Key West Weekly 24-0704

“For

July 4, 2024

TALENT BEYOND THE BEATLES

Welcome to 1302 11th Street, a delightful three bedroom, three bathroom home nestled in the quiet midtown neighborhood of Key West. This prime location offers unparalleled convenience, just minutes away from grocery stores, popular restaurants, and Duval Street. This charming home, recently updated with a new roof in 2022 and equipped with storm shutters for added protection, is situated on an oversized corner lot, providing multiple yards for you to enjoy and customize. The possibilities are endless, whether you envision a lush garden, an outdoor entertaining area, or even a pool with a backyard oasis. The property features a spacious attached garage, perfect for storage or easily convertible into additional living space. Additionally, there is a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom lockout suite with a separate entrance, ideal for privacy to visiting friends and family or as a potential rental unit. The potential of this home is limitless, making it a unique opportunity to create your dream living space in a highly desirable location.

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040

Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

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Hurricane Beryl made landfall as a Category 4 on Grenada’s Carriacou Island on July 1, then strenghtened to a Category 5 later that day, with sustained winds reaching 157 mph. It’s the strongest hurricane to pass through the Grenadines according to NOAA data going back to 1851.

Ocean Blue Galleries on Duval Street will feature never-before-seen drawings and limited-edition prints by world-famous Beatle John Lennon. CONTRIBUTED

HOSTILE MEETING ENDS WITH VOTE TO FIRE KEY WEST CITY MANAGER

Al Childress supporters call special meeting to rehire him

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Four of seven Key West lawmakers voted on June 26 to fire the city’s top official in one of the most confrontational city meetings in recent memory that packed city hall. But that may not be the end of it.

The two city commissioners who voted with Mayor Teri Johnston to support city manager Al Childress have scheduled a special meeting to rehire him on Aug. 26, which is after the primary election, when at least two new commissioners will take their seats.

The four votes to terminate Childress’s contract came from Lissette Carey, Clayton Lopez, Billy Wardlow and Jimmy Weekley. Mary Lou Hoover and Sam Kaufman, plus the mayor, voted against the firing.

The following day, on June 27, assistant city manager Todd Stoughton, who had resigned the week before, was at city hall at 7 a.m. to act as interim city manager, Kaufman told the Keys Weekly on July 1.

“At least there’s some stability and continuity with Todd in place in the interim,” Kaufman said.

Childress supporters say firing stems from city attorney protecting his brother

Supporters of Childress packed city hall for the meeting, where a dozen or so residents defended him.

Childress’ attorney, Henry Ferro, participated in the meeting via Zoom. Police Chief Sean Brandenburg attended in person with several police officers, who submitted a letter of fullthroated support for Childress.

Several members of the public accused Weekley and Carey of conspiring behind the scenes via text messages with city attorney Ron Ramsingh to oust Childress on June 21, the same day Childress formally reprimanded

the city’s chief building official, Raj Ramsingh, the city attorney’s brother. The messages were acquired through public record requests and disseminated by Childress’ supporters on June 25.

State Attorney Dennis Ward was at the meeting at city hall, perhaps due to questions of whether the messages could violate the state’s sunshine laws, which prohibit private communication between public officials about matters that will come to a vote. No messages were sent directly between Weekley and Carey. Rather, the city attorney had separate text conversations with each of them. But Johnston pointed out that Ron Ramsingh did not send the same messages to all seven lawmakers, and in singling out a few, in effect acted as a go-between to facilitate plans to fire Childress, Johnston said.

Other questions pertain to whether building official Raj Ramsingh acted improperly by approving construction projects without first sending them through the city’s planning department for review. Dennis Ward told the Keys Weekly his office does not confirm or deny the opening of any potential investigations.

Raj Ramsingh’s actions in the building department were questioned in a recent review by planning consultants from the Corradino Group amid significant friction between two departments’ directors.

The report reveals that Raj Ramsingh reportedly approved scores of development applications without review or approval from the planning department, which is contrary to the city’s land development regulations.

The 55-page report recommends further review of approvals issued by the building department.

Childress’ opponents cite poor communication, ‘authoritarian’ style

The four commissioners who voted to fire Childress offered their reasons for the termination vote.

“This has never been about the building official for me,” Lopez said. “How can you fix a problem when the city manager refuses to work with the

city attorney or accept his advice? He told me he’d work on that, but I’ve seen no improvement. Department heads have also told me they’re not allowed to talk to the commissioners.”

At the meeting, Carey, who was critical of Childress in her April evaluation of him, pointed to, among other things, his lack of communication about things happening in her district. “And after my one-year evaluation of him, Mr. Childress did not pick up the phone to see how the situation could be remedied.”

Wardlow said simply that he had lost confidence in the city manager. Ron Ramsingh read a statement that outlined problems with the city manager, using terms like “authoritarian” and “substandard city manager.”

Ramsingh said Childress had excluded him from meetings and prohibited city employees from speaking with commissioners without Childress’ permission.

“There’s a culture of intimidation among managers and employees. He has a temper and has shouted at me,” Ramsingh said.

He also said Childress directed assistant city manager Todd Stoughton to change the reason for his resignation, which was submitted last week. The original letter cited irreconcilable differences with the city manager, but, Ramsingh said, Childress told Stoughton to change the reason to wanting to spend more time with family.

What’s next?

Hoover called the whole situation a “tragedy,” saying, “I hope we prevail on the side of letting this man finish what we hired him to do.”

The firing will cost the city more than $100,000. His contract, which started in April 2023, entitles him to 20 weeks of severance, plus benefits, including unused vacation pay. Ferro said Childress has filed complaints regarding the building official and his firing with the state attorney’s office, the governor’s office, the Florida Commission on Ethics and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Tamayo

Reynerio Tamayo is an important contemporary caricaturist whose works transcend the genre to o er pointed and often comic commentary on art and politics in painting and sculpture. Tamayo is a heartfelt painter who spoofs in English and Spanish, he is known for his mockery of the art establishment as well as politics, with comic book heroes, notorious gangsters and art historical icons serving as proxies to explore contemporary issues. Tamayo is also one of Cuba’s truly accomplished hyper-realist painters.

Papa’s Key West, 50” x 40”, Acrylic on Canvas

BEYOND THE BEATLES: JOHN LENNON’S ART AVAILABLE IN KEY WEST

Ocean Blue Galleries features exclusive & never-before-seen works July 5 & 6

MANDY MILES

mandy@keysweekly.com

Sure, you’ve heard “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” but have you SEEN it?

The song, of course, is one of dozens that John Lennon wrote or co-wrote for The Beatles, but it’s also a drawing, also by Lennon, showing a bespectacled figure in an A-line dress floating above a field.

That drawing, along with dozens of others by John Lennon, are now on display and available for sale at Ocean Blue Galleries, 109 Duval St., Key West. Celebrations of the never-before-released, limited edition prints by John Lennon will take place at the gallery Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6, from 2 to 7 p.m.

“I’m always shocked by how many people, including some diehard Beatles fans, don’t know about the art component to John Lennon’s career,” said Daniel Crosy, the Los Angeles-based art representative who has been working with Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono, for the past 15 years, releasing Lennon’s drawings and handwritten lyric sheets to the art-, music- and peace-loving public.

“Yoko had been releasing some of John’s prints at pop-up galleries and art shows for years, but recently wanted my help in bringing it to the fine art world, and Ocean Blue Galleries is a perfect fit,” said Crosby, who had worked previously with the gallery owners Amber and Jay Shaffer.

“The estate of John Lennon has a connection with Key West given its legendary open-mindedness and welcoming atmosphere. And listen, let’s be honest, John Lennon knew how to get his party on, too.”

Some of the 50 to 60 works now available in Key West have never been seen before. Many of the limited-edition prints are of John’s original black-and-white drawings, while others have been colorized.

Art was a passion for Lennon even before the Beatles made their first appearance on stage. Lennon had studied at the Liverpool Art Institute from 1957-60, Crosby said.

As a wedding gift to Yoko, John started drawing their life together — their travels, their love, their peace activism and their son, Sean Ono Lennon, the younger brother of John’s first son, Julian Lennon.

From a self-portrait sketch to a never-before-released ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ drawing, Ocean Blue Galleries, 109 Duval St., offers 50 to 60 limited-edition prints of John Lennon’s artwork July 5 and 6. CONTRIBUTED

“John Lennon became the first stay-at-home dad when Sean was born in 1975, and John taught him the alphabet by drawing, say, C is for Cat, with a picture of a cat,” Crosby said, adding that Lennon had filled the family’s Manhattan apartment at the Dakota with his drawings.

But the artist and activist soured a bit on displaying his artwork once two of his shows — in Chicago and London — were raided by authorities who claimed the subject matter — some nude drawings and the couple’s famous Bed-In for Peace — was pornographic.

“Aside from the Beatles’ story and their music still resonating today, the artwork of John Lennon is his story as a human, a husband, a father, an activist, and it’s so compelling,” Crosby said.

Lennon died Dec. 8, 1980, when he was shot by Mark Chapman in front of the Lennons’ home at the Dakota.

His life was unfinished, but fortunately many of his drawings were not, and are now being shared with the world.

SEARCH FOR TDC PRESIDENT NARROWS TO 6

Selection committee will choose on July 11

GWEN FILOSA gwen@keysweekly.com

The search for a new president/CEO to take the wheel of the multimilliondollar Florida Keys tourism agency is down to six finalists, chosen from an original pool of 24 applicants.

None is a Keys resident, although one owns a home in Key West. On June 28, the county-appointed search committee made this short list of candidates:

• Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

• Laura Chmielewski, vice president, marketing and communications at Team San Jose/Visit San Jose.

• Kara Franker, CEO in Estes Park, Colorado.

• Nerissa Okiye, director of tourism for Martin County, Florida

• Darien Schaefer, president and CEO of Visit Pensacola.

• Jim Werner, a self-employed strategic consultant, who lives half of the year in Key West, and the rest Philadelphia, where he formerly was the chief tourism officer for the city

Interviews with the committee are scheduled to start at noon July 10 over a public meeting on Zoom, with the panel’s final vote to take place July 11, at the Marathon Government Center.

But applications for the position, Monroe County Tourist Development Council president/CEO, with a salary range of $210,000 to $250,000, are being accepted until July 10.

“We want to make sure we have the best possible person. We’re much more interested in finding the right candidate than meeting a deadline,” said committee member Jodi Weinhofer, president of the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys & Key West, during the June 28 search committee meeting in Marathon.

The job search comes three months after the TDC board unanimously fired veteran Keys marketing leader Stacey Mitchell, after a series of audits from the county clerk ripped the agency, which is funded by bed

taxes paid by overnight guests at hotels, rentals and RV parks, for failing to maintain financial protocols.

Ted Yates, the former Islamorada village manager, was among the original 24 applicants, but the recruiting firm hired by the county to conduct the search didn’t put him on the short list for the committee’s review.

One Keys-based applicant the committee did consider for a finalist spot is Alan Beaubien, of Key West, director of sales and marketing for Key West Marriott Beachside.

Beaubien, a 36-year resident of Key West – 16 years spent at Beachside, which he helped open – oversees a $7 million budget at the resort.

The discussion over his job experience showed the committee’s goal of hiring someone who is already a CEO with destination tourism marketing experience. Even strong candidates like Beaubien, they said, weren’t the right fit.

“I like Alan,” said committee member Roman Gastesi, the longtime county administrator who is on pause before returning to the job full-time in September.

“I like Alan, too, but my comment would be he doesn’t have CEO experience,” said Weinhofer.

“Let’s be honest, he’s already retired once,” said Weinhofer, “Do you want someone who’s only going to be here for a couple of years?”

The stack of applications disappointed Gastesi.

“There’s no public sector people here,” he told representatives from the recruitment firm SearchWide Global.

“There was a consensus about having tourism industry experience,” replied Kellie Henderson of SearchWide Global.

Henderson said the firm is keeping track of all applicants and if someone applies who is qualified and looks like a good fit for the role, “We’ll absolutely inform the committee.”

The committee wants “DMO,” destination marketing organization, experience. Many applicants impressed the recruiters, but the committee tossed them without going further once they saw they hadn’t run a DMO, such as a tourist development council or convention and visitors center.

Teri Johnston, the outgoing mayor of Key West, made the short list of applicants for the newly revised Monroe County Tourist Development Council president/CEO position.

Johnston, a construction contractor, business owner, former city commissioner and current mayor, said she has the skills and experience.

“I don’t know who else could do it better than me,” Johnston told Keys Weekly on June 28, before the county-appointed selection committee narrowed the field to finalists. “I have my finger on the pulse of the citizens of Key West. I have the skill set.”

But the committee passed on Johnston’s application, without discussion, citing her lack of DMO experience.

Johnston noted she has been managing businesses for 45 years, including at her current contractor business in Key West, and that earlier in her career, she worked in marketing, which included traveling internationally.

In addition to a list of responsibilities, the 8-page job description, put together by the SearchWide Global recruiting firm, lists a number of personal characteristics wanted in a candidate.

The committee members were candid in their discussions.

“Experience is obviously important, but we had probably the most DMO-experienced director that just got fired, right?” Gastesi said. “Let’s face it. Stacey has been around a long time, and she was a DMO-experienced person, but the skill set she didn’t have is a skill set we need.”

The TDC needs at least a CEO and a chief financial officer, which the agency has never had before, Gastesi has said.

“Let’s not make the same mistake again,” Gastesi said, as other members agreed.

“We promoted somebody who was your marketing director right to a position of CEO, which could work,” Weinhofer said. “We took something that was $11 or $15 million, grew it to $60 million, and didn’t increase the staff, and didn’t give them what they needed to make it work.”

KEYS FORUM SEES ONE CANDIDATE GOING ON OFFENSE

School board hopefuls outline priorities

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2 RACE

ZACK WOLTANSKI

www.keysweekly.com

Apacked turnout greeted county commissioner and school board hopefuls during the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations’ Candidate Forum on July 1 at the Key Largo library.

Through a series of general and individualspecific questions posed to the candidates, the public was provided valuable insight into the policies and character of five people running in the August primary.

BOCC District 5

The event began by focusing on the three Republican candidates for Monroe County Commission’s District 5 seat, which encompasses North Key Largo to Tavernier. Melissa Ptomey introduced herself as a candidate synonymous with integrity. In her opening statement, Ptomey called out incumbent Mayor Holly Raschein for her community “betrayal” in approving the development of a Publix and workforce housing project at MM 92.5, which had faced stringent opposition from the county’s Planning Commission and the Planning Department, as well as many other local interests and individuals.

Ptomey was struck by Raschein’s supposed dismissal of what Ptomey saw as a decision lacking widespread support from the community at large, and had provoked concerns over increased traffic, environmental impacts, safety issues and corporate interests.

“Holly is such an out-of-touch politician she thought that tonight, five days after she betrayed us, in a deal that benefited her client, the developer, would be a good night to sweet-talk her way out of controversy,” said Ptomey.

Raschein in her opening remarks listed several key issues she’d try to address during her next term, including a lack of workforce housing, high costs of living, and the poor status of local reefs, along with emphasizing her qualifications and track record. “Relying on someone with my background is critical,” she said. “I’ve served the Keys in one capacity or another over the past 20 years because I love this place.”

Key Largo resident Paul Wunderlich focused on his concerns of overdevelopment and its corresponding environmental impacts, which he had a “firsthand view” of as a longtime employee in the

Florida Keys, in his opening remarks. Wunderlich recently retired from the county engineering department.

A general question was given to the candidates regarding the most pressing issues facing the Keys. Ptomey, an environmental biologist, voiced concern of overdevelopment, and promised to fight for the working class during her tenure. Raschein spoke on the high costs of residency, the need for affordable housing and a need to support middle-class workers like teachers and first responders. Wunderlich again spoke of his concerns on overdevelopment and the potential need for raised roads due to sea level rise.

Individual questions were then given to each candidate in turn. Ptomey raised concerns over the rising county budget and proposed the hiring of an external audit to help find cuts of up to 20%. Asked what the county could do to counteract the decline of its coral reefs, she suggested more sustainable land development and stressed the importance of hammocks, mangroves and seagrass in protecting the reefs.

Raschein was asked about the appropriateness of the current 24-hour hurricane evacuation window, which Raschein voiced support for while cautioning for a more thorough review of infrastructure and housing and stressing the need for public input. Asked about the adverse effects of tourism and the need to find a balance between environmental and economic support, Raschein highlighted her qualifications as a board member of the Tourist Development Council and the crucial importance of environmental stewardship.

In his responses, Wunderlich emphasized the need of state and local communication in addressing the Keys’ traffic problem and expounded upon the need to combat flooding through the raising of roads or building of walls, and the potential positive environmental impacts of such projects. To the question of how he would measure his success as commissioner, Wunderlich replied that his idea of success was giving the community a voice.

In addition to her closing remarks, which emphasized her many years of experience and community dedication, Raschein issued a response to Ptomey’s earlier jab.

“The allegations that Ms. Ptomey shared with you all are undeniably false, unequivocally untrue, and the fact that she would think that I would ever betray our community is beyond belief,” Raschein said.

Ptomey continued to target Raschein in her own closing statements. “We can either keep getting betrayed, or appoint a real fighter that represents the voice of the Keys,” said Ptomey.

“I’m going to take the moral high ground and not respond to that again,” said Raschein.

School board candidates

Prospective school board members Zach Bentley and Yvette Mira-Talbott, seeking to secure a seat in District 2 held by the outgoing Andy Griffith, gave their opinions in the latter half of the program.

Bentley introduced himself as a commercial fisherman and proud parent.

“I’m running for a couple of reasons. Number one is empathy. If you have children, you know that is your most precious asset,” said Bentley. “Number two is that it doesn’t seem to me that our schools are in as great a shape as when I went there.”

Mira-Talbott introduced herself as a mother of daughters who’d been in the school system and who had dedicated more than 30 years, through coaching, fundraising and as a Take Stock mentor, to serving children in education.

They both spoke similarly on the need for teacher support and retainment.

“The best thing we can do to retain teachers is offering them not only a place where they can feel welcomed but appreciated,” said Mira-Talbott.

“Teachers demand to be treated well,” echoed Bentley.

Both Key West-based candidates spoke about their connections in the Upper Keys and their dedication to serving their neighboring towns.

The candidates were finally asked how they’d measure success in schools.

“Measuring success is about having happy, satisfied students,” said Bentley. “A child that finds what they were destined to be in this life is the ultimate gift. ... It’s the goal of school to bring this out.”

“Success will be measured by outcomes, high graduation rates, how well we help our children succeed. … That’s the only way to measure it,” said Mira-Talbott.

After their closing remarks, the event concluded, allowing time for community members to voice their thoughts and concerns to candidates. Voters throughout the county, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in the BOCC and school board races on Aug. 20.

Zach Bentley Yvette Mira-Talbott

BOCC DISTRICT 5 RACE

Holly Raschein Paul Wunderlich

Melissa Ptomey

COME WORSHIP WITH US

‘‘The churches of Christ greet you.’’ Romans 16:16 NKJV

ENGLISH SERVICE

Sunday Bible Study 10am Service 11am

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm Evangelist Rodrigue Aleandre Cell 305.296.3331

KREYOL SEVIS

Dimanch Klas Biblik 7:30pm Adorasyon 8:30pm

Madi Klas Biblik 7:30pm Minis Roberson Louissaint Cell 321.387.6821

SERVICIO ESPAÑOL

Domingo Estudio Biblico a las 5pm Servicio de Adoración a las 6pm Jueves Estudio Biblico a las 7pm Ministro Pedro Ruiz Celda 347.430.2263

1700 VON PHISTER ST, KEY WEST

‘‘My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; Ffor they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.’’ Proverbs 1:8-9 NKJV

TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE

We live on an archipelago chain of 182 islands connected to the mainland by 47 bridges. These islands situated between the beautiful blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida Bay, have seen boom and bust, a parade of colorful characters and luminaries, are home to the only living coral reef system in the continental U.S., and the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West — Florida’s only presidential site.

Monroe County, which contains all the islands of the Florida Keys, is the only county in Florida fully designated as an area of critical state concern.

To say that we are unique is an understatement, and, for these reasons and more, Monroe County is a highly desirable destination for visitors.

As a worldwide destination welcoming some 5 million visitors a year, Monroe collected $384 million in sales tax for the state of Florida in 2023. Despite this abundance, our communities have significant unmet needs that threaten the ability for many of us to remain in the Keys.

The number one challenge for our workforce is the ability to find affordable housing. The shortage of housing for our teachers, law enforcement, service industry, healthcare and childcare workers — the engines of our communities — stems from a lack of buildable land and the ever-increasing costs of construction and property insurance. While folks can afford the mortgage or rent payment today, there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so in the future.

Concurrently, homeowners face challenges in making our existing housing stock more resilient.

Monroe County is working in earnest to submit applications to FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program for elevation and rebuild. But we’re on FEMA’s timeline for those approvals, and our contractors in the county, as well as outside home elevation contractors, are up against a shortage of workers due to the lack of affordable housing. There

is some relief from the state’s My Safe Florida Home to provide grant funding for wind mitigation, but every year since its reenactment, the program runs out of funding before all the requests have been processed.

And our challenges reach beyond individual housing concerns to flooding in low-lying areas on roads and in neighborhoods and business districts. While the county is making some progress in elevating roads, the urgency is increasing.

We are beyond the point of coming up with long-term solutions to our transportation and traffic issues. The number of vehicles in the Keys during high season is unsustainable and it’s dangerous.

When we look at the totality of these items, the county cannot and should not tax our residents to shoulder these costs. The solution is to find a large pool of money that is not dependent on taxes that will negatively affect our residents.

I believe that this can only be resolved by a toll at the two entrances to the Keys and a resort tax on all people flying into our airport. In the history of our county, we have had tolls whether at Card Sound, Lower Matecumbe or Big Pine Key.

According to the annual average daily traffic (Florida Department of Transportation), we have about 29,500 vehicles coming into Monroe County daily. If we reduce that amount by 25% for county residents coming and going, that means that we have approximately 22,125 vehicles coming in daily. If we charge each of these vehicles a $20 toll (one way) that would equal approximately $161 million in revenue annually. In my opinion, that should be enough to take care of the road as well as our folks.

We need to engage our representatives and senators in Washington to ask them to initiate legislation to turn over control of the Overseas Highway to Monroe County. This also means responsibility for the road, but we can generate more than enough money to take care of the road as well as, more importantly, take care of our community.

— Mel E. Montagne, Key Largo

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LEADERSHIP MONROE

Meet alumni & learn about the program at recruitment events

July 16-18

Leadership Monroe County, the educational, nonpartisan, nonprofit community organization that brings together existing and emerging leaders to build constructive alliances in the Florida Keys, welcomes applicants for the upcoming Class XXXII, which will launch in September and run through April 2025.

The public is invited to attend any of three upcoming summer socials, which will acquaint interested individuals with the program and its components and introduce candidates to some of the program’s alumni.

The socials will each take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and are set for:

• July 16 at Pinfish Entertainment, 91214 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier

• July 17 at Key Colony Inn Restaurant and Lounge, 700 W. Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach.

• July 18 at the Key West Woman’s Club, 319 Duval St., Key West.

Refreshments will be provided.

At the July 16 event at Pinfish Entertainment graduates of past classes, competing in time-honored tradition for the title of “Best Class,” will challenge LMC board members at duckpin bowling and axthrowing.

Leadership Monroe County offers an opportunity for community leaders to experience and learn alongside a committed group of peers, and through their engagement increase their future impact within the community.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the program is aimed at residents who are active in leadership roles in the private sector, government or nonprofit community. Through a series of one- and multiday sessions over seven months, topics examined include the environment and natural resources, tourism and the economy, government, education, military, the law and judiciary, emergency management, arts and culture, health care, human services, as well as leadership skill development.

Deadline to apply is Aug. 12. Applications are available at leadershipmonroecounty.org.

More information is available at 305-394-3804 or by email to info@leadershipmonroecounty.org.

— Contributed

THURSDAY, JULY 11 - MONDAY, JULY 15 10 AM TO 6 PM 50%

Apparel, jewelry, sandals, bags. This includes all of our newest arrivals from top brands like Trina Turk, Farm Rio, Hale Bob, Oliphant, Finley, Jen's Pirate Booty, Kasia Resort, Hobo Original and many more.

There will be so many splurge-worthy pieces at amazing prices. This is our thank you for all the incredible support we have received.

Dr. Christopher Forsee, DMD is seamlessly taking the reins from the iconic “Barefoot Dentist,” Dr. Troxel, where the laid-back vibe extends even to the choice of footwear.

Dr. Forsee delivers personalized comprehensive dental care tailored to your needs. Whether it's routine maintenance or advanced procedures, trust Dr. Forsee to rejuvenate your smile with meticulous precision and compassionate care.

Sunday

Family Fried Chicken $28

2 Pieces of Fried Chicken | Beer-Battered Fries Cole Slaw | NA Beverage | Dessert

Monday st louis Ribs $34

Cole Slaw | Sweet Potato Fries

Tuesday

2 Asian Tuna Tacos in Wonton Shell $28

Sweet Soy & Wasabi Aioli | Kimchi

Wednesday

Prime Rib Night 12oz $60 | 16oz $70

Mashed Potatoes | Green Beans

Thursday

Jumbo Shrimp & Grits: $32

Friday

Swordfish Rockefeller: $48

Potato Croquette | Grilled Asparagus

Saturday Seafood Strudel with Broccolini: $42

NEW OWNERS OF ICONIC

BABY’S COFFEE ARE COMMITTED TO ITS LEGACY

Plans afoot to add Duval Street location

CAROLINE SMITH www.keysweekly.com

Baby’s Coffee, branded as the “Southernmost Coffee Roasters in America” and located at MM 15, is a historical landmark and community coffee hub that was launched in 1991 by Gary and Olga Teplistky.

In February, Joe and Carnella Bracciale bought the business that’s open 353 days a year. As soon as they learned it was for sale, they knew they wanted to own it.

“It’s really important for us to preserve the legacy and quality that Gary and Olga created, not just with their coffee, but also in their sense of community,” Joe said. “Baby’s Coffee is a pillar of the Keys thanks to their hard work, friendly vibes and Gary’s dedication to the art of roasting and coffee curation. Baby’s is a very good business with a great customer base, and we are very cognizant of the reputation and quality we need to maintain. We know we have big shoes to fill.”

Baby’s values its customers and offers anyone in uniform a free beverage. The customer base is what keeps the place alive. While it has a somewhat niche location, it thrives off its customers from the local Key West Conch community, as well as commuters who make the daily trip into Key West from Marathon or the Lower Keys, along with thousands of tourists who make sure they pick up enough coffee to last until their next trip to the Florida Keys.

The new owners have absolutely no plans of selling, they said. With expansions planned for the future, the Bracciales are committed to not changing too much and keeping Baby’s “eclectic feel.”

They have already increased their food and merchandise selections and continue to use their social media accounts to keep customers “in the know.” They plan to begin using their food truck and online business more in the near future.

The biggest and most exciting improvement includes plans to bring Baby’s back to Duval Street, where it started more than 30 years ago. Within the next few years, the new location would be toward the

south end of Duval, the Bracciales said.

The major difference between Baby’s Coffee and most other local coffee shops is Baby’s roasts and bags its own coffee daily. High quality Arabica coffee beans give customers the freshest coffee with over 20 roasts to choose from. The roasting room is connected to the main building, so the coffee is as fresh as possible.

Tripadvisor reviewers often tout Baby’s as “the best coffee in the Keys.”

Baby’s Coffee supports other local businesses. Croissants de France supplies its daily pastries. Ramona’s Conch Creations design its T-shirts and merchandise, and Bugs Ceramics makes its custom coffee mugs. Products from local vendors such as salt scrubs, seasonings and pickles are available in the store.

Customer Emily Bracher said she started going to Baby’s with her parents when she herself was just a baby. Bracher has lived in the Keys her whole life, and now attends Louisiana State University. She said she always makes sure to stop at the coffee shop when she is home for breaks.

“The store brings back memories from when I was younger, selling Girl Scout cookies outside the building,” Bracher said. “Now, I order an iced coffee with their Cuban bagel.”

More information and daily updates are at babyscoffee.com or their Instagram @babyscoffee.

ROTARY CLUB OF KEY WEST INSTALLS NEW LEADERS

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Since 1916, members of the Rotary Club of Key West have been exemplifying the international organization’s ideal of “service above self.”

The club’s annual induction ceremony took place June 27 at Key West Theater, where the Keys Weekly’s own Britt Myers accepted the presidential gavel from outgoing president Yvette Mira-Talbott.

Refreshments were in the capable hands of Catered Affairs of Key West while DJ Sanaris provided the soundtrack for the evening. It was a busy week for Key West

Rotarians, as they finalized plans for the club’s annual Star-Spangled Celebration on the Fourth of July.

With financial and staffing support from the city of Key West, the club has been providing Key West residents and visitors with a Fourth of July afternoon picnic and evening fireworks display launched from the Edward B. Knight Pier at the foot of White Street.

All proceeds raised from the Independence Day events benefit the club’s generous scholarship program.

In the past year alone, the Rotary Club of Key West raised more than $140,000 to support kids programs, scholarships and more.

Baby’s Coffee co-owner Carnella Bracciale next to one of the company’s giant roasters. CAROLINE SMITH/Keys Weekly

Keys Weekly’s Britt Myers accepts president’s gavel from Yvette Mira-Talbott

Outgoing president Yvette Mira-Talbott passes the presidential reins of the Rotary Club of Key West to Key West Weekly publisher Britt Myers on June 27.

Three of the Rotary Club of Key West’s longtime members, Johnny Parks, Alton Weekley and Pat Labrada, celebrate the club’s leadership and accomplishments.

The Rotary Club of Key West installs its new leadership board and presents annual awards at a June 27 celebration.

Already over a quarter-million votes have been cast by nearly 10,000 different people for their favorite foods, drinks, bars, boats, businesses, events, schools and more. And that doesn’t even include the additional quarter-million or so nominations received from all over the world that determined the final ballot candidates, representing the top three nominees in each category.

As usual, the majority of votes and nominations came from the Florida Keys and the Sunshine State overall, but once again the Bubbas are a global phenomenon.

This year, the Keys Weekly received nominations and votes from all 50 states. And once again, the campaign has enjoyed participation from all continents except Antarctica (so if anyone’s planning a research trip to the bottom of the world — talk about “southernmost” — next summer, remind them to log onto keysweekly.com.)

Western Europe — including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands — drew the most international attention, while we also drew plenty of participation from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The northernmost votes came from Finland, and the southernmost

from Australia, while our warmweather friends in the islands weren’t left out, either, with votes and nominations coming once again from Hawaii, the British Virgin Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.

Back home here at the Keys Weekly, everyone is already a winner, as participation in the Bubbas has grown all 11 years of the contest’s existence. Because of this, winners continue to change, with many new first-time plaques to be handed out on July 20 at the Bubbas Awards show at Key West Theater.

And while the Keys Weekly does not share or use any voter information for purposes outside of the contest, we do offer voters the chance to opt-in to the Keys Weekly’s daily e-blast, the largest daily news feed in the Keys with over 30,000 subscribers.

Most of all, “We remain humbled to serve Key West and the Florida Keys, while providing free print and digital news from the only locally owned source of news media across all of Monroe County,” said Key West Weekly editor Mandy Miles.

Here’s to another great 11 years of the Bubbas. See you at keysweekly.com through Sunday, July 7.

— Dr. Jack Norris

TRIBUTE FESTIVAL

MACDONALD AVENUE | KEY WEST

AQUEDUCT & SCHOOLS PARTNER FOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

8 students participated; 2 were offered jobs after graduation

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) and the Monroe County School District (MCSD) announced a partnership aimed at providing real-world experience to students. Eight students participated in an internship with FKAA this year, with two of them being offered employment post-graduation.

FKAA has two student trainees who have conveyed an interest in staying employed full-time after graduation. Luis Alvarez will be in the water operations department (Stock Island location) as a distribution system operator D as soon as he turns 18 in August; in the interim, the intent is to keep him on in his current, part-time capacity. Ernest Liz is also expected to stay with the wastewater division (Lower Keys) beyond graduation in a full-time capacity as wastewater maintenance mechanic C.

This collaboration marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment opportunities for students in Monroe County. The partnership is an outgrowth of the Monroe Occupation and Vocational Experience (MOVE) program initiated by Theresa Axford in her first year as superintendent. The program aims to

provide students with handson experience in various fields to better prepare them for future careers.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative that not only benefits the students but also addresses the workforce needs of our community,” said Greg Veliz, the executive director of the Aqueduct Authority. “By providing students with practical experience in the field, we are not only preparing them for successful careers but also strengthening our workforce for the future.”

“Collaborations like these are essential in providing students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in today’s workforce,” said Axford. “We are grateful for the support of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority in providing our students with this invaluable opportunity.”

Through this partnership, students not only gain practical skills and experience but also have the opportunity to explore potential career paths within the water management sector. The success of the internship program demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between educational institutions and local organizations in preparing students for future success.

— Contributed

KEYS SCHOOLS SHOW POSITIVE TESTING TRENDS

Monroe County students outperform statewide averages in several areas

The Monroe County School District cited a consistent upward trend in the performance of its students as evidenced by the Florida state testing results.

Superintendent Theresa Axford attributes these successes to the hard work of students, the dedication of teachers and the unwavering support of the community. These results not only reflect the district’s focus on high-quality education but also its ongoing efforts to provide an environment where every student can excel.

Monroe County students outperformed the state average in writing at all grades 4-10. Axford believes that the district emphasis on AVID strategies which focus on writing propelled the students to this success. This is the first time in several years that writing has been considered as a separate score.

In the English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, students in the third grade showed a remarkable improvement, with the percentage of students achieving Level 3 or higher increasing from 50% in 2023 to 57% in 2024. Overall, the district improved in ELA performance across all grade levels. Specifically

• Grades 3-10 ELA: The percentage of students performing at Level 3 or above increased from 46% in fiscal year (FY) 2023 to 50% in FY24.

• Grades 3-5 ELA: Students excelled, with proficiency rising from 46% to 52%.

• Grades 6-8 ELA: Middle school students also showed progress, increasing from 46% to 49%.

• Grades 9-10 ELA: High school students performed exceptionally

well, with proficiency rising from 44% to 48%.

In mathematics, third graders made notable strides, with a 5% increase from 2023 to 2024, surpassing the state’s improvement. Fifth graders stood out with a 9% increase, which is 3% above the state’s improvement. Highlights include:

• Grades 3-8 and high school mathematics: The percentage of students performing at Level 3 or above increased from 52% in FY23 to 53% in FY24.

• Grades 3-5 mathematics: Elementary students demonstrated strong proficiency, increasing from 48% to 54%

Grades 6-8 mathematics: Middle school students showed a slight decrease of 2% from last year to this year.

Geometry students excelled, achieving 55% proficiency, exceeding the state average by 3%.

In civics and U.S. history, MCSD maintained strong performance, with 66% and 72% proficiency in civics and U.S. history, respectively. In U.S. History, MCSD achieved a 5% performance advantage over the state.

MCSD’s commitment to science education yielded positive results:

• Grade 5 Statewide Science Assessment: Students achieving Level 3 or above increased from 44% in FY23 to 50% in FY24.

• Grade 8 All Science (Statewide Science and Biology 1 EOC): Proficiency increased 1% to 46%.

• Biology 1 EOC: MCSD students showed a decrease from 66% to 62%.

BIRDS AND PICTURES

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

It is hard to think about composition when taking a picture of a bird. So many elements are out of your control – foremost being the bird.

A lot of wildlife photography comes down to lining up the focus points in the camera with the critter moving in front of you. It can be harder than you think and it makes me wish I’d played more Atari as a kid, not because it would have been fun, but because I’d have better hand-eye coordination and miss fewer shots. I’ve been thinking and fretting a lot about bird photography in recent weeks, largely because I have a show of bird photographs coming up at Jag Gallery. (The opening is Thursday, July 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show is called Sea & Sky and will be a joint show with Erika Heffernen. Come for the art. Stay for the red wine and small talk.)

Some birds are easier to photograph than others. It comes down to size, speed, energy, wariness, feeding strategies, habitat, access to habitat and several other factors that aren’t coming to mind at the moment.

Warblers, for instance, can drive you to the brink. They are tiny and constantly on the move, usually behind a few layers of branches that send your autofocus in the wrong direction. My new camera body actually has a bird mode setting, where it will search for the shape of a bird and focus on that. (I like to whisper “bird mode” to myself whenever I turn it on.) But even technology that recognizes birds isn’t enough to keep up with them.

Great blue herons are at the other end of the spectrum. They are relatively habituated to humans (or are at least less flighty than many other birds) so you can get within a decent range with a long lens and usually get a decent shot. Like some genetically gifted people, they almost always look good for the camera.

Sometimes, after being defeated by warblers for a few hours, I’ll go find a great blue heron and take a picture just to rebuild my confidence and cheer myself up.

I’ve had a few solo photography shows before – usually focused on a specific subject, like nightscapes, the liveaboard boat community or Fantasy Fest. I’ve only really put together one show that has included any of my bird photography. Which is funny, because the reason I bought my first real, modern-era camera, and my first real long lens, was to take pictures of birds.

A little over a decade ago I used to coown a bird tour company. Digital photography wasn’t new at the time, but it was getting more affordable. On tours there was often a tension between the people who were on the trip for photography reasons, and people who were there to see a lot of birds. (Photographers want good light and a good scene, and therefore move more slowly.)

I bought a camera to learn how wildlife photographers experienced things so I could design some new itineraries focused on bird photography, though we ended up selling the company before we could schedule any such tours.

I was pretty into photography when I was younger, and had a darkroom in the basement of my parents’ house. But I couldn’t afford that kind of space when I moved to Key West. And any time I dropped my film off for processing, I was alway depressed by the results. Nothing looked as I had envisioned.

I remember at one point deciding I no longer would take photos when I traveled, as it was easier, cheaper and better to buy postcards.

But then digital photography came along and I felt I had regained a great deal of control over the process and results. The new camera rekindled my interest in the much broader world of picture-taking.

As a birder, I have terabytes of bird photos, but I generally think of them as more illustrative than (gulp) art. (See also: that first complaint I made about composition.)

As a result I developed this bifurcated relationship to the camera and what can be done with it. There’s the wildlife school of photography, which generally has to skew toward the idyllic and technically perfect to be considered successful. And then there’s the work that really speaks to and drives me, created by more

individualist and idiosyncratic photographers, people like Josef Koudelka, Sally Man, Ragnar Axelsson, and Zanele Muholi. Work that is less about technical brilliance and the perfect capture than it is about emotion, experience and giving insight into the divine chaos of the world. For a long time I didn’t think it possible to unify those two photographic poles. Then I saw the work of Stephen Gill a few years ago. A Brit living in Sweden, he produced a project, and later a book, called “The Pillar,” which was an amazingly simple concept – he mounted a motion-triggered camera next to a fence post on a farm. There’s a strong argument to be made that an automated camera trap does not create art – but the art was in the concept, the selection and the production of the photos. Beautiful black-and-whites of birds, sometimes in the center of the frame, but more often only partially in frame, in all sorts of flight contortions. It’s amazingly moody and evocative work that just broke the mold – at least for me – in how one can approach wildlife photography.

There aren’t a lot of fence poles in the Keys, so setting up a camera trap is out. But I’ve been looking through the digital heaps of bird images I have, approaching them with a different set of criteria, trying to find the ones that might hit a little differently than I thought they did the first time around.

Anyhow, this is my first attempt at something like that. We’ll see how it goes.

Jag Gallery, 1075 Duval St., will present a joint art show, ‘Sea & Sky,’ featuring bird photography by Mark Hedden and works by Erika Heffernan. An opening reception will take place Thursday, July 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Magnificent frigatebirds at Hemingway Light off the Northwest Channel. MARK HEDDEN/Keys

MARK HEDDEN

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com

As Saturn slowed down and turned retrograde last week, you may have noticed events taking place in the world that encouraged us to reconsider our political structures. (ahem, Key West City Commission meeting, ahem, presidential debate). Saturn represents the structures and authority figures that exist in society, so let these events continue to turn over in your mind for the next five months as you consider what structures we need for a healthy social contract. This week, we see Mercury forming a 180-degree opposition to Pluto followed by a new moon in Cancer. When the intelligence of Mercury opposes the shadow of Pluto, we seek a tense balance between the analytical mind and unconscious impulses. We think about our instincts; we talk about our traumas; we move into spaces where the natural world can embrace us. There is potential for intense arguments and gaining clarity about our compulsions. Our thoughts may turn dark, which can also help us to think critically about the light. The Cancer new moon on July 5 is particularly cozy because the moon rules the sign of Cancer, so she is at home. We are all experiencing a fresh start in our emotional worlds, particularly with our nearest and dearest. So set some intentions for your hearts.

Here are your horoscopes for Mercury opposite Pluto and the Cancer new moon. Read for your rising and sun signs.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

This is your new moon, crabbycakes! If you find that anything is holding you back from who you want to be, this is the perfect time to get clear on your self-develop-

ment and how people perceive you. Set intentions now and see what emerges in two weeks. How are your financial decisions serving or not serving a purpose greater than yourself? Is there another way to think about money and motives?

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Sit with the feelings that emerge in the quiet, meditative spaces. This new moon is for making sure that you know how to be fully supported even when there is no one around and nothing to do. What would that look like? A powerful conversation with a significant other in your life is an opportunity to understand yourself better. Try to think of yourself objectively. It’s impossible, but it’s a worthwhile venture.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Are you feeling an almost obsessive drive to work or to keep busy? Remember that your mind needs respite, so try to find quiet time for your thoughts to settle. Hard work can support a peaceful mind. If you find a new group of friends or possibly even a new support network, suspend any suspicion and see how they help you in two weeks.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

A fresh start at work is being offered to you under this new moon. A new project? A new promotion? A new career entirely? If you feel it now, invest your energy and see what emerges in two weeks. You seem to have some powerful creative inspiration coming through. Think about the people in your life who nourish versus the people who drain your creativity. Make some choices.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

With work on your mind, you may notice something really powerful taking place at home. This is not a

time to avoid, rather a time to use how you think about work to help you manage the issue at the homestead. Let this new moon crystallize a new adventure for you. Plan for a vacation, sign up for a new course of study, join a new faith community. It’s time for a perspective shift.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

This new moon is a great time to invest in something you care about. You can give your time, your energy, your skills, your money –and you should receive a relatively quick return. There is some intense, almost obsessive, energy in your local neighborhood, and you may be thinking about getting out of Dodge for a bit. That would be worthwhile, but the issue will be there when you return.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Is there a possible new relationship in your life? Did you meet someone and are you wondering where it might go? Enjoy the moment and reassess in two weeks under the full moon. You’ve begun a powerful new entanglement with money and possessions in recent months, but think about how you might make them work for other people, too. Hoarding stops the flow.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

If you have been wanting to start a new daily routine or build some new habits into your life, this new moon is the perfect time to get started. Whether you start a new morning routine, a new exercise regimen, or a new workflow, it will be supported. Even though you are embarking on a powerful, personal metamorphosis, you can still think about partnership.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Think about your physical health and how it relates to your mental

THOUGHTS IN THE DARK

health. You have a powerful transformation taking place in your unconscious, and focusing your mind on how you take care of your body will help to anchor you. You have a creative, joyful endeavor being planted under this new moon, so follow your bliss.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

When intensity starts to show up in your friend network, it is helpful to turn your mind to your own means of self-expression. How do you show up, and how do you avoid getting caught up in the dramatics? Think of what actually brings you joy. Set some intentions for your home and family under the new moon. How would you like to see your personal world progress?

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Do you need to try to communicate something in a different way? This new moon affords you an altogether different way of getting your point across. So try it, and see the results under the full moon in two weeks. Power struggles at work have you thinking about home more; let that help provide solutions for the intensity in the office.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

A new financial opportunity is opening up. Apply for that job, take that gig, open that savings account. You will see results in two weeks, so get going. With some serious new things coming into your life, your mind needs time to remember what is familiar. Let nostalgia kick in for a time and see how far you’ve come.

TAKING THE REINS

Lietaert named CFFK chair; Still, Wright join board

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys announced significant changes to its board of governors, marking a milestone in its 27-year history. Laura Lietaert, principal of Coral Shores High School, on July 1 became the organization’s first board chair from north of the Seven Mile Bridge. Additionally, business owners Robyn Still of Marathon and Isis Wright of Key Largo have been elected to threeyear terms on the board.

“Laura Lietaert has an in-depth understanding of the needs of our residents, having graduated from Coral Shores, raised her own family here and worked for the school system for three decades,” said Community Foundation board president and CEO Jennifer McComb. “With the addition of Robyn Still and Isis Wright, our board now better represents the geographic diversity of the Keys. This aligns perfectly with our strategic goal of becoming a truly countywide organization.”

“I’m honored to lead the Community Foundation into its next phase of growth,” said Lietaert, a Key Largo resident. “Our goal is to continue expanding our impact across all of the Florida Keys, addressing the unique needs of each community.”

The board is responsible for the organization’s efforts countywide, including managing 226 charitable funds totaling over $30 million and making grants exceeding $1.5 million annually to support Florida Keys nonprofits.

Lietaert was named Monroe County School District “Principal of the Year” in 2023 after receiving the same award at Key Largo School in 2018. She chairs Monroe County’s Human Services Advisory Board, which annually grants over $2 million to local nonprofits. She served two terms as president of the Rotary Club of Key Largo and is active in the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. Lietaert was the Community Foundation’s first board member from Key Largo when she joined

in 2020 and served as chair of the foundation’s Upper Keys Advisory Council for two years.

Still serves on the Community Foundation’s Middle Keys Advisory Council. She and her husband, Chris, own the Tackle Box, a bait and tackle store in Marathon. Currently the mayor of Marathon, Still has lived in the Keys since 2016, moving from north Georgia after a 20-year career in law enforcement. She holds several community leadership positions, including past chair of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Rotary Club of Marathon, advisory board member for the Domestic Abuse Shelter and member of Zonta. She is a graduate of Leadership Monroe County and a mentor for Take Stock in Children.

Wright has been an inaugural member of the Community Foundation’s Upper Keys Advisory Council since 2021, serving as council chair since 2022. With over 20 years of professional experience in business development and marketing, Wright recently launched two Keysbased brands: B. Ready, a travel and leisure wellness online marketplace, and Italian Food Company, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria. She is a board member of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce and has served with the Rotary Club of Key Largo, Rotary Interact and Junior Achievement. Wright holds an MBA from the University of Miami and is a graduate of Leadership Miami.

Other Community Foundation board members are Andrea Spottswood (treasurer and finance chair), Jodi Weinhofer (secretary), Marian Buccafurni (investment and grants chair), Bobby Highsmith (governance chair), Warren Leamard (development chair), Larry Nolt and Ken Silverman. Will Langley and Ron Burd will transition to advisory roles after completing their nine-year terms of service. — Contributed

‘PAINT & SIP’ WITH FRAN DECKER AT TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

Artists of all abilities are welcome Aug. 10 to decorate their own historic shingle

On Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., artists of all experience levels can participate in an outdoor “Paint & Sip” on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front St.

The session will be led by artist Fran Decker, a longtime Key West-based painter acclaimed for her vivid interpretations of local landmarks, Conch houses, marine themes, flora and fauna. Participants will be provided with an authentic 1911 Truman Little White House roof shingle as their canvas. Wine, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, with the first one complimentary for participants. Artists bring their own outdoor painting supplies, such

as easel or plein air box and tripod, paint, brushes, brush washing container, etc. This is the final of three scheduled 2024 “TRU-ly Amazing Art” events, the proceeds of which benefit the Harry S. Truman Foundation and its mission to preserve Florida’s only presidential museum — the Harry S. Truman Little White House — and to support civic engagement, education and the historical and cultural influences of the Truman era.

The events are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Tickets and registration are available at www. trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/ foundation/events/.

— Contributed

Artist Fran Decker will lead a ‘Paint & Sip’ event at the Harry S. Truman Little White House on Saturday, Aug. 10, the third and final installment in this year’s Harry S. Truman Foundation TRU-ly Amazing Art series. CONTRIBUTED

Laura Lietaert

Robyn Still

Isis Wright

HELP KEEP KEY WEST CLEAN

JOIN A 1- HOUR CLEANUP FRIDAY MORNINGS

Keep Key West Beautiful recently coordinated two cleanups in one week. The Casa Marina and The Reach resorts hosted the usual Friday morning cleanup on June 21. In one hour, 26 volunteers collected 167 pounds of trash, 14 pounds of recycling and 2 gallons of cigarette butts. They also received their adopt-a-spot signs for the two sections of roads the hotels have adopted. CONTRIBUTED

Left: The second annual PHADE beach cleanup took place June 22. The chance of rain scared off the normally large group of volunteers, but 12 dedicated volunteers worked double time and collected 373 pounds of trash, 55 pounds of recycling and 0.25 gallons of cigarette butts. Right: The June 28 cleanup was the last one for the first half of 2024. The Ploggers met at Lazy Way Lane with host Schooner Wharf Bar. In one hour, 27 Volunteers collected 147 pounds of trash, 10 pounds of recycling and 1.75 gallons of cigarette butts.

One hour a week makes a huge difference, and volunteers are welcome every Friday and some Saturday mornings, from 8 to 9 a.m., when the Key West Ploggers clean up a designated area of the island.

Gloves, pickers, buckets, vests, hand sanitizer and a parking pass are provided to all volunteers.

A troubling number of cigarette butts and plastic bags have been included in recent hauls. Please remember your reusable bags when shopping so we can keep the plastic off the streets, parking lots and, most importantly, out of the water. And dispose of cigarette butts in any receptacle rather than the street or sidewalk, as from there, they easily end up in the ocean.

Call Waste Management at 305296-8297 for any furniture items left on the city right of way.

It takes committed community involvement to keep Key West beautiful and we are making progress with

every cleanup event and every spot that’s adopted. Call Dorian Patton at 305-809-3782 to find out how your business, nonprofit or club can help.

— Contributed

Join a Friday morning cleanup each week from 8 to 9 a.m.

July 5: Front and Whitehead streets . Meet at Custom House. Parking vouchers available for Opal Key garage. Hosted by Opal Key Resort & Marina.

July 12: North Roosevelt Boulevard by First Horizon Bank. Meet at bank, 3618 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Parking available in the back. Hosted by First Horizon Bank

July 19: Virginia and Watson streets. Meet at Unity of the Keys Spiritual Center, 1011 Virginia St. Hosted by Unity of the Keys.

July 26: Glynn Archer Drive & Duck Avenue. Meet at Poinciana School and Wickers Field.

The following statistics compare the first half of 2024 with the first half of the two prior years:

KEY WEST LAWS OF 1829

Unleashed dogs, bathing in public & prostitution came with monetary fines

In 1829, Monroe County lines stretched from Key West, the county seat, north to Lake Okeechobee and west to Port Charlotte (Charlotte Harbor between Fort Myers and Saint Petersburg).

North to south and east to west, the county was sparsely populated. With a population of about 500, Key West was the largest community in the county (the 1830 census counted 517 people).

The Florida Keys’ first newspaper, the Key West Register & Commercial Advertiser, arrived in 1829. Among other stories and advertisements, the paper printed ordinances issued by the Town Council and Edgar Macon, president of the Key West Town Council. Included in the new town laws were ordinances governing dogs, bathing, prostitution and guns.

“Dogs: Be it ordained by the Town Council of Key West that from and after the passage of this Ordinance each and every Dog in the Town of Key West (Terriers excepted) shall be subjected to a tax of two dollars a year to be paid by the owner of said dog.”

The town’s sheriff collected the tax. Each dog, with the exception of terriers, was required to wear a collar with the initials of the owner stamped on the collar. Any dog found running around Key West at large and without a collar, or any dog that had not had its tax paid, “shall be shot or otherwise killed by any

citizen.” The marshal, too, could be contacted and directed to shoot the animal.

Bathing: an ordinance to prevent persons bathing in front of the Town.

“Sec.1 Be it ordained by the Town Council of Key West, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to bathe in public in front of the town of Key West, that is to say, two hundred yards south of the house of William Bunee Esq. to one hundred yards north-east of the canal leading to the pond in rear of the town.

“Sec. 2 Be it ordained, That any white person offending against the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, before the President of the Town Council, be fined a sum not exceeding five dollars.

“Sec. 3 Any person of colour offending against the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction before the President of the Town Council, be punished with stripes not exceeding twelve.”

Prostitution: an ordinance to punish lewd persons.

“Be it ordained by the Town Council of Key West, that any female of evil fame (known to be such) supporting and maintaining herself by the unlawful profits of prostitution, or who shall live in a state of open adultery, within the limits of the corporation of the Town of Key West, shall upon conviction before the President of the Town Council, be fined for each offence, a sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars, at the discretion of the President.

“Sec. 2 It shall be lawful for the President of the Town Council upon the conviction of any person offending against the provisions of this ordinance, to exact and require of the person convicted, a bond with a penalty of five hundred dollars, with one or more sufficient

securities, with a condition that the person so convicted, shall for the space of twelve months will and properly demean herself and not offend against this ordinance; and every person failing to give such bond shall be committed to the jail of the Corporation, there to remain until they give bond as herein required.” (Passed June 30, 1829)

The July 16, 1829, Volume 1 No. 27 edition subsequently published the following opinion piece.

“We refer the attention of our town readers to an Ordinance of the Town Council published in this week’s Register, ‘to punish lewd persons.’ We are proud to find independence enough in the Council to adopt such an ordinance: and we hope it may be rigidly executed, until those wretches, who have been such a disgrace to our society, may either become good citizens, or be entirely banished from the island.”

Guns: an ordinance more effectively to prevent firing and shooting within the corporation.

“Be it ordained, That when any person or persons shall allow, suffer, or permit any person whatever to shoot off, discharge, or fire any gun, or other fire arms, from any house or dwelling, whereof he, she, or they may be an occupant or occupants, and that give up or furnish the name of names of the person so firing or discharging, when required to do so by the town marshal, shall be guilty of an offense, and, on conviction before the President of the Council, be fined five dollars.”

The paper also shared the changing rules about having cattle in the town. “Two years ago fresh beef or mutton was almost unknown on the Island, and now a family would think it was faring hard indeed, if they sat down to dinner without roasting a piece of beef steak or mutton chops (March 5, 1829, Volume 1 No. 9).”

In a notice written by P.C. Greene dated Aug. 27, 1829, “All person or persons having Stock of any kind running at large on this island is hereby notified that they are requested to take up the same, and confine them in a lot, or remove them from off the island within the space of thirty days.”

An Army drawing of Key West in 1850. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/ Monroe County Library collection.

Brad is a local historian, author, speaker and Honorary Conch who loves sharing the history of the Florida Keys.

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

TAKE ME HOME?

FIND A FRIEND AT THE FLORIDA KEYS SPCA

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

From cats and dogs to Guinea

pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

Check these pages each week for just a few of the animals waiting for a home and see them all at fkspca.org.

Ahoy, matey! Captain Hook is the 7-year-old pirate cat who’s traded his timid ways for a life of adventure. This swashbuckling feline now commands the high seas of your living room, purring and plundering for treats.

Meet Phil, the speedster boxer mix at the Key West campus. Phil’s a master at running, always ready to race you to the nearest treat jar. His energy and enthusiasm are unmatched, making every day an adventure.

Meet Bleu, a timid yet sweet 10-yearold female cat. Bleu may be shy and prefer the comfort of her bed, but she’s a purring bundle of love once she trusts you.

Gus is an 11-year-old cat who has triumphed over adversity. Despite having a tumor removed from his back, Gus remains as affectionate and resilient as ever. He loves gentle cuddles and cozy naps.

Allow us to present Earl Grey, a distinguished lionhead rabbit with a majestic mane. This charming chap delights in cuddles and nibbling on fine greens. Bring a touch of elegance to your home with Earl Grey’s gentle presence.

POLICE FISHING CHALLENGE HELPS AUTISM SOCIETY OF THE KEYS

Annual dolphin tournament contest raises $25K

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Police officers Frank Betz and Mike Pettee organized the fourth annual Police Benevolent Association’s charity dolphin fishing tournament off Key West to benefit the Autism Society of the Keys (ASK).

Drawing competitive anglers from 25 boats, and headquartered at Oceans Edge Marina on Stock

Island, the tournament raised $25,000 for ASK, topping last year’s total by more than $5,000 and awarding more than $15,000 in cash and prizes.

Winning first place and $7,500 was the Off the Rock team with a 34.30-pound dolphin.

Second place went to Triple J with a 33.28-pound dolphin. No Doubt took third place with a 24.58-pound dolphin.

1. Winning first place and $7,500 in the PBA charity dolphin tournament was the Off the Rock team with a 34.30-pound dolphin. 2. A team of anglers from the Police Benevolent Association show off an 18.64-pound dolphin. 3. Top junior angler award goes to Corbin, fishing aboard Touche, with a 13.4-pound dolphin. 4. The fourth annual PBA dolphin tournament raises $25,000 for the Autism Society of the Keys. CONTRIBUTED

COMBAT-WOUNDED VETS HELP RESTORE CORAL REEF

Outdoor challenges also contribute to prosthetics & injury research

ACombat Wounded Veteran Challenge took place June 23-26 in Key West, where combat-wounded veterans worked hand-in-hand with Scubanauts International and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to help restore the coral reef.

The organization of combatwounded veterans partners with universities, medical professionals and institutions to help gather research on PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthotics and prosthetics to better understand the difficulties faced by wounded or injured veterans on a daily basis..

The challenges also instill confidence and pride in the veterans who participate, better enabling them to realize their full potential and continue to contribute to helping others.

Military and volunteer divers from Southpoint Divers used assistive technology to help veterans dive off Key West and participate in coral replanting.

The nonprofit hosts challenges throughout the year in various places to enable veterans to take part in outdoor adventures, including scuba diving, mountaineering, fishing and sailing.

“Our Challenge Warriors make a powerful impact on other veterans and patients who are still

completing their rehabilitation programs or those who simply have lost hope,” states the combatwounded.org website. “By their inspirational example, they demonstrate to other combat- wounded and Injured, among others, that despite their injuries, they too, can overcome seemingly insurmountable personal challenges.

The nonprofit Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge organization was in Key West June 23-26, offering veterans the use of assistive technology to enable them to dive the waters off Key West while working with Mote Marine and Scubanauts International to help restore the coral reef. CONTRIBUTED

MONDAY

CHANCE

THREADS OF BRAVERY

GIRLS IN DISGUISE, BETSY ROSS AND ARMY LIFE: ENJOY THESE FASCINATING READS TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY

A GIRL CALLED SAMSON

By Amy Harmon

KAREN NEWFIELD

During the American Revolution, women were rarely seen and never heard. They couldn’t attend school, own land or dream of being soldiers. When Deborah’s father abandoned her family, her mother had no choice but to send the children out as indentured servants. In a way, she was lucky; Deborah was taught to read and write. She was also bestowed upon the kind Thomas family with 10 little boys who taught her to be fearless and competitive. As war descended upon Massachusetts, the boys headed off one by one. Deborah was tall, athletic and smart. It did not take long for her to change her appearance enough to pass as “Rob,” who followed the brothers to war. Half the battle was keeping her secret; the other half was filled with all the things at which she excelled. Behaviors that could bring unwanted attention were masked by bravery, loyalty and gumption. She was offered the coveted position of aide-de-camp to a powerful general and, with a surprising twist, fell in love. Deborah Sampson was barely mentioned in our history books, and this fictionalized account of her life is simply mesmerizing.

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

THE WIVES

By Simone Gorrindo

Leaving New York City was not easy. Simone had a fulfilling job and a great group of friends. But after she married Andrew, he joined an elite Army unit, and the couple moved to Columbus, Georgia, a town with an army base and little else. As most newlyweds struggle with change, they had a hard time managing their dreams while supporting each other. Feeling the loneliness and financial instability of army life, Simone’s big test arrived when Andrew was deployed. Paralyzed by fear, she learned that it takes a village – or rather, “The Wives” – to make the transition to an army wife. Curious and a lifelong pacifist, Simone relentlessly questioned Andrew and their peers. She needed to understand the source of Andrew’s unflinching drive to risk his life and fight for his country. She slowly learned how the army worked and the lingo they used to pacify worried wives while their husbands were away. The more experienced wives helped her through the difficult early days, and Simone learned the meaning of true friendship. While she and Andrew meandered through the complicated maze of military life, her well-written memoir shone as a testament to faith, hope and family.

#WORTHWATCHING

THE

By Wendy Long Stanley

As a teen, Betsy Griscom followed her sister to the sewing shop where she worked. Without many options and quite a talented seamstress herself, Betsy applied for a position beside her. While the younger siblings kept their Quaker parents busy, they barely noticed when Betsy brought home John Ross, a handsome young man from the shop. At first, Betsy only admits to friendship but fails to reveal John’s non-Quaker rebelliousness and family ties to the Sons of Liberty. As violence in 1770 Philadelphia exploded, Betsy could not ignore the dangers of political unrest and what it meant to be married to a militiaman. She could not abide by the Quaker vow of nonviolence when their lives and that of their future children were at stake. Secretly helping John in any way she could, Betsy was drawn closer and closer to the upheaval of this new American society and the promise of an independent America. These turbulent times had many unsung heroes. Reflecting on what it meant to be a patriot, the well-known Betsy Ross was a brave feminist ahead of her time.

Michael Douglas is Benjamin Franklin in a dramatic series detailing the eight years Franklin spent in France trying to persuade King Louis XVI to support the American Revolutionary War. Douglas is outstanding as Franklin comes to life on the screen. Check it out on Apple TV.

TREASON OF BETSY ROSS

On this day: In 1960, the modern version of the American flag (with 50 stars) debuted at a ceremony in

As part of the a ual Italian Market Fes val in Philadelphia, one contest involves compe ors climbing a greased pole to claim bags of meat and ch se ed at the top, United Pre Interna onal reported. This year, however, the dangling delectables were le hanging, and nearly a month later, they’re s there. Fes val organizers are trying to a ange for a crane to gather the le overs, which visitors claim aren’t s nky -yet. With the oncoming heat dome acro the United States, that might change.

Adam

In The Bleachers

Brevity

News of the Weird

Nancy

In 1826, founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Je erson both died on the 50th a iversary of the signing of the Declara on of Independence.

In 2012, the discovery of Hi s boson-like par cles through experiments at the Large Hadron Co ider was a ounced at the European Organiza on for Nuclear Research (CERN).

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

George Everest (1790-1866), surveyor/geographer; Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), writer; Stephen Foster (1826-1864), songwriter; Calvin C lidge (18721933), 30th U.S. president; Eva Marie Saint (1924- ), actre ; Neil Simon (1927-2018), playwright; George Steinbre er (1930-2010), New York Yank s owner; Bi Withers (1938-2020), singersongwriter; Koko (1971-2018), gori a; Post Malone (1995- ), singer-songwriter.

Adam

Nancy

Founded by Betty Debnam

The Bayou State

Louisiana, our 31st-largest state, is bordered by Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, the Mississippi River, its wetlands and seafood. More than 4.6 million people live in the state.

Robert de LaSalle, a French explorer, claimed the land drained by the Mississippi River for France in 1682, naming it “Louisiane” after King Louis XIV.

The state was a part of the Louisiana Purchase, western territory the U.S. bought from France in 1803 for $15 million.

French history is still strong there today, and French is the main language spoken in some regions of the state. More than 4.5% of the population speaks French.

Baton Rouge is Louisiana’s capital. Its name means “red stick” in French. The capitol building is 450 feet high, the tallest capitol in the nation.

Working in Louisiana

Louisiana is a top producer in the U.S. of salt, natural gas and petroleum. It is also a leader in crawfish, shrimp and oyster production. The top crop is soybeans.

Sugar is an important crop. The Domino Sugar refinery near New Orleans is the largest in the country.

Tourism is important to the economy of Louisiana, bringing in about $16.8 billion annually to the state.

Living in Louisiana

The Bayou State has vibrant cities, prairies, woodlands and rivers. (“Bayou” comes from a Choctaw word meaning “river.”) The Mississippi River, which continues to the Gulf of Mexico, was a major path of transportation until modern times. Today, the river is still used for moving manufactured and agricultural goods north and south.

New Orleans is the state’s largest city and one of the busiest ports in the world. Its nicknames include “The Big Easy” and the “Cradle of Jazz.”

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It is a celebration filled with parades and balls. It attracts many visitors. Mardi Gras begins each year on the day before Ash Wednesday.

Sports

The New Orleans Saints of the National Football League and the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association draw many fans. The city has hosted the Super Bowl 10 times. It is scheduled to be played there again in 2025.

Argentina’s typically abundant corn crop is being ravaged by an invasion of leafhopper bugs, which are infesting fields that were once too cool for them to thrive. With climate change bringing less winter frost to curb their numbers and regular summertime heat waves for them to feed in, leafhopper populations in Argentina are now at 10 times the average level, according to agriculture experts. The hungry bugs are currently being found about 1,000 miles south of their traditional habitats.

Famous Louisianans

• Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry was born in New Orleans. He is famous for the films he has written about the character Madea, an older Black woman. He’s also written books and plays.

• Louis Armstrong was a famous jazz cornet and trumpet player, singer and entertainer. Armstrong was born in New Orleans on Aug. 4, 1901. He died in 1971.

Armstrong moved to Chicago in 1922 and recorded his first solo in 1923. In 1926, he popularized a form of rhythmic singing without words called “scat singing.” That was when he switched from playing the cornet to the trumpet.

• Former professional football quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning were born in New Orleans. Peyton played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. Eli played for the New York Giants.

Along with their dad and brother Cooper, the Mannings run a five-day camp every summer to help offensive players improve their skills.

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPLouisiana

At the library:

• “Hello, My Name Is Louisiana Purchase

O’Leary” by Jonathan Hickman

• “Boudreaux the Louisiana Mosquiteaux” by Stacy Bearden

Mini Page® © 2024 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Mini Fact: The French Quarter in New Orleans is full of historic buildings, restaurants and jazz clubs.

photo by Pedro Szekely

photo courtesy Natural Earth and Portland State University

Louis Armstrong

The Louisiana Purchase is shown in white.

TRY ’N’ FIND

Words that remind us of Louisiana are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters

ARMSTRONG, BATON ROUGE, BAYOU, FRENCH, GULF, JAZZ, LOUISIANA, MANNING, NEW ORLEANS, PERRY, PORT, PURCHASE, QUARTER, RIVER, SEAFOOD, SUPER BOWL, TOURISM, WETLANDS.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Please take notice that in accordance with Florida Statute 328.17, MilesHawk Marine, LLC dba-Shelter Bay Marine claims a possessory lien on the following described vessels.

1st, owned by Frank Calabrese for unpaid storage fees: a 1998, Mako 17, Florida Registration # FL 4388KK and HIN #MRK0421LA898.

2nd, owned by Mike Olszewski for unpaid storage fees and repair charges: a 2005, Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless, Florida Registration #FL 1626MU and HIN# USBWCE0899L405.

These vessels to be sold or disposed of on or after 8:00AM, July 12th, 2024, at Shelter Bay Marine, 77 Coco Plum Dr., Marathon, FL 33050. MilesHawk Marine, LLC dbaShelter Bay Marine, reserves the right to reject any and all/ bids.

Publish: June 27 & July 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice of Seizure that in accordance with Florida Statutes 83.805/83.506, Upper Keys Commerce Center, 97300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 will sell or otherwise dispose of the personal contents of the following unit to satisfy the delinquent storage lien. All contents in: Unit 82 – Tonya Skillman Sale of all goods will be 7/26/24 at 10:00 am at 97300 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo Florida 33037. Upper Keys Commerce Center reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids.

Publish: July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold their regularly scheduled meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. This will be a hybrid meeting of in person at the Murray Nelson Government Center (102050 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037) and Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform: Monroe County Tourist Development Council Meeting Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/83300176016 Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16465189805,, 83300176016# or +16699006833,, 83300176016# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 518 9805  or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 833 0017 6016 International numbers available: zoom.us/u/kdfeTtPHLBhttps://mcbocc.

The Visit Florida Keys Corporation will also convene during this meeting. All Tourist Development Council Meetings are open to the public, and one or more County Commissioners may be in attendance. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the Monroe County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. If you

are hearing or voice impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

July 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Florida Keys Council of the Arts Notice of Upcoming Meetings & Workshops

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts will hold the following meetings via Communications Media Technology using a ZOOM webinar platform, with the exception of the August 1st Board Meeting which will be hybrid. The access points to view the Zoom meetings or for members of the public to provide public input will be: JOIN ZOOM via the Zoom app and use each meeting ID and password listed. Meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Questions, or to RSVP, please email Liz Young at director@keysarts.com

Membership Committee

Meeting

Thursday, July11, 2024 at 3:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 834 8759 6648 Passcode: 327349

Membership Committee

Meeting

Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 869 3771 9326 Passcode: 226532

Grant Review Panel

Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 822 8162 3275 Passcode: 331284

Grant Review Panel # 2

Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 820 5644 3087 Passcode: 378891

Membership Committee

Meeting

Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 3:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 832 5502 4789 Passcode: 106774

Board of Directors Meeting & Retreat – hybrid mtg

Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Marathon Library Community room and Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 824 2079 3431 Passcode: 387593

Publish: July 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-CA-000268-M RED MANGROVE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, v. MARATHON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, CEDAR OAK REI, INC., an Idaho for-profit corporation, MARK RAY GERENGER, personal guarantor, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S)WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS, and ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN OCCUPANT(S) or TENANT(S) of 329 63RD COURT GULF, MARATHON, FLORIDA 33050 AND 57468 AND 57478 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, GRASSY KEY, FLORIDA 33050, Defendants. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE BY CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Kevin Madok, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County, Florida, will, on the 23rd day of July, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., on the front courthouse steps at 500 Whitehead Street,

Monroe County, in the City of Key West, Florida, offer for sale and sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for CASH the following described property situated in Monroe County, Florida, to wit: Property Address: 329 63RD COURT GULF, MARATHON, FLORIDA 33050; AND 57468 AND 57478 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, GRASSY KEY, FLORIDA 33050. Pursuant to FINAL JUDGMENT of FORECLOSURE SALE SCHEDULED FOR JULY 23, 2024, AND SALE DATE entered in a case pending in said Court, of JULY 23, 2024, the Style of which is: RED MANGROVE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, Plaintiff, vs. MARATHON DEVELOPMENT

PARTNERS, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, et.al., Defendants, and the Docket Number of which is 23-CA-000268-M. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 24TH day of June 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court By: Shonta McLeod As Deputy Clerk Florida Statute 45.031: Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within sixty (60) days after the sale.

Publish: July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

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

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NUMBER: 24-CP-333-P IN RE: ESTATE OF DONNA ARNOLD Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of DONNA ARNOLD, deceased, whose date of death was 8 June 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: July 4, 2024

Personal Representative: Robert Arnold 126 Mohawk St. Tavernier, FL 33070

Attorney for Personal Representative: Tom Woods, Esq.

Florida Bar No.: 0525197 116 Porto Salvo Drive Islamorada, Florida 33036

Phone: 305.664.2200 Fax 2205

Primary Email: tom@ tomwoodslaw.com

Secondary Email: eserve@ tomwoodslaw.com

Publish: July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2024-CP-000321-M IN RE: ESTATE OF GARY W. BURATTI, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GARY W. BURATTI, deceased, whose date of death was January 17, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, FL, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

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

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

The date of first publication of this Notice is: July 4, 2024.

Personal Representative: Christine M. Watt 66 Coco Plum Drive Marathon, FL 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Michael A. Siefert, Esquire Florida Bar No. 042315

Michael A. Siefert, P.A. 121 NW 3rd Street Ocala, FL 34475

Telephone: (352) 732-0141

E-mail: msiefert@aol.com

Publish:

July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-329-M

DIVISION: MIDDLE KEYS

IN RE: ESTATE OF DALE DENNING

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of DALE DENNING, deceased, whose date of death was June 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MONROE County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a

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

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

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

The date of first publication of this notice is: July 4, 2024.

Personal Representative: Vesta Medernach Denning 1509 Sombrero Blvd. Marathon, Florida 33050

Attorney for Personal Representative: Richard E. Warner

Attorney Florida Bar Number: 283134 RICHARD E. WARNER, P.A. 12221 Overseas Highway MARATHON, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-6022

Fax: (305) 743-6216

E-mail: richard@rewarnerlaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: pamela2@ rewarnerlaw.com

Publish:

July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 24-CP-000328-PK IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM T. SCHEALL

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WILLIAM T. SCHEALL, deceased, whose date of death was May 15, 2024; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 24-CP-000328-PK, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE

OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: JULY 4, 2024.

Personal Representative: JOHN SCHEALL, JR. 1304 Perry St. Lakeland, FL 33801

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOHN MICHAEL LYNN, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0147273

Turner & Lynn, P.A. 7 Barracuda Lane Key Largo, Florida 33037 Telephone: (305) 367-0911 turnerlynnpa@gmail.com

Publish: July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2024-CP-306-P IN RE: ESTATE OF GLORYANNE SANDREY Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GLORYANNE SANDREY, deceased, whose date of death was January 24, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

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

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

The date of first publication of this notice is: July 4, 2024.

Personal Representatives: Christopher Sandrey 1870 Ocean Way Vero Beach, FL 32963 Ilona Joy Sandrey 1870 Ocean Way Vero Beach, FL 32963

Attorney for Personal Representatives: URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ.

Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@yahoo.com

Florida Bar No. 382035

Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036

Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish: July 4 & 11, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO. 24-CP-000270-P IN RE: ESTATE OF EWA W. TARASIEWICZ Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of Ewa W. Tarasiewicz, deceased, whose date of death was December 26, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is: June 27, 2024. Personal Representative: Ewa Matuszek-Soja c/o Sloto & Diamond, PLLC 9100 S. Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1607 Miami, Florida 33156 Attorney for Personal Representative: James R. Sloto, Esquire Florida Bar Number: 223867 Sloto & Diamond, PLLC 9100 S. Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1607 Miami, Florida 33156 Telephone: (305) 379-1792

Fax: (305) 379-2328

E-Mail: eservice@slotolaw.com

Publish:

June 27 & July 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 24-CP-000292-P IN RE: ESTATE OF GEORGE BRAINARD LUCAS, JR. Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of George Brainard Lucas, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was November 4, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representatives are Ralf Sellig, 60 Johnson Street, Bay Head, NJ 08742; Patricia W. Lucas, 10 Bay Ridge Road, Key Largo,

FL 33037; Russell Lucas, 904 Barnegat Lane, Mantoloking NJ 08738; Nancy Mignon, 61 Johnson Street, Bay Head, NJ 08742 ; and the name and address of the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN § 733.702, FLORIDA STATUTES, WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: June 27, 2024.

Personal Representative: Ralf Sellig 60 Johnson Street Bay Head, NJ 08742

Attorney for Personal Representative: Bruce A. McDonald Florida Bar No. 263311 Suite B, PMB # 137 707 E. Cervantes St. Pensacola, FL 32501-3286 Ph. 850-346-7926 bamcdonald@pensacolalaw.

com

Publish: June 27 & July 4, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

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

AUTOS FOR SALE

1964 Ford Galaxy, 427 Big Block, 5-speed, located in Key Largo. $50,000 954-445-6647

Place your AUTO FOR SALE ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

BOATS FOR SALE

Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. Ready to fish. $32,500 cash. Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906

Rampage 25X10 Diesel Center Console. Charter fish rigged. 20 Rods & Reels + equip. Located in Marathon. 305-619-5282

FREE - 2 PONTOON BOATS 24' AND 18' Located in Marathon. Call 305-610-8002

Place your BOAT FOR SALE ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

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

Place your BOAT SLIP FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

EMPLOYMENT

Frank’s Grill - NOW HIRING: PM SERVER4p-Closing. Apply in person at 11400 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-289-7772

Marathon: Looking for 2 College Students interested in 2-3 hours of work for 1 day restoring a Trawler Boat. May lead to additional hours. Cleaning, sanding, staining, scraping and painting outside of Boat $25.00 an hour. Contact a Friend and apply together. Call (508) 566-3538

SKILLED PLUMBERS Full Service & Construction. Immediate Openings in Upper Keys. Full-time & Part-time. Motivated - Great Mechanical & Problem Solving Skills – Read & Speak EnglishClean driving record. Pay Rate based on experience, ownership of working tools, and transportation. E-mail: PlumbersinParadise@ outlook.com for application.

ATTENTION- Marathon Auto & Marine Services looking for Auto Techs and for Trailer Service Tech.Pay based on experience. Apply in person at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL. Ask for Steve or Jay.

Saturday front desk office person needed to answer phones and greet walk in customers at Big Pine Real Estate Office. Call Frank 561-2839969 or DD 305-289-6486

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring part-time servers and bartenders. Private club, friendly atmosphere, guaranteed gratuities. Flexible lunch/dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a full-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere, afternoon/ evening hours Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide checking account for direct deposit, photo ID, and social security card or passport. Call 305743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

Serve/Bartend on the ocean! The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a customer service-oriented Server/Bartender. Serve on pool deck, beach and/ or bar lounge. Open year round, 9:30am7pm daily. Full time/ Part time. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-2193359 and ask for Dave.

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Housekeeper at Poinciana Gardens, Server at Poinciana Gardens, Med Tech PT/Nights, PT Housing Assistant, Housing Choice Voucher Asst., PT Receptionist, Housing Manager-Middle Keys, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker, and HVAC Maintenance Mechanic $64.480-$72,800/yr. plus benefits. To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www. kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

Place your EMPLOYMENT ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

PRIVATE

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

ANNUAL RENTALKey Largo - 2BR/2BA Spacious Doublewide, 1400 sq ft modular on canal w/40’ dock, direct ocean access. Very nice community. $3,500/ month 786-258-3127

Available for 1 person. 2 1/2 rooms + 8' X 22' screened porch. All utilities incl. wifi, satellite TV, washer/dryer. 2nd house from ocean. Off-street parking. Private & quiet. MM 96 Key Largo. $1,950/ month F/L/S 305-853-3779

Long-term rental on Lower Matecumbe. 2BR/1BA Tile floors, W/D, 2nd floor w/wrap around balcony on canal. Private beach access. $2,900/ mo incl. internet & cable. Call Phil 305-898-2077

Conch House - Studio for Rent in Marathon. $960/month furnished + utilities. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002

Large One Bedroom Suite, Conch House, carpet, tile, appliances, available for rent in Marathon. $2,000/month furnished all included. Weekly payments possible. Dockage available. No Pets. 305-610-8002

Place your HOUSING FOR RENT ad here. $25.00/ week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844

HOUSING WANTED

Female teacher seeks living space in Key West. Need Washer/Dryer, Bathroom & Kitchen. Available to pet sit for you. 202-531-9878

RV SITE FOR RENT

RV site at marina available in Marathon. Monthly rates. Free use of dingy & fishing on dock. 305-610-8002 VACATION RENTAL

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

SALES

Place your YARD SALE ad here. $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-743-0844 today.

MARINE MECHANIC

Experienced to inspect, service & repair marine engines, boat steering & hydraulic systems. Ability

ADMIN/OFFICE HELP

Must

and

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COORDINATOR

Join a workforce where innovation and teamwork provide support to the employees, retirees, community and citizens of Monroe County! The Employee Benefits Coordinator handles the eligibility of all participants in the MC BOCC’s health, pharmaceutical, life, dental and visions plans, including enrollment, dependent coverage, terminations, and retirement. Monroe County offers an excellent benefits package and is a member of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Onsite position in Key West, 40 HPW. Annual salary range: $54,626.40 - $69,648.67, based on experience.

To view job descriptions and apply, visit: www.monroecounty-fl.gov/jobs. For questions, contact Human Resources at: Careers@MonroeCounty-FL.gov or 305-292-4554. Deadline – Open until filled. Veteran’s preference available; E.O.E.

MARINA CASHIERS

Must have customer service experience working in a retail environment and using a point of sale system. Additional duties include restocking, completing purchase orders, daily ordering of basic items in the store, and maintaining a clean appearance in the store. This is an hourly position and compensation is based on experience. Work hours are flexible and we try to maintain a set weekly schedule.

DOCKHANDS

Duties include customer service, helping customers with bait and ice and helping cashiers with restocking. Morning & a ernoon hours available.

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

We are seeking a full time dedicated in-home caregiver to provide care to our loved one in a comfortable home environment in Marathon.

Responsibilities:

• Provide personal care including bathing, dressing, and grooming

• Administer medications as prescribed

• Prepare nutritious meals and assist with feeding

• Monitor and report changes in health or behavior

Requirements:

• Previous experience in caregiving or a related field

• Certification in CPR and First Aid

• Ability to lift and assist with mobility

• Reliable transportation

to multi-task,

communication

resume to captpips@aol.com or come in the of ce to ll out application. 1480 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 CAPTAIN

• Certification such as CNA, HHA preferred but not required.

Please send your resume to dale@marathonlumber.com or contact 305.743.3688 ask for Dale or Tricia for more information.

PART-TIME POSITION CITY ADMINISTRATOR

The City of Key Colony Beach, Florida is seeking a part-time CITY ADMINISTRATOR, via independent contract. The position is compensated based upon experience and will not provide any benefits.

IS HIRING

FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE IN THE UPPER KEYS

Send resume to admin@cbtconstruction.com Or call 305-852-3002

Call 305-407-3262 or email info@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com 11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

Turtle Hospital in Marathon Join our team! Full and part-time Educational Program Guides/ Gift Shop Sales. Public speaking & retail sales experience helpful. $18/hour to start. Send resume to: turtlehospital@turtlehospital.org

Duties will include all referenced in Section 5-5 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Duties include, but not limited to, following the leadership of the City Commission and assist in implementing Commission programs and priorities, attend City Commission and other appropriate meetings, and represent the City in dealing with other governmental entities, outside agencies and residents as appropriate and necessary.

All interested individuals should contact cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net for an application, and submit the application with a resume and cover letter to cityclerk@keycolonybeach.net.

The City of Key Colony Beach is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other characteristic or basis protected under federal or state law.

WE ARE HIRING!

PLANT STORE MANAGER FT  KEY WEST

MARC is looking for a 40-hr/wk. manager. Good social/business skills, above average computer skills required (knowledge of POS a plus). Knowledge of tropical plants is helpful. Requires a lot of manual labor and must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Must be able to work weekends and evenings as the season requires.*

IN HOME SUPPORT

KEY WEST

MARC is seeking a full-time, split-shift, In-Home Support Coach/ Trainer to provide companionship and assist clients with training/support. HSD/GED & 1 yr. exp in a related field. 1 year of college can substitute for experience. Must be able to use a tablet for documentation purposes. The shift for this job is split shift 7-9 am then 3-9 pm. We can be flexible. This is a rewarding position for the right person. *

CLIENT MEDICAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

Full-time assisting our clients with dental, medical and transportation appts. Act as liaison between clients, families and support staff. Requires some on-call responsibility. Min. requirement Florida certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. *

*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSITIONS:

Fluent in English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. Level 2 background screening and valid Florida driver’s license.

Come join our family! EOE Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary St., Key West. Or online at www.marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org Phone: 305-294-9526 *32

DUI EVALUATOR/ INSTRUCTOR

The Advocate DUI Program is hiring for part time positions. DUI instructors and evaluators - 2 days a week, Bachelors or Masters degree in substance abuse eld required. Bilingual preferred, not required. Of ce located in Marathon. Contact Marcia at 305-704-0117.

SUNSET GRILLE IS HIRING

Moorings Village is seeking friendly, self motivated, team players for the

LIVE IN PARADISE AND SEE DOLPHINS PLAY EVERYDAY!

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

We have openings in multiple departments. Please scan the QR code to visit the careers page on our website.

DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees by offering a competitive total package.

DRC currently offers a 401k retirement plan, medical benefits, HSA account, paid holidays, vacation, sick and an employee assistance program.

DRC also provides life and disability insurance at no cost to the employee.

COME JOIN THE FAMILY!

Email your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

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

GCC offers excellent benefits for full-time employment, but we realize some would prefer part-time to enjoy the Florida Keys lifestyle more. All positions can be considered for full or part-time unless notated. Apply at westcare.com and enter your availability.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE

OPENINGS

- Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Marathon, FT

- Physician Assistant, Surgical Ortho, Tavernier, FT

TAVERNIER MARINERS

HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Exercise Physiologist, Per Diem

- Group Exercise Instructor, Per Diem-Pool

- Lead First Cook, Dietary, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Multi-Modality Imag Tech, Radiology, $10,000 Bonus, PT

- Nuclear Medicine Tech, Per Diem

- Phlebotomist, Laboratory, Per Diem

- Radiology Technologist, Imaging-MRI, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, ICU, $25,000 Bonus, FT

- Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, FT

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator, Emergency Department, FT

- Experience Advisor, FT

- First Cook, Dietary, $5,000 Bonus, FT

- Lead Med Technologist, Laboratory, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Multi-Modality Imaging Tech, Radiology, $20,000 Bonus, FT

- Medical Technologist, Laboratory, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Radiology Technologist, Radiology, $15,000 Bonus, FT

- Security Of cer, Security/Safety, Per Diem

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

*Sign-on bonuses are available only for select full-time positions based on candidate experience.

APPLY AND LEARN MORE careers.baptisthealth.net

Peer Support Specialist

Advocate (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Adult) Case Manager (Adult, Child) Substance Abuse Counselor Prevention Specialist

MARATHON Care Coordinator (PT)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

RNs/LPNs - 3 shifts (PT/Per Diem)

Peer Support Specialist

*Support Worker – Assisted Living (PT)

*Behavioral Health Technicians 3 shifts (also Per Diem)

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

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

Drivers Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon