ADA Assistance: Anyone needing special assistance at the City Council hearing due to disability should contact the City of Marathon at (305) 289-5020 at least two days prior thereto. Please contact the City Clerk at clavierd@ci.marathon.fl.us if you would like to receive any of the items on the agenda by email.

All Keys Glass

April 1, 2011 - Marathon - City Jobs Posted. A new Job Posting now appears on our site. Please click on the link below to go directly to the new posting. http://marathonflorida.org/Jobs.aspx?JobID=103 for part-time scanner/file clerk. Publisher: Who is creating jobs in Marathon deep in continuing recession? The City of Marathon. Go city, go city!

Bubbas BBQ & Grill

April 2, 2011 - Marathon - American Legion Post 154: Fish Tourney.

Duncan Auto Mall

March 31, 2011 - Florida Keys - provided by Jeri Sears: Save-A-Turtle Meeting * APRIL 4th, 2011 * 7:30 P.M. AT THE TURTLE HOSPITAL

Robert Keeley, Save-A-Turtle member and with Team OCEAN, Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary ,will show a film “BAG IT” that examines our society’s use and abuse of plastic. Did you know that the average American uses about 500 Plastic Bags each year for an average of 12 minutes before they are discarded? Did you know that Americans use 60,000 plastic bags every five minutes, disposable bags that they throw away without much thought? Where do the bags and other plastics end up, and at what cost to the environment, marine life and human health will be discussed.

If you have any questions or would like to join Save-A-Turtle, please visit
our website at www.save-a-turtle.org. Everyone is welcome to come to our monthly meetings. They are the first Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon. If you have any further questions please call Rick Sall at (305) 743-9629.

Save-A-Turtle, Inc. of the Florida Keys is a volunteer non-profit
organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of rare and
endangered marine turtles and to the enhancement of their habitats here in the Keys and throughout the world.

Total Repair Services Co. This company specializes in all things computers. Their particular specialty is building computers from scratch tailored to your budget. Building computers this way gets your more computer for the buck. From intense gaming to high quality business machines, a computer made just for you and your needs surpasses the Dells and the HPs. And you do not have to worry about warranties and customer services; that is built in during the building phase.

April 4, 2011 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: FDOT is a four-letter word, although recently they might actually be listening. No, I doubt it. We have been down this “road” before. They provide just enough customer service to get our local leaders out of their hair, if they have hair. FDOT I mean.

FDOT is the Florida Department of Tepidation. That is fancy for they know how to say no way better than finding a yes answer. Actually, tepidation should be transportation, but I like my version better. I kind of like the Florida Department of No too.

FDOT simply does not listen to us. During their arduous five-year process to get anything done, FDOT pretends to take input via letters, email, recording, and maybe twitter, who knows. Naw, FDOT on twitter, think about it.

So their input process is supposedly intact, but FDOT does not know who are the bosses and taxpayers. Customer Service is non-existent. FDOT is married to the book-way of doing business. If it isn’t by the so-called book, you cannot do it.

Aviation Boulevard and US1, our current death trap, has yet to get the solution required -- a traffic light. Landscaping US1, absolutely no patience for what Marathoners want. Old Seven-Mile Bridge one of the best tourist attracters for Marathon is on again off again. Can’t they make up our mind? No, they do not listen to us. Frankly, FDOT offices across the hall from each other do not communicate or even know each other.

Sombrero Beach Road, boy, did we get lucky there. We pretty much got what we wanted, but not without excruciating, painful constant haranguing FDOT. Hey, how about those super freeway lighting strung up and down Marathon proper? We want to at least soften the lighting so people can see businesses along US1 and stop, shop, and stay.

Now, after wastewater/stormwater projects that are finally coming to completion very soon, FDOT wants to add two more years to our dusty suffering. Is it any wonder that 3,000 people have left for saner locations up north?

FDOT is not listening even though their procedures require intensive input. What will it take for FDOT to serve us instead of serving us up to absolutely nothing that we want?

There is one way to get FDOT’s attention, if all 9,000 of us remaining, saturate all their incoming communications media with complaints. Why can’t FDOT just listen to their customers?

Firefighters Local 4396

April 7, 2011 - Florida Keys - Anonymous Florida Keys Source: I do not reside on Marathon, but what you say applies throughout the Keys. Publisher: I don't normally quote reliable source information, but this one is too important and used with permission.

Mr. Shaffer--You struck a chord with me when you asked the question [above]. Please bear with me here while I vent. I have had to deal with our local FDOT office on numerous occasions via my volunteer work and I have, after well over a decade of doing free work (with various non-profits), finally given up out of total frustration.

The simple answer is: Because FDOT refuses to acknowledge that the citizens are their employers which should cause them to seriously consider our input, recommendations, and requests -- sometimes it's all good and useful, and other times not so to the extreme, but as 'public servants' they should always consider it all.

FDOT has a bigger budget than most any dept in the State system and they could care less about obligations to the public. The local maintenance and project supervisor is hamstrung to do what is the best for our area even when she fully understands and wants to; to keep her job she is forced to do the bidding of high-ups who don't give a hoot about any local area (maybe they do their own, who knows?), while juggling the input of us locals, patronizing us with nice talk/doing lip-service, but never actually accomplishing much that counts over the long haul re local issues.

We are small potatoes and don't really count in this state: we have a very small, and even shrinking, population, but we also have a relatively assured and definitely significant stream of tourism regardless of what us locals think or do -- all very different from any other part of FL.

Like I said, I have given up on them. (Here's just one example of many issues which cause my frustration: they rarely will pick up trash dumped on right-of-way, even upon request by residents, unless it is directly on pavement and interfering with traffic. And once, a few years ago, vegetation trash was dumped in a turn lane and did not get picked up for a week until someone called about it. To be fair, I think this situation has improved a little.)

Thanks for listening,
Anonymous Source

All Keys Computers

April 4, 2011 - FL Keys - Waterfront Theatre: NEW CENTURY Opens Tomorrow, Tue, April 5th At The WFPH

The outrageous comedy THE NEW CENTURY opens for 10 performances only, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 5th. Written by the master of one-liners Paul Rudnick (Jeffrey, Regrets Only and the movie, In and Out) and directed by Carbonell Award-winner Rich Simone. It features a fabulous cast: Linda Bernhard,* Rhett Kalman,* Maggie Meier, Annie Miners and Danny Weathers.* *Member of Actors' Equity Association

THE NEW CENTURY is a laugh-out loud collection of four one-act plays. As The New York Times raved, "The one-liners fly like rockets in [this] rollicking play...Building on time-honored traditions within gay and Jewish humor, Mr. Rudnick turns stereotypes into bullet-deflecting armor and jokes into an inexhaustible supply of ammunition."

Sponsored by:
Opening night party sponsored by Kathy and Tom Cawley and Charlie Allen.

You'll shriek with laughter!
Audience Advisory: Adult Language and Brief Nudity.
Please note there are no performances the week of April 10 to 18.

Check out the Friday Night Date special, which is 2 tickets for $60, a savings of $20.

Season sponsors of the Waterfront include Comcast, Digital Island Media, El Meson de Pepe's and WKWM/WLRN.

This production is sponsored in part by the Monroe Tourist Development Council, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Box Office
Phone: 305-294-5015
Theater Fax
305-294-0398

Firefighters Local 4396

April 6, 2011 - Marathon - L. E. Shaffer: We Cannot Tolerate Inappropriate Behavior Regardless of Other Factors. Be Very Careful of our Deputy Sheriffs. Prepare all your legal paperwork so that only a trusted family member may make decisions should that be necessary. Otherwise, a few friends and a young deputy sheriff can Baker Act even you.

If you know that you are being Baker Acted and understand, then you are not eligible to be Baker Acted. Not being notified is entrapment. Don’t believe anything the deputy sheriffs tell you; get a lawyer; insist on a warrant.

If the deputy sheriffs show up at your door, do not open the door. If the deputy sheriffs do not holler “Sheriff’s Department” and knock loudly on the door, do not open the door, and you are entitled under Florida’s “Castle Doctrine” to be armed, especially if you have a Concealed Weapons Permit.

Do not open or unlock your door, unless a real warrant is presented. Do not step out of your home let alone unlock your door. Regardless, call your lawyer as soon as possible. Do not talk to any law enforcement especially our local sheriff’s Marathon substation. Everything you say will be used and often be paraphrased to win a court case. They will not protect your rights.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Before any jury of your peers, local newspapers will present your story in a funny way and convict you. Local newspapers do not ensure that innocent until proven guilty is primary in every article. On top of that, your mug shot is blasted all over the Internet regardless of the fact that you are innocent until proven guilty. Being arrested is no joke. The local jail is not a nice place. You have been convicted before you have even entered a plea of not guilty. The fact that you are innocent clear up to a jury saying you are guilty is a joke to the local newspapers and the cops.

Deputy Sheriffs are flawed, regular people who make mistakes more often than not. Do not do anything until your lawyer arrives. Look at Internal Affairs positive hit list if you believe it, and you can see that deputy sheriffs do not behave morally or legally all the time. I know they should be our heroes, but my recent experiences do not bear that out. For the most part, except for some deputies and inappropriate behavior, I still want to trust our local law enforcement.

Even though I was coming down off a prescribed adverse reactive medication, I was still dragged out of my home, my legal weapon confiscated and yet to be returned so that I can send it to my oldest adult son whom I promised this target pistol.

I was slammed to the ground, handcuffed, and taken to the Guidance Clinic Psych Ward against my will or consent and without cause as listed in Florida’s statute.

Looking back on it all, I still was trying to be the nice guy like I have been all my life. Getting along to go along. Going along to get along – both are true. Think about it.

Just like I make out Marathon City Councilpersons to be more interesting than they really are. We are just human like all the rest of us. I consented to blood tests to confirm that I was NOT Hepatitis A, B, C, HIV, STDs positive, because I thought it fair to do so for one of the deputies that abused me.

I still tried to be fair to the deputies even though the Ride-A-Long request was denied because I was temporarily in handcuffs and according to Captain Scibilia cannot sit up front with any of his deputies. Like I am a danger to any of his deputies. He ignored the fact that I was innocent, not charge, and never adjudicated mentally incompetent.

Mind you, I was never charged with anything and never adjudicated mentally incompetent and the like, simply because I wasn’t. The old blue wall has suddenly come up. It is so unfair, when I endeavored to be nothing but fair.

I was traumatized so much that I have panic attacks when I see cop cars, uniformed deputies, or even see their logo. I wanted to get back on that horse, so I could try to stop being afraid and to advocate for the sheriff’s department. But no, innocence is not valued.

Captain Scibilia made up a new policy to keep me from their ride-a-long program one reliable source reported. As an innocent person temporarily in handcuffs, I can no longer sit up front with any of his deputies. How did it come to this? We were supposedly friends. How quickly things change, huh.

The worst trauma was not being forced into “soft restraints” bleeding all over the deputies because they cut me. The worst trauma that night of February 15^th was something that I did not want to tell anyone not because of any shame but under the misguided notion that Captain Scibilia could handle it all by himself not Internal Affairs.

I would have left it at that, except someone must man up and call a spade a spade. So such conduct will never happen again. I would go to Internal Affairs except Captain Don Hiller is part of this traumatic event along with Lt. Thompson.

Why was the head of Marathon Internal Affairs following me in his car on Seven-Mile Bridge and pulled me over just inside Marathon? People want to know about that strangeness. I have several reports that I was not weaving over any of the painted lines demarking the lane.

Don Hiller supposedly reported in police reports that acquaintances of his were afraid of me and concerned for my welfare. Who do I know that are people associated with Hiller? None. This was started by this man as pay back. I checked out acquaintances later through several reliable sources. I hate to think that idiotic politics play a part in this nonsense. That’s the way it appears though.

I would use my lawyer but that might not keep this from happening again. I know what I must do to protect others in similar situations. I have to use the resources best available to me, and that is my skill at research, sourcing information, and writing the Paul Harvey, Page Two stuff.

Deputy Thomas Hill, Deputy Bean, Deputy Slough, Deputy Minor, and Deputy Martin-Reyes were all part of this as well. They needed all these men to take down a 60-year-old totally disabled by severe fibromyalgia military veteran. I made no threats verbally or by body language.

Still, I was driven to the Guidance Clinic Psych Ward. Forced roughly into a wheelchair and taken to a room with a bed that had four-point so-called soft restraints.

There was a camera in the upper right-hand corner; so there is video. There were two nurses there, and they saved me later from more humiliation at the hands of Tom Hill and Deputy Bean.

Hill and Bean were behind me. They were supposedly assisting the two nurses. Sources refute that.

One of the deputies hollered “string” and cut my underwear off and pulled them off painfully. Here I am restrained by four limbs, 60-years old disabled military veteran, and they remain rough, laughing, and sniggering behind me. Then one of the deputies hollered “wire”, but one of the nurses stopped him before that.

The unreported sexual trauma was committed by both officers. I saw two different sets of hands. The police report identifies who was who and where they were.

When my dangerous underwear was cut off and rudely removed, I got touched on my genitals twice on purpose. Seeing me in my altogether and laughing, I was inappropriately touched there again, and the touch lingered manipulating the piercings.

Why they removed their hands is because the nurse stopped them, they touched my privates again lingering on the way out. I was crying at the injustice and trauma, but nothing I could do or say to stop it.

I know beyond any doubt that Hill and Bean were fondling me on purpose to cause more harm in sexual trauma. A glancing touch is inexcusable. What did they need their hands down there anyway?

Thank God, the nurse called them off. Video recordings and two nurse witnesses back up what actually happened. While denial is expected, these two men need training on how NOT to sexual abuse a person half-naked in soft restraints.

Could it have been unintentional? No, not three times that I was touched beyond a glancing blow. I do not know what they were thinking, but this kind of thing cannot stand the light of day. No one else should suffer inappropriate conduct like this, and, hopefully this article does that.

The two culprits are Tom Hill and Deputy Bean. I don’t know what possessed them to conduct themselves that way. I know the inappropriate fondling was real and not accidental. I could hear the laughing. No one else should have to go through something like this ever again. Shining the light on it should ensure such situations are handled in a safe, calm, professional manner. Any reported sexual deviance should be reported and the deputy fired permanently.

Bubbas BBQ & Grill

April 8, 2011 - Marathon - Jeri Sears: Notes from the April 7, 2011 Near Shore Waters Committee meeting. The following information is from my personal notes and I do not claim them to be correct.

1.  Our newest member - Charles Badoian was welcomed

2.  Topics for the April 12Th Council report were amended and accepted

3.  Rich Jones reported that the FWCC Stakeholders Meetings for the Pilot Program Ordinance will be  held June 7 - 8 - 9.  The June 8th meeting will be held in Marathon at the BOCC meeting room from 6:00-8:00 PM

4.  The Pilot Program Ordinance was discussed

5.  In lieu of a June NSWC meeting the members will attend the Stakeholders meeting

6.  Rich Jones was congratulated on being named Monroe County Employee of the Year

7.  Bennett Orr thanked everyone that helped a the Seafood Festival 

8.  The next NSWC meeting will be held May 5, 2011 at 6:00PM at the Marathon Fire Station.

Sincerely, Jeri Sears [Jeri is the good one in the photo]

Gemini Printing

April 6, 2011 - Florida Keys - Brittany Elder: STUDY TSIC OUTPERFORMS IN ALL PRACTICE AREAS. TSIC equals Take Stock in Children

Media Contact:

Michael Goodman/Brittany Elder

Bitner Goodman

954-730-7730, ext. 105, 122

michael@bitnergoodman.com

MIAMI, FL (April 5, 2011) – Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit organization with a 16 year history of helping low-income and at-risk youth break the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope, has shined as a greatly successful program in a recent report from the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA).

As a special division of the Florida Legislature that examines agencies to improve services and cut costs, OPPAGA recently studied the effectiveness of all mentoring programs currently funded by the state of Florida. OPPAGA examined the specific outcomes of attendance rates, grade promotion, conduct and behavior, as well as reading and math FCAT scores.

To evaluate the performance of Take Stock in Children and other mentoring programs, OPPAGA used Department of Education data to construct a comparison group for each program’s outcomes.  The comparison groups were selected to have similar prior outcome performance, demographic characteristics, and levels of school quality (as measured by school grade). The OPPAGA study found that Take Stock in Children outperformed peers in all seven performance areas examined.

Take Stock in Children’s results as they relate to their comparison group are as follows: 11 percent chronic absences (21 or more days) compared to 13 percent; 15 percent discipline incidents compared to 23 percent; 56 percent reading at grade level (FCAT) compared to 49 percent; 86 percent performing math at grade level (FCAT) compared to 76 percent; 97 percent grade promotion compared to 91 percent; 94 percent high school completion compared to 71 percent; and 69 percent higher education participation compared to 45 percent.

“We are very pleased and proud that the results found in the recent OPPAGA report further support our claim that Take Stock in Children is a significant contributor to educational reform and student success in the state of Florida,” says Richard Berkowitz, State Board Chair of Take Stock in Children. “Our innovative program has a unique public and private partnership in which every private dollar donated is matched by the state, and this distinguishes our organization from any other statewide mentoring program.”

A role model organization, Take Stock in Children identifies thousands of students in middle and high school to sign a contract pledging to remain drug and crime free, as well as maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or greater. Students in the program are also required to spend at least one hour per week with mentors who provide encouragement, guidance and support. All students that fulfill these obligations and successfully complete the program then receive full scholarships to a state college or university. Take Stock in Children currently serves nearly 8,000 low-income and minority students annually throughout 67 counties in Florida, and is the largest non-profit purchaser of Florida Prepaid Foundation Scholarships.

Take Stock in Children’s success also contributes to the economic viability of our communities. High school graduates contribute 46 percent more in taxes, have longer lives with less public health dependency, are eight times less likely to be imprisoned, and are three times more likely to be employed and not dependent on government assistance. The total benefit to the State of Florida is estimated to be $300,000 over a lifetime. The total cost to support a graduate in the program over a six year period is approximately $18,000; therefore providing more than 1,600 percent return on investment.

To learn more about Take Stock in Children or to become a valued mentor or supporter, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.

About Take Stock in Children

Take Stock in Children is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with a solid 16 year history of providing mentors, educational scholarships and hope for Florida’s low-income and at-risk youth. The organization has provided educational support and college scholarships for over 17,000 children in partnership with more than 800 public schools throughout 67 counties in Florida. It is the only scholarship mentoring program with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education, and has attained a high school graduation rate of 92 percent in Florida (as compared to Florida’s average graduation rate of 76%). The program’s multi-year commitment to students and their comprehensive program services begin in middle school and continue through high school graduation and into college.  Special emphasis is placed on student accountability and specific measurable outcomes. Take Stock in Children students pledge to meet with their assigned mentor once a week, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and remain drug and crime free.  Upon successful high school graduation, as a fulfillment of their contractual agreement, students are then awarded a college scholarship to any college, university or vocational school in the state of Florida. To learn more about Take Stock in Children, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.

Duncan Auto Mall

April 4, 2011- Florida Keys - Adrienne: Singer Songwriter and Boston Music Awards nominee, Adrienne, has a busy weekend of performances up and down the Keys. Friday night you can find her in Marathon at Boatmans Sombrero Resort on Sombrero Blvd. starting at 7:30pm, Saturday she'll be at Geiger Key Marina and Smokehouse, in Big Coppitt starting at 5pm, Sunday she's on stage at Founders Park in Islamorada for the original music festival Bay Jam 17 during the day at 1:40 pm, Sunday night she'll be at Toms Harbourhouse at Hawks Cay Resort starting at 7pm, and Monday night she'll be back down the keys in Key West performing at Ibis Bay Waterfront Resort from 6-10pm. 

Adrienne's music is currently on full rotation here in the Keys on Clear Channels Key-Z FM's 93.5 in Key West and 96.9 in the upper Keys to South Miami and she performs her original music mixing it with a variety of musical styles from classic rock songs by Heart, Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac to more upbeat contemporary rock by Jason Mraz, Sheryl Crow and Ingrid Michaelson.
--
Adrienne
Buy music, check show schedule, join E-Mail list, become a fan, watch videos!
http://www.adriennemusic.com

My YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/AdriennesMusic?feature=mhum

Friend me on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/adriennemuz

Sun Motors - Go Carts Watched go-cart racing between a father and son tourist team today at Sun Motors Marathon Florida Keys. I want to go go-carting myself badly, but I need an excuse to invite some member of my unsuspecting family to come with me. I wonder how slow one can go before the person you invite to race you goes ballistic? Yes, I know this is a Journal advertiser, but I like go-cart racing.

April 2, 2011 - Florida Keys - Waterfront Theatre: Captain Bob's Fish Fry April 9th 7 PM "The Best Professional Theater in Florida" FLORIDA MONTHLY MAGAZINE, 2010

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

Firefighters Local 4396

April 7, 2011 - Key West - Waterfront Theatre: Howard Livingston @ San Carlos April 12th.

All Keys Glass

April 15, 2011 - USA - provided by Kathy Zens: Letter from an Unhappy Camper.
Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming , Co-Chair of Obama's deficit
commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he
compared "Social Security" to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.
August, 2010.

Here's a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana ...
I think he is a little ticked off! He also tells it like it is!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey Alan, let's get a few things straight..

1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY
YEARS.

2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15
years old. I am now 63).

3 My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other
Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for
decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give
OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus
bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme
that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.

4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown , you and your ilk pulled the
proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing
retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to
age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the
goalposts YET AGAIN.

5 I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare
from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the
game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy
to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay
the bills.

6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our
entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why?
Because you incompetent bastards spent our money so profligately that
you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come
to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.

To add insult to injury, you label us "greedy" for calling "bullshit" on
your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullshit, I have a few questions for
YOU.

1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during
your pathetic 50-year political career?

2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and
how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the
American taxpayers?

3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?

4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you
proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or, as usual,
have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?

It is you, Captain Bullshit, and your political co-conspirators called
Congress who are the "greedy" ones. It is you and your fellow nutcases
who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from
millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers. And for what? Votes. That's right,
sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of
advancing your pathetic political careers. You know it, we know it, and
you know that we know it.

Marathon Cleaners

April 2, 2011 - FL KEYS - Kelly Grinter: Wild Bird Center Hosting Fundraiser Sweet Raptors Sat, April 16th.
To: Media
From: Marathon Wild Bird Center
Contact: Kelly Grinter, Executive Director
Phone: (305)743-8382
Email: kgrinter68@gmail.com
Date: April 1, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --

The Marathon Wild Bird Center will be hosting a fundraiser, "Sweet Raptors", on Saturday, April 16th.

Meet some of our educational raptors and their handlers at a reception by the bay at Crane Point, mile marker 50. Tickets are available at the entrance only -- $15.00 each or 2/$25.00.

Walk or ride our complimentary shuttle through the hammock to the event. Gate opens at 5:00 pm, event is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Admission includes your choice of beverage and dessert -- cheesecake, cookies, wine, coffee and water. Also included will be a 50/50 raffle, opportunities to have your photo taken with one of our raptors, and our famous Treasure Table.

Local avian photographer Christina R. Celano will be displaying beautiful, larger than life sized images of her work and providing a giclee portrait to be raffled, a $700.00 value. Each attendee will receive a complimentary print of "Red Tail Hawk" by local artist Paula Cannon. All proceeds to benefit the birds! For more information, call the Marathon Wild Bird Center at (305)743-8382.

According to Walter J. Dix, 12th District Field Service Representative for the IAFF, no reason for the suspension was given in the letter to Abad but he was told it was because of what he wrote. The city has opposed the unionization of its fire fighters who are awaiting certification from the Florida Public Employment Relations Commission. Meanwhile, the IAFF is fighting the city’s decision to suspend Abad.

The Marathon Fire Department has a total of 16 employees, including 12 fire fighters/paramedics. Paid fire fighters are supplemented with volunteer fire fighters on certain calls.

Abad’s suspension comes just weeks after Plantation, FL Local 4430 President Jeffery Poole was wrongfully terminated from his job for forming a labor union and filing a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuit against that city. The IAFF is providing legal representation for Poole.

LGM Swiveler Flag Poles

April 20, 2011 - Florida Keys - Gary Roberts Last Resort Ministry: Jesus - The Name - The Wonder of It All.
Say the name – Jesus – and you are practically guaranteed a reaction – positive or negative - but seldom indifference. Why is that I wonder – and I really mean – I wonder. Other names that are associated with the different beliefs all over the world will never get a similar response as the name – Jesus. Why is that - I wonder? I wonder why it is that someone no one today ever met and who lived 2,000 years ago can cause such responses. Maybe it is because he really is God. Millions and millions before me have come to this conclusion and millions more in this world today believes this. Could so many be so wrong? I wonder.

I wonder why he said that no one will see heaven unless they believe that he is the only way there. Could this be the reason that so many react to the name – Jesus – so negatively. Do people feel this way because they don’t want to be told that there is only one truth – I wonder. I wonder if some don’t believe in truth at all. Is everything relative to what is happening today and tomorrow it can be totally different? I wonder.

I wonder why so many died believing that Jesus is God. Almost all of his closest followers were executed in a most heinous manner. Were they wrong – did they die for a lie? I wonder why so many today and for the past 2,000 years have died a martyr’s death instead of denying that Jesus is God. Were they wrong too? I wonder.

These are just a few of my wonders. But the greatest wonder of it all is -- that Jesus loves me! He loves you too and of that I do not wonder. It’s a simple matter to accept his love as shown by the cross and ask him for his forgiveness. The cross brought reconciliation between God and man. His words while on the cross: “Forgive them - for they know not what they do.” Oh, there’s a lot more to it than just this, but let’s start here today and let Jesus lead us in the truth the rest of our natural lives. He then can usher us into heaven. This earthy body will breathe its last. And that will happen 100% of the time and that’s the truth. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead gives us promise of life after death -forever and ever.

Would you like to experience this wonder? Join the multitude at Sombrero Beach in Marathon on Easter morning for a Sunrise Service at 6:30. See you there and – We’ll wonder about it all together! Have a Blessed Resurrection Day !!!

Gary L Roberts
The Last Resort Ministry

Total Repair Services Co. This company specializes in all things computers. Their particular specialty is building computers from scratch tailored to your budget. Building computers this way gets your more computer for the buck. From intense gaming to high quality business machines, a computer made just for you and your needs surpasses the Dells and the HPs. And you do not have to worry about warranties and customer services; that is built in during the building phase.

Marathon Cleaners is the business I like for cleaning clothes, pressing shirts, and even dry cleaning. The laundry shop is another one of those community meeting places in groups of 2, 3, or even 5 throughout the day. If you got to get it cleaned quickly and expertly, go to Marathon Cleaners right next to Kandios on the corner of US1 and 91st Street.

April 25, 2011 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: Monroe County Florida Keys Commissioner David Rice and I met last Thursday at Leigh Ann’s Coffee House in Key Colony Beach. He is on his second four-year term, but not consecutively. Commissioner Mario DiGennaro had four years between Rice’s two terms.

I asked Commissioner Rice what was his number one concern that day. His top concern was Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] and downstairs enclosures. I jokingly said that FEMA and Florida Department of Transportation [FDOT] were about the same here in Marathon, non-cooperative, unwilling to compromise, and unable to listen reasonably. Rice said that he and his fellow commissioners are working hard on issues like this daily. It is like never taking “no” for an answer, I think. Maybe that will work on FDOT. Naw, who am I kidding?

David Rice is not afraid to tackle the difficult subject of Monroe County’s budget. This is an ongoing process looking at every level of expense. Most all city governments and local agencies are struggling with less revenue and trying to maintain high-quality services. We can feel safe that Commissioner Rice and his fellow commissioners are dedicated to mitigate the county budget in these trying times.

We discussed the bidding process and selection of countywide animal shelter services. Safe Harbor Animal Rescue of the Keys [SHARK] is the organization that was awarded the Marathon and Big Pine Key area. Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [FKSPCA] remains as the Key West animal shelter services provider. Commissioner Rice was sure that after all the public input, vetting, and bidding processes were completed that Monroe County would be served well by those successful bidders. We agreed that every area has its own needs and resident expectations.

Breaking News: 4.23.2011 Florida Keys Keynoter reports that SHARK was awarded the contract for both Marathon and Big Pine Key, while FKSPCA remains in Key West. Keynoter reporter Ryan McCarthy wrote, “Public Works staff negotiated the deal with Safe Harbor after it was unable to convince the SPCA, which covers from Key West to mile marker 16 (and the Middle Keys as an interim provider), to lower its $133,000 bid to cover from mile marker 16 through Big Pine Key only.” Here is the full story courtesy of the Florida Keys Keynoter - http://www.keysnet.com/2011/04/23/332182/as-expected-safe-harbor-gets-animals.html. As always links do not last forever, so go look at the Keynoter article soon.

Stormwater and wastewater concerns are still the 800-pound gorilla in the room so to speak. Marathon got it right costing its residents the least amount per capita, while Islamorada delayed the inevitable, costing residents there more in the end. David Rice reported that funding is critical even for those farther along the process like Marathon. He is worried about the entire county and trying to find federal and state funding as promised way back when.

The idea of a US1 Toll Road is one possible funding source for wastewater projects. The easiest way to make this work is using the automatic www.SunPass.com system that charges each vehicle via a transponder or photograph of the license plate. Commissioner Rice mentioned how difficult this idea could be to implement even after successful public input, referendum, and legislative action. I got the sense that Rice was open to all possible funding ideas. He definitely wanted public input for guidance.

The last discussion item is dear to both of us. We are both Mental Health Care advocates. David Rice’s perspective added to my research data that I continue to accumulate. Our discussion included my opinion with David Rice educating me.

Mental health care like depression is equal to physical health care like a broken-leg. Most communities have the normal Emergency Room [ER] handling emergencies and urgent physical health care. Many communities are putting mental health care ERs in place. Where is Marathon’s mental health care ER? The Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys [GCMK] is that ER. Comparing Miami VA mental health care ER to GCMK’s mental health care ER shows highly qualified staff, nurses, and psychiatrists. The difference per bed is funding, resources, and patient advocacy.

The GCMK does an outstanding job even through the lack of funding, resources, and patient advocacy required to serve Monroe County. Commissioner Rice and I advocate quality mental health care services to all levels of government - federal, state, county, and city. Marathon City Council and Monroe County Commission must become mental health care advocates as well.

County taxing authorities first want to cut funding and resources to mental health care services. We can ill afford such cuts. We actually need to fund and resource our local clinics back to the high quality levels that all residents expect.

Finally, I was impressed by Commissioner Rice’s acumen and dedication to all county residents.

LGM Swiveler Flag Poles is a specialty business making hardware to display all your pennants, flags, and banners. You get personalized service and high quality flag pole hardware. Great for boats.

April 25, 2011 - Florida Keys - Jessica Mintz: Forgotten Felines. Did you know that in 7 years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats? A cat can become pregnant as early as 6 months of age and can have up to 4 litters per year with an average of 2-10 kittens per litter. So, if you do the math you will understand why there are so many homeless, stray and feral cats. Especially in the Florida Keys we see a large number of these felines. Forgotten Felines mission is to address this ever-increasing need for low-cost feline spay/neuter services in the Florida Keys and to stabilize and reduce the number of the stray, feral and abandoned cats by offering a TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) program, to assist with low cost feline spay/neuters and provide care for feral cat colonies. We are a 501 (c ) non-profit organization and solely rely on donations and sales of our Purr-Fect Thrift Store located across the City Park in Marathon. Currently, we are taking care of 33+ feral cat colonies and feed 500 stray and feral cats in the Middle & Lower Keys daily. Since we do not have a shelter we always depend on our volunteers and foster homes and with kitten season being here we are in even more desperate need of cat foster homes. We provide our foster homes with everything they need like food, litter, toys and medications and all our foster homes provide in return is TLC until the foster cats are placed into forever homes. It is very rewarding to be a foster home and to know that you have saved a cat and no previous cat fostering experience is needed.

If you are not able to become a cat foster home at this time but able to be a volunteer, we have several volunteer opportunities available depending on your availability and interest. For example, our Purr-Fect Thrift store is always in need of people to help cover the store and/or to help re-arrange furniture and other items we have up for sale. If you are able to dedicate some of your busy time in the evenings, we are always looking for trappers.

We are also always in need of cat food, gift-cards for pet stores like Petco and Petsmart, cleaning supplies, towels/bedspreads, etc.

Please, visit our website at www.keysforgottenfelines.org for more information about our wonderful organization or email us at keysforgottenfelines@live.com if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or foster home or would like to make a donation. Please – feed and spay a stray of the Florida Keys.

April 15, 2011 - Florida Keys - provided by David Purdo: Matecumbe Historical Trust April 25th Lecture.
 

LGM Swiveler Flag Poles

April 27, 2011 - Marathon - Chris Bull: Tennis Team Snags 3 Trophies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT CHRIS BULL 305 731 3082 

MARATHON'S TROPICAL TENNIS ACADEMY ELITE TEAM SNAGS 3 TROPHIES IN KENDALL

The first tournament of the season saw every player from Marathon win at least one match and three come home with trophies.  Players are coming off from the MHS Tennis season, training at Tropical Tennis Academy at Wonderlin Tennis and play in USTA tournaments all over Florida year-round.

"This is a great bunch of kids.  They all are hungry to improve and to see them all have success at the first tournament of the season made for a great weekend," said Academy Director, Chris Bull.

The Spring Rookie Classic was held at the Reiner Heinser Tennis Academy at Winston Park in Kendall.  Regan Durkin and Savannah Schuhmacher participated in the 14s Girls division.  Savannah won her first match 8-1 but lost her second 2-8.  Regan had a bye the first round, lost in the second round 5-8, but won the next match 9-8 (14-12) to win in the Consolation finals.  Cory Benton, Jake Coldren, and Jamine Guo played in the 14 Boys division.  Cory lost his first match 0-8, won his second 8-2, and then lost in the consolation finals 3-8. Jamine and Jake had similar paths.  They both received byes the first round because they were seeded 3rd and 4th, respectively.  They both won their second round match 8-0 & 8-1, but lost in the semifinals 9-7 & 8-4.  Riley Durkin was bumped up to the 18s division, but was still seeded 1st.  He had a bye the first round, won his next two matches 8-4 and 8-3, and then lost in the finals 5-8.

Next tournaments TTA Elite Team will be playing is this upcoming weekend at the Kendalltown Local May Day Championships and Dade Junior Local Championships.

Photo Caption:  Tropical Tennis Academy Elite Team pause outside Winston Park in Kendall to show off their trophies and tennis tans.  L to R: Savannah Schuhmacher, Regan Durkin, top Riley Durkin, bottom Cory Benton, Jamine Guo, and Jake Coldren.  They are coached by Chris Bull at TTA at Wonderlin Tennis.

All Keys Glass has a great store front. There are example of glass work all over. I really like the all glass walk in shower. They have an example setup in their showroom. I broke the glass on my coffee table. I thought my heirloom was gone forever. Coming back from walking, I noticed All Keys Glass. I thought, what the hell, let's give them a try. Sure enough they had the exact answer and fixed up my glass-top table as good as new. Well, it is old except for the glass, otherwise it would not be an heirloom.

April 30, 2011 - Monroe County - L. E. Shaffer: Essential Human Services are Under the Budget Axe. WestCare Senior Vice President of Florida and Caribbean Operations is Frank C. Rabbito. While that covers a wide area, I want to concentrate on the Middle Keys essential human services. Those critical human services are crisis stabilization that is like a mental health care emergency room, substance abuse intensive inpatient and outpatient care, and mental health care outpatient treatment that is part of long-term care. For far more details of these essential services, go here http://www.gcmk.org/.

The Middle Keys Guidance Clinic has 18 beds for critical care and 11 beds for Keys to Recover (KTR). Both programs successes are measured by one person recovered at a time. What is the value of one human life? Priceless. What is the difference between mental health care issues and a broken leg? None! They must be funded and resourced the same. Yet governmental agencies are cutting their budgets from state to county to city on the back of mental health care programs. Yes, you save a dollar, but you lose 10 dollars in the long term because of the lack of adequate human services.

Frank Rabbito discussed all the above and more. He is a contractor who manages human services here and in the Caribbean. While many locals hate to hear the word “contractor”, in this case it works well. The emphasis is on people. Even you or I qualify as people. All of us need human services from the person to family to friends, even those who benefit from recovered persons vice ultimate criminal activity or homelessness.

What kinds of people need such human services? Homeless, addicts, alcoholics, and many “normal” people. All of us probably regard ourselves as “normal” people. Being normal does not mean that you cannot have a down day or feel a little blue. Most of us have coping skills, family support, and social support. Yet even the most mentally healthy people should seek care if they feel blue over two weeks. Remember, are you going to wait to get your broken leg worked on? It is the same with mental health care, no difference whatsoever.

Frank Rabbito told me some good news. Monroe County Commission passed a resolution to keep human services funding and resources at current levels; no cuts. The resolution was sent to the Florida House and Senate. Marathon City Hall is working to sponsor a similar resolution. Don’t underestimate your elected officials influence on those state institutions.

Frank explained that everything administrative is streamlined and made more efficient. This effort results in admin costs kept to a minimum. That ensures that almost all the funding and resources go to human services. You need well-maintained and outfitted facilities like our Middle Keys mental health care emergency room. Hint that is what I call the psych ward at the Guidance Clinic. Yeah, I said psych ward. I always use words that might have negative connotations to slap stereotypical thinking right in the face.

Rabbito also stressed how important that we have qualified, experienced, and highly trained mental-health care providers from nurses to psychiatrists. That means you have to pay them well. That serves all of us, and keeps money flowing into the local economy.

Beware of what budget you want to cut to the bone lest it come back to you tenfold. You need these human services. With funding and resourcing cut, those human services will not be there. I call on everyone to call the Florida House and Senate to insist that human services are not cut and funded adequately to address everyone’s health care locally.

Call Representative Saunders at (850) 488-9965. Call Senator Bullard at (850) 487-5127. Calling is the best mode of contact for the most impact. Emails, faxing, tweeting, facebook, and texting do not have the same impact.

From personal experience, I know what psych ward residents desire most is caffeinated coffee and cigarettes. I routinely deliver caffeinated ground coffee from various local businesses throughout Marathon. Two of the best businesses involved are Leigh Ann’s Coffee House in Key Colony Beach right next to Sparky’s and Keys Grafix & Sign at Town Square Mall next to Advantage Rehab & Fitness.

Want to help? Call me at (305) 743-9648 or go here http://www.gcmk.org/gcmk_donations.html. Call (305) 434-9000 to make direct face-to-face caffeinated coffee or cigarettes donations. I donated cigarettes once, but only do the caffeinated coffee now. I am not a smoker and feel uncomfortable donating something that might be harmful. There are enough smokers out there to donate cigarettes.

And completely out of the county but as necessary is the Miami VA 4AB and 4CD psych ward and Urology Clinic respectively. To send caffeinated coffee no cigarettes to these veterans and staff, call me at (305) 743-9648 or snail mail to the address listed below:
BRUCE W CARTER MIAMI VA

C/O 4AB WARD &/OR 4CD CLINIC

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN

AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

1201 NW 16TH ST

MIAMI FL 33125

Regardless of whom you help Marathoners or veterans; you will help a friend or someone in your family.

UPS Store

April 30, 2011 - Marathon - Christina Belotti: Dancing Classrooms Fundraiser. The Educational Coalition for Monroe County will hold a fundraiser for Dancing Classrooms at the Publix in Marathon, Saturday, May 7, 2011 10am-2pm. ECMC volunteers will be bagging groceries and tickets for the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match will be on sale. There will be a premier performance of the ECMC Youth Ballroom Team. All donations are greatly appreciated and will support the Dancing Classrooms Program in Monroe County Schools. For more information call 305-743-6215 or visit www.educationalcoalitionmc.org 

Ms. Christina Belotti
Marathon Middle School
Language Arts/Critical Thinking Teacher
Middle School Relay for Life Faculty Advisor
(305) 289-2480 ext. 55416
Christina.Belotti@keysschools.com

Be the change that you want to see in the world.
-Mohandas Gandhi

Heffernan Law Office

April 23, 2011 - Islamorada - provided by Dave Purdo: DCA To Hold Education Workshops in Islamorada.
State of Florida Public Workshops in Islamorada
Impact of Legislative Changes to Wastewater Treatment Requirements 

The Florida Department of Community Affairs is coordinating educational workshops for Islamorada residents, business owners and property owners on May 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center.  The workshops are intended to assist citizens to better understand recent Rulemaking and the 2010 legislative changes that impact both package plant owners and septic tank owners. The same information will be presented at both workshops. The 5:30 p.m. workshop will be televised live in Islamorada on the Comcast government access channel and the live webcast may be viewed from the Village website at www.islamorada.fl.us.

Representatives from the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health and Islamorada, Village of Islands will present information and answer questions addressing how development and redevelopment proposals are affected by the changes in legislation for Wastewater Treatment Standards for Package Plants and for On Site Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (septic tanks).  This will include the awarding of additional Building Permit Allocation System points to applications for new single family dwelling units in areas served by central sewer, the extension of the deadline to upgrade existing systems to 2015 and to connect to a central system, examples of proposed development that would require immediate upgrade of existing systems, an overview of the Department of Environmental Protection procedures that will assist package plant owners in meeting the 2015 deadline, the State of Florida Administration Commission Rule and information regarding the Village’s plan to provide central wastewater to the citizens.

Islamorada residents, business owners and property owners are encouraged to attend this informative workshop. For additional information, please contact Barbara Powell at 850-922-1782 or barbara.powell@dca.state.fl.us

Heffernan Law Office is a tradition in Marathon. They are my personal lawyers and the Florida Keys Journal lawyers. They handle a number of cases from criminal to second amendment rights. They are understanding, professional, and extraordinarily competent.

April 18, 2011 - Marathon - Karen Bowers: Good for Goodness Sake
For more information contact:
Karen Bowers
305.766.1053
lunarchik@earthlink.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 April 2011

Good for goodness sake

(Little Torch, FL) The learning curve is starting to flatten out a bit for at least the community of Marathon as they embrace the many facets of Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival being held for the third year at Sombrero Beach on Saturday, May 14. The event is a stage and an opportunity for the many nonprofit organizations in Monroe County to raise money. Race organizers provide the months of planning, the financial backing, the promotion, the equipment, the officials, the volunteers, food and beverage vendors and with the City of Marathon, the venue.

For two consecutive years, Dave Condra has pounded the pavement, appealed to his clients, set up on on-line donation site and raised the most pledge money over all the paddlers on dragon boat teams participating in supporting charities of their choice and won the Rainmaker Award for top individual fundraiser provided by Curry Mansion Inn. In 2009 he raised $2,186. In 2010 he more than doubled his pledges to a whopping $4,752 and secured the honor of ‘dotting the eye’ at the Awakening the Dragon ceremony being performed for the first time at this year’s Battle In The Bay.

Condra’s efforts pooled with his fellow weekend warriors from 3 dragon boat teams consisting of friends, family and employees of The Hurricane and Heron-Peacock Supported Living benefit Heron-Peacock– a charitable organization that provides housing and supportive services for men and women with chronic mental illness in the Florida Keys. This is the third year that they are benefiting from the dragon boat races. To date, they have received nearly $20,000.

Dorothy McQueen was tired of seeing needs being unmet for Marathon’s Stanley Switlik Early Childhood Special Education program. As a member of a dragon boat team last year, Dorothy took on the duties of team manager and formed Dragon Masters, sponsored by Keys HairMasters Inc. This team of locals is raising money for handicap accessible playground equipment “so even kids in wheelchairs can play and have fun”.

Reef Relief has again partnered with Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival to receive a portion of the proceeds from the race event. Reef Relief is a global nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and protecting living coral reef ecosystems through local, regional and global efforts.

Many charitable organizations are facing continued reductions in funding and can benefit from a dragon boat team’s enthusiasm. All local teams are encouraged to gather pledges for a charity of their choosing. A suggested minimum for each paddler to collect is $100. If everyone on the 24-member dragon boat team simply asks 10 people to pledge $10, your $2400 donation could be just the economic stimulus a nonprofit could use. Furthermore, a special scholarship has been established for youth teams. The entry fee has been reduced to just $250 with the stipulation that the team must fundraise for their group or a charity of their choice.

Team entry deadline is April 30. Registration forms must be completed and the entry fee paid to be included in the third annual Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival. You do, however, have until 8 am on race day, May 14, to complete your team roster. Registered teams also have access to the Paddlers’ Pool of individuals who are itching to be a part of the excitement.

There are other ways to participate besides entering a dragon boat team, which remains the most exciting, memorable and rewarding level of engagement. Dragon Wrangler Volunteers play an equally important role in the smooth operation of race day. And many of the volunteers are returning for their third time.

Marina Kay Wiatt, this year’s head Dock Marshal, along with her friends Haylie Heller and Alana Vassil from Marathon High School, hold the sleek, 40 foot long dragon boats and help the teams members climb in and out. They also keep the boats from becoming bathtubs by bailing out the accumulated paddle splash between races. Paul Petek is returning as part of the Emergency Response crew, a group of dive masters and first responders that hopefully only have to watch the races from the deck of the safety boat. Boy Scout Troop 573 from Big Pine has been boldly going where few Girl Scouts would ever consider because it’s “too icky”. They have provided beach and park clean-up services every year even though the second Saturday in May seems to always coincide with the Post Office food drive that the troop assists with as well.

There’s always room for new volunteers and Lieutenant Reyna Hernandez, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Key Biscayne and her United States Coast Guard crew are helping bartend, set-up and tear-down for the band, team marshal and be a part of the Emergency Response – essentially filling in wherever needed – before shipping out the next day.

Information on becoming a Dragon Wrangler Volunteer, placing an ad in the race day program or entering a team in Battle In The Bay can all be found at www.battleinthebay.org Or email lunarchik@earthlink.net or call 305-766-1053 for more information and to get your questions answered.

Firefighters Local 4396

April 12, 2011 - Marathon - Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival May 14, 2011-Serious Beach Fun FL Keys. Dragon boat races, a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit, is one of the three largest Chinese festivals of the year. The Awakening the Dragon Ceremony or Eye Dotting Ceremony is traditionally performed to cleanse and bless the area of the competition, the competitors and their boats. It also gives the boats and their crew the strength of the Dragon and the blessing of the Goddess of the Sea. Being the person to dot the eye is a high honor and we couldn't be prouder than to have our top individual philanthropist leading the ceremony.

Dive-in Movie Party Thursday, May 12
Poolside - Holiday Inn Express
13201 Overseas Highway
Movies start at dark-thirty

Meet the paddlers of Eye of the Dragon from Vancouver, British Columbia and Save Our Sisters (SOS) from Miami, the stars of the inspirational documentaries about dragon boat teams participating in a sport accessible to every one - Conquering The Dragon: Breast Cancer Survivors Race for Life Produced by Shirley Ravachi for WLRN even those fighting breast cancer or slowly losing their vision. The party continues at the new Catch 53 Oceanside Bar and Grille following the movies.

Keys Grafix & Sign seemingly can do about anything with signs, A-frames, and magnetic signs. You can always tell a business is rock solid and successful. They are always busy.

April 27, 2011 - Key West - Waterfront Theatre: Come as You are Brunch...Too - May 15th.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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