KEYSStyle PEOPLE • EVENTS • FEATURES
RUSSO KEY WEST'S
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IMENT A RY
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ABOUT THE COVER
Edward Russo lives in Key West with his wife, Jennifer, and is an active supporter of environmental causes. He has served as an environmental consultant to Donald J. Trump and the Trump Organization for the past fifteen years. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Reef Relief, President of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition, and a member of the Monroe County Climate Change Advisory Committee.
Phone • 954-298-7429 Fax • 954-416-6144
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A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE CELEBRATING THE UNIQUE LIFESTYLE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS
CONTENTS | Photo by Rob O'Neal |
36 COVER STORY
ED RUSSO An Environmental Crusader
06 The Keys Link to
Lincoln's Assasination
15 Tavern N Town
Where The Locals Go
22 Get Cultured
This Edition: Florida Keys Sculpture Trail
30 Off The Beaten {LITERARY} Path 42 Keys Wide Event Calendar
| PUBLISHER Paul A. Clarin | ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Harlan Beagley | EDITOR Kay Harris | | CREATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIST Dannielle Larrabee | WRITERS Kay Harris, Mandy Miles | | PHOTOGRAPHERS Rob O'Neal | ADVERTISE 305.292.7777 sales@keysnews.com | FRONT COVER: Rob O'Neal | A Cooke Communications Florida LLC Publication
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A H I S T O R I C A L P E R S P E C T I V E // B Y K A Y H A R R I S
THE KEYS’ LINK TO
PHOTOS BY ROB O'NEAL
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ASSASSINATION 7
|
Hoping to disrupt the peace by eliminating members of the Executive Branch, while Booth was shooting Lincoln, Herold aided his escape and Lewis Powell was attempting to kill Secretary of State William Seward, who was wounded but survived. George Atzerodt was assigned to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson, but reportedly lost his nerve and got drunk instead. Booth was shot and killed when found by soldiers, and the three others, in addition to Mary Surratt, who owned a boarding house they frequented half an hour away from Mudd’s home, were tried in military court and hanged on July 7, 1865. Four others were convicted of aiding and abetting in the conspiracy, including Mudd, Michael O’Laughlin, Samuel Arnold and Edward Spangler, the only one of the three to receive a sentence of six years rather than life imprisonment.
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Today a | Right:
Leaping onto the stage following the fatal shot, Booth broke his leg and, requiring medical attention, traveled with co-conspirator David Herold to the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd in Maryland. Mudd set Booth’s leg and sent the two on their way, reporting the encounter the next day in town after hearing of the assassination. Unfortunately for Mudd, that encounter was enough to be tried as a conspirator.
n, Fort J
Less than a week after Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, helping to draw the War Between the States closer to its inevitable end, Pres. Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor, anti - abolitionist and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theater in Washington D.C.
estinatio tourist d tropical
APRIL 14, 1865
was a
It may be difficult to imagine this beautiful paradise as a military prison, but at the time, it was considered a hellish place, full of parasites, unrelenting heat and desperate conditions. The swarms of deadly disease-carrying aedes aegypti mosquitoes remain as prolific today as they were then, but it was these mosquitoes that brought death to the fort and ultimately, salvation to the conspirators.
Tortugas in the Dry efferson
Today, Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is considered a haven for snorkeling and swimming along the pristine beaches surrounded by clear, blue-green water, but in the 1860s, the fort was a working Union-held military outpost and a prison housing some of the most notorious men in history - the four Lincoln assassination conspirators.
prison |
Photo Contributed
ilitary ridden m isease d d n a s u malodoro
|
9
Pres. Johnson redirected the four from a prison in upstate New York to Ft. Jefferson in the Tortugas, perhaps due to the unsettled political climate of the time. Built in the mid-1800s on one of the numerous coral islands in the Tortugas, Ft. Jefferson was part of a chain of coastal forts that stretched from Maine to California, initially used as a defense post to protect shipping in the Gulf. As the Keys were claimed by the Union during the Civil War, the fort was ideal for helping to interrupt the South’s supply lines – and for housing military prisoners. In his first letter home to his beloved wife, Sarah Frances, or “Frank” as he called her, Mudd mentions the fear of illness, writing, “the only fear manifested is that disease may be propagated by the arrival of vessels and steamers from infected ports.” A few months later, Mudd wrote, “We have a disease here which is termed bone fever, or mild yellow fever, which has attacked at least three-fourths of the inmates… it lasts but two or three days; during the time, the patient imagines every bone will break from the enormous pain he suffers in his limbs. None has died with it.” Suffering from their treatment at the hands of the military stationed in charge of the garrison, often left in shackles for days at a time, deprived of anything but the most basic bread and coffee, the four men were housed together the entirety of their incarceration in less than ideal conditions, often sleeping in little more than mud and straw, and continuously exposed to noxious sewage fumes.
Mudd’s wife and others were anxiously attempting to petition the government for the release of the prisoners, as their trial and subsequent sentences were thought by many to be unlawful since they were tried in military rather than a civil court, and the guilt of the men was based on questionable testimony with the thinnest of ties to the actual assassination. In one of his letters to his wife in 1867, Mudd wrote, “The President does not feel warranted in the execution of his plainest duties under the Constitution without first consulting the mob spirit.” Their efforts were finally realized at the very end of Johnson’s term as president in 1869, but only after yellow fever overtook the island fort to the extent that the lone physician, the commanding officer and his family, and dozens of prisoners and guards all died from the disease, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. O’Laughlin also succumbed to the disease, and Mudd was pressed into service out of necessity to treat the afflicted, which included nearly everyone on the island at the time. Learning of the doctor’s assistance during the epidemic, the conditions that the men had been subjected to during their incarceration, and also apparently feeling that the end of the war had changed the public’s minds and hearts, Pres. Johnson pardoned the remaining three conspirators. KS
“WE HAVE A
DISEASE here which is termed bone fever, or mild
YELLOW FEVER” - Samuel Mudd
10 . KeysStyle .
|
Photo Contributed
| Above Left: Wanted poster for the capture of Lincoln assassination conspirators, illustrated with photographic prints of John H. Surratt, John Wilkes Booth, and David E. Herold | Above Top: Aerial image of Fort Jefferson which had no doors, cells, or bars. It was an open-air prison. No “cages�, just guards stationed everywhere to keep prisoners in their place | Bottom: In the former cell of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd and the other Lincoln assassination conspirators in Fort Jefferson, there is a memorial plaque in honor of its most famous inmate | 11
|
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MUDD’ S PARDON:
Feb. 8, 1869 Pres. Andrew Johnson
“AND WHEREAS, UPON OCCASION OF THE
PREVALENCE OF THE
YELLOW
FEVER AT THAT MILITARY STATION, AND THE DEATH BY THAT PESTILENCE OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE POST, THE
SAMUEL A. MUDD CURE OF THE SICK, SAID DEVOTED HIMSELF TO THE CARE AND
AND INTERPOSED HIS COURAGE AND
HIS SKILL TO PROTECT THE GARRISON,
OTHERWISE WITHOUT ADEQUATE
MEDICAL AID, FROM PERIL AND ALARM,
AND THUS, AS THE OFFICERS AND MEN UNITE IN SAVED MANY VALUABLE LIVES AND EARNED THE AND THE
TESTIFYING,
ADMIRATION
OF ALL GRATITUDE WHO OBSERVED OR EXPERIENCED HIS GENEROUS AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO
HUMANITY.”
Sources: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian website; Surratt House Museum website; “The Life of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd,” by Nettie Mudd, 1906. 13
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TAV E R N N T O W N | W H E R E T H E L O C A L S
BY
KAY
HARRIS
///
PHOTOS
BY
ROB
O’NEAL 15
| Previous Page: Pan roasted halibut, blue crab and yukon potato in a saffron mustard creme | Below: Denis Lebedev, director of restaurants |
A
mainstay on the dining scene in Key West for at least a decade, Tavern N Town at the Mariott Beachside is known fondly as the place where locals go. Featuring an inviting bar and large dining areas, customers love to watch the chefs in the open kitchen firing up the grill to create sumptuous entrees and delicious tapas night after night. Favorites include the prime rib, filet mignon, salmon, and the wide variety of pizzas, tapas, and other delightful dishes on the expansive menu. Chef Rodrigo Alvarez creates a fresh seafood dish every night, with an emphasis on “fresh,� and locals love the special attention and the special prices, with $19.95 entrees if seated by 6:30 p.m. nightly.
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| Above: Mike Gillis provides the soundtrack to a Friday night Happy Hour, another facet of Tavern-n-Town that locals love |
Denis Lebedev, director of restaurants, and the team of managers, waitresses, cooks, bartenders and front of the house staff all work together to ensure the success of the restaurant but Lebedev still has one primary goal in mindto be number one on Trip Advisor. “Right now, we are number four, but we’ll get there.” Starting in 2010 at Tavern N Town, Lebedev has worked every position, from busboy to bartender, so the ambitious manager knows how to provide the excellent customer service that keeps customers coming back. When a customer isn’t satisfied with any part of their dining experience, Lebedev said he or one of the other managers responds table-side to ensure “they leave happier.”
“We get to know our customers by name, by what food they like, and what they like to drink,” Lebedev said. “We treat everybody as family.” That statement was especially true during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, which turned the beachside resort into a makeshift shelter and home for several weeks for scores of first responders and local families. The restaurant and resort’s owners, the Spottswood family, has been a part of Key West for generations, and Lebedev said they were great during the storm, which kept he and the staff that stayed energized enough to provide
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breakfast and dinner daily for the locals and guests as best as they could with little to no running water. “We would serve breakfast and then go outside and help to cut down trees until it was time to serve dinner.” That team effort is the secret to the resort's and the restaurant’s success, Lebedev says, adding that many of the employees stay for years, which is unusual in the service industry in Key West. Customers, from the all - American breakfast buffet to the nightly early and late night diners, understand the convivial, neighborly feeling that a visit to Tavern N Town provides. Lebedev, an avid traveler, said he always eats where the locals eat when he travels, but said no matter where he goes, ➻
| Above: Alan Mirena prepares a chunky New York strip steak | | Right: Prime rib, a local favorite | 18 . KeysStyle .
“I always come back and realize how good we really are.” TAV E R N N T O W N Marriott Beachside Hotel 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd. (305) 296-8100 www.tavernntown.com
| Executive Sous Chef, Rodrigo Alvarez creates a fresh seafood dish nightly |
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CULTURED by M a n d y MI L ES | P h o t o s C ont rib u t ed
THIS EDITION:
FLORIDA
KEYS
sculpture trail
MONUMENTAL WORKS OF ART LINE THE FLORIDA KEYS. As if the blue-green vistas lining both
sides of U.S. 1 weren’t sufficiently captivating, the view throughout the Florida Keys is getting even more interesting – and artistic – thanks to a new public art project being installed in various locations between Islamorada and Key West. Once complete, the emerging Florida Keys Sculpture Trail will feature nine monumental works of art by seven established artists from The Art Students League of New York. Each artist participated in the league’s Models 2 Monuments public arts program that each year challenges artists to think big in terms of style, design, materials and statement.
| Opposite Page: "Wind Tower" is installed at Grimal Grove on Big Pine Key. The piece is a joint collaboration by all students in the 2016 Model 2 Monument program at the Art Students League of New York |Above Top: Leaves of Grass, by Markus Rudolph Holtby, is made of wood and steel and is on display in Marathon| Bottom: "Everyone Breaks" by Tanda Francis is a 10 foot tall, concrete-and-steel structure. The intentional cracks within the piece will be ‘healed’ by gold, in the manner of the Japanese technique called kintsugi. Installed in Islamorada | 23
| Contributed Photo |. 24 . KeysStyle
| Opposite Page: Aaron Bell's sculpture "Stand Tall, Stand Loud," is installed at Otherside Adventure Park, 59300 Overseas Hwy., Marathon | Below: A miniature version of the "Stand Tall, Stand Loud" sculpture |
“This year’s Models 2 Monuments sculptors explore the theme of ‘The Public Square’ and offer an interpretation of the ancient idea of the public square as a locus of communal themes and discourse,” New Yorker Michael D. Rips wrote about the installation when it was installed in a Manhattan park. The works spent last year on display in New York City’s Riverside Park, where they caught the attention, imagination and determination of Key West philanthropists John Padget and Jacob Dekker, who vowed to bring the sculptures to the Florida Keys when their run ended on that “other island.” And thus began a collaborative undertaking as large as the sculptures themselves among the Monroe County Commission, the Monroe County Art in Public Places committee, Florida Keys Council of the Arts, and a team of local public and private organizations. Liz Young, executive director of the arts council, along with Susann D’Antonio and Beth Kaminstein from the public art committee worked tirelessly to find public and private partners willing to host one of the works on property that ideally is situated close enough to U.S. 1 for the sculptures to be visible from the road. “Space is always an issue on the chain of islands, but the artwork is so outstanding, there were many eager hosts,” Young said, ticking off some of the “art stops” along the new Florida Keys Sculpture Trail. The trail begins or ends at Key West International Airport, depending on one’s starting point. The airport is now home to a giant steel bird and a metallic tree and park bench by artist Sheila Berger. An metal obelisk entitled ”Wind Tower” reaches skyward from the sandy soil at Grimal Grove, a historic stand of rare tropical fruit trees on Big Pine Key. Otherside Adventure Park on Grassy Key is home to another sculpture, while Islamorada Gardens will also house a sculpture. When the wind blows through an assortment of holes and slots in the windtower, the sculpture, which was a joint project by all participating artists, makes its own unique whistling sound. And though Hurricane Irma decimated the trees at Grimal Grove, along with most of Big Pine, the Wind Tower withstood the trials of tropical weather. “In fact, all the sculptures that had been installed before the storm came through the hurricane with flying colors,” Liz Young said, adding that three sculptures destined for Islamorada are still awaiting installation at their designated location. The final installations along the trail will be finished this month, Young said, adding that the project requires professional art installers, poured concrete slabs and firm anchors to ensure the sculptures survive any subsequent tropical weather events.
“Art belongs in our everyday environment where we can bump into it, where it can unexpectedly alter our day and our world.” A Q UOT E F RO M W W W. S C U L P T U R E K E Y W E S T. O RG
25
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P h o t o by Bri an BAS H AM
|
| Below/Opposite Page: Sheila Berger has two pieces installed at Key West International Airport. Avis Gloriae is a large metallic bird on a platform and “Nature Eternal” is a metal tree atop a park bench |
“Mr. Padget and Mr. Dekker generously paid for the disassembly, transportation and installation of the works locally, but the venues that are hosting the works have to create the concrete pathways leading up the sculptures to make them accessible,” Young said. “We’re really excited because one of the artists, James Emerson, wants to come to Islamorada [this month] to host a series of artist workshops and discussions.” She added that Emerson’s sculpture “Bridge” is a pyramid-shaped piece that was created in the style of the Sistene Chapel to ensure proper perspective when one stands in the middle of the artwork and looks straight up. In addition to Emerson and Berger, the featured artists include: Aaron Bell, Tanda Francis, Markus Rudolph Holtby, Sarah Thompson Moore and Shiho Sato. Their sculptures reflect the bold statements and diverse perspectives of the artists - and of their new home within the Florida Keys community.
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Photo Contributed
So the next time you’re driving up or down the Florida Keys, tear your gaze from the bluegreen water long enough to admire the other spectacular views. KS
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And grow it will. Young and her team already are encouraging Keys-based artists to think just as big and add their artwork to the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail. A statement describing Key West’s own former outdoor sculpture show, Sculpture Key West, accurately describes today’s emerging trail and the views of the people who created, curated, funded, installed and hosted it: “Art belongs in our everyday environment where we can bump into it, where it can unexpectedly alter our day and our world.”
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The works beckon from their enticing vantage points on the island chain that bisects the bluegreen intersection of Gulf and Atlantic, inspiring artists to recognize, interpret and illustrate the region’s most striking elements. “Providing a permanent home for these sculptures from artists at the Art Students League is a real thrill,” Padget said. “We hope future ASLNY artists will view eventual permanent placement of their work along the Florida Keys Sculpture Trail as an attractive opportunity, and that local artists will be stimulated to submit their work as the trail grows.”
27
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OFF THE
BY KAY HARRIS
BEATEN PATH {LITERARY}
FOR AVID BOOK LOVERS, occasional
readers or those who simply pick up a book as a beach read on vacation, a handful of novels provide the most excellent depictions of what Key West is “really” like. ➻
30 . KeysStyle .
From the sobering account of the weatherbeaten, economically downtrodden fisherman turned smuggler of Ernest Hemingway’s “To Have and Have Not,” to the humorous take on a real crime story, with a woman charged after getting into an accident while shaving her nether regions while driving, as depicted in Carl Hiaasen’s “Razor Girl,” well, these descriptions and depictions are all accurate ones of the crazy, quirky Keys. People born in the Keys rarely leave, and frequently return when they do, and those
{
“TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT” BY ERNEST HEMINGWAY PUBLISHED IN 1937
who move to the Keys, especially Key West, are a unique breed. Often either hiding or healing from their “real” lives on the mainland, escape means time out on the water, time out in a bar, time out in a menial job or a series of them to eke out a living, time out to create and nurture their inner artist or writer, or time out to just … be.
has lived in or at least spent a great deal of time in Key West. The authenticity of their experiences truly shines through in their writing.
While the city and the Keys in general have harbored numerous renowned writers, and still do, the following novels are the best in portraying the individuals who call the Yes, there are a ton of fictional novels set in islands home through characters that are the Keys, but all too often, they use Key West flawed, humorous, tragic, and ultimately as a backdrop to a story that could happen very, very “Keys’y.” anywhere. You can tell when an author
{
Written in the time between the Great Depression and World War II, “To Have and Have Not” is as chillingly reflective of Key West today as it was in the 1930s. The “haves” in their tidy yachts, worried about the stock market and their investments while being luxuriously bored, their wives worried about their looks and being set aside for a younger version, while in the next boat, a man who is trying to eke out a living is instead dying. Slowly. For all its quirky, entertaining charm, Key West still harbors a number of individuals who live on the fringes of society, doing the best they can the only way they know how to survive. Smuggling humans, be they Cuban, Haitian or Dominican check. Smuggling drugs - check. Living in poverty despite working long, hard hours- check. It’s the eternal dichotomy that is Key West - the contrast between the wealthy first or second homeowners, winter residents, and Conch-elite landowners against the backdrop of fishing guides, waitresses, retail workers and handymen who can’t afford the high rents but soldier on to protect their own slice of paradise. Hemingway, one of Key West’s most famous residents, was one of the “haves” but deftly managed to portray the “have nots” in a sad but compelling manner to create an eternal masterpiece.
{
“RAZOR GIRL” BY CARL HIAASEN PUBLISHED IN 2016
{
An unapologetic Floridian by birth, Carl Hiaasen understands the Keys and delights in using real life events to inspire his works of fiction. Although he has written several novels set in and around Key West, “Razor Girl” is a favorite- as entertaining and implausible as the crime report that inspired it. In real life, a woman was charged after causing an accident because she was driving while her exhusband assisted by holding the wheel as she tended to her bikini region in preparation for a date with her boyfriend. All true. Hiaasen turns the incident into the beginning of a mistaken identity kidnapping, which in turn leads to a disappearance, a rift on reality shows, a swipe at politics through a death, and a romp through Key West and its various hotspots with a wide variety of characters that may seem implausible, but if you know Key West, you’ve probably met them. 31
O F F T H E B E AT E N
LITERARY
{
PAT H { c o n t i n u e d }
“NINETY-TWO IN THE SHADE” BY THOMAS MCGUANE PUBLISHED IN 1973
{
Everyone loves to talk about how things were “back in the day” but McGuane lived in Key West “back in the day” and is able to reflect the accurate, not the romanticized, version that comes with hindsight blurred by years in his novel, “Ninety-Two in the Shade.” Totally a man’s man type of writer very much in the Hemingway tradition, McGuane can take a day on the water fishing and make it exciting and interesting, even for non-fishermen. Back in the ‘70s, Key West was a haven for those who were burned out, looking for a place to go and something they could earn a living doing. For protagonist Tom Skelton, that means finding his way to the island to become a fishing guide and essentially, a reason to keep on going. The other guides don’t exactly welcome him, the island isn’t all that friendly, and a variety of problems dog his every step, but through Skelton’s troubles, McGuane manages to capture the essence of the Southernmost City at its storied peak.
32 . KeysStyle .
➻
O F F T H E B E AT E N
LITERARY
{
PAT H { c o n t i n u e d }
“BONE ISLAND MAMBO” BY TOM CORCORAN PUBLISHED IN 2001
{
The third in Tom Corcoran’s Alex Rutledge mystery series, “Bone Island Mambo” gives readers familiar with Key West a murder mystery thriller set against very familiar haunts. Rutledge is a freelance photographer who takes photos for anyone who hires him, including of crime scenes, yet he somehow ends up investigating murders. Although other authors have created similar book series set in the Keys, Corcoran’s stand out for their freshness and the author’s ability to weave real places with fictional characters that seem authentic. He is able to capture the flavor of the city, not just name places in it. Each of the seven novels in the series includes new and interesting takes on Key West, but “Bone Island Mambo” does it the best.
{
“A CALCULATED CONSPIRACY: A WILL AND BETSY BLACK ADVENTURE” BY DAVID AND NANCY BECKWITH PUBLISHED IN 2010
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There are now five novels in the Will and Betsy Black Adventure series, with the second being “A Calculated Conspiracy,” a fictionalized account of the real - life Cay Clubs luxury resort investment scheme, with prosecutors likening it to a Ponzi scheme and sending a number of the company’s executives to jail. In real life, the Beckwiths kept hearing about this new resort company that wanted to transform the Keys with their resorts, all the while promising astronomical profits and selling the impossible dream. When it all began to unravel, the couple knew they had excellent fodder for another novel, where the Blacks find themselves involved in exposing a fictional financial scheme amidst murders, hit men, drug cartels and more. Again capturing the true essence of the Florida Keys is not easy, but when you live and breathe the lifestyle and the culture, writing about the people you meet and the places you go becomes a work of love and not a contrived chore. KS Note: David Beckwith also happens to be The Citizen’s book reviewer extraordinaire.
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ED RUSSO:
36 . KeysStyle .
by Kay H ARRIS
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Photos by Rob O'NEAL
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An
ENVIRONMENTAL
CRUSADER A
career in politics with an interest in environmental land use brought Ed Russo on a collision course with now-President Donald Trump, while a desire to live in a beautiful, relaxed setting brought him on a much smoother collision course with the Florida Keys. Russo is still happily living in Key West, and still, remarkably, acting as Trump’s “one and only environmental consultant,” as he has for 17 years. 37
He caused a bit of an uproar when he published “Donald J. Trump: An Environmental Hero,� in 2016. At the time, his friend was merely a nominee for the highest office in the land. Of course, Trump won the seat and Russo won the dubious honor of becoming a quasiofficial spokesman, taking on those bent on portraying Trump as anti-science, antienvironment, and a climate change denier. But regardless of your feelings about the President, Russo walks the walk of an environmental champion.
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AN E NVIRONMENTAL CRUS AD ER
| Opposite Page: Ed Russo at his Key West home. Russo is the author of “Donald Trump, Environmental Hero.” |
“Our environmental condition is worse than anybody knows. It will take hard work and it will be expensive, so it’s unfortunately easier to have a seminar on global warming than actually do something. But we need people doing, not talking.” - Ed R u s s o -
I
n August 2017, a few weeks before Hurricane Irma ravaged the Florida Keys, Hurricane Harvey deluged the east Texas coast, drowning entire towns and knocking out water supplies across the region.
Heeding a call from his contacts in the White House – we’ll get to that in a moment – Ed Russo left his own home in the Keys to organize relief efforts in Port Arthur, bringing fresh water to the residents via a new technology out of Israel. Earlier in the year, Russo traveled to Israel for his first glimpse at the machines that can create water from condensation in the air. For 15 days, he and the Israelis, along with other volunteers, made thousands of gallons of potable drinking water in Texas for those in need. While he was in Israel, Irma hit the Keys, and within hours, the group was asked to relocate to North Miami, so two Winnebagos filled with the volunteers and five semi-tractor trailers loaded with equipment drove 1,400 miles through the night to set up again, spending two weeks producing water for another hard-hit area. For Russo, it’s just one more chapter in his decadeslong crusade to save the environment. “For me, the environment is a passion, but 20 years ago, I didn’t think I would still be doing this.” After all, he’s supposedly enjoying his retirement in the Keys, where he moved in 2000 following a successful career in New Jersey as a business-
owner and an elected official, serving on the township council in 1979 in Newark. “I had just been sworn in on Jan. 1, and on Jan. 17, the landfill blew up and was on fire.” Although he had no experience with landfills, he soon became an expert. “I didn’t know anything, so I started asking questions, and I didn’t like what I heard.” The landfill was improperly operated and was polluting area wells and streams. Fighting “the powers that be” for two years, the landfill was finally shut down on Sept. 8, 1981 by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and cleaned up by the Superfund. However, the fire ignited a spark in Russo, and he found himself becoming a champion of the environment and specifically, water quality. Skipping ahead a few years, Russo started his own company specializing in water recycling equipment in 1997 and “retired” to Port St. Lucie, Florida. After a visit to Key West in 1999 during Bike Week – “I loved it!” – he moved to Cudjoe Key for several years before moving to Key West in 2010. “I love the relaxed setting, I love the people, and what better place to be if you love the environment.” It was in the late 1990s, living on John DeLorean’s estate in Bedminster, N.J., that Russo had his first and fateful encounter with thenbusinessman Donald Trump. Fearing just the kind of development that Trump would bring if he was able to buy the farm, which was in bankruptcy at
39
the time, DeLorean and Russo were able to help township officials pass an extremely stringent golf course ordinance that, in Russo’s words, “would make it difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to comply with.” When Trump finally did buy the land for a golf course, he found Russo’s words to be very true, so he did the only sensible thing Trump hired him.
Russo said what followed was a complete change of focus in the environmental community from action to an atmosphere of “seminars about global warming, but no actual work.” He says this has led to a new generation of non-environmentalism as the thought now is that there is nothing that can be done, so why try? “Environmental organizations abandoned their work and
Thus started a relationship 17 years ago that continues today, with Russo serving as a consultant and bending the President’s ear on the environment every chance he gets. It’s also a stormy relationship, as both men like to get their own way. Read Russo’s book, and you’ll get an idea of the back and forth between the two, and the reasons he touts Trump as an environmental hero.
His advice is to get involved to clean up toxins and toxic waste dumps, and remember that it’s the pollution in our water, air and earth that is harming our environment. “Our environmental condition is worse than anybody knows. It will take hard work and it will be expensive, so it’s unfortunately easier to have a seminar on global warming than actually do something. But we need people doing, not talking.”
But this is a story about Russo, who even in “retirement” has put his mark on his adopted community, being active with Reef Relief, the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition, the Monroe County Climate Change Advisory Committee and the Florida Keys Community College Foundation. And he is just as passionate today as he was back in 1979 when that landfill blew up. For years, he cleaned other landfills, took on polluted waterways, and was active in all the environmental movements of the time. “We had pretty much resolved acid rain and were doing good, working on ridding ourselves of our dependency on fossil fuels.” Earth Day movements were thriving across the country, and people were dedicated to cleaning and protecting the environment. But then the worst thing that could happen at the worst possible time happened when former Vice-President Al Gore released his movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” in 2006, which chronicled the dangers of global warming. “Its purpose was to encourage us to do good environmental work, but there were no instructions given at the end of the movie.”
groups and individuals dedicated to finding and ending polluters. Russo compares what is going on now with global warming to a sleight of hand, don’t look at the man behind the curtain “distraction. It’s a hoax designed to keep us from looking at the big companies who are continuing to pollute our planet.” Rather than take a defeatist attitude that nothing can be done, Russo says everything can be done. It just takes individuals willing to work for it.
Shaking his head over the absurdity of how successfully the climate change movement has damaged environmental movements, Russo says, “Seriously, why isn’t the new generation kicking me out?” Why indeed.
KS
it’s been extremely difficult to get the next generation interested.” So when Russo, and subsequently Trump, talk about “climate change” in a derogatory way, it’s not that they are anti-environment. On the contrary, they are anti-inactivity and the defeatist attitude that comes with thinking that it’s a global problem, not one that can be solved by individuals but solely by countries - false, false, false. Because, according to Russo, “It’s the pollution, stupid!” Rather than demonstrations and seminars, it’s local communities tackling pollution by
Opposite Page: Ed Russo is shown with Kevin Berges, Red Cross logistics coordinator, with one of the Water-Gen Machines they used to “create” water for residents of Port Arthur, Texas following Hurricane Harvey in August
EVENT CALENDAR KEYS WIDE
time filled with entertainment camaraderie and just good fun. Tastings, celebrity bartender competitions and more. Visit website for details. southernmostspiritsfest.com
FIVE TO TRY KEY WEST
DECEMBER 8 - 10
I LOVE STOCK ISLAND. Celebrate Stock Island’s culture and heritage with culinary offerings, wine and beer tastings, history and art studio tours, watersports, and live music.
MARATHON
JANUARY 15
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS: THROWBACK
This prize-winning Barbershop Quartet, led by Sean Devine, brings together an infectious energy with a love of yesterday’s music.
ISLAMORADA
JANUARY 19 - 20
CONCH SCRAMBLE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Floating greens, golf boats and biodegradable fish food balls highlight the annual “par-tee” on the water during the popular Conch Scramble charity golf tournament.
KEY LARGO
FEBRUARY 18
TASTE AROUND THE WORLD, KEYS STYLE Enjoy a culinary showcase of the following regions; the Americas, Asia/Middle East, Europe, Oceana, African and the Pacific. Chefs will choose which region to represent in the appetizer round, main entrée, or dessert round, or all three!
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KEY WEST
DECEMBER 1 - 31
DECEMBER 7
Each year a wide range of seasonal celebrations take place throughout Key West during the month of December. Events include the lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights, tours of historic decorated inns, a holiday parade and much more. www.keywestinns.com/ index.php/events/key-westholiday-fest
RICKIE LEE JONES
KEY WEST HOLIDAY FEST
DECEMBER 2 - 3
SOMO MARATHON & HALF MARATHON
This event is one of a kind! Imagine running through the southernmost island in the United States while enjoying a break from the ordinary. The Southernmost Marathon & Half promises just that- 26.2 or 13.1 miles of ocean and gulf views, as well as iconic Key West landmarks. A full weekend of events including a 10k and 5k are planned. www.somokeywestmarathon. com/schedule
KEY WEST THEATER PRESENTS:
Two-time Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones exploded onto the pop scene in 1978 and has made a career of fearlessly experimenting with her sound and persona over 15 critically acclaimed albums. A cultural phenomenon, Rolling Stone magazine put her on its cover twice in two years, and Saturday Night Live gave her an unprecedented three songs for her second appearance. Doors open 7 p.m., show starts 8 p.m. at Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St. www.thekeywesttheater.com
DECEMBER 8 - 10 INAUGURAL SOUTHERNMOST SPIRITS FESTIVAL
Enjoy what organizers expect to be the cocktail, culinary and cultural extravaganza celebrated annually each fall in Key West Florida. Appealing to industry insiders, consumer cocktail and culinary lovers alike, the event is to encompass product innovation, education, and of course, a good
DECEMBER 8
KEY WEST THEATER PRESENTS:
JJ GRAY
Over the course of six albums and a decade of touring, JJ Grey’s grimy blend of front porch soul and down-home storytelling has taken him around the world and back again. Beating the streets on nearly every continent, he and his band Mofro have sewn a continuous thread of laying-it-onthe-line shows that move folks to dance and at times to tears. Show starts 8 p.m. www.thekeywesttheater.com
DECEMBER 8 - 10
INAUGURAL KEY WEST GRAND PRIX OF THE SEA Experience non-stop racing action as Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki personal watercraft racers take to the water averaging 75 mph. This race is the final round in 2017 and serves as the overall championship for the PRO Enduro and International Amatuer Championship. Jetcross Jet Ski stand up races will also be a part of this family friendly event free to the public. www.p1aquax.com
DECEMBER 8 - 10
I LOVE STOCK ISLAND
Celebrate Stock Island’s culture
and heritage with culinary offerings featuring fresh-off-the-boat seafood, wine and beer tastings, history and art studio tours, watersports, live music and other elements that showcase the eclectic island and its working waterfront. Highlights include a lighted boat parade from Stock Island Marina Village; festival at the park with a free concert; kid’s activities & Little Mr. & Miss contest; a new Stock Island Seamanship Olympics; Discovery Stock Island trolly tours; food events; art studio tours; bike rides and more. www.ilovestockisland.org
DECEMBER 9
FOURTH ANNUAL PARADE OF PAWS AND HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Holiday Bazaar inside the dog park features entertainment, food vendors, photos with Santa, gifts for that special person on your list and more! A unique opportunity to support the lifesaving mission caring for the Keys’ community’s homeless animals, the event supports the Florida Keys SPCA. Check in is 9 a.m. Event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Higgs Beach, at the Higgs Dog Park. Bring fourlegged friends.
305.294-4857
www.fkspca.org/ calendar-of-events
KEY WEST
DECEMBER 9
SCHOONER WHARF BAR ANNUAL LIGHTED BOAT PARADE
Lighted and decorated vessels from rowboats to tall ships proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. Parade is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport.
305.292.3302
www.schoonerwharf.com
DECEMBER 9
KEY WEST TRIATHLON AND EXPO
The Key West Triathlon and Expo expects to host a maximum of
1,000 participants and some of the sport’s best known triathletes; TRIKW allows you to bask in the warm weather and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean while the rest of the country is experiencing winter. Olympic and Sprint distances. www.trikw.com
DECEMBER 14 JANUARY 6
WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS:
INSPECTING CAROL
Grab a large helping of holiday cheer with this hilarious, madcap comedy! It’s a cross between A Christmas Carol and Noises Off. Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre’s annual slapdash production of A Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish (Feliz Navidad), and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. This laugh out loud spoof makes for a night at the theatre that is anything but show business as usual. “Inspecting Carol” is a delightful mix of “A Christmas Carol,” “Noises Off,” “Waiting for Guffman.” www.waterfrontplayhouse.org
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOE DROP CELEBRATION
The Southernmost City celebrates with a descending 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St. Seconds before midnight, the high heel bearing a lavishly gowned and coiffed Sushi is to be lowered from the second-story balcony of the complex toward the cheering crowds below. As midnight strikes and the New Year officially begins, she will land and gleefully pop the cork on a ceremonial bottle of champagne. www.bourbonstpub.com
JANUARY 8
KEY WEST THEATER PRESENTS:
THE ZOMBIES
Now in their 54th year and cited as being one of the most influential UK pop/rock bands of all time, a mid’60s rock group who wrote gorgeous melodies. Dominated by Colin Blunstone’s breathy vocals, choral backup harmonies, and Rod Argent’s shining jazz- and classical-influenced organ and piano, the band sounded utterly unique for their era. To this day, they’re known primarily for their three big hit singles, “She’s Not There”, “Tell Her No”, and “Time of the Season”, however they have released multiple albums in recent years, both in the studio and live. Show starts 8 p.m. www.thekeywesttheater.com
JANUARY 11-14
KINGFISH MAYHEM
Big fish, big money! Come fish for some of the largest kingfish in Florida Keys waters in this new tournament. Fishing headquartered at Stock Island Marina. First prize DECEMBER 21 - 31 could earn $15,000 cash, based on a FRINGE THEATER PRESENTS: 50-boat field. AN EVENING WITH www.meatmayhem LILLIAN BAXTER- ALL NEW! tournamentsfl.com Back by popular demand! John Vessels and Jay Schwandt bring JANUARY 13 - 14 Lillian Baxter back to Key West in this all-new “one woman” show. 13TH ANNUAL FLORIDA Lillian Baxter is sweet, funny, and KEYS SEAFOOD FESTIVAL capable of knocking your socks off A family-friendly event with local when she belts out a song! Cabaret fresh Keys seafood, drinks, marinecomedy with beautiful renditions of related crafts, youth activities, and the American songbook. Enjoy an live music. $5 admission per person; upbeat show about life just left of the hours open from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. spotlight. Limited Seating. Shows on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 12/21-24, 12/26-31 at Little Room Sunday, at Bayview Park, Truman Jazz Club. 821 Duval Street. House Avenue and Jose Marti Drive. floridakeysseafoodfestival.com opens at 6 p.m. Show at 7 p.m. www.fringetheater.org
JANUARY 18 - 21
FRINGE THEATER PRESENTS:
THE REGINA MONOLOGUES A STAGED READING Admired, vilified, de-humanized. Six women with one thing in common. Marriage to a man called Henry. This re-telling of the lives of the wives of King Henry VIII views history through a modern lense. Cleverly constructed. Skillfully arranged. Based on the lives of the wives of King Henry VIII! Limited Seating. Shows at 7 p.m., Parish Hall at St Paul’s Church. 401 Duval Street. www.fringetheater.org
JANUARY 22 - 29
KELLY MCGILLIS CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL
FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Women and girls from around the world are to meet on the playing field for hard-fought sporting action. Each year, nearly 30 teams from across the United States, Mexico, Central America, Sweden and India participate. www.iwffa.com
JANUARY 23 FEBRUARY 4
WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS:
1776, IN CONCERT
“1776” is the Tony Award winning musical which brings history to life as it dramatizes America’s contentious Founding Fathers. This Broadway musical takes audiences back to the long, hot Philadelphia summer of 1776 when John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia bid members of the Second Continental Congress to proclaim independence from the tyranny of British monarchy and adopt the United States Declaration of Independence. www.waterfrontplayhouse.org
JANUARY 24 - 28 KEY WEST FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Top chefs and restaurateurs display culinary creativity and the Keys’ indigenous cuisine in a flavorful schedule of events for food lovers. Highlights include the lively “Old Town Uncorked,” neighborhood wine strolls, food and wine pairings, intriguing seminars, winemaker dinner series and a grand tasting. keywestfoodandwinefestival.com 43
JANUARY 26 - 27
KEY WEST THEATER PRESENTS:
FEBRUARY 22 MARCH 10
Arlo Guthrie has been known to generations as a prolific songwriter, social commentator, master storyteller, actor and activist. Born in Coney Island, New York in 1947, Arlo is the eldest son of Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company and founder of The Committee to Combat Huntington’s Disease, and America’s most beloved singer/ writer/philosopher/artist Woody Guthrie. Arlo has become an iconic figure in folk music in his own right with a distinguished and varied career spanning over fifty years. Show starts 8 p.m. each night. www.thekeywesttheater.com
Sesame Street meets The Exorcist in this outrageous comedy. Hand To God tells the story of an awkward Texas teen named Jason, who spends his afternoons at his local church, practicing for the Christian Puppet Ministry run by his widowed mother. All hell literally breaks loose, however, when Jason’s puppet Tyrone takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. Nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Play, Hand To God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind. www.waterfrontplayhouse.org
ARLO GUTHRIE
FEBRUARY 1-3 CUDA BOWL
Shallow water flats anglers and guides are invited to hook-up and fight their barracuda rivals. Event is to be headquartered at Hurricane Hole Marina, Stock Island. Prizes and trophies are to be awarded for top angler and guide in light tackle spin and fly divisions. www.cudabowl.com
WATERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS: HAND TO GOD
MARA THON
FEBRUARY 1
DECEMBER 10
LORRIE MORGAN
The Lighted Bike Ride helps to gather the needed toys for the struggling, working families of Marathon for the holidays. At the Holiday Helpers Store, eligible parents walk through the store, empowered by the ability to pick free, new toys their children will want instead of just allocating nonspecific toys to parents. The ride is a family event beginning with a registration/checkin at 6 p.m. with the Lighted Bike Ride beginning at 7 p.m. Families and individuals with lighted and decorated bikes ride through the streets for the community to see. Registration for the ride is one unwrapped toy for the Marathon Holiday Store.
KEY WEST THEATER PRESENTS:
She has sold over six million records and has had gold and platinum successes (including 14 top 10 hits, 12 recorded albums and four Female Vocalist of the Year awards). Her duet partners have included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and The Beach Boys. Show starts 8 p.m. www.thekeywesttheater.com
FEBRUARY 15 - 24
FRINGE THEATER PRESENTS:
THE GIN GAME, BY DL COBURN
Two feisty retirement community residents pass the time getting to know each other over a series of contentious card games. What’s revealed surprises them both! Winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize. Limited Seating. Shows 7p.m., 2/15-18, 2/21-24 at Parish Hall at St Paul’s Church. 401 Duval Street. www.fringetheater.org
44 . KeysStyle .
LIGHTED BIKE RIDE
305.809.5000
www.wesleyhouse.org
JANUARY 15
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
THROWBACK
This prize-winning Barbershop Quartet, led by Sean Devine, brings together an infectious energy with a love of yesterday’s music. Based in Florida, they have performed to
JANUARY 6 - 7
THE FLORIDA KEYS CELTIC FESTIVAL
Some of America’s most celebrated Celtic musical masters are to be featured at the Marathon Community Park, MM 49. The festival will also feature Irish and Scottish dancing, Highland athletics, Celtic merchandise, food and beverage booths and children’s activities. floridakeyscelticfestival.com great acclaim from Alaska to New York. show starts @ 7:30PM at the Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Road, Marathon, FL 33050 (MM50). Tickets available online. www.floridakeysconcerts.com
JANUARY 29
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
TRIO SOLISTI
Hailed as “the most exciting piano trio in America” by The New Yorker Magazine, Trio Solisti is comprised of three brilliant instrumentalists violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach and pianist Fabio Bidini. They have earned a reputation for soulful and passionate performances. Performance at 7:30 PM, at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd St., (MM53). Tickets to be available online. www.floridakeysconcerts.com
FEBRUARY 5
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
EVENING OF OPERA HIGHLIGHTS
Remarkable performers will bring you the best and most exciting music from the world of opera. Performances by So Young Park, Federico De Michelis, Cesar Canon. Show starts 7:30 PM, at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd St., (MM53). Tickets to be available online. www.floridakeysconcerts.com
FEBRUARY 17
SECOND ANNUAL ALR CORAL HEAD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nationally recognized bands are to perform as well as Keys favorites for an all-day music fest. ALL proceeds benefit charities, including Project: Vet Relief, Relay for Life and Wesley House Family Services. The oneday charity event is to be held at the Marathon Community Park Amphitheater, from noon to 11 p.m. Presented by American Legion Riders. www.coralheadmusicfest.com
FEBRUARY 19
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
ATTACCA QUARTET
This internationally acclaimed prize-winning New York-based string quartet has become one of America’s premier young performing ensembles. Show starts at 7:30 PM, at the Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Road, (MM50). Tickets to be available online. www.floridakeysconcerts.com
FEBRUARY 26
FLORIDA KEYS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:
FANDANGO
A toe-tapping spicy mix of Latin, Spanish, Sephardic, Balkan, and classical sounds played on flute, violin, guitar and cello. Founded by four multi-award-winning,
globe-trotting virtuosi who hail from Spain, Bosnia, UK and USA, they have played separately and together on the world’s most prestigious stages. Show starts 7:30 PM, at Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Road, (MM50). Tickets to be available online. www.floridakeysconcerts.com
MARCH 10-11
ORIGINAL MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
One of the middle Keys’ signature family events, delicacies from the waters of the Florida Keys highlight this annual munch-fest at Marathon Community Park, mile marker 49 oceanside. Sponsored by Organized Fishermen of Florida and Marathon Chamber of Commerce. Live music, vendor booths, sweets, treats and beverages make for a delectable weekend. An openair boat show is to be staged at entrance to the festival.
305.743.5417
www.marathonseafoodfestival.com
generation Bluegrass as well as some tasteful variations of the genre. Tickets to be available in advance online and at the gate. Monies raised help fund music, dance and art scholarships for local students. Other weekend musical activities are to be planned. Attendees can bring blankets and lawn chairs, but coolers are not permitted. Food and beverages available for purchase. www.baygrassbluegrass.com
JANUARY 13
35TH ANNUAL ART UNDER THE OAKS
Fine art & original crafts, a variety of entertainment, specialty food booths, children’s arts & crafts, as well as a raffle of items donated by the artists are part of the annual highlights. San Pedro Church Gardens, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Onsite parking is available for a $5 donation. Free parking is available at Coral Shores High School, with shuttle service to the event.
305.360.8556
www.sanpedroparish.org
ISLAMORADA V
Keys Gold Cup Championship series and typically draws a field of up to 30 boat teams of elite sport fishermen. Kickoff is 1/24 and fishing day is 1/25. A total cash payout for a full field at the IFC Sailfish Tournament could reach $30,000. theislamoradafishingclub.com
JANUARY 26 - 28
CHEECA LODGE PRESIDENTIAL SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
Anglers compete for beautiful trophies and prizes in one of the most prestigious offshore tournaments in the Florida Keys, and this year is the third and final leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship. www.cheeca.com
FEBRUARY 2 - 4
ISLAMORADA WOMEN’S SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
In this light-tackle challenge, awards await the grand champion team (boat), first runner-up and second runner-up team, captain and mate. Other awards are presented for the high-point angler, outstanding catch, largest tuna, dolphin and kingfish, most tagged sailfish and hard luck. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys.
305.240.9337
FEBRUARY 3 - 4 RESCHEDULED:
DECEMBER 13
OH FLORIDA: HOW AMERICA’S WEIRDEST STATE INFLUENCES THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WITH CRAIG PITTMAN
For lectures, doors open at 5 p.m., with lecture starting at 6 p.m. Cost is $25 for non-museum members, which includes museum admission, light appetizers and cash bar. Free for museum members. All lectures are at Keys History & Discovery Center, 82100 Overseas Highway, MM 82 in Islamorada, on the property of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost.
305.922.2237
www.keysdiscovery.com
JANUARY 12 - 14
SIXTH ANNUAL BAYGRASS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Featuring several great Oldgrass, Newgrass and a blend of next
JANUARY 19 - 20 RESCHEDULED:
CONCH SCRAMBLE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Floating greens, golf boats and biodegradable fish food balls highlight the annual “par-tee” on the water during the popular Conch Scramble charity golf tournament. Fans of golf and boating can expect to have a “hole” lot of fun honing their swings and raising money for charity one shot at a time. Up to 50 teams can enter this one-of-a-kind golf experience.
305.509.0315
www.conchscramble.com
JANUARY 24 - 25 IFC SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
Presented by the Islamorada Fishing Club, the event is the second leg this year of the three-pronged Florida
SECOND ANNUAL ISLAMORADA HALF MARATHON AND 10K
Join the Friday “Beer Mile” event, which is quite simple: 1 Mile and 4 Beers. Do you have what it takes? Saturday is the main event; there are to be cash prizes for the top 3 finishers for male/female in the half marathon and great awards for the top 3 finishers of the 10K. In addition, prizes for those who place top 3 in their age groups for both races. Register for all events online. Early-bird savings. www.islamoradahalfmarathon.com
MARCH 5- 8
JIM BOKOR’S ISLAMORADA ALL-TACKLE BONEFISH & REDFISH SHOOTOUT
of anglers. Divisions in the tournament’s new format include bait, artificial and fly. Awards also are to be given for total release points for each species and to the high-point angler for each day. An overall grand champion is to be named for both bonefish and redfish in the three categories.
305.587.1460
KEY LARGO DECEMBER 15
REEF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION PRESENTS: LIONFISH JEWELRY WORKSHOP
Want to learn abut lionfish while making jewelry? Enjoy a 7 p.m. lecture from REEF about the background of the invasion, biology/ ecology of lion fish, its impacts, current research findings, collecting tools and techniques and more. Jewelry created at the workshop will be ready to take home that evening. Fee is $30 per person, includes materials, food/beverages. www.reef.org
JANUARY 3
ORANGE BOWL SWIMMING CLASSIC
Some of the best college swimmers - and perhaps future Olympians in the country compete at Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker (MM) 99.6 oceanside, in a competition that is part of the celebration surrounding the annual Orange Bowl college football game in Miami. Spectators are invited to attend this free event and meet the swimmers and coaches. Warm-up is set for 10 a.m., meets are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. jacobsaquaticcenter.org ➻
Anglers vie for top-honor trophies for catches of bonefish and redfish in this newly formatted event, appealing to a broader spectrum
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KEY LARGO Serving Monroe, Dade, Broward and Lee Counties JANUARY 4-14
UNCORKED ... THE KEY LARGO AND ISLAMORADA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL The 10-day food, wine and spirits showcase features 30-plus savory events to please virtually every palate and budget, spread among numerous Upper Keys venues with fresh, locally sourced seafood and international-style dishes. The festival’s outdoor ‘A Grand Tasting,’ is set for Jan. 14. What better reason to ‘Uncork’ and unwind in the Florida Keys. For a complete events schedule, visit website.
305.522.1300
www.floridakeysuncorked.com keystropicalwindows@yahoo.com
525340 KS
Whether You Live Here All Year Long or Visiting for a Short Time, You Can Trust The Professionals At
T A O E N H ’S W SERVICE CENTER MV10170
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(305) 451-3500
JANUARY 19
KEY LARGO BREW ON THE BAY
Presented by the Rotary Club of Key Largo, this craft beer festival includes a home brew competition and a main event featuring more than 100 craft beers from around the world, showcased in an unlimited tasting with food, music and entertainment along the waterfront. www.keylargobrewonthebay.com
FEBRUARY 18
TASTE AROUND THE WORLD, KEYS STYLE
Enjoy a culinary showcase of the following regions; the Americas, Asia/Middle East, Europe, Oceana, African and the Pacific. Chefs will choose which region to represent in the appetizer round, main entrée, or dessert round, or all three! Discussions are being held with wine distributors for wine tastings specific to each region. There will be three planned cooking demonstrations to enhance the visitors overall food experience of a “world” class - family friendly - food event where their selective taste buds will choose and crown the next People’s Choice Award winner in each of the three categories. From 4-8 p.m. at Playa Largo Resort & Spa. http://www.vnahospicekeys.org/
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528187 KS
THE ULTIMATE SETTING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS!
The Best SUNSETS in Key Largo!
• Restaurant • Sports Bar • Pool & Cabanas • Tiki Bar ate Birthday Parties / Weddings / Engagements / Business Parties Celebr ing Jimmy Johnson’s Sports Bar with 4 bars and Featur 32 TV’s throughout their huge entertainment complex.
L IVE MUSIC 7 D AY S
A WEE K
ON & OFF S I CATERING TE
MM 104 Bayside, Key Largo 305.453.9066 •www.jjsbigchill.com 48 . KeysStyle .
500669 KS