KEY WORDS

Key West Writers Guild releases

Key West story collection

The Key West Writers Guild (KWWG) announces two events to launch its most recent anthology, “More Words from the End of the Road: An Anthology of Short Stories and Poems.” The collection features 44 literary gems from 24 storytellers and poets presenting skillfully woven impressions of the islands they love.

The diversity of talent and telling reflect the individuality, beauty, passion and mystique of the Florida Keys — iguanas, mistaken identities at a bar, poetry of the sea, journeys to Key West, Fantasy Fest and more. There’s something for everyone: memoir, poetry, essay and flash fiction.

There are two opportunities to meet the writers, hear them read excerpts of their work and have books signed.

Signings will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at Key West Island Books, 513 Fleming St., and at 10 a.m. on March 21 in the palm garden of the Key West library, 700 Fleming St.

There will be refreshments and door prizes.

Can’t make it? Copies are available locally at the Key West Writers Guild booth at the Artisan Market, on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. They’re also available at Books & Books, Key West Island Books and Last Chance Gifts at Key West International Airport.

The Key West Writers Guild serves to educate, promote and encourage literary excellence and provide an opportunity to receive critiques and gain information about finding an agent, publishing and marketing.

The guild meets from 10 to 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.

For the location and to attend, contact president Rusty Hodgdon at rusty.the.writer@ gmail.com.

For more information, visit keywestwritersguild.com.

Friday, Feb. 17

• Key West Art & Historical Society will present architect Bert Bender with the Scotti Merrill Preservation Award at the annual “Back In Time” Prohibition Dinner Party. The festive costumed event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Fort East Martello, which will be transformed into the “A1A Speakeasy,” featuring an open bar, hand-rolled cigars, rums, surf and turf dinner, and swing jazz. Visit kwahs.org for tickets and information.

Sunday, Feb. 19

• Gunhild Carling, “Sweden’s Queen of Swing,” performs at Key West Theater with members of her family. Carling sings swinging jazz standards, plays 11 instruments, juggles and tap dances. 7 p.m. Visit thekeywesttheater.com.

Monday, Feb. 20

• Congregation B’Nai Zion presents a free movie, “Persian Lessons,” a story of survival inspired by true events. A rabbi’s son from Antwerp, en route to a concentration camp, trades his sandwich for a book of Persian legends and avoids execution by very clever twists and turns. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

• The Friends of the Key West Library’s speaker series presents Bob Kealing, a retired journalist and the author of five non-fiction books at 6 p.m., outdoors in the library’s palm garden, 700 Fleming St. Admission is free, but seats are very limited.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

• The College of the Florida Keys invites prospective students and their parents to learn about its Project ACCESS program at a virtual information session at 5:30 p.m. Project ACCESS is an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. Visit cfk.edu/projectaccess to register or contact Nicole Gerrard at ProjectACCESS1@cfk.edu or 305-809-3262.

Sunday, Feb. 26

• Key West Wildlife Center hosts the annual It’s for the Birds benefit, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at West Martello Tower, 1100 Atlantic Blvd., Key West. The event at the home of the Key West Garden Club includes food, drinks, live music, a silent auction and a “wine wall.” A two-night stay at Little Palm Island will be raffled, with tickets $50 each. Visit keywestwildlifecenter.com for information and tickets.