Story Slam is back at Marathon Community Theatre
Marathon Community Theatre is bringing back Story Slam starting Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. The theme will be “Best of Times/Worst of Times.” Participants and the audience will select the winner and second-place stories, both of whom will receive a cash prize. Admission is $10 cash at the door. Come join the theater community and consider telling a story. Plan for stories to be no more than 5 to 7 minutes to keep fellow participants engaged. Remember, the audience will be looking for a sense of personal truth, and the best stories are usually personal and heartfelt, whether they’re funny, sentimental or heartbreaking. For tips on how to engage fellow storytellers, visit themoth.org/share-your-story/storytelling-tips-tricks. All are welcome to attend, whether or not they tell a story. See you at the theater!
Marathon High School bands to host spring concert
On Thursday, April 25, students in the Marathon High School band program will present their annual spring concert. The concert will include the school’s beginning band, advanced band and high school jazz band. It begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Marathon High School Performing Arts Center. The suggested donation for attendees is $5.
Blood drive scheduled at Dolphin Research Center
Give the gift of life by donating blood when One Blood holds a blood drive on Friday, April 26 at Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. The Big Red Bus will be stationed in DRC’s parking lot from noon to 4:30 p.m. Anyone who donates blood during the day will receive free admission to Dolphin Research Center, an insulated tote bag and a $20 e-gift card that can be used at Target, Walmart, Amazon and other retailers. Donors also receive a free wellness checkup, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening. Appointments are encouraged. Please visit oneblood.org/donate-now and use sponsor code 1828. All blood types are needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, sickle cell anemia, blood disorders and other illnesses. Identification is required.
Delray Beach man arrested for damaging restaurant
An 18-year-old Delray Beach, Florida man was arrested April 14 for allegedly causing a disturbance at a Marathon restaurant and damaging property. Dominic Steven Davis was charged with criminal mischief. Davis was part of a group at the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House around 7:45 p.m. on April 13, the sheriff’s office said. The manager reported the group was throwing bread as well as butter on their newly painted walls and ceiling. There was approximately $500 in damage. The manager wished to press charges. A traffic stop was later conducted early Sunday morning and the primary suspect, Davis, was taken into custody.
Marathon man arrested for battery with 2×4
A 64-year-old Marathon man was arrested April 11 for allegedly striking and injuring a 78-year-old man with a 2×4. Luis Ancieto Herrada was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and elderly abuse. The sheriff’s office was called to 20th Street in Marathon around 7 p.m. Multiple witnesses stated Herrada struck the man with the 2×4 multiple times for unknown reasons, an MCSO press release stated. The victim was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon, where he was treated and released.
Cleanup scheduled for Tom’s Harbor Bridge
Make a difference for the marine environment and help clean up the Florida Keys by joining Dolphin Research Center in a volunteer effort to collect discarded trash and other debris at the bridge over Tom’s Harbor Channel, mile marker 60.6, on Thursday, April 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. All participants should wear clothes, hats and closed-toed shoes that can get wet or dirty. Be sure to bring bug spray, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. DRC will supply trash bags, gloves and a water cooler. Participants will meet DRC staff and volunteers at the parking area on the south end of the bridge on the ocean side.
Summer semester opportunities at College of the Florida Keys
The College of the Florida Keys is accepting applications for its summer semester with three summer term options. A six-week accelerated summer term from May 14 to June 25 will include on-campus, online and hybrid courses, which combine both on-campus and online coursework. A 12-week summer term from May 14 to August 6 is completely online. A summer kickstart program from June 3 to August 8 offers two classes for new students: English Composition I and Preparing for Student Success. Students can participate in these hybrid-flexible courses at the Key West campus or virtually. New students must apply by May 1 for all summer terms. Financial aid and payment plans are available. For more information about the opportunities at CFK, visit the College’s website at cfk.edu/futurestudents. New students who need assistance should contact Marissa Owens at recruiter@cfk.edu or 305-809-3207.
Monroe County to host ‘tire amnesty’ days
Monroe County Solid Waste, partnering with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will be hosting three free Earth Day “tire amnesty” events for Monroe County residents with proof of residency. Residents may turn in up to six non-commercial tires with no rims for three days on April 20, April 27 and May 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monroe County transfer stations: Cudjoe Transfer Station, MM 21.5, Blimp Road; Long Key Transfer Station, MM 68, Overseas Highway; and Key Largo Transfer Station, 11180 County Road 905. Residents must be able to load the tires into a container at the transfer stations, but assistance can be requested by calling Melody Tuschel at 305-509-0325.
Keys Watercolor Society offers two scholarships
The Florida Keys Watercolor Society, now in its 44th year, is set to award two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors, whether enrolled in public schools or home schooled. Scholarship recipients must be pursuing a career in the visual arts. For more information and an application, email thefkwcs@gmail.com or call 786-309-4595. Applications are due by April 30.
MLKAR car show to benefit United Way Feed the Keys
On Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m., the Heart of the Keys Young Professionals Network, run by the Marathon and Lower Keys Association of Realtors, will host a car show benefit at Town Square Mall (11400 Overseas Highway), with proceeds dedicated to fund United Way’s Feed the Keys summer initiative for local families. A $15 car entry includes a hot dog, chips and a drink as well as a chance to win a trophy. Coca-Cola and Centennial Bank will provide food and beverages for purchase. Admission to the show is $5 or a donation of three non-perishable food items. Pre-registration for cars is at givebutter.com/carshowbenefit.
Free flights for youths on Young Eagles Day
On Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Middle Keys EAA will host a Young Eagle Rally at the Experimental Aircraft Association Museum at the Marathon airport. During the event, youngsters ages 8 to 17 can take a free flight in an airplane, provided by EAA member pilots in order to inspire kids through an introduction to the world of aviation. Parents or guardians can go to youngeaglesday.org to register and get more information.
Leadership Monroe festival to celebrate 2024 grads
Leadership Monroe County (LMC) will celebrate its Class XXXI graduation with “Leadership Spring GradFest,” a community festival and alumni reunion to be held Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Marathon Community Park. The family-friendly event will feature food trucks, games, a bounce house, artist booths, members of the Key West Police Department mounted patrol unit, music, vendors, Monroe County non-profit booths and a Class XXXI raffle and graduation ceremony. Admission is $10; children aged 12 and under are admitted free. LMC is an educational, nonpartisan, nonprofit community organization that brings together existing and emerging leaders to build constructive alliances in the Florida Keys. More information is at leadershipmonroecounty.org or 305-394-3804.
Come take a class at the Marathon library
The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.
QR LINK: https://keyslibraries.org/events/action~agenda/request_format~html/cat_ids~11/
