AUGUST 22 -28, 2019 Sister Season Celebrates Their 14th Anniversary at The Blue Room Florida Keys 3-7 • Upper Keys 8-13 • What's Happening 14 • Real Estate 26 Photo: Guy DeBoer • Cover: JT Thompson LETTER TO THE EDITOR Unamerican and Undemocratic BY ROGER C. KOSTMAYER - and this isn’t the first unAmerican, undemocrat- time for either ruler. A ic and dumb. srael barred two US healthy non-political and The good news is the im- Ibrown skin Democrat- non-partisan relationship mediate and bipartisan out- ic Congresswomen from between these two close rage and criticism in both entering their country allies is essential for both, nations -from Americans, because an American and this episode is a vio- Israelis and the American President said it would lation. Jewish community. Inse- be “weak” to allow his The corrupt political cure autocrats and dictators political rivals in. Using leader of each of these two are afraid of free speech, Coke Florida continues to support Wesley House Family Services partisan domestic poli- democracies violated prec- open debate and criticism; donating back to school supplies and backpacks. Pictured Wes- tics, in both countries, edent, tradition, diploma- democracies welcome them ley House staff and caseworkers of the Key West office with Yordi Bastista (far left),Territory General Manager for Coke .Wesley House to sully democratic and cy and the welfare of their as opportunities to im- Family Services mission is to promote and enhance the safety , diplomatic principles, is countries, for political prove, educate, persuade well-being and development of children by educating, supporting a dangerous precedent gain. Their actions were and develop concensus. n and meeting the needs of families throughout the Florida Keys. GET IT Stunning design. TODAY Worry-free installation. 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And we hope the cleaning, landscaping or other types of businesses will help out for projects improvement. along Duval Street.” About 25 members of the commit- Some of the areas that committee tee took a trolley ride around the city members asked to be considered are Aug. 15 to look at several of the loca- no surprise, including Mallory Square tions they had identified as needing the and the Triangle entrance into Key most help. Committee members will West, both looking unkept and unwel- now pick their top three projects to Several of the Key West City staffers and business owners who went on prioritize a list of locations that will be the “10 Hot Spot” trolley tour Aug. 15. Photo courtesy Kim Romano X Continued on page 4 HAND-ROLLED CUBAN LEAF CIGARS POINT BREAK CIGAR FACTORY 3 LOCATIONS: • COHIBA • ROMEO Y JULIETA • MONTECRISTO 600 Duval • 921 Duval • 403 Greene • ROCKY PATEL • ARTURO FUENTE 305.295.6110 ~ All Brand Name Cigars ~ PointBreakCigars.com Hookas, Hookah Tobaccos, & Tobacco Accessories 3 www.konklife.com • AUGUST 22-28, 2019 a u g u s t 22 - 28, 2 0 1 9 KEYS NEWS Published Weekly Vol. 9 No. 86 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Guy deBoer NEWS WRITERS Pru Sowers Terry Schmida PHOTOGRAPHERS Ralph DePalma, Bill Klipp, Guy deBoer DESIGN Nand K. Pandey, [email protected] PIXEL WRANGLER JT Thompson CONTRIBUTORS Jeff Johnson & Paula Forman Short Answers Womankind Medical Director Dr. Kris Kennedy recently spent five days in Ocho Rios, Jamaica Ian Brockway with United for Hope Foundation, offering free school physicals and generalmedical and gyne- Tropic Sprockets cological care to residents without or unable to afford healthcare. “Conditions are difficult but Tammy Fox-Royer very rewarding,” she says. “Today, there was no running water or electricity. I never appreciate Florida Keys SPCA being an American more than when I do a mission trip.” Womankind also promotes affordable Sylvia Bogart healthcare for all at its non-profit medical center in Key West. Astrologically Yours Joanna Brady Public-private... Hall staffers, including Assistant ties are sprucing up the Triangle, Reviewer X Continued from page 3 City Manager Greg Veliz. John- including installing a “welcome SUMMER INTERN ston said the goal is to create a message” for people driving onto Emily Bracher coming. But there is a plethora of “better, cleaner community.” the island; adding more landscap- other suggestions, as well, such “I have a list of about 30 proj- ing to Mallory Square; and plant- ADVERTISING as landscaping the median along ects. But it shouldn’t be me that ing salt-tolerant foliage on both Jose DeLaRosa – 585.203.5156 Flagler Avenue, power-wash- decides. It should be the com- sides of the street surrounding the Ashley Williamson – 410.999.4917 munity,” she said, adding, “Peo- Southernmost Point buoy. 305.296.1630 ing sidewalks on Duval Street, picking up garbage around the ple really do want to contribute. “Let’s look at the issue of Advertising Deadline Every Friday pedestrian bridge across the 9th They want to help.” maintenance. You can do these PRINT-READY advertising materials due by Street canal, excessive signage The next step will be for the beautiful gardens and beautiful Friday every week for next issue of KONK Life. Beautification Committee to pri- spaces but you have to maintain Ad Dimensions around town, and reducing the Horizontal and Vertical: 491 newspaper stands currently oritize the multiple “hot spot” them,” Fernandez said. “It’s for us Full, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/8 page, bizcard on Duval. suggestions, including planning to do the job. We can’t continue Ad Submissions “The police told us people are and possible sources for funding. to throw this back in [the city’s] JPG, TIFF, PDF — digital formats only The city will contribute what it lap. They have limitations.” Send to [email protected] using them as coolers. They put ice and beer in them at night. Isn’t can in terms of money and staff Romano agreed. CIRCULATION that ridiculous,” Romano said. but Johnston is also hoping for “The complaint we hear is, ‘we Kavon Desilus ASSISTANT The Beautification Commit- grants and contributions from pay taxes. Why isn’t the city doing Ben Neff ASSISTANT tee came out of an idea present- local business owners. George this?’ But there’s just never enough KONK Life is published weekly by KONK ed to Johnston by former Fan- Fernandez, a committee mem- staff to do everything that has to Communications Network in Key West, Fla. tasy Fest King Stephen Sunday, ber and chief operating officer of be done. They can’t be everywhere Editorial materials may not be reproduced who led a similar public-private the Key West Butterfly & Nature all the time. It has to be a pub- without written permission from the network. partnership in Palm Beach, Fla. Conservatory, said he is willing lic-private partnership,” she said. KONK Communications Network Sunday is the chairman of the to pitch in and that he and other “It’s our chance to shine,” (305) 296-1630 • Key West, Florida new committee and was on the business owners need to take re- Fernandez said. “Let’s not drop www.konklife.com trolley tour. So were several City sponsibility. His top three priori- the ball.” n 4 www.konklife.com • AUGUST 22-28, 2019 FLORIDA KEYS Womankind Big Top Bash fundraiser seeks artist amBRAsaddors to make decorated bras for annual BraZaar auction Key West, Aug 12 down the three-ringed catwalk Thurs- day, October 17 from 7pm-10pm at re you a glue-gun guru or an art- Key West Theater featuring a pre-auc- Aist with a knack for fashion? Step tion welcome with sweet treats and right up and be part of the greatest X Continued on page 8 show on earth by submitting your titil- lating, one-of-a-kind decorated bra to help support Womankind with their Womankind BraZaar models from upcoming “Big Top Bash” BraZaar, an the 2018 fundraiser pause for a annual fundraiser that benefits Keys pose, displaying their artist-made women and the people who love them bras ready for live auction pur- chase. Interested artists can down- with affordable healthcare at the non- load an application from Wom- profit medical center. ankindKeyWest.com/brazaar and This year’s high-flying fundraiser submit their designs by Tuesday, with a Big Top motif set to parade October 1. Photo by Larry Blackburn. 70% - ? off Entire Store Island Home Store Relocation Sale 5 www.konklife.com • AUGUST 22-28, 2019 FLORIDA KEYS Key West Art & Historical Society Summer Film Series Presents Chico & Rita at Tropic Cinema n Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30pm, a wildly infectious score into a sim- OKey West Art & Historical So- ple yet affecting love story,” “Chico ciety will offer the 2012 Oscar-nom- & Rita” is part of the Society’s “Art & inated animated film “Chico & Rita” Artists” summer film series.