LT. ROBERT MAZZA

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The closest friend in my adult life has died. Bob Mazza. A 32 year veteran of the Utica Police Department.

My sorrow runs deep.

Bob passed on at 82. He was one year older than me.

He was already a police officer several years when I returned to Utica to practice law. Somehow we met. He thought I lacked street smarts, needed help. He glued himself to me.

When not working, Bob was with me all the time. Always there for me. I was there all the time for him. We had bonded.

We traveled together. All over. He accompanied me whenever I traveled. Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Saratoga, New York City, San Diego, Las Vegas, Miami, etc. We even did a week in Martinique.

He was there for my family, also. Always dependable.

Oh, the stories I could tell. Both amusing and serious. Not mentionable here, however.

Age and distance separated us. We last were together 10 years ago when he visited me for two weeks in Key West. I had moved to Key West. Bob, to Syracuse. We telephone chatted for a while. Less and less frequently. Now in reflection not for several years. Sad.

Bob appeared to be a tough guy. I use the words appeared to be. He was really a softy. He spent most of his police years as head of the Homicide and Burglary Squads. The bad guys feared him. Respected him. It was all in the image he portrayed.

When my time comes, I hope Bob is waiting for me at the Pearly Gates. There is no one I would rather spend Eternity with.

Another sad report.

Going live with Key West Lou will not debut today. While playing around with the site yesterday in preparation for today, I discovered two problems. Beyond my abilities to correct. Sloan not available till wednesday. So it looks like thursday or friday for the first show.

Sorry.

A disenchanted Key West Lou group, who nevertheless continue to follow me, will comment I never meet self-imposed deadlines, etc. The same people who criticize my positions, thoughts, etc.

I am a perfectionist. Always have been. Anal to a fault. Such is what made me a success as a lawyer. I cannot go public with the new snow unless and until I am satisfied.

Hang in there!

A weather forecaster I am not. However, I have learned the few times the wind has come from the south in Key West, a storm followed. Generally, a big one. Yesterday the wind was from the south. About 20 mph. Enough for the palm trees to bend. The sun shining.

I said a storm is coming. Checked the weather reports on the internet. Nothing. A beautiful sunny day. Twenty percent chance of rain. Which means no rain.

I wrote about the south wind in yesterday’s blog.

About 4 yesterday afternoon, TV was interrupted to advise a major storm moving up from the south. Tornadoes possible. The storm was going to run over the Florida Keys and Miami. Would hit around 1 in  the morning.

It hit at 11 last night. Howling winds and heavy rain. Winds still howling, though less. No tornadoes in Florida. However, tornadoes hit Georgia bad. Seventeen dead. Whole areas destroyed. Mississippi had problems also.

The south wind. Recognize it. Respect it.

I was sad last night. Bobby dead. Decided to have a few drinks and quietly recollect our times together.

First stop was the Chart Room. Chatted with Victor. Mentioned the south wind. He had read about it earlier in yesterday’s blog. He decided to telephone a neighbor while we were talking to go over to his house and close the outside blinds.

Then Sloppy Joe’s. Not a usual venue for me.

A few more drinks. Watched the country music entertainers.

Sloppy’s menu has changed. My fries covered in chopped beef, mozzarella and sauce no longer on the menu. I enjoyed an order of wings instead.

I continue to be reluctant to criticize Trump. Give him a chance. He is the only President we have.

However, I must render two admonitions.

The first what one of the female speakers said during the Women’s March: It is not….I the president, it is…..We the people.

The other from me…..The campaign is over. It is time to govern.

Enjoy your day!

LIBRARY WALK TURNS INTO ABSOLUTE FEAR

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Stealing little girls not a Keys’ problem.

Could have been yesterday.

Ten year old Anna Rogers lives on Big Pine. She texted her mother she was going to the library. Her mother said ok.

Lisa never arrived at the library. Panic set in. Properly so. Anna’s mother called the Sheriff’s Department. They immediately went to work.

Anna veered off course. She deviated from the library route. No one had run off with her.

Instead, she ended up on a boat. The boat of a girl friend’s parents. Anna was asked by the parents if she had permission to go on the boat. Little Anna said, “Yes.”

God love the little ones!

And so it began. The fear.

The situation favorably closed when Anna returned.

I suspect Anna’s mother held Anna tight and shed tears at her happiness. I further suspect following the tears of joy, Anna’s mother gave her a lecture.

All is well that ends well.

Watched Syracuse/Notre Dame at noon yesterday. A Syracuse disaster. Notre Dame won 84-66. Syracuse simply does not have it this season. Not jelling. Lazy, also. Arms down on defense. The opposition easily penetrating the zone defense.

There’s always next year.

The Women’s March yesterday impressed me. Big time! Wow!

Washington 500,000, Chicago 150,000, Boston 125,000. Over five million world wide.

Even Key West was involved. One thousand anticipated. Three thousand five hundred showed up.

Appears Trump’s election was the wake up call. It all started on Facebook in a November post by Theresa Shook. A woman in her 60s. Grandmother of four. She recommended the March. She was in Washington yesterday.

Big trees from little acorns grow.

The March appeared to be a rebuke of Trump’s election. His election apparently a wake up call.

The ladies tough. They all are. Never underestimate a woman.

Many wore pink pointed hats labeled Pussy. Some carried signs This Pussy Bites Back. Tough language. The women were on a mission.

There were other signs and other language.

Lets see what comes of the March. Now that it is over, is that it? Or, will the ladies organize, gather strength and move forward?

Last night, Berlin’s for dinner. Always enjoyable.

Tomorrow the day! My new show debuts. Go Live with Key West Lou. On Facebook. Pull out your cell phone, go to Facebook and enter Key West Lou.

There I will be! You can see as well as hear me.

Several segments a day. Thirty to sixty seconds each. I will comment on whatever moves me at the moment. Show archived.

A beautiful morning. One problem, however. The wind is coming from the south. A hard wind. Ripples in the pool.

Generally, whenever the wind blows in from the south, a storm follows.

I checked the weather reports. No storm predicted. High winds, yes. Temperature 82.

Roe v. Wade was decided this date in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Legalized abortion. I fear a Trump nominee will be anti-abortion and the right of women to choose will be lost in a 5-4 decision.

Our country crazy big time!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

LET THEM EAT CAKE

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On this date in 1793, France’s Louis XVI was guillotined. His wife Marie Antoinette not. Her demise via the guillotine did not occur till October 16, 1793.

Their history part of the French Revolution.

It is claimed most everywhere that prior to the Revolution and the royal couple’s beheadings, Marie Antoinette was told that the people were starving, there was not enough bread. Her purported response…..Let them eat cake!

If there was no bread, there could have been no cake. The French word for cake is brioche. Brioche a luxury bread enriched with butter and eggs.

Historians do not attribute the let them eat cake words to Marie Antoinette.

Let them eat cake first appeared in written form in 1765. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote them in his autobiography Confessions. Marie Antoinette would have been 9 years old at the time.

The inaugural absorbed much of my time yesterday. I found it moving. Touched my patriotic side. In spite of the fact I was fully aware the kumbaya shown by both sides would be limited in time. As soon as monday. Democrats and Republicans will be at each other’s throats again.

Some things bothered me.

Five blocks away, protestors were engaged. Big time. Clashes between police and protestors. Chunks of pavement, baseball bats, and bottles the tools of protest on one side. Tear gas, stun grenades and low flying helicopters on the other.

More than 200 arrested.

I was disappointed the media failed to show more of the demonstrations. Everything in America/Washington is not kumbaya.

Another bothersome occurrence was how ten year old Barron was treated. He was ignored. By siblings and parents.

Trump’s children and spouses were shown walking inside the entrance way leading to the podium. Then the short walk on the podium. Barron was walking alone behind his adult brothers, sisters and their spouses. Not one could hold his hand?

Move on to Trump and Melania holding hands walking in the parade. Barron was left meandering alone in front of them. One or both could have held his hand(s).

He did not appear to be part of the family.

My day yesterday began with an early walk along Smathers Beach. A whole hour!

Watched the inaugural till dinner time and from about 10 in the evening till the three balls concluded.

At 5, I was at La Concha for Happy hour. Then to Tropic Cinema to view Hidden Figures. The movie worth seeing.

Afterwards, to the Chart Room. I did not stay. A busy night. People wall to wall.

I continue to be an avid fan of William Hackley’s life. His diary entry for this date in 1856 reflects a John Smith gave Hackley a hat. Apparently Hackley did not have funds to pay for the hat. Smith told him not to worry about it. When Hackley got paid, he would charge for his services.

Diana Millikan wrote me six months ago suggesting Hackley might not be financially secure. Merely a hard working ordinary person. She may have been correct.

I tried to research John Smith in Key West. Came up with nothing. There was a James Smith at the time residing in Key West. He was moneyed. One and the same?

Syracuse/Notre Dame at noon. On ESPN. I will be glued to  the TV set.

Key West’s Women’s March begins at 2. From South Beach to Mallory Square. More than 1,000 expected to participate.

Monday around the corner. Significant for me. I am going live on Facebook. Going Live with Key West Lou. See and hear me. Thirty to sixty second comments. Several a day. Whatever comes to mind at a particular. Segments archived so you can play catch up at any time.

I am excited. Hope the show is well received.

Enjoy your day!

 

I WISH TRUMP WELL

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Inauguration Day! I wish Trump well. As much as I was against him in the campaign, he is now my President. Your President. May he be one of our best/most successful Presidents.

When he screws up however, I will be all over him. My right.

John Kennedy was inaugurated on this day in 1961. His words still ring in my ears: “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…..ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

My Volkswagen needed a tune up! It is a 2010. Purchased new in 2011. I have taken it to a Volks dealer in Miami every two years. This was the third time.

Only 31,000 miles.

The car really needed a tune up. The list of things requiring attention like my body. Everything. Dealer did not have all the parts required. I have to return again when I can and give him a week’s notice so he can order the necessary parts..

The dealer had the car for repair wednesday afternoon and thursday morning. Picked up the car at noon. Headed over to the nearby Merrick Park Shopping Mall. First class. Top shelf. I have been there before.

I was going to treat myself to some new sport shirts and shorts. Clothes are of no consequence in Key West. Male or female, generally shorts and a tee shirt or sport shirt.

I have not purchased shirts of quality for years. Time to treat myself. Neiman Marcue and Nordstrom. Three or four shirts.

My body is big in my old age. I am a 3x. Generally does it for me. Not this time. The finer stores no longer sell a classic fit for the big guys. They sell 3x. However its tailoring on the label is described as CUT TO SHAPE. Why would I want a shirt that was skin tight?

The staff at both stores extremely helpful. I was attired appropriately. Old frayed shorts, an old sport shirt, and Crocs that should have been replaced six months ago. They figured this guy needs a makeover. Everything!

Needed a shave, too. Looked terrific!

Bought nothing.

On the way back to Key West stopped at the Islamorada Fish Company. An early dinner. Stone crabs again. Delicious.

Sat next to the water. The view spectacular.

Key West and Miami/Coconut Grove two different worlds. Men wear long pants. Saw only one man in shorts. No females in shorts. Dresses or pants. Many men wore shirts and ties. Some suits. Real shoes.

South Roosevelt Boulevard may be preserved as it is. The Key West Engineering Department advised it should be left alone.

A massive Women’s March is scheduled for tomorrow in Washington, D.C. A similar march will take place in Key West at the same time. From South Beach to Mallory Square. One thousand expected to participate.

The bodies of the 80 plus whales stranded off the western edge of the Everglades National Park who died will be left to nature. The carcasses not removed. The carcasses will be left to fuel the food web. Scavengers such as vultures, sharks and crabs. Biologists determined this was the best way to handle the situation.

Syracuse/Notre Dame tomorrow at noon. Notre Dame ranked 15 in the nation. I doubt Syracuse will win. A lousy season! Nevertheless, my Syracuse!

Remember, my new commentary show begins wednesday. On Facebook. Go Live with Key West Lou. You will see as well as hear me.

Several bits a day. Thirty to sixty seconds. My thoughts on whatever as it hits me. Each segment archived.

I will be as close as your cell phone.

I am excited! Hope it is well received!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

A BOYSENBERRY MOMENT

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The 1967 movie Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner came to mind yesterday. Starred Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier.

Tracy and Hepburn are surprised by their daughter bringing home an African-American she wants to marry. The couple wants the parents’ approval. It must be given by midnight as the husband to be is off on a plane for Paris and the daughter wants to go with him.

Hepburn accepts her daughter’s decision. Through most of the movie, Tracy not.

Tracy and Hepburn go for a ride to talk things over. Tracy wants ice cream. They stop at an ice cream parlor. Tracy orders boysenberry. The last time he had boysenberry was at the same ice cream parlor 20 years earlier.

The boysenberry did not taste the same. Tracy made a face and complained to the server. The young lady looked at Tracy as if to say it was 20 years ago.

I am in Coconut Grove over night. The Volkswagen needed tuning at a Volks dealer. Staying at the Ritz Carlton.

The last time I was in Coconut Grove was 20 years ago. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton then, also. Still a great hotel. Totally remodeled.

Took an afternoon walk into Coconut Grove’s main area. Could not find anything I was looking for. Restaurants, stores, etc. from 20 years ago.

Stopped for lunch at an interesting pub. A good choice!

I asked the young lady serving where this and that was. She knew nothing of what I was talking about. I had told her I had last been in the Grove 20 years ago. She finally looked at me and said…..That was 20 years ago!

Just like the ice cream girl indicated to Spencer Tracy.

I thought to myself…..Louis, you got old and sound old. I am and sometimes do.

Joe’s Stone Crab for dinner last night. Always good, always the best!

The waiter told me Martha Stewart was two tables behind me and Billy Crystal at the other end of the room. Saw Stewart. Could not see Crystal.

I pick up the car at noon. Needed a lot of work. I have to return as they do not have all the parts necessary.

Tons of interesting things in this morning’s Key West Citizen.

The County Commission voted to buy a third helicopter. $2.5 million for a used one rehabilitated. A good move!

The Key West hospital is a large urgent care center. Size immaterial. It is the service that is available. Ergo, it is necessary to helicopter serious cases to Miami for care. In life and death situations where time is of the essence.

The County charges the patient only what his/her insurance pays. If no insurance, the charge is nothing. Applies only to County residents.

To contrast, the City Commission committed Key West to start  construction on the almost $4 million amphitheater. By a 4-2 vote.

The project is not ready for construction. Income costs have not been determined, parking for 1,500 cars not resolved, street access not worked out, etc..

There is a rush to begin construction. I cannot figure it out. I guarantee the final cost will be well above $4 million. Every thing Key West does is always astronomical in the end. The result of poor planning in the beginning.

David Wolkowsky rarely writes a Letter to the Editor. He did and it appeared in this morning’s Citizen. Short and to the point.

A Key West Naval History exhibit has opened at the Custom house. David attended.

Cori Convertino is curator. Cori, a Chart Room acquaintance. David said of the exhibit, “…..a major triumph for Cori Convertino, the curator.”

I must see the exhibit.

Enjoy your day!

GOING LIVE WITH KEY WEST LOU

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My new show debuts monday morning. Going Live with Key West Lou. On Facebook. The path to the show is Key West Lou and Live.

I will be available on everyone’s cell phones.

You will be able to see me as well as hear me. Not sure whether you will enjoy the show. Time will tell.

Several comments a day. Each short. Thirty to sixty seconds. Politics, social matters, sports, etc. Whatever turns me on at the moment. From wherever I am.

The show will be archived. You can find me any time of the day and listen/watch the shows to that time.

Today busy. A haircut with Lori. She is off for a three day/two night cruise to the Bahamas with friends. Says she did it before. Fun.

Fine tuned my blog talk radio show.

A hurried dinner at 5 Guys.

Show in the evening. Loved sharing Teddy Roosevelt’s story how he saved football. He did. I had minimal comments re the inauguration. Did comment, however.

Doing this blog early. Before 5 in the morning. Have to leave for Miami. Time for the Volkswagen to be tuned up. I need some clothes. Will shop while car being tuned.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

TONIGHT…..AQUA IDOL

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Tonight! Aqua Idol! The start of a new season.

From 6:30-8:00, 14 brand new contestants will vie to be the next Aqua Idol. A journey taking several weeks. Every tuesday evening till there is a winner.

At Aqua, of course.

The event a fundraiser. Held to support the Waterfront Playhouse. Lynda Frechette heads Aqua Idol. She scours the lower Keys for new contestants each season. Fourteen needed. They compete tonight for the first time.

Aqua Idol has been a popular event for years. Get to Aqua early if you wish a seat. It will be wall to wall.

I get cheated. I cannot be there. I will be into final preparations for my podcast show this evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9. A quick half hour of interesting political and social events. Accompanied by my comments, of course. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Football injuries are much in the news these days. Both pro and college ball. There was another time when football injuries were big time. The early 1900s. College ball. Pro ball was in its infant stages.

No helmets or shoulder pads in those days.

Deaths commonplace. A large number each season.

President Theodore Roosevelt got involved. He straightened things out. Had he not, football would have been banned in the United States. That close. Several prominent colleges had already banned football.

The opening topic this evening concerns Roosevelt and how he saved football.

Also, the inaugural this week. God help us! The Mexican people and their unhappiness. Major business closings. Some surprising. ISIS gaining ground in Albania. D.A.R.E. ends its anti-weed campaign. Plus, more.

Spent yesterday afternoon working on tonight’s blog talk radio show.

Then to Aqua for Dueling Bartenders. Tom and Rick. Sheila and David. Liz and Mary. And many more.

Dinner afterwards at Mangoes with Barbara and Liz. My first time to the new Mangoes. Lovely. Service excellent. Food merely ok. Not worth the cost.

Major announcement! My new show will begin monday. Going Live with Key West Lou. On Facebook. The show in addition to this blog and my tuesday night podcast.

You will see as well as hear me.

I will do several brief commentaries each day. Whatever strikes me at the moment. Whatever tickles my fancy. From wherever I am. All I have to do is pull out my cell phone and get to it.

The comments will be short. Generally 30-60 seconds.

Archived. Several commentaries can be read at one time.

I am excited. Hope it goes over well. Hope nothing pops up which causes me to push the opening date ahead.

Once again, a problem with stranded whales. Off Hog Key on the Gulf side of Florida. Ninety five whales involved. Eighty one already dead. Naturally or euthanized.

There have been stranded whales near Key West in past years. More than one time. I recall several years ago a pod stranded off Cudjoe Key. Went to take a look.

More than 500 volunteers and professionals appeared over a period of several days to help. Wet suits available to all who wanted to assist.

Some whales saved. Some died.

The effort impressive.

William Hackley mentioned yesterday his hope that what appeared to be a new Seminole War in 1856 would not be as expensive as previous ones. How expensive was expensive back in those days?

I did a bit of research. There were three Seminole Indian Wars. The first in the 1820s. the last 1855-1858.

Strange fact pattern. The federal government wanted to move the Florida Seminoles west to Oklahoma. Contrasted with the post Civil War years when the federal government was trying to move western Indians to Florida.

The Second Seminole War was the expensive one. Cost $30 million in a year when the federal budget was only $25 million. The basis for Hackley’s statement in 1856.

On this day in 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower spoke to the Nation. He warned to beware the “military-industrial complex.” He was well aware of their greedy nature and not necessarily acting in the best interests of the country.

Eisenhower was correct. His words not heeded. The military-industrial complex thriving. Encourages wars, overcharges, etc.

I close with Syracuse. My Syracuse. Settling in that this will not be one of Syracuse’s best seasons. Lost yesterday 85-68 to North Carolina.

Syracuse cannot play with the big guys this year.

Enjoy your day!

 

DAVID WOLKOWSKY

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In March of last year, I wrote an article in KONK Life about David Wolkowsky. Without David, the Key West of today would not have been. Blog readers outside the Key West area may not have had the opportunity to read the article. I print it here for those and as a refresher for you who might have read it.
Enjoy!
DAVID WOLKOWSKY
By Louis Petrone

How would you like to be 96 years old, look around your home town and say…..I am responsible for all this!

Only one person. David Wolkowsky. Without him, the Key West of today would not have been.

He is the father of modern Key West.

Mentioned merely at this point to show a part of David’s contribution. The Pier House and Jimmy Buffett.

David was born in Key West. A for real Conch. His grandfather Albert Wolkowsky settled in Key West in the late 1800s. Opened a fine clothing store on Duval Street.

David grew up in Key West and Miami. Attended the University of Pennsylvania. Remained in Philadelphia after graduation. He began restoring buildings. He is credited with the rejuvenation of Society Hill and Rittenhouse Square.

His successful efforts in Philadelphia made him a millionaire.

David returned to Key West in the early 1960s following the death of his father Issac Wolkowsky He was 40 at the time. Already financially secure.

David was not one to sit still. He was driven. He had to be busy.

The Wolkowsky family owned several properties in old town. He renovated them.

The original Sloppy Joe’s on Greene Street had been condemned. He bought the building and restored it. Today known as Captain Tony’s.

He developed property on Duval and Front Streets. The properties included Pirate’s Alley and the Original Cigar Factory.

Key West in the early 1960s was nowhere like it is today. Not even close. The island was neither Paradise nor a paradise setting.

David was a man of vision. He saw where others did/could not.

The gulf end of Duval Street a mess. Dirty and sloppy. No beach in sight.

David saw possibilities for the area. He purchased the old Cuban Ferry Dock for $106,000. A steal.

The Porterhouse Steamship office was located on the property. He removed it from its foundation and transported it 300 feet. Set the building on pilings in 40 feet of water. Turned it into Tony’s Fish Market. A cocktail lounge and restaurant. A successful undertaking. Guests able to watch shrimp boats moving along on the water.

David wanted to transform Key West into a funky tourist destination. Unconventional, he sought the offbeat.

In 1967, David began construction on a 50 room motel. It was constructed around Tony’s Fish Market. When the 50 rooms were completed, he quickly added 50 more. These facing the ocean. Demand was that good.

David called the motel the Pier House Resort Motel. From which today’s Pier House grew.

The motel had a bar. Called the Chart Room. Still there today. Never renovated since constructed. People drink and raise hell in the same atmosphere as when built.

David sold the Pier House in the late 1970s.

Jimmy Buffett came to town in 1971. Knew very few people. Buffett an unknown. Best described, he was a young man with a guitar who enjoyed his cocktails. His last stop prior to Key West was Austin, Texas. The Austin Buffett sat on his front porch drinking and singing tunes he had composed.

One of his Austin hangouts was Lung’s Cocina del Sar. A bar. Where Buffett met up with Margaritas. The beginning of his search for a casual new place with a who cares attitude. A tropical climate was required. A beach resort place.

Buffet and David met. David was taken by him. Permitted Buffett to play in the Chart Room for tips. Later, for pay. Buffett says David was the first to pay him.

The relationship continues to today. The two close friends and occasional business partners.

Buffett was searching for his Shangrila when first he came to Key West. He called it Margaritaville. He found it in Key West.

Bob Marley also got his start via David at the Pier House Motel.

The Pier House became a magnate for celebrities. David’s personality attracted them.

One was Truman Capote. He came to Key West to spend the winter. At David’s Pier House Motel.

David was living next to the Pier House in a 45 foot 2 bedroom trailer. Ten feet from the water. While having a drink with David in his luxurious trailer, Capote said he wanted to rent the trailer. David acquiesced after some back and forth banter. David moved to a suite in the Motel. Capote into the trailer.

During his three month stay, Capote wrote Answered Prayers.

Capote described the Pier House as “elegant inefficiency.”

The Pier House motel was the beginning of the new Key West. David is credited with putting Key West on the road to becoming a major tourist destination.

Along the way, David built the Reach Resort on the Atlantic side of Key West.

David kept a low profile. He possessed a sly humor. Drove around Key West in a golf cart or his beloved 1926 Rolls Royce. Generally seen in a Panama hat. Several pair of sunglasses on the hat, some hanging from his neck.

David also did what only David could do. He built a house on an uninhabited private island 8 miles off Key West. Built it while building the Pier House. The island called Ballast Key.

David the visionary is exhibited in the construction of the house on Ballast Key.

There was a speakeasy on stilts which also marked the entrance to the North West Channel in Key West. It had burned down. David collected drawings and photographs  of the speakeasy. He wanted his Ballast Key home to look precisely like the speakeasy.

He accomplished his aim.

David had a love for Key West history. What to name his Ballast Key home? Easy. Hemingway House.

The story is David fed his guests at Ballast Key hot dogs, wine and potato chips. The laborers working on the house, chocolate pudding and souffles from the Pier House kitchen. Transported on David’s private barge.

David was known world wide. Many came to visit David and Key West. Better stated, they came to enjoy time with David while seeing Key West. David the attraction.

David entertained at Ballast Key. Major figures. Most if not all his friends. The likes of Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, Prince Michael of Greece, Gloria Estefan, Rudolph Nureyev and the Bee Gees. Last but not least, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Mellons.

Again, all were fed hot dogs, wine and potato chips.

A  Kress Five and Dime was located on Duval Street. David and a small number of  friends bought the building. Three stories. David had a penthouse apartment constructed for himself on the third floor. The Parole Board was on the second floor. Kress, the first. The Kress portion later became Fast Buck Freddie’s.

David’s fame brought him some not unpleasant notoriety.

The novel License To Kill has 007 calling David to say, “David, it’s James Bond…I’ve broken into your island. I hope you don’t mind.”

Town & Country magazine carried a Man Of The Month section. In 1955, David was the March Man of the Month. Cary Grant the April Man of the Month.

Grant was in good company.

David worked diligently to preserve the best of old Key West. He is primarily responsible for the lack of high rises. He worked vigorously to prevent high rise buildings.

Charity wise, David was a giver. A concerned individual. Teachers an example. In 2000, he set up a Teacher Merit Awards Fund. Each year, $25,000 is given to 1 teacher and $5,000 each to nine. Recognition of the outstanding teachers of the given year. David was of the opinion that teachers had to be nurtured and protected.

David Wolkowsky. A legend in his own time. Owed so much. Asked nothing in return. His goal to create a better Key West. He did. His stamp on everything.

MOLASSES FLOODS BOSTON STREETS

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Key West is accustomed to street flooding.

If a rain fall is heavy and it is high tide, the sewers cannot take the rain water. Intersections become lakes. Some as deep as two to three feet.

Hurricanes are no stranger to street flooding. Wilma comes to mind. Six and a half feet of water. Not just pouring over the streets. Into homes. Level six and a half feet, also.

On this date in 1919, Boston experienced a significant flooding. Twenty one killed. Dozens of horses, also.

Not water, however. Molasses.

The U.S. Industrial Alcohol Building contained a 58 foot high tank. The tank holding 2.5 million gallons of crude molasses. The tank exploded. Flowed  into and flooded the streets.

Took two weeks to clean the streets. Not bad. It took one to two years to clean up the Wilma mess. I refer specifically to home damage.

Spent yesterday afternoon quietly reading. Stories involving U.S. forces in Europe during World War II.

Then at 4, the Syracuse/Boston college game. Syracuse won 96-81. Interesting since Boston College decisively defeated Syracuse in a game New Year’s Day.

Syracuse’s fabled zone defense was working yesterday. Made Boston College look terrible.

As Boeheim continues to say, Syracuse wins if it plays its special defense hard. If not, Syracuse loses.

What Syracuse needs is consistency. The big post season tournament is slipping away.

Dinner last night at Berlin’s. Decided on beef. A filet mignon. As good as any I have enjoyed at a New York City steak house.

The local community college has steadily grown during my many Key West years. First, a two year community school. Now a four year institution. Presently offering a bachelor’s degree in a certain business area. This summer, a four year nursing degree.

No more a community college. The Florida Keys Community College needed a new name consistent with its movement to four year degrees.

The front page of this morning’s Key West Citizen announces such. Beginning this summer, the name will change. To The College of the Florida Keys.

Congratulations to The College of the Florida Keys. Congratulations to the administrators and faculty who worked hard to make it so.

I have many times criticized the Key West City Commission. Bunglers. Know not what they do. Inept.

Today’s Key West Citizen editorial takes on the Commission and its many shortcomings. Its sins itemized.

The editorial titled: Why Doesn’t the Commission Listen?

The editorial one of the best written in the many years I have read the Citizen. It publicly admonishes the Commission to shape up.

I doubt it will help. Commission members are hard headed. Several times I have engaged one or another with a question, complaint, etc. In each instance, the reason for the particular Commission action was supported by a non-nonsensical reason.

They cannot see. Thinkers they are not.

William Healey continues to suggest a concern re a Florida Indian uprising in 1856.

He mentions several travelers came down to Key West from the Miami River and corroborated the news he had received one day earlier that the Indians might wage war again. He mentions ten Indians also arrived.

Ernest Hemingway’s grandson will appear at the San Carlos on January 26. John Hemingway will discuss Pamplona and running with the bulls. The setting of his grandfather’s The Sun Also Rises.

Ernest Hemingway never ran. His World War I leg injuries prevented his participation. His grandson John not so affected. John has made the run 16 times. Never gored!

John’s appearance is sponsored by the very active Key West Art and Historical Society.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

LA LA LAND

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La La Land. Movie extraordinaire! The musical reborn!

Viewed the movie last night. Wow! That good!  A musical. Fact and fiction intertwined. Great acting, singing, dancing, and story line.

A tear jerker. My eyes moist more than once.

Stopped at La Concha happy hour first last night. Then a short walk to David Wolkowsky’s high in the sky home. Followed by the movie.

David the gracious host. What a man! Ninety seven and still going strong.

The party was to introduce distinguished author and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert A. Caro to David’s friends.

Some old friends at the event. Made some new ones. One of the yesterday acquaintances was Jean Carper. A distinguished authoress n her own right. Her books have sold millions of copies. They tell her readers how to use nature/food to cure ills.

Jean recently celebrated her 85th birthday. She looks the same as when I first met her 20 plus years ago. A beauty!

I recall 20 years ago when I had the head cold of head colds. Sneezing constantly. Nose always running. Felt terrible. Anti-histamines not in vogue as today.

I had one of Jean’s books. Looked up head cold. Jean said eat raw garlic. Two cloves every two hours. Worked! The head cold symptoms gone within minutes.

There was  a negative. The house and I smelled big time of garlic. My wife would not sleep with me that night.

Jean’s brother lives in Saquoit, NY, a suburb of Utica.

Met a Judge who sits on some sort of international court on behalf of the United States. Born and raised in Walton, NY. Upstate. Went to Albany Law.

The Judge’s wife charming and lovely.

After the movie, stopped into the Chart Room for a night cap. John bartending. David holding down his bar end seat. Always good to see David.

Actually, two Davids. Kentucky fan David who joined me at Jack Flats a couple of weeks ago. He to watch Kentucky play. I, Syracuse. We sat next to each other. Two screens in front of us. I watched Syracuse on one and David Kentucky on the other.

A busy evening! My mid day found me at Lee Nails with Tammy. My weekly manicure.

Tammy got her new pick up truck last week. She was all excited as we went out side so she could show me. A big one! Huge tires! Tammy is under five feet. I questioned her ability to get in and out. No sweat, her response.

Tammy’s driving around Key West will speak loud and clear…..Don’t screw with me!

This morning’s Key West Citizen front page reports that the South Roosevelt Boulevard issue is going before the City Commission tuesday night. Not a final vote type thing. Merely to get the sense of the community from Commission members.

The worst group to decide/comment/speak for the citizens of Key West.

The issue whether to leave South Roosevelt as it is or switch to two lanes. A no brainer. Most want it left alone. Four easy lanes.

The State makes the final decision. A State representative says opinions seem equally divided. Ergo, he wanted the Commission’s viewpoint.

I don’t know who the State rep has been talking to. Again, most want the four lanes left alone.

I wrote re the issue a couple of weeks ago. I stated that bicycle lobbyists were behind the move. They want lanes set aside just for bicycles. Don’t laugh. True. The bicycle lobbyist is one of the strongest in Tallahassee.

An interesting comment from William Hackley’s diary for this date in 1856. Hackley reported his concern that another Indian war was coming “costing more than the whole state is worth.”

The Florida of yesterday not the Florida of today.

Syracuse/Boston College at 4 today. Syracuse a 12 point favorite. I am back to I don’t know. A terrible Syracuse season.

Enjoy your day!