In December, the Key West City Commission unanimously passed a resolution declaring December 25th as "Favorite Son of the Conch Republic Day" in memory of the late Jimmy Buffett. The proclamation, spearheaded by local enthusiast Paul Menta and endorsed by Mayor Teri Johnston, pays tribute to Buffett's profound influence on Key West's cultural fabric and economic prosperity. Recognizing Buffett's enduring legacy, which spans from his Island roots at Crazy Ophelia's, Howie's Lounge, the Chart Room, and Captain Tony's to his global impact through music and entrepreneurial ventures, the proclamation underscores his role in shaping Key West's laid-back lifestyle and promoting it to the world.
To commemorate Buffett's contributions as Key West's favorite son and pioneer of the Trop Rock movement, on Thursday the City Commission green-lighted a city-wide celebration of Jimmy's legacy to be held during Labor Day weekend. The events will take place from August 29th to September 2nd, 2024 and will include themed events, dinners, sailing excursions, tours, contests, and performances at various venues across the island, many of which hold sentimental significance for Buffett and his fans. The highlight of the week-end long extravaganza will be a lively walking 'second line' parade on Sunday, September 1 at 5pm, featuring a marching band procession along Duval Street. The parade will culminate at Truman Waterfront Park, where attendees will enjoy a free "friends of Jimmy" concert experience and festival activities. In true Parrot Head fashion, community engagement lies at the heart of “It's 5 o'clock Key West” endeavors. For a $30 donation, supporters will receive a commemorative souvenir Parade Pass. The proceeds will be managed by the nonprofit Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and distributed to the Bahama Village Music Program to inspire local young musicians and Reef Relief, stewards of our ocean environment, a cause important to Jimmy. The Sunday event will take place both in person and virtually. With the purchase of a lanyard, guests anywhere in the world can be a part of the festivities tuning in to watch the action unfold online while celebrating alongside at home. For local guests, the donation will offer access to special perks and offers from valued local partners. "We're thrilled to launch the inaugural It's 5 o'clock Key West celebration in honor of Jimmy Buffett, an icon beloved by locals and fans worldwide," expressed Menta. "We invite everyone to join us over Labor Day weekend for a memorable tribute to this extraordinary ambassador of the Conch Republic. Stay tuned for updates on the full lineup of events, charitable initiatives, and ways to get involved." For more information and updates on the It's 5 o'clock Key West celebration, visit www.its5oclockkeywest.com and https://www.facebook.com/Its5oclockkeywest
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November 21, 2023
Triangle landscaping project update: The contractor has been approved by FDOT to work from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. beginning Monday, November 27th. The permit extends through December 8th. Daytime traffic flows should not be affected. Mayor Teri Johnston, the City Commission, and Code Compliance Director Jim Young have awarded The Capitana Key West hotel the first monthly Keep Key West Beautiful Award.
The new award recognizes the exceptional efforts of businesses that have significantly improved their property. Each month, the Mayor and City Commission will be recognizing the business during their regular meeting. The beautifully done Capitana is located at 2401 North Roosevelt Blvd. General Manager Mark Vose accepted the award. 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. 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. 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. August 30, 2023 - It’s time to plan your float for the upcoming Key West Holiday Parade on December 2nd!
Floats can be of any length but must be maneuverable and no more than 15 feet wide and 12 feet high. Each entry requires monitors. The number of entries is limited to 55. Entry forms must be received by no later than Monday, November 21st at 4 p.m. The parade takes place on Saturday, December 2nd beginning at 7 p.m. at the corner of White Street and Truman Avenue. Applications and details are available on the City’s web site at http://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov under special events or you can call Maria at 305-809-3881. In advance of possible localized flooding from Tropical Storm Idalia, the City of Key West is adjusting bus service in the community on Tuesday and Wednesday August 29-30. The Lower Keys Shuttle, Workforce Express, and the Key West Rides transit service will modify its service to avoid streets that typically flood. Since the Duval Loop route mainly encompasses areas that are subject to flooding, all service will be suspended. The modifications are as listed: Lower Keys Shuttle Normal Hours 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Detours – (Inbound into Key West) Normal route until you reach Palm Ave. The bus will instead continue on North Roosevelt Blvd. to Truman Ave. making a right onto Simonton St., then making a left onto Caroline St. resuming the normal route. Work Force Express – Normal Hours 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., then 3:40 pm to 8:30 pm. (Inbound into Key West) Normal route until you are northbound on Whitehead St. Instead of entering Bahama Village at Petronia Street, the bus will make a right turn on Angela Street then making a right turn onto Simonton St proceeding to Truman Ave and making a left turn to resume the normal route. Key West Rides – Normal Hours 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Normal service; however, pick-up and drop-off stops will be adjusted to avoid flooded streets. Duval Loop –ALL SERVICE SUSPENDED The City of Key West is in a heightened state of monitoring as we remain under a tropical storm watch. Tropical Storm Idalia may further disrupt normal transit bus service operations. For more bus information, visit the City of Key West website at Key West Department of Transportation (KWDoT) | Key West, FL (cityofkeywest-fl.gov) or www.kwtransit.com. As summer continues to bring dangerously high heat to the Keys, the City of Key West wants to remind residents and visitors to be aware of signs of heat distress.
In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. In fact, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. For more information, visit www.ready.gov/heat. Remember: Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning. Older adults, children and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat. Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index. Pay attention to the warning issued by NOAA. When under an extreme heat warning, find air conditioning, avoid strenuous activities, drink plenty of fluids, and wear light clothing. Check on family members and neighbors, and never leave people or pets in a closed car. It’s also important to know the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond. Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs are a sign of heat cramps. Get to a cooler location and remove excess clothing. Sip cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. If the cramps last more than an hour, get medical help. Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting are clear signs of heat exhaustion. Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing and take a cool bath. Hydrate with cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour. Heat stroke is the most dangerous condition. Symptoms include high body temperature exceeding 103 degrees; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; and dizziness, confusion, or unconsciousness. With these symptoms, call 911 immediately and cool down the person’s body any way available until help arrives. Heat distress can sneak up suddenly with dire results. Please take precautions to ensure your safety. Mayor Teri Johnston last week represented Key West in Tampa on a panel at the first conference focused on the Florida LGBTQ tourism industry: the Florida Out Coast Convention (FLOCC).
She was joined on the panel by Visit Lauderdale CEO Stacy Ritter and Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada, along with representatives from the American Hospitality & Lodging Association Foundation, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, and the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. FLOCC is primarily educational and offers several opportunities for networking within Florida’s tourism and LGBTQ leadership community. FLOCC is designed to help communities and businesses better understand the specific needs and challenges around LGBTQ tourism topics. |
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