Rocky Tingle, M.D. Medical Director, Keys Medical Group
We all want high-quality healthcare close to home. Doctors we trust. Nurses who know us. Being in the Lower Keys, we want the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have easy access to skilled providers, whether we’re seeking preventive care or treatment for ongoing health issues.
The primary care team at Keys Medical Group prioritizes not only quality care, but a great patient experience. They are skilled clinicians, compassionate caregivers, and advocates for their patients. Because we have dedicated providers in our hometown, patient relationships are deeper, treatment is faster and more convenient, and any recovery is easier. That’s why we’re always working to Keep Care in the Keys for you and your family.
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An annual report released by the Alzheimer’s Association states an estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $384 billion in 2025. Learn more at alz.org/facts.
KEY WEST CODE DIRECTOR RETIRES FOLLOWING CITY ATTORNEY’S TERMINATION; BUILDING CHIEF AWAITS HEARING
Vote to terminate Ron Ramsingh without cause prompts $221K payout
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Key West elected officials on April 24 terminated the employment contract of twiceindicted city attorney Ron Ramsingh without cause.
The city commission’s April 24 without-cause termination vote, meaning no specific examples of wrongdoing were cited, entitles Ramsingh to a $221,000 payout — roughly equivalent to a year’s salary.
By refusing to terminate Ramsingh’s contract with cause, by specifying city policies Ramsingh violated, the attorney is entitled to 20 weeks pay, plus all accrued leave and benefits.
Termination without cause was the outcome Ron Ramsingh requested of the commissioners in a handwritten letter he submitted to them through attorneys 90 minutes before the termination meeting.
“I write to you humbly requesting that you consider and approve a termination of my employment contract without cause. I am hopeful that if it is the will of the commission, this can be accomplished with as little vitriol as possible. Sadly, there has been a shift in our town and gone are the days of thoughtful, learned, peaceful, but spirited debate. It has been replaced with shouting, keyboard warriors and people who love to use our beloved motto, ‘One Human Family,’ as a sword and a shield. People who think that if they have the bumper sticker and a Conch Republic license plate, then they are a true local. … Should you decide to terminate me without cause, please do so quickly to spare further hurt in my family to hear and read these comments, and frankly, death threats.”
Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez and commissioner Sam Kaufman were steadfast in voting repeatedly to ter-
Ron Ramsingh, building official Raj Ramsingh and Code Compliance director Jim Young were indicted April 15. CONTRIBUTED
Key West city attorney Ron Ramsingh submitted a handwritten letter to the city commission asking that they terminate his employment without cause 90 minutes before the commissioners voted to do so.
minate Ramsingh for cause, emphasizing that he had violated two specific city regulations.
“From my perspective, termination for cause is more than justified,” Kaufman said at the April 24 meeting. “It’s the right thing to do. These are very serious violations involving breach of public trust, conflicts of interest, destroying evidence and withholding information from some commissioners.”
The two offenses listed in the city’s employee policies manual, which Kaufman and Henriquez both cited in their reasons for voting to terminate with cause, are offense numbers 9 and 12.
Offense 9 is: “Unlawful or improper conduct or indecency either on or off the job which would affect the employee’s relationship to the job, their coworkers, or the employee’s or
city’s reputation or good will in the community.”
Offense 12 is: “Deliberate falsification or mishandling of personal, personnel, financial, or city records, including employment applications, accident reports, work records, purchase orders, attendance records, revenue receipts, or any other report, record, or document.”
Ron Ramsingh has been indicted on four felony charges — official misconduct for allegedly “interfering with the reporting of a felony committed by his brother,” the indictment states; plus obstructing justice by tampering with evidence, and unlawful collection and distribution of electronic communications.
What about the other 2 indicted officials?
In addition to attorney Ron Ramsingh, a grand jury on April 15 and again on April 23 indicted his brother, Raj Ramsingh, the city’s chief building official. Jim Young, the city’s code compliance director, was indicted on one felony charge on April 15.
Raj Ramsingh currently faces eight felony charges — seven counts of official misconduct for allegedly falsifying building permits and one count of obstructing justice by tampering with evidence in deleting or altering text messages from his city-owned cell phone that were subpoenaed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Raj Ramsingh has been on paid administrative leave for more than a week since the initial indictment was announced on April 15. He is scheduled to have a pre-determination hearing at city hall on Thursday, May 1 at 9 a.m., according to a letter written by city manager Brian L. Barroso and placed in Raj Ramsingh’s personnel file, which the Keys Weekly requested and received this week.
Young, who is 68, submitted his retirement paperwork to the city on Friday, April 25, Henriquez told the Keys Weekly.
continued on page 9
From left, former Key West city attorney
Dallas Davidson, who has written more than two dozen No. 1 country hits recorded by Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan, headlines the free concert on Duval Street at the 2024 Key West Songwriters Festival. This year’s show takes place Saturday, May 3 and features platinum-selling country duo LoCash with Thomas Edwards. NICK DOLL/Contributed
CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com
PONY CHARVET AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART
SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Pony Charvet’s grandfather was an animal trainer in a circus. His hippie parents named him “Pony” because they wanted him to run free, and during his first performing gig — in fourth grade — he portrayed an elf.
With a background like that, it’s not really surprising that he wound up in offbeat, irreverent Key West.
Today, Charvet is one of the island’s highly regarded actor-comedians. His local credits include portraying serial killer Buffalo Bill in the twisted “Silence of the Lambs: The Musical,” a dancing hooker in the locally written “Oklahoma Smith and the Pantheon of Annihilation,” and his dream role of Fagin in a Keys Kids production of “Oliver.”
His talent and timing shine even in brief appearances — including an unforgettable one-man skit about telephone foibles during a long-ago Red Barn Theatre show, which left his audience helpless with laughter.
Growing up in Washington state, Charvet was mentored by legendary filmmaker Stanley Kramer, whose successes included “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” — both starring Spencer Tracy.
“He and his wife had started up a program for performing kids,” Charvet explained. “He was an amazing man who did 36 motion pictures, and he took me under his wing.”
As well as lauding Charvet for having “that quality people want to watch,” Kramer warned his protégé that he needed to grow a thicker skin to succeed in show business.
After a stint in Los Angeles that proved Kramer right, Charvet stepped away from performing and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He stayed for some eight years and worked as a hairdresser.
However, his life changed direction when a chance meeting at a convention led him to visit the Florida Keys.
“The first night I stayed with a friend who lived on Big Pine, and I was out at the end of the pier meditating under a full moon,” said Charvet. “The next day I went to Tea Dance in Key West, and that just sealed the deal — I knew this was the next place that I was supposed to be.”
He relocated to Key West in October 1995, initially doing hair at the Casa Marina Resort’s White House Salon and waiting tables at the Blue Heaven eatery. Almost immediately he became one of the island’s staunchest supporters, captivated by the warmth and sincerity he encountered.
“What’s magical about this island are the people and the sense of community,” Charvet said. “People come here and they let their guard down, and they speak what I call the language of the heart.
“There’s a magic that ensues with that — an authenticity and a genuine level of openness,” he added. “This island brings people together.”
As well as embracing the community and its lifestyle, Charvet returned to performing after his post-L.A. hiatus and became a well-known light on local stages. Encouraged by Comedy Key West’s Joe Madaus and Tom Dustin, he also tried his hand at standup comedy.
1. Pony Charvet moved to Key West in 1995, captivated by the island’s sense of community and warm-hearted people. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/Keys Weekly
2. Pony Charvet, who has appeared frequently on local stages, is regarded as one of Key West’s most talented actor-comedians. CONTRIBUTED
3. Pony Charvet displays a poster from ‘Oklahoma Smith,’ a local production in which he played a surprising role. CAROL SHAUGHNESSY/Keys Weekly
Today Charvet performs regularly for scores of visitors in his latest role as a driver for Old Town Trolley, spicing his sightseeing tours with personal tales about the island and its people — including the late author and songwriter Shel Silverstein and long-gone 1950s pinup queen Bettie Page.
“For my trolley tour, I try to be a one-man show and touch on the characters of Key West that are part of the magic of the island,” he said. “I try to run the gamut of all the emotions — you’re going to laugh, and I hope that I touch your heart.”
An incident involving his own heart provided even more reason for him to enjoy his life and island home. A couple of years ago, Charvet revealed, he had a heart attack that resulted in being airlifted to Miami and undergoing bypass surgery.
Now his non-working hours are full of long early-morning walks, meditation and reveling in the simplicity and beauty of favorite Key West places like the gardens at West Martello Tower. He’s also passionate about traveling, both on solo adventures and with a group of friends.
“Every day I get is a gift, and you always want to make sure that none is wasted — and there’s so much beauty in the world if you look for it,” Charvet said.
A parable he learned many years ago in New Mexico sums up his determination to approach life with exuberance and seek out beauty and positivity.
“There’s an old saying out there that there’s two wolves that live within us — a wolf that is dark and a wolf that is light — and the one you feed is the one that’s stronger,” he explained. “So I try to feed the wolf of light.”
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continued from page 4
KEY WEST CODE DIRECTOR RETIRES
Young and both Ramsinghs have criminal pre-trial hearings scheduled for July 31 in front of Judge Mark Jones, according to online court records. All have retained legal counsel.
How did we get here?
The indictments and ongoing investigation stem from the contentious firing of then-city manager Al Childress in June 2024, within days of Childress taking disciplinary action against Raj Ramsingh.
A review of the city’s planning and building departments by outside consultants, known as the Corradino Report, had revealed that Raj Ramsingh allegedly had made a practice of improperly issuing permits, variances and approvals for projects that were never seen or reviewed by the city’s planning department, which is responsible for such approvals.
Shortly after Childress took disciplinary action against Raj Ramsingh, according to the indictments, Ron Ramsingh began an orchestrated effort to oust Childress.
The state attorney’s review of text messages among city officials obtained through public record requests “appeared to indicate city attorney Ronald Ramsingh was orchestrating an effort among commissioners Jimmy Weekley, Lissette Cuervo, Clayton Lopez and Billy Wardlow to either force Albert Childress to voluntarily resign from his position or call a special meeting of the Key West City Commission and vote to terminate his employment contract without cause by a majority vote,” state attorney investigator Tom Walker wrote in his application for a search warrant for cell phone records.
“This effort to oust Albert Childress was attributed to an outside, independent report he had commissioned which focused on issues within the Building Department of which Rajindhar (Raj) Ramsingh is the Chief Building Official and the brother of Ronald Ramsingh,” Walker writes. “In totality, there is probable cause to believe the foundation of this effort was an attempt by Ronald Ramsingh to shield his brother Rajindhar Ramsingh, who is the City of Key West Chief Building Official, from being disciplined by Albert Childress and allow for him to continue in a long practice of improper acts as they pertain to the permitting process,” investigator Walker writes in his application for a search warrant for the Ramsinghs’ cell phone records.
MORE FELONY CHARGES FILED AGAINST KEY WEST ATTORNEY & BUILDING OFFICIAL
Raj Ramsingh: 7 counts of official misconduct; Ron Ramsingh: 1 count of official misconduct
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
Key West’s chief building official, Raj Ramsingh, and his brother, Ron Ramsingh, the city attorney whose employment was terminated without cause on April 24, were re-indicted the evening before, on April 23, on additional felony charges of official misconduct.
The latest indictments follow their April 15 indictments on charges of evidence tampering related to the deletion and alteration of text messages. Raj Ramsingh was placed on paid administrative leave last week and was expected to have an employment pre-determination hearing at city hall this week.
Raj Ramsingh faces seven counts of official misconduct for allegedly falsifying building permits, while his brother, attorney Ron Ramsingh, faces one count of official misconduct for allegedly “interfering with the reporting of a felony committed by his brother,” the new indictment states.
If convicted on the new charges the brothers could face up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000 on each. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment is a formal accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
City Attorney Ron Ramsingh
The grand jury on April 23, found that “Ron Ramsingh is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally interfered with the reporting of a felony committed by his brother, Rajindhar ‘Raj’ Ramsingh.
“The conduct is alleged to have occurred between June 1 and June 26, 2024, while Ronald Ramsingh was actively serving in his public role as city attorney,” the indictment reads in part, according to the state attorney’s office. “Ronald Ramsingh, a public ser-
vant, did knowingly and intentionally obtain a benefit for another, Rajindhar Ramsingh, by obstructing, delaying or preventing the communication of information related to the commission of a felony … that directly involved or affected the government entity served by Ronald Ramsingh contrary to Florida law,” the grand jury found.
“This additional indictment reflects the deep seriousness of what we believe to be deliberate efforts to shield criminal conduct from scrutiny,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward.
Building Official Raj Ramsingh
Raj Ramsingh faces seven felony counts of official misconduct for allegedly falsifying or altering building permits while working as the city’s chief building official.
According to the indictment, “Ramsingh, identified as a public servant, knowingly and intentionally falsified, concealed, covered up, or altered multiple official building permit records across a range of properties in the City of Key West. The offenses, committed between 2021 and 2024, are alleged to have benefited Ramsingh personally; Strykker-Avery Homes LLC, a company registered to Raj Ramsingh, and several property owners, including himself. The allegations include conduct that caused unlawful harm to the City of Key West and/or resulted in personal or financial gain.”
The allegedly falsified or improperly issued building permits pertain to seven properties, one of which is owned by Raj Ramsingh at 2827 Harris Ave. The Keys Weekly has not included the other six addresses in this report, as the owners have not been implicated or accused of any wrongdoing.
“This case reflects the serious consequences of abusing a public position for personal or financial gain,” Ward said. “Our office will continue to hold government officials accountable when they violate the public’s trust and manipulate the systems they are sworn to uphold.”
Building permits and other approvals issued by Raj Ramsingh were the subject of a review that was commissioned by then-city manager Al Childress in October 2023. The resulting 55-page report from the Corradino Group consultants was critical of Raj Ramsingh’s actions within the building department, which often approved project applications without first sending them to the planning department for review.
The Corradino Group noted the startlingly low number of development applications that were sent by the building department to the planning department for review and approval under Raj Ramsingh’s leadership.
The report found that the number of planning department reviews dropped by 70% between 2021 and 2022 and dropped by 83% between 2021 and 2023, meaning the building department was not including the planning department when evaluating and approving applications for new construction, renovations and variances. “This year, 2023-2024, the planning department is on pace to receive 141 permit reviews out of about 4,000 applications — an 86% drop from 2021.
“Key West’s process, in practice, places the chief building official in charge of the land development regulations. This is highly unusual,” the report states, adding that planning department staff had accused the building department of allowing things to be built that do not conform to the city’s development regulations.
Within days of Childress filing a formal reprimand against Raj Ramsingh in light of the Corradino report, a special city commission meeting was called to fire Childress. The initial indictments, filed Tuesday, April 15, against Ron and Raj Ramsingh for evidence tampering, pertained to Ron Ramsingh’s alleged behind-the-scenes effort to orchestrate, with former and current city commissioners, the firing of Childress, which occurred in June 2024.
Ron, left, and Raj Ramsingh.
BILLS TARGETING TOURISM DOLLARS FOR PROPERTY RELIEF CLEAR FLORIDA HOUSE
Negotiations with Senate could alter the proposal
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Apair of bills aiming to provide Floridians property tax relief by diverting tourism dollars were approved by the House on April 25.
Both House Bills 1221 and 7033 were sent to the Senate, where negotiations could produce some changes. Many within the tourism and lodging sectors are hoping the funds, which are used for promotion, capital facilities improvements for tourist-based facilities and festivals and events, remain safeguarded. But House bill sponsors believe Floridians need some relief from increasing property tax bills and wind insurance costs.
Both House bills address the use and distribution of various tax revenues in the Sunshine State, including tourist development taxes. Under the proposals, 75% of the tourist development tax, which is paid by visitors booking overnight lodging, would go toward reducing a county’s ad valorem tax levy beginning in 2026. As for the remaining 25%, county commissioners would decide where to use that money.
“We have a local current affordability crisis. We want to provide as much as possible toward local government property tax relief,” said Rep. Wyman Dugggan, a Republican from Jacksonville who sponsored House Bill 7033. “Other structural property tax relief has to be done through the ballot in November 2026, which would not take effect until tax bill 2027. That’s a long way off. This is what we can do today.”
An amendment by Democratic Rep. Fentrice Driskell, of Tampa sought to give counties more flexibility to use TDTs for other purposes beyond reducing the property tax levy. The amendment failed to garner enough support.
Not only do the bills alter the use of the tourist tax dollars, but they also seek to dissolve all county
tourist development councils beginning July 1.
Both bills are facing opposition from Florida’s tourism and lodging industries. Kara Franker, Visit Florida Keys CEO, said the House bills have a dire impact on the local tourism economy. In 2023 and 2024, the county collected roughly $61 million annually in tourist development taxes. Those funds were used to support 140 events throughout the island chain last year, as well as improvements to tourism facilities from Key Largo to Key West. A portion of the tourism dollars support tourism marketing and promotion of the island chain to other states.
“TDT is not paid by Florida residents. It’s paid by visitors — and reinvested locally to support small businesses and create jobs,” Franker told Keys Weekly. “With over 2 million jobs and $124 billion in annual visitor spending on the line in Florida, this is an existential threat — not just to the tourism industry, but to the communities like ours that depend on it.”
State Rep. Jim Mooney voted against House Bill 1221 and for House Bill 7033. He said House Bill 7033 also proposes a reduction in Florida’s state sales tax rates by .75%, repeals the aviation fuel tax, delays the effective date of natural gas fuel taxes and extends a local rate freeze for communications services taxes.
Mooney, however, has grave concerns regarding the proposed diversion of tourist development taxes.
“The reality is Colorado tried this in the 1990s. They went from the No. 1 tourist destination in this country to dead last. And it took 15 years to recover,” he said.
State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez told Keys Weekly on April 30 that the House and Senate are in negotiations. She said she has serious concerns over the elimination of tourist development tax revenue as it relates to Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
ROGO BILLS HIT ROADBLOCKS IN TALLAHASSEE
As of Wednesday morning, Keys may not receive additional building rights
By Alex Rickert and Jim McCarthy
As of the Keys Weekly’s press time on Wednesday morning, four bills that could have provided hundreds or thousands of new building rights to the Florida Keys at the conclusion of the 2025 Florida legislative session were in a wild push to the finish.
Sponsored by state Rep. Jim Mooney, House Bill 995, which would award up to 825 new building allocations over a 10-year period, passed unanimously in the House on April 23. In line with requests laid out by municipalities and the Monroe County Commission, the bill would direct governments receiving additional rights to use them on vacant lots and to support workforce housing for owners and tenants earning most of their income in the Keys.
Mooney’s bill would make a slight modification to statutes governing the Keys as an Area of Critical State Concern, pushing the island chain’s mandatory hurricane evacuation time for permanent residents from 24 to 24.5 hours as determined by models from the Florida Department of Commerce.
However, HB 995’s Senate companion, Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez’s SB 1326, had not been heard by the Senate as of press time on Wednesday. Rodriguez’s bill originally sought to provide up to 3,550 building allocations over a minimum of 40 years, but was later amended to align with HB 995.
“I am working diligently with my colleagues to re-insert my original (building rights) language (24.5 hours) onto another bill,” Rodriguez told the Weekly via text on Wednesday morning. “Everything is very fluid at this point – (I’m) hoping we can get this over the finish line, which will equate to approximately 820 additional permits for Monroe County.”
Senate Bills 1730 and 180, originally approved by the Senate with unanimous votes on April 16 and 9, respectively, passed the House with near-unanimous ap-
proval on April 29. While SB 180 lays out provisions for emergency preparedness and response, SB 1730 deals specifically with affordable housing. Previous versions of both bills would have called for an increase in the mandatory hurricane evacuation time within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern for permanent residents from 24 to 26 hours – but those amendments were struck from the final versions approved in the House this week.
The four bills follow a year of debate among island residents and governments over how to manage the future of development in the Keys, featuring a series of workshops, surveys and presentations on infrastructure and evacuation.
Property rights proponents and those stressing the need to ease the islands’ workforce housing crisis have repeatedly gone toe-to-toe with environmental groups and others challenging the reported reality of takings lawsuits if owners of buildable lots are denied the necessary permits to do so.
But city attorneys tasked with defending local governments have repeatedly framed the lawsuits as a binary choice: write a permit, or write a check. Submitting a request to state lawmakers, they said, could potentially allow smaller governments to bring in the state as a co-defendant in future takings cases if these requests were denied by the Legislature or state departments.
Should the Keys receive no additional allocations during the 2025 session, local governments would likely turn again to a pool of 220 units theoretically allowed under the current 24-hour hurricane evacuation time, but not yet officially bestowed to Keys municipalities by the state for immediate use.
Florida’s legislative session ends on Friday, May 2, but an additional special session to address budget and tax relief items is likely.
When Trump erodes our Constitutional guarantees, whiplashes our economy, disrespects our military heroes, amputates federal agencies, bleaches our history, defunds education, instills fear using kidnap arrests, muzzles noncompliant media, fires pandemic researchers, ignores court orders and shatters global stability by abandoning strategic alliances... it’s not
a coincidence
that America’s chaos is everything Putin wanted. Can we now admit the obvious?
Terrified of a possible Trump-endorsed primary challenge, congressional Republicans ignore core Ronald Reagan values like... loyalty to our NATO allies, economic stability and steadfastly standing up to Russian aggression. In reality, what they should
are the millions of their pissed-off constituents who are organizing right now. Paid for by a concerned American Citizen.
‘FROM NIRVANA TO JAZZ:’ IS ELI PANCAMO THE NEXT PIONEER OF AI?
Artistic technologist joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast
BRITT MYERS britt@keysweekly.com
Eli Pancamo sits surrounded by an eclectic assemblage of notable street art, retro collectibles and contemporary Key West artifacts. The living room of his Seminary Street home, now a makeshift office, is a museum dedicated to counterculture. Works by artists like Erik Foss, Captain Outrageous and Bast hang, with a story behind each piece. To Pancamo’s right, a pinball machine from Key West’s old Star Roller Rink backs up to the late Shel Silverstein’s piano — something Pancamo taught himself to play over the past several months. And the ledge of his living room window is adorned with pottery — another hobby he picked up among his latest obsessions.
Perhaps Pancamo’s surroundings are a reflection of his psyche — as artist and intellectual. During his rise as a notable restaurateur in Key West, Pancamo avoided the meritocratic path to success. His natural tendency is the road less traveled, where every failure and success are used as creative fuel. So it came as no surprise when he privately shared with me that he was dabbling in AI (or artificial intelligence) and invited me over to showcase a platform he believes can change the world.
Understanding artificial intelligence is similar to learning piano — or making sense of Eli Pancamo, for that matter. There are complicated codes and thousands of patterns, but once the order is mastered, an infinite array of harmonies can be achieved. And as for his supposed “dabbling” in AI? For Pancamo, dabbling translates into hundreds and hundreds of hours of writing code and script for an AI platform called Togu.ai, which as of this moment, is being launched into the universe.
On the surface, Togu (under Pancamo’s parent company, Loqui Auris) is a complex artificial intelligence interface for users seeking unique Key West experiences and recommendations. The implications of Togu could reshape the concierge landscape, not just for hotels and accommodations, but for chambers of commerce, government agencies and beyond.
“When I first started writing code, I had an Ivy League friend basically tell me there was no one like me who could build something like this,” Pancamo said in a humble
tone. “Later, I updated him on my progress and he was blown away. He couldn’t believe what I was creating. And that inspired me.”
Pancamo believes his unconventional approach to AI is what differentiates his work in Python from popular platforms like ChatGPT and OpenAI.
“Most who write code approach it from a traditional sense,” said Pancamo. “For me it was hours of trial and error. But I had the advantage of seeing it, not just from an intellectual sense, but from a creative aspect that I believe is often missed. For me it’s like I’m constantly going from Nirvana to jazz and discovering new possibilities as I go.”
By now, you likely have more questions than answers. And maybe that’s where we all are as AI sits on the precipice of revolutionizing the next era of technology and the world. And whether Pancamo will be the Jeff Bezos-type success story of the AI movement is yet to be determined, but his journey has the potential to lay stones for the foundation of our future.
Investors and potential buyers have already begun to circle his stratosphere. So whether he continues to push the limits of his creativity or pass his work to those who are coveting its possibilities — one thing is for certain: Pancamo is an explorer who rejects the notions of creative boundaries. And we might just be witnessing the origins of his greatness.
For the full conversation with Eli Pancamo on the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast, scan the QR Code below, visit keysweekly. com/podcast or search for the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast on your mobile device.
Scan the QR code to listen to
FROM THE PUBLISHER
To Our Readers:
While we strive for perfection at the Keys Weekly, there are times we miss the target. It has come to our attention that a recent article in the Key West Weekly may have led some readers to believe local attorney Richard McChesney is involved with the corruption within city hall. Last week’s article used a screenshot of text messages between two city officials, which was released by the state attorney’s office, where the city officials used Mr. McChesney’s name. And while the placement and our decision to use the particular text/screenshot was not deliberate, it also included a reference to “Lori,” who is not related to Mr. McChesney’s mother, whose name is spelled “Laurie.”
Our intent was to highlight and report on the state attorney’s current investigation at city hall, which included text messages gathered by investigators at the state attorney’s office. The Weekly is not insinuating or implying anything, but rather displaying pieces of the investigation that includes a text message obtained in the investigation. The Weekly apologizes if the placement and the text message themselves led to any other conclusions, as that was not the intent of the article.
As publisher of the Key West Weekly, I apologize for any confusion, if any. I have personally known Richard, his wife and family for many years. Not only have I known him to be a man of integrity within our business community, he is also a well-respected husband and father — along with a supporter and participant on many respected boards of civic and nonprofit organizations. On behalf of our publication, I take personal responsibility for this oversight and extend my sincere regret for any confusion this may have caused to him, Laurie and family.
With respect,
Britt Myers Publisher Key West Weekly
Eli Pancamo is surrounded by art and artificial intelligence in his Seminary Street home. BRITT MYERS/Keys Weekly
Eli Pancamo on the latest episode of the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast.
WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?
Derby Day and sunset in a glass
CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com
For some fans, the Kentucky Derby isn’t about the horses, the betting or even the elaborate hats worn by women attending the iconic annual spectacle. For some fans of the horse race dubbed the “Run for the Roses,” scheduled May 3 this year, it’s all about the mint juleps.
Now in its 151st year, the derby is a beloved celebration of Southern tradition. Since Key West is the southernmost city in the continental U.S., local derby parties and gatherings are common. Fare might include Kentucky “hot brown” sandwiches and nutty chocolate-rich “derby pie,” as well as the juleps so closely identified with the race.
What exactly is a mint julep? According to Brad Rouge, manager of Bar 1 at the Key West Cooking School — where the refreshing bourbon-based cocktail is featured on Derby Day — the julep dates back to the 18th century.
“You begin making a mint julep by muddling mint leaves with sugar and water to release the essential oils,” said Rouge, who particularly enjoys serving cocktails that have historic or storytelling components.
After the oils are released, the julep glass is filled with crushed ice and bourbon, stirred well and garnished with a sprig of mint.
“Historically, the name ‘julep’ meant a sweet medicinal drink, but it evolved into a southern classic that’s forever linked to the derby,” Rouge said.
The connection between history and craft cocktails is a focus at Bar 1, located upstairs at 291 Front St. and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday.
The bar menu’s specialty concoctions include the Fly Navy Grog, saluting Key West’s two centuries as a U.S. Navy outpost; the Pan-Am Aviation, a gin-and-liqueur nod to the airline’s birth on the island; and the Key Lime Martini, whose flavor recalls the Florida Keys’ signature dessert.
Several of those cocktails, and their importance in “heritage storytelling,” are featured during Bar 1’s
IT’S ALL IN THE SAUCE
Ifound myself at Captain Tony’s the other night listening to Disco Nap and thinking to myself, “Mark King is a funky guy.”
Then I wondered, what exactly does that mean? My first answer was that, with some people, everything they do becomes danceable. Every style they play is accompanied by a side of sauce that tastes good on everything. But why is it funky?
of this change.
James Brown sang “I’m Black and I’m Proud.”
RAY WEST
... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.
daily mixology classes (call 305-2942665 for reservations). During the hands-on libation adventures, attendees learn techniques for crafting specific drinks, sample multiple creations, and discover the lore and legends behind them.
The “Rum Revelations” class unfolds tales of Key West’s early pirate visitors, its role as a rumrunning hub during the 1920-1933 Prohibition years, and rums produced at colorful local distilleries. As well as enjoying lively demonstrations by Rouge or other storyteller-mixologists, participants try their hand at creating a classic daiquiri and a Painkiller made from dark rum, fruit juices and cream of coconut.
The class, “Key West History Through Craft Cocktails,” is an immersion into the town’s colorful past — from the shipwreck salvage industry that brought great wealth, to the naval and aviation milestones that helped shape its character today. Guests will even learn to make a cool, refreshing treat that conveys the essence of the island’s world-renowned sunset.
LAST CALL
Drink of the Month: Key West Sunset. Fresh orange, pineapple and lemon juices suggest the colors of a vivid sunset, while fine barrelaged rum and maraschino liqueur add a subtle kick. Once the mixture is shaken and strained, a splash of cherry syrup provides an extra glow.
Helpful Bar Hack: Want to add classic elegance to a Kentucky Derby party? Follow an early derby tradition when serving mint juleps: present them in silver or pewter cups to keep the drink perfectly chilled.
Thirsty for more? Visit keywestcookingschool.com.
There are no sad funk songs. Funk music’s primary purpose has always been to get people moving. Some would say funk music instructs you in how to move. It allows people to move in ways they would not normally move through the world. Funk is about joy.
Like its rock ‘n’ roll cousin, funk is also a bit rebellious. After World War II, America saw the onset of what was called the leisure culture. Young people now had their own dances and were creating their own fashions and social trends. The show “American Bandstand” grew out of this. Though the dancing was less than funky, the door to a whole new market opened, and Motown wanted in. Berry Gordy and Motown initially attempted to assimilate their music into the mainstream with nice lyrics, men in suits and women in gowns, moving in respectfully choreographed dance moves, singing harmless lyrics of love and teenage angst.
By the mid-1960s, racial violence and mass protests were commonplace, and Motown’s attempts at musical assimilation had given way to proud individualism. The goal was to be an individual and to be proud of who and what you were and of the differences among all people.
Funk became the soundtrack
Imagine hearing that after you’d been taught to feel the exact opposite by the people who could have helped you become what you were meant to be, but instead said you were not worthy because of your skin color.
Funk grew from there as an expression of the joy of living — even with less than others had. In the words of William DeVaughn’s 1974 hit, “Be Thankful for What You Got,” “You may not drive a car at all, but remember, brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall, just be thankful for what you got.” Musically, funk is an example of simple complexity. Most funk parts are simple in and of themselves. Often the guitar plays a one- or two-chord vamp while the bass is doing what a funk bass does. The drums lock in, usually with a fundamental beat to begin with, and the keyboards, horns and often several voices all find their own space in the sonic picture. But unlike rock music, where several instruments often play variations of the same thing to create a wall of sound, funk requires each instrument to play its own particular role, often not playing while another instrument fills a space.
Ultimately what makes an individual funky is where they place the notes. A country picker in the key of G major is playing the same notes as a funk player in G major. But it’s all in the sauce.
Brad Rouge, manager of Bar 1 at the Key West Cooking School, garnishes a drink for a patron. KEY WEST COOKING SCHOOL/Contributed
Mark King is one of Key West’s funkiest players. Catch him Sundays at General Horseplay from 9 p.m. to midnight. BILL KLIPP/Contributed
KIDS’ FISHING TOURNAMENT RAISES $50K FOR NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Reelin’ for the Cause honors the short lives of 2 little boys
event raised more than $50,000 for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. MIGUEL RIOSECO PHOTOGRAPHY/Conributed
WYATT SAMUELSON www.keysweekly.com
The three most important things for any Key West kid are a fishing rod, some bait and a whole lot of sunscreen. On April 26, kids of all ages gathered at White Street Pier and cast their lines for the fifth annual Reelin’ for the Cause kids’ fishing tournament in honor of Harrison Axel Esquinaldo and Max Thomas Scanlon.
Six years ago, Cassandra Scanlon lost her baby boy, Max Thomas Scanlon, due to an umbilical cord accident.
Facing the reality that every mother fears the most, Cassandra was lost and heartbroken. Feeling as if she had no one to talk to, a mutual friend introduced her to Alicia Esquinaldo, who three years prior had lost her baby boy, Harrison Axel Esquinaldo, to a congenital heart defect. The two quickly bonded over the shared tragedy that shattered their families.
With a friendship formed, the pair sought a way to honor the legacy and memory of their children. Alicia and her husband, Harrison Esquinaldo, own a fishing rod company in Key West — and thus, “Reelin’ for the Cause” was born.
“We wanted to do something that we thought we’d be doing with our boys,” said Alicia Esquinaldo. “That’s why we started the fishing tournament. We know it’s something they would have loved.”
Alicia and Cassandra have raised over $175,000 for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital through Reelin’ for a Cause.
This year, 250 young anglers registered for the event. It ran from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and included a DJ, food trucks, snow cone vendors, BBQ stands and a silent auction. All proceeds went directly to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital — the same hospital that once admitted baby Harrison and now has a room dedicated in his honor.
“We’re not good at asking for
money,” said Cassandra Scanlon. “But with this event, the community just steps up and our tournament registration usually sells out quickly.”
Though the wind beat down on the pier pretty hard, contestants were prepared for anything. Buckets of bait were scattered along the pier, alongside tackle boxes, rods and cool refreshments that parents sipped, in between casting lines for their kids.
One dad, while hooking bait on his son’s line, was asked if he was using live bait. Garbed in the traditional long-sleeved shirt, sporting sun-bleached hair, a beard, and an American flag bandanna, he said, “Oh heck yeah; we’re trying to win.”
For the younger, less patient fisherkids, an educational aquafarm was set up at the end of the pier where they could check out live sea creatures such as seaward, greenstriped hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, porter spider crabs and the Florida orange sea star.
The young anglers competed in three age groups; there also was a prize for the largest shark. Walking around the event, you could feel the excitement from the kids, the parents and everyone involved.
Reelin’ for a Cause was the perfect mix of community camaraderie and friendly competition. The fish — and the anglers — may have been a bit undersized, but the smiles in the crowd were record-breaking.
REELIN’ FOR A CAUSE WINNERS
Ages 3–5
1. Lawson Samaniego
2. Rhynn Perry 3. Jesse Hammers
Ages 6–8
1. Elliot Cottar 2. Royce Perry
3. Cora Moeller
Ages 9–13
1. Ryder Smith 2. Peyton Lowe
3. Lola Smith
Biggest Shark
Royce Perry
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Key West Songwriters Festival fills island with music through May 4
Platinum-selling country duo LoCash headlines a free outdoor concert on the Duval Street stage Saturday, May 3 as part of the 2025 Key West Songwriters Festival. JENN LITTLEJOHN/Contributed
Asouthern migration — of music — is underway this week, as Key West welcomes more than 200 music makers from Nashville for the 29th annual Key West Songwriters Festival.
Now through May 4, the festival steeps the southernmost city in live music by more than 200 BMI songwriters. Industry veterans and emerging artists perform at more than 60 island venues, offering both free and ticketed performances that range from intimate, acoustic, storytelling sessions to full-band shows, including a free outdoor concert on Saturday, May 3 on Key West’s legendary Duval Street featuring the platinum-selling country duo LoCash with Thomas Edwards as headliners.
Musicians will swap stories on bar stools, strum poolside at
local hotels and collaborate over cocktails during late-night jam sessions that spring up at closing time.
A complete schedule is available at keywestsongwritersfestival.com.
The 29th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival is presented by BMI with Rams Head Presents and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, with support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Proceeds from the festival benefit the BMI Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that supports music education and creation through grants and scholarships, along with Michelle’s Foundation, a Key West-based nonprofit that helps children and families in need.
— Contributed
The fifth annual Reelin’ for the Cause kids’ fishing tournament draws 250 families to White Street Pier on April 26. This year’s
PHOTO BY ANDY NEWMAN
Key West Cooking School
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Dinnertainment Cooking Classes
All meals are served with housemade plaintain chips
Conch Fritters Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Ropa Vieja with Yellow Rice Tia’s Flan
SERVED WITH BREAD AND BUTTER OF THE DAY
Garbanzo Soup Lobster Enchilados with Rice Guava Bread Pudding
Garbanzo Soup Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding
THURSDAY Bollos Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Avocado Salad Cuban Mix Tia’s Flan
Caldo Gallego Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Conch Fritters Mariscado with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding
Ceviche Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie
Caldo Gallego Key West Seafood Rissotto Tia’s Flan
Mariscado Swordfish Picatta with Rice and Broccolini Tia’s Flan
Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice Tia’s Flan
Cocktail Classes
Conch Fritters Grits-n-Grunts Key Lime Pie
Rum Revelations A Cocktail Adventure Key West History Through Craft Cocktails 1pm 5pm
PoCo PeLo CHiC salon has moved to a convenient central spot in old town! you know the place... it’s 627 eaton, at elizabeth, next to the hilltop laundry.
a hair salon for women + men
Art Show
For an appointment, call Les at 30 5 -731 - 6557
FRIDAY, MAY 2 AT 4-6 P.M. 301 FRONT ST, KEY WEST
Join us for the ArtSpark Student Exhibition, showcasing artwork by Somerset Island Prep students.
Funded by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, this event celebrates young creative talent.
CHRIS McNULTY
is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com
This week is a fairly calm and quiet week astrologically, so go ahead and take advantage of the respite. The astrological waters are serene. There is really only one planetary transit to note — the conjunction of Venus and Neptune. Venus is the planet of relationships, love, beauty and balance. Neptune is the planet of dreams, illusions, spirituality and dissolving of boundaries. When these two planets come together, we are immersed in a world of idealistic romance, mystical longing, high art and beautiful dreaming. This is a time for getting lost in a world of pure imagination and love. When Venus and Neptune come together, one word of caution: try not to lose total contact with the ground. It is possible we could get lost in the perfect romance only to discover, when the transit ends, that we’ve made a mistake and need to pick up the pieces. However, if you can keep a toe firmly anchored to the soil, you can let your soul dance and commingle with the beauty of existence during this time. Your intuitive heart will be your guide. Here are your horoscopes for Venus conjunct Neptune. Read for your rising and sun signs.
TAURUS
April 20 - May 20
Fall in love with the quiet times, Taurus. Prioritize your solitude right now and learn from your longing. We all have people, places or things we dream about holding but that exist just outside our reach. Rather than lament what you lack, practice appreciating the love itself, the very feeling that elicits such strong desire. The love you experience in isolation is the gift. Unwrap it.
GEMINI
May 21 - June 20
There are so many people in your life who shine love in your direction. Under this transit, you can dissolve into the appreciation that surrounds you and become one with the image of you that your supporters hold. What are your biggest goals in life? If you can imagine them, the people who are here to help you will appear. Enjoy the feeling now, then get to work next week.
CANCER
June 21 - July 22
You may experience a lot more love at work this week, as if you are the romantic hero in the office. Use this energy to dream up what you want to achieve. What if you actually are the main character? How would you drive the narrative in your career? Now is the time for goal-setting, and don’t shirk the pipe dreams. Set high goals now and go about achieving them next week.
LEO
July 23 - Aug. 22
Where would you go if there were no obstacles? Would you travel to distant lands, begin a new course of study or quest for the love of your life? Dream about your next great quest now, and don’t hold back because of practical considerations. If you can imagine it, it can be achieved. Let your heart take over your daydreaming, and the road to achievement will show itself later.
VIRGO
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Love is not just a personal feeling. It is also a valuable resource to be shared with others. It is something that crosses boundaries and can be activated and directed into meaningful collective projects. How will you influence the groups that you work with through your passion? You don’t have to tell people what to do. They will feel your desire and participate with you.
LIBRA
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23
We live in a world that idealizes romance and partnership. Sometimes, that can be a difficult and distracting pursuit. Now, Libra, is the time for you to dive in without reservation. Throw caution to the wind and dissolve into another. Go out on the most romantic date you can dream up. Look into a lover’s eyes and lose yourself. Dream your lover into existence. Who is your Other?
SCORPIO
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
Under this transit, you can either work for love or love your work. What steps can you take to put your ideal version of love into the center of all of your actions? Setting the table can be an act of love. Washing the dishes can be an act of love. Practice infusing every muscle movement with heart and see what transpires on the other side. You just might create the life you dream.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
We are here to be creators. This transit is offering you the opportunity to dream up your greatest creative effort. How will you originate something new to offer the great story of existence? If you can dream it, you can make it. Don’t try too hard, though, because whatever you create ought to come directly out of your joy. Revel in bliss now and set to work next week.
CAPRICORN
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
For you, Capricorn, home is where the heart is. No joke. Take some moments in the coming days to let the hustle drop and appreciate the home life that you have built for yourself. Yes, home and family can be sources of frustration, but let that fall to the wayside for now. Appreciate the beauty that exists in the roots of your life, and carry that feeling forward.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
AQUARIUS
Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
The way that we communicate can make or break our intended outcomes. Pay attention to the words you choose, the facial cues you put out, and your body language. How can you communicate your inner world more poetically? When you center beauty in your methods of communication, it is easier for others to understand you and participate with you. Invite folks into your dreamworld.
PISCES
Feb. 19 - March 20
We are taught that if we want something, we should go after it. And many times that is true. There is another method, though. If we want something, we can also invite it into our life by creating the conditions for it to come to us. That is your task now. Whether it’s money, an object of desire, or something deeply valuable, practice creating a beautiful space in your life for it to fall right in.
ARIES
March 21 - April 19
We are all works in progress, always. It is easy to get caught up in the things about ourselves that we want to change. Under this transit though, focus on your highest form. All hurdles aside, who would you be if you had no limits? Dream that highest version of yourself into existence. Don’t chase the image. Dream the image and let everything else follow.
... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.
All birds in North America, and many that just show up as vagrants, have a four-letter bander’s code that birders often use as shorthand for their name. Mourning doves are MODOs, Peregrine falcons are PEFAs, mangrove cuckoos are MACUs, and so on.
BAMO sounds like either a TV chef’s catchphrase or one of those onomatopoeic words that pop up on the screen whenever Batman punches someone. But it is in fact the four-letter bander’s code for Bahama mockingbird. (This does not stop me from wanting to put an exclamation mark at the end.)
Bahama mockingbirds are native to the islands they are named after, as well as the Turks and Caicos, some islands off Cuba and a small part of Jamaica. They are considered a “sedentary” species, though “non-migratory” sounds less judgmental. Still, one shows up here every couple of years. They’re a rarity, but kind of a low-grade rarity.
I’ve seen five or six Bahama mockingbirds in the Keys. My favorite sighting was when I was walking through Indigenous Park with Mark Whiteside and I said, “Man, it would be cool to see a Bahama mockingbird.” Whiteside agreed, and five minutes later we found one.
That was years ago, though. I’ve been trying to remember the last time I saw a BAMO, and I can’t. When one was reported at Fort Zach last Wednesday, I hustled over there on Thursday morning. I didn’t have a lot of luck – no one did that day – but half the park was closed off for the beach replenishment project, so I figured there was a good chance the bird was somewhere behind all the yellow tape and dump trucks.
I couldn’t really get there over the weekend, but the park must have fully re-opened, because I woke up Monday morning to a whopping 25 reports of the mocker on eBird. I had a to-do list going, and risked jinxing myself by putting BAMO just under Strunk, and before the post office, but 25 people seeing a bird may have made me a little overconfident.
Walking the dog on Sunday night it was so quiet I thought the town had come down a notch or two, that the intensity of season was fading into a nice, relaxed late spring. But then on Monday morning I had to sit in a 12-car line to get into the park, which made me think that maybe season is just a permanent state now.
I parked in the far parking lot, the one that used to be dirt on the north end. One of the eBird reports said they’d seen the BAMO hopping around on the big pile of palm fronds. I heard a little activity when I walked to it, so I spent a while slow-walking around the pile, hoping to see the bird, but saw nothing. Maybe I’d heard a lizard.
BAHAMA MOCK- ING - BIRD ( YEAH!)
Bahama mockingbirds are in the Mimus genus of the Mimidae family, with both Latin words essentially meaning mimic. There are 14 species in the genus, and about 30 species in the family, but the only one that can actually mimic is the northern mockingbird, the one you see here every day. The others sing, but they can’t pull off a car alarm.
The Bahama mockingbird looks pretty similar to the northern mockingbird, except it is slightly larger and slightly browner. It also has streaky flanks, a.k.a. the outside edge of their lower belly, as well as a moustachial stripe that gives it a frowny appearance reminiscent of Lemmy from Motörhead, though several degrees less scary. The clearest distinction between the two species is the Bahama mockingbird lacks the white spots on the wings that flash when they fly. Northern mockingbirds are sexually monomorphic, meaning both sexes look the same; Bahama mockingbirds are minimally sexually dimorphic, with the female’s markings a degree or two more muddled and less distinct.
I gave up on the brush pile and headed across the big open field on the north and west side of the park.
The staff at Fort Zach have long called the field the Back 40. Coming through the gate I asked the folks in the booth if they had a name for the native tree hammock at the far end. Neither of them knew of one, but as I was driving away ranger Ed Cunningham told me I was welcome to name it.
One of the eBird reports said the Bahama mockingbird was seen along the moat, but was chased off by a northern mockingbird that tried to mate with it three times, meaning the bird was most likely female. But several other reports had said the bird was singing, making it most likely a male. (Female bird song is grossly understudied, largely due to systemic sexism in the historical research, but female bird song is often much more subtle and less full-voiced. That said, I can’t find any recording of female Bahama mockers singing.)
At the edge of the still-unnamed, across-thefield hammock, I stood for a while and watched.
A gray kingbird came in, then a northern mockingbird, a white-crowned pigeon, two common grackles, and a mourning dove. None of them stuck around, and eventually I realized I was listening to a mockingbird singing somewhere in the acacia tree near the bare-branched gumbo limbo.
Northern mockingbirds are frenetic when they sing, mixing it up constantly, imitating things they’ve heard, but also just improvising and scatting ad infinitum. The song I was hearing was somewhat repetitive and unvaried, a murky low note alternating randomly with something lighter in a higher register. Also, whereas northern mockingbirds tend to sing from the highest and most visible perch they can find, this bird was hidden deeply in the branches.
I took a dozen steps into the hammock, then stopped, trying to echolocate the bird by cupping my hands behind my ears. No luck.
I decided to be patient, though. Actually, I zoned out. And then suddenly, low and close, a mid-sized songbird hopped through the vee of two tree trunks. Brownish, streaky in the flanks, with that Lemmy-esque moustachial stripe.
It was too close to get a picture with my long lens. I was about to pull out my iPhone when it leapt in the air, with no flashing wing spots, and landed on the other side of the path.
BAMO!
The bird was nice enough to pause and give me an over-the-shoulder look, like a movie star granting a 20-second audience. Then the bird dove further into the woods and disappeared. Walking back across the field, I crossed it off my to-do list.
Coda: Thinking about the hammock at the end of the Back 40, it’s tempting to name it after some of the rare birds I’ve seen there, such as Antillean Short-eared Owl woods, the Smooth-Billed Ani Tract or Bahama Mockingbird Woods. But the Back 40 Hammock, or just the Back Hammock, is probably a better idea, if only so people might have some context clues about what you’re talking about.
A Bahama mockingbird seen this week in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly
MARK HEDDEN
CONQUERS COAST GUARD IN GREAT SEA BATTLE
Annual independence celebration winds down with victory at sea
the
of boats
MANDY
mandy@keysweekly.com
Once again, the Conch Republic “seceded where others failed.”
The mock island republic celebrated its 43rd anniversary of independence from April 18-27. The 10-day affair culminated with a Conch Republic victory over the U.S. Coast Guard in the Great Sea Battle.
The battle occurs each year in Key West Harbor, where goodspirited service members from the Coast Guard take to their boats — and train their water cannons on the eclectic Conch Republic naval fleet, composed of everything from historic schooners to snorkel boats.
The Coast Guard ultimately surrendered to the island republic and a lasting peace was established — until next year.
The Conch Republic was established on April 23, 1982 in response
to a real-life U.S. Border Patrol blockade at the top of the Florida Keys that was crippling traffic — and tourism — in the island chain. In Key West, Mayor Dennis Wardlow turned a protest into a publicrelations bonanza and “seceded” from the United States. The newly formed Conch Republic declared its independence with a spirited and humorous attitude — then promptly surrendered.
The secession was shortlived, but
of that
MIXIN’ IT UP AT THE CUBAN SANDWICH THROWDOWN
Sandy’s Cafe takes top prize; event raises $3,200 for local day care
Seasoned pork, sliced ham and tart pickles surrounded by Cuban bread, pressed to a perfect crisp. It was a tasty way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
The fourth annual Cuban Sandwich Throwdown has cemented its spot as a beloved local event, occurring every April at the Green Parrot as a fundraiser for the Learning Center of Key West, a local child care center owned by Pam Lopez.
A panel of judges — Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez; former city commissioner Clayton Lopez; philanthropist, tourism advocate and friend to all George Fernandez; real estate agent Jenna Stauffer; and yours truly, Mandy Miles — sampled all 12 entries and chose their top three in two categories, traditional and nontraditional.
Attendees were also hungry for a taste — and a vote. So, a $20 donation entitled anyone to a literal pile of sandwiches to sample and a ballot to pick their favorites for the People’s Choice Awards.
They could also try their luck at the Cuban Sandwich Drone Drop, paying for the chance to predict the sandwich’s landing spot when dropped from a drone.
Hosted by QMitch, the event raised $3,200 for the Learning Center of Key West and fed a few hundred people.
1. The fourth annual Cuban Sandwich Throwdown on April 26 drew a dozen contestants — six in the traditional category and six in the non-traditional category. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly 2. For a $20 donation, attendees at the Cuban Sandwich Throwdown scored a pile of sandwiches to sample and a ballot to vote for their favorites. TRACY McCLELLAN/Tourist Development Council
3. Marcia Weaver, right, owner of Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe, organizes the annual Cuban Sandwich Throwdown as a benefit for the Learning Center of Key West child care center, which is owned by Pam Lopez, left. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly
CUBAN SANDWICH THROWDOWN CONTESTANTS
Traditional
La Concha, Sandy’s, Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe, El Mocho, Eaton Good, Havana Cabana. Non-traditional La Concha, Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe, Southernmost Moose Lodge, The Conch Republic, Island Johnies, Kaya Island Eats.
THE WINNERS
Traditional 1. Sandy’s. 2. Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe. 3. Havana Cabana. Non-traditional 1. La Concha. 2. Kaya Island Eats/Island Johnies. 3. Frita’s Cuban Burger Cafe.
the celebration
independent island spirit lives on every April.
MILES
Left: The stately schooner America prepares to do battle with the U.S. Coast Guard in the annual Great Sea Battle, a popular Conch Republic Independence Celebration event. Right: The U.S. Coast Guard joins the lighthearted Great Sea Battle, aiming its water cannons at passengers who lined
decks
in the Conch Republic fleet. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly
The U.S. Coast Guard surrenders to the Conch Republic at the end of the Great Sea Battle, a highlight of the annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration.
Boat passengers fight on the side of the Conch Republic.
MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com
CHILI’S BAR & GRILL OPENS AT KEY WEST AIRPORT
Customers pack concession at new concourse
Chili’s Bar & Grill opens at Key West International Airport on April 27, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and a full bar. CONTRIBUTED
Key West International Airport’s new Chili’s Bar & Grill restaurant has been a hit with passengers since it opened on April 27. Known for its margaritas, fajitas, burgers and appetizers, the new restaurant operates under the management of Master ConcessionAir LLC. And for travelers with early flights, Chili’s at EYW also serves breakfast, including eggs benedict, breakfast tacos and mimosas.
“The reception has been phenomenal in the restaurant’s opening week,” said Peter
Amaro Jr., Master ConcessionAir CEO. “MCA is thrilled to partner with Chili’s and the Key West International Airport at their new terminal. Our goal is to offer travelers a delicious, convenient dining option that adds to their overall experience in paradise.”
“We’re excited about this new offering for our passengers … and happy to have Master ConcessionAir at the helm,” said Richard Strickland, Monroe County’s director of airports.
— Contributed
TAKE ME HOME?
FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA
The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus.
From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.
The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.
Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.
Browny, a 4-month-old hound mix, is a very sweet and friendly puppy who enjoys being around people. Browny also seems to get along well with other dogs. Like all young pups, he will need training to help him grow into the best dog he can be. Browny is looking for a family who will give him time, patience and lots of love.
Sawyer is a 7-month-old kitten who is about the size of a full-grown housecat. He is a little shy at first, but with some time and patience, he warms up and shows his sweet side. Sawyer is looking for a calm and loving home where he can feel safe and comfortable.
the 11-month-old kitten, will celebrate his first birthday soon. He’s full of energy and loves to play — all day long. Flaco loves other cats and we think he’d do well with playful dogs who can keep up with his nonstop energy.
Emmanuel, the all-black cat, is almost 5 years old and has been with us since he was a kitten in 2020. It’s high time he finds his forever home. Emmanuel is an all-around great cat with a calm and sweet personality. We’re not sure why he’s still waiting for a home, but we know he’d make a wonderful addition to any family.
Ashe is a 4-year-old rabbit with a unique and adorable look — mostly white with black spots, giving her a mini-cow appearance. Ashe loves to roam and hop around, and she does really well when given the freedom to explore. While she enjoys her time out, she’s also content staying in her little room. Ashe is a calm and sweet bunny looking for a loving home where she can hop around and relax in peace.
Flaco,
THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: UPPER MATECUMBE KEY
Area home to the Russell family saw a train town and a devastating hurricane
When Islamorada developed, it was a railroad town. People like to say otherwise.
They tell stories about Spanish conquistadors sailing past and declaring Islamorada the Purple Isles. How the color purple was chosen depends on who is telling the story. Sometimes, the inspirational hue comes from the water, bougainvillea bracts, or Janthina janthina, commonly called the violet sea snail.
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI
Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.
There are other variations of the colorful story. According to the man who created the name, none is true. He was William Krome. Henry Flagler hired him to survey the rightof-way down which the train would rock and roll from the mainland to Key West. The work introduced Krome to Upper Matecumbe Key, and apparently, he liked what he saw. Krome purchased 15 acres of the island from John H. and James W. Russell for $735.
The Russell family arrived in the 1850s. They were the first to make a homestead claim on the island. When the 1870 U.S. Census was taken, four houses and 13 people were documented on Upper Matecumbe. Joseph and Mary Saunders lived in one house. The extended Russell family lived in the other three. James W. Russell was 26, and John H. was 12.
Krome surveyed his newly acquired property and subdivided it into 22 lots. He built a house for himself and one for his father. Krome also registered the land and named the new town site Isla Morada. According to an interview with Isabelle Krome, his wife, she said, “I was not a member of the family at that time and had no part in the selecting of the name, but Mr. Krome told me that it was derived from the Spanish isla and morada, meaning home.”
A newspaper clipping dated May 7, 1907, announced: “On the north end of Upper Matecumbe Key, a new town known as Isla Morada has sprung into existence. … It is believed that Isla Morada will become an important tourist stopping place in winter as the location is beautiful and the fishing convenient and excellent.”
Decades later, the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce chose “Sport Fishing Capital of the World” as the community’s official motto. Also, Islamorada remains “an important tourist stopping place.” However, the town has grown a little since Krome brought it into existence. Islamorada no longer represents a small town on Upper Mate-
cumbe Key but a village of islands that includes Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key.
Driving across the heart of Islamorada, Upper Matecumbe Key, expect history, art and cold, locally brewed beer.
One of the seminal events in Florida Keys history is the Category 5 hurricane of Labor Day 1935. This is especially true of Islamorada. The storm remains the most powerful hurricane ever to make a North American landfall. It also marked the end of Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad.
After heading west past the green and white MM 83 sign, the Islamorada Post Office will appear on the left. It sits at the corner of the Overseas Highway and De Leon Avenue. In terms of local history, this is a much bigger dot on the map than it might first appear. When the train was still running, this was the general area where the Islamorada Station once stood. On the other side of the tracks was Krome’s original 15-acre Islamorada town site.
On the day of the hurricane, the train made its last run from the mainland and stopped at the Islamorada Station minutes before 18 feet of storm surge washed over the island and pushed the train’s cars off the tracks and onto their sides. The devastation to the community was unimaginable. Just a little bit down the road is the Florida Keys Memorial, locally known as the Hurricane Monument. It stands near MM 81.7 and honors the hundreds of people lost in the killer storm. The monument’s obelisk stands 18 feet tall, about the height of the storm surge that washed across the Matecumbe Keys. The crypt at the base of the obelisk is topped with a mosaic of the island chain and shows the islands most affected by the hurricane. Inside the crypt are ashes from the storm’s victims.
The monument also marks the general location of the original Upper Matecumbe community called, simply, Matecumbe. The “heart” of Matecumbe beat at what is today the Cheeca Lodge. The property housing the resort was home to Matecumbe’s pioneer church, school and cem-
etery. While the hurricane destroyed the church and the grammar school, the cemetery remains. Like Tavernier, Upper Matecumbe Key is home to a concentration of historic buildings.
There is not a single structure on the island predating the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. However, many of the structures built after the storm still stand.
On Jan. 2, 1936, a Key West newspaper published a story discussing a series of proposed storm structures to be built, “hurricane-proof community houses along the lower east coast and in the Lake Okeechobee and the keys region. The building will be of sufficient size to house the entire population in the area served by each. They will be used for school, church and general civic purposes and during the hurricane season will be used as houses of refuge in which people of the area may escape the dangers of high wind and water.”
What is now the Islamorada library was one of these buildings. Originally the Matecumbe Grammar School, found on the other side of the highway from the monument, it was built with 12-inch concrete walls reinforced with rebar to withstand the force of a major hurricane. The elevated foundation helped to mitigate flooding. Additionally, the structure included a cistern to hold fresh water. Single-family houses, 28 of them, were also constructed in this fashion and are known as Red Cross or Hurricane Houses.
The houses were donated, with the only stipulation being that the family had to own the property on which the house was built. Many were constructed for surviving members of the Matecumbe community. One of these historic buildings is currently home to the Islamorada Art Gallery. The local artist known as Pasta displays his marine fine art in the old Red Cross house. Step inside to see some great local art and step back in time. Afterward, stop by the Florida Keys Brewing Company for some fresh and tasty local beer before strolling through the Morada Way Art District.
The wrecked church and cemetery at Islamorada after the 1935 hurricane. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR TAVERNIER PUBLIX-WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT
JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com
Asupermarket and workforce housing project in Tavernier took another step forward on April 28, as county commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a development agreement during a special meeting in Marathon.
A pact between the developers, Blackstone Group Tavernier 925 LLC and VC Tavernier LLC, and the county includes specific details and commitments regarding the development. Plans are in place to construct a 47,240-square-foot Publix supermarket and a 2,100-square-foot liquor store at the front of the property at MM 92.5, oceanside. Developers can’t build a nonresidental structure beyond 49,900 square feet, per the Tavernier Commercial Overlay District that was formed via the commission’s approval in February 2024.
Devin Tolpin, senior director of planning and environmental resources, told commissioners the developers are using 99.6% of the maximum development potential on the site.
Behind the Publix, the Jacksonvillebased Vestcor Companies is planning to build 86 housing units, from onebed/one-bathroom to three-bed/twobathroom apartments, intended for the local workforce.
Per the development agreement, a certificate of occupancy for the commercial structure, the supermarket and liquor store, won’t be issued until half of the 86 workforce housing units obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Once constructed, the workforce dwelling units must be made available to essential Monroe County workers — law enforcement, health care personnel, firefighters and teachers — 30 days before they’re available for lease by the general public. Commissioner Holly Raschein, who voted in favor of the agreement, requested employees of the judicial court system also be added in as essential workers.
Bart Smith, attorney representing the applicants, said they’re implementing recommendations by the Monroe County Planning Commission for a vegetative buffer between the back of the supermarket and a nearby apartment building. Smith said pigeon plums and buttonwoods will be planted between the buildings. Two pocket parks were also added for those living in the apartments.
A traffic study revealed more than 5,300 daily vehicle trips entering
and leaving the property, including customers frequenting Publix and residents coming and going from their apartments. An outside traffic consultant who produced a report on behalf of the Tavernier Community Association told planning commission members on April 17 that the proposed development and traffic generated from it would create “hazardous conditions and create accidents.” Miles Moss, a professional engineer, said a traffic light would be needed at the location. The Florida Department of Transportation has the authority to determine whether one will be warranted as a result of the development.
Discussion by the planning commission also heard concerns over how trucks traveling south and bringing goods into the Publix supermarket would enter the property from the northbound lanes of U.S. 1. There were concerns as to how vehicles leaving the development would navigate two lanes of northbound traffic, a bike lane and vehicles using a turn lane to enter the property.
County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, who voted “yes,” said workforce housing is one of her major priorities.
“I have to say we approve more than we go to ribbon-cuttings on. We approve them, then they need an extension because it’s expensive and there’s a lot of red tape to get through,” Lincoln said. “This is a project that we’re going to see through to a ribbon-cutting and getting people into some apartments.”
Lincoln and Mayor Jim Scholl also noted how the supermarket size was reduced from the original 64,000-square-foot structure in April 2022.
“There’s been a lot of adjustments to the plan,” Scholl said.
Raschein said the project will keep essential workers and their families in the local community. She also expressed her excitement about Publix in Tavernier.
The lone dissenting vote was cast by Commissioner Craig Cates.
“I think at the end of the day, we’re going to get the best we can out of this situation for the community. But I’m still concerned about the traffic,” he said. “The study says there are too many trips, and I’m not sure if the mitigation is going to be successful.”
Developers will need to secure a major conditional use permit approval from the planning commission before proceeding with construction.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
FLORIDA MUST KEEP ITS SEAT AT THE FISHERIES TABLE
As a lifelong commercial fisherman from the Florida Keys, I know that fishing isn’t just a job — it’s a way of life that binds our families, shapes our communities and strengthens Florida’s economy.
Commercial fishing and seafood production contribute more than $18 billion annually to Florida’s economy and support over 100,000 jobs across our state (NOAA Fisheries Economics of the U.S., 2022). From the docks of Destin to the waters off Key West, hardworking men and women are the backbone of a seafood industry that feeds America and sustains coastal communities.
Nowhere is this more true than in the Keys, where fishing has been a way of life for generations. Our waters provide the nation with iconic catches like stone crab, spiny lobster, reef fish and mackerel — species that not only grace dinner tables across the country but also support countless small businesses, from fishing vessels to local restaurants.
The Gulf Council manages three of our biggest fisheries — spiny lobster, reef fish and mackerel (they share the lobster work with the South Atlantic Council) — and they’re supposed to keep a fair balance between protecting the fish and making sure fishermen can still make a living. Sound, science-based management is essential, but so is ensuring that the people who live and work on these waters have a seat at the table.
Today, that seat is at risk.
The Gulf Council has 17 “seats,” but not all of them are locked to a state — some can move. Florida’s kept one of those “at-large” seats for more than two decades, making sure we’ve had a strong voice in the process. This year, Louisiana is trying to take it.
That would be a serious mistake. Florida’s commercial, charter and recreational fishing industries are larger than those of any other Gulf state, leading the region in landings, fishing trips and economic impact. Moving this seat away from Florida would weaken the voice of the very state most critical to the Gulf’s seafood economy.
With President Trump leading the charge to make federal agencies work better for the American people, now is the time to strengthen the Gulf Council with steady leadership that understands the needs of fishermen and coastal communities. Fortunately, President Trump recently reaffirmed his commitment to America’s fishermen through the April 2025 Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, recognizing the need to bolster domestic seafood production, cut unnecessary regulatory burdens and ensure commercial fishermen can compete on a level playing field. Keeping this Gulf Council seat in Florida would bring that vision into action.
President Trump has long championed the working men and women who feed our country. By ensuring that Florida maintains its scientific leadership role on the Gulf Council, he would ensure that good science strengthens the resilience of our seafood economy, protects thousands of fishing families and safeguards the sustainable management of our fisheries for future generations.
Florida’s fishermen — and the communities that depend on them — are counting on it.
Jeff Cramer Conch Key, Florida
REEL RECS
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “Moonstruck” (1987)
Why: This is a near-perfect romantic comedy worth watching again and again for the performances, the writing and the views of New York City from nearly 40 years ago. Widow Loretta Castorini (Cher) is getting ready to marry again for practical reasons – but loses her heart to her fiance’s estranged brother (Nicolas Cage) even as her parents’ marriage is hitting a crisis point. Cher and Cage are great, but the surrounding cast is even better: Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia, Danny Aiello and John Mahoney all have memorable turns, perfect in their roles. It’s funny and heartfelt. And what a pleasure to see mature adults looking for love and demanding respect. The grandfather with all the dogs is also memorable – you may start exclaiming “la bella luna!” every time you see a full moon after watching this movie. And it probably won’t be the only line that sticks in your head.
Where: This film is available on DVD and on Kanopy, the library’s streaming app.
How: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/ keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org.
Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager.
See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/post/reel-recs.
SHELF HELP
Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.
What: “Disobedient” by Elizabeth Fremantle
Why: If you like historical fiction that breathes life into real figures who are not forgotten but whose individual experiences are not widely known, Elizabeth Fremantle is the writer for you. In “Queen’s Gambit” (re-released as “Firebrand” to coincide with the film adaptation), she showed us what life might have been like for Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife. In this novel, she brings us Artemisia Gentileschi, a wondrously talented painter in Renaissance Italy – who happened to be a woman. Her struggle to survive, and to paint the classical subjects from a woman’s point of view, make for a compelling tale. Unlike the well-trodden Tudors and other subjects, this is new material for those of us who are not art historians.
Where: You can borrow this as a print book from the Monroe County Public Library.
How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org
Recommended by: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager
See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/postshelf-help.
PASSING REHAB WITH FLYING COLORS
Wild Bird Center celebrates release of Antillean short-eared owl
An Antillean short-eared owl, a rare species to spot in the Florida Keys, is flying free again after a short stint at the Marathon Wild Bird Center.
The bird was first spotted by Big Pine Key natives Beth and Chris Bergh on April 5 after the 7 Mile Bridge Run alongside a bike path near the bridge’s eastern end. Appearing in good physical condition apart from a slight wing droop, the bird was still there two days later, Wild Bird Center founder Kelly Grinter told the Weekly.
The owl was an easy net catch for seasoned volunteer Dana Child, Grinter said, and spent two weeks at the Wild Bird Center to allow recovery from a suspected pulled muscle. And on April 24, the rare predator took to the skies off Long Point Key in a successful release.
“It’s been over a decade since I have had one as a patient,” said Grinter of her uncommon guest.
After a stay of less than three weeks to recover from a suspected pulled muscle, the Antillean short-eared owl goes airborne in a successful release off Long Point Key on April 24. CONTRIBUTED
Inset: Volunteer Dana Child holds the Wild Bird Center’s short-eared owl patient after a successful catch near the Seven Mile Bridge.
BOUTIQUE HOURS
MONDAY
THURSDAY - SATURDAY 11- 6
SUNDAY 12-4
Keely and Amelia are both wearing pants from our retail line America & Beyond
Roger Steinfeld, MD Cardiology
Joan E. Homan, MD Cardiology
Founded by Betty Debnam
Black Hole Week
May 5-9 is Black Hole Week at NASA. The special week was started in 2019 to celebrate these mysterious cosmic objects. Let’s learn more about black holes!
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
A basic black hole isn’t really a hole. Instead, it is a sphere with a lot of mass, or matter that is contained within it. It spins, and everything inside a boundary called the event horizon falls inward because of its very strong gravity. This is sometimes called the “point of no return.”
The singularity is the center portion of a black hole, where all the mass is concentrated. There are also fancy black holes. Gas, dust and other objects, such as stars, can get too close to black holes and start to spin around the black hole. This region is called an accretion disk. Sometimes these objects get too close and heat up to form light. These brilliant jets of light can sometimes be seen from Earth.
Black holes can even merge with other black holes to make a new, bigger black hole.
These are called supermassive black holes. The biggest black hole that scientists have observed is
TON 618, with about 66 million times the mass of our sun. The largest black holes are at the centers of galaxies. The black hole at the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way, is called Sagittarius A*. It is 4 million times the mass of our sun.
HOW BLACK HOLES ARE FOUND
BLACK HOLE FACT-A-ROONIES
• The first black hole to be detected by scientists was Cygnus X-1, discovered in 1971, but astronomers were predicting the existence of black holes as far back as the late 18th century.
• Black holes don’t really die, but scientists believe they slowly evaporate over very long spans of time.
• You may have read books or seen movies in which a black hole is a wormhole, or a shortcut to another dimension. In reality, if you were to enter a black hole, you could not leave it.
Even light can’t escape the gravity of black holes, so scientists observe them by noting their effects on the objects around them. They might be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, or stars may orbit around them in a particular way. Black holes also bend light from other distant objects. Gravity in an accretion disk heats up debris to millions of degrees and compresses it, producing high levels of radiation — so high, it would be deadly to human beings.
Black holes also affect time in a weird way. If you were near one, time would seem to pass much faster.
When objects get close to the event horizon, they start to stretch out and also be compressed. Think of a spaghetti noodle.
Fortunately, the closest black hole is 3,000 light-years away, so your chances of becoming spaghettified are very slim!
• The gravitational effect of black holes is only strong within the event horizon. From far away, they have the same gravity as other objects in space.
• If you replaced our sun with a black hole, the only difference you’d notice would be a much colder climate. The planets would remain in the same orbit around the black hole.
RESOURCES
On the Web:
• bit.ly/MPMichigan
At the library:
• “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble
• “Building the Bridge School” by Laura A. Stewart
Words that remind us of black holes are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Invasive Asian hornets are rapidly spreading across Europe, preying on hundreds of native insect species that include some key pollinators. Researchers analyzed the gut contents of more than 1,500 hornet larvae from nests in the U.K., France, Spain and the island of Jersey, finding that 43 of the 50 most commonly eaten species were flower-visiting insects. While honeybees are the hornets’ primary prey, they also target bumblebees, butterflies, moths, flies and other wasps. This poses an additional threat to alreadydeclining insect populations across the continent.
