This Week on the Island 05/18/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week (click to enlarge) is 'Johnny's Swinging Doors' which is now 'Finnegan's Wake' on the corner of James and Grinnell.

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'Powder Burn' by Carl Hiaasen and William D. Mintalbano.

I have been on a diet since the first of the year and lost 20 pounds (you know, that same 20 pounds I lose over and over and over). Last Sunday was my 64th birthday. I went to Schooner Wharf for 'The Captain' breakfast special. Coffee, two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage patties, two pancakes, and hash browns. Then the family went back at noon to listen to Michael McCloud until 5PM. More later, my yearly physical is next week.

Our banana tree came crashing down and we had to harvest all the bananas. We got one stalk with 42 bananas. Last years bananas were sweet.

Last Saturday morning I walked the dogs and got back home about 7:00 AM, it was hot inside the house. The A/C is now on. We have not had to run the heat or A/C since November (6 months with little electricity use).

Pepper's of Key West, the hot sauce place on Green Street, has changed hands. The new owner plans to continue business as usual.

Buffett on the Today Show taking about his new book 'Swine Not' http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24594369/

If you ever get interested in the history of Key West, go to http://www.keyshistory.org/keywest.html

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/11/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week (click to enlarge) is 'Lobster Gingerbread' on my house.

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Deadlier Sex' by Randy Wayne White. I also read 'Naked Came the Manatee'. It is 13 chapters written by 13 different authors. (Hiaasen, Leonard, Barry, Hall, Buchanan, Standiford, Levine, Antoni, Due, Dufresne, Hendricks, Hospital, and Mayerson) I really enjoyed the book.

Gingerbread, is what you call the fancy woodwork on the porches and overhangs of houses. Gingerbread was used to signify what a person did for a living. As many of the old houses in Key West are bought up and remodeled the gingerbread is removed as it is costly to replace. Now we have few houses with gingerbread. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ ,click PHOTO and then click GINGERBREAD to view some of the houses in Key West that still have theirs.

I have spent some time on my bicycle this week. Good leg workout, fresh air, suntan, watch the ladies on the beach, take pictures of gingerbread, go to the library, etc. Also went kayaking Friday. Good upper body workout. Fresh air, etc, etc.

Jo and I with Sassi and Boca go for a walk each afternoon about sundown. We try to walk a couple of miles. We carry a 'bubba jug' full of ice water for the dogs. The whole family enjoys the outing. (We have walked most of the streets of 'old town'.)

Skipped the walk on Wednesday and took the family to Higg's Beach. Extra low tide and we could search for treasure (seashells, etc) on the sea floor. The dogs like to chase the little crabs. Jo picked up a few sponges. (Key West used to be the sponge capital of the USA.)

The city of Key West is cutting all the coconuts out of the trees before hurricane season which begins June 1. (coconuts at 150 MPH can cause some damage)

Finally had to buy some gas for the Suzuki Samurai. This is the first gas since March 12th and it took only 4 gallons, not bad for almost 2 months. Jo and I walk a lot and I ride my bicycle to the stores.

Want to get Lei-ed? The worlds longest lei. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ ,click FILES and then click LONGEST LEI to read the story. This could be a challenge for the Parrot Heads the next time they are in town. A lei from the Atlantic to the Gulf down Duval Street.

Last but not least, if you are planning to drive to Key West and need a guide, go to http://www.buccaneerpress.com and download 'The Florida Keys Adventure Guide'. It is free. It is a list of interesting places to visit between the mainland and Key West.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/04/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week (click to enlarge) is a 'ring around the sun' at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, Key West, FL. Google it or go to http://joeorman.shutterace.com/Atmospheric/Atmospheric_02.html

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Handy Religion Answer Book' by John Renard. I have been reading it for a couple of weeks. It is a comparison of 8 different 'religions'.

Hog's Breath held 'The 13th annual Key West Songwriters' Festival' over the week end.

Sloppy Joe's had it's celebration of 71 years at the corner of Duval and Green.

Bacardi, the alligator is gone. Someone dropped a child's plastic turtle at the Blue Hole, a rock quarry dug by Flagler while building the railroad, and the alligator ate it. It got lodged in the alligators stomach and he died. The Blue Hole host over 80,000 visitors a year. He will be missed.

Schooner Wharf will have their annual Cinco de Mayo party Monday with Cuervo shots, tacos, hot peppers, and Corona. Can you say 'Cinco de Mayo'. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ and click FILE, then click 'Cinco de Mayo.doc' for a little history and a little joke.

Jimmy Buffett will appear on The Today Show on Tuesday May 13th to promote his new book "Swine Not?". Jimmy will also appear on "Live with Regis and Kelly" on the same day to talk about his new book. BuffettNews.com - http://www.buffettnews.com

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/27/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is Boca. A new husky member of our family. Jo, Sassi, and I drove up north to America to pick him up at Melbourne, FL.

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Iliad and The Odyssey' by Homer.

Ex-President George Bush was in the Key's fishing last week. He caught a 130 pound tarpon. http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=ebdd2a6f-8253-40a0-8ebc-bc6a6a89bd42&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:de5571a4-ea14-4de9-a51b-387c59092984%2C7d805593-e05d-4c32-9181-0b4a2087ef07%2C22c884d4-78da-4cd3-80b2-69c1b22cff13&from=MSNHP&tab=s3&GT1=42003

Tuesday, Jo and I took Sassi and Bo and walked the 3 miles (round trip) to Bayview Park and back. There was a celebration for Earth Day.

Thursday was a MG car show at Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park. Cars from as far away as Tacoma, Washington, were on display.

Friday we had two friends from Chicago that came to town to celebrate Conch Republic Days.

'Conch Republic Days' continues this week.

Last weeks 'Drag Racing' at http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-us&vid=bc3f2467-4133-4d50-bc2a-22ad6765d8d6&playlist=videoByTag:tag:viral:ns:Gallery:mk:us:vs:1&from=MSNHP&tab=m137&GT1=42003&wa=wsignin1.0
Monday: 4 - 7 PM -Reef Relief Party

Tuesday: 9PM Captains Meeting for the Bloody Sea Battle - Schooner Wharf Bar.

Wednesday: 7PM Pre Bed Race Party at Shanna Key

Thursday, April 24
7p - World's Longest Parade (ocean to ocean) - Starting at the Atlantic going down Duval to Schooner Wharf on the Gulf
9p - Parade Party with MM24 Band - Schooner Wharf

Friday, April 25th
6p - Bloody Battle - Mallory Square Harbour
7p - Battle Parade - Mallory Square Harbour
9p - Victory Party - Schooner Wharf

Saturday, April 26th
10a -> 5p - Craft Show - Duval & Whitehead Streets
Noon -> 5p - Conch Bar Crawl - Assorted Downtown Bars
2p --> 5p - Bed Races - Duval (from Fleming to Hog's Breath) - We took chairs and coolers and sat and watch. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTO then click BED RACES, I click SLIDESHOW next.
2p --> 7p - Fiddler's Contest - Green Parrot
7p --> Whenever - Pirate's Ball and Pig Roast - Schooner Wharf. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTO then click Conch Republic Pirates, I click SLIDESHOW next.

Sunday, April 27th
1p - Final Wrecker's Race
7PM Awards Ceremony at Schooner Wharf.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/20/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is 'WWII Ammunition Storage'. This is located behind Bahama Village at the corner of Truman and Fort. (click to enlarge)

The Weather: Another cold front and 61 degrees Wednesday morning but back into the low 80's by Friday.

The book this week was 'Black Widow' by Randy Wayne White. Dr. Ford solves another mystery while visiting the Islands.

Saturday morning was 'The Seven Mile Bridge Run'. This is quite an event and is advertised as the only run completely over water. US#1 is closed until the race is finished, so if you are trying to get across the bridge you need to be part of the run or be prepared for everything to take a couple of hours longer. There were over 1,000 runners this year for the 27th run and the winner was Ben Miller. 16 years old, with a time of 37:17.

We started 'Conch Republic Days' this week. The Conch Republic was formed April 23, 1982 when Key West seceded from the Union. The U.S. Border Patrol had blocked US#1 at Last Chance Saloon. We celebrate our 26th anniversary this year.
Friday-noon: the raising of the colors at Fort Zack; 7PM - The kick off party at Schooner Wharf.
Saturday-noon: The Drag Races on Duval Street staring the Key West Drag Queens.

A short story: Bud Navarro was in Guatemala in a little mountain village. A group of young men were not happy about an American being in their village. They were carrying knives and guns. Bud showed his 'Conch Republic Passport' and started saying 'Republica de la Concha'. The young men ended up buying him shots of tequila.

An updated version of 'Key West the Picture Show' was shown Tuesday night.

A unique dinning experience http://dinnerinthesky.com/pictures.php (be sure to click PICTURES).


Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/13/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is 'ashes' at Schooner Wharf Bar. The bar opens at 7:00 AM for its first happy hour (there are 3 each day, only 2 on Sunday) and doesn't close until 2:00 A M, but some people don't ever want to leave Schooner Wharf Bar. After they are gone and are cremated, they have some of their ashes placed on the beams of the bar.

The Weather: Beautiful --BUT---The predictions for the 2008 Hurricane Season are out and it doesn't look good. The weather guys are predicting a more active season. We here in Key West have not been hit by a hurricane since Katrina and Wilma in 2005.

The book this week was 'Orange Crush' by Tim Dorsey. I have now read all of the Tim Dorsey books and the adventures of Serge the serial killer.

I tried to send a 'Thank You' to everyone that sent me a message about Wyleigh going to Doggie Heaven. If I missed yours, then 'Thank You'.

The State of Florida Bicycle Law is that a bicycle is a vehicle and will follow all vehicular rules, except in places where the sidewalk is the designated bicycle path. South Roosevelt Blvd sidewalk is the bicycle path from the entrance to Key West to Old Town. The problem has been that the sidewalk was in terrible shape and very hard to ride on. Key West has blacktopped the sidewalk as a temporary fix. It is wonderful and makes it much easer to ride up to the stores from old town.

We have a couple of places in Key West where large construction threatened an old existing building and both won. On Front Street there is a bar where some of the locals liked to hang out. The Pier House was built and the old bar was saved. 'The Chart Room' is still there today and is part of that complex. There was also a motel complex, The Key Wester Resort Inn, on South Roosevelt where the Beatles stayed (1964), The Hyatt Windward Pointe Resort now stands there but the Fab Four's cottage stayed and is part of that complex.

John Lennon's art show, 'In My Life', was on display in Key West over the week end.

The Schooner Western Union came back to Key West this weekend. It had been in dry dock for repairs in Miami.

More treasure from sunken Spanish ships. A small box of pearls valued at $500,000 was discovered at the site of the Santa Margarita, the sister ship of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. They both sunk in a hurricane in 1622 off the coast of Key West.

For all you Parrot Heads out there. Captain Tony is home from the hospital and is doing well.

The Captain who will be 92 in August has gained 5 pounds while in the hospital. They did an angioplasty to relieve a blocked artery.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/06/2008

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is the construction at the old Atlantic Shores. Another Key West spot is gone and is being replaced by condo's.

The Weather: Another beautiful week. Lots of sun and clear skies.

The book this week was 'Hammerhead Ranch Motel' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, is in Tampa for this story. If you watch the new series 'Dexter' on TV, you can relate to Serge.

Kind of slow this week. Not a lot of tourist in town. I love it here all year long, but I especially like the summers. The tourist go to some place closer to home and leave the island to us locals. The people in the tourist business hate it, but the rest of us enjoy the island more when it is not so crowded.

There are many 'runs' for people in Key West that like that sort of thing, and these 'runs' usually have a large turnout. This Saturday morning was the 5 mile 'run' as sponsored by Turtle Kraals. Later in the year, we also have the 'Half Marathon', a 12 1/2 mile run that is sponsored by the Half Shell Raw Bar. It is only 12 1/2 miles around the island so we have a half marathon.

Saturday morning, Jo and I and Sassi, joined in the 'Key West Green and Clean' for this month. We have adopted part of Caroline Street near the Bight. We also clean Lazy Way Lane. Sassi enjoys smelling everything. Other teams have other area's of town.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/