Key West has experienced significant growth the past several years. More and more tourists each year. Demand brought higher prices. For everything. Vacationers willing to pay. They were visiting Paradise!

Key West however has failed to keep quality of services at a level expected. The peak has been reached and the downward slide begun.

I have written the past few years that at some point Key West was going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. The goose not yet dead, merely sick. Sick should be the warning. A warning to shape up before the goose dies and the golden egg is no more.

Two events in the last 24 hours compel today’s column.

Each involves a major hotel. Reputationwise, two of Key West’s best hotels. The Pier House and Casa Marina. The persons complaining experienced world travelers. Several times a year. Both couples additionally having visited Key West many times in the past. One 10 times. The other more than 20.

The Pier House. The couple guesting there had this to share. Rooms fine. Complaint was with service at the Pier House’s premier restaurant, One Duval.

Service slow. Help obviously inexperienced. Food presented. No silverware provided. Silverware provided, a fork used with appetizer not replaced for main course. The knife dirty with remnants of the appetizer.

Worse, the food only fair.

Breakfast the same. Though they were complimentary of the eggs benedict.

The Casa Marina. Unquestionably the best beach setting in Key West. Not as good inside the hotel itself, however.

The couple reported internally the room and services an abomination.

Mildew in the room. Could be from Irma. If so, should have been remedied by this time.

The couple enjoy coffee first thing in the morning from the pot in the room. Pot, yes. Coffee, no.

Telephoned to get it. Four different numbers called, including front desk. No answer. Finally housekeeping or some other service said they would attend to it immediately. No one ever showed up.

The Pier House and Casa Marina are two of the most expensive places to stay. Service and accommodations should be top shelf. No excuse for anything less.

Then there are those problems I myself periodically complain of. Like traffic. This past holiday the worse ever. Goes for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. All over the streets. Stop lights, stop signs, and cross walks of no consequence.

A recent study of cities with 15,00 to 75,000 residents ranked Key West #1 for bicycle fatalities and injuries.

A Master Plan was ordered by Key West to assist with the traffic problem. The plan took 2 years to be received. It will be discussed at the January 15 Commission meeting.

I know not he cost of the Plan itself. The implementation of the recommendations already public. $28.6 million.

Insufficiency of parking a complaint for many years. Whenever the City does something, parking places disappear. Difficult to understand.

The cost of parking a disgrace. The most recent raise for public parking areas raised $1 an hour. With a 4 hour limit.

The cost of a roof over one’s head out of sight. Sales prices once again extremely high. Rent levels a disgrace. Affordable housing a constant problem receiving more lip service than correction.

The working people of Key West leaving. The waiters, waitresses, bartenders and kitchen help. They no longer can afford to live in Paradise. Employers making huge profits. The help holding close to minimum wage. The State no assistance. Raised the minimum wage 21 cents an hour as of January 1.

Service less than expected because of the insufficiency of help.

There are more stores on Duval empty than I can ever recall. The reason simple. The rents were/are too high.

Gouging of tourists and help commonplace. The dollar definitely supreme to the detriment of tourists and help.

Greed kills. The goose on its way out unless things change. People who feel they did not get a fair shake when in Key West will return home with negative comments about our community. Word spreads. Just as once a great place to go, it will become ok but….

Franklin Delano Roosevelt made an observation that fits the present Key West situation: “We have always known that heedless self interest was bad morals, we know that it is bad economics.”

Key West has a new Mayor and some new Commission members. I believe Teri Johnston will be an excellent Mayor. The type of woman who takes the bull by the horns. The new Commission members toughies also.

Key West’s problems require immediate attention. Otherwise, we all will be attending the celebration of life for the goose. A sad day for the goose and a sad day for Key West.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West City Commission is sometimes like our esteemed President Donald Trump. Shoot from the hip. Know not that of which they speak.

Three local citizens came up with the idea for a tuesday afternoon tutu party. A party always a god idea. It would be a weekly event.

It was also intended that anyone wearing a tutu on tuesday be given a discount while shopping. The idea to encourage local business.

Newly elected Mayor Teri Johnston supported the idea. She issued some sort of proclamation to that effect. She has now withdrawn the proclamation.

Some objected to Tuesday Tutus. I am assuming complaints were made to members of the City Commission and/or Mayor Johnston. The Mayor withdrew the proclamation. The group pushing the tutu idea were viewed as some sort of business in effect. Our political leaders thought they should be required to be a non-profit or affiliated with some profit making business.

The City Commission capitulated. Mayor Johnston capitulated. Rush Limbaugh type comments took them down.

My suggestion to our local political leaders. Key West has significant and more important problems to deal with. Traffic being one. I cannot understand why the Commission waited 2 years for a traffic Master Plan.

Another, affordable housing. Taking down Mt. Rushmore to build housing thereon. The idea born in ignorance. Initial estimates suggested $70 million to $150 million merely to remove the mountain of buried garbage.

The small group who came up with the tutu tuesday idea should have been encouraged. Not discouraged. Simple should not be made difficult.

A good last night. At the Chart Room.

Don and Chris in town. Arrived yesterday from Syracuse. Visit 4 times a year.

Don recently recovered from hip replacement surgery. His work has him flying all over the world. Security has changed for him. No longer going through 1-2-3. Now has to go to a special security whatever and wait in line to be examined.

Chris lovely. I thought more lovely than ever. A new short hair-do.

We planed out meeting saturday for the Syracuse/Notre Dame game. We are fanatical Syracuse fans. Noon at Jack Flats.

Jean, Joe and Sheila at the round table. Sat with them a while. The best of Key West!

Next stop the Blue Macaw. A booming business last night! Appeared to be all tourists. Did not recognize any locals.

It was Terri’s night to sing. No Terri. Telephoned her and Donna. After 5 consecutive nights at the Little Room Jazz Club and an oncoming cold, Terri’s throat was beat up. I could hardly hear her speak.

I occasionally get into Key West ghost stories. One a couple of months ago involved the Hemingway House. Hemingway and one of his wives moving around at night. Could be seen through the upstair’s windows.

True or false? I don’t know. Would have liked to, however. So every night that I am returning home from Blue Macaw, I drive over Whitehead past the Hemingway House. Slow down and look up in anticipation of seeing Hemingway or his wife.

No more. Last night I almost had an accident. Did not see the car in front of me as I was looking up and back.

Came across a Hemingway quote: “For Whom the Bell Tolls was a problem which I carried each day. I knew what was going to happen in principle. But I invented what happened each day as I wrote.”

Interesting how the man wrote!

The David Wolkowsky estate sale this friday through sunday at his Flagler Street home. What excitement! Locals and tourists mentioning the event.

Today seems to be literary day. Into Herman Melville this morning, also.

Together with his masterpiece Moby-Dick.

Moby-Dick was required reading in high school. I struggled through the book. Never really understood it till years later when I reread it as an adult.

Melville shipped out this day in 1841 on the whaler Acushnet. Took him to the south seas. The trip providing the background for Moby-Dick.

He wrote the book in 1850. A commercial failure. Received only mixed reviews. It was years later before becoming recognized as a classical work.

Melville was a close fried of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Author of House of the Seven Gables. Another literary masterpiece imposed on me in my high school days.

Melville and Hawthorne were close friends. Lived in nearby towns. Hawthorne an influence on the younger Melville. Melville 15 years younger.

Melville tended to be easily excitable and erratic. Hawthorne an expert in calming him down.

Join me at 4 this afternoon on station 107.5 FM. I am guesting on Laurie Thibaud’s show Party With a Purpose.

Enjoy your day!

David Wolkowsky was a friend. A great man. A Dreamer. He returned to Key West in late 1962. His home town a community of shacks, dirt roads, and mud beaches.

David was a visionary. He saw what others could not. He knew Key West could recover the greatness it had lost.

David’s accomplishments in that regard labeled him the father of modern Key West.

David died 3 months ago at 99. Those fortunate to have known him felt an inexplainable loss. He was a great man. A simple person. He touched us.

David enjoyed several homes. His primary residence at 1014 Flagler, a roof top penthouse on Duval, and Ballast Key 16 miles out into the Gulf.

A sadness is developing within me. From friday to sunday, an estate sale will be held at David’s Flagler residence. His personal effects to be sold. Each a beauty in itself. Each a part of him.

As each item goes out the door, his life will be dissembled piece by piece.

Except for one item. The City of Key West. As Michelangelo as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Sue Puskedra of Susie’s Estate sales is handling the sale. I know Sue. A well respected women in Key West. Personally and professionally. She will make sure the disposition of David’s personal items will be accomplished with a dignity befitting the man.

Irma hit the Keys more than a year ago. Some 15 months ago on September 10, 2017.

Not to be forgotten.

Recovery still ongoing. Problems two-fold. Insufficient monies from the federal government and a slowness locally in the issuance of building permits. Much cannot be done in goosing the federal government into more promptly meeting its obligations. However County offices responsible for permitting could move faster.

A hurricane recovery does not represent ordinary times. The County should spend the money and hire the necessary additional persons required to get the job done expeditiously.

Big Pine took a major hit. People still living in tents and shacks. Time to return them to normalcy.

My podcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

I was tired of Trump, Trump, Trump. Decided to do a show without anything of significance involving Trump. Accomplished it. Instead of Donald, topics included anti-Semitism, Judaeo-Nazis, Israel’s influence on American legislation, Terri and how the blind can see, Rick Pitino coaching in Greece, and China having a toilet paper problem with regard to its public toilets.

There is more to the world besides Trump.

Syracuse friends Chris and Don back in Key West. They visit four times a year. Great people! Known and loved by everyone!

Fellow fanatic Syracuse supporters, of course. We have already made plans to watch the Syracuse/Notre Dame game saturday at noon. Probably at Jack Flats.

Nature is not consistent. Has strange ways.

One is the flow of water, what affects it, etc.

The time January 2, 1857. Key West’s William R. Hackley wrote in his diary that the calm weather which had lasted so long had affected Keys’ water. Fresh water from the Everglades had drifted down to the Keys. In certain areas, the water was fresh enough to drink. And drink the people did.

He also mentioned that Keys’ fish continued to die. All kinds in great numbers.

Leaves me confused. The water clean enough for human consumption, but deadly to fish. Can it be?

Major league confrontation today in Washington. Trump and eight legislative leaders. The issue the shutdown. Trump has suggested he “wants to make a deal.”

Going to be interesting!

Romney will be a thorn in Trump’s side. Not yet sworn in as a U.S. Senator, he issued an Opinion piece to the Washington Post. Romney threw the gauntlet down. The new sheriff is in town!

Romney wrote, “The President shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short…..the President has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Enemies within, enemies without.

The last time the U.S. was confronted with an enemy from within was the years leading up to and the Civil War itself. Then came enemies from without which resulted in wars. Included are the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II.

Today, the U.S. is first and foremost confronted by an enemy from within. President Donald Trump. A man lacking in character and morals. One leading the Nation to disruption and destruction internally and world wide.

Government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” is slipping away.

Time for Americans to stand up, speak up, and act courageously. The greatest challenge confronting this generation.

We must be up to it. To be as those World War II veterans. Those “who fought for the soul of the nation.”

That is the way it is.

Enjoy your day.

It was 45 B.C. The traditional Roman calendar was all screwed up. Out of whack for many years. Julius Caesar not a happy camper.

The Roman calendar a lunar one. It’s problems two fold. First, it fell out of place with the seasons and needed constant correction. Second, politics back then being the same as today, politicians played with the days. Pontifices were charged with overseeing the calendar. The group often abused its authority by adding days to extend political terms or interfere with elections.

Caesar threw out the Roman calendar. Replaced it with the solar calendar which was in use by Egyptians at the time.

Caesar’s new calendar calculated the year to be 365 1/4 days. Caesar had 67 days added to 45 B.C. so as to make 46 B.C. begin on January 1 rather than March 1 as it had under the old calendar.

Caesar also decreed that every 4 years, 1 day would be added to February to keep the calendar precise.

It took to 7 B.C. before the new calendar was ready for introduction.

The new calendar did not work that well. Not precise enough. By the Middle ages, it was a mess. The problem had to do with the 1/4 day.

Caesar had incorrectly concluded that a solar year was 365 1/4 years. The correct number was 365.242199 days. Good mathematicians back then. The number caculated without a computer.

The problem made for an 11 minute a year error. Which by the mid 15th century had added 15 days to the calendar.

Pope Gregory XIII felt it was his time to correct the mathematical error. He had Christopher Clavius, a Jesuit astronomer, attack the problem.

Clavius corrected the error. Recomputed everything. Came up with a new calendar. Named the Georgian calendar. The Georgian calendar was implemented in 1582 and is the calendar still in use to this day.

No bugs discovered in the new calendar.

I find amazing that various leaders considered an accurate calendar important, that they had the talent to deal with the mistake each time, and eventually came up with a calendar that has worked for more than 400 years.

An enjoyable New Year’s Eve. Began the evening with Terri’s show On Broadway at 8. Terrific! Terri told her life’s story by following her musical career and singing songs that fit each musical she was involved in.

Terri’s life story touching. Sobs heard several times in the audience.

Watched Terri’s show with Andrea and Joe.

The game plan was for the 3 of us to have dinner after the show with Teri and Donna at Abbondanza. We did.

By the way, Terri and Donna were dressed magnificently! Black. Knockouts!

Dinner was giddy. A happy mood. Terri’s 5 night show concluded. A success. We were together. A few drinks added to the otherwise happy feeling. A good New Year’s Eve!

It was after 11 when we finished dinner. I was tired and gave up on watching Sushi drop at Bourbon Street at midnight. Went home.

I was in bed at 11:45. Stayed awake to watch the ball drop on Times Square at midnight. Wished myself a Happy New Year and drifted off to sleep.

I sense a quiet/calm before the storm. Politically speaking. All hell is going to break loose in Washington this week.

Present day politicians make me sick. They are in Washington to solve problems. Instead, they create them. They no longer are statesmen. Arguing the value of an issue. They are negotiators. Negotiating for the best deal for their political party, not what is best for the American people.

I have been for term limits for years. My patience is stretched however. Now my attitude is throw the bums out! Lets have an election to fill all seats anew.

My podcast show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Less my mood changes a bit, I will be all over Washington this evening.

The show is at 9. A quick half hour of interesting and sometime blistering comment. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Key West is known for its funky ways. That is why people visit. To enjoy, to dance to a different tune, to let go in ways not accepted back home, to have fun!

Two new activities available. Add to the funkiness of the island.

One is Tutu Tuesdays Forever. Wow! Everyone can enjoy. Male or female. Merely wear a tutu. A short fluffy skirt. Already common at certain Key West events where as many males as females wear them.

No more waiting for a special event like Fantasy Fest. A weekly party. Beginning tomorrow, January 1. At Sunset Pier where Duval meets the Atlantic. From 2:22 pm to 5:22 pm.

Don’t ask why the strange times. Common in Key West. Several Happy Hours for example have off the hour odd number Happy Hours.

Food and drink available.

Going to be a big deal. Barbara Grob, who is involved in everything, brought it to my attention. Key West’s new Mayor Teri Johnston has endorsed it.

Buy a tutu and join in the fun!

Hangovers not uncommon in Key West. A ready made remedy now available. Intravenous injections to hydrate the body.

For real!

Called Hangover Hospital.

Procedure simple. Telephone a number to schedule an appointment. Any time of the day or night. Night time the busiest.

A “professional” comes to you immediately. You stay where you are. Treatment provided. Intravenous directly into the blood. Forty five minutes to relief.

Hangover Hospital advertises…..”Give hangover the finger!”

Last night a busy one. Enjoyable.

Began with Aqua’s Hot Dog Church. The lovely Laurie Thibaud bartending. Laurie hosts the radio show I guest on thursday afternoons at 4. Station 107.5 FM.

Enjoyed a drink with some lady friends and left for the Gardens. A short walk down the block.

Packed! Snowbirds in town.

Entertainment special. Debra and Patrick. Two lovely people. Appeared for years at La Te Da. Then moved on to another venue. Not sure if they are back in town for good or for the holiday. They are working La Te Da evenings while here.

Debra an outstanding voice. A capturing smile. A sweet woman.

A kiss and hug for Gardens owner Kate Miano. Jean and Joe Thornton there. Chatted with them a bit. Ran into Joe Pace. Have not seen him in years. Looks younger than when I last saw him.

The Chart Room next. John bartending. A personality! He is a draw in his own right.

As I sat, a lovely lady came by. Laura. Told me we had met 5 years ago. I apologized for not recalling. Husband Gary with her. They reside in Richmond, Virginia.

We chatted a while.

This is their third trip to Key West. Gary is retired. He was involved in something nuclear. I was impressed. Laura still working. In sales. They are staying at the Pier House.

Gary and I had a tie-in. He grew up in Syracuse. I attended Syracuse and maintained a law office there for years.

Bill Cody from Marietta, Georgia was seated to my right. He works for Lockheed. All he could tell me was F-35s. Originally from Hapeville, Georgia.

Second time in Key West. First time, 19 years ago. We talked about the changes.

The bar was one happy family. It was Bill who brought Hangover Hospital to our attention.

Chuck and Jina Carrick came in. From Greensboro, North Carolina.

I liked Jina immediately. She was Italian. Her maiden name Amori. A lovely lady with an equally lovely personality.

Chuck has a financial planning firm. Their 32 year old son works with him.

Jina engaged with a bank. Responsible for mortgage services.

Chuck showed an interest in possibly purchasing a second home in Key West. I shared with him my knowledge and experiences.

Chuck and Jina had taken a bi-plane ride in the afternoon. Went over what we suspected was Ballast Key. Built by and entertained at by Key West major benefactor, David Wolkowsky. Ballast Key out in the Gulf 16 miles west of Key West.

The history of the Chart Room came into play. John asked I share my knowledge. I have become a half assed historian re Key West lore. Everyone attentive. Questions asked.

It is too bad so little is known about David Wolkowsky. Modern Key West would not be were it not for him.

An interesting bar.

Kentucky David and his wife Marilyn enjoyed a second home in Key West for years. Irma bothered them, as it did many. They were reluctant to go through another hurricane. Sold. Now, vagabonds. Traveling the world.

David, a Kentucky sports fan. I, Syracuse. Occasionally, we would watch games together at Jack Flat’s. The Syracuse game on one screen and the Kentucky game on the screen next to it.

No more. I miss those rare times.

David wrote yesterday that Rick Pitino was now coaching in Greece. I googled the subject. He arrived in Greece wednesday. Coaching the Panathinaikos team in the European continent’s top tier pro league.

I knew Pitino in his coaching days. He was a friend of Jim Boeheim. Met him through Jim. Pitino was also into horses. Owned and ran them in August in Saratoga. I used to frequent Saratoga.

Attended the horse sales one night when Pitino bought 2 very expensive horses with the blink of an eye. My son and I also played several summers in a Pitino run golf tournament. A fundraiser. Pitino’s brother had a rare disease for which a cure was still being sought.

I know Greece. I have been there several times for extended periods. Greece will love Pitino! And Pitino will love the Greeks! They are made for each other. A perfect fit.

In all my travels, I have found the Greeks to be the most friendly to Americans. One meeting and you were family.

Al Cotoia spent many years in Key West. Then left for some where up north. Missed. He is anti-Trump as I. He wrote a comment to one of my blogs…..The greater the degree of guilt, the greater the need to blame others!!!!!

Life can be tit for tat. Russia has detained an American citizen in Moscow on spying charges. The arrest December 28. A criminal case has been opened. No other details available.

Donald, your friend Vladimir does everything to make you look good.

Tonight the night! Happy New Year at midnight. I will be at Terri’s On Broadway show at 8 at the Little Room Jazz Club. With Andrea and Joe. Following the show, we will be on the street. Duval will be tightly packed. Our goal is to watch Sushi drop in the red shoe at midnight at the Bourbon Street Pub. Fortunately, a block from where Terri will be performing.

I am not sure I will make it to midnight. Late for me. I am generally in bed by 9 each night. Age takes its toll.

Enjoy your day! Enjoy your evening!

Key West’s traffic problem has steadily grown over the years. As our island increased in popularity, so did traffic congestion. Cars, bicycles, and pedestrians the primary culprits.

I have been writing and talking about the problem with increased frequency this past year. Especially the past couple of weeks as Christmas and New Year have brought hordes of tourists to Key West.

We welcome them. We welcome their business. However Key West forgot along the way to expeditiously work on the traffic problem. Lip service and a study recently received that took 2 years to complete. Not enough.

Death and injury hang like a black cloud over Key West.

A recent study revealed that Key West was ranked #1 among Florida cities with populations of 15,000 to 75,000 for bicycle fatalities and injuries.

Friday and Saturday found 2 accidents occurring that support the congestion premise. Yesterday’s Miami Herald said re Key West that “…..traffic has been congested on the tiny island.”

A truer statement never expressed.

Friday a tourist drove excessively and recklessly through Boca Chica down U.S. 1 to the triangle entrance to Key West. Seven cars were struck. Two of them police vehicles. Fortunately, injuries minimal.

Yesterday morning at 10, injuries more significant. A dead driver and a passenger in critical condition.

The accident occurred on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Involved tourists. The driver was traveling at a high rate of speed. Lost control of his vehicle. Traveled through the parking lot of Kim Kuban’s. Came to a stop when it hit a boat parked in front of the pawn shop nearby.

Note we are only at the beginning of the New Year weekend!

I stayed in yesterday and watched 2 great football games. The top 4 teams in the U.S. playing for the right to go against each other in the championship game.

Clemson destroyed Notre Dame 30-3. Both teams undefeated going into the game.

Alabama beat Oklahoma 45-34. The game not as close as it might appear. Only 2 minutes into the second quarter and Alabama was ahead 28-0. Both quarterbacks superior.

Alabama especially impressed me. A well oiled machine. Do everything right. Know how to grab that extra 4-5 yards on a run. Passing spectacular.

I pick Alabama over Clemson.

Syracuse basketball yesterday also. Syracuse destroyed St. Bonaventure 81-47. Not a big deal.

Syracuse has now concluded its pre league schedule. 9-4. Not impressive. The ever dangerous ACC season is around the corner. Big time hard fought college basketball! The quality of Syracuse play will be determined in those games.

I am concerned.

Later this afternoon, it will be the Gardens and then Hot Dog Church for me.

The year 2018 has been bad for manatees. So far, 804 killed. Boat strikes and the red tide responsible. Generally, 400-500 a year are killed. Primarily by boat strikes.

Major hurricanes the past few years. The most recent Michael which destroyed the Panhandle, parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.

Irma and Maria last year.

Recovery slow. Federal assistance insufficient.

Every time a natural disaster occurs, Trump goes on TV and says we have the money to deal with the problem. The truth is we do not. Ergo, recovery takes years. People suffering longer than they should.

Some examples.

Georgia significant when it comes to timber farming. Michael damaged 2.5 million acres of trees. The timber business contributes $25 billion annually to the economy. Involved are 124,000 jobs.

Georgia needs help big time re its timber business.

Florida’s Panhandle feels increasingly forgotten. Michael hit 2 miles less than a category 5.

The federal government is slow coming up with financial assistance. Two reasons. The federal bureaucracy and a lack of funds. The feds tell the states and municipalities to go to the bank and borrow necessary monies. The feds promise to reimburse the borrowings.

Good luck! Takes forever to get reimbursement. Irma was 15 months ago. Monroe County, Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West are still waiting for reimbursement dollars.

Panama City recently borrowed $50 million to help with Michael recovery. It will need more. Debris removal alone is estimated at $60-80 million.

Mexico Beach City was the worse hit by Michael. Close to total destruction. The hurricane hit at 155 mph. Power and water restored. Much little of anything else. Of its 2,700 dwellings, only 500 are habitable today.

The point being made is the federal government is failing in its responsibility to help.

If the federal government were functioning properly, Trump would be on TV telling the Nation what a good job he is doing. You do not see him or hear it.

While people are suffering because of the failure to help, federal dollars are being pissed away. An example is New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago. Trump will probably be in Washington. His family at Mar-a-Lago.

Secret Service is required to provide certain safeguards for the President and his family. Secret Service has rented $54,020 worth of tents to be used for security checks and safe spots for VIPs. Secret Service also recently paid $41,000 for generators and site towers. I am not sure if these items are directly related to New Year’s Eve.

Golf cart rentals by Secret Service pushing $400,000 this year. For use by the Secret Service in guarding the President and his family when playing golf.

Note that the Secret Service agents are not being paid. The Secret Service cap was reached December 21. Keep in mind also that 800,000 federal employees are laid off or working without pay till the shutdown is over. On top of which Trump recently announced that he is placing a freeze on federal employee salaries. They will not receive their small annual raises scheduled for 2019.

I have never met Roger C. Kostmayer. A senior Key West resident who writes Letters to the Editor. To all the publications. He vents. He expresses wrongdoing/impropriety as he sees it.

In a recent letter of KONK Life E-Blast, Roger wrote re MAGA. MAGA from Trump’s perspective means Make America Great again. From Roger’s, Morons Are Governing America.

China fighting toilet paper waste.

Tourism on the rise in China. Public toilets, also. Toilet paper in public toilets is either being wasted (left on the floor in large unused amounts) or being stolen to be used at a place where toilet paper is not available.

What I shall now describe is being used in Jinan. Planned for use throughout China.

Toilet paper users are under scrutiny. Watched. A form of facial recognition technology. It is part of the toilet paper dispenser.

China says 27 inches enough toilet paper per usage. If someone attempts to use or take more, the facial recognition gimmick will recognize him/her and refuse the person toilet paper. A 9 minute wait involved to get additional paper.

The technology sophisticated. It can tell if the person is new or a returning user.

I looked for a New Year’s quote. Tons of them. Searched for something different, yet pointed.

Wally Lamb is the author of the quote. Never heard of him. He has a nice touch with words, however. Read them slowly, think for a moment, flavor his words: “Accept what people offer. Drink their milkshakes. Take their love.”

Enjoy your Sunday!

I am one of those in love with his alma mater. The Syracuse University College of Law molded me into what I became and the success I achieved.

I never forgot. My contributions to the College of Law were significant. Those to the University and athletic teams as well.

I loved Syracuse! Continue to do so to this day!

When the Carrier Dome opened in 1981, I acquired a private box. Sixteen seats and a bar. The box brought me into Syracuse athletics big time.

Basketball has been pretty much a success over the years. Football, not. Success comes in waves. A year or two here and there. Followed by years of desperation and famine.

It has been close to 20 years since Syracuse has had a good football team. This season which ended yesterday is one of them. After 17 years, Syracuse won 10 games in a season again. Syracuse beat West Virginia yesterday in the Camping World Bowl 34-18. Syracuse’s season ended 10-3.

Syracuse was a consistent part of my life for 25 years. I served on many boards and committees. I was on the inside. Came to understand how academia works.

Sports brings money into a university. The more winning a team, the more money that pours in.

A problem is who in reality runs a university. It is not the football team or basketball team. Nor the coaches and alumni who work with and support the teams. It is the academics. The professors. The mental giants. Universities after all are a place where one goes to study, not engage in or get excited by sports.

When a particular sport is doing well and money is pouring in, the academics get their high asses into gear and begin complaining. Their primary argument is we are a place for learning, not the playing of sports.

University higher ups succumb at some point. A sport’s budget is cut. The quality of the team downhill from that point.

Years go by and a team is terrible. The university at some point is in need of money. Those running the business end of a university can see into the future. They know when bad days are ahead.

Where to get money? Sports, of course. So the university budget re a particular sport is increased significantly. Money spent for a better coach and staff. Money added for additional scholarships, etc.

Syracuse saw a need on the horizon. Three years ago, the University hired a better coach, etc. In 3 years the added monies have brought Syracuse into the top 20 nationally. In the next 2-3, it will be in the top 10. Who know’s, perhaps even fighting for a national championship.

That is how the “game” is played. Why most universities have extended dry spells between winning seasons.

Tourism is the backbone of Key West. Key West’s industry.

In recent years, the town has become overcrowded on holidays and during the season. More and more auto, bicycle, moped, and pedestrian accidents. Deaths and injuries.

Key West is working to correct the situation. The State, also. Everything takes time, however.

Friday morning at 10 o’clock, an accident(s) occurred evidencing what is happening.

Boca Chica is 7 miles north of Key West. A Sheriff’s deputy observed Jessica Ruth Vanhorn driving “exceedingly fast and recklessly” on U.S. heading towards Key West. Vanhorn is 32 and lives in Ruskin, Florida.

The deputy tried to pull her over. She ignored him. Traffic was heavy. A chase might have meant an accident. The deputy did the prudent thing. Called ahead and asked the Key West police to apprehend her as she reached Key West. Traffic slows down dramatically as one enters Key West from U.S. 1.

Vanhorn is lucky she is alive. She is lucky she neither killed nor injured anyone badly. As will easily be understood.

Cow Key Bridge is 400 feet from Key West. At the Cow Key Bridge, Vanhorn hit another car and a police car. She continued the short distance towards Key West. Struck 2 more cars at the intersection (triangle) leading into Key West. Then jumped the median. Knocked out 2 signs and struck 2 more cars which were waiting on North Roosevelt Boulevard to make left turns onto U.S. 1.

Vanhorn is in jail. Bail not set yet.

She better get a good lawyer!

Terri White is knocking them dead at the Little Room Jazz Club. She opened December 27. Her last show New Year’s Eve. I plan on attending New Year’s Eve.

Terri’s show is a combination of Broadway hit tunes. Many she performed herself while on Broadway. Her Key West show called On Broadway.

Worth the price of admission and a good way to spend New Year’s Eve.

So so many years ago, Pan Am Airlines got its start on Whitehead Street in a charming white building. If you do not recognize the name Pan Am, don ‘t feel bad. The airline went bust years ago.

At some point, Kelly McGillis of Top Gun fame opened a restaurant there. Called it Kelly’s. A great spot! A terrific Happy Hour. Wings the specialty. The outside bar always packed.

Kelly’s sold a few years ago. The new owners renamed the restaurant. The First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewery in recognition of its use during Pan Am’s days.

First Flight is beginning a new tradition for itself on New Year’s Eve. A “drop” at midnight. Guaranteed to attract an overflow crowd.

Key West has several restaurants/bars that have drops. Included are Sloppy Joe’s, Bourbon Street, and Schooner’s Wharf.

Enjoy your day! Be careful driving!

Key West…..Heavy traffic this week? Absolutely! Without question! I moved faster escaping Irma and thought Irma’s bumper to bumper traffic was bad.

Yesterday’s traffic was the worse I have ever seen on Key West streets. The topic of conversation every where I went.

At 4 in the afternoon, it took forever to transverse the last 2 blocks of Simonton. Cars lined up bumper to bumper the whole block. Should someone want to make a left turn, the delay for cars behind 2-4 lights. The heavy traffic coming from all four directions..

Jean Thornton reported it took forever to drive from the airport earlier yesterday to her condo in Truman Annex. A first time occurrence.

Key West has a traffic problem! Includes all kinds of moving things. Cars, bicycles and pedestrians.

Bad!

Reminds me of Naples 30 years ago.

Key West ordered a Master Plan for vehicular and pedestrian traffic two years ago. It finally arrived this week. It is scheduled to be discussed at the 1/15 Commission meeting.

I am curious as to its recommendations. Especially since the Plan’s cost to correct Key West’s traffic problem has slipped out: $28.6 million.

Can’t be real!

My yesterday began with Lori. Haircut time. I noticed at noon on the way to Lori’s that traffic coming into Key West was unusually heavy. Then when it reached the Boulevard even more heavy. Even side streets.

Did a one and a half hour radio show with Laurie beginning at 3:30. Laurie’s show. I was guest appearing. Showed called Party with a Purpose. Search it out on 107.5 FM. Laurie is on 3 afternoons a week.

Many blessings and sins covered. The new traffic master plan, Terri White’s 5 night engagement at the Little Room Jazz Club, how Terri has taught us the blind can see, Florida’s generous increase in the minimum wage effective 1/1 of 21 cents an hour, University of California study indicating those persons who consume alcohol generally and were obese in their 70’s will live to their 90’s as opposed to those who abstain and have slim bodies, the shut down, Congress should not be paid during the shut down, how till this year Congressional persons guilty of sexual indiscretions had their settlements paid by a special slush fund of taxpayer dollars available to Congress persons, and I can’t recall what else.

An interesting time. Laurie and I interact well.

Following the radio show, crossed the street to the Chart Room.

Jean and Joe Thornton back. Arrived yesterday. Jean went back to Birmingham 9 days ago for the Christmas holiday. Joe has not been to Key West in several months.

My saviors during Irma. I escaped to their Birmingham home for 12 days.

Shelia with them.

Topic of conversation: The traffic! So much. More than normal this time of the year. Something has to be done, etc.

Jean and Joe left for La Trattoria for dinner and then Terri White. A couple from Hope Sands, Florida replaced them on the stools next to me.

Nice people!

Named Jean and Joe, also.

Jean a manicurist. Joe a retired sheriff’s deputy. Joe now owns and operates a private investigation service.

Met Todd Cavinder. Staying at the Pier House with his 2 daughters for the holiday. Todd operates an elevator company in the Myrtle Beach area.

New Year’s Eve a few days away. I am attending Terri’s performance at the Little Room Jazz Club. Then hit a few bars. Finally watching one of Key West’s balls dropping at midnight.

This year I will be somewhere in the jammed street surrounding Bourbon Street Pub. Sushi drops in a red shoe at midnight. The shoe 8 feet long with a 4 foot heel.

CNN will cover it. Anderson Cooper will be discussing the drop from New York City.

Sushi has been dropping in the red shoe at midnight New Year’s Eve for 22 years.

Richard Overton died tuesday at 112 years of age. Wow! The oldest World War II veteran and the oldest man in the United States.

Overton African-American. Fought in World War II. Not as a cook. He was part of a special all black engineering group known as the 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion.

He was sent to Pearl Harbor within days of December 7. Then fought in the liberation of Guam, Okinawa, Palau, and Iwo Jima.

As to Iwo Jima, he said, “I only got out by the grace of God.” Iwo Jima is considered the most difficult Japanese held island U.S. forces captured.

The wall, the wall, the wall! After a while, all the talk too much.

Some one said regarding the wall that Trump and his supporters are living in a FOX News bubble. Makes sense.

The Republicans are using the wall to raise funds. A recent fund raising appeal: Become members of “Official Build The Wall Members.” The following was contained within the appeal: “This is your opportunity to go down in HISTORY as one of the American Patriots that saved our country and built The Wall.”

Brain washing at its worse!

Came across a line from Romeo and Juliet this morning. One I have not read in a while. Decided to share it with you. No particular reason. Just sounds good!

“What’s in a name? / That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet.”

I am home this evening. Syracuse plays West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando.

Enjoy your day!

Title written with tongue in cheek.

The State of Florida should be ashamed!

A new minimum wage goes into effect January 1. A raise of 21 cents an hour. From $8.25 to $8.46 per hour. Tipped employees will receive a similar increase of 21 cents an hour. From $5.28 to $5.44.

The tourist business is booming in Florida. Key West an example. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants and bars doing a booming business. If the working staff were paid a just living wage, problems such as affordable housing and the homeless would be less.

A limited evening last night. The Blue Macaw for an hour. Packed with tourists. I was not with it. Left after an hour and returned home to watch television.

I was there to hear Terri White sing at 7:30. Did not make it. Donna was coming into the parking lot as I was leaving. I could hear her calling out…..Where are you going?

Few locals. At Macaw, I only knew Angie. Proprietor of that wonderful tropical item store Crystals and Coconuts. Angie refers to them as “tropical treasures.”

Visit her store at 803 Whitehead. It’s different.

Friend Terri opens a 5 night engagement beginning this evening at The Little Room Jazz Club. Titled On Broadway. A place where Terri spent a llifetime performing.

Show time 8.

My present plans are to spend New Year’s Eve listening to Terri perform.

Speaking of tourists, the town is full of them. Good! So many. The streets bulging. People using the streets. I spent one block last night on Duval driving behind a walking group of 5. They covered my lane and were partially in the opposite lane.

Radio show time for me from 4-5 today. Laurie Thibaud’s show Party With A Purpose on 107.5 FM. Laurie is on from 3-7.

Did it for the first time last week. We had fun. Have decided to do it as a regular thing.

A talk/music show. The talk covering everything. Whatever moves us at the moment.

Laurie is quick witted. Her words sometime rhyme. Unusual. Come out of her like that.

Strange things have been frequent occurrences in Key West over the years. Would you believe a Klu Klux Klan? Surprises me.

In 1921, a group of prominent citizens formed a Klan. The charter titled Florida’s klan No. 42. Small k on klan as it appears on the Charter.

Most Key West prominent citizens were charter members. All recognizable today. Key West streets named after them.

The Key West Klan was not anti-black. They were anti-Semitic. Surprising! Jews were considered a “foreign element.”

They were snuck into Key West from Cuba. Not necessarily to remain. For most, New York and Chicago were intended final journey venues.

I find the Klan thing hard to believe. Belieeve it I do, however. Here almost 100 years later, anti-Semitism, anti-black, anti-gay, anti-anything, does not exist. Key West is without question One Happy Family.

Tomorrow Syracuse’s first football bowl game in I cannot recall how many years. That many. Too many.

Syracuse plays West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando. Game time 5:15.

Both teams evenly matched. Syracuse 9-3, West Virginia 8-3. Syracuse a one point favorite.

The roller coaster stock market went in the opposite direction yesterday. Instead of dropping, it went up 1,028 points. A single day record.

Glad it went up. Does not impress me, however. Day traders buying in cheap.

If the up and down continues, recession will occur. For which our dear President will be responsible. The market reflects his instability.

I close with Donald Trump.

He lied again. Whether a lie or he just does not know, I am not sure. However, he should know of that which he speaks.

Yesterday. Trump in Iraq talking to the military. He took credit for giving them their first pay raise in 10 years. A 10 percent one.

Never happened. A falsehood from the get-go.

The military does get raises. Every year. In a minimal amount. In recent years, in the 2.0 area. 2018 was 2.4 percent. 2019 will be 2.6. The increases set legislatively years ago.

Enjoy your day!

My two Christmas blogs took precedence over normal blog activity. I have a number of notes that would have been mentioned were it not for the Christmas blogs.

Waste not, want not. I want to set forth briefly the items not mentioned. No particular order involved.

— Christmas eve and Christmas day at Lisa’s. Best Christmas eve meal Lisa has ever prepared. Only one fish however. My daughter has been become Americanized.

Desserts especially good.

Robert and Ally are young adults. I enjoy talking with them. I sat at the children’s table with them for dinner.

Ally enjoys painting. Gets in and out of it since a very early age. Back into it. Gave me a beautiful hand painted picture of mail boxes. I have already hung it in the living room.

Robert gave me a book involving thoughtful matters. Like is there a God? He was more excited with the card that accompanied it. He is taking some sort of video course in high school. He made the card. Three steps involved, if I understood correctly. He explained how he made it. I was as excited as he. And impressed!

— LeBron James spoke out against the NFL owners. “A bunch of old white men” with “slave mentality” toward players. Describes their attitude as “the old plantation mentality.” Believes they are more concerned about money and fear Trump.

— Went to Hot Dog Church sunday evening. Got there late. Only a few ladies remaining. Laurie bartending.

I will be doing Laurie’s radio show on 107.5 FM thursday from 4-5. Appears I will guest weekly at that time.

— Hot Dog Church followed by the Chart Room. Great evening!

Two couples. Tourists. Never met till that night. Each couple have been visiting Key West for 30 years. Great history!

One of the husbands retired. He has a part time job. Times marathons. Does it periodically. Travels everywhere.

A solo guy was at the end of he bar. A gem of historical fact. He was in he Marines stationed in Key West in 1965. Now a full time resident owning a home here.

— The World Happiness Report 2018 recently came out. It lists the most happy and most miserable countries.

Top 3 most happy are Finland, Norway and Denmark in that order. The U.S. ranked 18. Burundi the least happy ranked at 156. Two countries the U.S. presently has an interest in ranked. Afghanistan 145, Syria 150.

— When will the U.S. learn that Middle Easterners hang in there. As the Vietnamese did against the U.S. in that war.

The Soviets sent tanks and 8,500 men into Afghanistan in December 24, 1975. Afghan fighters declared a jihad. Guerrilla war ensued. The Soviets left 10 years later defeated. And broke! The war had destroyed the Russian economy.

The U.S. learned nothing from that history. We have been in Afghanistan 17 years now. Crazy! Trump recently announced he was pulling half of our military contingency out. Seven thousand five hundred service personnel.

The U.S should never have gone in, especially without an exit strategy. The U.S. should not now be pulling out without a specific plan. A double screw up.

— My love Terri White sings this week. Four consecutive nights at the Little Room Jazz Club. 12/27-12/30. A Fringe Theater presentation. Show time 8. I will be there New Year’s Eve. Broadway tunes.

— Key West and bicycles continue to be in the news. Apparently the City ordered a study 2 years ago. The Key West Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is now ready for release. The City Commission will discuss it at its January 15 meeting.

This I’ve got to see!

Total cost to implement the Master Plan $28.6 million. Payment in 2 phases: $9.6 million and $19 million.

— A resident complained publicly in one of Key West’s news papers. Key west is becoming like San Francisco. We have a poop problem. Only in season, only in Old Town. The inference tourists don’t give a shit

— Trump is now on the Fed’s ass. Claims the market is down because the Fed raised interest rates. Suggesting he is going to fire the Chairman who he appointed this past year.

Trump claims…..”The only problem our economy has is the Fed.” I say…..”The only problem our economy has is Trump.”

— The shutdown has causes not anticipated. It also evidences people not hurt who should suffer with those being hurt.

White House Xmas tree lights went out.

Congress has a gym and spa. Must be a beauty. Still operating during the shut down. Speaker Ryan used it the past few days.

The Congressional gym and spa is considered “essential” under the law.

— Stock market keeps going down. Down this year 20 percent. The worse drop since the Great Depression.

Market this morning before opening sitting around 2,700. If it breaks 2,000 there will be a recession. A world wide one.

Who do we thank? Donald Trump! He has destabilized everything.

— How many more children have to die?

An 8 year old Guatemalan refugee boy sitting on the border took ill. Authorities got him to a hospital. He died. Autopsy results awaited.

Two weeks ago, a 7 year old Guatemalan girl died.

Mr. President, have you no conscience?

–The wall. Now a fence or whatever.

Trump claims he signed a contract for the construction of 150 miles of the wall in Texas to begin construction next week. Who is he kidding? He has no authority to do something like that outright. The House is part of the approval process and cannot be ignored.

Going to be interesting how he explains his way out of this one. I am willing to bet there is no signed contract. This is just another of Trump’s falsehoods thinking he can bullshit the American people. Those days are over!

— Trump time continues. Once again, he failed to visit American troops stationed in foreign lands on Christmas. Just as he failed to visit the American military cemetery in France.

Called no respect.

He did telephone soldiers on Christmas morning.

— Studies reveal more and more Americans are living into their 90s. The University of California did a study on the whys and wherefores. Sixteen hundred people involved. Study began 2003.

Results interesting.

Alcohol and coffee consumption on a daily basis will help people to live past 90. Abstinence will not. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, however.

Another test finding is that people overweight in their 70s live longer than those underweight.

Glad I did not begin my diet till I was 82.

— Harry Truman. As always, Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

Truman made 11 visits to Key West. Described as working vacations. Spent a total of 175 days.

Truman died this day in 1972.

–I am caught up!

Enjoy your day!