WALMART???????????

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This morning’s Key West Citizen announced that the anchor store for the proposed shopping center at MM 9 might be a Wal-Mart. The site is the location of the former adult book store.

Wal-Mart may be at the bottom of the list of desired department stores. However, it is better than nothing. I do not see any other chains clamoring to come to Key West. The reason is simple. The volume of business is not here.

Presently, we shop at Ross which is a cheapie selling primarily clothes that are overruns and seconds. Then there is K-Mart. Can you imagine shopping for clothes at a K-Mart? We do. Finally, we have Sears. Nothing to excite.

Already, a local politician, who seems to have his head screwed on wrong, has spoken up against Wal-Mart. The newspaper quotes him as  saying he visited a Wal-Mart once and had to leave. Could not stand it. He was also disappointed because he thought Target was in the running for the site.

The lower keys are desperate for a store such as a Wal-Mart. Yes, I would prefer something better. Perhaps a Macy’s. But you take what you can get. And if it is Wal-Mart, so be it.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing next week’s KONK Life column. Growing Dope Makes Sense. An intriguing title. It raises the question why the opium fields in Afghanistan and the marijuana fields in Syria had banner years in the drug trade. At a time when both nations were being devastated by wars.

Bocce last night. We won 2 out of 3. No Don. He is in California visiting family. The weather was perfect. With the clock change, we play after dark. Lights, of course. The cold front  is a bit cooler in the evening. Playing in the boiling sun can be onerous.

No power boat races yesterday. A day off. They race every other day for three days. Wednesday, friday, and sunday.

On this day in 1918, the Bolshevik Revolution experienced a major change. The Red Russians overthrew the White Russians. Lenin was leader of the Reds. The Leader of the White Russians was Alexander Kerensky. He was the first President Russia after the fall of the Czar. Kerensky had to flee Russia at the time since Lenin’s people were out to kill him.

I make mention of this historical event because Kerensky taught me Russian history in college. A wild course. Listening to a man who was there leading up to and the actual overthrow of the Czar. Followed by his battle as leader of the Whites against Lenin and the Reds. A battle he lost.

Syracuse football again tomorrow. I can’t wait for the season to be over. Syracuse is bleeding. Syracuse fans are bleeding.

Syracuse plays Duke. Duke is 7-1. Syracuse 3-6. Need I say more?

Enjoy your day!

POWER BOAT ACCIDENT

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The power boat races began yesterday. Unfortunately, an accident occurred. The Smokin’ Tuna boat hit a wave while turning off Fort Zach Taylor and capsized. Both team members were injured. One helicoptered to Miami.

I was watching the races. Never saw the accident, however. I was too far away. Down at Schooner’s Wharf.

The power boat races are always exciting. The boats zooming by. At the same time, helicopters flying low over them. The noise from the helicopters is greater than the noise from the boats. Chilling in effect.

Child service agencies have grown over the years. They are powerful and have little oversight. Children must be protected. No argument. Sometimes not enough is done to protect a child, however. Foster parents are not thoroughly vetted or vetted at all.

An example in point is what happened in Texas. A baby girl was removed from her parents because the parents were found to have smoked pot after the child was asleep. The baby was turned over to a foster mother.

The foster mother threw the baby down head first onto the ground. The baby died. Two years old and her life over. At the hospital, the baby’s body revealed in addition to her head injuries, body bruises.  Also so much of her hair had been ripped out, that the 2 year old appeared bald.

The foster mother was arrested, tried and convicted. She is now serving life without parole.

This is not an isolated incident. Ten children in foster care in Texas in 2013 were killed.

I raise the question as to whether the child service agency that was so diligent in discovering the parents had been smoking a joint, did any significant investigation with regard to the foster mother. Or, foster parents in general.

Early in my legal career, I thought foster parents were wonderful people. They took in unwanted or neglected children. Altruistic they are not, however. It is a paying job. So much per child from the state or county. Many foster parents take in multiple children.

I was involved in a case where the foster parents had taken in six children at one time. They were farmers. They were able to make a double hit. The State paid them to care for the children. The foster parents had the children help work the farm.

Enjoy your day!

 

POST ELECTION BLUES

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The morning after.

Perhaps blues is not the correct term. I am tired. I am a political junkie. Stayed up most of the night watching the election returns. It is an addiction.

No question, a Republican wave. No question, an Obama rejection.

From my perspective, the Republicans have been the bad guys the past several years. Now that they have control of both Houses, lets see what they can do. I am sure many bills will pass and be sent to the President. Hopefully, some will be so structured that he can sign them.

Progress is not impossible under the circumstances. Look what Clinton and a Republican House and Senate accomplished in Clinton’s last two years.

It was Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou last night. Post show comment indicates that Syria’s hashish was a hit. I am considering joining it with Afghanistan’s opium for my column in next week’s KONK Life.

My yesterday otherwise quiet.

Enjoy your day!

COLD FRONT CAME IN

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I mentioned saturday morning that another perfect Key West day was in the making. There was a cool breeze coming in off the ocean.

It was not a cool breeze. Turned out to be the beginning of a cold front. Saturday was cool. Sunday cold. Too cold. The high was only 68. Today it is cold, also. Temperature at the moment is 66 degrees. High however will be around 80. The rest of the week will be days at or near 80, with evenings around 70 degrees.

It is the beginning of Key West’s fall season. It did not begin slowly. It came almost overnight. Speaking of nights, I needed a quilt last night to keep warm.

To my dear friends up north, I appreciate you have snow already. Cold in the Keys is different. When you go weeks at 85 degrees and all of a sudden it drops to 75, you feel it. Seventy becomes very cold. The high 60s freezing. Our blood is thin.

One of the nice things about living in  Key West is that every weekend there is a new and different party. This week the power boat races. Long sleek expensive boats. Crews of several persons. Dangerous driving on the ocean.

Exciting!

The boats turn me on. Yesterday, I went over to the Truman waterfront to look at them. They were on display. Magnificent!

The sport is only for the rich or corporations. Reflects how much money goes into acquiring/making the boats and maintaining them.

I hustled over to Duval afterwards to catch a bit of the boat parade. A large crowd. Enthusiastic.

The boat races start wednesday and end next sunday. If you have the opportunity to watch, do it. An experience you will not soon forget.

There are sayings used to make a point. One is …..Is the Pope Catholic? Well, maybe not any more.

There is controversy in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is trying to open the windows to let in the fresh air of change. Conservatives within the Church who oppose his efforts are doing everything to hold them closed.

A significant number of Bishops are at odds with the Pope. On issues such as gays, divorced persons being permitted to receive communion, etc. They are becoming increasingly vocal. Now there is talk of a schism within the Church. There has not been one in a couple of hundred years. Emotions run deep. One Church leader suggested the Pope is the anti-Christ.

There is talk among conservative Cardinals and Bishops of deposing Francis and replacing him with Benedict. Benedict resigned making way for Francis. However, Benedict remains within the Vatican walls. He lives on the Vatican grounds. Benedict was a doctrinaire. A hard ass. Church doctrine did not bend under him.

You thought only Republicans and Democrats fought hard.

The Bishops have come out of the woodwork in the past few years and are expressing themselves publicly in many areas such as abortion and birth control. I am not sure it is healthy.

What happened to peace and tranquility? What happened to love? Everyone fights.

Enjoy your day!

 

LYNDA FRECHETTE

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Her name is Lynda Frechette. One of the nicest people in Key West. A dynamo. Involved in all sorts of Key West activities.

I ran into Lynda and her husband Bob last night at Tavern ‘n Town. It had been a while. We exchanged warm pleasantries.

Lynda also does a blog. She has been doing it for years. More years than mine. It is called Key West With Lynda. Purportedly a Key West social calendar. Actually more. It is sprinkled with love. I recommend Lynda’s blog to you.

It was Bobby Nesbitt time last night at Tavern ‘n Town. Many of his friends in attendance. Me included. He is probably Key West’s premier vocalist.

Seated next to me at the bar were Lisa and Allen Taylor from Cape May, New Jersey. One of my old haunting grounds. I spent many a summer at Stone Harbor. We would occasionally drive to Cape May for dinner. Lisa and Allen are snowbirds. They are down six months a year. They own a home in the Sanctuary on the golf course.

In their other life, Lisa and Allen owned three restaurants in Cape May. Allen is a chef by profession.

Enjoyable people. I hope to run into them again.

When the Marriott Beachside first went up, I did not think it would succeed. Too far out of the way. It has. Big time! The success of Tavern ‘n Town an example.

Several new motels are under construction immediately across the street from the Marriott. I suspect each will be successful, also. The bar/restaurants especially. A whole new social area opening up.

Sloan was over in the afternoon. I have her working on the new musical introduction to my blog talk radio show. She is the one who will be responsible for adding it into computer format.

Heard from an old friend yesterday. A telephone call from Rose Ann. I have known Rose Ann from the time she was 20. She is now 66. We have not seen each other in close to 20 years. Yet every year or so, I received a telephone call from her. Our conversation picks up as if we had talked the day before.

I admire Rose Ann. First time we met was in a courtroom. She was suing my client. I destroyed her. She lost. The defeat had a dramatic effect on her life. Changed her life completely. Rose Ann had a tough time for many years thereafter. However, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps and has had a very successful life since.

I met Rose Ann again after the trial about 2-3 years later. I was having lunch in a restaurant. All of a sudden, I got hit hard in the head with something. It was Rose Ann. She was a waitress. She hit me with her order pad. She started in immediately. Do you know what you did to me, she shouted.

We have been close friends ever since.

Syracuse football. Oh, what a year! Lost again yesterday. This time to North Carolina State. We are now 3-6.

There has been an ongoing investigation of Syracuse sports covering the last 10-12 years. The emphasis seems to be more on the basketball program rather than football. The results should be forthcoming soon. I hope they are not bad and in no way adversely reflect upon my friend Jim Boeheim.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

MEET MICHAEL SWEENEY

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Before I get into Michael Sweeney, let me tell you how great the weather continues to be. Warm and cool at the same time. A perfect breeze coming in off the ocean.

Met the talented Michael Sweeney yesterday.

I have decided to dress up my blog talk radio show a bit. A significant number listen. I have no formal introduction. After a welcoming statement, I start talking. I wanted more. A musical introduction. Talked with Larry Smith. A musical genius. He said we need equipment and engineering, I got the guy.

The guy was Michael Sweeney.

We met at Sweeney’s studio complex on Stock island mid afternoon. We were there into early evening. We finally came up with something we all liked. I do not have the final product in hand. Sweeney is polishing it in the vernacular of his business.

I am neither musically nor machinery inclined. What Sweeney was doing was impressive. Sweeney would add drums, take away the trombones, up the audio, move the music back a step, etc. All with special equipment. The final product sounds like I have a whole symphony behind me.

It was a lot of work. All to create a six second introduction.

Lori cut my hair thursday. Tammy gave me a manicure yesterday. Both places seemed to have more business. The increased activity was evident. Both attribute it to two things. The snowbirds are beginning to return. The locals have more spending money because of Fantasy Fest. Ladies hold off getting their hair and nails done when cash flow is limited.

The Parrot Heads are in town. Tons of them. Difficult to realize, however. Parrot Head headquarters is at the Casa Marina. Ninety five per cent of the Parrot Head activities are at the Casa Marina. The Casa Marina eats, the rest of the community benefits little.

They did go off campus yesterday. The Parrot Heads left the Casa Marina for their Margaritaville Street Festival. In front of Margaritaville on Duval and at the intersection of Duval and Fleming. Music and everything. My friend Howard Livingston and his Mile Marker 24 group played.

On this day in history, November 1, 1939, the Key West Naval Base was reactivated. It was established in 1823. The 1935 Labor Day hurricane wiped the base out. The government did not reopen the base till this date in 1939.  World War II obviously made the base busier. Interestingly, the Key West population increased during those years primarily because of the base’s presence. Key West’s population in 1940 was 13,000. In 1945, it was 45,000.

My pool broke this morning. I was hearing strange noises. Went outside. The water level in the pool was down a couple of inches. Followed the noise. Something wrong with the motor. A cap blew off the top and water was spraying out. I could not turn the pool off as I normally do. The lever was frozen. Finally got everything to shut down by throwing the pool breakers.

Enjoy your day!

JOHN KEATS

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John Keats was an Englishman who wrote romantic poetry. Today is his birthday. He did not have a long life. Born in 1795, he died in 1821 at the age of 26.

I was in Rome at the foot of the Spanish Steps. I was walking back and forth deciding what to do next. I passed a small building next to the Spanish Steps. There was a small plaque on the front reading John Keats.

The last time I had heard  of Keats was back in college in an English writing class.

The building was a small four story structure. A tiny villa. I entered.

Inside, I discovered that this had been Keats last resting place. He lived several months there before dying. He died in his bedroom on the fourth floor. I was able to view that room and all the other rooms he lived in.

Off Keats’ bedroom, there was a small library containing his works. One brought tears to my eyes. It was a line from one of Keats’ poems. It was one of the papers he composed the poem on. Scribbled in pencil was probably the most famous line written by him…..A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

My yesterday started with a haircut. Lori and I discussed Fantasy Fest and the group that wanted to calm it down. Lori told me that one of the problems might be that two national swinger clubs had participated in sponsoring Fantasy Fest this year. I had not known.

This morning’s Key West Citizen has another headline committed to the issue of Fantasy Fest nudity. My initial reaction before reading the article was that the Christian soldiers were on the march again. I was wrong.

There is now a second group dealing with the issue of nudity and vulgarity. A different composition from the previous one. A former King and Queen, several bartenders and waitresses, and some Key West Fantasy Fest sponsors, amongst others.

It appears the national porn industry has become interested in Fantasy Fest. It was claimed that the open sex shenanigans were arranged by these out of town porn people.

The new group’s suggestions included that the existing nudity laws be enforced and that sex on the street not be permitted. There is no law allowing for open sex.

This is a more sensical approach than the one presented by the fist group.

The article indicated New Orleans is suffering similar problems.

Bocce last night. We won all three games by default. The other team did not show up. We had a good time playing, however. We played each other.

Coco is a senior Asian woman. Lovely. Always sharply attired. She generally keeps score for us. I thought this was her way of keeping busy.

Last night Coco played with us. I did not know she could play. As soon as the first ball left her hand, I said wow! Turns out Coco is one of the best. She plays in the monday night league, the toughest of all bocce nights.

Enjoy your day!

BELA LUGOSI, WOLFEMAN AND NINA FOCH

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What a title!

I watched an old movie last night. A scary one. Scary during my youth when it first came out. The Return of the Vampire. The movie was released in 1943.

Vampires back then were not the socially acceptable creatures of today. They were ugly and scared the hell out of me and my generation.

Bela Lugosi played the Vampire. In other films, he played Dracula and Frankenstein. Wolfeman was in the picture. He scared me the most. His face would change to that of a wolfe before your eyes. I would cover my eyes.

Nina Foch was in the film. She had the female lead. A young Nina Foch. Around 20. I did not recognize her at first. Foch was a movie star through the 1960s and then did an occasional TV appearance over the next 30 years.

She developed into a very sophisticated appearing woman and played parts consistent with her appearance. Hair pulled back tightly in a bun. An attractive figure. Not the young girl I saw in the Vampire movie.

You are probably wondering by this time that even though the preceding is interesting, what does it have to do with today’s blog. Simple. I met Nina Foch.

It was in 1956. I was in college at the time. I was at a fraternity brother’s home in Yonkers. In walks his older sister with another woman. The woman was Nina Foch. My friend’s mother was off in the kitchen doing something. The sister in her bedroom changing. My fraternity brother I know not where. Nina Foch and I were left sitting alone in the living room. For a good ten minutes. This worldly appearing sophisticated movie star and Louis.

She made me feel at ease. We chatted and laughed. She was the girl next door.

Spent most of yesterday writing next week’s KONK Life column. A No Return Policy. It is the background story regarding the militarization of police departments. An eye opener.

Local police departments will soon have officers wearing body cameras. A good thing. Both the Key West police and Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. As long as they keep them on. If not on during a questionable arrest/situation, local laws should be passed creating a rebuttable presumption of wrongdoing by the police officer.

Japan is having sex problems. For real. It is experiencing a celibacy syndrome. An interesting term. Young Japanese have and are becoming turned off  by sex. Male and female alike. The men prefer virtual girl friends. The women prefer taking care of themselves materially. Each gender has its erotic desires under control.

Births are dramatically low. Japan’s population falling swiftly. The scenario so bad that it is predicted an economic downfall is in the making.

Would you believe!

Enjoy your day!

CRAZIES AT IT AGAIN

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Every several years, a group comes out clamoring about the evils of Fantasy Fest. It is that time again. This morning’s Key West Citizen front page banner headline announced the story.

I thought the Citizen was wrong in giving the issue the front page attention it did. Report the story, yes. It is news. But the headline?

It is a morality issue. Nudity and lewd behavior denounced. It is more than that, however. It is a small group of persons attempting to impose their moral standards upon everyone else.

The group wants a 3 year hiatus of Fantasy Fest so a proper festival might be developed, a public referendum on the issue, and other non sensical items.

Fantasy Fest has been tested and retested, developed and redeveloped, for the 25 years plus it has been in existence. I worry that the squeaky wheel draws attention. This is a small minority clamoring for attention on an issue that is none of their business since apparently they neither enjoy nor participate in Fantasy Fest. Or, perhaps a few do. I cannot believe that some do not venture to the festival and sneak a peek at the bare breasts or what have you.

Hypocrisy at work.

To the group I say…..Get a life!

My yesterday began with a visit to Dr. Jackie Lefferts. I did fasting blood work recently at the same time I was on doctor prescribed double water pills. Of course my results had to be all screwed up. New blood work has been scheduled.

I read the morning papers and enjoyed a cup of coffee at the Double Tree Hotel. The Hotel is doing a big business. I was surprised as it is out of the way, so to speak.

Yesterday was tuesday. Tuesday means Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I did my blog talk radio show last night. Loved doing it! Hope people enjoyed listening. They must. A significant number listen weekly.

Post show comment indicates two Middle East items garnered the most interest.

One had to do with ISIS fighters not being necessarily engaged in the conflict because of religion. ISIS leaders are running a new type army. They provide their followers with sex and money.

The other Middle East issue involved Afghanistan and opium. Two wars are/were being fought in Afghanistan. One military, the other drug. The US has spent billions of dollars the past several years trying to kill opium farming in Afghanistan. It was announced recently that last year’s production of opium was at a record high level. $3 billion. The opium eventually finds its way to our streets.

Enjoy your day!

 

PERFECT WEATHER

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The weather has been absolutely perfect the last two days. As good as the weather generally is in Key west, this was better. Unique. Bright sunny days, blue skies, temperature in the mid 80s, and cool. It is the cool that made the two days different. You could actually feel the coolness from the moment you rose in the morning.

My day ran at its normal pace yesterday. A lengthy business meeting in the morning, a pleasant lunch at Geiger Key, and worked on this evening’s blog talk radio show all afternoon. Topics developed for the show include 400,000 rape kits sitting on shelves not being tested, Frankenstein returns-GMO animals being created, the question whether ebola is natural or lab created, and the man who called a suicide help line and ended up being shot to death by a police SWAT team.

The show is at 9 this evening my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me. I guarantee you will enjoy.

My bed broke! In the middle of the night, the front mattress end collapsed. I was doing nothing at the time. Sleeping. No claim to fame here!

The bed broke not last night, but the night before. I called Keith and he came over before supper yesterday to fix it. It was not a bed board. My 16 year old bed’s frame side board and front board became separated. Keith repaired it.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reports that Starbucks will soon begin work on its new place on North Roosevelt Boulevard. It will be where the former Checkers was located. Opening will be some time next year. I look forward to it. I enjoy a good coffee house and Starbucks is one of best. The one in La Concha downtown does not appeal to me. Too small. Claustrophobic.

I have become a poor Syracuse fan. Disappointed in the football team, I have not paid attention. I did not notice till this morning that Syracuse lost 16-6 to Clemson saturday. Clemson was ranked #22 nationwide. The score represents a victory for Syracuse.

This saturday Syracuse plays North Carolina State. Syracuse is a 3-4 point favorite. North Carolina state has lost its last four games. Syracuse four of the last five.

I do not know if I will be watching. There are enough things in life which make me unhappy. I do not need to add to the burden.

Everyone takes photos. The cell phone has opened a new era of fun for all. Many persons exchange nude pics of themselves. Not a good thing!

A young lady was arrested on a DUI charge in California. While being booked, a police officer went through her cell phone pics. He removed her nude pics. The cell phone had nothing to do with the charge or arrest. The police officer showed the pics to other police officers.

Turns out a number of police officers at the station did the same thing. They referred to it as a “game.” Another example of police power abuse.

Enjoy your day!