Monroe County Library System’s Community Affairs Manager Nancy Klingener, Solid Waste Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel, and Cheryl Alfonso with the 16th Circuit Court partnered to bring reading materials to the Key West courthouse juror’s room. Tuschel will restore the supply in the nooks with retired books from the Monroe County Public Library System. Additional nooks will be coming soon at other public buildings throughout the county. MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County Solid Waste recently filled its open Recycling Coordinator and Outreach position with Melody Tuschel, who previously worked at Monroe County’s Cudjoe Key waste transfer station.
“Melody is extremely environmentally conscious and is really passionate about our recycling initiative,” said Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “She is going to bring a wealth of knowledge and education to our County residents, visitors, and businesses.” Tuschel is completing her bachelor’s degree in sustainability and green resources, and her main goal is to promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Recently, working with the Monroe County Public Library System, she created a program to recycle older books from the library by creating reading nooks in public buildings where people can take a book they would like to read to keep or pass along to someone else. Some other projects she is working on include repurposing marine debris, reducing single-use plastics and Styrofoam, and pushing for more compostable items. “I think my biggest goal is to bust the myth that Monroe County doesn’t recycle,” Tuschel said. “I have been to the facility, I have worked at the transfer station, and if we recycle properly, we make a difference every day.” To learn more about recycling in the Florida Keys, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/recycle.
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September 14, 2023 – (KEY WEST, FL). On Sunday, October 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., join the staff of the Fort East Martello Museum, located at 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard, to explore one of the island’s Civil War-era forts and its exhibits which encompass our rich and diverse history. Dubbed “Family Museum Day,” the program is designed to coincide with the Society’s wildly popular Community Day, a day offering free museum admission for Monroe County residents the first Sunday of each month.
While on the property, families are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the fort and citadel, explore the outdoor sculpture garden, and view artwork created by celebrated Keys folk artist Stanley Papio. In addition to free admission, adults and children are welcome to explore the history of Florida’s indigenous people in the air-conditioned Lee Garrison Classroom by joining Society education specialist, Kassandra Collett, and art educator, Jenni Franke to create paper kites inspired by late Cuban American folk artist Mario Sanchez. “Sanchez’s whimsical wood carvings portraying Key West’s past have captivated visitors for years. His ability to capture everyday life in the community with such precise details allow observers to connect with a simpler time, one that will never be forgotten,” says Collett. “Kites are often shown soaring through the skies of Mario’s work, but few people realize that he also crafted paper kites for family and friends. We invite families to the museum on Family Day to fashion their own kites that they can take home.” The Family Museum Day program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, and all supplies will be provided by the Key West Art & Historical Society. For additional information about the program, visit kwahs.org/upcoming-events. You can also contact Collett at 305-295-6616 x504 or kcollett@kwahs.org. This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida, with additional support provided by The Helmerich Trust. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island. September 12, 2023 - From September 18th through October 6th, specialized trucks with the name “wood” on the side will be driving Key West streets collecting LiDAR data to evaluate the city’s road elevations. LiDAR stands for Light Imaging Distance and Ranging and will enable the City to better plan, prioritize and budget elevation projects by vastly improving its street elevation data. The effort is part of a larger strategy to strengthen and harden the City’s infrastructure and facilities in accordance with anticipated sea level rise as well as storm surge and flooding. Staff is already preparing to use the data to further stormwater, tidal, and sea level rise planning projects.
“We want the citizens of Key West to be fully informed about our efforts to protect the City and anticipate future areas of concern,” said Key West Sustainability Coordinator Alison Higgins. “These maps are important groundwork for our upcoming Climate Adaptation Plan.” Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions Inc. has performed LiDAR surveys for Monroe County and all other incorporated areas, working north to south. In Key West, Wood will evaluate 72 miles of road and the first floor elevations for critical facilities. Wood crews will be setting up the control survey for Key West in mid-September, by either painting or taping temporary arrow-like markings onto City streets. These markings are used to help the scanner match images together to enable a centimeter’s accurate picture of our road elevations. To stay up to date on the City’s Climate Adaptation Plan, go to www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov and look for the notify me button. From there you can sign up to receive updates via email. Everglades NP announces construction of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center - Everglades City9/13/2023 EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. — The National Park Service issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment and awarded a new construction contract for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center project in Everglades National Park. This project includes a new two-story building and major site improvements at the location of the former Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. Everglades City is where Everglades National Park was dedicated on Dec. 6, 1947.
The original Gulf Coast Visitor Center and surrounding infrastructure were destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Since that time, a temporary visitor contact station has been in place to provide orientation for park visitors. This project will build resiliency, enhance the visitor experience and improve the park’s ability to maintain the facilities. “We are so pleased to announce the award of this contract and get this project moving,” said Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas national parks. “These improvements will provide a premiere place to showcase the Gulf Coast of Everglades National Park and will ultimately contribute to supporting the local economy of Everglades City.” The two-story visitor center will be built for resiliency to withstand hurricane-force winds and storm surges. The building will include visitor orientation, retail space, staff offices, and an elevated deck with views of Chokoloskee Bay. The elevated building is designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) silver requirements and Florida building code for coastal high hazard zones. Other components of the project include elevating the site to reduce flooding from storm events and king tides, replacing existing bulkhead at the marina, expanding and dredging the marina basin, an improved kayak launch, concession building for rentals near the canoe/kayak ramp, floating docks, and a new public entrance road. Enhanced pedestrian walkways, outdoor seating, native landscaping and shoreline stabilization are also part of the plan. The new visitor center will be named for Marjory Stoneman Douglas, author and environmental advocate for the establishment of Everglades National Park. The building of the new visitor center was authorized by Congress in 1989 as part of the Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989. The construction of a new visitor center, an improved canoe-kayak launch, and improved existing parking areas were identified in the park’s 2015 Final General Management Plan. The construction activities are anticipated to take a minimum of two years to complete. While closures at the Gulf Coast location are planned during construction, the park will strive to maintain some visitor access when it is safe to do so. The canoe/kayak launch is expected to remain open continuously until April 1, 2024, when it will close for construction. Onsite concession services including boat tours and rentals will cease Sept. 30 and are expected to resume in the fall of 2024. Due to the complexity of this project, all construction and closure dates may vary due to unforeseen circumstances. To review the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significance for this project, visit the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) site at parkplanning.nps.gov/gulfcoast. Learn more about Everglades National Park online at nps.gov/ever or follow the park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Students can quickly earn credits starting in October KEY WEST, FL, September 11, 2023— The College of the Florida Keys is offering a “Mini-mester” condensed term within the fall semester, also known as “Fall B.” The eight-week courses run October 13 through December 8. The term provides another entry point for new students to get a head start before the spring term as well as an opportunity for current students to accelerate their progression within the fall semester.
Opportunities available in the “Mini-mester” include general education courses, applicable to many degrees, as well as courses specific to the business, marine engineering, diving, hospitality, renewable energy, culinary, or emergency medical programs. Prospective students can also apply to start in CFK bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Supervision and Management, Exceptional Student Education, or Marine Resource Management in the “Mini-mester.” Most courses meet virtually, some are held on the Key West Campus or Upper Keys Center, and some offer a mix of virtual and in-person coursework. For more information about the “Mini-mester,” visit the College’s website at cfk.edu/fall-mini-mester or contact Marissa Owens, CFK Director of Recruitment, at recruiter@cfk.edu or call 305-809-3207. Associate degree level courses:
September 11, 2023 - City officials and the community gathered on Friday to kick off the construction of the new Frederick Douglass Community Center with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The project will replace the entire wing off the Douglass Gym, located in Bahama Village on Olivia Street. This $8 million dollar project will house the renowned Bahama Village Music Program, providing a platform for budding musicians. The center's design will accommodate sports, art, learning, and social activities. It will host after-school tutoring, adult education, nutrition education, and small business incubation. This hub will feature a learning center, a senior activity area, a 2,600 square foot main hall, and an event kitchen. The Community Center is expected to be up and running by January of 2025. The Key West Woman’s Club Board of Directors has appointed Patricia Neyra as Director-At-Large. Patricia is currently Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee, Chair of the Fantasy Fest Parade Viewing Dinner Party and spear headed the Woman’s Club’s first business sponsorship opportunities. Ms. Neyra was recently awarded Woman’ Club Woman of the Year. She is the owner of local construction company Neyra Construction and was born and raised in Key West.
The Hellings Curry Museum is the home of the 501 (c) (3) charity. The Key West Woman’s Club has been a powerful positive force in our community for 108 years. It began in 1915 with one of its main goals to get women the right to vote! In 1920 the KWWC began creating what is now The Monroe County Library, the first library in the State of Florida located on Fleming Street. Prior to building the current library on Fleming, it had several other locations including the Woman’s Club and Hellings House Museum on Duval Street. The Old Island Restoration Foundation which saved the historic district was the child of the Woman’s Club. The Garden Club was also a spin-off. HARC and the Tree Commission also have their roots in the Woman’s Club. Under the leadership of President Peggy McClain, the KWWC raised one million dollars to help start Aids Help in the 1980’s, which has become AH of Monroe County, and continues to help many members of our community with health care and housing. The MCC Church started its first meetings at the Woman’s Club. During the last ten years, the KWWC has turned the clubhouse into the Hellings Curry Museum. Visitors and locals are welcomed for to free tours to see what Eleanor Curry Hellings and her husband Martin Luther Hellings created in 1892 with ten thousand dollars provide by her father Willam Curry. The KWWC has restored the entire first floor to look as it did at the turn of the century. Plus, the members tell exciting stories about Key West and mansion’s family history. The museum is the only Curry home that has not been converted to a hotel, restaurant or bar. To make a donation to assist with the restoration of this Key West treasure please send your check to the Key West Woman’s Club and mail to 319 Duval Street. The Hard Rock Café Key West dedicated Diane Eliopoulos, who unexpectedly passed away in April, her favorite booth. The plaque which presides with the likes of Led Zeppelin reads “this booth is dedicated to our Legendary Rock Star Diane Eliopoulos”. Diane’s vibrant personality and exceptional marketing skills quickly elevated Hard Rock’s visibility in the City while also further establishing Hard Rock’s reputation as a generous community partner.
General Manager Kelly Marshall is pictured with Susan Mitchell, Key West Woman’s Club President, Aundrea Wagner, Key West Woman’s Club Vice President and Diane’s wife of 30 years Patricia Neyra. The four of them had lunch at the booth to discuss the Woman’s Club Fantasy Fest Parade Viewing Dinner Party in honor of Diane which will be catered by Hard Rock Cafe. Patricia Neyra is Chair of the event. All proceeds from the event go to the restoration of the Hellings Curry Museum (home of the Key West Woman’s Club). TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of James Scholl, Jamal Sowell, and Don Quinn and the reappointment of Steven “Reeves” Valentine to the Florida Defense Support Task Force. James Scholl Scholl is a Monroe County Commissioner. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and the recipient of the Legion of Merit, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Services Medals, and two Navy Commendation Medals, one with combat distinguishing device for valor. Previously, he was the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Key West and is a current member of the Key West Military Affairs Committee. Scholl earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology from Miami University and his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Navy War College. Jamal Sowell Sowell is the President of Business Solutions for Indelible Solutions. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and currently serves in the United States Navy Reserve. Sowell previously served as the Florida Secretary of Commerce and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Florida. He is a resident member of the Florida Council of 100 and serves on the University of Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors. Sowell earned his bachelor’s degree in religion from the University of Florida, his master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, and his juris doctor from Indiana University. Don Quinn Quinn is a Consultant on manpower, talent management, training, and education issues in Pensacola. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Rear Admiral. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Services Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star. Quinn earned his bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, his master’s degree in general management from Salve Regina University, and his master’s degree in military strategic studies from the United States Naval War College. Steven “Reeves” Valentine Valentine is the Vice President of Land and Maritime Solutions for Lockheed Martin. He is a veteran of the United States Army and was recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as a Veteran of Influence in 2021. He previously served as a member of Enterprise Florida’s Executive Committee. Valentine earned his bachelor’s degree in general management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University. September 8, 2023 - The City of Key West, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West, and Monroe County will be holding a joint emergency response exercise on Wednesday, September 13th at the Truman Waterfront. Emergency responders from several agencies will be on hand that morning to train with a virtual scenario. This exercise is one of several held throughout the year to ensure that all agencies are coordinated in case of an actual emergency. |
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