Page 2--June 1988-Solares Hill Editorial Don't Head North Without Them! ...footprints 610 Duval Street Old Town oooooooooooooooooooooooooo GRAND REOPENING! A Maternity And Children's Boutique * New Owners * New Look * New Stock Panty Hose Diaper Bags Children's Shoes Gift Certificates Available Free Gift Wrapping Mon.-Fri. 10-6 Sat 12-4 ooooo 1023 White Street Key West 294-3865 Greetings- Good news. Solares Hill's study of Key West's proposed noise ordinance has slowed down the law-making process, helping the city to write a law that is enforceable. Enforceability has been reporter Bud Meaker's main concern since he began researching the story and discovered the original proposal simply would not work. Meaker's "Hearing Is Believing—In Search of a Noise Ordinance that Works" (May SH) was among documents in the packet distributed to city commissioners for the May 16 meeting, at which the proposed ordinance was tabled for the second time. The first time was May 2, after Meaker made calls to Commissioner Sally Lewis and others explaining his findings. If all goes as planned, bar owners, commissioners and citizens will have hashed over their differences on the noise issue on June 2 at a public workshop. With hope, they will have made some decisions and compromises that everyone can accept. Our pursuit of information on the TDC continues. The goal is to assemble a comprehensive series to help us all understand how this agency functions, what its responsiblities and priorities are, and how its activites factor in the overall direction of Monroe County, particularly in Key West. Bill Westray is working on this. (Read James Carney's articles in the Miami Herald for detailed investigative findings on the TDC.) SUBSCRIBE • The highest •< ffi 2 0 i< i & S3 i> 3 • a hillHill s s o •« *̂ K? th e i ?^ Co p dmres/MenusSimply the Best 802 Catherine Street By Appointment 294-1201 SUU needl/work julia pischke 527 Fleming St. « Key West, FL 33040 • (305)296-6091 (Across from Fausto's) flGHTHOUSF SOUTHERN ITALIAN DINING DINNERS - 11 Every Night 917 DUVAL • KEY WEST 294-5624 There is about Sally the kind of joy and common sense that comes from a solid midwestem background. Her folks still live in the Waukegan, Illinois house where Sally grew up. Sally, the youngest of three girls and a brother, followed her sisters to dance classes and singing lessons. The Jones girls sang in recitals, danced and performed solos. All of this led Sally to major in drama at Stevens College in Columbus, Missouri. "I tried my hand at show business for a couple of years and realized it wasn't for me," said Sally. She went back to school, this time studying business. (Show biz is still very much in her blood. Sally was center stage this year, in her surprise performance at Bobby Nesbitt's night at the Waterfront Playhouse and with her fun-filled emceeing at this year's Key West Karacters.) WHEN SALLY FINISHED business school, she went to visit a college friend who was living in Washington, DC. She fell in love with the city and interviewed with the congressman from North Dakota. She was hired as his assistant. Sally worked for several congressmen over the years. "At the same time, I decided to go into business for myself. I renovated the first building in what is now Washington's very chic, fashionable Market Square. People viewed me as a pioneer because I was going into this new, unfound area. My antique shop, the Third Hand Shop, had all kinds of clients; senators and congressmen and people from all walks of life." Sally worked "on the hill;" her shop was open and thriving and she traveled throughout the countryside looking for, as Sally calls it, "merch" for the Third Hand Shop. • It was about this time that Sally met Markham Von Fossen Lewis. Markham owned several Howard Johnson's restaurants and motels in Virginia. Sally Jones became Sally Lewis and a working member of the corporation. The corporate headquarters were in Lynchburg, Virginia, and that's where their house was. But they really lived aboard their boat. They took to the sea, and the house in Lynchburg became "the closet," holding what wasn't needed aboard the boat. "Markham and I were cruising sailors. LORI KATZ Bookkeeping & Accounting Services Income tax preparation, Credit Lines, Mortgage Applications, Budgeting, Financial Planning, Cost Analysis 305-296-8269 WHEN YOU THINK OF THINK OF. . . 500 SIMONTON STREET KEY WEST, FLA. 33040 PHONE 305-294-9600 dflad as, In one year, we were underway 263 days. We would go from New England to the Bahamas, and we would always come back to Key West. Markham had been here in the service and his sister lived here. I knew from the minute I got to Key West I was going to love it." SALLY'S PARENTS VACATIONED in Key West in the 40s and 50s, and when they came home they had wonderful stories to tell. "Their good feelings about Key West rubbed off on me, so when I came here for the first time, I loved it. Markham and I came back for several years." Each year, their visits got longer and they decided that if ever they were to live ashore, it would be in Key West. In 1978 they bought the house on South Street. It was necessary for Sally to have abdominal surgery. She decided to have her operation in Key West so she could recuperate in their new house. They lived in it for six weeks until Sally felt well enough to travel. She and Markham set off on the Nostalgia for an extended cruise to the Caribbean and South America. Sally found it difficult so soon after surgery to haul anchor so they picked up a 16-year-old boy in the Turks and Caicos islands to crew. He was strong but did not know much about boating. Twelve hours out of Haiti, Markham died. He had a heart attack. He died quietly and quickly and without any warning. Sally, devastated and inexperienced, and the untrained, young crew member somehow brought the boat back to Haiti. There Sally faced the myriad details of a death in a foreign country. She had no money; all the traveler's checks were in Markham's name. She finally, along with the United States Embassy, completed all the necessary paperwork, chartered'a plane and left Haiti. Sally knew she had to start over, and Key West was where she wanted to be. "I started out with one very dear friend, Dean Heller. She had a party for me and introduced me to many wonderful Key Westers." WHENEVER A VOLUNTEER was needed for anything, Sally Lewis raised her hand. She worked at the Hospitality House and was on the steering committee for the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center f t', "I I i Founders Society when they were just starting. She worked with the Key West Dance Theater and joined the Women's Club. She has been president of the Key West Art and Historical Society. She has worked for the United Way and The Red Barn Theatre and Waterfront Playhouse. "I just wanted to be part of this town so much, and I wanted to do things for the community," commented Sally. Commissioner Lewis certainly has become a part of the community. But is it the same community in which she and Markham bought their house in 1978? "I think so," said Sally. "The basic ambience and tropical feeling is still here." But there are problems in paradise. IF SALLY LEWIS could wave a magic wand over the island, no tourists or residents would throw beer bottles. There would be no garbage on the streets, EVER! Some magic sweeper would take it all away. With her magic wand, she would bring the shoreline back on both the north and south sides. "I remember years ago we docked where the Ocean Key House is now," reminisced Sally. "There used to be fuel docks in there. We came in to get some fuel and a norther came through. We were stuck at that dock for about four days until the wind changed. Some shrimp boats had gotten stuck in there at the same time. They had a load of shrimp — boy, we had shrimp! Everybody had shrimp! It was just wonderful. We had bikes on the boat so we were able to get around town and do our shopping. The Pier House was there, but it wasn't as big as it is now. There was a different feeling on that end of the island. "I think the growth downtown has built a wall around the city in a real sense. There are very few places where people can just go and get that old feeling when life was so simple." Sally Lewis breaks things down to basic simple equations and components. Is Commissioner Lewis able to approach commission projects the same way? "That's just my nature. I can't get bogged down in the bureaucracy of it all. That's what's so frustrating. You want to go forward. You don't want to be stuck in the sand. The core of what you want to do cannot be done because you have higher agencies that are actually regulating what can and cannot be done within the city. "I want to see the beaches cleaned and renourished. White Street pier has to be taken apart so we can get the flow of the water there. We have to get Higgs Beach and Rest Beach realigned. It's a very simple matter but it seems like the city and the county have reached an impasse. We each have our own plan. We have a lot of regulatory agencies. I don't want the new beach authority to be wasting its time on pipe dreams that will not come true because they're not permittable. That's the bottom line. If it's permittable, then go for the permits." THEN THERE IS the frustration of the new noise ordinance Sally introduced to the commission. "It's been through the first Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 5 reading but there wasn't much community input. We've planned a workshop for the second reading. We'd like to see the neighbors and the bar owners get together to work out a decibel level acceptable to both. After walking around downtown With Sargeant Frank Sauer and taking meter readings in several of the bars I realized how deafening and intense the heavy metal music is." And then there's the "Lady Bird Johnson" appearance and safety ordinance for North Roosevelt Boulevard. It came out of the Department of Transportation study report. One of their recommendations is already law: a safety zone with foliage cut down to three feet and signs raised to eight feet. Entering and exiting North Roosevelt will be much safer. "Right now there are lots of accidents out there," explained Sally. "It's a very dangerous road. There will be some uniformity about it. The signage will be considerably smaller. It will help everything look more beautiful and what's even more important, it will be safer. "A commission workshop will be held on June 14 so all the businesses that would be affected by this ordinance, particularly the appearance element, will have an opportunity to express their concerns. We have extended the appearance element portion for 180 days. "The reason I ran for office was because I wanted this to be a wonderful town for Sally Lewis to live in. I figured if it was going to be a wonderful town for me to live in, it was going to be a good town for AHYUNDAI HUG9N • SWEDA CASH REGISTERS Restaurants and Retail Shops! * Make the connection! * Connect your point of sale to complete inventory-management systems. * Low, Sow prices * Come see how easy it is!! bl.PIAN GASH RESISTEit ' CQMPUTEI1 COMPANY (305) 296-8698 1100 Truman Ave., Key West, FL 33040 "WE BRING ST ALL TOGETHER" Experience Key West's Only Authentic Filipino Restaurant Serving Daily At #5 Key Lime Square 11 am-10 pm • Mon-Fri 4 pm-10 pm • Sat & Sun Selection of Beer & Wine and Take-Out Available 294-3823 Special All-U-Can-Eat BUFFET Every Friday Only $5.99 (Children under 10 years only S2.50) I Visit Amy's Unique Oriental Foods & Gifts Boutique featuring selections from: Japan, China, Italy, Korea, India, Vietnam, and, of course, the Philippines located at 601 Duval Street #4 (on Southard Street next to La Cubanita) Open 7 Days • 10 arn-8 pm 294-4433 Page 6-June 1988-Solares Hill everybody else. Key West is different; there's a uniqueness about us. I want this town to be the best little town in the country. I would like to see us be an Ail- American City." ONE OF THE unique factors of our town is the small size of the island. Because of this, commissioners are constantly on the job. "The demands on time are incredible. I've never added the number of hours a week I work but it certainly exceeds 40. My home is open. People come in the mornings to see me. My telephone number is in the book and people feel free to call me. When I go out socially or shopping, people tell me their concerns and their problems. It never stops. It's a full-time job and it's a full-time commitment, and anybody who doesn't want to make that kind of commitment should not run for office. We're quite lucky at this point that we have three commissioners who are able to devote full time to the commission," said Sally. The philosophy of this commission is much the same as the philosophy of the previous commission. It seems like there is a 3-2 vote on most issues. "It would be nice if it were a 5-0. Then we'd get out of there earlier," said Sally with a smile. And that's the magic of Our Gal Sal. Nothing seems to get her down. "That's just my nature. I don't dwell on bad things. I dwell on the good parts. I do that with life — I see the good stuff. Besides, this is too small an island to hold a grudge." And we both smiled. I More on TDC: : • A Comprehensive Report on This Controversial h$ue Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 7 by Bill Westray LAST MONTH SOLARES Hill explored at length, some of the issues concerning the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, its organization, administration, operation, and decision-making process. Questions recently raised include whether funds are being spent wisely and in the best interests of all residents of Monroe County (particularly Key West), not just for the benefit of tourists and tourist-oriented businesses. In the last few months a great deal of criticism has been levied at the TDC and how the $4 million plus tourist tax dollars are being spent. This criticism may be the result of long-time residents faced with major increases in basic living costs, which many associate with increased tourism, and which many feel are not being adequately shared by tourist-oriented businesses. Rightly or wrongly, all residents are being hit with cost increases in garbage disposal, electricity, water and sewage, which will probably exceed $1000 per household this year. Coupled with the affordable housing crunch, the rising cost of food, and the increased impact on many of the revised income tax laws, many residents are looking for someone or something to blame, and the tourist industry, particularly the TDC, seems an obvious candidate. Why shouldn't some of the $4 million tourist taxes that the TDC receives and spends to promote tourism, be spent instead to defray some of the costs caused by that tourism? "But everyone benefits from the tourist economy," the tourist interests cry, "and tourist tax dollars pass from hand to hand throughout our economy, increasing their value seven timesl" WE'VE TRIED TO get a handle on just how much the tourists bring into the county in hard dollars. It's difficult. The $4 million in bed taxes at three percent equates to about $75 million in gross revenues for all transient lodgings in Monroe County. However, though the budgeted income from this bed tax for Fiscal Year (FY) 1987 was about $4 million, actual income turned out to be only about $3.8 million. For FY 1988, which began October 1, 1987, the projected annual income was $4.4 million; however, it has run 25 to 30 percent below that estimate during the first seven months. We talked at length with TDC Executive Administrator Sandra Higgs on what is causing the underrun this year. Based on her conversations with Florida Department Continued on page 8 MA&GARITAVILLE A state of mind is now a state of being. J immy Buffett Parrot Head paraphernalia, Garibbean Soul clothing, and lots of Key West colpr. • THE MARGARJTAVILLE STORE 500 DUVAL KEY WEST, FL 33040 (305)296-3070 Y • ^ ^ I P ^ ^ ^ ^ I ^ ^ , . . . • — •••-.•nil •iiiiiiiii^imiMMiT TTnn«mnwjrjmwMTnnnnnmr) KEY WEST BAR & GRILL 11 AM-2 AM DELICIOUS HOMEMADE FOOD *; Jon mw/nova find km main, !O? i^TOJlRoose^ltBlyd. 294-m8 to TDC: A Clarification An article titled "The TDC and You" in the May Solares Hill contained a statement which alleged that Sandra Higgs, the Administrative Director of the Tourist Development Council. (TDC) also owns Keys Advertising and Marketing — the advertising agency that receives TDC funds for advertising and promotion. The article went on to state,"... incredibly, a resolution passed by the Monroe County Commission in 1986, waived prohibitions against conflict of interest caused by the TDCIKAM contract" Our writer was of the opinion that as administrative director, Sandra Higgs was a member of the TDC staff, and had participated in the award of promotion and service contracts to her own company, Keys Advertising and Marketing. This was untrue. Subsequent investigation by our staff revealed the following: 1. Sandra Hfggs is not an employee or member of the staff of TDC. Rather, she is the President of Keys Advertising and Marketing (KAM), a firm which provides only administrative - services to TDC. 2. KAM does not receive advertising and promotion funds from TDC. Rather, KAM receives a monthly payment from TDC which has varied from an initial rate of $8,100 per month to a current rate of about $11,975 a month, for a defined list of recurring services, plus additional reimbursement for certain other services requested by the TDC and performed or incurred by KAM staff. KAM also had a mail fulfillment contract for up to $58,000 a year, this involved stuffing and addressing mailouts, for which envelopes, literature and postage was . furnished by TDC and for which KAM received 22 cents per piece. For the fiscal year which ended on September 30,1988, the totalof these fees and reimbursements amounted to about $201,000 not $2.9 million. - 3. The resolution passed in 1986 by the Monroe County Commission did not in any way concern Sandra Higgs or KAM. It was Resolution No. 172-1986, titled: A Resolution Exempting and Waiving Any Conflict of Interest for the Present Members of the Tourist Development Council. It concerned TDC members as follows: Key West Mayor Tom Sawyer - operator, trophy business; Margo Golan - owner, Holiday Inn in Key West; Frank Romano - Key West Aloe; Bill Sellers - franchisee, Burger King; Bill Wickers - owner, charter boat; George Featherstone - manager, Marriott's Casa Marina; -Neil Boyce - manager, Holiday Inn of Key Largo. The resolution followed the statutory requirements of Sections 112.313(3) and 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, in stating: "It is the expressed purpose in passing this Resolution that the County Commission of Monroe County does exempt the present members mentioned above and specifically excludes them and their businesses from any provisions of the conflict of interest statute." Resolution No. 172-1986 was passed and adopted unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners on June 6, 1986, Solares Hill regrets this error, and apologizes to KAM President Sandra Higgs for any embarassment or discomfort our article may have caused her. IrtELTJft VUA&ES^ 72^ STOOD S f | U . FOR. TOO LONfa UK MM.L0R.V Sauftft.£ kv ip tURS SOLD FSOPV LAST FLIGHT OUT ORIGINAL HATiDSCREEMED DESIGNS 710 DUVAL/OLD.TOWTi WKRY 93.5 FM Key Chain Inc. 3820 M. Roosevelt Blvd. Key West Florida 33040 (305) 296-2435 -WKRY Features the Finest Music in Key West ... Easy Relaxing Music Every Day "MORNINGS WITH MONROE" "THE NIGHT CLUB" with Simon Hendrix "The Sunday Classical Concert" AND INTRODUCING "THE SUPPERTIME SYMPHONY" Monday thru Friday, 6-7 PM! Only on Key 93.5 FM Radio! Thanks for listening to and supporting WKRY 93.5 FM Key Chain Inc. Page S--June 1988-Solares Hill Continued from page 6 of Revenue (DOR) officials, her opinion is that the procedures established to collect the sales tax on services in FY 1987, which were subsequently repealed during a special session last fall, left errors in the collecting and accounting system for the tourist development tax. The result of this, according to Higgs, is that the county is not receiving the correct revenues from the three-percent bed tax. The TDC has actually budgeted about $4.4 million in revenues (expected receipts) for FY 1988, but is presently receiving revenues at about a $3.1 million annual rate. Some people in the hotel industry believe that hotel occupancy in Monroe County (particularly Key West) is "off" this season and is causing the shortfall. Others believe that any reduced occupancy rate is being offset by increased room rates which should alleviate the shortfall. Higgs said that she believed hotel revenues were about level with last year and that the problem would be corrected at DOR level. She further stated that she believed that when the DOR problem was corrected, DOR would retroactively pay Monroe County any shortfall amounts to which it was entitled. _ BACK TO THE question of the dollar impact of tourism on Monroe County. No one seems to have a good grasp on the answer The Florida Statistical Abstract, our official organ of the economic, commercial, social, political, demographic, and other data for the entire state, writes in its attempt to describe tourism: "Tourism is widely regarded as one of Florida's major economic activities, and indeed it is, but unfortunately for students of the state's economy, it cannot be reliably described in hard numeric dollars. There are many businesses and industries which derive a major or minor portion of their sales or receipts from tourists, but it is impossible to determine what portion of such income comes from tourists, retirees, 'winter birds,' armed service personnel, etc. A person wanting to construct a model of tourism for Florida must put together a structure from many bits and pieces. The editors of Florida Statistical Abstract, have attempted to bring together in their Section 19.00, a number of these bits and pieces, leaving it to the reader to utilize it as he sees fit." Editor's note: The Monroe County Library has copies of the referenced annual abstract dating back a number of years. . ^ 2 ? ^ e r i n S o u r °luery> Higgs stated that the TDC had been unable to document how many tourist dollars are spent in Monroe County and added that the TDC had been considering contracting for a research study to make such a determination. Higgs went on to say that the TDC had obtained a study of general sales tax revenues covering about 80 separate Industry Reporting Codes. This was researched by local statistician and analyst Brooks White for the TDC and the county commission in October 1987 and covered FY 1986. White reported total sales tax collections PHOTO-SONICS at five percent of about $41 million on sales of about $818 million. He then made industry-by-industry estimates of the distribution between toursists and residents, using opinions of business owners and operators as the basis for the split estimates. A couple of these estimates were 96 percent by tourists for hotels, 70 percent by tourists for restaurants, 90 percent by residents for grocery stores, 70 percent by residents for department stores, etc. The composite distribution for all sales was 42 percent for tourists and 58 percent for residents. From these combined data and estimates one might conclude that tourists spent about $340 million and residents spent about $478 million in Monroe County in 1986. SO THE ARGUMENT goes on - inconclusively! Some facts we collected from the Florida Statistical Abstract (Table 5.3 for 1984, the latest data available from the 1987 abstract) include: retirement income at $114 million was the single highest source of Monroe County revenue- services at $106 million, and wholesale and retail trade at $88 million were second and third in importance; military and federal payroll at $80 million, and state and local government payroll at $62 million, followed. Thus, retirement income and government payrolls, largely unrelated to tourism, amounted to over $256 million out of a total of $793 million. This might seem to conflict with White's estimate that tourism accounts for about 42 percent but no one, not Higgs and the TDC, nor White, nor the state analysts, nor ourselves have announces our annual FATHER'S DAY SALE SAVE!****:i.;1.SAVE!******SAVE! CRAbSMiCK METAL!. & n ° " ' N i k ° " . Minolta, Fuji, ACCESSORIES: Flashes and Gadget Bags Tripods y a n d Kodak. * B O O M B 0 * E S • CASSETTES SAVINGS FROM 20% -50% JUNE 17 & JUNE 18 ONLY! PHOTO-SONICS 408 Duval Street MI you Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 9 FULL COLOR PHOTO T-SHIRTS! Pro Photo 294-9331 335 Duval Street - Duval Walk Transfer ANY Photo You Want - Ready to Wear in One Hour! Open 7 Days 1.0 am-8 pm come up with a documented value for tourism in hard dollars. So what does all this mean? In the beginning of this article, we implied that a lot of residents had become highly critical of how TDC monies were spent and how the TDC was organized and operated. County Administrator Tom Brown's 1988 public opinion poll has been reported widely in the media. It indicates clearly that 79 percent of the voters who were queried felt that more TDC funds should be spent on "civic and recreational facilities for taxpayers rather than to attract more tourists.". Further, the emphatic tone and number of letters to the edtior sent to local newspapers show that citizens are stirred up over this subject. It's possible that the dissatisfaction with "affordable housing" projects and the waiver of impact fees in connection with such projects, was another symptom of the feeling, right or wrong, that tourists were causing the rises in cost of living. NEITHER SOLARES HILL nor this writer have the answers. Commissioner Jimmy Weekley recently sponsored a city resolution asking the county to give the city commission the responsibility for recommending how TDC monies should be spent in Key West District 1. The Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce reacted immediately and strongly to Weekley's resolution, claiming that it, rather than the city commission, knew best how to spend TDC dollars, and that it wanted to retain this responsibility, which the county commission gave it last year. Meanwhile, the District 1 Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council has voted to finance a considerable amount of beach maintenance and repair work, which seems likely to be approved. When Keys Advertising and Marketing's contract (Sandra Higgs, President) came up for renewal in April 1988 the county commission voted to postpone renewal for 60 days to give it the opportunity to explore other options. So the "pot boils" on the TDC questions. Solares / / / / /expects to continue its investigation on as many aspects of the controversy as possible and to publish the results in subsequent editions. ||] A Fantastic Room of Mirrors by Bud Jacobson Beauties and mysteries splintered into thousands of reflected images, from the walls, the ceiling, even the floor, all of it in technicolor in one of the most unusual rooms in Key West. At night, this can be an eerie view into another world seen by the casual passersby. This is the creation of a modest soft- spoken Cuban Key Wester, Geraldo (Makiki) Alfonso, who carefully, painstakingly built this incredible memorial to his late mother, Sophia Ferrer Alfonso who died in the late 1970s. The room of mirrors is the living room of the home they shared on Catherine Street, her favorite room, now totally covered in hundreds and hundreds of mirrors, large and small, fitted together, to make an almost dizzying spectacle. There is a tall shrine on one side, and to the left a child's bench, also constructed of small mirrors, the mirrors themselves in gold, silver and red, all of it highlighted by strings of tiny lights. "I was very depressed after she was Reflections give the illusion of eternal depth in this mirrored room, filled with photos, lights and flowers, that Geraldo (Makiki) Alfonso built in remembrance of his mother. Photo by Richard Watherwax. gone, and for five years I worked on this for my mother," said Makiki. He himself has a colorful history. Makiki (a nickname he was given by his aunt, meaning "fighting cock") for many years was one of the better-known figures in the town's Cuban community; he was active in the card games at the Cuban Club, and played marimbas and bongo drums in the band here and in Miami. His uncle was the famous "Mr. Grass," (Rafael Ferrer) who ran Pepe's Cafe (the original one on Duval at Greene) and presided over the best bowls of chili and souse in Key West. He also dabbled in bolita. In the 1930s, the heyday for the gamblers and high-living residents of south Florida, Makiki was a mainstay in the band at the Latin Quarter in Miami where he held the beat for the likes of that feared Chicago gangster, Al Capone, and his brother, Ralph. "Those were the days," Makiki laughs, "life was a bowl of cherries." Today it's a little different but still very interesting in the room of mirrors. j§] Page 10-June 1988--Solares Hill Of Woofers and Workshops Noise Ordinance Proposal Readied for Round Three by Bud Meaker THE PROPOSED NOISE ordinance, which passed on first reading on April 18, was tabled at the City Commission Meeting on May 2. A second, less restrictive, proposal was tabled on May 16, and at that time, Commissioner Sally Lewis requested a workshop to discuss the noise problem. That meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 2, at 7:00 pm, in City Commission Chambers. Public input was encouraged. On Friday, May 13, Commissioners Lewis and Harry Powell accompanied Sgt. Frank Sauer on a fact-finding tour of Old Town. The May 16 Key West Citizen, in GOT THE HOUSEKEEPING BLUES? "Maid in the Shade" does the housework so you can have fun in the sun. Jane Burchett * Amy Burchett Maid in the shade, licensed • bonded ̂ insured KEY WEST HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE 296-5925 an article titled "It's too loud," reported that during that tour, "Bands were warned to turn the music down." They were, in fact, told to hold the levels steady so that the measurements would be representative. The only way to understand the problem of noise control is to observe actual sound meter readings. Commissioner Lewis would like to have participants in the noise workshop visit a bar and actually experience noise at various levels. This is an excellent idea. . There are numerous problems in the latest proposed ordinance that need to be ironed out. Primarily these problems involve the inclusion of the Additional Sound Level Limitation (the beat and cadence provision) and its companion, Amplified Sound Restricted Above Ground Floor, along with the removal of the section defining the Historic Entertainment District. If enforced as proposed, these changes may leave Duval Street as quiet as a residential neighborhood. I remember the early 70s when Duval Street was almost that quiet. SHUTTERS HISTORIC SHUTTERS & RESTORATION, INC Speciolkimj in Cypress Cxterior Sfmtters Soies & Repair 3O5 296-6332 4700 4TH -AVENUE STOCK ISLAND Few bars had live entertainment then, but there weren't many tourists, either. THE HUMAN EAR has an uncanny ability to detect beat and cadence. This is why, even today, Morse code is the communications medium of choice when listening conditions are adverse. To demonstrate why, try this experiment in what you consider a relatively quiet place. Identify a sound that has a regular beat, such as a ticking clock, music with an emphasized beat, or other similar noise, and concentrate on it. Then turn that sound down or move away from it until you can barely hear it. Now, without adjusting the volume, have another person enter the room and ask him if he hears any particular sound. Chances are that until you draw his attention to the sound, he will be unable to hear it at all. It would seem that since people differ greatly in their abilities to perceive beat and cadence that this variable is too subjective to be a fair criteria when enforcing law. But, the proposed law, as it presently reads would allow a person, on residential The Paint Studio fine artist specializes in beautiful details Trompe Voiel Customized Watercolors Murals • Signs Handpainted Furniture Clothing and Tiles Call Marianna 294-6920 property, standing 50 feet from a bar, to file a complaint merely because he can detect the beat of the music. Or, in the case of a sound source located above ground level (second story or higher), a complaint may be filed if the sound is detectable at a distance of 50 feet from the source on any If enforced as proposed, these ordinance changes may leave Duval Street as quiet as a residential neighborhood. property, residential or not, except streets and sidewalks. And after two complaints in a 90-day period, the occupational license of the bar would be revoked for 30 days. An appeal could cost up to $2500 in city staff time in addition to lawyer fees and other expenses associated with the appeal process. Being located in the area defined as The Historic Entertainment District would be of no defense, as it is in the current law, since that provision has been removed from the proposed ordinance. This means that either a neighborhood bar, such as the Sand Castle Bar and Restaurant, 532 Margaret St., would be allowed to play live music at 2 am, or that a person could move next door to Rick's, 208 Duval St., or Durty Harry's, Alice's Alley, and demand that the area become as quiet as a residential area. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE will by no means ensure a quiet city, though. Airport noise is not addressed. A jackhammer and other construction tools, if maintained "to the functional standards of the industry" and used on weekdays, are excluded under the construction exemption. Garbage and mosquito-control trucks are similarly exempt 24 hours a day because they are classified as public services. A burglar alarm would be exempt if it resets in less than 15 minutes, even if it goes off time after time, all night long. If, however, the burglar alarm fails to reset, it would be illegal, even if there were an actual break-in. If a complaint is filed, an officer would be required to write a ticket in such a case. Again, the business owner's occupational license would be in jeopardy. Commissioners Lewis and Powell, and attorney James Hendrick, who was hired by Pritam Singh to help write the proposed ordinance, attended a meeting hosted by the Key West Hospitality Association, Inc. (KWHA), a group formed to represent businesmen's concerns about the proposed ordinance. Both sides seemed willing to work out their differences. KWHA attorney John Bigler said, "We want to be good neighbors and cooperate in creating a livable and enforceable ordinance." Captain Tony Tarricino, official spokesman for KWHA, said, "We are willing to make concessions, but we expect the residents to make concessions also." Hendrick said, "We can come up with an ordinance that 90 percent of the people will be happy with." He said his group doesn't care how loud it is inside the bars, but feels the neighbors deserve quiet in their homes at night. "After 10:00 pm if we can hear the noise 200 feet away [from the source] it's too loud." He feels that the beat and cadence provision is important for that reason, and wants to see it stay. The present proposal says that if the beat or cadence can be heard at a distance of 50 feet after 8:00 pm, it is too loud. NOT ALL OLD Town residents feel that way. A.J. Galloway, owner of Shorty's Diner, 215 Duval St., also owns the house next door to Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St., and has lived there on and off since 1946. He will be moving back there soon. When asked about the noise problem, he said, "Key West has always been a party town, and if you don't like the noise [downtown] you shouldn't move into the area." This writer attempted repeatedly to contact Pritam Singh for comment on the proposed ordinance and the noise problem in Old Town. But Singh's secretary relayed that the Truman Annex developer would not be able to meet or discuss the problem at that time. The best way to make sure that the noise ordinance actually reflects the wishes of the citizens of Key West is to express your views.li] Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 11 fa imL uh hmi "one of a kind designs" Fine Costume Jewelry Fabrics Custom Clothing Custom Costuming Party Decorating Cards • Gifts Fine Art The Bearded Iris "A Year Round Christmas Shop 1207 Duval Street/294-0589 1 ^ ^ b c n C l l O n ° 6 2 6 D u v a l St- • 296-9006 • Psssst!!! June is "Locals' Month" 50% OFF DENIM PANTS r | 15% OFF , KNIT TEES i ' ! 30% OFF ' SWEATSHIRTS 15% OFF | | 15% OFF WOMEN'S I 15% OFF i MEN'S PANTS | POLO SHIRTS j SLACKS Name: Address: * Coupons cannot be combined - offer expires June 30, 1988 i j 15% OFF ! 10% OFF ! 15% OFF BELTS/BAGS i LOCALS' i DRESSES i CHOICE | 50% OFF i SWEATERS | 15% OFF | SHORTS i i 30% OFF i SKIRTS ' Page 12--June 19S8--Solares Hill EDITORIAL Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 13 by Bill Westray DURING THE FALL of 1985, two of our local airlines, Piedmont and Eastern, commenced operations into Key West International Airport (KWIA) using large, jioisy jet transports. Piedmont used older Fokker F-28 Mk 1000 aircraft configured for 65 to 70 passengers with five-abreast seating. They scheduled five trips in and out a day - 10 operations. Through its subsidiary, Eastern Express, Eastern, which until then had operated only turboprop Beachcraft 1900 (19 passenger) and Saab Fairchild 340 (35 passenger) airliners, added a large Boeing B-727-200 (145 passengers) to its afternoon schedule. Our city was suddenly beset with the noise and smell of these jets that started at 7 am and ended about 9:30 pm each day. KWIA is realtively unique as an air terminal in that it is located completely within the boundaries of the city and all air traffic arrives and departs over or near residential areas. The actual noise level of the F-28 and B-727 jets during takeoff, as measured by noise meters at homes up to 1/2 mile from either side of the runway, is 95 to 105 A-weighted decibels. What's more, the 4,800 foot runway length forces both jet types to operate with reduced fuel loads. This generally limits their range from Key West to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. None of the turboprops are so restricted. The short runway at KWIA restricts the Eastern B-727 to the degree that the airline prescribes that only the flight captain may be at the controls during takeoffs and landings; normally the copilot would be allowed to alternate at such duties. Several efforts have been made by local officials and citizen leaders to convince Piedmont and Eastern to substitute available turboprop aircraft for the noisy (and smelly) jet airliners. Piedmont already operates the much quieter Dehaviland DHC-8 "DASH 8" turboprop in much of its Florida service area under its regional carrier name, Henson Aviation. Thus far, Piedmont has declined to consider a proposal to use its turboprops instead of jets, claiming it knows what's best for the Key West market. Eastern has stated that it would withdraw the jet service and use only Beechcraft and Saabs if Piedmont would do the same. KWIA IS OWNED and operated by Monroe County, and only the county may establish rules for operations at the airport. However, the City of Key West has the obligation to adopt laws affecting the health, welfare and comfort of its citizens and to "abate nuisances" within its boundaries. One might say that the city should have the right to control noise made by the jet aircraft which must pass through city airspace to reach the airport. Another factor is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) writes the basic rules for all aircraft operations and doesn't like to have local communities adopt rules that unreasonably restrict access to any airport that is subsidized by the FAA (as is KWIA). But the key factor here is what is reasonable or unreasonable. Excessive noise and noise control are not easily defined and regulated. The city has already found that out in trying to create an enforceable noise ordinance to control downtown bar music. However, in the case of aircraft, the FAA has made the determination a little easier. Using data supplied by aircraft manufacturers, they have calculated and tabulated the average noise levels of almost every regularly by aircraft producing noise greater than certain decibel levels using the advisory circular levels as standards. One of these, New Haven, Connecticut, has set 78 dbA as the maximum allowed day level and 68 dbA as the maximum night level (emergencies excepted). These standards were put into effect on February 5, 1985, at Tweed-New Haven Airport, and they have been accepted without serious controversy. Noisier jets like the F-28 and B-727 are prohibited by this code, and some of the noisier turboprops are also restricted during late night and early morning hours. THE KEY WEST City Commission will be considering a resolution on or about June 6 to ask the Monroe Board of County Commissioners to adopt a noise code for KWIA similar to the New Haven code. Our readers will recall that during the election last October 6, 1987, the majority of the voters of Key West approved an opinion TWEED-NEW HAVEN AIRPORT NOISE CODE Sec. 4-63 Prohibited noise levels of aircraft taking off or landing Time Period 12:00 am - 6:00 am 6:00 am - 7:00 am 7:00 am - 10:00 pm 10:00 am-12:00 am (Ord. of 2-4-85) *Maximum A-Weightcd Sound 68.0 db (A) 73.0 db (A) 78.0 db (A) 73.0 db (A) (*Based on FAA Advisory Circular 36-3E) operated aircraft in the world. These levels are listed in a pamphlet called FAA Advisory Circular 36-3E, Estimated Airplane Noise Levels in A-Weighted Decibels (dbA), which is reissued and updated on a regular basis. Various configurations of the Boeing B-727-200 are shown at 86 to 92 dbA during takeoff The Fokker F-28 Mk 1000 produces 79.2 dbA at takeoff. By using these values, it is not necessary to take actual noise-level measurements around the airport to determine which are the offending aircrafts. However, actual tests conducted around KWIA a few months ago during the Part 150 Noise Studies showed the F-28 and B-727 to be much noisier than the advisory circular indicates. Nonetheless, the advisory circular provides uniform standards by which access to noise sensitive airports like Key West by certain aircraft can be restricted. Some other similarly situated airports around the country have dealt successfully with the jet noise problem by restricting use referendum that asked that the city noise code be enforced for KWIA with respect to the jet noise. We believe that the people of Key West are entitled to enjoy the comfort of their homes without being subjected to the excessive noise, smell, and exhaust residue that the jetliners presently produce. The ditrerence in flight time to Miami for jets versu*> turboprops is only five minutes, but me difference in annoyance is several fold. Mate-of-the-art turboprops are every bit as comfortable, and in some respects considerably safer than the big jetliners. We urge the city commissioners to support the resolution which all promised to do if the October referendum were approved by the voters, and we urge the county fnrTwrT" t 0 a d o p t a n a i rP° r t n o i s e c o d e c d W modeled after the New Haven Nature's Way: June Jollies by Alice Terry IT'S JUNE AGAIN. The weather is in a wonderful holding pattern of warm days and balmy nights. Would that summer's heat hold back for just a bit longer. Expect an average temperature of 82.8 degrees, and about four inches of rain this month. June in the garden means digging bulbs, corms and tubers when leaves turn brown. Make cuttings of shrubs and vines, pinching back vigorous shoots of shrubs for compact growth. Fertilize lawns with sulphate of ammonia after the rains begin in earnest. Trim hedges while tips are succulent and easily clipped, about once each month during growing weather. Transplant palms. Give summer application of fertilizer to all garden plants, renewing mulch around trees and shrubs. When your gardenia is done blooming, prune it enough to shape it. And don't forget to pinch back your poinsettias to keep them from getting leggy. Seeds to plant now are balsam, late cosmos, gaillardia and portulaca, although seedlings are on hand at the nurseries. Try planting clitoria, a perennial vine with deep blue sweetpea-like blossoms. I have some blooming now, and the blue is a lovely cool contrast to the pinks and reds that abound. I HAVE DISCOVERED that being a volunteer member of a city commission, in Photo by Richard Watherwax. my case the tree commission, isn't all fun and games. I spend a goodly number of hours each month, individually reviewing each permit application and checking out the trees in question. Then there is the formal hearing, the first Tuesday of each month in the City Commission chambers, when the requests are discussed and voted on. In addition, there are occasional special on-site workshops, also time consuming. Studies in human nature come with the territory. Facts to remember: transplanting or removal or heavy maintenance of a tree, even on private property, calls for filing a permit for same. Permits are absolutely free and may be obtained at City Hall. Note that Australian Pines, Brazilian Peppers and Melaleucas are not protected by the city ordinance and may be removed without permit. THE INDIGENOUS PARK on White Street is, perhaps, Key West's best-kept secret. Carl Weekley, Landscape Coordinator for the City of Key West, is the man in charge. Overall supervision is by Randy Sterling, who heads the Key West Department of Parks and Recreation. What a kingdom they are shaping. The park, dedicated to preserving native trees and shrubs, is a true refuge from the traffic (autos and people) and increasingly sFF^e^ever6"ping""Fr*ee Developing Free Del CD C Q. O CD CD a 0 0) III CD C Q. O CD !Q CD CD sol c r BRING YOUR FILM TO US FOR FREE DEVELOPING Offer Good Until June 30 Coupon Must Be Presented With Film COLOR PROCESSING ONLY % ONE HOUR PROCESSING Pro Photo CD . C D Q CD 335 Duvai Street - Duval Walk 294-9331 iFree Developing Free Til II o1 CD CD_ O "P. ZJ" CQ Til CD CD ol CD CD O g ZJ CDI oi CD j Sj o" "5." • ^ s Dd Floor Sanding and Finishing IWalkonWoocS! Licensed and Insured Mike Kellogg 294-4888 * Quiet and Cool Tropical Garden Dining * Indoor/ Outdoor Seating Available * The Best Mimosa in Key West (fresh squeezed OJ and French champagne) * Serving Excellent Breakfast & Lunch 8 AM-2 PM * 1015 Fleming Street (between Grinnell & Frances Sts.) 296-9244 r Page 14--June 1988-Solares Hill escalating activities of city life. Seventy-five of the 100 native trees of South Florida have been carefully labeled and lovingly tended. This is the place to see gumbo-limbo, mahogany, buttonwood, fiddlewood, crabwood, satinleaf, Jamaica Caper and lignum vitae in leaf, perhaps in flower (the Jamaica Caper is blooming right now). Trees are acquired by a variety of means. Some are grown from seed, and fair-sized trees arrive courtesy of our tree commission, provided by fines paid by violators of the tree ordinance. • Some trees are the result of the Monroe County Tree Rescue Program, a wonderful example of city-county cooperation. Endangered and threatened trees that have been targeted for destruction in site- clearings in the Lower Keys are removed by Key West men and equipment and brought to the Indigenous Park for replanting. The financial savings to Key West are considerable. For instance, a six-foot specimen of the slow-growing thatch palm would cost $250 if purchased. Right now the Indigenous Park is seeking funds.from the public, for the construction of a shade house, a real necessity. The native and exotic trees and shrubs raised in the nursery are slated for distribution throughout the city. Five hundred Malayan Palms are now being sprouted from coconuts. In two years the resulting disease-resistant trees will be large enough to be planted throughout the city, as replacements for the deceased Jamaica Tall Palms, stricken by the Lethal Yellowing Disease some time ago. Future plans include a projected picnic area on the strip between Atlantic Boulevard and the fenced- in park area; to be undertaken after completion of the White Street.Pier repairs. Grant applications are being submitted to the Florida Department of Natural Resources for funding a nature study facility at the northeast corner of the park. A wildlife pond and a bird and butterfly refuge encompassing a 30,000-foot area are envisioned The park is a t>lace to meditate, eat lunch, read, and study birds and trees and plants (and soon, butterflies). It's all free, easily accessible by foot, bike or auto (plenty of free parking). Take the self-guided tour, and pick up an attractively printed list of the protected trees. You owe it to yourself to become better acquainted with the real Florida, the one that has always been here. Open Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm, no admission charge. A bonus is the view of the Atlantic Ocean. Go today. And please mention that you read about it in Solares Hill. A RECENT STORM blew in hundreds of migrating birds that had the local bird- watchers in a dither. I now realize that that was a scarlet tanager I saw in my garden, flashing showy red feathers. Reports of summer tanagers, Baltimore orioles, indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, orchard orioles, and veery thrushes filtered down to me. Oh joy, oh rapture! ». See you in July. Id Dine on the Ocean at SOUTH BEACH PRESENTS A BREAKFAST BUFFET Bacon Home Fries Grits French Toast Prunes Pineapple Chunks Sausage Gravy Coffee Sausage Hot Cakes Biscuits Baked Apples Rolls Orange Juice Blueberry Muffins Tea Scrambled Eggs Chipped Beef Gravy Corned Beef Hash Fresh Fruit Mix Only $5.99 Breakfast Buffet Every Day From 8 'til 11:30 AM WE ALSO SERVE LUNCH & DINNER We accept VISA and MASTERCARD 1405 DUVAL STREET 294-2727 DON'T BE SHY ...Show us YOUR STUFF • Article Ideas • Fiction • Cartoons • Artwork • Essays Send materials to: Editor Solares Hill 4 Key Lime Square (or stop by or call, 294-3602) "The TDC And You" Was It Written In Malice? Bert Lee has written an article entitled "The TDC and Vou"that is so far from the truth in so many respects that one wonders if it was written in malice. He claims he researched, the subject, but I can only surmise he talked only to those who do not know or to himself or he used previously printed untruths. You can read the article in its entirety in the May 1988 issue of Solares Hill. REBUTTAL FOLLOWS IN SEQUENCE The Economy Is Good Lee: The economy overall is not good. A look at the financial pages is.evidence of that. Truth: WRONG! What financial pages is Mr. Lee reading? Inflation is being held down to a miniscule percentage, year to date. The unemployment rate just an- nounced by the federal government is at the lowest percentage since 1974! And the stock market has rebound and is holding its own. Lee: Taxes, rents and commodities...are up. Truth: You bet. Guess who is to blame in Key West? Some of your friends on the city commission, immediately past and pres- ent, what with impact fees, density and site restrictions and taxes, taxes, taxes. If there are economical problems they have been created by our local government aided and abetted by the state agencies that control our lives. Impropriety Alleged is Absolute Falsehood Lee: The total estimated revenue from these first two cents is $2.9 million per year. At present all of it is allocated for advertis- ing and promotion. The alleged impropr- iety in question stems from the fact that Sandra Higgs, the administrative director of the TDC also owns Keys Advertising and Marketing (KAM)—the advertising agency that receives these funds. Truth: This statement is so false and the facts so easily determined one wonders if this was not a deliberate falsehood to create a case where there is none. First: Keys Advertising and Marketing does absolutely no advertising for TDC other than administrative notices telling where and when the public meetings are to be held. The agency for TDC is the Tinsley Agency in Miami. Also receiving funds is the public relations agency, Stuart New- man Associates. Also receiving a full 35% of these funds are the varioualocal entities like our theater groups, our festivals and art groups. The Lighthouse Museum, for instance, just received a $180,000 grant approval from the TDC payable over the next three years. The funds collected by the state by means of the bed tax paid only by tourists are diminished by 1% by the State Department of Revenue for adminis- trative costs. 100% of the money, when paid to the county is in the care of Danny Kolhage, Clerk of the Court. The TDC I recommends the expenditures after taking advice from the Advisory Committees from each district. The County Commission approves or disapproves such expendi- tures. Then and only then does Mr. Koh- lage authorize payment with one big pro- viso and that is that the service has been performed before any monies have been paid out. Payments for material and servi- ces not covered by a contract require a notarized statement to accompany the invoice. How could Bert Lee have missed so much when it was so easy to get this information. Bert Lee Maligns Lots of People Truth: There are so many safeguards in the disbursing of these TDC funds that it is one area that can stand expert scrutiny (by anyone including you Mr. Lee) at any time. What Mr. Lee has done is to accuse Ms. Higgs of dishonesty without fact and insulted the honesty and integrity of the hard working volunteer nine member TDC, the Commissioners on the County Com- mission, the County Finance Department and the Clerk of the Court. Incredibly Wrong Again—An Absolute Falsehood Lee: (referring to his previous false state- ment that Ms. Higgs and her agency get the $2.9 million) That this poses a conflict of interest might seem, to the political non- initiate, obvious. But incredibly, a resolu- tion passed by the Monroe County Com- mission in 1986 waived prohibitions against conflict of interest caused by the TDC/ KAM contract (italics are Mr. Lee's). Truth: Absolutely wrong again, Mr. Lee. If Mr. Lee had done his research as he claimed he could have read that resolution and discovered VOILA: the resolution con- cerning Conflict of Interest had nothing to do with Sandy Higgs or her agency. The resolution actually names the members of the TDC at that time. The reason: In the early days the TDC tried to play host to visiting travel writers because a good edi- torial article is best written by someone who has experienced the destination; someone who has been here in Key West and the Keys. And a good editorial article gets better response from the public than an advertisement. However, our hotels were full so the only people wi Iling to sacri- fice reservations were hoteliers on the TDC. When they tried to get paid, the guard dog of those funds, Danny Kolhage refused to pay claiming a conflict of interest. I was Vice-Chairman of the TDC at the time so I wrote the Ethics Commission in Tallahas- see for clarification. They decided that it was permissable to pay TDC members up to a small limit. However, they wrote me about a state statute that permitted the kind of resolution the County Commission passed. The name of Sandy Higgs was never on that resolution nor was she ever involved in any way. Incredible Mr. Lee that you had the gall to make accusations about something of which you knew nothing! Dave Vincent Does Not Know What It's All About! Mr. Lee quotes only one business man, the franchise of Domino's Pizza, Mr. David Vincent, i won't take up space to quote him Solares Hill-June 1988--Page 15 because the quotes attributed to Mr. Vin- cent are a re-hash of Mr. Lee's uninformed comments about who gets the money and its accountability. I'll give Mr. Vincent the benefit of the doubt and say he spoke with- out taking the time to inform himself of the true procedure used by the County in dis- bursing TDC funds. But it is irresponsible, especially for a business person, to attack without getting the true facts first. Facts Are Distorted and False Assumptions Advanced. Mr. Lee is expert in building conclusions on false assumptions and distorted facts. Here's an example: "Gone are the days when a few hundred thousand here and there could be written off as inevitable leakage in the public plumbing. With hope, a new and better approach to handling these funds will develop." The assumption made for the benefit of the reader is that there has been leakage. Mr. Lee suggests that someone is getting money or benefits illegally or unethically and that a better system will prevent it. Mr. Lee does not even know what the system is nor has he bothered to prove any of his insidious accusations. This is the kind of garbage used by such as Hitler to ride to power. The unsupported lie used as a con- clusion for action. Meaningless Gobbledegook. Some of Mr. Lee's quotes are meaningless. For instance: "As Harry Powel! said: This is the pinch...time to sharpen up."' What the hell does that mean, Mr. Lee? Local Government Is At Fault- Not TDC! Lee: The air downtown is already choked with exhaust fumes. Truth: Is it the tourist's fault or TDC's that a local citizen or a tourist has to ride around and around town increasing traffic while trying to find parking? No! The responsibil- ity falls on the previous city commissions and the current commission who have done absolutely nothing about traffic or parking. Can A Commissioner Be So Unknowledgeable? Lee quotes Commissioner Weekley: "For the sake of public trust, she ought to at least come clean and admit, at the very least, that this doesn't look too good." I hope Lee has quoted Weekly out of context or incorrectly. Otherwise we have to ask Weekley: 1) Come clean about what? 2) What doesn't look too good? WOW! Tried and convicted by people that do not know the system, have not bothered to find out the truth and DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! I can prove that statement. . Is This Slander and Libel? Mr. Lee did not do his research! Mr. Lee used material already discredited. Mr. Lee's article suggests incredible ignorance of the truth. A full and public apology is only the beginning of the amends Mr. Lee should make to the entire public of Key West as well as Ms. Higgs for the terrible injustice he has committed. Written By & Paid For By Frank Romano A Concerned Private Citizen f Page 14--June 1988-Solares Hill escalating activities of city life. Seventy-five of the 100 native trees of South Florida have been carefully labeled and lovingly tended. This is the place to see gumbo-limbo, mahogany, buttonwood, fiddlewood, crabwood, satinleaf, Jamaica Caper and lignum vitae in leaf, perhaps in flower (the Jamaica Caper is blooming right now). Trees are acquired by a variety of means. Some are grown from seed, and fair-sized trees arrive courtesy of our tree commission, provided by fines paid by violators of the tree ordinance. Some trees are the result of the Monroe County Tree Rescue Program, a wonderful example of city-county cooperation. Endangered and threatened trees that have been targeted for destruction in site- clearings in the Lower Keys are removed by Key West men and equipment and brought to the Indigenous Park for replanting. The financial savings to Key West are considerable. For instance, a six-foot specimen of the slow-growing thatch palm would cost $250 if purchased. Right now the Indigenous Park is seeking funds.from the public, for the construction of a shade house, a real necessity. The native and exotic trees and shrubs raised in the nursery are slated for distribution throughout the city. Five hundred Malayan Palms are now being sprouted from coconuts. In two years the resulting disease-resistant trees will be large enough to be planted throughout the city, as replacements for the deceased Jamaica Tall Palms, stricken by the Lethal Yellowing Disease some time ago. Future plans include a projected picnic area on the strip between Atlantic Boulevard and the fenced- in park area; to be undertaken after completion of the White Street.Pier repairs. Grant applications are being submitted to the Florida Department of Natural Resources for funding a nature study facility at the northeast corner of the park. A wildlife pond and a bird and butterfly refuge encompassing a 30,000-foot area are envisioned The park is a olace to meditate, eat lunch, read, and study birds and trees and plants (and soon, butterflies). It's all free, easily accessible by foot, bike or auto (plenty of free parking). Take the self-guided tour, and pick up an attractively printed list of the protected trees. You owe it to yourself to become better acquainted with the real Florida, the one that has always been here. Open Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm, no admission charge. A bonus is the view of the Atlantic Ocean. Go today. And please mention that you read about it in Solares Hill. A RECENT STORM blew in hundreds of migrating birds that had the local bird- watchers in a dither. I now realize that that was a scarlet tanager I saw in my garden, flashing showy red feathers. Reports of summer tanagers, Baltimore orioles, indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, orchard orioles, and veery thrushes filtered down to me. Oh joy, oh rapture! „ See you in July.y Dine on the Ocean at SOUTH BEACH PRESENTS A BREAKFAST BUFFET Bacon Home Fries Grits French Toast Prunes Pineapple Chunks Sausage Gravy Coffee Sausage Hot Cakes Biscuits Baked Apples Rolls Orange Juice Blueberry Muffins Tea Scrambled Eggs Chipped Beef Gravy Corned Beef Hash Fresh Fruit Mix Only $5.99 Breakfast Buffet Every Day From 8 'til 11:30 AM WE ALSO SERVE LUNCH & DINNER We accept VISA and MASTERCARD 1405 DUVAL STREET 294-2727 DON'T BE SH I... • © Show us YOUR STUFF • Article Ideas • Fiction • Cartoons • Artwork •Essays Send materials to: Editor Solares Hill 4 Key Lime Square (or stop by or call, 294-3602) Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 15 "The TDC And You" Was It Written In Malice? Bert Lee has written an article entitled "The TDC and Vot/'that is so far from the truth in so many respects that one wonders if it was written in malice. He claims he researched the subject, but I can only surmise he talked only to those who do not know or to himself or he used previously printed untruths. You can read the article in its entirety in the May 1988 issue of Solares Hill. REBUTTAL FOLLOWS IN SEQUENCE The Economy Is Good Lee: The economy overall is not good. A look at the financial pages is evidence of that. Truth: WRONG! What financial pages is Mr. Lee reading? Inflation is being held down to a miniscule percentage, year to date. The unemployment rate just an- nounced by the federal government is at the lowest percentage since 1974! And the stock market has rebound and is holding its own. Lee: Taxes, rents and commodities...are up. Truth: You bet. Guess who is to blame in Key West? Some of your friends on the city commission, immediately past and pres- ent, what with impactfees, density and site restrictions and taxes, taxes, taxes. If there are economical problems they have been created by our local government aided and abetted by the state agencies that control our lives. Impropriety Alleged is Absolute Falsehood Lee: The total estimated revenue from these first two cents is $2.9 million per year. At present all of it is allocated for advertis- ing and promotion. The alleged impropr- iety in question stems from the fact that Sandra Higgs, the administrative director of the TDC also owns Keys Advertising and Marketing (KAM)--the advertising agency that receives these funds. Truth: This statement is so false and the facts so easily determined one wonders if this was not a deliberate falsehood to create a case where there is none. First: Keys Advertising and Marketing does absolutely no advertising for TDC other than administrative notices telling where and when the public meetings are to be held. The agency for TDC is the Tinsley Agency in Miami. Also receiving funds is the public relations agency, Stuart New- man Associates. Also receiving a full 35% of these funds are the variousJocal entities like our theater groups, our festivals and art groups. The Lighthouse Museum, for instance, just received a $180,000 grant approval from the TDC payable over the next three years. The funds collected by the state by means of the bed tax paid only by tourists are diminished by 1% by the State Department of Revenue for adminis- trative costs. 100% of the money, when paid to the county is in the care of Danny Kolhage, Clerk of the Court. The TDC I recommends the expenditures after taking advice from the Advisory Committees from each district. The County Commission approves or disapproves such expendi- tures. Then and only then does Mr. Koh- lage authorize payment with one big pro- viso and that is that the service has been performed before any monies have been paid out. Payments for material and servi- ces not covered by a contract require a notarized statement to accompany the invoice. How could Bert Lee have missed so much when it was so easy to get this information. Bert Lee Maligns Lots of People Truth: There are so many safeguards in the disbursing of these TDC funds that it is one area that can stand expert scrutiny (by anyone including you Mr. Lee) at any time. What Mr. Lee has done is to accuse Ms. Higgs of dishonesty without fact and insulted the honesty and integrity of the hard working volunteer nine member TDC, the Commissioners on the County Com- mission, the County Finance Department and the Clerk of the Court. incredibly Wrong Again—An Absolute Falsehood Lee: (referring to his previous false state- ment that Ms. Higgs and her agency get the $2.9 million) That this poses a conflict of interest might seem, to the political non- initiate, obvious. But incredibly, a resolu- tion passed by the Monroe County Com- mission in 1986 waived prohibitions against conflict of interest caused by the TDC/ KAM contract (italics are Mr. Lee's). Truth: Absolutely wrong again, Mr. Lee. If Mr. Lee had done his research as he claimed he could have read that resolution and discovered VOILA: the resolution con- cerning Conflict of Interest had nothing to do with Sandy Higgs or her agency. The resolution actually names the members of the TDC at that time. The reason: In the early days the TDC tried to play host to visiting travel writers because a good edi- torial article is best written by someone who has experienced the destination; someone who has been here in Key West and the Keys. And a good editorial article gets better response from the public than an advertisement. However, our hotels were full so the only people willing to sacri- fice reservations were hoteliers on the TDC. When they tried to get paid, the guard dog of those funds, Danny Kolhage refused to pay claiming a conflict of interest. I was Vice-Chairman of the TDC at the time so I wrote the Ethics Commission in Tallahas- see for clarification. They decided that it was permissable to pay TDC members up to a small limit. However, they wrote me about a state statute that permitted the kind of resolution the County Commission passed. The name of Sandy Higgs was never on that resolution nor was she ever involved in any way. Incredible Mr. Lee that you had the gall to make accusations about something of which you knew nothing! Dave Vincent Does Not Know What It's All About! Mr. Lee quotes only one business man, the franchise of Domino's Pizza, Mr. David Vincent. \ won't take up space to quote him because the quotes attributed to Mr. Vin- cent are a re-hash of Mr. Lee's uninformed comments about who gets the money and its accountability. I'll give Mr. Vincent the benefit of the doubt and say he spoke with- out taking the time to inform himself of the true procedure used by the County in dis- bursing TDC funds. But it is irresponsible, especially for a business person, to attack without getting the true facts first. Facts Are Distorted and False Assumptions Advanced. Mr. Lee is expert in building conclusions on false assumptions and distorted facts. Here's an example: "Gone are the days when a few hundred thousand here and there could be written off as inevitable leakage in the public plumbing. With hope, a new and better approach to handling these funds will develop." The assumption made for the benefit of the reader is that there has been leakage. Mr. Lee suggests that someone is getting money or benefits illegally or unethically and that a better system will prevent it. Mr. Lee does not even know what the system is nor has he bothered to prove any of his insidious accusations. This is the kind of garbage used by such as Hitler to ride to power. The unsupported lie used as a con- clusion for action. Meaningless Gobbledegook. Some of Mr. Lee's quotes are meaningless. For instance: "As Harry Powell said: This is the pinch...time to sharpen up.'" What the hell does that mean, Mr. Lee? Local Government Is At Fault- Not TDC! Lee: The air downtown is already choked with exhaust fumes. Truth: Is it the tourist's fault or TDC's that a local citizen or a tourist has to ride around and around town increasing traffic while trying to find parking? No! The responsibil- ity falls on the previous city commissions and the current commission who have done absolutely nothing about traffic or parking. Can A Commissioner Be So Unknowledgeable? Lee quotes Commissioner Weekley: "For the sake of public trust, she ought to at least come clean and admit, at the very least, that this doesn't look too good." I hope Lee has quoted Weekly out of context or incorrectly. Otherwise we have to ask Weekley: 1) Come clean about what? 2) What doesn't look too good? WOW! Tried and convicted by people that do not know the system, have not bothered to find out the truth and DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! I can prove that statement. . Is This Slander and Libel? Mr. Lee did not do his research! Mr. Lee used material already discredited. Mr. Lee's article suggests incredible ignorance of the truth. A full and public apology is only the beginning of the amends Mr. Lee should make to the entire public of Key West as well as Ms. Higgs for the terrible injustice he has committed. Written By & Paid For By Frank Romano A Concerned Privaie Citizen f Page 16-June 1988--Solares CROtssauts Breakfast - Lunch - Beer Patio Seating - All Your Favorite Sandwiches & Salads Open 7:30 AM to 6 PM 294-2624 816 Hill wee & Wine Pastries Duval Art As an Industry A Long, Hard Look at the County's Cultural Sector r' r "Where the Locals Relax" Enjoy an ice-cold beer $1 schnapps or a frosty cocktail in our cool and comfortable open air bar with LIVE ENTERTAINMENT from 2 PM till 2 AM every day every night Be sure to join us for Happy Hour upstairs at the famous Whistle Bar daily from 5 PM till 9 PM featuring "2 for 1 drinks," great games and great sounds overlooking the people parade along Duval THE BULL & WHISTLE BAR Corner of Duval & Caroline Streets "the most laid back bar in Key West" by Grant Spradling THE ARTS ARE a major growth industry in Key West and Monroe County. Over the past five years, according to Susan Olsen, Executive Director of the Art and Historical Society, the budget of that organization has gone from $120,000 to $604,000. In that period, the Red Barn Theatre's budget has grown from $30,000 to $160,000. These figures reflect a growing audience and program. An examination of other arts organizations during this time would, no doubt, show similar expansion. Jan McArt Theatre came on-line, two new art galleries have opened and $1 million has been committed to the restoration of the San Carlos. While I served as Executive Director of the Monroe County Fine Arts Council, we were able to introduce many arts organizations in the county to more sophisticated approaches to funding and organizational development resulting in an increase, from 1982 to 1985, of funding from sources outside the county, such as state and federal grants, from $1,000 to $140,000. Now, at this point, one might expect a plateauing of enthusiasm. But through the leadership of Parvan Bakardjiev, its dynamic and controversial director, the Fine Arts Council seems destined to fulfill some of its most ambitious dreams. County support for the council has grown from $8,000 to $50,000. The City of Key West has granted $10,000 to The Festival of the Continents and, in a muscular show of support for the arts, over 50 citizens have each contributed $1,000 or more to bring to fruition the international arts festival. Our county claims over 216 visual artists, 50 publishing writers and several hundred performing artists, all in a population of less than 60,000 adults. These artists' incomes range from a $3,000,000 advance, to one of Key West's most famous writers, to the earnings of a number of established painters who keep 15 art galleries in business. Still the arts industry is one of our best-kept secrets. If researchers looked at the combined direct and indirect impact of the artistic enterprise in Monroe County, they might discover the arts to be the county's largest industry. They might find that more hours are spent on producing and enjoying some form of art than any other single endeavor outside the home. And probably since the WPA arts projects in the 1930s, the arts have been the Keys' most stable industry. MOST ARGUMENTS FOR support of our theaters, exhibitions, concerts, art in public places, etc., are based on "quality of life" issues. True, the arts are a humanizing aspect of our community. But tough- minded people need to know that the arts add measurably to the economy. Take for example one of our many successful, but by no means the most highly paid, visual artists. Her watercolor paintings sell for from $400 to $2,000+ dollars. She sells through galleries outside the Keys as well as in Key West and Marathon. She turns about $35 worth of light-weight, nonpolluting raw material into a $2,000 piece of merchandise. When her painting is sold, she will receive $1,200 with $800 staying with the gallery as its commission. According to the gallery owner, that $800 is reinvested in the Keys. Typically, when our artist sells a $2,000 painting, she celebrates by taking friends out to dine locally. The balance of her income is divided between housing and food expenses, all of which is returned into the local economy. Only $35 goes outside the Keys for paint, paper, brushes, etc. The point is all of the $1,965 earned by the sale of the painting is invested in her community. The highways are not pounded by heavy equipment supplying her with raw materials. She has taken nothing away from the natural environment and added measurably to the economy. This example can be replicated dozens of times. Even more economically significant is the indirect influence the arts have on the financial climate of the Keys. I regularly ask visitors what has attracted them to our community. First-time visitors are usually surprised by the rich artistic life. They may have heard of Hemingway or Tennessee Williams - and that is about it. But repeat visitors and those who choose to settle here usually mention the cultural life: "There is so much to do; there are so many theaters and galleries." THE KEY WEST Planning Office 198. Survey, "Perceptions of Growth, Development and Community Character of Key West," provides some interesting comparisons. The survey asks locals: "Tell me about your favorite place to go and things to do in Key West." In order of most frequently mentioned, the responses were as follows: 1) the beaches; 2) dining; 3) fishing; and 4) Mallory Square. However, the arts jumps to #1 if the responses for theater, museums, arts activities and Mallory Square are combined. I believe Mallory Square is essentially an arts activity; however, if for the sake of argument only theater, museum and arts activities are combined, the arts remain the third most frequently mentioned "place to go and thing to do" by our residents. At the time this survey was undertaken to be used jn the development of city goals, Tom Wilson, Assistant City Planner, requested that the TDC join in this study to add the opinions of visitors and tourists; however, there was no response from the TDC. I was present at that meeting and wondered at the time if the leaders of the TDC feared that the data from such a survey would challenge their assumptions. The income that has the least adverse impact on our community is derived from sources outside the community through investments. retirement, social security, etc. Mr. Wiison calls this the "cleanest nonpolluting industry." A single patron whose decision to live in the Keys is influenced by our artistic offering contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the community's economic base. A healthy economy requires diverse sources of employment and income. Too many communities and even nations are pending their future on tourism. Common sense should tell us that someday the bubble will burst. Jamaica, Mexico, New Orleans, Galveston, Orlando, Florida Keys, etc., all cannot indefinitely prosper from Pandora's Box of tourism. It is imperative that, while there is still time, we develop and husband other industries that are compatible with both our tourism and fragile environment. Focus must shift from selling off the natural resources to industries that can merge into existing natural and social structures. I believe the arts are at least part of the answer. THE ARTS ARE not at the top of our economic agenda because of the following reasons. Arts are individualistic and primarily a cottage industry. Painters work in small studios or in their living rooms. Performers learn their lines at home and writers type away in small house trailers obscured by mangroves and buttonwoods near a canal. There are no smoke stacks, parking lots, earth-moving machines, or speedboat rooster tails to impress observers that the arts may be the Keys' largest business. Except for the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center and the Art and Historic Society's East Martello Museum, even the arts institutions are cottage-size. The Red Barn Theatre is a small stable behind the Women's Club while the Waterfront and McArt theaters are old warehouses. The galleries scattered from Islamorada to Mallory Square take up little room and the humble exterior of the Coffee Mill gives no hint of the frenzy of dancing and music that grinds away, nonstop. Artists focus on their own vision and their limited resources of time and energy, they have little interest in collaboration except for the achievement of their own goals. Actors in the Waterfront Playhouse, anxious over learning their next lines, have not viewed the painter sketching a bonefish as a business colleague. The Marathon Players, preoccupied with a place to perform, are unaware of the sculptor's need for a foundry. Writers, awaiting response from their publishers, are not mindful of the neighborhood children reading stories at Blue Heaven in Bahama Village. Nor does the comfortably fixed, retired watercolorist working on his seascape feel kinship with the juggler vying for space at Mallory Square. The most vocal arts advocates have not found a way to rise above their limited agendas and work for the common good. Protective of their slice of the action - their festival, theater or funding resource — they are more intent on limiting access to the pie than making the pie bigger and better. As a consequence, the arts may go the way of the sponge and cigar industries. Sor® Cook irtc •MP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SALES A Personal Firm With A Proven Track Record Specializing In Full-Service Management Seasonal & Yearly Rentals MLS 294-8491 905 Truman Ave. Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 17 NEW! TRY OUR FRESH BAKED WAFFLES 500 OFF WITH THIS COUPON YOU'LL LIKE OUR PRICES, YOU'LL LOVE OUR FOOD. 1_ 3810 NL ROOSEVELT BLVD. J OUR SECRET INGREDIENT IS CREATIVITY. OUTSTANDING IDEAS FOR LOGOS POSTERS BROCHURES INSTANT STATS & DIGITAL TYPOGRAPHY r Page 18-June 1988-Solares Hill This past month, one of Key West's most oustanding artists and his partner sold their home and are moving to Miami Beach's South Beach, Florida's new and more affordable arts colony. One art gallery closed last season and there are rumors of another closing. Two of our internationally famous writers died last year and another is planning to move. If we take for granted that there will always be another season of exhibitions, exquisite impromptu WACO UPF7 PITTS SPECIAL 5ZA Banner Towing * Reef Tours *Aerobatic Rides* DISCOUNT TO ALL LOCAL PEOPLE concerts at Casa Gato or Tennessee Williams, sparkling theater at Jan McArt, Waterfront and Red Barn, and jugglers at Mallory Square, attrition will set in. WHAT CAN BE done to strengthen and sustain the community's arts industry? I can think of at least three things: 1) Secure the TDC cultural funds for culture. The arts are in danger of losing their largest funding source. The 1984 TDC ordinance provides that 30 percent of the tourist development tax be utilized for cultural and special events. Since the formation of the TDC in 1981, the committee to review this funding has been called the Cultural Screening Committee. However, this year, guidelines of the TDC changed the name of the Cultural Funds to Events Funds and the Screening Committee to Events Committee. In a further indication of a drift away from the arts, in the definition of "events," the guidelines reverse the order of listing what may be funded and have deleted most of the artistic activities designated in the ordinance. It is telling to compare the ordinance with the guidelines. The ordinance states in Section 4-B: "The Council recommends that the revenues from tourist development tax be used for the following projects and uses which are listed by order of priority and approximate allocation: 1) To promote and advertise Monroe County tourism within domestic and international markets, 70%; PORT SlOt EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY EXCITING FOOD & DRINK IN A RELAXING ATMOSPHERE! Venture to Portside Key West, a creative gourmet restaurant where dining ranges from fresh zesty seafood preparations, exotic Eastern curries and tantalizing Thai dishes to the island's finest filet mignon with your choice of herb or spicy sauces. Join us for lunch-delicious, casual and super reasonable! LIVE STEEL DRUM BAND NIGHTLY! DINE INDOORS OR OUTDOORS Lunch served 11:00-3:00 / Dinner served 6:00-11:00 Our full bar is open 11:00 am through 11:00 pm Open 7 days 431 Front, by the comer of Duval / 292-1607 "We think our staff is great" PEACHES OF KEY WEST Introduces... a complete inch loss program Lose 3"-15" In One Hour 9 Inches off in first wrap • Contour your body • Lose unsightly cellulite • Not a water loss ^RESULTS GUARANTEED* We also feature a complete line of 100% natural vitamins and Body care 512 Duval (305)296-2650 Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 19 2) To promote county tourism by sponsoring tourist-oriented cultural and special events such as visual and performing arts, including but not limited to theatre, concerts, recitals, opera, dance, art e x h i b i t i o n s , f e s t i v a l s , tournaments, races and other tourist-related activities, and to construct, operate and manage facilities for such events as provided for in Section 5-A (1) of Florida Statutes, Chapter 125. The TDC's rules and procedures for applying for Tourist Development Event Funds defines "events" as: "A festival, tournament, race, theatre event or promotion which takes place within one or all of the five districts. The event should serve to increase the desire for tourists to initiate a visit or extend their visit to the districts." What about concerts, recitals, opera, etc.? If there were any doubt that the arts are a low priority for the TDC, the exclusion of artists' fees are a clincher. The guidelines state: "Artist fees, unless they are intended primarily to advertise or promote an event, would be improper expenditues of TDC funds under Florida Statutes." I read this statement to Deputy Director of the Dade County Council on Arts and Sciences, Michael Spring. He said, "This is certainly a narrow interpretation and not the way most counties with TDC funds interpret the statute." Spring said according to Dade County Attorney's office, TDC funds may be used for any expenditures for cultural events that promote the area as attractive to tourism. Currently in Monroe County, the TDC cultural funds are in danger of becoming a 'pork barrel' from which the arts are largely excluded. The cultural funds have never been used as effectively as they should be to enrich the artistic and cultural life of the county. Cultural funds of the TDC should be in the hands of persons experienced in and committed to the artistic and cultural life of the community, to sustain and strengthen the Keys' arts industry. 2) The Key West Cultural Commission can become an Arts Industrial Council. It can: b) c) d) accurate measure of a current size and productivity of the arts industry; Develop a marketing strategy for Key West's performing and visual arts. The strategy would include generic arts advertising and public relations campaigns. For example, advertising for arts galleries in the Keys in such publications as Art News and Art in America; Assure representation of Keys arts in appropriate trade and promotional events; Attract and encourage arts-related businesses and services such as foundries, print-making workshops, commercial art studios, recording studios, arts conventions and meetings such as National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; e) Provide for touring of outstanding performing and visual arts created in the Keys; and f) Place on the affordable housing agenda the need of artists for affordable housing and studio space. The Monroe County Fine Arts Council should continue to provide technical assistance to artists and art organizations in developing their organizational structure and in finding additional funding. And it should get on with the development of a major international art festival. (When and if the Festival of the Continents materializes, this will be that festival.) This has been the goal of the Arts Council since 1982 and as controversial as it may be, an art festival of high visibility and a quality comparable to Charleston's Spoleto or Stratford's Shakespeare Festival is the most expedient way to put our arts on the map and signal that we are a community of world class artists and art institutions. The successful Literary Seminar and Arts Explo are important steps in the right direction. Now let's get on with it! In the hurly-burly of a booming tourist economy — spanking blue skies and seas, glamour and development — the Keys' real mother-lode, its treasure of art, may be passed over and sink into obscurity.^ 3) a) Undertake a survey to provide an Editorial Continued from page 2 country as needed. Taking kitchen, laundry and maintenance jobs and working long hours, they send what they earn back home, minus rent and other costs. Marvelous directional sign on Duval near Truman—it points east and west, but reads north and south. Same comment about the green arrow and straight-away signals at Simonton and Fleming Streets. You get the go-ahead to turn left (or right, depending on your direction) at the same time oncoming cars are given the okay to proceed straight ahead. Scary stuff. Conservationists and their organizations here in the Keys, plus Governor Martinez and Washington officials who represent the Keys, continue the tug-of-war with Interior Secretary Hodel who has his men plowing around the Gulf waters, about 26 miles north and west of Key West, looking for the best places to drill for oil. Again? It's unbelievable. Won't they ever admit to the irreparable damage they'll do to Florida waters—the wildlife, fish and water supplies that feed the environment we must have in order to exist? Next month's issue will be The Best of Solares Hill—your favorite articles, editorials and fiction pulled from 12 years of publishing in Key West. Looking forward to working on this one. Until July —AnnBoese Dinner 5-10:30 Wed.-Mon. Take-out Available ^Serving Fine Mexican Cuisine In a Friendly Atmosphere Specializing in Fajitas, Chile Rcllenos, Seafood Enchiladas, Beer, Wine A SOUTHWESTERN CAFE «32 OLIVIA STREET (Corner of Elizabeth St.) TELEPHONE 294-8212 HIGH TECH! HIGH SUPPORT! An ingeniously cooled sandal with an arch support??? Impossible!! NO, SENSI v f Page 20--June 1988-Solares Hill 2 ROM THE ARCHIVE Hi urn i f T i byBudJacobson I Big Myrt Gibson owned the fishing camp on the Big Pine end of this wooden bridge. It was a "secret" hangout for politicians escaping the limelight and tired businessmen retreating from Key West on weekends. Photo from the Solares Hill historic file. SUMMERTIME BBQ BONANZA! Super Savings From Your Friends At Suburban Propane (Just in Time for Fathef's Day!) S25 Trade-in Altoi/wanee Bring in any old gas'or charcoal grill! Walk out with a top-line Broilmaster Outdoor gas grill! Come in today and see why Broilmaster is the ultimate in outdoor good taste. Cylinder * #20210201 WINNING SPECIAL! 20-lb. cylinder with liquid outage gauge. $19.95 Monday thru Friday 8 AM-5 PM at 726 Catherine Street 296-2411 3t fKAivcES IT IS TWILIGHT time, April 14, 1988. I am passing Mile Marker 21 on A1A, "the highway that goes to sea." Venus, the evening star, looks shoulder-high, hung so close up there. I see like an ant in the dark, and through the landscape of a pewter hue, I can discern the bare bones of a graceful poinciana tree over to the side. Soon, the poinciana blossoms will be "bleeding" all over the island of Key West. The elegant Latin name for this tree means, "the flamboyan." As dusk falls, I am meeting other cars, and now we all have turned on our headlights. I now am approaching MM18. Suddenly, I take in the inconceivable, the unimaginable. Two bright headlights are rocketing straight at me in my lane. I have perhaps four seconds before the grinding head-on collision. Four seconds to affirm that I am protected by my God. After the soul-jarring impact, it seems suddenly so quiet. It seems different, as though I have entered another galaxy. In my demolished slate-blue Volvo, I am hanging upside down like a bat. I thrust away this metaphor and decide I prefer to think I am like Snow White and the Poisoned Apple. I realize that I have been plowed into by another car whose driver very probably has .' sen drinking something that isn't chocolate milk. I grasp the fact that my life has been spared. The pain of broken bones is beginning to move in like a ravaging beast. I remind myself that always I have believed that life cannot do me down. I always have enjoyed being myself and I always give thanks hourly that I am not someone else. The pain shoves in and I discard these thoughts and start trying to recall three different ways to cook rhubarb. As you can see, I am cut adrift from any stable view of the situation. RUNNING FEET. SHOUTS. The Good Samaritan. She: "I am going to keep on holding your hand and staying with you until help comes." The sound of a siren. To me it's like a Mozart concerto. Flashing red lights of a long conveyance. The Sugarloaf Key Ambulance crew comes quickly, at my side seven minutes max after the collision. I see lunar figures moving with urgency all around the scene: Highway Troopers. Deputy Sheriffs. A voice: "Don't move your head. Don't move your neck at all." Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 21 They lift and carry my stretcher most gently, I am in something like a boxcar. Radio sounds. Hooked up to the hospital. "Her vital signs are holding up well." We seem to back into a big arena — kleig lights, nurses, doctors — the emergency room at Florida Keys Memorial Hospital. A tall medical man wearing a golden stethoscope comes and tenderly stays with me. THE HOSPITAL SOJOURN of two weeks can be regarded, I suppose, as reassuring — if one chooses to think that way. (I happen to be a Christian Science student.) The people at this hospital are very humanitarian except when medical technology seems at times to leave reality. Why is it mat the nicest thing I remember of that time is someone gently passing a cold, wet washrag over my face and hands. It's as comforting as the 91st Psalm. While I reside there in what looks like two dish towels sewn together, the hospital gown, with the IV bag which swings on the bed hanging South pointing toward Smathers Beach. Present status: In a cast, leg elevated, laid up like a beached whale. How fortunate I am that, just like my old Quaker grandad, I believe what the Maker said to Job: "If I bring happiness upon you, give thanks. And when I bring suffering, give thanks also."S] There's rumor of perfection... LAS PALMAS ORIGINALS, INVENTIVE CUISINE SNAPPER EN CROUTE CHILLED POACHED SALMON SEAFOOD LASAGNE WITH SAFFRON SAUCE ROAST QUAIL 'GRANDMERE1 Dinner Nightly 6 pm-11 pm Reservations Please 1029 Southard at Frances 294-7991 FREE MEMBERSHIP AT The largest selection in town. Over 6 , 0 0 0 movies of all ratings available for rent or purchase. Video cameras for rent. 3106 Flagler / Habana Plaza • 294-4272 1128 Simonton Street • 296-4O46 (corner of Catherine) Page 22--June 1988--Solares Hill POLITICAL WHISPERS FROM THE BIRDCAGE A Few Quiet Moves in the Continuing Saga Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 23 by Bud Jacobson YOU'D NEVER KNOW it, but there have been a few moves (like a soft-shoe dance) in the county -- the commission made up its mind, after some dawdling, and picked a new attorney to replace Lucien Proby who'll retire on July 4. The new County Attorney is Randy Ludacer, who has been assisting Prgby in recent months. Governor Bob Martinez, after a few sharply worded letters from "interested parties" in the legal community who didn't want an "outsider" from Fort Lauderdale named to the Monroe County circuit court bench when Judge David Kirwan resigned, appointed Assistant Public Defender Jeff Overby to take over the Upper Keys circuit court. In recent months, there have been some unusual "oversights," according to lawyers roaming the courthouse halls. It causes some snarls and grumbling among the advocates but that's about all. For example, say some of the disgruntled, the leading contender to fill Proby's shoes was his first assistant, Bob Leeman, a respected hand in the law business. But then, according to one commissioner, "they changed the requirements," meaning his cohorts changed the rules, and Leeman decided to return to his law offices on Whitehead Street and private practice. On the Upper Keys, a lot of the lawyers claimed they were very surprised that Beginning our third year with the largest selection of hammocks in the Keys. Yucatan Hammocks starting at $14.95 Zapotec Indian Tapestries Mexican Masks Folk Art • And of course, Hey! Sailor Sandals still $29.95 MON.SAT. 10-5 605 WHITEHEAD ST 294-2627 County Judge Reagan Ptomey was not "almost an automatic choice for the circuit court," when Kirwan resigned. Ptomey, they asserted, had been handling several circuit matters effectively since Kirwan stepped down. But that didn't happen. You gotta watch your party affiliation these days, remarked one of the advocates. BUZZING AROUND, BUT not making a lot of noise on the county commission side, the whisper is going around again that former County Mayor Wilhelmina Harvey, in spite of a recent injury to her shoulder, is testing the political bath water for another run at the commission. The run, if she makes it, would place her in a contest against incumbent Commissioner Gerald Hernandez who, while he has not publicly declared, is figured by his colleagues and most savvy political watchers as "sure to be in there; he's political and he likes the job." Hernandez, then, will go hard for re-election to a four-year term on the county commission bench and he's already staked out his turf — the restoration and improvement of the city's beaches will be his primary campaign battle slogan, according to some old friends of his. The opening salvo from Hernandez thundered from a county commission meeting when he swung positive votes on four resolutions to start the task on the beaches. He got his cohorts on the commission to approve committing $217,000 toward a construction contract leading to reconstruction of the long We give you credit for your success. •#1= Southeast Bank Key West Banking Center 422 Front Street (305) 294-4601 Member FDIC wooden pier at county beach -- but they weren't too sure where the money was. Then he wangled a committment for over $62,000 for a study on how to straighten out the smelly mess at the White Street extension, now closed to auto traffic because engineers reckoned it wasn't safe or sound, anymore. The long concrete extension (called a pier) was built in the late 1950s by the State Road Department (SRD) after a lot of pressure from a couple motel owners on Simonton Street, Phil Murphey and Mel Levitt. UNDER THE RULES governing the SRD then, it had to be called an extension of White Street so, they said, they had to build it as a solid block of cement instead of allowing water to pass under it. The result has been, for years, a noxious pocket of rotting seaweed that emits fumes of sulphur dioxide (rotten eggs), dappled with beer cans, old bottles and colorful plastic containers. Hernandez, like hundreds of residents in Key West, wants the concrete block broken through to allow free passage of water. It all needs to be studied. "Studies, studies," he smiles. "We've got studies about studies!" Another part of Hernandez' visionary plan for the beaches would see, over the years, a full restoration of sandy stretches from the county beach, along old Rest Beach to Smathers. "All this costs huge amounts of money. Where is that money coming from? Will it take away money from other places in the county that maybe need it as much? What Gerry has to say about the beaches is well and good, but it needs hours more of discussion and checks with pur engineers, the state and federal sides, before we put all our eggs in one basket," was the remark made by Art Russell, a resident in the Upper Keys.ii Home of the ^ Char-broiled Steak complete with Potato, Fresh Vegetable & Garlic Bread Lunch & Dinner Our Complete Menu incltides Ribs • Chicken • Seafood Now Open 7 Days 7 a.m. till Late Night 918£)uuat6t. • £96-0689 a \f o /.ADDER Of 'SUCCESS* l> Copyright IS t t. \',l «ima $ Any Regular Priced LP or Cassette. Not Good On Sale Merchandise Limit One Per Customer Offer Expires 6/31/88 Any Regular Priced Compact Disc. Not Good On Sale Merchandise Limit One Per Customer Offer Expires 6/31/88 WIDE SELECTION OF ROCK T-SHIRTS VHS MOVIES SALE PRICED MAXELL UDS-II 90 > Motley Crue CASSETTE $15.99 5 PACK SPECIALS $9.99 Led Zeppelin Bon Jovi Eric Clapton And Others '•? Island's largest selection of sheet music Open 10 am - 9 pm Daily Fri.-Sat. 10 am - 10 pm Sunday 11 am - 6 pm 924 Kennedy Drive ! in Key P!aza i 296-6655 | MUSIC, MOVIES, AND MORE. 1 SWEAT! Russell Athletic Sweatpants... The Big-Buck-Boys wear t h e m . . . the NFL Teams,. . so get the BEST.., Russell Athletic Sweatpants! 532 DUVAL r Page 24--June 1988-Solares Hill Gallery Hoppm by Gordon Lacy WE SHALL TACKLE East Martello first this month, and I regret that the present show of Installation Pieces was not celebrated with a great opening party. Six local artists participated, each one given a room to install, curtained off from the adjoining room by black drapes, all with no imposed theme. The first room swerves into another world — a sun god's tomb, dark and glowingly lit — which had an impact far greater than its components. This is complete and perhaps dangerous magic, wrought by Henri La Chapelle out of his Egyptian and Mayan studies. Beyond all studies, it is Henri, exercising a beguiling esotericism; the central piece is a sarcophagus, the walls hung with mysterious golden glowing motifs and the light comes from within the pieces. Magic is here; forces are here and spells are at work. The second room was filled with Gretchen Williams' watercolors of Key West Conch house doors, followed by John Martini's literal broom-closet which was tranformed into a nauseating sick-room, full of sick appurtenances, sleazy sheets and a nasty looking bed. Glimpsed through a glass door and one steps on a button that sets off a cassette of the most horrendous bout of coughing since Thomas Mann's Magic Mountain. It is very funny, sordid and someone seriously explained that it was meant to protest the effect of the insecticide RAID on the human respiratory tract Tract for tract, the fourth room was given over to Rick Worth's Florida Postcard which highlighted a hammocked personnage and three dimensional moon, palm trees, ocean and picnic things, all in good fun. Craig Biondi, in a small space, demonstrated the enigma of color versus light. The room by Michael Chodzin consisted of a pristine bedroom suite all in white save the blue stripes over all, bed and rug, done in blue Crest toothpaste, the empty tubes comprised the startling point and the visual ending of this witty and well realized "thing." Terry Thommes' room of "Le Corail Malade," floor in white sand ROSE LANE ANTIQUITIES Pre-Columbian Pottery 1 DOOtAVt- Page 32--June 1988--Solares Hill WATERFRONT CAMPGROUND & TRAILER PARK !N DOWNTOWN KEY WEST i:A(.1C ,-, W A U 10 Il lU IlJV.'tj S I lRJUIOf lS - MOHILt HOMl APARtMENI. CDIWUL DENIALS IEP11. VAN. MOIOR HOME f. IRAILtS SUES • fULL HUOKIJPS HO! SHOWtfiS PUMP S U I K I N OLD IOWN BICYCLE RENTALS 223 ELIZABETH ST., (305) 294-5723 RESERVATIONS WELCOME "ForTheBestTanintheKeys!" Natural No Alcohol Mineral Oil Pure Aloe Vera Gel Vitamins A, D and E Distributed by RonTan Enterprises 718 Ashe Street Key West, Florida 33040 (305) 296-2405 I The Case of the Missing Radio Towers by Joe Roach The search began about two years ago, prompted by a chance remark. A friend was showing me through the former Truman Annex Navy Base. He pointed to a small squat box-like building and said, "That's where Marconi had his laboratory when he was working for the Navy in Key West." Marconi? ... Gugliemo Marconi, one of the inventors of early wireless? ... what had he been doing in Key West years ago? I knew Thomas Edison had spent considerable time here working with the Navy — but Marconi? My curiosity started twitching. I had been told a good place to start digging was the Monroe County Public Library. And that Sylvia Knight and Tom Hambright in the Florida Room could probably provide answers. Sylvia searched through cards and shelves and files. No reference anywhere to Marconi. But she did turn up the name of Lee de Forest, a radio pioneer who early in this century had spent months in Key West. Worth checking. An autobiography should be in the general stacks. It was, and in. its pages I found some interesting clues to my puzzle. In 1904 three 250-foot wood spires pierced the sky over Key West. In daylight they, along with the Key West lighthouse, could be seen from fishing boats and ships far out in the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean. But the electronic impulses that leaped off these towers could be heard as far away as New York City, the Great Lakes, even occasionally on the West Coast of the United States. Those were the days when one or two hundred miles was considered good long distance for the reception of early radio signals. The towers were built for the United States Navy by the American de Forest Wireless Telegraph Company that had been awarded a contract in 1904 to construct five of the most powerful radio stations that up to then had not been built anywhere. The five locations were Key West and Pensacola, Florida; San Jaun, Puerto Rico; Guantanamo, Cuba; and Colon, Panama. Under the personal supervision of Lee de Forest, the versatile and inventive genius who became known as the "Father of Radio," the Key West station was built first and Pensacola second. In his autobiography de Forest wrote, "On January 1, 1905, I began at Pensacola my first tour of inspection of our growing Navy stations. The station was nearly ready for test-out by the time I reached Key West. There ensued weeks of wireless work and experimenting, the most fascinating and delightful in all my experience — lost to the hectic existence of northern cities, in that indolent Island of Delight — a subtropic sanctuary from the wintery blasts I had left behind." There is no doubt that de Forest enjoyed his time in Key West. "Two delightful weeks were spent in the little Navy shack in a grove of coconut palms which had been hewn partly away to clear space for our antenna wires. These were borne aloft by three slender white masts overlooking waters painted in such soft and vivid hues of green and violet as my eyes had never seen before." Thanks to de Forest and his engineers Key West was the first really high-power wireless telegraph station in America. As "KW" it made history and was familiar to wireless operators on passenger ships, freighters, and Navy vessels far out to sea. While in Key West de Forest also established, as he put it, "a little" commercial station at La Brisa. This installation was so successful in overcoming the ever-present bugaboo of static, wrote de Forest, " ... that it could be heard over distances up and down the coast quite unequaled by any big jammer then extant in the whole wireless world. It frequently happened that ships far at sea could read Las Brisas (sic) when the ... Key West Navy station was just a big noise lost in the louder roar of static." De Forest and his people went on to complete installation of the Navy radio . stations at Guantanamo, Colon, and San Juan. But back to the three Navy radio towers built in Key West. We have evidence of the location of one of them from a story written by Commander E. J. Quinby, USNR (Ret.) that appeared in the Key West Citizen Sunday, March 24, 1963. (More thanks to Sylvia Knight of the library for locating this additional clue.) According to Quinby — self-identified as a charter member of de Forest Pioneers, Inc., which should lend some credence to his information — one of the original trio of wood towers was erected at 428 Greene Street. And within its base was the "wireless shack" where the operator on duty sat for 12 hours at a time, handling routine commercial messages, weather reports, news, "and on occasions the dread distress call from some stricken vessel at sea." Go to 428 Greene Street today and you'll find the well-known Captain Tony's Saloon. But in his 1963 story Quinby tells us, "One of Key West's famous landmarks is presently being groomed by Morgan Bird and Frank Wolkowsky to open as Key West's Oldest Bar. Formerly one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite haunts when it was run by 'Sloppy Joe,' it was originally the de Forest Wireless Telegraph Station." Also Quinby pointed out that the original office of the Inter-Ocean Telegraph & Cable Company — and later the office of Western Union Telegraph Company ~ was located at 416 Greene. Aptly named Telegraph Lane, it runs between Numbers 416 and 428. His 1963 story continues, "A recent inspection of that historic 'wireless shack' at 428 Greene Street revealed the stout structural mast braces that most folks today assumed to be precautions against hurricane damage. Remodeling work ... has disclosed to view the massive central wooden mast-block, 12 inches thick and 30 inches square, from which radiate the eight heavy sloping roof beams — 3" by 6" — that land upon the stout wooden plates 4" by 10" atop the four sides of this 24 ft. square building." If 428 Greene Street is indeed the site of one of the three original wood antenna towers, where were the other two towers located? Neither Quinby nor de Forest tell us in their writings. Someplace, though, there must be some kind of documentation. Perhaps in City records ... in Navy archives ... or buried in the memory of one or more Key West senior citizens. A check with the Historic Key West Preservation Board turned up nothing excepting a suggestion that the information might be found in the National Military Archives. It is known, however, that the original wood towers were replaced in 1914 by three 320-foot steel towers. These, according to a study prepared by Sharon Wells, "Naval Architecture of Key West," were erected in an area on the Navy base bounded by Whitehead, Caroline, Eaton, and Front Streets. The 1912 to 1913 Plan of the Station shows the location of the Wireless Radio Building — No. 57 — just north of the barracks on Front Street. We also know that those three steel towers were dismantled in 1967, ending all major Navy wireless operations based on the station. Shortly before the base was purchased we went looking for any evidence left of the towers. The only possible evidence was found on Caroline Street near Front Street — a large concrete slab studded with huge imbedded bolts. So apparently all that's left now of 63 years of pioneering Navy radio operations based on Lee de Forest's "Island of Delight" are the massive timbers in Captain Tony's Saloon and, probably by this time, a hole in the ground where once was the base of an antenna tower. ijFl Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 33 OUR, ZERO TOLERAWCE PRQ(bRI\fA IN HAHAHAHKHAHAHIK. HEYl \ FOUND A J0\MT\ CURRY & SONS PRINTING MONROE OFFICE SUPPLY AH Your Office & Business Needs Side by Side at 909 Fleming Street (Near Margaret) 296-8781 CHEAP ROOMS Day or Week Color TV AC Off-Street Parking The TILTON HILTON 511 ANGELA ST. Movie Memorabilia Excellent Selection of Stills Posters, Lobby CardsA Color Photos,Old&New Rock Personality Posters M€MOB¥ SHOP UUCST Mon.-Sat. • 12-6 • 519 Fleming St. • 296-1441 AN OCEANFRONT RESTAURANT DINING Indoors or Under The Stars. Entertaining Food and Drink, THEAFTERDECif A Transom's Height Above The Water. Cocktails. Enjoy All Of Our Views 11:30 AM-2 AM 700 WADDELL»294-1061 (Vernon & Waddell Oceanfront) Page 34--June 1988--Solares Hill Key West School of the Performing Arts • Fancy stepping on stage? This group says act on it. With the rush of season over, you may find yourself with a little time and the desire to do something— for yourself. The Key West School of the Performing Arts, located at The Red Barn Theatre, invites you to participate in its summer program.' This year's curriculum offers stimulating classes for students of all ages and degrees of experience. Operating under the aegis of The Red Barn Theatre, the school features a professional teaching staff and a variety of courses geared for fun and fulfillment. If song is your pleasure, you can study vocal technique with singer Victoria Roush. Her class emphasizes vocalization as applied to song study, and is a prerequisite to later song study classes. Actor-director Carole MacCartee will conduct an improvisational workshop, designed to excite the imagination and stimulate the senses. Actor Adrienne Sher will offer a course based on the techniques of Sanford Meisner. It is aimed at interpreting behavior and learning to respond truthfully under imaginary circumstances, and will culminate in scene studies demonstrating the technique. Director Richard Magesis will teach four classes: scene studies for adults; scene studies for teens and preteens; a comedy workshop; and a course in voice and diction, based on the book Speech for the Stage. Scene studies and comedy include actual performances. In addition to scene studies, the school will offer two courses for children taught by actor Billie Kaye. A children's workshop, for students 7 through 14 years old, will begin with theatrical games and progress through exercises to develop speech, movement, imagination and concentration. This class will end in a final performance. The other class will be conducted in a Key West Community pool (under close certified supervision). It's an opportunity to stay cool while developing communication skills through improvisation, sensory exploration and movement and leading up to an aqua-production of the classic story Peter Pan. Bert Lee will teach a course in magic, initially emphasizing simple close-up tricks, and as students develop basic skills, guiding them to whatever level of close-up and small stage magic which suits them. This class is suitable for all ages. Also, Magda Il-Gabal (Ruth Gibbons) will conduct a three-week course on the fundamental movements, attitudes and expressions of Middle Eastern Dance. And classical guitarist Matthew Jampol offers a course in guitar study for players of all learning levels, with personalized training in, folk or classical technique. For information, pick up a brochure Wednesday through Friday at The Red Barn Theatre, or call-294r2833. Registration will be on Saturday, June 4, from 11 am to 3 pm and Sunday, June 5, from 3 to 5 pm at the Key West Women's Club, 319 Duval Street. ISI NO NACHOS AT NICKS! That's right, our Complimentary appetizers come out of a kitchen, not a bag. Monday thru Friday from 6 to 8pm, at Nick's Grill in the new Hyatt Key West, you can sample real food, prepared as you enjoy the exciting sights and sounds of Nick's. Favorites like stir-fry, pasta, or our fabulous brochettes. So mix, mingle &. enjoy. Only at Nick's. at the Hyatt Key West on the Gulf at Simonton & Front Streets 296-9900 We'd like you to meet... BUTTONS 1-800-331-7850 You can call her anytime day or night, toll-free from anywhere in Florida on a Touch-Tone® phone and check account balances, deposits and current deposit rates, even transfer funds. Stop by any Marine Bank branch and let us introduce you to her. She's fun and as easy to talk to as "pushing buttons on a phone!" THE mmuK OF MONROE COUNTY Your Island Bankers.. .Key Largo to Key West MEMBER FDIC & EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 35 Box Office Poison: A Deadly Comedy Gene & Cates Cabaret Theatre for three years. One of his productions, Delia's Diner, was so successful it even transferred to New York. Since arriving in Key West, this popular actor/director/ writer has been associated in a major capacity in 20 different productions. This current presentation marks his "coming of age," being number 21. Box Office Poison will be directed by Susan Hawkens. The Red Barn box office opens June 27. Performances run June 29 through Julv 4 and July 6 to 10. For information call 296-991 l . | i | Playwright Bruce Peterson, who also directs and acts regularly in Key West theater productions, created Box Office Poison, a musical comedy running at The Red Barn Theatre this month. Photo by Richard Watherwax. From June 29 through July 10, the Red Barn Theatre, in conjuction with the Hemingway Days Festival, will present Box Office Poison, a new musical comedy from the prolific pen of Bruce Peterson. Box Office Poison is a play within a play. Set during the bittersweet days just before opening night, Poison is based on the Me of murderess Lucrezia Borgia, a member of the famous political Italian family during the Renaissance. The actors expect "dead" performances, but not "dead" bodies. Enough said. Peterson moved to Key West four years ago from Atlanta where he was resident writer and director for Property Management of Key West, Inc. presents Villa Vacations in Key West Travel Video This is your opportunity to be part of a Broadcast Company Key West travel video to be produced with Emmy award winning company. Released for national distribution Summer 1988. Call for information and ad rates. 296-1744: 1213 Truman Ave. Dine on the Ocean at SOUTH BEACH PRESENTS THE ."LITE" LUNCH BUFFET 4 Hot Vegetables 18 Salad Fixings 2 Lite Entrees 4 Cold Salads Fresh Fruit Mix Fresh Baked Bread Cobbler O n l y $4.49 Luncheon Buffet Every Day From Noon 'til 4 PM WE ALSO SERVE BREAKFAST & DINNER We accept VISA and MASTERCARD 1405 DUVAL STREET 294-2727 7—Ufa Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 37 Page 36--June 1988-Solares Hill Children's World Theater Children's World Theater of Key West will launch its premier season this month with a production of the Brothers Grimm fairytale, The Fisherman and His Wife. Scripted to appeal to all age groups, The Fisherman and His Wife features live actors - Adrienne Sher, Bert Lee and Gordon Mackey - a magical puppet, and memorable music. It will open a season of theatrical delights tailored for the young people of the Keys. The performers and theatrical technicians of Children's World Theater are among Key West's most talented and dedicated. They include Tommie Grimstead, last seen in Mousetrap at the Waterfront Playhouse, Tom Murtha, who most recently played a Pewsey in Coyote Ugly at The Red Barn Theatre, and Carole MacArtee, director of this season's Orphans, also at the Barn. Founder and managing director Bert Lee offers this about the philosophy and goals Call the Massage Therapy Center for Pain Relief Alternatives. Arnold L Hermelin, LMT, Director (305) 294-8201/333V2 Simonton, Key West, FL 33040 MEMBER AMTA, FSMTA, FLORIDA.UC# MM0000790 of the company: "There's a wealth of talent here in Key West ... actors, dancers, mimes, magicians, musicians. The wonder of it is that so little of this is offered to children. There is, in fact, not terribly much for children around here at all, and we want to remedy that. We wish to offer theater as a source of wonder and growth, and so, we are drawing on timeless children's stories from around the world ~ stories with clear messages, offered in a spirit of fun." The company plans to open its shows at The Red Barn Theatre, offering two to three weeks of matinees there. Then it hopes to put the show "in the bag," and take it out to the community at large, beginning with a family picnic performance at the East Martello Museum, and then moving up the Keys to summer camps, schools and community gatherings. Small casts and simple production arrangements will keep ticket prices low, making the shows affordable to even the largest families. For information, contact Bert Lee at 294-0322. El ICE COLD BEER I And other Frozen beverages indigenous to the tropics Happy Hours 10 am-1 pm and 4-7 pm D.J. Good Time Charlie" Plays Your Favorite Request We.d.-Sun. 8'pm-til Ladies Nites Wed. & Sunday Cubs Baseball FORUM By ANN BOESE Editorial Already, it's June. Time is flying faster than I can keep pace with. Due to the increased responsibility of editing the main body of Solares Hill, my life's former deadline-to-deadline pattern and has taken the shape of one big blur. Not that I'm complaining. I love this paper and am honored to be a part of the wonderful service it provides to this community. But publishing is hectic and I do get tired. Common sense and New Age thinking offer me the solution to the tension. Exercize. The simple practicality of a yoga class or aerobics or dance or tennis is obvious. Blow off steam, tire and relax the limbs, use the body, free the mind. Sounds great. Still, all I manage to do is ride my bike around town--faster and faster. I suppose the key is not planning to do it tomorrow, but starting today. Mid-June the Florida State Massage Therapist Association will be holding its convention at the Casa Marina Resort. I think it's marvelous that an association of an industry like this, which was relatively unknown about a decade ago, has grown and organized to this stage. Over 400 t h e r a p i s t s w i l l a t t e n d . Unfortunately it's not open to the public and sources say this is because participants are learning at a level far above that of a layman. Questions on the basics would slow lectures down. But maybe next time the association will offer workshops to the public. Growth is a slow process, however as this and other New Age industries develop, the benefits to those outside the field will increase too. As usual, Sioux Rose surprises us this month by broadening our astrological scopes and looking at stress and the stars. I always enjoy her applications—they can involve a day, a lifetime or generations. And Bonnie Tynes Brown is back writing on that mystical subject of reincarnation. Good reading all—AB. CONCHvention f88 State Massage Therapist Association to Meet in Key West Editor's Note: Massage is a popular form of therapy here in Key West. Though the association meeting described here is not open to the public, I felt readers would like to know some of the areas local massage therapists will be studying in order to receive their mandatory continuing education credits. -AB From June 16 to 19, about 400 licensed Massage Therapists from Florida will convene at the Casa Marina to "Discover the Treasure." Discovery is the primary theme slated by Key West's Massage Therapists and the Keys Chapter of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association for this statewide educational convention. Massage Therapy may be defined as systematic and scientific manipulations of body tissues for the purpose of affecting the nervous, muscular, visceral, .circulatory, digestive and fascial systems. The general effects of massage include stimulation of the circulatory and nervous systems, improved organ function, increased cellular activity, increased muscle and general body tone, increased lymphatic circulation, as well as improved digestion and absorption of nutrients. Massage should be administered by a state licensed massage therapist (LMT). This person has completed a course of instruction which includes anatomy, physiology, hydrotherapy, massage techniques and the law, and professional ethics. During the four days of CONCHvention '88 leading educators in the ever expanding field of Massage Therapy will give 296-2873 SIOUX ROSE - Astrologer o See Sioux's Cable TV Show Astrology and Divine Order CH. 5 Wednesday at 7:30 PM o Tarot Readings o Private Chart Work o 1 Year Predictive Trends 'o New Line of Video Tapes Available Also Available for Groups & Classes presentations and workshops. John E. Upledger, Doctor of Osteopathy, will present a workshop in craniosacral therapy. Dr. Upledger led the research efforts at Michigan State University which legitimized this system of evaluation and treatment. Currently, Dr. Upledger is SMILE WITH CONFIDENCE Maintain Periodontal Health Loui G. Franke, D.D.S. Periodontist (Gurn Specialist) Full Time in Key West Interplak Toothbrushes Available 3263 Flagler Avenue 296-2074 . Monday through Friday by Appointment TAUGHT BY RONNIE DUBINSKY CERTIFIED §y GHOSH'S COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION MON THRU FRI: 8 AM AND 6 PM SAT: 10 AM, SUN: 6 PM HARRIS SCHOOL - CORNER OF MARGARET AND SOUTHARD FOR INFORMATION: 292-1854 Coming in July! tAju. 296-5626 & 296-7339 Ph.D. M.A. Counseling R.M.T. 294-6248 Robert Chalnick LRT Sponsored Rebirther Susan Rafferty LRT Sponsored Rebirther 296-2650 SANDY ISLANDS, M.S., M.A. Hypnotherapy habits - stress psychosomatic illness past-life regression 3405 Flagler Avenue 296-2096 Key West By Appointment Page 40-June 1988--Solares Hill SPORTSWEARQUALITY CLOTHING AT REASONABLE PR1CES 310 DUVAL ST . KFY WEST. FL 33040 . (305) 296-1409 £B RAYMQND.IAMES& ASSOCIATES. ING. Memhpr New York Slock Exchange S1PC TAX FREE INTEREST Municipal Bond Offerings !f you would like our weekly list of municipal bond offerings, mail the coupon below or call 294-9575. Perry's Plaza - 3706 H N. Roosevelt Blvd. Inside Florida (800) 826-7401 Outside Florida (800) 327-5964 NAME. ADDRESS. CITY ZIP. RESTAURANT S T O R E WHOLESALE PRICES COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Cutleiy GRRinnD AWEUMLT Company Unique Gifts & One-Of-A-Kind Items for Your Home or Business (Remember Father's Day June 19) 925 Truman Ave • 294-7994 Open Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Noon-5 PM thereabouts) that one's highest truth is in opposition to a floundering marriage; a dishonest career (in that it has nothing to do with what gives inner fulfillment); or even an approach to leisure. I am personally noticing many changes in the lives of my friends at and around age 40. Many are giving up drugging and drinking. Some are marrying again. Some are having a late baby or starting a new career. Midlife is a demarcation point and if the planetary rays were cosmic doorways, never would: so many options seem illuminated at once. Risk is involved at every juncture. But how boring predictability really is. Astrology shows the direction of the force; it's up to our free will to decide how we use it! (Most people are creatures of habit, making accurate prediction possible, but not infallible.) Life Plans Reviewed Uranus again forms a critical angle at age 63 when many adults review their life plans and decide on retirement situations or other changed work patterns. Neptune, the mysical planet that reminds us we are more than flesh, has a 164-year orbit around the Sun. Dividing this into 90-degree angles, it too yields age 41 as a critical time. Neptune stimulates our search for soul; our need to be connected with something timeless and beyond ego. So as we enter into the midlife crisis and experience the oppositions of Saturn and Uranus, Neptune squares its birth position and forces us to listen to the dream within. We usually experience new sensitivity to old, supressed portions of ourselves. The shadow within demands to be seen. Fellini made a film called Juliet of the Spirits involving a woman projecting how others saw her since she felt vulnerable about aging during her midlife crisis. Life at this point seems very vague; so many variables are unfocused. The old symmetry based on a seemingly permanent status quo no longer exists. I recommend to my clients that they keep a journal and through it find a means of flowing with the new messages and sensitivities being largely emitted from the subconscious mind. Don't judge the material, simply flow with it. This process of allowing the inner self to speak, is part of the catharsis and profound self-honesty required of each of us during the mid-life crisis. This time frame is much like a cosmic initiation. The "rings of fire" we walk through are the aspects of the old ego, melting away; enabling us to experience life as much more than we ever have, due to our past pattern of accepting externally binding conditions. Rejuvenation Finally, Pluto, which symbolizes the most profound processes of healing, rejuvenation, regeneration and transforma- tion (life/death/rebirth) has a 264-year orbit around the Sun. The first square of Pluto to its birth position effected persons born before 1938 in their late 50s and early 60s. It seemed to have to do with a winding down of the roles of raising children and working in a career; there was a movement toward retirement and new areas of inner growth to compensate for the passing away of old life elements and definition. However, Pluto is at the closest portion of its orbit to our earth, and those born after 1938 are experiencing Pluto square Pluto at age 38 to 44. Another strong element works along with the midlife crisis to weed the life plan of outgrown elements in order to clear the path for new, as yet unseen, areas of personal growth and expression. One door closes so that another can open. Many things in life are colored by attitude. Edgar Cayce, who wrote The Sleeping Prophet said, "Mind is .builder." The purpose of my short article has been to remind the reader that most of us are invested in the past and expect the future to repeat the past. However, the purpose of life is growth, expansion and evolution. The attitude with which you move through the various timed (Divine Order) crises reflects the quality the experience will bring into your life plan. Many crises cannot, and should not, be avoided, because they fuel each of us with so much insight, growth, and new potentials. Since there is a regularity with which these passages occur, it's enriching to realize they are part of a plan for us, singularly, and collectively, and all work for good when our human attitudes cooperate, m Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 41 Northern Italian Cuisine 615 Duval Street, Key West 294-6565 Dinner from 7 to 11 p.m. Canalside Proposed Affordable Bousing Project Stalled by A.C. Weinstein IF BUILT, PROPOSED affordable housing development Canalside will sit on five acres on the south side of North Roosevelt Blvd., along the west shore of the Riviera Canal Basin. The original site plan calls for five, four-story buildings, 161 units (31.2 units per acre), and 6,840 square feet of commercial space — a total of 27 percent lot coverage, excluding wetlands. In a May 17 public meeting organized by Canalside developers Henry Lee Morgenstern and Fred Skomp, 75 citizens who live in the neighborhood bordering the proposed site expressed opposition to the project. They objected to Canalside's structural height, traffic flow, density, sewerage needs and overall impact the project would have on their neighborhood. Chuck Freeman, a Patterson Avenue resident, criticized the developers for "trying to jam a large housing project down his throat." City Commissioners Jimmy Weekley, Sally Lewis, Harry Powell and Virginia Panico agreed the first site plan would be an intrusion on the Patterson Avenue neighborhood. Public safety was a major concern. Weekly, who is Chairman of the Affordable Housing Study Group, said, "A lot of children play on those neighborhood streets simply because they are not used to heavy traffic. Speaking as a commissioner and a parent, a large increase in traffic is a scenario that frightens me." Panico said, "Canalside would have a greater impact than Bayview because of its direct impact on one small neighborhood. Bayview would have been surrounded on three sides by water." "It would be ideal to expand the existing neighborhood in scale by building a mix of one-family homes," said Lewis, who is liaison to the City Planning Board. She expressed concern about the project's size and high density. Morgenstern, a local attorney, said, "The neighbors' concerns are valid and I will not build anything that offends them. The present site plan is 'not etched in stone.'" Morgenstern's partner, Skomp, a Sarasota businessman, was visibly shaken by the strong neighborhood opposition. He said, "This may sound a little schmaltzy, but ?lThis may sound a little schmaltzy, but I just wanted to do something nice for Key West." Fred Skomp, Canalside developer I just wanted to do something nice for Key West." Canalside is Skomp's first large development. DURING THE MEETING, another local attorney, Michael Halpren, representing the Ramos family, said Morgenstern was "trying to shove a large housing project on a small neighborhood." Former City Commissioner George Halloran said, "Halpren's attack on Morgenstern is ridiculous, Halpren has been pushing large development on this island for years. Who is kidding who?" Morgenstern was Halloran's campaign manager during the last election. Halloran said he was against the present site plan. Bill Westray, conservationist and former Chairman of the Restoration and Planning Committee, said, "Each of the projects we looked at is different and each must be judged on its own merit. However, it will be very difficult to produce any affordable housing within the city of Key West, the land values being what they are." The City Planning Board, chaired by Jerry Cash, invited the developers to come back in one month with a revised site plan. Morgenstern requested to return- in two weeks, but this was denied. AFTER THE MEETING, Powell said, "It's quite obvious that this project does not have the support of the community. That neighborhood elected me to represent them and that is what I am going to do." This writer contacted several officials and citizens about their views on affordable housing. Local attorney Frank Burner said, "We need low cost housing and should explore up the Keys where the cost of land is less than in Key West. Hotels should consider creating housing for their employees and providing scheduled bus shuttles." Scott Warren, General Manager of the La Concha Hotel and a member of the Hotel and Motel Association, said, "My biggest problem is employees not being able to live here. Other hotels share this problem. "Seventy percent of my workers are in housekeeping and food and beverage service. They just cannot afford to live in Key West. We shuttle service workers from Miami every two weeks," he continued. "If affordable housing is built up the Keys, hotels could provide employee commuter buses to run on specific work shift schedules," he said. Assistant County Administrator Mike Managan remarked, "Researching land site for affordable housing further up the Keys makes a great deal of sense." Mike Puto, County Commissioner and former member of the Monroe County Housing Authority, said, "I would encourage a city/county cooperative effort to help solve Key West's housing dilemma. The city's high rents and low wages just don't mix well. Dine on the Ocean at SOUTH BEACH Only $12.99 ALL YOU CAN EAT DINNER BUFFET Barbeque Ribs Roast Pork Conch Fritters Local Fish Baked Chicken Conch Chowder FEATURING ALL YOU CAN EAT STEAMED SHRIMP 5 Hot Vegetables 4:30 to 9 PM (Early Bird Special 4:30 to 6 PM - $10.99) After 6 PM - $12.99 WE ALSO SERVE BREAKFAST - LUNCH 1405 Duval St. We accept VISA and MASTERCARD Fuli Salad and Dessert Bar Various Fresh Breads Coffee, Tea or Sodas 294-2727 Page 42»June 1988-Solares Hill v ™ : - : • : • : • : • : • pill $:£:•:• '•:• 1111 ::x:x':- • : • : • : • : - : • ; I l l l l l l 2>j> Valerie duPree The morning I met Captain Ron Canning at Land's End Marina to embark on a day of dolphin watching, he and his first mate Amy Fischer, manager of the Greenpeace Store, were extremely excited. Earlier they had witnessed a large dolphin make nine full-body leaps right in a row -- a rare sight, even for those who observe dolphins in the wild almost every day. "It was wonderful," Fischer said, still clearly impressed by the dolphin's graceful display. Wonder, observation and research is what DolphinWatch is all about. On his 31-foot Gemini catamaran, Patty C, Captain Canning is studying a group, or pod, of bottle-nosed dolphins — intelligent marine mammals that live in the Gulf of Mexico off Key West. His research methods are non-invasive which means he takes no samples, and uses no force or manipulation. Basically, he watches. And on occasion he'll interact. His present goal is to identify the individuals in his pod, which ranges from three to 30 individuals and averages about 17, and to determine their living patterns — whether they're permanent residents or migratory. He has their "home" narrowed down to a specific five-square-mile area. Nearly every day for the past three months, he has located the pod here. Except for one day several weeks ago, that is. "I looked for the dolphins all day, but never met up with them," said Canning. "Then the next day they showed up with a newborn, a baby," He explained that the baby was about two-and-a-half feet long, and that the pod seemed protective but allowed him to take a look. To help defer the costs of his work, Canning takes visitors out with him to take a look, too. For $50 per person, up to six individuals can spend the day from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm on the Patty C. looking for dolphins. The only necessary equipment is yourself, lunch, beverages, and an interest in dolphins. Local residents enjoy a $10 per person discount. The day I went, I was accompanied by photographer Richard Acclaimed by South Florida Magazine's 2988 Reader's Choice Awards and Travel Holiday Magazine Featuring fresh local seafood, our outstanding menu and attention to detail will Make It Something Special on Father's Day Sunday, June 19 Peter and Melissa Ginsberg, age six, observe bottle-nosed dolphins swimming along side the research catamaran Patty C. Watherwax, Peter Ginsberg, and his six-year-old daughter. Melissa. We had a great time. We spotted dolphins on five occasions in groups of two to about 12. Once, six swam within about six feet of the boat. One dolphin blew us a series of greetings through his blow hole, an opening at the top of the head through which dolphins breathe, and slapped his strong tail against the water. "I try to make myself as interesting as possible," said Canning, explaining that the dolphins seem to have as keen a curiosity about him as he has in them. He uses an underwater speaker to play tapes of whale sounds and classical music. Vivaldi's Four Seasons was the choice of the day. He also whistles and drums on the side of the boat. What about swimming with these beautiful marine mammals? Yes, you can do it, though there's no guarantee that the dolphins will stick around while you get into the water. Canning has developed a method whereby a person is towed behind the Patty C. while wearing snorkel, mask and fins. I tried it. And while the ride was certainly adventurous, the dolphins left before I entered the water. Others, however, have been lucky enough to find themselves surrounded by dolphins — an experience you'll never forget, according to Fischer. For reservations and information, contact Captain Ron Canning at 745-8136, P.O. Box 4821, Key West, Florida 33041. MIDDLE KEYS Benefit Helpline, Inc. Domestic Abuse Shelter SATURDAY, JUNE 4. DAY: CONCERT BY THE SEA BUCCANEER RESORT • MARATHON! TIME: 12 NOON - 5 P.M. BANDS: Small Mystery Band • Key-Z The Overseas Highway Band FOOD: $3.50 FISH FRY, SLAW & BEER_ NIGHT: DANCE«A«THON PELICAN POST BIG PINE KEY TIME: 6 - 1 2 MID.! MUSIC: DJ OLDIES, REGGAE $500 FIRST JPRIZE ^TICKETS: $5 SPONSORS: Barnett Bank _ _ _ ERA / Carico Real EstateTfaarathon First Federal S & L of the Florida Keys Hotel/Motel Association / Marine Bank Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce / Big Pine ERA / Lower Keys Realty / Big Pine -Organized Fishermen of Fla. / TIB Bank KU.S. 1 Radio will broadcast live ' FOR INFORMATION CALL 1-800-341-4343 Solares Hill-June 1988-Page 43 Aboard The Schooner Wolf at Sand Key - installation site of the first 20 Reef Relief mooring buoys - Jim McLernan, Reef Relief Executive Director Craig Quirolo and the group's secretary and treasurer, DeeVon Quirolo (left to right), participate in the May 10 buoy christening event. Photo by Tom Netting. the installation of 16 reef mooring buoys at Sand Key Light by Reef Relief. The local non-profit group plans to provide a total of 60 buoys at six Key West-area reef zones in order to reduce anchor damage there. The event which took place aboard The Schooner Wolf, was attended by Monroe by DeeVon Quirolo "I toast all the living coral polyps and fish that will now survive because anchors will not be dropped on them," said Reef Relief Executive Director Craig Quirolo, at a christening ceremony last month to celebrate County Mayor Gene Lytton, County Commissioner Gerry Hernandez, and former County Mayor Wilhelmina Harvey, several major Reef Relief sponsors, and others. Printed material on how to use the buoys is available from Reef Relief. But the most important point is that larger boats must let out extra scope from the pick-up line in order to sustain a horizontal pull on the buoy. The pick-up line eye-splice is intentionally small to ensure that it isn't used on the sampson post or cleat of a larger boat without the advantage of added line. Reef Relief was awarded money from the Monroe County Boating Improvement Fund to hire a county-bid contractor to install the buoys. The group is responsible for buoy maintenance for 20 years. That portion of the project is financed by contributions from the public. Reef Relief will continue to supervise the contractor who will drill and install eyebolts for the buoys remaining at the five other reef zones: Western Dry Rocks, Rock Key, Eastern Dry Rocks, Western Sambo and Pelican Shoal. Reef Relief membership is $20 and includes a subscription to Reef Line newsletter. For information on membership or on how to use the buoys call 294-3100. m "The niftiest casual clothes in the Keys . . . " THE MIAMI HERALD rtA trendy shop . . .. . . " TIME MAGAZINE / "One of America's most exciting retail environments . an absolute must for your visit." ENGLAND'S BBC TELEVISION !T Fast Buck Freddie's. 500 Duval Street ® Open 1 0 - 6 Seven Days ® 294-2007 Page 44--June 1988--Solares Hill R E S T A U R A N T G U • I Solares HilJ--June 1988-Page 45 STEAKS & SEAFOOD A & B Lobster House 700 Front Angler's Seafood House 3618 N. Roosevelt Bill's Key West Fish Market....25O2 N. Roosevelt Black Angus 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Callaioo The Reach Capt. Bob's Shrimp Dock 2200 N. Roosevelt Crab Shack 908 Caroline Danny's Fish Market 627 Duval Emma's Seafare The Reach Finally Charles' 915 Duval Half Shell Raw Bar Foot of Margaret Harbor Lights Garrison Bight Marina Islander Restaurant Front & Simonton Logun's Lobster House 1420 Simonton Mangrove Mama's MM20, Sugarloaf Key Martha's S. Roosevelt Blvd. (AIA) O'Brien's at the Wharf....2401 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Perry's Restaurant 3800 N. Roosevelt Pete's Raw Bar (Pier House) 1 Duval Portside Key West 431 Front Rusty Anchor 5th Ave. Slock Island Turtle Kraals .Foot of Margaret Two Friends Patio Restaurant 512 Front St. LAS PALMAS ORIGINAL! INVENTIVE CUISINE Dinner Nightly 6-11 PM 1029 Southard at Frances 294-7991 CONTINENTAL Billie's 407 Front The Buttery 1208 Simonton I Callaioo t The Reach Cafe at Louie's 700 Waddell Dodck's Fogarty House 227 Duval Dickie's 320 Grinncll Foley Square 218 Duval Islander Restaurant Front & Simonton Portside Key West 431 Fronl The Quay ..12 Duval Queen's Table (Santa Maria) 1401 Simonton YOUR AD COULD BE HERE Solares Hill Entertainment Key West Some of the friendly faces at Gringo's Cantina, Key West's oldest Mexican restaurant. SBfackbeafb'8 Home of the $ 5 7 9 - Char-broiled Steak 7 days "11 a.m. - late night 918 Duval • 296-0689 RAW BAR at Garrison Bight Marina on the water near charier boats Native Seafood & Prime Beef RAW BAR LOUNGE-HAPPY HOUR DINNER 11:30 - 5:30 4:00-6:00 6:00 - 10;80 Reserva t ions Suggested EARLY NIGHT LATE NIGHT ALL NIGHT FOOD FUN FRIENDS 1202 Simonton Open 11-4am Serving Lunch and Dinner Specials 2407 N. Roosevelt Blvd. * Drop By Or Call 294-8882 For The Oesf In Tropical Dining Breakfast» Lunch « Dinner YM.MAJOKC'RMHI ( \K1)S Prime Rib is just one of the delicious dishes to choose from at Top O' Spray Restaurant at the Ramada Inn. Restaurant & Lounge Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 3420 N. Roosevelt Blvd. 294-5541 Dinner 6-11 Bobby Nesbitt at the piano 320 Grinnell 294-4046 THE CRAB SHACK 908 CAROLINE ST. 294-9658 Across from the historic Turtle Kraals EL LORO VERDE A GOURMET MEXICAN RESTAURANT 404 Southard Street, Key West, Florida 33040 305-296-7298, Open Mon. - Fri. Noon -11 PM Sat. 5 PM - 11 PM Closed Surr. for the summer. RESTAURANT & LOUNGE For A Gourmet Experience 12 DUVAL ST., KEY WEST, FLORIDA (305) 294-4446 MM54 MARATHON, FL. MM 102 KEY LARGO, FL. 296- Where the Locals meel! Breakfast & Lunch 8 AM to 3 PM Closed Thursdays 4 8 1 1 O p e n 9 1 0 1 S u n d ay 703 1/2 Duval Street HOME COOKING Camille's 703 1/2 Duval Deli Restaurant Simonton & Truman Denny's 3810 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Duval St. Deli 211 Duval The Eatery Buffet Restaurant 1405 Duval Full Moon 1202 Simonton Granny's Kitchen 3214 Duck Pepe's Cafe 806 Caroline Wag's Restaurant 3850 N. Roosevelt Yesterday's 420 Southard GOOD FOOD AT YESTERDAY'S PRICES! Yesterday's Restaurant MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7AM - 3 PM SATURDAY, 8 AM - NOON 420 Southard Street Between Duvat & Whiteheati SANDWICH/DELI Cafe Exile Duvai at Angela Cayo Hueso 105 Whitehcad Cheeseburger in Paradise 500 Duvat St. Key West Picture Show Cafe 400 Front St La Bodega 829 Simonton Mr. Submarine , 1800 A. Roosevelt Mickey's Deli 812 Caroline St. Moondance Cal"e 425 Green St. Owl Food Slorc 712 Caroline St Owl Food Store ....906-A Kennedy Drive Paradise Cafe Simonton & Fleming Pier House Market 500 Front St. 915 Duval Street 296-6700 TJie^Seafood Restaurant Reservations CUBAN B's Restaurant 1500 Bertha Cuban Coffee Queen Cafe 512 Greene Dennis Pharmacy 1229 Simonton El Cacique 125 Duval El Miramar 914 Kennedy El Siboncy 900 Catherine Jose's Canlina 800 White La Cubanila 601 Duval La Lechonera ...3100 Flaglcr El Meson Do Pope 1215 Duval FRENCH CaTe des Artistes 1007 Simonton La Creperie 124 Duval Gloria's Garden Cafe 618 Duval Henry's (Casa Marina) Reynolds St. Jordon's 80S Duval La Tcrraza de Marti 1125 Duval Las Palmas 1029 Southard Louie's Backyard 700 Wadtlcil Pier House Restaurant 1 Duval Portside Key West 431 Front THIS RESTAURANT GUIDE IS PUBLISHED INEVERY ISSUE OF SOLARES HILL AND ENTERTAINMENT KEY WEST. « YOUR AD APPEARS IN A TOTAL OF 23,500 COPIES EACH MONTH. • TO HAVE YOUR RESTAURANT OR SANDWICH SHOP LISTED, PLEASE CALL: 294-3602 Henry's (Casa Marina) Reynolds St. Jordon's S08 Duval La Tcrraza dc Marlrl 1125 Duval Las Palmas 1029 Southard Louie's Backyard 700 Waddell Pier House Restaurant 1 Duval Gringo's 509 1/2 Duval I'ancho & Lefty's Southwestern Cafe ....632 Olivia Dickie's Restaurant, on Grinnell Street, is always a popular eatery offering fabulous food at fabulous prices! 1 issiiitnilife 1 ^̂ ?̂ ^^^ IIGHTMOUSF era ' ̂ ^BlS^MHyi )CEB̂ fll !M^li3 pjjfl SOIH'HERN iTAI-lAN DININC: DINNER (i • 11 Every Night 917 DirVAL Z9S-7H37 H m PINING & COCKTAILS ALL NEW MENU!! Local Favorites Added 1/2 Doz.Oysters $1.95! 7-10 PM Weekdays 7-11 PM Fri.-Sat. 2200 N. Roosevelt 294-6433 MEXICAN Chico's Mexican Food 1908 Flaglcr also U.S. 1, Stock Island El Loro Verde 404 Southard Gringo's 509 1/2 Duval Taco Loco 4 Charles St. Pancho & Lefty's Southwestern Cafe ,...

1988-06 Solares Hill Newspaper, Vol. 16 No. 6, June 1988

Publication

Florida Keys History Center

Name/Title

Collection