KWTN: The Blue Paper

PAGE ONE COMMENTARY: BCCLT, Is the Dumping of Norma Jean Sawyer Just a Pre-Announced Trick?

AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO TRICK MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS INTO SIGNING A 99-YEAR LEASE ON TRUMAN WATERFRONT PROPERTY, BCCLT BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSSED FIRING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR— THEN HIRING HER BACK “IN A HEARTBEAT” AFTER THEY GOT THE PROPERTY

by Dennis Reeves Cooper

The Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCLT) was founded in 1995, the first land trust in the state of Florida. The stated purpose of the trust is to provide affordable housing in Key West with the emphasis on the Bahama Village area.

Financed by state and federal grants and a special city tax, the BCCLT purchases properties, rehabs them and then sells or rents them to low-income individuals and families.

What makes the properties affordable is that the trust maintains ownership of the land— which, in theory, removes the cost of the land from the price of the home. So far, the trust has been able to purchase about 40 properties.

From the beginning, the driving force behind the BCCLT has been activist Norma Jean Sawyer. But also, from the very beginning, she has been a controversial figure.

In the early years of the BCCLT— concerned about the millions of dollars that would be managed by Sawyer in her job as the trust’s executive director— some city commissioners called for, at least, a background check on Sawyer. She resisted that; and City Commissioner Carmen Turner even called the suggestion “racist.”

Small Chef Still Cooking

PHOTO: THE SMALL AND LARGE CHEFS, JENNIFER CORNELL AND ALICE WEINGARTEN

by Rhonda Linesman-Saunders

Just when you thought everybody’s favorite catering business couldn’t get any better, Jennifer Cornell, the Small Chef at Large, is welcoming Chef Alice Weingarten in time to gear up for another busy and fun culinary holiday season.

The company will still be known as Small Chef at Large Catering, but the new duo is referring to themselves as the Small & Large Chefs. With the addition of Chef Alice to the catering team, The Small & Large Chefs are introducing holiday cooking classes.

Treat yourself to Thanksgiving cooking class, which will be held Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. Christmas and New Year’s cooking classes will be held December 8 and 15 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. At only $25 per person, it is an excellent value for great recipes, holiday food ideas & menus, tasting, and fancy tricks of the trade not often given away.

LETTER FROM BAGHDAD: The Legend of Shaker Wallace

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ken Davis’ Letters from Baghdad are scheduled for publication every-other-week. They are excerpts from his book-in-progress “Road to Baghdad.” Davis is the former head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency here in the Keys and was a candidate for sheriff in last year’s county elections. “The Road to Baghdad” chronicles the tales and stories of the women and men in Iraq, written as seen through Davis’ eyes. The story is based on solid truth and written with a humorous license. The names are changed to protect the guilty and confuse the innocent.

by Ken Davis

“I wanna go home.”

“We all do.”

“Yeah, the difference is, I’m going to do it.“

So began the legend of John “Shaker” Wallace.

John Wallace is a tall lean man, blonde from the desert sun, his hair combed back gives him a young Clint Eastwood look. “Just not as good looking,” according to the girls.

Shaker had been in Iraq for 3 years, 3 months and 27 days. Not bad for a man who came for 6 months. In an unusual twist, Shaker was talked into coming to Baghdad by his translator, Avo.

Sunday: A Day of Music at the Oldest House

The Bahama Village Music Program will present A Day Filled with Music! this Sunday, November 8, from noon until 8 P.M. at the Oldest House, 322 Duval St. This free concert features many local musicians playing all day long.

In addition, the students of the program will perform throughout the day. The event will also offer great food, fabulous libations, raffle prizes and a silent auction. The proceeds support the Bahama Village Music Program. For more information or to make a donation of food, prizes, or your time, call Katchen at 292-9628 or 240-1923 or Kim at 293-9280 or email bvmp@bellsouth.net!

Free Tours for Locals at Turtle Museum

Local families are invited to come talk turtles during Family Day, Saturday, Nov. 7, at the new Key West Turtle Museum, located at the foot of Margaret Street in the Historic Seaport. The museum will offer free tours from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., and the chance to meet Scooter, a loggerhead turtle that has been treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Admission is free for all Monroe County families during Family Day activities. Info: See ad on page 7.

Pre-EcoWeek Party at Finnegan’s Wake

The Florida Keys will host the first of many EcoWeek Festivals November 2010 in order to promote sustainable ecotourism, enhance our local economy in an environmentally responsible way, and attract ecologically and socially conscious individuals to the Keys.

The kickoff party is next Wednesday, November 11 at 6:30 P.M. at Finnegan’s Wake. Enjoy Green Drinks and an opportunity to network with like minded individuals in the community. Checkout the planned events, share ideas, volunteer, spotlight your business or organization in one of the many sponsorship opportunities.

RHONDA: American Fag

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders

I know it isn’t black and white and that the moron who holds the signs with variations on “God Hates Fags and America” all over town has a right to free speech. In his infinite creativity, he held an orange and black “Fag Fest” sign to greet Fantasy Fest visitors over Halloween weekend. I can’t help but feel sorry for him, you know? I really can’t help but think of him as somebody’s lost, sad little boy with nobody to love him.

But hate speech, as I understand it, is not protected by the First Amendment. I suppose the problem is the gray sludge between free speech and hate speech. It’s hard to determine with certainty that some speech is intended to foster hatred based on religion, gender, race, sexual orientation, or “other improper classification.” It seems obvious the guy is full of hate, but we just can’t go accusing people of things we haven’t figured out how to measure fairly. I hate that immeasurably.

I’m neither a law scholar nor a psychologist, and I certainly don’t want to promote stepping on freedoms, even when I disagree whole-heartedly with something. But I’m pretty sure I’m equally free to spout off. That’s one reason I didn’t like the city’s reaction to that religious fundamentalist group— whoever they were (I don’t even care enough to Google it)— that came to town to protest homosexuality at the high school. I don’t like being told by collective “city and civic leaders” what my reaction ought to be. And, for that reason alone, I was glad US1 Radio gave airtime to their leading idiot, what’s-his-name.

Harnessing the Ants so the Hoppers Can Ride

by Hal O'Boyle

Fighting capitalism is a thankless task that requires not only a colossal arrogance, but a masterful mendacity. A notable example is the Obama administration’s bragging about having created 640,000 jobs with $159 billion of “stimulus” money. Whether that many jobs were created seems doubtful to me, but let’s assume it is true. We will also ignore that those numbers work out to $250,000 per job. The real questions are, “What are those 640,000 people doing for the money?” and “How does it stimulate the economy?”

We can be fairly certain the new job holders are not producing anything anyone wants. These are, after all, government jobs, which is to say, jobs that depend not on what they produce, but on funds drained from or borrowed on behalf of the productive the economy.

Though there are government jobs that people demand, like police and fire protection, stimulus jobs, created simply for the sake of creating them, are like hiring people to dig holes and fill them up again. They are a waste of resources. They don’t stimulate anything. No productive work is done. All money the job holders receive is taken from people who already have jobs. We see the money spent on these new jobs, but what we don’t see is how it might have been better spent by those from whom the government took it.

Continue reading here.

Community Blood Centers Make Big Donation to Take Stock in Children

The four-year partnership between the Community Blood Centers of South Florida (CBCSF) and the Take Stock In Children program (TSIC) of Monroe was enhanced with the presentation of a check in the amount of $13,540 to support the Take Stock In Children scholarship fund.

This donation is a direct result of the practice created by the Community Blood Centers of donating $20.00 (twenty dollars) per pint of blood collected on the Bloodmobile during visits to area schools throughout the year. The mission of the CBCSF is to supply local hospitals with the necessary blood products and to educate students and members of our community of the importance of becoming a donor.

“We like to think of it as Locals saving Locals” said Nancy Brundage, Area Director for the Blood Center because the units collected in Monroe County help patients in our local hospitals.

On hand to present the check was Nieves Losa, vice president of operations for CBCSF and Monroe County Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Burke.

Dr. Burke is a board member of the Monroe County Education Foundation which serves as the “Lead Agency” for Take Stock In Children.

Red Barn Theatre Is Thirty Years Old Today

The Red Barn Theatre is hosting a 30th birthday party on Lucky Friday the 13th. “We’re thirty years old and still causing trouble,” jokes Joy Hawkins, Artistic Director of the Red Barn. “So we decided to start the season like any thirty year old would – with a big blowout party that has outrageously great music and fabulous flowing drinks!”

Entertainment for the Red Barn’s 30th Birthday Blow-Out Bash and Dance Party is being provided by Bill Blue and the Nervous Guys, who are infamous for their unique version of Rhythm and Blues that Bill calls “Rhythm and Roll.” Bill, who is a longtime friend of theatre, has been a popular entertainer in Key West for almost thirty years with regular gigs at the Green Parrot and other Key West hot spots.

Of course no 30th birthday bash would be complete without great food, birthday cake, and an outrageous martini Bar.

Obituaries

To place an obituary, please email us the copy. Cost is $100 via PayPal, includes up to 5 photos. Obituaries stay up forever.

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Week of Friday, 06 November 2009

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Teresa Joan O'Boyle

Having celebrated 82 summers, Teresa Joan O'Boyle, Joanie, to her many friends, died quietly of natural causes on October 26, 2009 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Key West, Florida.

Joanie was born in 1928, the third of five children in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Elizabeth and Thomas Moran, the former manager of the Scranton Times. She grew up spiritually and literally in the shadow of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in the Moran home on Jackson Street, where her sister Jean still lives today. 

The Morans lived so close to the church that the ringing of the great bell hushed conversation and invariably drew from Grandma Elizabeth a whispered, and always mysterious, "Hark, hark, the dogs all bark." The habit became a quirky reflex to ringing church bells that Joanie passed down through generations.

Musical Treats This Week:

Fiona Molloy at Finnegan’s Wake
Popular Irish singer FIONA MOLLOY returns to Finnegan’s Wake tonight and tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday, November 6-7.

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Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band at Schooner Wharf
JIM MORRIS and the Big Bamboo Band will be at Schooner Wharf Bar tonight, Friday, November 6, 7 ‘til midnight, and again on Sunday for the No Plane on Sunday party, 7 ‘til midnight. The JACK MOSELY BAND will be in the house tomorrow night, Saturday, 7 ‘til midnight. On Tuesday night, RAVEN and CAFFEINE CARL team up, 7 ‘til 11 .

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Gerd Rube at Willie T’s
GERD RUBE is at Willie T’s Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 7pm.

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Chas Blakemore at Cowboy Bill’s
CHAS BLAKEMORE & the Moonshine Outlaws will be at Cowboy Bill’s tonight and tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, starting at 10. KD MOORE (below) and friends will entertain both evenings 5 ‘til 9.

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Sauce Boss and Bluesman Bernard Allison at the Green Parrot
Sauce Boss BILL WHARTON (left) returns to the Green Parrot for four shows over three days, starting with a 5:30 “sound check” this afternoon, Friday, November 6. then he’ll be back with regular gigs on Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 10. Then, he’ll close out with a special 5:30 ‘til 8:30 session Sunday evening.

BERNARD ALLISON will be on stage Wednesday and Thursday nights, starting at 10— plus a special 5:30 “sound check” Thursday afternoon.

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Raven Back at the BottleCap
RAVEN is back at the BottleCap Lounge on Thursday nights, starting at 9:30.

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Music on the Sunset Pier
SCOTT KIRBY and his band will be on the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort this afternoon and evening, Friday, November 6, from 4 ‘til 7.

ROBERT ALBURY, Key West’s own King of Soul, will be at the pier this Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, starting at 5:30. SPECIAL EVENT coming to the pier Monday and Tuesday, November 16 and 17: The famous RAGBIRDS.

Free concert, starting at 8pm both evenings.

Bartender of the Week

 Who is your favorite drink-server? Let us know!

   

01 November 2009

JANINE is a bartender at the Pier House Beach Bar.

Her specialty drink is a Mango Colada.

What’s On At the Tropic?

by Phil Mann

I don’t know why, but we seem to be in the era of fashion films. First there was The Devil Wears Prada, and in just the past few months we’ve had The September Issue (Vogue magazine) and Valentino: The Last Emperor. All were outstanding films. Now it’s COCO BEFORE CHANEL, starring Audrey Tatou, and the winning streak continues. This is the back story of poor Gabrielle Chanel who went from orphan to chanteuse to mistress before becoming an iconic designer.

“Coco Before Chanel has it all -- striving, sensuality, romance and a bittersweet ending that turns out to be just the beginning” says Ann Hornaday in the Washington Post.

Well, maybe not all, since it doesn’t tell the rest of the story. Not to worry. Coco and Igor, the story of Mlle. Chanel’s passionate affair with Stravinsky, premiered at Cannes last spring, and is slated for early release. But you’ve got to see COCO BEFORE CHANEL to get ready. Francophiles, fashionistas and film fans unite!

Live Music On The Rock

Key West is famous for its Live Music! Following is a listing of this week's top music venues:
To be included, email your music schedule by 5pm Monday. Music schedules subject to change without notice.

06 November 2009

American Legion on Stock Island. County music every Saturday night with George Wright, featuring Wally Hill on harmonica. 6 ‘til 9pm.

Big Uns Sports Bar Right in the middle of the action at 218 Duval Street.

MUSIC THIS WEEK: The Killer Dudes play Wednesday through Saturday 8:30 ‘til 11:30.

B.O.'s Fish Wagon Locals know this funky place on the corner of Caroline and William. But if you're from out of town, you gotta go here just to say you've been. B.O.'s square grouper sandwich is famous around the world. On most Friday nights. Barry Cuda rolls in his piano about 6, invites a few musical friends and boogies for a couple of hours.

Bottle Cap Lounge One of the oldest and most famous watering holes on the island. A block off Duval at 1128 Simonton Street.

MUSIC THIS WEEK: Raven is back on Thursday nights, starting at 9:30.

Community Calendar

If your club or organization has something special happening, let us know! Email Rhonda or write to us at PO box 567, Key West FL 33041 or Fax 305-292-1882. Please get the information to us by Tuesday noon!

06 November 2009

FAMILY DAY AT KEY WEST TURTLE MUSEUM-- Local families are invited to come talk turtles during Family Day, Sat, Nov. 7, from 10am to 2pm at the new Key West Turtle Museum at the foot of Margaret Street in the Historic SeaporT. The museum will offer free tours and the chance to meet Scooter, a loggerhead turtle that has been treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Admission is free for all Monroe County families during Family Day activities. More info: Call the Key West Turtle Museum at (305) 294-0209.

CRB MEETING--The City of Key West CRB will meet Mon., Nov. 9 at 6pm at the Old City Hall, 510 Greene Street, Key West. Visit the CRB department website at www.keywestcity.com for viewing the case files or call Executive Director Stephen Muffler at (305) 809-3887 for more information. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.

TEAM IN TRAINING EVENT--To benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sat., Nov.7, 6pm at Dante’s Fish Fry. Halibut fresh from Alaska, Black Beans and Rice, Pasta Salad, and Salad, plus great music, silent auction. Tickets $20.00. Call Melissa for tickets at (305) 292-9837 or (305) 393-6350.