Friday, November 20, 2009

KEY WEST

Another lionfish captured, killed

A 5-inch lionfish was found swimming along South Roosevelt Boulevard near the Key West International Airport on Tuesday.

The lionfish, an invasive exotic species, is the closest to the shore found since they were first spotted in the Florida Keys in January. Walkers along the path saw it among the rocks in the shallows, sanctuary spokeswoman Karrie Carnes said. Lionfish have no known depth preference, she said. The fish was killed and dissected.

"It may only be a matter of time before we start seeing more of them in the mangroves and shallows," Carnes said.

Lionfish are poisonous to other fish and people, and their incursion into the mangroves endangers native fish nurseries. The sanctuary has issued 98 permits to biologists and dive boat operators that allow them to remove lionfish from otherwise protected waters.

LOWER KEYS

Care Center gets new name

The Care Center for Mental Health in Key West and the Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys merged last year, but now the nonprofit that operates them has renamed them. They are now called the Guidance Care Center.

The Guidance Care Center facilities in Key West and Marathon provide crisis intervention for substance abuse and mental health problems, counseling for young adults and other services. They employ full-time psychiatrists and psychologists, and the Marathon center has a limited number of detox and mental health-care crisis beds. The Guidance Care Center is funded by the county human services board as well as state and federal matching funds.

KEY WEST

Garden Club plant sale

The Key West Garden Club will hold its annual Propagation Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the West Martello Tower, 1100 Atlantic Blvd. Admission and parking are free.

Drought- and pest-resistant native plants suitable for sun or shade will be offered. There also will be many flowering plants, colorful shrubs and native trees that are hardy survivors of past hurricanes. Vendors will be selling orchids, bamboo, fruit trees and exotic plants and crotons.

Fifteen artists will have booths, and the Something Old, Something New garage sale will have treasures. Lunch will be available.