MARATHON, FL — The Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee will be hosting a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Marathon Government Center and via Zoom technology. The agenda will include a chair introduction by County Commissioner David Rice, an update on the status of prioritized projects currently provided to the Florida Department of Transportation by Transit Director Richard Clark, and a public question and commenting section. The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners created the committee in 2019 to research traffic issues and create formal recommendations for the governing bodies of the five municipalities and the county commissioners. The committee is made up of six officials, one from each municipality and one from the BOCC. State and regional transportation officials and city and county staff work with the committee to help make recommendations and answer questions. The committee will discuss enhancing public transportation, increasing intercounty trips for added convenience, promoting services to out-of-town visitors, and other ideas to be considered. Committee members include David Rice, Monroe County; Mary Lou Hoover, Key West; Brian Shea, Marathon; Tom Harding, Key Colony Beach; Bruce Halle, Layton; and Buddy Pinder, Islamorada. To see the agenda and Zoom information or learn more about the committee, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/transportation.
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Key West ghost stories and characters will be the topic for the Key West Art & Historical Society’s upcoming Distinguished Speakers Series talk, “They Only Follow Us At Night” with Key West native and folk artist Wayne Garcia on May 10. Tickets can be purchased by visiting kwahs.org/dss-garcia (Photo Credit: Wayne Garcia) April 22, 2024 – (KEY WEST, FL). On Friday, May 10, join folk artist, third generation Cuban American and Key West native Wayne Garcia as he presents a night of eerie storytelling spotlighting the island’s ghost stories as part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Distinguished Speaker Series. His talk entitled, “They Only Follow Us At Night” takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton Street.
During his presentation, Garcia will delight attendees with yarns of old Key West, his memories from growing up, and several of the island’s lesser-known ghost stories. His tales will be accompanied by his colorful woodcarvings and vintage photographs depicting the island’s incredible and idiosyncratic past. “The Society is delighted that Wayne has once again agreed to present an evening of Key West stories, using his striking artwork and the characters within as a visualization tool,” says Dr. Cori Convertito, curator for the Society. “Wayne deftly weaves together thoughtful yet lighthearted accounts of the people, the places, and the events that make us long for Old Key West, and I am eager to hear about the spirits that only come out at night.” The presenter, Wayne Garcia, is a third generation Cuban American and Key West native. He learned the techniques of carving on wood from watching legendary folk artists Mario Sanchez and Papito Suarez. Garcia’s delightful accounts of Key West’s past should not be missed. He literally and figuratively paints a picture of an island paradise rich in community and culture, validating all the reasons why many of us have chosen Key West as our home. To reserve tickets for the lecture; visit kwahs.org/dss-garcia - $12 for KWAHS members, $15 for non-members. This program 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, Aloys & Carol Metty, and the John & Marilyn Rintamaki Family Charitable Fund. For more information, contact Cori Convertito, Ph.D. at 305-295-6616 x507 or cconvertito@kwahs.org. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island. Key West Art & Historical Society Commemorative Brick Program Paves the Way for Preservation4/22/2024 The Key West Art & Historical Society has launched another round of its popular commemorative bricks campaign to support the ongoing preservation efforts of its Key West Museum of Art & History. Bricks are now available for purchase through www.kwahs.org/support. (Photo credit: Damali Phipps/Key West Art & Historical Society) April 22, 2024 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Art & Historical Society has announced it will be adding a limited number of personalized commemorative bricks along the southeast walkway adjacent to its Key West Museum of Art & History. Bricks are available for purchase for the remainder of the year with a projected installation date of June 2025.
Personalized bricks are the perfect way to celebrate your connection to Key West and to ensure that you, your business, a friend, a loved one, or even your pet will be memorialized in history. Funds from the brick campaign provide for the ongoing costs of safeguarding the Society’s architecturally significant museum building—a beacon of historic preservation and center for community engagement. Your $130 donation secures one commemorative brick which can accommodate up to three lines of text and can also be embellished with a selection of decorative symbols for an additional $25. To leave your legacy and help preserve Key West’s most historic structure, visit www.kwahs.org/support. Alternatively, you can contact the Society’s Membership Coordinator Kim Livingston at 305-295-6616, ext. 506 or klivingston@kwahs.org. The Key West Art & Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) organization under IRS guidelines and contributions may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for more details. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island. Join the History of Diving Museum, NAUI, and dive historians for Vintage Dive Weekend on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th!
Dive like Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt or Jacques Cousteau in Silent World. See what it takes to put a classic dress Navy Mark V diver in the water, or what it was like to be William Beebe, known as the “Father of Marine Biology”, using a Miller-Dunn helmet. These diving experiences and demonstrations will take place on Saturday, May 4th at Jules Undersea Lodge. Certified divers can choose a time slot between 10 AM and 3 PM. After an equipment orientation, participants will embark on a guided underwater tour in the lagoon. Divers, non-divers and land-lovers alike are also invited to watch as well as do photo ops while learning about this important history. If you are interested in experiencing vintage diving, reserve your dive on: DivingMuseum.org. Create your own underwater scene on Sunday, May 5th. For those that dive on Saturday with vintage double hose regulators, you can take the experience to the reef! Join NAUI and Silent World for an afternoon reef dive using the same vintage equipment. Contact Silent World to reserve your spot: 305-451-3252. 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 is open daily from 10AM-5PM and has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Visit “Salvaging the Deep” open May 15th through December 31st. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, or call (305) 664-9737. KEY WEST, Florida Keys – You could have hundreds of gallons of free water simply by collecting it! On Saturday, April 27th, at 1pm to 2 pm, the City of Key West, Monroe County Extension Service and Key West Botanical Gardens are conducting a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Botanical Garden on College Road on Stock Island as part of their shared Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration. Attendees will learn where to get barrels, how to build one, tips for where to put it, how to decorate it, and how to hook them up together. Participants that pre-register via the City’s Preserve Island Life Facebook Page can buy, build and bring home their own rain barrel that day. https://www.facebook.com/preserveislandlife/events/ During even a short, ½ inch rain, a 1000 sq. ft. of roof yields approximately 300 gallons of water. By collecting and storing this rainwater, you benefit by having a source of free irrigation, car washing, or boat washing water during times of drought. Also, this stored rainwater doesn’t contain chlorine, lime, or calcium. A rain barrel helps direct moisture away from building foundations. Storing rainwater also helps to reduce the amount of pollution running into our estuaries and ponds in the form of storm water runoff. Using non potable water for non-potable uses saves money on both your water and sewer bills too! Water Conservation Month is part of the City of Key West’s sustainability campaign, Preserve Island Life. To receive monthly eNewsletters covering this and future events, sign up for our eNewsletter via our Preserve Island Life facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/preserveislandlife KEY LARGO, FL — After a concerned citizen sent Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein a note of concern regarding a 'weird sinkhole' in the road in her neighborhood in Key Largo, Monroe County Roads and Bridges staff found quite an interesting culprit—an invasive iguana had tunneled underneath the asphalt to create a nesting area.
"After investigating the 'sinkhole,' we discovered iguanas have tunneled next to an old, abandoned culvert and found some soft sand where they were laying their eggs under the road," said crewmember Ron Havengar, who helped with the excavation. "We dug out the sand to a hard base, then compacted crushed lime rock in lifts, then paved over that. Only in Florida." In addition to Havengar, Francisco Palomares, Robert Biers, Dan Oliva, and Sean Martin were also a part of the iguana-gate crew. We appreciate our residents' keen eyes and taking the time to send a note of concern," said Upper Keys Roads and Bridges Administrator Kimberly Kelley. "We love special projects, especially ones with surprise endings." The Studios of Key West Presents King Tide by Michael Marrero on April 26 and 27 (Key West, FL) - On April 26 and 27 at 8 p.m., The Studios of Key West presents the next installment of its “First Look” staged reading series, which gives audiences an exclusive sneak peek into the realm of cutting-edge drama. Next up is King Tide by Michael Marrero, an innovative new play that offers a fresh slant on the complexities of climate change.
In a future where the climate crisis has left their hometown perpetually flooded, residents Ash and Ezra navigate survival with a blend of dark humor and stark reality, as they grapple with the choice of leaving or fighting for their submerged existence. The emotional conflict faced by Ash and Ezra as they contemplate abandoning their home or standing firm against rising waters strikes a chord in Key West, a place intimately familiar with the firsthand impacts of climate change. Michael Marrero is a Key West-born Cuban-American artist, filmmaker, and playwright. Though his works have garnered prestigious awards and international recognition, Marrero is deeply rooted in his hometown. His short films have been showcased in over 100 festivals worldwide and he is the author of several original plays. His play, Locura, was part of a historical theatrical exchange between Cuba and the United States. Recently his project, Orisha: The Lost Saints, was awarded a Knight Foundation Grant and officially selected to be exhibited at the 2021 Havana Biennial. King Tide entertains and prompts profound questions about our own community. Featuring a talented cast of local and visiting theater artists including Brandon Beach, Elena Devers, and Julio Trinidad, directed by Juliet Gray, the production is sure to stimulate meaningful conversations and leave a lasting impression. Don't miss your chance to experience King Tide. Tickets are available now through The Studios of Key West website. Visit www.tskw.org for more information and to secure your seats. MONROE COUNTY, FL – For the fourth consecutive year, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved Key West International Airport’s sponsorship of five Independence Day fireworks displays throughout the Florida Keys. Funds come from the airport’s enterprise revenue fund, comprised of passenger user fees explicitly earmarked for promotional activities. “This is something Key West International Airport took by the reigns after COVID when fundraising for local fireworks shows was on halt,” said Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein. “We appreciate this continued support of our Rotaries and Chambers in their annual funding and planning.” “We’re happy to continue this tradition on Independence Day for everyone throughout the Florida Keys,” said Richard Strickland, airport Executive Director. County airport-sponsored Independence Day event plans include (subject to change): Key West Since 1976, the Rotary Club of Key West has presented the Key West’s annual fireworks show. Staged from the Edward B. Knight Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where White Street meets Atlantic Avenue, fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on July 4. For information, visit keywestrotary.com. Monroe County-owned Higgs Beach is a great place to watch the display. Big Pine Key The Lower Keys Rotary Club will host Independence Day festivities on Wednesday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m. at Monroe County-owned Big Pine Community Park, mile marker 31. There will be vendors, food, beverages, games, family activities, and entertainment. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. Admission is free. No coolers, pets, or personal fireworks are allowed. Visit facebook.com/LowerKeysRotary for more information. Marathon A full day of beachside activities begins with a patriotic parade starting at 11 a.m., July 4, from Marathon High School to Sombrero Beach and fireworks starting at approximately 9 p.m. hosted by the City of Marathon and the Rotary Club of Marathon. US1 Radio 104.1 will play patriotic music along with the fireworks display. Boaters are encouraged to watch from the beach or even offshore of Sombrero Beach. Admission is free. Visit floridakeysmarathon.com for more information. Monroe County operates the Florida Keys Marathon Airport in Marathon. Islamorada The Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Village of Islamorada will co-host an Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, mile marker 87, starting at 5 p.m., Thursday, July 4. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Admission is free. Visit Islamorada.fl.us for more information. Key Largo The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual July 4 parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at mile marker 98.2. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the annual bayfront Blackwater Sound fireworks celebration will be at Monroe County-owned Rowell’s Waterfront Park, mile marker 104.5. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit web.keylargochamber.org/events for more details. **Monroe County Fire Rescue reminds residents and visitors to leave fireworks to the professionals. 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. Duval Square’s Jag Gallery welcomes the return of Key West’s most recognized potter and painter, Adam Russel, for an exhibit of vibrant, new work of paintings and collage. Well known as half of the inspired duo behind Key West Pottery founded in 2009 with creative partner and wife Kelly Lever, Adam began his artistic journey as a painter and once again returns to his roots with an exciting and bold new body of work which he says “is very bright and graphic, this group is stripped down and minimal…a unique challenge, inspirational and fun.”
GOOD MEDICINE opens on Thursday April 25th with a gallery reception to meet the artist from 5:30-7:30 which is free and open to the public. The exhibit continues through May 12th. Considered a top destination for fine contemporary art, offering carefully curated exhibits of work by prominent artists 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, Monday’s by appointment. For additional information call 305.407.6202 or email jaggallerykw@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. |
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