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Archives of Old Kudos and Whiners

January 2006

Tuesday January 31, 2006
(Ed: State of the Website Message. We have new settings on our spam blocker and unless your comment says Kudos and Whiners [the handy link above writes it in automatically] in the subject line it gets deleted. We need all your comments so please write only Kudos and Whiners in the subject line to have your comment posted in this column. We hate to lose any comment or submissions.)
I wish that rain that preceded this morning's cold front lasted longer. We need it to flush the salt from our gardens.
I'm always surprised at how so many people who live here don't like it. So many of you want BPK to be like Miami, but you just won't admit to that. Publix, Wal-Mart, Wendy's, Movie Theater, etc. You want all these changes, buy when they do happen, you're the first people who will tell others how nice and simple it used to be here. You don't know what you've got until it's gone.
Thank you to the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church for a wonderful time at the Revive Her Meeting on Monday night. You did a great job.
Big Pine Inn. Arson job for insurance? Everyone seems to believe that all restaurant fires are arson.
Investigative reporter. I just sent an email and I think my pen name was on the bottom of it please do not include my name for in the next few days I will have several more post with some pictures of the wrongful things that go on at Winn Dixie. I have proof and I will reveal my name then.
Re: Restaurant chain review. Stick it.

Jimi Hendrix used to turn the amplifier all the way up and then control the volume through the guitar. It was sort of like scuba tanks. There's 3,000 pounds of air in the bottle and the regulator controls what is coming at you.
I cannot believe that an arrest warrant was issued to Tom Fletcher for just using his bobcat to remove some debris from his property.  He told me that the debris was accumulated from the hurricane.  As for the marijuana, I know that Tom has allergies and that could be detrimental to his health.  His eyesight is waning as well.  Tom has done so much for the community by providing affordable housing for the residents of Big Pine.
Re: Scanning errors are inevitable. Think about it. Winn-Dixie sends down loads of price changes twice a week. You see several ladies running around with hands full of changed yellow price stickers constantly trying to locate that specific item and put the new sticker on it. I don't know when the computer linked to the scanners gets updated, but that is irrelevant. In theory, you could come up with a process to update the computer the instant the lady put the new price tag (raising or lowering the price) on the shelf. But what about the poor shopper that picked that item up 5 minutes ago and is now at the other end of the store. To that shopper, there is a "scanner error" when the price comes up different.

The only way to eliminate errors is to not change the prices. I know its marketing to change prices constantly, but us consumers have to live with the errors. Maybe if you shut the whole store down while they updated all those prices you could get around the problem. It's not just Winn-Dixie, but anybody that uses scanners. And when did you last complain because something scanned lower than the shelf tag? And I'm retired and don't work for Winn-Dixie or anybody else.

If you get the web camera working, consider strapping it to an oscillating fan so we get a better look. (Ed: that's not a bad idea.)
The defender of the SnowBirds said, "Tourists do not bring more money into the Keys per person than snowbirds do."

The defender of the SnowBirds was basically right. I just have to have a little laugh here, as I pay my $17,000 this year in property taxes to Monroe on the two apartments in Key West and the house on BPK (and no, I actually bought the first KW one in 1988) not to mention good ol' Monroe sales tax. This is without my food, my gas, my car, my every other everyday thing for every day I'm here. My dollar would keep a tourist couple on about a three-month first class vacation, or 15 tourist couples for two weeks.

Yes, snowbirds have their rights. So (gasp) do tourists (God knows, they pay enough.) Many snowbirds consider themselves more local than a lot of the so-called locals, and they are. Hell, 80% of the locals wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for the snowbirds and tourists. The former with their homes, cars, etc., and the latter with all their recreational doings. What also makes me laugh about these loudmouth so-called locals is that about 90% of them have moved to the Keys in the last 15 years or less, become immediate locals and experts, and then run their stupid mouths endlessly. Many of the original Keys' locals were snowbirds in the seasonal sense. Many of the businesses operated only seasonally in those days, and both owners and employees would come and go with the tourists; as would many of the tradesmen and other support persons.

Before you whine about outsiders who want to change things and tell your Joe/Jane local what to do, reflect on several things. You and other Johnny-come-lately so-called locals have changed things already far more than the snowbirds and tourists ever have/will. Many snowbirds are even more against change than you are, and in fact wish you had never come. Also, you and your ten kids put, and have put, far more strain on the local infrastructure than they ever have and they'll be paying the lion's share of the bills over the years.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Mangrove Mama's this past Saturday evening, to enjoy the evening with Mile Marker 24.  Be sure to check out the web pages at www.Milemarker24.com  There are many pictures of the event posted there.
Re: Old Faithful. It's great to see we have some free spirited gals around Big Pine. As for the guy at the bar, I guess his farther never told him that all ladies should be treated with respect and dignity. There are a few understanding nice guys still around here you know. I've even bought a lady a few drinks and dinner to have some fun and still do. I thought it was called a date, what a concept.
How about you go kiss my tush, Mr. or Mrs. word police.
This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address fall on the same time. As Air America Radio pointed out, "It is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves a groundhog."
Regarding the crisis occurring at Venture Out Saturday mornings. What is one person's calamity is another's "never really noticed." However, realizing your extreme pain and knowing that mommy is probably no longer here, what else is a poor fellow to do but seek satisfaction from your surrogate mother, i.e. the Governor. Yet I see your point to a point. When the ambulance goes by and they turn their siren on it makes me so mad.
"Debate on Climate Shifts to Issue of Irreparable Change Some Experts on Global Warming Foresee 'Tipping Point' When It Is Too Late to Act." This subject is finally making it to the front page of the major papers suggesting it is more than the usual piece of science fluff. I can't help but feel like we are racing toward an inevitable and very unpleasant outcome.
Married men? To the girls who need a little. There a lot  of wives who have given up on sex and a lot of married men who could offer a lot. What do you think?
Nothing to bitch about. No complaints. Hell, I might, just as well, head back to Michigan! 

Nice graphic for the Chinese New Year banner on Sundays post.  The wording reminded me of something you hear at the Cow Palace on Friday night.  “Go Home Fat Chicks!”
When you go by House of Music, hold your nose because there's a new dump in town.  I'm not really sure, but isn't it mandatory for restaurants to have a dumpster?  Can someone please do something about this problem? It is unsanitary, not to mention disgusting. I mean how big do you think the maggots and rats are?
When people are being interviewed on the tube they always seem to say, "That's a good question." And then they answer a questions by saying, "Absolutely!"

Doesn’t the old Conch & Stein property look nice?  Another eyesore on Big Pine sitting vacant and abandoned!
Re: Black lab found in Eden Pines. He has been returned to his owner.


Postal worker goes postal in California. Killing seven co-workers. I hope the Big Pine mail people don't catch that disease (especially while I'm in there).
I think it's great that a few women down here are being serviced by their own personal "man whore." It is only fair. We men have Teasers and the Scrub Club. I wonder if the man-whore accepts tips? And does he have a health card?
The Staghorn Coral Restoration Project is a program of The Nature Conservancy that aims to restore degraded reefs in the Upper Keys by transplanting fragments of wild staghorn coral.  The Conservancy is collecting wild staghorn colonies to be grown out, fragmented, and then transplanted to multiple restoration sites that will be monitored by staff and volunteers.  They are looking for eager and dedicated volunteers to serve as both boat operators and divers.  A presentation on the project will be given at the Key Largo Library on February 10th at 7pm.  For more details, please contact Meaghan Johnson at (305) 745-8402. 
I agree with the person who wrote re: BellSouth.  I work from home, that is how I make my living,  but I need phone lines and I have been without work now for two weeks.  I'm borrowing a computer today to check e-mails.  Everyone else and every other utility company has been wonderful.  Wish BellSouth would jump on the band wagon.



Re: "Girls let's unite and go hook up with the Classified Hook Up Guy..."
Why do I get the feeling that this was written by Mr. Hook Up?
A poster made the comment: "If anyone thinks that there is any chance that the County or its money grubbing bureaucrats will ever ease the burden of excessive taxation, fees etc. for the little guy--their dreaming."
I'm not sure what you're talking about. Since 2001 the millage (rate of taxation) has been going down in Monroe county. That means that if you homestead, your taxes have been going down each year. Most places in Florida, the millage has been going up. If you don't homestead, you're probably screwed because the cost of housing has gone up a lot. So, if the 3 county commissioners you're complaining about are responsible for my taxes going down, I just want to say thanks and keep up the good work!
What’s up IndiSota?

Tuesday January 31, 2006

 

Monday January 30, 2006
Re: Dead Dog. Dear Ed: I can only conclude that you have never had the pleasure of being chosen to share the life and death of (wo)man's best friend. I found the graphic attached to Sunday's lethal injection post not only inappropriate but extremely insensitive. I know from posts on this site that many readers enjoy the graphics. Frequently, though, I feel they change the mood and or meaning of the post. My heart goes out to the poster and the subjectee of the lethal injection post.
To whoever posted the link for Monroe Counties Ordnances. Thanks. I am one of the few who read them. It sure did open my eyes. Now I can do something about all the dog shit from my neighbors monsters.
People complain about the new changes that are coming to the Keys. Like everywhere else, what was, is gone, and the new generations will never know the beauty and freedom we had in the old days. Too many people, without any respect for what was. It's a damn shame!


Today begins the trial of Ken Lay and Jeffery Skilling the poster boys for corporate greed.
"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot,"  says Bierstock, who plays harmonica.  "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day.  I thought we  needed to thank them." Before You Go does more than salute those who fought in WWII.  It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.
Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Blues Band (music)

Free beginners' computer class will take place Saturday February 4 at 10am at the Senior Center located behind the fire station. Call Betz at 872-2656 or email her at betzzz@hotmail.com to register. This introductory class is presented by the Big Pine Computer Club.
There is a program to allow viewing and censoring of emails and all other communications. It's called unspeack.exe and is available though Pres. Bush's office, for $29.95, plus $7,598.00 S&H. www.big bro.gov/unspeak/repress/control.com
That was Pubicx as in the fuzzes found in most of their products.
Regarding putting your pet down. Over the years my husband and I have had to have our Vets put down three beloved dogs and three cats during our twenty-four years together.  This is always an extremely hard  decision to make, but usually the animal is so sick and literally tells you with his eyes that it's OK.  Our animals are so special and are definitely part of our family.  We feel we were so lucky to be part of their lives.  They all touched so many people and were adored by a numerous world of friends.  When we had to put down our much loved "Fred" last year, we couldn't stand the empty animal feeling in the house when he was gone. After looking in Marathon and on Big Pine at the shelters and not finding just the right dog, we found a classic loveable 3 month old lug on the internet and drove up to Second Chance Rescue in New Smyrna Beach to adopt him.  When we evacuated from Hurricane Wilma, we ended up bringing home another abandoned dog, so now we have two.
I was the first one way back when to write in about enjoying the company of the guy who placed that famous "Let's Hook Up" ad and passed him on to a few of my girl friends. Three of us that I know of enjoy his company on a regular basis.

Today I was talking to a girlfriend of mine at the Tiki Bar. One who has not met him. I was suggesting she looked him up. She recently split up with her boy friend so I figured it would help her get over the break up and make her feel good at the same time. Some jerk sitting next to us was listening to our conversation. He leaned over and said, "Don't you feel cheap?" How is it that when a guy goes out and hooks up just because he needs sex, he's a hero and the girl is cheap?

Guys, ever notice that if you're hooking up with a one-nighter one of us girls is there with you? It takes two to tango and we girls need to get ours too. After telling that jerk off what I thought of him and leaving I'm thinking about calling my Booty Call Guy just so I can go do him and go back to Tiki Bar and tell that jerk who is probably still sitting at the bar alone that I just got laid and it wasn't with him. I hope he reads this so he will know I was horny today and he was hitting on both my friend and I. If he had been a nice guy he might be in my bed right now. Girls let's unite and go hook up with the Classified "Hook Up" Guy and write in about it every time we do so the jerk at Tiki Bar today can read it as he dates his left hand. I'll call my "Friend" and ask him to put his ad back in so we all have access to an Old Faithful.
 
When you find a mistake on your bill at W/D they will always give you back your money.
By the way it is not the store's fault. It is their corporate not caring employees.
Food line scanning errors can easily be corrected, just have the clerk do it by hand.  I'm joking, of course!
Let me tell you a little story that our Vet told us once.  A family had to put their much loved dog down due to a severe illness.  The Vet came over to the house and with the Mom and Dad and their little boy they all sat down in a circle with their dog laying in front of them.  The Vet administered the "pink" shot and their beloved dog went to sleep with all their arms around him.  They all sat there awhile with the three adults talking, saying, "It's just not fair. They just don't live long enough. Why? We don't understand why."  When all of a sudden the little boy spoke up saying, "I know why. God puts you here on this Earth to learn to love one another and be nice to one another, and dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Re: Suggestions on new format and number of submissions.  Do what is easier for you, but please do not limit the number of posts.  Variety is the spice of life.  I say the more the merrier.

Re:  “new development on US1. Big Pine will look like another Marathon.”  Reply:  No, it won’t.  It will, however, look like a nicely landscaped, well maintained business corridor with a few nice, complimentary designed buildings to replace the abandoned, rundown, trash strewn appearance that is creeping along U.S. 1.  It just might also create a few jobs. 

Re: Plugged canals are there for a reason. They control the flow of water between the Gulf and the Atlantic, and also stop the onslaught of snooping tourists, sticking their noses into my back door, while bouncing their oversized attack crafts off my fishing boat.



Re: Scooter repair.  The Lawnmowerman has worked on my scooter twice and I’ve been happy with their service and price.  They are located on Quail Roost and their phone no. is 872-1349.  I think the owners name is John. Business Directory>Scooters

Someone posting on this site suggested on Saturday, “How about sending local taxpayers a monthly share of the collected taxes?”  You must be very new to Monroe County.   We have three County Commissioners who can’t waste money fast enough while ignoring the excessive financial burdens on the working taxpayer. (Fortunately, here in District 2, Commissioner Neugent is not one of them). Not to mention being played like puppets by the big developers. 

Then we have a County Administrator who already makes in excess of $150,000 per year constantly making grabs for the taxpayer wallet at every opportunity demanding bonus money, overtime pay etc. that he, by his contract, is not entitled to.  His car allowance alone is more than some service industry workers make in salary a year.  Let’s not forget the County bureaucracy that has its hand in your pocket every chance it gets.  Do you really think that the County should rob you of a permit fee to paint your bathroom or affect other minor maintenance or repair jobs around your home?  Well, they do, although most people ignore them, automatically violating ridiculous County ordnances.  If anyone thinks that there is any chance that the County or its money grubbing bureaucrats will ever ease the burden of excessive taxation, fees etc. for the little guy--their dreaming.  Let’s not even talk about the insurance companies.
Dr. Edie Clark is the one to call to put your pet down. She is great. You are doing the right thing, but it is better to do it at home. I had to put mine to sleep 10 months ago. I cried for 6 months every morning. The only thing that healed my broken heart was another cutie.

Restaurant Chain Review. My favorite chain restaurants in order are:  Carrabbas Italian (dinner), Outback (dinner), Romano’s Macaroni Grill (lunch and dinner) and Olive Garden (unlimited soup, salad, breadstick lunch).  Fast food places are: Wendy’s, Quizno’s Subs, Taco Bell and, McDonald’s.  Hopefully, if the Publix deal is real and actually happens we will see a Carrabba’s and a Taco Bell right here in little ol’ Big Pine.  Deer and Tree Huggers need not comment because it’s not likely to happen in your narrow minded lifetime.

Non-chains. I also frequently enjoy Big Pine Restaurant (coffee shop - lunch), Parrotdise (lunch and dinner), Square Grouper (lunch and dinner), Square One (KW - dinner and Sunday breakfast), Chico’s (KW - lunch), Salsa Loca (KW - lunch) and Key Colony Inn (Marathon – lunch and dinner).  I just love to eat out!

Re: electric guitar converted to a bass guitar. It’s not that simple. It’s possible, but to do it properly would cost more than a cheap bass. Bass strings will put too much tension on the neck and the instrument probably won’t hold up to the stress. You’d also have to change the bridge, pickup and nut. Intonation would probably be an issue.

I’d say just go buy a cheap bass.
Putting down a pet is a tough decision. I have done it twice for my little buddies. There was a pill available through my Vet, in New York, that I put into the pets favorite treat and sleep came as normally as though it was real.  No pain, no scare, no forgiving stare.  Ask your Vet if they have it in Florida.

How much fun would this be in front of the USFW propaganda center at Winn Dixie?
Key Deer on Hood This is pretty funny.



Found Black Labrador in Eden Pines Subdivision. Call 305-395-8783
I would like to see some new blood in Big Pine. Publix? Hell, yes. Dunkin Donuts? Mmm, yes. Have you ever had real coffee around here? Wendy's?  Ok, where else can you get some food in under 20 minutes? Walgreens? Yes, please. Id like to see a Wal-Mart or a movie theater. How about a new hotel? A park? Something... anything? I doubt it. This place wants to die out.
Those plugged canals suck. It's just not fair that they plug them and try to forget about them. How about fixing the problem you started 40+ years ago. Fill them in so they're 5 feet deep or all the way. But do something. Big Brother doesn't have a clue does he?
Word Police. To the person who keeps using "you go" as an adjective to emphasize support and exuberance for individuals whose politics or policies they agree with, you are so obvious as to which postings are yours.  I must tell you that you sound very red neck by using such juvenile slang and ought to refrain from using it.  Perhaps ain't is in your vocabulary as well.  Classes are available at FKCC that could help you immensely.  You go, please!
To all you complaining about too much postings here go to the Citizens' Voice and watch what that rag does to your freedom of the press/speech. 

If you can't make your point in one sentence, you probably don't know what you are talking about. 
Taco Bell in marathon now charges for soda fountain refills. That's a first. Times must be tight. I hope that's not the start of a new trend.
Has anyone seen the trash pile behind the House of Music? They don't have a dumpster (that's a code violation I'm sure). They probably think its cheaper to haul it to the dump themselves.  I have to drive past that dump every day. We got rid of Classic Carpet. That was a start, now lets see the house leave too.


The Big Pine Inn burned in 1976. I washed dishes there in '75. It is widely believed to be an arson job for insurance.
Plugged canals. It's not a new cause, it's already been tried. Thanks to the Army Corps and DEP it was squashed.
Where's my share? If Alaskan's get a cut from the pipe lines, I want some. All us Americans  paid for that oil crap so the Fed could sell the oil to foreigners. How long has this been going on, or is it that those who have the black gold make the rules?
Publix, etc. is just crap to stir you up. They're not coming to BPK.
Don't fill out those property appraiser cards. they are just another way of Monroe county to either tax you or coming on your property.  It's not in our best interest that's for sure.


The trouble with love is, it doesn't care how fast you fall,
The trouble with love is, you have no say in it at all.
(?)Looe-Key Tiki bar. So much for "we take care of our own".

Monday January 30, 2006

 

Sunday January 29, 2006




Happy New Year. This is the year of the dog.
Consumers lose 1 to 2.5 Billion dollars every year to scanning errors. Half of that total is the Winn Dixie on Big Pine Key.
Does anyone out there know where or who can repair scooters on BPK.  I appreciate the feed back. Business Directory>Scooters
I see there's been some recent interest in the history and condition of the canals. Commissioner Nugent is very concerned about cleaning them up after the hurricanes and that's good, but I never see any interest in getting the plugged canals open. Why is that?

Why aren't all of the people on plugged canals doing anything to get them open? Like most people in the Keys I have a boat and before Wilma I used to frequent the ramp on Pirates Road. Now it's been washed away and by the rules of the Army Corp of Engineers and DEP it cannot legally be rebuilt. As our open water access continues to decrease by development and natural disaster, why can't we have a plugged canal (on the same system with open canals) unplugged? Is there anybody out there interested in a new "cause."
Re: Digging of the canals. Great response. I, as a local learned some history. Thanks again thanks for the history on the Big Pine Inn. I have a chair from the Inn.
Ed., reference overwhelmed with submissions. There are a number of programs that would automate the posting of e-mails received at a specific e-mail address. Many would allow you to choose settings such as post every incoming e-mail when received or hold in queue waiting for review and release. Many would also automate archiving and post archive links. Some also have spam filters that watch for excessive links.
 
Using such software would allow you to actually work as an editor (and not have to daily build the page) and simply review, edit if needed and mark for release to the page.
 
One program I like is WordPress http://wordpress.org/ while this is blog software it can do so much more and it is well supported and FREE. You can see it in use here http://floridakeystreasures.com/keysblog/ (not just a shameless plug)
 
It can be formatted to work inside your frame and look exactly as the page does now or can easily (well I think it is easy) be configured to look any way you want through themes. This would allow quick seasonal or mood format changes.
 
If you would like to talk, I am available. (Ed: Thanks for your help. I'll check into it, but the thing I really need is to be able to open all my emails at once on one page. I use Outlook Pro and I can open them all at once, but not on one page.)



Re: Toll for all visitors.  It seems we've come to the point of charging for entry into areas of the United States of America, that used to be free for all. Oh? Profit for the lusting politicians who never get enough? What next, passports, shot records, body searches, ethnic cleansing?  Hey people, this is our country, lets take it back from the blood suckers before it's too late!
Lets incorporate this island from Sunshine Key to Bay Point. It really would be beneficial to our communities. Let our tax dollars stay here, in our back yards. Taxes wouldn't necessarily go up all that much, and little if any. Why all this "anti" incorporate anger? It's a good thing. Why do you want people from Key West or Key Largo telling you what we should be doing? What do they know anyway? Their islands suck. That's why we live here in the lower Keys. Peace out. Incorporate today.
You could get rid of Friday Funnies. Their not really all that funny.




Question to the shame on you posting involving Tom Fletcher and the Sheriffs Department.  I would like to be sure who you are shaming.  Was it the Sheriffs Department for doing its job or the Individual who broke two laws.
You are out of order. Octopuses Garden or I have never been on Key Deer Blvd. Jerk lackey for the county.
I lived on Big Pine around 1964. I lived in Port Pine Heights. My stepfather dug some of the canals in Port Pine. He drove a dragline and dug out for the canals. He took some off the stuff he dug up and made the end of Port Pine bigger. He also took some and dumped it to bring up the elevation in some places. They had to use dynamite to get the coral rock to bust up so they could dig it. I have heard that the Kyle brothers name is not what it used to be. I used to wash the crane and bulldozer and dump truck. I made money and would go to Marathon and go to the movies. When I lived there no one told anyone else what to do. Live and let live was the motto. The way you talk it sounds like it's not the paradise it was at one time. By the way, there were no iguanas on Big Pine in 1964. I used to walk all around the area and I never saw one the whole time we lived there. I saw some rattle snakes and alligators. Mosquitos were so thick that you could not look out the glass for them covering it. I slept by a window and you could hear them buzzing. When I lived there it was a little wilder then, but I still love my memories of Big Pine Key and Port Pine Heights. When I lived there the main road was almost empty; no stores except one little one ran by some older people (Jens). We used to ride our bikes from Port Pine to the store.

I always read this site every day so I can keep up with what is going on. Please post some pictures of the Keys. I'm dying to see what it is like now.



Congratulations on the Eagle Scout Award.
With all this talk of new  development on US1 like Publix, Outback Steak, Walgreens, etc. Big Pine will look like another Marathon or Key Largo. Too bad. I would not have moved there if I wanted  that. This sounds like a mistake to me. One shopping plaza is enough and it has served us well for years. 
To the person wanting to convert an electric guitar to a bass guitar. Putting bass strings on and tuning down one octave will not work for a couple of reasons.
1. The scale or length of a bass neck is much longer than a guitar which means the tension of the strings will be too loose when tuned up to standard pitch.
2. The hardware such as the tuners, nut, and bridge will not accommodate the larger diameter of the bass strings.
3. A guitar neck is designed for the tension of guitar strings, the loose bass strings will cause backbow of the neck making the strings buzz on the frets.
I know a lot of people in Marathon that voted for incorporation. Now they wish they hadn't. They have the same police protection, same fire department, mostly the same services they had before. Nothing much has changed except for more taxes and more government. Just more big brother.
The county has no right of way on US1. That belongs to the Fla DOT. The county is hassling Octopuses' Garden on flag placements.
Lethal Injection: I was in the same position and the vet was very blunt with me. He explained how many years of joy the dog had given us and now it was our responsibility to do the right thing, stop the dog's suffering, and let him go. It will not be easy and my heart goes out to you and your family. I try to console myself with the thought that all will meet again in heaven and all my deceased family and pets are waiting for me there.  I would ask your vets advice about the children attending. You and your family and pet, will be in my prayers.
It really cracks me up on how gullible you people are. All this crap about this restaurant and that restaurant, is just free advertising. Don't you get it, are you really that dumb?


...and that's PUB-IX's  which fits much better!

I agree that the new changes at Key Deer Grill will be a noticeable improvement.  I think that Capt. Dan finally got rid of a few of his problem children and turned the reins over to the folks that can make the place run.  He just needs to let them do their jobs.

Big Pine women are all pining after a rock musician named  "Moose."  It ain't because he has big antlers, that's for sure!
Don't miss the chili cook off sponsored by ABATE  in the backyard at the Key Deer Bar & Grill today (Sunday) from noon till 3 p.m. Joe Mama will be on the big stage out back. It's another great party.
How come my bookmark for this site says Kudoes and Whiners but the name of the site is Kudos and whiners? (Ed: We're not too smart with dates, spelling and punctuation or facts.)
Tuff love. Putting your pet to sleep is tough . Call Edie at Mobile Vet she will come to your house so your pet can go in a home where it is comfortable instead of a ride to a place it probably already does not like. Business Directory>Pets

Check your receipts. $102.13 for two tomatoes? Surveys indicate that consumers lose $1 billion to $2.5 billion each year because of scanner pricing errors.

Many people have written here about extremely poor service and very serious pharmacy mistakes at CVS.  I have had to wait as much as three days for a prescription.  I have received incorrect medications, the wrong dosage, they have lost my prescriptions on two occasions and the customer service in the entire store in either rude or non-existent.  Seldom are there less than 6 people in line for the front cash register.  I also now go to Walgreens for everything.  The opening of Walgreens (hopefully soon) will either cause them to clean up their act or go away. 

Re: Elderly pet.  I had the Vet Mobile lady put my cat down a couple of months ago with a lethal injection.  She is very sympathetic to not only the pet, but all involved.  If you plan on being there, be prepared--it is one of the harshest things I have ever gone through; however she made it bearable with the way she prepared me and also my pet.  Believe it or not, it was done humanely, and the only one who suffered was me.  Should the kids be involved?  Depends on how you prepare them for the final outcome.  Should you go out and have a couple of stiff ones--you will need It.  The animal should be put under with those that love it close by, but also under familiar surroundings.
I know it must be quite a bit of work keeping this site together. Maybe you can take a cue from some other sites that have a PayPal donation link. At least, it will be added incentive (aside from advertising revenue). And, heck, if it's easier to archive everything older than a day or two- then by all means do so.

Putting your pet to sleep:  It’s a miserable experience that I don’t want to go through again.  I wouldn’t want kids to have to go through it either.  I’m usually a pretty tough, heartless person but when I had to put my best friend of 14 years down I turned into a blubbering mess.  I spent the rest of the day in a bar getting plastered and was depressed for a month.  It’s not easy so be prepared to feel pretty crummy for a while.  I can’t suggest any way to make it easier because I don’t think there are any.  Sorry for your loss.
I know someone who has a cat named Chuck Norris.

January 28, 1986 The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Fla., killing all seven crew members: flight commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee; pilot Michael J. Smith; Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka; Judith A. Resnik; Gregory B. Jarvis; and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.
Dealing with the Monroe County Building Department is easy. Just bring money, lots of cash!
Mangrove Mama's Grand Re-Opening. Gee, I hope the new management had the sense to lower those ridicules drink prices and meal prices. Us locals can't afford that place.





Happy New Years to all my Asian friends. It is the year of the Dog.

Sunday January 29, 2006

 

Saturday January 28, 2006

Re: Octopuses Garden. If you would stop violating County ordinances they would leave you alone. When are you going to figure that out? You did the same thing at your other place on Key Deer Blvd. When you are so highly visible people are going to see you; and if you're not in compliance they're going to tell on you. In this case it's much easier for you to comply than it is for the whole island to succeed from the County.
I have an old, crappy electric guitar that I'd like to convert to a bass guitar. Can I just install four base strings and turn the tuning down one octave?
Happy to hear your doing so well with your site. Too many postings! That's a good thing. I will try to limit myself to just a few per month, it will be hard. Great site...Outback Steak House, I can't wait.

Someone asked about the digging of the canals. I do not know what year '61 or '62 (possibly) I watched some of the digging of the canals in Eden Pines.  I was too young to really remember much but the noise was horrific!  I (fuzzy memory) remember a big wheel about a foot wide with lots of teeth mounted on of a crawler tractor like a Cat D9 or such.  It went in straight lines down both sides (of our lot lines now) and then a big drag line or a big hoe like machine dug up the marl in between the two cuts and dumped it on both sides thus allowing the lots to then be above water level.  Before they did this the land looked just like the wetlands between Eden Pines and Watson's house (now the Key Deer Refuge).  There were no mangroves just swampy like soil because Donna had washed most mangroves away.

I remember Eden Pines looking very white with the new dirt and you could see from one end of it all the way down to where our boating exit is because there was only one house built that I remember and that was white and way in the back.  Sometimes when they hit an extra hard layer of rock the excavators had to use little chunks of dynamite to break it up and then they could spread it over the soon to be lots.  That's all I can remember. We had some pictures, but when some kids set our little house on fire down here one summer they all went up in smoke.  Maybe in the Keys History section you can find more? 

Re: Incorrect date for Friday. All day long I have been writing, sometimes on government documents, that the date for today is/ was Friday January 27th, 2006.  Did I miss a day of work, of the week, of the month, of the year?  I have been here living on Keys-time for more than sixteen years.  There is only one question left to ask: Where did the Time go? 

Keep in mind when talking about incorporation, your taxes would have to go up--way up.  Where do you think the money for the mayor's salary, the city staff, the council members, etc., plus the cost of City Hall would come from?  Not to mention you'd need your own garbage company, make some arrangement for police, fire and EMT service. Take a look at Marathon's taxes when the tax estimate comes out later in the year. It will be the highest in the keys. And you'd still have to deal with the county and the state.



That getting mad stuff is like drinking poison hoping the the person you're mad at will die It just doest work.

If we can agree that the greatest concentration of non-indigenous, I hate the term snowbird, people locally is Sunshine Key, then I invite you to go there and look around. Clean, orderly, some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Then lets travel to Key Deer Blvd where people, local people, are still dumping their trash, not from the hurricane, but because the term "community"  isn't in their vocabulary. We might even go back a couple of months before that. When traveling through Eden Pines there were sections of jet skis, unusable boat trailers, derelict cars, and every form of debris scattered through an otherwise beautiful neighborhood. I doubt very much the "snowbirds" had much to do with it.

Every minute a seasonal person spends in the area improves the economy. The idea of anyone being able to spend any time in the Keys without spending money is absurd. I personally embrace the Keys way of life, at least the part where you are entitled to do pretty much as you please as long as it's legal, but to blame visitors for a shoddy neighborhood and bad economy is absurd.

To Editor: Make it easy on yourself, but the more I hear from the masses, the more I want.  P.S. Do we need to take up a collection to buy you a new web cam? (Ed: Thanks anyway, but the camera works fine. It just keeps getting knocked off line and I haven't had the time to track down the problem.)




If you were as musically gifted as Moose, they would be after you too Mr. Milli Vanilli.

I would think you can archive the previous day's stuff, if that will help the process.  I'd hate to see you limit the number of submissions, but it's what you can handle that counts.  Maybe limit the length per submission?

Re: Limit submissions.  I would say no! The more the better.  How would you do it anyway?  If you use FIFO (first in, first out) up to 30, then people that work all day would be out of luck. I think it is reasonable to ask people to limit the length of their comment to something less that 15 lines (except for BPK Funny Fridays of course).
Go Steelers! Hoo, Ha!


Budweiser Frogs. This is why middle-aged, out of town women should not drink at Fantasy Fest.

Lethal Injections.  Cruel and unusual?  We have to put an elderly pet to sleep soon. He is deteriorating despite life-extending efforts (well worth every dollar to the Marathon Vet).  How does one get thru this without totally losing it?  The kids want to be in attendance so we have to role-model properly.  But we may have to slip out to a watering hole for a couple of nice stiff ones and a taxicab ride home.  Suggestions, oh please? 

How many Steelers fans are down here?  Too many. Love your local neighborhood, die-hard, Browns fan.

Ed: To make the page load faster, consider posting only one day at a time, with 7 or so links at the bottom of the first page, one for each day of the past week.  Keysnews.com uses a similar tactic for the newspaper articles.

When I read about the proposals of constructing toll booths for visitors to the keys I was at first against it. But, upon further reflection, I think there may be kernel of good there.

If there is a toll, the county will of course add it to their bottomless pit of tax collections. Bad idea. It will be first the tourists and then everyone else. How about sending local taxpayers a monthly share of the collected taxes? Alaska does this to their residents from the oil revenues and it amounts to one or two thousand dollars a year to every man woman and child. If it works there it could work here.

Shame, shame, shame. Look what the Monroe County Sheriff's Dept just released to the press:  "The owner of property on Big Pine Key was arrested Thursday on an outstanding warrant for illegal dumping."

45 year old Tom Fletcher was booked into jail on charges that he dumped a large amount of debris from his property onto the right of way. A neighbor called to complain about the pile of debris on January 20th. Investigations by Deputy Juan Martin-Reyes indicated Fletcher had paid a company to clear his property in late December. He then used his own bobcat to push the resulting debris, including several large tree stumps, onto the right of way, where it stayed until the Sheriff's Office investigation was initiated on January 20th. On January 23rd, after a warrant had been issued for Fletcher's arrest, Fletcher finally removed most of the debris from the right of way. He was picked up on the warrant Thursday. He said he'd left the debris there so long because he didn't have time to take care of it.

As he was being taken into custody by Deputy David Chavka, he admitted to having marijuana in his possession. He was additionally charged with possession of a small amount of the illegal substance and was booked into the Monroe County Detention Center.

Dear Ed, per your request for input:  I think it's really up to you since you are the one who has to do all the work.  I like the way it has been going. I don't think there has been too many postings.  Why such an influx lately?
Re: 3 days posted on main page is enough? No!

Go to software something like vbulletin and all of those questions you are looking for feedback on are moot. http://www.vbulletin.com  Manually adding the comments to that page has got to get old fast and just as  important probably pretty time consuming.

Rude Rob, Bitchy Capt'n Dan, Winn-Dixie, B/P gas cards, Traffic congestion, Sponge divers, etc, etc. You people need to get a life and start enjoying yourselves in this tropical paradise. You don't realize just how lucky you are to be able to be here!

Re: When you go out to eat around here do you think your food is prepared by a real cook? The guy that is cooking your slop is being paid nothing! He lives in a trailer with five other people. I would not even open a can and put it in a pail for you to eat from. You pay big to eat; we get paid nothing to live decent. So cook your own food.

I'm here until April and I'm looking for a spin class or an aerobics class. Are there any on Big Pine?



Since you're taking suggestions, lets have a Weed report like High Times so we know just what island has the crippy and who has the swag. It sure would save time on the weekend driving up the Keys just to look at some rank-ass Mexican! Remember fight terror: smoke domestic weed.

Re: Key Deer Grill. I agree that Darrel is a great guy, and that it is a very good thing that John George is back in the kitchen. Now all the Captain needs to do is find someone who can get that good food out to the customers in less than an hour.

Too much BS. Ed, if someone doesn't want their name posted then it probably is a lie. Anything worth saying is worth putting your name behind. I went from a daily reader to monthly reader (if even). All you ever do on this site is cut down my friends, enemies, my employer, your employer, me, him, her and anyone else that exists. Not to mention that your judgment on when to add the name is a joke. The only thing to do now is add all writers' e-mail addresses. The only one who will object are the liars. This will help you limit the amount of comments and to stop insulting our community. (Name withheld by request.)

If visitors should be made to use a train to access the Keys, Keys residents should be made to do the same for egress.





I was all for incorporation, but look at Marathon: Condothon.

Suggestion for page when you have too many submissions. Break it into two sections, a Kudos Section and a Whiners Section. The Kudos section would be for good comments or general comments.  You would not  post senders' email. The Whiners section would be for whiners.  You would include email addresses on all complaints.  Rebuttals to whiners would be included on this page. My guess is that there are more whiners.  Posting senders' emails on the Whiners page would probably cut down on complaining in the short term.

On Jan. 21st I completed my Eagle Scout Project. The clean up of Wilder Road and parts of Key Deer Blvd of the removal of 9,000 pounds of Hurricane debris made my project a great success.. I would like to Thank John Coffin from Coffin Marine for donating his time and his clam truck to pick up all the debris. Mike Colasurdo for his time and the use of his Backhoe. Mark from Pepsi of Key West for donating all the drinks that kept all the hard workers hydrated. Marathon Home Depot for the donation of work gloves. DOT for the donation of trash bags and letting me use the men working signs and road cones. Cudjoe Key Transfer Station for letting us dump the 9,000 pounds of debris, Habitat for Humanity of the Lower Keys for the use of their shovels and racks. Kim Thompson for designing the flyers and all the local businesses for letting me hang flyers in their locations. The Barometer, Free Press, Citizen, Keynoter, US1 Radio Station and bigpinekey.com for putting the great advertisements out for me. Robert Keeley for the use of the extended reach trash pick-up tools which saved a lot of backs. Reef Light Tackle for donating ice. Hawaiian Tropic for the sunscreen. All my fellow scouts and leaders from Troup 573 and certainly my parents. All the people that I talked to on the phone that helped me get my Eagle Project on the road. Finally I want to give a big thank you to all of the 36 fantastic volunteers that came out to help clean up our community and make my Eagle Project a great success

Unfortunately for you it's more work, but I think all entries should be posted each day. The archives doesn't matter to me. Every day, every 3 days, every week, whatever. Now that you have people hooked (me too) you might have a one time fee for the gossip column to post and read. Even if it's only a dollar it may cut down the work load.

Hi, Staci. We miss and love you!

Saturday January 28, 2006


 

Friday January 26, 2006
9:04am
Kudos and Whiners will have to be posted in pieces today as we are overwhelmed with submissions.

Are there too many submissions printed each day? Should we limit the amount to about 30? How many days should we leave them on before we send them to the Archives Dept? (The fewer items on this page means that the page will load faster.) We sure could use your input. Stay tuned.
11:30pm


To Michigander: A freshwater conch is somebody who lives here full time, for a long time but was not born here. Not a snowbird or seasonal resident.
I live here and like to go to the Flea Market for the few months out of the year that there is some good stuff to buy. Shopping is tough in the Keys. 
Another picture from the Keynoter history page. The Big Pine Inn was a landmark on Big Pine Key located where TIB Bank of the Keys now lies. Built in 1919 by Big Pine pioneer Gussie Zeigner, the large wooden building had 12 rooms, a large dining room and a bar that was apparently open even during Prohibition. The Big Pine Inn burned in 1972.
-Photo from Brian Schmitt archives.
Rodney's taking a poll.  How many men out there really enjoy rubbing your significant other's back, feet, or body?  Or not?  And if not, why?
Re: Little Palm Island. Who really cares?  It's not worth a few hundred dollars to dine there.
Re: Toll. Screw the toll. They should use the old bridges to start running trains again and make people park in  Florida City and take the train down.
Yes. Publix is coming to BP. The property management company that is putting the deal together has also been contacted by Outback Steakhouse. To my knowledge they have not spoken with Taco Bell. They will have to decide soon on which ones come and which do not, as the plans do not call for that many units. As it stands now here are the plans:
One Publix 28,000 sq. ft.
Six 800 sq. ft. units joined (strip)
One 16,550. sq. ft. stand-alone unit
11:48am
I hear all this crap talked about Rob's and Rob himself.  I eat there very regularly and love the food, the service and Rob himself has never been anything but a complete gentleman to me.  I have even bumped into Rob out in Key West and he has bought me a drink and thanked me for coming into his place to eat.  I feel comfortable bringing my family into Robs knowing they will get a good meal, good service and will not be exposed to the undesirables Big Pine Key has.
 
I have a great suggestion to the people bad mouthing Rob and his staff.  Don't go there. The place is always packed.  I am sure they won't go out of business if you stop going there.
 
For those of you wondering, I do not work for Rob or Rob's.  I have no affiliation with the place other then being a customer.  I'm just one of their happy customers that is tired of reading people bad mouth a good businessman.
Re: BPK Magazine. I believe Willy will fisterbottom!
BPK Funny Fridays. Because it's been said that men of humor are always, in some degree, men of genius. Really? The other day, the wife and I were dining at a Thai restaurant. I requested my seafood plate extra hot. It was so spicy that my eyes welled up, and I proceeded to blot the tears with my napkin... the same napkin that I had been using to wipe the pepper sauce from my lips. Yup. Nothing screams 'genius' more than a man clutching his face and shrieking his way across a restaurant– blindly crashing into tables and people while in a mad dash for the restroom. I am currently filling out my application to MENSA as we speak. Perhaps I can get a reference from the young Asian waiter whom I inadvertently plastered with his tray of Gaeng Dang Gai, (I only know the name of the entrée because it wound up on my bill).

...I loathe myself.

My family isn't really Italian. We're more like Olive Garden Italian.
~Mike Birbiglia

Blueberry muffins. Oh my God. Sometimes, when I'm eating a blueberry muffin, it's so tasty and good that I think, 'Wow, this is better than sex.' And sometimes when I'm having sex, I think, 'Wow, this is really expensive... I should have just gotten some blueberry muffins.'
~Mitch Fatel

I shouldn't say bad things about the illiterate, though... I should WRITE IT. That way they won't find out.
~Mike Birbiglia

Couldn't ride the bus anymore. Hate the bus. Wouldn't be so bad if it didn't stop and pick up all those other people... Horrible people on the bus. Everyone has a limp, or a lazy eye, or a tail... It's like a garbage truck for human trash. I get the same feeling on the bus that I get when I shop at K-Mart. That I'm better than everyone else there. You know what I mean... you're in those crummy stores, you're like, "Well, I'm just here because it's a bargain... but these freaks... they have to shop here. I'm just buying a hammer, this guy's trying on a three piece suit."
~Tom Papa

How much do you smoke, sir? Two packs a day, is that right? P*ssy. I go through two lighters a day. That's right, two lighters! You're a health nut compared to me. You're like the Jack LaLanne of smokers compared to me.
~Bill Hicks

To my delight, I find that there is a different warning on each pack of cigarettes. Mine says: Warning: Smoking can cause fetal damage or premature birth. Screw it – I've found my brand! Just don't get the ones that say lung cancer, you know? Shop around.
~Bill Hicks

Every minute of parenting is like hostage negotiations: "Put the kitty down. Come out with your hands up... kicking the candy bar in front of you."
~Reno Goodale

Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You'll realize this as soon as they are born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you.
~Ray Romano

When I went to college, my parents threw a going away party for me... according to the letter.
~Emo Phillips

I suffer from peroxide-aphobia. Every time I've gotten near a blonde woman, something of mine has disappeared. Jobs... boyfriends... once, an angora sweater just leapt right off my body.
~Rita Rudner

A recent police study found that you're much more likely to get shot by a fat cop if you run.
~Dennis Miller

The Republican Party should change their national emblem from an elephant to a prophylactic, because it stands for inflation, halts production, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives a false sense of security when one is being screwed.
~Robin Tyler

Every porno movie should be called, Stuff That Never Happens to You.
~Richard Jeni

Today a post office was shut down, but a vibrating box turned out to be a vibrator. Police suspect a single woman acting alone.
~Craig Kilborn

I deserve someone who likes me for who I am pretending to be.
~Arj Barker

I went to a Waffle House, I'm eating and I'm reading a book. Waitress walks over to me, "Tch, tch. Hey, what you readin' for?" Is that the weirdest question you've ever heard? Not what am I reading, but what am I reading for. I read for a lot of reasons, and the main one is so I don't end up being a f*cking waffle waitress.
~Bill Hicks

The difference between being in a relationship and being in prison is that in prison they let you play softball on the weekends.
~Bobby Kelton

I was raised an atheist. Every Sunday, we went nowhere. We prayed for nothing. And all our prayers were answered.
~Heidi Joyce

Our bombs are smarter than our high school students - at least they can find Kuwait on a world map.
~A. Whitney Brown

Was the Buddha married? His wife would say, "Are you just going to sit around like that all day?"
~Garry Shandling

I stepped into a confessional today and said, "You first."
~Dennis Miller

When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord, in his wisdom, didn't work that way. So I stole one... and asked Him to forgive me.
~Emo Phillips

If it can't be fixed with duct tape or WD-40, it's a female problem.
~Jason Love

If you're a guy and you ask for the doggie bag on a date, you might as well have them wrap up your genitals, too. You're not going to be needing those for a while, either.
~Jerry Seinfeld

Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I'm halfway through my fishburger and I realize, "Oh my God... I could be eating a slow learner."
~Lynda Montgomery

More Chuck Norris Facts!

≈When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes... ever.

≈There are only two things that can cut diamonds: other diamonds, and Chuck Norris.

≈Chuck Norris can hit you so hard that he can actually alter your DNA. Decades from now, your descendants will occasionally clutch their heads and yell "What the f*ck was that?"

≈While urinating, Chuck Norris is easily capable of welding titanium.

≈When taking the SAT, write "Chuck Norris" for every answer. You will score a 1600.

≈An anagram for Walker Texas Ranger is KARATE WRANGLER SEX. I don't know what that is, but it sounds AWESOME.

≈A study showed the leading causes of death in the United States are:
   1:Heart disease
   2:Chuck Norris
   3:Cancer

≈Chuck Norris is the only known mammal in history to have an opposable thumb... on his penis.

≈Google won't search for Chuck Norris because it knows you don't find Chuck Norris... he finds you.

≈"Brokeback Mountain" is not just a movie. It's also what Chuck Norris calls the pile of dead ninjas in his front yard.

≈Chuck Norris does not eat. Food understands that the only safe haven from Chuck Norris' fists is inside his own body.

≈Chuck Norris qualified with a top speed of 324 mph at the Daytona 500... without a car.

≈Chuck Norris eats steak for every single meal. Most times he forgets to kill the cow.

≈Most people fear the Reaper. Chuck Norris considers him "a promising rookie".

www.chucknorrisfacts.com

Women are sexist?  I’m aghast!  Self-absorbed, egotistical, fashion obsessed, compulsive, petty, PMS-ing, complaining, bitchy, intolerant, small minded, jealous, silicone stuffed, ugly plastic finger nailed, dyed, frosted, over perfumed, over made-up and snotty, maybe.  But sexist?  Well, come to think of it, you’re right!
Re: Toll both. I do not when the picture of the toll was  taken. I found the picture on the Keynoter web site for Keys history. They have a lot of great pictures there. http://www.keynoter.com/keys_history/
12:43pm
Re: Toll.  While I would whole heartedly support a toll coming to the Keys, it will never happen because this is a federal highway with several military bases on it.  The subject was brought up several years ago, and was squashed for that reason. 
Re:  Sorry to offend. Well, hell, Ed, what good would this site be if people didn't say derogatory things about others? Why did you pick me out over all the others? As a matter of fact, there are many derogatory remarks about the same subject I mentioned and you failed to give out their identity. So what the hell is up with that?
(Ed: I only post the posters' email address when they post rotten things about a person. You can post anything you want about a place, but posting bad things about a person is a personal post.)
Does anyone know when the canals were dug and with what? I have heard that Flagler dug them so he could use the spoil for fill during the original bridge work, but I have no idea if that is true. If someone didn't use the material for fill, there must be one hell of a big pile of the stuff somewhere.
The flunked Keys living quote was a hoot!   It's still wonderful being down here, when, as long as you don't break the law you can do as you darn well please. The laid back Keys vacation is alive and well.  But, I do pity anyone who tries to run a business because that attitude just does not work when you serve others.  The Keys consumer is no longer the person that trades a service for another as in the old days (ahhh, the barter system was alive and well then). There is a huge group of local workers and business people who bend over backwards to help the customers.  You will notice when you put yourself in line for their services at how well they are doing and that they can charge a "Keys" rate in order to stay in business. 

The majority of snowbirds do laugh at some of the locals idea of work (the 1:30pm-to-3:00pm-every-other-day crowd) and just hire from the mainland.  Unfortunately, a lot of the few hard working locals get bypassed; because if one has a large job we defer to the larger companies from Key Largo and Marathon who hire from the mainland to get the work done.  Everyone knows a lot of qualified help has picked up stakes and moved to where they can afford to live.  So we have a situation of lots of people with lots of money needing services; and a few locals who think they have it made by ripping them off and taking a month to do a days' work.  Methinks that these might be the locals showing so much hatred for the snowbirds.  I guess the newer, brighter, wealthier crop of snowbirds sees through them.  All I can say is change is coming and I love to watch the ebb and flow.
While we all might have all been rug rats at one time, we were not all allowed to run around unescorted or to disturb others without being disciplined.
What is up with CVS. I have always had problems with them in the past i.e. Short on pills. Trying to charge me full price because they say my insurance denied it; only to find out that after they put it through again it goes through. That is why I travel to Marathon Walgreens for my scripts. Today I was ailing and my doctor called in a script at 2 pm. I did not feel up to going to Marathon so I asked that it be called in to CVS on BPK. When I showed up at 5:30 pm my script was not ready and would not be ready till the following afternoon at the earliest. If I could have waited till tomorrow I would not have called the doctor. What is it with CVS. Just the service I don't expect from a pharmacy on BPK. Kudos to you CVS. This is the very reason I don't recommend you. My kingdom for a Walgreens on BPK.
To the person who likes our hardware store thanks a bunch. I respect your opinion and will support your right to disagree with me or anyone else to the death. Much has be said about what is happening on Big Pine. The reality is that we have suffered from being overlooked by County officials for years on end; and when they finally woke up they foisted this Livable Community Plan on us. This plan hurts everyone on Big Pine. The only problem is that some of us are being negatively impacted now. The rest are going to find out that we should have been careful about what we wished for.
Why do golfers equate progress with how many golf courses are within driving distance? Here in the Keys we fish and party. My suggestion to all who need a course to play close to home is to sell your house in the Keys and move up to Myrtle Beach. You will no doubt be happier and have a handful of money left over to spend on your real passion. If you then find that you miss fishing, maybe you can lobby the locals to dig trout ponds next to the greens. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your cake.

Editor, thanks for providing a Business Directory.  To the ladies at Big Pine Medical Complex, thanks for helping me find a lab for my blood work when I visit.
1:34pm
Hey Rob, put me on your last square!
Just a note on the animal hater diatribe. I don't think most sane people (that means conservatives) hate animals.  We just know their place in the world and do not put their well being above man. I do not hate animals, I have many animals under my care, not for the money which is laughable but, just because I love it.  Animals are not here for humans to live in harmony with-----they are here on the most part for our consumption.  Animal skins keep us warm and in many parts of the world a whole communities survival revolves around the animals in their area.  The real paradise (if you really lived in it) is a pretty wild ride with each step up the pecking order another animal ready to rip apart its lesser counterpart for survival.

My one question to you who wants everything to remain the same is that one giant step into the future of our ocean being cleaned up would be a sewer system on Big Pine which would treat or even better truck the waste off the Key instead of into our canals.  Oh, but that would mean digging a ditch, (gasp!) concrete and plastic pipe would be used so I guess we just keep on polluting. Your quote, "kill all the wildlife along the 18 mile stretch to fit more people in the Keys and destroying all the beautiful ocean and wild life" is a tad melodramatic considering the bridges and roads that have been built just since I came down here the first time after Hurricane Donna.

Look around you, there is more wildlife than ever. Why, pretty soon we can hire people with pooper scoopers to go around after the Key Deer. Click on this link if you want to see how people moved coral rock to make temporary bridges in the Keys after a real Hurricane--Hurricane Donna  They didn't even use rip rap buffers or sediment ponds and the animals thrived!
http://www.keyshistory.org/HurrD-Hurr-Donna.html

Ed. You always amaze me. You go, man!
The only problem I have with snowbirds is they try to change things and then I have to live with it all year round. If you are a snowbird and come down to enjoy what is here and not try to change things. Welcome!
Update to CVS: I called my pharmacist in Marathon. After being on hold for 30 mins. He had my script transferred to his store. I had my script by the time I drove to Marathon. Great job Jerry! The pharmacist I can count on. Double kudos to you. Just another account of why not to shop at CVS.
I own the Octopuses Garden MM30. I have been constantly hassled by Monroe county code enforcement. I am sick and tired of this abuse. I would like to revisit incorporation. Email me at disa@aol.com Lets start anew without big brother.
I agree with the person who commented on Rob of Rob's wondering why his or her email was added when Rob and Robs and Capt Dan and Key Deer have been named 1000 times with no email. Then today someone wrote in about a public employee and didn't even mention a name but his email was added but people dump on County Officials, Senators, Mayors and The President by name but they don't get their email added. Looks to me like our Editor plays favorites for sure or is afraid of someone. This site was great at one time. Too bad that has changed.
(Ed: When people say anything nasty about a person we add their email unless we screw up, which I'm afraid, we often do.)
The defender of the Snow Birds said, "Tourists do not bring more money into the Keys per person than snowbirds do."  The Snow Birds do not spend a quarter what a tourist spends per given amount of time.



C.B. McQue   Man, I haven't heard that name in a long time.
Steelers are going to kick some butt in the Super Bowl. How many Steeler fans are down here?
2:07pm
I have witnessed children run wild in public. One minority woman had several children with her at the grocery store. I kid you not, one 10yr old fat son of hers actually laid down on the aisle floor screaming bloody murder and had a temper tantrum. The moo just ignored him and her other kids running wild.

Smashing into other people's carts seemed funny to these children. I can only imagine how these children will contribute to society. Any child of mine that acted in such a way would get their butt smacked, and on the next shopping trip they would be leashed. (Ed: Just don't bring 'em to the bars.)
To the person who misses the Rob’s bartender with the mini-toes:  Stop into Parrotdise Tues-Fri days!
Kudos to the people who cleaned up the pile of hurricane junk left over from Wilma, on the corner of Ships Way and Constitution.
Re: "We all owe Murray Nelson a debt of gratitude..." The only thing you forgot to say is, "We love you Murray" --from the developers.

Don’t make the mistake of evaluating a local restaurant (or two) or the character of the owners after just a couple of visits.  Full time residents have the opportunity to visit local places frequently and will eventually see how often the owners' unbelievably bad behavior, food and service will rear its ugly head.   I know a large number of locals, me included, who absolutely shun three local food and drink places due to the behavior of the owners and/or terrible food and service or both.  But, if you’ve found a place you like and suits your taste, go for it! 

Re: "I just have to believe the City of Big Pine could elect any number of people with minds way less confused."   Wrong. You actually believe having another layer of politicians is going to help the situation?  What planet are you from?  No, what we need to do is have qualified persons run for County Commission and get rid of the Terrible Three.
Re: derogatory comment about snowbirds. The reason for those comments is not because anyone begrudges snowbirds wanting to spend the winters down here. It's because so many of you are rude, arrogant and mean. Not to mention completely disrespectful towards locals and all the hardships incurred by the many hurricanes this year. Stop asking why this place is such a mess and get out there and help clean it up! If you don't want negative comments aimed your way, try being polite, respectful and nice. You're completely screwing up the karma.
I got one of them Esteban git-fiddles. Damndest thing happened, my fingers started moving like a duck on a June bug. Heck, before I knew it that Mal-a-gaine-ya or what ever it is came out of that ax. Then my feet started moving like never before. I think I was Fla-ming-go dancing or something like that. Then, this is no kidding, I heard my mom telling me I was, "a play mo-fo." My mom says that when she likes something. Be warned. You heard it first. That damm git-fiddle makes stuff happen. Boy, my feet are killing me.
The Ed has always had the policy of posting the name of people who do personal slams.  Sorry if you don't like that.
I'm looking for some help locating my cat. She's been missing 3 days. She's a long hair calico, 3 years old. She's peach, grey, and white. She's missing from Little Torch, down Powell Avenue. I'm just hoping someone in the neighborhood has seen her poking around. If you've seen her, or are holding her captive, let me know... Maybe I can buy you a drink or two! :) WARNING: She's a handful, and can be very cranky. Contact Beth at 849-2376 or at afraid2f4ll@yahoo.com. Thanks for your help.
If Murray Nelson is un-correct, isn't he wrong?
Tech Report. Comcast has perhaps the worst service reliability I have ever experienced.  When I had Comcast Cable TV I would lose service every time more than 2 drops of rain fell.  I would call for service and, three days later when every thing was dry again and working the so called technician would show up and inform me that there was nothing wrong with my service.  Their DSL service is a joke and their tech support staff must have been recruited from a home for the challenged.  I finally went to Dish Network for TV and rarely lose signal except during the most severe storms and then only for a few minutes while the storm cell passes.  I also use Bellsouth DSL and have excellent connectivity and speed and have had no problems

Rugrats and parents:  Sure, parents need to get out too.  But, leave your un-disciplined, mis-behaved, screaming, screeching, tantrum throwing brat with a sitter or at least have the decency to take the kid outside when he/she starts disrupting an entire restaurant and ruining the meal and enjoyment of every other person in the place.  Taking an infant or very young child who has no clue how to be quiet and behave in public to a nice restaurant is just plain ignorant. 

Until your crying, howling, little rugrat learns to behave stick to McDonald’s Play land and give the rest of us a break.  Parents who allow their kid to run around in a restaurant should be nicely asked by management to confine the kid or leave.  The place may lose the business of the two parents but will enjoy the gratitude of all of the other patrons not to mention the relief on the part of the servers who carry steaming hot food while trying to dodge an out of control 5 year old.

There are some big changes happening at the Key Deer Bar & Grill.  If you have been disappointed with the service or the food coming out of the kitchen after waiting forever and its not too good?  Go and give then another try.  After Wilma, everything's been in an uproar, not only there, but a lot of places. I think maybe things have gone full circle and its time to go back.  The bartender, Darrell is a great guy, John George is back in the kitchen.  Life is Good.
Someone suggested that managers need to ask the parent to confine the child or nicely ask them to leave. Some restaurant in Chicago tried that. The manager put up a very polite sign asking parents to please keep their children under control or they would be asked to leave. Of course when he tried to enforce it, all hell broke loose. The mother appeared on TV calling for a boycott of the restaurant. She claimed that her little darling was just being a "normal" 2 year old and most people thought she was cute. The real problem is not the kids, it's the parents. As long as parents use the kids to attract attention to themselves, you'll never convince them their kid is a mis-behaved little brat.
The only way to get the Packers back in the Super Bowl is to bring back their lucky truck.

I don't owe Murray Nelson one thing.  In fact, I would request that he refund my contribution to his first campaign years ago.  Boy, did I make a mistake voting for him.  The problem was we would vote for anyone, to get rid of the female incumbent he was running against.
Finished, Whew!

Friday January 26, 2006

Thursday January 25, 2006
We all owe Murray Nelson a debt of gratitude for taking a stand against the radical environmentalists. He is a brave public servant who isn't afraid to be un-politically-correct when necessary. Real environmentalists are concerned about wildlife, but don't place animals above humans in their priorities. Radical environmentalists want to freeze all growth; and if they could have their way, all humans would be evicted from the Keys and forced to live in Philadelphia or Boston or Manhattan. You go, Murray Nelson!
 
Re: Why do they call them jewfish? C.B. McQue, the last Conch sponge fisherman in the Keys told me about thirty years ago that they called them Jewfish because, "they're hard to skin and hang around the banks." That's the truth. That's what his father told him.
Toll Both. What year was that photo taken? Was the toll booth placed there in 1935 or later? Great photo.
Re: CocoNetKey internet cafe. The lady flunked Keys living and went back to Europe was the last word I heard. We should have another internet cafe.
That airhead yesterday wants Oleander instead of mangroves and four lanes instead of Key Deer. Is he from Michigan or Space?
Ironically, they renamed the Jewfish the Goliath Grouper. The fact that Goliath was a mortal enemy of the Jews obviously was overlooked by some PC correct liberal-minded government worker. They might as well have named it the Hitler Fish.
I can only assume that everyone with a derogatory comment about snowbirds is a full blown Conch. Just because someone is trying to make their way down to the Keys and can't live here full time yet, shouldn't automatically put them in some lower order. Heck, I'll bet 90% of the people bitching are from somewhere else. Where does that holier than thou attitude come from anyway? Non resident taxes are paying for your services and you don't have to put up with excess traffic all summer. Tourists do not bring more money into the Keys per person than snowbirds, it's just that it goes to the County instead of the businesses.
Someone explain to me why the Big Pine women are all pining after a rock musician named  "Moose."
To the "Dear anti-Cross-Island Road" commenter.  I'm not living in a make believe world.  I went to all the meetings and workshops when this was brought up a couple years ago.  The anti cross-island road supporters showed up in droves, compared to the few who showed up to put the roads in and remove the barricades. 

You are in a make believe world.  Did you even go to one meeting or workshop?  This issue was a slam dunk, closed case.  I guess you don't live down Ships Way where traffic would have been rerouted.  I do live down there.  It is our neighborhood's choice to have U.S. 1 road directed through our neighborhood or not.  And the majority of us voted no.  So get over it.
I have never noticed anything but good natured banter between bar tender and patrons at Rob's. It's a sports bar for cripes sake. I have seen people drink too much then take that banter personally, as some belligerent people will, but by and large, the atmosphere is friendly and entertaining and I'll continue to spend my Michigan dollars there. By the way, we prefer to be called fresh water Conchs!
Re: "Wakey, wakey" announcements at Venture Out. A little research showed that the amplified announcement before 8 AM is in violation of the Monroe County noise ordinance. The noise ordinance is found under Chapter 13 Offenses & Misc.   Article III Noise Control on the county ordinance web site. This is a second degree misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine per violation. Code enforcement will be notified, in addition to the sheriff if the announcements begin before 8 AM.  It's a shame that it's come to this and that common sense and good fellowship doesn't prevail at Venture Out.
We miss you Toni. Please come home.
My peeve at W/D is the bulletin board. It should be on the outside wall where it was for many years. The new  area is too small; and please stop removing ads that are not your own. I see people taking down an ad just to replace it with there own.
Re: Ride from Chicago to BPK. If they needs a ride , why do we want them down here?
Publix. They have no plans for coming here,
Much to ponder. Rob's: go there on a Sunday at noon and watch even the snowbirds leave when ignored.  Flea market replaced by Publix or anything--thank god. We who live here do not patronize it in the summertime.  It is a place for snowbirds to go on Sunday after breakfast and before church.  Side roads, yes we need them, especially those of us who are contractors and spend all day in our vehicles from place to place in BPK.  Bigots? Watch Wife Swapping.  Why is it that on the last 4 shows I watched, all the blacks are rich and the whites are rednecks and stupid? Will Little Palm Island rebound? Why do we drive on a parkway, and park on a driveway? This happened today:  A tourists comes in to a local clothing store (duh, we only have one) and asks, "Where is the city? BPK clerk responds, "What city?" Tourists says Big Pine City. Clerk laughs and says, "Your in it, darlin'."  My beautiful wife bought a pedometer today and when I came home she was sitting on the couch and said, "Honey it doesn't work! (this is also true) I immediately got up and walked 10 ft and it registered 10 ft. My response was, "Honey, you've got to move for it to work. P.S. she is a blonde.
Ed, are you and Rob ( Rob's Sports Bar that is ) the same person or did you just put