This Week on the Island

2008-07-05T15:33:00.002-05:00

The Weather: Summer in the Keys.

The book this week was some of Faulkner’s short stories, ‘A Rose for Emily’, ‘The Evening Sun’, ‘Barn Burning’, ‘Dry September’, and ‘Spotted Horses’.

Lots of people in town for the week of July 4th. One of those people was Boca’s past owner, Jamie. She came into Schooner Wharf and Boca went crazy. You could say he was glad to see her. They spent some time together.

The Sherman’s are back in town working on their Conch House. We met them last December when they were looking for a house in Key West. They purchased one and now get to spend time working on it.

This week for July 4th there was cannon fire at Fort Zack. A Civil War re-enactment. It started at 9:00 AM and fired every 15 minutes, once for each of the 34 state in the Union after the Civil War. Of course there was the normal fireworks display at White Street Pier and the big celebration at the Casa Marina and let’s not forget the parties at each and every bar in town.

There are 365 days in the year (excluding leap year). That means that 1 day (the 183rd day) is the middle day of the year. July 2nd is that day and was our 37th wedding anniversary. I don’t know how she has put up with me all these years.

‘Captain Run-a-Grounds’ is closed and ‘Thai Life Floating Restaurant’ has opened.

One of our homeless guys is into the alternative life style. He is usually alone. This week I saw him holding hands with a new homeless guy in town. I felt happy that he had found someone.

NOTE: Email address change from:G-DBennett@Earthlink.net to Doug-Bennett@Comcast.net

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 06/29/2008

2008-06-28T17:27:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Summer. Hot and humid with a chance of rain.

The book this week was ‘Dante’s Inferno’ by Dante Alighieri.

A new restaurant in town, Thai Island, on the Garrison Bight is run by a husband and wife team (she is from Thailand). The husband is a meteorologist and used to work in Barrow, Alaska (the northernmost city in the US). Now he works for the National Weather Service in Key West (the southernmost city in the US). I thought that was interesting.

The ‘Tang-Class’ submarine USS Trout (SS-566), commissioned 1952, has been towed to Brownsville, Texas to be scrapped. It used to sit in the Key West Bight at Trumbo Point.

If you come to Key West by Cruise Ship, you will dock at Mallory Square, Pier B (next to the Weston), or The Outer Mole. The city is thinking about putting in a floating bridge between The Outer Mole and Pier B. This would eliminate the ride on the Conch Train and save the city lots of money. The bridge would be moved out of the way when a ship is not at the outer mole.

For all you Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett Fans) out there: http://www.usaweekend.com/08_issues/080629/080629jimmy-buffett.html

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 06/22/2008

2008-06-21T15:25:00.003-05:00

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week (click to enlarge) is 'Higgs Beach’. It belongs to the county but is in the Key West city limits. The city wants to take it from the county, but we the citizens passed a new law that does NOT allow the city to annex any new land without a vote from the citizens. The tables on the right are camp-out areas for the homeless. Key West would like to fence in the area and charge an admission to keep the homeless out.

The Weather: One of the things that I have never adjusted too is that our local weather station on TV is in Miami, 150 miles north. It is very hot there and rains a lot. So we watch the streets flooding in Miami while it is beautiful here.

The book this week was ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ by Anne Frank.

Juneteenth: http://www.juneteenth.com/ The celebration of the announcement of the end of slavery in the south.

The new courthouse building on the end of Fleming Street is almost ready to open. It was originally estimated to cost a little over $4 Million. The completion price is a little over $18 million. How would you love to have had that contract and retire on the profit after it was over?

A developer wants to build 46 work force housing apartments on the site of the old Plantains Restaurant on the end of Caroline Street. The city said it was only big enough for eight. More later.

The remodeled Rooftop Café on Front Street has reopened after the fire in February.

No Name Key has no electricity. They want it that way. It keeps developers out. If you need electricity you need a generator. The government has a big project to ‘sewer the Keys’. Now they are discussing how to get sewers on No Name without electricity.

The 12.5 mile ‘swim around Key West’ was held Friday with the winning time of almost 5 hours. (4:58:15).

The city demolished a house on Olivia Street to make room to enlarge the cemetery.

It looks like Monroe County will remain an ‘Area of Critical Concern’ to the state of Florida. To me this means that the state of Florida does not trust Monroe County and its buba system to control development without the state of Florida’s input.

Parrothead News: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-06-17-parrotheads_N.htm?POE=click-refer

Key West, You have got to love it
'Living the life that others dream'
Doug Bennett
Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 06/14/2008

2008-06-15T06:27:00.003-05:00

The Weather: 98 degrees in Columbia, SC. 101 degrees in Raleigh, NC. 98 degrees in New York. 10 inches of snow in Washington state. I’m glad I’m here in Key West where it seldom gets above 90 degrees or below 60 degrees.

The book this week was 'Beowulf’ an epic tale about a Nordic warrior (8th Century). I also read ‘Aristotle’s Ethics- Book One and Book Two’.

Don’t forget ‘Fathers Day’. Sassi and Boca are taking me to Schooner Wharf to listen to Michael McCloud.

National news had a ‘big to do’ about a waterspout off south Florida. For waterspout pictures go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTOS and then click WATERSPOUTS.’ Waters around the Keys, especially from Marathon past Key West on westward to the Dry Tortugas, probably see 400 or 500 waterspouts a year. Since they are so common, most go unreported unless they cause damage.’

Pride Fest was this week. . (It used to be Gay-Pride Week). Saturday was the unfurling of the rainbow flag down Dual Street from the Atlantic to the Gulf. For more: http://www.pridefestkeywest.com/

The old ‘Steam Plant’ at the end of Caroline Street was converted into condos and people started moving in this week. The building of condo’s on the old Jabour’s property seems to have come to a halt. The building on the old Atlantic Shore’s property is proceeding.

An article in the Key West Citizen on Wednesday was about Jimmy Buffett having a problem with the paper The Conch Republic Coconut Telegraph using his term ‘Coconut Telegraph’.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 06/08/2008

2008-06-07T16:26:00.003-05:00

The Weather: Summer is here. For the next 6 months the forecast is hot and humid with a chance for rain.

The book this week was 'Florida Keys and Key West by Nancy Toppino. It is a travel guide to the Keys. I also read 'Catcher in the Rye' by Jerome David (J.D.) Salinger. Interesting.

I really like summer in Key West. Most tourist are gone. It is a lot safer on the bicycle and most all restaurants are happy to see a local walk in because they don't have any customers.

Jo and I with Sassi and Boca took a little walk on Higg's Beach Wednesday night at low tide. We had to keep a close watch on the dogs because there are a lot of smelly things to roll in.

Some friends from Chicago are back in town. They enjoy listening to Michael McCloud at Schooner Wharf almost as much as we do.

Friday was another 14 hour day (get up at 4:00 AM) and get on the VA bus to Miami for a 15 minute appointment. We went by 'Alabama Jacks' on Card Sound Road a little before 8:00 AM (nothing was happening). We came back on the '18 Mile Strip' and I got to cross the new $90+ Million 65 foot tall Jewfish bridge. Arrived back in Key West at 6:00 PM.

Saturday we joined in a city wide cleanup. Jo and I took Caroline Street and Lazy Lane.

With the start of hurricane season, many boats are headed north. The bight has lots of empty boat slips.

Pride Fest started this weekend. (It used to be Gay-Pride Week).

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 06/01/2008

2008-05-31T19:52:00.002-05:00

The Weather: We had much needed rain all day on Wednesday.

The book this week was 'Last Flight Out' by Randy Wayne White. There are two stories in the introduction about a little place named 'Last Flight Out' that is on Green Street across from Sloppy Joe's and how it got it's name. 'Last Flight Out' is now under new management. There is also a story about Shine Forbes, who used to be Hemingway's sparing partner, and a boxing match with Randy Wayne White on the Ocean Key House docks during Hemingway Days in Key West.

The VA replaced my right knee with a titanium one a little over 1 1/2 years ago. I have ridden my bike a lot since then, but Thursday I rode it the 12 miles around the island. It was quite a workout. Also because of the diet Jo has been on I have lost over 20 pounds and now wear a size 32 waist.

The Navy has told the city of Key West to take down the gate at Eaton Street and pave the street and build a sidewalk to the waterfront through the Truman Annex for unrestricted access. Truman Annex has been fighting any access across their property to the waterfront. This will be challenged but the government will probably win.

The local paper, The Key West Citizen, had a story about weddings performed by a monsignor (Cuban sounding name) here in Key West. Some of there people have later had children and taken them to the Catholic Church for baptism only to find that the Key West Monsignor was not a member of the Catholic Church. This of course means that they were not married in the eyes of the Catholic Church and their child could not be baptized. The Key West Monsignor says he never clamed to be Catholic.

The Minimal Regatta was held last Sunday in the bight at Schooner Wharf Bar. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to have a good time. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click Photo then click '2008 Minimal Regatta'. Go to 'YouTube' for some video 'http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=minimal+regatta&search_type=

Jimmy Buffett to get into a new business:
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 2008--Coastal Marina, LLC, ("Coastal Marina") an affiliate of Coastal Development, LLC, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the Trump Marina Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey from Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMP) ("Trump Entertainment Resorts"). Resort to Be Re-Branded as a "Margaritaville(TM)" Marina Resort & Casino

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/25/2008

2008-05-25T06:23:00.005-05:00

The Weather: It is starting to get humid and warm. The fires in the Everglades are not helping the air quality any. The prediction for Hurricane Season, that starts June 1 and last to the end of November, is that it will be a very active season.

The book this week was 'Swine Not' by Jimmy Buffett. Go to http://www.margaritaville.com/ to order your book and the new DVD 'Scenes you know by Heart'.

Happy Memorial Day. Please remember a veteran in your family. I will think of my younger brother. He and I and Gerald, my nephew, are the veterans in our family.

I had my annual birthday physical this week at the VA. I am 64 years old, 6 foot tall and weigh 178 lbs which is also my cholesterol level of 178. My blood pressure was 120/80 and my pulse rate was 65. I am in great shape for my age.

This weekend was the 10th annual Cuban-American Heritage Week with a conga line from coast to coast down Duval Street. Followed by a Latin Dance parties at El Meson de Pepe's at Mallory Square There was also 'A Taste of Havana' where you ride the Key West Trolley to the different Key West Latin restaurants.

Last week I mentioned that the banana tree in our back yard had fallen and we had harvested the bananas. A banana tree only produces one time and should be cut down after to allow the other trees to grow. I hung the bananas on the front porch and am eating one each morning with my cereal.

The 'Minimum Regatta' is today (Sunday) at Schooner Wharf in the bight. Each team must build a boat from one sheet of plywood, two 2x4's, one roll of duck tape, and a box of screws. You can use no caulking, but you can paint. More next week.

Jimmy Buffett on Letterman http://www.popcrunch.com/jimmy-buffett-letterman-video-jimmy-buffet-late-show-with-david-letterman-video/

Jimmy Buffett singing 'Bama Breeze' on the Tonight Show on Wednesday http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/18/2008

2008-05-17T18:39:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'Powder Burn' by Carl Hiaasen and William D. Mintalbano.

I have been on a diet since the first of the year and lost 20 pounds (you know, that same 20 pounds I lose over and over and over). Last Sunday was my 64th birthday. I went to Schooner Wharf for 'The Captain' breakfast special. Coffee, two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage patties, two pancakes, and hash browns. Then the family went back at noon to listen to Michael McCloud until 5PM. More later, my yearly physical is next week.

Our banana tree came crashing down and we had to harvest all the bananas. We got one stalk with 42 bananas. Last years bananas were sweet.

Last Saturday morning I walked the dogs and got back home about 7:00 AM, it was hot inside the house. The A/C is now on. We have not had to run the heat or A/C since November (6 months with little electricity use).

Pepper's of Key West, the hot sauce place on Green Street, has changed hands. The new owner plans to continue business as usual.

Buffett on the Today Show taking about his new book 'Swine Not' http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24594369/

If you ever get interested in the history of Key West, go to http://www.keyshistory.org/keywest.html

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/11/2008

2008-05-11T06:04:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Deadlier Sex' by Randy Wayne White. I also read 'Naked Came the Manatee'. It is 13 chapters written by 13 different authors. (Hiaasen, Leonard, Barry, Hall, Buchanan, Standiford, Levine, Antoni, Due, Dufresne, Hendricks, Hospital, and Mayerson) I really enjoyed the book.

Gingerbread, is what you call the fancy woodwork on the porches and overhangs of houses. Gingerbread was used to signify what a person did for a living. As many of the old houses in Key West are bought up and remodeled the gingerbread is removed as it is costly to replace. Now we have few houses with gingerbread. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ ,click PHOTO and then click GINGERBREAD to view some of the houses in Key West that still have theirs.

I have spent some time on my bicycle this week. Good leg workout, fresh air, suntan, watch the ladies on the beach, take pictures of gingerbread, go to the library, etc. Also went kayaking Friday. Good upper body workout. Fresh air, etc, etc.

Jo and I with Sassi and Boca go for a walk each afternoon about sundown. We try to walk a couple of miles. We carry a 'bubba jug' full of ice water for the dogs. The whole family enjoys the outing. (We have walked most of the streets of 'old town'.)

Skipped the walk on Wednesday and took the family to Higg's Beach. Extra low tide and we could search for treasure (seashells, etc) on the sea floor. The dogs like to chase the little crabs. Jo picked up a few sponges. (Key West used to be the sponge capital of the USA.)

The city of Key West is cutting all the coconuts out of the trees before hurricane season which begins June 1. (coconuts at 150 MPH can cause some damage)

Finally had to buy some gas for the Suzuki Samurai. This is the first gas since March 12th and it took only 4 gallons, not bad for almost 2 months. Jo and I walk a lot and I ride my bicycle to the stores.

Want to get Lei-ed? The worlds longest lei. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ ,click FILES and then click LONGEST LEI to read the story. This could be a challenge for the Parrot Heads the next time they are in town. A lei from the Atlantic to the Gulf down Duval Street.

Last but not least, if you are planning to drive to Key West and need a guide, go to http://www.buccaneerpress.com and download 'The Florida Keys Adventure Guide'. It is free. It is a list of interesting places to visit between the mainland and Key West.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 05/04/2008

2008-05-04T06:12:00.001-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Handy Religion Answer Book' by John Renard. I have been reading it for a couple of weeks. It is a comparison of 8 different 'religions'.

Hog's Breath held 'The 13th annual Key West Songwriters' Festival' over the week end.

Sloppy Joe's had it's celebration of 71 years at the corner of Duval and Green.

Bacardi, the alligator is gone. Someone dropped a child's plastic turtle at the Blue Hole, a rock quarry dug by Flagler while building the railroad, and the alligator ate it. It got lodged in the alligators stomach and he died. The Blue Hole host over 80,000 visitors a year. He will be missed.

Schooner Wharf will have their annual Cinco de Mayo party Monday with Cuervo shots, tacos, hot peppers, and Corona. Can you say 'Cinco de Mayo'. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ and click FILE, then click 'Cinco de Mayo.doc' for a little history and a little joke.

Jimmy Buffett will appear on The Today Show on Tuesday May 13th to promote his new book "Swine Not?". Jimmy will also appear on "Live with Regis and Kelly" on the same day to talk about his new book. BuffettNews.com - http://www.buffettnews.com

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/27/2008

2008-04-27T07:23:00.005-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful

The book this week was 'The Iliad and The Odyssey' by Homer.

Ex-President George Bush was in the Key's fishing last week. He caught a 130 pound tarpon. http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=ebdd2a6f-8253-40a0-8ebc-bc6a6a89bd42&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:de5571a4-ea14-4de9-a51b-387c59092984%2C7d805593-e05d-4c32-9181-0b4a2087ef07%2C22c884d4-78da-4cd3-80b2-69c1b22cff13&from=MSNHP&tab=s3&GT1=42003

Tuesday, Jo and I took Sassi and Bo and walked the 3 miles (round trip) to Bayview Park and back. There was a celebration for Earth Day.

Thursday was a MG car show at Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park. Cars from as far away as Tacoma, Washington, were on display.

Friday we had two friends from Chicago that came to town to celebrate Conch Republic Days.

'Conch Republic Days' continues this week.

Last weeks 'Drag Racing' at http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-us&vid=bc3f2467-4133-4d50-bc2a-22ad6765d8d6&playlist=videoByTag:tag:viral:ns:Gallery:mk:us:vs:1&from=MSNHP&tab=m137&GT1=42003&wa=wsignin1.0
Monday: 4 - 7 PM -Reef Relief Party

Tuesday: 9PM Captains Meeting for the Bloody Sea Battle - Schooner Wharf Bar.

Wednesday: 7PM Pre Bed Race Party at Shanna Key

Thursday, April 24
7p - World's Longest Parade (ocean to ocean) - Starting at the Atlantic going down Duval to Schooner Wharf on the Gulf
9p - Parade Party with MM24 Band - Schooner Wharf

Friday, April 25th
6p - Bloody Battle - Mallory Square Harbour
7p - Battle Parade - Mallory Square Harbour
9p - Victory Party - Schooner Wharf

Saturday, April 26th
10a -> 5p - Craft Show - Duval & Whitehead Streets
Noon -> 5p - Conch Bar Crawl - Assorted Downtown Bars
2p --> 5p - Bed Races - Duval (from Fleming to Hog's Breath) - We took chairs and coolers and sat and watch. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTO then click BED RACES, I click SLIDESHOW next.
2p --> 7p - Fiddler's Contest - Green Parrot
7p --> Whenever - Pirate's Ball and Pig Roast - Schooner Wharf. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTO then click Conch Republic Pirates, I click SLIDESHOW next.

Sunday, April 27th
1p - Final Wrecker's Race
7PM Awards Ceremony at Schooner Wharf.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/20/2008

2008-04-20T07:00:00.005-05:00

The Weather: Another cold front and 61 degrees Wednesday morning but back into the low 80's by Friday.

The book this week was 'Black Widow' by Randy Wayne White. Dr. Ford solves another mystery while visiting the Islands.

Saturday morning was 'The Seven Mile Bridge Run'. This is quite an event and is advertised as the only run completely over water. US#1 is closed until the race is finished, so if you are trying to get across the bridge you need to be part of the run or be prepared for everything to take a couple of hours longer. There were over 1,000 runners this year for the 27th run and the winner was Ben Miller. 16 years old, with a time of 37:17.

We started 'Conch Republic Days' this week. The Conch Republic was formed April 23, 1982 when Key West seceded from the Union. The U.S. Border Patrol had blocked US#1 at Last Chance Saloon. We celebrate our 26th anniversary this year.
Friday-noon: the raising of the colors at Fort Zack; 7PM - The kick off party at Schooner Wharf.
Saturday-noon: The Drag Races on Duval Street staring the Key West Drag Queens.

A short story: Bud Navarro was in Guatemala in a little mountain village. A group of young men were not happy about an American being in their village. They were carrying knives and guns. Bud showed his 'Conch Republic Passport' and started saying 'Republica de la Concha'. The young men ended up buying him shots of tequila.

An updated version of 'Key West the Picture Show' was shown Tuesday night.

A unique dinning experience http://dinnerinthesky.com/pictures.php (be sure to click PICTURES).

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/13/2008

2008-04-11T17:03:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Beautiful --BUT---The predictions for the 2008 Hurricane Season are out and it doesn't look good. The weather guys are predicting a more active season. We here in Key West have not been hit by a hurricane since Katrina and Wilma in 2005.

The book this week was 'Orange Crush' by Tim Dorsey. I have now read all of the Tim Dorsey books and the adventures of Serge the serial killer.

I tried to send a 'Thank You' to everyone that sent me a message about Wyleigh going to Doggie Heaven. If I missed yours, then 'Thank You'.

The State of Florida Bicycle Law is that a bicycle is a vehicle and will follow all vehicular rules, except in places where the sidewalk is the designated bicycle path. South Roosevelt Blvd sidewalk is the bicycle path from the entrance to Key West to Old Town. The problem has been that the sidewalk was in terrible shape and very hard to ride on. Key West has blacktopped the sidewalk as a temporary fix. It is wonderful and makes it much easer to ride up to the stores from old town.

We have a couple of places in Key West where large construction threatened an old existing building and both won. On Front Street there is a bar where some of the locals liked to hang out. The Pier House was built and the old bar was saved. 'The Chart Room' is still there today and is part of that complex. There was also a motel complex, The Key Wester Resort Inn, on South Roosevelt where the Beatles stayed (1964), The Hyatt Windward Pointe Resort now stands there but the Fab Four's cottage stayed and is part of that complex.

John Lennon's art show, 'In My Life', was on display in Key West over the week end.

The Schooner Western Union came back to Key West this weekend. It had been in dry dock for repairs in Miami.

More treasure from sunken Spanish ships. A small box of pearls valued at $500,000 was discovered at the site of the Santa Margarita, the sister ship of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. They both sunk in a hurricane in 1622 off the coast of Key West.

For all you Parrot Heads out there. Captain Tony is home from the hospital and is doing well.

The Captain who will be 92 in August has gained 5 pounds while in the hospital. They did an angioplasty to relieve a blocked artery.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 04/06/2008

2008-04-06T07:08:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Another beautiful week. Lots of sun and clear skies.

The book this week was 'Hammerhead Ranch Motel' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, is in Tampa for this story. If you watch the new series 'Dexter' on TV, you can relate to Serge.

Kind of slow this week. Not a lot of tourist in town. I love it here all year long, but I especially like the summers. The tourist go to some place closer to home and leave the island to us locals. The people in the tourist business hate it, but the rest of us enjoy the island more when it is not so crowded.

There are many 'runs' for people in Key West that like that sort of thing, and these 'runs' usually have a large turnout. This Saturday morning was the 5 mile 'run' as sponsored by Turtle Kraals. Later in the year, we also have the 'Half Marathon', a 12 1/2 mile run that is sponsored by the Half Shell Raw Bar. It is only 12 1/2 miles around the island so we have a half marathon.

Saturday morning, Jo and I and Sassi, joined in the 'Key West Green and Clean' for this month. We have adopted part of Caroline Street near the Bight. We also clean Lazy Way Lane. Sassi enjoys smelling everything. Other teams have other area's of town.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 03/30/2008

2008-03-30T07:12:00.003-05:00

The Weather: A cold front on Monday and then back to the 80's with sunny skies.

The book this week was 'Florida Road Kill' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, goes from Tampa to Key West chasing $5 million.

A few weeks ago I wrote about a place on Green Street that has had 5 business in 7 years and a new one was moving in. They have a sign out now it is 'The Sports Page Bar and Grill'. I guess we will see how long they last.

Fast Buck Freddie's on Duval had another place (Half Buck Freddie's) on Caroline Street. It moved to the old P.T's Restaurant Building on Caroline. Now the old Half Buck Freddie's has opened as Half Buck's at Home, a furniture store.

The island is still packed with vacationers everywhere.

Some folks that purchased a house and moved here from Michigan, invited us over for a glass or two of wine Friday night. They are nice folks.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland

This Week on the Island 03/23/2008

2008-03-22T16:14:00.002-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful. The low 80's in the day and the low 70's at night. Lots of sunshine.

The book this week was 'Cadillac Beach' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, is in Miami looking for his grandfathers killer and some diamonds.

HAPPY EASTER!

SPRING BREAK Week III. The college kids are still here and still having a great time.
Monday was St. Pat's Day and Finnegan's Wake blocked off the street for a party. The college kids came and had a great time. Afterwards they all went back to Irish Kevin's. Caroline Street was busy all day.

Thursday was the equinox and the beginning of spring.

By now you have all heard about the woman that was killed by a Spotted Eagle Stingray off the coast of Marathon. The stingray will jump out of the water when chasing food or being chased. In this case it hit the woman standing in the front of a boat.

The 'Save our Pines' group has succeeded in getting the State of Florida to stop the cutting of the pines at Fort Zack. This is a good thing.

If you are a ParrotHead you may want to check it out and join. I did http://www.meetthephlockers.com/

While using Google to look for 'Key West the TV Series' (1993) I found http://greenparrotbar.blogspot.com/2007/08/parrot-airs-key-west-tv-series-rolls.html I had forgotten that The Green Parrot had shown the episodes on Tuesday nights. It was a stupid show, but I enjoyed watching the background and trying to decide which street the characters were on and what was in the background.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 03/16/2008

2008-03-16T06:55:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Cold front last Saturday, low 80's this Saturday.

The book this week was 'Triggerfish Twist' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, moves into a neighborhood on Triggerfish Lane and gets invited to a July 4th party.

SPRING BREAK Week II. The town was packed, the weather was beautiful, the college kids had a great time.

Can you say 'St Patties Day Bar Crawl' . Yes, another one has come and gone.

The Marathon Seafood Festival was this weekend. Lots of good local seafood. Jo and I didn't go this year.

Dunkin' Donuts in Key West (all 3 stores) closed in February. Key West Donuts opened in the store on Green Street. Key West Donuts is now out of business. It has got to be one of the shortest business ventures in Key West history.

Kenny Chesney played at Sloppy Joes Saturday night. There was a line down Duval Street at 7:00 AM Saturday morning.

In every town there is a spot that just doesn't make it. People open a new business, it last a little while and then it closes. Well there is a building at 610 Green Street that does that here in Key West. I have been here a little over 7 years and it has been 5 different things. Now someone is opening a new bar/restaurant. I wonder how long this one will last.

Pat Dailey dropped by to say hello on Sunday evening. http://www.patdailey.com/about.html He is a musician and friend of Shel Silverstein. He said he used to live upstairs in my house. Nice guy.

There was 'Art In The Park' at Fort Zack. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/ click PHOTO then click ART IN THE PARK, I like to click SLIDESHOW next.

Jo is a member of 'The Red Hat Ladies'. She invited me to a fish fry at one of 'The Red Hat Ladies' house at MM 27.5 Saturday evening. Met some nice people and had a wonderful time.

Captain Tony has been readmitted to the hospital. It doesn't look good. A history of Captain Tony's Saloon http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/428greene.html

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 03/09/2008

2008-03-08T18:18:00.003-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful until Saturday morning when a cold front came thru. We are expecting the mid 50's Saturday night and then getting warmer next week. If it is this cold in Key West, it must be really cold further north.

The book this week was 'The Atomic Lobster' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer goes on a cruise.

SPRING BREAK. It starts the first of March and goes until Easter. Since Easter is Sunday, March 23rd, we will only have 3 weeks of Spring Break this year. When Easter comes late in April we can have as many as eight weeks of College Kids. It get a little noise, but the young ladies are lovely to look at and the string bikini's are in full bloom.

The motorcycles from Daytona have made it to Key West. They are everywhere and there are lots of them. College kids and old fat guys on motorcycles, what a mixture.

Captain Tony was taken to the hospital last week. His daughter tells everyone the 90 year old is doing well.

The Western end of Southard Street goes thru Truman Annex. The Navy, a few years ago, gave Key West the waterfront behind Truman Annex. Since that gift of the waterfront, it has been a big fight between Truman Annex and the City as to who owns that end of Southard Street. This week the city agreed with Truman Annex that Southard Street would be open until 10:00 PM and then Truman Annex could close the new, to be installed, gates. Thus Key West as given away ownership of that end of Southard Street. The Navy is not in agreement and the State of Florida is about to get involved.

Billy's Bar and Grill on Front Street across from Hogs Breath has been replaced by another souvenir shop.

The annual Conch Blowing Contest was held on Sunset Pier at Zero Duval on Saturday.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 03/02/2008

2008-03-01T18:52:00.004-05:00

The Weather: Another cold front came thru Wednesday dropping the temp from the low 80's to the mid 50's for Wednesday night. Then it was back to the high 70's for the weekend.

The book this week was 'The Stingray Shuffle' by Tim Dorsey. Serge, the serial killer, goes to New York chasing $5 million. If you have lived near warm ocean water, you know that the stingray will bury itself in the sand. If you step on it, it will fight. If you bump it while shuffling your feet along the bottom, it will swim away. Thus 'Stingray Shuffle'.

Key West has a concern about getting people out of the keys in a hurricane. To help this we have ROGO (Rate of Growth Ordinance), which means you cannot build another housing unit unless you have a ROGO unit. Many people with land have not been able to build and a judge decided that the ROGO law went away in 2002. Key West may be in line for lots of law suits.

The multi-million dollar, 160 foot, yacht Legacy ($16 to $30 million) has been towed to Key West. http://timzim.blogspot.com/2006/06/legacy.html It has been stuck on the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Big power outage in south Florida on Tuesday. We were without power for about 1/2 hour. Miami was down for about 5 hours.

Tuesday afternoon Jo and I went to the intersection of Duval and Eaton to watch the Junkanoo's band. http://www.junkanoos.com/index2.html If you have never seen them, it is a treat. Lots of whistle blowing, beating on drums, clanking sounds, and in general a lot of noise. South Carolina's Oba Adefunmi, a Yoruba priest and King of the North American Yoruba, was in town for Black History Month. South Carolina is the home to the only traditional Yoruba village in America.

Tuesday night was the release party for Michael McClouds new 2 CD set, 'live as I can be' at Schooner Wharf. http://www.michaelmccloud.com/. Some of his old stuff and lots of his new stuff. Thirteen (13) songs on each CD.

The 18-mile stretch. Leaving Florida City (the last town on the mainland) there is 18 miles of 2 lane until you reach Key Largo. It is in the process of being updated with a better road. One of those updates is a new bridge to replace the old Jewfish draw Bridge. (sorry that would be Giant Grouper Bridge, we wouldn't want to be politically incorrect). The last section of the new bridge (7,500 foot long 65 foot high) was put in place this week and the bridge should be open by summer. The project started in 2005 and should be completed by 2010.

Bob Marley's son Stephen Marley played at Sunset Pier on Sunday.

The 'Boat Show' was on the Truman Waterfront over the weekend.

Schooner Wharf Bar's 'Open Air Music Affair' was on the weekend. Lot's of art displayed on Lazy Lane and on the boardwalk.

I hope your favorite girl invited you to the Sadie Hawkins Dance Friday night (Feb 29). http://ask.yahoo.com/20011115.html

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 02/24/2008

2008-02-23T15:15:00.005-05:00

The Weather: February and beautiful. Highs in the high 70's and low 80's and sunny.

The book this week was 'The Big Bamboo' by Tim Dorsey. Lots of Florida mystery writers write about detectives, but Tim Dorsey write about a serial killer Serge. In this book Serge goes to Hollywood to find why they don't make movies in Florida.

This week was the lunar eclipse on Wednesday night, the shooting-down of a bus size US satellite that was about to fall out of orbit, and let's not forget the safe landing of the space shuttle.

Kelly's on Whitehead and Caroline had a small fire, but should be back in operation soon.

The Fresh Market on the Key West Bight is to be sold to another grocery store chain that also does fresh food.

Ole Island Days was this weekend with a Street Art Fair on Whitehead at Caroline.

The island is packed. I guess people are about fed up with winter.

Matt, one of the members of the Key West Parrot Head Club works at Ambrosia. Jimmy Buffett came in and spent some time there this last Tuesday.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 02/17/2008

2008-02-16T21:03:00.006-05:00

The Weather: We have the dry season (Dec-May), and we have the wet (hurricane) season (June-Nov). Our normal rain fall is a quick shower. Tuesday and Wednesday it rained all day with a 'hurricane style' downpour Tuesday night. Very unusual for Key West. After Katrina and Wilma, we went 6 months (the dry season) with no rain.

The book this week was 'The Late Great Planet Earth' by Hal Lindsey.

I heard he was in town so I dropped by B.O.'s, but by the time I got there he was gone. No it wasn't Jimmy Buffett it was Willie Nelson.

Duncan Donuts has closed all 3 stores in Key West, they have reopened as Key West Donuts.

There is a building on the corner of Front and Duval Streets. It was built as a bank building and has always been a bank building. First Union is now moving out and we don't know who will move in next.

The Fast Cat to the Dry Tortugas has blown an engine and is in dry dock for repairs.

Valentine's Day was Thursday and the Curry Mansion on Caroline Street had it usual Valentine's Dance. Caroline Street was blocked at the intersection with Duval and at the intersection with Simonton and chairs and tables were put in Caroline Street. For $75 you could reserve a Caroline Street table or for $35 you could just walk around and not sit. There was a buffet.

Roy Scheider (JAWS) died this week. He lived for many years on Dey Street in Key West.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 02/10/2008

2008-02-10T08:01:00.000-05:00

The Weather: Another beautiful week with temps in the high 70's and little to no humidity. Mars is in the sky after sunset and Venus/Jupiter are in the sky just before sunrise.

The book this week was 'Skin Tight' by Carl Hiaasen.

This week was 'Civil War Days'. There was an encampment of Confederate soldiers outside Fort Zack and an encampment of Union Soldiers inside of Fort Zack. There were staged skirmishes and a good time was had by all.

Saturday was another 'Keep Key West Clean' day. Jo and I cleaned up Caroline Street and around the bight.

Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) visited the island this week. There have been many famous people that have visited and lived in Key West. Some more famous than others. My next door neighbor tells me that Shel Silverstein used to live upstairs in my house. I had to Google him to see who he was. Seems he wrote children's stories, but you may know him as the guy that wrote ' A Boy Named Sue' and 'On the Cover Of The Rolling Stone'. Michael McCloud also wrote a few songs with him.

When I lived up north is South Carolina, I used to really dislike February. I felt that February was to the year what Monday was to the week, something I would like to try to get around. Here in Key West, February is the best the year has to offer. The winter is over, the skies are blue, the weather is warm and it feels like summer without the humidity. It is day after day after day of beautiful weather.

My niece Mandy and her family visited this week. It was good to see all of them.

Linda, the lady that ran 'The Conch Republic Cigar Shop' on Green Street (next to the old city hall), is moving to Panama. She will manage a hotel there.

Kathy, the lady that was the manager of 'Cheeseburgers' on Duval Street is moving to Maui to run the 'Cheeseburgers' in Lahaina.

A guy got busted for relieving himself onto the tourist walking down Duval Street from the second floor balcony at Dirty Harry's.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 02/03/2008

2008-02-02T17:29:00.000-05:00

The Weather: Wonderful, this is the time of year that it is just right for working on your tan. The high was in the mid to upper 70's all week, clear skies and no humidity.

The book this week was 'Native Tongue' by Carl Hiaasen.

Sunday morning was the Half Shell Raw Bar's 'Half Marathon'. It was a 12 1/2 mile run around the island. I was sitting on the front porch reading the Sunday paper and drinking coffee when the runners came by.

Spent some time down on the beach at Fort Zack. Also took Sassi to the dog park and for a little swim at Higg's Beach, then came home and gave her a bath. Sassi has been putting on weight and also not carrying her tail up like most husky's do. The Dr. said she needed thyroid medicine. She was back to her old self in 24 hours. Seems dogs start having thyroid problems around 10 years old.

Lots of people in town this time of year.

Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band played at Schooner Wharf Bar on Friday night. The place was packed. I really like his song ' I want to go where the banana's grow'.

The old Key West http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qE2wfzNi_s

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 01/27/2008

2008-01-26T17:29:00.002-05:00

The Weather: Mixed bag of cloudy, cold, rain, then sun, warm and dry, then sunny cooler and dry.

The book this week was 'Double Whammy' by Carl Hiaasen.

'Last Flight Out' on Green Street across from 'Sloppy Joe's' has closed. 'The Iguana' on Green Street across from 'Captain Tony's' has opened. The building on the corner of Duval and Charles (across from 'Irish Kevin's') has been torn down and rebuilt making the 'Rick's/Dirty Harry's' complex bigger and nicer.

Our third cold front of the winter got here last Saturday night. This time it did NOT get to 45 degrees, but it was rainy and cold enough for those of us that live here. The Sun was back out and it was 79 degrees by Wednesday and then another cold front came thru.

The island is packed and the 'Snotty Yachties' are everywhere. It was too windy for their races on Monday so they started on Tuesday. They leave the harbors around Key West using motor power and do not raise their sails until they reach the race area, which is about 4 or 5 miles off-shore. They come back in to harbor the same way, so I cannot get any good pictures of all these ships under sail.

This weekend was a street fair on Whitehead Street at Green. Also a march of Civil War soldiers down Duval and to Fort Zack where an encampment and re-enactment took place. (Key West was in Union hands during the Civil War). There was also a Health Fair at the High School.

The Key West Polar Bear Club met this week at the Tiki Bar at the Court Yard Marriott. The ice was broken and put into drinks and members got in the solar heated pool.

There was a picture in the paper Thursday of the 'Coconut Races' down at Sunset Pier. There were a bunch of people watching as the current caused their nuts to float by. I missed the whole thing. The races will be held every Wednesday at 5:00 PM and you are invited to 'float your nuts'. Contestants are encouraged to paint and number their nuts to distinguish them from other peoples nuts. This contest is open to both sexes.

It is really bad to get old and have nothing to do.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/

This Week on the Island 01/20/2008

2008-01-19T18:40:00.000-05:00

The Weather: Beautiful. High in the low 80's.

The book this week was 'Basket Case' by Carl Hiaasen.

Sunday morning I found that I was 'homeless'. There was an article in the Key West newspaper, 'The Citizen', about homeless Veterans and how Key West should be expecting many of them as the winter goes on. There was a picture of me and another guy getting on the VA bus last Thursday to go to the Miami VA. The article listed places to get a hot shower, food, and places to stay. I guess I had better check them out since I am 'homeless'.

The island is packed. The 'Snotty Yachties' are in town. Their home base is a large tent over the city parking lot on the corner of Caroline and Margaret. That leaves no parking in the lot so people have to look for other places to park and fill up every parking space in the city. I guess I won't be moving the cars anytime soon.

The Schooner Meteor is parked next to the Old Hilton http://www.superyachttimes.com/editorial/3/article/id/698

Saturday was the Seafood Festival in Bayview Park. Lots of good local seafood, music, sun, and friends.

This week end (Friday night) was also 'Rumble in Paradise III' with ESPN and fights broadcast from Mallory Square.

We have a new act on Duval Street called 'The Naked Cowboy'. A guy in jockey shorts, boots, a cowboy hat and a guitar.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/