This Week on the Island 01/03/2010

'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 ’Sloppy Joe’s Conch Shell’ and ‘The Pirate Wench’ and ‘Sushi’. Key West has 3 different New Years Celebrations. The most popular is the lowering of the Conch Shell on the top of Sloppy Joes. Duval Street is nearly impassable. Another very popular celebration is the lowering of the Pirate Wench (Evelena, the owner of Schooner Wharf Bar) from the mast of one of the local schooners. There is no way to get down the board walk next to the bight. The third and very popular is the lowering of the female impersonator ‘Sushi’ in the red slipper. This celebration blocks off the 900 block of Duval Street. It was 69 degrees at midnight.

Weather: The last day of the year was in the 80’s, blue skies, and wonderful.

No book this week.

-----------------Happy New Year-----------

This is the second busiest weekend in Key West. The busiest being the weekend of Fantasy Fest. The island is packed. The weather is beautiful and everyone is having a great time. A cold front is approaching and it is supposed to be down in the 50’s by Tuesday night.

Jo and I did our usual New Years Eve thing, of sitting on the front porch watching the tourist leave Duval Street and head up Caroline Street to the city parking lot and garage. Everyone was in a festive mood and said ‘Happy New Year’ with some folks stopping to visit with us and the dogs. We took our time and finished our once a year bottle of champagne.

I enjoy the flowers this time of the year. They are in bloom everywhere. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTOS the click December Flowers. If you can’t click PHOTOS, it is because you have not joined this Yahoo Group.

The little Suzuki used about 4 gallon of gas a month (1,200 miles last year divided by 25 mpg). That gives us a pretty small ‘carbon footprint’ for 2009. (Note: we do not have any heat in the winter and in the summer we keep the A/C on 80 degrees.)

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/

Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow_l9kgPmuQ