Happy Tuesday, Key West. In today’s edition: Citizens insurance rate cut, Santa visits the Hemingway Home, a Polar Express family movie night, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Strong starts on the mat: Maria Holushko and Allens Alexandre won titles for Key West, and Coral Shores’ David Beltran earned outstanding wrestler honors. Marathon’s season opens Dec. 18, with Key West’s tournament Dec. 19-20 — see results and upcoming dates.

Citizens insurance changes ahead: Citizens Board of Governors approved a plan for a 2.6 percent rate cut for personal policies, including 4.1 percent for multi-peril, and a 10.4 percent commercial increase, pending state approval — read the full story.

From stranding to recovery: Twenty-five cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were flown from New England to the Florida Keys recently to warm up and receive care at the Turtle Hospital with volunteer pilots — see how the rescue works.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Shop MARC House Christmas Tree Lot
• Get free plant and insect diagnostics
• Snap photos with Santa and Hemingway cats
• Experience living history in Key West
• Kids enjoy movie and craft fun
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Key West’s glittering countdown: Bourbon St. Pub’s Red High Heel Shoe Drop on Duval Street returns this New Year’s Eve with its first nationally chosen star. Mulan Alexander, crowned in the “If the Shoe Fits” competition, will make the midnight descent. Expect about three hours of live acts with co-hosts Bria Ansara and Patrik Gallineaux. Street viewing is free, with VIP balcony options. Check out the full lineup.

Officials coordinate swift recovery: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International had a power outage Sunday, but all four terminals were back online by afternoon and flights kept moving. Still, FlightAware logged about 263 delays and 22 cancellations at FLL; Miami International saw roughly 116 cancellations. Travelers were urged to check with airlines for updates. Get all the details.

Smarter movie night: Skip the mall and slip into Tropic Cinema, a nonprofit three-screen gem with an aqua Art Deco marquee and a cheeky Marilyn statue out front, serving indie, international, and classic films. Cozy, local, and unmistakably Key West, it’s the smarter way to reset your movie night.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🐶 Holiday Yappy Hour @ Mac’s Place | Wednesday (12/17) at 3:00pm – Nothing says Key West holidays like cocktails, cute dogs, and competitive humans in matching sweaters. Mac’s Place is hosting a Yappy Hour with drink and food specials, a pet costume contest, and a raffle, all to benefit Florida Keys SPCA. Bring the pup, tip generously.

🎬 Marathon Movie Nights @ Marathon Branch Library | Wednesday (12/17) at 5:00pm – Midweek slump hitting hard? Duck into the Community Room for a surprise big-screen pick at this monthly mystery movie night. They’re keeping the title under wraps, so swing by or call ahead if you like spoilers—or just show up and let the “wickedly good” vibes pick the flick for you.

🎨 Ceramics Painting Class @ Key West Branch Library | Thursday (12/18) at 10:00am – Take a break from Duval Street and channel your inner artist at the Key West Library’s ceramics painting class. Adults only, all supplies provided, and yes, the AC works. Funded by the Friends of the Key West Library, so you can spend on dinner instead.

🧵 Sewing: Open Lab @ Marathon Branch Library | Friday (12/19) at 11:00am – If that half-hemmed skirt has been judging you from the closet, take it to this open sewing lab. Use their machines, get friendly pointers, finish a project, or pick up a new skill. Low pressure, high satisfaction, no glitter to vacuum.

🚂 Family Movie Night – A Polar Express Adventure @ Sigsbee Community Center | Friday (12/19) at 6:00pm – Slip into your comfiest PJs and climb aboard for a Polar Express–themed family night, complete with popcorn, cozy vibes, and a full screening of the holiday classic. Kids (and kids at heart) can hit up themed activities and a cute family photo area before the movie rolls.

This weekend

📜 Living History Weekend Day 1 @ Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – Trade Duval’s chaos for Fort Zach’s cannons at Living History Weekend, where costumed locals fire muskets, spin salty stories, and bring the fort to life. Stroll the ramparts, sip your iced coffee, feel smugly cultured, then hit the beach like you planned.

🎅 Santa Visits the Hemingway Home & Museum! @ Hemingway Home & Museum | Saturday (12/20) at 12:15pm – Santa’s popping into the Hemingway Home for photos, cheer, and the side-eye of six-toed cats. Locals from Key West to Marathon get in free with ID, so bring the kids, the grandparents, and collect holiday magic, literary bragging rights, and a family photo you’ll keep.

🧶 Fiber Fiends @ Key West Branch Library | Saturday (12/20) at 2:00pm – Whether your doc keeps nagging about more fiber, or you just need an excuse to ditch Duval, head to the Key West Library for Fiber Fiends. Saturday afternoons are for knitting, crocheting, and embroidery, plus gossip, stitches, and the kind of calm you forgot existed.

🎄 Ugly Christmas Sweater Party @ 22&Co | Saturday (12/20) at 9:00pm – It’s National Ugly Sweater Day, so bust out the itchiest, loudest holiday knit your tiny Key West closet can produce and wear it with pride. Expect campy vibes, kitschy holiday cheer, and a room full of gloriously bad fashion choices. Come ready to sip, dance, and absolutely out-tacky your friends.

👑 Mangoes Drag Brunch Royale – Benefitting Sister Season Fund @ Mangoes Restaurant | Sunday (12/21) at 12:00pm – Sunday Funday in Key West doesn’t get more extra than this award-winning drag brunch, ranked among the Top 10 in the country. Go VIP for bottomless mimosas, primo seats, and some fab swag, or grab GA and still soak up every fierce performance.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/19 Freedom Flotilla Festival @ Jewfish Basin – 5 pm
• 12/19 Koty James and the Keybillies Band @ Caribbean Club – 6:30 pm
• 12/20 Live Music @ Blue Flamingo Resort – 5 pm
• 12/21 Sunday Funday @ Blue Flamingo Resort – 12 pm
• 12/21 Abstract Radio @ Caribbean Club – 5 pm
• 12/25 Tony Baltimore & The Wilde Awake @ Green Parrot – 5:30 pm
• 12/26 Dad Bod Band @ Caribbean Club – 6:30 pm
• 12/28 Groove Brothers Band @ Caribbean Club – 5 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Elizabeth E Chamberlain (Truman & Co. (KW))

An elevated 3-bed, 3-bath Key West escape built in 2013, fitted with modern impact doors and windows. A thoughtful two-story plan brings a convenient first-floor bedroom, plus two upstairs en suites that open to private balconies. A rooftop observation deck handles sunning by day, stargazing by night, and postcard sky views.

Out back, lush landscaping frames a sparkling pool and generous lounge and dining zones, all backed by Indigenous Park for rare privacy and birdsong. Abundant off-street parking fits bikes and mopeds, freshly painted interiors are turnkey, and beaches, restaurants, and the White Street Pier sit minutes away.

Take a peek inside →