Marathon Weekly 25-0814

$1,599,000

FOR

The one for beauty

Experience island living at its finest in this beautifully remodeled and redesigned property. This spacious and modern home features tile throughout, a custom kitchen with a large center island, a dining area, and a cozy living room. With three bedrooms, including two ensuite bathrooms, this home is perfect for families or groups of friends. The house is fully updated with impact-resistant windows and doors, plumbing, electrical, a central AC system, as well as Mitsubishi mini-splits in each bedroom for ultimate comfort. This property also offers ample space for a pool. New pavers throughout the yard, a white maintenance-free aluminum fence, and an irrigation system for the lush lawn. Boat enthusiasts will love the two boat slips, each accommodating boats up to 50 feet in length, with one currently featuring a 12,000-pound lift. Enjoy the open-water views of the 200-ft wide canal with deep-water access, ideally located for exploring the open ocean and the Gulf. This turn-key property also offers a proven rental history with bookings in place, making it the perfect option for a vacation rental or retirement home in paradise. Don't miss the chance to experience island living at its finest at Manatee Bungalow.

9709 Overseas Hwy.

Marathon, FL 33050

Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Marathon Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Staff Writers

Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator

Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design

Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com

Diana Striker

Finance Director Carolyn Campbell carolyn@keysweeky.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

POSTMASTER:

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THE KEYS WEEKLY, 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050

News Deadline Tuesday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

@KeysWeekly

@theWeekly

Members of

On Aug. 11, Paramount and UFC announced a new seven-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Paramount announced it’s moving away from UFC’s pay-per-view model, making the marquee events and fight nights available at no additional cost to the subscriber base on Paramount+.

Senior Cameron Van Hoose keeps the energy up at the Class of 2026’s first day of school walk-in at Marathon High School. For back-to-school photos, see page 14. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

YELLOW SUBMARINE NO MORE Abandoned

craft removed from Boot Key

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

A96-foot derelict submarine nestled in the mangroves of Boot Key made its final journey to shore this week.

In what the county dubbed “one of the most unusual and challenging projects” in the program’s history, crews with Monroe County’s derelict vessel removal program pulled the sub from the island’s internal canals on Aug. 11.

The operation was completed safely and efficiently by a pre-qualified marine contractor under the coordination of the Monroe County Marine Resources Office, a press release said.

“Derelict vessels, whether a small skiff or a massive submarine, pose serious threats to the environment, boater safety and navigation,” said the county’s senior administrator for marine resources, Brittany Burtner. “Removing this submarine is not only a win for our waterways, but also a reminder of the importance of prevention.”

According to a 2008 report from the Associated Press, Marathon resident Duane Shelton purchased the windowless 100-ton pressure vessel from a Chicago scrapyard for roughly $10,000 in 1997, bringing it to Boot Key by “train, truck and barge.”

His original plan, the report said, was to mount cameras outside the hull and screens inside, motorizing the capsule and eventually using it to offer

commercial tours.

That plan never materialized, however, as Shelton reportedly told the AP that the federal permit to operate the sub as a business would cost more than $750,000. His backup plan at the time was to bring the sub down to Honduras to offer tours, he said.

Fifteen years later, still without a valid Florida title or means of propulsion, the sub was declared a derelict vessel in October 2023. According to court records, Shelton told FWC his plan was to have the sub removed by a Tampa-based salvage company, but had no set date for the removal.

One month later, Shelton pleaded no contest to the derelict vessel charge and was handed a $1,200 fine with 12 months of probation, which he successfully completed.

The submarine is the latest entry in a strong push by Monroe County

Crews work to remove a 96-foot, 100ton submarine from Boot Key on Aug. 11. The sub’s owner once hoped to use the vessel for tours, but never completed the project. BRITTANY BURTNER/ Monroe County

and FWC to clean up Keys waterways littered with derelict vessels, which pose a significant threat to navigation, marine life and the delicate sea floor in nearshore habitats.

Through the first six months of 2025, their efforts have pulled 134 vessels from waters throughout the island chain.

Boat owners whose vessels are at risk of becoming derelict are encouraged to surrender them and avoid legal challenges via FWC’s Vessel TurnIn Program. More information is at myfwc.com/boating/waterway/vtip/.

Two significant upcoming derelict vessel removals include a shrimp boat off Islamorada and the grounded boat off Bahia Honda State Park, which can be seen from U.S. 1. Both are scheduled for removal in the next week, weather permitting, the county said.

QUICK COUNCIL MEETING RECOGNIZES LIFE-SAVING DEPUTIES

Short session addresses building permit fees, tiki hut fire concerns

ALEX RICKERT

alex@keysweekly.com

The Marathon City Council was able to catch its breath with a light session on Aug. 12, just before budget talks resume in September.

Fire Chief James Muro and Sheriff Rick Ramsay opened Tuesday evening by recognizing life-saving efforts by sheriff’s deputies Avrian Casanova and Gabriel Rivera. On June 23, the pair arrived at the scene of a Middle Keys patient who had just collapsed, performing CPR until Marathon Fire Rescue personnel arrived. Thanks to their efforts, the patient was able to be resuscitated and transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with a positive outcome, Muro said.

“CPR is a normal part of their skill set, but this teamwork was exceptional,” Muro said.

“Because we have more cars spread out … the first contact is almost always in a green uniform, so we have to be prepared for that to give everyone the best chance for survival,” said Ramsay. “These two young gentlemen are outstanding partners to the sheriff's office and the city of Marathon.”

Ordinance 2025-03, unanimously approved, codifies fire prevention requirements for tiki and chickee huts –thatched-roof wooden huts defined by whether they do (tiki) or don’t (chickee) contain electrical, plumbing or other non-wood features. The ordinance requires fire-retardant coatings for the huts, establishes a minimum setback of 5 feet from other structures on a property, and clarifies that if a hut is

constructed within 5 feet of another structure, both structures must have a fire sprinkler system installed.

Resolution 2025-73, also unanimously approved, provides slight changes to the city’s building permit fees. The resolution preserves basic rates, but eliminates an annual registration fee for contractors and provides a new fee alternative ($300) to reinstate an expired permit within 180 days of its expiration.

The resolution also provides that for 30 days after a disaster, applicants must only pay the city’s minimum permit fee of $93.50 for permits to be issued, with any additional fee balance deferred until the permit is ready to close. The 30-day time frame may be extended by a vote of the council.

Resolutions 2025-77 and 2025-78, both unanimously approved, established the city’s wastewater and stormwater assessments for 2025-26, which remain unchanged from the previous year.

Resolution 2025-80, approved on consent, awarded a $118,655 contract to CW3 Engineering for an upcoming road elevation and utility project addressing repetitive flooding on 92nd Street due to king tides and rising sea levels.

Coco Plum resident Mike Millard noted seemingly deteriorated water quality in the Coco Plum canals, reporting what “seems to be sewage in the water.” He questioned whether boats docked in Coco Plum’s canals were being properly serviced to have their sanitary systems pumped out.

City Manager George Garrett replied that while the Keys are a nodischarge zone, the newly-enacted Florida Boater Freedom Act prevents law enforcement from boarding boats for the sole purpose of inspecting their waste disposal systems as of July 1.

FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES KEYS CAPTAIN IN PARASAIL DEATH CASE

Daniel Couch already faces state manslaughter, civil cases over 2022 incident

Afederal indictment released this week adds a third layer of charges for a Marathon captain accused of killing a woman in a 2022 parasailing accident.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment charging Marathon captain Daniel Gavin Couch with one count of seaman’s manslaughter, the United State Attorney’s Office said on Aug. 11.

Per the indictment, Couch, 52, was employed as captain by Lighthouse Parasail Inc. in Monroe County, and operated a commercial parasailing vessel, the M/V Airborne, on the company’s behalf. The Airborne was an inspected commercial vessel regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard and primarily used for parasailing charters.

On May 30, 2022, the indictment states Couch engaged in misconduct, negligence or inattention to his duties as captain, which led to the death of a passenger, 33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi.

Alaparthi was taking a parasail flight with Lighthouse Parasailing out of Marathon along with her 10-yearold son, Sriakshith Alaparthi, and 9-year-old nephew, Vishant Sadda. According to an FWC 24-hour report released a day after the incident, a strong gust of wind “pegged” the parasail, a term used to describe when a parasail becomes controlled by the weather instead of the towing vessel and begins to impede the safe operation of the towing vessel by becoming a sail.

With the parasail pegged, the boat’s captain, Couch, intentionally cut the line tethering the three victims, who dropped to the water and were

dragged by the freed parasail across the surface until it collided with the old Seven Mile Bridge, throwing the three into a piling.

Supraja was pronounced dead at the scene when she reached land, according to FWC’s report. Sriakshith suffered minor physical injuries, while Sadda was airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.

An indictment contains allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, Couch could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne, of the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent-in-charge Josh W. Packer, of the Coast Guard Investigative Service Southeast Field Office, made the announcement regarding Couch’s indictment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl are prosecuting the case.

Couch also faces state charges of negligent manslaughter and commercial health and safety violations. That trial is tentatively set for Oct. 6, according to most recent court records.

A civil wrongful death and personal injury case against Couch, mate Tanner Helmers, Lighthouse Parasail and Captain Pip’s Holdings, which owns the marina where the boat departed from, is also pending. The suit alleges that other vessels throughout Marathon came in early due to weather concerns on the day in question, and that the Alaparthi family had conversations with Couch about postponing the trip before being assured that “(they) will be fine.”

By Alex Rickert & Jim McCarthy

Daniel Couch. MCSO/Contributed

The Marathon City Council, Fire Chief James Muro and Sheriff Rick Ramsay on Aug. 12 recognize deputies Gabriel Rivera, left center, and Avrian Casanova, right center, for their June 23 life-saving CPR efforts. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Stills from bodycam footage released by FWC show officer Shawn Turner’s rescue of kayaker Michael Krevat on July 19. FWC/Contributed

FWC OFFICER SAVES CAPSIZED KAYAKER

Michael Krevat was barely afloat, ‘praying to God’

AMiddle Keys kayaker in distress got a timely save last month, thanks to the quick action of a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer.

On July 19, officer Shawn Turner responded to a report of a kayaker in distress about half a mile south of the Spanish Harbor Bridge near Big Pine Key.

Turner found the individual while on land and quickly made his way to his patrol boat to provide assistance. About 20 minutes later, he arrived and found the man, later identified as Michael Krevat, clinging to an overturned kayak with his head barely above water.

Krevat was not wearing a life jacket and was too exhausted to reboard his vessel, FWC South Region public information director Arielle Callender said in a press release. Turner threw a line to Krevat and pulled him to the stern of the patrol vessel, where he was safely brought aboard. The officer also recovered the overturned kayak, and they returned to shore.

Once on land, emergency medical

services evaluated Krevat, who was found to be uninjured. Because Krevat did not have a life jacket, officer Turner provided him with a spare.

“I was paddling water for 20 or 30 minutes, at least,” Krevat told officers in bodycam footage of the incident released by FWC. “I started praying to God, and then this guy (Turner) showed up.”

“This incident highlights the importance of always wearing a life jacket. Drowning is the leading cause of death in boating accidents,” said FWC Captain Adam Garrison. “Fortunately, our officer’s quick response helped prevent a potential tragedy on the water.”

For more information about boating safety, visit myfwc.com/boating and select “Boater Education” then “Boating Safety.”

– Keys Weekly staff report

SHERIFF: TRAPS ROBBED

Marathon pair allegedly stole lobster just before season

A40-year-old Marathon man was arrested in the latenight hours of Aug. 5 – just minutes before the start of commercial and regular lobster season — for allegedly robbing lobster traps on the bayside of Grassy Key.

“I want to thank marine deputies Willie Guerra and Luis Guiardinu, who made this case, for their continued hard work to protect our environment, and warn others who are thinking of committing this crime — you will be arrested and you will go to jail,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

Dorgis Rodriguez Lugones was charged with trap molestation, possession of out-of-season lobster, and tampering with evidence.

The deputies were on patrol around 11:45 p.m. when they saw a blacked-out 17-foot Mako boat with a lobster trap aboard. A man, identified as Rodriguez Lugones, was commanded not to dump the trap back in the water, but he did just that, authorities said.

He then reportedly picked up a cooler and dumped roughly 30 lobster back into the water and placed his hands on his head.

Rodriguez Lugones was detained and the trap was retrieved. Rodriguez Lugones was taken to jail and the boat was impounded.

A day later, authorities made a second arrest in the case – 27-year-old Daily Brito Fernandez of Marathon, who was reportedly aboard the vessel with Lugones as traps were robbed. She was charged with trap molestation, possession of out-of-season lobster and being a principal in a crime. – Contributed

Marine deputies Luis Guiardinu, left, and Willie Guerra intercept a vessel reportedly robbing traps on the bayside off Grassy Key. MCSO/Contributed

Daily Brito Fernandez. MCSO/Contributed

Dorgis Rodriguez Lugones.

LUXURY RETREATS!

22967 REDFISH LN CUDJOE KEY |

$2,999,000

Custom Luxury Meets Waterfront Living on Cudjoe Key. Welcome to 22967 Redfish Lane — a one-of-a-kind luxury home crafted by one of the Keys' most respected builders as his personal residence. This 3,747 sq ft coastal estate o ers 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and high-end custom finishes throughout. Step inside to find black walnut hardwood flooring, soaring tongue-and-groove ceilings, and a true chef's kitchen outfitted with double ovens, granite countertops, top-tier appliances, and an 8-burner Fisher & Paykel propane range. The open-concept living area flows e ortlessly onto a covered porch overlooking the lushly landscaped backyard. Upstairs, the primary suite occupies the entire second floor and features a spa-style bath, oversized custom walk-in closet, private o ce, and a covered porch that leads to a rooftop deck with sweeping open water views from sunrise to sunset. Outdoors, entertain with ease on Tennessee flagstone patios surrounding a heated & chilled resort-style pool, framed by tropical foliage and the ultimate outdoor living room where entertaining is a must. Boaters will love the 85' concrete dock with a 12,000 lb boat lift and quick access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Fully gated, professionally landscaped, impact doors and windows, metal roof, and highly upgraded — this is Keys luxury living at its finest

875 50TH ST GULF | MARATHON |

$6,500,000

At the very tip of a private peninsula in the heart of the Florida Keys, this stunning Gul ront property delivers the ultimate waterfront lifestyle. Built in 2022, this 4,146 sq. ft. Coastal Modern residence was crafted by one of Marathon's premier builders with meticulous attention to detail, blending clean architectural lines with the relaxed elegance of island living. From the moment you arrive, the Gulf is your constant backdrop. Expansive walls of glass flood the interiors with natural light and frame endless turquoise waters. Every living area, from the two spacious lounges to the gourmet kitchen, was designed to maximize the view and the connection to the outdoors. The chef's kitchen is both beautiful and functional, featuring waterfall-edge quartz counters, premium stainless appliances, and abundant prep space. Whether hosting a casual brunch or an elegant dinner, this open-concept space flows seamlessly to indoor and outdoor gathering areas. Five ensuite bedrooms provide private sanctuaries for family and guests. The primary suite is a haven unto itself, o ering a sitting area, spa-inspired bath, and a private porch where morning co ee comes with dolphin sightings and golden sunrises. Step outside to a personal resort: a shimmering pool with sun shelf, expansive patios for lounging, and a palm-lined peninsula with a fire pit at its tip. A deep-water dock, private boat basin, and 4-post lift make boating e ortless, with 5' control depth ensuring smooth access to open water. This home o ers the convenience of an elevator, an oversized 2-car garage, and low-maintenance construction designed for coastal living. Located 5 minutes from Marathon Jet Center, you can go from tarmac to tiki torch in record time. Whether it's a weekend escape, seasonal retreat, or full-time residence, this Gulf Front estate o ers something truly rare: privacy, luxury, and the beauty of the Keys wrapped into one extraordinary address. Fantastic Rental History. O er Turnkey.

NOW RENTING: 1/1 APARTMENTS FOR NEARLY $3,000

County could lower costs for units designed to house tourism workers

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

With the units ready for rent, questions are beginning to arise whether workers in the tourism industry qualify, let alone can afford the monthly payment.

Applicants must meet several qualifications, one of those stipulating that they must be employed in a private-sector, tourism-related job in Monroe County. The industries include arts, entertainment, recreation, fishing, food service, hotels and sightseeing.

The applicant must be 18 years and older, must either occupy the apartment by themselves or with another person — units allow a maximum of two people — and go through background checks.

Then there are the income limits in order to be eligible for a unit. The law approved by the state legislature which allowed the county to use TDC funds for housing was written with a maximum income level of 120% of the area median income.

For a person to qualify, their gross annual income must be between $71,880 and $109,560. For two people who aren’t married or in a domestic partnership, it’s anywhere between $71,880 and $125,040. For a married

With the units ready for rent, questions are beginning to arise whether workers in the tourism industry qualify, let alone can afford the monthly payment.

$71,880 and $109,560. For two people who aren’t married or in a domestic partnership, it’s anywhere between $71,880 and $125,040. For a married couple or domestic partnership, the income range is between $71,880 and $166,720.

The county also set the monthly rent rates to the 120% area median income. With water, sewer and garbage pickup included, the new units are renting for $2,995 a month.

Rents are based on income as outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). An increase in the county’s median income last year led to a change in income limits and monthly rental rates.

“For this project, we knew the rent might be higher than what the market will bear,” County Administrator Christine Hurley wrote in an email to Keys Weekly. “But, because of the state law that passed for us to use these funds toward housing, we set the max income and max rent at what the law said.”

Hurley said they can legally charge less and are waiting to see where this heads in the market.

Housing affordability has been a key issue in the Keys, Florida and the U.S. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found 69% of Americans saying they were “very concerned” about the cost of housing.

Housing affordability has been a key issue in the Keys, Florida and the U.S. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found 69% of Americans saying they were “very concerned” about the cost of housing.

Applicants must meet several qualifications, one of those stipulating that they must be employed in a private-sector, tourism-related job in Monroe County. The industries include arts, entertainment, recreation, fishing, food service, hotels and sightseeing.

The applicant must be 18 years and older, must either occupy the apartment by themselves or with another person — units allow a maximum of two people — and go through background checks.

Then there are the income limits in order to be eligible for a unit. The law approved by the state legislature which allowed the county to use TDC funds for housing was written with a maximum income level of 120% of the area median income.

For a person to qualify, their gross annual income must be between

But what makes a home affordable? A common, yet criticized, benchmark for housing affordability is that no more than 30% of a household’s income should go toward housing costs. Households spending more than that are considered “cost burdened” by HUD.

Based on a two-person household earning $125,040 in the Florida Keys, 30% of their income, or $37,512, could go toward housing costs. As for rent for a one-bedroom unit, it could be as high as $3,126. The county is charging just under that with utilities and trash pickup included. The tenants will need to pay for electricity.

Also, tenants would need to leave during phase one of a hurricane evacuation.

No applications have been submitted yet for the new units.

More information about Southcliff Estates and the application process is at monroecounty-fl.gov/1398/Southcliff-Estates-Application-Process.

The kitchen of a unit at Southcliff Estates in Key Largo. MONROE COUNTY/Contributed

J U S T S O L D

COMMERCE CORNEr

Tropical Epoxy was established in 2020 and expanded in 2025 to include Vibe and Flow Studio an interactive art studio with acrylic paint pouring, resin art classes and custom epoxy creations.

"At Vibe and Flow Studio, we specialize in hands-on fluid art experiences in the heart of the Florida Keys" says owner Whitney Simmons. Classes include acrylic paint pouring on canvas, vases, and even 3D resin sea turtles! They offer private sessions, group events, kids’ parties, team building, birthday parties and DIY art kits for at-home fun. Whether you’re a tourist looking for a fun memory or a local seeking creative release, this colorful studio is a place to relax, get messy, and create something beautiful. Because it’s not just a class — it’s an experience. You’ll leave with your own masterpiece, unforgettable memories, and maybe a little paint on your shoes.

Simmons authenticity, passion, and belief that everyone is an artist when given the space to play inspired her to create classes that are fun, therapeutic, and designed for all ages and skill levels. Tropical Epoxy | Vibe and Flow Studio is all about good vibes, vibrant colors, and creating joy through art. - no pressure, just flow. Visit TropicalEpoxy.com to reserve your space now!

Whitney Simmons

10694 Aviation Blvd, Marathon, FL 305-741-5211

www.TropicalEpoxy.com Tropoxy@gmail.com

7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon - Fri 11am to Close | Sat & Sun 10am to Close

$7 Menu

• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!

• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm

uengling

* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!

BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM

• Unique & interesting menu

• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots

LUNCH & DINNER

• New Sandwich Options

• Diver Speared Local Fish

• Prime Rib • Lobster

• Cook Y

• Great Seafood Selections

SUSHI

• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar

• Fresh Uni arrives on

From Big Pine to Duck Key, Middle Keys kids strapped on their backpacks, picked out their first-day outfits and got ready to hit the books as Monroe County welcomed students back to school on Aug. 13. A balloon arch framed the traditional senior walk-in at Marathon Middle and High School, while parents down the street at Switlik shared a mix of joyful and tearful goodbyes to little learners at Stanley Switlik Elementary. The Keys Weekly staff wishes all students, teachers and staff a safe, healthy and productive year broadening the minds of Marathon’s future.

1. Seniors Justice Lee, left, and Eddie Garcia lead the charge for the senior class.

2. Jayden Rosete brings the noise.

3. MCSO K9 Mako is back to work at Stanley Switlik Elementary. Backpack contents: treats, peanut butter, and more treats.

4. Jalayni Garvey, left, Zaylee Carrillo and Nevaeh Mills get ready for first grade.

5. The Marathon High School Class of 2026 celebrates one last ‘first day of school.’

6. MCSO Capt. Spenser Bryan ensures a safe drop-off for daughter Emma’s first day at VPK.

7. Gina Jensen sends Kaleb, left, Sophia and Evan Paul off to their first days of third grade, kindergarten and fifth grade.

8. Analaya Perez heads to the first day of second grade, escorted by Jenny Perez and pup

Shiloh.

MARATHON CINEMA

FRIDAY, AUG 15

SATURDAY, AUG 16

79TH STREET BAND 8PM

SUNDAY, AUG 17

MONDAY, AUG 18

High ratings for disaster preparedness will qualify Monroe County for advance payments after a storm, speeding up recovery operations like debris removal.

MONROE’S HIGH SCORES EARN ADVANCE FEMA PAYMENTS

State disaster program rewards preparedness; county ranks

in top 3

Monroe County and two other counties earned the highest scores out of 441 participants for disaster preparedness by the state’s Emergency Management program.

The county’s high rating ensures that in the event of a declared disaster and FEMA Public Assistance approval, Monroe County will receive an advance payment of 60% of its obligated project funding, speeding up recovery efforts and reducing the financial strain on the county while it awaits FEMA reimbursement. In recent years, there have been no advance payments, and funding has been provided on a reimbursement basis once the project is obligated.

The program is designed to help state, tribal and local governments, as well as certain private non-profit organizations, streamline the public assistance process, identify risks and implement plans to mitigate those

TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN MAKES COLLEGE A REALITY

Mentorship program provides scholarships for qualified students

Take Stock in Children of Monroe County (TSIC) is accepting scholarship applications.

Students in grades 6 through 9 who meet the income and academic guidelines are encouraged to apply.

Take Stock in Children is a college and career readiness program that provides a volunteer mentor to each student and a Florida Prepaid college tuition scholarship upon graduation.

Candidates for the scholarship must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average, have earned As, Bs and Cs, and have good attendance and good behavior during previous years.

Additionally, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the Take Stock candidate may not have an annual household income that exceeds the eligibility guidelines set by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Take Stock in Children.

risks before disasters strike. Each year, participating jurisdictions complete a Disaster Readiness Assessment (DRA), which evaluates key emergency functions for debris removal (Category A) and emergency protective measures (Category B).

In 2023, Monroe County volunteered to participate in the pilot program and provided input to help improve the process. This participation also contributed to the county’s finance and budget team’s ability to gain a better understanding of the process and receive improvement feedback.

“This is a huge win for Monroe County, which means we can respond and recover more quickly when disaster strikes,” said assistant county administrator Tina Boan. “Our staff’s commitment to improving our emergency processes is paying off for our entire community.”

Monroe County prioritize disaster readiness through partnerships with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and planning by leveraging programs like the one in which it rated so highly to protect its residents, infrastructure and natural resources.

— Contributed

“For over 20 years, Take Stock in Children has changed lives in Monroe County by providing a pathway to post-secondary education and success,” said Chuck Licis-Masson, executive director of the Monroe County Education Foundation.

Take Stock scholars meet with their mentor each week for 30 minutes during the school year. They participate in college and career readiness workshops, and receive regular educational and career coaching from a Take Stock college readiness coach.

"Whether their goal is to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or an

industry certificate,” Licis-Masson said, “our team of TSIC success coaches and mentors along with their teachers and parents help guide and motivate the TSIC scholars towards their dream of attending the Florida college, university, or technical college or their choice.”

More information is at www.monroecountyedfound.com, or from these Take Stock team members:

• Lower Keys: Orlinda Lorente Vento, 305-293-1549 ext. 53303, or Angela Ewing, 305-296-5628 ext. 65441.

• Marathon: Traci WittenwilerDriscoll, 305-289-2480 ext. 55418.

• Upper Keys: Autumn Hager, 305453-1255 ext. 57412.

– Contributed

Take Stock scholar Aniya Gunn, right, and mentor William Jones share a moment of triumph at TSIC’s 2025 graduation. ROSS SMITH/ Keys Weekly

KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

BRAD HENNON Home Depot

How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve been in the Keys for 37 years due to a job transfer.

What part of a plant is your favorite and why? My favorite part of a plant are the blooms on a flower because there are so many different colors.

What is the dumbest question someone has asked you at work? I get some off-the-wall questions for sure. One was, “Can a palm tree grow in the snow?”

What dessert could you eat everyday if you had the chance? Ice cream, but I also enjoy fresh fruit.

MALLORY PINTO

JEN ALEXANDER www.keysweekly.com

No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.

Our neighbor this week is Brad Hennon, who works in the garden department at Home Depot. Brad is very laid-back and loves plants and animals.

What piece of advice has stuck with you your whole life? My dad always said to be kind and treat people the way you want to be treated. I try to do that every day.

What is the last gift you gave someone? I gave flowers to my lovely wife.

What is an unpopular opinion you hold but you don’t care? My unpopular opinion is that the boss isn’t always right.

Describe your ultimate day: My ultimate day would be to drink some beer and listen to good music with my wife.

Which year of your life would you like to re-live and why? The year I would go back to is 1967. I just graduated from high school and I was young and free.

What is one thing people don’t know about you? If I told you that one thing no one knows about, then they would know!

Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.

GIVE IT A SHOT – THE STAGE IS CALLING

Marathon Community Theatre auditions are next weekend

Ever had the itch to step on stage, or wonder what goes on behind it? Your chance arrives next weekend as the Marathon Community Theatre holds auditions for its 2025-26 main stage show season on Aug. 23 and 24. For the first time in years, MCT’s season includes multiple musicals – and even a mixed-age casting that allows actors young and old to share the stage.

Shows for the season include:

“The Wizard of Oz”: The timeless musical tells the story of Dorothy’s journey to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man. The show opens in November, just in time to give fans a refresher before the theatrical release of its prequel, “Wicked: For Good,” on the silver screen.

“The Odd Couple”: A Neil Simon classic that tells the comical story of two mismatched roommates: the uptight, neat-as-a-button Felix, recently thrown out of the house by his wife, and the laid-back sportswriting slob, Oscar. Opens in January 2026.

“Little Shop of Horrors”: As the name suggests, a “horror comedy rock musical” about a flower shop worker who finds himself in over his head as his bloodthirsty sentient plant becomes the talk of the town. Opens in late February 2026.

“Wait Until Dark”: An edge-ofyour-seat psychological thriller about a housewife targeted by a trio of con men searching for diamonds hidden in a doll. Opens in April 2026.

More information about each show’s audition, including rehearsal schedules and sample readings, is at marathontheater.org/open-auditions. Singing and dancing auditions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on both days, and script readings will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Actors auditioning for “Wait Until Dark” and “The Odd Couple” must attend one script reading session, while actors auditioning for either musical must attend one reading session and one singing/dancing session.

Thought about auditioning, but nervous to give it a try? Don’t worry – no experience is necessary, and the biggest hurdle is just showing up. “Community” is at the center of

MCT’s name, and the four directors say they’re eager to dispel common myths about auditions:

Myth: Auditions are a scary process. “People will embrace you just for being there,” said “Little Shop” director John Schaefer. “I was made to feel so welcome at my first audition, it was like stepping into a room of almostimmediate friends.” Auditions include group warm-up games, simple dance steps to learn and script readings – no memorization needed.

Myth: You have to be on stage to be involved. “Even if you don’t want to be on stage, there are so many other ways you can help out,” said “Odd Couple” director Linda Schaefer. “That’s what got me into directing – I started by getting my husband dressed for all his shows.” Backstage roles include costume and prop help, light and sound technicians, stage hands, set construction and many, many more.

Myth: Main stage shows cast only adults, and you have to be a pro. For the first time in years, “The Wizard of Oz” will feature a mixed-age cast. Elementary school children will be cast in roles including munchkins, flying monkeys and citizens of Oz, and teens are welcome to audition with the adults for the production’s lead roles, said director Kara Pascucci. And seriously, no experience is necessary: “If a 6-year-old can get up on stage and do it, so can you,” she added.

Myth: Auditions are like Broadway – nerve-wracking and serious. “Our audition process is very relaxed – we don’t put any pressure on the people trying out,” said “Wait Until Dark” director Mike Wagner. “It’s a nice, friendly conversation. We ask you to read a few lines, we give you some direction, and we just have a chat. Don’t be afraid – if it’s something you want to try, try it!”

– Contributed

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

What: “A Star Is Born” (1954)

Why: When Judy Garland lost Best Actress at the Oscars for this role, Groucho Marx famously quipped it was the biggest robbery since Brink’s. That statement is no exaggeration. This second of no fewer than four versions of this story is arguably the best one, mainly due to the powerhouse that is Garland. She takes big swings between comedy and tragedy and marries them together with her signature belting voice. The film was infamously edited down from three hours to two-and-a-half (possibly costing her the Oscar). The original cut is presented almost completely intact here, save for five minutes of footage that could not be recovered. See it and marvel at how relevant this story remains today. 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: Kelvin Cedeño, library assistant, Islamorada library.

See previous Reel Recs at keyslibraries.org/post/reel-recs.

Brian Witte, left, and Karen Shotwell star in Marathon Community Theatre’s 2024 production of ‘The Mousetrap.’ Auditions for the theater’s 2025-26 season are Aug. 23 and 24. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

A letter from a rescue team member

At Dolphin Research Center, we are the only licensed manatee rescue team in the entire Florida Keys. We work closely with our in-house veterinarian, Dr. Scott Gearhart, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to assess when a manatee is in distress. If a rescue is needed, we locate and safely rescue the animal so it can be transported to a licensed rehabilitation facility – typically SeaWorld Orlando or another FWC-associated center. Once the manatee is healthy again, we help return the animal to the wild, which is extremely fulfilling.

But by May of this year, we had already responded to more manatee rescues than we did in all of 2024.

So far in 2025, we’ve had many successful rescues:

• A juvenile male exhibiting signs of gastrointestinal infection in Key Largo.

• A mother and calf after the mother had been struck by a boat in Islamorada.

• In Marathon, a mother named Stripes and her newborn calf, later named Argyle, when the mother was found with severe fishing line entanglement. The entanglement resulted in a necessary partial amputation of a flipper.

• An orphaned calf in Key Largo.

• Another mother and calf in Marathon when the mother was found with a severe fishing line entanglement.

• An adult, known as Cooley, that was found with severe fishing line entanglement in Key Largo.

• Another adult, known as Kanagroo, with severe fishing line entanglement in Key Largo.

• A 9-foot adult male, after being struck by a boat in Marathon.

In addition, we’ve had 10 rescue attempts that were not successful.

There are many difficulties that can create barriers when we attempt a rescue. Manatees are wild, large and strong animals. When we typically encounter them, they may be severely sick or injured and not behave like they typically would if they were healthy.

Some of these animals were able to evade rescue due to a variety of factors such as geographical challenges, other manatees and wildlife present, or vehicle and boat traffic. Some

MANATEE RESCUES MATTER

succumbed to their critical injuries en route to treatment and rehabilitation.

As hard as these outcomes are, they remind us that each rescue effort matters — because each manatee matters. Some rescues are fast, while others take hours of planning, tracking and adapting to the environment. No matter how difficult the situation is, we show up.

Why it matters

This work is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever been part of. Even though I am already a practicing professional, I chose to get a job at the Dolphin Research Center simply knowing they are the licensed manatee rescue program in the Florida Keys.

Being part of the rescue team gives me a way to change the world in a real and direct way. These aren’t abstract efforts. When we save a manatee, that’s a living, breathing life still out there because we did something. I’ve stood in the water with manatees that barely moved. I’ve helped carry them into transport vehicles. I’ve waited in the shallows during a release and watched them swim back into the ocean.

Moments like this are unforgettable. It’s so amazing to know you are a part of a team of like-minded individuals sharing a common goal and purpose. You don’t forget moments like that. They stay with you. They remind you why we do this.

And for me, that’s everything.

What’s made this year even more inspiring is the support we’ve received from the local community. People have

How you can help

Many of the cases we respond to are due to factors that are preventable. More importantly, the more awareness we build, the more injuries we can avoid. If you care about manatees and want to protect them, here’s how:

• Report sightings to FWC. If you see a manatee in distress, contact FWC at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). STAY BY YOUR PHONE. Your communication can be vital in locating and rescuing a manatee in a timely manner.

• Dispose of fishing line and gear properly. Even a small tangle can cause serious damage.

• Slow down in manatee zones. These animals often rest just below the surface and may not be able to move out of the way.

offered us their personal equipment — like kayaks and boats — for tracking manatees. Something as simple as lending a hat or sunscreen makes a real difference. Others have opened up their homes and private boat ramps to help us access hard-to-reach areas. Community members have even kept an eye on struggling manatees until we could arrive.

What’s more amazing is that this is true of the entirety of the Florida Keys: a real community that cares and supports one another, human and animal alike. That kind of support makes a real difference.

• Don’t feed, water or touch wild manatees. It encourages dangerous behavior — like approaching boats and frequenting high-traffic areas, like marinas.

Every rescue we do is empowered by people like you — members, donors, neighbors and strangers who choose to care. If that’s you: Thank you, genuinely from the bottom of my heart.

You’re just as much a part of this as I am.

It’s already been a busy year, but we’re not done. We’ll keep showing up — because they still need us.

– Preston Surrage Manatee rescue team and environmental services at Dolphin Research Center

The Dolphin Research Center manatee rescue team works to free adult manatee ‘Kangaroo’ from a severe line entanglement in Key Largo. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER/Contributed

Manatee rescue team members – including Preston Surrage, right, and Ryan Webster –turn a manatee on its side for examination.

1-year-old male husky mix.

Looking for: I’m a dogfriendly, pool-loving guy looking for a good time.

Turnoffs: Meeting people for the first time. It’s always a bit awkward.

SWIPE RIGHT

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families at the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. 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.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit 10550 Aviation Blvd.

WINSLOW

12-year-old male domestic shorthair.

Looking for: A loving indoor-only home full of love and plenty of naps. Turnoffs: Sometimes I get itchy and need medications.

ARIES & DRACO

4-month-old male kittens. Looking for: A fun, interactive home with plenty of freedom to run around.

Turnoffs: Being held. Sorry, not sorry.

Hurricane fosters needed. With hurricane season upon us, the SPCA needs volunteers and fosters in case of a storm. Over 100 animals would need to be evacuated, so it is crucial they all have homes in place before an impending storm. The SPCA provides everything you need; all you do is give an animal a safe haven during the storm and return them to the shelter once it’s safe –that is, if you don’t fall in love. More information is at fkspca.org/volunteer/ become-a-foster-volunteer/ or 305-743-4800.

The Fantasy Fest Parade welcomes entries large and small and offers $20,000 in cash prizes. Julie Roubik, left, and Christie Fifer work on a giant Cheshire cat character for a previous year’s parade float. CONTRIBUTED

Deck out the façade of your Key West or Stock Island home or business and enter this year’s Fantasy Fest Fantasy Facades contest for a chance to win cash prizes. CONTRIBUTED

JOIN THE CREATIVITY OF FANTASY FEST

Calling artists, makers, movers & shakers

Fantasy Fest in Key West is a magical escape for costumers and revelers from all over the world, but it’s the locals whose creative genius and behind-the-scenes wizardry bring the spectacle to life. Whether you prefer to build it, stitch it, imagine it, guide it, paint it — here are four opportunities to get involved in the 2025 “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters” themed extravaganza:

• Create a Fantasy Fest parade float, march in costume, or roll with style: The parade is open to entries large and small: floats, marchers, kinetic creations and wheeled wonders. $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in categories including “Best Interpretation of Theme,” “Best in Entertainment,” “Best in Costume,” and more. Entry fees are waived for Monroe County residents and non-profits who submit their applications on or before Aug. 22, and discounted 50% for those who apply before Sept. 19.

• Be a Fantasy Fest ambassador: The volunteer ambassador crew helps guide the parade down Duval Street

and ensures that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Includes a preevent planning meeting and an invite to join the Fantasy Fest team for the annual ambassadors social mixer.

• Go big with the Fantasy Facades Contest: Deck out your Key West or Stock Island home or business facade and enter the 2025 Fantasy Facades contest for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $100-$1000. Reflect this year’s “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters” theme, channel traditional Halloween ghoulishness, or concoct a combination of both. Entry form available Sept. 1; deadline to enter Oct. 13; judging Oct. 20.

• Name the 2026 Fantasy Fest theme: The future is in your hands. Submit your idea for the 2026 Fantasy Fest theme by Sept. 3. The winner and a guest will score 2026 Fantasy Fest parade grandstand seats with judges and organizers.

More information is at fantasyfest. com/getinvolved. Fantasy Fest is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys.

The Fantasy Fest Parade takes place the last Saturday of October. CONTRIBUTED

SCOOBY

CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE BRING THE KEYS TO NASHVILLE

Four Marathon High School Champions for Change members attended Community AntiDrug Coalitions of America (CADCA) training in Nashville this summer, accompanied by club co-sponsors Tina and Christina Belotti. They spent four days attending intensive training, meeting youth and adult prevention leaders from across the country, and exploring Nashville before bringing their new knowledge back to MHS. Topics covered at the training included risk and protective factors, prevention club recruitment, public speaking, leadership and trends and strategies in prevention. CADCA tries to empower communities to create positive change through coalition building, training, advocacy and support. It was founded in 1992 in response to the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and today represents more than 7,000 community coalitions in the U.S. CONTRIBUTED

THANKS TO THE COASTIES

The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard help keep our country safe – and in the Keys, they’re also the honorary guardians of sea turtles. On Aug. 4, the Turtle Hospital in Marathon treated all Keys USCG stations to its annual Coast Guard Appreciation Day, providing a tour of the hospital before an afternoon of food and friendly competition in lawn games on the hospital’s yard. The partnership between the hospital’s rescue and rehab teams and the Coast Guard allows critical, timely access to turtles in distress, as USCG vessels are frequently called to aid in rescues and deliver releasable hatchling turtles to offshore weed patches in the Gulf Stream. Photos by LARRY BENVENUTI/Contributed

A NOVEL GATHERING ON FRIENDSHIP,

HOPE AND THE MAGIC OF BOOK CLUBS

By Marie Bostwick

Small-town housewives in the 1960s baked upside-down cakes and prepared gelatin molds for parties. Aside from various household duties, women typically got together to exchange recipes and gossip about their neighbors. Frustrated by their cookie-cutter community, Margaret starts a book club with Viv, Betsy and Charlotte. The friends read “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan. This book describes how women are supposedly fulfilled by marriage, housework and motherhood. The belief was that they were simply not “feminine” if they desired to further their education and have a career or any political opinions. Growing up post-World War II, these women watched their mothers work hard to put food on the table. When the men returned from war, the women were pushed aside, as were their aspirations and sense of accomplishment. Many could not find the courage to express their feelings of unworthiness simply being trapped at home. Through the book club, “the Bettys” help each other maneuver through life’s many obstacles – their sisterhood prompting unimaginable changes in each of their lives.

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

By Ann Hood

A coveted seat finally opens in a neighborhood book club, and Ava steps in at exactly the right moment. Adrift after her husband walked away from their 25-year marriage, she craves conversation, routine and a circle that feels like home. Her friend Cate, a librarian and longtime confidante, guides the club through a year in which, each month, one member chooses the book that mattered most in their life. What sounds simple quickly becomes the highlight of Ava’s month as the group considers how reading challenges and heals. Structured around those monthly gatherings, the novel wins us over with warm and lovable characters. With every selection, Ava’s fresh heartbreak intersects with older losses — her children grown and gone, her mother and sister’s untimely deaths — until the stories on the table coax out the emotions she has so carefully tucked away. Page by page, she learns to face the future by walking back through her past. Perhaps the richest takeaway is timing; the right novel at the right moment can meet you where you are.

As a retired teacher and recent widow, she feels untethered in the world except when she is at book club. And the book club Harriet moderates is unique – it is at the local women’s prison. Through books, Harriet wants to teach these women to hear their own voices and to experience and express themselves through stories. When her student Violet is unexpectedly released early, she is on the “outs” for the first time in three years. Violet’s family has abandoned her and she must learn to accept her past in order to build a future. Frank works at a local bookshop. When Frank lost his wife, he, too, couldn’t make sense of life. The calming balm created by books felt like a warm blanket on a cold day, and the bookshop was a perfect escape. As the lives of Harriet, Frank and Violet intertwine, they discover the true meaning of friendship, family and love.

#WorthWatching: “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” This movie follows four friends who take their book club to Italy for a bachelorette celebration. What’s meant to be a breezy vacation turns into a laugh-out-loud adventure filled with detours, secrets and second chances. Don’t miss this talented allstar cast on Prime Video.

The Book Club for Troublesome Women

The Book That Matters Most

How To Read A Book

By Monica Wood

Harriet loves to read.

KAREN NEWFIELD

•

• World Famous Cheeseburgers

• Lobster Mac & Cheese Burger

• BBQ Bacon Wrapped Lobster

• Bacon Wrapped BBQ Shrimp

• Bacon Wrapped Scallops

• Grilled Bratwurst

• Grilled Ribeye Sandwiches

• Blackened Dolphin Sandwiches

• BBQ Baby Back Ribs

• Chili Cheese Dogs

• $3 Coors Light • $7 Mango Painkillers

• $2 Jello Shots DRINK SPECIALS CATCH ALL THE MLB GAMES ON OUR 16 HDTVS !!

THE GREAT FLORIDA KEYS ROAD TRIP: MILE MARKER 0

The Great Florida Keys Road Trip comes to an end, not with a whimper, but a big Key West bang.

After crossing Cow Key Channel, the Overseas Highway name disappears and is replaced by a series of roads. It starts with a traffic light and two options: a left turn or a right turn. The left option follows South Roosevelt Boulevard and winds around the edge of the island, past the airport, Fort East Martello and the museum where the haunted Robert the Doll lives, Smathers Beach and ends at Bertha Street.

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.

The right option follows North Roosevelt Boulevard and the last mile or two of the highway’s path. North Roosevelt skirts the other side of the island until it becomes Truman Avenue, which, like the Overseas Highway, has been called a name or two.

According to J. Wills Burke’s fun book “The Streets of Key West,” it started as a rocky path hacked out of the island’s hammock as a way for General John M. Brannan and his Union troops to avoid the island’s Confederate sympathizers, of which there were many, during the Civil War years.

Its earliest version was known as Brannan Road. Locals called it Rocky Road for the same reason locals once called the Overseas Highway Old Bumpy; the islands are built atop an ancient system of barrier reefs covered by a thin layer of topsoil. In 1870, Brannan Road was identified as Military Road. As the island’s population grew, it became a metaphorical line of division between what is called Old Town today and the rest of the island.

Old Town is now the Key West Historic District and covers the western half of the island. Because of the road’s placement, Military Road became Division Street. On Nov. 16, 1948, Divi-

sion Street was renamed Truman Avenue to honor President Harry Truman’s many visits to the island. Truman Avenue cuts through the middle of the island and crosses Duval Street. One block beyond Duval is Whitehead Street. To find Mile Marker 0, turn right (if you’re coming from the east).

Before the much-anticipated green and white sign appears a few blocks away, there are several points of interest to note. The first is a lighthouse. There are nine lighthouses on and around the Florida Keys. Six iron lighthouses were built to mark dangerous tracts of coral along the Florida Reef: Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, Carysfort Reef Lighthouse, Alligator Reef Lighthouse, Sombrero Key Lighthouse, American Shoal Lighthouse and Sand Key Lighthouse. Each was placed in the Atlantic shallows miles offshore.

Two stand in the Dry Tortugas, about 70 miles southwest of Key West. One is on Loggerhead Key and the other is at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. The last one is steps away from Whitehead Street.

The Key West Lighthouse is taller than it used to be. It stood 65 feet tall when it was first lit in 1825. After a hurricane destroyed the light in 1846, it was rebuilt. (The storm also devastated the Sand Key Lighthouse.) When it was again lit in 1848, it stood 50 feet tall. By 1894, Key West had grown up, both the buildings and the trees, and the lighthouse was raised another 20 feet.

Another thing that makes the Key West Lighthouse different from the others is that you can still climb the stairs, all 88 of them, to reach the top of the tower. The view might be the best in Key West. The lighthouse looms over Ernest Hemingway’s old house and the posse of six-toed cats that still call the property home.

Just ahead, at the corner of Southard Street, is the Green Parrot, one of the classic Key West bars that locals still flock to. It seems to have started as a grocery store owned by Antonio Sanchez in 1890. In the 1940s, it was a bar called the Brown Derby, a favorite air-conditioned haunt of the Navy. When the Navy left and the bar transitioned into the Green Parrot, the windows and the air conditioning were removed. Open windows, ceiling fans, and cold drinks are what’s

End of U.S. Highway 1 Mile Marker 0. DALE McDONALD COLLECTION/Florida Keys History Center

left. Little has changed about this local treasure, once deemed by Playboy Magazine one of the best bars in America.

The Green Parrot is kitty-corner to the Monroe County Courthouse, one of the few places in Key West that you do not want to visit. Well, not on official business. Between the sidewalk, the chickens and the buildings is a magnificent kapok tree. It is one of the most photographed trees on the island. Native to southern Mexico, South America and West Africa, the massive tree can grow to 200 feet tall, and as much as 13 feet in a single year. There are eight kapok trees in Key West. This one, thought to have been planted in 1905, is the oldest.

On the other side of Whitehead Street, just before Fleming Street, is the green and white sign marking the end of the highway, Mile Marker 0. There is more to the sign than there used to be. As the road’s significance has grown, so has the pole to which it is securely attached. The road just traveled is more than the Overseas Highway and U.S. 1. It has been designated a National Scenic Highway. In 2009, it was declared an All-American Road, one of about 30 in the country.

Taking a picture of the iconic Key West marker is a rite of passage. It is not the end of the adventure. One of my favorite things about Key West is that, unlike most of the rest of the island chain, it is by and large a walking town. It is nice to be able to go somewhere on vacation, park the car and not have to open the door again until it is time to slip inside, start the engine and drive back up the highway. Two recommendations. First, stay hydrated. Second, wear comfortable shoes.

1st St, Key Colony Beach

MARK HEDDEN

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

Iwas walking the dog down Reynolds Street, past the Casa Marina, when the dog started pulling for the pier. I try to give her her head as much as possible, to let her sniff whatever she wants, to lead the way on occasion. Though sometimes when I let her lead the way she starts trying to take us home, and I have to point out to her that we have further walking to do. Last time we’d walked by the pier she’d pulled that way too, but after we’d walked about 20 yards out she realized she was walking on a grating that she could see through, and she freaked out, started pulling hard back toward the beach. I decided not to force it and let her lead the retreat.

I think it was the fact that she knew there was water under the pier. In the almost three years we’ve had her, June has done a pretty good job of acting as if large bodies of water, such as pools and oceans, don’t exist. You get to the beach and that’s it, you’ve reached the end of the world. A tennis ball falls into the pool and, sad to say, it is lost forever.

So when we started out on the pier this second time, I expected a repeat performance. But no, she wanted to keep going. She had her tail tucked under her, but she wanted to keep going. She gave hopeful looks to the people and ignored the pigeons.

Halfway through, a little girl out in the water smiled and waved at her, and suddenly June was wagging her tail, the happiest, bravest dog in the world. She seemed a little disappointed that the pier ended.

Sometimes I underestimate her ability to overcome her fears. I mean, she’s 65 pounds, and when lightning strikes, she no longer tries to wedge herself into the six-inch space between the couch and the floor. Instead she will sit on the couch in her circus bear pose and stare at us dolefully, as if we could do something about the weather if we really tried. If a storm is really loud and prolonged, she may sneak off and lie on the floor in our bunker of a bedroom. But she doesn’t panic so much anymore.

I was grooving on this sense of progress all the way back to the house, and really wasn’t paying much attention to the world. But as we were passing the No Trespassing at the entrance to the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall parking lot, I heard a yip. A telltale yip. It came from a barn swallow that was zooming overhead in the last light of the day. I try to avoid anthropomorphism when I think

SHORT WALKS ON LONG PIERS AND THE START OF SOMETHING

about animals, because a human take on an animal’s mood – especially non-mammals – is rarely accurate. Still, I usually fail at this when it comes to barn swallows because they are the one species of birds that I’m pretty convinced are having fun as they rip around the sky, 40 times more agile than any Olympic snowboarder. And their yip always sounds like an expression of that joy.

Whatever the yip meant, it woke me up to something. It may seem like we’re waylaid in the doldrums of the Keys’ never-ending, very hot summer, but there is a little bit of change in the air. Bird migration is afoot.

It rained on and off overnight, and on and off through the next day – make up your mind, weather – but by late afternoon it was bright and overly sunny, so I decided to head over to Fort Zachary Taylor to see if there were any birds.

It’s not like I haven’t been out birding since the northbound migration trailed off in mid-May. But I haven’t gone out with that sense that anything could be anywhere. I’ve been kind of impatient and deliberate about looking for things, partly because it’s hotter than (fill in your favorite pithy metaphor for heat), and partly because there haven’t been that many species of birds around, and most of the species that are birds I could see any day of the year. Standing still and staring into the treetops is less fun when you’re unlikely to see anything, and the thought keeps creeping into your head that you have perfectly good central air conditioning at home, as well as a dog who would be happy for the rest of the day if you just played tug-o-war with her for five minutes.

I was worried I might be a little rusty, that I’d forgotten what warblers looked like. You generally find songbirds by watching for

movement in the trees – the figures of birds themselves, but also the leaves and twigs moving more than, or out of sync with, the other surrounding leaves and twigs. (You might think it’s hard to confuse a bird with a three-foot iguana, but I did it several times before I convinced my brain to ignore anything that was disrupting the foliage too much.)

What I saw at first were summer residents like white-crowned pigeons, common grackles and gray kingbirds, most of which I ignored. Except for one gray kingbird who caught some kind of sizable buzzing insect in its bill, landed on a branch above me, then banged the insect onto the branch, trying to subdue it but only changed the pitch of the buzzing. Another gray kingbird came in, started fluttering its wings and yelling at the first bird, demanding the still buzzing insect. Learn to feed yourself, kid, the first bird essentially said when it flew off. All of which made me laugh a little.

Walking just below the blacksmith shop, I caught sight of a small bird making the leap from one bush to another, and even with such a fleeting glance in a terrible light and no articulable field marks, I knew it was a northern parula. I followed the bird as it moved through the landscape until I caught sight of its slaty blue head and lemon yellow throat, and then was sure.

After that, it was like I’d tapped into something slow and steady. First there was the black-and-white warbler, then a prothonotary, an immature hooded warbler and a female American redstart. Your basic early fall migration starter pack.

Migration had officially started. The warblers were back. And maybe I was, too.

A northern parula, a species of warbler, seen in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

KEY WEST BACK IN THE DAY

JIMMY AND ‘THE MARGARITAVILLE MOVIE’

Tom Corcoran’s book ‘Jimmy Buffett: The Key West Years’ chronicles Buffett’s early Key West hangouts and homes — including the apartment near Louie’s Backyard, where he wrote ‘The Margaritaville Movie.’ TOM CORCORAN/Contributed

Jimmy Buffett and his script assistant share a lighthearted moment during the writing of ‘The Margaritaville Movie.’ CONTRIBUTED

CAROL SHAUGHNESSY www.keysweekly.com

If you hung out at the Chart Room, Full Moon Saloon or Louie’s Backyard in Key West during the late 1970s and early ’80s, you knew Jimmy Buffett. The legendary Chart Room at the Pier House Resort, the “Moon” where writers and renegades shared stories, and the highrollers’ haven called Louie’s Afterdeck were his go-to spots.

In those days I was living with Phil Clark, a charismatic man with a renegade soul, who had turned out to be the subject of my favorite Buffett song: “A Pirate Looks at Forty.” I got to know Jimmy through Phil, and through the literati, smugglers and fishing guides who frequented the aforementioned island hotspots.

Jimmy was perennially laid-back but always ready for adventure, and he seemed to light up every room he entered. What he couldn’t do, in those tentative early days of the technology revolution, was operate a computer — and that’s why he reached out to me.

It happened about a year after Phil was caught importing illicit substances and disappeared. I was working as a part-time office manager for a difficult boss, who taught me what people then called “word processing.”

At that point, Jimmy lived near Louie’s and was writing a screenplay — handwriting it in capital letters on yellow legal pads. He needed someone to input the script onto his computer, an Apple IIc that he barely knew how to turn on, and a mutual friend suggested he hire me.

Whether it stemmed from Jimmy’s long association with Phil, his acquaintance with me or his own easygoing nature, he decided to trust me. His computer quickly became my responsibility, and he gave me a workspace in his apartment and the freedom to wander in and out as needed.

Even more important, he trusted me with his screenplay — which in those days was his passion and the focus of his intense creativity.

Its working title was “The Margaritaville Movie,” and it was full of engaging characters that included the carefree Delaney and a man named Frank Bama. Frank later turned up as the protagonist of Jimmy’s novel “Where is Joe Merchant?” (and, oddly enough, as an eccentric helicopter pilot played by Jimmy himself in several episodes of television’s reincarnated “Hawaii Five-0”).

“The Margaritaville Movie,” set on a fictional island that had a lot in common with Key West, was a sundrenched romp and a total delight. The good guys triumphed, the hero wound up with his love interest, and virtually everybody who read the script pages (meticulously printed on a dotmatrix printer we acquired somewhere along the line) wanted to move to the fictional island.

For me — despite occasional allnighters necessary to keep up with Jimmy’s fast-paced writing, and extensive edits required by his frequent character revisions — it was a rare privilege to observe his creative process as the story unfolded.

Unfortunately, the gorgeous feelgood script, though completed, never became a film. For several reasons, including Jimmy’s decision to open the first Margaritaville Store, he put the project aside. He gave me his stack of yellow pads and the final printed script, and told me to hang onto them until he wanted them again. I did, storing them safely for decades while his talent brought him enormous success in realm after realm. We reconnected about a year before his death, and the script and yellow pads finally went home with him.

Jimmy Buffett will always be famed as a singer-songwriter who inspired a mystique, a lifestyle and eventually an empire. Yet that doesn’t fully communicate the breadth of his creativity. Though “The Margaritaville Movie” was never produced, scripting it set him on the path to write “Tales from Margaritaville” and his other top-selling books — and become one of the leading storytellers of our generation.

Jimmy Buffett’s 1973 ‘White Sport Coat’ album contained his heartfelt ode to Key West, titled, ‘I Have Found Me a Home.’ CONTRIBUTED

The Wait Is Almost Over!

Our community has spoken and the nominations are in. We are just days away from revealing the Best of Marathon Finalists.

Stay tuned to see if your favorites made the list, and get ready to show them your support.

The county health department provided 166 free swim lessons this summer with an additional session still available. CONTRIBUTED

HEALTH DEPT. ENSURED SAFE SUMMER FOR KIDS

Department provided 166 free swimming lessons; more still available

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) provided summer safety initiatives for local families. DOH-Monroe promoted child safety and supported local families through a variety of programs and community partnerships.

“These programs help keep our children safe, healthy and thriving,” said Carla Fry, administrator and health officer, DOH-Monroe. “Whether it’s in the water, in the car, or at home, working together with our community partners supports protecting our youngest residents.”

THE PROGRAMS INCLUDED:

Water safety

• As water activity increases during the summer months, DOH-Monroe facilitated the donation of life jackets for infants and small children between 30-50 pounds from the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition to the College of the Florida Keys (CFK).

• Additionally, eligible families have been able to take advantage of free swim lessons for children four years old and younger, offered through the Florida Department of Health’s Swim Lesson Voucher Program. Local lessons have been offered at the CFK pool (Stock Island) and Jacob’s Aquatic Center (Key Largo) with certified instructors to help children build vital swimming skills.

• A total of 166 lessons were provided to Monroe County children between February and June 2025. Applications for free swim vouchers for the Aug. 4 through Sept. 1, period can be found at WaterSmartFL.com.

More information about water safety can be found at WaterSmartFL. com.

Bike safety

• DOH-Monroe partners with local law enforcement and municipalities to make bike safety a priority. The Florida Pedestrian Bicycle Resource Center provides free helmets that the DOHMonroe, along with multiple trained and certified helmet fitters, properly fit and give to community members at no cost.

• DOH-Monroe attends numerous events each year to provide education about bicycle safety, raise awareness about safe riding practices (such as wearing a helmet), and mobilize local community members to bring resources to the area in an effort to reduce bicycle accidents and injuries.

• Monroe County residents can visit monroe.floridahealth.gov/bikesafety to request an appointment to be fitted for a bicycle helmet at no cost. Appointments for free bicycle helmets are available at the following DOH-Monroe clinic: Gato Building, 1100 Simonton St., Key West. Home visitation programs

DOH-Monroe continues to offer voluntary home visitation programs, such as Healthy Families and Healthy Start, to support pregnant mothers and families with young children through parent education, child developmental screening and activities, child safety promotion, linkage to community resources, and additional services.

Car seat safety

DOH-Monroe has certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to assist with car seat checks, installations, and adjustments to ensure your child is safely secured while traveling. Appointments are free and can be scheduled by calling 305-676-3841.

BRIEFLY

MLKAR to offer self-defense class

The Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors will offer a community self-defense and safety class on Sept. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center at 2798 Overseas Highway. The class is open to all community members, not just Realtors or affiliates. Topics to be covered include basic self-defense techniques, how to stay safe while holding open houses or taking clients on property showings, and how to screen people to detect possible red flags. The class is limited to 80 students, taken on a first-come-first-served basis. The class is taught by MCSO deputies. Students should wear comfortable clothing to be able to practice techniques themselves. To register, scan the QR code.

Key Largo teen arrested for gun in backpack

A 15-year-old Key Largo male was arrested Aug. 11 after his mother reportedly found a 9mm handgun in his backpack. There were no reported injuries. Juan Pablo Villegas was charged with possessing a firearm under the age of 18. The sheriff’s office was called to a residence on Largo Road around 1:45 p.m. after Villegas’ mother reported finding the handgun. Villegas is known to the sheriff’s office from previous contacts with law enforcement. He was taken to jail.

United Way offers education grants

United Way of Collier and the Keys (UWCK) is now accepting applications for the 2025–26 Marine Science Education Grant program. This initiative supports hands-on marine science and conservation learning experiences for students across Monroe County, creating the next generation of reef stewards. Now in its fifth and final year, UWCK’s commitment continues to support schools and educational facilities throughout the Keys. In 2024-25, 16 schools and organizations received a total of $35,264, benefiting some 6,465 students through hands-on learning experiences. UWCK offers this grant program in partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Grants of up to $2,500 are available per application for Monroe County School District schools and Monroe County-based marine science nonprofit education centers or organizations. Additionally, up to $500 per application is available for Monroe County licensed child care facilities and preschools. Eligible expenses include transportation, substitute teacher coverage, admissions, curriculum and materials, supplies, training, equip-

ment and other program-specific costs necessary to make this enhanced marine science programming possible. Applications are due by Sept. 30. More information is at uwcollierkeys.org/ mseg/.

Marathon Garden Club to host pollinator census class

On Friday, Aug. 22 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Liah Continentino from UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County and master gardener Barbara Martinkosky will present the Great Florida Pollinator Census class and count at the Marathon Garden Club. The census is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia and conducted across Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Florida on Aug. 22 and 23 to take stock of pollinators in local gardens. The project is designed for everyone to participate and make a difference for pollinator conservation – learn to identify major pollinators, get tips on planting a pollinator garden and contribute as a citizen scientist to the regional study. To RSVP, scan the QR code:

Man cited for possessing eel

Monroe County Sheriff’s marine deputy Nelson Sanchez responded to the Tavernier Creek Bridge just before 8 a.m. on Aug. 9 regarding a person bit by an eel. The man was not seriously injured. The angler with him, Rider Rojas, 66, of Miami, was in possession of the eel. He was issued a mandatory notice to appear in court for keeping marine life without a circulating live well. Both men were also warned they were fishing in a marked no-trespassing area.

No sales tax in August on school supplies

Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is giving families a month of savings on essential supplies for the classroom. Through Aug. 31, school supplies costing less than $50 are tax-exempt. Also, clothing, footwear and apparel priced $100 or less and learning aids $30 or less are exempt from sales tax. As for personal computers and accessories, items priced less than $1,500 are tax-exempt. More information is at floridarevenue.com/ backtoschool.

97 Coral Ln, Key Colony Beach

$985,000 | 2BD/2BA | 1,290 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

30319 Falcon Ln, Big Pine Key

$1,147,300 | 2BD/2 5BA | 1,840 SqFt

Walter Ceballos (305)562-0819

201 E Ocean Dr 110, Key Colony

$545,000 | 2BD/2BA | 994 SqFt Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

33 Kyle Way, Marathon

$2,495,000 | 2 BD | 2 BA | 1,480 SqFt Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

22988 Port Royal Ln, Cudjoe Key

$825,000 | 3BD/2BA | 1,122 SqFt

Walter Ceballos (305)562-0819

501 11th St, Key Colony

$1,795,000 | 3BD/2BA | 1,776 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

160 1st St, Key Colony Beach

$3,870,000 | 3 BD | 3 5 BA | 3,616 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

130 Coco Plum Dr 402, Marathon

$735,000 | 2BD/2BA | 1,365 SqFt Darlene Alferes (305)407-6925

2010 Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon

$4,175,000 | 4BD/4BA | 3,458 SqFt The Owen Lucas Team (305)393-0559

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

A zoo in northern Denmark has made an unsettling request of pet owners in Aalborg, the Associated Press reported. In a July 31 Facebook post, the zoo suggested, “If you have an animal that has to leave here for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us.” Not for a domestic pet display, mind you. The zoo is planning to “gently euthanize” the donated animals and feed them to its predators. Zoo officials said they’re trying to mimic the natural food chain, calling out specifically guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as preferred donations. “That way, nothing goes to waste — and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition and well-being of our predators,” the post read.

Adam Dailies

In The Bleachers

Brevity

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Doc Holliday (1851-1887), gambler; David Crosby (1941-2023), singer-songwriter; Steve Martin (1945- ), actor/writer/musician; Danielle Steel (1947- ), novelist; Gary Larson (1950- ), cartoonist; James Horner (1953-2015), composer; Rusty Wallace (1956- ), race car driver; Earvin “Magic” Johnson (1959- ), basketball player/ businessman; Halle Berry (1966- ), actress; Mila Kunis (1983- ), actress; Tim Tebow (1987- ), athlete/sportscaster.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, guaranteeing income for retirees and the unemployed.

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s unconditional surrender and the end of World War II.

In 2003, 50 million people in the northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada, lost power in one of the largest blackouts in history.

Brevity

Nancy Dailies

Founded by Betty Debnam

At the Museum

Whether with your family or on a school field trip, you probably have visited a museum. These destinations have so much to explore! This week, The Mini Page learns more about museums and how to make the most of your visits.

WHAT IS A MUSEUM?

There are many different kinds of museums. In general, a museum is a building where objects of lasting interest or value are displayed.

“Museum” comes from the Latin word meaning “a place for the Muses, for the study of special arts and sciences.” The Muses were the nine Greek goddesses of the arts and sciences.

VISITING A MUSEUM

• Take it easy. Museum visiting is fun, but it can be tiring and overwhelming. Bite off a little bit at a time.

• Dress comfortably. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of standing and walking.

• Learn something about what you will see be-

fore you go. Read a book or guide.

• Stop at the information desk. Pick up a map and exhibit information. Also, find out where restrooms, restaurants, drinking fountains and museum shops are.

• Together with your family, decide what to see. Parents and kids each could choose a few things.

• Decide how long the visit should last. One expert thinks that a young kid’s visit should not be more than 30 minutes. Older kids might stay up to two hours.

• Plan a route. This way you can see the most in the least time.

• Give yourself many breaks. Stop for a snack, or go sit outside and talk about what you’ve just seen. Then go back in refreshed.

• Mix looking at museum displays with hands-on activities. Many museums have areas where visitors can touch certain exhibits.

Museums may also have special shows, workshops or storytelling times, along with interactive exhibits.

The greatest thing about museums is that they’re everywhere! You can find museums in the smallest of towns and the largest of cities — maybe even right around the corner from your home.

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

BREAKS, COURTEOUS, DISPLAY, EXPLORE, GALLERY, GUIDE, INTERACTIVE, MUSE, MUSEUM, OBJECTS, RULES, SELFIE, SMITHSONIAN, STORYTELLER, THOUGHTFUL, VALUE, VISIT, VOICE.

BE A THOUGHTFUL VISITOR

You can help make the museum trip a happy visit for other people, too. Here are some tips for being a courteous tourist.

• Don’t horse around or try to take selfies with the displays. Leave your phone in your pocket and give your attention to the exhibits.

• Pick up litter. Take care of the museum property.

• Keep your hands in your pockets or to yourself. Many areas of a museum will be strictly hands-off.

• Pay attention to the rules and listen to the directions given by museum and tour guides.

• Wait your turn in line patiently.

• Keep your voice down inside the museum and other public places.

• Thank the tour guides.

• Be courteous to tourists from other countries.

• Respect rules about using your cellphone.

TODAY’S QUOTE

On the Web:

• flickr.com/groups/smithy/

• si.edu/about/history

At the library:

• “Simone Visits the Museum” by Dr. Kelsi Bracmort

ECO NOTE

India’s Asiatic lion population has grown by more than a third in five years, reaching 891 animals, according to a new government census. Once widespread across the Middle East and India, the lions now exist only in Gujarat’s Gir forest, where decades of conservation work have helped the species recover from a low of only 20 individuals in 1913. Despite the success, conservationists warn that having all the lions in one location increases their vulnerability to disease, natural disasters and genetic inbreeding.

The Mini Page® © 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Mini Fact: The Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C., once held all the museum displays. Today it is the headquarters of the Smithsonian.

photo by

Richard Gillin

The Gallery of Maps is in the Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy. In 2023, more than 6.7 million people visited the Vatican

Warm Banana Dessert Topping

You’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut

What to do:

• 2 medium bananas, sliced

• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds (optional)

• Vanilla ice cream

1. Melt butter over medium heat in small pan. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Cook on medium to low heat briefly until well-blended.

2. Add coconut and sliced bananas. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until bananas are completely coated with sugar mixture.

3. Add sliced almonds if desired, then pour over vanilla ice cream. Makes 2 servings.

* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

George M. Cohan (1878-1942), songwriter/entertainer; Franz Kafka (1883-1924), author; Dave Ba y (1947- ), author/journalist; Montel Wi iams (1956- ), TV personality; Tom Cruise (1962- ), actor; Thomas Gibson (1962- ), actor; Yeardley Smith (1964- ), actre ; Co ie Nielsen (1965- ), actre ; Brian Cashman (1967- ), baseba execu ve; T mu Sela e (1970- ), hockey player; Patrick Wilson (1973- ), actor; Olivia Mu (1980- ), actre ; Chris Jones (1994- ), f tba player.

TODAY’S FACT

The New York mes reported in 1945 that an es mated 2 mi ion people fl ded New York City’s mes Square fo owing the a ouncement of the Japanese su ender in World War .

TODAY’S SPORTS

In 2007, Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox was ejected from his 132nd major league game, passing the record previously set by John McGraw. Cox retired in 2010 with 158 regular season and three postseason ejections in his career.

TODAY’S NUMBER

$47.5 million -- price paid by pop legend Michael Jackson when he purchased the company that owned the publishing rights to the majority of the Beatles’ catalog (251 compositions) on this day in 1985.

– Ken Follett, "Fall of Giants"

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Sundek of the Keys located at 616 East Avenue J, Grand Prairie, TX 75050, intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL.

By: Sundek National Accounts

Publish: August 14, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Lien Sale

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described as blow to enforce a lien imposed on said property under the Florida Self Storage Facilities Act Statues (section 83.801-83.809) The undersigned will sell online by competitive bidding on August 29th, 2025, at 10:30am.

446 - Jennifer Davis - Personal Property

OP1 - Holly Tracker-Personal Property

OP49, OP74 - Daniel AdlerPersonal Property

Will be auctioned online by Storage Treasures via website at storagetreasures.com. All purchased items are sold as is. Items are located at Big Pine Storage at 30677 Overseas Highway Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 and must be collected within 72 hours of auction.

Publish: August 14 & 21, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

UPPER KEYS PROBATE

DIVISION CASE NO.: 25-CP-000303-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF DONALD S. BRIGHT, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of DONALD S. BRIGHT, deceased, whose date of death was February 16, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION

OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: August 14, 2025.

Personal Representative: Patricia M. Bright 508 W. Wilson Creek Dr. Trent Woods, N.C. 28562

Attorney for Personal Representative: Victoria Miranda, Esq. Florida Bar No. #1015363 HERSHOFF, LUPINO & YAGEL, LLP 88539 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 VMiranda@hlylaw.com –Primary kvilchez@hlylaw.comSecondary Publish: August 14 & 21, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 25-CP-278-K IN RE: ESTATE OF CELESTE YSABEL RUSSELL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Celeste Ysabel Russell, deceased, whose date of death was April 6, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against

decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: August 14, 2025.

Personal Representative: Sonja Russell Gates 1213 14th Street, Lot 261

Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative: Gregory D. Davila, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 886998 Law Office of Gregory D. Davila, P.A. 1111 12th Street, Suite 411 Key West, Florida 33040

Telephone: (305) 293-8554

Fax: (305) 294-9913

E-Mail: E-Filing@ keywestlawoffice.com

Secondary E-Mail: gdavila@ keywestlawoffice.com

Publish: August 14 & 21, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCIIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY CASE NO: 2025-CA-877-P

JUDGE: JAMES MORGAN IN RE: FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS: A 2015 Gray Lexus RX350 SUV, VIN: 2T2ZK1BA7FC194338, FL Tag# NQUJ62, herein “Subject Vehicle” NOTICE OF ACTION

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects for a second round for only District II (from city limits of Key West to west end of Seven Mile Bridge) and District V (from Mile Marker 90.940 to the Dade/Monroe County Line and any portions of mainland Monroe County).

The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:

Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2025, and applications must be downloaded from the County’s Bonfire platform. For more information, please email maxine@fla-keys.com.

July 31 and August 7, 14 & 21, 2025. The Weekly Newspapers

TO: Antonio Alvarez, and ALL PARTIES HAVING OR CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN the Subject Vehicle. YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act has been filed by Richard A. Ramsay, Sheriff of Monroe County, on August 8, 2025, in Monroe County, Florida, and you are required to serve a copy of your answer asserting any affirmative defenses with the Clerk of this Court and Petitioner's attorney, CHRISTINA CORY, ESQ., at MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040, on or before 30 days after first publication; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.

Publish: August 14 & 21, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25-DR-805-M RICARDO HERRERA TORRES, Petitioner, and ADIANES GOMEZ, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: ADIANES GOMEZ RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Ricardo Herrera Torres, whose address is 240 Sombrero Beach Road, Apt. D8, Marathon, FL 33050 on or before September 7, 2025, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: July 29, 2025

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Leslie Rodriguez

Deputy Clerk

Publish: August 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS ALL YEARS! Junk or Used Cars, Vans, Trucks. Runs or Not.$CASH 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2003 Ford Explorer. 174k miles, runs greathave svc. records from 89k miles, A/C works. REDUCED to $3000OBO Bring an offer! Located in Marathon. Call Evan 305-417-0169 SOLD!!!

PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

BOATS FOR SALE

17' Montauk Whaler, 90hp Yamaha-50 hours only, GPS, Depth Finder, Radio, Aluminum Trailer, excellent condition. Located in Marathon. $11,000 OBO 305-849-5793 SOLD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!

PLACE YOUR BOAT FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

BOAT SLIP FOR RENT

Boat Dockage for rent in Marathon. Private bay bottom, up to 40' boat, self containing, offshore water, car & dingy parking space provided. 305-610-8002

PLACE YOUR BOAT SLIP FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITY

OPPORTUNITY

FOR SALE: Charter Boat Business & Equipment for sale. Located in Marathon, Florida. CALL 305-240-3270

EMPLOYMENT

Boat rental company in Marathon needs workers – Boat drivers, Truck drivers, Boat cleaners & Boat detailing. Call 305-481-7006

Night Monitor –FREE Private Room in exchange for overnight availability at our Assisted Living Facility. 5 nights on, 5 nights off 10pm-8am plus weekly stipend, Drug & background screen required. www.westcare. com/join-our-team/

Handyman needed for residence in Marathon. Call:305-395-0478 bbrayman@proton.me

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am-7pm daily. Full time/Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

PLACE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

UNFURNISHED 2/2 HOUSE FOR RENT ON CANAL, MM27, Ramrod Key, recently refurbished and painted, w/d, utilities paid by owner, $3000/ month, security negotiable, fenced yard, available now. Pete 786-649-9833 or pprm1119@aol.com

3BR/3BA fully furnished home for rent in Marathon. Available now. REDUCED to $3,300/mo. 618-559-9143

2BR/1BA house for rent in Marathon. Completely remodeled. All appliances. No pets. $2700/mo for 2+ ppl.$2,500/mo if less, incl. electric only. F/L/S Dock available for sep. fee. 305-610-8002

Studio House with Queen size bed available in Marathon. Bedroom/livingroom/ kitchen all sep rooms. Furnished & appliances, newly renovated. No pets. $1,299 + utilities F/L/S 305-610-8002

2BR/1BA with outdoor patio for rent in Marathon. $2,100/month F/L/S Taking applications. 305-849-5793 RENTED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!

Furnished Studio Apt. for rent in Marathon. 1 person only. No smoking. No pets. $1,100/ month incl. water and electric. 305-743-9876 RENTED IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!!

PLACE YOUR HOUSING FOR RENT AD HERE. $25/week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-417-0871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

HOUSING FOR RENT

RV FOR SALE

5th Wheel 27' Forest River Travel Trailer For Sale. Located in Key West. $9,500 OBO 305-848-7070

PLACE YOUR RV FOR SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

VACATION RENTAL

Key West House For Rent - 28 day minimum. Recently renovated. 2 Units: 3BR/3BA or 2BR/2.5BA. 1 block to Schooner Wharf @ Historic Seaport. Starting $214/ night. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com

YARD SALES

PLACE YOUR YARD SALE AD HERE. $25/ week for up to 5 lines of copy! Call 305-4170871 or email Anneke@ KeysWeekly.com

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Generation Department:

OPERATOR/MAINTAINER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $40.15/hr - $44.97/hr

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Engineering Department:

ELECTRICAL PROJECT ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $136,979/annually$140,815/annually

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

PART-TIME POSITION CODE

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Part-Time Code Enforcement O cer is responsible for enforcing municipal codes and ordinances related to property maintenance, zoning, signage, public nuisances, rentals, and other related regulations. The O cer seeks to obtain compliance with City codes through citations or warning notices while assuring due process to violators. This position involves conducting eld inspections, responding to complaints, and ensuring compliance to maintain the health, safety, and appearance of the community.

Salary: Competitive Salary

Quali cations: High school diplomas or equivalent and a valid Florida drivers license. Prior experience in code enforcement, law enforcement, or a related regulatory eld is desirable but not required. Ability to interpret and apply city codes, ordinances, and regulations; strong communication and con ict resolution skills; ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement; experience using computer software and applications; active position including standing/walking/bending/kneeling/crouching throughout the day in varying climate conditions.

Application forms can be found at www.keycolonybeach.net; see “I WANT TO” then “APPLY FOR A JOB.”

Equal Opportunity Employer

Submit resume and application by mail or in-person to: City of Key Colony Beach

Attn.: City Clerk

P.O. Box 510141

Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 Or email Cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net

SUNSET GRILLE NOW HIRING

NOW HIRING

GENERAL OFFICE HELP

Captain Pip’s & their sister properties are looking to hire for general of ce help. Send resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

CAPTAIN PIP’S IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO WORK, WE TREAT OUR EMPLOYEES GREAT. COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available.

Interior Designer

Apply knowledge & creative skills to projects at our high-end design center. Must possess history of achievement in quality projects and a strong sales background.

Warehouse Receiver

Responsible for receiving, inspecting, and processing incoming shipments in a timely and accurate manner. This role ensures that all materials and products are accounted for, properly labeled, and stored in the correct locations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and capable of working in a fast-paced environment.

Project Foreman

For complete details and to apply, please visit: DAsignSource.com/careers

wants you to join their team!

RETAIL GIFT SHOP ASSOCIATE

Full-time. $19/hour to start.

EMAIL resume to: TurtleHospital@TurtleHospital.org APPLY in person: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL

Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $19/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER is a fun, environmentally friendly non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation specializing in education, research, and rescue of marine mammals.

We have the following opening available. Scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE (Full-Time, Permanent)

EDUCATION PROGRAM HOST (Full-Time, Permanent)

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package. DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program. DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

COME JOIN THE FAMILY! Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

THE GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc. IS HIRING!

JOIN A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE NON-PROFIT HELPING PEOPLE COPE AND CHANGE FOR 52 YEARS!

We provide Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs to the Florida Keys community while valuing and rewarding our employees.

KEY LARGO

Behavioral Health Therapist (CAT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Children)

KEY WEST

Case Manager (Children, Adult) (FT) Prevention Specialist Advocate

MARATHON

Advocate Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver (CDL not required) (PT)

RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT,PT)

*Support Worker (Assisted Living) (PT)

*Behavioral Health Technicians – 3 shifts (FT,PT)

*Night Monitor (Assisted Living - Free Housing)

*No experience required for this position. Will train. A caring heart & helpful hands necessary.

Background and drug screen req. EEOC/DFWP COMPETITIVE PAY! EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS!!!

Apply at guidancecarecenter.org - Get Involved/ Join our team/Job Opportunities/location/zip

DUI FRONT DESK CLERK & EVALUATOR/INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate Program DUI school is hiring for part time positions.

Front desk: 3 days a week, high school diploma and computer data entry skills required.

DUI instructors and evaluators: 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-PA-C)Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier

- Medical Assistant, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, Upper Keys-Gastro, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, LPN, EMT or Paramedic, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

- Radiation Therapist, $12k Bonus

- Pool Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology, Per Diem

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (Mammo & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Emergency Department

- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department

- AC Mechanic-Licensed

- Manager Imaging Services

- Pool Medical Technologist

- Pool Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehab

- Patient Access Associate, $1k Bonus

- Patient Scheduler 2, Radiology, PT

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, CT Scan, $50k Bonus

- Patient Financial Associate, Patient Access, $1k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, ICU, $15k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, ICU, PT

- Registered Nurse, PACU, Per Diem

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, (CT & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Pool Pharmacy Tech 2

- Pool Occupational Therapist

- Registered Respiratory Therapist, PT, $12,500 Bonus

- Sr. Phlebotomist

- Security Officer, FT

- Patient Financial Associate, $1k Bonus

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department

- Inventory Control Administrator, Keys/Marathon Supply Chain

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 2, (MRI & X Ray), Radiology, $50k Bonus

- Patient Care Nurse Supervisor, PT, Nights

- Registered Nurse, Oncology, PT

- Registered Nurse, Surgery, $15k Bonus

FACILITY MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR – FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS.

40 hours per week at the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML), Layton, Florida.

KML supports research and academic programs conducted by universities/colleges throughout Florida, the US, and internationally. Duties include all facility maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment (e.g. janitorial, preventive, repair).

To apply for this opening visit: Careers@USF and search for Job ID 41130.

MARINA CASHIER

Looking for a friendly, dependable team member who can handle a busy retail environment with a great a itude. Customer service experience and willingness to learn our sales system is ideal. Duties include assisting customers, restocking, placing orders, and keeping the store clean and organized.

This is an hourly position with pay based on experience. Flexible hours with a consistent weekly schedule. Morning and a ernoon shi s available.

Please respond by email (Ma at islamarinama @gmail.com) with any relevant previous experience and at least two references.