January 2023 Upper Keys Edition

Keeping You & Your Family Safe in the New Year

Is

Plumbing a Problem?

It's not just about the claims. It's about your health. Many older homes in South Florida have cast-iron pipes that can cause unwanted plumbing problems leading to costly home repairs. Molds can cause asthma and other illnesses. Our families are what's most important.

Join us for the Fish for Holly Annual Sailfish Tournament this coming January. HMY is a proud sponsor of this event, which honors the life of Holly Given and helps the Florida Keys community by providing educational scholarships and donations to locals in need. Postcard Inn: 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036. fishforholly.com

ART UNDER OAKS FINE ARTS & ORIGINAL CRAFTS FESTIVAL

The 39th annual Art under the Oaks festival presented by San Pedro Catholic Church will take place at the church gardens at 89500 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The church grounds provide the perfect venue to enjoy fine art and original crafts on display by local and regional artists. Vendors are carefully selected to maintain the highest quality, making this festival the premier arts and crafts event in the Upper Keys. Sumptuous local food, beverages, bake sale delights, a raffle of arts and crafts and a variety of live music make this festival very popular for all ages. Admission is free, and there is free parking at Plantation Key School just north of the church or in the church parking lot for a $5 donation. For additional information, contact the parish office at 305-852-5372 ext. 3. artundertheoaks.com

“Sailing Away to Key Largo” with a free, outdoor concert from Keys Community Concert Band at Murray Nelson Center Peace Park (MM 102, bayside), 4 to 5 p.m. in Key Largo. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and pack a picnic basket for a familyfriendly concert of pirate sea shanties and Florida-themed music. Conch blowing contest! Special guests: Mangrove Swamp Band, Pirates in Paradise and REEF (sea conservation and touch tank). keyscommunityconcertband.org

Bands rock the stage all weekend. With the primal sounds of bare-knuckle drums, bagpipes and a didgeridoo, Scottish band, Albannach brings adoring fans to their feet. Crowd favorite, the Screaming Orphans (sponsored by Culture Ireland) are four talented Irish sisters singing traditional/pop Irish music. Looking for traditional Celtic food, hit the Nessy Pub serving up shepherd’s pie or vendors offering Scottish eggs and fish and chips. Marathon Community Park, MM49 U.S. Hwy. 1 oceanside, Marathon, FL. floridakeyscelticfestival.com

20-22

Bring the whole family for the freshest seafood caught, cleaned, prepared and served by local fishermen. This event is a fundraiser for the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association (FKCFA) and goes to support sustainable fishing programs, marine restoration projects and college scholarships. A $10 admission is good for both Saturday and Sunday, and the festival is to be held at Bayview Park. floridakeysseafoodfestival.com

25TH ANNUAL KEY WEST HALF MARATHON & 5K RUN

Recognized by Runners World magazine as one of the 10 great half-marathons of the winter season, the 2023 25th anniversary race follows a 13.1-mile course that includes Old Town Key West and the scenic waterfront. The race typically attracts American and international runners to compete in Key West’s balmy January climate. Ranked among 13 must-do U.S. half-marathons by competitor.com keywesthalfmarathon.com

All of the top boat brands are featured at the Island Boat Show. Come enjoy a great weekend with a large number of boats, auction items and vendors featuring a variety of merchandise. A $10 donation (under 18 free) gets you in for all three days. Bring the family and friends. All proceeds support college scholarships for local students and ICC missions and ministries. Island Community Church, North Campus, 83400 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. islandboatshow.com

Adventurous aficionados of fine food and vintages can explore creative cuisine, premium wines and unique events in a subtropical island setting during the annual celebration. Whet your appetite for island-style excellence, showcasing local chefs’ culinary flair and favorite indigenous ingredients, intriguing libations and distinctive Florida Keys atmosphere. Ticket available at keywestfoodandwinefestival.com

Around the Keys

MOVEMBER

Monroe County Fire Rescue and Local 3909 participated in the Movember movement, also known as No Shave November, raising money for men’s health issues. The word Movember is a combination of the words for moustache (“mo”) and “November.” Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustache during the month to raise awareness and spark conversation about men’s health issues, like prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide. Many local firefighters compete for the best-grown moustache during the month. The Movember organization’s goal is to change the face of men’s health by bringing awareness and funding for prostate and testicular cancer research, trials and treatment. November is also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

To learn more about Movember, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, or to contribute to Monroe County Fire Rescue’s fundraising efforts, visit https://movember.com/t/local-3909?mc=1

The local team has raised more than $2,700.

STEVE SULLIVAN IS PRESENTED 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AWARD

MONROE COUNTY FEATURED

On December 2, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) unveiled the county photos featured in their 2022–2023 annual calendar: Keep Calm & Love Water. Monroe County was selected as July 2023. The photo was taken by Michael Schilling and is of Long Key, an island in Dry Tortugas National Park. The island is home to the only nesting colony of magnificent frigate birds in the continental United States.

Every year FAC opens a contest to all of Florida’s 67 counties to be one of the 15 featured in their annual calendar. More than 500 photos were submitted from 52 Florida counties. The calendar is sent to all members of the FAC.

“We are very excited to be featured this year in the calendar,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “Monroe County hasn’t been featured in a few years, and with this year’s theme being water related, we knew we would have a good chance to show off one of our best assets.”

“Steve

Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and the Board of County Commissioners presented Steve Sullivan, Building Inspector/Plans Examiner of the Monroe County Building Department 20 Years of Service Award at a recent meeting.

has truly been a wealth of knowledge over the years and a mentor to his co-workers,” said Rey Ortiz, Monroe County Assistant Building Official.

Inclusion Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to Jackie Patterson, the Plantation Key School 2022–2023 Inclusion Teacher of the Year! Her dedication to her students is second to none, and they are lucky to have her at Plantation Key School!

Congratulations to Wendi Sullivan, the Key Largo School 2022–2023 Inclusion Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to Ms. Megan Smith for being selected as the 2022–2023 Coral Shores Inclusion Teacher of the Year! Coral Shores High School is so appreciative of your dedication to our students and grateful to the impact you make on each and every one of them. Please congratulate Ms. Smith on such a well-deserved accomplishment!

STEM FAIR

Please congratulate the following students for their outstanding Coral Shores High School STEM Fair projects! Sean, Ian and Drew will be advancing in the Group category based on their project exploring nutrient levels in Tavernier Creek. Angelina, Brooke and Mia will each be advancing in the Individual category based on their projects relating to coral restoration of the “Amphitheater” at North North Dry Rocks, exploration of biodiversity in SPA zones versus fishing zones and the impact of sunscreen on mangroves, respectively. These students will be competing in the District STEM Fair in February. Special thank you to the Coral Restoration Foundation Interns for taking your time to be special guest judges for our students. We’re so proud of every student that participated!

FIELD TRIP

VPK/K got to attend a field study at Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary to study our native birds and learn more about how these birds are rehabilitated. We then got to dissect owlet pellets, and the kids found complete skulls of different animals! It was an awesome experience.

FRIENDSGIVING

The first-ever KLS Middle School Friends-Giving was a huge success! Student leaders pulled together with families and staff to make an unprecedented feast for all to enjoy. We are so grateful and thankful.

GET FIT

COMMITTING TO GETTING FIT AND ACTUally doing it aren’t always one and the same, but relying on tech devices can be an effective way to tackle your fitness goals.

From watches and phones to earbuds and virtual reality headsets, technology can make it easier to track your progress and create a more enjoyable workout experience. See how some of the latest technology is fueling new devices ideal for amping up your workouts this winter with these trendy ideas.

Find more inspiration to energize your fitness regimen at qualcomm.com

WELLNESS YOU CAN WATCH

Powered by the Snapdragon 4100+ Wear Platform, the Fossil 6 Wellness Edition watch provides the speed, power and performance you need to efficiently track your health, all with extended battery life, Bluetooth 5.0 LE connectivity, rapid charging and more features to elevate your experience. The watch detects movement and starts a workout for you. In addition, not only does it allow you to monitor how hard your heart is working and provide estimated blood oxygen measurements so you can see how well your body is circulating oxygen, but it also measures your cardiorespiratory fitness, allowing you to track the amount of oxygen your body utilizes during exercise. In addition to keeping tabs on your active hours, the watch also helps you understand more

about your sleep habits, including sleep quality and history, restfulness and progress against sleep goals.

A SMART WORKOUT BUDDY

If you’re always on the go, a powerful smartphone is a smart way to get in a streamlined workout. An option like the OnePlus 10T 5G delivers on multiple levels. Driven by the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform, this is a phone built to evolve beyond speed. It has Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 for premium Wi-Fi connectivity and a Kryo CPU for unbeatable performance, ideal for multitaskers and power users. The charging system delivers a day’s power in 10 minutes. What’s more, the antenna system, featuring a total of 15 antennas, provides a 360-degree closed-loop system to avoid blind signal angles, while simple and textured visuals help you focus and move seamlessly between work, rest and play.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Setting fitness goals starts with a plan, and achiev ing them requires strong work ethic and, just as importantly, the ability to track progress so you can enjoy the success. The ultimate expression of ultra-portability and ver

TACKLE GOALS WITH THESE 5 FITNESS-FRIENDLY TECH GADGETS

satility, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Compute Platform. Slim and sleek, this two-in-one features a detachable keyboard to transform from a tablet to a laptop so you can keep an eye on your fitness goals whether you’re working out at home or on the go; and 15 hours of battery life means you can enjoy usage from day to night.

PLAY YOUR WAY TO FITNESS

If your workout regimen needs an infusion of playful fun, the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset may be just the ticket. This VR headset is your ticket to the metaverse (and so much more), whether you’re working out, gaming, meeting up with friends or going on a virtual field trip. Industry-leading graphics and immersive audio put you in the middle of the action. The portable device is ideal for workouts on the go, and you’ll find a wide range of apps that let you work out amid stunning scenery, compete against friends and participate in challenges. The immersive experiences break up the monotony of a boring, basic workout, making exercise fun and playful.

SOUND TO MOTIVATE MORE MOVEMENT

An energizing workout requires a soundtrack to get you pumped up and moving. Enhance your listening experience with LG Tone Free T90 wireless earbuds, which feature Dolby Head Tracking and Snapdragon Sound. These earbuds identify the location of sound as you turn your head, recalibrating to enable a more natural sound experience so you’re always in the center of the scene. The speaker driver is made of a strong, lightweight material that delivers better overall audio clarity and reduced vibration so you can hear every sound come alive. Exceptional audio combines with superior connectivity for music, movies, crystal-clear voice calls, gaming and a low latency fit for aptX Adaptive compatible devices.

We’re Hiring!

SALES PROFESSIONAL

The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

Strong presentation and communication skills.

Bilingual a plus.

Minimum 2 years experience. College degree in advertising or marketing preferred.

• A proven ability to close sales and meet goals.

• Media advertising sales experience, with a strong Upper Keys network. (Print advertising background preferred.)

•

THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT SOLDIER RIDE TAKES PLACE

Friday, January 6, and Saturday, January 7, in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. Residents and visitors are encouraged to cheer on and support the warriors while they cycle through the Florida Keys or join them for the community ride on Saturday in Key West.

“The Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride is an opportunity for those who honorably serve or have served our nation to build confidence and strength from wounds incurred in service,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane, who is also a coordinator of the event. “We enthusiastically welcome these warriors as they ride through the Florida Keys.”

Motorists should take extra time to get to their destination during the ride times. U.S. 1 will remain open for the Soldier Ride, but motorists should be patient, use caution and note that there may be rolling lane shifts in traffic.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

» 8:30 a.m. The ride will start at Key Largo VFW Post 10211 with a 9:30 a.m. water stop at Coral Shores High School in Tavernier, ending around 10:30 a.m. at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada.

» 1:30 p.m. The ride will head south from the Marathon fire station over the Seven Mile Bridge, ending at Veterans Memorial Beach on the south end of the bridge around 2:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

» 10:30 a.m. The ride departs the U.S. Naval Air Station Key West at Boca Chica Key to Bayview Park in Key West.

» Noon: Welcome ceremony at Bayview Park.

» 12:45 p.m. Community Ride from Bayview Park until 2 p.m. ends at Bayview Park. The public is invited to ride with the warriors to historic Key West military sites. Patriotic bike decorations are encouraged. Suggested donation: $20.

YOUR PROPERTY DAMAGE EXPERTS

BY VANESSA MOLINA SANTAMARIA

WHETHER IT’S FROM FIRE, HURRICANES or other causes, property damage is an unfortunate aspect of life for many in South Florida. When these incidents do occur, you’d like to think that homeowners and business owners can rely on their insurance companies to make things right — but unfortunately that isn’t always the case.

To ensure that you get the most value from your property damage claim, you need more than just an insurance company. And this is where a public adjusting company like CMC Claim Consultants comes in.

Cristina and Michael Cordo, the owner and vice president, respectively, of the company, have been helping homeowners with claims of this nature for years. It could be a hurricane, a fire, a burst pipe or any number of things gone wrong. “Our job is to help you get your life back on track after disasters strike,” says Michael. “Most people don’t understand their policies or how to navigate them. That’s where we come in.”

“We’re experts just like the insurance companies,” adds Cristina. “We make sure we maximize all the damages and take everything into account, from door casings to outlets to behind the walls to the air conditioning unit. Everything adds up. We don’t get paid unless you do.”

A Tale of Two Claims

In many cases, policy owners faced with unpaid claims opt for the legal route. “I know clients still unresolved after five years,” says Michael. “In the meantime, what do you think is happening to their house? They’re pulling out loans and trying to fix patches. The extent of the damage just continues to snowball. Let’s not forget that attorneys get paid by the hour. Multiply that by five years, and now you’re looking at a $1 million settlement.”

CMC offers an underused alternative not advertised by most insurance providers. Most policies have what’s called an appraisal clause. If you and your insurance company do not agree on the value of your claim or are still in disagreement on the damages to your property or the price to fix your damage, this is an alternative dispute resolution method that could expedite the settlement of your claim. It involves two sets of appraisers: one for the client and company, respectively, plus a mutually agreed-upon umpire to mediate the process so both parties can come to an agreement.

“The appraisal process works,” says Michael. And the CMC reputation for this process is second to none, with licensed employees, and thus experience, in all three aspects as adjusters, appraisers and umpires.

The Appraisal Process

Let’s say you file a claim for property damage. Then the insurance company offers a small amount of money. Most people accept this and move on for various reasons: They don’t want the fight, don’t know the true extent of the damage or perhaps are simply thankful they got anything at all. The good news is that by the money exchanging hands — no matter how small — the insurance company has essentially admitted fault.

Now you can get a full, unbiased home appraisal performed by an adjuster of your choosing, like CMC, to assess the true extent of any damages done. The insurance company will do the same. After the inspections, everyone meets with the predetermined umpire to come to terms. Because the insurance company has essentially already admitted fault, the negotiating balance of power shifts. The process stays out of court and costs the policyholder nothing if they’re unable to recoup damages, which is unlikely the case.

Advice for Policyholders

“Double-check your policy,” advises Cristina. There seems to be a trend towards people taking insurance discounts, ones they don’t always understand. A lot of policies have been cutting water damage, as property owners assume this falls under their mandatory flood insurance. However, that is not the case. It’s important that people in South Florida have both.

“You can send us a copy of your policy. We’ll always double-check it for free,” Cristina says. “We’ll let you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not. Also, be sure to always have current photos of your full property, especially before a hurricane. Keep everything documented and keep receipts for any repair or cleanup.”

Family Values

What started from the corner of their kitchen has grown into a full-fledged family operation. In 2004, Cristina and her father first launched what is today an award-winning, community business. Little by little, they brought in family to assist with the operation, which today consists of the dynamic husband-and-wife duo plus several highly trained and skilled adjusters.

Their passion for the business is evident. “We are a family business fighting for families,” says Cristina. “In a moment when you need somebody the most, we’re there to reassure you you’ll be okay. Your home is your castle. You deserve to feel safe in your home. Those types of things drive us to do what we do.”

CMC Claim Consultants, Inc., is located at 12651 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 207, in Pinecrest. For more info, call 305.668.3335, email info@cmcpublicadjusters.com or follow them on Instagram at @cmc_claimconsultants.

Husband-and-wife duo bring a human element to the insurance industry while helping homeowners navigate claims.

Taste of the Keys

AMERICAN

Keys Bite $

Join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We have a variety of Hibachi grill entrées to choose from at Keys Bite. Join us at Keys Bite for scrumptious dinner selections that will have you coming back for more.

99000 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.4843

L floridakeysbite.com

Shipwrecks Bar & Grill $

Down-home outpost providing seafood dishes, comfort grub and brews on tap in a laid-back atmosphere.

107690 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.453.3153

The Catch $$

The Catch is a fun, family-friendly restaurant featuring fresh local seafood and daily drink and food specials.

102041 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.204.4143

L thecatchrestaurantkeylargo.com

The Hideout Restaurant $

Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen $$

Long-running local go-to decorated with license plates serves seafood, steaks and nightly specials.

99336 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.3722

L mrsmacskitchen.com

Old Tavernier $$

Italian and Greek dishes are offered at this elevated eatery and bar with outdoor seating.

90311 OLD HIGHWAY £ 305.852.6012

L oldtav.com

BAR & GRILL

Bayside Grille $$

Bayside Grille is an elevated, Keys-casual restaurant. Its elevated dining room allows for the best sunsets in Key Largo and view of Florida Bay.

99540 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.3380

L keylargo-baysidegrill.com

Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill $$

American eats and water views at a beachfront complex with restaurant and patio plus tiki and sports bars .

104000 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.453.9066

L jjsbigchill.com

A local favorite! The Hideout is a staple of the island. Enjoy our homestyle breakfast and lunch.

47 SHORELAND DRIVE £ 305.451.0128

L thehideoutrestaurant.business.site

BARBECUE

Mike’s BBQ $$

We offer a wide array of BBQ classics — smoked sausage sandwich, big Tex brisket and sausage sandwich, Carolina pulled pork plate, Texas beef brisket plate, sweet corn bread.

101900 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 954.654.5259

L ordermikesbbq101.com

Sonny’s BBQ $$

Southern BBQ, slow-smoked in-house every day. Pork, brisket, chicken, ribs and all your favorite sides, Sonny’s BBQ is your go-to for lunch and dinner.

33505 S DIXIE HWY., FLORIDA CITY £ 305.245.8585

L sonnysbbq.com

YOUR RESOURCE FOR DINING OUT IN THE UPPER KEYS

BURGER

DESSERTS/SWEETS

Key Largo Chocolates $$

Assorted truffle selections, amazing Key lime creations, cakes, pies and premium ice cream made here. Go to heaven in Key Largo or have a bit of heaven delivered to you or a loved one today!

100470 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.453.6613

L keylargochocolates.com

M.E.A.T. Eatery $$

Cool, New American gastropub with a roster of meaty bites plus creative sides and craft beers.

88005 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.852.3833

L meateatery.com

CUBAN

Sunrise Cuban $

Old-school institution with traditional Cuban seafood sandwiches and dishes, plus beer, wine and coffee.

91885 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY #2652 £ 305.852.7216

L sunrisecuban.cafe

DINER

Alfredo’s Cookhouse $

Old-school diner dishing up hearty portions of breakfast, seafood, Mexican fare and diner classics.

102250 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.453.6616

Doc’s Diner $

Come hungry for an old-fashioned breakfast or lunch, including delicious homemade pancakes and waffles, omelets, eggs and more!

99696 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.2895

L docsdiner.com

Harriette’s Restaurant $

Quaint yellow shack serving down-home breakfast and lunch favorites plus some health-minded options.

95710 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.852.8689

L harriettesrestaurant.com

FLORIBBEAN

Arthurs Island Kitchen $

What a wonderful surprise for reasonable, excellent food in #keylargo! It’s family style and a kid-friendly place!

102255 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.394.4445

HEALTHY

Seaside Eatery $

Plant-based eatery serving up delicious breakfast, wraps, salads, artisanal sandwiches and boba teas!

98275 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.465.0999

L seasideeateryflkeys.com

ITALIAN

DiGiorgio’s Cafe Largo $$

Whether you’re looking for fine Italian cuisine, fresh local seafood or a location to host your special event.

99530 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.4885

L keylargo-cafelargo.com

Italian Food Company $$

Authentic Italian featuring Neapolitan pizzas, home-made pastas and desserts and imported goods — from Italy with love!

98070 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.440.2700

L italianfoodcompany.com

MEXICAN Señor Frijoles $$

Enduring restaurant serving Mexican grub and drinks in relaxed, patio-enhanced digs with water vistas.

103900 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.1592

L senorfrijolesrestaurant.com

PIZZA

Tower of Pizza $$

In business since 1975, Tower of Pizza offers dine-in, takeout and FREE delivery service for pizza, pasta, subs, gyros, appetizers and more.

100600 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.1461

L towerofpizzakeylargo.com

Upper Crust Pizza $$

You will want to stop in and try one of the amazing award-winning pizzas. Indulge in specialty pizzas or seafood pizzas.

101611 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.4188

L keylargopizzapasta.com

C&C Wood Fire Eats $$

The first wood-fired oven in Key Largo! No gas, no electric, just wood fires this baby! It’s pizza and sooo much more.

99201 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.451.0995

L candcwoodfiredeats.com

SEAFOOD

Pilot House $$

A local hangout since 1950 where you can get a good meal, friendly service and relax to live music three nights a week!

13 SEAGATE BLVD. £ 305.451.3142

L pilothousemarina.com

Capt Craig’s Restaurant $$

Enduring spot serving fish sandwiches and other coastal eats in casual digs with oceanthemed décor.

90154 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.852.9424

L captcraigs.com

The Buzzard’s Roost $$

Great water view. Fresh fish and steaks. Full-service bar, 12 beers on tap and very good selection of wines.

21 GARDEN COVE DRIVE £ 305.453.3746

L buzzardsroostkeylargo.com

Sal’s Ballyhoo’s $$

Fresh Florida seafood with a southern twist.

From award-winning recipes to local Keys classics to vegan and vegetarian entrées, there’s something for everyone!

97860 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.852.0822

L ballyhoosrestaurant.com

Sol by the Sea $$$

A rustic, yet romantic beach shack accentuated with a charming décor and just a dash of the Bohemian culture.

97450 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY £ 305.853.1001

L playalargoresort.com/dining/sol-by-the-sea

THAI

Num Thai & Sushi Bar $$

Cozy spot set in a strip mall serving Thai favorites plus sushi in colorful, low-key surrounds.

103200 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, UNIT 3 £ 305.451.5955

L numthaiandsushi.com