SATURDAY NIGHT AT TAVERN ‘N TOWN

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Tavern ‘n Town has become a locals’ hang out saturday nights. The food is good and Bobby Nesbitt entertains. Many saturday nighters are Bobby Nesbitt fans. Yours truly, one.

A lot of hellos. Last night Bob Frachette. A little later, his wife Lynda. Peter Batty stopped by. Besides being a businessman, Peter serves as a Deacon at St. Mary’s by the Sea. His religious dedication impressive.

Met two interesting gentlemen who were seated next to me at the bar. Cal Collier and his son, Cal Collier, Jr. The father now lives in Charleston, the son Atlanta.

The senior Collier is Calvin J. Collier. He was Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Ford. Son Cal is a marketing consultant. I also sensed he might be a sport fisherman.

They visit Key West 3-4 times a year. Both love Key West. The conversation suggested they might some day buy a home in Sugarloaf.

They are staying at the Marriott Beachside and expressed their great pleasure with the hotel and its facilities.

Key West people in the making. Soon hopefully with us full time.

My day yesterday was spent researching this week’s KONK Life column. I have to get it to the editor today for wednesday publication.

The subject is Ho Chi Minh. Prime Minister, President, and military leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. His experiences as a young man and in early adult life especially interesting. The molding of a leader.

Since mid season, I have been mentioning Villanova as perhaps winner of the Final Four. Coach Jay Wright had put together a spectacular team. They only lost 3 games during the season and were a #1 seed in the big tournament.

Last night, Villanova lost. To North Carolina State, a #8 seed. An upset!

I caught Coach Wright’s comments after the game…..We were beat by a better team tonight…..they played better than us tonight. The emphasis on tonight.

That’s how it goes!

Howard Dean is a doctor turned politician. He served as Governor of Vermont. He has been a candidate for the Democrat nomination for President. I have wondered why Obama did not put Dean on his team.

I may have come upon the reason yesterday. Dean may be a bit of a loose cannon in more ways than merely ranting and raving.

Obama’s friend and former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is running for his second term as Chicago Mayor. The election was recently. There is a run off. Jesus Garcia and Emanuel. A David v. Goliath race.

Dean should be supporting Emanuel. He is not. He is supporting Garcia.

Emanuel is being supported by the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson. Big hitters. Money men with the Republican right.

A strange election! Politics does make for strange bedfellows.

Enjoy your sunday!

IT’S A DOG’S WORLD

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I was doing a bit of shopping yesterday at Publix. There was a big woman in the aisle with me. She had two tiny dogs on leashes. Both wearing red vests. We moved into the next aisle. I paid no particular attention to her or her dogs. All of a sudden, the loudspeaker said there was a small dog wearing a red vest at the check out counter. The woman went flying by me yelling in a panic…..I am coming darling!

This was not the first time I had seen a dog in Publix. Many times. All sizes.

Key West is dog friendly. Very. Our four legged friends are welcome in many bars, restaurants and stores. First State Bank keeps dog biscuits on the counter. Dogs even have their own beach. Properly called Dog Beach. It sits next door to Louie’s Back Yard. Used daily by dogs for sun and bathing.

My yesterday began with a manicure and pedicure with Tammy. Crowded. All women and me.

Last night the bar at Hogfish. Chatted with various fishermen. The real kind. They have been working the shrimp boats and other type vessels for many years. Some as much as 25. Most are bearded. Some missing a tooth or two. Their faces tanned and haggard. Good company!

The morning news tells us of the man who attacked a TSA agent in the security area yesterday at the New Orleans Airport. He was waving a machete and sprayed one agent’s face with wasp killer. He was shot. Three times. Lived. Now in the hospital.

Frankie and Sandy were in the New Orleans Airport yesterday. They own and operate Frankie the Plumber. Frankie is my former bocce partner. Their plans were to spend a couple of days in New Orleans and then enjoy a two week Caribbean cruise.

If Frankie and Sandy were there at the time of the incident, they should have been ok. They would have been downstairs waiting for their bags and not upstairs where the attack occurred.

Some 30 years ago, I was in Italy for a month with my wife, children and parents. When leaving, we checked our bags and had our tickets reviewed at a particular counter. The next day, several terrorists shot up the same counter we were at the day before, plus two others.

You never know.

The following episode bears out that remark.

My friend Anna from Novara telephoned yesterday to tell me about the Tunisia ISIS attack at a museum in Tunis. Twenty tree killed. Four were Italians. One of the Italians lived near her, though she did not know him personally.

She told me however that my friends Germana and Mini knew the man and his wife. Germana and Mini are the couple that own what may be the biggest rice fields in northern Italy, a golf course, and live in a castle. I mentioned them when I visited Novara.

The dead man was Francisco Caldara. Sixty four. He was with his wife Sonia Reddi who was wounded. They were on a cruise. Tunis was a stopping place so they could visit the museum which apparently is world famous.

Anna told me that later in the day, the ISIS terrorists Twittered the world that they are on an Italian crusade and would soon arrive in Italy.

Our world gets smaller and smaller.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOURISTS PACK KEY WEST

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I will be shocked if at the end of the season, Key West merchants complain. The season appears to be a gigantic success. People, bicycles and cars. Everywhere! Everyone smiling.

As it should be.

Last night was simple. First, Don’s Place. Conversation with Don, Jimmy, John and Keith. Bocce and golf the subject matter. Then Don and I to Tavern ‘n Town for dinner.

I love talking about Harry Truman. He is as important to Key West’s history as Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams.

The Key West Citizen’s History portion this morning had a picture of Truman and Speaker Sam Rayburn taking a walk in Key West. Sometime in November 1948. Truman was dressed Key West style. A colorful sport shirt.

The walk took place on one of Truman’s 11 visits to Key West. He spent a total of 175 days here.

Angus. Angus. Angus. One of the nicest guys in town. No one would dispute me. Angus spends time at Don’s Place, plays bocce and works as bar manager at Schooner Wharf. This morning’s E-Blast carries a couple of pictures of Angus on St. Patrick’s Day taken at Schooner Wharf.

This is amazing! I have been talking for three years about Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro. He’ the guy who ran out of toilet paper, milk and condoms. Plus, all kinds of foodstuffs. The Venezuela people suffered and continue to suffer.

I am surprised the people have not yet revolted. Things are that bad.

Maduro needed a scapegoat so as Venezuelans would not think he was responsible. He found one. The United States. He blames us for everything. His present complaint/warning is the United States is assisting in a coup and planning to invade Venezuela. The guy is a nut!

Over the three years, I have compared Maduro to Castro. Castro blamed all of Cuba’s evils for 50 years on the United States. Cuba and Venezuela are close. Best friends.

Raul Castro spoke out yesterday in defense of  Maduro and Venezuela. Regarding the United States, he said it was “…..impossible to seduce Cuba or intimidate Venezuela.” Said by Castro while Cuba and the U.S. are negotiating a reunion.

Everyone crazy!

On this day in 2003, Bush 2 announced the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The map of the Middle East changed as a result. Wars became commonplace. No weapons of mass destruction were found.

Thank you, Mr. President. Iraq is your legacy. Sad because you did do good in many other areas. Mark Anthony’s words at the time of Caesar’s death come into play. As I recall…..The good men do is interred with his bones, the evil lives on forever.

I have to hustle. Have a haircut appointment this morning. Parking has become a big time problem under the new parking rules. I need extra time to find a proper parking place.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

HEMINGWAY’S SPAIN

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It is impossible to think of Key West and not Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway spent ten years in Key West. During that time, he did all the things people do when on the island. Drank, partied and fished. He also completed writing A Farewell To Arms.

Hemingway’s grandson Michael Hemingway was in Valencia, Spain yesterday. He met one of his grandfather’s closest friends, Francisco “Canito” Cana. Cana was a bullfight photographer during his Hemingway days.

Cana shared many stories with Michael. Especially, the “…..feasts and binges.” He told him of Pamplona and the running of the bulls. How he and Hemingway would eat a huge dinner the night before with much wine. The next day, they would watch the running of the bulls. Followed by coffee in the Plaza Castillo.

Cana added that Hemingway loved Spain, their drinking sprees, the wine they guzzled, and the flask of vodka he always carried.

First it was Syracuse, my Syracuse. Today it is Manhattan, my Manhattan. My poor Jaspers!

Not a basketball year for me.

Manhattan lost in the first game of the NCAA tournament. Manhattan had to play its way in. Had they won, the prize was playing Kentucky next.

Manhattan lost to Hampton College 74-64. Surprising since Manhattan was an 8.5 point favorite. Also, Manhattan’s record was 19-13. Whereas, Hampton’s 16-17.

Such is life! There is always next year!

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day. A part of Duval Street was closed off. The area jam packed. Most wearing green and drinking glass after glass of green beer. Everyone on a Duval crawl!

An interesting factual correction re  St. Patrick. He did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. Ireland was too cold for snakes. St. Patrick did drive the idol worshiping Druid religion out as part of his Christianizing most of Ireland. Over the years, the Druids being driven out has transformed into the snake story.

Netanyahu won. Surprising. You cannot always trust the polls. Query: How will this affect Iran’s thoughts re a nuclear agreement? Iran may now fear Israel and use that reason for not entering into a deal with the United States. It is assumed Israel has nuclear bombs.

My blog talk radio show last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I spent half the show discussing Tom Cotton. The new kid on the block as I described him. A far right tea party type. Also, a neocon. Backed by big money and powerful people. Beware was my message. The man is being groomed for a Presidential run at some point.

This week’s KONK Life publishes today. My column is the Making of a Star. The Tom Cotton story. Read it. A guaranteed eye opener.

I am sick and tired hearing about Hillary’s e-mails. A red herring going nowhere. When are these idiots going to start discussing things like jobs and income inequality?

Nancy Robinson is a Key West icon. A lady. Known to everyone in Key West. Mother of Martha Robinson.

Nancy has been sick. She is still sick. In and out of the hospital. Now home. Definitely not well. Say a prayer for her.

Enjoy your day!

 

TIM AND MAUREEN HARVEY

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A good evening at the Chart Room! Interesting people, fun people.

Met Tim and Maureen Harvey from Clarksville, Tennessee. Both 50ish. Tim an attorney. Maureen manages his firm. She has done so from day one. They have two married daughters.

Tim and Maureen read this blog daily. Love them!

They have visited Key West several times over the years. Qualify for snowbird status. They are presently here for one month. June Hudson an acquaintance.

Tim mentioned he was a Democrat. One of three remaining in Tennessee. I am proud of him!

Nice people! Hope we can get together again before they leave. They have been Chart Room fans for a number of years. Know Captain Peter.

I was also lucky to chat with Amy last night. She is a bartender/hostess at the Yacht Club. My former club. She started working there about the time I left. Lovely and interesting. Another person I would like to meet again.

Before hitting the Chart Room, attended the Friends of the Key West Library program at St. Paul’s Church. Novelist Les Standiford guest speaker. He has written some best sellers. Among them, Last Train in 2003. The story of Henry Flagler and the Overseas Railroad. The book is now in its 20th edition.

Standiford’s most recent book is Desperate Sons. A story of the American Revolution. The book identifies the radicals who fomented the American Revolution. Men like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry.

I found most interesting his telling us that the colonists who pushed for the Revolution were not those who led the country thereafter government wise. Two separate talents. Each effective however at the time needed.

Tonight, my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Interesting and exciting topics. Eye openers. Topics this evening include my thoughts re Senator Tom Cotton who penned the letter signed by 46 Republican Senators to Iran, Venezuela being rabble roused by Maduro who tells his people the United States is on the verge of invading Venezuela, the bad guys have found another place to launder dirty money, and police quotas being for real.

I have considered Senator Ted Cruz a radical, bit of a nut. No longer.

I watched Cruz on Morning Joe today. Was I impressed! He is articulate and thoughtful. An excellent speaker. Expresses himself well. Able to respond to questions without bullshit.

Cruz seeks the Republican nomination for President. Whether he can get it, another story. Whatever, he set forth his conservative thoughts well. My problem is I do not trust these guys. As far as I am concerned, they are under the thumb of the one percent and corporate America.

Enjoy your day!

 

Syracuse No, Manhattan Yes

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Yesterday was Sunday. I spent the first four hours finishing this week’s KONK Life column. Making of a Star. Re Tom Cotton. The young U.S. Senator who wrote the letter to Iran signed by 46 Republican Senators. The public should be aware of the nature of the man. A protegé of the conservative far right, he is being groomed for the Presidency. I consider him dangerous.

I was surprised at a comment by Mika Brezinski this morning. She referred to the Senators who signed the letter as “toddlers at play.” Not really. I doubt she is aware of Cotton’s background..

A guest on Good Morning Joe referred to the Congressman chairing the subcommittee looking into Hillary’s e-mails as “Gomer Pyle.”

Respect is fading in today’s society. We see it in our elected representatives. We are entitled to better from media news pundits.

After completing the column, I did yesterday’s blog.

A full morning of writing!

I took the afternoon off. I was tired from all the writing. Decided on Salute’s. Took the book I have been reading. Operation Sea Lion by Leo McKinstry. The story of England 1941 anticipating a German invasion. I finished the book while at Salute’s.

I found a table outside by the main door. Sat looking out onto the beach. Between pages, enjoyed the young ladies I felt guilty looking at the other day.

Operation Sea Lion is one of the best books I have read on World War II. I recommend it to you. The summer and fall of 1941 were very dangerous for the English. The bravery and confidence of the English people and Churchill are highly commendable. It made me wonder if we would handle a threatened invasion in the same fashion.

Last night was watching the NCAA seeds. I have no Syracuse to pull for. However, my undergraduate school made it. Manhattan College. A small Catholic college at the north end of New York near the Yonkers border.

Manhattan has a tough roll. They must play their way in. They first must beat Hampton. Their reward for winning is Kentucky. Number 1 and number 16 facing each other.

Manhattan’s coach is Steve Masiello. Played college ball for Louisville as a walk on. Got to two Final Fours, one won. Thereafter, he was an assistant coach to Rick Pitino at Louisville for six years.

Go ‘Cuse now becomes Go Jaspers!

Tonight is the Friends of the Key West Library Lecture Series. The speaker Les Staniford. He recently wrote a book about certain Revolutionary participants. Like John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry. I am a history freak. His talk should be interesting.

Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard have spent the past year in the Florida keys filming a new TV show. Bloodline. Thirteen episodes start this friday evening via Netflix. The show’s action takes place primarily in Islamorada and Key Largo.

Harry Truman. Key West loves Harry Truman! Truman loved Key West! On this date in 1950, he arrived for a three week vacation. One of the eleven trips he made to Key West, all of which totaled 175 days.

Enjoy your day!

 

SAVE OUR PINES DAY

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Blog late this Sunday morning. Sorry. I spent most of yesterday working on this week’s KONK Life column. There was more to do. It took from 6-10 this morning.

The title is Making A Star. The Tom Cotton story. He is the U.S. Senator who penned the Iranian letter that 46 Republican Senators signed. The column an eye opener.

Some 15 years ago give or take, the State of Florida decided the Australian pines at Fort Zach Taylor Beach had to go. The pines were purportedly dangerous to the rest of the foliage enviroment, etc.

A group of Key Westers got together and fought the removal of the pines. It was not easy. However, after much grief, joy, and BS from the State, the group won. The pines still stand tall at the Fort Zach Taylor Beach.

The pines are perfect. If the sun gets too much, one can sit anywhere under them. Very cool.

Key West Mayor Cates announced that today is Save Our Pines Day. An annual pot luck picnic will take place at the Beach under the pines. Open to the public.

St. Patrick’s Day coming. Green beer day! The bars will do a booming business. Tourists will enjoy. Streets will be closed off for partying.

Enjoy your Sunday!

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!

A SPRING BREAK BEACH

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It was a bit overcast early yesterday afternoon. I decided to walk Smathers Beach. I forgot it was spring break time.

I must share an impression. I felt old. Even better, antiquated. They are all young! Very Young! I almost felt pedophilic looking at the young ladies.

Twenty five years ago when I first visited Key West, it was spring break time. The young ladies looked young, but still woman like. I was not ashamed to look.

Yesterday was different. They were too young looking. It was because I had become too old. At 79, a 20 year old looked like a high school teenager.

Bocce last night! We won all three games. We were not overjoyed, however. We killed the opposition in the first game. The next two were close and we could have lost either or both.

Why were we unhappy? The team we played had only won one game till last night. They still have won only one game, but made a fight of it against us.

With one exception, none of us was up to our usual ability. We sucked! Clare was the only shining light.

Captain David has been saying for three years that we play to our competitor’s level. A valid observation last night.

I was happily surprised at one point. Robert and Jake showed up. Robert was walking Jake. I was happy to see him. A hug and kiss are always good.

Jake surprised me. I had never seen him before with a number of other dogs around. Everyone brings their dog to bocce. Jake handled it well. Sniffing away, the dogs were friendly with each other.

A loyal blog reader is Marty from the Blue Ridge. He comments frequently. Engages with others in arguing some point raised in the blog.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Great Blizzard of 1888. Marty brought to my attention the Great Northeast Heat Wave of 1896. Extended from Chicago through New York and Boston. Lasted 10 days. The temperature above 90 degrees, day and night. There was no breeze. Some 1,500 died.

Living conditions in New York were deplorable for poor immigrant families. They lived 5-6 to a room, no air circulation and no running water.

The  heat wave was Theodore Roosevelt’s introduction to prominence. He was a little known Police Commissioner. He had ice distributed free from the police stations.

Tonight, dinner with June Hudson. I have been looking forward to it all week. We have known each other for over 20 years. However since her husband Bill died two years ago, we have seen little of each other.

Enjoy your day!

 

GREAT BLIZZARD OF 1888

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Sitting here in Key West enjoying 80 degree weather, I write first of snow. Lots of snow. The Great Blizzard of 1888. The northeast. New York City hit hard, as Boston  was in recent weeks. However, the Great Blizzard took only 24 hours.

Considered one of the most severe blizzards ever, it claimed 400 lives. Twenty to sixty inches of snow fell in different areas. Winds 45 mph. Snowdrifts in excess of 50 feet.

Roscoe Conkling had studied law in my home town of Utica, NY. He became District Attorney of the County and Mayor of Utica. Then engaged in a thriving law practice. He was considered a great orator. Conkling was elected to the House of Representatives several times and then served for 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

He became a major political figure state wide and nationally. He made presidents. One being Ulysses Grant. Grant offered him the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Conkling refused. Years earlier, he was nominated to the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice and was confirmed by the Senate. He refused the nomination after his confirmation.

He was a known philanderer. A woman chaser. There is the story of the husband coming home early, Conkling going out the back window, the husband chasing him with a shotgun.

Conkling took care of his body. He worked out daily.

He was in his office on Wall Street when the Great Blizzard hit. He could not get a horse and carriage to take him home. Being in the excellent shape he was, he decided to walk. Three miles from Wall Street to 25th Street. He never made it home. He collapsed, came down with pneumonia and died.

He is buried in Utica. A simple yet massive stone. It sits on a little hill which runs along Oneida Street. The retaining wall holding the hill has been crumbling for years.

His stone faces west. Utica developed to the west. The cemetery to the east behind the stone. When Conkling was buried, he was placed in his grave as he was so that he could forever have an uninterrupted view of the valley before him. Progress decided otherwise and Utica developed in that area to the west, thereby placing his stone near a heavy traffic thoroughfare. Few take the time to look at the stone. Even fewer know Conkling is buried there.

I write about the blizzard and Conkling for a number of reasons. Today is the anniversary of the Great Blizzard. His career was outstanding. His stone and place of burial interesting.

I enjoy walking through cemeteries. The history of an area or the person is carved into the stones. What can be learned fascinating. I first came across Conkling’s stone and burial place on one of those walks many years ago.

Fantasy Fest seems to have survived its most recent onslaught. The Key West Commission and Fantasy Fest promoters met last night. Some minimal advertising changes were agreed to. Otherwise, everything will remain as it has been.

I agree with the outcome. My philosophy is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Spring break is upon us. The college kids appear well behaved. They seem to be having a great time.

I envy them. I neither knew of spring break nor could have afforded it had I known when I was in college.

My blog talk radio show last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Listeners appeared most interested in the letter sent to Iran by 47 Republican Senators.

I spoke of Nicholas Maduro. He is President of Venezuela. I have been talking about him for three years. The man is a nut case. He becomes more troublesome by the day. Troublesome as regards the United States. The man bears watching.

KONK Life hits the streets today. If you have a chance, read my column. Mass Killings Common. I wrote the article because of recent ISIS atrocities such beheadings and burning people alive.

Enjoy your day!