Established in 2008, the Bicycle Action Committee (BAC) is a group of local bike enthusiasts with the common goal of promoting bicycle-friendly cities. The BAC is made up of business owners, city representatives and cyclists and aims to increase bike safety and awareness by maintaining a partnership between the private and public sector. Members of Bicycle Action Committee present at city council meetings and request permission to use each city’s seal and colors on bike apparel. Sale proceeds are given directly back to the cities for funding city-wide bike initiatives. We are looking for sponsors in Key West to place their logo on our apparel. Through cycling’s immense following and network, our sponsors’ logos will be seen in cities all throughout the country.
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Mayor Teri Johnston, the Key West City Commission, and the Old Island Restoration Foundation this week presented a commendation to Paul and Evalena Worthington for their dedication in preserving the Historic Key West Bight. The couple has, for many years, operated the Schooner Wharf Bar. Paul recently passed away, and Evalina accepted the honor. “The Worthingtons have inspired so many through their love of traditional classic boats,” reads the commendation. It notes that, over the years, the couple “never lost sight of the issues that mattered to the people within the local community.” The “have worked diligently to ensure that the spirit of Key West remains true to its traditional culture; and every man, woman and child, family, pirate, shopkeeper, visitor, Conch, and resident is welcome at the Schooner Wharf Bar.” “I am so honored,” said Evalina. “We will continue the tradition of keeping the preservation of the Bight and Schooner Wharf Bar. See you there for a drink… or two!” In the photo: Commissioners Mary Lou Hoover (at the dais) and Gregory Davila, Mayor Teri Johnston, Evalina Worthington, Vice Mayor Sam Kaufman, and Commissioners Clayton Lopez and Billy Wardlow. The History of Diving Museum invites you to visit the new featured exhibit Dive Into Art: FantaSea. This is the fourth collaborative art show with the Museum, Art Guild of the Purple Isles (AGPI) and local students. The limited-time show encompasses fantasy elements tied to the ocean: mermaids, pirates, sea monsters and more, as well as literary themes such as fairytales, fantastical poems and epics. The museum celebrated the opening of the exhibit by inviting teachers and students from the eight participating schools; Coral Shores High School, Key Largo School, Key Largo Middle School, Ocean Studies Charter School, Plantation Key School, Stanley Switlik Elementary School and Treasure Village Montessori, to an afternoon preview. Students were delighted to see their work on display and be able to share the experience with family members. Following the preview, Art Guild of the Purple Isles board members hosted a virtual walkthrough and in-person tour. The exhibit would not have been possible without the help of members and donors contributing to our Giving Tuesday campaign. In addition, the Featured Exhibit is sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Development Council, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The History of Diving Museum greatly appreciates these wonderful organizations that support outreach programming and events. The exhibit will be on view through April 20th, and the student art will then travel to the Monroe County public libraries. The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Open daily 10am-5pm, both divers and land-lovers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” From early breath-hold diving to venturing into the abyss, see how pioneers shaped our understanding of the world below, and the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story. Check out DivingMuseum.org to find out more, become a member to support this important history and shop for unique items in the Museum Store. The second Cemetery Stroll to be offered at the Historic Key West Cemetery this season will take place on Saturday February 19, 2022. During the stroll, small groups of visitors will be escorted to gravesites where interpreters will tell the stories of the deceased in brief monologues. The groups are scheduled for departures at 9:30, 9:50, and 10:10. Reservations are necessary, and can be made by calling (305) 304-1453. Among the gravesites to be visited are those of Frank Adams, Willard Gomez, the Figueredo plot, the Cobo plot, and the Castillo plot. Special features include the Bahama Village Music Program presenting Ellen Sanchez and Ben Harrison presenting Elena Milagro Hoyos. The tour will take approximately 90 minutes. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and plan to walk over a mile on uneven ground. Bottled water will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about some of the fascinating people who have given Key West its colorful and significant character. Space is limited for the tours and pre-registration is required. A donation of $20 (cash or check) per person to the Historic Florida Keys Foundation is recommended, with all proceeds devoted to cemetery restoration. Participants may enter the cemetery by either the Windsor Street or Frances Street gate and go to the registration table on 2nd Ave. A third stroll featuring other gravesites will take place on March 19th. The cemetery strolls are sponsored by the City of Key West and the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. The Studios of Key West is pleased to announce Helen and Ben Harrison as the recipients of this year’s Golden Mango Award. The award was established in 2015 “to recognize persons who make aesthetic, social, intellectual, and philanthropic contributions to our island arts community and its reputation as a center for the arts.” The Harrisons were recognized during The Studios’ Annual Patron Brunch on January 16, and were presented with a striking mango sculpture designed by artist Adam Russell. “Helen and Ben’s story is as Key West as it gets; it's almost like a fairytale,” says Executive Director Jed Dodds. “They came here on a boat, put down roots like a tree and just started gifting us with the fruits of their creativity. Now, a generation or so later, they’re still providing shade for us to relax in, and a reminder why we love it here." The Harrisons first arrived in Key West in 1979 in a 38’ sailboat they built by hand, docking at one of the submarine finger piers of the yet-undeveloped Truman Annex. Ben quickly got a job playing guitar and singing at Two Friends Patio Bar, and has entertained the island with his music ever since. In 1986, the Harrisons purchased the cinder block 1950’s era shop at 825 White Street, turning it into Harrison Gallery, which over the past 35 years has presented 172 artists and is widely recognized for the eclectic contemporary works exhibited inside its walls. Helen is a well-known activist and artist whose work is impactful and widely collected. A longtime board member of The Studios, she now serves as an Artistic Advisor. She spearheaded the conservation group Save our Pines to help protect the Australian Pines at Fort Zach. As a curator of art, she counts among her proudest accomplishments the 2019 Tom Majors “With the Grain: Tribute to Wood Art” exhibition at The Studios. Ben is an author, musician and playwright with a distinctive voice and a delightful sense of humor. His gift for storytelling truly captures the unique history and character of Key West. He’s written many original songs, penned several books, and his most recent musical, “Undying Love”, played for ten sold out evenings in 2018 at The Studios. Together, Helen and Ben have raised two sons. They’ve served as advocates and mentors to countless artists, writers, and musicians, and helped to grow and preserve Key West’s reputation as an Island of the Arts. The Studios of Key West has presented a Golden Mango Award to an individual or couple for the past six years. Prior recipients include Judy and Stanley Zabar (2015), Ann and Bill Lorraine (2016), Anne McKee (2017), John Martini (2018), Judy Blume and George Cooper (2019), Christopher Peterson (2020), and Lynn Kaufelt (2021). Keys Medical Group welcomes Courtney Bonner, DO. Dr. Bonner is a board certified Internal Medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience. A graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she completed her residency at St. Joseph’s Health Center in Warren, OH. Dr. Bonner provides general medical care for patients 16 years of age and older, including disease diagnosis and management, preventive medicine, wellness visits, treatment for hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, and infectious diseases, preoperative evaluations and physicals, health education, basic joint injections and telehealth virtual visits. “I look forward to becoming part of the lower Keys community and to working with the impressive team of providers in Keys Medical Group," said Dr. Bonner. Dr. Bonner will see patients at Keys Medical Group – Primary Care at Searstown, 3224 N. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West. Request an appointment at (305) 293-4073 or at KeysMedicalGroup.com. New patients are welcome and most major insurance plans are accepted. Keys Medical Group is a multi-specialty practice of board-certified physicians and providers in Primary Care, General and Interventional Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Psychiatry and Pulmonology. More information is available at KeysMedicalGroup.com. Beginning Friday, February 18, the Key West Art Center & Gallery will be displaying works of its associate members daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 301 Front Street, Key West, Florida. A reception will be held outdoors behind the building on Friday, February 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The Key West Art Center & Gallery is beginning its 62nd year as Key West’s oldest continually operating art gallery and the only gallery whose members are all Keys resident artists. The associate members contribute to the nonprofit organization’s mission of encouraging local artists and of bringing programs to the public that encourage an appreciation of the arts. The show will continue through March 4, with all works for sale. For further information please contact Haley Herriott at (305) 906-1832. |
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