 The Marathon Florida Keys Journal
City of Marathon, Florida Keys, Paradise
Volume 11 † Issue 5 † May 2005
[In The Keys] [Kitty Talk] [Guest Articles] [Internet Stuff]
[Poetry Corner] [Hockey Puck] [Twins of the Dark Star] [The Dull Stuff]
The Marathon Florida Keys Journal will contain all the old articles, but add a new focus locally in the Florida Keys. The most popular part of the magazine is Kitty Talk. The lead article will be a revamped In The Keys section that will offer some opinions and even some editorializing. Additionally, articles concerning the local political beat will be included. At times these articles were provided to other media for publication, which edit them to suit their needs. Most often The Marathon Free Press has used some of these articles. We are always looking for interesting guest articles. We will continue to explore internet stuff, as well as highlight textual and other art. It is hard to believe that over 7000 folks visit our magazine monthly. And that figure keeps growing. We sincerely appreciate your visit and patronage. Please enjoy! In The Keys
~some articles have photos, go to http://MarathonJournal.US/press/index.htm~
4.3.05: The City of Marathon published a public notice in the April 3, 2005, Sunday edition of the Key West Citizen. This notice detailed items up for a hearing before the Marathon Planning Commission. The hearings will be held at the airport, Sheriff's Hangar, second floor, on April 18, 2005, at 6:30 PM. Item 6 the notice is the hearing on the Development Agreement for Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay LLC.
The Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay LLC Application for Developers Agreement March 2005 is contained in a three-inch binder. It is available for public review at the Planning Department at City Hall located on 100th Street. A review of the agreement and drawings reveals that Gulfstream Trailer Park and Marina along with National Fisheries properties will be redeveloped as Marlin Bay Yacht Club.
The redevelopers want to build 91 high-end residential dwelling units classified by the Planning Department as single family dwelling units. A dock master facility, dockage for 115 boat slips, a club house, swimming pool, observation deck, pool bar, gate house, advanced wastewater treatment plant, and other infrastructure are planned.
The agreement includes impact fees to be paid to the city for the impacts of the redevelopment on city facilities and services. The application also provides for the city to make other requirements regarding impacts.
Near the end of the three-inch binder is the proposal made to the former Gulfstream residents to move to Keys RV. This proposal was rejected at the time by the majority of residents. These residents later lost their court case filed against Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay LLC based on fine points of law.
The Marathon Planning Department is currently reviewing the application for developers agreement before the hearing.
Facts & Figures: Sandler's justification includes an increase of property taxes from $66,841 to $1,019,647. Also the redevelopment is supposed to attract high-end families. They propose to replace the defective sewers and improve the properties. Sandra Walters Consultants Inc, out of Key West, 305-294-1238. Nathan Benson, Managing Member c/o Eugene Spano from New Urban Works, out of South Florida, 786-552-7233. Sandler is also involved in a similar project in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at Wedgewood Mobile Home Park. I lived there while a department head at a Navy SEAL staff command from 1991 through 1993. 4.4.05: The City of Marathon Wastewater and Rights of Way Workshop was held at the airport, Sheriff's hanger, second floor at 6:30 PM, April 4, 2005. The first half of the workshop was to discuss wastewater issues. The second half addressed city rights of way issues.
The wastewater half of the meeting was well attended by city staff and council members, FKAA representatives including Mary Rice, and the winning RFP bidder, Gilbert Southern. Also in attendance were members of the public, county commissioner George Neugent, and a Florida DEP representative. There was extensive discussion on reducing the overall price tag of the central wastewater project. Various means of possibly obtaining grants and loans to reducing the scope of work were entertained. Alternate wastewater treatment options were explored as well. City council member, Bob Miller, said that the 2010 deadline was approaching very quickly, and the longer the city delays the more expensive the project becomes.
Most everyone, except city staffers and council members, left when discussion of rights of way was started. City Manager Mike Puto and Projects Manager Susie Thomas presented details of rights of way encroachments. Life safety issues were the most important considerations, while the city's liability was also discussed. Currently, rights of way issues are resolved with new permitting and life safety violations. There was talk about informing the public of the city's rights of way and all their ability to exercise these rights whenever required. Specific examples were cited at Sombrero Resort and Dockside as well as the FDOT road project by Sombrero Beach.
Facts & Figures: The city council is supposed to decide whether to stick with the FKAA or go their own way at their next council meeting. 4.7.05: The Middle Keys Community Land Trust had their open house on April 7th at 6 PM.
The Seacrest Apartments are a fourteen-unit complex, serving very low and low income workforce. The apartments are located at 204 91st Street in Marathon.
The Land Trust Board of Directors invited members of the community, Marathon City Council, and Monroe County Commissioners to join with them in celebration. The acquisition of the property was due, in great part, to the efforts of the Monroe County Land Authority and the City of Marathon.
Everyone at the open house helped dedicate the property as workforce affordable housing in perpetuity. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was handled expertly by Debbie Love, the Land Trust President, Jeff Pinkus, former
Marathon mayor, and David Rice, county commissioner and chairperson of the Land Authority.
Land Trust Administrator, Rick Casey, arranged refreshments with the help of First State Bank, along with residents of the apartment complex. Tours of the property were conducted.
The Middle Keys Community Land Trust can be reached by telephone at (305) 743-5624. Their email address is adminstration@MKCLT.org. The Land Trust website is at http://www.MKCLT.org.
Facts & Figures: Rents currently range from $550 to $675. Rick announced that the Land Trust will very soon be assisting Islamorada in their workforce affordable housing efforts. 4.7.05: On April 7th at 6:30 PM, the Near Shore Waters Committee held their meeting at the Marathon Boot Key Harbor City Marina. Over 30 people attended, including committee members, a number of city officials, and liveaboards who use the marina service. Jim Wallsten and George Garrett were some of the members of the committee, while Harry Delashmutt, Ports Manager, Richard Tanner, Dock Master, Clara Perinne, Risk Manager, Jennifer Meany, Administrative Assistant, Beth Bergh, Ports Project Manager, and C. J. Geotis, Deputy City Manager.
The meeting went through a full agenda item list from the status of capital projects to water taxis.
The public asked a number of question on when the Smorgasboat, a for-hire water taxi service, would be allowed to on load and offload passengers. The ordinance is up for the first of two readings at City Council April 12th.
The second reading would be April 26th. The public encouraged the city staff present to expedite anything possible to get the water taxi operating at the marina as soon as possible. Many believe that it might be too late already for this highly desired and much needed service. Some wondered why the service couldn't be in use now, since the Smorgasboat owner is insured. The city's risk manager is concerned for liability issues.
Another item discussed in depth was quickly building more dinghy dockage, but that could take up to two months. While construction goes on, the public was assured adequate dockage would be available. There will be a bid package presented to Marathon City Council for dinghy dockage expansion with designated water taxi landing point. One contract will be needed for driving the piling, and another for installing the floating dock material. Much of the items required are prefabricated.
With Dockside no longer serving the liveaboard community, all elements of the city marina are overtaxed. The showers, general vehicle parking, washers/dryers, the septic system capacity, motorcycle/scooter parking, trash dumpsters, and recycling bins are all inadequate with the increased amount of customers. Another trash dumpster and three more recycling bins have been added. Efforts to expand the city marina's infrastructure to meet
increasing needs are being made as fast as possible.
Earth Day is April 14th, while the annual effort to clean the harbor will be held April 16th. This event gets volunteers from all over the city. Refreshments are served. Previous events have been very successful. See the
city marina staff for questions.
A number of hazards to navigation were identified. There is a shallow spot near marker 18 just north of Dog Island. Two buoys have been ordered to fix that problem. A permit is required as well. The city park lights blind
dinghies come into the city marina's dinghy dockage. The city marina staff have promised to correct theses items very soon.
The Near Shore Waters Committee is urging the City of Marathon to become part of the county's effort to save water frontage. Public access to water frontage is paramount along with preserving the existing marine services.
Water frontage is disappearing rapidly due conversions to other types of businesses. The committee would like a no net loss approach to the problem.
The meeting adjourned with several little groups discussing many of the agenda aspects.
Facts and figures: Jim Epperson and I talked with Harry Delashmutt about the capital project to replace the buildings and construct lighted boardwalks. The additional mooring balls being installed were discussed as well. I have answers to a number of different questions, concerning my upcoming May guest column on the Ports Department. 4.11.05: The Middle Keys Community Land Trust had their regular meeting April 11th at 6:30 PM in the City Hall conference room. The board of directors along with Rick Casey, the Land Trust Administrator, attended the meeting. Several guests also came to the meeting.
There are three open positions to be filled for the board of directors. Elections will be held soon. Board of directors are drawn from local government, residents, and from the local public at large.
A report was given on the Land Trust's finances. The popularity of the website at http://www.MKCLT.org was also discussed.
Possible acquisitions to provide either home ownership or rentals to the workforce were presented and discussed. There was also talk about assisting Islamorada and the City of Marathon with their workforce affordable housing efforts.
The success of the Seacrest open house was outlined and other events considered.
The Overseas Village Home Owners Association was discussed. Future impacts of city sewers were also considered.
Debbie Love, the Land Trust President, adjourned the meeting at about 8:30 PM. 4.13.05: Marathon's Code Compliance Board convened April 13th at 6:30 PM on the second floor of the Sheriff's Aviation Hangar. The first case presented by Code Compliance Inspector Michael Storm was continued to next month. The violations from the second case were corrected according to Mr. Storm. The third case of the night proved to be the most interesting.
In a case dating back to 2002, Jose Ferro and Martha Lopez, owners of commercial fishing property on Coco Plum Drive, were fined $15,000, which was reduced from the $32,600 accrued.
The owners of the commercial fishing property were originally cited by Code Compliance in 2002. The violations were on structures on the property without permits, setback issues, residential ROGO problems, and illegal transient residential units. The Code Board found them not in compliance. Then fines continued to accrue.
Frank Greenman legally represented the owners. He provided documented evidence that the owners were working to correct all violations. He also stated that the owners worked with Mike Puto, Director of Community Affairs at the time, to attempt to fix the problems. Mr. Greenman agreed that the owners should have showed up when noticed. Frank Greenman further stated that a reduction in the fine was appropriate due to several circumstances.
Many of the problems stemmed from the ongoing commercial moratorium, which didn't allow for any after-the-fact permits to be issued. Additionally, 27 complaints filed by neighbors Robert and Donna Bott exaggerated the gravity of the violations. Robert Bott worked as a building inspector at the time. Allegedly, the Botts and the owners were involved in several situations that were addressed by the Sheriff's Department, the courts, and Marathon's Code Compliance Department.
Essentially, Code Compliance and other agencies became a vehicle for a neighbor-to-neighbor dispute.
Actual staff time amounted to $2,600 and attorney time was $9,000. John Herin provided most the attorney time for the city. When current staff time was added, the total amounted to $11,981.42. A motion was made to fix the fine at that amount. The motion was seconded and a vote taken. Out of six board members voting, the vote was tied. Discussion ensued and then another motion was made to fix the fine at $15,000. That motion passed unanimously.
After the Code Compliance Board adjourned, Mrs. Bott complained to this freelance reporter that she was slandered by Mr. Greenman. Wendy Dyer, City Biologist, stated to members of the board that the violators did work hard to resolved the complaints. Jose Ferro and Martha Lopez can appeal to Marathon City Council if they desire. 4.14.05: Marathon's Parks and Recreation Committee met at the public library meeting room on April 14th at 6:30 PM.
City Project Manager, Susie Thomas, gave a status report of Community Park Phase 2. Good progress is being made. Half the project is underground work and that is going well. Trenches have been dug and drainage will be excellent. Concrete should be poured for the new skate park in June. The amphitheatre construction should start in July.
The committee then took public input on Community Park Phase 3, which is the proposed swimming pool to be located on property in front of the Guidance Clinic. Combined with previous public input, there seemed a consensus to proceed with plans. Some at the committee meeting were concerned with future operating costs of the pool increasing their property taxes. Others addressed this concern, stating that Marathon's tax base is and will continue to expand due to more and more developments being completed in the near future.
Lessons learned from other public swimming pools in the county were discussed. This led to a long discussion on what type of pool would fit on the property. There was talk about what elements would be included. Many were in favor of the pool partially paying for itself, if at all possible.
Two pool designs would fit the property profile, a 50 meter swimming facility or a 25 yard pool. Discussion ensued on what type of pool would fit the needs of the community and still produce some revenue. The 50 meter pool would be more flexible in hosting paying swim events.
Near the end of the meeting, a motion was made to recommend the 50 meter swimming pool concept to include a shallow area and slides. A diving area was left out, as that was too expensive. The recommendation to City Council would include all the required ancillary elements like bathroom, changing rooms, a fence, etc. The committee will also recommend that a design firm be hire to draw up plans. This will help in determining the exact construction costs along with projected operating costs. The motion passed.
Many citizens indicated that they appreciated that further public input was taken and considered. Some were relieved that this process will be carefully and slowly considered at every decision point. Marathon's public swimming pool is not a done deal, but a very small step was taken by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Facts & Figures: City Council members Mearns and Bull attended the meeting and both joined in some of the discussions. 4.18.05: The Marathon Planning Commission met April 18th at the Sheriff's Aviation Hangar, second floor. The Planning Commission is advisory only and passes recommendations to the City Council. The room quickly filled with applicants and concerned citizens. City staff had to keep putting out more chairs. Six former Gulfstream residents were in attendance.
The first item considered was the evaluation and rankings for NROGO applications for the current period. This passed 5 to 0. The second item was a minor conditional use for an office building at 3980 Overseas Highway, which passed 5 to 0. The third item was an ordinance changing the zoning of the property from Suburban Residential to Urban Residential Mobile Home. Bill Shaw and other nearby residents were against the rezoning. This item was continued to the next meeting.
The fourth item considered was changing the zoning of the Gulfstream property from Urban Residential Mobile Home to Urban Residential to accommodate Sandler at Great Marathon Bay's proposed development of the Gulfstream property along with the National Fishery property. Eugene Spano and Sandra Walters represented the owners. Commissioner Mike Cinque recused himself due to adjoining property that he owns. The rezoning request was approved 4 to 0.
Two development agreements were up for consideration. The first for SH3 Ltd and 2146 LLC was continued to the next meeting. The last agreement was for Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay and proved most contentious.
With City Manager Mike Puto and Councilwoman Mearns sitting in the back, Sandler representatives moved up front. Planning Director Gail Kenson presented the staff report. The development agreement was described.
Conditional approval was recommended if the following were completed: That 20% of the project be workforce affordable housing. That construction of these units be done in phase one. That certificate of occupation be before market rate units. That an entity like the Middle Keys Community Land Trust be engaged to do income verification. That workforce housing be deed restricted to remain affordable for 50 years.
The Planning Director further stated that the city proposes a regional community sewage plant between 35th and 42nd street built by the applicant. Those that hooked into the system would pay upon connection. That wastewater and storm water systems be in compliance with 2010 standards and be properly permitted.
Sandra Walters stood for the applicant. She wanted the money supposedly spent to find homes for those evicted to be counted as their contribution toward affordable housing. She maintained that most former residents owned second homes, but former residents insisted that over 30 were full time residents.
The Sandler representative also asserted that they had the storm water permit required.
The Planning Director pointed out that the DCA insists that there will be no direct discharges into surrounding waters. Inspection shows that direct discharges exist on site, but she will have engineering look into that matter again.
Cliff Williams, a former Gulfstream resident, stood to refute several claims by Sandler. He went on to call into question the actions of Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay and their representatives. He said the Sandler did not act in good faith in trying to help former residents find suitable homes. Mr. Williams said that Sandler essentially won the lawsuit against the company by blackmailing the home owners association.
Bill Smith, the Planning Commission chairman, limited Mr. Williams time and asked several times that he stick to the issues at hand.
Marcia Barth, the adjacent western property owner, stood to ask some questions. She asked where the wastewater treatment plant was to be situated. The answer was that the plant would be built on Keys Fishery property. She also asked if the change in zoning would affect her property. The answer was that it would not.
Alex Simonton from the 39th Street area was concerned about all those building built to 37 feet and blocking the view of the bay. He also asked to see what the units would look like. He was shown drawings. The units have a Mediterranean flavor to them.
The Planning Commission members discussed the item at length. The Sandler development agreement was recommended to the City Council by a 3 to 1 vote. Mike Cinque recused himself and Bill Smith voted no. The City Council will now consider Sandler's requests at its May 10th meeting, based on staff and Planning Commission recommendations. 4.22.05: The City of Marathon hosted a professional engineering services Request for Qualification [RFQ] meeting at the Sheriff’s Aviation hanger, at 11:00 AM on the second floor. This was the mandatory pre-bid meeting. The delivery of statement of qualifications must be turned into the City Clerk Cindy Ecklund by May 11th on or before 4:00 PM.
13 firms attended the required meeting. Jeff Pinkus explained that the RFQ was for professional engineering consulting on a very broad range of wastewater concerns.
The main criteria for selecting 3 out of the 13 firms and rank those three are: Firms must have a local office in Marathon; a point emphasized by City Manager Mike Puto.
They must have had successful local wastewater projects. Top firms must come up with ways to minimize costs per household. They must maintain a team approach to design and construction management.
Shovels should be in the ground by March 2006; a point emphasized by Councilman Jeff Pinkus.
Firms will need to prepare wastewater plans, design, funding, planning, bid processing, systems operation and management. They must have experience and familiarity in a wide range of wastewater technical aspects. They must be able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of central versus regional wastewater systems. Firms need cost and estimating accuracy skills.
They will have to help with the permitting process. Jeff Pinkus believes that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will fast track permits.
Mayor John Bartus wants outside-the-box thinking, which possibly includes alternatives to central sewer systems. Also, he would like to break down the project into bite-sized chunks.
The main tentative scheduling highlights are: On May 17th a special call City Council will rank the top 3 professional engineering firms. This meeting will be at 6:30 PM at the Sheriff’s Aviation Hangar, second floor.
On May 25th at the regular City Council meeting the top 3 professional engineering firms will introduce themselves to the public. This meeting is at the Marathon Government Center at 6:30 PM.
On July 12th the top 3 professional engineering firms will make presentations to City Council, most likely starting at 8:00 AM at the Sheriff’s Aviation Hangar, second floor.
On July 25th a special call City Council will make a professional engineering firm selection. Time and place are yet to be determined.
Go to the City’s website at http://www.marathonflorida.org/ for a detailed schedule. You can also call city hall at 305-743-0033. 4.26.05: During two different meetings on April 26th, the City of Marathon worked on the very complex issue of employee retirement systems.
The first meeting was held at the Marathon Fire Station 14 at 1:30 PM. Deputy Fire Chief Dale Beaver called the meeting of the Fire Rescue Pension Board to order. He is currently the acting board chairman. City Finance
Director Peter Rosasco and Human Resources Officer Cindy Ecklund were in attendance.
In a teleconference call, the Florida League of Cities Retirement Services Manager Paul Shamoun answered questions.
Board members and fire rescue employees were trying to figure out what retirement system would be the most beneficial for the least cost to the city and themselves. There are three plans: Chapter 175, local law, and Florida Retirement System. Each plan has their various options as well.
The board discussed how fire rescue volunteers could be integrated into any retirement plan.
The board decided that the best approach would be to decide exactly what the participants want for benefits and then figure the costs. That would make the process easier in deciding which plan with which options.
The second meeting was a work session held at the Marathon Government Center at 4:00 PM.
All the members of city council were in attendance along with most of the staff. Some fire rescue employees attended the meeting as well.
Ernst and Young's Susan Skahill made a slide presentation of the Florida Retirement System particulars.
This meeting also had a teleconference with various Tallahassee officials of the Florida Retirement System. A prolonged question and answer period ensued.
City Council members, staff, and fire rescue employees have a lot to consider before a decision is expected on the appropriate retirement plan or plans. The ability to hire quality employees and retain them is at stake. 4.28.05: The Middle Keys Social Membership Group of the Florida Council of the Arts met April 28th for their monthly meeting. They met for shared poetry readings at Leigh Ann’s Coffee House in Marathon.
This group meets the fourth Thursday of each month for various events. Their purpose is to share all kinds of art, connect with other artists, and interface with the public. For more information contact Alison at 743-7869.
Alison made some announcements. Then she invited members and others in the audience to read their favorite poetry or original compositions.
Every chair in the coffee house was occupied. As different people stood to read poetry, Marathon High School’s Candice Castle encouraged her 10th grade students in attendance to participate.
Candice read some selections of poetry. Then her students read some original poetry. One of Marathon’s librarians stood to read some poems as well.
Leigh Ann, meanwhile, plied the audience with coffee house drinks and tasty delicacies.
The next get together will be May 26th at the Marathon Community Theatre at 5:00 PM. The theme of this event will be member performed improvisations. Group members of this end-of-season meeting will bring covered dishes. Everyone is invited, of course.
What's Happening! After a brief respite, only a few structures survive Sandler at Great Marathon Bay's renewed clearing of the former Gulfstream Trailer Park and Marina property. All day on April 20th, and continuing to the present, heavy construction equipment lumbered around tearing up cement foundations. Former residents had their homes on those foundations.
While the photographer was taking photos of the destruction, several vehicles passed quickly to his right on Louisa Street. These vehicles pulled into the entranceway to the back of the National Fishery's property. The photographer took a photograph of this area, while a man identified as Jay Pulis stepped out of one of the vehicles. Jay Pulis is the property manager who according to many former residents harassed them at every opportunity. Pulis is caught in one photo making a rude gesture [flipping the bird] to the photographer.
Sandler at Great Marathon Bay presents their proposed development agreement to Marathon City Council at the May 10th meeting. Eugene Spano, Sandler at Greater Marathon Bay's owner representative, was pulled over at the corner of 39th and US1 at about 7 PM April 22nd. One Sheriff's unit and one State Highway Patrol unit had him pulled over for something. He was standing there waiting on the deputies for something. I crossed the time and date in the Sheriff's call list. What happened was a vehicle crash. I did see another car to the side. I didn't see much damage. So Eugene must have been involved in a fender bender. It was referred to the Highway Patrol from the Sheriff's Office. Poor Eugene Spano.
Miscellany: Paradise Recycling is owned by homegrown Marathon character Owen Poole. This lifetime citizen has been in recycling for over 25 years, five of which on his own.
He says that he loves Marathon. He is always quick to bend an ear and inquire as to how you are doing.
Delivery of aluminum cans or other recycling material is taken in Marathon on Tuesdays from 9 AM to 6 PM across from the corner of 107th Street and 3rd ve, which is really Avenue. The A has just fallen off. Aluminum cans need to be contained in a strong trash bag.
The environment will love you, and you get some spending change. For really large loads, you might consider going to centers in south Florida. The rates are better.
His hanging scale is not really a gallows, Poole says. Some amused patrons have said that lately.
Paradise Recycling can be reached at 294-8200 in Key West or directly at 304-9482. Finally: Did you know that Washington's state bird is the Willow Goldfinch? The flower is the Coast Rhododendron. The tree is the Western Hemlock. The capital is Olympia. Statehood was granted November 11, 1889. Lastly, the Gallery on Green is one of the largest, most elegant exhibitions featuring Sanchez, Carey, dePoo, and MacNelly. The art is mostly Cuban works. This Key West gallery is located at 606 Greene Street. They are open daily 10-6. Their telephone number is 305-294-1669. Call for more details. Their web address is as follows: http://www.galleryongreene.com.
Kitty Talk
These journals are dedicated to Kitty GreyCat's spirit. She is at RainBow Bridge now 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. >^..^<  Ebony: I noticed all the human beans running around adjusting them clocks for something called spring forward. As a cat, I do that a lot. I not nose what all the fuss about really. I was more concerned because our bean gone long time, and we missed him lots. >^..^<
Abby: I not like bean being gone so long. I need my brushing. Ebony needs her brushing too. We are fussy, we are! After a good brushing, I like to play with my multicolored balls. I put my back claws on them balls and shred it. Or I try too, but it is lots of cat fun, I meow. >^..^<
Ebony: I also have lots of fun, when I get doubled chained outside. That doubles the trouble I can get into. I go under the trailer, under the truck, and high up a tree. Now that is cat fun, Abby. >^..^<
Abby: I nose what is funner. Playing inside Rhonda bean's jeep. I also get really dirty when I am under that jeep too. Grease, grime, dust, dirt all show up really well on my white fur. I always get cleaned up afterwards provided we have power and lights to do that. >^..^<
Ebony: I also need power and lights to do my cat stuff. When the power went off, we were scared and got really close to Larry bean. He protect us, pet us, and generally is a good bean egg. I like to make him laugh by chasing lizard up the wall on the house next door. Then I come inside and sleep with the child bean. >^..^<
Abby: Meow, I just watch the world and other pesky, nosey cats from my perch in the big living room window. When something really bother me, I meow and meow until bean lets me out so I can growl and hiss at the intruders. >^..^<
Ebony: Abby, I like when we are in the flower bed together watching the world go by. It is even nice when we sleep together on bean child's bed. It is nice, I meow. What isn't nice is spilling a skitter pot full of hot wax what got on my paw. Bean rushed me inside and put out the hot stuff on my poor paw. Rhonda bean scraped the stuff off later, while I was sleeping on their bed. >^..^<
Abby: Ebony, I get dust and dirt on me not hot wax. You is so silly. I discovered a new dust pit on the other side of the gate. I squeeze under the gate by the pole and then slither all around the dust and dirt in that pit there. You came over and joined me after a while. Then somehow you escaped your lead. The child bean had to walk all the way around and chase you till you was caught and put back onto the lead. Use a bad cat for sure. >^..^<
Ebony: At least I not get crazy over some old, red Union 76 ball. You clawed it, pawed it, and played with it for a very long time. Use something else, you are, I meow. >^..^<
Abby: You and I got crazy in the new net that surrounds the umbrella over the meeting table. We were not on a lead, but couldn't get out. I was very curious, but eventually I took a catnap. Catnaps solve all problems. >^..^<
Ebony: I napped too, but then inside I jumped at the new birds. There are four of them now. Yum, birds, but I didn't get any. Human beans holler at me too. >^..^<
Abby: You was bad, but I was badder. I jumped straight up from the floor and knocked the birdcage down. A bird escaped, but the human beans rescued it before us cats could do something really bad. Meow, that is it till next month. I got one flea that I got to get right now. Meow. >^..^<
Internet Stuff
Here are the latest DVD films from http://www.NetFlix.com: Ray was a masterpiece film about a master. Jamie Foxx did a masterful job portraying a real person in a real life full of music, family, and a struggle for meaning and purpose. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie probably appeals to children, but drags on an adult level. Spanglish is that timeless film about real life, love, family, and children. People interact in crazy ways that actually make sense with a bit of sadness and sometimes a laugh. Finding Neverland was a well-made movie about the author of the famous play, Peter Pan. I watched Shaun of the Dead. It is a wise-ass, humorous look at the living dead and those really alive who try to survive the deadly onslaught. I really liked the very different way the movie looked and moved. The Incredibles is another successful Pixar film from Disney. The action is fast-paced with a dash of humor. The movie was a lot of fun and quite entertaining. Stage Beauty is about old England and when women finally get to act, but that devastates a man famous for playing women. In the end, the first woman actress and the last man playing a woman take their traditional roles to incredible results. They’ve become the play. Slightly offbeat film I Heart Huckabees explores a tangled web of emotions amounting to a mystery that must be solved. Two kooky detectives do that and more. Red Green: Stuffed and Mounted 4 is some more of that unique Canadian humor series, duct tape included, of course. Interesting websites we visited recently: Need Scripts :: One stop Web Development Resource providing reviews, articles, and information at http://www.needscripts.com. Lots of people are clogging sites like http://www.bankruptcyhome.com/, since the new bankruptcy law was signed by the President.
Poetry Corner
"Rye Whiskey"
April 27, 2005
Dusky moon stirring
Warm rye whiskey
In a rose glass
Sitting out, watching
The air stir as
Insects slowly
Sing their songs
And in a moment
Their life gone
Moods in play
One more sip
Observing night
Flowering before
Dreaming eyes
Warm rye whiskey
In a rose glass
There in that
Languid liquid
A universe
Life and death
Watched and
Observed forever
In a moment
As moon rises
Upon hills
Fogged and
Alive with
Rye whiskey © 2005 L. E. Shaffer
Guest Articles
Stuff not written by us. As always everything is copyright of the author. The White Bike One bright Saturday morning in late spring my father took me into downtown Syracuse to the local Schwinn dealership. I had been riding my sister's old bike, a heavy, battered blue monster, for almost a year. Daddy had decided it was time I had my own bike. As soon as I walked from the thick heat of the parking lot into the air-conditioned shop I saw it: a gleaming white steed with twenty-eight inch wheels, blue pin-striping, and red-white-and-blue streamers. The chrome shone like polished glass. Father picked me up and set me on the padded black and white seat. My tiny feet barely reached the pedals. "Oh, Daddy," I cried, "it's beautiful! I love it!" Laughing, he reached for his wallet. I was enormously proud of that bike. I rode it everywhere: to school, to friends' houses, to town. On Memorial Day, I decorated it with crepe paper and rode it in the parade. Undaunted by the three-season-long simmering heat and sudden showers that were the hallmark of Raleigh weather, I explored the wilds of suburbia on it: the delightful chaos of half-built houses, the slightly spooky abandoned farm houses and barns, the fields and tracts of woods nestled between the shopping centers and the housing developments. The bike suffered more than a few scrapes and scratches from wipe-outs on stony paths and rough asphalt roads, as did I, but it received no real damage until one early summer day when I was eleven. My older sister needed to go over to the high school and talked me into riding her there on my bike. Our combined weight made pedaling a bit difficult, but we were doing fine until we were halfway down a steep hill. To my extreme dismay, I realized that the coaster brakes had gone out. "Pammy," I screamed, "the brakes are gone!" "Turn in here," she yelled, pointing. ‘Here' was an abandoned railroad bed that ran through the edge of our housing development, broken in places by the recently laid neighborhood roads. The ties and rails had been pulled up long ago, leaving a bed of cinders and stones running between steep banks. I leaned the bike to the left, hoping the cinders would stop us. Instead, we sluiced through them and slammed into the far bank. We pitched sideways into the cinder bed, liberally scraping our bare arms and legs. Picking ourselves up, we pulled the bike out of the weeds and dirt of the bank. The front wheel was parallel to the handlebars and swiftly going flat. Tears streaming down our faces we limped home, wheeling the bike between us. We bandaged each other's scrapes and faced Daddy together, the ruined bike between us. After Daddy straightened out the wheel and replaced the tire, the bike was as good as new--almost. It always wobbled a bit after that, and had a tendency to list to one side. I quickly learned to compensate for its shortcomings, becoming so used to the way it rode I no longer thought about it. I continued to ride the bike for many years. After I left home, Daddy began to ride it for exercise. He, too, soon forgot all about the white bike's quirks. Eventually Daddy bought himself a brand-new ten-speed, and the white bike was relegated to a corner of the garage. Shortly after the purchase of the ten-speed, my sister and her family, who lived out of town, came to visit Mom and Dad. My husband and I went up to the house to visit with them. My husband challenged my ten-year-old nephew to a bike race. Off they went, the kid on the new ten-speed, my husband on the old white bike. No one had thought to tell David about the white bike's idiosyncrasies. My husband had pulled ahead and was taking a sharp curve when the bike slid out from under him. He landed with a crash. The kid shrieked with laughter. "Ha, ha," he smirked. "Uncle David fell off the bike!" After being told about the bike's original accident, my poor husband vowed never to ride it again. The white bike is over thirty years old now. Pammy took it for a while, then sold it to a neighborhood kid when she moved. It's possible that the bike has been in a landfill for several years now, but I doubt it. It's probably sitting in the corner of someone's garage, waiting for some child to claim it as a friend...or for its next hapless adult victim. © 2005 Kimm Young Group Novel
As an experiment for fun, we are writing a group novel at the world famous and so very special Area 52B forum. © 2005 L. E. Shaffer, Kim Young, Linda Hall
Hockey Puck
The NHL still has no contract and still sucks. The Miami Heat are up three games to none over the New Jersey Nets, even with Shaq not 100%. Alonzo Mourning had a very good second game in the series. Tiger Woods won his ninth Masters. The Florida Marlins are in first place and playing well. The Miami Dolphins drafted a running back. Jeff Gordon won Martinsville. Dale Jr. and Waltrip from DEI are doing better after a shaky start. Lance Armstrong is going to do one more Tour de France and then retire. That's it for sports this month, at least for me.
Twins of the Dark Star
Book One Tears from Ao and three poetry collections, Pages of Life, Visions of Life, and Moments of Life are available electronically at http://RunesofAo.com/aobp/. The Runes of Ao project, Book Two The Mountains of Ao novel currently in final edit, Book Three Twins of the Dark Star novel in early stages, and The Book of Kalian Mysticism poetry collection are works in progress. Also a collaboration with K. Young on a novella called Dragon Embers is now published on the fan site known as Runes of Ao.com.
The Dull Stuff
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine, company, or its advertisers. Inputs, email, suggestions, and letters to this journal are subject to approval by Ebony and Abby. Submittals may be edited for content and length and become the creative property for the one-time nonexclusive publication of: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company
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www.RunesofAo.com/abby/ Publication date: April 28, 2005
Author: L. E. Shaffer
Company: Shaffer Novels/Poetry Company &
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