Marathon 25-0213

$1,339,000

Bonefish Yacht Club + Boat Slip A17

This stunning, oceanfront, desirable end-unit townhome in the exclusive Bonefish Yacht Club community offers a perfect combination of luxury and resort-style living. The 34-unit complex of single-family, attached townhomes is nestled on 4+ acres of meticulously maintained tropical landscaping, exuding the charm of a private, oceanside retreat. This property conveys a 40' legal, liveaboard boat slip with deep water and direct ocean access. 1,751 sq. ft. under air featuring a Gourmet chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, a separate dining area, and a concept living area with beautiful views of the marina and waterside balcony for dining al fresco. The master bedroom has a luxurious en suite bath, walk-in closet, and private waterside balcony. The guest suite also has a private balcony, 2nd full bath, and lots of closets. The ground-level garage/storage area for a car, water gear, and fishing equipment is a fabulous area for an avid Angler's rods and reels. Resort-style amenities include a large heated/chilled, fully decked swimming pool with poolside lounge chairs. The Tiki gathering area has couches, tables, bathrooms, and a wet bar. This townhome is perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance, luxury waterfront property. Enjoy world-class amenities, breathtaking water views, and a vibrant yet serene community designed for relaxing and entertaining. This is your opportunity to live in paradise, with easy access to boating and fishing for the best of the Florida Keys living.

10055 Overseas Highway | Marathon 305.735.4095 | oceansir.com

9709 Overseas Hwy.

Marathon, FL 33050

Office: 305.743.0844 www.keysweekly.com

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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.

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently announced it discovered the heaviest Florida panther on record at 166 pounds. The panther was fitted with a tracking collar by FWC biologists. Typically, male panthers can weigh up to 160 pounds while females can weigh as much as 100 pounds.

STATE REGULATORY AGENCY APPROVES CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE PREMIUM HIKES

Policyholders can expect increases of 6.6% effective June 1

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Monroe County property owners insured through Citizens Property Insurance Corp. can expect an increase in their premiums when they renew their policies later this year.

On Feb. 5, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) approved rate increases of 6.6% for the more common multi-peril coverage. Details weren’t provided in the order on specifically how much more policyholders in the Keys would pay. They can expect an increase, however, as the new rates take effect June 1.

Last June, Citizens’ board of directors approved a request detailing a 13.5% increase for all policyholders. As prescribed by law, Citizens must charge actuarially sound rates which aren’t competitive with the private market. The insurer must also comply with a glide path that only allows annual rate increases of 1%; in 2025 that cap was 14%.

A public hearing held in Tallahassee last August saw Citizens explaining the requested increases to OIR actuaries. Mel Montagne, president for Fair Insurance Rates of Monroe (FIRM), and Joe Walsh, vice president for FIRM, were the only two who provided testimony why OIR should turn down any rate increases in Monroe County.

“FIRM is still waiting for county-specific rates to see where we are,” Montagne told Keys Weekly on Feb. 11.

OIR’s order approving the rate increases, albeit lesser than what Citizens initially proposed, came after months of uncertainty over what the result would be for policyholders. Citizens sought higher rates in several previous requests, explaining it charged less than private carriers. Tim Cerio, Citizens CEO, told state lawmakers the entity has been charging below-market rates during a subcommittee meeting at the state capital. He even said customers are receiving “subsidized insurance not based on any economic need.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis has lauded recent legislative reforms he says have produced a healthy insurance market. In 2022, the state Legislature passed a bill eliminating one-way attorney fees related to assignment of benefits, ending the incentive for attorneys to mislead claimants. Legislation also prohibited roofers from paying or absorbing insurance deductibles.

Another bill tightened Citizens eligibility by steering potential and existing policyholders to private carriers if a comparable policy was available. Citizens had more than a million policies during 2022. By 2024, 477,000 policies were moved out of Citizens to private insurers offering competitive rates.

“It is common and appropriate for Citizens’ rate-making process to involve a deliberate and thorough regulatory analysis, especially after a particularly active hurricane season,” Citizens said in a statement following the order of approval. “Moreover, as Gov. DeSantis stated, the 2025 rates reflect the many positive developments that have taken place in the Florida property insurance market since our original recommendations were filed.”

Montagne told state officials last August that, between 2003 and 2021, Monroe County policyholders paid premiums which helped Citizens profit by nearly $860 million. He also said the ever-increasing windstorm premiums are especially hitting working families who live in homes built by local Habitat for Humanity organizations in the Florida Keys. Montagne explained their mortgage payments are 30% of the household income, at the time of closing,

A nice dinner and chocolates are all well and good, but plenty of pups like Blippi, along with cats and guinea pigs, are also waiting for their perfect Valentines at the Marathon SPCA. See page 6. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

for a period of 30 years. Any increases like premium hikes by Citizens could price families out of these homes. Legislation could be filed for the state Legislature’s consideration to mitigate the squeeze on working families who achieved the home-buying dream thanks to Habitat.

OIR’s rate approvals for Citizens come days after DeSantis said Citizens policyholders in Miami-Dade and Broward counties would see premium decreases during a visit at Florida International University on Feb. 5. Specifically, 75% of policyholders in Miami-Dade would get a 6.3% decrease, while 52% of policyholders in Broward would experience a 4.5% drop in premiums. Monroe County was never mentioned to receive a decrease during the governor’s visit. However, DeSantis said policyholders statewide would see an average decrease of 5.6%.

In addition, DeSantis announced auto insurance rate reductions for Floridians insured through GEICO, 10.5%, Progressive, 8.1%, and State Farm, 6%.

In addition to the obvious

and pollution of the surrounding waters, derelict vessels pose navigational hazards and cause destruction of precious marine habitats. CONTRIBUTED

TAKING OUT THE TRASH

Derelict vessel removal contract pulls 75 boats in six months

Since July 2024, when Monroe County entered into a $3 million contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), county contractors have made significant strides in removing derelict vessels from Florida Keys waters. In the first six months of the contract, 75 vessels have been removed, with another 46 scheduled for removal.

Derelict vessels create significant environmental and economic challenges for the Keys. These abandoned boats pollute water, obstruct navigation and endanger marine life, while the financial burden of addressing these issues often falls on taxpayers.

This initiative, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is focused on improving water quality and enhancing public safety throughout the Keys.

“We are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of FWC officers and the exceptional efforts of the derelict vessel removal contractors,” said Brittany Burtner, senior administrator of the Monroe County Marine Resources Office. “The officers’ commitment to identifying and investigating abandoned vessels, paired with the contractors’ expertise in removing these hazards, has been essential to this remarkable progress.”

The cleanup efforts have spanned the entire Florida Keys, with notable progress in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, the Boca Chica Basin and Key West.

Officials say this initiative, combined with the creation of new mooring fields to provide secure anchoring options, will help prevent future abandonments and ensure the waterways of the Florida Keys remain cleaner and safer for all. — Contributed

NESTA

2-year-old mixed breed. Looking for: Someone as sweet and calm as I am.

Turnoffs: When people come at me too fast. Let’s get to know each other first.

SWIPE RIGHT

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

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

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people.

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

ROBOT

6-month-old domestic shorthair.

Looking for: I’m a rambunctious, playful dude looking to paaarty!

Turnoffs: So far I’m all good, man.

9-month-old guinea pig.

Looking for: I love fresh food, space to run and hanging with my wife.

Turnoffs: Being alone.

eyesore

CINNAMON ROLL

A LITMUS TEST FOR TAKINGS CASES?

Newest update in Shands Key court battle could prove costly

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

As the Florida Legislature prepares to ponder laws that could shape the future of building rights in the Keys, a recent court decision in a 18-year lawsuit could establish new case law that sets a costly precedent for halting development in the island chain.

Released on Feb. 5, an opinion from Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals strikes a blow to the city of Marathon in a decades-long legal battle over Shands Key, a small, uninhabited island on Marathon’s gulf side off the end of Brian Road.

The case is especially critical in 2025, as the island provides a crucial local example of a takings case, triggered when government regulations strip away the economic uses of a piece of private property without just compensation, as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In 1956, Dr. R.E. Shands purchased the island from the federal government for $20,500, hoping to turn the land into a vacation destination for his family. At the time of purchase, zoning for the 7.9acre island allowed for construction of one home per acre.

Shands’ vision never came to fruition, as he passed away in 1963, and ownership of the island was eventually transferred to his wife and later her four children. But by the time the family was ready to build on the island, the Florida Legislature had designated the Keys as an Area of Critical State Concern in 1979, enacting a host of development regulations. In 1992, the infamous ROGO system was born, aiming to slow the rate of development throughout the island chain and discourage building on environmentally sensitive land.

Zoning of the island changed from General Use, allowing for construction,

to “Conservation Offshore Island,” allowing only for camping and beekeeping. The changes were later adopted by Marathon when the city incorporated in 1999, and when the Shandses applied for a dock permit in 2004, the request was denied, with the city offering instead to provide the Shandses with transferable development rights (TDRs) for sale or use elsewhere in exchange for publicly dedicating the land.

The central argument in the case hinges on whether the provision of these development rights automatically prevents a takings case, or whether the rights qualify as “just compensation,” as guaranteed in the Constitution, for an island that has now seen its value slashed from a multimillion-dollar property to one potentially worth just tens of thousands under current regulations.

“Allowing the government to avoid a categorical, as-applied takings claim by awarding TDRs is constitutionally infirm, and here, the downzoning barred (the Shandses) from improving or developing Shands Key in any manner,” the opinion reads.

“In what can only be described as a trailblazing decision, the majority holds that … the availability of TDRs does not infuse value into a property otherwise rendered valueless by the regulation,” added judge Edwin Scales. He noted that while governments cannot force landowners to accept TDRs as compensation in lieu of cash, the building rights may still have value in negotiations for future takings cases, should property owners be willing to accept them.

Authoring the lone dissent of the court’s 10 judges, Chief Judge Thomas Logue supported the ruling of the case’s previous outcome in a trial court.

“It is undisputed that the unique economy of the Florida Keys provides an active, competitive market among private buyers for transferable develop-

ment rights and islands in their natural state available for recreational uses,” he wrote, stating that either use would increase the island’s value to three to six times its original purchase price. “The case went to a bench trial and the trial court concluded no taking occurred, finding these values provided the owners a reasonable return on their investment.”

A closed session of the Marathon City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 25 will formally determine whether an expected appeal by the city will make its way to the Florida Supreme Court. City officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The Shands are represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a public interest law firm that represents citizens free of charge in suits against alleged government overreaches.

“This is an important case, and we’re excited with the outcome,” PLF attorney Kady Valois told the Weekly. “I think the Shands are finally happy that they can see the horizon on this 18-year fight.”

Should the city ultimately lose the case, Marathon’s taxpayers could be saddled with some, if not all, of the payments for an island the Shandses’ attorneys say should be worth millions, on top of decades of legal fees. It’s a hefty bill to pay, and one that provides a real-world outcome after a year full of debate throughout the Keys about the true threat of looming takings cases.

In dozens of county workshops, commission meetings and surveys aiming to inform a request to the Legislature for additional building rights, residents and advocacy groups opposing new construction in the island chain have called the threat of takings cases “overblown.” Meanwhile, those in favor of adding building rights have framed the financial threat of takings cases as a binary choice: write a permit, or write a check.

3 Man O War Dr, Marathon

$3,295,000 | 4BD/4BA | 2,824 SqFt Nate Bartlett (305)800-6283 117 Avenue E, Marathon

$2,300,000 | 4BD/4BA | 3,069 SqFt Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

755 W Ocean Dr 5, Key Colony Beach

$529,000 | 1BD/1BA | 675 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

HOUSE | SUND 11-2

2010 Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon

$4,175,000 | 4BD/4BA | 3,458 SqFt

The Owen Lucas Team (305)393-0559

Host: Walter Ceballos (305)562-0819

Host: Alicia Lund (305)431-0577 814 30th St, Marathon

Host: Darlene Alferes (305)407-6925

HOUSE | SUND 11-2

$1,587,000 | 4BD/3BA | 2,466 SqFt The Owen Lucas Team (305)393-0559

PEN HOUSE | SUND 11-1

160 1st St, Key Colony Beach

$3,970,000 | 4BD/3 5BA | 3,616 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

PEN HOUSE | & SUN 11-1

521 11th St, Key Colony Beach

$1,795,000 | 2BD/3BA | 1,247 SqFt

Tracy Chacksfield (305)912-2177

SUN Host: Nate Bartlett

HOUSE | SUND 11-2

133 Coco Plum Dr. Unit 22, Marathon

$394,000 | 1BD/1BA | 656 SqFt

The Owen Lucas Team (305)393-0559

Host: Joe Quallich (305)340-8743

PEN HOUSE | S URD 11-1

PEN HOUSE | S URD 11-2

PEN

JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY

ADVOCACY WORKSHOP TOURISM

Tennessee Williams Theatre

5901 College Rd Key West, FL 33040

Together, let’s plant the seeds for a thriving tourism ecosystem, nurture collaboration and grow opportunities for all who call

The Florida Keys home.

Don Welsh - CEO, Destinations International Brett Laiken - CMO, VISIT FLORIDA

Guest Speakers: by to

Please RSVP by 2/19/2025 to confirm your attendance. fla-keys.com/tourism-advocacy-workshop

Hosted by Kara Franker

President and CEO of Visit Florida Keys

Why Attend?

Gain Insights: Discover the latest tourism trends and data to help your business flourish

Connect with Peers: Build meaningful relationships with fellow professionals and stakeholders

Support Sustainable Growth: we’re fostering a resilient, community-first approach to tourism

and I started taking weekly trips every month to visit. At one point, a simple morning conversation by the canal over coffee turned into, "Why don't you bring Sis’s Sugar Shack down here and see how it goes?" By March I had all the paperwork complete to do business locally and the rest is history. We are currently parked at the New Life Church in Marathon.

What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? I love to spend the day on the boat, either fishing or enjoying time with great friends who have now become family. I love living in Marathon for many reasons, one of which being the fact that there are numerous breathtakingly beautiful beaches within a few minutes in all directions. Another reason I enjoy living here is the closeness of the people who live on the Island. Most of the people who live here are all about helping each other or being there for each other when it's needed most.

What is your hype song and your sad song? Hype Song: “Truck Bed” by Hardy. Sad Song: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.

JEN ALEXANDER

www.keysweekly.com

MANDY WILLIS

Owner, Sis’s Sugar Shack

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

This week’s neighbor is Mandy Willis, who runs Sis's Sugar Shack, a deep-fried dessert food truck offering carnival-style bites. The business started as an idea for a deep-fried PB&J truck, but the mini donut machine came with the trailer she purchased, so she worked those into the mix as well. The rest of the menu blossomed from her favorite deep-fried snacks. She also offers deep-fried Key lime pie, Oreos, cookie dough and more.

How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? September 2021 was my first trip to the Keys on vacation and I couldn't believe it had taken me 31 years to get here. It immediately felt like home. In January of 2022, one of my best friends bought her home in Marathon

What kid's movie is scary to you and why? The Cave of Wonders part in Aladdin has always spooked me out. The voice, the glowing eyes, the darkness, the talking sand – it just creeps me out!

What part of the human face is your favorite and why? The eyes. They can tell a lot about a person. What are three essential items you pack in your suitcase when going on vacation? 35 bikinis, a toothbrush and a passport – does a sense of adventure count?

What is one emoji that describes you? "Hang Loose"

What's one reasonable change that you'd like to see happen in the Keys? Owners vs. tenants. Why does there have to be an invisible line drawn between those who own and those who rent? We're all doing everything we can and giving it our all to live in paradise. Some are blessed enough to own, others are blessed enough to find a space to rent, but we're all blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. What's one thing people don't know about you? That even as a grown adult, I'm still absolutely terrified of the dark. So much so that I installed timed lights all throughout my house so that they shut off on their own and I don't have to be in any part of the house in complete darkness at any time.

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

COORDINATES AVAILABLE FOR MONROE COUNTY’S FIRST ARTIFICIAL REEF IN NEW PROGRAM

Decommissioned power poles are the backbone of Monroe County’s newest artificial reef, with coordinates now available to the public. HANNA KOCH/Monroe County

The coordinates for Monroe County’s first deployment of artificial reef materials as part of its new program are now available.

Name: Gulfside 10 Mile Artificial Reef – Patch Reef #1: GPS Coordinates (DDM): Lat 24º53.195 N, Long 081º42.205 W GPS Coordinates (DD): Lat 24.886575, Long -81.703408

The Monroe County Artificial Reefs Department deployed 10 power poles to a new reef area about 16 nautical miles northeast of Key West in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The concrete power poles were received from two sources, including the Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s Sea Oats Beach project in Islamorada. The poles were stacked in three layers to increase vertical relief and provide spaces of different sizes. The site is about 40 feet deep. When weather conditions improve, the remaining 35 poles will be deployed to the same site to create two more

patch reefs. After that, additional structures of different shapes and sizes will be added to the site to increase habitat complexity and space for marine life. The program is entirely funded through a grant from the state of Florida.

“It was very exciting being topside to watch the deployment and even more thrilling to see the structures hosting marine life, including schools of fish and cobia, just a few days later when we conducted our post-deployment dive survey,” said Monroe County Artificial Reefs Director Hanna Koch. “This site will be part of a network of artificial reef sites in this area that aims to support various ecosystem and economicrelated services.”

In August 2023, Monroe County was awarded $10 million from the state to start an artificial reefs program in the Florida Keys. In June 2024, the state awarded an additional $5 million for the program. Artificial reefs can provide long-term, stable, quality habitat to marine life, take pressure off local natural reefs, and provide new fishing and diving opportunities.

Florida has more than 4,000 artificial reefs, and Monroe County recently joined the 37 coastal counties that already have an artificial reef program. In the Florida Keys, 62 artificial reefs, including wrecks, were placed mainly between 1982 and 1989. The most recent artificial reef placed in Florida Keys waters was the Vandenberg off Key West in 2009. Koch plans to apply a science-based and ecosystem-focused approach to designing, deploying and evaluating artificial reef materials in the Florida Keys.

More information is at www. monroecounty-fl.gov/reefs.

— Contributed

SEA YOU AT THE FEST

Original Marathon Seafood Festival blends fresh favorites and family fun March 8-9

Fresh Florida Keys seafood is on the menu at the Original Marathon Seafood Festival, scheduled Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, and featuring local shrimp, lobster and stone crab alongside fresh “fishermen-to-fork” menu favorites.

Now in its 49th year, the popular festival is one of the Keys’ largest and takes place each March at the Marathon Community Park, MM 49 oceanside.

Marathon-area commercial fisheries and markets catch, clean and cook the nearly 15,000-pound spread of fresh Keys seafood and tasty smoked fish dip prepared according to safeguarded “only-in-the-Keys” recipes.

Fishermen-turned-chefs, their families and hundreds of volunteers serve up the delectable seafood delights with sides of baked beans, coleslaw, hush puppies or french fries. Attendees also can savor fish tacos, oysters, crab cakes, lobster and crab bisque, Cuban croquetas and more.

Although it’s not harvested in the Keys, conch is dished up as ceviche and golden fried fritters. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available too, as well as sweet treats — homemade Key lime pie and other baked goods — along with adult beverages including cold beer, frozen margaritas and daiquiris.

Over 200 merchant booths will span the park displaying locally crafted spices, honey, salt scrubs and soaps;

jewelry and artwork; nautical items; tropical apparel and accessories; plants, home and outdoor décor; and information about Keys nonprofit, marine animal and rescue organizations. Other attractions include a boat show, children's games and raffle prizes.

Daily live music performances are to include reggae, trop rock, blues, country and high-energy rock and roll. This year’s festival music lineup features reggae band I-Land Vibe, rockers Silver Spine and Monster, Airplane Mode and Keys favorites the Marshall Morlock Band, John Bartus and Adrienne Z among others. The entertainment lineup is at marathonseafoodfestival.com/entertainment-lineup.

Sunday brings the festival’s annual military tribute at 1 p.m. with a color guard procession and the singing of the national anthem.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per adult and free for children under age 12 when accompanied by a paying adult. Admission Sunday is free for retired and active military members with identification. Proceeds benefit local continuingeducation programs and scholarships presented by the Marathon chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida and the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce.

More information is at marathonseafoodfestival.com.

Stone crab and shrimp are just two of the delicacies waiting under the tents at the Original Marathon Seafood Festival. CONTRIBUTED

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GREATER MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERECE 305.743.5417 • 1.800.262.7284 visitus@floridakeysmarathon.com www.floridakeysmarathon.com 12222 Overseas Highway • Marathon, FL 33050

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon -

HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM

$7 Menu

• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!

• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm

* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!

BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM

• Unique & interesting menu

• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots

LUNCH & DINNER

• Lobster Enchiladas

• Diver Speared Local Fish

• Prime Rib • Local Lobster

• Cook Your Own Catch

• Great Seafood Selections

SUSHI

• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar

Fresh Uni arrives on Thursday

GOAT TALK

Recovering from the Super Bowl sweats

Well, that was close.

At the risk of losing readership, I’m gonna let you all in on a secret: Born and raised in Rhode Island for the first 18 years of my life, I’m an all-out unabashed Patriots fan.

Why does this matter, especially since the Pats have taken the past three seasons to jump Dukes of Hazzard-style off a cliff into the pit of irrelevance? Because on Sunday night, even though I had no true horse in the race, I and every other sports-loving fan in New England had something far more precious at stake in Super Bowl LIX: the legacy of every Masshole’s god-amongmen, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.

In the weeks leading up to the game, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time, yeah, I’ll say it) was assaulted on all fronts by media pundits who mouthed off that he was destined to be dethroned by a certain Patrick Mahomes III. A part of me gets it; a threepeat Super Bowl run had never been done before, and if the Chiefs had come out on top against the Eagles, even I would have entertained (read: listened to without rolling my eyes more than twice) that conversation.

But that didn’t happen. So now I get to write this column.

My daily doom scrolls on my phone before the game were filled with memes comparing the stats of the two quarterbacks, trying to prove that Mahomes had already surpassed Brady’s accomplishments.

Two things about this. One, in an era where advanced tracking metrics can practically tell you how many times each player farts during a game, I could find some obscure statistic that, if taken out of context, would make a benchwarming scrub seem “better” than a Hall of Fame-caliber player. Is that what’s happening here? Absolutely not, and I am NOT disrespecting Mahomes’ otherworldly accomplishments so far in his career. But stats don’t tell the whole story.

Two, what’s almost universally respected about Brady’s career is the longevity and consistency of it. The dude won his last four Super Bowls at the ages of 37, 39, 41 and 43. In 23 seasons, he made it to the big game 10 times. That means, over the entirety of his career, Brady was more likely to make it to the Super Bowl (43.5% of the time) than NBA superstar Steph Curry is to make a single 3-point shot (42.4%). (Remember what I said about random stats?)

In those 10 Super Bowls, he amassed a record of 7-3. That means he had a better career win percentage IN THE SUPER BOWL than … wait for it … every single NFL team’s all-time win percentage. And it’s not even close.

ALEX RICKERT

made the natural career transition from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor after six years at Dolphin Research Center. His passions include running, watersports, and civil disagreements with sharks while spearfishing.

(*Note to self: Go back and erase what you wrote before about out-of-context stats. These things are great.)

To be clear, once again: Mahomes is an absolutely unbelievable quarterback, and as much as I hate to say it, he 100% has a shot of going on to dethrone the co-author of the New England Dynasty.

My friends were kind enough to remind me that, as I watched the game hoping Philadelphia would pull out the win because I was tired of seeing Kansas City-colored confetti, I should probably shut my mouth – seeing as this is EXACTLY how people felt watching the Pats for 20 years.

All I’m saying is, can we put a lid on the GOAT talk until this kid safely exits his 20s?

I’m a runner, not a football player, so I can’t even speak to the physical aspect of the sport, but I do know this: you can eat all the avocado ice cream and get as many weird oiled-up muscle treatments from your “guru” as you want, but getting pile-driven into the core of the earth by 300-pound monsters well into your fifth decade of life doesn’t sound like a good time. So to do that, get up, shrug it off, and go shove a Lombardi Trophy in their faces as you continue to blow teams’ doors off in your 40s takes something special.

In Brady’s case, his accomplishments are the reverse of the norm: People tend to credit his defenses for carrying him in his younger, more spry years, while his performances in his late 30s and 40s are regarded as the driving force behind New England’s championship wins. (And Tampa Bay’s, but we don’t talk about that.)

Am I saying Mahomes has to play that long to even up the conversation? No, absolutely not. The look I saw on his face after the game terrifies me, because I’ve seen it before on a pissed-off Brady bent on revenge, and I know the NFL is about to get everything he can throw at them next year. If Mahomes and coach Andy Reid can keep their consistency up, even as a rapidly-evolving game throws changes at them every year, their dynasty could be every bit as monumental as New England’s.

I guess it’s a product of clip-worthy debates perfect for social media, but I don’t know where this recent obsession with crowning all-time greats in the early run of their careers came from.

For all I know, we could be staring down another three-peat before Mahomes hits 35. But that day isn’t today, and for now (*wipes sweat off brow*) the GOAT is still the GOAT.

WE

STILL LOVE JIMMY BUFFETT, BUT THE HIGHWAY IS U.S. 1

In an effort to clear up a misunderstanding that duped even a few of our own Keys Weekly staff members, we’re putting out a public service announcement to our community. In 2024, many were delighted to learn that State Road A1A would officially be renamed as ‘Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.’ An unveiling in August 2024 in Key West celebrated the change – but there’s a catch. In the Keys, State Road A1A only runs through a small portion of Key West, and the vast majority of U.S. 1 is still the good old Overseas Highway. Although the error has since been corrected, even Google Maps perpetuated a misnomer that tricked Keys locals for months after the name change. So, even though the Keys still love Jimmy, areas shown in black on the map are where the name change applies. CONTRIBUTED Key West

DAILY SPECIALS

MANDY MILES

drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. She’s married to a saintly — and handy — fisherman, and has been stringing words together in Key West since 1998.

MILES TO GO I HAVE A FEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS I’D LIKE TO PROPOSE

Amid the recent flurry of presidential executive orders, and in the interest of true democracy, I’d like to propose a few executive actions of my own. Feel free to send me some of the ones you’d enact and I can do a follow-up column that includes our reader responses.

I’ll go first.

By the authority vested in me by absolutely no one, it is hereby ordered as follows:

• Robocalls and spam text messages are banned, including those seeking political donations — for anyone. That’s it. End of discussion. (I’ll give my dad credit for this one. He and I don’t agree on much in politics, but we’re fully aligned on this.)

• In the interest of airline comfort and common sense: when the plane has landed and is safely on solid ground, people may unshackle themselves and stand up like the adults we are. Once a plane is taxiing to a gate, it is moving slowly enough to be passed by a stand-up e-scooter. Meanwhile, we have high-speed trains, subways and buses with no seatbelts in sight, and no rules requiring people to remain seated. Hell, we let people dangle off San Francisco cable cars that climb 45-degree hills. But a giant airplane, on the ground, moving at 20 mph, poses such a significant safety threat that rational, reasonably intelligent adults have to remain strapped in and risk being harshly reprimanded — over the loudspeaker — if they have the audacity to unclip their seatbelt and rise to a bent-over crouch to alleviate a leg cramp.

• In addition, all flights 45 minutes or longer will be equipped with free wifi and TV screens on the seat backs.

• Modernize the U.S. Postal Service.

The entire operation is archaic given today’s technology. Why do stamps still exist and why are they not available in vending machines everywhere? Surely we can come up with some sort of prepaid postage account and a bunch of free-standing postal kiosks and package dropboxes all over town. If the USPS must charge by weight, then equip each kiosk with a scale and let me tap a card or use my phone to pay the required postage, drop my package in the repository and move on with my life. Publix trusts me to weigh my own bananas at the self-checkout. Surely the postal service can trust me to set a box or envelope on a metal square. If I don’t pay, my package goes nowhere. Simple. But then again, the air travel industry still finds it necessary to explain the intricacies of a seatbelt before every flight. So perhaps I’m asking a bit much.

I don’t even know how much a stamp costs these days, but I do know that any reasonably intelligent American would be more than willing to pay a whopping $1 to mail a letter if it would fund basic technological upgrades that would seemingly solve nearly all of the postal service’s problems and go a long way toward helping to alleviate its financial problems that are not entirely its fault, but rather a result of ridiculous financial rules put in place by the federal government, which doesn’t even fund the USPS.

• Self-checkout technology is reserved for people smart enough to use it.

• Hotels must have ice machines on every floor.

• Servers and bartenders are hereby required by law to inform a customer when a gratuity has been included in their bill OR print such a notice on the bill. Anything less is fraudulent deception.

PATIENCE SAVES LIVES

Florida Keys witnessed 1,000-plus crashes resulting in injuries

Driving along the Overseas Highway, or U.S. 1, in the Florida Keys is one of the most iconic road trips in the United States. The route, which spans over 120 miles from the mainland to Key West, offers breathtaking views of turquoise waters, charming islands and picturesque bridges.

However, this unique road comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s important to drive cautiously and responsibly to ensure a safe journey. With the busy season upon us, the traffic on U.S. 1 is becoming increasingly heavy. There are more cars on the road, and the risk of accidents increases, so it is important to take extra precautions to stay safe.

Although U.S. 1 is a major highway, much of it is narrow, with just two lanes and limited shoulder space. The speed limits can vary, ranging from 45 mph to 55 mph, and can drastically change quickly to speeds of 35 mph or less due to school zones, bridges, wildlife restrictions and construction. Staying vigilant of the speed limits and slowing down is essential to everyone’s safety.

U.S. 1 is a scenic drive, and it’s easy to get distracted by the stunning views. There are plenty of places to pull over, including scenic viewpoints, beaches and historical sites. While it’s tempting to speed up to reach your destination, it’s important to take your time and be patient; slow down and appreciate the beauty around you.

Being in a hurry and passing vehicles can be extremely dangerous

and often causes fatalities. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles there were 1,722 vehicle crashes, six fatalities and 1,246 vehicle crashes with injuries in 2024 alone. So, there is no need to race to your destination and endanger your life and possibly someone else’s life.

Watching for pedestrians and cyclists is also an important safety measure while driving on U.S. 1. Cycling is popular in the Keys, and many cyclists use the highway to travel between islands. Be mindful of cyclists, especially in areas without bike lanes or shoulders. Keep a safe distance and pass them cautiously. Pedestrians also enjoy a nice stroll or jog along U.S. 1 and are often out and about in high-traffic areas, particularly near shops, restaurants and attractions. Pedestrian safety is crucial, so always slow down when you see them and stop for crossing pedestrians when required.

Finally, remember to stay alert for wildlife. The Florida Keys are home to a variety of wildlife, and many animals cross the road, particularly at dawn and dusk. Keep an eye out for animals such as birds, iguanas and even small mammals, especially in less developed areas. Key deer are also a potential hazard, particularly in the Lower Keys. Avoid distractions and stay focused on the road to spot any animals crossing unexpectedly.

Driving U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys is a unique and beautiful experience that can also be dangerous if you do not drive safely. By staying alert, following road signs and traffic rules, taking your time, and being patient, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey through this tropical paradise. With the right mentality and cautious approach, your drive along U.S. 1 will be a safe ride whose stunning beauty reminds us why we love the Florida Keys.

is the University of Florida, IFAS Monroe County Extension coordinator. BRYNN MOREY

Traffic congestion in Islamorada. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

Dr Nicole Cremata

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Angler's Paradise with unmatched boating amenities and deep-draft Ocean access from 200' wide canal! With 100' concrete dock, complete with two 50' boat slips, davits, two floating docks, fillet station, swim ladder, dock boxes and paddleboard stand, this property is expertly outfitted for the avid boater! This sprawling 4-bed, 3.5-bath, home features an 3,224 sqft, airy open concept, flooded with natural light and soaring ceilings, located in exciting Marathon!

has ample room for entertaining and boasts impact windows. Tropical landscaping adorns a generous 10,255 sq. ft. private yard, highlighted by a sprawling travertine pool deck and a large pool. Approx. 185' of concrete seawall and dock, and just minutes to open water!

Located minutes from Sombrero Beach, this 3-bed, 3-bath custom home o ers 2,492 sq. ft. of luxury on a 21,000 sq. ft. lot. Highlights include a heated saltwater lap pool, waterfall, tropical landscaping, solar power system, rainwater collection, and a chef's kitchen with Thermador appliances. A private guest suite with separate entrance completes this stunning property.

MANDY MILES mandy@keysweekly.com

Ready for some Key West trivia?

• What was the island’s very first tourist attraction, having opened 90 years ago this month, on Feb. 17, 1935, amid the depths of the Great Depression?

• Which attraction had to close seven months after it opened, when the 1935 hurricane destroyed the railroad that delivered most visitors to Key West?

• Which open-air, waterfront establishment was converted into a shooting range during World War II?

The answer is the same for each question — the Key West Aquarium.

It’s true. Key West’s first tourist attraction — and by extension its entire tourism economy — opened for business 90 years ago this month on Feb. 17, 1935.

The facility has a whole year of 90th anniversary activities planned for locals and visitors, but the official birthday celebration takes place Monday, Feb. 17, featuring free birthday cake for guests all day. In celebration of its 1935 opening, admission will be discounted to $19.35 for adults and is free for kids 4-12 all day on Feb. 17. At 11 a.m., Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez will issue a proclamation designating Feb. 17 as Key West Aquarium Day.

History of the Key West Aquarium

By 1934, Key West was broke and 80% of its residents were on welfare. City and county officials declared a state of emergency, and handed control of the island to the state of Florida and Gov. David Sholtz.

“The city’s financial plight, as one magazine reporter later observed, ‘was just about the most desperate in the country,’” wrote Garry Boulard in a 1988 essay for the Florida Historical Quarterly called, “State of Emergency: Key West in the Great Depression.”

The governor placed the entire city under the jurisdiction of the Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA) and its regional director, Julius Stone Jr. Stone would forever change the trajectory of the island city, envisioning a tourism mecca that took advantage of the city’s weather, natural beauty, architecture, tropical plants and warm waters.

It wouldn’t be easy, but Stone had nearly unlimited power in Key West, and $2 million of FERA funds. The federal program would later become the Works Progress Administration, a federal jobs program that provided funding and jobs to put able-bodied Americans to work building roads, bridges, hospitals, libraries, parks and, yes, the Key West Aquarium.

Stone encouraged the 10,000 Key West residents on welfare relief to take part in their own destiny and volunteer for 30 hours a week to clean up the city.

They turned homes into guest houses, built thatched huts on Rest Beach for visitors; painted and cleaned restaurants and bars, planted dozens of coconut palms; razed dilapidated buildings; built a dozen playgrounds, parks and at least one major swimming pool.

KEY WEST AQUARIUM TURNS 90

Island’s first tourist attraction emerged from Great Depression

Meanwhile, construction crews, many of them unemployed veterans, were building the Key West Aquarium at the end of Whitehead Street.

It would be the first and largest open-air aquarium in the country, and would be equipped with a pipe system that furnished salt water from the harbor to the tanks.

The idea was to attract visitors to the little island city, boost the local economy, and serve as a showroom for other aquariums wishing to feature Key West’s diverse native marine life in their own exhibits.

The peak of that first tourist season in Key West occurred in February 1935, the same month the aquarium opened. The same month, American Magazine wrote that Key West might become a ‘hot-cha roaring whoopee town. If so, all luck with them — certainly that’s better than the desolation of 1934.’”

Key West did become such a town, but the aquarium was forced to close seven months later when the hurricane of 1935 destroyed the railroad and once again separated Key West from the mainland.

The military leased the building from the city during World War II and converted it to a shooting range.

“By the late 1970s, the aquarium was showing signs of its age and was closed for several years to undergo restoration and expansion under the direction of two of Key West’s leading businessmen, Chris Belland and Ed Swift III,” states the aquarium’s website. “Interior exhibits were enhanced. One addition was the 50,000-gallon Atlantic Shores exhibit that provided space for large species of game fish, tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles and more, including a mangrove shoreline.”

The aquarium reopened in 1982, just as tourism was becoming the main economic engine for Key West and the Florida Keys.

Today the aquarium is home to over 250 specimens of fish, sharks and four of the five species of sea turtles that inhabit the waters of the Florida Keys.

“The aquarium really put Key West on the path as a tourist destination,” said John Hodge, operations manager. “The aquarium’s collection is reflective of the Florida Keys nearshore environment and gives both locals and visitors an opportunity to see up close the undersea residents of the Keys.”

Visit keywestaquarium.com for a schedule of special events taking place each month throughout 2025. Ninety never looked so good.

From top: The entrance to the Key West Aquarium as seen at its opening in 1935. Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Library

The Key West Aquarium was Key West’s first tourist attraction, and was built as an open-air aquarium. The roof was added in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Library

The Key West Aquarium opened 90 years ago this month, and features indoor and outdoor exhibits that explore the Keys underwater world. CONTRIBUTED

2

MHS WINTER GUARD GETS FIRST TASTE OF COMPETITION

The Marathon High School Winter Guard dipped their toes into competitive waters for the first time on Feb. 8 at West Broward High School. Winter Guard is an activity that incorporates dance, spinning props such as flags, rifles and sabres, and movement to music in an expressive way. Known as the ‘Jewels of the Keys,’ as it is the only high school Winter Guard program in the county, the group finished in sixth place for their division – half a point from moving into fifth – and put on a ‘drop-less’ performance by catching all of their tossed props, director Aileen LaFave told the Weekly. Members of the group include Holli Keeney, Kaitlynn Foutz, Linnley Eldridge, Phoebe Krypkowzkie, Samantha Lawrence, Hailey Diaz Borrego, Aariyona Pannell and Olivia Hamilton. CONTRIBUTED

PRECISION UPGRADES

Patients visiting optometrists Nicole Cremata and Reed West will be treated to a sleek, fully-renovated office as Precision Eye Care officially marked the opening of the practice’s new Gulfside Village location with city dignitaries and the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. Providing comprehensive family eye care, the practice offers management of ocular diseases, treatment for eye emergencies such as foreign bodies and infections, and specialized dry eye therapies including Lumenis OptiLight. Visit the new location at 5800 Overseas Hwy., Suite 43. From left: Daniel Samess, Mike Puto, Dale Coburn, Robyn Still, Lynn Landry, MaryAngela Trobis, Samantha Bonilla, Albert Wilkins, Cremata, West and Maranda Ward. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

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PLACE, MARATHON

IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Once slaves, these individuals found a better life on the island

FLORIDA

KEYS HISTORY WITH BRAD BERTELLI

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

Aformal celebration of Black history in this country began more than 50 years before Kent State University, in 1970, first celebrated Black History Month. The first U.S. president to recognize the event was Gerald Ford, in 1976. Every year since, each president of the United States has issued a proclamation honoring February as Black History Month. February was chosen as it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. As with many aspects of the Florida Keys story, Black history is rich, engaging and inspiring.

Take the story of Andrew “Sandy” Cornish, who was born into slavery in Maryland in 1793. He came to Florida when his owner hired him out to work on a railroad project. Cornish was able to earn money for his own labor, too, and, over time, was able to save enough money to buy emancipation papers for himself and his wife, Lillah, from his owner.

After a house fire destroyed their papers, a group of slave traders captured him. Cornish took extraordinary steps to escape and proceeded to make his body undesirable for the slave trade by stabbing himself in the leg, slashing a muscle in his ankle, and cutting off one of the fingers on his left hand. After recovering from his self-inflicted wounds, Andrew “Sandy” Cornish and his wife, Lillah, eventually made their way to Key West in the late 1840s.

Circa 1850, they bought a farm in the present-day Truman Avenue and Simonton Street area, where they grew fruits and vegetables that were sold to locals, soldiers and Key West markets. The Cornish farm is said to have been the island’s first successful

farm, and Sandy, as those around him knew him, grew to become one of the wealthiest men on the island. He also became one of Key West’s civic and spiritual leaders.

Another important moment in Black history is when James D. English moved to Key West circa 1850. Born in 1816, the era of slavery, he grew up as a free and educated man in St. Augustine. After moving to Key West, English became one of the island’s prominent citizens. English served as a county commissioner from 1868 to 1877, and in the late 1870s, he became a member of the Monroe County school board — the first Black man to serve in either position. His son, Nelson English, grew up in Key West and became Key West’s youngest and first Black postmaster.

Of course, Black history in the Florida Keys is not relegated to Key West. One of my favorite stories occurred in the Northern Keys, those nearly 50 islands found north of Key Largo.

It involves Israel Jones, who was born to parents who may or may not have been enslaved people in North Carolina. Looking for a different life, he hopped aboard a ship and eventually wound up in Coconut Grove, where he met his wife, worked hard and raised two sons.

His South Florida story began when he arrived in the burgeoning community of Coconut Grove and found work as a handyman at the Peacock Inn. Originally called the Bayview House, it opened circa 1883 and is considered mainland South Florida’s first hotel. Mozelle Albury, one of the inn’s housemaids, caught his eye. She and Israel married in 1895, by which time Israel had made an impression on some early South Florida and Florida Keys landowners.

It started with Walter S. Davis II, who owned 500 acres of Key Biscayne. Jones worked to improve it after being hired as his property’s caretaker. He cleared land for crops and built a two-story home for the Davis family. His hard work paid off. Two additional property owners, Ralph Munroe, founder and first commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and Dr. John

Sandy Cornish. KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

Clayton Gifford, also hired Jones to manage their properties. They would not be the last.

Frank T. Budge, the owner of Miami’s first hardware store and its first brick building, also hired Jones. In addition to the brick store, Budge owned Totten Key, where he operated a 250-acre pineapple farm.

In 1897, Jones’ first child was born, Arthur Lafayette Jones. 1897 was also the year Israel Jones purchased his first island, the 63-acre Porgy Key, for $300. The following year, while stuck aboard a 22-foot sailing smack in the middle of Biscayne Bay, Mozelle gave birth to their second child, Lancelot Garfield Jones. The same year, Jones purchased the neighboring Old Rhodes Key.

Israel “Parson” Jones was a religious man who supported Miami’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He also helped create Jacksonville’s Negro Industrial School. The school, initially called the Florida Baptist Academy, was founded in 1892. It moved to St. Augustine in 1918 where the school underwent several transitions before moving to Dade County in 1965 and

opening as Florida Memorial College in 1968. In 2004, the school became Florida Memorial University. Israel Lafayette Jones died in 1932 at the age of 74. His sons were skilled fishermen who knew the local waters as well as they knew each other. In addition to catching fish for sport, the brothers fished commercially, harvesting lobster and stone crab they supplied to the Cocolobo Cay Club built on Adams Key by Carl Fisher in 1921. Lancelot, too, worked as a fishing guide for members of the club that included Daniel Topping, once owner of the New York Yankees, and Presidents Herbert Hoover, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

Black history is a rich part of the Florida Keys story. It becomes a matter of special focus by museum professionals, educators and historians every February. Recognizing Black History Month has been a presidential prerogative since Ford first did it in 1976. In 2025, for the first time in nearly 50 years, Black History Month was not recognized by the United States government.

MARK HEDDEN

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

Why aren’t there any blue jays in the Lower Keys?

— Paul Z. Bandit

It’s pretty hard to avoid blue jays in the eastern half of North America — except down here. Key West is below both the squirrel line and the blue jay line, that line being anything south of Marathon. Why? The answer is nuts.

Blue jays (and squirrels) are acorn junkies, aka oak tree nut-dependent, but it’s not all they eat. Blue jays will eat butterflies, spiders, bugs, berries, the eggs of other birds in the nest, nestlings, mice, slow-moving small bats and small songbirds that have been struck unconscious after colliding with windows. Blue jays have also been known to imitate the calls of red-shouldered hawks to scare other birds into dropping their food so they can steal it. But acorns are a large and consistent part of their diet.

In one study, acorns and their like made up 43% of the blue jay’s annual diet, and 67% of their diet from October to March in the colder latitudes. They tend to build up caches of acorns near their breeding sites and can fly with up to five acorns in their mouth and throat at the same time. In one study, two jays that were tracked over three days made 1,270 and 1,959 visits to two pin oak trees, taking 3,175 and 4,897 acorns each.

There are live oaks in the Keys, usually as part of rockland hammocks. But the Keys are on the very edge of the live oaks’ range, and they slowly peter out, getting replaced by more tropical species, as you move from Key Largo to Marathon. Below that they disappear from the habitat. Hence the lack of blue jays in the Lower Keys.

Looking at eBird data, there have been three reports of them south of Moser Channel in the last 20 years, which makes sense as birds do sometimes go on walkabout. (Flyabout?)

I like the fact that we don’t often see blue jays in these parts, largely because I am no longer inured to their presence. And then I get all excited about them when I emerge back up onto the mainland.

Why do some birds have odd names?

Blue-footed booby. Tufted titmouse. Tinkling cisticola. Was alcohol involved in the naming process? — Nanook of the North

For the same reason Dick Cheney will probably be the last famous person named Dick in the English speaking world. Because like sandbars and moral codes, language shifts and changes. Today’s titillating diction is yesterday’s innuendo-free commonplace usage, and nearly any term is vulnerable to being turned into a double entendre.

ASK THE BIRD GEEK: IMPORTANT READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED

If enough people said, “Oh, man, that dude got hit right in the chicken corn chowder,” or “Check out the spokes on that woman,” those terms would also probably eventually take on cruder meanings.

Birds in the booby family are called boobies because they tend to breed on remote islands and not have a lot of fear of humans, so they were easy-to-kill meat for protein-starved sailors in the late 1500s, and back then, booby meant stupid, full stop. It came into a term of usage to describe human mammaries in the late 1920s, doing a bit of a linguistic slide from the term bubbies, which is also from the late 1500s.

Tit used to mean small; mouse used to mean tiny. So titmouse is two adjectives smashed together to create a noun used as the name for a genus of diminutive songbirds. The word was apparently once used to describe upper deck female secondary sex characteristics in Old English, spelled titt at the time. But that term dropped out of usage for several centuries. It came back as a reinvented term to mean female human embonpoints in the late 1920s, which was apparently a great era for bird name/lady parts linguistic crossovers.

Tinkling began to be used as a word to describe a series of soft, ringing sounds in the 1300s. It didn’t come to mean piddle, widdle or wee until the 1960s.

To answer your second question about whether they were drinking when they named these birds: Yeah, probably.

Is a flock of seagulls family?

— The Aptly Named Joy

I’m just going to assume you’re talking about the most famous band to come out of Liverpool, England, the early ’80s synth-heavy new wave act A Flock of Seagulls. And in that case, the answer is yes, at least partially. Founding members Mike Score and Ali Score were/are brothers. The other two members, Frank Maud-

sley and Paul Reynolds, were just guys from the neighborhood. Mike – the guy with the hair shaped like a combination of an ironing board, a paper airplane and a seagull wing – wrote and sang most of the songs, while Ali was the drummer.

I had a vague recollection of A Flock of Seagulls playing (I think) at The Reach sometime in the early ’90s, when I first moved here, and feeling too cool to go see them. (I was more of a Ramones guy.) And I think it did happen, because with a little Googling I found out that Mike Score actually lived in Key West for a while after the band’s heyday, having a brief second career as a boat builder.

On the odd chance you are talking about birds, it’s a little more complicated.

We have four or five species of gulls here, the most common by several magnitudes being laughing gulls. Laughers breed all over Florida, including the Keys. I was never sure where until I found a paper from 1986 saying they nested mostly in Florida Bay, and that the timing of their breeding and the size of their colonies were highly variable during a six-year study. I assume that info still holds, though the authors of the paper thought the colonies might have been somewhat nascent and growing, so they may have increased in size and success rates since then.

Young laughing gulls tend to be fed by their parents for the first 10 to 14 days after they learn to fly, and they remain in the general area of the colony for two to three weeks. And then something called post-breeding dispersal happens, where the birds move on to other places.

I guess the short answer is, if you happen to be in a boat in Florida Bay from April through August, and you see a small flock of laughing gulls, they may be family. And if you see a flock of laughing gulls down in the Lower Keys, there may be family members in it, but family isn’t the organizing force.

A laughing gull in Key West. MARK HEDDEN/Keys Weekly

CUPID’S BOOKSHELF

PAGE -TURNING ROMANCE TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM?

By Sophie Cousens

KAREN NEWFIELD

Journalist Anna Appleby writes a column for Bath Living (Bath, England, not the tub) in a charming city famous for Jane Austen nostalgia. Anna’s column focuses on the arts and culture scene. At 38, she is recently divorced and her social life is nonexistent. One day she is informed that the magazine is being taken over by a new publisher and her well-written but “dull” column may become redundant. On a mission to revive her job and her love life, Anna is challenged by her co-worker Will to record their experiences side-by-side for a number of weeks in a dating competition. The icing on the cake? Anna’s dates will be chosen by her precocious children, who are 7 and 12 years old. From the grumbling widow neighbor to a friendly postman and hot waiter, Anna is sent on a variety of hilarious outings that are entertaining and life-affirming. As the dates exceed her wildest imaginations, it is the weekend retreat with Will that sends the competition off the grid. I loved every single page of this fast-paced and well-written rom-com.

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 LOVE INTERVENTION

By Caroline Khoury

Laila has no time for socializing. The last decade of her life has been dedicated to a London hospital as a clinical scientist. Her two best girlfriends are ready to intervene. They know Laila needs a break from the lab and caring for her mother. The girls force Laila to admit she has not had a relationship – or even a crush – since her graduate school days at NYU. After doing some of their own love recon, they carefully arrange a three-week vacation, bringing old flames Austin, Eduardo and Mateo back into Laila’s life. Categorizing these handsome hunks as second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers and the one that got away, Laila begrudgingly sets off on this life-changing adventure. From the magnificent vineyards in Northern California to nature trails through Puerto Rico and blissful Costa Rican beaches, Laila wakes up from her work coma and begins to realize she can write the script for her own future. Through one mishap after another, Laila comes to terms with painful memories that have been holding her back for a decade. What better Valentine’s gift than to learn it’s never too late for love?

By Jen Besser and Shana Feste

After years of feeling like a stranger in her own marriage, Diana and Oliver have officially separated. The problem is, Diana has no clue what her future looks like. She is trapped working for Oliver’s wealthy family and every other weekend her house feels empty. Diana takes a work trip to Paris and hopes a change of scenery is just what she needs. Accompanied by her closest friends, she journeys to the City of Lights, where she is unexpectedly reunited with Jasper, her long-ago boyfriend and the one who slipped away. Their chemistry remains unchanged, and Jasper still leaves her breathless. Floating on a cloud, Diana returns to Dallas, where she and Oliver begrudgingly continue to struggle through co-parenting therapy as Oliver travels down the memory lane of intimacy issues. Diana realizes she can no longer hide her passion or the racy website she created combining women’s fantasies with illustrative paintings. This provocative read is the second in a trilogy about relationships (originally a podcast starring Demi Moore). From page one, you’ll be swept away by passion and a love story that’s impossible to resist this Valentine’s Day.

#WorthWatching:

Bridget Jones is widowed and raising two children. In her quirky, very Bridget way, she is still trying to figure it all out. This latest book-to-screen is number four in the Bridget Jones series and releases Valentine’s weekend. Check out “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” on Peacock.

DIANA IN LOVE

MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF

I’m happy to report the crime rate for Monroe County dropped in 2024!

Crime is down 13 percent, according to figures collected by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Specifically, 1,665 crimes were reported to the Sheri ’s O ce in 2023 and 1,448 reported in 2024. Some of the significant drops included aggravated assault — which dropped from 134 in 2023 to 93 in 2024 — and simple battery. There were 389 reported batteries in 2023 and 323 in 2024. There was also a decrease in narcotics violations — from 309 in 2023 to 260 in 2024.

This overall decrease in crime is a strong testament to the hard work put in by the men and women of the Monroe County Sheri ’s O ce, our strong working relationships with all law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels, and those irreplaceable community partnerships with our amazing citizens who I consider an extension of the Sheri ’s O ce and without whom none of this would be possible.

Thank you!

Monroe County Sheriff, Rick Ramsay

2025 QUILTING IN PARADISE QUILT SHOW

Hosted by Paradise Quilters

City Council

Lynn Landry, Mayor Jeff Smith, Vice-Mayor

Lynn Del Gaizo, Councilmember

Kenny Matlock, Councilmember

Robyn Still, Councilmember

Code Compliance Hearing

City Manager

George Garrett

City Attorney

Steve Williams

City Clerk

Diane Clavier, CMC

2/20/25 2:00pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Planning Commission Meeting

2/24/25 5:30pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

City Council Special Call Meeting

2/25/25 5:30pm Marathon Council Chambers, 9805 Overseas Hwy.

Firefighter Pension Board Meeting

2/26/25 9:00am Marathon Fire Station #14, 8900 Overseas Hwy.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at any meeting or workshop noted herein, he or she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purposes he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made; which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. The City of Marathon complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring special accommodations or assistance, please notify the City ADA Coordinator at (305) 289-5022 of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.

• In observance of Presidents’ Day, all our o ces will be closed on Monday, February 17.

• As of February 4, 2025, the tax roll is 84% collected, or $381,324,567.82.

• Taxes paid in February will receive a 1% discount.

• 2024 real estate and personal property tax reminder bills for unpaid taxes will be mailed out.

• Reminder that mobile home registrations expired on December 31 and are required to be renewed.

• Any property that is being rented for six months or less must have a tourist development tax account.

• As a reminder, online rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) DO NOT remit the 5% tourist development tax to our o ce. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure the tax has been remitted.

• All rental properties must also have a local business tax regardless of how long they are being rented.

• Please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for helpful information, forms, applications, and important announcements.

REEL RECS

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

What: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939)

Why: Besides Disney’s, this is the most well-known adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic novel for a reason. It’s not only one of the more faithful ones, but it removes a lot of the fatty detours in the original story that can make it a daunting read. Charles Laughton gives a career best as the put-upon Quasimodo, nailing the sorrowful nature of the character without coming across as cloying. Maureen O’Hara, at only 19, carries a maturity and grace as Esmeralda that Hugo’s original creation lacks. Films as relevant, absorbing and epic as this help make the case for 1939 to be widely considered as Hollywood’s best year.

Where: This film is available on Kanopy, the library’s streaming app.

How: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org.

Recommended by: Kelvin Cedeño, library assistant, Islamorada library.

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

SHELF HELP

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

What: “Dreadful” by Caitlin Rozakis

Why: I’m back here to try and sell you on yet another novel about a wizard who wakes up with no memory and spends the book figuring out what’s going on. I know, I know, “get a new oddly niche trope already” but hear me out. “Dreadful” by Caitlin Rozakis is really funny. It’s also a sincere reflection on the power that expectation bias, rejection and imposter syndrome can hold over a person, as well as the role of intentionality in determining whether something (or someone) is inherently good or evil. At the end, I was left considering, if I did not know myself or my own history, would I like what I learned about me? Heavy stuff for a novel with great banter and clever one-liners that had me actually laughing out loud.

Where: You can borrow this as a print book, e-book and e-audiobook from the Monroe County Public Library.

How: You can request books, including e-books and e-audiobooks, by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org

Recommended by: Faith Price, branch manager, Big Pine Key library branch See previous recommendations at keyslibraries.org/shelfhelp.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Popular YouTube channel pays a visit

REEF

THE FOX

Reef is a red fox that was saved from a fur farm. He now lives in Key Largo with his human, Nicole Navarro.

Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.”

This past weekend, we had some very important visitors at the sanctuary in the Brave Wilderness crew. You know, the team behind one of the biggest wildlife YouTube channels out there, boasting over 21 million subscribers.

These guys and gals have traveled the world, wrangled reptiles, braved the bite of bullet ants, and now, they’ve met the foxes of Pawsitive Beginnings. (Which, if you ask me, is their biggest adventure yet.)

And let me tell you, these humans know how to make an entrance. They didn’t just show up with cameras and microphones; they came bearing gifts. And by gifts, I mean a glorious supply of quail eggs, a fox’s dream snack. Talk about the way to my heart. I knew right then it was going to be a fantastic day.

I was extra excited because I got to see some of my old friends from past adventures. Christina Wilson, Ray Tiller and the incredibly talented Christjen Johnson from Black Sky Entertainment were all here, making sure every moment was captured in true

MARATHON CINEMA

cinematic fashion. These folks are the best at what they do, and let’s just say they made sure my good side (which is every side, obviously) got plenty of screen time.

The cameras rolled for hours as my mom, Nicole Navarro, dove deep into the serious side of why Pawsitive Beginnings exists. She didn’t hold back, educating the world on: The heartbreaking reality of fur farming, the dangers of the exotic pet trade; wild animals like foxes don’t belong in people’s homes. We’re cute, sure, but we aren’t domesticated, and the truth is, most people who try to keep foxes as pets don’t know how to properly care for us. That leads to a lot of suffering, and in many cases, abandonment.

No matter how much someone may love foxes, we aren’t dogs or cats. We have unique needs, instincts and behaviors that make us difficult (and sometimes impossible) to keep in a home setting. We belong in the wild, or, if we can’t be released, in specialized sanctuaries like this one, where people actually understand how to care for us.

Anywho, stay tuned, because as soon as I get the scoop on when the episode is airing on the Brave Wilderness YouTube channel, you’ll be the first to know. I can already tell you it’s going to be something special, an eye-opening look at why foxes like me deserve a future free from cruelty, exploitation and misunderstanding. Until next time, Reef, over and out!

Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro, front, with Ray Tiller, left, Christjen Johnson and Christina Wilson of Black Sky Entertainment. Boasting millions of subscribers, the YouTube crew visited the Key Largo fox sanctuary to tell the story of fur farming and fur trade. CONTRIBUTED

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

This week, we get to dance under the light of the glorious monthly phenomenon of a full moon. With the sun in Aquarius, that places this full moon in the sign of Leo, which is asking us all to feel into the ways in which we physically and emotionally show up at the center of certain networks of influence. There are times when we are the side character, and there are times when we are the main character. How do you hold the torch for others when you are progressing the narrative for those around you? In addition to tapping into our center stage energy, this full moon has a very active and electric feel to it. With the sun conjunct Mercury in Aquarius, we are clearly and objectively thinking about how others perceive us while we are center stage, and we can use that information to determine how to behave in a way that benefits our audience. In addition, Uranus in Taurus is in a 90-degree square to the sunMercury conjunction in Aquarius and the moon in Leo – a formation astrologers call a T-square given the three-pointed shape. With Uranus in the mix, the best way to access the lesson of this full moon is to ensure that our actions are taken in order to achieve and promote freedom and liberation. Shine on and show the world how to be free in the best way that you know how. And as always with Uranus, expect the unexpected. Here are your horoscopes for the full moon in Leo. Read for your rising and sun signs.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

This full moon is allowing you to see yourself very clearly, which, in turn, offers you the ability to also see yourself reflected in your best friends and important partners. Know yourself through those who know you

the best, and trust what you learn. Feel it. Own it. Ultimately, this lesson serves to offer you freedom at or from home. Will you find liberation where you are or decide to change your roots?

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

As you can very clearly understand the importance of solitude and deep reflection right now, this full moon compels you to put that understanding into practice. How do you actively bring your inner awareness into the world through your hard work and labor? Is there alignment here? One way to interpret this full moon for you is actually not to think about it too much, and rather to find freedom in how you flow. Let your body’s wisdom take over.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You have friends and support networks on the mind, and this full moon is offering a reflection on the way that they help you achieve your bliss. Do these people push you to be creative? Do they set up the conditions for joyful moments? The way these folks hold you allows you to be free in ways that reflect your values. Trusting your friends allows you to make joy and hold a strong value system.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

Your career is in the spotlight, but your home is where your heart is. These two areas of life tend to be presented as contrasting spheres, but this full moon is pulling them together. How does your work light up your home and family? Honestly, the way to tie these two parts of life together right now is to liberate yourself from social expectations and tired stories. Open up your possibilities.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

You may be feeling some tension between seeing a great adventure in your mind but feeling like you’re

physically held in your familiar surroundings. The way to clear this tension and find your full moon lesson is to dive into the freedom you find when you have time to yourself. Ultimately, here vs. there is not a problem when you find unexpected freedoms in your solitude.

CANCER

June 21 - July 22

Your self-worth is under the spotlight, and that may bring up some deep emotions about shared resources and support. You’re seeing how others influence your financial or emotional security, but your real power comes from within. Liberation is found in unexpected connections, whether it’s a surprise shift in your community or a new opportunity arising from a friend. Keep your heart open to unconventional solutions.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

This is your full moon, so all eyes are on you. You’re shining in your full radiance, but that means your closest relationships are also reflecting back important truths. What are your partnerships revealing about who you are? Your public image may be shifting in unexpected ways, perhaps giving you more freedom to be yourself. Lean into your authenticity as much as you can.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

This full moon highlights your need for rest, but your daily life is demanding your attention. You may be feeling a pull between what your body needs and what your obligations require. The key to managing this? A shift in perspective. Your belief system is being shaken up, so let new ideas or unexpected insights guide you toward more balance and liberation.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Your friendships, creative projects, and sense of belonging are all

THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM

being illuminated by this full moon. You can find so much joy in your networks, but this lunation is also highlighting where you need to reclaim your own power. Freedom is found in letting go. Release control, and see what unexpected magic comes through.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

The full moon is shining on your career and public life, revealing the impact you’re making in the world. But just as much as you’re focused on your ambitions, there’s an equally strong pull toward home and family. An unexpected shift in your closest bonds may be the key to balancing your personal and professional life. Let the loves in your life offer a feeling of freedom.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Your vision is expanding, and this full moon is pushing you to go after what inspires you. However, while your mind is set on big ideas and grand adventures, true freedom is found in the details right now. Unexpected shifts in your work, routines, or health may offer the path forward, so stay flexible and let your curiosity lead the way.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

You’re being asked to step into deeper trust with others, whether emotionally, financially, or both. This full moon highlights themes of shared resources and vulnerability, but it also asks: What does true security look like for you? Uranus is urging you to break free from rigid definitions of happiness, so let yourself embrace pleasure in unconventional ways.

Visit our Tavernier Branch on Thursday, 02/27/2025 from 10am-2pm!

GRILLED ON THE POOL DECK

Keys FCU is offering FREE credit reviews to all current and potential members who are looking for ways to build, repair, and better understand their financial wellness!

Our Tavernier Branch is located at 91200 Overseas Hwy, Suite 15, Tavernier, FL 33070.

*Restrictions may apply. See us for details. NCUA Insured. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the Florida Keys.

• World Famous Cheeseburgers

• Chorizo Avocado Salsa Queso Burger

• BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp & Scallops

• BBQ Baby Back Ribs

• Bacon Wrapped Lobster

• Grilled Ribeye Sandwiches

• Grilled Bratwurst

• Blackened Dolphin Sandwiches

• Chili Cheese Dogs

DRINK SPECIALS

• $3 Coors Light • $2 Jello Shots

• $5 Fireball Shots

CHARLES CLOUD CURRIER 1951-2025

Charles Cloud Currier of Duck Key and Enfield, N.H., passed away on Feb. 9. Chuck was born on June 4, 1951 in Norwich, Conn. to Kenneth and Victoria Cloud. After his parents were killed in an automobile accident in 1957, Chuck and his three siblings were adopted by different members of the family. Chuck was adopted by a paternal cousin, Jane and Paul Currier.

He graduated from Lebanon High School, Lebanon, N.H. and from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. Chuck owned Montcalm Golf Club in Enfield, N.H., where he and Kristen spent their summers before coming south to Duck Key in the wintertime. He was a member of the Marathon Yacht Club, Duck Key Fishing Club and Club Duck Key.

Chuck loved to play the lottery and poker, and he loved playing host to friends and family alike both at Montcalm and in Duck Key.

Chuck is survived by his wife and love of his life, Kristen BrennerCurrier and Kristen's son, Elliott Kreizman. He is also survived by his two sisters, Ellen Fullington of Hanover, N.H. and Cynthia (Jerry) Carabas of Virginia Beach; nieces Victoria (Lance) Prentiss of Big Pine Key and Canaan, N.H., Amy Barnes of Big Pine Key and Enfield, N.H. and Ginna Carabas of Virginia; and nephews Scott (Meghan) Carabas and David Carabas of Virginia. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sherry (Mick) Wentzel of Charlotte, N.C.; nephews Kevin (Lindsay) Wentzel and Grant (Kelly) Wentzel; and many cousins and dear friends.

Chuck was predeceased by his birth parents, Kenneth and Victoria Cloud; his adoptive parents; his birth brother, Kenneth Cloud Noyes; and his brother-in-law Allan Fullington.

There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Marathon Yacht Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a celebration of life will also be held at Montcalm on May 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BRIEFLY

Dolphin Research Center to host renowned animal trainer

On Thursday, Feb. 20, Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key will host a History of Animal Training seminar with renowned trainer Bob Bailey and DRC co-founder Mandy Rodriguez, both regarded as pioneers in the field. Refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. in the facility’s Welcome Center at 58901 Overseas Highway, with the talk scheduled to begin at 6:30. Entry is free for guests, and QR codes will allow for donations to DRC’s mission to provide a sanctuary home to its animal family.

Unlicensed contractors cited by sheriff’s office

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office wrote mandatory notices to appear in court to eight people on Feb. 10 for allegedly working as contractors without the proper licensing, as part of an investigation by the Florida Department of Business and Regulation. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office was also part of the investigation. Those cited were: Matthew Leonard Krzysztofik, 60, of Key West; Richard William Zaturn, 44, of Key Colony Beach; Alvin Wayne Hopper, 49, of Summerland Key; Sebastian Jorge Krempovich, 43, of Sunny Isles Beach; Carlos Alvarez, 39, Luis Antonio Rosales, 56, and Alexis Rosario, 54, all of Miami; and Larry Holmes, 66, of Winchester, New Hampshire.

MLKAR offers scholarships for graduating seniors

The Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors is once again offering four college scholarships of $1,250 each for graduating seniors. These scholarships are open to any graduating senior who resides between Layton and Saddlebunch Key, regardless of where they attended school or if they are home schooled. An essay for the scholarship application must be typed, double-spaced and contain no more than 500 words on the following topic: How do you perceive Realtors as being an asset to the economy and our community? Interested students should check their high school websites and call or email MLKAR at 305-743-2485 or ceo@mlkar. com for important essay guidelines. The deadline to submit essays is April 15.

Marathon Garden Club hosts 70th anniversary bash

The Marathon Garden Club will commemorate seven decades of growth in the Marathon community with an anniversary celebration on Friday, Feb. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5270 Overseas Hwy. Enjoy a giant anniversary cake, sip on coffee and dive

into the club’s rich history with photos dating all the way back to 1955. Attendees can stroll through the club’s orchid wall and treat themselves to something special at the garden gift shop. Regular meetings of the club are on the third Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m.

Gigantic Nautical Market to affect U.S. 1 traffic

Motorists on U.S. 1 should give themselves extra time to get through Islamorada next weekend as the Upper Keys Rotary Gigantic Nautical Market at Founders Park will impact traffic on U.S. 1. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. Normally heavy weekend traffic is expected to be even heavier, particularly near MM 86 and the park. Deputies will be assisting with the flow of traffic, but motorists should be prepared for delays.

Community choir and orchestra seeks singers, musicians

The Lower Keys Community Choir and Keys Chamber Orchestra is seeking musicians and singers to join them for Easter concerts on April 1, 2 and 3. The groups rehearse on Big Pine Key on Sunday afternoons. Those interested in joining or learning more may email keyschamberorchestra@gmail.com.

Run/Walk with the Deer benefits Wildlife Society

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Key West Southernmost Runners and Florida Keys Wildlife Society will host the ninth annual 5K Run/Walk with the Deer, starting and ending at Big Pine Community Park on Big Pine Key. The race begins at 8 a.m. Register online by scanning the QR code or visit the National Key Deer Refuge Nature Center in Big Pine. Registration is $15 for entrants 13 years and under, or $40 for those 14 and older. Proceeds from the run benefit the Florida Keys Wildlife Society, the official friends group for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges. More information on awards, registration and packet pickup is available by scanning the QR code.

Come take a class at the Marathon library

The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

Having Fun in the Middle Keys

Founded by Betty Debnam

Make Kindness the Norm

Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. With this special day, kids and adults are encouraged to keep kindness to others in mind every day of the year.

The Mini Page learned about the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to find out more about this idea. The organization’s motto is “Make Kindness the Norm.”

A CHANGE IN THINKING

During one summer in the 1990s, many violent acts took place in the area around San Francisco. They were labeled “random acts of violence.” (Random means done without a plan or method.)

This gave a woman in Berkeley, California, the idea of doing “random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation grew from her idea.

PUTTING VALUES INTO ACTION

The RAK Foundation tries to focus attention on core values, or standards of behavior, and provide ideas for putting those values into action. Some of those values include:

• leadership

• responsibility

• friendship

• courage

• sportsmanship

• confidence

• helping others

• believing in yourself

TRY ’N’ FIND

ACTS, BEHAVIOR, CARD, COMPLIMENT, CONFIDENCE, COURAGE, ELDERS, FACT, FRIENDSHIP, FUN, HELP, KINDNESS, LEADERSHIP, NORM, OPINION, RANDOM, TRUE, VALUES.

LEARNING TO BE KIND

Random Acts of Kindness Day helps adults and kids increase their self-confidence and improve their views of themselves. As you might guess, this would be difficult in a family or classroom where people are bullying others or acting mean.

The RAK Foundation shares some activities that will help kids understand how to be kind to one another.

REACH OUT TO ELDERS

Is there a nursing home or assisted living facility nearby? Contact the activity director to get a list of names of elders at your chosen location. With classmates or family members, divide the list of elders and create kindness notes for them. The notes might include encouragement and happy artwork that they can keep and enjoy.

MAKE A COMPLIMENT CARD

How do you feel when someone admires your hair or notices your talent for sports? People love to get compliments from others. Make a list of your friends, classmates or family members. Next to each person’s name, write down something you admire about that person. Write your compliment on the card, then find pictures from newspapers or magazines to illustrate your message.

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

Fact or opinion?

When you’re talking with others, it helps to be able to tell whether people are stating facts, which are true, or opinions, which are their beliefs about something.

In this example, can you tell who is stating a fact and who is giving his or her opinion?

Taylor: Hey everyone, how was your weekend?

Sarah: Taylor, you got a new backpack!

Justin: That is a baby backpack! How stupid! Now answer these questions:

• Who states a fact?

• Who gives an opinion?

• Is the opinion kind or unkind? Why?

• What could that person have said instead?

RESOURCES

On the Web:

• bit.ly/MPpresidents

At the library:

• “Our Country’s Presidents” by National Geographic

ECO NOTE

In 2024, Earth experienced the hottest day ever measured, breaking the previous record by a tiny fraction of a degree, set a day earlier. Europe’s Copernicus climate service calculated through satellite observations that the average global temperature on July 22 was 62.76 degrees Fahrenheit. The planet’s average temperature was also 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) warmer than in preindustrial times across an entire year for the first time on record. The period from February 2023 to January 2024 reached 1.52 degrees Celsius of warming.

photo © Littleny/Dreamstime.com

photo © Jan Kranendonk/Dreamstime.com

Clearing snow from neighbors’ driveways and sidewalks isn’t just kind; it’s also fun!