Key West Weekly 24-0118

This was the one week a year that everyone remembers Iowa is a state.

January 18, 2024

‘WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING...’

WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE IS ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’ | P. 16

TURN IT UP

KEY WEST STRIKES DOWN CHANGES TO NOISE LAW | P. 4

JIMMY BUFFETT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY?

STATE OFFICIALS CONSIDER RENAMING A1A | P. 6

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

KEY WEST | $1,375,000 | LISTING ID: 607829

Revel in what’s next.

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1075 Duval Street | Suite 15C | Key West 305.294.1117 | oceansir.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

ON THE COVER KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

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

10,000

Television ads for the jaw-dropping Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Icon of the Seas” have aired for months. On Jan. 10, the largest cruise ship in the world arrived for trips to the eastern and western Caribbean. The $2 billion cruise ship can hold 10,000 people. Prices for a single person begin at $1,700.

Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square presents the musical ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Jan. 25-Feb. 17. The show features classic songs performed by local artists. Visit waterfrontplayhouse.org for tickets. CONTRIBUTED

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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MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

WHAT DO YOU SEE? WHAT CAN YOU HEAR?

City officials talk noise & ‘profane’ window displays

K

ey West officials had some new discussions about two old issues during their Jan. 11 meeting.

Noise and the display of merchandise in store windows that could be considered profane, offensive or sexually explicit are two recurring topics in city government, and this month was no different.

The city commission passed a change to local laws that requires businesses remove “obscene, vulgar, and sexually oriented materials” from storefront displays where they can be seen by minors, and instead placed in locations that are not visible from the public right of way.

It also makes it illegal to sell such materials to minors, and requires signs warning patrons of the content therein.

Despite some discussion and prior concerns about First Amendment and free speech issues, the change passed unanimously, as City Attorney Ron Ramsingh explained in a memo that judges have upheld limitations on free speech if they were content-based, which the new law is.

Also, Ramsingh pointed out, the new rules do not ban any businesses from carrying, selling or even displaying such materials, but rather require them to display it inside the store in an area not visible from the street or sidewalk.

Evidence of the potentially offensive merchandise is easily seen during a stroll down Duval Street,

where shop windows frequently showcase shirts with sayings that include things like, “I’m just one big, f---ing ray of sunshine,” and others with obvious sexual innuendo and profanity.

The merchandise rule passed with minimal discussion, and the support of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, whose executive director, Kerry Baker, spoke in support of it on behalf of the business organization.

What about noise?

Discussion of potential new limits on noise levels coming from downtown bars and other businesses and venues, however, took a decidedly different turn, and ultimately failed to pass.

Back in April, Mayor Teri Johnston, along with Commissioners Jimmy Weekley and Clayton Lopez, had directed City Manager Al Childress to work with the city attorney in reviewing the city’s sound control ordinance and bring back some proposed changes to address complaints the elected officials were receiving.

Childress organized three community meetings in May 2023, when several local musicians and business owners opposed any changes to the noise ordinance.

Childress then asked Jim Young, the director of the city’s code compliance department, to draft some potential changes to the noise ordinance.

Merchandise that includes profanity or sexually explicit material may not be displayed in storefront windows where it is visible from the street and sidewalks, city officials decided on Jan. 11.

CONTRIBUTED

Young proposed reducing the number of violations that could eventually lead to the suspension or cancellation of a business’s entertainment license, which allows for amplified music and other sound.

Currently, businesses need three proven violations — which continued on page 6

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

3 GREAT LOCATIONS IN FLORIDA SINCE 1997

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Florida Keys’ & Cuba’s Finest Regional Art

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso

ART TOURS TO CUBA – April 22nd & November 15th, 2024

Freddy Haskins, 1963-2024 Native Birds, Native Son, Carver & Painter

ST. AUGUSTINE 21 HYPOLITA STREET | 904.217.0291

INCLUDING OUR FAMOUS LOBSTER ROLL & CLAM CHOWDER

For most of Freddy Haskins life he was known only to his bubba buddies as a respected Florida Keys wildfowl carver. His Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Redbellied Woodpeckers, Green Herons and Ospreys were so realistically carved that most people didn’t believe they were Tupolo wood until they touched them. Freddy started carving while in the Boy Scouts at the age of 12.

Freddy had the first showing of his work with the Legendary Key West artist George Carey at the Gallery on Greene as George’s “Surprise Guest Artist”.

“All the real families were here! Attendence at the show tremendous.

Freddy and George grew up together on Petronia Street back when Key West had hardly any fences and trapping birds was a summer pastime.

As a young man Fred related, “We had six children in our family and a catbird now and then was a treat. “We would get a cardboard box, a stick; some string and bread crumbs. Bam! A fat blackbird or catbird and yellow rice would become dinner.” recalled Freddy.

Make no mistake Freddy is from humble beginnings, but he worked and studied with the best. He trained with Ernie Muehlmatt, one of the most respected wildfowl artists and teachers in the country. Freddy’s work was superlative. The detail is extraordinary, every line and each feather is so precise yet has the soft downy look of a birds feather.

After work and on weekends Freddy worked at his birds to the point that his wife Kathy said it had become an obsession.

Kathy related that, “Freddy is incredible, once he was given some old church pews and he built a sponger dinghy with sculling oar. He steamed the wood, bent it a little at a time - it was neat! He was so proud of it that whenever we had a storm he would drag it in the dining room of our house. He also built a replica of the house he grew up in on Petronia Street, just as it was when he was little. Freddy could do anything! In 2003, Kathy related that when Freddy courted her, he built model airplanes in his attic (which his nephew destroyed when he “flew” them out of the attic window. Freddy bounced him down the attic stairs! She recounted that “He even built my hope-chest.”

Freddy will always be in our hearts and his art will live forever.

INDIAN SHORES 19705 GULF BLVD | 727.474.7407

The Gallery on Greene | 606 Greene Street | Key West, Florida galleryongreene.com | 305-304-2323

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024 continued from page 4

WHAT DO YOU SEE? WHAT CAN YOU HEAR?

come after a verbal warning and a period of time to correct the code violation — before they could be subject to suspension or revocation of their entertainment license, Young said.

“Never in my 25 years have we ever suspended or revoked an entertainment license,” Young told the city commission on Jan. 11. “The reason I proposed changing it to one violation instead of three is because we’ll still give a verbal warning and we’ll still give a notice of code violation before we issue an official violation,” and that notice comes with a period of time to correct the matter.

Young added, when asked by the mayor, that his department had received 49 complaints about noise in 2023.

Commissioner Lissette Cuervo Carey asked how many of those had come from the same people complaining multiple times, and Young said he would have to check.

The public comment period heard from more than a dozen residents — musicians, music lovers, bartenders and business owners — who strongly opposed the change.

Music photographer Ralph De Palma, who has three coffee table books of photos of the local live music scene, compared the 49 complaints to the overall number of live music performances that occur in Key West each year.

“We have more than 17,000 performances a year with all the performers in each venue at different time slots, so to have 49 complaints seems to me that we’re doing pretty good,” De Palma said. “Plus, music in Key West is really pretty concentrated in a six-block area.

We take pride in that, and in the safety of this town, where

people can walk at night between different venues. I’ve been here 20 years and we’ve had this discussion five times, so I ask you to please tread lightly.”

Others who spoke pointed out the subjectivity of noise complaints and investigations, especially given the proposal that would have eliminated decibel readings as an objective measure of objectionable noise and left it up to the code officers.

Restaurant owner Bill Lay reminded the commission that “Key West is a baseball town,” and during home baseball games, when someone hits a home run, “This place goes nuts. The sound is huge, and technically, those people at the game are breaking the law. But will they get a ticket?

The focal point here has been musicians, but there’s also Harleys cruising down Duval that can be louder than a band.”

Longtime musician Larry Baeder also disagreed with the subjectivity of the new noise ordinance and instead suggested “we all put our heads together to come up with something workable.”

He volunteered to be part of such a group, as did Commissioner Clayton Lopez, who is also a musician.

Johnston reminded everyone of a comment Commissioner Billy Wardlow had made at the start of the lengthy discussion, “We just have to respect each other.

Several of us up here get repeated complaints from residents.”

In the end, the commission shot down the newly proposed noise rules and decided to pursue a working group with local musicians and business owners to possibly draft new revisions.

And so, for now, the shows go on all over town.

HOW’S THIS SOUND: JIMMY BUFFETT MEMORIAL HIGHWAY State lawmakers want to honor music legend with A1A naming and license plate GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

F

lorida lawmakers want to honor the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett by christening State Road A1A the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.

The bill reads: “All of those portions (of State Road A1A) located in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval and Nassau counties,” would be named after Buffett, who died Sept. 1, 2023, at age 76.

The bill had its first reading on Jan. 10. An identical bill was filed in the state Senate. A Senate filing says the renaming would cost the state $23,400.

State Rep. Chuck Clemons, a Republican from Newberry, proposed “an honorary designation” to stamp Buffett’s name on the iconic coastal highway that spans 340 miles from Fernandina Beach down to Key West, where an unknown Buffett lived in the 1970s.

Though Buffett was born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama, Florida is where he created a new genre, now dubbed “Trop Rock,” with party anthems like “Fins,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” along with introspective ballads “Come Monday,” and “Son of a Son of a Sailor.”

Buffett’s 1974 album, “A1A” includes “A Pirate Looks at 40, “Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season” and “Tin Cup Chalice.”

When it was released, Buffett released this note: “A1A is the beach access road that runs occasionally on and off U.S. 1. It can take you to some of the prettiest beaches in Florida east of St. Augustine, right through the middle of ‘Wrinkle City,’ better known as Miami Beach, and ending suddenly 90 miles north of Havana and four blocks from my house.”

If approved this legislative session, the law would order the Florida Department of Transportation to put up road signs designating the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway by Aug. 30.

Jimmy Buffett performed in Key West in recent years. FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/ Contributed

Buffett went on to build a fortune with his Margaritaville brand, inspired by his humble beginnings in Key West.

In his last four years, Buffett struggled with Merkel cell skin cancer, according to the obituary on the singer’s website.

But he didn’t disclose his illness publicly and continued performing.

Seven months before his death, Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band played four shows in Key West, including two intimate concerts at the Key West Theater.

“Jimmy was love,” his wife Jane wrote in an online message to the public days after Buffett died. “Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh.”

‘Margaritaville’ license plate In addition to the A1A proposal, state lawmakers will consider creating a “Margaritaville” specialty license plate, after the name of his signature and most successful single.

If approved, the Florida Margaritaville plate would cost a driver $25 per year.

Proceeds from the plates would go to Singing For Change, a nonprofit Buffett founded in 1995 that supports small and large nonprofits to help people living in poverty “achieve sustainable self-sufficiency through vibrant, diverse communities,” according to its mission statement.

The nonprofit’s website quotes Buffett as having said, “Have fun, make money and leave the world a better place.”

The state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles estimates adding the specialty plate will cost $7,680. If approved, it would take effect Oct. 1.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

COME WORSHIP WITH US

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

A FEW WORDS ON FLORIDA Writers Hiaasen & Barry dissect the Sunshine State

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Legendary Florida columnists, satirists and novelists Carl Hiaasen, left, and Dave Barry entertain the crowd during the 2024 Key West Literary Seminar on Jan. 13. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

“D

on’t blame us; we just live here.” Such was the topic of a panel discussion hosted by Florida writers and newspaper columnists Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry on Jan. 13 as part of the Key West Literary Seminar.

With a timely theme of “Florida: The State We’re In,”

this year’s seminar featured a packed roster of Florida writers who tackle the tough and often tempestuous climate that is Florida today.

The audience loved Hiaasen and Barry, friends and colleagues at the Miami Herald for decades, who pulled no punches in their critiques and commentary of the state we’re in.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

READY FOR A DIFFERENT DRAG SHOW IN KEY WEST? Christopher Peterson plans new Birdcage Cabaret at Aquaplex MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

KEY WEST MARCHES FOR MLK Annual parade draws messages of equality & unity

School groups, military troops, civic organizations and local officials take to Duval Street for the Jan. 15 parade in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MANDY MILES

H

mandy@keysweekly.com

undreds of Key Westers honored the reason for the Jan. 15 holiday, marching in the city’s annual parade for Martin Luther King Jr. Civic groups, churches, schools, musicians, soldiers and city officials, many carrying signs of unity and equality, marched from Bahama Village down Duval Street.

C

hristopher Peterson is taking the downtown drag scene in a different direction.

The master of impersonations, known for singing rather than lipsyncing, Peterson expertly becomes Cher, Julie Andrews, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand and others. He is now co-producing and directing a whole new show at what will become the Birdcage Cabaret at Aquaplex.

In the coming weeks, the former Sidebar, with its entrance on Angela Street, will become The Birdcage Cabaret, with red-carpet, invite-only grand opening shows slated for Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2.

“The idea is a super-big, fully choreographed variety show featuring drag, plus more than drag,” said Peterson, a Canada native who has performed throughout Canada, Los Angeles, Key West and other top national venues for more than 30 years. He even appeared as a version of Lucille Ball next to Cuba Gooding Jr. in the Hollywood movie “Rat Race.”

His longtime signature show, “Eyecons,” toured in the U.S. and Canada and showcased his style, singing talent and adaptability. It was a one-man (several-women) show with no lip-syncing and eyecatching costumes.

Peterson will perform in the new variety show at the Birdcage Cabaret, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.

“It’s going to be a mix of singing and lip-syncing, because lip-syncing works if it’s done with the right gimmick and the right songs,” Peterson said. “Each show will feature a rotating trio of drag queens from Aqua — the Aquanettes — each night. But we’ll also have a variety of local performers, female singers – hell, there could even be jugglers and synchronized bowling.”

The show will be 90 minutes long and in three acts.

But the entertainment isn’t the only thing changing at the venue formerly known as Sidebar.

A master of impersonations and award-winning drag performer Christopher Peterson is preparing to open the Birdcage Cabaret at the Aquaplex, in the space formerly known as Sidebar on Angela Street. CONTRIBUTED

The Birdcage Cabaret will open March 1 at 504 Angela St., where the Sidebar formerly was located as part of the Aquaplex entertainment complex. The new venue will feature a fully choreographed, nightly drag and variety show

“We’re redoing the whole interior, a new stage, glitter on the walls, everything,” Peterson said.

“I want it to feel like a Parisian nightclub when someone walks in.

It’s really time for something new in the drag and entertainment scene in Key West, which has gotten a bit stagnant in recent years.”

Sunday nights will feature a show by local drag kings — women performing as men — with additional live entertainment shows planned for Monday and Wednesday nights.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

island inspired

You’ll find this island inspired boutique in the heart of Old Town Key West.

The bright and airy space is a treasure trove of carefully curated clothing & accessories that embrace the island lifestyle.

624 Whitehead Street | Key West 305.735.4674 | Instagram @floatkeywest

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS IN KEY WEST

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To make a reservation go online to OpenTable.com, credit card required to guarantee.

3841 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

TAX COLLECTOR TAKES AIM AT FRAUDULENT VACATION RENTALS Failure to pay this tax could lead to liens and even jail time KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL www.keysweekly.com

“We do have teeth when it comes to enforcement on fraudulent vacation rentals.”

M

onroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele is used to being lied to; it comes with the

territory.

“It’s hard to believe everything that’s said to you, especially being a government official, because people say whatever they can to not pay something,” Steele said.

That’s why since taking office, Steele has stepped up public outreach efforts to clear up any ambiguity when it comes to local tax obligations for properties being rented for six months or less.

Besides giving presentations to community organizations about the required tourist development tax, or bed tax as it is sometimes called, Steele has also taken out newspaper advertisements, increased his office’s social media presence, and taken to the radio airwaves.

“We’re trying to inform and educate property owners as much as possible,” said Steele, who took the reins of the Monroe County Tax Collector’s office in 2021 at the age of 33, becoming the youngest tax collector to be elected in Monroe County’s history. Steele is currently the youngest tax collector in Florida.

Like other popular tourist destinations, Monroe County has seen an increase in properties being used as vacation rentals.

But many property owners either don’t understand the local tax obligations, or simply choose to ignore them.

Last year, along with their property tax bills, Monroe County property owners received a color brochure titled “A Guide to Tourist Development Tax,” detailing rental requirements for property owners and managers.

— Sam Steele, Monroe County Tax Collector

Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele holds up a copy of the ‘Guide to Tourist Development Tax.’ Steele created the brochure last year and sent it to all property owners in Monroe County along with their tax bills.

CONTRIBUTED

“In the past our office used to send out this one-page orange flier that didn’t have quite as much information on there,” Steele said.

The new brochure explains, in detail, state and local tax obligations for short-term rental properties; 7.5% sales tax must be remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue, another 5% in tourist development tax (TDT) must be remitted to the Monroe County tax collector.

“We’re very lenient with other things,” Steele said. “Tourist development tax is one thing we’re very firm on. We have a very strict policy.”

In fiscal year 2022, a whopping $90 million in TDT was collected in Monroe County. Fiscal year 2023 saw a decline of $9 million, with $81 million being collected.

“I think there’s going to be a downward trend. I don’t know how fast it’s going to go,” predicted Steele.

Besides widely distributing the brochures, Steele also uses a software program called RentalScape to identify rental properties not in compliance with TDT requirements. The software crossreferences and mines information from roughly 80 different online platforms, including VRBO and Airbnb, Steele says it works.

“When these property owners try to say ‘I just started renting a week ago’ and we find out that they’ve been renting for over a year, I have no leniency for them,” said Steele.

When noncompliant rentals are identified, Monroe County certified fraud examiner Pamela Sellers rolls up her sleeves.

“Once you’re on my radar, there’s no getting around paying back taxes,” said Sellers, adding the tax collector’s office can go back 36 months to recover unpaid taxes.

“The burden of proof is always on the taxpayer,” she said.

Between April and October 2023, countywide, Steele’s office, with the help of RentalScape, collected $432,076 in back taxes, penalties and interest.

A large portion of the money recovered came from Marathon.

Steele said that was the result of collaboration between the city and the his office.

“Pamela and I met with the City of Marathon and requested them to add a requirement on their vacation rental application for property owners to provide their TDT account number,” Steele said. The requirement resulted in 147 fraudulent properties being identified and brought into compliance and $335,159 in back taxes, penalties and interest collected.

“We do have teeth when it comes to enforcement on fraudulent vacation rentals,” Steele continued. “We’ve had a couple of people who have actually done jail time over it,” he added.

“We can take them to circuit court and order their books, which we have done,” added Sellers.

The tax collector’s office has the authority to place liens on non-compliant properties and to freeze bank accounts.

Many believe the proliferation of short-term rentals has contributed to the affordable housing crisis across Monroe County. In the near future, those paying their fair share in TDT may soon be part of the solution.

“I know the county is approaching legislation in session this year to get the ability to use tourist development tax for affordable housing,” said Steele.

Suspected fraudulent rentals can be reported anonymously to Steele’s office by calling 855-4224540 or via email to rentalfraud@ monroetaxcollector.com. Steele notes that emails are considered public record and may be subject to public disclosure.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

COLLISIONS ON U.S. 1 CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES, FULL ROADBLOCK Four crashes were reported by MCSO in the Lower Keys over the weekend GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

F

our crashes on U.S. 1 in the Lower Keys over the weekend – including two head-on collisions – sent multiple people to hospitals with serious injuries, caused temporary full roadblocks and backed up traffic on the only major highway that runs through the island chain.

One small stretch of U.S. 1 seemed cursed over the weekend. Three instances of vehicles smashing into each other happened between mile markers 11-14 of Overseas Highway within the 48 hours, on Jan. 13-14.

The Trauma Star helicopter air ambulance was called to at least two incidents, including the first head-on crash of the weekend reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, Jan. 13.

At 11:20 a.m., a pickup truck driven by a 28-year-old man from Lynn Haven, Florida, was southbound approaching MM 13 when the truck entered the northbound lane “for an unknown reason,” and collided head-on with a van, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

“No skid marks were noted at this scene,” the FHP’s brief report said.

Five people were sent to hospitals and Trauma Star responded to airlift patients. Details on those taken to the mainland weren’t provided in the FHP crash report and conditions weren’t available.

FHP refuses to release names of people involved in crashes, whether or not they are injured, citing a crime victims’ rights amendment known as Marsy’s Law. Voters approved the amendment in 2018 and it took effect in January 2019.

The pickup truck driver was critically injured and a male passenger from Panama City, whose age was not provided, had serious injuries. Both were wearing seat belts, FHP said.

Inside the van were a 43-year-old man behind the wheel and two passengers: a 35-year-old woman and a 4-year-old girl. All three people in the van live in Melbourne, Florida.

The female passenger – the only one FHP said was not wearing a seat belt – suffered critical injuries, while the driver had serious injuries. The girl’s injuries were listed as minor in the FHP report.

A full roadblock closed the road for about a half an hour and lanes weren’t completely reopened until nearly 1 p.m.

But then, just after 1 p.m., MCSO reported another crash at MM 11 that delayed traffic even further. FHP said deputies handled this one because troopers were tied up near MM 13.

At 1:18 p.m Saturday, MCSO posted on Facebook that the road was open at MM 11. No injuries from this crash were reported.

Another head-on crash On the morning of Jan. 14, a second head-on collision on U.S. 1 was reported by law enforcement, this time at MM 14.

At 8:45 a.m., a 2022 Ford Mustang headed north with a 57-year-old driver and an 8-year-old passenger, both from Sweden, crossed the double yellow center line and smacked into the guardrail on the southbound shoulder, according to FHP. But the Mustang didn’t stop there.

The Mustang “then entered back into the southbound travel lane” right into the front of a southbound 2005 Hyundai Accent driven by a 28-year-old from Key West with three other people inside.

After the collision, the back end of the Hyundai collided with the concrete barrier on the northbound shoulder.

The two Swedish travelers in the Mustang were taken to Lower Keys Medical Center with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the driver and two others in the Hyundai were airlifted to Miami with serious injuries. Both the driver and the backseat passenger went to the Kendall Regional Medical Center, while the front seat passenger was flown to Jackson South Medical Center.

A fourth passenger in the Hyundai’s backseat was treated for minor injuries at Lower Keys Medical Center.

“All occupants are in stable condition,” FHP said in the crash report released the day after the crash.

Jeep rolls over twice A fourth crash over the 48-hour period on the Overseas Highway in the Lower Keys happened Sunday at MM 5.5. But no one was taken to the hospital.

This time, it was a single vehicle that rolled over, leaving the 16-year-old driver shaken and badly bruised by the seat belt she wore. She returned safely to her family, who declined medical treatment.

The teen was driving a Jeep Wrangler when she went to change lanes only to find a vehicle approaching “super fast” behind her in the lane she was trying to enter, her mother, Kristen Livengood, told Keys Weekly.

The teen moved back into her lane but she overcorrected and the tires went into a skid, Livengood said. The Jeep then flipped over completely – twice – and landed on the tires. Photos of the Jeep showed it coated in scratches and that it appeared to be smeared with mud.

Livengood credited her daughter surviving the crash with scratches and major bruises to seatbelts, the Jeep’s roll bars, “and a smart girl who knew to cross her arms when it started spinning and flipped,” she wrote on Facebook.

A head-on collision on U.S. 1 between a pickup truck and a van on Saturday, Jan. 13, sent five people to hospitals and caused a road block. MCSO/contributed

A Trauma Star helicopter ambulance responded to this head-on car crash between a pickup truck and a van on Jan. 13 on U.S. 1 in the Lower Keys. MANDY MILES/ Keys Weekly

The driver of this Mustang caused a head-on crash on Jan. 14 on U.S. 1 near MM 14, after crossing the double yellow line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

MCSO/Contributed

A 16-year-old Keys girl walked away from a singlevehicle crash in this Jeep Wrangler on Jan. 14. KRISTEN LIVENGOOD/Contributed

13

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

KEY WEST WELCOMES COAST GUARD SHIP

BRIEFLY Key West woman arrested for drugs A 39-year-old Key West woman was arrested Monday for possession of cocaine and marijuana following a traffic stop on U.S. 1.

Cristie Ramirez was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ramirez was stopped in a Mitsubishi SUV near 11th Street in Marathon at 11:52 p.m. for having no license plate. There was an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

Approximately 2.1 grams of crack cocaine, .6 grams of powder cocaine, three grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were found, police said.

Two men arrested for burglary on Cudjoe Key Two Miami-Dade County men were arrested on Jan. 14 following a residential burglary on Cudjoe Key in which firearms and jewelry were stolen.

The sheriff’s office recovered the stolen items, which had a total approximate value of $2,000.

• Stif Robert Benitez, 28, of Homestead was charged with burglary and tampering with evidence.

• Derek Gonzalez, 27, of Miami was charged with tampering with evidence and accessory to burglary.

The sheriff’s office responded to Blackbeard Lane at about 5 p.m. regarding a burglary wherein the victim observed a suspect, wearing a mask and hoodie, flee with a lock box in a Toyota SUV. The victim was able to provide the vehicle tag number and other information as well as security video footage.

The suspect vehicle was stopped on U.S. 1 in Marathon.

Both suspects were inside.

The lock box containing a gold ring, four handguns and ammunition was recovered.

Both men were taken to jail.

Marathon man arrested for video voyeurism A 46-year-old Marathon man was arrested Sunday for using a cell phone to illegally videotape a woman.

Lazaro M. Alonzo Martinez was charged with video voyeurism.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to the Publix in Marathon on Jan. 8 at 2:27 p.m. whereupon the manager provided security video footage showing Martinez using a cell phone to take pictures/ video under or up a 46-year-old female victim’s dress while she was shopping.

A warrant was obtained for Martinez’s arrest and he was booked into jail a few days later.

Cutter Barbara Mabrity, named for local lighthouse keeper, offers tours

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Barbara Mabrity, named for a 19th-century Key West lighthouse keeper, will dock in Key West Feb. 5 for a working port visit and public tours. CONTRIBUTED

T

he USCGC Barbara Mabrity (WLM 559), a keeper-class coastal buoy tender of the United States Coast Guard, is scheduled to arrive in Key West on Feb. 5 for a working port visit.

Docking at Truman Waterfront Park, the crew will host free public tours on Feb. 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Key West Art & Historical Society is also planning a series of events to mark the ship’s stop.

Named for 19th-century Key West lighthouse keeper Barbara Mabrity, the 175-foot ship was commissioned in 1999 and is homeported in Mobile, Alabama. USCGC Barbara Mabrity is the ninth of the 14 keeper-class buoy tenders built

by Marinette Marine Corp. during the 1990s. The cutters are named for famous lighthouse keepers of the U.S. Lighthouse Service and the Coast Guard.

The technologically advanced cutters take advantage of state-ofthe-art electronics and control systems including dynamic positioning systems capable of maintaining the vessel’s position within five yards in 20 knots of wind and 4 knots of current. USCGC Barbara Mabrity services aids to navigation from the St. Marks River in northern Florida to south central Louisiana, including the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge south to the mouth of the river. Other missions include marine environmental protection and search and rescue.

“We are delighted to welcome USCGC Barbara Mabrity to Key West to celebrate a quarter of a century of the ship in service and the 160th anniversary of Barbara Mabrity’s retirement from the U.S. Lighthouse Service,” said Cori Convertito, curator and historian for the society. “Due to the grueling physical labor involved in operating lighthouses, female keepers were nearly unheard of in the male-dominated field. Not only is it incredible to honor Barbara for her 38 years of service at both Key West lighthouses, the society is also grateful to the ship for agreeing to open for public tours.”

Barbara Mabrity was the keeper of the original Key West Light from its first lighting in 1826 to 1846, when it was destroyed by a hurricane. During that hurricane the tower collapsed and 12 people, including some of Mabrity’s children, were injured or killed. When the present-day tower opened two years later, she returned in the same capacity until 1864, when she retired from the service at the age of 82.

For more information about the ship’s visit to Key West and public tours, visit kwahs.org/upcomingevents or contact Convertito at cconvertito@kwahs.org).

— Contributed

15

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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Waterfront Playhouse is ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Jan. 25-Feb. 17 Waterfront Playhouse presents ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Jan. 25 to Feb. 17. CONTRIBUTED

Fifteen contestants, with emcee Laurie Thibaud, compete Mondays at 6 p.m. at Aqua Nightclub for the title of 2024 Aqua Idol. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

T

he Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square has opened up ticketing for “the greatest American movie musical” of all time, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

The show previews on Wednesday, Jan. 24, with the official opening night on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Performances will continue at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until Feb. 17 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 3. Call 305-294-5015 or visit waterfrontplayhouse.org or keystix.

The show is directed by Tom Thayer, with tap choreography by Carolyn Cooper, music direction by Roberta Jacyshyn, set design by Michael Boyer, lighting by Kim Hansen, film sequences by Marky Pierson and costumes by Maine Music Festival. Theatergoers will have a special treat during the famous rain sequence.

Patrons in the first two rows will be given ponchos to use in the show.

“Singin’ in the Rain” starred Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds and features such hits as “Good Mornin,’” “Broadway Melody,” ”Moses Supposes,” “You are My Lucky Star” and the title song.

Set in the 1920s, “Singin’ in the Rain” is about the beginning of talking movies.

The cast stars Jordan Thomas Burnett, recently seen as Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Jillian Todd, last seen in “The Rocky Horror Show,” is Don Lockwood and Riley Vogel, seen in “The Rocky Horror Show” is Cosmo, while Belle Jampol is Lina Lamont.

The cast also features John McDonald, Kathy Russ, Mathias Maloff, Dominic Paolillo, Zach Franchini, Ray West, John Swann, Hannah Mello, Cassidy Timms, Courtney Sleet, Lacy Hobbs, Barbara Mundy, Phineas Haskell and Cannon Haskell, with special appearances by Tony Konrath and Christopher Peterson.

— Contributed

Aqua Idol judges for week 1 of the singing competition were Patrick New, Lynda Frechette and JT Thompson.

Mina Lopez takes the stage for the 2024 Aqua Idol.

Aqua Idol raises money for Waterfront Playhouse

F

ifteen contestants took the stage on Jan. 15 for the latest round of Aqua Idol, a singing competition to benefit Waterfront Playhouse.

The contest, modeled on the hit TV show “American Idol,” features various performers each week whose performance is judged by the audience and their donations in support of each singer.

Jerry Hughes competes in Aqua Idol to benefit Waterfront Playhouse.

Joe Tripp performs in week 1 of Aqua Idol.

All donations benefit the Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square.

The competition lasts eight weeks, and takes place Mondays at 6 p.m. at Aqua Nightclub through March 4, when the 2024 Aqua Idol will be crowned.

Contestants include Claire Caplan, Betty Caraway, Gregory Fisher, Trey Forsythe, Jerry Hughes, Floyd Jenkins, Bahama Bob Leonard, Wilhelmina Lopez-Martin, Jimmy Olson, Jordan Sommer, Jim Speake, Adam Stamper, Joe Tripp, Maria Wallace and Mariah Woessner.

17

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

EVENTS AT THE STUDIOS CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN

Valentine’s Day Gala

Conversation with the writer

42 Annual nd

FRI JAN 26, 2024, 6PM New York-based journalist, author, and George R. R. Martin Chair of Storytelling at Northwestern University returns to Key West for a conversation that illuminates the corners of artistic life.

February 14th 2024

Custom House Museum 281 Front St, Old Town Key West 6:30 - 9:30 Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres Welcome Cocktail Fabulous Silent Auction Dancing Cash bar

www.WesleyHouse.org/ValentinesGala

$20, $15 mbrs

sponsored by Bésame Mucho

a play by Drew Larimore, staged reading directed by Stephen Kitsakos

FRI & SAT FEB 2-3, 8PM

Garden Party In Red

Seeking fulfillment after a move to upstate New York, Nathaniel and his husband Myles decide to adopt an infant daughter.

The play opens on the day the couple has returned her to the adoption agency. $35, $30 mbrs.

sponsored by Thirsty Mermaid

YOU’RE INVITED Please join us for an elegant evening in the garden of Key West’s Little White House to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross.

AMANDA MCBROOM Lady Macbeth Sings the Blues

FEB 29 & MAR 1, 8PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception I 7:30 p.m. Dinner The Harry S. Truman Little White House 111 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040 For tickets or sponsorships, contact Geishel Valverde at (786) 914-4595 or email SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross.org

Amanda McBroom, Golden Globe Winner, renowned cabaret performer and songwriter (“The Rose”) has crafted songs in the voices of Shakespeare’s heroines. $400 VIP table for four, $65 general

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18

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED

Marathon request for building allocations, hurricane evacuation change meets county opposition ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

A

draft of a bill that could provide up to 8,000 new building allocations to the Florida Keys, written

by Marathon City Manager George Garrett and submitted to state Rep. Jim Mooney, seems to have accomplished its goal of “starting the conversation” on future development in the Keys – but not without drawing the ire of some officials and residents throughout the island chain.

The resolutions At its Jan. 9 meeting, the Marathon City Council passed resolution 2024-01 on consent, intended to outline the city’s stance on changes of statutes governing mandatory hurricane evacuation times in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern – and the resulting building allocations that could be bestowed on the island chain, should that mandatory clearance time increase. The resolution includes the city’s support for adding the Keys’ mobile homes to Phase 1 of hurricane evacuations (48 hours in advance of a storm) and Key West residents not living in mobile homes to Phase 2 (24 hours).

At the council’s Dec. 12, 2023 session, City Attorney Steve Williams advised the council to pursue as many additional allocations as possible from the state to use in the Building Permit Allocation System as a defense against takings cases from property owners of vacant but otherwise buildable lots.

Recent estimates from Marathon city staff indicate that the city has 1,026 vacant lots, including 556 buildable lots and 215 waterfront properties. The city’s final BPAS allocations will expire in July 2024, but it currently holds applications for 81 market rate and 40 affordable allocations, 48 of which have reached a point that they could request to use the city’s 12 remaining Administrative Relief allocations.

“When the day ever comes that you don’t have a (BPAS) permit to give out, you can go on the record and say, ‘Dear state of Florida, please defend this, because we asked for all the units we could and you said no to us,’” he said.

However, Resolution 2024-01 contains only general provisions seeking a remedy for potential takings cases, simply urging the Legislature to “collectively and collaboratively work with Monroe County and other munici-

palities this year and during this Legislative Session to develop a Legislative solution to the continuation of BPAS (ROGO) and the cessation of the ‘takings’ dilemma.”

As predicted by Williams in December, Marathon’s third provision contrasts a portion of a resolution passed Dec. 13 by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. While supportive of the same Key West and mobile home provisions in hurricane evacuation changes, the county resolution instead asks the legislature to “hold off on any further related actions until the public has time to consider the related issues and make thoughtful recommendations.”

Monroe County Mayor Holly Raschein repeated that the county was not “under the gun,” stressing the need for greater collaboration among municipalities, and further analysis of environmental and infrastructure concerns as well as total liabilities, before pursuing a legislative goal in the 2025 state session. Commissioner Craig Cates said he hoped to take the question of additional allocations to a voter referendum, whether binding or not, in the November 2024 election.

Addressing the county commission in December, Williams said Marathon would seek “as many units as necessary to cover our takings exposure,” but would not seek to receive all the units immediately, stretching a distribution over a period of up to 50 years.

Acknowledging the need to “go to Tallahassee with one voice,” Williams added that “(Marathon) run(s) out (of units) in 2024. …

Our takings cases ripen before yours do.”

“We definitely need to move forward,” Garrett added in the same meeting. “We’ve been just talking about it. We need to get together and talk about this, but the imperative is there, from our perspective.”

The addition Though Resolution 2024-01 did not contain specifics of a desired “fix” for Marathon’s takings liability, those concerns were addressed in draft bill language sent by Garrett to Mooney, County Administrator Roman Gastesi and County Attorney Bob Shillinger in the days following the Jan. 9 meeting.

The draft proposed modifications to Florida state statute 380.0552(9)(a) and section 28-36.004(3) of the Florida Administrative code, which govern the Florida Keys and Key West Areas of Critical State Concern

(ACSCs), respectively. Among other items, the amendments propose a move from 24 to 31 hours for hurricane evacuation clearance times, along with a distribution of 8,000 residential allocations across both ACSCs, to be split among jurisdictions based on the numbers of vacant lots within each.

The draft proposes a 30-year distribution of the units, additionally limited by adopted Level of Service standards within each jurisdiction, but includes a critical distinction that “any individual jurisdiction may borrow residential allocations forward from future years if those allocations will be utilized for affordable housing development.” It’s unclear why the provision was included in an amendment otherwise aimed at defending takings cases from single buildable lots.

While early reports stated that both the resolution and draft bill language were sent as a request to Tallahassee, multiple Marathon officials confirmed to the Weekly that only the approved resolution was transmitted to the state.

The reaction Speaking with the Weekly by phone, Garrett said that while the draft language was not part of the approved Jan. 9 resolution, it had been reviewed with each council member individually prior to the meeting as the “start of essential dialogue” on the issue of building allocations and takings liability.

While he said he understood the 8,000-allocation request could raise eyebrows, in order for Marathon to receive its necessary units, a distribution would need to include all jurisdictions governed by the pertinent statute.

Asked directly if Marathon would pursue the opportunity to add the draft language to an existing bill during the 2024 state legislative session, Garrett said, “I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. … (But) if somebody jumped up and said ‘we want to do this,’ I think we would work with them, but not to the exclusion of the county and the other municipalities.”

All five Marathon council members confirmed to the Weekly that they had seen the draft prior to the Jan. 9 meeting, with four adding that they viewed the language as an extension of the direction the council previously had provided to Garrett.

However, in a phone interview, councilman Kenny Matlock said that while he was

19

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

briefly shown the draft, he was not allowed to leave from his meeting with Garrett with a copy of it, adding he felt “deliberately misled” about the city’s intent to request a specific number of units or hurricane evacuation time change. He said he would have pulled the Jan. 9 resolution from the consent agenda for discussion if he had known a specific request for additional allocations would be sent to state legislators.

Mooney said by phone that although he was initially shocked by the request, he had since discussed the draft with Garrett.

“I think George thought, let’s just get the ball rolling. But this isn’t a decision that one person is going to make,” Mooney said. “I think in hindsight he realized he probably should have reached out to everybody first, instead of just sending off their priorities.”

Mooney added that he didn’t agree with the “fear factor” of takings liabilities, saying that such cases were “not a slam dunk – they’re a full-court, threepoint try.” He said the “borrow forward” provision in the draft was concerning as well.

“Here’s the problem: If I’m a developer and I come to you and say that I’m going to build 100 affordable units, I’m not going to build those on 100 lots,” he said.

“That still leaves me with a whole bunch of vacant lots that aren’t going to get permits somewhere down the line. It could be next

year or 30 years, but I’ll be back to the same scenario as I was before.”

County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, who had in December suggested that Marathon stretch its remaining administrative relief allocations to cover the city’s liability until 2025, reiterated the need for extensive discussions among leaders and officials in different jurisdictions and conversations with residents before pursuing a specific evacuation change and allocation request.

“We’re still crunching our numbers,” she said. “I thought, if anything, (Marathon) might have asked for a few (allocations) to get through if they were afraid of having a takings case.”

Nearly a dozen Keys officials interviewed by the Weekly floated mounting developer pressure and the impending 2024 election as factors influencing municipalities’ willingness to pursue additional allocations in 2024 versus 2025.

The Marathon City Council is set to further discuss its stance on allocations and evacuation times at its workshop on Monday, Jan. 22 at Marathon City Hall. The workshop is set for 5:30 p.m.

But regardless of stances and methodology, as Marathon councilman Lynn Landry put it, the draft “did exactly what it was supposed to do. It has everybody talking about this.”

Key West’s historic lighthouse and its keepers will be the subject of Key West Art & Historical Society’s upcoming Happy Hour with the Historian with Cori Convertito on Feb. 5 at Comedy Key West. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

LIGHT IT UP Happy hour explores history of the Key West Lighthouse

R

aise a toast to Florida Keys history with Key West Art & Historical Society curator and historian Cori Convertito on Monday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. during her “Happy Hour with the Historian” program at Comedy Key West, 218 Whitehead St. Enjoy a complimentary draft beer, glass of house wine or soft drink while Convertito discusses the evening’s topic, “Keeping the Light: The History of the Key West Lighthouse” in celebration of the arrival of USCGC Barbara Mabrity for a brief port visit. The namesake of the vessel was the principal keeper at the lighthouse for 38 years.

Almost immediately after the U.S. Navy established a base in Key West in 1823, the need for a lighthouse became evident to assure the safe arrival of military and commercial vessels navigating the shallow, reef-laden waters off the Keys.

The current lighthouse opened in January 1848 with a woman as its keeper, nearly unheard of during the 19th century. In the years following, the Key West Lighthouse underwent several upgrades including the installation of a third order fresnel lens, an extension to the tower which allowed the light to be seen from a greater distance, the addition of keeper’s quar-

ters, and finally the electrification of the light.

“Our Key West Lighthouse is unusual for many reasons; most noticeable is the fact that it is located inland,” said Convertito. “Aside from the location, it is also distinctive in that it had a total of three female lighthouse keepers between 1826 and 1914. They lived on the property with their families and were responsible for grueling responsibilities to keep the lighthouse lit every night, even during treacherous conditions, including hurricanes.”

In 1969, the U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned the Key West Lighthouse, as there was no longer a need for a full-time keeper due to technological advancements. Today, this sentinel of the sea stands as a museum dedicated to Key West’s maritime heritage and to the men and women who bravely kept the light burning through the threats of war and weather.

Happy Hour with the Historian is limited to 75 attendees.

Reserve a spot now at kwahs. org/hh-lighthouse. The cost is $12 for KWAHS members and $15 for non-members. For more information, contact Convertito at 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org.

— Contributed

20

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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21

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

KEY WEST RALLIES TO BUILD FIREFIGHTER NEW HOME

On Jan. 10, about 60 firefighters, police officers and other Key West residents attended a groundbreaking of a new home built by local volunteers for firefighter Robert Franco. CITY OF KEY WEST/Contributed

Once again, first responders and local businesses are building a new home for a local family GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

K

ey West firefighter Robert Franco’s house on Ashby Street has been in his family since 1978. But in 2005, Hurricane Wilma severely damaged the home, according to city spokeswoman Alyson Crean.

Now, the Key West community, once again, is pitching in to build a struggling local resident a proper, brand-new house.

On Jan. 10, about 60 people gathered at the Francos’ home to celebrate a new beginning.

The crowd included first responders from the Key West fire and police departments and local contractors, who gathered around Robert Franco, his wife Elizabeth and their twin teenage daughters to declare the new home officially under construction.

Franco has been battling cancer while continuing to work as a city firefighter, Crean said.

“He and his wife Elizabeth, along with their twin daughters – high school juniors – have not been able to rebuild the home due to health and financial issues,” Crean said, in a statement released to the press after the Jan. 10 groundbreaking.

KWFD Local 1424, the firefighters’ union, with help from licensed contractors, have begun the process and are donating time and raising money

to build the new house for the Francos, who are also raising money through a GoFundMe account and a new nonprofit. The GoFundMe account is called “Robert Franco fund-KW firefighter battling cancer,” as of Jan. 16 had raised nearly $1,400 with a goal of $20,000.

“These funds will help pay for any materials that are not being donated” by businesses, Crean said.

In 2021, the community attended a ribboncutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a renewed house on Galveston Lane, where a fire had destroyed Alelia Butler’s home and nearly took her life.

Although her family had owned the property for ages, the fire left Butler with neither a home nor any belongings. At that point, more than 60 companies and volunteers came together to donate building materials, time, work hours and even furniture to give Butler a brand-new, turnkey home.

Butler, who understands better than most the positive impact this community can have, attended the Jan. 10 groundbreaking for the Francos.

Frank and Mercy Herrada, of FMH Builders, were at the event to present the Francos with the permits that will enable construction to begin immediately.

FMH Builders is the lead contractor on the project, just as they were for Butler’s home.

KWFD Division Chief Jason Barroso, who led the Butler house project, is now organizing the Franco home. Barroso said the goal is to have the Francos in their new home sometime this year.

Robert Franco receives the necessary construction permits for work to start on his new home.

Alelia Butler attends the groundbreaking for the Franco family.

22

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024 A common ground-dove seen in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

I

was sitting on the porch the other morning, drinking my coffee at a surprisingly early hour, considering what a late night it had been, when I heard it – a common ground-dove.

The call sounds like the world’s least urgent alarm — MARK a low, soft clarion that’s been HEDDEN turned from 11 down to ... is a photograone. It is a persistent single pher, writer, and syllable in a low register that semi-professional sounds borderline subsonic birdwatcher. He and tends to get repeated, has lived in Key according to the data, one to West for more than 25 years and 13 times, though sometimes may no longer it can seem like forever. The be employable in call is so unaccented and so the real world. He devoid of intensity, you’re is also executive not sure you’re hearing director of the Florida Keys Audu- anything first. It works its bon Society. way into your consciousness slowly, like water carving out a canyon.

Using anything but vowels to spell it out seems overly dramatic and maybe a little disrespectful, though opinions on that may vary, as the Sibley guide describes it as a hoooip hoooip hoooip, and Cornell University’s “Bird of the World” goes with woot woot woot. If you ever decide to track down a recording of it, keep in mind it was produced using a parabolic mic in close quarters, so that’s not how it sounds in the real world.

Once you hear it, though, once you know what it is, it tends to underscore things, like swelling violins in a movie, or a half-formed thought you can’t quite shake.

It was a sound that vexed me when I first took up birding. I kept hearing it in the parking lot over at the Harris School, where I used to have an office, and for the longest time I wasn’t sure it was even a bird. Or, again, if I was even hearing anything. And even after I got close to what I was pretty sure was the source, then saw a common ground-dove low in the bushes, I did not firmly believe the connection. It took a couple times and maybe seeing their throat move.

I suppose the fact that I can now recognize the call so readily could be taken as empirical proof that I do occasionally learn things from experience.

I’ve been reading a lot of John le Carré over the last few years, mostly the George Smiley novels. The character Smiley is pretty much the anti-James Bond – short, round and nebbishy, with thick glasses, so unassuming that most people don’t take him seriously, or even notice him, until he gingerly pulls the string that unwinds their evil scheme. (When he drinks it’s not for bravado, but often because his wife is cheating on him with other spies.)

Almost as much as the novels, I love the film versions, among them the two mini-series from the 1980s with Alec Guinness, who was trying to shed his Obi Wan persona, and the 2011 version of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” starring Gary Oldman and an all-star cast of British

TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, DOVE

actors, or at least an all-star cast of white, male British actors. (The spy service was apparently not all that diverse back in the day.)

The 2011 movie is interesting for its complexity, but also its near pornographic love of analog spy equipment and all the switches, wires, microphones and spinning tape reels that come with it. The film also has an amazing color palette, a fantasia in brown, beige, sepia, nutmeg, ecru and taupe.

Which gets me back to common grounddoves. I’ve been thinking of them lately as the George Smileys of the dove world, not because of their spying skills – though who knows what information they collect – but because everything about their persona, as a species, seems designed to make them underestimated and largely unnoticed. They are short, round, nebbishy and unassuming. And their color palette is also a fantasia in brown, beige, sepia and nutmegs, etc., accented by a blur of warm rust color in their primary feathers when they fly.

Common ground-doves are not the smallest doves in the world, but I’m pretty sure they are the smallest doves found in the U.S., and they are definitely the smallest doves found in the Keys – about 6 inches long and weighing just a little more than an ounce.

They tend to stick to the ground or the low bushes. They tend not to respond to possible threats overly quickly, as if not wanting to draw attention in case the possible threats turn out to be not actual threats. Sometimes, if you are not paying attention, it’s possible to confuse them with rocks.

The bird was first described to science in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who classified it in the genus Columba. Later it was reclassified into the genus Columbina, a category of smaller doves, which was created in 1825 by Johann Baptist von Spix. I mention this mostly because Johann Baptist von Spix is just such an excellent name.

The species’ two colloquial names were the tobacco dove – not for their tobacco-like color-

ing, but for their fondness of nesting near the crop – and the moaning dove.

Birds vocalize for a few reasons: to attract or entice a mate, to stake out territory, to warn each other about predators, or to tell each other where they are.

In the Keys, common ground-doves tend to make their oh-so-subtle call year round. Which would maybe make you think they do it to hold territory. But their calls are really all about finding love and getting some.

Common ground-doves generally live in warm weather places that have a plentiful supply of food – in their case, mainly the seeds of weeds and wild grasses, but also insects, fruits and berries. Predominantly they don’t migrate, which means they can breed any time of year.

And they do. A common ground-dove pair can hatch up to four two-egg clutches in a single year. Most of the year, the only time they get quiet is when they are incubating eggs.

The call they make is actually considered an advertisement for courtship. Common grounddoves have a thriving and active sex life.

It’s come out in recent months – largely due to a book chronicling all the details – that John le Carré (real name: David Cornwell) was a serial philanderer, that much of the tradecraft he depicted in his books he employed while having affair after affair during the combined 66 years of his two marriages. And it might be tempting to draw some parallels between le Carré’s proclivities and the romantic stealthiness of common ground-doves.

But this is the thing: common grounddoves are hardcore monogamists. Not like most species, where monogamy is something that may only last a season. Common grounddoves form pair bonds that last a lifetime. And once a bond is established, they embrace the roles of homebodies, working very hard to avoid everyone else’s business.

Unlike George Smiley or John le Carré, they seem to have a pretty satisfactory home life.

They might just be the real romantics after all.

23

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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Capricorn season is comCHRIS ing to a close McNULTY this weekend, so is an astrologer, finalize your goals wanderer, barfor the year and tender and begin gatheradvocate for queer justice. He ing your crew to is a loquacious achieve them.

Gemini with a Before we sauncozy Cancer rising. Find him at ter into Aquarius hearthandherald- season this Satastrology.com urday, however, we have some dynamic planetary entanglements to navigate. Thoughtful Mercury forms a friendly 120-degree trine with boisterous Jupiter in the wee hours of Friday morning, indicating a time of happy conversations, abundant ideas, and big travel opportunities. If you have some pixie dust handy, this weekend is a great time to fly with a plethora of happy thoughts. Simultaneously, however, beautiful Venus squares off with nebulous Neptune, indicating a time of murkiness in our relationships and a challenge of hyper-romanticism. In other words, we might experience a bit too much idealism in our relations by wearing the proverbial rose-colored glasses.

Things might just not be as they seem when it comes to our relationships with other people. So, have all of the stimulating conversations and dream big, but maintain a healthy dose of skepticism if you feel as though things are too good to be true.

Here are your horoscopes for the Mercury-Jupiter trine and the Venus-Neptune square. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 You are probably feeling a bit isolated because you’re having a hard time communicating clearly, like you have important things to say but they’re just coming out all jumbled.

Fear not, because it is a fantastic time for you to focus on yourself rather than other people. Turn your mind toward getting to know yourself better and express yourself

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

without boundaries. You’ve got some big inspiration in the works.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Prepare for some financial confusion when it comes to your friends.

For example, a friend is in charge of splitting the bill and you feel like you paid more than your fair share. Don’t tire yourself attempting to get clarity in this type of situation right now.

Rather, take the time to let your mind rest. A personal retreat is in the stars for you, so let your private space get much bigger for you this weekend.

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Party time! Excellent! You have quite the jovial weekend ahead. It feels like returning home and reconnecting with all of your old friends from high school. There’s a big, familiar, chatty, friendly energy in the air for you, Pisces, so relish in the nostalgic happiness now. There is, however, some murkiness in your relationships at work. By all accounts, you are the source of the confusion, so take a moment to change your perspective.

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Dreaming of quiet alone time is a challenge when you have friends and loved ones who are inviting you to participate in big adventures. How will you manage this dissonance?

One thing you do not have to worry about, however, is how your ideas at work are bringing in beaucoup bucks. Material abundance is all but certain if you can focus your mind on your work in the public sphere.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20 You have causes that you love, Taurus, just like everyone. There are group projects and missions that make your heart sing. Right now, however, it might be difficult to clearly see who your comrades in service are. If you’re confused about your compatriots, fear not. Now is

a great time to dream up who your perfect partners would be. Exploring new lines of thinking will bring nothing but ample joy.

GEMINI May 21 - June 21 You’re usually one to let your thoughts flit about from one idea to another, Gemini, but right now it is time to let your thinker dive deep.

What are the deep thoughts that your mind is contemplating? Are they existential, political, spiritual, scientific, or philosophical? Whatever your line of thought right now, giving it time will provide you with significant rest and solitude. Lack of clarity at work is probably challenging your love life, but it will pass.

CANCER June 22 - July 22 Thinking about partnership and communicating end goals clearly will bring about a copious amount of supporters right now. What does it mean to be in partnership with another person? Ruminate on that and see how people show up to help you out. Be mindful about how dreams of faraway places get in the way of doing the work that you love.

Dreams only become reality when you put them into action.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 You’re having a challenging time right now, Leo, particularly related to your health and your habits. Fear not, however, because these difficulties are offering you a new lease on life. You just need to get to the other side in a few days. Focusing your thoughts on healthy routines and life patterns will bring a lot of joy and bounty at work right now.

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 Creative thinking will literally take you on a big adventure, Virgo. Talk to people about your innovative ideas and see where it takes you. Sometimes, just saying the words opens avenues for you to stroll down, and

BIG THOUGHTS AND MURKY BONDS now you have the opportunity to manifest interstates to your dream goals. Be mindful about some confusion between your family and your partner, and see if you can attempt to keep things crystal clear.

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 There’s some difficulty present regarding a love for things that are familiar and a dream of new ways of doing things. It’s like you have a deep appreciation for your day-to-day reality, but a gnawing desire to change everything up. Rather than try to clear up this conundrum, I recommend focusing your mind on your most intimate family and friends because this will bring about bountiful returns.

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 Desire for financial stability vs. a dream of being a creative person: This appears to be a particular battle that you are waging with yourself.

Not to worry, this frustration shall pass and the dream will remain.

Right now, pay particular attention to your familiar surroundings and try to articulate them. This will help you find great joy in a partnership.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 Training your mind on your system of values will help you to turn your hard work into bountiful returns.

Make sure that you are infusing every action with meaningful purpose, and watch the benefits multiply. “Home” may seem particularly elusive right now, making it difficult to feel self-love. The love is there regardless of the hazy roots, however.

29

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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30

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

CUSTOM HOUSE GETS MUY CALIENTE

Cuban-themed party benefits Key West Art & Historical Society on Feb. 2

T

ake a trip back to 1950s Cuba for this season’s “Back in Time” fundraiser hosted by the Key West Art & Historical Society. “Caliente Cayo Hueso” takes place Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. under the stars at the Key West Museum of Art & History. Proceeds support the ongoing preservation needs of the museum.

Attendees donning their best Cuban attire – think guayaberas and comparsa dresses – will enjoy cocktail hour inside the museum followed by an elevated, plated Cuban dinner on the Front Street plaza. Pilar Rum mojitos will flow at the full open bar while the Latin band Caribe Key West performs so you can salsa the night away. There will be prizes for “Best Dressed,” an extensive silent auction and an upscale cigar lounge.

“As stewards of the Custom House building, we are grateful for the community’s continued support

of our ongoing preservation efforts,” said Michael F. Gieda, executive director of the society. “Having completed critical work outlined in a 2013 assessment conducted by Bender & Associates, we continue to preserve and repair the historic building and its systems. With major upgrades to our archives nearing completion, we aim to overhaul and upgrade the elevator in 2024 to ensure access to the second-floor galleries and third-floor program areas. Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will help offset the steep cost.”

Single tickets are $200; a table of eight, $1,600. Proceeds will be contributed to the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys’ Custom House Preservation Fund. For tickets visit kwahs.org/bit or contact event coordinator Bonnie McInnis at 305-295-6616 x 505.

— Contributed

The Key West Art & Historical Society will host a Cuban-themed fundraiser, ‘Back in Time – Caliente Cayo Hueso,’ on Feb. 2, under the stars at the Key West Museum of Art & History. Proceeds benefit the ongoing restoration needs of the museum. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/ Contributed

KEYS LAST STAND HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING Group prioritizes sustainable development, clean water & quality of life

K

eys Last Stand, a guardian of the Florida Keys’ unique quality of life, will hold its annual meeting on Monday, Jan. 29 at Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St., Key West, at 5:30 pm. This is a members-only event but nonmembers have the opportunity to join on-site.

Building on a successful membership drive initiated last year, Keys Last Stand is rallying its community. Since its establishment in 1987, the organization has been an advocate for sustainable land development, water quality improvements and affordable workforce housing.

Keys Last Stand recently has increased its activities and activism, addressing issues such as growth management, water quality, storms and hurricanes, sea level rise and quality of life in the Keys. The upcoming annual meeting will feature a speakers’ panel to discuss these matters. The panelists include: • Chris Bergh, field program director for the Nature Conservancy.

• Richard Grosso, environmental and land-use attorney.

• Rhonda Haag, chief resilience officer for Monroe County.

• Brian E. Lapointe, research professor with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University.

• Jonathan Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist at NOAA’s National Weather Service office in Key West.

“Our recent membership drive has seen incredible support from the community. Hundreds of new supporters and donors have joined our cause, reaffirming the strength in our numbers. As we gather for our annual meeting, we are not done. We are here to ensure the Florida Keys thrive, and we invite everyone to be a part of this ongoing mission,” said Ann Olsen, president of Keys Last Stand. “The event promises to be an insightful and engaging forum for Last Stand members to participate in the discussion about the future of the Florida Keys. Memberships can be purchased at the door for those who wish to join the cause and contribute to the organization’s ongoing efforts. Keys Last Stand believes in the collective strength of the community.”

More information is at keyslaststand.org or via email to info@keyslaststand.org.

— Contributed

31

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

IS 2024 THE END OF THE PAPER CHECK?

ACCLAIMED FISHING SEMINAR RETURNS TO CORAL SHORES Diverse pro panel joins Salt Water Sportsman event

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS/Contributed

Why a credit card is the safer way to pay

I

magine you mailed a check to pay a bill, and someone stole it. The thieves altered it, cashed it and cleaned out your account. If you catch it quickly, you can contact the bank and reverse the charges, but sometimes you can’t. If the thieves cashed it through a second bank, you may have to wait weeks for that bank to investigate.

Most of us are not using checks regularly. But are you still making payments by mail to medical providers or insurance companies? Now is an excellent time to stop. According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, check fraud tied to mail theft is up 30% nationwide. There are several types of check fraud.

Counterfeit checks: Counterfeit checks involve the creation of fake checks that closely resemble legitimate ones. Fraudsters use advanced printing techniques to replicate bank logos, watermarks, and other security features, making it difficult for individuals and businesses to discern the authenticity of the checks.

Forged signatures: Forging signatures is a classic method of check fraud. Criminals may steal a checkbook and sign the owner’s name without their knowledge. Modern technology has made it easier to mimic signatures, making this form of fraud prevalent.

Altered checks: Altering checks involves changing the payee’s name, the amount or other details on a legitimate check. Criminals may use chemicals or other methods to erase or modify the ink, turning a genuine check into a fraudulent one.

Account takeover: Account takeover occurs when fraudsters gain unauthorized access to a bank account, allowing them to issue fraudulent checks or manipulate existing ones. This scam often involves phishing, identity theft or exploiting weak

online security measures.

The best prevention is to stop using checks and use a credit card instead, providing much more protection from ALICIA BETANCOURT fraud. Safeguarding checkbooks is the University and other sensiof Florida, IFAS tive financial docuMonroe County Extension director ments is crucial. and commuLocking them nity development securely away agent. helps prevent unauthorized access and reduces the risk of physical check theft.

Find alternative ways to pay. I have noticed that more companies provide a QR code link to pay online.

Check the bill for online instructions.

If you need to pay an individual, ask if they accept electronic payment through bank transfer or a cash app.

You can call and request phone payments if you have a bill without online payment options.

If you’re using the mail or a carrier, take it directly to them and get a tracking number. Experts advise using a black gel pen to write checks; it is the hardest to “wash” out. If you send a check, follow up and ensure it arrives. Stop payment if it takes more than a couple of weeks.

Lastly, keep a low balance in your checking account and link a savings account. Thieves will have access to fewer funds if your account gets compromised.

Call your bank immediately if you suspect a check has fallen into the wrong hands. Then file a police report.

As technology advances, so does the sophistication of check fraud schemes. Staying vigilant, adopting enhanced security measures and embracing digital alternatives are essential steps in mitigating the risks.

George Poveromo, host of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” on Discovery network, will preside over the event. CONTRIBUTED

A

fter a three-year inperson absence due to COVID-19, the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series will return to the Florida Keys live Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Coral Shores Performing Arts Center, MM 89.9 oceanside in Islamorada.

The event will cover the “how-to” and “where-to” aspects of catching the Keys’ inshore, nearshore and offshore saltwater gamefish.

Set to preside over the event are George Poveromo, host of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” on Discovery network, and captain Mark Schmidt, a Key West light tackle guide and International Game Fish Association world record holder.

“Entering our 37th year, the seminar series has become the nation’s longest-running and most popular educational course on recreational angling tactics and techniques,” Poveromo said.

“Its success has always been about the vast amount of cuttingedge and pertinent how-to information shared on catching more and bigger gamefish within the waters at each respective Seminar Series stop.

“This information is explained in great detail by some of the best saltwater anglers, and each

session is backed by elaborate visuals that include video, technical- and action-oriented images and onstage demonstrations,” he added.

Also set to appear are South Florida and Keys professionals including Liane Lopez, Clay Cowart, Jimmy Gagliardini, Dr. John Stieglitz, Scott Wenzel, Ryan Wenzel, Alan Wenzel, Diego Toiran, Jim Willcox, Abie Raymond and Chris Hanson.

The $65 ticket price covers five hours of instruction, a 2024 course textbook, a one-year subscription or extension to Salt Water Sportsman magazine, one Roff’s Ocean Fishing Forecast Analysis, boat care products, a Bass Pro Shops discount card and chances to win thousands of dollars in door prizes.

The grand prize at the conclusion of the seminar is a guided Florida Keys fishing trip with accommodations. The super grand prize, to be awarded two weeks after the conclusion of the 2024 series, is a new Mako Pro Skiff 17.

An after-seminar party is set for attendees beginning at 5 p.m.

Saturday at World Wide Sportsman in Islamorada.

To purchase tickets and learn more about the seminar, visit nationalseminarseries.com.

— Contributed

32

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

Mark Your Calendars!

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35

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

EXPLORE ‘KEY WEST SKETCHES’ WITH ITS EDITOR

SAVE THE DATE

SHELF HELP

Carey Winfrey details new book of local essays on Jan. 29

Carey Winfrey, editor of ‘Key West Sketches,’ will discuss the book that features more than 60 essays and poems by local writers during a Friends of the Key West Library lecture on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. CONTRIBUTED

T

he Friends of the Key West Library’s speaker series will present “Key West Sketches,” edited by Carey Winfrey during a lecture on Monday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. in the palm garden of the Key West library, 700 Fleming St. “Key West Sketches — Writers at Mile Zero” includes more than 60 essays, reminiscences, musings and poems about Key West. It features the town’s best-known writers: Alison Lurie, Judy Blume, Phil Caputo, Meg Cabot, Tom McGuane, Ann Beattie, Laurence Shames, Lee Smith, Frank Deford, Phyllis Rose, Glenn Frankel, Joy Williams, Barbara Ehrenreich, Billy Collins, and on and on. John Leslie, Lynn Kaufelt, Arida Wright, Mike Mewshaw, Ros Brackenbury and Winfrey will offer brief readings from their essays.

Winfrey’s 50-year career in journalism concluded with his decade as editor-in-chief of Smithsonian.

This year there will be no requirement for pre-registration for the Speaker Series events in the palm garden, except for the talk before the Annual Gala. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. The gates open at 5:30 pm.. The library will make every effort to accommodate everyone.

However, to be certain of a seat, come early. More information is at friendsofthekeywestlibrary.org.

— Contributed

S

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

What: “Masters of Death” by Olivie Blake Why: What a romp! Viola, a burned-out real estate agent, is also a vampire. Her biggest property listing is a palatial Chicago estate, furnished with a sardonic ghost. With the ghost hell-bent on tanking the sale, Viola enlists the help of a (nearly fraudulent) medium named Fox D’Mora. Viola and Fox get drawn into a rambling mess of immortal hooligans and enter a highstakes gambling ring, overseen

by Death. Strewn with sharp barbs, absurdist wit and a torrent of miscommunication, Viola and Fox learn what it means to be truly vulnerable. This is a fun and ridiculous ride.

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

How: You can request books online by logging in to your account keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at 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: Riona Campbell, library associate, Key West Library See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelfhelp.

Saturday, Jan. 20 • The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden continues its monthly Speaker Series at 1 p.m. in the Toppino Nature Chapel. The featured speaker is Kristie Killam whose topic will be “Discovering Photography to connect with Art in Nature.”

Jan. 23-27 • Mile 0 Fest features Red Dirt and Americana music. Visit mile0fest.com.

Monday, Jan. 29 • Keys Last Stand annual meeting takes place at Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St., Key West, 5:30 pm. The meeting is for members only, but memberships will be available at the door. Visit keyslaststand.org for more information.

• The Friends of the Key West Library will present “Key West Sketches,” edited by Carey Winfrey at 6 p.m. in the Palm Garden at the library, 700 Fleming St., Key West. Visit. friendsofthekeywestlibrary.org/ speaker-series/ for information.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 • The city of Key West and its consultants at Stantec will hold the first of a series of public workshops to gain public input about the Duval Street Revitalization and Resiliency project. This first open house will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St. Saturday, Feb. 3 • May Sands Montessori will host a Steampunk Pirates Ball fundraiser at the Key West Woman’s Club, 319 Duval St. from 6 to 10 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. General admission tickets are $80. VIP tickets are $125. Visit maysandsmontessori.com/gala.

Feb. 3-4 • The Key West Sail and Power Squadron offers a 1½day boating course, which is required to obtain the mandatory Florida State Boater ID card.

The Saturday session is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Sunday session is 8 a.m. to noon. The class is offered the first Saturday and Sunday of each month December through May. Class will be held at 5205 College Road, Stock Island. Call Dick Odgers at 305-509-0159 to reserve a spot.

Friday, Feb. 9 • Southernmost Sports Chiropractic hosts a fundraiser for the United Way of Collier & Monroe Counties at FYT Studios on Stock Island, 6 p.m. The event will feature raffles, food and music. RSVP to southernmostchiro@gmail.com.

Feb. 10-17 • Tropic Cinema presents ‘An Olivia De Havilland Retrospective’ featuring special screenings of the actress’s films, along with an appearance by her daughter, Gisele Galante.

Visit tropiccinema.com for the full schedule.

Friday, March 1 The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) hosts “Swords and Tails: A Seaside Soiree” at the Islander Resort, Islamorada.

The 12th annual event will feature costumes, fine dining and cocktails, and live entertainment. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available at cfk. edu/soiree.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

JUST THE TIPS

GO WHERE IT DOESN’T BLOW BOATING BONANZA Annual show displays the premier brands JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

When the wind isn’t a factor, trolling for wahoo can bring home what some consider to be the fish of a lifetime. NICK BORRACCINO/Contributed

W

ell, spin the wheel and see what the wind forecast lands on. It’s been all over the place the last few weeks, coming from every direction.

Keep checking that forecast to help you plan your next outing.

If you’re unfamiliar with how it works around here, the long and the short of it is: Head the way the wind is going. When a cold front comes through, and the wind is blowing out of the north, it’s nicer on the ocean side.

Even at velocities of 20-plus, it’s still usually pretty nice in close on the Atlantic side.

Hawk Channel and inside patch reefs can be very fishable and productive. That being said, the further out you go, the rougher it will get. Find a bump or lump in the channel, get up current of it and anchor in the sand with a Danforth or plow style anchor.

Stay off of it far enough to not get stuck every cast. The fish will move off of it into the chum.

Live shrimp and pilchards with a light wire and light jig head or no weight at all should get plenty of attention from mackerel. Fresh cut bait and live baits on the bottom will get snapper, grouper and jack bites. If you venture out deeper in search of yellowtail,

the dirty green CAPT. NICK water is your BORRACCINO friend.

Conis the owner and operator of versely, wind from the south Noreaster Sport Fishing in Maramakes it pretty thon. A Massachuswelly pretty setts native, Nick quickly on the fished for bluefin tuna and striped ocean side, bass before movso if you’re ing to the Keys in hoping for 2005. a smoother outing, head north into the bay on those days.

From five to 15 miles is a very active area. Mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel live in the grassy areas, and the dirtier water further out should have plenty of kingfish, runners, various jacks and more on any type of structure. I like to put a blue runner on a balloon or kite with a wire out there for a shot at a big kingfish.

If the wind is not an issue, the big prize lately has been wahoo. It seems particularly good around the full moon in 150 to 350 feet of water. Last week there were lots of nice fish caught trolling diving plugs and ballyhoolure combinations at 6-9 knots.

I’ll sure be ready for the next big bite!

B

ustling with on-the-water activities — and known as the sportfishing capital — Islamorada will again serve as the destination for a three-day boat show this weekend.

Boat dealers from the Florida Keys and South Florida will descend upon the grounds of Islamorada’s Island Community Church, ready to feature their best boats during the annual Island Boat Show. Beginning Friday, Jan. 19 and concluding Sunday, Jan. 21, boating fanatics and the public will get the chance to get a close look at the hottest vessels on the market all while enjoying food, music and other activities.

All available boat spaces for the show are sold out, said Annie Reckwerdt, event organizer.

“We have more boats this year,” she said, noting that last year’s show welcomed around 100 boats.

For years, Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key served as the venue for the annual event organized by Island Community Church. Last year, the boat show committee decided to make a move to Islamorada. It proved to be a worthwhile venue change, as Reckwerdt said attendance was the best they’d ever seen.

For the second straight year, boats ranging from small fishing skiffs to large offshore center consoles will be situated on the church grounds, located at 83400 Overseas Highway.

Some of the boat brands featured at this year’s show are Contender, World Cat, Grady White, Pathfinder, Carolina Skiff and Boston Whaler. Caribee Boat Sales & Marina, SD Marine Group, Plantation Boat Mart, Sea Hunter, Tiki Water Sports and Seven Sports Marine are some

Top: More than 90 boats were parked on the grounds of Island Community Church at the 2023 boat show. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO. Above: A father and son from Miami climb off a World Cat boat.

BOAT SHOW TIMES Friday, Jan. 19: 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 20: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 21: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. of the local boat vendors in attendance during the three-day boat extravaganza. A number of marine vendors will also be on hand, including Stanz Fishing, Wave Armor, Tri Sea Stabilizers and Bayside Yacht Maintenance. A full list of vendors is at islandboatshow.com.

Attendees can also bid on silent auction items, participate in raffles for tackle and merchandise and sign up for boating and fishing seminars.

Food trucks and live music will be available during the three days.

Entry to the show is $10 per person. Free parking is available onsite.

Proceeds support the Island Community Church’s missions and scholarships for local graduating seniors and college students.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

37

38

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

2024’S LITERARY FORECAST THE HEIRESS

By Rachel Hawkins Most people haven’t heard of the tiny town of Tavistock, North Carolina.

But if you were from these parts, you most certainly knew the McTavish family. When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore passes away, her long-lost son Camden returns, after a decade of living his life withdrawn from the family drama. Ruby was North Carolina’s richest woman. She was famous for being kidnapped as a child and later was mysteriously widowed four times. Her adopted son Camden is the sole heir to her estate, leaving other family members extremely unhappy. The clan resides in Ashby House, a place that does not hold many good memories for Camden. When he was old enough to escape, Camden moved to the west coast. He married young and lived a quiet existence as a teacher in Colorado. His pretty wife Jules encourages him to return when the family begs to repair the crumKAREN bling home and decipher NEWFIELD the fortune left in his First and foremost name. Jules is a little too a reader, she has eager to meet this conreviewed hunniving bunch and quickly dreds of books on her blog www. manipulates the twisted readingandeating. secrets that come to light. com. And, more Narrated by Cam, Jules recently, this new and Ruby’s letters, this Keys resident has is a suspenseful thriller. also begun writJanuary 2024. ing.

THRILLER, DRAMA AND ROMANCE. CHECK OUT THREE OF THE HOTTEST NEW RELEASES

A GREAT COUNTRY

By Shilpi Somaya Gowda The sun is shining, the sky a brilliant blue – just another beautiful day in Southern California.

The Shah family worked hard to build a business, buy a home and provide the best American life for their three children. One Saturday while attending a dinner, the Shahs receive an alarming call that their youngest, Ajay (12), is being held at the Orange County jail. Tall for his age, with no I.D. (why would a 12-year-old have an ID?) and on the spectrum, Ajay struggled to explain to the police why he was near the airport with a backpack of electronics. Roughed up because he “resisted” arrest, Ajay’s frantic parents find him battered, frightened and mute. In order to defend their actions, the overzealous officers push charges and the Shah family is set on an unimaginable roller coaster that changes everything they believed about the American dream. Supported by friends, they navigate the complicated system their child faces and racism that they held themselves apart from.

This book faces the challenges of holding onto treasured cultural values while trying to assimilate and succeed in America. Releases March 2024.

EXPIRATION DATES

By Rebecca Serle Every time Daphne meets a potential love interest, a message meanders into her life. The paper has a name on it and a number. The number represents how long their romance will last. Since Daphne was a young girl, these notes have never been wrong. She remains open-minded but knows exactly when each relationship will end. One day Daphne is preparing to go on a blind date and receives a note with no number. Finally, she will find her forever match. Excited and nervous, she takes extra care getting ready to meet Jake.

He is adorable and smart and they get along perfectly. There is no doubt Jake must be the one. Hugo, her charming once-boyfriend and current best friend, is not pleased, and suddenly his jealousy and suspicions get the better of him. Daphne begins to reminisce through her past and realizes what went wrong each time. As the truth comes to light, she must decide if it is fate or ultimately our own manipulations that bring two people together. With a little bit of magical realism and a lot of love, this romance is filled with heartbreak and hope. Releases March 2024.

#WORTHWATCHING: “Expats” follows the complicated lives of an affluent expatriate community in Hong Kong. Fragile friendships, questionable marriages and cryptic drama tangle the characters in a web of mystery. Watch on Prime Video Jan. 26. The book was outstanding.

39

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Native birds, native son, carver & painter For most of Freddy Haskins’ life, he was known only to his bubba buddies as a respected Florida Keys wildfowl carver. His mockingbirds, catbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, green herons and ospreys were so realistically carved that most people didn’t believe they were Tupelo wood until they touched them. Freddy started carving while in the Boy Scouts at the age of 12. He had the first showing of his work with the renowned Key West artist George Carey at the Gallery on Greene as Carey’s “surprise guest artist.”

Freddy and George grew up together on Petronia Street back when Key West had hardly any fences and trapping birds for dinner was a summer pastime.

Though he hailed from humble beginnings, Haskins worked and studied with the best. He trained with Ernie Muehlmatt, one of the most respected wildfowl artists and teachers in the country. Freddy’s work was superlative. The detail is extraordinary, every line and each feather is so precise yet has the soft downy look of a bird’s feather.

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After work and on weekends Freddy worked at his birds to the point that his wife Kathy said it had become an obsession.

“Freddy is incredible; once he was given some old church pews and he built a sponger dinghy with sculling oar,” Kathy said. “He steamed the wood, bent it a little at a time. He was so proud of it that whenever we had a storm he would drag it in the dining room. He also built a replica of the house he grew up in on Petronia Street, just as it was when he was little. Freddy could do anything.”

When Freddy courted her, Kathy added, he built model airplanes in his attic (which his nephew destroyed when he “flew” them out of the attic window.)

“He even built my hope chest,” she said.

Freddy will always be in our hearts and his art will live forever.

— Contributed by Nance Frank

A wood-carving by the late Key West artist Freddy Haskins.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

WRECKERS BATTLE IT OUT A ship salvage leads to tussle in court Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series.

W

orking with history is always a learning process. I think it is pretty safe to say that when it comes to history, you only know as much as the last thing you read. It is one of the reasons the pursuit of history can be testing, wonderful and never exactly boring.

The insights and fallout from spending weeks reading and re-reading through surviving copies of the Florida Keys’ first newspaper, The Key West Register and Commerical Advertiser, continue. The print is small and clustered, making for strained reading through already strained and bespectacled eyes. Still, it is intriguing and must feel like gold panning — you spend time sifting through the regular dirt, hoping to uncover some really cool nugget.

The shiniest nugget for me, as a lover of all things relating to Indian Key, my favorite island in the chain, was discovering a juicy story involving Jacob Housman. Not only does it indirectly involve Indian Key and tell a great Housman story, but it also alleges a little act of wreckeron-wrecker crime.

While there are many Housman stories to tell, one has always stood out for me, and probably because, as I had heard it, read about it, and learned it from others, something about it never quite added up. The story printed in the paper’s April 30, 1829 edition was actually an official action from the United States of America, Southern Judicial District of Florida, directed to the district’s marshal.

The story involved the salvage of the brigantine Vigilant, $30,000 in silver specie (coins), and a windfall for the notorious wrecker Jacob Housman. As I have always told the story, Housman and the French captain of the Vigilant entered into a deal after the vessel had grounded and its captain feared navigating the local shallows, shoals and reefs and was paid a 75% salvage award for duties performed as a wrecker.

According to Captain Daniel C. Mellon and the complaint he relayed to Judge Webb in Key West, there was a little more to the story.

According to Mellon, on or about July 1, 1828, while accompanied by a single gentleman sailing in a smack, he discovered a two-masted ship wrecked in bad weather near Rachels Key. To lend aid, Mellon attempted to approach the stranded vessel, but foul weather prevented a safe approach, and he was forced to seek refuge at the Sister Keys.

There, Mellon discovered the captain and crew of the wrecked ship. He also discovered that neither the captain nor the crew spoke English.

To remedy the situation, and knowing that a Frenchman on Rachels Key could act as a translator, Mellon sailed the FLORIDA ship’s captain to the island KEYS where their communication HISTORY could be clarified.

WITH According to Mellon’s testimony, the following was BRAD communicated at Rachels BERTELLI Key. The brig was named Vigi- Brad is a local historian, author, lant. Her captain requested speaker and Mellon’s assistance, engagHonorary Conch ing him to take charge of the who loves sharing the history of the brig and its cargo of silver Florida Keys. specie, “Dye wood, Fustic, and Sassaparilla (sic).”

Reading through the account, I recognized that specie referred to coins, and $30,000 is a large number today, but it represented a significantly greater number in 1828. While I am not a huge fan of sarsaparilla, my favorite of the colas is sarsaparilla’s cousin, root beer, so I understood the specie and sarsaparilla. Having no idea what fustic was, I did a little research.

The “Dye wood” could have been Chlorophora tinctoria, a tree from the mulberry family. It is from the wood of this kind of tree that fustic, a yellowish dye, is created.

What is also attested to in Mellon’s account was that, having been engaged as the wreck master of the Vigilant, Mellon and his partner diligently worked “together with the crew of the Brig, with great difficulty and danger, saved the said vessel and cargo from total loss.” What was also said was that Mellon intended to sail the brig to Key West “to receive the amount for which he was entitled for the great service he rendered.”

And then, at some point, the wrecking schooner Sarah Isabella, manned by Captain Housman and his crew of seven, entered the scene. According to Mellon and the court action, Housman’s actions were of a criminal nature. and that an action had been ordered by Judge Webb on April 6, 1829, “to take the body of Jacob Housman, & require of him to give bail in the full sum of ten thousand dollars, to insure his personal appearance at the Court House in Key West on the first Monday in May next.”

Next week, the story will continue, and we will discover the nature of the wrecker-onwrecker crime Captain Housman was alleged to have committed.

43

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

HOSPITAL CELEBRATES HEART HEALTH

Lower Keys Medical Center offers tips for the tickers

I

t’s a leap year, and that means we all can look forward to an extra day in February — an extra day to enjoy life, be well and pursue the things that make us happy.

And, while an extra day is nice, what if you could add more years to your life?

Caring for your heart is one of the best ways to live longer.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, responsible for one in five adult deaths in the U.S each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. But there are actions you can take right now to reduce the risk of heart disease.

This February, Lower Keys Medical Center is marking American Heart Month and the 2024 leap year with its Leap into Heart Health educational email series. People who sign up will receive short emails designed to help improve heart health. Topics include ways to spring into action, skip past stress, hurdle over harmful habits, hop into bed earlier for better rest and other steps anyone can take toward a stronger, healthier heart.

“Most people can reduce the risk of heart disease by adopting a healthier lifestyle, not smoking, exercising

regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and well-balanced diet, keeping blood sugar and cholesterol under control and treating high blood pressure.

That may sound like a lot to manage but even small adjustments can often lead to improvements in heart health,” said Dr. Steven Rowe of Keys Medical Group Cardiology.

President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the first American Heart Month in February 1964.

Several years before that, when he was Senate majority leader, Johnson was a 60-cigaretteper-day smoker and suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He was only 46 years old. Every U.S. president has since recognized February as American Heart Month and a time to educate Americans about ways to prevent heart disease.

The email series will be delivered to inboxes every other day in February with a short article and heart health tips. The series also includes warnings about symptoms and conditions that may indicate you should see a doctor, especially high blood pressure, high cholesterol and genetic predisposition to heart disease.

“At Lower Keys Medical Center, our mission is to ‘help people get well and live healthier’ and, for many of us, that means taking better care of our hearts,” says David Clay, CEO. Sign up for the emails at lkmc.com/heart-challenge.

— Contributed

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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TAKE ME HOME? FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

T

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.

Plogging the Keys welcomed a new record number of volunteers to the Jan. 12 cleanup. Seventy-one volunteers showed up and in one hour collected 79 pounds of trash and recycling and five gallons of cigarette butts in the downtown area. Thanks to the Key West Woman’s Club for hosting and providing breakfast with food, drinks and tours of the historic home on Duval Street. Thanks to all the volunteers, an amazing group of caring people. 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.

Jan. 19: Fleming & Simonton streets. Meet in the parking lot of the Marquesa Hotel on Simonton Street. Cars, please park in the fire station lot.

Jan. 26: Simonton & Catherine streets. Meet in the parking lot behind First State Bank of the Florida Keys.

Have we mentioned our 15 hamsters currently residing at the Key West campus?

This is Luigi. He’s pretty chill, but he’d love to have a second chance in a new home.

Meet Bernie. If this 4½-year-old boxer mix looks quizzical to you it’s because he’s confused. He’s a very good boy and wonders why no one has scooped him up.

Maya is one of our caped crusader kitties. This 4-year-old girl is always ready to save the shelter from a cat-tastrophy.

Key West Caped Crusader #2 this week is Herman. This 4-year-old is not only handsome, he’s been known to meow the words, “I. Am. Catman.”

We talk a lot about Chuck, this handsome gentleman of a certain age, because he’s awesome and deserves a home. With you. Today.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 18, 2024

TROPIC CINEMA ANNOUNCES

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LINING THEM UP, KNOCKING THEM DOWN Key West boys on seven-game streak | P.4

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3

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

JAN. 18

THE SCOREBOARD

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Team

Sport

Opponent

Date

Result

Coral Shores

Boys Basketball

Keys Gate

1/8

L, 46-42

Marathon

Boys Basketball

Palmer

1/9

L, 59-56

Marathon

Girls Soccer

Florida Christian

1/9

L, 2-1

Marathon

Boys Soccer

Florida Christian

1/9

L, 8-0

Coral Shores

Boys Soccer

South Homestead

1/9

L, 3-2

Key West

Boys Soccer

St. Thomas Aquinas

1/9

W, 2-0

Key West

Boys Basketball

Somerset Academy

1/10

L, 88-56

Marathon

Boys Basketball

Keys Gate

1/10

L, 68-41

Coral Shores

Girls Soccer

Gulliver

1/10

L, 3-0

Coral Shores

Boys Soccer

Ransom

1/10

T, 2-2

Marathon

Girls Basketball

Keys Gate

1/10

W, 54-9

Coral Shores

Boys Basketball

MAST Academy

1/11

W, 62-47

Coral Shores

Girls Basketball

Key West

1/11

W, FF

Marathon

Girls Soccer

Key West

1/11

L, 6-0

Key West

Boys Soccer

Silver Palms

1/11

W, 4-2

Coral Shores

Girls Soccer

Marathon

1/12

T, 3-3

Key West

Girls Basketball

Ransom

1/12

L, 42-26

Marathon

Boys Soccer

Coral Shores

1/12

W, 4-3

Key West

Girls Soccer

Gulliver

1/12

L, 1-0

Coral Shores

Girls Basketball

Keys Gate

1/12

W, 53-19

Key West

Boys Basketball

Westminster Christian

1/13

L, 46-70

Key West

Boys Soccer

Bolles

1/13

W, 3-2

Marathon

Girls Basketball

Ransom

1/13

L, 67-24

Key West

Girls Basketball

Archbishop McCarthy

1/13

L, 56-36

THIS WEEK

Kieran

SMITH

Sophomore Key West

He is one of the captains who goes about his business in a manner that instills confidence in the team.

He’s unselfish, working for the team above all else.”

– Conchs head coach Nic Farrar

JAN. 18

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS Date

School

Sport

Opponent

Start Time

1/18

Coral Shores

Wrestling

Key West

5 p.m.

1/19

Marathon

Girls & Boys Basketball

Pace

4 & 6:30 p.m.

1/19

Marathon

Girls Soccer

Lemon Bay

5 p.m.

1/20

Marathon

Girls Basketball

St. Brendan

1 p.m.

1/20

Key West

Girls Soccer

Lemon Bay

11 a.m.

1/22

Marathon

Girls & Boys Basketball

Posnack

4 & 5:45

1/23

Coral Shores

Girls Basketball

LaSalle

4 p.m.

1/24

Marathon

Girls & Boys Basketball

Key West

5:30 & 7 p.m.

ON THE COVER Loubins Fleuridor and the Key West Conchs have been on a tear since mid-December, winning their last seven straight. See page 4.

GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly

A team does not go on a lengthy win streak by accident; it takes hustle, hard work and, above all, an element of leadership to keep the team going in the right direction. Key West’s Kieran Smith is just that element. Coach Nic Farrar describes his center back as “one of the pillars of the defensive line that has been integral in our win streak with his ball-winning skills and heading ability.”

Smith is an integral part of Key West’s defensive unit who also has two assists this season, a testament to his strong clearing skills. For his willingness to give his all on the field, Kieran Smith is the

Photo by GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly

4

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024 SPORTS WRITER

The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West.

Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.

tracy mcdonald fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.

PODCAST HOST

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Director of Sales

Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Production Manager

Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

sean mcdonald grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.

MARKET EDITORS

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR

BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050.

APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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SEVEN’S A STREAK Key West soccer mows down opponents with districts next week

5

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

A

fter a disappointing start which did not see a win for the team until Dec. 11, Key West’s boys have caught fire. Since then, the team has set up shop in the W column, including a trio of victories last week to make it a seven-game streak.

On Jan. 9, they headed to St. Thomas Aquinas to play the larger 6A Raiders in Fort Lauderdale. Key West managed to topple the fifth-ranked team in 6A with a Wyatt Gibson header in the first half assisted by Sebastian Camargo. Nico Sulak put in the insurance goal with an assist by Loubins Fleuridor, and Sebastian Cruz locked things down in goal to preserve the win.

Coach Nic Farrar credited defender Finn McKnight with making several clutch saves and Bruno Barrios with a goal-line clearance to secure the shutout. The victory was number five for the Conchs, with number six coming on Jan. 11 against Somerset Silver Palms in The Backyard. Key West sent the Stallions home after beating them 4-2 with just two days to prepare for their final regular-season home game that weekend.

The next victim was Bolles, who traveled all the way from Jacksonville to play the Conchs. The Bolles Bulldogs are a perennial powerhouse on the pitch, and they did not lie down to hand Key West their seventh straight victory on senior night.

“Both teams started brightly, and it was Key West that took the lead midway through the first half after good work from Loubins Fleuridor,” said Farrar. “(He) won the ball in the midfield and drove at the heart of the Bolles defense and calmly finished to give the Conchs the lead.”

Key West held on to the lead through halftime, when the Conchs’ tempo as well as the weather changed and, according to Farrar, wind became a factor. Freshman Sonny Bowden found the back of the net for his first varsity goal in

Above: The Key West Conchs take on perennial powerhouse Bolles on Jan. 13. Key West won the match 3-2. Photos

by GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly. com.

Left: The Coral Shores Hurricanes battle Ransom Everglades to a 2-2 tie on Jan. 10. MARC SEROTA/Contributed

just his second start this season. Bolles answered back not long after Bowden’s goal, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Soon after, Camargo took advantage of a Bolles goalkeeper miscue and was able to score in the unsecured goal from 25 yards out. Late into the second half, Bolles scored again, narrowing Key West’s lead to just one for the second time, and both teams battled for the final moments of play.

Farrar credited McKnight with an early second-half penalty save as well as “easing the pressure with several key highball claims to secure the Conchs’ 3-2 victory.” The rest of Key West’s matches will be on the road this regular season, but they are as close to home as the Conchs get; they play Marathon and Coral Shores before focusing on districts.

Key West’s girls headed to Marathon on Jan. 11 for a rainy, yet decisive, win. The Conchs dominated the Fins 6-0 with help from a hat trick by Kaitlyn Franco. Grace Andrew, Jazzy Dieguez and Maicee Gage added one goal each in the district match. Coming off of their in-county win, the Conchs played at home in The Backyard against Gulliver Prep, losing 1-0. Both teams could meet again later this month in playoff action, giving the Conchs a chance at redemption against the Raiders. Key West will play two on the road this week before returning home to play their final regular-season match of the season against Lemon Bay on Jan. 20.

Marathon’s boys suffered a mercy-rule 8-0 loss at the hands of Florida Christian Jan. 9 and returned home to regroup. Neighboring rival Coral Shores would feel the full extent of their frustration on Jan. 12 when the Fins stormed the field and stole away a win on the Hurricanes’ senior night.

Mikail “Jay” Marshall struck first before the ’Canes put two into the net to take the lead. Marshall scored two more for a hat trick and Oscar Cardona had one goal in the Fins’ big win. continued on the next page

6

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024

from page 5

“Marathon played their best game to date,” said coach Shannon Wiley, praising his defense for not giving up when they were down. “Defender Sebastian Stasiewicz and goalkeeper Tiago Rivero had numerous huge saves in the box,” he added, calling their efforts “nothing short of incredible.”

The Lady Fins of Marathon played three matches last week, beginning with a Jan. 9 road loss to Florida Christian.

Mackenzie Budi scored the lone Fin goal on a Jordan MacDonald assist in the 2-1 loss, which looked more like a rugby match than soccer.

“The other team had seven yellow cards and a blue one,” head coach Cathy Warner said, adding that she was proud of her team for holding their composure and showing some grit after some pushing and shoving went unchecked and a goal was reversed in a questionable offsides call.

After the Jan. 11 loss to Key West, the Lady Fins hit the road for a trip up to Coral Shores and a second chance to play their closest neighbor – and their coach’s old stomping grounds. The Fins showed marked improvement from their 5-1 loss earlier in the season. Both teams battled for 80 minutes, resulting in a 3-3 tie. Budi, Rain Banks and Sara Strama each scored one for the Fins, with MacDonald assisting on two of Marathon’s goals. Though the ’Canes were without starters Jenna Mandozzi and Sophia Jans for their senior night, Kai Redruello found the net twice and Mya Champigny scored on a penalty kick to keep Coral Shores in the game.

Warner, who is in her first year coaching for the Fins after formerly coaching the Hurricanes, was delighted with the outcome, saying the game “will leave the girls hungry and give them that drive to push even harder for the win when we play (Coral Shores) in districts.”

The ’Canes and Fins will most likely match up for the first round of the FHSAA District 16 3A quarterfinals later this month.

“Our girls have come a long way this season,” Warner said, “and everything we are working for is coming to fruition.”

Coral Shores’ boys started the week off with a loss to Somerset South Homestead on Jan. 9. Following the 3-2 district loss, the ’Canes tied Ransom the following night 2-2.

They ended their week with the 4-3 loss to Marathon.

Districts for boys and girls soccer begin Jan. 24 and run through Feb. 1.

Left: The Coral Shores Hurricanes and Marathon Dolphins do battle on Jan. 12. Marathon emerged victorious, 4-3. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly. com.

Right: The Lady Fins and Lady Conchs meet for an in-country rivalry match on Jan. 11. Key West had the upper hand, 6-0. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly. com.

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

7

8

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024

9

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

CORAL SHORES GIRLS IMPROVE TO 9-1 Lady ‘Canes cruise to blowout senior night win

O

n Jan. 11, the Lady ’Canes picked up a win against Key West via forfeit, giving them just one opportunity to play last week. They made the most of it, defeating Keys Gate on Jan. 12 and giving the Hurricanes a massive district win on senior night. Senior captains Makayla Hahn and Brooke Mandozzi did not disappoint; Mandozzi had the hot hand, scoring 14, and Hahn led the team in steals with 5 in abbreviated minutes of play.

The starters turned the court over to the underclassmen early in the lopsided victory. Ten ’Canes in total logged points, with several athletes reaching exciting career milestones in the 53-19 win. Junior Gabby Thomas recorded her first double-double with 10 points and rebounds. Alex Burson had a career-high 10 points and freshman Caylee DePauw went 3-3 and scored 6. Abby Vogt had 10 assists. The 9-1 Lady ’Canes have a three-game road streak before returning home Jan. 23 to play LaSalle.

Coral Shores’ boys split the week, starting with a Jan. 8 road loss at Keys Gate. The ’Canes lost 46-42 against the Knights. On Jan. 11 they hosted MAST Academy. Despite getting off to a slow start and trailing 27-23 at the half, the ’Canes put it into overdrive after halftime and rallied for the win. AJ Putetti had the hot hand with 18 points. Donovan Thiery scored 15 with 7 assists and 6 steals. Isaac Rivera added 13 with 4 rebounds. Keegan Fish scored 6, Ayden Lane had 5 and Corey Dickerson added 4 to his stats. The ‘Canes end their regular season with a three-game road series before heading into the postseason.

Key West played the Somerset Academy Panthers in Pembroke Pines on Jan. 10. The 4A Conchs played with heart but the 5A Panthers are ranked sixth in their class for a reason.

DeMarcus Deroche earned another doubledouble, scoring 12 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. James Osborne scored 12, Josue Thanus scored 9 and Kameron Roberts scored 8 in the 88-56 loss. On Jan. 13 the Conchs suffered another loss, this time at home against Westminster Christian. Roberts was the high scorer for Key West with 20 points and Osborne added ten in the 70-46 loss. A third game scheduled to be played against Coral Shores was postponed with details not yet available.

The Lady Conchs are still searching for win number one this season after a series of losses last week. On Jan. 11 Key Left: The Key West Lady Conchs take on Ransom Everglades and Archbishop McCarthy. GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly. See more game photos at keysweekly.com.

West was slated to host Coral Shores, but forfeited the game.

The following night, Ransom made the trip to Bobby Menendez Gymnasium, defeating the Lady Conchs 42-26. On Jan. 13, the young team fell to Archbishop McCarthy 56-36. Despite a slow start to their season, Key West has several winnable games on its schedule and could finish the

season on a high note.

Marathon’s boys suffered a pair of losses last week as well. On Jan. 9, the Fins hosted Palmer Trinity and gave the Falcons a run for their money, narrowly losing 59-56. A trio of seniors led the charge in scoring, with Yaniel Garcia and Xavier Grant scoring 17 each and Adrian Cruz adding 15. The following night, Marathon made the trip to Keys Gate, losing 68-41. Grant scored 9, with 7 points coming from Cruz plus 6 each from Garcia, Andrew Suarez and Daeshawn Holmes in the district matchup.

The Lady Fins made short work of Keys Gate in a 54-9 road win Jan. 10. Elena Eubank scored 17 with 13 points from Marti Kilbourne, 11 from Payton Junker and 9 from Daysi Williams. The score became so lopsided that head coach Andra Garvey sent in his reserves. At a small school like Marathon, that meant playing time for multiple sixth-graders, who may not have scored any points but held their own. On Jan. 13, Ransom came to Marathon and gave the Fins a tougher time.

Williams put up 11 points and Eubank scored 9 in the 67-24 loss.

Daysi Williams, left. BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly Abby Vogt, right. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

10

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024

KEYS IRONWOMEN CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON FHSAA State Championships are just one month away

199

O

154 lb. weight class winner

n Jan. 10, the Coral Shores Lady ’Canes made the trip to Marathon for both teams’ final regular-season meet. The Dolphins bested the ’Canes in both events, 57-31 in traditional lifting and 56-32 in Olympic.

Coral Shores had three double winners, lifting the most in both events. Rachel Rusch won the 110 lb. class, Grace Patterson was a dual winner at 169 and Vanessa Gabriel won both events in the unlimited category. At 183 lbs., Karla Guitierrez picked up a win in the traditional event.

Marathon posted double wins in the 101 lb. class with Ella Dunn, 119 with Sierra Earnhardt, 129 with Mikkel Ross, 139 with Cami Wrinn, 154 with Marquisha Abraham and 199 with Sabrina Schofield. Justice Lee won the Olympic lift event in the 183 lb. class. Ross was back on top, yielding the highest Sinclair score in both events. The Sinclair score uses a mathematical equation to determine who, pound for pound, was the highest performer.

The next time the teams meet, it will be at districts held on Jan. 27 at Doctors Charter School at 10 a.m. Key West will travel to Lake Worth’s Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School on Jan. 25 for their first round of postseason lifts. With the numbers Keys’ lifters have been putting up this season, there is no doubt many athletes will move on to regionals on Feb. 3. The state meet will be held in Lakeland Feb. 16-17.

Marquisha Abraham, left, and Sabrina Schofield, right.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

lb. weight class winner

11

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

CFK TUGAS SQUARE OFF WITH TRUMAN STATE Swimmers record personal record times in only home meet

T

he College of the Florida Keys welcomed swimmers from Truman State University for a meet on Jan. 8 at the college’s aquatic center on the Key West campus. Three swimmers from CFK men’s and women’s swim teams competed with 26 swimmers from the Missouri-based school who were visiting the Keys to train in the warm weather.

While the TSU Bulldogs bested the CFK Tugas in numbers, the home team gave a strong performance in their only home meet of the season. Notably, Isabella Oliverio achieved personal best times in the 50 yard backstroke and 50 yard freestyle for the women's team. Kaemon Fagley achieved personal best times in the 50 yard butterfly and 50 yard freestyle while Eddie Kertis achieved personal best times in the 50 yard breaststroke and 50 yard freestyle for the men's team.

Fagley and Kertis also qualified to compete in three events at the National Junior College Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championship in March.

“The pool was filled with energy,” said coach and CFK Athletics Director Lori Bosco. “Our team benefited from the additional competition and the visiting teams appreciated being able to swim outdoors in January.

All the swimmers had a great time.”

The Tugas will next compete at the 2024 TYR SoFLo Open Swim Meet, on Jan. 19, 20 and 21 in Pembroke Pines.

— Contributed

Top: Shel the Tuga poses with athletes from the CFK and Truman State University swim teams. COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS/Contributed

Bottom: CFK and TSU swimmers compete in the butterfly. COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS/Contributed

THE REGAN ROTH TEAM IS HERE TO PROTECT YOU...

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12

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

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FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Keys Wok N’ Roll located at 102840 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: M B Food Services LLC Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: KEY LARGO III ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT KEY LARGO, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA Monroe County is seeking the services of a roadway and drainage construction firm for the Key Largo III Roadway and Drainage Project (Harris Ocean Park Estates, Ocean Park Village, Palma Sola and Burton’s Yacht Basin subdivisions – approximately mm 94).

The scope of work includes drainage installation, milling and resurfacing, establishing crowns, re-grading roadway shoulders, bicycle lane construction, pavement markings, and signage.

This project is partially funded by an FDOT Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) grant and requires adherence to the SCOP agreement and FDOT construction standards.

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

by Onvia at www. demandstar.com OR www. monroecountybids.com. The Public Record is available upon request.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department has implemented a new electronic process for reviewing and opening sealed bids. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/ physically delivered bids/ proposal/responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00 P.M. on February 20, 2024. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents.

Your subject line on both emails must read as follows: KEY LARGO III ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 02/20/2024 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 or otherwise be rejected or undeliverable to OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl. gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected.

The bid opening for this

solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on February 20, 2024. 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 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

ARTHUR R. SZEGLIN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Arthur R. Szeglin, deceased, whose date of death was August 8, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 502 Whitehead St, 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 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: January 18, 2024.

Personal Representative: Gladys M. Szeglin 1061 Bay Drive Summerland Key, Florida 33042 Attorney for Personal Representative: Nichole Scott, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 520691 Gordon Streisand, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 1010880 Primary E-Mail: Nichole.

Scott@hklaw.com Secondary E-Mail: Diana.

Musa@hklaw.com Primary E-Mail: Gordon.

Streisand@hklaw.com Secondary E-Mail: miapwsservice@hklaw.com HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP Attorneys for Petitioning Personal Representative 701 Brickell Ave, Suite 3300 Miami, Florida 33131 Telephone: (305) 374-8500 Fax: (305) 789-7799 Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: JANUARY 11, 2024.

Co-Personal Representatives: KIMBERLY K. CLARK 253 W Shenandoah Street Tucson, Arizona 85737 SUSAN M. KAZMAIER 51 Plainfield Road Concord, Massachusetts 01742 Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273 Turner & Lynn, P.A. 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com Publish: January 11 & 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: JANUARY 11, 2024.

Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Attorney for Personal Representative: SANDRA T. LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 827177 Turner & Lynn, P.A. 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 sturnerlynn@gmail.com Publish: January 11 & 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of VB4AD located at 5409 Overseas Highway, #1165, Marathon, Florida 33050 intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

By: Valerie Bonzer Foundation For The American Dreamer, Inc. Frederick Kohler Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of KEY WEST PROPOSALS located at 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 114, Monroe County in the City of Key West, Florida 33040-4077, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Key West, Florida this 15th day of January, 2024.

By: EME GROUP, LLC Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers DISTRICT II ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC II) (From the city limits of Key West to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge) of the MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL has an opening for a LODGING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE – shall be owners or operating/general managers of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations which are subject to bed tax in the tax collection district for which they are applying.

Any person wishing to participate on the District II Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council within the district so noted above, may request an application by emailing sydney@fla-keys. com. Completed applications should be emailed to sydney@ fla-keys.com or may be sent via U.S. mail to the address below: Department DAC Monroe County Tourist Development Council 1201 White Street, Suite 102 Key West, FL 33040 Deadline for receipt of application at the above address is 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2024. A resume may be attached to the application.

Publish: January 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following: Big Pine Community Park Amphitheater 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 the County’s electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/ BonfireBids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform. Please do not email, mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids.

Emailed/mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted.

The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via the Bonfire electronic bidding platform at https://monroecounty-fl. bonfirehub.com, no later than 3:00P.M. on February 15, 2024.

There is no cost to the bidder to use the Bonfire platform.

Please do not submit your confidential financial information as part of your proposal. There are separate uploads for each set of documents, including confidential financial information. All proposals will be made public on the platform after an intended decision or 30 days, whichever is earlier, unless the bids/ proposals are rejected in accordance with F.S. 119.071.

If your proposal document includes financial information, that information will not be considered confidential and will be available and viewable to the public in accordance with public records law.

The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on Thursday, February 15, 2024. You may call in by phone or internet using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000007-P IN RE: ESTATE OF TIMOTHY ALAN DORSEY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Timothy Alan Dorsey, deceased, whose date of death was November 26, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS 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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is January 18, 2024.

Personal Representative: Erin Appleton-Dorsey 9402 12th Avenue SW Seattle, WA 98106 Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven L. Hearn, Esquire Florida Bar No. 350801 Frederick L. Hearn, Esquire Florida Bar No. 105987 STEVEN L. HEARN, P.A. 600 S. Magnolia Ave., Ste. 200 Tampa, FL 33606 Telephone: (813) 222-0003 E-Mail: slh@estatedisputes. com Secondary E-Mail: flh@ estatedisputes.com Secondary E-Mail: melr@ estatedisputes.com Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2023-CP-0303-K IN RE: ESTATE OF

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-000141-PK IN RE: ESTATE OF PATRICIA H. KAZMAIER Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of PATRICIA H. KAZMAIER, deceased, whose date of death was October 19, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000141PK, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-000142-PK IN RE: ESTATE OF PHYLLIS E. DALIA Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of PHYLLIS E. DALIA, deceased, whose date of death was December 6, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 23-CP-000142-PK, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, 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, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-000123-P IN RE: ESTATE OF BARBARA MARY PRIESTMAN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of BARBARA MARY PRIESTMAN, deceased, File Number 23-CP-000123-P, whose date of death was April 23, 2023 and whose social security number is XXX-XX-8225, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste.2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court 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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this Notice is: January 11, 2024.

Signed on January 3, 2024.

Personal Representative BRADLEY PRIESTMAN, Petitioner Attorney for Personal Representative: VINCENT J. OWOC, ESQ. Florida Bar Number 794449 Attorney for Petitioner Vincent J. Owoc, P.A. 4801 S. University Dr., Ste. 203 Davie, FL 33328 Telephone: (954) 680-8000 Email: vincentowoc@msn.com Publish: January 11 & 18, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

13

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

305.743.0844

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

EMPLOYMENT

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-7-K DIVISION: FAMILY SHANIN OURADA Petitioner, and, ROBERT OURADA, JR. Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE TO: ROBERT OURADA, JR. RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 19442 CANAL DRIVE, SUGARLOAF KEY, FL 33042 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Shanin Ourada, whose address is 50 Sands Road, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 on or before February 10, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter.

If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information.

Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: January 5, 2024 Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Destiny Johnson Deputy Clerk Publish: January 11, 18 & 25 and February 1, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs.

KIM BYRDRIDER, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CC310-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5312, Week 35, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 8TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs.

JAMES KEFFER, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CA511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

JAMES KEFFER, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CA511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

Marathon Auto Air looking for Shop Help - full or part-time. Pay based on experience.

Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon.

305-289-9884

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CC-310-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5111, Week 46, Odd Year Biennial Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5712, Week 2, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S) IX entered in a case pending in said Court, the 8TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs.

JAMES KEFFER, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CA511-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CC-223-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5834, Week 16, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT entered in a case pending in said Court, the 14TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs.

CHRISTOPHER RAY GRAY, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CC223-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

Publish: January 18 & 25, 2024 The Weekly Newspaper IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CA-511-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 5134, Week 34, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S) IV, V entered in a case pending in said Court, the 8TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Plaintiff vs.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CC-61-K NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 1st day of February, 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., at 500 Whitehead Street, Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the Following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Unit 221, Week 39, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE entered in a case pending in said Court, the 15TH day of December 2023 Syle of which is: SUNSET HARBOR RESORT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs.

ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST JUDITH K. WHITE, DECEASED, et.al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CC61-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 29TH day of December 2023.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks.

Runs or Not. $CASH 305-332-0483 BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided.

305-610-8002 Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

CAMP SITE

Camping site at marina available in Marathon.

305-610-8002 EMPLOYMENT

Pigeon Key in Marathon is seeking a Customer Service Rep/ Ramp Attendant. to join our island team.

Position includes greeting customers, giving information and taking admissions.

Outgoing professionals can contact pigeonkey@aol.com for additional details.

Hiring: Lead Gutter Installer - EXPERIENCE REQUIRED – valid Driver’s License - must be comfortable with heights - located in Tavernier. To apply, please call or text Jay 305-587-1581.

Looking for happy personality with good customer service skills to complete staff in fun Keys Gift Shop in Marathon. Part time to start. Call 305 731 6947 for appointment.

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Administrative Asst.

Fire Department and Right of Way Technician.

Full Benefits. EOE Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic.

Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus.

Call 305-481-7006 The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: PT Receptionist, Assistant to Director of Housing, Housing Assistant-Key West, Occupancy & Admissions AssistantKey West, Protective Service Aide, Housing Manager-Middle Keys, HVAC Maintenance Mechanic, and M a i n t e n a n c e M e c h a n i c (Maintenance Worker). To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621 Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha. org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844.

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

P R I V A T E C O L L E C T O R WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & W a t c h e s .

Call 305-743-4578 HOUSING FOR RENT

LONG TERM Key Largo 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access.

Very nice community. $3500/month 786-258-3127

14

KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP / JANUARY 18, 2024

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES • •305.743.0844 HOUSING FOR RENT

PERSONALS

VACATION RENTAL

2 BR/2.5 BA, Key Largo, furnished, boat slip included up to 28' boat, dockage right behind the unit.

Long term or vacation rental. $4,800/ month 305-202-1030

BEACH HOUSE VACATION! Caretaker couple needed for Bahamas Beach House for 3-4 months. Call or text 305-439-9991

Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, fully furnished in Marathon.

Available now. $2,000/month includes electric, water, sewer, cable, internet.

No Pets. 305-610-8002

Large RV Waterfront Lot with Dockage for rent in Marathon.

Full hook up. $1950/ month plus utilities.

F/L/S 305-731-5042

Key West House For Rent 28 day minimum.

Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/ night. Sweet Caroline S e a p o r t . c o m

2 Bedroom 1 Bath house in Marathon.

Tile & carpet floors, new appliances, gated property. No pets.

305-610-8002 Place your Housing For Rent ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844.

RV LOT FOR RENT

Large RV Lot for Rent in Marathon.

Full hook up. $1600/ month plus utilities.

F/L/S 305-731-5042 Place your RV LOT For Rent ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy.

Call 305-743-0844.

YARD SALES

GARAGE SALE Saturday, January 20 from 8 am - 2 pm.

131 Zane Grey Creek Dr, Layton MM68

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon

Join our team! Full and part-time

Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $17.00/hour to start. Send resume to: TurtleHospitalMarathon@gmail.com

Place your YARD SALE ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today!

IS HIRING IN THE UPPER KEYS

FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER BOOKKEEPER

VACATION RENTAL

PERSONALS

Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call: 305-852-3002

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

• Bussers • Hosts • Line Cooks • Waitstaff • Bartenders • Dishwashers • Bar Backs Apply in person at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar, 7 Knight’s Key Blvd, Marathon

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 field required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Office located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

$$$ OFFICE ASSISTANT $$$

DYNASTY MARINE ASSOCIATES, MARATHON, FL Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, 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.

Competitive compensation plus benefits.

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

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

HEAVY DIESEL MECHANIC We are hiring a heavy diesel mechanic with experience working on John Deere, Caterpillar, Kubota, etc.

Monday-Friday with some overtime available.

Please apply at Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc. 129 Toppino Industrial Dr, Key West – ask for Cheryl 305-296-5606 extension 126

WE ARE HIRING! Assistant Plant Store Manager (FT) 40-hr/wk Good social/business skills, above average computer skills required (knowledge of POS a plus). Knowledge of tropical plants is helpful. Requires a lot of manual labor, must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Must be able to work weekends and evenings as the season requires.

FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening required.

Plant Store/Nursery Associate (PT) Sat–Tues 9AM–5 PM Position requires a min. of high school completion and 1 yr. exp. Must be knowledgeable in tropical plants and have good social/business skills, above average computer skills (knowledge of POS a plus). Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL driver’s license w/good driving record, references and background screening are required.

Direct Care Staff /Driver at Adult Day Training Program KW (FT&PT) Mon-Fri This position is available at our Adult Day program. Providing direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. Position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. FL Driver’s license w/clean driving record, English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Pre-employment training on-line and in person required.

MARC | 1401 Seminary St, Key West | www.marchouse.org

Come join our family! EOE

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers CDL Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

15

JANUARY 18, 2024 / KEYS WEEKLY SPORTS WRAP

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC && LEGAL NOTICES • • 305.743.0844 • CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES 305.743.0844 OPENINGS AVAILABLE TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

PAPA JOE’S WATERFRONT in Islamorada is in final stages of construction and looking forward to an end-of-January opening!!

- Customer Service Coordinator - Medical Technologist, $15k Sign-on Bonus* - Medical Technologist, Laboratory - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Radiology, $20k Sign-on Bonus* - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Ultrasound, $20k Sign-on Bonus* - MH Multiplace Hyperbaric Tech - Pool Group Exercise Instructor - Pool Physical Therapist - Registered Nurse, $25k Sign-on Bonus*

Work with the BEST!

• Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance • Tuition Reimbursement • Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Time • 401K Employer Match • Quarterly Cash Profit Sharing • Fun, Fast-Paced Environment • Great Hours

Voted Best Bank 2014 - 2023 Key West

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - Cook, Dietary, $5k Sign-on Bonus* - Emergency Department Team Coordinator - Environmental Tech, $5k Sign-on Bonus* - Manager Food Service - Medical Technologist, $15k Sign-on Bonus* - Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Radiology, $20k Sign-on Bonus* - Patient Care Manager, Emergency Department, $20k Sign-on Bonus* - Patient Experience Advocate - Pharmacy Tech, $4k Sign-on Bonus* - Phlebotomist, Laboratory - Pool Physical Therapist - Registered Nurse, Oncology-Outpatient, $15k Sign-on Bonus* - Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, $15k Sign-on Bonus* - Security Officer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. *Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net or call 786-243-8507

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

IS HIRING! Volunteer Resources Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Permanent)

Facilities Maintenance Apprentice

Now accepting applications via email for the following positions: Admin/Office-Manager Assistant General Manager Restaurant/Floor Manager(s) Beverage/Bar Manager Sous Chef(s) Kitchen Manager/Supervisor(s)

Please be sure to attach your resume, contact info, & position(s) of interest.

Please No calls, No walk-ins at this time.

Thank you.

“Uplifting the human spirit since 1973”

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

IS HIRING!

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more.

All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated.

Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

KEY LARGO KEY WEST

Media & Marketing Assistant (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

Peer Support Specialist Prevention Specialist Advocate Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult) Behavioral Health Counselor (Child) Case Manager (Adult)

MARATHON

Housekeeper Prevention Specialist Admission Specialist Care Coordinator (PT) Driver (CDL) Behavioral Health Therapist (Child, Adult) RNs/LPNs - 3 shifts (also Per Diem) Peer Support Specialist *Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT) *Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

*No experience required for this position. Will train.

A caring heart & helpful hands required.

Teaching... Learning... Caring

Background and drug screen req.

COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

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

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL

Apply Online at KeysBank.com/Careers

Equal Housing Lender

EOE-M/F/V/D

CS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

The Guidance/Care Center, Inc. a division of

Education Program Host Staff Photographer

Information Technology Technician II

Member FDIC

Advocate (PT) Behavioral Health Counselor (Child)

(Full-Time, Part-Time, Seasonal)

Customer Service Representative/ Online Banking

We are now beginning to assemble our management team.

If you’re interested in any of these listed employment opportunities, please email your resume to FrankS@PapaJoesWaterfront.com

(Full-Time, Permanent) (Full-Time, Permanent)

Full Time Teller

LOCATION: MARATHON

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a Customer ServiceField Rep. to work out of our Marathon Office. This position acts as a liaison between the FKAA and customers out in the field and at the customer’s property. Work involves managing meter reading data and minor repairs to the water distribution system.

Must have a High School; Diploma or GED and valid Florida Driver’s License. Must obtain a FDEP Level 3 license w/within 18 mos. of hire date. Salary: $50,376.48 annually. Excellent benefits.

Apply online at www.fkaa.com/212/opportunities EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS LOCATION: MARATHON

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for Distribution System Operators to perform semi-skilled work, involving the repair and maintenance of FKAA water distribution and transmission systems. We provide on the job training for qualified applicants. Requires a High School, Diploma or GED and valid Florida Driver’s License. Salary: $48,909.19. Excellent benefits and opportunities for advancement.

Apply online at www.fkaa.com/212/opportunities EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

FKAA EMERGENCY WATER PLAN STORE WATER

FILL BATHTUB AND LARGE CONTAINERS WITH WATER FOR WASHING AND FLUSHING ONLY. FOR DRINKING AND COOKING WATER, STORE IN CONTAINERS FOR 7-10 DAYS. 1 GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY IS RECOMMENDED.

FOLLOW PRECAUTIONARY/ MANDATORY BOIL WATER NOTICES IF A NOTICE IS ISSUED, DISINFECT YOUR WATER BY EITHER BOILING FOR 1 MINUTE, OR ADDING 1/8 TEASPOON OF BLEACH, OR USING PURIFICATION TABLETS.

EVACUATING? HERE'S WHAT TO DO SHUT OFF THE HOME'S WATER VALVE (TYPICALLY FOUND ON THE EXTERIOR WALL OF THE HOME). SOME WATER HEATERS MAY ALSO NEED TO BE SHUT OFF. CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. Should you require assistance in turning off your water, FKAA will be happy to come out and turn it off for you, as a courtesy (time permitting).

CUSTOMERS WITH LOW PRESSURE SEWER PUMP ON THEIR PROPERTY ARE ASKED TO SHUT OFF THE BREAKER TO THEIR GRINDER PUMP (LOCATED IN THE DEDICATED ELECTRIC BOX OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOME).

STAY INFORMED REGISTER FOR "PRIORITY CALL" @FKAA.COM TO RECEIVE NOTICES VIA PHONE, TEXT, & EMAIL. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, FKAA.COM AND THE RADIO CALL US @ 305.296.2454