STOCK ISLAND, FL — Last week, Monroe County Commissioner Craig Cates and Parks and Beaches Recreational Team Lead Mike Piekenbrock met with Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe)’s Public Information Officer Jennifer Lefelar to install a new commercial refrigerator and commercial freezer at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. This generous contribution marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to support the community’s well-being and address food security and social engagement initiatives. The donation is made possible through a minority health grant.
“The provision of these refrigeration units will be a great added feature to the amenities of Bernstein Park,” said Cates, whose district includes Stock Island. “By providing residents access to these amenities, we aim to create a hub where neighbors can come together, share meals, and foster meaningful connections.” The refrigerator and freezer will be available to community members who book the community room at Bernstein Park. “These refrigeration units represent more than just appliances; they symbolize our collective commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities,” said Lefelar. For further information on this initiative and other community health programs, contact the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County at DOHMonroe@flhealth.gov.
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Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, announced several major initiatives to kick off a year-long celebration of the company’s 60th Anniversary. “We hosted a media reception on the first night of the 2023 U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, MD, in October, and want to share our many exciting plans for the coming year,” said Doris Colgate. Colgate continued, “We are thrilled to announce that we are opening a new location in Key West, Florida! Starting January 2024, we’ll have Colgate 26s and a new 40’ catamaran available for US Sailing certification courses from Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina.” In addition to the new location in Key West, the company has added a new Boat Handling & Docking course, offering Offshore Sailing School graduates and experienced sailors the opportunity to increase their skills and confidence with big boat maneuvering and docking aboard 40’-50’ catamaran and monohull yachts. This course will also satisfy clients’ desire to obtain US Sailing Catamaran Endorsement, if they originally learned to bareboat charter aboard a monohull. The company will host four new Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla vacations for its graduates and other experienced sailors in 2024 and already has three more new destinations set up for 2025. Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise locations in 2024-2025 include Belize, the Greek Islands, Sicily, Italy, Croatia, St. Martin and St. Lucia. Winners of Offshore Sailing School’s 60th Anniversary Contest were selected by three esteemed judges. Herb McCormick, award-winning journalist and author of OFFSHORE High, the biography about Steve and Doris Colgate and Offshore Sailing School; Theresa Nicholson, Sr. Editor of Cruising World magazine; and Norwood Smith, Vice President, Director of Sales & Marketing for Mainsail Development (a resort developer, owner, and management company with hotels such as, Scrub Island Resort, The Luminary Hotel & Co., and Epicurean Hotels) unanimously chose Michelle Little’s submission, “Still Looking On,” as the Grand Prize winner of The Moorings charter vacation and Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI, gift certificate. Over twenty photographs and essays were submitted by Offshore Sailing School graduates and participants of Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla vacations, outlining how learning to sail with Offshore Sailing School changed and impacted their lives. Offshore Sailing School is located at 6338 Presidential Ct., Ste. 201, Fort Myers, Florida, 33919. The school offers every level of US Sailing and Powerboating* certification courses on Captiva Island, St. Petersburg, and Key West in Florida, on Scrub Island and Tortola* in the British Virgin Islands. To support Offshore Sailing School’s continued growth, the company has hired new instructors, a new maintenance manager, more sales associates, added an Operations Coordinator, and promoted several internal directors. The school has graduated more than 160,000 adults and families through its sailing, racing, bareboat cruising, navigation, and passage making courses. Visit https://www.offshoresailing.com/. On View at Jag Gallery Currently on view at Duval Square’s Jag Gallery, an exhibit featuring an all new body of work from one of Key West’s most recognized potters and painters, Adam Russell, best known as half of the inspired duo behind Key West Pottery founded in 2009 with creative partner and wife Kelly Lever. Adam began his artistic journey as a painter and once again returns to his roots with an exciting and bold new collection of which he says “is very bright and graphic, this group is stripped down and minimal…a unique challenge, inspirational and fun.” This new collection of acrylic paintings and brilliant cut out framed collage are commanding and compelling, exploding with color, literally jumping off the wall!
Get a dose of GOOD MEDICINE in person or online at jaggallery.art through May 12th. Considered a top destination for fine contemporary art, offering carefully curated exhibits of work by prominent artists from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at the Simonton Street entrance to Duval Square, 1075 Duval Street with ample, free parking. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday noon to 5, Monday’s by appointment. For additional information call 305.407.6202 or email jaggallerykw@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. •CLUSIA HEDGE acrylic on canvas 48 x 96 in. •GOLDEN HOUR acrylic on canvas 72 x 48 in. •FRANGIPANI acrylic on canvas 18 x 24 in •CUTOUT #4 acrylic on archival paper 18.5 x 15.5 in. framed It’s Time to Put on Your Boogie Shoes and Register Your Entry for the 2024 Key West Pride Parade5/2/2024 Registration is now open for Key West’s Annual Pride Parade, taking place at 5pm on Sunday, June 9th. Parade entry is free, but the Key West Business Guilds requests a small $20 donation. Visit gaykeywestfl.com/pride for more information and to fill out the application. (Photo Credit: Key West Business Guild) April 30, 2024 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Business Guild is pleased to announce registration is now open for the highly anticipated Key West Pride 2024 Parade, this year celebrating the Golden Era of 1970s Disco. The parade will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 5:00 p.m., originating from the quayside at Truman Waterfront Park. Participants will then proceed up Whitehead Street toward the waterfront then working its way down Duval Street. Floats of all types will be accepted – cars, trailers, walking groups – with all participants encouraged to embrace the disco theme.
Each year Key West Pride, a five-day event, celebrates the amazing contribution the LGBTQ community makes to our island’s diverse “One Human Family”. Disco was a defining era for the LGBTQ community, and the culture exploded with amazing style and pageantry. It wasn’t long until Disco became a worldwide sensation influencing every aspect of society. “Put on your Boogie Shoes, get the glitter balls ready, and dust off your bellbottoms for this year’s annual parade,” says Rob Dougherty, Executive Director of the Key West Business Guild. “Our goal for this year’s Pride Parade is to create a ‘Love Train’ as the parade floats travel down Duval Street and to see our community dancing in the street. Once the parade finishes on the 1300 block, we want everyone to head to LaTeDa for a Disco Tea Dance.” Entry for the Pride Parade is free, although the Business Guild requests a small donation of $20 to offset the cost of logistics. The registration application is easy – visit gaykeywestfl.com/pride or call the Key West Business Guild office on 305-294-4630. BIG COPPITT, FL — On Monday, Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln hosted a town hall meeting for the residents of Big Coppitt Key. Approximately 50 residents were in attendance or watched online, and she was joined by County staff from solid waste, engineering and roads, code compliance, and parks and beaches to give updates and answer questions. Acting County Administrator Kevin Wilson, Sheriff Rick Ramsay, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office staff, and Gregg Sullivan from Waste Management also attended the meeting.
The meeting opened with Parks and Beaches Director John Allen, who updated the residents about upgraded facilities in the Lower Keys, including the Volunteer Fire Department Park and Wilhelmina Harvey Park on the island. He also discussed updated signage at the Gulfview Boat Ramp and other nearby parks. To learn more about County parks and boat ramps, visit www.parksandbeaches.fun. The Sheriff, Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan, and Code Compliance Director Cynthia McPherson discussed illegal dumping and parking in the neighborhood. “You’re the eyes and ears of the community,” said Ramsay. “If you see something happening, call the sheriff’s office. We aim to prevent things like this from happening and catch the people doing it.” To learn more about County solid waste, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste, and to report an issue, call the non-emergency substation near your Key, or visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/codecompliance to make a report. Also discussed was the upcoming Big Coppitt Sea-Level Rise Road Adaptation Project. Engineering and Roads Director Judy Clarke informed the community members that the request for qualifications is out for the area and will include 19 neighborhood roads encompassing 4.5 miles. State and federal grants fund the project. Additional community meetings will be held to discuss the project in its design and engineering phases. In closing, Lincoln explained the robust public process regarding the upcoming hurricane evacuation modeling and ROGO discussions and workshops that will take place over the next several months. To learn more about this topic, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. BIG PINE KEY, FL— Monroe County Fire Rescue, the Florida Forest Service, and the U.S. National Weather Service Key West Florida are co-hosting Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on May 4 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Big Pine Community Park, 31009 Atlantis Drive, Big Pine Key. These organizations partner with the National Fire Protection Association to promote simple tips to protect your home and community from wildfires.
The event will have free fire prevention materials and snow cones. Children can put out a house fire, tour a fire truck, and meet firefighters and forest rangers. MONROE COUNTY, FL—Monroe County Fire Rescue is proud to take delivery of a 2024 Pierce Enforcer 55-foot sky-boom aerial ladder truck. The truck officially went into service on Monday at its new home at Station 18, servicing the City of Layton, Long Key, Conch Key, Duck Key, and adjacent islands as needed, after being built and traveling from Michigan. The new truck can hold 30 gallons of foam, 720 gallons of water, and pumps 1,500 gallons per minute.
“Adding this ladder truck to our fleet enhances the fire protection services we provide to our citizens in the Florida Keys,” said Deputy Fire Chief R.L. Colina. “We are always looking for ways to make our residents and visitors safer, and this new ladder truck allows Monroe County Fire Rescue to respond faster and more safely to any dangerous situations.” KEY WEST, FL (APRIL 30, 2024) - Keys Medical Group Outpatient Psychiatric/Mental Health/Counseling offices are relocating from the Key West Professional Building, 1111 12th Street, Suite 205, Key West to Lower Keys Medical Center's Depoo Campus at 1200 Kennedy Drive, Suite 1041, first floor. The move will take place May 1, 2024 to May 3, 2024. Beginning May 6, 2024, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Kristie Santana, APRN; Erin Sheehan, DNP, ARNP; and Angela Halbrook, APRN, along with Licensed Clinical Social Worker John Borgens, will see patients by appointment at the new location. Office hours will remain Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm. Appointments may be requested online at KeysMedicalGroup.com or by calling (305)293-1299. Patients should continue to park in the back lot of the Professional Building and enter through the front door of the Depoo campus on the Kennedy Drive side. Patients with physical challenges may use the front parking lot at the Depoo building. Spaces are limited. Key West, Florida Keys - The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is hosting an Adult “Rum Infused” Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, May, 18, 2024 from 6pm – 10pm. to support all Monroe County Students K-12. The event will raise much needed funding to provide transportation services for every student to attend educational field trips to the Key West Botanical Garden for the school year 2024/2025. 100% of all donations and proceeds will go toward this endeavor.. These field trips are invaluable to the education of our students. They foster community engagement, an awareness of the local ecosystem, wildlife, and outdoor enjoyment to those who need it most. The field trip provides hands-on experiments and lessons to develop skills and interests that will lead to careers that will keep them in the Keys. Many of our past students have gone on to careers in the Botanical, Biological and Environmental sciences here in the Keys. This Adult Scavenger Hunt, titled “Rum Infused” is a great way for attendees to engage in a fun outdoor experience and enjoy the beauty and natural wildlife of The Garden. Clues will be given, and teams formed to achieve the goals outlined in the Hunt rules. Points will be given for the most items identified within one hour. The first 30 people to register and complete the hunt will be given a bottle of local rum. Pirate and Mermaid costumes are encouraged and prizes awarded for best costumes. A silent auction and raffle will also be held to support our students. The evening is sponsored by wonderful local businesses that have very generously donated to the event. John Bartus, Keys local favorite musician, will be performing a tribute concert to Jimmy Buffett and the Keys Life. Outback Steakhouse is providing an incredible dinner buffet and Key West First Legal Rum will supply Rum libations and prizes. We are so grateful for their generosity and support of both The Garden and the Education of our Monroe County students. Tickets are $100 per person and include open bar and dinner. They can be purchased on our website at www.keywest.garden. Reservations are limited for this fun, important and very worthwhile evening. Please register early and spread the word to support our students and their education. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island. For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden. KEY LARGO, FL — Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein visited Canal 90 between Hilson and Ivanhoe courts on Key Largo yesterday to view the canal restoration efforts underway.
The restoration work includes backfilling the canal. Backfilling raises the canal bottom to an optimum depth of about 7 feet to allow maximum flushing and tidal flow in and out of the canal. This restoration technique will increase the levels of dissolved oxygen throughout the canal. The work is funded by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Keys Stewardship grant to the County. “These improvements restore the canal’s impaired waters and bring the dissolved oxygen levels up to meet State water quality standards, which will greatly enhance the levels of marine life in the canals,” said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “Residents should see an immediate increase in marine life once the project is completed.” The crew also continuously monitors the canal for manatees that have been seen in the area. Close observation is being kept to ensure their safety, and activity stops if manatees enter the area while restoration work is underway. Additional restoration projects for other poor and fair water quality canals in the Florida Keys will move forward as additional grant funding allows. Canal restoration improves the overall health of canals and nearshore waters. To learn more about canal restoration or see if your canal is included in the County’s restoration plan, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/canals. |
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