Key West Weekly 23-0420

CONCH REPUBLIC

Independence Celebration

April 21-30, 2023

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

h DAILYh

10am-8pm: KEY WEST HISTORIC SEAPORT Conch Republic

Headquarters & Merchandise Booth at Elizabeth & Greene Streets, shopping, dining, live music, boats, schooners and more!

5:30pm: “CONCH REPUBLIC, THE MUSICAL!” at Little Room Jazz Club.

h FRIDAY, APRIL 21st h

FORTY YEARS ONE

“We’re All Here Because We’re Not All There ! ”

ConchRepublic.com

KEY WEST, FLORIDA

8-9am: CONCH REPUBLIC BEACH CLEANUP on Higgs Beach.

3-4am: “RAISING of the COLORS” CEREMONY at Mallory Square.

7am: CONCH REPUBLIC DAYS KICK-OFF PARTY at Schooner Wharf Bar.

7-9: “ADVENTURES of the CONCH REPUBLIC”

Last Chance Bar in Florida City.

h SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd h

8am: EARTH DAY CLEANUP on STOCK ISLAND at Bernstein Park.

11am-3pm: CONCH CRAWL BAR STROLL Check in at 801 Duval.

3-4pm: CONCH REPUBLIC DRAG RACES Check in 724 Duval.

7-9pm: VIP Screening of “ADVENTURES of the CONCH REPUBLIC” at Tropic Cinema.

h SUNDAY, APRIL 23rd h

Noon-1pm: SECESSION RE-ENACTMENT at 401 Wall Street.

1-4pm: PARTY LIKE A CONCH-STAR POOL PARTY at The Gates Hotel.

2-4pm: Public Screening of “ADVENTURES of the CONCH REPUBLIC” at Tropic Cinema.

5-7pm: JAZZ IN THE GARDEN at The Gardens Hotel.

h MONDAY, APRIL 24th h

5-7pm: CONCH REPUBLIC K-9 MUSTER in the Backyard Bar at The EmPOURium.

5-7pm: BLIND WINE TASTING at The Gardens Hotel.

h TUESDAY, APRIL 25th h

6-8pm: MILITARY MUSTER & CONCH-TAIL PARTY at the Southernmost Point Bar.

h WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26th h

3-5pm: “ART of WINE”

GALLERY TOUR & WINE STROLL at The Saint Hotel.

6-10pm: HOT HAVANA NIGHT at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon.

h THURSDAY, APRIL 27th h

6-7pm: PRE-PARADE PARTY at Southernmost Point Guest House.

8-9pm: The WORLD’S LOOOOONGEST PARADE on Duval from the Atlantic to the Gulf.

9pm: PARADE AFTER PARTY & AWARDS at Schooner Wharf Bar.

h FRIDAY, APRIL 28th h

5:30pm: RACE WORLD OFFSHORE KICK-OFF PARTY at Aquarium Encounters, Marathon.

7pm: GREAT SEA BATTLE of the CONCH REPUBLIC in Key West Harbor.

8pm: “SURRENDER CEREMONY & VICTORY PARTY” at Schooner Wharf Bar.

h SATURDAY, APRIL 29th h

10am-6pm: CONCH REPUBLIC ART & CRAFT FAIR on Duval, between Eaton & Greene.

2-4pm: BLUE RIBBON BED RACES on Duval, starting at Bourbon St. Pub.

5:30pm: RACE WORLD OFFSHORE RACERS & FANS PARTY at Sunset Grill, Marathon.

7pm: PIRATE BALL & COSTUME CONTEST at Schooner Wharf Bar, Historic Seaport.

h SUNDAY, APRIL 30th h

8am-3pm: RACE WORLD OFFSHORE

CONCH REPUBLIC CUP 7-Mile Bridge, Marathon.

1-4pm: SCHOONER WHARF WRECKERS CUP RACE SERIES to Sand Key Lighthouse.

6pm: RACE WORLD OFFSHORE AWARDS

CEREMONY at Faro Blanco Resort, Marathon.

7pm: WRECKERS CUP RACE AWARDS PARTY & CEREMONY at Schooner Wharf Bar.

TICKETS & INFO: ConchRepublic.com

Come visit the Headquarters of CRIC 2023 at Elizabeth & Greene Streets in KW Historic Seaport, 10AM-8PM.

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928

www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

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Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Account Executive Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Design / Pre-Press

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Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

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Members of

International trips are on the rise this year. According to AAA booking data, international travel is up more than 200% compared to 2022. Hotel bookings are seeing the biggest jump, up more than 300% over last year. The spike in demand is driving up airfares. Ticket prices for international trips are up more than 30%.

The Key West Art & Historical Society presents the Papio Kinetic Sculpture Parade down Duval Street starting at noon on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. CAROL TEDESCO/Contributed

HUMAN - POWERED SCULPTURES STRUT DUVAL ON APRIL 22

The annual Papio Kinetic Sculpture and Art Bike Parade — a family-friendly, art-inspired, human-powered mobile sculpture and art-bike parade that celebrates creativity and innovation using recycled materials — is set to roll down the length of Duval Street on Saturday, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day. Mobile sculptures and art bikes will launch at noon from the Key West Museum of Art & History, traveling the full length of Duval Street to the Southernmost Pocket Park where a block party and awards ceremony celebration will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Southernmost Beach Café will have a cash bar and food for purchase during the award ceremony.

The parade celebrates imagination and encourages the use of reused materials, all while honoring Stanley Papio, a pioneering Florida Keys folk artist whose recycled metal sculptures teem with satire, tenacity and innovation. The country’s first Kinetic Sculpture Race rolled out in Ferndale, California in 1969, igniting a craze that later grew to include national race events in Philadelphia, Baltimore and elsewhere. Since then, other communities, including Key West, have hosted

PAPIO PARADE GETS MOVING

kinetic events, offering their own variation of these floats-with-moving-parts parades.

When kicking off its own parade in 2016, the Key West Art & Historical Society took the region’s laid-back attitude and eco-friendliness into account, eliminating the “race” component and adding the element of “art bikes” for the town known for its pedaling revelers. Arising from a long-percolating idea, the project won the support of a prestigious Knight Arts Challenge grant, along with additional support from the Helmerich Trust, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

The family-friendly Papio Kinetic Sculpture & Art Bike Parade returns on Earth Day, Saturday April 22. Visit papiokineticparade.com KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

In years past, Papio Parade spectators have been treated to the sight of inspired, entirely human-powered works of art, including a supersized narwhal that winked at onlookers, a pelican whose wings flapped as it towed parasailing minnows, an eagle ray powered by three bicycling men dressed as remoras, a race car with an engine made of discarded plumbing parts, and a 30-foot-long iguana fashioned from scrap cardboard spines. With 2023 creations underway by several “Papio Ambassador” artist teams and several school registrants supported by scholarships, this year’s parade promises to offer another visual feast for the eyes.

A number of local schools have constructed art bikes for the parade, including May Sands Montessori, Grace Lutheran, Key West Art & Historical Society’s ArtCamp! and the Montessori Children’s School.

More information is at papiokineticparade.com.

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KEY WEST OFFICIALS KEEP AMPHITHEATER MANAGERS

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, April 20

• Reef Relief and Sunset Social Drinking Club host 420 Key West Fest, 4:20 to 9 p.m. at Sunset Pier, 0 Duval St. Event features food, drinks and live music by the Red Not Chili Peppers, Reggie Lou and the Kind Budz, plus a silent auction and raffle for the benefit of Reef Relief. Ten prize packages including watersports passes, gift certificates for local bars and restaurants, and other luxury items will be auctioned.

April 21-30

MANDY

MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

The Key West Amphitheater will become an ice skating rink for three weeks during this year’s holiday season, venue managers announced, perhaps unintentionally, at the April 18 city commission meeting.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” said Bill Muehlhauser, whose company, Rams Head Promotions, has managed the Key West Amphitheater for the city since shortly after it opened in 2019. The same company will continue to manage “the amp,” at least for the next three years.

Key West officials approved the three-year extension to Rams Head’s management contract despite some concerns — and opposing votes — from two elected officials and a few community members.

While making his case for the contract extension, Muehlhauser mentioned the holiday festival and ice skating rink as an example of upcoming community events.

Commissioner Sam Kaufman and Mayor Teri Johnston initially urged a postponement to give the city time to compare its contract with Rams Head to those of other venues.

Kaufman emphasized that he had no problems with Rams Head’s performance.

“But we are stewards of the taxpayers’ money and of this public facility,” Kaufman said. “I want to know if this contract is fair to the taxpayers, and how can we know that without any comparisons to other venues with similar

RAMS HEAD GETS 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

contracts? If we haven’t spoken to other venues, or to any other promoters who produce shows at our amphitheater, then shame on us.”

Under the contract, for multiday events, such as music festivals, the city gets 50% of all venue rental fees paid by third-party event producers. Rams Head does not pay a venue usage or rental fee for the shows it presents. That fee waiver constitutes the management fee the city would typically pay a contractor.

For single-day events, the city gets $5 from every $100 ticket sold; $3 for every $60 ticket; $2 on every $40 to $60 ticket and $1 on all tickets under $40. The city gets no revenue from the sale of food, beverage or merchandise, the contract states.

At one point, Johnston asked for input from Kyle Carter, whose local company produced and promoted the popular three-day music festivals at the amphitheater in January and February — Rok Island Fest, Mile 0 Fest and Key Western Fest.

Carter said he had worked well with Rams Head when he rented the venue for the festivals, but told the city, “I know logistics; I know flow; I know concerts, but no one’s calling me. There’s no way you can make an informed decision here tonight talking only to the venue manager. What I’m proposing is to put this contract back out for bid. When it happens, we’ll put in a smokin’ bid.”

Commissioner Jimmy Weekley reminded his colleagues that

COVID canceled all events at the amphitheater — and income — seven months after Rams Head’s contract started in August 2019. “And yet they stuck it out, and look at the shows we’re getting here. Rams Head has built a great reputation. Because of contractual obligations, Bill needs some assurance from us. Let’s go ahead and extend the contract.”

And they did.

In other commission news

• City Manager Al Childress announced a new schedule for city commission meetings that will begin in June as a six-month pilot program. Summer months will include one meeting rather than two, and they’ll take place the second Thursday of the month. Those meetings will be divided into morning and evening sessions. Both will allow time for public comments, but many of the more mundane “housekeeping” items, such as the consent agenda, will be handled in the morning, along with some awards and proclamations that often take significant time during evening meetings.

• Key West is launching a partnership with the College of the Florida Keys for a water quality monitoring program that will sample and test ocean water from the main ship channel, Key West Harbor and eventually Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach and Fort Zachary Tayor, as well as reef locations at Eastern and Western Dry Rocks for comparison to the nearshore locations.

• 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.

Saturday, April 29

• 2nd annual Cuban Sandwich Throwdown, noon to 3 p.m. at the Green Parrot Bar, Key West. Tickets are $20 to participate in taste tests of nine Cuban sandwich entries. 100% of proceeds benefit The Learning Center preschool.

• Cori Convertito from the Key West Art & Historical Society discusses “Crossing the Florida Straits: 150 Years of Cuban Migration to South Florida,” 1 p.m. in the Toppino Nature Chapel at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, College Road, Stock Island.

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.

The Key West Amphitheater hosts the iconic game show The Price is Right in March 2022. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

FKAA DIRECTOR PUSHES BACK ON STATE TAKEOVER CLAIM

VELIZ ANSWERS CONCERNS ABOUT KEYS’ PIPELINE ISSUES

mandy@keysweekly.com

The head of the Florida Keys’ water utility is pushing back against a recent news report that claimed a state agency had floated the idea of taking over the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.

“To say that a regulatory agency is considering taking over the aqueduct authority is just not true,” FKAA executive director Greg Veliz told the Keys Weekly on April 18. “One speaker from the Keys got up during the public comment period of a recent public meeting of the South Florida Water Management District and started saying things.”

The SFWMD regulates the amount of water counties and cities can take from the Biscayne Aquifer. The Florida Keys currently pump about 22 million gallons of water per day.

That speaker at the SFWMD governing board’s April 13 meeting in Palm Beach was Capt. Ed Davidson, a Middle Keys resident, former school board member and government gadfly and watchdog. A roughly 15-minute speech by Davidson to the SFWMD criticized FKAA’s lack of a plan to replace a 40-year-old pipe when it knew what the lifespan would be decades ago. He proceeded to suggest that Gov. Ron DeSantis should seize control of FKAA and put the agency into the hands of the SFWMD. That happened in the Keys during the 1980s, when then-Gov. Bob Graham threw out FKAA commissioners and placed the SFWMD in control before new pipes went into the ground. Once the new water main was installed, the SFWMD members were gradually phased out as Graham appointed new FKAA commissioners.

“The aqueduct has such a soiled history that the last time they built the pipeline, Graham seized control of the aqueduct because of the lack of confidence and lack of competence,” Davidson told the Keys Weekly. “He oversaw the pipeline. I think that’s clearly needed here.

“We have known for some time that our transmission main was in desperate need of replacement. Why did they sit on their asses for the last 40 years?” he continued.

Veliz added that SFWMD board member Cheryl Meads, former Islamorada resident and councilwoman, likely invited Davidson to the meeting.

But, Veliz said, he had not been able to reach Meads since learning about Davidson’s comments at the April 13 meeting from another news outlet. Meads did not return phone calls and texts from the Keys Weekly as of presstime.

“As a representative of a regulatory agency, I would think a callback would be appropriate given the topic of discussion,” Veliz said, inviting the Keys Weekly to ask him “absolutely anything” about the three consecutive water main breaks in the pipeline that brings drinking water down the Florida Keys from the mainland. The breaks occurred in the Upper Keys in early March and caused temporary water outages at all points south of the breaks. It affected schools, businesses and many households in the Keys.

The breaks also underscored the need for expediency in replacing all 130 miles of water pipeline throughout the Florida Keys, where a reverse osmosis plant is also under construction on Stock Island to turn ocean water into drinking water, such as occurs on ships.

During repair of the recent water main breaks, photos circulated showing the jarring deterioration of parts of the existing pipeline, which was completed 41 years ago in 1982.

“The pictures are disturbing; let’s face it,” Veliz said, acknowledging the community’s concerns about the time that will be

required to replace all 130 miles of pipeline, which prompted many residents to ask why the FKAA had waited so long to begin its replacement.

“If we have an Achilles heel in this issue, perhaps it was not looking forward enough,”

Crews work to replace a portion of the water pipeline in Islamorada following three breaks in the line in early March. A 20-year project is in the works to replace all 130 miles of the pipeline that brings drinking water to the Keys from the mainland. FKAA/Contributed

Crews work to replace a portion of the water pipeline in Islamorada following three breaks in the line in early March. A 20-year project is in the works to replace all 130 miles of the pipeline that brings drinking water to the Keys from the mainland.

Veliz told the Keys Weekly on April 18. “But we currently have $115 million worth of projects underway that are fully funded. And we have another 12 projects totaling another $100 or so million waiting to begin. We were successful last year in getting state and federal funding to the tune of about $37 million. We’ve been spending a lot of time in Tallahassee and we have lobbyists working on our funding requests. Congressman Carlos Gimenez is also helping us on the federal level.”

With a mile of pipe costing from $7 million to $10 million, a complete replacement of the Keys water main will be in the hundreds of millions — if not more than $1 billion when all is said and done.

Veliz added that water officials since March have decreased the water pressure that’s running through the pipeline in an effort to “hopefully help increase the longevity of the pipeline. But am I so naive to think that we won’t have another break in the next 20 or 30 years while we’re replacing the pipe? No way. In fact, I know we’ll have several more breaks, and we’ll fix those as we did the recent ones. Right now, anything north of a pipeline break will still be fed water as usual from Florida City. But anything south of the break will be affected.”

The upcoming reverse osmosis plant on Stock Island offers hope for backup water when finished in 2025.

“If by 2025 or 2027, I can generate 8 million gallons a day we’ll be able to back pump water to where it’s needed,” Veliz said, adding that

additional RO plants are being considered in Marathon and one other location in the Keys.

“A lot has been said about us not having a plan,” he added, referring to Davidson’s and Meads’ remarks at the SFWMD meeting. “But we have a plan. We’re designing projects to fit our funding sources. I’m very, very confident with where we are right now.”

When asked about any precedent for having a state agency step in to take over the FKAA operations, Veliz said, “About 40 years ago, there was an elected water board at FKAA and the governor did step in and ask the legislature to investigate some financial problems, and they did step in. But now we’re in a completely different era. There have been absolutely no findings of wrongdoing whatsoever.”

Davidson wasn’t the only Keys resident who trekked to Palm Beach for the SFWMD Governing Board on April 13. Islamorada residents Sue Miller and Joan Scholz also expressed their concern with the recent pipe breaks and the time it’ll take to replace all 130 miles of aging water line. Both asked for the SFWMD’s help to address an urgent matter.

“Perhaps the district can provide a strong reminder that it’s extremely urgent for our community to do all we can to remedy the water situation before it becomes a true catastrophic disaster,” Miller said.

STOP BEING BUGGED

TOUGH ON BUGS - SAFE FOR PETS!

OVER 10 YEARS OF LOCAL EXPERIENCE & TRUST

ENGLISH SERVICE

Sunday Bible Study 10am Service 11am & Service 6pm

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm

Evangelist Rodrigue Aleandre

KREYOL SEVIS

Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm

Adorasyon 8:30pm

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm

Minis

Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV

— Jim McCarthy contributed to this report.

The 30-inch pipe that burst at MM 92 in Tavernier on March 8 .

MILITARY MATTERS

MONTHLY REPORT FROM KEY WEST’S MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Each month, Key West Military Affairs Committee recognizes the best of the best personnel serving in local military activities.

The committee this month recognized two “one of ones” in the United States Coast Guard (USCG): The Gold Ancient Mariner and the Military Times’ 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year.

GOLD ANCIENT MARINER AWARD

The Gold Ancient Mariner title honors the Coast Guard officer with the most sea time across the entire Coast Guard and recognizes the service and sacrifice of a successful and distinguished career afloat.

Captain Patrick Culver has held that title since July 17, 2020, and will hold it until he relinquishes it just prior to retirement.

Culver has served as Coast Guard Liaison to Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West since June 2020, currently under the direction of Commander USCG Atlantic Area and Commander USCG District 7.

His flagship was USCG Cutter James, where he commanded a flotilla of seven major cutters to address migrant interdiction. He achieved a 93% interdiction rate while serving as commodore. He spoke to MAC about his colorful and successful career climbing the enlisted ranks to captain while living the Coast Guard dream since enlisting in 1981. He first served in Key West in 1995, advancing to Chief Quartermaster in 1997, becoming a Lieutenant in the Conch Republic Navy in 1998 and commissioning to Chief Warrant Officer (BOSN) in 1998.

Culver and wife Jennifer have become part of the community and can often be spotted taking part in support activities in the community like Soldier Ride and local fundraisers. We wish them both fair winds and following seas at retirement this June.

MILITARY TIMES’ 2023 U.S. COAST GUARDSMAN OF THE YEAR

Lieutenant Chelsea Sheehy was recently chosen from 41,700 active-duty Coast Guard members as the Military Times Foundation’s Coast Guardsman of the Year. This is attributed to her service while assigned at USCG Sector Key West as Commanding Officer of the USCG Cutter Charles Sexton. The formal ceremony will take place July 18 in Washington, D.C.

Sheehy graduated from the USCG Academy in 2014, went on to serve as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCG Cutter Confidence in Cape Canaveral, Florida, then Executive Officer USCGC Galveston Island in Honolulu from 2016 to 2018. She then was assigned to USCG Office of Congressional and Government Affairs from 2018 to 2021, serving as administrative officer before going on to serve as a USCG Fellow for Sen. Rick Scott. She then reported to Key West to assume command of USCG Charles Sexton in July 2021. The Military Times’ Service Member of the Year program honors outstanding military members from each branch who have demonstrated exemplary military service going beyond the call of duty.

Lt. Sheehy’s service as commanding officer of the 154-foot fast response USCGC Charles Sexton earned her this distinction. Her accomplishments with deployments to combat illicit trafficking, conduct rescue missions, promote cooperation with interagency partners between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are just a few of the examples that put her on top of the competition.

MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Sheriff Rick Ramsay is a positional member of MAC and works closely with military leadership to keep them informed on important law enforcement issues that could affect military service members and operations in Monroe County.

At the April meeting, Ramsay presented MAC with a $5,000 check to further its military support initiatives. This funding is from nontaxpayer funds seized during drug busts.

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD, “PURPLE UP!”

April is “Month of the Military Child” and president Ron Demes gave a presentation honoring military children this month. The White House proclamation signed by President Biden on March 31 is to “honor the over 2 million children of our service members and veterans, whose support and sacrifice help keep our military strong and our Nation secure. These young Americans already understand what it means to serve, shouldering the unique demands of military life with courage and tenacity.” The proclamation goes on to say, “I call upon the people of the United States to honor the children of our service members and veterans with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also encourage Americans everywhere to find ways to support military-connected children, including by wearing purple during the month of April in honor of their service.” Keeping with this year’s theme, all MAC members were encouraged to support this effort and “Purple Up.” — Contributed

4.

1. MAC president Ron Demes presents Capt. Pat Culver with the “Bravo Zulu MAC Club Champion Mug” in appreciation for serving as a guest speaker and supporting the community. CONTRIBUTED

2. Lt. Chelsea Sheehy was presented the MAC Bravo Zulu Club Champion Mug by president Ron Demes in recognition of her prestigious achievement.

3. From left, Commanding Officer USCG Cutter Mohawk Cmdr. Andrew Pate, Coast Guardsman of the Quarter ET2 Blayne Reinhardt, MAC President Ron Demes.

From left, MAC president Ron Demes with Senior Sailor of the Quarter AS1 Alexander Rossi, and Officer-in-Charge Fleet Readiness Center Lt. Cmdr. Jonathon Patnaude.

5. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay presents MAC president Ron Demes with a $5,000 check.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF MOSQUITO CONTROL IN FLORIDA

History has well documented the fact that mosquitoes have plagued mankind for thousands of years and they continue to be a growing threat in much of the world today. In 1821, when the United States officially took control of Florida, Virginia Congressman John Randolph declared it “a land of swamps, of quagmires, of frogs and alligators and mosquitoes. A man, sir, would not immigrate into Florida – and no, not from Hell itself.”

Development continued to be very slow in Florida for the next 100 years while mosquitoes remained a major detriment as both a nuisance pest and a major disease vector. There were many large epidemics of yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria in Florida during this period with many associated deaths. The Florida Keys were often at the center of these disease outbreaks. In the early 1920s a terrible epidemic of dengue fever began in Miami and swept through the entire state, infecting more than 200,000 people when the state’s population was just over 1 million.

After this disease outbreak, things began to change, when the Florida Legislature provided for the establishment of mosquito control districts after their approvals by local referendum. The first such district formed was in Indian River County, which was part of what had earlier been named Mosquito County. In 1922, a group of dedicated individuals assembled in Daytona Beach to form the organization that is known today as the Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA). In 1949 the forerunner of what is now the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District was created to control our 40+ tropical mosquito species and their diseases. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry have slowed and continue to slow social and economic development in many tropical and subtropical climates of the world today, but no longer in Florida or the Keys.

For 100 years, Floridians and our tourists have greatly benefited from the hundreds of dedicated mosquito control scientists and technicians who work to make our lives more comfortable and safer from the world’s deadliest animal. Mosquito control has continually progressed in Florida and is now a plethora of technologies, encompassing elements of every physical and life science and at the same time, improving our quality of life, helping protect public health and our fragile environment. It is important for us to remember that it has not always been this way.

Today, mosquito control in Florida consists of 57 unique districts. Some are county-managed and some are managed by elected commissioners and staff in special taxing districts such as in the Florida Keys. Some of the larger Florida districts have become world-class technology centers like in the Keys. What began as a public awareness campaign in 1922 has now evolved into a complex science with all Florida’s districts working together under the FMCA umbrella to make Florida the leading state in mosquito control. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has helped lead this effort.

With Florida’s growing success in mosquito control, we have seen our industries, including tourism, increasingly flourish. We are certainly not perfect, but with Florida property values at an all-time high and the state now a year-round tourist destination with an attractive business environment, mosquito control is an important part of that success story and a good value for your tax dollars. Mosquito control usually stays in the background, doing our job, but it is important for you to know we are here and working hard every day.

Phil Goodman Chairman of the board of commissioners, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District

SHELF HELP

Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

What: “Kick the Latch” by Kathryn Scanlan

Why: Ms. Scanlan is one of our most gifted and incredibly modern authors. You’ll read lots of reviews about her attention to detail and microprecision, blah blah blah ... she specifically knows what to add and what to take away. Just like Coco Chanel saying, “Before you leave the house, take one thing off.” Ms. Scanlan takes it ALL off and then adds just one thing — the perfect thing.

The book was constructed from interviews with a woman who made a name for herself by becoming a horse trainer — not a field with many women practitioners. Spare, bleak, luminous, revelatory — all the words.

Read: if you like Amy Hempel, Raymond Carver and Denis Johnson. And haikus.

This book will take you a couple of hours to read but offers you a lifetime of remembering.

Where: This is available as an e-book from the Monroe County Library system.

How: You can request books online by logging in to www.keyslibraries.org and get ebooks and e-audiobooks 24/7 at www.estuff. keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Jay Beasley, library assistant, Key West branch

MOONEY’S FIANCÉE HURT IN SERIOUS CRASH IN ISLAMORADA

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

State Rep. Jim Mooney’s fiancée, Charity Rebl, is on a long path to recovery after she was involved in a serious crash in Islamorada last week.

Rebl, a local real estate agent, remains hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. She’s being treated for a number of broken bones after a tractor-trailer collided with her vehicle in Islamorada.

Mooney, who was in Tallahassee for legislative session, left the capital in order to be by his fiancée’s side. Rebl was being treated in the intensive care unit since arriving at the hospital. Mooney said she left the ICU on April 17.

Despite being away, Mooney continues to manage several bills he’s sponsoring, including legislation related to fees in lieu of security deposits that’s supposed to be heard before the House on April 20 (today). Mooney said his colleague, state Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, of Miami-Dade County, is helping to take on some of his bills appearing before legislators this week.

“We cover each other when things come up,” Mooney said regarding the camaraderie among his fellow representatives in the House.

Lee Young, Mooney’s legislative aide, said the hours, the stress and the time Mooney puts in to ensure his family and constituents “are both getting 100% from him is amazing.”

Mooney’s departure from the state capital came as the House was considering Senate Bill 300 on a 6-week abortion ban. Legislation passed through the chamber by a 70-40 vote and was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis the next day. Mooney, who couldn’t vote as he was away, said he wasn’t in favor of such a move.

“I struggled to get to 15 weeks. I did so much research,” Mooney said, adding that the state legislature has important issues, such as property insurance, to consider before the session concludes next month.

State Rep. Jim Mooney

This weekend celebrates the moment we all give thanks to the Earth for her abundance and natural resources. That’s right, 420 Day is upon us (oh, and don’t forget about Earth Day on the 22nd), which likely serves as a holiday for many of your neighbors in the Florida Keys. For those who do partake, we assume you will not be at work on Thursday, so we created our best 420 movie playlist to pair with your favorite platter of munchies. This is, like, our opinion, man, of the …

420 DAY MOVIES OF ALL-TIME

10. “Super Troopers” (2001): Just about any revelation from the brain of Jay Chandrasekhar is deserving of this list, but “Super Troopers” remains a cannabiscult favorite, as it follows a goofball team of Vermont state troopers trying to save their jobs. Favorite line: “Am I saying Meow Don’t think boy, meow do you know how fast you were going?”

9. “Friday” (1995): No 420 list is complete without “Friday,” which propelled Chris Tucker (“Smokey”) into stardom, along with a cornucopia of tasty stoner quotes. Favorite line: “You’ve got to be one stupid mother%#er to get fired on your day off.”

8. “Dude, Where’s My Car” (2000): Critics of our Top 10 lists (and we have plenty) will debate this one, but this movie measures up against the true stoner movie test — “Can a movie be horrible without weed, but incredible when you’re on weed?” Favorite line: “Dude, what does mine say?” “Sweet, what does mine say!”

7. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019): For those who didn’t accept this as Tarantino’s masterpiece, you totally missed the point. Or maybe you need to give it another try on 420. Favorite line: “I’m as real as a donut.”

6. “Half Baked” (1998): Before Dave Chappelle was universally considered one of the greatest standup comics to ever live,

GAY RIGHTS GROUP WARNS AGAINST TRAVEL OR MOVE TO FLORIDA

EQUALITY FLORIDA SAYS STATE IS ‘HOSTILE’ TO LGBTQ COMMUNITY

MANDY

Equality Florida, a nonprofit gay rights group in Florida, on April 12 issued an unprecedented travel advisory, warning LGBTQ people against visiting or moving to Florida.

Business Guild, which promotes gay tourism. “Equality Florida just held a big event in Key West last week and didn’t mention a word.”

there was “Half Baked.” No list like this is complete without this film. Favorite line: “I don’t do drugs, though. Just weed.”

5. “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998): They say movies never measure up to their books, particularly the words of Hunter S. Thompson. But this film came as close as they come. Favorite line: “Too weird to live. Too rare to die.” - HST

4. “Dazed and Confused” (1993): It’s a generational film that was never meant to be great. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the best ever. Favorite line: “Alright, alright, alright.”

3. “Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie” (1980): If we have to explain this one, you probably have issues with the “Devil’s lettuce.” Favorite line: “Man, if you had a second brain, it would die of loneliness, man.”

2. “Pineapple Express” (2008): Even if the rest of the movie was horrible, the intro alone would land it on this list. Thankfully, the entire journey is a magic carpet ride. Favorite line: “It’s almost a shame to smoke it. It’s like killing a unicorn, with like, a bomb.”

1. “The Big Lebowski” (1998): This movie is to stoners what “Star Wars” is to dorks. There are people who only communicate in Big Lebowski lines and you likely know at least two of them. Favorite line: “The dude abides.”

The advisory states, “Equality Florida took the unprecedented step of issuing a travel advisory to individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and students warning that Florida may not be a safe place to visit or take up residence. The advisory comes after passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws and allow untrained, unpermitted carry, and foment racial prejudice. The governor has also weaponized state agencies to impose sanctions against businesses large and small that disagree with his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Florida has recently adopted a slate of hateful laws, and is fasttracking additional measures that directly target the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and basic freedoms broadly. Already, those policies have led Florida parents to consider relocating, prospective students to cross Florida colleges and universities off their lists, events and conferences to cancel future gatherings, and the United States military to offer redeployment for service members whose families are now unsafe in the state.”

While the advisory calls out Gov. Ron DeSantis for laws that it says are hostile to the LGBTQ community, some in the tourism industry worry about unintended and economic consequences, especially as communities throughout Florida prepare for gay pride events in June and the upcoming Gay Days at Disney World.

“It would have been nice to have a heads-up that they were doing this.” said Kevin Theriault, executive director of the Key West

Theriault immediately contacted the Monroe County Tourist Development Council to figure out some consistent messaging to assure gay travelers they are and always will be welcome and safe in Key West.

“As a board, the TDC has not yet discussed the Equality Florida advisory. That said, the TDC remains committed to promoting the Florida Keys as a ‘One Human Family’ destination,” said Andy Newman of NewmanPR, which handles public relations for the Keys’ tourism efforts.

Theriault told the Keys Weekly on April 18 that the business guild offices indeed had gotten phone calls and people stopping in, concerned about their safety and that of their gay or transgendered friends and relatives in Florida.

“The concerns were about Florida in general, not Key West,” he said. “One woman was worried about her trans son, who is scheduled to come to Key West on vacation next month. And one couple emailed us through our website this morning, saying they always come to Key West, but had canceled their trip and are going to Palm Springs, California instead because they refuse to give any money to the state of Florida by vacationing here.”

“In a state whose economy is fueled by visitors from around the world, it is with great sadness that Equality Florida has had to take the extraordinary step of responding to inquiries by issuing an official advisory warning about the risks of travel to the state,” the advisory continues. “This moment calls for a grassroots movement in defense of justice and equality for all – so that we can turn back the tide of right wing authoritarianism, recommit to building a state that is safe and open to all, and once again celebrate Florida as a free state.”

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MICHAEL M c CLOUD: ‘A PLETHORA OF USELESS INFORMATION’

If you’ve ever happened into Schooner Wharf

Bar on basically any afternoon, you’ve seen and heard local troubadour Michael McCloud, who will be leaving Key West later this month after 40 years on the island.

McCloud grew up in Beckley, West Virginia and early in his childhood decided he wanted to play music. His father was a “man of music,” but was not a musician. His mother was a piano player from Wales who sang in Welsh. At age 7, McCloud’s hands were too small for a guitar so he started playing a ukulele. It was at the start of the folk music era, inspired by the Kingston Trio. At 13, McCloud was playing folk music with his brother.

At 17, he joined the Navy and trained as a hard hat diver. He played music in coffee houses all over the world. Completing his final Navy duty in Key West in 1970, McCloud promised himself he would return to the island.

He did just that in 1971, telling the cab driver he was a folk singer. The driver drove him past the house where Jimmy Buffett was living, telling him Buffett was a local “folk singer,” but was currently out of town. A neighbor, Mark Boudiansky (at the time, the food and beverage director at the Casa Marina) was standing in the front yard, introduced himself and asked McCloud what the guitar case was for. When McCloud told him, Boudiansky directed him a few blocks to the newly renovated Casa Marina and Bird Cage Lounge. McCloud was hired on the spot and his first gig was at 5 that afternoon.

Boudiansky drove McCloud to the bus station to pick up his amplifier and PA system. On the way back, they stopped by Captain Tony’s Saloon. McCloud was introduced to the Captain, and Boudiansky asked if he had any day work for McCloud. Captain Tony said no, but walked McCloud across the street to Sloppy Joe’s and introduced him to Sidney Snelgrove, and said, “Sid, I got your daytime musician for you.” In less than an hour, McCloud had met most of the Key West music scene proprietors and had two gigs. He performed at Sloppy Joe’s for 15 years and played the Casa Marina for nine years, playing double gigs nearly every day. Key West quickly became his home.

The first few years in Key West, McCloud traveled for gigs. He traveled to music festivals and performed as a backup singer for a group of singer-songwriters. The gigs were terrible and the audiences were “cookie cutter” identical. The traveling gigs kept reminding him why he needed Key West: It was full of interesting characters and his audience was always different.

While traveling, he was hired to do a private party at the Rabinskis in the suburbs of Baltimore for an after-circumcision party. He planned to sing a few of the classics, some jazz tunes, but needed a blues song – he found Big Joe Williams’ “Take A Little Off the Top.”

Lately, McCloud has taken songs that everyone knows — but not the way Michael McCloud knows them — and makes them great fun. For example, he turns Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” into a slow jazz swing beat. He gets a request for “Billie Jean” at least twice a week.

While performing, McCloud never takes his mind off the audience and always appears completely comfortable. On a good day, he gets requests for really good songs that he hasn’t played in so long they’re hard to remember.

McCloud says while performing at any point in time, “I’m playing music for three groups of people.” One group can only hear the beat — they could dance to the national anthem. Another group thinks they know the song, but only really know a few chords of music and three or four words of the chorus. The third group, they know what you’re doing and are zoned in. The first group, the largest, listens “at” music. The second group listens “to” the music. The third group is “into” the music and the artist. Most from group one are young and the music is only incidental. Group two are in their middle years and probably really intended to listen to the music. Group three

are usually in their older years, and they know what they’re there for.

According to the McCloud philosophy, jazz came from a bunch of blues players who got tired of playing the same old notes so they formed a new type of complex blues music and called it jazz. A little-known “Michael McCloud fact?” Jazz is his favorite music. He was a big fan of jazz fusion when it first started. He loved high energy rock ’n’ roll played by really good jazz musicians who wanted to rock like Pat Matheny and Jaco Pastorius. He says Joni Mitchell reinvented herself as a jazz fusion musician. “It was like when Bob Dylan showed up at the Newport Folk Festival with an electric guitar,” McCloud said.

Schooner Wharf Bar has been McCloud’s steady gig for over 30 years – a record for any Key West performer. “On those rainy days when the crowd is under the covered area at Schooner Wharf, and I’m on the stage playing just whatever the hell I want, I get to really listen to the way I sound and it’s fun.”

McCloud says he tries hard to be honest with himself, but not everyone else. He says, “I’m a plethora of useless information. I’m not very proud of most of the things that I’ve done in my life. Most of the things that I’m proud of doing in my life, I made up.” From these and many other comments, one can understand how McCloud has become a Key West icon.

He likes Key West because it is a destination. “You have to want to arrive here when you come to Key West. It’s at the end of the road. In Key West, there are very few people that are in a bad mood because they’re late getting to where they wanted to be.”

Michael McCloud will retire to Arizona on April 30. He will leave a huge hole in our Key West music tapestry.

Singer songwriter, seen with a photo of his late dog, Cinderella, will leave Key West for Arizona after 40 years on the island. RALPH De PALMA/Contributed

RALPH DE PALMA www.keysweekly.com

CONCH FILMMAKER BACK IN KEY WEST

MICHAEL BAUMGARTEN HAS 3 PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE

Los Angeles filmmaker Michael Baumgarten is coming home to his Key West roots to make movies in the coming months.

“I’m dying to shoot here in Key West; this is my dream come true,” Baumgarten said on April 17 while in Key West for a few days to scout locations for three feature-length films that are in his pipeline.

“I’m a Conch — born at the Navy medical facility at the end of the island. My dad — Hans Baumgarten — had been stationed here and loved it so much he later moved here to start Charter Boat Cowboy in 1965,” Baumgarten said, adding that his brother Mark and sister-in-law Michelle still live in Key West and run Cowboy Cowgirl Sportfishing.

“As a kid, I used to dive for coins off of Mallory Square and clean the Cowboy at the dock in Garrison Bight after a charter. During my parents’ divorce, my mom’s day job was at Sears and her second job was at the movie theater in Searstown. To save on babysitting, she’d bring me to work at the theater. That was my place to find peace and inspiration during the divorce period. I’d watch everything playing there and built an impressive movie poster collection,” Baumgarten recalled.

And now the accomplished filmmaker who has worked on projects with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Marisa Tomei, Morgan Fairchild, Peter Fonda, Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and more wants to bring his camera, cast and crew back to the place it all started for him.

“As you can imagine, the toughest thing about filming in Key West is the shallow cast and crew depth locally on the island, meaning we put people up in hotels even if they are Florida locals from Miami or another part of the state.”

The cost of hotels on the island is currently Baumgarten’s biggest challenge.

“On May 1, I can get a room at Caesars Palace or the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for under $50 a night before resort fees and taxes,” he said, contrasting that with Key West hotel prices for May. “Key West rates for the Seashell Motel start at $142 a night, Fairfield Inn starts at $237 a night and other big resorts are over $320 a night. Meaning a room for $225 a night including tax, for 16 rooms nightly is $3,600 a night. Times that by 20 nights and it’s $72,000. Ouch. That’s a big chunk of my total budget.”

He said he’d be happy to discuss some group discount rates or trades in return for product placement in the finished films. “I love doing that sort of stuff, especially to feature local Key West businesses.”

“It would obviously save over $100,000 to shoot elsewhere than Key West, but I want the authenticity of the island, where my roots are,” he said.

Baumgarten’s brother’s boat, Sanctuary, docked at Oceans Edge Marina on Stock Island, will play a starring role in one of the upcoming films.

“Key West Christmas” is a family-friendly, Hallmark-esque holiday movie that he describes as “a romantic comedy set in Key West about a Chicago woman getting over being dumped, then finding romance with a European man living on a boat docked in a Key West harbor.”

The second film is “The Last Bridge,” a suspense/action movie following a Key West boat captain and his daughter getting help fighting off an international gang with the help of a former Special Forces soldier. Schedule permitting, the boat captain would likely be played by former Sons of Anarchy actor Andy McPhee.

The third film is a true story of redemption found in Key West.

“Back to the World” follows the roller coaster life of a young Marine in the Vietnam War starting in the late ’60s through his life until 2010. Part of his life included hiding out in Key West in an effort to escape his PTSD from the war and several personal tragedies. While in Key West, he worked on a charter boat and dived for Mel Fisher’s treasurehunting company.

The filmmaker is planning to shoot for a week or two in May and July. Stay tuned for further details. If any local businesses and hotels would like to get involved, contact Michael Baumgarten at javamikey@gmail.com or on Instagram @mbfilmmaker1.

Filmmaker Michael Baumgarten on the set of a prior film (while wearing his Tropic Cinema T-shirt from Key West). CONTRIBUTED

Baumgarten’s brother’s boat Sanctuary will have a role in an upcoming romantic comedy set in Key West.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THE SCOREBOARD

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Senior, Coral Shores Weightlifting

JULIAN JUVIER

Julian Juvier competes for Coral Shores at the regional weightlifting championships. MIKKEL ROSS/Contributed

Coral Shores senior lifter Julian Juvier made school and Keys history on April 15 when he won dual state championships in Olympic and traditional weightlifting. His monster 375-pound bench press is among the top 10 heaviest lifts of any athlete in Florida’s 1A division, regardless of weight class. All of this is made more impressive by the fact that this was Juvier’s first season participating in the sport. “Since his freshman year, I encouraged him to come out for the team,” said coach Erin Hamilton. “This year he finally did.” Juvier’s strength is matched only by his kind-hearted nature. His sportsmanship and camaraderie captured the attention of other athletes and coaches who praised his character as much as his athletic prowess. For his huge accomplishments and giant heart, Julian Juvier is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

– Erin Hamilton, Coral Shores weightlifting coach

“Julian is a pleasant, light-hearted person. He has a heart of gold. He cares about everyone and works hard at everything he does.”

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

KEYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES FINE-TUNE FOR DISTRICTS

Alaric Rodriguez is a Double Winner for ’Canes

Coral Shores hosted its final meet of the season to compete against Somerset South Homestead on April 12. The Upper Keys Hurricanes blew by the Hurricanes of Somerset, 86-32. Alaric Rodriguez was the big winner for the ’Canes, winning first place in the one and two mile races. Ethan Margut took first in the 800m while hurdlers Xavier Johnson and Ambrose Sanchez won the 110m high and 400m intermediate events. Sanchez was also part of the ’Canes’ winning 4x400m relay team along with teammates Sean Andrews, Sean Harm and William Davila. In the field, Jamoris Davis won the triple jump while Eddie Holly took first in shot put and Evan Osipoz won the discus event.

The Lady ’Canes outscored Somerset 53-24, with first-place vic- tories going to Niveah Howard in the 100m, Maya Gaden in the 400m, Jas- mine Hollis in the 100m high hurdles and Sammy Bates in the 800m. Bates ran a leg of Coral Shores’ winning 4x400m team as well, with Sarina Huerta, Kacelyn Hollis and Jenna Mandozzi rounding out the relay crew. Throwers Syndey Eysenbach and Jennille Arias won the shot put and discus events, respectively.

Key West took the week off from competition, resting for its FHSAA 2A District 16 meet at Tropical Park on April 19. The Conchs have numerous athletes in contention for a district title, especially in the field events.

Marathon put the finishing touches on its own field events on April 12, hosting an intersquad throwing and jumping minimeet. A handful of Conchs attended to get in another official event to qualify for districts. The Dolphins are strong in the field, particularly in the pole vault, the specialty of head coach Darby Sheehan.

Coral Shores’ home meet was the final Keys competition prior to districts. Marathon and Coral Shores compete against one another and the rest of the FHSAA 1A District 16 challengers on Thursday, April 20 at Palmer Trinity School.

Marathon’s top-seeded Adrien Holdinga lost his match in a 9-8 tiebreaker. Holdinga was the top Keys performer at districts this past week.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Courtside action came to a close for Monroe County prep tennis teams last week when all three squads competed at districts. No individual athletes or doubles pairs advanced beyond the district-level tournament, but that does not mean there were not some hard-fought matches. Perennial powerhouse Gulliver Prep put an end to Key West’s season in class 2A action. 1A Marathon and Coral Shores endured multiple rain delays in their singles and cancellations in doubles play. Those teams suffered the effects of redistricting recently, pitting them against some of the highest-caliber private schools in the state. Small, private schools often have the luxury of year-round professional coaching, making it extremely difficult for public school players to advance.

KEYS TENNIS HOPES END AT DISTRICTS

All three teams fall short of regional brackets

MARATHON FOOTBALL VISITS FIU

A small crew of Marathon’s returning football team enjoyed a tour of Florida International University’s football complex on April 13, just over two weeks before high school spring football season. The Dolphins were able to watch FIU’s morning practice session from the sidelines and were given access to key players and coaches for questionand-answer sessions. After the practice, the players were given a tour of the team meeting room, weight room and other campus facilities. Coaches Sean McDonald and Sean Roussin accompanied the team in an effort to drum up excitement for the upcoming spring season as well as to show the players what it takes to compete at the next level.

Spring football practice officially opens in Florida on the first day of May. This year, Marathon and Coral Shores both play at home on May 19, with kickoffs at 6 p.m. The Dolphins face Somerset South Homestead while the Hurricanes will play Coral Springs. Key West has not yet secured an opponent for its spring game and may opt for a classic intersquad soap bowl showcase. The soap bowl refers to a game in which fans are asked to bring laundry detergent in lieu of regular admission fees in order to keep the team’s uniforms laundered throughout the season.

TWO ’CANES BRING HOME THE GOLD

Juvier, Arrington win state championships

Five Keys athletes made the trip to Lakeland for the FHSAA 1A State Championship in boys weightlifting on April 15. When the final lift was complete, Coral Shores’ team of four earned fifth place in both the Olympic and traditional categories, solidifying the ’Canes’ top spot in Keys strongmen, particularly in the heavier categories. All five Keys lifters represented the four largest weight classes.

It’s no surprise that senior Xavyer Arrington made a trip to the podium. Arrington won the inaugural snatch competition in 2022 and was favored to win the Olympic category this season – which he did – but it was his final clean and jerk lift that pushed him into the top spot in the state. Arrington went on to combine his clean and jerk weight with a massive 365-pound bench press to take third place in the

traditional category, giving him three total state medals in his past two years lifting for Coral Shores. Arrington competed in the Unlimited category, in which some competitors outweighed him by up to 70 pounds.

One weight class below, in the 238 pound division, Julian Juvier was not to be outdone by anyone. Juvier, a senior

who joined the team for the first time this season, benched 375 pounds, which gave him a significant edge in the traditional category. His 235-pound snatch and 315-pound clean made it undeniable that he should be the champ in both categories. Juvier’s lifts were so big that he would have medaled in both categories in the next weight class.

The 219-pound class was represented by two Keys athletes: Marathon’s Thomas Eubank, the lone Fin to qualify for the event, and Coral Shores’ AJ Johnson. Eubank finished 15th in traditional lifts, ending a highly decorated athletic career for the senior Dolphin. Johnson cracked the top 10, finishing in ninth place in the Olympic category. Though he was three places from a medal, the junior will have another shot at hardware in 2024.

The lightest class represented at the championships was 199 pounds. Coral Shores’ Dantay Diorio finished in seventh place, one shy of a medal. Just a sophomore, the Keys' youngest state-qualifying male lifter will no doubt come home a little bit heavier in the coming years with a medal or two around his neck. In the meantime, Diorio will have about a week’s rest before heading out to the football field for spring practices.

Dolphins football players and coaches pose with FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre (center, with watch) after watching the Panthers’ workout during a spring practice. CONTRIBUTED

Coral Shores’ weightlifters brought home fifth place as a team and multiple individual medals this past week. Pictured at the state championship meet, from left, are Dantay Diorio, Xavyer Arrington, coach Erin Hamilton, Julian Juvier and AJ Johnson. CONTRIBUTED

It’s no surprise that senior Xavyer Arrington made a trip to the podium. Arrington won the inaugural snatch competition in 2022 and was favored to win the Olympic category this season –which he did.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

CALENDARS, BIRDS AND ZUGUNRUHE

The Gregorian calendar, the one most of us use in our everyday life, is a pretty accurate gauge for the earth’s rotation around the sun. It’s a way for us to orient ourselves in the long term amid the swirling vortex of passing time, a way for us to figure out what day we are supposed to show up where, a way for us to remember deadlines and mandatory court appearances and greeting cardrequiring holidays imposed on us by the greeting card industrial complex.

Every year the Gregorian calendar tends to slide away from the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, and the summer and winter solstices, by about a quarter of a day, but that is mostly corrected by adding a day to February every four years, when we all experience what is known as a leap year. Such things have serious cultural significance. For instance, people born on Feb. 29 during a leap year – approximately .2% of the human population – get screwed out of their birthday three out of four years.

On the flip side, Leap Year was the inspiration for the “Leap Day” episode in the 6th season of “30 Rock,” which tells the story of the mythical Leap Day William, who has white gloves and a blue top hat, a handlebar mustache and gills, and emerges every four years from the Mariana Trench to exchange children’s tears for candy.

The Gregorian calendar was an update to the Julian calendar, which was largely used in Europe from 45 B.C. until 1582 A.D. It also had a leap day every four years, but did not account for the fact that a trip around the sun doesn’t actually take 365.25 days, but more accurately, 365.2425 days. Turns out those .0075 days every year, over the course of 1,625 years, mattered. The equinoxes and solstices had drifted away from their original dates on the calendar and were happening about 10 days too early, which was screwing up the scheduling of all sorts of Christian and Pagan holidays.

So they updated and rebooted with the Gregorian calendar, which also added a day to February every four years, with the exception of years that could be divided by 100, which requires skipping an added day, except on years that could be divided by 400, when everyone is just expected to carry on and add a day like it was a normal leap year. Easy peasy.

They also just deleted 10 days from the month of October in 1582 in order to properly line things up with the equinoxes and solstices, and they moved the official start of the New Year from March 25 to Jan. 1. Which is why the months of September, October and November, whose names mean the 7th, 8th and 9th months, are now the 9th, 10th and 11th months.

Birds, of course, care about none of this. Like most lifeforms on this planet, they live their lives on an annual cycle, but don’t decide what to do when because a particular date is circled on a piece of paper hanging on a wall.

Birds are not planners. Their schedule is more instinctive, more, uh, loosey goosey. It’s dictated by the length of the day and hormones and food availability and weather patterns and flowering trees and other factors we haven’t quite figured out yet.

For birds that migrate, a lot of these factors inspire a phenomenon known as zugunruhe, which sounds like an outdated Volkswagen sales slogan, but actually means migratory restlessness. They start building up fat stores and seem to generally get anxious. They start orienting themselves. They wait for conditions to align and then one day, or for diurnal migrants, one night, they just step off, often moving themselves across large swaths of the globe in amazingly short periods.

Living in the Keys, we are in one of the best places in the world to see migrating birds. We are the last safe stop to fuel up before a large water crossing on the way south, and the first safe stop after a large water crossing on the way north.

In the fall, you tend to see migrants between late August and mid-October. In the spring, when birds are a little more focused, trying to return to their breeding grounds to stake out the best territories, things are most intense between mid-April and early May.

To my mind, April 15 is always the first official day of spring migration. I know full well the

birds aren’t paying attention to the calendar, but for me, it’s always seemed like opening day of baseball season. So I try to make a point of going birding on that date.

The hammock at Fort Zach was pretty quiet when I got there. Nothing at first, then about 50 yards in I spotted something low and intensely yellow – a hooded warbler. I hadn’t seen one at least since last fall. So it was pretty clear that migration was afoot.

Over by the blacksmith shop I caught sight of another yellow bird on the ground, which I thought would be a second hooded warbler, but turned out to be a Kentucky warbler. I tend to only catch sight of them every two or three years, and they are cool, skulky little things, brighter than the brightest crayon in the box, but not inclined to display it. Also, whenever I see one, I tend to utter under my breath, pronouncing the word “Kentucky” as KAN-tuck-EE, because that’s the way Daniel Day Lewis does it in “Last of the Mohicans.”

Walking around the park I caught sight of a few other migrants. There was a northern rough-winged swallow flying over the pines. There was an eastern kingbird on the edge of the moat. And there were a lot of indigo buntings that I heard but never saw. And just as I was nearly back to my car, a fire-engine red summer tanager, giving its two-note chuck up in a sea grape.

It was a sparse showing, but none of those birds was in the park last week, and none of them would be in the park in a few days, if they stayed that long.

There will be more birds in the coming weeks. How many more depends on the wind and the weather. I hope to get out and see more of them. But it was nice to feel like I was at the beginning of something for once.

Also, when I checked the time on my phone, I noticed it was April 16, not April 15. So maybe I’m more birdlike in my relationship to the calendar than I thought.

A summer tanager seen this week at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

... is a photographer, 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 Audubon Society.

MARK HEDDEN

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AVAILABLE IN KEY WEST

AVOID THE LONG DRIVE TO MIAMI AND HAVE ALL YOUR CHILDREN’S NEEDS MET RIGHT HERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

Dr. Christina Smith DDS is now accepting new patients and is thrilled to be part of the 7-time Bubba Award-winning Doc Guzman’s o ce.

LAW CHANGE: 101.62 REQUEST FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS

(1)(a)... One request is deemed sufficient to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for all elections through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly scheduled general election.

Many of MONROE COUNTY voters vote by mail. These voters may think that they have a request in for the 2024 election cycle but they do not. A NEW VOTE BY MAIL REQUEST IS NEEDED FOR THE 2024 ELECTION CYCLE.

WE ARE NOW TAKING VOTE BY MAIL REQUEST FOR THE 2024 ELECTION CYCLE.

TASTE OF KEY WES TRUMAN WATERFRONT, KEY

WINE TENT

FOOD BOOTHS WINE TENTS

A & B Lobster House F38

Alonzo's Oyster Bar F39

Bagatelle F14

Bel Mare F37

Cafe Sole F42

Cayo's Kombucha F43

El Mocho Restaurant F03

First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery F15

Four Flamingos (Hyatt Centric) F28

Four Marlins Oceanfront Dining

Garbo's Grill F07

Green Parrot - Popcorn F12

Hot Tin Roof Restaurant F09

Jolly Caketails LLC F17

Kaya Island Eats F25

Kennedy Cafe F22

Mellow Venture F31

Mighty Cock F06

SPONSORS

New York Pasta Garden F18

Nine One Five F13

Ocean Grill F19

Outback F46

Pho King Awesome F20

Roostica F04

Salty Frog's F01

Smoked BBQ F30

Smokin Tuna F08

Snowcones F33

SOMO Beach Café/Starboard (The Marker) F41

Sunset Pier F10

Tavern N' Town F24

The College of the Florida Keys F35

The White Tarpon F36

Tikka Bar F21

Wahlburgers F02

Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen (Oceans Edge) F27

BLUE RIDGE WINE & SPIRITS | Champagne Pia

Brut | Champagne Pia Brut Rose | Luna Nuda Pinot

Grigio | Luna Nuda Prosecco | Luna Nuda Red Blend

Luna Nuda Rose

C.I.V. USA | Opera Prima Mimosa | Opera Prima

Bellini | JS Bouquet Cava Rose | JS Bouquet

Cava Semi Seco

ENTRECANALES DOMECQ | Coral Rosé

Glorioso Crianza | Viña Mayor Crianza

FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS | Riunite

KOBRAND CORPORATION | Rebellious Red Blend

Rebellious Pinot Noir | Simple Grape Pinot Grigio

Simple Grape Chardonnay | Seeker Sauvignon Blanc

LUNEAU USA | Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc | Nicolas

Pinot Noir | Nicolas Cabernet Sauvignon | Nicolas

Chardonnay Jules Loren Brut | Ed Hardy Blood

Orange Pomegranate Seltzer | Ed Hardy Orange

Pine Seltzer

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS & VENDORS

MICHAEL DAVID WINERY | Michael David

Sauvignon Blanc | Michael David Rose | Freakshow

Chardonnay | Freakshow Cabernet | Outerbound

Pinot Noir | Earthquake Zinfandel

PACIFIC HIGHWAY WINES | Giesen Uncharted

Sauvignon Blanc | Faustino V Reserva Tempranillo

75 Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon | Hogwash Rose

Wine by Joe Pinot Noir

PACIFIC SOUTHERN WINE CO. | Farm to Table

Sauvignon Blanc | Farm to Table Pinot Noir

JAX Y3 Sauvignon Blanc | Morgan Grenache Rose

Round Pond Kith & Kin Cabernet | Vinas 3 Pinot Noir

The Riddler Red Blend | Van Duzer Pinot Gris

Vineyard 29 CRU Cabernet

PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL | Batasiolo Moscato

Batasiolo Gavi | Chic Brut | Portillo Pinot Noir

Salentein Numina Malbec | Yealands Sauvignon

Blanc

PRESTIGE BEVERAGE GROUP | Yes Way Rose

Risata Moscato d’Asti | Risata Pink | Risata Red

QUINTESSENTIAL WINES | Tropical Blueberry Moscato | Tropical Mango Moscato | Luca Bosio Prosecco | Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc | Bodegas Muriel Reserva

RIVER ROAD VINEYARDS | Pam's Unoaked

Chardonnay | Pam's Unoaked Cabernet

SAN SEBASTIAN WINERY | San Sebastian Vintner Red | San Sebastian Pinot Grigio | San Sebastian Cabernet | San Sebastian Vintner White | San Sebastian Port

SCOTTO CELLARS | Nola Grace Carbon Pinot

Scotto Family Cellars Brut | A+D Anthony and Napa Pinot Noir | A+D Anthony and Dominic Coast Cabernet | Nola Grace Sauvignon Blanc

THOMAS ALLEN VINEYARDS AND WINERY Provenance Deadeye Napa Red Blend | Provenance Napa Cabernet | Provenance Deadeye Paso Robles

WEST MONDAY APRIL 24

BEER TENT

PORTLETS

WINE TENT ENTRANCE

BEER TENT

Rose Red Blueberry Bosio

Bodegas

Vintner

Sebastian San

Grigio

Dominic North Blanc

Provenance Robles

Cabernet Sauvignon | Provenance Monterey

Chardonnay | Provenance Fortitude Napa Cabernet

Sauvignon

VIÑA CONCHA Y TORO | Unrated Cabernet

Sauvignon | Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec | Bonterra Estate

Chardonnay | 1000 Stories Pinot Noir

VINA ROBLES | Vina Robles Monterrey Chardonnay

Vina Robles Sauvignon Blanc Estate | Vina Robles

Paso Robles Cabernet Estate | Vina Robles The

Arborist | Vina Robles Fore

VIÑA SANTA RITA | Sta. Rita Medalla Real Gold

Cabernet | Sta. Rita Triple C Red Blend | Secret

Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | Secret Reserve Cabernet

VINAMERICAS | Aresti Trisquel Cabernet Grand

Reserva | Aresti Trisquel Red Blend | Cala N2 Tierra

De Castilla Red | Pujanza Hado Tempranillo Rioja

Pujanza Valdepoleo Tempranillo Rioja

GLOBAL VILLAGE IMPORTS | Red Horse Malt Liquor | San Miguel Pale

Pilsen | San Miguel Cerveza Negra | Augustiner Brau Edelsto

HAPPY DAD | Fruit Punch | Grape | Lemon Lime | Watermelon | Wild Cherry | Pineapple

KINKY COCKTAILS | Kinky Cocktails Pink | Kinky Cocktails Blue

Kinky Cocktails Aloha | Kinky Cocktails Red | Kinky Cocktails Fruit Punch

MATT BREWING | McKenzie’s Hard Cider

PATCO | Rancho la Gloria Ranch Water Grapefruit | Rancho la Gloria Ranch Water Lime

PAULANER HP USA | Paulaner Grapefruit Radler | Paulaner Pils

Paulaner Hefe Weizen | Paulaner Munich Lager | Hacker Pschorr Munich Gold

POLARIS BEVERAGE | Lucky Buddha | Einstok White Ale | Einstok Pale Ale

SAPPORO / UNIBROUE / ANCHOR STEAM | Anchor Steam | Anchor Porter

Sapporo Premium | Sapporo Pure | Unibroue La Fin Du Monde |

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly

ST. KILLIAN | Erdinger Hefe | Erdinger Dunkel | Kronenbourg Lager

Kronenbourg Blanc

TBS | Banks Beer

TNC DRINKS | SoBeer American Lager | SoBeer Grapefruit

WETTEN IMPORT | Tucher Lager | Tucher Dunkel

VIP TENT

VIP WINES SPIRITS & SPONSORS

CASA AZUL TEQUILA SODAS S23

Lime Margarita | Strawberry Margarita

Peach Mango | Watermelon

CONCH REPUBLIC DAYS S45

COTES DE FEMME S32

Côtes de Provence Rosé

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

DEEP EDDY VODKA S40

Deep Eddy Vodka

Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka

Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka

Deep Eddy Lime Vodka

FLORIDA KEYS MEDIA S26

KEYS WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS S34

PEPSI S29/S44

DJ BOOTH 16

BOCELLI WINES

Bocelli Prosecco | Bocelli Sangiovese Bocelli

"Tenor Red" Red Blend | Bocelli "1831" Vermentino

Bocelli In Canto

KOBRAND CORPORATION

Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon | Cakebread

Sauvignon Blanc | Sette Ponti Vigna del' Impero

Cabreo La Pietra Chardonnay | Chateau La Nerthe

Cotes du Rhone Rouge

PACIFIC SOUTHERN WINE CO.

Round Pond K&K Cabernet | Morgan 12 Clones

Pinot Noir | Fowles Winery-Ladies Who Shoot

Their Lunch Shiraz | Frog's Leap Zinfandel

Row 11 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir | Truchard Merlot

ZD Chardonnay | Vineyard 29 CRU Cabernet

PJ/CADE/ODDETTE

Cade Sauvignon Blanc | Adaptation Cabernet

Cade Cabernet | PlumpJack Merlot

AH MONROE ADAPTS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS RAISE A GLASS TO REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING CO.

THE FORMER AIDS HELP SHIFTS TO HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE

mandy@keysweekly.com

Welcome to Taste of Key West, one of the premier annual fundraising events for the agency known as A.H. Monroe. And whether you’ve attended all 28 Taste events, or are heading to Truman Waterfront for the first time, let’s start with a little history of the group behind it.

In Key West, throughout the late ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s, the acronym AHI was familiar to many as AIDS Help Inc. worked tirelessly in the midst of the AIDS epidemic to provide healthcare and case management to people living with — and dying from — HIV and AIDS.

But as medical understanding, research, technology and pharmacology progressed, HIV became not only preventable, but a manageable, long-term diagnosis.

People were no longer dying from AIDS, but living with it. And while AIDS Help, of course, celebrated the advances and the end of a devastating epidemic, the nonprofit organization encountered a new problem: housing.

No longer in need of temporary housing that turned into hospice care, the agency’s clients were living long and fulfilling lives. The question became WHERE would they live? Where COULD they afford to live on an island quickly being overrun by second and third homeowners and vacation rentals that decimated the inventory of long-term rentals typically occupied by local workers.

So AIDS Help adapted, and broadened its mission. After careful thought, AIDS Help, Inc. became A.H. Monroe, to focus on continu-

ing help and case management for their initial target population, while also providing Affordable Housing and Accessible Healthcare.

“Housing IS care,” says executive director Scott Pridgen who has become an expert in affordable housing since guiding the agency’s housing initiatives. “In Monroe County and elsewhere, healthcare is investing in affordable housing. A.H. Housing Services is for all. All our properties are open to people living with HIV/AIDS, Homeless Veterans, Elderly, Low-Income Households, as well as people living with assorted disabilities.

A.H. Monroe now operates five separate housing complexes in the city of Key West with a total of 137 apartments. Those are spread among Poinciana Royale (50 units), the newly renovated Marty’s Place (47 units), Seebol Place (14 units), Harvey House (11 units) and McCarthy Rogers (5 units).

The agency is also helping to develop The Lofts at Bahama Village, the long-awaited workforce housing neighborhood located on city-owned property at Truman Waterfront. The project represents a partnership among the nonprofit, the for-profit developers of Vestcor, the city of Key West and its Land Authority.

The Lofts will include 98 rental apartments and 28 home ownership townhouses that could break ground this September or October.

Pridgen and the team at A.H. Monroe learned by necessity the ins and outs of building affordable housing through community partnerships by using housing tax credits and other government programs. The Lofts units will be income restricted based on a household’s annual income.

THE COMPANY HAS DONATED WINE TO TASTE OF KEY WEST SINCE ITS BEGINNING

mandy@keysweekly.com

Attendees know it as a helluva good time. A waterfront, springtime sunset filled with fantastic food and an endless array of wine, craft beers and other libations.

But the organizers and beneficiaries of Taste of Key West — A.H. Monroe — know it as a supremely generous gift from local businesses to the Key West community.

There is no fine print when it comes to Taste of Key West. No need to wonder how much of your donation actually reaches the intended recipient, no calculations of gross and net proceeds after expenses because the expenses are nearly nonexistent.

The generosity of all participating restaurants and beverage purveyors is what has made Taste of Key West so successful for the past 28 years. Attendees buy tickets at the door that are then traded for generous samples of food, wines and beers inside Truman Waterfront Park, which is lined with booths offering mouth-watering options.

But here’s where the Key West community, and specifically A.H. Monroe, wins — all food, wine, beer, prep time, labor costs and set-up time is donated by the food and drink providers. All of it.

“We couldn’t do this without them and their generosity,” said Scott Pridgen, A.H. Monroe executive director. “The amount of food, drinks, preparation and staff time that these companies donate is

really unparalleled and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

The 280 or so options for wine and beer all are provided by Republic National Distributing Co., which has been the main beverage sponsor for Taste of Key West since its inception 28 years ago, said Roxi Garciga, who handles public relations and special events for RNDC in Florida.

“I’ve personally been involved with Taste of Key West for the past 17 years, but Republic National has been donating the wine and beer since the beginning. Each year, I ask our suppliers and the brands we represent who wants to donate and participate, and there’s never a shortage of willing participants,” Garciga said. “The companies are really happy to do it, knowing it’s going to such a good and worthy cause. And really, who’s not happy to come to Key West for a few days while taking part in a great charity event? It’s really not a tough sell.” Community involvement and volunteerism are among the tenets of RNDC, and Taste of Key West is the largest wine-tasting event the company supports.

“We are committed to serving and enabling the positive well-being and success of our many communities and stakeholders,” states the family-owned company’s website. “Republic National Distributing Co.’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is part of our DNA. … We participate in charitable and advocacy efforts that strengthen the social character, well-being, and growth of the many communities where we live and operate.”

Nowhere is that philosophy more apparent than at Taste of Key West. Let’s raise a glass together at Taste of Key West on Monday, April 24 at Truman Waterfront. See ya there.

A.H. Monroe operates the newly renovated Marty’s Place on Bertha Street, which includes 47 affordable, income-restricted apartments. CONTRIBUTED

Republic National Distributing Co., a nationwide wine distributor, has donated wine to Taste of Key West for its entire 28-year existence. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

SPEAKER

Florida Keys Art & Historical Society ’s Curator, doctorate in Maritime History from the University of Exeter U.K. an adjunct instructor of American History & Humanities at The College of the Florida Keys, a maritime and local historian, author, and lecturer

* if medically appropriate for those 18 years of age or older

PAWS IN PARADISE

KEY WEST’S WORKING DOGS AND CATS

THE PIRATE DOG

THE CAT AMBASSADOR

JANICE GARY

is a writer, dog mama and author of the awardwinning memoir, “Short Leash.” Her lifelong love of the Keys led her to living local on the rock with her husband and their dog, Ozzy, the Canine Tornado. janicegary.com

If you’ve strolled down the 600 block of Duval Street anytime in last 25 years, chances are you’ve seen the Key West Pirate Dog — or one of his predecessors, a dog wearing a skull and crossbones hat, tiny brightly colored sunglasses and a cape made of what appears to be a Santa cap with a hole cut out for the tail. Along with faithful first mate, Cowboy George, the Pirate Dog is one of the longest running street entertainer acts on Duval. The current Pirate Dog is King Coconut, a brown and black chihuahua-mix, he’s the third incarnation of the Pirate Dog, which began not as an act, but a matter of necessity.

In 1998, George’s first Key West dog, Sir Nigel, lost an eye in a dog attack. He placed a patch over it and soon everyone in town began calling the one-eyed mutt “the pirate dog.” His notoriety became the inspiration for what would become a legend in Key West street entertainment.

Coconut’s Pirate Dog act is simple but effective. He lounges on his mat near the corner of Eaton and Duval half asleep, surrounded by bits and pieces of pirate swag: an empty one-swig bottle of cheap rum, an open book, Fantasy Fest beads. When a kid squeals “Look, Daddy” or a bunch of girls swoon around him, George says, “Get up, Coco.” Coconut lazily raises his head. The fans go crazy.

It’s not a bad gig, considering he’s paid in chicken nuggets from Wendy’s. My dog would kill for that.

“It’s all about him,” George says. “I don’t even bother having my own tip jar any more.”

The Pirate Dog and his first mate have cut back to part-time hours a few days a week. George has been at it for 25 years and Coconut for 91 (in dog years).

It’s no surprise the act has lasted so long. The Key West Pirate Dog embodies all that is quirky and mythical about this town – the legacy of piracy, reinvention of self and the art of acquiring treasure.

That means tips, folks.

To be a successful member of a guest relations team in the hospitality industry, you must like people. If you think a cat couldn’t possibly meet that requirement, then you haven’t met “Doc,” the Lobby Ambassador at Old Town Manor.

When I visited, Doc was on break, lounging in his office behind the reception desk. All it took was mention of his name and he agreeably woke from a good catnap to come out into the lobby and make my acquaintance.

A large, gorgeous 6-year-old tabby, Doc has worked at the historic inn since 2017 when he was adopted from the FKSPCA. His name is a nod to the inn’s original owner, a doctor by trade.

Mai Stevens, a fellow staff member at the pet-friendly establishment, is one of Doc’s biggest fans. I asked how he gets along with dogs. “Dogs, cats, people, he’s great with them all.” Apparently, there was only one guest he didn’t take to, a hairless cat who was an internet celebrity. “Didn’t impress Doc at all.”

As lobby ambassador, he makes everyone feel at home. A party-lover, Doc can often be found mingling with wedding guests waiting in the lobby for the reception to begin. He’s also an official taste tester for the smoked salmon, bacon and organic eggs set out each morning.

“He gets a lot of love,” an employee told me. “Especially from folks who miss their pets back home.”

There was one guest who missed her cat so much she asked if Doc could sleep with her on her birthday. He obliged. That’s how devoted Doc is to keeping guests at Old Town Manor happy. It’s a rare cat that does that.

Or person, come to think of it.

PJ, THE PUG BOOKSELLER

Owner Suzanne Orchard has a sign on the door of Island Books alerting patrons that “PJ is in,” which means dog customers need to come back after 3:30 p.m. when his shift is over. Seems PJ, a friendly fellow who loves people and other dogs when they are not in his store, has a personal policy of no dogs in the shop while he’s on duty.

“He just started doing this,” Suzanne explains.

PJ, who just turned 3, has been working at Island Books since he was adopted by Suzanne and her husband as a pup. He spends much of his workday watching the comings and goings of the bookstore from his comfy (and secured) dog-bed-outfitted post behind the counter.

Suzanne says she can’t figure out how he sees dogs from back there. “But he barks as soon as they step through the door.”

Upon request though, PJ is happy to leave his counter position and help human customers. On the floor, he’s a consummate salesperson, making small talk, high-fiving book choices and creating memories of Key West for visitors and book aficionados.

“People come back year after year and ask for him by name,” says Suzanne.

I can see why they do. PJ is the quintessential adorable pug. But beyond his charm and good looks, there’s another reason people flock to him. Suzanne mentioned it and so did almost every person I interviewed who works with cats or dogs.

People miss their pets terribly when they travel without them. A brief encounter with a friendly working animal in a shop or hotel can make their day. For businesses, it’s a winwin. Owners get to have their pet with them, and their pet can bring in customers — and keep them coming back.

I’m thinking PJ might make the world’s cutest security dog, but what shop owner wouldn’t want someone on the floor who can bring in repeat customers? Doc does it for Old Town Manor and the Key West Pirate Dog has folks seeking him out.

Just a thought: Maybe we should rethink the workforce problem in this town.

Left: PJ the pug works the sales floor at Key West Island Books. Right: Doc the cat is the lobby ambassador at Old Town Manor. JANICE GARY/ Keys Weekly

IT’S GO TIME!

CHRIS McNULTY

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

Aries season is coming to a close, but this season is ending with a powerful new beginning. Just after midnight on April 20, a major solar eclipse is taking place in a strong alignment to Pluto. This is a potent time to start a new cycle for yourself and to assert your independence. Aries is the sign of the instinctive warrior, and under this eclipse we have the opportunity to begin anew as confident, courageous, perhaps a little impetuous champions for whatever it is that we deem important. Pluto makes this eclipse all the more powerful and may bring up some major challenges for you to face in order to sharpen your resolve. Time to set your intentions, sharpen your swords and step out into the arena with your wits about you!

Here are your horoscopes for the solar eclipse in Aries. Read for your rising and sun signs.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

Necessity is the mother of reinvention … or something like that. This solar eclipse is offering you the chance to drastically transform your identity or self-expression. Channel your inner Madonna and enter a new era. You may discover that as you go through your metamorphosis, some of your friends may throw some intense challenges your way. Let the chips fall where they may, but be true to your new beginning.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

You are diving deep during this solar eclipse, embarking on a new journey into your subterranean spirituality and/or your unconscious underbelly. What’s down

there? Better yet, what needs to change down there? Rarely do we have the opportunity to consciously influence our innate instincts, but you are being offered that chance now. Reflect, baby! Be aware that your job might try to test your inner journey – you know what’s most important though.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

Geminis are the social butterflies of the zodiac, and this solar eclipse is inviting you to a whole new party. Your friend circle may start going through a major shift because your own hopes and dreams are reorienting, and you will need a new social net to hold your newfound aspirations. Work with these changing patterns, and be aware that you may find old belief systems challenging your fresh ambitions.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Rise and shine, Cancer, because this eclipse is putting you in the public spotlight. A major career shift or some serious recognition is a-comin’ your way. Let your eyes adjust to the brightness, but know that the attention is well-deserved. As you advance, though, you may feel really strongly that you owe something to other people. Manage that as you will, but don’t allow that challenge to take your focus.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Everyone has some sort of belief system or worldview that holds it all together for them. Generally, these belief systems stay more or less constant, but they can go through titanic shifts from time to time. You guessed it: it’s shifting time for you. Perhaps you learn a new spiritual practice, begin a new course of study, experience a new culture. As you embark, however, be prepared for a significant other to challenge your fresh perspective.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Whether or not stocks are your thing, investing is a matter of human life. We invest our time, energy, money, thoughts and emotions into people and projects all the time. This eclipse is offering you the chance to change your investment portfolio and to redirect your vested interests. However, where attention goes, energy flows. So be prepared for your old habits to die hard and don’t let your past routines hold you back.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

For you, this eclipse means you’re getting married! Just kidding, sorry I made you spit your drink out. But seriously, this eclipse is bringing a new start in the realm of romantic or business relationships. Perhaps a new person is entering your life or you’re beginning a new form of relationship arrangement (i.e. your throuple becomes a couple or a quadrouple). However this emerges, be prepared for the challenge of having too much fun.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

Solar eclipses are times of powerful new starts, and for you this entails fresh habits and routines. Daily sunrise yoga? Evening journaling? Three hours of video games a day? Use the energy of this eclipse to change your regular schedule of chores and selfcare. Your family may push back against your new choices and the physical space of your home may pose a challenge to your new routines, but changing habits requires perseverance.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Tap into your inner Frida Kahlo, Oscar Wilde or Jean-Michel Basquiat and let this eclipse send you on a new creative path. Everyone has an inner artist, and yours is yearning to be born or preparing to be reinvented. Tap into your

bliss and share it with the world. You may have intense feelings that you are not communicating your work correctly, but don’t let that hold you back. Let it loose.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You won a new house! (The author and the publishers are not liable for acting upon this nonbinding statement). Kidding aside, this eclipse does affect your home and family life, offering you the chance to begin a new journey in this realm. Perhaps a new home is how it will manifest, perhaps you will learn a new revelation about your family, perhaps you really discover what home is. One bit of advice, don’t let financial anxiety prevent you from prioritizing what matters.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

This powerful solar eclipse is giving you a beautiful opportunity to embark on the paradoxical journey of seeing what is familiar anew. You are being given a new perspective on your siblings, your neighborhood, your method of communication – the things in your life that you interact with regularly. A new perspective also involves a new sense of self, and be prepared to put up some internal resistance.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

You have a fresh start available to you related to your finances and material belongings, but also involving your sense of self-worth. Perhaps a promotion or a new job is on the horizon, or perhaps you reevaluate whether more money will actually bring more value into your life. This shift requires facing some profound fears and self-doubts, but working through these directly offers you real abundance on the other side.

MEET THE ‘MEAN GIRLS’ AT KEY WEST HIGH SCHOOL

DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS ITS SPRING MUSICAL

MAY 12 AND 13

TOM CLEMENTS

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FLORIDA KEYS VOLUNTEER OF THE

Key West High School’s production of ‘Mean Girls’ stars Mia Cawvey as Gretchen Wieners, Maddox Lowe as Regina George, Caira Johnson as Karen Smith and Ruby Stover Sickmen as Cady Heron. CONTRIBUTED

The Key West High School Drama Club, sponsored by Williams Hall, will perform its production of the musical “Mean Girls High School Version” Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13. The show will take place at the Key West High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. both nights.

The production stars the talented students of the Drama Club with a stellar artistic team, including Jeremy Zoma (director & musical director), Lauren Thompson (choreography) and Guy Hermelin (costume design). The production is produced by program director Emily Young with Drama Club school sponsor Rebecca Bertucci, leading the technical direction and coordination.

About the show

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this

naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order?

By taking on the Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film, “Mean Girls” was nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

— Contributed

Key West High School’s Drama Club presents the musical “Mean Girls” May 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. at the school’s auditorium, 2100 Flagler Ave. Tickets are available at vancoevents. com/31390 or by scanning the QR code.

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption 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 program also provides special assistance 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 waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP EVERY FRIDAY MORNING

Speckles is an adult male guinea pig. He’is friendly, loving and a sweet piggie. He loves his greens and spending time with his best friend, fellow guinea pig Cheddar.

Boone is a 4½-year-old male domestic shorthair. He’s shy at first, but will warm up in a patient home. He would love another kitty companion and has been looking for a home since 2018.

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.

Herman is a 3½-year-old male domestic shorthair. He would like a home with quiet adults where he can slowly adapt to a new environment. He loves treats and watching the world go by outside.

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.

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.

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.

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

Join a morning cleanup to keep Key West beautiful April 21: White Street & Higgs Beach (Meet at bocce courts)

Penny is a 4-½-year-old male domestic shorthair. Patience and tasty treats are the key to this boy’s heart. He also loves his girlfriend, Dimple, so if you are looking for an adult cat bonded pair, these two would be your dream duo.

Monica is an 11-month-old female pit bull terrier. She’s goofy, friendly and loves to play with her toys. She is sure to be any family’s next best friend.

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex. Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains our island community.

Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day): 8 to 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)

The Ploggers met at Douglass Gym on April 13, when 33 volunteers picked up 123 pounds of trash, 25 pounds of recycling and 3 gallons of cigarette butts from the sidewalks and streets in Bahama Village. CONTRIBUTED

1ST-EVER I.CARE TRASH DERBY

KEYS - WIDE CONTEST HAS PLANS TO ‘TRIUMPH OVER TRASH’

cash prizes for winners in the different cleanup categories.

On May 11-13, Islamorada restoration nonprofit I.CARE will host the first-ever Trash Derby. The Keys-wide, weekend-long contest and celebration plans to tackle the amount of debris affecting our islands. The format is loosely modeled on popular Lionfish Derbies, which bring concentrated effort into one place over a prescribed amount of time to make a big impact. For the Trash Derby, you can get involved picking up trash in three ways: on land, using private watercrafts or participating with local dive shops.

“Pulling debris aligns well with I.CARE’s mission to restore coral reefs here in the Keys,” said I.CARE founder and Key Dives owner Mike Goldberg. “If there’s one thing the Keys community can band together around, it is bringing back a healthy, thriving reef.”

I.CARE outplants coral every week –and 95% of that effort is done by hand by recreational divers with partnering dive shops. These citizen-scientists are locals and tourists who want to learn and lend a hand. In the two years the program has been in place, over 2,000 divers have gone through it.

Debris-free reefs aid coral restoration efforts by providing a “clean slate” for divers to outplant on. Trash in the water can also abrade, smash or otherwise destroy fragile corals. So, the efforts are inextricably linked. Debris is also dangerous for wildlife; it entangles sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and birds.

According to PADI AWARE, 80% of physical debris in our ocean comes from land-based sources, so stopping the flow of trash and plastic from land is a powerful way to protect our waters.

On land, trash is equally damaging. Ocean currents can bring trash from far away to our shorelines, where it acts as an eyesore to locals and tourists. Big storms can take trash from land, boats or the water (line and traps) and twist it around mangrove roots, corals and other critical habitats.

To combat this, the Trash Derby includes one and a half days of debris collection by land and sea, followed by a family-friendly festival at Islamorada’s Founders Park. The latter will include food, music, eco-minded vendors, local environmental organizations, an award ceremony, raffles, silent auction, games and activities. Oh, and almost $6,000 in

“The original idea was to get all dive shops involved in this community project in a way that brought them all together for a common cause,” Goldberg told the Weekly. “We took it further, wanting to bring everyone together, including private boat owners and folks that want to do shoreline cleanups.”

Sponsorship from throughout the community has been crucial to bringing this first-ever event to fruition, Goldberg said. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in support of Goal: Clean Seas Program, partnered with I.CARE, and generosity from other foundations, marinas, dive shops, waste disposal companies, rum manufacturers and apparel makers have made it possible.

“Marine debris is a massive problem worldwide, and this event helps address this issue,” Goldberg said. “At the same time, it brings awareness to the state of our coral reefs and the work that I.CARE and other reef restoration practitioners are doing to solve this local and global problem.”

Goldberg is hopeful that the effort will hit a minimum of 4,000 pounds of debris over the course of the derby. His dive shop, Key Dives, recently surpassed 20,000 pounds of debris removed through Dives Against Debris.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation hopes that as much debris collected as possible can be reused and repurposed locally. If local businesses and organizations can use old traps, lines, monofilament, buoys, various plastics and other common marine debris, contact Cortney Benson at cbenson@marinesanctuary.org.

So, what’s next?

Right now is the time to register – either as a team or with a local participating dive shop, Goldberg said. Land-based and private vessel teams are free to register. Dive operators pay $250, but registration is free for Blue Star Operators. Register and learn more at icaretrashderby.com/participate.

“Let’s go have some fun helping our ocean,” Goldberg said.

From top: The I.CARE team participates in a shoreline cleanup. Land-based efforts are a critical part of the Trash Derby. I.CARE/Contributed

Monofilament from fishing lines is a big problem in the Florida Keys. It can wind around coral and wildlife, causing great harm. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys

Weekly

Cortney Benson of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation operates a lift bag during a Dive Against Debris with Key Dives.

Conservation coordinators with Rainbow Reef Dive Center take stock of a day’s Dive Against Debris haul. Properly sorting, counting and recording what’s collected informs better waste management policies.

THE SCHEDULE:

• May 11, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m., Bud N’ Mary’s Barn (79851 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada) - mandatory captain’s meeting (in-person or virtual), gear pick-up, and Mote coral nursery tour. Beer provided by Florida Keys Brewing Co.

• May 12, 6:40 a.m. to May 13 (2 p.m.), Key Largo to Big Pine

- Trash Derby open; debris collection allowed for I.CARE Trash Derby teams

• May 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Indian Key Fill (U.S. 1, MM79 Bayside, Islamorada) - Lignumvitae Key Aquatic Preserve cleanup. RSVP required.

• May 13, 1 to 8 p.m., Founders Park (8700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada) - I.CARE Trash Derby Festival with food, music, awards, vendors and games.

FINE ART IS FAMILY AFFAIR

HARRISON GALLERY’S GROUP SHOW FEATURES WORKS BY DR. FRED & RITA TROXEL

DIVE INTO THE MARINE SANCTUARY WITHOUT GETTING WET

FLORIDA KEYS ECO - DISCOVERY CENTER REOPENS AFTER $1M REDO

The newly renovated Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center reopened to visitors on April 15 at Key West’s Truman Waterfront Park. Following the $1 million upgrade, visitors can venture through a self-paced tour featuring mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, with numerous handon opportunities to learn about some of the 6,000 species of sea life that call Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary home. Modernday pirates discover a shipwreck trail marking the abundant maritime history of the Keys, including voyages that often came to a sudden, and tragic, end along treach-

erous shallow reefs. Additional exhibits focus on conservation and coral restoration, while a 100seat theater features an exclusive 20-minute film on the cultural impact of the Keys. The Eco-Discovery Center is one of the few free attractions in Key West, located along the Truman waterfront on the way to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Beach.

The Eco-Discovery Center is currently open each Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hours may be expanded in the future as staffing allows.

— Contributed

Harrison Gallery in Key West is currently featuring a group show of various works by Keys dentist Dr. Fred Troxel as well as Rita Troxel, Cheryl Troxel and Jeff Nablo.

The show, entitled “Our Illusory World,” opened with an artists’ reception on April 13 and will be on display until May 3.

The show features Fred Troxel’s “sculptural anamorphs,” Rita Troxel’s abstract paintings and Cheryl Troxel’s and Jeff Nablo’s framed and shadowbox-like constructions.

Harrison Gallery, 825 White St., Key West, is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

— Keys Weekly staff report

1. A stand-up paddleboarding photo corner is an Instagrammable spot at the new Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and soon will become an interactive ‘virtual reality’ game that reacts to visitors. TIFFANY DUONG/Keys Weekly

2. The newly renovated Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center at Key West’s Truman Waterfront includes a replica of FIU’s Aquarius Reef Base that visitors can ‘swim’ through and explore.

The latest art show on display at Harrison Gallery is a family affair, featuring the artwork of Fred Troxel, Rita Troxel and Cheryl Troxel and Jeff Nablo. HELEN HARRISON/Contributed

3. NOAA educator Marlies Tumolo uses a replica dolphin skull to show how different animals have adapted to different diets.

PENDING SALE

UNDER CONTRACT

3 Geiger Road | Key West | MLS # 603784 Spectacular waterfront land directly adjacent to Geiger Key Marina. Almost three quarters of an acre with a single family house that can be rebuilt in place. Truly spectacular location and views with great boating access. $1,990,000

1500 Atlantic Blvd. 311 | Key West | MLS # 604361 True Oceanfront Living on the edge of the Atlantic! 2 bed / 2 bath condo at the Key West Beach Club with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. $1,730,000

SKY SHOW

SOUTHERNMOST AIR SPECTACULAR WOWS CROWDS AT NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST

If you didn’t see it, surely you heard it roaring above the Lower Keys. But if you didn’t see it, you missed a true spectacle in the sky at the Southernmost Air Spectacular April 15 and 16 at Naval Air Station Key West.

In addition to the U.S. Navy’s elite Blue Angels precision flying team (featuring its first female aviator, Lt. Amanda Lee), the weekend air show was packed with award-winning aerobatic pilots performing heart-stopping stunts. The crowds gasped in horror, disbelief, then relief as a plane seemed to fall from the sky and hurtle toward earth, before miraculously pulling out of the dive and sailing once again upward.

The show included tours of a behemoth U.S. Air Force plane as well as a dog-fighting demonstration by Key West’s resident adversary fighter squadron, VFC-111 SunDowners, composed of instructor pilots who play the bad guys in the sky while training other naval aviators in air-to-air combat.

But instead of taking up too much space describing the show, we at the Keys Weekly figured a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy the images by photographers Larry Blackburn and Mark Hedden.

The Blue Angels take part in the Southernmost Air Spectacular April 15 and 16 at Naval Air Station Key West.

1. Lt. Amanda Lee is the first female Blue Angels pilot.

2. Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenberg gets the flight of his life.

3. Aerobatic planes fill the sky at the air show.

4. Blue Angels precision flight demonstration.

5. Keys Weekly’s own Britt Myers flies with the Blue Angels.

6. A military demonstration by fighter pilots.

7. The US Navy’s Blue Angels flight team.

8. The Blue Angels’ C-130 is affectionately known as Fat Albert.

LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly & MARK HEDDEN/Keys

SWATTING ‘SKEETERS’ & DIABOLITO

ANTI - PIRACY UNIT FACED THREATS

What was the most dangerous thing facing the fighting men of the anti-piracy unit called the West Indies Squadron? It was not the pirates, but a wee foe called the mosquito.

BRAD BERTELLI

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

A document titled “The Repression of Piracy in The West Indies” and published in the December 1911 edition of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine revealed this observation: “(T)he men who sailed with Commodore Porter had their full share of hazard and adventure. But the climate was so much more deadly than the fighting, the mortality from yellow fever so much greater than that due to malice of pirates, that a raid or a skirmish was a trivial matter in comparison with the hardships of a summer’s cruise. At any rate, most of the reports are sober and modest, and even the journalists of the day failed to recap a sensational harvest.”

This is not to say that pirates in the West Indies did not pose a threat, because they did, though their escapades were not the same as those swashbuckling tales written in books and appearing on television and movie screens. One of the pirates operating in the West Indies with a particularly nasty reputation, one who pushed President James Monroe to sign “An Act to Protect the Commerce of the United States, and Crimes of Piracy” into law on March 3, 1819, was a Cuban pirate named Diabolito.

The act authorized Monroe (namesake of Monroe County) to create a unit of the Navy that would become known as the West Indies Squadron. The mission of this specialized force was to combat piracy and fight efforts being made to continue the slave trade.

Diabolito was known as a particularly aggressive Cuban pirate, familiar with the West Indies Squadron both before and after Commodore David Porter took command and brought his forces to Key West. The story of Diabolito is typical of the kind of piratical events that are connected to the Florida Keys. While not a Keys pirate, he used the skinny waters surrounding the Keys to escape government pursuit in his shallow-draft pirate schooner.

At least twice, Diabolito engaged with the anti-piracy forces of the West Indies Squadron.

The first engagement was recorded in the article published in Proceedings magazine: “The rover had escaped from the active pursuit of Lt. Watson, U.S.N, in July 1823, when the boats of the Mosquito and Gallinipper, manned by only 26 seamen, chased a topsail schooner and a barge into Seguipa Bay. The schooner anchored with a spring on her cable, and her long nine and two six-pounders opened with grape. The boats (Mosquito and Gallinipper) dashed in with cheers – ‘Huzza for Allen!’ and that sort of thing – and the pirates jumped overboard; some were killed in the water, but Diabolito survived to renew his piracies.”

The “Huzza for Allen!” shouted by the seamen of the West Indies Squadron referenced the death of Lt. William Allen of the U.S. schooner Alligator, one of the ships dedicated to the West Indies Squadron, who was killed during a pirate fight off the Cuban coast in November 1822. Some stories about Diabolito suggest that the pirate was one of the leaders of the horde attacked by Allen and the crew of the Alligator. Government records, however, do not seem to indicate that was the case.

While pirates in the Florida Keys are a historical rarity, piracy will always be connected to the island chain through the history of the West Indies Squadron. When Commodore Porter decided to establish a military depot at Key West, he issued a General Order from the U.S.S. Peacock on April 6, 1823. Porter wrote: “A Salute of 17 guns is to be find (fired) at 8 o’clock this morning from the Battery in front of the Town, and the American Ensign is to be hoisted at the Flag Staff. … The Town is hereafter to be called Allenton, and the Battery, Thompson’s Battery.”

The name Thompson was chosen for the depot to honor the Secretary of the Navy, Smith Thompson. The name for the town developing on Key West, Allenton, was a tribute to the fallen Allen, commander of the Alligator. Seventeen guns were fired in salute.

The second time U.S. forces engaged Diabolito, he would not be so lucky. Lt. William H. Watson of the Gallinipper and Lt. William Inman of the Mosquito, part of Commodore David Porter’s much-heralded Mosquito Fleet, engaged the pirate schooner Catalina off the coast of Cuba.

Though the pirate force of 70 to 80 outnumbered the American force, Lt. Watson ordered his men to attack. The pirates were chased away from the island and out to sea. Panicked, the pirates began to abandon their ship and attempted to swim back to shore. The American seamen opened fire on the pirates, and dozens of them were shot and killed as they attempted to swim to safety. Among the dead was Diabolito, who was killed in the water after he refused to surrender. Local authorities captured the pirates who survived the barrage.

Local authorities, however, were unable to capture the true villains of the West Indies as they fed off the men of the West Indies Squadron and left behind a little present called yellow fever. It was not until the 1880s that the Cuban doctor Carlos Finley theorized that mosquitoes transmitted the disease. His theory was not taken seriously.

How dangerous were mosquitoes? During the Spanish American War, it is suggested that 1,000 men died in combat, and another 5,000 succumbed to disease – largely yellow fever.

Mosquitoes posed as much of a nuisance as pirates for the West Indies Squadron. PITSCH/Pixabay

FEED YOUR MIND

TWO CUPS OF ROMANCE, A TEASPOON OF SCOTTISH WHISKEY AND AN UNEXPECTED PINCH OF MURDER. FOOD AND FICTION – MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS OF A BESTSELLER.

SADIE ON A PLATE

By Amanda Elliot

Sadie, a young chef from Seattle, is a rising star at the trendy Green Onion when her no-good boss chops her heart into tiny pieces. Embarrassed and heartbroken, Sadie is stunned to get a call welcoming her as a contestant on Chef Supreme, the world-class cooking competition she applied to months ago. On the flight to NYC, Sadie is seated next to a handsome man named Luke with the telltale hand scars only a chef would wear. Sworn to secrecy, they enjoy each other’s company and a farewell kiss, knowing Sadie will be incommunicado

RUBY SPENCER’S WHISKEY YEAR

By Rochelle Bilow

At 35, Ruby packs up her big-city life as a food writer and moves to the quaint village of Thistlecross in the Scottish Highlands. Her free-spirit parents encourage the adventure, and her best friend applauds this act of bravery. Once she lands in the cozy cottage she will now call home, her confidence – along with her luggage – seems to be missing. Luckily, her agreement to help cook at the local pub is an excellent way to meet the eccentric town characters and, most importantly,

THE GOLDEN SPOON

By Jessa Maxwell

KAREN NEWFIELD

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

for six weeks while the show is filming. When Luke shockingly walks into the studio the next day, Sadie is certain this is a recipe for disaster. She puts her heart and soul into cooking traditional Jewish foods with a modern twist while the whispers of her late Grandma Ruth’s advice stream through her mind. As the weekly challenges escalate, designed to thwart even the most confident competitors, Sadie cannot ignore the way Judge Luke devours every bite. Following the model of popular cooking competitions televised today, this book will leave the reader hungry for more.

the attractive bearded handyman in charge of fixing up her accommodations. As their friendship grows, Ruby’s heart opens for the first time in a long while. The walls she built after each outrageous breakup slowly come down while Brochan and Ruby can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. Feeling at home for the first time, Ruby struggles to find a way to save her career, love life and the town in one fell swoop. This absolutely delicious romance is a completely entertaining read filled with food and friendship. There is a great big world out there and love may be discovered where you least expect it.

The Golden Spoon has been a top-rated cooking show for the last decade. Hordes of fans wait for the weeklong event to see which of the six bakers will win the coveted title. Famous cookbook author Betsy Martin hosts the competition in the mansion where she was raised, Grafton Manor. Deep in the rolling hills of Vermont, the contestants arrive carrying their own baking baggage. As Betsy grapples with a despised co-host and untrustworthy assistant, she fights to protect the legacy of Grafton Manor, which cannot be maintained without

the revenue of Bake Week. Discrepancies in salt and sugar and oven temperatures begin to pique the chef’s curiosity, but no one can turn a blind eye when a dead body is discovered. As the competition, similar to the Great British Bake Off, follows each delicious recipe, the various backgrounds of each baker are slowly revealed. With all the ingredients of an escape room mystery, the contestants are trapped in the mansion on a stormy night. When the power fails and lightning flashes throughout, the frightening truth is slowly revealed. With a fun, fast-paced foodie thriller, this debut author is a rising star.

WATCH TIP: A young couple travels to a remote island with a hand-selected few to taste the food of a renowned and mysterious chef. The word “foodie” takes on a whole new meaning in this very (VERY!) dark comedy horror film. “The Menu” can be seen on Apple TV.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of SOUTHERN TIME

CHARTERS located at 1Loquat Dr., Monroe County in the City of Key Largo, Florida 33037-5009, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Key Largo, Florida this 14th day of April, 2023.

By: HUNTER SLATE, LLC

Publish:

March 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

BEST LIEN SERVICES INC.

LOCATED AT 7290 SW 41 ST MIAMI, FL 33155 WILL SELL AT A RESERVE PUBLIC SALE AT 9:00

AM THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES AT SAID LOCATION TO SATISFY

LIEN PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 713.585 OF THE FLORIDA

STATUES.

2018 CHEV 4D

1G1ZD5ST1JF271656

DATE OF SALE: MAY.8,2023 AT 9:00AM

LOCATION:1503 AQUEDUCT LN, KEY LARGO, FL 33037 P#:7863328-9393

OWNER/LIENHOLDER MAY INSPECT/RECOVER VEHICLE

BY CONTACTING BEST LIEN SERVICES 7290 SW 41 ST MIAMI, FL 33155 (1-866-299-9391) AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE LIEN SALE, ALL SALES ARE WITH RESERVE 20% BUYERS PREMIUM.

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April 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

City of Marathon, Florida

Second Public Hearing Notice

The City of Marathon is applying to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for a FFY 2022 Small Cities

Community Development Block

Grant (CDBG) of $311,650.00 in the Neighborhood Revitalization category to raise Jesse Hobbs Park in order to mitigate flooding. The activities, dollar amounts and estimated percentage benefit to low- and moderate-income persons are as follows:

Activity Name

Estimated Cost

CDBG Funding LMI Benefit Design Services

$14,000.00

N/A Bonds $4,000.00

N/A Mobilization $15,000.00

N/A Demolition $35,000.00

100% Fill $60,000.00

100% Elevate Basketball Court $65,000.00

100% Elevate Sidewalks

$15,000.00

100% Elevate ADA Parking

$15,000.00

100% Adjust Irrigation

$12,000.00

100% Turf/Greenery $22,000.00

100% Install Pavilion

$8,000.00

100% Gravel $6,000.00

100% Contingency (15%) $40,650.00

N/A

The City of Marathon does not expect that anyone will be displaced as a result of CDBG-funded activities. If any persons are displaced as a result of the planned activities,

the City of Marathon will assist them as described in the City’s anti-displacement and relocation policy, which is available for review at City Hall. A public hearing to provide citizens an opportunity to comment on the application will be held at Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Highway, on April 27, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. A draft copy of the application will also be available for review during normal business hours in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall by noon on May 1, 2023. Persons wanting to submit written comments on the application should send them to Maria Covelli, Grants Coordinator, by e-mail at covellim@ci.marathon.fl.us, no later than 3:00pm on May 1,2023. A copy of the final application will be available for review in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall no later than noon, May 5, 2023. The application will be submitted to DEO on May 5, 2022 by 5pm. To obtain additional information concerning the application and the public hearing, contact Maria Covelli, Grants Coordinator, at (305) 743-0033 or by email at covellim@ci.marathon.fl.us

Please note that more than one Marathon City Council/ Board/Committee member may participate in the meeting. The City of Marathon complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring special accommodations or assistance, please notify the City ADA Coordinator at (305) 289-5022 of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.

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April 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

MONROE COUNTY CONTRACTORS EXAMINING

BOARD MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Notice is Hereby Given To Whom it may concern, that on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 the Monroe County Contractors Examining Board (CEB) will hold a scheduled meeting at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Second Floor, BOCC Room, Marathon, Florida scheduled to commence at 9:30

A.M. This meeting is to hear the following: any person(s) to come before the board; any reports from Monroe County Assistant Attorney; any reports from Monroe County Building Official; any reports from Staff.

The Monroe County Contractors

Examining Board (“CEB”) will review Certificate of Competency Trade applications and the Industry Input Section. All public participation in this meeting may be conducted via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using Zoom Webinar platform, during the scheduled meeting.

Meeting Agenda and Zoom Webinar information is available 7 days prior to meeting date on the Monroe County Web Calendar and the Contractors

Examining Board webpage: www.monroecounty-fl.gov

PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE

SECTION 286.0105, be advised that, if a person decides to appeal the decision made by the Contractors’ Examining Board with respect to any matter considered at today’s hearing, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special recommendations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30

a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

NOTICE:  It shall be the responsibility of each Respondent or other person addressing the Board to have an interpreter if the party is not able to understand or speak the English language.

Rick Griffin, Building Official/ Board Secretary

Maria Partington, Senior Coordinator – CEB Board Monroe County Building

Department

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April 20, 2023

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NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that

on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Emergency Management Consulting Services 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 3:00 P.M., on June 13, 2023. 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:

Emergency Management Consulting Services 06-13-2023

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 June 13, 2023. 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)

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April 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Disaster Response and Recovery Services 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 3:00 P.M., on June 8, 2023. 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:

Disaster Response and Recovery Services 06-08-2023

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 June 8, 2023. 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:

April 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 23-CP-29-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RAYMOND CHARLES ALFONSO, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of RAYMOND CHARLES ALFONSO, deceased, whose date of death was December 20, 2022, Case: 23-CP-29-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and

LEGAL NOTICES

other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE

OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: April 20, 2023.

Personal Representative: JENNIFER ROQUE

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040 Attorney for Personal

Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304 Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive Key West, Florida 33040 Email designation for service: Service.Probate@ samkaufmanlaw.com

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish: April 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-79-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF VAN NEVIN SMITH Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of VAN NEVIN SMITH, deceased, whose date of death was October 1 2022, and the last four digits of whose social security number are XXX-XX-4098, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040; that the total value of the estate is unknown at present and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:

TAJ ADAMS

Personal Representative 806 Thomas Street, Apt. B Key West, FL 33040

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN 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: April 20, 2023.

Personal Representative: TAJ ADAMS Attorney for Personal Representative: LINJE RIVERS, ESQ. The Witherspoon Law Group Florida Bar No. 79063

822 N. Hwy A1A, Ste. 310 Ponte Vedra, FL 32082 (904) 544-8502 (phone) (904) 506-00824 (fax) rivers@twlglawyers.com

Publish:

April 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-13-P IN RE: ESTATE OF LOIS E. SARGENT, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LOIS E. SARGENT, deceased, whose date of death was October 1, 2022, File Number 23-CP-13-P is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Plantation Key Government Center, 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 has been served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE TIME 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 SO FILED 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: April 20, 2023.

Personal Representative:

JOE A. CATARINEAU

91750 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

JOE A. CATARINEAU

Florida Bar Number: 0517291

91750 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070

Telephone: (305) 852-4833

Publish:

April 20 & 27, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 22-CP-000320-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF TIFFANY HENDRY a/k/a LYNN HOLT, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of Tiffany Hendry, a/k/a Lynn Holt, deceased, File No. 22-CP000320-K, whose date of death was August 24, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 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 decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED OR 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 YEARS OF MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice to Creditors is April 13, 2023.

Personal Representative:

James J. Colligan

1101 Casa Marina Court

Key West, FL 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative:

JOHN K. BUCKLEY Florida Bar No. 667692 401 West Atlantic Avenue, Ste. 0-11 Delray Beach, FL 33444

Telephone: (561) 392-2323

Email: bucklaw@mindspring.com

Publish:

April 13 & 20, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-DR-116-M DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: JENESYS GIDSEG GARCIA Petitioner, and, MIGUEL ANGEL GARCIA FLORES, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: MIGUEL ANGEL GARCIA FLORES

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 JENESYS GIDSEG GARCIA, whose address is 240 SOMBRERO BEACH ROAD, APT. 4D, MARATHON, FL 33050 on or before May 15, 2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050, 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: UNKNOWN

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: April 4, 2023

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Barbie Morales Deputy Clerk Publish:

April 13, 20, 27 & May 4, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • 305.743.0844

AUTOS WANTED

ALL YEARS!

Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2011 Chrysler Town & Country Van, only 109,000 Indiana miles. New tires. Located in Marathon. $5,500 317450-7179

BOATS FOR SALE

1992 24' Sovereign Sailboat w/Yenmar Diesel, spacious cabin w/enclosed head. Marathon located w/ Bahamas capability. $6,500 317-450-7179

Marlow-Hunter 18' Daysailer w/spinnaker, Mercury fourstroke 3.5 engine, and trailer. Excellent condition. Lots of fun! Located in Middle Keys. $7,500 215-317-4073

EMPLOYMENT

NOW HIRING

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

SS Wreck and Galley Grill on Grassy Key is looking for servers and bartenders, full or part time. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 - 40 hrs. per week, $23 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@ aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.

NOW HIRING: Bookkeeper. Key by the Sea Board of Directors is hiring an Office Manager with bookeeping experience for a 200 unit condo association. Associate Degree with concentration in bookkeeping preferred of equivalent combination of education, minimum 2 years of related bookkeeping experience required. Starting range $21$25/hour. Apply by email: manager@ keybythesea.org

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic. Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: WW Operator/Controls Trainee, and Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Coast to Coast Pizza Company in Marathon is looking for front of the house cashier, part time. Will train, but should be outgoing with leadership traits and well-organized, self-motivated, with a passion for customer service. Salary commensurate with experience and includes tips and 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

Please contact April at 305.407.3262 or april@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com for more information.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $38.43/hr. - $43.04/hr.

For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Executive Department:

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $103,172/annually$106,061/annually.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

Shell World Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, 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 application or fax resume to 305-852-9639.

e Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $17.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

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.

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers

CDL Drivers

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

SUDOKU SOLUTION

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housing Assistant, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator, Grounds Caretaker, and HCV Specialist (No experience necessary. The KWHA will provide training for this position to the right candidate). 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.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Place your Employment Ad here for $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

305.743.0844

305.743.0844

RV LOT FOR RENT YARD SALES HOBBIES/COLLECT.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 Bedroom 1 Bath in Marathon. Tile, carpet, appliances, gated property. No pets. $2400/ mo. 305-610-8002

RV Site for rent in Marathon. Up to 35', private gated property. $1,500/mo + utilities. Dockage available - inquire for price. 305-610-8002

Place your RV Lot For Rent Ad here for $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844.

YARD SALES

Place your Yard Sale Ad here for $25.00/week for up to five lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

IS HIRING!

DIRECT CARE STAFF  GROUP HOMES 24/7 FT/PT

MARC is looking for Direct Care Staff – Group Homes 24/7 (FT/PT). Position requires a minimum of high school completion and 1 yr. exp. or 1 yr. college. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. EOE

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West – or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org, phone: 305-294-9526 *32

IS HIRING!

PLANT STORE MANAGER TRAINEE

BUSY NONPROFIT HAS NEED FOR BOTH A WOMEN & FAMILY PROGRAM MANAGER AND A MEN’S PROGRAM MANAGER

These are full-time salary positions. Great benefits. Must have excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills. Must be compassionate and professional. Bachelor’s degree, field experience, and Spanish is a plus.

Drug-free workplace, EOE. Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org

MAINTENANCE POSITION WITH BUSY NONPROFIT

Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club on Grassy Key now hiring Housemen, Housekeepers, Kitchen Staff & Front Desk Agent.

The Lagoon Grassy Key Adventure Park & Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden on Grassy Key now hiring Watersports Guide, Kitchen Staff & Retail Manager.

Email: hiring@grassyflats.com

MARC is looking for a 40-hr/wk. Manager Trainee Good social/business skills, above average computer skills required (knowledge of POS a plus). Knowledge of tropical plants helpful. Requires a lot of manual labor and must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required. EOE

Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West – or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org, phone: 305-294-9526 *32

IS HIRING!

SUPPORTED LIVING COACH FULL TIME

Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and In Home Support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or year for year experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Background screening, current FL driver’s license, and references required. Salary commensurate with experience. EOE

Apply at 1401 Seminary St, Key West or online at marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org or phone 305-294-9526 *32

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience. Some of the duties involve; being familiar with all merchandise in the selling area, suggest specific merchandise & offer product advise. Walk around the grounds and see dolphins every day.

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

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

FT with benefits. Long-term position w/room for growth. Valid DL required. Must have maintenance or related experience, computer skills and relate well with people. Very physical position, heavy lifting, heat, etc.

Drug-free workplace, EOE.

Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org. No phone calls.

HIRING

• FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER

• CARPENTERS & LABORERS

• EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

• ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Must have valid Driver’s License & Transportation

Location: Upper Keys Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com Or call: 305-852-3002

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS

AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required.

Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

ONSITE JOB FAIR

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26TH

9 AM - 3 PM

2 LOCATIONS: Mariners Hospital & Fisherman’s Community Hospital

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

- Housekeepers

- Cooks

- Food Crew

- Mechanics

- Dietitians

- Patient Advocates

- Med Techs

- Imaging Techs

- Registered Nurses

- RN Supv/Mgrs

- Physical Therapists

- +More!

For details and to RSVP, visit: www.baptisthires.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

BETTER FUTURES BEGIN AT BAPTIST HEALTH

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge in Islamorada is NOW OPEN and serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Open interviews Monday – Friday from 11am to 4pm at Oceanside Safari. Located at MM 73.5 right on the ocean at Caloosa Cove Marina, 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.

NOW HIRING

FOH: HOSTS, SERVERS, BARTENDERS, BUSSERS, RUNNERS. BOH: LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS, DISHWASHERS.

Great pay, benefits and perks. We offer a stable 40 hrs-per-week to our hourly employees, and more hours if you want! Part-time positions available if you are looking for a second job, or after-school job. No Inglés. No Problema. Lo importante es que trabajes bien. Pa gen angle. Pa gen pwoblèm. Tout sa ki enpòtan se ke ou travay byen. We have re-opened as a brand-new fullservice restaurant & bar, with a full kitchen with all brand new equipment, a beautiful bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a beachfront lounge on our own private beach.

COME JOIN US!

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer** Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge, 786-626-6124 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036

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 unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

KEY WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Crisis Counselor

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic, Children)

*Advocate (PT only)

Substance Abuse Counselor

Peer Support Specialist

MARATHON

Prevention Specialist (or KW)

Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

RNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians

3 shifts (also Per Diem)

*Support Worker – Assisted Living

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