This Week on the Island 03/12/2006

'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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Key West: a city of change. The pictures this week are (1) The 1950's intersection of South Roosevelt (the end of A1A) and Bertha Street and (2) that same intersection today (2006). You will notice that the salt ponds on the old picture have been replaced by a hotel. The sea wall has been built and the beaches enlarged.

The Weather: Still beautiful.

This weeks book was 'Tropical Depression' by Jeffery Lindsay. It starts with a retired LA cop that now runs a fishing boat out of Key West. By chapter 3 he is back in LA solving a murder. It is a good book but had little to do with the Keys.

Sunday was B.O.'s 11 anniversary with Barry Cuda and the Sharks playing all day.

Update on Front Street. Jamaica Me Hungry has completed it's upstairs deck on the corner of Front and Whitehead. Billy's Bar/Restaurant, on Front behind Hogs Breath, has been remolded and is open. Ron Jon's, in the old Burger King, is open. The Island Dog, across from Two Friends Restaurant, is open, The Rum Barrel, next to The Pirate Museum, is open and has an open deck on the roof. The little bank building at the end of Front Street by the bight is now an internet cafe with Key Lime Pie.

Atlantic Shores rebuild is on hold because of the Key West 2 1/2 stories max height rule. It is the same thing that stopped the big rebuild of Jabours Trailer Park behind Schooner Wharf.

Monday I got the opportunity to again ride the VA van to Miami. I got up at 4:00 AM rode for 4 1/2 hours to Miami, spent 4 hours at the VA Hospital, and another 4 1/2 hours back to Key West for a 20 minute appointment.

Motorcycle Week in Daytona. Lots of bikes in Key West. It has been very noisy, but these guys tip well so all the wait people are happy. A sad end to this story is that 15 bikers died in traffic related accidents.

Spring Break is here for 8 more weeks. There are young men and women everywhere. Many of them spend the day on Smathers Beach and the nights on Duval Street. Some of them are sleeping in cars or a dozen to a room. They are having a great time. When the dogs and I walk at 6;30 AM, we find that Duval Street has been trashed. By 8:00 AM everything is cleaned up and ready for another day. I enjoy the 'spring breakers', but I am sure by April 16th I will be glad Spring Break is over.

Saturday was the Conch Shell Blowing Contest at Ocean Key Resort on the Sunset Pier. Lots of fun.

Next week end is the Marathon Seafood Festival. A whole lobster dinner is only $15.

Key West, You have got to love it
'Meet me at the end of the road' - Conky Tonkin'- Jimmy Buffett
Doug Bennett
Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W