Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time."
Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.
GOOMBAY — CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL KICKS OFF FANTASY FEST IN KEY WEST
One of Key West’s most colorful cultural events, the Bahama Village Goombay Festival filled Petronia Street with Caribbean food, music and island enthusiasm Oct. 21 and 22.
Against the vibrant backdrop of Bahama Village, locals and visitors stroll among island arts and crafts vendors, local and Caribbean food delicacies while...
KEYS WOMAN: 4 UNDER 40, MAISON BENITEZ: IF ONLY THERE WERE 5 OF HER
When the women of the Keys Weekly were tossing around ideas of women to watch under 40, one of the first names that came to mind was Maison Benitez. Not only is she under 40, but she’s under 25 and is more accomplished and professional than many people twice...
FLORIDA INSURANCE IS AS MUCH A DISASTER AS HURRICANES
Republicans and Democrats agree on nearly nothing these days, except when it comes to property insurance in Florida. On that topic, politicians — including the two who want to represent the Florida Keys in Tallahassee — are unanimous in their opinion: the industry itself is as big a disaster...
TOURISM OFFICIALS DENY COUNTY FUNDING; COMMISSION APPROVES IT ANYWAY
Money, politics and protocols.
All three are at the heart of a controversial request for tourism dollars to fund a community celebration of Monroe County’s 200th anniversary. (The county was officially incorporated July 2, 1823.)
County Commissioner Craig Cates is championing the county’s request for $150,000 of tourism revenue for a...
SAVE THE TATAS: BRA AUCTION RAISES MONEY FOR MAMMOGRAMS
Key West does its part every October to “save the tatas” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the island’s signature fundraising events is Womankind’s BraZaar bra auction.
The event pairs the creativity of Key Westers who make the bras with the cool confidence of the women who model them...
KEYS WOMAN MAGAZINE: BACK IN MY DAY… A LOOK AT THE GENERATIONS FROM BOOMERS TO GEN Z
Millennials are turning 40? When did that happen? When did the generation that got participation trophies, and not chicken pox become real adults? More importantly, which young people are we older generations supposed to complain about these days?
The Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennial and Gen Z.
Our generational...
DRY TORTUGAS REOPENS TO VISITORS AFTER HURRICANE IAN
Dry Tortugas National Park took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian on Sept. 27 as it passed about 70 miles of Key West, where the park includes the historic Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, a lighthouse, parade grounds around the fort, beaches and usually pristine water for offshore fishing and...
NEW FUNDING FORMULA MAKES ‘THE LOFTS’ IN KEY WEST MORE AFFORDABLE
The sale price of the 28 or so homes that will be for sale to Key Westers who meet the income guidelines and qualify for affordable housing is going down to more affordable levels.
The 98 rental apartments and 28 ownership townhomes, known as The Lofts at Bahama Village, are...
FLORIDA KEYS FLOOD VICTIMS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA HELP
When the floodwaters of Hurricane Ian receded from Key West by Sept. 30, more than 400 Key West households had to haul their drenched lives and living rooms to the curb. Warped, wooden furniture, mattresses soaked in saltwater and irreparable appliances still line the streets of several Key West...
OPINION: AN AMERICAN’S TAKE ON THE ROYAL SENDOFF
Well if that wasn’t the longest funeral in the history of the world.
Television news teams around the world claimed Queen Elizabeth II’s recent death “shocked a nation.” Really? The woman was 96, for God’s sake. She was royal, not immortal.
I have to say, I don't understand the fascination with...
KEY WEST OFFICIALS HEAR POST-STORM KUDOS & CRITICISM
Key West’s Oct. 6 commission meeting started with compliments about community cooperation in the wake of Hurricane Ian, but ended with questions, concerns and criticisms.
Randy Sterling, director of the Key West Housing Authority received significant praise for his quick response in addressing the 94 public housing units in Bahama...
PICK UP YOUR PUMPKINS AT KEY WEST’S MARC HOUSE
The Remarkable Pumpkin Patch has returned to Seminary Street, featuring thousands of pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes. The festive fall sale is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31 — or until all the pumpkins are sold.
For more than 20 years, every...
