Christmas In The Keys... Wishing you Laughter, Love, and Joy ... Tropical Style

Christmas in the Keys.
Forget the snow....Gimme the Sand!
Much prefer Santa Sleigh being pulled across our sparkling waters by a Pod of Dolphins.

I love Christmas down here.

Palm trees strung with lights ... lobster trap Christmas trees, and Hogfish for Dinner rather than ham.

Yes it's  Different down here, a little twisted and a little bent, just like your Conchquistador.

But one thing remains the same.  The spirit of Love for your family, neighbor and fellow man.

With so much crap going down throughout the World right now, let's remember THAT Spirit today, and throughout the year, and spread Peace and Joy to each other, regardless of faith, color, gender, or whether they like the Bayside or Ocean, fish with live bait or artificials, or if they prefer Lobster to Stone Crab.

Yes, there are things that separate us, but Love...Love unites.

And LOVE is abundant in the Florida Keys!!!

Your Conchquistador wishes you and your Loved Ones a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukkah (late), Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Yule, a Merry Festivus or whatever you celebrate during this festive time of Year!!

All the Very Best!!

Now give me a Margarita!  It's 85 degrees out here.

For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Big Dick, You Certainly Left An Impression. We Will Miss You.

Yes, I know the title sounds salacious, but unfortunately the Keys lost a icon recently that provided us so much entertainment and laughter.   Jack Snipes aka "Big Dick" of  Big Dick and The Extenders

Big Dick and The Extenders where THE Keys band for many years, especially during the 80s and 90s and held court at Woody's in Islamorada, long before it became the strip club that it is now.

 

I enjoyed quite a few, fun nights there listening to their sets and dancing the night away, with their own brand of bawdy, cheeky, fun.

Later christened as the Big Richard and the Family Fun Band, Jack and his crew held sway at Lorelei for quite some time, providing a more toned down but always fun show.

Today, The Keys will remember and honor this local legend of snarky mirth, with a Celebration of Life, with a party and BBQ at Lorelei from 12-4, culminating with a ceremony to spread his ashes in Florida Bay, and then a further celebration at his old haunt, Woody's.  Not to worry, they are having the girls put their clothes back on for This party, though I am certain, Jack would have approved if they left them off!  LOL

Please come by as we say Good Bye and Thank you to a Keys Entertainment Legend!

RIP, Jack and put on a Great Show!

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Your Conchquistador goes Highbrow as American Caribbean Co-Sponsors Art Miami!

Damn!! And I thought there were some Freaky people in Key West ... Art Miami had a lot of them beat!

Ah the wonderful world of Art and the melange of beatnik Artists, Monied Collectors, sycophants and wanna-bes. A cross section of Attention Whores and truly gifted and talented Visionaries blessed to be able to turn their imagination into manifestation.

Such is the world of the modern day Art Expo Extravaganza...And Hey! We're proud to be a sponsor!!

All snarkiness aside, American Caribbean and Christie's International Real Estate are genuinely proud to be a sponsor of Art Miami, a satellite expo of the famed Art Basel, featuring edgy Art from around the world.
 

The American Caribbean/Christie's International Booth at Art Miami

As yet another unique venture and creative way to expose our property listings to exceptional clientele, we are actually occupying a beautiful booth within the event! Complete with big screen monitors highlighting exceptional real estate opportunities to showcase your incredible art collection.

Our Big Screen featuring my listing,"Mariposa" on Grassy Key

With an estimated 80,000 attendees, this is sure to be an epic event, full of festivities beyond description and compare.

Last night's VIP opening was a spectacle indeed. And though many had their own opinions on what was actually "Art", all who stopped by our booth agreed that our properties were Masterpieces!

With one of the cooler works

Need wall space in The Keys for your exquisite Art? Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Florida Keys Profanity-Yep...It's That Time of Year!

Forget George Carlin's 7 dirty words. Forget the F, S, C, P, D, and just about any other A thru Z words....When it comes to June 1st in the Florida Keys, one word is MOST Profane!!!! Wash your mouth out with bad Zest Profane..and that is The H-Word....Hurricane.

Yep, It's THAT Time of Year Again.

Yes, like most of the Eastern states, The Florida Keys once again hold its collective breath as we start another dreaded Hurricane Season. Our little stretch of 118 miles of dust, gravel, and mangroves are prone to these suckers!

The Lovely, yet Somber,
Hurricane Memorial in Islamorada

All joking aside, Hurricanes have had an indelible effect on the Florida Keys. One visit to the lovely, yet somber Hurricane Memorial in Islamorada, quickly paints the image of the power and destructive capability these massive weather phenomena posses.

Who can deny the impact the 1935 Storm had. It virtually and literally collapsed the Overseas Railway. It fueled Hemingway's creative fires for several of his subsequent novels. Most people are not aware that Hemingway was quite an unsung hero of the 1935 storm, providing great assistance in relief efforts aboard his Boat, Pilar.

So, as we break out our shutters and refresh our mooring plans and search for that perfect hurricane hole for our boats. We get ready in true Keys fashion: We throw on Jimmy Buffett's "Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane Season", Mix up a batch of Margaritas, and give the H-word...the F-word.

Ready to find YOUR port in the storm??? Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Memorial Day and The Keys.

Memorial Day, is easily the Grand-Daddy of Holidays here in our Fabulous Florida Keys.

Like bees attracted to the nectar that is Good Times and Memories that only the Keys can deliver, folks come from local and international climes to soak in our magical essence.

Marching ant-style across Jewfish Creek Bridge, the hoards make their way to Islamorada, Key West, and all points between.

Stopping in the Mecca that is the Islamorada Sand Bar, for benedictions and libations.

For me though, this year I am skipping the beloved festivities and enjoying a holiday much closer to its intended meaning.
 
I am spending it with my Dad, United States Air Force Airman 2nd Class, Francis J.
Marinelli...deceased.  I am so proud that he was recently laid to rest at the South Florida National Cemetery.  Just such a moving place... The Reverence...The Honor...The Service...The Pride.

So, when you are out there enjoying all, that our magnificent chain of Islands can provide, please take a moment to remember and thank the ones who kept and keep them free for us all to enjoy.

Time For A Little Keys Real Estate Stew. A Detectible Bouillabaisse Seasoned by "Bloodline".

Time for a little Keys Real Estate Stew. A Delectable Bouillabaisse.

1. Mix 1 Part Incredible Land and Seascapes created by the Finger of God.
2. Add Unique Homes ranging from waterfront mobile homes to exquisite Oceanfront Estates.
3. Blend in a heaping helping of low interest rates
4. Fold in a record-setting brutal Winter anywhere above the frozen Tundra of Orlando
5. And Sprinkle with International interest fueled by the Netflix series Bloodline.

Let simmer into the perfect blend of Real Estate critical mass.

Serve with an Ice Cold Sandbar Sunday brew from the Islamorada Beer Company or a salty rimmed Margarita.

MMMMM soooo tasty!!!!

The Keys Real Estate Market has been, and continues to be on Fire.  Almost every day I see properties going under contract at a very disproportionate ratio as to those becoming available.  
As cited in my above recipe, there are quite a few variables at play here. That being said, I can not begin to express how Big "Bloodline" has been, and I think, will be in making people DROOL with envy and could be the tipping point as to making people want to visit and eventually buy here in our 127 mile coral rock paradise.

Much like Miami Vice in the 80's, the producers of Bloodline have made a REAL commitment to shoot locally.  Filming in untold local restaurants, resorts, shops, and waterways.  The use very few "sets" and they make the Keys LOOK Amazing!!  And I say this as a local, I can only image how they must look to someone in snow covered who knows where.
If you have not seen the show, I highly recommend you watch it.  Yes,  it moves verrrrrrrry slowly the first1/2 dozen but then it kicks into HIGH gear.  Great acting, especially by Kyle Chandler (who I recently met, super nice) and wow Ben Mendolsohn.  My only criticism ....it rains more in one episode than it does all year!! (Yes, yes, I know its a dramatic metaphor as a bad omen, and bad deeds...but still THAT much rain??? LOL).

Becareful! VERY easy to binge watch.  You may get so engrossed and emerge zonked and looking like some  degenerate stumbling out of  Sloppy Joe's in the wee hours.

It's fun to pick out locales such as the Moorings, Morada Bay, Mrs Macs, Islamorada Tackle, Anne's Beach among others.

All of this beautiful PR is just some great extra seasoning to an already deliciously delirious real estate pot.

Are you Hungry???

Belly up to the table and get your serving of great Keys Real Estate.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Everyone Loves a Clean Bottom!! Come On Out To "The Sand Bar Clean Up". Fun and Maybe Even Treasure!

The Holiday Isle Sandbar.
That bastion of good times and Florida Keys Fun.

Countless memories that many can't remember the next day have been created there.
They Idyllic spot to anchor up, soak up the Sun, and get down to the serious Keys business of...Relaxing

Our Sandbar is known World-WIde!! Hell, it's even inspired a locally crafted Beer!!! +Sand Bar Sunday", brewed by The Islamorada Beer Company.  And the folks at Islamorada Beer Company and my friend Captain Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters are organizing something Fun and Special, that's great for our Sandbar and for the environment as well.

It's the Sand Bar Clean Up!

Like a great nightclub that looks fantastic at night, and horrendously trashed the next morning when the house lights are up, so it can go with our Sandbar.  Yes, unfortunately some of the visitors do not steward the location as they should, leaving it messier then when they arrived. So, Captain Matt and the gang are organizing this fun community clean up, great for young and old alike

Starting at 9am on Saturday 8/16, bring your mask and snorkel and join the fun as we clean the bottom of beer bottles etc.

Funny thing  though, you may fine Buried Treasure!! Maybe not doubloons, but rather watches, rings, earrings, coins, and more.  I know several people who have Cashed-in on what they have found after a busy weekend at the Sand Bar. So if not for Altruistic reasons head out for...Capitalistic ones!

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

The Island Smoke Shop in Key Largo Named South Florida's #1 Cigar Shop

The Island Smoke Shop, located in Key Largo, was just named the BEST Cigar Shop in all of South Florida by South Florida Television Station WPLG, Channel 10!
And no surprise, if you have ever been there, you know why.
An Amazingly Incredible selection, super helpful staff and just an overall cool vibe.
If you enjoy cigars, like I do, or are looking for a gift for someone who, does stop by!
Conchquistador recommended!

The Island Smoke Shop's Walk In Humidor.  Paradise for Cigar Lovers! I wank to bottle the aroma in there.

Saturday, April 12, they are throwing a party to celebrate.  Lots of great fun to be had.

The Island Smoke shop is located in the Pink Plaza, Bayside at Mile Marker 103, just South of Adams Cut.

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Forget Turkey....It's Lobster and Stone Crab. It's How We Do Thanksgiving in the Keys!!

Not sure if Squanto had this in mind when he hooked up with the Pilgrims to celebrate the Autumn Harvest Meal we now call Thanksgiving, but down here, we say screw the Turkey ,and break out some Keys fare to be Thankful for!!

As I write this at Casa de Conchquistador, my Keys Bungalow in Key Largo's Sunset Point, I can smell the aroma of Pumpkin Pie baking (well gotta have Something Traditional), hear the sounds of Jimmy on the stereo, taste the damn good Bloody Mary in hand, see gorgeous Bougainvilleas in full fiery bloom,  but I am touched, touched by the fact that I am privileged to have some many wonderful clients and friends.

So to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are, like the Pilgrims, enjoying our own Autumn Harvest of Fresh Lobster and Stone Crab that
we went out and caught. Add to that, a little homemade fish dip made from smoked Spanish Mackerel that we recently pulled in, and we've got the foundation for a meal that would make those Puritans wanna get down and boogie.  A few Tropical Cocktails, a ride in the Convertible and I am certain that there would be quite a few Scarlet Letters being sewn on Friday!!!


One of the Greatest benefits of this real estate career though, is the opportunity to transition Clients into Friends, and my Lovely wife and I look forward to jumping in the boat for a quick cruise to some new Friends' place for desserts afterwards.


As we do, I will smell the Ocean and Bay, hear some  Zac Brown blowing in the salty wind, taste another Bloody Mary, see the stunning Sun set in the azure water hoping to see the mythical Green Flash, and I can only hope to ... Touch You, dear Reader, as you have touched me!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Work with an Agent who is Thankful for your business! Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

It's Islamorada After Hours...And We're Hosting! A Beautiful Evening, Awesome Waterfront Location, and Mouth Watering Fare!

American Caribbean Real Estate is extraordinarily proud to be hosting this month's Islamorada After Hours event for the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
Join us Tuesday at our gorgeous waterfront development, " Pearl Ocean", on Upper Matecumbe Key.
Mouth watering fare will be provided by our co-Host, Chef Michael.
Please join us for an evening to remember!.
- See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4254813/it-s-islamorada-after-hours-and-we-re-hosting-a-beautiful-evening-awesome-waterfront-location-and-mouth-watering-fare-#sthash.TPlssjZu.dpuf

American Caribbean Real Estate is extraordinarily proud to be hosting this month's Islamorada After Hours event for the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. 

Join us Tuesday at our gorgeous waterfront development, " Pearl Ocean", on Upper Matecumbe Key. 

Mouth watering fare will be provided by our co-Host, Chef Michael. 

Please join us for an evening to remember!.

American Caribbean Real Estate is extraordinarily proud to be hosting this month's Islamorada After Hours event for the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
Join us Tuesday at our gorgeous waterfront development, " Pearl Ocean", on Upper Matecumbe Key.
Mouth watering fare will be provided by our co-Host, Chef Michael.
Please join us for an evening to remember!.
- See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4254813/it-s-islamorada-after-hours-and-we-re-hosting-a-beautiful-evening-awesome-waterfront-location-and-mouth-watering-fare-#sthash.TPlssjZu.dpuf

American Caribbean Real Estate is extraordinarily proud to be hosting this month's Islamorada After Hours event for the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
Join us Tuesday at our gorgeous waterfront development, " Pearl Ocean", on Upper Matecumbe Key.
Mouth watering fare will be provided by our co-Host, Chef Michael.
Please join us for an evening to remember!.
- See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4254813/it-s-islamorada-after-hours-and-we-re-hosting-a-beautiful-evening-awesome-waterfront-location-and-mouth-watering-fare-#sthash.TPlssjZu.dpuf

American Caribbean Real Estate is extraordinarily proud to be hosting this month's Islamorada After Hours event for the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
Join us Tuesday at our gorgeous waterfront development, " Pearl Ocean", on Upper Matecumbe Key.
Mouth watering fare will be provided by our co-Host, Chef Michael.
Please join us for an evening to remember!.
- See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4254813/it-s-islamorada-after-hours-and-we-re-hosting-a-beautiful-evening-awesome-waterfront-location-and-mouth-watering-fare-#sthash.TPlssjZu.dpuf

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Monday Night Movies on the Dock at the World Famous Caribbean Club....Is This Cool or What??

You Know, down here in the Florida Keys, I don't so much sell Properties as much as I do the LIFESTYLE and unique CULTURE of the Keys and that...ESSENCE is the chum that makes them bite.
Tonight's event is a perfect illustration of what makes our Island Chain so damn cool!

 "Monday Night Movies on the Dock"

The World Famous Caribbean Club in Key Largo now hosts a movie night under the palms.
Grab a drink and enjoy a different movie every Monday night, stating at 6PM.

Tonight in honor of Veteran's Day, they will be screening "Kelly's Heros"

The Caribbean Club is a Florida Keys institution!  A bad ass dive bar with character and rich in history, and wow, if those walls could talk!!!

The Caribbean Club was the final project of auto parts and real estate promoter Carl Fisher. Opening in 1938, it served as a poor-man's fishing retreat. The property originally included the bar, complete with a kitchen, and a small hotel. After Fisher's death a year later, the Caribbean Club became a gambling establishment. 
In 1947, Warner Brothers used the bar as inspiration when writing the screenplay for the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall film, Key Largo. It also served as a filming location for exterior shots in the film.

Come on out for Movie Night, the beer, hot dogs and popcorn are waiting!

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Captain Matt Bellinger's Upper Keys Fishing Report for November 1

Get Captain Matt Bellinger's Upper Keys Fishing Report for the First Day of November.

Bonefish

Get Today's Report  Here

Today, talking about Redfish, Bonefish, Sailfish, and Blue Water fishing.

As Captain Matt says:
"Get Out on the Water...Go Fish!!"

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

As Per Request, Pet Friendly Establishments in The Florida Keys. Waiter, Can I Get A Bone??

It's funny,
Your Conchquistdor is now taking Blog requests!!

I recently posted in Facebook, that I was enjoying breakfast at Robbie's in Islamorada with my faithful canine, Donatello in tow, and that we were lucky to have so many Pet-Friendly eateries here in the Keys.
This prompted one of my loyal readers to remark that I should do a Blog post with locations of others.
Great Idea!!!
And Here you go:

Keys People love their pets....and they REALLY LOVE their Dogs.  The Florida Keys, in my humble opinion, are the most accepting and in many cases, most welcoming of patrons accompanied by Man's Best Friend.

I have had many transactions that had to take into account how the Buyer's pet(s) would fare in their new surroundings

It is quite common to sit on a patio, at a local eatery, and see several tables that have well behaved dogs aside their Owners..  Many servers will, quite often, bring your dog a doggie bowl with water and even a treat or two.  (  Hmmm you can guess who gets great tips!)

Of course, there are some ground rules.  Dogs must be well behaved, they must be on a leash, and not fed from the table, and so on, and each establishment may have their particulars as well.

Now, we here at American Caribbean are really serious about our love for pets.  Along with our sister real estate company, Marr Properties. we created a charitable arm, called MarrVelous Pet Rescues, whose purpose is to find Forever Homes for distressed rescued pets.  MarrVelous even holds a monthly, "Yappy Hour" on a revolving basis at many of the establishments listed below, where patrons can bring their pet and socialize, and maybe even find a new loving dog to take home.
(I can just imagine two male dogs talking when they get home about a female dog they met and saying "Man, that Bitch was Hot!!" Yes Yes, I know, poor taste, but hey it was just "sitting there")

Below are just some of the Establishments in the Upper Keys that are pet friendly:

Conch House - Key Largo

A Recent 'Yappy Hour" at Snook's in Key Largo

Snapper’s - Key Largo

Pilot House - Key Largo

Sundowner -Key Largo

Sharkey’s - Key Largo
 

Snook's - Key Largo

Island Grille - Windley Key

Marker 88 -Plantation Key

Smuggler’s Cove - Windley Key
 

Hog Heaven - Windley Key

Taster’s - Tavernier

Lorelei - Upper Matecumbe

Postcard Inn – outside - Windley Key

Island Grille at Mandalay - Key Largo

Islamorada Fish Company - Upper Matecumbe

Big Chill – outside -Key Largo

Hungry Tarpon, aka "Robbie's" - Lower Matecumbe

Buzzard’s Roost - Key Largo

Shipwrecks - Key Largo

Gilbert’s - Cross Key on Jewfish Creek

Alabama Jack’s - Card Sound at the foot of the bridge

These are just some of the great establishments that welcome our pets.  Please give them your business when you have your pet in tow.

Gives a whole new meaning to "Doggie Bag"

Thank You Kathleen.  What a great idea for a post!

Work with an Agent who is "Client Friendly".  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Captain Matt Bellinger's Columbus Day Fishing Report...."Get Out on the Water... Go Fish!"

Get Captain Matt Bellinger's October 14, fishing report here!

Captain Matt Bellinger of Bamboo Charters is THE Voice of what's going on. He has been featured on National Geographic Television and his daily reports put you on the fish, with the where when and who of the day's catch

Entertaining and Insightful, Captain Matt always has his line in the water for fresh Intel to help you catch the big ones.
 
Be sure to visit Bamboo Charters to book a trip with Captain Matt.

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Listen in to Conchtails Radio Show!! I am a Very Proud Sponsor !

Listen in to Conchtails Radio Show!! Coming Live from the World Famous Tiki Bar at The Postcard Inn at

Holiday Isle, Tonight and every Wednesday from 6-7PM, with hosts Joey Naples and Captain Matt Bellinger. I am a very proud sponsor of the show. Tune to 103.1 down here in the Keys or get your fix online at iheart radio at Sun 103. Better yet...Come on down!

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

De Plane, De Plane! Holiday Isle Now Offers Seaplane Service Directly to the Beach!

There's always been something profoundly nostalgic about arriving to a destination via Seaplane.
Maybe it hearkens back to yesteryear, to the days of  the Pan Am Clipper Class, elegantly gliding in....pontoons skimming the azure waters and then taxiing to the awaiting dock.
I can almost smell the fine cigar smoke that would be allowed in those days and seeing someone like  the Dos XX Most Interesting Man in the World appearing from the cabin.
Yes, there definitely in an air of Romance associated with Seaplanes.

Now, you too can capture that Romance here in The Keys!

The Post Card Inn at Holiday Isle in Islamorada has announce they they will be offering Seaplane service to and from the locations of Bimini, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and Key West.
Is this cool or what??

Offered thru Tropic Ocean Airways, you can now arrive right on the Beach at the Holiday Isle in STYLE.

I saw them doing some practice touch and gos the other day, and it was awesome.  

You can get a taste as a Seaplane and Holiday Isle were recently the setting for The Zac Brown band's latest video for the song, "Jump Right In". Those these will be much nicer and larger.

I can't wait to jump on board!

If only they could have Tattoo announce...De Plane, De Plane.

Ready to fly to your dream Keys Home? Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

Come On Down to Wahoo's in Islamorada on Fridays...I Now Sponsor Their Friday Night Radio Show. Keep On Conchquering!

In my never ending quest to be King of all things Keys, (Not too full of myself am I??), I am proud to announce that in addition to sponsoring the Zane Grey Lounge Radio Show on Wednesdays, I will be sponsoring the Friday Night Radio Show at Wahoo's!!  Friday evenings from 6-7PM in Wahoo's in Islamorada at Whale Harbor Marina.

This is really cool and a hell of a lot of fun.  For me, it marks a special milestone as I used to listen to the original Friday Night "Countdown to Weekend Show from Whale Harbor" when I was a teenaged buccaneer in the 80s.  I used to enthrall at listing to Ron Harrison and his crusty group of half crocked charter captains talking fishing and all things Keys as only true locals can. My kind of show!!

Now, here we are, too many years later, and I am psyched to sponsor Captain Bill Kelly and the gang as they continue the tradition.  There's fun fish tales, community happenings, drink and appetizer specials and if you're lucky, an occasional guest appearance from yours truly, talking real estate.

So, if you are heading down to our oasis on a Friday, stop on by, say hello and have some fun (and grab some Conch...the best in the Keys!!)  If you can't join us, but need to get your Keys vibe on, tune in world wide on IHeart radio at Sun103.1. 

Work with an Agent who knows the Keys past and is Shaping its future.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.
Ready to create your own no-hassle shopping cart of available Properties in the Florida Keys, with multiple search capability? Click here: Conchmls.com .

Local Artist Makes Second Keys Lighthouse Swim!!

Man, this is fantastic!!!
Local Artist Larry "Lighthouse" Herlth has once again made an outstanding effort in swimming to yet another of our famed lighthouses and back.  Larry does incredible metal work recreating these over century old iron beauties and these swims are helping to make light, pun intended, to their deteriorating condition.
Here is a great write up from the Free Press:

Artist completes second lighthouse swim

BY STEVE GIBBS Free Press Staff
sgibbs@keysnews.com

MARATHON -- "Lighthouse" Larry Herlth has done it again.

Alligator Reef Lighthouse

The 52-year-old artist and lifelong Florida Keys resident swam at times through jellyfish and against a strong current last Saturday to make it to Sombrero Key Lighthouse and back to shore in just under seven hours.
For the second month in a row the Islamorada resident has completed an ocean lighthouse swim in order to throw light on the need to save the deteriorating iconic structures. Herlth swam around Alligator Reef Light off Islamorada in August and says he will swim around another lighthouse in a month.
"Oh, man, what a day," he said as he emerged from the water at Sombrero Beach Park, from where he embarked on his swim six hours and 57 minutes earlier. "There were lots of blue jellyfish as well as clear globs containing what looked like red hairs. I'd burn if I touched them."
During the 9.2-mile swim, Herlth consumed three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, two gallons of water and a gallon of Gatorade.
"I'll see how much weight I lost," he said after the swim. "I easily burned 10,000 calories. It felt every bit of 10 miles."
Herlth said the current was brutal.

Sombrero Key  Lighthouse

"I was using 80 percent of my power grid and making little headway," he said. "I can swim comfortably at two miles an hour, but I was probably doing half of that."
Herlth took four hours and three minutes to make the lighthouse against the current.
The Fighting Manatees swim club, which provides support for the Islamorada Founders Park Pool, swam tag-team style with Herlth to keep him company.
"We swim in 20-minute increments," said Manatees member Rob Dixon. Dwayne King escorted Herlth and the swimmers aboard his 25-foot SeaVee, the Lone Wolf.
Eliza Colmes, Tom Strobel, Katy LeVasseur and Beth Kaminstein, also Fighting Manatees, swam along.
Herlth hopes his effort, month-by-month, will spur the community and government agencies to step up and help save these structures, whether through a citizen-government effort, by having a club or group buy them and take over their maintenance, or having private individuals purchase lighthouses for their own use.
"I swim my butt off to raise awareness for these lighthouses with the hopes that the public will phone, email, fax, tweet and write our representatives in Washington and Tallahassee to get behind this," he said.
Herlth says he will next swim the Sand Key Lighthouse off Key West in about four weeks.
"It's in extremely bad shape," he said. "But, like the planned Carysfort Light swim, those will be one-way swims since they are at least seven miles from shore."

Sailfish Tournament Dates in The Upper Keys

It's time for Sailfish!!
If you are ready to competitively bend some rods on the prowl for some of our majestic Sails, jump into one or several of our many tournaments here in The Upper Keys: 

                                              2012

• November 29th thru December 2nd Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. 

      First Leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship.

  Dianne Harbaugh  305-522-4868

• December 5^th and 6^th   IFC Captains Cup Sailfish Tournament. 

      Islamorada Fishing Club contact 305-664-4735

• December 7^th thru 9^th   Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic

      Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337        

• December 14^th thru 16^th    Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament

            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337        

                                                2013

• January 4^th thru 6^th   Key Largo Sailfish Challenge

            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337

• January 8^th thru 10^th    Florida Keys Outfitters SailFly

      Sandy Moret  305-664-5423

• January 17^th thru 19^th  Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament.       

            Second leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship   www.cheeca.com       

             Liz Hill 305-451-5094

• January 21^st and 22^nd

       Al Flutie Over the Hill Sailfish Tournament

• January 23^rd and 24^th  Islamorada Fishing Clubs Sailfish 2013.  Final leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship

      www.theislamoradafishingclub.com  IFC 305-664-4735

• February 5^th and 6^th    Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament

            Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood 305-664-2012

     

• February 8^th thru 10^th  Women’s Sailfish Tournament

            Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337

• February 10^th and 11^th     Bartenders Sailfish Open

            Dianne Harbaugh  305-522-4868

Work with an Agent who is a Pro at Fishing for Real Estate.  Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.

It's Time for The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce's After Hours Event...Always a Great Time!

I really enjoy being a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, here in Islamorada.
One of the really fun things that we do is a month After Hours get together at one of our members' establisments.

This month it is being held at the iconic Green Turtle Inn

Last Month, our firm was privileged to host the event at one of our Waterfront Estates.

Cone on By and have a cocktail and enjoy live Keys style entertainmet.

Put the experience and expertise of The Conchquistador to work for you! For more information on the outstanding real estate opportunities that exist in the Keys, call me at 305.439.7730 or email me at DropAnchor@TheRealEstateConch.com.