KEY WEST WASTEFUL WITH MONEY

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We live in Paradise! No question about it. However even this heavenly place has its drawbacks. One is not natural. It is man caused. I refer to many Key West City Commission decisions.

Roof leaking water requires a new roof. Cost $194,000. My problem with the repair is that the Police Building is relatively new. Constructed in 2002. In 2013, the windows were leaking. They had to be replaced. $238,00. Such repairs a disgrace for a building  only 13 years old.

It is not just the Police Building. Many things the City Commission votes and approves, later need repair of some kind. Some bad decisions involve overruns. The City Commission is not properly watching out for taxpayer dollars.

Some things I do not understand. Obama is looking to Congress to authorize a declaration of war. At the same time that Congress is threatening to shut down the Department of Homeland Security. Politics many times does not make sense.

Both basically needed to deal with ISIS.

ISIS is on the move again. Beheaded 21 Italians on a beach in Libya. All 21 were Coptic Christians.

ISIS is a spreading cancer. The Atlantic Ocean is not protection from ISIS terrorist attacks in the United States. We should have learned that from 9/11 and al-Qaeda

Today is Presidents’ Day. Most people think it is to celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln. It is not. When in 1968 Congress authorized the day as a holiday, it was intended to celebrate only Washington’s birthday. The people assumed it was for both.

No day is set aside to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday. Prior to Congress screwing everything up, the birthdays were celebrated on the actual date of the birth of each. Lincoln on February 2 and Washington on February 22.

The legal holiday popularly known as Presidents’ Day is to be celebrated on the third monday in February.

We also lost a paid holiday on the way. Both holidays on each’s date of birth meant for two separate days off. As opposed to Washington’s birthday alone which permits one day.

We lost a day and did not even know it at the time. Even today. Lincoln has no specific date to celebrate his life.

Thank you Congress! Another example of not getting things right.

Enjoy your day!

SEVEN FISH

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Seven Fish is one of Key West’s most famous restaurants. For years it has operated out of a small space. Crowded dining.

Seven Fish is moving! To bigger and better quarters. They are going from 40 seats to 150. The location on Truman Ave. They are tearing down the Japanese restaurant building across from the adult book store. The new Seven Fish to have its own newly constructed building.

A local business moving on to bigger and better things.

Congratulations and best wishes to Seven Fish!

Spent a few hours yesterday morning writing this week’s KONK Life column. Greece In The Driver’s Seat. My thoughts as to what may come as a result of the recent elections.

Stopped back at Pier One yesterday. Bought two more table lamps. The bed side tables were bare.

I opted to watch Super Bowl from the comfort of my new recliner at home. The game was outstanding. Especially the last 20 seconds. Great football! Unusual football!

The turtles that had to be flown from the cold waters of Cape Cod to the Marathon Turtle Hospital are recovering. Twenty eight arrived. One died. Six still sick and will remain hospitalized for another month. Need more rest and antibiotics.

The remaining 21 were returned to the ocean yesterday. Well recovered and healthy. The 21 were boated 24 miles out to warm Gulf of Mexico waters and returned to their natural habitat.

The Marathon Turtle Hospital is a wondrous operation!

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!

HELEN BASINGER

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I have been meeting some of the most charming and interesting women lately. Last night, it was Helen Basinger.

I was sitting at the Tavern ‘n Town bar having dinner when she and her husband Joel sat next to me. Joel was busy with a guest that had accompanied them. Ergo, I had Helen all to myself.

There was an instantaneous match! Helen wrote a book! It was published last month. Quit Smoking Now and Forever – Conquering the Nicotine Demon. The title speaks for itself. The book is available on amazon.com.

Helen was born and raised in England. She has a distinctive British accent. Lived in France a while. Then Turkey for a number of years. Came to the USA in 2008. She and Joel have been residents of Key West for two years.

Helen operates a business. Freedom Healing. Its purpose to help people break free from negative habits and emotions. I suspect I am ready made for her professional talents.

Her Turkey time lead to the waters between Turkey and Greece and the ferry boats. We agreed ferry boats are buses.

I enjoyed our exchange tremendously. I would like to meet with her again.

It was Bobby Nesbitt time at Tavern ‘n Town. Bobby is a premier entertainer. Tonight and tomorrow night he is appearing at Tennessee Williams doing a one man Fred Astaire show.

I never appreciated Fred Astaire till recently. I caught 24 hours of his movies on the Turner Classics Channel. A talent! A joy to watch!

Tavern ‘n Town was not crowded crowded. About three quarters full. A noisy bunch. I suspect that most were New Year tourists who will be leaving Key West today.

Lynda and Bob Frechette were on the other side of the bar. We raised our glasses to each other in a New Year toast.

Earlier in the day, I watched the Syracuse/Virginia Tech game. Syracuse was winning by 19 points at half. The team looked good. Very good. I started thinking maybe. Syracuse won by two points. No more maybe. I am back to disappointment and I do not know.

Villanova has a terrific team this year. Ranked in the top ten. Beat yesterday by Seton Hall. I still think Villanova will be a Final Four team.

I forgot to share with you yesterday that I wrote this coming week’s KONK Life column. Rank Insubordination. I pressed the button and it was off to the publisher. The column obviously concerns what is going on with New York City’s Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD.

Patrick is from upstate New York. He is a snowbird. He is also a constant commentator to this blog. Almost daily. Tough to handle most times. We are at opposite ends of the spectrum philosophically regarding many things. I consider him the indispensable opposition and even though I rarely agree, I am happy to have his comments.

Patrick can be helpful.

Yesterday’s comment was brief. It contained the name Warren Wilhelm. Who is Warren Wilhelm? I did not know. I Googled the name. The result interesting. Different.

Warren Wilhelm is New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio. His trip to de Blasio unusual.

The Mayor was born Wilfred Wilhelm. He legally changed his name in 1983 to Warren de Blasio-Wilhelm. He legally changed his name again in 2002 to Bill de Blasio.

I do not know what to make of this. However, I thank Patrick for piquing my curiosity.

Enjoy your Sunday!