FREE Lodging • Shopping Dining • Entertainment 101425 Overseas Hwy. • PMB #628 • Key Largo, FL 33037 • 305-304-2837 • www.theconchtelegraph.com • Feb. 2011 Inside Student Shares Stage with Mourning Wild Bird Center Rescues Hawks Attractions Hunk of the Month ...Dave Sheehan Entertainer of the Month ...Mike Mitzner Bartender of the Month ...Melissa Allen Artist of the Month ...Omar Perez Map Getting From Here to There Special Events Locals’ Art Show, Feb. 12 & 13 What’s Hot & What’s Not Conch Characters Coconut Funnies All the Buzz Beyond Behavior Defense Mechanisms Keys Compatibility Test for Lovers It’s Not Always a Match Made Mark your calendar for this year’s St. Patrick's Day extravaganza, March 17th. See back page for more info. 2 • The Coconut Telegraph • February 2011 The Coconut Telegraph • February 2011 • 3 Coconut Telegraph Cast of Characters: Articles Hunk of the Month February 2011 Editor/Sales/Distribution Entertainer of the Month, Mike Mitzner ......................................... 4 Volume 6 Issue #47 Eighth Annual Locals’ Art Show .................................................... 5 Dave Sheehan Denise Malefyt Local Student Shares Stage with Alonzo Mourning......................6 Prestige Publishing, Inc Dreaver Family Transforms Tropical Arts & Crafts.........................7 101425 Overseas Highway New Website Lists Non-Profits Needs...........................................8 Owner of Keys PMB #628 Bartender of the Month, Melissa Allen. ......................................... 9 Key Largo, FL 33037 Advertising Wild Bird Center Rescues and Releases Two Hawks ................. 10 Adventure Watersports Production Phone 305-304-2837 Beyond Behavior, Defense Mechanisms ..................................... 11 Sue Beal Getting from Here to There- map page ....................................... 12 Deadline Artist of the Month, Omar Perez .................................................. 15 Conch Characters ........................................................................ 16 for the Coconut Telegraph’s Adopt a Key Largo Animal Shelter Pet ........................................ 18 March issue is Centennial Bank Recognizes Star Tellers ................................... 19 Wednesday Dancing Classrooms County Site Expansion .............................. 19 February 23, 2011 Toys for Tots Donated .................................................................. 20 Business in the Keys ................................................................... 21 Call Denise at Coconut Funnies .......................................................................... 22 305-304-2837 Keys Compatibility Test for Lovers ............................................... 23 [email protected] It’s Not Always a Match Made in Heaven .................................... 23 Editorial: Advice for Tourists and Day-trippers Before the new Jewfish Creek Bridge protected and they seem to know it. If you the seafood fresh from the fishermen. was built I owned a visitor center located have only one day in the Keys this is a must After tasting fresh fish, lobster and crab at Gilbert's Resort. The purpose of that see. But you have to get on a boat because you will swear off the frozen forever. Rent boats and waverunners from type of business is to book hotel rooms and it is four miles of shore out in the ocean. There are no public sandy beaches in water sports including fishing trips, All along the highway there are snorkel Key Largo. The closest is Anne's Beach MM February’s Hunk of the Month at snorkeling, waverunner rentals, glass and dive shops, pick one, they all go to the 73.8. If you are short on time Gilbert's Gilbert’s Resort, MM 108. bottom boat trips, and more. While there I reef. We like Sundiver Station because Resort at MM 108 has a beach and they heard some of the frustrating tourist they are friendly and dependable. If you welcome visitors but coolers are not Shirts by T-Toons questions all locals have been asked. don't want to get wet, we recommend a trip allowed. You are welcome to enjoy the Question like: "We only have 2 hours, what on the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom beach and pool but food and drinks must be can we see and do in the Keys?" or "We Boat (see page 12 for coupon). Food and purchased at the tiki bar or inside the air brought a cooler, where is the beach?" The drinks are available and you can kick back conditioned restaurant. Boat and worst one was "Can we walk to the reef?" and relax while the narrator describes the waverunner rentals are also available. And So here is some information and advice different coral and sea life. It is you can always just sit back and enjoy the for people visiting our beautiful Florida educational as well and fun for the whole live local entertainment and watch the Keys… family. boats come and go. The Florida Keys are famous for our If you only have a couple of hours the Changing your itinerary and deciding to Coral Reef State Park. Nowhere else in the next best thing in the Keys is our fabulous stay longer is HIGHLY recommended. continental U.S. can you see live coral. It is fresh seafood. In this newspaper you will Gilbert's has reasonable motel rates with hard to describe the incredible beauty. find only the very best restaurants in the views of the water. Please enjoy your stay Since it is a state park the fish are Upper Keys. These restaurant owners buy and come back often. Disclaimer The Coconut Telegraph C 2006 is published monthly by Prestige Publishing, INC. All publisher. The Coconut Telegraph assumes in good faith that all editorial and rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written advertising material submitted are the original property of the advertiser. The Coconut consent of the publisher. The Coconut Telegraph welcomes written articles, photos, Telegraph may not be held responsible for errors, omissions, or for circumstances and artwork of local interest to be used and/or edited at the discretion of the beyond our control that may affect the distribution schedule. 4 • The Coconut Telegraph • February 2011 The Coconut Telegraph • February 2011 • 5 Entertainer of the Month Eighth Annual Locals’ Art Show, Feb. 12 and 13 Mike Mitzner at Sharkey’s Pub Once again, it is time for the infamous “Pigeon Poop” Art strong following of its own. This year over 50 artists will Show. Although the “Pigeon Poop” nickname may rouse participate including award winning painters, metal workers, thoughts to duck and wood workers, potters, The great Yogi Berra once said "This is like deja vu all over Entertainer's of the Month. They both later went on to play cover, artists and locals fabric artists, glass again!" No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Mike solo. have been flocking to the artists, photographers, and Mitzner is the only musician in the history of the Coconut And this month Mitzner is featured solo. show for eight years. Also jewelers. A mix of new and Telegraph to ever be featured as Entertainer of the Month Mitzner discovered music at age six when he sat at his know as the “Locals’ Art returning artists, as well as three times. grandmother’s piano and started played along with the Show,” artists will be selected national artists The musical phenomenon commercials on TV, finding displaying their work keeps the show interesting. was first featured in the the melody by ear. He is February 12 and 13 in front Adding to this year’s April 2008 issue (see completely self-taught on the of the Marathon Winn excitement is a book theconchtelegraph.com guitar as well. Dixie right on US 1 at MM signing by John and Bette archives for the original "No lessons, just using my 50.2 Mojjis, former owners of story) as one half of the ears and watching others", he The success of the the Dirty Dancing movie extraordinary duo Mike and says. event can be attributed to site. This is the first time Drein. Drein Vernon was From sixth grade through the diverse group of their book Dirty Dancing! Mike's partner, girlfriend and college he has played artists assembled by Hey Baby Let’s Dirty best friend. Together they baritone, trombone and organizers and the Dance will be presented. It were one of the most sought trumpet in symphonic and enthusiasm of participants tells of the before, during, after singing sensations to concert bands. who enjoy taking part in an and after filming and Come see local artist display their work on February 12 and 13 in front of the ever rock the Keys. They even He is also an A.S.E. event with a colorful Marathon Winn Dixie at mile marker 50.2, oceanside. features many photographs produced a CD together called certified auto technician with history. The show was from their private "Live, Loud, and Proud" which 24 years experience and for originally started by local collection. The Ghosts of was recorded live at the the last 14 years he has been artists who were left out of the larger Pigeon Key Art Show Lake Lure Inn, where the cast and crew stayed amusingly Caribbean Club. working at Vic's Auto on in favor of national applicants. Today, artists are just as narrate the stories. Don’t miss this fun addition! Continued on page 20... We are very sad to say Plantation Key. proud to take part in the Locals Art Show which has earned a that shortly after the article To hear Mitzner play stop appeared in the Coconut by Sharkey's Pub any Tuesday Telegraph Drein, then age 43, night. passed away in her sleep. "I love playing at While all the Conch Republic Sharkey's because it is like mourned Mitzner was playing at my house! Friends, devastated. Most people family, laughter and good would have crawled into their shell, but he grabbed his guitar times,” Mike tells us. “Plus I don't have to worry about and sat in with any entertainer who would let him. cleaning up afterward!" "Music is my therapy. It's my balance,” explains Mitzner. In his free time Mitzner hangs out at home with his four “When life starts to spiral out of control music pulls me back cats and dog, cruises around on his boat and checks out local and keeps me grounded.