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The First Annual Southernmost Car Show will be held May 26 through 28 at the Naval Air Station in Key West from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The show is free to the public and will take place near the Truman Annex section of the base, in the parking lot of the Key West High School. The FCPOA (First Class Petty Officer Association) will have a barbeque concession stand in the food court available at lunch time. Entertainment includes live music by The Doerfels. Proceeds from entrance fees and concessions benefit the members of our naval forces stationed at the Key West Naval Air Station. The FCPOA hopes to raise enough money to defray all costs of the annual Gala Birthday Celebration Ball, held each year in celebration of the birth of the Navy.  

Automobile enthusiasts who would like to enter their car in the show must pre-register with an entrance fee of $40 per vehicle. The entrance fee admits the driver and three guests to the welcome reception and orientation, as well as tours of the Naval Air Station, Coast Guard ship, and any other Navy ship in port, if available. The Doerfels are offering a discount on their CD when purchased through Amazon for all registrants; information is available on the car show registration form.

The 11th Annual Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational will be held May 26. Headquartered at Key West’s Historic Seaport, prizes include $13,000 for the highest total combined weight of three dolphin catches, a four-night tropical fishing vacation for four, and much more. The tournament is open to all anglers with an entry fee of $750 per boat. For more information, call 305-304-7674.

The people of our beautiful island paradise in Key West create a fun and supportive community. I have been helping people become a part of Key West for over 29 years; if you would like to join the fun, I can find the perfect home to fit your lifestyle. Contact me, Margarita Villoch,  by phone at 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com, and become part of the fun Key West community!

One of the many advantages of living in the island paradise of Key West is the ability to explore the rest of the Keys and participate in a wide variety of entertaining activities.

If you are a local here in the Keys, you are likely already familiar with the Dragon Boat Festival. This year, the 4th Annual Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival is being held on May 12. This is an action-packed racing event that features the only beach-launch boat race of its kind and takes place along a nearly 400-meter course parallel to Sombrero Beach.

Each year, every dragon boat team is encouraged to gather pledges for their favorite charity; to date, 17 different charities have been recipients of team pledges totaling $40,000.

What you may not know is that this year’s event will include a great new fundraiser featuring pink Solo cups and Toby Keith, in collaboration with the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys. Participants can help raise money for this great cause in exchange for the chance to win memorabilia signed by Toby Keith.

In what began as a joke during a toast by the festival’s operations manager has now turned into an awesome fundraiser. Using the hit single “Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith, the Solo Cup Company has generously provided race organizers with 500 pink Solo cups to be used for this fundraiser. In addition, TKO Artist Management in Nashville, Tennessee has contributed a memorabilia trio to be used as the fundraiser prize.

You can purchase your pink Solo cup for a minimum contribution of $20. The cup will hold a beverage of your choice on the day of the race and also serves as your entry into the contest. The prize includes a greatest hits CD, photo, and pink Solo cup – all signed by Toby Keith.

Simply visit the Cancer Foundation’s booth on race day to purchase your cup. The Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys is a nonprofit organization that offers financial assistance to local Florida Keys cancer patients undergoing treatment. Bring the whole family to support this important charity and enjoy the excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival on May 14.

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 online at Margarita Villoch, by phone at 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or visit me on the web and become part of the Key West spirit!

** Photo courtesy Florida Keys Keynoter, Brewster Rhodes, Deborah Lynn Cabinum, Mary Beth Martel and Barbie Wilson

Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea School’s 2^nd Annual Mariners March 5K Walk/Run and Children’s Fun Run will be held on Saturday, April 28th. The race begins at the school, located at 700 Truman Avenue, at 8:00 a.m. Post-race activities include refreshments, a raffle and awards for each age bracket. Advance entrance fees, available on Active.com, are $20 for adults and $10 for participants under age 18. The half-mile Children’s Fun Run (for ages 9 and under) is free. Sponsorships and volunteers are also needed for the event.

If you love the water, you will not want to miss the final race of the 2012 Schooner Wharf Bar Wrecker’s Cup Race Series on Sunday, April 29th. The seven-mile race to Sand Key begins at 1:00 p.m. and is open to five different vessel classes. The race reenacts the historical tradition of Key West when wreckers would race to a disabled ship to rescue the crew and claim the cargo. The entry fee of $30 includes free rum punch and hors d’oeuvres at the Captain’s Meeting on Saturday, April 28th, at 7:00 p.m. An awards ceremony and barbeque dinner will follow the race on Sunday. Visit SchoonerWharf.com for registration information.

Golfers will love the Key West Chamber of Commerce’s 7^th Annual Tiger in the Woods Golf Tournament, which will be held on Sunday, April 29th, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Enjoy golfing in paradise at the Key West Golf Club on College Road. All skill levels are welcome, and participants can enter as individuals or as a team. Prizes will be awarded on every hole, with special $500 prizes on select holes. This tournament is always fun and supports the Chamber’s community activities. Registration forms are available on the Key West Chamber of Commerce website.

The people of Key West create a fun and active community; outdoor recreation fits perfectly into our beautiful island paradise. I have been helping people become a part of Key West for over 25 years, and I continue to hear great stories of people who have found the perfect home here; there is truly something for everyone. Contact me, Margarita Villoch,  today by phone at 305-304-8505, by email at margarita@isellkw.com, or on the web at www.isellkw.com, and become part of the fun Key West community!

Key West offers special and unique ways to do everything, and Easter is no exception.

On Saturday, April 7, the Key West Library will hold its annual egg hunt at 1 p.m. in the Children and Young Adults section. Kids up to age 18 can participate, and there will also be candy, face painting, and crafts.

Combining Easter fun and care for nature, the Key West Botanical Garden will hold The Great Egg Hunt on April 7 to kick off this year’s Migration Mania. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include many “bird-themed” activities such as a children’s egg hunt (featuring 7,000 eggs), live bird shows, bird crafts, bird face painting, and a puppet show. 

Four different egg hunts, divided by age, will be held throughout the day starting at 10:15, 11:00, 12:30 and 1:15. There is also a bounce house for kids to work off any extra energy they may have left.

If you happen to miss the April 7 event, they will be doing it again on April 14. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-member adults and children. This fun, family-friendly event is a great way to learn about and care for the migrating birds that come to our area.

For a more relaxing time, head to The Gardens Hotel on April 8 for Easter Sunday Jazz in the Garden from 5 to 8 p.m. Lenore Troia will provide an afternoon of great music and entertainment, featuring songs from her new CD. The New York Times List called The Gardens Hotel “The Prettiest Hotel in Key West,” and it makes a perfect setting for this wonderful music.

Living on Key West makes everything we do feel extra-special, so you’re sure to enjoy whatever event you choose; there is always something fun happening in Key West! I have been welcoming new neighbors into our island paradise community for over 25 years. If you would like to join the fun, 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. 

For one such gallery, the final weekend of February is particularly special. The Key West Art Center will hold its 47th Annual Old Island Days Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, February 25-26. Over 100 painters, sculptors, photographers, and other fine artists will display their work along Whitehead and Caroline Streets; these blocks will be closed to traffic for the duration of the event. Artistic themes range from contemporary to traditional, with a particular emphasis on tropical subjects. The show was originally conceived as a fundraiser for 301 Front Street building renovations; this historic building was once a grocery store, originally built in the 1850’s, rebuilt after a fire in 1886, and finally restored by the efforts of local artists and businessmen in 1960. It is the current home of the Key West Art Center, a non-profit organization that supports and showcases the work of local artists.

The Audubon House Gallery, located at 205 Whitehead Street, features a collection of art and prints by legendary artist John James Audubon. Adjacent to the gallery is the historic Audubon House Museum and Tropical Gardens. The house was constructed by Key West’s first harbor pilot, Captain John Huling Geiger, in the American Classic Revival architectural style, and a beautiful tropical garden was created on its grounds.  This appealed to Audubon during his visit in 1832; he used cuttings from the garden as background themes in many of his works. The building was scheduled for demolition in 1948 but was saved by the Mitchell Wolfson Family Foundation, restored, and furnished with antiques. Visitors can tour the home daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

The Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House features the work of several local artists as well as historical exhibits, one showcasing the life of Ernest Hemingway. The Custom House was constructed in 1891 and was home to the local post office, courthouse, and government center until it was abandoned in the 1930’s. The Custom House has undergone a $9 million restoration and now stands as a unique addition to the Key West art gallery community. Located at 281 Front Street, the museum is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

This is just a sampling of the many unique galleries of Key West.  Exquisite art and fabulous architecture are part of our rich island heritage; there is something for everyone in Key West! For over 25 years, I have been matching people with the perfect Key West home and welcoming them into our community. 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 a part of the Key West culture!

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.