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It’s Friday, Key West! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Manatees’ ‘kiss’ caught on camera, unusual Florida museums, and Jake Shimabukuro + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
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📰 In the news
Charming marine moment: Two manatees in Islamorada in the Upper Keys seem to share a sweet kiss, but they are actually sipping hose water. A fishing boat captain captured the moment in February — read the full story.
Treasures beyond the theme parks: From a hurricane-hardened Dali museum in St. Petersburg to Key West’s own Mel Fisher trove from the Atocha, explore 12 unusual Florida museums hiding surprises across the state — check out the full list.
Meet a relentless new hero: Retired Army officer Tony Soika has released the first novel in his Conch House Chronicles, a Key West series blending military expertise with gripping tales of justice and animal welfare — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
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🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
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🫶 We got your back
Vegan comfort, Keys-style: Sugar Apple Organic Cafe & Market serves a 100% plant-based lineup: hearty sandwiches, crisp salads, bright smoothies and juices, plus a cozy organic market for pantry upgrades. Easygoing, unfussy, and reliably tasty… the kind of spot that answers the what’s-for-lunch question.
Treasure hunting, island‑style: For 25+ years, Island Antiques has quietly charmed Key West with Cuban furniture, nautical curios, estate jewelry, and US and shipwreck coins. Fill your place with Old Florida character… the kind with stories, not kitsch.
Wake-up-ready brows: Morning routines run smoother when EnvyLash and Brow Bar handles microblading, brow shaping, and lash upgrades that look like you, just more polished. You wake up camera-ready with arches and lashes that behave, not a smear of mascara or a patchy brow in sight.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎧 Cortadito @ The Studios | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – The Studios of Key West Playlist brings Cortadito to town, reviving the Son Cubano that birthed Buena Vista Social Club. Expect guitar, trumpet, and percussion, plus that golden-era sway. Think less Duval stumble, more backyard rum groove. Consider it cardio your knees will actually forgive.
📚 March Book Sale @ Key West Public Library Branch | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Join the early birds in the Library’s Palm Garden for the Friends’ March book sale, the season’s last hurrah. Dig through 3,000 donated reads for hidden gems, gift-worthy finds, and a chat with your neighbor, because apparently we still like each other.
👗 Voices for Florida Keys Children Luncheon & Fashion Show @ Hawks Cay Resort | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a good lunch, a little runway action, and raising money for Keys kids. This benefit backs Voices for Florida Keys Children, and they’re lining up sponsors and auction goodies. Got connections, a beach weekend, or that bottle you’ve been saving?
✂ Hooked in the Keys Grand Opening @ Hooked in the Keys LLC | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Think your seashell shadow box is peak Keys art? Hooked in the Keys opens in Marathon, an artist-run spot for supplies, classes, and company. All ages, all levels, paint and fiber workshops, paint parties, beach-friendly kits, prizes, food, and you leaving with something you made.
🍷 Around the World Wine Pairing @ Oceanfront Park | Saturday (3/7) at 4:00 PM – Take your palate on a trip from Napa to South Africa, no passport required, at this oceanfront wine pairing benefiting the Florida Keys SPCA. Five 91–95 point pours with sushi, brie, sausage, spicy nuts, and dark chocolate, plus well-behaved pups welcome, all for $60.
🎨 Plein Air Key West @ Key West Art Center & Gallery | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Artists are fanning out across the island, setting up easels wherever the breeze cooperates, then hustling canvases back to the Key West Art Center for a weeklong display and sale. Swing by the free reception to vote People’s Choice, chat painters, and claim a masterpiece.
🚜 Farm Open House @ Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Second and fourth Sundays mean the farm opens its gates from 1 to 3, so you can wander the rows, chat with the folks who grow your salad, and feel smugly wholesome. It is free, donations welcome, and yes, sensible shoes beat sandals.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Key West report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 82°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 33%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 27%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Something in your house is about to break 🏠
It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.
It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.
American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.
The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.
This house is wild
This 3-bed, 2-bath Midtown West pool retreat sits two blocks from the beach, a five-minute stroll to White Street Pier, Higgs Beach, Salute, and bocce and tennis courts. The 12×30 heated lap pool anchors composite decking and a covered lanai. Highlights include vaulted 9-foot ceilings, a granite eat-in kitchen with double ovens, a 12×24 air-conditioned workshop, and a whole-house generator.
Take a peek inside →
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