Key West Weekly 24-0125 by Keys Weekly Newspapers

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One week left until all New Year resolutions fall apart.

January 25, 2024

PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS ARE HILARIOUS CATCH ‘POTUS’ AT RED BARN THEATRE | P. 6

NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

HOUSING AUTHORITY TO REPLACE LANG MILIAN APARTMENTS | P. 6

STOCK ISLAND SHOOTER TAKES 35-YEAR PLEA DEAL KEYS WEEKLY SPEAKS WITH VICTIM’S FAMILY | P. 4

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

ON THE COVER KEYS

NEWSPAPERS

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5 Key West, FL 33040 Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com Publisher / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Publishing Partner / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com Editor / Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Digital Editor / Gwen Filosa gwen@keysweekly.com Director of Sales Manuela Carrillo Mobley manuela@keysweekly.com Account Executive Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Kiara Bush kiara@overseasmediagroup.com Staff Writers Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Design / Pre-Press Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Diana Striker www.keysweekly.com Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844 Se habla español THE KEY WEST 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 Monday Noon Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

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The Florida Department of Education announced the state’s 2022–23 high school graduation rate was 88%. Monroe County Schools’ graduation rate of 89% during the 2022-23 year is up slightly from 88.2% the year before.

Political satire takes center stage at Red Barn Theatre Jan. 30 to Feb. 24, when the all-female cast presents ‘POTUS.’ Visit redbarntheatre,com and see page 6.

VICTIM’S FAMILY SAYS MURDER PLEA DEAL FAILS THEM Killer agreed to 35 years, but brother got life for attempted murder GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

wo brothers will serve decades in prison for the 2020 shooting murder of a local fisherman and the attempted murder of another that left him with injuries that required the amputation of his legs and an arm. Jose Manuel Clemente, 45, of Stock Island, was found face down and shot to death at a Stock Island boat yard off 5th Avenue on June 15, 2020, while Iliecer Noa was left nearby, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Nearly four years later, prosecutors closed the case with a plea deal that sends Jose Luis Espinosa Gomez, 38, to prison for up to 35 years. He must serve a minimum of 25 years. But the victim’s family said they were blindsided by the last-minute plea deal for Gomez and that it’s not what the top prosecutors promised. Gomez could have gotten life for the murder, but instead he could be out after serving a minimum of 25 years, the plea deal stipulates. “It’s never going to bring Jose home and they’ll never get what they really deserve,” Jackie Gonzalez, Clemente’s widow, told Keys Weekly. “But they just gave up. I’ve been through hell for four years to have them just throw it away.” On Jan. 16 at the Monroe County Courthouse, after a jury was selected and the family believed a trial was about to start, Gomez agreed to plead guilty to seconddegree murder and attempted

Jose Manuel Clemente was shot to death in 2020 at a Stock Island marina. CLEMENTE FAMILY/Contributed

Iliecer Noa survived a 2020 shooting but his legs and left arm were amputated due to his wounds.

murder. Gonzalez said prosecutors told her they couldn’t win at trial and that this was the best outcome they could hope for. Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield, who had been working the case, was prosecuting another murder trial on Jan. 16, so his office had other prosecutors handling the Gomez case at the time. Gonzalez said she was texting with Mansfield as the plea was going down and that he said that was not what he had instructed his staff to do in court. Jose Gomez’s younger brother, Mayque Gomez Marin, 34, was convicted at a previous trial of manslaughter and attempted murder for the shooting on June 15, 2020, at 5515 5th Ave. on Stock Island, near a spot known locally as “La Curva.” But unlike the man Clemente’s family said killed their loved one, his brother Mayque was sentenced

to life in prison – for the attempted murder of Noa – plus 35 years for manslaughter in connection with Clemente’s death. “Justice has been served in this tragic and complex case,” said Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward, in a statement. “The severity of the crime and its impact on the victims and the community have been at the forefront of our pursuit for justice. This sentence reflects our commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.” Prosecutors again said the murder was the result of an argument over a rental car. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office called it a targeted hit. “He was not a ‘target,’” Gonzalez said of her husband. “He showed up at the wrong time.” continued on page 9

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

NEIGHBORHOOD RENEWAL

POLITICAL SATIRE PUNCHES BACK AT RED BARN THEATRE

Key West Housing Authority to replace & expand Lang Milian Apts. MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

The Key West Housing Authority prepares to replace the aging Lang Milian Apartments, a public housing complex at White and Eaton streets, and build an additional 60 affordable units. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

t’s time. For 82 years, the 136 apartments in the Lang Milian public housing complex have housed thousands of Key West residents spanning four generations. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president when the first tenants moved in to the apartments at White and Eaton streets in 1942. The U.S. had just entered World War II and after the dire straits of the Great Depression, Key West once again swelled with sailors, soldiers, submariners, civilian staffers and, of course, tourists. But nothing lasts forever, and the boxy, concrete apartment buildings painted in Caribbean-style colors have been showing their age for decades. “The buildings on those 8.7 acres have absolutely reached the end of their useful life, so the plan is to rebuild the existing 136 units, plus an additional 60 apartments, which can be added to the property without any height variances or special density exemptions,” said Randy Sterling, executive director of the Key West Housing Authority, which manages a total 1,169 units of public housing and deed-restricted affordable housing in Key West.

“We really want to be good neighbors with this project. We got the property rezoned to allow for a density of 22 units per acre. We intentionally didn’t ask for the 40-units-per-acre density,” which would have been a possibility for affordable housing projects, Sterling said. The replacement and expansion will be a public-private partnership between the housing authority and a private group, he said, adding that negotiations are in progress with the top-ranked development firm. The $60 million to $70 million estimated price tag will be funded with federal tax credits and the sale of private activity bonds. “We’re hoping that we won’t need to request any funds from the land authority,” Sterling said. “HUD has been encouraging these public-private partnerships and they have pathways to encourage such partnerships.” The housing authority is working on a temporary relocation plan to ensure that all current residents have housing during construction. The federal housing & urban development department must approve that plan, Sterling said, adding that construction will take place in two phases, with the first 45 units located to the right of the property’s entrance being demolished first and replaced with 108 new units. The timeline for construction and completion is still up in the air, based on negotiations with the developers. But much of the early permitting and paperwork has been completed. The 136 units that are being replaced will still be classified as public housing in which residents pay 30% of their income as rent. But the additional, new 60 units will be designated as affordable workforce housing and available for working residents with low to moderate incomes. “We want to replicate this type of partnership and replacement program at our other public housing sites, and add additional units to each site,” Sterling said. “But we want to get this one done right first and make sure everyone is comfortable with it. Being a good neighbor is a top priority for us.”

An all-female cast tackles political satire in ‘POTUS,’ running at The Red Barn Theatre. CONTRIBUTED

‘POTUS’ combines ‘SNL’ & ‘Veep’ Jan. 30 to Feb. 24

t would be hard to deny that politics today has been distilled into a daily dose of farce. Turn on any TV news channel for five minutes, and it’s obvious. Things are out of control. So it makes sense that Selina Fillinger, one of the writers for Apple TV’s mega-hit, “The Morning Show” – a funny and caustic skewering of cable TV news -- would turn her eye and pen to the focus of a lot of that news: the Oval Office and the creatures who inhabit it. The result is the comedy “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive,” a cross between “Saturday Night Live” and “Veep.” Fillinger’s female-driven play will plunge the Red Barn Theatre stage into political chaos Jan. 30 through Feb. 24. The show will feature a Who’s Who of Key West’s top female actors, including George DiBraud, Jessica Miano Kruel, Susannah Wells, Lauren Thompson, Annie Miners, Lynne Casamayor and Fritzie Estimond. It will be directed by the Barn’s artistic director, Joy Hawkins. One of the cleverest conceits of the play is that the audience never sees the president, but only hears about the latest PR nightmare he’s managed to spin into a global crisis. And it’s up to the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most to risk their lives, liberty and sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. There’s the super-sophisticated first lady; the president’s sister, newly

released from prison and the White House’s unofficial drug dealer; a pushy White House correspondent pursuing an interview with FLOTUS; POTUS’ meek secretary, unable to cope with any of it; an outspoken, sexually liberated young woman from a farming community who shows up and happens to have a surprising (though predictable) connection to the president; and that’s just for starters. Add in a press secretary and a chief of staff, and the mix gets volatile. All these women are strong, opinionated characters, and Fillinger has them demonstrating that women in politics can be every bit as crass, brazen, bold and – yes – deviant as the men in the halls of power. They are competent women cleaning up after incompetent men. And the result is filled with witty zingers and good, offcolor fun – just what you’d expect from a writer of Fillinger’s abilities. One important caveat: Fillinger is not shy about using raw, crude language in her play. It’s salty, suggestive and may be offensive to some audience members. But if you’ve already heard it all, you should be fine. “POTUS” was written in the aftermath of the Trump years and reflects much of the chaos of that time. It was nominated in several categories in both the Drama League Awards and the Tony Awards in 2022. The Washington Post wrote, “The votes have been tabulated. POTUS … is a winner!” The New York Times called it “Gleeful … a rough and tumble feminist comedy.” Tickets for “POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive” are available at redbarntheatre.com or by calling 305-296-9911. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

continued from page 4

VICTIM’S FAMILY SAYS MURDER PLEA DEAL FAILS THEM Questions for the state attorney’s office about the plea and the family’s outrage weren’t answered this week. Ward said his office’s press release about the plea is “sufficient for comment at this time.” Ward’s statement ends with, “The state attorney’s office is dedicated to serving justice and expresses its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.” ‘I’m not going to let this rest’ Marin Gomez was arrested in December 2020 after authorities tracked him down in northern Mexico after a months-long search. Four months earlier, his brother was taken into custody after he was also caught in Mexico. Attorneys for the victims’ families went after the owners and operators of the property where the shooting took place and secured a $6 million settlement in January 2022. Of the settlement, $3.5 million went to Noa, who survived the shooting but lost his legs and left arm to surgeries; the rest was paid to the Clemente family. The Haggard Law Firm, of Coral Gables, sought a civil case over negligent security, wrongful death and personal injury claims. Lawyers said the property’s owner, the Bernstein Trust, and the trust’s longtime tenant Fishbusterz, agreed to tap their insurance to their limits to avoid a potential lawsuit and possible trial. But the settlement doesn’t equal courtroom justice for Clemente’s family, his widow said. The brothers’ cases were tried separately. Gonzalez spent four years focused on the murder case, which involved her traveling from her home in Jacksonville to Key West and sitting through one trial listening as the agonizing details of her husband’s last moments were repeated. “He’s never going to walk my daughter down the aisle,” Gonzalez said. “We’re never going to get that back.” Gonzalez said she will pursue complaints against the prosecutors with any legal action that is available. “I had so much respect for that office and I thought they were helping my family,” she said. “I’m not going to let this rest.” Gonzalez has relocated twice since her husband’s murder in 2020. “This was my home,” she said, of Key West. “I can’t be here because I get depressed. This can never be my home again.”

This giant queen palm fell on two tourists while they were poolside at a resort on Jan. 14. JEFF VANDERMEER via Facebook

HUGE PALM TREE TOPPLES ONTO HOTEL GUESTS Two tourists were hospitalized with injuries, police said GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

giant palm tree crashed down on tourists enjoying drinks poolside at a Key West hotel on Jan. 14., leaving a Massachusetts man with a broken leg and his wife bleeding from her forehead. Neal Michael Dougherty, 70, and Cheryl Rebecca Dougherty, 73, who were visiting from Hudson, Massachusetts, were taken to Lower Keys Medical Center and then to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for further treatment, according to the Key West police report. The bizarre incident immediately turned into an emergency, with guests pitching in to free the man pinned beneath the queen palm tree – which stood nearly three stories high – that had toppled onto him at the Marquesa Hotel, 600 Fleming St. The palm appeared to have been rotting near its base, police said. At about 5:30 p.m. that Sunday evening, police were called to the hotel. They found Key West Fire/ Rescue assisting the two injured people, along with the palm tree resting on the concrete pool deck, broken glass and broken chairs. A guest said he was sitting at a table with his wife and the Doughertys when he heard a cracking sound and saw the palm tree starting to fall. He pulled his wife away and “yelled for Neal and Cheryl to move out of the way,” police said. But there wasn’t enough time. The tree struck the table and landed on Neal’s legs.

Guests who were inside their rooms when the tree fell said they heard a loud crash. At the pool area, they saw a man stuck underneath the tree and his wife lying beside him bleeding from her head. Later at the Lower Keys Medical Center’s emergency room, Neal Dougherty told police the umbrella at their table was open and he was unable to see the tree falling. Cheryl Dougherty was struck across the forehead by a glass shard, police said. The palm tree “appeared to have rotted out from the inside,” Officer Scott Ham wrote in the report. “There were few roots at the base and the majority of the base appeared to be hollow,” he wrote. “There were spiderwebs attached from the fence and other foliage around the backside of the tree, ruling out any foul play of the tree being pushed over.” One Marquesa guest who jumped in to help the couple was Rebecca Renner, one of many acclaimed authors in town for the Key West Literary Seminar. This year’s theme was “Florida: The State We’re In,” with writers focusing on all aspects of the state, including the environment. “Terrible accident yesterday in Key West with huge palm tree falling on and injuring two people,” author Jeff VanderMeer wrote the night of the incident on his Facebook page, where he posted a photo of the downed palm tree. “Communal effort to lift tree off the husband’s broken legs,” VanderMeer wrote. “Wanted to say the writer Rebecca Renner held a towel to the head wound of the woman and comforted her and was just generally wonderful helping and knowing what to do.”

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

KEYS NATIVE ENTERS SCHOOL BOARD RACE

Zach Bentley challenges Yvette Mira-Talbott for Andy Griffiths’ seat

SUPERINTENDENT SEEKS 1-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

School board to consider Theresa Axford’s request on Jan. 30

Zach Bentley, seen here with his wife, Yamisel Bentley, daughter Layla and son Zach IV, is running for the Lower Keys seat on the Monroe County School Board that’s being vacated by Andy Griffiths. CONTRIBUTED

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

ey West native Zach Bentley wants to address the matter of affordable housing for teachers, and identifies that as a crucial issue as he seeks a seat on the Monroe County school board. As a father of two young children, Bentley said, he is “keenly aware of how important our children are to our community and our future. They are our greatest treasure.” Monroe County’s biggest challenge is to provide affordable housing to attract and retain quality teachers, said Bentley, who is running for the Lower Keys seat on the school board that’s being vacated by Andy Griffiths.. “I will work with our school board to address this Keyswide

issue. We have not adequately addressed the growing disparity of property values outpacing our teachers’ salaries. It is high time we take action that will show our educators who provide so much for our students how much we value their work.” Bentley, a third-generation Conch who graduated from Key West High School in 1997, has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. “After working for Boca Raton Marriott I moved back to Key West to become a light tackle fishing guide,” he said. “Since then, my work experience has also included real estate, P&C insurance and property management.” For a complete list of candidates and election information, visit keyselections.org or hometownkeywest.com.

he Florida Keys’ top schools official, Superintendent Theresa Axford, would like to spend one more year on the job, and is asking the elected school board members to approve a one-year contract extension with no pay raise.. The board will consider the request at its Jan. 30 meeting in Marathon, where it meets at 5 p.m. Axford has been with the school district for about 35 years. She was the longtime principal of Sugarloaf School, then Key West High School. She then worked as the district’s executive director of teaching and learning until July 2020, when the board appointed her superintendent in a tumultuous time. Her annual salary is $175,000, which would remain the same for her final year, according to her extension request. The pandemic was raging and Axford’s predecessor, superintendent Mark Porter, had decided not to renew his contract, and the district had just lost its longtime finance director. “My current contract finishes on July 31, 2024,” Axford told the Keys Weekly on Jan. 23. “My contract request reflects an extension of one year to allow me to spend one full budget cycle with our new executive director of finance who began work in January and to continue my work to improve working conditions for teachers and staff with salary increases and affordable housing. I am also very committed to seeing increases in student performance, which will be reflected after progress monitoring is complete in June. I am not requesting a salary increase.”

Monroe County school board members on Jan. 30 will consider a one-year contract extension for Superintendent of Schools Theresa Axford. CONTRIBUTE

Axford added that a school district year-in-review sort of progress report will be presented at the Jan. 30 meeting in Marathon. Whether or not they extend Axford’s contract, the board soon will have a decision to make for the long-term superintendent question: National search, internal promotion or national search and then an internal promotion. A year ago, at a January 2023 school board meeting, four public speakers — some representing the conservative political organization Moms for Liberty — urged the board to conduct a national search for the next superintendent. Christine Miller of Big Pine Key told the school board to hire a superintendent who “will bring prayer and God back to schools,” “post The 10 Commandments in every classroom,” “ban the LGBTQ agenda from all curricula” and still promote “the vision and values of our community.” Marathon resident John Strickland simply told the board, “I want you to perform a national search for the superintendent.” If Axford’s one-year extension passes at the Jan. meeting, the long-term decision will remain.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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Key West Wildlife Center board member Ellen Westbrook, right, leads Dan and Lynne Levinson, foreground, and Lynn Smith and Mile Roth, background, through the Key West Wildlife Center grounds evening during the Center’s ‘Raising the Roof … Building our Future’ capital campaign event. MICHAEL BLADES/Contributed

n Jan. 18, Key West Wildlife Center (KWWC) staff and board members welcomed guests who’d come to learn more about the organization’s “Raising the Roof: Building our Future” capital campaign, now underway to raise funds to replace its badly deteriorating clinic building and conduct significant refurbishing to its reconditioning aviary. The team at the KWWC has been rescuing and rehabilitating Key West and Lower Keys wildlife for more than 25 years, to the tune of more than 1,500 annually. Pelicans entangled in fishing lines, turtles in the wrong place at the wrong time, hurricane-battered hawks, disoriented bats, and a long list of others have been retrieved and treated at the wildlife center located within the 7-acre Indigenous Park property off of White Street near Atlantic Boulevard. As any Key West local knows, these guys come as soon as they’re called about an injured bird. According to board president Jennifer Lopes, the current building, a modular unit, has far exceeded its useful life. “The roof leaks, the exterior is crumbling, the interior

walls are weak and soft and the mechanical systems consistently fail,” she said. “Our reconditioning aviary has great structural bones but is suffering from years of humid, salt air and storms that have resulted in the need for extensive repairs and maintenance.” Lopes says the new clinic structure will be a hurricane-hardened modular clinic building and visitor welcome center with 25% more patient care space. It will also be elevated to meet newly established FEMA flood level guidelines. The KWWC is a nonprofit organization that provides 24/7 rescue services, along with medical and rehabilitation care from experienced personnel, associated veterinarians and volunteers. It is open to the public every day except Wednesday, with visiting hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center also works closely with other local and regional rescue groups to provide rehabilitation for non-avian species. Those interested in supporting the capital campaign or volunteering at the KWWC can call 305292-1008. More information is at keywestwildlifecenter.org. — Contributed

‘‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’’ − Romans 12:2 NKJV

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

Thousands gather in Key West for a second line memorial parade for Jimmy Buffett in September 2023. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

COUNTY CHARTER TALKS CONTINUE Commission meets Jan. 31 in Marathon

he Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 31 will hear an update on their plan to ask voters to switch the form of government across the Florida Keys to a charter system, which would allow them to create a new tax to fund the enormous costs of fixing bridges and raising roads across the island chain. The Jan. 31 meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center and via Zoom. County Attorney Bob Shillinger will ask commissioners whether they want to update the draft of the charter to include establishing a charter review commission, which in Florida is typically assigned to propose amendments or revisions to what’s essentially a county constitution. Any changes to the charter would still require voters’ approval via a referendum at a general election. In Florida, 17 of the 20 county charters provide for charter review commissions. The exceptions are the larger charter counties: Duval, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

In the Keys, none of the charters for the municipalities have the review commissions, but some, including Key West, have the option to convene a charter review commission. Another issue with the charter plan is whether county commissioners elected to succeed the current seated officials could meddle with the power previously given to city ordinances. Shillinger’s most recent memo to the BOCC says the current draft “preserves the priority of conflicting municipal ordinances over county ordinances.” It also says that any amendments would require a unanimous county commission vote to even place such a question on the ballot for voters to consider. At an October workshop, commissioners said they wanted to check with city leaders and residents to learn if the draft’s language sufficiently addressed any worries that a future county commission may want to amend the charter to preempt city ordinances, meaning the county would have the power to supersede municipalities. BOCC likes the sound of Buffett Highway County Mayor Holly Raschein wants the BOCC to support proposed state legislation to rename state road A1A the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.” Bills pending in the state legislature ask for the tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter, who found his musical voice in 1970s Key West, and went on to build a fortune with his Margaritaville brand. Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023, at 76 after a four-year struggle with a rare form of skin cancer. The idea of seeking federal approval to name the Key West International Airport after Buffett appears to have been scrapped in favor of the A1A christening.

It’s not an airport, but A1A is considered a Florida legend and national treasure, just like Buffett, who named one of his albums after the state road. The bill designates the entire stretch of A1A that runs along Florida’s entire eastern coast, touching 11 counties from Monroe through Nassau, and from Key West to Fernandina Beach. How slow should Tavernier Creek go? At the same meeting, county commissioners will also consider a proposal to expand the existing slow-speed minimum wake zone in Tavernier Creek, based on safety concerns raised by the Village of Islamorada. The existing wake zone covers 70% of Tavernier Creek. The village has asked the county to cover the remainder of the creek by extending the zone to include two blind bends and two blind corners. The county’s recent survey showed the navigable portion of the waterway in this area is about 100 feet wide. Challenging conditions at Tavernier Creek – swift currents, limited visibility and increased vessel traffic – indicate a potential safety hazard, county staff said. “We saw multiple kayaks, two boats fishing at anchor, a 50-foot charter vessel, and various pleasure craft in just a short transit of the creek,” said Brittany Burtner, Monroe County marine resources senior administrator. “The safety concerns are evident, and the village’s proposal aligns with the need for reduced vessel speed in this area.” The existing caution buoys marking the blind bends in the area emphasize the need for caution. The village’s request is grounded in safety considerations and aligns with the criteria outlined in Florida state regulations that cover bends or obstructions affecting visibility in narrow channels. If the BOCC directs staff to move forward, county staff will pursue permitting a zone to cover the remainder of the creek. It would require a local ordinance and a review by state officials. To read the BOCC agenda and watch the meeting live, visit the county’s website, www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

UTILITY OFFICIALS APPROVE PARKING LOT DEAL City of Key West will lease part of garage from Keys Energy Services

SHOWCASE SET FOR CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Applications now open for CFK Academy

CFK Academy students work in small groups with support from their English teacher, Christine Drewel. CONTRIBUTED

The city of Key West and Keys Energy Services are working out a lease agreement for shared use of the park-and-ride garage on Grinnell Street. CONTRIBUTED

he Utility Board on Jan. 17 authorized Keys Energy Services’ (KEYS) staff to finalize and approve a lease for the park-and-ride garage with the city of Key West. KEYS owns a parcel of land on the 300 block of Grinnell Street that was leased to the city to construct the park-and-ride facility. The original 30-year lease expired on Dec. 31, 2023. KEYS’ and city staff entered into negotiations to establish a new lease and tentatively agreed to terms that were approved by the Utility Board. The tentative agreement includes the following provisions: A 20-year lease starting on Jan. 1, 2024, and ending on Dec. 31, 2044, with a 10-year extension upon the written consent of both parties. The city will pay KEYS $10 for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through

Jan. 1, 2025. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, the City will make annual lease payments to KEYS of $225,000. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, and on each anniversary date thereafter, the annual lease will be increased by 2.5%. The city retains the right to reopen the lease payment terms of the contract in the event there is a declared state of emergency lasting more than 30 days that affects city revenue. The city remains responsible for all structure maintenance and insurance coverage. KEYS retains the right to use 64 spaces for employee parking, and access to 60 additional spaces upon the issuance of a tropical storm or hurricane watch. The Key West City Commission is scheduled to vote on this lease on Feb. 8. — Contributed

he College of the Florida Keys invites middle and high school students and their family members to the CFK Academy Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the CFK Academy on the College’s Key West campus. The event will provide information about the tuition-free public charter high school that opened in August 2023. Attendees will be able to see exhibits created by current students, tour the school, and meet the CFK Academy’s principal, teachers, staff and students. The CFK Academy focuses on college and career readiness with curriculum centered on science, technology, engineering, and math and career technical education. Teachers use a project-based learning approach, which provides students hands-on engagement in the learning process beyond the traditional classroom.

In the process they develop critical-thinking and communication skills. Students are encouraged to earn college credit through the college’s dual enrollment program in classes located on the same campus as the high school. Motivated students can graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate degree, certificate, and/or industry certification. There is no cost to attend the CFK Academy, including the college level classes, potentially saving families tens of thousands of dollars. Applications are now open for grades 9 through 12 for the 2024-25 school year at cfk.edu/ cfkacademy. Space is limited. Applications are due on Feb. 26 and a lottery will be conducted on Feb. 29. — Contributed

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

was having a nice conversation with someone at a party the other night when she stumped me with a very simple question: What’s your favorite book about birds? I should have had a stock answer, but instead MARK spent a few minutes stamHEDDEN mering until I realized I did not know what my favorite ... is a photographer, writer, and bird book was. semi-professional Part of my issue is I birdwatcher. He don’t think I have a favorite has lived in Key anything. I mean, there are West for more things I like, and I guess than 25 years and may no longer what I would call zones of be employable in favor – and there’s definitely the real world. He an inner zone of things that is also executive turn out to be important to director of the Florida Keys Audu- me and what I like and how bon Society. I think, things I just freaking love. But ranking them and picking a winner? I remember coming back from a museum and talking to someone about how much I liked, say, an early Van Gogh painting I’d seen, and having him tell me how superior he thought, say, Manet was. And I was like, it’s not a sack race. Art isn’t a hierarchy. It’s personal. What speaks to you speaks to you. What doesn’t, doesn’t. (The one exception, in my case, is the movie, “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” but that’s just because it’s the finest movie ever made. And I can only pity people who are blind to this fact.) Still, in the interest of answering the question for myself, I thought I’d put some thought into it. My first impulse was, “The Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America,” a classic field guide whose title is a mouthful. Most people just refer to it as “Sibley.” It’s a subset of the species found in “The Sibley Guide to Birds,” which most people also refer to as “Sibley.” (You might say “Eastern Sibley” if you were talking to someone from the west side of the country.) I started out birding with the similarly long-titled “Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern & Central North America,” which most people also just refer to as “Peterson.” People have affinities for other field guides, such as “A Guide to Field Identification Birds of North America,” which most people refer to as “The Golden Guide” because of its historic publishing imprint, which has always had a strong band of loyalists. But the Sibley guide came out in my early years as a birder, or at least thinking of myself as one. It was new when I was new. So for me it’s kind of like one of those songs you imprinted on when you were first finding your way in the world, like Bob Mould’s “See A Little Light” or Lyle Lovett’s “Walk Through The Bottomland.” But also, it’s an amazingly good field guide.

An incomplete collection of the columnist’s go-to bird books. CONTRIBUTED

FAVORITES, AND THE LACK OF THEM Sibley paints birds impressionistically. He doesn’t get bogged in details, but highlights the things you should look for that make each species unique. He elevates your perception. Which is a lot for a book you can slip into your back pocket. (I’m actually on my second copy, because I wore out my first.) In the just-the-facts-ma’am bird book department, I’m also pretty fond of “The Birder’s Handbook.” It is a literal brick of a book – 786 pages in softcover with a volume similar to a loaf of banana bread. It came out in 1988. My wife gave me a copy in 1997, and I smiled politely and thought, what am I ever going to do with this heaping tome? It’s not the kind of thing you can sit down and read. But I certainly warmed up to it. Basically, each left-facing page has two species accounts, which give you the lowdown on where each species breeds, what they eat, how many eggs they lay, where they build their nests, etc. It also gives a list of short essays relevant to that species. The right-facing pages contain those essays, which tend to be concise and well written, explaining such pertinent concepts as nonvocal sounds, copulation, cooperative breeding, disease and parasitism, and mixed-species flocking, as well as biographies of important ornithologists and other historic facts. A book that at first seemed like drinking from a firehose is actually a pool you can dip into whenever so inclined. Sadly, the book is out of print, and the copy my wife gave me is falling apart, with pages falling out of the binding in chunks big and small. But luckily, when I was up at my mother-in-law’s place this fall, she pulled a copy in good condition and asked if I had any use for it. (Thanks, Sally!)

Some of my other favorite books are more narrative in structure. Among them is Kenn Kaufman’s “Kingbird Highway,” which is his account of dropping out of high school in 1973 and hitchhiking around the U.S. and Canada, trying to see as many birds as possible, something that came to be known in birding circles as a Big Year. It’s a good adventure story, a good coming-of-age story, and some fine insight into the mind of an obsessive birder. I’m also fond of Mark Obmascik’s narrative book, “The Big Year,” which is about three birders trying to set the Big Year record in 1998. Most people are probably more familiar with the somewhat cartoonish movie starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson, but the movie is so broad it feels as if it could be about any niche obsession – stamp collecting, ice sculpting, duck herding, geocaching, whatever. The book is more about the nitty gritty of what it’s like to give up your life for a year to see as many species as possible, and gives a much better feel for what that compulsion actually is. The last book I’ll add – “Song of the Dodo” by David Quammen – isn’t really a book about birds. Technically it’s about island biogeography, which sounds heady, but is really just about the process of geographic isolation and how, over time, it can cause one species to become two or more. But there are a lot of birds in it. And Quammen is just an immensely entertaining writer, capable of drawing you in to very complicated subject matter in a way that actually makes you feel enlightened. Re-reading this list, I’m realizing almost all these books are at least 20 years old. There are a slew of other, probably pretty good books out there. Looks like I need to do some catching up.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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entrees black grouper & blue crab 52 coconut curry snapper 42 lobster & shrimp linguini 48 kurobuta pork chop 38 new york strip 58 filet mignon 50 oven-roasted chicken breast 36 sun-dried tomato & spinach gnocchi 28 sides mashed potatoes 8 spinach & mushrooms 9 grilled asparagus 8 saffron rice 8 lobster mac & cheese 14 sun-dried tomato & spinach gnocchi 10

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MAYOR CHRISTENS SMALL CRUISE SHIP AT MALLORY

American Cruise Line’s American Glory cruise ship arrives in Key West for a christening ceremony on Jan. 20 at Mallory Square. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

SAVE THE DATE Through Jan. 27 • Mile 0 Fest features Red Dirt and Americana music. Visit mile0fest.com. Monday, Jan. 29 • Keys Last Stand annual meeting takes place at Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St., Key West, 5:30 pm. The meeting is for members only, but memberships will be available at the door. Visit keyslaststand.org for more information. • The Friends of the Key West Library will present “Key West Sketches,” edited by Carey Winfrey at 6 p.m. in the Palm Garden at the library, 700 Fleming St., Key West. Visit. friendsofthekeywestlibrary. org/speaker-series/ for information. Jan. 30-Feb. 24 • Red Barn Theatre presents ‘POTUS,’ starring an all-female cast. Visit redbarntheatre.com for tickets and information. See page 6.

Key West Mayor Teri Johnston breaks a bottle of champagne over the bow to christen the American Glory cruise ship while city officials Al Childress, Todd Staughton and Pat McAlearney look on, along with the cruise line’s CEO Charles Robertson.

American Glory makes 1st stop in Key West

he city of Key West welcomed a new cruise ship to port with an exchange of plaques and flags. Mayor Teri Johnston was named godmother of the ship and broke a bottle of champagne over its bow to christen the American Glory, which is part of the luxury American Cruise Line fleet. The 109-guest vessel was welcomed by business leaders, representatives of Safer Cleaner Ships, and other residents at a Jan. 20 ceremony at Mallory Square. This was the ship’s first port call to Key West. “It is our pleasure to welcome you to our little piece of paradise,” said Johnston. “Enjoy our island and all that we treasure as locals. I can assure you that every bar back, musician, server and guide will do everything in their power to make your visit memorable enough to return year after year.” City Manager Al Childress exchanged flags with the ship’s captain, and Johnston and the cruise line’s CEO Charles Robertson exchanged plaques commemorating the event. — Contributed

Wednesday, Jan. 31 • The city of Key West and its consultants at Stantec will hold the first of a series of public workshops to gain input about the Duval Street revitalization and resiliency project. This first open house will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St. Thursday, Feb. 1 • The College of the Florida Keys invites middle and high school students and their families to the CFK Academy showcase at 5:30 p.m. at the CFK Academy on the college’s Key West campus. Saturday, Feb. 3 • May Sands Montessori will host a Steampunk Pirates Ball fundraiser at the Key West Woman’s Club, 319 Duval St. from 6 to 10 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. General admission tickets are $80. VIP tickets are $125. Visit maysandsmontessori.com/gala. Feb. 3-4 • The Key West Sail and Power Squadron offers a 1½-day boating course, which is required to obtain the mandatory Florida State Boater ID card. The Saturday session is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Sunday session is from 8 a.m. to noon. The class is offered the first Saturday and Sunday of each month December through May. Class will be held at 5205 College Road, Stock Island. Call Dick Odgers at 305-509-0159 to reserve a spot.

FOR THE LOVE OF ORIGINAL MUSIC

RAY WEST ... a professional

This year’s Sailing on the Wings of Imagination original music concert takes place Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Key West Theater. CONTRIBUTED

he passing of Jimmy Buffett affected everyone on this island. For a few days, even those of us who weren’t necessarily fans couldn’t help but feel the weight of his accomplishments. After the dust settled, a question popped into my head. Could this island spring forth another songwriter with that type of mass appeal? Certainly the talent is here, so the question becomes, is there sufficient interest on our island in original music, written and performed by local artists, to get that ball rolling? Though our local music scene largely consists of bands playing popular music, many will, throughout the evening, add in a few well-placed originals. There is a certain feeling of validation when your original songs fit seamlessly within your set and the dance floor stays full. Yet here in our little paradise, a fair number of visitors come more to forget rather than to ponder. They seem to choose their entertainment accordingly. Familiar music requires little work to enjoy, as that work has already been done before you arrived at this bar. You already love this song. There are a few bastions of all-original music in our fair city. One such haven is the Cayo Hueso Original Music Series. This series of live performances, organized by Kim Walsh, is held in the Back Stage Listening Room in

the Key West musician, singer, Theater on actor and executive director of the Eaton Street. The series Key West Music Awards, is known includes to sacrifice his three to five comfort for that songwriters of his cat. performing in an intimate atmosphere. “I was inspired to start the series as I saw the amount of talent I am surrounded with,” said Walsh, as she works behind the counter at the Grateful Guitar music store in the same building. “I felt a desire to create a space where musicians could connect with an audience that was there to do the same.” The series includes musical showcases such as Ladies Night Out, the old fashioned RRRockin’ Original Music Show, Musical Musings and Sweet Keys featuring original music written on keyboards. “An audience was there to listen to the songs and stories — some happy, some sad, all music born from the heart and soul,” she added. Once a year, all four showcases come together in the Sailing on the Wings of Imagination concert. This year’s show will include 25 musicians, including myself, and will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Key West Theater. “What motivates me to continue the series is the reactions, thanks and love from the musicians involved,” Walsh said. (Thanks, Kim.) Original music is a focal point at other venues, and there’s a vast amount of talent here to fill those spaces. What we need is you. We need folks who want to hear music written from the area in which they live, by the people who live here, people who enjoy the connection and the artistry of songwriting. In order for there ever to be another like Jimmy Buffett, we first have to listen.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

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FRI & SAT FEB 2-3, 8PM Seeking fulfillment after a move to upstate New York, Nathaniel and his husband Myles decide to adopt an infant daughter. The play opens on the day the couple has returned her to the adoption agency.

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

T S E F D N ROKISLA WEST Y E K S K C RO

I LOT S P E L P W M E S TO N E T E 4-DAY M U S I C S H O HEADLIN

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KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

First Fridays on Fleming Fle

ming s

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Join us for First Fridays on Fleming! A monthly 'shop local' evening stroll along historic Fleming Street on the 1st Friday of every month from 6-9pm.

JAN 5th • FEB 2nd • MAR 1st • APR 5th • MAY 3rd / 2024 Enjoy special events, trunk shows, book signings, art openings, libations & more at Fleming Street’s favorite locally-owned businesses. From the Fab 500 Block to Grinnell Street! For more details visit: fabflemingkw.com / @fabfleming_kw

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Welcome to Aquarius seaCHRIS son and happy McNULTY birthday to all is an astrologer, of our Aquarian wanderer, barweirdos! And I tender and say weirdos with advocate for queer justice. He the deepest afis a loquacious fection. Aquarius Gemini with a is the sign of cozy Cancer rising. Find him at unique, left-ofhearthandherald- center, outsider astrology.com ideas, so now is the season to try something, think something, or perceive something different. Our ship entered new waters when Pluto left the sign of Capricorn this past Saturday, slowly beginning its 20year journey in the sign of Aquarius. If something big feels different, it’s probably that. It’s “power to the people” time, folks. While that is a long, drawn-out transit, right now we are hanging out under a full moon in Leo. This lunation is helping us all to find or identify the affirmations and recognition that we need, while generous Jupiter in Taurus is sitting in a 90-degree square to the sun and moon, exaggerating this full moon’s effects. So, take the mic and show us what you got. You’ve been working hard on that bit. Be wary of speaking too quickly or holding unnecessarily aggressive thoughts, however, because intellectual Mercury and Mars are joining forces this weekend. You might hurt someone in ways that are unintended without maintaining a mindful tongue. Here are your horoscopes for the full moon in Leo. Read for your rising and sun signs. AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 A very happy birthday, Aquarius! Thank you for keeping us all from getting complacent. This full moon harbors a creative solution with a partner of yours, and you’re receiving big support from your home and family. Now is the time to turn your attention from work and onto the more intimate people in your life. Be mindful about angry thoughts you might be keeping secret, they

could ultimately hurt a person you consider a sibling. PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20 Finally, all the work you’ve been doing in secret is turning into routines that are being acknowledged. You’ve created a system that works. Your neighbors and acquaintances are helping you get some work done, so lean on them and accept their generosity. Be mindful about agitated conversations among friends, though, because they could hurt your bottom line. ARIES March 21 - April 19 You may have asked some friends to help you achieve your creative and playful goals, and now that request is blossoming. You have some powerful allies in your corner right now, and you seem to have the necessary funds or resources to achieve your goals. Practice patience in your work communications because some folks are saying things that flick your vulnerabilities. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 You set an intention at work and now you are reaping the rewards at home. Your generous spirit is fueling the returns that you are receiving, so stay expansive, Taurus. Fast and loose thoughts of running away are provoking some deep wounds and helping you heal, but don’t take any drastic actions right now. Focus on the good stuff at home. GEMINI May 21 - June 21 You set some big targets in unchartered waters, Gemini, and now you are discovering that those faraway lands are really quite familiar. Follow the familiar feelings and let the joy you experience in your alone time support your achievement. Your tongue might move a little quickly in financial discussions, frustrating your backers. Take a moment to think before signing any dotted lines.

CANCER June 22 - July 22 You committed to an investment two weeks ago, and that return is hitting your bank account now. This return may come in the form of monetary compensation or major recognition. At any rate, you have supporters who are happy to contribute to your bounty. Be mindful of a partner’s words that might take a stab at your reputation and don’t take them personally. Rather, ask why they sting. LEO July 23 - Aug. 22 An important partner is shining their light directly on you, and you should be feeling mighty appreciated. Your reputation at work or in the world around you is expanding, and the space you are taking up in the workplace is supporting the blossoming of your relationship with this partner. Try not to obsess over your habits, bad or good, as you will be caught thinking in circles. VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 You’ve put in the work, and now it is time for some much needed alone time and respite. Even if your solitude is not meditative and tends toward the more intense introspection, now is the time to pluck the fruits from your isolation. Diving into your studies or solo adventures is incredibly beneficial right now. Keep an eye on boastful language, even if you’re not intending to brag. LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 You set the stage for your creative endeavors, and now the people who are ready to carry you forward are coming out of the woodwork. Some really helpful grants, funding, inheritances or consultations are making sure you can use the support you are receiving. Fiery conversations at home can either help or hinder your partner, so harness your passionate words for good.

THAT’S YOUR CUE! GET OUT THERE! SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 You’ve taken care of your chores and tasks at home so that now you can step out in your career or in the public eye. Your partner is really helping to fill your cup during this process, so accept the support and express your gratitude. Tread lightly in a discussion with a sibling or with a neighbor because you might just be sacrificing more than you will have wanted. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 That big new adventure is finally here. You took care of the prep work with all of your usual chores and errands during the new moon so that you can now take off toward new and unexplored territories during this full moon. All of your hard work and systems that you’ve set up are now offering you huge benefits. When it comes to discussing finances, be assertive without being aggressive. CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 After getting your finances together, now you can make that investment you’ve been eyeing. Another way of looking at this is that you’ve gotten your personal values straight so you can engage in projects with people who share a similar mission. At any rate, it is time to engage. Let your bliss lead the way because right now, the things that bring you joy are also bringing you prosperity.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

WRECK TAKEOVER Capt. Housman intimidates for a bigger piece of the pie Editor’s note: This is the last in a twopart series.

hen Dr. Benjamin B. Strobel, a physician and writer, traveled extensively through the Keys in 1828, he observed the Florida wreckers and wrote: “From all that I heard of wreckers, I expected to see a parcel of FLORIDA low, dirty pirate looking crafts, officiated and manned by a KEYS set of black whiskered fellows, HISTORY who carried murder in their WITH very looks. I was, however, BRAD very agreeably surprised to BERTELLI find their vessels fine large Brad is a local sloops and schooners, regular historian, author, clippers, kept in first rate speaker and order, and that the Captains Honorary Conch who loves sharing were jovial, good humored sons of Neptune, who manithe history of the Florida Keys. fested every disposition to be polite and hospitable, and to afford every facility to persons passing up and down the Reef. The crews were composed of hearty, well dressed, honest looking men.” Perhaps there is some truth in both visions reflected in the story. There was an incident involving two Florida wreckers that might shine a bit of light into the hearts of men capable of masking what might be considered a piratical element with a pleasant facade “composed of hearty, well dressed, honest looking men.” The story was documented in a complaint regarding the salvage of the French brigantine Vigilant and published in the April 30, 1829 edition of the Florida Keys’ first newspaper, The Key West Register and Commercial Advertiser. According to Capt. Daniel C. Mellon and the complaint he relayed to Judge Webb in Key West, on or about July 1, 1828, Mellon and a single crew member were sailing in a smack when they discovered a two-masted ship wrecked in bad weather near Rachels Key (in the Middle Keys). Mellon attempted to approach the vessel, but foul weather prevented a safe approach, and he was forced to seek refuge at the Sister Keys. There, Mellon discovered the captain and crew of the wrecked ship. He also discovered that none of the men spoke English, only French. Know-

ing someone who spoke French was on nearby Rachels Key, Mellon sailed the ship’s captain to the island where the two men could communicate. According to Mellon’s testimony, the following was communicated. The brig was named Vigilant, and her captain requested Mellon’s assistance and engaged him to take charge of the brig and its cargo of silver specie, “Dye wood, Fustic, and Sassaparilla [sic].” What is also attested to in Melon’s complaint was that having been engaged as the wreck master of the Vigilant, Mellon and his partner diligently worked “together with the crew of the Brig, and with great difficulty and danger, saved the said vessel and cargo from total loss.” Additionally, Mellon stated that he intended to sail the brig to Key West “to receive the amount for which he was entitled for the great service he rendered.” And then, the wrecking schooner Sarah Isabella, manned by Capt. Jacob Housman and his crew of seven, sailed up to the scene. Housman’s initial overture to Mellon was a request that he and his crew “be permitted to share in the salvage claim.” Understandably, Mellon declined the offer. At this point, Mellon realized that Housman’s offer had only been a formality. Allegedly, Housman threatened to abscond with the brig and set it free in the Gulf of Mexico so that it could proceed to its port of destination without Mellon’s expertise or guidance. To impress the point, according to Mellon’s testimony, Housman and his crew began to carry out muskets and other weapons of intimidation and display them on the wooden planks of the Sarah Isabella. Mellon told Judge Webb “that he, being appraised of his dangerous situation by the requests, threats, and exhibition of the fire arms, made by the said Housman would, by force, take the said brig and cargo from him without any compensation whatsoever, he was compelled to yield consent to the wishes of Housman, permitted him to take charge of the said brig and valuable cargo, and came with her into the Island of Key West.” On several occasions, Mellon asked Housman about the disposition of the specie, and Housman “repeat-

Federal Judge James Webb. MONROE COUNTY LIBRARY COLLECTION/Contributed

edly assured him there was none allowed, as the specie was free.” Housman lied. Back in Key West, after the salvage claim of the brig Vigilant was adjudicated, Mellon and Housman went to the store of P.C. Greene and walked up the narrow wooden steps to the second floor (the staircase was probably a little creaky). There, Greene handed Housman a receipt for his salvage award to sign. Mellon also signed a receipt in acceptance of his, and after he signed and handed the document back to Greene, Housman ran out of the room and back down the stairs. Greene looked at Mellon and said, “You are a damn fool.” When Mellon asked for the receipt back, Greene refused and informed him that the salvage award had been 75 percent of the value of the ship and its cargo — which included the $30,000 in silver specie. Housman received $27,000, and Mellon received only $3,000. The story of the Vigilant was taken from a court action published in the April 30, 1829 edition of the Key West Register & Commercial Advertiser. The document came in the form of the United States of America, Southern Judicial District of Florida’s order written by Judge Webb, dated April 6, that directed the marshal of the district “to take the body of Jacob Housman, & require of him to give bail in the full sum of ten thousand dollars, to insure his personal appearance at the Court House in Key West on the first Monday in May next.” What happened next was not revealed.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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HARRY TRUMAN SCULPTOR TAKE ME HOME? FIND A FRIEND APPEARS IN KEY WEST AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

The Keys Weekly family loves animals as much as our friends at the Florida Keys SPCA do, and we’re honored each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for adoption at the organization’s Key West campus. From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC. Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Artist Tom Corbin works with clay during the process of creating his monumental bronze sculpture of the 33rd U.S. President. CORBIN BRONZE/Contributed

Tom Corbin’s bronze stands in U.S. Capitol Rotunda

om Corbin’s art works are found in public, private and corporate collections, but his most outstanding accomplishment is the larger-than-life bronze statue of the 33rd U.S. president, Harry S. Truman, which was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., in September 2022. On Sunday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation will host the master artist for a presentation at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front St. Corbin will discuss the tools, research and processes he used for his bronze undertaking and answer audience questions. His presentation is a feature of this year’s Presidential Families Weekend events. Based in Rosedale, Kansas, Corbin’s studio and gallery are housed in a historic 1912 firehouse. Ahead of his Key West appearance, the artist agreed to answer a few questions about how he got from “there” to “here.” Can you describe what motivated you to explore your artistic potential? Growing up with a mother who taught elementary school art, I was exposed to a number of disciplines. Continually drawing for my own pleasure through high school and college, I never considered art seriously as a vocation. I assumed it would be a nice hobby. A variety of traditional sales jobs followed college graduation. My yearning for more creative employment eventually led me into the advertising business. A friend at the agency introduced me to a bronze sculptor who was holding classes out of her home on Wednesday nights. Just for something different, I decided to attend.

Your Harry S. Truman bronze statue is 8 feet tall – 11 feet if you count the pedestal. Had you ever created a human sculpture prior to this, and one of this scale? I have done a number of life-size and monumental human sculptures during my 37-year career. Soldiers, firemen, dancers, you name it. But I have never been involved with a commission of this significance and social impact. It has been such an honor. You were one of multiple artists invited to submit sculpture proposals. What are one or two features of yours that you feel were key to you winning the commission? Through my research of Truman, I discovered that he truly considered himself a common man. He lacked pretense, was quick to shake your hand and relished a brisk walk around the White House or his home in Independence, Missouri. In addition to studying Harry, I also examined the existing sculptures in Statuary Hall, many of which seemed stoic and unapproachable. I wanted my Truman model to display just the opposite: relaxed and in motion, as if to greet you. To accomplish this, I have the president descending a set of stairs with his smile intact. How long did it take for you to create the monument, from beginning to end and what was your biggest challenge? From being awarded the commission to unveiling Harry took four years. The actual time I spent sculpting the 8-foot Harry was about a year. The remaining time included molding, casting and waiting for approvals at each stage of development both on the state and federal level. The biggest challenge was the ability to please all the individuals involved whose approval was required. Also, patience was a necessity. The Presidential Families Weekend and Tom Corbin’s event are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and more information visit trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events

Media Noche, Spanish for ‘midnight,’ properly fits as the name for this black cat. Media Noche is 2 years old and adores being scratched behind her ears.

Meet Mozzy, a robust 2-year-old gentleman in need of an experienced human to share his life. While he delights in demolishing toys, Mozzy requires a companion to help him channel his energy and burn it off.

Benz is a 3-year-old tabby cat. Though shy at first, once you get him purring, he can’t stop.

Meet Waluigi. He’s a tiny tan hamster who loves running on his wheel, munching on cardboard and burrowing in his bedding.

Ally is a 6-year-old tortie cat with a personality to match. When not pining for attention, she loves to indulge in tuna treats.

KEY WEST WEEKLY / JANUARY 25, 2024

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Cirque Ma’Ceo announces Marathon shows

avallo Equestrian Arts LLC announces Marathon tour dates for its show Ma’Ceo, featuring featuring equestrian stunt work combining traditional dressage, aerial performance, Cossack riding and vaulting, performed by acrobats and riders. As a break from today’s age of frills and technology, the world of Ma’Ceo aims to take people back to the roots of gypsy heritage. “It is our dream to show the world the relationship we share with our horses, and the sheer excitement that they bring to all the lives they touch,” said Olissio Zoppe, Ma’Ceo’s show director and owner of Cavallo Equestrian Arts. Ma’Ceo presents acoustic music in a gypsy ring that sets the scene for the performance. A cast of artists from around the world attempt stunts and display dexterous feats. The artists from Ma’Ceo have also performed in shows such as Cavalia, Cirque Du Soleil, Arabian Nights and Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey. Up to 10 different breeds of horses perform the most classic of riding styles from dressage to gypsy bareback in a high-energy, fully-choreographed, multicultural experience.

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Cirque Ma’Ceo combines exotic horses with acrobatic feats and aerial dances over the beats of Spanish guitar. CIRQUE MA’CEO/Contributed

Cirque Ma’Ceo will return under the big top at San Pablo Catholic Church in Marathon, located at 550 122nd Street Ocean. Before and after the show, attendees will have opportunities to meet the performers along with more than a dozen horses, take photographs and visit the stables. More information is at cirquemaceo.com. — Contributed SHOW TIMES Wednesday, Jan. 31 Friday, Feb. 2: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3: 4 & 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4: 1 & 4 p.m.

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taff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection. What: “The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics” by Olivia Waite Why: The backstories of scientific reasoning are female and this novel exposes this truth. Sisters, wives and nieces all lie behind scientific achievements lauded by men as the hard work of ONLY men, but can only have been brought to fruition with the assistance of their female counterparts. Enter Lucy Muchelney, daughter of a respected astronomer in 1816 England and fellow of the Polite Society of Science, the self-professed authority of all topics scientific. Her benefactor, Catherine, talented artist in her own right and a widow of two years, finds Lucy’s engaging intelligence and astronomical prowess intriguing and arousing in equal measure. Where: This is available as an e-book from the Monroe County Public Library system. How: You can request books online by logging in to your account keyslibraries.org and get e-books and e-audiobooks 24/7 at estuff.keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org Recommended by: Amy Skerly, library assistant, Key West Library See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelf-help.

he Key West Artisan Market Food & Wine edition is Sunday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clarence H. Higgs Memorial Beach, Key West. Guests are invited to sip while sampling dozens of culinary creations, from the Cheese Lovers to babaganoush to local spices. Enjoy bloody marys, mimosas along, a full bar, coffee, natural juices and cut fruit, multiple food trucks and stalls offering eat-here or take-away. Shop a curated outdoor market displaying fine crafts, art and jewelry from Florida Keys makers. Listen to local musicians, meet local authors and support the featured charity, the Key West Wildlife Center.

The market is located close to the Higgs Beach Dog Park and the Key West Garden Club inside West Martello Tower. The market is now open every Sunday through April from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The next show, Feb. 4, is themed Preserve Island Life. The Feb. 11 market is the Super Bowl Stock Up Edition. The Feb. 18 market is Upcycle/Recycle and Feb. 25 is the ReMARCable Edition featuring the Marc House. Admission and parking are free. Please bring your own bags. For more information visit Key West Artisan Market on Facebook. — Contributed

n Jan. 12, Marie and Tyler Blanton welcomed their second baby boy to the family as Rhett Eugene Blanton arrived at 6:41 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 20 inches. The youngest Blanton was lovingly welcomed into the family by his thrilled older sibling Luke as well as his four new pup best friends Gunner, Wrigley, Rudy and Bo. His paternal grandmother Susan Blanton resides in Concord, North Carolina and his maternal grandparents Tom and Lucia Johnson live in Matthews, North Carolina. TOM JOHNSON/ Contributed

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TROPIC CINEMA ANNOUNCES

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Join us for a week-long celebration of the life and film career of one of the great actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age with special screenings and presentations with filmakers and her daughter, Gisele Galante. Feb 10: The Rebellious Olivia De Havilland (2021) Q&A with the filmmakers Feb 11: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Feb 12: Hold Back the Dawn (1941 – Oscar Nominated) Feb 13: The Strawberry Blonde (1941) Feb 15: To Each His Own (1946 – Oscar Winner) Feb 16: The Snake Pit (1946 – Oscar Nominated) Feb 17: The Heiress (1949 – Oscar Winner) with Gisele Galante

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