Key West Weekly 24-1205

612397

| $1,395,000 | LISTING

The one with the premier location

Located in the prestigious Truman Annex community, this townhome in The Foundry is the perfect getaway offering the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience. This beautifully designed 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home enjoys a highly desirable location with easy access to Key West's vibrant Old Town while maintaining privacy and security within a gated community. As you step inside the spacious open-concept living area you will find 11 foot high ceilings, impact rated windows and glass doors that bathe the interior with natural light, and updated finishes throughout. The kitchen has been recently updated with all stainless steel appliances. Moving upstairs, the master bedroom is a private sanctuary featuring an ensuite bathroom. A private balcony off the master suite offers a peaceful retreat to enjoy the island breeze. The guest bedroom is up one more floor and is equally inviting, with its own ensuite bathroom, ensuring privacy and comfort for visitors. The stand-out features of this townhome include its street-facing orientation, which is not something all homes in The Foundry have. The townhome also has its carport with additional storage above- a highly convenient feature few have and holds a value more than $75,000. Finally, The Foundry has its own pool, reserved for use by only Foundry owners and their guests. This home is an excellent investment opportunity with a strong rental history and a Truman Annex Special Transient License. The license allows for short-term rentals with restrictions, providing flexibility and a steady income stream when the property is not in use. Whether seeking a full-time residence, a seasonal escape, or a profitable rental investment, this townhome provides the ultimate opportunity to experience the best of Key West living.

1075 Duval Street | Suite 15C | Key West

305.294.1117 | oceansir.com

5450 MacDonald Ave. No.5

Key West, FL 33040

Office: 305.453.6928 www.keysweekly.com

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

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Members of

NUMBER

$594.6M

“Moana 2,” “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have brought in more than $594 million to the box office as of Dec. 1. “Wicked” pulled in $262.4 million, while “Moana 2” earned $221 million. “Gladiator II” grossed $111.2 million.

Commissioner Aaron Castillo and granddaughter Melody ‘turn on’ the holiday season at the tree-lighting at Bayview Park with Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, commissioner Sam Kaufman and commissioner Donie Lee. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys Weekly

MAN ARRESTED AFTER FIRING GUN DURING DOWNTOWN FIGHT

No one hit with bullet; investigation continues with more charges possible

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Aphysical fight in a parking lot behind Duval Street businesses escalated around 1 a.m. on Dec. 3, when one man says he pulled a knife to defend himself against two others, one of whom then retrieved a handgun and fired a shot that did not hit anyone.

The man who police said shot the gun, Jake Ryan Graziano, 27, of Big Coppitt Key, was arrested and faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, felony battery and discharging a firearm in public.

The investigation is ongoing and could lead to additional arrests and charges, according to Key West police, who interviewed the other men present with Graziano – Kyler Lowery, 24, Joseph Leto, 27, and Samir Mendoza, 26.

The alleged victim, Jesus Diaz, 19, was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center to be treated, not for a gunshot wound, but for a head injury sustained during the physical fight that took place in the parking lot behind Matheessen’s ice cream and cookie shop at 419 Duval St.

The incident began shortly after 1 a.m., when Diaz reportedly returned to the parking lot, where he said he had been previously confronted by Graziano and three others who were hanging out by a pickup truck. At the time, Diaz was with his girlfriend and her mother. After dropping the women off at

Jake Ryan Graziano, 27, was arrested Dec. 3 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, felony battery and discharging a firearm in public. MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Contributed

their United Street home, Diaz told police, he returned to the parking lot because he felt the other men had “called him out” and were disrespectful toward the women, according to the arrest report provided to the Keys Weekly by Key West Police. Diaz said he approached Graziano and was then headbutted by Lowery. A physical fight ensued and all three men ended up on the ground. The arrest report does not mention Leto or Mendoza being involved in the physical fight. During the fray, Diaz said, he pulled a folding knife from his waistband to defend himself. The knife prompted Graziano to get a Glock 48 9mm handgun from the glove compartment of his truck. He told police he fired a single warning shot at the ground, but security footage from nearby businesses show Graziano at one moment pointing the gun toward Diaz, the report says.

The bullet did not hit Diaz or anyone else, but Diaz was bleeding from the physical fight, in which Lowery was reportedly stabbed in the right arm. When Lowery realized he was bleeding, he told his friends he had been stabbed and they needed to leave, the report states.

Lowery, Graziano, Leto and Mendoza left in Graziano’s pickup truck and Diaz called 911, thinking he’d been shot in the head when he felt blood dripping from his forehead. Diaz was able to film video of the departing pickup truck, which was registered to Graziano, who lives on Macaw Lane on Big Coppitt Key.

Police found Graziano, Leto and Mendoza at the Big Coppitt address and took all three to the police station for questioning. Lowery was later found at his apartment on Rockland Key and taken in for questioning. Lowery told police that the men had stopped at Lowery’s father’s apartment on Truman Avenue after leaving the scene. Graziano had asked Lowery if he could hide the gun for him. Lowery told police Graziano had stashed the gun in a backyard shed at the Truman Avenue apartment. It was later found and entered into evidence, the report states.

Ten hours after the incident occurred, police arrested Graziano around 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 3.

Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg told the Keys Weekly that the investigation is continuing, and police spokeswoman Alyson Crean said additional charges or arrests are possible.

’TIS THE SEASON IN KEY WEST

City celebrates annual tree-lighting at Bayview Park

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.

Key West flipped the switch on Dec. 2 to officially light up the holiday season.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony at Bayview Park featured city leaders, kids, Santa Claus, residents and visitors.

The menorah-lighting will take place in the same spot on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 5 p.m.

— Keys Weekly staff report

KEY WEST’S HARBOR WALK IS DECKED OUT IN HOLIDAY STYLE

The seaport glows nightly with lighted trees and holiday displays

If you haven’t been down to Key West harbor since before Thanksgiving, check it out.

The annual Harbor Walk of Lights is a truly illuminating experience, featuring over 60,000 twinkling lights and lit palm trees that brighten the night sky.

The annual Harbor Walk of Lights is a must-see holiday spectacle in Key West, where the holiday spirit is as warm as the weather.

From boat parades and treetrimming parties, to pet photos with Santa and shopping galore, the island’s Historic Seaport is the island’s holiday headquarters.

The Harbor Walk of Lights includes a 20’ Christmas tree made from fishing buoys, a 16’ nautical Christmas tree and the original Key West Lobster Trap Tree.

Dozens of palm trees are decked out, along with lighted holiday displays celebrating Key West’s maritime history. Key West Holiday Fest, presented in part by the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West and the Monroe Country Tourist Development Council, continues through Dec. 31.

Key West Holiday Fest, which continues through Dec. 31. CAROL TEDESCO/Key West Holiday Fest

2. From left, Jenna Robb, 10, Giulianna Rodriguez, 10, and Juliet Robb, 6, pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus before the lighting of the Harbor Walk of Lights.

3. Graham Bowman, 6, poses with a new bicycle he and his family won in the Crystal Cates bike drive raffle during the lighting festivities. Pictured with Graham are, from left, event cohost Carolyn Guarini; Monroe County Commissioner Craig Cates; Tom Stroh, creator of the Key West ‘Bight Before Christmas’ celebration and Harbor Walk of Lights; Maci Bowman, 7, Isaac Hoyle, 3, and dad Chris Bowman, all of Key West.

4. Santa Claus leads a procession along the Harbor Walk of Lights on Nov. 27 during a series of ‘Bight Before Christmas’ events.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

1. The lighting of the lobster trap tree at the Key West Historic Seaport marks the start of

The City of Key West officially ‘turned on’ the holiday season with the tree-lighting on Dec. 2 at Bayview Park. Commissioner Aaron Castillo’s granddaughter Melody Leconte did the honors, and Santa Claus made his annual appearance. LARRY BLACKBURN/ Keys Weekly

FAUSTO'S CHRISTMAS MENU

TURKEY DINNER

SERVES 8-10 PEOPLE

10-12 lb Oven Roasted Plainville

All-Natural Turkey

1/2 pan Mashed Potatoes

1 qt. Turkey Gravy

1/2 pan Green Bean Amandine

1/2 pan Sweet Potato Casserole

1 pint Cranberry Orange Relish

1/2 pan Traditional Bread Stuffing

$179.99 + tax

Turkey (only) $89.99

Whole Spiral Ham $7.99 per pound

CUBAN PORK DINNER

SERVES 4-6 PEOPLE

1/3 pan pork

1/3 pan yellow rice

1/3 pan black beans

1/3 pan plantains

Cuban bread

$59.99 + tax

SERVES 8-10 PEOPLE

1/2 pan pork

1/2 pan yellow rice

1/2 pan black beans

1/2 pan plantains

Cuban bread

$99.99 + tax

PLACE YOUR ORDER AT THE DELI COUNTER BY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19. PICK UP ORDERS BY 5PM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24.

PHOTOS FOR FIDO SESSIONS WITH NICK DOLL

KEY WEST PAUSES TO REMEMBER ON WORLD AIDS DAY NEW HEALTH CLINIC AT COLLEGE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS

Annual Dec. 1 ceremony honors the local lives lost to the epidemic

Weekly

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

The Key West community paused once again on Dec. 1 to honor World AIDS Day, commemorating the lives lost during the epidemic that decimated Key West’s population.

AIDS killed nearly 1,000 residents in just a few years at the height of the crisis, and continued to sicken and kill residents for more than a decade.

HIV and AIDS are now considered a chronic illness that’s manageable with treatment and medication, allowing people with HIV to live normal lives. Medical advancements also have led to preventive medication that can prevent new HIV infections.

The annual World AIDS Day ceremony takes place at the Key West AIDS Memorial, the first of its kind in the world. The memorial was built with private funds in 1997 at the foot of the Edward B. Knight Pier. The Friends of the Key West AIDS Memorial donated it to the city in 1997.

The AIDS epidemic had an outsized impact on the tiny island.

In the early days of the virus in the 1980s and early ’90s, while the global medical community struggled to understand, detect and

control it, Key West buried business owners, bankers, housewives, Conchs, servicemen, athletes, artists and authors.

No segment of the community was spared, and the Key West AIDS Memorial was created to ensure the island would never forget those who fought, but lost the battle, when there was no ammunition and little information with which to arm them.

At each year’s remembrance, the 1,240 names etched in granite on the memorial are read aloud before local leaders and ministers speak of the friends they loved, the progress that’s been made and the work still being done to defeat the virus.

The worldwide theme for this year’s World AIDS Day was, “Take the rights path: My health, my right,” according to the World Health Organization.

“The world can end AIDS – if everyone’s rights are protected,” the WHO website states. “With human rights at the center, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in ending AIDS.”

Collaboration offers primary care, dental services & more

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe), in collaboration with the College of the Florida Keys (CFK) and Rural Health Network, last month opened the Tuga Clinic on the CFK Key West campus.

The Tuga Clinic will provide general health services to CFK employees, students and the public, including: Primary care, dental services, family planning, HIV testing and counseling, PrEP, STI testing and treatments, immunizations, school health physicals, occupational health physicals, Narcan education and distribution, smoking cessation, substance use education and referrals, WIC, maternal health and Healthy Start.

“Data from the 2022 Stock Island Community Health Survey highlighted the need for affordable, accessible medical care where our residents live, work and play,” said Carla Fry, administrator and health officer for the health department. ”We treated the survey responses as actionable data and got to work on a solution.”

Jonathan Gueverra, president of the college, was happy to get the school involved in the health partnership.

“CFK will always be this community’s college,” Gueverra said. “We live up to this goal by being the solution or a part of the solution. The Tuga Clinic is one more example of CFK in action to solve a problem. We are proud to be a

partner and the host in this collaboration that will improve the health and wellness of our students, employees and neighbors, while providing clinical practice opportunities for our future health care professionals.”

Jennifer Lefelar, public information officer for the county health department, was the principal investigator for the department’s 2022 Stock Island Community Health Survey, which highlighted the critical need for a medical clinic on Stock Island.

“Data from the survey, conducted by DOH-Monroe, support the need for Stock Island residents and workers to gain access to a medical clinic much closer to where they live and work,” said Lefelar. Rural Health Network will send a practitioner to the Tuga Clinic once a week. The clinic will also use Rural Health Network’s mobile unit, which has full dental capacities.

“Rural Health Network is excited to expand access to medical and dental care for Monroe County residents through this collaborative effort with the College of the Florida Keys and DOH-Monroe,” said Amy Halstead, CEO of Rural Health Network.

Initial hours for the clinic will be from Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 305-293-7500.

The Key West community, including Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez, pauses on Dec. 1 to honor World AIDS Day at the Key West AIDS Memorial, which includes 1,240 names of people who lost their battle with the virus. LARRY BLACKBURN/Keys

Representatives from the College of the Florida Keys, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County and Rural Health Network celebrate the opening of the Tuga Clinic on the CFK Key West campus. AMBER ERNST-LEONARD/Contributed

CORAL REEFER NADIRAH SHAKOOR VISITS KEY WEST COLLECTIVE

Gallery hosts

Grammy-nominated

artist Dec. 7-9

Singer Nadirah Shakoor, a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefers Band, will be at Key West Collective Sunday, Dec. 8. CONTRIBUTED

Nadirah Shakoor, Grammy-nominated singer and member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band since 1995, will unveil the “Bubbles Up” and “Keep the Party Going” collections from her Soul Circles line of bracelets at Key West Collective, 720 Caroline St., on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Shakoor also will make an appearance in the Key West Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Soul Circle collections honor the legacy of the late Buffett, celebrating his spirit and the joy he brought to countless lives. “I deeply admire Key West for its creativity and inspirational energy. This little island with a big soul is the perfect setting to officially launch my Bubbles Up and Keep the Party Going Soul Circle collections,” said Shakoor. “I look forward to sharing my Soul Circles with the community and connecting with everyone who has supported me and the Coral Reefer Band throughout our journey – together we will keep the party going.”

Local artist Neil Lindley has painted a portrait of Nadirah, available for sale at Key West Collective, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Bahama Village Music Program.

— Contributed

TREEHOUSE MURDER DEFENDANT FRANKLIN ‘TY’ TUCKER IS A FREE MAN

7-year crime & court saga ends with plea agreement & release

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Aseven-year saga of crime and courtroom intrigue in the Florida Keys appears to have ended, as Franklin Tyrone Tucker negotiated a plea agreement and was released from jail in the Florida Keys on Nov. 26.

According to court minutes, Tucker, now 53, pleaded no contest to the charge of robbery with a deadly weapon while masked — a first-degree felony — and was adjudicated guilty of that charge.

The additional charges — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, robbery while masked and tampering with evidence — were listed as nolle prosequi, a Latin legal term indicating the prosecutors’ decision not to pursue them.

Tucker was sentenced to 910 days in prison, then received 910 days credit for time served, meaning he had completed his sentence and was released on Nov. 26.

Three court documents from a Nov. 26 hearing are marked as “sealed” on the clerk of court’s website, including a 33-page filing titled “Prison Packet Completed,” and a three-page filing titled “Sentencing Guidelines Score Sheet.” Tucker’s fingerprints file is also sealed, which is typical.

Tucker was accused of taking part in a November 2017 robbery on Stock Island, the neighboring island to Key West, during which Matthew Bonnett suffered fatal stab wounds.

A female victim named Paula Belmonte was also injured. The case became known as the “treehouse murder” due to the open-air structure where it occurred.

Tucker initially was charged with robbery, homicide, aggravated assault and battery in the case that led to the death of Bonnett and injured Belmonte. But another defendant in the case, Rory “Detroit” Wilson, was convicted of the homicide as well as robbery during his December 2022 trial. Wilson was sentenced to life without parole, and is appealing the decision. There was more evidence and witness testimony tying Wilson to the actual homicide by stabbing

than Tucker, but witnesses in the case had stated Tucker was present and had initiated the robbery at the treehouse.

Tucker represented himself when tried in Key West in January 2024, but a hung jury forced the judge to declare a mistrial. Court TV covered the trial gavel-to-gavel.

Following the mistrial, prosecutors in Monroe County indicated plans to try Tucker a second time and he was released from jail on bond in January to await the second trial. But the Nov. 26 plea agreement negated the possibility of a second trial, as Tucker was released having fulfilled his 910-day sentence.

Tucker’s legal saga is one that was made for TV, as the defendant accused the judges, prosecutors and investigators of corruption and of working against him. He also accused the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office of orchestrating the entire robbery, according to Court TV.

During his criminal proceedings, Tucker met Lauren Jenai, a wealthy woman who posted his $2 million bond after his initial arrest.

Tucker also became a bit of a social media sensation, frequently posting case updates and accusations on his own YouTube and Facebook pages that garnered significant attention and thousands of online supporters.

Page Six, the New York Post’s renowned gossip column, also regularly covered Tucker’s personal life and court case, which blended in 2019, when Tucker was released from the county jail on Stock Island on the $2 million bond he was able to afford after meeting Jenai while locked up pre-trial.

Tucker later married Jenai, the ex-wife of CrossFit founder Greg Glassman, and Tucker’s old high school friend from when they both lived in Philadelphia.

In July 2021, Page Six reported that Tucker and Jenai were living apart after one year of marriage, and in February 2024, Tucker’s Facebook profile listed his relationship status as “It’s complicated.”

Franklin Tyrone Tucker, a defendant in the 2017 ‘treehouse murder’ on Stock Island, represents himself during his January 2024 trial, which ended with a hung jury and mistrial. Tucker was released from jail on Nov. 26 and is a free man, following a plea deal. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Key West Holiday Fest is here

Key West Holiday Fest kicked off on Thanksgiving Eve. For a full month, revelers of all ages can experience an array of tropically infused holiday magic and merry-making. Here’s a sampling of what’s still ahead:

Thursday, Dec. 5

• Pet Pictures with Santa, hosted by All Animal Clinic, 6-8 p.m. at the nautical tree at the foot of William Street at the Key West Harbor. $25 cash donation.

• The 11th Annual POSH (Paws Often Steal Hearts) Florida Keys SPCA Fundraiser, 6 p.m. A catered gala at the Audubon House featuring live dance music raffles, and a silent auction. Dec. 5-8 and 13-15, Nutcracker Key West: Some 200 local children, adults and professional dancers recreate Key West’s version of the Nutcracker ballet at the Tennessee Williams Theatre.

Friday, Dec. 6

• Holiday Historic Inn Tours – Night 1, 6-8 p.m.: Explore four decorated locations and their unique architecture and history while enjoying light sweet and savory holiday treats and libation samplings. Tickets at keystix.com/allevents/#holi dayhistoricinntour or call 305-296-4959.

• Wesley House Family Services Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride at Coffee Butler Amphitheater, 5-9 p.m.: A family-friendly party with Santa Claus, music, crafts, food trucks and rides for the kids, followed by a lighted bike ride through Key West. Ride leaves the amphitheater at 8 p.m. Admission fee includes Holiday Village and Bike Ride, and benefits Wesley House Family Services.

Saturday, Dec. 7

• Key West Hometown Holiday Parade, 6:30-9 p.m.: The homegrown parade kicks off at Bayview Park and travels along Truman Avenue and Duval Street with floats and marching groups.

Sunday, Dec. 8

• Photos with Fido holiday pet photos by Nick Doll, benefit the Florida Keys SPCA from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $100 donation. Only a few slots remain, so contact jennifer@fkspca.org or call 305-294-4857.

• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Christmas on the Animal Farm, 1-3 p.m.: Come meet the animals during its annual Christmas on the Farm event. 5501 College Road, Stock Island. Donations welcome.

• Eaton Street Christmas Stroll, 3:30-7:30 p.m.: Stroll Eaton Street between Whitehead and Simonton, and enjoy stops at venues like Williams Hall, Tropic Cinema and The Studios, ending at St. Paul’s for a Christmas concert. Admission is free; tickets required and available at tropiccinema.com.

Dec. 9-10 and 13-23

• Conch Tour Train Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tours: Multiple nightly tours depart from Key West High School and convey caroling passengers through streets and neighborhoods to revel in the magically illuminated city of Key West.

Dec. 9-23

• Old Town Trolley Holiday Lights & Sights Tours: Multiple nightly tours begin at Mallory Square and convey caroling passengers through magically decorated streets and neighborhoods.

Dec. 13-23 and 26-28

• Key West Waterfront Winter Wonderland: The Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront Park becomes a holiday wonderland with lighting displays, an ice skating rink, rides, attractions, music and more.

Friday, Dec. 13

• Holiday Historic Inn Tours: Night 2, 6-8 p.m.: Explore four decorated locations while enjoying holiday treats and libation samplings. Tickets can be purchased at https://keystix.com/ allevents/#holidayhistoricinntour or call 305-2964959.

• Holiday Concert & Bazaar at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 5-9 p.m.: This free party features Key West artisans, musicians and choirs, along with a holiday light show. 281 Front St.

Saturday, Dec. 14

• A Positive Step 5K Rudolph Red Nose Run, 7 a.m. check-in, 8 a.m. start: Don your holiday jammies and join run, starting and ending at the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

• Schooner Wharf Annual Key West Lighted Boat Parade, 8 p.m.: A glittering parade of illuminated boats. Arrive at the Key West Bight Marina at the Historic Seaport early to stroll the magical Key West Harbor Walk of Lights.

Sunday, Dec. 15

• Holiday Classic Car Show, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: See classic cars from a variety of eras in the Conch Republic Seafood Co. parking lot at the corner of Greene and Elizabeth streets. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter.

Sunday, Dec. 15 and 22

• Christmas Cantata concerts at Fifth Street Baptist Church, 1311 Fifth St., 11 a.m.: The church choir performs contemporary music and Christmas carols.

Dec. 18-24

• Cocoa and Carols: Live Holiday Music Cruise Aboard Schooner America 2.0, 7-8:30 p.m.: A cruise featuring holiday live music, hot cocoa, cookies and cheer aboard the 105-foot Schooner America 2.0.

Sunday, Dec. 22

• Key West Artisan Market Shop featuring Santa Claus at Indigenous Park at Higgs Beach, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Shop for the holidays at an outdoor market offering crafts and art, food and drinks, local musicians and authors and ocean views.

• Holiday Jazz in the Gardens, 5-7 p.m.: The Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St., offers outdoor jazz in its famous garden, with a full cash bar and a 20% Christmas discount on bottled wine and bubbly.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

• Christmas Day Brunch aboard Schooner America 2.0, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: A 2.5 hour Christmas Day Brunch with complimentary mimosas, Bloody Marys, wine, beer and soft drinks. Brunch includes spiraled ham, bagels and pastries, meats and cheeses, smoked salmon, crudités and other holiday treats.

Sunday, Dec. 29

• City of Key West Menorah Lighting, 5 p.m. at Bayview Park.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

• For your midnight toast, choose from an array of uniquely Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations, including the Red High Heel Drop at the Bourbon St. Pub; the annual “Conch Shell Drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar; the Lowering of the Pirate Wench at Schooner Wharf Bar and Galley and more.

Key West Holiday Fest is presented in part by The Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. More information is at keywestholidayfest. com or305-296-4959.

Key West Inspired, Island Style For Women & Men

Ocean Key Resort Zero Duval Street

Boutique& Gallery

MONDAY - SATURDAY | 6P - LATE 524 DUVAL

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS

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.

KEY WEST MUSIC AWARDS ARE SET FOR JAN. 13 AT KEY WEST THEATER

The Iggies are right around the corner. On Jan. 13, the Key West Theater will host the fourth annual Key West Music Awards. As in years past there will be several performances by some of the city’s best and brightest. This year includes Belle Jampol, Marshall and Scott Morlock, Tony Baltimore, Mark King and Marjory Lee. Zack Seemiller will be the cohost and the house band is back, led by Jeff Dalton.

The awards show consists of 24 categories, including Songwriter of the Year, Fan of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Rock Act of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. A Lifetime Appreciation Award is also given out annually. Winners are determined from nominations chosen by you, the people. Nominate your favorites in all the categories at keywestmusicawards.com until Dec. 10. An email address is required and each email address can vote one time.

After Dec. 10, the totals will be counted and recounted. The top nominees in each category become our finalists. From there they will go to a panel of seven judges. These judges have no knowledge of the number of nominations received or who received the least or the most.

RAY WEST

... a professional musician, singer, actor and executive director of the Key West Music Awards, is known to sacrifice his comfort for that of his cat.

The judges are anonymous and unknown to each other. They range from music professionals and teachers to fans who see an exceptional amount of local music.

The night features the Key West red carpet with plenty of sequins and leather. It’s a packed house as local celebrities present the awards throughout the evening. Musical guests join the live band between celebrations and give a glimpse of the talent this town attracts. Many Key West musicians end up at one place, which rarely happens in this working town.

At its heart, the Iggies is a charity. All proceeds from the show go directly to help other organizations and individuals in our community. This year’s main beneficiary is the Bahama Village Music Program to aid them in finalizing their new facility.

The show starts at 8 p.m., with the official after-party at the Alamo for some late-night jams. If you would like to become a sponsor, donate, get tickets or nominate your favorite musicians, go to keywestmusicawards.com.

The Seven Mile Bridge will close on the morning of April 5 as 1,500 runners conquer the Keys’ most iconic road race. ANDY NEWMAN/ Florida Keys News Bureau

SET THOSE ALARMS FOR 6 A.M.

7 Mile Bridge Run registration is Jan. 23 and 28

The date for the 44th annual 7 Mile Bridge Run is April 5, 2025. Plans are to again run from west to east.

Registration for the race is online only and opens on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, beginning at 6 a.m. Anyone can register on this date, but only 1,500 entries are accepted and the field fills very quickly. Runners must show a photo ID when picking up their bib number that matches the address used to register.

Early registration opens for Monroe County residents on Thursday, Jan. 23, beginning at 6 a.m. To qualify as a Monroe County resident, runners must use a Monroe County address that matches a photo ID. There are a limited number of entries available for locals only who register on this date. If unsuccessful on Jan. 23, Monroe County residents may also try registering on Jan. 28.

Packet pickup is on Friday, April 4 until 8 p.m. Runners must be present with a photo ID that matches the registration address to pick up each packet.

Runsignup.com will again be used for registration, so prior creation of an account there will help expedite registration. The registration fee is $100. Accommodations have been made for Monroe County students who register at a discounted rate, courtesy of Keys Federal Credit Union, early in the month of January. Those students interested can send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Marathon Runners Club, P.O. Box 500110, Marathon, FL, 33050, and a student registration form will be mailed to them. These student-only registration forms must be received back at the P.O. box no later than Jan. 18.

Kit Carson conducts red-carpet interviews at last year’s Key West Music Awards. CONTRIBUTED

HAPPY HOUR

SKY’S THE LIMIT: BLUE ANGELS TO RETURN

Elite aviators finalize plans for Southernmost Air Spectacular March 29-30

THE KINGSTON TRIO’S LEGACY CONTINUES

Influential band joins Keys Weekly podcast before Dec. 7 show

for

2025

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

“Ready. … Hit it.” With those three words, the U.S. Navy’s elite flying team point the noses of their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets skyward and take off in a near-vertical ascent, executed with power and precision.

The flying squadron, with its blue and gold aircraft and expert aviators, will return to Naval Air Station for the 2025 Southernmost Air Spectacular March 29-30. The show will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.

To exemplify the 2025 theme of “Air-Land-Sea,” the upcoming spectacular will also include a car show and a boat show at NAS Key West.

In addition to the Blue Angels, the air station has invited nearly

a dozen other aerial performers, both military and civilian. Military acts include the U.S. Special Operations Command Para-Commandos Jump Team, hometown Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 111 “Sun Downers” and SAR Search and Rescue flying their MH-60S “Knighthawk.”

Civilian acts include Skip Stewart flying his Prometheus biplane; Rob Holland flying his MXS; Michael Goulian flying his EXTRA 330SC and world-famous Darnell Racing Jet Vehicle.

Additional military and vintage aircraft will be on display on the air field, with some available for tours. Other attractions include a kids zone, Vietnam memorial wall, merchandise and food vendors, exhibitor booths and more. For all the details, and to buy VIP tickets, visit keywestairshow. com. To showcase a boat or car, email mwrnaskw@us.navy.mil.

The Kingston Trio, a legacy band that carries the torch for one of the most influential musical movements in modern history, blending calypso, folk, bluegrass and rock themes into the Americana mainstream, performs Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Key West Theater.

Keys Weekly’s Britt Myers and Mandy Miles catch up with the trio for the latest episode of the Florida Keys Weekly podcast. They discuss the band’s historic feats of record-breaking hits and album sales; the Beatles opening for the trio and their influence on Bob Dylan and the folk revival of the early ’60s. Many argue the Kingston Trio transformed modern American music alongside pioneers such as Elvis Presley, BB King and the Beach Boys — blending sounds and

genres that forever changed how music was performed and marketed. Mike Marvin, Tim Gorelangton and Buddy Woodward represent the group today, performing hits like “Tom Dooley” and “MTA” while reminiscing with nostalgic stories of growing up around the original trio.

Don’t miss the podcast, which drops some breaking news (spoiler alert) on a potential upcoming Netflix miniseries on the Kingston Trio. Some tickets remain at thekeywesttheater.com.

— Keys Weekly staff report

Scan the QR code to listen to

The Southernmost Air Spectacular featuring the Blue Angels returns to Naval Air Station Key West March 29-30. CONTRIBUTED

Blue Angels aviators Lieutenant Commander Lillian ‘Lunchbox’ Montana and Major Scott ‘Goldie’ Laux made great time in an F/A-18 Super Hornet, arriving this week to finalize plans

the

Southernmost Air Spectacular March 29-30 at Naval Air Station Key West. ANNIE BRIENING/Overseas Media Group

The Kingston Trio will perform their harmonizing hits such as ‘Tom Dooley’ and ‘MTA’ at Key West Theater on Saturday, Dec. 7. CONTRIBUTED

the podcast.

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

We’ve reached the halfway point of Mercury’s apparent retrograde motion in the sky. How are the knots in your head? Have you tied them nice and tight? Mercury retrograde is a time to think back, think through, and think around any lingering considerations, events, people, or conundrums from the past. It is not always straightforward, either. Sometimes you have to wrestle with your thinking mind to find clarity. This evening (Thursday, Dec. 5), however, the cosmos is ripe for clarity as Mercury enters the heart of the sun. The halfway point of any Mercury retrograde cycle is called the Mercury cazimi, and it is when the planet Mercury is exactly conjoined with the sun from our perspective. This is when the clarifying and illuminating light of the sun imbues retrograde Mercury with awareness and insight. It’s a beautiful moment of understanding. It’s as if you’re given a bird’s-eye view of all the knots you’ve twisted so you can begin the untying process. What have you been thinking through that counterbalances your joyful abundance and challenges your notions of authority?

Here are your horoscopes for the Mercury cazimi in Sagittarius. Read for your rising and sun signs.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Your light-bulb moment under this sky is all about who you are and how you show up in the world around you. How does the looming or bountiful presence of a particular partner and the constriction of your home life shape who you are? Are you formed by these factors or do you stand strong despite them? Perhaps a bit of both? Trust what you see in the mirror.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Deep thoughts in solitude are often conversations with the universe, and I imagine you’ve been having this cosmic dialogue the past few weeks. Now, you are given a moment of total understanding of the goal of this inner work. Your chores and health issues may loom large and your neighborhood may feel constricting, but your karmic journey is yours to claim. You can handle difficult things.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

As you’ve been reflecting on your social networks and support systems, you are now granted an epiphany about why you’ve been so curious about these folks. Do you need to make some shifts or welcome in some people you’ve been holding at bay? Confirm the people that support you through your financial restraints and serve as a counterpoint to your over exuberance.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Work has been on your mind, and a moment of truth is now being offered to you. Trust the answer that you see when it flashes. The joy you feel at home and your need to be more conservative in your appearance may feel like challenges to your career choice, but think of these things as formative rather than preventative. Trust your insight and let your public reputation benefit.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You’ve been thinking about doing things differently. It’s not easy to break out of our cycles, but the world is so much wider and deeper than we ever think it is. You’re being granted a revelation as to how you can change things up through travel or study. Your familiar joys and inner fears may press you back, but follow your inner guidance despite the distractions.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

The people and projects that would benefit from your investment are now laid out clearly before you. Your moment of clarity comes in recognizing which emotional ties or financial endeavors deserve your energy. The abundance of your personal finances and the pressures of societal expectations may pull you in different directions, but trust your instincts.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

Clarity strikes in your one-onone relationships. What truths about partnership have emerged during this retrograde? The balance between your joyful self-expression and the weight of your long-term plans creates tension here, but it will show you what truly matters. Let this insight guide you in forming connections that honor both your individuality and your shared commitments.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

The insights you gain now are rooted in your daily routines, health, and work habits. How do you navigate the relationship between the joys of solitude and the challenges of new authority? Your moment of understanding helps you see how these forces shape your overall wellbeing. Take small, actionable steps toward aligning your day-to-day life with what brings you peace and purpose.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Your heart knows what lights it up, and this Mercury cazimi grants you a brilliant realization about your creative passions or even your children, if applicable. Exuberant friendships and financial constraints may present challenges, but they also encourage you to trust what excites you most. Clarity is a gift, so use it to pursue what makes you shine without hesitation.

THE LIGHTBULB MOMENT

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

Questions about your home, family, and sense of security come to a head under this sky. How do you create a foundation that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally? A breakthrough now reveals how to navigate the tensions among your public image, maturity in relationships, and private joys. Trust your ability to ground yourself while pursuing your ambitions.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Your mind has been working overtime. Now, however, the fog clears and reveals a crucial insight about how you think, communicate, and share ideas. The joy of learning and the constraints of laborious chores may pose challenges to trusting familiar instincts, but this clarity shows you how to bridge these worlds. Let your voice carry your truth with grace and confidence.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

The Mercury cazimi offers you a revelation on your finances, resources, and self-worth. Have you been giving out too much or being too stingy? You may feel great joy in contributing to causes you believe in while also trying to save for your own personal joys, and these contrasting impulses are exactly what will frame your insights. Couch yourself in your values.

VIRGO

I'm hoping to nd a life partner and best friend with whom I can share the rest of my

meant to be lived to the fullest, hand in hand with someone you truly care about.

If you're interested in embarking on this journey with me, please feel free to send me a message to introduce yourself at oceandeep452@gmail.com. I'm open to connecting with someone between the ages of 56 and 78.

Perry Hotel & Marina, Rotary Club of Key West host festivities Dec. 13

ecorated vessels ranging from dinghies and schooners to fishing boats and yachts stage a holiday cruise through the Stock Island waters around the Perry Hotel & Marina on Friday, Dec. 13. The free-to-watch boat parade is presented by the Rotary Club of Key West and the Perry, with

pre-parade activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the lawn at the Perry, 7001 Shrimp Road. Attractions include activities and treats for kids, a surprise snowfall, live entertainment and photos with Santa and the Grinch. More information is at keywestrotary.com.

Spectators

Stock Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of Key West.

ATTENTION, SMALL BUSINESSES

File this report before Dec. 31 or face penalties

Time is running out for many Florida Keys businesses to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act. This federal law requires specific entities to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/ by Dec. 31.

Failing to meet this requirement can result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day and criminal fines of up to $10,000 or two years in prison.

The law, enacted in 2021, is part of a broader effort to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other illicit activities by increasing corporate transparency. Here’s what business owners need to know to avoid stiff penalties and ensure compliance.

Who needs to file?

The law applies to many small businesses, including LLCs, S-Corps, partnerships and corporations with fewer than 20 full-time employees and less than $5 million in revenue. These entities must report detailed information about their beneficial owners — individuals with 25% or more ownership or substantial control over the company.

Certain entities, such as banks, public companies and large operating companies, are exempt. Businesses should consult the Small Entity Compliance Guide on FinCEN’s website to confirm their filing obligations.

What is required?

The BOI report must include: The company’s name, address,

state of formation and taxpayer identification number.

Full legal names, residential addresses, dates of birth and identification numbers (e.g., driver’s license or passport) for all beneficial owners.

For businesses formed after Jan. 1, 2024, the filing must also include information about “company applicants,” or individuals who filed the entity’s formation documents.

Filing is free; don’t pay third parties

FinCEN’s BOI filing system is free and user-friendly. Unfortunately, many companies are offering to charge businesses hundreds of dollars to complete the filing. These third-party services are unnecessary in most cases. For complex situations, such as obtaining information from uncooperative beneficial owners, consulting a CPA or attorney may be helpful.

However, business owners should avoid paying for software or services that claim to simplify the process when the official system is free. If you need guidance, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC at FIU) can help at no cost.

Deadlines and updates

Businesses formed before Jan. 1, 2024, must file by Dec. 31. New entities created after this date will have 30 to 90 days to report, depending on their date of formation. Updates to previously filed reports, such as changes in ownership or addresses, must be submitted within 30 days of the change.

Florida Keys SBDC consultants have regular office hours at many of our county’s libraries. More information is available from Bonnie. Barnes@FloridaSBDC.org at 904463-0513.

Christmas greetings from the Sadowskis on the beach at “Key Motel” at Marathon Shores in the 1950s. Copyright Edwin O. Swift Jr. from the archives of Edwin O. Swift III, Florida Keys History Center.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

One thing that can be said about Florida is that the Sunshine State’s history dates back a fair distance. As someone who looks into the history of things, I was curious about early Christmas celebrations. It came as little surprise that, in the United States, the first recorded instance appears to have happened in Florida.

The event occurred a long, long time ago, in 1530. It was not a classic Christmas, nor a particularly peaceful occasion for those celebrating the holiday. It was probably rougher for those who weren’t. It happened after Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto arrived with 600 people, a number that included soldiers, enslaved people, and a dozen Catholic priests. The group settled in an abandoned town in what we consider Florida’s panhandle. The town, called Anhaica, was near present-day Tallahassee.

The people who lived there, the Apalachee, saw the advancing Spanish force and, wary of the interlopers, abandoned their village. Upon arrival, Soto and his group made themselves at home. When the Spaniards celebrated their Christmas feast, they raided the town’s stores of maize, beans, and other foods. As it could be imagined, the Apalachee were upset and, in an effort to hasten the thieves’ departure, threw torches and shot arrows.

Christmas celebrations and the Christmas spirit have certainly come a long way since it was introduced to the country. While Santa Claus might not have shown up on that first Christmas, he has found his way to Florida and down to the Keys for a long, long time. The Dec. 27, 1928 edition of the Key West Citizen noted: “The usual Key West Christmas. Not a serious accident or disorder to mar the pleasures of the season. Speaks well for the community. Few cities of this size can truthfully claim such a commendable record.”

In the same edition, the following was printed: “Old Santa was lavish in his remembrances of Key West kiddies. He put a lot of them on wheels and gave many little tots the very things they most desired. Don’t tell them there’s no Santa Claus and expect them to believe it.”

While the subtropics don’t generally come with festive temperatures, and the houses do not typically come with fireplaces enabling Santa to spread his holiday cheer, Saint Nick’s presence is felt up and down the island chain. He is also known to bring some of that quirk unique to the Keys.

Here, Santa is more likely to show up in local neighborhoods atop a shiny red fire engine than a sleigh drawn by magic reindeer. He can also be spotted napping in hammocks, riding around on boats and occasionally walking down Duval Street.

Also, it isn’t just everywhere that attracts national attention when a scuba-diving Santa Claus is filmed swimming out at one of the local reefs.

While the rest of the country is decorating pine trees and putting Santa hats on snowmen, a nighttime drive down the Overseas Highway – when Christmas lights begin twinkling white, blue, green and red – reveals lighted palm trees, dolphins, turtles, manatees and so much more of our island goodness.

One of the highlights of every holiday season is the lighting of Fred the Tree. Who is Fred, and why does the tree bear this name? Fred is a Florida Keys celebrity who most recently appeared in the Jake Gyllenhaal remake of the Patrick Swayze classic movie “Road House.”

What makes Fred special is that the tree has managed to dig its roots into the crumbling remains of the Pacet Channel Viaduct, a section of one of the old Flagler railroad bridges (one of four that make up the old Seven Mile Bridge). What Fred might do best is remind the world that anything is possible. For years now, every

holiday season, elves scale the old bridge and adorn Fred with some much-welcomed holiday cheer. When the magic of the holiday season is upon us, Fred’s message is one that needs to ring loud and clear.

One of the Christmas traditions I’ve been celebrating for the last several years is participating in the annual Lignumvitae Christmas. Every year, the Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks organize the event – which not only shines some light on one of the island chain’s often-overlooked state parks, but also celebrates the island’s tremendous history.

FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

The island’s historic home, the Matheson House, built of coral rock in 1919, is decorated for the holiday the way it was back in the 1930s. Park rangers lead guided walks along trails through the island’s relatively unspoiled hammock. Lawn games like croquet are set up in the grass. A local group of musicians called the Mangrove Swamp Band plays Christmas tunes and other favorites.

For my part, I’ll be sharing stories about the island’s early residents, its connection to Indian Key, and answer the question of why the tombstone of Jacob Housman, the wrecker king of Indian Key, is on Lignumvitae Key instead of where the notorious wrecker was buried in 1841. I’ll also be sitting at my booth all day talking history with anyone who stops by to chat. Also, if you still need to pick up a copy of one of my books, what a perfect opportunity to get a signed copy. They make great gifts, too.

Every year, Lignumvitae Christmas is an amazing way to spend the day indulging in some good old-fashioned Florida Keys fun while supporting a great cause. Tickets are limited for this event, which includes a boat ride from Robbie’s of Islamorada to and from the island. Act quickly! Lignumvitae Christmas is happening this Saturday, Dec. 7. For more information, call 305-664-2540.

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

IN OTHER WORDS

EXPLORING RICH NEW DIMENSIONS IN THREE REMARKABLE TRANSLATED WORKS

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

By Jean-Dominique Bauby, translated from French by Jeremy Leggatt

At 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby was a successful French journalist and editor. One morning he woke up and suffered a massive stroke. A few weeks later he was diagnosed with Locked-In Syndrome. This is a condition in which the patient is aware but cannot move or communicate verbally due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles except for vertical eye movements and sometimes blinking. Bauby could blink his left eye. Waking to find yourself alive but trapped is an unimaginable situation as Bauby stated, “like a mind in a jar.”

KAREN

As a journalist, a father and a man used to expressing himself through his work, a story began forming. His speech therapist Sandrine arranged a 26-letter alphabet according to frequency of use. She recited the letters and JeanDominique blinked his left eye, letter by letter. Over the course of two months, working three hours a day, seven days a week, the 137-page “Diving Bell” was created. This heartbreaking memoir of life in death was translated from French to English and later released as a movie in 2007. Both the book and the movie are simply incredible.

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 ART OF HEARING HEARTBEATS

By Jan-Philipp Sendker, translated from German

This fable tells the magical love story between Tin Win and Mi Mi, set in Burma before World War II. The tale begins with Julia searching for her father Tin Win, who disappeared from New York, leaving their small family mystified, sad and angry. When Julia discovers a long-forgotten letter to a woman named Mi Mi, she begins her journey to find her father, or at least the truth. She is befriended by a man in a small village who shares with Julia the tale of her father’s life, and so begins the story within the story. The writing, translated from German, is beautiful and poetic. The morals and hidden meanings found through sounds, words and our hearts are what makes us who we are. The underlying truths allow people to share love and life with each other, a deep desire we share — yet hide, bury and refuse to face — in light of the everyday rules we created for our society. I love this story and everything it represents. It’s a gentle, unhurried read — a simple tale that lingers in your mind well beyond the final page. I think that’s exactly its purpose.

#WORTHWATCHING

A fascinating Netflix mini series, “Unorthodox” is an interesting twist on language. A 19-year-old woman is miserable, with an arranged marriage in the ultra-religious Satmar community of Brooklyn. She disappears to Berlin to reconnect with her estranged mother and start a new, secular life filled with unexpected difficulties. Inspired by Deborah Feldman’s autobiography, which was written in English, the series was filmed in Berlin, switching languages from English to Yiddish to German.

BLUE LIGHT HOURS

By Bruna Dantas Lobato

In Vermont, in a small dorm room, an international student from Natal, Brazil calls her mother every day. The blue light from her desk lamp and laptop screen illuminates her room as Skype invites her mother into her life. An avid reader and writer since childhood, this young woman earned a scholarship to a prestigious university to study her passion: literature. When she is not Skyping with her mother, she attends class, works and slowly creates an American life. Her mother is happy for her and proud. But she is lonely, sickly and struggles to make a new existence for herself, while her only child, her whole heart, is far away, speaking a language she does not understand in a cold town covered in white. The mother and daughter build a new relationship and help each other understand their current realities. Through softly-spoken prose and lyrical descriptions of daily living in both countries, this short novel is a breath of fresh air. This award-winning translator took seven years to write this beautiful story in English. Loosely autobiographical, she later translated it to Portuguese, her native language, so her mother could enjoy it too.

NEWFIELD

... 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.

Icame back on the redeye after a month in California, meaning I didn’t sleep much, not even when I scored an entire bench to myself in the Atlanta airport during my layover on the morning of the biggest travel day of the year. I did get a decent night’s sleep once I made it back to Key West, but the next day, Thanksgiving, I was still feeling somewhat discombobulated, as if part of my psyche hadn’t really made it home yet. I walked the dog and started to unpack in an attempt to right the internal ship, but eventually gave up any notions of purpose and usefulness and lay on the couch to watch some TV.

I’m not sure which corporate wormhole made it possible, but for the last couple years the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade has been broadcast nationwide on Hulu, and having it on while my wife makes pies has become something of a tradition.

I grew up in South Jersey, just across the river from Philly, part of the city’s suburban sprawl, and I spent a lot of time in diners, as it was the way of our people. One of my favorite things about South Jersey diners, outside of the mountainous slices of pie, was that most of them had at least one wall covered, usually somewhere near the cigarette machine, with autographed studio headshots of celebrities you’d never heard of. Sometimes there would be a photo of a local TV reporter or radio DJ –your fancier diners might even have a photo of a TV news anchor or weatherman – but mostly the headshots looked to be of actors and musicians filling up the frame of the 8-by-10inch glossy print with back-pocket chutzpah. You felt it was your fault for not knowing who they were. The photos didn’t always make it clear who was an actor and who was a musician – probably some were both – but they all seemed to be part of some secret world where fame happened locally but also elsewhere, like maybe in a parallel dimension, or some nearby neighborhood of small theaters and nightclubs that appeared and disappeared with the fog.

The parade, to me, had that feel. Dunkin’, née Dunkin’ Donuts, was the big sponsor and the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, the ones Rocky ran up, that formed the backdrop of the broadcast, were covered in alternating bands of blaze orange and lemonade pink. Dunkin’s head of regional field marketing made multiple appearances, occasionally handing out modest checks to local non-profit groups.

GOOD VIBRATIONS, SWEET SENSATIONS

Every 10 minutes or so there was a new act lip-synching in the light drizzle to some big showstopper of a number. Usually this was accompanied by 20 or 100 young people in coordinated outfits performing enthusiastic dance routines. Sometimes you knew who the stars were. Darlene Love was probably the biggest name. Two of the sisters from Sister Sledge performed, as did a duo billing themselves as The Former Ladies of Chic. The Sugarhill Gang rap synched hip-hop, the hippie to the hippie from behind a half-dozen large plastic donuts.

Carson Kressley, from the original “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and Lisa Ann Walter, who plays Ms. Schemmenti on “Abbott Elementary,” joined the commentary team.

Occasionally they spliced pre-recorded video segments into the feed, such as Turkey Day wishes from Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, or the Philadelphia Orchestra playing in Santa hats, or someone in a studio kitchen telling you how to spice up seasonal mocktails for children with edible glitter.

The parts I enjoyed the most were the acts I’d never heard of, and the ones I’m pretty sure none of my friends and family who still live in the area had ever heard of. I’d name them, but I can’t. Their names slipped from my mind as soon as they continued their trip around Eakins Oval.

It might sound as if I’m making fun of all this, but I’m not, at least not wholly.

Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the United States, but its Thanksgiving Day parade still feels very small-town, very local, very nonhomogenized, very human, even on a television 1,500 miles away.

If you want polish and famous famous people, watch the Macy’s parade. If you want to

keep a little mystery in your world, a little sense of the not wholly explicable, watch the Philly one.

I was watching the Funky Bunch – as in Marky Mark and the, but without the Marky Mark – trying to figure out why they all seemed to be lip-synching the same part, when my lowgrade reverie was pierced.

In the weeks I’d been gone, Key West had slipped from Dear-God-when-is-this-chokinghumidity-going-to-end season to oh-man-wecan-shut-off-the-air conditioning-and-open-thewindows-and-not-be-all-sweaty season, and we had the back doors open. All the jets and prop planes flying directly over the house on their run into the airport hadn’t really made much of an impression. But suddenly a high-pitched series of avian shrieking caught my attention, made me sit up on the couch even.

It was an osprey, flying low overhead, probably circling, because the volume didn’t fade.

We have resident ospreys in the Keys yearround. But we also get a lot of through traffic – 4,204 osprey were counted by the Florida Keys Hawkwatch in Marathon this fall. Most of them continued heading south, but no doubt a few slipped the attention of the local territorial toughs and found a snag or two to consider their own turf for a couple months.

Maybe the shrieking was a bird declaring this part of the island to be their own. Maybe it was a suitor trying to attract a mate. Maybe it was telling another osprey that this whole seasonal monogamy thing wasn’t going to work out with them.

I don’t know, but I started to get curious about how much I missed while I was gone.

It was time to recombobulate, to get back into the swing of things, to start paying attention to what is going on here again.

An osprey perched in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

MARK HEDDEN

HIRING:

MONDAY

THURSDAY

H e a l t h y L i f e

By Dr. Kellee

Reed

How to Manage Chronic Illness

During the Holidays

The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and exciting celebrations For those living with chronic illnesses, managing their health can add an extra layer of concern and make it difficult to enjoy the festivities Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, asthma, cancer, osteoporosis, and others often require ongoing care and attention, which can be challenging when you ' re juggling travel, social events, and holiday meals However, with the right strategies and preparation, the season can remain merry and bright, without compromising your well-being

Here are some practical tips for managing your chronic illness over the holidays:

Tips for Managing Your Health:

Stay Active: Stretch and go for short workouts throughout the day to boost your energy and support your health

Stick to Your Medication Schedule: Don’t skip doses, even with a busy schedule, and pack extra medication when traveling.

Monitor Symptoms: Log your energy, mood, and pain to catch any potential issues early

Avoid Overindulging: Stick to your usual dietary habits to avoid flare-ups

Prioritize Rest: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep and take short naps if necessary

Consult Your PCP: Schedule a check-up before the holidays to ensure your treatment plan is up to date.

Embrace Technology: Consider virtual care programs, like HealthSnap, for ongoing support

By planning ahead, you can stay healthy and enjoy the festivities To book an appointment with one of our Key West PCPs, please call: 305 674 2273 or visit msmc.com/primary-care/

Drop-off Day Saturday, Dec. 7

TRY ’N’ FIND

Words that remind us of stars are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ASTRONOMER, CHRISTMAS, COMET, CONSTELLATION, DUST, EASTERN, FUSED, GAS, HOLIDAY, HYDROGEN, MAGI, ORION, PEGASUS, PLAN, PLANETS, STAR, STORY, SUPERNOVA, WINTER.

Founded by Betty Debnam

A Mysterious Star

Mini Fact: The magi believed that the positions of the stars affect people’s lives. Scientists no longer believe this.

For many people, learning about the science and history that go along with religious beliefs makes special holidays ever more wondrous. This week, The Mini Page explores the Christmas star and other wonders of our skies.

WHAT’S A STAR?

A star is a big ball of gases crammed together in a cloud. The gases are mostly hydrogen, with a small amount of helium.

New stars are formed when the pressure of the gases and dust gets so great that the heat at the core of a cloud reaches millions of degrees.

The star begins to shine when the hydrogen atoms are fused, or joined together, to form helium atoms.

STAR SIGNS

Early travelers used stars and constellations, or patterns in stars, to help them find their way.

Constellations helped ancient people plan their year. They noticed that different constellations were visible at night during different times of the year.

Ancient people used these apparent changes to help them figure out when to perform certain tasks, such as planting crops. For example, ancient Mayan people watched for the spring constellations to predict the return of the rains.

FOLLOWING THE STAR

In the Christmas story, a group of wise men, or magi (MAY-jie), followed a bright star to find the Christ child.

Magi were early astronomers. They recognized the positions of all the stars. When the magi

saw a new star appear in the eastern sky, they believed it was a sign that a new king of the Jews had been born.

ASTRONOMERS’ IDEAS

For hundreds of years, astronomers have been trying to figure out an explanation for the Christmas star. No one knows for sure what it was.

Part of the difficulty in answering this question is that no one knows exactly when the magi went on their journey.

The top scientific explanations for the star include:

•a supernova

•a comet

•several planets coming so close to each other that they seemed like one bright star.

NASA’s James Webb telescope captured this image of SN 1987A, a supernova. 1987A is about 165,000 light-years away from Earth. It was first observed in February 1987. In the middle of the image is a dark “hole” packed with gas and dust that were ejected when the supernova exploded.

Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, M. Matsuura (Cardiff University), R. Arendt (NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center and University of Maryland, Baltimore County), C. Fransson

Mysterious gooey blobs that have recently washed up on the beaches of Newfoundland are baffling scientists and local residents. The blobs are littering about 28 miles of coastline. “They looked just like a pancake before you flip it over, when it has those dimpled little bubbles. I poked a couple with a stick and they were spongy and firm inside,” said Patrick’s Cove resident Dave McGrath. Early suggestions that they could be whale mucus, semen or vomit have been ruled out by experts, but tests could take months to complete.

SEEING STARS

Clear winter nights when the moon is dark are the best times to view the stars.

The best stargazing is out in the country, away from city lights.

Stars are always in the sky, but we do not see them during the day because the sun shines so brightly that it blots them out.

As the Earth moves around the sun, we get different views of constellations. If the Earth did not move, we would see the same sky night after night.

Each constellation has a time when we can see it best, when it is highest in the sky. For example, the Square of Pegasus is most visible during the autumn.

the Web: •go.nasa.gov/48jsfBA

the library:

“My Mission in the Sky” by Sally Blass Murray •“Constellations for Kids” by Kelsey Johnson

photo by Kevin Gill

The constellation Orion is best seen during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. It was named after a hunter in Greek mythology. Can you see Orion’s belt, sword and shield?

Meet the All-Keys Girls Volleyball Team | P.8

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

12/5

12/6

12/7

12/7

12/10

12/10 Key West Girls Soccer @ ChaminadeMadonna 5:30 p.m.

12/10 Coral Shores Boys Basketball Barbara Goleman 7 p.m.

12/10 Marathon Girls Basketball @ NSU University School 4 p.m.

12/11 All Keys Teams Girls Weightlifting @ Marathon 4 p.m.

12/11 Coral Shores Girls Basketball Keys Gate 4 p.m.

12/12 Key West Boys Soccer @ Silver Palms 4 p.m.

12/12 Coral Shores Wrestling @ Keys Gate 4 p.m.

12/12 Coral Shores Girls Soccer @ Keys Gate 3:30 p.m.

12/12 Marathon Boys Basketball @ Marco Island Academy 7 p.m.

12/12 Marathon Girls Basketball @ St. Brendan 3:30 p.m.

12/12 Marathon Girls Soccer @ South Homestead 4 p.m.

ON THE COVER THE SCOREBOARD

fall

and we’re

introduce our

ATHLETE

She never gives up on a play. She is looking to distribute the ball and is an integral part of our attack.”

–

Zach Owens, Hurricanes head coach

GOODWIN

On Coral Shores’ roster, junior Grace Goodwin is listed as a defender, midfielder and striker. In fact, she does it all. The versatile athlete uses her skills wherever the ’Canes need her. Most recently she came up big against Pace, scoring one of the team’s goals and holding down the midfield, then did a fantastic job getting the ball to her teammates against Marathon in two of the ’Canes’ four wins thus far. For her unselfish and dynamic play, Grace Goodwin is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

THIS WEEK Grace

Junior, Coral Shores Soccer

Photo by: JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

The

sports season has officially come to a close,

proud to

all-star teams for 2024, starting with girls volleyball and both boys and girls cross country. Top: Sofia Jans, left, and Niveah Howard. Center: Audrey Smith. Bottom: Elena Eubank, left, and Jordan MacDonald.

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Doug Finger and Maicey Malgrat.

fled to the Keys from the frozen mountains of Pennsylvania hours after graduating from college and never looked back. She is a second-generation coach and educator, and has taught in the public school system for over 25 years. She and her husband met at a beginning teacher meeting in 1997 and have three children born and raised in Monroe County. In her free time, McDonald loves flea markets, historical fiction and long runs in the heat.

sean mcdonald

grew up in Miami and moved to the Keys in 1997. He has spent the last 25 years teaching physical education and coaching virtually every sport for Florida Keys kids ages 4 to 18. If you are reading this and live or lived in the Florida Keys, he has probably taught, coached, or coached against someone you know.

Marathon - Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Upper Keys - Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com

Key West - Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com

The Keys Weekly Sports Wrap is proud to be the only locally-owned publication providing prep sports coverage from Key Largo to Key West. Together with our writers and photographers, we are committed to providing a comprehensive overview of the world of Keys sports with photography that allows our readers to immerse themselves in game action.

Publisher / Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Publishing Partner / Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com

Managing Editor / Alex Rickert alex@keysweekly.com

Copy Editor / Mike Howie mike@keysweekly.com

Business Development

Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com

Jill Miranda Baker jill@keysweekly.com

Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com

Oliver Allison oliver@keysweekly.com

Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com

Executive Administrator Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com

Graphic Design Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com

Comptroller Sarah Simcic sarah@keysweekly.com

Web Master / Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

Classifieds / Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com 305.743.0844

Se habla español

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

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

MEET THE ALLKEYS BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

HARRIERS SHOWED DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN 2024

The 2024 season was the first in many years that all three Monroe County teams were represented at regionals, with Marathon and Coral Shores qualifying as teams and Key West sending an individual qualifier. Marathon went on to the next round, making the long trip to Tallahassee to compete at the state level. The top runners at Marathon and Coral Shores were upperclassmen, but the younger runners proved they could definitely keep up, setting the stage for more postseason hardware for Keys athletes in 2025.

Photos by Barry Gaukel, Jim McCarthy, Mark Hedden and Rick Mackenzie

9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050 Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

tracy mcdonald

PODCAST HOST

Marathon senior Vaclav “Vance” Bursa shouldered the expectations placed upon him and left it all on the course at Apalachee Regional Park, where he completed his fourth consecutive state championship race. Bursa finished in 16:05, good enough for a ninth-place medal and a time just a few seconds shy of a school record. Bursa finished first at districts this season and second at regionals as well as winning a treasure trove of medals at local and South Florida races.

Junior Alaric Rodriguez put in the work in the offseason, and it paid off when he ran his personal best 18:22 on Oct. 16 in Marathon. Rodriguez won the Upper Keys Invite later in the season and helped his team qualify for regionals. His work ethic coupled with training on the track this spring will set him up for an exciting senior season.

Tony Bursa has been to the FHSAA 1A State Championship meet four times already and he is just a freshman. The youngest Bursa brother ran out from the shadow of his talented family to come into his own with a seasonbest 17:49 at regionals, where he finished 20th after bringing home an eighthplace medal from districts.

Hurricane harrier Tristan Rios helped qualify his team for regionals by running his personal best, a 19:26, at the FHSAA 2A District 8 Championships. The junior peaked at the end of the season, dropping two minutes from his first race, and his willingness to train hard sets him up for a stellar senior campaign in 2025.

Freshman phenom Sawyer Hill was consistently the top runner for the Conchs, running his PR, 18:56, at the 305 Classic on Oct. 11. From there, he went on to finish 21st at districts and cracked the top 100 at regionals, for which he qualified as an individual. The hard-working harrier has a very bright future with the Conchs running program. Tony Bursa

Just an eighth-grader, Lucian Burns set an impressive 18:20 PR at the FHSAA 1A Region 4 Championships in November. With a strong work ethic, Burns gradually climbed from the sixth-man spot to one of the team’s top runners this season and capped off his season with a state appearance.

Key West’s Will Forster peaked at the right time this season, running a PR of 20:27 at the FHSAA 2A District 8 Championships, the senior’s final race with the Conchs. Forster shaved off over three minutes this season alone and was integral to the Conchs’ cohesiveness, serving as a leader for his team. Lucian Burns

Marathon’s Allan Taylor is just a freshman, but he is not new to competitive running. Taylor made his second state appearance this year with the Fins and proved he had what it takes to keep up with Marathon’s fine-tuned runners. Taylor PRed at a home meet on Oct. 16, finishing in 18:16 on a flat, fast out-and-back course, then came close to that time a few weeks later at districts, where he was 13th overall.

Allan Taylor

William Forster

MEET THE ALLKEYS GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

THREE TEAMS TAKE THREE DISTINCT PATHS TOWARD SUCCESS IN 2024

It was an interesting year for girls cross country. Key West found success in their most seasoned racers, while Marathon and Coral Shores watched their youngest competitors finish first all season long. The Conchs and ’Canes watched breakout stars steal the show, while the Lady Fins worked as a team to qualify for the state meet. Despite their stark differences, all three schools found success this season, and if their hard work and motivation have anything to do with it, the future looks bright for them all.

RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Senior Naima Thomas finished her cross country career with the Conchs by qualifying as an individual for the state meet, something only two other female Key West athletes had done before her. Thomas earned plenty of hardware this season, finishing sixth at districts and 12th at regionals. She broke into the top 100 at states, reaching her individual goal in style. Thomas’ PR this season came in October, when she ran a 20:13 at the Marathon meet.

Kate King’s 24:28 PR at Marathon on Oct. 16 was not just a solid time for a 5K; it was downright incredible, considering the sophomore harrier shaved off four minutes over the two-month season. King finished in the top 50 at districts, setting the tone for even more success in 2025

Coral Shores freshman Tess Hill put in the work and dropped three minutes in time this season, earning a PR of 24:27 at Marathon in October. Hill finished in the top 50 at districts for a successful first season with the ‘Canes.

Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa knew it would be a lot of work to reach her goal this season. Fortunately for the senior, hard work is something she actually enjoys. Makimaa hit her goal when she qualified for her second consecutive state appearance as an individual. During the season, she PRed at Marathon, running a 19:06, then finished 14th at districts while battling a cold. Makimaa was 14th again at regionals the following week, where she felt better and ran two minutes faster to clinch the final FHSAA 2A individual bid to states. Makimaa’s talent and discipline rubbed off on the rest of her team, making them better runners as well, but she credits them for what they gave to her. “Being able to have a group that was able to push one another in the way that we did was unforgettable, and I am so proud of them all,” she said. “This season was unforgettable, not only for the PRs and championship meets but also for the memories.”

Marathon’s Maeve Merryman was consistent this season, helping to bring down her team’s average time to make it to the state meet. In fact, 2024 was Merryman’s fourth state appearance. Her season best came at Spanish River, where she finished in 24:05, then she finished in the top 50 at both districts and regionals.

Caylaa Makimaa

Maeve

Naima Thomas

Key West’s Violet Jangraw trained with the best this season, and it showed in her improvement. Jangraw dropped two minutes from her time this season, running her PR at Marathon in October by finishing in 22:18. At districts, she cracked the top 50, and if her sophomore season is any indicator, Jangraw may just be Key West’s next breakout star.

Tiny but mighty, sixth-grader Molly Joly started the season strong and just kept getting better. By the end of the season, she was consistently the top runner for the Fins. At districts, she earned an eighth-place medal, and Joly finished her season with a PR of 21:28 at the state meet in Tallahassee, where she cracked the top 100.

Freshman phenom Ali Wheatley burst onto the cross country scene this season, finishing with a mid22-minute time at the Race of the Thoroughbreds in August, and led the team all the way through regionals, where she qualified as an individual runner. Wheatley was seventh at districts, 15th at regionals and missed qualifying for states by a single place. She ran her PR of 19:30 at Marathon in October.

Senior captain Ella Dunn ran her best time this season at districts, finishing in 23:10. At districts, Dunn was 13th, and she served as a mentor to the underclassmen. Dunn capped off her high school cross country career at the state meet, which was her third consecutive appearance there.

Violet Jangraw Ali Wheatley

Ella Dunn Molly Joly

MEET THE 2024 ALL-KEYS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM MONROE COUNTY SQUADS FOUND DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUCCESS ON THE COURT

Key West reigned as queens of the court this volleyball season, defeating both Marathon and Coral Shores. The 10-7 Conchs’ victories included a quarterfinal win over Miami Central, but their season ended at the district semifinals against Reagan High. Just two athletes will be lost to graduation, setting the stage for a very optimistic outlook in 2025.

Coral Shores began stacking up the wins in their season opener Aug. 21, then won 11 in a row, ending their season 12-2 with losses to Key West and Gulliver. The Hurricanes enjoyed one postseason victory in the FHSAA 3A District 16 quarterfinals. The ’Canes graduate half their roster this spring.

The Dolphins picked up three wins in the regular season and finished 4-15. But in Marathon’s new FHSAA 1A Rural classification, the Dolphins earned a bye in round one, sending them directly into the semifinal match, which they won. The Dolphins lost in the district final match against Moore Haven. The team graduates just two seniors.

Basilica opened varsity competition in 2024 after a successful junior varsity run one year earlier. The Mariners ended their inaugural season with a 7-12 record, but were not eligible for postseason play as they are not yet part of the FHSAA or an independent conference. Basilica did not have a single senior on their roster.

Setter Reese Haggard’s consistency was key to the Lady Conchs’ offense. In addition to her 241 assists last season, the senior captain amassed 92 digs and a dozen kills with a .556 hitting percentage. Her greatest contribution to her team just might be her serving, though. “She has a wicked serve that made teams get out of system,” said Butler, “and to finish the year with 38 aces and a 94.3% serving percentage is incredible.”

THE YEAR

Key West’s Gabby Garcia was exceptional at the outside hitter position with 175 kills. The athletic junior’s serving was also on point, with 39 aces and a 92% serving percentage. She also amassed 220 digs and had a 2.2 servereceive rating. “She is one of the most imposing players in the county and she continues to impress me with her growth of learning to manage her swings, serving and all-around consistent performance for us,” said Butler.

In her first year at the varsity level, Key West’s Molly McKnight made an immediate impact. The junior setter was credited with 88 digs and 151 assists and her play impressed Butler, who said, “Her setting flourished and she ran the offense well, putting our hitters in a good position to hit. Molly’s serve was also incredibly consistent with 16 aces and a 96.7 serving percentage.”

In her second season at the varsity level, Audrey Smith dominated every aspect of the game. The middle blocker set the tone for the Conchs, hitting above .300 in every match this season, a consistency head coach Kim Butler called “truly incredible.” Smith amassed 156 kills over her opponents, averaging .355 on the season in hitting. Defensively, she was credited with 60 digs and at the net she stacked up 25 blocks. With a service rating of 92.4% this season and 27 aces, Smith proved a major contributor in every facet of the game. Butler could not agree more, saying, “She has so much potential that she will be an unstoppable force next year, and I’m very lucky to get her for another year.”

Senior co-captain Sunisa Kuhn served as the Conchs’ libero this season, bringing a consistency the team depended upon for success. Credited with excellent passing skills, Kuhn enabled Key West to run its offense, and her strong serving skills often disrupted that of opposing teams. “She finished with 185 digs and her positivity and relentless work ethic made it a pleasure to coach her,” said Butler. “She will be missed next year.”

Gabby Garcia

Marathon outside hitter

Elena Eubank’s feats of athleticism gave the Lady Fins a needed spark throughout the season. The tenacious senior was a power hitter, but her greatest attribute was her hustle. Coach Kelley Cruz described her as a key player in both attack and defense, calling her “an allaround amazing athlete and asset to any team.”

Hurricane middle hitter Niveah Howard led the team with 38 blocks this season. Howard also stacked up 61 kills and had a 0.205 kill percentage. Coach Jarrod Mandozzi praised her for her well-rounded play, especially her work up front. “Niveah was absolutely dominant at the net this season and the exciting thing is she’s still really learning and the sky is the limit for her,” he said.

Marathon’s Jordan MacDonald had an outstanding season for the Fins. The senior setter was integral in keeping the Dolphins’ offense running in top form. However, MacDonald’s greatest contribution to her team was intangible. “Her leadership capabilities only highlighted her abilities on the court,” said Cruz. “Jordan gives 100% effort no matter the situation.”

In her senior campaign, Lily Hitchcock was a force on both sides of play, but her steady leadership was vital for the Hurricanes’ success. “Statistically, her numbers were great, of course, finishing second on the team in kills with 88 and almost 100 digs on the season, but the stats really don’t tell the whole story,” said Mandozzi.

At outside hitter, Coral Shores’ Celene Walker was a force this season. Walker led the team in kills with 124 and was second in digs with 118. She also served up 31 aces and registered 13 blocks. “The most exciting thing to me is you could really see her improving throughout the season, and she’s only scratching the surface on the player I know she’ll become,” said Hurricanes head coach Jarrod Mandozzi.

Basilica School’s inaugural season was a positive one due in part to the Mariners’ setter, Gloria Slavic. Her play on defense was paramount in the team’s successes. Coach Robert Wright described both her athleticism and heart as incredible, adding, “Gloria is the team captain, is the player with the highest court IQ and regardless of the score, never quits on a point.”

The ’Canes’ libero was first on her team in digs (150), serve receive rating (1.73) and serve rating (2.56). She also registered 32 aces and 36 assists. “Whenever we were in a tight game late and Sofia was coming up to serve, I was always so confident that she was going to go on a serving run to push us over the top,” said Mandozzi. Jans missed just seven serves all season for a 95.8% serve percentage.

Even with an abbreviated schedule, Basilica School’s Uma Vogan amassed upward of 150 kills this season for the Mariners. Though just a seventh-grader, the team’s middle blocker looks every bit the part of a varsity athlete and plays like one, too. “She had more blocks individually than the rest of the team combined,” said Wright, who knows he just might have a superstar in

OSBORNE SINKS 25 IN LOSS AGAINST WARRIORS

Prep basketball schedules full this month

The Conchs were the only Keys team to play over the Thanksgiving break week, traveling to Westminster Christian School on Nov. 30. Junior James Osborne had more than half the team’s points, dropping 25 and adding five rebounds and a block to his stats. Osborne is averaging 25.3 points per game this season. Kameron Roberts added seven to the total. Tramane Scott knocked back six points and pulled down seven rebounds and David Aviles grabbed four rebounds in the 72-46 loss.

Prior to the break, Key West picked up a win against Gulf Coast, 58-49. Osborne scored 21, while Scott had 11 rebounds.

against

The Conchs play nine games in the three weeks of action in December before schools break for the holidays. Their December schedule includes a pair of home matchups against their Monroe Country neighbors, with Marathon on Dec. 9 and Coral Shores on Dec. 17.

James Osborne, left, leads the Conchs in scoring this season. Conch junior Tramane Scott is averaging just under 10 rebounds per game. MAICEY MALGRAT/Keys Weekly

ALMANAC | Dec. 5

On this day: In 1933, the era of alcohol prohibi on ended as Utah became the 36th state to ra fy the 21st Amendment.

In The Bleachers

George Oliver of Calvert County, Maryland, o en walks the beach l king for fo ils, NBC News reported. As he stro ed along Chesapeake Bay on Nov. 4 during low de, he spo ed a co in in the water. Inside was a nearly whole human skeleton. Oliver removed the skeleton and dug the mostly submerged co in out of the water. “When I rst found it,” he said, “you could not te that there was human remains. You just thought that it was fu of beach sand.” Oliver ca ed the sheri ’s department, who ca ed an archaeological society. Based on the construc on of the co in and the condi on of the body, it’s believed to be at least 100 years old. Kelcey Ward, a crime scene technician with the sheri ’s o ice, said the sku showed signs of “a gunshot wound or blunt force trauma of some sort.” The remains and co in wi be inte ed at a local cemetery.

Brevity

Brevity

HISTORY

In 1955, Martin Luther King Jr., E.D. Dixon, Rosa Parks and other activists launched an organized bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama.

News of the Weird

• CLASSIFIEDS, PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES •

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Please take notice that in accordance with Florida Statute 328.17, Robbies of Key West, LLC claims a possessory lien on the following described vessels:

Owned by Brendan Carroll for unpaid storage fees: a 1986 Albin 42’ Trawler “Restless” HIN#AUL43229F687

Owned by Deborah Enright/ Greg Kowalik for unpaid storage fees: a 1995 Cruistar 39’ Cruiser “Safe Haven HIN#CRSUSC67A595

Sealed bids will be accepted on December 13, 2024 at Robbies of Key West, 7281 Shrimp Rd, Key West Fl 33040. Robbies of Key West, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Publish: November 28 & December 5, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE

SOLICITATIONS

Invitation to Bid

LEGO Construction Company and FLHSMV/FHP cordially invite interested subcontractors to complete and submit sealed bids by 07th January 2024 no later than 12:00 PM for the following project/bid packages:

ADA Restroom Renovation – _Marathon FHP – _Phase 2 (02219020) SELECT TRADE BID PACKAGES

(see below)

This invitation to bid (ITB) includes the following trades. All contractors certified as SBE, MBE & M/WBE are encouraged to participate in any of these trades.

Trades: Demolition Fencing Sitework Concrete & Masonry

Metals

Acoustical Ceilings

Doors, Frames, Hardware

Bullet Resistant Windows

Bullet Resistant Storefront

Flooring and Wall Tile

Drywall

Painting

Toilet Accessories

Toilet Partitions

Signage Plumbing

Mechanical

Electrical

Final Cleaning

The bid manual, bid requirements, bid forms, specifications, drawings, and other construction documents will be available by reaching out to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@legocc.com or at 305381-8421 Ext 105. There will be a Non-Mandatory Pre-bid conference and site visit on 12th December 2024 at 12:00 pm. All bids must be received no later than 07th January 2024 @ 12:00 PM at LEGO Construction Co office located at 1011 Sunnybrook Road, Suite 905, Miami, Florida 33136. Bids must be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Sealed Bid for ADA Restroom Renovation –Marathon FHP: along with the name of your firm and the trades covered in your bid. Subcontractors interested in working with LEGO must obtain prequalification with LEGO prior to bidding. All questions regarding prequalification & the bid process should be directed to Ruturaj Sonawane at rs@ legocc.com.

Publish: November 21 & 28 and December 5, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION CASE NUMBER: 24-CP-460-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF PAULINE E. SAUNDERS

Deceased.

To: Michelle Davis York, Mario McKinney, Silas Saunders, and any other unknown beneficiaries of the referenced estate NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

The administration of the Estate of PAULINE E. SAUNDERS, deceased, Case # 24-CP-460-K is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, FL, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040.

The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

The Fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in s. 90.5021 FLA. STAT. applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

All persons on whom this notice is served who have objections that challenge the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of this Court are required to file their objections with this Court WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is served within three months after the date of the first publication of this notice must file their claims with this court

Effective December 4, 2024 Barbara Socha, M.D. is no longer practicing with Baptist Health Primary Care at the following location: 91550 Overseas Highway, Suite 215 Tavernier, FL 33070.

Patients who wish to receive copies of their medical records may log into our patient portal at myBaptistHealth.net, call 305-434-3205 or fax 786-260-0512 to request a records release.

Publish: December 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the 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 AND OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is November 28, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Jerry Curtis 18001 SW 192nd Street

Miami, Florida 33187

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Latisha Russell, Esq. 1101 Brickell Avenue, N-402A Miami, Florida 33131

Publish:

November 28 and December 5, 12 & 19, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NUMBER: 24-CP-460-K IN RE: ESTATE OF PAULINE E. SAUNDERS

Deceased.

To: Michelle Davis York, Mario McKinney, Silas Saunders, and any other unknown beneficiaries of the referenced estate NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

The administration of the Estate of PAULINE E. SAUNDERS, deceased, Case # 24-CP-460-K is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, FL, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040.

The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The Fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in s. 90.5021 FLA. STAT. applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

All persons on whom this notice is served who have objections that challenge the validity of the will, the qualifications of the personal representative, venue, or jurisdiction of this Court are required to file their objections with this Court WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is served within three months after the date of the first publication of this notice must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the 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 AND OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is November 28, 2024.

Personal Representative:

Jerry Curtis 18001 SW 192nd Street Miami, Florida 33187

Attorney for Personal Representative: Latisha Russell, Esq. 1101 Brickell Avenue, N-402A

Miami, Florida 33131

Publish: November 28 and December 5, 12 & 19, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-DR-971-K DIVISION: FAMILY JOSEPH MOISE, Petitioner, and JAMES MOISE, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR EMERGENCY PETITION FOR TEMPORARY CUSTODY TO: JAMES MOISE RESPONDENT’S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Emergency Petition for Temporary Custody has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Joseph Moise, whose address is 126 Avenue F, Key West, FL 33040 on or before December 19, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 530 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: November 15, 2024

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Jaquelyn Fonseca Deputy Clerk Publish: November 21 & 28 and December 5 & 12, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CC-000094-K 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 18TH day of December 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit B13, Week 15, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any

Amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT COUNT(S) I, UNIT B13, WEEK 15 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 8TH day of October 2024

Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE LEE FRANKLIN WITTER LIVING TRUST, DATED MARCH 12, 1998

Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CC000094-K

WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 7TH day of November 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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 60 days after the sale.

Publish: December 5 & 12, 2024

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2022-CC-000173-K 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 18TH day of December 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit F21, Week 46, Beach House, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1510, Page 225, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”).

Pursuant to IN REM SUMMARY FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE COUNT(S) I entered in a case pending in said Court, the 31ST day of October 2024

Style of which is: BEACH HOUSE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF KEY WEST, INC., A NONPROFIT CORPORATION UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA Plaintiff vs. DEA MCAULIFFE, et. al Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2022-CC000173-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 31ST day of October 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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 60 days after the sale. Publish: December 5 & 12, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CC-000267-K 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 18TH day of December 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit 221, Week 47, Sunset Harbor Resort, a Condominium according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof as recorded in Official Records Book 1376, Page 1093, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits attached thereto, and any amendments thereof (hereafter the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT COUNT(S) I, UNIT 221, WEEK 47 entered in a case pending in said Court, the 8TH day of October 2024 Style of which is: SUNSET HARBOR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP, A FLORIDA GENERAL PARTNERSHIP Plaintiff vs. CRAIG NELSON Defendant And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CC000267-K

WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 7TH day of November 2024. KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida By: Shonta McLeod 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 60 days after the sale. Publish: December 5 & 12, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-CA-000747-K 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 18TH day of December 2024 at 11 o’clock a.m., 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: Unit 5814, Week 3, Annual Windward Pointe, a Leasehold Condominium (“Condominium”), according to the Declaration of Condominium thereof recorded in Official Records Book 1803, Page 844, Public Records of Monroe County, Florida, and all exhibits thereto, and any amendments thereof (the “Declaration”). Pursuant to IN REM FINAL JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AFTER DEFAULT AS TO COUNT(S) III, IV entered in a case pending in said Court, the 23RD day of October 2024

Style of which is:

WINDWARD POINTE II, LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Plaintiff vs. ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES WHO CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ADMINISTRATORS OR AS OTHER CLAIMANTS, BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST MARY ANN AMARAL, DECEASED, et.al

Defendant

And the Docket Number of which is Number 2023-CA000747-K WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of Said Court, this 31ST day of October 2024.

KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By:

Shonta McLeod

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 60 days after the sale.

Publish: December 5 & 12, 2024 The Weekly Newspapers

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOS ALL

Lead mechanic needed ASAP. Come in person to apply at 2525 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL. Pay based upon experience. 305-289-9884

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time line cook. Private club, friendly atmosphere. Flexible lunch/ dinner shifts available Tuesday – Sunday. Must provide photo ID, social security card or passport, and checking account. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview or email office@ marathonyachtclub.com.

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.

The S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill (mile marker 59) is looking for Line Cooks, full or part time. Selfmotivated, experience very helpful, quick learner, and team player. Salary commensurate with experience and includes 401k match up to 6%. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515.

Trucks.

2021 Zodiac Inflatable 12' w/25hp Yamaha, only 100 hrs. Excellent condition. Located in Islamorada. $6,000 Call John 305-216-2747

MAKO Peddle Fishing Kayaks outfitted w/ Bixby electric motors. Located in Key Colony Beach. 724-689-9085

Key Largo 21' Deep V Center Console w/ trailer. New 150hp motor & electronics. Ready to fish. REDUCED PRICE $25,000 cash. Located in Marathon. 201-696-8906

14' Aluminumboat, 9.9 Mercury Outboard, Elec. start, Trolling motor in bow, NEW gas tank, battery, Depth Finder & trailer tires. Located in Marathon. $3000 305-395-1015 COMMERCIAL SPACE

Commercial office/ medical/retail space for rent/lease available in Marathon. High highway visibility, 2100-3500 sq. ft. Call for more information 305-481-3198 or email drice519@aol.com

Office Assistant/Girl

Friday needed in the Upper Keys, MM 80. Mon-Sat $20/ hour. Call Patti 305-393-4433

Secretary/Receptionist needed in Key Largo, MM104. Full-time, M-F, must have customer service experience. Call 305-916-5645 or Email admin@bluehorizonfl.com

Hiring: Lead Gutter

Installer - EXPERIENCE REQUIRED – valid Driver’s License - must be comfortable with heights - located in Tavernier. To apply, please call or text Jay 305-587-1581.

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

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Administrative Asst. to Executive Director, Resident Care Supervisor with min. 3 yrs. experience of an LPN, Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker. 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

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

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

HOUSING FOR RENT

2 BR/2BA unfurn. apt. for rent in Key Largo. W/D $1,600/monthall utilities included. F/L/S 305-504-1757

Mobile Home for rent. 2 bedrooms, 1 and 1/2 bath Ocean front property on Grassy Key. $2800/ month, electric and Wifi not included. Available January 1st 2025. First, last and deposit to move in. Please message Isabelle at 305 731 8593

2BR/1BA Condo Unit for rent in Marathon. Canal view. Walk to Sombrero Beach. Lease price reduced. Small pet ok w/addtl. deposit . 305-431-0577

Studio with Queen size bed available in Marathon. Furnished, kitchen, dining, newly renovated. No pets. $1,299 + utilities F/L/S 305-610-8002

ROOMMATE SITUATION WANTED

39 yr old male seeking room for rent in the Upper Keys. Reliable handyman. Call 305-394-3747

RV FOR SALE

2018 40’ Phaeton X5H, Factory ordered, 450hp Cummins, Diesel Pusher 10kw w/Onan Generator, 39k miles, 4 Slides, 4 TVs. Loaded with extras. Can be seen by appointment in Marathon, FL. Asking $225,000. Call or text Jerry at 305-664-1286 Email: LC1082@comcast.net

Gated storage & dockage available in Marathon oceanside 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. Sweet CarolineSeaport.com

YARD SALES

SARA’S ESTATE SALE: 1026 W 75th Street, Marathon | Friday, Dec. 6 & Saturday, Dec. 7 | 9a to 1p both days | FUN CANALFRONT HOME W/ COASTAL CLASS where functional meets comfort and good looking!! A few fishing poles, lily pad, likenew folding ping pong table & accessories, car roof rack, Xbox 360, board games, new-in-box fire pit, starboard Adirondack chairs & multiple small animal hutches & cages. Coastaltheme wall art & decor, casual throw rugs, standing lamps, TVs, benches, hammock & stand. Three bedroom sets – two queen bedroom sets and one full over full bunkbed, each with matching dressers and a small sectional in comfy gray jersey. Six barstools, gray wood dining seats 6. Pfaltzgraff casual dishes, kitchen utensils, beach towels & small appliances. Sale located behind Rotary Park on WEST 75TH STREET. Follow signs & park with consideration. More photos: estatesales.net.

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

FRONT DESK

Competitive salary and great bene ts. Previous hospitality experience required. Weekends are a must. Job Types: Full-time

Please email your resume to Sara@MooringsVillage.com or call the reception o ce at 305.664.4708

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

BEACH ATTENDANT

Previous hospitality experience required. Job types: Full-time

Please

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. For full details, please visit: DAsignSource.com/careers

Competitive Salary Opportunity for Growth

Project Cost Accountant

We’re seeking a detail-oriented professional to manage project budgets, track costs, and analyze financial data. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in cost accounting (or 5+ years corporate accounting), a degree in Accounting/Finance, and strong analytical skills. Collaborate across teams and ensure project success!

Landscape Designer/Sales

Seeking a talented Landscape Designer/Sales professional. Bring your creativity and passion for outdoor spaces to our company! Ideal candidates will have design experience, hardscaping and soft scaping and strong sales skills.

Technical Marketing Assistant

Support Coastal Source’s marketing & R&D teams by crafting technical content, graphics, and presentations. Manage project data, assets, and communication, ensuring efficient documentation.

FT administrative, salaried position. The workshop manager is responsible for all phases of the operation of the Adult Day Training Program in accordance with APD and Medicaid Waiver minimum standards. This includes the worksites and contracts, personnel, and training programs. Maintain a close liaison with the Group Home Managers and Medical Staff to maintain program consistency. Must have current, valid FL driver’s license with clean record. Bachelor’s degree, and 2 years experience in field or supervisory/management required. Bilingual in Haitian Creole highly preferred. *

IN HOME SUPPORT

 KEY WEST

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. *

DIRECT CARE STAFF  NIGHTS/WEEKENDS

GROUP HOMES 24/7 FT

This position is available at our Windsor Group Home. Providing direct-care services and support to our clients in their home. Must be willing to work flexible shifts including days, overnights on Thursday. This position requires a minimum of high school completion or GED and 1 year of experience with care giving or 30 hours or college coursework. *

*ALSO REQUIRED FOR ALL POSTIONS

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

e 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

GUIDANCE/CARE CENTER, Inc.

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

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

KEY WEST

Peer Support Specialist

Case Manager (Adult, Child) Prevention Specialist (HIV & Children)

MARATHON

Care Coordinator (PT)

Driver – PT (CDL not required)

Behavioral Health Therapist (Child)

RN/Licensed Practical Nurse (FT/PT)

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

*Support Worker (Assisted Living, FT)

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

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

Apply at guidancecarecenter.org

Search Employment/Portal/Location/zip

MARATHON GARBAGE SERVICE

We are now hiring for the following positions:

Diesel Mechanic Truck Helpers

CDL Drivers

Applicants must apply in person to be considered.

4290 Overseas Hwy, Marathon

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OPENINGS

- Medical Assistant 1, Upper Keys Internal Medicine, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant 2, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Physician Assistant 1-Surgical, Ortho, Tavernier, $5k Bonus

- Supervisor Physician Practice, Primary Care Marathon, $5k Bonus

- Medical Assistant, Concierge Key West, $5k Bonus

MIAMI CANCER INSTITUTE KEY WEST

- Advanced Practice Provider (APRN/PA-C), Medical Oncology Key West-MCI, $5k Bonus

- Patient Access Associate 2, Operation Support Key West-MCI, $1K Bonus

- Medical Assistant 1, Medical Oncology Key West -MCI, $5k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, Fl Keys-MCI, $15k Bonus

- Clinical Pharmacist, Key West-MCI, $5k Bonus

- Radiation Therapist, Key West-MCI, $12k Bonus

TAVERNIER MARINERS HOSPITAL

- Cook, Dietary

- Exercise Physiologist 1, Mariners Wellness Center

- Group Exercise Instructor, Mariners Wellness Center

- Mechanic 3, Facility Operations

- Nuclear Medicine Tech 2, Imaging

- Radiology Technologist 1, Imaging-MRI, $40k Bonus

- Environmental Health & Safety Specialist, Emergency Preparedness

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

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

- MC Multi-Modality Imaging Tech 1, Radiology, $25k Bonus

- Patient Access Associate 1, Gastro, Tavernier, $1k Bonus

- Registered Nurse Utilization Review, Case Management, Part Time, Weekend Days

MARATHON FISHERMEN’S

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

- ED Team Coordinator 1, Emergency Department

- Experience Advisor, Patient Experience

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

- Patient Scheduler 3, Radiology-Diagnostic

- Radiology Technologist 1, Radiology, $40k Bonus

- Registered Nurse, Multispecialty Acute Care Center

- Registered Nurse, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, $15k Bonus

- Security Officer 1, Security/Safety

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

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

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 or call 786-243-8507

THEME: SPORTS

ACROSS

1. Combat vehicle

5. Semi

8. *Biathlon gear, sing.

11. Keiko of “Free Willy”

12. *Ashi Waza and jugodi sport

13. Audienceís approval

15. Tandoori bread

16. Ned Stark’s daughter, “Game of Thrones”

17. Rˆntgen beams

18. *Warning track sport

20. Monetary “thank you,” pl.

21. Indigo dye shrubs

22. “Arabian Nights” bird

23. Destroyer

26. Danced to certain Polish music

30. Crematorium container

31. One without magic powers in

Harry Potter stories

34. Largest volcano in Europe

35. Do nothing (2 words)

37. Singer Yoko

38. Be at the helm

39. Tropical tuber

40. *Player who delivers in a crucial sports moment

42. Recipe qty.

43. Display proudly (2 words)

45. Smells

47. Lake, in France

48. Clean a spill (2 words)

50. #8 Across, pl.

52. *Cornerback and direct snap sport

55. Russian pancake

56. Pasta option

57. Go cold turkey

59. *Reward for multiple sports championships, pl.

60. “Breaking Bad” victim

61. The Beehive State

62. King Kong, e.g.

63. Type of lightbulb, acr.

64. Spooky

DOWN

1. Boatload

2. Riyadh native

3. *Collegiate sports grp.

4. Topeka native

5. Not urban

6. Short poems of pastoral life

7. *Hockey score

8. *Powerful shot in hockey

9. 11th letter of Roman alphabet, pl.

10. Elvis’ “____ Now or Never”

12. White and black stork

13. Glorify

14. *Gully and deep mid wicket sport

19. Foe

22. Fish eggs

23. Corrodes

24. Heep of “David Copperfield”

25. Preface

26. Scheme

27. Mr. T’s TV show “The ____”

28. Olden days constipation treatment

29. *Bag of nails and baby ton sport

32. *Eagle and mulligan sport

33. African migrator

36. *Turkey and split sport

38. Woody perennial

40. Chlorofluorocarbon, abbr.

41. He gets a flag?

44. Reprieve in a desert

46. Not light-transmitting

48. Dots and dashes code

49. Did like goo

50. Women’s underskirt

51. Plural of cow, arch.

52. *Sports transgression

53. Plucked string instrument

54. Pinocchio, e.g.

55. Type of undergarment

58. Olden day “your”

Proudly serving Key West to Islamorada as the ONLY locally owned and operated concrete company in the Florida Keys.

Whether you’re building a large commercial building, FDOT bridge, or a customdesigned home, we have concrete mix designs for every project. Thanks to decades of experience, our team can create custom mixes with high-quality additives for specific project needs. We offer the largest variety of materials and operate the only FDOT-certified ready-mix plants in the Florida Keys. Call us for all ready-mix concrete, block, aggregate, rebar and bagged good needs.