Key West Weekly 25-1009

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A beautifully renovated and meticulously maintained residence in Key Haven—the most desirable boating community in Key West and the Lower Keys. This turn-key home is the perfect blend of modern comfort and island charm, offering direct access to both the Gulf and Atlantic for an effortless Keys lifestyle. Set on a quiet, canal-front street, this home features major upgrades throughout, including a new roof (2018), new air conditioning (2022), impact-resistant windows and doors (2024), and all-new PVC plumbing—no cast iron. The seawall (new in 2019) has a 15,000 lb boat lift in place and ready for your next adventure on the water. Inside, enjoy bright, inviting living spaces designed for both relaxation and entertaining. There are four large bedrooms, two of which have en-suite baths. The updated kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly to the covered outdoor patio, perfect for al fresco meals, relaxing with friends, or simply enjoying the peaceful canal views. The backyard also offers a hot tub, and for those who desire, there is room for a pool. The lush, low-maintenance landscaping includes fruit-bearing trees—Key Lime, Sour Orange, and Lemon—bringing a taste of the islands right to your front yard. Whether you're seeking a full-time residence or a tropical retreat,

1075 Duval Street | Suite 15C | Key West

305.294.1117 | oceansir.com

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

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For the fifth year, Waterfront Playhouse presents the cult classic musical, ‘Rocky Horror Show’ Oct. 15-24. See page 8 for details. CONTRIBUTED

INDICTED FORMER COUNTY OFFICIAL WON’T FACE TRIAL

Roman Gastesi agrees to supervision for 12 months, or less

mandy@keysweekly.com

The former top county executive who was indicted and arrested last year on a felony charge of official misconduct will not, it turns out, be prosecuted — as long as he behaves himself.

Roman Gastesi, the former Monroe County administrator, was indicted in August 2024 amid a drug scandal and coverup involving the 2022 theft and loss of more than 600 vials of fentanyl, dilaudid, ketamine and other drugs from the Trauma Star air ambulance service, which is run by Monroe County Fire Rescue.

“Mr. Gastesi is accused of knowingly and intentionally obstructing, delaying or preventing the communication of information relating to the commission of a felony that directly affected the government entity he served,” stated an Aug. 16, 2024 press release from the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office.

The grand jury’s report, released in late August 2024 following the indictments, states, “What is certain, through the testimony of the various witnesses, is that Mr. Gastesi has used what appears to be boundless power and authority in manners not consistent with the best interests of Monroe County as a whole, but rather for select individuals that align themselves with him. Most recently, Roman Gastesi intervened and stopped HR and Employee Services from conducting an internal investigation by an outside firm

stemming from his August 2024 indictment and arrest on a felony charge of official misconduct. CONTRIBUTED

of the July 2022 incident and more specifically Andrea Thompson. … Mr. Gastesi must never hold any position with Monroe County.”

If convicted of the third-degree felony, Gastesi could have faced up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a fine of up to $5,000.

But Gastesi won’t be prosecuted for the alleged crime, as long as he abides by the rules outlined in a pretrial intervention agreement that he signed on Aug. 5 of this year.

Gastesi agreed to 12 months supervision, during which he will report monthly to a county probation officer. After three months, he can ask the state attorney to end his probation early as long as he has completed a required ethics class, performed 50 hours of community service and donated $500 to each of two local charities. Gastesi also agreed he “will not use intoxicants to excess,” while under supervision, according to the agreement, which emphasized the words “to excess,” without defining it.

In addition to the two $500 donations, Gastesi must pay $1,420 in court and investigation costs, and $50 for each month of his probation.

“The State Attorney’s Office agrees to (dismiss) the charge(s) in this case after the time set forth in this agreement if the defendant has completed all the terms and conditions of this agreement,” the pretrial document states. “If the State discovers that the defendant has violated any law or any part of this agreement during the period of this agreement then the agreement shall be considered null and void and the State of Florida may recommence prosecution.”

Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward declined to comment on the agreement.

“We still have other defendants in that investigation, so no comment at this time,” Ward told the Keys Weekly on Oct. 7.

The Weekly contacted Gastesi for comment, but had not received a response by press time Oct. 8.

The other defendants include former Trauma Star chief flight nurse Lynda Rusinowski and former Trauma Star division chief Andrea Thompson.

Rusinowski in 2023 admitted to stealing drugs and to being addicted to opiates. She faces multiple counts of grand theft of controlled substances and fraud.

Thompson faces felony charges of official misconduct, providing false information to law enforcement, tampering with physical evidence and altering patient records.

Thompson’s and Rusinowski’s cases are still pending before Judge Mark Jones and each has a hearing scheduled for Dec. 4.

Former Monroe County administrator Roman Gastesi will serve 12 months or less of probation

MANDY MILES

WILL THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECT THE KEYS?

National park, federal courts & weather service remain open

By Mandy Miles and Jim McCarthy

Aweek into the federal government shutdown — and political finger-pointing between Republicans and Democrats — life in the Florida Keys hasn’t changed too terribly, although dozens of government websites and social media accounts tell online visitors the pages and sites will not be updated while workers are furloughed.

Air traffic controllers remain on the job to keep planes in the air, but when previous government shutdowns have stretched through several weeks, absenteeism became a concern for air traffic control, prompting some flight delays and cancellations.

The National Weather Service, which falls under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is always a concern for Keys residents. But the Keys Weekly stopped by the NWS Key West forecast office on White Street on Monday Oct. 6 and spoke in person with warning coordination meteorologist Jon Rizzo and with meteorologist-in-charge Chip Kasper. Both were still at work and on high alert in the last month and a half of hurricane season.

They are what the government considers “excepted” employees, meaning their jobs are essential, much like air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers. They’ll continue to work through a shutdown, although they may not get paid until the shutdown ends.

“If this continues, then paychecks may be delayed, which would be tough on our lower-level staff,” Kasper said, while emphasizing that the office’s hurricane and tropical weather forecasting has not been affected.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which also is under the umbrella of NOAA, however, has been affected by the shutdown.

The Eco-Discovery Center at Key West’s Truman Waterfront is closed.

“The lapse in appropriations means we are unable to utilize government property, including buildings and vessels,” Scott Atwell, communications and outreach manager for the sanctuary, told the

Keys Weekly in an email on Oct. 8. “This means the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, normally open Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is closed.

“Approximately 25% of our staff are federal employees, and are on furlough. The balance are considered contractors or affiliates, like myself, paid by previous year appropriations and are therefore still working remotely.”

Atwell added that federally owned vessels cannot be operated during the shutdown.

Dry Tortugas and Everglades national parks remained open to visitors as of Oct. 6, and the ferry was running to the Tortugas.

“One problem with nailing down specific closure information (for national parks) is that staff has been furloughed at federal websites where closure notifications would normally be posted,” states an online post by the travel site floridarambler.com. “As a result of the staff issues, visitor centers and ranger stations are not being manned and phones are not being answered.”

Naval Air Station Key West’s usually active Facebook page has not been updated since Oct. 1, when a single post stated, “There is a lapse of appropriations and there will be limited updates.”

Active-duty service members are considered essential and therefore still working, but most civilian employees have been furloughed. (A furlough is defined as “suspension or discharge of a worker or workers on account of economic conditions or shortage of work, especially when temporary.”)

A text message to NASKW civilian spokeswoman Danette Baso-Silvers produced an automated reply stating, “Due to a lapse in federal funding, employees have been furloughed. I will not be able to respond to your message until the furlough has ended.” She did provide a phone number for an active-duty naval service member for emergencies.

Federal Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow told the Keys Weekly on Oct. 7 that “the federal courts are all open and will not close during the shutdown.”

Check keysweekly.com for updates while the federal government shutdown continues.

LAWYERS, LEGAL FEES & LOTS MORE ON TAP FOR COMMISSION MEETING

Key West leaders tackle several thorny topics at Oct. 9 meeting

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

What’s happening at city hall these days? Plenty.

The city commission will be in session and facing a hefty agenda when this issue of the Key West Weekly hits newsstands on Thursday, Oct. 9.

A full report of the commission’s decisions and discussions will be available Friday at keysweekly.com.

Here’s a look at some of the topics the commission is expected to tackle:

• Commissioner Monica Haskell wants the city to conduct a “targeted review of building permits issued between January 2020 and April 2025,” due to the cost-prohibitive expense that would be incurred if the city hired a consultant to review all permits from those years. Instead, Haskell wants the consultants to focus on permits that were modified in the online tracking software; that involved “contractors shown favoritism by (city building official) as documented in emails and texts collected by the Grand Jury”; and permits related to life-safety issues.

• The commission is expected to approve a month-to-month contract with Orlando attorney Mayanne Downs, who will work as Key West’s contracted city attorney for 12 to 18 months. The city attorney search committee recommended the shortterm arrangement, after receiving no applications members could recommend for the full-time position. Downs would charge $495 per hour, plus travel and other expenses. Her firm, Downs Aaron, is located in Orlando. Before the meeting, commissioner Sam Kaufman outlined his opposition to Downs’ contract. Kaufman pointed out that the local law firm of Vernis & Bowling would do the job for $230 per hour and its attorneys, including school board attorney Dirk Smits, are located and

have significant experience in Monroe County and Key West.

• Commissioner Lissette Carey wants the city to reimburse her $6,170 for legal fees she incurred in her defense of a recall petition against her.

• Commissioner Donie Lee wants the city to respectfully ask the Navy to withdraw its objection to Wisteria Island mooring field. The new mooring field would eliminate the profusion of derelict vessels around Wisteria Island and the related nearshore water pollution. But the navy’s objection is delaying the project and jeopardizing $1.6 million in grant funding for it.

• City staff wants direction from the commissioners about how to proceed with the historic but structurally unstable former diesel plant at Truman Waterfront, which Keys Energy Services gave to the city at no charge years ago. Historic preservation experts don’t recommend demolishing the building, but the estimated cost of the needed structural repairs is at least $7 million.

• Creating a new employee protection whistleblower policy, which was recommended in the grand jury report that resulted from the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption by the city’s former chief building official, Raj Ramsingh, who was indicted and arrested in April and now faces multiple felony charges, including obstruction of justice and organized fraud.

• City manager Brian L. Barroso and his team will update the commission on progress in fulfilling the recommendations contained in the grand jury report that resulted from the indictment and arrest of three former city officials — former building chief Raj Ramsing; his brother Ron Ramsing, the former city attorney and former code enforcement director Jim Young.

• Lee proposes to establish the position of inspector general, who will have investigative and subpoena power to look into potential fraud and will report directly to the city commission.

• Consider a one-year, $130,000 water-quality monitoring contract with Stantec, which Kaufman has concerns about and seeks to make the contract more specific.

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TIME TO DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN KEY WEST CROWNS A NEW QUEEN FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

Waterfront Playhouse presents ‘Rocky Horror Show’ this month

The Waterfront Playhouse invites audiences to do the Time Warp again this month with its fifth annual production of Richard O’Brien’s cult-classic musical “The Rocky Horror Show.” Running Oct. 15-24, the production coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Leading the cast is Chicago actor Kevin Kantor, making their Waterfront debut as the flamboyant and unforgettable Dr. Frank N. Furter. Kantor, known for their dynamic stage presence and boundary-pushing performances, brings a fresh energy to the role while honoring the show’s legendary legacy.

Joining Kantor is an ensemble of Waterfront favorites including Arthur Crocker, Belle Jampol, Lauren Thompson, Phillip Cole White and Mathias Maloff — ensuring that fans of past productions will recognize faces while newcomers are welcomed into the fun. Former artistic director Tom Thayer returns to Key West to direct this production.

“This has become a heavily anticipated Fantasy Fest tradition at the Waterfront,” said Patrick New, artistic director. “Every year, audiences come ready to dress up, sing out and im-

The Chicago-based Kevin Kantor plays Dr. Frank N. Furter in the ‘Rocky Horror Show’ at Waterfront Playhouse. CONTRIBUTED merse themselves in the wild, liberating spirit of ‘Rocky Horror.’ With the 50th anniversary of the film, this season is extra special — part party and pure rock-and-roll theatre.”

Audiences can expect all the outrageous costumes, unforgettable songs and interactive moments that have cemented “The Rocky Horror Show” as one of the most unusual nights in live theater. Prop bags and vocal audience participation are encouraged.

Performances run Oct. 15-24 at the Waterfront Playhouse. More information is at 305-294-5015 or waterfrontplayhouse.org.

Mulan Alexander to ride the red shoe drop at midnight

mandy@keysweekly.com

Key West has a new queen for New Year’s Eve – a drag queen, that is – who will ride the island’s iconic red high-heeled show down to Duval Street as the

Joey Schroeder, owner of Bourbon Street Pub, hosted an “If the Shoe Fits” pageant this year to select a new shoe occupant.

Of the six contestants, the shoe fit Mulan Alexander best. First runner-up was CC Glitzer and second runner-up was Beatrix Dixie of Key West.

This year’s ‘Rocky Horror Show’ performance features familiar faces and characters, including ‘Trixie.’ CONTRIBUTED

clock strikes midnight to ring in 2026.

MANDY MILES

Contestants for If the Shoe Fits pageant, from left, included Norma Tears; second runner-up Beatrix Dixie; Misty Violet; pageant winner Mulan Alexander; Victoria Williams; and first runner-up CC Glitzer. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

Female impersonator Mulan Alexander will represent Key West and Bourbon Street Pub in the red high-heeled shoe on New Year’s Eve this year.

Key West & Cuba’s Museum Quality Regional Art

Celebrating Cultural Resilience

CUBAN ART TOURS

November 10-14, 2025 & April 20-24, 2026

Suzie Zuzek dePoo

Suzie Zuzek de Poo, a remarkable artist who passed away in 2011, was renowned for her captivating textiles, vibrant watercolors, and exquisite porcelain tiles. However, her artistic prowess extended beyond these mediums, as she also transformed reclaimed wood, antique glass, and roo ng tin into expressive works of art. A WWII veteran and a graduate of Pratt Institute, Suzie honed her craft at the Art Students League in New York City, where she embraced bold distortions and rich color in every medium she explored. Her works have graced the most storied homes of Key West, including the iconic Ballast Key, and are now proudly housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For half a century, Suzie’s creative spirit has shaped the island’s artistic soul, leaving an indelible mark on the local art scene. Her one-woman exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian in New York City left everyone who witnessed her work in awe and breathlessness.

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KEY WEST DRUG DEALER GETS PROBATION REVOKED

Joshua Allen sentenced to 4+ years in prison after multiple violations

Joshua Allen, a convicted narcotics trafficker originally arrested in connection with a 2013 Key West drug investigation, has been sentenced to four years and seven months in state prison after Judge Mark Jones revoked his probation.

Allen, who had been on probation following previous convictions for the sale and possession of controlled substances, repeatedly violated the terms of his supervision, including multiple failed drug tests and other violations of his probationary conditions, according to State Attorney Dennis Ward. In court, Allen admitted to the violations and was found guilty. His probation was revoked and he was immediately sent to state prison.

The original case stemmed from a Key West Police Department investigation into oxycodone trafficking at the Porter Place Apartments on White Street. Officers conducting surveillance saw multiple hand-to-hand narcotics transactions and, through traffic stops and interviews, identified Allen as the primary supplier.

The investigation led to the recovery of cash, prescription pills and electronic evidence linking Allen to the sale of controlled substances.

“This defendant was given every opportunity to change the course of his life and chose instead to continue down a path of crime and violence,” said chief assistant state attorney Joseph Mansfield.

“Unfortunately, Joshua Allen chose a different path,” said Ward. “I want to thank the Key West Police Department for their continued commitment to our community and our investigators and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served.”

— Contributed

BRIEFLY

25th anniversary of ‘One Human Family’

The Southernmost Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 801 Georgia St., will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Key West’s official “One Human Family” motto with the man who created it, J.T. Thompson.

The celebration will take place Sunday, Oct, 26 at at 11 a.m.

What began as a grassroots effort was adopted as Key West’s official philosophy in 2000 – and was later adopted by Monroe County. The idea is simple: “All people are equal members of One Human Family.” Thompson believes that “differences are superficial distinctions and cannot be allowed to be twisted into cultural divisions.”

The “One Human Family” movement continues to this day.

Big Pine Botanical Society meets

The Big Pine Key Botanical Society will meet on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Pine United Methodist Church, 280 Key Deer Blvd.

The guest speaker, Mischa Perez, is a nature photographer and administrator of the Florida Keys Birding and Butterflies Facebook group. She also has a YouTube channel where she focuses on birds, wildlife, conservation and migration. Her presentation will examine bird migration, documenting routes and the variety of birds and other wildlife passing through the Keys at this time of year.

Refreshments and a 50/50 drawing will follow the meeting. Everyone is welcome.

JUDGE MARK JONES TO RETIRE IN DECEMBER 2026

30-year jurist won’t seek reelection in August 2026

MJudge Mark Jones will retire in December 2026 after 30 years on the bench. CONTRIBUTED

ark Jones, circuit judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida, will retire at the end of December 2026 and will not seek re-election in the August 2026 judicial election. Jones was first elected in November 1996. Jones has presided over matters in every division of the circuit court, including numerous serious and high-profile cases. While his chambers are in Key West, he has presided over proceedings and maintained divisional assignments in Marathon and Plantation Key. Jones has been elected by his colleagues to serve as chief judge of the circuit on four separate occasions and currently serves as the circuit’s criminal administrative judge and mentor judge, continuing his long-standing commitment to judicial leadership and professionalism.

The election to fill Jones’ seat currently will take place on Aug. 18, 2026.

— Contributed

Joshua Allen

TDC INVESTS IN CAPITAL PROJECTS

Tourism agency commits $11M to local improvements

The Monroe County Tourism Development Council (TDC) recently announced funding for tourism-related capital projects designed to enhance the visitor experience, strengthen local infrastructure and support long-term economic growth throughout the Keys. Funded through the TDC’s capital grant program, the projects represent a strategic investment of bed tax revenue collected from overnight visitors.

The TDC is projected to spend over $11 million on capital projects in fiscal year 2026, providing grants to government entities and nonprofit organizations for infrastructure improvements — including repairs, renovations and upgrades — that enhance the Keys as a destination for tourism.

These improvements would generally be funded through property taxes, but thanks to the tourist development tax, visitors — not residents — pay for these community benefits. Tourism spending in Monroe County has a significant economic impact, generating some $173 million in local taxes from visitors each year.

“These projects directly support our mission to strengthen tourism infrastructure, while also delivering meaningful benefits to our local community,” said Kara Franker, Monroe County TDC president and CEO.

Funding applications are reviewed by each of five District Advisory Committees (DACs) for initial review. In June, the DACs held meetings to evaluate proposals and voted on recommended funding amounts. These recommendations were reviewed and approved by the TDC board, followed by final approval from the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Final approval by BOCC is still ongoing with contracts being approved during the first quarter of the new fiscal year.

Major projects include:

• City of Key West: Mallory Square Wharf Improvements, more than $2.6 million for repairs to the Mallory Square seawall.

Coral Restoration Foundation, Inc.: more than $475,000 for coral restoration.

Friends of the Pool Inc.: $130,000 for continued preservation of Alligator Reef Light Station. Islamorada: More than $435,000 for Founders Park pool resurfacing project.

Monroe County: more than $900,000 for Higgs Beach pavilion repairs, Big Pine Community Park & Skate Park and Jacobs Aquatic Center pool renovations.

• Monroe school board: $500,000 for Conch Cafe and Baseball Museum.

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation Center: more than $57,000 for outdoor attractions, a new roof and campus restoration.

• Reef Renewal USA: more than $360,000 for coral restoration.

1. Sombrero Beach in Marathon is one of several Florida Keys shorelines maintained with support from Monroe County TDC funding. ALLISON MORGAN/ Florida Keys News Bureau

2. A Coral Restoration Foundation diver secures staghorn coral fragments to the reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION/Contributed

3. Alligator Reef Lighthouse, one of the Florida Keys’ most iconic maritime landmarks, is set to benefit from preservation funding through the Monroe County TDC’s Capital Grant Program. CHRISTJEN JOHNSON/ Florida Keys News Bureau

Projects funded by the TDC include restroom upgrades at Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach in Key West, annual beach cleanings at those locations, as well as at Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Founders Park in Islamorada and Harry Harris Park in Key Largo.

Additional organizations/entities that were awarded funding for projects include:

• City of Key Colony Beach.

• City of Marathon.

• Dolphin Research Center.

• Dolphins Plus Oceanside Marine Mammal Responder.

• Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust.

• Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center.

• Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project.

• I. Care Corporation.

• Institute Patriótico y Docente San Carlos.

• Island Dolphin Care.

• Key West Botanical Garden Society.

• Marine Resources Development Foundation.

• Miami Dade Historical Maritime Museum.

• Old Island Restoration Foundation.

• Pigeon Key Foundation.

• The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum.

• The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society.

— Contributed

COLLEGE RECEIVES $16K FOR NEW NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

Nettie Lawson

Oglesbee’s family honors the late nurse

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Foundation received a $16,000 donation to establish the Nettie Lawson Oglesbee nursing scholarship endowment fund. Abby and Deek Oglesbee, along with Miriam and Leslie Ellison, created the endowment to award a $500 scholarship each fall and spring semester, beginning spring 2026.

The scholarship honors Nettie Lawson Oglesbee, who pursued her nursing degree after raising her children and went on to build a career devoted to patient care. Her daughter-in-law Abby, a CFK nursing alum, former CFK nursing clinical instructor and former president of the Lower Keys Women’s Club – CFK’s

longest-running nursing scholarship donor – was inspired by Nettie to support students following a similar path to nursing later in life.

“When I decided to pursue nursing in my 40s, I thought I was too old. Then my husband reminded me that his mother became a nurse at 60 and practiced for nearly a decade,” said Abby Oglesbee. “Our hope as a family is that the Nettie Lawson Oglesbee scholarship encourages non-traditional students to follow their dreams in nursing, no matter their age. This profession isn’t about age, it’s about passion and heart.”

More information is at cfk. edu/discover/cfk-foundation/ scholarship-info/.

The initial deadline to apply for the spring 2026 opportunity is Nov. 2. More information on scholarships is available from Shania Duarte-Vera at 305-809-3153 or foundation@ cfk.edu.

— Contributed

a tax certificate will be sold no later than June 1, 2026.

Ownership and current address information are received and certified by the Monroe County Property Appraiser. If you do not receive your tax bill within two weeks, or need additional information regarding property taxes, please call our o ce at 305-295-5044.

From left, Leslie and Miriam Ellison, College of the Florida Keys president Jonathan Gueverra, Deek Oglesbee and Abby Oglesbee mark the donation of $16,000 to the college’s nursing program for a scholarship named in honor of Nettie Lawson Oglesbee, who is shown in the photo being held by Abby. CONTRIBUTED

THE ‘OLD’ PALATE OF ORDINARY TIMES

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY

There are foodies who can taste a dish and instantly discern its ingredients, or who have such sophisticated palates that they can distinguish between megabucks Kobe beef and ordinary steak.

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY

has lived in Key West for 40-plus years, witnessing and writing about the island’s renegade past, shipwreck salvage adventures and colorful presentday characters.

My so-called palate, however, was formed in Key West more than 40 years ago — which means I’ll never be one of those people.

Granted, the island did boast a handful of fine restaurants back then (Chez Emile, Port of Call and Louie’s Backyard among them). Yet because the local economy was uncertain at best, most Key Westers only dined at those spots on very special occasions.

Bagatelle, Logun’s Lobster House and the Hukilau were popular when we had some cash, as was Martha’s. (The Hukilau’s pu-pu platters were a hands-down favorite, though most agreed the name was unfortunate.) And I always loved the Pigeon House Patio that stood where First Flight is now. So where did we eat on ordinary days? As most of us either worked or hung out in the local bars, we usually had a few libations before considering dinner options. By then, cooking seemed like too much work — so mostly, we ate bar food.

That meant huge fried fish sandwiches and potato soup from the Full Moon Saloon, housesmoked fish appetizers from the Half Shell Raw Bar, comfort food from P.T.’s Late Night, giant subs from the little place at the Green Parrot, and happy-hour fare from the Top of the La Concha, Chart Room or Two Friends.

Some of Mel Fisher’s treasure salvage crew, who sought the sunken Nuestra Señora de Atocha in the 1970s and ’80s, still recall hard times when they survived on Two Friends’ happy-hour goodies: battered and fried tidbits that were affectionately dubbed “encrusted objects” — an archaeological term for unidentified artifacts hidden under a coral-like coating.

As well as eating bar food, most of us were regular customers at La Bodega on Simonton Street. Its ramshackle exterior enclosed a mecca

of fantastic aromas and takeout treats (including cookies the size of dinner plates) served by smiling earth-mother types.

Let’s not forget B.O.’s Fish Wagon at the corner of Duval and Fleming. It began as an actual wagon whose owner, Buddy Owen, produced “square grouper” sandwiches — named for the local “code phrase” for floating bales of pot.

There were also unpretentious diners and eateries that served hearty fare at working-class prices. Old-time residents might breakfast on eggs and Cuban toast at Shorty’s or Dennis Pharmacy, wander into Pepe’s on Caroline Street for lunch, or order picadillo or ropa vieja at La Lechonera for dinner.

When we did cook at home, the menu usually involved fresh-caught lobster or fish — and Key West’s open-door policy often turned the occasion into an impromptu party. Steamed pink shrimp, split and grilled lobsters, sautéed yellowtail or seared tuna were paired with whatever accompa-

niments drop-in guests could concoct, making the evenings unforgettable.

By the time Kyushu opened, offering sushi and sashimi, Key West was emerging from its economic slump and we could enjoy more upscale dining pleasures. On one memorable night, groups hosted by two high-rolling “bad boys” occupied adjacent private dining rooms there, separated by a three-quarter wall. Fueled by potent rice wine, someone lobbed a piece of sushi over the wall — sparking an epic food fight between rooms, with tempura shrimp and sushi rolls flying through the air like out-of-control ping-pong balls.

Given that kind of dining background, it’s no wonder I’m not sophisticated enough to appreciate caviar and Kobe beef. Yet while today’s local restaurant scene features countless gourmet hotspots to try, I have no regrets about possessing an “old Key West” palate. Could somebody please direct me to the nearest pu-pu platter?

1. Buddy Owen stands before his iconic B.O.’s Fish Wagon, known for its signature ‘square grouper’ sandwiches. RICHARD WATHERWAX/Florida Keys History Center. 2. In this battered yet vivid vintage photo, local notables (one wearing a La Bodega T-shirt) gather at the Chart Room for happy hour. CONTRIBUTED

... 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.

Iwas never much for shoegaze, the sub-genre of alt rock that is all slow, jangly guitars and echoey acoustics. In real time, the songs can range, according to a brief search on Spotify, from about a minute-and-a-half up to 16 minutes, but somehow they all seem to go on forever. The term may have come from the way early guitarists of the ilk spent a lot of time staring down at their distortion pedals. Or possibly from some lead singer who used to tape all his lyric sheets to the floor. Though honestly I’ve always thought of it as music favored by people disinclined to make eye contact.

The expression shoegaze came to mind, though, the other day at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden.

We’re late in the songbird migration right now, but the tap still seems to be flowing steadily. Scanning the pond as I crossed the parking lot, there weren’t coots or moorhens, but there was a sextet of turtles – I think red-eared sliders – that swam vaguely toward me, most likely in hopes of a snack.

I didn’t see much when I first came through the gates, just a female common redstart that did a combination of lindy hop and Viennese waltz down the branch of a ficus tree, flashing the yellow spots on her tail. Things were slow as I crossed the bridge in the bright sunlight.

In the hammock on the far side, birds began making themselves known. A prairie warbler popped up like a peppy side character in a musical. Three different northern paulas hunted bugs and berries in the upper canopy of three different trees. A yellow-throated warbler peered down at me from a tree’s lower branches after I pished a few times, assessing me for half a second before realizing the noise was, ugh, just another human.

Three northern mockingbirds were squawking at each other in a tree, in what was either a family dispute or a love triangle. (You can’t tell age with mockers after the first couple months, and they are also sexually monomorphic, so it was hard to have a demographic take on what was going on.)

The first bird that caught my eye at shoegaze level was a rooster lurking in the shadows, not because he was trying to hide, I don’t think, but because that was where the palmetto bugs were more likely to be. And while roosters are about as rare in Key West as tourists honking their scooter horns, you usually didn’t see them in the botanical garden. Most likely this one had hopped the fence from the neighboring golf course.

Farther up the path came a palm warbler. There is nothing rare about a palm warbler. They will become more and more common in the coming weeks, and over the winter about 90% of the small songbirds you see will be palm warblers with their ever-twitching tails. But this was the first one I’d seen since late May. It was tempting to

SHOEGAZE BIRDING

say, welcome back little dude or dudette (they’re also sexually monomorphic), but it wouldn’t have meant much to the bird.

After that was an ovenbird. The name, a rare mononym in North American birds, comes from the fact that early naturalists and ornithologists thought their nests – usually a well-hidden assemblage of twigs and pine needles that is more cave-like than cup-like – looked like round-topped ovens.

The ovenbird’s song is pretty much always described with the mnemonic teacher, teacher, teacher. The account in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Birds of the World” describes them as “a species more often heard than seen.”

Robert Frost wrote a poem with similar sentiments about the ovenbird that begins, “There is a singer everyone has heard/Loud, a mid-summer and mid-wood bird.” He went on to describe how when the other species were done singing for the summer, the Ovenbird continued on: “The bird would cease and be as other birds/But that he knows in singing not to sing.”

While I’m going to be chewing on the poetic conundrum of “he knows in singing not to sing” for quite a while, it’s clear that both the “Birds of the World” account and the Frost poem were written for more of a northern audience. Living where we do, I see ovenbirds fairly often during the winter months, but I have never heard them sing, as they don’t breed much south of Jacksonville.

The fact that you can see them relatively easily in the Keys in winter is most likely due to the fact that we have limited landmass and further limited habitat within that landmass. I actually saw three at the botanical garden the other day, moving in and out of the dappled sunlight. I’m hoping one or two decide to stay the winter instead of moving farther south.

Ovenbirds actually have a little more pizazz than most warblers. Their plumage is a brown that verges on olive, except for a white belly flecked with dark streaks. They have a pinched

head evocative of an old leather football helmet, with an orange streak outlined by two thinner black streaks, all running front to back. That, combined with their white eye rings, gives them the look of an irked scholar.

While most warbler species work varying levels of the tree canopy, ovenbirds spend most of their time walking on the ground, their head bobbing like a chicken’s, occasionally hopping into a bush or onto a low branch.

The bird that was the biggest reward for looking shoe-ward the other morning, though, was the Swainson’s warbler. William Swainson was an English naturalist of the late 1700s/early 1800s, renowned for his illustrations, who has nine different species of birds named after him. The warbler is the smallest. And also possibly the most difficult to see.

The Swainson’s warbler does not have the Q-rating of the ovenbird, but it does have similar ground-dwelling habits. Most serious birders will tell you, any day you see a Swainson’s warbler is by definition a good day.

Their gift is in somehow not getting noticed.

I wouldn’t quite call them drab, but there is not much to catch the eye. From the top they are a rich ruddy brown in the sunlight, a dull brown in the shadows. (They are almost always in the shadows.) From below they are pale, verging on white.

I think it’s their motions that make them so hard to see. Their primary method of feeding is flipping leaves out of the way and searching for beetles, centipedes and spiders. But they are incredibly subtle about it. Everything they do is smooth, inconspicuous.

You can be staring at a Swainson’s for a minute or so before you notice the motion.

That’s what happened to me the other morning. I was staring down at the ground, shoegazing, not quite sure why I was staring, before I noticed it, small leaves being lifted out of the way with no drama, no wasted motion – nothing to say look at me.

An ovenbird seen recently in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

MARK HEDDEN

PHILANTHROPIST DOUBLES DOWN ON DONATIONS

Chris Sloan & others will pedal Tour de Keys for 2 local charities

County officials this year voted to cut funding for local nonprofits in half.

While dozens of charities are reeling from the cut, local philanthropist Chris Sloan and at least five other cyclists decided to start pedaling to raise money through the Tour de Keys, a bike ride on Saturday, Nov. 22. Riders can cycle from Key Largo to Key West, or from Marathon to Key West.

“When they cut in half, I double down,” said Sloan, who will ride his bicycle the 50 miles from Marathon to Key West — and he’ll match every donation he receives dollar for dollar, up to $250 per donor.

“I’m excited to cycle across the legendary Seven Mile Bridge for the first time — and yes, I’m already looking forward to my energy pit stop at Baby’s Coffee on the way to the Southernmost Point,” Sloan said. “But most importantly, this ride supports two amazing local organizations — AH Monroe, which provides affordable housing and vital health services, including care for those living with HIV/AIDS; and MARC, which offers life ser-

vices for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

“Through our family foundation — Caleb and Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation — we’ve been involved in giving back to the Keys. Now I’m ready to do some real leg work to help keep these critical services alive,” Sloan said. “Will you join me? Your donation will be doubled (up to $250) and go directly to these Monroe County charities that make such a difference in our community. All gifts are tax-deductible and go straight to these organizations with Conch pride, gratitude and determination.”

The Tour de Keys charity bike ride was launched in 2014 to support MARC and AH Monroe (formerly AIDS Help).

“Living in paradise doesn’t mean life is easy,” states the Tour de Keys website. “Many in the Florida Keys face housing instability, health challenges and barriers to essential services. Through your ride, you’re not just taking in the beauty of the islands, you’re taking action. Every mile pedaled fuels hope, housing and healing for local residents.”

More information is at tourdekeys.donordrive.com.

KWHS BAND HEADS TO ITALY FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

Student musicians will play for parade in Rome

The Key West High School Band is preparing for an unforgettable journey to Rome in late December 2025 and early January 2026, where they will represent their school, city and state on an international stage. The band is the only high school from Florida to participate in this event, where they will share their music with schools, churches and communities across Italy.

The Key West High School Band will join four other student bands from across the United States. Their performances include the vibrant Frascati Festival on New Year’s Eve, followed by a high-profile appearance in the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome on Jan. 1. The highlight of the trip will take place on Jan. 2, when the band performs at Basilica di Sant’Andrea della Valle — a once-in-a-lifetime moment for these talented young musicians.

“We are honored to showcase our state and our community to the world,” said

Gary Hernandez, director of bands and choirs at Key West High School. “Our students will represent our island with pride, and I know they will make Key West proud.”

To make this dream a reality, students are actively raising money to help cover the costs of the trip. Businesses and individuals who wish to support can visit kwhsband.com, where they’ll find two donation options: one to sponsor specific students and another to contribute to a general fund for students with financial need. They are still in need of $60,000 in total to support the balance the students have not yet been able to raise.

The Key West High School Band has been a cornerstone of the school’s arts program since about 1917, performing in over 100 cities and four countries. With 120 students enrolled this year, the program continues to grow in popularity and impact.

— Contributed

The Key West High School band performs in London over New Year’s Eve last year. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Key West resident and philanthropist Chris Sloan is one of six cyclists participating in the Tour de Keys fundraising ride on Nov. 22 that benefits the nonprofits MARC and AH Monroe. CONTRIBUTED

‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ TO AIR KEYS-THEMED EPISODE

Iconic game show features 5

Florida destinations Oct. 13-17

‘Wheel of Fortune’ will feature five Florida destinations — Pensacola, Kissimmee, Tampa, Saint Petersburg-Clearwater and the Florida Keys & Key West, on episodes airing the week of Oct. 13-17. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

It takes four vowels to spell “Florida Keys” — and don’t forget, there are two Ts in “Jimmy Buffett” and one M in “Hemingway.”

The tips may be useful next week, when the long-running game show “Wheel of Fortune” airs a Florida Keys-themed episode as part of a statewide marketing campaign known as “Live More Floridays” that will feature a Florida destination on each “Wheel of Fortune” episode, the week of Oct. 13-17.

The featured destinations are Pensacola, Kissimmee, Tampa, St. Pete-Clearwater and the Florida Keys & Key West.

Fans can watch the show, now in its 43rd season, and enter the bonus round puzzle at wheeloffortune.com for the chance to win one of five Florida vacations.

Visit Florida, the statewide tourism marketing agency, conceived of the “Live More Floridays” campaign to inspire travelers to to take a fresh look at the Sunshine State.

“While many visitors already know Florida — often through its iconic theme parks and beaches — this campaign invites them to look

ARTSPARK BUILDS NEXT GENERATION OF CREATIVITY

Key West Art Center features student designs for Fantasy Fest

Wbeyond the expected and explore new parts of the state,” states a joint press release from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC), Visit Florida and the game show.

“With a reach of 8 million people per episode, working with ‘Wheel of Fortune’ brings our ‘Live More Floridays’ campaign into millions of homes across the country each night,” said Bryan Griffin, president and CEO of Visit Florida.

“We hope to inspire viewers to seek out ‘Floridays’ for themselves with a visit, and we are also proud to offer significant value to our local destination partners by hosting these episodes together.”

“This is a great opportunity to put the Florida Keys in front of millions of viewers in a fun and engaging way,” said Kara Franker, president and CEO of the Monroe County TDC. “We’re excited to share what makes our destination truly unforgettable.”

In the Keys, “Wheel of Fortune” airs weeknights at 7 p.m. on WPLG Local 10. New episodes also stream on Peacock, Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the United States and Crave in Canada the day after their premiere in syndication. The latest five episodes will be available to stream anytime. More information is at wheeloffortune.com.

alk past the Key West Art Center, 301 Front St., later this month, and you may spot something a bit more colorful than usual. As part of this year’s Fantasy Facade contest, the center will feature a whimsical, student-designed installation, created by local high schoolers through ArtSpark, a youth art education program that’s giving young people the chance to make their mark on the island’s artistic landscape.

Launched in January 2025, ArtSpark began with Somerset Island Prep as its pilot site. As a smaller public charter high school, Somerset provided an ideal setting to launch a program that connects students with professional, working artists in a gallery environment. The success of the pilot — which grew from monthly to twiceweekly classes — demonstrated the demand for creative enrichment and laid the groundwork for expansion to other schools. Students have explored mediums ranging from watercolor and wood carving with Andy Thurber, to spray-painting with Brandon Vessels, to silk-screen printing with Dorota Isaman, among others.

Every ArtSpark class provides mentorship, professional materials and the experience of creating in a real gallery setting. The first student art show in May 2025 brought families and community members together to celebrate student creativity and the future of the island’s arts community. The next ArtSpark student show is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026, to showcase their work from the current semester.

Now, ArtSpark students are channeling that creativity into one of Key West’s biggest traditions: Fantasy Fest. With guidance from their instructors,

Local high school students enrolled in the ArtSpark program at Key West Art Center will design and build the center’s Fantasy Facade entry for Fantasy Fest. CONTRIBUTED

Somerset students are designing and building the Art Center’s façade installation, a project that blends community celebration with youth empowerment.

Beginning in January 2026, the program will expand to include monthly after-school art classes for students from CFK Academy charter high school, where a student-led art club exists but students lack access to formal arts instruction. By partnering with professional artists, ArtSpark will provide enriching opportunities.

“ArtSpark isn’t just about teaching kids how to paint or sculpt,” said Christina Joy, director of the Key West Art Center. “It’s about connecting our city’s emerging artists with the longstanding, established arts community and inspiring these students to become the next generation of Key West artists. Seeing our students’ work on display during Fantasy Fest is proof of the incredible talent and imagination they bring to the community.”

ArtSpark is made possible with the support of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, the Arts Council of the Florida Keys and supporters of the Key West Art Center.

More information is at 305-2941241 or keywestartcenter.com.

RICHARD PRAGER, MD, FCCP, FCCM ANDREW PASTEWSKI, MD, FCCP

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AVAILABLE IN KEY WEST

WILLIAM WEECH American Legion Post 168 803 Emma Street in Old Town Key West NEW SATURDAY LUNCH SPECIAL Chef Daniel “DOOKY” Brown’s Fall-Off-The-Bone BBQ RIBS SANDWICH for $15! Dine In or Take Out from Noon till all gone.

OCTOBER 11 & 25 • To benefit Holiday Toys for kids. Donations of unwrapped toys are also accepted. Info: (305) 440-3714. Veterans and their Families helping Veterans and the Community.

By Dr. Kellee Reed

Breast Cancer Awareness

IRISH KEVIN’S IS A PREMIER SUPPORTER

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month a time to focus on early detection and education Misinformation can lead to missed opportunities for prevention, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction

Here are some common myths, debunked:

Myth #1: “No family history means no risk ” Fact: Most breast cancer cases occur without a family history Lifestyle and aging also play a big role

Myth #2: “I don’t need a mammogram until I’m 50.” Fact: Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 45, with options to start at 40

Myth #3: “A healthy lifestyle means I won’t get breast cancer. ” Fact: Healthy habits reduce risk but don’t eliminate it Regular screenings remain essential

Myth #4: “I’ll feel a lump if I have breast cancer ” Fact: Not all cancers cause lumps; screenings are crucial even without symptoms

Myth #5: “Breast cancer only affects women ” Fact: Men can get breast cancer too, especially with family history or genetic risk

At Mount Sinai, we support early detection and prevention During October, Mount Sinai is offering free or reduced-rate mammograms to support early detection

an appointment with our Key West primary care physicia ns

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 started off with a fiery full moon in Aries, setting the stage for a lot of emotional frustration and release. Hopefully you were able to unleash your frustrations in healthy ways like howling at the moon or engaging in community work rather than going off in the comment sections or complaining about your customer service. Now, the main event in the sky involves the planet of beauty and relationships, Venus. She is currently traversing the sign of Virgo, which has all of us feeling pretty meticulous about our artistry and our relationships. The main lesson this week involves the inherent necessity of finding joy in life, but making sure your joy is achieved through ethical means. Have fun and let it all hang out, but don’t impede the wellbeing of others in the process. Here are your horoscopes for Venus sextile Jupiter and opposite Saturn. Read for your rising and sun signs.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

It seems as though you have discovered a secret love. This could be a partner you keep to yourself or a creative project you are working on solo. Your friends are supporting you in your hidden graces, whether they know about it or not. Appreciate their help. Do not let this private love prevent you from getting your work done, however. Find some balance.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

Your network of support is really shining for you, Scorpio. You have friends who are prepared to help you succeed in whatever goals you set for yourself. You may have

discovered a brand new life venture that you are ready to embark on, and your friends are right there to encourage you on. Don’t get so caught up in the shiny new prospects that you neglect the projects you’ve already committed to, though.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

You appear to be heavily invested in some group project, business venture or volunteer goal. Whatever it is brings so much joy and meaning that you are now working on integrating it into your work life or public reputation. Go for it. This new project might bring up some challenging relations at home or with family. That’s OK, just be sure to fulfill your obligations to your closest kin.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

As you fine-tune your communication strategies and live into your status of authority in your local environment, you are also discovering the love of something or someplace new. It’s perfectly fine to step out of the structure you’ve built to explore with a loved one who brings you joy. A vacation is just as important as the work sometimes, and the work isn’t going anywhere.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

It looks like you’ve been practicing frugality with your income and spending lately. Good for you. This week, however, you’re being nudged to invest your time or treasure with the people who help you find love in the world. Go ahead and loosen your grasp on your own funds and do the things that bring you joy with the people who bring you connection. You’ll feel the edges before you overdo it.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Dive headfirst into the projects or practices that make your heart sing. You have a creative wellspring inside of you that is just bursting to be expressed. An important loved one will help you find your inspiration, so don’t hold back. This person can help you to fine-tune what you hope to create. In fact, this whole process will help you to get really clear about your own identity.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

This is a perfect time to be at home, spending quality time with yourself. I would recommend cleaning, tidying, reorganizing or otherwise getting your home space set up just the way you want it. Do away with the distractions and really love the process of caring for your own space, consolidating the overthinking and celebrating the fact that you have home and family (whatever form they take).

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Your artistry is on fire and your creative juices are flowing. Catch your muse and let yourself be immersed in your bliss, however that shows up for you. You have friends who are there to help you edit and pare your work down into something accessible and relatable to others, so call on them for constructive criticism. Take inspiration from your familiar world and build that into whatever you’re creating.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

While work might be a source of constriction, your home and family are bringing you a special feeling of love and connection right now. Use that empowerment to step into your own authority at work rather than allowing yourself to be constrained. You are making and spending money at a higher rate right now, but if you are spending on family, then it is all worth it.

CANCER

THE ETHICS OF JOY

June 21 - July 22

You may have some obligations to some new ventures that you’ve committed to, and that is all very well and good. However, this week it is time to take a step back and really fall in love with the world that you’ve already created for yourself. Enjoy your neighborhood and life as it is. You have time to get back to work on the life you are creating. Letting yourself take up space in your familiar surroundings.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

You may have been a bit more frugal about how you are investing and spending your money and time on other people, which is great. Right now, however, do not be so frugal on yourself. Let yourself get the thing that feels right, particularly if it is something that you can enjoy all to yourself. Time alone is incredibly valuable, and having the right objects around to help you sink into solitude is helpful now.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

I hope you are feeling particularly beautiful right now because Venus is shining her light directly on you. You have friends in your life who are supporting you in your blooming, and you are drawing people into your radiance. Enjoy the attention. This moment of personal blossoming might be bringing up some necessary conversations in your important relationships. Reset some boundaries.

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?

Feeling rushed?

Try ‘bite-sized’ experiences

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

Even the White Rabbit in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is running behind. “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” the iconic character laments as he checks his pocket watch.

Though Carroll’s book was published in 1922, more than a century ago, the rabbit’s complaint could easily apply to the hurry-up pace of today’s world — where it’s normal to dash from one event or appointment to the next, always feeling rushed and attempting to catch up.

Too often, once-leisurely gettogethers with friends are relegated to quick hellos between work meetings and other commitments. For some people, vacations have become marathons to see and do as much as possible, while documenting it all for social media.

The breakneck tempo of the “real world” is even encroaching on Key West. Though the island is renowned for its carefree lifestyle and laid-back vibe, residents aren’t immune to overscheduling and under-enjoyment.

However, a new trend is emerging to counter the contemporary hurryup mindset: the practice of relaxing, reconnecting and recharging in “bitesized” pieces that fit into a busy day.

It’s a trend embraced at the Key West Cooking Show venue at 291 Front St. While the island’s age-old culture and traditions are honored there via cuisine and atmosphere, a new selection of “bite-sized” culinary experiences take life’s faster pace into account.

To accommodate tight schedules of both local and visiting foodies, hour-long learn-and-dine “shows” are offered three times daily from Tuesday through Saturday — each pairing an entertaining lesson in how to prepare favorite Key West dishes with a savory meal shared with fellow enthusiasts.

One-hour demonstration-style experiences at the historic venue are scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Multicourse menus include entrées like ropa vieja, jerk chicken, picadillo and luscious roast pork. Accompaniments might include avocado salad, conch fritters and Key lime pie or sweet flan.

Hearty picadillo is one of the dishes demonstrated and served during the new “bitesized” Key West Cooking Show experiences. KEY WEST COOKING SCHOOL/Contributed

For those who could use a midday cocktail break, hour-long mixology classes are offered as well. An exploration of “Rum Revelations” is scheduled at noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with plenty of opportunities for sampling.

Evening Key West Cooking Show experiences are still on the menu from Tuesday through Saturday as well — with a two-hour timeframe to maximize relaxation and leisurely enjoyment. A 5 p.m. class titled “Key West History through Craft Cocktails” explores libations connected to the island city, while a 7 p.m. “dinnertainment” show blends learning, camaraderie and several delicious courses to savor.

Whether “bite-sized” or two-hour experiences, reservations are required; call 305-294-COOK.

LAST BITES

Dish of the week: Picadillo. Stuffed green olives, capers and sweet golden raisins might sound like a surprising combination, but together they create a salty-and-sweet flavor that characterizes authentic picadillo. A traditional dish in Latin American and Caribbean countries including Cuba, hearty and satisfying picadillo also includes ground sirloin and ground pork, tomato sauce, white wine, diced vegetables and seasonings.

Helpful kitchen hack: Before dicing onions for a dish like picadillo, lessen their harshness with a quick and easy trick. Simply soak sliced onions in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow their “bite.”

Hungry for more? Visit keywestcookingshow.com.

‘A NEVERLAND CABARET’ FOLDS AUDIENCE INTO FANTASY

Key West Theater hosts immersive event

In this Neverland, you’re not just watching the story — you’re tangled in it. Every glance, every whisper, every drink could alter your night. The lines aren’t just blurred — they’re pixie-dusted.

“Lost. Lust. Dust: A Neverland Cabaret” breaks the fourth wall, smashes the bedtime story and invites audiences into an immersive theatrical playground where reality dissolves and desire takes flight.

From the moment you step through the doors of the Key West Theater, you are no longer an observer — you are a part of Neverland.

Here, pirates juggle flashing swords with bravado. Lost Boys teeter across bottles, daring gravity. Lady Lily spins a storm of hula hoops that shimmer like

fireflies in the dark. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the night reveals another secret, another temptation, another surprise that pulls you deeper into the magic.

Sing sea shanties with Mr. Smee. Get rowdy and wild playing games with the Lost Girls. Choose a side in the eternal battle between fairies and pirates — and watch the story shift around your allegiance. Every choice ripples through the evening, bending the tale into something uniquely your own.

This is cabaret. This is fantasy. This is Neverland, reimagined for grownups.

The show runs Oct. 17-18 and 20-23 at Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St. Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit thekeywesttheater. com.

— Contributed

‘Lost. Lust. Dust: A Neverland Cabaret’ When: Oct. 17-18, 20-23 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St. Tickets: thekeywesttheater.com

Maia Castro-Santos as Lilly. CONTRIBUTED

Lady Beast as Jonnie. CONTRIBUTED

BECOME A ROYAL SPONSOR, DONATE TO THE CANDIDATES DIRECTLY, AND PURCHASE CORONATION TICKETS AT OUR ROYAL KING & QUEEN WEBSITE: WWW.FKSPCA.ORG/DONATE/ROYAL-CAMPAIGN

ALL CANDIDATE FUNDRAISERS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH

ROYAL AQUA IDOL

@Aqua Bar and Nightclub 711 Duval Street

The King and Queen candidates whose singers receive the most "votes" wins $2500 each towards their campaigns!

OCTOBER 14TH IS CELEBRATING POWER ANTHEMS FOR OUR GRAND FINALE NIGHT!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

DRAG QUEEN BINGO WITH QMITCH

5pm @22&Co. 504 Angela Street

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 ROYAL CORONATION: THE CROWNING OF THE KING & QUEEN OF FANTASY FEST

6pm @ Coffee Butler Amphitheater 21 Quay Road

TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT 11AM! www.etix.com/ticket/p/79296633/2025happily-furever-after-royal-coronationkey-west-coffee-butler-amphitheater

Royal King & Queen Fundraisers are all benefitting the Florida Keys SPCA

FANTASY FEST KING CANDIDATES 2025

FLOYD JENKINS

FRIDAY 10/10 COOKING WITH SALT-N-PEPA @ Key West Cooking School, 7pm 291 Front Street Suite 207, $150 per Ticket

SUNDAY 10/12 BROKEBACK AND BEYOND: A WESTERN MOVIE NIGHT @ Birdcage Cabaret, 8pm @ 504 Angela Street Free Event (suggested donation of $10)

THURSDAY 10/16 PAINT-N-SIP @ Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters Museum, 5:30 to 8:30pm @ 938 Whitehead Street

$60 per Ticket. Only 25 Painter Tickets Available! $10 Donation Suggested for Event Entry & Viewing

JOE WOOTEN

THURSDAY 10/9 VIBRATOR RACES

@ MARY ELLEN'S BAR, 6PM @ 420 APPELROUTH LANE

FRIDAY 10/10 SUNSET SOIREE @ Sunset Bar & Pier, 6-8pm @ 0 Duval Street Free Event.

SUNDAY 10/12 TEA DANCE @ La Te Da, 4-6:30pm @ 1125 Duval Street

THURSDAY 10/16 THE BIG REVEAL: JOE’S BIG RAFFLE PACKAGES! @ 22&Co., 504 Angela Street. Free Event.

FANTASY FEST QUEEN CANDIDATES 2025

MINA VALDEZ

FRIDAY 10/10

LAGERHEAD'S LUA-LEI'S FOR STRAYS @ Lagerheads Beach Bar, 6-9pm @ 0 Simonton Street. Donations Appreciated THURSDAY 10/16 THE CONCH-CLUSION @ Mac's Place, 4-7pm, @ 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Admission by Donation.

CINDY BENSEN

THURSDAY 10/9 A REASON TO HOWL! Comedy with renowned veterinarian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald @ Williams Hall, 7-9pm @ 729 Fleming Street

SATURDAY 10/11 WHERE ART THE WINE @ Gallery on Greene, 5-7pm @ 606 Greene Street. $40 per ticket.

MONDAY 10/13 BIRTHDAY PAW-TAY BBQ @ The Home of Kate Miano, 6-9pm @ 618 Freeschool Lane. $45 per ticket

Live Music Daily

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

The Oct. 3 morning cleanup was held on the far side of the island. The Ploggers cleaned along South Roosevelt Boulevard, including pulling trash from the mangroves and seawall. In one hour, 28 volunteers collected 175 pounds of trash, 29 pounds of recycling, and one gallon of cigarette butts. Special thanks to the Key West Junior Football League for participating in the cleanup and providing breakfast for all the volunteers. CONTRIBUTED

One 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 a one-hour Friday morning cleanup. All events are 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Oct. 10: Greene & Ann streets. Meet at Old City Hall on Ann Street. Hosted by the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce.

Oct. 17: Duval and Eaton streets. Meet on Eaton next to Berkshire Hathaway Knight & Gardner Realty, which is hosting.

Oct. 24: Key West Fire Station on Simonton Street. Meet in the parking lot. Hosted by Kenna Construction & ShineGroup, eXp Realty.

Oct. 31: Duval & Virginia streets. Meet on Virginia Street next to Duval Square. Hosted by Stacy Stahl, Realty One Group Destination.

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.

change in a short time. Athena is very sweet and friendly with people and eager to connect. A calm, patient adopter who can offer consistency and structure will help her feel secure and build confidence. She may be selective with other dogs, so we recommend a meet-andgreet for any potential canine siblings.

Boomer,

Meet Athena, a 2-year-old German shepherd who has experienced a lot of

Meet

a 3-year-old pup who is ready to become your sidekick for life. He is a loving and silly guy who can make you smile in a hot second. Boomer is happy just to be in your company, and is an excellent player of fetch, tug or ‘find the coconut’ (he will teach you that one.)

Meet Jasper. He’s a tiny bundle of joy, a month-old hamster with a lot of energy. Whether you’re a first-time pet owner or looking to add a dash of cuteness to your crew, baby Jasper is ready to be yours.

Meet Herman, a 3-month-old shorthair kitty who would love to find a snuggly lap to call his own. Are you looking for someone to play chase the laser with or snuggle up with to read a book? He’s your guy. This month, Kittentober, all kittens under 8 months old are only $13 to adopt.

Meet Edmund, a 2-month-old shorthair kitten. Mr. Edmund has a playful royal way about him. He knows he’s superior. Are you looking for a feline to rule your world? Edmund would be the perfect fit.

RAMBLING OVER TURQUOISE WATERS

The daunting construction of Bahia Honda railroad bridge

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.

In J.W. Norie’s “Piloting Directions for the Gulf of Florida, the Bahama Bank & Islands,” he states: “And a large island on the east side, a mile long, with a sandy beach, remarkable for a number of tall palmetto cabbage-trees, the first of the islands you fall in with coming from the westward this island is therefor called CabbageTree Island.”

In Gerdes’ 1849 “Reconnaissance of the Florida Reef and All The Keys,” he stated: “The large Id. called on the chart Cabbage Tree Island is the Bahia Honda Key.” The island is special for several reasons. In terms of spectacles in the Florida Keys, the old Bahia Honda railroad bridge is practically unrivaled.

Though not the longest of the bridges built during the construction of the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, the Bahia Honda Bridge was the most challenging. Work began on the extensive project in 1905 and involved more than building a bridge across the Bahia Honda Channel to West Summerland Key.

Before engineers figured out what to do about the difficult task of building a bridge across the channel, there was the matter of traversing Bahia Honda. The interior of the island had a lagoon that had to be crossed. Also, after crossing the lagoon and Bahia Honda proper, there was a narrow pass to a smaller island. The pass flowed through what is today the general area of the park’s marina.

On this smaller island, a railroad camp called the Bahia Honda Sand Pit Camp housed workers. It is on this smaller island, too, where the iconic bridge was built. But first, another bridge was built. The first bridge was

a wooden trestle bridge that started on Bahia Honda and spanned the pass. The bridge created a gradual grade leading to the high approach necessary to cross the channel. Workers dredged up fill and, over and over, dumped it around the wooden trestles until the rising bridge and the pass disappeared.

The next job was dealing with the bahia honda. Bahia honda is Spanish for deep bay. The Bahia Honda Channel proved to be a particular challenge because it was the deepest pass the right-of-way crossed. It reaches a depth of at least 30 feet. Engineers struggled with how to make it passable. According to Dan Gallagher’s excellent book “Florida’s Great Ocean Railway,” there was talk of ending the line of the Key West Extension of Flagler’s East Coast Railway at Bahia Honda.

The same concept used to create the series of bridges referred to now as the Seven Mile Bridge would have been expensive. To bridge the channel, 64 piers, some 50 feet tall, would have to be built to accommodate the 80-foot steel deck plates used to construct the Seven Mile Bridge (which is actually four separate bridge sections). The cost of the project was one reason the engineers decided to go a different route and construct the truss bridge that stands over the water today.

Because the truss sections were longer than the 80-foot steel deck plates, they only had to build 34 piers. Due to the swift-moving currents, creating the piers was hazardous work. One of the reasons the project took so long was that work was restricted to two 45-minute shifts during slack tide, the brief period between high and low tides when the water is still. It was not until January 1912 that the work was completed.

It was Jan. 22 when Henry Flagler boarded his railcar, the Flagler Special, and rode from the mainland to Key West for the first time. The train steamed and chugged up and down the island chain for 23 years. When it passed through the trusses of the Bahia Honda Bridge, passengers were told to keep their hands and heads inside as it rambled and roared 25 feet above the turquoise waters.

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane ended the run of the Over-Sea Railroad when 40 miles of tracks were destroyed Sept. 2. While Flagler’s bridges survived the hurricane’s rage, the train never ran again, and the Florida East Coast Railway sold the right-of-way to the state of Florida.

Because the railroad bridges were so well constructed, many of them were widened to accommodate automobile traffic. Because of the Bahia Honda truss design, widening was not possible. Instead, they paved their way over the top of the trusses. The second version of the Overseas Highway opened to public transit in 1938. When it did, drivers drove 65 feet above the water.

The road ran over the top of the bridge for longer than the train ran through it. In 1972, the modern Bahia Honda Bridge opened, and the highway was rerouted to its present course. It delivers one of the most scenic views the Overseas Highway has to offer. When the old railroad bridge is the only thing standing between the modern highway and the setting sun, the view is spectacular.

It should be stated that it is dangerous to swim under the bridge. The

tide brings strong currents that can be more than a swimmer can stand. Additionally, there is a local legend known as Big Mo to consider.

The old railroad piers provide structure, and, in the underwater world, structure attracts life. Fish, crustaceans, sponges and other organisms build around the structure and create a small ecosystem. Among the fish that gather to hunt for a meal are tarpon. The tarpon is a big fish, growing to be more than 100 pounds and five feet long. However, where tarpons gather, sharks will also patrol in search of a snack.

Big Mo’s legend spans decades and revolves around a big mothersomething hammerhead shark measuring 15 feet in some accounts and 20 feet in others. The shark is associated with Bahia Honda and the old Seven Mile Bridge. As elusive as a skunk ape, Big Mo seems never to have been reeled in. Still, stories abound of that time when Big Mo chomped down on some unfortunate tarpon and, as the two fish thrashed about in mortal combat, red clouded the water and the tarpon became a meal, one piece at a time.

Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension. Train crossing Bahia Honda Bridge. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library Collection

REEL RECS

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

What: “Downhill Racer” (1969)

Why: If you’re looking to revisit a lesser-known movie featuring two great American actors we lost this year – Robert Redford and Gene Hackman – this skiing movie is an interesting option. It’s not the best work from either actor but it does catch them at or near the peak of their careers: Redford starred as the Sundance Kid the same year, and Hackman won a Best Actor Oscar two years later for “The French Connection.” Redford is the brash skier; Hackman, the nononsense coach. The film’s naturalistic style makes it a little hard to connect to the characters, but the ski footage, especially for the time, will raise your blood pressure. And for the older viewers among us, it’s kind of fun to revisit the era when downhill skiing was an exotic sport we only saw in the Olympics every four years or on the random episode of “ABC’s Wide World of Sports.” This film provides a behind-the-scenes view of the ski scene that was rare at the time. And the screenplay is by James Salter, the novelist who wrote “A Sport and a Pastime” among other works.

Where: This film is available 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? keyslibraries.org/contact-us. 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: “How To Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley

Why: My formula for the perfect vacation read? No dense worldbuilding, short chapters for easy dipping in and out, and a plot that holds your interest without demanding extreme focus. “How to Age Disgracefully” delivered perfectly on a recent beachside getaway.

Set in present-day West London, the story follows an endearingly oddball crew of seniors on a mission to save their neighborhood community center. Among them: a kleptomaniac out-of-work actor, a rebel yarn-bomber, an elegant widow with secrets, and Lydia, their hapless social club organizer. Far from fading quietly into the background, these spirited retirees combine their diverse talents to thwart bullies, exact revenge, and hatch a plan to save their community.

Witty and engaging, “How to Age Disgracefully” upends stereotypes about aging — without distracting from gently lapping waves or a golden Gulf sunset.

Where: You can borrow this as a print and large print book, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library.

How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, 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: Anne Layton Rice, assistant director, support services

See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/post/shelf-help.

KEYS ENERGY WORKERS SLICE & DICE TO FIGHT HUNGER

Utility employees volunteer during Public Power Week

Keys Energy Services (KEYS) employees marked the start of Public Power Week by volunteering at the Star of the Sea (SOS) Foundation’s Callahan Community Kitchen on United Street in Key West.

As part of KEYS’ Days of Giving program, employees helped with preparing meals for child care and senior sites across Monroe County.

“Our Days of Giving program allows KEYS employees to directly support meaningful causes in our community,” said Lynne Tejeda, general manager & CEO of KEYS. “Partnering with the SOS Founda-

tion to help feed our neighbors was an impactful way to give back and kick off Public Power Week.”

“We are so grateful to KEYS’ employees for dedicating their time and energy to support our Callahan Community Kitchen,” said Ari Kabat, nutrition programs coordinator for the SOS Foundation. “We couldn’t do it without community partners like KEYS.”

Launched in 2023, KEYS’ Days of Giving program connects employees with nonprofit organizations throughout the Lower Florida Keys to provide hands-on support for community projects and events.

More information about the SOS Callahan Community Kitchen is at sosfoundation.org.

— Contributed

Keys Energy Services’ employees, from left, Nina Delgado, Dane’lle Waldon and Zahny Gonzalez prepare shredded chicken and orange slices for Monroe County’s food- insecure senior citizens and children.

Keys Energy Services’ employees, from left, Scarleth Gomez, Ashlee Tejeda and Jacob Bland volunteer at SOS Callahan Kitchen by prepping meals for Monroe County’s food-insecure senior citizens and children. CONTRIBUTED

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Key West Cooking Show

Dinnertainment™ Shows Daily

EARLY LUNCH LUNCH EARLY DINNER DINNER

1pm-2pm 4pm-5pm

All meals are served with housemade plaintain chips

TUESDAY

Conch Fritters

Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice

Key Lime Pie

Garbanzo Soup

Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding

Bollos Grits-n-Grunts

Key Lime Pie

Avocado Salad

Ropa Vieja with White rice

Tia’s Flan

Tostones

with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice

Tia’s Flan

Conch Fritters

- TROPICAL BITES

Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie

Garbanzo Soup

Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas Guava Bread Pudding

Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Ropa Vieja with White Rice

Tia’s Flan

WEDNESDAY - Island Indulgence

Caldo Gallego Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice

Key Lime Pie

THURSDAY - CATCH OF THE DAY

Bollos Grits-n-Grunts

Key Lime Pie

Avocado Salad

Ropa Vieja with White rice

Tia’s Flan

Conch Fritters

Mariscado with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding

FRIDAY- A TASTE OF HAVANA

Ceviche

Mojo Roast Pork with Black Beans and Rice Key Lime Pie

SATURDAY- KEY WEST COMFORT

Tostones with Cuban Chimichurri Picadillo with Black Beans and Rice

Tia’s Flan

Monday: 11am-8:30pm

Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-10pm

Happy Hour: 4pm-6pm

Trivia Night: Mondays 6:30pm

Conch Fritters

Grits-n-Grunts

Key Lime Pie

Garbanzo Soup

Lobster Enchilados with White Rice Guava Bread Pudding

Caldo Gallego Key West Seafood Rissotto

Tia’s Flan

Mariscado

Swordfish Picatta with Rice and Broccolini

Tia’s Flan

Conch Salad Snapper Creole with Rice Guava Bread Pudding

Bollos

Sunday Pork Chops with Potato Gratin Guava Bread Pudding

Cocktail

Tuesday-Saturday

12pm & 2pm

Rum Revelations A Cocktail Adventure 5pm

Key West History Through Craft Cocktails

BOUTIQUE HOURS

MONDAY - WEDNESDAY 11- 4

THURSDAY - SATURDAY 11- 6

SUNDAY CLOSED Voted BEST LOCAL RETAILER by the Key West People’s Choice Awards 2023, 2024 & 2025. And mentioned in Forbes magazine!

BANNED BOOKS SPEAK VOLUMES

CHALLENGING A BOOK ISN’T THE SAME AS SILENCING IT. THOUGHTFUL PLACEMENT AND OPEN DIALOGUE LET YOUNG READERS GROW.

THE COLLECTOR OF BURNED BOOKS

By Roseanna M. White

KAREN NEWFIELD

In 1933, book burnings took place at more than 20 universities across Germany. These were not just acts of destruction — they symbolized an effort to remake German culture in accordance with Nazi ideology. Well-known writers and professors fled to Paris, where they created a hidden library filled with books that were banned by the regime. For six years, professor Corinne Bastien found refuge and purpose in this secret and magical library. The Nazis invade Paris in 1940, and Christian Bauer is sent to manage the relocation of France’s books. A sensitive and intellectual man, he must wear the uniform and feign allegiance while quietly working to protect as many books as possible from destruction. What begins as an unlikely friendship between Corinne and Christian grows into an alliance to save the words and ideas that are on the cusp of being lost forever. This magnificent work of historical fiction reflects the courage of the resistance and the broader reality of censorship through books. Filled with intrigue, suspense and a bit of romance, this is a meaningful tribute to the power of ideas and the human spirit protecting our ideals through the darkest times.

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

By Patricia McCormick

Lakshmi lives with her family in a poor Nepalese village. One day a fancy lady offers to bring Lakshmi to the city where she can work and send money to her family. They wrongly assume it’s to be a maid. After a harsh journey, Lakshmi is brought to Happiness House, where young girls are trapped in the sex trade. The cost of room and board add up to more than they can ever repay. Written in a lyrical style, the short chapters create a narration that handles the tough material with care. The book is often challenged for depicting a minor’s sexual exploitation, but its goal is to humanize trafficking and encourage informed empathy. Librarians build collections using policies and professional reviews; they shelve by age appropriateness. If someone objects, a request for reconsideration is filed; a review follows, inspects the work and expert sources, then they decide whether to keep, relocate or remove. The library’s job is to enable access and place books thoughtfully, not control what others read. Let’s allow librarians to put the books in the proper places, while families and teachers help young readers choose what’s right for them.

CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT

By Mark Haddon

Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old math whiz just outside London, tells his story in the first person with razorsharp logic and disarming honesty — he’s even “writing” the very book we’re reading as he investigates who killed his neighbor’s dog. He hates yellow, loves prime numbers, adores his pet rat Toby, and models himself on Sherlock Holmes — amazingly observant of tiny details yet confused by the messiness of people’s feelings. What begins as a backyard whodunit turns into a family mystery, pushing Christopher to break his rigid routines, take the train alone, face overwhelming crowds and test the limits of his courage. Earlier descriptions sometimes use labels like Asperger’s/high-functioning autism, but the novel itself resists these categories. The style — precise, funny, sometimes sad — mixes charts, lists and math in short, highly readable chapters that keep you close to Christopher’s thoughts and feelings. This novel has been frequently challenged in schools for profanity and a few questioning remarks about religion, with some arguing it’s not suited for younger readers. For many, it’s a superb read that deepens our understanding, invites discussion, and reminds us that the truth can be messy.

#WORTHWATCHING I don’t know how I missed “Pleasantville” in 1998 but it’s absolutely a winner. Two ’90s teens are transported into a 1950s sitcom, where the town literally turns to color as people discover desire, art and free will — interestingly, the blank books fill with words the moment curiosity switches on. On Amazon Prime.

SOLD

The Marvelous Maple

Founded by Betty Debnam

Do you love pouring syrup over your pancakes? Are leaves turning bright colors in your neighborhood? There’s a good chance that the syrup and the bright autumn colors both come from maple trees.

This week, The Mini Page learns more about the marvelous maple tree.

NATURE’S CHANGING COLORS

In the fall, maple trees glow with the brightest colors of all trees. Summers with warm days and cooler nights produce the brightest fall colors.

Sometimes there are even more spectacular autumns when the summers have been dry. When there is little rain, fungi, such as mold, mildew and mushrooms, don’t grow as much, so they don’t suck as much moisture from the trees. Trees that are under stress from drought or insects sometimes change colors earlier in the fall. If conditions are really bad, they might go straight from green to brown, without changing to the reds and yellows.

HELICOPTER

SEEDS

All maple trees have papery wings attached to their seeds, which help them travel to new ground each fall. They are often called “helicopter seeds” because they spin in the wind.

TRANSFORMATION

Leaves (and all other objects) get their color from the chemicals they are made of. In the summer, leaves contain a substance called chlorophyll (KLOR-uh-fil), which gives them their green color.

In the fall, cooler temperatures signal the tree to stop producing chlorophyll. As the chlorophyll breaks down, the leaves take on new colors, depending on what other chemical building blocks are still present in them.

The brightest reds appear in the red maple, and not just in the fall. It always has some red on it — either red buds, flowers, leaf stems or leaves.

Chlorophyll helps shield the leaf from sun damage. But even more important, it helps the tree capture sunlight. Plants use sunlight to create food. This process is called photosynthesis (foe-toe-SIN-the-sis).

Chlorophyll is like an engine that uses sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugars the plant can eat. It produces oxygen as a waste product. Chlorophyll turns leaves into little factories that produce sugar and oxygen.

Words that remind us of maple trees are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:

AUTUMN, CANADA, CARBON DIOXIDE, CHLOROPHYLL, COLORS, DRY, FLOWERS, FUNGI, HELICOPTER, LEAVES, MAPLE, OXYGEN, SAP, SEED, STEMS, SYRUP, TAP, TREE, VERMONT, WATER.

SWEET AND SAPPY

Almost all maple syrup and maple sugar comes from the sugar maple tree.

Its sap has more than twice as much sugar as any other kind of maple.

The sugar maple grows naturally only in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. When planted anywhere else, it almost never flowers.

The maple tree is so important to Canada that its leaf is the country’s symbol.

Because sugar maples live for a long time, they can produce a lot of sap during their lives. Some maple trees have been tapped for 100 years and are still producing sap.

MAKING SAP

Around March, when the snow starts melting, tree roots warm up. This signals the trees that it is time to start growing leaves. Trees need to move the food stored in their roots up to the leaf buds so leaves can grow. This food is the sugary sap.

Sap flows for about six weeks. However, there might be only five or six times during those weeks when the sap is actually dripping from the holes made in the tree. These times are called sap runs. A sap run might last a few hours or a few days.

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPmaple

At the library:

• “Whiz and the Secret Science of Maple Syrup” by Bumpa and Riley

• “October Is Having a Party!” by Caitlin Friebel

ECO NOTE

Tropical birds are disappearing fast, and scientists say extreme heat from climate change is largely to blame. A new study shows these birds are suffering dramatic population drops — as much as 38% since 1950 — due to more frequent and intense heat waves. Birds in places such as the Amazon face around 30 days of dangerous heat per year, compared to just three in the mid-20th century. While habitat loss is also a major threat to the birds’ survival, researchers warn that climate change is now a bigger driver of declines in the tropics.

The Mini Page® © 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication

photo by William F. Wood

photo by Stephen Goodhue, courtesy State of Vermont

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