LARRY SMITH EXTRAVAGANZA

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It is 5 am. I am up early getting today’s blog out. I have a 10:30 appointment.

Tonight, another Larry Smith extravaganza. Christmas with Larry. 8 pm. The Studios of Key West. Larry’s Christmas shows are always the best!

A long night at the Chary Room. David and John.

I got into South Roosevelt Boulevard and the stupidity of the whole thing. David countered with leave the City and its planners alone. Look at Caroline Street.

David rides a bicycle. He does not have a car. I drive a car. He thought the City would do a fine job with South Roosevelt Boulevard, also. Intimating a resolution favoring bicyclists.

I did take a look at Caroline  on the way home. Blocks of Caroline Street no longer have parking spots on one side. To make room for a bicycle path. All marked out. A completed project.

Where home owners and business’s park, I have no idea. Another example of idiocy having impacted the City Commission.

I do not recall reading anything recently re Caroline and a several block long bicycle path.

I did some digging. This bicycle path/Caroline Street issue had its beginnings in 2009. A public hearing. Most opposed. Peter Batty very vocal against. Mayor Cates and Commissioner Jimmy Weekly in support.

Mark Redding at the Chart Room. Met him for the first time. He is a designer and archaeologist. Been in Key West six months. Presently preparing a design plan for a portion of Mangoes.

Mark was involved a few years ago with the Richard Cornell Cemetery. I suspect in New York City. Richard Cornell the brother of the founder of Cornell University.

Mark has done work for the New York Landlord Preservation Committee and has been financed by its Foundation.

Mark told me he is talking with Guy deBoer about possibly doing some work for KONK Life. Mark is an investigative reporter, also. He is interested in writing a series on the Bahama Village drug problem.

I have dragon flies. Hundreds in my kitchen two nights ago when I returned home. Attracted from the outside by the kitchen lights which I leave on when out in the evening.

Got Orkin in. The dragon flies are living in my pool. Fortunately, neither I nor anyone else have used the pool in ages.

The solution a big time shot of chlorine. Being done today.

Googled dragon flies. Good for humans! Harmless as regards humans. The enemy big time of mosquitoes.

A brief note re artificial intelligence. Uber continues to be a step ahead in what it does. Driverless cars are being tested at the moment in San Francisco.

Aleppo. Sad. A shame.

Obama is criticized because he will not get the U.S. involved in the Syrian quagmire. Many countries involved. Some changing sides occasionally. Deaths in the hundreds of thousands.

I commend Obama. He knew it would be a long battle with little being resolved. Why get our boys and girls involved? Thousands of our military would already be dead had Obama not remained adamant.

Syria is worse than Vietnam ever was. And the people of the U.S. were almost unanimously against the war.

Give credit where credit due. I support Obama’s decision.

Enjoy your day!

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY

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A double header last night. Joined the Sons and Daughters of Italy and attended their Christmas Party.

Actually, I rejoined the Sons of Italy. I was a member of the organization years ago in Utica when the name did not contain Daughters.

The ladies have come a long way.

Back in the 1970s, there was a cigarette called Virginia Slims. I don’t know if it is still available. Virginia Slims came up with a bull’s eye advertising slogan. Ladies…..You’ve come a long way! True today. In every area.

The Christmas party was at La Trattoria. Great food. Great people celebrating the holiday. The Sons and Daughters a party group!

Georgio sponsored me. A personality. I sat with Georgio and his wife Sharon, Karon and Stan, Donna and Bob, and Jerry. The wine flowed.

In order to become a member of the Key West chapter of the Sons of Italy, the remotest connection to an Italian background suffices. I think even if your best friend is.

The President a Michael Kelly.

Kate Miano in attendance. As usual, a knockout. Her hair last night red. A subdued red. Perfect for Kate! She looked terrific!

Santa Claus was at the party. He is a member. A natural beard. He suggested Robert and Ally must have discovered the truth about Santa. He did not get a call to make his usual Christmas Eve visit to Lisa’s.

Santa Claus is Mac McCauskand. It was obvious he is a well liked person.

A big night for Mac. He was inducted into the Conch Republic Navy. An Admiral swore him in. We all participated, even to the left handed salute.

I assumed Mac would go in as a lieutenant at the very least. Not so. Something along the order of chief dishwasher.

Many at our table Rotary members. None had read my 27 installments re the history of the Key West Rotary. Which means they don’t read my blog. For shame.

Interestingly, I heard from no Rotarian re the history. Guess Rotarians generally don’t read the blog either.

I had a good time. Thank you Georgio and Jerry for asking me to join.

Enjoy your day!