Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: 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.*

Systems for responsible stewardship: Retired Navy captain and Key West resident David Burke has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer of Visit Florida Keys & Key West, improving accountability, compliance, and coordination for tourism -- learn what his role entails.

Community caretakers of coastal history: The Key West Garden Club preserves West Martello Tower, an unfinished Civil War fort later used for radio and defense, inviting visitors to explore gardens woven through the historic site -- read the full story.

Island lodging worth a stop: Planning a Keys staycation Just up the road in Marathon, a new roundup spotlights nine resort-style hotels with marinas, a heated pool, a tiki bar, kayaks, tennis, and suites -- see the full lineup.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Follow the chickens: At Blue Heaven, good food, breezy vibes, and a time-bending patio hit that island-lazy sweet spot. Bring your week a little sunshine, linger over plates with friends, and let the pace ease up... casual, colorful, and exactly the kind of Key West pause you wanted.

Island style, sorted: Graffitti Key West has been outfitting locals since 1987 with menswear that actually fits Keys life, from swim briefs and trunks to tees, hats, and go-big pieces when the mood hits. Perfect for when your drawers look a little tired and the next sunny day is always, well, tomorrow.

Catch the local sunset: Reminder: Mallory Square is still the easiest after-work reset, with street performers, local makers, and that smugly perfect sunset over the water. Slide in a bit early to dodge the crowds, sip something cold, and let the island vibes unclench your shoulders.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🌅 "Sunshine" Sandbar and Sunset @ Salty Bottom Boats | Monday (4/27) at 2:00 PM – Prefer your Songwriters kickoff without elbowing tourists? Hop on Salty Bottom Boats for sandbar loafing, then a private sunset serenade from Erica Sunshine Lee. It’s BYO bites and sips, big coolers provided, limited spots, tickets at keystix.com, $100 regular, $150 VIP.

📖 Storytime @ Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden | Tuesday (4/28) at 10:00 AM – Tuesday mornings call for free storytime in the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden courtyard. Bring the littles for nature tales and simple crafts. You get adult conversation, they get reading chops, weather permitting, so check the skies and just show up.

🍕 Pizza For Purpose! @ White Street Pizza | Wednesday (4/29) at 11:00 AM – Wednesday lunch at White Street Pizza means your slice does more than solve the noon slump; each Wednesday in April, 15% of dine-in, pickup, and WhiteStreetPizza.com delivery supports MARC Key West, helping Monroe County neighbors with disabilities. Treat yourself, tip, call it community service.

🏖 Beach Bash @ South Beach | Thursday (4/30) at 12:00 PM – Skip the Duval chaos and start the Songwriters Festival where the breeze does the heavy lifting. Southernmost is throwing a beachfront set with rotating songwriters and real ocean views, not a mural. Bring sunscreen, low expectations for your hair, and high ones for hooks.

🧹 Early Bird Joint Clean Up Duval and Virginia @ Realty ONE Group Destination | Friday (5/1) at 8:00 AM – If you’ve muttered about litter on Duval, join an early bird, one hour cleanup with Realty ONE Group Destination. Meet on Virginia between Duval and Simonton for a vest, bucket, and picker, then reward yourself at Duval Square with coffee, donuts, and bagels.

♻ Trash Derby Beach Cleanup @ Geiger Key Beach Florida | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Whether you collect sea junk for sport or just want beach time without guilt, rally at Geiger Key Beach for Surfrider and I.CARE's Trash Derby. They bring coffee, snacks, and supplies. You bring a reusable bottle, sun armor, and your superior sorting skills.

🎤 Ernest and more @ Duval Street Stage | Saturday (5/2) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a free headliner on Duval when the Songwriters Festival rolls through. Ernest takes the Duval Street Stage with Cody Lohden and Ashley Cooke, so yes, we’re braving tourist country for actual talent, great people watching, and a wallet that stays happily shut.

This 3-bed, 4-bath canal-front retreat delivers 58 feet of new seawall and a 24,000 lb boat lift for instant ocean access. Sunlit living spaces showcase tile floors and an updated kitchen with a waterfall island and stainless appliances. A heated salt pool with automation, lush turf, privacy wall, Mosquito Nix, whole-house generator, automatic front gates, and awning-covered parking complete it.