SQUARE ONE AND FAT ALBERT ARE NO MORE

 

I started coming down to Key West some 25 years ago. Two mainstays then either are or soon will be no more. I refer to Square One Restaurant and Fat Albert.

Square One Restaurant opened its doors about the time I discovered Key West. I became an instant customer. For years as much as 2-3 times a week. In recent years, not so much.

Michael Hayes opened Square One. In Duval Square. The perfect place for a restaurant. You had to look for it.

Michael was the perfect host. Always the gentleman. Tall and thin. His shirts perfectly pressed. He did them himself.

The bartender from almost day one was Patrick Hayes. Also known as Patty Cakes. Patrick knew everyone in Key West. Whenever I was in need of anything, I would ask Patrick. He would tell me who to see.

Patrick and Lisa have a bond. Patrick is Lisa’s best friend.

Square One’s food was great! Always! The service equal to the quality of the food. The restaurant attracted an upscale clientle.

Square One closed last thursday. For all time. The word is Michael sold to Carmelo. Carmelo is an experienced Key West restaurateur. He started the original La Trattore and Virgilio’s.

Whatever you do Michael, I wish you well. Patrick, also.

There is a large white blimp  that hovers over Cudjoe Key. To the left of US 1 going north. It has been there as long as I can remember. Turns out it has been operational for 33 years.

It took years for me to find out what the blimp was for. No one seemed to know. Then I was told it was for Radio Free America to air in Cuba.

Actually, the blimp had a two fold purpose. Beam television freedom type shows to Cuba was one. The other was as a tethered radar station. Generally used in recent times to help interdict drug runners.

The blimp acquired a name along the way. Fat Albert.

We are in an economic crunch. One of the things cut from the federal budget was Fat Albert. As of March 15, it will be no more. Not even to be seen. It will be taken down.

Turns out there were two blimps rather than one. A smaller one. Way up, also. I never saw it. Do not know any one who did.

I will miss Square One. It is another piece of Key West to disappear that will never be replaced. Probably could not be replaced. I will also miss seeing the big white blimp as I drive north on US 1.

My first stop early last night was Don’s Place. Sat and chatted with Herschel quite a while. I enjoy talking with him. He is a political junkie as I am.

David came in for a moment. He has a new dog. Female, 9 months old. She was jumping a bit as young ones are apt to do. David will have her trained shortly and she will be the perfect lady. David is a dog expert.

I stopped at the Chart Room. Captain Peter was there. I spent a couple of hours talking with Peter. Worldly, a knowledgeable man.

I was lucky. Two unusually intelligent people with whom to communicate.

My neighbor Andrew has returned. Andrew owns the MTV home across the water. He has spent the past several months in Switzerland. He called yesterday. We are having dinner together tonight.

Enjoy your day!

 

SOME KEY WEST HISTORY

 

Key West was not always called Key West.  Back in days of old, the island was known as Cayo Hueso. Translated, Bone Island.

Why Bone Island? There were many bones on the island. Human bones. The interesting story involves the source of the bones.

One theory is that the island was once the scene of a Native American battlefield. An Indian war.

Another is that it was a burial island.

The third is that the southern keys were inhabited with cannibals. When the meal had been captured, he/she was taken to what is now Key West for cooking and dining. The bones were all that was left following the feast. There was no clean up. The bones remained.

The most popular scenario is the cannibal one. Locals tell the story as such. I have never heard the first two, except from history books.

To be a Conch is the biggest of honors in Key West. Today, a Conch is a native born Key Wester. Only native born can claim the title. A person can live in Key West for fifty years and still not qualify for Conch status.

Conchhood is a matter of great pride.

The first Conchs were immigrants from the Bahamas. White in color. They initially were of European ancestry, settled for a period in the Bahamas, and then found their way to Key West. Many many years ago.

Typical Sunday yesterday. Quiet. Especially quiet because of my diet. No drinking or excessive eating. Some exercise. Things I find I do alone.

Walked Smathers. At mid day, there were few walking the beach. I think because of the sun.

Afterwards, I went to Sears. I noted in the newspaper that Sears was having a big sale. I was interested in upgrading my Key West attire for my soon to be new body. New tee shirts and shorts. I was not impressed and purchased nothing.

Then to Publix. Just a few things required. Diet foods.

Last night was the final showing of Boardwalk Empire.  I thought it was going to be the end of the series. It was not. It picks up with a new year in January.

The show failed to impress me. Actually confusing. Too many minor plots apparently had to be concluded with the final show. It was too much in too little time. At least for me. Made for a disappointing show.

Enjoy your day!

 

SANDY NOT A LADY

Tropical storm Sandy is having her way. Knocked the hell out of Jamaica. Did a number on Cuba.

Last night and today Key West has been feeling her effects. Forty mile per hour winds. Rain. Overcast sky. Palm trees bending in the wind.

Sandy is slated to be a #2 hurricane. Whether it has changed to that number yet, I do not know. It has the makings of a very bad storm.

Mark Wignall wrote yesterday in the Jamaica Observer, “Sandy is not a sweet girl.” Right he is. Yesterday, Jamaica suffered its worst storm damage since the 1980s.

No bocce last night. Obviously. Too wet. The courts were saturated. The wind was coming in off the Atlantic. Players could have been blown off the courts. Not really. A lot of body bending would have been involved, however.

Sandy screwed up my plans for last night. I was going to play the bocce make up game. No game. Freed me up to go downtown to Fantasy Fest. Two biggies scheduled. Pretenders and Toga Party. My problem was parking. I had not made arrangements. No way would I have been able to find a parking spot anywhere near downtown. So I stayed home.

No major disappointment. I have seen both events more than a dozen times over the years.

I spent a portion of yesterday fine tuning today’s internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Ten my time. World wide. www.konknet.com/tv/personalities. Join me. An interesting show! All kind of crazy things happened this week world wide. I will be reporting on them.

Enjoy your day!