KEY WEST, FL, APRIL 20, 2023 – Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in the United States, resulting in seven million office visits to healthcare providers each year. Additionally, 50 percent of women and 3 percent of men worldwide will experience a UTI in their lifetime. While most UTIs are not serious, they can cause discomfort, and if left untreated could lead to kidney damage or sepsis.

UTIs are an infection in any part of the urinary system including kidneys, bladder and urethra, often caused by bacteria, like E. coli, entering through the urethra. Symptoms include painful urination, the frequent urge to urinate and pressure in the abdomen or groin.

“Anyone who has had a UTI knows how uncomfortable they can be,” says Jennifer Shue, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, at Keys Medical Group – Primary Care at Searstown. “While there are steps you can take to help prevent a UTI, the only treatment is antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.”

Shue suggests these habits to help reduce the risk of developing a UTI:

●      Empty your bladder completely and frequently: Holding urine for long periods of time can increase the risk of bacteria accumulating in the bladder. Also void after sexual activity.
●      Wipe correctly: To avoid bacteria entering the urethra, always wipe from front to back after using the restroom.
●      Stay hydrated: Drinking a lot, especially water, helps flush out bad bacteria that can cause infection. Oppositely, avoid liquids that can irritate the bladder like alcohol and excessive caffeine.
●      Avoid irritations: Scented feminine hygiene products and sprays can irritate the urethra, increasing the risk of developing an infection.
●      Try cranberries: Cranberry juice is often associated with relief from UTIs and according to the National Health Institute, cranberries contain the compound proanthocyanidins that can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, or want to book a wellness visit with a primary care physician, visit KeysMedicalGroup.com. Keys Medical Group – Primary Care at Searstown is open seven days a week and provides general medical care and management of chronic health conditions for patients 18 years of age and older. Providers are Jennifer Shue, APRN, and Courtney Bonner, DO.
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About Keys Medical Group:
Keys Medical Group is a multi-specialty practice of board-certified physicians and providers in Primary Care, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, and Psychiatry. More information is available at KeysMedicalGroup.com.

April 3, 2023, marked the first day for the Wesley House Family Services’ new Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Khalilah Dawes. She succeeds Tiffany DaSilva, Community Based Care Director.

Khalilah Dawes has over 20 years of experience in child welfare. She began her career in child welfare as a case manager for the Florida Department of Children and Families, working directly with children who were abused, abandoned, or neglected. She successfully transitioned to the private sector where she has held various leadership positions in child welfare operations. Ms. Dawes has consistently been promoted to leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibilities, reflecting her results-driven and outcome-oriented style of management. As the Assistant Director of Full Case Management with the Center for Family and Child Enrichment Administrator her responsibilities included implementing strategies for the delivery of effective child abuse prevention and intervention programs and services for children and families in Miami- Dade County.

Ms. Dawes brings a wealth of experience in prevention and child welfare program operations. Her previous position was Regional Administrator of Permanency with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Her responsibilities included policy implementation, planning, developing, and coordinating service delivery for Cook County. 

Ms. Dawes is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. She also holds a master’s in public administration from Florida International University. She enjoys coaching and developing her team and is a firm believer that this approach leads to overall organizational success.
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Aleida Jacobo, Wesley House Family Services CEO, said “Khalilah joins us at time of expansion in which her many talents, knowledge, and experience, not to mention her deep roots in South Florida, will be a highly prized asset to our agency.” This exciting chapter in Ms. Dawes’ career brings her back to Florida which has been home for more than thirty years, and specifically to Key West, a place reminiscent of her parents’ birthplace, Jamaica. 

​The Key West Artisan Market ends the 2022/2023 season with a salute to the Conch Republic Days on April 23 from 10 am to 2 pm at Indigenous Park across from Higgs Beach in Key West. Join about 80 local vendors, artists and growers as they help kickoff a successful celebration of all things that make Cayo Hueso the place residents and visitors both love.
 
Enjoy bloody’s, mimosas and a full bar from Great Events Catering, coffee, kombucha, natural juices and cut fruit, multiple food stalls plus cheese, bread, fresh seafood and Florida produce.
 
Shop a curated outdoor market offering fine crafts and art from talented Florida Keys makers. Listen to awesome musicians & tour the Key West Wildlife Center. All around the show there’s lot’s to do; visit the Higgs Beach Dog Park, free West Martello Tower botanical garden, walk White Street Pier and of course, enjoy the alluring ocean views at Higgs Beach. The show offers free entry, free parking and suggests guests BYOB (bring your own bags).
 
This is the last Artisan Market of the Season until November however watch for a summer 'mini market' grand opening on Mother's Day (May 14) in the parking lot of the Southernmost VFW on North Roosevelt Blvd. This new show will take place every other Sunday 10 am to 2 pm through the summer. As a reminder, our sister show, the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market, is every Thursday from 2 pm to 7 pm year-round at the Truman Waterfront Park.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) proclaim this week as Dark Sky Week. The BOCC encourages residents, businesses, and visitors to discover and celebrate the Florida Keys' night sky and learn about responsible lighting practices that prevent and reduce light pollution.
 
"The beauty and wonder of a natural night sky and seeing a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, and encourages interest in the sciences among the young and old living in the Florida Keys," said Cates.
 
Artificial lighting and light pollution cause adverse environmental impacts, including wasting natural resources, energy, and money. Light pollution also impacts wildlife, including sea turtles nesting along the Florida coastline, birds migrating through the Atlantic flyway, and other animals foraging across South Florida.

Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed April as Leadership Monroe County Month in honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary.

The non-profit organization has been educating and informing county leaders for 30 years with the long-term goal of developing strong, dedicated leaders working for a sense of community throughout Monroe County.

As Class XXX graduates this spring, the organization has had more than 650 community leaders participate. They represent the Florida Keys business community, educational institutions, governmental entities, health care facilities and practices, arts organizations, and other professions.

“The citizens of the City of Key West and Monroe County have benefitted greatly from the educational information provided by Leadership Monroe County to its graduates,” reads the proclamation.

Leadership Monroe County Board President Chuck Licis-Masson and a number of graduates representing different classes accepted the honor.

“Leadership actually began here in Key West,” said Licis-Masson. “It was starting by the Chamber of Commerce and later moved to the county as a non-profit.”

He noted that Class XXX will be having a graduation celebration in Marathon on Saturday, April 29th at the Marathon Community Park.
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Mayor Johnston, in the proclamation, said she congratulates “Leadership Monroe County on its thirtieth anniversary of teaching and linking leaders of the Florida Keys, and commends this organization for its outstanding efforts to improve our community through education and information exchange.”

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Board of Monroe County Commissioners declared May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week at today’s regularly scheduled meeting. EMS is a vital public service, and Monroe County Fire Rescue and Trauma Star are always ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The County celebrates its first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other out-of-hospital medical care providers. In addition, Monroe County Fire Rescue EMS engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.
 
“Emergency medical services and Trauma Star provide crucial pre-hospital care that can dramatically improve the survival and recovery rate of patients,” said Monroe County Fire Rescue acting Battalion Chief of Trauma Star and EMS Andrea Thompson. “These services play a critical role in protecting our community members and visitors in our unique area.”

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Lt. Kathleen McKinney for 40 years of dedicated service at today’s regularly scheduled meeting. She started her career in 1983 and transferred to Monroe County in 2008. McKinney was integral in Hurricane Irma recovery in 2017, is a Leadership Monroe County graduate, and can be seen volunteering in the community for the Special Olympics and Friends of the Parks. 

Schooner Wharf Kick-Off Party is the start of the Conch Republic Independence Celebration on Friday, April 21st at 7 p.m.
           
The festivities kick off at 7 p.m. with the popular local Myles Mancuso Band.  Their original style of music is a unique blend of Roots Americana and R&B. Truly a musical experience you don't want to miss! Definitely bring your dancing shoes!

Listen to how it all happened! Conch Republic Prime Minister Dennis Wardlow will be on stage recounting the story of the events that led to our secession, as can only be told by the mayor who spearheaded our secession in 1982! We seceded from the United States, surrendered, and demanded foreign aid (we are still waiting on that!)
 
There will be a special presentation to longtime local performer/songwriter and Schooner Wharf staple Michael McCloud. Our Prime Minister and Secretary General of the State of the Conch Republic, Captain James R. Gilleran will honor Michael as the Official Troubadour of the Conch Republic
 
Compete in the Annual Schooner Wharf Conch Shell Blowing Contest, there is no entry fee – anyone can enter. Bring your own conch shell or one will be provided. 1st – 2nd – 3rd Prizes for the longest, loudest and most musical blow.  Prizes are Water adventures, bottles of rum, Schooner Wharf Bar tabs, tees and caps, Conch Republic flags, etc. “We succeeded where others failed!”
 
Long Live the Conch Republic!

​Join the History of Diving Museum, NASA and CoastLove as they host a FREE Earth Day Celebration. Explore the Environmental Education Village to learn about NASA’s climate change research, and other environmental work being done. The village will feature local organizations focused on local conservation efforts, Saturday, April 22, 10am-1pm, at Million Air, 9850 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050.
 
The History of Diving Museum, in partnership with NASA’s BlueFlux campaign and CoastLove are hosting this Earth Day event. There will be a simultaneous mangrove tree planting at the nearby hammock, facilitated by CoastLove. This Earth Day event will feature hands-on demonstrations of the scientific instruments utilized by the BlueFlux team to measure the greenhouse gas fluxes in the mangroves, along with a guided tour being offered of the CARbon Atmospheric Flux Experiment (CARAFE) aircraft used to study the mangrove ecosystems.
 
The History of Diving Museum will be sharing the rich history of “the quest to explore under the sea” and South Florida's connection to this untold story, along with information on the History of Diving Museum's featured exhibits and special events. In addition, the event will host the National Park Service South Florida Office, Florida International University’s Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Research Program, CoastLove, Florida Wildlife Society, and others focused on environmental conservation and restoration to share about their efforts and ways the public can get involved. Attendees will also receive a discount adult admission pass to Crane Point to visit Dive Into Art: Edge of the Sea Traveling Exhibit on Earth Day. 
 
In 2020, NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System funded the BlueFlux campaign to develop a database of carbon dioxide and methane fluxes - emissions and removals - for mangrove ecosystems in Florida and the Caribbean. This three year project brings together research scientists and engineers from NASA’s Earth Science Division at Goddard Space Flight Center, Yale University, Eastern Carolina University, and Florida International University to conduct these measurements from the ground to the sky and from space to gain a complete picture of how mangroves are being impacted by climate change, and how they can be a part of climate change solutions. This team is divided into three groups, the airborne flux team, the vegetation structure team, and the field survey team, all of which work in tandem to understand these fluxes. The research will help inform ‘blue carbon’ themed climate mitigation projects that support the global Paris Agreement implemented in 2014 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperature change to well below 2-degrees Celsius (3.6 F) warming.
 
Because large areas of mangrove ecosystems have been lost due to coastal development, there is a lot of potential to restore these ecosystems while at the same time remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Mangroves provide many benefits to coastal communities including preventing shoreline erosion and reducing flooding impacts during big storms, along with providing habitat for fish and other marine life. The BlueFlux campaign seeks to gain a clearer picture of how these mangrove ecosystems function to better understand their role on the Earth’s climate.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits and two limited-time, featured exhibits, as well as unique gifts in the Museum Store. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.