ONION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Canastota is a little town in central New York. All of 20 miles from my home town of Utica. Canastota has a few of distinctions.

It is the onion capital of the world. Miles and miles of onion growing fields.

Carmen Basilio was born and raised in Canastota. Carmen was once the welterweight and middleweight  champion of the world. Separate occasions, of course.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota. Probably because everyone liked Basilio and the financial backers for the Hall of Fame were mostly located in the central New York area.

On this day in 1958, Basilio beat Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight title. Robinson is considered one the greatest boxers ever. Some consider him the greatest.

Basilio and Robinson fought 5 times. Basilio won only the one time mentioned.

Sport writers referred to Basilio as the Upstate Onion Farmer.

Basilio’s boxing career began in 1948. Boxing was everything back then. The boxing world of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s different from today. A class sport. Many followers.

Basilio boxed during my grammar, high school and college years. I recall other middle weight boxers of the era. Basilio fought some. Kid Gavilan, Tony DeMarco, Gene Fullmer, and Art Aragon.

Canastota is located between Utica and Syracuse. Due to Basilio’s presence and popularity in the area, several Basilio championship fights were held in Syracuse.

The healthcare battle ended yesterday. The Republicans deserved to lose. They failed to come up with a better law for the people.

The bill hurt the poor and old. It traded affordable health care for millionaire tax breaks. Th bill would ultimately be more expensive and uninsure millions of people.

It was written for the insurance companies and the rich.

I predict the budget battle will be similar. Certain of the same values. Like tax breaks for the rich on the backs of the poor.

The solution my friends is a one payer system. The guide is already there. Medicare. The wheel does not have to be reinvented. Difficult to make the law. The insurance companies would be hurt big time. The whole idea is contrary to basic Republican/Conservative beliefs.

The Prime Steakhouse has been open 9 years. Last night was my third time there. I was unhappy with my first two visits. Decided to give it another shot last night.

I was alone. Sat at the bar. Watched the North Carolina/Butler game.

First the game. I have lacked interest in the tournament because my Syracuse is not part of it. Last night was the first game I watched.

The tournament features the best of the best. Some better than others, however. North Carolina unquestionably superior to Butler. North Carolina the winner 92-80. Could go all the way.

The Steakhouse. A winner! A fantastic filet mignon accompanied by delicious sauteed spinach.

Bartender John a social person.

Be advised. Pricey.

Even the healthy must eat. I refer to organic food consumers. They now have a happy hour.

The Green Pineapple is located in the quiet end of Duval. An organic food store, among other things. Announced a once a month happy hour. To be called Be Happy Hour. Organic champagne, organic wine, beer tasting, various foods. The first wednesday every month.

Respectfully, I believe the Republicans spoke with a forked tongue in the healthcare battle. Obamacare broken! Disaster around the corner! Etc. They were not aware how the people really felt when confronted with Obamacare and the proposed new law.

Yesterday morning, the present Washington State Governor was on Morning Joe. His name, Jay Inslee. Impressive. Possible Presidential timber down the road.

He is happy with Obamacare! Works for Washington State. Yes, there are problems. Nothing that cannot be remedied. Coverage and savings there. Google Inslee and Washington State re the Affordable Care Act.

My gut feeling is it worked for Washington because Inslee and his predecessor Christine Gregiore followed the rules and guidelines how to take advantage of the law. They did not say I’ll do this part and not that, they did not pick and choose, etc.

Smathers Beach in use. Especially this time of the year with the Spring Breakers invasion. The beach crowded. Young beautiful bodies. The young ladies all attractive in their bikinis. Most playing volley ball.

On this day in 1961, the beach was dedicated and named for State Senator George Smathers. Better than a statue. The beach can be used 365 days a year.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PRIME STEAKHOUSE

I have enjoyed Key West one way or another for 26 years. There are still places I have not visited. One is the Prime Steakhouse. I did last night.

The Prime Steakhouse is located at the end of Caroline Street. It sits on the level above the Dante pool. Parking in the garage underneath.

I guess I never stopped by because it was a block out of the way. Amazing.

The place is absolutely fantastic! Go! One negative. The prices. Off the wall. Worth it, however.

The walls are dark wood. Atmosphere clubby.

I arrived at 7. Very few people. I thought off season. By 7:30, there was not an empty table. I knew no one. Tourists.

Lunch was at the Pier House Beach  Bar. Stayed a while. Read the newspapers. Ran some errands afterwards.

Pouring like hell at the moment. Has been all morning.

The Marathon Airport has always been a failure. Large and beautiful. No action. The airlines found they could not make money flying into Marathon.

The airport stands empty, except for some private planes.

Marathon has considerable political clout. The unused airport is always getting one thing or another. The most recent is a U.S. Customs facility. For the Florida Keys/Marathon Airport. The airport that commercial airplanes do not fly into.

Dollars spent unwisely once again. The money should go into the Key West Airport which needs, amongst other things, an expanded U.S. Customs facility. People in large numbers fly into the Key West Airport every day. Into Marathon, few.

Pearl Washington died yesterday. Age 52. A brain tumor. He fought to live for several years.

Pearl is one of the greatest players to ever don a Syracuse basketball uniform. I watched most of the home games during the three seasons he played. 1983-1986.

Syracuse loved Pearl. This year’s team wore a uniform emblem in his honor.

Things were a bit tough for Pearl. Syracuse University did not fail him. He had a home at the University.

May he rest in peace.

President Obama is in Saudi Arabia. Relations between the countries are strained. Beginning with whether Saudi Arabia had a hand in 9/11.

There have been economic and other threats the past few days coming from Saudi Arabia against the U.S.

An insult to Obama upon his arrival. No #1 or other high Saudi figure met Obama when his plane landed. Some governor from a province greeted him.

Screw these guys. Not a time to pussy foot around with them. Call their bluff. They need us more than we need them. The pendulum has swung. The U.S. no longer desperate for Saudi oil.

My KONK Life column this week Clarence Thomas / Anita Hill. KONK Life hit the stands yesterday. The column was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. .keywestlou.com.

The article interesting. I wrote it from the perspective of the five key players in the confirmation hearings.

Enjoy your day!