KEY WEST, FL – On Sunday, August 31, the iconic Truman Waterfront Park will become the vibrant heart of the Just a Few Friends celebration during the second annual Party in the Park, presented by The Greeen House. This free, family-friendly gathering follows the spirited Second Line Memorial Parade, uniting music lovers, locals, and island dreamers for an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration under the setting sun.
 
The parade begins in the 100 block of Duval Street, where fans gather with instruments, placards, bubbles, and tropical attire. Together, they’ll wind through Old Town—singing, toasting, and honoring the legacy of Key West’s favorite son—before arriving at Truman Waterfront Park for the evening’s main event.
On stage, Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band, Nadirah Shakoor, and Jocky Jord will perform heartfelt tributes to the music that shaped multiple generations. Appearances by Lucy Buffett and other special guests add warmth and authenticity, making the night feel less like a concert—and more like a reunion of kindred spirits.
 
The evening includes a pop-up Key West Artisan Market, food trucks, Milagro Margarita bars, and selfie stations, plus the “Greeen Bar” hospitality area offering a high-spirited welcome from the title sponsor. Over 400 chairs will be available to rent (cash only), or guests can bring their own. Free water stations will be provided by the Aqueduct Authority, and a fully air-conditioned City Bus Lounge offers a place to chill out.
 
At the heart of the celebration is the Friends of Bubba Memorial, an interactive remembrance area where guests are invited to bring a photo, note, or small memento to honor the man whose music inspired a movement. Free candles will be available, and all items collected will become part of a special commemorative exhibit.
 
Guests with official event badges receive access to a dedicated bar and priority area with first dibs at chair rentals, while those with Ultimate Friend Badges enjoy premium lounge seating and exclusive perks. Event badge donations directly to the Florida Keys Community Foundation benefit Reef Relief, the Bahama Village Music Program, and the Key West High School Marching Band.
 
After the main event, the celebration continues at the official after-party hosted by The Backyard Bar at Kaya Island Eats, where Caribbean steel pan music and Buffett-inspired favorites will keep the vibe alive. There’s no cover, and the kitchen stays open until 10 PM.
 
Transportation is easy with the Duval Loop Shuttle running late into the night for just $1, offering safe and convenient rides to and from the event. Guests can also rent bicycles from Eaton Bikes.
 
This is just one event of many during the Labor Day weekend. For more information, a full schedule, or to secure a badge, visit: www.justafewfriendskeywest.com

​KEY WEST, FL, August 22, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys’ (CFK) Institute for Public Safety (IPS) held a graduation ceremony for Correctional Officer Training Academy #64 on August 20 at the Key West Campus. Five cadets successfully completed the 420-hour training program and passed the state officer certification exam, certifying them as Florida Correctional Officers.
 
Through a partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, all graduates have already secured employment. During the ceremony, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore in the cadets, inducting them into their new professions.
 
Cathy Torres, CFK Director of the Institute for Public Safety, recognized top performing graduates with accolades. Both the leadership and academic awards were given to McArthur Roselin. The “Top Gun” shooting skills award went to Kevin T. Dorsey, Jr., and Jaeyls Rodriguez-Leal received the Physical Fitness award. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride, integrity, and guts, went to Jaelys Rodriguez-Leal.
 
CFK’s correctional officer program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is currently accepting applications for two upcoming law enforcement training academies:

• Basic Law Enforcement Academy #96, at the Upper Keys Center starting in January 2026 and ending in November 2026 – applications are due by December 12, 2025
• Basic Law Enforcement Academy #97, at the Key West Campus starting in May 2026 and ending in November 2026 – applications are due by April 16, 2026

For more information about CFK’s Institute for Public Safety, visit the College’s website at https://www.cfk.edu/academics/academic-departments/institute-for-public-safety/. 

Duval Square’s Jag Gallery announces honorees for the gallery’s annual POOLSIDE international juried exhibit, including 2 local artists.  This year’s show highlights over 80 winning 2 and 3D works of talented finalists from coast to coast and abroad, culled from the largest entry field to date, featuring painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, assemblage and textiles.  This year's winners will be invited to join honorees from SMALL WORKS 2025 for a group exhibition of new work during Jags 2026 calendar year.
This years honorees are:

•JUROR’s CHOICE    from Simsbury, CT    Brendan O’Donnell with HOCKNEY NOT SWIMMING
Acrylic on panel  24 x 30 in. (framed) 

•HONORABLE MENTIONS
Lori Sanchez Hohman   from Maitland, FL  with SPOT ON FLORIDA
Oil on canvas 30 x 30 in. framed.  

Susan Bailey   from Key West with  SWAN DIVE
Mixed media assemblage   18 x 10 x 10 in. 

Margo Ellis  from Key West with  ATLANTIC SHORES…THE MEMORIES
Textile wall mount   21 x 17 in. 

Enid Blechman  from Juno Beach, FL with  INTRODUCTION-SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK
3D mixed media wall mount  12 x 18 in. 

Now in its 6th year, POOLSIDE  2025 continues  through August 31st with gallery visitors invited to vote for the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD and online viewing and purchase offered through the Shop The Gallery section of Jag’s website at www.jaggallery.art. 

Noted as one of the region’s top destinations featuring carefully curated exhibits of fine, contemporary art showcasing work by prominent and emerging art makers 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, Mondays by appointment. For additional information call 305.407.6202 or email [email protected] and follow us on Facebook and  Instagram.

KEY WEST, Fla – AUGUST 22, 2025 – Lower Keys Medical Center has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on September 15, 2025.

According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more likely than their parents to have cancer, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, gut issues, hearing problems, and mobility difficulties. Longevity merges lifespan and healthspan in the idea of growing older and staying healthy at the same time.

“Longevity takes into account not only a person’s chronological age, but also biological age,” says Giovanni Campanile, M.D., Keys Medical Group Cardiologist. “Age-related decline doesn’t have to be a foregone conclusion. With informed, proactive choices, at age 80, a person essentially could have the level of health expected at age 60.”
The Enjoy the Ride email series is designed to help people make proactive choices for long-term wellness. Daily road trip-themed emails include information about conditions most prevalent with aging, ways to prevent those diseases, and descriptions of how healthy choices can impact longevity. 

“We find people in their 30s are already considering longevity, especially if they have a family history of conditions like heart disease or dementia,” says Drew Bigby, Lower Keys Medical Center chief executive officer. “We’re happy to see this trend because it’s never too early to start thinking about what you want your future health to look like—and we want to help people map that for themselves.” 
​
To learn more about maintaining your brain, vision, hearing, heart, kidney, liver, gut, musculoskeletal and sleep health as you age, sign up for Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life, at LKMC.com/longevity. We’ll also give away prizes every day to help you on “the road” ahead.
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center:
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center.

KEY WEST, FL – On Sunday, August 31, the iconic Truman Waterfront Park will become the vibrant heart of the Just a Few Friends celebration during the second annual Party in the Park, presented by The Greeen House. This free, family-friendly gathering follows the spirited Second Line Memorial Parade, uniting music lovers, locals, and island dreamers for an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration under the setting sun.
 
The parade begins in the 100 block of Duval Street, where fans gather with instruments, placards, bubbles, and tropical attire. Together, they’ll wind through Old Town—singing, toasting, and honoring the legacy of Key West’s favorite son—before arriving at Truman Waterfront Park for the evening’s main event.
On stage, Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band, Nadirah Shakoor, and Jocky Jord will perform heartfelt tributes to the music that shaped multiple generations. Appearances by Lucy Buffett and other special guests add warmth and authenticity, making the night feel less like a concert—and more like a reunion of kindred spirits.
 
The evening includes a pop-up Key West Artisan Market, food trucks, Milagro Margarita bars, and selfie stations, plus the “Greeen Bar” hospitality area offering a high-spirited welcome from the title sponsor. Over 400 chairs will be available to rent (cash only), or guests can bring their own. Free water stations will be provided by the Aqueduct Authority, and a fully air-conditioned City Bus Lounge offers a place to chill out.
 
At the heart of the celebration is the Friends of Bubba Memorial, an interactive remembrance area where guests are invited to bring a photo, note, or small memento to honor the man whose music inspired a movement. Free candles will be available, and all items collected will become part of a special commemorative exhibit.
 
Guests with official event badges receive access to a dedicated bar and priority area with first dibs at chair rentals, while those with Ultimate Friend Badges enjoy premium lounge seating and exclusive perks. Event badge donations directly to the Florida Keys Community Foundation benefit Reef Relief, the Bahama Village Music Program, and the Key West High School Marching Band.
 
After the main event, the celebration continues at the official after-party hosted by The Backyard Bar at Kaya Island Eats, where Caribbean steel pan music and Buffett-inspired favorites will keep the vibe alive. There’s no cover, and the kitchen stays open until 10 PM.
 
Transportation is easy with the Duval Loop Shuttle running late into the night for just $1, offering safe and convenient rides to and from the event. Guests can also rent bicycles from Eaton Bikes.
 
This is just one event of many during the Labor Day weekend. For more information, a full schedule, or to secure a badge, visit: www.justafewfriendskeywest.com
​

​KEY WEST, FL, August 21, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys is teaming up with the Key West Chamber of Commerce to help local high school students, their families, mentors, and guidance counselors through processes related to college applications, decisions, requirements, and deadlines. The free workshop, entitled “Ready, Set, COLLEGE!” will be held on Wednesday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the library on the College’s Key West Campus.
 
The first part of the workshop will focus on writing. Students will receive tips for writing effective essays for both college admissions and scholarship applications. The session will also help parents, mentors, and guidance counselors learn how to better evaluate student essays and suggest improvements.
 
The second half of the workshop will be dedicated to learning about different ways to pay for college through federal grants and loans, scholarships, and payment plans. CFK financial aid staff will provide hands-on guidance through completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step required for federal and many other financial aid opportunities.
 
For additional information about “Ready, Set, COLLEGE!,” contact CFK at 305-296-9081.

KEY LARGO, FL – Monroe County has amended its application for its one-bedroom/one-bathroom Southcliff Estates affordable housing units for workers in the tourism industry, located at 95295 Overseas Highway (MM 95) in Key Largo.
 
The newly available units will now rent for 30 percent of the applicant(s)’s gross annual income, for a minimum of $1,797 per month or the maximum allowed of $3,042 per month (which accounts for the statutory requirement for a utility allowance). The units are only available to those employed in Monroe County’s private-sector tourism-related industries, including arts, entertainment, recreation, fishing and diving, hotels, restaurants, food services, and sightseeing. Applicants must work in a qualifying business located in the Florida Keys.
 
To qualify, applicants must:

• Be 18 years old or older.
• Have a gross annual household income between $71,880 and $109,560 (for one person) or up to $125,040 (for two people) or up to $166,720 (for two people who are married or in a domestic partnership). For example:
  • The minimum household income limit of $71,880 would be $1,797 per month in rent.
  • The maximum household income limit for two single roommates is $125,040, which would be subject to the maximum allowed $3,042 per month in rent.
  • The maximum household income limit for a married couple or domestic partners is $166,720, which would also be subject to the maximum allowed $3,042 per month in rent.
  • To calculate the rent, take your gross annual income, multiply it by .3, and then divide it by 12. (For example, a person making $80,000 a year gross income would take 80,000x0.3=24,000; 24,000/12=$2,000 per month for rent.)
• Rent includes water, sewer, and trash.
• Agree to a maximum of two people only in a unit.
• Show proof of income and employment in an eligible tourism-related business.
• Meet additional eligibility requirements outlined in the application.

 
Additional requirements include background checks, verification from landlords, and submission of all required documents through the online application portal. No paper applications will be accepted. The units will be rented on a first-come, first-qualified basis.
 
These units were purchased as part of a $35 million TDC surplus, for which the Florida Legislature passed a bill explicitly authorizing Monroe County to use the surplus funds for affordable housing for employees of private-sector tourism-related businesses. Southcliff Estates is the first project funded through this initiative. Additional projects are being set for each TDC district in the Florida Keys.
 
Federal published guidance indicates households should pay no more than 30 percent of gross annual income for housing. This guidance is used for both renters and homeowners to help ensure that housing costs remain manageable and don't consume a disproportionate amount of income, leaving enough for other necessities and financial goals. 
 
For more information or to apply, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/southcliff or contact [email protected]. The Monroe County Housing Authority also has available units for individuals of different and lower income levels throughout the Florida Keys. For information on the housing authority, visit https://www.kwha.org/mcha/. 

MONROE COUNTY – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes its long-term employees for their contributions to the county's citizens. See below those celebrating milestones this month.
 
15 Years

• Karen Pleasant, Information Technology
• Gabe Price, Information Technology

KEY WEST, Florida Keys –  The Garden is going to the Dogs!  We are seeking Dog Friendly Vendors to help support this 3rd Annual family friendly event for our community of dog owners & dog lovers on November 8, 2025 – 10am to 2pm.  The Garden has 15 acres of mulched and boardwalk trails meandering through forests and meadows. The community will be invited to bring their dogs to enjoy the day, visit our vendors and participate in games and prizes in the meadow.
​
The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island.  For more information contact Brigid at [email protected].     

KEY WEST, Fla., August 19, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys launches its 60th anniversary year today with the start of the fall semester, marking six decades of providing accessible higher education throughout the Florida Keys.

Under the theme "Infinite Horizons: Pioneering Success Since 1965," the College will host events throughout the academic year ending in May 2026. The milestone celebration honors the institution's evolution from a small junior college serving 500 students to a comprehensive state college offering programs from high school diplomas to bachelor's degrees and workforce training across multiple locations from Key West to Key Largo.

"The College has evolved extensively from our humble beginnings but has remained steadfast in our commitment to provide life-changing opportunities to students while responding to the dynamic academic and workforce needs of the Keys," said Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, college president and CEO. "Most importantly, we have fostered meaningful relationships with students, alumni, supporters, community stakeholders, and industry partners that have allowed us to build bridges strengthening our island chain and global impact."

60 years ago:
In August 1965, Monroe Junior College first offered classes at the former Douglass High School in Key West, giving Monroe County residents their first opportunity to earn college degrees without relocating to the mainland. Initial enrollment of approximately 500 students grew to 1,156 by the end of the fall semester, with tuition at $9 per credit hour for Florida residents.

Early course offerings included general education classes for the Associate of Arts degree, plus programs in business administration, pre-law, pre-ministerial studies, teacher education, scuba diving, pre-dental, pre-medical and police administration, along with non-credit enrichment classes.

Call for Photos and Memorabilia:
As part of the anniversary celebration, the College is developing a Historical Exhibit, set to debut November 1 during Community Day in the Key West Campus Library. The exhibit will feature photographs, news stories, and artifacts documenting the College's evolution and impact on students and the community. Alumni, employees and community members are invited to contribute photos, memorabilia and personal stories by emailing [email protected].
​
For more information about the College’s 60th anniversary events and support opportunities, visit CFK.edu/60.