 November 29, 2011 - South Florida - Brittany Elder: STAPLES JOINS TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN TO HELP FLORIDA’S LOW-INCOME STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR COLLEGE DREAMS MIAMI, FL (November 29, 2011) – Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit organization with a 16 year history of breaking the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope, is proud to announce a statewide alliance with Staples, the world's largest office products company, to further its efforts to support low-income students across Florida. As part of this new partnership, Staples will provide funding for Take Stock in Children’s scholarships and vital statewide initiatives, as well as offer discounts and promotional support to local Take Stock in Children programs and students. As part of a statewide initiative, Staples will be actively promoting Take Stock in Children’s mentoring program to multiple lines of business throughout all major markets in Florida. This promotional support will be provided, in addition to in-kind donations and funding for student scholarships, in an effort to ensure more deserving Take Stock in Children students are able to achieve a post-secondary education. Read More >> Dailey Property Management LLC is our newest advertiser in the Charter Advertiser Program. You need someone like Dailey to take care of things while you are gone for a long time. December 2, 2011 - Marathon - Patti Childress: Sign Up for a FREE Energy Audit. All commercial and residential properties within the City of Marathon are eligible for a free energy audit with a chance to win $1000.00 towards energy efficiency upgrades. Call 305/289-1150 or 305/852-2431 to schedule a free energy audit for your home or business. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Patti Childress Code Compliance Officer 305/289-4125 fax: 305/289-4131 City of Marathon/9805 Overseas Hwy/Marathon/FL 33050
All Keys Computers is your go to place for all things computers, laptops, and peripheral devices. You get high quality work at very reasonable prices. December 3, 2011 - Marathon - Jeri Sears: Notes for the Dec. 1, 2011 NSWC Meeting. The following information is from my personal notes taken at the Dec.1, 2011 NSWC. I make no claims as to the correctness of the information. Agenda: 1. Update on the FWCC Pilot Program A. The Marathon City Manager has received the recommendations from the NSWC. B. The county has discussed the following: a. The county will recognize 2 anchoring areas in their jurisdiction b. The "At Risk" policy will not be accepted in its entirety, but certain points will be considered in the county regulations c. Floating structures will only be allowed if permitted by the state d. All vessels must pump out e. USCG Auxiliary will perform inspections C. St. Augustine's recommendation have been accepted by the FWCC except for a change in the time allowed for anchoring from 9 days to 30 days in any 45 day period. 2. The firing of signaling devices at sunset in Boot Key Harbor - the NSWC discussed options for firing of the devices so that the problems can be alleviated. Charles Badoian will discuss the suggestions with the harbor residents. 3. The new rates will be reviewed by the council. The next meeting of the NSWC will be held on Jan. 5, 2012 at 6:00 PM at the Marathon Fire Station.
I will not be attending the Jan 5, 2012 so my next report will be after the Feb. 2, 2012 meeting. Sincerely, Jeri Sears Kandios is the only place to go for Larry's Sundae. Hint it is all chocolate ice cream, brownie, sprinkles, fudge topping, and soon chocolate whipped cream in a can. Death by chocolate, ummm... There is more, much more. Go to the corner of 91st Street and US1 west corner to get all the ice cream you can order. They got lunches too.  December 7, 2011 - Florida Keys - Tom MacKenzie: Refuge Boundary Signs. National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center, 175 Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key Plaza, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone: 305/872-0774, Fax: 305/872-2154 http://nationakeydeer.gov, keydeer@fws.gov, Contacts: James Bell 305-872-0774,
EXPLORE YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Photo by Brian Scott. The winter season is approaching and now is a good time to explore your local National Wildlife Refuge. Read More >>
Collector's Corner is one of our best advertisers. The store has been doing business for a very long time. As the company's name shows, anything collectible is offered. They have silk shirts, embroidered hats, and election signs in season. Collector's Corner has a large showroom that invites shopping and browsing.  December 8, 2011 - Middle Keys - Jessica Mintz: Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 17, 2011, from 10 am - 2 pm for Forgotten Felines Christmas Cats Adoption Event and Bake Sale at the Purr-Fect Thrift store across the Marathon City Park.
Meet sweet and loving kittens and cats available for adoption and no matter what color, personality or age you are looking for, we have the purr-fect companion for you. Read More >> Keys Animal Hospital is our friendliness advertiser and heavily committed to community service. There are special adoptions, a great working relationship with our local animal shelter, and, of course, high quality common sense health care for our furry friends.  December 9, 2011 - Florida Keys - Elizabeth Davis: Dear Editor: This is the time of the year we are supposed to be “jolly”. But, there really is nothing jolly about. In fact, I think that this time of the year is one of the hardest – no, not for humans – but for animals either dumped at shelters only to be euthanized or dumped on the side of a road to defend for themselves. This time of the year you hear people talk about making donations towards food banks, providing a home for a homeless person or family in need for the holidays or donating money to events benefiting “humans in need”. But nobody seems to bother to actually wanting to help their local animal shelter or rescue by providing food or a temporary foster home for a pet in need. Read More >>
Advantage Rehab & Fitness is an outstanding wellness center that thrives on community. They treat you like family. Their business hires locals and supports the local economy. Everything is clean, bright, and they manage your rehabilitation and fitness to fit your needs and desires. December 10, 2011 - Middle Keys - Gary L. Roberts: A CHRISTMAS LESSON AT DAFFY DOUG’S  Gary L Roberts – The Last Resort Ministry
Many times God will reach down and touch you at the least expected time and place. It happened to me just this week after returning from a Sunday Chapel Service at the Big Pine Road Prison. A quest for salad makings required a stop at Daffy Doug’s. The crowd was unusually large and come check out time, I found myself in a long line. It appeared that some had been waiting for an exceptionally long time and the reason soon became apparent. A young mother with two small children, a boy and a girl, was checking out. It seemed that all she had to pay with was small change – and lots of it. Read More >> Frank's Grill is our latest advertiser. We conduct our interviews there. Everyone knows how good Frank's Grill is. My favorite is Caesar Salad with grilled chicken. Yummm. MIAMI, FL (December 7, 2011) – More than 3,000 walkers, runners and volunteers joined Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit organization with a 16 year history of breaking the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope, for its inaugural “Strides For Education” 5K Walk/Run effort on Saturday, November 19. A series of events across the state proved to be a success with over $350,000 raised in support of Florida’s low-income youth who wish to pursue a college education. Read More >> Kayaks & Bikes is a versatile, multiple business provider of services and products. I especially like the owner and his perspective of life and politics. Don't get him started. You cannot go wrong stopping by and see for yourself. December 11, 2011 - Florida Keys - L. E. Shaffer: Florida Keys Journal Week in Review Review 12.12.
Attorneys Richard Warner and Frank Greenman are both somehow involved musically in the upcoming Salivation Army benefit. What? The world has come to an end. Marathon’s Marlin Bay Yacht Club is rising from the ashes that personified this failed project. Still, there is some good news for us, especially 8 workforce-housing units, and boosting our local economy. I feel good about our local economy coming out of the doldrums. Holiday Inn Express, Walgreens, and Marlin Bay are just a few lifting up our city’s economy. The most important factor in this new start up is to respect the loss of 80 Gulfstream Trailer Park residents. Eight workforce-housing units should come first. Workforce housing crisis has not gotten better, but the overall economy is still in first place atop top ten problems. Can you list more under the first place consideration? Read More >> Dailey Property Management, L.L.C. is our newest advertiser in the Charter Advertiser Program. You need someone like Dailey Property Management to take care of things while you are gone whether for a short or long period of time. December 13, 2011 - Middle Keys: Rick Sall: Thank You! The Boot Key Harbor Boat Parade of Lights was again a success! Over $1,200 was raised for the Marathon Wild Bird Center. The Grand Prize winner was a gorgeous decorated vessel (Solar Express) of a steam engine train celebrating Flagler's Railroad 100 Year Anniversary. With all of the gift certificates given to the numerous winners, from our generous sponsors, we are glad to help in supporting our local economy. Thank you again to all the sponsors (too many to list) and participants for making this a HUGE success. 15th Annual Boot Key Harbor Boat Parade of Lights 2011 Winners 30' + 1st Place - Mermaid 2nd Place - Lin-Z-Gail 3rd Place - Waterlilly 4th Place - A Place For Us 18 - 29' 1st Place - Solar Express 2nd Place - Key of Sea 3rd Place - Bruzkey 4th Place - The Turtle Thank You!
Rick Sall Prop Tech : Very unique and down-to-earth business on 20th Street. Shop and office are in the same space. Lots of welding going on along with props everywhere.December 14, 2011 - Florida Keys - Josh Karow: Institute for Regional Conservation The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) is happy to announce that their first annual Holiday Holly Round-Up was an unequivocal success. Over seventy residents, ranging from Marathon to Bay Point, took part in the event. Final numbers have yet to be tallied, but initial estimates suggest the Round-Up resulted in over 500 Florida Hollies meeting their timely demise this holiday season. IRC would like to thank The Wharf Bar & Grill, Home Depot- Marathon, Innerspace Dive Center, Summerland Hardware, Ace Hardware of Big Pine, USFWS, Favor-FL Keys, and photographer Chad Anderson for helping make this event possible. IRC would also like to thank all of the participants for doing their part to protect the Keys and is happy to announce that next year’s Round-Up is already in the works!
Josh Karow
Habitat Restoration Team Lead
The Institute for Regional Conservation
karow@regionalconservation.org
www.RegionalConservation.org
December 16, 2011 - Hal Howland: America, Heal Thyself A Holiday Message from Hal Howland We live in sad times. In matters of war, America’s traditional method of conflict resolution, Santayana’s often-mangled words continue ringing in our ears: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. At home, our country resembles a wounded animal that is losing the will to survive. Read More >> All Keys Computers is your go to place for all things computers, laptops, and peripheral devices. You get high quality work at very reasonable pricesDecember 19, 2011 - Florida Keys - L. E. Shaffer: Florida Keys Journal Week in Review. Xmas, New Year, yada yada, I remember one holiday way back when. I was twelve. I got a microscope, and for my birthday December 27, I got a pair of binoculars. I used those binoculars clear up to going away to the Navy. Now I enjoy those holidays through my twelve grandchildren and their parents. Have a happy, happy, merry, merry. Christmas, Christmas. FKAA is the wastewater and stormwater systems billing department for Key Largo and soon Marathon. FKAA lost $400,000 income for Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District. Okay, Marathon must have its own billing department. This is as if we have had this discussion before. Otherwise, Marathon will end up with the failed system for billing, after FKAA crashes. I hope that you noticed our new-look website. We went retrograde with a simple look, navigation, and more advertising options. Read More >> Gemini Printing has 29 cent color copies. Need I say more? How about business cards, flyers, or brochures. You think it up and Gemini Printing will design and printing of any unit of quantity. Throw in high quality customer service, and you have Gemini Printing. Stop by and find out yourself. December 22, 2011 - Big Pine Key - Karen Hillier Take a Walk on the WILD Side… Visit your local National Wildlife Refuge! Everyone is invited to join a guided refuge trail walk for birders and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The centralized meeting point for all walks will be at the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor's Center, located at the southeast corner of the Big Pine shopping plaza. From there, participants will caravan to the scheduled trail site. Maps will be provided at the Visitor Center.
A prompt departure to the alternating trail locations will take place at 8:10 am to avoid missing out on morning bird activity, so arrive early to get your bird-friendly, shade grown coffee or other beverages at nearby shops. Each walk will end by 11:00 am, or whenever bird activity drops for the mid-day heat.
Participants should bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes, water, binoculars or spotting scope, field guides, and dress appropriately for the weather. A limited supply of loaner field guides and binoculars will be available for participants during each walk. Feel free to ask for one if you don't have your own. Call the Visitor Center at 305-872-0774 for more information.
Upcoming Dates:
December 30 – Refuge Trail at North end of Key Deer Blvd. – Big Pine Key
January 13 – No Name Key
February 10 – Long Beach Trail
March 9 – Watson Trail
April 6 – Ohio Key
Walks are scheduled to take advantage of the spring and fall bird migrations, and plant blooms in the Lower Florida Keys. It’s important to meet at the Visitor Center, as walk locations are subject to change without notice, depending on current weather and trail conditions.
Interested in Helping?
Experienced birders, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome to assist with wildlife/plant ID, teach others, and lead additional walks. Call Karen at 305-872-2239, ext. 226 to sign up.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. LGM Original Swivelers Flag Poles sells specialized equipment for boats and holding their flags and pennants in place. Their product is high quality. Their service is super. Catch them around South Florida at various events. DECEMBER 23, 2011 - Middle Keys - Jessica Mintz: Forgotten Felines had their last cat adoption event for the year last Saturday, December 17. We also had a bake sale with delicious baked goodies made by our wonderful volunteers and Centennial Bank Big Pine Key branch provided free hot dogs and hamburgers. Cheap Shots was also at our event to offer free 3-years rabies vaccines to cats and dogs. Thank you, our wonderful volunteers, Centennial Bank and Cheap Shots for helping and supporting us. Unfortunately, we did not have any adoptions but believe that we will have some adoptions coming up closer towards the end of the week since many people looking to adopt a kitten or cat as a Christmas gift will wait until the day before or on Christmas Eve. Read More >>Marathon Cleaners can clean anything, and do the job well. Personable service and welcoming attitude. They even clean silk shirts. How cool is that?  December 23, 2011 - Middle Keys - Jessica Mintz: Season's Greetings from Forgotten Felines. Another year went by and we welcome a new year. 2011 was a busy year for Forgotten Felines.
We became www.Petfinder.com and www.Save-A-Pet.com members. Our first ever adoption event took place in August with 14 cats and kittens adoptions followed by an “Adopt an older Cat” (October) and “Christmas Cats” (December) adoption event. Read More >>
Duncan Auto Mall has been around for over 60 years. The company is a family owned and operated business hiring locals and shopping locally. Their business acumen in selling and maintaining cars is unrivaled. Be one of the first to purchase or lease the new 2012 electric/hybrid Prius. Link below is a photo collage; I like the Mustang.
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Florida Keys Journal
ph: (305)743-6732
![April 18, 2011 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: Marathon’s Firefighter’s/EMS Local 4396 Union. EMS stands for Emergency Medical. The firefighters and EMTs [Emergency Medical Techs] live long arduous shifts at Fire Station #14. This is that nice-looking building that can withstand hurricanes and will save lives in any emergency. I do not want my city short changing the fire department to save money now and cost me my life later.](../images/ADlocal4396logo.jpg)
305-289-6220 11400 Overseas Hwy #108 Marathon FL 33050
Criminal Law
305-743-4456
