Key West Weekly 25-1106

BRINGS HELPING HANDS

The one in a desired neighborhood

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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

Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

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Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

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Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney died on Nov. 4 at the age of 84. Cheney was defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush during Operation Desert Storm. He was then vice president under George W. Bush during the U.S.-led operations against Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Keys Weekly’s Mandy Miles joins a disaster relief flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica and shares her experience. See page 8. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL RENOVATE REYNOLDS SCHOOL

$11M project is part restoration, part demolition

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

An old school will get a new look and a renewed mission in the coming months, as the school district readies Reynolds School for renovations that will be part demolition and part historic restoration.

The school property that stretched from Reynolds to Royal Street is actually two separate structures. The historic brick schoolhouse that faces Reynolds Street was built in 1927 and will be restored during the upcoming project. The white building in the rear of the property, which is decidedly non-historiclooking, will be demolished and replaced with a new structure, Pat Lefere, the district’s executive director of operations and planning, told the Keys Weekly last week.

A second community meeting about the construction took place Nov. 5 and the district plans to keep the neighbors informed throughout the process.

“We plan to issue a request for proposals within the next month to find a contractor for the project,” Lefere said. “We hope to break ground in early 2026 and are aiming for completion in the summer of 2027. Then, ideally, we’ll move our facilities and maintenance teams out of Bruce Hall on United Street and into the new building at Reynolds. That will free up Bruce Hall for the administration offices that we’ll move out of the Trumbo Road property, so we can build the longawaited employee housing there.”

new structure that will house the school district’s facilities and maintenance teams.

The historic Reynolds School will be restored as part of an upcoming renovation project. The building will eventually house the school district’s adult education program. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

The Reynolds School property has been vacant for years, having most recently served as the headquarters for the Boys & Girls Club. But the property is now part of the

school district’s long-envisioned grand plan to build employee housing at its Trumbo Road headquarters. It’s a goal with several moving parts, all contingent on one another, Lefere said.

While the facilities and maintenance teams will occupy the new building in the rear of Reynolds, the historic brick building, once renovated, will house adult education classrooms and staff offices. That program includes GED classes for adults wanting to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma as well as English classes for non-native adult speakers.

“The school district is currently spending $60,000 a year renting space on Eaton Street for adult ed,” Lefere said. “With the project complete, we’ll move that in-house to one of our own properties.”

“We are excited to get this next piece of our Trumbo affordable housing effort started,” he said, adding that updated renderings and designs will be posted at keysschools.com as they are prepared.

The building in the back of Reynolds School will be demolished and replaced with a

LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE MARK WILSON ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR CIRCUIT JUDGE

The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office on Oct. 6 launched a redesigned website with a new web address: votemonroeflkeys.gov. CONTRIBUTED

Upgrades unveiled in time for Marathon races & new campaigns

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

Are you registered to vote?

Are you sure? Did you update your address when you moved last year? Do you know your new polling place?

Want to know who’s running for office — and who’s funding their campaigns?

Is your ballot coming in the mail? (Not if you haven’t renewed your request, as those now expire after every election.)

All this information and more is available on the Monroe County elections website, which has a new look, a new online address — and a new web hosting company.

“We are no longer being hosted by VR Systems,” Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies said on Nov. 4, referring to the Tallahassee-based company that, until this year, had hosted 64 out of 67 Florida counties’ elections websites. In 2024, as millions of users visited 64 county websites to check election results, the digital demand overwhelmed the hosting platform, and dozens of counties fielded frantic calls from candidates and voters as online results weren’t updating and websites were crashing, forcing users to find election results elsewhere.

“So instead of using the same hosting company that everyone does, we spread out the traffic,” Hodies said. “We worked with Iowa Computer Gurus to redesign the website, which took about three months, and it’s hosted by Azure, so we shouldn’t have any freeze-ups or blackouts. And the ones that happened last year weren’t the fault of my predecessor or anyone here.”

Hodies added that while the website upgrade was her priority, the new web address — votemonroeflkeys.gov — was not.

“The state made a rule years ago that all election websites had to end in .gov,” Hodies said. “But our site had never been updated for that requirement.”

So the former keyselections. org is now votemonroeflkeys.gov. The old address will automatically redirect users to the correct one until March 2027, Hodies said, but encouraged users to update their bookmarks and saved sites.

The new site went live on Oct. 6 and launched “without a hiccup,” she said, hoping for the same smooth operation for Marathon’s city council elections on Nov. 4.

“Those election results for Marathon will be the test,” she said the day before the election. As of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Marathon results were posted on the site’s home page.

“Transparency and trust have been folded into this website and into our new social media series, ‘Election Connection’ and ‘Behind the Ballot,’” Hodies writes in a letter to voters on the website’s home page.

“For the first time ever, the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections office is on Facebook and Instagram, and I’ll be launching a monthly newsletter later this month,” she said, adding that people can opt in to receive the newsletter via email on the elections website. Hodies credited the county’s election employees for their experience, knowledge and commitment to ensuring clean and accurate elections in Monroe County.

“I’m surrounded by amazing people, and I’ve been attending training and education sessions around the state,” she said.

Mark Jones will retire in December 2026

Monroe County Judge Mark Wilson on Nov. 3 announced his candidacy for Sixteenth Circuit Judge, Group 1. The seat will be open following the retirement of Judge Mark H. Jones, who will conclude his three-decade career on the bench when his current term ends in December 2026.

“Judge Jones has been a pillar of our judicial system for many years, and a stalwart example of professionalism and steady leadership,” Wilson said. “His service as a circuit judge has strengthened our courts and deepened public confidence in the justice system. I intend to continue my judicial service to the citizens of Monroe County by succeeding him in that role.”

Wilson was appointed to the Monroe County Court in 2017 by then-Gov. Rick Scott. He has since been elected without opposition. Before taking the bench, he served for 12 years as a Monroe County assistant state attorney, prosecuting public corruption crimes and other felony offenses.

WIlson also served for many years as the legal adviser to the Monroe County Grand Jury. He spent four years as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, where he prosecuted federal crimes. Wilson finished his prosecutorial career as chief assistant state attorney.

He is qualified by the Florida Supreme Court to preside over death penalty cases and has handled thousands of criminal and civil matters throughout the Florida Keys in eight years as a county judge.

Wilson has been a law professor at Penn State and Widener

University law schools, a Wyoming state trooper and a U.S. Army paratrooper in the Republic of Panama and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the famed 82nd Airborne Division.

He earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from Rutgers University, a law degree magna cum laude from Penn State, and a postgraduate law degree from Yeshiva University.

“I’ve always believed that justice should be firm when it needs to be and compassionate when it ought to be,” said Wilson. “The goal of our justice system is to seek the truth and apply the law fairly to everyone. As a judge, my duty is to ensure the rights of all parties are respected, the laws are faithfully applied, and that the decisions we reach are grounded in justice and reason. I intend to continue this as a circuit judge.”

Wilson said he has been endorsed by Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The election for Circuit Judge, Group 1, takes place Aug. 18, 2026. Jones will retire four months later in December.

Monroe County Judge Mark Wilson on Nov. 3 filed paperwork to become a candidate for Sixteenth Circuit Judge, Group 1. He seeks to replace longtime Circuit Judge Mark Jones, who will retire in December 2026. CONTRIBUTED

KEYS WEEKLY JOINS DISASTER RELIEF MISSION TO JAMAICA

AEROBridge Disaster Response delivers water filtration systems

It could’ve been us.

The thought played on a near-constant loop in my mind, from the moment the plane touched down in Montego Bay, Jamaica a little after 11 a.m. Tuesday, until we were “wheels up” again around 4 p.m. and heading home to our own unscathed island of Key West.

The mental volume increased as we careened around corners in a Jamaican taxicab, passing a mountainside once dotted with small wooden homes, painted in the pastel colors of the Caribbean, now reduced to piles of lumber strewn down the hillside like pick-up sticks.

I will admit, that thought of “It could’ve been us,” was only nearly constant, as it was interrupted by the occasional mental fist pump as I surveyed my in-flight surroundings and decided private jet air travel suited me particularly well.

But let’s back up a bit to the day before I tagged along on a disaster relief flight to Jamaica, when a text from my boss, Britt Myers, asked, “If I got you on a private, hurricane relief jet to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a story tomorrow morning — back by 8 p.m. tomorrow night, would you be interested?”

My talk-to-text reply was an unequivocal, “Hell, yeah. I’ll grab my passport now.”

And thus I found myself at Signature Aviation the following morning, still unsure of the details of our mission.

Fortunately, all became clear once six of us were settled comfortably (really, really comfortably) aboard former Key West residents Jordan and Casey Smith’s Citation CJI private jet, with Jordan at the helm and fellow pilot Brad Pierce next to him.

Turns out, the two men are volunteer members of AEROBridge Disaster Response, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes volunteer pilots whenever disaster strikes and loads their planes with relief supplies.

“Our mission is to assist in times of catastrophic emergency by coordinating donated aircraft to provide a powerful, immediate response to disaster,” Pierce said. “We have about 4,000 pilots and air assets that we can match up with the needs of a disaster. We offer a life-sustaining bridge in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, when roads are closed and there is no ground access, and before massive government assistance starts arriving. When others are fleeing from danger and darkness, our pilots are willing to fly right toward it.”

Jordan Smith was one such pilot this week, as his was the first AEROBridge plane to fly into Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa’s direct hit on Oct. 29.

“We are the pathfinding flight in,” Pierce said while Smith navigated our smooth landing in Montego Bay. “I’ve got another eight or so pilots and

planes lined up to come in, but are just waiting for us to nail down the logistics with this initial trip.”

While Pierce and Smith got logistics, Jamaican towns were about to get clean drinking water, as our plane was loaded with 10 portable water filtration systems that each can provide clean water to 1,000 per day.

“So with 10 of these on board, we can ensure clean water for 10,000 people a day,” said Joe Hurston, another of our six passengers, who builds and distributes the water filtration systems as part of his own nonprofit, Air Mobile Ministries. Key Wester Justin Harris rounded out our crew of six and was there to help offload the water systems.)

Hurston bid us farewell at the Montego Bay airport, and set off to meet his team in Ocho Rios, where the systems would be installed at churches and schools.

With our cargo unloaded, the five of us found the island’s friendliest cab driver, Hodayne, and invited him to join us for lunch — if he knew of a restaurant that was open. He did.

The 15-minute drive to The Pelican restaurant showed us literal mountains of damage in the northwestern corner of Jamaica. But inside the restaurant, news started to happen.

Jordan Smith recognized a gray-haired man with a Spanish accent. It was chef Jose Andres, whose World Central Kitchen has traveled to disasters all over the world, from Ukraine and Gaza to Haiti and Puerto Rico, setting up mobile kitchens and serving more than 5 million hot meals.

Andres couldn’t have been more gracious in speaking with us, and explaining his team’s response

2.

3. From left, Joe Hurston, Justin Harris, Brad Pierce, Casey Smith, Jordan Smith and Mandy Miles prepare to board the Smiths’ Citation CJ1 for a disaster relief mission to Montego Bay, Jamaica on Nov. 4.

4. Chef Jose Andres of World Central Kitchen has provided 40,000 meals to the storm-ravaged island of Jamaica since Oct. 29. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, where he was working with more than 1,000 volunteers stationed all over the country.

“So far, we’ve served about 40,000 meals, but that’s not close to where we need to be,” he said, shaking his head. “We need to get to about 100,000 or 150,000.”

Moments after our chance encounter with Andres, our group ran into Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism in Jamaica. He also graciously agreed to an interview during which he thanked us immensely for being there and was glad to hear that everyone we’d encountered on the island had been gracious, helpful and appreciative, no matter what hardships they were personally enduring at their own homes.

“That’s the Jamaican spirit,” Rose said proudly. “I just spoke this morning to 300 hotel workers, who showed up to work the very next day after the storm, not knowing whether they’d be paid, but working to get the island back together for our visitors.”

And they’ll get there. Having seen what we did, it’ll take time and some places will never be the same, for sure. But the spirit of the island is alive and well, and much like our own island, the worst of the worst tends to bring out the best of the best.

All the best, Jamaica. You’ll get there. And I’ll be back there (hopefully in a private jet).

1. Pilots Jordan Smith, left, and Brad Pierce are volunteers with AEROBridge Disaster Response, which flies into places everyone is evacuating when disaster strikes.

Key Wester Justin Harris helps offload portable water filtration systems that a Key West crew delivered to Jamaica this week.

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

STATE LEGISLATORS FILE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROPOSALS

Resolutions safeguard funding for schools, law enforcement

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Arecent legislative committee week in Tallahassee brought a flurry of proposals related to the reduction or elimination of property taxes in Florida.

By Oct. 16, seven Florida House Republicans filed joint resolutions, which would require a three-fifths majority vote of the Legislature in order for them to appear on the 2026 ballot. They would then need 60% support from state voters in order to pass.

A majority of the proposals filed in the House maintain property taxes for local K-12 schools. For local governments, however, ad valorem dollars would either be reduced or outright gone.

Property taxes are paid based on the millage rate set by the municipality’s governing body and the property’s assessed value. The money goes to general fund operations of governments and schools. They support operational expenses of fire rescue and police and various departments.

A variety of tax exemptions are offered in Florida, including the homestead exemption that lowers the property’s taxable value up to $50,000. There’s also the Save Our Homes amendment, which caps the amount property taxes rise per year to no more than 3% regardless of property value changes. Exemptions are also in place for active duty military members and veterans.

But state leaders are finding more ways to relieve the property taxpayer’s burden.

“If property taxes get eliminated down the line, I don’t know how governments are supposed to operate. I like the fact our parks look good and our roads are paved.”

— state Rep. Jim Mooney

A majority of the proposals preserve funding for law enforcement but not fire rescue. A majority of non-school property tax dollars in the Florida Keys and throughout the Sunshine State go toward fire rescue and law enforcement. For instance, a little more than 69% of unincorporated Monroe County ad valorem dollars, or $117 million, goes to public safety.

One proposal, filed by state Rep. Kevin Steele of Pasco County, would exempt homestead property from all ad valorem taxation besides K-12 school district levies. His proposal also prohibits counties and municipalities from reducing the total funding for law enforcement beginning with the 2027-28 fiscal year.

“The total funding provided by each county and municipality for law enforcement services may not be less than such jurisdiction’s total budgeted amount for law enforcement services in either the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 local fiscal year, whichever was higher,” reads Steele’s bill.

State Rep. Monique Miller’s filed resolution proposes to increase the homesteaded property

exemption by $100,000 annually during a 10-year period. By 2037, the property would be exempt from property taxes, other than school district levies. Miller’s bill also prevents local municipalities from reducing law enforcement funding.

A proposal by state Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, of Miami-Dade County, would only give homestead property tax exemptions to those over the age of 65. His bill, too, would safeguard law enforcement funding. Another bill brought forth by state Rep. Shane Abbott would add a homestead exemption for levies, other than school district levies, equal to 25% of the remaining assessed value after applying existing exemptions.

Rep. Demi Busatta’s resolution would increase the exemption for homestead properties with property insurance by $100,000 from all ad valorem taxation, besides school district levies. Rep. Toby Overdorf’s bill would increase the Save Our Homes benefit, while a proposal by Rep. Philip “Griff” Griffiths would modify limitations on assessment increases for homestead and nonhomestead property.

On top of the House joint resolutions is one bill filed in the House by state Rep. Jon Albert to limit millage rate increases from the previous year, unless the local municipality’s council or board approves it via two-thirds vote. Unlike the House joint resolutions which need legislative and voter approval, Albert’s bill would need approval from the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A staunch advocate for the elimination of property taxes in homesteaded properties, DeSantis has made numerous statements that Floridians who bought property shouldn’t constantly face taxation. He called the House proposals a “political game” and not a serious attempt to get it done for the people.

On the other side, House Speaker Danny Perez has criticized DeSantis for failing to release a detailed plan on how to eliminate property taxes.

While stating his support for measures to relieve some of the property tax burden, especially for those over 65, state Rep. Jim Mooney said he doesn’t believe eliminating property tax is feasible. If any measure makes it to the ballot in 2026, Mooney said, legislators must clearly explain to the voters the positives and negative sides to such a move.

“If property taxes get eliminated down the line, I don’t know how governments are supposed to operate. I like the fact our parks look good and our roads are paved,” he said.

If anything, Mooney said, the discussion surrounding the possible elimination of property taxes drew local governments to scrutinize and reduce their spending for the current budget cycle.

“Maybe that’s what needs to be done ultimately,” he said.

The legislative session in Tallahassee begins Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude March 13.

Florida State Capitol. FILE PHOTO

THE DAY ‘FAT ALBERT’ FLEW AWAY — AND THE ILL-ADVISED RESCUE MISSION

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY

Before Fred the Tree sprouted on the Old Seven Mile Bridge, becoming an iconic landmark for drivers traveling along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, our highway landmark was Fat Albert.

Named for a large and ungainly animated character in a children’s television series, our Fat Albert was (and still is) a large and ungainly white blimp floating high above the Lower Keys.

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.

Albert is technically a tethered aerostat — a 180-footlong helium radar balloon that provides high-tech surveillance of air traffic and maritime activity. The so-called blimp is obviously inanimate, but given its nickname, masculine pronouns have long been used to describe it.

Local lore back in the early ’80s suggested that Albert had other “missions” too — and it’s well-documented that, for a while, he transmitted the United States’ TV Marti television signal to Cuba.

Unlike Fred the Tree, who remains firmly rooted to the old bridge, Fat Albert drifts in the sky above the Lower Keys. Moored by a heavy-duty tether or cable, he’s supposed to float at some 10,000 feet over an area determined by the limits of the “leash.”

One day in the summer of 1981, however, Fat Albert had a surprise for his handlers — and pretty much everybody else in the Keys.

A few of us were gathered at the Chart Room for cocktails when the news broke. A tiny bar at the Pier House resort, the Chart Room was one of the centers of our Key West universe.

I was perched on a barstool listening raptly to one of the notables who frequented the place, still awed by the power he and his cohorts represented. Locals joked that the city, police and sheriff’s departments and state attorney’s office operated from the Chart Room.

They weren’t exactly wrong. In those days, you could find more politicos at the bar’s wooden spool tables than you could at City Hall.

Naturally, it was the politicos — including the state attorney at the time — who first got word about the “incident” involving Fat Albert.

Perhaps because the bartenders prided themselves on serving strong cocktails, few people could keep a secret at the Chart Room. Moments later, we all knew: Fat Albert had slipped his “leash” and was floating free over the Lower Keys, headed for the vast open sky above the Gulf of Mexico.

Slowly the details trickled in. The “incident” had occurred while the blimp’s handlers were pulling him down from the sky because of approaching thunderstorms. As they released

helium, the tether cable dragged along the water until all hell — and Fat Albert — broke loose.

The escape, it emerged, was only half the story. Four local guys in a boat spotted the runaway blimp trailing its tether and tried to save the day. They chased down the “leash,” affixed it to their 23-foot boat, and attempted to tow Albert back to its home base.

Unfortunately Albert was far bigger and heavier than their vessel, and he was moving fast. Hooked to the tether, the boat was lifted into the air. The four guys found themselves dumped into the water but were fortunately unscathed.

The volume inside the Chart Room increased quickly as the regulars debated who could possibly be crazy enough to think a small boat could capture Fat Albert.

Suddenly the state attorney’s 20-something son and his best friend burst through the bar’s doorway, disheveled and clearly giddy with adrenaline — announcing that nobody would believe the adventure they just had on their boat.

So what happened to Fat Albert? The Air Force eventually found the escaped blimp 165 miles west of Key West, cruising merrily along at an altitude of 25,000 feet. Launching a rescue mission whose details remain murky even now, they brought the wayward Albert home.

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY

The Air Force’s Fat Albert tethered aerostat, shown here in 1974, is moored just above the ground on Cudjoe Key. IDA WOODWARD BARRON COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center

In this undated photo, Fat Albert floats above Cudjoe Key while a second blimp can be seen at ground level. MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY/Florida Keys History Center

CRABBY BELLIES

Marathon locals top the team podium in Keys Fisheries’ annual claw-eating contest

Fifty contestants. Ten teams of two. Twenty-five fresh stone crab claws. And one ticking clock.

In the Florida Keys last weekend, a tasty tradition to kick off stone crab season proved there is indeed a method to chomping your way through dozens of stone crab claws in record time … and it’s not just a good appetite.

Stone crab connoisseurs donned their best crab couture on Nov. 1 for the 14th annual Stone Crab Eating Contest at Keys Fisheries. The goal? Crack and consume 25 tasty stone crab claws and pick them completely clean in the fastest time possible. Participants received a penalty for each piece of claw meat left behind.

And contestants came prepared. From hammers to mallets to nut crackers, they raided their utensil drawers and toolboxes to help them crack open and chow down the succulent stone crabs. But in the end, it was a spoon — a very large spoon — that helped a Florida man take the top prize.

“So, my strategy was a spoon – a lot bigger of a spoon,” said first-place winner Jonathan Martinescu of Fort Myers. “Two years ago, I actually used a smaller spoon so this year the secret was a bigger spoon.”

This was the second time Martinescu entered the contest. He said his winning time of 9 minutes and 46 seconds was even sweeter because it happened on his four-year wedding anniversary.

In the team competition, Tom Zajac and Ryan Beckett of Marathon took first prize with a time of 6 min-

Ryan Beckett, left foreground, and Tom Zajac, with “M” cap in background, polish off their 25 claws for first place in the team contest. STEPHANIE ZAJAC/CONTRIBUTED

utes and 15 seconds. In 2023 and 2024, Zajac won in this same category with another teammate.

The top three winners and teams took home commemorative awards including a Keys gift basket.

The Keys are responsible for 40% of the state's stone crab harvest.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, that averages about 2 million pounds annually. Stone crabs are also considered a renewable resource because of the crabs' ability to re-grow harvested claws.

Keys Fisheries, who hosted the contest, is the largest processor of stone crab claws in Florida. Stone crab harvest season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1 each year.

Proceeds from the event’s entry fees benefit the Florida Keys Hope Walk.

Bonzi Xaykosy of Fort Lauderdale works at a feverish pace to extract stone crab meat during the 14th annual Stone Crab Eating Contest at Keys Fisheries. Xaykosy earned second place in the quirky competition that marks the start of stone crab season. NATALIE DANKO/Florida Keys News Bureau

Don’t get duped by fake dough

CHECK IT OUT: LIBRARY LAUNCHES NEW PHONE APP COUNTERFEITS CIRCULATING IN KEY WEST

Beyond books, library cards unlock free movies, magazines, music & more

The Monroe County Public Library’s new phone app “makes it even easier to get the most from your library card,” said Kimberly Matthews, the county’s director of libraries. “We’re always looking for ways to empower patrons — and we remain committed to helping you get the information you need, whether that’s in person, over the phone or online.”

Available for Apple and Android devices, the app is available by searching the Apple Store or Google Play for Monroe County Public Library, or visit keyslibraries.org and click the link for the new app.

With the app, you can use your phone or tablet to manage your account, search the catalog and reserve books. Just scan your library card, and you’ll be connected. You can even use it to check out items at the library, at the desk or the self-checkout station. You can also use it at the library’s Lending Machines and Pickup Lockers.

And it has links including an events calendar, Kanopy (for video streaming), Libby (for ebooks, e-audiobooks, and digital magazines) and other online resources.

If you’re out and about and see a book you’d like to read, you can scan the ISBN code and find out right away if it’s in the library collection.

To get the app, find out about getting a library card and more go to keyslibraries.org. To download the app, you can also go directly to yourlibraryapp. co.uk/MonroeCountyPublicLibrary. If you have questions, call or stop by your local branch or contact us online at keyslibraries. org/contact-us.

The new Monroe County Public Library app is available at keyslibraries. org as well as at app stores for Apple and Google. A library card lets users read books, stream movies, browse magazines, even learn a foreign language — all for free. CONTRIBUTED

The Monroe County Public Library is South Florida’s oldest public library with documented roots to 1892. It has branches in Key West, Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo, along with Lending Machines in Key Largo and Stock Island.

The library’s mission is to deliver a broad range of resources, services and programs that meet the educational, informational and personal enrichment needs of the Keys community.

— Contributed

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of fake/counterfeit money that’s used as props in movies circulating in Monroe County, notably the Lower Keys and Key West.

The $100 bills are marked as fake, stating they are to be used only in making motion pictures,

but they may look accurate at a casual glance.

Key West Police Department issued a similar warning recently regarding fake $20 bills. Doublecheck any bills you use/receive, and please help law enforcement spread the word.

— Contributed

BIG PINE ROAD WORK AHEAD

Project to begin next week on Overseas Highway

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will launch a three-month road construction project at MM 31 on Big Pine Key starting Wednesday, Nov. 12, although the schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions.

The project involves replacing a Key deer grate at a cost of $976,000. Construction will be done in stages, and temporary lane closures will be scheduled so as not

to occur during special community events and peak periods of traffic.

Lane closures will be scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Traffic will be temporarily shifted onto the existing shoulders, which will serve as travel lanes. The speed limit throughout the area will be reduced to 35 mph at all times. Access to and from adjacent neighborhoods and businesses will be maintained during construction.

More information is available at 305-470-5349 or southflroads.com.

Real-time traffic and lane closure information is at fl511.com.

— Contributed

Fake $100 bills have been circulating in Monroe County. MCSO/Contributed

MESSAGE SHERIFF FROM THE

I’m happy to announce the Sheri ’s O ce will be returning a total of $5,435,536.17 in excess funds that it did not spend the last fiscal year.

Fiscal responsibility remains one of my priorities and this last fiscal year was no di erent. I will always treat public funds as I would treat my own and continue to be the best financial steward I can be knowing how hard each of you work every day.

Nearly $5 million will be returned to Monroe County and the remaining excess funds returned to the Village of Islamorada, the City of Marathon, and Key West International Airport.

It’s an honor to serve as your Sheri !

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

CUBAN ART TOURS

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

Mario Sanchez

Bottles for Balloons, 14” x 30” Intaglio

A Street of Small Hustles and Tall Stories

Buckteeth once made his living collecting bottles from the street and selling them back. When age made bending down too hard, he pivoted—blowing up balloons and trading them for bottles brought by children. A pu of air, a pop of color, and the business carried on.

To his right, the Bollita Man—the most prosperous of them all. Before the lottery, Bollita ruled: numbers drawn in a Cuban convent and broadcast to Key West. Mario loved a joke. I thought his pockets were stu ed with winnings; it was a hernia he refused to x, balanced on his bicycle’s crossbar like a sidekick.

From Bahama Village came a boy with a stick of Spanish Limes—mamoncillos, tart and tropical. They grow wild, high up, always on someone else’s land. Everyone knew they were stolen, but ve cents a bunch? No one minded.

A coconut tree, three yellow vernacular buildings, and a shack frame the scene. On the left, a meat market with beef in the window. Next door, Chino’s shoeshine parlor. A robust woman in polka dots strides by, carrying Snapper like a trophy.

The middle building is a modest eyebrow house. To the right, a mustard-yellow rooming house with a “For Rent” sign—two stories of possibility.

An island inspired treasure trove where fashion meets paradise. Nestled into the heart of Key West, we’re your go-to destination for splurge worthy finds and fashion forward essentials. Featuring the latest styles from Farm Rio, Alemais, Oliphant & many more.

Annual P lant Sale & Art Market

THE STUDIOS OF KEY WEST

ART EXHIBITS OPEN: THU NOV 6, 6-8PM ON VIEW: NOVEMBER 6-27, 2025

Shelter WILL JACKS

Large-scale, camera-less works that challenge how we define a photograph and invite viewers to look beyond the surface.

sponsored by Island City Tile

Sweet Little Paintings

JACK MCDONALD

Key West native captures favorite foods, places, and objects in a naturalistic style that invites joy, warmth, and nostalgia.

sponsored by Louie’s Backyard

Moving Box Art ALEXIS LYONS

Inspired by life as a military spouse, Lyons turns transient lifestyle into a celebration of resilience, growth, and the healing power of making art. sponsored by Manley deBoer

Under the Skin

MEGGI SIEGERT

With a background in psychology and a painter’s eye for intimacy, Siegert captures quiet mysteries that live just beneath the surface.

sponsored by Luna

GROUPS TACKLE

GHOST TRAP PROBLEM IN THE KEYS

commercial fishing trap from the waters.

Lurking in the waters off the Florida Keys, a haunting presence is luring marine life to their untimely demise and trapping their spirits in an underwater purgatory.

This isn’t the plot of a new Halloween blockbuster, it’s the unfortunate impact of derelict fishing equipment known commonly as “ghost traps.”

To help tackle the problem, Ocean Aid 360 was awarded $150,000 through the National Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment and Prevention (TRAP) program administered by William & Mary’s Batten School & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Beginning in 2026, they will mobilize commercial fishers alongside dedicated trap data collectors and volunteer coastal residents and local watershed groups to detect and remove derelict spiny lobster and stone crab traps in the Florida Keys. This intervention will include a robust pre- and post-removal monitoring component to measure natural resources and economic benefits related to the removal efforts.

Each year in the United States, commercial fishing traps are lost due to vessel-gear interactions, storms and gear degradation. These ghost traps become inaccessible to fishermen but continue to function, resulting in mortality of both target and non-target species, habitat damage and reduced fishery landings. A 2016 report found that removing just 10% of derelict crab pots and lobster traps could result in an additional $831 million in global landings annually.

This is the second year that Ocean

SCHOLARS SIGNED

Aid 360 has received clean up funding through the TRAP program, which is supported by an initial $8 million, four-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. Their firstyear efforts focused on the removal of marine debris and derelict traps in the Tampa Bay estuary — an area that is critically important for commercial and recreational fishing. These efforts resulted in the removal of 3,478 derelict spiny lobster and stone crab traps. Ocean Aid 360 will now shift focus south to target the Keys.

Data from each TRAP program partner is fed into a national database to evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of the removal efforts and to inform future policies.

“We are thrilled with the initial results from our inaugural TRAP program recipients. Their success is a testament to the impact that locallydesigned solutions can have on global issues,” said Kirk Havens, director of the Batten School & VIMS Center for Coastal Resources Management, which administers the TRAP program under the direction of co-principal investigators professor Donna Bilkovic and associate professor Andrew Scheld.

“Our second round of recipients have demonstrated that same creativity, thoughtfulness and local community engagement in their project proposals, and we are proud to support them as they work for the benefit of their communities and marine ecosystems.”

More information is at trapprogram.org. — Contributed

Take Stock in Children inks a record 84 students

Take Stock in Children of Monroe County has accepted 84 new students into its scholarship program, which now serves 382 students across 14 schools in the Florida Keys. This year marks a significant milestone for the program, reflecting a 5% increase in enrollment compared to last year.

The newly-accepted students, ranging from sixth through 10th grade, join a community of learners dedicated to academic success and personal growth. The enrollment includes 176 students from the Lower Keys, 74 from the Middle Keys and 132 from the Upper Keys.

“We are very proud of our new students who have joined our award-winning mentorship program in Monroe County,” said Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of Take Stock in Children of Monroe County. “These students will be a part of a 26-year history of providing college scholarships to nearly 1,200 students.”

Take Stock provides Florida Prepaid college scholarships that cover up to 120 tuition credits and local fees at any of the 12 state universities or 28 state colleges. Take Stock students may also apply their scholarship toward a career technical certificate.

“We have a track record of success with nearly 70% of our scholarship recipients earning a college

degree or a career certificate,” said Licis-Masson.

Monroe County Education Foundation board president Ron Saunders emphasized the importance of, and his appreciation for, the Take Stock mentors who meet weekly with Take Stock Monroe students.

“We are very appreciative of our volunteer mentors who give time each week to meet with their Take Stock mentee, providing guidance and support that truly makes a difference in their lives,” he said.

This year has seen growth particularly at Coral Shores and Plantation Key schools, which experienced close to a 20% increase in enrollment. Additionally, Marathon Middle High School reported a 12% rise in student participation. With new applications being considered after Jan. 1, the program anticipates reaching nearly 400 students in the near future.

To accommodate this expected increase in enrollment, Take Stock in Children is seeking additional mentors. Volunteers play a vital role in this program, offering support and guidance that help students navigate their academic journeys and prepare for future success.

The Monroe County Education Foundation congratulated the families and students for their commitment to education and expressed gratitude to the mentors who help make these opportunities possible. More information is available from Licis-Masson at chuck.licis@ monroecountyedfound.com or 305293-1546. — Contributed

Divers use dual lift bags to extract a ghost

NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION/Contributed

Take Stock in Children of Monroe County accepts 84 news students to its scholarship program. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

THE AFFORDABLE UNITS INCLUDE 98 RENTALS AND 28 OWNERSHIP UNITS

KEY WEST CELEBRATES LONG-AWAITED LOFTS AT BAHAMA VILLAGE

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

An oddly shaped parcel appeared on every development plan pertaining to the property we now know as Truman Waterfront Park.

For nearly 30 years, officials dithered over the design and amenities. At one point the waterfront was on the verge of becoming a mega-yacht marina. Eventually, the park’s features took shape all around the outlined parcel. Excruciating public debates ultimately led to the now-familiar amphitheater, art installations, splash pad, playground, soccer field and fitness trail.

But that Rorschach-shaped section of land remained untouched because it could only be used for one thing. In handing the city 19 or so acres of prime waterfront real estate in the late ’90s, the US Navy insisted the city use part of it for affordable housing. But housing is hard. It’s expensive. Complicated. Controversial. So the parcel sat empty through several city commission elections.

But that all changed the morning of Oct. 30.

Current and former city officials, nonprofit partners, development companies and residents celebrated the completion and grand opening of a residential neighborhood at Truman Waterfront.

The Lofts at Bahama Village, located at Truman Waterfront Park, includes 98 affordable rentals and 28 affordable homeownership condominiums. It’s been a joint effort among the city, AH Monroe and VestCor developers. The city of Key West deeded the 3.2-acre parcel to VestCor, which partnered with AH Monroe as a sponsor.

“Today, we gather not just to open a new housing development, but to celebrate a promise kept, a dream realized and a future strengthened,” Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez said. “The Lofts at Bahama Village are more than buildings; they are an opportunity. This development gives our local workforce, our families and our young people a chance to live, work and thrive right here at home.”

The housing is the crowning glory of the redevelopment of the old Navy property. The Truman Waterfront Park, with its completed soccer field, green space, waterfront promenade and amphitheater, is the crown jewel of Key West.

“I want to thank the previous city commissioners, the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee, the Key West Housing Authority, the Vestcor team, the state of Florida, AH, Toppino’s and every partner who played a role in bringing this project to life,” Henriquez added. “Most importantly, I want to thank the residents, the people

of Bahama Village, who made their voices heard and helped shape what this project would become. Your input, your pride and your love for this community guided us every step of the way.”

The mayor and every other speaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony ended their comments with an enthusiastic refrain of “Welcome home.”

City officials, residents and development partners cut a ribbon to open Lofts at Bahama Village, a new residential affordable housing neighborhood at Truman Waterfront. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

KEY WEST MAN CONVICTED IN GOLF CART CRASH

Dakota Chigas gets 3 years probation for Duval accident that injured

Amultiple people

Key West man has been convicted in connection with a February 2025 golf cart crash on Duval Street that injured multiple passengers and caused property damage near a busy Old Town intersection.

Dakota Austin Chigas, 29, pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries and four counts of reckless driving with property damage or personal injury.

Judge Mark Wilson sentenced Chigas to 36 months of probation and ordered that his driver’s license be revoked for three years. Chigas was also ordered to pay $3,324 in restitution to the victims, in addition to fines, court costs and the cost of prosecution.

The charges stemmed from a Feb. 16 crash in the 1100 block of Duval Street near La Te Da, where Chigas, operating a rented golf cart, was driving several passengers down Duval Street. Witnesses reported that he began swerving the vehicle back and forth before losing control and flipping the golf cart in the road. Two passengers were injured — one with road rash along the upper back and another with abrasions to the right arm.

After the crash, witnesses said Chigas helped upright the golf cart before leaving the scene on foot down Louisa Street. When officers found Chigas later that evening at Peary Court, he initially denied having

Dakota Chigas, 29, of Key West was sentenced to three years probation after pleading no contest to multiple charges that stemmed from a February golf cart crash on Duval Street. CONTRIBUTED

passengers in the cart, claiming he was alone when it flipped. Officers, however, saw road rash on his left hand consistent with the crash and collected multiple witness statements and photographic evidence contradicting his account.

During the investigation, officers recovered a photograph Chigas took of himself driving the golf cart with the passengers moments before the crash. The owner of La Te Da also provided security camera footage showing the overturned golf cart and the injured passengers at the scene.

Chigas was taken to the Lower Keys Medical Center for medical clearance before being booked into the Monroe County Detention Center. The case was investigated by Officer Corey Vanderhoof and Officer Joshua Hesse of the Key West Police Department. Assistant State Attorney Carter Reeves prosecuted the case.

— Contributed

WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS ‘FOOLING BUDDHA’

One-man show blends storytelling, magic & insight

The Waterfront Playhouse will present “Fooling Buddha,” a solo theatrical work written and performed by David Kovac and developed in collaboration with Patrick New, Waterfront’s artistic director.

The show, which runs Nov. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m., tells a story of growing up in 1970s Milwaukee.

The coming-of-age piece blends storytelling, sleightof-hand magic and spiritual insight, states a press release from Waterfront Playhouse. Kovac portrays a young trickster navigating life as the first American Buddhist kid on the block in working-class 1970s Milwaukee. With multiple characters — from a neighborhood bully to a philosophical

magician and the oddball locals in between — the piece invites audiences into a world of myth, misdirection and metamorphosis.

Kovac is a classically trained actor, voice talent and juggler with two decades of experience in live performance. New joined Kovac in the development of this piece, originally produced at the First Folio Theatre in Chicago.

“Fooling Buddha is a rare gem — part memoir, part magic act, part meditation on identity and mischief,” New said. “We’re thrilled to present this to our Key West community and invite theatre-goers to experience something unexpected and moving.”

— Contributed

David Kovac performs ‘Fooling Buddha,’ playing multiple characters in a show he wrote that tells the story of growing up Buddhist in 1970s Milwaukee. It shows at Waterfront Playhouse Nov. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at waterfrontplayhouse.org or from box office at 305-294-5015. CONTRIBUTED

H e a l t h y L i f e

By Dr. Kellee

Reed

The Importance of Lung Health

KEY WEST GARDENS HOSTS PLANT & ART SALE

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h e l p i n g o u r c o m m u n i t y b r e a t h e e a s i e r w i t h a c c e s s

t o e a r l y d e t e c t i o n a n d a d v a n c e d t r e a t m e n t o p t i o n s

Y o u m a y q u a l i f y f o r a n n u a l L D C T s c r e e n i n g i f y o u :

Are 50–80 years old

Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (a pack a day for 20 years)

Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years

T h e s c a n i s :

Fast (5–10 minutes)

Painless

Uses low radiation

Why it matters:

E a r l y d e t e c t i o n c a n r e d u c e l u n g c a n c e r d e a t h s b y

u p t o 2 0 % a n d r a i s e 5 - y e a r s

i c a n d D i a g n o s t i c C e n t e r b y c a l l i n g 3 0 5 4 3 3 9 6 6 0

Annual event at West Martello set for Nov. 21 and 22

The Key West Gardens will hold its annual fall plant sale and art market at Fort West Martello, 1100 Atlantic Blvd., near Higgs Beach. on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Formerly known as the Key West Garden Club, the nonprofit organization is now called the Key West Gardens, as all are always welcome. The fall plant sale offers a large selection of ornamental and native plants for sale, including sun-, shade- and drought-resistant varieties. Included will be the tried-and-true tomatoes grown from seed and several unusual herbs for sale. Knowledgeable volunteers will be available to help attendees select the right plants for their home and provide assistance carting items to the car or you may bring your own cart or wagon inside.

In addition to the Gardens’ homegrown plants, Soroa Orchids and Tropiflora Nursery will be selling orchids, bromeliads and tillandsias. Maria

Arteag will have a large selection of herbs. OFE International will be selling orchid and other horticultural supplies. The popular orchid fertilizer balls will be available for purchase.

Master gardeners from the Extension Office of Monroe Country will be available to help with plant and gardening questions.

Local artists will be selling from booths throughout the garden. Signs will show the way to them as you wander through the trails and shaded tunnels of the old Civil War-era fort. These artists have jewelry, tin products, ceramics, homemade jams and other items.

Lunch items, including our bratwursts, will be available for sale at the food booth.

Per Monroe Country ordinance, pets are not allowed inside the gardens.

More information is at keywestgardenclub.com or 305-294-3210.

Contributed

Participating artists at the Fall Plant Sale & Art Market

Jaden McClellan — hand sewn purses and stuffed animals

Suzanne Campbell — vintage silver jewelry

Simone Lasswell — ceramics

Nancy Adams — tin work, yard sculptures

Mel’s Desserts — canned jams and homemade desserts

Glad Rags by Margo — quilts, purses, runners

Bead arts — floral designed jewelry

Melony Jackson — cakes, brownies, bars, pickles/jams

Jessica Stone — artwork in lobster trap frames

Kari Tilson — yoga

Thabane Mpofu — ceramic cups, bowls, vases

Heidi Schramm — jewelry w/ flowers and plants in design; wire octopi

The Key West Gardens will host its annual Fall Plant Sale and Art Market at Fort West Martello on Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

DECEMBER 5TH • 6pm

SCAN FOR TICKETS

The Key West Cooking Show is pleased to host an Evening with Chef Norman Van Aken. A James Beard Award winner, Van Aken is a legend in the Key West culinary scene. Enjoy great conversation and food with one of America’s most acclaimed chefs.

GREAT EVENTS CATERING “PRESENTS”

DINNER FOR 4 ($160)

Each additional person (+ $40)

Rotisserie style oven roasted carved turkey

Traditional giblet gravy

Roasted green bean casserole with wild mushroom “gravy” & crispy onions

Homemade cranberry orange chutney

Garlic mashed potatoes

Cornbread roasted apple sage stuffing

Homemade potato rolls

ADDITIONAL SIDES

1/2 pan | 6-8 servings ($40 each)

Fuji Apple Salad, butter lettuce, pecan praline, smoked blue cheese, dried cranberries, cider vinaigrette

Garlic herb roasted vegetables with maitre d’butter

Roasted brussel sprouts with bacon, honey and balsamic

Sweet potato hash with chorizo, grilled corn and caramelized onions

White cheddar mac and cheese, parmesan buttered breadcrumbs

PRE DINNER COCKTAIL PARTY

Charcuterie board | 10 people ($175)

assorted meats, cheese and antipasti , traditional accoutrements, crackers, and crostini

Order by Monday, November 24th at 5:00pm

Pick up on Thanksgiving Day | 10am-3pm at 925 Truman Ave (side entrance on Packer Street)

305.294.2252

www.greateventscatering.com info@greateventscatering.com

MAN ARRESTED AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY COMMANDEERS TAXI IN MARATHON

Misael Asaria Bocio.

MCSO/Contributed

AFlorida City man was arrested by sheriff’s deputies after he reportedly got behind the wheel of a taxi in Marathon and drove it to the Upper Keys.

Deputies say the report of a stolen taxi came in at 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 2 at the 5500 block of the Overseas Highway in Marathon. The taxi’s keys were left inside with the doors unlocked, and that’s when 43-year-old Misael Asaria Bocio allegedly got inside the vehicle and went for a ride.

The taxi was spotted driving erratically by deputies in Islamorada. Deputies stopped the vehicle and later identified the driver as Bocio. He was arrested and charged with grand theft auto and driving with a suspended license.

The sheriff’s said Bocio is a habitual offender and had just been released from prison on charges of robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment and burglary with assault on an occupant.

— Keys Weekly staff report

IRREVERENT WARRIORS USE HUMOR TO STEM SUICIDE IN VETERANS

Silkies Hike seeks sponsors for Dec. 13 event in Key West

On Dec.13, veterans and military service members will take to the streets of Key West for the annual Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike.

The nonprofit Irreverent Warriors bring thousands of veterans together at events across the United States. In the Silkies Hike, active duty personnel and veterans hike anywhere from 8 to 14 miles, some carrying heavy packs, some in wheelchairs, but all in a spirit of support and camaraderie with a singular mission – to eliminate veteran suicide. Veterans normally hike wearing only their combat boots and “silkies,” traditional military physical training shorts.

Irreverent Warriors is a nonprofit whose mission is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. The Key West Silkies Hike involves scores of hikers as well as volunteers who line the route, many from Kenna Construction, whose co-owner Jess Forsyth is one of the organizers.

Sponsorships by local businesses or individuals helps the organization cover essentials such as permits, hydration, safety, food and supplies for participants and volunteers, while the focus stays where it belongs — on building connections and saving lives.

Donations can be made securely through the QR code here or via check made payable to Irreverent Warriors (Memo: Key West). Please send to c/o Kenna Construction508 Southard St. #103 Key West, FL 33040.

Organizers also encourage people to make a donation in honor of someone special — whether a first responder, veteran, or active duty service member. Simply submit their name and any details you’d like shared in their honor.

According to numerous studies, including a commonly referenced VA Suicide Data Report conducted in 2012, at least 22 veterans and military service members commit suicide daily. Although this statistic has become very well known, it is often

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

considered a gross underestimation of reality. Irreverent Warriors has stood up to fill an unmet demand by introducing its members and participants to a life-saving network of support through their events and community. “Everyone fights their battles and heals from trauma differently, but one thing is consistent — no one should have to do it alone,” states the group’s website.

Irreverent Warriors invites all veterans and military service members to hike in the event. The group also asks family members, friends and the community for their support and invites them to register as a volunteer or join the hikers at the stops.

The hike is open to veterans and military service members, including active duty, reservists and National Guard.

Registration for the Key West Silkies Hike starts at noon on Dec. 13 and the hike steps off at 1 p.m. from Hurricane Hole Bar & Grill on Stock Island. Stops include the Southernmost VFW Post 3911 on North Roosevelt Boulevard, Truman Waterfront Park, Southernmost Point, Heroes Bar on Southard Street and Dantes. Food, drinks and camaraderie will be provided at each stop and throughout the hike.

More information is at irreverentwarriors.com.

What: “WarGames” (1983) Why: I dislike and distrust AI, and now I wonder if part of the reason is that I saw this movie at an impressionable age (15). Matthew Broderick stars as a supersmart teen computer nerd a decade before connecting to another computer became common. He thinks he’s sneaked into a new gaming system – but it’s actually the new autonomous missile control system installed by the U.S. armed forces. So when he tells it he’d like to play “global thermonuclear war,” bad things start popping up on giant screens at missile command. With Ally Sheedy as his love interest/partner in trying to avert World War III and Dabney Coleman as the computer system’s director, this is a time capsule that feels uncomfortably prescient. And, not for nothing, it’s the rare ’80s teen movie that is not all about adolescent relationships and bad behavior. If you’d like to see it on the big screen again or for the first time, it’s scheduled to be shown as the free “Movie Under the Stars” on Eaton Street in front of the Tropic Cinema in Key West on Saturday, Nov. 8. 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.

The Irreverent Warriors’ annual Silkies Hike, to provide humor and camaraderie to combat veteran suicide, takes place Saturday, Dec. 13 in Key West. CONTRIBUTED

What’s Cooking at the Key West Cooking Show

MONDAYS

TUESDAY - SATURDAY

Dinnertainment - Menu Changes Daily 11 am • 1 pm • 4pm • 7pm Cocktail Classes

Rum Cocktail Adventure: 12 – 1 PM & 2 – 3 PM Key West History Through Craft Cocktails: 5 – 7 PM

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Time to Talk Turkey

November 15th & 22nd - 7pm

Join us for two special sessions where we bring holiday traditions to life - Island Style! Learn hands on techniques that will elevate your holiday table...turkeys, sides and desert.

Thanksgiving at the Key West Cooking

November 27th - Seatings at 11 am & 3pm

Show

Gather your crew and leave the cooking to us with a delicious Thanksgiving spread with all the fixings. You wont leave hungry and no dishes! Tickets at Keystix.com

HELP KEEP KEY WEST BEAUTIFUL

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

Halloween started with a cleanup at Virginia and Duval streets, where 39 volunteers braved the rain to collect 274 pounds of trash, 27 pounds of recycling and 1.5 gallons of cigarette butts in one hour. Special thanks to RealtyOne Group, which hosted its sixth cleanup and provided hot coffee and breakfast items for the volunteers. CONTRIBUTED

Keep Key West Beautiful and the Ploggers followed the Friday cleanup with a special postHalloween Saturday cleanup in the midtown neighborhood, where thousands of kids trick or treat. In one hour, 15 volunteers picked up 77 pounds of trash, including lots of candy wrappers, 9 pounds of recycling and 0.25 gallons of cigarette butts. Saturday’s host was commissioner LIssette Carey and breakfast was provided 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 from 8 to 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Nov. 7: Virginia & Watson streets. Meet at Unity of the Keys Spiritual Center, which is hosting.

Nov. 14: North Roosevelt at 7th Street. Meet in the parking lot of GFS by Sister Noodle House, which is hosting.

Nob. 21: Lazy Way and Historic Seaport. Meet next to the Wyland Wall at the end of William Street. Hosted by the Marker Resort.

Nov. 28: No cleanup the day after Thanksgiving.

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.

Looking for a pup who brings joy, laughter and a whole lot of love? Meet Boomer, an irresistible bundle of fun at the Key West campus. Boomer is a 4-year-old canine charmer with a heart as big as his belly. Don’t let his round physique fool you, this boy is full of energy and always ready for adventure.

Meet Lady. This stunning 7-year-old standard poodle arrived at our Key West campus under tough circumstances. She was surrendered with a painful, infected mammary mass that needed urgent care from our veterinarian, but from the moment she walked through our doors, Lady showed us nothing but grace. Her recovery was remarkable and today she’s thriving.

Meet Wybie, a curious and playful 3-month-old domestic shorthair kitten with a heart full of wonder. This little guy is just beginning to explore the world and is ready to do it by your side. With his soft fur and bright eyes, Wybie is the perfect companion for endless affection.

Meet Olga. Her journey with us began as a stray. But this 7-year-old tabby has proven she loves to socialize. She’s all heart and a bit snack-obsessed. With her gentle nature and easygoing charm, Olga is the kind of cat who fits right in, especially with other feline friends. She’s a certified lap cat, always ready to curl up for cuddles the moment you sit down.

Meet Mamita, a 12-year-old cockatoo who was recently surrendered due to housing issues, a challenge we see often in the Keys. Despite the changes in her life, Mamita remains a vibrant and social companion who loves to interact with people, dance and proudly show off her stunning feathers. Cockatoos are known for their playful personalities and strong bonds with their humans, often becoming loyal and affectionate members of the family.

MONROE COUNTY SUPPORTS VETERANS THROUGH OPERATION GREEN LIGHT

In advance of Veterans Day, Monroe County is illuminating the Harvey Government Center and the Historic Gato Building in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green from Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans.

The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties, raises awareness about the unique challenges many veterans face and the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to help them and their families. This is the fourth year Monroe County has participated in the initiative.

Residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb at their home to a green one.

“Lighting up Monroe County in green is a small gesture that carries a big message: we see our veterans, we thank them, and we are here to support them,” said Cathy Crane, director of community services. “As we mark our fourth year participating in Operation Green Light, we invite the entire community to join us in this unified display of gratitude.”

More information is at naco.org/program/operationgreen-light-veterans or www. monroecounty-fl.gov/va.

— Contributed

Top: Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo. Bottom: Harvey Government Center in Key West. FILE PHOTOS

Rotary Club of Sunset Key West

INVITES YOU TO A WINE TASTING

TUESDAY, NOV. 18TH DOUBLETREE RESORT 5:30 to 7:30 pm • Silent Auction • Beer and Wine Tasting

Serves 8-10 people

10-12 lb Oven Roasted Plainville All-Natural Turkey

1/2 Mashed Potatoes

1 qt Turkey Gravy

1/2 pan Green Beans with Almonds 1/2 pan Sweet Potato Casserole (contains nuts)

1 pint Cranberry Relish

1/2 pan Traditional Bread Stuffing $ 179.99 + tax

Turkey (only) $ 89.99

Whole Spiral Ham $ 7.99 per pound THANKSGIVING

Please place your order at the deli counter. Orders must be placed by 7pm November 22. Orders must be picked up by 5pm November 26.

Fausto’s will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

A PIGEON KEY STORY

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.

Driving along the Overseas Highway, vehicles roll over islands and past islands. Crossing over the Seven Mile Bridge offers a rare opportunity to pass over an island. Well, it used to.

Railroad piers supporting the Key West Extension of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway were erected on Pigeon Key, allowing the train to roar 22 feet above it.

The Jan. 21, 1912, edition of the Indianapolis Sunday Star printed a story mentioning Pigeon Key: “The camps are in charge of a resident or division engineer with the one at Pigeon Key presently the most active. At high tide, Pigeon Key is about two acres in extent and perhaps three acres at low tide. There are four bunkhouses, each designed to hold 64 men; one of them for the foremen, who are housed apart from the laborers. Each has a reading room with good lights. Good mattresses are provided on standard double-decked bunks, with plenty of clean bedclothes; all laundry work being done by the company. Once a week all beds are washed and thoroughly disinfected to keep any parasites from getting a start.”

The following day, Henry Flagler rode his train from the mainland to Key West for the very first time. When the train rambled over Pigeon Key, passengers were given a bird’s eye view of Pigeon Key and the little community calling it home.

The island was surveyed in 1908, and a construction camp was established for railroad workers, including dormitories, a mess hall and a cement warehouse. Tents were also erected to house as many as 400 workers, assigned to build the bridges linking Knights Key to Pigeon Key and Little Duck Key.

While the train reached Key West in 1912, daily railroad service was established through the Upper Keys and the Middle Keys in 1908. Essentially, the railroad was delivered in two parts. The first part ended at a temporary terminus just offshore off Knights Key, the small island at the foot of what is today the Seven Mile Bridge. It took several additional years to complete the section stretching between Knights Key and Key West.

One of the most ambitious railroad projects was bridging the roughly 7-mile gap separating Knights Key and Little Duck Key. The feat was accomplished by constructing a series of bridges to cross the watery span where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico mix. Four spans were constructed; one of them was not like the others. The Knights Key Bridge, Pigeon Key Bridge, and the Moser Channel Bridge were built on piers like those erected on Pigeon Key. The Pacet Channel Viaduct used formed arches as its support system.

The train chugged over Pigeon Key for 23 years, until Sept. 1, 1935. Sept. 2 brought the Labor Day Hurricane, which destroyed 40 miles of track and officially ended the railroad’s operation. With the railroad finished, the state purchased the right of way. In 1938, when the second version of the Overseas Highway opened, some of Flagler’s abandoned railroad bridges were widened to accommodate automobile traffic, including the four bridges linking Knights Key to Little Duck Key.

When they were incorporated into the highway, the pass became known as the Seven Mile Bridge. It cost a great deal of money to convert them. In 1937, the Public Works Commission approved a $3.6 million loan for the project. To recoup the costs associated with the highway improvements, the new section was established as a toll road. Two toll booths were erected, one near the old automobile ferry landing at Lower Matecumbe Key and one at Big Pine Key. The toll was $1 for drivers and an additional quarter for each passenger. It was not cheap. That $1 price in 1938 would equal almost $22 in 2025.

Included in the purchase of the F.E.C. right of

way was Pigeon Key. The island became the headquarters for the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District. All of the toll booth money collected was counted at the Pigeon Key headquarters until 1954, when the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District closed. On April 15, 1954, all tolls were lifted, and the booths were picked up and hauled away. Signs popped up along the side of the road that declared the highway was now the “Florida Freeway.” The communities in the Florida Keys protested the “renaming” of their road. Their voices were heard, the signs removed and the road once again became known as the Overseas Highway.

Eventually, Monroe County was given possession of Pigeon Key where, today, the old wooden railroad buildings stand like a sort of ghost town – but a kind of living ghost town. When the modern Seven Mile Bridge opened in 1982, it skirted the island. However, when driving over it and passing Pigeon Key, you can still look down on the island and see some of the oldest buildings in the Florida Keys outside of Key West.

The Seven Mile Bridge still offers a bird’seye view of the island, but also the old railroad bridges, including the Pacet Channel Viaduct that ends at Little Duck Key. The viaduct is where Fred the Tree resiliently grows. For anyone who doesn’t know Fred’s story, his Australian pine roots, which had dug into the asphalt and concrete sometime after 1982, took hold and grew because, when given the chance, life will fight to survive.

In 1990, Pigeon Key was listed as a National Historic Landmark. Two years later, the Pigeon Key Foundation was formed to “protect the island’s long-standing history from the Henry Flagler era.”

It is still possible to get that same view of Pigeon Key that Henry Flagler saw when he was riding his train. The old bridges stretching between Knights Key and Pigeon Key are still open to pedestrians and bicyclists. You can also ride the tram operated by the Pigeon Key Foundation that goes out to the island. Be prepared: visiting the island can feel a bit like stepping back in time.

Pigeon Key from the bridge circa 1930. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Library

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 is a week to check in with ourselves. A very special full moon in Taurus took place on Nov. 5. Ancient astrologers tell us the moon is exalted in the sign of Taurus, which means it is considered an honored guest in this earth sign ruled by Venus. The full moon in Taurus takes place in Scorpio season every year, and is a reminder to check in with our basic needs and get really clear on what we value. How do you find your stable ground, especially in a time of seemingly continuous chaos? What practices do you use to create or maintain balance when things seem out of whack? What core values help you make important decisions? This full moon is all about checking in with your body and putting your self-care plans into practice. Simplify. In addition, Mercury is stationing retrograde on Nov. 9, which means we’re entering a three-week period of recollection, reconnection and rethinking. Now is a time to slow our minds, distance ourselves from the rat race of constant information, and review the past few months to see if our plans have been properly formulated. This week is a time for assessment with fresh eyes and clear values. Here are your horoscopes for the full moon in Taurus and Mercury stationing retrograde. Read for your rising and sun signs.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

As we continue to celebrate your birth season, this full moon helps you find clarity in partnership. How do you let the significant people in your life regulate your nervous system? Let go of the need for absolute certainty and allow

yourself to feel safe with a trusted other. Think about what you value and use the next three weeks to make decisions that align.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

For you, Sag, this season is about clarifying your meditative and reflective practices. This full moon, however, compels you to imbue your actions with meditative stillness. What routines bring you comfort and help you ground? Hone in on one or two actions that fulfill your core needs and build them into your daily practice. Think about how you have or have not been showing up for yourself.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

During this highly social time, the full moon is about fulfilling your own creative endeavors. How do you express your creative spirit? Choose a practice that sparks your inner joy and dedicate yourself to it. Share it. Let your mind enter a phase of deep reflection and rest so your dreams, whether sleeping or waking, can reveal their truths.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

How do home and family make you feel safe, Aquarius? Use this full moon to nourish your roots and invest in your own sustainability. Home and family mean something different to everyone, and yet they are parts of life that we all experience. Clarify your home comforts and sink in. Think about the people who support you, and reconsider how you engage with friends.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

The manner in which you communicate is sometimes more important than the content. How do you communicate your needs to others, and do you do so in a way that lets others respond appropriately? This

full moon invites you to simplify your messages. As Mercury turns retrograde, is your career on the right path? Readjust if necessary.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

How do you feel safe and secure, particularly when it comes to finances and home comforts? Does the means by which you make and spend money align with your core values? This full moon asks you to simplify your material needs to ensure you are tending to the basics first. Take time to consider everything you’ve been learning lately so you can put the lessons into action.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

The full moon invites you to blossom, Taurus. You have generosity to share, but enforcing boundaries is crucial to protecting your own peace. Practice self-care by putting yourself first and sharing any excess. Reconsider how you share resources with others and make changes where necessary. Avoid depletion by making smart choices.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

Solitude is increasingly harder to find in our hyperconnected world, but the full moon is inviting you to unplug. Remember how to be alone and appreciate your own company. Seek stillness and quiet reflection. Let go of something that has been weighing on you. Reflect on agreements you’ve entered into and decide if any need to be renegotiated.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

Our networks of supportive people radiate outward from our closest friends to distant admirers. This full moon invites you to focus on your core circle of support. Spend time with your besties and allow yourself the space for vulner-

STEP BACK AND ASSESS

ability among safe people. Review your daily routines and make adjustments that serve you better.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

We all spend a lot of time working, so it is important that we take the time to make our career and other public-facing activities work for us. The full moon asks you to consider your comfort and safety at work, and to make changes if work is too stressful. Even small changes can make big impacts. Turn your attention back to any creative projects that may have been set aside and look at them with a fresh vision.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

This full moon is about committing to your core beliefs and letting go of any philosophies that do not feel true. Whether religious, spiritual or intellectual, your belief system determines your actions and adventures, so use this full moon to hone in on the basics. Also, take time to reconsider or rethink some decisions that you’ve made related to home and family.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Sharing is caring, and this full moon is about how you pool your resources with others. Are your needs being met, or do you feel overtaxed by giving too much? Take time to check in with yourself to make sure you feel grounded when it comes to investing in and with others. Revisit some old conversations to ensure nothing has been left hanging.

WHAT’S COOKING, KEY WEST?

Chef Norman Van Aken stars in rare culinary evening

Norman Van Aken discovered Key West in 1971, and the vibrant flavors he found in the island city inspired his trademark New World Cuisine. Now an internationally acclaimed chef, Van Aken will return to Key West next month to present a rare “learn-and-dine” interactive culinary experience on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Key West Cooking Show.

Van Aken lived and worked in Key West for many years, honing his talent and developing the cuisine that would make him a household name.

By 1985, he was overseeing the kitchen of Louie’s Backyard, a gourmet haven in a historic house on the island’s Atlantic shore. In the café he opened upstairs at Louie’s, Van Aken began developing what would become New World Cuisine — immersing himself in the Cuban and Bahamian flavors and ingredients he had first encountered years before in Key West.

He subsequently opened multiple restaurant locations, including in Miami and Orlando, and wrote “New World Kitchen” and “My Key West Kitchen,” among other volumes. Hailed by many as Florida’s culinary icon, the award-winning Van Aken is the only Floridian chef inducted into the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who in American Food and Beverage.”

Also a teacher and consultant, Van Aken is involved in “Get Cooking,” a nonprofit organization that teaches food-insecure people how to budget, shop and cook family meals that are both affordable and healthy.

During his Dec. 5 showcase at the Key West Cooking Show, 291 Front St., Van Aken will demonstrate the secrets to preparing dishes whose flavors, textures and power interact in a distinctive and delicious gourmet experience. Attendees will follow along, learning from the master chef and savoring his cuisine in an intimate setting.

VISIT WITH CARE

Come to the Keys, but don’t trash them

Ah, the sweet sound of crashing waves, squawking gulls and the soft crunch of a Styrofoam cooler lid being ripped from its base by a light coastal breeze.

Paradise can be a place where your vacation trash comes to retire.

The menu for the one-nightonly event draws on regional influences fused with elements from South America and the southern United States. Highlights include black beans with a sherry reduction, spice-rubbed chicken “Mofongo” with foie gras and tropical fruits “moonshine” chutney. Guests also can enjoy canapes and a decadent chocolate dessert.

Equally enticing is the chance to dine with and learn from a culinary legend — on the island where his professional journey began.

The experience is set for Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required; visit keystix.com.

LAST BITES

Culinary inspiration of the week: New World Cuisine. With its development spearheaded by master chef Norman Van Aken, New World Cuisine is a blend of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, American and African flavors — a fusion that celebrates the essence and vitality of today’s multicultural world.

Helpful kitchen hack: When preparing a recipe for the first time, don’t take shortcuts — and don’t experiment. Read the recipe thoroughly, ensure that all the necessary ingredients are on hand, and follow the instructions carefully. Don’t substitute ingredients or add your own twist until you’ve achieved a comfort level with the original recipe. Hungry for more? Visit. keywestcookingshow.com or call 305-294-COOK.

Let’s be honest. You’ve probably thought about it and maybe even said it aloud while chucking an empty water bottle into a trash can: “What does it matter? I’m only one person, and it’s my vacation anyway.”

Yes, you are. And you know what? So is every other person who said the same thing right before tossing their unrecycled soda can, plastic bag or fishing line into the nearest mangrove, rock ledge or ocean breeze. When 8 billion of those “I’m only one person” decide their waste doesn’t matter, we get floating islands of garbage, choking sea turtles and more microplastics than plankton in our oceans.

And if a recycling bin isn’t immediately visible, your car has cupholders for eight but seats for five — you could bring your trash with you until you find the proper bin.

Remember when seat belts were annoying? They wrinkled your shirt, pinched your gut and made it hard to reach the radio dial. But we adapted, didn’t we? Now, we instinctively “click it” before reversing out of the driveway. Waste reduction is the same — it starts as a hassle and becomes a habit.

For those on vacation, you’re visiting someone else’s home. This charming seaside island you’re visiting is not a rental car with unlimited miles — it’s an ecosystem teetering on the edge of collapse. That “inconvenient” broken umbrella you left next to the overflowing trash barrel? It’s now airborne and en route to the nearest dolphin nursery.

And that chum box you crammed half-shut with old tackle is leaking a symphony of stink into

the sand, ready to turn your last fishing line into a pelican’s next medical emergency.

Many of us in the Keys rely on tourism to make a living. We want you to come, enjoy, relax and maybe even fall in love with our corner of paradise. But love is a two-way street. It means respecting the place you’re visiting enough to leave it better — or at least not worse — than you found it.

is the Monroe County recycling coordinator and outreach liaison.

It’s not about shaming. It’s about setting a standard. Locals, businesses and community leaders all share the responsibility of modeling good stewardship. This involves providing access to proper waste and recycling receptacles, educating visitors and setting an example. If you’re a resident reading this, ask yourself: Are you doing everything you can to make waste diversion as normal as buckling your seatbelt?

As the busy season approaches, let’s be clear: We welcome visitors. But we also expect them to treat this place like more than just a backdrop for Instagram photos.

Let’s show them what it means to care for the environment — one water bottle, one fishing line and one trash bin at a time. Because while you may not be alive when the worst of the consequences rolls ashore, your choices today are writing tomorrow’s headlines..

As a resident, take the time to greet visitors and offer some information about the area and the delicate environment. Demonstrate stewardship by picking up trash and choosing reusable shopping bags and water bottles.

And to that, we say: Welcome to paradise. Don’t trash it.

Culinary legend Norman Van Aken drew inspiration from Key West when he developed his trademark New World Cuisine. CONTRIBUTED

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

AND THE PITCH: ARTIFICIAL TURF VERSUS NATURAL GRASS

Islamorada’s Founders Park serves as the home to the Coral Shores High School baseball program. Millions of dollars in upgrades are in the works by the Monroe County School District for the ballfield owned by the village. FILE PHOTO

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Debate continues over playing surface at Founders Park ballfield

Debate continues over the type of playing surface at the Founders Park ballfield, as some experts weighed in during a recent public meeting in Islamorada.

Monroe County School District officials are backing the use of synthetic turf, a manufactured product using synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass, on any future field improvements they undertake, including the field at Founders Park. The district uses the field for the Coral Shores High School baseball program via an agreement with Islamorada, which owns the field. The district is planning to spend more than $5 million on improvements to the field, as well as new amenities like a two-story building behind home plate for a press box, concessions and restroom.

But the village, and ultimately the five council members, will have a say over the improvements, notably whether players will be fielding ground balls and pop flies on natural grass or an artificial surface.

A task force formed several months ago by Village Manager Ron Saunders convened recently to get an update on the latest proposal for ballfield improvements by the school district. Saunders mentioned his effort to eliminate a new multiuse building — in a bid to reduce project costs —

with

to University of Florida turfgrass scientists. This image shows why occasional weed treatments may still be needed because seeds can settle in surface layers or sneak through edges if not properly sealed. CONTRIBUTED

“If you play on turf, you want it to play like a natural field because you want kids who are using that field to use it and to be able to participate the same way they would if it were a grass field,” Allen said.

Sandi Bisceglia, former Plantation Key School principal who lives across the street from the park, wondered how the mahogany trees located next to the field would still get water, if artificial turf were installed on the Founders ballfield. Allen answered that he wasn’t an engineer and didn’t have a hydraulic analysis of the site or dirt. Saunders said it’s a good point to bring to the school district as discussions continue.

was met with support by school board members. School district officials were originally proposing a 1,950-squarefoot building with a player locker room, restroom and spaces for coaches and umpires attached to a new dugout.

Instead, school district officials will be looking to renovate an existing facility at the end of the first-base line.

In a bid to gain a little more clarity and information on artificial turf, Saunders invited Marco Schiavon, University of Florida assistant professor of environmental horticulture and turfgrass science, and Wes Allen, regional sales manager with Florida AstroTurf to present various aspects.

Schiavon and his team studied artificial turf fields in California and found they were watered just to make them usable during the summer. Schiavon acknowledged a lot of his work and research comes from fields in California, but not a lot of data has been collected on playing surfaces in Florida.

“In South Florida, do I see or believe we’d see the same magnitude seen in California? No, the temperature difference would be reduced because we’re in a high precipitation state. It wouldn’t warm as much; however, I will point out at least here in Fort Lauderdale we had a brutally dry summer, at least at the beginning,” Schiavon said.

In a study by UF professors, average surface temperatures of natural grass are as much as 70 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than a dormant brown lawn and 100 degrees cooler than a synthetic turf surface. One professor found a synthetic turf field reached 160 degrees.

And while designed to imitate the look of natural grass, the UF profes-

sors say, synthetic turf fails to provide any ecosystem benefits. And savings on water are in question as fields are sprayed to cool them in times of intense heat.

Allen said his AstroTurf company installed artificial playing surfaces at places like the University of Florida, Camping World Stadium in Orlando and the athletic fields in Key West, to name a few. He noted artificial turf has evolved similarly to the way iPhones have over the past 10 to 15 years.

In his remarks, Allen said AstroTurf supplied the summer Olympics in France with a zero-emission turf with GT-B series. It’s 11% biobased and reduces reliance on petroleum products. The surface is also durable and improves drainage and player safety, he said.

“We have a USDA-friendly product that is recyclable,” Allen said. “That is a huge thing coming up in the turf industry right now.

“What we’re starting to see in our industry is people want greener turf, more environmentally- friendly turf, safer turf and recyclable turf,” he said.

Typical turf products use polyethylene, but Allen said his company switched to soybean-based backing. And instead of rubber pellets, AstroTurf uses sand and brockfill, or a sustainable, organic infill for artificial turf made from engineered wood particles.

As for water collection, Allen said the AstroTurf product allows water to drain through the artificial turf, through the backing, a pad, sand and stone. He also noted that several fields they installed have collection systems containing pipes that send water to a management facility onsite.

The nearly four-hour meeting also dug into license and use agreements between the village and school district for use of the field. The use agreement is tied to the Coral Shores baseball schedule, and gives the team use of the Founders ballfield from January to roughly May. However, a proposed use agreement could give the village use during that period by checking with the school district.

Outside of baseball season, the village would have priority to use the field. The school district, however, could come to village officials and ask for use of the ballfield.

Ed Davidson, a former school board member, has long stated his opposition to the process in which the planned improvements came to be, as well as the increased use of the field by sports programs other than baseball. He also noted the use and license agreements allow for “dramatic intensification” of use of the ballfield that was never intended in the last 24 years.

Several task force members believed another survey related to the ballfield improvements was necessary to get residents’ thoughts. Jamie Engel proposed a five-question, unbiased survey for residents to answer in a 30-day period. Richard Black proposed that each of the five task force members come up with two questions each, for a total of 10, for the public to answer in a two-week period. Alina Davis liked Black’s idea, but thought it should run for a month.

To date, no new survey has been released related to the ballfield improvements.

In recent months, school board members gave several approvals to the design for the Founders ballfield improvements. Pat Lefere, school district executive director of operations, told members during an October meeting the delivery of construction documents would be the next phase set to take place in March. Approvals from the village council, however, will be needed before any improvements proceed at the Founders Park ballfield.

Even

artificial turf, weeds can sneak in, according

Recycle Right Every Day.

Remember these three simple rules each time you recycle: To learn more, visit wm.com/recycleright bottles, cans, paper, cardboard and glass

• Bagster® bags are available at home improvement stores and online.

• Bagster® bags are easy to use dumpsters in a bag that are strong enough to hold up to 3,300 pounds of debris or waste.

• Schedule your collection online or by phone.

With a home warranty, you’ll have 24/7 protection for repairs and replacements!

WHY CHOOSE A HOME WARRANTY?

• Covers major systems & appliances*

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SPECIALTY PLATE HELPS WILD BIRD CENTER SPREAD ITS WINGS

Animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations around the Keys are seeing their helping hands repaid, thanks to grants supplied by Florida’s Protect Marine Wildlife license plate. Created by the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, the specialty plate in Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina uses money raised from vehicle registrations to directly support activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of marine mammals and other marine wildlife species. Since August 2023, the alliance has awarded more than $275,000 in grants. On Oct. 24, representatives from the alliance made a visit to the Marathon Wild Bird Center to present the latest in a string of donations: a $10,000 check to support the activities of founder Kelly Grinter’s team. Grant monies will fund an additional staff member to care for non-releasable ambassador animals, along with support for the center’s general operating fund, Grinter told the Weekly. Pictured, from left: alliance executive officer Dr. Brian Joseph, Wild Bird Center board member Wendy Gates, Grinter, alliance founder Steve McCulloch, and Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder’s Nicole Sears and Brieanna Wagler. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Founded by Betty Debnam

Breathe Easy

SMART CHOICES

Don’t smoke! If people don’t start smoking, the risk of lung cancer and other deadly diseases will go down a lot. Smoking marijuana and vaping can also seriously harm the lungs.

Take a deep breath in, then let it out. That feels really good, doesn’t it?

We need air to live. Our lungs have the important job of making sure we get the air we need.

But what happens if the lungs aren’t working well? Sometimes, people develop lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other type of cancer in the United States.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This week, The Mini Page learns more about how our lungs work and how we can keep them healthy.

IMPORTANT ORGANS

We each have two lungs, one on each side of our chest. Lungs are stretchy, almost like balloons. When we breathe in air, lungs inflate, or puff out. When we breathe out, our lungs deflate, or grow flatter.

The lungs’ main jobs are to deliver oxygen to our blood and to get rid of carbon dioxide. When we breathe in, or inhale, lungs fill with air. Oxygen from the air enters our lungs and then goes into the bloodstream.

When we breathe out, or exhale, the lungs push out carbon dioxide waste from our bodies. Lungs also help protect us against dangers

in the environment. When special cells in the lungs detect threats, such as germs, they trigger the immune system to fight them.

WHAT IS CANCER?

Cells are growing and changing in our bodies all the time. The body controls how much normal cells grow. But cancer cells don’t have any brakes. They grow and grow.

Cancer starts when the lungs’ DNA changes. These changes are usually caused by smoking. Once cancer starts growing in one spot, blood can carry the cancer cells to other parts of the body. When cancer cells spread, we say they metastasize (muhTAS-tuh-size).

Cancerous cells keep reproducing until there are a bunch of cells packed together, forming a tumor. A lung cancer tumor can range from grape-sized to apple-sized.

SMART TREATMENT

Because each person’s cancer is different, researchers are working to figure out how to target treatment to each person’s cancer.

Cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy are like flamethrowers. They wipe out everything, even healthy cells. Scientists are trying to find smart cancer weapons that target only the cancer.

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

ADDICTED, AIR, BLOODSTREAM, BREATH, CANCER, CELLS, CRAB, DAMAGE, DEFLATE, DELIVER, EXHALE, INFLATE, INHALE, LUNG, METASTASIZE, OXYGEN, QUIT, SMOKE, VAPING.

About 2,500 kids try cigarettes for the first time every day. About 400 of those kids will stay addicted for the rest of their lives. The good news is, the number of high school students who smoke is down 74% from those who did 30 years ago.

Even people who have stopped smoking may still have damage to their lungs. If they don’t develop lung cancer, they will probably develop other problems, such as heart trouble. Of course, if people stop smoking, they are in far less danger than those who keep it up.

Many kids who start smoking believe they’ll be able to stop easily, but they don’t know how difficult that might be. The best thing to do is to never, ever start.

HELP TO QUIT

If you smoke and want to quit, there are many resources to help you. Visit the American Lung Association’s NOT for Me program for kids at notforme.org.

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPlungs

• kids.kiddle.co/Lung_cancer

At the library:

• “Heart and Lungs” by Andrew Solway

ECO NOTE

A new study has shed light on why parts of Siberia’s tundra have been erupting in giant methane explosions, leaving craters more than 150 feet deep. Since the first blast was recorded in 2014, at least a dozen have been identified. Researchers from the University of Oslo in Norway found that the Yamal and Gyda peninsulas have unique geological faults that allow gas to rise and collect in sealed cavities beneath the surface. As warming weakens the permafrost seal, pressure builds until the cavities explode, ejecting earth and gas.

Mini Fact: The Latin word cancer means crab, a name that might have come from cancerous tumors having veins spreading from the tumor like crab claws.

photo by Gene Bisbee

Lung cancer cells

photo by Anne Weston, Francis Crick Institute

ELTON DAN & THE ROCKET BAND

NOVEMBER 12

TO KEY WEST

THE CAROLE KING & JAMES TAYLOR STORY FT. PHOEBE KATIS & DAN CLEWS

NOVEMBER 25

THE GARCIA PROJECT

NOVEMBER 15

CRYSTAL GAYLE NOVEMBER 22

THE BROKEN HEARTS A TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS

NOVEMBER 29

ANTHONY RODIA

LAUGH TILL IT HURTS TOUR

DECEMBER 11

ROBYN SCHALL'S HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TOUR

JANUARY 9, 2026

FEMMES OF ROCK DECEMBER 10

DAVID NIHILL

TAKING TANGENTS TOUR

JANUARY 11, 2026

2025 SCHEDULE