If you enjoy classical music, the Impromptu Classical Concerts are perfect for you and your Valentine! Ukranian-American pianist Marina Lomazov will be the featured artist on February 12 at St. Paul’s Church, 401 Duval Street; the performance begins at 4:00pm. Ms. Lomazov is an international performer who has received multiple awards for her performances. Her style is described as passionate and charismatic; the perfect accompaniment for a night of enjoyment with the one you love. Tickets to the performance are available on KeysTix.com or at the door on the day of the event.

For those interested in history, the Civil War Heritage Days event at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park will be fun and exciting. Over 100 re-enactors will provide an inside look at life at Fort Zachary in the 1860’s, including artillery demonstrations, campsite visits, sea battles, land skirmishes, and other performances. The event is free with park admission and runs from February 10-12, 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. The park is located at 601 Howard England Way, at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex.

Art lovers will enjoy artist Fran Decker’s beautiful Key West scenes. Her work is featured at the “Journey” with Fran Decker event at the Frangipani Gallery, 1102A Duval Street, from February 3-15. Fans can meet the artist at the opening night reception, February 3 from 6:00 to 9:00pm.

The beautiful Curry Mansion Inn will host the 29^th Annual Valentine’s Day Gala benefitting Wesley House Family Services on February 14 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. The event stars Master of Ceremonies Howard Livingston and features music by Raven Cooper and Honey Mouth. Activities include dancing, a fabulous dinner buffet, open bar, and the island’s largest silent auction. Event tickets are available at KeysTix.com.

The people of Key West know that our island is special. Our beautiful landscape has attracted a unique mix of musicians, artists, historians, and others, all of whom have blended into our warm, friendly culture. This is good news to everyone who lives on our island paradise, because there is always something fun and interesting to do in Key West! If you would like to live on a beautiful island full of happiness for you and your special Valentine, Contact me today by phone at Margarita Villoch, 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com. I have spent over 25 years matching couples – as well as singles and families – with their perfect island paradise home!

One Key West organization that has supported that spirit for years is the American Red Cross. Its Key West Chapter was founded in 1917 by Florence Spottswood and has been saving lives in the Florida Keys ever since. This year’s Florence Spottswood Humanitarian of the Year Award Gala will take place on Saturday, February 4 at the Marriott Beachside Resort Key West. All contributions for this evening of fun, food, and music will benefit the lifesaving programs of the Red Cross in the Florida Keys.

On Saturday, February 18, the 200 block of Duval Street will be dedicated to the American Cancer Society’s Rockin’ Away Cancer event from noon to 6:00pm. I hope that you are able to join the party and support this important cause.

For those interested in American history, there are several upcoming events that benefit the Harry S. Truman Little White House museum. The Presidential Families Presentation: First Ladies Speak event will be held on Saturday, February 25 on the lawn of the Little White House. This is a unique presentation by presidential family members as they speak of the First Ladies as mother and grandmother. A fundraising cocktail party hosted by Clifton Truman Daniel will follow the presentation. On the following Monday and Tuesday, February 27 and 28, the Little White House will present Sentimental Journey, The Songs of the Truman Era, a benefit for the museum featuring singer/pianist Bobby Nesbitt and singer Carmen Rodriguez performing songs from the Truman era, 1945-1952. The Little White House is located at 111 Front Street in Key West; for more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Little White House website.

The people of Key West create a supportive community full of fun, commitment, and charity. When you live in a beautiful island paradise, it is easy to be appreciative; we all work together to help all those in need and to preserve our history for the enjoyment of future generations. I have been helping people join this community for over 25 years, and I never tire of hearing cheerful stories from those who have found their warm and supportive home in Key West. Contact me today by phone at Margarita Villoch, 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com, and become part of the Key West spirit!

Key West

For those interested in wine tasting, the Wine Tasting Seminars with Candela Prol will be held in the evenings at Studios of Key West, 600 White Street. Attendees will learn how to assess various types of wine along with learning the vocabulary of wine tasting. Enjoy one or all three seminars; ticket prices for a single session are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. For more information, please call 305-296-0458. 

On Thursday, you will not want to miss the Kick off Your Flip-Flops Barefoot Beach Party at the Southernmost Beach Café, 508 South Street. Enjoy a party on the beach featuring fresh island cuisine, Barbancourt rum cake bites, and music provided by DJ Jimmy Jamz. Tickets are $40 at the door and advance tickets can be purchased at Etix.com or at the event’s Hospitality Suite.

If you love gourmet food, you will not want to miss the 18th Annual Master Chef Classic on Sunday, January 29 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. This premier culinary competition and tasting will be held at the Westin Key West Resort & Marina Pier at 245 Front Street. Competition categories include appetizers, entrées and desserts, so those attending will have a fantastic assortment of food to taste! This event sells out fast, so be sure to visit Keystix.com soon to purchase your tickets. 

Shrimp lovers will love the Shrimp Boil 2012 at Hogfish Bar & Grill, 6810 Front Street, on Saturday, January 28. This event features a fabulous wine selection, delicious shrimp appetizers and live music; the chefs will prepare an old-time classic shrimp boil with fresh Key West shrimp and all the trimmings! Tickets are $35 at the door or $30 in advance at KeysTix.com.

These are just examples of the many fabulous events scheduled for the festival; check out the Key West Food and Wine Festival 2012 brochure for more information.

As you can see, Key West is the place for fabulous gourmet food and wine events with an island twist; there is never a shortage of fun things to do on our island paradise! For over 25 years, I have helped people find their perfect Key West home so that they, too, could be a part of our exciting island life. Contact me today by phone at Margarita Villoch, 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com, and I will match you with the perfect home for you so that you can join the party, too!  

 The quaint Red Barn Theatre is located at the rear of 319 Duval Street. Its Forbidden Broadway production runs through January 14 and features satirical spoofs of popular Broadway show tunes, plots, and characters using smart, snappy lyrics and fabulous costumes. This production has been seen in over 200 domestic cities as well as London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney. Red Barn Theatre’s production of the 2010 Tony-award winning play Red will run from January 18 through 28. Red, a portrait of master abstract expressionist Mark Rothko and his young assistant, candidly demonstrates the inescapable link between ambition and vulnerability. Tickets range from $30 to $65 per person for each performance and can be purchased on the Red Barn Theatre website.

August: Osage County has just a few shows left before its close January 14 at the Waterfront Playhouse, 312 Wall Street. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize as well as the Tony Award for Best Play, August: Osage County is a hilarious and stinging look at the American family as they gather for an evening reunion filled with secrets and extremely inappropriate behavior. Tickets range from $20 to $50 per person and are available on the Waterfront Playhouse website.

Art lovers can enjoy fabulous exhibits on Duval Street at the Key West Gallery (601 Duval Street) or Wyland Galleries of Key West (623 Duval Street). The Key West Gallery specializes in investment-quality originals, collectible hand-embellished limited editions, and selected bronze work by over fifty internationally published artists. Wyland Galleries of Key West features fine art by Wyland and other well-known contemporary artists. Upcoming events for the Key West Art Center include the 27^th Annual Key West Craft Show on January 28 and 29; the center is located at 301 Front Street and is open daily with free admission.

There can be no better lifestyle than that of a fun, relaxing island paradise paired with the finest in world-class cultural activities; this is Key West! After over 25 years of matching people with their island paradise home, I never tire of the smiles I see when people discover that Key West is the perfect place to find happiness. Contact me today to find your island paradise, by phone at Margarita Villoch, 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com.

The center of the action is on Duval Street, which is closed to traffic so that tens of thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers can party well into the first morning of 2012. The mild weather here in the Keys means celebrating island style; you can even join the party right off the beach, still wearing your swimsuit and flip-flops!

This year, Sloppy Joe’s Bar will host the 19^th Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell. Stop by early at 201 Duval Street in Key West and join the celebration! Live entertainment starts at noon on December 31 and includes Nick Norman, The Pete and Wayne Show, and the Hyjinx Band. All eyes will be on the rooftop as the clock strikes midnight and the Conch Shell is finally lowered – confetti, streamers and lights fill the night sky! There are no reservations taken for this event and a door charge is in effect for patrons of Sloppy Joe’s.

If your tastes lean more toward the fashion scene, you will not want to miss the World Famous Shoe Drop at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House at 724 Duval Street. At the stroke of midnight, world famous drag queen Sushi will descend in her giant high-heeled red shoe! Live entertainment and special guest appearances happen all night. With a VIP Pass, a lucky few will join the VIP party on the balcony for a New Year’s Eve to remember! Balcony tickets are $100 and sell out very quickly; if interested, phone 305-293-9800.

The history buff should not miss the celebration at Key West’s Historic Seaport. Here the New Year’s Eve Madness celebration gives a nod to the seafaring history of our island; midnight on the ship America 2.0 brings the lowering of the pirate wench to a background of cannon fire and cheers from the ship’s pirate crew. Live music and dancing happen all night at Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 Williams Street. There are no reservations required and everyone will feel at home at the “last little piece of Old Key West.”

There are so many fabulous New Year’s Eve parties in Key West that it is impossible to experience them all in a single night. Why not join the party every year by making Key West your home? You will experience not only the best in celebrations but also the peace and serenity of an island paradise filled with caring people. I have over 25 years of experience matching people just like you to their perfect Key West home; give me a call today and I will help you make this your island paradise! Contact me by phone at Margarita Villoch, 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com.

Tomorrow, November 23^rd, the Turkey Doubles Shoot Out will take place at Hawks CayTennis Garden from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Admission is free to club members and $20.00 for non-members. If you want to avoid cooking all day, Hawkes Cay is putting on a great Thanksgiving dinner. It is strongly recommended you make reservations. You can do so by calling 305-743-7000.

On Thanksgiving Day you can get yourself a “two-fer” by participating in one of the most popular Keys events of the season … the annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk. All proceeds of the event go to benefit the American Cancer Society under the auspices of the Relay for Life. Get healthy, work off a bit of chub, make room for that turkey feast and donate to those less fortunate than ourselves.

The event will take place at the Indies Club at Hawks Cay Resort. Registration starts at 8:30 AM and the race will begin at 9:30 AM. Participants donate a $12.00 entry fee and will receive an event t-shirt. You’ll also improve your own health! If you have any questions you can call
305-289-4906.

This is planned to be a weekend full of fun for everyone, no matter what your preferences are in the way of activities.

After the Relay for Life Run/Walk there will be a Paddleboard Competition in the Lagoon at noon, a Pie Eating Competition at the Lagoon at 4:00 PM and a Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Indies Club at 4:30 PM.

Think you’ll need to work off some of the calories after the good night’s sleep brought on by all that turkey tryptophan? No problem! Friday has a good schedule of events to help with that! There will be a Frisbee Challenge at the Hawks Cay Resort Pool starting at 11:00 AM. At 6:00 PM you can participate in a Sunset Bike Tour of Duck Key. At 7:00 PM there will be a “Kids Night Out” at the Indies Club, followed by “Teen Night Out” at 8:00 PM at the same place.

Key West just might be the right place for you. Please let me know how I can assist you. If you have any questions you can reach me, Margarita Villoch, at 305-304-8505 or online at www.isellkw.com.

If you’re in the

Children will be delighted with the costumes and the authentic re-enactments. They can participate in the costume contest, the coloring contest, and
various other activities planned for the younger set.  It’s a good way for their absorbent minds to acquire a grasp of the maritime history of Key West and surrounding areas.

For those who enjoy drama, “The Pyrate Tryal Re-enactment of Anne Bonny and Mary Read” is a must-see.  There are also Tall Sea Ship Battles, with real cannon and small arms displays.  You can sail on a ship and get a taste of how life at sea was in days gone by.

As you walk through the authentic Pirate Village and Thieves Market, you’ll encounter realistic characters like Captain Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, Calico Jack and other blackguards.  Goods, foods and drink of a wide variety are available.  You can stop at the pub for some great spirits and entertainment.  Arts, crafts and music are available, also.

The attractions are too many in number to mention all of them in this space.  We must call attention, though, to the celebration of the official end of the hurricane season, complete with the ceremonial burning of the hurricane flags.  To those living in Key West, this is a special moment.

If adventure and an authentic maritime historical atmosphere are what you want, Key West just might be the right place for you. Please let me know how I can assist you. If you have any questions you can reach me, Margarita Villoch, at 305-304-8505 or online at www.isellkw.com.

If you want to delve into the secret and mysterious life of

The tour is conducted by guides who are thoroughly familiar with the secrets and mysterious goings on in the Key West area.  Groups are purposely kept small, so that everyone can hear the tales that flow from the tongues of these master storytellers.  The tours are interactive, so if you have questions they can be answered right away.  You will actually enter some of the sites highlighted in the tour.

Many years of research have yielded a rich variety of tales from “the other side.”  From the strange rapping on windows to ectoplasmic manifestations, you’ll get a detailed report on the mysteries of Key West.  Guests are encouraged to bring cameras and take pictures throughout the tour.  At the end, they are asked to share any strange experiences they may have encountered along the way.

The Key West Ghost and Mysteries Tour has received a lot of coverage on TV.  The Learning Channel has featured it, along with Discovery, CNN Travel, Biography Channel, and Public Television.  This lends some credibility to some of the fantastic stories you will hear on the tour.

A few of the places you will visit include Key West’s Oldest Graveyard, Haunted Pubs, and the Original Hanging Tree.  You’ll hear the bizarre story of Count von Cosel and Elena Hoyos.  After all the ghost-seeking, you may be glad to imbibe some real “spirits” in the pub at the end of the tour.

If mysteries and rich history appeal to you, Key West is the right place for you to call home. So, contact me now, MargaritaVilloch, at 305-304-8505 or online at www.isellkw.com  and start packing!

Sunset Celebration is

Every night about two hours before sunset, locals and tourists alike gather at the water’s edge and feel a thrill watching the sun as it seems to sink into the Gulf of Mexico. This nightly celebration has officially been sponsored by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society since 1984, but it dates back much further than that.  As far back as the 1960’s, people (hippies, in particular) would gather on the Mallory Square Dock to view the breathtaking sunsets.  Eventually someone set up a table or a booth to sell some art. It grew from there to this spectacular nightly event.

Before and after enjoying the most beautiful sunsets in the world, visitors can experience local Key West culture.  Artisans and craftsmen display their unique talents, while an array of talented people come out as street performers, psychics and the ever-present food carts any one of which is worth the trip to see. Bagpipers, drummers, guitarist and steel drum musicians abound, but there are also magicians, jugglers, high wire acts, contortionists, animal acts, balloon artists and even sword swallowers. There’s something for everyone.

What kind of art do you like? You can see and/or buy paintings, but it doesn’t stop there. There are a wide variety handcrafted items, including jewelry, various kinds of sculpture, and hand-blown glass. Accessories such as handbags and hats are plentiful, along with creatively-printed or hand-painted T-shirts.
The local resources are used to make clever items from seashells, coconuts, feathers and more.

If you’re looking for a home in a fun atmosphere, KeyWest just might be the right place for you. Please let me know how I can assist you. If you have any questions you can reach me, MargaritaVilloch, at 305-304-8505 or online at www.isellkw.com.

The only barrier reef in North America lies off the coastline of

Reef Relief was founded as a not-for-profit organization in 1987 and has become a major force in preserving Key West’s coral reefs. The goals of this organization include increasing public awareness of the value of our living coral reef ecosystems and increasing scientific understanding of the coral reefs. They focus on the conservation, protection, and restoration of coral reefs.

One of my favorite projects of Key West‘s Reef Relief is the Discover Coral Reefs School Program. This program is designed for fourth graders and introduces these students to the importance of the coral reef ecosystem. Instructors use classroom presentations, films, and art as they discuss the unique coral reefs off the coast of our islands.  Another highlight of the program is a summer camp experience for children ages 6-12. The participants visit areas such as the Key West Aquarium and NOAA’s Eco-Discovery Center to learn about our coastal environment and its preservation. I commend this organization for reaching out to our young people so that they grow up with an appreciation of the incredible coral reefs.

Reef Relief also organizes several coastal clean-up days each year in Key West.  Hundreds of volunteers remove debris from the reefs, shorelines, mangrove estuaries and sea grass beds.  The next Shoreline Cleanup will be held on October 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Hurricane Hole.  I encourage my fellow Key West Islanders to call and volunteer: 305-294-3100.  During the last clean-up at Hurricane Hole in August, volunteers removed 247 pounds of marine debris!

The Reef Relief Environmental Center in Key West provides films, exhibits, and programs that educate the public on coral reefs and coastal resource protection.  The Center has a display that illustrates a healthy coral reef and one that has been damaged.  I recommend the Google Earth Exhibit where you can see coral reefs around the world and some very good films showing coastal environmental issues.

I am passionate about preserving the natural beauty and ecosystem of Key West for many future generations to enjoy!  I am also passionate about assisting those who want to make this incredible island their home.  Give me a call today: Margarita Villoch 305-304-8505 or contact me online at www.isellkw.com

Check out upcoming events in Key West on Island Living Key West and share with your friends!