MONROE COUNTY, FL — Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month at Wednesday’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Monore County Land Authority Executive Director Christine Hurley introduced Anastasia Smith and Paul Brakett of Florida Commerce to the commissioners. The two were viewing the 20 properties the County purchased in the Florida Keys. After Hurricane Irma, the State gave Monroe County $15 million to acquire the damaged properties. The grant requires that the sites be demolished and the land returned to its natural state.
This April is the 56th anniversary of the National Fair Housing Act under Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Law. Although Equal Housing Opportunity is a right guaranteed to all Americans, the struggle against discrimination in housing continues. “Since fair housing is consistent with the principles of equality and justice for all—principles upon which our nation was founded—we all need to share in the fight to ensure fair housing is a reality for all residents,” said Merrill Raschein. The Monroe County Housing Authority provides fair housing education and outreach. More information can be found at www.kwha.org.
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On Friday, April 26, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, the Lilly Pulitzer shop at 600 Front Street in Key West will donate 10% of all sales to A Positive Step of Monroe County to help fund the organization’s 2024 Idle Hands Summer Youth Employment program.
The Southernmost city and the Lilly Pulitzer brand share a colorful and historic relationship, as the late celebrated Key West artist and sculptor Suzie dePoo (Agnes Helen Zuzek dePoo) created many of the whimsically imaginative and colorfully original fabric art designs that spearheaded the Lilly Pulitzer sensation. On April 26, shoppers can support a great program while lifting their spirits among a vibrant array of classic “Lilly” dresses, tops, shorts, jumpsuits, swimwear and accessories available at the Key West shop. Since 2010, A Positive Step of Monroe County, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves some of Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families, has partnered with the City of Key West to provide paid summer employment for Key West High School students who are returning to school the subsequent fall, aged 16 and up. Each year, the City provides jobs in a variety of departments for students enrolled in the program, and also contributes $35,000.00 towards the annual program budget, which currently runs approximately $100,000, and covers student payroll, program overhead, the cost of a part time job coach/instructor, and training/orientation expenses. With the support of individuals, community organizations, and local businesses such as Lilly Pulitzer, APSMC raises the remaining $65,000. “We are very grateful to Key West’s Lilly Pulitzer for their annual fundraising in support of our “Idle Hands” program, which not only teaches our teen participants important work and social skills, but helps them recognize their potential and can break old patterns of low expectations,” said APSMC founder and executive director Billy Davis. For more information about the Lilly Pulitzer fundraiser for APSMC, contact Mark Rotella at mrotella@lillypulitzer.com. For more information about APSMC and its various community support programs, contact executive director Billy Davis at apsmccrp@aol.com or visit apsmc.org. The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden Celebrates Earth Day/Arbor Day with ECO-Fair4/12/2024 KEY WEST, Florida Keys –The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden partners with the City of Key West and the University of Florida Extension Service on Saturday April 27th from 10am to 2pm to celebrate Earth & Arbor Day with Conservation & Sustainability Workshops, Docent Tours of the Garden and Native Nursery and plant sales. Admission to the event is FREE and features a raffle at 1pm for a girl’s & a boy’s bicycle donated by We Cycle, valued at $500 each. Workshops include: Children’s Art, Seedling Scientists; Bike Safety & Repair; Composting and Rain Barrel Construction.
Earth Day is celebrated worldwide and the day is set aside to promote environmental protection and the concept of peace. Arbor Day is observed nationally to celebrate the role of trees in our lives and promote tree planting and care. The Key West Tropical Forest, established in 1936, is honored to be the steward of protecting the environment in its 15-acre endangered ecosystem. The Garden is located at 5210 College Road on Stock Island. Additional information can be found at www.keywest.garden. BIG COPPITT KEY, FL — Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln will host a town hall meeting for the residents of Big Coppitt Key on Monday, April 29, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Big Coppitt First Baptist Church. She will be joined by County staff from solid waste, engineering and roads, parks and beaches, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Topics to be discussed include litter, illegal garbage dumping, and unregistered vehicles parking on the right-of-way along Barcelona, Ave F, Fourth Street, and Puerta Drive. There will also be a discussion regarding sidewalks and an update on a resiliency grant. WHAT: Big Coppitt Town Hall Meeting WHEN: Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Big Coppitt First Baptist Church, 200 Ave F, Key West, FL 33040 MONROE COUNTY, FL – Are you interested in obtaining grant funds to elevate, demolish/reconstruct, or sell your home that is below base flood elevation, at risk of flooding, or has flooded before with a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance claim? If so, Monroe County is participating in a national grant program known as Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) to help with the costs of elevating, or demolishing and reconstructing your home. Buying out your home is also an eligible grant activity. This program is available to all Monroe County homeowners. The program cannot buy any properties that are condominiums or cooperatives or have common area maintenance requirements. Mobile homes do not qualify for the elevation program. Monroe County is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2024 FMA grant program. The deadline to apply through the Monroe County application process will close Oct. 30, 2024. This is a federal program administered by the State of Florida in partnership with Monroe County; therefore, it can be a timely process with slow turnaround times to move forward with projects. If you have any questions, contact program administrator Mike Lalbachan at 305-453-8796 or visit the program website at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/fma. KEY WEST, FL, April 12, 2024—The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) welcomes the community to celebrate the arts at two annual events on Wednesday, April 24 at the Key West Campus. Attendees are invited to start with the Mud-Pi Dinner, 4- 6 p.m., in the Ceramics Studio, featuring savory tastings created by culinary students and served in unique bowls created by ceramics students. Afterwards, attendees can head to the Student Art Show, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and features a range of art created by students over the past year.
Mud-Pi Dinner 4- 6 p.m. Ceramics Studio, CFK Key West Campus Admission: $40 if purchased by April 19; $50 at the door CFK’s Mud-Pi ceramics club and Cookin’ Tugas culinary club are teaming up to present the annual Mud-Pi Dinner on April 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Ceramics Studio on the Key West Campus. As per tradition, attendees of the fund-raiser will select their own student-crafted ceramic bowl to eat from and take home as a souvenir. Students in CFK’s culinary program are catering the event with five savory tasting options. The menu features Vietnamese summer rolls, Cajun andouille gumbo with blackened chicken, karaage chicken slider, pork pot stickers, and Ropa Vieja. Dessert will be served at the Student Art Show in the Library Gallery. Tickets are $40 if purchased by April 19 or $50 at the door. Proceeds from the Mud-Pi Dinner will benefit the Mud-Pi ceramics club and Cookin’ Tugas culinary club. To purchase tickets, contact CFK’s Business Office at 305-809-3186. For more information about the event, contact Stacey Hardy, CFK’s Art-in-Residence, at stacey.hardy@cfk.edu or 305-809-3244. Student Art Show 5- 7 p.m. Library Gallery, CFK Key West Campus Admission: Free CFK will showcase the talent and creativity of its students at the annual Student Art Show in the Library Gallery on the Key West Campus. Art students, art faculty, and art lovers from the Keys community will celebrate a year’s worth of artistic accomplishments at the opening reception on Wednesday, April 24, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Student Art Show will feature a variety of artwork created by students this past year, including pottery, photography, and sculptures. Some pieces will be for sale with proceeds going to the student artists as well as the Library Gallery Fund. Several awards will be given for each category. Attendees will be invited to cast votes for the winner of the “People’s Choice” award. For more information, contact Kristina Neihouse, Director, Learning Resource Center. kristina.neihouse@cfk.edu or 305-809-3501. KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The 14th annual 2024 ART in the GARDEN will open on April 28th and run through July 31st at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Meander over Garden Boardwalks and down pathways through dappled shade, colorful blossoms and winged creatures of nature and spot…sculpture! Emphasizing harmony with nature, the return of ‘Art in the Garden' showcases local art & sculptures with artistic expressions. These works are earth-friendly in the selection of materials and themes and include recycled, repurposed, and natural material. The Garden is located 5210 College Road on Stock Island, just over Cow Key Bridge and is open every day 10am – 4pm. Call 305-296-1504 or visit www.keywest.garden for directions and details. The Garden is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation and is publicly owned and operated as a passive, natural resource-based public outdoor recreational site. This event is sponsored by The Monroe County Tourist Development Council and The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. KEY WEST, Florida Keys – The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden continues its monthly Speaker Series at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in the Toppino Nature Chapel. The April speaker is Leigh Coolidge, Vice President of the Key West Orchid Society. His topic is: “To Save an Orchid”, a collaboration between the Orchid Society and the Key West Botanical Garden to conserve, preserve and protect Florida Keys’ native orchids.
Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members. All proceeds directly benefit the Garden’s conservation program. Be sure to come early for the Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m.-noon, offering 150 species of butterfly and bird-attracting native, rare and endangered plants propagated in the Garden’s Native Nursery. 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. Key West Artisan Market 'Ocean Awareness' Edition is April 14, 10 am to 2 pm at Clarence H. Higgs Memorial Beach, Key West. Reef Relief will be on hand to help educate guests on ways we can improve and protect our coral reef ecosystem. Their focus is on rigorous science to educate the public & advocacy toward policymakers to achieve conservation, protection, and coral reef restoration. Protecting our oceans is especially important to us in the Keys.
Enjoy bloody’s, mimosas along with a full bar, coffee, natural juices and cut fruit, multiple food trucks and stalls offering eat-here or take-away. Shop a curated outdoor market offering fine crafts, art and jewelry from talented Florida Keys makers. Stock your pantry and fridge with fresh produce, artisan cheeses, local seafood, honey, pickles and so much more. Listen to awesome musicians, support our featured charity and meet local authors. The market is conveniently located close to the Higgs Beach Dog Park, free West Martello Tower botanical gardens, Key West White Street Pier and of course, the alluring Atlantic ocean across the street at Higgs Beach. Open 10 am to 2 pm every other Sunday in season, by locals, for locals. The final show of the season is April 28 as we celebrate the Conch Republic Independence. Free entry, free parking. Please BYOB (bring your own bags) Organizers are pleased to announce that Will Kimbrough, a long-time collaborator of Jimmy Buffett and the co-writer of Buffett's last single release, "Bubbles Up," will be performing on the Friends of Jimmy stage during the first annual "It's 5 o'clock Key West" Festival on Labor Day weekend. The free show, scheduled to take place after the Second Line parade on September 1, will be held at the Truman Waterfront Park and will also showcase some of the Keys' best local singer-songwriters, including CW Colt, Zach Miller, Caffeine Carl, Mike Stack, and Howard Livingston performing original music and Jimmy Buffett covers.
Kimbrough and Buffett were both natives of Mobile, Alabama. The duo has been collaborating for the last 20 years, contributing 21 songs to the last seven Buffett albums. The soulful and poignant tune “Bubbles Up” is featured on Buffett’s posthumous album, "Equal Strain On All Parts." Apart from being an honorary member of the Coral Reefer Band, Kimbrough is a Nashville journeyman who frequently tours with Alabama, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. He is set to release a new solo album, “For the Life of Me.” Kimbrough expressed his anticipation to be part of this legacy celebration in Key West, where he and Jimmy often spent time creating at Shrimpboat Sound Studio on Lazy Way. “It was, and probably still is, Jimmy Buffett’s world; we just live in it,” Kimbrough remarked. Labor Day weekend in Key West will now forever be associated with the passing of the beloved Jimmy Buffett. The music legend died September 1, 2023, prompting locals, led by entrepreneur Paul Menta and community activist Jordan Upchurch, to organize a unique parade that attracted thousands of grieving fans. In honor of his memory, legacy, and cultural impact on the Conch Republic, the inaugural “It's 5 o'clock Key West” celebration aims to revive that parade, making it even grander and "the cleanest in the country" while introducing new events and activities for an entire weekend dedicated to Buffett and his devoted fans. The Second Line memorial parade will commence at 5 pm on lower Duval, Sunday, September 1, 2024, and will culminate at the Truman Waterfront Park. Attendees can expect a lively festival ambiance with vendor booths, photo opportunities, food, drinks, and live music on the Friends of Bubba stage. Special souvenir parade lanyards are available for a $30 tax-deductible donation, with all proceeds collected by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys for distribution to the Bahamas Village Music Program for youth and Reef Relief. Guests unable to physically attend the event in Key West are encouraged to participate virtually through a special link provided with their donation. Additional information can be found at www.its5oclockkeywest.com. Various activities are planned throughout the weekend, including walking tours, a margarita bar crawl, brunches, parties, and a variety of live music at different venues across the city. Each day will be themed to a specific Buffett song, offering attendees a range of free and ticketed options. Businesses interested in participating as event venues, sponsors, vendors, or suppliers are advised to contact the organizers at its5oclock@dailyplan-it.net or call Jill Snodgrass, Event Director, at 305.731.5780. |
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