Marine Laboratory during a water policy announcement in Sarasota last year.

Pictured next to Nuñez is First Lady Casey DeSantis. CONTRIBUTED

11

Flores said she’s already brought up teacher pay concerns during meetings.

“It would be terrible if at a time teachers talk about increases in salary that Monroe County wouldn’t really see any,” she said. “The governor is aware and listening.”

Another key matter facing the Keys surrounds wind insurance. Flores has filed a bill yet again to cap wind insurance rates for policies issued by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Senate Bill 1204, which has been referred to various Senate committees, would prevent increases that exceed 10 percent on a single policy. Flores has taken up the issue every year to no avail, having only seen passage in the Senate and not the House.

“Organizations like FIRM have been able to show to the commissioner of insurance that right now, rates are not fair,” she said. “I’m going to continue to work on it at the legislative level.”

With this being Flores’ final year in office, she says she’s going to fight hard.

“This (the Keys) is an area that needs a lot of help from an environmental standpoint with climate change and rising sea levels. These are things that effect Monroe County before they get to the rest of the state,” she said. “It’s been a fun ride. It’s been fantastic working with Rep. (Holly) Raschein. We talked about we’re going out strong this year.”

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ISLAMORADA

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

MORE FREEBEE

Expansion village-wide begins February

JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

O

n Upper Matecumbe, Freebee vehicles stay busy transporting locals and guests from their doorsteps or resorts to restaurants, bars and shops. And come next month, service will be available to all islands within the village.

The free electric vehicle ridesharing service began its operation in November 2018. While many people are downloading the app to request rides, service is limited to Upper Matecumbe, as Freebee carts can’t traverse the bridges. With the program becoming more and more popular, and a desire to take vehicles off U.S. 1., village council approved expanding the program to allow for two larger vans to transport riders over the bridges from Plantation Key to Lower Matecumbe.

According to the village, delivery of the vans to Freebee was supposed to happen in late 2019 but was delayed.

Now, service is expected to ramp up the first week of February.

With service to all village islands, Vice Mayor Ken Davis said it’s going to be a game changer.

“I think it’s going to take cars off the road, which we need to because people talk about the traffic,” he said.

“It’s great for seniors with it being a door-to-door service. You can’t beat it.”

With the village-wide service, vans and carts will operate every day of the week for a total of 70 hours. On weekends, service will run from 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and from noon to midnight on Saturdays. On Sunday, vehicles will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Councilman Jim Mooney said he believes more locals will use the ridesharing service now that vehicles will cross bridges.

“At the end of the day, being able to have Freebee pick you up and take you to places like Old Tav and back will be great,” he said. “ Freebee is changing the way people experience South Florida in cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Key Biscayne, Doral and Islamorada.

Providing rides for free, the electric transportation is an alternative to driving a car through busy roads — and it’s reducing the village’s carbon footprint.

During an initial six-month trial period, 6.24 tons of CO2 emissions were prevented from being released.

Jason Spiegel, Freebee co-founder and managing partner, told council that he feels good about ridership in the first six months. Passenger numbers exceeded 1,300 during May. In addition, permonth passenger numbers bettered those of Fort Lauderdale and Pinecrest.

Islamorada Chamber of Commerce executive director Judy Hull said Freebee’s expansion will benefit local businesses and relieve some congestion on the road.

“I think it’s going to be very good,” she said.

“Hopefully, the end result will be less cars on the road.”

Freebee vehicles like this one currently transport locals and guests from their door steps or resorts to restaurants, bars and shops. VILLAGE OF ISLAMORADA/CONTRIBUTED

Vans like these used in Palmetto Bay will transport riders village-wide beginning next month. VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY/Contributed

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OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

O

ver the course of my life, I’ve never been able to shed the memories of Marines dying in combat or clasping onto life in the hope of being medically evacuated. Apolitical service in the Armed Forces of the United States has involved selfless action from American citizens for 243 years.

On Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 a.m., the Wounded Warrior Bicycle Ride will begin at Upper Keys VFW Post 10211, in front of Arthur’s Island Kitchen restaurant at MM 102, Oceanside.

If you can, please come and greet these Wounded Warriors when they disembark from the buses. If not, perhaps you can give them a wave as they ride south on U.S. 1, during the first leg of their trip to the Coral Shores High School rest stop.

Riding with my “Purple Heart Brothers and Sisters” for the last 14 years has provided me with an opportunity to share in the healing and rehabilitative wonders that occur during each ride.

State Attorney Dennis Ward and the magnificent Wounded Warrior Project staff have diligently coordinated and maintained this therapeutic event through the wondrous works of Sheriff Rick Ramsay and many unsung heroes. Thank you.

Sincerely,

A Wounded Warrior bike ride participant is pictured. FILE PHOTO

John Donnelly Key Largo

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“A Happier New Year”

T

hank you to the South Dade and Monroe County community members who helped make 2019 Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child a success.

Locally, more than 5,780 shoe boxes were packed by individuals, churches and other groups and then collected by our team during National Collection Week, Nov. 18 -25.

These gift-filled shoe boxes, packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items, are a tangible expression of God’s love, and are sent across the globe to more than 160 countries and territories. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million giftfilled shoe boxes, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.

Although Christmas has passed, it’s not too late to help share God’s love with children around the world. With a few clicks of your mouse or swipes on your touchscreen, you can build a shoe box online. Make it your own by choosing from a list of gifts, then add a personal letter and photo. We’ll pack your shoe box and send it for you, for a suggested donation of just $25. Go to samaritanspurse.org/buildonline

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this global project — many who do so year after year. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Marie Brishke SAMARITAN’S PURSE area coordinator South Dade/Florida Keys area team Operation Christmas Child

The 2019 South Dade/Florida Keys area team for Operation Christmas Child: back, from left, Pastor Nick Vaughn and Paul Brishke. Front, from left, Patty Cox, Lola McClellan, Kelly Jordaan, Marie Brishke, Meghan Vaughn (with grandchild), Cindy Smith, Claudia Memminger, Susie Perez, Pastor Joe Memminger, Jose Perez and Barbara Brooke. CONTRIBUTED

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

COMMUNITY NEWS

TIME TO UNCORK

Food and Wine Fest kicks off Eleven days of food and wine events in Key Largo and Islamorada begin today. The annual Uncorked Food & Wine Festival is combining favorite events with some new and exciting ones to attract foodies and wine, beer and cocktail sippers and connoisseurs. The grand tasting is Saturday, Jan. 18 at Postcard Inn, MM 84. Visit floridakeysuncorked.com for more information. CONTRIBUTED

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COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

ENTER BIG KAHUNA Let the fun and money raising begin JIM McCARTHY

I

jim@keysweekly.com

t’s a trophy to long for. It’s a fundraising challenge I’m excited to be participating in again this year. Big Kahuna, here I come.

With its network of 100 doctors in the Keys, the Good Health Clinic is kicking off the Big Kahuna challenge to support its mission to provide low-income and uninsured in the Keys community with quality health care. Offices are located in Tavernier and Marathon not only for normal treatment or regular wellness exams, but also specialized care like chronic disease management.

The Weekly office entered the race last year with the hopes to snatch the tall, wooden Kahuna trophy from our nearby neighbors at the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative office (the 2018 winner was Jason Richards.) The competition was fierce in a good way. (And yes, we might have taken FKEC employee and fellow Kahuna competitor Walt Stephens’ cornhole bags to prevent his tournament from happening.)

Last year’s winner was Dr. Thomas Morrison, of Mariners

Hospital, who raised $23,000. In total, Kahunas last year raised just over $64,000.

From its inception, more than 40 influential members in the community have entered Big Kahuna. They’ve raised more than a half-million dollars.

The Kahuna competition alone raises around 20 percent of the clinic’s operating funds.

This year, I enter the race with some pretty exciting events planned.

Might there be a dunk tank involved? Possibly. Stay tuned to learn more about those activities in the Weekly and the Facebook page Kahuna Jim. In addition, the Weekly will again be running a business card section each week to support my Big Kahuna run, with proceeds supporting the Good Health Clinic. Business cards will run four weeks for $200.

Contact Nola Acker at nola@ keysweekly.com.

Emily Kovacs, community outreach coordinator for the History of Diving Museum, leads local students on a tour. The museum is the beneficiary of Winn-Dixie’s Community Bag program for the month of January. CONTRIBUTED

BAG BENEFICIARY Diving Museum chosen for WinnDixie program

T

2018 Big Kahuna winner Jason Richards, left, and 2019 winner Dr. Tom Morrison. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

he History of Diving Museum was selected by Winn-Dixie’s Tavernier store management to be the beneficiary of the Community Bag program for January. Since February 2019, the Winn Dixie Community Bag program has supported local organizations that help make a difference within their community.

For every reusable bag that’s purchased at the store, the History of Diving Museum will receive $1 during January. These donations will go directly to community outreach initiatives such as Museum in Motion, which takes presentations to local schools, and the upcoming featured exhibit, “Dive Into Art: The Beauty of Recycling,” which will highlight repurposing marine debris and trash to create art.

“The museum is grateful for this opportunity to reach more members of the community through the Community Bag program. The donations received will further our ability to educate students about diving history and how it impacts everyone today, as well,” said Emily Kovacs, community outreach coordinator.

The History of Diving Museum is a nonprofit located at MM 83 in Islamorada. The exhibits and museum store are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum spans over 4,000 years of “man’s quest to explore under the sea,” Learn about early pioneers from all over the world, including the south Florida connection to diving breakthroughs.

— Contributed

WEEKLY INTERVIEW

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

17

ASKED ANSWERED

CRAIG CATES TALKS ABOUT TRANSITION FROM CITY TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

How did you, as a longtime business owner, decide to enter local politics for your very first Key West mayor’s race? Was there an individual or group that encouraged you to run? My family has a long history of service in Monroe County dating back to the 19th century. ... After Cheryl and I sold our business, giving back to the community through public service was a logical next step for me.

What surprised you most when you became an elected official? I find it amazing how engaged and proactive our citizens are. We have an incredible community with a lot of smart people. Working together, there’s no challenge we can’t tackle using common sense, proper planning and smart use of our resources.

Have you always been a registered Republican?

And what principles of the party do you value most? Civic duty, personal freedom and mutual respect are cornerstones of strong communities and are values that form my political philosophy.

Although Key West city elections are nonpartisan, you were five times elected mayor by a predominantly Democratic Key West populace. To what do you attribute this support? I have always maintained an open- door policy and listened to all sides of the issues. I am honored and humbled by the support I’ve received. I will continue to work every day to earn the support and trust of our Keys community. I ask residents to please reach out to me anytime with their questions or concerns.

H

aving served five terms as mayor of Key West, Craig Cates has a new job — County Commissioner for District 1, where the early retirement of Commissioner Danny Kolhage had left a vacancy.

Ron DeSantis appointed Cates to complete Kolhage’s term.

Cates had already announced his candidacy for that seat when he was appointed.

He and Monroe County Tax Collector Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez will face each other in the 2020 race for the District 1 seat.

Cates will participate in his first County Commission meeting on Jan. 22 in Marathon. And check back soon for a similar “chat” with Danise Henriquez.

Countywide, Republicans represent the majority of registered voters. How might this shift affect your approach to issues and decisions? In the Florida Keys we vote for the person, not the party. I will continue to approach the issues with an open mind and bring people from all sides together. I will always vote for the best interests of the people of Monroe County. We are all in it together here in the Keys. Hurricanes don’t care what party you’re in. Neither does flooding nor many of the other challenges we will have to confront over the next several years.

Keys Democrats have accused the governor of unfairly creating an artificial incumbency by appointing you to finish out Commissioner Kolhage’s term. How might the appointment help and/or hurt you in the 2020 election? I’m proud to have earned the governor’s endorsement. I’m ready to hit the ground running on day one and will work hard every day to earn the support of voters in Monroe County in the November election.

Who are your most trusted local political advisers? My wife Cheryl and my grandkids.

What two issues should be the County Commission’s greatest priorities in the coming year? Quality of life for residents and protecting our environment. Without those two things we can’t live here.

The Key West City Commission and the Board of County Commissioners are two vastly different bodies. What do you expect will be the biggest difference? The biggest difference will be representing people from a larger geographic area. I look forward to the challenge and to using my skills and experience to improve the lives of the residents of the Florida Keys.

What benefits does your experience as a business owner in Key West bring to the County Commission dais? I understand the challenges that people face here every day. I know how to make a payroll and I’ve dealt firsthand with the loss of friends and employees forced to leave by the high cost of housing. I will apply the same principles of service, problem solving and efficiency that made me successful in business to help solve the important issues in the county.

What do you foresee as the two toughest decisions facing the County Commission in the coming year? I don’t see just two decisions, but multiple decisions on two major issues: Affordable housing and flooding from sea level rise.

What have you been doing in recent weeks to prepare for your first County Commission meeting on Jan. 22 in Marathon? I have been working hard to gather input from as many stakeholders as possible.

I invite everyone to share their ideas at my first community meeting on Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Bernstein Park on Stock Island.

On the national level, Republicans seem to have made climate change and sea level rise less of a priority than other political parties. What’s your position on how the Keys should address the issues? As the former mayor of Key West, I’ve been on the frontlines of this issue for a long time. We need to adopt and implement a strategic plan to confront and mitigate this existential threat to our very ability to survive and thrive here. Steps we can take right away include incentives for green building, encouraging eco-friendly transportation, and sensible building regulations. As a county commissioner, I will leverage my skills, relationships and experience to work with our representatives in Tallahassee to change the laws that are disincentivizing large-scale adoption of green energy at the local level.

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SEEN AROUND TOWN

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

PRAYING FOR THE FLEET 1

2 3

Annual tradition brings out crowd

A

tradition steeped in history and meaning, the annual Blessing of the Fleet, saw numerous boats at Whale Harbor Channel on New Year’s Day. Boats paraded through the bridge as pastors stood above to bless the captains, crew and vessels. — Weekly staff report

4

DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly 1. Saylor Wampler waves to fellow participants of the 2020 Blessing of the Fleet in Whale Harbor Channel.

2. Capt. Augie Wampler of the fishing vessel Predator Sportfishing participates in the 2020 Blessing of the Fleet with his wife Sabrina by his side with a boat load of family and friends.

3. Rob Stober uses a machete to remove the cork of a champagne bottle aboard the fishing vessel Predator Sportfishing.

4. Area charter boat captains, crewmembers, family and friends participate in the 2020 Blessing of the Fleet.

5. Area church leaders and guests watch the 2020 Blessing of the Fleet from Whale Harbor Bridge.

5

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COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

PAYING IT FORWARD

Dive instructor prepares youths for success with scuba

As part of their training, Michael Midling and Austin Bailey had to learn to care for and use their new scuba equipment. The program is designed to teach life skills and responsibility along with scuba skills. TIFFANY DUONG/ Keys Weekly

Instructor Daniel Blezio stands proudly with his inaugural students in the Neptune Project, Michael Midling, 16, and Austin Bailey, 15. Midling and Bailey are local Keys kids. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly.

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

D

aniel Blezio uses scuba diving to give local youths a path forward. Through a scholarship by Neptune Scuba Ventures, Blezio’s Key Largo-based company, the master scuba diver trainer provides vocational scuba training, equipment and leadership life skills to local kids.

“I hear people complain a lot about kids these days, saying they are good-for-nothings with no future, but nobody is doing anything about it,” says Blezio. “If something’s wrong, I fix it.”

Blezio is motivated by his past. From the rough Malvin Norte neighborhood in Montevideo, Uruguay, Blezio says, “I grew up in a third-world country, like a war zone.” He credits diving and coming to the U.S. with affording him a better life. “I didn’t have opportunities like this growing up. It would have made all the difference, so I want to help as many people as possible. It’s the right thing to do.”

Blezio’s passion project focuses on dive training and life skills.

The vocational program will allow the kids to work as professional divers anywhere in the world. The leadership and life skills will help them succeed in all aspects of life. “The most important thing I can teach them is accountability; be punctual, work as a team, be responsible for your work and attitude, and know the consequences of your actions,” Blezio says. “I want them to become skillful professionals and good citizens.”

The initial Neptune Project scholarships were fully funded by Kathe Davis, a regular client of Blezio’s. “The entire course, which will run over almost two years and result in dive master certifications for the kids, would usually cost between $5,000 to 6,000,” said Blezio. “The kids pay nothing.” Materials, instruction, full scuba equipment, and dive trips are covered by the scholarship.

The application process is simple: Blezio will meet potential students and their parents, the student will write an essay about how they would benefit from the program, and the student will commit to finishing the entire course. “It’s their first lesson in accountability,” said Blezio.

Blezio hopes to reach kids who don’t come from flourishing households, who have maybe gotten into trouble at school, and who have some sort of obstacle when it comes to getting ahead in life. “We want kids who can’t financially afford a career; we want to give those kids a chance.”

The first two recipients, Michael Midling, 16, and Austin Bailey, 15, began training in August and have since completed their open water and underwater maintenance certifications. This month, they will earn their advanced open water certifications.

Blezio has timed the course to be flexible with the boys’ school schedule and to give them time to practice their new skills. The program could be finished in 60 dives, but Blezio wants his kids to have double or triple that number before graduating. “That way, they have double or triple the experience,” he said. “They’ll be dive masters with so many other specialties under their belts.” The instructor hopes that those additions will enhance his students’ ability to get employment and work underwater because they’ll have a bigger resume than the average candidate.

Midling, a sophomore at Coral Shores High School, applied because he realized the opportunity would provide him with viable employment options if he can’t get a job after high school. “Without this, if I don’t go to college, it’ll be harder for me to get a real good job. So it’s great that this opportunity came up. Now I always have a backup plan.” Never having dived before the program, he is already dreaming of working on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Bailey echoes his friend. “It’s a lot of money to become a dive master.

I didn’t ever think I’d be able to do this. It’s hard having to learn at school and then come and learn scuba after school, but it’s all worth it in the end,” he said. “I know this will help me for my entire life, so I’m paying attention.”

More information about the Neptune Project is available from Blezio at 786-287-6196 or neptunescubaventures@gmail.com. Blezio will be accepting his next student in June.

Michael Midling and Austin Bailey surface after one of their certification dives. The scholarship recipients are on track to earn their advanced open water certifications this month. DANIEL BLEZIO/Contributed

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020 TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

SLAVERY SUBMERGED

COREY MALCOM DISCUSSES UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY OF THE SLAVE TRADE

C

orey Malcom, director of archeology at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, spoke to a packed house at the History of Diving Museum’s December “Immerse Yourself” lecture series.

Malcom, a recognized expert in shipwrecks, archeology and the Keys, offered an archeological analysis of two shipwrecks and a gravesite found in the Keys to explore the role the island chain played in the transatlantic slave trade.

“The slave trade is a viable subject to research and explore,” Malcom said to start his lecture. “And the archaeology of the slave trade is important because it gives tangible and unbiased evidence of what happened.”

The transatlantic slave trade operated for over 350 years, transporting 12 million captive Africans across the seas. It didn’t happen the same in 1510 as it did in 1860, Malcom said, adding that the trade changed due to economic, political and legal pressures.

The first ship discussed was the Henrietta Marie. In 1972, Mel Fisher’s Treasure Salvors team discovered the wreck on the north side of the Keys, but moved on because it wasn’t the Atocha wreck they were seeking. Eventually, another archeological crew found the ship’s bell, which read “Henrietta Marie 1699.” With more research, the Henrietta Marie became the first slave ship ever to be found, excavated and presented to the world.

The ship was involved in the triangular trade route, bringing European fine goods to Africa to trade for people, who were brought back across the Atlantic and sold in the Caribbean for cotton, sugar, tobacco, and molasses. Those were brought back to Europe.

The Henrietta Marie was only in her second journey as a slaver when she sank on New Ground Reef in the Florida Keys in 1700. Archeologists pieced together her history from the artifacts uncovered. Iron bars and pewter goods found on the ship were used to buy slaves. “In fall 1699, it would take 12 to 17 iron bars to buy a person,” Malcom said. “It’s a pretty shocking thing to learn that’s what a person was worth to some.”

“They were trading for people who didn’t want to be on the ship,” he said, describing 82 sets of shackles found onboard to lock captives together.

Divers map artifacts at the wreck of the slave ship Guerrero. DON KINCAID/Contributed

Corey Malcom presented his “Slavery Submerged” presentation to a packed house at the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum realized through its work on the Henrietta Marie that the slave trade was not only a key part of the history of the Americas and the New World, but that many of the details of how the slave trade functioned could be found within long-lost shipwrecks under the sea. TIFFANY DUONG/ Keys Weekly

More than 120 years later, slavery was going out of fashion and the trade was even outlawed in many places. That didn’t stop pirates like Jose Gomez from capturing and selling people, so the British navy patrolled the Atlantic to stop illegal slave ships.

The Guerrero was one of those illegal ships and Malcom’s second tale of the night.

Built in 1813 in Connecticut, it ended up a Cuban pirate slave ship under Gomez’s control. In 1827, his luck ran out. The British navy ship H.M.S. Nimble spotted the Guerrero and engaged in a gun battle in the straits between the Bahamas and Florida.

The Guerrero wrecked in North Key Largo, and the Nimble struck five minutes later. “There’s a rich historical record for the Guerrero,” explains Malcom. “It’s not a question of what happened, but where.” Archeologists searched for the wreck for years off the bearings the captain of the Nimble had scribbled in the ship’s log.

In 2004, Malcom and his crew used a magnetometer, a device towed behind ships to locate iron underwater, and found a shipwreck debris field spread across a shallow reef in the Upper Keys. Clues such as ballast stones pointed to the Guerrero.

“Every rock in this area is coral rock or

limestone,” describes Malcom. “So if it’s not that, it came from somewhere else.” Other finds, like white oak wood from the Northern Hemisphere, glass fragments and scalloped plates helped Malcom’s team zero in on a time period – late 1700s, early 1800s.

They can’t definitively identify the wreck as the Guerrero because so little remains and because the fragments are spread across one of the most pristine reefs in the Keys. “Nature trumps history,” smiled Malcom. “No digging on a beautiful reef with so many endangered species.”

To end, Malcom tells the story behind the African Cemetery in Key West. At the end of the transatlantic slave trade, the U.S. Navy intercepted two American slave ships illegally selling slaves to Cuba. The ships were seized and towed to Key West, the nearest port, and 1,432 African refugees flooded the Southernmost City.

They were housed in barracks, and 40% of them were ultimately sent to Liberia in West Africa. The rest fell victim to the system, dying somehow in the process. Many were buried in Key West, but the location was a mystery — until 2002.

That’s when a ground-penetrating radar survey discovered the first graves in Higgs Beach Park, under the West Martello Tower.

This site is the only cemetery in the U.S. composed of people caught up in the slave trade who were intended to be liberated.

“It’s touching, unique, and we always need to remember these people buried in Higgs Beach Park,” added Malcom.

He closed by saying, “Finding a site or objects relating to the transatlantic slave trade is always bittersweet: These are the things that hold the information archaeologists seek, but they are also tied to terribly tragic and cruel events.”

For more stories, visit melfisher.org and floridaslavetradecenter.org.

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24

MONROE COUNTY

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

ARMY CORPS STUDY ALMOST FINISHED

Results will determine which flood/ sea level projects to prioritize TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

T

here may be a new tool in the county’s toolbox against sea-level rise.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is finishing a threeyear study to produce a plan and federal cost-sharing for adaptation and mitigation projects in the county.

At the recent Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit in Key West, new sea-level rise projections of 10 to 17 inches near Key West by 2040 and 21 to 40 inches by 2070 set off a few alarm bells. And it’s no wonder: the entire island chain currently averages between 3 and 4 feet above sea-level.

Rhonda Haag, the county’s chief resilience officer, oversees mitigation and adaptation efforts for Monroe County. She explained the difference: adaptation is building higher, and mitigation is lessening our greenhouse gas emissions. “We will feel the effects of sea-level rise first and most, so we should do everything we can to adapt our way of life and reduce our emissions to slow sea-level rise,” she said. “We are the canary in the coal mine.”

The Army Corps’ study will examine how to make the Keys more resilient, Haag told the Weekly. At each site, it will consider strategies like shoreline resilience to ensure that U.S. 1 doesn’t wash out, natural features like mangroves to slow waves during hurricanes, and buyouts, flood-proofing or elevation of critical infrastructure.

Taking into account what needs restoration or adaptation and the value of the property being protected, the Army Corps will do a cost-benefit analysis to prioritize the most important projects. “The Corps has been doing this for hundreds of years,” said Haag. “This is what they do.”

So, what’s next? The threeyear study will conclude soon with a list of recommended projects, Haag said. She anticipates taking the recommendations to the February BOCC meeting for review and discussion. After getting the

Army Corps’ results, the county will have a short time frame in 2020 to settle on which projects to move forward with, she said.

Then comes the federal regulation process to finalize plans.

Haag concluded, “So, the decisions on which projects to participate in will be in the next three months.”

As Commissioner David Rice noted at the December BOCC meeting, funding is the elephant in the room to the successful implementation of any resilience strategies. Haag confirmed that the Army Corps will foot 65% of the bill for projects it recommends. Local governments would cover the remaining 35%.

Once projects are finalized, exactly where the funding will come from will also become clearer. Haag cautioned that it could take several years and up to a decade for funding to show up. “Just like the Everglades project. All these projects are good and there’s potential, but I don’t want to get too excited just yet,” she said. “If it does work, though, there will be a plan and potential cost-sharing of 65%.”

“All this will move the county forward to become more resilient, which is a good and necessary thing,” Haag said.

Elevation Above Sea-Level in the Florida Keys Keys-wide highest elevation: 18 feet (Windley Key) Upper Keys average elevation: 4.8 feet (Ocean Reef to Tavernier Creek) Middle Keys average elevation: 4.29 feet (Plantation Key to Knights Key) Lower Keys average elevation: 3.17 feet (Ohio Key to Stock Island) Key West average elevation: 4.7 feet Source: Monroe County GreenKeys! Program

COUNTY LOOKS AT NEW DECADE ADMINISTRATOR ROMAN GASTESI REVIEWS 2019

Roman Gastesi. Contributed

A

s we welcome a new decade, Monroe County staff is proud of the work that was done this past year to enhance the quality of the lives of our citizens, business owners and visitors.

In December, the county hosted the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Leadership Summit and will continue to plan ahead while tackling the topic head-on with courageous communication.

The county secured millions of dollars in federal and state funding for needed programs while we continued to work on FEMA reimbursements for Hurricane Irma expenses. At the state level, $6 million was secured for water quality projects, $5 million for land acquisition, and $750,000 for the vessel pump-out program.

The Office of Sustainability in October finished removing debris from 257 Keys canals with federal and state grant funding.

The county also took possession of its third Trauma Star helicopter to provide life-saving flights to the mainland. The program continues to fly a record number of patients while continuing to transport all Monroe County residents with no out-of-pocket costs.

County staff volunteered and donated to Bahamas Hurricane Dorian relief, and the county was able to “pay it forward” to help Brevard County officials when they were on the brink of exhaustion after the hurricane loomed off their shoreline for five days.

The Key West airport improvement projects continue with the airport expanding nonstop services to 14 major cities.

The county’s Social Services, Veterans Affairs and Guardian ad Litem departments continued efforts to help children, seniors, veterans and homeless residents.

The county’s five libraries continue to be community centers. And this year, the community celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Key West library at its current location with jazz music under the stars.

The county funds the operations of three animal shelters and helped fund a portion of the new Key West Animal Shelter that opened on Stock Island earlier this year.

From Ocean Reef to Key West, everyday tasks included providing building permits, enforcing county codes, maintaining county facilities, roads, bridges, its vehicle fleet, overseeing trash collection and recycling, providing information flowing to the public, and producing and administering a $472.6 million budget.

In 2019, the commissioners and county staff made the community – a community we can all be proud of – our top priority by striving to make our island home a beautiful and safe place to live, work, and play. Looking into 2020 and a new decade in front of us, we will continue to balance our resilient community.

Sincerely, Roman Gastesi Monroe County Administrator

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING FLORIDA KEYS AQUEDUCT AUTHORITY

FLORIDA KEYS MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT MICHAEL POSADA and KIDS COME FIRST

503 107th Street, Marathon, Florida 33050 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020

Kids Come First ensures youth experiencing financial adversity have school supplies and basic necessities.

Regular Meeting 10:30 a.m.

Michael wears many hats and with only a few minutes warning.

He is the official snow cone man for fundraisers and has picked up hundreds of Christmas gifts for children.

The purpose of the Regular Meeting is for the Board to take action on routine business matters for the FKAA and to receive reports on operational aspects of the organization.

All agendas and backup can be viewed on our web site @ www.fkaa.com., or a copy of the Agenda, or any backup, is available upon request from FKAA, Pam Albury, Executive Office Coordinator, 1100 Kennedy Drive, Key West, FL 33040, (305) 295-2205, palbury@fkaa.com.

Keys Weekly, Ocean Wellness Spa, and CFFK.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, by phoning (305) 295-2205.

Thank You!

The Rotary Club of Key Largo Sunset would like to take this opportunity to thank the following businesses for their support of our efforts as we took over the 2019 Key Largo Boat Parade for the first time. Your financial support enables us to further our mission of working with the elderly in our Upper Keys community. For that, we are forever GRATEFUL…

Shell World • Snooks Bayside • Florida Keys Board of Realtors • Big Chill Restaurant Boat Depot • Kimberly Gray, Realtor • Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort • Mariners Hospital Sundowners • Caribbean Club • Lazy Lobster • FKEC • Upper Keys Marine Construction Denny’s Restaurant • Islamorada Beer Company • Florida Keys Media (WCTH / WFKZ) • Keys Custom Tees • KLI Shell Lumber & Hardware • Royal Furniture • Docs Diner • CenterState Bank • First State Bank • Centennial Bank • Star Properties • Regan Roth Insurance • Coral Reef Title • Florida Keys Home Team • LeBoeuf's Outboard • Markey's Marine • Buzzards Roost • Thurmond Street Partners • Playa Largo Resort • IOA Insurance • Keys Roofing • Tolley & Hill, CPA • Pumping The Keys • Bayside Plumbing & Maintenance • Wire Nuts Electric • Keys Palms • Keys Accounting & Tax Service • Tower of Pizza Key Largo • Everybody Loves A Gentle Dentist • ReMax All Keys Real Estate • Mrs. Macs Restaurant • Sam Steele, Candidate • Aileen Galvan, Candidate • Danise Henriquez, Candidate • Mike Forster, Candidate

26

COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

NEW YEAR, NEW YOGA, NEW YOU Chris and Carrlee Denault of CMD Yoga in Key Largo hosted a different kind of New Year’s celebration. Spread on blankets and throws in Key Largo Community Park, they invited the community for a free intention setting and meditation on Jan. 1. Locals, visitors and even a pup joined in for the singing of the Kirtan, breathing exercises, gratitude practice and reflection. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

‘DELICATE BALANCE OF NATURE’

T

Lecture series begins at Pennekamp

he annual “Delicate Balance of Nature” lecture series, sponsored by Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with a presentation by Jordan Budnik, executive director of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.

Starting its 29th consecutive year, the weekly lecture series will consist of eight presentations on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge to enter the park to attend the lectures.

The talk by Budnik will be on the owl species found in the Florida Keys, how they can be identified and how they can be protected for future generations.

The series will be held at the Visitor Center and Aquarium building inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at MM 102.5, Oceanside. Since the talks begin after normal operating hours, the park gates will remain open for lecture attendees only, until the seating capacity of the Visitor Center auditorium is reached.

“This year’s topics range from lionfish, sawfish and coral

reefs to the geologic formation of the Florida Keys,” said park manager Paul Rice. “One can learn about the nature of light and vision in the underwater world, as well as how to create a sustainable and beautiful Keys garden. We are grateful to our speakers who make it possible for us to provide high quality interpretive programs for the residents and visitors of Key Largo and the Florida Keys.”

Visitors are advised to arrive on time since seating is limited in the auditorium, which is wheelchair-accessible. Attendees may wish to bring a cushion for added comfort and may wish to bring a sweater or light jacket. To accommodate those who are chemically sensitive, attendees are asked not to wear fragrances or other scented products.

For more information or additional accessibility needs, call Elena Muratori, Park Services Specialist, at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, (305) 676-3786. For more information on Florida’s state parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

—Contributed

COMMUNITY NEWS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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SAVE THE DATE Jan. 9-19 • Uncorked Islamorada & Key Largo Food and Wine Festival at locations in Islamorada and Key Largo. Visit floridakeysuncorked.com.

8th Annual

Thursday, Jan. 9 • Regular village council meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center, Islamorada.

Friday, Jan. 10 •Wounded Warrior ride beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Key Largo VFW, stopping at Coral Shores at 9:30 a.m. and Postcard Inn at 10:30 a.m. before ending at Robbie’s at 11:30 a.m.

• Key Largo Chamber Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Dolphin Point Villas, Key Largo.

Saturday, Jan. 11 • Historic Trolley Through Time at 10 a.m. at Islamorada Moose Lodge.

• 18th annual Mayors Ball for the Children at 4 p.m. at Isla Bella Beach Resort, Marathon.

Tuesday, Jan. 14 • Florida Keys National Weather Service “Integrated Warning Team” workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murray Nelson Government Center, Key Largo.

Wednesday, Jan. 15 • Immerse Yourself presentation, “Recycling Reef Tires,” at 7 p.m. at History of Diving Museum, Islamorada.

• “The Delicate Balance of Nature” lecture series with Jordan Budnik, executive director of the Wild Bird Center, at 7 p.m. at the Visitor Center and Aquarium Building at John Pennekamp State Park.

Thursday, Jan. 16 • Morada Way Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. at Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, Islamorada.

Friday, Jan. 17 • Leadership Monroe alumni social from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard Ingham boat at Truman Waterfront Park, Key West.

• Pickle, Pizza and Pong Social Night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Founders Park. $5 per person.

Saturday, Jan. 18 • An evening of stargazing with Elizabeth Moore and Jay Ellicott of the Florida Keys Astronomy Club at 6 p.m. at the Islamorada Library.

Jan. 17-19 • Baygrass Bluegrass & Craft Beer Festival at Founders Park with main concert Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit baygrassbluegrass.com.

January 17-19,2020 Friday Jan. 17 DANCING IN THE STREETS Kick Off Party & Square Dance from 6pm

Morada Way Arts & Cultural District

FESTIVAL DAY Sunday, Jan. 19

SPECIAL CRAFT BEER TASTING PACKAGES

Music All Day! 11 am - 7 pm G AT E S O P E N AT 1 0 A M

• 10 bands, 2 stages • Florida Craft Beer Garden • Arts and Craft vendors • Food Trucks • Family Friendly • Jamming and more!!!

Blending the best of traditional Bluegrass with the next generation as well as some tasteful variations.

MM 81.6 Old Highway

$10 Per Person 17 + Under Free

Saturday Jan. 18 PICKIN’ PARTY 4-11pm

Two Music Stages, Open Jam Sessions, Craft Beer & Food

Morada Way

Arts & Cultural District

MM 81.6 Old Highway

$10 Per Person 17 + Under Free Grab your instruments & friends and come on down!!

Performers:

The Copper Tones Justin Mason Band The Walker Brothers Jakob's Ferry Stragglers Kathryn Belle & Mickey Abraham

Dead Horse Revival The Grass is Dead Uproot Hootenanny Sons of Otis Malone Chatham Rabbits

Tickets: $35 in advance for 18 & up • VIP Ticket Package $125 $35 Advanced sale tickets include a stainless steel pint glass.

Admission and Craft Beer Tasting Packages starting at $60.

Ages 17 and under FREE! ($5 on-site parking)

Founders Park

87000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada

Diane Saleeby Gardner Phd PA

ICE Sponsors include: Thunder Country Radio; Tap Johnson; Poisonwood Productions Studio; Advanced Disposal; Island Information Services; Blu Bamboo; and Anonymous Angels.

baygrassbluegrass.com • facebook.com/baygrassbluegrass • keysice.com

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BOOKS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

ROMANCE OF THE YEAR

Is Dr. Liberty based on a specific physician in the Keys?

No, Liberty is probably Leslie and Carly from the NAET clinic I spent many afternoons in!

Liberty is a very special name though. One of the lacrosse moms has a daughter named Liberty, and I fell in love with the name. I get a lot of my names this way. Just meeting people randomly. Voila!

A chat with author of novel set in Islamorada

A

KAREN NEWFIELD First and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www. readingandeating. com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.

perfect way to start the New Year is to devour a swoon-worthy read with a hot chef set in the beautiful Florida Keys. Grab your beach chair, hammock or cozy spot on the couch — this dreamy love story will have you begging for more. Check out my review, as well as some questions I had the chance to ask author Rochelle B. Weinstein about the book!

What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?

The writing life is a wild ride.

There will be good days and there will be bad. There’s satisfaction and there’s self-doubt.

Rejection is part of the process and what separates success from failure. It’s all about getting back up again. You will never feel more joy and gratitude than touching a reader. The author community is mostly supportive.

Knowing all this in advance will help any aspiring writer.

What can we look forward to next?

My sixth book is with my agent. I’m actually sitting here on pins and needles waiting to hear her assessment. It’s a love story within a love story and nothing is ever what it seems!

This Is Not How It Ends

By Rochelle B. Weinstein Charlotte Myers has an unexpected seatmate on her flight back to Kansas City. This pretty, small town schoolteacher is immediately captivated

by Philip’s charm, good looks and irresistible British accent. He is more sophisticated and generous than any man she has ever known and Charlotte is quickly swept off her feet — all the way to Islamorada, in the Florida Keys.

Philip’s frequent business trips leave Charlotte lonely with too much time to contemplate her future. The ring placed firmly on her finger may not represent the life she once dreamed of. As Mother Nature tests the couple’s resilience with a hurricane approaching, a handsome chef at Morada Bay tempts Charlotte’s desires and it is the calm after the storm that slowly tears her apart. Have the tissues ready for this heartbreakingly beautiful story.

Did you spend a lot of time in the Keys? Why Islamorada?

My family and I love the Keys. It’s not a far drive from our home in Miami, and we treasure the beauty and simplicity. Morada Bay is one of our favorite spots and everything about it in the novel is authentic.

Rochelle B. Weinstein

Was extensive research required to write this book?

I was introduced to NAET therapy because of some pesky late-in-life allergies and quickly became a patient of Carly Rachman, DOM and Leslie Fergang, DC. Through my own personal treatments and curious nature, this mother-daughter duo provided me with a wide breadth of information.

The medical issues in the novel were, unfortunately, based on personal experience with someone I loved and lost.

Join the fun and meet author Rochelle B. Weinstein at Hooked on Books in Islamorada. She will be presenting her new romance novel set in Islamorada on Monday, Feb. 10 at noon at the book shop located at MM 81.

All are welcome and no RSVP is necessary!

BUSINESS

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

OCEAN SOTHEBY’S BUYS RE/MAX ALL KEYS IN MARATHON

Jo Ann Cook and team to continue selling real estate

O

n Jan. 2, 2020, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty announced that Jo Ann Cook along with her Marathon, Florida based team will now operate as Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty.

“The Marathon market in Florida is experiencing significant growth and the recent acquisition

by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty enables the company to further expand its presence in the Florida Keys,” said Philip White, chief executive officer and president for Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Jo Ann Cook and her team have a long-standing, well respected relationship in the market for nine years and were recently awarded ‘Best Real Estate Office’ in the 2019 Best of Marathon awards. We are eager to welcome their team to our vast global network.”

Cook brings along 20 experienced, motivated and highly engaged global real estate advisors to further expand the Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty footprint Jo Ann Cook throughout the Florida Keys.

“Sotheby’s International Realty will be able to take what I have built to the next level,” said Cook. “What an amazing opportunity for myself and agents to now have this global presence to combine with their local knowledge.”

Established in 2010, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty will now cover the unique islands of the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West. “Jo Ann Cook has built a Russell Post terrific company and team and I’m

thrilled to work with them,” said Russell Post, founding principal and managing broker of Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Their professionalism, combined with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand and Jo Ann’s continued leadership, will help us provide an even greater level of service to the Marathon community.”

The Sotheby’s International Realty network has over 23,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in nearly 1,000 offices in 71 countries and territories worldwide. In 2018, the brand achieved a record global sales volume of $112 billion.

Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

— Contributed

“The Marathon market in Florida is experiencing significant growth and the recent acquisition by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty enables the company to further expand its presence in the Florida Keys.”

— Philip White

305.664.2692 www.loreleicabanabar.com

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Thur Jan 9 Billy Davidson 5-9PM Fri Jan 10 Steve Venini Band Magic by Michael Trixx @ Sunset Sat Jan 11 Tim Carter Band 5-9PM Sun Jan 12 Billy Davidson 5-9PM Mon Jan 13 The Carousers 5-9PM Magic by Michael Trixx @ Sunset Tue Jan 14 Harry French 5-9PM Wed Jan 15 Webb & Davidson 5-9PM Magic by Michael Trixx @ Sunset

81611 Old Hwy Islamorada (305)664-9722

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FISH

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

FISH FRENZY

Adler wins second annual fish tournament

R

Annie Hagen and Timmy Arce recognize team Kalex Sportfishing as the top offshore boat. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

ecent weather has varied significantly from 88 degrees and sunny to 65 and rainy. I have fished offshore, in the backcountry, and in the Gulf this week, all of which have made for some great fish stories.

Capt. Tony Melton reported that he caught some beautiful cobia this week. He said the bite was hot as he was consistently catching them so long as the weather was nice enough. He also CAPT. DREW reported big sharks, Spanish mackerel, and goliath NOBREGAS grouper were in the mix. When the conditions and the tide line up, fishing in the Gulf is action-packed Born and raised for families and fishermen in the Florida Keys. in Islamorada, Melton excels in taking the whole family fishing Capt. Drew Noand catching all different types of species for evbregas is a seceryone’s enjoyment. If you’d like to book a trip with ond-generation captain of the him, you can call his cell directly at 813-230-3040 or Keys. His father visit his website at www.captaintonymelton.com. was a backSince the beginning of the year, I have been country guide in running a 27-foot Everglades for a client of mine Islamorada for who wanted to do some offshore fishing. The last 15 years and has few days the weather cooperated just enough for instilled his love us to get out to the edge of the reef although it was for fishing. More definitely bumpy. We caught yellowtails, muttons, information on groupers, king mackerel, and tuna to go along with Nobregas and Fishy Business a nice sailfish.

Islamorada CharOn the boat I was running this week we fished ters is at www. a tournament called the Fish for Holly. There were fishybusinessis48 boats and over 100 anglers who came out to lamorada.com or support an old friend of mine who passed away, 305-393-2332. by the name of Holly Given. This is the second annual event and the money raised went to the Holly Given Fund, which helps train the Florida Keys Community on domestic violence incidents, education, and business. It also serves as a great annual celebration of life as the friends of Holly get to do what she loved and share the same passion for fishing that we all do.

Congratulations to Capt. Alex Adler of Kalex Sportfishing on winning first place this year with six sailfish.

Remember … the tug is the drug and if you chum they will come!

Mackenzie Reizen, 7, of Naples, gets a high five from event organizer Timmy Arce following her king mackeral weigh in at Whale Harbor. DOUG FINGER/ Keys Weekly

Reef Bennett, 8, of Plantation Key, poses with his 13.2-pound blackfin tuna during a weigh in at Whale Harbor for the 2nd Annual Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

ADVERTISEMENT

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

The All Keys Boater’s Alliance hopes that everyone is cognizant of the tremendous (and very costly) effort the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary “Foundation” is making to change public perception of the “Sanctuary Restoration Blueprint”. This extensive and expensive effort was envisioned by Chairman Mao Tse Tung, Founder of the Peoples Republic of China. Chairman Mao is quoted as saying in 1964: “Any Concept, no matter how abhorrent, if kept in front of the people, will soon be tolerated and then embraced.”

Now we see Sanctuary propaganda in our schools, on the radio, national television, and newspapers. Webster’s Dictionary defines “propaganda” as: “Ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause”.

The Sanctuary propaganda is to point to obvious facts: pollution, coral death, etc. and then fail to address the facts while proposing restrictions on the use of our reef, our fishery resources and use of the back country.

If any of the proposed Sanctuary Restoration restrictions could help stop Florida Bay pollution or slow down the world wide death of tropical and subtropical coral, all of us would gladly work with the Sanctuary. Only Mote Marine and a few others are actually “planting” corals on our reef. In the past month or so, the Sanctuary announced a 95 Million Dollar initiative to repopulate our coral reef. The questions are: 1) why did they wait so long, and 2) is the funding actually available for this new “effort”?

If any of us start believing that the Sanctuary Restoration Blueprint will actually help solve our problems with coral death and pollution, then Chairman Mao was correct, “Soon tolerated and then embraced”.

Do not assume that the overwhelming opposition to further Sanctuary restrictions will deter the Sanctuary from what was decided years ago.

Remember: “The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the government and (like it or not) they are here to help us.” We cannot wait to criticize until after the regulations are in place.

The All Keys Boaters Alliance has retained “The Southern Group”, one of the largest and most effective lobbying organizations in Florida to set up meetings with Governor DeSantis and members of the Florida Trustees.

In a May 19th, 1997 document between the State of Florida and the Sanctuary titled: “Co-Trustees Agreement for Cooperative Management”, two provisions of that document are of vital importance to us all: Section 4(A) states: The Sanctuary Management Plan applies to both state and federal waters... except those terms [restrictions] certified by the Governor of Florida as unacceptable”; Section 4(E) states: Any Amendments to Sanctuary Regulations require the approval of the Governor on behalf and with the approval of the Florida Trustees in order to be effective in the State’s waters and submerged lands”.

This means Governor DeSantis has the power to stop any future sanctuary restrictions.

All Keys Boaters Alliance need your voices and the financial support of everyone opposing additional restrictions by the Sanctuary. A few people cannot do it alone, but all of us contributing even a small amount can make a big difference. To find out how you can help, contact Rick Gage or Tony Nalli (phone 305-414-1410 or email Allkeysboatersalliance@gmail.com). You can also find All Keys Boater’s Alliance on Facebook.

DAVID PAUL HORAN Member All Keys Boaters Alliance 608 Whitehead Street Key West, FL 3304

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STUDENT OF THE WEEK

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

2019-2020 PERFORMING SEASON

FREE Outdoor Band Concert

Saturday • 4 PM

Jan. 18

Conductor: Hulber Gagliardini

Guest Performers: Sugarloaf Sanctuary Drummers

TRENTON WEBB 4TH GRADE

ICE Amphitheater

Founders Park, Islamorada, Bayside, MM 87

Free Admission for All Concerts Outdoors: Bring a Blanket or Lawn Chair Fun-filled Family Entertainment — New Band Members Welcome — Co-sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department, Village of Islamorada, with support from Islamorada Community Entertainment

305-451-4530 • www.key scommunityconcertband.org

Your place for family fun since 1976

The Upper Keys Weekly is proud to partner with Ocean Studies Charter School faculty and staff in choosing “The Student of the Week.” Recipients are chosen on qualifications including academic standing, athletics, outstanding achievements, community involvement, individuality and moral fortitude. We thank our future leaders and Ocean Studies for allowing us to share in a weekly dose of school pride and for giving us a glimpse into their world.

Who is your favorite teacher and why? I like every teacher. They’re all amazing.

What’s your favorite food for lunch? Peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

What is your favorite subject and why? My favorite subject would be marine science because I really like learning about the ocean.

Do you have a favorite TV show/ movie? I like a lot of movies, but I do like watching Star Wars. I like “The Last Jedi.”

What is the best rule at school?

To be kind.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A marine biologist.

What is one favorite way you like to spend your spare time? It would be go somewhere you can swim.

What’s one of your favorite things to do at school? To play outside. I like playing Foursquare.

FREE ESTIMATES CALL US TODAY! 305.896.3599 Come join us at mm 77.5

305 664-8070

learn more @

robbies.com

PRECISION PAVERS BRICK PATIOS | RETAINING WALLS | DRIVEWAYS | POOL DECKS | CLEAN AND SEAL License #Sp3102

COOL STUFF

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

T

he Florida Keys are arguably the most popular destination in the country after the holiday season and nowhere else is the Tourist Development Council’s success more prevalent than on the Overseas Highway. Each year, traffic backs up and turns the road into a parking lot on the 18-Mile Stretch, through Islamorada, on Big Pine and at “The Triangle” intersection leading into Key West as tensions peak somewhere between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We ask everyone to remain safe and calm and use these...

10. Install a remote-controlled paint ball gun under the hood of your car and unload on any maniac who cuts you off.

Mainstreaming

WATCH | LOST IN SPACE Season 2 has arrived. The reboot of the ‘60s series has danger, Will Robinson. Lots of it. This is a more adult drama than the original, with more family dysfunction and a truly evil Dr. Smith, played with delicious malice

by Parker Posey. On Netflix.

READ | THE JOHN MILTON SERIES BY MARK DAWSON If you like Jack Reacher, you’re going to enjoy John Milton.

Same basic deal: lone exmilitary guy stumbles into situations that require him to kick ass and take names.

Big difference: Milton was an assassin for a secret British group. This is not always helpful. The books are best read in order.

9. Carpool with your therapist.

8. Employ your elderly neighbor as a chauffeur.

7. Carpool with your bartender.

6. Pretend you are playing Grand Theft Auto every time you get behind the wheel.

5. Instead of a car – use roller skates.

4. Keep a Yeti full of Tito’s and soda next to your car keys.

3. Use Facebook to live-stream all your trips and keep your mind busy by “liking and commenting” while behind the wheel.

2. Drive naked.

1. Get a Monster Truck and don’t let anyone slow you down.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

NOW TRENDING

9. Run all your errands between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

MEASURES TO REDUCE THE STRESS CAUSED BY SEASONAL TRAFFIC

33

LISTEN | CONAN O’BRIEN NEEDS A FRIEND This podcast from the television host features a who’s who of guests, most but not all from the world of comedy — so you’ll hear from Stephen Colbert but also from Michelle Obama. There are laughs in every episode, but it gets deep in there, too. Wherever you get your podcasts, or at teamcoco.com.

34

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI Notice is here by given that on January 20, 2020, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold.

103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL. 33037. Names And Last Known Addresses are as Follows: Robert Gedman Unit #1558 $830.20 Ann Wade Unit #1187 $601.90 Don Hansen Unit #0008 $658.68 Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

UNITED STATE DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION “IN ADMIRALTY” CASE NO.: 4:19-CV-10160-KING/ BECERRA In the Matter of the Complaint for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability by Chris Jennett, as owner of the 1981 41’ Morgan Sailing Yacht bearing Hull Identification No. MRY31024M81I, Petitioner.

NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Notice is given that the above-named Petitioner has filed a Complaint, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. §30505 et. seq. for exoneration from or limitation of liability for all claims for any damages or injuries, arising out of or occurring as a result of an incident involving the 1981 41’ Morgan Sailing Yacht bearing Hull Identification No. MRY31024M8I on the navigable waters near Islamorada, Florida, on or about April 9, 2019, as more fully described in the Complaint.

All persons having such claims must file their respective claims, as provided in Supplemental Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with the Clerk of this Court at the United States District Courthouse for the Southern District of Florida, 301 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040 and must serve a copy thereof on attorneys for Petitioner on or before the 31st day of January, 2020 or be defaulted.

If any claimant desires to contest either the right to Exoneration From or the right to Limitation of Liability he shall file and serve on the attorneys for Petitioner an answer to the complaint on or before the aforesaid date unless his claim has included an answer, so designated, or be defaulted.

DATED this 12th day of December, 2019.

James Lawrence King /s/_J. Lawrence King Clerk of Court Publish: December 19 & 26, 2019, January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

Supplemental Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with the Clerk of this Court at the United States District Courthouse for the Southern District of Florida, 301 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040 and must serve a copy thereof on attorneys for Petitioner on or before the 31st day of January, 2020 or be defaulted.

If any claimant desires to contest either the right to Exoneration From or the right to Limitation of Liability he shall file and serve on the attorneys for Petitioner an answer to the complaint on or before the aforesaid date unless his claim has included an answer, so designated, or be defaulted.

DATED this 17th day of December, 2019.

K. Michael Moore /s/_K. Michael Moore United States Chief District Judge Publish: January 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Wheatons Towing gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell thes¬e vehicles on 1/29/2020, 10:00 am at 101500 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. Wheatons Towing reserves the right to accept or reject any and/all bids.

1HGCD5631TA145502 1996 HONDA Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Wheatons Towing gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell thes¬e vehicles on 1/26/2020, 10:00 am at 101500 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. Wheatons Towing reserves the right to accept or reject any and/all bids.

1JCCF87EXFT057517 1985 JEEP Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: BIG COPPITT FIRE STATION #9 BUILDING REPAIRS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Pursuant to F.S. § 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar by Onvia at www. demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available at the Monroe County Purchasing Office located in the Gato Building, 1100 Simonton Street, Room 2-213, Key West, Florida.

All responses must be sealed and must be submitted to the Monroe County Purchasing Office.

Publish: January 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

UNITED STATE DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION “IN ADMIRALTY” CASE NO.: 4:19-CV-10192-KMM IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY BY GERVASIO FOLGUEIRA, AS OWNER OF THE 2009 MAKO MARINE MOTORBOAT BEARING HULL IDENTIFICATION NO. MRKR0229I809, Petitioner.

NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF COMPLAINT FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Notice is given that the above-named Petitioner has filed a Petition, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. §30505 et. seq. for exoneration from or limitation of liability for all claims for any damages or injuries, arising out of or occurring as a result of an incident involving the 2009 Mako Marine motorboat bearing Hull Identification Number MRKR0229I809 on the navigable waters of Monroe County, Florida, on or about June 27, 2019, as more fully described in the Petition.

All persons having such claims must file their respective claims, as provided in

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of DOMAIN LINKS, located at 5409 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, PMB 337, MARATHON, FL 33050, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: NATIONAL DOMAINS LLC Publish: January 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No.: 19-CP-139-P Division: Upper Keys IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES TIMOTHY SPENCER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of James Timothy Spencer, deceased, whose date of death was October 13, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: January 9, 2020.

Personal Representative:

LEGAL NOTICES Nadia Pakhomoff-Spencer 6 Atlantic Circle Key Largo, Florida 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: RICHARD E. WARNER Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-6022 Fax: (305) 743-6216 E-mail: richard@ rewarnerlaw.com Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com Publish: January 9 & 16, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 19-CP-000110-P IN RE: ESTATE OF HELEN OWEN FRYE, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of HELEN OWEN FRYE, deceased, whose date of death was April 9, 2018, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: January 2, 2020 Co-Personal Representatives: LORI FRYE PHYFER and JAMES C. FRYE, III Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives: DIANA WATEROUS CENTORINO, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 611778 Diana Waterous Centorino, P.A. 1230 S.E 4th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 (954) 462-7760 telephone (954) 462-7761 fax Email: DWC@dianawaterous entorino.com Secondary Email: Staff. staff@dianawaterous centorino.com Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2019-CP-000089-P

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

IN RE: ESTATE OF VICTOR MANUEL GODOY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Victor Manuel Godoy, deceased, whose date of death was March 12, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Plantation Key Courthouse, 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: January 2, 2020 Personal Representative: Julissa Godoy 250 Taylor Drive Key Largo, Florida 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: Janet J. Ostroff, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 355811 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 720 Miami, FL 33181 Telephone: (305) 895-3404 Fax: (305) 895-4602 E-Mail: jjostroff@jandolaw.com Secondary E-Mail: dbuckridge@jandolaw.com Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

Judgment, entered in Civil Case No. 2018-CA-000385-M of the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit in and for Monroe County, Florida, wherein JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff and David B. Marciniak are defendant(s), I, Clerk of Court, Kevin Madok, CPA, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 500 WHITEHEAD STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040, AT 11:00 A.M. on January 22, 2020, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 11, BLOCK 1, LIDA SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 3, PAGE 95, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA. ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SALE. Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.540 Notices to Persons With Disabilities If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Cheryl Alfonso, ADA Coordinator, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

SPANISH: Si usted es una persona discapacitada que necesita alguna adaptación para poder participar de este procedimiento o evento; usted tiene derecho, sin costo alguno a que se le provea cierta ayuda. Favor de comunicarse con Cheryl Alfonso, Coordinadora de A.D.A Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652 por lo menos 7 días antes de que tenga que comparecer en corte o inmediatamente después de haber recibido ésta notificación si es que falta menos de 7 días para su comparecencia. Si tiene una discapacidad auditiva ó de habla, llame al 711.

KREYOL: Si ou se yon moun ki kokobé ki bezwen asistans ou aparêy pou ou ka patisipé nan prosedu sa-a, ou gen dwa san ou pa bezwen péyé anyen pou ou jwen on seri de èd. Tanpri kontakté Cheryl Alfonso, Co-ordinator ADA, Court Operations Manager, 502 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, 305-295-3652O’mwen 7 jou avan ke ou gen pouou parèt nan tribunal, ou imediatman ke ou resevwa avis sa-a ou si lè ke ou gen pou-ou alé nan tribunal-la mwens ke 7 jou; Si ou pa ka tandé ou palé byen, rélé 711.

WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 26th day of September, 2019.

KEVIN MADOK Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Publish: January 2 & 9, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

MARIUSZ SURMA Obligor _________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Mariusz Surma San Fernando 46, 3 D 03001 Alicante Spain YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5812, Week 24, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $6,435.22, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $2.64 times the number of days that have elapsed since December 18, 2019), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: January 9 & 16, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION Case No: 2018-CA-000385-M JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Plaintiff, -vs.David B. Marciniak; Lisa A. Marciniak a/k/a Lisa Ann Freeman; Unknown Parties in Possession #1, if living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants; Unknown Parties in Possession #2, if living, and all Unknown Parties claiming by, through, under and against the above named Defendant(s) who are not known to be dead or alive, whether said Unknown Parties may claim an interest as Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, or Other Claimants Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to order rescheduling foreclosure sale or Final

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 18-001476

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 18-031383 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

CONNIE JO BREIG; CHARLES JOSEPH BREIG Obligor _________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Connie Jo Breig 8789 Wendy Lane South West Palm Beach, FL 33411 Charles Joseph Breig 8789 Wendy Lane South West Palm Beach, FL 33411 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL

35

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

HOUSING FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5611, Week 16, Annual Windward Pointe Condominium, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $2,221.99, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since December 18, 2019), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: January 9 & 16, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to the Lienholder in the amount of $4,103.99, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since January 2, 2020), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: January 9 & 16, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

the Lienholder in the amount of $2,292.74, plus interest (calculated by multiplying $0.00 times the number of days that have elapsed since December 18, 2019), plus the costs of this proceeding. Said funds for cure or redemption must be received by the Trustee before the Certificate of Sale is issued.

Nicholas A. Woo, Esq. Valerie N. Edgecombe Brown, Esq. Cynthia David, Esq. Michael E. Carleton, Esq. as Trustee pursuant to Fla. Stat. §721.82 P. O. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 Telephone: 407-404-5266 Telecopier: 614-220-5613 Publish: January 9 & 16, 2020 The Weekly Newspapers

NOW HIRING: RNs, LPNs, PTs and Aids in the Mid to Upper Keys. Call between 8amNoon 305-446-6120 and ask for Cari - Human Resources.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches.

Call 305-743-4578

Small office space available for rent. Great location on U.S. 1 in Tavernier.

Conveniently located to everything. 305-394-0530

Receptionist - Full time position with established Marathon law office.

Negotiable salary and benefits. Opportunity for growth. Email resume and references to stevens@ marathonlaw.com.

No walk-ins will be considered.

HOMES FOR SALE

back yard, homeowners park w/boat ramp/dock, new A/C, W/D, screened in patio. Avail.

February 1st. $2,500/mo.

Best to email: slgrisham@ icloud.com to set up time to see the house or use WhatAp or FaceTime to call: 011.501.614.1234

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 18-031522 SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

ANNA MARIE COLEMAN; ROBERT CLARENCE WEISHEIT Obligor __________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Anna Marie Coleman 11 Morgans Run Schuylerville, NY 12871 Robert Clarence Weisheit 11 Morgans Run Schuylerville, NY 12871 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Sunset Harbor Resort Condominium described as: Unit 413, Week 43, Sunset Harbor Resort Condominium Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay

NONJUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO FORECLOSE CLAIM OF LIEN BY TRUSTEE FILE NO.: 18-032105 WINDWARD POINTE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A CORPORATION NOT-FORPROFIT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, Lienholder, vs.

DARIO MORELL; CONCEPCION C MORELL Obligor __________________/ TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING TO: Dario Morell 13405 Southwest 1 Terrace Miami, FL 33184 Concepcion C Morell 13405 Southwest 1 Terrace Miami, FL 33184 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a TRUSTEE’S NON-JUDICIAL PROCEEDING to enforce a Lien has been instituted on the following Timeshare Ownership Interest at Windward Pointe Condominium described as: Unit 5614, Week 46, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe Condominium, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

The default giving rise to these proceedings is the failure to pay condominium assessments and dues resulting in a Claim of Lien encumbering the Timeshare Ownership Interest as recorded in the Official Records of Monroe County, Florida. The Obligor has the right to object to this Trustee proceeding by serving written objection on the Trustee named below. The Obligor has the right to cure the default and any junior interest holder may redeem its interest, for a minimum period of forty-five (45) days until the Trustee issues the Certificate of Sale. The Lien may be cured by sending certified funds to the Trustee payable to

AUTOS WANTED ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans Trucks- Running or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

BOAT SLIPS FOR RENT Boat Slips for rent in Marathon. Up to 50’ - 20’ wide. Starting at $750. Please call 305-304-3610 Liveaboard Boat Slips available in Marathon.

Protected dockage, parking, bathrooms, laundry on premises, pool. $1,200/month incl. utilities.

305-393-1999

EMPLOYMENT UPPER KEYS MARC is hiring a Program Coordinator Tavernier location.

FT Position requires oversight of program as well as working with clients. A minimum of an associate’s degree or 2 yrs exp with DD clients. MARC, 1401 Seminary St, Key West, FL, 305-294-9526 x318 Come join our family!

EOE Project Manager -Upper Keys. Must have ability to schedule & organize multiple people & trades. and pass background check. Send resume to admin@cbtconstruct. com 305-852-3002 Rock Reef Resort hiring P/T Front Desk Associate. $13.00/hour, vacation & incentive pay. Starting 2030 hrs/week, weekends/ holidays a must, some nights.

Requirements: Computer skills (MS Office) user level; PC Reservations system – will train; Non-smoker; Able to multi task within a “small office” operation; Reliable, trustworthy person w/people skills; Reliable transportation.

97850 Overseas Highway, Key Largo (305) 852-2401

EMPLOYMENT MIDDLE KEYS Construction Company Office Help Wanted in Marathon.

Experience with Quickbooks, payroll, answering phones and customer service, Emailing, permits, Accounts Payable and Receivable , etc. 8-5 and hour lunch. Please fax inquiries to 305-289-9394 and we will contact you to make an appointment!

KCB FSBO east facing 1/2 duplex, 4 bd 3.5 ba, 15,000 lb boat lift, Lg 1st floor patio, lg balcony. New roof, spalling, paint, A/C, appliances. $ 7 7 7 , 0 0 0 .

3 0 2 - 3 8 1 - 0 6 0 1

HELP WANTED IN MARATHON. Personal assistant, computer (MAC) competent, part time, days or evenings. Call 207-483-6146

HOUSING FOR RENT

Keys Fisheries hiring Accounts Receivable.

Excel and accounting background required.

Good compensation and benefits provided.

Send resume to kristin@ keysfisheries.com DFW/EEO

2BR/2BA Large Apt for Rent. 10828 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon. $1,850/ month plus utilities. F/L/S. Taking applications.

Call (305) 394-4545

Keys Fisheries hiring well qualified Kitchen Manager.

Good compensation and benefits.

Apply within 3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon.

EOE/DFWP

2BR/2BA Single Family Waterfront Home for rent in Marathon. Fully furnished. $3,100/month includes utilities. Available for 2 months - Feb. & March.

727-278-1105

Keys Fisheries hiring Night Receiving Manager, night receivers and freezer help. Apply in person at 3390 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon.

EOE/DFWP SWEET SAVANNAH’S is now hiring part-time or full-time positions. Must be available for weekend shifts and have a clean driving record for event deliveries.

Position will be crossed trained for FOH, baking and deliveries.

Other positions available are day-time sales clerk and part-time baker. Please apply in person at 8919 overseas Hwy, Marathon Fl. NO CALLS. We are looking for some Bartenders.

Apply in person at American Legion Post 0154, 4115 Overseas Highway, Marathon Experienced Diesel Technician wanted. Tools and experience is a must.

Electronic engine diagnostic experience preferred.

Opportunity for growth and training available for qualified applicants. Florida Keys Diesel Repair, 531 107th Street, Marathon.

305-289-2070 City of Marathon - Job Openings: Wastewater Plant Operator Trainee , Public Works Maintenance Worker. EOE, FULL BENEFITS www.ci.marathon.fl.us The Island Gift Shops (Marooned In Marathon 1 & 2) are looking for happy responsible employees to complement our current staff. PART TIME HOURS in a fun environment (good fit for second job and retirees are welcome! Apply in person at Marooned In Marathon, 11528 Overseas Highway.

Key Colony Inn NOW HIRING AM/PM SERVERS. Apply in person: 700 Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL or call for details: (305) 743-0100 Experienced help only needed for all positions.

Apply in person Mon-Fri 1011am at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, Knights Key Blvd.

M a r a t h o n

HOBBIES /COLLECT.

MIDDLE KEYS

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT in Marathon: Office/Retail Space, 1500sf w/ additional 2 covered porches incl. Open water views, US-1 frontage, $2700/month. Also small Office Space $500/ month. Wifi & Utilities included. Onsite storage & or yard space available - prices by size. Call 305-743-7277

ROGO LOTS FOR SALE FOR SALE: 2 Marathon ROGO lots with letters.

4 ROGO points. $30,000 Text LOTS to 305-393-2515 and leave name & number.

RV LOTS FOR RENT Large RV Lot for Rent in Marathon. Full hook up. $800/month plus utilities.

305-943-0789

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MARATHON: Rooms available for short or long term rentals. Single: $720/month; Double $1,150/month; Plus tax; F/L/S. Units provide an ideal option to temporary or long term housing.

Furnished with bunk beds, full kitchen with all utensils, tables, desks, coin operated washer & dryer. Residents share the kitchen, bathroom and dining areas. Linens, towels ,consumables, not provided. For information: Bob Brayman 305-743-5929 bbrayman@hallsdiving.com 3BR/2BA New Construction Duplex on stilts in Key Colony Beach. Annual lease. Call 786-970-4905 3BR / 2 1/2 BA Townhome in Marathon - Sister’s Creek.

Available Jan. 1, 2020. $2,200 month 618-559-9143

HOUSING FOR RENT UPPER KEYS LONG TERM RENTAL in Plantation Lake Estates, Private community, two story 3BR/3BA unfurn. concrete block home, large carport &

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

FOR SALE 2014 Dusky model 278 with T-top, 2013 Suzuki 300 h.p.

4-stroke outboard, Garmin 741XS GPSmap and VHF radio. Contact Keith Douglass, Boy Scout Sea Base at 305-664-5613

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844

Short Notice Auction Tuesday January14th @ 11AM

The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

2171 N Dixie Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Truck load of New & Used Equipment just delivered!!

NEW: 2 Dr & 3 Dr S/S Coolers, 100lb Ice Maker, Mug Chiller, 6 Burner Range, Fryers, Sushi Case, Desert Cases, Convection Ovens, 2 Dr Glass Cooler, 48” Refrigerated Equipment Stands PLUS USED: (5) 6 Burner Ranges, 4 DBL Stack Convection Ovens, 20 QT, 30 QT, & 60 QT Mixers, Assorted Coolers & Freezers, 24”-60” Sandwich Prep Tables, Fryers, 24” & 36” Griddles, 24” & 36” Char-Broilers, Back Bars, Keg Coolers, 5x10 & 5x6 Cooler Freezer Combo Walk-In, Work Top Coolers & Freezers, Lg Quantity of China & Small Wares, Bar Stools, Bamboo Tables, Bottle Coolers, Cappuccino Machine, Hobart Buffalo Chopper & MUCH MORE…

www.neverettauctions.com Toby Neverett Auctioneers 561-706-7218 * au872 ab628

MAINTENANCE MECHANIC Salary Range: $48,247. - $73,876.

Location: Lower Keys

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a Wastewater Maintenance Mechanic to perform specialized maintenance and repair of buildings, grounds, equipment, valves, diesel engines, pumps, treatment units, chemical feed systems, and collection systems at our expanding wastewater treatment facilities. MUST HAVE: high school diploma or GED; AND training in pipefitting, mechanical, pumps and electrical. Must have a valid FL driver’s license and be able to obtain a CDL Class A driver license within 12 months from hire date. Great Benefits! Must complete on-line application found at: http://www.fkaa.com/employment.htm EEO, VPE, ADA

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning...Caring

Dolphin Research Center is Hiring!

Education Program Host Facilities Maintenance Apprentice Media & Marketing Staff School Programs & Outreach Curriculum Specialist Visual Communications Staff Volunteer Resources Administrative Assistant Benefits include medical, life & disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick time & Holidays Full job descriptions available at www.dolphins.org/career_opportunities

Email cover letter, DRC application & resume to drc-hr@dolphins.org EOE

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Case Manager Crisis Counselor Front Desk Specialist

MARATHON

RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT& FT) (Lead) & Behavioral Health Technicians (3 shifts) Peer Support Specialist Driver CDL (base location flexible) Crisis Counselor Assisted Living Direct Care Worker (PT) Drop In Technician Research Assistant

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Therapist Care Coordinator

Background and drug screen req.

GREAT BENEFITS! Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com EEOC/DFWP

TEMPORARY WASTEWATER PROJECT SMOKE TESTING Salary Range: $31,742. - $48,601.

Location: Lower Keys

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a Temporary Wastewater Worker to perform tasks related to gravity sewer collection system smoke testing and repair. You will be provided with the training and knowledge needed to ensure that these tasks are properly and safely carried out. The work area for this position runs from Layton to Key West. MUST HAVE: high school diploma or GED; AND one (1) year as a construction laborer. Must have a valid FL driver’s license. Must complete on-line application found at: http://www.fkaa.com/employment.htm EEO, VPE, ADA

HIDEAWAY CAFE At Rainbow Bend Resort on Grassy Key

IMMEDIATE

HIRING! • Kitchen Help • Dining Room Help Breakfast & Dinner Positions Call for appointment 305-289-1554

PART-TIME & FULL-TIME ASSOCIATES

Florida Keys’ Newest 4 Diamond AAA Resort Is Hiring!

We are looking for part-time & full-time associates that would like to be part of an award-winning team. Many great benefits including employee meal program, resort discounts and more.

Please apply online for our positions: islabellabeachresort.oasisrecruit.com 1 Knight’s Key Blvd (MM 47) Marathon, FL 33050

CoCo’s General Store

NOW HIRING: Full-time & Part-time Deli and/or Retail Sales.

Must be available on weekends.

Apply in person at 50 Coco Plum Drive, Marathon 305-743-7743

Sweet Savannah’s Bake Shop

is now hiring for Afternoon & Evening Shifts.

Please Apply In Person 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Immediate opening for a HVAC Service Technician Upper & Middle Keys.

Great Pay • Paid Holidays • Sick Pay • Medical Insurance • Paid Vacation

Apply in person 171 Hood Ave • MM 91.5 • Tavernier p 305-852-2960 • f 305-852-0656

NOW HIRING NIGHT AUDIT $15/hr • 11pm to 7am • P/T or F/T HOUSEMAN, HOUSEKEEPER & LAUNDRY $13/hr • 9am to 3pm • P/T Please come in and apply in person.

Hampton Inn

13351 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, Fl 33050

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844

NOW HIRING OCEAN KEY RESORT & SPA IS HIRING! Sous Chef Front Desk Agent Bell/Valet Attendant Part-time & Full-time

FL Licensed Massage Therapist Apply online at:

www.noblehousehotels.com/careers

Apply in person at: Zero Duval St. Come see why our employees love to call Ocean Key home!

Great pay, amazing benefits, & an awesome team!

EOE

Front Desk Agent Reservation Sales Agent Bellman Servers Steward Overnight Prep Cook Line Cooks Houseman Room Attendants Engineering Spa Attendant Spa Coordinator Water Sports

If you have a passion for guest service and hospitality, please apply

careers@bungalowskeylargo.com

Bungalows Key Largo is an EOE

Both full or part time positions available at Hyatt Place at Faro Blanco Resort.

NOW HIRING

Marathon, Big Pine Key & Stock Island Locations $15 per hour to start FT Employees are eligible to participate in our health, dental, vision, Life Insurance. PTO and Profit Sharing is available to every member of our team (conditions apply).

HOW TO APPLY: Go to mytomthumb.com or call Cleveland (786) 295-5307.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED!

Line Cook, Servers, Host, Housekeepers, Night Auditor, Front Desk Agent and Food Runners.

Excellent Benefit Package

Monroe County School District

Apply in person at 1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email resume to hr@spottswood.com

Salary $15.80- $23.20/hour

EOE/m/f/d/v

Key West, Sugarloaf and Upper Keys (3 work locations)

JOB OPENINGS

• No Experience Required

GUEST SERVICE AGENT TELEPHONE AGENT NIGHT AUDITOR BELLMAN

• Benefits • CDL Training Provided work as a Bus Aide while training • Full Time or Flexible

Excellent Benefit Package EOE M/F/D/V

Part Time Hours 6 to 9 am or 1 or 2 to 5 pm Apply online: www.keysschools.com

EOE m/f/d/v

SCAN FOR JOB

Please email resume to hr@spottswood.com

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.363.2957 y’s www.KeysSlidingGlassDoorRepair.com And Sliding Glass Door Repair Roller Maintenance Track Maintenance Door Alignment Security Pins Safety Locks Handles

Licensed & Insured #SP33799

ALL KEYS GLASS

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

Authorized Dealer

Sales & Installation • Tub & Shower Enclosures Safety & Tempered Glass • Mirror & Mirror Walls Plexi-Glass & Lexan

COMPANIES

General Contractors & Engineers

SPALLING REPAIRS CONCRETE RESTORATION

EC 13005589 CGC 1521939

CGC 1515665 • CFC 1428730

New Construction • Remodels • Additions & More!

NEW & REPAIR

305-664-0099 www.TikiHuts.com

STATE CERTIFIED THATCHING CONTRACTOR CYC 000002

When It Rains It Pours!

Need 7” Gutters? We have 6” & 7” Seamless • Copper Specialists MARATHON

305-743-0506 KEY LARGO 305-852-5356 rainsavergutters@gmail.com

FRESH FLORIDA LOBSTERS FROM THE NICHOLS CREW DIRECT TO YOU

MM63 -MM74 | 305.393.1415

LIVE $10.00 A POUND TAILS $10.00 EACH

Liz Samess Interiors

Design, Decorating, Drafting, & More…

Liz Samess Interior Designer

CELL: Email:

(954) 801-7883 interiordesignbyliz@gmail.com

Marathon, FL 33050

Tewes Mortgage

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000 for a FREE Consultation

Serving Monroe, Dade & Broward Including Airports & Ports.

SUV, Van & Limousine options available Call us for special events.

305-743-7454

fkes2011@gmail.com floridakeysexpressshuttle.com

SOLAR DONE RIGHT! CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

We also service and sell: Marine A/C, Refrigeration, Watermakers, Batteries, Solar Systems, Anything Electrical!

• SINCE 1976 •

305-289-1150

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734

www.saltenergy.net www.saltservice.net 2992 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Only $50 Puts Your Business Card Here

Brian Tewes

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

www.TewesMortgage.com

Let our 40+ years of experience go to work for you!

For professional, competitive travel planning Call Debbie or Lani at 305 743 7575 Business hours: MON-TUE-THU-FRI 9am to 4pm Appointments by request.

Sportfishing Adventures

Dolphin-Tuna-Wahoo-Billfish-Snapper-Grouper-Shark Deep Sea –Off Shore-Reef-Wrecks-Gulf

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina Mile Marker 48.5, Marathon End of 35th Street Bayside

The Weekly Newspapers www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

METAL ROOFING

SPECIALIST 305-664-1010 www.roofer.pro

UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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UPPER KEYS WEEKLY / JANUARY 9, 2020

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