I FORGOT

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Show time! My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Join me for a quick half hour of eye opening revealing topics. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

This evening I will be discussing the Japanese purchase of Jim Beam, $224,000 Congress authorized for a federal study re making custom fit condoms, Congressional wealth, Nixon’s electronic surveillance of private citizens, the French taxing CEO’s who make in excess of 1 million euros 75 per cent, and more.

Heat up some pop corn, sit back and enjoy!

Sloan and I spent a hard two hours working yesterday afternoon. It was her teaching me how to use the computer more efficiently.

Went to Don’s Place first last night. I was looking for Keith and Jimmy. They are always there. Except the one night I needed to talk with them. Instead, I enjoyed a brief chat with Frankie the Plumber. One of the best.

Then to the Chart Room. Chatted with Mary, Peter, and Che. Mostly with Che.

Che hit me with…..I see your face all over town! He was referring to my cover picture on KONK Life which in effect was advertising my book The World Upside Down. Che wanted to read the book. Buy it, I told him. Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Turns out as smart and well read as Che is, he cannot operate a computer. Che is 80, which should mean nothing. I am 78 and do.

One way or another, Che will come up with the book.

I got into David Wolkowsky who I blogged about yesterday. I was curious if the present Chart Room is the original built by Wolkowsky. I thought Che might now. He has lived in Key West more than 40 years. Not long enough to know, as it turned out. No one seemed to know. Che and the Chart Room go hand in hand. Che is one of the last two persons living who when dead will have their ashes placed in the bar rail.

Che and I covered Italy, Greece, and London. Che is seriously considering leaving Key West after all his years here. That is how we got into European locations.

I stopped at Tavern ‘n Town on the way home for a bite to eat. A small pizza. I sat at the bar and was enjoying the Duke/Virginia game. All of a sudden, information regarding the Syracuse/Boston College game flashed across the bottom of the screen. I had forgotten about the game! I thought it was wednesday night! When I got home, I learned Syracuse had won by 10 points. Syracuse was behind several points with 10 minutes to go in the game and went on a 15-0 run. Pittsburgh saturday. I will not forget. It will be as big as the Villanova game. Pittsburgh has only lost one game this season.

The bartender looked familiar. He said I looked familiar to him. Once I told him my name, he remembered. He used to work for Great Events back when. Great Events used to do my big parties. One hundred fifty to two hundred people. His name is Andrew. We had an interesting time recollecting the parties and the fine work Great Events did.

I may have missed the Syracuse game. I finished the evening on a high note, however. I watched a 1936 movie with two great stars. Eddie Cantor and Ethel Merman. Strike Me Pink was the name of the movie. A funny musical with a happy ending.

A final reminder. Watch my show tonight. I guarantee you will find it interesting.

Enjoy your day!

DAVID WOLKOWSKY

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Jimmy Buffett was in Key West friday night. He attended David Wolkowsky’s annual cocktail party which has become a part of the Key West Literary Seminary. The Seminary is on going this week. The party was held on the roof top of the Kress building. Better known to most as the building which housed Fast Buck Freddy’s for years.

There was a picture in yesterday’s Key West Citizen of Buffett and Wolkowsky at the party. Buffett and Wolkowsky are business partners. Buffett also proudly tells all that Wolkowsky was the first person to hire him.

The old timers in Key West know of Wolkowsky. Some of the newer residents perhaps not. Most of the tourists not.

I want to share with you David Wolkowsky’s story.

Wolkowsky is 94 years old. He is a legend in his own time. A quiet unassuming millionaire. He is responsible for much of what is Key West today. He worked diligently to preserve the best of old Key West. He was primarily responsible in the prevention of high rise buildings on the island.

He is known as the American Developer. Not for his efforts in Key West alone, but also for the significant preservation work he did in his younger days in Philadelphia.

His grandfather came to Key West in the late 1880s and opened a fine clothing store on Duval Street. Wolkowsky was born in Key West. The family at some point moved to Miami. Wolkowsky later went to college at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he settled in Philadelphia. He was best known in those years for the renovation and preservation of what once had been Philadelphia’s best neighborhoods.

He was financially successful. In 1962 at the age of 40, he retired to Key West. Soon after, he started developing Key West real estate.

Today’s Captain Tony’s stands because of Wolkowsky’s efforts. This goes back to when it was Sloppy Joe’s and Hemingway’s first hang out. The building had been condemned. Wolkowsky saved it.

In 1967, he built a 50 room motel and restaurant at what would be 0 Duval today. It was called the Pier House Resort Motel. The forerunner of today’s Pier House.

My favorite haunt the Chart Room was a part of Wolkowsky’s Pier House. Here is where Jimmy Buffett comes into the picture. Wolkowsky was the first to hire him and it was at the Chart Room.

Wolkowsky built a dream home some eight miles off Key West on Ballast Key. He entertained often at both the Pier House and Ballast Key. He entertained the likes of Truman Capote, Tennesee Williams, Leonard Bernstein, Rudolf Nureyev, and Lillian Hellman. The Rockefellers,  Mellons and Vanderbilts were his guests, as well as British Prime Minister Edward Heath.

Wolkowsky entertained at Ballast Key with a menu consisting of hot dogs, white wine and potato chips. For which he was famous.

Another significant accomplishment was his construction of the Reach Resort.

Wolkowsky  could be seen over the years driving around Key West in a golf cart or his beloved 1926 Rolls Royce.

A man for the ages. Key West is fortunate that he settled here and his family before him. Conchs all in every sense of the word!

Enjoy your day!

 

HONEYMOON OVER…..TV / INTERNET SHOW NO MORE

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All good things come to an end. Fortunately and unfortunately. My Friday morning TV/internet show The Key West Lou Legal Hour will no longer be aired.

I started with KONK six years ago doing an internet show. Two years ago moved over to WEYW television which joined television and the internet together for me. The reception has been fantastic! People in many countries watched the show.

I will still be doing my blog talk radio show tuesday evenings, writing my once a week column for KONK Life, and writing my daily blog.

The television show was fun to do. Hard work, also. It took 10-12 hours a week to prepare for the show. Hard to believe. My plate was becoming full. Publishing my first book recently made me anxious to do another. I was working as hard as I did when I was practicing law. Something had to give.

The bottom line is there will be a new book out sooner than I thought. I am restructuring my day so as to work on it at least 3 hours a day.

This week’s KONK Life is on the stands today. You must read it. I am the cover. Me all alone. The cover page in effect announces my new book. I thank KONK’s owner Guy de Boer for providing the opportunity to further publicize The World Upside Down.

Terri White is back in the news! It was announced yesterday that Terri has received the New York Cabaret Award for 2013. The award is for The Best One-Show Special Event of 2013. It was for Terri’s performance at 54 Below, Broadway’s premier supper club. Good girl, Terri! Go!

Interestingly, Terri was blackballed on Broadway in the early 1980s when it was discovered she was gay. Now she receives awards. As the world turns.

I had a good time last night. Don and I went out together. To the Chart Room. Stayed a long time. Chatted with Emily, Peter, Sean, and Sheila. Don is good company to be out on the town with. I was the designated driver, of course.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR…..TOMORROW

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I am late today! Sorry! Had a full morning.

Tomorrow morning the Key West Lou Legal Hour airs. Nine my time. Great topics! What is Sotomayor doing?, French tax 75 per cent of all executive salaries in excess of one million euros, too many antibiotics finding their way into our bodies, anal cavity searches on the rise, some Oregon citizens take policing into their own hands, government refusing to subpoena JP Morgan Chase records, fracking, drug testing Florida welfare recipients declared unconstitutional, and more.

All interesting issues. In many instances, revealing. I bring to your attention things you might not know or have heard.

The show can be seen on Comcast Channel 87 and U-Verse Channel 19 from Key West to Boca Raton. Otherwise available via the internet worldwide. www.weyw19.com.

Staying with tomorrow’s show, I spent a good deal of yesterday afternoon working on it. Not finished yet. I have another two hours to put in later today.

Chart Room last night. Fewer tourists. The locals returned. En masse. Visited with Emily, Sheila, Peter, Jean, Katherine, Katherine’s cousin Katherine, Sean, and Cheryl.

Cousin Katherine presently hails from Dallas. She is somehow affiliated with the Dallas Cowboys.

Cheryl is held in high regard by our family. Especially Lisa. Cheryl was the technician who performed the sonogram on Robert when he was born and discovered his cancered liver. Nine years ago. Seems like yesterday. Cheryl recently returned to Key West. She is working as a nurse in Dr. Boro’s new walk in clinic on the boulevard.

I had been looking for Jean Thornton for 3-4 days. We finally met up last night. Chatted a while. Then decided to head over to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. I invited Sheila to join us. She declined.

Joseph managing, Matias bartending.

Jean and I had a long and interesting evening. We conversed about everything. We stopped back at the Chart Room after dinner. Ollie was there.

With final prep still awaiting me re tomorrow’s TV/internet show, I doubt I will get out this afternoon or evening.

Enjoy your day!

 

A LITTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE / A LITTLE EVERYTHING

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It is already New Year’s Day in New Zealand and Australia. Auckland was the first major city to welcome 2014 in with a fireworks display. Then Sydney. In both places, people were dancing in the streets. Much like Key West and New York City will be this evening.

I have a blog follower in Papua, New Guinea. Since Papua is close to Australia, I assume Papua has likewise welcomed the New Year.

An historic event occurred yesterday/Monday. The first flight from Key West to Havana took place. The first in more than 50 years. It will not be a regular flight. At least not yet. This one took two years to arrange. The rules limited the size of the plane to a ten seater.

Castro screwed the Cubans when he took over. Especially the affluent ones who lost everything and had to escape to the United States. I would hate Castro if I were one of them or one of their families. However, all that took place was three generations ago. The Cubans who came to the United States have as a whole done extremely well for themselves. Especially in South Florida. I believe the time has come to lift the travel and trade ban.

I walked yesterday. Not long. A half hour at Home Depot. It was a bit humid and rainy. Michael was working. Michael was on our bocce team several years ago. A good player. We exchanged New Year greetings. Michael told me about the home he and his wife are in the process of purchasing in Mexico. They close on it next month. Good for you, Michael!

I needed a few things from Publix. Yesterday was the wrong time to shop. Everyone was. The aisles were two way traffic. I only needed bread, Weight Watcher cakes, bananas and yogurt. Took forever!

I now have three books in the works. The newest one concerns the parents of today  who are a forgotten generation when it comes to their adult children. I have to settle into one book and go for it!

It was the Chart Room first last night. I was all alone. The place was packed. However none of my usual acquaintances were to be found. I chatted with Gary who works a rescue boat when a boat breaks down on the high seas.

There was an interesting occurrence. I am not trying to be gross as I share the experience with you. There was a lovely young lady in the Chart Room with exceptionally large breasts. Had to be man made. She was wearing what appeared to be a very strong halter which she occasionally pulled down to exhibit her good fortune to admirers. She was proud of what she had. Rightfully so.

I had a similar experience earlier in the day when I was walking in Home Depot. Another young and beautiful woman. Her breasts huge! Too big! My initial thought after WOW! was how can she balance herself as she walks. Obviously man made, also. Had to be.

I walked over to Hot Tin Roof hoping to run into friends. None to be found. Asked Sheila where everyone was. She found it strange also.

Even without my local friends, the place was packed! A good business night!

Met Matis. He is a new bartender. Recently arrived from Rhode Island. We talked a bit about Block Island.

Traffic  was a pain yesterday. My evening trip into Key west took 45 minutes. Normally, 15. I figured let me get home and avoid the people and traffic later in the evening. Home I went. It still took me 40 minutes to get home. The traffic was a combination of the boulevard construction and the exceptionally large number of tourists.

When I finish this blog, I will be off to Home Depot again. Walking two days in a row will be a major accomplishment.

This afternoon I will either watch the Syracuse game or work on Friday’s TV/internet show. I am not sure who Syracuse is playing. The game is this afternoon. If it is not on local television, I will not be seeing it. I do not wish to handle the traffic to get to John Lukas’ Sports Bar.

Tonight, I am not sure. I have a couple of parties to attend. I might watch Sushi drop in the red shoe at 801. I may stay home. At the moment, home is attractive to me. I am lucky. Every night is New Year’s Eve in Key West.

This day reminds me of a special one I had about fifteen years ago. I thought it might be my father’s last New Year’s eve. I decided he and I should spend it together. We did. Quietly alone in my living room in front of a roaring fire. We spoke of many things. Mostly from the past. His past. Our past together. His wife, my mother. I treasure the evening.

I was wrong that it might be our last together. My father did not pass away till last year. He was 98.

Happy New Year. Chat with you in the morning. The first morning of the New Year.

WHAT A BASKETBALL GAME!

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Syracuse, my Syracuse! What a basketball game yesterday! Syracuse beat Villanova 78-62.

Both teams undefeated prior to the game. Syracuse ranked #2 and Villanova #8.

The game was a marvel! Villanova took an early lead. Syracuse was down 25-7. I thought…..oh, shit! Then Syracuse went on a 20-0 run and took the lead 27-25. Syracuse finally won by 18 points.

THIS is a good team! To come back from the pit of defeat and destroy the other team. Syracuse won by making shots from everywhere on the court. Outside, inside and from the foul line area. Syracuse’s defense was excellent once the team got beyond the 25-7 beginning.

It is the start. Teams are not even into league play yet. But after yesterday, the ACC teams better watch out. Syracuse is coming to town!

My yesterday began with a visit to Lisa to use her computer to do the blog. Afterwards, I went over to pick up my now virus free computer from Tim Reynolds. Fear not, the virus was not such that it affected any of your computers.

Did the Chart Room last night. JJ bartending. A gentleman.

Ted was there. I first met him two years ago. He is from upstate New York. Madison County to be exact. A neighbor of Oneida County  from whence I came.

Ted is a lawyer. He is Clerk to Judge DeStefano. The court sits in Wampsville. Many the case I tried there. The court room was unique. Circular. The judges excellent. My contemporaries have long since retired.

Ted comes down for about a week every year. We talked of the judges, past and present, the court room. Syracuse basketball and football, my book The World Upside down, and whatever.

Sean and Katherine came in. Sean joined Ted and I.

While at the Chart Room, four tourists came in looking for anything about Mel Fischer. The bar blew them out.

I had a craving for wings. Kelley’s wings. I walked over by way of Duval. Key West was packed. Every bar, every restaurant I went by was jammed full of people. Some standing waiting to be seated. Kelley’s was the same way. I have never seen so many people at Kelley’s. I had to sit at the inside bar.

On the way back to get my car, I stopped at Grunts. Packed inside and out!

The cash registers were ringing big time last night. Come January 2, they will be silent for about three weeks. That is the way it goes.

I am not going to do my blog talk radio show Tuesday evening at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. It is New Years Eve. I doubt anyone would be listening. I may be out and about, also.

Enjoy your Sunday!

CHRISTMAS DIFFERENT IN ITALY

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Christmas is not as you would think in Italy. It is not the big deal it is in the United States. Surprisingly so.

Italy is the most conservative European nation when it comes to Christmas. Again, surprisingly so.

It is only in recent years that Santa Claus has entered upon the scene. Italy’s Santa is not quite the same as ours. He wears a red hat and jacket. Not fat. Skinny. Delivers gifts on January 5, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany.

An interesting item is that Italy’s Santa Claus does not speak Italian. Makes sense. He is from the North Pole and the Italian language would be strange to him.

Santa’s name is not Santa Claus. It is Babbo Natale. Means Father Christmas.

The real Santa Claus from day one in Italy is Befana. She is uniquely Italian. Extremely popular. The children all believe in her.

Befana looks and acts like a witch, though she is not one. She is a scraggly old lady with a pointed black hat and rides a broom. No sleigh and reindeer for her.

Here again December 25 plays no part. Befana visits the children on January 5, the day before the Feast of the Epiphany. She brings candy and gifts. Leaves them in large stockings.

If a child has been bad, she will leave coal. A tradition no longer discussed in the United states. I recall my parents always warning me to be good or Santa would bring me coal. I doubt very many U.S. children today know what coal is. I know. We used to heat the house with it. I was the one who had to shovel the coal into the furnace two times a day.

Lest I forget, Befana wears a black shawl. She is covered with soot. The reason being of course that she comes down the chimney.

Christmas eve is quiet. Families do get together to eat. Southern Iitalians eat the seven fishes. Northern Italians do not. In fact, I was speaking with Anna in  Novara yesterday. She did not know that seven fishes are considered an Italian tradition in the United States. My southern Italian family always followed it. The best meal of the year!

Anna has her children over for dinner tonight. She decided to serve Maine lobsters. A first. She bought them at a nearby fish market.  They had been flown in from Canada. The store told her to take them home and keep them in water and salt. She purchased the lobsters on 12/22 to be cooked and eaten on 12/24.

Anna put the lobsters in water and salt in her bathtub. They all died.  I assume from soap residue. She was crying. She  did however refrigerate the remains and intended to cook them Christmas eve. It took me a while to make her understand that once dead, a lobster is useless for eating purposes. Unless you want to get sick.

I had dinner with Bebe last night at the Hot Tin Roof. A friend. She has worked 26 years at the Hyatt. She is the administrative assistant to the general manager. Managers come and go, Bebe remains.

Sloan was at the Hot Tin Roof for a party. She sat with us a while. First time I have ever seen Sloan dressed dressed. She looked fantastic!

Banks are whores. They have gotten away with murder in recent years. At the same time making a ton of money.

Cheap is cheap. I do business with two banks. I wanted those red Xmas envelopes they give out free to people like me who are making money gifts to persons on Christmas. Neither bank had them. Both no longer provide them. Would you believe? Cheap!

There will be no blog radio show this evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou will not air. It is Christmas eve. I am selfish, also. I will be with Lisa and family at the time still eating.

Enjoy your day! Enjoy your evening!

GARDEN GIRRRL

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I spelled Girrrl correctly.

Last night at the Chart Room, I met Laura and Gary from Virginia. Laura is National Sales Manager for Dish Network. Gary, a gun dealer.

Laura is also the Garden Girrrl. She writes a blog! We bonded immediately. Her blog can be found at gardengirrrl@wordpress.com.

We chatted about blogging, WordPress, and related matters. She was excited when I mentioned I had just published my first book. The World Upside Down. She asked where it could be found. I happily told her Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

Read Laura’s blog.

Kevin is a snow bird. In Key West for the winter. We had met before. Howard came in. He and Kevin are friends. The three of us sat together.

Howard is originally from Manhattan. Now retired, he lives on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. He used to own a coffee shop on the Outer Banks which he sold. He still works there part time.

Emily comes into the picture. Emily knew Howard well. Chart Room Emily once lived and worked on the Outer Banks. She braided hair.

I enjoyed talking with Kevin, Howard, and Emily.

Kevin has a terrific party planned for Sunday afternoon. He invited me. Nice guy. Not sure I can make it.

I left and drove over to Don’s Place. David was leaving as I arrived. Met a woman who knows Lisa. Her name escapes me. I sat down to talk with Grant. He stayed five minutes and left. Apparently did not enjoy my company. Only joking!

I was hungry. Stopped at Outback for a prime rib dinner. My concession to good health was I ordered the small portion and steamed vegetables.

My doctor called me. X-rays showed no fractured ribs. Probably bruised, however. I still hurt. Between the pain pills and a few drinks the pain disappeared. Slept good, also.

The morning was involved with my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. The issues that interested most people were twofold.

One involved police brutality, courts that support such activity, and legislation that permits unreasonable acts by authorities. My comments were motivated by the strip search of the Indian Deputy Consul General in New York City this week.

Also, a New Mexican woman aged 54 that was anally searched for drugs, compelled to move her bowels in front of hospital staff and police officers and otherwise infringed upon. No drugs found, of course. The hospital billed her $6,000.

Crazy world! Getting more so by the minute.

I visited Tammy at Lee Nails after the show. Manicure and pedicure. Tammy is a joy! A tiny and beautiful Asian woman. We have interesting conversations.

Key West weather continues to be delightful. Low 80s by night, low 70s by evening. Sleep with the windows open. I can feel the breeze coming in over the ocean.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

DAY ONE

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Day one. I am not looking at the words and thinking this is the first day of the rest of my life. Though it is. For you and for me. Day one refers to the fact that today will be my first time at WeBeFit with a trainer. I am taking another shot at getting healthy. I cannot seem to do it on my own. Ergo, the trainer.

Up early to get the blog done before I leave. Temperature 69. Was a bit lower in the night. Will reach mid 70s today.

Yesterday was cold! First cold one of the season. Little sun and a cold chill blowing in off the ocean. Sweatshirt time!

The cold spell is only going to last a day or two. Then low 80s again.

The mundane occupies all our lives. Yesterday afternoon  was my time. I had to run errands. Nothing important, but had to be done. Places like Office Max, Walgreen, and Sears.

Chart Room first last night. Busy. Very busy. Sat at the round table and chatted with Jean, David, Sheila, Frankie, and Peter. Robert was at the bar. I went over to say hello. Back when, Robert and Kurt shared a home in Key Haven. I met Robert through Kurt. Played golf on occasion with Robert. A long ball hitter. Robert bartends at the Tuna place off Duval. We spoke of Kurt who is now in Indianapolis.

Stopped at Don’s Place on the way home. Just briefly, I thought. Two hours before I left. Sat with Grant. We talked. about everything. It was the first time Grant and I have had the chance to chat so long. He is an interesting person.

It is Tuesday again. Time for my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine this evening. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. I will be ranting about the winds of revolt in Italy, McCain not having any business in Ukraine, the media and Iceland’s revolt, a woman who was operated on to remove a 40 year old fetus she had been carrying, some anti Saudi Arabia comments, and more.

Guaranteed you will enjoy.

Have a good day!

 

KEY WESTERS MAD

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The Bill O’Reilly thing was the talk of the town yesterday. People were upset. Properly so. The Watters’ report was irresponsible and non representative.

The Key West Citizen ran a major article re the problem front page in yesterday’s paper. It turns out the Mayor was interviewed/filmed and pictures taken of typical Key West places of interest. Like an art gallery. Neither the Mayor nor the art gallery appeared in the film.

I spoke with two of the “stars.” Both felt they had been made to look like fools. They each claimed there was more to the interview that the brief comments shown. Their words had been supportive of  Key West. The feeling was that the portion shown represented slanted cherry picking on Watters’ part.

Time to bury Bill O’Reilly’s fifteen seconds in Key West. It is not worthy of further discussion.

Last night was Chart Room time. Peter and I sat at the round table and chatted for two hours. Peter is a smart man. A world traveler. We spoke of many things. I enjoyed my time with him.

Then it was over to Don’s Place. The O’Reilly thing dominated the conversation.

Yesterday morning was my TV/internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. WOW! is the only way I can describe the reaction to the Iceland story. Some were shocked. Others believed that in today’s world such could happen.

I squeezed in an hour of private time for Louis in the afternoon. Stopped at Higgs Beach, pulled my old sand chair out of the trunk, and spent an hour on the beach. Taking in the usual beautiful sights…..women running around in two piece bikini/thong type bathing suits. Yes, I am a dirty old man. I like to look!

A very sick turtle was found more than a year ago in the keys. The poor thing had lockjaw and several infections. He was undernourished because he could not eat. The Turtle Hospital has fixed the turtle up. He is being returned to the ocean today at noon. At Higgs Beach behind Salute’s. A huge crowd is expected. I hope to be there. I am plan on taking the grandkids.

Enjoy your day!