LAST SNOWFALL IN FLORIDA KEYS

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Last snowfall in Florida Keys? There has never been one. A real one. A year or two ago, Howard Livingston had many pounds of ice ground up and sprayed on his Summerland property. Snow everywhere. Deep snow.

Lynda Frechette is responsible for my snow reference this morning. Her weekly blog had attached a page from an old ConchTV.com issue. A comment from the page…..There has never been a recorded snowfall in the Florida island chain  since the National Weather Service began keeping records in 1870.

If we ever get snow, there should be no question in anyone’s mind that global warming exists.

The Arctic storm beginning to hit the northeast will be in the Florida Keys tonight. Temperature in the high 60s. Then normal 80s by day weather for about ten days. At that time, the Polar Vortex will hit causing some cold in the Florida Keys.

Haircut with Lori yesterday morning. She has a new shop on Whitehead. New building across from Fausto’s. Lovely! Modern in appearance. Spacious.

Then to Publix to pick up a few things.

Pineapples for sale. I took one and drove the cart around the store with the pineapple sitting upside down. No one approached me, male or female.

I did not buy the pineapple. Returned it to its fruit counter spot before checking out.

Dinner alone last night. Just me and the newspapers. The bar at Conch Republic. Enjoyed stone crabs. Knew no one. All tourists. Bar half full.

John Glenn passed away yesterday. At age 95. An American hero. No question.

Flew 149 combat missions in World War II and the Korean War. The first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. 1992. Later, a United States Senator. He was the last of the original Mercury 7 Astronauts living.

The most telling feature…..He and his wife were married 70 years at the time of his death.

Tonight, I eat exceptionally well. Donna is cooking. I am having dinner with Donna and Terri.

Enjoy your day!

A NEW CONCH REPUBLIC IN THE MAKING?

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The Conch Republic was born in 1982. On a day when the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded U.S. 1 just outside the Keys and before Florida City. Vehicles searched. Drugs the problem. The government wanted to stop drug trafficking from Key West and the lower keys into the Florida mainland.

Another blockade of sorts has been established recently. Near Key Largo. Mile marker 106. A check point.

Drugs not involved. Screwworms the problem. Been fifty years since last a problem. They have returned. Screwworms are deadly parasitic fly larvae. Prey on all type animals.

Screwworms are dangerous. Animals infected are euthanized. Whole animal kingdoms could be wiped out other wise. Forty Big Pine little deer have already been euthanized.

The purpose of the check point is to inspect all animals. Federal and State officials involved. It is expected the check point will remain till year’s end.

Does the activity call for another Conch Republic?

Staying with the Keys and non-human invasion, the birds have arrived. Hawks, eagles and falcons. A yearly event. They are migrating south. In the Key West area every September and October. Hundreds a day. Swooping around.

Yesterday afternoon was spent fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

The show went on at 9. Probably had zero listeners. The same time as the Vice Presidential debate began. Fortunately, the show is archived.

An interesting observation involving the New York Times’ recent story re Trump’s $916 million loss carryover on his taxes.

The pot calling the kettle black.

In 2014, the Times had a $29.9 million before tax profit. The Times never paid a penny. Received a $3.5 million refund instead.

More than one person/group/company has good tax lawyers.

Hurricane Matthew is going to miss Key West and the Florida keys. Thank God! Matthew is now a 3. The mountains of Cuba broke it up. However, Matthew has now turned north and it is expected will increase back to a 4 soon.

Some part of mid to northern Florida could be hit. Definitely damage to some parts of the Atlantic coast all the away up to New York.

Key West has already been designated a safe harbor. Vessels already moving in. Some from as far north as Jacksonville. Others from the Caribbean to the south.

Vessels include those of the U.S. Coast Guard and 9 Royal Bahamian Defense Force Ships. Cruise ships will come at their discretion.

Power/electricity is expensive. I consistently wonder why solar panels are not more in use. My Greek isle travels revealed everyone using solar panels. From the smallest house to larger buildings. An average size home was powered by a 4′ x 3′ rooftop panel.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. An undying love.

On this day in 1947, Truman made the first ever televised Presidential address from the White House.

Another on this day item. The year 1953. The New York Yankees won their fifth consecutive World Series. My team. Everyone’s team from upstate New York. Baseball big at the time. Bigger than pro football and basketball. Baseball was the All American sport.

New York Yankee players on the team included Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, and Whitey Ford.

Washington Post columnist George Will titled a recent article: Donald Trump’s Rise Reflects America’s Recent Decay.

Mull that around.

Enjoy your day!

WORLD’S LONGEST PARADE

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Key West is enjoying Conch Republic Days. More festive than Fantasy fest. Cleaner in many respects, also.

Different strokes for different folks.

Tonight at 8 is the World’s Largest Parade. Part of Conch Republic activities. The parade runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Shore to shore. Along Duval. All of 1.25 miles. That is why it is called the Longest Parade.

If you are in town, join the parade. Then to Schooner Wharf to party.

Stopped first last night at Tavern ‘n Town. Picked up the newspapers, enjoyed a drink at the bar.

Then to Don’s Place. Everyone there. Don, Stephanie, John, Billy, Keith, Stan and Clare. Stan and Clare just returned from Washington, DC. Stan had business there.

Kevin, who I played bocce with a couple of weeks ago, stopped in. We had a great conversation. The Chart Room and GM mosquito problem.

Politics the big item of discussion with the others. No one seemed to like either Donald or Hillary. Interesting.

Stopped later at Duffy’s for dinner. I wanted to see Jennifer. She was hosting.

Anna leaves this week for a two month vacation to Poland. She will be visiting relatives. Jennifer stepped in to help me while Anna is away. Jennifer agreed to help again.

Ordered the prime rib. Good! Amazing! Might be the best in Key West. The cheapest, too.

Met Jana. She is the manager at Duffy’s. Been here ten years. Originally from Czechoslovakia.

Jana was all excited. She recently became a U.S. citizen.

I plan on taking it slow again today.

Enjoy your day!

BEWARE GREEKS BEARING GIFTS

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Porn eliminated! Finally, yesterday. Godaddy did the fix. Supposedly will not happen again. My apologies those who received the porn.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts! The Greeks in this instance being Keys Energy Services. Keys wants to transfer the old power generating plant at Truman Waterfront to the City. Free of charge! Something for nothing!

Nothing is for nothing! Keys will transfer as is. Keys will bear no responsibility if environmental problems are discovered/exist within the plant.

Guaranteed, environmental problems exist! The nature of the facility makes certain hazardous substances remain. Any clean up will be expensive. Extremely expensive.

City Commissioners will be buying a pig in the poke should they take title without an environmental review of the property. And not a cheap one to save a buck. An in depth expensive one. It will prove much cheaper in the end.

I spent the last 25 years of my career as an environmental attorney. A significant portion of my work involved the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.

Spent most of the day researching this week’s KONK Life column. Lincoln: Nomination and Election. Except for a couple of hours in the afternoon when I snuck downtown to watch the Conch Republic Drag Race.

The curbs were crowded with spectators. Everyone whooping it up! Having fun!

Something struck k me. Something unusual. Many were using their cell phones to take pics. Most of those taking the pics were women.

Dinner last night at Geiger Key. Sat at the end of the bar watching the natives and reading the newspapers.

The Sheriff’s Animal Farm will be open to the public this afternoon from 1-3. Something to see. Adults and children are provided the opportunity to get close to the animals. A winner!

Whenever I see Truman’s name for any reason, I make mention of it and the activities surrounding it. Even where Key West is not involved.

On this day in 1945, Truman learned for the first time the details of the Manhattan Project. The development of the atomic bomb. He was told 12 days after taking office. In less than three months, he approved the dropping of atomic bombs on two Japanese cities.

Woke at 5 this morning. A good night’s rest. However I woke at 5. turned on the TV. Armed and Dangerous was playing. A 1986 movie starring John Candy.

Candy and two lovelies were attending a black tie function. A first for them. Tables full food.

Candy had to check out something. He was leaving the ladies for a few moments. He said to them…..Don’t eat too much, we’re going out for pizza later.

Enjoy your Sunday!

KEY WEST SECEDES

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Even in this day and age, secession is a part of our political diatribe. My recollection is Texas was the last state to threaten secession. Governor Perry so announced on one of his soap box days a couple of years ago.

Secession was on the mind of Key West this day in 1982. The U.S. Border Patrol had done its damage and was to be tolerated no more. A group of Key Westers visited the roadblock at Florida City and announced Key West would tolerate the situation no more.

Key West seceded. The Conch Republic was born.

I had an early morning visit with my dentist yesterday. My implants were implanted no more. The problem was as I thought. Two screw caps had worn down. They were replaced and voila!, it was as if nothing had occurred. Took all of five minutes.

I can remember dentist visits back in time. As far back as the late 1930s. Dentistry was brutal in those days. Dentists hurt! Each visit was with fear and trepidation.

As with Virginia Slims…..Dentistry, you have come a long way baby!

I rested most of yesterday. Monday and tuesday had left me tired.

It was back to Louie’s Backyard for drinks last night. The weather was perfect.

I was heading for a small table near the end of the bar. Someone had a huge black dog. He jumped at me. Suddenly. Scared the hell out of me. Fortunately, he was on a leash. Fully extended, the leashed dog and I were inches apart.

I did an immediate about face and headed for a table at the other end of the deck.

Then to Ibis for dinner. I was in the mood for stone crabs again. Ibis’ stone crabs were much better last night than they had been a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed the meal.

Big day ahead! A haircut this morning, physiotherapy this afternoon, and bocce tonight. Amazing how in retirement the mundane becomes important.

Enjoy your day!

 

CONCH REPUBLIC SEA BATTLE

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My yesterday started with physiotherapy. Grueling. Leaves me completely tired afterwards. Yesterday, a young lady named Amanda contributed to my discomfort.

We may be making progress. After only two visits, it has been determined that I walk with my knees rather than hips. Makes for a shorter step. Could explain step fallings.

Stopped at Publix after physio. Ran into Stevie. Had not seen him in months. Stevie was the bartender at the Wine Galley for years. Thereafter, at Tavern ‘n Town. He is no longer bartending. Has some sort of office job. A good guy!

Spent a portion of the afternoon final prepping my blog talk radio show for last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

The show went well. Provided an opportunity for me to expose people who do not know what they are talking about. I refer to Social Security.

New Jersey’s Chris Christie spoke yesterday in New Hampshire. He is concerned with the national debt. Said Social Security has to be cut back. One way is to raise the eligibility level to 69.

What no one talks about is why Social Security periodically looks like it may suffer 15-20 years down the road. Either they do not know or do not want us to know. I honestly believe they do not know the true story. Especially members of Congress, from both parties.

The biggest creditor of the United States is the Social Security Fund. The government owes Social Security $1.7 trillion. We only owe China $1.3 trillion.

President Johnson needed money to wage the Vietnam War and support his social programs. Social Security had a ton of money sitting in the bank. Money that would never be used. Note that Social Security takes in more than it pays out. Then and now. Surprising, isn’t it.

Johnson got Congress to pass appropriate legislation. The government was empowered to borrow the money. No promissory note in return, however. Merely an IOU. Not legally enforceable. The intent was to pay the monies back. Per custom, the path to hell is paved with good intentions. Not a penny has ever been paid back! And, the government continues to borrow here and there from Social Security whenever it can.

No one cares. Few know. We are never told.

The Conch Republic Independence Celebration begins friday. Ten days of fun! The best part for me is the Sea Battle. Conch forces defeating U.S. sea vessels and planes.

Key West has a new City Planner. Thaddeus Cohen. He attended his first Commission meeting last night. Suit and tie! Obvious he was new to Key West. He was jokingly told no one dresses in Key West. Casual everything and everywhere.

I remember the first Key West wake I attended. I wore suit and tie. Back home, it was called respect. I was the only one so dressed. Even the deceased was dressed casually. I learned. I attend wakes today in shorts  and a sport shirt.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

Richard Boettger has an excellent article in today’s KONK Life E-Blast. Peary Court and Walmart’s Scrooges. One of the best articles I have read re the issues.

Michael Shields deserve congratulations, also. Mike organized the Policing in Paradise ACLU Seminar monday night. Key West is buzzing. Everyone complimentary.

The Titanic sunk this day. Sad. More than 1,500 lives lost. Passengers and crew.

Enjoy your day!