Upper Keys Weekly 23-0629

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

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AAA forecasts more than 2.8 million Floridians will take at least one trip of 50 miles or more, between Friday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 4. That’s 87,000 more holiday travelers than the previous record high, set last year. Nationally, travel figures are also expected to set new records.

American Legion Post 145 rides up U.S. 1 in a military-style vehicle during the 2022 Fourth of July procession. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

TAVERNIER PUBLIX DECISION PUSHED TO THE FALL

DEVELOPERS SLIGHTLY SCALE DOWN SIZE OF PROPOSED PROJECT

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Adecision by county commissioners that’ll determine whether a Publix grocery store is constructed in Tavernier was pushed to a meeting in the fall. The postponement of two resolutions related to the project came after Mayor Craig Cates and Commissioner David Rice were absent, leaving only three commissioners at the June 21 meeting in Key Largo.

One resolution, which proposes a change to the county land use district map to apply a Tavernier Key Overlay District for the project, needed at least four commissioners present for a vote.

Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein led the June 21 meeting in Cates’ absence. She said staff recommended the tabling of the two items to the next meeting in the Upper Keys, which will be Sept. 20 at the Murray Nelson Government Center.

“I think having a commission firing on all pistons when we have a decision like this to be made is a good thing,” she said. “This allows for more public comment, more input and also gives the entities time to respond to the public’s concerns.”

Developers with Blackstone Group — Tavernier 925 LLC are seeking a change to county land development code to allow a structure containing up to 58,500 square feet of nonresidential floor area at the former concrete facility located near MM 92. An initial application from the developer’s agent, Smith/Hawks PL, to the county in March 2022 originally proposed up to 70,000 square feet of nonresidential floor area in order to build a 64,000-square-foot Publix supermarket and liquor store.

A change to the application in late May, however, stated the developer’s intent to decrease the allowable nonresidential development by 11,500 square feet to construct a 58,454-square-foot supermarket and liquor store. It came following a county staff report earlier in the year that stated the proposal was inconsistent with a Tavernier Liveable CommuniKeys Plan, which guides development from Tavernier Creek to MM 97. A county staff report on the proposal states that no amendment shall be approved “which will result in an adverse community change to the planning area in which the proposed development is located.”

Homes in Tavernier surround the former concrete plant near MM 92, where developers hope to build a supermarket, liquor store and workforce housing. ALEX NEUFELD/Keys Weekly

Per the applicant, assertions made by the county staff are unfounded and unsubstantiated since suburban mainland commercial areas permit and promote the development of supermarkets. Moreover, the county’s assertions that the size of the commercial structure is contrary to community character is an arbitrarily created standard that appears to be solely based on public comments.

The planning commission voted 3-2 to recommend that county commissioners deny the request at a special April 28 meeting. A number of Tavernier residents have spoken against the project, citing issues of traffic and inconsistency with the quaint, natural and historical nature of the community.

Developers are also hoping to build some 86 workforce housing units to go along with the supermarket and liquor store.

HOLIDAY HALTS PIPE PROJECT

Construction crews continue to lay new water pipes into the ground in Islamorada. The work will stop during the busy Fourth of July, however, with heavy congestion expected on U.S. 1 in the village.

On June 26, the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority stated that crews will halt work on the transmission main replacement project and suspend the rolling lane closure near MM 82 on Tuesday, July 4. Between 1,000- and 1,500-foot sections of U.S. 1 have been closed off to motorists to allow crews to install the new 36-inch pipe into the ground. Two lanes of traffic remain

open despite the rolling lane closure. Workers have installed more than 8,000 feet of new pipe as of June 22. The work began in April as crews installed about 900 feet of 42-inch pipe under the seabed at the Tea Table crossing to mitigate any wear from high winds and storm surge. The roughly 4 miles of new pipe being placed between MM 80 and MM 84 in the village is protected against corrosion and climate effects, according to FKAA. Project costs are around $42 million.

Installation of the new pipe is expected to last through February 2025, but FKAA said traffic issues will

Contributed

be lessened by March 2024. Work will halt for upcoming major holidays and events, including lobster mini-season, from July 26-27, and Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-4.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Construction crews place a new 36-inch pipe into the ground in Islamorada. FKAA/

‘EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC’

LOCAL MUSICIAN’S NEW SCHOOL BRINGS A NEW ENGAGING EXPERIENCE TO STUDENTS

Local musician and Monroe County firefighter Luke Ptomey has big plans for Island Music School, which he and his wife, Melissa, are launching this August.

The school will be offering music classes to children from first grade through high school. But Luke sees the organization developing into a place where older kids will learn to record and perform locally, professional musicians can stop by to give a seminar to fans of all ages and — hopefully, after obtaining nonprofit status — scholarships are given out.

“I want to make music attainable for everyone,” Luke said.

Melissa said the couple had noticed that the Upper Keys homeschooling community didn’t get a chance to study music like the public school kids do.

“The homeschoolers did not have a lot of options — maybe piano lessons — to study music,” she said, noting that even with some public schools, offerings have been getting smaller due to cuts in funding.

“And that needs to be filled,” she said.

Then opportunity knocked. The Ptomeys heard that a space had opened up next to the Old Road Gallery at MM 88 and realized that Luke could arrange his firefighting schedule so he could teach regular classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And with that, Island Music School was born.

Venus Haugen, their longtime friend and Upper Keys Kids Clubhouse owner, was thrilled about their new venture. She agrees that the area is in need of more music.

“Their passion for music and high values for a quality education will make this school an absolute hit,” she said. “I’ll be enrolling my own children.”

Luke has loved music since he was a Keys tyke. He recalls being curious about drumming since age 5 and was given a drum kit at 13. At Coral Shores High School, he was in both concert and marching band for all four years.

Luke started to excel. He had a devoted band director, Robert Sax, who gave interested students music theory classes; using this knowledge, Luke would create the percussion score for selected pieces of music.

Then, at age 16, he began hitting stages as a professional. Local music

fans will recognize some of the names he has jammed with: Steve Venini, David Feder, John Bartus, Adrienne Zolondick, Micah Gardner and, of course, Jimmy Buffett. He has also performed with groups like Baga Tricks and the Stone Crabs.

Islamorada Community Entertainment (ICE) awarded Luke music scholarships, which he used to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. The school has famous alumni including John Mayer, Steven Tyler and Quincy Jones. He received a bachelor’s in professional music and, along the way, became comfortable with playing marimba, world percussion, keyboard, drums and ukulele, as well as vocals.

And now? He’d like to pay it forward.

“I’m bringing my Berklee education to the Keys,” he said.

While Island Music School will offer private instrument lessons on a limited basis, the focus will be group musical literacy classes, with topics from ear training to vocal exercises.

“The aim is to get kids to understand music more, rather than to play just a few notes,” Luke said. “I equate it to algebra. People say, ‘Oh, I’ll never use that.’ But studies have shown that just by taking algebra, synapses are created in your brain. And music is like that. Even if kids don’t go farther in their studies, they get a spark and are able to access a different part of their brain.”

Also: Music is fun. Luke will give access to a few instruments, so students have a chance to gravitate toward one that truly calls to them.

“I want kids to feel excited to come,” he said. “The last thing I want is to see kids dragging their feet into our class.”

Melissa notes that the fact that her husband is a trained EMT/firefighter is a bonus.

“Parents can feel safe with him,” she said.

Luke eventually wants to have “more classes, more teachers involved — where it’s not just me.” He has been reaching out to venues and organizations, such as David Feder’s ICE, for student performance opportunities.

And he would love for readers to donate any old instruments or study materials. After all, it’s for a good

cause: “Everyone deserves music.”

Island Music School will be hosting an open house on Aug. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. The first semester will begin Aug. 29; limited spots are available. Classes will be offered during the daytime and after school, on three Tuesdays and three Thursdays every month, through mid-December 2023. One-hour group music classes are $45 each and will be

held at 88975 Overseas Highway,

For more information or to reserve a spot, go to Islandmusicschool.org, email islandmusicschool@gmail.com or call 305-3049228.

Luke Ptomey, founder of Island Music School, has had a passion for music his entire life and is comfortable with playing marimba, world percussion, keyboard, drums, ukulele and vocals. CHARLOTTE TWINE/Keys Weekly

Ptomey is offering group classes for children on a variety of topics, from music theory to ear training.

Tavernier (in the building by the Old Road Gallery).

CHARTING A PATH

CHARTER COUNTY CONVERSATIONS HIGHLIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING NEED

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Discussions among Monroe County officials over a potential transition to a charter county continued at a June 21 board of county commissioners meeting in Key Largo. Officials are examining the move to a charter county, which needs voter approval, in hopes to implement a 1-cent sales surtax, which also needs approval by voters, to fund expensive road and bridge projects on the horizon.

Currently, Monroe County is unable to levy a penny sales surtax to fund road projects, bridge overhauls and other transportation-related expenses. That’s because Monroe is a non-charter county, isn’t a member of a regional transportation authority (RTA) and isn’t under an agreement with an RTA. Instead, non-charter governments can seek approval from state legislators to levy such a tax.

Requests by county officials to the Florida Legislature to implement a penny transportation tax, however, haven’t gained movement with Tallahassees’s unwillingness to burden Florida residents with another tax. A push to extend the charter county and regional system surtax to 47 non-charter counties didn’t gain momentum that supporters hoped to see during the legislative session. Many local governments are facing increased project costs for roads, transportation and transit systems.

Those costs are magnified in coastal communities, including the Keys, where king tide floods and heavy rainfall are wreaking havoc on local roads and communities like Twin Lakes and Stillwright Point in Key Largo. County officials are also seeking funds to replace aging Card Sound and Seven Mile bridges.

County Attorney Bob Shillinger informed three county commissioners in

attendance at the June 21 meeting that staff is moving forward on putting together a charter, or written documents that confer power, duties and privileges on the county. Meanwhile, County Administrator Roman Gastesi recently met with city managers throughout the Keys as the charter discussion rollout begins.

According to Shillinger, there was “general positivity” from city managers who wanted to learn more. Shillinger said the county is planning to visit commissions and councils up and down the Keys as early as September to present their intentions for a potential conversion to a charter county. Voters will have the ultimate say in whether Monroe should become a charter county. And then the question becomes whether county voters will support the penny surtax to fund transportation projects.

“If the voters would approve us being a charter county, the commission can’t just decide on their own to levy the transportation tax,” said County Commissioner Jim Scholl. “It has to go back out to the voters to approve. It’s an option that provides that availability to us. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, in my opinion.”

Key Largo resident John Millhiser expressed some concerns over the possible move to a charter county. While it could give the county the chance to levy a transportation surtax with voter approval, Millheiser said charter counties can also implement surtaxes on utilities like water and electricity. Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein said that’s not something the county is seeking to do, and Shillinger said the county isn’t contemplating such an action.

Millhiser believes that Monroe isn’t big enough to be a charter county. Five

charter counties that adopted a transportation sales tax have a population averaging 1.8 million people.

“That’s 1.72 million people more than Monroe County,” he said.

Twenty of the 67 Florida counties operate under a charter, and Shillinger said three-quarters of the Florida population live within charter counties. Eighteen of the 20 charter counties have larger populations than Monroe County. The other two are Wakulla County, with 33,760 residents and Columbia County, with nearly 70,000 residents.

“It has historically been larger counties, but it’s not exclusively larger counties,” Shillinger said.

Charters in other counties allow county rules to preempt city rules, meaning the cities of Key West, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Islamorada and Layton would lose their autonomy and be subject to the power of the county. But county officials have expressed they have no desire in interfering with other municipal operations. County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln reiterated that a move to potentially become a charter county isn’t a power grab by the county on local cities.

“We don’t want to preempt our municipalities. They are our partners. That is something I don’t have an appetite for creating our new charter,” she said.

Shillinger, who agreed with Lincoln, said language can be crafted as it relates to municipal preemption, requiring a supermajority of the referendum of county voters to approve any change to the provision that protects local municipalities.

“I’ve had conversations with the Polk County attorney; they have a 60% threshold for changes to their charter,” he said. “It’s never been challenged. We have 60% for state constitutional amendments, so I think 60% is clearly

Card Sound Bridge is slated for replacement, according to Monroe County officials. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekly

County officials are seeking to replace an aging Seven Mile Bridge, left. Pictured right is the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which recently reopened to the public. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

MEET THE 2023 KEYS WEEKLY ALL-KEYS GIRLS TRACK TEAM

Monroe County track and field athletes had a very successful season, claiming four state medals, many personal records and some positive attention for the Keys. Coral Shores did not send any girls to the state meet this year, but the young team made solid progress throughout the season. Marathon had a healthy mix of older and younger athletes, but it would be two freshmen who won state medals, setting the stage for some great competition in the coming years. Key West had the advantage of experience, and made the most of it, sending the most athletes to states, including multiple relay teams, and giving a few of their younger competitors a fantastic experience at the state’s top competition.

From the staff of the Keys Weekly, congratulations to the 2023 All-Keys Girls Track and Field Team.

SAVANNAH CHADIC

Senior, Key West

Savannah Chadic won three golds and a silver at the district championships, helping to secure the Lady Conchs’ first-place trophy. She then placed first at regionals in the 200 and 400 meter races. Her blazing speed helped qualify her team in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays at regionals, then at states – where the senior was a very busy athlete. Making the cut to compete at the state level is quite an accomplishment; qualifying in four events is almost unheard of. At the FHSAA 2A State Championships, Chadic won two medals, bringing home the sixth-place medal in the 200 meter dash and eighth in the 400. The double medalist is not done yet; she signed her letter of intent to run at Division I Jacksonville University next year.

CAYLAA MAKIMAA

Sophomore, Key West

Makimaa put in some serious distance in the fall, building her endurance and speed in cross country, then parlayed that into success on the track. She placed well in the open 800 and 1600 meter events and ran legs of the Conchs’ 4x800 and state-qualifying 4x400 relay teams.

ANABEL PORTUONDO

Junior, Key West

Portuondo claimed a set of silver medals at districts in the pole vault and high jump, qualifying for regionals in both. She went on to take another second place in pole vault at regionals, sending her to states, where she finished 10th.

JENESIS

Senior, Key West

Perloff placed third at districts in both the 100 and 400 meter hurdle events, qualifying for regionals in both. She was also a member of the Conchs’ 4x400 meter relay team but was unable to compete at regionals due to an untimely injury the afternoon prior. Perloff holds the school’s 400 meter intermediate hurdle record.

Junior, Key West

Cowen brought home district gold in the long jump as well as a fourthplace medal in triple jump. She then changed gears and took her skills from the field to the track, running a leg of Key West’s state-qualifying 4x100 relay team.

PERLOFF

ABIGAIL COWEN

MVP

Photos by Rick Mackenzie and contributed images.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

SABINA NARANJO

NIVEAH HOWARD

Freshman, Coral Shores

Niveah Howard may be young, but her times say otherwise. The sprinter clocked fantastic times in the 100 and 200 meter dashes in her first season racing for the ’Canes, and if her work ethic and determination are any indication, she will continue to improve over the next three seasons.

AVA MERRYMAN

Freshman, Marathon

Ava Merryman earned a seventh-place medal at the state championships this year, breaking her own school record in the pole vault several times during the season. She claimed second place at both districts and regionals in the event and ran legs of the Dolphins’ 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams during the regular season and at districts.

SAMMY BATES

Freshman, Coral Shores

Sammy Bates posted solid times in the 800 meter race this season, making her a top competitor in the event. The distance specialist is also a contender in the 400 and will have three more seasons to improve her times and perhaps dabble in other distances as well.

DAYSI WILLIAMS

Freshman, Marathon

Daysi Williams learned a new event, broke the school record, and qualified for the state championships in a little over one month’s time. The talented freshman finished fourth in the state in the high jump and with three more years of eligibility, she looks to be a contender in not just high jump but long jump, hurdles and sprinting events as well.

Junior, Coral Shores Volleyball

Coral Shores’ Sabina Naranjo is expected to be a big part of the Hurricanes’ volleyball team as she moves up from the JV squad, where she was the team MVP last season. A dual-threat athlete, Sabina won the award for most improved as a part of the girls varsity basketball team last season, her first playing basketball for Coral Shores.

Though it is the offseason, she has been hard at work; she is playing club volleyball for Miami Hype and has been a regular at Coral Shores volleyball open gyms. She plans to attend volleyball camp at Florida International University this summer.

Coral Shores volleyball coach Sam Ovalle is expecting Sabina to do big things for the Hurricanes this season and has taken notice of her work and improvement. Basketball coach Jarrod Mandozzi is expecting an even bigger junior season from Sabina, who was one of the Hurricanes’ leaders in threepoint field goal percentage as well as one of the team’s top defenders.

JUSTICE LEE ISOM

Freshman, Marathon

Justice Lee made steady gains all season long in the throwing events for Marathon, also participating in sprinting and jumping events when her team needed her to do so. Lee finished at districts with a fourth place medal in discus, fifth place in shot and sixth in javelin.

NICOLE MERRYMAN

Senior, Marathon

A two-time state qualifier, Merryman finished 11th in the state in shot put. She placed in all three throwing events at the district level, finishing second in shot and fifth in javelin and discus.

For her exemplary work ethic and year-round dedication to improvement, Sabina Naranjo is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

BOOMING BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Fireworks explode over a portion of Florida Bay for the enjoyment of attendees at a Florida Keys bicentennial celebration on June 17 at Rowell’s Waterfront Park in Key Largo. The gathering was among a series of Keys events being staged to mark the 200th anniversary of the Florida Territorial Legislature’s July 3, 1823 founding of Monroe County, containing the entire island chain. ROB MODYS/Florida Keys News Bureau

UPPER KEYS ROTARY INSTALLS NEW BOARD

KEY LARGO SCHOOL STUDENTS AWARDED FOR ESSAYS ON RESILIENCE

Upper Keys Rotarians gathered at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery on June 13 to install its new president and board of directors. Rob Stober, immediate past president, handed the gavel to Frank Derfler, incoming president. A new board was also installed. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Michael Kesti, immediate past district governor; Tricia Hynes, board member; Anna Richards, president-elect; Bette Brown, board member; Mary Beth Harris, new board member; Kate Banick, treasurer; Claire Montang, new board member; and Terry Abel, past president. Pictured back row, from left, are Joe Miklas, past president, Bobby Dube, sergeant at arms; Matt Turk, secretary; Stober and Derfler. Not pictured are board members Chris Trentine and Joe Roth and new board member Dwight Hill. Upper Keys Rotary, founded in 1957, meets Tuesdays at 11:45 a.m. at Capt. Craig’s restaurant. For more information, check out keysrotary.org or contact Derfler at 305-393-6937. KEYS WEEKLY PHOTO

Key Largo School (KLS) eighthgrade graduates Marisol Sanchez and Kameron Vetter received special awards from Learning for Success Inc. (LFS) during the school’s promotion ceremony on May 25. The students participated in the KLS Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.

The awards were presented by Darren Pais, KLS principal; Debra Wardand, assistant principal; and Tiffany Zepeda, AVID teacher. Student awardees were chosen based on essays they submitted addressing resilience — using stress and overcoming adversity in our lives.

“Stress is vital to the development of kids and teenagers because you learn how to share your problems with others instead of bottling them up inside of you,” said Kameron Vetter in her essay. “You can become mentally stronger, and stress will prepare you for challenges in your future.”

“Adversity and challenges at a young age build resilience for a successful life because you can find selfdiscovery, you can prepare yourself for what’s to come, and it can help you find peace,” said co-award win-

ner Marisol Sanchez. “When I have experiences with hardships I now know how to take care of myself and others.”

The special awards were sponsored by a grant from Publix Super Markets Charities.

“We’re thankful for the support we get from Learning For Success and the generous contributions from Publix Charities for our outstanding students,” Zepeda said.

AVID is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities. It teaches skills and behaviors for academic success, provides intensive support with tutorials and strong student/ teacher relationships, creates a positive peer group for students and develops a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination.

More information about LFS is available from John Casbarro at 786877-0334, or kapowlfs.com. More information about AVID is available from Zepeda at Tiffany.Zepeda@ keysschools.com.

Pictured from left are Debra Ward, assistant principal; Darren Pais, principal; Marisol Sanchez; Kameron Vetter; Tiffany Zepeda, AVID teacher; and Hannah Fisher, assistant principal. CONTRIBUTED

FILLING THE GAPS FOR MORE TRACKS

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY

LOCALS WARNED FLAGLER OF PERILS ASSOCIATED WITH DAM BETWEEN ISLANDS

The Bahia Honda railroad bridge is one of the iconic sights in the Florida Keys.

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.

Because of its truss design, and the way it was elevated over the water, it stands out like no other bridge in the Keys.

Two bridges of a similar truss design were incorporated into the OverSea Railroad, the Bahia Honda Bridge and the swing portion of the Moser Channel Bridge on the old Seven Mile Bridge that could be swung open to allow boats to pass. However, it should be noted that the Long Key Viaduct deserves special mention.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a viaduct as “a long elevated roadway usually consisting of a series of short spans supported on arches, piers or columns.” A viaduct design was used to build 26 railroad bridges between Lower Matecumbe Key and Key West. Out of all the bridges connecting Miami to Key West, it is the likeness of the Long Key Viaduct represented on Florida East Coast Railway logos and that of the Monroe County Library System.

A viaduct offered a more stable

design than those bridges built of wooden trestles like the ones created to cross the shorter expanses between islands in the Upper Keys. One of the things that using a viaduct or trestle bridge did was allow for the free passage of water below the tracks. Unfortunately, Mr. Flagler’s men did not fill every gap between the islands with viaducts or trestles.

Several gaps between the islands were closed using fill to create land to build the railroad tracks that delivered the train to Key West. In some places like Windley Key, the gaps were short enough that it was easier to fill them rather than to build a bridge to cross them. For instance, before Flagler’s men arrived, there were two islands in the Upper Keys called the Umbrella Keys. Once the railroad crew did their job, the narrow pass separating the Umbrella Keys was joined by fill to create a single island, recognized as Windley Key today.

Other railroad fill projects, like the one connecting Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys, were of a grander design. The engineers created a land bridge between the two islands that measured 2.2 miles long. At the time, it is said that locals warned Flagler’s workers of the perils of essentially erecting a dam between the two islands. They knew what they were talking about.

One of the results of the causeway was that it obstructed the natural flow of water between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay. One of its effects was that it redefined the shallows between the two islands and those surrounding

the small 11-acre Indian Key located one mile offshore. Indian Key, by the way, was once the most important island in the Florida Keys not named Key West. One of its predominant features was a relatively deep, naturally occurring harbor. Thanks to the damming effect of the causeway, silt began to build up around the island, and the natural harbor filled up and disappeared. The causeway did other things, too.

When State Road 4A, the first version of the Overseas Highway, officially opened to traffic in 1928, it offered an incomplete road between Key West and the mainland. It was possible to drive a car from Miami to Key West, but the trip required a four-hour ride aboard an automobile ferry that departed twice daily, at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The road traveled through the Upper Keys and across the 2.2-mile causeway to Lower Matecumbe Key, where the road ended at the island’s west end. It picked up again 40 miles away at No Name Key.

The automobile ferry was not terribly convenient, and plans were made to build a series of concrete bridges between Lower Matecumbe and Big Pine to eliminate it. Hundreds of World War I veterans were brought to the Keys from 1934-1935 and housed in three work camps. Camp 1 was established on Windley Key. Camps 5 and 3 were created on Lower Matecumbe Key. The three camps housed 700. The influx of workers essentially doubled the population of the Upper Keys.

The year 1935 was a seminal year in the Florida Keys. It was Sept. 2, 1935 when the Category 5 Labor Day

Hurricane ravaged the island chain and drove the final nail into the coffin of the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway. That horrible Monday was the last time the train steamed, rattled and rolled down the railroad tracks hammered into the Florida Keys.

The eye of the Category 5 hurricane, the strongest ever to strike North America to this day, passed over Lower Matecumbe and Long Key. The storm killed hundreds of people, ravaged families and essentially erased the communities of Matecumbe and Islamorada from Upper Matecumbe Key. More than 200 residents and 200 World War I veterans were killed in the storm. While the true number of lives lost will never be known, it is thought to be in the neighborhood of 500.

While Flagler’s 2.2-mile stretch of railroad fill between the Matecumbe Keys was not a magnet that attracted the storm, it contributed to the devastation. Because the free flow of water that had historically passed between the Matecumbe Keys had become obstructed, the tidal surge pushed by the approaching storm piled up and piled up. With nowhere else to go, 17 to 20 feet of storm surge washed over the islands.

When the storm broke through the causeway and the water started to move between the islands, the water brought by the storm surge began dissipating as if someone had pulled the plug out of a sink filled with water.

Today, the original 2.2-mile-long railroad fill is augmented with four bridges.

A train traveling across the Long Key Viaduct. MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY COLLECTION/Contributed

STARTER CHARTER WILL FLOOD KEYS WITH HIGHER TAXES

Monroe County government, which spends more than one-half billion taxpayer dollars annually for just 80,000 residents, wants more money.

According to county experts, there are several absolutely “critical” infrastructure and resiliency projects in need of billions of dollars funding. Since property taxes are at the max for homeowners, the county is pushing for voter approval of the “Starter Charter” as the vehicle to raise billions in new revenue.

First up will be increasing the county sales tax to 8.5 percent, but that only adds $55 million annually. We’ll still require billions more for the new county-wide bus system, for raising hundreds of miles of

EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT

MARINELAB WELCOMES 25 TAKE STOCK STUDENTS

roads 6-12 inches (imagine thousands of rock-laden dump trucks jamming U.S. 1 daily for the next several years), and of course, for lots of “resilient” new county buildings. And that’s just the starter list.

Fortunately for Monroe County, the Starter Charter makes several new taxes possible — taxes on water and on electric bills, transportation taxes, special taxing districts, resiliency taxes, taxes on things you didn’t know could be taxed, and more.

We will soon be drowning in new taxes. The Starter Charter is a scam, and if it passes, we’ll all be riding the shiny new Keys bus system. That’s all we’ll be able to afford.

Patrick A Foley Islamorada

A THANKS TO THE EMS SUPPORTERS

To the Key Largo community: A note of appreciation to the people who call Key Largo home is in order, most especially to those folks who helped celebrate the EMTs and paramedics of Key Largo during EMS Week, May 21-27.

Several restaurants participated by providing our on-duty staff with some very tasty and special meals. The group is still marveling at their treatment by these eateries and the kindnesses shown. Thank you, Buffalo Steakhouse & Seafood, C&C Wood Fire Eats, Italian Food

Co., Keys Bite and Mike’s Bbq 101. And if you honked your horn as a “thanks” when you passed by the ambulance building at MM 98.6, we very much appreciated your response to our sign and enjoyed hearing various horns throughout the week.

We sincerely hope you don’t ever need our services, but do know we’re standing by our town and all the people who make up our Key Largo community.

The Key Largo EMS Group

Take Stock In Children (TSIC) recently returned to the MarineLab campus for the second year to host its annual kickoff for Monroe County students entering ninth grade.

Over the three-day visit, 25 TSIC mentees in the Keys were immersed in MarineLab’s core curriculum of seagrass, mangrove and coral reef ecology. Prior to their snorkeling field trips, students learned about the interconnectedness of the marine environment, abiotic and biotic factors affecting the organisms in each community and how to identify marine creatures from algae through invertebrates to fish.

In addition, students learned about marine debris and its impact and possible solutions, including participating in a cleanup. During labs, the mentees explored the diversity and abundance found in nearshore waters, and identified the zooplankton which make up part of the base of the food chain. MarineLab’s curriculum supports the Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principles.

“Overall, the kids said they loved the water and snorkeling. Some kids enjoyed the labs,” said Autumn Hager, TSIC’s student services supervisor. “Personally I love the reef — it truly is spectacular, and the instructors did a fantastic job pointing out lots of wonderful sea life.”The MarineLab Environmental Education Center, located at MM 103.2 on the oceanside in Key Largo, is the education program of Marine Resources Development Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1970 by Ian Koblick. MarineLab uses education and adventure in the Florida Keys to foster environmental awareness and stewardship on a local, regional and global scale. In 2022 over 5,000 students and teachers in 164 separate programs attended MarineLab programs.

Since 2019, MarineLab has had groups from 29 states, including 75 schools from Florida, and teachers from the British Virgin Islands, Cayman, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vietnam and Dominica.

Take Stock in Children students entering ninth grade recently visited MarineLab in Key Largo. MARINELAB/Contributed

Take Stock students head out on the water with MarineLab instructors.

Students with Take Stock in Children conduct lab work.

Staff is amazing. Calling for assistance is always top-notch. Staff is just the nicest you will ever have. Very happy with everything. Thank you for all you do for us and our community!

SERVING ISLAMORADA PROUDLY SINCE EARLY 2020 TRUSTED SERVICE PROVIDER IN MONROE COUNTY SINCE 1995.

DIAMOND SHARP

STEADY BATS BRINGS OFFSEASON TRAINING FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

High school baseball and Little League concluded another season on the Upper Keys diamonds. While it may be the offseason for players young and old, there’s an opportunity to sharpen fielding skills, master base running and take more batting practice.

Enter Steady Bats — a program that’s helped some 70 players enhance their abilities since its 2020 inception. The Steady Bats program kicked off after the 2020 high school baseball season. Coral Shores High School baseball coaches Joe Molinaro, Doug Mientkiewicz and Paul Varga realized players needed more than regular-season games if they wanted to compete with the best teams in the division.

For younger baseball players, it brought an opportunity to work alongside high school players and receive a high level of instruction by the ’Canes baseball coaches.

“It is clear that the talent level in the Upper Keys is far less superior than the competition,” Molinaro said. “In our first season of Steady Bats, we had significant involvement in the program from the varsity level players, which translated into an improved competitive season.

“For younger players, they were able to get comfortable on the bigger field and get to see what it takes. It gives them that experience they wouldn’t get anywhere else,” Molinaro continued.

Steady Bats provides a consistent training program over the course of five months, from July 6 to mid-December. Players are provided with training that they can take away on their own for improvement.

“Steady Bats is a great way to learn fundamentals and keep sharp in the offseason. It’s also a great way for the younger players to get to meet the high school players and coaches,” said coach Andy Putetti.

Doug Mientkiewicz said he’s interested in seeing more growth both physically and mentally from players in this year’s Steady Bats.

“It’s about learning more about the game of baseball and challenging the player to push themselves to become better every session,” he said.

The age range of players in the program had coaches realizing that it could be a challenge to keep everyone engaged. That’s when Pam Molinaro, Joe’s wife, offered to help and suggested her experience as a mental health therapist as an added tool. While coaches concentrate on teaching and reinforcing baseball fundamentals, Pam concentrates on the mental aspect. Coaches and Coral Shores athletic director Rich Russell saw the benefit, so much that she joined the high school baseball team as assistant coach in 2021.

Steady Bats was implemented to provide baseball skill development, but really offers much more, Pam said.

“We tailor sessions to be age appropriate. We utilize older players to encourage and positively lead the younger players. We strive to balance fun, discipline and learning in each session,” she said.

With high-level instruction from coaches also comes new training and field equipment for quality baseball training. Coaches expect players to consistently work on their strength, mental toughness and on-field baseball skills.

The Steady Bat program is free to players this year due to the generosity of the Ocean Reef Community Foundation. Registration is available at steadybats.org. Sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Money You Earn

1. Coach Doug Mientkiewicz talks to Steady Bats participants about base running. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO.

2. Steady Bats participant Andy Cone prepares to throw the ball.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT THANK YOU

MARLENE ODETTE MILLER

After a long and courageous fight with cancer, Marlene Odette Miller passed away on May 24 in Miami, Florida at the age of 81. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, students and the many others whose lives she touched.

Marlene was born in Poland, grew up in the Dominican Republic and attended high school in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish, graduating with honors in three years at the University of Miami. She married Leonard Miller, and they settled in Teaneck, New Jersey where she earned a master’s in teaching at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Throughout her life, she taught languages at the high school, college and professional levels including Spanish, French, Russian and English. She had a passion for traveling, which led her to move with her children to Paris, France where she taught English as a second language, and worked as an interpreter for the U.N.

Once she returned to the U.S., she settled in Rochester, Minnesota where she taught Spanish at all levels and was an interpreter for the Mayo Clinic. She earned her second master’s in Spanish at the University of Wisconsin, and afterward moved to the Florida Keys (Islamorada), where she met her husband Rudy. She was a beloved Spanish teacher at Coral Shores High School and the commu-

nity college in Monroe County until she retired. Marlene was an avid reader, an amazing cook and a very talented and beautiful writer of both prose and poetry.

Marlene is survived by her husband Rudy; her sister and brotherin-law, Bobbi and Steve; her children, Stephanie and son-in-law Matt and Cindy and son-in-law Chris; her stepdaughter Sandra; her grandchildren Lara, Hailey, Audrey and Daniel; and step-grandchildren Rachel, Josh, Rebecca and Jeremy and step-greatgrandchildren, Sebastian, Stella, Tyler, Jacob, Isaiah, Zoey, Ashley and Tevin.

She was a deeply caring and generous person, a warrior advocate who championed those who struggle the most. She left a legacy of fierce love for her family that will live on in us all. Marlene’s family would like to thank the staff at AccentCare Hospice and The Palace for their attentive care. A celebration of her life service will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to World Central Kitchen.

Best fireworks viewing: JIMMY JOHNSON'S BIG CHILL (call 305.453.9066 for dinner reservations )

ROWELL'S WATERFRONT PARK (bring lawn chairs & coolers, parking onsite)

Covering All The Keys From Key Largo To Key West

‘CELEBRATING FREEDOM’

PARADE & FIREWORKS DISPLAY SET IN THE UPPER KEYS

Aprocession of patriotic floats will take to U.S. 1 for the 47th annual Key Largo Fourth of July Parade. And a pair of fireworks displays will light the nighttime skies in the Upper Keys on Tuesday, July 4.

This year’s parade theme in Key Largo is “Celebrating Freedom.” The procession will also honor Monroe County’s bicentennial this year. Parade entrants are encouraged to decorate their floats to commemorate the freedom theme or the bicentennial.

The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. at MM 98.2, in front of Anthony’s Clothing Store and continue through the town to Laguna Avenue. Float awards will be announced later in the day through Facebook and Instagram.

This year’s grand marshal is James “Doc” Boilini. A longtime community advocate, Boilini sits on the county Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. He’s also a Key Largo Rotarian, a member of the Key Largo Community Pool Committee and a past president and board member of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce.

At about 9:45 p.m., the annual Bayfront Blackwater Sound fireworks celebration will occur thanks to the title sponsor, Key West International Airport, along with the Reefhouse Resort & Marina and Keys Weekly Newspapers.

FOURTH OF JULY EXPECTED TO BE BUSY

The Sheriff’s Office expects Fourth of July traffic to be heavy throughout the Florida Keys — on and off the water — starting this week.

• Deputies will be on the roadways watching for impaired and unsafe drivers. Don’t pass in no-passing zones or in center turn lanes as you are likely to get a ticket. If you plan to drive anywhere in or out of the county, plan extra time. Expect delays from the 18-Mile Stretch to Key West.

• Designate a sober driver — for your car or your boat.

• The sheriff’s office will have extra deputies on the water as well

in an effort to keep mariners safe. Be patient and courteous at sandbars, other gathering areas and especially at marinas and boat ramps as they are expected to be busy.

• Please leave the fireworks to the professionals.

• Discard trash properly. It isn’t fair to leave it on the ground or in the water for someone else to clean up and you could be charged with littering.

Viewing spots for the fireworks can be viewed at several businesses located along Florida Bay, including Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill and Sundowners for the perfect seat. Rowell’s Waterfront Park, MM 104.5, is also open for the community to watch the fireworks (parking is limited). No vendors will be set up; it is recommended that spectators bring their coolers and lawn chairs.

Those who would like to volunteer their time during the festivities can visit the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce’s website to register. Those seeking to enter a float into the parade can also visit the website to sign up.

In Islamorada, an Independence Day celebration will feature food trucks, rum punch, an apple pie baking contest, a patriotic puppy parade, an inflatable obstacle course and more. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. at Founders Park. Judges will crown the best home-baked apple pie at 6:30 p.m. Pups and owners dressed in red, white and blue will parade around the amphitheater stage at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display will begin once the sun sets over Florida Bay. Parking is available for a $10 donation. Festivities are sponsored by the village of Islamorada, Upper Keys Rotary Club and Key West International Airport. No coolers, glass containers or personal fireworks are permitted. For more information visit keysrotary.org.

— Keys Weekly staff report

A Ford Model T passes by onlookers in last year’s Fourth of July parade in Key Largo. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly File Photo

FIXING THE PLUMBING

PLUS, A CAT CAFE NEARS OPENING IN KEY LARGO

Hi friends!

ORIANA

roof on the back part of our enclosure and installed a new door for Libby and Louie that is much more secure if they ever need to be kept indoors for safety. So, at the end of the day things got done. But let’s not do it again, ever.

This 12-week-old cat is sweet and looking for her “furever” home. She’s up-to-date on her vaccines and will soon be spayed. If you would like to make Oriana a part of your family, or to learn more about other pets available for adoption, give the Upper Keys Humane Society (UKHS) a call at 305-451-3848. UKHS is a nonprofit no-kill shelter that provides food, shelter, medical care and adoption services for unwanted and abandoned animals.

July 1-2

Wednesday, July 5

REEF THE FOX

Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.

Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” This past week has been an eventful one — not necessarily in a good way. We had a major plumbing disaster in our house, so that meant that the other foxes and I had to be locked out of our bedroom while the plumbing company came in and worked their magic.

Apparently, cast iron pipes have a shelf life – who knew? I mean, how would I know that? It’s just been a major inconvenience for me personally. I am used to my routine and when that routine gets interrupted I can get extremely cranky. Shocking, I know. I would like to give a huge shoutout to Townsend Plumbing, though. They have been extremely respectful of the house and of the foxes specifically. Little Coral fox even made a new friend with Daniel the plumber. She likes to score brownie points.

Needless to say, everyone has been a little on edge with all of the unexpected chaos but it is all coming to an end and things are getting cleaned up around here. Our friends at HR Carpenters had to come back over the weekend and fix part of the porch that was dug up. They even put a new

Little Ridley fox is growing up quickly. Mom thought it was a good idea to introduce him and me last week. I did not like the idea but I was as nice as I could possibly be, and that means I didn’t hurt him. I’m slowly warming up to the idea that he is here to stay. I chased him around the other morning until we were both exhausted. See, with me, your favorite fox, it’s all about timing.

There are certain times of the day where I am more approachable and since my mother knows me so well, she is skilled at bringing the baby fox back when I am in a good mood. I would imagine in the next few weeks he will be living with us foxes full-time in the back, so I will just enjoy the time I have left before that happens, I suppose.

Some exciting news for the Upper Keys: The Upper Keys Humane Society is getting ready to open the only cat cafe in Monroe County. The newly renovated “old” building where residents are used to walking in and being greeted by staff and the front office has been transformed into a cat cafe. Colorful paintings on the walls with enrichment ramps, platforms and perches have been set up for the variety of cats and kittens that are all available for adoption. Be sure to stay up to date on when the grand opening will be and make sure to head over and support them when it does. Anywho, that’s all for this week. Stay up-to-date with all-things-fox by heading to our website at pawstivebeginnings.org

Until next time, Reef, over and out!

• Red, White & Groove party from 1 to 4 p.m. at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, Islamorada.

Saturday, July 1

• I.CARE dive and coral transplant at 8:30 a.m. at Islamorada Dive Center. Visit icareaboutcoral.org to learn more.

• Florida Keys Quilters gathering at 9:30 a.m. at Key Largo library. Check the Florida Keys Quilters Facebook page for more information.

Tuesday, July 4

• 47th annual 4th of July parade & fireworks in Key Largo. Parade begins at 9:45 a.m. from Anthony’s Clothing Store, MM 98.2 and ends at Laguna Avenue. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45 p.m.

• Seafood & Brewfest ‘23 at noon at Key Largo Fisheries, 1313 Ocean Bay Dr.

• Independence Day celebration from 6-10 p.m. at Founders Park, Islamorada. Fireworks begin after sunset.

• Just Older Youth (JOY) Center classes from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visit justolderyouthinc.org for a complete schedule.

• Master gardener volunteers host a plant clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at Key Largo library. Learn to identify plants, diagnose diseases and more.

• Medicare Basics at 3:30 p.m. at Key Largo library. Learn about prescription drug plans and other health plans.

Thursday, July 6

• Islamorada Village Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center.

• MarrVelous Pet Rescue’s Yappy Hour at 6 p.m. at Caribbean Club, Key Largo.

Saturday, July 8

• I.CARE dive and coral transplant at Key Dives, Islamorada. Visit icareaboutcoral.org to learn more.

KEY LARGO BRIDGE RUN HAS A NEW DATE

Daniel from Townsend Plumbing greets Coral the fox. CONTRIBUTED

The annual First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run will take place Saturday, Dec. 2. Registration will open July 1. Visit keylargobridgerun.com to sign up. The 5K run and walk is presented by the Keys Weekly Newspapers and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of SPAS located at 9589 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: The Pool Pros Services and Repairs, LLC

Publish:

June 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME

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

TITLE GROUP located at 101415 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Prestige Title Services LLC

Publish:

June 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

U-HAUL COMPANY OF MIAMI

Notice is here by given that on July 17th, 2023, Leonard Richford Jr. Storage Auctioneer, Executive Administrator for U-Haul Company of Miami, Will be offering for sale under the Judicial Lien Process, By Public Auction, the following

storage units. The Terms of the sale will be cash only. U-Haul Company does reserve the right to refuse any bids. The sales will Begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue day by day until all units are sold. The names of whose units will be sold are as follows:

103530 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Alex Murgas Unit 1580

$710.60

James Fleischmann Unit 1001

$561.35

James Fleischmann Unit 1619 $1,275.69

Curtis Williams Unit 1536

$966.00

Brian Long

NOTICE OF HEARING TO REIMPOSE AND PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION OF DUCK KEY SECURITY SERVICES SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

Notice is hereby given that the County Commission, Monroe County, Florida will conduct a public hearing to consider re-imposing security services assessments for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2023, against certain improved and unimproved properties located within Duck Key, to fund the cost of security services provided to such properties and to authorize collection of such assessments on the tax bill.

The public hearing will be held at 9:00 a.m., on July 19, 2023, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The public can also attend the Public Hearing via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”)/Zoom at the following virtual address: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/ citizens/default.aspx, for the purpose of contributing/receiving public comment on the proposed assessments.

All affected property owners have a right to appear at the hearing and to file written objections with the County Commission within 20 calendar days of the publication date of this notice. Pursuant to section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the County Commission with respect to any matter considered at this hearing, such person will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Administrator’s Office, between 8:00 A.M. and 5:30 p.m., at 305-292-4441, at least 48 hours prior to the date of the hearing. If hearing impaired, dial “711” for assistance.

The annual Duck Key security assessment is based on the number of improved or unimproved lots contained within the Duck Key Security District. The total annual assessment revenue to be collected within Duck Key for the upcoming fiscal year is estimated to be $124,656.00 The annual assessment rates for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 (remain the same as the current year) at $292.00 per improved lot and $28.00 per unimproved lot.

Copies of the legal documentation for the assessment program will be made available upon request, by contacting the County Attorney’s office at 305-292-3470, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the County at 305-292-3470, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The assessments will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill to be mailed in November, 2023, as authorized by section 197.3632, Florida Statutes. Failure to pay the assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may result in a loss of title.

The proposed Final Assessment Resolution may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the agenda packet for the July 19, 2023, Monroe County Commission meeting, which will be posted as of July 11, 2023, may be viewed on the County website at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx.

The public can participate in the July 19, 2023 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL by attending in person, or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at: http://monroecountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens.default.aspx.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 21st day of June, 2023.

Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida

Unit 1504-51

$995.45

Dennis Nicholson Unit 1185

$978.40

Publish:

June 29 & July 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at the Baker's Cay Resort, 97000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037.

The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting. All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public, and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance. ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

June 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kirk of The Keys, Marathon, FL will receive and open sealed responses for the following: SINGLE FAMILY HOME

Details at www.kirkofthekeys/ bid

Deadline is July 22, 2023.

Publish:

June 15, 22 & 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

City of Marathon Vulnerability Assessment to be Conducted by Monroe County 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.

LEGAL NOTICES

EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows:

City of Marathon Vulnerability Assessment to be Conducted by Monroe Co. 08-01-2023

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: omb-purchasing@ 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 August 1, 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:

June 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00027673-CU-BC-CTL SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)

NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): ROBERT MICK, AN INDIVIDUAL YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): VAN DYKE & ASSOCIATES, A PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court's lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case.

AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dfas, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la inforrnacion a continuacion.

IN RE: ESTATE OF GREGORY DOWELL, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GREGORY DOWELL, deceased, whose date of death was 13 June 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

Publish: June 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on August 1, 2023. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/se!fhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO despues de que le entreguen esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas inforrnacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifomia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www. sucorte.ca.gov) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Par ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es):

330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

The name, address and telephone number of the plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):

Richard S. Van Dyke, Esq., Van Dyke & Associates, APLC, 451 A Street, Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 344-0977

Dated July 15, 2022

By: Gabriel Lopez, Deputy Clerk

Publish:

June 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NUMBER: 23-CP-79-P

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, 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 FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: June 29, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Julia Ogilvie

1180 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, OH 43130

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Tom Woods, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0525197

116 Porto Salvo Drive Islamorada, Florida 33036

Phone: 305.664.2200 Fax 2205

Primary Email: tom@ tomwoodslaw.com

Secondary Email: eserve@ tomwoodslaw.com

Publish:

June 29 & July 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000071-P IN RE: ESTATE OF STEVEN LARSEN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of STEVEN LARSEN, deceased, whose date of death was April 21, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required

FLORIDA KEYS EATS

‘PAWTY CAKE’ A DELICIOUS BIRTHDAY TREAT FOR THE PUPS

In case you were ever wondering, dogs like birthday cakes too. I have two pups, one that can eat anything and one that has a very sensitive tummy.

is a Keys native who has a passion for all things food. She runs the local food blog, “Florida Keys Eats.”

We’ve always struggled to find fun fur baby treats for them. It seemed every option ended up making one of them sick here or there.

On a rainy afternoon about a year ago, strolling the aisles of Publix in Key Largo, I noticed dog ice cream in the frozen section. It was a brand that I recall giving my dog years prior from a boutique pet store on vacation. I couldn’t forget a name as unique as “The Bear & The Rat.” I bought a box of four and the rest is history.

The company is owned by a husband and wife duo, Matt and Meg Meyer. They named their brand after their two dogs, one who growled like a bear and the other who was a rat terrier. Thanks to Matt and Meg’s effort to bring quality ingredients, my two dogs now have a daily “ice cream

pawty” outside with a little tanning session. Not only has this treat never made them sick but they actually seem healthier eating the ice cream regularly. It’s packed with organic prebiotics, digestive enzymes and a short, easy-toread ingredients list.

Imagine my excitement when I saw this same brand started making cupcake mixes for dogs. This line of bakeable dog treats, Barley’s Bakes, is under their newest doggy addition to the family, Barley. I didn’t even hesitate to purchase it.

We spent Ziggy’s 8th birthday baking a cake together that he was able to partake in from beginning to end. Another plus is the cake freezes great. I cut half the cake into cubes and popped them into the freezer to disperse as treats.

No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.

This week’s neighbor is a Key Largo resident and sales manager with Islamorada Resort Collection. He previously worked with Florida Keys Wedding Center for two years, LGC Hospitality Staffing for three years and Keys

What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I’m a painter.

What can people find you doing when you’re not working? Spending time with my family and friends.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Buy property for my family, ensure my kids are financially set and travel.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be? I never got to meet my grandfather.

What are the best and worst parts of the Keys? Amazing people and amazing locals. Trash! Got to keep our islands clean for future generations.

If you could improve one thing in the Keys, what would it be? We all know transportation can be a nightmare down here.

What is your spirit animal? Pelican.

The title of my autobiography would be? “How I Made it Through My 20s!”

Conner Ellis Sales manager

SAMANTHA DELLILO

A Barley’s Bakes mix for Ziggy’s birthday. SAMANTHA DELLILO/Keys Weekly

LEGAL NOTICES

to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME

PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: June 29, 2023.

Personal Representative: TOMAS LARSEN 71 Auburn Street Medford, MA 02155

Attorney for Personal

Representatives:

STEVEN H. LINDE, ESQUIRE Florida Bar Number: 72089

LINDE LEGAL, PLLC 2332 Galiano Street, 2nd Floor Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Telephone: 305-722-5533

Primary E-Email: steven@ lindelegal.com

Primary E-Email: info@ lindelegal.com

Publish:

June 29 & July 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 44-2023-CP000115A-001KW IN RE: ESTATE OF CLEVELAND MCKINLEY MATHIS, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of CLEVELAND MCKINLEY MATHIS, deceased, File Number: 44-2023-CP-

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COUNTY RESOLUTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on July 19, 2023, Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway, MM50, Marathon, Florida, 33050, Monroe County, Florida, at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider the adoption of the following County resolution:

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, CONTINUING THE ASSESSMENTS OF WASTEWATER SERVICE TO PROPERTIES IN THE BIG COPPITT, DUCK KEY, STOCK ISLAND, CUDJOE REGIONAL CENTRALIZED INNER AND OUTER ISLAND SERVICE AREAS, EAST/WEST LONG KEY, NO NAME KEY, MIDDLE/BIG TORCH KEY, AND EXPANDED PARCELS WITHIN THE CUDJOE REGIONAL SERVICE AREA FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The July 19, 2023 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, FL will be in a hybrid format. The public will be able to participate live or via Communication Media Technology (“CMT”) using a Zoom Webinar platform at https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/82032493400. The public is encouraged to watch the meeting on Monroe County’s MCTV on Comcast Channel 76 or AT&T UVerse Channel 99. Also, if a citizen has a Roku device, they can search for and add “MCTV” to their personal lineup. Monroe County’s “MCTV” is also provided via the Monroe County mobile apps for iOS and Android and through our streaming web portal: https://mcboxx.zoomus/j/82032493400. Citizens can listen to audio only from their phone by dialing 646-518-9805 or 669-900-6833 and, when prompted, enter the Webinar ID# 820 3249 3400. Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such hearings or meetings, he will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he 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 accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator's Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

000115A-001KW, whose date of death was November 21, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Clerk of the Circuit Court, Probate Division, 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 required to be 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. 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: June 29, 2023.

Personal Representative:

KARREN CORNELIUS

1920 Griffins Green Drive Bartow, FL 33830 Attorney for Personal Representative: ALLAN L. CASEY, ESQUIRE Florida Bar No. 150809 Law Offices of Allan L. Casey 395 Avenue C, N.W. Post Office Box 7146 Winter Haven, FL 33883-7146 Telephone (863) 294-4468 Publish: June 29 & July 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NUMBER: 23-CP-56-P IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD BRUCE IRWIN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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 FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: June 29, 2023.

Personal Representative:

China Alexis Irwin Galissard de Marignac 5017 Little Turtle Drive

Birmingham, AL 35242

Attorney for Personal

Representative: BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, PC 100 S.E. Third Avenue, Suite 1620 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394 Tel: (954) 768-1600 Fax: (954) 333-7636 Counsel for Petitioner:

Duane Pinnock, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0568139

Josh A. Kravec, Esq. Florida Bar No. 1025518 dpinnock@bakerdonelson. com jkravec@bakerdonelson.com breid@bakerdonelson.com

Publish:

June 29 & July 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-159-K

DIVSION: LOWER KEYS IN RE: ESTATE OF GENEVIEVE C. ISAKSEN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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: June 22, 2023.

Personal Representative:

John F. Isaksen

32 Spoonbill Way Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134

RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish:

June 22 & 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-000151-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF WAYNE GEORGE BELL a/k/a WAYNE G. BELL a/k/a WAYNE BELL, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WAYNE GEORGE BELL a/k/a WAYNE G. BELL a/k/a WAYNE BELL (the “Decedent”), whose date of death was October 17, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Clerk of Circuit Court, Monroe County Courthouse, Probate Division, 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida, 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

Email: trb@bullochtaylor.com

Courtney C. Pugh, Esq. Florida Bar No. 125106

Email: ccp@bullochtaylor.com

1185 Immokalee Road, Suite 300

Naples, Florida 34110

Telephone: 239-383-7130

Fax: 239-776-3496

Publish:

June 22 & 29, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOS ALL YEARS!

Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.

$CASH 305-332-0483

EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH INSURANCE

NAVIGATOR - Enrollment

Assistance, Outreach, Education and Community Events. Paid Training and equipment. Bi-lingual a plus. Call 305-767-3883

Coast to Coast Pizza Company in Marathon is looking for Front of the house cashier, part time, and Back of the house kitchen staff, part and/or full time. Will train, but should be self-motivated, quick learner, and team player. Salary commensurate with experience and includes tips and 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

SS Wreck and Galley Grill on Grassy Key is looking for Line cooks, full or part time, and Servers/Hosts. Will train, but should be self-motivated, quick learner, and team player. Salary commensurate with experience and includes 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-4330515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

Dated at Key West, Florida, this 21st day of June, 2023.

Kevin

Madok,

Clerk

of the Circuit Court and ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida

The administration of the estate of Donald Bruce Irwin, deceased, whose date of death was April 14, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS

The administration of the estate of Genevieve C. Isaksen, deceased, whose date of death was June 4, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (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, FLORIDA STATUTES, 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: June 22, 2023.

Personal Representative:

ROBERT WAYNE BELL

49729 Nautical Drive Chesterfield, MI 48047

Attorneys for Personal

Representative: BULLOCH TAYLOR PLLC

T. Robert Bulloch, Esq. Florida Bar No. 633127

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 - 40 hrs. per week, $25 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a CustomerService 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.

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

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

305.743.0844

EMPLOYMENT

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder now hiring Guest Service Representativeresponsibilities include assisting guests at our Key Largo and Islamorada locations, making reservations and/or answering questions over phone and in-person, taking and processing photos, and checking-in and out guests visiting our facility. To apply, please send your resume to andreaw@dpmmr.org.

MAINTENANCE

POSITION w/ busy Non-profit.

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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Cook, Maintenance Administrative Assistant (bilingual preferred) Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech (caregiver), and Grounds Caretaker. 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!

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR

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

LOT FOR SALE

Oceanside-Lot with building permit in Tavernier $399K OBO 305-933-9594 OwnerAgent [3% to selling office]

SERVICES OFFERED

Registered Nurse available to help with your home health care needs. Inhome care assistance is also available. Local references. 305-587-0892. Please call and leave message or text.

YARD SALES

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

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, booking airline shipments, creating and filing paperwork for international shipments, scheduling inspections needed for international shipments, customer communication and tracking, creating and maintaining customer accounts and some customer service. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. This position requires high attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Compensation will be dependent on experience.

Benefits package including vacation, sick days, holidays and 401K PSP retirement plan. Please send cover letter and resume to sales@dynastymarine.net for consideration. No phone calls please. dynastymarine.net

BOAT RENTAL STAFF

FLEXIBLE HOURS & COMPETITIVE WAGES

Need to have experience driving boats and a working knowledge of the Islamorada area by water. Duties include taking reservations, giving captains lessons and routine boat maintenance.

Email Ma at eliteboatrentalsma @gmail.com. Please include contact information and any relevant experience.

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical

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

Great pay, bene ts and perks. We o er 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.

We have re-opened as a brand-new full-service 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

TRUCK DRIVERS CDL CLASS A

We are hiring CDL CLASS A Drivers, Monday-Friday with overtime available. Hazmat not needed.

Apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc. 129 Toppino Industrial Dr., Key West (ask for Cheryl) 305-296-5606 ext 126.

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

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

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 WEST

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children)

Case Managers (Adult, Forensic)

Substance Abuse Counselor

Peer Support Specialist

Prevention Specialist

MARATHON

Driver (CDL required)

Care Coordinator

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

RNs/LPNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Maintenance Specialist

*Behavioral Health Technicians

3 shifts (also Per Diem)

Peer Support Specialist

*Support Worker – Assisted Living

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

Background and drug screen req. COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

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

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

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

T&D

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $108,332/annually$111,365/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.

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: $40.35/hr. - $45.19/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.

THEME: BIOLOGY 101

ACROSS

1. *Lactuca sativa dish

6. Banned insecticide

9. Doorframe part

13. *Group of #3 Down

14. Top seed number

15. *Blood ____, diabetic’s concern

16. *Food poisoning-causing bacterium

17. Galley tool

18. Sushi restaurant staple

19. *Giant sequoia, e.g.

21. *Measure of energy

23. Auction call

24. Animal coat

25. Tolstoy’s first name, in Russian

28. *Plural of cecum

30. *Fastest growing woody plant

35. Footnote acronym

37. Mosquito net, e.g.

39. Attention-seeking

40. Skier’s aid

41. Certain saxes

43. Sheltered, nautically speaking

44. Wive’s mother, e.g.

46. “____ we forget”

47. Christian of haute-couture

48. Based on two

50. Colorado’s neighbor

52. European Nuclear Society

53. Beauty salon sound

55. Official language of Laos

57. *Dissolving agent

61. *C6H12O6

65. *Relating to trunk, neck and head

66. Lamb’s momma

68. With clear mind 69. Itty-bitty 70. The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining ____” 71. Fill with spirits 72. Ceases 73. Get the picture 74. Ascended

DOWN

1. Design detail

2. Big name in gasoline stations

3. *Genus Panthera member

4. Improvise

5. Godlike

6. Point of entry

7. *Genetic information carrier, acr.

8. 9 a.m. prayer

9. Saturn’s daughter, Roman goddess

10. *Petri dish gel

11. The Wise Men

12. French appetizer

15. Scheherazade’s listener

20. Swelling of human organs

22. Priestly garb

24. Book cover prototype

25. *Fatty acids

26. Piano key material

27. Pancho of Mexican Revolution fame

29. *Basic unit of life

31. Fermented honey libation

32. Misrepresent

33. Theater, to Socrates

34. Deed hearings

36. “Wanted!” option

38. *Parasite’s ride

42. Stable room

45. Sagely

49. Major news network, acr.

51. Cargo carrier

54. Agenda entries

56. Round openings

57. Fill to satisfaction

58. Ox, pl.

59. What Pinocchio did

60. Popular walking shoe brand

61. *Basic unit of heredity

62. South American tubers

63. Web location

64. Paradise garden

67. Like Willie Winkie

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT

ART AND SCIENCE CONVERGE FOR ARTIST JACK KELLY

Jack Kelly grew up in a small town in the countryside just outside of London, England. The English countryside is a beautiful place, but it is a far different environment than our tropical waters.

Kelly was determined, crossed a major ocean and found his way to the Florida Keys because of his love for tropical marine life – which he shares through his work as a marine biologist and through his artwork. He started drawing at a young age, and after he sold his first piece, he has been painting non-stop.

is an artist, designer and gemologist who believes in the power of art.

Kelly is primarily an animal or nature artist. He also specializes in producing scientific illustrations of animals for use in museums, magazines and scientific journals. His passion is wildlife, whether it be sea turtles, crocodiles, sharks or sportfish. While he paints other wildlife, such as gorillas, his most prominent theme is ocean and marine life. Marine life has been an obsession since he was a child in England. His parents would take him to aquariums as a child. This love would lead him to become an avid SCUBA diver in his teens.

Kelly cemented his love by obtaining a degree in marine biology from the University of Plymouth. Besides using his degree to create stunning works

of art, he uses it for what as it was intended, as a marine biologist. He works as an animal care specialist at Theater of the Sea. Being a specialist, he works with rescued marine animals such as sea turtles, sharks and crocodiles. Kelly has been living in the Florida Keys for about six years.

“My dad worked as an art teacher in England while I was growing up, so he definitely fueled my interest in creating art, as well as educating me on the use of different techniques and mediums as well as the history of art. Although now retired, he still paints and creates some amazing pieces,” he said. “I have many of his paintings hanging up at my home here in the Keys.”

One of the artists whom he admires is Tiki and Polynesian-style artist Jeff Granito. Another is Western landscape artist Mark Magiorri. Finally, he admires marine life artist Joyful En-

riquez’s subjects and style of painting.

Kelly works mostly in acrylic paint on canvas, but for some of his scientific illustrations he uses some digital. When asked which of his paintings is his favorite, “Probably one of my most recent pieces, featuring a green sea turtle swimming in the shallows of the Keys, hovering over a Queen Conch shell. This large piece was commissioned by a client as a gift for their mum, who was battling breast cancer at the time,” he said. “He asked if I could incorporate the breast cancer awareness ribbon into the painting somehow, so I subtly included it in the pink portion of the conch shell. The overall composition, color scheme, and message behind this piece makes it one of my favorites. “

Kelly prepares for a painting by googling a lot of photos, browsing nature’s photos and going through his

own animal photos. If a photo online particularly inspires him, he asks the owner for permission to use the photo as a reference for a painting. Kelly’s paintings are made by someone who loves animals for people who love animals.

“I hope to keep working on commissions. I’m always happy to work with clients to produce their ideal painting and I find it the most fulfilling aspect of being an artist. I also aim to keep creating scientific illustrations for museums, magazines and scientific journals,” he said.

You can find some of Jack Kelly’s artwork at jackkellyart.com. He is also very active on Instagram (@jackkellyart). He loves working on commissions so for anyone who’s interested, drop him a message via email (jakkelly@ gmail.com) or through Instagram.

WILLIAM DEPAULA

1, 3 & 4. Jack Kelly’s paintings usually feature marine life. JACK KELLY/ Contributed. 2. Jack Kelly works as an animal care specialist at Theater of the Sea. 5. Jack Kelly works mostly in acrylic paint on canvas, but for some of his scientific illustrations he uses some digital.

TUESDAY, JULY 4

FOOD TRUCKS!

BEER, RUM PUNCH, SODA AND WATER available for purchase

MUSIC FUN & GAMES

PATRIOTIC PEOPLE & PUPPY PARADE

Costume Contest 7:30 p.m.

Amphitheatre Stage

APPLE PIE BAKING

CONTEST

Bring your prepared apple pie to be judged at 6:30 p.m.

FACE PAINTING

STARS & STRIPES INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE

FIREWORKS BEGIN AFTER THE SUN SETS!

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GLASS CONTAINERS

UPPER KEYS ROTARY CLUB