Marathon Florida Keys Journal
_{City of Marathon, Florida Keys, Paradise}

Volume 15 | Issue 9 | September 2009
[In The Keys] [Kitty Talk] [Internet Stuff] [Poetry Corner] [Hockey Puck]
[Twins of the Dark Star] [Subscribe] [The Dull Stuff] [Advertising] [Council 28th] 
[Bartus Newsletter] [NSWC] [Keys Disease 8.1] [Woods Corner Award?]
[Purdo Letter to Editor] [Council Says No To Cape Air] [Keys Disease 8.8] [Expired Permits]
[What's Wrong with Chamber Video] [Six Vie for Council] [Special Ops Making Waves]
[Keys Disease 8.14] [Collectors Corner] [Bird Center Newsletter] [Keys Disease 8.23] [Council 25th] [Bicycle Joanie] [Whalton Letter to Editor] [Manges Travelogue] [What's Happening!] [Miscellany] [Finally] [ACRONYMS] [Press Photos] [Events Schedule] [Subscribe Events Schedule] [View Calendar]

Marathon Florida Keys Journal proudly presents our 15^th year of quality publishing services. We continue to focus on the Florida Keys in paradise. The lead articles are the In The Keys section that offers opinions and even some editorializing. There are also articles concerning the local political beat. We appreciate your visit and patronage. Please enjoy yourself while you are here and come back soon! Please do us a favor and sign up for our monthly reminder of the next upcoming issue of The Marathon Florida Keys Journal. Please click on our subscription link at marathon_journal-subscribe@topica.com. When you get a return email to confirm your choice, sign up at Topica, but bypass all those solicitations. Thank you, one and all!

In The Keys {for current news, see our Daily News Queue}
This section is mostly local politics and the strange stories about Marathon local politics. Marathon Florida Keys Journal is known for its cutting-edge political editorials and general reporting. We also throw in some community stuff along with a number of contributors that could write about anything really. We have reviews, community news, and public notices. Please enjoy.

August 10, 2009 - Middle Keys - Rick Casey & Nancy Lucas:  2009 Urban Land Institute / Ronald J. Terwilliger Workforce Housing Excellence Awards. Rick Casey: I have recently been notified that the Middle Keys Community Land Trust’s WOODS CORNER community is one of several workforce housing developments projects competing nationally for the 2009 Urban Land Institute/Ronald J. Terwilliger Workforce Housing Excellence Awards, a very prestigious national workforce housing award. One of the consultants for the awards project will be in the Keys next week to visit the site and learn more about the projects finances, partnerships, structure and other details. Each year the program recognizes three winners and 4 additional finalists. Winners are announced in late October and recognized at ULI’s annual meeting in November.

To learn more about the Terwilliger Models of Excellence Awards, please visit: www.uli.org/AwardsAndCompetitions/TerwilligerAwards.aspx.

Nancy Lucas: Congratulations to you all!

My family is grateful to have a clean, safe home and a friendly neighborhood to live in. My kids love their new friends. My husband and are thankful for the peace and quiet this new home makes possible.

We visited with my dad a couple of weekends ago. Over a bowl of ice cream on the porch with him, Cynthia let out the “secret.” She said, “In our old house we could never sneak out of our room at night because they were right outside our door and could always hear us. But in our new house they’re downstairs and they can’t hear us [go in each other’s room]!”

You did more than provide a roof. You gave our family room to breathe, relax and enjoy each other more.

From the deepest place in my soul, thank you.

Humbly reminded of how blessed we are,
Nancy Lucas
Wife to Robert and mother of Cynthia (6), Natalie (4), and Josiah (2).
Woods Corner ...

August 11, 2009 - Islamorada - Captain Dave Purdo: Letter to the Editor on Lack of Leadership. The council meeting on August 6, 2009 was a good example of the total lack of leadership displayed by Mayor Achenberg, considering the total disrespect shown by Councilwomen Borski by walking out on Councilman Reckwerdt while he was speaking. Mayor Achenberg should have never allowed that to happen and failed to take control of the dysfunctional actions of this council. It’s a real shame that our Mayor, on numerous occasions, had to ask for permission from council members to speak for himself. Who was running this meeting the Council or the Mayor?

There was a full audience with more residents sitting outside to speak on the assessment when council voted 5-0 to stop the proposed $5,700 dollar assessment and did not allow any public comment. After that vote, many residents left this meeting feeling that a sense of respectability had returned to this council. But when they awoke the next morning, they found out that council again agreed to consider another $5,700 dollar assessment, excluding NPK. I believe this was done on purpose so that a majority of the residents who wanted to speak would leave this meeting.

This new assessment proposal was led by Councilwomen Gillis whom I believe should recuse herself from taking part in any of the voting regarding wastewater. Councilwoman Gillis is a good person and is an asset to this community but there is an obvious conflict because she owns three motels and a small trailer park. Where will her vote go when it involves the cost of package plants? Was her vote to go forward to protect her own interest and did she caved in to the pressure applied by DEP and Mayor Achenberg, or both? Did she vote without keeping the interest on the working class residents of Islamorada in mind? When will this council understand that the working class residents of Islamorada simply cannot afford any more money?

I am not happy with Mayor Achenberg’s letter to DEP s Secretary Michael Sole asking him to send him information that would threaten the residents of Islamorada so that he could get the assessment passed. I question where his loyalty is. It sure isn’t with the working-class taxpayers of Islamorada after that letter. Maybe Mayor Achenberg would be better suited working for DEP.

Councilwomen Gillis should recuse herself from taking part in any future vote regarding wastewater and Borski should apologize to Councilman Reckwerdt for her rudeness and total disrespect that she displayed last night, not to mention her highlight of jumping up in the air like a high school cheerleader, whooping and hollering during a vocal exchange between Reckwerdt and Gillis. To date, this was the saddest and most pitiful performance by our Village council.

Capt. David Purdo

August 12, 2009 - Cape Air Service to Marathon in Jeopardy; Council Denies Airline $17K Subsidy. By Blair Shiver | Features  | Courtesy of The Weekly Newspapers.

Despite support from several community leaders, the Marathon City Council denied a request from Cape Air for $17,000 of support to bring the service back to the airport next season.

Fishermen’s Hospital CEO Kim Bassett said since her company’s corporate office is in Naples, she was able to make trips for regular monthly meetings in a single day instead of multiple days of driving. Bassett pledged support for the airline not only in buying tickets but a commitment of financial support if the airline were to reinstate service for the 2009-2010 peak season. She added that in her travels, the staff always conveyed their business theme of MOCHA HAGoTDI (Making Our Customers Happy and Having a Good Time Doing It).

Cabana Breezes and Cabana Club owner April Tracy also added that she heard several guests praise the airline for their level of service last season.

“This is something we really need to get back in place and keep consistently,” Tracy said.

Mary Rice spoke on behalf of Orion Bank, saying that since the airline stopped service in April, bank employees and executives have sorely missed the ability to travel back and forth to their corporate offices also located in Naples. Rice said it was her guess that passengers on the flights were often half tourists and half locals, so the service has clearly been beneficial to the community.

Island Breeze Realty owner David Grego told the council it would be prudent to maintain consistency with the airline and help them to bring service back to the Middle Keys for another year. Support for the airline from the business community as well as the local government may encourage other businesses to set up shop in Marathon, Grego added.

Real estate broker Karen Wilkinson said though she agreed the community does need an airline, she didn’t feel it appropriate to subsidize an airline until a handful of planned resorts were on line and operational.

Councilman Pete Worthington, who voted in support of the airline, questioned Cape Air’s marketing of Marathon as a departure for Lower Keys residents and travelers who were likely booking flights out of Key West.

“I think $17,000 is a reasonable number to subsidize and help keep us going,” Worthington said.

“Maybe people in the Lower Keys don’t know service is available up here.”

Councilwoman Ginger Snead also questioned the airline’s commitment to marketing Marathon.

“In your presentation, I saw a plane with Key West painted on it,” Snead told the airline’s marketing director. “Do you have a plane that says Marathon on it?”

She also voiced frustration in committing financial support for an airline operating out of a facility in which the “County won’t let us have any say in.”

“I think it’s great to have an airline, but there are issues that need to be ironed out first,” Snead said.

Councilman Dick Ramsay said after having spoken with airline officials, he was displeased with their inability to commit to continued service following a two-year trial period. He also added that as the city is looking to establish a customs and immigration office as an official port of entry for international travelers, he couldn’t see putting up any extra money to subsidize Cape Air.

“Right now, with the budget crunch we have and the movement towards Customs and Immigration, I just don’t think I can support this,” Ramsay said.

Councilman Don Vasil expressed strong opposition to government subsidies for business.

“We are fighting a very difficult budget season, and we’ve got to come up with a budget that will be acceptable to the community,” Vasil said.

Mayor Mike Cinque supported Worthington’s motion to help fund the airline, but the motion failed.

In other business:
• The Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce previewed a promotional marketing video that will be distributed across the country to help bring more tourists to the Middle Keys.

Executive Director Daniel Samess said the video can be edited over time and besides distribution to national and international organizations, it will also be posted on YouTube.

• City Attorney Jimmy Morales clarified terms of the council’s online auctioning of the Boot Key Bridge center span. Morales also updated the council on the Knight’s Key proceedings. After waiting patiently for the property owners to turn a parcel of land necessary to build a treatment plant for the wastewater and sewer system, Morales reported that the lead bank for the property owners had been seized and closed by the federal government.

“There is no idea what the timetable could be now,” Morales said.

• City Manager Clyde Burnett reported that William Scotsman Inc. was standing firm in their lease agreement for the trailers they currently rent the city for their administrative offices. In the July 14 meeting, staff requested council approve the two-year agreement at a cost of $63,000. To purchase the trailers, the city would have to fork over $289,750, so council directed staff to work out terms on a one and two-year lease option.

• Council renewed a six-month lease on units at Jolly Roger Trailer Park on Grassy Key for fire service personnel and equipment.

• City and county legal staff are continuing to work on the terms of an interlocal agreement to fine unlicensed contractors operating without proper credentials. Cinque said Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro has assured him the county “wants to move forward with this.”

Classless People

August 13, 2009 - Marathon - Keys Disease: Classless People | By John Bartus | Aug 09, 2009 | Features | Weekly Columns | Keys Disease | Courtesy of The Weekly Newspapers | Most of the people who visit the Keys are wonderful people with a real appreciation for our islands, our environment, and our way of life. Sometimes, however, a true jackass can set relations between locals and visitors back several years. I’m sure you know the kind: he wants to know if you can drive to the reef, she’s in Marathon today but tomorrow she’s going to the Keys, he wants to know how far it is between mile markers (thanks, Renee!). These are the people who make left turns from the right lane, take short lobster, and fart in crowded restaurants. Add copious amounts of alcohol, and the behavior gets exponentially worse. 

I had the privilege of running into a couple of these well-soaked people at a recent gig. Because we had a good crowd in attendance that night, I was playing long after my normal quitting time (and violating a local sound ordinance, but that’s beside the point).

This one woman, who had already shown herself to be a burrito short of a combination plate when she decided to show off for her dance partner by attempting her old cheerleader split maneuver, then picked up the tambourine I use for percussion loops. I looked at her and shook my head, and she put the tambourine down. No problem.

A little later, a friend of mine came by and picked up the tambourine, and because he wasn’t abusing it (and because the song was nearly over), I just let him play it. Well, one would have thought that I had just stolen Christmas from the orphanage. The sotted splitter came up while I was talking with my friend and said, “How come you let him play the tambourine and not me?” She continued to parrot this same question in the exact same annoying tone of voice until I looked at her and said, “We can continue to talk and jabber jaw about this, or I can get back to playing a song. What will it be?”

When she asked the tambourine question one more time, I just said, “Thank you, good night,” into the microphone and put down my guitar. Thinking I had ended the situation, I had no idea what sinister wheels I had actually set into motion.

My friend thought I was blaming him for the incident. I tried to reassure him that I wasn’t mad at him; it was really the blotto tambourine babe that caused me to quit. I asked him if it would be better if I went back up and did my last song so we could all end the night on a happy note, and he agreed. I took the stage, picked up the guitar, and launched into “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”—not your typical three-minute song.

Enter the drunken dim bulb onto the scene yet again, this time accompanied by her faithful Best Female Friend. I was paying them no attention, just getting through the song, and offering them no satisfaction by not acknowledging their presence. Personas non grata. I found out after the fact that Tambourine Babe was flipping me off and dropping F-bombs. At one point, she even cleared her throat loudly so I’d look her way, but nothing doing on my part.

Another of my friends came over and sat near the offensive out-of-towners. At some point (although I wasn’t watching), my friend (we’ll call him “Steve”) “accidentally” spilled his drink in the general direction of the women. A shouting match ensued, and “Steve” really told off the polluted percussionist and her little friend. All this time, the two “men” who belonged to the toasted twosome just sat back and watched as the tableau unfolded in front of their eyes.

As our combatants were led off the battlefield, I tried to find out what exactly had happened. Just then, the psychotic tambourine beauty approached me. She told me that she had left a “big tip” in my tip jar, and—I swear I’m not making this up—asked for it back. I asked her how much her “big tip” was, and she told me.

Five dollars.

I reached into my jar and handed her a five-dollar bill. She then actually said, and again I’m not making this up, “That wasn’t the bill I put in the jar.”

I told her, “It’s five dollars. Have a great night.” I turned and walked away. When the owner of the establishment went over to talk to them, Miss Hand Percussion 2009 lost the Miss Congeniality Award by bawling her eyes out and lying to him by telling him she didn’t take money out of my tip jar.

If there’s anything to be learned from all of this, perhaps it’s that as the blood alcohol level increases, the Intelligence Quotient decreases… exponentially. Bottoms up!

- John Bartus is a singer/songwriter and former Mayor of the City of Marathon. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Bartus will perform with Storm Watch Friday at Dockside Lounge and Saturday solo at the Key Colony Inn. Next Wednesday Bartus will be at Dockside Lounge, and Thursday at Sparky’s Landing. www.johnbartus.com

August 14, 2009 - Marathon - City Staff: The City Council of Marathon Calls for Amnesty Period for Expired Permits. The City of Marathon wants to resolve all of the expired permits in the City and perform inspections for safety issues.  The City plans to accomplish this goal by February 1^st, 2010.  For a short time, the Building Department will be charging a $10 fee to clear a permit that expired prior to January 1, 2009 that did not have final inspections.  After February 1, 2010, the fee will go back up to $65 to clear these expired permits.

“Many residents are surprised to find that they have expired permits, due to them or their contractor not getting a final inspection on their permits” said Mayor Cinque. Some of these expired permits were issued prior to Marathon becoming a City.  This becomes a problem for the homeowner when they go to sell their house, or in a worse case, there could be safety issues involved.  It seems during the real estate boom, while there may have been expired permits attached to the real estate number, no one seemed to notice, but now the banks are looking closer than ever.

The City has options available to the homeowner to remedy the situation and revise the records:  If you produce evidence that the final inspection was approved, the City of course will correct their records.  For a short time as mentioned above, the administrative permit is available for $10 that will enable the City to perform a visual inspection of the completed project and document final inspection approval and record it to clear the expired permit.   Ignoring your expired permit may interfere with future real estate title searches or transactions, and it may cost you more later.  Please see the friendly City Building Department Staff; they are ready to assist you to expedite the clean up all of the expired permits.

August 15, 2009 - Marathon - Jeri & Max Sears: What is Left Out of the Chamber's Video? We have a comment about the beautiful video that the Marathon Chamber of Commerce presented at the last Marathon City Council meeting. The video showed many great things about Marathon and we applaud them for their efforts; however, the LOGO of the Chamber is "The Islands of Marathon, the Boating Destination of the Florida Keys".

We didn't see any reference to the Marathon City Marina and mooring field. Marathon has the largest municipally owned and managed mooring field in the USA! It also has anchorage available, a beautiful bath house, a great meeting place with an authentic Tiki Hut, a marina building in the process of being remodeled, dingy docks, dock age and direct access to a beautiful city park. Bus transportation is within walking distance to Key West.

We thought the Chamber might want to include this information, with pictures, in the Marathon video.

Sincerely,
Max and Jeri Sears

August 16, 2009 - Marathon - A Political Six Pack: Bartus, Cinque, Keating, Kenney, Nelson and Vasil November ballot | By Blair Shiver & Jason Koler | Aug 16, 2009 | Features | Courtesy of The Weekly Newspapers | As the qualifying period for Marathon’s City Council wound down to the final minutes this past Tuesday former Marathon Mayor tossed his hat into the ring for the sixth time.

“I love Marathon,” Bartus says. “We live on a tropical island that is a wonderful small town and we need to protect and preserve that for our residents.”

He joins a field of five other candidates vying for two available seats on the Marathon City Council. The at-large election will take place November 3.

Incumbents Mike Cinque and Don Vasil will be challenged by perennial candidate “Bicycle Joanie” Nelson, Bartus, and newcomers Kevin Kenney and Richard Keating.

“I really think there’s need to be more transparency in the local government,” local flats guide Kevin Keating told The Weekly. “There also needs to be more accountability for the decisions being made. Our small businesses are really starting to suffer.” Keating says his decision to enter local politics was made because he was, “tired of standing on the sidelines.”

He also said since he answers to no one in town and does not have a personal agenda, he’s anxious for his first venture into public service. He and his wife, Laural, have two sons, Glen, 24,
and Richey, 14.

Seeking re-election is current Marathon Vice Mayor, Don Vasil, who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility during his last campaign. He is a former corporate executive and small business owner and relocated to Marathon nearly ten years ago with his wife, Ginny. He recently came out of retirement and launched his own building and maintenance business.

“My main focus as always,” said Vasil. “Will be city spending and right now, due to national economic conditions, making sure that city government does everything possible to make sure that our private sector remains financially healthy.”

One of Vasil’s main visions is Marathon as a thriving harbor community and has championed for marina expansion and plans on continuing with his cause if re-elected. “I would like to see my vision for the marina continued and support ideas from the Economic Development group that I spearheaded.”

Also asking the voters for another two years on the dais is Marathon Mayor Mike Cinque, a major force behind Marathon’s incorporation.

“I just want to continue to work with my fellow citizens,” Cinque said. “I have had the pleasure of working with my neighbors in the Florida Keys for nearly 40 years and Marathon is moving in the right direction. Sewers are on schedule, the boat ramps are looking good. I also understand the challenges of paying for all the municipal projects. And we have the most cost effective and efficient services and government in Monroe County, probably in South Florida.”

While issues like a Grassy Key Fire Station and the beautification of Overseas Highway remain popular topics, Cinque says that during these economic times, basic services and safety must take top priority.

Bartus, who a professional musician and small businessman who currently serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, said, “I want to work with the business community and bring back resident participation. I also think the people of Marathon deserve a councilman whose only interest is them.”

In 2005, Bartus led the fight to assume control of the wastewater from the FKAA and looks forward to seeing the project’s completion. “After sewers and stormwater are complete, we need to explore a new relationship with the state and pursue a new growth management plan to address the restrictions that are currently in place.”

Tireless campaigner Joan “Bicycle Joanie” Nelson is also back in. A champion of “the Little People,” Nelson is a 30+-year Marathon resident and has been a literature professor, waitress and professional food tester.

Kevin Keeney was unavailable for comment.

August 17, 2009 - Middle Keys - Adam Linhardt, Citizen Staff: Making waves in the Middle Keys. Courtesy of The Citizen.

A little-known company based in Long Island, N.Y., with a facility in Marathon, is making waves in the military special operations community, especially after receiving millions from a defense appropriations bill.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen requested $9.3 million and last month received $4.5 million in funds for Stidd Systems to develop a new underwater combat vehicle with increased payload capacity that could be developed and built in the Middle Keys.

"[She] has a long-standing history of support for this project," said her spokeswoman, Christine DelPortillo.

Stidd Systems builds what it calls the Diver Propulsion Device (DPD), which looks like a small submarine, but requires the user to wear scuba gear.

The device allows Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Marines and other Special Operations Forces to traverse greater distances under water without having to exert all their energy swimming. Green Berets, who train at the Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School on Fleming Key, are familiar with DPDs, as are the Navy SEAL teams that take advantage of the clear Florida Keys waters to train.

Stidd Systems' DPDs also are used by many other allied nations' special operations forces, making Stidd Systems one of the few companies in the world developing such technology.

The $4.5 million will go toward the development of another DPD that can hold more gear and go farther, said company Vice President Dave Wilberding.

"Special Operations Command asked us to look at new ways of doing things with an increased payload," Wilberding said. That new system most likely will be developed and tested in Marathon, where Stidd Systems has been operating since 2000, he said. The company also trains soldiers how to use their boats in waters near Marathon, he added.

"There are recreational products you may have seen that are similar to our DPD," Wilberding said, referring to "scooters" that divers use to get far fast. "We use an extremely high-tech lithium ion battery that provides better endurance beyond anything available commercially."

The company plans to expand its Marathon site, for which Wilberding credited the local community and Ros-Lehtinen.

"We're looking forward to near-term expansion and increased employment opportunities at our Marathon site," Wilberding said. "Our current research and development program will help us accomplish this."

alinhardt@keysnews.com

August 18, 2009 - Florida Keys - Keys Disease: The Sad State of Debate | By John Bartus | Aug 14, 2009 | Features | Weekly Columns | Keys Disease | Courtesy of The Weekly Newspapers | It’s been amazing to see the nation engaging in thoughtful debate over the healthcare issue. What could have been a controversial issue that degenerated into a name-calling, special-interest-financed shouting match has actually been rationally discussed and debated by our politicians, pundits, and people. It’s been so refreshing to see the nation tackle this issue like responsible adults trying to find the best solution for a real problem… DOROTHY—WAKE UP!

Sorry if I sound a bit cynical, but We The People (the same as found in the Preamble to our Constitution) deserve better than we’re getting. Straight answers are as hard to come by as solutions to the South Florida python infestation. Like the python problem, however, doing nothing is not an option. Costs are spiraling out of control, a significant percentage of American citizens don’t get the care they need, and small businesses are worried about more costs in a down market.

Unfortunately, as stated before, no one can give us a straight answer. Insurance company lobbyists are discouraging real debate with scare tactics and abject lies that media outlets and politicians repeat verbatim. Instead of rational discussion, Town Hall meetings are degenerating into shouting matches. And no one can seem to tell us just how much any of these plans will cost and who’s going to pay for them.

Small business owners: how many of you are happy with your health insurance provider? Okay, I know many of us can’t afford to provide health coverage. We’ll just ask the question of those who actually do provide some sort of coverage. Are you happy with your insurance? And what it costs? I mean really, really happy? I didn’t think so.

And now, this question is for all the people who have coverage, whether provided by your employer or yourself. Are you happy with the costs? The deductible? Have you ever been denied care or a procedure? Have you ever been dropped by a company for whatever reason? Are you paying through the nose to keep your COBRA coverage after losing your job?

And one more question for those people who are working, sometimes multiple jobs just to stay afloat: do you believe that you’ll ever be able to afford health insurance? Do you have any pre-existing conditions? Are you prepared to declare bankruptcy if you ever get sick and need expensive care?

Employers have borne the cost of health coverage (as well as the cost of paying for the uninsured who go to emergency rooms for treatment). In recent years, they have paid escalating costs just to keep the same benefits (or even reduced benefits) for their employees. Yet insurance costs keep increasing much faster than inflation or the cost of living. And the insurance companies aren’t just insurance companies—they’re also a big part of the Wall Street investment industry. Wall Street doesn’t care how well the insurers care for the insured; they care only about the bottom line.

There’s a term in the health insurance industry—medical loss ratio—that determines an insurer’s profitability. In the early 1990s, 95 cents out of every dollar collected in insurance premiums was paid out as claims. In 2008, that figure had gone down to 80 cents on the dollar. By increasing premiums, increasing deductibles and co-pays, and dropping the not-as-healthy members, the insurance companies have seen their profits go through the roof. It’s no longer about making a fair profit based upon sound actuarial data—it’s about making as much as possible, people and employers be damned.

I don’t have any illusions about attempting to solve the problem in a less-than-1,000-word column in a small-town newspaper. Until We The People can actually have a rational debate about real solutions, until insurance companies, lobbyists, pundits, and politicians quit lying to the people, nothing will happen. And that’s what the insurance companies want the most. Meanwhile, small businesses and the uninsured keep getting screwed.

One of my favorite movie lines ever was spoken by Jack Nicholson, portraying Marine Col. Nathan Jessep in the film A Few Good Men. Being questioned on the witness stand, asked for the truth, Nicholson said, “You can’t handle the truth!” Well, We The People can handle the truth. If we could only find someone who will tell it.

- John Bartus is a singer/songwriter and former Mayor of the City of Marathon. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Bartus will perform with Storm Watch Friday at Dockside Lounge and Saturday at the Looe Key Tiki Bar. Next Tuesday Bartus will be at Dockside Lounge, and Wednesday and Thursday at Sparky’s Landing. www.johnbartus.com.

August 19, 2009 - Marathon - L. E. Shaffer: Collector's Corner continues to impress patrons. Photos are located at http://MarathonJournal.us/journal/press/. One visit you see the charming shop full of unique and wonderful items, all of which can have your name or company name on it. The next visit and the whole store expanded three-fold. All I can say is wow.

The shop is bright and full of highly desirable objects. Then is all the made-to-order stuff that takes care of any event. Candidates looking for campaign material no longer have to go outside of the Keys. Collectors Corner delivers all the campaign material conceivable.

Me, I like hats. Stan Haines, intrepid partner/owner, promised me a hat. I got the Marathon Journal emblazoned on the front of the hat. He called for me to pick it up, but I wasn't satisfied. I told him to put Collectors Corner on the back of the hat, as well. Then over a year went by. I don't know what happened, but I got a call the other day. Stan told me the story of the lost hat. When I picked the new hat up, I was more than pleased.

Now that the shop has tripled and the product array has increased just as much, it is time for another story with a multitude photos to update the Collectors Corner story. And, no, this is not that story. So just wait a while, and that story with all those photos will be right here in the Marathon Florida Keys Journal.

August 20, 2009 - Marathon - Provided by Pete Worthington: Welcome to Marathon Wild Bird Center’s online newsletter! And they’re off!: This past spring, Marathon Wild Bird Center (MWBC) volunteers successfully installed a “chick corral” along the perimeter of a rooftop at Sombrero Resort. Its purpose was to prevent baby Least Terns chicks from falling four stories to the parking lot. Least Terns are a threatened species not much larger than a mockingbird. Their natural nesting instinct is to make small indentations in the sand of undisturbed beaches where they then proceed to lay and incubate their two or three eggs. Upon hatching the chicks are called precocial--defined as “to ripen beforehand.” What this means is that the newly hatched chicks are able to move about soon after hatching and drying, and are only partly or not at all dependent on their parents for food or care. As a result, Least Tern chicks tend to wander close to the roof’s edges as they pitter patter around waiting for their parents to return from the ocean with some tasty fish. They also wander as they seek shade--on a beach they would safely wander into the shadows of the sand dunes.

The roof at the Sombrero Resort contains the perfect artificial nesting medium--gravel. The use of a makeshift perimeter border is meant to protect the babies from tumbling off the roof. Installed prior to the birds’ arrival in April, the corral must be removed after the birds migrate south in late July, just as hurricane season really begins to make waves. The “chick corral” consisted of 300 feet of 8”-high black plastic mesh anchored by 60 “L” shaped metal brackets that we weighed down with 60 15-pound sand bags. We created the artificial shade by cutting three wooden pallets in half and weighing each down with two 25-pound sand bags. Volunteers worked in teams to transfer all the rolls of mesh, sand bags, and pallets up the four stories to the ladder that led to the roof’s hatch and then reversed the process to remove the corral.

Prior to assembling the corral in April, volunteers scoured the rooftop to remove all debris. At the time we dismantled the “chick corral” we also took the opportunity to scavenge the rooftop for new debris, chick carcasses, and unhatched eggs. We found: the remnants of three fireworks, a tennis ball, the bottom of a glass beer bottle, seven deceased hatchlings (plus miscellaneous individual bones), 20 unhatched eggs, and 30 tiny fish skeletons the size of a quarter.

Many thanks to MWBC volunteers Karyn Buckley, Steve Heiney, Cathy Close, Rob Qually and Alan Blake for all their hard work, and a special thank you to Summit Development, the new owners of Sombrero Resort, who, luckily, are pleased to be able to provide a threatened species with this safe artificial habitat!

What’s law and what’s not
Stand Up for Animals (SUFA), Marathon’s local animal shelter, hosted a workshop entitled “Animal Law in Monroe County” in conjunction with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Interns Alan Blake and Rob Qually joined MWBC Director Kelly Grinter for the afternoon session. Although most discussions were geared toward domestic animals issues (cats and dogs), some heated conversations were aimed at the humane euthanasia of invasive animals such as iguanas and chickens. The only “wildlife” discussion that was relevant to the workshop came in the form of raccoon topics. The basic information provided by SUFA and the attending police officers, lawyers, veterinary staff and other animal organizations’ volunteers made for an educational and enlightening program for everyone. Our thanks go out to Linda Gottwald, director of SUFA, for taking the time to put this presentation together!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The recent appearance of Ana, Bill, and Claudette has reminded us of the extra work we need to do in the event of a hurricane. Donations will help us in this effort. You can mail a check small or large to Marathon Wild Bird Center, P. O. Box 501328, Marathon, FL 33050, or visit our web site at www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org to donate online. Because we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donation is tax deductible. Remember: if you ever find a sick or injured bird, please give us a call at 305.743.8382. We answer this line 24 hours a day.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Key West Wildlife Center taking shape
In January 2009, the Key West City Commission unanimously voted to change the concessionaire agreement between the City and MWBC to an agreement between the City and the Key West Wildlife Center, Inc. (KWWC). The staff and volunteers at KWWC are finally enjoying some of the fruits of their labor. The Aviary, a unique “pole barn”-type enclosure, is now home to several Keys species of birds. The Aviary was constructed in a way as to display non-releasable educational birds for the public to view while keeping rehab patients out of sight. A couple months ago, we took in several patients here in Marathon that would never be able to survive on their own if returned to the wild. So, we asked the KWWC to consider giving them a permanent home in their new Aviary when it was ready. Recently a small flock of these birds made their way south for just this purpose. The group included two Brown Pelicans, two Herring Gulls, one Royal Tern, one Double-crested Cormorant, one Great White Heron and one osprey. In addition, Bonnie, a non-releasable Broadwing Hawk that we had been holding specifically until the new habitats were ready in Key West, also made the journey. Visitors to the Keys often ask where they can go to see a Great White Heron. Unfortunately, the one we sent to KWWC had a fishhook that penetrated the roof of his mouth and came out his eye. Ouch! Without vision in both eyes, a heron does not have the depth perception necessary to catch fish on its own. One of the two Brown Pelicans that we sent to Key West was a patient of theirs that they sent to us this past winter for an x-ray. A pellet wedged in the bone of his wing rendered the bird flightless. The pellet was inoperable and will always be a part of him. While we held these birds in Marathon prior to their journey south, we did our best to acclimate them to life in captivity. We are happy to say that they are all well adjusted and having a grand time exploring their new digs in the Southernmost city!

Baby osprey update
Last month, we told you about a baby osprey that even we were surprised to see in the Florida Keys in July. This month, we’d like to finish the story! On July 6th, MWBC volunteers retrieved a nestling osprey from the ground of a residence on Stirrup Key. The residence had an osprey platform right next to the driveway. After talking with the property caretaker it became apparent to us that something may have happened to the “dad” osprey, who hadn’t been seen in days. When something happens to one of the osprey parents the other parent becomes the sole provider for itself and the chicks. However, since this is a lot of work for one osprey it is nature’s way that the remaining parent focuses its energies on the strongest offspring. Sadly, that means ignoring the weaker baby completely. That is how we came to have Pancake. Pancake appeared to be a young male osprey whose pumpkin orange eyes would stare right up at you from his safe vantage point--flat out on the ground. This posturing is instinct for a bird that hasn’t yet taken its first flight. Once we fattened Pancake up, we transferred him to the Miami Bachelor Bird-of-Prey Center where he took his first flight in the facility’s 60-foot flight pen. And from what we gather, he was pretty good at it zipping back and forth and even hovering a bit! After a week of flight conditioning, we returned Pancake to his family’s nest on Stirrup Key. However, by now, his mom and sibling had flown the coop. When we released him, Pancake flew out over the bay and made us all nervous as he dipped down to get his talons wet! We had thought for sure he might think he could land on water! Luckily Pancake swooped up, up and away! Two days later we got a phone call from the property’s caretaker telling us that Pancake was back at the nest. Although we took this as good news, we weren’t sure what it meant. Director Kelly Grinter took a box of thread herring and Pancake’s dish to the property. Pancake was definitely up there, but didn’t seem interested in the shiny fish we were offering. Maybe, just maybe, he’d had his fill already that day and was just stopping by to say “Thanks”

“Your bird food’s here!”
That was a response Director Kelly Grinter would hear many times over the years when she answered the phone. The voice on the other end was Marathon’s wild and crazy fishing guide guru Dave Navarro, owner of the World Class Angler, a bait and tackle shop just down the street from the Bird Center. This past July, Dave died unexpectedly and left our community in shock. A character with lots of stories to tell and advice to offer, many of us will always miss him. When the MWBC first built its outdoor flight pen for pelicans, cormorants, and other fish-eating birds, we had a bit of a dilemma. We needed to order hundreds of pounds of fish each week, but a bait company’s truck would have a hard time fitting down the ½-mile road to our facility. The answer? World Class Angler! Dave graciously offered to accept our deliveries and to store them in his shop’s freezers until we could pick them up. This was our routine several times a week for years. When the fish would arrive, Dave would call and simply say, “Your bird food’s here!” We miss Dave and we know that now he, too, has perfect wings.

14th Bird-day Fundraiser
Established in 1995, this year marked the Bird Center’s 14th year of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick, injured, orphaned, and displaced wild birds. And we send out a big thank you to everyone who gave us a “gift” for our 14th Bird-day--totaling $3,854.00! Fourteen years and ten thousand patients later we are happy to still be going strong. We are not in debt, we have lots of dedicated volunteers, we assist thousands of people each year with animals in distress, and we educate kids and adults at every opportunity to help preserve our environment and the wildlife that depends on it. What’s in our future?! Well, we are working on updating our website with lots of new photos and stories, and we are planning to introduce several new unique fundraisers this coming year to keep us in the black during this slow economy. Thank you again for your support. We look forward to “not seeing” you at our 4th annual Non-Event this December.

Spread the word
Enjoyed this newsletter? Please forward it to a friend! And don’t forget to visit our web site at www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org for lots more information and photos.

Marathon Wild Bird Center P.O. Box 501328 Marathon, FL 33050 MM 50 at Crane Point Hammock Phone: (305) 743-8382 Fax: (305) 743-8172 Website: www.marathonwildbirdcenter.org

August 23, 2009 - Florida Keys - John Bartus: Dear Keys Disease. | Weekly Columns | Keys Disease | Courtesy of The Weekly Newspapers | Advice columns have been featured in newspapers for a long time. Dear Abby, Ask Ann, Miss Manners, and a plethora of advisors have loaned their wisdom to multiple thousands of people who have questions that need to be answered. In the spirit of the best advice columnists of our time, we here at Keys Disease Central have hired, at a great expense, an advice columnist to answer some of our Keys-specific questions. So for the first (and quite possibly, the last) time, we present Dear Keys Disease!

Dear Keys Disease: I think my girlfriend is cheating on me. I’ll go days at a time without seeing her, and my friends tell me she’s out late at (name of local watering hole), making kissy-face with lots of guys. I think I love her, and I certainly don’t want to lose her.

What should I do? – Lonely on Little Torch

Dear Lonely: I’m sorry—there’s probably nothing you can do. Here in the Keys, where there are, like, six guys for every single girl, there’s a bit of local wisdom that sums up your situation: your relationship doesn’t end, you just lose your turn. Try to enjoy your time in Paradise!

&&&

Dear Keys Disease: I came here with my boyfriend, but when I go out, there are so many guys who pay attention to me, it’s like an all-you-can-eat man buffet. I mean, my boyfriend is okay, but I feel I can have so much more. What should I do? – Boggled on Big Pine

Dear Boggled: I have a couple of questions I want you to answer truthfully. First, have you ever waited outside prison gates for newly released parolees? Second, did you ever, at any time in your past, swim out to meet a troop ship returning from foreign duty? If you answered “yes” to either question, then I’m not going to be able to offer any advice you’d actually listen to. Try to enjoy your time in Paradise! (I don’t think you’ll have a problem with that.)

&&&

Dear Keys Disease: Is it true that what happens in the Keys stays in the Keys? – Mystified in Marathon

Dear Mystified: Let’s not confuse our islands with Las Vegas. Here in the Keys, we have this little thing called the Coconut Telegraph that is one of the fastest methods of communication known to mankind. Do one little thing out of line, and the entire island knows about it within 24 hours. Do something really out of line, and your face is broadcast to the world via the Internet courtesy of the Sheriff’s website: www.keysso.net.

&&&

Dear Keys Disease: Then why do they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? –Still Mystified

Dear Still: You should probably ask O. J. Simpson.

&&& 

Dear Keys Disease: I’m on vacation in Key West, but I love it more than anything. I want so desperately to move here and write the next Great American Novel. Should I? – Kooky in Key West

Dear Kooky: Well, why not? Hardly anyone comes here and does that sort of thing. And with all the spare time you’ll have after working two or three jobs to pay the bills, that novel should just flow right out of you. Good luck, and try to enjoy your time in Paradise!

&&&

That will wrap up this inaugural edition of Dear Keys Disease. If you have any questions, e-mail them to disease@keysweekly.com. Thanks for reading, and try to enjoy your time in Paradise!

- John Bartus is a singer/songwriter and former Mayor of the City of Marathon. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Bartus will perform with Storm Watch Friday at Dockside Lounge and Saturday solo at the Key Colony Inn. Next Wednesday Bartus will be at Dockside Lounge, and Thursday at Sparky’s Landing. www.johnbartus.com 

August 25, 2009 – Marathon – L. E. Shaffer: Marathon City Council held its regular meeting at Marathon Government Center EOC Room. Photos are located at http://MarathonJournal.us/journal/press/.

The council approved the agenda. There is no public input required on consent agenda routine items marked by an asterisk [*].

City Council Items:

*Council approved the minutes.

Vice Mayor Vasil provided the Florida League of Cities Conference Report. He stated that the conference was a success including the impression of other attendees that the city manages its budget quite well.

Council granted the Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Racing organization permission to schedule the event Saturday May 8, 2010 at Sombrero Beach.

Councilman Ramsay led the discussion on a possible EDU Leasing Program. This program would benefit certain businesses that are considered critical to the community. A local laundromat is an example of public need. Donna Farmer spoke in favor. Karen Wilkinson spoke in favor as well.

City Manager’s Items:

City Manager Clyde Burnett addressed several routine and minor items.

Staff reported the status of the Aviation Blvd. Bike Path Conceptual Plan. The plan is in development.

Staff presented the Federal Lobbyist Report. The report is available from staff.

Council granted Permit Extension Request P2005-1909. Building official suggested a 30-day extension.

City Manager Burnett requested the ability to grant certain emergency utility change order. City Attorney Jimmy Morales proposed some words to amend the purchase policy. This is needed to keep stormwater/wastewater project from slowing down waiting on approval from council at its next meeting.

Citizens' comments:

Bob Mikes talked about taxes need cut further to help the locals and the economy. Karen Wilkinson echoed Mikes sentiment.

Ordinances for First Public Hearing

Ordinance 2009-22 created City Code Section 6-62 named “Building Permit Completion Deposit” requiring the Refundable Completion Bond payment before the building permit issuance. Councilman Worthington voted no.

Resolutions for Adoption:

*Resolution 2009-79, tabled from 7/14/09, approved a two-year extension to the Williams Scotsman, Inc. agreement to continue the City Hall trailers lease.

*Resolution 2009-109 approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City and Islamorada for the continuing shared services of their fire chief.

*Resolution 2009-110 approved Department of Environmental Protection Amendment No. 1 to Grant Agreement Number CZ915.

Resolution 2009-111 amended the Rates and Rental Fee Schedule for the use of Boot Key Harbor City Marina Facilities. Harbor Manager Richard Tanner presented the rate and fee schedule.

Resolution 2009-112 approved Tourist Development Council Inter-Local Grant Agreement No. 627 for Sombrero Beach playground upgrade.

Resolution 2009-113 executed Grant Contract Addendum VII to Florida Communities Trust Rate of Growth Control Project. Project Number 93-001-CS1 allows for the Grassy Key land transfer from Monroe County to Marathon. This land could be a park of some kind in the future.

*Resolution 2009-114 added the Oceanfront Park (Events Field) Improvements Project to the Five Year Capital Improvements Program provided that Marathon receives the FY 2010-2011 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant for the project.

*Resolution 2009-115 approved the First Amendment to the Sweetwater Environmental Inc. Agreement for sludge hauling.

*Resolution 2009-116 approved Lanzo Construction Company Contract Change Order No. 1 for Service Area 5 additional construction work for $19,100.

*Resolution 2009-117 approved Lanzo Construction Company Contract Change Order No. 2 for Service Area 5 additional construction work for $30,441.89.

Resolution 2009-118 approved Gonzalez Brothers Landscaping Inc. Work Authorization #1 for continuing services to include fulfilling the requirements of the Urban and Community Forest grant. The cost is $25,000.

Citizens’ Comments:

None.

Council Comments:

Worthington talked about taxes and agreed that budget needs work. Snead spoke about Marathon’s tenth anniversary celebration at the Community Park November 21. Ramsay spoke about perceived legal problems. Vasil pleaded for residents to attend budget meetings and identify what services to cut. Cinque spoke about how the city’s ad valorem tax part is so very small compared to all the other taxing agencies like Mosquito Control, schools, water district, and the county among others.

What's Happening! The grandkids went back to school. They say that they are happy to be back at school, but I find that hard to believe. School here starts soon or already has started, but more importantly is to watch out for the kids. You don't want to ruin your life and hit one of them. Slow down. Look and look again. And, while you are watching out for the kids, take an extra couple of looks to avoid motorcycles, crosswalks, and bike path accidents. Hitting a motorcyclist, biker, or jogger would be devastating. So be careful please.

Miscellany: City of Marathon City Council election season has started. This is the best time for the Journal. There are debates, questions, campaigning, and all sorts of fun candidate stuff. We have really good 5 out of 6 candidates running as well. It is going to be a hard time endorsing two this year, just like last year, or maybe even worse. Take our election poll linked at top of each and every web page. Be on the lookout for articles and finally our endorsements on the city council elections. You don't count unless you vote. If you don't vote, then you are going to give me more power in my vote. Yet not voting can be a vote if you think about it. Just vote!

Finally: Don't miss the City of Marathon's 10th anniversary celebration and party at the Community Park November 21.  We are going to have good food, great music, and vendor booths of all varieties. Volunteer to become part of the anniversary planners, cooks, cleaners, parking attendants, and all the different jobs required to pull this off. I know that it will be a tremendous success. I hope that this celebration happens every November. An annual event helps the locals and might attract tourists who can't resist spending their money.

Kitty Talk
These journals are dedicated to Kitty GreyCat's spirit. She is at RainBow Bridge along with her human friends, Leo and Doris. We all loved you, Kitty! Click the cat graphic to visit her Memorial page. Kitty born June 6, 1982. Died July 9, 1997. Please use our email form linked below to make suggestions or offer praise.  The cats have thoughts and meows that are badly interpreted by a human for publication here. So believe what you will, but enjoy nonetheless. All complaints, flames, and the like will end up in the litter box! >^..^<

Ebony: We have had a wonderful month. There were so many cat things to do and experience. Human bean is mean though. I want to go outside, but only get to go outside once a week. He meows that it is too hot outside. I know that, but coming inside for ten minutes to cool down fixes that. Then I can go outside again and hunt hot geckos. >^..^<
Abby: Bean get put out by you coming in and out all day if he lets you. I go outside for a little while to supervise your hunting them gecko lizards. I can see all the outside I want inside my little kitty house positioned right at the front window. There be thunder, weed whackers, mowers, and other activities that scare me. So outside is not that big a deal for me. I only want out to beat up nasty cats that come onto our front porch area. You and I leave enough marks that them bad cats should know to stay away. I hiss and growl. I ram my head on the window. Them nasty cats think it fun to sit there and stare at me. >^..^<
Ebony: I would rather talk about toilet bowls now. We beat that outside thing to a pulp. I always watch the toilet flush. I meow at human bean what happening, but he just flush the toilet again for me. Where does the water come from and go? And why human bean not use a litter box like civilized kitties. Human bean strange. >^..^<
Abby: Human bean in a litter box? Now that be very funny. I not know where he goes, but litter boxes are only for civilized cats. I like to watch the water in the shower. It beats me all to heck and back trying to figure out why human bean gets wet on purpose. As far as I am concerned, the shower is where I find funny big bugs. >^..^<
Ebony: Yes, Abby, human bean been complaining about bug parts scattered all over the apartment. You are not a very well behaved cat. You sneak attack me every chance you get. So you better tow the line, sister. >^..^<
Abby: I like to play with strings. Are those like lines? O, never mind. I will do as I please. I wish that human bean stop taking photos of me so close. The flash goes off, and I can't see anything. Once is okay, but human bean does it again and again. It no wonder I go wild and climb walls, sneak attack Ebony, and hide under the sheets and then biting human bean toes. That is so much fun. I am all about fun. Fun is what cat means. >^..^<
Ebony: I am going to ignore you. We have a job here, and that is educating people about cats. Feed us, provide a soft bed, feed us again, pet us, and feed us some more. Then we should get yummy nummies every hour, or when we meow repeatedly for it. I do like Abby's method. She will climb on top of human bean to wake him up. She licks his face. She kneads all sorts of places, clawing all over. She get human bean up for us both. >^..^<
Abby: Ebony is good at being old. She good at catnapping too. She good at being boring. Enough of Ebony, she is full of gecko tails. I like to be full of yummy nummies, but human bean is mean. Ebony fat, not me! >^..^<
Ebony: You fat between your ears you awful cat. I should chase you, hiss at you, and paw slap you, but it never do any good, I meow. I got better things to do, like look out the window and eating cat grass. >^..^<
Abby: Now you just couldn't keep your paws out of that fat question. I was kind to you, I think. O, wait a second, Ebony, you been very bad. We supposed to tell all those human beans how to worship cats and muzzle them dawgs what not allowed to yap, bark, or howl. It makes me nervous and I don't like it.  >^..^<
Ebony: Well, Abby, you the one that did not stick with the theme of this month's kitty talk.  >^..^<
Abby: You started the article. I not remember any theme except your constantly complaining. Now I have to tell all those cats and human beans out there that I am sorry that Ebony can't stick to the plan. Maybe next month we do better. I know we promise that every month, but trust me. I get Ebony on the right track. Come back next month to see how I done it. Hey! Ebony! You is a bad, bad cat; hissing and running and growling. >^..^<

1. Please checkout www.caribbeanproperty.cc for some interesting information.

2. TeaPartyCommercial.wmv is a commercial put together by a very talented young man.

3. http://htmlgear.tripod.com/poll/control.poll?a=vote&u=larryshaffer&i=1 is the Marathon City Council election poll sponsored by The Marathon Florida Keys Journal.

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flRvsO8m_KI&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY show some amazing stuff. Watch the first one before viewing the second.

5. Watch this first http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4&feature=fvw. This is the website for the Free Hugs Movement: http://www.freehugscampaign.org.

6. ShareThis, a simple way to share things you find online, use ShareThis to send things to all your friends and family, across social networks, email, SMS and AIM. http://sharethis.com/users/register/.

Poetry Corner
Sudden Insanity
September 1, 2009

Pouring down rain
Gathering in puddles
Lighting flashes distant
Rolling thunder answers

Sometimes pure sunshine
Many times boiling black clouds
Either will take the rain
A downpour onto roadway

Winds reverse themselves
Cold pervasive wraps
Around us as the storm
Moves across islands

Boats speed home
As the gale grows
Approaching darker
From the west

The sounds grows
Shrill and loud
Power flashes on
And then black

And blacker still
The dark train
Is brutally coming
Thru or so it seems

Roof blows away
Glass breaks
And hurricane
Is sudden insane

© 2009 SIPCO; L. E. Shaffer

Hockey Puck
NHL: The Florida Panthers fell short of the playoffs by one game. There is nothing like it in all of sports, the skating of the Stanley Cup by the winner of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Last year’s champions, the Detroit Red Wings, looked to be unbeatable early. Then a funny thing happened for a franchise saved from oblivion by hall-of-famer Mario Lemieux. Can you believe the Pittsburgh Penguins won game seven of the Stanley Cup seven-game series? There were two champions this series. This is one of those times that you wish both teams had won. That was how good this series was.

PGA: Tiger won the Buick Open for his 69th career win. Tiger yet again win the Bridgestone Invitational. The first PGA FEDEX Cup tourney at the Barclays in New York had Tiger Woods finish tied for second a stroke behind the winner. He is still number one in FEDEX points though. Tiger’s putting failed him. Sometimes it is better to miss big than to miss by centimeters.

NASCAR Sprint Cup: At Pocono Mark Martin finished 7^th; 10^th points. Jeff Gordon 8^th; 3^rd. Jimmie Johnson 13^th; 2^nd. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 28^th; 23^rd. Watkins Glenn Dale finished 39^th, Jeff 3^rd, Jimmie 2^nd, and Martin 11^th. At Michigan, Jeff Gordon finished 2^nd and 2^nd in points. Dale Earnhardt finished 3^rd and 21^st in points. Jimmie Johnson finished 33^rd and 3^rd in points. Mark Martin finished 31^st and 12^th in points. NASCAR Sprint Cup Bristol race: Jeff Gordon finished 23^rd and 3^rd in points. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 9^th and 21^st. Mark Martin 2^nd and 10^th. Jimmie Johnson 8^th and 2^nd. The top 12 in points participate in the Chase Championship, ten races ending at Homestead, Florida.

IRL: Danica Patrick finished third at the 93^rd Indianapolis 500. Also, at the Indianapolis race, Helio Castroneves won and Sarah Fisher placed 17^th. That was the only exciting thing happening in the IRL series. Boring...

NBA: The Miami Heat lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks going to the seventh and final game. We can only hope for next year. First round NBA playoff Celtics beat Bulls four games to three. I was not interested in the other sears, but the NBA finals feature the Los Angeles Lakers and the surprising Orlando Magic.

NFL: Pre-Season: Miami Dolphins won three games, and, yes, the wildcat offense still works.

LLWS/MLB: The Little League World Series [LLWS] is over. Only one team wins the championship. If you want to watch baseball at its best, then the LLWS is for you. Nowhere else will you see the passion, the fun, and fantastic baseball. These kids want to play and do well so badly that they put all out baseball formats to shame. Yeah, the Florida Marlins are doing their end-of-the-season fade. LLWS Mexico defeated the Texas team in the consolation game. Chula Vista, California, beat the Taiwan team for the championship. This is pure baseball, better than any other.

WTA: Venus and Serena Williams are still playing top-level tennis. Serena is doing well at the US Open in Queens.

NCAA Football: The BCS crowned the Florida Gators champions. Why? The Utes went undefeated.

March Madness: Ho hum.

Tour de France: Lance Armstrong finished 3rd, and his string of 7 straight wins is over. There is always next year, if his head does not swell up too big.

Book Three Twins of the Dark Star
Book One Tears from Ao, Book Two The Mountains of Ao and four poetry collections, Pages of Life, Visions of Life, Moments of Life, and The Book of Kalian Mysticism are all inexpensively available at http://RunesofAo.com/aobp/, which is our online bookstore and publishing company. The Runes of Ao project is ongoing. Book Three Twins of the Dark Star novel is a work in progress, but the writing goes slowly because of the success of Marathon Florida Keys Journal. Book Three is taking shape now. Falling Star poetry collection is a work in progress as well. A collaboration with K. Young on a novella called Dragon Embers is now published on the fan site known as Runes of Ao.com. Other dragon artwork is available too. Finally, in collaboration with Kimm Young and Linda Hall, a group novel project is in progress and currently titled Starsongs. We currently are at an impasse. This could go on for years, you know.

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