IN PICTURES: MULTICULTURAL HOLIDAYS BRIGHTEN KEY WEST

For the seventh year, members of the Key West Jewish community and people from all faiths filled Bayview Park on Nov. 30 for the lighting of the menorah that stands alongside the city’s Christmas tree, which was lit the night before.

“This is really what Hanukkah is about — our community being able to come together and have the freedom to celebrate our faiths,” City Commissioner Sam Kaufman told the crowd before asking local dignitaries to light each of the menorah’s nine lights.

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.