This Week on the Island 08/14/2005

'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.
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The pictures are of Schooner Wharf's 'dog bar' at the back entrance on Lazy Lane.

The Weather: Sunny and bright.

This week's book was 'A Key West Companion' by Christopher Cox. It is a little out of date with a copyright of 1983, but it still had many good Key West stories and pictures.

Wyndam Properties which include the Casa Marina and the Reach have been sold to the Blackstone Group for $3.24 Billion.

The 'Battle of the Bars' was Sunday. It was held on Lazy Lane behind Schooner Wharf. Pictures at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KeyWestPictures/ . There were 43 bars represented with teams of 7 members each. The weather was hot and overcast and Lazy Lane, out back of Schooner Wharf Bar, was covered with 3 parachutes to help produce some shade. It was a timed event with teams from two bars competing against each other until all bars had competed. Then the bars with the top times went into the semi-finals, and then again into the finals. The winning bar was Turtle Kraals. This event has raised over $100,000 in the last 12 years. This years proceeds went to 'Big Brothers, Big Sisters'.

The event started with team member #1 mixing a margarita, member #2 carried it to the table. Member #3 drank the margarita. Member #4 cleaned the table and ran to the trash and picked up a bag and ran to the recycle bins where they separated the colored glass, cans, and trash. Member #5 rolled a keg to the table and taped it. Member #6 drew 7 drafts, member # 7 took the drafts to the team members that were all in a line. Each member had to drink their beer before the next member could start theirs. When the last member finished their beer the timer recorded the times. The best time was for Turtle Kraals and was less than 2 minutes.

Monday there was a loud noise outside on Caroline Street. Seems a tourist on a scooter was leaving the Caroline Street Market and went about 10 feet across the street and ran into the side of my Suzuki. No one was hurt. The vehicle just has another scratch to add to the many it already had.

This Week was 'Lobster Fest'. We started the week by going to the Rusty Anchor on Monday night for their whole lobster dinner. We ended the week at 'Lobster Fest' on Duval Street. More butter please! Pictures at: http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/KeyWestPictures/

Where else can you sit on the curb in 90 degree heat, drink a beer and eat lobster tail.

Key West, You have got to love it
'Meet me at the end of the road' - Conky Tonkin'- Jimmy Buffett
Doug Bennett