Marathon Weekly 23-0817

BREATHE IN WHAT’S NEXT

Redefine what's next at one of the few Middle Keys' private, gated islands: Sunrise Isle in Marathon. With only 20 direct oceanfront lots, privacy abounds. “Ocean's Edge Oasis” defines this ultra-modern residence with five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and just under 5,000 sq ft situated on a .35 acre lot. Barrier island location provides 100 ft of white sandy oceanfront beach plus 99 ft of protected, canal front dockage with 2 new boat lifts (30,000 lbs & 10,000 lbs) - a rarity. Inside, you will find two levels of living; first with Chef's kitchen, dining, living area, media room, and 1 en-suite bedroom; second with master en-suite and double closets, office space, plus 3 more guest en-suite bedrooms. Enjoy open water views from every room. Gourmet kitchen features (2) granite topped islands with prep sink and counter seating for 4, bamboo and glass cabinetry, ice machine, wine cooler, Wolf propane 6 burner range, commercial exhaust fan, KitchenAid refrigerator, microwave, and oven, plus Asko dishwasher. Open concept floor plan flows from kitchen to dining with seating for 10+ guests plus living area. Separate media room with new Pecky cypress entertainment center and bar.

MARATHON | $5,900,000 | Listing ID: 605517

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050

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The death toll from the wildfires on Maui rose to 106 on Aug. 16, per reports. Roughly a week ago, the wildfires ripped through the town of Lahaina. It’s the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history.

BEGGING FOR BALANCE

Sanctuary Advisory Council addresses

coral bleaching event, debates media portrayal

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Though some rainfall and winds through late July and early August have provided a brief chance for coral scientists battling an extreme heat wave and bleaching event to catch their breath, the Keys remain entrenched in a historic marine ecological event. It’s no stretch to say that the next few months could – and should, according to many – alter the landscape of coral restoration and preservation practices for years to come.

How exactly to communicate the severity of this year’s event – preserving hope and perseverance while acknowledging a crisis larger than most have ever experienced – headlined the Aug. 15 meeting of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC).

The council’s afternoon session opened with a briefing by sanctuary Superintendent Sarah Fangman on the ongoing heat event, followed by presentations from stakeholders like Reef Renewal USA, Mote Marine Laboratory and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

“I’m not here to tell you it’s all doom and gloom, but I’m also not here to tell you everything’s fine,” Fangman said. “The story has yet to be fully written, but the good news is that there are healthy corals out there.”

She pointed to an ongoing research cruise with an 11-member scientific diving team set to visit Mission: Iconic Reefs sites starting late last week as a valuable tool in assessing damage from bleaching thus far. A follow-up cruise is tentatively slated for January

or February 2024 to provide a final assessment once water temperatures drop for the winter. New temperature buoys capable of providing readings both at the water’s surface and at depth should also provide practitioners with real-time data to better inform preservation, restoration and outplanting efforts.

Offering snapshots of bleaching impacts as her team continues its work combating stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), Nova Southeastern University’s Karen Neely provided an overview of bleaching at 14 reef sites over the past three weeks, described in relation to each location’s Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) – a way to quantify heat stress accumulated in a particular area.

While Upper Keys reefs such as Carysfort Reef and Hen and Chickens had yet to exhibit bleaching-related coral mortality, several Middle and Lower Keys reefs – at 10 to 12 DHWs – showed significant mortality along with “extensive black band disease,” another tissue degradation ailment.

Not helping matters for several Middle and Lower Keys reefs is a sunken layer of dense, heated hypersaline water flowing out of the islands’ shallow bay side – one that divers have described as a “reverse thermocline” as they descend into warm layers of water “cooking” corals on the seafloor.

Though silver linings are hard to come by in this heat wave, Neely took care to discuss “a small point of hope”: Her team has observed a significant scaling down of the deadly SCTLD with

As coral bleaching continues to threaten Keys reefs, practitioners and regulatory agencies continue their marathon to protect diversity and manage messaging. See below and page 14.

DAVID GROSS/ Keys Weekly

the arrival of bleaching each summer.

Reef Renewal USA technical director Ken Nedimyer touted his team’s emergency move of healthy Upper Keys corals in shallow nurseries to deeper, cooler 70-foot temporary nurseries, tipping his cap to quick permitting responses from governing bodies that sped up a normally months-long timeline into two or three days when needed.

He praised corals produced by Mote and sent to Reef Renewal by Tampa’s Florida Aquarium (FLAQ). Paired with a different algal symbiont than other corals – the expulsion of which defines bleaching and a coral’s increased vulnerability – Nedimyer said 50 or 60 different corals with separate genotypes placed in upperlevel nurseries have all shown impressive resistance to bleaching, even with water temperatures into the 90s.

“There’s hope that we can produce corals that can handle conditions of the 21st century,” he said. “We’re staying the course, but it’s nerve-wracking.”

Reef Renewal board member and SAC vice chair Ben Daughtry described his company Dynasty Marine’s contribution to the puzzle. By this fall, a 30,000-gallon tank formerly used for sharks and rays will serve as an emergency coral housing system for Middle and Lower Keys nursery specimens.

Reef Renewal USA’s Ken Nedimyer addresses the Sanctuary Advisory Council. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Compassionate Cancer Care in the Heart of the Florida Keys

Treating and beating cancer takes expertise and innovation. But it also requires courage and compassion. Our unparalleled team of Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute professionals at Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon offers not only the most precise, personalized treatments that enhance and expand outpatient cancer care, but also an ear to listen and a hand to hold along your journey. The oncology suite offers chemotherapy, molecular therapies, targeted therapies, transfusions and hydration services. Welcome to Baptist Health Cancer Care.

To learn more, call 786-596-2000 .

A summary graphic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA's 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. NOAA/Contributed

HOT WATERS RAISE HURRICANE SEASON PREDICTION

Scientists at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — have increased their prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season from a near-normal level of activity to an above-normal level of activity. Forecasters believe that current ocean and atmospheric conditions, such as record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures, are likely to counterbalance the usually limiting atmospheric conditions associated with the ongoing El Niño event.

NOAA forecasters have increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (the outlook issued in May predicted a 30% chance). The likelihood of near-normal activity has decreased to 25%, down from the 40% chances outlined in May's outlook. This new update gives the Atlantic a 15% chance of seeing a below-normal season.

NOAA’s update to the 2023 outlook — which covers the entire six-month hurricane season that ends on Nov. 30 — calls for 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which six to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater). Of those, two to five could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. These updated ranges include storms that have already formed this season.

The Atlantic basin experienced an active start to the hurricane season with five storms that have reached at least tropical storm strength, including one hurricane already. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

“The main climate factors expected

to influence the 2023 Atlantic hurricane activity are the ongoing El Niño and the warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation, including record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Considering those factors, the updated outlook calls for more activity, so we urge everyone to prepare now for the continuing season.”

El Niño conditions are currently being observed and there is a greater than 95% chance that El Niño will continue through the northern hemisphere winter, according to the latest ENSO discussion from the Climate Prediction Center. El Niño usually results in atmospheric conditions that help to lessen tropical activity during the Atlantic hurricane season. So far, those limiting conditions have been slow to develop and climate scientists are forecasting that the associated impacts that

tend to limit tropical cyclone activity may not be in place for much of the remaining hurricane season.

A below-normal wind shear forecast, slightly below-normal Atlantic trade winds and a near- or above-normal West African Monsoon were also key factors in shaping the updated forecast.

More about hurricane season outlooks NOAA’s hurricane outlooks are forecasts of overall season activity, not landfalls. A storm’s landfall is usually the result of mesoscale weather patterns and are typically predictable within roughly one week of a storm approaching a landmass.

“The National Weather Service is dedicated to providing timely and accurate forecasts to empower individuals, families and communities to take proactive measures this hurricane season,” said Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “New tools such as a new hurricane model, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System and the expansion of the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather Outlook to seven days are examples of our commitment to enhancing our forecasting capabilities and services.”

In June, NOAA deployed a new model to help produce hurricane forecasts. The Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System was put into operation on June 27 and will run alongside existing models for the 2023 season before replacing them as NOAA’s premier hurricane forecasting model.

NOAA urges everyone in vulnerable areas to have a well-thought-out hurricane plan and stay informed through official channels as this season progresses. — Contributed

NOAA/Contributed

THE DOCTOR IS IN

DR. GREG KEIFER OFFERS PRIMARY CARE & MORE AT BIG PINE PRACTICE

Dr. Greg Keiger is doing things differently on Big Pine Key. Keifer and his partner, Tommy Iglesias, bought Big Pine Medical and Minor Emergency in January from Dr. David Grider and his wife, Gigi, who had been caring for Lower Keys families for 40 years.

“Dr. Grider and Gigi were ready to retire years ago, but they wanted to sell the practice to an independent, family doctor rather than a corporate medical group,” said Keifer, a Toledo, Ohio native who moved to the Keys about six years ago and launched Florida Keys Concierge Medicine, a membership-based, all-housecall practice that serves patients from Marathon to Key West.

And while he still runs his concierge practice, Keifer and Iglesias were proud to buy Big Pine Medical & Minor Emergency and continue offering skilled and concerned primary care to patients of all ages in the community they themselves call home.

In the past eight months, Keifer has become “that” family doctor, caring for multiple generations of families in a small town — guiding them through flu seasons, strep throats, sprained ankles and the occasional fishing hook stuck in an arm.

Keifer and Iglesias, a biomedical engineer who formerly worked at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. and is now the practice manager in Big Pine, offer much more than traditional family medicine.

Keifer’s medical staff includes three nurse practitioners: Patricia Perry, who has been at the practice for 19 years, Jeremy Eades and Tabble Memoli, who will join the practice in October.

Big Pine Medical and Minor Emergency offers women’s health care, including PAP smears, pelvic exams and IUD placements for contraception. It also offers physicals and drug screens for Coast Guard-certified captains as well as transportation workers.

“We’re also thrilled to offer dermatology services, including skin checks, biopsies and we even do removal of basal and squamous cell cancers,” Keifer said. “Anything involving melanoma, we’ll certainly refer to a specialist.”

Dermatological care is crucial down here in the Keys, where the sun is relentless and thousands of people work outside and on the water — fishermen, captains, divemasters, construction workers, landscapers, pool cleaners and more.

“But unfortunately, there’s been a huge decline in dermatological services down here as local doctors retire,” Keifer said. “It’s actually been shocking to see the turnover in doctors and the departure of so many medical professionals just in the six years I’ve been in the Keys. I’m glad to be able to offer consistency in care to patients of all ages.”

Since January, the medical center on Big Pine also has added a new digital X-ray machine, medical marijuana licenses, a medical weight-loss program and cosmetic treatments, including Botox and other injectable fillers.

The office’s operations have been upgraded as well. Keifer and Iglesias immediately switched from cumbersome and outdated paper medical charts to electronic

Big Pine Medical and Minor Emergency, just south of the traffic light on Big Pine Key, has new owners and expanded services to include primary care for all ages, dermatology scans and biopsies, gynecological care.

medical records that patients can access online. Their new phone system allows patients to text staff members directly about appointment times and other questions. And new electronic intake forms enable patients to complete their new-patient paperwork online before an appointment, rather than sitting in the waiting room with a clipboard and 10 pages of signatures. Insurance cards and information can also be provided online ahead of time.

Big Pine Medical and Minor Emergency accepts most major insurance — Medicare, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and their Medicaid approval is coming soon, along with approvals from other insurance companies. Uninsured patients are charged according to a sliding fee scale based on income.

“It’s funny, I’ve noticed a lot of doctors move to the Keys at the end of their career and work their way into retirement down here. But I’m proud to be here at the start of my medical career,” Keifer said. “We’re thrilled to live here and be part of this community.”

Big Pine Medical and Minor Emergency is located at 29980 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine.

The practice can be reached at 305-872-3321 and at bigpinemedical.com.

Dr. Greg Keifer, right, and his partner, Tommy Iglesias, who manages the medical practice, bought Big Pine Medical & Minor Emergency from Dr. David Grider in January. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly

Food & Drink

Best Key Lime Pie: Sweet Savannah’s, SS Wreck & Galley Grill, Burdines Waterfront

Best Fine Dining: Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House, Hideaway Cafe, Butter fly Cafe

Best International Food: La Nina Restaurant, Frank ’s Grill, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant

Best Cup of Co ee: Curly ’s Coffee, Dunkin’, La Nina Restaurant

Best Breakfast: The Stuffed Pig, Marathon Bagel Co, Island Fish Company

Best Lunch: Irie Island Eats, Burdines Waterfront, Brutus Seafood

Best BBQ: Irie Island Eats, Herbie’s Bar & Chowder House, Porky's Bayside Restaurant and Marina

Best Bar: Overseas Pub and Grill, Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails, Brass Monkey

Best Bar tender: Ashley Kelshaw, Tiffany Scibilia, Cheddar

Best Ser ver: Brennan Bye, Dawn Pederick, Tracy Marrs

Best Happy Hour: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, Sparky’s Landing, Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House

Best Water front Dining: Laz y Days South, Island Fish Co, Burdines

Best Live Music Venue: Dockside, Overseas Pub and Gril, Havana Jacks

Best Pizza: Driftwood Pizza, Pasta, & Subs, Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails, Coast To Coast Pizza Company

Best Bloody Mar y: Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, The Stuffed Pig, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Margarita: Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Island Fish Company, Sparky's Landing

Best Late Night Spot: Brass Monkey, Overseas Pub & Grill, JJ's DogHouse

Best Beer Selec tion: Herbie's Bar & Chowder House, Marathon Grill and Ale House, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant

Best Catering: Irie Island Eats, Clouds in my Coffee Catering/Private Chef/The Table, Chef Heather

Best Taco: La Isla Taco Grill, Takeria La Palapa, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant

Best Food Truck: La Isla Taco Grill, Takeria La Palapa, Irie Island Eats

Best Seafood: Keys Fisheries, Brutus Seafood, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Steak: Hideaway Café, Plaza Grill Restaurant, Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House

Best Sushi: Castaway Water front Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House, Takara Thai House

Best Burger: Burdines Waterfront, Herbie's Bar & Chowder House, Castaway Water front Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Wings: Overseas Pub and Grill, Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails, Driftwood Pizza, Pasta, & Subs

Best Conch Fritters: Island Fish Company, Cracked Conch Cafe, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Cook your own Catch: Lazy Days Restaurants, King Seafood Market & Restaurant Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Restaurant: Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House, Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails

Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Presented by

The Businesses

Best Resor t/Hotel: Isla Bella Beach Resor t, Faro Blanco Resor t & Yacht Club, Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club

Best Accounting Firm: Bishop Rosasco & Co, Sue Corbin P.A, Cruz Morato & Associates

Best Law Firm: Wolfe Stevens PLLC, Law Offices of Campbell and Malafy, Wright Barrows, PLLC

Best Gift Shop: Marooned In Marathon, Crane Point Hammock, Bayshore Clothing

Best Fishing Guide: RD Goodman, Sarah Hayes, Chris Still

Best Fishing Charter: Huntress Sportfishing, Manic Sportfishing Charters, Two Conchs Fishing Charters

Best Dive Shop: Tilden’s Scuba Center, A Deep Blue Dive Center, Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center

Best Bait & Tackle Shop: The Tackle Box, Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center, Marathon Bait & Tackle

Best Customer Ser vice: The Tackle Box, Food For Thought, Conch Custard

Best New Business: Sweet Chili, Sailor’s Dog Spa, Conch Custard

Best Medic al Professional: Dr. Greg Keifer, Shelly Bish, John P O’Connor, MD

Best Alt. Healthcare Provider: Marathon Acupuncture & Float Therapy, Island Physical Therapy Center, Inc, Alex Belke

Best Landsc ape Company: Dot Palm Landscaping Inc, Supreme Landscaping, Alex Landscaping and Lawn Services Inc.

Best Auto Repair: Andy & Dave’s Garage, Island Auto Repair, Muffler Man

Best Marine Repair: Shelter Bay Marine, All Keys Yamaha, Marathon Boat Yard

Best Photographer: Maggie Sayer, Barry Gaukel, Yeni Matie

Best Health/Fitness Coach: Lara Rutskin Martin, Jennifer Boltz Harvey, Cara O'Neill

Best Marina: Faro Blanco Resor t & Yacht Club, Marlin Bay Resor t & Marina, Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway

Best Water Spor ts: Better Than Most SCUBA, Solé Watersports, Legendary Jet Skis Marathon

Best Leisure Cruise: Legendary Jet Skis Marathon, Manic Sportfishing Charters, Marathon Mermaid Charters

Best Vet: Mike Dunn, Shavonne Corbet, Marathon Veterinary Hospital

Best Pet Service: The Keys To Dog Training, Paws in Paradise LLC, Sailor’s Dog Spa

Best Realtor: Sam Williams, Stephany Duvall, Teri Hiller

Best Real Estate O ce: Ocean Sotheby's, Coco Plum Florida Keys Real Estate

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Keys Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

Best Bank: Keys Federal Credit Union, First State Bank Of The Florida Keys, Centennial Bank

Best Vac ation Rental Company: Florida Keys Vacation Rentals, American Coastal Vacation Rentals, Coco Plum Vacation Rentals

Best General Contrac tor: Keys All Area Roofing Inc., D’Asign Source, Keys Contrac ting Ser vices Inc

Best Specialty Contrac tor: Paver Dave, Ernest E Rhodes Plumbing, Marathon Seawalls & Docks

Best Hair S alon: Salon Blanco Spa, Sea Level Spa and Salon, Keys Hairmasters Inc

Best Nail S alon: Marathon Nail Spa, Oasis Nail Spa, Aqua Nail And Spa

Best Jewelr y Store: Cash Flow Jewelry & Pawn Shop, Midas Touch, Bayshore Clothing

Best Clothing Store: Bayshore Clothing, Curvy Conch Clothin, DK’S Beach Boutique

Best Family Owned Business: The Tackle Box, Conch Custard, Coco Plum Vacation Rentals

Best Business: D'Asign Source, Keys Animal Hospital, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

Our Community

Best Place to Take the Kids: Sombrero Beach, Dolphin Research Center, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters

Best Event: Celtic Festival, Marathon Seafood Festival, Best of Marathon

Best Bathroom: Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, Island Fish Company, Monroe County Public Library, Marathon Branch

Best Sunset: Old Seven Mile Bridge, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, Keys Fisheries

Best Place to Have a Wedding: Sombrero Beach, Isla Bella Beach Resort, Sunset Park

Best Elec ted O cial: Robyn Still, Rick Ramsay, Beth Ramsay-Vickrey

Best Tourist Attrac tion: Dolphin Research Center, Tur tle Hospital, Aquarium Encounters

Best Loc al Celebrity: John Bar tus, Rachel Bowman, Cheddar

Best Volunteer: Lara Rutskin Martin, Kristina Helms, Megan Hughes

Best Non-Profit Organization: FKSPCA, Forgotten Felines of the Florida Keys, Coldwell Banker Schmitt Charitable Foundation

Best Place to Take a Date: Hideaway Cafe, Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House, Butter fly Cafe

Best Band/Musician: Abstract Radio, Tony Manfredi, 79th Street Band

Best Place to Take a Selfie: Dolphin Research Center, Pigeon Key, Old Seven Mile Bridge

Best Summer Camp: Crane Point Hammock, Pigeon Key, Dolphin Research Center

Best Spor t Coach: Joey Gonzalez, Sean McDonald, Jessie Schubert

Best Educ ator: Christina Belotti, Tracy McDonald, Taylor Forgrave

Best Thespian/Performing Artist: Allison Sayer, Jaimie Roberts, JJ Mills

Best Fish S andwich: Fish Tales Market and Eatery, Brutus Seafood, Key Fisheries

990 sq. ft. direct ocean building, fully furnished 2BR, 2BA unit. Gorgeous pool, ocean view from balcony. Booked Dec 11 through March 31. Great investment property. $567,000

Just what you have been waiting for. Direct ocean building, 2 bedroom & 2 bath. First level corner unit. Nicely updated and furnished. Just steps to Tiki and pool.

$650,000 MLS #605922

Local pawn shop. Located in central Marathon. $175,000 ML605021

THE POLITICS OF PSYCHOLOGY

2 KEYS HIGH SCHOOLS OFFER AP PSYCH

mandy@keysweekly.com

Florida education officials decided it’s possible to teach AP Psychology — in its entirety — without breaking a new Florida education law or “indoctrinating” high school students. And two Monroe County high schools — Key West and Coral Shores — are doing just that.

Locally, 100 or so students are enrolled in the Advanced Placement, college-level, elective class that stirred controversy in Florida and garnered national headlines this summer.

In June, Florida’s commissioner of education, Manny Diaz, asked the nonprofit College Board, which administers Advanced Placement classes and their corresponding AP tests, to review its AP Psych curriculum for any sections that could violate Florida’s law restricting discussion of gender and sexual orientation. (That’s the law known by its critics as Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law.)

But the College Board group pushed back against Diaz and Florida, writing in a June letter, “Please know that we will not modify our courses to accommodate restrictions on teaching essential, college-level topics. Doing so would break the fundamental promise of AP: colleges wouldn’t broadly accept that course for credit and that course wouldn’t prepare students for success in the discipline.”

For 30 years, the college-level AP class, for which high school students can earn college credit by scoring a 3 or higher on the AP test, has included a section about gender and sexual orientation.

The College Board also told Diaz and Florida that it would not recognize, or award credit for, any AP Psych class that eliminated the chapter on gender on sexual orientation, as Diaz initially suggested.

The section discusses social stereotypes associated with particular genders, Monroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford told the Keys Weekly on Aug. 14.

SHELF HELP

“Think about how when we were growing up and always learned that boys were better at math and girls were better at organization and penmanship,” she said.

Ultimately, given the threat of withholding college credit for the AP class for Florida students, Diaz and the Florida Department of Education capitulated. In an Aug. 4 letter to Florida’s school superintendents, Diaz wrote, “the department believes AP Psychology can be taught in its entirety in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate, and the course remains listed in our course catalog. … I want to be clear, AP Psychology is and will remain in the course code directory making it available to Florida students.”

The state’s decision came too late for some Florida school districts that opted not to offer the course this year.

“District officials in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties had decided to drop the courses, citing previous guidance from the state they said was ambiguous,” states an Aug. 10 article in the Orlando Sentinel. “Orange, Osceola and Lake are sticking with their decision, while Seminole hasn’t revealed how it will proceed.”

In Monroe County, Axford’s patience was rewarded.

“When this all started (back in June), I sort of sat back and started watching everything,” she said. “I didn’t want to overreact and start changing schedules or eliminating classes. I think the media often seizes on these things and they get blown out of hand. But we had 100 kids registered for these classes and two great teachers who really wanted to teach it.”

In the end, all 100 students between Key West and Coral Shores high schools are enrolled in AP Psych.

In an abundance of caution, Axford also had parents of each enrolled student sign a letter to permit their student to take the class

“In the letter, I wrote, ‘We believe the class is intellectually stimulating and age and developmentally appropriate,’” Axford said.

All parents signed and the class has been taught since the first day of school. It is not offered at Marathon High School because no one signed up for it.

AP classes are offered based on interest and enrollment at each high school, Axford said, adding that teachers who teach AP classes receive a $50 incentive bonus for every student who passes the AP test in that class.

“I certainly didn’t want to hurt students by eliminating a class, and hurt teachers by eliminating that potential bonus if they couldn’t teach AP Psych,” Axford said.

In addition to psychology, Monroe County schools offer AP classes in history, English, chemistry, physics, computer science, biology, calculus, drawing, environmental science, macroeconomics, Spanish, French, U.S. government and music theory.

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

What: “Witch King” by Martha Wells

Why: Best known for her Murderbot novella series, Martha Wells is a master worldbuilder. Detailed, nuanced but never boring, she has created a new series involving a world with demons, witches, immortals and mortals. We are introduced to the main character, Kai, who is as confused as we are why he is not in his body any more. We follow along as he acquires a new body, a new companion, and searches for his friends all while trying to figure out who killed him. Through a series of flashbacks, we are given his history and the history of the lands surrounding him. There are plots and mysteries aplenty and while concluding the main story, the novel is set up for a sequel. The book is well paced and Kai’s character is well developed but I look forward to more in-depth development of the supporting characters in the future.

Where: This is available as a print book, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Library system.

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

Recommended by: Sue Stamper, library assistant, Key West branch.

MANDY MILES

LAHAINA STRONG

Looe Key luau fundraiser to benefit Maui wildfire victims

Looe Key Reef Resort, located at MM 27, is hosting a fundraising event, “Luau at Looe,” on Saturday, Aug. 26 to directly benefit residents who lost their homes to devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Maui. All proceeds will go directly to residents affected by these fires.

Many residents in the Lahaina area have recently lost their homes due to the fires that began on Aug. 8. The death toll is at least 106, making this the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since the islands became a state. The Lahaina fire was the most devastating and destructive of the three wildfires that flamed up, with an exact cause still under investigation – but prompting plenty of accusations.

Sugarloaf School teacher and Keys Weekly contributor Jen Alexander is a Maui transplant herself – and fittingly, is one of those spearheading this event.

“I lived and taught on Maui for 15 years. It is my second home and these people are my ohana (family),” said Alexander. “I know so many that not only lost their homes but the school they were teaching at. Looking at the pictures of the charred school I once taught at brings tears to my eyes every time. What are those students going to do? What about the teachers that lost both their jobs and their homes? Where are they going to go? I’ve been seeing my friends on CNN and all over Facebook. It just breaks my heart, and I have to do something for them.”

Feeling hopeless from 4,600 miles away, Jen got together with the staff and owner of Looe Key Reef Resort, Adam Veitenheimer, and is inviting the Florida Keys community to directly support these residents.

“Jen used to live there and knows a ton of people. I know that by raising money this way, the funds will go directly to those people affected instead of to a general fund,” said Veitenheimer. “When she asked if I could help, I didn’t hesitate.”

The Luau at Looe family event will be held Saturday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. A traditional Hawaiian plate lunch will be featured including kalua pork, macaroni salad and rice, which is a favorite of Maui locals. A silent auction, costume contest and raffle will complete the luau. Families are encouraged to dress in traditional Hawaiian attire for a costume contest.

Looe Key head chef Markus Dijon said he’s excited to put his newlypurchased grill and smoker to good use.\

“We’ve been wanting to break out the new smoker for a while now, so this luau is coming at the perfect time,” he said. “It’s sad that these are the circumstances, but we are happy we can help. We will be featuring barbecue pork, spare ribs and brisket in the future, but we are glad we can help out for this cause.”

Individuals or businesses who would like to contribute to the luau with a silent auction item or financial contribution, play music or dance may contact Jen directly at fivetenjen@yahoo.com or Venmo @fivetenjen. Proceeds will directly benefit those who lost homes in Lahaina.

For more information, visit www.looekeyreefresort.com or contact 305872-2215.

City of Marathon City Council Agenda 9805 Overseas Hwy., Marathon

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 5:30 P.M.

• Call to Order

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Roll Call

• Ordinance for First Public Hearing

A. Ordinance 2023-18, Amending City Of Marathon’s Code of Ordinances Section 10-5 Titled “Establishment of Special Magistrate System and Code Compliance Board.”; Providing For The Repeal Of All Ordinances Or Parts Thereof Found To Be In Conflict; Providing For Severability; Providing For Inclusion In The Code Of Ordinance And Providing For An Effective Date.

5. Level of Service Discussion

6. Harbor Boat Ramp Discussion

7. Vacation Rental Update

8. Capital Infrastructure and Budget Discussion

9. Adjournment

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing or meeting, one will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; such record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marathon City Attorney at (305) 289-4130 at least five days prior thereto. Please contact the City Clerk at clavierd@ci.marathon.fl.us if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email.

City Council

Luis Gonzalez, Mayor

,

Robyn Still, Vice-Mayor

Lynn Landry, Councilmember

Jeff Smith, Councilmember

Kenny Matlock, Councilmember

City Manager

George Garrett

City Attorney

Steve Williams

City Clerk

Diane Clavier

lease note that more than one Marathon City Council/Board/Committee member may participate in the meetings listed.

To view the City of Marathon’s full calendar, please visit www.ci.marathon.fl.us/calendar

Code Compliance Hearing

8/17/23 2:00pm Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy. Special Call City Council Meeting

8/22/23 5:30pm Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy. City Council Meeting

9/12/23 5:05pm Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Code Compliance Hearing

9/21/23 2:00pm Council Chambers, 99805 Overseas Hwy. City Council Workshop

9/26/23 5:30pm Council Chambers, 99805 Overseas Hwy

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at any meeting or workshop noted herein, he or she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purposes he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. The City of Marathon complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring special accommodations or assistance, please notify the City ADA Coordinator at (305) 289-5022 of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.

Images captured by U.S. Civil Air Patrol members show burnt cars and leveled buildings in Lahaina. U.S. CIVIL AIR PATROL/Contributed

TIFFANY DUONG

tiffany@keysweekly.com

CORAL EXPERTS TAKE ACTION TO CREATE HOPE DESPITE THE HEAT

In the face of unprecedented and smothering heat, Florida Keys coral scientists and restoration practitioners are showing up with the resiliency and resolve that they hope our local reefs can embody.

THE SITUATION HAS ‘ABATED’

The beginning of July brought a record-smashing marine heat wave to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). One weather buoy in nearby Manatee Bay even registered a jacuzzi-like 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperatures have resulted in mass coral bleachings, sponge and fish deaths and fear for the future of our marine ecosystem.

Additional reef monitoring, however, revealed that the “bleaching is site-specific and patchy,” reported a Mission: Iconic Reefs (MIR) factsheet emailed to the Keys Weekly. It also noted that “as of August 9, 2023, the rapid mortality previously observed primarily in inshore and shallower reefs seems to have abated” but that “the situation is still alarming.”

Reef Renewal USA’s founder Ken Nedimyer added, “From Channel 2 down, it’s bad. The better reefs are offshore and in the Upper Keys – from Davis Reef, up. Conch Reef, Pickles and Elbow are still in good shape.” He said these more intact reefs tend to be less exposed to Florida Bay and its salty, inshore waters.

In coral nurseries, the situation is also varied. Coral Restoration Foundation reported the loss of its entire Looe Key nursery, while Nedimyer discussed how both Reef Renewal and CRF’s Tavernier nurseries don’t yet have bleaching. “This is fortunate. Between these two, there’s more genetic diversity than in all the rest combined,” he said. “We have almost every genotype of elkhorn coral in the Keys in those two nurseries.”

THE RESCUE PLAN

For the corals in the various in situ coral nurseries in our waters, there’s a two-part rescue effort underway, said CRF’s Jessica Levy: genetic preservation and stock protection.

For the former, NOAA coordinated a rescue effort with all restoration practitioners in the Keys to ensure the preservation of genetic material of acropora corals. These are the reef-building staghorn and elkhorn corals that formed our reefs and used to dominate them. In this effort, CRF relocated nearly 400 genotypes to two facilities out of the Keys “in case of total catastrophic loss,”

RESCUE & RELIEF

Levy said.

Phase two focused on stock preservation “because we aren’t sure how long this will last,” she added. As many corals as possible were moved into temperature-controlled land-based facilities like Keys Marine Lab, Florida Seabase and Florida Aquarium (FLAQ) or to new, deeper water in situ nurseries. So far, CRF has relocated 4,000 corals from low- or at-risk genotypes into tanks.

Reef Renewal rescued some corals into tanks at FLAQ and Marathon’s Dynasty Marine and has built new, deeper, cooler nurseries. Nedimyer said, “(FKNMS Superintendent) Sarah Fangman moved mountains to make things happen. … (Permitting a new coral nursery) is usually a twoto three-month process, and we literally got it overnight. … Unprecedented. The Army Corps of Engineers stepped up, and so did the sanctuary.”

The new nursery holds about 2,000 corals, a subset representing as many different species and genotypes as possible, Nedimyer said. These include endangered brain, star and pillar corals. Reef Renewal set up three new deepwater nurseries as close as possible to their existing regional in situ nurseries.

Nedimyer estimated the rescue effort took roughly 20 divers doing three dives a day, for six days straight. “That’s a lot of tanks and a lot of dives,” he said, grateful. Tavernier’s Conch Republic donated tanks and nitrox air fills. Local divers from the Mission: Iconic Reefs, Buoy and NOAA dive teams helped in the herculean effort. A dive business from Fort Lauderdale even brought five technical divers down to help install the new deepwater nurseries, and seven Georgia Aquarium helpers joined.

LESSONS LEARNED

As the bubbles settled, the Coral Restoration Consortium (CRC) brought together coral experts around the world on a webinar about how to cope with the 2023 coral bleaching event.

Their tips began with the practical, like monitoring coralreefwatch.noaa.gov to know if your reef is at risk for bleaching. The bleaching outlook is updated weekly and based on NOAA’s climate forecasting system. This can help prevent getting caught off-guard, CRC’s Tali Vardi said.

Levy suggested preparing to reduce catastrophic coral loss by having an abundance of coral stock with lots of genetic diversity, checking temperature loggers more frequently and spreading stock across multiple sites.

Other techniques like shading, fogging, cold water injections and cloud brightening were discussed.

In the end, practitioners focused on opportunity and hope. Austin Bowden-Kerby, a coral scientist working in Fiji, suggested, “Use the bleaching event as a selection event to get what we need for moving things forward” with more resilient corals. “This is an opportunity as well as a test.”

Nedimyer agreed, describing how Reef Renewal will be monitoring its subset of genotypes for heat tolerance. He said, “We really want to see which of our corals can handle the heat, then use that to develop the next generation of our restoration program. … There will be some that don’t bleach at all in hot water. We’re looking for them.”

“There’s still a lot of coral diversity on the reef,” Vardi said, “and it’s our job to save that. It’s not easy when it seems like the world is on fire, but the caring and coordination of this community gives me hope.”

Denise Nedimyer transports elkhorn corals on a new rope nursery. KEN NEDIMYER/Reef Renewal USA

Elkhorn coral colonies recently transported from the Florida Keys now living in the climate-controlled spawning laboratory at the Florida Aquarium. THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM/Contributed

A scientist pipettes the coral gametes released during the spawning of their rescued corals. THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM/Contributed

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By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Colbin Hill tears up the track in a 2023 preseason meet against Marathon. Hill is expected to lead the Conchs’ harriers this fall. ELLA HALL/Keys Weekly

COLBIN HILL

Senior, Key West Cross Country

Colbin Hill in front during a lateseason track and field distance race last spring. RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed

July 31 marked the start of fall seasons for many athletes across Florida, but not for Conchs senior Colbin Hill. According to head boys coach Mark Coleman, Hill “has been leading the KWHS cross country team this summer and early season, as he has in previous years.” Hill has steadily improved his time the past few years, and it is not by accident – he puts in the work in the off-season and leads his team by example. “He is on time, motivated and eager to work hard to become a better runner,” Coleman explained.

For his excellent times in cross country and his relentless work ethic year-round, Key West’s Colbin Hill is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

– Mark Coleman, Key West cross country coach

”Colbin embodies Conch pride: perseverance, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence."

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

PREVIEWING THE 2023 VOLLEYBALL SEASON

Prep squads hoping for big outings this fall

It’s time for bumps, sets and spikes again in the Florida Keys. Though the Coral Shores Hurricanes graduated quite a few seniors last season, head coach Sam Ovalle feels confident that his team can adjust and be very competitive. Last season, they took an early lead in the district championship game, but ultimately fell to Palmer Trinity School. This season, the team hopes to make it to the finals again and reclaim the top spot in the district, which they held two seasons ago.

Returning to the court for Coral Shores is multiyear all-county athlete Brooke Mandozzi. “We expect her to have another great season for us,” Ovalle said. He also named Grace Leffler, Crystal Gutierrez and Iona Holmquist as key returners, describing them as ”huge contributors” last year. He expects more of the same from them this season.

Joining the veterans for the Hurricanes are Sophia Jans, Ivy Tiedemann and Sabina Naranjo. Though newcomers to the varsity squad, all are stepping it up to make Coral Shores look to be a strong competitor this year.

Ovalle is rather new to the team, himself. “I took over a few weeks into the season, so we only had the chance to do so much,” he said. “Between the girls we have coming back and the extra time we have, I’m excited to add some more plays and do some different things because I think this group is well-rounded and very capable.”

In the Middle Keys, head coach Kelley Cruz is working to prepare her team for a more challenging schedule. Though Marathon graduated six seniors last season, Cruz said she has plenty of players ready to shoulder the load, explaining, “We had a large senior class last year and will have a large senior class this year. So having all players who played last year come back has a large impact.”

A key piece for the Dolphins this season will be incoming junior Elena Eubank, Marathon’s top female athlete last year.

“Elena Eubank isn't young, but she continues to bring the fire. She challenges all the players on the court to become better players,” Cruz said.

Key West’s Lady Conchs should reap the benefits of a challenging schedule last season. They played over 20 matches, many against larger teams, and the experience the returning roster gained from facing the level of talent they played against in 2022 should give the Conchs an edge this season. It doesn’t hurt that they graduated only two seniors.

Returning for Key West are a slew of key players, many of whom have already seen extensive action in multiple seasons. Key West is jam-packed with seniors this year, including Elise Warwick, Victoria Pavlik, Annie Scepkova, Monica Jaroszewicz and Lyla Holland. Juniors Reese Haggard and Monica Bueno were key contributors last season and look to be even better in 2023. Another positive factor for Key West is the return of Bridgette Sweeney, who saw limited action last year due to an injury-plagued junior campaign. The seasoned senior adds height to the Lady Conchs’ blocking and has been a contributor since her freshman year.

Two Keys teams are set for some early action on Aug. 17 when Coral Shores heads down U.S. 1 to play a friendly preseason match against the Lady Fins of Marathon. Key West has a pair of preseason matches scheduled, both on the road. Marathon will play their first official match on Aug. 21 at Somerset Silver Palms. Coral Shores will then face Silver Palms at home on Aug. 23 in their opener. Key West’s first scheduled regular season match is Aug. 29 at Mater Lakes.

Top: Lady Fins volleyball players practice at Marathon High School. TRACY MCDONALD/Keys Weekly Center: Key West junior Reese Haggard.

Bottom: Lady ’Canes go up on the attack in a 2022 match against Marathon. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

ATHLETES ARE FEELING THE HEAT

Coaches find creative ways to beat extreme South Florida temperatures

All across South Florida, people are remarking that it is the hottest summer they can remember, and a quick glimpse at any phone’s weather app will concur. While most can escape the oppressive temperatures, avoiding the outdoors entirely is not so easy for many high school sports teams. To protect the young men and women who play prep sports, coaches, athletic directors and trainers have received advanced training in heat illness prevention and treatment as part of the Zachary Martin Act and the latest FHSAA guidelines.

Zachary Martin Polsenberg was a high school football lineman who collapsed after a long practice on June 29, 2017. The Lee County athlete passed away from complications of heat stroke 11 days later. Since then, his family and lawmakers have worked alongside medical professionals to create a comprehensive plan which carefully balances the need for added safety when temperatures soar with the desire student athletes have to participate in outdoor sports. Some of the measures include the availability of ice baths, frequent water and shade breaks and careful monitoring of the temperature using a wet bulb reading. Unlike regular thermometers, wet bulb temperature measurement takes into consideration the stress direct sunlight and humidity have on a person outdoors.

Coaches and athletes know they have limited time to prepare for upcom-

ing seasons, but it’s so hot outside that even if safety were not a factor, they would be miserable due to high temperatures and humidity. Fortunately for the student athletes of Monroe County, school staff understand this and work hard to ensure players are as safe and comfortable as possible – and some are even getting creative in finding ways to beat the heat.

At Marathon High School, athletic trainer Luis Leal monitors the wet bulb reading frequently, before and during practices. He and athletic director Lance Martin clear teams to practice outdoors and ensure they follow the state’s guidelines regarding how long a team can remain outdoors. Under 82 degrees, teams are free to practice normally, but when the wet bulb reading surpasses 82, there is a sliding scale of how long teams can practice outdoors and how often they must break for shade and water. Larger teams like football are making it work by using the hotter hours of the day for classroom learning of plays and watching film.

The golf and cross country teams are avoiding the afternoon heat altogether. “We usually run around the city, but it is way too hot to not be close to water,” said Jim Murphy, the Marathon boys cross country coach. He added, “(Girls) coach Darby (Sheehan) and myself get with coach Leal each day for guidance and to make sure we are in compliance with the FHSAA. We always have backup plans to cross-train inside if needed.”

Left: Marathon athletic trainer

Luis Leal monitors the safety level at practice using an electronic device capable of calculating the wet bulb temperature.

Right: Marathon athletic trainer

Luis Leal adds ice to Shamar Wright’s cooling tub after a recent mid-afternoon practice. Matthew Delgado is pictured in the adjacent tub. TRACY MCDONALD/Keys Weekly

Key West’s runners are taking a similar approach. Head girls coach Keara McGraw said, “We are getting creative with this current (no end in sight) heat wave. I've adjusted workouts and offered more morning practices, lots of water breaks, pace adjusting, and trying to get access to the pool for some good old cross-training in the water. Ice pops and frozen water bottles have become a pretty regular thing these days, although I may need an ice pop sponsor soon at this rate!”

In the Upper Keys, Coral Shores athletic director Ed Holly is taking the safety of students seriously. “We are hypersensitive to the impact of heat on our student athletes,” he said. “We are working very closely with our athletic trainer to implement our heat action plan.”

Head golf coach Danielle Thomas said her golfers are feeling the heat, too.

“It's definitely hot out there; I tell the golfers to wear light color shirts and dry fit material so it's more breathable,” she said. Thomas also brings extra water to her team’s practices and encourages her athletes to bring hats and umbrellas when they are on the course. She is also using the shade of the driving range at Founders Park, scheduling sessions there only when the golfers can be completely shaded. And when it’s just too hot no matter what precautions are taken, she calls it a day.

“I did have to cancel practice once because there was just no breeze and I was concerned for them,” she said.

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CAPTAIN JOEL’S FISHIN’ HOLES

MACKEREL MATTERS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Here in the Florida Keys, we have four types of mackerel. In this article, I'm going to name and describe each of the four and give you the best techniques, places and times to catch them.

Spanish mackerel are the smallest, and probably the most plentiful. Spanish mackerel can be easily identified by their bright yellow polka dots. We like to target Spanish mackerel in the spring and fall. They come in close when the weather is mild, and they don't like it too hot or too cold. We typically target Spanish mackerel at the reef lines in the Atlantic, and 8 or 10 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. The best technique to catch Spanish mackerel is with a block of chum and a chum ring using live pilchards pectoral hooked with a long-shank J hook or artificial bait, such as silver spoons and red and white feather jigs. Many times we’ll tip the jigs with live shrimp – hook them up from the chin through the top of the head, missing the brain, make the hook flush with the shrimp’s horn, and jig it through the mid column of the water. Many people feel that Spanish mackerel is a fishy-tasting oily fish, best smoked, grilled or baked. Spanish mackerel season is open yearround; you can keep up to 15 per angler per day, and they must measure 12 inches from the tip of the top lip to the fork of the tail down the lateral line of the fish.

Cero mackerel is the second-smallest of the Florida Keys mackerel, and probably the second most plentiful. They are easily identifiable by their yellow dashes and thick yellow lateral line. cero mackerel season is open year-round. There is no size limit for cero mackerel, but there is a 100-pound bag limit per person per day. We like to target cero mackerel during the same times and places as the Spanish mackerel. Both Spanish mackerel and cero mackerel are best targeted in the middle of the day, as we typically don't catch them early in the morning or late in the afternoon. We use the same techniques to catch cero mackerel as we do Spanish mackerel. However, since cero mackerel are usually a bit larger than Spanish mackerel, we do best targeting them with large pilchards hooked in the nose plate with a long-shank J hook. Since mackerel are such toothy critters, if the water is murky, we like to use a 6- or 8-inch piece of 25-pound test wire leader to the hook. If the water is clear, the mackerel are smart enough to see the wire leader and we have to use a 20- or 40-pound mono fluorocarbon leader. When using mono rather than wire, we lose more fish, but we get more hits. Cero mackerel taste very similar to wahoo, which many people say is their favorite table fare. Less fishy tasting and less oily than a Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel can only be caught in the Florida Keys waters and south. For example, I've never caught one north of Fort Myers on the west coast of Florida or north of Palm Beach on the east coast of Florida.

King mackerel, also called kingfish, is the second-largest of the Florida Keys mackerel and very plentiful during spring and fall. A king mackerel is a solid silver fish prevalent all up and down the eastern seaboard in the Atlantic Ocean and in every region of the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of, if not the mostcelebrated saltwater game fish, as there are numerous kingfish tournaments nationwide. The main attraction of king mackerel

is their speed and power. A common nickname for the kingfish is “smoker king.” Some people think the nickname comes from the best way to cook a kingfish, which is to smoke it, but the true reason it got the nickname “smoker king” is thar it initially hits with so much velocity that it can smoke your reel and make a long hard run. It's not uncommon for a king fish to launch 10 or 20 feet in the air on its initial strike. That's typically the only jump that you will get out of a kingfish during the battle. The rest of the fight is hard zigzagging runs. We target kingfish in many different ways. We like to troll for them, bump troll, drift or even anchor and chum with live bait and artificial baits. Kingfish is also considered a fishy-tasting oily fish, much like the Spanish mackerel. King mackerel season is also open yearround, and fish must measure 24 inches from the tip of their nose to the fork of their tail down the lateral line of the fish. The bag limit is 3 per person per day. King mackerel is also heavily harvested by commercial fisherman throughout the eastern seaboard and Gulf of Mexico.

…is a fifth-generation Floridian and second-generation fishing captain who owns and operates Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon. His passions include fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

Wahoo is the largest of the mackerel family, and the rarest. Wahoo is considered by most anglers as a trophy fish because they're so hard to target and catch, along with their unique beauty and unreal fight. Wahoo have beautiful tiger-striped colors with hues of blue, black and purple. Wahoo are some of the fastest fish in the ocean, clocked at up to 60 miles per hour. Many times we'll high-speed troll at 14 mph with an in-line weight rigged with a cable and troll a black and purple plastic Tormenter lure on 250-pound test mono leader. When you’re trolling that fast, you’ll feel like nothing could hit a bait going that speed, but feeding at 14 mph is nothing for a wahoo. We also troll at 6 or 8 mph with pink and purple Nomad lures. We also target wahoo on wrecks and ledges using live baby bonita, free lined or under a balloon. If we find a floater offshore, we also like to vertical jig for wahoo. The fall and winter months are the best time of year to target wahoo, especially during the full moon on a no-wind blue bird day. Like the other mackerel, wahoo season is open year-round. Wahoo has no size limit, but has a bag limit of 2 per day per angler. Wahoo is my favorite fish to fight and to eat.

As we enter into fall, we anticipate an awesome mackerel season. Come down to the Florida Keys and experience one of the most exciting species of fish in the world.

To book a charter with Ana Banana, call or text Capt. Joel at 813-267-4401 or Capt. Jojo at 305-879-0564, or visit anabananafishing.com.

CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG

One of the prized members of the mackerel family, wahoo are a lightning-fast fish known as one of the Keys’ best eats. JOEL BRANDENBURG/Contributed

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DOLPHIN SENIORS RULE THE SCHOOL

Continuing a yearly tradition for Marathon High School, classmates, faculty, city officials and parents gathered on the morning of Aug. 10 to watch the MHS Class of 2024 charge through a balloon-adorned archway, officially kicking off the start of the school year. Day one down, 179 to go. The Keys Weekly wishes a safe year of growth, learning and achievement for all Marathon students and school staff.

ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

TURTLE HOSPITAL THANKS COASTIES

Marathon’s Turtle Hospital paid tribute to one of the Florida Keys’ most crucial animal rescue partnerships, inviting the men and women from all Keys U.S. Coast Guard stations to the hospital’s annual Coast Guard Appreciation Day on Aug. 4. Following a tour of the hospital, attendees and their families were treated to a day of food and games, including a tug-of-war match that pitted the Coast Guard against the Turtle Hospital’s finest.

— Alex Rickert

From an impressive spread catered by Lazy Days to activities for the little ones and friendly competitions, the Turtle Hospital’s Coast Guard Appreciation Day provided well-deserved relaxation.

ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

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

Of the many arguments I’ve gotten into online, one that has stuck with me the longest was about prothonotary warblers and the origin of their name.

I mean, “prothonotary” is a pretty obscure 25-cent word and for the longest time I didn’t think about what it meant. I was mostly happy once I learned to pronounce it the way everyone else did: pro-THON-uh-tary. There are a lot of opaque, hard-to-parse descriptives in bird names – pied, semipalmated, pomarine, greylag, whooper, etc. – and sometimes it takes you a while to track down their origins and meanings.

For instance, I just thought to look up pomarine for the first time in a quarter century of being a birder. I know the word from pomarine jaeger, a very aggressive pelagic bird occasionally seen off our shores. It turns out it refers to a roof-like covering over their nostrils. (Next time I see a lifeguard with one of those plastic nose-protector things, I’m going to refer to them as a pomarine lifeguard.)

A prothonotary is a kind of functionary, a clerk of the court, a boss of the notaries, the person who manages the scribes. Its meaning shifts, like “adult” or “literally,” though maybe to a lesser degree, but prothonotaries were essentially upper-level bureaucrats in whatever organizational entity they were with. The legend is that the warbler was named after them because of the saffron colored robes the prothonotaries wore, the way northern cardinals were named after the scarlet red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals.

The argument I got into about their name was with a guy named Rick Wright, who I met years ago on a trip to Guyana, and who was one of the more scholarly birders I have ever met. He’d posted something on Facebook about how everyone treated the saffron robes thing as gospel, but he could find absolutely no historical records of any prothonotaries actually wearing saffron colored robes, so people should stop saying that was the case. Or something loosely to that effect. It’s been a couple years.

My thought was there was so much human history, so many small trends and interactions and cultural and subcultural eddies that went unrecorded in any kind of way, that saying something wasn’t true because there was no official record of it didn’t mean it was untrue, and that the story of them wearing saffron colored robes that has endured for a couple centuries should be enough to prove that they wore saffron colored robes, or at least allow for the possibility. Wright thought otherwise.

YELLOW BIRDS, YELLOW ROBES

Saying it was an argument is probably an overstatement. A small disagreement might be a better description. Wright may not even have noticed at the time, or ever. But I remember walking the dog afterward (I think it was the Fourth of July, I forget what year) and grumbling to myself about academics and gatekeepers and revisionists for a good 20 minutes before I forgot about it. But I have thought about it, on average, twice a year since, though usually more often in the fall than the spring.

Prothonotary warblers are for the most part southeastern birds, though their range stretches as high as Michigan and Wisconsin. They are denizens of wooded bottomlands and forested swamps. We see them here in migration, most often early on on their way south. At least I think it’s more often. It might just be that they make such a stronger impression in the fall.

They are one of the earlier migrants in the parade of warblers that come through in August and September. And after seeing almost nothing besides northern mockingbirds, gray kingbirds and common grackles for several months, catching sight of one of them on the side of a trail always stops me in my tracks and fills me with a little joy and a little relief.

There are flashier birds in the world, and flashier warblers, but there is something about prothonotaries. I’d say a seriousness or a gravitas, but that’s too anthropomorphic. I don’t want to say they’re a more beautiful yellow than, say, corn, marigold, Big Bird, or school buses, but it seems to be deeper, more complex, more evocative, more reminiscent of the yellows in Van Gogh’s sunflowers or Monet’s irises than that of a smiley face.

It’s possible I’m bringing my own emotional baggage to this. But damn, was I glad to see three or four of them while I was walking along one of the trails at the Key West Botanical Garden with my friend Ellen Westbrook the other day. They flitted along the path ahead of us, looking like glowing embers in the shadows, eating bugs and berries, bulking up for the rest of their trip.

Rick Wright actually wrote a pretty great essay on his blog about his issues with the whole yellow robe thing, doing as deep a dive as he felt it was possible to go. In it he points out that the yellow robes are variously attributed to Roman Catholic Church lawyers, to the chief secretary of the Chancery at Rome, to notaries in the Byzantine courts, and to papal clerks. It was the lack of consistency that got him. And the lack of a primary source for the story. And the fact that he couldn’t find any reference to any of the actual lawyers, clerks or notaries actually wearing yellow robes in any references he read about them.

According to Wright, the first known reference to the name prothonotary was in an account from 1785 and attributed to the Frenchspeaking inhabitants of Louisiana, who referred to the species as “le Protonotaire.” In reference to the why of the name, the account noted, “The reason has not reached us.”

There was, during the era, a position in the local government known as le Protonotaire, but there does not seem to be any known record of what they wore.

Wright concluded that the origin of the name will probably never really be known, and he’s probably right. But I’m sticking to the yellow robes story. I’ll just be adding the phrase “possibly apocryphal” to it.

A migrating prothonotary warbler seen recently at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

MARK HEDDEN

TOP PRODUCERs

Lela Ashkarian & Natalie Ardis

july's Top Producers!

Celebrating Success!

In the bustling real estate industry of the Florida Keys, we find our strength in pulling clients toward their dreams rather than pushing our agenda. It's not about us; it's about you, and we're humbled by your continued trust and support.

We're delighted to share our recent success, but the real achievement lies in the relationships we've built and the dreams we've helped realize. Your confidence in our expertise fuels our drive for excellence, and we're deeply thankful for each opportunity to serve.

To our amazing clients, your dreams have shaped our mission, and we're committed to honoring that trust. Your real estate aspirations are our inspiration, and we couldn't have reached these heights without you.

To those considering a real estate journey, we stand ready to guide you.

Our approach is rooted in understanding, compassion, and dedication. Your dreams, big or small, are within reach with the Ashkarian/Ardis Team.

To our supporters and friends, your encouragement has been a pillar of strength in our ever-changing market.

Thank you for celebrating with us and for believing in our values and vision. Together, we'll continue to reach new horizons in the Florida Keys real estate scene, driven by our commitment to you.

With heartfelt gratitude, We did it again, but only because of you. Thank you for making us soar

KAREN NEWFIELD

First and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www. readingandeating. com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.

Incredible history, a cozy mystery and hilarious family drama! Check out these talented local authors who contribute to the literary haven we call Key West.

HERE, KITTY

By Hays Blinckmann

Kitty

Kittrick

lives in the quaint town of Hillsdale, Massachusetts.

It’s the kind of community where everyone knows your name and what you did in third grade. Kitty walks into the local country club intent on playing tennis. This blueeyed blonde appears tall and strong, but has never picked up a racket. Kitty is filled with a remarkable confidence at 16 that the instructor Peter has never before encountered. To everyone’s surprise (except Kitty), she is spectacular and Peter, with his retired high school coach, begins training her for an upcoming tournament. Peter’s best friend Dave manages the pro shop and will quickly describe his autism spectrum along with his list of likes and dislikes. Kitty’s older sister Nina has dedicated her life to nursing and to Kitty – and now, a long-buried secret threatens to destroy their little family. As Dave’s parents announce they are retiring to Boca, the race is on to win the tournament, save the club and cheer Kitty on. This quirky cast of characters will steal your heart and have you laughing out loud from the very first page.

A DISH TO DIE FOR

By Lucy Burdette

It’s a lovely, quiet afternoon as Hayley Snow enjoys a beach outing with her friend and their dogs near her home in Key West. When Ziggy gets over-excited, Hayley is shocked to discover the little scoundrel is digging furiously at what looks like a shallow grave. A strange man suddenly appears – supposedly “birdwatching” –and identifies the body as a well-known instigator who often makes front page news. After Hayley frantically calls 911, she also alerts her husband Nathan, who just happens to be a top detective in town. With an appetite for mysteries, Hayley, a local food critic, cannot resist searching for clues and sticking her nose in all the wrong places. Together with her eccentric 80-year-old friend Miss Gloria, her mother who runs a catering business, badge-yielding husband (to whom she swore she’d stay out of trouble) and a historic Key West cookbook, Hayley whips up a scheme to solve this delicious charade. A blend of lively characters, tropical paradise and some terrific recipes – this is a must-read cozy series.

THE WOMAN AT THE LIGHT

By Joanna Brady

On Wrecker’s Cay, a small island off the coast of Key West, Emily and Martin Lowry happily live with their three young children. Martin is the lighthouse keeper, often known as a “wickie,” because his job is trimming wicks. They live a quiet, solitary life. Their lighthouse is of vital importance, as a great number of ships have crashed on the shallow reefs where lives are lost and treasures often found. One afternoon, Martin disappears and Emily continues to care for the lighthouse and her family, optimistically waiting for his return. She is initially apprehensive when the children discover Andrew, a runaway slave who washed up on the shore. Emily slowly falls in love with his charm, strength and resilience. Now she must keep another secret in order to protect her children, the lighthouse, and this forbidden romance. Author Joanna Brady expertly takes us on this historical journey beginning in 1829, when Key West was a collection of fishing shacks, Ellen Mallory ran a boarding house and this island was known as the wrecking capital of the world.

#WORTHWATCHING: If you haven’t seen “Hemingway & Gellhorn” (2012) it’s a must-watch on Max and Prime Video. This fast-paced drama highlights one of America’s most famous literary couples who met in Key West at Sloppy Joe’s in 1936.

T H I S W EE K

THURSDAY, AUG 17 MIKE V 6:30PM

’ S

FRIDAY, AUG 18 ON THE FLY BAND 8PM

SATURDAY, AUG 19 POPEYE AND THE EZ STREET BAND 8PM

SUNDAY, AUG 20

TONY MANFREDI 3PM

DOCKSIDE SUNDAY JAM 7PM

MONDAY, AUG 21 MIKE HAMMOND 6:30PM

TUESDAY, AUG 22

TACO TUESDAY ALL DAY COUNTRY NIGHT WITH JIBSEA COWBOYS 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY, AUG 23

PIRATE KARAOKE WITH JR JONES 7PM

O

LY WAT ERFR O N T D IV E B A R I N T H E M IDDLE K E Y S

• DELICI OUS FOOD - TRY OUR FAMOUS CHIC KEN POT PIE OR AUTHENTIC STREET TACOS!

ROBBIE ROBERTSON

Legendary bandleader, composer, and guitarist passes

ASTROPHYSICIST

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON THINKS SO

Far be it from us to let the Barbie bandwagon pass without comment, especially given the blockbuster’s recently revealed relevance to the Florida Keys.

That’s right. Our tiny island chain made national news recently — for something other than the hot water that’s killing our coral reef.

Amid harrowing agony in Hawaii, the political turmoil of a former president’s fourth indictment and the apparent, pork-flipping importance of the Iowa State Fair, the Florida Keys emerged, however briefly, as a pink-tinged distraction from disturbing headlines.

In case you missed it (or in case you have better things to do with your evenings than scroll through the internet’s political rabbit hole), Neil deGrasse Tyson, the noted astrophysicist and author, revealed Aug. 9 on social media that his astronomical expertise places Barbie Land “somewhere in the Florida Keys.”

Tyson wrote on Twitter (I refuse to use its new name, X, until Elon Musk challenges me to a cage fight), “In @BarbieTheMovie, the Moon’s orientation places Barbie World between 20 & 40 deg North Latitude on Earth. Palm trees further constrain latitude between 20 & 30 deg. The Sun & Moon rose & set over the ocean. If it’s in the US, Barbie World lands somewhere in the Florida Keys.”

Talk about cultural significance. We have arrived.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, when asked about Tyson’s pseudoscientific discovery, told the Miami Herald, “I think that’s terrific. It’s just such a wonderful time to have something quirky and positive and, you know, so energetic out in the world today. Well, we’ve got one of everything else. Why not Barbie?”

Alas, Twitter users, as they do, promptly twisted the pink patina of plastic positivity into their usual pall of political negativity and personal attacks on a scientist who was trying to have a bit of fun.

What would the world do without realists like @TheAaronBowley, who helpfully educated the astrophysicist with this keen insight: “Actually the extremely low gravity would put them on a completely different planet. also the fact that humans are not toy dolls, this does not exist on earth, they are an alien race.”

Other users pointed out that the movie landscape depicts mountains.

And then came the politics: Charles Carmichael @ChuckCarmike07 wrote, “How was Barbie able to create this paradise in Florida?! I thought that Ron DeSanctimonious had turned Florida into a fascist hellhole?! No way that a feminist utopia could exist anywhere except the liberal paradises of California or New York.”

Alex Cole @acnewsitics wrote, “DeSantis isn’t going to like this,” and Ashlee Highfill, M.Ed. @Dogmom1632 added, “Barbie’s world can’t be in Florida. Florida has traveled back to the 1800’s with these nonsense laws.”

But let’s end this nonsense on a positively pink note, as Jolene Olsteen @JoleneOlsteen did, writing, “Long live the Conch Republic!”

Thank you, Jolene — and thanks, Neil deGrasse Tyson, for once again putting us on the map, imaginary or not.

2023 has claimed yet another music legend — Robbie Robertson, guitarist, songwriter and erstwhile leader of The Band, has passed away at the age of 80. Robertson was one of the greatest talents to emerge from the early Canadian rock scene, and he leaves behind an incomparable legacy of classic songs and essential recordings.

As just a teenage musician, Robbie was invited to write songs with Toronto rocker Ronnie Hawkins, and also joined the band as its bassist. He soon moved to guitar, and by 1961, all the other future members of The Band had joined up with Hawkins. By 1964, the band split off from Hawkins and became Levon and the Hawks.

In 1965, Bob Dylan’s management contacted Robbie and asked him to play with him on tour. Although Robbie initially refused, he ended up playing on sessions for Dylan, and the band (except for Levon Helm) eventually did join Dylan for his then-controversial “going electric” tour.

After Dylan’s 1966 motorcycle accident caused the end of the tour and that amphetamine-fueled period in Dylan’s life, he and what was to become The Band holed up near Woodstock, New York in a house that would become famous as Big Pink. They set up a makeshift recording studio in the basement, and worked with Dylan on songs that would eventually be released as The Basement Tapes. They also worked on the music that would become the album Music From Big Pink.

That album, released in 1968, offered up immediate classics like “The Weight” and “Chest Fever.” Their 1969 followup album, The Band, gave us songs like “Up on Cripple Creek,” “Rag Mama Rag,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” As Eric Clapton said, “When I heard The Band, it shook me to the core.” He soon left Cream and went in a more down-to-earth direction in his future endeavors.

The Band’s next effort, 1970’s Stage Fright, peaked at Number 5 on the Billboard charts thanks to songs like “The Shape I’m In” and the title track. In 1973, The Band headed to Malibu to collaborate with Dylan on a potential tour and new songs. Before the year was out, recordings for Dylan’s album Planet Waves were completed, and 1974 saw the release of the record as well as a huge 40-show, 30-date tour from

Jan. 3 to Feb. 14, 1974. As it was Dylan’s first tour since 1966, these collaborative shows with The Band were the hot ticket of 1974. The tour was recorded and released as a double live album titled Before the Flood. After a number of albums and what Robertson called “sixteen years on the road,” The Band played its final concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day in 1976. This final show was documented by filmmaker Martin Scorsese and released as a move and album titled The Last Waltz. The Band was joined by a veritable cornucopia of music legends like Dylan, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Ronnie Hawkins and more. Not only did Robertson shine on guitar and as the bandleader and director of everything on stage, this effort marked the beginning of a friendship and collaboration with Scorsese that lasted until Robertson’s passing.

JOHN BARTUS

While Robertson released five solo albums after The Last Waltz, he was mostly known for movies. He composed and produced soundtracks for many major motion pictures, and even acted in a few himself. His most recent score will be Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” to be released later this year.

Robbie Robertson leaves us with a life well-lived in music. As he once told Classic Rock magazine, “People used to say to me, ‘You’re just a dreamer. You’re gonna end up working down the street, just like me.’ Part of that was crushing, and the other part is, ‘Oh yeah? I’m on a mission. I’m moving on. And if you look for me, there’s only going to be dust.’”

- John’s Perpetual Island Tour stops every Monday at Boondocks, Wednesday at Brutus Seafood, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Check out John’s music anywhere you stream or download your music! Or point your browser to: johnbartus.hearnow.com

John Bartus is a singer-songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon.

MESSAGE SHERIFF FROM THE

It’s a busy time of the year for the Sheri ’s O ce as our annual back-to-school patrolling e orts are in full swing!

You’ve probably heard me remind motorists to watch out for children near bus stops and schools, but this year I want to add a new reminder to parents and teachers alike about the continued online threats our children face.

The Sheri ’s O ce is stepping up e orts to educate you on what online threats are out there and how fast they can evolve and change. You can find those resources on our social media pages.

Please follow these tips:

• Educate yourself about the websites, software, games, and apps that your children use.

• Keep close tabs on their social media, gaming profiles, and posts.

• Explain that once things are posted online they can be shared with anyone and never disappear.

• Use privacy settings that restrict public access to their online profiles. Use strong passwords.

• Tell your children to never communicate with anyone they don’t know.

• Ensure they are using appropriate screen names.

• Explain that making any kind of threat online — even if they think it's a joke — is a serious crime.

And be sure to report any inappropriate contact involving an adult to law enforcement immediately! Thank you,

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

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The Florida Keys have a tremendous history. It’s one of the reasons people – like Cori Convertito, curator at the Key West Art & Historical Society; Corey Malcolm, Monroe County’s lead historian; and David Sloan, who gives a lot of his time and expertise while infusing the island chain with tremendous Key lime pie, paranormal (ghosts, portals, and Robert the Doll), and Key West Firehouse Museum history and so much more – spend so much time working to tell these islands’ stories.

The entire Florida Keys story will likely never be told – at least not that any of us will hear or read. New sources routinely come to light, and when they do, they often put a new spin on some piece of history – and the more life given to history, the more it grows.

It is more likely that the transaction, if it occurred at all (because that is, too, in question), was between Scott and Curtis Eugene’s father, Charles Curtis Chillingworth. It is easy to see that the elder C.C. Chillingworth’s name might be mistyped as C. E. because, on a typewriter’s keyboard, the “e” and the “c” are within striking distance of each other.

The bigger problem is there does not seem to be a single reference connecting Chillingworth, Scott, or Key Largo in property records or newspaper stories – and W.A. Scott is talked about fairly frequently in the local newspapers. While a connection may exist, a document has yet to be publicly revealed. However, this is not to say that the West Palm Beach lawyer cannot be connected to the Northern Keys, because he totally can.

THE DUSTY BOOKSHELVES OF HISTORY

Discovering New Bits Of Information Alters Original Thoughts

Those of us sharing the local history are just scavengers pushing our fingers at old documents and hoping that something appears that causes us to jump back in our chairs. It is not uncommon for new information to be gleaned from the dusty pages of history. While I cannot speak for others who ply their historical trade along this island chain, it is the uncovering of a truth, the learning that excites and keeps me engaged.

That being said, the history hole can get deep and consume more time and effort than it might seem worth. This would be tedious work if I did not love digging down into it as much as I do. However, the discovered information sometimes adds context or alters a previously documented piece of history. For instance, last year, I did a little sleuthing around North Key Largo and came across information refuting what I thought was a long-standing history.

Because I accepted the generally told story about the early history of the exclusive Anglers Club, I parroted it in my book “Key Largo” (Arcadia Publishing, 2012). What I found is not mind-blowing history but an important distinction.

As an entry in a book attempting to encapsulate a great deal of history into as few words as possible, the new information might amount to rewriting a couple of sentences. However, for someone who spends an inordinate amount of time digging into nooks and crannies (and always looking for my next column idea), I totally dig this kind of minutia.

As the Anglers Club story has always been told, somewhere around the turn of the 20th century, the North Key Largo property was owned by an attorney named C.E. Chillingsworth. Allegedly, he sold the 40-acre property to William Scott from North Dakota in 1912

First, the Chillingsworth connection is suspect. Second, it was never about 40 acres. Truthfully, the Chillingworth (as the name is properly spelled) confusion could simply result from a typographical error.

C. E. Chillingworth, Curtis Eugene Chillingworth, was born in West Palm Beach, Florida 1896. In 1912, he would have been a 16-year-old boy, and probably not buying and selling property (or practicing law).

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

Charles Curtis Chillingworth was born in New York and later moved to Florida with his father. By the turn of the 20th century, C.C. Chillingworth was a prominent West Palm Beach citizen and one of its first two attorneys. The other was his partner, G.G. Currie. Chillingworth and Currie became law partners in 1897. By 1918, he was a judge, and in 1921, he was West Palm Beach’s official attorney.

How is Chillingworth connected to the Florida Keys? The Florida Star reported in its Oct. 17, 1902, edition: “C.C. Chillingsworth, of West Palm Beach, will soon commence improving his property on Elliott’s Key on quite an extensive scale. He will engage in growing pineapples. The Florida Keys have within the last few years become quite popular as a pineapple growing section.”

Whoever sold the property to William Scott and whoever he sold it to, identifying it as a 40-acre parcel is troubling, too. The earliest transactions I have found involving the original property, identified as Government Lot 1, indicate that it was not until Feb. 8, 1932, that a 40-acre property transaction occurred. On that date, the Roney Investment Company bought the 40-acre section of Government Lot 1 to establish the North Key Largo base of the Florida Year Round Club – the precursor to the Anglers Club. In the days that followed that transaction, a flurry of property deals were made and the parcel was bought and sold several times.

What is clear is that the early transactions for the property create a tricky trail to navigate – also, the original transaction made circa 1912 still has a broader story to tell. It also appeared to be at least a 75-acre property. As Johnny Carson used to say back when he was hosting “The Tonight Show,” and that little sparkle would glint in his eyes,

“Wild, wild stuff.”

The Florida Year Round Club at North Key Largo circa 1932. It would become the Anglers Club.

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.

BUILDING SYNERGY

ROTARIANS ACROSS KEYS SET TO GATHER IN MARATHON

Life in the Keys presents unique opportunities and challenges. The eight Rotary clubs spread from Key Largo to Key West share a tourist economy along with the perils of U.S. 1 and high insurance rates.

There are nearly 445 active Rotarians in the Keys and about an equal number of people who passed through Rotary on their way to other phases in life. Members of the various Rotary clubs will gather at Marathon City Hall on Saturday, Aug. 26 to discuss Rotary in the Keys.

“Rotary is divided into districts and the membership of our clubs in the Keys makes up about 22% of the district, which include clubs from southeast Florida and Grand Bahama Island” said event organizer Frank Derfler, of the Upper Keys Rotary Club. “Per-capita, Rotary is very strong in the Keys. Our clubs share unique challenges of transportation, economics and environment. This meeting is an opportunity to build synergy among the Rotarians in the Keys.”

Sam Williams, Marathon Rotary Club president, said the gathering brings opportunities for networking among Rotarians and the chance to learn how other clubs operate.

“The goal is bringing Keys people closer so we are all familiar with each other,” he said. “I think this will get us reaching out more often to other Keys clubs and inviting others to events we have.”

The agenda includes a visit from Rotary 6990 District Governor Barbara Gobbi and District Membership Chair Joe Roth. The group will look at the image of Rotary in the Keys, cooperation after weather events and opportunities for community service.

Yvette Talbot, Key West Rotary Club president, said she’s excited for the opportunity to meet other Rotarians from various sections of the Keys.

“All Keys clubs share common problems because of our geographic location,” she said. “I think it’s important our district governor will be there and will hear our concerns and suggestions. I think it will benefit everyone. I’m excited about it.”

Interested Rotarians should go to www.keysrotary. club to register for the meeting. Rotary Clubs in the Keys give back in many ways, through projects and fundraisers for students and groups on the island chain. The Key Largo Rotary Club’s annual Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge is set for Sept. 22-24, while the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club is gearing up to put on the annual Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 9. The Upper Keys Rotary Club will hold its Gigantic Nautical Market from Feb. 24-25, 2023 at Founders Park. Further south, the Marathon Rotary Club opened the Children’s Rotary Park with a new playground last year. The Lower Keys Rotary Club organizes 4th of July festivities in Big Pine Key. The Key West Rotary Club annually produces a 4th of July celebration and golf tournament, while the Key West Sunset Rotary Club holds a wine tasting in November to benefit the local SPCA.

— Keys Weekly staff report

from page 4

Keys Marine Lab (KML) director Cindy Lewis touched on the human side of exhaustive ongoing efforts. She thanked organizations for their trust in KML as the facility works to maintain a Noah’s Ark of sorts of rescued corals, some of which visit the facility as a “halfway house” on their way to Mote Marine Lab’s genetic bank in Sarasota.

“The emotional strain on these people has been incredible,” she said. “My heart goes out to them, and I can’t thank everybody enough for entrusting us with all of these corals right now.”

Mote Marine Lab’s Erinn Muller outlined the laboratory’s work to preserve existing coral genotypes in Mote’s land-based nurseries and Sarasota gene bank, but highlighted Mote’s decision to leave some representatives from all genotypes in in-water nurseries.

“We need to know what’s going to withstand this event, because this isn’t, unfortunately, going to be unique in the future,” she said. “We shouldn’t be outplanting for those years in between stressful events; we should be doing restoration planning that these events are going to occur.

“The more research we can do to make those corals that are heat tolerant or disease resistant, while also maintaining genetic diversity, is going to give that population the resistance we need.”

A presentation by Andy Newman on behalf of the TDC acknowledged, as several other stakeholders did, the extreme media interest in the bleaching event. But Newman was critical of sweeping initial statements made at the start of the heat wave, calling out reports that painted Keys reefs as “destined for annihilation.”

A lengthy discussion following Newman’s presentation left the room silent at several points in between passionate comments, with all seeking to balance an acknowledgement of the bleaching event’s true severity and repercussions with a need to rely on facts and data instead of emotion and sensationalism when painting a picture of a fragile ecosystem in a tourismdependent economy.

It was a setting befitting what one observer described to the Weekly as “a room full of people who just got their job titles changed from restoration practitioners to endangered species conservationists overnight.”

Several thanked Nedimyer for his positivity in reports on Upper Keys reefs, crediting his optimism for providing “great energy to keep

Mote Marine Lab’s Erinn Muller outlines the laboratory’s recent preservation efforts. ALEX RICKERT/ Keys Weekly

trying” as practitioners continue their efforts.

“It’s a terrible situation, and it’s a catastrophic event … (but) all hope is not lost,” said Daughtry. “That’s really critical for people to understand that.”

“There are scientists out there with prestigious institutions that have not signed on to (the severity of this),” Newman said.

Others acknowledged the importance of hopeful reports, but didn’t want to sugarcoat an undeniable underlying issue.

“I had a reporter tell me, ‘You know, the science is still out on (the warming event),’” said flats fishing guide Will Benson. “I was so upset by that when I hung up the phone. You’re telling my doom-and-gloom story, and we’re down here suffering, but you don't want to acknowledge what every scientist all around the world is saying? You’re just happy to tell my death story, but you’re not going to report the facts on it?”

“There’s lots of great work that is going on, but there’s no cohesive, collaborative effort that’s working together to integrate novel interventions in a targeted way,” added Muller. “I’m hoping this event will move that to the forefront of everybody’s mind.”

Fangman closed with an addition to her earlier briefing, saying she was “frustrated by the very small toolbox” the sanctuary had on hand to deal with the extreme temperature stress.

“I was shaking trees – what can we pilot test in the face of (this)? The problem is, many of these things you’d want to start doing at the beginning of the event,” she said. “What I’m being told … is that it’s kind of too late. So we’ve scaled back some of those pilot ideas that came out a month ago, but are still trying to pursue them. Maybe we won’t have more tools in our toolbox for this event, but this isn’t the last event. We have a really small team and a pretty small budget, and so, like everyone, we’re doing our very best.”

I am local, approachable, and my roots run deep in this community.

The Coral Reef called for help... Mote answered — and so did you.

In response to the recent, record-breaking heat wave along the Florida Keys coral reef, Mote Marine Laboratory conducted an unprecedented evacuation of thousands of stressed and dying corals from our four offshore coral nurseries. This effort, and Mote’s ongoing dedication to science-based recovery and restoration, would not be possible without the continued, strong support of the Florida Keys community.

We wish to thank those in the local community who answered our calls for help without any hesitation, in many cases in the middle of the night, and aided in this historic event.

The fight is not over — Mote will continue to develop resilient-based solutions to combat stressors such as high water temperatures, ocean acidification and disease, to ensure healthy reefs for decades to come. Please consider joining us in this effort to save our coral reefs and continue our broader mission of innovative research for positively impacting the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of our shared coral reef by making a direct donation to Mote at: MOTE.ORG/SAVECORAL

Our

BABY SPICE

4-month-old-female pit mix.

Looking for: I love to play with everyone.

Turnoffs: Nothing yet.

SWIPE RIGHT

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

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

GINGER SPICE

4-month-old-female pit mix.

Looking for: I’ll be a great family dog.

Turnoffs: Not a darn thing.

KARL

1.5-year-old-male shepherd mix.

Looking for: Someone to continue my training with Sailor’s Dog Spa

Turnoffs: I’m a happy guy that loves life.

INVITATION TO BID

LEGO Construction Company and Department of Management Services –Florida Highway Patrol cordially invite interested subcontractors to complete and submit sealed bids by September 8th, 2023 no later than 3 p.m. for the followingproject/bid packages:

ADA Restroom Renovation – Marathon FHP – Phase 2 (02219020)

SELECT TRADE BID PACKAGES (see below)

This invitation to bid (ITB) includes the following trades. All contractors certified as SBE, MBE & M/WBE are encouraged to participate in any of these trades:

• Demolition

• Fencing

• Sitework

• Concrete & Masonry

• Metals

• Acoustical Ceilings

• Door, Frames, Hardware

• Windows

• Flooring and Wall Tile

• Drywall

• Painting

• Toilet Accessories

• Toilet Partitions

• Signage

• Plumbing

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Final Cleaning

The bid manual, bid requirements, bid forms, specifications, drawings, and other construction documents will be available by reaching out to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@legocc.com or at 305-381-8421 Ext 105. There will be a Non-Mandatory Prebid conference and site visit on August 25th, 2023 at 12 p.m.

All bids must be received no later than September 8th, 2023 @ 3 p.m. at LEGO Construction Co office located at 1011 Sunnybrook Road Suite 905, Miami Florida 33136. Bids must be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Sealed Bid for ADA Restroom Renovation – Marathon FHP – Phase 2” along with the name of your firm and the trades covered in your bid. Subcontractors interested in working with LEGO must obtain prequalification with LEGO prior to bidding. All questions regarding prequalification & the bid process should be directed to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@legocc.com.

August 17, 24 & 31, 2023. The Weekly Newspapers

Key Lime Medical Associates

John W. Norris III M.D. PA 508 Southard Street, Suite 103 Key West, Florida 33040

Key Lime Medical Associates is transferring care of its patients and location to Keys Medical Group (KMG) effective September 1, 2023.

Patients’ medical records will remain at Key Lime Medical Associates, 508 Southard Street, Suite 103, Key West, Florida 33040 under the custodianship of Keys Medical Group providers and staff.

Patients wishing to pick up their records may do so after a signed medical records release is received after September 1, 2023.

Publish: August 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of WANDERLUST ASSETS located at 9 Sombrero Blvd. 211, Marathon, FL 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

DATED at Marathon, Monroe County, Florida this 10th day of August, 2023.

By: WOD Freak, LLC

Hannah E. Richards, Manager

Publish:

August 17, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of SWEETIE PIE BAKERY located at 210 Apache Street, Tavernier, FL 33070 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Karen Buono

Publish:

August 17, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statutes (Section 83.801 –83.809). The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on August 31, 2023, at 10:00am.

The following: #104 Cameron Willett misc. home goods #405 Jessice Williamson misc. personal items, home goods #450 Brian Stevens misc. home goods #128 Kylie Safford misc. home goods #256 Kylie Safford misc. home goods #235 Mark Bewer misc. home goods #329 Melissa Bellovich misc. home goods #461 Lisa Kicker misc. home goods #420 Thomas Morgan misc. home goods #249 Julie Allen misc. home goods will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items sold as is. Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 72 hours of auction.

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 9:00 A.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will open sealed responses for the following:

2nd Round Events Funding, DACS II, III, IV and V, Monroe County Tourist Development Council Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3) (a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request. Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposals/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to:

LEGAL NOTICES

OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 5:00 P.M., on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Your subject line must read as follows:

2nd Round Events Funding, DACS II, III, IV, and V, Monroe Co. TDC 10-12-2023 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED.

Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 9:00 A.M., on October 12, 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:

August 17, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA DIVISION: PROBATE FILE NO.: 2023-CP-125-K IN RE: ESTATE OF STUART A. MEAD Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Stuart A. Mead, deceased, whose date of death was December 3, 2021, 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is August 17, 2023. The date of the second publication of this notice is August 24, 2023.

Personal Representative: Erin Maltbie 49 Flanagan Drive Framingham, MA 01701 Attorney for Personal

Representative: Anthony J. Barrows Attorney for Andrew C. Von S.

Smith Florida Bar Number: 662569

WRIGHT BARROWS PLLC 9711 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-8118

Fax: (305) 489-0307

E-mail: Tony@keysclosings.com

Publish:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-202-K

DIVISION: LOWER KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF ALLEN NOEL MURPHY Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Allen Noel Murphy, deceased, whose date of death was July 3, 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.

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: August 17, 2023.

Personal Representative: Allen P. Murphy 117 Sun Lane 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:

August 17 & 24, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000190-K IN RE: ESTATE OF ELIZABETH H. DAVIS Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of ELIZABETH H. DAVIS, deceased, whose date of death was April 6, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF

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

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

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

The date of first publication of this notice is: August 10, 2023.

Personal Representative:

CABELL S. DAVIS III 230 Surf Drive Mashpee, Massachusetts 02649 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN FERRARI, JR. Attorney

Florida Bar No. 111132 Ferrari, Butler & Moneymaker, PLLC 2520 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 11 Nokomis, Florida 34275

Telephone: (941) 960-1676

Fax: (941) 296-8656

E-mail: johnf@elderlegalfl.com

Secondary E-mail: pollyb@ elderlegalfl.com

Publish:

August 10 & 17, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

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

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-92-P IN RE: ESTATE OF JAN WEITZ MULVIHILL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JAN WEITZ MULVIHILL, deceased, whose date of death was June 27, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

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

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

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

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

The date of first publication of this notice

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

is accepting applications for the following full-time position in Key West

TERRITORY SERVICE AND SALES REPRESENTATIVE

This opportunity o ers you the ability to partner with our current customers in the Hospitality and Food Service industries. You will serve as the face of Ecolab, servicing Laundries and Dish machines, dispensing equipment, and systems for our customers. You will also provide recommendations on advanced cleaning and sanitation programs. Full training provided at our Headquarters.

Comprehensive bene ts package including medical, dental, vision, matching 401K, company paid pension, opportunities for stock purchase, tuition reimbursement, and more. Decal company vehicle provided.

$3000-$4000 Sign on Bonus available for this role!

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please call 786-512-2238.

EXPERIENCED

ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

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

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.

TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR

MONROE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT is looking for a responsible applicant for the Long Key Transfer Station, MM 68. The primary function of this position is to weigh vehicles in and out of transfer station and maintain transfer station property.

Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED, working knowledge of computers and other office equipment, and a Florida Driver’s License Class B CDL within 6 months of hire. This position is designated as a safety sensitive position. An employee in this position is subject to the mandatory Department of Transportation drug testing program which involves random drug testing. Starting salary: $40,188.94 plus benefits

Application available at: www.monroecounty-fl.gov via the position link on our employment page. For more information, contact Human Resources at: Careers@monroecounty-fl.gov or call 305-292-4554. Veteran’s Preference Available; E.O.E.

NOW HIRING FT FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT MARATHON, FL

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

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

MARINA CASHIER

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.

NOW HIRING IN ISLAMORADA

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.

NOW HIRING DIVE INSTRUCTOR

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

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

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.

WE ARE NOW HIRING IN KEY WEST!

SENIOR IT USER SUPPORT ANALYST

WITH MONROE COUNTY BENEFITS PACKAGE,

INCLUDING FLORIDA STATE RETIREMENT PLAN (FRS).

Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court is seeking a full-time IT User Support Analyst in KEY WEST.

The essential function of the position within the organization is to provide technology support to the judges and staff of the Circuit Court. The position is responsible for providing training to system users and/or providing analysis and support to the Court network infrastructure, email systems, manage and deploy Windows based workstations, assist with maintaining computer inventory, performing data and system backups, providing cybersecurity maintenance and support, maintaining the Court web site, provisioning of accounts, and preparing required documentation and reports.

Salary range is $62,000 – $67,000 annually, plus Monroe County benefit package. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@ Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net. The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/ selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

WE ARE NOW HIRING IN KEY WEST!

PROBATION OFFICER

WITH MONROE COUNTY BENEFITS PACKAGE, INCLUDING FLORIDA STATE RETIREMENT PLAN (FRS).

Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court is seeking applicants for a full-time Probation Officer in KEY WEST.

This is responsible and professional work that ensures the effective supervision of defendants placed on misdemeanor probation and diversion supervision.

Salary is $40,000 annually, plus Monroe County benefit package, which includes State of Florida Retirement System Plan. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

THE

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

KEY LARGO

Advocate

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist

Prevention Specialist Advocate

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult)

Behavioral Health Counselor (Children) Case Managers (Adult)

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 Psychiatric ARNP (PT only)

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

Volunteer Resources

Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

Media & Marketing Staff Member (Full-Time, Permanent)

Human Resources Assistant (Part-Time, Permanent)

Guest Services & Gift Shop Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Temporary/Permanent)

Accounting Director (Full-Time, Permanent)

Benefits include medical, life & disability insurance, 401(k) plan, paid vacation, sick time & holidays.

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

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