Ley West Weekly 22-0929

A new ultra-luxury residential construction to be started from the ground up for the distinguished buyer, featuring refined interiors, the utmost privacy, and unparalleled indoor-outdoor living spaces designed by Styer Group/ Oliver Construction Incorporated. This dream home will feature a total living space of approximately 4,045 sq. feet with five bedrooms (including a master Suite with a gigantic walk-in closet), six and one-half bath rooms, and two office/extra rooms. Complete with hurricane-proof glass (full CMU block home). Professional interior design finishes are planned or may be built to suit so you can select finishes and final design touches in order to make this new home exactly as you desire! This residence will provide the buyer with an incredible opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind, exclusive villa. Project plans, permits, plus designs are completed and ready to break ground for your dream home in Key West!

KEY WEST | $5,290,000 | Listing ID: 602477

Bob Cardenas, Managing Broker

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Key West, FL 33040

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THE KEY WEST WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

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NUMBER OF THE WEEK

According to the Associated Press, a NASA spacecraft slammed into an asteroid on Sept. 26 as practice for the day a killer rock tracks toward Earth. The impact on the asteroid occurred 7 million miles away from Earth. The spacecraft named DART (for Double Asteroid Redirection Test) rammed the space rock at 14,000 mph.

By Jim McCarthy, Alex Rickert and Mandy Miles

ON THE COVER

Waves wash over Key West’s Southernmost Point buoy as Ian churns to the west of the island. LARRY BLACKBURN/ Keys Weekly

IAN FLOODS KEY WEST, DOWNS TREES & CUTS POWER

officials during a coordinating call on Sept. 28 that crews were dealing with everything from a major structure fire on Flagler Avenue to impassable roads blocked by flood waters and fallen trees.

“Our assessments have been bad,” Barroso said. “We’re experienc ing and visualizing Wilma-like damage. We definitely have a lot of trees down throughout Key West, downed power lines and low-hanging power lines. Our manhole covers and our sewers have blown off, so standing water is a concern for contaminated water.”

Barroso asked county emergency management officials to keep the shelter open at Key West High School, where about 100 people rode out the storm, according to Deputy Superin tendent Amber Acevedo. Some were homeless residents who had to leave the Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter when it closed, and others were live aboard boaters.

City officials requested assistance from the Red Cross to address basic needs as more people come to the shelter. Key West officials were also seeking assistance from Florida De partment of Transportation to remove sand and debris from South Roos evelt Boulevard and neighboring fire rescues for equipment and person nel. Monroe County Fire Chief Steve Hudson told county officials that calls were increasing in the Lower Keys and Key West.

See keysweekly.com for further updates.

2-day storm brought wind, then surge

Astrengthening

Hurricane Ian skirted past the Florida Keys beginning Sept. 27, deliver ing storm surge and tropical storm — and even some hurricaneforce gusts — to Key West. In the Lower Keys and portions of the Middle Keys, residents woke up to inundated streets and debris.

More than 6,400 Keys Energy cus tomers were without power as of the morning of Sept. 28. Continuing high winds and additional flooding were ex pected during the afternoon high tide

on Sept. 28, hampering some power restoration efforts.

In the Middle Keys, waters pushed in by south winds found many with oceanside residences dealing with up to three feet of water under their homes on Tuesday night. Flooding was even more severe in Key West, with the worst storm surge on the gulf side of the Lower and Middle Keys expected around this paper’s print deadline on Wednesday afternoon.

Greg Barroso, Key West emer gency management chief, told county

“We’re experiencing and visualizing Wilma-like damage. We definitely have a lot of trees down throughout Key West, downed power lines and low-hanging power lines. Our manhole covers and our sewers have blown off, so standing water is a concern for contaminated water.”

— Greg Barroso, Key West emergency management chief

Docks took a pounding from Ian’s strong tropical storm-force winds with occasional gusts nearing hurricane strength. CONTRIBUTED

Water begins to cover the ground at the AIDS Memorial at Knight Pier on Sept. 27. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

HELP WANTED: KEY WEST CITY MANAGER WHAT TO MAKE OF MALLORY SQUARE?

PATTI MCLAUCHLIN RETIRES NEXT JULY

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

KeyWest is poised to post a “Help Wanted” ad for its top job.

City Manager Patti McLauchlin retires in July 2023. The elected commissioners want her replacement in place by April 2023 for the summer budget process.

Applicants for city man ager must first impress con sultant Dona Higginbotham, who was hired to lead the national search. Then, a commit tee of Key West ers appointed to evaluate Higginbotham’s top eight to 10 recommen dations will choose three or so to bring in for interviews.

The seven-member search committee — its members ap pointed by the elected commission ers and mayor — met Sept. 21 with Higginbotham and City Attorney Shawn Smith, who outlined Flori da’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws that restrict private commu nication between public officials about official matters.

Higginbotham detailed the search and evaluation process, say ing she’s working with city manage ment now to define the job de scription and requirements. She’ll advertise the job opening by Nov. 1 for 30 days.

“I’ll be getting all the resumes,” Higginbotham told the committee. “You don’t need to be looking at 40 to 50 resumes, which we’ll likely get. This is Key West; it’s a place people want to be. So I’ll first vet those 40 to 50 resumes, then I’ll recommend eight to 10 candidates and I’ll forward you all of their infor mation.”

She added that the committee members will also receive a list of everyone who applies, not just her

eight to 10 recommendations. Each applicant will be asked to submit a 30- , 60- and 90-day plan for Key West and address the top challenges facing the island city.

Higginbotham said she’ll conduct phone and video interviews with the candidates, perform internet research and complete background checks.

When the committee reviews her recommendations and other appli cants, its members will discuss and decide which three candidates to bring to town for interviews that will include a community reception, meetings with department heads and a formal question-and-answer session with the committee at city hall.

“You’ll have my list of top candi dates by mid-December,” the consul tant said.

Committee member Arlo Haskell, who was appointed by Mayor Teri Johnston, said at the meeting, “Since the position was created in 1945, the city has made 25 city manager ap pointments. The average manager has lasted only three years, and only one has served more than five years consecutively. … We have to get this right. In two years, the city commis sion will lose the veteran leadership it has had for a generation. … We need a manager who can withstand the day-to-day public scrutiny and private pressures that are just part of this de manding job. Someone who can steer the ship of city government through the uncertain passage ahead and who can do the work, day in and day out, of building a better Key West.”

In addition to Haskell, the search committee includes the following ap pointees:

• Kurt Lewin, who grew up in Key West and whose father, Kermit, served as mayor in the 1960s. Kurt Lewin is a senior vice president at First State Bank of the Florida Keys.

• Peggy Ward Grant, a retired health department employee and community activist for Bahama Village neighborhood improvement efforts.

• Donie Lee, retired Key West po lice chief and longtime Key West police officer.

• Chris Valdez, a retired, 30-year Monroe County educator and longtime vice principal at Key West High School.

• Sam Holland, a graduate of Key West High School, chairman of the Key West Planning Board and owner of Conch House guest house.

• Ken Sullivan, a leader of the Coral City Elks Lodge in Bahama Village and a Bahama Village activist.

ONLINE SURVEY SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT FOR NEW MASTER PLAN

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

gather residents’ and visitors’ input, design multiple improvement op tions and then refine them.

When’s

the last time you were at Mallory Square — for something other than the Sunset Celebration when company was in town?

Key West’s world famous Sunset Celebration packs Mallory Square with tourists every evening — but only for two hours. Vendors sell handmade jewelry, art, sculp tures, food and psychic readings. Jugglers, tightrope walkers, acro bats and others work to impress the crowds, then pass the hat before the sun slips beneath the horizon and tie dyes the island sky.

But the city’s pedestrian plaza that overlooks Key West Harbor at the foot of Duval is used for little else. The afternoon sun is relent less and largely inescapable at Mallory Square. Nearby restaurants and souvenir shops cater to cruise ship visitors and sunset celebrants.

That’s about it for the public plaza in a priceless location, but perhaps not for long.

City officials selected the architectural design firm of Sasaki to come up with a plan to improve and revitalize Mallory Square.

The Boston-based Sasaki as sembled an eight-month process to

“With the knowledge and com munity feedback gathered in phase 1, the planning team will develop multiple concepts for the future of Mallory Square that illustrate major trade-offs and decisions to be made,” states the company’s Mallory Square Visioning Hub at mallorysquare.engage.sasaki.com/.

“Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square should be a major com ponent of a larger revitalization project,” the Sasaki website states. “During the first round of engage ment, the public overwhelm ingly said that better connectivity is needed between the historic square and the rest of the island. Visitors have difficulty finding the square, given inadequate signage and lack of clean paths to other major destinations such as Zero Duval and Truman Waterfront Park.”

Multiple design concepts are expected to be released for public input in December 2022. Sasaki then will create a master plan in early 2023.

The process will include mul tiple public surveys and opportuni ties for input. The current survey is available at mallorysquare.engage. sasaki.com/.

Consultant Dona Higginbotham of the Mercer Group Inc. explains the city manager search process on Sept. 21. CONTRIB UTED

Mallory Square is typically vacant during the day. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

WATER QUALITY, ENFORCEMENT TOP SANCTUARY CONCERNS

OFFICIALS HEAR INPUT FROM LOWER KEYS, KEY WEST

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Waterquality issues, especially those caused by agricultural and fertilizer runoff from the mainland into Keys water, are a top concern among fishermen and other users of the Florida Keys Marine Sanc tuary.

“Please help us out with water quality; we’re being blamed for stuff that’s not our fault,” Capt. Spencer Slate, a longtime Keys dive operator, said at a Sept. 22 public input session about the sanctuary’s new manage ment plan known as the Restoration Blueprint.

Capt. Daniel Smith agreed, add ing that the sanctuary is trying to take more resources from local fishermen.

“Discharges from the mainland through the Loop Current wipe out everything down here,” he said. “This is our problem, but you are not the solution. You don’t have the author ity to be the solution, so you blame cruise ships and other things.”

The local marine sanctuary and the fishermen, divers and others who work inside it have had a contentious but necessary relationship since the sanctuary was established in 1990.

Sanctuary officials intend to preserve fisheries, habitats and other marine resources, some of which ac count for the fishermen’s livelihood.

Those officials last week hosted a series of sessions in all three regions of the Florida Keys to collect public comments about the new plan.

The Key West meeting brought 80 or so people to the Key West High School auditorium and included about 18 public speakers who shared opin ions and concerns about the new plan.

“Tonight’s the night for me to stop talking and start listening. The past two nights (in the Upper Keys and Marathon) have been respectful and productive,” sanctuary superin tendent Sarah Fangman told the Key West crowd.

In addition to water quality concerns, speakers said the sanctu ary and Florida Fish & WIldlife of ficers struggle to enforce the current sanctuary and fishery laws. They expressed little faith that the addi

tional rules being proposed can be enforced.

“The Sanctuary Preservation Areas out there are missing buoys to mark their boundaries. They can’t enforce the rules out there now,” said Capt. Brice Barr, a charter fisherman and president of the Lower Keys Guides Association. Barr also men tioned a proposal in the new plan that would prohibit entry to an area on the south side of Boca Grande, a popular offshore island.

“If you do something on the south side of Boca Grande, please consider making it an idle-only zone rather than a no-entry zone. That’s a popular bait spot for fishermen,” he said.

Commercial fisherman Daniel Padron told the sanctuary officials, “There’s already a lack of law enforce ment out there. The sanctuary only has two active officers on the water and one behind a desk. It’s not fair to task FWC with all your idle-only zones and no-anchoring zones.

Lee Starling, a longtime commer cial fisherman, rhetorically asked the sanctuary officials, “Do you have any results from the spots you closed (to fishing) years ago? You were sup posed to rotate the closed spots, but you never rotated, not one spot. Promises have been broken. I don’t trust these bureaucrats. They’ll close places, mess up our lives and then move on with their damn retirement and go back to the hell they came from.”

Starling urged the crowd to contact the governor’s office and urge him to veto the proposed Restoration Blueprint.

A few other attendees spoke in favor of the sanctuary.

Chris Bergh of the Nature Con servancy highlighted historic and successful conservation efforts such as those with conch, goliath grouper and sea turtles.

Arlo Haskell, treasurer of the Key West Committee for Safer Cleaner Ships, thanked the sanctuary for in cluding no-discharge rules for cruise ships in the new plan, but asked them to go further to reduce cruise shipgenerated turbidity.

“We need the sanctuary to be engaged with the well-documented problem of turbidity,” Haskell said.

PARASAIL CAPTAIN ARRESTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN FATAL CRASH

On Sept. 22, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva tion Commission (FWC) arrested Daniel Gavin Couch, 49, of Marathon on a warrant for one charge of manslaughter and five counts of violation of commercial parasailing statutes. These charges are in relation to the May 30 parasailing crash which resulted in the death of Supraja Alaparthi, 33, and injuries sustained by her son Sriakshith Alaparthi,10, and friend Vishant Sadda, 9, all of Schaumburg, Illinois.

The FWC said its investiga tion into the incident showed that Couch departed from a Marathon marina on May 30 with one crew member and 12 occupants and had not recently checked weather conditions or followed estab lished parasailing regulations. The three victims were the second group of passengers put into a parasail flight.

Strong winds from impend ing weather prevented the boat’s winch from bringing the victims back to the boat and Couch cut the line attached to the parachute of the three passengers. Ms. Alaparthi

and the two children dropped from an unknown height and were pulled through the water by the inflated parasail until they ultimately collided with a concrete pillar at Old Seven Mile Bridge.

Following the impact, the parasail stayed draped over the bridge. Couch did not maneuver his vessel under the bridge to offer aid, FWC said. Good Samaritans John Callion, Eldon Bell and Linda Bell witnessed the crash and provided aid to the victims.

Supraja Alaparthi was pro nounced dead at the scene.

Vishant Sadda and Sriakshith Alaparthi were transported to area hospitals with injuries.

“There is no excuse for the negligence and disregard for public safety that was shown in this case,” said South Bravo Regional Commander Major Alberto Maza. “My prayers go out to the families of those involved in this ter rible accident. Our investiga tors conducted a thorough investigation, and the charges today hold those responsible for this tragedy accountable.”

Contributed

A photo provided to the Haggard Law Firm by the family of Supraja Alaparthi shows the weather conditions moments after her parasail flight began with her son and nephew. HAGGARD LAW FIRM/Contributed

Romans 16:16 NKJV

ENGLISH SERVICE

Sunday Bible Study 10am (on site)

Service 11am (on site) & Service 6pm (on site)

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm (on site)

Minister Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

KREYOL SEVIS

Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm (on site)

Adorasyon 8:30pm (on site)

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm (on site)

Minis Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

SERVICIO ESPAÑOL

Servicio de adoración dominical a las 5pm (en el sitio)

Estudio bíblico del jueves a las 7pm (en el sitio)

Ministro Pedro Ruiz Celda 347.430.2263

1700 VON PHISTER ST, KEY WEST

NOTICE OF KEY LARGO FIRE RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DISTRICT MILLAGE ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022

On November 8, 2022, the Key Largo Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services District will issue a referendum to the voters seeking approval to increase the maximum millage rate in order to cover future costs of providing high-quality fire-rescue and emergency medical services to the residents of Key Largo.

The District Board of Commissioners wishes to make clear to Key Largo voters that the Board does not intend to levy annual millage at the maximum rate permitted under the proposed increase and remains committed to its longstanding policy of providing high quality firefighting, rescue, and emer gency medical services in the most cost-effective manner. The District has adopted a five-year operating plan that contemplates a millage rate less than the proposed maximum of 2.00 mills, however also understands the impor tance of long term planning. The following is the official ballot:

INCREASED MAXIMUM MILLAGE RATE FOR KEY LARGO FIRE RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES:

The Key Largo Fire & EMS District may not levy ad valorem taxes exceeding 1.00 mill without voter approval. The District seeks to increase its maximum millage rate to cover future costs of providing high-quality fire-rescue and emergency medical services to the residents of Key Largo.

Shall the maximum millage rate of the District be revised to 2.00 mills, to fund the continued provision of fire rescue and emergency medical services to Key Largo residents?

YES NO Publish: September 29, October 13 & 27, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

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CASE DISMISSED FOR KIM HIGHSMITH AND STEPSON

STATE ATTORNEY WON’T FILE CHARGES IN FAMILY DISPUTE THAT LED TO ARRESTS

Nocharges will be filed against Key West city commission candi date Kim Highsmith or her stepson, Thomas, both of whom were arrested Sept. 20 on misdemeanor battery charges following a family argu ment.

The State Attorney’s Office filed a notice of “No Action” on behalf of both parties on Sept. 23.

“The state of Florida declines to file charges in this case and therefore enters this ‘No Action’ for one or more of the following reasons: Justice is not served with further pros ecution,” state the two identi cal orders signed by Assistant State Attorney Paul Vargo.

Thomas Highsmith, 18, admitted to police that he had thrown water on his step mother, Kim Highsmith, during an argument between her and his father, Bobby Highsmith, according to the police report.

Kim Highsmith told police she had defended herself from her stepson, who had scratches on his neck, police noted.

“We agree entirely with the statement in the state’s dismissal; justice is not served by prosecuting these cases fur ther,” Kim Highsmith told the Keys Weekly. “We are grateful to State Attorney Dennis Ward and his staff for allowing our family to resolve these issues as a family, as it should be. We’d also like to thank all those who have stood by us in these difficult times. The outpour ing of love and support we’ve received has been overwhelm ing.”

Attorney Michael Halpern, who represented Thomas High smith, told the Keys Weekly, “I

believe the state attorney made the right decision by allowing a family matter to be handled by the family.”

Kim Highsmith was rep resented by attorney Richard Fowler.

Kim Highsmith empha sized that her campaign for the District 4 city commission seat “absolutely continues.”

She received the most votes — 46% — among four candidates in the August primary. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the votes in August, Highsmith faces Lissette Cuervo Carey in a November runoff. Carey got 30% of the votes in August.

“Domestic disputes hap pen and law enforcement was called,” Kim Highsmith said in a press release issued on Sept. 22. “We did not intend for this to escalate any further and while we disagree with the police’s decision to arrest both of us, we understand their position. … I intend to see this campaign to the end, because I love this city so much and can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

In a radio interview fol lowing the Highsmiths’ arrests, Carey said she wished the family well during a difficult situation.

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE

$519 MILLION BUDGET

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

MonroeCounty commis sioners unanimously adopted a $519 million spending plan for the up coming fiscal year during a final budget hearing at the Murray Nelson Govern ment Center in Key Largo on Sept. 21. With costs for labor, insurance, utilities, fuel and other materials rising, over all spending in the 2023 budget is up roughly $62 million compared to the adopted 2022 budget.

Commissioners also said “yes” to a slight decrease in the aggregate mill age rate from the previous year.

Forty percent of budget expendi tures, or $208 million, fall within de partments under the board of county commissioners for the 2023 fiscal year. The Tourist Development Council and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office each account for 15% of budget expendi tures, followed by capital projects, including debt service, at 13%. The budget also includes the tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elec tions and clerk of the court.

An aggregate millage rate of 3.2326 for the coming 2023 fiscal year is a 4.2% decrease from the previous fiscal year when the millage rate was set at 3.3748. According to county of ficials, it’s the lowest millage rate in the state of Florida.

“While Monroe County makes an effort to adjust their millage to what we actually need that year, a majority of counties either keep their millage rate no matter what happens to the value if it continues to go up,” said Tina Boan, senior director of budget and finance. “They just benefit from the increase. Or you see a couple counties there that actually do some kind of a tweak to it each year.”

A homesteaded residential prop erty owner with an average appraised assessed taxable value of $469,161 in 2022 will see a 66-cent monthly decrease in their property tax for the upcoming fiscal year.

Despite a decrease in the millage, the county will collect roughly $10 mil

lion more in ad valorem taxes, which fund county services, in the 2023 fiscal year. A 2022 adopted budget brought the total ad valorem tax levy to $107 million. In 2023, revenue from ad va lorem taxes is $117 million. An addi tional $1.5 million will go to the county health department. Roughly 71% of ad valorem taxes go to public safety, which include law enforcement, fire rescue and the health department.

Pushing more revenue is the growing gross taxable property in the county. In 2019, the taxable value of property totaled $28.5 billion. In 2022, that number spiked $36.8 billion. Prop erty values have doubled in the last 10 years.

“We’re at an historic high,” Boan said.

County officials are projecting an increase in the 1-cent infrastructure sales surtax of more than $30 million. Fiscal 2021 saw the highest annual 1-cent surtax revenue at $28.6 mil lion. Roughly 60% of the funds go to the county, 28% to Key West, 8.7% to Marathon, 6.2% to Islamorada and small percentages to Key Colony Beach and Layton.

Monroe County is projecting a fund balance totaling $35 million, which includes $10 million in hurricane disaster reserves and roughly four months of operating capital.

As for infrastructure, the budget invests in the Harbor Drive, Seaview Drive and Bimini Drive bridges. Capital funds also include repairs to No Name Key Bridge and Gato Building, various wastewater projects on Duck Key and Big Coppitt and sea level rise projects at Twin Lakes in Key Largo and the Sands Subdivision on Big Pine Key, among others.

In addition, the budget provides more than $2.1 million for 26 commu nity-based nonprofit organizations, as recommended by the county’s Human Services Advisory Committee. Florida Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC) will receive $198,000. The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter will get $150,000, while Samuel’s House will receive $120,000.

Kim Highsmith. CONTRIBUTED

Tom C. Hunley directs the Creative Writing MFA program at Western Kentucky University, where he has taught since 2003. In 2002 2003, he held the Kingsbury Fellowship at Florida State University, where he earned his Ph.D. His most recent books are What Feels Like Love: New and Selected Poems (C&R Press 2021), Adjusting to the Lights (winner o f the 2020 Rattle Chapbook Prize), and The Poetry Gymnasium:

Verse

Funding for

Endowment

William

FIRST LOOK AT FANTASY FEST FLOATS

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE LOWER KEYS FLUFFERS

Theannual Bud Light Fantasy Fest pa rade doesn’t roll down Duval Street until Saturday, Oct. 29, but for those who prefer to be the spectacle, rather than the spectator, the time to get creative is now. While some parade entrants embrace the small and spontaneous, the multi-award winning Lower Keys Fluffers team has created parade extravaganzas for more than 10 years.

Keys Weekly caught up with one of the Fluffers founders, Chris Godlewski, for an in sider’s look at their labor of love.

What year did your team first enter the parade and how did it come about? It was 2010, the theme was “Habitat for Insanity” and our entry was titled “Habitrail for Depravity.” It featured a human “hamster” running inside a larger-than-life-sized hamster wheel. We had 70 or so people dressed as hamsters in fur costumes — that’s where we got the name Fluffers. It all came about when my husband, Steve, some friends and I were watching the 2009 parade and were disappointed by the number of rented (pre-fab) floats. One friend said she could get a trailer if I could round up a team of people and the rest is history. Ten or so of our closest friends split into committees to orchestrate the project components, includ ing float design and building, costume planning and creation, and logistics, such as who will drive the float, how we will get it to and from the parade site, as well as music, signs, beads and bottle labels etc.

Wait, bottle labels? Some Fluffers had previously been on other floats where they gave out a few bottles of wine, so we started making custom wine and liquor bottle labels from our very first year. … In 2019 for the “In Tune But Off Key” theme, we had a Fluffers Winery “Altar Boy Red” for our “KEYthedral” float. It’s not meant for drinking as we use the cheapest bottle we can find.

Did your group learn anything crucial from your first parade experience? We learned to never, ever wear fur again. The ham ster costumes were hot, the fur shed and stuck to our skin; it was horrible.

Do you have a personal favorite among your team’s creations? My favorite so far was our “Old Town Funk” Star Wars-themed float for the 2015 “All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show” theme, complete with a take on the famous cantina scene and a F-wing fighter jet.

Having participated in 10 parades, what advice can you share with others thinking about entering a float for the first time? It’s challenging in the beginning because you have to figure out everything from finances, to the sound system, to drivers who can maneu ver a float. We are self-financed, so we aim to keep the cost very low, but it has to cover costumes, float construction, beads, beer etc. We traditionally have about 100 participants, but at $125 per person we need about 70 to 80 people to make the numbers work. I’d consider the must-haves to be a great core group of 10 talented and hard-working individuals, plus a good trailer, truck, sound system — and a generator.

The Fluffers have won in numerous categories over the years, including the Grand Prize. What do you do with your cash win nings? We donate half the prize to charity and spend the other half on a celebration party. So

far we’ve donated more than $10,000 to local charities, including the FKSPCA, Sister Season Fund, and Friends of Bahia Honda following hurricane Irma.

Any mishaps along the way that you can share? In 2015 or 2016, as we were lined up for the safety inspection, the fire department noticed we had a broken axle. I’m still not sure how it got done, but some of our building team convinced a welder to drive out to the stag ing area and we had it fixed and re-inspected within minutes of the start. Other floats had already started to roll.

Final thoughts about being part of the Lower Keys Fluffers team? We are a team that likes to compete and put in our best effort, and we love to see all the other great creative floats, too. The nights we’ve spent building and creating in our driveway, the close friendships formed… While it’s not what you’d call easy, it’s also more fun than you could possibly imagine. We want every year to be the best parade, so please come and join us.

CAROL TEDESCO

Fantasy Fest 2022 is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Full details and a parade application form are at FantasyFest.com/Parade.

Star Wars All-Terrain Armored Transport, built for the 2015 parade, stands in the Big Pine yard of Christine and Steve Godlewski. “It’s a piece of our family,’ says daughter Edie Godlewski, 9. CHRIS GODLEWSKI/Contributed

Lower Keys Fluffers Jeff Carr, Caitlin Lustic and Brittany Burtner start dyeing costume pieces for the 2022 Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade. CAROL TEDESCO/FantasyFest.com

Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, the Lower Keys Fluffers recycle previously used props and cos tumes for their “Time Travel Unravels” float. CAROL TEDESCO/FantasyFest.com

ERICA GOODMAN & KRISTINA HELMS PRESENTS IN PARADISE

TO HELP OUR KEYS COMMUNITY?

OUT HOW AT CFFK.ORG

THIS IS NOT A BIRD YOU’RE LOOKING AT –MOVE ALONG

MARK HEDDEN

... is a photogra pher, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audu bon Society.

Thething I like most about Chuck-will’s-widows is their confidence, which is based largely on their belief that they are invisible to you, that their presence escapes your eye. Which seems at odds with them being a largish, big-headed lump of a bird when perched. It’s not an unfounded confidence, just occasionally misplaced.

They are members of a taxonomic family known as goatsuckers, a name derived from an Aristotelianera belief that they sneaked into barnyards late at night and sucked milk out of goats’ udders. (It was also believed this milk thievery somehow caused the goats to go blind.) Goatsuckers are primarily insectivores, though; actually, the birds were flying around the goats, scarfing up the clouds of insects that tended to follow them around.

Like other members of the goatsucker family, they have cryp tic plumage, or track after track of feathers designed to confuse the brain. One account of the Chuck-will’s-widow I read, in Cornell University’s online “Birds of the World” compendium, describes them thus: “Narrow superciliary stripe mixed Sepia Black and Buff White. Sides of head Dull Tawny Olive mixed with Hair Brown, Se pia and black. Hindcollar of feathers on nape light (ranging from white to Tawny Olive) mottled with dark…”

I’m going to stop quoting there, because I’d like people to read the rest of this column. Also, if someone was to read it aloud to a person driving a car, narcolepsy could ensue, and I don’t want to read about it in a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office press release.

In the author’s defense, there’s no real way to describe these birds without it turning into some kind of dispiriting word salad. But staring at a bird like a Chuck-will’s-widow and trying to parse its parts and patterns kind of feels like that description. Their plumage is all distraction and disruption. You look at them and in most natural situations you don’t really see their shape.

It is hard to distinguish them from leaf piles or shadows on the forest floor. When they sit in trees, they tend to sit parallel to the branches, making them look more like a knot than a bird.

In theory, cryptic means the same as camouflaged, but cam ouflage seems like such a flimsy term compared to how well they can disappear themselves from your brain. It feels closer to a Jedi mind trick – you don’t need to make an identification; this is not a bird you’re looking at; you can go about your business; move along. Nothing to see here.

Oddly, it’s when I move along that I see them most often. As a general rule, birds don’t scare me much (unlike my editor, Mandy, who seems to have a wee bit of ornithophobia). But I don’t think any bird has ever startled me as often as Chuck-will’s-widows have. They leap up from the ground like suddenly animate gob lins, then fly off, meandering through the trees in a Moscow Rules evasive pattern, in case you were somehow physically capable of tailing them.

Their wingtips actually have this very cool rust and black tiger stripe pattern, but it kind of disassembles when they’re perched with their wings folded, and is also hard to catch sight of while they fly through a shady stand of trees. It’s really only displayed during their mating rituals, which not a lot of humans have seen.

The mechanism for the whys of their behavior is pretty easy to suss out. Chuck-will’s-widows are nocturnal. They survive on insects and the occasional small bird or bat. Evolution has convinced them that their best strategy to elude danger from predators and others during the long daylight hours is to just sit tight and blend in, to become one with the branch or the forest floor.

But at a certain point, if someone gets too close, they shift to auxiliary measures – flight, both in terms of getting airborne and of fleeing. (They aren’t much for walking.)

The name, by the way, in onomatopoetic – their call has the same rhythm as saying Chuck-will’s-widow, though why the w in the name will isn’t capitalized – as it has a possessive s and by the rules of English is therefore supposed to be a proper noun – is a mystery of nomenclature.

Chucks breed in Florida, but not in the Keys. We tend to have a few around in the winter. We also get a pulse of them during migration, birds on their way south to the Caribbean and South America, or back north in the spring.

We had a small pulse come through last week. I went birding at Fort Zach and managed to flush at least six of them as I walked the berm in the hammock area alone. I don’t think any of them were more than 10 feet away when they materialized and took off.

But even if I hadn’t gone birding at Fort Zach, I would know they were around, since, as a local bird geek, I’ve had a bunch of people reach out through texts, emails and Facebook to send a photo and say, “Hey, what’s this?”

Why are so many people who aren’t prone to wandering around with binoculars, staring into bushes, seeing such an alleg edly-hard-to-see bird? Because while the cryptic plumage works really well in a natural setting, it doesn’t work so well in an environ ment of Floridian vernacular architecture – on, say, porches, fences, tables or the supports of eyebrow house overhangs. They show up really well against the smooth surface of something like lapboard siding or two-by-eight deck boards.

At the same time, they are still confident in their superpower of invisibility, and often, unless something disturbs them, they will spend hours in the same spot in the relative open, resting, waiting for nighttime so they can take off and fly around with their mouths open, gulping down as many bugs as possible.

In 10 years of living in our house, I’ve only seen one in the backyard. But then again, who knows how often I’ve missed what I did not see.

A Chuck-will’s-widow perched on a Key West fence. MARK HEDDEN/ Keys Weekly

SPORTS & MORE

MATTINGLY IS OUT AS MARLINS MANAGER

Tatstafortas

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

BREAST CANCER BENEFIT HELPS

WOMANKIND

Maria Gonzalez and Casey Vinall wanted to do something to give back to the community. Vinall has owned Tattoos & Scars, 512 Greene St., for 10 years and Gonzalez has worked there for four years.

“So we decided to do Tats for TaTas on Oct. 12 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Gonzalez said.

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 100% of all sales will be donated to WomanKind women’s health center to help local residents pay for mam mograms.

“In addition to the donation of sales, we’re going to have a great silent auction, raffles, a ‘motorboat ing’ booth for charity, and an ice luge in the shape of boobs for shots,” Gonzalez said, adding that the Key West Burlesque dancers will be on hand to perform. “Someone else is going to be selling pasties, which will be just in time for Fantasy Fest. And there’s an other really cool surprise we have planned.”

Everyone has been so generous, donating raffle prizes and other items, Gonzalez said.

“It’s been amazing to see people come together, and it feels even better that the money we raise will help our own neighbors right here in Key West.”

For more information, visit Tats for TaTas on Facebook and head down to Greene Street on Oct. 12.

RALPH MORROW

... a veteran sports columnist, says the only sport he doesn’t follow is cricket. That leaves plenty of others to fill his time. ralphmoro1936 @gmail.com

On Sept. 25, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly met with the team’s principal owner Bruce Sherman and general manager Kim Ng. We don’t know who spoke first. But the result was clear: Mattingly is out as Miami manager, as of the end of the baseball season, which is next weekend.

Mattingly spoke at length during his press conference later that day. In essence, he said he felt a new voice was needed to run the team. He pointed out that changes had been made during the past year, including Derek Jeter resigning as CEO after 4 1/2 years.

Ng earlier said manage ment had determined that a new contract would not be offered to Mattingly for next season. She said, “All parties agreed it’s time for a change. … The year was very disappointing.”

So there will be a new manag er running the team next season. I watch most of the Marlins games on television. And lately, I have felt that Mattingly needed to be replaced, not because he was incompetent, but because the players haven’t reacted positively to his leadership. I would not be surprised if he gets another managerial job. And soon.

Mattingly has been the Mar lins’ manager for seven seasons and through Sunday his record was 437 wins and 584 losses. It’s the most of any team manager. Jack McKeon had 281 wins, Fred Gonzalez had 276 and Rene Lachemann 221. Mattingly’s team won 31, lost 29 and advanced to the playoffs during the 2020 pandemic season.

Before getting the Marlins job, he spent five seasons manag ing the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a first baseman and outfield

Don Mattingly, seen here in 2015, will not return as Miami Marlins manager next season. WIKIPEDIA/ Contributed

er from 1982 through 1995 with the New York Yankees, where he batted .307 with 222 home runs.

I HAVE WONDERED what was happening in Boston that led to the suspension of Celt ics coach Ime Udoka. ESPN writer Adrian Wojnarowski had released some information.

Udoka was suspended for one year, according to the Celt ics, for violation of team policy. One of Udoka’s assistants, Joe Mazzula, has been put in his place. It’s not clear if Udoka will get his job back at the end of the year. This was not a regular suspension.

According to Wojnarowski, Udoka was having an affair with a Celtics staff member. But, according to the New York Post, it was more complicated than that. Udoka was engaged to Nia Long, whom he had been dating since 2010 and engaged to since 2015. The pair have a 10-yearold son. Udoka reportedly was dating the staff member and made “unwanted comments” to her.

She has not been named, but former player and current announcer Matt Barnes said, “It’s messy. It’s 100 times uglier than any of us thought.”

TMZ reporter Amanda Pflu grad has said the Celtics began investigating the coach’s affair in July.

THE SCOREBOARD

Team Sport Opponent Date Result

Marathon Volleyball Palmer 9/19 L, 3-0

Marathon Golf LaSalle 9/20 W, 212-213

Marathon Key West Coral Shores

Cross Coun try Marathon Key West Coral Shores

9/21 Boys: MHS 1st, CS 2nd, KW 3rd.

Girls: MHS 1st, KW 2nd CS 3rd

Coral Shores Volleyball Colonial Christian 9/22 W, 3-0

Marathon Volleyball SoHo 9/22 L, 3-1

Key West Volleyball Port St. Lucie 9/23 W, 2-0

Key West Football Cardinal Gibbons 9/23 L, 63-7

Coral Shores Football Everglades Prep 9/23 W, 37-0

Marathon Football Ransom Everglades 9/23 L, 48-8

Key West Volleyball Sagemont 9/24 W, 2-0

VACLAV “VANCE” BURSA TRACY McDONALD www.keysweekly.com

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Date School Sport Opponent

Start Time

9-29 Marathon Volleyball @True North 6:15 p.m.

9-29 Coral Shores Volleyball @SASH 6 p.m.

9/29 Key West & Coral Shores Cross Coun try @Larry Wooten Invitational (Larry & Penny Thompson Park) 3 p.m.

9/29 Coral Shores Volleyball @SASH (Homestead) 6 p.m.

9/30 Marathon Football @Bridgeprep (Miami) 4 p.m.

9/30 Key West Football Bishop Verot 7 p.m.

9/30 Coral Shores Football Ransom Everglades 7 p.m.

9/30 Key West Volleyball @Florida Christian Tournament TBA

10-1 Key West Swimming Doral (CFK Pool) 12 p.m.

10-3 Key West Golf @Maverick Invitational (Grand Palms CC) 8 a.m.

10-3 Marathon Golf LaSalle & Keys Gate (Florida Keys CC) 3:30 p.m.

10-3 Marathon Volleyball @ Westwood Christian 5 p.m.

10-4 Key West Volleyball Coral Shores 6 p.m.

10-4 Marathon, Key West & Coral Shores

Cross Country MHS, KWHS, CSHS (Sombrero Beach) 3:30 p.m.

10-6 Coral Shores Swimming @ Westminster Christian & Carrollton 4 p.m.

10-6 Key West Golf Coral Shores, Marathon (Key West) 3 p.m.

10-6 Marathon Volleyball SSPA 5:30 p.m.

10-7 Coral Shores Volleyball @Keys Gate 5 p.m.

10-7 Coral Shores & Key West Cross Coun try @305 Classic (Larry & Penny Thompson Park) 3 p.m.

Sophomore, Cross Country Marathon High School

Sophomore Vance Bursa has been getting consistently faster each week, something difficult to do when you’re already one of the fastest high school runners in South Florida.

“Vance keeps running stronger each week,” said coach Jim Murphy. “He has won three of his four races this season.” Bursa makes running look effortless and fun, and his posi tive outlook coupled with a rock-solid work ethic motivates his team to be better. On Sept. 21, Bursa ran a 16:46, well over a minute faster than his clos est competitor. The blazing time puts him on track to carry the Dolphins into the postseason for another trip to the state meet in Tallahassee. He is a phe nomenal runner, a natural leader, and those around him are affected by his infectious laugh and positive attitude. For these reasons, Vance Bursa is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

“It’s great to see him take a leadership role and push his team to keep improving with him.”

For more coverage, listen to the Keys Weekly Sports Wrap Podcast

KEY WEST WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 29, 202218 — head coach Jim Murphy

On Sept. 21 all three Keys high school cross country teams met in Key Largo at John Pennekamp State Park to see who was the fastest 5K runner in Monroe County. With a storm threatening all afternoon, the race went on in a narrow window of decent weather, giving the runners a chance to compete in an unusual break in the heat.

It was Marathon’s Vance Bursa who took the title of King of the Keys, running alone for most of the course. Without another run ner to pace with, Vance chased the race official’s bicycle and finished in 16:46. The time was Bursa’s fourth personal record in as many races. In second place was Coral Shores’ Si mon Gutierrez with a time of 18:29. Jakub Bursa of Marathon was third,

AN ALL-KEYS SHOWDOWN

Bobby Temkin of Coral Shores was fourth, and Marathon’s Tony Bursa was fifth.

The top five finishes by the brothers Bursa, Mason Buxton and Dillon Shelar secured Marathon’s team win on the boys side. The Fins are poised for another trip to the state meet and have been pushing their limits with track workouts and long distance runs in order to peak at the right moment in the coming weeks.

Coral Shores’ boys team took second place overall, with solid fin ishes from Gutierrez, Temkin, Alaric Rodriguez, Jace Jackson and Jamie Cary.

Key West’s top finisher was Col bin Hill in sixth place overall. The top five Conch finishers were Hill, Daniel Roy, Jervin Louis, Edward Baker and Sebastian Jaroszewicz. Coach Mark Coleman was very pleased with his team’s efforts, saying, “Every boy

runner did their personal best at the race and we had a great showing.” Coming off a hard Monday workout, Coleman had some concerns for his team entering the race, but fatigue and soreness didn’t slow down the Conchs once the gun went off.

The girls race was won by Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa, who fin ished the 3.1-mile course in 21:55. Makimaa purposefully started her season slow, aiming at peaking in the postseason. Coleman said he expects “some more exceptional performances” out of one of the Lady Conchs’ top harriers in the coming weeks.

Coral Shores’ Kai Guth was second in 22:19, cutting her time by nearly two minutes from her record last season.

After the first two finishers crossed the line in the girls race, it was a school of Dolphins, as Mara thon’s entire top five finished within

a minute of one another. Madelyn Thornton came in third place in 23:19, followed in quick succession by teammates Ella Dunn, Mikkel Ross, Sara Robinson and Maeve Merryman. The Fins’ team finish was good enough to win the race out right. Key West took second place and the Lady ‘Canes were third.

After Makimaa, the top Key West runners were Laira Anaya, Naima Thomas, Gianna Marchant and Deanna Mercier

Coral Shores was a bit shortstaffed on the girls side, with just three runners on Wednesday: Guth, Jenna Mandozzi and Kacelyn Hollis.

The teams will have another chance to compete against one another on Tuesday, Oct. 4 when they will meet in Marathon. The race starts at 3:30 p.m. at Sombrero Beach.

Male and female runners from Coral Shores, Marathon and Key West compete in a 5K run at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo on Sept. 21. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

TRACY McDONALD

CONCHS FALL TO CARDINAL GIBBONS, 63-7

KEY WEST HAS TOUGH GAME AGAINST TOP TEAM

With the Conchs’ starting quarterback out with an injury, it was Jaden Fox who faced the Chiefs defense. Fox had the night’s lone score, a 46-yard run during which he broke free untouched, spoiling the shutout for Gibbons.

Key

West High School football coach Johnny Hughes knew his team would have to be perfect the night of Sept. 23 to have a shot at de throning undefeated Cardinal Gibbons HIgh School.

It would not be a perfect game for the Conchs, and at the end of the night, Gibbons improved its record to 5-0 with a big 63-7 win over Key West, led by UCF commit QB Dylan Rizk and his cannonlike arm. Cardinal Gibbons scored eight touchdowns on eight consecutive drives and added a scoop-andscore on defense, proving they deserve their current rankings of 7th in the state and 30th in the entire nation.

Despite the score, Hughes was pleased with his team, citing individual matchups in which his players showed fortitude against some of the best high school athletes in South Florida. After watching game film, Hughes noted that many of his players “went hard the entire game,” making him both proud and hopeful for the remainder of the season. He described the undaunting play as “progress,” which he hopes will bode well in the Conchs’ first district matchup on Friday, Sept. 29 against the Vikings of Bishop Verot High School.

Hailing from Fort Myers, Verot is 3-2 and will travel five hours to play the Conchs in The Backyard at 7 p.m.

ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly

1. Clerf Alexandre with a carry.

2. Kevon Mills fends off a defender.

3. Jakari Blackman protects the ball.

4. Quarterback Jaden Fox approaches the end zone for the Conchs’ only touchdown.

5. Te’Von Watson takes on a Cardinal Gibbons Chief.

TV SPECIAL FEATURES

KEY WEST’S HAUNTED TOY

‘THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL’ AIRS SEPT. 30

airing Friday, Sept. 30 on The Travel Channel and streaming on Discovery+.

“The Curse of Robert the Doll” will kick off Ghostober, the network’s month-long approach to Halloween with specials that explore the inexpli cable and the truly terrifying.

“Robert the Doll lives behind glass in a museum in Key West, Florida, where every year thousands of visi tors who fail to follow his rules find themselves cursed,” states the show’s description. “Victims have experienced illness, injury, accidents and even death. But what makes Robert curse his victims? What evil entity lives inside this doll? This latest Shock Docs install ment explores the true origin of Robert the Doll, uncovers the story of Robert’s first owners in 1905, and seeks to find out why this doll is so nefarious. Now, psychic medium Cindy Kaza steps in to unravel the mystery of his origins and the darkness attached to him.”

KEYS TOURISM OFFICIALS RELEASE NEW DIVE SAFETY VIDEO

SCUBA EXPERTS OFFER TIPS ON FITNESS, GEAR MAINTENANCE

’The Curse of Robert the Doll’ will kick off ‘Ghostober’ on The Travel Channel and streaming on Discovery+. CONTRIBUTED

mandy@keysweekly.com

KeyWest’s oldest resident is 117 years old. He wears an outdated sailor suit and car ries a stuffed animal tucked under his right arm. He spends most of his time staring blankly at those who visit. They approach him cautiously, a mix of intrigue and fear evident on their face and audible in the false bravado that makes their voice louder than necessary.

The Key West legend is featured in books, movies, TV shows, research projects. He’s the main attraction of a gripping tour that explores his Key West roots and the museum he now calls home. He receives hundreds of letters a year — often apologies from past visitors who fear they offended him.

He sends no replies and says not a word. No sound escapes his sewn-on mouth. No smile appears on his strawfilled face.

Robert the Doll is a childhood toy with a chilling reputation as the world’s most haunted doll. He lives at Fort East Martello Museum, where Key West author, researcher and ghost hunter David Sloan offers nightly tours and ghost hunts, introducing intrepid guests to the inexplicable and paranor mal mysteries of Robert.

Those mysteries are the subject of a new two-hour “shock doc”-umentary

The beloved playmate of Eugene Otto, Robert the Doll arrived in Key West in 1904 when the young Otto was 4 or 5 years old. The doll, which was originally dressed as a clown (as if he wasn’t creepy enough) lived for decades in the Otto family home on Eaton Street, now the Artist House guesthouse.

The Key West Art & Historical Society has cared for the antique doll since 1994, when Myrtle Reuter, who had purchased the Otto family home, donated Robert to the Fort East Mar tello Museum, claiming the doll was haunted and had locked her in a room in her house.

Similar tales have surrounded the doll since the young Eugene Otto be gan blaming his best friend, Robert, for childhood mischief and misdeeds, and the accusations continued throughout the doll’s history, growing more sinister than schoolboy pranks.

Robert has been blamed for ruin ing photographs and cameras when museum visitors took his picture with out asking permission. The historical society receives countless letters each year from people apologizing to the doll and asking him to lift a curse that seemed to have befallen them since they visited Robert in his glass case at the Fort East Martello museum.

“The Curse of Robert the Doll” premieres at 8 p.m. Sept. 30 on The Travel Channel, and then is available to stream on Discovery+. Sloan’s Key West Ghost Adventures are available nightly at Fort East Museum with a variety of tour options. Visit ghostfort. com for more information.

Toencourage safe and responsible diving in the Florida Keys

National Marine Sanctu ary, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the of ficial destination marketing or ganization for the Florida Keys & Key West, has released a new “Dive Safely in the Florida Keys” video.

The new video features health and safety information presented by Keys dive experts and has been posted on TDC social media platforms and on TDC’s website, fla-keys.com/ diving.

Underwater photographer Stephen Frink, a Key Largo resident and publisher of Alert Diver magazine, presents easyto-follow aerobic exercise tips to improve dive fitness, so div ers can prepare for situations that might push them beyond personal limits.

In addition, Keys dive operator Dan Dawson empha sizes the importance of prop

erly maintaining dive equip ment and the need for regular refresher courses to keep safe diving practices top of mind.

“Keys visitors have the op portunity to experience some of the world’s most amazing marine habitats through diving, and we want to do all we can to encourage safe and memo rable experiences for them,” said Stacey Mitchell, director of the tourism council.

The tourism council also encourages divers to foster their connection with the Keys’ underwater world by giving back through activities designed to protect the island chain’s unique environment, such as “voluntourism” dives to assist in coral restoration ef forts with organizations includ ing Coral Restoration Founda tion, Mote Marine Laboratory, I.CARE and Reef Renewal U.S.A.

The “Dive Safely in the Florida Keys” is at YouTube. com/FloridaKeysTV — Contributed

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council releases a new dive safety video. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES

SOMERSET ISLAND PREP PARTNERS WITH KEYS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

STUDENTS ‘SHAKE’ IT UP WITH SONNETS

SomersetIsland Prep students are taking part in a new course. They are now exposed to some of the most powerful thoughts on love ever written: the sonnets of William Shake speare.

The Keys Shakespeare Festival is a new venture of Richard Ericson, its producing artistic director. “The festival’s mission is world-class, islandinclusive theater here in Key West and the Florida Keys. When I learned about Island Prep’s creative and flexible approach to learning, I immedi ately thought of Shakespeare,” Ericson said. “His poetry and plays were popular right from the start; he had the notori ety of any rapper today. Four centuries on, the emotions, phrasings and verbal agility of his words remain astonish ing. Then as now, times were complex and full of uncertainty and even danger. Shakespeare is more relevant than ever.”

The new class at Island Prep includes students in ninth through 12th grades, and will be exploring sonnets in the fall semester. The spring semester will pivot to one of the Bard’s most gripping plays, the tragic love story, “Romeo and Juliet,” which the festival will present

in a two-week run in Key West the last half of April 2023.

“Being able to think on your feet — literally, as you speak authentically and per suasively — is one of the core skills for success as well as sat isfaction,” said Somerset Island Prep principal Tom Rompella. “Students aren’t just ‘Shak ing it up’ with these sonnets, they’re shaking themselves up for even more agile and engaged futures. All of us at Island Prep are looking forward to the results. That students’ firsthand introduction to the festival’s artistic director might lead to participation in the festival itself, whether on stage, backstage, administratively, or in the house, is yet another exciting possibility.”

Somerset Island Prep pro vides a rigorous and innova tive academic experience that develops and fosters students’ sense of purpose to prepare them to contribute both locally and globally as responsible and respectful citizens in a college preparatory environment.

More information is at KeysShakes.org and island prep.org.

— Contributed

THE ART OF THE OPEN MIC

The

open microphone: perhaps the most inviting and intimidating piece of communication technol ogy ever assembled. To some, the open mic at your local bar con jures mental images of karaoke with a recently purchased “first” guitar. In some cases this is true, but this is both the beauty and pain of the “open jam.”

The role of the open mic in the musical community is multi faceted. It perhaps most impor tantly gives young, aspiring musi cians a place to play, often for the first time. Watching a musically young person realize validation, watching the fear on their face get replaced by a realization, is a gift and a joy to participate in. Being able to instill a feeling of confidence that can project a per son to new heights with a simple look and a smile is invaluable to everyone involved.

Many times the open mic is also a gateway to work. If a player strikes a chord with the crowd, or the owner or manager, a gig could follow. Maybe not the first time, but the great thing about the open mic? There’s another one next week.

On occasion a band will come to an open mic in an attempt to audition, said Randy Barnett, host of the Sunday open mic at the Dockside in Marathon. He’s seen it many times.

“I love to put a good band be hind a new up-and-coming player. It gives them a chance to shine. Some acts are good enough, they get booked at the place, and this puts their foot in the door at more venues in the area. I love to help out good talent. I’ve seen many great bands form from an open mic, and I have met many great musicians this way,” Barnett said.

The open mic is also advantageous for the venue.

... a professional musician, singer, actor and execu tive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

Open mics can be hosted by one person to a full band. The hosts are compensated by the venue; the people who come to play are not. The regulars who come for the band, the atmosphere, or to play, are now accompanied by the aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and cousins who all came to see Suzy play her guitar at a real bar. And who knows, Suzy may be the act that fills up the bar next Saturday night.

For the musicians, the net working is invaluable. If you’re new in town there is no better way to learn what’s what and who’s who. Deon Adar, host of Looe Key Tiki Bar’s open mic on Ramrod Key, is an example of go ing from being new in town and attending an open mic, to eventu ally hosting the very same jam night. “These open mics provide a resource far greater than any internet service or musicians classifieds ever could,” he said. “It maintains a focal meeting spot for musicians.”

There are a few other open mics in Key West including General Horseplay every Sunday, Kava Bar on Wednesdays, and Andy’s Cabana on Thursdays. The Key West Comedy Club has an open mic on Tuesdays if you want to try your hand at stand-up. So the next time you see the open mic sign, stop in and see what surprises the night holds. The guy next to you may be just one drink away from grabbing his buddy’s guitar and singing us all his ver sion of “Folsom Prison Blues.”

Richard Ericson, co-founder of the Keys Shakespeare Festival, visits the first Shake It Up Shakespeare class at Somerset Island Prep. CONTRIBUTED

RAY WEST

Neighborhoods,

streets and homes flooded. Trees toppled. We sighed dejectedly in the silence of a power outage. But let’s be clear. No hurricane hit the Florida Keys this week. We had a strong tropical storm, and more flooding than many expected.

Ian was ugly. And intimidating. And certainly scary for anyone new to these latitudes.

But no one told us to evacuate, thanks to advancements in forecasting and the incredible work of the National Weather Service in Key West. The hurricane was safely and sufficiently west of us. We were never under a hurricane watch.

And if they had, how would that have gone? Imagine the back lash had we been forced out of the Keys for mere tropical storm conditions.

Weather forecasters and government officials can’t win in these situations. They tell us to go, we’re pissed. They let us stay, we’re pissed.

10. You’d rather risk catastrophic winds and storm surges than get gouged for fuel at every station from Key West to Ocala.

9. Because Gov. Ron DeSantis told you Orlando is the devil’s play ground.

8. The last time you evacuated, you needed a letter from a U.S. con gressman to get back to your own home.

REASONS KEYS LOCALS DIDN’T EVACUATE FOR HURRICANE IAN

7. Because we don’t evacuate for tropical storms.

6. Why leave when your neighbor’s freezer is full of lobster, yellowtail and weed?

5. Because you’ve lived in the Keys for less than two years and need the “hurricane street cred” for your local status during social media rants.

4. You get your news from the Keys Weekly and they told you schools were closed last Monday. And then they were not. And now you’re not even sure there’s a real storm out there.

3. You’ll happily sacrifice electricity, showers, ice and medical facilities for an epic hurricane party.

2. You’re worried looters will take the random boat engine parts, free weights and your grown son’s baseball gear that has been sitting in your garage for the past decade.

1. The last time you evacuated, you couldn’t find fuel as Irma followed you up the entire I-75 corridor while you and three other families drove 12 screaming kids up the entire east coast.

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

TheKeys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re hon ored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adop tion at the organization’s Key West campus.

From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. 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 pro gram also provides special assis tance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals wait ing for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Hootie is a 2-month-old male domestic shorthair.

Oreo McFlurry is a 6-year-old male large mixed breed.

Ringo is an 11½-year-old male medium mixed breed.

Willie is a 7½-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Gus & Splinter are 9-month-old male rats.

A PIRATE LAIR IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Elliott Key provided access to prime hunting grounds

Captain Kidd could not equal. It is said of Black Caesar when his men had captured a ship carrying a particularly rich cargo, he would order 10 days of feasting and celebration, and personally lead the orgy of drinking and lust. He had captives roasted over slow fires for his amuse ment, and his harem is said to have once contained 100 young women.”

is an author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fasci nating glimpses into the rich and sometimes sur prising histories of the Florida Keys.

Black Caesar’s pirate story spans three centuries.

What every Black Caesar story has in common, however, is a pirate lair on Elliott Key. Usually, he is either an African chief tain who joined Black beard’s crew or an escaped Haitian slave who joined up with Southwest Florida’s legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar.

Other men have been labeled with the Black Caesar moniker. The first known refer ence to him sees the future pirate arriving on Elliott Key more than 100 years before the African chief tain, who arrived nearly 100 years before the escaped Haitian slave. This one-of-akind Black Caesar tale, written by Bruce Henry, a staff writer for the Miami Daily News, appeared in the April 5, 1936, edi tion of the newspaper. It is a doozy.

According to Henry, a segment of the local Miami historians believed the pirate was the descendent of the Portuguese naval officer Joao de Castro, who was born in Lisbon on Feb. 7, 1500, and died on June 6, 1548. The story began in the

late 16th Cen tury when a Spanish mano-war attempted to navigate the Straits of Florida.

Among other commodi ties on the vessel was human cargo – including the descendant of Castro.

The captain sailed right into a gale. Hurricane-force winds blew the ship off course and drove it against the stony corals of the reef. As they did, waves pounded the hull and crashed over the decks with white, foamy furor until the wood began to splinter, crack and break into pieces.

Not every person on board survived the hurricane, the shipwreck and, in cases, the shackles of slavery. A small group, however, lived through all three. They washed ashore in the Northern Keys – at Elliott Key. After recovering from their ordeal, they banded together and worked to salvage bits and pieces of the wreck, including wood, sails, rigging and barrels of fresh water.

One of the survivors who escaped the shackles was described as having “unusu al intelligence”. He asserted his leadership and rose to be their leader. According to the lone account revealing this version of events, the survivors managed to salvage enough materials to create a primitive campsite and a vessel equipped with a mast, rigging and sails. It was not used to escape the island. Instead, the Portu guese leader led his fellow survivors into a life of piracy from their Elliott Key lair. He became known as Black Caesar.

Henry wrote in the Miami Daily News article that the pirate led “a colony of pi rates and captives who looked up to him as an emperor; serving either through admiration or fear.”

Henry also wrote that Black Caesar “set a record for murder, torture, wan ton destruction and thievery that even better-known pirates like Edward Teach, Sir Henry Morgan, Jean LaFitts [sic] and

For those individuals intent on acts of piracy, Elliott Key provided excellent access to prime hunting grounds. A natural channel ran between the deeper waters offshore and the pass separating the pirate lair at Elliott Key from the next island along the chain, Old Rhodes Key. The channel was the conduit through which Black Caesar and his crew accessed vulnerable ships attempting to navigate the treacherous Straits of Florida.

What Black Caesar recognized, as would every Black Caesar who followed in his footsteps, was that the low-lying nature of the island was unable to hide the telltale sign of his mast. For wary captains navigating the pirate-rich Straits of Florida, sailing ships hiding behind an island all but advertised, “Hey, pirates here!”

Understanding the nature of his handicap, Black Caesar ordered a series of steps carved into the coral rock at the edge of the island. The chiseled steps led 9 feet below the channel’s surface. There, 9 feet below the surface, the pirate or dered an iron ring to be hammered down into the limestone substrate. The ring solved the problem of the pirate mast sticking up from behind the tree line of the island’s sub-tropical hammock.

Henry suggests in his newspaper story that the pirates ran a line through the ring to keel the ship over so that the mast was no longer visible from the ship ping lanes. He wrote: “By caulking the decks and hatchways of his war vessel he could have run a rope through the eyebolt, fastened the other end to the ship’s mast, and used the leverage thus obtained to pull the boat to its side … ef fectively hiding it from passing vessels in the ocean beyond.”

What became of the pirate and his crew was not revealed in this legendary Black Caesar tale. It should be noted that the details of this story are eerily similar to every other Black Caesar story. A peek into its veracity becomes apparent when Henry suggests that Parson Jones, a leg end in the Northern Keys, was a descen dent of Black Caesar.

While the story of Israel “Parson” Jones is one of the great rags to riches stories of the Florida Keys, it is abun dantly clear that he was in no way linked to an Elliott Key pirate. The Parson’s story, “Keeping up with the Joneses”, can be found in my new book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1.” Feel free to pick up a copy and support my efforts to share the histories of this amaz ing chain of islands.

BRAD BERTELLI

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

Venus, the ir resist ibly charming beauty of the planets, has just waltzed from Virgo into Libra.

In the pro cess, she has picked up great dignity, as Virgo is a frustrating place for her to hang out and Libra is her home temple. It feels as though an elegant socialite just entered an opulent party after being stuck at work miserably crunching numbers. Themes of relationship, love, beauty, grace and money can now course through us more freely, so enjoy the flow. Simulta neously, we have cold, authorita tive Saturn in Aquarius helping to constrain impulsive Mars in Gemini, so it is a good time to focus thoughtful action in pursuit of the greater good.

Here are your Venus enter ing Libra horoscopes. Read for your rising and sun signs.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Happy birthday to all of our lovely Libras! You are starting a month-long journey of blooming into your personal health and beauty, whether it is an ac tual regimen for enhancing your aesthetic or other folks simply noticing your magnetic charm. Enjoy the attention, and learn to see yourself through an apprecia tive lens. You’ve been maturing in your own creative pursuits; use these lessons to determine how you use your drive to learn new skills.

VENUS COMES WALTZING HOME

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

You might have been feeling a bit hyperactive when it comes to the way other people rely on you for emotional or material support. It can be tiring to always be the one to step up. In order to provide direction to this energy, focus on what feels like home. If you prioritize a feeling of security and familiarity, you can determine what investments need to be cut out. Also, start to indulge in your solitude and fall in love with your quirks.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

You have been enacting a major review of what brings you joy in the realm of creativity and chil dren – what are the things you must nurture, then release, that spark your happiness? Right now, consider who the people are who will help you succeed in your inventive endeavors. How do they do it, and how can you pull yourself into their orbit? Choose your words carefully with a loved one.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You never shy away from hard work, Capricorn, but lately it may feel as thought you are exerting and sweating more than normal. In order to be more efficient in your output, edit your work to the activities that directly meet your needs. Right now, you are developing wisdom around your values. Focus. Find your grace and balance at work. The planets are supporting you.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

You are in the midst of a multi year process of becoming more conservative or moderate in your external presentation, and the energy you are consolidating is supporting your creativity and

bliss. Turn your focus on what you do that brings you joy, rather than how people perceive you. Also, it is an ideal time to pursue the beauty of a grand adventure or learning project.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Are you saving for a big purchase or reevaluating your budget so you can have more money for the fun stuff? It is a good time to invest in other people’s artwork right now because the return will be ample. Taking adequate alone time will help you to resolve any frustrations that you are having at home or with your family; It will let you approach the problem with a tempered coolness.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You may have been getting into more arguments than usual, or having some particularly angry or frustrated thoughts. Consolidate the folks around you who really want to see you thrive, and you will be able to train your commu nication and thinking into more productive streams. A significant other will probably show up in your life to provide some muchneeded peace. It will be OK to rely on them.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Your hard work has come into focus recently, and it is about to get a nice boost of harmony. You may discover that you love your daily routines or you may determine how to maximize your earnings from your labor. Maxi mizing your quiet reflection time will only aid this process for you. Look to an elder at work to help you determine how to best use your energy.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

Reflecting on what constitutes

home, family and belonging has probably been a persistent activity recently, and your work life may be throwing all of this into some confusion. Imagine your ideal public reputation and let that lead you in the right direction. Let your love for your creative outlets take off right now and immerse yourself in the artistic process.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Let a new beginning with your family, whether blood or chosen, take root right now. This is just the beginning of a new chapter in your personal definition of home and family. Your career is bring ing a lot of YES energy into your life, and this new joy at work can help to create the balance you need for your family-life to be harmonious. Water the seed.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

’Tis the season for you to be shedding a light on your methods of communication, Leo. How are you getting your point across in the most meaningful and impact ful ways? Right now, it is high time for you to find truly pleasing ways to express yourself. Think poetry, visual arts or beautiful music. You have something to say; now figure out how to say it with style.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

So you’re reflecting on your health and the perception that others might have of you, and that is quite all right at the mo ment. Get a new wardrobe that reflects yourself better. Try out a new workout routine. Reconsider how your outsides match your insides. There is a dream partner out there who might be spurring this thought process. Let them be an inspiration rather than a mirage.

CHRIS McNULTY

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD MEET...

CALI ROBERTS: FIERCE, KIND AND A WOMAN WITH PURPOSE

At first glance, Cali Roberts’ office at the corner of Truman and Eisenhow er looks like most other nonprofit executive director offices: endless reports, grant applications, To Do lists as long as the 7 Mile Bridge. Hers are immaculately organized, that day’s splayed out neatly on her desk with Post-It notes. There is vibrant art on the wall and, in the corner, a cardboard cutout of “The Fearless Girl” — the bronze statue that faces off the Charging Bull bronze statue in New York City in honor of International Wom en’s Day. On the shelves — the smiling faces of Roberts’ daughters, husband and friends, a pink candle that’s either a squashed rose or a praying Virgin Mary, and a 6-inch, white sperm statue next to what you now realize is no squashed rose. All apropos for someone who runs a Key West family planning and medical health center that sees more than 6,000 visits a year from women, men and teens for fam ily planning, gynecological, and primary care needs.

Long before she took the helm as Wom anKind’s director, Roberts came to the Keys in 1992 while on honeymoon at Little Palm Island. Her world circled back to that same place six years later, but sadly, without her husband, who died of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This time, Roberts was an intern for the head chef, whom she’d met at cooking school in New York City. Four days into the job, she met her current husband Brian. The two are Big Piners and have been for over two decades.

“I love the small town community. I love the people who live here full-time, our snowbirds, and the sense of ‘We’re all in this together’ that bridges the typical divides between classes,” she says. “And I love my commute across the ocean every day — although 10 miles shorter wouldn’t hurt.”

The drive to WomanKind in Key West start ed in December 2007. In 2017 she became the executive director, adding to the 100% dedica tion initiated by the women who founded it two decades ago. Roberts now oversees a boardcertified OB/GYN medical director, two nurse practitioners, and their former medical director,

who now volunteers, and an administrative team for which Roberts is grateful.

“There are countless instances when staffers have gone far above their call of duty to get patients the care they need,” she says. “It’s inspiring and lovely and it keeps my spirit refreshed after so many years on the job.”

Womankind’s list of on-site services is long — a pharmacy, ultrasounds, EKGs, lab test ing, cryotherapy, colposcopy, LEEPs, IUD and Nexplanon birth control, and confidential fam ily planning visits to teens through a Monroe County Health Department partnership — all with financial assistance if needed. They also provide preventive care — yearly visits, rou tine testing, a good relationship with a trusted practitioner.

Without it, health wanes, disease progress es, prevention is postponed, outcomes suffer and costs are higher, she says.

“Many women, I mean a lot of women, put their health care, especially preventive care, behind the needs of their kids, their husbands, their obligations,” she says.“We can’t take care of everyone and everything if we are not taking care of ourselves first. It’s not selfish; it’s neces sary.”

Womankind helps raise funds to help remove any additional roadblocks for women to get the health care they need. BraZaar, the annual decorated bra auction fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Key West Theater, is one such event — “a very light-hearted evening addressing a very sober situation,” says Rob erts. Emcees Erin McKenna and Womankind’s “Finance Director etc.” Chase Hurst engage the crowd as they ooh and ahh over handmade, decorated and adorned bras and their en sembles up for auction and modeled by local women. Proceeds help cover breast health care education, preventive visits, testing and patient coordination services in partnership with Zonta,

Cali Roberts is executive director of Woman Kind, which aims to provide as many mam mograms as possible to Keys women for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. CRICKET DESMARAIS/Keys Weekly

What’s something you’d like to learn? That list is ridiculously long: car pentry, electrical work, gardening, how to install solar panels, how to speak Spanish and Haitian Creole, how to ballroom dance, how to play the piano.

I better have a very long retirement.

What are you reading now?

“A Separate Peace.” I am going back and reading all the required summer reading I was assigned in high school.

I didn’t appreciate it then, but we were assigned great books: “1984,” “Animal Farm,” “Lord of the Flies,” “Brave New World,” “Catcher in the Rye,” etc. These books are now on banned-book lists when my very religious, very conserva tive, Catholic high school forced us to read them in the 1980s.

What’s your superpower? My husband says I can empathize with anyone. I agree, but I find it more of a hindrance than superpower.

Words to live by? A college profes sor taught “Question Authority,” and I’ve followed that faithfully. It leads me to make decisions I am confident and comfortable defending when ques tioned.

Secret dream? I always wanted to open a chain of women-owned autorepair shops with female mechanics who would talk respectfully to female clients and teach them about their cars so they could make informed repair decisions, without feeling subjugated or taken advantage of. If I think about it, I guess I’ve swapped automobiles for women’s bodies.

a women’s service organization that provides eligible Womankind patients with a free mam mogram screening.

“Breast cancer affects one in eight women in their lifetime,” says Roberts. “For the 50% of our patients who are uninsured, a cancer diag nosis is more than a dire health condition — it can mean financial ruin. The stress that comes with that is not conducive to healing.”

This year’s theme for the BraZaar, “Chin Up! Shoulders Back! A Seriously Uplifting Event Celebrating Women with Grit” honors histori cal women — including local female leaders — who have fought the tough fights, opened doors and lifted ceilings so women can be where they are today.

“There is much talk in the news about restricting women’s rights … even nonsense about limiting access to birth control,” she says. “If that’s a fight we’re facing, let’s reflect on the great accomplishments of our foremothers and become energized for future battles.”

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of KEYS TEMPORARY SERVICES located at 18 Flamingo Hammock Rd, Islamorada, FL 33036 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Keys Elite Services, LLC

Publish: September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of HIGHENDCIERGE, LLC located at 31 Ocean Reef Drive, Key Largo, Florida 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Cristina Popescu

Publish: September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE U-HAUL

COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is hereby given that on October 10th, 2022, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows:

103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Name and Last Known Addresses are as Follows:

Benjamin Capote Unit 1207 $523.85

Kimberley Stewart Unit 1185 $507.80

Cody Merrin Unit 1589 $871.55

Daniel Norton Unit 1775 $1,134.76

Pat Edward Placey Jr Unit 1003 $716.45 Publish: September 22nd & September 29th, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Pursuant F.S. 328.17, United American Lien & Recovery as agent w/ power of attorney will sell the following vessel(s) to the highest bidder. Inspect 1 week prior @ marina; cash or cashier check; all auctions are held w/ reserve; any persons interested ph 954-563-1999

Sale Date October 28, 2022 @ 10:00 am 3411 NW 9th Ave #707 Ft Lauderdale FL 33309

V12941 1976 Morgan FL0047RR

Hull ID#: MRY10127M76A

inboard pleasure diesel fiberglass 41ft R/O Erine Edward Harbour & Cynthia Marie Taylor Lienor: Pilot House Marina/Restaurant 13 Seagate Blvd Key Largo

LEGAL NOTICES

Licensed

Publish: September 29 & October 6, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II)

DAC II – (From the City Limits of Key West to the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the

MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for an “At Large” representative - Any resident who is not directly involved in a tourism business and who shall represent the general public, and shall live or work within the tax collection district for which he/she is applying (The operative word within this description is directly. This means no direct involvement by an applicant in a business or economic activity that is dependent upon tourism).

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

Department DAC 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, October 28, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 10:00 A.M., at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, Florida.

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 Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 2924441, 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: September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

Meeting Notice

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 1 2022, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Lift Stations Maintenance and Cleaning – Upper Keys 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. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. 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 November 1, 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:

Lift Stations Maintenance and Cleaning – Upper Keys 11-1-2022

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 so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on November 1, 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# US (New York)

+16699006833,, 4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location:

+1 646 518 9805 (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Publish:

September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

Monroe County Land Authority

The Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Committee will meet in the Marathon Government Center located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Media Room – 1st floor, Marathon, Florida on October 5, 2022 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The agenda is available online at www.monroecounty-fl.gov or by contacting the Monroe County Land Authority office at 305-295-5180.

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

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2022-CP-000267-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ARTHUR VINTON MYERS, JR., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Arthur Vinton Myers, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was July 7, 2021, File Number 2022-CP-000267-K, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The estate is testate. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

All persons on whom this notice is served who have objections that challenge the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of this Court are required to file their objections with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is served within three months after the date of the first publication of this notice must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND OBJECTIONS 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: September 29, 2022.

Personal Representative: Arthur Vinton Myers, III, a/k/a Vinton Myers, III 29 Dahlgren Road Richmond, VA 23238

Attorney for Personal Representative: Gina Martinez Nyugen Florida Bar No. 0256780

Gina Nyugen, P.A. 7300 North Kendall Drive, Suite 540 Miami, Florida 33156

Telephone: (305) 670-9400

Publish:

September 29 & October 6, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2022-CP-000110-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY EDNA SMITH A/K/A EDNA M. SMITH Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Mary Edna Smith, also known as Edna M. Smith, deceased, whose date of death was May 29, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s

NOTICES

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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: September 29, 2022.

Personal Representative: Melissa B. Hemmert 5633 Strand Blvd. Suite 306 Naples, Florida 34110

Attorney for Personal Representative: Jeffrey R. Grant Attorney Florida Bar Number: 63918 Grant, Cottrell & Miller-Meyers, PLLC 5147 Castello Drive Naples, FL 34103 Telephone: (239) 649-4848 Fax: (239) 643-9810 E-Mail: jeff@grantcottrell.com Seconday E-Mail: jennifer@ grantcottrell.com Publish: September 29 & October 6, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2022-CP-103-P Division Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM EDWARD FLEMING Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of WILLIAM EDWARD FLEMING, deceased, whose date of death was June 13, 2022; 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 OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent=s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 22, 2022.

Personal Representative CHRISTINA L. WHITESEL 3951 Old Rocks Road Street, MD 21154

Attorney for Personal Representative Urban J. W. Patterson, Esq. Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

NOTICES

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com

Florida Bar No. 382035 Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P. O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036

Telephone: 3056645065 Publish: September 22 & September 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPHINE FREUND, File No. 22-CP-117-P

Division UPPER KEYS Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JOSEPHINE FREUND , de ceased, whose date of death was MAY 1, 2022 is pending in the Circuit Court for MON ROE County, Florida, Probate Division, 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 dece dent 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 September 22, 2022 .

Personal Representative: David Rosenwald c/o R.T. McDaniel, Jr., Esq P.O. Box 144555, Coral Gables, FL 33114-4555

Attorney for Personal Represen tative: R. Thornton McDaniel, Jr thornatty@gmail.com Florida Bar No. 855715 P.O. Box 144555 Coral Gables, FL 33114-4555 Telephone: 305/815-3777 Publish: September 22 & 29, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-DR-626-K DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: SLAVENA MOMCHILOVA, Petitioner, and, BRYAN KELEMEN, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: Bryan Kelemen LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: Unknown

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Slavena Momchilova, whose address is 607 Eaton Street, Key West, FL 33040 on or before October 31, 2022, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you

fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.)

Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: September 22, 2022 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Marissa Lockwood

Deputy Clerk Publish: September 29, October 6, 13 & 20, 2022

The Weekly Newspapers

The Weekly NewspapersAUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS! Junk or Used. Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

BOATS FOR SALE

FOR SALE: 2007 Cobia - 19 ft, with T-top, 115hp Yamaha. No trailer. Located in Marathon. $9,900 Text 305-743-6098

SPACE FOR RENT

BoatTrailer Spaces Available. $100 per week. Boat dockage available $100 per week. Easy access to the Atlantic and lighthouse. Boat length 32’ or less! Dockage is eighty feet long with good depth for boats. Phone 336-408-8140 or 336287-3345.

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED -Need sitter for older self-sufficient woman, two or three days at a time. Sombrero Isle, Marathon. Please call 305-662-1916 daytime for details.

Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, Part and Full time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours. Please stop by and fill out an application, drop off resume or Fax to 305-852-9639

Sandbar Donuts mobile food trailer located at 102840 Overseas Highway, Key Largo is open Saturdays and Sundays 8am-1pm. We prepare hot fresh donuts daily and are looking for creative and responsible individuals to join our team. Please email sandbardonuts@ gmail.com or stop by to see us if interested in becoming part of our "Sprinkle Squad" or just to place a donut order and experience the Sandbar Donuts crave!

LEGAL NOTICES

CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

HOUSING FOR RENT

Pancho's Fuel Dock in Marathon is looking for a part-time cashier Thu/Fri/Sat. Please call 305-743-2281.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. $14/hr, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Varying Hours Tuesday –Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

NOW HIRING - Full Time Seafood Packers/Graders. Competitive Wage. Apply in person at Keys Fisheries Fish House, 3390 Gulfview Ave, Marathon. EOE DFWP

CDL Drivers needed. Must have a clean record & drug free. We are offering competitive wages. Please apply in person at Discount Rock & Sand, 10500 Aviation Blvd, Unit 2, Marathon

City of Marathon

Current Job Openings: Utilities Maintenance, Recreation Specialist, Right of Way Technician, Parttime Marina Custodian/ Maintenance and Marina Tech/Pump Out Captain. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

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@gmail.com

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

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

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 404219-3359 and ask for Dave.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Protective Service Aide, Resident Activities Coordinator. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@ kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.orgEOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

HOUSING FOR RENT LONG TERM

Las Brisa - 2BR/2BA

Unfurnished, great view, W/D, covered parking. Tennis, Swimming Pool & BBQ on property. Across from Smather’s Beach, Key West. $3,900/month + util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700

STUDIO APT FOR RENT - Furnished Studio Apt w/ patio, like new, W/D, off street parking. Key West. $2,300/month including util. F/L/S Owner/Agent Douglas Miller 305-747-1700

HOUSING FOR RENT SHORT TERM

2BR/2BA Single Family Waterfront Home for rent in Marathon. Fully furnished. 70' dock. $5,000/ month includes all utilities, internet & TV. Available for 3 months - Jan, Feb & March. 727-278-1105

RV FOR SALE

RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard 305-363-8021

YARD SALES

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

NOW HIRING

OUTDOOR PRIVATE ESTATE HOUSEMAN

Islamorada | Full Time | $25.00 +/hr

Must have previous houseman or related experience, valid US DL and SSN. Must be able to pass background checks and be a self-starter who can follow directions

ESTAMOS CONTRATANDO

Tiempo completo, mantenimiento de exterior en casa privada. Localizada en Islamorada, a $25.00+/hr. experiencia previa requerida o similar. Licencia valida en EE.UU. y numero de Seguro social. Capaz de pasar verificacion de antecedents y prueba de droga. Emprendedor motivado capaz de seguir instruciones.

Email resume & references to Lnz777@aol.com or mail to:

Resume, c/o Post Net, 88005 Overseas Hwy, Suite 10, Box #162, Islamorada, FL 33036

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

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

HIRING

PROFESSIONALS NEEDED! APPLY TODAY!

NURSE PRACTITIONER/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Keys AHEC Health Centers is seeking a Full Time APRN or PA to join its team. Position follows the Teacher’s School Schedule during the year and has limited Summer Hours. Position o ers a competitive wage, great schedule, Health Insurance and other benefits. Duties will be to provide primary care medical services in a school based se ing for students and sta .

FRONT DESK DENTAL/DRIVER

The Keys AHEC Health Center is looking for a FRONT DESK PROFESSIONAL AND MOBILE UNIT DRIVER to join our oral health care team. This position will work with students who normally do not have access to oral health care and need basic dental treatment and prevention services.

Position is 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs), equaling 24-35 hours per week with occasional Friday opportunities. Position will also work the front desk which will require receiving patients, phone calls, patient scheduling, reporting and general administrative duties. Training is provided for the driving, vehicle upkeep and front desk duties on site. Travel is required as we serve all schools countywide which has some longer days for sites at each end of the county.

Position o ers a competitive salary, mileage reimbursement, travel pay and a limited benefit package. EOE

For more information or to submit your CV, contact Michael Cunningham, CEO at 305 743-7111 ext. 202 or email at michael@keysahec.org

OPEN POSITIONS

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi Modality Imaging Tech

- Occupational Health Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, Emergency

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, $15,000 Bonus

- Sr Phlebotomist

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Dietitian, $5,000 Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator

- Floor Technician, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Assistant, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi Modality Imaging Tech

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Phlebotomist, $10,000 Bonus

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, Emergency, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $20,000 Bonus

- Security Of cer

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE – MARATHON

- Patient Representative, $1,000 Bonus

- Registered Nurse

- Athletic Trainer

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

LARGO

WEST

Benefits

401(k)

Full job descriptions available at www.dolphins.org/career_opportunities

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

O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL

Teaching... Learning... Caring

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for part time positions. DUI instructors and evaluators - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

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

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $16.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

Lead

OPEN POSITIONS

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Environmental Tech, $5,000 Bonus

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi Modality Imaging Tech

- Occupational Health Registered Nurse, $20,000 Bonus

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Pool Group Exercise Instructor

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, Emergency

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, $15,000 Bonus

- Sr Phlebotomist

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Cook, $5,000 Bonus

- Dietitian, $5,000 Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator

- Floor Technician, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Assistant, $5,000 Bonus

- Medical Technologist, $15,000 Bonus

- Multi Modality Imaging Tech

- Patient Experience Advocate

- Phlebotomist, $10,000 Bonus

- Pool Physical Therapist

- Registered Nurse, Emergency, $20,000 Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $20,000 Bonus

- Security Of cer

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE – MARATHON

- Patient Representative, $1,000 Bonus

- Registered Nurse

- Athletic Trainer

PART TIME / FULL TIME OPPORTUNITIES W/FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

BELL/VALET

Offering a $500 sign on bonus for applicants hired through 9/30/2022

FRONT DESK AGENT RESERVATIONS AGENT REVENUE ANALYST HOUSEKEEPING PUBLIC AREA AND ROOM ATTENDANT

Offering a $500 sign on bonus for applicants hired through 9/30/2022

F&B: SERVER FOOD RUNNER/BUSSER SERVER ASSISTANT RESTAURANT GREETER COOK

SPA TERRE AT OCEAN KEY: LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSED NAIL TECHNICIAN

WE ARE EXCITED TO OFFER REDUCED-COST EMPLOYEE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN OLD TOWN!

SCAN TO VIEW JOB OPENINGS. APPLY TODAY!

APPLY ONLINE AT www.noblehousehotels.com/careers

KEY WEST WEEKLY / SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 45 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844 APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

APPLY IN PERSON AT Zero Duval St. Ocean Key Resort and Spa is EOE.

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time to meet your needs. Apply and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO

Crisis Counselor

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

Care Coordinator

Prevention Specialist

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Peer Support Specialist

Crisis Counselor

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children)

*Advocate

MARATHON

*Support Worker (PT only)

Peer Support Specialist/BHT Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult) RNs and LPNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Admissions Utilization Specialist

*No experience required for these positions. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Background and drug screen req.

COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Check out all available positions at: www.westcare.com (search by zip code) EEOC/DFWP