ELIEZAIRE

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I was having dinner at the Hot Tin Roof last night. A gentleman at a nearby table kept smiling at me. He looked familiar. I could not place him. He finally came over.

It was Eliezaire!

I know Eliezaire from my Yacht Club days. He was part of the Yacht Club staff. It was good to see him again.

We know someone for many years and yet know little about the person. Such it was with Eliezaire. As we talked, I learned he worked only one night a week at the Yacht Club and has been doing so for 10 years. His primary job is at Ocean Key. He has been an engineer at Ocean Key for 18 years. An excellent track record! Originally from Haiti.

Eliezaire was having dinner with his family. I went to his table to meet them. His lovely wife Erica and his three daughters. His son was not with them. Eliezaire and Erica’s daughters absolutely beautiful! Two were excited to meet. The third apprehensive. Like….Who is this guy?

I finally caught up with Jean Thornton. She was at the bar with Eddie. We exchanged big hugs. A mutual admiration society.

Jean had mentioned in Facebook yesterday that she was in her cow costume riding over to the Cow Key Bridge Run at 8:30. The race was not till noon. She was there early because she was working the event, in addition to later participating.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I never made the race. It suddenly became too much work to go out early in the day to walk 300 feet.

This morning’s Key West Citizen has an excellent article and photos of the event. More than 1,000 participated. Most cow look alikes. Ingenious costumes. Dogs participating also.

An utter here, an utter there run.

The Seven Mile Bridge Marathon was yesterday, also. It had 1,500 participants. The Cow Key Bridge event is only in its second year. A 1,000 turn out is excellent. It also shows how crazy Key West is! Any excuse for fun. We are all children at heart.

Stopped at the Chart Room before dinner. Chatted with Vic and a couple from Virginia.

My day was spent at home researching this week’s KONK Life column. It concerns the California water drought. Interesting. Tons of material. One portion will have to do with those who are and will be making big dollars off the suffering of others. It seems to have become the American way.

The bocce rankings are in the paper. We are still in third place. This week’s two losses did not alter our standing. Other near competitors lost also, which kept us in third place.

Key West is into the Conch Republic Celebration. Two of today’s events include a musical breakfast this morning at Smokin’ Tuna and a Conch Cruiser Show at Schooner Wharf this afternoon. Never a dull moment in Key West!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

KENTUCKY, NORTH DAKOTA AND KENTUCKY DERBY

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I spent yesterday afternoon trying to decide what my KONK Life column will be this week. Four topics have been zeroed in on. I have to pick one today, finish my research and start writing.

The topics tickling me this week are all interesting. The Chamberlain story never told, Iceland kicking the ass of banks and bankers since 2008, the beginnings of money corruption/corporate influence in the 1960s, and Nestles and California water.

Met some terrific people in the Chart Room last night. Unfortunately, I was late for a dinner reservation and could not spend as much time as I would have liked. I am confident however we will run into each other. The two couples recently bought homes in Key West.

Five persons in all. Out together for the evening.

First, David and Marilyn. Presently have two homes. One in Owensboro, Kentucky and the other on Emma Street in Key West. David is a retired school teacher, Marilyn manages a dental office.

A second couple was Martin and Brandy. One home in West Fargo, North Dakota and the other on Washington Street in Key West. Martin and Brandy still work for Caterpillar.

Money is big in North Dakota because of oil. I jokingly said I could go to North Dakota, get a job at McDonalds and end up earning a ton of money. Some truth to the statement.

The fifth person was David from Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is Martin’s father. Mentioned several times how Martin had purchased his ticket and brought him down for a visit. Proudly so. He reminded me of my father. Dad died two years ago at 98. He visited Key West many times.  Always happy to be with me. Proud of his son who had a home in Key West.

David mentioned he had something to do with a piece of land in the 1980s in Kentucky. Spend A Buck was the 1985 Kentucky Derby winner. He trained on the land.

Keith and Jennifer met me at the Chart Room. We had a drink and then were off to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner.

We had a lot of fun at the Hot Tin Roof. Keith and Jennifer are part of my bocce team.

My saturday night is already committed. I will be watching the Final Four in my bedroom from the comfort of the recliner chair. I have given up running around town trying to find a new venue for basketball watching. There are tons of reasons none tried so far worked for me.

I do not care who wins. I have no particular choice. I just want to watch good basketball.

Passover is upon us. Seder is part of Passover.

I have experienced several seder dinners over the years. The first time was 15 years ago with Aaron Wechter. In recent years, with Donna Barnett at her daughter’s Key West home. I am always invited. Had to skip last night because of my prior committment with Keith and Jennifer.

Donna and Terri White have lived in California for roughly three years. I have not seen them in a while. We have been in touch and plan on meeting in the next few days.

Tomorrow is Easter. I have to get Easter gifts for Robert and Ally. I always wait till the last minute to do things of this nature. I am the greatest Christmas Eve shopper you ever met!

Robert and Ally are 10 and 9 respectively. They will get enough baskets, candy and chocolate bunnies from others. I have decided it is time for something different. I plan on buying each a book.

Today’s KONK Life E-Blast carries my most recent column. Things We Should Know. Take a look.

Enjoy your day!

 

PALM SUNDAY

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Palm Sunday is significant in most Christian churches. It was in the Catholic Church I knew.

Key West probably never had a problem with palm sufficiency. Up north in Utica, I can recall a time when palms were scarce for some reason. Either costly or unavailable. Instead of getting all the palms you wanted at Mass, one had to settle for a single branch.

Palm Sunday was special in the Italian tradition. Palms were exchanged. Family and friends would come to our house and exchange palms with us. Followed by coffee. We went to certain homes and exchanged palms.

It was family dinner time! In and of itself should not have excited me. Every Sunday was family dinner time at my grandparents’.

I had an uncle who was talented in manipulating the palm branches. He could make crosses of all sizes, little hats, etc. It was always good to see him as I would walk away with a lot of “loot”.

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches were placed in his path.

When palms were plentiful, my neighborhood Catholic Church had many palms left over. When the shortage hit, I assume they kept some. The reason being that this year’s left over palms are needed for the next year’s Ash Wednesday. The left over palms burned. The ashes used to put  thumbprints on the foreheads of the faithful.

This morning’s Key West Citizen’s Keys History section carries a post card picture of  Little White House and Naval Station circa 1910. What a difference from today

The Little White House had an excellent ocean view. There were no buildings between the Little White House and ocean. Condos, other buildings and the boardwalk  not yet built. The water was a short uninterrupted walk out the back door of the Little White House.

I spent yesterday afternoon researching this week’s KONK Life column. About things most people are not aware, but should know. I will write the column today. I have not decided on a title yet.

Last night was me and a busy Key West. Tourist driven.

I went for dinner to Tavern ‘n Town. Wanted to listen to Bobby Nesbitt, also. No way, Jose! the place was mobbed. Not a bar stool available. Bobby said it was crazy. I agreed and left.

My next stop was the Chart Room. I figured to run into some people I knew and quietly drink the evening away. No luck, again! The Chart Room was packed. Very much so. No locals. I was not in the mood to meet and chat with strangers.

Turned around and walked over to the Hot Tin Roof. Same situation. Tons of tourists. No problem, however, a table in the bar area was waiting.

Spoke with Joseph a bit. Joseph is the Hot Tin Roof manager. He is also the warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. A good man. We talked about St. Paul’s.

Then home. Could not sleep in bed again. My hip. Spent the night in the recliner chair. No problem. slept like a baby!

Enjoy your Sunday!

LOU HARRIS A PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY

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I enjoyed last evening’s talk by Lou Harris tremendously. He was the final speaker in the 2015 Friends of the Key West Library Speakers Series. Harris is 94. He has been a part of American history. He is respectfully known today as the Dean of American Pollsters.

Harris was an intimate of former Presidents. Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. He shared some Johnson quirks. Humorous. He knew Joe Kennedy very well.

He decried today’s pollsters. They give he who is paying the bill what they want. Not necessarily the truth. Romney being an example. He sees Hillary as the next President. However, the e mails will be a problem for her. He thought Elizabeth Warren would be a more exciting candidate.

Harris recognized the growing strength/power of women. They are rapidly become leaders. Simply because they are better equipped to handle problems.

Education a problem. Our children not getting a proper education. Unless remedied, it could lead to the United States becoming the biggest banana republic ever. Also, children cannot learn if 16 percent go to school hungry.

He was clear that racial problems must be fixed.

He damned corporate America.

The evening was a pleasurable experience for me.

I was with June hudson. We stopped at La Concha after the talk for a drink. Ran into Aaron and Karen. Then to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. Did some sataki.

On the way to our cars, it started raining. Pouring a better description. We ducked into the Chart Room till the rain stopped. It poured all night also. It is still raining heavy as I write. Strange because we are no where close to the rainy season.

Met Louis Snow for the first time at the Chart Room. Snow is a retired attorney from Skaneateles, N.Y. Home also of my friends Dan and Lisa Reardon. He knows them.

Snow is a frequent visitor to Key West. His present trip for 6-8 weeks.

I hope we run into each other again this trip. I would enjoy sharing war stories with an attorney who practiced in some of the same court rooms as I did.

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

Topics such as Russia giving Denmark a nuclear warning, Andorra becoming the new place for money to be laundered, a police impersonator who had the misfortune of pulling over a real cop, a woman who was convicted of killing her child and had served 20 plus years being released because the proof against her was grossly unreliable, the Phoenix Zoo discovering after two years that a two year old bear was a female and not male, and more.

Another morning where I have to hustle. I have a late morning appointment with my dermatologist. A routine six month check up.

Enjoy your day!

 

FLY TO HAVANA

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It finally happened! The first flight from Key West to Havana without all the red tape. Friday was the big day. The first regularly scheduled flight in 55 years. Havana Air the airline.

The start of something good. The remarriage of Key West and Havana is long overdue.

I started my research for this week’s KONK Life column thursday. Researched all day yesterday. I plan on writing the column today. The topic is Tom Cotton. He is the new U.S. Senator from Arkansas. He is also the author of the letter to Iran that 46 other Republican Senators signed trying to discourage Iran from signing any nuclear agreement with the United States.

His background surprising. He is to be taken seriously. A dangerous man who is being groomed for the Presidency.

A unique evening. Drinks first at the Chart Room. Then a long slow dinner at the Hot Tin Roof. My companion, June Hudson. We chatted so long that by the time we were ready to leave, we were the only customers left. A good time!

John Lukas was at the Hot Tin Roof bar earlier in the evening. I stopped and talked with him a bit. A good guy. I had not seen him since JDL’s Sports Bar closed several months ago.

We all have committed a faux pas or two. No one is perfect. Everyone occasionally makes a mistake. Some can be embarrassing.

The Key West Citizen published a Wedding Guide for 2015. Describes perfect honeymoon locations. No mention of Key West! A major faux pas. Especially since Key West is considered the #2 place in the United States for a wedding.

The main story in this morning’s Key West Citizen involves animal shelters. The three located in the Keys. The Upper Keys, Marathon, and Key West. Turns out the Upper Keys facility is performing more euthanizations than Marathon and Key West.

Eighty percent of dogs and 79 percent of cats are put down. Substantially more than the other two facilities. Something wrong in Denmark here!

When I was a young lawyer in Utica, I joined the Sons of Italy. My mother was born in Italy, my father in the U.S. After being an active member for several years, I dropped out. My practice had grown and I had to cut back on outside activities.

There is a Sons of Italy chapter in Key West. I never joined. The name has been altered. It now is the Sons and Daughters of Italy. Most of today’s Italo-Americans are second generation. Both genders are now accepted equally into the fold.

Enjoy your day!

FOG AGAIN

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When the sun came up this morning, there was a mild fog laying over the island. Within an hour, it was a heavy fog. Thick. It is now another hour later and the fog is lifting. Still out there, but drifting away.

About 3 weeks ago, Key West experienced fog on two different days. I mentioned how unusual it was to experience fog. Strange. Strange because it is not common to the lower keys.

Larry Smith was at his best last night! He was the speaker at Friends of the Library at St. Paul’s Church. Many in attendance. Twice as many as last week.

Larry served up a musical education. I learned some things about composing I never knew. Catherine sang some medleys which fit into Larry’s talk. I enjoyed!

Dan joined me for Larry’s talk. Wife Lisa did not. Their daughter and 5 1/2 month old grandchild are visiting.

Afterwards, we went across the street to La Concha for a drink. The bar located off the street has been redecorated. Strictly a wine place. Dan said there was another bar in the lobby. We had a drink there after which Dan left me to return to his grandchild.

I crossed the street and walked back towards the Gulf. My goal was the Hot Tin Roof. Streets crowded. People waiting in line outside of restaurants to get in. It appears to be a terrific season.

Today is tuesday. My blog talk radio show once again this evening. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me at 9 for a half hour of interesting and eye opening material.

Topics will include some background re the young girls running off to join ISIS, Home Land Security, Berwick, Pa. may soon have chickens running around like Key West, American people understanding, and more.

My diet. I have now lost 36 pounds. Not bad!

Two problems occurred recently. I got stuck at 27 pounds for 10 days and at 30 pounds for two weeks. My doctor says it was because my body discovered I was starving and was storing food. I guess I stopped starving each time.

I am not starving myself, though I am eating much less.

Syracuse/Notre Dame tonight. I anticipate Syracuse will lose. Notre Dame has an exceptional team this year. They are ranked in the top 10 nationally.

To the basketball gods, please let the basketball season end!

My home town is Utica, N.Y. The Adirondack mountains an hour drive away. I do not recall seeing any bears in Utica, though I did see many over the years when in the mountains.

I never considered the Florida keys as having bears, let alone a bear problem. This morning’s Key West Citizen reported on the problem.

Years ago, the bear population was decreasing in south Florida dramatically. The government made bears a protected species. Now Florida thinks there are too many. Estimated at 3,000. There have been four maulings recently.

The State says we are going to start hunting bears again, a few have to be killed.

I do not recall anyone ever having seen a bear in the lower keys. My recollection is that there might have been one or two seen in the mid keys. Whatever, a hunting we will go!

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST OVER PEOPLED

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This morning’s Citizens’ Voice printed an interesting comment re the number of people presently in Key West. The thrust being too many. Basically, the writer commented….. how many people can fit in Key West?…..the island is too crowded…..traffic a mess.

Quite frankly, I have had the same thoughts several times since the first of the year. Long traffic lines at lights, cars moving at a snail’s pace, tourists walking every which way when crossing a street, bicyclists driving every which way. Where are we going to put all these people if the upward trend continues?

The thought occurred that maybe no cars in Key West might help. Have parking lots on US 1. Figure out how to get everyone into Key West. Also, close down Duval and make it a walking thoroughfare with outside tables, etc.

Neither of my solutions bears merit nor would either fly. Never the less, something has to be done. Otherwise, we will not have to wait for higher water levels to bury Key West. The sheer weight of people on the Island will do it!

One solution that would help is to build more parking garages in convenient places, The City Commission thinks and builds everything. Rarely taking parking into consideration. Parking has become a horrendous problem, especially since the new parking regulation which only permits permitted Key West residents to park on the streets.

Stopped by Pier 1 yesterday to pick up the two lamps I bought the other day. They had to be ordered. I found the staff at Pier 1 very congenial and helpful.

Spent a good amount of time at the Chart Room last night.

Met Mary Jo and Greg. They are from someplace in Indiana. Snowbirds. Though Mary Jo considers herself half a Conch. They bought a home on Eagle Street four years ago and spend six months a year here.

Mary Jo was a cardiac operating nurse in her other life. Now retired. Her job was to travel where ever to pick up hearts and lungs for transplants. Then rush back to the operating room. A heavy responsibility.

Greg still works. A police officer, he is Chief of Detectives. He and I talked long about police issues facing us today. It was interesting to hear from the other side. There is a reason for everything.

David joined us. Then lovely Charlotte. Charlotte from North Carolina. She visits Key West about six times a year. She works for United Health Care. I am always on her re the screwed up drug program they provide.  To no avail, of course. Charlotte is also a marathon runner. All over the country.

David, Charlotte and I went to dinner together afterwards at Hot Tin Roof. A good time!

My weight is stalemated again. At 31-32 pounds. Spoke to a doctor friend about it. I was told my body is in starvation mode. It stores everything I eat. Admittedly, I eat little. To get the metabolism working properly again, I have to increase my physical activity. Should be easy. Means starting at zero. I have gotten lazy in my old age. Also, I should increase my caloric intake a bit.

We shall see.

Syracuse/Pitt at 4. Pitt a 3 point favorite. I will probably watch the game from home. I have Sloan in earlier and Keith and Jennifer at some point.

Enjoy your day!

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE

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Normally, there is a lull in January. Not many tourists visite Key West. Not so this year. The town is packed!

Everyone is happy! From the tourists to local business people.

In speaking with some of the merchants, they all said there is an increase in families. Key West had a reputation for not being the place for a families to visit. Not so in the past few years. Increasing numbers are visiting each year.

I hit the Chart Room at a quiet time last night. It was me and Emily. Did not make sense till I realized children are not permitted in the Chart Room. Alcohol and smoke being the order of the day.

Then to the Hot Tin Roof. Twice this week. Why? One because I like it. The other that I can order food consistent with my diet. The second being the more important reason at this time.

I mentioned back in July that Dorothy had been found floating on her back and unable to dive. Dorothy being a 110 pound loggerhead turtle. She was taken the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

I am happy to report Dorothy has recovered. At 11 this morning, she will be released back into the sea. One hundred to 200 will probably be at the beach wishing Dorothy well and bon voyage.

Did some shopping for Louis in the afternoon. Finally found a table lamp I liked at Pier One. It is sitting on my desk. Beautiful! Part of my redecorated bedroom.

I needed a very small table to place between the recliner and wall. Had to be really tiny. Found it at Key west’s favorite locals’ shopping place. Ross. Cost me $14. You would never know!

Greece against the Eurounion and Germany. The new government wants to write off a large part of its debt. The Eurounion and Germany have said no. Lets see who blinks first. I put my money on the Eurouniuon and Germany to succumb to Greece’s demands.

Keep your eye on what is happening in Greece. History will be made this year.

Enjoy your day!

CUBA PLAYING HARD TO GET

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Raul Castro announced yesterday that a new relationship with the United States was conditioned on the U.S. giving back Guantanamo and paying reparations for 50 years of separation from the U.S. I think we should throw in the Empire State Building, also.

It appears Cuba may not want to dance.

Guantanamo actually belongs to Cuba. We were only leasing it. When trouble started, we kept it. A legal argument may exist. Reparations, forget.

Castro Cuba was and still is friends with Russia. The U.S. and Russia keep making moves against each other. Especially, economically. It could be Castro doing his friend Putin a favor.

A great evening last night! I was out with the Reardons. Dan and Lisa. They own a restaurant in Skaneateles, NY and are snowboards. They spend two months a year in Key West.

We started at the Chart Room with a drink. Then across the street to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner.

The Hot Tin Roof was packed. The streets loaded with tourists. Both signs the season has definitely arrived.

The elected officials who run Key West have a propensity to do stupid things. The season is upon us and two main blocks in downtown Key West are under repair. One on Duval, the other on Simonton. Both blocked off 24 hours a day. I had to make two different detours within four blocks of the Pier House. So did everyone else. Which added to the traffic and aggravation situation.

Termites have always been a problem in Key West. Homes are tented and bombed to do away with the little devils. They are called drywood termites.

This morning’s Key West Citizen reported another type termite in Key West and the lower keys. The Asian subterranean termite.

This termite does not get its beginnings in the wood of a building. It generally starts under the ground. It needs dirt. Then it moves up into a building. Tents are of no assistance. Pesticides must be injected into the dirt. The termite is reported to be more dangerous and damage causing than the dogwood.

The Asian subterranean termite arrived on Stock Island sometime in the 1990s via a boat. It has since traveled to New Town and up the keys as far as Big Coppitt.

One thing about living on a sub-tropical island is that we have a lot of bugs. All kinds. However and to the credit of those who deal with them, a good job is done keeping the bad guys under control.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PEOPLE GALORE

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Sometimes I think I am beginning to lose it.

I thought I had an appointment to do a special stress test yesterday at 2. For some reason, it was giving me concern. I prepped for it. Stayed in thursday night. Missed the Bocce Party. Did not drink. Skipped lunch friday.

I walked into the doctor’s office, said my hellos and sat down. The receptionist walked over to me…..Mr. Petrone, your test is not till monday.

I went out last night and had a few drinks to make up for the previous 36 hours.

Jenna was my companion. A striking 28 year old woman! Does my heart good to be out with her on my  arm. Jenna advised we had not seen each other since Thanksgiving.

We started at the Chart Room. I had arranged to meet Don and Chris and Dan and Lisa for drinks. A good time. Good people.

Then it was Louis and Jenna off to the Hot Tin Roof for dinner. The place was jam packed. People waiting for tables. The bar humming.

Jenna is good company. It is constant conversation.

Don and Chris showed up a bit later. They were having dinner at the bar. They return to Syracuse tomorrow. Will not be with us for the Syracuse game this afternoon. I probably will not see them again till April.

I am watching the game at 4 at Jack Flats with Dan and Lisa. I have never watched a game at Jack Flats. When I used to try, I never could get a seat. Dan assures me not to worry. He will take care of everything.

Syracuse plays Clemson at Clemson. Syracuse a one point favorite. We shall see. My enthusiasm is contained.

Something disturbing is developing in the United States. Actually, many things. The one that concerns me today are debtor prisons. In 10 States, you can go to jail if you cannot pay certain bills. Traffic fines, for example. The problem is the incarcerated soul cannot work while in jail. The sum owed grows. He is charged with the cost of his confinement and other expenses. The bill gets larger and larger. He can never get out. Sort of like a Mafia loan. If you could not timely pay, the amount owed would double.

My KONK Life column for next week is Debtor’s Prison. I hope to write the article today before leaving for the game.

Turn a wrong into a right. I speak of Penn State and Joe Paterno. Yesterday, Penn State and the NCAA voted to reinstate Penn State’s 112 game record. More importantly, they voted to reinstate Joe Paterno.

The Sandusky scenario a perfect example of mob rule. Someone had to pay besides Sandusky. It was Penn State and Paterno. Joe Paterno’s statue was removed from campus, his name stricken from the glories of Penn State. He died soon after. Incomprehensible.

Justice was done yesterday.

Some interesting developments in the terrorist situation in Europe. It is thought the ISIS leader is holed up on one of the Greek isles. Two terrorist groups were captured near Chamonix. Chamonix is the French city I have visited several times in recent years.

I watched an interesting show on TV in the middle of the night when I could not sleep. Till recently, the girls and young ladies ISIS captured were forced to marry ISIS troops. Those refusing were killed. Not necessarily so any more. ISIS troops need blood for their wounded fighters. The girls and young ladies are used to provide it. Each person becomes a blood bank. Frequent withdrawals.

Love these people!

Enjoy your day!