Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates and Parks and Beaches Director John Allen invite the public to join them for coffee and snacks to discuss senior programming in the Lower Keys related to “Staying Active in Life” (SAIL) initiatives. The event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Bernstein Park community room on Stock Island.
“We would love to hear what type of programs our community would be interested in and the best days and times to host these programs,” said Allen. Allen also plans to host similar SAIL discussions in the Middle and Upper Keys. For questions, email [email protected] or call 305-304-2282.
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Capt. Jason Castillo presented the City’s Facilities Maintenance Team with a plaque in gratitude for their continued support in keeping the police station in shape. The crew went the extra mile this spring, ensuring everything was working perfectly when the inspectors came for the department’s reaccreditation. This team effort earned the Key West Police Department an Excelsior level reaccreditation, recognition for five assessments that found no flaws.
In April, a team of state assessors spent three days scrutinizing all aspects of the department to ensure it meets the highest level of best practices standards for the state. Accreditation sets a high level of professionalism in a law enforcement agency. It’s a voluntary process that allows the department to constantly measure itself based upon standards set by its peers across the state. The assessments are conducted every three years, but the process itself is a daily practice in every officer’s career. It allows each to remain familiar with the department’s policies and ensures the most professional department possible. Accreditation ensures to the community a knowledgeable police department that provides the very best service possible to the community. In the photo: Quartermaster Michael Shouldice, FMT’s Tara Whisner, Capt. Jason Castillo, FMT’s Brett Wright and Sandy Rico, and Lt. Joe Tripp. The Monroe County Art in Public Places Committee and Florida Keys Council of the Arts invites visual artists to become pre-qualified for its public art program.
The Monroe County Art in Public Places Ordinance mandates that one percent (1%) of new County building construction costing a minimum of $500,000 and renovations costing a minimum of $100,000 be set aside to fund this program.The AIPP Committee reviews and recommends projects to the Board of County Commissioners, and is responsible for the commission and purchase of art. The application is available HERE. Artist must be "pre-qualified" through this process IF they are interested in applying for any upcoming COUNTY projects especially and including KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION. Application requirements include an Artist Statement, CV/resume, 5 to 10 images of recent artwork, application and a cover page. Please see application for further details on how to complete. The application deadline is Thursday, September 7, 2022 at 3:00 pm Please read through the RFQ for instructions on how to submit your application electronically. You cannot mail or drop off your application. Artists must meet the criteria in the initial application process to become pre-qualified. Pre-qualified artists will then be eligible to receive all Request for Proposals (RFP's) issued by Monroe County for 5 years, as well as for the City of Key West's Public Art Program. Please share this opportunity with any artists who may be interested in becoming pre-qualified for our program. If you have qualified in the past and are unsure of your status, please email Elizabeth Young, HERE Brand New Florida Keys Volunteer Center Matches Residents and Visitors with Service Opportunities8/2/2022 The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys has launched the Florida Keys Volunteer Center. The web site, VolunteerKeys.com, is available for nonprofits countywide to post volunteer opportunities and for visitors and residents to browse and register for volunteer shifts.
The online platform is equipped for an unlimited number of volunteer postings that will range from one-time commitments of an hour or two such as a beach clean-up or museum docent shift to multi-year opportunities like serving on a nonprofit organization’s board of directors. Volunteers may register as individuals or create teams such as families, service clubs or groups from local businesses. Reverend Kelly “Kel” Bedard will be managing operations and outreach for the Florida Keys Volunteer Center from the Community Foundation office in Key West. His AmeriCorps Vista project has measurable goals for helping nonprofit organizations expand their efficiency, effectiveness and/or program reach by using volunteers. Kel has both Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity degrees from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and over 30 years of community outreach experience. This includes a practicum living in a homeless shelter, co-founding an early childhood center; and co-founding a disaster response non-profit in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Kel will also continue in his role as a mobile crisis counselor for WestCare's Guidance/Care Center, where he has worked since 2020. “The Community Foundation is known for its annual Unsung Heroes event where nonprofits honor their volunteers of the year. The nonprofits asked if we could do more, by helping them find and retain quality volunteers. We are delighted to deliver what they asked by way of the Florida Keys Volunteer Center,” said Community Foundation CEO Jennifer McComb. To get involved, visit VolunteerKeys.com and follow volunteerkeys on Facebook and Instagram. Prospective volunteers who do not have a cell phone or computer to access the web site can contact the Florida Keys Volunteer Center at 305-292-1502. Your Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, In Paradise for Good, has granted over $32 million to benefit every resident from Key Largo to Key West, supporting arts and culture, beautification and preservation of the Keys, health and human services, disaster relief, scholarships, and youth programs. The Community Foundation helps individuals and families leave a legacy in the Keys by inspiring giving and by connecting people, resources and needs through philanthropy, The Foundation is well-known for its signature “Unsung Heroes” event which honors nonprofit volunteers. For more information, call 305-292-1502 or visit cffk.org. Monroe County Project Management continues seawall repairs at Higgs Beach in Key West and wants the public to know that sea turtle nesting areas are safe and not affected during the work. Turtles will not get trapped within the turbidity barrier, and the shoreline is inspected before each workday.
The area near the seawall at Higgs Beach is closed for safety. The cracks in the seawall were caused by erosion that left a gap between the caprock and the bottom of the seawall. The seawall repair is the final Hurricane Irma work at the beach. “This was particularly challenging to work with the saltwater and sand behind the wall,” said Monroe County Project Management Director Cary Knight. “After considering many different technologies to repair the seawall, we ended up with a two-part Urea Silicate Resin, first developed for the tunneling and the mining industry.” The environmentally safe product is unique because it is heavier than water and can be used in saltwater without impacting the material. “Even with pumping, we can never get that area completely dry,” said Knight. “This material sinks into the crack, displaces the saltwater, and sets in under two minutes.” Work is expected to be finished in mid-fall. Higgs1: Higgs Beach seawall repairs will take place over the next few months. This is the last task to complete Hurricane Irma repairs at the beach. Higgs2: A technology usually used in mining works well with the everpresent saltwater at the seawall. Higgs3: Repairs are in progress at the coffer dam and the seawall. The product fills the gap underneath the seawall and is used to build up the section behind the wall. Higgs4 & 5: The Urea Silicate Resin at pouring takes the shape of the cup within two minutes. |
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