For the perfect smile.
Island Dental
If you are looking for a caring, qualified dentist in Key West, then look no further. From your first contact with our office, you will notice that Island Dental is not your typical dentistry. We've worked hard to build an exceptional team of dedicated, caring and experienced professionals committed to the dental health of you and your family.
Our services include: General Dentistry | Teeth Whitening Crowns | Preventive Care | Periodontal Exams | Botox
islandinspired
An island inspired treasure trove where fashion meets paradise. Nestled into the heart of Key West, we’re your go-to destination for splurge worthy finds and fashion forward essentials. Featuring the latest styles from Farm Rio, Alemais, Oliphant & many more.
Expert Cancer Care. Right here in Key West.
Baptist Health Cancer Care is now welcoming patients at its newly renovated facility at 3426 North Roosevelt Boulevard, bringing advanced treatment, expert providers and compassionate support to the Lower Keys.
The new center offers chemotherapy, radiation therapy with a state-ofthe-art linear accelerator, CT simulation for precise planning and onsite physicians, all in one convenient, patient-centered location.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
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Jennifer Harvey, Mark Hedden
Erin Stover, Nancy Klingener
Breana Sowers, Chris McNulty
Karen Newfield
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Photography: High Exposure Visuals. Property sold by Jessica Borraccino of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.
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REVIEWS FROM MILLIONS OF TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS PLACE US IN THE TOP 10% WORLDWIDE.
By Jim McCarthy
76180
TOP REAL ESTATE
BREATHTAKING PROPERTIES ALONG THE FLORIDA KEYS SHORE SOLD FOR AN EYE-POPPING EIGHT FIGURES IN 2025.
THE ISLAND CHAIN ATTRACTED DISCERNING BUYERS SEEKING LUXURY AND AUTHENTICITY, AS EVIDENCED BY THE TOP FIVE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN THE KEYS LAST YEAR. THESE HIGH-END PROPERTIES HAVE BACKYARDS STEPS AWAY FROM A SANDY BEACH OR THE OCEAN AND STYLISH INGROUND POOLS OVERLOOKING THE DEEP BLUE.
1. 76180 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, LOWER MATECUMBE
This 1.65-acre bayfront property in Islamorada sold on Oct. 6, 2025 for $27,750,000. Listed by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty’s Leslie Leopold and Cheri Tindall, the sale garnered national attention with the buyer being none other than Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy. The sale is the highest ever recorded in the Florida Keys outside of the private, gated Ocean Reef community in North Key Largo.
2. 141 CORTEZ DRIVE, LOWER MATECUMBE
With more than a quarter-mile of white, sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean, the 16-acre property located on the south end of Islamorada sold for $16 million on Sept. 22, 2025. Listed by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty’s Sabrina Wampler and Sarah Ewald, the property features three homes: a four-bedroom main house, a four-bedroom guest house and a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage. There’s also dockage and an oceanfront observation pier.
Overseas Highway
Lower Matecumbe
ESTATE SALES OF 2025
3. 785 SAWYER DRIVE, CUDJOE KEY
This seven-bedroom, six-bathroom oceanfront estate spanning an acre sold for $12,250,000 on May 7, 2025. Listed by Lisa H. Ferringo, of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Lower Keys, the custom-built home by D’Asign Source features an outdoor theater, six-hole green, bocce ball and seven-car garage.
4. 195 15TH CIRCLE, KEY COLONY BEACH
Situated along the shores of Key Colony Beach, this property featuring a nine-bed, nine-bathroom compound sold for $12 million on March 26, 2025. Listed by Jessica Borraccino, of Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co., the property features beachfront, oceanfront pool and a dock with a 20,000-pound boat lift.
5. 109 COASTAL DRIVE, KEY LARGO
On April 30, 2025, this seven-bedroom and seven-and-a-half bathroom home was sold for $10.5 million. Listed by Gregory Pardo, of Harbour 99 Properties Inc., the three-story home situated on the bayside features 7,567 square feet of living space, with a pool looking out at the ocean and a dock with a boat lift.
141 Cortez Drive
785 Sawyer Drive Cudjoe Key
195 15th Circle, Key Colony Beach
109 Coastal Drive, Key Largo
By Jennifer Harvey
SUNLIGHT, SOIL
& Sanity
People plan their vacations in search of weather that we residents casually nitpick for minor imperfections.
It’s too hot. Too bright. Too humid. Too windy. It only rained on one side of the street.
And yet, one of the most powerful health tools available to us in the Florida Keys is completely free and accessible to everyone.
Sunlight — and the Vitamin D it offers.
Let’s talk about Vitamin D, the type prompted by actual sunlight, not a bottle of supplements.
First, a quick science moment (stay with me).
The form of Vitamin D your body produces when skin is exposed to sunlight is not the same as what you swallow in capsule form. The sun triggers the production of Vitamin D3 in the skin through ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. That compound then goes through conversions in the liver and kidneys to become active in the body.
WHY YOUR YARD MIGHT BE BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH THAN YOUR SUPPLEMENT CABINET
When you supplement, you’re typically taking Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which mimics what your body makes naturally. Important distinction: supplements can help, especially if labs show deficiency. But they are not a full replacement for the cascade of biological events that happen when you are physically outside in natural light.
Sunlight does more than produce Vitamin D.
It regulates your circadian rhythm.
It influences serotonin production.
It improves sleep quality. It signals to your nervous system that it is safe to be awake and alert.
And in a world where many of us live under LED lights and laptop screens, that signal matters.
Now let’s add soil to the conversation.
There is something quietly powerful about putting your hands in dirt. Gardening, planting, pulling weeds — these aren’t just quaint hobbies reserved for retirees with wide-brimmed hats. Soil contains microorganisms that have been shown to positively influence mood regulation. Exposure to natural environments reduces cortisol levels and improves markers of stress resilience.
In simple terms? Being outside makes your nervous system exhale. We tend to overcomplicate wellness. We search for cutting-edge biohacks and expensive solutions while ignoring the basics literally in our backyard.
Outdoor movement — walking your neighborhood, tending to a small garden, raking leaves, even sweeping your patio —combines several powerful inputs at once:
• Light exposure.
• Gentle physical activity.
• Fresh air.
• Sensory grounding.
• Reduced screen stimulation.
That combination is neurologically potent.
Regular outdoor movement has been associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved immune function and lower systemic inflammation. And before you assume I’m suggesting you train for a marathon, I’m not.
This is not about intensity; it’s about consistency.
Ten to 20 minutes of early-morning light exposure can meaningfully support circadian rhythm regulation. A slow walk barefoot in the yard (if you’re brave and watching for fire ants) stimulates proprioception and grounding. Tending to plants encourages focus without cognitive overload.
Sunlight also plays a significant role in hormonal health, bone density and immune modulation, especially important as we age. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased risk of mood disorders, fatigue and compromised bone health. And here’s the slightly spicy part:
Living in the Florida Keys does not automatically mean you have optimal Vitamin D levels.
Indoor lifestyles, sunscreen use (which is important for skin protection), and limited direct exposure still matter. That’s why testing, not guessing, is always a smart move if you’re concerned.
But before you reach for another supplement bottle, ask yourself a simpler question: When was the last time you intentionally stepped outside without your phone?
Sunlight, soil, and sanity are not separate concepts. They’re a system.
Your body evolved outdoors. Your brain regulates better outdoors. Your mood stabilizes outdoors.
This Home & Garden edition might focus on curb appeal, landscaping trends and affordable decor, but the real luxury feature of your home might be the patch of earth and sky just beyond your front door.
Open it. Step outside. Let your nervous system remember what it was built for.
By Irene de Bruijn
got color?
Nope, this year we don’t. Every year, Pantone announce its Color of the Year. This year’s choice? Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer. Which, in less blah-blah terms, is white. Pantone describes it as “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.”
The internet, of course, had plenty to say. Some called it a recession indicator — apparently things are so bleak we can’t even afford color any more. Others assumed the image simply hadn’t loaded. Many agreed that calling it Cloud Dancer doesn’t magically make it anything other than white. And then there were the less charitable takes: tone-deaf, minimalist to the point of parody or eerily similar to a white shirt that accidentally went through the wash with the darks.
“Oh good,” one comment sighed. “We have a cute new name for ‘white.’”
Perhaps that’s the real message of Cloud Dancer. Not optimism or serenity, but honesty. In a world oversaturated with noise, outrage and endless commentary, Pantone has offered the visual equivalent of silence. No drama. No distraction. Just white. And maybe, unintentionally, that says more about where we are than any bold, trend-setting color ever could.
Saturday
Sunday
NIGHTLY SPECIALS
By Mark Hedden
ANDY THURBER
ARTISTS TEACH ARTISTS
Andy Thurber had an inauspicious start to his career as an artist. “I got kicked out of Mary Immaculate (School) for drawing a mockingbird that was outside the classroom window,” he said.
He told me this the other day, as we were hiding from the sun under the bus shelter at the corner of Truman and Whitehead.
Thurber had an easel in front of him that held a large sheet of watercolor paper, on which was an image of the lighthouse and its surroundings made up of his signature wild and loose colors and shapes. He was using one of his finer brushes to add some last bits of flora and fauna in the foreground. Getting kicked out of Catholic school may have felt like a serious disruption to the arc of his education, but it didn’t really hold him back.
“I recovered,” he said.
It became pretty clear that no one was going to stop Andy Thurber from making art.
Thurber isn’t a Conch, technically – he moved to Key West when he was 6 months old – but his work is steeped in cuzzy bubba lore and tradition.
His style is fast and impressionistic. He isn’t a realist, but he paints a Key West far more real than most. He includes the obviously beautiful, such as poinciana trees, Conch houses, fish, birds, ships, lighthouses, azure oceans, sunsets and tourist-friendly spots like the Armory on White Street and the Schooner Wharf Bar. But he also paints the grittier elements – guys in white shrimper boots, stacks of crab traps, guys with power washers, drunks passed out in doorways and old-school Key West characters with names like Cigarette Willie, the Cookie Lady, Meathead and Toad. Bum Farto is a recurring character, as are chickens, women on bikes, and the convent at Mary Immaculate.
His first mentor just after high school was Sanford Birdsey, a well known Key West watercolorist who had a studio on Eaton Street and who, for a small fee, led burgeoning painters out on plein air (outdoor) expeditions around the island.
“Sanford, she would charge $10 or $20 per student. I paid $20 the first day. And the next time I came back, she wouldn’t take my money. She wouldn’t take my money from then on. She put me under her wing,” Thurber said.
“Me and Martha de Poo and Sanford would paint every Saturday and every Wednesday for about five years,” he said.
Early on, Thurber remembered her saying, “‘Andy, here’s the thing about watercolorists – they make all kinds of rules. And I break every damn one of them.’ After that, we were best friends. Because she wasn’t a purist.”
Whereas most painters will edit out things like power lines, Thurber puts them in, often as a place for birds to rest. (Looking at his lighthouse painting, I asked if one of the birds was a white-crowned pigeon. “It could be,” he said.)
Occasionally, when he’s out painting on the street, tourists will ask if they can buy what he’s working on, though they tend to fade into the background when he tells them what his work sells for, currently at Stone Soup Gallery and the Key West Art Center.
“Sometimes it’s not even about the painting,” he said, as he was packing up his easel for the morning. “I just enjoy studying people so much. I could spend the whole day just looking at people. You’re able to catch their mannerisms and everything when you paint.”
While painting makes up a large portion of Thurber’s oeuvre, the other significant part is woodcarving. He teaches classes in it at The Studios of Key West, and he’s a charter member of the Key West Woodcarving Society. He was actually leaving Whitehead Street to go hang pieces by a dozen or so artists from the society for an opening at Williams Hall on Fleming Street. (The show is up until April 30.)
Thurber started his woodcarving work in his mid 20s, partly inspired by his wife’s stepfather, who used to carve small Christian-themed figurines. He is mostly self-taught, but his lodestar in the four decades since has been the famed Key West folk artist Mario Sanchez.
MARK HEDDEN/C ourtesy The Studios of Key West
“He was a wild man,” Thurber said, talking about how Sanchez would carve on whatever scraps of wood he could find with tools he made out of things like old sharpened screwdrivers.
“Everyone can do a bird, or they’ll do a turtle or a fish, an item. That’s kind of cool when you start out. But what Mario did, he was like a his torian. He gave us a whole generation of what it was like to live in Key West before us,” he said. “It is generational. It really is. It’s handed down. It’s one of the island’s oldest traditions. ”
Thurber knew Sanchez when he was alive, but his ap preciation has only deepened in recent years working with curator Cori Convertito at the Key West Art & Historical So ciety, with a collection that contains more than 150 of his carvings and sketches.
“I had my arms around Marios all day. We took ev erything out of the archives and put it in the library. So I got to hold every one of them. Amazing. I didn’t know they had that many,” he said. “I got to be around them all day.”
Thurber, a noted early riser, just officially retired from Art & Historical. The other morning, when his alarm went off at 5:30, after resisting it for 65 years, he said, “You know what? Snooze.”
He’s looking forward to making art fulltime. And to teaching more woodcarving class es.
He said a few of the other woodcarvers are worried about him sharing his knowledge be cause it’ll bring more competition into their niche market.
“They’ll go, ‘Thurb, why are you teaching ev erybody how to do that?’” he said.
“I go, because I like to share the love,” he said. “Artists teach artists. That’s how we all learn.”
By Erin Stover
SLEEP SMARTER
PRACTICAL TIPS TO FINALLY GET THE REST YOUR BODY’S BEEN ASKING FOR
We spend, on average, one-third of our lives — 25 years or nearly 10,000 days — sleeping. The quality of our sleep informs our entire waking existence. And yet, we often neglect those important hours in the dark. Prioritizing healthier sleep can improve physical health and mental well-being, but it can be hard to know where to start. Common sense goes a long way, but we can be our own worst enemies, or at least our own worst babysitters. Instinctually, we know that having a glowing screen 10 inches from our face and a glass of wine in our hand is not conducive to healthy sleep. Do we do it anyway? Of course. For those of us who can’t always manage ourselves, there are some helpful guidelines. A popular tenet among sleep specialists is the 3-2-1 rule. Consider what time you ideally want to tuck in for the evening and then, as Ludacris once stated, “back that thang up.” Apologies, but nightcaps and TV snacks are the first casualties here. Three hours prior to your bedtime, no more food or alcohol. The next one is a little easier to swallow. Two hours prior, stop working. No more emails, project tweaks or last edits. They can all wait until morning. And that last hour before shutting your eyes, no screens. Of course, no phones but also, the TV needs to be turned off. Walk the dog if you’ve got a four-legged friend. Brush your teeth, moisturize. That whole nighttime ritual. Grab a book. Grab your partner if there’s someone lying next to you – and if they want to be grabbed.
You’re going to thank me for these tips when you wake up refreshed tomorrow, but before that, there’s one more piece of bad news. Naps are not the glorious health move we once thought. Yes, a short nap early in the day can do wonders if you respond well to that. But, within 10 hours
of bedtime, experts say it’s best to stay alert and let your body return to its natural nighttime rhythm. Another important tip also falls within the 10-hour window. Specialists suggest that caffeine remain a strictly morning treat.
The last bit of finger-wagging (I promise) pertains to how and when we move our bodies during the day. Across the board, it’s been advised, proven even, that regular moderate exercise helps promote better sleep. Movement should be enough to elevate your heartrate, but can really be anything you enjoy. The only stipulation being that it shouldn’t happen right before crawling into bed. Those endorphins are great, but they like to stay up and party.
Now that we’ve gotten the rules out of the way, let’s move on to more pleasant conversations. Sleep. Lovely, dreamy, deep, end-of-a-hard-day sleep. We all look forward to it, but sometimes our nights are not as satisfying as we hope. The rules here will help, but crafting your schedule and space may be the most important elements of all. Sticking to a fairly regular sleep pattern will help you doze off easily, and stay asleep with fewer 3 a.m. worries. We can deviate a bit, but in general, our sleep and rise times should stay within an hour window, whether it’s a holiday weekend or a Tuesday night.
The spaces we design and designate for sleep play a major role in our nocturnal health. Set your room to a temperature that feels good. Most people prefer to sleep in a cool environment. If, like me, you enjoy sleeping in an igloo, night is the time to forgo worrying about your electric bill. Turn the temperature down.
SMARTER
Make sure your bedroom is clean and dark. Subconsciously, an ordered space puts our minds at ease. Clear the clutter, toss the laundry where it’s actually meant to go, and make sure your space breathes a fresh scent into your nostrils. Once things are in order, pull the shades. Sleep studies show darkness is an important factor in a good night’s sleep. Blackout curtains are great, and available at most stores without having to resort to expensive custom treatments. One note on darkness though – make sure your setup allows for a little natural light to seep through in the morning. We give ourselves the healthiest start to the day when we follow those lizard-brain cues and circadian rhythms, allowing ourselves to start waking at daybreak. That doesn’t mean you need to rise with the sun, just start allowing your body to gently wake as night fades.
Last but not least, treat yourself. You’re doing the right thing by cutting back on alcohol, adding in some exercise, ditching your late-night doom scroll. You deserve a little reward. A healthier sleep routine doesn’t have to cost anything, but if you’d like to splurge a little, there are plenty of items on the market to make things more comfortable. It may be a higher-end mattress. If you want to invest in the bed beneath your body, make sure you get to an actual store where you can stretch out and feel the difference. If you don’t have preferences already (firm, soft, foam, pillowtop), I guarantee you will after a few lie-downs.
If you’re not ready to pull the trigger on an expensive mattress, bedding and pillows can go a long way. Spend more for the good sheets. Look for natural fibers. Check the sales at spots like the Company Store. And pillows. I cannot stress enough the wonders that can be achieved with a proper pillow. It took me until my fourth decade on earth to grasp how great a good pillow can be. Whether you swoon over soft (ethically harvested, please) down or cool shredded memory foam, give yourself permission to spend up to $100 on a pillow. It’s worth it.
Once you’ve spent the time, effort, and possibly money, on committing to better sleep, all that’s left is that perfect feeling of falling into bed, tired and ready to dream. Rest easy, you’ve earned it.
THE MAJOR TIME CONSUMERS (OVER A LIFETIME)
SLEEPING: 23-26 years (approx. 1/3 of your life).
WORKING: 10-16 years (approx. 90,000 hours, based on a 40-hour work week, age 20–65).
TRYING TO SLEEP/RESTLESS: 7 years (specifically lying awake trying to fall asleep).
WATCHING TV/SCREENS: 8-11 years.
EATING & DRINKING: 4-6 years.
COMMUTING/TRAVEL: 4-6 years.
By Nancy Klingener and Breana Sowers
DIVE INTO YOUR HOUSE’S HISTORY
THROUGH PUBLIC ARCHIVES
One of the best parts of living in the Keys, whether you were born here or arrived last month, is daily immersion in the history of the island chain and what people have built here over the last 200 years.
You can learn a lot about the community from the archives at the Monroe County Public Library’s Florida Keys History Center (FKHC) – where staff is constantly putting more resources online so they are accessible even if you can’t make a trip to our physical location at the Key West library. You can find those resources at keyslibraries.org/keyshistory.
One common inquiry, especially among those who have recently bought a home, is to learn the his -
tory of the house. When was it built? What did it look like in the past? When were additions made? Who lived there and what did they do?
The homes in Key West, especially Old Town Key West, are the best documented. The Old Town neighborhood was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and has been governed by the guidelines of the city’s Historic Architectural Review Commission. But if you are interested in a house outside of that area, don’t give up hope.
One good place to start is the FKHC’s online image archive, aka the Flickr site. You can get there from the History Center home page, or use this shortcut: bit.ly/keyspix
Enter an address into the search box (pro tip: make sure you use the search box next to the photo gallery, NOT the one at the top of the page – that one will provide results from the millions of photos on Flickr, not just the Keys). The FKHC collection includes many photos of buildings, including photos taken in the 1960s by the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office.
Take 322 Duval St. as an example. That’s the Watlington residence, now known as the Oldest House, owned by the state of Florida and managed by the Old Island Restoration Foundation. It’s better documented than most, but those documents include the property appraiser’s photo from the 1960s.
The former Watlingston House at 322 Duval St. is now the Oldest House Museum and Gardens, whose history is documented on the Sanborn Fire Maps. Like nearly all Old Town properties in Key West’s historic district, the house was photographed by the county property appraiser’s office in the 1960s. Those photos, fire maps and other records are available online at the Monroe COunty Public LIbrary in Key West. CONTRIBUTED
Next stop for a historic house in Key West: the Sanborn maps. These were incredibly detailed, largescale maps made for fire insurance agents. They show different buildings and additions to the property over time as well as the material they’re made of — wood, brick, concrete. Sanborn maps for Key West are on the Library of Congress website. You can find them under “Links We Like” on the FKHC homepage. You can find the property on the map and then compare different years to see additions and other changes.
If you really want to dig deep, you should visit the Florida Keys History Center itself. It’s generally open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. MondayFriday, but if you’re planning a special trip, it’s a good idea to call or email first to make sure staff will be available to help. You can email history@monroecounty-fl.gov or call 305-809-5260.
Documents in the center’s collection include property cards, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, deed books, architectural surveys, tax rolls, and city directories that can
help patrons piece together a small bit of their home’s history.
We do not have interior photos (unless it is more of a landmark). We have a collection of binders that may already have some background – especially if they have been in the Key West Citizen for a home tour, renovation or a special resident. And we have non-circulating books that dive deep into architecture, historic homes and popular city figures.
The information on any particular home varies quite a bit, depending on where it’s located. Homes in the older, well-documented, or historic neighborhoods will have more extensive records. Areas developed later, outside of the historic district, or further up the Keys will have fewer materials available. Outside of Key West, we have property cards, online aerials and select phone books.
Don’t expect everything to pop up instantly. The process for finding house, or property, information is a bit piecemeal and it can take some time to go through the documents.
Before you visit, it’s a good idea to go first to the Monroe County
Property Appraiser’s website. The numbers affiliated with a property parcel will be used to look up deeds or tax rolls
If you really want to dig into the histories of who lived at the house, city directories can provide that information, and then you can check resources like FamilySearch, Genealogy Bank, Find a Grave, and our Key West Citizen index. They can provide more contextual information about the previous families, using census records, newspaper articles and obituaries.
If you want to keep going, the FKHC only has a collection of what has been donated. We don’t have all city and county deeds (especially more recent, after the 1910s/1920s), maps or surveys. The county courthouse records office holds a more complete collection of deed microfilm and plat maps.
Nancy Klingener is community affairs manager at the Monroe County Public Library. Breana Sowers is senior archivist at the Monroe County Public Library’s Florida Keys History Center.
The Sanborn Fire Maps were created in the 1800s and updated regularly for fire insurance companies. The maps identify each property in each block of Old Town Key West and note their construction material — wood, brick, stone or concrete — to determine fire risks. FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY CENTER/Monroe County Public Library
Birthday presents, just because gifts, or those special anniversary presents, Fast Buck’s is where you will find the MOST UNIQUE GIFTS ON THE ISLAND.
One-of-a-kind, hard-to-find gifts: unusual, thoughtful items that will impress even the hardest-to-shop-for people on your list.
By Chris McNulty
SUN SIGN SOLUTIONS
AT-HOME TECHNOLOGY FOR EACH SIGN
Nowadays, in the early decades of the 21st century, when we hear the word “technology” we think of smart electronics that automate our routine tasks or machines that bring novel forms of entertainment into our painfully humdrum lives. I’m picturing refrigerators that order groceries for us and virtual-reality headsets that immerse us in highly detailed imaginary adventures.
In reality, however, “technology” is a term for anything that extends our human capacities beyond the boundaries set by nature.
A hammer that extends our reach and focuses our force is as much a technology as a smart watch that extends our consciousness into the interconnected, invisible web of our online world.
Each sign of the zodiac has a distinct personality and a unique set of faculties, and there are technological tools that can cater to each sign’s interests and expertise. Here are some at-home technologies that will enhance and extend your zodiac sign’s natural proclivities.
ARIES
HOME GYM
As the archetypal warrior of the zodiac pantheon, Aries has a lot of intrinsic energy that needs to be released on a regular basis in order to keep out of trouble. A home gym, particularly one of those fancy gyms with multiple different workout possibilities, will keep Aries in tip-top shape for their daily battles and help them to keep their energy trained on their goals rather than distracting side quests.
TAURUS
SLOW COOKER
Taurus loves to indulge in the joys of the senses for long stretches of time. A slow cooker preparing a meal over the course of several hours on the kitchen counter bathes Taurus in delicious smells and elicits the sweet anticipation of a flavorful, tender, juicy dinner. In addition, slow cookers can produce large meals that Taurus can savor for days, letting them relish in their favorite state: relaxation.
GEMINI
SMART SPEAKER
Instant information and high-speed communication are a Gemini’s bread and butter, and if they could connect their mind directly to the internet, they would. Short of that, a smart speaker is the next best possibility. Untethered to a device’s screen with the freedom to move about the house, a Gemini has access to all of the wisdom and distractions the internet has to offer. Telling the air to instantly call their bestie is the connection Geminis crave.
CANCER
VIDEO DOORBELL
Cancers are not necessarily suspicious, but they are incredibly protective of their home and the people in it. The sign of the crab, Cancer has a hard shell to keep the soft, fleshy, vulnerable insides safe and sound. A video doorbell leaves no question about whether the stranger at the door is a friend or a suspicious intruder, quelling Cancer’s motherly nerves.
LEO KARAOKE MACHINE
As the sign ruled by the Sun, Leos naturally draw the attention of those around them through their keen ability to delight and inspire. Hand a Leo a microphone and partygoers find themselves mesmerized by Leo’s sheer stage presence, regardless of the level of talent. An at-home karaoke machine ensures that there is always a platform for these stars to express themselves for their fans, and allows them to share the spotlight, even reluctantly.
VIRGO WHITE BOARD
A white board is a simple piece of technology, but that is exactly how a Virgo likes it. An earth sign ruled by meticulous Mercury, Virgo is always making sure the house has everything it needs without all the bells and whistles. Grocery lists, practical to-do notes, bits of inspiration, urgent reminders - all can be stored on a white board so the Virgo mind can stay prepared and focused. Now, if only they can train the rest of the household to use it.
LIBRA
DIGITAL FRAME
Keeping tabs on their friends’ wellbeing is a Libra’s modus operandi. As the sign of social balance, Libras want to know that their loved ones are happy, healthy, and welladjusted. As long as their friends and family keep it updated, a digital picture frame allows a Libra to keep an eye on their loved ones’ livesand gives them the opportunity to gush about their sweet babes when entertaining guests.
SCORPIO
HOT TUB
I almost suggested a water bed, but a hot tub is just as sexy and a bit more social. Scorpios love to immerse themselves in the sensual and sneaky underbelly of life, and a hot tub is the perfect piece of technology for engaging in shadowy activity. Whether it’s telling truth with friends over drinks in the tub, dissolving their deep feelings on their own, or enjoying intimacy with a partner, Scorpios can really be themselves in the alchemical jacuzzi waters.
SAGITTARIUS
SMOKELESS FIRE PIT
As fire signs, Sagittarians are naturally drawn to and nourished by flames, and regaling friends with intentional tales with the dramatic support of a flickering fire is pure Sagittarius vibe. A smokeless fire pit that can be easily ignited with a switch ensures that these inspirational individuals can always set the tone for a motivational adventure tale, a cautious ghost story, or an educational parable.
CAPRICORN GENERATOR
Capricorns work hard to make sure their success is their own responsibility without relying on anyone else to carry them forward. Heaven forbid a power outage disconnects them from their work, or, even worse, they are at the mercy of the utility company for their subsistence. In our electrical world, an at-home generator puts the power into Capricorn’s hands — and that is exactly where they want it.
AQUARIUS SMART HOUSE
Aquarius is the zodiac sign most aligned with technology itself, and a single gadget is not going to fulfill the Aquarian love for techie wonders. An Aquarius would love nothing more than to live inside the future, so a smart house is an Aquarian dream. A house that talks to you? Check. A house that personalizes the lighting and temperature for each person? Check. A house that can transform from country breakfast to clubhouse dance party in a moment? Check.
PISCES
AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSER
Pisces is a highly adaptable water sign, which means that a Pisces’ emotional state is in a regular state of flux. Aromas have long been known to help people balance and manage their subjective moods, and essential oil diffusers can provide Pisces with some external control over their internal condition. Soft, color-changing lighting enhances the dreamy demeanor of romantic Pisces, letting the environment permeate the Piscean consciousness.
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By Erin Stover
A SELF-CONFESSED PLANT KILLER SEARCHES FOR A LOW-MAINTENANCE WAY TO KEEP SOMETHING — ANYTHING — ALIVE
Plantparenthood
I grew up with a green-thumbed mother who counted the days each year, waiting for our frigid Illinois winters to thaw into planting season. The first day the sun peeked through, and the air smelled different, we would head to our local nursery. It didn’t matter that there were still likely frosty nights ahead. It was “spring” for us, and so the car was loaded with bags of soil, packets of seeds, fledgling plants in sturdy buckets and possibly even a small tree. I would wander the aisles selecting useless plants that would never survive in our region, paired with garishly decorated pots. I wasn’t much help, but I loved every minute of those springtime treks.
Fast-forward to adulthood, where nostalgia reigns supreme, but wisdom doesn’t always follow. And so, each spring, I still feel the pull. Home Depot. MARC House Plant Store. They call me each April, beckoning me to touch leaves, check prices and buy plants. Aware of my persisting limitations, but drawn to the possibility of success, I give in each year, purchasing a small assortment of plants. On the drive home, I utter a silent, preemptive apology to my new pets, because I know what is about to happen. I place the little lives in the house and yard, reading the instructions and (yet again) googling the differences between shade
versus sun versus partial sun versus partial shade. I pride myself as being reasonably intelligent and fairly in tune with the natural world, so each spring brings a reinstilled confidence. And then, the plants die. Despite my best efforts, and as certain as the change of seasons. Little green leaves shrivel into brown crunch. Sometimes I catch the process at a midpoint and triage the wounded. Water! No, wait, less water! The outcome remains fixed.
This spring, when the first plant-purchasing twinge hit me, I finally decided to attempt a different route to plant parenthood. I moved all attempts at green life indoors, admitting defeat under the scorch of the Florida Keys sun. My bolder choice, though, was to eschew dirt. I wanted everything that grew in water, air if possible. I sought the sea monkeys of the plant world.
As my science-fascinated brain dictated, I diversified my experiments purchasing 1.) a little fern with roots suspended in water which I learned is called a “hydrophyte,” 2.) an open terrarium the tiniest (smaller than my thumb tip) vase with itty bitty gravel and a seed packet, 3.) a small water garden purchased at a Japanese market in California, and 4.) an already blooming closed terrarium.
The results were mixed. The fern (1) thrived. I changed its water once a week (okay, maybe every two weeks … or so) and that small life absolutely flourished under my near negligence. Sadly, and despite a promising two-week gestation period during which the vessel had to remain sealed and untouched, the open terrarium (2) yielded nothing more than a sprout that required a magnifying glass. I was determined to nurture the life in that little 20mm vase, but alas, the little sprout lasted about 12 hours. The water garden (3) was the most lackluster of all, never amounting to more than wet dust, followed by slush when I tried to course-correct. I blame myself naturally, though I suspect it was far more of an advanced project than advertised. Thankfully the final subject, the closed terrarium (4) also survived. I credited myself entirely, even though it arrived at my home already sealed and in full bloom. Maintenance is the hardest part of plant parenting, after all.
DearI’mplants,sorry.
Overall, my latest foray delivered an unprecedented, and very exciting, 50% success rate and a hypothesis that perhaps hydrophytes and terrariums are my path to gardening success. The fern and terrarium just celebrated their three-month birthdays. In keeping with my poor plant-rearing skills, I have no idea what the life expectancy of either should be but am just happy to see them persist. Feeling a bit bullish following the success of maintaining the survival of two living green things, I confidently anticipate how I can respond when I get the next seasonal urge to purchase plants. Mom will be so proud.
Wash, Rinse, Relax
SMARTER LAUNDRY STARTS HERE
Not everyone loves doing a load of laundry and it only gets worse when a pesky stain comes into play. Here at Keys Weekly, we’re always looking to help simplify our readers lives so here are a few hacks we found to make your laundry day a little less messy.
Unshrink clothing
Soak in lukewarm water with a generous amount of hair conditioner to relax stretch back to shape.
Brighten whites
Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and castile soap for a powerful, non-toxic whitening boost.
Fresh smell
Apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil on wool dryer balls before tossing them in the dryer.
Soft clothes
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener. No lingering smell!
White shoes
Create a paste with baking soda + hydrogen peroxide, scrub onto shoes, let sit, then rinse for a bright clean.
Soften towels
Add half a cup baking soda directly to the wash cycle with detergent (not the rinse!) for fluffier results.
Dry clothes faster
Toss a dry, fluffy towel into the dryer with wet clothes to absorb moisture and reduce drying time.
Remove wrinkles
Add an ice cube to the dryer with wrinkled clothes and run for a few minutes to create steam.
Clean pillows
Wash 2 pillows at a time on hot with half a cup of baking soda + half a cup of vinegar for a deep, refreshing clean.
EVERGLADES FLORIDA KEYS
Mortgages Made Easy! LLC
(no
By Karen Newfield
FOR THE of SpringLOVE
FROM VINTAGE COURTSHIP
TO ROCK-AND-ROLL LOVE STORIES, THESE ROMANCES ARE ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE
THE ROM CON
By Devon Daniels
With one bad boyfriend after another, writer Cassidy Sutton has given up on dating apps and the tired always-a-bridemaid trope. When her 90-year-old grandmother surprises her with a 1950s edition of a dating guide and Good Housekeeping article, “125 Tips to Hook a Husband,” an intrigued Cassidy turns the age-old, if dated, advice into her new writing project. She will secretly transform into 1950s “Betty” and create an unforgettable column for Siren. When Cassidy bumps into sexy Jack Bradford, the co-creator of rival publication Brawler, she realizes he’s the perfect candidate. Insisting on a chaperone, no kiss until the third date and having dinner promptly on the table, Cassidy wears full skirts, high heels and a frilly apron from the local resale shop. She easily falls into full Betty mode and surprisingly, the plan actually works, Jack is smitten. But somehow, her heart didn’t get the memo. Don’t miss this hilarious and nostalgic look at love.
WHAT YOU DO TO ME
By Rochelle B. Weinstein
Rolling Stone journalist Cecelia James lives and breathes music. Every song since childhood holds a small piece of her heart. When things were good growing up, her father Don lovingly shared his passion and record collection. When things were not so good, Cecelia mourned the loss of her mother through melodies. Hours before boarding a romantic cruise with her boyfriend Pete, Cecelia gets an unexpected lead on a story, her first byline. Making the hard choice to follow her instincts instead of her heart, Cecelia crosses the country from Miami to Los Angeles to track down mega rockstar Eddie Vee who disappeared long ago, leaving the world to wonder who he’d written his hit love song for or about. As Cecelia assembles the puzzle, she learns Eddie’s and Sara’s early teen romance was a heartbreaking affair — innocent, pure and destroyed by overprotective adults. As she digs deeper into the past, she also discovers the truth about herself. Music, romance, family and a little bit of mystery — this novel is a mixtape of love.
WHAT WILD WOMEN DO
By Karma Brown
After leaving California, nothing feels right. Seth hasn’t worked on his novel and Rowan has gotten zero response from her screenwriting submission. Their writing dreams feel stalled while exasperating video retakes have become Seth’s obsession. Hoping to rejuvenate their creative juices they spend a month at a cabin in the Adirondacks. While exploring, Rowan stumbles upon a deserted camp in the woods. Overcome with curiosity, she researches the history of the original owner, socialite and feminist Eddie Calloway who ran this controversial women’s camp. Rowan discovers an old canister filled with clues and is compelled to follow each one. It appears Eddie summered at this camp with her eccentric and extremely wealthy family as a child. When everyone was long gone and her marriage fell apart, Eddie reinvented her life by redeveloping the infamous camp and disappearing in 1975 without a trace. Narrated in dual timelines, you can’t help but fall in love with Rowan and Eddie, two strong women on a mission to follow their hearts.
THE GOOD PART
By Sophie Cousens
The drip from Lucy’s ceiling wakes her as she rushes to a job where she receives no recognition and little pay. One evening after a lousy day and worse hook-up, Lucy stumbles into a shop to avoid the rain. An older Scottish woman offers her a turn in the wishing booth, a machine tucked in the corner. As Lucy closes her eyes, there is nothing she wants more than to get to the “good part.” The next day she wakes in a strange bed with a beautiful man. She hobbles to the bathroom and when Lucy glances in the mirror she is staring at her 42-year-old self. This must be her luxurious home, handsome husband and two young children. But Lucy cannot recall how she got here. It may be the “good” part, but Lucy has lost 16 years of her life and is terrified those memories are gone forever. This hilarious time-hop romance reminds us to be careful what we wish for.
Authentic Flavors
That Taste Like Hom e!
Culinary Shows - Menu Changes
Tuesday - Saturday: 11 am • 1 pm • 4 pm • 7 pm
Sunday & Monday: 11 am • 1 pm
y Lime Pie Demonstration: Daily: 2:30 pm
Cocktail Classes
A Rum Cocktail Adventure: 12 pm • 2 pm
Key West History Through Craft Cocktails: 5 pm
Bar 1
Sunday 10 am - 3 pm • Monday: 10 am - 9 pm
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
Happy Hour
Monday-Saturday: 4pm - 6pm
$6 Beer, Wine & Well Drinks
Bar Bites • Specialty Cocktails
Monday Night Trivia
Monday Nights: 6:30pm - 8:30pm FREE to play
Bar Bites • Drink Specials • Great Prizes
By Stephanie Mitchell
The Red Wine of Summer
Summer should be simple, chill. Flowy frocks. Swimsuits under everything. Relaxed family vibes. Nostalgic backyard tunes that provided the soundtrack for those particularly perfect summers of your past. A perfect breeze tempers the humidity and the sun turns the water to diamonds in that golden afternoon hour.
These are the summer days that make the Florida Keys magical. That enchanting vibe gets even better when we add a chilled red wine with a little Latin flair.
It’s Tinto de Verano time.
Your base is typically an inexpensive red. Think Tempranillo or Malbec.
Next layer, La Casera is the traditional choice, but Sprite or 7UP work as great substitutes for the citrus-flavored fizz.
A splash of club soda.
Loads of ice in your preferred glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel (or 2).
Make a pitcher for maximum sharing and less time bartending. Now kick back and enjoy this delicious and simple summer red.
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The things we do
Somewhere between the daily rain showers and the kind of humidity that makes your sunglasses fog up the moment you leave the house, summer in the Florida Keys has developed its own set of rules. They may not translate anywhere else — and honestly, we’re okay with that.
Around here, we embrace the heat, chase the breeze (or create our own), and lean into little habits that might raise an eyebrow or two off the island chain. But to locals? It’s just how you get through the summer — with a sense of humor, a little creativity, and maybe a cold drink always within reach. Always here to help here is a small list of …
Things we do during a Florida Keys summer that make perfect sense… here.
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEAT & FOLLOW IT UP WITH “I’D TAKE THIS OVER WINTER ANYDAY THOUGH”. IT’S TOO HOT TO MOVE FAST.
Shower at night & dry off in bed under the ceiling
fan.
Loudly remind everyone
“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”.
Countdown the days until hurricane season is over.
FULL MOON PARTIES THAT FEEL LIKE HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS WHEN IT’S JUST US LOCALS.
COMMUNITY WARNINGS ABOUT TERMITE SWARMS.
Beer just hydrates better with a lime.
Sometimes ya just gotta stick your face in the freezer for a few seconds.
SWIMSUITS TURN INTO YOUR UNDERWEAR.
Stay ON the boat when the water feels warmer than the air.
Never take an actual cool shower for months (the waters too damn warm).
TURN YOUR SUNGLASSES INTO A FLORIDA HEADBAND TO MANAGE THE MASSIVE PUFFBALL AKA YOUR SUMMER HAIR.
Watch the sandbar clear out at 4 p.m. with the daily mini–thunderstorm.
BUY JESUS CANDLES (JUST IN CASE).
