http://keywest.barsmart.com/newsfeed Key West bars, nightlife news and events! Wed, 16 May 2012 08:45:00 EDT en-us http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=35247666-C1A5-2BC8-282EB98235E60EBE http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=35247666-C1A5-2BC8-282EB98235E60EBE <p>I held a woman once, who was not mine to hold. She was the friend of a friend who trusted me enough not to get angry when she kissed another girl. I was not angry. I just wanted to kiss her too.And I did?And I held her like I had never expected to. Like I was supposed to. It may have not meant a goddamn thing to her but I held her. And she held me back and It was good.I may not even be a blip on her Life?s Radar but it began, for me, a decade of contemplation on the Nature of Lust.As most of my Faithful Readers know, I hardly ever write, or even talk about SEX, even though SEX has been one of the Defining and All-Powerful aspects of my life. I have managed to pay my rent, buy my groceries, break a Good woman?s heart, Destroy a church, conceive children, found a Religion, change lives, and kill a vacuum cleaner?All at the end of my SEX?But yet, as a rule of thumb, I hesitate to discuss my SEXual proclivities in Public. Especially, now that I am older and not nearly the King of All Sluts as I used to be, it just seems Untoward. If I ever get caught discussing the Sensual Nature of the Pleasures of the Flesh, it is usually through the eyes of a character I have created. A midget with tendencies toward Sadomasochism, a honeymoon couple, an unfaithful Poetess with emerald green eyes?anything but me.But this woman was Real. She was no figment of my fertile imagination.She was solid, tangible, Fleshy, and real. She would not be denied. Could not be denied, even today?I am still friends with the friend but have since lost touch with this Woman. She was not the First nor will she ever be the Last. She, as all the others, holds a special place in my heart and Mind. They were all Special. Not just special but almost Divine.In my mind, they have all become One?One Woman encompassing all. A giant conglomeration of Legs, and Breasts, and Thighs, and Whispers, and Promises, and Kisses, and reaching to Her side of the bed just to make sure She is still there.Demigoddesses of Lust. Queens of Sensual Depravity. Harbingers of I will Never leave you.I Worship unconditionally.Some were Held. Some were Touched. Some were Fucked like depraved animals. Some fell in love until they learned better.Some stayed for a while. Some ran screaming into the Night. Some still pray for me?Some have given up.I remember them All.I remember a shower under the stairs, a kiss under the bleachers, a dirty phone call from Your sister, the night we Only touched, and sang and sang and Sang?I remember her crying when she Came for the first time, and how I cried when I realized We had just made love for the Last. I remember Your squeaky squeals and the way you casually stole my wallet while I basked in the Afterglow. I remember hay in Grandpa?s barn, sand in Waikiki, and an exquisite park Somewhere in San Francisco where an actress Well over her prime pulled out her teeth?I remember a man?s shirt over skinny legs, cocaine and carrots, a tool belt and Her husband in the next room. I remember screaming at your picture on the wall, dancing barefoot in the dewy grass, and the first time She tried to hit me with her car. I remember fourteen stitches, backstage at the Stones, and the Last time you told me you Loved me.I remember Making Love to you from afar. Begging for just a brush of your fingertips. The caress of your Breath upon my skin. I remember trembling at the Thought of your attentions. I remember watching you sleep but I was Only your friend.I remember all of you?I do.I held a woman once, who was not mine to hold.But I held her.For a minute.And she is Now divine?Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=35247666-C1A5-2BC8-282EB98235E60EBE">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=A99523EC-F289-5116-0BB3E099C7C979C5 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=A99523EC-F289-5116-0BB3E099C7C979C5 <p>It is amazing to me how many people would rather substitute mass media projections of Truth, for the actual Truth itself. I am saddened and depressed for the next millenia of Humans. DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK!!!!!Just because I write so eloquently about Rampant debauchery and violent Deviance and have occasionally dipped my toes into the pool of spiraling Decline, the great Majority of these stories are fiction! Calm the Fuck down!No, I do not think, by this time, that it is any secret that my ex-wife Hates me...and Rightfully so.I do not think that by now that it is any secret that I have wronged my chillens, stolen from convenience stores,cheated on my taxes, badmouthed my venerated Mother, told my daughter that Santa did not exist, cheated on every wife (there have been 4 of them), wrecked cars while drunk, shot a man in anger, OD'd more times than you have been to a National Park, and claim to have seen a UFO, up close! BUT the Great majority of these stories, are fiction!Here is a good example, if there ever was one....The Preceding story, named "Ham on Rye...and whatnot" is actually about a Very legal road race called the Bay Bottom Crawl. It is been raced LEGALLY for over 30 years in Big Pine Key, Florida and my loving wife of over 10 years is now a driver for her very own crew. She works very hard at practice, is a wonderful mother and is a recent college graduate at the age of....(oh, I don't think you are going to trick me into that one!)...21.My friend, my compadre and partner-in-at-least-a-half-dozen-drug-related crimes, Sally? Actually based on my friend from New England, Alfred. And other than the occasional beer and some shit the doctor(and Judge) makes him take for Compulsive Erections the man doesn't even do drugs. We officiated the race which WAS hot, buggy, and for the vast majority of the time, boring as Hell. I started formulating the story because I WAS bored!The picture on my blogspot of a fat guy in the road, which looked like the Corvette hit him? That is me! After the one wreck of the day, which happened right in front of Alfred and I, the tow truck came and pulled the Vette out of the tree in which it landed...I thought, after 3(and only 3) beers, about how funny that picture would be, along with the story and my new ending! Alfred took the picture and if you look in the background, one of the pit crew is laughing his ass off at us while the picture is being taken.And if you were curious and I doubt you were, the driver, Stephen? He is perfectly fine.EVERY driver of the Real Bay Bottom Crawl is a very earnest driver and would never Dream of imbibing in a buttload of drugs before hitting the track. They take these races seriously and judging by the amount of money I have put out for flame retardant suits this year, also very safe!Come on, People! Just because I write about a sadistic midget beating his girlfriend and a cannibalistic meth cook, it does not mean that is what actually happened or that I EVEN knew these people! Just because I write about drugs, booze, whores and bacon does not mean I am wrapping whores in Bacon, chewing up my Vicodins and washing them down with Gin while shooting up Heroin in the bathroom stall of a Bus stop in Flagstaff!Most of the time, my life is pretty boring and mundane...Wash the dishes, write a few pages, play some Playstation, kiss on the Lovely, drink a few beers...big fucking deal!Every now and then, however....No,I have never been afraid to explore the Dark Side of Life and yes, I sometimes revel in the dirt, the grime, the Essentially Wrong of the underbelly of the unwashed Masses. However, I have tried in earnest(and in vain, at times.) to not form a career out of it.For the biggest part of my life, I tried to BE the fucktards that I write about. My heroes, my enemies, my ex's, my bums, my punk drummers, my junkies, my whores, my killers and even my midgets and My Self...they ALL live in my mind and dance the Slow Dance at the end of my fingertips. I live precariously through them...So try and calm the fuck down!THESE STORIES ARE, AT THE LEAST, 40% FICTION! So can everyone just calm down?This webpage is not about You and I...It is not about Right and Wrong...It is not even about Me...It is about the Story!The everlasting gobstopper, the Eternal, the Primal, the One story that we have all been telling since the dawn of Man. We All tell it, either through words, or music, or our Work, or our Art, our Faithor lack of Faith.We are All telling this story...I will promise to respect yours even if you will not respect mine.Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=A99523EC-F289-5116-0BB3E099C7C979C5">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=DB2A2580-CFBC-F94A-95DE1D57CD859657 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=DB2A2580-CFBC-F94A-95DE1D57CD859657 <p>Pete's was BY FAR the best bar that we ventured into during our trip to Key West....but let's start at the beginning.When we first got there, it was pretty crowded (a mixed crowd, but more 30+) and the piano's were in full swing. We sat at the bar for a few rounds, made friends with the bartenders (one from the Burgh area - which also gave a us a little insight on the bar - one piano player was from Charlie Murdoch's in Southside and moved to the Keys to start Pete's)We stayed for a little while, trying to decide what to do next....got ready to leave but hit the bathrooms first. The bathrooms are way in the back right next to an outside area hidden from the bar. After further inspection, I noticed they had corn hole boards set up. Clearly, that changed plans and we went to the back to play corn hole instead.There were two sets of board set up, a few hula hoops (god knows why) AND two giant Jenga games. It was like a mini playground in the bar's backyard. A few games of corn hole, a hula hoop off and a round of Jenga can seriously change your entire evening. (We also ran into some Baltimore fans and destroyed them at corn hole....very awesome!)It had all the things I love in a bar plus more: good bartenders, good music, a place to drink outside and fun stuff to do.....definitely going back and am currently encouraging the bar I work at to invest in giant Jenga boards. <p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=DB2A2580-CFBC-F94A-95DE1D57CD859657">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:25:45 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6013C58-ABF8-B07E-238114B7CB5F979E http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6013C58-ABF8-B07E-238114B7CB5F979E <p>Went to Key West on a hockey road trip before the Pens faced the Panthers at the Bank Atlanta Center. After a long day of walking and sight seeing, our path lead us here for dinner. We were there on a Thursday and had to wait about 10 minutes before we got seated so we grabbed some drinks and browsed the gift shop. The decor in the place is gorgeous....fish tanks, paintings on the walls, a rock fountain, plus the ceilings were really high, making the room feel very open. Once seated, our waitress was very attentive...answered all of our questions and was able to joke around too. To me, it's always more inviting when the wait staff is easy going (instead of robots reading specials and taking orders). The drinks were good..not too stiff but not weak either...I had some mixed drinks and the rest of my group had mojitos (I can't remember if they had flavored ones, but the traditional ones we had were good, very fresh ingredients)The food was delicious, big portions great for sharing. Pricing was ok too...you definitely got what you paid for. Overall, the experience was really good and will definitely be on the list of stops next time I visit the Keys.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6013C58-ABF8-B07E-238114B7CB5F979E">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6AE9158-C75E-D766-E8FF7A0C459EDE86 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6AE9158-C75E-D766-E8FF7A0C459EDE86 <p>We visited the Keys for a Pens road trip before facing the Florida Panthers at the Bank Atlantic Center. Sunset Pier was on my "to do" list because the last time I visited, we watched the sunset (duh) before hitting the bar scene. This time around, we found a table right along side the bar about two hours before the sun's final descent. Once seated, we went up to the bar instead of waiting for waitresses (not sure if they came to the bar side of the tables or not...seemed like they didn't). A few minutes after we got there, a band set up and got things going, mostly playing island-y music, but some fun singalongs too. The drinks were good (I had mixed drinks and some had mojitos and frozen drinks too) The "Pain in the Ass" was my favorite of the frozen, but I stuck with my Cake vodka drinks. They had a full menu, but we didn't have any food...some of the appetizers I saw at other tables by us looked pretty good though. The pier itself was loaded with people, some for the food and entertainment and others that were getting back on the cruise liner parked a little further up the ways from the bar. The table we were at was perfect for people watching...cruise liners are filled with a very random mix of people so it was definitely entertaining while waiting for the sky to light up. The only real downfall of the experience was the bathrooms. They weren't attached to the bar...you have to leave the area and go around the building, to the parking garage. If you are drinking and gotta go, the voyage got pretty annoying. I got lost the first time trying to find it.Overall though, the pier was pretty fun (maybe there was a dance party caught on film but I will never tell!) and would go back again. <p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D6AE9158-C75E-D766-E8FF7A0C459EDE86">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D733F423-F78D-478F-B5F33A67B6D98BC0 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D733F423-F78D-478F-B5F33A67B6D98BC0 <p>As the Key West tourist, Hog's Breath was really not for me. The bar area/tables seemed cramped together and the band that was playing that night was pretty bad. The service at the bar was good though, got waited on quickly with a smiling face...but still felt out of place in the atmosphere. We only stayed for a few minutes (gotta love the open container laws not being enforced) and moved on. Maybe next time in the Keys, I will check this place out more towards the beginning of the night instead of the end. <p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D733F423-F78D-478F-B5F33A67B6D98BC0">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D8C7764E-F09F-2179-FB711E16CAD645F8 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D8C7764E-F09F-2179-FB711E16CAD645F8 <p>Went to Kelly's for appetizers and drinks with my family and boyfriend before a night on the town. It's a few blocks from Duval street, set perfectly in the midst of giant trees and flowers. During construction, you can tell that they basically built the outside deck and seating area around the trees making it a very relaxing setting. We started off the evening with Key Lime Margaritas...absolutely delicious! The key lime is the perfect sweet ending to the tequila making them quite drinkable (and dangerous!) We ordered their jerk chicken wings, "southern clipper" pizza and coconut shrimp and all three were amazing. The spice on the chicken was perfect, the pineapple sauce served with the shrimp was the perfect match and the pizza was so loaded with toppings they were falling off. The bar area was pretty full whenever we sat down but it never got too loud or rowdy. The setting remained relaxing the entire time we were there (even when we had a photo shoot under one of the trees) Overall, the experience was wonderful and it will definitely be on my "must see" list when back in Key West.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D8C7764E-F09F-2179-FB711E16CAD645F8">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9324F53-D349-E0A1-3DA391231C29CBE7 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9324F53-D349-E0A1-3DA391231C29CBE7 <p>My review is for the "bar" part of the Old Customs House Inn...advertised as the "Smallest Bar in Key West." Smallest is an understatement....it is basically an alley with a bar at the end of it that can fit about 10-20 people in it at a time max (standing close together). What really drove us in was the blasting reggae music and the giant pineapple and coconut drinks that they make in the actual fruit.We were greeted by a guy with huge dreadlocks jamming out to the music...once we ordered the fruit drinks he went into action, cutting the top of the pineapple off with a machete, totally unexpected and awesome at the same time. He made making the drink a show, attracting other people to stop in for a look.The pineapple drink had a ton of flavor (and a ton of booze..it was $18) and was served decorated with pineapple chunks, cherries and umbrellas. The coconut drink was was $10 but literally straight rum mixed with coconut water (which basically has no substance and adds the flavor) It was like taking shots of straight rum with every sip. We only stopped for a minute for those drinks and went on our way down Duval, but was definitely worth the stop.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9324F53-D349-E0A1-3DA391231C29CBE7">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9F9BF2B-C908-D13E-8B33AA5A5D8DFB5F http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9F9BF2B-C908-D13E-8B33AA5A5D8DFB5F <p>This was our first stop once landing in Key West for lunch and drinks. Our table gave a perfect view of Duval street (surprisingly crowded for 11:30am on a Wednesday).We started out with drinks, the guys I was with had the Key West Sunset Ale, light and refreshing for a sunny afternoon and I had a mixed drink (strong but not overpowering). The waiter was very nice, noticed that our table was a little wobbly and fixed it right away. We started off with the conch fritters, delicious and well seasoned. I had the shrimp and bacon club, which was also well seasoned and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. My boyfriend had the shrimp po boy and it was gigantic, loaded with breaded shrimp. The waiter was nice throughout the meal (and kinda looked like a guy we know back home in Pittsburgh) and it was definitely a good way to start the trip.After looking around online, apparently the bar attached to it is a blast late night so I have definite plans of returning.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=D9F9BF2B-C908-D13E-8B33AA5A5D8DFB5F">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:22:42 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=62B03845-E8CB-7C09-B0F267111F753116 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=62B03845-E8CB-7C09-B0F267111F753116 <p>It never ceases to amaze me how many lies people will tell to try and destroy my reputation. When it is quite obvious, if you were to actually READ anything I write instead of just looking at the pretty pictures, I beat you all to that proverbial punch years ago. There is absolutely NOTHING that you can say about me that I have not admitted myself, over and over and over. But since you apparently do not know how to read, let us try this again...1. 20 years ago, I was not a very good person. I cheated on my wife, I was a thief, I was a liar, I abandoned my kids and refused to pay child support, I did a bunch of drugs and left my wife for another woman who was an even worse human being than me. It took me a long time to learn to be a better person and I feel like I have succeeded in that endeavor. 2. Did I ever turn Confidential Informant on drug dealers in my community? YES! And contrary to popular belief, NONE of them were friends of mine. One friend, unfortunately, did get caught up in the mix but it was through no fault of my own and I tried to warn him ahead of time, but he would not listen. It was unfortunate and I have felt bad about it ever since. Do I give a flying rat's ass about dope dealers selling drugs to children going to prison, HELL NO! My honest opinion is that if you are defending them then you are just as heinious and your opinion of me is of no import to decent folk out there who are tired of irresponsible drug dealers destroying our communities and making all other drug users look bad...So fuck off.3. Am I a coward for deleting your stupid comments from this page? Hell No! Hot Pavement is for people who READ and want to escape into my stories, not to hear your stupidity and hatred. I do not care in the least what you say about me, you fucktards...I have a great job, fabulous friends, I live in Paradise and will not EVER defend my lifestyle against illiterate rednecks with no lives and nothing better to do than hate on people who have done nothing to them in over 20 years.4. Have I mistreated my own kids in the past and failed to pay child support? Yes! Not something I am very proud of, but I have attempted to make amends. I have even gone back to paying child support to get caught back up. It will take awhile but I will get it done. I have made MANY monumental mistakes in this area of my life and I am disgusted with myself about it.5. The comments about my mother?? The story I wrote about her was intended to be a tribute to the REAL woman she was, not some self-deluded Southern boy image of her. None of you were there to endure the YEARS of physical, mental, and emotional abuse at her hands and have NO right to even comment on how I am supposed to feel about her...fuck off.I have spent my life doing A LOT of things that I am not proud of. Some of which actually disgust me as a person. But I have spent the last decade trying to repair my Karma and get my life back on track. You do not have to believe me and I do not really give a shit if you EVER do. THIS IS MY LIFE AND I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO GETS TO ANSWER FOR IT. God will judge me...You are not qualified!In my life...I have been a thief, a cheat, a liar, a snitch, and a man of God. I have been homeless, I drink out of the milk jugs and sometimes I pee on the seat. I have been a drug addict, an alcoholic, a sexual deviant, and a hobo. I have slept with my friend's wife, more than one friend and more than once. I have stolen pain pills out of people's medicine cabinets. I smoke weed in public every chance I get. I wont eat cold cut that have been in the fridge for over 3 days. I once had a threesome with a midget stripper and a BLACK girl while doing cocaine in the fellowship hall at a Baptist church. I once had sex with a goat. I gave up on Jesus and vanity and hardcore drugs.What else you got???? Dumbasses cannot come up with a goddamn thing to say about me that I won't readily admit to, in a hot minute. I may not be proud of some of the things I've done but most of them I did for a reason that made sense to me at the time and I am very proud of the man I have become because of this wonderful, magical, tragic, debauched, and desperate clawing at Life.Coward? I doubt that. And I doubt that ANY of you would ever be brave enough to tell everything about your selves the way I do. I am not concerned with your opinion of me. My life does not depend on your approval. The only reason I have not responded thus far is that just plainly have better things to do. I just so happen to have the day off with a 6 pack and a good nights sleep.What else you got???Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=62B03845-E8CB-7C09-B0F267111F753116">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=536423E5-B5CB-1E4B-6F511504C60D60A4 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=536423E5-B5CB-1E4B-6F511504C60D60A4 <p>The five-foot tall statue of rum company symbol and Key West icon Captain Morgan was found in a college dormitory room, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported on Tuesday.The statue was snatched from its perch outside Roosevelt Boulevard Walgreens sometime last week.The Sheriff's Office says a tipster on Monday reported that the Captain might be residing in the dormitory at Florida Keys Community College. Sure enough, deputies found him inside a dorm room covered in Fantasy Fest beads, authorities said.None of the students would admit to snatching the Captain but they told deputies he had been making the rounds from room to room, "wherever the party was taking place."Captain Morgan was returned to his permanent post outside the Walgreens. He had no immediate comment on his adventure.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=536423E5-B5CB-1E4B-6F511504C60D60A4">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:44:20 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=BAC3852C-DC39-AD79-8775F327327810B5 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=BAC3852C-DC39-AD79-8775F327327810B5 <p>The bar stunk of Death and stale beer and Gospel Blues and the girl with the hibiscus hair said Hello over the top of her Gin and tonic. I smiled at her but told her to stop wasting her time. I do not Sleep with women with tonic on their breath. She told me to Fuck off. I don't blame her. I am Damaged and will Sleep with anyone. She saw that in my eyes and was appropriately insulted. I do Not care. I am Damaged and an Asshole and that is all there is too It.The bar still stank of Angry hibiscus and stale Death and praises to a god I no longer believe in when Sally puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me about The Race. Sally is a new Friend and nuerotically Damaged and a Good Guy. He talks too much and has panic attacks but is always ready for irresposible Weirdness when the occasion calls for it. The Race, he explained, was an illegal road course set up in the Wild back roads around Miami near the Glades and far removed from the prying eyes of the Man. Suped-up Hoopties and over-sexed sports cars would be Screaming around coned tracks set up on the one and a half lane, barely paved serpentines winding through the mangrove marshes between the Indian casino and Nowhere Special. The Grand prize was 100,000 dollars and a sponsorship from, one can only assume, an auto parts concern or Hooters. There would be Drinking and hookers and Danger and possible death by dismemberment.Like a moth to a Flame....Stops for gin and to cash a Bad check notwithstanding, we made pretty good time. Along the Tamiami Trail, Sally fell asleep. Just as well. I had Lyle Lovett on the stereo and a fat joint crunched between my teeth as I barrelled along the flat stretch of humid Nothingness and imagined myself in a race. A race that I was finally winning. A race that could not be lost or Squandered carelessly. My foot jammed nearly through the floorboard, singing Bad karaoke about a pony on a boat, and smoking that shit, I raced no one. The fetid swamp on either side whipping past with hardly a Whisper, the black shapes of Nightmares fading as quickly as Hope and youth and it was Good. Somewhere near Shark Valley we broke out the Gin...Gin is Baptism and god and everything right with the world.Gin is a reason.Gin makes me happy.When Sally brought out the green bottle of Tanqueray, I smiled a crooked smile and backed my foot off the gas pedal. We were almost There and too fast and Sally looked frightened as a bunny. I pulled over gravel quick within sight of two Fat alligators and an egret on lunch break. I poured a Huge wash down my throat, letting the botanicals burn away my Sins and remind me that we were on a Mission. Sally lit two cigarettes and handed me one. He is a Good guy.Some Saturdays just lend themselves to the gods of Gin, manic driving, and gashes in the fabric of the cultural Norm. This particular Saturday afternoon, as it turns out, was one of Them. I knew we were in Trouble when Sally insisted upon getting close enough to the Largest of the two gators to piss on its head. I completely understood the Temptation. It is quite the Manly Thing To Do. With the second shot of booze already coursing in the general direction of my ears, I watched helplessly giggling as Sally whipped It out, pinched the head of It and try to spray the Sleepy beast in the eyes from a distance of about nine feet.The funniest part about watching your Good friend being chased by a pissed-off, pissed-on alligator is that there is absolutely Nothing funny about it. It is terrifying and crashing and wet and Loud.Shaking and soaked to the bone, fly undone, laughing, Sally returns to the car and grabs the Gin from me. I have never seen a man drink so long from the neck of a bottle. It was beautiful to watch. Complete Abandon. Like cake to a Fat kid. Like sweat on a Preacher. Like rubber to road...There is some shit you just Do Not do. Marry a thick Blond with pink toenails and a drug habit. Snort aspirin. Drop acid at a Pentacostal revival. Laugh at a friend's Cancer diagnosis. Have sex with the widow AT the funeral. Piss on an Alligator. Show up Gin drunk for a High speed clandestine road Race and offer to officiate Turn 3. They said Yes.While waiting for transport to our station, we wandered aimlessly through the pit area and the starting line. Porsche, Lamborghini, Lexxus, BMW, Lotus, and Corvette were represented, as well as a few Ghetto-mean VW's thrown in with sullen moods and bubbletops. A gaggle of drivers and mechanics encircled a glass topped patio table astrewn with the accoutrement of the Seriously Deranged. Empty bottles of scotch, half empty paper cups of Colada and Massive lines of crushed Oxycontins mixed with SoFlo cocaine. The drugs were bad enough,jesus, but the Colada, high-powered Cuban coffee strained, Presumably, between the legs of Blessed Virgins and whores, was just damned irresponsible!Sally, affable Gentleman that he is, introduced Us to this caffeine and painkiller addled bunch of adrenaline junkies as Helpful Volunteers and Race Fans. One of the Race organizers saw us eyeing the table and drooling like pedophiles at a playground."Help yourselves, boys. Just remember to keep your eyes open out there in Turn 3. Its a bad one and we wouldn't want Ya'll to get Hurt. Its easy to do out here."Face buried in Illegal substances and Scotch, we offer our assurances that we are Professionals when it comes to mind-altering chemicals and we would rather Die than see anyone get Hurt."Well, just don't turn your backs to oncoming cars. You should be fine."Mosquitos swarmed the site where we were unceremoniously deposited with a walkie talkie,a flag, a fire extinguisher and two sheets of paper. One with the Rules printed upon it, and the other slathered with the itinerary of the weekend. 1pm tech inspection and hot track2pm lemons and hoopties division3pm smoke joint with large woman4pm hear the monster in the swamp5pm sports and muscle division712 huge wreck involving tiny rutting deer, a little red corvette, a poetry reading by a dead man, and lethal doses of a bug spray that may or not be legal in this country.8pm end of race9pm pitch nylon tent behind car905pm contract dengue fever10pm uncomfortable banquet hosted by the devil and anthony bourdain.1130 be escorted to the door of the overpriced neo-cajun restaurant and asked to politely fuck off.It all seemed pretty straightforward...We were to stand in the Painful arch of Turn 3 with a red flag and a fire extinguisher and the mosquitos and watch the track for Obstructions of dubious Nature, radio HQ when track was clear. The rest of the gig consisted of resetting the rubber-scuffed orange cones whenever the drivers knocked them over in their Desperate clawings through the Slalom directly before the Hairpin that Turn 3 wrapped around laughingly.Corruption and South Florida lie around like Old lovers in comfortable shoes, bolstering and consuming at the same time. It is a way of life. Like subtle Racism and cornbread, corruption is just an accepted thread in the fabric of daily existence. So with the backdrop of Little Milton playing in my head and gin soaked flying bloodsuckers buzzing in my ears, I did not even flinch when I saw the Sheriff's car roll around the hairpin, going the wrong way on the track. The race had not begun yet and there was no danger of a head-on collision but I red flagged him all the same.A Grizzly bear in a pressed brown uniform rolled down the passenger window."How you boys doin' this fine afternoon?""Good, and you, Sheriff?""Oh, just fine. Say, you boys do know that this race is for Members Only, dontcha?" He smiled yellow and sanguine and knowing."We are not racers, Sheriff. We are only working the track today."Doesn't matter, fella. Still gotta collect your membership dues. It's the rules."After a brief interaction involving our cash and the Sheriff's huge paw, he was gone, leaving nothing but a bad taste in our mouth for authority figures and half of a can of DEET bug spray with a faulty nozzle. We were now Members of an exclusive club.Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=BAC3852C-DC39-AD79-8775F327327810B5">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=55E9D0C3-0218-4423-DAFFD9C795182D07 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=55E9D0C3-0218-4423-DAFFD9C795182D07 <p>there's a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I'm too tough for him,I say, stay in there, I'm not goingto let anybody seeyou.there's a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I pour whiskey on him and inhalecigarette smokeand the whores and the bartendersand the grocery clerksnever know thathe'sin there.there's a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I'm too tough for him,I say,stay down, do you want to messme up?you want to screw up theworks?you want to blow my book sales inEurope?there's a bluebird in my heart thatwants to get outbut I'm too clever, I only let him outat night sometimeswhen everybody's asleep.I say, I know that you're there,so don't besad.then I put him back,but he's singing a littlein there, I haven't quite let himdieand we sleep together likethatwith oursecret pactand it's nice enough tomake a manweep, but I don'tweep, doyou?Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=55E9D0C3-0218-4423-DAFFD9C795182D07">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B12669AF-D428-A2CA-142B20935809589E http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B12669AF-D428-A2CA-142B20935809589E <p>As I climb over the wrought iron fence into Key West Cemetery, I am reminded of all the times my mother and I would drink vodka together. She taught me to drink hard liquor at a young age so that she would not have to drink alone. She always claimed that drinking solo was the first sign of Alcoholism.I, in turn, taught her to buy and smoke weed.Just a normal Brady Bunch childhood...I have my favorite pockets here in Dead Park after dark. One is the grave of General Abe Sawyer, a 44 inch sideshow midget who requested to be buried in the grave of a full sized man. He died in 1939 of causes unknown to me.If this were one of my fictions, Gen. Sawyer would have been poisoned by the world's smallest woman for an imagined slight to her honor, blahblahblah, something to do with an opium ring and P.T. Barnum...As I recline upon the 6 foot crypt, bottle of vodka resting against the cool marble, I am again transported back to our small red brick home near the church and can almost smell the cedar. I feel the dew settling on my booze flushed skin and can hear the voices of the Dead whispering the Past into my thrumming mind.When I was a teenager, one of my best friends was killed by a train. Almost 20 years later, Ronnie appeared to me in a drunken hallucination on a bridge in Tennessee, from which I was preparing to throw myself. In my stupor, we spoke for hours, laughing and crying over childhood things and adult miseries and wish-we-could-do-overs. We drank more whiskey and I passed out, quietly and quite alive, on the edge of the river running underneath.Drinking with the Dead saved my life that night.This night, however, is not dependent on Despondency. I have no reason to chunk myself from high places nor drown myself in the Low. This is a clear night for clear thinking with a head full of expensive booze and priceless Memory.The Dead are Patient.I drink now with my mother's urn. Black and bronze, heavy and comforting in my arms as I lie prone on cool stone and dream of Her.Her brutality, her anger, her ability to Emasculate and destroy. Her strength and Power, her cornbread and smile when I was good. Her honkytonk Mentality and dead aim with words and bullets.I have Hated her and loved her, ran from her and I have Married her. Every woman I have ever been with in my wonderfully Tragic life has been a reflection of Her.And now, we drink together again.A Miles Davis jaunt plays in my head but I cannot shake the Honkytonk funk that seemingly rises from the remains of the bar She used to own. The Pub and Cue. A rough and rowdy joint with bloodstains on the sawdust covered floor and Merle Haggard on the cracked jukebox. I loved her then. Her laughter, her silly drunkenness, her Lust for life and hairy men who called themselves "Uncle" and took lots of pills.I loved when she was "alive".Years later, the Fear destroyed her as it does most old people and she was no longer Living. It was terrible to witness the decline of the Peggy Daniel that I knew as a child. She no longer laughed and only worried about things which never happened. The bar was destroyed and she found tentative Religion which continued the decline of Her.She was no longer fun and Strong.She was old and weak and Nagged me constantly.She doesn't talk that much these days. She is more fun to drink with...Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B12669AF-D428-A2CA-142B20935809589E">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B1275304-0923-C2A3-E3337CD76D04AF13 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B1275304-0923-C2A3-E3337CD76D04AF13 <p>I have been contemplating Death a lot more frequently than I used to.My Mother died not too long ago. She was a bitch, a nag,a cook a cheat, a liar, and one of my best friends. In her Day, she was a whore, a saint, a drunk, a pothead and a barkeep. I loved her and she loved me and we hated each other.But she died and there is no reason for us to dwell on what was and what is and what it should have been. We are taking about Death here and Death has no truck with Sentimentality. There will be no sniveling here and no quarter for crybabies and flailing drunks on a weeping jag.Death is about Honkytonk Blues and hangovers and mongrel dogs and fists against sheetrock. Death is about whiskey and old Burt Reynolds movies and scars for no reason, Dry toast, tin roof rain, and ashtrays overflowing behind funky funeral homes.Death is about old watches in cedar boxes, quilts with no home, old friends with pills, and pussy.Death has no reason to cry, to retreat, or explain itself to the Living.Death just IS.Ever since I was a child, I have drank whiskey with the Dead.My Grandfather, George Washington Daniel, was a drinker. Legend tells that a fair Country doctor once told Old George that a couple of spoonfuls of Whiskey mixed with Rock candy, imbibed in Once a day would help keep his blood thin and save his old heart but as all these Things progress, over the Years the spoonfuls became as large as barnyard shovels. The Legend is not entirely True, however. As he got older and more forgetful, I got older and more Naturally sinful.I stole copious amount of his heart "Medicine" and Salem cigarettes. I would wait until dark and sneak away from my Liberal home with my Illicit contraband, through the woods behind our home, to the graveyard behind Snowdown Methodist Church.There were and are Ancient outhouse cedar trees with blue berries and a scent that clings to my heart, cloying and desperate, clawing and Historic in nature. I would find them and love them and lean against them and get drunk. Kudzu and Patsy Cline drunk. Irish Catholic drunk. Grandfather drunk.The Dead do not mind. The Dead do not judge.Drinking with the Dead has the scent of an old John Prine song wrapped in cold Jail woolen blankets, the taste of Bacon and cheese and Her and a front porch swing.Just the other night, I was drinking Grey Goose shots with a Drag Queen friend of mine, playing Madden 11 and smoking reefer until Cooking sounded like a good Idea.You know, that Moment when banging out an island omelet at 3 in the morning sounds like Genius and The Thing To Do. That bitch can drink. And cook.I had to send Her home. I had things to do.As soon as He was gone, I went for a Walkabout.Without fumbling, stumbling my way through too many details, I've got some serious shit going on in my life right now. I have things I need to get off my Chest, cries to cry, screams to Scream, and Injustices to just Get Over.The Dead Understand. The Dead Listen.I live in Key West where we cannot Bury our dead. The water table is too close the Surface. Instead, we bury our Beloved in above ground crypts and mausoleums like Nawlins and I love the place. Every Single time I have too much to drink, I end up climbing the Spiked fence 2 blocks from my house and have a nightcap with the indifferent Dead.Although my friends all warn me that my drunken Necroholism(I just invented that word so don't claim credit, patent pending and all that shit!) is a fine way to end up in Jail, my Dead friends have never dialed 911, lost a moments sleep or complained once...Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B1275304-0923-C2A3-E3337CD76D04AF13">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=81F173DC-E893-4047-52E26840AD621F4B http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=81F173DC-E893-4047-52E26840AD621F4B <p>To all of my Followers, detractors, Faithful readers, haters, and especially the guy who called me a ranting cunt...come visit my newest blog site... http://havanalane.blogspot.com/Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=81F173DC-E893-4047-52E26840AD621F4B">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E2C6FAB-A41D-F64B-F199D6EFEF050F65 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E2C6FAB-A41D-F64B-F199D6EFEF050F65 <p>The offbeat island of Key West, known for its rich and diverse subtropical marine and bird life, welcomes a larger and furrier species Sept. 22-25. Bears, cubs, otters, and their admirers are to prowl the island during Key West Bear Fest, a long weekend of activities that attracts ursidae from around the world.The schedule includes more than 18 fur-friendly events ranging from bear-soup parties and gatherings at LGBT resorts and clubs to "Bear-e-Oke" and hearty dinners at leading Key West restaurants. The weekend begins Sept. 22, with an all-day registration and a clothing-optional pool party at Island House and, of course, a kick-off happy hour.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E2C6FAB-A41D-F64B-F199D6EFEF050F65">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:17:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E185CBA-998E-1278-E95108D0EFD3FD43 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E185CBA-998E-1278-E95108D0EFD3FD43 <p>The son of a prominent Key West attorney pleaded guilty Monday to illegally harvesting and selling black grouper, and harvesting lobster without holding valid endorsements and permits essential to the legal harvest, possession and sale of saltwater products.David P. Horan Jr., 42, son of attorney and Monroe County Human Services Advisory Board member Dave Paul Horan, entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Lurana Snow in Key West. He faces up to five years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.Sentencing is set for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Sidney M. Aronovitz Federal Courthouse in Key West.The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami says the illegal activity took place from 2007 through this past October. Here's how federal prosecutors laid out their case:Horan regularly harvested lobster and finfish while holding only a Florida commercial fishing license even though the state had designated a "range of marine life, including certain finfish, as restricted species subject to special oversight."Florida law also required harvesters to hold federally required permits and licenses. Wholesale dealers in Florida are prohibited from purchasing lobster and finfish without confirming the seller possesses all required state and federal licenses.At the plea hearing, prosecutors said, Horan admitted he harvested spiny lobster by diving, without holding the requisite dive endorsement, and also harvested finfish without necessary federal permits that Florida requires.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=1E185CBA-998E-1278-E95108D0EFD3FD43">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:14:48 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B2471320-CAAD-2F84-C14B9109CA95C3CB http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B2471320-CAAD-2F84-C14B9109CA95C3CB <p>The Luckiest Man Alive is leading up to a point...I think by now that most of you know that my mother passed away. For those of you who do not, on August 9th at 4am my mother, who for longer than any other woman in the history of my debauched and drug-addled existence, has always put up with my shit, died. Peacefully and painlessly, Peggy Jean Daniel, died in the middle of the night before the pain of bone and liver cancer destroyed the strongest woman I have ever met.By the time I arrived in Tupelo, MS she didn?t even know who I was. My mother was so out of her mind that her Only Son was a mystery, an enigma, a Ghost of someone Once Known. I knew what was happening, her death, and I prayed for Simplicity. The Feral wildness of Fear fought against eyes too tired to blink and I wept. But I knew that I was Blessed for the brief moments of that week when she DID remember. She knew my face and seemed genuinely bemused that I felt the need to ask her. We had the chance to say our I love you's, I forgive you's, and I've missed you's. She spoke to the doctor and I briefly about arrangements to be made and final requests.Then it would pass again into the realm of blue fog and blank stares...I thank my God everyday that I had that opportunity for closure. So many people never get that chance to say goodbye.What do you do when the One person that has loved you longer, stronger, than anyone else in your life, is suddenly gone? The One person that would always take your call, no matter the hour, the reason, the season, or level of sobriety, no longer has phone service?I always tried to call my mother at least twice a week and we would talk for 10minutes to hour each time about Nothing. The weather, the sorry state of the Green Bay Packers defense, and her ugly bug-eyed chihuahua were all subjects familiar. Now when I want to call and tell her to not worry about Hurricane Irene and her impending approach, she is no longer on the end of the line.My son and daughter were the only members of our family who came to visit her in the hospital. Only one friend made an appearance. Was I supposed to be there? Did God call me back for this reason? She would have died alone had I not been there. Until I bought her a flower arrangement and balloon, there was not a card, a balloon in the room from friends wishing well. It all happened too fast...It seemed like it all happened in a matter of hours. Of course, it was a period of 2 weeks, but still, it felt like a quick succession of moments strung together by a central theme.To be continued...Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B2471320-CAAD-2F84-C14B9109CA95C3CB">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B021BBD3-A8D7-2A82-5DCDFC50B3939684 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B021BBD3-A8D7-2A82-5DCDFC50B3939684 <p>A rat the size of a cocker spaniel pushes an empty can of peaches across the filthy city street devoid of any other signs of life at this lonely hour of the morning. I have no recollection of why I am out here, at this bus top, at 4am, on the opposite end of Oakland from where I needed to have been an hour ago.I remember a lady in gold lame? and dropping Tuinals, a hot tub and that she asked me to wear a leather tool belt and nothing else. There was a knife and an argument over cash. And now I am here, at a bus stop with empty pockets, a fuzzy brain, a scratch on my arm and 15 minutes to get back to base. I am in the Navy and need a taxi soon or I will be court martialed again.The last time was for going AWOL 14 days with a red headed stripper and a bag of blue-tinted cocaine. I am barely a week off restriction and am already halfway to the brig. It is cold in Oakland this time of year. I am shivering from it and the hangover I feel coming on like a slow rolling train. An old Grateful Dead song keeps repeating in my head. The rat doesn?t care and keeps nosing the empty can toward the opposite curb.My momma will be so disappointed?Hailing the only cab driver masochistic and hungry enough to be rolling at this evil hour, I jump in the stained back seat, mumble instructions and immediately pass out, wrapped in my denim jacket with the purple rose on the back. Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=B021BBD3-A8D7-2A82-5DCDFC50B3939684">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6E0A76D2-EAE8-FCD6-511095E5E59D4B7B http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6E0A76D2-EAE8-FCD6-511095E5E59D4B7B <p>If you're a lesbian who didn't get her Pride on this summer -- or even if you did and want more -- then consider the 25th annual Womenfest in Key West, September 6-11 hosted by The Key West Business Guild.  This Sapphic paradise welcomes thousands of women and presents a diverse schedule of activities over six days, including the arts, music, sports, sightseeing tours, and girl-watching by the pool."One of the things that is so exciting about Womenfest is the broad demographics that it attracts... just about anybody can find just the right way to spend their days ... and their nights," states KWBG Executive Director, Rebecca Tomlinson.There is definitely a party vibe&mdash;bikini contests, try-not-to-spill-your-drink-in-the-clothing-optional-pool kind of activities.  Southernmost Hotel, Alexander's Guesthouse, Aqua Nightclub and Pearl's Key West are some places to find your inner hedonist.Several activities are free or offered at a discounted cost.  Tomlinson confirms that "many of the pool parties and dance parties are free...parties that charge a cover keep their prices low... you could just hang out by the pool...and go home feeling like you had a tropical vacation."<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6E0A76D2-EAE8-FCD6-511095E5E59D4B7B">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:53:40 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=0C377046-F538-F7BA-B3FDC95FAC668390 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=0C377046-F538-F7BA-B3FDC95FAC668390 <p>?The luckiest man alive is happy?At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, the Universe acts on many different levels, most of which our puny human minds cannot begin to comprehend. There are forces at work in the Multiverse unbeknownst to us as we stumble through our daily lives which affect each and every moment, each and every action and reaction which affect other stimuli, which in turn cause other stuff to happen. The Butterfly Effect, I have heard it called. A butterfly flaps its wings in Phoenix and a tsunami crashes the shores of Indochina. A short order cook at a truck stop in Missouri drops a flapjack on the floor and somewhere else in the world, another Texan is elected to the office of President.Or maybe not?I guess what I am trying to say is, umm?errr?shit?.O.k., the truth is I have no idea what to say about this last month of my life. It is more than a little disconcerting to admit that I am too overwhelmed by the Power of this past 30 days to express, with the pitiful limitations of Words, the audacity of Luck and Divine Intervention. I will attempt to describe to you, Faithful Reader, the events of this past lunar phase and challenge you to explain to me how the Incrediverse works and why?Please understand that I am fully aware of how disjointed and haphazard this all sounds. I am not even trying to maintain any semblance of proper sentence structure, punctuation, or grammar. I do not have time. This needs to be written down now, before Life interferes and attempts to convince my mind that this did not happen.About 60 days ago I attempted to describe to the Lovely a Strong Feeling that had awoken me. I periodically have Strong Feelings that have never led me astray, seem Divinely Inspired, and that I have learned to respond to immediately when they come. I have told people, in the past, that God speaks to me, loudly at times, but the response I received convinced me to keep that one on the Down Low. How dare I, right?? How dare this blasphemous, heretical Son of Man claim that he has a direct line to the Almighty? What fresh hell is this Unbelieving Bastard inviting upon his Stiff neck?As I explain this to the Lovely, however, I am victim of no such ridicule. You see, she has been here, in my head, my heart, my bed, for over 10 years now and she accepts my eccentricities with aplomb and the fervor of the Truly Converted. She knows, intimately, my Strong Feelings and knows that if it is not the God of Abraham and Moses, then it is at the very least, the God Who Protects Drunks and Whorish Beasts Amuck. These Feelings, Voices, Premonitions have never steered this old country boy down a wrong path. Some of you who are familiar with my life, Trials, Tribulations and Whatnot, may tend to disagree with me but please try to remember Doctrine Numero Uno of Stan?s Effective Blasphemy 101.Everything Happens for a Reason!Everything leads to the next thing. Heartache affects the next relationship. Every mistake leads to an eventual triumph. Everything works out for the Best, especially if we refuse to force the matter. There are no such Beasts as Coincidences.These emails from God are not frequent. Maybe once or twice a year I am assailed with a warning voice, a Strong Feeling, a premonition of Good or Ill. But I have learned to heed these omens as the voice of God, or my Grandfather, or Bob Dylan.Undeniable.Anyway, I had a Strong Feeling that I expressed to my Lovely, that for the next month, we needed to be very careful to Do the Right Thing. To protect our Karmic balance. That it would be paramount to help out when we could.June 30th I made a phone call to my Mother to explain to her that I would not be visiting her the first week in July as planned. I was going to Multitask by visiting Mom, my Children, and my 25th Class Reunion all at the same time. Some financial obligations had arisen suddenly (I was Broke.) and I would not be making it this summer. I knew it would break her heart but, following my new found religion of Do the Right Thing, I had decided that paying off some final bills would be more prudent than pissing away a bunch of money on a vacation better afforded in December than in July just to come to my Home Town to attend my 25th Class Reunion and see a bunch of people I hadn?t seen in 25 years and who probably did not want to see me anyway. Of course, the Gods That Be had other plans for Stan.When I got my Mom on the phone I could immediately tell something was wrong. Something in her breathing, her tone of voice perhaps. I?m not really sure but I never bothered to tell her that I wasn?t coming. I told Sam, after a few minutes of silent contemplation, that I was going to Iuka, Mississippi after all. I knew, somehow, that this would be the last chance that I would have to see her alive.As much as I hate riding a bus, over 4th of July weekend, Greyhound was my cheapest route home. 200 dollars and a bottle of gin for the germs later, I boarded the silver tube of Viral Death, obnoxious children, and No Smoking. By the time I had reached the outskirts of Miami, I had learned that Peggy Jean Daniel, my mother, had been transferred to the hospital in Tupelo, MS. The early prognosis was a stroke brought on by the return of her cancer. She had beaten breast cancer 10 years prior. Cancer-free for a decade, she had lived in constant fear of its inevitable return, its hunger and essential Wrongness. Now here it was.Voracious and disgusting in its finality and Black. I will not bore you with the details of the most boring, uncomfortable, degrading bus ride in the entire history of Mankind, but I will say that I made it to Tupelo at 7:30pm July 2nd. Along the way I had begun writing a poem for my class reunion entitled ?I Remember? meant to memorialize an exceptional childhood and the special time we shared in school. We were the beautiful children of the Last Generation before technology fucked everything up. Before texting and social networking sites and Farmville, that False Idol, took the place of actual conversation. The ass end of Baby Boomers and the bowsprit of Gen X, we were the last generation who truly KNEW itself as a cultural Amoeba, a family, and a village. Small town, cornbread, southern Baptist, river bank, middle class Mississippi is where I grew up and it was every bit as magical and tragic as it sounds. I loved and hated every second of my childhood there.When I moved to my Grandfathers farm at a very young age, Snowdown Road was still red clay dirt. Dogwoods blooms littered the neatly trimmed lawn surrounding the sturdy wooden outhouse. The white house in which George Washington Daniel lived had a wraparound porch on which were strategically positioned against the relentless sun, rocking chairs made of metal tubing and which required annual sanding and repainting. There was circular gravel drives around which were the out buildings of the working farm. Barn, cold cellar, coal bin, double tin garage, woodshed. The massive garden, meticulously tended by G.W. up until the last Stroke took his mind, lay just on the other side of that fence yonder and the scent of vine ripe tomatoes and cowshit STILL takes me back to that magical place, humid, simple and cedar green.There was no such thing as Cable TV. We had to go outside to turn the antenna every time we wanted to watch one of the other 3 channels. The heavy black plastic phone mounted on the wall ran on a party line and you had to wait your turn to make a call unless it was an Emergency and then everyone else would happily stop talking if only to hear what the emergency was. Children played outside, All Day!It was a special time to be alive and a kid.I digress.The poem did not work out the way that I had intended. Somewhere on that long lonely highway, I began contemplating what it was that I Really remembered. I always joke that, like the 60?s, if you remember the 80?s, you weren?t really there. So as I began reminiscing about faces and voices and songs and such, I found myself thinking about a girl. Her name was ________ and she was a Big girl in school. She suffered merciless teasing and ridicule from an inordinate amount of kids and did not deserve it. She was a very sweet person and deserved better treatment from so-called ?Christian? folk. The poem degenerated into something else entirely after the 2 paragraphs devoted to _________ and became more of a sentimentalist?s rant than anything else. It was scattered across 3 notebooks, in fits and starts, before I realized that I remember a lot more than I wanted to admit and that some of it hurt. Maybe some of it hurt too much.Maybe that is why I am sitting on a shaded patio on a tiny Key West lane watching the neighborhood Calico chasing geckos to drop at my feet like tiny sacrifices to the minor God of Can Opener and Seafood Medley. Maybe that is why Going Home happens less and less as time goes by. Maybe that is why god called me back this time. Maybe it was time to Let Go.Visit http://hotpavement.blogspot.com/ for more articles on Stan Yow's blog.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=0C377046-F538-F7BA-B3FDC95FAC668390">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05D27B95-DC6A-DE98-BB4E644957BE43CC http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05D27B95-DC6A-DE98-BB4E644957BE43CC <p>An underwater art exhibit has debuted on a former Air Force missile-tracking ship sunk in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary seven miles south of Key West to become an artificial reef. Austrian art photographer Andreas Franke is exhibiting a dozen digitally composited images on the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, which was scuttled in May 2009. The 4-by-5-foot photographs stretch along some 200 linear feet of the starboard side of the Vandenberg's weather deck, 93 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.Franke photographed the wreck last year. He digitally added other elements to the images to create the whimsical artwork.One picture depicts a girl wielding a butterfly net trying to capture fish shown in an original underwater image of the wreck. In another, kick boxers seem to compete adjacent to one of Vandenberg's iconic tracking dishes. The 20-square-foot images are encased in plexiglass and mounted in stainless steel frames sealed with silicone.Joe Weatherby, the Key West resident who conceived and spearheaded the sinking of the Vandenberg, said he hopes the exhibition can remain in place through the end of the year.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05D27B95-DC6A-DE98-BB4E644957BE43CC">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:01:12 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=058C4A4D-09D0-9011-3B8F702ED520735E http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=058C4A4D-09D0-9011-3B8F702ED520735E <p>Three Florida Keys men arrested last week on federal charges of conspiring to illegally catch and sell spiny lobster are free on $150,000 bond and awaiting arraignment in the coming days.Scott Greager, owner of Holiday Seafood in Key West, is accused of buying and selling lobster caught by charter captain Rush Maltz and Big Pine Key resident Titus Werner.According to a 13-page federal indictment unveiled Thursday, Maltz and Werner were diving on illegal lobster habitat, or casitas, and taking more than their commercial daily bag limit of 250 lobsters.Prosecutors say that between May 2007 and March 2009, Greager purchased what he knew to be illegally caught lobster and sold the catch to two unnamed Miami seafood distributors.Greager is scheduled to enter a plea before U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez at 2 p.m. Friday at the federal courthouse on Simonton Street in Key West; Maltz and Werner are set for arraignment Aug. 19.All face up to 10 years in prison if convicted on felony charges of conspiracy to illegally harvest lobster and sale of illegally harvested lobster.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=058C4A4D-09D0-9011-3B8F702ED520735E">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:53:32 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05579DA3-A216-4E2E-D88B0B3753385EBB http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05579DA3-A216-4E2E-D88B0B3753385EBB <p>An asthma attack, a painful shoulder and battering wind and waves forced 61-year-old swimmer Diana Nyad to abandon early on Tuesday her bid to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.The American, who tried and failed the 103-mile (166 km) swim more than three decades ago when she was 28, gave up after enduring nearly 30 hours of a crossing expected to last 60, exhausted by her body's limits and the force of the elements."I thought this was my time. We set out, thinking the conditions were favourable. They were not. The winds were stronger and the waves were bigger than what I'd expected," she told Reuters after her escort boat Bellisimo brought her to the Key West Yacht Club on Stock Island.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=05579DA3-A216-4E2E-D88B0B3753385EBB">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:47:47 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=9E780E86-C070-E1D5-16B31619509EDD71 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=9E780E86-C070-E1D5-16B31619509EDD71 <p>Among the dwellers of this tranquil and vibrant subtropical island have been literary luminaries such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost, Judy Blume, Robert Stone and most recently Mark Childress.The city hosts the annual Lorian Hemingway Short Story Contest and the world-acclaimed Key West Literary Seminar.It has always been a haven for reading and writing.So for many it's sad to hear that two of the island's four bookstores will close soon. "It's devastating, like losing a good friend," said Christine Dunn, a librarian at the Key West Library.Borders Express, despite doing well in Key West, is a victim of the corporate crumble of the giant bookstore chain that could not recover from bankruptcy and is liquidating its remaining 399 stores.Voltaire Books, voted the top independent bookstore last year by Florida Monthly magazine, was barely breaking even after five years in business. Its out-of-town owners, faced with having to renew a five-year lease, decided the outlook wasn't much better and are calling it quits.But the loss of the island's only bookstores that sell primarily new books does not mean Key West is dying as a literary community.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=9E780E86-C070-E1D5-16B31619509EDD71">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:51:14 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6B33309E-935F-8C78-BAA31560213A837F http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6B33309E-935F-8C78-BAA31560213A837F <p>The Key West City Commission on Tuesday adopted a tax rate for 2011-12 that will offer residents a slight break on their tax bill in the coming fiscal year.The approved rate is $2.8627 per $1,000 of assessed home value; that means the owner of a $300,000 home will have an $858 tax bill.The adopted millage rate for the current year is $2.9132 per $1,000 of assessed home value; the owner of that same home had an $873 city tax bill this year. The year-over-year difference represents a 1.73 percent decrease in the municipal tax rate."People will be writing a check, on the Key West side, for less than they did a year ago," Commissioner Jimmy Weekley said."We've rolled back our taxes," said Commissioner Mark Rossi, who was sitting as the vice mayor. "Staff has done a wonderful job."<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=6B33309E-935F-8C78-BAA31560213A837F">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:21:04 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=00BCED85-9B47-ED65-A256DAD7A641A05E http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=00BCED85-9B47-ED65-A256DAD7A641A05E <p>A white-bearded, 64-year-old Florida man has won the annual Ernest Hemingway look-alike competition at a Florida Keys bar once frequented by the author.Matt Gineo of Jensen Beach, dressed in a wool fisherman's sweater to emulate photographer Yousuf Karsh's famous portrait of Hemingway, bested 120 other entrants after an unprecedented tie-breaker vote. It was Gineo's 12th try."This was something that I had in my heart to do, but I didn't know how many years it would take," Gineo said.Gineo, a biomedical engineer, said he shares Hemingway's fondness for sport fishing and writing.Saturday night's "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe's Bar is a highlight ofKey West's annual Hemingway Days.Two dozen finalists garbed in sportsmen's attire, culled from 121 contestants, were judged by past winners.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=00BCED85-9B47-ED65-A256DAD7A641A05E">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:44:10 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CDE1AD04-05D2-CE4A-0CD2C3E2BB68B569 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CDE1AD04-05D2-CE4A-0CD2C3E2BB68B569 <p>A whale that beached itself near Key West earlier this summer now has a new home at SeaWorld Orlando.The 2-year-old, 600-poound female pilot whale took a five-hour trip in a cooled truck's water-transport unit from a care facility in Key Largo to its new Central Florida home early this morning."It's still too early to tell her long-term prognosis, but she traveled well, she's getting settled into her new surroundings, and we're cautiously optimistic about her future," park animal expert and chief veterinarian Dr. Chris Dold said in a prepared statement.SeaWorld Orlando's Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility, which includes a new 40,000 gallon pool designed to serve animals rescued from the wild, will be the whale's home. Animal experts will monitor it constantly.The whale and 20 other pilot whales beached themselves in early May. The National Marine Fisheries service and other experts determined the whale needed extensive treatment, according to SeaWorld.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CDE1AD04-05D2-CE4A-0CD2C3E2BB68B569">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:02:07 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CD72D4A5-CC0E-9BC0-3C27C1EC4B82E27D http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CD72D4A5-CC0E-9BC0-3C27C1EC4B82E27D <p>After catching a blue marlin Friday in the Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament, Moppy Dick II had a simple game plan for the third and final day:"We were hoping just to get a decent-sized dolphin to compete with the other boats that had marlin," Ron Lea said.Moppy Dick II was one of three boats with one marlin, which were worth 400 points. Dolphin, wahoo and tuna were worth one point per pound, so a big dolphin might have been enough to move Moppy Dick II from third place into first.Instead, Moppy Dick II made things easy by releasing a second blue marlin Saturday to win the tournament with 800 points and claim the $25,000 top prize.On Course also caught a marlin Saturday to finish second with 444.85 points. That included an 18.95-pound dolphin Thursday and a 25.9-pounder Friday. Blue Heaven, which led the first two days, ended up third at 416.85.Moppy Dick II, a 45-foot Cabo owned by Richard Haskins, of Fort Myers, an octogenarian who sat out Saturday's seas of 7-8 feet, had fished the tournament for over a decade before finally winning. Harry Cameron caught Friday's marlin and Danny Richards caught Saturday's marlin, the first blues for each man.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CD72D4A5-CC0E-9BC0-3C27C1EC4B82E27D">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:50:01 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=34657F55-F4D7-913D-D2C1362ACA0E3064 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=34657F55-F4D7-913D-D2C1362ACA0E3064 <p>More than 100 beers and ales, including unique microbrews, will be on tap at Key West BrewFest, scheduled Thursday through Monday, Sept. 1-5. Presented by the Southernmost Hotel Collection and Southernmost Beach Café, the Labor Day weekend celebration benefits the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of the Conch Republic.The selection of beers is to include Monk in the Trunk, Magic Hat, Purple Haze and Woodchuck Draft Cider. Other specialty brews and local favorites such as Key West Sunset Ale are to be featured as well. BrewFest begins with a 5-7 p.m. welcome party and fundraiser Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Bottlecap Groove Lounge, 1128 Simonton St.Friday's highlights include the Swamp Ape IPA Pool Party at the new Pineapple Bar at the Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St. Attractions include contests, games, prizes and more.The festival's main event is the Brewfest Tasting Festival, is set for 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Key West's South Beach, adjacent to the Southernmost on the Beach Hotel, 508 South St. Attendees can taste more than 100 beers from around the world. Admission is $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door.Event information: www.keywestbrewfest.com<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=34657F55-F4D7-913D-D2C1362ACA0E3064">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:30:22 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CC9F4A0F-E3C7-7008-88F2DCE4E9504C61 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CC9F4A0F-E3C7-7008-88F2DCE4E9504C61 <p>The life of "Captain Tony" Tarracino, a legendary former Key West bar owner and one-time island mayor, will be celebrated Aug. 11-14 with the inaugural "Captain Tony Days" events following an Aug. 10 "birthday party" for the late captain, who died in 2008 at age 92.The party is to begin at 6 p.m. at Captain Tony's Saloon, 428 Greene St., which was owned by Tarracino for almost 30 years.According to a release, "Tarracino arrived in Key West from New Jersey in 1948 with $18 in his pocket. In the early 1960s, he purchased the Greene Street bar that became his namesake. A former charterboat captain, gambler and reputed gunrunner, he served as mayor of Key West from 1989 to 1991."His life, fictionalized in a film titled "Cuba Crossing" that starred Stuart Whitman, included marrying four times and fathering 13 children. His exploits were memorialized by Jimmy Buffett in the song "Last Mango in Paris." Festival events are to include a rare theatrical showing of "Cuba Crossing" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at a location to be announced.Also Thursday, a double feature will be shown at 7 p.m. at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. "Captain Tony's Key West" is a documentary video produced by Key West High School students and "Crossbones" features Tarracino as an actor. Friday, Aug. 12, features a 6-9 p.m. "Tony Tales" storytelling contest at the Chart Room Bar at the Pier House Resort, 1 Duval St.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=CC9F4A0F-E3C7-7008-88F2DCE4E9504C61">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:08:38 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=962551DE-0C28-88BA-3E8F78121C03BF1B http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=962551DE-0C28-88BA-3E8F78121C03BF1B <p>Diana Nyad is about to swim 103 miles from Cuba to Key West without stopping. If all goes perfectly, and it's quite possible that many things will go wrong, the journey will take about 60 hours. Let's consider the difficulties she faces.First, Nyad is 61-years-old. When asked whether her age will cause difficulties, Nyad responds, "Physically, I am much stronger than I was before, although I was faster in my 20s. I feel strong, powerful, and endurance-wise, I'm fit." Dr. Michael J. Joyner, a professor of anesthesiology and exercise research agrees, saying that experience and training can be more important than speed. And Nyad has plenty of both.She holds the world record for the longest ocean swim, a 102 mile journey from the Bahamas to Florida without a shark cage, the NY Times reports. She successfully completed a 24-hour swim in Mexico last year.But when swimming for 60 hours, one is more likely to run into problems like bad weather and sharks. Nyad has hired four experts to study weather patterns and predict the best starting time. Her navigator, David Marchand, shares their plans, saying, "Day 1 and Day 2, we want flat calm...By Day 3, well, it's hard to get three days of flat calm." <p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=962551DE-0C28-88BA-3E8F78121C03BF1B">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:45:21 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67BF7CB9-E875-52C9-AEEEF33495F55067 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67BF7CB9-E875-52C9-AEEEF33495F55067 <p>So, are you the kind of person who can put "been there, done that" on your travel resume? Have you have already seen all, or most, of the sites the experts deem worthy of viewing in our world?Well, today, is your lucky day! I have a new destination &mdash; only 30 minutes from Key West &mdash; to offer you: it is now legal for American citizens to go to Cuba! As a travel agent, I no longer need to send you to Toronto, Cancun or Jamaica for you to get into this island only 90 miles from our Florida coastline.All those travel restrictions imposed by President George W. Bush in 2004 have now been reversed.Effective this August, travel to Cuba is no longer limited to humanitarian or government sanctioned travel groups. You are now free to travel without fear of a $260,000 fine from the U.S. Treasury Department if you happen to be caught slipping into Cuba uninvited.<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67BF7CB9-E875-52C9-AEEEF33495F55067">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:07:59 EDT http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67891B26-CFD6-727C-2B4BDC7E8D1370C7 http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67891B26-CFD6-727C-2B4BDC7E8D1370C7 <p>On Wednesday, residents of Key West, Florida discussed plans to dredge the channel to allow larger cruise ships to visit the city.  Royal Caribbean warned without such a dredging, Key West would simply be passed over by it and other cruise lines.According to a reconnaissance study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project would be economically viable and cost about $35 million.There are opponents to the plan who cite economic and environmental concerns.Key West's Director of Port Operations, Jim Fitton, is worried that without dredging the channel, Key West will simply be bypassed by Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines on their way to Mexico.Fitton told the room of residents, "They'll bypass us and go straight to Mexico. Royal Caribbean used to be our biggest client. In a couple of years, it'll be down to no boats; that's where we're going. "<p><a href="http://keywest.barsmart.com/viewtopic.cfm?topic=67891B26-CFD6-727C-2B4BDC7E8D1370C7">Read more of this story</a> at Barsmart</a></p></p> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:02:02 EDT