A Taste of Key West

April 22, 2010





The Ragbirds

A Taste of Key West

One of the largest annual single evening events in Key West each year is the annual Taste of Key West. This year marks the 15th year that the event has been held. It has moved from various locations over the year to its current home along the Truman waterfront and has grown significantly during the past 15 years. Now the event is the largest single fundraising event for AIDS Help and attracts more than 50 Keys restaurants and a large selection of wine and beer distributors who all offer selections to the massive crowd that converges on the event each year.



Daisy & Cookie

Kathy, her father Jim & I all biked down to the Truman waterfront just as the gates were opening to try and get some food before the lines became too terribly long. It worked like a charm as we were able to eat before the crowd swelled into unmanageable levels. Certainly the event is one of the most popular in the Keys, drawing thousands of locals from a cross section of people in town.







Like the Cayo Carnivals of old, you never know who you will run into at A Taste of Key West. People who rarely venture out seem to make this an annual exception, most likely because you can sample tasty selections from many of the Keys finest restaurants at relatively cheap prices.

Sandy & Frank



Sherry & Steve

Long lines quickly form at the most popular restaurant booths, but we managed to weave our way to many tasty selections of both food and beer. In addition to the food and libations, the event is one of the best social gatherings of the year. Every time you turn around you see somebody you know and we couldn’t walk ten feet without having to stop and chat with friends.



The weather could not have been more perfect, sunny and warm, with low humidity and a light breeze, unlike the scorching heat that some past events have experienced. The sunset made for a great back drop to the evening. Something about this location just works so well, the sunset, the water, watching all the ships in the harbor – all with great food and friends makes this a special event. The fact that it raises a ton of money for a great charity is an added bonus.







Afterwards, we headed over to the Pier at the Ocean Key House to watch one of my favorite visiting bands play the first of four nights there. The Ragbirds are an eclectic Folk rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan that thankfully makes Key West a stop on most of their tours. Led by the wonderful Erin Zindle on fiddle, the band plays a wonderfully diverse mix of music that is influenced by such a wide range of styles that they are difficult to categorize.

The Ragbirds Live

I didn’t find a video of them playing here, but found a youtube selection from some other show that will give you an idea, or you could give them a listen on the link below. They are worth a listen.

The Ragbirds

Field Trips

April 20, 2010



Megan & Kristin



Field Trips

As the end of the school year approaches, Kathy always tries to pack in as many field trips as possible for the children in her 3 year old class at the Key West Preschool Co-op. This helps keep them focused as the year winds down. Kathy also managed to take a little field trip of her own last week, driving up to Ft. Lauderdale to visit with her friend Kristin and her daughter Megan who were there to see family.





At the preschool, the kids have been busy. This month alone they have had bike day, a field trip to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and to the Sheriff’s Department animal farm.



Bike Day

Bike day is a day of learning about important safety tips about bicycling, which is a major activity in Key West. Experts from Monroe County in bike safety as well as the local bicycle repair expert Dane from Cyclo-Therapy bike repair were brought in to teech the kids about bicycles (or tricycles as the case may be). The kids learned about the importance of helmets, obeying basic traffic safety and navigated a course that was laid out in the school parking lot.





The Butterfly Conservancy field trip was a cool opportunity for the kids to take in the beautiful Duval Street facility that is home to more than 50 species of butterflies as well as many beautiful tropical birds all in a beautiful tropical garden setting. The butterflies are all grown and raised in house and create a beautiful, tranquil setting for the kids to get up close to see the amazing insects.





The Sheriff’s Department animal farm, which is located under the Monroe County Jail and operated by inmates under the guidance of the wonderful “Farmer Jeanne” is a popular place for kids. Housing hundreds of animals, many rescued from neglectful owners, the small zoo allows up close contact with a variety of animals as well as the positive responsibility that inmates develop by assisting in the care of the animals.





Megan & Kristin

Kathy took a short field trip of her own as well, heading up to Ft. Lauderdale to hang out with her friend Kristin who was there with one of her daughters (Megan) visiting her parents. Kristin and her daughters Megan & Emily have visited us in Key West during the past few years, but could not make it down this year, so Kathy headed up to see them.

Kristin & Kathy



They had a great weekend visit, which included a visit to Flamingo Gardens and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary in Davie. The Gardens are home to a variety of animals and birds, many of which are native to the Everglades and some (like the large flock of peacocks that roam the grounds) which are not native.

Cyclo-Therapy

The Butterfly Conservancy

Flamingo Gardens