Key West Weekly 21-0722

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Jeff Bezos gives new meaning to the term “space pleasure craft.”

July 22, 2021

#SOSCUBA

KEYS SUPPORT OUR SOUTHERN NEIGHBORS | P. 9

OPEN (MINI) SEASON LET’S REVIEW THE LOBSTER RULES | P. 20

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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NUMBER OF THE WEEK Gasoline prices have increased a total of 82 cents per gallon this year, according to AAA. The main driver behind the jump at the pump has been the price of crude. Domestic oil prices have increased as much as 57% since January, as global crude oil supplies struggled to keep up with rising demand. Last week, the price for domestic crude reached a new 2021 high of $75.25 per barrel.

ON THE COVER Country star Brian Kelley talks with Keys Weekly about his new solo album, and upcoming tour with Tyler Hubbard and Florida Georgia Line.

BEN CHRISTENSEN/Contributed

IS KEY WEST CRUISIN’ TO A LAWSUIT? A LOOK AT POTENTIAL SHIP SCENARIOS

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News Deadline

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Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

Key West city attorney Shawn Smith warned the city commissioners on July 12 that the owners of Pier B cruise ship dock will sue the city for breach of contract if the city attempts to restrict their cruise ship operations. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

K

ey West officials on July 12 echoed the desire of the Committee for Safer Cleaner Ships to apply the voter-approved cruise ship reductions at all three cruise ship piers — Mallory Pier, Outer Mole and the privately owned Pier B. “There should be no special carve-outs or exemptions,” Arlo Haskell, treasurer of Safer Cleaner Ships, said at the July 12 workshop.

“Allowing a single pier to operate without limits would allow 365 large ships a year — one each day.

This would barely be an improvement from the status quo.”

But requiring a private business — Pier B — to turn away the majority of its customers — cruise ships — presents a problem that will cost the city dearly, city attorney Shawn Smith repeatedly warned the elected lawmakers.

“I think Pier B sues us. I don’t think it’s a threat. I think it’s legitimate. And I think it’ll be for breach of contract and an interstate commerce claim. This will be Duck Tours on steroids,” Smith said. (The city had to pay $8 million in the early 2000s after the courts ruled

that the city’s actions had put a private tour company out of business.)

In addition, Smith reminded the commission, the city has a contract with Pier B that for nearly 30 years has given 25% of Pier B’s cruise ship revenues to the city. That contract renews every 10 years unless both parties agree to end it. When Mayor Teri Johnston asked Smith how the city can get out of that contract, Smith replied, “We pay.”

Despite support for the voters and Safer Cleaner Ships. Commissioner Sam Kaufman also acknowledged that a costly lawsuit from Pier B could bankrupt the city.

In order to forecast various scenarios, Keys Weekly analyzed the past five years of cruise ship data, provided by Caribe Nautical, the local ship’s agent that coordinates schedules with the city of Key West and Pier B for each of the three piers.

Over the past five years, from fiscal year 2014-15 through fiscal year 2018-19 (not counting the partial year of 2019-20, when COVID canceled cruise travel), an average of 348 ships per year have visited Key West, with 63% of them (218) coming to Pier B. The Outer Mole hosted 26%, or an average of 92 ships per year, and Mallory saw an average of 38 ships per year, or 11%,

according to Caribe Nautical data.

“Yes, the contract with Pier B allows them to have seven ships a week, or one per day, but that never happens due to the scheduling of cruise itineraries, which begin on a weekend,” said John Wells, the retired founder of Caribe Nautical and an outspoken opponent of Safer Cleaner Ships and drastic cruise ship reductions.

“If the city allows Pier B to continue to operate as usual while issues are negotiated, I’d estimate that Pier B could accommodate 225 to 250 ships a year,” Wells said. “If Pier B becomes the only cruise dock in town, we’d see a 40 to 45% reduction in cruise ships. Pier B cannot absorb all the ships from Mallory and the Mole. There won’t be 365 ships a year.”

Wells said he’d like to see a citizens working group created to discuss and resolve cruise ship issues, “much like Mayor Richard Heyman did in the 1980s to reach a compromise between cruise ships at Mallory Pier and the sunset celebration performers. Heyman worked out an agreement in which ships must depart 45 minutes before sunset, with 12 special exceptions allowed each year. That was an exercise in leadership by a mayor.”

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021 MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

KEY WEST SUPPORTS CUBAN PEOPLE & LOCAL SENIORS CITY INSPECTS AGING BUILDINGS

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uban people, structural safety, the Miami Marlins and Poinciana Gardens all topped the Key West city commission agenda on July 20.

City manager Patti McLauchlin told the commission the city is inspecting aging buildings taller than three stories in light of the Surfside condominium tragedy.

“I’ve asked our chief building official to look at structures over three floors tall,” McLauchlin said. “We’ve looked, over the past 10 days, at 10 buildings and have sent letters to two of them, saying they need to have a structural engineer look at them,” McLauchlin said.

Poinciana Gardens McLauchlin also updated the commission on Poinciana Gardens assisted-living facility, which needs financial assistance to remain open.

“A proposal at (Monday evening’s) Key West Housing Authority board meeting asks the city and Monroe County to each contribute $600,000 a year for three years to financially stabilize the facility. In addition, the county would close Bayshore Manor on Stock Island and move its 11 residents to Poinciana Gardens, saving the county about $1.2 million a year that could be used to help Poinciana Gardens, County Commissioner Craig Cates has repeatedly said.

“We currently have $400,000 budgeted for Poinciana Gardens,” McLauchlin said.

Mayor Teri Johnston said, “I think this commission has exhibited a strong desire to help keep this operating. But I also think it’s imperative that we reach out to the current and former operators of it to determine what went wrong, and why they’ve struggled to fill the units.”

Scooters Hotel owner Marc Meisel also presented an idea for a pilot program that would bring electric stand-up scooters to Key West. The scooters would be stored at participating hotels, and not on city streets or sidewalks.

Despite a pending ordinance regulating electric bikes on city streets and sidewalks, the commission was willing to further discuss a pilot program, although no decisions were made Tuesday evening.

Commissioner Sam Kaufman announced that the Miami Marlins will celebrate Key West Day on Aug. 28, when the Marlins play the Cincinnati Reds, and Mayor Teri Johnston will throw the first pitch.

CONTRIBUTED

Gilda Niles, whose family left Cuba when she was 15, urges the commission to strengthen the wording of its resolution in support of the Cuban people. CONTRIBUTED

Cuban support The commission also on Tuesday passed a resolution in support of the people of Cuba, and opposing the government regime.

Commissioner Greg Davila introduced the resolution, saying, “I think the least this commission can do, given our Cuban heritage on the dais, is to express support for the people’s courageous struggle.”

Longtime Key West resident Gilda Niles, whose family fled Cuba in the 1960s, when she was a teenager, spoke in support of the resolution, but urged the commission, which agreed, to strengthen its wording beyond supporting the people, but also opposing the current leadership.

“When I hear of these people finally saying they want their freedom, it does my heart good,” Niles said. “I always wondered why we left, why didn’t we stay and fight for our country and our freedom.”

In addition, JIATF is in the process of designing a new facility for its 550 employees.

Construction of the $200 million to $300 million facility would likely start in 2025, Fears said.

Rear Admiral Doug Fears of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, or JIATF-South, assures the Key West city commission that JIATF will remain in Key West and will build a new $200 million to $300 million facility in the next four or five years. CONTRIBUTED

JIATF stays The commission also heard from Rear Adm. Doug Fears from the classified military operation known as Joint Interagency Task Force, or JIATF-South.

Despite rumors that JIATF, which is housed on military property off Whitehead near the Southernmost Point, would be leaving Key West for a new location, Fears assured the commission that the decision had been made last April to stay put.

Miami Marlins Commissioner Sam Kaufman announced that Saturday, Aug. 28 will be the first-ever Key West Day at Miami Marlins stadium. The Marlins will play the Cincinnati Reds and the mayor will throw out the first pitch.

“Don’t be expecting some flub dub pitch; our mayor is an excellent ball player,” Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover said laughing.

“Oh, I know, she ain’t gonna be like Fauci throwing out the first pitch; she’ll be good,” said Rick Lopez, general manager of Florida Keys Media radio stations, who’s organizing the event.

Game tickets will be available for $25, and Key West locals will sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch, Kaufman said.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

2021 BUBBAS: KEY WEST PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS — BY THE NUMBERS

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he voting is over and the 2021 Bubbas winners will be announced at the Saturday, July 24 Awards Gala. And as we lead up to one of the most anticipated evenings of the year at the Key West Theater, here are some incredible stats from this year’s Bubbas.

24,190

That’s how many total individual ballots were cast in 2021.

This includes both our nominations and finals stages. For the past several years, voters could vote in the nomination stage once a week, then once a day in the finals stage.

This has dramatically increased engagement and awareness across the globe.

50 $100,000

540,000

The number of page views at keysweekly.com over four weeks of Bubbas voting.

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$0.00

The number of continents that participated in the 2021 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards. Voting stretched as far north as Taluskyla, Finland and as far south as Lyons, Australia. A few votes were even cast from the remote island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.

The Island Holistic Trainer COMPLEMENTARY CONSULTATIONS

The number of states that voted in this year’s Bubbas.

The amount of money (plus a little more) raised for local nonprofits since the Bubbas began eight years ago. This year’s contest benefits Wesley House Family Services.

The number of Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards since the contest began in 2014.

The amount of money the Key West Theater has charged the event to use their facility. This will be the seventh Bubbas Awards Gala hosted by the theater, which donates the use of the property so more money can be raised for local nonprofits.

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The number of categories on a single 2021 Bubbas ballot. The ballot featured more than 115 categories in earlier years and is constantly being updated. Readers and participants are always welcome to suggest new category ideas to the Key West Weekly.

Pick up next week’s Key West Weekly for extensive coverage of the 2021 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

CRUSHIN’ IT

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he 12-and-younger team of Key West Crushers will play baseball where baseball began, in Cooperstown, New York.

The team secured a spot for 12 players in the coveted Cooperstown Tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park the week of July 24.

The team has been raising money to foot the hefty bill for the weeklong experience in the town that’s home to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Each player and coach will be immortalized by being inducted into the prestigious American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame,” states the Cooperstown Dream Park website. “As a part of the Cooperstown Dreams Park experience, your team members will be awarded the coveted American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame ring — just like the champions before them — and granted membership into this distinguished baseball club. All Cooperstown Dreams Park participants share this honor.

“While promoting a high caliber of play, our goal is to have young players experience the purity of baseball as it was meant to be. By stepping up to the plate, regardless of outcome, all players leave with a sense of pride, dignity and accomplishment. Our mission is to provide a cultural and life-enriching experience for young boys and girls who love the game of baseball.”

— Contributed

KEY WEST CRUSHERS’ BASEBALL DREAMS COME TRUE

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021 CHARLOTTE TWINE charlotte@keysweekly.com

ANONYMOUS CODE COMPLAINTS NO LONGER ALLOWED IN FLORIDA

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KEYS CODE DEPARTMENTS SAY NEW LAW MAY PREVENT TIME-WASTING TIT-FOR-TAT FIGHTS

nonymous complaints to a local code compliance departKey West code compliance director Jim Young agreed that ment from one neighbor to another, tit for tat, almost anonymous complaints can take valuable time and energy for his seem like an unavoidable American way of life. Kind of staff that can be used more efficiently. like apple pie and baseball. One resident doesn’t like “These calls would take time,” he noted. “We would respond where a neighbor put his fence, while that neighbor will retaliate and verify the complaint. A lot of times it was valid, a lot of times by complaining about garbage cans hanging on the street corner it was not valid. The good ones were a tenant calling on a landlord too long. and wanting to be anonymous. Good luck with that one.”

But … no more!

Young and his staff are getting complainers used to the idea Due to the passage of Senate Bill 60 by the Florida Legislathat they have to leave their name and contact information. But ture, code compliance departments within the state can no longer when some callers are informed that anonymous complaints are investigate anonymous code compliance violation reports. outlawed, they get frustrated.

Per a Monroe County press release, “The bill changed exist“This is not something we created,” he said. “We have to abide ing state law to prohibit the investigation of anonymous reports by it. It’s effective throughout the entire state of Florida. Some of potential violations of municipal property codes, effective July people said we were trying to not do our job just prior to them 1, 2021. The person reporting the issue is now required to supply hanging up.” their full name and address, and this information will become part McPherson and Young made clear that they want to be of serof the public record. This applies to submissions made by phone, vice to the community, and citizens should always feel free to call email, online, or in person to the Code Compliance Department.” in a complaint. Young is also looking forward to having more time Since this law was effective as of July 1, code compliance to devote to issues that are important to Key West residents. departments that still accept anonymous complaints within the “We can be proactive on some issues that have been brought Florida Keys have not had to our attention, and the enough time yet to detercity commission wants us mine how this will affect to work on cleanliness in their work. The Monroe the city, one of six prioriCounty Code Compliance ties in the strategic plan. In department still took anona survey, 3,700 citizens ymous complaints before responded with six top priJuly 1, as did Key West’s. orities, and cleanliness was “Our complaints as one of them,” said Young. a whole are generally Unlike Monroe County anonymous,” said Cynthia and Key West, the City of McPherson, senior direcMarathon has not accepted tor of code compliance for anonymous complaints for Monroe County. many years, according to She told Keys Weekly Mark Senmartin, Marathon some typical examples of vice mayor and longtime anonymous complaints: council member. abandoned vehicles, in“We haven’t had that Keys code officials said that anonymous complaints can sometimes create cluding boats and trailers, for a long time,” he said. unnecessary extra work for staff. CONTRIBUTED parked in the right of way; “If it bothers you enough work without a permit, that something needs to be such as someone putting up a fence, a new door or a window; or said, you need to own it. You get into situations where neighbors a structure that has hurricane damage and has not been repaired don’t like each other, and they call back and waste city staff time.” yet.

Senmartin pointed out that sometimes a complainer who was “We don’t know yet how the law is going to affect our departreluctant to give his or her name would have a legitimate concern; ment,” she said. “But I’ll tell you that if it does anything in cutting it’s just that the homeowner didn’t want to be the bad guy and down the numbers coming into us, it may be the tit-for-tat neighconfront the neighbor. bor complaints that are difficult to process for us.”

“If there is a safety issue you’re concerned about, you definiteMcPherson said investigating anonymous complaints can be ly need to report it,” he said. “We get unlicensed operators in the time-consuming for the staff. area, so safety issues are at stake. Don’t be afraid to say some“Oftentimes anonymous complaints are incomplete,” she exthing when something is really wrong.” plained. “It’ll give you only a mile marker, with no way to ascertain Key West’s Young has one final bit of advice: “If you want to rewhere the property is. With all the complaints we investigate, we port your landlord anonymously, he might be able to figure it out.” can sometimes find the location, but not always. With a name and an address, and somehow to verify and get information, it may eliminate that work we had done with no benefit. But I don’t know if that’ll happen.”

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

ON COMMUNISM School board’s John Dick makes impassioned speech

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After the proclamation in support of Cuba passed in Marathon, citizens filed out of city hall to wave signs on the side of Overseas Highway. SARA MATTHIS/Keys Weekly

#CUBALIBRE Local governments stand in support of Cuban liberty SARA MATTHIS

sara@keysweekly.com

T

his week, both the City of Marathon and the City of Key West passed special proclamations in support of Cuban liberty.

In Marathon, Mayor Luis Gonzalez called for a special meeting to pass the resolution on July 19.

“Sixty-two. That number represents pain. That number represents suffering,” Gonzalez said. “In Marathon, we know many Cuban Americans who are successful businessmen, hard working hospitality employees and the backbone of our fishing industry. For 10 days, we’ve witnessed a historic moment when Cubans in Cuba flooded the streets, seeking freedom. It is impossible to ignore their pain and suffering anymore, especially knowing they are just 90 miles away.”

The Marathon City Council chambers were filled with supporters — both white and Latin — who cheered the remarks

by Monroe County School Board Chairman John Dick, Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, as well as Marathon council members Mark Senmartin, John Bartus and Steve Cook. (Councilman Dan Zieg was absent.)

The Key West City Commission adopted a similar resolution in support of the people of Cuba on July 20.

Key West Commissioner Greg Davila introduced the resolution, saying, "I think

the least this commission can do, given our Cuban heritage on the dais, is to express support for the people's courageous struggle."

Longtime Key West resident Gilda Niles, whose family fled Cuba in the 1960s, when she was a teenager, spoke in support of the resolution, but urged the commission, which agreed, to strengthen its wording beyond supporting the people, but also opposing the current leadership.

"When I hear of these people finally saying they want their freedom, it does my heart good," Niles said. "I always wondered why we left, why didn't we stay and fight for our country and our freedom. The message I'd like us to add is, 'Mr. Raul Castro, it's time for you to leave. Enough is enough. Sixty-two years of misery is enough."

Castro stepped down as president three years ago after handpicking current President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who is also head of the Communist party in Cuba, after Castro resigned in April from that post. On July 11, spontaneous protests erupted in five Cuban cities and thousands of protestors in Cuba took to the streets in at least five cities.

Cuban-Americans living in the Florida Keys told the Keys Weekly that their brothers and sisters across the Florida straits are suffering. According to U.S. authorities, the Cuban government has interrupted internet and phone service for Cubans in Cuba and the picture of the political unrest is hazy.

According to Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron, the county intends to pass a similar resolution.

n July 19, Monroe County School Board Chairman John Dick made a speech in advance of a proclamation signed by the Marathon City Council in support of Cuban people. Dick, an Army veteran, compared the recent events in Cuba to what is happening in Venezuela now, and what happened in Vietnam many years ago. Below are excerpts from his speech: The rallies on U.S. 1 and in the rest of Florida and all around the country are a testament to how strong people believe in liberty and freedom for all. What is taking place here this evening is not only important for the people suffering in Cuba, but also to show those misguided Americans that mistakenly believe it’s best to move our country toward socialism/communism. They need to hear and witness the videos with their own eyes that show the oppression, poverty, and despair; along with the human rights violations that socialism/ communism breeds in Cuba and other unfortunate countries around the world.

I have never been to Cuba and therefore I cannot give you an eyewitness account of the numerous atrocities taking place there. As a “gringo,” I can say that I do have knowledge of the Hispanic culture’s exceptionally strong passion for the freedoms and family values that come with a democracy.

I learned that throughout the 51 years, and still counting, of being married to my lovely wife Lourdes, who was born in Puerto Rico ...

Monroe County But I can give an eyewitness account of School Board people living in the fear of socialism/comChairman John Dick munism. Long ago when I was 20 years old and a member of the United States Army, I was sent to help in the fight against communism in the country of South Vietnam. The people of South Vietnam were living in fear of communism and were fighting to keep their way of life free with the help of U.S. forces against the communists backed by Russians. We could have easily won that war, but for weak American politicians that put in rules of engagement that made victory impossible. Then, in 1975, when the Americans abandoned the country and the communists took over, it was the start of a 25-year exodus of people fleeing that country, and just like Cuba they did it by boat in extremely dangerous waters with overcrowded boats. Over 1.2 million of them fled the country of Vietnam and it’s estimated that nearly 400,000 lost their lives at sea.

We know that over 1.4 million people have fled Cuba in the same manner on overcrowded boats in dangerous waters, and it’s estimated that nearly 100,000 lost their lives in the Florida Straits.

Those Americans today that think socialism/communism is the direction America should be headed have to ask themselves why millions of Vietnamese and Cubans risked their lives to escape that form of government. Why have nearly 3.5 million people walked out of Venezuela into their neighboring countries? ...

As a third generation American I am always proud when I see video of people rising up against an oppressive form of government and waving the American flag. You see that American flag in videos coming out of Cuba, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Iran and other anti-democratic countries. The American flag is a symbol of freedom wherever it is flown, and I am proud to see it flying next to the Cuban Flag by those calling for a free Cuba ...

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

SISTERS SHARE EVERYTHING

BIG PINE WOMAN DONATES PART OF HER LIVER TO HER SISTER

HELP NEEDED

KEY WEST CHAMBER HOSTS JOB FAIR

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rom health care to hospitality, government agencies to grocery stores, nonprofits and private sector, no employers are immune.

The current and dire staffing shortages in Key West and around the country have been dubbed “the new pandemic.”

In an effort to help its members and local employers find the workers they need, the Key West Chamber of Commerce presented a job fair on July 20 at the Marriott Beachside Hotel.

Scores of would-be employers put their best foot forward in an effort to attract job candidates, who were encouraged to bring resumes and dress for success. The event was free for job seekers, who ranged in age and experience from recent high school graduates to retirees looking for part-time work.

— Weekly staff report

Sisters Courtney, left, and Mehgan share more than memories and DNA. Mehgan, who lives in Big Pine Key, donated a portion of her liver to her sister after doctors diagnosed non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in 2017.

CONTRIBUTED

I

n March of this year, Big Pine Key resident Mehgan donated a portion of her liver to her sister, Courtney, who lives in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The sisters, their family and medical team couldn’t celebrate until recently, when they realized the procedure had been successful.

Courtney was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in 2017. She wasn’t feeling well, was bloated and lethargic. As the years passed, it was determined that a liver transplant would be the best option for her.

The family researched options, and learned about livingdonor liver transplantation, and knew this was the best op-

tion for Courtney. Living-donor liver transplantation eliminates the need for patients to be placed on a waiting list and offers the opportunity to transplant earlier and when patients are healthier.

Her sister Mehgan stepped in, got evaluated, and was a perfect match and blood type.

The family chose University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for the procedure, as UPMC leads the nation in living-donor liver transplants, said spokeswoman Andrea Kunicky.

The procedure was done on March 23 and both Courtney and Mehgan have recovered well.

— Contributed

Museums, medical centers, retail stores, hotels, government agencies, banks and other businesses and nonprofits recruit potential employees at the Key West Chamber of Commerce job fair on July 20.

ANNIE BRIENING/Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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15

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021 A (Cuban) yellow warbler on Geiger Key. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

HEARING THE WORDS, BUT NOT KNOWING THE SONG

M

nemonics are mental hacks designed to help us remember things. ROY G BIV. Every Good Boy Does Fine. King Phillip Came Over For Great Spaghetti.

SPLUNGE*.

Bird books are full of mnemonics and written descriptions to help explain the complicated realm of bird songs. Some are so close to the mark and so deeply ingrained in the culture we don’t even quesMARK tion them – the quack of a duck, the caw of a crow.

HEDDEN Some birds, such as chickadees and Chuck-will’swidows, are actually named for how their call (sort of) ... is a photographer, writer, and sounds. semi-professional Other mnemonics, though, can stray pretty far birdwatcher. He afield. The barred owl is supposed to say who cooks has lived in Key for you. The olive-sided flycatcher? Quick, three beers.

West for more than 25 years and The mnemonic for the black-throated blue warbler’s may no longer call is given alternately as zur-zur-zur-zree and please be employable in please please squeeeeze I am so laz-eeeeee. Further failthe real world. He ing the playground snigger test is the warbling vireo, is also executive which allegedly sings, if I see you I will seize you and I’ll director of the Florida Keys Audu- squeeze you till you squirt. bon Society.

The thing about mnemonics is they generally work as cognitive retrofits. I mean, if you’ve somehow never heard a duck quack, you might be able to read the word quack, then hear a duck quack and connect the sound to the bird, but things don’t work that way 99.999% of the time.

You’ve got to hear the song first, connect it mentally to the bird, and then somehow attach the mnemonic to it.

With human music, it’s nearly impossible to hear a song’s melody just by reading the lyrics. But if you’ve heard the song before, any time you read, “Never gonna give you up / Never gonna let you down / Never gonna run around and desert you,” you can hear the melody, know the singer and possibly even envision the video.** It works kind of the same with bird songs.

The use of mnemonics is something of an outmoded intellectual technique, an old-school attempt to bridge the gap between text seen in a field guide and sounds heard in the field. (Some field guides try to do this by printing spectrograms, though they’re not easy to wrap your brain around, either.)

Knowing some mnemonics will no doubt make you a better birdwatcher, but technology has rendered them less essential. A few taps on a smartphone will produce an accurate bird call.

Conversely, an app called Merlin can analyze a bird call and tell you what it is. (I’ve never used Merlin, and some birders say the app is often wrong, though that’s bound to get better over time.)

All this talk of mnemonics — and I swear that’s the last time I will use the word in this column — is a long walk to get to the fact that I heard a bird singing the other day on Geiger Key. I immediately thought sweet sweet sweetsweetsweet, which is one of the ways to remember the song of a yellow warbler. (Another version is sweet sweet I’m so sweet, but I prefer not to think of them as vain.)

Two warbler species breed, and therefore sing, in the Florida Keys — the prairie warbler and the yellow warbler. Both birds are primarily yellow, though the prairie has some black markings and the yellow has some red markings.

The prairie warbler is far more common. Its call is a rising series of quickening notes, as if climbing a traditional music scale a half-step at a time. You can hear a prairie pretty much anywhere, though slightly less often since Hurricane Irma. You’ll rarely hear the yellow warbler in the mainline Keys. They tend to like the out islands and very-out-of-the-way places.

This bird was singing in the top of a black mangrove next to a very well-traveled road. I managed to get binoculars on it, take a few still shots, then get some video of it singing. (View it at markhedden.com/notes).

He must have been foraging at the same time, because at first he was singing with a gob of spider web stuck to the side of his mouth. It made me laugh out loud while standing there by myself on the side of the road.

The breeding population in the Florida Keys also deserves an asterisk. While yellow warblers breed commonly across the U.S., the Keys are about 500 miles south of the next breeding population.

But they also breed in Cuba. And the Cuban and Keys birds look different than the ones you see in, say, South Carolina or Minnesota.

The males have small red caps that you can see when they angle their heads the right way.

A lot of birders will call them Cuban yellow warblers, and many believe they eventually will be considered a different species than their more northerly relatives. It’s a long and complicated discussion that cured my insomnia the other night.

In that roadside moment, though, I managed to push away any complicated thoughts about where the bird fit into the evolutionary tree.

I just watched and listened to it, this small yellow thing singing its fool head off against a clear blue sky.

It was sweet. Sweet sweet sweetsweetsweet. * Fine. SPLUNGE isn’t a mnemonic. It’s a joke from an obscure Monty Python skit that I’ve been trying to slip into conversation on a regular basis since 1983. ** And yes. You just got Rick-rolled in a birdwatching column.

Got a bird question you’re dying to ask, or even just mildly curious about?

Email “Ask the Bird Geek” at mark@markhedden.com.

16

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

REDA WIGLE

Barstool Astrology

Leo season is upon us, with an energy akin to Texas: big, brazen and boldly beltbuckled, shining relentlessly on those who have to squint and bear it.

While Leo is the sign voted most likely to masturbate to their own sex tape, they’re also most likely to give to charity or post bail for an attractive stranger.

Leo excels at creating, then stabilizing, dramatic situations. At worst, it’s stubborn, self-righteous and sort of mean. Conquering is curative to Leo, but it wants to rule magnanimously. Leo itself is ruled by the sun, the largest and brightest celestial body. Fittingly, Leo energy is royal AF. It lives to be seen, demands to be worshipped and will not be ignored.

It will not play bass in the family band. It will sing lead and set the curtains on fire if attention shifts or applause wanes. Channel all that solar firepower into confidence, assertion and a commitment to shooting your shot.

Go forth and roar in fearless pursuit of the love you deserve and the life you want.

is a middle child and Taurus Fire Tiger named after a stigmatic saint.

She divides her time and affections between New Orleans and Key West.

Leo July 23 to Aug. 22 Happy solar return, Leo. You are never more billable than when your sign rules the skies. Consider the musings of fellow lion and OG femme fatale Mata Hari, “I was not content at home. I wanted to live like a colorful butterfly in the sun.” Sure, it sounds like someone high on MDMA, but it’s the energy I want to see from you. Get out there and throw all your colors into the sun that’s shining on and for you.

Notable Leo: James Hetfield/ Aug. 3, 1963

WHAT THE STARS HAVE IN STORE

Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22 Leo season wants you to take care of your animal self, Virgo.

Eat something green. Have a good laugh and a long sleep. Walk in the wilderness. Clean your room, and gently purge yourself of the poisons of hard living and cheap fun. Be grateful in, through and for the body that carries you.

Notable Virgo: Henry Hudson/ Sept. 12, 1575 Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 With Venus, planet of love and possessions, moving through your 12th house of dreams and delusions, you may have a hard time distinguishing between reality and imagination. Be particularly wary of people, objects and opportunities that seem too good to be true. Mystic and apex womanizer Carlos Castaneda said, “Things are only real after one has learned to agree on their realness.” Take your time making that assessment, Libra.

Notable Libra: Serena Williams/Sept. 26, 1981 Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21 Photojournalist and fellow Scorpio Lisl Steiner has a peculiar practice about birthdays.

“I make myself one year older.

I don’t want to look younger, I like to be one year ahead.” Apply a similar spirit, Scorpio. Be wholly happy for the gift of living and aspire always to be and become your finer, future self.

Notable Scorpio: Selma Lagerlöf/Nov. 20, 1858 Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 When COVID ceased runway shows, visionary (and often problematic) designer John Galliano created a short, ambitious film to showcase his handmade and horror-inspired Artisanal collection.

Rather than limit his output, he built a radically different container for it. Adopt a similar strategy.

To greet what is to come, create something that’s never been.

Notable Sagittarius: Zachary Taylor/Nov. 24, 1784 Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 The idiom “enough is enough” typically refers to exasperation.

But for you, sea goat, I offer an alternate interpretation. What you are, and what you have, is enough. Believe that level of enough is enough for you. Find stillness in that simple satisfaction, as more is a dangerous aim.

Notable Capricorn: Jane Wyman/Jan. 5, 1917 Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 After her husband accidentally killed a lioness, fellow Aquarius Joy Adamson adopted an orphan cub. She named her Elsa and spent months training her to hunt and survive. Elsa became the first lion ever successfully released into the wild. I hope, water bearer, that you, too, find freedom through freedom.

Notable Aquarius: Christian Dior/Jan. 21, 1905 Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20 Your mission, Pisces, should you choose to accept it, is to worship yourself. You’re a giver and, if we’re being frank, a borderline martyr. But giving to yourself is not taking away from others. Even OG martyr Jesus H. Christ prioritized self-care by carousing with hookers, drinking wine and allowing himself a desert walkabout.

Spend some time finding what makes you feel fine.

Notable Pisces: Edward Enninful/Feb. 22, 1972 Aries March 21 to April 19 The sun in Leo spotlights your fifth house of the exalted inner child and reckless romantic. Cue the dice games, abstract painting and risky sexual behavior. After the puddle of mud that Cancer

season amounted to, you are right to let the good times roll.

Just rein in anything, and forfeit anyone, that may cause lasting harm.

Notable Aries: Lil Nas X/ April 9, 1999 Taurus April 20 to May 20 Out with the old and in with the bold, Taurus. A pair of full moons in Aquarius sheds light on your career zone. Now is not the time to demure, hoping your talents will be secretly discovered. Use your outside voice and be a horned, happy and unapologetic force for forward momentum and self-advocacy. Step out of the pen and into the open field of destiny.

Notable Taurus: John Brown/ May 9, 1800 Gemini May 21 to June 20 Never at a loss for words, Gemini, Leo season demands you create an occasion to share them. With a lion in the sky, you are obliged to mix metaphors, liquor and company. Dorothy Parker instructs, “Drink and dance and laugh and lie, love the midnight through, For tomorrow we shall die! (But, alas, we never do.)” Speak while you have a tongue, dance while the music plays and have a good time before time runs out.

Notable Gemini: Hattie McDaniel/June 10, 1895 Cancer June 21 to July 22 You, moon child, are planetarily poised to have a big, sexy, hairpulling time in this last gasp of July. Putting Cancer season behind you, discard also the rusty anchors of past resentment. Gag that persistently pragmatic voice you call better judgment, and just say yes. Go out on a limb, take someone home on a whim and give yourself permission to ruthlessly enjoy yourself.

Notable Cancer: Dolly the Sheep/July 5, 1996

17

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

Mainstreaming

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

LISTEN | TIESTO — “THE BUSINESS” 2020 Tijs Michiel Verwest, better known as Tiesto, is regarded by many as the greatest DJ in the world and the Godfather of EDM (in case you’re over the age of 50 or live under a rock). His hits and accolades are endless, but his 2020 hit song, “The Business” is one you’ll want for the commute, the workout or pre-game festivities. Tiesto created “The Business” at the start of quarantine, admitting he believed the lockdown would be short-lived. But it’s 2021, and hopefully, we can all get down to business moving forward.

READ | “THE END OF THE AFFAIR”

BY GRAHAM GREENE (1951) This classic by Graham Greene, known by many for his mystery novels, is widely considered the author’s best work. The story follows several characters in London just after World War II. Among the characters, writer Maurice Bendrix (likely based on Greene’s own personal affair) struggles with guilt, jealousy and heartbreak after his affair ends with Sarah Miles. But the novel is so much more than a dissection of the raw elements of an adulterous affair.

Greene’s own struggles, along with the contradictions within religious confines (the book is considered one of Greene’s four Catholic novels), often allow Greene to ask philosophical questions around the existence of God. It’s a must-read and a perfect work of fiction. Read or revisit it today.

WATCH | “SWEET GIRL” | NETFLIX AUGUST Jason Momoa, Big Pharma conspiracies, explosions and did we mention Jason Momoa? The Netflix original launches Aug. 20 and while we can’t guarantee a masterpiece, the trailer offers glimpses of action thriller, suspense and drama-mystery. So yes, there’s a bit of everything highlighted by an intriguing cast. Checkout Netflix.com for the film’s trailer and movie page, which reads, “...He lost the love of his life to a pharmaceutical company’s greed. Now his daughter is without a mother, and he’s without justice. For now.”

T

he 2021 Summer Olympics kick off July 23 with opening ceremonies in Tokyo, Japan. The games were first held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and were most recently held in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year’s summer Olympics will take place in the shadow of a global pandemic, but still will allow Japan’s art, traditions, architecture and cultural beauty to shine on the national stage. So, for Americans watching at home, what could go wrong? We have some ideas. Here are...

BONE-HEADED AMERICAN THINGS TO DO DURING THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN TOKYO, JAPAN 10. Allow ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to be anywhere near a broadcast booth (Smith is not a fan of classy Japanese megastars who need interpreters in America … and Smith still has not been suspended by your favorite sports network).

4. Passionately insist that Jake Angeli, the QAnon Capitol rioter famous for his horns and fur hat, would be the perfect mascot for Team USA.

9. Continuously yell from your barstool that you’re boycotting until they add Mixed Doubles Cornhole.

3. Casually mention to people that you believe Bill Murray’s karaoke version of Pete Yorn’s “More than This” (in the film “Lost in Translation”) should be the official song for the Tokyo Olympics.

8. Explain how you “get” Japanese culture and heritage because of your extensive Pokemon Card collection.

2. Incite “socially woke” rants because the swim teams are not wearing masks during competition.

7. Team USA with no LeBron = no gold.

1. Get in bar arguments over your belief that Speed Racer is the greatest Japanese-born athlete of all time.

6. Keep asking everyone at work if they think Daniel LaRusso and Chozen Toguchi will meet in the karate finals.

5. Vocalize your anti-violence initiative by insisting the steel tips on the end of the archery arrows be replaced by suction cups.

18

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

FORMER DIRECTOR ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUB DAN DOMBROSKI FACES 12 FELONY COUNTS OF FRAUD, FORGERY

Dan Dombroski, 66, was arrested Friday, July 16 at his Big Pine home, suspected of stealing at least $41,000 from the Southernmost Boys & Girls Club, where he was director for 15 years. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

T

he former director of the Southernmost Boys & Girls Club was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing at least $41,000 from the nonprofit.

Dan Dombroski, 66, of Big Pine, faces 12 felony counts of fraud and forgery. The criminal investigation into Dombroski’s action started in August 2019, but suspicion of Dombroski began in 2018, when the chairman of the club’s board, William Archer, discovered several alarming financial matters.

Upon learning that Dombroski had stopped making payments to the pension fund for club employees two years prior, Archer asked the local club’s parent organization, Boys & Club of America, to send an audit team to investigate the Key West club’s finances.

When Archer asked Dombroski about the pension fund payments, Dombroski “told Archer that they did not have the money for it, but also never provided Archer with a good explanation as to why they were not able to pay it. Dombroski served as the Executive Director of the Southernmost Boys and Girls Club for approximately 15 years and during this time had complete control over the finances with no checks and balances,” states the arrest affidavit that State Attorney Dennis Ward provided to the Keys Weekly.

“The Boys and Girls Club of America audit team conducted their investigation and informed Archer they found several ‘threads’ of money being withdrawn, with no correlating receipts/invoices to account for the expenditures, but no patterns,” the affidavit states.

The local board of directors placed Dombroski on probation and took away his authority to handle financial matters, the affidavit states.

On a day that Dombroski was not at the club, Archer began looking through 2018 financial files, and discovered a stack of documents that had not been provided to the auditors.

“Included in the documents were numerous Boys and Girls Club checks made payable to Dombroski. Archer stated most of the documents were reimbursements made to Dombroski for cash transactions that never took place. Dombroski previously opened an American Express credit card for the Southernmost Boys and Girls Club.

Business cards were given to Archer, Cecelia Williamson, Susan Kent and Daniel Dombroski. All credit card statements went solely to Dombroski. In addition to reimbursing himself for cash transactions that never took place, Dombroski would pay for items for the club using the card and then reimburse himself for the transactions as if cash was paid. The Boys and Girls Club would pay the credit card bill in full each month,” states the affidavit.

In September 2019, Archer met with Key West Police Detective Gustavo Medina, who launched a criminal investigation.

“In addition to using the business American Express for purchases and then reimbursing himself with a check, Dombroski would pay invoices from vendors and businesses with the Southernmost Boys and Girls Club checks and later submit reimbursement checks, made payable to himself, for those invoices. Dombroski would also write reimbursement checks to himself for petty cash payments. There is no record of Dombroski using his personal bank account to make any payments on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club,” the affidavit states.

“In reviewing the statements from Boys and Girls Club as well as Dombroski’s bank records, I discovered numerous checks written out in large amounts to Daniel Dombroski. The reimbursements were deposited into Daniel Dombroski’s First State Bank account from the Boys and Girls Club First State Bank account,” Detective Medina wrote in the affidavit.

“In approximately a four-year span, the Boys and Girls Club issued checks payable to petty cash for $68,044. Approximately $41,117 in cash deposits were made into Lori and Daniel Dombroski’s First State Bank account, which was unsupported by any other known financial employment by Daniel Dombroski,” the affidavit states.

An arrest warrant was issued on July 15 and Dombroski was arrested just after 10 p.m. on July 16 at his Big Pine home. An arraignment is scheduled for July 30.

Keys Weekly attempted to reach Dombroski on July 17, but received a recording saying the number was “not in service.”

SAVE THE DATE July 20-25 • Hemingway Days in Key West.

July 21-24 • The Key West Marlin Tournament headquartered at Stock Island Marina Village.

July 23 • Sublime at 7 p.m. at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, Key West.

July 24 • The Hemingway 5K Sunset Run & Paddleboard Race at 3 p.m. from Truman Waterfront Park, Key West. website.

• Monroe Fire Rescue’s “Beat the Heat” event for kids of all ages from 1011 a.m. at Sugarloaf School July 28-29 • Lobster mini-season runs from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday through midnight on Thursday with a 6-lobster per day maximum in Monroe County.

July 31 • Monroe Fire Rescue’s “Beat the Heat” event for kids of all ages from 1011 a.m. in Stock Island at Bernstein Park.

Aug. 3 • Monroe County Sheriff’s Office hosts National Night Out at various locations throughout the Keys.

Aug. 11-15 • The Key West Tropical Heat allmale week, at various venues, Key West.

Aug. 12 • First day of school for students of Monroe County School District.

Aug. 19-20 • Leadership Success Academy, board training program for all Keys nonprofits by Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West. cffk.org/lsa

19

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

O

ne of the most challenging parts of lobster mini-season is understanding its boundaries — both geographically and time-wise.

There’s a difference between lobster hunting in Layton (never!) and in Key Colony Beach. As a general rule, don’t hunt for lobsters in canals … unless you are doing so in front of personal property, but only as far as the centerline of the canal. Also, don’t hunt for lobsters along shoreline, unless you are more than 100 feet away in open water. Keep reading: During the July two-day sport season, and regular lobster season (Aug. 6 - March 31), NO snorkeling or diving is allowed within 300 feet of residential or commercial shoreline. This includes canals and any public or private marinas.

In Marathon, this local rule applies during the twoday sport season.

In Key Colony Beach, this local rule applies during the four days preceding sport season and continues

THE DARK SIDE OF LOBSTER SEASON Bully netting happens at night

until 10 days have elapsed after the opening of regular season.

In Layton, it’s prohibited to take lobster from any waters within city limits.

In unincorporated areas of Monroe County, Islamorada and Key West this local rule applies during the three days preceding sport season, the entirety of sport season and the first five days of regular season.

If you see a yellow buoy, stop. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is dotted with special areas — Sanctuary Preservation Areas, Special-Use ResearchOnly Areas and Ecological Reserves. These no-take zones are marked by 30-inch, round, yellow buoys.

Don’t hunt for lobster hiding in artificial habitats (“casitas”) in state waters. Don’t hunt for lobsters in Everglades National Park or in the Dry Tortugas National Park. Don’t hunt for lobsters in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during sport season.

— Weekly staff report

BULLY NETTING SUPPLIES: • Shallow draft boat • Underwater lights • Bully net • Lobster measuring gauge • Good eyes During sport season, divers cannot get in the water at night. Instead, they go bully netting. It takes special gear (see sidebar) and can only be done one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise.

At night, lobsters make their nightly walks to new grounds and to feed. Done in four feet of water or less, bully netting uses a long-poled hooped net with underwater lights, and a pair of good eyes to bring lobster on the boat. Some people can use flashlights above the water, looking for glowing eyes, but the process works better with lights under the water.

Some tips from local bully netters include keeping the net part pointed toward the fisherman’s body so the part where the net and pole connects hits the lobster’s tentacles. They suggest going slowly into the water but then pushing down fast over the lobster when right above it. The point is to hit the frame of the net on the lobster’s tentacles so it spooks the lobster and it shoots back into the net. Once in the net, pull aboard to measure.

Another tip: don’t use super bright lights, because it will reflect the silt in the water making it harder to see. The plus side of bully netting is lobster hunters won’t get a sunburn. It’s cooler in the evenings than during the day. And, usually no one has to get their hair wet.

— Weekly staff report

21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

JUST THE (11) FACTS

6: Lobster hunters are allowed six lobsters per recreational harvester, per day.

GAUGE: Harvesters must have a gauge — even in the water — to measure the lobster.

3: The carapace of the lobster must be greater than 3 inches to be of legal size.

LAW ENFORCEMENT GEARS UP FOR SPORT SEASON

“We enjoy all the visitors here in the Keys during lobster miniseason,” said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “But we want to make sure everyone is aware of the law, and is behaving in a responsible, and safe, manner.”

In the Keys, the Sheriff’s Office works alongside the Coast Guard and FWC to make the season safe and peaceful. Expect to see officers everywhere — at boat ramps, bridges and on the water. In Marathon, staff and volunteers will be handing out pamphlets that outline the rules.

All Sheriff’s Office boats will be on patrol, and deputies will be operating a number of personal watercraft donated to the Sheriff’s Office by Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys. They donate WaveRunners each year to be used for law enforcement purposes such as this, as well as for regular patrols of hard-to-reach shoreline areas and residential canals. Anyone caught with illegal lobster will be charged accordingly.

The FWC will double the number of officers in the Florida Keys during sport season and for the first few weeks of regular season, according to Capt. Dave Dipre.

“We have at least one local on every boat, plus imported offers to assist them,” he said. “We want this to be a safe season.”

Marine thefts commonly happen in the Florida Keys and thieves may see mini-season as an opportunity to target people who aren’t being careful with their valuables. Boat owners are advised to remove electronics, fishing and diving gear from the boat when unoccupied and store this valuable equipment somewhere secure.

Before, during and just after the two-day season there will be more boats and trailers on the roads, and more traffic in general. Drive carefully: pay attention to those around you, be patient and don’t pass in no-passing zones. Drinking and driving is, of course, illegal; drunk boating is also illegal and marine officers will be watching for this dangerous behavior on the water as well.

— Contributed

Agencies combine forces, and import officers, to enforce the law

WHOLE: All recreationally harvested lobster must remain “whole” — don’t separate the tail from the body — while at sea. Also, don’t put them in a dive bag or the boat or the cooler if they are undersized.

0: It is illegal to possess an egg-bearing (pregnant) lobster.

Eggs are orange or brown or red and cover the underside of the tail.

GEAR: Don’t use anything that would puncture, penetrate or crush the lobster exoskeleton.

$5: In addition to a saltwater fishing license ($17 for Florida residents), lobster harvesters must procure the $5 spiny lobster permit.

NO-NO: Lobsters love “casitas” — any man-made, artificial structure — but it is illegal to harvest them from artificial habitats. (Casitas can be made of anything — old appliances, heaps of concrete, etc.)

BIGGER NO-NO: It is a felony to molest, damage or take lobster from traps in state or federal waters.

LIFE OR DEATH: All divers and snorkelers are required to prominently display a diver down flag when people are in the water. Vessel operators must slow to idle speed within 100 yards of a dive flag.

For more information about the sport season in the Florida Keys, visit keyslobsterseason.com.

FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/Contributed

22

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

SHOW & TELL

KEY WEST PLAYS A ROLE IN THE NEW ‘MATTASHER SHOW’ ON PBS

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op thinkers from all walks of life explore Key West, then settle in at a stunning Lower Keys estate to discuss fascinating topics with skilled interviewer Matt Asher.

That’s the premise of the new “Mattasher Show” coming to PBS affiliates this fall.

Each 56-minute episode begins in Key West. Author, investor, podcaster and host Matt Asher shows each guest around the Southernmost City. The guests then join Asher at his Moray Bay estate on Big Pine Key for a “deep dive” into a variety of topics.

The show, and Asher’s skillful interview

4 style, are reminiscent of “Inside the Actors Studio” with James Lipton, said producers Michael Kirk and Marial Martyn.

“Talking with everyone from mathematicians to musicians, authors to actors, astronauts to Fortune 500 CEOs, Matt and his guests delve into topics ranging from philosophy, culture and science to economics and the arts,” Kirk said. “The goal of each episode is to appreciate and understand the thinking of some of the world’s most brilliant people and their field of expertise.”

Upcoming guests include Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jane Goodall, Art Garfunkel, Tim Berners-Lee, Raul Malo and Hugh Laurie.

Asher and his wife, Carly, along with Kirk and Martyn, welcomed 75 or so Keys locals to Moray Bay on July 17, where they screened a preview of the “Mattasher Show” at the striking waterfront estate.

1. The ‘Mattasher Show’ will air on PBS this fall, introducing guests to Key West and the Lower Keys, then returning to Asher’s Moray Bay estate on Big Pine for intimate, in-depth interviews. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly 2. Author, investor, podcaster and television host Matt Asher, right, interviews guests for his new ‘Mattasher Show,’ such as Denver Riggelman, left, at his Moray Bay estate on Big Pine Key. 3. Michael Kirk, producer of Matt Asher’s new PBS interview show, left, welcomes a Lower Keys crowd to Matt Asher’s and Carly Donaldson’s Big Pine estate known as Moray Bay. 4. Matt Asher and wife Carly Donaldson, with producer Michael Kirk, host a party July 17 to introduce Asher’s upcoming PBS interview show that’s filmed at Asher’s Big Pine estate and at various locations around Key West.

5. Key Westers George Fernandez, right, and Tom Greenwood view a sneak preview of the upcoming ‘Mattasher Show’ with Asher’s wife, Carly.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

d r a e h u o y e v a H LLEY E K N A I R RB ALBUM A O T L S O Y S R T W CO U N E D PA RT O F N E R E CO R D E S T IN KEY W

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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half became whole this summer.

Country music superstar Brian “BK” Kelley, “the Florida half” of top-selling country duo Florida Georgia Line, released his first solo album, “Sunshine State of Mind,” in which he vows to be a “Florida boy forever.”

Three or four of the songs were recorded in Key West at Jimmy Buffett’s Shrimp Boat Sound studio along Key West Harbor.

Kelley and friends had a big time while “working” in Key West: fishing, writing songs, drinking, recording songs, fishing, drinking. And there are plenty of recognizable Keys references in the songs, including Hemingway, Key lime pie and a shout-out to Shrimp Boat Sound.

“I’ve always loved the Keys since my first visit with my family and friends when I was a kid,” he said. “We first stayed in Marathon, which was amazing. And I’ve been to Key West a bunch of times, for Songwriters Festival, to play around and most recently to record three or four songs for this album. We played for two weeks at Smokin’ Tuna before we ever had a record deal, running around Key West like we owned the place. The artistic influence down there is unreal, with writers, painters, everything. You’re in this creative hub. It’s like that now, present day, but then learning the history of the place, and how it’s always been that way is pretty special.

We love it down there.”

Kelley named his new sportfishing boat for his wife, Brittney Marie, who recently surprised him with a stay in Islamorada. “That was gorgeous,” he said.

“So laid back except for the fishing. That’s next level down in the Keys.”

But about the new solo album: Kelley co-wrote some of the songs and co-produced it with his friend Corey Crowder.

“Corey was amazing, and all the musicians who play on the album absolutely rocked it. It had always been a dream of mine to do some solo stuff,” Kelley said.

“Tyler and I had just finished recording our fifth album in May 2020, and while everything was shut down for COVID, I really circled back to my love for music and writing. I had a creative rebirth and I loved it.”

Kelley sat down Tuesday with the Keys Weekly to talk about the new album, which we decided to classify as “beach country.”

The 17 songs are destined to become treasured summertime anthems, filled with beaches, boats, sunburn and summer love that, in the case of Kelley and wife Brittney, ends up lasting forever.

One can almost smell the sunscreen and taste the saltwater when listening to “Sunburnt, Barefoot and In Love,” and to “Fish All Day,” which is Kelley’s current favorite song to play.

“I have guitars all over the house, and for some reason, I keep picking them up and playing ‘Fish All Day,’” he said, laughing. “It’s only four chords, but I’m loving it.”

Wearing a cowboy hat, a faded Hawaiian shirt and super-friendly smile throughout the interview, Kelley perfectly fits his own description of himself as a “beach cowboy.”

But something was missing: Ego. Kelley has none of it.

He’s a huge deal: Florida Georgia Line has the best-selling digital country single of all time with “Cruise.” They’ve had 18 No. 1 singles, sold more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums and played for more than 4 million fans in stadiums and arenas. But he didn’t mention any of that.

The superstar was most concerned about sounding authentic on the album and in all his dealings.

“I want to really let people get to know me, and that’s what I tried to do with all the songs on this album,” he said. “This pile of songs were me — they were mine. And as I wrote them, I was feeling constant confirmation that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.”

But never fear, Florida Georgia Line fan, solo doesn’t mean alone.

Kelley, a native of Ormond Beach, Florida, will reunite with “the Georgia half,” Tyler Hubbard for a 29-stop tour this fall.

“We’re about to start rehearsing. We can’t wait to get back on the road and back on stage. COVID canceled last year’s tour with Kenny Chesney, along with everything else. It sucks when doing what you love gets taken away from you,” he said.

“And the energy we get from the road is so different from the studio,” he said. “We always end up writing some of our best songs while on tour. You never know what’s going to happen. Someone will say something offhand that becomes a lyric or an idea. It’s amazing how much writing we do on tour. Of course, we also have a heck of a lot of fun. I think this one’s gonna be next-level. After so long without being on stage, Tyler and I are so jacked up to get out there again.”

“Sunshine State of Mind” is available everywhere music is sold.

BEN CHRISTENSEN/Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

Montana Rose Busche has been to Haiti and Costa Rica, and then was a chaperone in Nicaragua. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

KWHS STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR AUSTRALIA TRIP

SOUTHERNMOST STUDENTS HEAD DOWN UNDER

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” — Mark Twain, “Innocents Abroad”

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ark Twain’s enduring endorsement of foreign travel appeared in his book, “Innocents Abroad,” back in 1869, but is perhaps even more relevant today.

Just ask the dozens of Key West High School students who, since 2011, have visited different countries with art teacher Shannon Perkins and the One World One Canvas nonprofit program.

“Our traveling teenagers benefit from a worldly sophistication as we become ambassadors for our country,” Perkins said.

The program started with a trip to Haiti in 2011, following the devastating 2010 earthquake that claimed an estimated 200,000 lives and destroyed even more homes in the already-struggling nation.

The mission of One World One Canvas is to “unite cultures through the power of art,” and each trip comes with a specific set of objectives.

Students have brought humanitarian items to Haiti, and have helped rebuild and paint schools, churches and homes. They also bring plenty of art supplies and complete projects with young people for whom such supplies and projects are an unfamiliar luxury.

One World One Canvas has visited Haiti several times, as well as Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. The June 2022 trip will be the first foray to Australia, where students will work alongside wildlife conservation experts to help koalas and other animals that were displaced or injured in the country’s searing wildfires. The two-week trip was initially scheduled for this year, but had to be postponed due to COVID travel restrictions.

Students raise their own money for the adventure, and participate in group fundraisers, Perkins said.

“I’m so excited, I’ve been fundraising like crazy,” said KWHS senior Emma Carter. “I’ve never been out of the country before. I’ve

actually never been out of the southern United States. And I use a wheelchair, so I’m a little nervous, but I think I’ll be fine.”

One World One Canvas has received a $12,000 matching grant from the local Marion Stevens Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and was created by the late Marion Stevens, a Key West arts patron.

The fund is intended “to benefit children, particularly in the areas of health, education and teenage pregnancy; to support the visual and performing arts; to sustain those persons and groups which strive to abolish discrimination in all of its forms; to advance the cause of those individuals and entities which seek to improve the quality of life for all of us, for humanity and for our future generations.”

One World One Canvas checks nearly all of those boxes, and is exceedingly grateful for the grant, which will help defer costs for each student, Perkins said.

Individual donors also support the trip, often as repeat benefactors.

“Hopefully people can see the value of their investment coming back into our community, as our students experience other cultures and learn from doing and traveling,” Perkins said.

“The objectives of this trip are to give local teenagers the opportunity to travel to Australia to learn about the art of photography, to help with rescue, conservation and sanctuary of Australia’s wildlife affected by the fires, and to provide art workshops to Aboriginal children.

We remember Marion Stevens as an art lover and hope that this trip will instill a similar passion for art and travel in our teens.

“In Australia, One World One Canvas travelers will care for sick, injured and orphaned koalas, while learning about koala conservation. We will volunteer with rangers, caring for kangaroos and wallabies, including planting and gathering food, feeding and cleaning the

Emma Carter, whose wheelchair doesn’t deter her from anything, is ‘fundraising like crazy’ for the 2022 trip to Australia.

William Azard has joined One World One Canvas on several trips to his native Haiti, where he visited family and invited the group into his childhood home.

He wants to help Haitians who immigrate become proactive and productive American citizens.

animals and their area. Additionally, the One World One Canvas teens will teach art projects to underprivileged, indigenous children, including design of functional items like hats and T-shirts,” states the trip description.

After each trip, students submit an essay and photographs that are published in a professionally bound and printed hardcover book.

“The One World One Canvas experience gives teens proficiencies that solidly back college applications, help with scholarships, and even guide career paths,” Perkins said.

28

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

REMEMBER THE MAINE? MEET THE SAILOR WHO STARTED THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

W

hile countless grandfathers have fought in wars, Charlie Morgan’s grandfather actually

started one.

Morgan knew his grandfather, Charles “Gunner” Morgan, had been a big deal in the U.S. Navy. He didn’t know how big until decades after his grandfather’s death in 1959.

“I was only 7 when he moved in with us, and 9 when he died, and he wasn’t big on talking about the things he did,” Morgan told the Keys Weekly on July 20 while in Key West to sign copies of the book he wrote about his grandfather, “the man who started the SpanishAmerican War.” “I had his scrapbook, filled with hundreds of newspaper clippings, but then, years later, I discovered, in the bottom of his old sea chest, more documents, two of which were signed by American presidents,” Charlie Morgan said.

The eye-opening research that followed revealed the significance of Gunner Morgan’s Navy career and took his grandson from New Orleans to Key West, and across the Florida Straits to Havana, Cuba.

The same research led to Morgan’s book, “Captain of the Tides: Gunner Morgan,” written with Jacque Hillman, who summarizes it well: “In 1882, Charles ‘Gunner’ Morgan, 17, shipped out from New Orleans as a 3rd class apprentice seaman, Navy No. 817. Becoming a Navy team baseball player, he knew the ‘greats’ in American baseball. In 1898, he led the Navy dive team that recovered American sailors’ bodies from the USS Maine disaster, reported to President Theodore Roosevelt (then assistant secretary of the Navy), and became ‘The Man Who Started the SpanishAmerican War.’ “...He was among the first enlisted men promoted to officer.

He taught the Japanese how to fire the big guns in the Russo-Japanese War. He survived working in Thomas Edison’s Navy lab at Key West.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CRUISE SHIPS: AN UNCOMPROMISING SITUATION IN KEY WEST Dear editor,

In his book, ‘Captain of the Tides: Gunner Morgan,’ Charlie Morgan details his grandfather’s storied military career as ‘the man who started the Spanish-American War.’ MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

“Yet, he found time for love.

He met Vivian, the sugar king of Havana’s daughter, married and pregnant -- both situations temporary. She became his soul’s safe harbor.

“In later years, he helped build the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West. As Maritime Inspector, he surveyed and developed the South American airports creating Pan Am Airways.

“An American patriot, he lived for the moment that the sunset’s green fire on the sea’s horizon promised the dawn to come. Always he returned to the sea.

“Discover the 93 years that defined Gunner Morgan. His grandson, Charles D. Morgan, discovered his grandfather’s old sea chest, and hidden in its base, stacks of documents and letters, that led the author on a lifetime journey to reveal his grandfather’s legacy to America. “‘Captain of the Tides: Gunner Morgan’ is that legacy, retold as an historical novel, a riveting story of a young Navy seaman whose heroism captured the loyalty of Americans.”

It is an old political truism that the best, long-lasting solutions to a contentious problem come from a compromise between adversarial parties.

But there is no voice for compromise on the Key West City Commission.

Striving for compromise requires political courage, open-mindedness and firm leadership by the mayor and commissioners. It mostly calls for respect for others’ opinions.

Our mayor has shown none of those qualities with regard to the cruise ship debate. Unable or unwilling to oversee a civil, respectful public meeting on July 12, she made it clear she is firmly behind shutting down our historic seaport to cruise ships. More alarming, she has allowed the Committee for Safer Cleaner Ships (SCS) to become the actual Port Authority. Apparently, all city port decisions must be approved by them. Regardless of their politics, do Key West voters want a mayor who routinely assigns authority to an unelected group of political activists?

The mayor’s coaches at Safer Cleaner Ships had no intention to compromise as they wrote the infamous referenda with the goal of prompting “the ending of cruise ships in Key West as we know it.” Some of the SCS speakers said the referenda actually were a compromise, allowing a few small ships to dock. But reneging on 95% of ship berth reservations, approved by the port director and on the books, is no compromise.

If ever there was an opportunity to set up a path to compromise by forming a Citizens’

Working Group, last Monday night’s meeting was it. Instead, the mayor ignored the city attorney’s dire warnings and publicly directed him to seek ways to breach the city’s contract with Pier B. Such an act will trigger a massive lawsuit that will almost certainly bankrupt the city. It was a reckless move by a person charged with overseeing the public well-being.

If anyone doubts the mayor’s unseemly devotion to the anti-cruise misleaders, they need only look at her bizarre request to have attorneys from SCS draft ordinances that will apply the referenda restrictions to all cruise piers in Key West.

She clearly has more regard for and allegiance to that group, than to the city attorney and the Key West taxpayers.

The mayor will say she only wants to protect Keys waters and the reef while upholding voters’ wishes. In reply, I challenge her and all commissioners to read the report summary of the 30-year reef study by FAU, the FIU report on turbidity, and best of all – the 2020 NOAA Status Report on Reef Condition. None of them attribute reef and coral decline to ships. Also, the commission should have the port director send over the Mallory underwater survey with all the photos of the thriving corals there.

But such things require paradigm changes. And those require introspection and courage.

Sincerely, John E. Wells Ships’ Agent

29

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

MUST LOVE MANATEES

What’s happening, how it affects the Keys and what can we do TIFFANY DUONG

T tiffany@keysweekly.com

o live in Florida, you must love manatees.

They’re hopelessly awkward, adorably plump sea potatoes.

And, although we’ve never hugged any (we promise — we know it’s illegal!), we find them extremely

cuddly.

If you’ve been following the news, you’ve probably heard about the terrible things happening to manatees up north. More of these marine mammals have died in 2021 than in any other year in Florida’s history — and it’s only July.

As of the last Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report, at least 841 manatees had died this year in Florida waters.

The five-year average for annual deaths is 578, NPR reported. The previous record was set in 2013, when 830 manatees died after exposure to red tide toxins.

The majority of losses have been in the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County. Manatees normally spend winters migrating through Florida’s waterways in search of warm water and lots of their favorite food: seagrass. Unfortunately, seagrass beds have also been dying off in record numbers this year.

Biologists are pointing to poor water quality as a primary cause and blame wastewater contamination and nutrient runoff for causing the former.

“Runoff is bad for marine and coastal environments because it washes everything that is in the streets, in homeowner's yards, in the grass and golf courses and the stormwater system into the water,” said Rachel Silverstein, executive director and waterkeeper for Miami Waterkeeper. “The pollutants include nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizer, fecal matter from pets and wildlife, plastic debris and trash, and grass clippings and other vegetation (which supplies nutrients to the water and provides an ideal home for bacteria) and more.”

As polluted waters enter marine habitats like Indian River Lagoon, the nutrients fertilize algae in the water. As these toxic red tides and algal blooms grow in size, they cover seagrasses and shade out sunlight. This eventually can kill the seagrass, leading to oxygen depletion in the water, which then leads to the death of marine life as well, Silverstein added. High water temperatures and slow-moving currents exacerbate the seagrass die-off, NBC reported. As this key manatee food source runs out, the giant sea cows suffer malnutrition and starve to death.

When manatees are found sick and injured, people call in experts to help. Rescued animals are often moved to special holding facilities like Sea World Orlando and Miami Seaquarium.

“Skinny” manatees are fed and rehabilitated until they are deemed ready for release back to the wild, said Ben Daughtry, the owner of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon. Aquarium Encounters will sometimes aid in manatee rescues in the Keys.

So, what’s that have to do with the Keys? A lot, apparently.

“I think it is incredibly important to frame the conversation surrounding the manatee fatality event in the Indian River Lagoon within the context of Everglades restoration,” said Emma Haydocy, executive director at Florida Bay Forever. “Prior to human alteration and intervention in the ecosystem, water flowed from Lake Okeechobee south to what is now Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. Now, lake water is discharged to the St. Lucie river, with the (Indian River Lagoon) on the receiving end of billions of gallons of nutrient-laden, often toxic water. Toxicity and harmful impacts are multiplied by fertilizer, storm water and septic system runoff.”

WAYS TO PREVENT RUNOFF, FROM MIAMI WATERKEEPER: • Clean up after your pets so there is no pet waste in the yard or street that could run down a drain • Skip fertilizer use in rainy summer months and leave at least a 20-foot buffer zone around waterways and storm drains • Skip the phosphorus and only use a limited amount of nitrogen, 65% of which should be slow release • Use native plants in your yard, as they have evolved to thrive in our environment without chemicals or fertilizers • Avoid the use of harsh chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, as what goes on land eventually ends up in our water • Never throw grass clippings or leaves into the storm drain or canals

The same water that Florida Bay desperately needs is instead being flushed out, full of runoff and toxins, to the Indian River Lagoon. There, it’s killing the seagrass and causing manatees to starve.

Florida Bay and the Keys marine ecosystem are not free from our own runoff problems either.

“Our shallow, tropical habitats are particularly sensitive to nutrient pollution, and we are vulnerable to algal blooms as a result,” Silverstein said.

Runoff from the island chain and mainland has brought in nutrients, chemicals and bacteria which affect the health of our seagrass, water quality and marine life, she added. Additionally, land-based fertilizer runoff has been linked to sargassum blooms, which have become an environmental issue both on a global scale as well as in the Keys, she said.

The issues that already plague Florida Bay — excessive nutrient runoff and the lack of clean fresh water coming down through the Everglades — could eventually lead to the Keys own environmental disaster, the experts warned. To avoid this, we need to keep our water quality high.

So, are our Keys manatees safe? For now, it seems like they are still more affected by boat strikes, Daughtry said. Nevertheless, our seagrass habitats are fragile and getting cut up by propeller scars daily. Florida Bay is constantly under threat from too little water and too many nutrients. If these factors worsen, our waters might also become inhospitable to manatees.

Nevertheless, Haydocy still has a glimmer of hope.

“There is always opportunity to implement stronger water quality policy on the local, state, and federal level that addresses point sources of runoff in the Florida Keys, but I think that we are leaps and bounds ahead of other municipalities across Florida,” Haydocky said. “Monroe County made the investment in septic to sewer conversion, passed a strong fertilizer ordinance in 2021, and continues to support restoring America's Everglades. These investments in water quality form a mosaic of environmental policy and protection that can help save manatees and all marine life on Florida Bay.” To report a sick, injured, dead or tagged manatee, call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Toll-Free Number: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

YOUNG STARS TAKE TO THE DIAMOND IN KEY WEST UPPER KEYS TEAM WINS FINAL ROUND

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baseball tournament and skills competition in Key West on July 17 brought the best out of players throughout the island chain. Teams from the Upper Keys, Marathon and Key West took to the diamond for a series of games. The Upper Keys faced off against Marathon in the championship game having given up the fewest runs in their two prior games. Coached by Rob Paul and Bryan O’Berry, the Upper Keys Little League team came home with the tournament trophy. The Upper Keys team defeated Marathon in game one, while Key West defeated the Upper Keys in game two. Marathon defeated Key West in game three. Paul said the players practiced hard ahead of the tournament.

“Even with the initial loss to Key West in the middle of the tournament, they held their composure and moved forward and won the final round,” he said. O’Berry said many players have played in recreational leagues since March. “These kids have been practicing every single day,” he said.

— Weekly staff report

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5 BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. For more game photos visit ShadyPalmPhotography.com

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1. Key West’s Xavi Perez makes a close play at second base.

2. Marathon’s Micah Saunders, left, dives to second to avoid a tag by Key West’s Matthew Ovido.

3. Marathon’s Dylan Williams dives to second, guarded by Key West’s Xavi Perez.

4. Key West pitcher Xavi Perez fields a pop fly off Marathon’s Luca Picarello.

5. Key West players celebrate after a home run.

6. Marathon’s third baseman Shane Dieguez, left, makes a play on a Key West runner Xavi Perez.

7. Chase Gaertner, a Key West runner, beats the Micah Saunders tag at home.

31

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

BRIEFLY

Centennial Bank awards scholarships to graduates Centennial Bank is investing in the future of Keys students.

Recently, the bank awarded $1,000 scholarships to a graduating senior from each of the Keys’ three high schools. Winners include Gabriela Zurheide of Key West High School, Jonathan Pitchford of Marathon High School and Julie Powers of Coral Shores High School.

Wesley House hosts summer toy drive Wesley House Family Services’ Mingle & Jingle Summer Toy Drives benefit needy families over the winter holidays. The goal is to collect 2,000 toys by Dec. 1 so there is time to sort and distribute them to the various agencies that help.

A toy drive will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 30 at the Funky Rooster Coffee & Wine Bar, 713 Caroline St., Key West. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and receive a coupon for wine discounts and door prizes.

A Mingle & Jingle Toy Box is also located at Imagination Station for quick in-and-out shopping with pre-selected toys. No time to shop? No worries. Come to the event and Donna from Imagination Station will have toys available for purchase. Wesley House loves to make things easy for people. If people are out of town, they can shop our Amazon Charity List and have the toys shipped directly to Wesley House. Visit wesleyhouse.org for more information.

Free health screenings offered in Key West Lower Keys Medical Center, in collaboration with the City of Key West Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Florida Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC), is offering free health screenings and education on July 27.

The Community Health Screening will be held inside the main hospital entrance at 5900 College Road, Stock Island, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p/m. Blood pressure checks, glucose screening, nutrition education, stroke and early heart attack care, hands-only CPR education, and smoking cessation information will be offered.

For more information, contact Education@LKMC.com.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

Community Foundation creates fund for Lower Keys The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys has created its first-ever fund that specifically supports Lower Keys nonprofits.

The new Lower Keys Future Fund will support nonprofits in underserved Lower Keys communities in all areas from the environment and education to healthcare and the arts, and more.

The Lower Keys Future Fund will specifically benefit nonprofits serving residents in areas including Big Pine Key, Sugarloaf Key, Cudjoe Key, and others, not including the city of Key West.

Nonprofits in Key West receive significant support through the Community Foundation’s Future Fund, annual grant program and numerous donor funds.

Contributions to the Lower Keys Future Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation, up to the first $25,000. A new Lower Keys advisory council of community members is being appointed to identify needs and potential grantees and provide input into the grant review. All gifts to the new fund can be made online at cffk.org/lowerkeys.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

B

lack Caesar is a famous Florida Keys pirate, right? When this version of his story is told — consider it Black Caesar 1.0 — he is presented as a contemporary of Calico Jack Rackham and Blackbeard himself, the dreaded pirate Edward Teach. One of the tantalizing details of the Black Caesar legend is its connection to the Blackbeard story. If it is to be believed, he ruled the Florida Reef from a lair at Elliott Key, one of nearly 50 islands found north of Key Largo, the largest island in the chain.

Black Caesar is alleged to be a larger-than-life African chieftain, tall and powerfully built, and cunning.

Where on the world's second-largest continent he came from is unknown.

When he left Africa is murky, too. How he left his homeland has been reasonably detailed and done so in a myriad of accounts.

When slavers arrived on the African coast, he proved too elusive to be captured. Changing their approach, they dazzled him with colorful silk scarves, jewelry and a ticking watch to lure him aboard their ship. While he was distracted by pretty things and shiny objects, the sailors were able to slip the ship from its mooring and sail off to sea before the chieftain knew what was happening. Finally captured, he was chained along with the rest of the enslaved.

The ship sailed for New World slave markets. While chained on the ship (or to the vessel), he only accepted food and drink from one sailor.

When the slaver failed to make the crossing successfully and encountered hurricane conditions, the ship was swept across some of the northernmost coral beds of the

Florida Reef. Thrashed and battered against the stony fingers of the reef, the ship was lost. Only the African chieftain and the lone sailor from whom he would accept food or water survived the ordeal. In what must have been a heroic feat, the two managed to secure a longboat and escape to Elliott Key. Having survived the hurricane and the shipwreck, the two castaways turned to piracy.

Successful in their endeavors, their pirate ranks grew.

BRAD Because all good things come to an end, the two had a fallBERTELLI ing-out that was allegedly over a woman. After the chieftain murdered the sailor, Black Caesar abandoned his Elliott Key ... is the curator lair and joined forces with Blackbeard as one of his muscled, for Islamorada’s blood-thirsty lieutenants.

Keys History & Discovery Center.

While little is known about the beginnings of his story, A published auhow it ends is relatively clear. He was aboard Blackbeard’s thor of six books, sloop Adventure while it was at anchor off of North Carolihis favorite subna’s Ocracoke Island on the night of Nov. 21, 1718. Early the jects are Indian next morning, Lt. Maynard led British forces to the decks of Key and skunk apes. the Adventure. Blackbeard was cut down in the fight.

In most versions of the story, Black Caesar’s life comes to an end, too, after he is captured and left dangling in the wind at the end of a hangman’s noose.

There are two especially interesting items of note regarding this version of events. First, there was a black man named Caesar aboard the Adventure that day. According to Captain Charles Johnson’s “A General History of the Pyrates,” one member of the Adventure’s crew was identified as Caesar. His name is spelled “Cesar” in the book, he’s listed as a “Common Sailor,” and he is one of at least five slaves captured that day.

In Johnson’s contemporary account of the incident, as the book was published in 1726, he wrote: “Teach (Blackbeard) had little or no Hopes of escaping, and therefore had posted a resolute Fellow, a Negro, whom he had bred up, with a lighted Match, in the Powder-Room, with Commands to blow up when he should give him Orders, which was as soon as the Lieutenant and his Man could have entered, that so he might have destroy’d his Conquerors: and when the Negro found how it went with Black-beard, he could hardly be perswaded from the rash Action by two Prisoners that were in the Hold of the Sloop.”

It is an interesting description of the attack on the Adventure as the “resolute Fellow” is historically considered to be Caesar, spelled Cesar on the King’s documents. The big reveal about the account is that it in no way supports any aspect of the Black Caesar legend as popularly told. Instead, the relatively contemporary version refutes it. The only act of piracy conducted by the man identified as Cesar is that he was put in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In true pirate fashion, a violent event like being hanged was not enough to end the Black Caesar story. Almost 100 years later, Black Caesar 2.0 returned to Elliott Key. That legend will be explored next week.

33

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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34

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

By Charlotte Twine and Mandy Miles

MONEY TALKS AT THE LATEST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSS BUDGET AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS

S

chool may be out of session, but the board of the Monroe County School District still found a very important topic to talk about at its July 20 meeting: money. Namely, the 2021-22 school year budget, tax rates and the feasibility of two affordable housing projects.

“We have been fortunate to have a good year last year, and a good budget going forward that is balanced,” said Beverly Anders, executive director of finance & performance for the district.

Approval of the budget will have to go through a few more steps, which include newspaper advertising a tax increase to the public, more meetings with the school board members in August, then a final hearing on Sept. 7.

The total budget for the school is $221.50 million. The breakdown is as follows: The operating budget is $117.02 million; for food service, $6.28 million; special revenue, $9.95 million; debt service, $16.67 million; capital projects, $54.41 million; internal service, $17.12 million; trust and agency, $500,000.

A millage rate has also been proposed: 3.2840.

A “millage rate” is used to calculate local property taxes directed toward the school. A millage rate of 3.2840 means that for every $1,000 a home is worth, the home owner will be taxed $3.2840. The school district depends upon these taxes for its budget.

Anders pointed out that this millage rate is less than last year’s, which was 3.3520. So, the tentative millage rate for fiscal year 2021/22 is 2.03% less than the millage rate for 2020-21.

However, technically, there is a small tax increase.

Anders explained to Keys Weekly, “We have to calculate the ‘rolled-back rate’ to determine if there is a tax increase. The ‘rolled-back rate’ is the rate that would have provided the same ad valorem tax revenue that was levied the prior year based upon this year’s property values without new construction. When I calculate the rolled-back rate for MCSD, the rate is 3.19872. We are proposing a millage rate of 3.28400. Since this is larger than the rolled-back-rate, we have to advertise a tax increase.”

Anders also noted that “our property taxes are increasing crazily” due to the Monroe County property appraiser’s valuation. The current year’s gross taxable valuation for all property in the county is $34.2 billion.

While the money coming in to the district is good news, Anders warned the board members that the good times will not last. “​​What does concern me is the property values, which, as we all know, can come back down. That bubble burst has happened. We need to try to maintain a fund balance for if and when that happens. I never thought we’d see such an increase in property values. We don’t know how long that can last.”

Affordable housing Recent cost projections soured some of the board members on building 20 units of employee housing alongside Sugarloaf School. The developers told the school district it would need to pony up $1.1 million to make the project happen despite the school district providing the land. That money would have to come from the district’s contingency funds, which no one likes to tap.

“I think it’s time to realize that we could better use the property next to Sugarloaf for the school, rather than housing,” chairman John Dick said.

Board member Bobby Highsmith emphasized the continuing and worsening housing crisis and said he’d support spending a million dollars to get housing on Sugarloaf. Mindy Conn said she’d still like to see the Sugarloaf housing happen, but wants to consider combining the Sugarloaf housing project with the 200+ units planned for the school district’s Trumbo Road property in Key West.

“I’ve spoken with builders who have said they’d be more interested in doing the Sugarloaf housing if they could also do Trumbo,” Conn said.

If they can’t be combined, she said, then she’d be in favor of closing out the Sugarloaf contract with Gorman developers.

Meanwhile, the Trumbo Road housing is progressing with support from the city of Key West, Superintendent Theresa Axford told the board.

The city will likely ask voters in November to relax the height restrictions for affordable housing at Truman Waterfront. The school district will likely piggyback on that referendum and ask voters to do the same for workforce housing on Trumbo Road.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CHANGES FOR 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

M

onroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford this week announced several administrative changes for the 2021-22 school year.

Seeking to provide assistant principals with experiences at a variety of grade levels and schools, she has placed Kelly Lanier at Poinciana Elementary, Rebecca Palomino at Gerald Adams Elementary, Leslie Holmes at Sugarloaf Elementary, and Kristy Munafo at Key Largo School. Melissa Alsobrooks moves into an assistant principal role at Key West High School and Jacob Polema will be working as a teacher on special assignment at Coral Shores High School, assisting with administrative duties.

“Each assistant principal who is changing roles has expressed gratitude for being given an opportunity for a new experience,” Axford said.

“These changes fulfill the goal of preparing our leadership team to be ready for openings no matter where they occur. I am very happy we were able to accomplish these moves in preparation for what should be an amazing and successful school year.”

— Contributed

35

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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36

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

WELCOME BACK, GOLD FRIEND

1622 ATOCHA SHIPWRECK STILL PAYS OFF FOR MEL FISHER’S TREASURES

S

ilver tarnishes and darkens, but gold shines on — even after 400 years submerged in saltwater.

That was the case on July 16, when the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, one of the world’s most famous and valuable shipwrecks, gave up a gold coin for the first time in 20 years.

Though other gold artifacts have been found, gold coins are a rarity. Fewer than 130 have been recovered in total.

No one knows how many were on board the galleon when it sank. The gold coins don’t appear on the ship’s manifest as cargo, and would have been carried (or smuggled) aboard the galleon by wealthy aristocrats or clergymen.

Mel Fisher’s Treasures diver Zach Moore was working with an underwater metal detector, scouring the current search site with other experienced treasure divers from their work boat, the JB Magruder, with Capt. Tim Meade at the helm.

Beneath 30 feet of ocean, under 10 feet of sand, after 400 years, the glint of gold was unmistakable to Moore, who has also worked with Mel Fisher’s Treasures excavating the 1715 fleet in Vero Beach.

Moore’s parents were both a part of “the golden crew” that discovered the $400 million mother lode of Atocha treasure on July 20, 1985.

On one dive in 1985, Zach’s father, Bill Moore, and others found 165 pounds of gold finger bars, chains and discs. His mother, Julie Moore, was also

a diver on the Atocha site during the mother lode days, and recovered several Atocha emeralds, Zach Moore said.

He was still reeling from the golden discovery when the boat returned to its dock at Safe Harbor Marina late on July 17.

“I fanned away some sand while working the crease of the hole, between the sand and the rocky bottom, and it was just stuck there in the bottom, shining as brightly as it had 400 years ago.”

The coin’s antiquity value is said to be as much as $98,000, according to the Mel Fisher’s Treasures team. It is the 121st gold coin recovered from Spanish galleon that sank in a 1622 hurricane 35 miles off Key West.

The JB Magruder’s recent 10-day search also yielded two silver coins and an ancient musket ball.

One silver coin was found by diver Jacob Bell, who scored his first find, and the other was found by Jerry McAdams, an investor in the continuing search for the remaining treasure of the Atocha.

The latest finds occurred just a few days before the 36th anniversary of the 1985 Atocha motherlode discovery and Key West’s annual Mel Fisher Days celebration and fundraiser benefiting Wesley House Family Services and Michael Abt Jr. Have a Heart Foundation.

A diver reunion party was planned for July 20 at Schooner Wharf Bar accompanied by a huge online silent auction.

More information is at melfisherdays.com.

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Mel Fisher’s Treasures diver Zach Moore, aboard the treasure vessel JB Magruder, shows off the rare gold coin he recovered on July 16 from the Atocha shipwreck. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

Four hundred years on the ocean floor did nothing to dull the glint of a gold coin from the 1622 wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

Diver Jacob Bell recovered a silver coin from the site of the Atocha shipwreck.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

The Carrie Brazer Center for Autism specializes in serving students on the Autism Spectrum and other social and communicative disabilities. CONTRIBUTED

NEW AUTISM SCHOOL SET TO OPEN NEXT MONTH JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

A

new school for students on the autism spectrum is set to open next month in Tavernier.

Enrollment is underway for students at the Carrie Brazer Center for Autism. Classes are set to begin Aug. 30 at the center’s new home, located at the former Ocean Studies Charter School, at MM 92, oceanside.

A full-day private school for 125 students, the Carrie Brazer Center for Autism specializes in serving those on the autism spectrum and other social and communicative disabilities, including Asperger’s Disorder, high functioning autism and nonverbal learning disabilities.

The program consists of cognitive and community-oriented instruction based on positive discipline techniques, as well as the principles of applied behavior analysis.

Carrie Brazer is a Florida-certified special education teacher who founded the Carrie Brazer Center for Autism in 1999. With a master’s degree in varying exceptionalities, Brazer’s school in Miami has served students for 22 years. With a new location in Tavernier, she said, parents won’t need to drive their children to Miami or put them in a special needs class in the Keys. Instead, they can get the services they need in Tavernier.

The Carrie Brazer Center opened an office at 92330 Overseas Highway earlier in the year to provide the community with behavioral therapy, speech therapy, parent training and schooling.

“It’s a wonderful family-centered school,” Brazer said. “Families get to be very involved in their child’s curriculum and planning. It’s another option rather than a public school.”

Brazer said the school can provide one-on-one help as well as speech, occupational and behavior therapy. After-school programming is available, as well as summer and winter camps.

The center accepts the McKay Scholarship and Gardiner Scholarship, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship. The center also accepts most insurance plans to cover the costs of applied behavioral analysis, speech and occupational therapy.

“It really helps the families who are unable to pay typical private school’s tuition,” Brazer said.

The Carrie Brazer Center for Autism’s new school in Tavernier will mostly follow the public school’s calendar, aside from a slightly

The Carrie Brazer Center for Autism is bringing a full-day, private school to Tavernier. CONTRIBUTED

later start to the school year. Brazer said the school has begun to hire teachers and a board-certified behavior analyst. It is still seeking registered behavior technicians, teachers and teacher aides.

“We’re usually a one-to-five teacher-to-students ratio,” Brazer said. “We don’t usually have more than 10 kids in a class with one teacher and one teacher aide.”

Brazer added that the school is set up to support students who are set to come in August. In addition to classrooms, students will get to enjoy a playground that was built by the Miami Dolphins after Hurricane Irma. The facility is also close to the beach and a park.

“The classrooms are very spacious and it gives the kids a lot of room to learn in stations and move throughout the classroom,” Brazer said. “The middle space is going to be a big room full of swings and play equipment for indoor therapy. It’s a really nice facility set up and ready to go.”

With help from the community, the Carrie Brazer Center for Autism will be spruced up in time for the students arrival.

Brazer said they’ll also look to provide transportation throughout the Keys in the future.

“We’re very excited, and I’m so honored to live in the Keys and offer this opportunity,” Brazer said. “I’m already seeing parents come to our center and get excited that there's other alternatives.”

More information is at www.cbc4autism.org.

40

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Keys Confections located at 514 Truman Anx, Apt. A, Monroe County in the City of Key West, Florida 33040-7573 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Key West, Florida this 14th day of July, 2021.

By: Natalie L. Hill Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Wagadoodle located at 1216 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL 33040 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Debra Pansier Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of S G Mobile Marketing located at 8055 Tuna Drive, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Selena Gonzalez Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Wheatons Towing gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 08/03/2021, 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.

1B4HS28Z9YF111583 2000 DODGE 1FTRX17W3YNB14169 2000 FORD 2CNFLCEC3B6280931 2011 CHEVROLET 4T1FA38P07U117537 2007 TOYOTA 5XXGT4L39JG193395 2018 KIA FRI21004F888 1988 FRI JS1GT75A932104456 2003 SUZUKI Publish: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II) (From the city limits of Key West to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC

LEGAL NOTICES Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Fax #: (305) 296-0788 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, August 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II) (From the City Limits of Key West to the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040-3328 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is FRIDAY August 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT III ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC III) (From the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a TOURIST RELATED BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be persons involved in business which is interdependent upon the tourist industry who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development but who shall not be employed in any position within the lodging industry (motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks and other tourist accommodations and whose business is in the tax collection district for which they are applying).

Any person wishing to participate on the District III Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Fax #: (305) 296-0788 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, August 20, 2021 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

LEGAL NOTICES

District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) (Between the Long Key Bridge and mile marker 90.939) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has a vacancy for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which they are applying (The operative word within this description is directly.

This word means someone who is not in business, nor whose business or economic activity are dependent upon tourists) Any person wishing to participate on the District IV Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Fax #: (305) 296-0788 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, August 27, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT V ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC V) (From Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any Mainland portions of Monroe County) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District V Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the address shown below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Fax #: (305) 296-0788 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, August 20, 2021 at 5:00pm. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF VARIANCE HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning & Zoning Board of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday August 18, 2021 at 9:30 A.M., Key Colony Beach City Hall commission room, to hear a Variance Request from Amy & Steven Dingle owners of 721 & 731 8th Street.

This meeting will be available virtually via Zoom Meetings: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/87240376036 Applicant requests a Variance to

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Land Development Regulations Section 101 – 12(5) rear setback variance of 15’0”. Current rear setback is 20’0”.

Interested parties may appear at the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning & Zoning Board with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearing on Wednesday August 18, 2021 but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net and your comments will be entered into the record.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

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: July 15, 2021.

Personal Representative: Gregg M. Chapman 7707 Gulfstream Blvd.

Marathon, Florida 33050 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: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

LEONARD E. MONDSCHEIN, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 189899 The Elder Law Center of Mondschein and Mondschein, P.A. 10691 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 205 Miami, Florida 33176 Telephone: (305) 274-0955 Fax: (305) 596-0832 E-Mail: Lenlaw1@aol.com Secondary E-Mail: Lenlaw1@ bellsouth.net Publish: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

whose date of death was January 8, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Monroe County Clerk of Court, Plantation Satellite Branch, 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 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 July 15, 2021.

Personal Representative: Jefferson J. Reiter 256 Merton Avenue Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 Attorneys for Personal Representative: Neil R. Chrystal, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 578185 Candice J. Palte, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 118840 DUNWODY WHITE & LANDON PA 550 Biltmore Way, Suite 810 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Telephone: (305) 529-1500 Fax: (305) 529-8855 E-Mail: nchrystal@dwl-law.com E-Mail: cpalte@dwl-law.com Secondary e-mail: xnunez@ dwl-law.com khuffman@dwl-law.com Publish: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF VARIANCE HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 9:30 A.M., Key Colony Beach City Hall commission room, to hear a Variance Request from Amy & Steven Dingle, owners of 721 & 731 8th St. This meeting will be available virtually via Zoom Meetings: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/85454028959.

Applicant requests a Variance to Land Development Regulations Section 101 – 12(5) rear setback variance of 15’0”. Current rear setback is 20’0”.

Interested parties may appear at the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Variance Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

If you are unable to attend the Hearing on Thursday August 26, 2021 but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net and your comments will be entered into the record.

Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-57-M DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF CYNTHIA L. CHAPMAN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Cynthia L. Chapman, deceased, whose date of death was December 16, 2020, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. 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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-169-K IN RE: ESTATE OF DOROTHY STRICKLAND BAUER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of DOROTHY STRICKLAND BAUER, deceased, whose date of death was April 27, 2021 is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. 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 who have 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 the 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) YEAR OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 15, 2021.

Personal Representative: APRIL C. LUMPKIN 29680 Flying Cloud Avenue Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 Attorney for Personal Representative:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-000066-P JUDGE LUIS GARCIA IN RE: ESTATE OF ROLLIN S. REITER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Rollin S. Reiter, deceased, whose date of death was January 7, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Monroe County Clerk of Court, Plantation Satellite Branch, 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 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 July 15, 2021.

Personal Representative: Jefferson J. Reiter 256 Merton Avenue Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137 Attorneys for Personal Representative: Neil R. Chrystal, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 578185 Candice J. Palte, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 118840 DUNWODY WHITE & LANDON PA 550 Biltmore Way, Suite 810 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Telephone: (305) 529-1500 Fax: (305) 529-8855 E-Mail: nchrystal@dwl-law.com E-Mail: cpalte@dwl-law.com Secondary e-mail: xnunez@ dwl-law.com khuffman@dwl-law.com Publish: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-000067-P JUDGE LUIS GARCIA IN RE: ESTATE OF DORIS R. REITER, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of Doris R. Reiter, deceased,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 21-CP-74-P DIVISION: UPPER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF CANDICE LYNN BUNTEN AKA CANDICE LYNN THURMAN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Candice Lynn Bunten aka Candice Lynn Thurman, deceased, whose date of death was May 4, 2021, 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

41

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES 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: July 22, 2021.

Personal Representative: Elizabeth Albrecht Scibilia 106 Bruce Court Marathon, Florida 33050 Attorney for Personal Representative: RICHARD E. WARNER 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: July 22 & 29, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION “IN ADMIRALTY” CASE NO. 21-cv-10057-JEM LACROSS MARINA, LLC., D/B/A KEY LARGO HARBOR MARINA, a Florida Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, vs.

M/V KATE, a 65’ 1970 Aluminum Vessel, bearing USCG Official No. 525928 and Florida Registration DO525928, her engines, tackle, equipment, appurtenances, licenses, etc. in rem, and, her owner, Blue Iguana Charters, in personam, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION IN REM AND ARREST OF VESSEL In accordance with Supplemental Rule C(4) for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Action of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Admiralty Rule C(4), notice is hereby given of the arrest of the M/V KATE, a 65’ 1970 Aluminum Vessel, bearing USCG Official No # 525928 and Florida Registration DO525928, her engines, tackle, equipment, appurtenances, licenses, etc. in rem. in accordance with a Warrant of Arrest issued on June 16, 2021.

Pursuant to Supplemental Rule C(6) and Local Admiralty Rule C(6) any person having a claim against the vessel and/or property shall file a claim with the Court not later than fourteen (14) days after process

LEGAL NOTICES has been effected and shall file an answer within twenty-one (21) days from the date of filing their claim.

Dated at Miami-Dade County, Florida, on this 16th day of July, 2021.

ROBERT L. GARDANA, P.A. Attorneys for Plaintiff 12350 S.W. 132nd Court, Suite 204 Miami, Florida 33173 T: (305) 358-0000/F: (305) 358-1680 Email: robert@gardanalaw.com staff@gardanalaw.com ROBERT L. GARDANA, ESQ. FL Bar No. 279668 Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA KEY WEST DIVISION “IN ADMIRALTY” CASE NO. 21-cv-10059-JLK LACROSS MARINA, LLC., D/B/A KEY LARGO HARBOR MARINA, a Florida Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, vs.

M/V Unclaimed, a 63’ Sea Ray 1994 Fiberglass Vessel, bearing USCG Official No. 1025018 and Hull ID No. SERY0093J395, her engines, tackle, equipment, appurtenances, etc. in rem, and, her owner, Joseph A Colabella, in personam, Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION IN REM AND ARREST OF VESSEL In accordance with Supplemental Rule C(4) for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Action of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Admiralty Rule C(4), notice is hereby given of the arrest of the M/V UNCLAIMED, a 63’ Sea Ray 1994 Fiberglass Vessel, bearing USCG Official No. 1025018 and Hull ID No. SERY0093J395, her engines, tackle, equipment, appurtenances, etc. in rem. in accordance with a Warrant of Arrest issued on June 15, 2021.

Pursuant to Supplemental Rule C(6) and Local Admiralty Rule C(6) any person having a claim against the vessel and/ or property shall file a claim with the Court not later than fourteen (14) days after process has been effected and shall file an answer within twenty-one (21) days from the date of filing their claim.

Dated at Miami-Dade County, Florida, on this 16th day of July, 2021.

ROBERT L. GARDANA, P.A. Attorneys for Plaintiff 12350 S.W. 132nd Court, Suite 204 Miami, Florida 33173 T: (305) 358-0000/F: (305) 358-1680 Email: robert@gardanalaw.com staff@gardanalaw.com

LEGAL NOTICES ROBERT L. GARDANA, ESQ. FL Bar No. 279668 Publish: July 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA FAMILY LAW DIVISION CASE NO.: 21-DR-008215 DIVISION: I IN RE: THE PROPOSED ADOPTION BY STEPPARENT OF: R.W.A.L. DOB: JULY 16, 2009 NOTICE OF ACTION, NOTICE OF PETITION, AND NOTICE OF HEARING TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS PENDING ADOPTION TO: CHRISTOPHER DAGGETT Caucasion Male DOB: August, 1969 Current Residence: UNKNOWIN Last Known Address: 1040 Cape May Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Termination of Parental Rights Pursuant to an Adoption has been filed, and you are required to serve a copy of your written response, if any, to it on Mary Greenwood McDermott, Esq., 1038 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Florida 33511, Petitioner’s attorney, within 30 days after the date of first publication of this notice. You must file our original response with the Clerk of this court, at the address below, either before service on Petitioner’s attorney, or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

Clerk of the Court 800 E. Twiggs Street Tampa, Florida 33602 NOTICE OF PETITION AND HEARING TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS PENDING ADOPTION A petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption has been filed. A copy of the petition is being served with this notice.

There will be a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption which will take place on August 26, 2021, at 3:15 P.M., in front of the Honorable Denise A. Pomponio, Circuit Judge, of the Hillsborough County Courthouse, via ZOOM, https:// zoom.us/j/3704372256 Meeting ID 370 437 2256. The ZOOM App is available for free for IOS and Android devices, and it may also be accessed via desktop computer. No account or fee is required. Please visit ZOOM Help Center at https://support/zoom. us to familiarize yourself with the service. If you are unable to

Meeting Notice Monroe County Land Authority The Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Committee will meet in the Monroe Regional Service Center (State Building) located at 2796 Overseas Highway, Suite 104, Marathon, Florida on July 28, 2021 beginning at 9:00 AM. The agenda is available online at www.monroecounty-fl.gov or by contacting the Monroe County Land Authority office at 305-295-5180.

ADA ASSISTANCE If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in these proceedings, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711".

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

BOATS FOR SALE

EMPLOYMENT

use the ZOOM link, to appear telephonically, you may call (301) 715-8592 and enter the ZOOM Meeting ID of 370 437 2256. The Court has set aside fifteen (15) minutes for this hearing.

UNDER SECTION 63.089, FLORIDA STATUTES, FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE AND THE PETITION WITH THE COURT AND TO APPEAR AT THIS HEARING CONSTITUTES GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE COURT SHALL END ANY PARENTAL RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE OR ASSERT REGARDING THE MINOR CHILD. PARA TRADUCCION DE ESTE FORMULARIO AL ESPANOL LLAME A LA OFICINA DE INTERPRETES DE LA CORTE, AL 813-272-5947 DE LUNES A VIERNES DE 3:00 P.M. Y 5:00 P.M. 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 provisions of certain assistance. Please contact the Clerk of Circuit Court, Circuit Civil Division, Hillsborough County Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, Florida 33602, Telephone No. 813-2768100, within 2 working days of your receipt of this document; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8771.

WITNESS my hand a seal of said Court on this 6th day of July 2021.

CINDY STUART CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT Hillsborough County, Florida By: Samantha Herrmann Deputy Clerk Publish: July 15, 22 & 29 and August 5, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

County, Florida, together with an undivided share of the common elements of the condominium declared in the Declaration Of Condominium to be appurtenant thereto together with all appurtenances thereto, including without limitation the rights or exclusive use of those areas, spaces or portions of common elements of the Condominium declared in the Declaration Of Condominium to be limited to common elements, with such property having a common address of 15 Mangrove Lane, Key Largo, Monroe County Florida, and bearing Monroe County Florida real property tax identification number 00083740-000115.

Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 17TH day of June 2021 Style of which is: AMERANT BANK N.A., FORMALLY KNOWN AS MERCANTIL BANK, N.A. Plaintiff VS. RAFAEL L. FERNANDEZ, et al.

Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 44-2021-CA77-P WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 2ND day of July, 2021 KEVIN MADOK CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Shonta McLeod Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming as 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.

Publish: July 15 & 22, 2021 The Weekly Newspapers

12' Aluminum boat w/ 6 hp Nissan motor, 60 lb. thrust electric motor, and trailer. Located in Marathon. $2,000 305-395-1015

The Marathon Yacht Club is looking to hire a Line Cook.

Please call us at 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

1999 World Cat 27' with twin 175 Suzuki motors.

Runs good. Dual stations.

Located on Duck Key. $40,000 OBO 305-481-1316

Support Worker for group home. Aid residents w/ Meals, Meds, Shopping.

No Exp req. 3 shifts (PT/ FT) $16 + eve or weekend differentials. Westcare.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will on the 6TH day of August 2021 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit Number 15 of Lake Surprise, a Condominium, according to the Declaration of Condominium recorded in Official Records Book 1034, Page 596, and all exhibits and amendments thereof, in the Public Records of Monroe

SUDOKU

AUTOS WANTED ALL Junk Cars Running $CASH$

YEARS! or Used.

Vans - Trucksor Not. 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport, Silver, 90,000 miles, runs great, cold A/C. Located in Marathon. $2,300 OBO 305-417-0871 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!

Place your Car For Sale ad here. Only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and Sell Your Car!!

SOLUTION

Place your Boat For Sale ad here. Only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and Sell Your Boat!

1993 Hewes Redfish 18' - 115 hp - newly rewired Yamaha 2-stroke, Lowrance HDS8 Chart Plotter, Minn Kota remote trolling motor and Trailer. Located in Marathon. $14,000 OBO 970-331-4511 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!

BOAT MISC FOR SALE Rhodan GPS Anchor trolling motor, 24V, 80lb, 54” shaft, white, Line-X, Model # BW8054LX Brand new in unopened carton. Won at a CCA auction. SELL: $1000 CASH. Located in Key Colony Beach. Phone: 804-731-3070 SOLD IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!

BOAT SLIP FOR SALE Indoor / Dry Boat Storage Rack / 155 Wind Code The Boat House Marina Condo - Marathon, FL. 36.5L X 12.7W X 16.2H Max Boat Size. Reduced to $199,998 / FSBO/ No Realtors / Avail.

Now. RGC2RGC@yahoo. com (M) 412-848-1272

BUILDING RIGHTS BUILDING RIGHTS WANTED - CITY & COUNTY. No realtors please.

305-240-9882 info@lps-contracting.com

BUSINESS FOR SALE Lobster Business For Sale.

Includes 45' #1, 892TI, 2400 Trap Certificates-$150.00 each, 1300 Traps, 100 5X6 pallets, 2016 Cat 6K Diesel Fork Lift, Live Wells & much more. $450,000 305-289-0792 Leave message if no answer.

Key West - Lead Carpenter Recruiting experienced lead carpenter with ability to read plans and has strengths in all aspects of carpentry especially rough framing, Hardie siding, windows, stairs, trim, cabinetry.

Submit resume to: bshapiro@ elevencbuilders.com C G C - 0 4 0 1 3 8 NOW HIRING TOP PAY & BENEFITS Experienced Electricians & Low Voltage Techs E m a i l : c h e c k @ checkelectricllc.com Call: 305-292-3369 Jill of All Trades hiring PT cleaners Key Largo thru Islamorada.

Great pay + bonus for weekends!

Please message/call Sheri 786.649.9337 Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record.

Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club, is seeking a part time line cook.

Club is open 10am - 7pm daily.

Located in Key Colony Beach.

Hourly pay commensurate with experience. Beautiful environment, small friendly staff, open year round. Apply in person, email resume or call 305 393-0631 ask for April Charter Captain/Mate Busy fishing charter business in Marathon looking for experienced fishing Captain/Mate. Busy boats and location.

Offshore, Inshore, Reef/Wreck. Also part-time Boat Cleaner needed for afternoons. Send text or call 305-481-3259

EMPLOYMENT The 16th Judicial Circuit is seeking licensed substance abuse professionals/ practitioners to provide outpatient clinical and support services on a contractual basis to clients admitted into the Circuit’s three (3) drug courts - Adult Diversion Court, Family Treatment Court, and Juvenile Diversion Court in each geographic region/ courthouse location in Monroe County, specifically Key West, Marathon, and Plantation Key. For further inquiries, please visit keyscourts.net or contact Duane Triplett at duane.triplett@keyscourts. net/(305)292-3549.

Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers Full &/or part-time. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@gmail.com.

Fl Keys Diesel - Marathon now hiring: Diesel Technician -Competitive compensation package. Exp in the marine field preferred but not necessary. Exp w/ Caterpillar and Cummins Marine Engines a plus.

Diesel Mechanic Assistant position available. Motivated candidate willing to learn a new trade or expand current skills.

Company willing to train.

Qualified applicants please call 305-289-2070 or email resume to neil@allkeysdiesel. com . Drug Free and valid Drivers License a must.

42

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • EMPLOYMENT

OFFICE SPACE

YARD SALES

Serve/Bartend on the ocean FT/PT Ocean front private swim club is seeking customer service oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at Cabana Club, 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call April (305) 393-0631.

1,082 SF office space.

Renovated Corner Unit for rent in Islamorada. $ 3 , 0 0 0 / m o n t h Call 305.712.8888

ESTATE SALE: 271 8th Street, Key Colony Beach | Fri., July 23 & Sat., July 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days DECORATOR’S TROPICAL DELIGHT: Complete bedroom sets, twin and king, in the Tommy Bahama, tropical style including brand-name mattresses.

Art: on canvas, on wood and metal wall hangings.

Sconces, baskets, candles and candle holders, serving platters, vases and unique water buffalo horn carvings.

High-quality bedding.

Two Conch cruiser bikes, patio set & two rocking chairs.

NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for all shifts. Please apply in person at 8919 Overseas Highway in Marathon.

RV FOR SALE 38'6" 2016 Wildwood Lodge FVWW RV Unit located in Bluefin RV Park in Key Largo. 2 Bedroom. $39,500 8 6 3 - 6 6 0 - 9 0 6 5

YARD SALES

BASEBALL AND SPORTS MEMORABILIA WANTED. Private collector buying sports cards, old programs, pennants, autographs, photographs, ticket stubs, bobbin’ head dolls, etc.

Call thru August 6thAlan 503-481-0719

CES KEY WEST & MARATHON

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

Call 305-743-4578

Warehouse / Driver Counter Sales Branch and Operation Managers

FOR SALE: 1BR Mobile Home on canal in Marathon.

Newly remodeled, on 50' X 75' lot, raised out of flood zone.

Has tiki hut and covered car port. $525,000 NO Realtors.

Call Norman 305-393-3439

OPEN POSITIONS AT BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA

I

in Marathon

full -time Educational Program Guide /Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. 4 Send resume to: Turtlehospitalmarathon@gmail.com

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

HOMES FOR SALE

305.743.0844

• Environmental Tech (Housekeeping) $2K-$5K Sign-On Bonus • First Cook, $2K Sign-On Bonus • Fitness Center Manager • Floor Technician, Environmental Services $5K Sign-On Bonus • Food Service Worker, $5K Sign-On Bonus • Line Cook • Mechanic • Medical Staff Asst, $2K Sign-On Bonus

Is hiring for all FULL-TIME positions:

NOW HIRING:

CES Key West Ph. (305) 783-5135 Em. Keywest0628@Cityelectricsupply.Com

Hosts Waitstaff Bartenders Bar Backs Bussers Line Cooks Dishwashers

CES Marathon Ph. (786) 652-2542 Em. Marathon0542@Cityelectricsupply.Com

Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

with Electrical/Distribution Experience

To apply please contact us or email resume to:

• Patient Experience Advocate • Pharmacy Technician • Phlebotomist, $2K Sign-On Bonus • Physical Therapist • Pool Physical Therapist • Security Officer Apply and learn more: careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

HOUSING FOR RENT Lower Sugarloaf - 2BR/2BA w/den stilt home w/dock on oceanside, paved parking under home, open living room- dining-kitchen w/ vaulted ceiling and tile floors.

Access to large balcony.

W/D No Pets. $3500/mo + util. F/L/S 305-747-1700 1 Person Small Efficiency for rent in Key Largo.

No Pets. First/Last $850/ month includes water & electric.

954-214-4970

LOTS FOR SALE LOT FOR SALE 100' x 100' - Venetian Shores, MM 86, Snake Creek Bridge views. Asking $1.3 Million. Call 561-579-8399

Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, Full-time and part-time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours.

Please stop by and fill out application or Fax resume to 305-852-9639.

NOW HIRING:

F/T and P/T Bartenders & Servers for BlueWaters Pool Bar and Wedding Event Bartenders $10/hour Great Tips Health Benefits & Room Discounts Sign-on bonus Poolside setting with Gulf View Apply in Person, Start Today!

Courtyard Marriott Marathon 2146 Overseas Hwy • 305-289-2100

Our award winning resort is

currently hiring for the following hourly positions:

FRONT DESK SUPERVISOR

Previous hotel experience required.

EVENING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR 3 pm – 11 pm

MISC. FOR SALE Gently used major appliances from renovated condos in Key West.

Dishwashers, Stoves/Ovens, Microwaves, Sinks/Faucets, Garbage Disposals, and more. Prices starting at $25.

3 0 5 - 7 4 7 - 1 7 0 0

OFFICE SPACE Beautiful Office Space available for rent now on US1 in Tavernier @MM92.

Call 305-394-0530

ROOM ATTENDANTS

NOW HIRING Floor Manager Daytime Host Experienced Servers Experienced Bartenders High volume restaurant in Key Largo.

Apply in person at Snooks Bayside, 99470 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL

NOW HIRING: Houseman OR Housekeeper Great pay, benefits and tips!

Stop in to fill out an application at: Alexander's Guesthouse 1118 Fleming Street, Key West 10am-7pm

$500 Bonus after 90 days.

Great Pay, Health & Travel Benefits.

Apply in person at:

Courtyard Marriott Marathon, 2146 Overseas Hwy, Marathon FL 33050 or email resume to jtyson@shanercorp.com • 305-289-2100

43

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

Mangrove Sunset on Summerland Key. JENNIFER CHANDONNET/Contributed

Nothing prettier than a Florida sunset. DAVID BINDER/Contributed

Summer hideout in the lagoon north of Cow Key. CHRIS MOORE/Contributed

All our manatees … 11 swimming up 8th street in KCB! SUSAN MCKEE/Contributed

Bahia Honda State Park is my favorite place to watch a sunset in the Keys.

With its 360-degree panoramic view, you cannot go wrong! Catching the sun dropping in the Rail Bridge gap is an added bonus. JESSE KOBLENTZ/Love & Light Photography

Sunrise over Boot Key Harbor. MARY STELLA/Contributed

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

I

n JULY, we’re highlighting what SUMMER in the Keys means to you. For AUGUST, we’re going FOOD AND FISHING! Summer in the Keys is famous for stellar fishing and even better seafood. Whether you’re out in the flats or backcountry, trolling for Mahi, or fishing off one of our beautiful bridges, send us pictures of you with your catch. Then, show us your favorite way to prepare it! Spiny lobster season also opens, so send us pix of your wild, caught, or cooked bugs!

We’re getting hungry just thinking about it!

Photos, captions and photo credit can be emailed to tiffany@keysweekly.com.

Rules, schmules: All photos must be original work and feature something in the Keys.

Photos can be images that have been published before.

No third party may own or control any materials the photo contains, and the photo must not infringe upon the trademark, copy-

right, moral rights, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person.

Any person agrees, by submitting photos, that photos submitted can be used by the Keys Weekly for any and all purposes, including but not limited to advertising, charity work, sales, future editorial, print in the newspapers or online or on social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other social media platforms as may come about.

44

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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

Absolute Auction NEW & USED RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT Tuesday July 27th @ 11AM

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Monroe County School District

Part time & Full time Opportunities!

2171 N Dixie Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Preview begins @ 9AM morning of sale Glass Door Coolers, Alto-Shaam Cook & Hold, Alto-Shaam Combi Oven, Neico Broiler, South Bend Dbl Stack Convection Oven, Griddles, Pizza Prep Tables, Sandwich Prep Tables, NEW Turbo Air 3 Door S/S Cooler, NEW S/S Coolers & Freezers, Hobart U/C Dishwasher, Fagor U/C Dishwasher, Mug Chiller, NEW 96” Keg Cooler, Slicers, Back Bars, 6 Burner w/ Dbl Oven & 24” Raised Griddle, Imperial 10 Burner Range w/ Dbl Oven, 24” Griddle”, Fryers, 36” S/C Deli Case, U/C Coolers, Oliver Bagel Slicer, Dbl Convection Steamer, Small Wares, China, Misc. Utensils & MORE...

Bid Online @ Proxibid.Com/TobyNeverett

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

Salary $17.15 – $24.15/hour Key West, Sugarloaf, Marathon and Upper Keys (4 work locations) No Experience Required, Benefits, CDL Training Provided – work as a Bus Aide while training, Full Time or Flexible, Part Time Hours - 6 to 9 am or 1 or 2 to 5 pm Apply online: www.keysschools.com

JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN Location: Middle Keys – Lower Keys

Join the winning Technical Services Dept team at the FKAA for future growth opportunities and an excellent working environment

MUST HAVE an active Journeyman Electrician License. Duties: Install, inspect, test, repair, and maintain all new and existing generators, motors, transformers, motor controllers, and associated equipment throughout our system, with base location in the middle keys. Minimum qualifications: Journeyman’s License, emphasis on electronics, industrial electrical, pneumatics, controls, building automation, fire alarm and HVAC systems, load calculations, conduit requirements, thorough knowledge of NEC requirements, minimum 6 yrs experience.

Must be able to operate and use computers with various software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite. Must have a valid Florida driver’s license. Must be able to communicate and comprehend the English language. $55,876. - $88,506. DOQ

40 hours per week • $27.00 per hour Monroe County BOCC is seeking an applicant with a dynamic personality and who is quick to adapt, a competent multi-tasker, and can communicate effectively for a new temporary position. Primary function is to assist marine captains with pump-out services for anchored vessels. Qualifications: Florida driver’s license, fluent in English (Spanish fluency helpful), and 1 to 2 years boating experience (USCG Captain’s License helpful). Must be able to swim. To apply, please contact Monroe County HR at: Careers@monroecounty-fl.gov. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT: WWW.MONROECOUNTY-FL.GOV. 305-292-4557. Veteran’s Preference Available; E.O.E

Bell Staff-Relief Concierge Engineer General Maintenance

Valet Parking Attendant Front Desk Agent Housekeeping Room Attendant Laundry Attendant Line Cooks Food Runner/Barback Sunset Pier Server Reservations Agent Relief Night Security LMT, Nail Tech, Esthetician Sign on Bonus Offered!

Apply online at: www.noblehousehotels.com/careers Apply in person at: Zero Duval St.

On-line app: http://www.fkaa.com/employment.htm Deadline: Open until filled. EEO, VPE, ADA

TEMPORARY MARINE PUMPOUT WORKER  KEY WEST

Pool Bartender

Great pay, amazing benefits, & an awesome team!

Ocean Key Resort and Spa is EOE.

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

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

Busy Key Largo Dive Center has immediate openings for

BOAT CAPTAINS $1,500 SIGNING BONUS

PT CASHIER PT DOCKHAND

Experience Required. Paid per trip plus tips & sales commission.

Apply in person Pancho’s Fuel

Send resume to resumes@rainbowreef.com

1280 Oceanview Avenue, Marathon

305-743-2281

45

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

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

NOW HIRING Restaurant Host Servers Bartender Food Runner

TOUR GUIDES NEEDED

Restaurant General Managers

BE A PART OF KEYS HISTORY

BOGIE & BACALL'S SEA SENOR

KITCHEN TEAM Pastry Chef Chief Steward Overnight Cook Fine Dining Chef Restaurant Chef

HOUSEKEEPING TEAM

Day & Overnight Houseman Room Attendant Public Area Attendant AM & PM Supervisors

OPERATIONS TEAM

Bellman Watersports Reservations/Front Desk Agents AM & PM Shifts Available Apply At: www.bungalowskeylargo.com/ careers

Pigeon Key Foundation seeks part time historic tour guide. Upbeat, friendly and confident professional with ability to multi task and work outdoors in all seasons. Pigeon Key is a drug free work place. Please complete application at pigeonkey.net or email chris@pigeonkey.net.

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

Dolphin Research Center is Hiring!

IT Technical Specialist (Part Time, Permanent)

Accounting Manager (Full-Time/Permanent)

Visual Communications Staff (Full-Time/Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time/Permanent)

Guest Services Staff

(Full-Time/Part-Time, Temporary/Permanent)

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

Bungalows Key Largo is an EOE The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! KEY LARGO

Substance Abuse Counselor (PT)

KEY WEST

Prevention Specialist Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) Peer Support Specialist Crisis Counselor Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children ) Motivational Support Specialist Substance Abuse Counselor Behavioral Health Counselor Engagement Specialist (Suicide Prevention)

MARATHON Admissions Specialist

Care Coordinator Maintenance Specialist Housekeeper Engagement Specialist (Suicide Prevention) Behavioral Health Therapist (Children) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) Advocate (PT) *Assisted Living Night Monitor (FREE HOUSING!) *Assisted Living Support Worker (PT/FT) *Behavioral Health Technicians (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) *No experience necessary. Will train.

A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Ability to work some evening or weekend shifts a plus.

If you’ve wanted to get into the medical field but don’t have the education, this is the job for you!

Background and drug screen req.

COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

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

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.

46

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.453.6928 Licensed & Insured #SP33799

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

SPALLING

ALL KEYS GLASS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-743-7800

Authorized Dealer

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

EXPERTS

2728 North Roosevelt Blvd.

Overseas Market Key West

NOW HIRING!

Sewer Connections 305

872-1876

• New Construction • Remodeling • Irrigation

y’s www.KeysSlidingGlassDoorRepair.com d n A Sliding Glass Door Repair Roller Maintenance Track Maintenance Door Alignment Security Pins Safety Locks Handles

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

305-998-8953

305

296-BLUE

• Heavy Equipment • Solar Lic## RF11067168

PC 606

Proud member of:

INTERNATIONAL

CONCRETE REPAIR INSTITUTE

Kitchen Cabinets Sales REAL Wood Cabinets at Particle Board Prices KitchenKorner/Fred's Beds 1333 O/S Hwy, MM 53.5 • 305-743-7277

Appliance and Air Conditioning

Sales - Service - Installation 1700 N. Roosevelt Blvd #2, Key West 305-294-0090 • www.kolhages.com

Insured • Professional • Reliable

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

Tewes Mortgage

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000

SOLAR DONE RIGHT! CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

When it comes to solar and power storage for your home in the Florida Keys, turn to the Florida Keys Local Experts at SALT Energy.

for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

A division of SALT Service, serving The Keys since 1989

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

305-289-1150

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734 Florida Electrical Contractor EC13008657

www.TewesMortgage.com

Serving Key Largo to Key West

Serving Monroe, Dade & Broward Including Airports & Ports.

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

Only $50 Puts Your Business Card Here

305-743-7454

fkes2011@gmail.com floridakeysexpressshuttle.com

When It Rains It Pours!

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

Key West 305-292-2666

MARATHON

305-743-0506

KEY LARGO

305-852-5356

rainsavergutters@gmail.com

Cell: 305-363-8330 Office: 305-735-4626 will@cecflk.com www.CECFLK.com

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

Will Campbell President

P.E. Lic. No: 79269 5800 Overseas Hwy. Unit 32 Marathon, FL. 33050

47

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW JUN 3-JUL 29, 2021

MANGO MADNESS Summer Members’ Show

HAPPRY HOUTURDAY

The mango is not only a fruit best savored under a tropical sun—it’s also a metaphor for the annual bounty of our island, meant to be shared with friends and neighbors. It’s the perfect symbol for our members summer exhibition!

Nearly 100 works of art on display across all four gallery spaces by local artists!

-SA MONDAPYM-6PM 4

FOOD $5 BAR HE GLASS

BY T $7 WINE ELL LIQUOR $4 W FT BEER $4 DRA ESTIC $3 DOM LES BOTT

Images: Lynne Bentley-Kemp (top), Susann D’Antonio, Elio Hinds, Mary Jean Connors

sponsored by Gallery on Greene

Online + in-person! We’re taking Covid-19 precautions to ensure your safety while visiting our galleries.

Gallery hours: Tue-Sat 12-4pm

5620 MACDONALD AVE KEY WEST | 305.296.4999

533 EATON ST 305-296-0458 WWW.TSKW.ORG

48

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JULY 22, 2021

FAMILY, FOOD & FUN

Join us daily 4-6pm for $3 small plates, domestic drafts, wine & liquor!

And don’t miss our Live Music! Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5-8pm