DIXONS BACK IN TOWN

Posted on July 30, 2016 by keywestlou

My years in Key West have brought me many new friends. Two are Tom and Fran Dixon. From Buffalo. They have business interests which bring them to Key West several times a year.

We have become very close. Fran makes homemade candy. Chocolate her specialty. Each trip she brings me a box. It was no different last night. We had dinner together. Fran gave me the candy. Two kinds. Told me one chocolate was made with something hot. The candy would have a tang.

I could not wait to get home to try the candy. Started while driving home. Good! Especially the peppery chocolate. It was a bit sharp.

The entire evening was fun. We met first at the Chart Room. Spent a couple of hours there with Jean and Sheila. Laughter prevailed.

Then Tom, Fran and I were off to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. More fun!

Tom had a stroke a month ago. I was not aware till last night. You would never know it. He looked good and was his usual joyful self.

Tom and I are bonded in a special way. Both die hard Syracuse fans!

My friends are getting sick. Tom, who fortunately quickly recovered. Terri who is on her way to recovery. Terri returned to Key West yesterday. Spoke with her on the telephone. She was bubbly and cheerful.

It is saturday again. Comes fast each week. I have to research my KONK column today. Thought about a topic yesterday. Did a little digging. Came up with it! Not sure of the title yet. The topic concerns Hitler and homosexuals.

Hitler disliked homosexuals as well as Jews. His slogan for the Jews was: Exterminate them! For homosexuals: Castrate them!

My Bagels column is rerun in this morning’s KONK E-Blast. With the last eight paragraphs included. Bagels are American today. Not always, however. Bagels did not gain in national popularity till the 1950s.

Two social comments/observations.

It was announced yesterday that several more Flint and Michigan officials had been arrested re the Flint water crisis. The lead in the water story.

Obama immediately arranged for $5 million to help when the lead problem surfaced in January.. He also asked Congress to approve significantly more monies. Congress held hearings. The politicos could be seen on TV condemning what had occurred, enunciating clearly that something had to be done. Swiftly.

That was in January. The people of Flint are still waiting. The federal government sitting on its ass. Congress is on a seven week vacation not yet having approved funding. The people of Flint drinking bottled water and using faucet filters. Not even close to being enough.

2016 sometimes similar to centuries ago. Somtimes, thousands of years ago. Middle East beheadings one example.

Another is what is occurring in Turkey.

The coup failed. Some plotters arrested and executed. Others will follow. Turkey’s President refuses to permit funeral prayers and services for the plotters. A decent burial denied. Not even a casket. Dig a hole and drop the body in.

A stray dog facility is being erected. A place for dogs to run about and enjoy. In one corner, a cemetery is located for the bodies. It is called Traitors’ Cemetery. So marked with a small black metal sign. A place for the dogs to freely run about and do whatever.

The President sick! His actions reflective of something Hitler or Stalin might have done.

Enjoy your day!

MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD OUT OF CONTROL

Posted on July 23, 2016 by keywestlou

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. A pompous sounding name. Most refer to it as the Mosquito Control Board. I will.

Pomposity is not in name alone. I am beginning to think it applies to Board members. All elected to their positions. Ergo, directly answerable to the people. Something they seem to have forgotten.

I say VOTE THEM OUT! All of them.

The board recently passed a new policy. Any information re Zeka, dengue fever and other tropical diseases are not to be discussed by Board members till the State Health Department has confirmed a case first. Even then, the Board’s attorney has approval/disapproval power.

Stupid!

People have a right to know. Especially where health issues are involved. What happened to transparency.

The Zeka battle has left Board members shell shocked. Their own fault. They have been handling the Zeka problem in a ridiculous fashion.

Top employees are well paid. The Executive Director receives $135,000 a year. My admonition: Don’t screw with the public. You are placing your job on the line.

The Board decided it needed a new building. Last year at this time, the Board was advised the building would cost $2.4 million. Not making a decision, the price has jumped $2 million in one year to $4.4 million. Not understandable in itself.

Yesterday, the Board approved a 45 percent increase in property taxes to pay for the new building. Forty five percent!!!

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Jenny encouraging. Body Owners helpful. I stayed at a lower speed for 30 minutes. A slight step backward. However, it was all I thought I could handle.

Then to Verizon wireless. The Verizon store in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza.

Lesson #2 in learning how to use my new telephone. Got it six months ago. A total disaster for me!

I visited the store recently and told the young lady behind the counter that I had the new phone, bought it from them six months ago, could not use it. Needed help. Could they help? I was willing to pay. Or direct me to someone I could hire to teach me.

Her name, Nana Hernandez. Her title, Wireless Professional. She said I will teach you and it will cost you nothing. Yesterday was help/lesson #2. A step at a time. She is patient. We have a schedule. Three times a week. In a month, I will be a terror!

Dinner last night at Hot Tin Roof with Frances and Chris. Interesting people. Fun. They return up north today and will not be back till the Fall.

This afternoon research for this week’s KONK Life column. Research will be completed today. I will write the column tomorrow.

About bagels. For real. An interesting history yesterday and today.

What a change in subject matter! Last week’s article was about the new prostitution.

Four more people approached me yesterday about the Prostitution column. All women. Forty to 60 years in age. Probably mothers and grandmothers. Without deviation, all consider the new prostitution deplorable.

Big day for Hemingway Days! Running of the Bulls and the Hemingway Look A-Like Contest. Makes for a great afternoon.

Immigration a problem almost everywhere. Great Britain hit over the years big time with hordes of immigrants.

A recent study indicates the British people are becoming a minority in their own country. 2015 birth rates show 3.2 immigrant babies born for every 1.8 British babies. Just a question of time.

The five leading immigrant groups in order of their numbers are the Polish, Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis, and Nigerians.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST SCHOOL SEGREGATION

Posted on April 29, 2016 by keywestlou

I came across an item concerning Fats Navarro this morning. The world famous trumpeter. He had a Key West connection. I checked it out.

Fats was a Conch. Born in Key West. Resided here through high school. Then departed for what turned out to be an exciting career.

He attended Douglass High School. I thought the name strange. Had never heard of a Key West high school by that name.

There was. It no longer exists.

It was the high school for blacks. At a time Key West, as much of the South, was segregated.

Today, there exists the Frederick Douglas Gymnasium in Bahama Village. A gym and community center. Serves the youth of Bahama Village. Many of whom are African-Americans. I could not ascertain whether the gym today was the building that housed the segregated high school of yesterday.

My yesterday a lot of running around. With little accomplished.

Tried to get an appointment for a manicure and pedicure. Tammy was all excited on the phone. No appointment till next week. I could not understand. I always get a timely appointment. I have been a weekly customer for years. Plus, this is not season.

I suspect something must be wrong at her end. I will find out next week.

A doctor appointment at 1. Then to the Cuban Coffee House for lunch. It was 2. A Cuban cheese toast and large Cuban coffee.

No way.

All the tables were occupied. The line waiting to place an order several deep.

I decided to go to the Pier House Beach Bar. Enjoyed fish and chips while observing the lovely ladies in swim attire. Never tires me.

On this day in 1945, Dachau was liberated. Hitler had killed 6 million Jews. It was supposed to be the last genocide. The world deceived itself. Genocides have been frequent since the end of World War II. Especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Dinner tonight with an old friend. Suzan Hebditch. A Canadian true and true.

I met Suzan many years ago. At Virgilio’s. She was vacationing here. As she does every few years.

I have not seen Suzan in 6-7 years.

She owns a guest house in Nova Scotia. The Bailey House Bed and Breakfast.

We are dining at Hot Tin Roof. I am sure it will be a fun time.

Enjoy your day!

PETER ANDERSON

Posted on April 26, 2016 by keywestlou

I never met Peter Anderson. My loss. He was a man about town. Respected. Secretary-General of the Conch Republic.

Peter died this past year. Everyone spoke well of him. As they had done during his life.

At some point, Peter and Mark Howell sat down. Probably several times. I am assuming when Peter was near death.

Peter told his life story to Howell. The story has been carried in KONK Life News E-Blast the past few days. To continue till finished.

Read it! An amazing tale. Of an amazing man.

Peter Anderson lived a full and exciting life. During which he touched many lives.

The Key West/Fantasy fest war is concluded. At least for 5 years. The principals have arrived at an understanding.

My opinion is the City Commission were pigs. Their hunger for money continues to adversely affect every part of Key West life.

Dinner last night with Tom and Fran Dixon at Hot Tin Roof. Their daughter and son in law joined us for drinks beforehand.

The party got bigger. Jean Thornton joined us. Then Stephanie Kappel.

A good time!

Fran brought me home made chocolate candy. All the way from Buffalo. Second time. Did it the last trip, also. At 10 last night upon arriving home, I attacked the bag.

The Dixons return in July.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Join me. I talk about interesting things. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics include the 28 pages involving Saudi Arabia, specific examples of U.S. dollar waste in Afghanistan, hard ass Tea Partier Gov. Paul Le Page of Maine, Lincoln’s nomination and election, Russia’s deals with China and Pakistan re oil.

And the Tom Brady fiasco, Obama telling Germans to take in 1 million immigrants, Chernobyl’s fall out, and more.

Have to move fast. I am running late. Thought I was having lunch with Donna and Terri tomorrow. Turns out it is today. I’m getting forgetful.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY EASTER

Posted on March 27, 2016 by keywestlou

An early morning greeting this Easter holiday. Happy Easter!

A religious day. We forget. More than the Easter bunny and baskets.

This day one of additional significance. The Elite Eight. Winners today go on to the Final Four.

Syracuse plays Virginia at tonight. Big game! Virginia a #1 seed. Syracuse a #10. Virginia an 8.5 point favorite.

We shall see. I make no predictions. I am thrilled for Coach Boeheim and the team.

Go ‘Cuse!

Got out yesterday afternoon to pick up some Easter gifts for Robert and Ally. I have to be at Lisa’s at 9 this morning for an Easter egg hunt.

Spent the afternoon completing research for this week’s KONK Life column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa? I will write the article this afternoon.

Last night a late one! Well after midnight. Two nights in a row I have been up that late.

Started the evening with an early dinner at Hot Tin Roof. I was not hungry. Desired something different. It was. Lobster mac and cheese.

Then to the Waterfront Playhouse for the final night of Producers. The finest theatrical production seen by me in all my years in Key West. Outstanding! Perfection! The show pure joy.

An after show party at Bunny Smith’s.

I have to move my butt to get to Lisa’s on time.

A final thought first. Will there continue to be joy in Mudville?

Enjoy the Easter holiday!

SYRACUSE CONTINUES WINNING

Posted on March 26, 2016 by keywestlou

March Madness! What excitement! Great basketball!

Syracuse, the team that should not have been in the NCAA Tournament. Even I said it. A bad year. Syracuse did not deserve to make it.

We made it! Was I wrong! Syracuse has distinguished itself throughout the tournament.

Last night, Syracuse defeated Gonzaga 63-60. The final seconds wild. Syracuse made three outstanding defensive moves. Two succeeded.

Tomorrow, Syracuse the #10 seed plays Virginia the #1 seed for the right to go to the Final Four.

Syracuse today in the Elite Eight! Who would have thought? Who would have believed? Perhaps only the players.

There is joy in Mudville.

Lunched yesterday at Harpoon Harry’s. Ham, eggs and hash browns. As I consistently mention, Harpoon Harry’s has the best eggs. It’s the taste/flavor, perhaps preparation, that makes them so good!

An early dinner last night in order to be home to watch the Syracuse game at 9:40. Decided on the outside bar at La Te Da. Always an empty seat around 6. Turned out I was not hungry. Ordered the crab dip with crackers. Have enjoyed it before. An appetizer. Terrific! Try it. It was just enough.

During half time of the game, I treated myself to a bowl of chocolate and coconut gelato. And I wonder why I have gained weight!

Big research day ahead. I will continue researching this week’s KONK Life column Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa? The story of President Grover Cleveland and his purported illegitimate son. A tale of misused political power.

I write the column tomorrow.

At some point, I have to get Robert and Ally something for Easter. We start the day tomorrow at 9 with an egg hunt in their back yard. Even Jake has a couple of things hidden.

Tonight, busy. An early dinner at Hot Tin Roof. Then the Producers. The last performance. The show reported to be the biggest and best the Waterfront Theater has ever presented. Following the Producers, a closing night party at a friend’s home.

I will have been up late two nights in a row. Syracuse last night and the Producers tonight. Unusual for me.

Many of us are alive and well today and able to walk because of Dr. Jonas Salk. On this day in 1953, Dr. Salk announced a new vaccine for use against polio (infantile paralysis). I was a college student at the time. I had friends who were afflicted. Fortunately, none died.

In 1952, the year before the vaccine was available, there were 58,000 new cases in the United States. Three thousand died.

Polio is the disease that afflicted Franklin Delano Roosevelt at age 39. It left him in a wheel chair the rest of his life.

Enjoy your day!

MINUS 28 DEGREES

Posted on February 15, 2016 by keywestlou

I have suffered pangs of guilt the past 24 hours.

I complain when Key West temperatures fall into the 60s and sometimes 50s. Long pants, a sweater, etc. The heat turned on.

Yesterday, it was minus 28 degrees in my home town, Utica. Really cold!

Complain less, Louis.

I recall Utica winters. Horrendous. I miss them not at all.

There seemed to be a common occurrence during a minus day/night. The boiler or oil burner would break down. Seemed like everyone’s did at the same time. Meant a waiting period before heat was restored.

Good luck, Utica! Thaw out soon!

I wrote this week’s KONK Life column yesterday. It publishes wednesday. The title: Mightiest Pirate In the World…..A Woman. The Chinese lady Cheng I Sao.

I had researched the column saturday. Took me less than three hours. An unusually short time. The actual writing yesterday took me six hours. An unusually long time.

I thought I was going to knock the column out in no time since the research had been less than normal. Obviously was not so. I suspect the reason was the more than normal detail and the many Chinese names. Whatever, it took forever.

4,000 BABIES BORN WITH BRAIN DEFECTS IN 4 MONTHS

Posted on January 30, 2016 by keywestlou

Keys governmental representatives are quick to react. I refer to the City Commission, County Commission and Mosquito Control Board. They fail to look before they leap.

A huckster comes into town peddling a cure all product. Local governments leap at the opportunity to buy.

I recall two years ago when the Mosquito Control Board wanted to enter into some sort of arrangement with a company called Ozitec whereby genetically modified mosquitoes would be released over the lower Keys. A sure cure all for dengue fever! How many cases of dengue fever have we had since 2,000?

The genetically modified mosquitoes were untested. They were to be tested in Brazil. Perhaps somewhere in Africa.

I was opposed. Silently. I did make mention in this blog at the time that the Keys should not be a testing ground for an experimental product.

My recollection is the Mosquito Control Board was in favor of Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquitoes because of budget savings that would result. Sounds a lot like Flint water!

My friend Ollie from the Chart Room was opposed. Ollie by education and experience knows about these things. He even went door to door having a petition signed asking the Mosquito Control Board to cease and desist. Ollie said the mosquitoes being peddled were not safe.

Ollie ran for the Mosquito Control Board around the time. He was soundly defeated. What did he know?

My friends, vote for Ollie big time should he decide to run again!

The Mosquito Control Board dropped the idea at some point. I cannot recall their reason.

Why my concern at the present time?

There is an outbreak of Zika worldwide. Zika causes microcephaly. Babies are born with smaller heads containing obviously smaller brains. All sorts of medical problems develop during the course of the babies’ lives.

The World Health Organization is conducting an emergency meeting monday to deal with the problem. President Obama declared massive research is required to come up with a vaccine. There is no vaccine at the present time.

There is strong suspicion that Ozitec’s genetically modified mosquitoes are a/the cause of Zika.

In a certain area of Brazil, Ozitec’s genetically modified mosquitoes were released. In that same area, 4,000 babies have been born with microcephaly since October.

Need I say more.

Let this be an admonition to our governmental officials. Look before you leap. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

On this day in 1933, Adolph Hitler was sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany. It was the beginning of the end.

Syracuse plays Georgia Tech at noon. I will be watching the game at Jack Flats with Dan Reardon.

Enjoy your day!

I DANCED!

Posted on January 24, 2016 by keywestlou

A busy last night.

First stop was Tavern ‘n Town. No room at the inn. There had been an outside wedding scheduled. The cold and wind moved it inside. Took up the entire new dining room.

Headed downtown to Hot Tin Roof. An excellent soup of shrimp and mussels. A light red sauce. Even better, dunking bread in the sauce at the end.

Hot Tin Roof filled up. No room. Tourists galore.

Restaurants and bars cannot complain things are tough. I have never seen so many tourists at any time in the past. It has been non-stop since Christmas week.

Then to La Te Da. First time in the new inside bar. Great music. A full house. Dance floor crowded.

I danced. Three times. The last time I danced was four years ago in Greece at an outdoor restaurant in the Playka. Danced Greek style with the locals. Threw a few plates afterwards.

I spent the afternoon researching this week’s KONK Life column. Yankee Doodle Dandy. The story behind it and what the words actually mean.

I have a bit more research and then the writing today.

Big pro football day! The AFC and NFC championship games. I would have enjoyed watching the New England/Denver game at 2. Column writing at the same time. I will listen to the TV audio while writing. Hopefully, I can still do two things at one time.

Syracuse plays Virginia at 7 tonight. Virginia a 9 point favorite. If Syracuse wins, it will be because of Boeheim. His hands on coaching in the final minutes.

Sounds of the Kelly McGillis flag football Classic can be heard. The ladies began coming in the past few days. Monday begins social activities and practice. The games begin friday. Sixty teams from all over the world.

Today is January 24. This morning’s Key West Citizen History Section makes mention of Sally Rand. The Citizen did the same thing on January 24 last year. I commented then. I comment now.

Sally Rand was a fan dancer. The fans moved erotically. She was before my time. By 1960, she was into semi-retirement.

I met her in 1964 at a cocktail party at Grossinger’s in the Catskills. A lady. We had a pleasant uninterrupted ten minute conversation.

Sally once a part time Key West resident. She owned the large lovely Victorian home at 916 Eisenhower Drive.

Enjoy your Sunday!

BIKE RIDING IN KEY WEST

Posted on January 15, 2016 by keywestlou

Bicycle riding a problem in Key West. A problem for bike riders, cars and pedestrians. Anyone who says it is not does not, does not know what he/she is talking about.

Note the State of Florida gives Key West a ranking as the top Florida city for fatal crashes involving bikes. ‘Nuff said.

Key West has hired a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. His name Chris Hamilton. He comes to us from Virginia where he was involved with transportation issues. Says he has been visiting Key West for 20 years. He is now living on Stock Island and rides his bike to work at Habana Plaza on Flagler every day. No problems.

Hamilton claims it is a joy to bike ride in Key West. He always feel safe.

Respectfully, Hamilton does not know what he is talking about.

The bike problem is not on Stock Island or Flagler. It is primarily in Old Town and on Northern Boulevard. I suggest he ride his bike on Simonton from Caroline to Front late afternoons between 5 and 6. Duval in the afternoon. The length of Caroline, also.

It is an obstacle course. for vehicle drivers trying to avoid hitting tourists bike riding. Includes families with young kids and seniors who have not been on a bike in 50 years.

The problem is not with local bike riders. It is with the tourists. Don’t tell me there are not enough tourist bike riders to be a problem. Check the number of bicycles rented daily in Old Town.

I have a cold. I have not had one in years. A head cold. My fault. This has been a cold and wet week. I am on the anti-gravity treadmill five days a week. Raise a big sweat.

I immediately leave the building when I am done. Sweating away and no jacket. The car a 100 feet away. Normally, no problem. In this week’s cold, a big problem.

I deserve the sneezing and stuffed head I am undergoing this morning.

No treadmill for me today.

Immediately following the treadmill, I was at Lori’s getting a haircut. Still sweating.

Last night, a new experience. An English speaking opera at The Studios of Key West. A Thousand Splendid Suns. The lives of females in a Muslim country. Very subservient. Forcibly so.

The opera a work in progress. We only saw the first act. There is more to come at some time.

I went to learn about female life in an Arab nation. I learned nothing new. The ill treatment of women shown was what is already known by most. It was hard for me to follow the forceful singing. The sheer volume deafened the sound.

I am being critical, I guess. The story took too long to tell. I actually dropped off in sleep two times.

I compliment the Studios for offering this performance. Key West is bare of opera activity. I also compliment the performers. In spite of my negative comments.

Dinner followed at Hot Tin Roof.

Kissing is the title of this week’s KONK Life column. A history of kissing. The article was linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. It is also carried in today’s E-Blast.

I will not be doing my usual friday noon 15 minute radio interview with Don Riggs today.

Enjoy your day!

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