WEEKWEEK OF DECEMBERDDECEMBER 5-11, 20192019 www.FloridaWeekly.comwww.FloridaWeekly.com Vol. 4, No. 36 • FREE INSIDE: A guide to COAST Fest. A10 Comedy Paula Poundstone is returning to Key West and, oh yeah, she started out bussing tables. COAST A14 The third annual Billy COAST is Clear Music Kearins brings art & Arts Festival and Rayland Baxter to Real estate Legendary Casa Marina Key West home at 1501 Grinnell St. for $2,750,000. A17 BY KEVIN ASSAM Florida Weekly Correspondent illyilly KKearinsearir nsn iiss absolutelyaba b sos o luu tee lyl notnnot a self-selfl - B proclaimedprp oco laaimeedd beardbeard aficio-aaffiicio- nado.nnadoo. HHe iis,s, however,howevev rr, as off 2012,2012, the founderfounnded r off CCoastoao sst PProj-roj- ectsectst (COAST).(COOASST)). WhatWWhat startedstarted asa an exexperi-peerir - mentalmmenttala aartistrttist cocollectivellecctivee flourishedflf ouurir shshed intointn o a lifestylelifesttyly e brandbrannd andana d concertconcncerrt pro-proo- motingmotingn outfit.outtfitt. OnOn ththehe eveevee Local Focus off hhisiss tthirdhih rdr annuaannuall COCOASTASA T Iss Dyan Gonsalves has Island ClearClC eae r MusicMusiic & ArtsArts FestivalFesesttival — Dec.Deec.c Style. A6 5-75-5-7 in BahamaBahhamma VillageViV lllaga e — BiBillylllly exploreseexplloro ess hhisiss sstranger-trt anangerr- than-any-fictionththan-aany-f- ictiiono pathpaath toto developingdevvelopo inng hishih s brand,brb ana d,d thetheh Billy Kearins, founder of the COAST is Clear Music & Arts Festival. COURTESY PHOTO SEE COAST, A10 Celebrating the holidays in Key West BY LAURA RICHARDSON associated with the winter season. laura.richardson@fl oridaweekly.com That’s not to say life on the island is always easy breezy. The truth is, those of Year-round balmy temps, palm trees and us lucky enough to call paradise home have sandy beaches may not exactly scream “holi- our share of holiday stressors (even tropical The Lakes day season,” but while our friends up north island-dwellers have in-laws and get agita A step into Caribbean utopia. are dreaming of sugarplums and freezing over sourcing the perfect gifts), but they pale A7 their bundled up behinds off, we here in the in comparison to what our friends on the Florida Keys will be celebrating the season mainland have to suffer through each year. our way – with Conch Train Christmas tours Having to scrape iguana poop off your conch Download (which are basically just an excuse to ooh cruiser (that’s Key West slang for a bicycle) and aah over Christmas light displays while is no picnic, but it sure beats having to scrape our FREE we get sloshed on a trolley and make up off three feet of icy shards from your Arctic App today dirty words to Bing Crosby’s greatest holiday incubator of a vehicle. So, if you’re fortunate Available on hits) and parades and parties galore, sans the enough to be joining us for the holidays this COURTESY PHOTO the iTunes and Get photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the winter coats and frigid weather generally SEE HOLIDAYS, A12 Android App Store. Custom House Holiday Bazaar. A2 WEEK OF DECEMBER 5-11, 2019 www.FloridaWeekly.com FLORIDA WEEKLY KEY WEST Editor OFF OFF DUVAL Laura Richardson The most traveled and visible street old boutique bookstore offers a surpris- [email protected] in Key West is only the beginning, the ingly varied wealth of current and used Publisher surface, of what the town has to offer. titles, from bestsellers to rare titles. Niall Geoghegan Ask locals about their favorite spots or Often open late, it’s an inviting place to [email protected] stroll through quiet neighborhoods and browse the crowded stacks. down alleyways off Duval, and you’ll Account Executive begin to dive deeper into the quieter, La Rubia Panama Hats, 510 Flem- Evan Schaffer more diverse and less readily apparent ing St. and 291 Front St., 305-296- [email protected] offerings. Here are eight spots you might 6059; www.larubiakeywest.com. not see at first glance. This is the Florida Keys’ only importer Reporters of authentic Panama hats. The owner Kevin Assam • Shaun Corcoran Better than Sex, 926 Simonton developed the boutiques to help per- Gwen Filosa • Jennifer Potter St. 305-296-8102; www.betterthan- COURTESY PHOTO petuate the centuries-old tradition of sexkeywest.com. A great place for La Rubia Panama Hats is the Florida Keys’ hand weaving hats (which come from Presentation Editor couples. Swing by this dessert-only, only importer of authentic Panama hats. Ecuador, not Panama, by the way). Styles Eric Raddatz adults-only restaurant late in the eve- for both men and women come in a wide [email protected] ning. Indulge your senses with choc- Cuban Coffee Queen, 284 Marga- array of shapes, colors and weaves all olate-dipped wine glasses and cheeky, ret St. 305-292-4747; www.cubancof- the way up to the coveted Montecristi. Production Manager homemade desserts and beverages such feequeen.com. The strong Cuban cof- There is also a nice selection of other Alisa Bowman as an Ephemere Apple Spiced Ale in a fee at this hole in the wall is also rich fair trade wearable items. [email protected] tall beer glass with a signature caramel in Key West heritage. A café con leche Graphic Designers rim-job. Lick it good. paired with a classic Cuban sandwich or Little Pearl, 632 Olivia St. 305-204- some Havana rice and beans will keep 4762; www.littlepearlkeywest.com. Chris Andruskiewicz • Emma Campos Mellow Café and Gastro Pub, 1605 you going long into a Key West night. Nestled in the heart of Old Town Key Paul Heinrich • Scott Sleeper Roosevelt Blvd. 305-745-3874; www. West and away from the bustling down- Circulation Manager mellowventureskeywesst.com. Near Firefly, 223 Petronia St. 305-849- town streets, this is an excellent spot for Tara Rosheim the water in Old Town Key West, the 0104; www.fireflykeywest.com. fresh local catch and innovative cuisine [email protected] café is open for breakfast, lunch and Being that Key West is home to the with a tropical twist. It’s new, and it’s dinner and offers unique island fare southernmost point of the continental hot. Reservations are required. Sales and Marketing Assistant with a mellow atmosphere to match. United States, it’s fitting that the island Alea Feeley The menu items are crafted with fresh, is also home to a Southern-inspired res- Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden, Operations Manager locally sourced ingredients and include taurant. Firefly’s plantation-style look 518 Elizabeth St. 305-294-0015; www. Kelli Carico a fresh catch, Havana roasted pork, and its menu give it the most down- nancyforrester.com. Ms. Forrester has romaine leaf plates and caramelized home feel of any culinary experience on a secret, and it’s not her garden, per Published by banana chocolate tacos. Drink options the island. The shrimp and grits, fried se: It’s what she keeps there. The long- Florida Media Group LLC include a large selection of craft beers, chicken and bacon-wrapped meatloaf time environmentalist has been caring 100 Grinnell Street • Key West, FL 33040 11 rotating tap beers, wine, house-made are a few fan favorites. for orphaned parrots for more than 30 305.363.1310 sangria and champagne cocktails. years. She welcomes visitors to meet There’s a great happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Key West Island Bookstore, 513 them, take pictures, hold them and listen www.FloridaWeekly.com daily, and delivery is available. Fleming St. 305-294-2904; www.Key- as she shares her knowledge about her westislandbooks.com. This decades- fine feathered friends. ■ Copyright: The contents of the Florida Weekly are copyright 2019 by Florida Media Group, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without the express written consent of Florida Media Group, LLC. Start The Season with the Holiday PARTY on Friday, Dec. 6th! Join Us! For special offerings like book signings, jewelry trunk shows, tastings, treats, sweet savings & libations–on 1st Fridays, MONTHLY! Some of the MANY Participating Businesses Include: tćF3PPTU#BS-JRVPS4UPSF t4FB4UPSF"OUJRVFT t-B3VCJB1BOBNB)BUT tćJSTUZ.FSNBJE3BX#BS t,FZ8FTU*TMBOE#PPLT t'BVTUPT'PPE1BMBDF t,FZ8FTU-PDBM-VYF+FXFMSZ t*TMBOE"OUJRVFT t-B1FUJUF(SJHOPUF'SFODI#BLFSZ t+FBO1JFSSF,MJGB3FTPSUXFBS t$MFNFUFT8PPE'JSF1J[[BSJB t%VDL%PMQIJO"OUJRVFT t"NBOEB+PIOTPO'JOF"SU t .PSF/FJHICPSJOH#VTJOFTTFT *Check ‘The Fabulous 500 Block of Fleming’ on Facebook, for an updated list PLUS 1st Friday & on-going specials, savings & events! All the businesses of the Fabulous 500 Block are LOCALLY OWNED. THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA! Now Round Only Trip!* Enjoy a tropical drink from the bar or bite to eat from the galley as your adventure begins. Sit back and relax within one of the air conditioned cabins or take in the sun and soft ocean breezes from the sun decks. Explore the natural beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, the 1-800-593-7259 art and music festivals of the historic River District, keywestexpress.net the eclectic culture of Fort Myers Beach and world- class shopping throughout Fort Myers and Naples. *LIMITED TIME HOLIDAY VOUCHER SALE; WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Non-refundable, non-discountable, cannot be combined with other offers. Valid for travel two year period January 1st, 2020 through December 31st, 2021. A4 WEEK OF DECEMBER 5-11, 2019 www.FloridaWeekly.com FLORIDA WEEKLY KEY WEST MAP IT OUT Getting around Key West 1. Southernmost Point 5. Truman Little White House 8. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum 11. Audubon House and Garden The corner of South and 111 Front St. 200 Greene St. 205 Whitehead St. Whitehead streets www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com 305-294-2633 305-294-2116 www.Audubonhouse.com www.southernmostpointwebcam.com The Little White House adds a presi- www.melfisher.org The city of Key West erected this con- Original lithographs by John James dential luster to the Conch Republic.