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 [Comet] A Rare Visitor from the Depths of Space. On October 21, 2025, the night sky will host a breathtaking spectacle — Comet C/2025 A1, returning after an astonishing 15,000 years. This ancient traveler will pass just 0.15 million kilometers (93,000 miles) from Earth — closer than the Moon.With a core about 1.2 km wide, the comet will release gas and dust as it nears the Sun, creating a radiant tail that could outshine most stars for several weeks. Skywatchers across both hemispheres are expected to witness a glowing streak sweeping through the heavens, a reminder of how dynamic and mysterious our Solar System truly is. Such close comet encounters are extremely rare, happening only once in many human lifetimes. For astronomers, it’s a chance to study pristine material from the early Solar System; for the rest of us, it’s a chance to feel the wonder of space — vast, ancient, and alive. |
| [Friday Joke] We’re all getting older. And what really stinks is growing old with your favorite rock band. But I don’t know if you know this or not, but AC/DC has just changed their name to AA/RP. I went to the concert and I got a pair of Thunderstruck compression socks. ~Larry the Cable Guy |
 I finally bought my dream boat a 1999 Hewes Redfisher. I took it to Reel Impact boat repair on Summerland Key. I wanted them to go over all the systems, bilge pump, steering, oil change, lower unit, ect. I just wanted to be safe on the water as my wife and I are elderly and need a reliable boat. I took some parts to Reel Impact to have them install (a dive ladder). While there I checked the progress on my boat. I found my boat in good hands with Mike the mechanic. He was just going for a test ride and I asked to go along. What a nice professional young man. He answered all of my questions and we took a long test ride to make sure everything was working properly — it was. This business is well run with good people working there. Thanks Mike, you made my day. |
| [“Trouble getting permit approved”] That’s a familiar headache down here. The Marine Sanctuary can be slow to respond, especially on anything involving shoreline or ramp work. I’d suggest calling their Marathon office directly and asking for the permit coordinator by name. Sometimes an in-person visit gets movement faster than email. Also check if your Army Corps project manager can escalate the request—they have liaison contacts that can push it along. If you don’t hear back soon, reach out to Monroe County Environmental Resources—they can sometimes nudge the Sanctuary on your behalf. You’re not the first to hit that wall, but persistence usually works. NOAA FKNMS main phone 305-809-4700. floridakeys.noaa.gov Monroe County Marine Resources, Marathon 305-289-2805. They can (if they feel like it) nudge Sanctuary staff if needed. |
 [Water from Air] They claim the device can produce up to 1.6 gallons of clean drinking water per day using nothing but air. Made primarily from 3D-printed materials, the device draws moisture from the atmosphere, traps water molecules, and then condenses them into drinkable water. Built-in “metal-organic frameworks” remove most air pollutants, potentially eliminating the need for the water to pass through an additional filter. A built-in spigot at the bottom of the device allows the collected water to be poured directly into a drinking cup or another storage container. Link |
| [Recession Warning Signs to Watch] Goodbye lipstick, hello Hamburger Helper. No, Coachella’s lineup dropping months earlier than its usual release isn’t actually an indicator of an impending recession. But in the absence of official government data, social media users are casting about for hints — even music festival-related ones — about the true state of the American economy. The United States is not in or even near a recession, despite what your grocery bill feels like. But the economy is in an uncertain place, with a number of signs of weakness that economists are monitoring. Everything is a “recession indicator” online. Here’s what you really need to pay attention to. Link |
 The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s time once again for the Lower Keys Rotary to bring the Christmas spirit to life throughout our community. Each year, we proudly decorate the streetlights of the Lower Keys with Christmas lights, wreaths, and banners—and this year, we’re adding something extra special: a 14-foot Christmas tree at the Big Pine Community Park!Join us for the tree dedication and lighting ceremony on November 21st at Big Pine Community Park as we kick off the holiday season together. A $200 sponsorship helps light up our community and comes with Your name featured in our Thank You ad in the Lower Keys Barometer Mentions throughout the U.S. 1 Radio Christmas Festival‘ of Music Every dollar goes directly toward decorations and community initiatives. Together, we can make this season brighter for everyone who calls the Lower Keys home. If you’d like to contribute, please mail your check and business name to the address above, email us at lowerkeysrotary@gmail.com, or contact Steve Miller at (305) 394-1779. |
 [Self-Serv Draft Beer] Pour what you want, when you want with iPourIt’s self-pour technology. Why wait around for a drink? We’d rather skip the line and grab it ourselves. Link |
| [“Dog at my homework” Excuse] In Palm Coast, Florida, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies pulled over 57-year-old Michael Stanek of Welaka for speeding — or in his case, superspeeding. Stanek was going 107 mph. When an officer asked him why he was going so fast, bodycam video captured his excuse: “I have an appointment with my barber.” Chances are he didn’t make it; the officer said he would spend the night in jail after “weaving in and out of traffic” and “putting other people’s lives in danger.” |
 Hope everyone can join us for book club this Saturday, October 18 at 10:00am at the library. We will be discussion Isola by Akegra Goodman.For November we selected Key West Sketches edited by Grey Winfrey. Full Menu > Book Club |
| [“Red tape delays permit”] Try these two for your red tape issue: Nicholas Parr, PhD, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Resilience & Coastal Protection Environmental Manager Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary & Southeast Aquatic Preservers 2796 Overseas Highway, 219B, Marathon, FL 33050 Nicholas.Parr@FloridaDEP.gov 305-289-7083 or MatthewRingstad@FloridaDEP.gov |
 Extreme fear of the dentist linked to childhood trauma. A study of over 5,000 teens found a strong connection between childhood stress and dental anxiety. Link |
| [Leaky Whale] Blue whale skeleton still leaking oil, 26 years after death. The skeleton is on display at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Link |
 The Florida Keys Southernmost Car Club is holding our 1ST SHOW & SHINE of the 25-26 season on Sunday, Oct 19th Noon to 3PM at the Sugarloaf Lodge MM17.All monthly shows are the 3rd Sunday of each month at Sugarloaf Lodge. EXCEPT the Holiday December Show will be Sunday, December 21st at the Conch Republic Seafood Co. at the end of Elizabeth Street in KW from 12-3PM. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Domestic Abuse Shelter. Our toy donation supplies the Shelter for an entire year. This is always a free event to all lovers of classic, custom, sports and street rod automobiles of all years and makes. There is plenty of room for parking show cars, and outdoor seating in the grass under the trees with prizes and a plaque for People’s Choice and 50’s and 60’s music from our new sound system. Bring the kids to enjoy these beautiful relics of the auto world. Robbie will have his food truck “Loafin Around Café” at the show to provide you with his specialties, snacks and soft drinks. Let’s support Robbie so he will support us. Bring your own coolers if you wish. We have new Car Club koozies, women’s shirts and new designed T-shirts for sale. Yeah! The Club is seeking new members. Join at the show and receive a Club T-Shirt and Club sticker. For more information contact Lance Stehman 305-797-6782 |
 [KISS of Death] Founding KISS guitarist Ace Frehley dead at 74. He was best known in the band as the “Spaceman” and “Space Ace,” has passed away at the age of 74. Frehley, the band’s founding guitarist, died from a brain bleed he suffered after a fall in his studio last month. He was removed from life support on Thursday |
| Overdose in America: analysis reveals deaths rising in some regions even as US sees national decline. Wide geographical disparities in fatalities linked to the public health crisis. Link |
 Crime map for Big Pine Key. Green is the safest. Link |
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| [Spying on Us] Amazon’s surveillance camera maker Ring announced a partnership on Thursday with Flock, a maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras that share footage with law enforcement. Now agencies that use Flock can request that Ring doorbell users share footage to help with “evidence collection and investigative work. Link |
 [“Red tape delays permit”] Unfortunately, like most government jobs, you have to get the right person when he’s in the right mood at the right time to get any of them to do anything. |
| [Friday Joke] Four college students missed an important exam, choosing to party instead. They go together to their professor the next day, and say, “We’re sorry we missed the exam. We had a flat tire on the way to class. Is there any way we could possibly take a re-test?” “Sure,” replied the professor. “Come in tomorrow, and you can all take a retest. But remember, it’s a pass or fail.” The four students arrived the next day to take the retest, and all of them sat down in their seats. Before handing them their exams, their professor told them, “I’ve got good news and bad news. The good part is, there’s only one question on the test. The bad news is, if any of you fail, you all fail the test.” The students sat there, a bit worried about this professor’s strange introduction to the exam. Then the professor handed out the four exams, and each student stared down at their papers, which contained just one simple question: “Which tire was it?” |
| The current Coconut Telegraph was published on 10/17/25 at 8:10 am. |