This Week on the Island 12/28/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This weeks book was another by Laurence Shames titled 'Virgin Heat'. It is about a New York Mob Boss's daughter that comes to Key West looking for a past lover that is in the witness protection program. The 'Family' gets upset and all end up in Key West trying to find her.
Monday, Dec 22, was the shortest day of the year (Winter Solstice) . Sunrise at 7:06 AM and Sunset 5:43 PM. High 72 degrees and low 66 degrees. Now the days start getting longer. All week the weather has been wonderful, mid 70's in the day and mid 60's at night with a brilliant sun.

People everywhere! No parking places anywhere! Charter boats full! Hotels and motels full! Bars and Restaurants full! Noise everywhere! Conch tour trains everywhere! Scooters everywhere! Lots of families with kids and more oriental people here than usual. I guess people are taking a little winter break from the weather in the north.

Went to the Fresh Market on the bight to get a loaf of bread on Christmas Eve, they were having a wine tasting party. I love living here.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 12/21/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This weeks book was another by Laurence Shames titled 'The Naked Detective. It is about a 'writer want-to-be' that moves to Key West and his accountant sets him up as a detective for a tax write-off. Someone actually hired him and he actually solves the case. I enjoyed it.

The first of the week was warm (in the 80's), the middle of the week was cold (down to the middle 50's), and now it is warming up again (the mid 60's). This morning, Sunday, it was 58 degrees. Time to walk on the sunny side of the street. The sun here is usually too intense to do that.

The island is packed with tourist. Everyone trying to get out of the cold north. There are 3 cruise ships a day at the docks and on some days there is another one parked off-shore. The hotels are packed and it is hard to get a seat in the restaurants and bars. The island is covered with little birds that look like sparrows. I guess they stopped on their way south for the winter. We also have the buzzards back. They will be here for a few months before going back north.
Christmas: not everybody decorates, but those that do seem to do it well. Flagler Avenue, over need the high school, has a bunch of houses that have a 'few' decorations. I would hate to have to pay their electric bill this month. The Southernmost Parrot Head Club helped with the selling Christmas trees for the MARC House last week was interesting.

Saturday night was the 'Lighted Boat Parade'. They mustered just outside the bight at Schooner Wharf then they paraded into the bight and by the judges stand, next was up to Mallory Square and around in a circle and then back to the muster area. We planned to stand on the pier next to 'The Buccaneer Hotel' which is at the end of Front Street and on the bight, but our daughter, Wyleigh Dog, didn't feel well, so we stayed home. I walked over to the bight about 9:00 PM and watched some by myself. It was beautiful but cold.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 12/14/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week I read another book by Laurence Shames titled 'Welcome to Paradise'. There are two Big Al's. one from New York and one from New Jersey. They both come to Key West for a vacation. An enemy in New York send some guys to get Big Al in Key West. They get the wrong guy. It is really funny.

The Southernmost Parrot Head Club had 5 events this week. (1) The results of our elections for officers for 2004. [My team was re-elected.] (2) Our Christmas Party. [We had a wonderful time] (3) Our selling Christmas Trees at the Marc House on Saturday. [ It was in the mid 80's] (4) Our selling of Christmas Trees at the Marc House on Sunday. [ The temperature dropped to the high 60's]. (5) We donated $500 to the MARC House. [Monroe County Association For Retarded Citizens.]

Wednesday it was in the low 80's, so Jo and I and Wyleigh Dog went to sit in the sun and listen to Michael McCloud at Schooner Wharf Bar. Friday afternoon I lay in my hammock in the back yard and worked on my tan. Life is good.

Saturday night we had to turn the air conditioning on. Sunday we have another cold wave moving thru and the temperature dropped to the high 60's.

Buffett has left the island.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 12/07/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week I finished 'Reap the Wild Wind' by Thelma Straebel. This was made into a movie by Cecil B. DeMille. It is about Key West back in the old Wreaking Days (1840's) when Key West was one of the riches cities in the USA. They made their money by rescuing ships that when ashore on the reefs that are around Key West. It has a strong Charleston-Key West connection. I also read another book by Laurence Shames entitled 'Florida Straits'. This one is about when the 'Godfathers' son moved from New York to Florida. ( So it seems I read them out of sequence). The son gets involved with the Miami mob. I really enjoy sitting on my front porch reading these books.

The aircraft carrier the USS George Washington is sitting 7 miles offshore this week (the other side of the reef) and allowing its' over 5000 personnel shore time. The sea got so rough by the week end that they had to fly the sailors by helicopter back to the ship.

Monday night in celebration of 'Pirates in Paradise' and the release of the DVD 'Pirates of the Caribbean', we had a large fireworks display at Mallory Square. It was sponsored by Disney and during the fireworks the ship HMS Bounty was docked at Mallory Square.

Buffett is in town recording at his 'secret' recording studio about 1 block from the house. This is suppose to be a Country Western CD. I have been getting calls and email from all over the USA from people telling me to be in Margarittaville on Friday night to see Buffett. Buffett was there. He did play a few songs. The place was packed. Jo and I got home about midnight. He also played at Hogs Breath on Wednesday night.

It is Sunday morning and 58 degrees. Saturday there was a high pressure weather system sitting over New Orleans. It was pulling the cold air out of Canada and sending it right down the state of Florida. By the time it got here Saturday night, it had warmed up to 58 degrees with wind gust up to 30 MPH. We had to close the windows and doors, but it is suppose to be nice and warm again later in the week.

The Christmas Parade was Saturday night. It was COLD. In case you don't know yet it was 58 degrees. No shorts and sandals this year. I wore jeans, socks and shoes, and a coat.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it!

View the HMS Bounty http://www.tallshipbounty.org/main.html

This Week on the Island 11/23/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been requested to re-do the walk I took with the dog, but do it in a different direction. It seems that to some people it brings back memories of Key West.

The Southernmost Parrot Head Club did a charity auction recently and received enough money to adopt 3 class rooms. I printed 'Thank You' notes and walked with Wyleigh Dog to deliver them. We went out the front door and took a right and stopped at 'Scrubs' on the corner of Caroline and Pecan. Then we went to 'Pepe's' and crossed the street to 'B. O.'s' on the corner of Caroline and Williams. Next was the 'Fresh Market' on the Key West Bight. We went to 'Stars and Strips' and 'Freedom Tours' up by 'Turtle Kraals' and 'Half Shell Raw Bar'. Then we followed the board walk along the bight and went to 'The Schooner America', 'SunSet Water Sports', 'Sebago's, 'Sunny Days', and stopped in at Schooner Wharf to visit 'Michael McCloud'. We proceeded to the corner of Green and Elizabeth to say thank you to Kermit at 'The Key Lime Pie Company', we went across the street to 'The Captains Corner' and 'The Conch Republic Seafood Company', and then stopped at 'Peppers' on Green Street. Next was a thank you to 'Last Flight Out' across from 'Sloppy Joe's' then 'Hog's Breath' and a thank you David Goodman who was performing there. We went around the corner to Front Street and 'Historic Tours' (the Conch Train) and then headed up Whitehead to the post office to pick up some mail. We left the post office and went to 'Margarittaville' and then on up Duval Street to 'Beads of Distinction' (next to Crabby Dicks). Now it was time to head toward home so we went by Bank of America to check for mail for Jo and then went to 'The Curry Mansion' on Caroline Street, 'Mary O'Shae's' on Simonton then to Tim & Donna's on Elizabeth Street. Next it was time to head to home on Caroline and rest. I still have a few Thank You Notes to deliver but they are out near the shopping centers.

This week I finished 'Scavenger Reef' by Laurence Shames. The library here has many of his books. The story is about a Key West artist that goes sailing and ends up missing for 4 months. His art work become worth a lot of money (because they think he is dead) and many of his friend have painting. He reappears after 4 months and his friend realize they are not going to get rich by selling pictures. There are repeated attempts on his life so the paintings will remain valuable. Interesting book. I'll get another one of his books from the library for next week.

This week is Off Shore Power Boat Racing. It is kind of like NASCAR at sea. They run around in circles, just off shore of Mallory Square, with helicopters flying over head in case of an accident. The helicopters are equipped with rescue personal that can jump into the sea to rescue boat drivers. Anyway, Jo and I were walking Wyleigh Dog down toward Mallory Square Tuesday night when we ran into a parade of the boats coming up Whitehead to Front and making a right on Duval and going on up Duval. We stood at the corner of Front and Duval and enjoyed watching them try to get their Big Riggs with boat and trailer to make that right turn. The time trials were Wednesday and the race was delayed for about an hour because two sea turtles were mating in the waters off Mallory Square. Friday night the boats were on display on Duval Street and the races were run Saturday and Sunday.

Wyleigh Dog and I were taking a walk on Monday afternoon when we ran into Frank Everhart over at Jimmy Buffett's 'Secret' recording studio on the Key West Bight. (Frank is a member of the Southernmost Parrot Head Club and Social Chairman. He also does a Magic Show at Schooner Wharf Bar). Wyleigh and I were invited into the studio to do a tour. Buffett was NOT there.

Nevada Dog is still with us but he cannot make the long walks anymore. I take him for walks around the block.

Doug Bennett
Key West You have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 11/16/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have had a strong wind out of the north for the last couple of days. The water is very turbulent with 12 foot seas out beyond the reef. Most of the fishing boats and reef trip boats are staying in harbor. The Fast Cat to the Dry Tortugas has problems with people getting sea sick. It is beautiful on land.

Friday morning it was only 78 degrees. Some of us are cold. Jo and I didn't even run the air conditioning on Friday or Saturday. Thank goodness it has started to warm up a little bit today. It is too early in the year for it to be this cold. I know that you people way up north in places like Miami are much colder, but that is where you choose to live. Those of you even further north must really be cold.

Our local Parrot Head Club (Doug Bennett, President) raised almost $1,500 for charity at our charity auction darning MOTM (Meeting of the Minds) the first of November when all the Parrot Heads were in town. We have adopted 3 class rooms and used corporate matching funds from one of our members to adopt another 3 class rooms. We feel very good about this.

The town in packed with visitors. The hotels are full, the bars are full, there restaurants are full, the streets are packed and we are getting 3 or 4 cruise ships a day. People rent mopeds to ride around the streets. They have drivers license, but have never ridden a moped before. We have lots of accidents. I keep hearing moped horns and ambulances.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are lots of bicycles in Keys West. They are chained up everywhere. There are lots of 'dirtbags' in Key West. They are asleep on the sidewalks and in the alleys. If you find your bike with trash in the basket, that means that some 'dirtbag' has marked it to be stolen. If he come back by the next day and the trash is still in the basket then he will steal you bike and sell it for about $15 so he can buy more beer.Keep your bicycle chained and clean.

This Week on the Island 11/09/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are into 'High Season'. The price of everything goes up because the island begins filling up with people for the winter. It will be this way until after spring break next year. We are expecting 4 ships in the harbor today, the streets will be packed.

We had a bunch of 'bikes' in town this week end. They were real bikes, you know the kind you peddle. They rode in from Miami (170 miles to the north) as a fund raiser for Aids Awareness.

The Southernmost Parrot Head Club is into elections for officers for 2004. Our nomination period was the month of October. At the last minute, the Pirate Group, that tried to take over the club in 2003, sent in their nominations. Two of the people they nominated are not ever club members. It looks like we are going to have to put up with the same 'crap' we have had to put up with in the last election. On well, it will all be over in a month or so.

Read two interesting books this week. 'Backwater Sound' by James W. Hall and 'Quite your Job and Move to Key West' by Christopher Shultz and David L. Sloan. I would recommend the second one.

This was the week 'after' the Parrot Heads left the island, only they all didn't leave. Jo and I spent quite a bit of time this week with the 'left over' Parrot Heads. They wanted to do non-tourist stuff.

Jo has decided to retire from Bank of America. I believe she will find another job. She is not the type to be retired. Maybe she can get a job driving the Conch Train. If she can drive that big old Hummer around these narrow street, she can drive the Conch Train.

Spent some time in my kayak. November in Key West.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 11/02/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richard Petty's yacht 'Left Turn' is in the Key West Bight. It has been here for about a week. There is a large yacht in the Hilton marina and Madonna's house on Sunset Key is 'unshuttered'. I think she may have come in town for the last of 'Fantasy Fest'.

The weather is starting to cool off. It is in the mid 80's in the day and the mid 70's at night and most of the humidity is gone. The sun is out and the sunsets are beautiful.

Oh, yes, I almost forgot to mention that we had a little over 3000 friends come to visit this week. This week was Meeting Of The Minds (MOTM) the annual gathering of Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett) fans. There were people from all over the USA, Canada, and Australia. It was a busy week with parties held all over the island every day. Headquarters for the Convention was the Casa Marina and there were bands playing there on the grass next to the beach by the ocean. It was a beautiful setting. We had a great time. There is one last party, at Schooner Wharf, for the people that do not have to be back at work on Monday. So I guess Jo and I will head over to the 'NO Planes on Sunday' Party. Got to go.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 10/26/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I SURVIVED FANTASY FEST 2003!

What a week and it is finally over. It started last Sunday when I was on Duval Street with Wyleigh Dog and noticed an old lady in a wheel chair that was painted to the waist. There were parties somewhere every day. As the week progressed there were more and more people and less and less places to park. The lot across the street usually doesn't care who parks there after 5:00 PM. Thursday they were charging $20, Friday they were charging $40, yesterday they were charging $50. Key West had between 70,000 and 80,000 people here last week. The weather was beautiful and the breast were in full bloom. Friday there was a street fair on Duval and later there was a costume parade down Duval. Saturday the 'Fantasy Fest Parade' was wonderful. Jo and I sat next to Hard Rock. We carried some chairs and made our selves at home for about 4 hours. We got there at 6:00 PM and waited for the 7:00 PM parade. The parade got to us about 7:30 PM and ended at about 10:00 PM. We got home at about 10:30 PM and watched all the people coming up Caroline Street after the parade looking for their cars. When I got up at 4:00 AM to go to the bathroom, there were still people going up Caroline Street.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.

Next Week The Parrot Heads. (Jimmy Buffett Fans)

This Week on the Island 10/19/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am spending time reading books about Key West, this week I have spent some time reading two books: 'Mile Zero ' by Thomas Sanchez and 'Wind from the Carolinas' by Robert Wilder. 'Mile Zero' is about Voodoo in Key West and 'Wind from the Carolinas' is about the large plantation owners that were Loyalist to the King of England that moved out of the Colonies after the revolution. Some moved to the Bahamas and then went to Key West. Next I hope to start reading 'Reap the Salvage Wind' about Key West old Wreaking Days.

This week was also 'Goombay' which is a celebration of African Heritage. The celebration takes place Bahamas Village on Petronia Street and is free. Lots of food and spirited music and dancing. There was a great parade on Saturday at 5:00PM. Well it actually started at 6:00PM and was only 1/2 block long.

This week is also the beginning of 'Fantasy Fest'. The theme this year is 'Daze of Future Past'. It last for 10 days and ends with a big parade next Saturday night. This island of 25,000 residents will be overcrowded with 70,000 - 80,000 visitors. At 'Fantasy Fest' if it is painted it ain't naked. Lots of people are getting all sorts of paint jobs on interesting parts of their body. Women walk up to an air-brush artist, sit on the stool, strip to the waist and get painted. I enjoy the show. More next week.

The first week of November will be 'Meeting of the Minds' (MOTM) when all the Jimmy Buffett fans (Parrot Heads) come to Key West. More in two weeks.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it.
------------------------------Jim Bo-----------------------------------------------------------Jim was a tall skinny 'dirtbag' . He wasted good air everytime he breathed. Jim was an Officer in Viet Nam and caught a bullet in the mouth as they were getting on a helicopter to be evacuated after a fire fight. Jim ended up in the hospital here after years of being a drunk and when he got out he quite drinking, got a job, and is actually doing well. I am not sure rather he killed off too many brain cells drinking, or if the bullet to the mouth did some brain damage, but Jim is a little 'slow'. It is very rare to see one of these 'dirtbags' make a change toward the better. They usually backslide into their old habits. Jim has been sober for 8 months. I am proud of him.

This Week on the Island 10/12/2003

'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 weather. What can I say. It is in the mid 80's in the day and the high 70's at night but the big story is the humidity, it has dropped to the low 60's. It is beautiful. This is the reason we live here.

Jo has a friend, Susan, in town this week, so we are doing all the tourist stuff.

We went to the Dry Tortugas on Friday. (70 miles west of Key West). It takes 2 1/2 hours by boat to get there and then 2 1/2 hours to get back. We spent 4 hours at the old Fort and checking out the island. I really would have hated to be stationed there. It is a beautiful place, but after 4 hours I was ready to leave. The Fort was never completed, but it was built to control the shipping in the Gulf of Mexico. It was used as a Union prison in the Civil War. At one time there were 2,000 people stationed here. Dr. Mudd was their most famous prisoner. He is the Doctor that fixed Booth's leg after he shot President Lincoln.

Kmart, October 1st, There is a 6 foot mechanical Santa Claus at the front door that says "Merry Christmas" when you walk past.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There is a beautiful house on Elizabeth Street across from the VFW. It has been 'For Sale' since we moved to the island. Now with the new hotel being built across from my house and the rumor that the VFW will be sold and demolished, That house may be sold. Guess who is suppose to be the buyer? Jimmy Buffett. Seems the house is only about 50 feet from his recording studio. Asking price $2.5 million.

This Week on the Island 10/04/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is kind of slow on the island so why don't you take a walk with me.When Wyleigh dog gets me up each morning, she and I and Nevada go for a SHORT walk. Out the door, down Elizabeth Street past the VFW, past the Key Lime Pie business, over to Conch Republic Seafood. Then we go up Lazy Lane past Buffet's Recording Studio, past Schooner Wharf Bar, past the Wyland Wall, and toward Turtle Kraal's. The we go out to Caroline Street and past Flagler's Railroad Museum, past Harpoon Harry's, past Pepe's Restaurant and then back home. I read the paper and check the internet as I drink coffee. Then Wyleigh and I go for a LONG walk. Down Caroline Street 2 blocks to Duval, right on Duval and past the Bull and on toward Sloppy Joe's. Then we take a right on Green Street and past Captain Tony's and on toward Mel Fishers and the cruise ship's. We walk to the port past the Hilton and over to Mallory Square and then to the Aquarium area so Wyleigh can play in the fountain. We leave there and go by Hog's Breath and on up Front Street past Two Friends Restaurant and up to A&B Lobster House. Then we circle the Bight, go past Conch Republic and head back home. It is now about 9:00 AM. Next I do some work around the house and then either go for a long bike ride or go kayaking. In the evening I take Wyleigh for another long walk, and later at night I take Wyleigh and Nevada for another short walk.

This is the slow time of the year and there is very little happening on the island, so let's talk about what is happening.

We are getting about 7 to 10 cruise ships a week and each ship dumps about 2,500 people in Key West. So that is about 25,000 visitors a week, and this is the slow season.

There is always construction going on in Key West. Eckerd's has taken over the old Quay Restaurant on the 1st block of Duval and Walgreen's has taken over the old Movie theater on the 600 block of Duval. Of course Wendy's just moved into the 300 block of Duval. The Key West Bight is getting ready to open the new ferry terminal on the corner of Grinnell and Caroline and the old Plantains Restaurant in that area will be renovated into a new restaurant.

Across from my house and next to the Schooner Wharf Bar a new hotel will be built next year. The lower end of Simonton has been blocked for months as the city puts in a pumping station to try to help with the flooding that occurs in that area of Simonton and Front Streets. The Old Coca Cola Bottling Company on that corner is also getting new tenants and lots of remodeling. The Key West Kite Company on Green Street has moved to the house behind the Audubon House and their old place is being remodeled. Crabby Bill's on Green Street across from Sloppy Joe's has leased half of it's area to Duncan Donuts and they are remodeling that building. The Aloe factory on the corner of Simonton and Green has been completely gutted and is being rebuilt. The building next to BankofAmerica on Southard Street was torn-down and a strip mall is being built. All of this is within about 1/2 mile from my house.

This week I read 3 short books: (1) 'Old Town Key West' by L.P. Artman, (2) 'Postcards from Paradise' by June Keith, and (3) 'The Conch that Roared' by Gregory King. I enjoyed all three but would recommend #3 to anyone that wants to know about Key West's secession from the union in April 1982.

So, I am getting my exercise, the town is really busy even if it is the slow season, there is a lot of construction going on, and I am keeping my mind busy..
-----------------------------------------------------Robert-------------------------------------------
I first met Robert while walking the dogs very early one morning. I couldn't help but notice a heavy set black man in his late 30's riding a bicycle down Caroline Street and singing with a deep voice that could be heard in Miami. Robert sings in a band and likes old rock and roll and blues. He is really good. I always enjoy his booming voice and the way he loves his music.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 09/28/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 23rd (the equinox) has gone and now the days are shorter than the nights in the northern hemisphere. In the summer the sun set at 8:20PM, it is now setting at 7:19PM. We have lost 1 hour of daylight in the evening and the sun is rising 1 hour later in the morning. I feel robbed.
It is Rosh Hashanah and many of the Jewish stores on Duval street are closed for the holidays.

The Wyland Wall is being repainted. The Wyland Wall is an under sea picture painted on the side of the Market at the Key West Bight. Wyland has done about 86 of these paintings around the country. He has been here all week and he is almost finished. It is the slow season in Key West, so many people do not have anything to do until Fantasy Fest. The streets around the Market have turned into a viewing gallery with people bring their chairs and coolers and making 'a day of it' as they watch Wyland as he paints. The old painting covered the entire west wall of the Market, the new painting covers the west and the south walls.

If you would like to see some of his work, go to: http://www.wylandfoundation.org/ and click WALLS.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it.
-------------------------------A KEY WEST STORY-----------------------------------------------
There is a beautiful young lady (middle 20's) that is Captain of her own boat and charters tourist to go on dolphin watches. She came to Key West about 5 years ago with her boy friend. After some time he left and she stayed. Some friends let her camp on their back porch for a few years. She used the shower and facilities for the 'live aboards' at the Key West Bight next to Turtle Kraals. She worked for Sebago as a mate on their tourist boats until she could make it on her own. She is still having a 'tuff' time' but she loves Key West and plans to stay.

This Week on the Island 09/21/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week end was the 31st annual Poker Run. About 10,000 cycles started at Miami on Saturday and came down the Keys across the 42 bridges to Key west for the week end. There were five stops along the way where each participating gambler got a Poker card. When they got to Key West they turned them in for prizes. It is a $10 cost for each participant. The profits are split between the Key West Rotary's charities and the Diabetes Research Institute. Duval street is blocked from Front Street to Flemming. There are parties in all the clubs to welcome the bikers. I personnally enjoyed the Tattoo Contest. Some of those tatoo's must have hurt. The bikes are backed to the curb with the front facing the street. There are about 250 bikes on each side of the street per block. I think all 10,000 bikes must have made it here.

When you watch the sunset from Mallory Square you will notice some small islands to the left of Sunset Key. These are mangrove islands and the whole area is part of the Federally protected Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Since September is the slow month of the year, Danger Charters had a special for locals to go to this area for sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The normal cost is $75.00, we got to go for $10.00 each. Jo and I had a lot of fun. The whole area is only about 10 feet deep and the water is beautifully clear. There is one Key named Destroyer Key. it was created when a Navy Destroyer went aground and they couldn't get it out. They dug out and blew up all the coral around the ship and pushed it to the side so they could remove the ship. Destroyer Key is two mounds of coral with a channel between them where the ship was stuck. By the way there are 860 named keys in the Florida Keys.

Doug Bennett
Key West, you have got to love it.

This Week on the Island 09/19/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week end is the 31st annual Poker Run. About 10,000 cycles will start at Miami on Saturday and come down the Keys across the 42 bridges to Key west for the week end. There are five stops along the way where each participating gambler get a Poker card. When they get to Key West they turn them in for prizes. It is a $10 cost for each participant. The profits are split between the Key West Rotary's charities and the Diabetes Research Institute. Duval street is blocked from Front Street to Flemming. There are parties in all the clubs to welcome the bikers. I personnally enjoyed the Tattoo Contest. Some of those must have hurt. The bikes are backed to the curb with the front facing the street. There are about 250 bikes on each side of the street per block. I think all 10,000 bikes must have made it here.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it

This Week on the Island 09/14/2003

'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.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September is the slowest month of the year in Key West. School has restarted and vacation is over for most people. The first week was Women in Paradise and we have the Poker Run coming up on the week end of the 20th. The middle two week are pretty dead. There are lots of empty seats in almost all the bars.

Margaretville was covered with a big tent for bug infestation. It is uncovered and back in working order now.

Sonny McCoy age 75, past Mayor of Key West, on Wednesday, rode a water ski on wheels down Duval Street from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. He did this to re-enact his ski trip from Key West to Cuba 25 years ago.

We have 26 more Cubans. They came ashore at Marathon on Wednesday.

The Cruise Ship Carnival Legend was in port Saturday. It is Carnival's newest ship and it the largest cruise ship I have seen here. That thing is big.

T-Shirt shops. We got them. You need to look out for them. Our T-Shirt shops will rip you off. They will have a rack of shirts on display at 3 for $10. After you get your shirt they will want to charge you $49.95 or some other outrageous price. An Oriental couple, that speak little English, were charged $79.99 this week for a few shirts. They were visiting their daughter and son-in-law who live here. The son-in-law took matters in his own hands and got everything corrected. It took the involvement of the local police and the newspaper. Buyer Beware!

I was eating lunch Saturday at the Schooner Wharf Bar with Steve and Jerry. They decided to make a run to The Hog Fish Bar and Grill on Stock Island. I asked to ride along. They both got in their boats and soon as we left the harbor the race began. Jerry was in front and turned in to the channel separating Key West from Stock Island and went to Hurricane Hole. I know this place because that is where I used to rent kayak's to go into the Mangroves. After a few beers at their bar we took off for The Hog Fish. That is the first time I have been in the commercial harbor on Stock Island. We couldn't find a place to park the boats so we raced back to Key West. I had a great time.

Doug Bennett
Key West, You have got to love it
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We are keeping a close eye on Isabel. Looks like she may not be headed this way.
Cities most hit by hurricanes
http://www.hurricanecity.com/Rank.htm