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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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Everybody beat the bus?

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

ON THE COVER

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

$20M 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

The Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley crew and Drug Enforcement Administration agents offloaded about 1,000 kilograms of seized cocaine at Coast Guard Base San Juan on April 4. The estimated wholesale value is $20 million. A routine aircraft patrol on March 30 spotted a suspected vessel near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Two Dominican Republic nationals were apprehended and 33 bales seized.

Autism is a condition as varied as it is complex. Local fundraising events and organizations like the Autism Society of the Keys are here to help. See page 32.

Publisher

Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor

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

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STATE HOUSE RACE HEATS UP Lopez critical of no AHEC funding; Mooney responds

nly 148 votes separated 2020 Republican primary winner for the Florida State House, Jim Mooney, and second-place finisher Rhonda Rebman Lopez. A resident of North Key Largo, Rebman Lopez announced another run for state representative on April 4. “I just think we deserve better,” Rebman Lopez told the Keys Weekly. “Our current rep let us down on AHEC funding. I wouldn’t leave money on the table with AHEC, which I got a million complaints about.” Rebman Lopez alludes to a $650,000 request by Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC) that wasn’t approved in the budget by the time legislators left Tallahassee. The appropriations bill was filed by Mooney last November. It went to the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee on Jan. 18. The request received no traction after that. Mooney said he did his part to get the request in. From there, it’s up to the lobbying team that’s representing the organization seeking the funds to get in front of committee chairs, like Health Care Appropriations chair Brian Avila. In this case, lobbyist Andrew Palmer, of Metz Husband & Daughton, was assigned to AHEC’s funding request. “It’s the lobby firm. They’re being paid to lobby the committee chairs,” Mooney said. “I’m not a paid lobbyist. If I was a paid lobbyist, I would have been in front of Brian’s face 24/7 for my customer. “The fact is, the (Florida Keys) aqueduct asked for $1 million but their lobby team got them $20 million,” he continued. “I’m not saying Metz (Husband & Daughton) aren’t great lobbyists, I’m just saying I

“I wouldn’t leave money on the table with AHEC, which I got a million complaints about.” — Rhonda Rebman-Lopez

“I can tell you whatever happened wasn’t any fault of House District 120’s leadership. That’s a guarantee.” — State Rep. Jim Mooney

continued on page 7

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022 from page 4

don’t know what happened. I can tell you whatever happened wasn’t any fault of House District 120’s leadership. That’s a guarantee.” A little more than $51 million in the approved 2022-23 budget supports projects and programs in the Florida Keys. The other section of House District 120, namely Homestead, didn’t get as much. Rebman Lopez took issue with that. “Very little money was brought back to Homestead. It’s a big part of the district,” she said. Jim Mooney: State Mooney said he was particularly surprised Rep. Jim Mooney. Homestead didn’t receive funds for infrastructure reCONTRIBUTED quests, including an ask of $150,000 to purchase and install flow meters and automatic flushing units. The city also sought $750,000 to obtain electrical backup infrastructure. “I’m really surprised they weren’t approved because they were for infrastructure. They weren't really big asks,” he said. “But you certainly cannot run a business assuming you’re going to get an appropriation from the state of Florida. There are some people who got nothing.” Rebman Lopez runs PECO International Electric, a third-generation family business and an established Former Republican candidate for electrical exporter in the southeast region of the U.S. state House Dis- She’s a member of the Florida Advisory Council on trict 120, Rhonda Small and Minority Business. She also serves on the Rebman Lopez, Monroe County Republican Executive Committee announced her and the National Hispanic Assembly of Miami-Dade intentions to run again for the seat County. In announcing her decision, Rebman Lopez currently held said she entered the race following “numerous local by state Rep. Jim activists and voters concerned about local and state Mooney. CONTRIBUTED issues that are being neglected or outright ignored by their current representative.” “I’m going to spread my message to stay engaged, meet as many voters as possible, and be accessible,” she said. “I feel like I outworked him (Mooney) last election. No one’s going to outwork me. Nobody.” Rebman Lopez added that she wants to run a positive campaign and hopes the negativity from dark money will stay away from the race. A 2020 race for state representation saw a heated primary among Mooney, Rebman Lopez and Alexandria Suarez. One of the main targets was Mooney, who ended up winning during the general election to represent the Keys and south Miami-Dade in Tallahassee. Mailers also went out accusing Rebman Lopez of taking money from the Nicholas Maduro regime. Alexandria Suarez, who’s running for Monroe County School Board this year, was the subject of controversy over a text attack against Mooney from a PAC that appeared to support her. Suarez said her camp didn’t send anything out, and that the disclaimer in the text was inaccurate and fraudulent to make it look like she was the one behind it. When all was said and done, Mooney secured the primary victory on Aug. 18 with 44% of the vote in Monroe County and 18% of the vote in Miami-Dade. Mooney went on to beat Democrat Clint Barras in the Nov. 3 general election, with 57% of the vote in Monroe County and 52% of the vote in Miami-Dade. Joining Mooney and Rebman Lopez on the Republican side this year is Robert Allen, of Big Pine Key. He filed paperwork last December to run for the seat. Adam Gentle, lawyer from Big Coppitt Key, and Daniel Horton-Diaz, former district chief of staff for U.S. Rep Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, are running for state representative on the Democratic side. A resident of Cutler Bay, Horton-Diaz lost in a 2020 Democratic primary in the Senate District 39 race to Rep. Javier Fernandez. Gentle said in a statement when he announced his run that he’s fighting for local business owners, veterans, the environment and anyone trying to get ahead. A primary is set for Aug. 23 to determine who gets the Republican and Democratic nods.

City of Marathon City Council Agenda

9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon Tuesday, April 12, 2022 5:30 P.M. (*Denotes Item Is Passed By Consent Upon Approval of Agenda) Public Comments taken on all times and at 6:30pm time certain for items not on the agenda or as soon as possible thereafter of after the last agenda item; whichever comes first. City Council Items *A. Approval of Minutes B. BPAS Donation Payments C. Friends of Old Seven D. Smart Ride November 19, 2022 Request City Manager Report A. MCSO Marathon Substation Report B. Grants Update C. Public Works Report D. Park and Recreation Report 1. Rotary Park Fundraiser E. Marina Report F. Marathon Fire Rescue Report G. Wastewater Report H. Code Report I Building Report J. November Council Meeting Date Change to November 15th Ordinances for Second Hearing and Enactment A. Ordinance 2021-19, Amending The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) From Residential Medium (RM) To Mixed Use Commercial (MU-C) For Property Described As Part Gov’t Lot 1 And Part Gov’t Lot 2, Part Parcel 3 And Adjacent Bay Bottom South Of And Adjacent Part Gov’t Lot 1, Key Vaccas, Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, Having Real Estate Number 00104260-000000; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Repeal Of Conflicting Provisions; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Economic Opportunity; And Providing For An Effective Date Upon The Approval Of This Ordinance By The State Department Of Economic Opportunity. B. Ordinance 2021-20, Amending The Zoning From Residential Medium (RM) To Mixed Use (MU) For Property Described As S Part Gov’t Lot 1 And Part Gov’t Lot 2, Part Parcel 3 And Adjacent Bay Bottom South Of And Adjacent Part Gov’t Lot 1, Key Vaccas, Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, Having Real Estate Number 00104260-000000; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Repeal Of Conflicting Provisions; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Economic Opportunity; And Providing For An Effective Date Upon The Approval Of This Ordinance By The State Department Of Economic Opportunity. Ordinances for First Public Hearing A. Ordinance 2022-03, Amending The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) From Residential Medium (RM) To Mixed Use-Commercial (MU-C) For The Property Described As Block 2, Lot 2 First Addition To Seacrest, Key Vaca Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, Having Real Estate Number 00339240-000000; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Repeal Of Conflicting Provisions; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Economic Opportunity; And Providing For An Effective Date Upon The Approval Of This Ordinance By The State Department Of Economic Opportunity. B. Ordinance 2022-04, Amending The Zoning Designation From Residential Medium (RM) To Mixed Use (MU) For The Property Described As Block 2, Lot 2 First Addition To Seacrest, Key Vaca Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, Having Real Estate Number 00339240-000000; Providing For Severability; Providing For The Repeal Of Conflicting Provisions; Providing For The Transmittal Of This Ordinance To The State Department Of Economic Opportunity; And Providing For An Effective Date Upon The Approval Of This Ordinance By The State Department Of Economic Opportunity Resolutions For Adoption *A. Resolution 2022-34, Approving The First Amendment To The Employment Agreement Between Steven T. Williams And The City Of Marathon, Florida For City Attorney Services; Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Agreement On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date. *B. Resolution 2022-35, Approving The Boundaries Of A Grassy Key Mitigation Area, A Specific Mitigation Project Associated With The Valhalla Project, And That The City May Be A Co-Applicant On Applications To Carry Out The Valhalla Mitigation Project On Sites Associated With Crain’s Street, Crain’s Subdivision Of Grassy Key; And Providing For An Effective Date C. Resolution 2022-36, Approving A Memorandum Of Understanding Between The City Of Marathon, Florida And The Florida Department Of Economic Opportunity In Consideration Of Statutory Requirements Pursuant To Section 380.07 (2) Florida Statutes And Rule 73C-44.002 Requiring That The City Render Development Orders To The Department; This Resolution Is Hereby Adopted As A Replacement For Resolutions 2004-097 And A Subsequent Amendment Letter From Then Secretary Thaddeus L. Cohen Dated January 11, 2005 Which Are Hereby Repealed; And Providing For An Effective Date. D. Resolution 2022-37, Pursuant To Section 32-31 Identifying The Sombrero Beach Road Right Of Way From The Beach House Residence To Spoonbill Drive As A No Parking Area; Providing For Exceptions Determined By The City Council For Certain Events And Holidays; And Providing For An Effective Date. *E. Resolution 2022-38, Approving Change Order No. 1 To Contract Between The City And Tetra Tech, Inc. In The Current Amount Of $59,400.00 For The Voluntary Home Buyout Program, Licensed Tenant Relocation (URA) Consultant Services; Increasing The Contract In An Amount Not To Exceed $635,430; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute The Change Order And Expend Budgeted Funds On Behalf Of The City; And Providing For An Effective Date. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing or meeting, one will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; such record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marathon City Attorney at (305) 289-4130 at least five days prior thereto. Please contact the City Clerk at clavierd@ci.marathon.fl.us if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

STATE VALIDATES MARATHON’S PROGRESS

The permit review process will command attention at the Marathon City Council meeting. CONTRIBUTED.

PERMITS AND PARKING

Marathon to discuss new memorandum with state, Sombrero Beach congestion ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

he Marathon City Council will gather for its next public meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Marathon City Hall. All interested persons are welcome to attend. Topics of particular interest to the community slated for discussion include: • Discussion and possible approval of a newly-drafted Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Marathon and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). The state’s revocation of the previous MOU in March due to disagreements between the state and city, over building permits awarded during an ongoing appeal process, has resulted in longer wait times for permits. Under the previous MOU, Marathon was only required to submit a small subset of significant development orders to the state, while permit approval was otherwise handled by the city. Without an MOU in place, Marathon is required to render all permits to the state for review, including projects as simple as installing pavers or a fence. As of press time, the city had submitted a draft of a new MOU to the state and expected to receive a draft in return from the DEO in time for review and approval at April’s city council meeting. • Discussion of the effect of donation payments on the Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS), particularly concerning the ability of working local residents to build homes. • The first public hearing of an ordinance to amend the zoning and FLUM from Residential Medium to Mixed Use and Mixed Use Commercial, respectively, for a parcel adjacent to U.S. 1 between 69th and 70th Street Oceanside. • A resolution amending the employment agreement between the City of Marathon and City Attorney Steve Williams. • Discussion of parking issues at Sombrero Beach, along with a resolution identifying certain areas of the Sombrero Beach Road right of way adjacent to the beach as No Parking areas. • Continued discussion of parking and launch fees at Marathon’s public boat ramps and Sombrero Beach.

There are four other areas of Florida that are also labeled Area of Critical Concern, but the Florida Keys – so named in 1974 – is the largest and most populated. SARA MATTHIS/City of Marathon

Governor and Cabinet re-affirm Area of Critical Concern status for City of Marathon

ov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet recently reaffirmed the Florida Keys – including the City of Marathon – as an Area of Critical Concern in good standing. The designation is reviewed in Tallahassee annually to ensure that Monroe County and its municipalities are completing tasks that protect the Keys’ delicate and vital ecosystem and safeguard its residents during hurricane season. “The City of Marathon is pleased to play a significant role in protecting the Florida Keys, from making early improvements to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure to now taking on the daunting tasks of improving canal water quality and preparing the city for rising sea level. Mayfield and now Keys Stewardship funding through the Florida Legislature have made much of these improvements possible,” said Marathon City Manager George Garrett. Beginning this year, the Area of Critical Concern rules require the City of Marathon to begin reporting to the state Department of Economic Opportunity regarding canal restoration projects that have been initiated and/ or completed. The city is ahead of schedule. “Marathon recently completed work on canal No. 257,” said Marathon Planning Director Brian Shea. The restoration of the canal in the Sunrise

Isles neighborhood included dredging and the installation of a culvert, paid for with funds allocated by the legislature in the Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Recently, homeowners from that same neighborhood approached the city with a plan for privately funded upkeep of the canal that addressed technology, energy, maintenance and access. “That’s a great example of a private/public partnership,” Shea said. As Marathon has already completed its wastewater projects, the last remaining objectives to uphold the Area of Critical Concern designation revolve around canal restoration. The state puts special emphasis on how the local agencies and municipalities work together. Shea said that, too, is already underway. The city coordinates closely with Monroe County and Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., the vendor providing most of the design and structural solutions for canal restoration in the Keys. By 2023, Marathon will be required by the state to measure the effectiveness of completed canal restoration efforts, including the cost-effectiveness of such measures. As work on the canal progresses, water quality monitoring will also be implemented. There are four other areas of Florida that are also labeled Area of Critical Concern, but the Florida Keys – so named in 1974 – is the largest and most populated. “The city looks forward to the coming years as we continue to make improvements … which result in a healthier marine ecosystem surrounding Marathon and an improved quality of life for the city’s residents,” said Garrett. — Contributed

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

CALMING WATERS Marathon’s Sombrero Beach drew the attention of local residents as it posted elevated bacteria levels throughout the month of March. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

ELEVATED BACTERIA LEVELS AT KEYS BEACHES DROP SIGNIFICANTLY IN LATEST DOH WATER QUALITY TESTS

igh levels of bacteria found in nearshore waters off several Keys beaches during water quality tests throughout the month of March have significantly subsided, according to new samples collected on March 30. Conducted by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, the routine biweekly tests look for the presence of enteric bacteria (enterococci) in the waters off 11 Keys beaches. Typically inhabiting the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, the presence of enteric bacteria generally indicates fecal pollution caused by a variety of potential factors including runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. When present in high numbers, the bacteria have the potential to cause infections, rashes and other diseases in humans. The U.S. EPA’s recommended standards classify water containing 0-35 enterococcus bacteria per 100 milliliters of water as “good,” 36-70 as “moderate” and 71 or greater as “poor.” Though a “poor” water quality test may not close a beach, the department issues an advisory for potential health risks in areas with water in the “poor” range. During the March 16 tests, five Keys beaches tested with “poor” water quality, triggering or continuing warnings at Key Largo’s Harry Harris County Park (150),

Islamorada’s Founders Park (124), Big Pine Key’s Bahia Honda Oceanside (87) and Key West’s South Beach (99). Marathon’s Sombrero Beach, with a count of 1184 – more than 16 times the threshold for “poor” water quality, and nearly eight times higher than any other Keys beach – drew the ire of local residents on social media, with some suggesting that overuse of Marathon’s beaches and Boot Key Harbor were to blame for the high bacterial counts. Sombrero’s water earned a “moderate” rating on Feb. 1 and progressed to “poor” ratings during the Feb. 15 and March 1 tests. Other than a single test in October 2021, it was the first time the beach had earned a “poor” rating since July 2020. The story was largely the same at other beaches, several of which were labeled as “poor” throughout March. But just two weeks later, tests on March 30 revealed “good” water quality at 10 of 11 Keys beaches, including all five previously labeled as “poor.” Five of the 11 beaches tested with a bacterial count of 1, including Sombrero Beach. Only Smathers Beach in Key West (42) earned a “moderate” rating. James Rachal is the environmental manager for the DOH in Monroe County. While he said the bacterial counts like Sombrero’s made him do “a double take,” he would be far more concerned if other Keys beaches hadn’t had elevated counts all at the same

time. He noted that the simultaneous decline in water quality for Upper Keys beaches, which typically yield cleaner samples, is an indicator that environmental factors throughout the island chain might be at play. “It would be more typical this time of year, just because you have more opportunities when the water is warming up, which is conducive to bacterial growth,” said Rachal. “At this time last year, I didn’t see any of these kinds of numbers. … But there’s no way to say that it wasn’t birds, that it wasn’t entirely natural, or that it wasn’t a boat that just happened to dump.” Cold and windy stretches, as well as heavy human traffic in the water, may stir up sediment on the seafloor where bacteria live and multiply. Rachal says this turbid water may yield high counts, but so could several other chance events, including something as simple as a flock of birds vacating the area before a sampling team’s arrival. “We try to be very pristine and collect our sample with good clear water if it’s there,” Rachal said. “But as far as what happened before we got there, we can’t say. You’ll have people that have all kinds of theories, and I have theories too, but nothing I can officially point my finger at. There’s just no way to pinpoint it.” For updated water quality test results, visit www.tinyurl.com/monroebeaches.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

T H A N K YO U ! April 2, 2022, the efforts of hundreds of people culminated in the success of the 41st Annual 7-Mile Bridge Run. The Marathon Runners Club wishes to say THANKS to all of those people who participated in the planning and execution of the run, as well as the dedicated law enforcement officials who so efficiently carried out their traffic control responsibilities.

Monroe County Commission Mayor David Rice Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Commissioner Holly Raschein

Marathon City Council Mayor John Bartus Vice Mayor Dr. Daniel Zieg Councilmember Luis Gonzalez Councilmember Robyn Stills Councilmember Steve Cook

Florida Department of Transportation, Monroe County School Board & Monroe County Parks Dept., Monroe County Public Works Dept. & Ferrovial

Thanks to the following good people who worked tirelessly on the traffic control and safety aspects of the race: Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Capt. Don Hiller Lt. Mark Jones, Sgt. Lissette Quintero, Lt. David E. Smith, Lieutenant Tom Walker FWC Officers Fishermen's Hospital Emergency Medical Personnel Monroe County Fire Rescue and Lt. Ryan Devitt City of Marathon Fire Rescue

Thanks to all the captains and their teams! Aid Station #1 - Cindy Perry Aid Station #2 - Riet Steinmetz and Boy Scouts Aid Station #3- Gerald Clairmont & Wendy Houser Aid Station #4 - KFCU and “Over The Hump” Gang Aid Station #5 - Isla Bella Crew Julie Elgersma - Supply Disbursement Tina Belotti - Start Line Denise Pankow- Finish Line Starting Water Line Station - MHS "I Promise" crew Dave Daniels - Safety Team and T-shirts The Sayer Family Bobbie & Chuck Bayles & Family Luis Gonzales Don Scotten Family Kevin Freeman - Mile Markers Art Stephens Pete Worthington - Communication Team Numbers Afternoon Crew MHS & MMS Coaches & Teams Marathon City Park Hammer and Dwayne “Murph” and Lance Best Packet Pickup and Stuffing Team Entire Faro Blanco & Lighthouse Grill Hospitality Staff

We wish to acknowledge contributions made by:

Rafael Medina Mike Puto Sue Corbin Zoltan Polgar & Agency 44 Larry & Renee Marathon Electric Sign & Light Pat Kersey Don & Son Fence Co. Split Second Timing Florida Keys Electric Co-op Denise & Chris Pankow Southernmost Runners Club Bill Becker/Jim Dorl Key West Visitor Center Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina A Key Real Estate Big Pine Motel Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge Bank of America Crane Point Hammock Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Marathon Lumber Tom Wright CM & Dennis Bishop Sunbelt Rentals Jahaira Montalegre UPS Store First Horizon

Thanks to everyone for Your Patience and understanding!

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

AGENCIES INVESTIGATE LANDING OF EASTERN EUROPEANS ON BOAT FROM CUBA FEDS REMAIN TIGHT-LIPPED

Dominic Qualls shows off his Easter basket craft at Grace Jones Day Care Center. City of Marathon staff visited the class as part of the city’s Art Outreach Program. ALI ADAMS/City of Marathon

HAPPY EASTER Annual egg hunts and services around town ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

A fishing boat called Just Right dropped off a group of people who said they’d been visiting Cuba from Uzbekistan and other former Soviet republics, then took a boat to Key West. Federal agents are investigating.

Having been detained after getting off a fishing boat at Key West’s South Beach pier, a group of reported Eastern Europeans await further instructions from Customs and Border Protection agents.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

olice and government vehicles filled the plaza at the top of Duval Street around 5 p.m. on April 3, after a fishing boat pulled up to the pier there and dropped off a dozen or so Eastern Europeans who said they had been in Cuba. “We’re still determining what’s going on. This isn’t a typical Cuban or Haitian migrant landing,” Key West Police Sgt. Pablo Rodriguez said, while a federal agent worked with other officers sorting the people’s passports. “We’re going to take them to the police station so they’re not sitting out here in the heat. They’re very nice people.” The Keys Weekly spoke briefly with one of the Eastern Europeans, all of whom were seated at tables inside the Southernmost Beach Cafe with luggage and duffel bags next to them. They were well-

A federal agent sorts the passports of a dozen or so people claiming to be from Eastern Europe who arrived by boat from Cuba on Upper Duval Street Sunday, April 3.

dressed and their clothes were not wet as if they had waded ashore. Most of them had smartphones they were using while awaiting further instructions. “We are from Uzbekistan and other former Soviet republics,” the man, who spoke fluent English, said. “We were in Cuba for a few days, and then we took a boat here to Key West.” At that point a Key West police officer instructed the Keys Weekly, “These people are technically in custody and you are not allowed to speak with them.” The man apologized and shrugged his shoulders. The boat, called Just Right, which apparently brought the travelers to Key West, was still docked at the South Street pier while its passengers were being questioned inside the restaurant. Stay tuned to keysweekly.com as further details emerge.

ith a visit from the Easter Bunny just around the corner, Keys Weekly rounded up some of the Middle Keys’ largest Easter events for residents young and old to enjoy. Here are a few highlights: What: City of Marathon Annual Easter Egg Hunt When: Saturday, April 9 Where: Marathon Community Park Details: Bring the kids and enjoy the city’s annual Easter egg hunt. The hunts will be separated by age, with children ages 1-5 hunting from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., ages 6-9 from noon to 1 p.m. and ages 10-14 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Children will be tasked with finding at least 10 eggs to exchange for a treat bag, and the finder of the “golden egg” will receive a special prize. What: Marathon Rotary Easter Egg Hunt When: Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. Where: Children’s Rotary Park, 7575 Overseas Hwy. Details: The Easter Bunny will visit Children’s Rotary Park on the Saturday of Easter weekend, prepared with lots of eggs. A small corner will be set aside for children 3 and under. The hunt is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marathon.

What: 22nd Annual Big Pine Easter Egg Hunt When: Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. Where: Big Pine Community Park Details: A free hunt for children ages 1-10 will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Hunts will be divided into age categories: 3 years and under, 4-6 years and 7-10 years. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to supervise the hunt for 7,000 eggs. Volunteers are needed, and candy donations are accepted. For more information, call Holly at 305-879-6824. What: Adult Easter Egg Hunt When: Saturday, April 16 from 6-9 p.m. Where: Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant & Bar, 401 E. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach Details: Benefiting Presents in Paradise, the hunt will give participants the chance to buy an egg and win valuable prizes. Religious Services: San Pablo Catholic Church: Holy Saturday, April 16, 8 p.m.; Easter Sunday, 6:30, 8 and 10 a.m. Marathon New Life Church: Easter Sunday, April 17, 8 and 10 a.m. St. Columba Episcopal Church: Easter Vigil, April 16, 5 p.m.; Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. Marathon Community United Methodist Church: Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. First Baptist Marathon: Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

Abstract Radio blends rock, funk and pop covers with adaptive twists

“W

RT RICKE ALEX sweekly.com key alex@

e can set soft vacation vibes while you eat dinner or melt your face when you’re six beers into happy hour.” That’s how guitarist and vocalist Chris Campbell describes the sound of Abstract Radio, a premier option for live entertainment in Marathon and the Upper Keys. Under the original name of Misery Loves Company, the former fourpiece band paired Chris and his twin brother David with fellow Marathon High School Class of 2014 graduates Brendon Miller and Steven O’Toole. The group cut their teeth at the Marathon United Methodist Church’s Jam program under the guidance of Duane Shelton before playing weekly gigs at Salty’s Waterfront Grill. “When we all came together, nobody wanted to sing. Everybody wanted to play their instrument and hide behind it,” said Chris. “Duane really pushed us and made it so all four of us started singing. We were one of the only bands down here that were doing three- and four-part harmonies.” Upon graduation, the foursome moved to Tallahassee and eventually saw the departure of Miller and O’Toole for Los Angeles and Chicago, respectively. After earning their bachelor’s degrees, the Campbell brothers returned to the Keys and met the band’s third member, Miami-based drummer Angel Romero, at an open mic night. Today, the band puts its own flavor on rock, funk and pop covers, drawing influences from musicians such as Rush’s Alex Lifeson, the Foo Fighters and John Mayer. “The market down here wants cover bands, and honestly, we’re happy to do that,” said Chris. “There’s creative space in those songs in the way that we play them.” And believe it or not, the band plays virtually all of its new songs live without any prior practice. With Chris based in Marathon, David in Islamorada, and Angel on the mainland, the group will decide on a song to learn, practice their parts independently, and debut their work in the middle of a live set. But a familiarity cultivated by hundreds of hours on stage together, as well as each musician’s adaptability, allow even new songs to come together seamlessly. “This lineup has never spent one minute together in a rehearsal space,” said Chris. “Every single new song that we learn is rehearsing live in front of people. If it’s a new song and we’re not feeling confident about it, we try to sneak those in there on a slow night.” Once a song is officially in the band’s repertoire, the experimentation begins. “If it’s a difficult song, we’ll try to do it like a studio version at first and get it so we’re locked in with each other, and afterwards we’ll make it our own and adapt it to the best way to play it as a three-piece band,” Chris explained. “David will put two sounds on his keyboard and play a bass with his left hand and a horn with his right or something like

that. Angel is so versatile because he was a house drummer for open mic nights, so he’s well-equipped to adapt. “The other part of our creative freedom is that we hardly ever play the written solos in a song, unless it’s one where people know what the solo sounds like. It’s never even the same between two gigs.” The trio’s love for their craft is evidenced by the amount of music they pack into each set. In a three- or four-hour gig, they only take a single break, frequently stringing together sets of more than two hours. “We’re there because we want to play,” said Chris. Are there any songs you love to play, or refuse to play? That’s easy. We will never play Jimmy Buffett. I will not compromise there. And whenever we get anybody anywhere who asks us to play something by Rush, we’re like, “Okay, you’re getting what you want.” What drove the name switch from Misery Loves Company to Abstract Radio? When we moved up to Tallahassee, we just thought it was time to let that one go. Two venues we played at burned down right after we played there. Our name literally melted off the marquee at one of them. It was kind of gnarly. (Editor’s note: the band now “brings down the house” in a manner more palatable to insurance companies.) What are your pre-show rituals? We don’t really have any as a band. When we start setting up before a gig, we’re having a good time because it’s what we all love to do, but we’re all business. We’re like a NASCAR pit crew. As for me, my ritual is a shot of Jack and a Yuengling. Any instrument brand loyalties in the band? For 10 years I played exclusively on my Gibson Les Paul, and it’s in the shop right now getting some repairs. I purchased my first Fender Stratocaster in November of last year, and I’ve played nothing but the Stratocaster Left: Guitarist and since I bought it. I’m definitely deeply in vocalist Chris Campbell love with it right now. David plays on a hammers out a solo. ALEX Hammond organ; that’s his pride and joy. RICKERT/Keys Weekly And Angel is the most brandless, non-picky dude I’ve ever met. Center: Vocalist and keyCatch Abstract Radio on Fridays at boardist David Campbell works some magic on the Sparky’s Landing and many other venues keys. throughout the Middle and Upper Keys. For a full schedule, follow the band’s Facebook and Right: Drummer Angel Instagram pages at @AbstractRadioband or Romero brings versatility call 305-340-9126 for bookings. to Abstract Radio’s beats.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

COOPER 5-year-old male Shepherd mix A gentle giant Looking for: A family that will adopt me and my brother Argos Turnoffs: Being in a crate. I'm a free spirit and prefer open spaces.

SELIS 1.5-year-old female domestic shorthair The lounge lizard Looking for: A chill place to call my own. Turnoffs: I'm easy-going; not much bothers me.

TAKE ME HOME

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

ating in the Keys can be a drag, but thankfully there are plenty of animals waiting for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA. Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turn-offs to ensure the best fit. From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

SKITTLES 3-year-old male domestic shorthair The shy guy Looking for: A quiet home with other cats. Turnoffs: Touching. Please, no touchy touchy.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

41st annual Seven Mile Bridge Run aces a full-fledged return

RUNNIN’ DOWN A DREAM

or the first time in three years, a full field of 1,500 runners pounded the pavement before sunrise in Marathon’s 41st annual Seven Mile Bridge Run on April 2. An early start and overcast skies for the first 40 minutes of the race provided temporary relief for runners battling otherwise hot and humid conditions to cross the Keys’ longest overseas span. For the second year in a row, the run began on the bridge’s west end, challenging racers to run facing the rising sun and conserve energy to conquer the bridge’s 65-foot-high half-mile hill later in the race. The overall leaderboard saw both familiar and fresh faces as local athletes made a strong showing. 26-year-old Springfield, Pennsylvania resident Collin Wainwright was the first to break the tape as he captured his second consecutive overall title in 38 minutes, 6 seconds, followed by Derek Morgan of Davie, Florida (39:51) and Marathon High School student Vaclav Bursa (41:29). In the women’s division, Marathon triathlete Holly Smith, 37, crossed the line in 43 minutes, 23 seconds followed by Tavernier’s Anne DenOtter (43:29) and Fort Lauderdale’s Alice Henley (43:34). “The race always turns out to be a fantastic event,” said former race director and current registration coordinator Bobbie Bayles, noting that this year’s race overcame logistical challenges to run a full field of contestants in a new direction and move the race’s afterparty from its former location at the 33rd Street boat ramp in Marathon. “It doesn’t matter how many walls we run into. Somehow there’s always a little hole that we get through. The race was great.” — Alex Rickert

Photos by Barry Gaukel and Andy Newman

1. The 41st annual Seven Mile Bridge Run overall champions. Women’s division, from left: Alice Henley, 3rd; Anne DenOtter, 2nd; Holly Smith, 1st. Men’s division, from left: Vaclav Bursa, 3rd; Derek Morgan, 2nd; Collin Wainwright, 1st. 2. A reversed race direction challenged runners to conquer the bridge’s hill after nearly four miles, instead of the typical two.

3. Marathon Fire Rescue staff and MHS Fire Academy students staff the muchneeded misting station at the race’s fifth mile marker. 4. Matison Little (bib 925, left) and Alexandra Little (bib 926) celebrate as they conquer the bridge’s half-mile hill. 5. From water stations to start- and finish-line management, volunteers are the lifeblood of the race.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

MEET THE CHAMPIONS

Collin Wainwright breaks the tape to claim the overall title. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Holly Smith captures the women’s division title in 43:23. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

26-year-old Springfield, Pennsylvania native Collin Wainwright knew there was a target on his back after picking up his first overall win in the 2021 bridge run. With daunting heat and humidity challenging the lead pack, he knew the key to this year’s win was to stick to his game plan, regardless of others pulling ahead of him in the early stages of the race. “I’ve gone out hard before and blew up in the last two miles or so, so I knew I didn’t want to do that,” he said. Staying close to other surging members of the front pack, Wainwright took the lead over the course of the bridge’s hill and never looked back.

Holly Smith is the 2022 women’s Seven Mile Bridge Run champion. But for her, this race was just a tune-up. The 37-yearold Marathon triathlete has her sights set on an Ironman in May, and although she initially entered the race as a training run, she realized with a mile to go that she had a chance at capturing the top prize. “I was planning to run a little bit faster than my half-marathon pace, and I saw a couple girls who looked like they were going to go out pretty quick, so I thought if I could keep them in my sight line, that would be a pretty good day,” said Smith. “I was in second pretty much the whole race, and I figured that’s where I was going to stay. But I could see first place in front of me, and I was catching up to her a little bit more. I was running my own race, but once I realized I had a chance to win, I said, ‘well, time to turn it up a little bit.’”

How did this year’s win compare to last year’s? “This year was a lot more humid. It was brutal. The last run I did before coming here was in about 20-degree weather, so it was definitely a shock to the system. Last year, I felt a lot more comfortable a lot further into the race. This year, I felt like everything after the first mile was very labored.” What are your pre-race rituals? “Every year before the run, my family has a huge spaghetti dinner, and I eat as much spaghetti as I can. We do that with my aunt and uncle (from Marathon), Trich and Pete Worthington.” What’s on your race playlist? “I listen to motivational videos from Eric Thomas. The theme from ‘Requiem for a Dream,’ which is all orchestra. ‘Eye of the Tiger’ from ‘Rocky,’ because I need to rep Philly. And then Eminem.”

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What are your pre-race rituals? “I probably stand in the line for the bathroom four different times, because I’m always nervous.” Was this a piece of cake after training for an Ironman? “It was really odd for me to just run, because I’m so used to coming off a bike. When the race first started, I felt like my legs weren’t working. It took me half a mile or so to realize, ‘all right, now I’m running.’” What’s the funniest thing on your race playlist? “Without looking, I think I probably have some Disney songs on there.”

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

The Carry On Tour

JUST SOLD Jody & Lynn Represented the Buyers of: 58950 Overseas Highway, Marathon Marathon, FL 33050 Sold for $170,000 Jody Owen 305-923-1902 Cell 305-743-7636 Office Jodyowen@me.com Lynn Lucas 305-393-0559 Cell 305-743-7636 Office Lynn@keyshomehunter.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Dear Friend, How many people do you know who have heard a diagnosis of cancer? How many of them then showed the world how to fight? We know so many who have valiantly declared, “no surrender.” Sadly, our town had some wonderful people pass on this year from cancer. I myself have personally been involved with cancer, my father passed on from lung cancer in 1988 and I’m a thankful survivor of over 10 years of breast cancer. We Carry Hope for anyone who has heard the words "you have cancer". And no matter the outcome, no one “loses” a battle with cancer. We honor all the battles: survivors, those in the midst of a fight and those who have passed on. Happily, we are having so many success stories from new therapy that is happening every day. As the Castaways Against Cancer prepare for its 23nd-annual mission, we are taking that spirit of determination, that smile in the face of adversity, that willingness to embrace the challenge, and we are celebrating all cancer-fighters.

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Through a seven-day, 160-mile kayak journey from Miami to Key West, the Castaways work to help find a cure and honor those who have fought. The time paddling these miles leaves a lot of time for reflection. It is soothing for the soul and time to remember the wonderful lives of everyone whose name I paddle for. After paddling more than 3,000-miles and raising more than a $1.3 million since 2000, the Castaways are not backing down. The paddles will hit the water on Saturday, June 12th – and with your support – we look to raise $125,000 this year. The Sylvester Cancer Center will match 100% of our donation, all of which goes to funding a research grant. For more information on how you can help, please contact me at stoutsjewell@comcast.net or go to our website, www.castawaysagainstcancer.com. We carry on in the fight against cancer Please share the names of your loved ones who’ve battled cancer. We proudly list them on the “In Honor” page at www.castawaysagainstcancer.com. All the names are part of our closing, sunset ceremony in Key West. Be sure to follow the #thecarryontour at www.facebook.com/castawaysagainstcancer. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Suzy Curry stoutsjewell@comcast.net

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects. The facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories: Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions Set Forth in the Florida Statute The deadline for receipt of applications is April 27, 2022 and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecountybids.com) For more information please call the TDC Administrative Office at 305-296-1552 and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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APRIL • Property tax installment applications for the 2022 tax roll are due by April 30.

• A property that is being rented out for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.

• All unpaid property tax became delinquent as of April 1. Payments must be made in certified funds and must include 3% interest on the March amount.

• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our office. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted.

• All unpaid tangible personal property tax payments must include interest at a rate of 1.5% per month and a $10.00 collection fee. • We now have an online appointment system for concealed weapon permits, passports, and road and written exams for driver license services. Please visit our website to schedule an appointment.

• A local business tax is required for ALL property rentals, regardless of how long they are being rented. • We now accept Apple Pay in all of our office lobbies, and we also accept PayPal for online transactions. • Please visit our website for helpful information, forms, applications, and important announcements.

for more important tax information.

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

ATHLETE

TRACK & FIELD

TENNIS

OF THE WEEK

Catching up with the athletes and teams of Marathon High School

Ava Merryman Ava Merryman is a two-year member of the track and field team. After running on the cross country team, Coach James Murphy encouraged Merryman to join the track and field team as well. A switch in sports also brought an unexpected change in events. Originally trained as a runner, Merryman now participates solely in the pole vault during the track and field season. Merryman was originally interested in the pole vault after seeing a classmate fly through the air. “I wanted to feel like a bird, and so that’s what I did,” she said. “I got the closest I could to being able to fly.” Merryman anticipates a successful season, practicing five days per week to learn and teach the do’s and don’ts of pole vaulting. “I am happy to practically be an unofficial coach,” she said. “I like being able to work with and teach my friends.” Merryman is grateful she is for the help she receives twice weekly from coach Darby Sheehan, a specialist in field events. She has competed in four meets this season, taking home the win in the pole vault each time. At the most recent meet on March 30, Merryman soared to a new personal best of 8 feet, 6 inches, clearing her previous record by half a foot.

CLARE MERRYMAN is a senior at Marathon High School who dedicates the majority of her time to chasing her next article, working out with her teams, and swinging at a tennis ball. She’s known for making long to-do lists to keep her OCD in check.

Marathon Open Meet March 30 Boys • 100m dash - Mikail Marshall, 11.85s, 2nd • 800m run - Pedro Zapata, 2:10.10, 1st; Mason Buxton 2:18.95, 2nd • 1600m run - Vaclav Bursa, 4:50.46, 1st Girls • 100m dash - Kayesha Christian, 13.83s, 1st • 400m dash - Tinashay Cunningham, 1:08.26, 2nd • 800m run - Rilynn Richards, 3:00.57, 1st • 1600m run - Rilynn Richards, 6:45.30, 1st

From left, Rodolfo Castillo Perez, Sergio Morales and Kymani Dixon are record breakers in the discus throw. CLARE MERRYMAN/Keys Weekly

Record Breakers

Three Marathon Dolphins broke backto-back records in the discus throwing event at the team’s last home track meet. Rodolfo Castillo Perez started off breaking the school record by throwing 31.9 meters. Teammate Sergio Morales was quick to one-up him, throwing 33.5 meters, and finally Kymani Dixon, in the heat of the friendly rivalry, set the new school record with a throw of 35.11 meters. One might assume the record-breaking day was a result of practice and skill, but as Morales said, “It's just pure luck!”

BASEBALL Varsity MHS vs. Palmer Trinity April 5 W, 2-1 • Benjamin Hiller - 2 hits, 1 RBI • Gabriel Leal - 1 hit, 1 RBI

On March 30, the Lady Fins won their tennis match against Key West for the first time in four years. They hope to keep this winning streak alive as they play in the district tournament from April 11-15. Both the girls and the boys teams will travel up to Kendall on Sunday, April 10 for an overnight stay. The girls will wake up early Monday to compete in the district matchup, while the boys will take the courts the following day. Those who advance will stay to play on Thursday, April 14. The district tournament will conclude the tennis season for seniors Lilian Guo, Mikele Rocafort, Rylan Chapa and Clare Merryman.

The Lady Fins tennis team celebrates a victory over Key West. CONTRIBUTED

WEIGHTLIFTING Boys Following are the results and weight class placements for individual athletes in the district championship on April 2. Marathon took second place overall. • Alex Perdomo - Bench: 170, Clean & Jerk: 145, Total: 315, 1st • Sean Hale - Bench: 210, Clean & Jerk:185, Total: 395, 3rd • Thomas Eubank - Bench: 235, Clean & Jerk: 185, Total: 420, 2nd • Malachi Hawkins - Bench: 235, Clean & Jerk: 205, Total: 440, 3rd • Victor Segura - Bench: 215, Clean & Jerk:160, Total: 375, 3rd • Aaron Dolton - Bench: 205, Clean & Jerk: 175, Total: 380, 3rd • Yuni DeLeon - Bench: 225, Clean & Jerk: 210, Total: 435, 2nd • Brody Vandervoort - Bench: 225, Clean & Jerk: 170, Total: 395, 2nd • Tanner Ross - Bench: 170, Clean & Jerk: 155, Total: 325, 3rd

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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Real estate sold by a real expert SOLD

LISTED & UNDER CONTRACT IN 24 HOURS 181 10TH STREET, KEY COLONY BEACH Congratulations to my sellers on selling this immaculately maintained and highly sought after waterfront Ellison home built in 2006. WHAT ARE YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS? Let me know how I can help you achieve them!

Crystal Gutierrez, P.A.

251 2nd Street Key Colony, Florida Sale price: $579,000

Seller represented by: Leanys Carlson c. 305.304.7759 e. lcarlson@oceansir.com

Our mission has always been clear: to offer a luxury real estate experience through our words, actions, and integrity, regardless of a price point.

C2EX | AHWD | MLKAR Director Direct: 786.602.6110 Crystal@luxurykeysrealestate.com Luxurykeysrealestate.com

If you are thinking about buying or selling an exceptional residence, contact me. Local knowledge with global exposure. Nothing Compares. 10055 Overseas Highway, Marathon | 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

1515 Sombrero Blvd., 1A

6099 Overseas Hwy, #47W

Congratulations to my Buyers!

Congratulations to my Seller!

Closings are a Breeze with Katie... Call today at 305-879-2543

Stephany Duvall

Katie Carrillo REALTOR®

Direct: 305.879.2543 Office: 305.743.8328

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Direct: 407.256.9614 Office: 305.743.8328

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Closings are a Breeze with Stephany... Call Duvall at 407.256.9614

Florida Keys

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Florida Keys

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Chapman & Cardwell Capital Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022 MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE proudly presents

MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE proudly presents:

THE FLORIDA KEYS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY'S 2022 ART EXHIBITION MARCH 24TH APRIL 16TH Open to the public Tuesday's & Thursday's from 12pm to 4pm This Exhibit will run concurrently with our production of THE OUTSIDER, a main-stage political farce

MARCH 24TH - APRIL 16TH THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATRE GALLERY 5101 Overseas Highway, MM 49.5 Ocean Marathon, Florida 33050

TIX: $28/EACH

All Exhibited Artworks are available to purchase with 20% of all proceeds to be generously donated by FKWCS to Marathon Community Theatre - Come support the arts!

Available at 305-743-0994 or www.marathontheater.org

before sales tax

Take 25% off Select Merchandise Friday, April 8 - Sunday, April 10, 2022 P In-Store & Online! p

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including long, short and

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PLUS, ONLINE & IN-STORE BONUS COUPONS: TA K E

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ANY ONE REGULAR PRICED ITEM* Valid 4/7/22 – 4/12/22. SEE EXCLUSIONS Must have coupon to receive discount. Cannot be combined with any other discount. Limit (3) 25% off regular priced item coupons per customer.

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*Excludes Absolutely Fit, APNY, Avalin, Bali, Cabana Life, Charlie B, Escape by Habitat, Foxcroft, G Lifestyle, Habitat, IBKUL, Judy P, Lisette, Look Mode, Oli & Sofia, RBX, Robell, Sea Breeze, Spanx, Tango Mango, Topanga, Tribal and Vogo. Cannot be combined with any other discount. No adjustments made on previously purchased merchandise. All sales FINAL on clearance.

Key Largo (M.M. 98-1/2) • 305-852-4515 Marathon (M.M. 50) • 305-743-5855

STORE HOURS: MON – SAT 9:30-5:30 • SUN 12:00-5:30

SHOP OUR ONLINE STORE! anthonysfla.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

GREATER MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 305-743-5417 • 1-800-262-7284 info@floridakeysmarathon.com www.floridakeysmarathon.com 12222 Overseas Highway Marathon, Florida 33050

BUSINESS April 13th 5:30-7:30pm AFTER HOURS

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GREAT FOOD • GREAT DRINKS • GREAT FRIENDS • GREAT NETWORKING

Who: Turtle Hospital When: Wednesday, April 13th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm Where: 2396 Overseas Hwy What: Great networking, food & beverages; come promote your business and meet Marathon business owners, executives, and leaders!

MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Apr 19th, 12pm - 1pm When: April 19th from 12pm - 1pm Where: Marathon Grill & Ale House 5800 Overseas Hwy, #12

Speaker: Theresa Axford, Monroe County Superintendent of Schools Topic: Monroe Occupation and Vocational Experiences Program (internship program for high schoolers)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – SPACE IS LIMITED E-mail RSVP to: Erika@floridakeysmarathon.com or Call (305) 743-5417

2022 BrewBQ July 16-17 Sponsorships available • Vendor spaces available Volunteers Needed Amateur BBQ Cooking Competition Team Sign-Up’s now Open CONTACT US AT 305-743-5417 FOR MORE INFO OR GO TO WWW.KEYSBREWBQ.COM

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

Free Seminar in Spanish For First Time Homebuyers Presented by Tewes Mortgage

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

Sam Williams PA, REALTOR

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38 Closed YTD

TURN KEY READY RENTAL UNIT 648 27TH STREET • 3BD/1BA • MLS# 599839 • $667,900

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

SAM WILLIAMS' RECENT REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY LUXURIOUS COASTAL LIVING

ESTABLISHED VACATION RENTAL

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118 Coco Plum Drive, #15 3BD/2BA • 2,032 SF • MLS#598834 • $1,095,000

115 Bruce Court

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1998 Overseas Highway, A44 3BD/2BA • 2,100 SF • MLS#599296 • $649,999

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58120 Morton Street, Marathon 3 BD/2 BA • 1,530 SF • MLS# 599997 • $749,000

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UNDER CONTRACT

BUYING OR SELLING, THIS IS THE FASTEST WAY TO REACH ME

207 E Bruce Ct • MLS# 596600 149 S. Bahama Dr • MLS#599297 820 12th St , KCB • MLS# 599342 123 Bruce Ct • MLS# 598853 470 52nd St. MLS# 598190 441 Sombrero Beach Rd • MLS#599159 585 122nd St. • MLS# 597305 TBR ONLY • MLS# 599077 TBR ONLY • MLS# 597819 850 E 105Th St. • MLS#597795 176 30th St. • MLS# 598331 Lot Sombrero • MLS#596361 9700 Aviation • MLS# 598554 1114 & 1116 73rd • MLS# 598749 1093 74th St. • MLS#596972

BUILD NOW PERMITS IN PLACE WITH FEES PAID

58130 Morton Street, Marathon 3BD/2BA • 1,544 SF • MLS #598791 • $729,000

CLOSED 9700 Aviation Blvd • MLS#598554 • $662.500 1010 Peter Jay Dr • MLS# 598428 • $675,000 Lot Guava Ave • MLS# 598769 • $22,000. 109 Ave D #314 • MLS# 597859 • $295,000. 31465 Ave F • MLS# 599058 • $815,000. 11282 2nd Ave • MLS# 598942 • $799,000. 176 30th Street • MLS#598331 • $806,550 140 8th St. KCB • MLS# 598482 • $476,000 306 Cypress Street • MLS# 592992 • $3,475,000 5 Bailey St. • MLS# 597067 • $65,000 213 Bruce Ct. • MLS #597783 • $2,000,000 5056 Sunset Village Dr • MLS#598357 • $600,000 125 B 25Th St • MLS# 596423 • $285,000 20986 Iris Dr. • MLS# 598503 • $7,580,000

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

DJ TRAE DAE JAMS AT OUR OCEANFRONT POOLSIDE TIKI BAR FROM 1 TO 5 RD

AY D N U S 3 0 6 FUNDAY

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N I H P L DO ON SPEOAOLS& BEACH PARTY APRIL2 10 202

WATCH ALL THE MLB GAMES ON 16 HDTV’S

INCLUDING THE GIANT 18’ POOLSIDE HD SCREEN LARGEST IN THE FLORIDA KEYS GRILLED ON THE POOL DECK • World Famous Cheeseburgers • Cuban Burger • BBQ Baby Back Ribs • Bacon Wrapped Lobster • Grilled Ribeye Sandwiches • Grilled Bratwurst • Blackened Dolphin Sandwiches • BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Scallops • Chili Cheese Dogs

JOIN UTSER ON EASFUNDAY SUNDAYTHE BIG FOR HUNT! EGG

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CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AT 3 PM ON THE BEACH !!

DRINK SPECIALS

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5190 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

OUR DOCKS ARE OPEN! Come by Boat, Bike, Foot or Car!

OPEN FOR LUNCH, HAPPY HOUR & DINNER 11AM – 10PM THANK YOU FOR VOTING S PA R K Y ' S L A N D I N G

BEST HAPPY HOUR 12 YEARS IN A ROW! SATURDAY & SUNDAY Regular Menu Available and BRUNCH items including Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Guava French Toast, Crab Benedict and BOGO Mimosas & Glasses of Champagne Sat 11am - 4:00pm Sun 11am - 2:30pm

HAPPY HOUR 4-6pm

NIGHTLY SPECIALS Monday: Closed Tuesday: Jumbo Gumbo Bowls Tacos and Tequila LIVE MUSIC: ROGER JOKELA Wednesday: Wine Time Wednesday ($15-$20 bottles) LIVE MUSIC Thursday: Prime Rib Night LIVE MUSIC: JOHN BARTUS Friday: Abstract Radio LIVE MUSIC: ABSTRACT RADIO Saturday: Mini Brunch BOGO Mimosas & Champagne LIVE MUSIC: ROGER JOKELA Sunday: FUNDAY BRUNCH, LUNCH & BOGO Mimosas & Champagne Close @ 2:30pm

JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, Inc., is seeking private sector and/or nonprofit board members to fill three board seats. One member from either Miami-Dade or Monroe county to be appointed by the Governor and two members from Monroe county to be appointed by the local governing board. To quality members must meet the following statutory requirements, as defined is Chapter 1002.83, Florida statutes. Private sector business members, either for-profit or nonprofit, who do not have, and none of whose relatives as defined in s. 112.3143 has, a substantial financial interest in the design or delivery of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (1002.51 – 79, Florida Statutes) or the School Readiness Program (1002.81 – 995, Florida Statutes).

To complete an application please visit https://bit.ly/ELCMDM_BOD or scan the QR code.

LIVEIC MUS

For more information contact Kristine Gregory 305-646-7220 kgregory@elcmdm.org We w cook yoilul r catch and lob, sfitsh er. Please

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www.sparkyslanding.com 305-363-2959 MM 53.5 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida Waterfront Location Adjacent To Fairfield Inn

About the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe: Established by the Florida Legislature to administer and provide access to Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and School Readiness Program at the local level in all 67 counties. Board members include: a Department of Children and Families regional administrator or his or her permanent designee who is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the department; a district superintendent of schools or his or her permanent designee who is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the district; a local workforce development board executive director or his or her permanent designee; a county health department director or his or her designee; a children’s services council or juvenile welfare board chair or executive director from each county, if applicable; a Department of Children and Families child care regulation representative or an agency head of a local licensing agency as defined in s. 402.302, where applicable; a president of a Florida College System institution or his or her permanent designee; one member appointed by a board of county commissioners or the governing board of a municipality; a Head Start/Early Head Start director; a representative of private for-profit child care providers, including private for-profit family day care homes; a representative of faith-based child care providers; a representative of programs for children with disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; additional members who must be private sector business members, either for-profit or nonprofit. The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring high-quality early education for children in Miami-Dade and Monroe. Through a community-based collaborative approach, we are committed to promoting high-quality early learning, advocating on behalf of children, and preparing every child for success in both school and life. Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and the State of Florida.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

LIGHT IT UP BLUE

Golf tournament helps the Autism Society of the Keys serve deserving members of the autism community ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

n Saturday, April 30, golfers will take to the greens at the Florida Keys Country Club for the Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness Golf Tournament. With all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Autism Society of the Keys (ASK), the four-person scramble tournament will include breakfast and lunch, raffles including $1,000 in Keys restaurant gift cards, prizes and two chances to win $10,000 for a Hole in One. Playing a round with friends is always a good time. But long after the clubs are put away, money raised by the tournament will go directly to places any donor can feel good about: Keys individuals and families affected by autism and in need of support or financial aid. Jill Campbell is the founder and executive director of ASK. With a son of her own diagnosed with autism, she is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the individuals and families who apply to the nonprofit for help – and she knows just how widely varied those needs may be. “Our board votes on each application individually based on need,” said Campbell. “If it’s a 2-year-old, maybe the family needs help getting them diagnosed and there’s a deductible that’s not covered under their insurance. We just bought a bicycle for an adult who can’t drive, but can be employed and go to school and do activities otherwise. We’ve covered swimming lessons, car seats, anything.” Rather than distributing funds to parents, ASK pays medical provid-

From left, Daniel and David Hernandez are handsome 5-year-old twins diagnosed with varying degrees of autism. CONTRIBUTED

ers directly or purchases the items in need, ensuring that donations go exactly where they are intended. Just ask Yani Hernandez and her husband Alex, Marathon residents and proud parents of twin 5-year-old boys, David and Daniel, both diagnosed with autism in 2019. Though the twins received the same diagnosis, David’s case is significantly more severe, and until earlier this year he was almost entirely nonverbal. “He used to get so frustrated because he couldn’t communicate what he wanted,” said Hernandez. “He would bang his head against the floor, the wall or whoever was standing in front of him.” The Hernandez family’s lives changed after a donation from ASK provided David with an iPad outfitted with Proloquo, a communication application designed for those who cannot speak or need assistance being understood. “It’s made such a difference, I can’t even tell you,” said

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Hernandez. “We just found out with his iPad that he knows how to read. He has his evaluation tomorrow to determine his grade level, and we’re going to be able to do it with his iPad because he will be able to communicate what he knows.” Having an avenue to express his desires and basic needs, particularly in settings outside of his own home, has made David a “completely different child,” according to Yani. “He’s gone from hitting everything and throwing things to saying, ‘I want my iPad’ or ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘I feel sad,’” she said. In the months since the donated tablet gave David the ability to express his wants, he has not had a single repeat of his prior behavioral outbursts. His meteoric improvement has even carried over into the classroom. “Academically, in the last few months that he’s had his iPad, he went from a D student to an A and B student,” said Hernandez. “He’s going to be getting the honor roll when it rolls around, and I am just so proud.” And though an expensive iPad was a generous donation to the Hernandez David Hernandez, right, uses family, Yani’s his donated iPad with Proloquo gratitude to ASK to communicate as his brother extends beyond Daniel looks on. CONTRIBUTED the fancy electronics. “They were a godsend,” she said. “Because Jill has a child on the spectrum, she’s been where we are, so she understands me when I tell her about the issues we’re having. It’s unbelievable.” “I really do hope that this inspires someone to reach out to ASK, because I know how hard it is to admit that your child has a problem and that you need help. They really do provide such support.” Individuals or teams interested in filling the few remaining tournament spots later this month may contact Stan Haines at 305-434-2433. To support the tournament with a sponsorship, or for any further questions about ASK, contact Campbell at 305-942-5172 or visit www.autismsocietyofthekeys.com.

www.hear4uaudiology.com www.heardrmichelle.com

KEY WEST 513 Fleming Street, Suite 11 (2nd floor accessible via elevator)

(305) 809-6041

MARATHON 11400 Overseas Highway - Suite 209 Town Square Mall

(305) 747-7750

HOMESTEAD Towers Professional Plaza 151 NW 11th St., Ste. W-301

(305) 809-7663

TAVERNIER 93911 Overseas Hwy., Ste. 5 (2nd Floor) Tavernier, FL 33070

(305) 247-8227

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

M MA AR RA AT TH HO ON N 5 5 11 0 0 11

O OV VE ER RS SE EA AS S

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

H HW WY Y ,,

C CO OM MM MU UN N II T TY Y M MA AR RA AT TH HO ON N ,,

F FL L

NIGHTLY FRI, SAT, SUN & TUES @ 7PM MATINEES EVERY SAT & SUN @ 2PM

ORGANIC CAFE

C C II N NE EM MA A

& NATURAL MARKET

M MA AR RA AT TH HO ON NC C II N NE EM MA A .. C CO OM M

PRICES (INCLUDING 7.5% SALES TAX) ADULT $10 | MILITARY & SENIOR $9 | CHILD $8 SAT/SUN MATINEES: ADULT $8 | CHILD $7

DOORS & CONCESSIONS OPEN 1-HR BEFORE SHOWTIME

Watch TV88's Marathon Florida Show before the movie

You want it? WE HAVE IT NOW!

MON Panini lunch combo TUES Crunch Wrap WED Daily special THURS Quesadilla FRI Daily special SAT Pizza DAILY HOMEMADE SOUPS!

BREAKFAST PROTEIN BOWLS BREAKFAST & LUNCH SMOOTHIES & JUICES GRAB & GO

WHETHER YOU’RE A LOCAL OR JUST PASSING THROUGH, WE CAN HELP GUIDE YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TO OPTIMAL HEALTH! Store Mon - Sat 8:30am - 5:30pm (cafe closes at 5pm) 5800 Overseas Hwy, Ste 23 • Gulfside Village • Marathon www.foodforthoughtflkeys.com

Largest In-stock Inventory In Our History!

Coastal IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

www.RoyalFurnitureAndDesign.com

Stop by or call any of our three Florida Keys stores:

KEY LARGO

MARATHON

KEY WEST

305-451-5700

305-743-4397

305-295-6400

MM 99 Median

MM 50 Oceanside

Searstown by Publix

CHIC

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

LOCAL AND VETERAN OWNED

HIGH QUALITY CARE IN THE COMFORT & PRIVACY OF YOUR HOME

SS WRECK & GALLEY GRILL YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE TO GO FOR FRIENDLY SERVICE, GREAT FOOD & DRINKS AND A KEYS VIBE.

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Flat monthly fee with no insurance necessary 1 visit per month in your home (or office) | No copays for your visit 1 hour appointment slots | Same and next day appointments Wholesale medications and discounted lab prices Counseling on health goals

FLORIDA KEYS CONCIERGE MEDICINE 305.849.0463 Dr. Greg Keifer

www.flkeysconciergemedicine.com

NEW HOURS

TUESDAY - THURSDAY 11AM-9PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM-10PM MONDAY CLOSED

NEW HAPPY HOUR

TUESDAY - FRIDAY 3PM-5PM $7 FOOD MENU $1 OFF BEER, WINE & WELL DRINKS

Mile Marker 59, Grassy Key (next to the Dolphin Research Center), 305-517-6484 Visit our www.sswreck.com for online ordering and upcoming special events

MARATHON COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

101620 Overseas Hwy, #12S

Congratulations to my buyer!

THE PERFECT CHURCH FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T

WE ARE OPEN DESPITE THE CONSTRUCTION

Stephany Duvall

Sunday Service at 10AM gofundme Marathon United Methodist Church “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

Closings are a Breeze with Stephany... Call Duvall at 407.256.9614

REALTOR®

Direct: 407.256.9614 Office: 305.743.8328 3010 Overseas Highway

305-743-5107

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Florida Keys

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

DUTIES OF A SMALL TOWN MAYOR

Ultimate price to pay for public service

SUPPORTING CITIZENS MORE FUNDS AIMED AT NONPROFITS PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES JIM McCARTHY

jim@keysweekly.com

ome $2 million is available to nonprofit organizations serving residents in the Florida Keys. With an application process beginning, members of the county’s Human Services Advisory Board convened inside the Marathon Government Center on March 30 to discuss the funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Grants provided by the advisory board are funded by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Created in 1991, the advisory board funds community-based nonprofits that provide health and social services to citizens. The board reviews funding requests from non profit human services agencies and provides recommendations to the BOCC. The advisory board’s recommendations are based on the county’s needs, agency capability and past performance and an established set of guidelines. Since 2014, the county’s granted $17.5 million in funds to local nonprofits serving communities from Key Largo to Key West. In the current fiscal year, some 30 nonprofits were awarded $2,050,000 in funding. With a new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, grant applications are available to nonprofits. They’ll have until May 18 to submit applications. Board member Sandra Higgs, representing District 2, proposed that the advisory board break down funding allocations by percentage to nonprofits in health, core services and quality of life. Per her proposal, nonprofit agencies providing health services to citizens would get 40% of the available funds, while core services would also obtain 40%. The remaining 20% of funding would go to nonprofits provid-

ing quality of life services. In last year’s funding cycle, $525,000, or 26%, went to medical services, $1.2 million, or 62%, to core services and $255,000, or 12%, to quality of life services. “I’m trying to protect health care. That’s the main emphasis,” Higgs said. “Without health care, we have nothing.” Board member David Manz, representing District 4, said he had no disagreement with the philosophy, so long as it wasn’t a rigid guideline. Board members voted 3-0 to go with Higgs’ guideline for allocating funds to various agencies. With more funding for medical services available, it could help the likes of Florida Keys Area Health Education Center, or AHEC. The nonprofit was among several in the medical services category receiving county funds last year. Providing direct medical care and oral health services to medically vulnerable children, AHEC didn’t obtain the $650,000 it requested from the state legislature this year to run vital programs. And it completely blindsided Michael Cunningham, CEO of AHEC. It comes after Keys AHEC expanded its services to bring a mobile dental unit to Monroe County schools. AHEC said the dental van will be providing services to students this summer. Also hoping to obtain funding is Chapters Health System, which provides hospice services in the Florida Keys. Adam Stanfield, vice president of development and executive director, and Lisa Moeller, grants writer, offered brief comments to the board regarding their organization. Sheryl Schwab, executive director of the Domestic Abuse Shelter, and Diana Flenard, executive director of MARC House, also offered comments of appreciation to the board.

s mayor of a small town, there are a number of duties I have to deal with. As with everything else in life, some are more pleasant than others. The ribbon cuttings, the events, the meetings, and the complaints all come with the territory. Outside of the occasional nutjob, most of the things small town mayors deal with aren’t issues of life and death. Reading the news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially the story coming out of the village of Motyzhyn, is a sobering, chilling tale about the perils of public service. The mayor of Motyzhyn, Olga Sukhenko, was tortured and murdered execution-style by Russian invaders. So were her husband and adult son. The mayor of the neighboring village of Kopyliv reported that Sukhenko’s body showed signs of torture, that her fingers and arms were broken. Her body, as well as her husband’s and son’s, were dumped in a pit behind houses the Russian troops were using as makeshift barracks. Another local official noted that they can’t even remove the bodies, because they suspect the burial pit has been mined. Reports from Ukraine indicate that this is the Russian army’s tactic: troops target local officials in a bid to win them over, and kill them if they do not cooperate. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said there are 11 mayors and community heads in Russian captivity across Ukraine, from the mayor of Kyiv to other communities in the vicinity of the Ukrainian capital. As the Russian army has retreated from positions near Kyiv, stories of atrocities and potential war crimes are coming to light. According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Iryna Venedyktova, the bodies of more than 400 civilians have been retrieved from Bucha, the neighboring towns of Irpin and Hostomel, and smaller villages around Kyiv after the Russian pull-back. Satellite imagery has shown bodies lying in the streets for weeks, contrary to the Russian government’s claim that this is all “fake news.” “What has been done to this modern town is a characteristic of the Russian military, which treated humans worse than animals,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters. Contrarily, the Russian Defense Ministry claims in a statement that, and I am not making this up, “During the time that the town has been under the control of the Russian armed forces, not a single local resident has suffered from any violent action. Rus-

sian servicemen have delivered and distributed 452 tons of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Kiev Region.” Ironically, the Russian Defense Ministry demanded JOHN an emergency BARTUS meeting of the U.N. Security Council is the Mayor of regarding “provocathe City of Marations of Ukrainian thon. He also is radicals” in Bucha. a musician who performs around To actually claim town. For more that all the bad see johnbartus. things happening to com Ukraine is the fault of the Ukrainians and not the invaders requires a major suspension of belief in all things real — not too different from the “alternate facts” circulating about the January 6 insurrection. And if the Security Council does meet over this unbelievable demand, it will be interesting to see just how that meeting goes. These stories about what is happening to local officials in Ukraine are horrifying. I would imagine it’s not so different in Ukraine as it is here — invasion, torture and murder are not things one expects to encounter as a small-town mayor. These officials are heroes for not cooperating with the invaders, and it is my fervent hope that those who committed these atrocities will be prosecuted and brought to justice. The stories of torture and murder of civilians coming out of Ukraine have been called war crimes by both Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden. The Ukrainian army has been gutsy and effective in repelling the Russian invaders, and the people of Ukraine have been solid and undeterred in their resistance to these hostile forces. As more and more of these atrocities come to light — and I’m sure we’re only hearing the first reports — hopefully the pressure on Vladimir Putin will escalate, from both internal and external sources. I’m also hopeful that there will be a way out of this horrific invasion that won’t take long — because the rebuilding of Ukraine certainly will. And my heart goes out to my fellow mayors and other officials paying the ultimate price for public service. - Catch John Mondays at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn, Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing, and Fridays on Facebook Live. Music available wherever you get your streaming or downloads. www.johnbartus.com

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022 A cave swallow seen recently in the Lower Keys. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

SWALLOWING UNCOMFORTABLY

wallows are perpetual motion machines, the original can’t stop/won’t stop birds. Occasionally they will rest briefly on a power line or a tree branch, but mostly, from breakfast until bedtime, it’s go go go. Paired with all that aerial vrooming is the fact that they hardly ever fly in a straight line, or anything remotely resembling a straight line. They are always climbing, dropping, banking, stalling or grinding out a long, bobsled-style MARK curve. The concept of a direct route from A to B does HEDDEN not exist for them. They may be the most physically discursive animals on the planet. ... is a photograThere is, of course, a point to all this motion. pher, writer, and Swallows feed on the wing. They are changing paths semi-professional birdwatcher. He all the time to snag bugs, generally very small bugs, has lived in Key with their open mouths. It is a bit of a mobius strip West for more of causes and behaviors. They have to fly and swoop than 25 years and around nearly constantly in order to consume enough may no longer insects to have enough energy to fly and swoop be employable in the real world. He around nearly constantly in order to consume enough is also executive insects to have enough energy to… director of the It is a feeding strategy that works for them, Florida Keys Auduthough, as proven by the number of swallows in the bon Society. world. (Short answer: a lot.) But all that motion can be a bit confounding for a person trying to figure out exactly what species they are seeing or, worse, a person trying to get a decent photo of them. And the other day, standing on the edge of an outof-the-way salt pond, I was both of those things. Initially I thought I was tracking a pair of barn swallows, because 98% of the swallows you see in Florida are barn swallows. They are awesome birds. Small – about 7 inches long and about 1/36th the weight of a coconut – but also sleek and vivacious, with silky blue feathers on their topside that gleam in the sun. But they are one of the most common birds in the world, with a range of about 100 million square miles, and found not only all over North America, but also most of South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and a small slice of northern Australia. (They tend to spend the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere.) It is relatively easy to track a swallow naked-eyed, but you generally don’t get enough detail to figure out what they are. Following them with the narrow field of view that comes with binoculars, it is far more difficult to stay on them. You’ll only get small, limited bits of information at a time, quick flashes that frustrate you until you learn to get Zen about it. You get the shape of their head, then their belly color, then maybe their wing shape, then a glimpse of their tail, and eventually, after a surfeit of such flashes, you can draw a conclusion, make an I.D., put a name to the thing you see ripping around in front of you. But you have to be patient. Though the path they follow is an unpredictable tangle, it helps that the tangle will often stay contained, with the birds passing through the same bit of airspace over and over – repeatedly working the same cloud of bugs – though at a different angle, speed and attitude each time. So when you get a brief glimpse in your binocular field, then lose them when they do a hard turn near the palm tree, you might be able to find them again when they start to turn around again about 20 yards beyond that crooked stick midway down the edge of the salt pond. Following these two birds, I picked up a little orangey-red warmth in their face, but after a few dozen glimpses in my bin-

oculars, there weren’t any streamer-like extensions on their tail, and their wings weren’t in much of a slung-back deltoid shape, and when they fanned their tails, there were no rows of white dots near the trailing edge that looked like strings of pearls. Also, both birds had these ruddy, contrasting rump patches. Meaning they were not barn swallows. With the blue backs and the rusty faces and the rump patches, there are two other options for swallows in these parts, both very similar looking – cave swallows or cliff swallows. The difference between the two can be a pretty hard distinction, one I am periodically capable of, then less and less capable of as time passes. It depends on how recently I’ve had to differentiate them. It doesn’t help that they are both named after geographical features that begin with the letter C. Cave swallows tend to live only in southern Texas and northern Mexico, except for a few small colonies of them that live under bridges in Homestead. Cliff swallows are far more common, but breed in every state in the continental U.S. except for Florida. But both species are known to roam, and either could migrate through the Keys. Some cliff swallows have bright white patches on their foreheads, which is a good field mark. Though some cave swallows have sort of ecru patches on their foreheads. Cave swallows have darker rump patches than cliff swallows. And cave swallows tend to look like they have a dark cap, as opposed to cliff swallows, which tend to look more like they have a dark hood. It’s a muddy path, but with enough persistence it will eventually get you there. And after watching these swallows perform a few hundred circuits, and catching what fleeting impressions I could, I came to the conclusion that I was seeing cave swallows. To be sure, I lifted my camera with its 400mm lens and started trying to catch photos of them. With twice the magnification, and however many times the barrel length, and the autofocus hunting and seeking in a bright blue sky during those brief instances when a bird was actually in frame, it was several magnitudes more difficult. And after several hundred frames, most of which were empty of birds of any sort, I managed to come up with a solid dozen where the birds were in frame and kind of in focus and exposed correctly. Even though this whole column may seem like a long walk to rationalize why the accompanying photos are of such poor quality, I’m happy to report that I was, in fact, seeing cave swallows. At least I’m pretty sure I was.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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CAPTURING THE KEYS THROUGH WATERCOLOR Hermit Artist finds gallery, but catches fire again

This is the second in a two-part series on the Hermit Artist of Key Largo

t seemed that Harry Sonntag, the Hermit Artist of Key Largo, found his peace when he arrived on Key Largo. In 1952, Sonntag strolled into the office at the Key West Citizen and told his story to reporters. The impression he left behind was that “he has found greater happiness and satisfaction than he has ever known.” According to the newspaper story, Harry planned to “stop his wanderings.” When his Manhattan studio went up in flames, reportedly taking all his art with it, Sonntag left New York and hitchhiked down to the Florida Keys. In the late 1940s, circa 1949, he found a picturesque piece of oceanfront Key Largo property, set up camp, and built a shack from driftwood and tar paper. It overlooked a clear Atlantic cove where Harry bathed, fished, and soaked up the lights and colors of the sub-tropical mornings and sunsets. Sonntag used his watercolors to capture what he saw. At first, he displayed his growing collection on the walls of his oceanside shack, but as his collection of watercolors grew, his desire to show them outgrew the wall space of his tarpaper shack. Just up the highway a bit, in the area of MM 99, there was an abandoned fruit packing house. Back when Flagler’s train was still steaming up and down the island chain, farmers brought their produce to packing houses built

The Key Largo Art Gallery.

near the train’s right-of-way so that it could be crated, loaded into train cars and shipped to northern markets. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane put an end to train service in the Florida Keys and, apparently, the usefulness of the packing house that once stood at MM 99. By the time Sonntag arrived in the Florida Keys, the structure had fallen into disrepair. He approached the building’s owner and asked what he thought about the space being used as an art gallery. The owner either thought it was a great idea, or he could not have cared less. Either way, he agreed to let Sonntag use the old packing house free of charge.

Sonntag’s Key Largo Art Gallery opened in 1951 and was advertised with two roadside signs. The hand- painted sign that read “Open” appeared at the front door when Harry was at the gallery. The second hand-painted sign read “Key Largo Art Gallery” and was displayed atop the old wooden roof of the packing BRAD house in hopes of capturing the eyes BERTELLI of passing motorists. Hours of operation were at the is an author, discretion of the artist. While Sonntag speaker, and Florsold his work roadside, the paintings ida Keys historian. His latest book, did not come with roadside prices “The Florida Keys and were not subject to negotiations. Skunk Ape Files,” His original watercolors sold for is a fun blend of two of his favorite between $55 and $65 each. Roadside subjects — Florida patrons pitching lowball offers were Keys history and ignored. the Skunk Ape. And then, for the second time in his career, the Harry Sonntag Collection was allegedly lost in a fire. The May 26, 1955, headline of the Homestead News read: “Famous Art Gallery Destroyed by Fire Sunday.” The story reported that Sonntag left the building at about 7 p.m. Friday. The entire contents of the structure, including his paintings, were destroyed. Shortly after that, the Hermit Artist of Key Largo disappeared from the Florida Keys. Sonntag passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida, just a year before his collection was rediscovered in 1992. Frank McNall happened to be driving past a Kissimmee storage unit when he stopped to talk with a woman clearing out one of the units. He bought a couple of items from her, and before he drove away in his truck, she said, “You can take this old bag of art my husband and I found on St. Thomas if you want.” The old bag of art was saved twice that day. Later that afternoon, Frank’s friend Chuck Faulkner was visiting and suggested that Frank get the bag out of his truck in case it started to rain. A Florida afternoon deluge poured down an hour later. Thankfully, the bag filled with the lost collection of Harry Sonntag, including 170 original watercolors, photographs and newspaper articles that would have been otherwise destroyed in the shower and likely tossed into a Dumpster, was moved inside. Faulkner has worked to keep the Harry Sonntag Collection intact for three decades. He has always believed that the collection would become something lesser if it was sold off one painting at a time, and, for the last 30 years, Chuck has worked to keep the collection whole. The collection has not lived in the Florida Keys since 1955 and deserves to come home to stay. Patrons interested in this one-of-a-kind Florida Keys treasure can contact me at 305-395-9889 or whypanic@ aol.com. For more information about Harry and his art, visit www.harrysonntag.com.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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KAREN NEWFIELD

... a reader and now a writer, has hundreds of book reviews at: www. readingandeating.com. For questions and comments, email karen@newfield. org.

WISH YOU WERE HERE By Jodi Picoult Diana and Finn have a plan. She will climb the corporate ladder at Sotheby’s while he finishes his surgical residency. They will marry and have 2.5 kids, a dog and a home outside the city. As their bucket list grows, the first box is soon to be checked. Diana and Finn prepare to leave for a dream vacation in the Galapagos. Coronavirus is splattered intermittently through the news, but Finn feels confident it will not affect their plans. When his program director nixes any time off, Finn encourages Diana to go alone. Hours into her flight, New York City explodes with COVID. As she arrives on the small island of Isabela, it too goes into lockdown. Diana has few options and minimal WiFi. Forced to reach way out of her comfort zone, she befriends a local family: Beatriz, a young girl desperate for friendship; her handsome, intelligent father Gabriel; and their nurturing and loving Abuela. Weeks turn into months as Diana examines her career choices, Finn and her awkward relationship with a famous mother she barely knew. Eventually returning home, Diana enters an entirely new and terrifying world. In a heartfelt and magical story, Jodi Picoult explores the rollercoaster we experienced the last two years through the eyes of characters you will remember long after the last page.

THE NEW NORMAL IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE COVID BEGAN AND PANDEMIC-CENTRIC STORIES ARE FLOODING OUR BOOKSHELVES. HERE ARE THREE EXCELLENT READS.

LOVE IN LOCKDOWN By Chloe James One night while Sophia Trent quietly cries on her balcony, a mysterious voice calls down to her. It is her neighbor, Jack Stanton, whom she has never met. Jack offers conversation that immediately makes Sophia feel remarkably better. England has just entered a lockdown and everyone must adjust to weeks upon weeks of life in quarantine. Terrified of catching the virus, her unadulterated loneliness forces Sophia to realize that her purpose may be to help others in her community who cannot manage on their own. As Jack becomes her confidant and she assists him in getting muchneeded groceries, they form a bond unlike any she has ever experienced. Without ever having seen each other, these two become dependent on the strength and encouragement provided each and every night on the balcony. This pandemic love story reminds us that giving to others can help people feel less alone in a world that continues to challenge us every day. While everyone has their own story, being aware of our surroundings and the struggles that arise in more vulnerable populations is the first step to helping within our immediate communities. Spreading kindness and falling in love go hand in hand in this adorable, meaningful and hopeful romance.

56 DAYS By Catherine Ryan Howard Ciara and Oliver meet while waiting in line at a small grocery shop in Dublin. He admires her NASA tote bag and a quick conversation about rockets leads to a walk, coffee and an invitation for a date. Ciara cannot believe her luck. She is rather shy and new to Dublin, and Oliver is extremely attractive and charming. Days later, Ireland is threatening an official lockdown for COVID-19. It jeopardizes their newfound friendship, something they crave as pandemic restrictions escalate their isolation. Very quickly – most likely too quickly – Ciara moves into Oliver’s apartment so they can work remotely and continue to get to know each other. Oliver appears quite content in their little bubble. He is more at ease than she has seen him since their initial meeting. Their romance blossoms, but small clues present themselves daily that Ciara can no longer ignore, and she begins to snoop. Weeks later, when a neighbor complains of a horrifying smell emanating down the hall, the detectives arrive. A decomposing body is discovered in the bathroom and the apartment appears to be wiped clean. As Oliver’s identity comes to light, this perfect storm sheds new light on a crime that was buried long ago. A fast-paced thriller that twists and turns until the bitter end.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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Live Theatre An over-the-top Comedy set in 1595, the story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick & Nigel, who struggle to succeed in the theatrical t ea th eat atrrica cal al world as they compete with wit wi ith th the t e wild th w popularity of their contemporary con ont on nte em mpor mp o Willy Shakespeare! BOOK BO OOK by Karey Kirkpatrick &J John O’Farrell MUSIC MUS SIC by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Ka Karey Kirkpatrick K CONCEIVED CONC CEIVED by Karey Kirkpatrick & Wa Wayne Kirkpatrick W DIRECTED by Tom Thayer DIRECT D DESIGNED by Michael Boyer MUSICAL DIRECTION Michael Fauss CHOREOGRAPHY Carolyn Cooper CH LIGHTING LI G DESIGNER Kim Hanson COSTUMES Costume World

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MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

GIANT WAVES OF WONDER

reak out the bubis an astrologer, bles and hang wanderer, barthe blinky tender and lights, everyadvocate for body! Arguqueer justice. He is a loquacious ably the most Gemini with a exciting and cozy Cancer trippy astrorising. Find him at hearthandherald- logical event of the year is astrology.com climaxing on Tuesday, April 12. Jupiter, the big papa of abundance, and Neptune, the dreamy dissolver of boundaries, are coming together in the sign of Pisces, which is the home hot tub for both of these party planets. These two only conjoin every 13 or so years, so this is a momentous cosmic occasion. We can all expect some giant waves of spiritual wonder, but let’s not get pulled under by the deceptive undertow. Here are your horoscopes for the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CHRIS McNULTY

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Keep your wits about you, Aries, because you are on a Wonderland-esque journey deep inside your inner looking glass. Keep following the white rabbit of your conscience because the only way out is through, and the only way through is to get really honest about how you are participating in your own life. Are you paying attention to your actions or are you operating thoughtlessly? Dig deep. Admit what you’ve been avoiding. Celebrate the process. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 Who are your comrades? I mean the people who bring you joy and share your values and support your most important endeavors. You know, your chosen fam. Try to see these people

as your spirit guides in human costumes and open yourself up to the deep wisdom they have to share. Only, be sure to pick the right ones, because there are some wolves in human clothing out there. No selfish asshats in your clan! GEMINI May 21 - June 21 Your career might just be a job, but it also has the possibility of being your vocation. You are here for a public purpose, Gemini, and the planets are aligning to infuse you with the inspiration to pursue your raison d’être, or why the eff you are here in this lifetime? It’s kind of a big deal. The world is thirsty for your gifts and parched for your leadership. CANCER June 22 - July 22 Pilgrimage is the word that comes to mind for you – a journey that takes you away from your routine and brings you back to your existential or spiritual center. Jupiter and Neptune are inviting you up to the heights of divine inspiration, but you gotta move yourself to get to the peak. Be mindful about journeying too far beyond societal bounds though, because legalities can still getcha. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 We are always performing rituals with each other: mindlessly asking someone “How are you?” without really caring, participating in organized religious ceremonies, or hitting your shot glass on the bar before taking it. The rituals you choose determine the world that shows up for you, and now is an ideal time to focus on your regular rituals. Accept the inheritances of the rituals you choose and pay the debts of the rituals you release, because changing your rituals changes your allegiances.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 You are swimming in the deep waters of relationship, whether that is with a romantic partner, business partner or general life partner. You have great potential to dive into love, Virgo; just be sure not to merge too much with the other because co-dependency doesn’t do anybody good. Let your partner inspire you and keep in mind that you are on your own journey, too. LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 A crisis is not always a bad thing, Libra, although it might be hard to see that while in the midst of it. Many times, growth and change feel like catastrophe until we get to the other side and realize we were just shedding a heavy, old part of ourselves. You are going through a soft struggle, one that takes effort but is also easing you into a new groove. Think of this time as learning new dance steps, and appreciate your fumbling feet. SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 Joy and babies, joy and babies! Neptune and Jupiter are spinning their magic in your house of pleasure and children, so it is a great time to mingle if progeny is your desire. On the other hand, if an actual human baby is nowhere on the horizon, it is timely to unleash the child of your creativity on the world or to get pregnant with creative passion. Find awe in your originality. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Home is where the hallucinatory Kool-aid party is, or something like that. Your home and family are offering you real insights into the great mysteries of the universe. On that note, there is great healing harmony within the

confines of your home space, perhaps even in taking a trip down memory lane to your childhood experiences. Soak up the acceptance, but don’t fall prey to magical thinking – difficulties are part of the great mysteries, too. CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 You have an incredible opportunity to communicate your creative imagination to those around you, Capricorn. We would love to hear what you have to say. Just share it with us like we are your siblings or cousins, without the anxiety of having to be perfect. Seek the mystical in the mundane or find William Blake’s “Heaven in a Wild Flower” in the coming weeks and report back. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Buyer beware! Don’t dive into any major purchases that may seem too good to be true right now, Aquarius, but be sure to keep yourself open to some new revenue streams. You may very well be open to deceptive salesmen if you are looking for the next best thing. Turn away from the lemons, but keep your senses keen for financial lemonade. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Your body is a temple, and your temple is getting an exorbitant restoration. Are you feeling rejuvenated, maybe even a little manic? Harness this energy to remember who you are and to be the healthiest version of yourself possible, in mind, soul, and body. Level up, but for everyone else’s benefit, stay humble. Your health is about more than a delusional ego.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

BRIEFLY Marathon Little League holds opening ceremonies The Marathon Youth Club and City of Marathon Parks and Rec Department are holding an opening ceremony to celebrate the beginning of baseball and softball games. All players and families are to be at the Marathon Community Park on Monday, April 11 at 5 p.m. TSS Photography will be on hand to take team pictures immediately following the ceremony. The concession stand will be selling pizza from Driftwood Pizza, Pasta and Subs as well as snacks and drinks to raise money for the Marathon Youth Club and youth sports. Attendees will be part of an aerial photograph taken courtesy of Barry Gaukel of Shady Palm Art Gallery. For more information about local youth sports happenings, visit the “Marathon Youth Sports” Facebook page. Girl Scouts seek help to mark centennial Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida (GSTF) is counting down to the 100th anniversary of the organization in 2023 with an open invitation to the community. To mark this milestone, GSTF is reaching out across all MiamiDade and the Florida Keys, seeking to reconnect with alumni and supporters, record personal stories and gather artifacts for an exhibit. “Girl Scouts have impacted this community for nearly a century, and we want to showcase all our amazing Girl Scouts and alumni as part of our celebrations and storytelling,” said Chelsea Wilkerson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida. If you were in Girl Scouts, were a Girl Scout mom or served as a troop leader, the organization wants to hear from you. Share your connection at: www.girlscoutsfl. org/share. Submissions are accepted until June 15. Marathon library continues busy events schedule Thursday, April 7: Babytime Storytime for up to age 2,10:30 a.m.; Lego Club, 4 p.m.; Sewing Basics for Beginners ages 10 and up, 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, April 8: Photography (Adults), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Dioramas with Peeps! ages 10 and up, 4 p.m.; Tween Time fun, 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9: Easy Yoga (Adults), 10 a.m.; Saturday Stories: Weekend Storytime, 10:30 a.m.; Family Movie Matinee: You Pick! 3 p.m. Monday, April 11: 3D Printing Open Lab, 10 a.m.; Basics of Your Astrology Birth Chart, 10:30 a.m. (registration deadline Friday, April 8); VR & Robots Open Lab, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 12: Get Creative with Art, Guest Artist Julie Joyce (Teens/ Adults), 9:30 a.m.; Story time for ages 3-5,10:30 a.m.; Science Club, 4 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons, adults, 5 p.m.; Meditation Teaching and Practice, Adults, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13: Cosmic Kids Movement & Yoga Adventures, 10:30 a.m.; Dungeons & Dragons for Teens, 3 p.m.; Dungeons & Dragons Adults, 5 p.m.; Easy Yoga Flow (Adults), 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14: Babytime Storytime for up to age 2,10:30 a.m.; Kids Build: Lego Club, 4 p.m.; Procraftinators: Crafting with Cricut Open Lab (adults), 2-4 p.m.; Sewing Machine Basics Ages 10 and up, 4-5:30 p.m. FKEC to conduct distribution pole inspection Over the next four months, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative is conducting an inspection of all distribution poles in the Middle Keys from MM 60 to the Seven Mile Bridge. During the project, people may see contract crews from Clearsight, a company specializing in utility pole inspection, treatment and reinforcement, visually inspecting structures throughout neighborhoods. All inspectors will be in marked vehicles and carry proper FKEC credentials. The contract crews are surveying all poles, calculating the structures' life spans, and performing any necessary treatment. Any pole replacements deemed necessary will follow. The inspection is part of FKEC's commitment to ensuring 99.99% reliable power service through preventative maintenance. FKEC members with questions can call member service at 305-852-2431. Keys FCU offers free financial education Keys Federal Credit Union is offering three free award-winning financial education programs that let you earn real-life rewards. Banzai, KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education), and Zogo are available to members and nonmembers and have financial tools for all ages and education levels. “As locals ourselves, we work tirelessly to respond to our community’s needs,” said Maggie Sayer, Keys FCU president & CEO. “Once we noticed the need for financial education both within our schools and the community, we began offering Banzai and KOFE on our website and Zogo, a mobile app for smartphones.” To access Keys FCU’s free financial education programs, visit www.KeysFCU.org or go to your app store to download Zogo with code KFCU.

Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach, left, City of Marathon employee Hammer Runyon and Turtle Hospital founder Richie Moretti carry Leonardo to his home.

BACK WHERE HE BELONGS

On March 30, juvenile green sea turtle Leonardo made a triumphant return to the ocean, cheered on by hundreds of spectators at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Rescued in July 2021 during an in-water research study in the Lower Keys, Leonardo was treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon for fibropapillomatosis. His treatment included tumor removal surgeries, chemotherapy eye drops, broad spectrum antibiotics, fluid treatment, vitamins and a healthy diet of mixed greens and seafood. Good luck, little one.

Leonardo makes his long-awaited return to the sea. Photos by LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed.

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

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 two openings 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 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 email address shown below: laura@fla-keys.com Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, May 6, 2022 at 5pm. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

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 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: Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is Friday, May 6, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application. Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

request an application from the Administrative Office by calling (305) 296-1552 and submit an application to the email address shown below: laura@fla-keys.com Deadline for receipt of application at the above email address is Friday, May 6, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm the email was received. Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, FL. The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting. All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, 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". Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

of the official seal; and (4) right of enforcement of the official seal. Interested parties may attend the hearing and be heard with respect to the requested amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Commission with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding 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 Public Hearing on Thursday, April 14, 2022, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: City Commission, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 and your comments will be entered into the record. ** In accordance with Section 166.041, Florida Statutes, and Section 101-173(1) of the City’s Code of Ordinances, this advertisement of code amendment should be noticed in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Key Colony Beach, no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the hearing. Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

amendments to Chapter 6, Article II (“Dangerous Structures”) of the City’s Code of Ordinances by providing a certification and recertification process for existing and future multistory structures, in light of the recent deadly collapse of the Champlain Tower in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It has become readily apparent that there is a significant danger posed by failing to more frequently review and inspect older structures with the City’s limits. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning and Zoning Board with respect to any matter considered at the Code Amendment Hearing, that person will need a record of the proceeding 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 Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to: Planning and Zoning Board of the City of Key Colony Beach, P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 and your comments will be entered into the record. ** In accordance with Section 166.041, Florida Statutes, and Section 101-173(1) of the City’s Code of Ordinances, this advertisement of code amendment should be noticed in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Key Colony Beach, no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the hearing. Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

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, April 20, 2022, but wish to comment, please direct correspondence to P.O. Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051, or cityclerk@ keycolonybeach.net and your comments will be entered into the record. CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH Publish: April 7, 2022 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 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

FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (District III Representative) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Has an opening for a District III Fishing Advisory Committee Representative (From the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge to the Long Key Bridge) Must reside full time in the Florida Keys and have a fishing related business or represent and have knowledge of fishing tournaments that utilize/request funding from the specific bed tax district they are representing. Any person wishing to participate on the Fishing Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meeting via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@ keysarts.com Nominating Committee Meeting April 7, 2022 2:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 896 4229 2560 Passcode: 366173 Executive Committee Meeting April 7, 2022 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 819 0491 2532 Passcode: 138690 Art in Public Places Committee Meeting April 19, 2022 4:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 830 9153 0479 Passcode: 207709 Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

Barry Anthony Mills, M.D. is no longer practicing with Baptist Health Medical Group Gastroenterology at the following locations effective March 31, 2022: 91550 Overseas Highway, Suite 205, Tavernier, FL 33070 and 5701 Overseas Highway, Suite 17, Marathon, FL 33050 . Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may call 305-852-9400, to request a records release. Publish: March 31, April 7, 14 & 21, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING “FIRST READ OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-472” NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the CITY COMMISSION of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., Key Colony Beach City Hall commission room, to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances. The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the City Commission is [ORDINANCE NO. 2022–472], entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 – ADMINISTRATION BY DESIGNATING AND ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL SEAL UNDER ARTICLE VIII PURSUANT TO SECTION 165.043, FLORIDA STATUTES, PROVIDING FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFICIAL SEAL, PROVIDING FOR CUSTODIAN OF THE OFFFICIAL SEAL; PROVIDING FOR PERMITTED USES OF THE OFFICIAL SEAL; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE OFFICIAL SEAL, REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. The City Commission requests amendments to Chapter 2 of the City’s Code of Ordinances and seeks to further designate and adopt an official seal under Article VIII pursuant to Section 165.043, Florida Statutes, providing for the following: (1) a description of the official seal, (2) custodian of the official seal; (3) permitted uses and users

CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD of the City of Key Colony Beach, Florida, will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., Key Colony Beach City Hall commission room, to hear amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances. The proposed Ordinance to be heard by the Planning and Zoning Board is [ORDINANCE NO. 2022 – 473], entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE II (“DANGEROUS STRUCTURES”) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KEY COLONY BEACH BY AMENDING SECTION 6-97, WHICH SHALL PROVIDE FOR A CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE MULTISTORY STRUCTURES; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF FOUND TO BE CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” Interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed Ordinance are available for inspection at the City Hall of Key Colony Beach. The City Commission requests

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 April 20, at 9:30 A.M., Key Colony Beach City Hall commission room, to hear a Variance Request from Thomas E. Carden, Owner of 200 15th Circle. This meeting will be available virtually via Zoom Meetings. Members of the public who wish to attend virtually may email cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net or call 305-289-1212, Ext. 2 for further instructions on attending via Zoom Meetings. Applicant requests a Variance to Land Development Regulations Chapter 101, Section 101 – 10 (8) height variance of 6’-8’. Current maximum height is 30’0”. The Applicant further requests a Variance to Land Development Regulations Chapter 101, Section 10 (5) rear setback by 8’6”. Current rear yard minimum is 25’. Interested parties may attend the Hearing and be heard with respect to the requested variance. If any person decides to appeal

Dr. Nikole Czapp is relocating and will no longer be practicing at Islamorada Medical Center effective April 22nd, 2022. The current providers at Islamorada Medical Center will still be available for patient care. Patient medical records will remain available at Islamorada Medical Center should patients need a copy of their records. 90130 Old Hwy, Suite 1, Tavernier, FL 33070, 305-852-9300 Publish: March 24 & 31, April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC NOTICE Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain or Wetland To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals This is to give notice that under 24 CFR Part 58 Monroe County has determined that the following proposed action under Community Development Block Grant Program- Disaster Recovery - MIT, Rebuild Florida: Infrastructure Repair Program (Round 2) - HUD grant IR026; is located in the 100-year/500-year floodplain, and Monroe County will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 and/ or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. This project will repair damage from Hurricane Irma which made landfall on September 10, 2017 and is located on Father Tony Way from the intersections of Avenues C thru J, and a portion of Avenue G, in the Sands subdivision on Big Pine Key, Monroe County, Florida. The project comprises roadway and drainage improvements and includes the installation of a gravity collection system, underground wet wells, pump station and treatment device and raising the road elevation based on 2040 Sea Level Rise Projections. This project is designed to protect a major access road to a low-lying, low-income subdivision that is subject to frequent and persistent flooding due to storms, tides, and sea level rise. It will maintain access to 190 homes in a low-income residential neighborhood of which 115 homes sustained substantial damage due to Hurricane Irma. The stormwater management (SWM) system is serving 1.94 acres of roadway development on Father Tony Way, Sands Subdivision, Big Pine Key, Monroe County. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplains, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by Monroe County at the following address on or before April 29, 2022: Monroe County, Attn: Roman Gastesi, Jr. County Administrator, Certifying Officer for Monroe County c/o Debra London, Engineering Services Project Manager 102050 Overseas Hwy, Suite 229 Key Largo, FL 33037 Comments may also be submitted via email: Londondebra@monroecounty-fl.gov Or 305-453-8754 during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Plans can be found on Monroe County website link as follows: www.monroecounty-fl. gov/1280/Sands-SubdivisionSea-Level-Rise-Pilot-P Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

deben recibir la oportunidad de expresar sus preocupaciones y proveer información sobre estas áreas. Segundo, un programa adecuado de avisos públicos puede ser una herramienta importante de educación pública. La diseminación de información y solicitud de comentarios públicos sobre valles inundables / humedales puede facilitar y mejorar los esfuerzos federales para reducir los riesgos e impactos asociados con la ocupación y alteración de estas áreas especiales. Tercero, como materia de justicia, cuando el gobierno federal determina participar en acciones ubicadas en valles inundables / humedales, debe informárselo a quienes puedan ser expuestos a un riesgo mayor o similar al presente. Comentarios por escrito deben ser recibidos por el condado de Monroe en la siguiente dirección en o antes de el día 29 de abril de 2022. Monroe County, Attn: Roman Gastesi, Jr. County Administrator, Certifying Officer for Monroe County c/o Debra London, Engineering Services Project Manager 102050 Overseas Hwy, Suite 229 Key Largo, FL 33037 Comentarios por escrito pueden enviarse también por correo electrónico a [London-debra@ monroecouty-fl.gov]. O por teléfono: 305-453-8754 durante el horario de 8:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. Una descripción completa del proyecto está disponible al público para revisión en: www.monroecounty-fl. gov/1280/Sands-SubdivisionSea-Level-Rise-Pilot-P Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

AVISO Y REVISIÓN PÚBLICA TEMPRANOS DE UNA ACTIVIDAD PROPUESTA EN UN [VALLE INUNDABLE DE 100 AÑOS / 500 AÑOS O HUMEDAL] A: Todas las agencias interesadas incluyendo federales, estatales y locales, grupos e individuos Se notifica que HUD cumpliendo con la 24 CFR Parte 58 el Condado de Monroe determinó que la siguiente acción propuesta bajo Desarrollo Comunitario de Recuperación de Desastres (MIT) pertenecientes a Rebuild Florida, un programa de reparación de infraestructura bajo el número de subsidies, IR026 de contrato; ubica en un valle inundable de 100 años / 500 años / humedal, y que el Condado de Monroe identificará y evaluará alternativas prácticas a la ubicación de la acción en el valle inundable / humedal y los posibles impactos de la acción propuesta en el valle inundable / humedal], según establecen la(s) Órden(es) Ejecutiva(s) 11988 o 11990, de acuerdo con los reglamentos de HUD en 24 CFR 55.20 Subparte C - Procedimientos para hacer determinaciones sobre el manejo del valle inundable y la protección de humedales. Este proyecto reparará los daños causados por el huracán Irma que tocó tierra el día 10 de septiembre de 2017, el cual está ubicado en Father Tony Way, desde las intersecciones de las avenidas “C” hasta la “J”, y una parte de la Avenida G, en la subdivisión “Sands” en Big Pine Key, condado de Monroe, Florida. El proyecto esta compuesto por mejoras de drenaje e incluye: la instalación de un sistema de recolección por gravedad, pozos húmedos subterráneos, una estación de bombeo y un dispositivo de tratamiento y elevación de la carretera basándose en las proyecciones de aumento del nivel del mar para 2040. Este proyecto está diseñado para proteger una importante vía de acceso a una subdivisión de bajos ingresos que está sujeta a inundaciones frecuentes y persistentes debido a tormentas, mareas y el aumento del nivel del mar. La misma mantendrá el acceso a 190 viviendas en un vecindario residencial de bajos recursos, incluidas 115 viviendas, de las cuales sufrieron daños considerables debido al huracán Irma. El sistema de gestión de aguas pluviales (SWM) se encuentra actualmente sirviendo a 1.94 acres de desarrollo vial en Father Tony Way, subdivisión “Sands”, en Big Pine Key, ubicado en el Condado de Monroe. Este aviso tiene tres propósitos principales. Primero, las personas que puedan verse afectadas por actividades en valles inundables / humedales y aquellos que tengan interés en la protección del ambiente natural

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 5:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: FY 2023 DESTINATION AND TURNKEY EVENT APPLICATIONS MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 5:00P.M., on June 7, 2022. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: FY 2023 Destination and Turnkey Event Applications 06/07/2022 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov.The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 9:00 A.M., on June 8, 2022. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom.

LEGAL NOTICES us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,, 4509326156 (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156 (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING CONTINUING SERVICES CONTRACT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on May 10, 2022. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: Professional Engineering Continuing Services Contract 05/10/2022 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on May 10, 2022. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156 One tap mobile: +16465189805,, 4509326156 (New York) +16699006833,, 4509326156 (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) Publish: April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE FILE NO.: 22-CP-000048-P IN RE: ESTATE OF WHITFIELD RICHARD VAN COTT, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of WHITFIELD RICHARD VAN COTT, deceased, whose date of death was October 13, 2020, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, 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

LEGAL NOTICES other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: March 31, 2022. Personal Representative: Patricia Ann Van Cott 809 S. Jade Drive Key Largo, FL 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: Anthony A. Velardi, Esq. Florida Bar No. 113917 AV Law PLLC 99530 Overseas Hwy., Suite 2 Key Largo, FL 33037 Tel: (305) 453-5277 Fax: (305) 453-4985 E-Mail: anthony@keylargolaw. com Publish: March 31 & April 7, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-CP-000033-K IN RE: ESTATE OF SANDRA KAY COMSTOCK, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of SANDRA KAY COMSTOCK, deceased, whose date of death was November 2, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, FL, Probate Division; File Number 2022-CP000033-K; the address of which is Freeman Justice Center - Monroe County Courthouse, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and his/ her 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 WITHIN 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: April 7, 2022. Personal Representative: ALBERT GLENN QUICK c/o ZAMORA, HILLMAN & VILLAVICENCIO 3006 Aviation Avenue, PH 4C Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 Attorney for Personal Representative: ENRIQUE D. ZAMORA, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 106810 ZAMORA, HILLMAN & VILLAVICENCIO 3006 Aviation Avenue, PH 4C Coconut Grove, Florida 33133

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES Tel.: (305) 285-0285 Fax: (305) 285-3285 edzamora@zhvlaw.com Publish: April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-29-M IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL DAVID MACEACHRAN, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MICHAEL DAVID MACEACHRAN, deceased, whose date of death was February 2, 2022, Case: 22-CP-29-M is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: April 7, 2022. Personal Representative: JOANNE N. MACEACHRAN c/o Samuel J. Kaufman Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304 Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com Telephone: (305) 292-3926 Fax: (305) 295-7947 Publish: April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-000057-P IN RE: ESTATE OF MARK DINO MIROLLI, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MARK DINO MIROLLI, deceased, whose date of death was December 29, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal 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

LEGAL NOTICES

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: April 7, 2022. Personal Representative: GINA ROBBINS 7245 S.W. 87th Avenue, Suite 400 Miami, FL 33173 Attorney for Personal Representative: DANIELA G. SANCHEZ, ESQ. Florida Bar No.: 0087281 THE SANCHEZ LAW GROUP 7245 S.W. 87th Avenue, Suite 400 Miami, FL 33173 Publish: April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

such person to exempt property is deemed waived. An election to take an elective share must be filed by or on behalf of the surviving spouse entitled to an elective share under Sections 732.201 732.2155 WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the earlier of the date that is 6 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on the surviving spouse, or an attorney in fact or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse, or the date that is 2 years after the date of the decedent's death. The time for filing an election to take an elective share may be extended as provided in the Florida Probate Rules. Personal Representative: Robert M. Mullaney 110 10th Street Lake Park, FL 33403 Michael J. O’Connor, Esq. Attorney for Robert M. Mullaney Florida Bar Number: 87442 LUBELL & ROSEN, LLC One Alhambra Plaza, Suite 1410 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Telephone: (305) 655-3425 Fax: (305) 442-9047 E-Mail: mjo@lubellrosen.com Secondary E-Mail: maria@ lubellrosen.com Publish: April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-000001-P IN RE: ESTATE OF COLLEEN A. MULLANEY, Deceased. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION The administration of the estate of COLLEEN A. MULLANEY, deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, Plantation Key Courthouse, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The estate is testate. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Florida Statutes Section 90.5021 applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative. Any interested person on whom a copy of the notice of administration is served is required to file any objection that challenges venue or the jurisdiction of the court with the court in the manner provided in the Florida Probate Rules WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the date that is 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on that person, or those objections are forever barred. The 3-month time period may only be extended for estoppel based upon a misstatement by the personal representative regarding the time period within which an objection must be filed. The time period may not be extended for any other reason, including affirmative representation, failure to disclose information, or misconduct by the personal representative or any other person. Unless sooner barred by Section 733.212(3), all objections to venue or the jurisdiction of the court must be filed no later than the earlier of the entry of an order of final discharge of the personal representative or 1 year after service of the notice of administration. A petition for determination of exempt property is required to be filed by or on behalf of any person entitled to exempt property under Section 732.402, WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW, which is on or before the later of the date that is 4 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on such person or the date that is 40 days after the date of termination of any proceeding involving the construction, admission to probate, or validity of a will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property, or the right of

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CP-000001-P IN RE: ESTATE OF COLLEEN A. MULLANEY, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of COLLEEN A. MULLANEY, deceased, whose date of death was July 21, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, Plantation Key Courthouse, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, 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: April 7, 2022. Personal Representative: Robert M. Mullaney 110 10th Street Lake Park, FL 33403 Michael J. O’Connor, Esq. Attorney for Robert M. Mullaney Florida Bar Number: 87442 LUBELL & ROSEN, LLC One Alhambra Plaza, Suite 1410 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Telephone: (305) 655-3425 Fax: (305) 442-9047 E-Mail: mjo@lubellrosen.com Secondary E-Mail: maria@ lubellrosen.com Publish: April 7 & 14, 2022 The Weekly Newspapers

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • AUTOS WANTED ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE 1999 Mercedes Benz 500 SL Convertible White w/grey leather interior. 31,000 miles. Located in Marathon. REDUCED to $18,995 781-422-1131 Place your Auto For Sale ad here for only $25.00/ week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today and sell your car! BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Two Boat slips - 35' max, available oceanside in Marathon. Self contained incl. one parking space. $20.00 per foot/month plus water. F/L/S Pet negotiable - charge applies. 305-610-8002

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

BUSINESS

COMMERCIAL

OPPORTUNITY

FOR SALE

Upper Keys business opportunity Boat Rentals Highly profitable w/financials, 20+ years, fully equipped, instant oceanbay access, full service marina. $495K Call 305-896-2256

Marathon 1.6 acres US1 frontage, boat storage, repair shop, 3 acres bay bottom, 150' dock, 740' shoreline, ocean cove marina, 10 min. to Fl. Bay, ready for redevelopment. Survey avail. 3 0 5 - 9 2 8 - 9 0 5 7

B U S I N E S S OPPORTUNITY: This is a business opportunity, not a job. Opportunity of a lifetime... Looking for outgoing, creative, selfmotivated, individual, with computer background. Knowledge coding necessary. Sales background helpful, but not necessary. Imagination and creativeness mandatory. Potential unlimited. Definite equity opportunity. Send comprehensive resume. Superior use of the English language mandatory, Principals only. Reply: a s i ce o @ o u t l o o k . co m

COMMERCIAL FOR SALE

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT

Commercial Building with US 1 frontage for rent or sale in Marathon. 2550 sq ft of office & warehouse space w/ overhead door. Parking in front and secured parking & storage area with secured fencing in back. Call 305-743-4400 Beautiful Office Space available for rent now on US1 in Tavernier @ MM92. Call 305-3940530 PLACE YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! EMPLOYMENT

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Pigeon Key is seeking dedicated professionals seeking to make a positive impact in their community. Those individuals who wish to work on a uniquely beautiful island , while promoting our cultural history and preserving the natural Keys environment are encouraged to apply. Competitive wages based on ability and experience. Applicants will be subject to criminal background check and drug screening. Positions include: Trolley Operator (CDL licensing course provided for qualified applicant) Tour Guides, Sales Associates, Customer Relations Reps, Maintenance, Rental Associates and more. Application online at pigeonkey.net - under the Staff icon. Or apply in person at the Pigeon Key Gift Shop, 2010 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL. Questions and completed applications can be emailed to pigeonkey@aol.com

305.743.0844

EMPLOYMENT

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - Concrete Field Testing Technician needed. Full-time. Year round. We train you to go to various job sites and collect samples. Vehicle provided. Must speak English, live in Middle Keys area and have clean driving record. Starting pay $18/ hour. Pay rate will rise at intervals. 305-393-0643

Marathon Auto Air looking for technician. Pay based on experience and how often you show up to work! Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon. 305- 289- 98 8 4

NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older, Full-time Baker & Part-time Baker's Assistant. Stop by for an application at 8919 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email: info@ sweetsavannahs.com

located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040. EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, Key Colony Beach, Sea Isle Condominium, 2025 hrs. per week, $20 per hr., $500 signing bonus available, apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, or call 734-476-0531. Boat rental company in Marathon needs mechanic. Boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006 CENTENNIAL BANK IS HIRING! TELLER II MARATHON/KEY WEST. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: Conduct transactions with speed, accuracy and efficiency while meeting or exceeding service quality standards. Safeguard bank assets assigned to them. Contribute to the growth of the bank by promoting and cross selling bank products and services. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Equivalent to four years high school or GED, with particular emphasis during high school in office skills, shop skills, or others, plus 12 to 18 months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. To apply, please visit our careers page: www.my100bank. c o m / c a r e e r s

Help Wanted - Big Time Discount Bait and Tackle in Marathoncompetitive wages and working 30-40 hrs a week. Contact George 305-289-0199 Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time server. $12/hr + Guaranteed Tip Pool, Employee Meals, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Varying Hours Tuesday – Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview. Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time general maintenance person. $18/hr, up to 10 Hours a Week, Flexible Schedule. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview. City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Recreation Specialist/ General Maintenance Tech, Engineering Intern, and Marina Customer Service Rep. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club, is seeking a part time line cook. Perfect second job. 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 to atpor call 305 3930631 ask for April.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West is hiring an Administrative Assistant for Poinciana Gardens. This full-time position is responsible for facilitating the efficient operation of the assigned department by performing a variety of clerical and administrative tasks. The position requires good communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills. The right candidate should also be proficient in Microsoft Office. Salary Commensurate with Experience. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: WrightK@ kwha.org or 305-2965621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. The Housing Authority of the City of Key West is hiring a Med Tech for Poinciana Gardens. This full time position provides essential services to the residents of Poinciana Gardens assisted living facility. Successful candidates should be sensitive and respectful, with a passion for helping those in need. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: Wright@ kwha.org or (305) 296-5621, extension 225.Applications are also available at our Administrative Office

Vernis & Bowling of the Florida Keys, P.A., an AV rated firm located at 81990 Overseas Hwy, 3rd Floor, Islamorada, FL, is seeking Legal Assistants/Paralegals to join our team. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: drafting correspondence and pleadings (i.e. motions, subpoenas, notices), e-filing, scheduling, and calendar management. Trial preparation experience is a plus. Very competitive salary, full benefits, and part-time work from home potential. All interested candidates please send your resume via e-mail to Dirk M. Smits, Esq. at dsmits@florida-law.com and pfalcon@florida-law.com.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West is hiring for the position of Cook at Poinciana Gardens Senior Living Facility. To apply, please visit www.kwha.org or contact Human Resources at : Wrightk@ kwha.org or (305) 296-5621, extension 225. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040. EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. 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 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call April (305) 393-0631. 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 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 Come Join Our Family and Have Fun At Work! Hiring: Host, Hostess & Servers - Full &/or parttime. AM & PM Shifts. Apply in person at Castaway Restaurant, end of 15th Street, Oceanside, Marathon or email: lobstercrawl@ g m a i l . c o m PLACE YOUR HELP WANTED AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY!

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • HOBBIES/COLLECT.

YARD SALES

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: 502 24th Street, Oceanside, #26, Marathon | Fri., April 8 & Sat., April 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days | SWEET, SWEET LITTLE SALE inside Terra Marine park! Entire contents of tiny Keys home for sale including so much tropical decor. White faux leather arm chairs, set of hand-painted Pulaski bedroom furniture, occasional tables and chairs, small cabinets, twin and queen size bed and bedding, rugs, indoor and outdoor plants and pots, and vintage spun fiberglass outdoor furniture. Lovers of cardinal birds and Christmas fanatics shouldn’t miss this sale! Follow signs for parking

HOMES FOR SALE

Duplex For Sale By Owner. 10822 2nd Avenue, Gulf, Marathon. 2BR/1BA each side. Trade RV or BOAT or CASH. Call 305-481-1316 HOUSING FOR RENT

3BR/2BA Furnished Waterview Apartment available long term lease in Marathon. No Pets. $3,200/mo. F/L/S Call 786-218-5799 Marathon - 2 BR House available - Unfurnished, new kitchen, tile & carpet floors, huge closets. Laundry avail. Long term lease. No pets. $2,400/month incl. electric. Tenant must pay for sewer & water. F/L/S 305-610-8002

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY!

PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD here for only $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 TODAY! LOT FOR SALE

Lot For Sale By Owner on Duck Key - Trade RV or BOAT or CASH. Call 305-481-1316 PERSONALS

Affectionate & loving homeowner looking to co-habitate with someone who is clean, personable, with an excellent credit & FICA score. No drugs, no smoking, no pets. 305-747-1700

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

305.743.0844 SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES

NOW HIRING Charter Captain / Mate

Busy fishing charter business in Marathon looking for experienced fishing Captain/Mate. Busy boats and location. Offshore, Inshore, Reef/Wreck. Send text or call 305-481-3259

Join Our Team Positions Available In: Branch • Accounting • Credit Maintenance • Administrative Support Salaries Starting at $18/hr

Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

Fun, Fast-Paced Environment

Tuition Reimbursement

Quarterly Cash Proﬁt Sharing

Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Time

Great Hours

401K Employer Match

Apply Online! KeysBank.com/Careers

NOW HIRING: Hosts Waitstaff Bartenders Bar Backs Bussers Line Cooks Dishwashers

Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon EOE-M/F/V/D

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR “C”

LOCATION: BIG COPPITT KEY AND DUCK KEY The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s WASTEWATER DIVISION IS GROWING, and we need (2) WWTP OPERATORS WITH A FLORIDA “C” LICENSE OR HIGHER. You will perform skilled/technical work involving the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant. This requires technical knowledge and independent judgment to make treatment process adjustments and perform maintenance on plant equipment, machinery, and related control apparatus in accordance with established standards and procedures. Benefit package is extremely competitive! Location: Big Coppitt Key and Duck Key. Salary Range: $52,645.98 - $84,011.20. Apply online at www.fkaa.com

EEO, VPE, ADA

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

Sweet Savannah’s is now hiring for multiple positions:

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

Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older Fulltime Baker Part-time Baker’s Assistant

Send resume to resumes@rainbowreef.com

Email info@sweetsavannahs.com Or apply in person at 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

NOW OPEN! Tuesday-Sunday 11am - 9pm Closed on Monday

IMPLANT & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Dr. Travis Bennett D.M.D. Dr. Sandy Brito D.M.D. KEY LARGO 102965 Overseas Hwy. 305-451-2616

coasttocoastpizzaco 61 53rd Street, Ocean • Marathon • 305.414.8626

TAVERNIER 90290 Overseas Hwy. 305-852-5099

WWW.BENNETTSMILES.COM

ALL YOU CAN EAT MAHI MAHI FISH FRY EVERY FRIDAY 5PM - 9PM

COME CELEBRATE SUNSET WITH LIVE CANNON SALUTE AND COMPLIMENTARY SHOTS!

THIS WEEK’S ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, APRIL 7 DEAD RECKONING 7PM FRIDAY, APRIL 8 DAN SULLIVAN 3PM THOSE GUYS 8PM SATURDAY, APRIL 9 JOHNNY LIVE 3PM STORM FRONT 8PM SUNDAY, APRIL 10 DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 6PM MONDAY, APRIL 11 JOHNNY LIVE 3PM MIKE HAMMOND 7PM TUESDAY, APRIL 12 TACO TUESDAY NOON TIL 10PM TACO & MARGARITA SPECIALS COUNTRY NIGHT JIBSEA COWBOYS 7PM

Now serving breakfast $8.00 Tues - Sun • 8:30am - 11am

TACO TUESDAYS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 6 NIGHTS A WEEK 1688 O/S HWY. • MM 48, GULF (BEHIND BLUEGREEN) • 305.289.6706

WEDNESDAY, APR 13 LUKE SOMMERS 6:30PM

ONLY WATERFRONT DIVE BAR IN THE MIDDLE KEYS • COLD BEER, COCKTAILS & INCREDIBLE SPECIALTY DRINKS • DELICIOUS FOOD - TRY OUR FAMOUS CHICKEN POT PIE OR AUTHENTIC STREET TACOS!

OPEN SUN THRU THURSDAY, 11 AM - 11 PM | FRI-SAT 11 AM - MIDNIGHT 35 SOMBRERO BOULEVARD OVERLOOKING BOOT KEY HARBOR

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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

NOW HIRING The Turtle Hospital in Marathon Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $15.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

DUI Evaluator Part-time – Marathon

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for a part time position. DUI evaluator - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree with experience in substance abuse field required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Office located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at (305) 704-0117.

EXECUTIVE AIDE

CASHIERS

TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR

$18/HOUR PLUS GRATUITY SHARE

JOB SUMMARY: Providing support for the City Administrator by performing clerical tasks such as but limited to; project oversight, management analysis. Candidate requires initiative, independent judgement and discretion. Must be able to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

$18/HOUR PLUS GRATUITY SHARE

RESPONSIBILITIES • Working with the City Administrator in developing approaches and solutions to City needs. • Conduct complex and sensitive administrative, operational and management analysis. • Monitor pending projects. Supports the Administrator and Clerk with the commission, employee and citizen group meetings. • Understands and complies with Federal, State and Local Law governing City business. Must be versed in the Florida Sunshine Law, Open Records Law and Right to Know Laws. • Serve as project lead for special projects. • Manage multiple grants and projects. Provide effective research. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS • Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license or within 30 days if moving from out of state. • Must be able to pass a drug screening, criminal background check and FDMV record review. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration or related government field. SKILLS: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, QuickBooks and social media. Please see full job description at keycolonybeach.net Send all resume’s to: cityadministrator@keycolonybeach.net, or City of Key Colony Beach City Hall, Attn: City Administrator, 600 West Ocean Drive, PO Box 510141, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051. DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 14th, 2022 – 4:00 pm Equal Opportunity Employer

BAKERS

PREP COOKS

$19/HOUR PLUS GRATUITY SHARE Apply in person at 218 Duval Street, Key West

www.thekolachekitchen.com

Sweet Savannah’s is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older Fulltime Baker Part-time Baker’s Assistant Email info@sweetsavannahs.com Or apply in person at 8919 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL

OCEANFRONT PRIVATE SWIM CLUB IN KEY COLONY BEACH IS SEEKING A KITCHEN MANAGER/COOK FOR OUR BUSY SNACK BAR. The Cabana Club is open 10 am - 7 pm daily. Must have experience. Responsibilities include but not limited to: ordering, cooking, menu design, good organizational skills and maintain a clean kitchen. Our small efficient kitchen mainly serves lunch items. Pay commensurate with experience plus benefits. Beautiful environment, small friendly staff, open year round. TheCabanaClubKeyColonyBeach.com Apply in person, email resume atpCabanaClub@aol.com or call 305-393-0631 and ask for April.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEEDED! Monroe County School District

Salary $18.00 - $25.80/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

JOB TITLE: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REPORTS TO CITY CLERK The City of Key Colony Beach is accepting applications for Administrative Assistant. Position includes but is not limited to, front desk, answering multi-line phones, processing mail, administrative support to all Staff, ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Commission, staff, and public, providing exceptional customer service. Minimum High School graduate with two years of work experience in customer service and administrative support. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Applicants must possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal. $41k-$46k Competitive salary based on Experience. Full benefits provided. Contact City Hall for an application at 305-289-1212, opt. 2. Applications are also available at www.keycolonybeach.net; see “City Government” then “Forms”. Submit applications in person, via email, or by mail to: cityadministrator@colonybeach.net or City of Key Colony Beach City Hall Attn: City Administrator 600 West Ocean Drive PO Box 510141 Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Equal Opportunity Employer Open until filled

OPEN POSITIONS AT BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA TAVERNIER MARINER’S HOSPITAL - Physician Practice RN - Pool Group Exercise Instructor - Scheduling Coordinator - Security Office MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - ED Team Coordinator - Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus - First Cook, $5,000 Bonus - Floor Technician, $5,000 Bonus - Mechanic 3, $5,000 Bonus - Medical Assistant, $3,000 Bonus - Physician Practice Patient Rep, $1,000 Bonus - Phlebotomist, $10,000 Bonus - Pool Physical Therapist

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

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

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

Dolphin Research Center is Hiring! Visual Communications Seasonal Utility Position (Full-Time)

Marketing Director (Full-Time) Volunteer Resources Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent) Media & Marketing Staff Member (Full-Time, Permanent)

Education Program Host (Full-Time, Permanent)

IT Technical Specialist (Part Time, Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Guest Services Staff

TEXT “MYTOMTHUMB” TO

242424

(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

Apply online at mytomthumb.com/employment

THEME: ROMANTIC COMEDIES The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

PART TIME / FULL TIME OPPORTUNITIES W/FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FRONT OFFICE DIRECTOR FRONT OFFICE GUEST SERVICES AGENT & BELL/VALET RESERVATIONS AGENT HOUSEKEEPING ALL POSITIONS SIGN ON BONUS OFFERED! CULINARY KITCHEN MANAGER, COOKS DISHWASHERS F&B SERVER, BARTENDER BUSSERS/FOOD RUNNERS LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST NAIL TECH SCAN TO VIEW JOB OPENINGS. APPLY TODAY! APPLY ONLINE AT www.noblehousehotels.com/careers APPLY IN PERSON AT Zero Duval St. Ocean Key Resort and Spa is EOE.

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING! KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor, FT (Children) Case Manager, FT (Children)

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist, FT (Children, Adult) Driver PT/per diem Prevention Specialist Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Peer Support Specialist Crisis Counselor Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children ) Motivational Support Specialist Substance Abuse Counselor *Advocate

MARATHON

Peer Support Specialist/BHT (FT) Care Coordinator Housekeeper Behavioral Health Therapist (Children, Adult) RNs and LPNs (3 shifts) (PT/FT & per diem) Advocate (PT) Driver PT/per diem *Assisted Living Support Worker (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 (search by zip code) EEOC/DFWP

ACROSS 1. “We all fall down” preceder 6. Zedong of China 9. W of gridiron’s WR 13. Short for betwixt 14. Second-largest bird, by height 15. *”The Taming of the ____” 16. Godfather’s family 17. Make a choice 18. Bridal veil fabric 19. *Like Rock Hudson’s and Doris Day’s talk 21. *Katherine Heigl wore 27 of these 23. Dumbo’s big one 24. Gift for the naughty 25. *”I Was a Male ____ Bride” starring Cary Grant 28. Inauguration ball, e.g. 30. Eyelid drooping 35. Half of binary code 37. Ruptured 39. PayPal money 40. Part of colliery 41. Avoid, as in taxes 43. “The Sun ____ Rises” 44. “Colorful” announcement 46. Fifty-fifty 47. Bit of slander 48. Rookie 50. Tolstoy’s Karenina 52. Hitherto 53. Hammer part 55. Canada’s neighbor 57. *Sleepless in which city? 61. *Drew Barrymore has never been what? 64. Don’t mention it 65. Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 movie 67. Erasable programmable read only memory 69. Seize a throne 70. Gold medalist Nathan Chen’s turf 71. Smooth transition 72. Post-deductions 73. “But I heard him exclaim, ____ he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas...” 74. Sound like Wilbur

DOWN 1. 20s dispenser 2. Type of meet 3. Sound reproduction quality 4. Expatriate 5. German POW camp, slangily 6. Garfield’s cry 7. Unit of electric current 8. One up 9. “____ Afraid of Virginia Wolf?” 10. Novelist Murdoch 11. Expunge 12. Bo Peep’s females 15. Gracefully slender 20. Perform on a dais 22. Eminem’s genre 24. Wagon train, e.g. 25. *Julia Roberts played a pretty one 26. Old and feeble 27. Extend subscription 29. *It’s crazy and stupid? 31. South American tubers 32. *Who did Harry meet? 33. Question in dispute 34. Like small distance 36. Belgrade native 38. *She starred in “I Dream of Jeannie” 42. Boredom 45. A-one 49. Slippery reef dweller 51. Appraise 54. Like a haunted mansion 56. Colorado skiing destination 57. Render speechless 58. Facilitate 59. Adjoin 60. Suit material 61. Leg joint 62. “Cogito ____ sum” 63. Brooding 66. Acronym, abbr. 68. NYC art museum’s nickname, with the

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743-0844 Licensed & Insured Contractor # CACO53827

ARTIC TEMP, INC.

Leslie Christensen

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

OWNER

phone 305-743-6881 AmericanCoastalRentals.com Leslie@AmericanCoastalRentals.com 9141 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

Residential, Commercial & Marine Ice Machine - Sales - Service Phone: (305) 743-5288

Fax: (305) 743-6887

Liz Samess Interiors

Alexia Mann, GRI

Broker/Owner 305-209-5166 Alexia@SeafarerRealty.com www.SeafarerRealty.com

SOLAR DONE RIGHT!

Design, Decorating, Drafting, & More…

CALL US FOR A FREE HOME ESTIMATE

Liz Samess Interior Designer

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. A division of SALT Service, serving The Keys since 1989

(954) 801-7883 Email: interiordesignbyliz@gmail.com CELL:

305-289-1150

Marathon, FL 33050

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

Florida Solar Contractor CVC 56734 Florida Electrical Contractor EC13008657

Barbara Sanchez

Tewes ewes Mortgage

Home & Offices Expertly Cleaned Fast Dependable Service

Your local, residential lending expert!

Call 305.495.6000

“We Clean Your Place, Like it Was Our Place”

for a FREE Consultation

Brian Tewes

Excellent References Upon Request

Customer service is my strength Brian@tewesmortgage.com

NMLS# 375025 Tewes Mortgage NMLS# 1453791 NMLSConsumerAccess.org

305-766-0819 305-924-0179

www.TewesMortgage.com

Sportfishing Adventures

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

Serving Monroe, Dade & Broward Including Airports & Ports. SUV, Van & Limousine options available Call us for special events.

Serving Key Largo to Key West

305-743-7454

fkes2011@gmail.com floridakeysexpressshuttle.com

info@johnnymaddoxcharters.com

305-481-3259

Nails by Ivis

Manicures • Pedicures Acrylics • Gelish • Facials • Waxing

5177 Overseas Highway

(Between Office Depot & Main Post Office)

Marathon, FL 33050 305-289-1631

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

www.marathonhairandnailsalon.com

Will Campbell President

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

REAL Wood Cabinets at Particle Board Prices P.E. Lic. No: 79269 5800 Overseas Hwy. Unit 32 Marathon, FL. 33050

Only $57 Puts Your Business Card Here

KitchenKorner/Fred's Beds 1333 O/S Hwy, MM 53.5 • 305-743-7277

SALES | INSTALLATION | SERVICE Lic & Ins SP3696

SPECIALIZING IN REMODELS & NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR OVER 20 YEARS

Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm • 6681 Overseas Hwy, Marathon keystilestone@gmail.com • www.keystilestone.com • 305.743.7053

The Weekly Newspapers www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

LET’S DO BUSINESS - 305.743.0844 MARATHON • KEY COLONY OWNERS

START EARNING 305 3902315

WWW.KEYSRENTALSONLINE.COM OFFER YOUR ENJOY EXPERT MAXIMIZE GUESTS A VIP PROPERTY YOUR INCOME EXPERIENCE MAINTENANCE POTENTIAL

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

Only $57 Puts Your Business Card Here

Karen Raspe

Realtor 305-393-9010 karenraspe@bellsouth.net

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 www.karenraspe.com

Licensed & Insured #SP33799

ALL KEYS GLASS

We Also Repair & Replace Patio Door Screens

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Windows • Doors

305-998-8953 Insured • Professional • Reliable

305-743-7800

Authorized Dealer

Tracy Chacksfield Realtor

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

CGC1523838 312-350-4601 tracy@thebeautifulkeys.com

9141 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 www.karenraspe.com

Lic No. SP1481

CGC1523838

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

_social media management _search engine optimization _custom website design

Lic#SP-3562

Rachellynnes94@gmail.com 305.393.3076

SALES

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

SPALLING EXPERTS

Proud member of:

INTERNATIONAL

CONCRETE REPAIR INSTITUTE

overseasmediagroup.com 305.906.0272

Floor & Wall Tiles Porcelain/Planks Marble Carpets Quartz & Granite Countertops

Rachel Sanderson

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

We Do Installations! Licensed & Insured

FREE ESTIMATES U.S.1 & 109th St, Marathon (Across from Beall’s Outlet)

289-3019

2728 North Roosevelt Blvd. Overseas Market Key West

Michael Kiraly

Mortgage Lender Supervisor NMLS# 675432 MKiraly@My100Bank.com Direct: (305) 942-1756 Office: (305) 676-3019 11400 Overseas Hwy, Suite 214 & 215 Marathon, FL 33050 MY100BANK.COM | Centennial Bank

The Weekly Newspapers www.KeysWeekly.com

305-743-0844

MARATHON WEEKLY / APRIL 7, 2022

OPEN SATURDAY 12-2

OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12-2

504 Corte De Luna, Marathon

4 Bedroom 4.5 Bath | $3,990,450 100’ Dock | Boat Lift | Gated Large Pool | Tanning Ledge 2 Car Garage

OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12-2

150 10th St, St Key Colony, Colony FL 33051

686 8 2 25th h St, S Marathon, h FL 33050 330 0

320 10th St, Key Colony, FL 33051

YOUR REALTORS FOR LIFE! KAREN RASPE, P.A. 305.393.9010 karenraspe@bellsouth.net www.KarenRaspe.com

TRACY CHACKSFIELD 312.350.4601 tracy@thebeautifulkeys.com www.KeysRealEstate.com

© 2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.