A Truman Day to remember.

It was on this day in 1948 that the Chicago Tribune jumped the gun and mistakenly declared New York Governor Thomas Dewey had defeated Truman. Front page headline: Dewey Defeats Truman. 

Truman had won!

The Chicago Tribune wanted to be the first to announce Truman’s defeat. Everyone thought Truman would be defeated. Except Truman, of course. The Tribune published early and before the polls were closed.

H. V. Kaltenborn was similarly greedy and quick to the punch. He was a national radio broadcaster for NBC. Before the polls were closed, he announced Dewey’s victory and Truman’s defeat.

Was Kaltenborn surprised!

Truman let neither forget. For years he showed off the newspaper to audiences and joked about the Tribune. Kaltenborn had a unique twang to his voice. Truman learned how to copy it and would mimic Kaltenborn every chancce he got for years.

I was privileged to enjoy two experiences re Truman’s 1948 election.

In the Fall of 1948, Truman was campaigning from the back of a train. All over the United States. He appeared in Utica at the railroad station on the back of the train. I was in the eighth grade. Two of my buddies and I rode our bicycles to the station to hear the President speak. Hundreds were there by the time we arrived. We politely but brazenly maneuvered our bicycles so we were in the front row looking up at the President.

In 1960, I was a senior at the Syracuse University College of Law. Truman had been out of office for years. He was at Syracuse University for a series of talks. A luncheon was organized at which Syracuse’s 12 outstanding students would privately meet and dine with Truman. I was picked to represent the Law School. I wasn’t the smartest law student. Only graduated 16th in my class. However, I had recently won a regional moot court competition. First time Syracuse had ever won and I suspect that was the reason I was selected.

It was a big deal. I was seated next to Truman. What a luncheon companion!

Truman in his talk had a copy of the November 3, 1948 issue of the Chicago Tribune with the glaring headline that Dewey had defeated him. He showed it and joked about it. He also mimicked H. V. Kaltenborn. Perfectly. 

Never forget Truman is an integral part of Key West’s history also. He made 11 trips totaling 175 days when he was President visiting Key West. He also returned after he had left the Presidency. Key West loves Truman!

On this day in 1965, Sears opened a store in the “new shopping center” on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

I miss Sears! It was the best we had. Did not think so when I first moved here 30 years ago. Learned when Sears left, something is better than nothing.

New House Speaker Johnson is already playing games. He had the House pass a $14.5 billion aid package for Israel. Much less than Biden and the Senate say is needed. Nothing for Ukraine.

Heard from Steve Thompson. He sent a photo from he and Cindy in the Canary Islands.

I could not recall the name of Kelly McGillis’ first Key West restaurant in my article the other day. Went with its next name First Flight. Since the article, several have noted my error. The name of Kelly’s first restaurant was Kelly’s Caribbean. Sorry.

Syracuse/Boston College football tonight at 7:30 on ESPN.

I have no enthusiasm left to express.

A new scientific discovery! Starfish do have heads. The entire starfish is the head. As the starfish developed over the centuries, its body was “expressed” and only the head remains. All five sections.

The study was led by a group of scientists at Stanford University and the University of Southampton.

I subscribe and believe college campuses are places for free thought. However, there is a limit to everything in this world. Campus theoretical and intellectual exchanges have gotten out of hand.

Cornell is one of the finest higher education institutions in the world, not just the United States.

The anti-Semitic threats are exceeding reasonableness. A 21 year old junior has been arrested and federally charged for a series of online posts which threatened to kill and harm Cornell’s Jewish students.

As a result, Cornell has cancelled today’s classes because of the “extraordinary stress” the campus is experiencing because of the arrest and further because of the unease over the Israel-Hamas war which has been escalating for weeks.

“Now and Then” is the newest final Beatles song. One which modern science has made possible. Two live and two dead Beatles will be heard performing together!

Aging frequently on my mind. Understandable. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar thinks about it also. He describes one facet of aging as an eternal fight between mind and body: “Sometimes I feel like the real me is slowly peeling away from my body like old, dried wallpaper. Sometimes we are like a doddering old couple who once were in love and now are just roommates silently tolerating each other.”

Enjoy your day!

 There are dead bodies buried all over Key West. A valid representation.

Son in law Corey Malcom did a lecture this morning titled The Many Cemeteries of Key West. Final conclusion to the effect that the island of Key West is Cayeo Hueso, which translates to bone island. The only problem Corey said was that the Cayeo Hueso title is a false one. There is no factual data to support it, other than a sole representation by a person several hundred years ago.

Corey set forth the history of Key West cemeteries. Thirteen over the years. The first where Truman Annex stands today. Begun in 1822. Referred to today as the Old Grave Yard. Some Truman Annex residents living over dead bodies.

By 1845, people were being buried all over Key West. Almost where they dropped. In back of homes, all of the south beach area, etc. Then came the hurricane of 1846, swept the randomly buried bodies up and drove them into the ocean. Something had to be done. The City purchased land to create what is today’s City Cemetery. Condemned houses to do it.

However, people were still buried helter skelter. One of the Mallory daughters is buried at or near Hog’s Breath for example. Today’s Audubon House originally was the Geiger House. Four of Geiger’s daughters are buried in the backyard of the Audubon House  Salt pond dead bodies were buried behind what is now Beal’s on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

There was a special cemetery for “lost souls.” Those who died in or near Key West, but had no connection to Key West. Like sailors.

There is an African Cemetery at Higgs Beach. Slave ship deads from the 1860 era. Buried in the Higgs Beach area. Discovery began in 2008. Actual number buried 296. Initially only 15 graves discovered. Corey worked on this project. Eventually more discovered. Basically in three areas. Where the first 15 were found, on the other side of the West Martello Fort, and across the street where the former dog park was located.

Higgs Berach is actually a compilation of several other small old cemeteries also.

A Post Cemetery still exists. A former military cemetery. 

Four hundred bodies were dug up and reburied near Pensacola. A Washington, D.C. decision. However, the cemetery still exists because the bodies of family members were not exhumed since they were not “military.” Also still remaining are the bodies of  “Buffalo negroes.” They were blacks who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Not considered citizens at the time.

There are bodies around churches and under them. St. Paul’s an example. Under and about. Still burying members in the Church’s backyard.

Dead buried bodies everywhere. Ergo, Corey says Key West is truly “an island of bones.” 

Excellent lecture!

Met two charming women at the lecture. Nancy Seidel and Betty Darst. Nancy a library board member. Both ladies read the blog. Love ’em!

This is a Malcom day. Grandson Robert has another article published in Nole GameDay: “Pitt HC Pat Nardazzi Discusses Florida State Matchup, Challenge of Defending Jordan Travis.” Nolegameday.com.

I was exhausted by dinner time. However knew I had to get out. Showered again. Always makes me feel better. Headed to Brady’s for dinner. And Corala, The best bartender in town! Sweet, charming and attractive.

I had not eaten all day. Not the time to drink. Only had a bloody Mary. Wanted the tomato juice. Enjoyed fish and chips and Corala.

Corala has an 11 year old son. This Halloween he wanted to go out with his friends. Too old for Mom! How well I remember my four and Robert and Ally. i loved walking along as they trick and treated. Then they were too old for me. Sad!

Corala has an elderly father who resides in Ireland. She often speaks of him. Visits him for one month every two years. A good daughter! 

Between the pandemic and a few extra years of age on top of it, I have had to begin getting out again. I am doing well. However how much I missed! For example, I drove over by the new Casa Marina and the beach next door the other day. Where there were several beat up tennis courts, there now stand 20-30 pickle ball courts. Were they packed! Primarily 50-70 year olds.

I thought no way for me at 88. Nor would I have done it 20 years ago. I have always feared a heart attack. I have had a bum heart for 20 years.

A Sons of Italy friend from several years ago, moved to the Villages right after Irma. He played pickle ball here. Was always trying to get me to join him. No way!

Two months after moving to the Villages, he had a heart attack and quadruples by-pass.

Putin signed a bill revoking Russia’s participation in the nuclear test ban treaty. He keeps threatening. He screwed up Russia with Ukraine. I visualize Iran and North Korea at some point joining in a nuclear war threat. Perhaps even China.

What the hell is going on? I blame Trump for all the crazy things happening. He showed a different U.S. to the world. One which continues to worsen.

I have been critical of the TDC for 3 years. Occasionally asking why do they continued to spend so much money for advertising when there were already too many tourists coming to Key West. Too many bodies continues to endanger and fragment Key West.

The TDC took in $59 million last year.

Today’s news advises the TDC is under scrutiny. Its spending raising “serious ethical concerns, possible law breaking.”

Heads will roll in due course.

Enjoy your day!

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter’s is perhaps the finest piece of art created by man. It was opened to the public for the first time this day in 1512. Michelangelo the genius who painted the ceiling.

Michelangelo began the work in 1508 when he was 33. He finished when he was 37.

The ceiling is known as “the Creation of Adam.” Clearly shows the stretching of God’s finger and Adam’s finger toward each other.

Michelangelo returned to the Sistine chapel in 1534 to paint “The Last Judgment” on the wall behind the altar.

I was fortunate to have visited the Sistine Chapel 35 yeas ago and to have viewed the ceiling’s magnificence. An emotional experience.

Steve and Cindy Thompson were in Rome this past week. I urged both of them to view Michelangelo’s work. It is a once in a lifetime experience.

Watched an old movie on TV last night. Top Gun. Starred Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Brought back memories of Kelly McGillis.

She and her then husband lived in Key West before, during and after the movie was made. Their home was in Key Haven as was mine.  Did not know Kelly well. I was friendly with her husband. We would run into each other at parties, etc.

The two purchased 3 restaurants during that time. One was First Flight which originally was the building that housed the offices of Pan American Airlines. Pan American began  in Key West.

They also owned The Grand. The third restaurant’s name I cannot recall.

Kelly now lives in North Carolina. Returns every year in September for Womenfest.

Spoke with Fran Dixon in Buffalo last night. Wished her a Happy Birthday! Still a kid! Fifteen years younger than me. She and Tom will be down Thanksgiving week. I look forward to their visit.

Jimmy Buffett was born on Christmas Day. The day may have imbued him with the joy and happiness he was able to spread during his lifetime.

Fantasy Fest is for adults. No question an adult party. No place for children.

I read somewhere about a local father who complained that while he was walking through Fantasy Fest with his two young children, two woman passed by completely nude. Not even sprayed anywhere.

The father was justified in saying not for his children’s eyes to see. On the other hand, what was he doing walking with them through Fantasy Fest? These moralistic complainers bug the hell out of me!

There is a nationwide shortage of milk carton material. The material used to create one pint school milk cartons.

The country may run out of milk cartons this week. Even worse, the shortage could last several months.

Rick Ramsay is the best of the best when it comes to Sheriffs. An example is his announcement yesterday that he had returned certain monies to the County. Monies he had not spent in the fiscal year. $2,705,921. 

Politicians either spend or overspend. Rarely return a penny. Our Sheriff returned $2.7 million.

As it turns out, a sad and embarrassing day in American history. Clarence Thomas took his place as the newest Justice on the Supreme Court this day in 1991.

Too many religious zealots. The most recent to come to our attention is the new House Speaker Mike Johnson. More dangerous than Jim Jordan would have been. Johnson comes on to us with a smile and friendly manner. It covers a MAGA fanatic.

Do not be deceived!

Ron DeSantis is a liar. Similar to Donald Trump. He swears he does not wear lifts. Photos taken the past few years clearly show he does.

Why does he not own up to it? No one really cares if he wears them. Why lie?

I was born in 1935. I am 88. A life expectancy table indicates men born in 1935 had a life expectancy of 59.9 years.

I am not complaining the stats are incorrect as applied to me. Happy so!

Donald Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr. takes the stand today in the New York City civil fraud trial. His testimony, or number of times he takes the 5th Amendment, should be interesting.

Enjoy your day!

My new landlord is off on a 2 1/2 week European trip. I need his WiFi to do the blog. Forgot to get it. Ergo, I am writing from the library this morning. Not bad.

Son in law Corey saved my ass. I am in his office in the library doing the blog and will do so till the landlord returns. 

Finally totally moved into the new abode. A bit small. Comfortable, however. I set it up right. Going to hang some art. Four or five pieces, in addition to two already up. A painting of my mother. She is always with me. And a small framed photo of Robert and Ally when they were both under 5 peeking out from behind some trees.

I felt my age for the first time the past few days. I was 88! Constantly tired, ankles blown up, etc. Grateful it is all behind me.

I took a break for lunch. Harpoon Harry’s. Tuesday is lasagna day special.

All the years I have been frequenting Harpoon Harry’s, I never saw a particular sign on the wall. A chicken looking to cross a street. The writing  got to me: I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.

Applies also to most of the people in our country today. They question everything and do too much inquiring into everything.

I have learned from a lifetime of experiences that good deeds do not go unrewarded. The number of people  who pitched in in various ways to help. Not the physical part of moving. The multitude of other things involved. I thank them all.

It’s behind me! Thank God!

I locked the car keys in the trunk yesterday. A disaster! In the middle of moving, of course. Got someone to help. An expert. One who does this for a living. I was glad to have found him. The company is Admirals Lock & Safe. Owned by the husband and wife team of Les and Tami Moyer. Took a while, but they got it done. I highly recommend them!

Today is Fran Dixon’s birthday. Happy birthday, Fran! Thirty nine again!

Miss you and love you. Can’t wait for your return later in November.

English poet John Keats was born this day in 1795. Died at the age of 31 in Rome, Italy.

I had the rare privilege 35 years ago to accidently trip on his home where he died. It was in Rome, Italy. I was on a one month trip with my then wife, four children and parents. My wife and daughters were spending the day spending money on Rome’s most expensive street whose name escapes me. It runs down from the Spanish steps.

I was wandering around alone killing time. A three story building immediately next to the Steps caught my eye. i went to examine it. A small brass plaque next to the door read “John Keats.” I recalled the name from my English studies in college years earlier. An English poet who died at an early age. 

The building was his memorial. I saw the room where he died. Next to it was a portion of his library of works. All under glass, of course.

A sheet of rumbled brown paper caught my eye. Actually the words written on it: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” First read them in college.

Keats died at a young age. His talent not lost however. Exist all these years later and will into the future. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” is for the ages.

We have become one f–ked up country! Trump’s position on religion in a recent speech: “If you don’t like our religion, we don’t want you in our country and you are NOT getting in!”

Trump speaking up for Christion nationwide! Not freedom of religion in my book!

UAW auto strike has ended. Last deal made with Ford. 

Enjoy your day!

Again last night! Brady’s Irish Pub on Flagler. Second night in a row. I obviously like the place.

I’m still moving. Tired last night. Not in the mood for the Fantasy Fest Parade. Instead a quick shower and I was off to Brady’s for dinner.

Turned out to be a wise choice.

Enjoyed good company and good food. Food first. Shepard’s Pie. Outstanding!

Met 3 new guys. A locals place. Jimmy, Mark and Mikey.

Jimmy has been in Key West for 3 years. Came down for a visit and stayed. He is a tattoo artist. Operates Southern Post Tattoo on Duval.

Mark has dual residences. South Carolina and Key West. Back and forth several times a year. Sells industrial equipment. A deeply religious man. Blew my mind. Into Ra. Still not sure what it is. Heavy stuff. Promised to have lunch with him to learn more.

Mikey like me. Has been in Key West for years. In his case, 20. Makes his living painting. Houses, etc.

All 3 consider Brady’s “their hangout.” The way it should be.

I am in the process of moving. Coming across things long forgotten. One a 2014 KONK Life publication. Guy DeBoer was kind enough to plug my first book by running a picture of me and the book on the cover page. I rerun it here for your perusal. Excited me then, excites me now. The book was a series of essays by me titled The World Upside Down. Nine years later, I again say: “Thank you, Guy.”

I periodically complain about the condition of certain Key West streets. My voice and that of others, voices in the wilderness. The right people do not listen. Nothing ever gets done.

Eaton Street is one of Key West’s most popular. A key street. The ruts/holes get any deeper, some car is going to fall in and its driver will get out in China. That bad!

The reason for the failure to repair is coming to light. Eaton, as  well as several other streets, are owned by the County. City claims County being negligent in not repairing. My admonition is City Commissioners get on the County Commissioners’ asses and get the job done. Lack of title is not a valid excuse for City Commissioners not to have applied pressure.

Florida State did it again! Won another game. Now 8-0. Wowie! Beat Wake Forest 41-16.

Only 5 teams left undefeated in major college football. Florida state one of them. Ranked #4 nationally.

My grandson Robert reported on the game immediately afterwards. He is an intern with Nole Gameday. Writes for them, has a reserved seat in the press box, follows Florida State sports. And only a sophomore!

His article last night: “Florida State Fans React to Florida State University’s Impressive 41-16 Win Over Wake Forest.” You can it find at NoleGameday.com.

Bad guys keep gaining ground. Steve Banner, for example. He stands in front with Trump re using the House to adversely affect House activities. Banner is as far right a political activist as a person can get. He has stood for years in the forefront of tearing down the U.S. government. In fact, all governments. He is a destroyer.

Bannon issued a stern warning to Congressional Republicans imploring them to reject compromise on funding legislation and to shut the government down.

As I have written several times in the past, Bannon, together with Newt Gingrich, has had his nose in Vatican business in an effort to bring Pope Francis’ Papacy down and replace it with U.S. bishops who are opposed to Francis and give him a hard time every chance they get.

Federal Judge Aileen Cannon is “slowing” and “stalling” the Mar-a-Lago documents case to the benefit of Trump. Trump appointed, she is a disgrace to the bench. Justice is supposed to be blind and not play favorites.

I doubt Speaker Mike Johnson will have a a Republican majority sufficient to win special votes as he proceeds. He received a majority when elected Speaker only because Republicans wanted to avoid further embarrassment.

I am glad Pence dropped out of the Presidential race. He never would have made it. Additionally if he had been elected, he would have made a terrible Presidnet. His religious beliefs are so far off the wall so as to be abnormal. 

The man has always scared me because of those beliefs. The new Speaker Johnson does also. A religious fanatic. He believes religion and government are intertwined, not separate.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I have not been a fan of Syracuse Coach Dino Babers in recent years. Definitely not this year. The man has to go! He probably would have been let go last year. However central administration did not want to cough up the money necessary to dismiss Babers. My recollection is it was something like $6 million.

Last night was another Syracuse disaster. Virginia Tech defeated Syracuse 38-10. Syracuse’s fourth consecutive loss. Time for Babers to move on following the conclusion of this season.

I have only so much blood to give for my alma mater. My orange blood supply is rapidly diminishing.

For several years, Maine was the safest state to live. In fact, it was only last monday it was so recognized again. Then came the mass shooting where 18 were killed and 13 injured. The numbers may be off. Every time I read or hear of them, they are slightly different.

Whatever.

Maine will no longer be deemed the safest state after the mass shooting this week.

When will our lawmakers wake up and pass the necessary legislation to make future killings next to impossible? Time they started thinking first about constituents and  place money in a secondary position.

I doubt the new Speaker Mike Johnson will do well. He is as far right as any MAGA legislator can be. An election denialist. Aggressively so. A Trump favorite. Do not be misled by his charming personality and ways. He is going to be difficult to deal with.

I am still moving. A gigantic pain in the ass! And I have 5 people helping me. We began yesterday. Packing. Still packing. Four helping at the moment. One more later in the day. Plan is to move saturday. Not sure we’ll make it. I have till tuesday to actually be out. The wear and tear on my ass is too much. I had to use my nitroglycerin spray this morning. I definitely am not the man I used to be.

I am going from large to small. Rented a 15 x 10 storage space.

Did not go out last night. Poured myself a drink and then went to bed. Been up and at it since 6 this morning. I’m too old for this bullshit!

Blog will continue to be short till I am settled in in my new quarters.

Enjoy your day!

I have always considered thursday night the best part of Fantasy Fest. Two major events.

The best of the best is Toga Party. Technically, Sloppy Joe’s. Actually, all of Duval and adjoining side streets. People galore scantily attired in abbreviated white sheets. Women exposing personal parts for beads. All eyes wide open taking in the events.

Many women walking about with breasts totally exposed. Spray painted. Palm trees, flamingoes, etc. Expensive art. Street artists getting $100 plus for their efforts.

No question, thursday toga is an adult party. 

The second major event is the Headdress Ball. Coffee Butler Amphitheater at 8 pm. A spectacular show. Huge head attire on participants. Tall! Magnificently done. How they balance the huge headdresses is beyond me. Accompanied by great music. Not adult entertainment. A tasteful event, enjoyable in its own right for viewing.

When I would frequent thursday evenings, my evening would begin with the Headdress Ball and then to Duval for toga time. 

A great evening. Followed by total exhaustion.

Another article by grandson Robert Malcom . Published just one hour ago this morning: “Wake Forest Head Coach Dave Clawson Discusses Matchup Against Florida State.” Great reading. NoleGameday.com.

I am still in the midst of moving.

Enjoy your day!

Short blog today. Busy moving this week. Did not intend to write this morning. However last night too good not to share.

I went to The Grand for Happy Hour. Had to park 3 blocks away. The walk a killer!

Key West is mobbed! Unusual for so early in the Fantasy Fest week. Everyone partying big time already. Many will not make it to saturday night and the parade.

The crowd primarily middle aged. As many men in tutus as women. Highly unusual. Stupid also I thought. Men look ridiculous in tutus.

Several women were pantyless under their tutus. Something new. Rare. Illegal, of course. From a voyeur point of view, interesting. 

My blog for the day. Moving problems/details of primary concern.

Grandson Robert Malcom has an article in NoleGameday today. The article: Florida State Linebacker Tatum Bethune Is Eager to Make His Mark Against Wake Forest. NoleGameday.com.

Enjoy your day!

I am excited today to update you re my grandson Robert Malcom. He makes me proud.

Robert is a sophomore at Florida State. In the College of Communications studying Digital Media Production. Doing well academically. My recollection is all As and 2 Bs his freshman year to which he added 2 more As this summer via online courses. It is not his grades alone which please me. It is something else which I now share with you.

One of Robert’s first year courses involved media writing. His professor apparently was impressed with Robert’s work and brought Robert to the attention of Dustin Lewis. Lewis is the Editor in Chief of NoleGameday. A publication that can be found at NoleGameday.com. The publication a daily one. It has to do with Florida State sports. Not directly affiliated with Florida State. 

The professor sent a copy of something Robert had written to Lewis and suggested Lewis might be interested in bringing Robert on board NoleGameday.

Lewis did. 

NoleGameday has a staff of 6 in addition to Lewis. All are paid employees, except for Robert. Robert is an intern and works for the glory and experience involved. You will be impressed with what Robert does.

He is up with the football team mornings and at the field at 8. He is with them at other times including games.

During the games, he sits in the press box where the for real reporters sit. Robert has a chair reserved for him. With Florida State ranked #4, a couple of national sport reporters also are in the box. Robert’s function is to take notes re the game and write a column which NoleGameday generally will publish the next day. He also is responsible for videoing certain game events on the field for social media such as Instagram.

During the week, Robert writes re the players, the next game and anything which excites him at the moment. He is published 3-4 times a week.

His most recent article was published yesterday. It shares Robert’s thoughts re Florida State’s victory over Duke saturday. A game Florida State fans thought their team was going to lose till Florida State’s dynamic 4th quarter. The article is titled: Florida State Fans, Former Players, React to The Seminoles’ Thrilling Win Over Duke. You may wish to read it.

I am impressed with Robert’s writing. Not merely because he is my grandson. Rather because it is good. As good as the many articles I refer to you to read in my daily blog. Ergo every time Robert publishes, I will be mentioning the article.

Today is officially Day 2 of Fantasy Fest.

Fantasy Fest starts slowly and builds each day during the week. By thursday, it is is on a roll. Saturday brings 60,000 to 80,000 fans yelling and screaming as the Parade goes by. I don’t know where they all sleep. Not enough hotel/motel beds in all the Keys to accommodate such a number. I suspect many sleep on the beach that night.

Today finds all kinds of parties in the Duval Street area. Walk around and enjoy.

Is this the last year for painted boobs?

Key West Mayor Johnston is opposed to them and wants them banned beginning next year. Why, I am not sure. Maybe it’s a woman’s thing.

Anyhow, the banning does not make sense to me. I have been a Johnston supporter since she first ran. She is wrong in this instance, however. Painted breasts have become an integral part of Fantasy Fest.

I do not believe the issue will gain Commission or public support. A few religious zealots will support Johnson’s position. That is all, I suspect.

Banning painted female breasts will result in downplaying the adult attraction aspect of Fantasy Fest. Tourists do not come for a Halloween costume party. They come for the down and dirty. The merchants know it. The hotels/motels, bars, restaurants, etc. will scream if such a ban is imposed. Later October is dead time for them. Fantasy Fest gives them an economic shot they need during that time of year.

Mitt Romney recently hit out at Donald Trump, saying Trump represents a “failure of character.”

Mildly stated.

Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS are closing thousands of stores. Leaves the U.S. in a dangerous situation for older adults. Where closings have occurred, a trend has begun indicating older adults fail to take their prescribed medications.

Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy sunday, announcing it was closing 400-500 of its 2,200 stores.  Walgreens closings come amid walkouts by pharmacists over low pay and understaffed stores.

A major reason drug stores are hurting economically is because of lower reimbursement rates for prescription drugs.

No evidence linking the Detroit synagogue President’s fatal stabbing to anti-Semitism says Detroit’s police chief. 

I find the police chief’s conclusion strange under the the growing anti-Semitism which is evident in the U.S. Simply hard to buy! What facts did he rely on?

Five days after Hamas accused Israel of bombing a hospital in Gaza City and killing thousands of people, Hamas has yet to produce or describe any evidence linking Israel to the strike, says it cannot find the munition that hit the site, and has declined to provide detail to support its count of the casualties.

Hamas is known to “lie.” The world was quick to accept the lie. Such happens in war related reports. However everyone should take a deep breath first before accepting such representations. Especially when it comes from a group such as Hamas whose history is that of a liar.

The Detroit Pistons waived Buddy Boeheim. Boeheim was cut saturday, just 2 days ahead of the NBA’s monday deadline for teams to finalize their opening night rosters.

What’s next for the former Syracuse basketball star and son of Jim Boeheim?

Enjoy your day!

Big day today. Two major events.

One is the Zombie Bike Ride. Big not sufficient to describe. Several thousand will participate. Family friendly. Everyone costumed in one fashion or another. All bike riding.

A pre-party from 2-6 pm at Fort East Martello. The actual bike ride begins at 6. Streets along the route totally blocked with cyclists. The  ride 4 miles. Begins at East Martello. Then along the ocean down South Roosevelt Boulevard, past Higgs Beach, and finally through Old Town streets. 

All along the route, non-bikers will be partying from porches cheering the cyclists on.

A big party afterwards at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater.

The second event scheduled at 9 this morning. Already has begun since it is after 9 that I am writing.

The event is to mark the tenth anniversary of Diana Nyad’s 111 mile swim from Havana to Smathers Beach. The trip took Nyad 52 hours 54 minutes.

Nyad is here for the event.

She will release a 120 pound adult female green sea turtle rehabilitated at the Marathon Turtle Hospital. The turtle’s name “Rocky.” Strange for a female turtle, however so named.

Two thousand are expected to view the event.

Bad things happening throughout the U.S. which continue to suggest rising anti-Semitism,

Most recent is the stabbing to death of prominent Detroit synagogue leader 40 year old Samantha Wolf. She was found stabbed to death outside her home yesterday. The stabbing occurred inside. Her body outside with the a trail of blood leading back into the house.

A motive for the killing not yet officially determined. Authorities caution against conclusions till their investigation complete.

Watched Florida State/Duke last night. Unusual game. Florida State looked terrible for most of the first 3 quarters. Always behind. Then came to life. Had a big 4th quarter. Ended up winning decisively 38-20.

A hell of a finish!

Enjoy your Sunday!