Key West Real Estate

2012 March Merkin Permit Tourney

2012-02-10T05:06:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of March Merkin Tournament Website.

There's another great benefit fishing tournament coming in March. The March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament will run from March 12-15, 2012, out of the Key West Harbour Yacht Club. Here are some details from the website:

The tournament events are being held at Key West Harbour Yacht Club and each fishing day starts and ends at Key West Harbour Yacht Club. The Marina is located at 6000 Peninsular Avenue on Stock Island.

On each fishing day, coffee, juice and pastries will be available at 7:00am at the Marina . Boats may leave the dock at 8:00am and begin fishing anytime thereafter. Fishing ends at 4:30 pm . Boats must return to the Marina by 6:00 pm .

Please note that NO box lunches are provided for tournament participants and breakfast is limited.

Also, the rules require that each fish be photographed with a digital camera which must be provided by the Angler or the Guide. At the close of each fishing day, a Daily Catch Form and the marked tape must be given to the Scorekeeper if one or more fish are caught. The Scorekeeper must also be shown a photograph on the screen of the digital camera of each fish caught.

All proceeds from the tournament after the deduction of direct tournament costs will be donated as follows: 50% to the Don Hawley Foundation for the benefit of Florida Keys guides who experience some financial hardship; 50% to the Tarpon & Bonefish Trust.

Check out http://marchmerkin.com/tournamentinfo.htm for further details and information on applications,permits and rules.

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Key West Real Estate Market Report January 2012

2012-02-09T20:04:00.001-08:00

During the month of January 2012, there were 418 properties actively listed in the Key West real estate market. Of these properties, 109 were contingent or pending on the last day of the month, and 30 properties had been sold. One year ago, during the month of January, the number of active listings was 285, the number of properties contingent or pending was 46, and the number sold was 7.

The Key West real estate market shows a growing trend when compared to January 2011. The number of active listings has increased, and the number of sales has increased as well. The average selling price increased, as did the median selling price in 2011.

Compared to a year ago, the average price of all properties has decreased by 4%, but the median prices of properties sold this January were 11.4% higher than a year ago. According to the January 2012 Key West Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in Key West in January 2011 was $390,858.67, and in January 2012, the average price decreased to $375,356.67. The median price of properties sold in January 2011 was $299,000.00 and increased to a median price in January 2012 of $333,000.00.

To break the number of sales down into more detail: The number of single-family homes sold in Key West during January 2012 was 18 and in January 2011 was 18. The number of condos/townhomes sold in Key West in January 2012 was 11, compared to 14 last January. There was 1 other property (duplexes and multi-family) sold in Key West during January 2012, and 6 other properties sold in January 2011.

As the graphs comparing sales from January 2011 to January 2012 show, now is the perfect time for buyers and sellers to take advantage of this market! I'm ready to assist with my knowledge of Key West and my extensive real estate experience. Give me a call today. Jimmy Lane: 305-766-0585 or contact me online.

Check out 365 Things To Do In Key West, and share the link with your friends!

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Lower Keys Real Estate Market Report January 2012

2012-02-09T20:01:00.001-08:00

The Lower Keys real estate markets look mixed compared to the numbers of one year ago. The number of properties actively listed this January was 284. There were 56 properties under contract to be sold with none actually closing during the month. In January 2011, the number of properties actively listed was 285, the number pending was at 46, while the number sold was 7.

The average and median prices of properties sold show shifts from the same month a year ago. According to the January 2012 Lower Keys Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in the Lower Keys during January 2011 was $349,950.00, and in January 2012 the average price dropped to $261,424.33, which is a decrease of 25.3%. The median price of properties sold in January 2011 was $313,750.00, and the median price in January 2012 was $246,666.67, which is a decrease of 21.4%. In January 2011, the average days on the market for properties in the Lower Keys was 233. This number declined slightly to 232 for January 2012.

To break the numbers down into more detail: There were 11 single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during January 2012, and the number sold in January 2011 was 5. There was a single sale of condos/townhomes in the Lower Keys during January 2012 and none in January 2011. The number of other properties (duplex, multi-units, and mobile homes) sold in the Lower Keys was 1 in January 2012 compared to 2 last year.

The average price of single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during January 2012 was $379,273.00, which was a 28.1% decrease from one year ago. The median price of $335,000.00 in January 2012 was a decrease of 26.4% from the $455,000.00 median price in January 2011. There were no condo/townhomes sold in January 2012. The average price of the 1 other property sold in January 2012 was $261,424.33, and the median price was $246,666.67.

There were 173 active listings of single-family homes for sale in the Lower Keys this January. The active listings also included 11 listings for condos/townhomes and 100 listings for other properties. Of the total 284 properties listed, 56 properties were contingent or pending at the time of the report, and none actually closed. One year ago there were 168 active listings for single-family homes, 20 for condos/townhomes, and 97 for other properties.

The buyer’s real estate scene and life are good in the Lower Keys! All of this adds up to GOOD reasons for you to consider property in the Lower Keys today. Give me a call. Jimmy Lane: 305-766-0585 or contact me online.

Check out 365 Things To Do In Key West and share the link with your friends!

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Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest - March 2012

2012-02-09T04:55:00.001-08:00

The 50th Anniversary of the Annual Conch Sell Blowing Contest will happen on March 3, 2012 starting at noon. There's no fee, no age limit and no experience required to enter. Don't have your own conch? No worries! You can buy one at the contest.

Sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this contest celebrates the important history of the conch in the Florida Keys. Here are details from the website:

Watch enthusiastic contestants pucker up and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents. Sometimes called the Conch Honk, there is no cost to enter or to compete, and no experience is necessary. Conch shells are available for purchase for those who do not have their own.

This annual Contest celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys, where the far-reaching sounds from conch shells were used by the Calusa Indians for communication, by sailors as fog horns, and by early Key West citizens to signal salvagers that a sinking ship was spotted offshore. The conch itself, a sturdy sea mollusk, is deeply entwined in the Key West's heritage and tradition. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs (pronounced "Konk"). Their island home is known as the Conch Republic. Entrants are judged on the quality, duration and loudness, and novelty of the sound they produce. Mercifully, for most contestants, musical ability is not a requirement. The winners take home trophies; ribbons are awarded to those who take second place.

Watch this site for more information or call 305.294.9501.

For more information check out http://www.oirf.org/event.php?id=10.

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Key West Self-Guided Walking Tour

2012-02-08T04:42:00.001-08:00

There's a great way to combine history and health in Key West. Put on your walking shoes and spend 1 to 2 hours walking the Pelican Path Self-Guided Tour of Key West.

As their website states, you'll "explore and wander at leisure through Key West’s colorful history along the charming streets of Old Town." But you'll do it at your own pace and in your own time.

Go to http://oirf.org/page.php?p=pelican for more information and to print out directions for the tour which is sponsored by the Old Island Resoration Foundation.

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Results of Key West Mackerel Tourney

2012-02-07T05:33:00.001-08:00

A team from Clearwater, FL won this year's Key West Mackerel Tournament by pulling in a 54.73 pound kingfish. The Clearwater team bested 74 other entrants to the tourney. Here's the full article from KeysNet.com.

A 54.73-pound kingfish catch earned the Bimini Twist team top honors at the Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament that ended Jan. 22.

Led by Capt. Grant Johnston of Clearwater, the team consisted of Johnston's father Doug and 7-year-old son Blake Johnston, both of Clearwater, and uncle Jerry Stephenson of Fort Myers Beach.

Blake Johnston, who helped fight the winning kingfish with Stephenson, was named the tournament's top junior angler.

According to Grant Johnston, the team was about 30 miles west of Key West in about 80 feet of water when they caught the fish on a blue runner, but winning wasn't their primary motivation for entering the tournament.

"We were just there to have fun. We're all family and we all like to get together and fish together," he said. "We knew we had a solid fish, but there was a strong chance that somebody could have something bigger."

Second place went to team Get Snookerd with a 48.35-pound kingfish. Skippered by Capt. Chris Workman of Naples, the team consisted of Naples angler Kevin Weber, Dave Albritton of Fort Pierce and Ken Dillingham of Big Pine Key.

The Reel Conch team, led by Capt. Randy Sterling Jr. of Key West, took third place with a 47.84-pound catch. Anglers included Randy Sterling Sr., who earned the top senior angler title.

The tournament also featured a division for anglers fishing in boats 23 feet or shorter. Its winner was team Still Kickin, guided by Capt. Chad Lammert of Fort Myers, with a 44.32-pound fish. Team member June Gutknecht of Fort Myers, the captain's wife, was named the tournament's top lady angler.

The two-day angling challenge, a sanctioned divisional tournament of the Southern Kingfish Association, attracted 75 boats.

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2012/01/26/416708/clearwater-team-wins-key-west.html

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New Pirate Exhibit at Fisher Maritime Museum

2012-02-06T05:21:00.001-08:00

Running now through June 2012 at the Fisher Maritime Museum is a new exhibit titled "Pirates: Menace & Mayhem." Here's an excerpt from the Museum's website:

Sail away to a rich collection of authentic 17th-century shipwreck artifacts from the Golden Age of Piracy. Meet Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and a host of other wily seafarers – find out who are the good guys and who must swing from the yardarm!

You'll visit a notorious buccaneer pub ... hear the stirring saga of Blackbeard’s last fight ... meet swashbuckling female pirates ... and discover the differences between real-life "brethren of the coast" and their counterparts in fiction and film.

See never before seen pirate artifacts recovered from an actual 18th-century pirate ship. Take an unparalleled look at life under the infamous black flag.

For more information about this and other great exhibits go to http://www.melfisher.org/pirateexhibition.html.

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Civil War Heritage Days Festival

2012-02-05T04:59:00.001-08:00

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park will take visitors back in time during February to see what life was like in the 1860s at the time of the Civil War. Here's information from the Florida State Parks website:

CIVIL WAR HERITAGE DAYS
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Date: February 10-12; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Description:

Both entertaining and educational, Civil War Heritage Days offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like at Fort Taylor in the 1860s. Over 100 re-enactors converge to present living history programs including artillery demonstrations, campsite visits, a sea battle and blockade runner trial, land skirmishes, and other performances. Additional information and registration forms will be available in November-December.

Participation Requirements

Fees: Free with park admission

Contact: (305) 292-6850

Directions: Fort Zachary Taylor is located at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex in Key West.

Source: http://www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor/events.cfm?viewevent=7017#7017

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Remembering Our First Ladies

2012-02-04T10:58:00.001-08:00

Picture Courtest of Fla-Keys.com

On February 25, the Truman Little White House on Key West will host a presentation about three of the country's wonderful First Ladies given by their descendants. Here's the info from the Fla-Keys.com site:

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Descendants of three former United States presidents are to share memories and insights about their "first lady" forebears during a presentation at Key West's Harry S. Truman Little White House, Florida's only presidential museum.

The unique event is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, on the west lawn of the 111 Front St. residence where former President Truman spent 11 working vacations during his 1945-1953 administration.

Scheduled presenters include Truman's grandson Clifton Truman Daniel, Herbert Hoover's great-granddaughter Margaret Hoover and Gerald Ford's daughter Susan Ford Bales.

In a panel discussion moderated by CNN commentator John Avlon, the three presidential descendants are to share rare personal glimpses of America's former first ladies as mothers and grandmothers. They also plan to explore presidential wives' role on the campaign trail.

Following the outdoor presentation, Hoover and Daniel are to host a 6 p.m. fundraising cocktail party in the living room of the Little White House. Attendees can enjoy the authentic 1949 atmosphere of Truman's former retreat, view his piano and poker table, order a cocktail from the president's bar and mingle with the afternoon's presenters in an intimate setting.

Proceeds benefit the restoration fund of the not-for-profit Key West Harry S Truman Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and protect the Little White House State Heritage Landmark. As well as being Truman's working presidential headquarters, the house also has hosted former presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Tickets are priced at $60 per person for admission to the presentation and cocktail party. They are available at keystix.com or at the Little White House.

Event information: trumanlittlewhitehouse.com or 305-294-9911
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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Variety Is the Spice of Life in Key West!

2012-02-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

No matter what your idea of the perfect home is, you can probably find it here in Key West or in the Lower Keys. This has been a vibrant, diverse community practically since Europeans first set foot in North America!

Whether your taste runs to high end condominiums or just a little shack on a Key, we’ve got it! Does Spanish style hacienda architecture appeal to you? No problem! Victorian? Cape Cod? How about an honest to goodness conch house? We have them!

Location is a prime consideration, right? As much as we all want to get away from what is most familiar to us, we still have preferences, kinds of areas that we feel more comfortable in. Come on down to the Keys and you’ll find we have homes in the city, homes on hidden keys, homes on the beach, homes high in the hills. Hills? Sure! Go watch the St. Thomas episode of HGTV’s Bang for Your Buck! You’ll learn that the Keys are not all flatland and beaches!

Whether you’re a tourist, looking to move permanently to the Keys, or just someone who likes the beauty of nature, the great variety of amenities in the homes in our area are just more reason to want to live in beautiful Key West. If you’re interested in real estate in this attractive area contact me, Jimmy Lane, at Key West Real Estate: 305-766-0585.

Variety Is the Spice of Life in Key West!

2012-02-03T09:46:00.001-08:00

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Find Great Fishing All on One Site!

2012-02-03T05:23:00.001-08:00

Key West has a fantastic number of venues for those who like to fish. You could almost choose a different place every day and never run out of options.

But how do you know which ones will give you a really great experience with the most qualified and knowedgeable captains? You go to the Key West Pro Guides site at http://www.keywestproguides.com/. It's a convenient way to review, choose and book your charter from among a number of great offers.

Check out the site for more information on tours as well as testimonials, pictures, and background on the captains and their boats.

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On-Line Key West Menu Guide

2012-02-02T05:13:00.001-08:00

There are so many great restaurants in Key West that it can be hard to decide where to go, even if you do know what you're in the mood for. Or you might have heard of a great place on Duval Street but you'd like to know what kind of fare and ambiance they offer before you get there.

Enter the on-line Key West Menu Guide. From their website:

The island of Key West is known around the world for its rich cultural diversity. This is perhaps most clearly evidenced by the incredible variety of restaurants that may be found in the southernmost city.

We are pleased to introduce The Menu Guide magazine. It is the perfect tool to help you decide where to go for great food, or who you should call to have some delivered! Arranged in an easy-to-use format, The Menu Guide is divided into categories which make it simple to locate the kind of food, ambiance and even the specific dish you are looking for.

So what are you waiting for? Go to http://keywestmenu.com/ and figure out where you're getting your next great meal!

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One Human Family: The Official Philosophy of Key West

2012-02-01T05:03:00.001-08:00

Our island is a place to enjoy great sights, great sounds, great weather--and each other. "One Human Family" is the official philosophy of Key West, and the movement is growing beyond our island.

Go to http://www.onehumanfamily.info/ to see a great presentation and to learn more about how we really are all One Human Family.

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Record Numbers at Key West Airport

2012-01-31T04:55:00.001-08:00

It's official. Lots of people are coming to Key West. A recent article on KeysNet.com stated that the Key West airport broke its all-time-high passenger counts in 2011, and it looks like this trend will continue. For an island that thrives in-part on tourism, this is good news indeed.

Read the whole article at http://www.keysnet.com/2012/01/25/416105/key-west-airport-has-record-passenger.html.

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Go Behind the Scenes at Waterfront Playhouse

2012-01-30T05:42:00.001-08:00

If you love watching what happens on the stage, you'll be fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes at the Waterfront Playhouse. And on February 6, 2012, you can find out!

Here's info from their website:

Get a free backstage tour of the Waterfront Playhouse with Artistic Director (Danny Weathers) and Technical Director (Michael Boyer). See the magic that happens “behind the scenes.” Wine and light hors d’oeuvres served. Admission is free but reservations are required.

Go to http://waterfrontplayhouse.org/events/behind-the-scenes-2/ and click on the "Buy Tickets" tab to make your reservation.

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New Paintings by Fran Decker, Local Key West Artist

2012-01-29T05:35:00.001-08:00

Fran Decker, a local Key West artist, will be displaying her newsest paintings in February. Here's info from the KeyWest.com calendar of events:

Come take a "Journey" with Fran Decker through her newest paintings at Frangipani Gallery February 3-15. Stop by and meet Fran at a reception from 6-9 pm at Frangipani, 1102A Duval the night of the First Friday Art Stroll on Upper Duval. Fran Decker invites the viewer on a journey through the Florida Keys. We'll start with an overview of our island home, visit some mangroves in the back country at night and at dawn, then head into town to visit some favorite haunts like No Name, Sarabeth's and Margaritaville. Then we'll spend a relaxing afternoon in some shady, cool backyards with friends and catch up on life. Finally, there is that house at the end of the road, with the sun shining off the ocean that you can see through the door. You just know once you pass through the big stone gates you'll find just what you were looking for.

Contact: Frangipani Gallery 305-296-0440 or visit her website at http://www.frandecker.com/.

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Another Reason to Love Key West: Great Schools

2012-01-28T08:34:00.001-08:00

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Great weather, great entertainment--and now great schools! A recent article on the Keys.net site stated that Monroe County school are the 8th best of all 67 school districts in the state of Florida. Our schools were also only one of 30 in the state to earn an A rating.

Click here to see the full article with all the details: http://www.keysnet.com/2012/01/23/415778/keys-school-district-ranked-8th.html.

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Why Do You Need a Key West Realtor?

2012-01-27T21:04:00.001-08:00

If there is any doubt in your mind as to whether you need a real estate agent to help buy or sell your home, the recent report written by Mark McLean of Realty Lab should be of interest! You can find the full report here. The gist of the report is that, according to a recent survey (2011) conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the use of real estate agents is currently at a 10 year high. Of the over 5700 home buyers and sellers polled, almost 89% are using agents. That number, by the way, is up nearly 20% in the last decade. The study asked people what service they wanted from their agents. Here are the results;

55% said they wanted the agent to find them the right home.

13% said they wanted their agent to negotiate the price.

12% said they wanted their agent to negotiate the terms of the agreement.

7% said they wanted their agent to accurately determine what comparable homes sold for.

6% said they wanted help with paperwork.

3% wanted agents to help them determine what they could afford.

3% wanted agents to help them find and arrange financing.

Surprisingly, the NAR survey reported that the above results were pretty consistent with both first time and repeat buyers, new and resale homes and household composition. There were three other significant things the author pulled from the survey; First, more than half of the people polled said that real estate agents pointed out unnoticed features and faults with a property, second 44% said the agent negotiated better contracts and terms, and 46% said their agent improved their knowledge of search areas.

This last item is, I believe, the most important. Real estate agents build their whole lives around knowing the communities they service. They know the neighborhoods. They know the local weather and how it affects the quality of life in the area. They know what living expenses are like in the area. They know the shopping, services and community facilities. In most cases, they know most of the people selling properties in the area. All this knowledge can’t be bought. It is hard earned and priceless to their clients!

If you are considering going it alone either buying or selling a property I strongly urge you to utilize this precious resource before you do anything!

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Interactive Map of Key West

2012-01-26T05:03:00.001-08:00

You've heard of a great place on Key West but you're not sure how to get there--and your GPS is broken. What to do? Head to the FloridaKeys.com site and use their interactive map.

Are you looking for some activity but are not sure what's out there? Click on the map's legend and it will zoom in to show you where it's located on the map. The legend is broken into categories such as Boating, Fishing, Restaurants and Attractions.

And if you're really directionally challenged, you can print the map and take it with you.

Check out http://www.floridakeys.com/maps/keywest.htm.

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Living Art in a Secret Garden

2012-01-25T04:51:00.001-08:00

On School Lane in Key West is a beautiful place where living things become art. It's Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden, and it's definitely a place everyone should see. This is truly a living rainforest museum and reflects Nancy's passionate commitment to the environment.

On her website, Nancy states:

"This is beauty with a purpose, When you come to be entertained, to get lost, to seek beauty and to have fun. "SECRET" will cast a magic spell on you. You will metamorphose into an environmental activist."

To learn more go to http://www.nancyforrester.com/garden.html.

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Go High Tech with E-Postcards

2012-01-24T04:45:00.001-08:00

Picture courtesy of fla-keys.com

Forgot to buy postcards? Don't have stamps? No worries! You can send an e-postcard courtesy of the Florida Keys website. There are ten cards to choose from, each with a picture of a beautiful Keys location and a short, sometimes pithy message.

It's not impersonal--it's just high-tech. Here's the website: http://www.fla-keys.com/postcards/postcard.cfm.

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NEW LISTING!

2012-01-23T10:23:00.001-08:00

24 Jade Drive, Key West. - $299,000

Spacious and comfortable 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom split level townhome with a bonus room that can be used as an office or child's room. This end unit offers an open floor plan with lots of natural light through the bay windows and has updated kitchen and bathrooms. Property offers dock privileges with deep water access, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Two car carport and storage. Located just a few miles from Key West at MM10.

Jimmy Lane, CRS, GRI, CIPS
Vice President
Century 21 Schwartz Realty
305-766-0585 Cell
305-295-3454 Fax
www.JimmyLane.com

Please tune in and watch me on HGTV. Here is the upcoming schedule of my shows:
"Bang for your Buck" Miami - Oct. 11th 2011 4:00 pm
"Bang for your Buck" St. Thomas - TBD
"Bang for your Buck" Key West - Click Here

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Great Keys Webcams!

2012-01-23T04:34:00.001-08:00

Want to see what's happening real time in any part of Key West? Use the live Key West Cams site. There are webcams in over 36 sites on Key West in various resorts and beach-side areas. There's even a Turtle Cam to watch sea turtles hatching from their eggs and running to the ocean.

This is a great way for your friends and family who aren't lucky enough to live in the Keys to experience the sights if not the warm weather of the area.

The website is http://www.fla-keys.com/webcams/#kw.

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Go Green! Science Fair

2012-01-22T04:28:00.001-08:00

The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden will hold their Go Green! Science Fair on Feburary 4, 2012. Entrants must be in grades 6, 7 or 8 and enrolled in a public, private or home school program in Monroe County. The First Place prize is a $100 Visa card!

Go to http://www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org/event.asp?id=138 for more details on entering, judging and viewing rules.

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Environmental Film Series

2012-01-21T04:23:00.001-08:00

It will be a very busy February at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, including a great environmental film series running all month long.

Go to http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/visitor_information/events.html for more information.

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Gardenfest Key West

2012-01-20T16:22:00.001-08:00

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February will bring the Gardentfest & Cuban Cultural Expo to the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Here's more from their website:

Gardenfest & Cuban Cultural Expo

February 18-19, March 23-24

Save the dates on your calendar for two of the biggest Garden events of the season:

GardenFest Key West
February 18 - 19, 2012

GardenFest is a tropical fair. South Florida plant growers, local artists, and "green living" vendors assemble around our lake for all to browse and shop. Refreshment stands encourage lingering in the Garden and a beer garden.

Cuban Cultural Expo
March 23 - 24, 2012

Cuban Cultural Exhibition celebrates the generations-old influence on our local culture in a 2 day festival. Participants learn about traditional food and herbal medicines, take dancing lessons & play dominos. Works by Cuban and émigré artists and crafts-persons are displayed. The event ends with an evening Cuban-inspired feast and live show, Hot Havana Nights, under the stars. This signature fundraiser event attracts repeat participants from all over the country.

Details of these events can be found on http://www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org/event.asp?id=132 as they become available.

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JUST LISTED!

2012-01-19T07:08:00.001-08:00

31231 Avenue G, Big Pine, FL 33043 - $29,000

This double lot with ROGO exempt letter offers a fantastic opportunity to build a large home or build on one lot and enter the other one into the ROGO system. Bank owned lot, buyer to verify building status with Monroe County building department.

Jimmy Lane, CRS, GRI, CIPS
Vice President
Century 21 Schwartz Realty
305-766-0585 Cell
305-295-3454 Fax
www.JimmyLane.com

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Dinner and Disco in Key West

2012-01-19T05:26:00.001-08:00

February brings another great benefit for the Waterfront Theatre: Dinner and Disco at the Flamingo Diner. This annual event sells out every year so plan to get your tickets now. It's a great bargain at only $60 per person.

To see photos of last year's event and get the details for this year, go to http://waterfrontplayhouse.org/events/dinner-disco-at-the-flamingo-diner/.

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Try a Change of Pace at the Tropic Cinema

2012-01-18T04:44:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of tropiccinema.com

If you prefer an alternative cinema experience, then you want to head to the Tropic Cinema in the heart of Old Town Key West.

Here's info from their website:

For years, the lament in Key West over the slim pickings of films offered by the local multiplex was like talking about the weather. Everyone deplored it, but no one did much of anything about it. It was against that backdrop that a small group of film buffs put out a call in 1998, seeking volunteers interested in rejuvenating the local cinema scene, while another group was trying to figure out where and how it could be done. They joined forces and tapped into a well-spring of community interest. Volunteers crowded meetings, offer ideas, suggestions and help for a project to bring alternative film to town. Working committees were formed to search out venues, track down film sources, and round up projection equipment.

The talk quickly moved from planning for "next year" to doing something right away, and it happened. From the gala opening fund raiser, the Key West premiere of Roberto Begnini's Life is Beautiful, to the first Key West International Festival of New Cinema, the Conch Republic has begun to see the best of independent, foreign and alternative movies.

What a Lineup!

In its truncated first season, from April to July of 1999, and two full seasons in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, the KWFS brought an immensely varied fare of more than 150 films to Key West. Most had never before been shown on a public screen in the Keys. Highlights have included Cuban musical legend Buena Vista Social Club, Pedro Almadovar's Academy-Award-winning All About My Mother, Boys Don't Cry, Topsy Turvy, Being John Malkovich, Billy Elliot and Mulholland Dr. For the lover of the avant-garde, we have presented offerings like The Celebration, a leading exemplar of the new Dogma style of filmmaking – no lighting, no music, shot on video – the ultimate in cinema verite. The lover of classics has been equally well-served, with presentations of the Director's Cut of Orson Well's Touch of Evil, the newly remastered and restored Fellini masterpiece Nights of Cabiria, and the reedited and rereleased Apocalypse Now Redux. And, not overlooking laughs, we've had comedies such as the Stanley Tucci farce The Imposters, and the French gay-mixup delight The Closet.

Take a minute to learn more at http://tropiccinema.com/main.html then head for the movies!

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An Organization that Makes Great Things Happen

2012-01-17T04:28:00.001-08:00

The Educational Coalition for Monroe County makes great things happen for local youth. Their programs include The Collegiate Arts Magnet Program, Dancing Classrooms, and many other programs to build self esteem.

From their website:

The Educational Coalition for Monroe County (ECMC) is a nonpartisan countywide student advocacy group of parents, community leaders, and educators, in partnership with civic/non profit organizations and educational entities. ECMC was established in 1996 to provide countywide communication and educational enrichment opportunities by developing model programs for the betterment of education for youth and families in the Florida Keys. ECMC aims to bridge the achievement gap by providing students countywide with quality creative arts, environmental, career training, leadership, and recreational programs.

If you're looking for a great place to volunteer or to make a donation, consider the ECMC. Check out their website at http://www.educationalcoalitionmc.org/.

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Why Boat When You Can Use a Jet Pack!

2012-01-16T04:26:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Jet Pack Adventures

There are lots of great things to do in Key West, but one of the most exciting has to be lifting off and soaring over the water by means of a jet pack. Jet Pack Adventures can show you how to take off, fly, turn, hover and land in about six minutes.

As their website says, "You've got to try this!" For details and to see a video of folks using the jet pack go to http://jetpackadventures.com/.

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Old Island Days Art Festival

2012-01-15T04:07:00.001-08:00

Old Town Key West will host the 47th annual Old Island Days Art Festival on February 25 and 26, 2012.

For more information, check out their website at http://www.keywestartcenter.com/festival.html.

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Waterfront Playhouse Annual Gala

2012-01-14T04:01:00.001-08:00

January 29 marks the date for this year's Waterfront Gala to suppor the Key West Waterfront Playhouse. The annual Winter Wonderland Gala includes food by the Iron Chefs, a silent auction, and surprise performances.

Go to http://waterfrontplayhouse.org/events/winter-wonderland-annual-gala/ for more information and to book your reservations as space is limited.

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The Cuda Bowl is Coming!

2012-01-13T16:01:00.001-08:00

Sign up now to catch those fiesty barracudas at the Cuda Bowl on February 4 and 5, 2012 at the Hurricane Hole Marina in Key West. There will be lots of fun and prizes, but it's limited to 20 boats.

Go to http://keywestflatsfishing.com/cudabowl/ for more infomation.

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Key West Butterfly Conservatory

2012-01-12T06:54:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for something different to do on Key West, head for the Butterfly Conservatory on Duval Street. There's beauty, fun, and education all in this one place--and it will get you out of the sun for few hours! The Butterfly Conservatory was also voted the number one attraction in Key West by People's Choice Awards and TripAdvisor.

To learn more go to http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/.

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Do You Know About Snuba?

2012-01-11T06:44:00.001-08:00

For those who love the water but either can't or won't dive, there's Snuba. Read on for more information on this cool sport!

If you want to go beyond snorkeling and experience the world's underwater beauty in the safest and easiest way possible, try SNUBA^®. No dive certification required.

With SNUBA you can breathe easily underwater without wearing heavy, restrictive dive gear. Discover incredible coral formations and schools of tropical fish as you glide effortlessly under the surface.

SNUBA is safe family fun, and it's easy to learn. No prior diving or snorkeling experience is required and the minimum age is 8 years old. After a 15-20 minute orientation during your sail out to the dive site, your professionally trained SNUBA guide will personally take you on an underwater tour of the beautiful marine environment.

SNUBA of Key West has been in operation since 1999. SNUBA of Key West services several major cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Lines. To learn some more fun facts about SNUBA, click here.

To find out more go to http://www.snubakeywest.com/.

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Violinist Chee-Yun Highlighted at South Florida Symphony Performance

2012-01-10T06:38:00.001-08:00

KEY WEST, Florida — The South Florida Symphony is to showcase the artistry of violinist Chee-Yun Wednesday, Jan. 25, in a Key West concert titled "Fire and Ice." The performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road on the Florida Keys Community College campus.

Soloist and symphony are to perform Camille Saint-Saens' "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" and "Havanaise," as well as Pablo de Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs)." The evening's musical program also includes Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica."

The South Florida Symphony, a unique gathering of professional symphonic musicians from around the United States, began as the Key West Symphony and is guided by nationally recognized conductor Sebrina Maria Alfonso. Chee-Yun, renowned for her flawless technique, has performed and toured with leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Haifa Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic. She also has appeared as a recitalist and released a number of critically acclaimed recordings including the platinum-selling "Serenata Notturno."

Tickets for the symphony's January Key West performance range from $25 to $75 per person, depending on seat location. The ticket price includes a post-concert reception where concert-goers can meet the conductor, orchestra members and featured soloist.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.keystix.com.

Event information: www.southfloridasymphony.org
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Source: http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=8276

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Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament

2012-01-09T06:30:00.001-08:00

From Fla-Keys.com, here is information on the 2012 Mackerel Tournament.

Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament Set for Jan. 20-22

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Big king mackerel migrate to the waters around Key West each winter, prompting a similar migration of anglers to target the species in the annual Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament. The 2012 event is set for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 20-22.

The angler who weighs in the heaviest mackerel, also known as kingfish, is to take home a $10,000 prize. Second- and third-place finishers receive $4,000 and $3,000, respectively, and cash prizes are to be presented through 10th place. Award amounts are based on having a field of 100 boats.

Cash awards also await the top anglers fishing on boats that measure 23 feet or shorter, while cash and prizes are to be presented to top female, junior and senior anglers.

The tournament is headquartered at Key West Harbour Yacht Club, 6000 Peninsular Ave. on Stock Island.

Events kick off Friday, Jan. 20, with a 3-7 p.m. registration at the yacht club. A mandatory captains meeting follows at 7 p.m.

Fishing begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, running through 4 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. All boats must return to Key West Harbour for the daily weigh-in.

Awards are to be presented Sunday approximately one hour after the last fish is weighed.

Event information: www.fishska.com, Murray Marine at 305-296-0364 or Southern Kingfish Association at 904-819-0360

Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Lower Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 1-800-872-3722

Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • YouTube.com/FloridaKeysTV

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Key West Half Marathon

2012-01-08T06:24:00.001-08:00

The Key West Half Marathon is back for its 14th year on Sunday, January 22. On-line registration closes on January 20, but walk-up registrations will be accepted on race day.

Registration fee is $80, but return runners get a discount. The first 900 entrants will receive a race t-shirt signed by a local artist.

For more information, go to http://keywesthalfmarathon.com/.

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Online Contest for Keys Vacation and Prizes

2012-01-07T06:16:00.001-08:00

From the Fla-Keys.com website, here is information on a cool contest. But hurry--it ends on January 22.

FLORIDA KEYS — An online contest has begun in which the winner receives a weeklong Florida Keys vacation for two as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the completion of Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

The winner of the Florida Keys Cyber-Train to Sunshine Contest and a guest can follow the historic railroad's route through the Keys on the contemporary Overseas Highway, much of which was built on the old railroad bed.

The prize package includes three nights at the Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle in Islamorada and three nights in Key West at the Casa Marina, originally conceived by Flagler and now a Waldorf Astoria Resort. The winner also is to receive a $1,000 air travel card and a $250 rental car certificate.

Also included is free admission to Pigeon Key, a 5-acre island that was once a base camp for railroad workers, a "dip" with dolphins at Marathon's Dolphin Research Center and free admission to many Key West attractions.

The entry form and links to contest prize descriptions and rules are at www.fla-keys.com/flagler-centennial.

The contest is to run through Jan. 22, 2012 — the 100th anniversary of the first train's journey through the Keys and the culmination of a celebration now under way across the island chain. The winner is to be notified by Jan. 25, 2012.

To enter, contestants search the Keys website — www.fla-keys.com — for the contest's hidden logo and answers to five questions about the islands and the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

Events commemorating the railroad's centennial year include a performance by a re-enactor portraying railroad founder Henry Flagler, museum exhibitions, a "family fun" day on Pigeon Key, a period costume ball and a Key West parade.

Contest entry information also is accessible through Keys social media sites including Facebook and Twitter.

More details on the Over-Sea Railroad and anniversary are at www.FlaglerKeys100.com.

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Impromptu Concerts Begin New Season in Key West

2012-01-06T18:15:00.001-08:00

These great concerts are back for another year with some great venues. Below is informatin from Keysnet.com.

Impromptu Concerts starts its 40th season in Key West

Forty years marks a major milestone, especially when it comes to producing quality music programs. And Impromptu Classical Concerts of Key West celebrates four decades with its 2012 season.

The highly acclaimed Firebird Chamber Orchestra opens the season with a Jan. 8 concert. The Miami-based group, which grew out of the successful Seraphic Fire choral group, has performed abroad.

Members are drawn from the Florida Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Colorado Music Festival, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and others.

Violinist Emilia Mettenbrink is concert master of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music summer opera program in Spoleta, Italy, and coaches a youth orchestra in Minneapolis during the school year. As a soloist, Svet Stoyanov has played at the Ravinia Festival, Emilia Romagna Festival and Avery Fisher Hall, among other appearances.

The show, like all in the concert series, is at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 401 Duval St., Key West. Showtime, as for all concerts, is 4 p.m. and tickets are $20.

In addition to the Firebird Chamber, the 40th anniversary concert schedule in 2012 includes:

Jan. 22: Trio Solisti: Violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach and pianist Jon Klibonoff. They have made critically acclaimed debuts at the Kennedy Center in New York City for Lincoln Center's Great Performers Series and at Town Hall's Peoples' Symphony Concerts, the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts and at the internationally renowned Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy.

The trio also performs on Jan. 23 at San Pablo Catholic Church in Marathon as part of the Florida Keys Concert Association (formerly the Middle Keys Concert Association) annual concert series.

Feb. 12: Piano soloist Marina Lomazov. An international concert pianist, she made her first appearance in Key West a decade ago.

Before immigrating to the United States, Marina studied at the Kiev Conservatory, where she became the youngest first-prize winner of the all-Kiev Piano Competition. The Ukranian-American holds degrees from the Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music.

She also performs on Feb. 13 for the Florida Keys Concert Association, also at San Pablo in Marathon.

Feb. 26: La Catrina String Quartet, whose repertoire features a Latin flair. World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma has praised La Catrina as "wonderful ambassadors for music." Currently the aculty quartet in residence at New Mexico State University, the La Catrina Quartet tours regularly throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

March 4: Conrad Tao, an award-winning pianist who is known for his work on the keyboard and composition. And he's only 17 years old.

Tao, born in Illinois, has appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra; the Russian National Orchestra; and the Baltimore, Dallas and San Francisco symphonies, among others. He has given solo recitals at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

March 18: The String Orchestra of New York City. This conductor-less ensemble has been hailed as deft and feisty, their sound described as radiant.

A summer concert is also in the works, with a July 15 program that will feature the Symphony of the Americas. For tickets, visit www.keystix.com. For more information about the group, visit www.keywestimpromptu.org.

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Lower Keys Real Estate Market Report December 2011

2012-01-06T14:28:00.001-08:00

The Lower Keys real estate markets looks great compared to the numbers of one year ago. The number of properties actively listed this December was 272. There were 57 properties under contract to be sold with 16 being sold. In December 2010, the number of properties actively listed was 295, and the number sold was only 11. So, while there were 23 fewer properties listed this December, sales were higher than the 11 in 2010.

The average and median prices of properties sold show both increased from the same month a year ago. According to the December 2011 Lower Keys Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in the Lower Keys during December 2010 was $307,148.00, and in December 2011 the average price was $337,896.00, which is an increase of 10.0%. The median price of properties sold in December 2010 was $280,000.00, and the median price in December 2011 was $360,000.00, which is an increase of 28.6%. In December 2010 the average days on the market for properties in the Lower Keys was 99. This number declined to 87 for December 2011.

To break the numbers down into more detail: There were 13 single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during December 2011, and the number sold in December 2010 was 9. There were no sales of condos/townhomes in the Lower Keys during either December 2011 and 1 in December 2010. The number of other properties (duplex, multi-units, and mobile homes) sold in the Lower Keys was 3 in December 2011 compared to 1 last year.

The average price of single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during December 2011 was $403,792.00, which was an -21.8 % decrease from one year ago. The median price of $385,000.00 in December 2011 was a decrease of -11.5% from the $435,000.00 median price in December 2010. There were no condos/townhomes sold in December 2011. The average price of the 3 other properties sold in December 2011 was $272,000.00, and the median price was $385,000.00.

There were 161 active listings of single-family homes for sale in the Lower Keys this December. The active listings also included 12 listings for condos/townhomes, and 99 listings for other properties. Of the total 272 properties listed; 57 properties were contingent or pending at the time of the report and 16 were sold. One year ago there were 174 active listings for single-family homes, 18 for condos/townhomes, and 103 for other properties.

The buyer’s real estate scene and life are good in the Lower Keys! All of this adds up to GOOD reasons for you to consider property in the Lower Keys today. Give me a call. Jimmy Lane: 305-766-0585 or contact me online.

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Key West Real Estate Market Report December 2011

2012-01-06T14:07:00.001-08:00

During the month of December 2011, there were 438 properties actively listed in the Key West real estate market. Of these properties, 121 were contingent or pending on the last day of the month, and 48 properties had been sold. One year ago, during the month of December, the number of active listings was 516, the number of properties contingent or pending was 141, and the number sold was 37.

The Key West real estate market shows a positive trend when comparing the first eleven months of 2011 to the first eleven months of 2010. The number of active listings has decreased in the past month while the number of sales has increased. The average selling price decreased, and the median selling price increased in 2011.

The average price of properties has decreased but the median prices of properties sold this December were higher than a year ago. According to the December 2011 Key West Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in Key West in December 2010 was $414,208.67, and in December 2011 the average price increased to $451,581.67. The median price of properties sold in December 2010 was $353,583.33 and increased to a median price in December 2011 of $363,333.33.

To break the number of sales down into more detail: The number of single family homes sold in Key West during December 2011 was 216 and in December 2010 was 220. The number of condos/townhomes sold in Key West in December 2011 was 193, compared to 183 last December. There were 27 other properties (duplexes and multi-family) sold in Key West during December 2011, and 23 other properties sold in December 2010.

As the graphs comparing sales from January to December show, now is the perfect time for buyers and sellers to take advantage of this market! I'm ready to assist with my knowledge of Key West and my extensive real estate experience. Give me a call today. Jimmy Lane: 305-766-0585 or contact me online at http://www.jimmylane .com.

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Eat Pasta and Help the Key West High Scholarship Fund

2012-01-05T06:43:00.001-08:00

If you're really love pasta and all things Italian, then plan on attending the Pasta in the Park event coming up on Feburary 11. All proceeds will benefit the Key West High School Scholarship Fund. Here are more details.

Sons of Italy Pasta in the Park Venetial Carnival

Saturday, 11 February, 2012, West Martello Gardens, 7-10PM. $35 or $40 entry donation of at the door, includes homemade Italian pasta from our "Cucina" and Italian dessert, continuous Italian entertainment, featuring the incomparable Dino DiLiberti, theatrical performers, and lots of "Viva Italia". Cash bar, silent auction, Gala Costume Contest with $1000 in cash prizes! Tickets are available at www.keystix.com or at their box office (305) 295-7676; also available at Lady Nails in the Winn Dixie Plaza. All proceeds benefit our Key West High School Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit us on facebook or call Cassandra Toppino at (305) 942-3025 or Cindy McCausland at (305) 942-9748.

Source: http://web.keywestchamber.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=2465

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Mayor's Ball to Benefit Children's Shelter

2012-01-04T06:36:00.001-08:00

Here's information on a great charity event coming up on January 28, 2012. Mark you calendars.

Florida Keys Children's Shelter's 2012 Mayor's Ball

Help us as we raise awareness and the much needed fund to support the programs provided by the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. There are several ways you can help the abused, abandoned and neglected children and teens in Monroe County. Casa Marina Resort. 6pm Champagne Reception, 7pm Dinner and Dancing. Cost:$125 per person or $1200 per table of ten. Kindly respond by December 28, 2011.

See www.fkcs.org for more details.

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Our Marvelous Overseas Highway

2012-01-03T06:23:00.001-08:00

Picture Courtesy of www.Fla-Keys.com

From the Florida Keys website, here's a little history about our Overseas Highway, also known as "The Highway that Goes to Sea."

The highway that goes to sea

The Overseas Highway, sometimes called "the Highway that Goes to Sea," is a modern wonder. It is the "magic carpet" by which visitors from Florida's mainland can cross countless coral and limestone islets through that special world of the Florida Keys.

The highway — the southernmost leg of U.S. 1 — follows a trail originally blazed in 1912 when Henry Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad from Miami to Key West. The railroad ceased operations on the Miami-Key West link in 1935, following extensive damage to the roadbed by severe winds and erosion and the economic decline caused by the Depression era.

Construction of the Overseas Highway was an incredible engineering feat. A total of 113 miles of roadway and 42 overseas bridges, leapfrogging form key to key in a series of giant arches of concrete and steel, were constructed. In 1982, 37 bridges were replaced with wider, heavier spans, including the well-known Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon.

The highway was begun in the late 1930s. Its foundation utilizes some of the original spans as well as the coral bedrock of individual keys and specially constructed columns. First completed in 1938, it marked the beginning of an equally incredible adventure for the ubiquitous North American motorist. The Florida Keys — which now host more than three million visitors annually — became an easily accessible tourist destination by car and bus.

And what do these visitors see? Seascapes as colorful as any artist's palette, colors of shimmering sea from turquoise to blue to deep green, landscapes of rustling pine, swaying palms, silver buttonwood and water-rooted mangrove, all vying for life under a horizon-to-horizon blue sky dotted with fleecy white clouds.

Beneath the tropical, cloud-flecked skies of the Florida Keys, today's fishing and boating enthusiasts share the land and sea with the complex habitat of birds — great white herons, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and, at the water's edge, wheeling gulls and swooping pelicans and cormorants bobbing like corks to feed on fish. From the older bridges where fishing is permitted, the human population drop lines to compete for the bounty of the sea. Sometimes the catch is shared with the winged anglers.

The "new" highway may be traversed in fewer than four hours from Miami, but for the sake of enjoyment more time should be allotted. For here, tucked beneath Florida's mainland, lies an ever-changing, challenging world of seas and lost wilderness that should be savored in the recreational areas set aside along the fabulous roadway.

In 2009, the Overseas Highway was named an All-American Road by the National Scenic Byways program administered by the Federal Highway Administration. The Keys highway is the only All-American Road in Florida. It's the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program established by the U.S. Congress in 1991. Only 30 other roadways in the nation have earned the prestigious title.

Take time for the dramatic sunsets. When the giant red ball of the sun plummets into the blue of the sea, as it often does in the tropics, it sends radiant pink, orange and purple-blue fingers across the evening sky. The sunrises, too, are spectacular enough to arrest a camera's eye, as the ever-growing glow spreads beams of glistening light over the sea.

Source: http://www.fla-keys.com/highway.cfm

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A Golf Course with Style

2012-01-02T06:30:00.001-08:00

The Key West Golf Club not only offers a great game of golf, but it's also the only Caribbean golf course in the U.S. Here's more from their website.

At the entrance to the island of Key West, the unique Key West Golf Club's 18 holes encompass over 200 acres of beautiful Florida Keys foliage and wildlife.

Key West Golf ClubGolf legend REES JONES masterfully designed the Key West Golf Course, an 18 hole, 6,500 yard course to be a challenge to players of all abilities.

Come meet all the exciting challenges of the Key West Golf Course, including the infamous "Mangrove Hole" (143 yards, par 3 that is played completely over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves).

Located in the heart of Key West, Florida the Key West Golf Club is the only Caribbean golf course in the United States. Key West offers enjoyment and activities to all ages including award wining restaurants, nightlife, diving, fishing and many other activities.

At the "Gateway to the Caribbean," we invite you to come and experience the exhilaration of playing a round at our beautiful tropical course.

To see a video and get more information, go to http://keywestgolf.com/.

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Listen to Those Great Old Songs

2012-01-01T06:16:00.001-08:00

If you'd like to take a musical journey back in time while benefiting our historic Truman Little White House museum, then mark you calendar for January 23 and 24. Here's more information:

Sentimental Journey: The Songs of the Truman Era

The Harry S. Truman Little White House is pleased to announce its latest event "Sentimental Journey, The Songs of the Traman Era" a benefit for the museum. The first event in The Living Room Series, singer and Pianist Bobby Nesbitt will perform with Carmen Rodriguez. Cocktails at 7 PM - The first cocktail is complimentary at the President’s bar on the South Porch. The party will move into the Living Room at 8 PM for this musical walk down memory lane. After the concert reminisce over cocktails with Bobby and Carmen on the South Porch. Seats at tables for 4 are $60 each. Reserve an entire table for $220. Individual seating on stage left and stage right are $40 each.

Find our more at www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com.

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Have Fun and Save with Keys Coupons

2011-12-31T06:05:00.001-08:00

In this economy, everyone is looking to save a little money and using coupons whenever possible. Well, there are coupons available for some of our great Keys restaurants, tours, and adventures.

To get your coupons, go to http://www.keyscoupons.com/ and sign up. You'll see a list of the many places where you'll be able to have a great time while also paying a little less for it.

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Do You Know The "Keymandments?"

2011-12-30T18:05:00.001-08:00

From the Fla-Keys.com website, here is a light-hearted way to remember how to treat our Keys environment.

The Ten Keymandments

1. Don't anchor on a reef.
(Reefs are alive. Alive. A-L-I-V-E).

2. Don't trash our place.
(Or we'll send Bubba to trash yours.)

3. Don't speed.
(Especially on Big Pine Key where Key deer reside, and tar-and-feathering is still practiced.)

4. Don't collect conch.
(This species is protected. By Bubba.)

5. Don't damage the sea grass.
(And don't even think about making a skirt out of it.)

6. Don't feed the animals.
(They'll want to follow you home, and you can't keep them).

7. Don't touch the coral.
(After all, you don't even know them).

8. Don't catch more fish than you can eat.
(Better yet, let them go. Some of them support schools.)

9. Don't disturb the bird nests.
(They find it very annoying).

10. Don't drink and drive. On land or sea.
(There's absolutely nothing funny about it.)

Source: http://www.fla-keys.com/command.cfm

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Ringing in the New Year in Key West

2011-12-29T13:16:00.001-08:00

The New Year tradition seems to be to go out on the town on New Year’s Eve, party hearty till dawn and then suffer through New Year’s Day. I think it might be interesting to change that tradition. There is no better place in the world than Key West and the Lower Keys to do something like this!

How about taking it a little easy in the New Year’s Eve celebration department and saving your energy to start the New Year with fun and adventure instead of a headache?

There are so many activities available in our area! Many of them are available nowhere else in the world. Even activities that you can find in other areas have a way of being presented with a distinctly Key West twist! A good place to start your search for fun in the New Year’s sun is the Key West Visitor’s Guide. There are enough activities here to keep you busy for a month or more! I just wanted to point out a few that caught my eye and piqued my curiosity. I just may try them out myself!

In their Key West Back Country Tours section they have two offerings that caught my eye. If you’re into being in the water (and who isn’t?!) there is a Sail, Snorkel and Kayak Adventure that looks like it would be great fun for anyone! You get to visit the Back Country Mangrove Islands, immerse yourself in nature and generally have a relaxing day.

A little more into adrenalin rushes? How about taking the Key West Shark Adventure?! No snorkeling here! The knowledgeable eco-guides will lure the sharks in to the immediate area by “chumming” (distributing stuff that stinks to us but that sharks love) in the waters of the salt marshes that surround the island. The pristine clarity of our local waters will enable you to see these apex predators like nowhere else. Bring your camera and be prepared to be wowed. Along the way you will be able to see many more of the birds, animals and sea life that inhabit our local area.

Whether you’re a tourist, looking to move permanently to the Keys, or just someone who likes the beauty of nature, the great variety of amenities in the homes in our area are just more reasons to want to live in beautiful Key West. If you’re interested in real estate in this attractive area contact me, Jimmy Lane, at Key West Real Estate: 305-766-0585.

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Help the Dry Tortugas National Park Celebrate its 70th Birthday!

2011-12-29T02:50:00.001-08:00

This is one of our great historic landmarks and worth check out more than once. It's been in existence for 70 years, and we hope it will be here for many more so future generations can share in its history. Find more information at http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm.

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Sculpture Key West Community Art Program

2011-12-28T02:42:00.001-08:00

If you start to see interesting sculptures popping up in Key West, it's due to the Community Art Program which is part of Sculpture Key West. For more information go to http://sculpturekeywest.org/index.php.

Community Art Program

Sculpture Key West places selected artworks in the community for our enjoyment all year long. This program is part of our mission to educate and inspire the residents and visitors of the Florida Keys. Sculpture Key West believes that art isn't something we should always have to make plans to see, or buy a ticket to visit. Instead, art belongs in our everyday environment where we can bump into it, where it can unexpectedly alter our day and our world.
Art in the Community:

Key West Weather Station, Robert Chambers “Propane Dog”
Pocket Park at Grinnell and Angela, Larry Estridge "Openings"
Bayview Park, Emil Adamec "The Gateway"
Fort East Martello, Eames Demetrios "Fort Tayla"
The Historic Gato Cigar Factory (outside), Tim Curtis "The Lick"
The Historic Gato Cigar Factory (inside), Jim Racchi "I-Beam"
The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Lori Nozick "Diaspora Series"

If you know of a great location for a sculpture, contact us!

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The Circus is Coming in January!

2011-12-27T02:37:00.001-08:00

For kids and kids at heart, the Walker Brothers Circus is coming to Key West in January. To purchase tickets and find out more, go to http://www.walkerbrotherscircus.com/.

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Key West Resident Documents Cuban Exile Experience at The Studios in Key West

2011-12-26T02:32:00.001-08:00

From KeysNet.com, this is something worth checking out.

Exile experience explored in art, music, poetry

Those who leave Cuba are afraid they will be forgotten."

So goes a line from the 2008 documentary on the life and exile of Cuban musician Israel Kantor, who defected from his famous Cuban band, Los Van Van, in 1984.

The documentary, by Key West resident Juan O'Farrill, will be shown at The Studios of Key West in January. The screenings are part of a larger project undertaken by Leonel Valle and O'Farrill exploring the exile experience.

Valle, a poet, came to the United States in 1960 on a regular commercial flight. He's never returned to his homeland.

O'Farrill came to the United States in 1994 after crossing the Florida Straits in his own handmade raft. Interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard, he was taken to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo. After a year in custody, he was allowed to enter the United States.

Each exile tells his own story and the larger stories of the Cuban diaspora in the exhibit, which will open at The Studios on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The exhibition consists of Valle's poetry hung side-by-side with O'Farrill's paintings, "each man telling his own story through a different artistic medium," according to the exhibition guide, "each voice as unique as the experience itself."

Kantor's story underlines the life of exiles.

The famous Cuban musician reached the U.S. through Mexico after defecting from Cuba where he was best-known for the Los Van Van band.

Born Wilfredo Israel Sardinas in western Cuba, the singer changed his name in 1984 at the suggestion of Puerto Rican musician Johnny Pacheco.

After several world tours with Los Van Van, Kantor decided not to return to Cuba.

In 2002, Kantor joined the Miami-based Tropicana All Stars orchestra, a group nominated for two Latin Grammy awards and two Grammy awards for their albums, "Recuerda a Benny More" and "Tradicion." Kantor lived and performed in Miami until dying of cancer in 2006.

"World of Dreams: Perspectives from Three Cuban Exiles," will be on exhibit at The Studios, 600 White St., from Dec. 21 to Jan. 15.

A reception for Valle and O'Farrill is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 4.

And screenings of the Kantor documentary will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.

For more information, call The Studios at 296-0458 or visit: www.tskw.org.

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Do You Know All of Key West's Great Beaches?

2011-12-25T02:26:00.001-08:00

For those who might be new to the area--or who don't venture far from their favorite spots--here is a list of the great beaches in Key West from KeyWest.com. Go to http://www.keywest.com/beaches.htm for a clickable location map.

Swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling are ideal at most beaches in Key West. Lifeguards are not present at beaches, so swimming is at your own risk. Topless and nude bathing are illegal. Fishing is allowed off the piers at most beaches. Check fishing license requirements.

FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR
An 87 acre state park with a pre-Civil War Fort. Wonderful sunset views. One of the best beaches in Key West, though a bit rocky. Public restrooms, food/drink kiosk, chair rentals, picnic tables and BBQ's. Admission charged. Entrance through Truman Annex at Southard Street.

SOUTH BEACH
A favorite of locals. Nice sandy beach with shallow waters and a concrete pier. No restrooms or facilities. Located at the end of Duval Street on the Atlantic Ocean.

DOG BEACH
A canine favorite though rocky and slippery. No restrooms or facilities. Located next to Louie's Backyard (Vernon and Waddell)

HIGG'S BEACH
Wide sandy beach with long wooden pier. Restroom facilities, covered picnic tables, full service restaurant, playground, chair rentals, rafts and watersports rentals. End of Reynold's Street.

REST BEACH
Soft sand and natural vegetation. Home of the White Street Pier where you can enjoy some great fishing. Wheelchair accessible. Yoga deck with nightly classes. Restrooms within walking distance. Picnic tables. White Street on Atlantic Ocean.

SMATHERS BEACH
Half mile stretch of sandy man-made beach. Restrooms, ample parking, concession stands, chair rentals, bike paths, picnic tables, volleyball nets, watersports rentals - jet skiiing, parasailing, and windsurfing. South Roosevelt Boulevard.

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It's New Year's in the Keys!

2011-12-24T14:21:00.001-08:00

From the FloridaKeys.com site, here are all the details for this year's New Year's Eve celebrations.

FLORIDA KEYS — New Year's Eve partiers tired of cold-weather festivities such as the traditional "ball drop" in New York's Times Square can find exuberant celebrations and much warmer temperatures in the Florida Keys.

Revelry in the Upper Keys is to include fireworks displays and other inviting activities at popular Key Largo and Islamorada restaurants and resorts. In Key West, merrymakers can get the "drop" on the new year at any of three unique takes on the Times Square tradition as midnight approaches Saturday, Dec. 31.

Thousands of people are expected to gather on Key West's famed Duval Street to ring in 2012 by watching a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, "drop" at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval. Festivities are emceed by a rooftop host beginning at 10 p.m. and, as a huge clock counts down the seconds to midnight, the shell begins to descend. Live music inside Sloppy Joe's adds to the event's appeal. Visit www.sloppyjoes.com.

At the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St., the annual celebration stars renowned female impersonator Sushi. Seconds before midnight, the elaborately gowned Sushi is to be lowered from the complex's balcony in a glittering, super-sized red high heel. Thousands typically gather to watch the "drag queen drop" and performances by female impersonators. Visit www.bourbonstpub.com.

In Key West's Historic Seaport New Year's Eve merriment salutes the island's colorful seafaring history. As midnight approaches, a pirate wench is lowered from the top of a tall ship's mast as cannons boom and the ship's pirate crew cheers her descent. Other attractions include live music, dancing and festivities at Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.Visit www.schoonerwharf.com.

Blackwater Sound in Key Largo is the setting for the Upper Keys' annual New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza. The sparkling sky display is hosted by bayside restaurants Sundowners, Señor Frijoles, Cactus Jack's, Gus' Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, all located around mile markers (MM) 103-104. Tables fill up fast, so partiers are advised to arrive early. Visit www.keylargofireworks.com.

In Islamorada, midnight fireworks on the beach are planned at Pierre's Restaurant and Morada Bay Beach Café, MM 81.6 bayside. Live music and cocktails available for purchase are to add to the celebration, but coolers are not allowed. In addition, reservations are being accepted for a gala dinner at Pierre's. For more information and reservations, call Pierre's at 305-664-3225.

For a casually elegant New Year's Eve celebration, Islamorada's Cheeca Lodge & Spa, MM 82 oceanside, is planning a midnight fireworks display. Known for its renowned cuisine and beachside location, Cheeca is an ideal spot for revelers and romantics to ring in 2012. For more information about dining and reservations, call 305-664-4651, ext. 4580.

The newly renovated Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle, Islamorada's iconic resort located at MM 84 oceanside, is offering two New Year's Eve packages for visitors, including a dinner in the Horizon Room with cocktails, champagne and dancing, or a lighter Tiki fare with hors d'oeuvres, champagne and midnight fireworks on the beach. For details and reservations, call 305-433-9935 or visit www.holidayisle.com.

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
Social: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube

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Subscribe to the Key West Newsletter

2011-12-23T14:21:00.001-08:00

Want to get the most current information all the happenings and news in Key West--right on your computer or smartphone? Subscribe to the Key West newsletter! Click here to get started: http://www.keywest.com/newsletter.html

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Tavernier Historic Bike Ride - January 2012

2011-12-22T05:56:00.001-08:00

On January 7, 2012, get some exercise and learn more about the history of Flagler's railroad as you bike around one of Key West's historic areas.

See http://www.flaglerkeys100.com/tavernier-historic-bike-ride for more details.

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Key West Master Chefs Classic

2011-12-21T05:46:00.001-08:00

On January 29, 2012, the 18th Annual Master Chefs Classic will be back at the Weston Key West Resort & Marina. Come be one of the 400 lucky people to tast and judge! Proceeds will benefit Monroe County residents with developmental disabilities.

For information on pricing and times, check out http://masterchefsclassic.com/.

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Key West Holiday Dining Out Suggestions

2011-12-20T06:50:00.001-08:00

‘Tis the season to be jolly! It’s also the season to eat out with friends. Then there’s the fact that, if you are here in Key West or the Lower Keys on holiday, you may not have planned to create your own holiday dinner.

So, being a long time native and wanting to share what I believe to be the best spots in town with you … I’m not ranking these places, other than to say they are my personal favorites … Without further ado, presented here in alphabetical order, are my three favorite local eateries!

A & B Lobster House at 700 Front Street, Key West has amazing seafood and views! From their website: A&B Lobster House combines the best of Key West tradition with the latest in culinary innovation. Savor the elegant atmosphere and spectacular views of the Key West Bight, while enjoying our exceptional menu and large selection of boutique wines. Enjoy the finest steaks, locally caught seafood and lobsters from Maine and Florida, prepared with a delicate fusion of classic and contemporary styles by our renowned chefs. Dine outside on the wrap-around balcony or inside the timeless dining room, while our knowledgeable and attentive staff anticipates your every need and helps to make your experience unforgettable. After dinner, enjoy fine cognacs, dessert wines, cigars and unique martinis in Berlin's — a comfortable locals’ bar. Visit A&B Lobster House and experience the unique combination of elegant atmosphere, attentive service and inspired cuisine, which has made us a time-honored local tradition in Key West since 1947.

The Grand Cafe at 314 Duval Street, Key West is a great place for people-watching while you dine. From their website: The Grand Café is a warm and inviting family owned restaurant. Located in a breathtaking Victorian mansion, the Grand Café serves fine wines, perfect martinis and, of course, delicious seafood and meats. You are invited to spend a lazy afternoon having lunch in our garden, take your time with starlit meals on our wraparound porch and enjoy our newly renovated bar and lounge.

Michaels at 532 Margaret Street, Key West arguably has the best steaks on the island! From their web site: Treat yourself to a delicious dining experience outdoors in a relaxing Key West garden atmosphere or indoors in one of our two dining rooms. Michaels Restaurant, not Michael's Restaurant, is in Old Town Key West, near the corner of Southard Street- on Margaret Street. Zagat Survey 2011 said, “One of the best and most intimate places to dine in Key West is chef Michael Wilson’s high-end culinary gem of an American, where the steaks are superb, the desserts fabulous and the martinis to die for; further elevated by an outstanding staff (it’s rated No. 1 for Service in the Keys), a gorgeous garden and delectable fondue at the outdoor bar, it’s in a class by itself.”

So there you have them. My favorite places to dine out in Key West. Give them a try. Who knows? You just might find me at the table next to you!

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Family Fun Day at Pigeon Key

2011-12-20T05:40:00.001-08:00

Mark your calendars for January 14, 2012, and plan to head to Pigeon Key for a great day of history and family fun. And its free!

For more information on times and events go to: http://www.flaglerkeys100.com/free-admission-family-fun-day-at-historic-pigeon-key

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Support Reef Relief

2011-12-19T05:35:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of ReefRelief.org.

If you're looking for a great charity this holiday season, consider supporting Reef Relief. Here is some information from their website:

Our Mission

Reef Relief® is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving and protecting our coral reef ecosystem.

Our Goals

Increase public awareness of the importance and value of living coral reef ecosystems
Increase scientific understanding and knowledge of living coral reef ecosystems
Strengthen grassroots community-based efforts to protect coral reef ecosystems
Design, develop, and help implement strategies for marine protected areas associated with coral reef ecosystems
Encourage and support eco-tourism as part of sustainable community development that protects and preserves coral reef ecosystems
Strengthen our organizational capacity to carry out our mission
Reef Relief’s goal is S.E.A. for C.P.R.

We focus on rigorous Science to Educate the public & Advocate policymakers to achieve Conservation, Protection, and Restoration of coral reefs.

For more information go to http://reefrelief.org/mission/.9

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Laura Bush Supports Protection of the Gulf

2011-12-18T05:17:00.001-08:00

This article appeared in KeyNet.com on December 10, 2011.

Laura Bush: Protecting the Gulf is 'critical'

Former First Lady Laura Bush, speaking Wednesday at a scientific summit in Texas, lauded the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as critical protector of Gulf of Mexico marine resources.

"Whether you live in Key West, Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans, Galveston, Corpus Christi or somewhere in between, every community along the Gulf depends on a healthy and sustainable ecosystem for their future existence and prosperity," said Bush, a Texas native.

The three-day summit, hosted by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, drew "a diversity of public and private actors working on conservation and recovery in the Gulf," according to program information.

The Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010 "brought new urgency" to the annual Gulf of Mexico Summit, organizers said.

Bush's keynote speech at the closing event focused on protecting the Gulf of Mexico as a critical economic and environmental resource.

"From our experience with national marine monuments in the Pacific and with marine sanctuaries and national wildlife refuges and parks, we know that conservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive," Bush said.

"From the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the deep waters off Texas to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Everglades National Park, marine sanctuaries and parks attract visitors and give Gulf residents a great sense of pride in where they live."

"Instead of impeding commercial activity, they demonstrate that economic growth can occur in ways that don't compromise our most important and treasured ecological areas," she said.

The former First Lady supported the concept of a "a national marine monument or sanctuary along what some call the 'Islands of the Stream,' - a string of underwater mountains run along the outer Gulf shelf."

"A number of them rise to peaks near the surface of the water, creating a series of coral reef communities which track closely with the flow of the Gulf Stream," she said.

The Flower Garden Banks sanctuary was created to protect one of these Gulf areas, but others need additional protection, Bush said.

"These 'Islands of the Stream' ring the Gulf, creating what I like to envision as a coral necklace. From the Flower Gardens, the underwater mountain chain runs east to the Florida Keys Sanctuary and up along the southeast coast of the United States," she said. "These areas represent just a fraction of 1 percent of the continental shelf in the Gulf."

Former President George W. Bush and his wife will join family members spending most of January along the Florida gulf coast, Laura Bush said.

http://www.keysnet.com/2011/12/10/403980/laura-bush-protecting-the-gulf.html

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Van Eno Retrospective at Custom House Museum

2011-12-17T05:25:00.001-08:00

Thanks to KeysNet.com for this article.

The Key West Art & Historical Society will present a retrospective on the work of Key West artist Van Eno, starting Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Custom House Musuem's Bryan Gallery.

Eno's iconic work was popularized in Key West in the 1970s and '80 and exhibited in the Gingerbread Square Gallery when Richard Heyman owned the gallery and before Heyman became Key West mayor.

Work in theater costume and set design broadened the appeal of Eno's work. And later, his drop-paint style became well-known and sought after by collectors.

This special tribute to Eno, created by guest curators Joe Pais, Wesley Calvin and Bob Chaplin, will run through Feb. 17, 2012.

Many local residents have loaned their Van Eno art for this exhibit, society officials said. As a result, works not previously available will be on display to the public.

During his Key West residency, Eno's work on playbills and posters also drew admirers. His design for a production of "Godspell" will be among the rare pieces on display at the Customs House exhibit.

Eno died in September 1986 at his home on White Street.

For more information about the Key West Art & Historical Society, call 295-6616.

http://www.keysnet.com/2011/12/16/405703/van-eno-retrospectives-opens-at.html

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Free (or Almost Free) Things to Do in Key West

2011-12-16T17:12:00.001-08:00

Biking, bocce, skating, swimming--there are lots and lots of things to do in Key West that are either free or cost very little. If you're feeling a little "pinched" by the economy, check out this website for a long list of fun things that won't empty your wallet: http://www.keywest.com/adventures.html.

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A Clearly Better Way to Experience Key West

2011-12-15T06:00:00.001-08:00

Picture Courtesy of Clearly Unique Charters

If you're looking for a different way to experience the marine beauty of Key West, consider doing it in a clear kayak from Clearly Unique.

Here's an excerpt from their website:

Take a Key West eco tour on our clear kayaks, and you’ll enjoy watching wildlife above and below the surface. Since these kayaks are completely clear, guests are able to see right through to the bottom of the shallow waters, catching glimpses of unique marine species that make their home in the vast coral reefs of Key West.

Visit www.clearlyuniquecharters.com for more information.

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There’s Holiday Cheer in Key West, But Be Careful Out There!

2011-12-14T14:12:00.001-08:00

‘Tis the season to be jolly, especially if you have the good fortune to be spending it here in the Florida Keys! Our winter oasis is bulging at the seams with all the snowbirds; everyone is happy and celebrating their good fortune to be here instead of places like New York or Minnesota.

An unfortunate accident on the Hwy. 1 Long Key Bridge this past Monday brings to mind that no matter how much fun we’re having, we really need to be extra aware and careful this time of year. Designated drivers or public transportation are called for!

There are so many activities going on this year, it’s hard to keep up! Check out the Key West Christmas pages to plan your way through New Year’s. I have a feeling it’s going to be pretty busy downtown!

Speaking of which, the Key West City Commission has once again given a holiday gift to guests, residents and downtown merchants alike by approving free parking and bus service for the holidays.

From December 21^st until December 24^th, all bus service in Key West and the Lower Keys will be free. During this busy season, free bus and shuttle service allows shoppers to come downtown without the worry, cost or stress of parking. In addition, it is an added incentive to shop locally and support the Keys’ economy.

For those who still prefer to drive, the Commission also approved free parking throughout Old Town from December 21^st through Christmas Day. Free downtown parking during the last shopping days of the holiday has become a tradition in Key West.

The City also reminds the community that there will be no bus service on Christmas or on New Year's Day so that drivers can enjoy the holidays with their families.

Whether you’re a tourist looking to move permanently to the Keys or just someone who likes the beauty of nature, the great variety of amenities in our area homes are just more reasons to want to live in beautiful Key West. If you’re interested in real estate in this attractive area contact me, Jimmy Lane, at Key West Real Estate: 305-766-0585.

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Explore Key West by Bike

2011-12-14T06:00:00.001-08:00

A great and eco-friendly way to see all that Key West offers is on a bike. One of the best bike tours can be found at Lloyds Tropical Bike Tour. See their website below for more information. It's a great family activity!

http://www.lloydstropicalbiketour.com/?utm_source=keywest.com&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=KeyWest.com_link

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Annual Key West Craft Show

2011-12-13T06:00:00.001-08:00

The Key West Craft Show will be back again in Old Town Key West on January 28 and 28, 2012. This is a two-day juried outdoor craft fesitval that brings over 100 skilled artists to Key West to show off their talent.

To learn more or to apply for the show go to http://www.keywestartcenter.com/craft.html.

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JUST LISTED!

2011-12-12T12:51:00.001-08:00

1214 Olivia Street, Key West. $3,490,000

Gorgeous Turn-of-the-Century Victorian home on secure 2 and 1/2 lots in The Meadows, with restoration and renovations by award winning architect Tom Pope. Boasting almost 4500 Sq. ft. of renovated living area, a wine cellar, outdoor kitchen, newly renovated one bedroom and one bathroom guest house, mature tropical foliage, ipe decking, theatre, solarium, Chef's kitchen, and an impressive master suite with one of the largest closets in town, this home is built for entertaining. The home has a large free form pool with granite curbstone waterfall and built in spa. The ultimate property to live the Key West lifestyle. Owner willing to trade for a smaller Key West property, resort property elsewhere, or NYC property. Owner financing possible.

Jimmy Lane, CRS, GRI, CIPS
Vice President
Century 21 Schwartz Realty
305-766-0585 Cell
305-295-3454 Fax
www.JimmyLane.com

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Anne McKee Artist Fund

2011-12-12T06:00:00.001-08:00

If you're a local artist or just enjoy their work, the Artists Fund of the Florida Keys provides support to those in need of short-term financial assistance. From their website:

The Anne McKee Artists Fund of the Florida Keys, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to provide project based, short term, monetary grants to qualified, serious artists in need of financial assistance and/or greater public recognition, who have demonstrated individual artistic excellence and an ongoing commitment to the area cultural community.

Go to http://www.mckeefund.org/ for more information on upcoming showings and available grants.

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Giving Back to Nature this Holiday Season

2011-12-11T06:00:00.001-08:00

Here's a great article from Keysnet.com on how to support our marvelous natural resources in the Keys.

Dive Time with Tim Grollimund

It’s better to give than to receive. My girlfriends over the years used to tell me that all the time, especially since they were enticing me to be the giver. But such is life, and most of the time I really enjoyed giving back to them.

Seriously, it’s the time of year when giving and receiving is on everyone’s mind, especially kids. Since I moved here, the reef has given more to me than I could have hoped or dreamed. Many years ago when I came to the Keys as a novice diver, I knew this was a special place. Now that I live here, it’s even more so. Balancing work and play is easier here than is was in Virginia. All I have to do here is grab my camera and my gear and I am doing both. I don’t have to pack the car, catch a plane, rent a car, and on and on.

So it seems to me that since we live in the land of perpetual vacation mindset, we can take a portion of what we would spend to get here and make our spot a little better. As I’ve said before — in the first piece I wrote last January — pick your passion and apply some effort, a few bucks, or donate that old piece of equipment an organization needs. We have a unique way of life provided to us by the resources of the sea. And there are many organizations that are giving back to the ocean. I’ve listed a few below that would very much appreciate your kind consideration this holiday season — and all year for that matter. Whether it’s a monetary contribution, an in-kind donation, or perhaps the most valuable contribution of all — your time — these local organizations will be very grateful for any help you give. Positive vibes from the local community are an essential strengthening element for the continuing sustainability of these nonprofits.

Coral Restoration Foundation: This is at the top of my list. The coral building blocks themselves are the basis of our provenance. In an earlier column I tried to put it in perspective — if CRF dives every day for the next four years, they still won’t be done planting the 34,000 fledgling coral colonies growing in the nurseries. To participate in a coral planting program through one of the local dive shops, sponsor an educational event, or Adopt a Coral see www.coralrestoration.org and www.adoptacoral.org.

Reef Environmental Education Foundation: As this edition rolls off the press, REEF will be gearing up for a yard sale on Saturday, the 10th, at their headquarters at mile marker 98.3. Their Christmas party is the 13th, and is open to the public. REEF is the leading organization in the lionfish mitigation effort. The three lionfish derbies in the Keys took over 1,500 invasive lionfish from our waters. They also conduct fish counts and a major grouper program. There are many activities and travel opportunities that offer rich learning experiences. REEF is also well-known for providing data to researchers on fish populations through the survey program. More than 155,000 surveys have been conducted. See www.reef.org.

Marine Mammal Conservancy: Intense effort for the pilot whale rescue and rehabilitation capped this year’s milestones for MMC. This is a leading center of activity, and draws in the expertise of many university professionals in the field. MMC covers all of the Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas, northwest to Cape Sable and northeast to Key Biscayne National Park. Since 1987 MMC has saved and released 102 marine mammals without rehabilitation, rehabilitated and released 45, and has a success rate of 67 percent. They have a great wish list on their website under the Rescue and Rehab tab on the main menu. I have photographed a couple necropsies for them, and am very impressed with the volunteer staff and the dedication they bring to caring for distressed marine mammals. See www.marinemammalconservancy.org.

History of Diving Museum: While not a direct dunk on the reef, HDM encapsulates “the story of man’s quest to explore under the sea.” It’s a creative, interactive, dynamic timeline of diving from the earliest diving bell to modern pressurized suits, including a collection of diving helmets from every nation that has crafted a helmet. The Bauer Diving History Research Library will open in March 2012. The library will contain an extensive and unique collection of rare books and archives. Every third Wednesday of the month they have a free lecture on diving, ecology or travel. The History of Diving Museum Store was recently voted the Best Museum Store in Florida by the readers of Florida Monthly magazine — a great place to shop for gifts for all ages. A membership also makes a great gift. See www.divingmuseum.org.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center: A true phoenix, the Wild Bird Center has risen to the next level of informative and entertaining wildlife posts in the Keys through recent renovations and the opening of the wild bird hospital. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. This is a great place to get up close with both Florida Keys birds and migratory birds in season. Everything from hawks to storks, pelicans, ibis, herons and egrets are either recuperating in enclosures or are in the natural habitat area on the waterfront. See www.fkwbc.org.

These selected organizations represent a wide variety of local funding and volunteer opportunities. And I’m sure I’ve missed a few. This holiday season send your love to the sea, and make your check payable to the group that aligns with your passion!

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/12/09/403809/christmas-for-the-reef.html

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No Name Race Benefits Domestic Abuse Shelter

2011-12-10T06:00:00.001-08:00

Here is how the Domestic Abuse Shelter website states is mission and reason for the race:

The Domestic Abuse Shelter (DAS) is a non-profit organization, providing comprehensive services for individuals and families experiencing domestic and sexual abuse.

Our mission is to reduce the incidence and minimize the impact of domestic and sexual abuse in Monroe County by directing victims and abusers to appropriate, effective programs and services.

DAS helps survivors of domestic abuse begin again and provides immediate safety to abuse victims and their children. The organization educates, supports and promotes community awareness about domestic violence throughout the Florida Keys.

For more information and to register for the race, visit http://www.domesticabuseshelter.org/.

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Key West Literary Seminar Coming in January

2011-12-09T18:59:00.001-08:00

Here is some information from the website of the Key West Literary Seminar:

The Key West Literary Seminar explores a unique literary theme each year. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we look to the unexpected, the unknown, to worlds that might have been, and worlds that may still come to pass. “Yet Another World” will feature some of the most innovative writers working today. Through a four-day program of readings, lectures, and conversations, we will explore the dystopias, utopias, and imagined worlds they create in order to shed light on our condition. This is a literature of the potential of the present moment.

To register and learn more about the seminar and panelists, go to http://www.kwls.org/seminar/.

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Key West Real Estate Market Report November 2011

2011-12-09T07:15:00.001-08:00

During the month of November 2011, there were 410 properties actively listed in the Key West real estate market. Of these properties, 125 were contingent or pending on the last day of the month, and 18 properties had been sold. One year ago, during the month of November, the number of active listings was 526, the number of properties contingent or pending was 140, and the number sold was 22.

The Key West real estate market shows a positive trend when comparing the first eleven months of 2011 to the first eleven months of 2010. The number of active listings has increased in the past month while the number of sales has decreased. The good news is that the average selling price increased, and the median selling price increased in 2011. This is GREAT NEWS for our local real estate market!

Both the average and median prices of properties sold this November were higher than a year ago. According to the November 2011 Key West Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in Key West in November 2010 was $494,312.67, and in November 2011 the average price decreased to $395,956.50. The median price of properties sold in November 2010 was $452,000.00 and dropped to a median price in November 2011 of $391,503.50.

To break the number of sales down into more detail: The number of single family homes sold in Key West during November 2011 and November 2010 was the same at a total of 9. The number of condos/townhomes sold in Key West in November 2011 was 7, compared to 12 last November. There was no other properties (duplexes and multi-family) sold in Key West during November 2011, and one other property sold in November 2010.

As the graphs comparing sales from January to November show, now is the perfect time for buyers and sellers to take advantage of this market! I'm ready to assist with my knowledge of Key West and my extensive real estate experience. Give me a call today. Jimmy Lane: 305-766-0585 or contact me online at http://www.jimmylane .com.

Check out 365 Things To Do In Key West and share the link with your friends!

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Lower Keys Real Estate Market Report November 2011

2011-12-08T20:01:00.001-08:00

The Lower Keys real estate markets are down compared to the numbers of one year ago. The number of properties actively listed this November was 271. There were 53 properties either contingent or pending but zero sold. In November 2010, the number of properties actively listed was 208, and the number sold was 21. So, while there were 63 more properties listed this November, sales were markedly lower the 21 in 2010.

The average and median prices of properties sold show both decreases from the same month a year ago. According to the November 2011 Lower Keys Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in the Lower Keys during November 2010 was $336,464.00, and in November 2011 the average price was $242,450.00, which is a decrease of -27.9%. The median price of properties sold in November 2010 was $251,250.00, and the median price in November 2011 was $227,500.00, which is a decrease of -9.5%. In November 2010 the average days on the market for properties in the Lower Keys was 242. This number climbed to 358 for November 2011.

To break the numbers down into more detail: There were no single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during November 2011, and the number sold in November 2010 was 14. There were no sales of condos/townhomes in the Lower Keys during either November 2011 or November 2010. The number of other properties (duplex, multi-units, and mobile homes) sold in the Lower Keys was 7 in November 2011 compared to 7 last year.

The average price of single-family homes sold in the Lower Keys during November 2011 was $393,350.00, which was an 18.9 % decrease from one year ago. The median price of $348,500.00 in November 2011, was a decrease of 10.1% from the $387,500.00 median price in November 2010. There was 1 condo/townhome sold in November 2011 for $216,000.00. The average price of the 1 other property sold in November 2011 was $216,000.00, and the median price was $216,000.00.

There were 156 active listings of single-family homes for sale in the Lower Keys this November. The active listings also included 12 listings for condos/townhomes, and 103 listings for other properties. Of the total 271 properties listed; 53 properties were contingent or pending at the time of the report and none were sold. One year ago there were 179 active listings for single-family homes, 18 for condos/townhomes, and 111 for other properties.

Check out 365 Things To Do In Key West and share the link with your friends!

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Key West Race Week 2012

2011-12-08T06:30:00.001-08:00

Get ready! Quantum Key West 2011 will be in Key West from January 15-20, 2012, with world-class boat racing and other great events.

Some details are still pending so check back between now and then at their website: http://www.premiere-racing.com/keywest12/pages/KW12_home_page.htm.

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Flagler's Costume Ball

2011-12-07T05:53:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Flagler website.

Here's info on the gala from the Flager website:

Step back in time and enjoy an opulent night of period costumes, dinner, dancing and celebrating the glories of the Flagler era.

When
From 6p.m. to 10p.m.

Where
The Historic Casa Marin
A Waldorf Astoria Resort
1500 Reynolds Street

Cost
$100 Per Person

Event Features
Includes one hour of open bar cocktails, dinner, beverages, fireworks as well as a silent auction to benefit Friends of Old Seven, a nonprofit organization formed as a community effort to save, enhance and maintain the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, a significant piece of railroad history.

For more information go to http://www.flaglerkeys100.com/flaglers-100th-anniversary-gala-costume-ball.

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Get Ready for Florida Keys Seafood Festival

2011-12-06T06:24:00.001-08:00

The 7th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival is scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Bayview Park (corner of Truman Avenue & Jose Marti Drive) in Key West. FREE ADMISSION! Parking: $5 per car at Horace O'Bryant Middle School parking lot, 1105 Leon Street, adjacent to Bayview Park.

The 2012 Festival will include the following:

On the Menu - Fried Fish, Smoked Fish, Fish Dip with crackers, Grilled Spiny Lobster, Stone Crab Claws, Pick 'n Peel Key West Pink Shrimp, and Conch Fritters, Conch Chowder & Conch Salad. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will also be for sale. Beverages sold will be beer, wine, water, and soda. Desserts, such as Estella's Famous Flan, Key Lime Pie, and soft ice cream will be available for purchase.

Entertainment - Emcee Captain Marlin Scott
Live music will start at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m. Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 will play from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Other acts TBA.

Children's Activities - Bounce House, Giant Slide, Touch Tank, two Mallory Square performers, and much more!

Please note: All information listed is subject to change, except for the date (1/14/2012) and time (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.), rain or shine.

For more information regarding the Florida Keys Seafood Festival, call Vicki Gale, Event Coordinator, at (305) 872-9026, Fax (305) 292-4415, or e-mail: vickigale@bellsouth.net or send correspondence via U.S. mail to:
Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association
PO Box 501404
Marathon, FL 33050-1404
Website: www.fkcfa.org

Source: http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/environment/env_seafood_fest.shtml

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Great Nature Theatre and Planitarium in Key West

2011-12-05T06:15:00.001-08:00

Spend a fun day learning about planet earth as well as the heavens above it at A Key Encounter Nature Theatre and Planitarium in Key West. Here are some reviews from visitors that are posted on their website:

Delray Beach: Want to come back. Ft. Lauderdale: Loved it, loved it, loved it!
Key West (man signed name as journalist):
This is a great encounter for locals Marathon: Exciting & Interesting.
Miami: Great. Loved the anaconda New Port Richey: Inspiring.
Ocala: Super Panama City: Very nice. Fantastic.

Learn more at http://www.akeyencounter.org/.

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Free Environmental Film Series

2011-12-04T06:09:00.001-08:00

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is presenting a series of free films in December at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Come and learn about everything from jellyfish to sea monsters.

For times and more details see http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/visitor_information/events.html.

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Mote Marine Lab Offers Programs for All

2011-12-03T06:03:00.001-08:00

This is a great place for a fun and educational family outing. Here's how their website describes it:

Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.

For information on all programs go to http://www.mote.org/.

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Key West House and Garden Tours

2011-12-02T18:03:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of www.oirf.org

52nd Anniversary House Tours 2011-2012

These tours will begin in late December. Here's more information from the website:

The annual Key West house tours are sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation and funded in part about the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Each tour features lovely homes and gardens reflecting the varied tastes and originality of their owners. You will be enchanted by exquisite restorations and creative renovations, and delightful interiors featuring art collections, antiques, and much more.

The 2011-12 Key West house tour dates are:

December 27-28, 2011
January 20-21, 2012
February 17-18, 2012
March 16-17, 2012

For details go to http://www.oirf.org/page.php?p=tours.

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Conch Houses – A Uniquely Keys Style Architecture

2011-12-02T07:35:00.001-08:00

Early settlers of the Florida Keys were faced with more than just a few challenges when it came time to building their homes. The main problem they faced was a lack of naturally available building materials. Shipping materials in would have been extremely expensive. So, in true pioneer fashion, they got creative. The results of their creativity are all around us and many of these unique Keys homes are open to the public.

Necessity being the mother of invention, settlers created a mortar made of sand, water, and lime. They obtained their lime by burning conch shells. Having no building stones or bricks, but an abundance of conch shells, the settlers often used the shell itself in constructing their houses; hence the term "conch" house. Later, the name was extended to the wooden homes built by settlers and ship's carpenters utilizing a blend of architectural styles.

The classic Conch Houses of Key West and the Florida Keys exhibit multicultural roots inherited from the Bahamas, New England, the local indigenous inhabitants and Africa. Hand-crafted of wood and constructed by seafaring carpenters, conch house architecture utilizes all of these influences to create a tropical adaptation of housing that is perfectly suited to the area.

The classic Conch House is revealed to be an energy-efficient, sensible design for living in the tropics:

Houses are raised off the ground, resting on posts for air circulation, which cools the house and prevents rotting from excessive moisture build-up. Sloping metal roofs reflect the heat of the tropical sun and supply the home with clean water by means of a gutter system to a storage cistern.

Dormers expand attic space into bedrooms. Roof hatches, a concept borrowed from ships, also aid in providing cross-ventilation. Exterior walls are singled walled. This allows air to circulate from the crawl space to the attic. Heat in the walls and attic is dissipated by convection action. Louvered shutters block out the tropical afternoon heat while allowing circulation of sea breezes. Top mounted shutters also provide hurricane protection. Porches and encircling verandahs provide shade and further help to reduce interior heat. Each room is constructed in such a way that each has the rigidity of a sturdy structural cube to resist hurricanes.

There are several free guides readily available in Key West that provide self-guided walking tours of the area’s unique architectural heritage. A "Pelican Path" brochure shows the path to follow and provides interesting documentation about the old houses that are identified with numbered pelican plaques along the way. The brochure may be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce or the Hospitality House at Mallory Square. Another favorite that is readily available is Sharon Well's Walking and Biking Tour to Historical Key West. This guide also documents each building's history and provides maps for each section on the tour. Another easy way to learn more about conch architecture and Key West in general is to take the popular Conch Train Tour which begins near Mallory Square on Front Street.

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Visit the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West

2011-12-01T05:41:00.001-08:00

Picture Courtesy of Hemingwayhome.com.

This historic structure sits in the heart of Old Town Key West and offers a look into the life of one of America's great authors who lived and wrote in Key West for over ten years.

For information on tours and more details go to http://www.hemingwayhome.com/.

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Remembering the Railroad's Arrival in Key West

2011-11-30T05:34:00.001-08:00

The Key West Art & Historical Society celebrates the 99th anniversary of the arrival of the Florida East Coast Railway in Key West with "Flagler's Speedway to Sunshine," an exhibit that opens Jan. 23.

It's the beginning of special events and programs throughout 2011, culminating on Jan. 22, 2012, with the 100th anniversary of railroad magnate Henry Flagler's arrival in Key West.

The railroad operated in the Keys from 1912 until Labor Day 1935, when it was swept away in one of the most horrific hurricanes in history.

The exhibit will introduce the railroad workers, cooks, doctors, wives and children who came to Key West because of the railroad. It features quotes from the men and women that were there, such as 19-year-old Swedish immigrant Carl Sahlin.

"We worked six days a week, 10 hours a day, but to a young fellow this was not considered a hardship. I earned $1.65 for a 10-hour day, minus a charge for meals."

Violet Pierce Stickney and Gertrude Lowe Sandquist were teenagers when the first train arrived in Key West. "We milled around the crowd and after the dignitaries left, one gentleman from the group accompanying Mr. Flagler came up and asked us if we'd like to go aboard. Being typical 16-year-olds, we did."

The exhibit's set piece is a recreated Flagler railway car like the one that arrived 99 years ago. Visitors can sit in the railcar seats and gaze out the window via a flat screen TV that shows rare film footage a passenger shot as the train left Pigeon Key in the Middle Keys bound for Key West.

Another film produced by Historic Tours of America blends archival footage and interviews to tell Flagler's story, including the celebration in Key West the day the train arrived. A crowd of 10,000 people, including local schoolchildren, greeted the train's arrival.

In addition to the artifacts from the museum's permanent collection, Seth H. Bramson, a collector of Florida East Coast Railway memorabilia and author of more than 60 articles on transportation history, has loaned some pieces from his private collection.

"The conductor's uniform is an actual uniform of a Florida East Coast Railway conductor," Bramson said, "down to the original cap and uniform buttons."

Bramson's railway china, silver and serving pieces will also be displayed, along with "Havana Special" stationery that was used in the lounge cars.

Additionally, Middle Keys historian Dan Gallagher has built a railroad model and explains the building process in a DVD that uses rare archival photography.

The museum is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's at the Custom House at 281 Front St. A members-only reception to open the exhibit is planned for Jan. 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/01/16/298523/new-exhibit-marks-railroads-arrival.html

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Historic Walking Tour of Key West

2011-11-28T06:13:00.001-08:00

Picture Courtesy of BestOnKeyWest.com

Starting with the era of wrecking through the eras of sponging, cigar manufacturing, US naval influences, Key West has witnessed many different groups of people come and go, each leaving their own marks on this unique island. On our two-hour Historic Key West Walking Tour, you will be able to see the many historical influences that have created the Key West of today.

The walking tour has a few main themes. The first is architecture. The historic Old Town district of Key West contains the largest collection of wooden frame buildings in Florida. There are over 3,000 historic homes and historic sites in this area, 300 of which are registered under the National Register of Historic Places. Another predominant theme of the tour is the naval influence of Key West. See some of the spots that were important in the US military and learn about other maritime influences.

While walking through the narrow streets of Key West, you will also be treated to the soothing scents of various flowers such as orchids, gardenias, and bromeliads. All tours feature an entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide who will fill you in on the history and facts of the stops and sights you will see along the way.

Tour Highlights

1-2 Hour walking tour
Get an overview of Key West's history
See diverse architectural styles
Learn about U.S. Navy influences

For prices and more info see http://www.bestonkeywest.com/key-west-walking-tour.html.

Source: http://www.bestonkeywest.com/key-west-walking-tour.html

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Kids Wildlife Habitat Contest

2011-11-27T05:03:00.001-08:00

Kids in the Keys and elsewhere in Florida can enter the Florida Wildlife Federation's third annual Kid's Wildlife Habitat Contest, open to youths ages 12 and under.

It's easy: Just tell contest organizers how your nature habitat -- whether at home, school or somewhere else -- provides water, food, cover and a place for wildlife to raise its young.

The habitat can be anything from a butterfly garden to bird nests.

The winning habitat will be featured on the federation's website and in its newsletter. The winner will also get an age-suitable gardening book and commemorative plaque. Entries must be received by March 31.

The federation says there's great concern among health-care specialists, educators, environmentalists and parents about the shrinking amount of time children spend playing outdoors. Less time outdoors can mean increased obesity and less first-hand observation of basic scientific lessons to be learned from being outdoors.

Trying to stem that is the reason for the contest -- to get kids to reconnect with nature and at the same time teach them something about identifying plants and animals in the natural world.

If your child or students don't already have a habitat to nominate, go to www.fwfonline.org to see how to create one, and what past winners did. The winner will be announced on Earth Day in April.

For more information, call Diane Hines at (850) 656-7113.

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/11/12/395310/wildlife-federation-seeking-kids.html

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Untitled

2011-11-26T07:03:00.001-08:00

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Railroad buffs can whet their appetites for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the completion of Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad by attending the Key West Model Railroad Club's second annual Key West Model Railroad Show & Sale.

Set for Saturday, Dec. 3, the free-admission event for rail fans is to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.

Highlights are to include locomotive drag races where visitors can pit their own model train locomotives against each other on a specially created 24-foot multi-scale racetrack.

Attendees also can check out model trains operating on modular layouts, vendor displays and free "Trains 4 Kids" giveaways. Additional drawings will feature complete Lionel O-Gauge train sets.

The island chain's railroad history dates back to 1905, when construction began on the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad conceived by Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler. When the train made its first journey from the Florida mainland to Key West Jan. 22, 1912, it connected the previously isolated Keys with the mainland and each other for the first time.

Model Railroad Show organizers anticipate displaying Over-Sea Railroad photographs, artifacts and memorabilia at the show.

Other events commemorating the historic railroad's centennial year currently are under way in the Florida Keys, with the schedule to culminate the weekend of Jan. 22, 2012.

Model Railroad Show information: keywesttrainman@aol.com or 305-586-7768
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Social: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube.com

Source: http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=8240

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Four Homes Wanted by Old Island Restoration Foundation

2011-11-25T19:34:00.001-08:00

Those who appreciate Key West's historic homes and those who like to see what can be done to restore these architectural beauties have a common cause.

The Old Island Restoration Foundation is reaching out to expand the collection on tour during the upcoming winter season.

For more than 50 years, the foundation has helped raise funds to maintain the Oldest House Museum and help fund restoration grants as well as scholarships for Key West High seniors.

The foundation is looking to sponsor four home and garden tours this year.

If you have a restoration story and home to share, Brenda Donnelly would like to hear from you. Call her at 305-304-1116.

Source: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/11/18/397334/old-island-restoration-looking.html

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Holiday Tours of Key West's Historic Inns

2011-11-24T05:22:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Fla-keys.com site

Below is what the Florida Keys website has to say on touring our historic inns, which will be decorated in their holiday finest!

Frost-free Key West might be the southernmost island in the continental United States, but many of its bed-and-breakfast inns sport holiday decorations worthy of Santa's northernmost workshop. Visitors can tour the most festive and discover Key West's 19th-century architecture and warmhearted seasonal spirit in lighted inn tours set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

Presented by the Key West Innkeepers Association, the 2011 tours feature unique island inns with indoor and outdoor spaces decked out for the holidays. At each featured stop, innkeepers will be on hand to share information about the property and its history.

Other attractions include mouthwatering cuisine prepared by top Key West restaurants, vintages from Opici Wine Co. and other holiday refreshments.

Inns included in the Dec. 9 tour are Mermaid & The Alligator, 729 Truman Ave.; Cypress House, 601 Caroline St.; Artist House on Fleming, 1016 Fleming St.; Rose Lane Villas, 522-524 Rose Lane; Wicker Guesthouse, 913 Duval St., and Tropical Inn, 812 Duval St.

The Dec. 17 tour features Westwinds, 914 Eaton St.; Artist House, 534 Eaton St.; Cypress House; Villas Key West, 512 Angela St., and Avalon, 1317 Duval St.

Participants can visit the inns on their own each evening or in conjunction with a holiday trolley tour presented by CityView Trolley Tours.

Tickets are $25 per person for the self-guided tour alone or $40 per person for the trolley tour, and can be purchased at www.keystix.com.

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Restoration of Higher FHA Loan Limits is Great News for Key West!

2011-11-23T13:15:00.001-08:00

Last week Congress passed a somewhat controversial spending bill that should be a great boon to the Key West real estate market and prospective buyers. The average home price in our area is in the vicinity of $550,000. This new bill increased the maximum size of loans that can be guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration to $729,750. How can this be anything other than great for Key West?!

The FHA will guarantee loans to qualified buyers with down payments as low as 3.5%. This means buyers for homes all the way up to $729,750 now have the choice in many areas. They can take out large loans that are over the limits of such programs as those backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and require down payments of at least 20%. Their second choice is to take out an FHA guaranteed loan. FHA loans allow for lower down payments, but they tack on insurance premium charges that add to the borrowers’ long term costs.

Recent studies have shown that the FHA backed one third of home finance mortgages last year. That is an increase compared to around 5% in 2006. The FHA insures lenders against defaults on mortgages that meet its standards rather than actually making loans itself.

According to the latest statistics which I recently reported to you, The Key West real estate market shows a very positive trend when comparing the first ten months of 2011 to the first ten months of 2010. The number of active listings has decreased almost every month since January 2011. The number of sales has decreased as well. The good news is that the average selling price increased, and the median selling price increased in 2011. This is GREAT NEWS for our local real estate market!

Both the average and median prices of properties sold this October were higher than a year ago. According to the October 2011 Key West Real Estate Statistical Analysis published by the Key West Association of Realtors, the average price for all properties sold in Key West in October 2010 was $346,087.67, and in October 2011 the average price increased to $450,129.00. The median price of properties sold in October 2010 was $304,000.00 and rose to a median price in October 2011 of $376,666.67.

Whether you’re a tourist, looking to move permanently to the Keys, or just someone who likes the beauty of nature, the great variety of amenities in the homes in our area are just one more reason to want to live in beautiful Key West. If you’re interested in real estate in this attractive area contact me, Jimmy Lane, at Key West Real Estate: 305-766-0585.

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A Unique Way to Tour Key West: Paddleboarding

2011-11-23T05:13:00.001-08:00

This is a truly unique and eco-friendly way to see the wildlife of Key West. Here is what the the SUP Key West website has to say:

SUP or Standup Paddleboarding is an ancient form of surfing used by Hawaiians while teaching groups how to surf. By standing on their boards using a one bladed paddle the ancients had a birds-eye-view increasing their visibility of what was going on around them.

As one of the fastest growing sports in the world SUP is a cross between a kayak and surfboard, used by young and old alike!!

Standing on the water allows a paddler to see fish swimming beneath them, stingrays flying across a sand flat, and maybe a manatee swimming through a nearby channel just to get things started!

SUP Key West wants to bring this world to you! We offer eco-tours through the magical mangrove forest and across the flats in the peaceful waters of Key West.

SUP is not only a visual experience but an amazing physical workout without even knowing it! SUP builds strength and balance utilizing your inner core, all the while soaking in the world around you. It’s an ideal sport to learn on flat bodies of water and incorporates a fun workout with the sensation of walking on water.

Utilizing a standup board and paddle, it is a total core and cardiovascular workout, either on a lake for a flat water workout or on the ocean riding waves in the surf. Standup Paddling works your entire body and mind.

See their website for more details: http://supkeywest.com/SUP_Key_West/Home.html?utm_source=keywest.com&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=KeyWest.com_link

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Key West Food & Wine Festival Coming in January

2011-11-22T05:05:00.001-08:00

The 2012 Key West Food & Wind Festival is scheduled for January 26-29, 2012, and tickets are now available.

All events are listed on the website: http://www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com/default/index.cfm/2012-events/.

Don't wait to get your tickets, or you might miss your chance!

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Long Term Rental now avaliable!

2011-11-21T11:15:00.001-08:00

Newly renovated two bedroom one bathroom apartment located in New Town. Stainless steel appliances. Beautiful granite countertops. Tile throughout kitchen and living areas. Central AC. Very clean. Close to everything. Pets with restrictions. First, last and security required. Available 1st of December. $1450 plus utilities a month.

Jimmy Lane, CRS, GRI, CIPS

Vice President
Century 21 Schwartz Realty
305-766-0585 Cell
305-295-3454 Fax
www.JimmyLane.com

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Tour Key West in an Electric Car!

2011-11-21T04:58:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of BestonKeywest.com

Experience the warm and salty Key West air aboard our open air electric cars. You will be amazed at how smooth a ride aboard one of these modern vehicles can be! Our cars come with two seats, four seats, or six seats, making it easy for all kinds of different groups to travel together through the historic streets of Key West, Fla.

Our electric cars are available for four hour half day rentals or full day rentals. We make getting your cars extra convenient through our drop off service. Whether you are arriving via cruise ship, Key West Express ferry, or airplane, we will bring you your electric car to make your trip in Key West as easy and memorable as possible.

Tour Highlights

Easy access to all Key West attractions
Top of the line vehicle
Everything is included
Eco-friendly and quiet
Easy to drive and safe to operate

See their website for more information and rental fees: http://www.bestonkeywest.com/electric-car-rentals.html

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Key West Holiday Boat Parade

2011-11-20T04:49:00.001-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Schoonerwarf.com

The holiday season in Key West is decidedly different than it is in northern climes. Take Schooner Wharf Bar’s 21st Annual Lighted Boat Parade --- set to sail into our southernmost city’s Key West Bight and Harbor on Saturday, December 10th at 8:00 pm. For Key West and the Florida Keys, it’s a tropical tribute to the season and a big family affair. Parade participants and spectators on the docks watching the parade feel as if they are part of one big family.

See more on their website: http://www.schoonerwharf.com/11boatparade.htm

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Navy Will Save Removed Corals

2011-11-19T04:42:00.001-08:00

BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff

Keys News

More than 1,500 coral colonies and fragments rescued from a sea wall reconstruction project will be used for restoration and conservation work in the Florida Keys and education programs on the mainland.

The corals were removed from a section of the Navy's Mole Pier in the Key West Harbor, which is about to undergo repairs that would have destroyed the marine life. Naval Air Station Key West partnered with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to ensure that repairs to a crumbling wall would cause minimal damage to corals, which fall under the protection of the sanctuary.

Sanctuary resource managers trained and worked with Navy staff and contractors on the coral removal and handling. They cleared a 425-foot-long stretch of sea wall of the largest corals, some of which spanned more than 2 feet wide, officials said.

The corals, representing 19 different species, were placed in the sanctuary's nearby coral nursery and partner nurseries, where they will be cared for until they are needed for research projects or coral restoration on vessel grounding sites, among other things.

"We are very involved with preserving the marine life that is the beauty and backbone of the Florida Keys," Navy base commander Capt. Patrick Lefere said. "This kind of collaboration is just a real good situation for all agencies involved. It reduces the impact to the coral while allowing us to repair our pier and demonstrate our desire to continue partnering with the marine sanctuary, not just for coral issues, but other environmental issues as well."

Some of the smaller corals will be removed and given to zoos, aquariums and conservation organizations for research and educational purposes. Corals smaller than 6 inches in diameter will go to the University of Miami, Florida International University, Mote Marine Laboratory, The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Before nearshore construction occurs in the Florida Keys, the sanctuary reviews projects and determines if any sanctuary resources, such as coral, will be harmed through construction.

The sanctuary works closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure that required permits are issued for projects while resources are protected, sanctuary officials said.

"We applaud the efforts of the Navy to limit impacts to the healthy corals which thrived on its sea wall," said Lauri MacLaughlin, a sanctuary resource manager. "Through our permitting process we were able to ensure that construction could continue, and that these valuable resources could be given a second life in research, restoration and education projects in the Keys, and across the country."

tohara@keysnews.com

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