tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110649332012-02-18T17:51:33.742-05:00Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comBlogger4491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-2172382308363764312012-02-18T17:41:00.003-05:002012-02-18T17:51:33.753-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTdbhGrI93w/T0AqNBdAlFI/AAAAAAAABG4/3xPMXfs0DqM/s1600/Thursday%2Bsunset.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTdbhGrI93w/T0AqNBdAlFI/AAAAAAAABG4/3xPMXfs0DqM/s320/Thursday%2Bsunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710610730722563154" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu-oGculIb0/T0AqGJxOiQI/AAAAAAAABGs/-01tarJjD1M/s1600/Brigatine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu-oGculIb0/T0AqGJxOiQI/AAAAAAAABGs/-01tarJjD1M/s320/Brigatine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710610612695763202" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9BFzqnoV0/T0Ap8TM5ZII/AAAAAAAABGg/tkkukRsZhNI/s1600/Pelican-seagull%2Bisland.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v9BFzqnoV0/T0Ap8TM5ZII/AAAAAAAABGg/tkkukRsZhNI/s320/Pelican-seagull%2Bisland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710610443429045378" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEg9f-r06nQ/T0ApxWNxnqI/AAAAAAAABGU/AXAikCYW0rY/s1600/Turman%2BBeach.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEg9f-r06nQ/T0ApxWNxnqI/AAAAAAAABGU/AXAikCYW0rY/s320/Turman%2BBeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710610255259475618" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xixrWKdZN4/T0ApoZsIp-I/AAAAAAAABGI/gqj6yDq0xIU/s1600/Fishing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xixrWKdZN4/T0ApoZsIp-I/AAAAAAAABGI/gqj6yDq0xIU/s320/Fishing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710610101573298146" /></a><br />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. <br />'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge)(click again for larger pic) is ‘Another Key West Sunset’. This one is taken from Turtle Krawls looking across the bight toward Conch Republic Seafood. The second picture is a ‘Brigantine’ in the bight next to Trumbo Point. It has square sails on the front and triangle sails on the back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corwith_Cramer_(ship) The third picture is pelicans/seagulls on the rocks at Fort Zack. The fourth picture is Truman Beach. And the last picture is a guy sitting on the Truman Water Front doing some fishing.<br /><br />Weather: A cold front came thru last Saturday night and the temperature last Sunday was in the 50’s all day. It was back in the mid 70’s by Tuesday and the low 80’s by the weekend.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Setup on Front Street’ by Mike Dennis.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy your 3 day weekend. The island is packed. The weather is beautiful and everyone wants to get out of the cold north. Welcome to Key West.<br /><br />Friday it was beautiful and in the low 80’s so I took a bike ride to Fort Zack and the beach. Wonderful.<br /><br />I had some folks from New York stop by the house to say hi. They read my blog and wanted to meet me. We had a nice talk.<br /><br />Saturday afternoon, the 200 block of Duval Street was closed off at Sloppy Joes for a cancer awareness festival.<br /><br /><br />------------------Truman Beach-------------------<br />Truman Beach is on the far right on the water at Fort Zack. The story is that President Truman used to like to take walks downtown and on the public beach. This made it hard on the guys that were responsible for his safety. So they built a private beach for him to use. He never went there.<br /><br />----------------------------Presidents Day Question--------------------------------<br />Monday is Presidents Day which leads us to: ‘Who was the first President’. The answer is John Hanson. The country declared its independence in 1776 but George Washington (the 9th President) did not accept the Presidency until 1789. So, who ran the country for those first years? The answer is the first 8 presidents. The Articles of Confederation was used to unite the colonies, but did not give the Federal Government enough power. It was replaced by the Constitution and George Washington was the first president under the Constitution. <br /> <br />------------------Last Weeks Question? -------------------<br />Thanks to all of you that emailed me answers to the questions.<br />7 mile railroad bridge answer from last week: If you look at the old railroad tracks you will notice a slight bend in the railroad bed. The ‘feet’ are in place to give support and keep the railroad from tilting when a train crossed the bend.<br /><br />Fat Albert answer from last week: The United States Army activated Cudjoe Key Air Force Station in 1959 to track missiles traveling through the Eglin Gulf Test Range. The Air Force took over operations the following year,[3] and it subsequently became a detached installation of Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base.[4] The station flies a white radar aerostat, known locally as "Fat Albert", which is used for drug interdiction missions by the Drug Enforcement Administration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cudjoe_Key,_Florida<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-217238230836376431?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-64578192305050388552012-02-12T06:43:00.008-05:002012-02-12T06:57:47.942-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iT6g1eEPngU/TzeoAwCeNGI/AAAAAAAABF8/_pio0OUKcYU/s1600/What.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iT6g1eEPngU/TzeoAwCeNGI/AAAAAAAABF8/_pio0OUKcYU/s320/What.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708215783564129378" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnoEh2HVgo4/Tzen6Ez9vfI/AAAAAAAABFw/OMhHiSHCEcM/s1600/Fat%2BAlbert.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CnoEh2HVgo4/Tzen6Ez9vfI/AAAAAAAABFw/OMhHiSHCEcM/s320/Fat%2BAlbert.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708215668881341938" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A9GGwdafXjc/TzenyNVdHkI/AAAAAAAABFk/t8pwygguUL0/s1600/civil%2Bwar1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A9GGwdafXjc/TzenyNVdHkI/AAAAAAAABFk/t8pwygguUL0/s320/civil%2Bwar1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708215533730340418" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Guujoms_j7E/TzenrQfSDJI/AAAAAAAABFY/MQehi06zqck/s1600/civil%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Guujoms_j7E/TzenrQfSDJI/AAAAAAAABFY/MQehi06zqck/s320/civil%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708215414317780114" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhN3dgF_-hI/TzenkruW0VI/AAAAAAAABFM/sam0txFuVpo/s1600/civil%2Bladies.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhN3dgF_-hI/TzenkruW0VI/AAAAAAAABFM/sam0txFuVpo/s320/civil%2Bladies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708215301369680210" /></a><br />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. <br />'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Flagler’s old 7-mile bridge built for the Over Seas Railroad 100 years ago. (See question below). The second picture is Fat Albert (you must click on the picture to enlarge it to see Fat Albert the blimp). The third and forth pictures are ‘Yankee boys on parade in the Southernmost city’ and the last picture is ‘Ladies of the Civil War Era’.<br /><br />Weather: It has been a beautiful week after a very wet start last Sunday. It started raining Sunday morning and didn’t quit until late Sunday night. We got 4.3 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Deal to Die For’ by Les Standiford. Another in the ‘Deal’ series.<br /><br />Lots of restaurants/bars got rained out for the Super bowl. Those that had and indoor show didn’t get lots of customers because of all the rain.<br /><br />We had a newspaper here in Key West called The Blue Paper. I enjoyed reading it each Friday. It went away. No, then it came back. No, then it went away again. Now it is back again. For how long?<br /><br />This weekend was Civil War Days at Fort Zack. The guys playing the Union occupied the fort and the guys playing the Confederates attacked. Key West was a Union outpost during the Civil War. Ships trying to get thru the Florida Straights to supply the Confederates at New Orleans were captured and brought here. There was never a Confederate attack at the Fort, but we in Key West like to celebrate a lot of things that never happened.<br /><br />My diet of 2 Banquet dinners a day is working. I have lost over 10 pounds since the beginning of the year.<br /><br />The Zac Brown Band is recording at Shrimp Boat Sounds, Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio on the bight.<br /><br />------------------Question? -------------------<br />If you look closely at the towers holding up the old railroad, you will see that one of the towers has a wall extending into the water. There are only two of these in the whole 7-miles of the bridge. One is before Pigeon Key the other is after Pigeon Key. What were these for? <br /><br />In the picture of Fat Albert is a reflection on the left side that looks like a triangle. If you follow a line extending to the right from the line forming the top of the triangle you will see Fat Albert. It is a small black dot. What is Fat Albert used for?<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6457819230505038855?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-69498751837391146652012-02-04T19:22:00.005-05:002012-02-18T17:41:19.127-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRQWmVpc2Ic/Ty3MxuDYCPI/AAAAAAAABFA/exR2MlQr89I/s1600/Jo%2527s%2Bbirthday.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRQWmVpc2Ic/Ty3MxuDYCPI/AAAAAAAABFA/exR2MlQr89I/s320/Jo%2527s%2Bbirthday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705441457496131826" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIa9rn4Dclc/Ty3MqKqI-OI/AAAAAAAABE0/QKA8oi0ofCQ/s1600/Jo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIa9rn4Dclc/Ty3MqKqI-OI/AAAAAAAABE0/QKA8oi0ofCQ/s320/Jo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705441327735961826" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWW9-4z3g68/Ty3MjJ-Nd9I/AAAAAAAABEo/JcogAIsOy30/s1600/Coconut%2Btrees.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWW9-4z3g68/Ty3MjJ-Nd9I/AAAAAAAABEo/JcogAIsOy30/s320/Coconut%2Btrees.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705441207292622802" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1FprrzRY4/Ty3MeeYrhSI/AAAAAAAABEc/lipxBkoWIuo/s1600/coconut%2Btrees%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1FprrzRY4/Ty3MeeYrhSI/AAAAAAAABEc/lipxBkoWIuo/s320/coconut%2Btrees%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705441126873007394" /></a><br />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. <br />'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Jo’s birthday cake’. The second picture is ‘JO’’ The third picture is the ‘Coconut Trees on Lazy Way Lane’. The city neutered them and chopped down about 200 coconuts from the 10 trees. The forth picture is some trees that still have there coconuts.<br /><br />Weather: Another beautiful week. Last year we had one of the driest ‘wet seasons’ and now we are having one of the wettest ‘dry seasons’.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Done Deal’ by Les Standiford. Another in the ‘Deal’ series.<br /><br />Happy Birthday to Jo! The love of my life had a birthday this week. I love you woman.<br /><br />My Nokia cell phone started making a funny sound. The same sound when I power it up or down. I took it to AT&T and they said I needed a new phone because they did not support my phone anymore. The next week my phone quite ringing. I went back to AT&T but it was too early and they weren’t open. I went to Kmart and the young lady in the electronics section fixed my phone. Strange things.<br /><br />As I was walking the dogs past Captain Tony’s I saw someone waving at me. This happens all the time so I waved back and just kept on walking. The next day as the dogs and I walked past Schooner, that same guy was waving at me. He came out the back door of Schooner and we talked a bit. Good to see an old friend again.<br /><br />------------Sailing Terms-------------------------<br />Many people get confused as to which is left or right on a ship, starboard or port. A simple solution is L-E-F-T is 4 letters, P-O-R-T is 4 letters. The same can help you when setting the table F-O-R-K is 4 letters and goes on the L-E-F-T (4 letters). S-P-O-O-N is 5 letters so it goes on the R-I-G-H-T (5 letters). Guess which side the K-N-I-F-E (5 letters) goes on.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6949875183739114665?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-64870202523479915502012-01-28T20:03:00.004-05:002012-01-28T20:07:36.118-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JstheGnu1yY/TySbxgelD5I/AAAAAAAABEQ/Oa1c5vhl0IA/s1600/Snow%2Bis%2Bover%2Brated.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JstheGnu1yY/TySbxgelD5I/AAAAAAAABEQ/Oa1c5vhl0IA/s320/Snow%2Bis%2Bover%2Brated.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702854302991978386" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSwH9iVYIUQ/TySbq96UV7I/AAAAAAAABEE/y05hfxTmLuQ/s1600/Sunset%2Bat%2BNorth%2BPole%2B13%2BMarch%2B2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSwH9iVYIUQ/TySbq96UV7I/AAAAAAAABEE/y05hfxTmLuQ/s320/Sunset%2Bat%2BNorth%2BPole%2B13%2BMarch%2B2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702854190633867186" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWfab1btwss/TySbZjF_vKI/AAAAAAAABD4/L2cvxA6mXlM/s1600/Flower.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWfab1btwss/TySbZjF_vKI/AAAAAAAABD4/L2cvxA6mXlM/s320/Flower.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853891377314978" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VARmEQETj4/TySbRso6HwI/AAAAAAAABDs/9WZTDTIbKmw/s1600/Mexican%2BPetunias.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8VARmEQETj4/TySbRso6HwI/AAAAAAAABDs/9WZTDTIbKmw/s320/Mexican%2BPetunias.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853756500713218" /></a><br />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. <br />'-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Snow is Overrated’ I have used this one before. Number two is ‘Sunset at the North Pole’, I have shown lots of sunsets in Key West so this is different. The last pictures are Key West flowers in bloom.<br /><br />Weather: Another wonderful week with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the high 70’s. <br /><br />This week I finished reading ‘Stairway to the Bottom’ by Michael Haskins. This is a great book if you know Key West and would like to follow the main character around town. I loved it.<br /><br />Lot of folks getting away from the frozen north and spending time it Key West. It has been very busy here. I met folks from all over the world without ever leaving the island. <br /><br />Lots of young ladies from Eastern Europe come to America. They hit Key West with a one year work visa. They start looking for an American to marry. Anyone will do, because if they are still single in one year they must go back home. After marrying whoever they can get, they can start looking for something better. Most are nice looking and blond (bleached). They all speak English, unlike most of the Spanish speaking folks that come to this country that never learn English. Most of these Eastern Europe ladies will be married in a year.<br /><br />We have some folks in town from the frozen north. They are enjoying the sunshine and the warm temperature, not to mention the good time they are having.<br /><br />-------------Sailing Terms-------------------------<br />‘Keel Haul’ is to be dragged along the bottom of the boat from the back to the front. You are not expected to live. The bottom is covered with lots of sea life and if you live being ‘keel hauled’ you are cut up pretty bad and the infections will probably not heal and you will still die. Of course there is the chance that some sea life (sharks) may get you while under the boat or you just may drown.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6487020252347991550?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-9781899035148621512012-01-21T19:21:00.004-05:002012-01-21T19:27:05.117-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qpSOdPRJJ-M/TxtXNil0brI/AAAAAAAABDg/-o4-BEtvQmU/s1600/Sail%2Bboat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qpSOdPRJJ-M/TxtXNil0brI/AAAAAAAABDg/-o4-BEtvQmU/s320/Sail%2Bboat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700245643502841522" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oLVUjll8Z8/TxtXGuH686I/AAAAAAAABDU/knEHkcSu_dY/s1600/Cayo%2BBo3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oLVUjll8Z8/TxtXGuH686I/AAAAAAAABDU/knEHkcSu_dY/s320/Cayo%2BBo3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700245526339580834" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NwGMupO_0A/TxtXBdp9KII/AAAAAAAABDI/GgWigEBRVKk/s1600/Cayo%2BBo2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NwGMupO_0A/TxtXBdp9KII/AAAAAAAABDI/GgWigEBRVKk/s320/Cayo%2BBo2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700245436019583106" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Sail Boats’. The first one is from the Citizen Newspaper, the second and third are from Cayo Bo’s Facebook page.<br /><br />Weather: The warm weather is back. Last weekend and the first of this week I wore jeans and a hoodie for 6 days in a row. It is a good thing I have 2 of each. That is way too much cold for Key West. Most of us live here because we like it hot.<br /><br />This week I finished reading ‘Double Dexter’ by Jeff Lindsay and started ‘Stairway to the Bottom’ by Michael Haskins. This is a great book if you know Key West and would like to follow the main character around town. I loved it.<br /><br />The Snottie Yatchies are in town. They are at the Truman Waterfront and the Key West Bight. They have also blocked off Caroline Street at Whitehead to set up their tents for headquarters. <br /><br />The power boat races are held just off Mallory Square, so we locals get to watch. The sail boat races are held a few miles off shore, so we locals cannot see anything from Mallory Square. Many of the sail boats go by Mallory Square on their way to the race spot, but they use their motors so we don’t get to see the boats with their sails up. The Power Boat racers have a parade and display their boats. The sail boat racers get very upset if anyone comes close to their boats. I wonder why we don’t get excited about the sail boat races.<br /><br />I published my 9th book this week. The names of all my books are ‘This Week on the Island’ and the year. So now I have 2003 thru 2011.<br /><br />A great blog on Dogs in Bars: http://keywestmusic.blogspot.com/ <br /><br />There is a celebration today, Sunday, 22 Jan 2012. One hundred years ago Flagler’s first train from Miami to Key West rolled into town. Now people from the island city could leave or arrive without going by ship. Flagler opened the Keys and the east coast of Florida to anyone with the train fare. He also built Trumbo Point, from the bottom of the ocean, as a train depot. It is a big day in Key West history.<br /><br />-------------Sailing Terms-------------------------<br />A ‘Square Rigger’ has square sails and is what they called the old sailing ships like those used in the movies in the filming of the Pirates of the Caribbean. A ‘Schooner’ has triangle sails and is lighter and faster than a Square Rigger. A ship with square sails on center mast and a triangle sail on the back was called a ‘Brigantine’.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-978189903514862151?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-89411120663237036092012-01-14T20:28:00.003-05:002012-01-14T20:34:00.752-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uZrvkTaDls/TxIs_1XtBkI/AAAAAAAABC8/tmxlkX_oncg/s1600/Mango%2Bshutters.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uZrvkTaDls/TxIs_1XtBkI/AAAAAAAABC8/tmxlkX_oncg/s320/Mango%2Bshutters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697665953746978370" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezWFW2VsUc0/TxIs6pCgExI/AAAAAAAABCw/Pu2-xMt323M/s1600/Statue.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezWFW2VsUc0/TxIs6pCgExI/AAAAAAAABCw/Pu2-xMt323M/s320/Statue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697665864537477906" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Mango Shutters’ they are the same color that Key West paints the no parking curb. The second picture is some Key West art.<br /><br />Weather: Beautiful. In the mid to high 70’s and lots of sunshine. Another cold front on the week end.<br /><br />This week I started ‘Dexter’ by Jeff Lindsay.<br /><br />Well it is diet time again. After Thanksgiving and Christmas and eating all those leftovers I have gained a pound or two. My diet is more exercise and fewer calories. For this diet, I eat Banquet frozen dinners. They are on sell from time to time at 10 for $10. I try to eat 2 a day, some days 3, but it is only about 1,000 calories a day. I have lost 6 pounds the first 15 days of this month. Jo brought home Girl Scout cookies Tuesday night. She got me some peanut butter cookies. I was so hungry I ate a whole box full. Back to the diet on Wednesday. <br /><br />Saturday we had the Soldier Ride, combat wounded warrior’s ride, in to Key West for a greeting down at the Truman Waterfront.<br /><br />Saturday was also the Key West Seafood Fest at Bayview Park with Howard Livingston and the MM24 band playing.<br /><br />Gene Hackman (81), the movie star, was hit and knocked from his bicycle at MM88.6. He was taken to the hospital in Miami and seems to be OK.<br /><br />Next week is the ‘Snottie Yacthies’<br /><br />-------------Sailing Terms-------------------------<br />Two Years Before the Mast, A book by Richard Henry Dana, Jr., published in 1840. The Mast is in the middle of the ship. The officers lived in the rear of the ship and the sailors lived in the front of the ship (before the mast). Therefore this story is about the life of an ordinary sailor.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8941112066323703609?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-53779311596394811592012-01-07T19:02:00.004-05:002012-01-07T19:15:23.418-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agkcQEztMR4/TwjfkJxg9cI/AAAAAAAABCk/aoYpEfuFD_I/s1600/Wyland%2BWall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agkcQEztMR4/TwjfkJxg9cI/AAAAAAAABCk/aoYpEfuFD_I/s320/Wyland%2BWall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695047541001876930" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDSVkpu9KKU/TwjfJJnJT1I/AAAAAAAABCY/Ur03zyAcpw0/s1600/Wyland%2BWall2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDSVkpu9KKU/TwjfJJnJT1I/AAAAAAAABCY/Ur03zyAcpw0/s320/Wyland%2BWall2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695047077101915986" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyKQMHKP7Dg/TwjeVvjT-DI/AAAAAAAABCM/ub0M9VM_m0A/s1600/Jacked-up%2Bhouse.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyKQMHKP7Dg/TwjeVvjT-DI/AAAAAAAABCM/ub0M9VM_m0A/s320/Jacked-up%2Bhouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695046193933187122" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The Wyland Wall on the old Fresh Market’ and a ‘Jacked-up house ready for restoration’.<br /><br />Weather: It has been cold (54 degrees Friday morning) this week, but has warmed-up and back in the 70’s by the weekend.<br /><br />No book this week<br /><br />The new bar/restaurant, ‘Iron Horse’ in the old Citizens (the local paper) building across from the old City Hall and Sloppy Joes, seems to be doing OK.<br /><br />The city in its great wisdom has decided to make our sidewalks ADA compliant. They are cutting down very old trees and making sidewalks wider. To do this they are getting rid of some of the parking on these streets. Lots of people are not very happy.<br /><br />Our City Manager has turned in his resignation. Some people will be glad to see him go.<br /><br />The City Commissioners are still discussing the widening and deepening of the ships channel to accommodate larger ships. We the people have already told them we do NOT want larger ships.<br /><br />SAVE THE WYLAND WALL. The old Fresh Market is supposed to be turned into a mini brewery with a restaurant on the top. Rumor has it that in the re-modeling they plan to paint over the Wyland Wall. We need to stop this! Rumor is that they also plan on having bands with amplified music on top of the building. This also needs to be stopped.<br /><br />-----------------Son Of A Gun-------------------------------<br />In the old sailing days when a ship came into harbor the captain may decide to leave the ship off-shore. Many of the men had been ‘shanghai-ed’ and would not come back if let on-shore. The officers would go into town and get some of the ‘ladies of the evening’ to go out to the ship. The place with the most privacy was between the cannons on the gun deck. If one of these ‘ladies of the evening’ would later give birth to a male child, he would be called a ‘Son Of The Guns’.<br /><br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5377931159639481159?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-89851002484747302532012-01-01T07:48:00.004-05:002012-01-01T07:52:59.369-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Ihql3eHy8/TwBW3gin3qI/AAAAAAAABCA/6IjZvo_W5A4/s1600/Lowering%2Bthe%2BConch%2BShell.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Ihql3eHy8/TwBW3gin3qI/AAAAAAAABCA/6IjZvo_W5A4/s320/Lowering%2Bthe%2BConch%2BShell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692645440624254626" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-1CNuER0VU/TwBWxxp5evI/AAAAAAAABB0/t380j9qU-ik/s1600/Lowering%2BSushi.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-1CNuER0VU/TwBWxxp5evI/AAAAAAAABB0/t380j9qU-ik/s320/Lowering%2BSushi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692645342138956530" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUg-XUKVLUw/TwBWqJWg0FI/AAAAAAAABBo/n_oEt-kifBo/s1600/Lowering%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BWench.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 315px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUg-XUKVLUw/TwBWqJWg0FI/AAAAAAAABBo/n_oEt-kifBo/s320/Lowering%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BWench.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692645211061145682" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Sloppy Joes and lowering of the Conch Shell’, ‘800 block of Duval and the lowering of the female impersonator’ and ‘Lowering the Pirate Wench’ at Schooner.<br /><br />Weather: The last day of 2011 was bright and sunny with a temperature in the high 70’s. Today should be the same.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Deal on Ice’ by Les Standiford. <br /><br />Happy New Year. I am sitting on the front porch at 7:30 AM doing ‘This Week on the Island’ because, well last nigh was New Years. It is 72 degrees this morning and look like it is going to be a beautiful day.<br /><br />The island has been packed all week. I guess people want to get out of the frozen north. <br /><br />The Dachshund (wiener dog) parade was Friday.<br /><br />We have lots of New Years celebrations at Restaurants/bars all over the island, but the three big celebrations here in Key West for New Years and they are free. One is the lowering of the conch shell at Sloppy Joes on the 200 block of Duval Street. Another is the lowering of Sushi, a female impersonator, in a big slipper on the 800 block of Duval Street, and the third is the lowering of the Pirate Wench from the mast of a schooner at Schooner Wharf. It was 73.6 degrees at midnight.<br /><br />There is another new bar/restaurant in town. The Iron Horse Saloon is on Green Street across from the old city hall and Sloppy Joes. This building has seen lots of business come and go since it was ‘The Citizen’ (local newspaper) building. We all wish him the best. He also has ‘Tattoo’s and Scars’ and ‘Cowboys’ and ‘Shots and Giggles’. <br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8985100248474730253?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-49583268475024546112011-12-24T21:29:00.005-05:002011-12-24T21:37:51.293-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87bLfcFrblk/TvaLpvKNFeI/AAAAAAAABBQ/UgDz8tg49zg/s1600/Bight%2BTree2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87bLfcFrblk/TvaLpvKNFeI/AAAAAAAABBQ/UgDz8tg49zg/s320/Bight%2BTree2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689888728379364834" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSwQ8Yg7W-c/TvaLhR7YuOI/AAAAAAAABBE/hnY1GsIJwNE/s1600/Me%2Bon%2BBeach.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSwQ8Yg7W-c/TvaLhR7YuOI/AAAAAAAABBE/hnY1GsIJwNE/s320/Me%2Bon%2BBeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689888583093631202" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnUlOtg-vdM/TvaLZQTe-wI/AAAAAAAABA4/FKiX8509qok/s1600/Me%2Bon%2BBeach%2B2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnUlOtg-vdM/TvaLZQTe-wI/AAAAAAAABA4/FKiX8509qok/s320/Me%2Bon%2BBeach%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689888445218880258" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘Christmas Tree at the bight near Buffett’s Recording Studio’,’ Me enjoying a white Christmas on the beach leaning against a coconut tree’ and ‘Me on the beach’.<br /><br />Weather. Wonderful. I am sitting on the porch at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve and it is 79 degrees. I have 2 beautiful flowers on the hibiscus and the green bougainvillea is covered in red.<br /><br />This Weeks book was ‘If a Pirate I Must Be’ the story of Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts) by Richard Sanders. This was sort of a history lesson.<br /><br />I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas.<br /><br />Lots of folks in town this week trying to get away from the cold in the north. Everyone wants to live here. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4958326847502454611?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-57316647249457834472011-12-17T16:19:00.004-05:002011-12-17T16:24:40.111-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3-zWvpVjKA/Tu0H4NSZknI/AAAAAAAABAI/DQGaHPJLK_o/s1600/Boca.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3-zWvpVjKA/Tu0H4NSZknI/AAAAAAAABAI/DQGaHPJLK_o/s320/Boca.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687210566659707506" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-on5cdJg4F4Q/Tu0HymvFN3I/AAAAAAAAA_8/0DlaFCwZGt4/s1600/People%2BCake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-on5cdJg4F4Q/Tu0HymvFN3I/AAAAAAAAA_8/0DlaFCwZGt4/s320/People%2BCake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687210470411679602" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK_xNMr77n0/Tu0HtL9P9vI/AAAAAAAAA_w/luvmOl50h8c/s1600/Dog%2Bcake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK_xNMr77n0/Tu0HtL9P9vI/AAAAAAAAA_w/luvmOl50h8c/s320/Dog%2Bcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687210377324001010" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘Boca’, ‘People Cake’ and ‘Dog Cake’.<br /><br />Weather: Another beautiful week.<br /><br />This weeks book was ’Smokin’ Seventeen’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />Last Sunday we celebrated Boca’s 7th birthday at Schooner Wharf. There was people cake, dog cake, and gift bags of dog treats for Boca’s dog friends. We had Michael McCloud as entertainment and he sang ‘Schooner Wharf Bar Dog’. We had Caribbean chicken wings and Sassi and Boca had the bones. A good time was had by all.<br /><br />----------------------------------A day in my life--------------------------------------<br />Monday I was up at 5:00 AM to take Sassi and Boca for their 1st walk down to Duval Street for their morning business. Then home to read the paper and drink coffee and check the internet while Jo got ready for work. After taking Jo to work the puppies and I went for their 2nd walk and then I came home and I got ready for the day.<br /><br /> I cleaned the turtle pool and carried the baby turtles out to be with the adults. Next I washed the dishes and vacuumed the house. I cleaned the tub, the sink and the john with comet cleaner and then it was time to clean the bathroom floor. The wall was dirty from where Boca likes to lay beside the tube so I cleaned that. This reminded me that the door to the upstairs was also dirty from Boca lying against it, so I cleaned it and the floor in that area. While I was at it I cleaned the floor at the front door and notice the wall where Sassi lays was also dirty, so it got cleaned. The doors to the linen closet also got a clean job. Then I rode my bike to the post office to mail a package to a friend of ours in Tampa. Next I came home to watch the noon news and get something to eat.<br /><br />I took Sassi and Boca for their 3rd walk and then sat on the front porch with the dogs and finished my book for last week. I did my Sudoku for the day and played a little solitary online while we waited for Jo to get home from work. She had a meeting that evening so the puppies and I walked with her to the old City Hall down by Sloppy Joes. We dropped her off and then took a nice long 4th walk.<br /><br />The sun was going down so I got an adult beverage (coconut rum, and orange juice) and a cigar (Backwoods from Kmart soaked in a little coconut rum). Then I sat on the porch with the puppies and watched the sky change with the setting sun. I thought ‘This has been a good day’ I should tell some one about it. So now I have told you.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5731664724945783447?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-19531525253665797072011-12-10T18:35:00.005-05:002011-12-10T18:42:59.069-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDylWpmIVMY/TuPt7vI_EzI/AAAAAAAAA_k/muU8j-rN550/s1600/Schooner%2BLiberty%2BClipper.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDylWpmIVMY/TuPt7vI_EzI/AAAAAAAAA_k/muU8j-rN550/s320/Schooner%2BLiberty%2BClipper.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684648765193917234" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELYrlS7i9Pw/TuPt0i_MkHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/mvRcK-A5qpg/s1600/Schooner%2BWolf.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELYrlS7i9Pw/TuPt0i_MkHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/mvRcK-A5qpg/s320/Schooner%2BWolf.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684648641672548466" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n49fu7qcdRU/TuPtrw1qIEI/AAAAAAAAA_M/OqELBWHfOSs/s1600/Schooner%2BIsland%2BBelle.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n49fu7qcdRU/TuPtrw1qIEI/AAAAAAAAA_M/OqELBWHfOSs/s320/Schooner%2BIsland%2BBelle.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684648490771816514" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘The Lighted Boat Parade 2006’. The Schooner Liberty Clipper, the Schooner Wolf, and the Schooner Island Belle.<br /><br />Weather: When I got up Thursday morning it was 66 degrees and windy, by noon it was still 66 degrees. Saturday it was back to the high 70’s and lots of sunshine.<br /><br />This Weeks book was ‘Raw Deal’ by Les Standiford.<br /><br />Joe and Sharron from Wisconsin have been in town this week. I enjoy them when they are here. It was interesting to see Sharon all wrapped up and cold in that 66 degrees Thursday.<br /><br />Saturday night was the ‘Lighted Boat Parade’. We took Sassi and Boca and sat near Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio. The boats all line up outside the bight, then come into the bight and pass the reviewing stand at Schooner Wharf. Next they leave the bight and go down to Mallory Square and make a circle. There were some great boats this year. I have no pictures because they never turn out very well. For pictures from 2006 http://conchconcierge.typepad.com/photos/key_west_lighted_boat_par/index.html <br /> or <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe1IW9nvl9U&feature=related <br /><br />--------------------History-------------<br /><br />I have been asked why Jo and I moved here. We were married in Columbia, SC on the July 4th weekend in 1971. We jumped in our 1964 red Corvette convertible and headed out of town on I-20. We made lots of stops along the way to New Orleans and then we headed toward the west coast of Florida. We followed the road to Key West and then back up the east coast of Florida and back to Columbia, SC. We had spent more than a few vacations in Key West since then. When I retired in May 1999, we started making plans to sell the house and move. We found this house in Key West and moved in on her birthday in February 2001. That’s our story and we are sticking to it.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br /> <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1953152525366579707?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-1495195929905439302011-12-03T21:47:00.005-05:002011-12-03T21:52:39.551-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQNpr8DIBRE/TtrgcE0N4bI/AAAAAAAAA_A/N5luu9bzBjE/s1600/Ft%2BZack.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQNpr8DIBRE/TtrgcE0N4bI/AAAAAAAAA_A/N5luu9bzBjE/s320/Ft%2BZack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682100652815016370" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFubSYYBIk/TtrgYK3iiII/AAAAAAAAA-0/0rQrYumG_Yg/s1600/Black%2BBart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFubSYYBIk/TtrgYK3iiII/AAAAAAAAA-0/0rQrYumG_Yg/s320/Black%2BBart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682100585720088706" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY0wB4Jdk60/TtrgRpxuDEI/AAAAAAAAA-o/E6T25gfsIbo/s1600/pirate%2Bat%2BSchooner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY0wB4Jdk60/TtrgRpxuDEI/AAAAAAAAA-o/E6T25gfsIbo/s320/pirate%2Bat%2BSchooner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682100473758092354" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7neVbXGoq4/TtrgJJ8hgmI/AAAAAAAAA-c/B-wIZeDxdd4/s1600/Hogs%2BBreath.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7neVbXGoq4/TtrgJJ8hgmI/AAAAAAAAA-c/B-wIZeDxdd4/s320/Hogs%2BBreath.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682100327774519906" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘There be Pirates here’. The pirates have taken over Fort Zack.<br /><br />Weather: Another beautiful week. The snowbirds are returning to their winter nest. Hurricane season was officially over December 1st. ‘Hurricane season has just come and gone, a pretty good reason to sing another song’. ‘Hurricane Blow’ by Michael McCloud.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Havana Run’ by Les Standiford.<br /><br />Thanksgiving weekend (4 days) brought lots of families with little kids to the island. This week has been kind of slow. <br /><br />Statistics show that in its class (15,000 – 75,000 population) Key West has been flagged as the most dangerous place in the state for people on two legs or two wheels. We are also ranked first in our class for motorcycle deaths and injuries. This of course is due to all the tourists that haven’t been on a bike in 30 years and also those idiots riding the scooter with their feet dragging the ground. <br /><br />There has been some work done at Captain Tony’s around the doors that lead to the pool room and Elvira’s gravestone. It looks like new concrete and a new back wall.<br /><br />There was also a new door added to the building on the corner of Front and Duval. It used to be First National Bank, and then it was Wachovia, and now it is a t-shirt shop.<br /><br />Saturday night was the Key West Christmas Parade. Sassi, Boca, Jo and I went and enjoyed ourselves. Where else can you sit on the curb in shorts and t-shirt and watch the Christmas Parade with an adult beverage in hand?<br /><br />‘Old men and straw hats’. I never liked hats and then I went into the service and had to wear a hat (cover) everywhere. When I got out I went back to no hats. Here in the Keys the sun is more direct (and my hair is a lot thinner) and I learn to wear a hat to keep my head from frying. The hat of choice seems to be the ball cap type. I purchased a brown straw hat and found that it lets the air flow thru while protecting my head from the sun. I have been wearing it in the summer for a few years, in the winter the wind blows so I go back to the ball cap. Now I know why old men wear straw hats.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-149519592990543930?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-3848333692344588262011-11-26T16:59:00.006-05:002011-11-26T18:00:00.061-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-317QMnyUSXI/TtFh0TGQvwI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/eqnPhksbSBw/s1600/Coconuts%2Band%2Bopen%2Bwindow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-317QMnyUSXI/TtFh0TGQvwI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/eqnPhksbSBw/s320/Coconuts%2Band%2Bopen%2Bwindow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679428156198534914" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oC5LWHNIb4/TtFhvZIkKaI/AAAAAAAAA-E/sD0qrjyziHg/s1600/Flower%2Bopen%2Bwindow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oC5LWHNIb4/TtFhvZIkKaI/AAAAAAAAA-E/sD0qrjyziHg/s320/Flower%2Bopen%2Bwindow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679428071919462818" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEz-_NTvUNI/TtFhqMMNT7I/AAAAAAAAA94/2YJHQXcV4jQ/s1600/Chucks%2BBlog.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEz-_NTvUNI/TtFhqMMNT7I/AAAAAAAAA94/2YJHQXcV4jQ/s320/Chucks%2BBlog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679427982545735602" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘Key West Houses’. I love these picture in that they shout Key West to me. The 1st picture is from www.ConchScooter.blogspot.com. Coconuts outside and open window in a little Key West house. The 2nd picture is also from Conch Scooter and has blue skies, green foliage, a white house, and pretty flowers. The 3rd picture is a picture from Chuck’s blog, OldTownKeyWest.wordpress.com. All three have Key West written all over them. I love living here.<br /><br />Weather: Beautiful: in the mid 80’s in the day and mid 70’s at night. Lots of sunshine.<br /><br />The week I finished ‘Bone Key’ by Les Standiford.<br /><br />I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and had lots to be thankful for. We went to Walt’s up around mile marker 20 (MM20) like we have been doing the last few years. Everyone brought lots of food and a good time was had by all. <br /><br />Two of my favorite blogs are: Conch Scooter at http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/ and Chucks new blog at http://oldtownkeywest.wordpress.com/ . These are daily blogs and have lots of pictures of Key West and the lower Keys. I hope you enjoy them.<br /><br />There be pirates here! A pirate village was at Truman Annex on the waterfront for the weekend.<br />---------------History-------------------<br />Most of the old houses in Old Town Key West were built small. A really nice house in Key West would be about 1,000 square feet. A large house would be 1,500 square feet. Houses here a measured in living square footage. Houses in most places are measured in heated square footage. That could mean that a 1,500 square foot house could be 500 heated square feet and the rest in decking and a pool.<br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-384833369234458826?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-76067253228471882772011-11-19T19:11:00.005-05:002011-11-19T19:22:54.892-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clVBb62vMYg/TshHuRuqX7I/AAAAAAAAA9s/K2ylWu-bGyE/s1600/Hybiscus2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clVBb62vMYg/TshHuRuqX7I/AAAAAAAAA9s/K2ylWu-bGyE/s320/Hybiscus2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676866190659182514" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoAM_hKz0CA/TshHl-44cOI/AAAAAAAAA9g/TIirmw2WNmE/s1600/Blue%2BFlowers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BoAM_hKz0CA/TshHl-44cOI/AAAAAAAAA9g/TIirmw2WNmE/s320/Blue%2BFlowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676866048162820322" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KOAsNVvTtA/TshHJ_By7zI/AAAAAAAAA9U/CXsR6bkpiew/s1600/Backyard%2BBananas.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KOAsNVvTtA/TshHJ_By7zI/AAAAAAAAA9U/CXsR6bkpiew/s320/Backyard%2BBananas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676865567163871026" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The pictures this week, (click to enlarge) are ‘Key West Flowers’.<br /><br />Weather: Tuesday we had to cut the A/C back on. In the mid 80’s with lots of humidity. By the weekend we had another cold front come thru. The temperature stayed the same but it got rid of the humidity. ‘I would rather be here, drinking a beer, than freezing my a - - in the north’. Michael McCloud, The Conch Republic song.<br /><br />The week I finished ‘Mile Marker Zero’ by William McKeen. A great book about the writers of Key West and some of the Key West history of the 70’s. I started ‘Bone Key’ by Les Standiford.<br /><br />This week was ‘Nothing’. A nice quite week for us locals to enjoy Key West without so many tourists.<br /><br />Today is 11---20---20---11 (11/20/2011) Someone somewhere will have something to make of that.<br /><br />When I was a kid I used to get my pants legs caught in the chain on my bicycle. Women had pants that came half way between their knee and their feet and they were called ‘peddle pushers’. These ‘peddle pushers’ kept the women from getting their pants caught in their chain. Fast forward to 2011 and we have men tourist walking around Key West wearing ‘peddle pushers’. This being a fishing and military town, it makes some of use look at these men and question. I can only presume that the pants were a gift from their wife and they have to wear them. I guess I am getting old.<br /><br />The folks that own Sunset Key, just of Mallory Square, have been trying to develop Christmas Tree (Wysteria) Island. It has been a bad fight, but this week the Federal Government said the island belonged to them. I expect to see a long fought court case on this one.<br /><br />Speaking of developments. The property that used to be Jabours, across Caroline Street from our house, has not had any seeable progress. It is suppose to be developed into a 96 room hotel.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7606725322847188277?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-30668891351469959452011-11-12T19:19:00.005-05:002011-11-12T19:57:31.845-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TmdzA3JL8g/Tr8VkPBSw0I/AAAAAAAAA9I/-j0-khoDgv4/s1600/Big%2BThunder%2Bflipping.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TmdzA3JL8g/Tr8VkPBSw0I/AAAAAAAAA9I/-j0-khoDgv4/s320/Big%2BThunder%2Bflipping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674277767761544002" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSg4lh3s7f4/Tr8VgDonj9I/AAAAAAAAA88/10TUX6VPlhQ/s1600/Race%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSg4lh3s7f4/Tr8VgDonj9I/AAAAAAAAA88/10TUX6VPlhQ/s320/Race%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674277695985782738" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbAElrOpW3c/Tr8VY1KcmeI/AAAAAAAAA8w/g5S7w15eCO0/s1600/Boats%2Bby%2BConch%2BRepublic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbAElrOpW3c/Tr8VY1KcmeI/AAAAAAAAA8w/g5S7w15eCO0/s320/Boats%2Bby%2BConch%2BRepublic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674277571842054626" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week, (click to enlarge) is ‘Big Thunder flipping’. The second picture is ‘The races at Mallory Square’. The third picture is ‘Boats parked at Conch Republic’.<br /><br />Weather: 64 degrees last Saturday morning. In the 80’s the rest of the week with lots of sunshine and low humidity. Tropical Storm Sean is off the coast and kicking up some surf.<br /><br />The book this week was ’When Elves Attack’ by Tim Dorsey. Serge is again on the prowl in Tampa, Florida, but he only kills people that need killing. A lot like Dexter on Showtime. I also started ‘Mile Marker Zero’ by William McKeen. A great book about the writers of Key West. <br /><br />This week ‘Off Shore Power Boat Racing’. Watch it on you-tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuqHteGnoUY <br />Wednesday, ‘Big Thunder’ caught wind and flipped, killing both the driver and the throttle man. Seven have died in Key West powerboat races since 1985. There were two other wreaks this week<br /><br />There were lots of tall, large breasted, tan blonds in town this week. I guess every boat needs one.<br /><br />11/11/11 - We had lots of weddings here in Key West.<br /><br />11/11/11 – Veterans Day. I hope you at least watched the parade. We had a great one here in Key West. When the men came home from WWI and WWII they were heroes and there were lots of parades. When the men came home from Korea (the police action) they were ignored. When the men came home from Vietnam they took off their uniforms so they would not be spat on or cursed and called ‘baby killer’. Now it is good to see that honor to serve is back.<br /><br />Mixing the 3 events mentioned above (Power Boats = lots of people, Veterans Day Parade, and people getting married on 11/11/11) and you get ‘total gridlock’ at the churches downtown. There were lots of people that were late or had to walk some distance to get to the church on time. There were others that couldn’t cross Duval (because of the parade) to get to the beach for their wedding.<br /><br />Met some nice folks, Roland and Jackie Baird, from the St Louis Parrot Head Club at Schooner.<br /><br />I have some other friends that come down all the way from Orlando and have seen them all over the island this week.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3066889135146995945?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-32701441515477698882011-11-05T18:18:00.004-05:002011-11-06T10:55:53.207-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDksJIYIBjU/TrXEnvBBhRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/TYFwT0vq1aA/s1600/Buffett.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDksJIYIBjU/TrXEnvBBhRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/TYFwT0vq1aA/s320/Buffett.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671655492657710354" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLbeb6ErAoM/TrXEiM0lXVI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/OgvicIZxiG8/s1600/PH%2Bon%2BDuval.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLbeb6ErAoM/TrXEiM0lXVI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/OgvicIZxiG8/s320/PH%2Bon%2BDuval.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671655397579382098" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week, from the Key West Citizen, (click to enlarge) is ‘Jimmy Buffett on Duval for the Parrot Heads’. The second picture is ‘Parrot Heads on Duval’ waiting for Jimmy.<br /><br />Weather: Perfect with the high in the mid 80’s and the lows in the mid 70’s. A cold front came thru on Monday and cleared out the humidity and clouds and left us with blue skies, lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid 80’s. The Parrot Heads couldn’t ask for better weather.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />Don’t forget to set your clocks back and check your smoke detectors.<br /><br />Lots of friends from everywhere on the island this week. It started last week with some Parrot Heads coming in early for Fantasy Fest, then this week I met lots of folks from everywhere. There were two ladies (one from Georgia and one from South Carolina) on Caroline Street, there was the guy (from New Jersey) that got out of his car on Green Street to say hi, there were the folks from the Palmetto Parrot Head Club at Tuesdays on Duval Street, there were all the folk at Schooner, and of course there were the Parrot Heads at the different parties around town and the ones on Duval outside Margaritaville. Friday, while sitting on the front porch working on the blog, a lady dropped by to give me some strawberry preserves. They were wonderful. It was good to see all of you Parrot Heads on the island.<br /><br />Buffett on Duval http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ-Szv2mfzM&noredirect=1 <br /><br />The second time this week we have had airplanes skid off the end of the runway. They have both been small private jets.<br /><br />The U.S.S. Mohawk will be leaving Key West and destine to become an artificial reef up at Sanibel Island. They need over $400,000 to dry dock her and do repairs. As an artificial reef she can live on as a destination for divers.<br /><br />Andy Rooney died Friday night at the ripe old age of 92.<br /><br />Next week will be ‘Off Shore Power Boat Racing’.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3270144151547769888?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-84980709023425457572011-10-29T18:05:00.004-05:002011-10-29T18:16:35.386-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vnncvby9D-E/TqyHZi2R3vI/AAAAAAAAA7E/_OOIo5M9os8/s1600/Sassi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vnncvby9D-E/TqyHZi2R3vI/AAAAAAAAA7E/_OOIo5M9os8/s320/Sassi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669054903873560306" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bF5YEj18KLw/TqyHVQGD6AI/AAAAAAAAA64/f9U3tUA6fW8/s1600/People%2BCake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bF5YEj18KLw/TqyHVQGD6AI/AAAAAAAAA64/f9U3tUA6fW8/s320/People%2BCake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669054830120003586" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6TM9FdzWj4/TqyHOUHbAgI/AAAAAAAAA6s/CqKQpG3SQfw/s1600/Dog%2BCake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6TM9FdzWj4/TqyHOUHbAgI/AAAAAAAAA6s/CqKQpG3SQfw/s320/Dog%2BCake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669054710940369410" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Sassi’. The second picture is ‘Sassi’s Birthday Cake’ to share with the folks at Schooner. The third picture is ‘Sassi’s Dog Cake’ to share with the dogs at Schooner. For Fantasy Fest pictures you will need to use Google.<br /><br />Weather: Perfect with the high in the mid 80’s and the lows in the mid 70’s. Lots of sunshine and a little breeze with low humidity. Then came the weather created by Rina. It rained and then humidity came back. Then the sun came back out and it was beautiful.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />Lots of friends from everywhere on the island this week. It was good to see all of you. <br /><br />Fantasy Fest: The BIG event of the year for Key West is Fantasy Fest every year at Halloween. It is a 10 day party and marks the end of summer and the return of the tourist. This town of 25,000 expects to see about 50,000 visitors in time for Saturday nights Fantasy Fest Parade. The problem is that most of them want to be on the first couple of blocks of Duval Street for the parade. It is a mad house. Sunday morning it is another madhouse as all 50,000 try to leave the island. This year we thought we would throw in a hurricane just to make it interesting but it lost its power and all we got was rain and humidity.<br /><br />‘If it is painted, it ain’t naked’ is the saying for Fantasy Fest. There are lots of painted body’s everywhere. Some of them are lovely and some are not. Go to http://www.fantasyfest.net/ for lots of info and pictures.<br /><br />The Schooner America 2 is in the Key West bight docked where the old Schooner America used to dock next to the Schooner Western Union by Schooner Wharf Bar.<br /><br />Next week there will be about 3,000 Parrot Heads in Key West for The Meeting of the Minds. They may be a little less than the 50,000 this week, but they are a good crowd and do a lot for charity.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8498070902342545757?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-11775956954424428392011-10-22T17:44:00.007-05:002011-10-22T17:56:42.680-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xdYfjLzj5c/TqNI6oC2REI/AAAAAAAAA6g/cCOaThdRbVc/s1600/Parrot%2Bheads%2Bon%2BDuval.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xdYfjLzj5c/TqNI6oC2REI/AAAAAAAAA6g/cCOaThdRbVc/s320/Parrot%2Bheads%2Bon%2BDuval.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666452928181191746" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwgX8HZw-Ew/TqNIys_Hr5I/AAAAAAAAA6U/OsFVYMKCiwQ/s1600/Green%2BParrot.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwgX8HZw-Ew/TqNIys_Hr5I/AAAAAAAAA6U/OsFVYMKCiwQ/s320/Green%2BParrot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666452792068779922" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYMcvDlOXK8/TqNIrowyQ4I/AAAAAAAAA6I/rulEwr60FdE/s1600/Tattoos%2Band%2BScars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYMcvDlOXK8/TqNIrowyQ4I/AAAAAAAAA6I/rulEwr60FdE/s320/Tattoos%2Band%2BScars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666452670675829634" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_mxCwsP-Q8/TqNIg8vci4I/AAAAAAAAA58/HD4Vk6BZ9EM/s1600/Told%2BYou%2BI%2BWas%2BSick.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_mxCwsP-Q8/TqNIg8vci4I/AAAAAAAAA58/HD4Vk6BZ9EM/s320/Told%2BYou%2BI%2BWas%2BSick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666452487060360066" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett fans) will be coming to Key West for their annual visit (The Meeting of the Minds) the first part of November. Therefore, for the next few weeks, I will be having pictures that they may find interesting.<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Parrot Heads on Duval last year’. The second picture is ‘The Green Parrot’. The third picture is ‘Tattoos and Scars’ a new bar on Green near Sloppy Joes. The fourth picture is ‘I Told You I Was Sick” at the Key West grave yard.<br /><br />Weather: Last Saturday it was overcast, and then it started to rain. It rained for 4 days and gave us 18 to 21 inches according to the Miami weather report. A cold front moved thru producing a beautiful weekend with lots of sun and no humidity. Saturday morning it was in the 60’s.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />This week was Goombay (a celebration of our African heritage). It took place on Patronia Street in Bahama Village. Lots of bands and interest food and of course ‘adult beverages’.<br /><br />The Parrot Heads are coming, The Parrot Heads are coming.<br /><br />The buzzards have arrived for this year. They show up each year just before the Parrot Heads.<br /><br />Road trip: With some friends in town, we loaded up the Hummer and headed to ‘No Name’ for lunch, then to ‘Looe Key’, then ‘Boondocks’, then ‘Mangrove Mama’s’, then ‘Geiger Key’, and then ‘Hog Fish’ for dinner. <br /><br />Saturday was Sassi’s 14th birthday and the party was at Schooner Wharf. We had dog cake and people cake and treats for the other dogs. Michael McCloud and his band played.<br /><br />Things Tourist Say:<br />Are the coconuts in the trees real or do you tie them up there?<br />Where do the homeless live?<br />Are these guy’s gay or are they actors?<br /><br />Next Week FANTASY FEST.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1177595695442442839?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-75541001604529689262011-10-15T18:44:00.006-05:002011-10-15T18:48:39.862-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmXHjD4h-Mw/Tpobjlrk7rI/AAAAAAAAA5w/-1GExHFInfg/s1600/Shrimp%2BBoat%2BSounds.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmXHjD4h-Mw/Tpobjlrk7rI/AAAAAAAAA5w/-1GExHFInfg/s320/Shrimp%2BBoat%2BSounds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663869779596078770" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-OiwYvYX6Y/TpobeAOB8vI/AAAAAAAAA5k/ZoYKKpSFYp0/s1600/B.O.%2527s%2BFish%2BWagon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-OiwYvYX6Y/TpobeAOB8vI/AAAAAAAAA5k/ZoYKKpSFYp0/s320/B.O.%2527s%2BFish%2BWagon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663869683640693490" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5N_hrbesU0M/TpobXxrryqI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/oGQmeEjpvSg/s1600/Louis%2BBack%2BYard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5N_hrbesU0M/TpobXxrryqI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/oGQmeEjpvSg/s320/Louis%2BBack%2BYard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663869576659323554" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_c7lFBui_8/TpobStgCLiI/AAAAAAAAA5M/_uQxbVFpJW8/s1600/Southernmost%2BPoint.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_c7lFBui_8/TpobStgCLiI/AAAAAAAAA5M/_uQxbVFpJW8/s320/Southernmost%2BPoint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663869489637371426" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett fans) will be coming to Key West for their annual visit (The Meeting of the Minds) the first part of November. Therefore, for the next few weeks, I will be having pictures that they may find interesting.<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Jimmy Buffett’s Recording Studio, <br />‘Shrimp Boat Sounds’ on the Key West bight. The second picture is ‘B.O.’s Fish Wagon’ on Caroline Street. The third picture is ‘Me at Louis Back Yard’ and the fourth picture is ‘The Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.’.<br /><br />Weather Wonderful. High’s in the mid 80’s and little to no humidity and lots of sun, with a low in the high 70’s at night.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />The Parrot Heads are coming, The Parrot Heads are coming.<br /><br />Key West sunsets and the Green Flash (not a super hero): <br />Key West has some beautiful sunsets. They are so beautiful that we have a sunset celebration at Mallory Square every night. It is a pity that most people leave right after the sun sets because the beauty happens a few minutes later. In our wet season (June thru October) we have rain and humidity therefore we have lots of clouds. The sun usually sets behind the clouds and therefore you do not get to see the sun set into the water. BUT, a few minutes after the sunset the clouds start to change color. It usually starts in the eastern sky and moves toward the west. It gets most beautiful about 15 – 30 minutes after sunset. This will be the time to take pictures.<br /><br />Sunsets in the dry season (November thru May) are a bit different. There is little rain or humidity, therefore there are few clouds. The sun sets right over the water and you may get a special treat of the ‘Green Flash’. Our sun is yellow and the water here is a beautiful clear blue. As any kid can tell you, if you mix the color yellow with the color blue you get the color green. As the sun touches the water you will see a small rectangular box appear under the sun and on the surface of the water (this box is yellow). When the last of the sun goes below the horizon, that little yellow box will flash a green color. It is only there for a fraction of a second (that is why they call it a flash). Now that you know what to look for and the time of year to look for it, I hope you have the opportunity to see the ‘Green Flash’.<br /><br />Tourist Questions:<br />Does the sun always set in the west here?<br />What time is the second sunset?<br />Does the water go all the way around the island?<br />How do you keep the island from floating away?<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7554100160452968926?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-45816858003241740812011-10-08T16:45:00.005-05:002011-10-08T16:51:22.998-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URnj5BXdg4Q/TpDFIkkGoTI/AAAAAAAAA5E/fGOEtEc9Joc/s1600/1ST%2BMargarittaville.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-URnj5BXdg4Q/TpDFIkkGoTI/AAAAAAAAA5E/fGOEtEc9Joc/s320/1ST%2BMargarittaville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661241482649444658" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mNWZoz_JBE/TpDFEg5DfXI/AAAAAAAAA48/Iu5J_7LCENg/s1600/Margaritaville.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mNWZoz_JBE/TpDFEg5DfXI/AAAAAAAAA48/Iu5J_7LCENg/s320/Margaritaville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661241412944100722" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGZ11bnZV-g/TpDE84nW8LI/AAAAAAAAA40/Y523wkt23A8/s1600/Captain%2BTony%2527s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGZ11bnZV-g/TpDE84nW8LI/AAAAAAAAA40/Y523wkt23A8/s320/Captain%2BTony%2527s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661241281873375410" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyxePZhqNaM/TpDE13-lDBI/AAAAAAAAA4s/zKYZOYrRGKU/s1600/Kinko%2527s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyxePZhqNaM/TpDE13-lDBI/AAAAAAAAA4s/zKYZOYrRGKU/s320/Kinko%2527s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661241161443249170" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett fans) will be coming to Key West for their annual visit (The Meeting of the Minds) the first part of November. Therefore, for the next few weeks, I will be having pictures that they may find interesting.<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The very first Margaritaville’, It was at Lands End next to Turtle Krawls. The second picture is ‘Margaritaville’ on Duval. The Third Picture is ‘Captain Tony’s Saloon’ on Green Street. The forth picture is ‘Kinko’s’ the sandal shop across from Captain Tony’s.<br /><br />Weather: A cool front moved thru dropping the temperature to the mid 80’s. We cut off the A/C and opened the doors and windows. It is wonderful. <br /><br />This week I finished ‘Thirst’ by Dania Deschamps.<br /><br />Not a lot happening on the island this week.<br /><br />There was a TV series called ‘Key West the TV series’. It is on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSR8xj80Sw<br />It is really dumb, but if you watch the background you can try to guess where the actors are in Key West. You also see what Key West looked like in the early 1990’s. <br /><br />If you are an old guy that served in the military, you may be interested in the Vietnam Virtual Wall at http://www.virtualwall.org/ .You can click the middle of the screen on the left and bring up names by State and City.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4581685800324174081?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-68456337265290257362011-10-01T15:23:00.004-05:002011-10-02T09:43:07.288-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFbz0a3tgcE/Tod3VqV_zqI/AAAAAAAAA4k/aAAmfIU411U/s1600/swimming%2Bon%2BDuval-Front%2BStreet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFbz0a3tgcE/Tod3VqV_zqI/AAAAAAAAA4k/aAAmfIU411U/s320/swimming%2Bon%2BDuval-Front%2BStreet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658622670841826978" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Swimming at the intersection of Duval and Front’ (Picture from the Key West Citizen Tuesday morning after all the rain on Monday.)<br /><br />Weather: Monday it rained all day. About 3.25 inches and broke a record set in 1920 (that is almost 100 years ago). The temperature dropped to 75 degrees. The rest of the week the temperature at night was in the high 70’s instead of the low 80’s. I guess winter is on the way. It is still in the high 80’s in the day. Saturday a cold front came thru and blew away the humidity.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Thirst’ by Dania Deschamps.<br /><br />It is the end of September and not a lot happening on the island. It will be quiet like this until Goombay and Fantasy Fest at Halloween. I love this time of the year when we locals have the island to ourselves.<br /><br />Nothing happening so go with me on a bike ride. We leave the house on Caroline headed toward Duval and take a right on Elizabeth. We pass Lazy Way Lane, Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio, Conch Republic Seafood and Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop. We take a left on Green and cross over Simonton and past the new Scars and Tattoos, the old City Hall and Sloppy Joes. We cross Duval and go by Captain Tony’s and the entrance to Kinko’s Sandal shop and on to Mel Fishers Museum. We take a left on Front Street and go in to the Truman Annex where we pass the Truman Little White house and the old Navel Hospital. We continue on to Southard Street and take a right.<br /><br />Now we are at the Truman Waterfront where The USS Spruance is docked for its commissioning. We leave there and head down to Fort Zack State Park. Here we check out the beach and the old fort. We leave this area and go back out to Bahama Village where we take a right on Fort Street and ride by the WWII ‘munitions’ dumps. We take a left on Olivia and ride to Whitehead where we see the tourist in line to visit Hemingway’s House. We take a right on Whitehead and ride to the Southernmost Point in the continental US. (Hawaii is further south). The tourists are in line here also.<br /><br />From the Southernmost Point we take a left on South Street and ride to Vernon where we take another right and go to Dog Beach and Louie's Back Yard. This is a great place to take a stop for an adult beverage and a calm relaxing look at the Atlantic Ocean.<br /><br />We leave Louie's and head to the Casa Marina and on to Higgs Beach and the White Street Pier. Leaving here we stay on White Street all the way back across the island. When we get to Eaton Street we take a left and then a right on Grinnell. We pass Finnegan’s Wake and take a left on Caroline and then a right on Margaret and out to Lands End and Half Shell Raw Bar and Turtle Krawls. We take a left on Lazy Way Lane and go past Cuban Coffee Queen and on to Williams Street. We take a right on Williams and another left back to Lazy Way Lane and Schooner Wharf. It must be time for another adult beverage and a little Michael McCloud music.<br /><br />Thanks for taking a ride with me. We only circled the Old Town section of Key West which is about 1/3 of the island.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6845633726529025736?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-46199349836180178032011-09-24T18:42:00.005-05:002011-09-24T18:47:33.172-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzYZl2UJo3Y/Tn5sApGDMCI/AAAAAAAAA4c/EUfvHlFF6a4/s1600/Horse%252C%2BCop%2Band%2BPalm%2Btree.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzYZl2UJo3Y/Tn5sApGDMCI/AAAAAAAAA4c/EUfvHlFF6a4/s320/Horse%252C%2BCop%2Band%2BPalm%2Btree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656076940310949922" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra7QPNjMp9o/Tn5r4IFku0I/AAAAAAAAA4U/GGNLYGrn1Gg/s1600/Tented%2BRed%2BDoors.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra7QPNjMp9o/Tn5r4IFku0I/AAAAAAAAA4U/GGNLYGrn1Gg/s320/Tented%2BRed%2BDoors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656076794011630402" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AuO_DqUBsc/Tn5ryI02ytI/AAAAAAAAA4M/-JRFJ1NjHcI/s1600/Sept%2BClosed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7AuO_DqUBsc/Tn5ryI02ytI/AAAAAAAAA4M/-JRFJ1NjHcI/s320/Sept%2BClosed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656076691130731218" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9oBcN6QWSE/Tn5rq5jQm_I/AAAAAAAAA4E/Y33_G9Qt6kU/s1600/Ship%2B5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9oBcN6QWSE/Tn5rq5jQm_I/AAAAAAAAA4E/Y33_G9Qt6kU/s320/Ship%2B5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656076566771309554" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVbFUD6_9CQ/Tn5rk4FFJAI/AAAAAAAAA38/c5u7dRjowF0/s1600/Ship%2B4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVbFUD6_9CQ/Tn5rk4FFJAI/AAAAAAAAA38/c5u7dRjowF0/s320/Ship%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656076463297078274" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Horse, Cop, and Palm Tree’. The second picture is ‘Tented Red doors’. The third picture is ‘Closed for Vacation’. The last group is ‘USS Spruance’ A new Navy ship coming into to Key West to be commissioned on October 1. <br /><br />Weather: The Autumn Equinox came this week, so we are now into fall. It is still bright and sunny here with the temperature in the high 80’s every day and the low 80’s at night. It is still humid.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Cold-Case Killer’ by Dorothy Francis.<br /><br />The ‘Cop, Horse and Palm tree’ was taken at Fort Zack park while we waited for the new Navy ship, The USS Spruance, to arrive.<br /><br />‘Tented Red Doors’ is the Red Doors building across from B. O.‘s. We have lots of termites here so the buildings need to be tented and gassed upon occasion to get rid of the bugs.<br /><br />‘USS Spruance’ came to Key West on Friday to be commissioned. There was a large crowd at Fort Zack state Park waiting for the ship to pass thru the ships channel. She docked at the outer mole. More photo’s at http://www.milezeromag.com/photos/galleries/ <br /><br />‘This Isn’t The Real World’. I read it on http://keywestmusic.blogspot.com/ and I agree with him. That is why people like Key West so much. You come here and enjoy yourselves like you can’t when you are surrounded by people that know you.<br /><br />The middle of September and the city has very few tourists. Many of the businesses close and let the employees go on vacation this time of year. They will reopen before Halloween and Fantasy Fest.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4619934983618017803?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-27946522349213756842011-09-17T18:19:00.003-05:002011-09-17T18:23:00.149-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvuj0tFhxMQ/TnUrm_PJW0I/AAAAAAAAA30/ZOrNpBUuBp8/s1600/Bikes%2Bat%2BSloppy%2BJoe%2527s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvuj0tFhxMQ/TnUrm_PJW0I/AAAAAAAAA30/ZOrNpBUuBp8/s320/Bikes%2Bat%2BSloppy%2BJoe%2527s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653472856043510594" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GnWNm3prgk/TnUrgyCu3RI/AAAAAAAAA3s/OBBDf5_HF1I/s1600/Bikes%2Bat%2BConch%2BRepublic%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GnWNm3prgk/TnUrgyCu3RI/AAAAAAAAA3s/OBBDf5_HF1I/s320/Bikes%2Bat%2BConch%2BRepublic%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653472749422566674" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTbhXVC-Z-g/TnUrZgelfjI/AAAAAAAAA3k/4hOVHvXjuX8/s1600/Tatoos%2Band%2BScars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTbhXVC-Z-g/TnUrZgelfjI/AAAAAAAAA3k/4hOVHvXjuX8/s320/Tatoos%2Band%2BScars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653472624448470578" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Bikes at Sloppy Joe’s’. The second picture is ‘Bikes at Conch Republic’. The third picture is ‘Tattoos and Scars’. <br /><br />Weather: September is here with the height of hurricane season and the temperature in the high 80’s every day and lots of humidity and lots of sunshine.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />I love September after Labor Day. The tourist goes home and the locals have the place to ourselves. Lots of room in the bars, lots of places to park a car, bike riding is much safer, etc, etc. Other than the weekend events, it should stay this way until around Halloween when we have Fantasy Fest.<br /><br />This weekend was a Poker Run with about 10,000 bike riders arriving in Key West for the event. In a Poker Run there are places set up on the Keys Highway (US1) all down the keys. The bikers stop at these spots and get a poker card. When they get here they check-in with their poker hand. The winner gets a prize. The real winners are the city of Key West, the bars/restaurants and the servers at these bar/restaurants. The bikers have a great reputation as very good tippers. <br /><br />My ‘Tourist of the Week’ has got to be the young lady with the long blond hair in the little white string bikini and knee high black boots riding the Harley down Duval in front of Sloppy Joe’s.<br /><br />There is a building on Green Street, next to old City Hall, that had an Asian restaurant and The Key West Cigar Store in it. It was converted into a bar/restaurant named ‘Ernesto’s’ which never opened. Here we are two years later and a new bar/restaurant is getting ready to open in that building. This place is called ‘Tattoos and Scars’ and I hope they make it. (‘In the tropics they come and they go’, Jimmy Buffett.)<br /><br />NOTE: I like the name ‘Tattoos and Scars.’ With tattoos being very popular today and people talking about their tattoos, I tell people all my tattoos look like ‘Scars and Stitches’.<br /><br />I had my physical this week. I am 67 years old, 6 foot tall and weigh 190 pounds. My blood pressure is 120/80 and my total cholesterol is 165. I seem to be in pretty good shape for an old guy. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-2794652234921375684?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-6874320783621321232011-09-10T19:06:00.004-05:002011-09-10T19:10:01.274-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI5Xha3VPJc/Tmv8TP__KKI/AAAAAAAAA3c/lknFXkMHKU8/s1600/Restaurant.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SI5Xha3VPJc/Tmv8TP__KKI/AAAAAAAAA3c/lknFXkMHKU8/s320/Restaurant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650887565109045410" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7LJKp-syD4/Tmv8PUPc4fI/AAAAAAAAA3U/kGw_RA4kf3E/s1600/License_to_Kill_Dalton.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7LJKp-syD4/Tmv8PUPc4fI/AAAAAAAAA3U/kGw_RA4kf3E/s320/License_to_Kill_Dalton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650887497528173042" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GI1rZCJEbE/Tmv8LOFYYUI/AAAAAAAAA3M/iBYbR3hGsII/s1600/Chris-Cross%2BGoldie%2BHawn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_GI1rZCJEbE/Tmv8LOFYYUI/AAAAAAAAA3M/iBYbR3hGsII/s320/Chris-Cross%2BGoldie%2BHawn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650887427155845442" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is the current restaurant on Garrison Bight on Palm Avenue. The second picture is Timothy Dalton in ‘License to Kill (1988)’ at that same restaurant. The third picture is Goldie Hawn at that same restaurant in ‘Criss Cross (1975)’.<br /><br />Weather: Another bight sunny week with temperatures in the high 80’s. Tropical Storm Lee is dumping rain all over the North East. Hurricane Katia looks like it will miss the USA. Tropical Storm Maria, soon to be Hurricane Maria, bears a close watching and Tropical Storm Nate, Hurricane want-to-be Nate appears to be going to Mexico. The high point of hurricane season is here.<br /><br />This week I finished reading ‘Hostage in Havana’ by Noel Hynd.<br /><br />Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day. My wife had the day off from her job at the City of Key West. That is one of the problems with being retired; you never get a day off.<br /><br />To day is 09/11/2011, I hope you are flying the flag<br /><br />This week was ‘Womenfest’. http://www.womenfest.com/events/ Lots of ladies walking around town holding hands. As bad as this world is about accepting people that are different than themselves, it is good these ladies can come here and be accepted for who they are.<br /><br />Tuesday shrimp on Sunset Pier started this week, Steamed shrimp after sunset.<br /><br />Fashion: Here in Key West most all of us wear shorts, t-shirts and sandals. It is a little too hot and humid to give much thought to fashion. We also wear white after Labor Day. I saw a young lady walking down Duval Street with shorts, t-shirt, sandals, and a scarf around her neck in 90 degree weather. I guess it was a fashion statement.<br /><br /> My friend Sharon Deja on Facebook:<br />Me, behave? Seriously? As a child I saw Tarzan almost naked, Cinderella arrived home after midnight, Pinocchio told lies, Batman drove over 200 miles an hour, Snow White lived in a house with 7 men, Popeye smoked a pipe and had tattoos, Pac Man ran around to digital music while eating pills that enhanced his performance, and Shaggy and Scooby were mystery solving hippies that always had the munchies. The fault is not mine! If you had this childhood and loved it, repost!!!!<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-687432078362132123?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-73816231227608447332011-09-03T18:35:00.007-05:002011-09-04T06:46:39.436-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--yMW5x_BHuk/TmK-WaU90mI/AAAAAAAAA3E/MU6gBMhP3_Y/s1600/We%2Bmiss%2Byou%2BRay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--yMW5x_BHuk/TmK-WaU90mI/AAAAAAAAA3E/MU6gBMhP3_Y/s320/We%2Bmiss%2Byou%2BRay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648286174909682274" /></a> <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iPdXozz664/TmK-QtilR5I/AAAAAAAAA28/Gq_0GwNdzsw/s1600/Miss%2BRay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5iPdXozz664/TmK-QtilR5I/AAAAAAAAA28/Gq_0GwNdzsw/s320/Miss%2BRay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648286076987852690" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eko4htTvWLs/TmK-G-3hggI/AAAAAAAAA20/_zoj-htUyng/s1600/Dogs%2BAllowed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eko4htTvWLs/TmK-G-3hggI/AAAAAAAAA20/_zoj-htUyng/s320/Dogs%2BAllowed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648285909840396802" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdGvtFd9uK8/TmK92-uykoI/AAAAAAAAA2s/EgkDz-Adby4/s1600/Cigars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdGvtFd9uK8/TmK92-uykoI/AAAAAAAAA2s/EgkDz-Adby4/s320/Cigars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648285634925859458" /></a> <br />'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. <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first and second pictures this week (click to enlarge) are “Memorial to Ray’. The third picture is ‘Dogs Allowed’ at B.O.’s Fish Wagon. The fourth picture is ‘We Sell Cigarettes’ at a Cigar Store. (I hope they also sell cigars at the cigar store). <br /> <br />Weather: It may be September but it is still hot and Humid with lots of sunshine. <br /> <br />This week I read ‘Hostage in Havana’ by Noel Hynd. <br /> <br />Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day. <br /> <br />Last Sunday while the north east US was getting hammered by category 1 hurricane Irene, another front developed off Africa and was headed west. It became Katia and looks dangerous, but it is already predicted to take that right turn and head north long before it gets here. We also have tropical storm Lee dumping rain on the Gulf Coast. No wonder September is considered the height of hurricane season. <br /> <br />Some of you may remember or even purchased a hot dog from the guy on the corner of Caroline and Duval. Well, Ray died this week. Sassi and Boca always searched for ‘left over hot dogs’ on the steps of the jewelry store on that corner at 5:30 AM every morning. <br /> <br />This week end was ‘Key West Brew Fest’. It started Thursday with a kickoff party at The Bottlecap. Friday was a party at the Southernmost Hotel, and then it moved to Finnegan’s Wake then to Krawl off Duval. Saturday it started at Camille’s then South Beach, then The Porch, and then The Green Parrot. Sunday it started at Camille’s, then to Southernmost Beach Café. Monday it started again at Camille’s then to the Green Parrot. <br /> <br />Next week will be ‘Women in Paradise’. <br /> <br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it <br />'Living the life that others dream' <br />Doug Bennett <br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /> <br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7381623122760844733?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-38000549554085173472011-08-27T19:22:00.006-05:002011-08-27T19:33:51.720-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq35f_itlYk/TlmMEPEBa5I/AAAAAAAAA2k/KZlUi4hDyxU/s1600/Irene2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq35f_itlYk/TlmMEPEBa5I/AAAAAAAAA2k/KZlUi4hDyxU/s320/Irene2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645697612276394898" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcXy8Iv3O8A/TlmL3O_t9_I/AAAAAAAAA2c/RAe7VQeoTkE/s1600/three%2Bjet%2Bski.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcXy8Iv3O8A/TlmL3O_t9_I/AAAAAAAAA2c/RAe7VQeoTkE/s320/three%2Bjet%2Bski.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645697388920043506" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPtbokdm_sg/TlmLwRJdbrI/AAAAAAAAA2U/qjbFdV8eYo4/s1600/Elizabeth%2Band%2BGreen%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VPtbokdm_sg/TlmLwRJdbrI/AAAAAAAAA2U/qjbFdV8eYo4/s320/Elizabeth%2Band%2BGreen%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645697269238689458" /></a> <br />'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. <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Hurricane Irene’, the second picture is ‘jet skis’ on the Atlantic side of the island the same day the Atlantic side of Florida was battling Irene. The third picture is ‘underwater’ at the corner of Green and Elizabeth. Our street drains, empty into the ocean, so extra high tides can be a challenge. <br /> <br />Weather: Beautiful. Hot and humid with a chance of rain. Lots of sunshine. <br /> <br />This week I read ‘Dead in the water’ by Stuart Woods. <br /> <br />Lots of cruise ships this week. The cruise lines are having to send their ships here instead of the Bahamas’. We have had as many as 4 ships in one day. The good news is it has been beautiful here. Thursday while Hurricane Irene was off Miami in the Atlantic, we had absolutely beautiful weather. <br /> <br />I started a log about a tropical storm coming our way, but it was renamed Hurricane Irene and it turned and headed north. I thought it would be interesting for some of you to read how we lived thru a hurricane. Oh well, maybe next time. <br /> <br />Hurricanes spin in a counter-clockwise direction. So on Thursday while the hurricane was off the coast of Miami, Key West had a nice cool breeze brought down here from the north by the spin of the hurricane. Saturday there was no breeze and it was hot with the hurricane pulling the heat from south up to Key West. <br /> <br />It has been very quiet in Key West this week if you did not go down to Duval Street. It has been packed down there with all the cruise ship passengers. There were lots of folks that had never been to Key West before. There were also some folks were disappointed that they did not get to go the Bahamas’. The ships leave at sunset so Duval Street is pretty deserted at night. <br /> <br />With most of the island only populated by us locals, it was a good week for an adult beverage at some of the places I love to go, and some places I don’t get to go because of too many tourists. I would like to thank my out-of-town friends at Schooner for the chicken bones for Sassi and Boca. <br /> <br />Saturday the tourist with cars were back and there was no place to park downtown. <br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it <br />'Living the life that others dream' <br />Doug Bennett <br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /> <br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3800054955408517347?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-75331720186895074722011-08-20T19:34:00.005-05:002011-08-20T19:39:30.137-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMm1uTIiwqA/TlBTkEJH2yI/AAAAAAAAA2M/JI3YIswk0FA/s1600/Graveyard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMm1uTIiwqA/TlBTkEJH2yI/AAAAAAAAA2M/JI3YIswk0FA/s320/Graveyard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643102212147632930" /></a> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTry2m6ksT4/TlBTem_i2sI/AAAAAAAAA2E/o7bqw2xtLaE/s1600/Jew.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTry2m6ksT4/TlBTem_i2sI/AAAAAAAAA2E/o7bqw2xtLaE/s320/Jew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643102118423485122" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUeUnt-jRP0/TlBTaNVuEZI/AAAAAAAAA18/ixjBQWe9zHw/s1600/Catholic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUeUnt-jRP0/TlBTaNVuEZI/AAAAAAAAA18/ixjBQWe9zHw/s320/Catholic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643102042817696146" /></a> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG4a9p5slzI/TlBTT6hIyjI/AAAAAAAAA10/kLZmJuOs0fo/s1600/Sick.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG4a9p5slzI/TlBTT6hIyjI/AAAAAAAAA10/kLZmJuOs0fo/s320/Sick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643101934686095922" /></a> <br />'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. <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The Key West Graveyard’. The second picture is the Jewish Section’. The third picture is ‘The Catholic Section’. The last picture is ‘I Told You I Was Sick’. Religion even separates some of us at death. I don’t understand. <br /> <br />Weather: Hot and humid, it must be August. <br /> <br />This week I read ‘Street’ by W. C. Highfield. It was written by a street person. <br /> <br />The city of Key West closed off Eaton Street from White to Simonton Street for milling and paving. Traffic has been pretty bad since all of the cross streets have been blocked. They were finished in 5 days. <br /> <br />Wednesday it seemed like a good time to take a bike ride. First I peddled to Eaton and Grinnell and found that the first, two blocks of Eaton were already open to traffic. I peddled on over to the grave yard. It is always nice and quite there. After a few pictures at the grave yard I peddled on over to the White Street Pier and down around Higgs Beach. I met some folks from Pennsylvania and had a good talk. After leaving there I peddled on over to the little park next to the Casa. I could see the people sitting on Louis Back Yard, so I peddle over there and got an adult beverage. Some folks from North Carolina came over and we chatted a bit. I left Louis and headed to the Southernmost Point. I turned right and went pass US#1, the light house, and Hemingway’s House and on toward the Green Parrot. I stayed on Whitehead and took a right on Caroline Street at Kelly’s. Peddling straight ahead I went up Caroline pass The Porch, The Bull & Whistle, Duval Street, and on to home. <br /> <br />Thursday I peddled down to Fort Zack and the beach. Spent some time there until a storm came in, so I rode in the rain toward home. <br /> <br />People die every day trying to get from Cuba to the U. S. in little boats that we call CHUGS. Some make it here and are allowed to stay under the ‘Dry Foot, Wet Foot’ policy. Some are picked up at sea and taken back to Cuba. Some never make it at all. <br />Check out www.thechugs.com . People risking everything to come to this country and those of us that live here do not appreciate it. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it <br />'Living the life that others dream' <br />Doug Bennett <br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /> <br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7533172018689507472?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-63040950408907213712011-08-13T18:24:00.004-05:002011-08-14T07:05:42.032-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIApCrnz1Bg/TkcIUZBJ6VI/AAAAAAAAA1s/8ZywLFtPDTc/s1600/Battle%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIApCrnz1Bg/TkcIUZBJ6VI/AAAAAAAAA1s/8ZywLFtPDTc/s320/Battle%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640486204710971730" /></a> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3TZvj3axPo/TkcIK4O0ifI/AAAAAAAAA1k/1u-5GDPbrmQ/s1600/Captain%2BTony.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3TZvj3axPo/TkcIK4O0ifI/AAAAAAAAA1k/1u-5GDPbrmQ/s320/Captain%2BTony.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640486041291098610" /></a> <br />'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. <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Battle of the Bars’. The second picture is ‘Captain Tony’. <br /> <br />Weather: Hot and humid with lots of sun. <br /> <br />This week I read ‘Shoot Him If He Runs’ by Stuart Woods. Another murder mystery in the Caribbean. <br /> <br />Last Sunday was the 18th ‘Battle of the Bars’ on Lazy Way Lane at Schooner Wharf Bar. It all started at 12:00 noon and continued until way past dark. There were 38 bars represented by their teams with Bourbon Street Pub being the winners. Over $22,850.00 was raise with over $215,000.00 being raised since the beginning of this event. http://www.schoonerwharf.com/ <br /> <br />Happy birthday Captain Tony. A four day festival was held starting with his birthday party on Wednesday afternoon. ‘Tony Tales’ was held at The Chart Room on Friday. A $1,000 ‘Life’ scholarship will be given to a 2011 Key West High graduate planning to learn about life without going to college first. http://blog.placesaroundflorida.com/index.php/2011/08/06/capt-tony-days-key-west-2011/ <br /> <br /> ‘Lobster Fest’ was held on Duval Street Saturday. The ‘bugs’ are on the grill. A couple of blocks were closed to traffic and tents were placed down the middle of Duval Street. Lots of people selling all sorts of things and of course, lots of lobster. Where else can you eat a lobster dinner ($22.50), sitting on the curb in 90 degree heat, while drinking a beer. http://www.keywestlobsterfest.com/ <br /> <br />‘Sex on the Reef’. It happens a few times every year when the water temperature is just right and the tide is just right and there is a full moon. The coral release their spawn and the waters light up. The spawn glow in the dark and it is beautiful. <br /> <br />Some friends from Ohio were in town this week and we saw each other at different locations around Key West. <br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it <br />'Living the life that others dream' <br />Doug Bennett <br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /> <br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6304095040890721371?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-6963568128253342132011-08-06T18:18:00.004-05:002011-08-07T06:14:29.104-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNhnxII0aPg/Tj3MbC55WbI/AAAAAAAAA1c/O4viNPzGeLI/s1600/cruise%2Bship.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNhnxII0aPg/Tj3MbC55WbI/AAAAAAAAA1c/O4viNPzGeLI/s320/cruise%2Bship.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637887073545968050" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UDT9Js9eL4/Tj3MTLMPFKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/_k2YhpUGjww/s1600/city%2Bannex.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UDT9Js9eL4/Tj3MTLMPFKI/AAAAAAAAA1U/_k2YhpUGjww/s320/city%2Bannex.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637886938331419810" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Cruise Ship’, thanks to the Key West Citizen Newspaper Friday. With the storm Emily running around down in the Caribbean, we have had lots of extra cruise ships in the harbor this week. The ships are trying to stay away from the bad weather caused by Emily. So although it is the middle of the summer and usually our slow time, Duval Street is packed in the daytime with cruise ship passengers. The second picture is the tearing down of the old city hall annex on Simonton Street. <br /><br />Weather: I like to say that it very seldom gets below 60 or above 90, but this summer we have seen continuous strings of days with a high of 92.<br /><br />This week I finished ‘Loitering with Intent’ by Stuart Woods. I also read ‘The Key West Bucket List’ by David L. Sloan. It is a list of 100 things to do in the keys and I found that I had already done over 60 of them. I also added a few of my own: (1) Dance with your dog to ‘Schooner Wharf Bar Dog’. (2) Walk in the rain with your dog down Duval Street. (3) Walk, walk, walk every side street you can find in old town. (4) Watch the sunrise alone. (5) Kayak on Duval in a hurricane. (6) Identify the gingerbread on the houses in Old Town. (7) Smell the flowers on a December morning (do not pick them). (8) Ride a bicycle all the way around the island. (9) Have an adult beverage, smoke a cigar and listen to some music. (10) Ride a jet ski around the island. (11) go parasailing. (12) Get to know some of the homeless. (13) Walk, run, or bike from one end of Duval to the other, then you can say you crossed Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.<br /><br />Jo came home with a bunch of old books. ‘Key West the Old Island’ 1971; ‘My Memories of Old Key West in the 20’s and 30’s’, by Nilo C. Lopez; ‘The Key West Hemingway Loved and Key West of 1998’ by Nilo C. Lopez; and ‘Return to Viloria’ by Nilo Lopez.<br />I have enjoyed them all.<br /><br />Sunday will be ‘The Battle of the Bars on Lazy Way Lane at Schooner Wharf Bar. <br /><br />Next Week-end will be ‘Lobster Fest’ on Duval Street. Where else can you eat a lobster dinner, sitting on the curb in 90 degree heat, while drinking a beer.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-696356812825334213?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-13636812565694167232011-07-30T19:23:00.003-05:002011-07-30T19:28:26.952-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CXj8tCqLAk/TjSg_t_D3mI/AAAAAAAAA1M/o4VZEwoU_Uc/s1600/florida%2Blobster%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CXj8tCqLAk/TjSg_t_D3mI/AAAAAAAAA1M/o4VZEwoU_Uc/s320/florida%2Blobster%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635306050283626082" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haa5LvYB3n0/TjSg4gL4aGI/AAAAAAAAA1E/YbroE8dsfgU/s1600/square%2Bgrouper2"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haa5LvYB3n0/TjSg4gL4aGI/AAAAAAAAA1E/YbroE8dsfgU/s320/square%2Bgrouper2" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635305926320220258" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Bug’. That is what we call the Key West Lobster. They are small and do not have claws. The second picture is a ‘square grouper’ thanks to www.coconutandcrew.blogspot.com (June 23, 2009). See story below.<br /><br />Weather: Hot and humid, but still cooler than the middle of the country. The nice ocean breeze is an extra bonus.<br /><br />This week I finished ‘Hemingway Deadlights’ by Michael Atkinson and started ‘Loitering with Intent’ by Stuart Woods. I love Key West murder mysteries.<br /><br />‘Mini-Lobster Season’ started Wednesday night at 12:00 midnight and lasted until Friday at 12:00 midnight. This is a two day lobster catching opportunity for people before the season kicks off for the lobster fisher-men. You are only allowed 6 lobster per person. They must be transported to land before the tails are broken off. They must be a certain length. You cannot fish with a spear gun. You cannot fish in the cannels or within a certain number of feet from the shoreline.<br /><br />Every year people are caught that can not follow these simple rules. This year the first person was caught the week before ‘mini-lobster season’ with only the tails, more than 6 lobster and some of them were undersize. He also didn’t have license. The reason he was stopped is because he had a child in the boat with out a life preserver. They tried to hide the lobster by putting the lobster tails under an adult life preserver on the bottom of the boat. (1) out of season, (2) only tails, (3) undersize, (4) no license, (5) more than six lobster, (6) child without life preserver. He should win some kind of award.<br /><br />I got a bad case of fungus under the fingernails. A lot of bartenders here get it because their hands are in the water a lot. The VA gave me some stuff to use to help clear up the fungus. I started looking for what had changed and realized that I started using anti-bacterial citrus dish washing liquid soap about a month ago. I switched back to Dawn and everything started clearing-up.<br /><br />This story was in ‘The Citizen’, our local paper, Saturday. Two brothers are fishing and find a ‘square grouper’ floating by so they pull it into the boat. (A ‘square grouper’ is the name given to packaged drugs that are thrown overboard when the Coast Guard is trying to catch a drug smuggler.) Seems one of the guys decided to cut it open and snort a little. Later he kind of went crazy and started throwing stuff overboard and destroyed all communications devices and the engine and then died. The other guy waved down another boat which called Florida Fish and Wildlife.<br /><br />Key West--- you have got to love it. <br /><br />Next weekend is the ‘Waiters Race’ on Lazy Way Lane behind Schooner Wharf Bar.<br />----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />My email address has changed from Doug-Bennett@Comcast.net to GDougBennett@ATT.net. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1363681256569416723?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-64733719157021234102011-07-23T19:41:00.004-05:002011-07-23T19:48:23.778-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzgtasweppY/TitrAaU-wyI/AAAAAAAAA08/CdRBUpkvhlo/s1600/Himingway%2B-%2BLife%2B3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzgtasweppY/TitrAaU-wyI/AAAAAAAAA08/CdRBUpkvhlo/s320/Himingway%2B-%2BLife%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632713413768430370" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtDF7SLADVo/Titq7J7DecI/AAAAAAAAA00/tEQX1l8YOxc/s1600/Hemingway%2Bhouse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CtDF7SLADVo/Titq7J7DecI/AAAAAAAAA00/tEQX1l8YOxc/s320/Hemingway%2Bhouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632713323465374146" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdY4m4di4cc/TitqwNaoYhI/AAAAAAAAA0s/bG8KXywx-eE/s1600/Casa%2BAntigua.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdY4m4di4cc/TitqwNaoYhI/AAAAAAAAA0s/bG8KXywx-eE/s320/Casa%2BAntigua.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632713135424561682" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Hemingway’. The second picture is ‘Hemingway’s House’ and the third picture is ‘Casa Antigua’ the hotel Hemingway stayed in when he first came to Key West in April 1928.<br /><br />Weather: Another hot week in the middle of the country, another beautiful week in Key West. In Key West the temperature stays the same most of the day. When I get up in the morning it is already about 85 degrees, but it is very seldom that it gets above 90 degrees during the day. Most of us live here because we like the heat.<br /><br />This week I finished ‘Full Scoop’ by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. This book is no where near as good as her other books. I started ‘Hemingway Deadlights’ by Michael Atkinson. Hemingway wakes up in his Key West home with a bad hangover a leg in a cast and the KW police telling him his friend has been killed with a 70 pound harpoon. Then it gets interesting.<br /><br />Jo and I would like to thank the folks from Iowa that brought us the corn on the cob. It was wonderful.<br /><br />This Week was ‘Hemingway Days’. If you are a member of this Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ you can go there and click PHOTOS and then click HEMINGWAY DAYS to check out 16 photos of Hemingway impersonators.<br /><br />One of the ‘Hemingway Look-A-Likes’ stopped me to ask just how old my dogs were. He said he remembered me walking those dogs around years ago when he first came to the Hemingway Look-A-Like Contest. I told him this was my second set of huskies. Wyleigh and Nevada are gone and these are Sassi and Boca.<br /><br />Hemingway Days had lots of ‘doings’ around the island. Check it out at:<br /> http://www.fla-keys.com/hemingwaymedia/ <br /><br />HEMINGWAY DAYS 2011<br /><br />Schedule of Events July 19-24<br />DAILY Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum guided tours. Visit the home where Hemingway lived throughout the 1930s and wrote some of his most enduring classics. 907 Whitehead St. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For info and ticket prices, visit www.hemingwayhome.com.<br /> <br />DAILY "Hemingway in Key West" museum exhibition. Explore Ernest Hemingway's life in Key West, fishing adventures and Cuban connection in the 1930s. View rarely exhibited Hemingway photographs and memorabilia, including previously unseen items from the Bruce Family Archive. Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 281 Front St. Museum hours 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For info and ticket prices, visit www.kwahs.com.<br /> <br />TUESDAY, JULY 19 <br />5:30 p.m. "The Key West Bucket List" book debut party. Join author David Sloan at The Porch, 429 Caroline St., for the national debut of his volume offering entertaining suggestions for "must-do" activities in Key West and the Keys. Light refreshments will be served. Free admission. For info, visit www.theporchkw.com. <br /><br />WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 <br />4-6 p.m. Registration for the Key West Marlin Tournament. Anglers compete for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes for targeting marlin, spearfish, dolphin, tuna and wahoo. Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St. For info, visit www.keywestmarlin.com. <br />5:30 p.m. Meet the "Papas." Get to know the contestants and previous winners of the "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Attractions include a cash bar and Hemingway-esque hors d'oeuvres. Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd. <br />6-8 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament captains meeting, auction and raffle. Conch Republic Seafood Co. <br />8-10 p.m. "Voices, Places, Inspirations." This evening of readings and presentations features critically acclaimed author Lorian Hemingway, "Crazy in Alabama" author and screenwriter Mark Childress, mystery/nonfiction author and photographer Tom Corcoran and mystery novelist/journalist Michael Haskins. Wyland Galleries of Key West, 623 Duval St. Free admission. For information, visit www.shortstorycompetition.com or www.wylandkeywest.com.<br /> <br />THURSDAY, JULY 21 <br />8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament first day of fishing. For info, visit www.keywestmarlin.com. <br />9-10:30 a.m. "Coffee and Donuts with the Papas." Join past Look-Alike Contest winners and current competitors for a lighthearted "coffee break" at Cypress House, a historic inn at 601 Caroline St. Visit www.cypresshousekw.com. <br />4-6 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament weigh-in. Conch Republic Seafood Co. docks. <br />5:45 p.m. Hemingway's Birthday Cake. Proud "Papas" are to celebrate the 112th anniversary of Ernest's July 21 birth with birthday cake on the stage at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St. For look-alike event info, visit www.sloppyjoes.com. <br />6 p.m. Hemingway Look-Alike Society scholarship presentations. The society is to announce the winners of its annual scholarships for Florida Keys students. Sloppy Joe's Bar. <br />6:30 p.m. Sloppy Joe's 31st annual "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, first preliminary round, to be judged by former contest winners and honorary judge Cristen Hemingway Jaynes. Sloppy Joe's Bar. $35 entry fee. Free to watch. <br />6:30 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament cocktail party. Festivities for anglers include a Key West-style pig roast. Doubletree Grand Key Resort. Free to tournament participants.<br /> <br />FRIDAY, JULY 22 <br />8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament's second day of fishing. For info, visit www.keywestmarlin.com. <br />Noon "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Fish-Off. Cheer your favorites as the "Papas" compete in this dockside catch-and-release challenge using traditional "Cuban yo-yos." Conch Republic Seafood Co. docks. Free to watch. <br />4-6 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament weigh-in. Conch Republic Seafood Co. docks. <br />6:30-8 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament dockside cocktail party and fish fry. Conch Republic Seafood Co. Free to tournament participants. <br />6:30 p.m. Sloppy Joe's 31st annual "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, second preliminary round, to be judged by former contest winners and honorary judge Cristen Hemingway Jaynes. Sloppy Joe's Bar. $35 entry fee. Free to watch. <br />8 p.m. Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition winners announcement and reception. This literary highlight takes place at Hemingway's first Key West residence, Casa Antigua. Events include a presentation on Casa Antigua's history by owner Tom Oosterhoudt and a reading of the winning short story. 314 Simonton St. Free admission. For info, visit www.shortstorycompetition.com.<br /> <br />SATURDAY, JULY 23 <br />8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament's third day of fishing. For info, visit www.keywestmarlin.com. <br />10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Caribbean Street Fair presented by HELPLINE. Much of Duval Street is closed to vehicular traffic and transformed into an open-air island market with arts, crafts, jewelry, tropical clothing and food. For info, call 305-292-8445 or visit www.keyshelpline.org. <br />Noon-4 p.m. Hemingway/BW Promotions 5k Sunset Run race packet pickup at Caribbean Street Fair. Pick up race packets at the booth at Fleming and Duval streets. Racers can pre-register online at www.active.com. $30 entry fee for those who pre-register, $35 on race day. For info, call 305-240-0727. <br />Noon Photos with "Papas." "Papa" Hemingway look-alikes provide a photo opportunity for fans. Greene Street outside Sloppy Joe's. For info, visit www.sloppyjoes.com. <br />1 p.m. Running of the Bulls. This wacky event is sponsored by Sloppy Joe's Bar and features past "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest winners dressed in their Pamplona best — and a breed of "bull" found only in Key West. The fun takes place outside Sloppy Joe's. For info, visit www.sloppyjoes.com. <br />3-5 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament weigh-in. Conch Republic Seafood Co. docks. <br />5-7:15 p.m. Hemingway/BW Promotions 5k Sunset Run registration. Register and pick up race packets. Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St. For info, call 305-240-0727. <br />6:30 p.m. Key West Marlin Tournament awards banquet and silent auction. Cocktails and silent auction are set for 6:30, with the dinner and awards presentations to follow at 7:30. Open to tournament participants and their guests only. Westin Key West Resort, 245 Front St. <br />6:30 p.m. Sloppy Joe's 31st annual "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, final round, to be judged by former contest winners and honorary judge Cristen Hemingway Jaynes. Sloppy Joe's Bar. Free to watch. <br />7:30 p.m. Hemingway/BW Promotions 5k Sunset Run through Old Town Key West. Racers start at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, Whitehead and South streets. An awards ceremony is scheduled after the race at the Southernmost Hotel. For info, call 305-240-0727. <br /><br />SUNDAY, JULY 24 <br />Noon Sloppy Joe's Arm Wrestling Championship. Prizes await winners in multiple weight categories. Sloppy Joe's. $5 entry fee; free to watch. For info, visit www.sloppyjoes.com. <br />7 p.m. "The Old Man and the Sea" Film Showcase at Tropic Cinema. View the classic film version of Ernest Hemingway's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Film begins at 8 p.m.; the event also includes a reception and silent auction benefiting HELPLINE. Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. For info and ticketing, call 305-292-8445. <br /><br /><br />----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />My email address has changed from Doug-Bennett@Comcast.net to GDougBennett@ATT.net. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6473371915702123410?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-70352459006168289912011-07-16T19:33:00.005-05:002011-07-17T05:35:59.218-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnAWEpEM8w4/TiIujXbzNCI/AAAAAAAAA0k/rbnp5mySP54/s1600/Mel%2BFisher.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnAWEpEM8w4/TiIujXbzNCI/AAAAAAAAA0k/rbnp5mySP54/s320/Mel%2BFisher.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630113669287457826" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdyGFlrhzNA/TiIuefO553I/AAAAAAAAA0c/YAVX5UaGkbA/s1600/Mels%2Bhands.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdyGFlrhzNA/TiIuefO553I/AAAAAAAAA0c/YAVX5UaGkbA/s320/Mels%2Bhands.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630113585481508722" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlwnhdUSLLY/TiIuXi6oTFI/AAAAAAAAA0U/mgj4gkLWI2w/s1600/Living%2Bin%2Bthe%2BKeys.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlwnhdUSLLY/TiIuXi6oTFI/AAAAAAAAA0U/mgj4gkLWI2w/s320/Living%2Bin%2Bthe%2BKeys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630113466211126354" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Mel Fisher’, the second picture is ‘Mel’s Handprints’ at Schooner Wharf and the third picture is ‘Living in the Keys’ this is at Geiger Key on the water across from Geiger Key Marina.<br /><br />Weather: St Louis, 102; Owensville, KY feels like 123; Newark, NJ, 99; Islip, NY 93; NY, NY 97; Oklahoma City over 100 for 14 days; KEY WEST 89 with a sea breeze. <br /><br />This week I read ‘Visions of Sugar Plums’ by Janet Evanovich. I started ‘Full Scoop’ by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes.<br /><br />This Week end was ‘Mel Fisher Days’. Mel is the guy that found the Spanish Galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha 26 years ago. The Atocha sank in a hurricane in 1622. It was 35 miles off the coast of Key West. So far Mel’s crew has recovered $450 million in treasure. There was a party at Schooner Wharf Thursday night. A street fair on Duval Street from 3 to 9 PM on Friday. Sunset Watersports is the center for the party on Saturday and Sunday will be a presentation at Mel Fisher’s Museum.<br /><br />Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band played at The Mel Fisher celebration on Duval Street on Friday night. There was a stage set up in the intersection of Duval and Green on the corner by Sloppy Joes.<br /><br />We seem to have a lot of people in town. I guess it is the economy. People can drive here, which is less expensive than flying. That leaves money that can be used to party. With visitors coming to the island, we need people to work on the dive boats, sunset cruises, restaurants, etc. All these people need places to live with keeps the price of housing from dropping very low. That keeps the tax base high and keeps the economy on this little island flowing alone.<br /><br />McFaddens Beach House on Green Street across from Sloppy Joe's has closed. <br /><br />My email address has changed from Doug-Bennett@Comcast.net to GDougBennett@ATT.net. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7035245900616828991?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-76045982603796563272011-07-09T20:45:00.003-05:002011-07-09T20:50:06.768-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDrsJLMa1VY/ThkE_AWXMQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/KlzfRLNPb3Y/s1600/Waterspout.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDrsJLMa1VY/ThkE_AWXMQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/KlzfRLNPb3Y/s320/Waterspout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627534689848209666" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Waterspout’. A waterspout is a tornado at sea and the Florida Keys are the waterspout capital of the world. There are about 500 a year and most are in June, July, August and September.<br /><br />Weather: Summer continues. It is hot and humid and it rains a little most every day.<br /><br />I finished ‘Crack Down’ by Bernard Cornwell. It is about drugs in the Bahamas. Great action packed read.<br /><br />On July 4th there was a big party held at the Casa with fireworks at 9:00PM at White Street Pier. There was NO parade downtown. It was kind of quite the rest of the week.<br /><br />With July 4th over, the next events on the calendar are Mel Fisher Days (July 14 – 17), Hemingway Days (July 19-24), The Battle of the Bars on Lazy Lane (Aug 7), Captain Tony Days (Aug 11 – 14), Key West Lobster Fest (Aug 13), and probably a few I missed.<br /><br />Joe and Sharon from Wisconsin were in town this week. It is always a pleasure to see them. Sharon is the one that got me to read Janet Evanovich. I thanked her for that. Toward the end of this week I saw Joe at Schooner Wharf and ask why he was still in town. He was supposed to leave the previous day. His flight had been cancelled and he ‘HAD’ to wait until Saturday morning to get another flight. Extra days in paradise, how may have dreamed of that?<br /><br />Bad Timing: The city of Key West, in their great wisdom, decided that now is the time to put more sand on Smathers Beach. This is hurricane season and turtle nesting season. There are people walking the beach in the early mornings looking for turtle nest and marking them so they don’t get covered with extra sand. There isn’t much we can do about a hurricane removing all the sand.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7604598260379656327?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-60802693730419935162011-07-02T19:49:00.002-05:002011-07-02T19:51:57.871-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boW7nAx04Y0/Tg-88BX2uGI/AAAAAAAAA0E/gNqe82l0XG0/s1600/Cake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boW7nAx04Y0/Tg-88BX2uGI/AAAAAAAAA0E/gNqe82l0XG0/s320/Cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624922198955702370" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV3IBShh63Q/Tg-83QgUTrI/AAAAAAAAAz8/Ta7Hutg7JXo/s1600/Doug%2B%2526%2BJo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV3IBShh63Q/Tg-83QgUTrI/AAAAAAAAAz8/Ta7Hutg7JXo/s320/Doug%2B%2526%2BJo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624922117118381746" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘40th Anniversary’. The second picture is ‘Jo and I’.<br /><br />Weather: June 30th, the first named storm of the season was Arlene and she went to southern Mexico. July 2nd it rained here in Key West and we needed it.<br /><br />I started ‘Crack Down’ by Bernard Cornwell. It was suggested as a good read by Doug from Virginia at Schooner one day. I like murder mysteries that take place near Key West. I seem to enjoy male authors best, one of the exceptions being Janet Evanovich and her murder mysteries that take place in New Jersey.<br /><br />July 4th weekend and there are lots of people everywhere. I really enjoy people on vacation that are having a good time. <br /><br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> 40th Anniversary<br />It was the summer of ‘69 when I first met Jo. I was fresh out of the service in the fall of ’68 and got started in computer school late. It was necessary to go to summer school to catch up with the rest of my class. Although I had worked in computers in the service, I still needed a degree in Computer Science. She was fresh out of high school and getting an early start in computer school. We met in Psychology class. We dated for 2 years and then were married. July 2nd we celebrated 40 years of marriage and 42 years of knowing each other. It takes a lot to put up with me for that long. She is a strong woman.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6080269373041993516?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-53361977444404950922011-06-25T16:43:00.005-05:002011-06-25T16:49:44.441-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p65BC9aZ8DA/TgZW2D5mtEI/AAAAAAAAAz0/t9D9awmVvPg/s1600/Cycles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p65BC9aZ8DA/TgZW2D5mtEI/AAAAAAAAAz0/t9D9awmVvPg/s320/Cycles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622276671578485826" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rf1r_M6Iz3g/TgZWynN4wsI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Pxn-n9JT-Fk/s1600/Mayor%2BGonzo%2BMays.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rf1r_M6Iz3g/TgZWynN4wsI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Pxn-n9JT-Fk/s320/Mayor%2BGonzo%2BMays.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622276612339319490" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6QPeQRfuug/TgZWuHlNRmI/AAAAAAAAAzk/cjMrpnyxNS8/s1600/0625_treasure.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6QPeQRfuug/TgZWuHlNRmI/AAAAAAAAAzk/cjMrpnyxNS8/s320/0625_treasure.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622276535127721570" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is “His and Hers Tricycle motorcycles’ parked on Lazy Lane behind Schooner Wharf. (The couple driving the tricycles was in their 70’s). The second picture is ‘5 Parrots in a Palm Tree’ award. The Third picture is from the Citizen Newspaper and is the ring from the Atocha.<br /><br />"On this 24th day of June, the Office of Key West Honorary Mayor Gonzo Mays is proud to present Doug Bennett with the Honorary Mayor's 5 Parrots In A Palm Tree Award of Excellence for his outstanding 'THIS WEEK ON THE ISLAND' blogspot. Congratulations Doug and forever peace, parrots and palm trees to you!"<br /><br />Weather: June 21, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of summer. It was in the low 80’s when I got up to walk the dogs. When I got back I was sweating because of the high humidity. The high was in the high 80’s for the day. There is not a lot of change in the temperature here between day and night. The waters around the island warm up and that keeps it from cooling off very much at night. <br /><br /> The book this week was ‘Free Range Institution’ by Michael Haskins. <br /><br />School is out and lots of young folks are in town. There are also lots of families enjoying themselves. I ran into a group of young girls from Oklahoma. They had never seen the ocean before. They were having a good time and getting ready to go parasailing.<br /><br />Key West had a law that no alcoholic beverages could be sold from 4:00 AM until 12:00 Midday on Sunday. Stock Island does not have that law. So on Sunday people went to Stock Island to get their beer, etc for their early morning fishing trips. The big deal was waiting in the bars until the bell rang at 12 noon on Sunday before the waiters could bring you a beer. That law has been repealed.<br /><br />The HOB school in midtown was built at 60 feet in an area where the height restriction is 25 feet. The city has decided that there is nothing they can do, but the rest of the buildings must be built at ‘a more reasonable height’. Not at the 25 feet restriction but at ‘a more reasonable height’. What a sell-out.<br /><br />Saturday two young couple from Charleston, SC set at the table next to me and Boca at Schooner. I enjoyed our conversation.<br /><br />The Spanish Galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, sank 35 miles off the Key West coast in a hurricane in September 1622. Mel Fisher and crew discovered the wreak and have recovered about ½ billion dollars in gold, silver, and precious stones. This week they brought up a rectangular 10 carrot emerald and gold ring worth about 1/2million dollars.<br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />And so my wife of 40 years said ‘What would you like for Fathers Day’? I thought: I want someone to love me and stay with me thru it all. I want a dog or two that love me and like to take walks. I want to be retired and have nothing to do but enjoy whatever I want to do at the moment. I want to live on a warm sunny tropical island. I want people to know me and be friends and like my company and come over to me to introduce themselves. I want a little junk car convertible (big enough for my wife and dogs) that gets me around my little island. I don’t want a lot of money, just enough to pay my bills and a few dollars extra to enjoy myself. I want good health and a good health system to take care of me when things go wrong.<br /><br />And then she said ‘No, I meant what do you want to do for Fathers Day? I said let’s go to Schooner Wharf with the dogs and listen to Michael McCloud. We could get an adult beverage or two, some food, and enjoy the day. She said, ‘We can do that any day.’ I said, ‘Yes we can’. Life is good.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5336197744440495092?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-62524476153698514992011-06-18T16:50:00.004-05:002011-06-18T16:54:40.160-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GgCA3BlctWE/Tf0ekZ1BskI/AAAAAAAAAzc/uvl_bO_4xfg/s1600/Smokin%2527%2BTuna.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GgCA3BlctWE/Tf0ekZ1BskI/AAAAAAAAAzc/uvl_bO_4xfg/s320/Smokin%2527%2BTuna.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619681520785666626" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OvQvWmTZ8k4/Tf0efuxLAuI/AAAAAAAAAzU/0StdZu5mRgo/s1600/Smokin%2527%2BTuna%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OvQvWmTZ8k4/Tf0efuxLAuI/AAAAAAAAAzU/0StdZu5mRgo/s320/Smokin%2527%2BTuna%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619681440507298530" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Tzvif-RmMw/Tf0eZ7FSriI/AAAAAAAAAzM/jAfsNVk-OMI/s1600/Mike%2Band%2BElaine%2BKayaking.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Tzvif-RmMw/Tf0eZ7FSriI/AAAAAAAAAzM/jAfsNVk-OMI/s320/Mike%2Band%2BElaine%2BKayaking.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619681340733697570" /></a><br /> <br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is a new place, ‘Smokin’ Tuna’. Scott Kirby is part owner. It is on Charles Street which is off Duval in front of Irish Kevin’s. It is the same place that used to be El Alamo. The second picture is ‘Mike and Elaine kayaking’.<br /><br />Weather: The humidity is here, it showed up Monday morning after a rain Sunday night. If you spend anytime outside you will be wet with sweat. <br /><br /> The book this week was ‘Thirty Days has September- Cool ways to remember Stuff’ by Chris Stevens. I also started ‘Free Range Institution’ by Michael Haskins. Another ‘Who Done it’ in Key West. In Aug of 2009 I read his ‘Chasin’ the Wind’.<br /><br />Did some kayaking this week with Mike and Elaine. We went to Hurricane Hole Marina to rent the kayaks. After kayaking we had a few adult beverages and talked about our adventure. A good time was had by all. <br /><br />The Castaways Against Cancer kayak team arrived in Key West Friday. They left Miami on June 11th. In the last 12 years they have raised $250,000 for cancer research.<br /><br />Elaine has spent a lot of time on the bicycle this week. I think she likes taking in the sites of Key West while getting her exercise.<br /><br />Friday night Jo, my wife, went to The Green Parrot to watch The Sauce Boss put on his show. He wears a chef hat and cooks gumbo while he plays lead guitar in the band. At the end of the night he serves up the gumbo. Jo had a good time.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6252447615369851499?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-19249320911641849842011-06-11T19:19:00.003-05:002011-06-11T19:25:25.066-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPU2PGRXFiw/TfQGpLBTOZI/AAAAAAAAAzE/wOCoYTo7fow/s1600/Elaine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPU2PGRXFiw/TfQGpLBTOZI/AAAAAAAAAzE/wOCoYTo7fow/s320/Elaine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617121939640498578" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcFew0qwGKE/TfQGkkGGPrI/AAAAAAAAAy8/ot_YLIl9R2E/s1600/33rd.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcFew0qwGKE/TfQGkkGGPrI/AAAAAAAAAy8/ot_YLIl9R2E/s320/33rd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617121860472159922" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week (click to make larger) was taken at Schooner Wharf and is ‘Elaine and the beer’ the second picture is ‘33rd Anniversary’. Mike and Elaine are in town to celebrate their 33 wedding anniversary. May they have many more.<br /><br />Weather: 102 degrees in Washington, DC. 97 degrees in Chicago. In Key West it was 85 degrees with a nice sea breeze. I would rather be here. In my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, they have had 12 days of over 90 degrees.<br /><br /> The book this week was ‘Key Manatee’ by Robert Tacoma. He also wrote ‘Key Weird’, ‘Key Weirder’, and ‘Key Witch’. I also read ‘Hard Eight’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />Monday, June 6th, was the anniversary of ‘D’ day.<br /><br />Last Friday, June 4th, was the 12.5 mile swim around Key West. Some people swim the whole way and others swim in teams with each team member only swimming a certain distance.<br /><br />I went bike riding with Elaine Thursday. She whipped my butt. I was worn out by the time we got home.<br /><br />There were three goats cleaning the growth from hills back in Bahama Village where the WWII bunkers are located.<br /><br />This week started ‘Pride Fest’. It used to be ‘Gay Pride Week’. Sunday they unfolded the Gay Pride Flag down Duval Street from Ocean to Ocean.<br /><br />A little history. Jo and I were married in July 1971 and one of our stops on our road trip in our 1964 red Corvette convertible was Key West. We crossed over the old 7 mile bridge (new one opened in 1982) and the old Bahia Honda Bridge (new one opened in 1972). How many of you can lay claim to that.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1924932091164184984?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-33242654841568489742011-06-04T18:47:00.005-05:002011-06-04T18:56:46.513-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0xM7F2Cijw/TerFK0gD1WI/AAAAAAAAAy0/hlXsPxzXlH8/s1600/Maine%2Bgrave2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0xM7F2Cijw/TerFK0gD1WI/AAAAAAAAAy0/hlXsPxzXlH8/s320/Maine%2Bgrave2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614516675153220962" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yP7K6nf05kw/TerFGvqxUqI/AAAAAAAAAys/aIn1Th_v91A/s1600/Maine2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yP7K6nf05kw/TerFGvqxUqI/AAAAAAAAAys/aIn1Th_v91A/s320/Maine2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614516605136491170" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8qEPcLgXdw/TerFCU_jCWI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Uugr0IMCgdM/s1600/Coasties.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8qEPcLgXdw/TerFCU_jCWI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Uugr0IMCgdM/s320/Coasties.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614516529256401250" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week is ‘The USS Maine’ part of our grave yard on Memorial Day. There was a nice memorial held at 9:00 AM. The Maine sank in Havana Harbor and in the US/Spanish war that followed the cry was ‘Remember the Maine’. The second picture is a concrete pillar that I am told the USS Maine was tied too before it left Key West for Havana. How appropriate that a US Coast Guard ship is in the background. The concrete pillar is at #1 Duval Street. The third picture is some Coast Guard guys that were at the ‘Minimal Regatta’ to help in case of accident in the bight. Freedom is not free.<br /><br />Weather: Tuesday it rained and then it rained some more. We got almost 2 inches in about 4 hours. It is the first rain we have had in 4 months. This has been the driest ‘Dry Season’ we have had since 1871. <br /><br /> The book this week was ‘Eleven on Top’ by Janet Evanovich. <br /><br />Memorial Day weekend. The Minimal Regatta was held in the bight at Schooner Wharf bar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWiC0Xtz4M . Or go to You Tube and search for Minimal Regatta. A great time was had by all. I love living here.<br /><br />The Florida bicycle law is ‘A bicycle is a vehicle and will follow all vehicular rules’. There are places where the sidewalk is marked as the bike path and then there are a bunch of rules about that. The problem is people on vacation do not know Florida laws and therefore we have bicycles everywhere. They ride facing traffic which is against the law. They ride the wrong way on one way streets, which is against the law. They run stop signs and stop lights. Wednesday morning I actually saw a family of four on bicycles on Duval Street stopped for a red light. Imagine that, they were obeying the law. Sorry I didn’t get a picture. I almost got run over by a bicycle going the wrong way on a one way street in front of the library.<br /><br />Big-un’s and Teasers is in a building on Duval just down from the Bull & Whistle. This is the place that sells pizza out a window onto Duval. Big-un’s is being remodeled and is closed for now.<br /><br />Alonzo’s has removed the banister that separated it from the boardwalk on the bight and replaced it with rope.<br /><br />We got our first fresh mangos this week. We have a friend that has a tree. When they get ripe they all get ripe at the same time so she was giving them away.<br /><br />Friday was National Donut Day. We had Krispy Creams for breakfast Saturday.<br /><br />Monday, June 6th, is the anniversary of ‘D’ day. <br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3324265484156848974?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-4962157393790154882011-05-28T19:39:00.003-05:002011-05-28T19:53:32.275-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqF02kadYAc/TeGXuEIZUuI/AAAAAAAAAyY/1i3p962_ndw/s1600/poarch%2Bsunset.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqF02kadYAc/TeGXuEIZUuI/AAAAAAAAAyY/1i3p962_ndw/s320/poarch%2Bsunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611933428319081186" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDQreuwRfOU/TeGWQpE6TWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/F_MAWNFdqUI/s1600/Doug%2Band%2BDogs2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDQreuwRfOU/TeGWQpE6TWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/F_MAWNFdqUI/s320/Doug%2Band%2BDogs2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611931823328873826" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week is ‘Sunset from our front porch’. The second picture is ’Doug and Dogs’ as captured by http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/ . I also used one of his pictures last week ‘Sunrise at Veterans Park’ without giving credit. My bad.<br /><br />Weather: Summer is here. The forecast for the next 6 months is hot and humid with a chance for hurricanes.<br /><br /> The book this week was ‘Two for the Dough’ by Janet Evanovich. I tried to read most of her books in order as I found them in the library. Now I am going back to catch the few that I missed and hopefully her latest. It is ‘Smoking Seventeen.’<br /><br />In this weeks paper was 3 pictures of the 3 ships that were named ‘Key West’. The first one built in 1862 and was a paddle wheeler. The second was frigate built in 1943 and was used as a weather ship in WWII. The latest being a nuclear submarine built in 1985 and still operational in Hawaii. <br /><br />A 1918 WWI submarine has been found 10 miles off the coast of Key West in 600 feet of water. It went down with 48 sailors onboard and only 6 survived. It was doing torpedo training and sank in 15 seconds. (www.history.navy.mil.)<br /><br />Memorial Day weekend. The official start of summer and lots of people everywhere. It seems that Key West is still doing pretty good in this recession. People don’t have a lot of money so they are vacationing in places they can drive. Key West is one of those places. Our unemployment rate is very low, but like the rest of the country, our housing prices have taken a big hit. <br /><br />Of the about a dozen whales that ground themselves up near Key Largo, 2 have been released, 2 are still under care, the rest have died.<br /><br />We met some Louisiana friends at Schooner this week. I had a lady walk up to me, extend her hand, say I am xxxx from Orlando and I read your blog. I thanked her for reading the blog and introducing herself. Then there were the folks from Cape Code with the lady celebrating her 60th birthday. It is always good to see friends.<br /><br />Sunday was the ‘Minimal Regatta’ in the bight at Schooner Wharf. A team builds a boat with 1 sheet of plywood, two 2x4’s, a pound of fasteners, and a roll of duct tape. It is an all day event and lots of fun for everyone. Started after lunch until sunset.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-496215739379015488?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-63970246403037677952011-05-21T20:01:00.003-05:002011-05-21T20:07:21.589-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-usHaH2t27xI/TdhhCaRDFZI/AAAAAAAAAyI/H4hXPyxSnMY/s1600/Veterans%2BPark%2BDawn%2B001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-usHaH2t27xI/TdhhCaRDFZI/AAAAAAAAAyI/H4hXPyxSnMY/s320/Veterans%2BPark%2BDawn%2B001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609340029928412562" /></a><br />'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. <br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The first picture this week is ‘Sunrise at Veterans Park’. This park is on the Atlantic side just after you cross the 7 mile bridge coming toward Key West.<br /><br />Weather: While you guys just got thru winter with lots of rain and snow. We have had less than 4 inches of rain this year. It is as dry as it was after Katrina and Wilma of 2005. The humidity is rising as we get closer to June and the rainy season and the hurricane season are ready to begin. The hurricane predictors are predicting a busier than normal season.<br /><br /> The book this week was ‘If you are ever in Key West’ by Jane Dawkins. This is a ‘girl’ (romance) book but my wife bought it so I read it.<br /><br />Wednesday was another trip to the VA in Miami. Seems I have cracked a tooth. It was a long day (get up at 4:00 AM to catch the 5:00 AM bus to Miami and get home by about 6:00 PM).<br /><br />I keep paying to go to Fort Zack state park, but found that disabled vets get in free to all Florida State Parks. I applied for my free pass and received it this week. Life is good.<br /><br />Hal and his wife (they used to live in Key West) are back in town as tourist. We sat on the front porch and watched the Conch Trains and the Trolleys go by full of tourist. Hal and his wife knew almost every driver. I think they miss living here.<br /><br />Last week the streets were empty except for when the cruise ships were in town. This week there were people everywhere. Because of the rising temperatures, I have started walking the dogs at sunset when it is a little cooler. Depending on our timing, there are a bunch of people on the streets either going to or coming from the sunset celebration at Mallory Square.<br /><br />The current City Hall is in bad shape and the employees have been moved to other building around town. The Mayor has wanted to move City Hall to one of the old school building on White Street. The discussion has gone on forever and everyone is tired of it. It appears that the City Commissioners have decided to tear down the old building on Angler and Simonton and build a new one there. More later.<br /><br />There are always complaints about ‘no parking available downtown’. There really is plenty of parking downtown, just not a lot of ‘FREE’ parking. I live on Caroline Street and have to pay the city to park. My tag in my auto window cost a little over $100 a year. I think all parking in downtown should be ‘pay parking’. Everyone should be treated the same.<br /><br />Enough of my complaining about living in Paradise.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6397024640303767795?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-11041723588078038022011-05-14T17:02:00.004-05:002011-05-14T17:06:47.155-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9AYSAF2A68/Tc785FLpmTI/AAAAAAAAAyA/BeC6GG24tXM/s1600/Harpoon%2BHarrys.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9AYSAF2A68/Tc785FLpmTI/AAAAAAAAAyA/BeC6GG24tXM/s320/Harpoon%2BHarrys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606696643696630066" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBbqI0MckPo/Tc78xjslacI/AAAAAAAAAx4/kSvCRqMVSiE/s1600/stupid%2Bfaster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBbqI0MckPo/Tc78xjslacI/AAAAAAAAAx4/kSvCRqMVSiE/s320/stupid%2Bfaster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606696514448878018" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTK0TcunZfk/Tc78tU6cdNI/AAAAAAAAAxw/QMqvpcKFFTQ/s1600/dance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yTK0TcunZfk/Tc78tU6cdNI/AAAAAAAAAxw/QMqvpcKFFTQ/s320/dance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606696441761002706" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The 1st picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Harpoon Harrys’. It is sort of a 1950’s diner with lots of cool stuff hanging inside. I went there for brunch on my birthday. The second and third pictures are signs inside Harpoon Harrys'.<br /><br />Weather: Another beautiful week. In the mid 70’s at night and the mid 80’s in the day, but the humidity is starting to rise. <br /><br />The book this week was ‘Wicked Appetite’ by Janet Evanovich. According to this book there are 7 deadly sins: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed and Sloth. This is the search for Gluttony.<br /><br />Michael McCloud is back from vacation.<br /><br />This week was my 67th birthday. I wrote a list of ‘Old Age Wisdom’ to pass along. Then I decided that was not what you folks wanted to read. You want to read about Key West. So I trashed it and started all over.<br /><br />Here in Key West we have all sorts of transportation. I enjoy watching people going to work in the mornings. Some of them are walking, some are on skate boards, some are on bikes, some are on scooters, some have motorcycles, and some are driving cars. We also have people on bikes pulling one wheel baby carries and some times these things have dogs in them. Monday I saw a couple pushing a regular baby carriage. The carriage had a little one wheeled platform attached to the back axel of the carriage. Their young son was standing on the platform between the handles and being pushed along. What a wonderful idea. I hope whoever invented this makes lots of money.<br /><br />Not a lot happening this week. Most kids are getting ready to finish school for the year and most adults are planning vacation. The cruise ships still dump thousands of people on Duval streets each day, but they are gone before sunset. I like the summer when there are few tourist. If I decide to go somewhere in the car, I can actually find a parking place somewhere close to the house. I can ride my bicycle without having to worry too much about traffic and I can walk in most restaurants without having to wait in line.<br /><br />I have people that stop and call me by name. I may or may not know them or I can’t remember their name. SO, if you say hi and I don’t call you by name, please don’t be offended. I say this because a guy on a Harley just stopped and I know I have seen him before but I can’t remember where or what his name is. Also lots of people read this blog and come to Key West on vacation and see me and say hi. I really enjoy hearing from all of you so please continue to say ‘hi’.<br /><br />We continue to meet with the developer of the vacant lot behind Schooner’s. I think this is going to be a beautiful development.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1104172358807803802?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-1922325499623504552011-05-07T17:17:00.004-05:002011-05-07T17:24:02.484-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RASq9eyMl4U/TcXGYPyBFNI/AAAAAAAAAxo/hrepAxBVMHk/s1600/From%2BGarrison%2BBight2.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 128px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RASq9eyMl4U/TcXGYPyBFNI/AAAAAAAAAxo/hrepAxBVMHk/s320/From%2BGarrison%2BBight2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604103431187928274" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFSb4Uw-8UY/TcXGSUU-hPI/AAAAAAAAAxg/A2zCjnNoZ7s/s1600/License_to_Kill_Dalton.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFSb4Uw-8UY/TcXGSUU-hPI/AAAAAAAAAxg/A2zCjnNoZ7s/s320/License_to_Kill_Dalton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604103329329087730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LvmAGf3Ljs/TcXGLhG2_XI/AAAAAAAAAxY/W5sGIz71Y5g/s1600/License_To_Kill_Cessna_Now.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LvmAGf3Ljs/TcXGLhG2_XI/AAAAAAAAAxY/W5sGIz71Y5g/s320/License_To_Kill_Cessna_Now.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604103212500450674" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The 1st picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘HOB’ locally known as Horace O’Bryant School. See HOB below. The 2nd picture is Timothy Dalton in ‘License to Kill’ at the Barrelhead Bar. The bar was Harbor Lights and is now Thai Island Restaurant and is on Palm Ave. The 3rd picture is the plane at MM17 that was used in ‘License to Kill’.<br /><br />Weather: I am amazed every year about how long it stays really nice here. We have a little bit of winter and then it warms up. The temperature gets in that 70 to 80 range and then works it way up to the 75 to 85 range. We are in the dry season from December until June. So Dry and a nice day after day after day after day does NOT get old for me. May is a transition month where it gets warmer and a bit more humid before the rainy season (Hurricane Season) starts in June. In the summer we get lots of rain and lots of humidity but it rarely gets above 90 degrees and I like it warm. Did I ever mention that I really love living here.<br /> <br />The book this week was ‘Metro Girl’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />Pat Croce is now 2/3 owner of the Green Parrot Bar. He owned the Pirate Museum on Front Street, but moved it to St. Augustine. I hope he doesn’t do anything to change the Green Parrot.<br /><br />Divers have found more treasure from the Santa Margarita. This time it is a gold and emerald ring. The Santa Margarita (1622) was the sister ship to the Atocha that Mel Fisher found. So far they have recovered over $450 million in gold, silver and precious stones. <br /><br />This has been an interesting week. It started with the death of Osama bin Laden and ended with Mother’s Day. In-between, Jo and I were invited to 2 meeting about the hotel that is planned for the vacant lot behind Schooner Wharf. We celebrated Cinco de Mayo and we had 20 whales beach themselves at Cudjoe Key. As of Saturday morning 13 of the whales have died.<br /><br />HOB! We are regulated to death here in Old Town Key West. We have a tree commission (don’t do anything to a tree without permission). We have the Historic (Hysterical) Society that say’s what you can and cannot do to your house, including color. We have a Parking Tsar, which decides all things to do with parking. We have Commissioners that are only voted on by their district, but make decision, along with the other Commissioners, that affect other parts of town. Etc, etc, etc.<br /><br />HOB in the picture above is not in Old Town, they are in-between Old Town (think Sloppy Joes) and New Town (think Sears and Kmart), and so they are in Mid Town. They still have lots of regulations, one of which is their buildings can not be above 25 feet tall. The new HOB is almost 60 feet tall. The School said they were not regulated by the city and could build whatever they wanted. A big fight is at hand. The people in the neighborhood are a bit upset and are banding together to get something done. More later.<br /><br />Michael McCloud has been on vacation this week and Schooner Wharf Bar is just not the same.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-192232549962350455?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-59940177522219406102011-04-30T20:26:00.005-05:002011-04-30T20:37:57.744-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZGQi_bKtXg/Tby3cUWQuJI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/CA21wVnX9n4/s1600/Schooner%2BPirates2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZGQi_bKtXg/Tby3cUWQuJI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/CA21wVnX9n4/s320/Schooner%2BPirates2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601553733668354194" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVtMacs3xYQ/Tby3VYZP65I/AAAAAAAAAxI/yDOOs3semc8/s1600/Royal%2Bponch.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVtMacs3xYQ/Tby3VYZP65I/AAAAAAAAAxI/yDOOs3semc8/s320/Royal%2Bponch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601553614495542162" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Pirates’, Left to Right: Evalena (owner of Schooner Wharf Bar), Frank (Franks Magic Bar in the back of Schooner), Jo and I. Thursday, Jo and I walked, with the Schooner Wharf Pirates, in the Great Conch Republic Parade down Duval from the Atlantic to the Gulf. I carried a pirate pouch full of ‘Pirate Gold Coins’ (from Oriental Trading Company) and gave them to kids. The 2nd picture is a Royal Poinciana in bloom.<br /><br />Weather: Wonderful. Lots of Sun and a light breeze.<br /> <br />No book this week. Too busy.<br /><br />------------CONCH REPUBLIC DAYS------------<br />On April 23, 1982, Key West seceded from The Union when the US Federal Government used the Boarder Patrol to block US#1 at Last Chance Saloon in Florida City. The Federal Government was looking for drugs; Key West was NOT getting any tourist. We assumed that since the US Government used the Boarder Patrol, they must consider the Keys as NOT being part of the US. After the rebellion, the US Government took down the road block and Key West became the Conch Republic.<br /><br /> -----------This Years Celebration-----------<br />Friday, April 22nd, Raising of the colors at Ft Zack, Reception at USS Ingram, and Kick off Party at Schooner Wharf<br /><br />Saturday, April 23rd, Drag Racing on Duval with the Drag Queens. Wreakers Race Captains meeting, and Royal Family Investiture at the Green Parrot.<br /><br />Sunday, April 24th, Easter, ‘til the dancing stops’ at the Green Parrot, Wreakers Race Finals, The Wreakers Race Awards at Schooner.<br /><br />Monday, April 25th, Hares and Hounds Meeting at Shanna Key<br /><br />Tuesday: April 26th, The Pet Stroll from Mel Fishers to the Conch Farm, Captains meeting for the Bloody Battle at Schooner. <br /><br />Wednesday: April 27th, Conch Republic Music Festival at Hogs Breath and the Pre Bed Race Party at New Orleans House on Duval. <br /><br />Thursday, April 28th, World's Longest Parade (ocean to ocean) - Starting at the Atlantic going down Duval to Schooner Wharf on the Gulf, Parade Party at Schooner Wharf<br /><br />Friday, April 29th, Bloody Battle Party- Ocean Key House Dock, Battle Parade and Great Sea Battle- Mallory Square Harbor, Victory Party - Schooner Wharf <br /><br />Saturday, April 30th, Craft Show - Duval & Whitehead Streets, Conch Bar Crawl - Assorted Downtown Bars, Bed Races - Duval (from Duval at Fleming St to 801 Bourbon on Duval. Fiddler's Contest - Green Parrot, Pirate's Ball and Pig Roast - Schooner Wharf <br /><br />Sunday, May 1st, 20th Annual Conch Cruiser Car Show.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5994017752221940610?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-32486178915160555992011-04-23T20:10:00.006-05:002011-04-24T08:23:44.793-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sC3WuBUpAg/TbN5R1i5wGI/AAAAAAAAAxA/uzBxxImpSXo/s1600/Fan%2BPalm%2BBird%2Bof%2BParadise.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sC3WuBUpAg/TbN5R1i5wGI/AAAAAAAAAxA/uzBxxImpSXo/s320/Fan%2BPalm%2BBird%2Bof%2BParadise.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598952109089865826" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR2FPd1L8Ks/TbN5MC38o3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/p6Jh5Mq_O0E/s1600/WWII%2Blanding%2Bcraft%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LR2FPd1L8Ks/TbN5MC38o3I/AAAAAAAAAw4/p6Jh5Mq_O0E/s320/WWII%2Blanding%2Bcraft%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598952009588581234" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkX9kn1KI2E/TbN5FxG8ynI/AAAAAAAAAww/-ud634rYVZM/s1600/Boca%2Bat%2Bhedge%2Bhotel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkX9kn1KI2E/TbN5FxG8ynI/AAAAAAAAAww/-ud634rYVZM/s320/Boca%2Bat%2Bhedge%2Bhotel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598951901740452466" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is Bird of Paradise’ growing on a fan palm. Picture #2 is a WWII landing craft (remember D Day) this one is used to take large items to Sunset Key. Picture #3 is Boca checking out what is left of The Hedge Hotel. The homeless used to sleep here, hence the name The Hedge Hotel.<br /><br />Weather: Very sunny, in the mid 80’s with a nice breeze, but dry. It is like fall with all the leaves dropping from the trees due to lack of rain.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Wreckers’ Key’ by Christine Kling. <br /><br />Happy Easter, I hope you found all the eggs.<br /><br />This week we didn’t have anyone in from out of town. It was wonderful. We really like to see our friends, but it is also good when they go home.<br /><br />George Strait, http://www.georgestrait.com/, is recording at Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio (Shrimp Boat Sounds) on the Key West Bight at the corner of Elizabeth and Green.<br /><br />The best fried chicken on the island, according to my wife and I, is Dion’s fried chicken. Maybe that is the reason Kentucky Fried Chicken has closed in Key West.<br /><br />Thursday, we received an invitation to a meeting to discuss the HOTEL that is in the works for the vacant land behind Schooner Wharf.<br /><br />Friday, Schooner Wharf Bar had the kick-off party for ‘Conch Republic Days’. On April 23,1982, Key West seceded from The Union when the US Federal Government used the Boarder Patrol to block US#1 at Last Chance Saloon in Florida City. The Federal Government was looking for drugs; Key West was NOT getting any tourist. We assumed that since the US Government used the Boarder Patrol, they must consider the Keys as NOT being part of the US. After the rebellion, the US Government took down the road block and Key West became the Conch Republic.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3248617891516055599?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-56741664985399380222011-04-16T20:13:00.005-05:002011-04-17T07:02:40.259-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mqwSIyJppQ/Tao_MZdOUFI/AAAAAAAAAwo/qyr2htb0IaE/s1600/7%2Bmile%2Brun.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mqwSIyJppQ/Tao_MZdOUFI/AAAAAAAAAwo/qyr2htb0IaE/s320/7%2Bmile%2Brun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596354969185701970" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wQ6CFQGowE/Tao_IIwmNhI/AAAAAAAAAwg/czp7bgCpTgc/s1600/orchid3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wQ6CFQGowE/Tao_IIwmNhI/AAAAAAAAAwg/czp7bgCpTgc/s320/orchid3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596354895984080402" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh6cwn2PvkM/Tao_DnYKMSI/AAAAAAAAAwY/6Bn7Ra-RvD4/s1600/Orchid.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh6cwn2PvkM/Tao_DnYKMSI/AAAAAAAAAwY/6Bn7Ra-RvD4/s320/Orchid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596354818303734050" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘the 7 Mile Bridge Run.’ Twenty seven year old Daniel Martin from Hialeah, Fl was the first to cross the finish line. His time was 38:59. The run was held last Sunday and there were 1,500 participants. The second and third pictures are ‘Orchids‘ on Fleming Street.<br /><br />Weather: Wonderful and warm and sunny.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Plum Lucky’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /> <br />Another week of spring break. Less and less college kids in town as Easter gets nearer.<br /><br />Our visitors from out of town had a great time. Jo’s friend had been here before, but this time she brought her parents who had never been here. Her father was interested in Fort Zack and Fort Jefferson and everything having to do with Hemingway. He especially wanted to see the six toe cats. We went to Hog Fish Bar and Grill on Stock Island and then to Geiger Key Marina where we saw a bunch if Iguana swimming across the cannel to some mangrove islands. <br /><br />Boca, the Siberian husky, likes stuffed toys. We had some other friends come to visit over the weekend. Their child stepped in the front door holding a stuffed toy. Boca took it out of her hands and walked away with it. The kid was a little upset and it took both Jo and I to get the toy from him. We went to Conch Republic Seafood on Friday night and it was packed. We found two young blonds sitting at a table and joined them. They were from Denmark and said they liked Key West best of all the American cities they had visited. One looked to be in here teens and the other in her early twenties. They were 37 and 32. We were very surprised.<br /><br />We went to Schooner on Saturday. Gary and his wife from Pennsylvania were back in town and sitting on the front row. Gary was calling home to talk to friends. It was 45 degrees and raining in Pennsylvania. It was 85 with blue skies and a nice breeze in Key West.<br /><br />With people in from out of town, we have been doing a lot of eating out. The diet may have to start again next week. I have gained a few pounds.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5674166498539938022?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-31403933233954980412011-04-09T19:58:00.005-05:002011-04-09T20:04:19.375-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR8r8sTYzK8/TaEBmxZOejI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4TrctIo7jjw/s1600/Caribbean%2BBlue"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR8r8sTYzK8/TaEBmxZOejI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4TrctIo7jjw/s320/Caribbean%2BBlue" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593753977776667186" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrDcsmq1FgI/TaEBigslIGI/AAAAAAAAAwI/G641CvGwSQk/s1600/Coconuts%2Band%2Bopen%2Bwindow"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrDcsmq1FgI/TaEBigslIGI/AAAAAAAAAwI/G641CvGwSQk/s320/Coconuts%2Band%2Bopen%2Bwindow" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593753904574963810" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbsdoXNmXpI/TaEBcuxyo_I/AAAAAAAAAwA/9AN78F2Q7n4/s1600/Flower%2Bopen%2Bwindow"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbsdoXNmXpI/TaEBcuxyo_I/AAAAAAAAAwA/9AN78F2Q7n4/s320/Flower%2Bopen%2Bwindow" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593753805275702258" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Caribbean Blue’ a new restaurant on White Street where ‘Jose Cantina’ used to be. The second Picture is ‘Coconuts and open window’, the third picture is ‘Flowers and open window’. The last two pictures are Key West to me. All pictures were borrowed from www.ConchScooter.blogspot.com. <br /><br />Weather: Tuesday a front moved thru and the temperature dropped and the humidity went away. We cut off the A/C and opened the house. The A/C was back on by the weekend.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Sizzling Sixteen’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /> <br />Another week of spring break. Not near as many kids in town this week. I love the college kids and the fun they have, but it is also good to see them go.<br /><br />I have bad knees and have had one of them replaced with a titanium knee thanks to the VA. I like to sit in my rocker on the front porch and read or work on my PC. I watch all the people jog by and I am very jealous. It really gets me when the people jogging are my age. Key West has a lot of runners and events for runners and people on vacation that like to run. We have lots of bicycle riders and kayakers (my favorite two exercises). We have lots of fishermen and lots of people eating those fish. We have lots of beautiful weather so these folks can enjoy their activities. We have lots of churches so you can be thankful for your ability to enjoy the life in Key West. We have lots of parks and lots of event for kids. We have lots of athletic events (baseball, football, soccer, etc) and lots of people enjoying these events. Come to think of it we aren’t much different than most any other town. <br /><br />Sunday was ‘The 3rd Annual Bike Appreciation Day’. This year’s ride was 6 miles from Hurricane Hole on Stock Island, down South Roosevelt to Salute on Higgs Beach and on to Dante’s pool on Caroline Street.<br /><br />I started the weekend early and went to Schooner on Thursday to listen to Michael McCloud and have a few adult beverages. I love living here, Life is good.<br /><br />I had a reader of ‘This Week on the Island’ from Ohio drop by and I saw him later a Schooner. He delivered some chicken bones for Sassi. She loved them.<br /><br />Some of my wife’s friends came to town on Friday. It is good to see old friends and enjoy their company as we show them around Key West. City View, the new trolley in town, has a special for senior citizens of $18 instead of $19. If you purchase online it is $17 and if you return the ticket the next day and buy another ticket it is $9. City View allows you to get off at stops and get on another trolley later. What a great deal for old folks that don’t want to walk much.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3140393323395498041?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-44182968800609440862011-04-02T19:47:00.004-05:002011-04-02T19:53:07.642-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goi4nRFl1BA/TZfEufFIXHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/C5iBCw4yGXo/s1600/Lazy%2BWay%2BPalm%2BTrees2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goi4nRFl1BA/TZfEufFIXHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/C5iBCw4yGXo/s320/Lazy%2BWay%2BPalm%2BTrees2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591153765299805298" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7kOLCKK4Uk/TZfEmp5w-ZI/AAAAAAAAAvw/qPHq7uJJSs0/s1600/smirk2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7kOLCKK4Uk/TZfEmp5w-ZI/AAAAAAAAAvw/qPHq7uJJSs0/s320/smirk2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591153630765971858" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR7Q5L3Esv8/TZfEhXCaqNI/AAAAAAAAAvo/8nRfN9uWPW4/s1600/smirk%2Blookalike2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR7Q5L3Esv8/TZfEhXCaqNI/AAAAAAAAAvo/8nRfN9uWPW4/s320/smirk%2Blookalike2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591153539802638546" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Palm Trees’. The city has decided to plant palm trees along Lazy Lane behind Schooner Wharf. They removed the coconut palms to plant these trees. The second picture is ‘Smirk’ and his 36th birthday party at the Green Parrot on April 1st. If you have never been to the Green Parrot, you do not know ‘Smirk’. If you have been to the Green Parrot, you need no explanation.<br /><br />Weather: Summer is here. It will be hot and humid with a chance for rain for the next 8 months (with an occasional hurricane). It is in the mid 80’s in the day and mid 70’s at night and the humidity has returned. I love it.<br /><br />This week I finished ‘Finger Lickin’ Fifteen’ by Janet Evanovich. I also read ‘Plum Spooky‘.<br /><br />Another week of spring break. The collages in Florida have finished spring break so we do not have as many ‘spring breakers’ as we have had the last couple of weeks.<br /><br />In the past I wrote of a woman that was stabbed by a barracuda while kayaking. Last week, in Islamorada, a spotted stingray landed on top of a woman in a boat and this week, in Texas, a Maco shark jumped in a boat. What is going on?<br /><br />Coming toward Key West, before getting to Stock Island, the next island up from Key West, the highway passed thru some marsh land. This land appears to be drying up. It is normally flooded by the tides twice a day. How can we have dry land appearing when there is suppose to be global warming and oceans rising? <br /><br />Key West Fool Fest is a new island event. It was held at Mallory Square on April 1st. Will Solo is the Key West Fool Fest Founder and First Funambulist of the Conch Republic. There was also a birthday party for ‘Smirk’ at the Green Parrot.<br /><br />All the chocolate you can eat! The 9th annual Chocolate Festival was held Sunday at the Southernmost House. There were cakes, cookies, pies, candies, brownies, etc. The cost was only $10.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to <br />http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland<br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4418296880060944086?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-5472444978275507602011-03-26T19:46:00.003-05:002011-03-26T19:48:44.737-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLUJkxmLA4A/TY6JW8X-BvI/AAAAAAAAAvg/blSM-7IoNrw/s1600/Lucy%2BBuffett.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLUJkxmLA4A/TY6JW8X-BvI/AAAAAAAAAvg/blSM-7IoNrw/s320/Lucy%2BBuffett.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588555214870152946" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJcSleEBxXo/TY6JSZRAcQI/AAAAAAAAAvY/AGz9Qj1KCjU/s1600/Howard1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJcSleEBxXo/TY6JSZRAcQI/AAAAAAAAAvY/AGz9Qj1KCjU/s320/Howard1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588555136726233346" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmKH-zZ4XMw/TY6JMy-ahAI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/zy9DJL1bneU/s1600/From%2Bour%2Bseats.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmKH-zZ4XMw/TY6JMy-ahAI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/zy9DJL1bneU/s320/From%2Bour%2Bseats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588555040548357122" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Lucy Buffett’, ‘Howard Livingston’ and ‘Howard from our seats’ we were pretty close to the stage.<br /><br />Weather: Wonderful.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Plum Lovin’ by Janet Evanovich and started ‘Finger Lickin’ Fifteen’. <br /><br />Another week of spring break. Not quite as noisy as last weeks crowd. The kids do enjoy having a good time.<br /><br />This week there was a celebration for Tennessee Williams 100th birthday. He was a Key West resident and wrote some of his plays here.<br /><br />I spent some time this week painting the rocking chairs on the front porch.<br /><br />It was a great week for bicycle riding. There was some wind so I stayed in town and it didn’t bother me. If you ride on North or South Roosevelt, the wind can be challenging.<br /><br />Saturday at Mote Marine Laboratories, on the Truman Waterfront, there was an outdoor concert and fair. Howard Livingston was one of the performers and Lucy Buffett did a cooking show. <br /><br />Jimmy Buffett was in Sugarloaf Key last Saturday (March 19) for the wedding of Rita Brown and Dr. Fred Troxel. It was his first performance since he fell off the stage in Australia on Jan 26.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-547244497827550760?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-15552411632055624222011-03-19T18:24:00.005-05:002011-03-19T18:31:21.474-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mTH_lf0mts/TYU8uF4WRPI/AAAAAAAAAvI/mIYr3UEJvHs/s1600/Spring%2BBreak1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mTH_lf0mts/TYU8uF4WRPI/AAAAAAAAAvI/mIYr3UEJvHs/s320/Spring%2BBreak1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585937675373135090" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0V22gckHUQ/TYU8ohrLQeI/AAAAAAAAAvA/W0es1eMlstE/s1600/Boat%2BHouse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0V22gckHUQ/TYU8ohrLQeI/AAAAAAAAAvA/W0es1eMlstE/s320/Boat%2BHouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585937579754865122" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJBUHWj7Q_I/TYU8hmipo4I/AAAAAAAAAu4/T1vnGdNPi70/s1600/Scorpion2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJBUHWj7Q_I/TYU8hmipo4I/AAAAAAAAAu4/T1vnGdNPi70/s320/Scorpion2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585937460802200450" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EX6lOba4fo/TYU8bS9SxCI/AAAAAAAAAuw/cy0QwWfO3BE/s1600/Scott.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EX6lOba4fo/TYU8bS9SxCI/AAAAAAAAAuw/cy0QwWfO3BE/s320/Scott.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585937352466023458" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are (1) ‘More Spring Breakers’, (2) ‘Boat House is a new bar near A&B and Alonzo’s’. (3) ‘Scorpion’ one of the natives didn’t make it across the street and (4) ‘Scotts’. A bunch of Frat boys in Scottish dress on St. Pats Day.<br /><br />Weather: Another beautiful week.<br /><br />This week I started ‘Hot Six’ by Janet Evanovich. I get my books from the Key West Library and this one I had to skip because it was not in the library but it just came back in.<br /><br />Another week of spring break. The island is packed. Lot of kids on the beach in the day and on Duval Street at night. When I walk the dogs at 5:30 in the morning I run into the kids on there way home. There are also a lot of families and older people in town.<br /><br />Radio Shack has opened another store on the 400 block of Duval near the La Concha Hotel. They have been out at the Kmart shopping center for years. Glad to have them down town.<br /><br />Hope you had a great St. Patrick’s Day. There was lots to do in this town and lots of people having a good time.<br /><br />Sunday is the first day of spring. I hope you have our weather heading your way.<br /><br />Next Week on the Truman Waterfront . Howard Livingston with Lucy Buffett on Saturday. <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1555241163205562422?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-76885334153039128872011-03-12T18:37:00.001-05:002011-03-12T18:39:45.432-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjbwKlP5uPc/TXwELLTpW5I/AAAAAAAAAuo/yP-_uTrALHc/s1600/spring%2Bbreak1.BMP"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjbwKlP5uPc/TXwELLTpW5I/AAAAAAAAAuo/yP-_uTrALHc/s320/spring%2Bbreak1.BMP" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583342228092836754" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Spring Breakers’. I lifted this from www.conchscooter.blogspot.com <br /><br />Weather: Beautiful sunny days, then another cold front on Thursday night (low 60’s) and back to beautiful for the weekend.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Star Island’ by Carl Hiaasen.<br /><br />I took my monthly drive to the gas station and filled the little Suzuki; it took a little over 6 gallons (not bad for a month of driving). The cheapest gas I could find last Wednesday was $3.79 a gallon.<br /><br />We are about at the end of the dry season. While you have the wet in the winter and that makes it feel even more miserable, we have the dry in the winter and the wet in the summer when it is nice and warm. Of course when the rains come the humidity will rise and the mosquitoes will come back. I don’t know how people lived here in the summer before mosquito control and A/C.<br /><br />Since the first week end of March, the Spring Breakers have been here. Easter is the last Sunday in April this year, so we will have 8 weeks of Spring Break. I love the young kids. Things have not changed much since I was that age. Kids still do the same things. Everything changes but remains the same.<br /><br />A house near us was rebuilt. They raised the house off the ground, gutted the down stairs and rebuilt it, then gutted the upstairs and rebuilt it, then put on a new roof. Now they can’t get a ‘Letter of Occupancy’ because there are different rules for rebuilt houses and new houses. They did so much new stuff to the house it is considered a new house and not a rebuild. New houses have to be 4 foot higher off the ground. Now they have to raise the house another 4 foot higher.<br /><br />Taxcut from last week: I decided to go with what I had already keyed into Taxcut Online. My return was rejected by the Fed. I corrected it and resubmitted. Next year I will download Taxcut to my PC so I can check the forms before E-Filing.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7688533415303912887?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-9983738276961283192011-03-06T07:35:00.003-05:002011-03-06T07:38:32.630-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ty2dfoQTceo/TXOAMEBqHUI/AAAAAAAAAug/hS8inpW4uls/s1600/Marilyn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ty2dfoQTceo/TXOAMEBqHUI/AAAAAAAAAug/hS8inpW4uls/s320/Marilyn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580945307969658178" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ezPaU7Bz_k/TXOAINmeFLI/AAAAAAAAAuY/xMCvk08bSlA/s1600/Manatee.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ezPaU7Bz_k/TXOAINmeFLI/AAAAAAAAAuY/xMCvk08bSlA/s320/Manatee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580945241820501170" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPDwIq-n67Q/TXOACmqvYEI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ftdkxty0ME0/s1600/Howard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPDwIq-n67Q/TXOACmqvYEI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ftdkxty0ME0/s320/Howard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580945145470083138" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Me and Marilyn Monroe’. She stands just off Duval Street at the Theater. “Manatee’ they were playing near the Schooner Wharf Dock. And “Howard Livingston and the MM24 Band at the 1st Conch fest. Over 2million people signed in on line to watch Howard.<br /><br />Weather: We had a cool front come in on Tuesday morning and dropped the temp into the low 70’s. Beautiful week.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Night Vision’ by Randy Wayne White. I love his books.<br /><br />I finished my taxes using Tax-Cut Online (H&R Block). When I went to look at the forms I found you could not see the forms until you submitted the taxes for E-File. I decided to download Tax-Cut to my PC but found that you cannot transfer data from Tax-cut Online to Tax-Cut on your PC. So I am now deciding if I want to trust Tax-Cut Online or re-key everything into Tax-Cut on my PC. More next week. I have put everything on hold for now.<br /><br />We have had lots of readers of ‘This Week on the Island’ in town this week. I appreciate it when the blog readers stop me to tell me about the blog.<br /><br />There was an ‘Art Fest’ on Lazy Lane Saturday. We had lots of friends in town and we were all at Schooner enjoying ourselves as we watched the people walk pass on Lazy Lane. Life is good.<br /><br />Saturday: Conch Fest at Bayview Park with Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band playing at 9:00 PM. We had a great time. http://www.conchfestkeywest.com/events/ <br /><br />Spring Break has started and will last until Easter Sunday.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-998373827696128319?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-55096120151019068412011-02-27T07:08:00.001-05:002011-02-27T07:10:48.146-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO1OeFiLNnY/TWo_MlS1DUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/woquZ_6XP0k/s1600/sunset.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO1OeFiLNnY/TWo_MlS1DUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/woquZ_6XP0k/s320/sunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578340573853846850" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Another Key West Sunset’. This one was taken from Trumbo Road near the Navy Base, looking out over the toxic triangle. The island to the left is Christmas Tree Island.<br /><br />Weather: Another wonderful week. It actually hit 80 this week. Lots of blue skies and fluffy white clouds. I guess winter is over.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Lean Mean Thirteen’ by Janet Evanovich. I know, I read ‘Fearless Fourteen’ last week, but I check them out of the Key West Library and have to read them in the order I find them.<br /><br />My little Suzuki Samurai is back from having the clutch replaced.<br /><br />I spent more time painting the house this week. I am working on the front of the house and the gingerbread takes time.<br /><br />As the winter goes away and the sun moves north, I get sun on my rocker on the front porch at 4:30PM.<br /><br />I had some folks come over and ask me where Jimmy Buffett lived, they had been told that the Hummer was his and he lived somewhere close by. They were a bit disappointed when I told them the Hummer belonged to my wife.<br /><br />Lower Whitehead Street was closed Saturday and Sunday for a Street Fair.<br /><br />We had Civil War enactments at Fort Zack this weekend. Lots of cannon and musket fire from the Fort and from schooners at sea.<br /><br />Next week: Conch Fest at Bayview Park with Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band. http://www.conchfestkeywest.com/events/ <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5509612015101906841?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-33992142023795581672011-02-19T15:50:00.007-05:002011-02-22T06:42:43.739-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdOz1fQ_2dc/TWAtv3D22DI/AAAAAAAAAuA/N8MVQ3kb9O8/s1600/Flower.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdOz1fQ_2dc/TWAtv3D22DI/AAAAAAAAAuA/N8MVQ3kb9O8/s320/Flower.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575506638941902898" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10O6M9vzVM4/TWAthXXqsPI/AAAAAAAAAt4/Qw_A2992XOs/s1600/Key%2BDeer2.BMP"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10O6M9vzVM4/TWAthXXqsPI/AAAAAAAAAt4/Qw_A2992XOs/s320/Key%2BDeer2.BMP" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575506389916889330" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3GRMsoLenE/TWAtTCEOJ_I/AAAAAAAAAtw/NQkIXPYrjAQ/s1600/moon2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3GRMsoLenE/TWAtTCEOJ_I/AAAAAAAAAtw/NQkIXPYrjAQ/s320/moon2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575506143680014322" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘a flower’, ‘a key deer’, and ‘moon over the bight’.<br /><br />Weather: Another wonderful week. It did rain a bit last weekend and gave me some time to work on our taxes.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Fearless Fourteen’ by Janet Evanovich. I have read so many of her books now that I feel very familiar with her characters in her books.<br /><br />Corrections from last week: Key West Tea and Spice Company on Green Street didn’t close, it moved to the 400 block of Green Street. Also, I have been told that Historic Tours of America (HTA), that recently reacquired the Schooner Western Union also acquired a large outstand loan that they must now pay. <br /><br />It was a February afternoon. It was a beautiful day, in the mid 70’s, lots of blue sky and a few puffy white clouds. I was sitting at Schooner with my wife of 40 years and my two Siberian husky’s, Boca and Sassi. I was drinking my 2nd adult beverage and smoking a small rum cigar. Michael McCloud was playing and I was thinking, ‘life don’t get no better than this’. <br /><br />I have spent some time this month painting around the house. We have been here 10 years now and have done a lot of maintained to this old place. We painted the inside, replaced the carpet upstairs and tiled downstairs when we moved in. We put in central air and heat.We had to replace the floor in the upstairs bathroom, we replaced the front porch, we replaces the kitchen cabinets, we have replaces almost all appliances, we replaced the old water heater with an ‘instant water heater’. We recently replaced the concrete deck upstairs and put in a spiral staircase. These old houses need a lot of attention.<br /><br />My little Suzuki Samurai quit on me Thursday night. The clutch quit working. It is in the shop for the weekend and should be all better soon. <br /><br />The wooden steps leading up to Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio on Key West Bight were replaced this week.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3399214202379558167?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-6459110569331970352011-02-12T19:39:00.007-05:002012-01-12T12:36:11.931-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbpf5kQjNY8/TVcpgn3byAI/AAAAAAAAAto/dJzZX5NzZ0c/s1600/Pelicans.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gbpf5kQjNY8/TVcpgn3byAI/AAAAAAAAAto/dJzZX5NzZ0c/s320/Pelicans.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572968704328321026" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xte0qSoC5H8/TVcpZ5H3KSI/AAAAAAAAAtg/BRs9ALIZocA/s1600/Hybiscus.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xte0qSoC5H8/TVcpZ5H3KSI/AAAAAAAAAtg/BRs9ALIZocA/s320/Hybiscus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572968588701542690" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxrFmvxMBI8/TVcpUxMcYyI/AAAAAAAAAtY/2EVlkSjoDz0/s1600/Bannana%2527s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxrFmvxMBI8/TVcpUxMcYyI/AAAAAAAAAtY/2EVlkSjoDz0/s320/Bannana%2527s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572968500673930018" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Pelicans on the roof of the Turtle Museum’, ‘Hibiscus’, and ‘Bananas’.<br /><br />Weather: Another cold front came thru Tuesday and dropped the temperature into the low 60’s, but it was again back in the 70’s the next day. Cold again on Saturday, back to the 70’s by Monday.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Electric Barracuda’ by Tim Dorsey. If you like ‘Dexter’ the TV shows, you will love Serge. This serial killer goes around Florida killing ‘people that need killing’ just like Dexter. <br /><br />Old pictures of the Keys (few Key West) photos from Ed Swift's father<br />http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=edwin+swift+jr<br /><br />Boca likes stuffed toys. This week we walked by a parked Conch Train and he stole the teddy bear that was tied to the front of the engine. I gave it back to the driver.<br /><br />Friday night was the opening of McFadden’s Beach House on Green Street. It was $15 each and the money went to the Key West SPCA.<br /><br />Key West Tea and Spice Company on Green Street closed.<br /><br />Paradise Pizza and Pasta has opened on Green Street, across from Sloppy Joe’s. It is in the building that was Johnny Rocco’s.<br /><br />Mel Fisher Museum has a little courtyard. On Feb 15th they will show ‘Carib Gold’ and on Feb 22 they will show ‘Escape from Hell Island’. Dogs are welcome. Please bring your own chair. Popcorn will be served. List of movies made in Key West http://www.moviesmadeinkeywest.com/updates.html <br /><br />Historic Tours of America (HTA) are the guys that run the Conch Train and the Trolley Tours here in Key West. At one time they owned the Schooner Western Union and did tours for the tourist. They weren’t making enough money and the schooner was getting old and need repairs. They gave the schooner to a local group with the stipulation that if they decided to get rid of it they had to give it back to HTA. The local group got some grant money and pulled the schooner from the water and repaired it. Now the schooner is back in the hands of HTA and will restart the tourist tours soon. What a great deal for HTA. They gave away a schooner that needed repair and got back a repaired schooner.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-645911056933197035?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-5962415349612226302011-02-05T19:09:00.004-05:002011-02-05T19:17:52.710-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TU3n07fUR0I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/6LN_g5dFSFg/s1600/Feb%2B6-2"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TU3n07fUR0I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/6LN_g5dFSFg/s320/Feb%2B6-2" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570363210635429698" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TU3nvkRtoBI/AAAAAAAAAtI/7WOPh3LpBjI/s1600/Feb%2B6"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TU3nvkRtoBI/AAAAAAAAAtI/7WOPh3LpBjI/s320/Feb%2B6" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570363118505009170" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Another Key West Sunset’ and ‘Island Flowers’ both stolen from www.ConchScooter.blogspot.com .<br /><br />Weather: In the mid 70’s with lots of sunshine, blue skies, white clouds, clear calm water, and low humidity. The doors and windows are open and the whole house fan is circulating the air. Life is good,<br /><br />This week I read ‘Twelve Sharp’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />There were two big events this week. One was the 10th anniversary of our buying this house and moving to Key West. The other was my wife’s birthday. I don’t know how she has put up with me all these years. She still works and I stay home all day. Well I don’t stay home actually, but I don’t go to work. It is my job to take care of the house. This week I have been doing outside work. These old houses take a lot of ‘taking care of’. For her birthday we went to Schooner Wharf and listened to Michael McCloud.<br /><br />I guess it is because you are all snowed in up north and bored out of you minds. My email keeps filling up with all sorts of stuff. If I dont recognize the name and the email points me to an internet address then I delete. <br /><br />There are still lots of people on the island and the weather has been beautiful this week. Many folks are extending their stay because they can’t get to their homes up north because of the snow. I guess it is better to be stuck in Key West than sitting in some snowed in airport in the north.<br /><br />McFadden’s Beach House is another new bar in Key West. This one is on Green Street across from Sloppy Joes where Guy Harvey’s Island Grill used to be. This building (it was the Key West Citizen Newspaper Building in the past) has seen lots of business open and close under its roof. ‘In the tropics they come and they go’ Jimmy Buffett.<br /><br />Bowling with coconuts was held at Blue Heaven with all profits going to a local charity.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-596241534961222630?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-68296870655848382252011-01-29T15:37:00.005-05:002011-01-29T15:47:25.113-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR7Dob6NcI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Rl8B7TtEt9Q/s1600/coconut%2Btree.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR7Dob6NcI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Rl8B7TtEt9Q/s320/coconut%2Btree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567710341661078978" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR6_kbl6gI/AAAAAAAAAs0/LSbQ8MhvCqY/s1600/Ohio.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR6_kbl6gI/AAAAAAAAAs0/LSbQ8MhvCqY/s320/Ohio.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567710271866530306" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR67bRgG1I/AAAAAAAAAss/48xtgBdjHbM/s1600/Joe%2Band%2BSharon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TUR67bRgG1I/AAAAAAAAAss/48xtgBdjHbM/s320/Joe%2Band%2BSharon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567710200688810834" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Key west coconut tree and blue sky’, the second and third picture are friends in from out of town enjoying Michael McCloud at Schooner. I also want to thank the guy from Pittsburg that dropped by to say how much he enjoyed the blog.<br /><br />Weather: We are in the middle of our dry season. It has been raining a lot. This may be one of the wettest dry seasons on record. We have also been having a lot of sea fog this winter. This week has been wet and cold. It has cleared up for the week end with lots of sun and the temperature near 70.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Ten Big Ones’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />There are lots of people on the island. It happens every year when folks get tired of the cold and the snow. No matter how cold I think it is here, the tourist always say it is lots better then the weather they left back home. <br /><br />Last Sunday morning I was walking the dogs at about 6:30 AM. It was 54 degrees and I was wrapped up when we passed a young lady in shorts and a t-shirt. I thought that was kind of strange. Then we started passing more people in shorts and t-shirts. That was when I remembered there was another ‘run’ scheduled for that morning. We have lots of ‘runs’ in the Keys. I think if you are a runner, this may be a good place to live.<br /><br />Key West would like people to ride bikes more and autos less. The cabs and the bus have bike racks on them. Bike riding is so popular that people are upset when the bike rack on the bus is full and they can’t load their bike. So in normal Key West fashion, in order to stop the complaining about no room on the bike rack, the city has removed the bike rack from the bus. Is that dumb or what?<br /><br />I really like living here. Sun and sea and lots of visitors to our little island every week. It is hard to control my weight with all the good food available here. I am 6 foot and try to keep my weight between 180 pounds and 190 pounds. Like most people I start a new diet every year. I buy Banquet dinners when they are on sale at 10 for $10.00. I try to get the ones around 300 to 350 calories and eat one for lunch and one for dinner. That plus cereal for breakfast is less than 1000 calories a day. I feel like I have lost about 1000 pounds, but it is the same 10 pounds over and over again. <br /><br />I bought some new Birki Haiti sandals. That makes 7 pair since moving here. I like Haiti’s, they have rubber soles and the salt water doesn’t seem to make them disintegrate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6829687065584838225?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-74471265326635893972011-01-22T17:58:00.004-05:002011-01-22T18:02:10.716-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTthlBJTm2I/AAAAAAAAAsk/AYNEFxgjtgw/s1600/Jo%2527s%2Bplant.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTthlBJTm2I/AAAAAAAAAsk/AYNEFxgjtgw/s320/Jo%2527s%2Bplant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565149053136903010" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTtheaXIKGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/XOEKTE-DODM/s1600/Bringastine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTtheaXIKGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/XOEKTE-DODM/s320/Bringastine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565148939646675042" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTthXV1xuRI/AAAAAAAAAsU/9lBPIl_kQNc/s1600/corn%2Bsnake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTthXV1xuRI/AAAAAAAAAsU/9lBPIl_kQNc/s320/corn%2Bsnake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565148818173966610" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Jo’s cactus on the front porch. The second picture is a brigantine parked at the Navy yard at Trumbo Point. A brigantine has square sails in the front and a triangle sail in the rear. The third picture is a guy I found on Eaton Street. He was a harmless corn snake. A coral snake (red on yellow kill a fellow) looks a lot like him and is very dangerous.<br /><br />Weather: Spring time. In the mid 60’s at night and mid to upper 70’s in the day. Lots of sunshine. We also are having sea fog in the mornings.<br /><br />This week I read ‘To the Nines’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />It is clean up time around Key West. Each new year the people start cleaning up their property. There is grass to mow, trees to trim, and lots to paint. Every trash pick up day there are large plastic bags full of yard trash sitting on the curb. The rest of the country is covered in snow and we are cleaning up the yard.<br /><br />We have a corn tree. It looks like a corn stalk, but is about 15 feet tall and blooms and has a sweet smell. I can smell others as I walk the dogs around the neighborhood.<br /><br />The yachties have had wonderful weather for their racing. They are very colorful as they pass Mallory Square in the morning as they head toward their racing areas. It has been very cold and windy for them the previous two years. This year is warm and sunny but there are less than 150 boats involved in the racing. I don’t know if it is the economy or if the thrill if Key West is not there any more. I am told they are expecting about 350 boats for the Charleston races.<br /><br />Key West is trying to get declared as ‘a point of entry’ for travel to and from Cuba. I don’t think many people are going to want to fly from Miami to Key West just to go on to Havana. A direct flight from Miami to Havana would be shorter.<br /><br />In 1900 there were 1,681 people in Miami, before Flagler built his railroad to Miami. Key West had a population of 18,800 in that same year and it was the riches city in Florida.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7447126532663589397?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-14486844116272767432011-01-15T18:59:00.003-05:002011-01-15T19:04:59.562-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTI1BLBNnzI/AAAAAAAAAsM/EyRilQtGlK0/s1600/yacth%2Btent.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TTI1BLBNnzI/AAAAAAAAAsM/EyRilQtGlK0/s320/yacth%2Btent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562566784010002226" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The home base for the yacht teams that are in town for the Yacht races’. They blocked off Green Street next Kelly’s.<br /><br />Weather: Wednesday on CNN it was announced that Florida was the only state in the union that did not have snow on the ground. it is still cold for us locals. It did not get out of the 50’s Thursday and there was a strong wind out of the north<br /><br />This week I read ‘Seven Up’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />The continuing story of the empty lot across the street. The property owners have installed post and a rope around the property to keep vehicles from parking there.<br /><br />Every Friday, The Citizen, the local paper has a list of churches and times for services. There were 70 churches advertising. <br /><br />The 7th edition of ‘Fight Night in the Keys’ was held Friday at Mallory Square.<br /><br />The 6th annual Seafood Festival was held Saturday at Bayview Park. It was sunny and in the low 70’s.<br /><br />Guy Harvey’s restaurant/bar on Green Street, across from Sloppy Joe’s, has closed.<br /><br />The ‘Snotty Yachties’ are in town for the yacht races. <br /><br />Saturday at about noon the ‘Wounded Warriors’ came down Caroline Street. The ‘Wounded Warriors’ are physically challenged veterans on bikes.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1448684411627276743?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-91422881661939137922011-01-08T15:24:00.003-05:002011-01-08T15:27:48.892-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TSjIcNfuQBI/AAAAAAAAAsE/XfYrzYh4AS0/s1600/hibiscus.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TSjIcNfuQBI/AAAAAAAAAsE/XfYrzYh4AS0/s320/hibiscus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559914126973485074" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TSjIWK1BNAI/AAAAAAAAAr8/z5mn9jlEFdE/s1600/jo%2527s%2Bbike2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TSjIWK1BNAI/AAAAAAAAAr8/z5mn9jlEFdE/s320/jo%2527s%2Bbike2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559914023178286082" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘our hibiscus in bloom’, and ‘Jo’s remodeled bike’.<br /><br />Weather: It has been nice and warm lately and Tuesday morning the sea fog came rolling in about 7:30 AM. It was all gone by 9:30 AM. It has been warm and beautiful all week with a cold front moving thru Friday morning dropping the Temperature to 63 degrees. It was in the mid 70’s again on Saturday.<br /><br />This week I read ‘High Five’ by Janet Evanovich.<br /><br />Big Foot has left the island. Some of you may remember Big Foot the cat at the Truman Annex that was kidnapped and taken to Boston. There was a big court case and the cat had to be returned to its owner here in Key West. The Citizen announced the cats passing in Tuesday paper. <br /><br />The unofficial parking lot across the street from me has started to cause some problems. This was the area they tried to build Harbor House and went bankrupt. The 8 foot tall plywood construction fence was pulled down. The motor homes started setting up on the property and the people were caught stealing ice from the ice machines at Schooner Wharf. The people that run the parking lots in town are upset and not getting any customers. The lot has turned into a trash pile and no one is cleaning it up. I think the city let it go as long as they could and now will be forced to do something to shut down the parking on this property. On Friday the ‘No Trespassing’ signs went up.<br /><br />Jo had a bicycle that she never used. She had a tricycle that rusted and now she has a bicycle with adult training wheels. They are from Sears and called adult stabilizing wheels.<br /><br />Over 750 manatees have died since last year. Some of it because of the cold last winter, some of it because of the cold this December, and some of it because of hits by boats.<br /><br />The old wooden stairs have been removed and the new spiral stairs have been installed to our new concrete back deck.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-9142288166193913792?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-65833436630407673782011-01-01T18:15:00.005-05:002011-01-01T18:32:51.401-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-2JxH7QuI/AAAAAAAAAr0/DfJpGeCHggE/s1600/Lowering%2Bthe%2BConch%2BShell.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-2JxH7QuI/AAAAAAAAAr0/DfJpGeCHggE/s320/Lowering%2Bthe%2BConch%2BShell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557360744120140514" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-2CcJm8-I/AAAAAAAAArs/MhuKb0P-Y20/s1600/Lowering%2BSushi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-2CcJm8-I/AAAAAAAAArs/MhuKb0P-Y20/s320/Lowering%2BSushi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557360618230969314" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-17m4VTHI/AAAAAAAAArk/OEf6P-ToB6w/s1600/Lowering%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BWench.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 315px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TR-17m4VTHI/AAAAAAAAArk/OEf6P-ToB6w/s320/Lowering%2Bthe%2BPirate%2BWench.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557360500852214898" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Sloppy Joes’, ‘800 block of Duval’ and ‘Lowering the Pirate Wench’ at Schooner.<br /><br />Weather: This was the coldest December since records began being kept in 1872. Another cold front on Monday dropping the temperature to 48 degrees by Tuesday morning. It was back in the high 70’s for the week end. Many of the houses here do not have heat. Our air/heat has not worked on the heat side since we had them moved for the deck work on the back of the house. It is a bit cool in our house.<br /><br />This week I read ‘Four to Score‘by Janet Evanovich. <br /><br />The island has been packed all week. I guess people are wanting to get out of the frozen north. The empty lot across the street that used to be the Harbor House development has turned into an unofficial parking lot. Since it belongs to the M&I Bank of Wisconsin, I doubt anything is going to happen to close it down.<br /><br />There was an episode in the original Star Trek of a planet that had outlawed war and the planet was over populated. There were lots of people going in different directions all packed together. It is a lot like that here in Key West this week. Like my wife says, ‘Next week they will be gone and we will still be here’.<br /><br />We have three big celebrations here in Key West for New Years and they are free. One is the lowering of the conch shell at Sloppy Joes on the 200 block of Duval Street. Another is the lowering of Sushi, a female impersonator, in a big slipper on the 800 block of Duval Street, and the third is the lowering of the Pirate Wench from the mast of a schooner at Schooner Wharf. It was 71 degrees at midnight.<br /><br />My wife and I continued our New Years tradition going to one of these events (we went to Schooner) and then sitting on the front porch with our champain and watching all the people go by.<br /><br />The Dachshund (wiener dog) parade was Friday.<br /><br />Part of WWW.KeyWestTime.com this week has Howard at Hog Fish Bar and Grill on Stock Island. They are preparing a shrimp boil. My wife has been doing this for years. Before moving to Key West, when we had a large number of people over she would prepare a shrimp boil by the pool. It is really good eating. (shrimp, corn on the cob, little red potatoes, sausage(.<br /><br />Is Key West great or what?<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6583343663040767378?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-44150012249246594682010-12-25T18:34:00.004-05:002010-12-26T13:52:59.009-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TRaAN820BwI/AAAAAAAAArc/ZedK6nN4b5E/s1600/Dec%2B26.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TRaAN820BwI/AAAAAAAAArc/ZedK6nN4b5E/s320/Dec%2B26.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554768167570769666" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Boca opening his Christmas Present’.<br /><br />Weather: Beautiful and then another cold front arriving Christmas night. <br /><br />This week I continued with ‘Three to Get Deadly‘ by Janet Evanovich. <br /><br />The BP Oil checks have arrived. It is amazing to me the people that are receiving checks and the amount they are getting. One guy sells tickets for sunset cruises (he is an employee and does not have an investment in the company) yet he received a check for $16,000. Even waiters in bars are receiving checks. I guess it will be a good Christmas for some folks.<br /><br />Tuesday our spiral staircase arrived. The delivery guy left it in the street in front of the house because it would not fit thru the gate. I opened the box and carried each piece to the back yard and then took the box apart.<br /><br />Wednesday was the ‘Lighted Bike’ parade. The joke of course is how much does a bike have to drink to be ‘lighted’.<br /><br />Friday afternoon we went to Walt’s house on Sugarloaf Key for our annual Christmas Eve get-to-gather. I was the designated driver, so I drank lots of tea but I still had a great time. It was warm on the way home so I drove with the window down in the Hummer.<br /><br />Saturday, of course, was Christmas. Boca and Sassi got the same present. It was a dog bone each. We enjoyed watching Boca tear the wrapping off his present. Sassi didn’t seem to care for hers.<br /><br />I want to thank all he readers of this blog. I really enjoy it when I am walking around town and have folks come up and say they read the blog. I also enjoy the many emails I get from other folks. Some emails are from far away from folks that have been to Key West and dream of coming back. I especially appreciate the ones from our men/women in the service. I have been there and done that and know it to be a very lonely job.<br /><br />I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4415001224924659468?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-51839400080134547402010-12-18T18:07:00.007-05:002010-12-19T16:34:12.043-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_hem2fNI/AAAAAAAAArQ/656WaicUipE/s1600/46%2Bdegrees%2B2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_hem2fNI/AAAAAAAAArQ/656WaicUipE/s320/46%2Bdegrees%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552163760001940690" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_Yvfjr3I/AAAAAAAAArI/RQG2fhM47kM/s1600/waterfront.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_Yvfjr3I/AAAAAAAAArI/RQG2fhM47kM/s320/waterfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552163609915928434" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_Ub2AC2I/AAAAAAAAArA/opVnrd9KTMc/s1600/dogs%2Bin%2Bsuzuki.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQ0_Ub2AC2I/AAAAAAAAArA/opVnrd9KTMc/s320/dogs%2Bin%2Bsuzuki.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552163535921875810" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ’46 degrees’, ‘Beautiful even if it is cold’ and ‘Sassi and Boca going for a ride’.<br /><br />Weather: Last Sunday was beautiful. In the mid 70’s and I lay on our new back deck and did some reading. Wednesday morning it was 46 degrees in Key West and broke the record of 52 degrees set in 1885. It was back into the high 70’s by this week end.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Three to Get Ready‘by Janet Evanovich. <br /><br />There is a blog, http://keywestmusic.blogspot.com/ that I enjoy. His latest is ‘Key West - The Language’. It is interesting how, as he points out, that in Miami and Havana they speak Spanish, but here in between the two in Key West everyone at least knows English.<br /><br />This week the ‘big’ Key West Fair started at the Truman Waterfront and will last until next year. I think the dogs need some cotton candy.<br /><br />A tourist on the Truman Little White House tour was given permission to tune the Truman piano. He said he enjoyed playing the piano the Truman had played.<br /><br />Saturday, after lunch, there was a car show at Turtle Krawls. It was a warm sunny day, until it started raining.<br /><br />Saturday night was the Christmas Party for the employees of the city of Key West. Jo and I went and had a great time. It is about the only time I dress up. I wore my Charleston Tuxedo (kaki slacks, blue cotton button down long sleeve shirt, a dark blue blazer, and my sandals).<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5183940008013454740?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-64553118145236972722010-12-11T16:03:00.005-05:002010-12-12T08:08:44.042-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPnyC-bpbI/AAAAAAAAAq4/P7gAQ1PMg8s/s1600/Christmas%2BLazy%2BWay%2BLane.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPnyC-bpbI/AAAAAAAAAq4/P7gAQ1PMg8s/s320/Christmas%2BLazy%2BWay%2BLane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549534012828788146" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPntQDmskI/AAAAAAAAAqw/BwseOydhxDI/s1600/Dogs%2Bpulling%2BSanta.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPntQDmskI/AAAAAAAAAqw/BwseOydhxDI/s320/Dogs%2Bpulling%2BSanta.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549533930440798786" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPnorvj-2I/AAAAAAAAAqo/a8wgc1zZTwU/s1600/Elizabeth%2B%2526%2BCaroline.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TQPnorvj-2I/AAAAAAAAAqo/a8wgc1zZTwU/s320/Elizabeth%2B%2526%2BCaroline.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549533851973581666" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Lighted Lazy Way Lane at night’, ‘Sassi & Boca & Me’, and ‘Corner of Caroline & Elizabeth’. The last one is across the street from our house and where Harbor House was supposes to be built. <br /><br />Weather: Nice last Sunday in the mid 70’s with lots of sun and then another cold front with the low temperature getting down into the low 50’s. It warmed back up to the high 70’s by this Sunday with another cold front expected to drop the temperature into the low 40’s by Monday. The husky’s, Sassi and Boca, are enjoying the weather.<br /><br />I completed the book ‘One for the Money’ by Janet Evanovich. I really like her stuff.<br /><br />Last Saturday was our Christmas Parade. I have never gotten use to the fact that almost every float has a Santa Clause. In my home town there was one and he was at the end of the parade. I do like the fact that lots of floats carry treats to give to dogs along the parade route.<br /><br />The construction continued on the house this week. The concrete deck has been poured the banister has been put up and everything has been painted. We are waiting for the spiral stairwell to arrive to complete the job. <br /><br />Christian Slater (the movie star) was in town last week.<br /><br />A multi-state manhunt found ‘The Sorority Stalker’ in Key West working at one of our restaurants.<br /><br />Saturday, while walking the dogs, I ran into the author of www.ConchSchooter.blogspot.com and his trusty side kick, Cheyenne. We had a nice conversation and then moved on.<br /><br /> This Saturday night was the Lighted Boat Parade held in the Key West Harbor and Key West Bight with all boats/ships passing the reviewing stand at Schooner Wharf.<br /><br />This Week's www.KeyWestTime.com has Parrotheads on Duval and Lucy Buffett cooking.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6455311814523697272?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-12458166691309107642010-12-04T14:28:00.006-05:002010-12-05T08:43:34.680-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWukuXvYI/AAAAAAAAAqg/E9l1OlkZNiE/s1600/Wears%2Bfor%2Bsell.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWukuXvYI/AAAAAAAAAqg/E9l1OlkZNiE/s320/Wears%2Bfor%2Bsell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546911617936506242" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWqO5CYOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/caw9HrL8w8c/s1600/Pirates.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWqO5CYOI/AAAAAAAAAqY/caw9HrL8w8c/s320/Pirates.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546911543356186850" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWky0FsgI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/PguWoNh5XI8/s1600/Pirate%2BShip.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPqWky0FsgI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/PguWoNh5XI8/s320/Pirate%2BShip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546911449919894018" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are the ‘There be Pirates here’. Their encampment was down at the Truman Waterfront. The 1st picture is a tent with wares for sale, the 2nd picture is Pirates, and the 3rd picture is a pirate ship. The Pirate was British and was named Pugh and his ship was the Black Pig.<br /><br />Weather: Sunday, Monday & Tuesday it was in the low 80’s. Wednesday was cloudy and windy as a cold front came thru. It got down to 60 by Thursday morning. This Sunday another cold front is expected to drop the temperature even more. I thought this was Key West.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘One For The Money’ by Janet Evanovich. She is the same author that I read last week. She is a prolific writer.<br /><br />November 30th the end of hurricane season, there was a burning of the hurricane flags on the Wharf at the Truman Waterfront.<br /><br />Last Sunday we celebrated Boca’s (our Siberian husky) 6th birthday. We had a party at Schooner with people cake (carrot and cream cheese icing) and dog cake (dog food molded into a cake with cheese writing). We also had treat bags for the other dogs.<br /><br />Monday started the destruction of the 2nd floor concrete deck on my house. Monday was a loud saw to cut the concrete. Tuesday was a jackhammer to break up the concrete. Wednesday was cleanup and cut and put down rebar. Thursday was adding the form to hold the new concrete. Friday was supposed to be pouring the concrete. It was put off until Monday.<br /><br />There be pirates here. This week was Pirate Fest. Most of the activities were down on the Truman Waterfront. There were encampments, raids on Fort Zack, sword fights, etc.<br /><br />Saturday’s paper had an article about closing Lazy Way Lane to Traffic and making it a foot path only. We will see how that goes.<br /><br />Last Monday night was the Christmas tree lighting around Key West. Saturday night was the Key West Christmas Parade. No shorts this year. Next Saturday night is the Lighted Boat Parade.<br /><br />The dogs and I were on the corner of Front and Duval when a dozen or so motorcycles went by. The guys and girls were all dressed in jeans and black leather. They were followed by a young lady on a scooter in pink shorts and a string top. You have got to love Key West.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1245816669130910764?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-84618473861107518602010-11-27T20:35:00.003-05:002010-11-28T12:18:18.144-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPG0GX3TO8I/AAAAAAAAAqI/NMGqlTsE098/s1600/Southernmost%2BRusty%2BBike.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TPG0GX3TO8I/AAAAAAAAAqI/NMGqlTsE098/s320/Southernmost%2BRusty%2BBike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544410637847968706" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is the ‘Southernmost Rusty Bike’. This bike is chained next to Conch Republic Seafood and was pulled from the ocean all encrusted with barnacles. We are the southernmost city in the USA; we have the Southernmost Point in the USA. We also have the southernmost house, the southernmost beach, the southernmost whatever, so why not the southernmost rusty bike.<br /><br />Weather: Another wonderful week. In the low 80’s with lots of sunshine.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Motor Mouth’ by Janet Evanovich. Sharon and Joe were here last week and she gave me the book. I really enjoyed this one.<br /><br />Dippin Dots on Green Street closed a few months back and now the place is a cigar factory.<br /><br />The white eight foot tall plywood construction fence across from me on Caroline Street was taken down Monday. The rest of it over by Schooner came down as the week progressed. Sassi and Boca enjoy the vacant lot and lots of new smells.<br /><br />Thanksgiving week in Key West. All of the restaurants had Thanksgiving specials, but we as usual went out to our friend’s house on Sugarloaf Key. Walt had invited lots of folks and it is kind of like a family reunion with everyone bringing something. I ate way too much and really had a good time.<br /><br />Gregg, a friend for many years, was in town this week so we spent some time bicycle riding around the island. We also had a few adult beverages and visited some of Key West’s establishments.<br /><br />Next week is ‘Pirate Fest’.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8461847386110751860?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-7692396059123964722010-11-20T17:23:00.002-05:002010-11-21T07:35:17.854-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TOhKtIeRpMI/AAAAAAAAAqA/IGMC-vFH1AA/s1600/red%2Bship2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TOhKtIeRpMI/AAAAAAAAAqA/IGMC-vFH1AA/s320/red%2Bship2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541761480708433090" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Treasure Seeker’. It was in the Key West Bight and apparently is a sunken treasure ship searcher. http://www.johnsamford.com/journal/2010/9/12/treasure-seekers.html <br /><br />Weather: Wonderful. In the low 80’s with very little humidity. The house is open and the breeze in blowing thru.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Magic City’ by James W. Hall. Another really good book.<br /><br />Nothing special happening in Key West this week, so this is what I did.<br /><br />The buzzards arrive in Key West every year around the end of October. They arrive in large numbers (At the same time as Fantasy Fest and Parrot Heads). They stay much longer and circle overhead all day. They are quite a sight.<br /><br />Last week I mentioned that Jo had started a new job. She still works for the city but moved from Garrison Bight to Havana Plaza and the Engineering Department. It is further away and now she rides the bus home every day instead of walking. <br /><br />Sunday was the end of the power boat races. At times I could not hear Michael McCloud’s music at Schooner because the power boats in the bight were racing their engines. Key West lost electricity for about 30 minutes Sunday night.<br /><br />Monday it was supposed to be in the low 80’s so I put on long pants, a golf shirt with a t-shirt under it, my sandals, and carried a windbreaker. I walked down Caroline Street to Duval. Went pass the Bull and Whistle and on to Kelly’s. I turned on Whitehead and went by the Banyan Resort, pass the post office and took a right on Flemming. I was at the court house because I had JURY DUTY. There were 165 of us and the A/C in the building had been off since the power failed Sunday night, so it wasn’t as cool as I had expected. Eighteen of us were picked for a DUI case. When they asked if any of us thought the guy was guilty of DUI, I raised my hand. This is Key West; you have to be driving pretty wildly for a cop to stop you. I was excused. The rest of the day was wonderful.<br /><br />Tuesday I needed to go to the grocery store to get dog food after I drop Jo off at work. She had a list of things she needed so I did some driving from store to store. We had people coming to visit so when I got home I turned on the A/C upstairs but it wasn’t working. I assume the power outage blew something. I was lucky there were some A/C people working on the house next door. They fixed my problem.<br /><br />Wednesday our friends took a short trip out to the reef and did some snorkeling while I cleaned up around the house and walked the dogs. Later I went to Schooner Wharf to listen to Michael McCloud. Howard Livingston did a concert on a Fury sunset cruise. I missed the concert.<br /><br />Thursday was a nothing kind of day. I did some reading. I also got a call to let me know that our request had been approved and we could begin work on our project to rebuild the back deck and stairwell. (Our house is concrete block with a fake wood front to make it blend in with the other houses on the block.) It was build with local material and 40 years later the salt in the sand used in the concrete mix has rusted the rebar used in the concrete on the back deck. The concrete deck is cracking. It will all be replaced.<br /><br />Friday morning I started talking to people about a refinance of our house. It was a long day on the internet and the phone, but by Friday afternoon we were refinanced and our monthly payments were down about $500. That is a savings of $6,000 a year. Not bad for a days work done in the rocking chair on the front porch on a beautiful day.<br /><br />Saturday I walked the dogs, finished reading my book, took the book back to the library, went to Schooner for one set of Michael, did some things around the house, and generally had a good day.<br /><br />And so goes another week in Key West. Next week Thanksgiving.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-769239605912396472?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-81434236801300900692010-11-13T19:31:00.004-05:002010-11-13T19:41:30.825-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TN8wM6Od0JI/AAAAAAAAAp4/jXTAIxt_BQ4/s1600/boat%2Brace2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TN8wM6Od0JI/AAAAAAAAAp4/jXTAIxt_BQ4/s320/boat%2Brace2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539199065035493522" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TN8vRAtg8nI/AAAAAAAAApw/mTdij_mD4JI/s1600/boat%2Brace%2B4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TN8vRAtg8nI/AAAAAAAAApw/mTdij_mD4JI/s320/boat%2Brace%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539198035984183922" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Power Boat Races’ off Mallory Square and ‘Contrast’, an old square rigger and a new power boat (I like this one).<br /><br />Weather: The week started cold (in the 60’s) but was back in the mid to high 70’s by Wednesday with lots of sun. I love this kind of weather; it is so much better that cold and snow that they are getting up north. In the low 80’s by the weekend.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Off the Chart’ by James W. Hall. A really good book.<br /><br />A friend emailed me that they had just filmed one of Howard Livingston’s ‘Living on Key West Time’ at her house. Boy, I am jealous. Check out www.KeyWestTime.com<br /><br />We set our clocks back on Sunday and Monday Jo started a new job where she goes to work one hour later. The dogs are having a hard time adjusting. I don’t know how they can tell. Sassi is ready for her noon walk at 11:00 AM and her afternoon walk at 4:00 PM.<br /><br />Ran into some folks I know from Orlando. They were on Front Street outside Two Friends Restaurant. We talked for a while and then they headed off to Harpoon Harry’s for breakfast. Saw them later at Schooner. <br /><br />It appears that the Flamingo Shop at the La Concha and the Conch Republic Store a few doors down on Duval are both closing the first of the year. Amigos, a new bar is opening, across from Capt. Tony’s on Green Street, where the Iguana used to be. ‘In the tropics they come and they go’, Jimmy Buffett.<br /><br />This week was Power Boat Races. NASCAR at sea. The boats go round and round between Mallory Square and Sunset Key. Helicopters fly overhead looking for turtles, manatee and other sea life while being available to help in case of an accident. It is loud. While not racing they seem to sit in their boats and race the engines. They spend lots of money and leave very big tips.<br /><br />The Power boat races were on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Thursday was a beautiful day to go to the Truman waterfront to see the boats on display. Friday night Duval <br />Street got trashed. Saturday was one of those days that it was so beautiful, I was glad just to be alive and living in the Key’s. Sunday they completed their racing and started leaving the island.<br /><br />Hopefully next week will be a little less noisy.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8143423680130090069?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-66322158271648290812010-11-06T16:45:00.003-05:002010-11-07T10:02:00.461-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TNXM8c42mUI/AAAAAAAAApo/FhLGPNIlM-w/s1600/Parrot+heads+on+Duval.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TNXM8c42mUI/AAAAAAAAApo/FhLGPNIlM-w/s320/Parrot+heads+on+Duval.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536556655840762178" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Parrot Heads on Duval Street’.<br /><br />Weather: Lots of rain, wind and then a cold front for the weekend. It dropped to the low 60’s by Sunday morning, but should be back into the 80’s by Wednesday. I got out my jeans and hoodie. It was sunny but cold on Saturday.<br /><br />Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett fan club).<br />The Parrot Heads were in town this week. Members representing clubs from all over the country were having a great time walking the streets and partying in the town that he made famous in his songs. The headquarters for their activities was the Casa Marina Hotel that Henry Flagler built at the turn of the last century so that when the passengers on his train to Key West got here, they would have a nice place to stay.<br /><br />Many of the different clubs had parties at the bars/restaurants around town. There was even a street party on Duval Street near Margaritaville, but most of the activities were at the Casa Marina. With the cold wind and the rain, it slowed down some of the activities, but this bunch kept partying. <br /><br />The Greek Restaurant on Truman has closed. <br /><br />Allen celebrated his 60th birthday at Schooner this week. Thanks for the adult beverages.<br /><br />Sassi and Boca are enjoying being back at Schooner. We had Sassi’s 13th birthday party there last Sunday.<br /> <br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6632215827164829081?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-67678888088517027212010-10-31T06:23:00.002-05:002010-10-31T06:30:58.055-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TM1TXF97XsI/AAAAAAAAApg/IL__lpG4Evw/s1600/WharfStock.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TM1TXF97XsI/AAAAAAAAApg/IL__lpG4Evw/s320/WharfStock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534171173312224962" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Wharfstock’ at Schooner this week All the staff dressed in ‘60’s attire.<br /><br />Weather: This week we closed the house back up and cut the A/C back on. Monday night /Tuesday morning it rained 3.5 inches in abut 3.5 hours and has been hot and humid since then<br /><br />Happy Halloween!<br /><br />This week was our 31st Fantasy Fest ‘Habitat for Insanity’. Lots of events all over the island. Some (but not all) of them were:<br />Friday & Saturday: Goombay<br />Saturday: Vampire Ball at Fort Zack<br />Monday: Lunacy Party at Big-un’s<br /> Decorated Bra Auction at La Te DA<br />Tuesday: Plaid Party at Capt Tony’s<br /> Headdress Ball at Southernmost Hotel<br /> Green Party at Finnegan’s Wake<br /> Locker Room Romp at Big-un’s<br />Wednesday: So You Think you are Sexy at Big-un’s<br /> Pet Masquerade at the Casa Marina<br /> Celebrity Look-A-Like at La Concha<br /> Dungeons at 801 Bourbon <br /> Red Night at Fogarty’s<br /> White Lace Black Light Event at Guy Harvey’s<br />Thursday: Git-R-Wet at Cowboy’s<br /> Monster’s Ball at Green Parrot<br /> Toga Party at Sloppy Joe’s<br /> Halo’s and Horns at Dante’s<br /> Pajama and Lingerie at Mango’s<br />Friday: Leather and Lace at Hog’s Breath <br /> Sickos and Psycos at Southernmost Hotel<br /> Masquerade March starts at the cemetery<br /> Street Fair on Duval<br /> Pirate Bash at the Rum Barrel<br /> Fetish and Fantasy at the Island House<br /> Tea Dance at 801 Bourbon<br />Saturday: Fantasy Fest Parade on Duval Street<br /> Duval Street Promenade on Duval Street<br />Sunday: The Fat Lady Sings at La Te Da<br /><br />The bare painted breast started showing up on Tuesday night and it got crazier as the weekend approached. The highlight of Fantasy Fest is the parade down Duval on Saturday night. It was packed and everyone seemed to have a good time.<br />http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/ has some pictures.<br /><br />Our friend, Gregg from Tampa, arrived on Friday at about noon. We met Gregg on the Tampa Bay Parrot Head groups ‘First Cruise to Mexico’ many years ago. We have been close friends since.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6767888808851702721?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-37610684116942376392010-10-23T16:42:00.004-05:002010-10-23T16:49:18.928-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXuX0sMsI/AAAAAAAAApY/veCRit2ruRY/s1600/Shrimp+Boat+Sounds.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXuX0sMsI/AAAAAAAAApY/veCRit2ruRY/s320/Shrimp+Boat+Sounds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531361221521715906" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXlvDOipI/AAAAAAAAApQ/rEQKmjRJ-vo/s1600/Carol.ine+St.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXlvDOipI/AAAAAAAAApQ/rEQKmjRJ-vo/s320/Carol.ine+St.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531361073137879698" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXXYXx5MI/AAAAAAAAApI/fsGmNHFmMO0/s1600/Goombay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TMNXXYXx5MI/AAAAAAAAApI/fsGmNHFmMO0/s320/Goombay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531360826531898562" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Shrimp Boat Sounds’ Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio on Key West Bight. The second picture is ‘B.O.’s Fish Wagon’ on the corner of Caroline and Williams. Both pictures are for the Parrotheads that will be coming to Key West the first weekend of November. The third picture is ‘Goombay’ on Patronia Street next to Blue Heaven.<br /><br />Weather: Another wonderful week of mid 80’s in the day and mid 70’s at night. ‘Every nights a Saturday night, every days a perfect 10. When the sun goes down and the moon comes up we get to do it all over again’. Howard Livingston and the MM24 Band - ‘Living on Key West Time’. <br /><br />Dogs in Bars: Tuesday the ‘Inspector Guy’ came by Schooner Wharf at 1:00 PM to verify that everything was in place to allow the dogs back into the bar. Schooner passed and then had to go get licensed. They started allowing dogs back in Wednesday. Thursday the dogs and I were asked to leave Schooner because the ‘Inspector Guy’ had been back and told Schooner they did not have there license posted. By Thursday at 1:30 PM the license was posted and dogs were allowed back in Schooner again. Friday was another NO DOGS day as Schooner had not had their chairs counted (each bar/restaurant is only allowed so many chairs). Saturday dogs were again allowed back in Schooner.<br /><br />This week was Goombay (the celebration of our African Heritage) and was held in Bahama Village on Patronia Street (the street by Blue Heaven).<br /><br />The Iguana on Green Street across from Captain Tony’s has been closed for some time. There were some workers cleaning it out on Thursday morning.<br /><br />Stone Crab season started this week and they go well with bugs (that is what we call our local lobster).<br /><br />A couple were kayaking this week near Big Pine Key when a barracuda jumped out of the water and punchered her lung. She had to be taken to the hospital in Miami.<br /><br />The raptors (hawks, eagles, etc) are migrating thru Key West. The baby chicks are not safe.<br /><br />We have some friends in this week from Chicago and we took another road trip. We went to No Name Pub (MM30) for lunch, then Loo Key (MM28), then Boondocks (MM27), then Mango Mamas (MM20), then Geiger Key (MM10), then on back to Key West. <br /><br />Last Sunday the Southernmost Car Club had a show at Sugarloaf Lodge (MM17). It was sunny and in the mid 80’s, we sat under a coconut palm in our chairs and had a wonderful lunch that was provided by the car club. I had ribs and a hamburger, cole slaw and beans, a diet coke and then some cheese cake and brownies. Lots of folks checked out our Hummer H1.<br /><br />And last but not least I would like to thank the couple from Cincinnati that sent over a couple of adult beverages at Schooner Friday afternoon.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3761068411694237639?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-34098681384395923802010-10-16T19:32:00.005-05:002010-10-16T19:38:39.084-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpE_F1gG_I/AAAAAAAAApA/T34ouFjv8sw/s1600/Captain+Tony%27s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpE_F1gG_I/AAAAAAAAApA/T34ouFjv8sw/s320/Captain+Tony%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528807343239732210" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpE3NTesRI/AAAAAAAAAo4/mAB7KMs3bl4/s1600/Kinko%27s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpE3NTesRI/AAAAAAAAAo4/mAB7KMs3bl4/s320/Kinko%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528807207805563154" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpEufGR1bI/AAAAAAAAAow/GbeTC5dnCXc/s1600/Turtle+Kraals.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLpEufGR1bI/AAAAAAAAAow/GbeTC5dnCXc/s320/Turtle+Kraals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528807057963210162" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Captain Tony’s Saloon’ and ‘Kinko’s Sandals’ both are favorite hangouts for the Parrotheads. They will be here the first weekend in November, right after Fantasy Fest so I am posting some pictures for them. For those of you that are not Parrotheads, I added a picture of the Howard Livingston concert at Turtle Kraals Friday night.<br /><br />Weather: Hurricane Paula brought us a lot of rain, heat and humidity the first of the week. Friday, Saturday and Sunday we were back to beautiful weather with Paula leaving and a cold front dropping down. The sun is out, the humidity is gone and it is in the mid 80’s.<br /> <br />No book this week.<br /><br />Dogs in Bars: The local newspaper, The Citizen, had a small article Saturday the said dogs are now allowed in bars as soon as each bar buys a license.<br /><br />‘Dippin Dots’, the ice cream shop on Green Street by the old city hall has closed and ‘Ernesto’ is cleaning up like they may finally open. They were supposed to open by Fantasy Fest last year.<br /><br />We have some folks in from out of town and so we did another road trip. Thursday in all the rain we drove 30 miles north to No Name to have some lunch, then on to Loo Key for an adult beverage and then to Boondocks for yet another refreshing drink. After that we went to Mangrove Mama’s for some more refreshment. We stopped at Geiger Key and then on to Hogfish on Stock Island for some more food and drink. Then back to Caroline Street.<br /><br />Friday night Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band played at Turtle Kraals. They were filming an episode for ‘Key West Time’. Much fun was had by all.<br /><br /><br />------------------------------------Homeless-------------------------------------<br />Last week I mentioned the homeless in Key West and how I don’t blame them for coming here. Key West is a great place to be if you are homeless. There are places to get free food. There are places to shower and get clean clothing. There are places to sleep. Most of these places do NOT allow smoking, alcohol, or cursing therefore many of our homeless do not take advantage of these services. Many of our homeless are good people that are just down on there luck. I appreciate all the suggestions I received on what to do about the homeless.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-3409868138439592380?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-29797455482072012452010-10-09T14:34:00.004-05:002010-10-10T06:24:27.612-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLDFXZ4X5wI/AAAAAAAAAoo/ivjmy_7ZUjI/s1600/Margaritaville.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLDFXZ4X5wI/AAAAAAAAAoo/ivjmy_7ZUjI/s320/Margaritaville.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526133748658595586" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLDFLV0Pb5I/AAAAAAAAAog/O9mZGm2sUBk/s1600/Jan+1985.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TLDFLV0Pb5I/AAAAAAAAAog/O9mZGm2sUBk/s320/Jan+1985.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526133541409091474" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Margaritaville on Duval’ and the ‘First Margaretville at Land End’. The Parrot Heads are coming to town the first of November so I will post some pictures for them.<br /><br />Weather: Wonderful. Mid 70’s at night and mid 80’s in the day. Lots of sun and a pretty good breeze. It has gotten cool enough to begin wearing my Hawaiian shirts. For the next 6 months it should be beautiful. The A/C is off and the windows are open.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />It’s a three day weekend with lots of folks in town enjoying the wonderful weather.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. No news yet. Sassi’s 13th birthday is this month and we have no place for her party.<br /><br />Last weeks picture was a sunset over the ‘toxic triangle’. The toxic triangle is a part of the Key West Bight with Trumbo Point and the Navy to the east. Trumbo Road and the old Key West Power company to the south. The Key West bight to the west and the Gulf to the north. It was toxic because of the Navy and the Power Company used the waters as a dump. It has all been cleaned up, but the name is still here.<br /><br />The Health Department closed ‘Big’un’s’ on Duval Street. It has reopened so midnight pizza is available (for those that eat there when they come to visit).<br /><br />With the weather cooling off and the humidity dropping (feels like November) I think hurricane season may be over for us this year. We have lots of new homeless moving into town. I can’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to live the winters on the streets up north. Hurricanes usually drive the homeless north, but we have not had one since Katrina and Wilma so we are getting overload with homeless. The economy isn’t helping. Come visit Key West and take a homeless home with you. <br /><br />Today is 10/10/10. Somebody somewhere has something to say about that.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-2979745548207201245?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-86916955586862617142010-10-02T13:14:00.005-05:002010-10-03T06:40:16.834-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TKd3LXa8WiI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Qb_GqocR3WA/s1600/sunset.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TKd3LXa8WiI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Qb_GqocR3WA/s320/sunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523514505142491682" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TKd3HYi4gXI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mXwDqnUSFD0/s1600/walgreens.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TKd3HYi4gXI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/mXwDqnUSFD0/s320/walgreens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523514436724752754" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The first picture this week (click to enlarge) is "another Key West sunset" looking across the toxic triangle from Trumbo Point Road. The second picture is 'Walgreens' on Duval Street in the old Strand movie theater.<br /><br />Weather: Wonderful. Tropical storm Nichole dumper a bunch of rain on Miami and over 12 inches on Islamorada. We didn’t get any rain in Key West. <br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. No news yet.<br /><br />There is a new TV series ‘Key West Time’ staring Howard Livingston of the Mile Marker 24 Band. It will air on Thursday November 4th at 9PM. It will be a 13 week series. If you miss the show the series will be at www.KeyWestTime.com . I hope it is better than the 1090’s ‘Key West’ that was developed by the Tourist Board of Key West.<br /><br />Had coffee at Pepe’s with some guys from Virginia this week. I would also like to thank the person or persons that sent the adult beverage to me Saturday at Schooners at lunch time.<br /><br />We are in our slow time of the year; it may be a good time to take a bike ride.<br /><br />We oil the bike chain and head toward Mallory Square. We go left on Caroline and turn right on Elizabeth and go toward Conch Republic Seafood. We turn left on Green at Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop and go toward Sloppy Joes. Passing Sloppy’s and Captain Tony’s we turn right on Fitzpatrick pass Kinko’s sandals and go straight until we hit the water at Mallory Square.<br /><br />From Mallory we will head toward Fort Zack. We go across the bridge at the Key West Aquarium and onto the Westin Property. Here we ride around the waterfront to The Little White House in Truman Annex and on toward the Truman Waterfront and the USCGC Mohawk and USCGC Ingham floating museums. We follow the road into the Ft. Zack State Park and ride down to the beach. This is one of the prettiest beaches on the island. (Fort Zack was a Union Fort in the Civil War)<br /><br />Next we head toward The Southernmost Point in the continual USA. We leave Ft Zack and head out the new road that goes thru Bahama Village and past the old WWII munitions dumps on Fort Street. We go pass Blue Heaven on Petronia and come out of Bahama Village by Hemingway’s House. We take a right on Whitehead and go to the Southernmost Point.<br /><br />Next we will go to Louie’s Back Yard. We leave the Southernmost Point and head up South Street and take a right on Vernon to Dog Beach and Louie’s Back Yard. This is a great place to stop for an adult beverage and a little look at the waters of the Atlantic.<br /><br />From Louie’s we head toward Higg’s Beach and White Street Pier. We take a right out of Louie’s on Waddell and another right on Williams and a left on Seminole and another right on Reynolds as we ride pass The Casa Marina. We take a left on Atlantic and pass Higgs Beach, Salute’s, and White Street Pier. (Salute’s sells Dos Equis beer)<br /><br />Let’s go to Smather’s Beach. We leave White Street Pier and go straight up Atlantic until we take a right on Bertha. Next is a left on South Roosevelt (A-1-A) and we ride past Smather’s Beach. If we continue we will end up at the airport so I like to turn around and head across the island.<br /><br />We turn around and retrace our path on South Roosevelt and take a right on Bertha and continue on until we reach the traffic light at Flagler and Shanna Key Irish Pub. We go across Flagler and on toward North Roosevelt (US#1). Here I like to stop at the Office for Garrison Bight to say hi to my wife, Jo.<br /><br />We leave Garrison Bight and head down North Roosevelt until we get to Bayview Park. Now we take a right in Eisenhower and go a few blocks to Petronia where we take a left. This leads us to the Key West Graveyard. The graveyard is in the middle of the island and on the highest piece of land (16 feet above sea level) in Key West.<br /><br />I am ready to go to Schooner Wharf, so we take a right on Frances and go to Eaton. Here we take a left on Eaton another right at the light and onto Grinnell. Grinnell takes us to Caroline and then it is just a matter of a right on William’s and another left on Lazy Way Lane and we are at Schooner. Time for another adult beverage and a little Michael McCloud.<br /><br />Thanks for taken a bike ride with me. We didn’t go all the way around the island, but we did cover about 6 miles.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8691695558686261714?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-70189173024744984672010-09-25T14:06:00.003-05:002010-09-25T14:11:10.837-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJ5I3-C67FI/AAAAAAAAAoI/K6Z548WByfM/s1600/rainy+day.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJ5I3-C67FI/AAAAAAAAAoI/K6Z548WByfM/s320/rainy+day.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520930319588060242" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJ5Iu5mFboI/AAAAAAAAAoA/xsqZBR3ZPYU/s1600/rainbow.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 100px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJ5Iu5mFboI/AAAAAAAAAoA/xsqZBR3ZPYU/s320/rainbow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520930163774549634" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Rainy Day at Schooner Wharf’ and ‘Rainbow’ off North Roosevelt.<br /><br />Weather: We had some cooler wind blowing out of the north since last Friday. It had dropped the humidity and temperature and made it very nice. The humidity was back by this Friday.<br /><br />This week’s book was ‘Paper Products’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. I was told that it should happen soon for Schooner Wharf. It is just a matter of the city approving and inspecting to verify that everything is in place.<br /><br />Howard Livingston of the Mile Marker 24 Band will be the grand marshal for the Fantasy Fest Parade for 2010.<br /><br />The Key West Citizen newspaper said there was about 10,000 cycles in town last week for the Poker Run.<br /><br />This week and for the next few weeks until Fantasy Fest at Halloween, there will be few tourists in town.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7018917302474498467?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-18141000966936342352010-09-18T13:41:00.003-05:002010-09-18T13:45:33.804-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJUIczlEVPI/AAAAAAAAAn4/8n7pHPUhGvk/s1600/Sloppy%27s+Bike+Week.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJUIczlEVPI/AAAAAAAAAn4/8n7pHPUhGvk/s320/Sloppy%27s+Bike+Week.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518326209387451634" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJUIUDb4o6I/AAAAAAAAAnw/zHo3TPJY_28/s1600/F14+bike.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TJUIUDb4o6I/AAAAAAAAAnw/zHo3TPJY_28/s320/F14+bike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518326059025081250" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Motorcycles at Sloppy Joes’. The second picture is a bike with a side car and a trailer. It is loaded down with armament and a pilot in the sidecar. If you have been in the service you may recognize some of the weapons. Go to http://www.veterantributebike.org/ <br /><br />Weather: September and Hurricane Season. Hurricanes Daniel, Earl, Fiona, and Gaston are gone. They all went up the eastern seaboard. Now Igor and Julia are headed the same direction while Karl is headed to Mexico. I really feel for the island of Bermuda it has been hit often this year. We have had lots of rain and a few waterspouts this week. <br /><br />This week I finished ‘Bones of Coral’ by James W. Hall and ‘Stan’ by Stan Gober. Stan runs Stan’s Seafood Restaurant on Marco Island.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. I apologize; Pepe’s is not letting dogs in yet. I was told by a friend that they would start letting dogs back in on Sept 1, but it was not true. My bad, I will have to check out my friends’ statements from now on.<br /><br />Last Sunday afternoon about 5:00 PM I heard the Junkanoo Band coming up Caroline Street. It was a funeral for one of our local artist, Sandford Mallory Birdsey. She was 85 and had a studio at 328 Simonton Street. Her ashes were scattered in the Key West Harbor.<br /><br />This weekend was a Poker Run. Motorcycles start in Miami and have stops along the way to buy cards. The one with the best hand when they get to Key West wins. A lot of money is raised for charities. The town is very noisy. Lots of parties at lots of bars. <br /><br />Over the weekend the dogs and I walked down Duval Street looking at the motorcycles. These guys were spending lots of money and having a good time. The people that work in the bars/restaurants appreciate them being here. Boca used to be very afraid of all the noise, now he seems to enjoy all the attention. Bike riders like Husky’s.<br /><br />On September 17, 1787 the final draft of the US Constitution was sent to Congress. Do you have a copy? Have you ever read it?<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1814100096693634235?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-15845384094348115672010-09-11T14:58:00.003-05:002010-09-11T15:05:41.501-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIvfqC_y3NI/AAAAAAAAAno/qIA7nrVkwlQ/s1600/Meteors+in+the+Keys.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIvfqC_y3NI/AAAAAAAAAno/qIA7nrVkwlQ/s320/Meteors+in+the+Keys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515748082097249490" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Meteors over the Keys at sunset’.<br /><br />Weather: September the height of hurricane Season. Hurricanes Daniel, Earl, Fiona, and Gaston are gone. They all went up the eastern seaboard. Now Igor is headed this way.<br /><br />This week’s book was ‘Bones of Coral’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. Nothing new to report. This started March 24, 2010. I know that is only 5 ½ months, but if each of our years is equal to 7 dog years then it has been 38 dog months, That is over 3 years for my dogs.<br /><br />September is our slowest month, but this week was ‘Women fest Key West’. Lots of ladies holding hands. http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=7842 <br /><br />Saturday was the first Lionfish roundup. A Lionfish is an evasive species that has no predators here. They are beautiful but are killing off the local fish.<br /><br />Saturday after noon a young lady on a paddle board arrived at South Beach on the Atlantic side of Duval. She had paddled from Cuba.<br /><br />Hope you had a good Labor Day. We lit the butane cooker. Put on a large pot full of water. Threw in some crab boil, little red potatoes, corn on the cob, sausage cut into nickel slices, and some shrimp and made Beauford Stew. It was wonderful.<br /><br />They could not pave the streets in Key West on Wednesday because it was raining in Miami. Huh? It seems they could not load the tar trucks in Miami because to the heavy rain. It is amazing the things that stop progress here.<br /><br />We are experiencing extra high tides at the moment and the ocean is coming up the drains and into the streets. The corner of Elizabeth and Green Streets is flooded twice a day.<br /><br />A friend and I were sitting in the rockers on the front porch when a guy came across the street from the Coffee Plantation and Internet Cafe and started walking back and forth in front of my house talking loudly on his cell phone. I got my cell phone and waited till he was coming at me and walked toward him talking into my open cell phone. I talked very loudly about this guy that was walking back and forth in front of my house talking on his cell phone. He got really pissed and went back across the street. Some day one of my little stunts is going to get me into trouble.<br /><br />The VA set me up an appointment to go to Miami on Saturday a few weeks ago. They even sent a driver to come and get me and bring me back. I was seen by an orthopedic doctor that examined my knee. She sent her findings to a review board (I had applied for an increase in my percent disability). This week I was informed that my disability was increased from 30% to 50%. This is a good thing.<br /><br />I hope that Sept 11th found you and yours healthy and well.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1584538409434811567?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-16606417080587096142010-09-04T16:37:00.004-05:002010-09-04T16:42:49.171-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9Tz4vFjI/AAAAAAAAAnY/2TXjjM0iv34/s1600/Bat+Tower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9Tz4vFjI/AAAAAAAAAnY/2TXjjM0iv34/s320/Bat+Tower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513177041898247730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9PAOnkZI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/eWwyXDZINlE/s1600/Rainbow+over+Schooner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9PAOnkZI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/eWwyXDZINlE/s320/Rainbow+over+Schooner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513176959311909266" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9HNJdbdI/AAAAAAAAAnI/ha4lPW8m7z8/s1600/Manatee.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TIK9HNJdbdI/AAAAAAAAAnI/ha4lPW8m7z8/s320/Manatee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513176825340980690" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The Bat Tower on Sugarloaf Key (Google it), a rainbow over Schooner Wharf, and manatee playing in the bight by Schooner.’<br /><br />Weather: September and Hurricane Season. Hurricanes Daniel, Earl and Fiona, are gone But Gaston is coming this way. The weather here is beautiful. The temperature is in the high 80’s and sunny.<br /><br />This week’s book was ‘Hell’s Bay’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />Dogs in bars. Pepe’s has started allowing dogs back in. Schooner NOT yet.<br /><br />September is our slowest month. School is back and the hurricanes are coming so tourists don’t come down to visit. Many businesses’s close and let their people go on vacation.<br /><br />A friend from the Tampa area came down to visit for the Labor Day weekend. He arrived on Wednesday afternoon in time to listen to some Michael McCloud and then go to Alonzo’s for ½ priced appetizers. He likes No Name Pub so Thursday we went there for pizza and also stopped at few other places (Looi Key, Mango Mamma’s, Geiger Key, and then Hurricane Hole) on our way back to Key West. Friday, he and I went kayaking on Cow Key Channel which is between Key West and Stock Island. After a good workout and fighting the outgoing tide we had lunch at Hurricane Hole.<br /><br />John Travolta was in town this week. He went to Kelly McGillis for a bite to eat.<br /><br />Jo went back to the Doctor and they confirmed the infection on her neck was MRSA, but the drugs are doing a good job and she is healing nicely.<br /><br />The School Superintendents wife that stole over $400,000 from the school system was sentenced to 8 years in prison, 22 years probation, and must pay the money back.<br /><br />The argument on replacing the coconut palms on North Roosevelt with Sable (also known as cabbage or Palmetto) palms has been defeated.<br /><br />The Navy gave the city the Truman waterfront about 10 years ago. The city has set up yet another group to give us some idea as what to do with it. Most people here want a park with green space.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1660641708058709614?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-68417222655980926962010-08-28T18:30:00.004-05:002010-08-29T08:19:37.872-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/THmca54RNfI/AAAAAAAAAnA/dA8y52LzBCs/s1600/Coconut+Trees+on+South+Blvd"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/THmca54RNfI/AAAAAAAAAnA/dA8y52LzBCs/s320/Coconut+Trees+on+South+Blvd" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510607605091874290" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Coconut Trees on South Roosevelt looking out at the Atlantic’. Another picture stolen from http://conchscooter.blogspot.com/. I love his blog.<br /><br />Weather: August and hot and humid. Hurricanes Daniel and Earl are headed toward Bermuda. <br /><br />This week I finished ‘Rough Draft’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />No dogs in bars yet. <br /><br />Not a lot happening this week. School has started. Five states had primaries on Tuesday and Florida was one, so we voted.<br /><br />Last Thursday Jo had been bit on the neck by something. It looks like a spider bite. She had been feeling very bad and looked like she had the mumps except the bump was large and red. Monday the Doctor put her on some drugs that didn’t do anything. Wednesday we went to a different Doctor. They said she had MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus). They lanced and drained the bump on her neck and put her on some different drugs. She looked and felt worst but started to improve. Friday, Jo was back to her old self. The infection is clearing up.<br /><br />I was sitting in Schooner Wharf when a group on a Pub Crawl from the cruise ship in the harbor came thru. Two young ladies sat beside me and I gave them one of my cards. One said that a friend had told her to go to Schooner and look for the guy that dances with the dog. I introduced myself and had a picture made with her. I love living here.<br /><br />Friday, again at Schooner Wharf, I talked with some folks from Austin, TX. They were quite entertaining and I enjoyed their company. They had never been to Key West before so he had googled to learn about the area and found my blog. <br /><br />-------------------------Close to home--------------------------------------<br />The stock market was above 14,000 in the year 2000. It dropped to less than 7000 in 8 years. It started recovering in the year 2009. It rose to a little over 10,500 by mid year 2010 (half way back to where it was in the year 2000). Now it is dropping again. I am concern. Retirement has been wonderful and I don’t want to have to get a job. I hope this country continues its economic recovery.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6841722265598092696?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-43333017768148992942010-08-22T06:52:00.002-05:002010-08-22T06:56:09.209-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/THEQM1fWnUI/AAAAAAAAAm4/yP_6bqKozOk/s1600/Key+West+Chicken"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/THEQM1fWnUI/AAAAAAAAAm4/yP_6bqKozOk/s320/Key+West+Chicken" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508201631953886530" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Key West Chicken’. These things are everywhere. They are decedents of the old Cuban Chicken Fighting Days. They are protected by law.<br /><br />Weather: August and hot. <br /><br />The book this week was ‘Rough Draft’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />No dogs in bars: This week I learned that we will have to wait the full 60 days and not just 45 days before dogs are allowed back in Schooner Wharf Bar. Most other open air bars in town are still letting dogs in. Last week-end we went to Salsa Loca for some Mexican food and they had dogs in the bar. Some friends that are in town, Jim, Sandy and Coconut of http://coconutandcrew.blogspot.com/ , pointed out that Pepes is not allowing dogs either.<br /><br />Not a lot happening this week. There are very few people in town.<br /><br />Sunday we met some folks at the cruise ship dock and walked them around town. I hope they had a good time.<br /><br />Last Monday afternoon from 4-7 PM, they were filming another movie on 7-mile Bridge. Lorien Productions was filming ‘I Am Not Number Four’ a science fiction movie by Steven Spielberg. It was delayed and they are supposed to do it again this Monday.<br /><br />Wednesday at about noon I took a long bike ride out to the airport and back. Lots of sun and sweat.<br /><br />Thursday afternoon, while the museum was open, two guys stole the 5 pound gold bar from Mel Fishers. It is suppose to be worth about $500,000. They have them on the security tape, but have not caught them yet.<br /><br />We had some rain late Friday night. Saturday morning the shops on lower Duval and Front Streets were sweeping the water out of their stores.<br /><br />I have had some folks ask me about the ‘green flash’ that happens at some sunsets. I suggest that the reason most folks miss the green flash is they are looking for a flash like a camera flash, but it is a flash like ‘gone in a flash’. It is only there for a very short period of time. As the sun sets and disappears over the horizon on cloudless days, there is a reflection of the sun that appears on the surface of the water. This little reflection is what turns green for a flash (moment) as the last of the sun disappears over the horizon. I think it is caused by the sun shinning thru the surface of the water.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4333301776814899294?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-23627897937232766362010-08-14T16:20:00.005-05:002010-08-14T16:30:26.052-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJgQJFuCI/AAAAAAAAAmw/Lqf5lbn8dXc/s1600/Image007.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJgQJFuCI/AAAAAAAAAmw/Lqf5lbn8dXc/s320/Image007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505379519177275426" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJYQ78ebI/AAAAAAAAAmo/cimNeYVPCq4/s1600/Image002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJYQ78ebI/AAAAAAAAAmo/cimNeYVPCq4/s320/Image002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505379381951625650" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJQN8puhI/AAAAAAAAAmg/wcVBivm-Vio/s1600/Image003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TGcJQN8puhI/AAAAAAAAAmg/wcVBivm-Vio/s320/Image003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505379243710331410" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Another Key West Sunset’. I love all of them. This one ended in the ‘green flash’. When the sun sets and goes below the horizon, for a split second the sun shines thru the surface water at the horizon and causes a moment of green. (My theory and not very scientific.) The other picture is our visitors at the Green Parrot.<br /><br />Weather: We got lots of rain the first of the week, it kept the temperatures in the mid to low 80’s. The dogs loved it, they don’t mind getting wet. Hot by the weekend.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Silencer’ by James W. Hall.<br /><br />No dogs in bars, we are in a 45 day ‘wait’ period. As I go around the island it appears that the only outdoor bar that cannot allow dogs is Schooner Wharf. Last week I saw dogs at Geiger Key Marina. It seems a little unfair to me.<br /><br />The Schooner Western Union is back at its normal docking beside Schooner Wharf.<br /><br />Captain Tony’s birthday celebration was August 10th in front of his old bar on Green Street. Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band played.<br /><br />We had some folks visiting for the last of the week. A friend brought his sister and her boy friend. They had never been to Key West before. She had just turned 21. They had a wonderful time. We spent some time doing that tour guide thing as we showed them around the island. I always enjoy people that enjoy the place I live.<br /><br />Some folks from Lake Charles, Louisana sat beside us at Schooner on Saturday. Nice folks.<br /><br />Saturday morning while walking the dogs, Boca stopped and would not go past a food container sitting on top of a newspaper box. I opened the container and put it on the ground for him. He ate all the green beans and carrots and Sassi ate the potato salad. Another ‘urban hunt’ successfully completed. <br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-2362789793723276636?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-6769460023906048232010-08-07T18:28:00.004-05:002010-08-08T05:57:59.207-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sh_cPBTI/AAAAAAAAAmY/EbLE41qpc0Y/s1600/Duval+Street.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sh_cPBTI/AAAAAAAAAmY/EbLE41qpc0Y/s320/Duval+Street.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814388426310962" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sc9EolGI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/FbGrQ2x4CEY/s1600/Stage.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sc9EolGI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/FbGrQ2x4CEY/s320/Stage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814301891105890" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sWiRWC8I/AAAAAAAAAmI/Kuc2NWj_e6o/s1600/Free+Beer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TF3sWiRWC8I/AAAAAAAAAmI/Kuc2NWj_e6o/s320/Free+Beer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502814191617444802" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Lobster Fest’ on Duval. The Volkswagen bus was giving away free Pacifico beer.<br /><br />Weather: A lot nicer than it appears to be in most of the south-east. Come on down where it is cooler.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Eden Palms Murder’ by Dorothy Francis.<br /><br />No dogs in bars, still waiting to hear from state government in Tallahassee.<br /><br />Sunday was the 17th annual ‘Battle of the Bars’ on Lazy Lane behind Schooner Wharf. There were 39 teams. Each team consists of 7 members. #1- makes a margarita, #2- carries margarita to table, #3- drinks the margarita, #4-carries trash to recycle bins, #5- rolls a keg to the table and taps it, #6- draws 7 beers, #7- carries beers to team mates that are all in a line. Each team member drinks their beer and places the cup up-side-down on their head. The winning team was ‘The Raw Bar Rowdies’ from Half Shell Raw Bar. Their time was 1 minute 52 seconds. (Coral Reefers from Margaritaville came in second place) After each round the winners compete against each other. (Any team that lost can buy their way back into the ‘Battle’.) This year’s competition raised almost $24,000 for a total over the 17 years of more than $215,500. This year’s funds go to The Key West Wildlife Center and The Sister Season Fund.<br /><br />Pat Croce’s Pirate Soul’ pirate museum on Front Street has closed. Johnny Rocco’s New York Restaurant on Green Street across from Sloppy Joe’s has closed. ‘In the tropics they come and they go,’ Jimmy Buffett.<br /><br />Some friends from Iowa are in Key West this week. They dropped by with some home grown corn on Tuesday. Jo had an ear heated and buttered in a few minutes.<br /><br />Thursday I ran into some friends from Cincinnati at Schooner Wharf. We had an adult beverage or two.<br /><br />Saturday was ‘Lobster Fest’. Duval Street was blocked off from Front Street past Margaritaville for a street fair. The main attraction was LOBSTER. The price for lobster and rice was $12 up to the price for lobster, corn and potato’s of $22. There were other foods and other ways of getting lobster. I kind of like lobster on a stick. Jo and I also went to Geiger Key Marina for their lobster fest. A lobster tail with shrimp, cornbread and rice was less than $20. <br /><br />Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band played on Saturday night for the Lobster Fest. The city went totally dark at about 9:30 PM. The electricity was back by 10:30 PM. We still do not know why.<br /><br />Captain Tony’s birthday celebration will be August 10th in front of his old bar on Green Street. Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band will play.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-676946002390604823?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-15998032951878056772010-07-31T20:02:00.003-05:002010-07-31T20:09:59.838-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TFTIQ35Uh7I/AAAAAAAAAmA/9VlbSoSs-WI/s1600/Key+West+Lobster2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TFTIQ35Uh7I/AAAAAAAAAmA/9VlbSoSs-WI/s320/Key+West+Lobster2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500241237134051250" /></a><br /> <br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘A Key West Spiny Lobster’. They are known as ‘bugs’ and don’t have claws.<br /><br />Weather: Beautiful. Sunny and in the low 90’s, hot and humid.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Zeppelins West’ by Joe R. Lansdale. Do not read, it was a waste of my time.<br /><br />No oil yet. The people that are suppose to know what they are talking about (NOAA) said that south Florida and the Keys should not experience any problems with ‘surface oil.’ What ever that means.<br /><br />No dogs in bars, still waiting to hear from the state government in Tallahassee.<br /><br />I didn’t mention that last week I had some people from South Carolina (where I came from) stop by to visit. They were going to be in the Hemingway contest for something like the 12th or 13th time.<br /><br />‘Lobster mini-season’ and the town is packed. This is 2 days (Wednesday and Thursday) of lobster catching for tourist before the lobster season starts. Most locals hate it because the tourist do not follow the rules and get lobster that are too small, get more than they are allowed, dive on private property, etc. Last weekend (before the season started) about a dozen people were arrested with lobster. Monday (2 days before mini lobster season started) a guy was arrested spear fishing for lobster, He had 39 in a bag (limit is 6 per person per day), some of them had tails less than 6 inches long (must be a minimum of 6 inches), some of them were just tails (all tails must be broken on land), and he ran from the authorities (a real no-no). The Discovery Channel caught it all on film.<br /><br />Saturday the lobster fishermen were loading their boats down with traps to put into the water on the 1st. They can start pulling their traps next Friday. Next Saturday will be lobster fest on Duval Street.<br /><br />Our banana tree has put out a new pod of bananas. As each leaf fall from the pod a new hand of baby bananas is exposed. In about a month they will grow and we will have plenty of bananas.<br /> <br />Sunday will be ‘Battle of the Bars’ on Lazy Lane behind Schooner Wharf. Each bar gets a team of people that will run an obstacle course and be timed. It starts at 1:00 PM Sunday until it is over, which is around 7 – 8 PM. More next week.<br /><br />Captain Tony’s birthday celebration will be August 10th in front of his old bar on Green Street. Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band will play.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1599803295187805677?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-89793850597822446482010-07-25T06:16:00.004-05:002010-07-25T06:20:23.953-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdvTR1FgI/AAAAAAAAAl4/pNex2JlgtFw/s1600/Outside+Sloppy+Joe%27s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdvTR1FgI/AAAAAAAAAl4/pNex2JlgtFw/s320/Outside+Sloppy+Joe%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497801943578646018" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdpabcmVI/AAAAAAAAAlw/ZmH5i2SSbTg/s1600/guys.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdpabcmVI/AAAAAAAAAlw/ZmH5i2SSbTg/s320/guys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497801842418817362" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdiahN6TI/AAAAAAAAAlo/SqfQhISkM-0/s1600/Running.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEwdiahN6TI/AAAAAAAAAlo/SqfQhISkM-0/s320/Running.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497801722183936306" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Hemingways’.<br /><br />Weather: It has been windy and cooler than normal this week. We had tropical depression Bonnie come thru on Friday. It rained all over Miami, but it was a beautiful day here in Key West.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘The Bottoms’ by Joe R. Lansdale.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />The dogs in bars passed the second reading by the city commissioners. I think next that Florida Government in Tallahassee has to approve it and then each bar that wants to allow dogs has to apply for a license.<br /><br />Hemmingway Days in Key West. They do it in the heat of July because of Hemingway’s birthday. A bunch of overweight guys with red faces wearing too many clothes and looking for a heart attack. Although in the last 10 years (that is how long I have lived here) it seems everyone has survived. The main event is the ‘Hemingway Look-a-like Contest’ at Sloppy Joes. It was held on Thursday, Friday, and the finals were Saturday night. There was also a ‘Hemingway marlin fishing contest’, and lets not forget the ‘running of the bulls’ at Sloppy Joes on Saturday.<br /><br />There are lots of other events but the big draw is the Hemingway look-a-like contest. For a schedule of events go to http://www.pbpulse.com/events/2010/07/15/hemingway-days/ <br /><br />Next week is the ‘lobster mini-season’.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8979385059782244648?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-46447943568398811242010-07-17T18:08:00.005-05:002010-07-18T06:42:41.968-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEI4_FVNyiI/AAAAAAAAAlg/LfKI_W233sY/s1600/MM34+at+Duval+%26+Green.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEI4_FVNyiI/AAAAAAAAAlg/LfKI_W233sY/s320/MM34+at+Duval+%26+Green.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495017151759501858" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEI4dSct8FI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Yyaehe8Myg0/s1600/Key+Deer.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 94px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TEI4dSct8FI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Yyaehe8Myg0/s320/Key+Deer.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495016571165077586" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Howard Livingston and the MM24 Band’ on the corner of Duval and Green (In front of Sloppy Joe’s) Friday night for the Mel Fisher celebration. The second picture is a Key Deer.<br /><br />Weather: Hot and humid with a chance of rain and in the 80’s. <br /><br />This week I completed ‘Writer of the Purple Rage’ by Joe R. Lansdale.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />No dogs in bars yet, maybe July 20th.<br /><br />Jo, my wife, had jury duty on Monday. You have to dress for the occasion (no shorts or t-shirts, etc) one guy showed up dressed like a pirate. We were all waiting to see what happened. The judges have been known to send people home to change and come back. All the cases had been settled so the judge dismissed everyone.<br /><br />The baby sea turtles started hatching this week. The city had the lights on on South Roosevelt so the turtles headed for the light. Many were captured and returned to the sea, but a few didn’t make it. The lights will be off on South Roosevelt for a while.<br /><br />The space station was supposed to be visible from Key West on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Always to the north with the longest time of visibility of 4 minutes. EXCEPT it was overcast every night.<br /> <br />The Mudd’s were in town this week. There were 300 to 400 of them. You remember the John Wilkes Booth /Abraham Lincoln story. Mudd was the doctor the fixed Booths leg and he was sent to prison at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. He was given a pardon by President Andrew Johnson for saving lives during a yellow fever outbreak at the prison. <br /><br />Friday was another trip to the Miami VA to have an x-ray of my titanium knee. I am trying to get the VA to increase my percent of disability. On the way home there was a traffic tie-up in Big Pine Key because of a Key Deer playing on the side of the road. Key Deer look like any other deer except they are the size of a middle size dog.<br /><br />Mel Fisher Days were this week. He is the guy that discovered the Spanish ship Atocha. They continue to pull emeralds and gold and other treasures from the wreak site. They have acquired over $450 million in treasure so far. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Fisher <br /><br />Wednesday I left Winn Dixie with my groceries. The woman next to me was unloading her cart into the back of her car. I got in my car and started to backup when I hear a dragging sound. The woman had put her cart behind my car when she got thru unloading her groceries. I moved the cart to the back of her car. She backed into it. I told her that now she knows how I felt.<br /><br />BP wants to hire some locals. Rumor has it that of over 100 applicants less than 20 passed the drug test.<br /> <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4644794356839881124?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-49199660577874811752010-07-10T14:37:00.001-05:002010-07-10T14:39:13.463-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TDjMONiStmI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/9GQQwGU_S4k/s1600/Custom+House+Art.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TDjMONiStmI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/9GQQwGU_S4k/s320/Custom+House+Art.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492364290102048354" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Art at the Customs House’. Yes, the ladies in the background, the artist and the kid over the artist shoulder are all part of the display.<br /><br />Weather: The temperature is in the 80’s here while the north east is in the 100’s. Maybe you need to head south where it is cooler.<br /><br />This week I started ‘Writer of the Purple Rage’ by Joe R. Lansdale. It is a collection of short stories.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />No dogs in bars yet, maybe July 20th.<br /><br />I forgot to mention that the Fresh Market has closed. It was the grocery store on the Key West bight near Schooner Wharf. I will miss it.<br /><br />Sunday was July 4th. We celebrate our ‘Declaration of Independence’ which was issued on July 4, 1776. George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789. So who ran the country for those 13 years in between? John Hanson was the first President of this country. http://www.constitution.org/hist/first8pres.htm . There were 7 others to follow him before George Washington. George was the first president after the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.<br /><br />Chip Giles (Conch Killers author) stopped me on the street Wednesday. We again had a good chat.<br /><br />Thursday some folks from Wisconsin stopped after leaving Pepe’s. I was taking the dogs for their noon walk. They read ‘This Week on the Island’ and are members of the local Parrot Head Club.<br /><br />I read an interesting article on http://keywestmusic.blogspot.com/ ‘The south is north of here.’ I never thought about it but it is true. As a matter of fact I think the south is north of Miami.<br /><br />Saturday morning while the dogs and I were taking our early morning walk, we ran into some tourist ‘looking for that bar that has happy hour at 6:00 AM.’ I told them that it was Schooner Wharf and that it didn’t open until 7:00 AM. Tourist, you have got to love them.<br /><br />And last but not least, don’t forget the Jimmy Buffett concert to help the business’s on the Gulf Coast.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4919966057787481175?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-12688923669964369632010-07-03T14:52:00.003-05:002010-07-03T14:56:49.649-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TC-Vd4sdKKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2g-nVYXXMMA/s1600/Western+Union+in+Dry+Dock+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TC-Vd4sdKKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/2g-nVYXXMMA/s320/Western+Union+in+Dry+Dock+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489770811455514786" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TC-VQ21pV5I/AAAAAAAAAlA/qfGhDWcK_vI/s1600/Western+Union+in+water.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TC-VQ21pV5I/AAAAAAAAAlA/qfGhDWcK_vI/s320/Western+Union+in+water.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489770587618891666" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The Schooner Western Union’. Wednesday the Schooner Western Union was put back in the water. It has been in dry dock over at the Truman Waterfront for over a year. The hull (bottom of the ship) was replaces. They put it on rollers and eased it in at the old sub ramp. It sat in the water on the rollers for some time while the new wood swelled. It is now docked at the Truman Waterfront but will be moved to its old location next to Schooner Wharf. This was the last tall ship built in Key West and was launched in 1938. She was used to lay cable all over the Caribbean for Western Union.<br /><br />Weather: Hot and sunny, my kind of weather.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Murder in Key West’ by William Freeman. I read this one on the bus and during my visit to the Miami VA.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />No dogs in bars yet, maybe July 20th.<br /><br />Hope you had a good 4th of July. There were lots of parties all over the island and a few fireworks displays on Sunday night.<br /><br />Tuesday was another trip on the VA bus to the Miami VA for some dental work.<br /><br />This week, Jo and I celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. I don’t know how she has put up with me for so long. And some people thought it would never last. We met another couple at Schooner that were celebrating their 34th anniversary that day and later met a friend at Alonzo’s that was celebration his 26th birthday.<br /><br />The little Suzuki Samurai has a switch on the clutch that allows the current to flow to the started solenoid when the clutch is pressed. Well the switch quite working so I ran a wire from the battery to a dashboard button and back to the solenoid. The car starts fine now.<br /><br />I ran into a guy that had a Siberian husky in Iraq. The dog saved his life a couple of times, so he brought the dog home with him. The dog died of a disease that they don’t have in Iraq and therefore did not have shots for. He was heart broken.<br /><br />Chip Giles, author of ‘The Conch Killers’ was in town on Friday. He gave me a Conch Killers t-shirt. We had a good conversation.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1268892366996436963?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-83027061332537068922010-06-26T17:57:00.002-05:002010-06-26T18:09:25.538-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TCaIiNLuAJI/AAAAAAAAAk4/YfQ8e2jCUZk/s1600/Casa+Antigua.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TCaIiNLuAJI/AAAAAAAAAk4/YfQ8e2jCUZk/s320/Casa+Antigua.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487223317233270930" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Casa Antigua’ near the corner of Caroline and Simonton St. It was built in 1919 as the Trev-Mor Hotel, and is the place Hemingway stayed in April 1928 on his first trip to Key West. He came here from Paris to pick up a new Ford and drive up the Keys Highway. The car was late so the Hemingway’s were stuck and enjoyed the island. Two years later the Hemingway’s purchasing the house at 907 Whitehead. The house was built by Asa Tift in 1851 and was quite rundown when the Hemingway’s purchased it.<br /><br />Weather: Summer is here. It is hot and humid. I love it. ‘Summertime and the living is easy’.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />No dogs in bars yet.<br /><br />I spent some time on my bicycle this week, Over to Smather’s Beach. A trip to Higg’s Beach. A trip to Fort Zack Beach. Another trip to Kmart and a trip to Albertsons. Also some trips to local landmarks. Then we had some people in from out of town (Minnesota) that wanted to do a bicycle ride around the island.<br /><br />The people that own Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree) next to Sunset Key off Mallory Square want to develop it. They tried to get it annexed into the city and the citizens voted it down. Now they are trying to get the county to change their rules about off shore islands so they can make another Sunset Key. (The county rules say only 2 homes can be built on the island.) It has passed the first ruling and people are pissed. They also want to develop a mooring field between the two islands. This will give them the right to the bay bottom and then they will be able to run utilities from Sunset Key to Wisteria Island. More later.<br /><br />The Truman Waterfront: The government gave the city the Truman Waterfront almost 10 years ago. The city still has not made up its mind what to do with the property. There are lots of discussions between a harbor for the rich to park their mega yachts to a nice park, to a working harbor, to what ever. <br /><br />If you like Key West and Howard Livingston, go to www.ConchTV.com and listen to ‘Key West Time’. My newest t-shirt is a Howard Livingston MM24 Band shirt. On the front it says ‘Sell your stuff – Keep the dog- Live on an island’. I get lots of comments about the t-shirt.<br /><br />Want to learn more about Key West? http://www.keywesthistoricmarkertour.org/ <br /><br />And last but not least, a guy was found floating out 1 mile off the Keys coast in a kids round float. He was arrested for boating under the influence: http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/24/coast-guard-rescues-unwitting-drunk-man-a-mile-offshore-drifting/?icid=main|htmlws-main-w|dl10|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gadling.com%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fcoast-guard-rescues-unwitting-drunk-man-a-mile-offshore-drifting%2F <br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8302706133253706892?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-25371843165603931712010-06-20T06:16:00.005-05:002010-06-20T06:28:08.068-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TB37CMcMaSI/AAAAAAAAAkw/K_-XSohi_V4/s1600/Empty+Bight.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TB37CMcMaSI/AAAAAAAAAkw/K_-XSohi_V4/s320/Empty+Bight.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484815936324921634" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TB362tgBFXI/AAAAAAAAAko/DHeQiEUNgO0/s1600/paddleboard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TB362tgBFXI/AAAAAAAAAko/DHeQiEUNgO0/s320/paddleboard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484815739040896370" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Empty Bight’. Many boats leave the Keys by June every year so as not to be here during hurricane season which makes insurance cheaper. The second picture is ‘Paddle Board’. This guy was paddle boarding by Mallory Square one morning about 8:00 AM.<br /><br />Weather: When a hurricane hits this oil spill, it is going to be a disaster. Can you imagine the damage a hurricane does and add onto that oil covering everything in town?<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />No oil yet.<br /><br />The waterspouts are back.<br /><br />The dogs and I were walking down Margaret Street when we met two friends going to Michael’s for dinner. He extended his hand, introduced himself and his wife and let me know they were from Orlando. Much better than the people that say ‘I bet you don’t remember me?’<br /><br />A bunch of motorcycles left Key West headed to Alaska his week. The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is about 7,000 miles long. The winner gets a $500,000 prize.<br /><br />There are lots of young people in town this week. School is out for the summer.<br /><br />The A/C broke Wednesday night. Again I am thankful I left a small window unit in the bedroom. It took a couple of days to get it fixed.<br /><br />I switched to State Farm Auto Insurance and saved almost $500 a year. I think everyone should shop around ever few years.<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-2537184316560393171?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-4492141132849751012010-06-12T16:04:00.003-05:002010-06-13T10:47:53.592-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TBP22HEas9I/AAAAAAAAAkg/xcCPdialmBw/s1600/Blue+Hole.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TBP22HEas9I/AAAAAAAAAkg/xcCPdialmBw/s320/Blue+Hole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481996580910969810" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘The Blue Hole’. It is near No Name Key and used to have a gator until it choked to death on some kids’ toy. It is still full of turtles and a nice stop on the Keys Highway.<br /><br />Weather: Hot and humid.<br /><br />This week I finished ‘The Two-Bear Mambo’ by Joe R. Lansdale. <br /><br />Jo and I have been a bit under the weather this week. Seems she came down with something like the flu, but no congestion, last Saturday and I got it on Wednesday. The good news is that I lost about 7 pounds.<br /><br />Monday, residents and visitors formed a line down Duval Street for the ‘Sea to Still Shining Sea’ demonstration for World Oceans Day. World Oceans Day has been recognized by the United Nations since 2008.<br /><br />Mount Trash More is a large garbage heap on Stock Island. Volunteers have painted it with a giant Rainbow Flag for Gay Pride Celebration that began Wednesday. Lots of activities around town for the next 10 days.<br /><br />A bunch of kayakers arrived at Key West Friday. They began their trip in Miami. This is the 11th annual fundraiser for Castaways Against Cancer’.<br /><br />Saturday was the annual ‘Swim Around Key West’. It is a 12.5 mile swim. Proceeds benefit swim clubs on the island.<br /><br />The eddy that has held the BP oil spill in place has now hooked up with the loop current. The loop current will now send the oil toward the Keys. <br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-449214113284975101?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-11721875362264222132010-06-06T06:21:00.002-05:002010-06-06T06:26:34.025-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAuFt1XTFxI/AAAAAAAAAkY/Xba6Fm2J3fM/s1600/1998_Hurricane+George+and+Housboat+Rowl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAuFt1XTFxI/AAAAAAAAAkY/Xba6Fm2J3fM/s320/1998_Hurricane+George+and+Housboat+Rowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479620394091747090" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAuFArVGIII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/oHdrvjXnYlc/s1600/Image007.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAuFArVGIII/AAAAAAAAAkQ/oHdrvjXnYlc/s320/Image007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479619618304041090" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Hurricane George (1998)’ and the old House Boat Row that used to be on A-1-A or South Roosevelt. The second picture is ‘Howard Livingston and the MM24 Band’ that gave a free concert in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center parking lot for ‘Big Brothers and Big Sisters’ sponsored by T.G.I.F.<br /><br />Weather: June 1st was the start of Hurricane Season and it looks like it is suppose to be an active one. Of course the weather here for the next 6 months is hot and humid with a chance of rain and an occasional hurricane.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘The Two-Bear Mambo’ by Joe R. Lansdale. This is his 4th book I have read in 4 weeks.<br /><br />Still no dogs allowed in Schooner. Last Tuesday was suppose to be the second reading of the bill that passed two weeks ago allowing dogs in open air bars. It was delayed because someone decided it needed to be approved by Planning Board. More later. <br /><br />We took a short road trip with our friends from Chicago. We drove up to No Name Pub to have an adult beverage and lunch. Then we went to Loui Key to have another adult beverage. Next stop was Geiger Key for and adult beverage and then back to Key West where we went to Bobalu’s for an adult beverage and dinner. It was a great day and we all called it a night pretty early.<br /><br />The city has dug a very deep hole in the middle of Elizabeth Street. They then placed a container in the hole that captures the input water in a large basket to remove debris. The water then flows thru many chambers and out the other end where it goes into the soil as clean water. The whole thing is fed by the street drains on Caroline and Elizabeth Streets.<br /><br />Remember the shop at 121 Duval that had the Harley parked out front in the door way and all the cycle gear inside. Well, it is no longer here. I hate to see it go. It seems to me that it has always been there.<br /><br />This week’s video is ‘Conch Republic Days Parade’. Jo and I are the pirates at the beginning of the video. Sassi and Boca are toward the end of the video. The blond pirate lady with the sword is Evelina, the owner of Schooner Wharf Bar.<br /> Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/parroteyesvideo#p/u/2/QlRatJof8Dk<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-1172187536226422213?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-79546392693716321422010-05-29T17:51:00.005-05:002010-05-29T18:02:40.337-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAGbTN4Y9QI/AAAAAAAAAkI/gC-UdBQA99c/s1600/Image001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAGbTN4Y9QI/AAAAAAAAAkI/gC-UdBQA99c/s320/Image001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476829376305231106" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAGavikLwgI/AAAAAAAAAkA/fZmFZdPCv58/s1600/back+of+Schooner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/TAGavikLwgI/AAAAAAAAAkA/fZmFZdPCv58/s320/back+of+Schooner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476828763382333954" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Royal Poinciana’. These trees are beautiful. In the Caribbean they are known as Fire Trees because of their red blooms. The second picture is ‘out back of Schooner Wharf’. Jo and I and Sassi and Boca sat in the little park out back of Schooner on Saturday and listened to Michael McCloud. Dogs still are not allowed in Schooner Wharf.<br /><br />Weather: Warm and sunny with a nice little breeze. 87 degrees in the day and 78 degrees at night. No tar from the BP oil rig.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Sunset and Stardust’ by Joe R Lansdale. This is his third book in as many weeks.<br /><br />I would like to thank all of you that come over and say ‘HI’ when you are visiting in Key West. I really appreciate your reading my blog and feeling close enough to take some of your time to meet with me. I also appreciate your input on the blog.<br /><br />Mike and Elaine, our friends from Chicago, are in town for the next few weeks. They are a lot of fun to be around.<br /><br />I met some folks from Seattle. They said it was ‘very bright’ here. I had never heard Key West described that way, but considering the weather in Seattle, I guess it is bright here.<br /><br />We, without the dogs, went to Schooner Friday afternoon to enjoy Michael McCloud. We were surrounded by a bunch of friends and others that read my blog. Had a great time.<br /><br />I have put my blog together by year and started publishing books. I am now an author with 7 books published. You, of course can read any of my blogs on the blog site.<br /><br />The Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend is always the ‘Minimal Regatta’ at Schooner Wharf Bar. Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/parroteyesvideo#p/u/24/wCWiC0Xtz4M to watch a video of last years Regatta. You get 1 sheet of plywood, 2 2x4’s, a roll of duck tape, and a box of screws to build a boat. You can paint but you cannot use any caulking. The races start Sunday about 2 PM and run with 4 boat eliminations until a winner is chosen. It usually ends about 8 PM and then the prizes are given out. It makes for a long but fun day. Lots of sun, lots of burned tourist.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-7954639269371632142?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-63231725836747711982010-05-23T06:23:00.005-05:002010-05-23T08:45:58.915-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S_kUHdphfNI/AAAAAAAAAj4/sGDcSJ_Uqlk/s1600/Dogs.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S_kUHdphfNI/AAAAAAAAAj4/sGDcSJ_Uqlk/s320/Dogs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474428940495977682" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Dogs on the Old City Hall steps’. We went to express our concerns for allowing dogs in bars/restaurants. <br /><br />Weather: Hot and humid for the next 6 months. The rainy season/hurricane season is just around the corner. Mid 80’s in the day and high 70’s at night.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Mucho Mojo’ by Joe R. Lansdale. I enjoyed his book last week so much, ‘Captains Outrageous’ that I checked out a few more from the library.<br /><br />The Dry Tortugas (Fort Jeff) had tar balls on the beach Tuesday. The ‘scientist’ says it is not from the BP oil well. (Call CSI, lets check the DNA.)<br /><br />The City Commission voted Tuesday night to let dogs back in open air bars that apply for license. A bunch of us took our dogs and sat on the steps of Old City Hall before the meeting. It must pass a final reading in two weeks and then the bars/restaurants must apply for license. So maybe about another month.<br /><br />A friend is in town looking for a place to buy in the Keys. We went about 30 miles north to start looking and worked our way back toward Key West. Something livable, outside Key West, cost over $200,000. On a channel cost more. He likes to fish so he would like a channel or at least a boat ramp. Plus he needs enough yard to park a boat. We are still looking.<br /><br />We enjoyed pizza and beer at ‘No Name’, and adult beverage at Looe Key, and a little rest at Geiger Key. (Looe Key was named after the HMS Looe that went aground there.)<br /><br />Billy Currington is recording at Jimmy Buffetts Shrimp Boat Sounds on Lazy Lane. Go to http://www.mtv.com/videos/billy-currington/437651/thats-how-country-boys-roll.jhtml#artist=1238100 filmed in Key West.<br /><br />The owners of Christmas Tree Island (next to Sunset Key) want to develop the island. More later.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-6323172583674771198?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-81468031711062919442010-05-15T18:42:00.004-05:002010-05-16T14:42:49.837-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-8yld5ERSI/AAAAAAAAAjg/Ho697rBTI1A/s1600/Iguana.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-8yld5ERSI/AAAAAAAAAjg/Ho697rBTI1A/s320/Iguana.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471647691538973986" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-8ycgYrcFI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-rbrVE8rRnc/s1600/Ernesto%27s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-8ycgYrcFI/AAAAAAAAAjY/-rbrVE8rRnc/s320/Ernesto%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471647537589612626" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘In the Tropics they come and they go’ Jimmy Buffett. The first picture is the ‘Iguana’ across from ‘Captain Tonys’ that has closed, and ‘Ernesto’s’ on Green Street that never opened. It is about one half block from ‘Sloppy Joes’.<br /> <br />Weather: It has been a little windy this week which makes it hard to ride my bike. It is OK in town, but North and South Roosevelt are a little tuff.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘Captains Outrageous’ by Joe R. Lansdale.<br /><br />The Loop Current has moved further south and away from the oil spill, so we may be OK for a little while.<br /><br />Old Cuban traditions die hard. This week the Key West police busted a Cock Fighting ring.<br /><br />Jo and I went to Out Back Steak House to celebrate my birthday. It was wonderful.<br /><br />They painted ‘The Wall’ that surrounds the vacant lot between Schooner Wharf and my house. It had become covered in graffiti. It immediately got more graffiti on it and was repainted again. They also cut the weeds at the base of the fence and cleaned up the street. It looks good for moments.<br /><br />Next week, the City Commission is suppose to hopefully approve the ordinance that will allow dogs back into ‘open air bars’.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8146803171106291944?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-85231249431239153872010-05-08T14:50:00.004-05:002010-05-08T14:55:19.243-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-XBDBMzVKI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/t0cxm4MW1nQ/s1600/clear+water2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-XBDBMzVKI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/t0cxm4MW1nQ/s320/clear+water2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468989580117234850" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-XA-oqkESI/AAAAAAAAAjI/8hL6NJgH0vw/s1600/clear+water.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S-XA-oqkESI/AAAAAAAAAjI/8hL6NJgH0vw/s320/clear+water.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468989504811700514" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘Clear Waters’. With the BP oil spill and the good chance that it is going to get caught in the loop current and come here, I thought I should get some pictures before it is all gone. The first picture is the Atlantic Ocean water at the end of the White Street Pier and the second picture is the Atlantic Ocean water at Smathers Beach at the end of A-1-A.<br /> <br />Weather: Summer is here. Last Sunday night the low was 80 degrees and the high Monday was 85. It doesn’t cool off a lot here at night. The humidity is rising and the A/C is on.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day.<br /><br />We don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to shopping. No Wal-Mart, no Target, no Sam’s, but we do have a Kmart, Sears, and now a Dollar Store. I love it. I leave with a large bag of stuff that I never knew I needed. $1- Oatmeal cookies, $1 - trail mix, $1 – cell phone carrier, $1 – gas treatment, etc. Life is good.<br /><br />Sam, my next door neighbor died on Good Friday a year ago. His daughters sold his house and the new owners hired a bunch of construction guys. They have been working on it every since. I really enjoy sitting on the porch and enjoying the scenery and the weather in the winter and early spring. Well not this year, it has been power tools, hammers, cursing, loud radios, vehicles in the no parking zone, and all in all not very pleasant. It has gone on for months and months and months. Soon it will all be over, but the heat and the humidity will keep me from my front porch. Oh well, maybe next year.<br /><br />The city is still doing work on the drainage system. Eaton Street has been blocked in the daytime for a couple of weeks and that forces traffic down Caroline Street. Tuesday they blocked Caroline Street. It makes driving around in this little town very interesting.<br /><br />Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) was this week. The Mexicans defeated the French Army in 1862. For more info go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ , click FILES, then read about Cinco de Mayo. (You must join this group to read the files.) As usually, there were parties all over town and Jo and I went to Schooner’s party.<br /><br />I will be 66 this month, so I had my annual check up at the VA. I am in great shape: I am 6 foot and weigh 185 pounds with my total cholesterol at 145, by blood pressure at 110/70 and my heart rate at 65. My PSA (man tests for prostrate) was at 0.4 (that’s zero point four) (should be between 0 and 4). Life is good.<br /><br />The BP oil spill is headed this way. More on that later.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-8523124943123915387?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-51181243424729203942010-05-02T06:44:00.002-05:002010-05-02T06:50:58.717-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S91nA2_9IpI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Uvs9gVBYTtE/s1600/Sunset+Dec+30,+2009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S91nA2_9IpI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Uvs9gVBYTtE/s320/Sunset+Dec+30,+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466638787159073426" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The picture this week (click to enlarge) is ‘Sunset at the Key West Bight’ Looking west from Schooner Wharf toward Conch Republic Seafood.<br /> <br />Weather: Another week of the same weather. Wonderful, in the low 70’s at night and low 80’s in the day, clear blue skies and calm seas. We finally turned the A/C on, the humidity is rising.<br /><br />The book this week was ‘The Conch Killers’ by Chip Giles. Great book.<br /><br />Last Thursday night at ‘The Great Conch Republic Parade’ I seem to have picked up ‘The Great Conch Republic Crud’. I visited the VA doctor and got some drugs to get rid of the stuff and am getting better each day. <br /><br />This week we had ‘The Key West song Writers Festival’. There were lots of free concerts at many locations around town.<br /><br />I didn’t do a lot this week because of fighting this crud that has had me down, so let’s take a walk with the dogs (Sassi and Boca). We leave the front door and take a left on Caroline and then a right on Elizabeth. We walk one block to the Key West Bight, Lazy Lane, Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio (Shrimp Boat Sounds), and Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shop. We continue on the boardwalk pass all the people waiting to get on board The Fast Cat to the Dry Tortugas (it leaves at 8:00 AM), and on to Conch Republic Seafood. We follow the boardwalk around to Damn Good Food (which isn’t there anymore) on to Alonzo’s and A&B Lobster.<br /><br />This dumps us out on Front Street so we head toward Duval. We pass the big hotels on the right and Pat Croce’s Pirate Museum and Two Friends Restaurant on the left. At the corner of Duval and Front we continue toward Mallory Square and the waterfront to see how many cruise ships are in today. Here we cross the bridge to the Westin (used to be the Hilton) and around to the old Custom House and Mel Fishers Museum. <br /><br />We continue on up Green Street and pass Captain Tonys Saloon and Cowboys. We are now on the corner in front of Sloppy Joes. We walk a little further up Green Street and pass the old City Hall and Ernesto’s that never opened. We pass the closed Aloe Store and the closed Key West Fabric and head back to the Key West Bight.<br /><br />The dogs are not tired yet so we head up Lazy Lane toward Schooner Wharf. The Breakfast Club is in full attendance (first happy hour starts at 7:00 AM till noon). We go on up the boardwalk pass The Fresh Market, Turtle Kraals, The Half Shell and on to Dante’s. We go back out to Caroline Street and pass Harpoon Harry’s, Pepe’s, and B.O.’s . One more block and we are back home and time for another cup of coffee. We have been about 2 miles.<br /><br />Thanks for taking a walk with us.<br /><br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/<br /> <br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-5118124342472920394?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-40752169488735817432010-04-25T06:23:00.004-05:002010-04-25T06:31:51.552-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S9QnbknH_vI/AAAAAAAAAi4/D2AKc1HZcOg/s1600/April+25.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S9QnbknH_vI/AAAAAAAAAi4/D2AKc1HZcOg/s320/April+25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464035602544983794" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S9QnVpeNXJI/AAAAAAAAAiw/6H2VK1tYnwQ/s1600/April25th.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TtIP1HCGYGg/S9QnVpeNXJI/AAAAAAAAAiw/6H2VK1tYnwQ/s320/April25th.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464035500770548882" /></a><br />'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.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />The pictures this week (click to enlarge) are ‘The Coast Guard doing their job’. Looking for drugs? The second picture is ‘Pirates on the stage at Schooner’.<br /> <br />Weather: The fourth week of the same weather. Wonderful, in the high 60’s at night and high 70’s to 80 in the day, clear blue skies and calm seas.<br /><br />No book this week.<br /><br />Joe and Sharon were in from Wisconsin this week.<br /><br />B.O’s Fish Wagon had a customer that was giving everyone a hard time. When asked to leave he punched Buddy (B.O.), so they sat on him until the Key West Cops arrived.<br /><br />Last Sunday was the 29th Annual ‘7 Mile Bridge Run’.<br /><br />Last Saturday was the ‘Drag Races on Duval’.<br /><br />Monday evening was ‘A Taste of Key West’ and was held down at the Truman Water front. Lots of food vendors from around Key West.<br /><br />Tuesday Sassi, Boca, Jo and I walked in the Pet Parade from Mel Fishers to Conch Republic Seafood (3 whole blocks).<br /><br />Thursday Jo and I dressed as pirates and walked in the Conch Republic Parade down Duval. I carry plastic pirate gold coins to give to the kids along the parade route. Arrrr—Pirate Gold.<br /><br />Saturday was the ‘Bed Races on Duval’. Saturday night was the Pirate Fest at Schooner with Mile Marker 24 Band. Howard Livingston was not with the band as he had to travel up north to visit his sick mother.<br /><br /><br />-----------------------Conch Republic Days----------------------<br />On April 23, 1982 Key West seceded from the Union and formed the Conch Republic. Conch Republic Days are celebrated every year. Some of this years events were: <br />Friday, April 16th, kick off party at Schooner: <br />Saturday, April 17th, Drag Races on Duval: <br />Sunday, April 18, Dancing at the Green Parrot: <br />Tuesday, April 20th, the Pet Stroll from Mel Fishers to Conch Republic Seafood: Thursday, April 22nd, the Conch Republic Parade on Duval: <br />Friday, April 23rd, The Great Bloody Sea Battle held in the waters at Mallory Square: Saturday, April 24th, The Bar Crawl, The Bed Races, And the Pig Roast: <br />Sunday, April 25th, the Last Plane Out.<br /><br />For a full schedule go to http://www.conchrepublic.com/schedule.htm<br /><br />Key West, You have got to love it<br />'Living the life that others dream'<br />Doug Bennett<br />Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W <br /><br />You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ <br /><br />Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog. <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11064933-4075216948873581743?l=thisweekontheisland.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Doug Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11619203952026450648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11064933.post-41780185017378703892010-04-18T06:39:00.005-05:002010-04-19T05:13:00.399-