City of Marathon to conduct road elevation survey
Later in the month of January, specialized vehicles bearing the Wood insignia will be driving Marathon streets collecting LiDAR data to evaluate the city’s road elevation. The effort is part of a larger strategy to strengthen and harden the city’s infrastructure and facilities in accordance with anticipated sea level rise and/or storm surge and flooding.
Woods Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions Inc. is performing the survey for all of Monroe County’s incorporated areas, starting in Islamorada. Crews will be setting up the control survey for Marathon in late January through early February.
Residents may spot the mobile LiDAR chevron targets either painted or taped onto city streets. These targets are used in conjunction with data control points to stitch together the scans and build a model. The actual LiDAR data collection is set to occur late February through mid-March.
LiDAR stands for Light Imaging Distance and Ranging. The scans will reveal the topography of the Keys and potential low-lying areas of concern. Staff is already preparing to use the data collected to further additional road elevation planning projects.
Health department appoints Mark Roby as director of nursing
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County recently appointed Mark Roby as its new director of nursing.
“We are so excited to welcome Mark Roby to the Monroe County Department of Health,” said Carla Fry, assistant county health administrator. “Mark brings a wealth of experience in executive leadership and nursing to the position. He will be a terrific asset as we continue to enhance public health services throughout the county.”
Roby started his nursing career over 25 years ago as a cardiac telemetry nurse after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition, Roby holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Tech, an MBA in human resource management from the University of Phoenix, a master’s degree in nursing education from the University of South Florida, and a doctorate in nursing practice from Capella University.
Roby has served as a nurse manager and educator in a variety of settings, most recently serving as dean of sciences and nursing at the College of the Florida Keys.
Marathon Library to play host to master flutist
Master flutist and lecturer Galen Abdur-Razzaq will give a performative talk called “Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement” at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Marathon Public Library, 3490 Overseas Highway. Abdur-Razzaq studied at Berklee College of Music and holds a master’s degree in education and performing arts from Rutgers University. Seating is limited for this free event. For more information, contact the library at 305-743-5156.
Taoist Tai Chi Society to hold introductory sessions
The Florida Keys branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is holding introductory sessions at St. Columba Episcopal Church’s parish hall on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information call 877-398-1108 or email floridakeys@taoisttaichi.org.
Marathon Garden Club to hold annual January Jamboree
On Saturday, Jan. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Marathon Garden Club, located at 5270 Overseas Hwy., will hold its annual January Jamboree. Local plant experts will be on hand to answer questions. There will be plants and orchids for sale as well as local vendors, jewelry, pottery, a huge rummage sale, food and fun. The jamboree will offer a chance to buy plants grown in the Keys that are specifically geared to the climate and soil conditions found in the islands.
Monroe County students can apply for study-abroad scholarships
The Experiment in International Living invites Monroe County high school students to apply for an exclusive 50% off Monroe County Scholarship. Students who are accepted will receive a scholarship to study abroad this summer on one of the Experiment’s programs around the globe. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 20. This marks the sixth year the Experiment has offered an exclusive scholarship for Monroe County, offering a range of scholarships and financial aid to recipients. In 2022 three Monroe County students received the Monroe County Scholarship, plus eight students who enrolled through Take Stock in Children received full scholarships to participate with funding provided by the Monroe County Educational Foundation and the Experiment. For more information, call 802-258-3412, email heather.beard@experiment.org or visit www.experiment.org.
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.
LINK: https://keyslibraries.org/events/action~agenda/request_format~html/cat_ids~11/
Registration is open for youth baseball, softball and tee ball
Registration is now open for the Marathon Youth Club’s 2023 spring season of youth baseball, softball and tee ball. Children ranging in age from 4.5 (birth date on or before May 31, 2018) to 12 can register to play. Tee ball is free and sponsored by the Miami Marlins. Baseball and softball are $55 per child (plus a $3 transaction service fee). Registration closes on Saturday, Jan. 28. Evaluations will be held the week of Feb. 6 at the community park baseball fields. Practices will begin Monday, Feb. 13 with games starting the week of March 6. Register at MYC’s new online registration link by scanning the QR code below. Follow MYC on Facebook at “Marathon Youth Sports” or send questions via email to marathonyouthclub305@gmail.com.
