Key West Weekly 23-1207

“We just may be the most well-informed, yet least self-aware, people in history.” — Norman Lear

December 7, 2023

HILARIOUS HOLIDAY PLAY HEADS TO

TUNA, TEXAS RED BARN THEATRE PRESENTS ‘A TUNA CHRISTMAS’ | P. 20

TRUCK DRIVER DIES IN FIERY CRASH ON US 1

SHERIFF SAYS HE WARNED OFFICIALS OF UNSAFE CONSTRUCTION ZONE | P. 4

KEYS COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO JAN. 6 RIOT CHARGES

MAN IS ACCUSED OF PEPPER SPRAYING 2 POLICE OFFICERS AT CAPITOL | P. 9

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

SOMETHING EVEN BETTER IS WHAT’S NEXT

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

ON THE COVER

KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

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

2,403

On Dec. 7, 1941, 2,403 service members and civilians perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1994, Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Events are held every year at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Red Barn Theatre takes audiences on a wild ride through the fictional town of Tuna, Texas for a holiday whirlwind of wacky characters and whimsical holiday spirit. ‘A Tuna Christmas’ runs Dec. 19 to Jan. 13.

See page 20.

Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Digital Editor / Gwen Filosa gwen@keysweekly.com Director of Sales Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Account Executive Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Design / Pre-Press Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 Se habla español THE KEY WEST WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

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Members of

FIERY CRASH KILLS TRUCK DRIVER ON U.S. 1

Sheriff says he warned FDOT a month ago about unsafe, unlit lane shift & barricade MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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hen Lower Keys and Key West residents awoke Tuesday to the warming silence of a power outage shortly after 4:30 a.m., they were unaware of the fiery and fatal scene 21 miles up the road on U.S. 1.

A southbound semi-trailer hit an unmarked and poorly lit concrete construction barricade while traveling south at MM 21, near the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation, Sheriff Rick Ramsay told the Keys Weekly on Tuesday afternoon.

The truck exploded on impact and killed the driver, whose name has not been released.

It was an accident Ramsay predicted more than a month ago, when he warned Florida Department of Transportation officials about the unlit, unmarked and unsafe lane shift in the southbound lane at mile marker 21. The road work being done by FDOT and its contractors involves the replacement of underground communication lines for AT&T, the sheriff said.

“A couple months ago, I was on the radio talking about the FDOT’s improper signage for construction in that area and the unsafe lighting that didn’t light up the concrete barrier they had installed,” Ramsay said, adding that he had also called FDOT officials in Miami with the same warnings. “They never put up proper signage warning of the lane shift. They never installed proper lighting, and they didn’t implement a reduced-speed zone that is typical in construction areas.”

Ramsay said the orange roadside signs that should have been installed a half mile or so before the work site to warn of the impending traffic shift were seen piled on the side of road “200 to 300 feet before the scene of the fatal accident.”

Drone footage of the deadly crash on U.S. 1 shows the wreckage of a truck that hit a concrete construction barrier, which Sheriff Rick Ramsay had warned was improperly marked and poorly lit.

A truck whose driver was killed in an early-morning crash at MM 21 exploded, then burned on U.S. 1 around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Contributed

“I complained to FDOT. I said someone is going to get hurt or killed, and now who’s going to be held accountable for this deadly accident that was predicted and preventable?”

Ramsay said.

“Who monitors these work sites to ensure the traffic management plan that must be approved ahead of time is actually being followed? On top of all that, once the crews installed the new barrier and shifted the lane with no warnings, lights or signage, they walked away and have done no work in the area for a month or so,” Ramsay added. “It makes you wonder why they’re doing a major traffic shift with no one working at the site during our heavy traffic season?

“Now this morning, a man loses his life in a horrible crash, the road is shut down for hours, the power is out and the whole county is impacted. But FDOT doesn’t seem to care. They seem indifferent.”

The Keys Weekly has asked for comment from FDOT’s Miami office.

The accident and subsequent explosion knocked out the electrical transmission line that brings power from the mainland down the Florida Keys, prompting a power outage from Big Pine to Key West, said Julio Torrado, spokesman for Keys Energy Services.

“The outage affected all KEYS’ customers south of Big Pine Key, approximately 27,400 homes and businesses,” Torrado said, adding that power was restored to everyone 47 minutes later at 5:17 a.m.

The only road through the Florida Keys was closed for several hours on Dec. 5 as crews from Monroe Fire Rescue extinguished the fire and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and cleared the road of profound wreckage.

The accident and road closure also canceled garbage and recycling collection on Tuesday from MM 21 to the Seven Mile Bridge. Trash service was expected to take place on Dec. 6, while Wednesday yard waste pickup would resume on Dec. 13, according to Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

WESLEY HOUSE MAKES HOLIDAY MAGIC

REAL SNOW, A GIANT SLIDE & KIDDIE RIDES DELIGHT BEFORE BIKE PARADE MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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esley House outdid itself with this year’s Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride, transforming the Coffee Butler Amphitheater into a kids’ Christmas spectacle.

The Holiday Village on Dec. 1 featured pony rides, kiddie rides, a giant slide and real snow.

It was followed by the annual BeLighted Bike Ride, which has grown exponentially in recent years. More than 500 people of all ages, riding festively decorated bicycles, gathered at the Truman Waterfront, then pedaled down Whitehead Street and up Duval to the delight of onlookers lining the sidewalks.

The Dec. 1 Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride draws several hundred festive families and friends to the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. The Wesley House event featured kids’ rides, a snow machine, giant slide and more, and was followed by the parade of decorated bikes. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly and CAROL TEDESCO/HolidayFest.com

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEYS COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO JAN. 6 RIOT CHARGES Bryan Bishop faces prison if convicted of assaulting officers with pepper spray

From conch shells to cocktails, the island parties like it’s 2024

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

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Marathon couple arrested in August in relation to their participation in the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol recently pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

Bryan Roger Bishop, 51, pleaded not guilty on Nov. 29 to nine counts in his federal indictment, which was posted to the online federal court filing system on Nov. 15.

He is accused, among other things, of assaulting two Capitol police officers with a dangerous weapon by spraying pepper spray under their helmets during the riot, carrying a dangerous weapon inside a restricted area, engaging in physical violence in a restricted area with a weapon and disorderly conduct.

The maximum sentence, under federal law, for assaulting a federal officer with a “deadly or dangerous weapon” is a 20-year prison term, depending on the severity and circumstances.

Bishop’s wife, Tonya, 47, is not accused of violence or weapons-related charges, but is accused of remaining in a restricted area and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted area and in the Capitol building. She pleaded not guilty to the four counts at her Dec. 1 arraignment, also held via Zoom.

A status conference hearing in Tonya’s case is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Bryan Bishop’s defense attorneys have until Dec. 20 to submit a proposal for trial and discovery dates and deadlines, according to online federal court records.

Bryan Bishop twice has asked the court to remove the ankle monitoring bracelet that was a requirement of his pretrial release. Tonya Bishop did not have to submit to location monitoring.

Federal prosecutors have opposed his request for removal of the bracelet, calling his arguments “unpersuasive.”

Bryan Bishop initially told the court in August that he lives on a boat and needs to enter the water to “constantly scrape barnacles off his vessel for maintenance.” In his second request for removal in October, Bishop added that he needs to spearfish to catch his meals and would “like the ability to swim to cool off” due to the Florida Keys’ unseasonably warm weather.

Prosecutors again opposed his request, writing, “the defendant’s arguments for why he needs to personally

KEY WEST DROPS THE BALL — AND MORE — ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Bryan Bishop leaves Monroe County Detention Center in August. MANDY MILES/Keys weekly

Tonya Bishop leaves Monroe County Detention Center after spending a night in jail following her arrest in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

engage in spearfishing, as opposed to any other type of fishing that doesn’t require him to enter into the water, are unpersuasive.

“Because of the Defendant’s role in the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 … and his lack of showing as to why he must be permitted to engage in swimming, scuba diving and spearfishing, the United States now requests that that condition of release be enforced and that the defendant’s motion for modification of them be denied.”

The online court records do not show whether the judge has ruled on Bishop’s second request for removal of the ankle bracelet.

The Bishops could not be reached for comment, as the phone numbers listed in their arrest warrant had been changed or disconnected, states a recording from Verizon.

As of September, more than 1,100 people from all 50 states had been charged with a variety of offenses relating to their presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Of those, 378 had been sentenced to jail or prison terms. Others have been fined either after going to trial or accepting plea deals.

Drag performer Gary Marion, portraying Sushi, is lowered for her last time in red high heel at the Bourbon St. Pub complex to ring in 2023. This year, Sushi has passed the torch to fellow female impersonator Christopher Peterson for the shoe drop. STEVE PANARIELLO/Florida Keys News Burea

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ew Year’s Eve celebrations in the southernmost city traditionally feature balmy temperatures and a warm welcome for revelers fleeing colder climes.

Chief among Key West’s festivities are five offbeat takeoffs on the traditional “ball drop” in New York’s Times Square.

As midnight approaches Sunday, Dec. 31, thousands of people are expected to ring in the New Year on Duval Street, enjoying a quirky island tradition dubbed the “Red Shoe Drop.” Renowned female impersonator Christopher Peterson will star in the festivities, sitting in a supersized red high heel shoe suspended high above the crowds while singing live during his descent down the facade of the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St. The event marks Peterson’s first time in the shoe after being chosen to take over for Key West drag queen Sushi, who “hung up the heel” following her 25th year as a New Year’s Eve icon.

Street viewing of the entertainment and “drop” is free and open to the public. VIP seating is available by contacting Bourbon Street Pub. Down the street outside Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St., all eyes turn to a gigantic manmade conch shell — the symbol of the Florida Keys — atop the bar for the 30th annual “Dropping of the Conch Shell.” Events are emceed by rooftop host DJ Sanaris and, as a huge clock counts down the seconds to midnight, the shell starts its descent. The festivities also feature

musical appearances by Key West’s own Mike Stack and D-Lew. No reservations or tickets are taken for the popular outdoor event.

In the Key West Historic Seaport outside the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St., the watering hole’s traditional “Lowering of the Pirate Wench” celebrates the island’s nautical heritage. Just before midnight bar owner Evalena Worthington, garbed as a pirate wench, will begin her descent from atop the mast of the tall ship America 2.0 as cannons boom. The free-admission event includes live music and festivities at the Schooner Wharf.

A “Gatsby New Year’s Eve” gala is planned at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, the original home of Pan American World Airways. New Year’s Eve features the midnight “landing” of a replica Pan Am aircraft carrying a costumed flight attendant. The building at 301 Whitehead St. was where Pan Am’s first tickets were sold in 1927.

Attractions include a full open bar, champagne, chef-manned food stations, live music and DJ performances. Attendees are encouraged to wear formal 1920s Gatsby-era costumes. For tickets, visit firstflightkw.com/nye.

At the Ocean Key Resort & Spa, 0 Duval St. on Key West Harbor, plans call for a huge replica of a Key lime wedge to splash down into a larger-than-life margarita glass on the property’s Sunset Pier at midnight. The free event features live entertainment by Reggae Lou & the Kind Budz. Visit oceankey.com/ key-west-sunset-pier.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

BLACK EDUCATOR INITIATIVE EXPANDS

New-to-county Black teachers can get $30K fellowship

“B

uilding on a successful launch, the Black Educator Initiative will be extended for 2024,” said John Padget, founder of the Golden Fleece Foundation (GFF), which supports the initiative. “$30,000 fellowships are awarded to newly hired Black teachers willing to commit to live and teach in Monroe County, Florida,” said Terry Huff, chair of the Black Educator Initiative, who said new-to-county awardees receive $15,000 at the beginning of their first year. Then, coinciding with their continued employment, they receive $10,000 at the start of their second year, followed by $5,000 for their third year.

“I was thrilled to present the awards to the black educator fellows when school started last August,” Huff said.

Bryan Green, a GFF board member, said the Monroe County School District has about 1,500 Black students — 16% of all students — but only 24 Black teachers, which is just over 3% of all teachers.

“Research shows that Black students having a Black teacher in their classroom make significantly more academic progress, more likely to graduate high school, and more likely to enroll and succeed in college,” Green said.

Earlier this month, Huff hosted a weekend celebration and planning session for all Black teachers in Monroe County.

New teachers shared their experiences, made plans to work closely together and discussed how they can help and assist the next cohort of new-to-county Black teachers.

“Having a warm welcome is a critical component to the sustainability of this initiative,” Huff said.

“All new-to-county teachers need sufficient time to finalize their housing arrangements, considering the tight housing market in the Keys,” Padget said. “For 2024, firm employment offers will be made by the district for all applicants who apply by the early decision deadline of Feb. 15, 2024. Early offers, contingent on securing housing, will be made starting in March 2024.”

Huff added, “Monroe’s teacher salaries are the highest in Florida, and the $30,000 fellowships for new-to-county Black educators make Monroe an attractive place to live, teach and enjoy the southernmost amenities of the Florida Keys.

Prospective Black teachers should apply early and visit blackeducatorinitiative.com for details.

— Contributed

We have the answer from 105,000 high school seniors in the class of 2023: only 17% of them are proficient across the ACT test’s four benchmarks: English, math, reading and science.

The ACT test is not required in Florida, so about 80,000 seniors did not register for the exam. No one knows how they would have scored, but it’s hard to imagine they would have done better than those who were putting their college or job applications together.

The leaders of companies, sports teams and most other human activities always ask, “Are we doing better than last year, the last five or 10 years, or is this the best year ever?” Is the trend up or down?

As former members of Florida’s State Board of Education, all of us are keenly aware of the trends in Florida’s ACT scores. We want parents, students, potential employers, politicians, leaders and the public at large to know: the trend is down, and it has been over the last five years.

Florida is doing many things very well, but it can do better to ensure more students reach proficiency prior to receiving a diploma. The current downtrend can and must be reversed. We need to make sure we invest heavily to build an education system grounded in quality that proudly prepares every high school senior to be competitive in their next phase, whether that’s college or the workforce. The seniors graduating from high school in the next decade are in our schools already.

It’s up to our educational leaders and all “adults in the room” to have strong accountability policies as a check on the system.

Florida’s students depend on us to be ready to excel. We can’t let them down.

Signed by six former members of the Florida State Board of Education: Sally Bradshaw Gary Chartrand T. Willard Fair Bobby Martinez John Padget Kathleen Shanahan

SHELF HELP

ARE FLORIDA’S SENIORS COLLEGE- AND CAREER-READY?

S

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

What: “Perilous Times” by Thomas D. Lee Why: This book has a fascinating premise – that Merlin cast a spell on some of the Knights of the Round Table putting them in an eternal sleep instead of death. He did it so they can be called up to serve England when the realm is in peril and as a result, they’ve been present at various wars throughout history.

Now a couple of them are awakened when the country is facing the existential threat of climate change, and they find themselves on different sides. This book is funny in a “Good Omens” kind of way but also deadly serious (because climate change).

And a hell of an adventure tale, besides. One guarantee: You’ll never see King Arthur in quite the same way again.

Where: This is available as a print book from the Monroe County Public 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: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

COME WORSHIP WITH US ‘‘The churches of Christ greet you.’’ Romans 16:16 NKJV

FACTS FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR

Sam Steele

monroetaxcollector.com 305.295.5000

ENGLISH SERVICE Sunday Bible Study 10am Service 11am Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm Evangelist Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

KREYOL SEVIS Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm Adorasyon 8:30pm Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm Minis Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

SERVICIO ESPAÑOL Domingo Estudio Biblico a las 5pm Servicio de Adoración a las 6pm Jueves Estudio Biblico a las 7pm Ministro Pedro Ruiz Celda 347.430.2263

1700 VON PHISTER ST, KEY WEST

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.” ‒ Psalms 107:1 NKJV

DECEMBER • The Tax Collector will be hosting our quarterly community blood drive at the Harvey Government Center in Key West on Wednesday, December 13.

• Mobile home registrations expire on December 31.

• Save money on your property taxes by paying in December and receive a 3% discount.

• As of December 5, 2023, the tax roll is 69% collected, or $292,593,069.19.

Follow us on

• The third property tax installment payment for 2023 is due by December 31.

• In observance of Christmas, our offices will close at 12:00pm on Friday, December 22 through December 26.

• Your friends at the Tax Collector’s Office would like to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

for more important tax information.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

EXPLORE KEY WEST’S HARD-WORKING WATERFRONT New exhibit highlights the history of the harbor & seaport

1-MAN SHOW AT THE STUDIOS HIGHLIGHTS BLACK HISTORY

Mike Wiley performs Jan. 5 and 6

The ‘Our Working Waterfront’ exhibit at the Key West Museum of Art & History showcases Key West’s diverse maritime industries and opens Friday, Dec. 15 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

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he Key West Art & Historical Society’s upcoming exhibition, “Our Working Waterfront,” explores the island’s long maritime history, detailing the various industries and people that have operated from Key West’s Historic Seaport district. A reception for opening night will take place Dec. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front St. “Our Working Waterfront” will reveal the complex interconnections of seafront work, while integrating never-before-exhibited historic photos and a range of artifacts from the society’s permanent collection. Employment opportunities included shipbuilding, wrecking, military service, sponging, turtling and shrimping. The island’s maritime legacy includes those who lived in the Keys and deemed the littoral waters their backyard, as well as sea-faring travelers who

dropped anchor for a brief time when transiting the Florida Straits.

“Key West boasts a hardy and diverse maritime history. Its early history was shaped by surging maritime activity brought by European colonization, an increased federal and military presence, and seafaring industries that defined the city’s growth and development,” said Cori Convertito, curator and historian for the society. “During its history, Key West has been compelled to reinvent itself and its industries several times in order to remain self-supporting. Each time we evolve and grow in new ways, one constant remains — our economic dependence and use of our coastal waters. Exploring the various ways we interact with our waterfront will be a stirring reminder of our past and a glimpse into our future.”

“Our Working Waterfront” runs until Feb. 11, 2024, in the Bryan Gallery. More information is available from Convertito at 305295-6616 ext. 507 or cconvertito@ kwahs.org.

— Contributed

Actor Mike Wiley performs two one-man shows highlighting the AfricanAmerican experience in the 1840s and 1950s. CHRIS CHARLES/Contributed

T

he Studios of Key West recently announced two one-man shows by actor and playwright Mike Wiley. On Friday, Jan. 5, Wiley will deliver a performance called “One Noble Journey,” transforming into the character of Henry “Box” Brown, a man who escaped slavery in 1849 by mailing himself to freedom in a wooden crate. On Saturday Jan. 6, Wiley will present “Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till.”

Wiley, celebrated for his solo performances, goes beyond traditional acting and instead becomes a dynamic “cast” of characters. Transitioning among dozens of roles in a single play, Wiley brings the young and the old to life, embodies men and women with flair, and effortlessly shifts between African-American and white characters.

“One Noble Journey” unfolds the gripping narrative of Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who, seeing no alternative, mails himself to freedom in a small crate. Wiley’s portrayal takes audiences on a Mark Twain-esque adventure, navigating perilous and somber moments with a touch of humor and heroism.

In “Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till,” Wiley recounts the tragic tale of a 14-year-old African- American boy brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Through his performances, Wiley underscores his commitment to shedding light on lesser-known aspects of history, fostering understanding and encouraging meaningful dialogue.

For tickets, visit tskw.org or call the Studios’ box office at 305-296-0458.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

MARC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE

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7 DAYS A WEEK 9AM-7PM UNTIL 12/24, OR ALL TREES ARE SOLD

POINSETTIAS, WREATHS, GARLAND & ORNAMENTS! 1401 SEMINARY ST. KEY WEST

ReMARCable holidays!

Call the MARC Plant Store to volunteer or for more information 305.296.9556, info@marchouse.org, www.marchouse.org

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEY WEST LOVES A PARADE HOLIDAY SPIRIT COMES ALIVE AT HOMETOWN THROWDOWN MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

S

anta and Mrs. Claus were there.

The Grinch was there. A flock of penguins even showed up.

Key West’s annual Hometown Holiday Parade on Dec. 2 didn’t disappoint. Thousands of kids and families lined the sidewalks along Truman Avenue and Duval Street, eagerly collecting the candy thrown from floats.

Local businesses, utilities, city officials, Fantasy Fest royalty, the high school marching band and countless other groups took part in one of the island’s favorite holiday happenings.

Key West’s annual Holiday Parade winds its way down Truman Avenue and Duval Street on Dec. 2, featuring more than 75 entries, from the high school marching band to law enforcement and local businesses, including the Keys Weekly’s local news team. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

SNOWY DAY

Winter CONCERT FOR CHILDREN

Featuring Mateo & BELLE Jampol!

At the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden

Join us for a concert and holiday activities!

When: Sunday, December 17, 2023 Concert from 1Ͳ3:00 PM Where: 5210 College Road on Stock Island Who: Children and families of all ages!

How: Tickets will be available the day of for $5 a child or a maximum of $10 a family Thank you to our sponsors including

5210 College Road 305.296.1504 www.keywest.garden

FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF

DECEMBER

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

COME FOR THE FOOD. STAY FOR THE VIEW.

WORLD FAMOUS LOBSTER PIZZA TOP RATED GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA AND VEGETARIAN MENU

WE LOVE KIDS & DOGS

1400 DUVAL ST, KEY WEST OPEN DAILY 11:30A - 8P | SEASIDECAFEKW.COM

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

wine down wednesday

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18

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

PRESENTS OUR 10TH ANNUAL

DECEMBER 9 | 10AM-2PM HIGGS DOG PARK AT HIGGS BEACH, KEY WEST

JOIN US FOR HOLIDAY PET PICS WITH SANTA

& DOG PARADE Sign your pets up and start raising funds from your friends, family and coworkers for the homeless animals to win great prizes at the event by scanning the code below.

Then join us for a family friendly day of fun with you and your pups at the Higgs Dog Park to celebrate with a DOG PARADE, HOLIDAY BAZAAR, SANTA, RAFFLES, LIVE MUSIC AND MORE!

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR AT THE BAZAAR, OR A SPONSOR? Contact Tiffany at 305-294-4857 or tiffany@fkspca.org A PROCLL ARE FEEDS THE F OR KEYSLORIDA ANIMASPCA LS!

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEY WEST MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY

Local memorial recalls 1,240 lost lives

Brandon Beach, left, and David Black each will play 11 different eccentric characters in ‘A Tuna Christmas,’ opening Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Red Barn Theatre. MIKE MARRERO/Red Barn Theatre

‘A TUNA CHRISTMAS’ OPENS DEC. 19 AT RED BARN City Commissioner Clayton Lopez speaks at the Key West AIDS Memorial for the city’s annual World AIDS Day remembrance on Dec. 1. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES

T

mandy@keysweekly.com

he AIDS epidemic had a devastating, and outsized, impact on the tiny island of Key West, where more than 700 friends and neighbors died in just a few years.

The community pauses every Dec. 1, to commemorate World AIDS Day and honor the local lives that were lost. This year was no different. During a candlelit procession from city hall to the Key West AIDS Memorial, the 1,240 names that are etched in granite on the memorial were read aloud. At the seaside memorial, local officials, ministers and community members spoke of the friends they loved, the progress that’s been made and the work still being done to defeat the virus.

In the early days, while the worldwide medical community struggled to understand, detect and control it, Key West buried business owners, bankers, housewives, Conchs, servicemen, athletes, artists and authors.

No segment of the community was spared, and the Key West AIDS Memorial was created to ensure the island would never forget those who fought, but lost the battle, when there was no ammunition and little information with which to arm them.

Roses were placed in memory of the more than 1,200 names that are etched in granite on the Key West AIDS Memorial, which was the first in the nation to commemorate lives lost to the epidemic.

Located at the foot of the Edward Knight Pier on White Street, the memorial was built with private funds and donated to the city of Key West in 1997. It became the first municipal AIDS memorial in the world, and at the time of its dedication, it featured 730 names.

To make room for more names in 2012, the original architect, Michael Ingram, designed a new side wall, which was dedicated in 2014.

By the end of 2019, the memorial featured 1,230 names of people who had died from complications due to AIDS in the Florida Keys. Ten additional names were added in 2020.

2 actors play 22 characters for a wild holiday ride

T

hree Key Westers have reunited to present the comedy, “A Tuna Christmas,” opening Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Red Barn Theatre, 319 Duval St. #2.

For the first show of the Red Barn’s 44th season, Mike Marrero will direct David Black and Brandon Beach in the play that is part of a series written

by Jason Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, each set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. The two actors must play 22 eccentric characters – 11 each – crossing multiple genders and ages.

The plot centers around the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest, as a mysterious “Christmas Phantom,” known for vandalizing the displays, threatens to throw the contest into turmoil. There are nearly a dozen other subplots, from radio personalities trying to report on the yuletide activities, to the local production of ”A Christmas Carol” about to be shut down for unpaid electric bills.

“The fast character and costume changes happen almost instantly,” Beach said. “It’s a crazy show and the audience will definitely have fun with it — they’ll never know what to expect next.”

“It’s quick, it’s fast and it’s fun,” Marrero added. “It’s about having a good time for the holidays, and leaving with a smile on your face.”

Marrero plans to make sure the holiday spirit is everywhere for the shows. “I want to make the Barn itself look like the Griswolds’ (from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” film).

From left, David Black, Mike Marrero and Brandon Beach team up for high-speed hilarity in ‘A Tuna Christmas.’

I want the audience to enter Tuna, Texas, with lights, decorations and eggnog — the whole skewed world of that crazy town.”

The chemistry that comes from Marrero, Black and Beach — three longtime friends and collaborators — gives the show an authenticity and genuine sense of humor. The trio’s reunion promises to fulfill the theater’s stated season intent of “Ready for a Wild Ride,” said Bob Bowersox, marketing director of Red Barn Theatre.

“Mike and I have worked together for so long and in so many capacities, it’s one of those scenarios where you’re working with people who speak the same language, know each other so well, see eye to eye,” Beach said.

“And we all share the same twisted sense of humor, which is perfect for this show.”

— Contributed ‘A Tuna Christmas’ runs Dec 19 to Jan. 13 at Red Barn Theatre. For tickets, visit redbarntheatre.com, or call the box office at 305-296-9911.

An audience reception will follow the opening night performance.

21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS! WARMLY, THE TEAM AT DR. GUZMAN’S OFFICE

From left to right: Dr. Hector Guzman D.D.S, Dr. David McDonald D.M.D and Dr. Oscar Rodriguez D.M.D

2758 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (in the Overseas Market) • Key West 305.294.9914 • doc@docguzman.com • www.docguzman.com

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CHRISTMAS EVE JAZZ IN THE GARDEN

SUNDAY 12/24 | 5-7:30 PM

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22

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

OLD TOWN NEW FOLK Concert Series sponsored by Blue Heaven

David Wilcox

TUE JAN 9, 7PM — HELMERICH THEATER $75 front row, $50, $40 mbrs.

WED JAN 10, 6PM — HUGH’S VIEW ROOFTOP $100 front row, $60, $50 mbrs.

Folk singer-songwriter David Wilcox tells stories full of heart, humor, and hope, substance, searching, and style, over a touring career spanning three decades. sponsored by We*Cycle Bicycles

Vance Gilbert & Susan Werner TUE JAN 16, 7PM — HELMERICH THEATER $75 front row, $50, $40 mbrs.

WED JAN 17, 6PM — HUGH’S VIEW ROOFTOP $100 front row, $60, $50 mbrs.

Over the course of decades-long careers, Gilbert and Werner have built reputations as two of the country’s most compelling live performers. sponsored by Moondog Café & Bakery

Explore!

Winter Members’ Exhibition + Season Catalog Release Party

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THU DEC 7, 6-8PM ON VIEW DEC 7-28 Stop by First Thursday for nearly 100 works of art on view, live music on Hugh’s View rooftop, and to pick up a copy of the 2024 season catalog!

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

KEYS KIDS HEAD TO THE ‘NORTH POLE’ Silverliners host annual holiday event at Key West airport

Pre-k kids from the Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea show off new trucks and toys.

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Santa & Mrs. Claus hand out books, Barbies, robots and other toys at one of the island’s cutest Christmas parties, the Silverliners’ Visit to the ‘North Pole.’

MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

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MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

K

ey West International Airport once again became a holiday wonderland on Dec. 5, when the Silverliners, a charitable group of retired flight attendants, hosted the Fantasy Flight to the North Pole.

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The parking garage at the airport turned into a series of games, reading circles and visits with police dogs and horses, while upstairs at the Conch Flyer restaurant, more than 300 local kids were treated to a huge spread of food, drinks, live holiday songs, a visit by the Grinch and some one-on-one time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Silverliners ensured that no one went hungry and that each kid went home with their own brand new Christmas gift.

25

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

THURS, DECEMBER 7 $99 PER PERSON

TASTE OF STOCK ISLAND & TOY DRIVE! Board the Old Town Trolley for a holiday inspired culinary tour of Stock Island favorite restaurants. This year, we are proud to be partnering with Wesley House Family Services Holiday Helpers Toy Drive! We encourage you to bring an upwrapped toy when you check in.

SAVOR YOUR TASTE... Soak up the ambiance and you are sure to find several new favorites along the way! At each of our stops, the chef or owner will welcome you and introduce the dish you are enjoying along with the pairing notes.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: 9 chef inspired small plates and a dessert | 9 signature cocktail pairings | trolley transportation | knowledgeable local host aboard each trolley meet the locals along the way... that make Stock Island so unique! | souvenir beverage cup CHECK IN AT MATT'S STOCK ISLAND KITCHEN THROUGH THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE PERRY HOTEL. CHECK IN TIME BEGINS AT 3:30 PM FOR OUR 4PM START.

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This is a fast paced, hop-on / hop-off tasting experience that requires some walking.

If you or a participant in your party has mobility issues or is in a wheelchair, please contact Event Director, Liana Pyne, so we can best accommodate you. 603-651-9797.

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26

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

FROM THE RAMONA’S FAMILY TO YOUR FAMILY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! VOTED BEST FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS IN 2021

Financial Strength is PARAMOUNT. Financial strength is a pillar to a successful company. Having a strong financial partner in an uncertain economy is paramount to success.

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Life

EA C H

By Dr. Christina Sawyer

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips for smart eating habits during the holidays.

GREAT EVENTS CATERING IS CREATING A HOLIDAY FEAST • SLOW ROASTED PRIME RIB | HORSERADISH CREME OR SLOW ROASTED BERKSHIRE HAM | RED EYE GRAVY SERVED WITH: • ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH CRANBERRIES, PECANS & HOT HONEY • WHIPPED POTATOES WITH SOUR CREAM & CHIVES • SMOKED GOUDA MAC & CHEESE • ROASTED GREEN BEAN & WILD MUSHROOM RAGOUT, CRISPY ONIONS • HERB SOFT ROLLS

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• ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES WITH BALSAMIC BROWN BUTTER • CREAMED CORN, WITH WHITE CHEDDAR AND CRÈME FRAICHE

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Pick up on Sunday Dec. 24, 10am-2pm 925 Truman Ave (side entrance on Packer street) Credit card processing fee to apply.

As the holiday season approaches, Mount Sinai Medical Center urges our community to prioritize a healthy lifestyle. With festivities in full swing, it's crucial to be mindful of meal preparation, ingredient usage, portion sizes, and allergens. Follow these six tips for crafting nutritious and sustainable holiday dishes: 1. Prioritize essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, proteins, and complex carbohydrates, incorporating diverse options such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, nuts, seeds, peppers, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and berries.

2. Establish an eating schedule for balanced consumption, maintaining steady blood sugar levels.

3. Be mindful of portion sizes, ensuring variety for everyone's preferences at the table.

4. Indulge in dessert in moderation, savoring a single piece of your yearly favorite instead of grazing the dessert table.

5. Incorporate exercise, particularly after hearty meals, by going for a walk to stay active, reduce stress, and aid digestion.

6. Maintain a regular sleep schedule to curb cravings for high-fat, high-sugar foods.

While it's easy to overindulge during the holidays, remember to stay active and maintain a healthy mindset. Your well-being is our priority, and we hope these tips enhance your enjoyment of this festive season. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday!

For appointments with our Key West primary care physicians, call: 305-535-3434.

Dr. Christina Kemp Sawyer is a board certified, licensed Primary Care Physician. A Key West native, Dr. Sawyer earned her undergraduate degree in 2011 at the University of Florida and her medical degree in 2015 at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. She completed her residency training at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida in 2019.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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29

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

MATURING WITH JOY If you’re anything like me, last week’s is an astrologer, Venus square wanderer, barPluto was a bit tender and more intense advocate for than I had queer justice. He forecasted. is a loquacious Gemini with a Pluto being cozy Cancer the planet of rising. Find him at intensity in its hearthandheraldraw form, a astrology.com less congenial read of the planetary pattern was probably warranted. I hope everyone is transforming their value systems and transmuting their relationships with grace.

This week, we are truly blessed with supportive skies, as three planetary pairs (that’s six planets) are forming 120-degree trine relationships. In astrology, when two planets relate to each other at a 120-degree angle across the sky, we consider it a dynamic of growth and support.

There is a lot at play with these three major planetary aspects happening simultaneously, but if I were to put it all into a single picture, it would look something like this: You are having an incredible personal breakthrough with your therapist in the midst of a boisterous backyard party surrounded by all of your friends who are all chatting and getting along famously when you realize that it is actually an engagement party, and you’re the one getting engaged. Y’know, something like that.

Here are your horoscopes for this week. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CHRIS McNULTY

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 As your mind is turning to financial and material matters, get carried away in the enjoyment you experience when you get your hands dirty. Getting lost in your work and obligations will actually help you to organize your finances better. You have a powerful opportunity to let yourself be seen and to heal through your

creativity — where are you going to show us what you’ve got?

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Practical conversations with people in your support network will be extra helpful this week, particularly if these conversations involve setting boundaries to keep your familiar environment as you like it. Standing firm will only help people support you better. Don’t get too bogged down in the serious talks, however, because you also have a lot to communicate about yourself in blissful, imaginative spaces as well. Balance your business and pleasure.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 You may be feeling particularly magnetic in your work life or in your public reputation, and this is actually helping you to solidify your personal value system.

Perhaps the extra attention is coaxing you to consider your influence. Ride this wave with grace and appreciate the beauty of this process. Finding some balance by spending time alone in deep reflection will support joy and abundance at home.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Speaking your hopes and dreams out loud will call prosperity into your local environment. Sometimes, the things you dream about are right in front of you, and they will emerge when you clearly state what you want. At the same time, there is a love in a distant place that is helping you to develop self-discipline and maturity. It is time to start claiming your authority.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 We are always surrounded by horizons that lead to new places or new ideas, and it is an ideal time for you to embark on an adventure to heal a part of you that has been wounded. Think of

this as a pilgrimage of sorts, and you will have the opportunity to help other people struggling with similar difficulties. At the same time, clearing up communication at work will translate into a financial boon for yourself.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 With your partner in your heart, it is a really supportive time to set some boundaries with your friends. You have an opportunity to emerge as an elder in your friend circle, and gravitating toward a romantic or business partner will help this process.

Getting creative in your personal investments will support deep healing way down in your psyche.

Do you see clearly where your energy flows?

outdated belief systems. For example, perhaps you never thought you could sing in front of people or show your artwork, and now is the time to lay it all out there. Show us your magic and let the imposter syndrome dissolve right now.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Waxing philosophical has its time and place, and right now you have the soapbox. It is high time for you to share your broad and deep ideas with those around you because you are in the zone.

Put on your professor’s cap and share your wisdom. With your home and family in the spotlight, you have a special opportunity to make commitments that will help you feel rejuvenated.

GEMINI May 21 - June 21 Analyzing the way that you share resources with other people will make your alone time more joyful.

Take time to think clearly about your debts and your investments, and you will help to develop more levity and happiness at an unconscious level. At the same time, taking some time to do hard work in your friendships and relationships will help you to emerge as a mature example for others.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 It is perfectly valid to desire beautiful things and to work toward a healthy financial situation, and keeping those goals center of mind will help you to prioritize and zero in on the tasks that will get you there. Cut out the nonessential work and everything will fall into place. At the same time, engaging in active communication will help you to heal an important relationship in your life.

CANCER June 22 - July 22 Sometimes joyful things are lighthearted and sometimes they are deep and wise. You are experiencing joy on a deep level, Cancer.

Throwing yourself into your creative pursuits is helping you to embark on a mature, intelligent adventure. Keeping your mind on an important partner will bring a lot of support from your network of friends.

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 Saving or spending vigorously right now will help to support your physical health. While these things might seem unrelated, there is a direct connection occurring between your financial action and your physical well-being. The actual dynamic here is for you to decide. Flitting about your local neighborhood will also help bring joy to an important partnership.

Date-night staycation?

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 Creative self-expression comes naturally to you, Leo, but right now really living into your uniqueness will help you heal from

30

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

Parks & museums offer stories of the past

EXPERIENCING KEYS HISTORY I

t is about that time of year when the islands become flooded with the happy feet of friends, family and tourists who afford many of us the opportunity to call these islands home.

Inevitably, you will be asked for suggestions about things to do.

Indeed, the island chain’s natural wonders should be heralded — one thing that makes these islands special is the water, and every effort should be made to experience the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. Fish the humps, reef line, shipwrecks or Florida Bay’s backcountry. Spend some time with your face in the water while snorkeling or diving.

Sit at a tiki bar, catch a sunset and hope you are lucky enough to glimpse that atmospheric phenomenon that occasionally occurs when the last of the sun dips behind the far edge of the horizon, and an emerald green flash horizontally zips and disappears — I’ve never been lucky enough to see it.

Dip spiny lobster in the melted butter, put the mallet to a stone crab claw and crack its spotted shell; sip the rum runner, nibble on a conch fritter and gently slide a fork filled with a wonderful bite of that sweet tartness that is Key lime pie between your lips. Also, promote the local history.

Because Key Largo claims to be the Dive Capital of the World, I suggest visiting Islamorada’s History of Diving Museum. Exhibits depicting the evolution of underwater exploration alone make it worth a stop. Like the diving museum, Islamorada’s Upper Matecumbe Key is home to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. The facility is loaded with local history.

For eight years, I worked as the curator/ historian and developed the historical exhibits on the first floor. My favorite is the Indian Key model; it is the only one like it in the world and depicts the island as it looked before the southernmost attack during the second escalation of the Seminole War. In the Middle Keys, mark a trip to Pigeon Key on any suggested agenda. Pigeon Key, the island found underneath the old “Seven Mile” railroad bridges, is home to some of the oldest and most historic buildings outside of Key West.

Once the headquarters for railroad workers during the construction of the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway, Pigeon Key remains a ghost town from the railroad years. Not only are many of the structures built circa 1910 still standing, but one of them contains a great little museum showing the history of the island and its role during the

The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center is located in Islamorada. CONTRIBUTED

construction of the railroad. Pigeon Key can be a grander excursion. Pack a lunch, bring your snorkel gear and explore the shallows around the island, too.

And then there is Key West, an island filled with good vibes, multiple museums, Civil Warera forts and walking tours curated for the history, haunted, and literature crowd. If you like a little haunting with your history, visit Robert the Doll at the Fort East Martello Museum. Not only is Robert one of the most haunted dolls in the world (and one who has its own social media following), but Fort East Martello is not just a Civil War-era fort filled with history; it is home to one of the best haunted tours Key West has to offer (ghostkeywest.com).

One of the great side trips, especially for those staying in Key West, is the trek to the Dry Tortugas. If time and the weather cooperate, suggest a trip to Garden Key. Though never completed, it is home to the largest brick structure in the United States. The variegated brick Fort Jefferson is perhaps most notably recognized as the place where Dr. Samuel Mudd was sent after lending aid and comfort to John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Garden Key also offers fabulous snorkeling right off the beach and is an excellent place for those who love bird-watching.

One of the things that Florida does well is create state parks, and the Keys have some fantastic contributions. Another idea is to suggest a visit to one of the state parks. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is found in North Key Largo, on County Road 905, near MM 106. When a sprawling resort community called Port Bougainville was nearly developed here in the early 1980s, the endangered Key Largo wood rat helped save the day and this critical sub-tropical West Indian hammock habitat. The 2,421-acre park was established in 1982 and features walking trails where bird and butterfly watchers like to wander, point

and stare. Bring water and bug spray to experience the native Florida Keys.

One of the things that is easy to forget is that 100,000 years ago, the islands were underwater and home to a flourishing coral reef. It is one thing to tell someone FLORIDA that the island chain was KEYS once a coral reef. Another thing is standing in front HISTORY of an 8-foot-tall exposed WITH quarry wall and seeing the BRAD fossilized corals embedded BERTELLI within the limestone. To see An author, the evidence firsthand, visit speaker, Florida the Windley Key Fossil Reef Keys historian and Geological State Park at MM Honorary Conch.

85.

His latest book, “Florida Keys For more adventure, History with Brad paddle out to Indian Key Historic State Park. Found in Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fascithe Atlantic shallows about nating glimpses a mile from the Overseas into the rich and Highway at MM 78, the often sometimes surprising histories of overlooked island was once the most important island in the Florida Keys. the Florida Keys not named Key West. The island is also a bona fide ghost town. Visiting the island, walking down the pathways and past the ruins of a 19th century village is like stepping back in time.

It is an easy paddle away from the kayak launch at Indian Key Fill, or, for those without their own kayak, the Kayak Shack at Robbie’s Marina has all the tools necessary for the adventure. If you come to Robbie’s on a Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., I’ll be there talking local history with anyone who stops by, and I hope to see some of you there.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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he Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will hold its Citizens Police Academies starting in April 2024, and invites anyone interested in learning more about law enforcement and the sheriff’s office to sign up.

Classes begin the week of April 2, 2024, and will continue through graduation the week of May 21. Three separate academies will be held in the Lower, Middle and Upper Keys to accommodate residents throughout the island chain.

Attendees will be asked to commit to spending one night a week from 6 to 9 p.m., in addition to the graduation ceremony in Marathon.

Each class will include about 15 participants.

• Upper Keys classes will meet Tuesdays at the Roth Building on Plantation Key. • Middle Keys classes will meet Wednesdays at the sheriff’s office aviation hangar in Marathon.

• Lower Keys classes will meet Thursdays at the sheriff’s office headquarters on Stock Island.

Classes will include: • An orientation and introduction to patrol procedures • A tour of jail facilities • Introduction to weapons: Simunitions and Taser • Traffic/Felony stops • Crime Scene Investigations, including a hands-on mock crime scene • Building searches • Introduction to Bomb, Dive, SWAT, Major Crimes, and Special Investigations units Space is limited and applications are due by March 2, 2024. Contact the following people for applications and information.

• Lower Keys: Capt. David Smith, 305-745-3184 or desmith@keysso.net • Middle Keys: Lt. Lissette Quintero, 305-289-2430 or lquintero@keysso.net • Upper Keys: Capt. Spenser Bryan, 305-853-3211 or sbryan@keysso.net; or Capt. Derek Paul, 305-664-6480 or dpaul@ keysso.net — Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

1

LOGGING A STATE RECORD

Turtles nesting at record pace

T

his year’s sea turtle nesting numbers were recordbreaking. Statewide statistics for 2023 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) counted 133,941 loggerhead sea turtle nests, breaking a SHELLY record set in 2016.

KRUEGER The same is true for green turtles, with 76,543 is the University of Florida, IFAS nests counted, more than Monroe County 20,000 nests above the Extension Florida previous record set in 2017.

Sea Grant Agent.

Shelly is a marine Of the seven species of sea turtles worldwide, four biologist and provides sciencenest in the Florida Keys: the based education loggerhead, green, leatherabout coastal back and hawksbill turtles. environments.

Monroe County has many critical nesting sites; you may have seen areas of the beach marked off to protect their nests.

The Dry Tortugas and the Marquesas are the most productive nesting regions.

In 2022, Monroe County counted 457 loggerhead and 481 green turtle nests. The most recent leatherback nest was in 2018. The Kemp’s Ridley turtle does not nest in the Keys.

A local fisherman, Richard Kemp, named this smallest sea turtle species in 1906. Kemp’s Ridley mainly nests in Mexico, although 10 nests were counted on Florida beaches this year. All of these species are on the endangered species list.

2

Female sea turtles do not nest every year.

But when they do, they typically lay two to five nests throughout the season. Frequent nesting is important because only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive. Trained and permitted volunteers walk the beaches at dawn to document nests and false crawls. A false crawl is when the female emerges from the water to nest but turns around without laying.

Sea turtle nesting season is from March 1 to Oct. 31 (Atlantic) or May 1 to Oct. 31 (Gulf).

Egg incubation lasts around 60 days. If you are interested in volunteering, the FWC holds volunteer training in the spring, and many local organizations are state-permitted, like Save-ATurtle and the Key West Turtle Club.

Sea turtles travel thousands of miles over a lifetime, and the females return to the same beaches where they were born. The Marathon Turtle Hospital frequently outfits sea turtles with satellite-tracking transmitters as part of the Tour de Turtles Race to follow their journeys after rehabilitation. A juvenile green sea turtle named Marcia was released in July 2023

1. A sea turtle hatchling. 2. A sea turtle nest is protected with tape and stakes. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS EXTENSION/Contributed

and has already traveled 170 miles. Typical of green turtles, Marcia tends to stay near shore, where she eats seagrass. Sea turtles face threats, including boat strikes, plastic debris, rising water temperatures, light pollution and habitat loss. For more information, visit the Marathon Turtle Hospital, which is open for daily tours.

The collaborative work of government agencies, conservation organizations and local communities proves that it is possible to rebuild endangered species populations. The success story of sea turtle recovery in Florida results from policies designed to protect them.

Shrimp boats are mandated to use turtle excluder devices that keep turtles out of shrimp nets. Ordnances to limit light pollution during nesting season have reduced the number of disoriented nesting females and hatchlings that need a dark sky to follow the moonlight on the horizon. The green sea turtle fishery ended in 1973. Before that, thousands were caught, cooked and canned for turtle consommé. In recent decades, conservation efforts have been instrumental in ensuring the triumph of these endangered species. When there is a concerted effort to fix the conditions that cause species decline, the road to recovery can be realized.

33

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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TAKE ME HOME? Find a friend at the Florida Keys SPCA

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

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

The Dec. 1 Plogging starting spot was just off Duval Street with the week’s host Red Barn Theatre. In just one hour, 43 volunteers spread out down Duval Street and headed toward Whitehead and Simonton. They collected 218 pounds of trash, 20 pounds of recycling and 5 gallons of cigarette butts. CONTRIBUTED

O

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

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

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls.

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

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

Please pick up around your home or apartment complex.

Every piece of trash picked up is one less that may end up in the ocean that surrounds and sustains

our island community. It is not just the large items you can see easily when you are walking, but the smaller items such as bottle caps and cigarette butts that are collected by the volunteers that make the biggest difference.

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

— Contributed Join the Ploggers for 1-hour cleanup from 8 to 9 a.m. on Fridays.

Friday, Dec. 8: Bayview Park & Truman Avenue. Meet in the park parking lot.

Friday, Dec. 15: Simonton & Catherine streets. Meet in the parking lot behind First State Bank.

Friday, Dec. 22: S. Roosevelt at Deadman’s Curve.

Meet by the last parking lot before the big curve along the beach by the Doubletree Grand Key Resort.

Friday, Dec. 29: White Street & Palm Avenue. Meet in the parking lot by the covered parking of the old Restaurant Store.

Cricket is one of our newest residents at the Key West campus. At 10.5 years of age she is a striking calico whose beauty is only surpassed by her desire for love and petpets.

Meet Simmy. This 2-year-old shih tzu mix is a fun-loving boy looking for a home to call his own. Simmy doesn’t like to share the spotlight, or your affection, so he must be the only dog in the home.

What do Yoshi, Waluigi, Wario, Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Daisy, Rosalina, Bowsette, Birdo and Peach all have in common? They are all hamsters and they are all looking for a new family to call their own.

Though only 7 months old, Caesar is destined for great things. We’ve already heard him in the kitten room strategizing military campaigns and talking about his plans for spreading Florida Keys culture, knowledge and traditions throughout the world.

You won’t need a house elf when you adopt this gorgeous 3-year-old cat.

Dobby stands ready to protect you and your family forever — or until you give her a sock.

38

KEY WEST WEEKLY / DECEMBER 7, 2023

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