June 22, 2024, brings the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. This is when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. In our industry, we call it Summer SAILstice, and we are inviting adults and families to discover sailing through a 2-hour sailing lesson for just $25 per person. This special value sailing experience will be held at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach, and from the Downtown Municipal Marina in St. Petersburg, Fla. Minimum age is 7 with adult, and we’ll host a maximum of five participants aboard a Colgate 26 for each session beginning at 9:30 a.m., with the last session starting at 4:30 p.m. based on availability. You must book online at www.offshoresailing.com/news-specials/. All participants will need to provide their name, email address, and phone number. This low-cost experience is non-refundable unless we are unable to sail due to weather conditions. We do sail rain or shine. There is plenty of room on board to stow personal items. Once we receive an online booking with payment, the participant will receive email confirmation for the time they chose online. Please arrive at the location provided in the confirmation email :15 minutes before sailing to sign the Waiver before boarding the boat. The email confirmation will contain information on what to wear and bring aboard your sailing adventure. No previous sailing experience is necessary.
 
Learn how to harness the wind to move through the water. Understand the effect wind and current have on the sailboat. Practice different maneuvers and learn about the roles in each position aboard the sailboat. All participants will receive a $100 Gift Certificate to participate in a future lesson, clinic, or course with Offshore Sailing School.
 
Sailors around the world are encouraged to share where they’ll be sailing to celebrate the SAILstice by listing their event and location on www.summersailstice.com.
 
Offshore Sailing School is owned by Steve and Doris Colgate and is celebrating its 60th Anniversary Year in 2024. The school has more than 160,000 graduates and teaches all levels of US Sailing and US Powerboating certification courses, hosts special racing clinics, and group team building sailing events at four resort locations in Florida and two in the British Virgin Islands. Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla vacation trips take place in exotic destinations all around the world.

​On May 18, and every day, Offshore Sailing School salutes women in maritime. On this International Day for Women in Maritime, we’re highlighting our two current female instructors based in the British Virgin Islands. Since we have four instructors based in the BVI, we’re delighted to have gender equality in our instructor ranks therewith a goal of similar equality at our Florida locations.
 
Instructor Elin Sandberg took up sailing within the past 10 years, starting in the UK and Ireland. She was the lone woman in every sailing class up to her Yachtmaster Offshore and her instructor qualifications. Elin said the intro to sailing class opened her eyes to the world of sailing and she wanted to explore it all. Elin enjoys her role in training and mentoring women who are getting into sailing, especially those considering working in marine industries. She loves offshore sailing and passage making, with a bit of yacht racing when she can.
 
Instructor Briana (Bri) Boele van Hensbroek is originally from New Zealand and grew up by and on the sea, spending many summers cruising around New Zealand on her family’s sailboat. Bri has done many long-distance passages, including crewing on both Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean crossings. She is passionate about all things-marine, sea life, scuba diving, etc. Briana also enjoys sailboat racing.
 
Both Elin and Briana have noticed an increase in female skippers and charter captains in the BVI within the past year. Our partners at The Moorings on Tortola have increased the number of women in its ranks and currently has a female fleet manager. Even the greetings have changed with the times, where our instructors are greeted now with, “Good morning, Captain,” rather than “Miss.”
 
Our company’s mission is to get as many competent sailors as possible enjoying everything that the sailing lifestyle has to offer. Women have made strides within the world of sailing, between our own President & CEO Doris Colgate founding the National Women’s Sailing Association, the Women’s Sailing Foundation, Take the Helm program to get young girls and women on board to confidently take the helm, and being recognized and inducted to the National Sailing Hall of Fame class of 2022; to our accomplished instructors Elin and Bri; to recent “in the news” sailors Cole Brauer, becoming the first American woman to sail solo around the World and finishing second in the Global Solo Challenge; to the first ever all-female crew to sail around the world aboard Maiden, winning the 2024 Ocean Globe Race.
 
 
Q & A with Offshore Sailing instructors Elin and Briana:
 
Q. What do you believe has hindered women getting into sailing in the past?
A, Elin: “Women assess risk differently and it can make us hesitant to speak up or try new things, especially in a mixed group. There are still cultural and physical barriers, and without female instructors or local role models, it can feel lonely being in the minority.”
 
Q. What is your goal moving forward to assist women getting into sailing and boating?
A, Briana: “I want to support women and pay it forward to the next woman. I love being on the water and want to share knowledge and skills with more women for them to love it as much as I do.”
 
Q. Which female figures in sailing inspire you?
A, Elin: “Dawn Riley and her accomplishments on the water and in business as the Executive Director of Oakcliff Sailing Center, a training organization for competitive sailors; and Tracy Edwards, Maiden’s first skipper and visionary behind the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.” (Note: Dawn Riley was the lead coach for Offshore Sailing School’s Performance Race Week® in 2019).
 
To foster and encourage more women to enjoy the sailing lifestyle, Offshore Sailing School has relaunched our Women’s Week sailing certification courses in a Sail, Sip, Spa format with our partners, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands. Scrub Island Resort is led by General Manager, Sandra Grisham-Clothier. In January 2025, Offshore Sailing School will host a Performance Racing Clinic for four days of competitive sailing, featuring Olympic Gold Medal Champion Allison Jolly as one of the four coaches. Offshore Sailing School’s team with headquarters in South Fort Myers, Fla, is predominantly comprised of women, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Doris Colgate; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dana Matthews; and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Beth Oliver.
 
One may participate in the International Maritime Organization’s 2024 Symposium: Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety” on May 17, 2024, from 2:30 p.m. London-time, in person in London at IMO Headquarters, or online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QIaThyb6DM
 
Call 800-221-4326 or 1-239-454-1700 for more information on our programs for women.
www.OffshoreSailing.com
[email protected]
 
https://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/Pages/International-Day-for-Women-in-Maritime-2024.aspx
 
Offshore Sailing School is owned by Steve and Doris Colgate and is celebrating its 60th Anniversary Year in 2024. The school has more than 160,000 graduates and teaches all levels of US Sailing and US Powerboating certification courses, hosts special racing clinics, and group team building and sailing events at four resort locations in Florida and two in the British Virgin Islands. Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla vacation trips take place in exotic destinations all around the world.

May 13, 2024 – (KEY WEST, FL).  The Key West Museum of Art & History will celebrate the opening of its newest temporary exhibition, “Beaches, Creatures & Cowboys: Florida Movie Posters” on Friday, May 31.  The exhibition was first developed by the Museum of Florida History and many of the posters and ephemera form part of its permanent collection.  A reception to mark the opening is scheduled to take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Bryan Gallery and is open to the public.
​
In the early days of movie making, Florida sunshine lit the sets for many movies, while the palm trees and beaches provided a beautiful backdrop.  Movie producers have been making films in Florida almost since the dawn of the industry.  For a short time in the early twentieth century, Florida even rivaled California as a place for movie making.  However, a lack of government support, money, and studio facilities hurt the industry here, and movie companies soon began leaving the area.

“Despite many Florida studios relocating to the country’s West Coast, many filmmakers still made use of Florida’s landscape, cities, and tourist attractions during filming,” says Dr. Cori Convertito, curator for the Key West Art & Historical Society.  “Tarzan swung through the Florida jungles, swimming champion turned actress Esther Williams frolicked on the beaches, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon lurked in the state’s dark and mysterious springs.”

Colorful, eye-catching posters advertised films and drew people to the movies.  Often, several movie posters, each with a different image, promoted one film.  The movie’s marketers designed each image to appeal to a specific audience.  Depending on the film, a poster might display a dramatic, heroic, romantic, or funny scene.

The 40 classic posters that form part of the display include artwork for “Beneath the 12 Mile Reef,” “Cocoon,” “Flipper,” and “Operation Petticoat” and feature such actors as Gregory Peck, Betty Grable, Spencer Tracy, Jessica Tandy, Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Steve Martin, Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jim Carrey.

“Beaches, Creatures & Cowboys” runs through September 1, 2024, in the Bryan Gallery and is sponsored by the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture and the Museum of Florida History.  For more information, visit www.kwahs.org/movieposters, call Cori Convertito at 305-295-6616 x 507 or [email protected].

​ISLAMORADA, FL – Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America, offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard, Reserve, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps. The 2024 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18th and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd.
 
As a tribute to our active duty military, the History of Diving Museum offers active-duty free admission year-around. Participating since the first launch of Blue Star Museums initiative in 2010, this program allows up to five of their family members free access as well. You can find additional museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
 
Come see the History of Diving Museum’s brand new featured exhibit, Salvaging the Deep! This exhibit delves into some of the deepest wrecks in the world, and what it took to get there. Read about important military operations such as the first rescue of men trapped underwater in a submarine along with other heroic salvage operations.
 
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 plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.
 
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
About Blue Star Families
BlueStar Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest chapter-based military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach fosters strong communities with a focus on human centered design and innovative solutions. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered millions of dollars in benefits and affected more than 1.5 million people each year. For more information, click here and follow along with Blue Star Families on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

​Due to renovations and construction at the front entrance at Lower Keys Medical Center's main hospital building, the main lobby doors will be temporarily inaccessible. Patients and visitors are asked to use the emergency room entrance until May 24th. If you are parking in the general parking lot, the ER entrance can be accessed through the breezeway by the administration building on the far left of the hospital. Patients may also park in the ER lot. We apologize for any inconvenience.

​KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden continues its monthly Speaker Series at 1:00 pm on Monday, May 20th, 2024 in the Toppino Nature Chapel.   The May speaker is Katy Hosokawa, Park Ranger, National Key Deer Refuge: Conservation.  Her topic is “Where People & Wildlife Thrive-The National Wildlife Refuge system”.  Katy will share some of the rich history of the National Wildlife Refuge System, talk about some of the work being done in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and why it all so important.
 
Katy is a native Texan with a  bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in Environmental Geoscience.  She has been working at the refuge since 2020.   Living with-in a mosaic of protected lands is a unique and beautiful experience, and Katy will share some of the highlights.
 
Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members.  All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program. Sponsored by:  Florida Arts & Culture and The Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden.  

​MONROE COUNTY, FL--Monroe County Solid Waste Department’s Earth Day tire amnesty events were a tremendous success, according to Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. “We couldn’t be prouder of its positive impact on our environment,” she said. “With the support of the local media, the hard work of the transfer station staff, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, and FP Tire Disposal, we collected a staggering 5,740 pounds of tires.”
 
This equates to about 240 tires that are now out of the Florida Keys environment on their way to becoming rubber mesh granules for playgrounds, among other things. This recycling process is a significant step in combating the environmental issue of tire waste, which leads to habitat destruction, pollution, and increased mosquito breeding. The project was grant-funded, and future tire amnesty programs will be scheduled if more funding becomes available.
 
Another impactful environmental initiative is Monroe County Solid Waste’s collaboration with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection to install dumpsters at the Spanish Harbor and Little Duck Key boat ramps. This pioneering project aims to be complete for the upcoming busy summer season.
 
“We are counting on the cooperation of boat ramp users to dispose of materials in the dumpsters responsibly,” said Tuschel. “This will be a vital effort to combat marine debris.”

TAVERNIER, FL--Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein will celebrate the opening of the new additional Harry Harris Park playground on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. in Tavernier. The public is invited to join the mayor and Parks and Beaches staff at the event. Light refreshments will be available (donated by Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate).
 
“This was a part of Monroe County’s ongoing efforts to revitalize local playgrounds to meet the needs of our community,” said Director John Allen. “The additional playground near the baseball field will be perfect for siblings to use while their brothers or sisters play games.”
 
The new baseball-themed playground includes rubber surfaces, slides, and a workout area for the kids.
 
The youth baseball championship game will also be held at noon on Saturday at Harry Harris Park.

MONROE COUNTY, FL — Starting in June, Monroe County Parks and Beaches will host several summer camps for children ages 6 through 12 throughout the Florida Keys. Registration is open now until 10 days before the camp start dates. Campers must be fully registered 10 days prior to the camp date.

• Cost: $20 per day/ $10 per extra child (additional fees for field trips may apply)
• What campers can expect: Fun activities, arts and crafts, on-site or off-site field trips, interactive games, and more.
• Times 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during dates listed below

 
To apply, make payments or for additional information, please contact the staff member below:
 
Lower Keys:  Mike Piekenbrock ([email protected] 305-394-1173)
 
Big Pine Park
6/3 to 6/7
6/24 to 6/28
7/22 to 7/26
8/5 to 8/9
 
Bernstein Park
7/29 to 8/2
 
Upper Keys:  Naomi Pagidas ([email protected]  305-453-8726)
 
Plantation Key Community Center
6/10, 6/11, 6/13 & 6/14 (no camp 6/12)
7/15 to 7/19

​MONROE COUNTY, FL--The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is committed to a robust public participation process regarding the state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling discussions that will continue through January 2025. But, do you know what ROGO and BPAS mean and why it is important for the future of the Florida Keys?
 
Monroe County community members are invited to take a survey, the first of several, that focuses on understanding the community’s current knowledge of the Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) and Building Permit Allocation System (BPAS), where you currently get your Monroe County information, and where you would like to get future information from. The survey can be found directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCROGOSurvey1.
 
The nine-question survey shouldn’t take too long (approximately three minutes). Additional surveys will be available in June to help gauge what the community wants to see moving forward.
 
Monroe County continues to host workshops and updates during regularly scheduled BOCC meetings and will be meeting with nonprofit and civic groups throughout the summer regarding the Dept. of Commerce’s hurricane evacuation modeling to gauge public interest in finding the “sweet spot” of the number of ROGO/BPAS allocations the County and municipalities would like to request from the State. The hurricane evacuation modeling is based on a Florida Statute requiring that Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. The allocations could potentially be issued over the next 10 to 20 years at a rate that does not lead to unbalanced growth or additional takings liability. To learn more about these terms, why they are important, to view the process, or to see upcoming meetings, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024.
 
The survey is available until Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m.