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Hey Key West, hope your week’s off to a good start! Hidden coastal gems, a 5,600-mile trail attempt, a glass-walled smart home, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Hidden coastal gems await: A recent roundup spotlights 12 tiny off-grid Florida towns, from Marianna to Marathon, offering quiet beaches, a slower pace, and quirky local finds for a simple escape from the crowds — explore the full list.
Chasing an audacious trail feat: Long-distance hiker, 28, aims this year to walk the 5,600 mile Eastern Continental Trail from Key West to Newfoundland, spotlighting Florida Trail beaches, dry swamps, and big oak trees — read the full story.
Sleek island luxury unveiled: A glass-walled smart home in Islamorada was listed for $12.95 million, minutes from Dave Portnoy’s record-breaking mansion, with five bedrooms, sweeping bay views, and a rare multi-zone smart climate system — get all the details.
Colonial-era stories come alive: Florida State Parks mark America’s 250th with history from Big Talbot Island, Fort George Island, and Paynes Prairie, plus the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the US — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Hospitality leadership changes: Hilton appointed Thomas (Thom) Caska as complex general manager for Casa Marina Key West and The Reach Key West. He previously led teams at New York Hilton Midtown and Millennium properties. Other hotels also named new leaders, including Four Seasons Vail and Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles. Get all the appointment details.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Advocacy trip strengthens state ties: Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln and Commissioners Holly Merrill Raschein and Jim Scholl attended FAC Legislative Day in Tallahassee on Jan. 21. They pushed for continued state funding for Keys water quality and restoration, Florida Forever conservation and land buys, more affordable housing, and protecting local decision-making. Get all the details.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Pick up that instrument: Whether you’re reviving a trumpet or embracing your inner piano person, The Music Room helps locals grow with private lessons and musicianship classes, aligned with the Royal Conservatory. Honest feedback, steady progress, and teachers who care… so practice finally sticks.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Slurp-worthy comfort bowls: When cravings hit, Kojin Noodle Bar serves deeply savory, aromatic pho (beef or tofu) and hearty noodle bowls with broth that’s slow-cooked and soulful. Add pillowy steamed buns and a little sake situation, and it all lands like self-care without the fuss.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
This week
🛶 Kayak Cleanup @ Danger Charters | Tuesday (2/10) at 7:30 AM – Morning on the water with Danger Charters, cleaning up the mangroves the tourists forgot about. We sail out, hop in kayaks, and make an island look loved, then head back soggy. Bring sunscreen, a reusable bottle, and RSVP, spots go fast at the Tickets link.
🎻 New York Philharmonic String Quartet @ Tennessee Williams Theatre | Tuesday (2/10) at 7:30 PM – The New York Philharmonic String Quartet is rolling in with four principal players, including the concertmaster, which is basically the A-team. Expect chamber music you can hear breathe, all clarity, bite, and goosebumps. Trade the noisy bar for dynamics and a night that lingers.
🎶 Song Debut and Student Poetry Reading @ Crane Point Museum and Nature Center | Wednesday (2/11) at 5:30 PM – Think you know Jules Verne beyond the aquarium gift shop? Crane Point hosts Adrienne Z with Marathon High students for a fresh song, blackout poems from 20,000 Leagues, light bites, and a nod to the History of Diving Museum’s Dive Into Art. RSVP: https://forms.gle/BCJwoiK9R1CT7RFPA
This weekend
🏃 Cupid’s Chase 5K @ Higgs Beach Pavilion | Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 AM – February in Key West means lacing up for Cupid’s Chase, a road 5K where locals jog, shuffle, or strut to support Community Options and people with disabilities. Expect red shirts, salty breezes, a few roosters judging your form, then coffee tastes better.
🗑 Truman Ave Cleanup @ Bayview Park Key West | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – We’re sprucing up Truman Ave from MM 0 to 2 on US 1, meeting at Bayview Park, one hour and done. Bring a reflective vest, gloves, and a bucket or small bags, big bags provided. Board meeting at Mac’s Place, where negotiations involve fries.
⛳ Putts for Paws @ Porky’s Bayside BBQ | Sunday (2/15) at 10:00 AM – Grab a partner and play mini-golf at Porky’s Bayside for two rounds, a buffet, and the kind of trash talk Marathon was built on. It supports Payton’s Promise and the Florida Keys SPCA, so even a bogey feels heroic. Teams are $50, lunch-only is $15.
🎺 Crooks Second Line Parade @ Crooks Second Line Parade | Sunday (2/15) at 12:00 PM – The Crooks Second Line Parade is strutting through town with brass, umbrellas, and plenty of sidewalk swagger. Come march a block, dance three, then catch up with neighbors you actually like. Wear comfy shoes, bring a handkerchief, and pretend this counts as cardio.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Key West report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 74°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 10 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 75°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
This house is wild
This multi-structure Old Town compound sits at the end of a quiet lane on an oversized lot. A renovated 2-bed, 2-bath main house pairs with a two-story 1-bed, 1-bath guest house and a detached office that converts to a guest suite. Two decks, a pool, and tropical landscaping shape a serene courtyard. Off-street parking and a generator add ease.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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