HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP EVERY FRIDAY MORNING

Bronco is a 2-year-old male medium mixed breed. He’s a happy, adventurous boy who we are still learning about. He will need a patient home with training to exercise both his mind and manners.

Ally is a 5½-year-old female domestic shorthair. She’s one of the cats we have had the longest, since June 2017, and has been waiting for a home ever since. She is shy and cautious, but with patience and time could be a complete love in your home.

The Ploggers met March 30 for a cleanup at Mallory Square, where 42 volunteers including 10 from host Ocean Key Resort, collected 80 pounds of trash, 11 pounds of recycling, and 7 gallons of cigarette butts in just one hour. Special thanks to Ocean Key Resort for not only hosting the Ploggers and providing them with breakfast, but for lending a helping hand. CONTRIBUTED

The numbers below show the increase that our efforts have made in the past year, from March 2022 to March 2023:

Volunteers: March 2022: 177 / March 2023: 535

Gallons of cigarette butts collected: March 2022: 20.5 / March 2023: 49.5

Pounds of trash collected: March 2022: 740.5 / March 2023: 2,589.5

Pounds of recycling collected: March 2022: 82 / March 2023: 382 that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference.

One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.

Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.

Louise is a 4½-year-old female domestic shorthair. She’s a happy cat, but will take some time to get to know you. Once she does, she will be your purrrrfect best friend.

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.

It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

— Contributed

Udon is a 2-year-old male domestic shorthair mix. He loves all food, people, children and playing with kittens. He would do well with other cats and a window to watch the world go by.

The city of Key West and its residents ask everyone to do their part to help keep Key West beautiful. With simple steps like making sure you bag your trash before putting it in your Waste Management trash cans or Dumpsters, and making sure the lids on Dumpsters are closed, will keep a lot of trash from blowing into the streets. Call Waste Management at 305-296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less

Join an upcoming Friday morning cleanup from 8 to 9 a.m.

April 7: US 1 at The Triangle (meet on bike path near Marriott Beachside)

April 14: Petronia, Emma & Thomas streets (Meet at 111 Olivia St.)

April 21: White Street & Higgs Beach (Meet at bocce courts)

Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day): 8-10 a.m. (Meet at Peace Covenant Church on Flagler)

April 28: Lazy Way & Key West Bight (Meet next to mural at end of William Street)

Saturday, April 8

• The Key West High School Band’s community yard sale, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Strunk Ace Hardware, 1101 Eaton St. All proceeds will offset the band’s cost of travel. Donations can be made with cash or credit card, or by donation at KWHSBand.com.

Sunday, April 9 - HAPPY EASTER

• “Let’s Get Hoppy” edition of the Key West Artisan Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park, 1801 White St. across from White Street Pier. The event will feature an Easter egg hunt for kids with candy and prizes. The Slime Time booth will be set up next to the info booth for hands-on fun. Adult guests may enjoy bloody’s, mimosas and a full bar from Great Events Catering, coffee, natural juices and cut fruit along with multiple food trucks and stalls. A curated outdoor market offering crafts, art and jewelry.

Tuesday, April 11

• Stock Island Town Hall public meeting to discuss the recently published Stock Island Community Health Survey Report, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bernstein Park. All are welcome. The Stock Island Community Health Survey Report can be found at monroe.floridahealth. gov/stockisland.

Friday, April 14

• Application deadline for May Sands Montessori School in Key West. The free, public charter school serves students in Pre-K through eighth grade. Application packets and instructions are at maysandsmontessori.com or at the school’s front office. The public admissions lottery drawing will be held on May 5. For more information, call 305-293-1400 ext. 53418.

April 15-16

• Blue Angels return for the Southernmost Air Spectacular at Naval Air Station Key West at MM 8. Admission is free both days. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the show starts at 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 15

• Following a $1 million renovation, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Eco-Discovery Center in Key West reopens with a “Community Day’’ celebration with games and hands-on activities for children and families, and tours of the re-imagined visitor center and exhibits. This event is free, just like admission to the Eco-Discovery Center itself, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 21-30

• Conch Republic Days commemorate the Florida Keys’ symbolic 1982 secession from the United States and formation of the independent republic. Visit conchrepublic.com for schedule and details.

Saturday, April 22

• Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade kicks off at noon from the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front St. Mobile sculptures and art bikes will travel the length of Duval Street to the Southernmost Pocket Park, where a block party and awards ceremony celebration will take place from 1 to 3 p.m.

Monday, April 24

• Taste of Key West, 7 to 10 p.m. at Truman Waterfront Park to benefit AH Monroe.

June 30-July 4

• Key West’s Key Lime Festival will celebrate the world’s most sensational citrus with a bountiful array of festivities across the very island where Key lime pie was conceived.