Friday, September 14, 2012

LOWER KEYS

Clean the coastline via kayak

Reef Relief will celebrate the 27th annual International Coastal Cleanup with a community kayak shoreline cleanup from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Geiger Key Marina, 5 Geiger Key Road. Key West Ecotours will provide the kayaks.

The goal of the International Coastal Cleanup is to remove trash and debris from the world's beaches and waterways, identify the source of that debris, and change the behaviors that allowed it. Volunteers worldwide help remove debris from cigarette butts to major appliances. For more information, call 305-294-3100, email reefrelief@gmail.com or RSVP via Facebook at Reef Relief events.

Valdez to be honored Saturday

The city of Key West and the arts nonprofit It's Just 4 Kids will honor native son Claude Valdez, designer of the original Conch Republic flag, with a celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Firehouse Museum, 1026 Grinnell St.

The event will feature a free Conch-style barbecue and beverages along with honors for Valdez, a third-generation Conch and the father of Key West High School Assistant Principal Chris Valdez.

Mayor Craig Cates will present a proclamation making Saturday "Claude Valdez Day," organizers said.

For more information, call 305-432-7402 or email just4kidskw@hotmail.com.

LOWER MATECUMBE

House fire Wed. afternoon

Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies and firefighters responded to 106 Madeira Court at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to find a house engulfed in flames, according to a press release.

Owner of the property Sergio Felipe, 71, reported that the fire had started in a generator on the south side of the house, the release states.

Felipe reportedly declined help from the Red Cross and was staying with family and friends.

The fire was extinguished at 6:30 p.m.