May 5, 2016 KONK Life

Transcription

KEY NEWS
Senior citizen housing project
‘yes’ takes a big step forward
BY PRU SOWERS
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
e speed with which the Key West
Planning Board approved a proposed
new senior citizen facility at Poinciana
Plaza recently underscores the need for
affordable assisted living care in the area.
e unanimous 4-0 vote on April 21
came with hardly any discussion on the
details of the complicated project, which
if it receives final approval from the city
commission will include 108 studio,
one- and two-bedroom apartments
aimed specifically at low and moderate
income individuals.
Ed Swift, board member on the
Florida Keys Assisted Care Coalition, a
volunteer nonprofit group working to
would be built. “We’ve been battling this
assisted living for, like Ed Swift said, 15
years. It’s finally coming to a close here.”
“I’m starting to believe it, but I’m not
quite there yet,” Castillo said, laughing.
e new building will be built at
Poinciana Plaza, Duck Avenue and 17th
Street. e three-story structure will
replace an existing four-unit apartment
building on the property and provide
108 apartments for an estimated 116
people. e first two floors will have
60 apartments for more independent
seniors with the third floor offering
48 units with assisted living services,
which include more care and
supervision for residents.
e independent and assisted apartment size will range from 283 square feet
encourage Key West officials to create
an elder care community, called the
planning board vote one of the most
important things in the history of Key
West. e coalition has been working
towards this for 15 years, he said.
“is is an incredibly important
addition to our community,” Swift told
planning board members before their
vote. “I wish it was bigger, but it is more
than I really had any reason to believe
would ever happen.”
Planning Board member Fredy Varela,
Sr., was the only one on the board
to make a comment.
“You’ve got my total support,” he told
Manuel Castillo, executive director of
the Key West Housing Authority, which
owns the land where the new facility
to 660 square feet. Rents will range
from $430 to $2,340 per month but
additional fees and services could boost
those rent figures another $750 to
$4,900 per month. While all of the units
will be reserved for low- and moderateincome people, the potentially high cost
of monthly health and supervision
services caused Castillo to comment at a
city commission meeting last year when
the project was first introduced that
affordability and assisted living “don’t
exist” together but this project would
help some elderly residents to stay in
Key West.
ere will be an on-site dining room
for residents as well as a doctor’s office
plus 37 off-street parking spaces.
| Continued on page 4
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CITY NEWS
may 5-11,2016
Published Weekly
Vol. 6 No. 19
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Guy deBoer
NEWS WRITERS
Pru Sowers, C.S. Gilbert, Terry Schmida
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Larry E. Blackburn, Ralph De Palma, Sarah Sandnes
DESIGN
Dawn deBoer, Julie Scorby
PIXEL WRANGLER
JT Thompson
CONTRIBUTORS
Guy deBoer Key News
Louis Petrone Key West Lou
Christina Oxenberg Local Observation
Roxanne E. Fleszar Your Financial Future
Ian Brockway Tropic Sprockets
C.S. Gilbert Culture Vulture
Robin Mayer It’s Your Environment
Harry Schroeder High Notes
Morgan Kidwell Kids’ Korner
Diane Johnson In Review
Tim Weaver Bonehead Island
ADVERTISING
305.296.1630
Sarah Sandnes|305.731.3223
[email protected]
REAL ESTATE & CLASSIFIEDS
Roger Gillis | (305) 393-3281
[email protected]
RESTAURANT GUIDE &
KONK KOUPONS
Tim Foster | 305-699-8898
[email protected]
Advertising Deadline Every Friday
PRINT-READY advertising materials due by
Friday every week for next issue of KONK Life.
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CIRCULATION
Kavon Desilus ASSISTANT
Ben Neff ASSISTANT
KONK Life is published weekly by KONK Communications
Network in Key West, Fla. Editorial materials may not be
reproduced without written permission from the network.
KONK Communications Network
(305) 296-1630 • Key West, Florida
www.konklife.com
www.milemarkernews.com
Internet bike rental
company solves
legal problem
BY PRU SOWERS
A case against a new Internet-based bicycle
rental company was dismissed at the April 27 code
compliance hearing after owners stopped using
public property to store its bikes.
Sean Blaise, owner of Instabike Key West, had
been cited by city code compliance officers in February for using city streets and sidewalks for display or advertising of his new company, a
violation that could have resulted in a $250 per
day fine. Jim Young, Key West Code Compliance
Office director, said Instabike customers use a mobile phone application to find the closest
location where a bike is locked, waiting to be
rented. e user is then given a code to unlock the
bike, which has a basket advertising the company.
“However, all locations at that time were city
[owned] bike racks,” Young said about the company, which has since moved its bikes to a private
rack. “Everybody thought it was a great idea. It
was just the way they were doing it.”
Special Magistrate Donald Yates told Blaise to
stop or be fined. Blaise moved his 25 bikes to a
private bike rack at Sunset Pier. After city compliance officers checked to ensure any Instabike in a
city-owned rack was rented by a customer at that
time, the company was found to be in compliance
and the case dismissed.
e idea of automated bike rentals as well as
“bike sharing,” where customers can use cityowned bikes for short trips—often for free—leaving the bike locked at their destination where
another user can then pick up the bike, are getting
a push from Chris Hamilton, the Key West Bicycle/Pedestrian coordinator, who is working with
city planners to create a bicycle master plan.
Instabike Key West owners were interested in
applying for a bike rental/ sharing franchise in Key
West as a way to solve their location problem. But
any franchise bidding has to wait for the master
plan to be completed, which is at least a year away,
something Hamilton and City Manager Jim Scholl
told Instabike’s Blaise when they met
with him recently.
4
“We’re absolutely pro-bike and pro-innovation,” Hamilton said. “But automated bike rental
doesn’t fit neatly into any existing categories the
city has. What [Scholl] told them to do is wait.”
But that didn’t sit well with Instabike Key West,
which has posted a petition on its Facebook page.
“We need your support! Tell the city that you
don’t want to wait until 2017 or later for bike
share to come to our island!
“e city has too many cars. We want to make
it easier to get around so that people don’t have to
drive. Support our petition and let your voice be
heard,” the Instabike Facebook posting read. n
SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING
| Continued from page 3
e total cost of the project is estimated at $14
million and the developer said it will take about 22
months to complete once construction begins.
“e proposed facility will contain supportive
spaces including guest and resident vestibules and
lobbies, administrative offices, a commercial
kitchen with two dining rooms. A first floor nonresident respite care facility is also proposed with a
minimum of twenty-five non-residents per day.
Additional proposed services include a visiting
doctor’s office, arts and craft areas, activity and
lounge rooms, a therapy room as well as an exterior courtyard and community garden,” wrote
Patrick Wright, a planner in the city planning department in a memo describing his department’s
recommendation that the project be approved.
e facility will be managed by Key West Senior Development, a non-profit company owned by
American House Senior Living Communities,
which operates more than 50 senior housing complexes in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. n
KEY WEST LOU
COMMENTARY
Afghanistan and America’s
heroin addictiom
BY LOUIS PETRONE
KONK LIFE COLUMNIST
went into the pockets of the warlords
who owned the poppy fields. Some
into the pockets of U.S. persons in
fghanistan has poppy
charge of getting a handle on the
fields galore. Poppy seeds opium problem.
become opium. e opium treated
Corruption at every level.
becomes heroin.
In those rare occasions where some
Today, the United States is facing its one was convicted of opium violations
deadliest illicit drug epidemic in hisin Afghanistan, that person walked
tory. A heroin epidemic. Previous drug
into jail through the front door. A
epidemics shade in comparison.
bribe is paid. e wrongdoer walked
Afghanistan is responsible
out the back door the
for 85 percent of the world’s
same day.
opium production. A signifie Taliban ruled
cant portion of that producAfghanistan until the fall
tion has found its way to
of 2001. e Taliban
America’s streets.
made billions from the
I wrote a column in 2014
opium trade. For reasons
asking the question why
I cannot determine, the
Afghanistan poppy fields were
Taliban outlawed opium
basically untouched during
trade in mid- 2000.
the U.S. war years in
Within one year, opium
Afghanistan.
production was all but
LOU
e United States put
gone.
e Taliban had
PETRONE
boots on the ground in 2001.
effectively destroyed
COLUMNIST
e U.S. military was still
Afghan’s opium business
fighting in 2014 when the
in one year.
column was written. e U.S. military
e question arises if the Taliban
is still fighting today in 2016.
could basically destroy the opium trade
Not only were the poppy fields
in one year, why has the United States
untouched by war, even the 3,000
not been able to do so?
farmers who worked the fields.
e U.S. government bears signifiDuring the 15 years since 2001,
cant responsibility for the heroin
thousands of Americans have been
epidemic the nation is facing.
killed. More maimed. Legs and arms
Bush 2 initiated an opium eradicalost. Faces disfigured. Civilians suffered tion program. It contracted with
also. Children included. More thouDynCorp. to do the work. In 2009,
sands of civilians than U.S. soldiers
Obama’s administration failed to renew
dead and injured.
the contract with DynCorp. Since that
Communities destroyed. ousands time, the United States has had no
left homeless.
eradication program.
Yet, the poppy fields remain
Afghanistan has a small one for
undamaged.
face- saving purposes. e Afghan
e United States spent billions
eradication program in 2014 reduced
during the early war years to combat/
the opium problem by 1.1 percent. No
eradicate the opium problem. Nothing
big deal. As of this year, Afghanistan is
worked.
not continuing with the program or
Money played a big part in the failany other eradication program.
ure of the eradication program. Money
Heroin is cheap to buy on the
found its way into the pockets of
streets of America. e cost of a bag
Afghan governmental leaders. From
President Hamid Karzi down. Much
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5
CITY NEWS
HEALTH
• Lower Keys Medical Center
Hospital
accredition
awarded
Lower Keys Medical Center recently
earned e Joint Commission’s Gold
Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstratingcontinuous compliance with its performance standards.
e Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol
of quality that reflects an organization’s
commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.
Lower Keys Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site
survey. During the review, a team of
Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including
emergency management, environment
of care, infection prevention and control,
leadership, and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site
observations and interviews.
e Joint Commission has accredited
hospitals for 60 years. More than 4,000
general, children’s, longterm acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty hospitals currently maintain accreditation
from e Joint Commission, awarded
for a three-year period. In addition,
about 360 critical access hospitals maintain accreditation through a separate
program.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides hospitals with the processes needed
to improve in a variety of areas from the
enhancement of staff education to the
improvement of daily business operations,” said Mark G. Pelletier, RN, M.S.,
chief operating officer, Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations,
Joint Commission.
“In addition, our accreditation helps
hospitals enhance their risk management
and risk reduction strategies. We commend Lower Keys Medical Center for its
efforts to become a quality improvement
organization.”
Nicki Will, chief executive officer at
Lower Keys Medical Center, said,
“Lower Keys Medical Center is pleased
to receive accreditation from e Joint
Commission, the premier health care
quality improvement and accrediting
body in the nation.
“Staff from across the organization
continue to work together to develop
and implement approaches that have the
potential to improve care for the patients
in our island community,” she said.
e Joint Commission’s hospital standards are developed in consultation with
health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. e standards are informed by scientific literature
and expert consensus to help hospitals
measure, assess and improve
performance. n
Lower Keys Medical Center, an advanced
hospital in Key West, (305) 294-5531, offers full-service acute care including emergency, labor and delivery, physical therapy
and cardio.
INFO
lkmc.com
6
Mother and daughter singers
Camille Russo Toler and Erika
Monet Butters
Larry Blackburn photo
IN CONCERT
RED BARN
THEATRE
• ‘e Story Goes On’
Mother-daughter
musical for
Mother’s Day
n May 8-10
Mothers pass down influences
of their own lives that have defining
impact on daughters. One pathway
is music. ere was a message in the
tune your mother hummed as she
rocked you to sleep. Over time, the
music of the mother’s generation
melds with the music of the child’s
live, and a musical fabric is formed
that both find themselves wrapped
in. As time progresses, that fabric
becomes richer and more colorful,
a shared thing that both become
defined by.
So it has been with Camille Russo
Toler and her daughter Erika Monet
Butters. Mother and daughter, both
consummate singers, entertainers—
have found shared musical influences
to be a most powerful bond between
them, a rich river of song they have
shared since Erika’s birth.
Camille and Erika share that
river in “e Story Goes On,”
Sunday-Tuesday, May 8–10, at the
Red Barn eatre. n
INFO redbarntheatre.com
n More on page 10
M A R K T H E C A L E N D A R ! M A Y 14
• Key West Art & Historical Society
Honors pioneer
folk artist Papio
n May 14
5:30-7 p.m. reception, Fort East Martello Museum,
3501 S. Roosevelt Boulevard
Stanley Papio saw art where others saw junk. e
rebellious welder-turned-metal-artist transformed
the metal collection piled high in his yard into
extraordinary works of art, many of them comical
and caustic commentary on neighbors and
naysayers who wanted him to conform to their
imposed zoning laws.
irty-four years later, the Key West Art &
Historical Society put together the permanent
exhibit of the pioneering Florida Keys’ folk artist.
“Stanley Papio: Junkyard Rebel” opens Saturday,
May 14, with a reception 5:30-7 p.m. at Fort East
Martello Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Boulevard,
in conjunction with the inaugural Papio Kinetic
Sculpture Parade.
“Papio and his artwork embody the Florida
Keys,” says Society Curator Cori Convertito, Ph.D.
“When confronted repeatedly, he began using his
artwork to fight back; to oppose the environmental
defilers and neighbors that tried pushing him out
of Key Largo. It’s that spirit that earns him the title
of ‘Rebel.’
“He had passion for his artwork, for what he offered the community. e Society is harnessing that
passion in the exhibition, and I am chuffed to be
involved in bringing overdue attention and respect
to one of the Florida Keys’ pioneering folk artists.”
ough Papio gained some acknowledgement
of his work by a handful of museum professionals,
like many folk artists, he was not truly recognized
for his remarkable artistic abilities until after his
death. When Papio passed suddenly in 1982, the
Society acquired his collection—sculptural objects
and three-dimensional constructions which will live
permanently in the Fort museum’s newly renovated,
climate-controlled gallery.
“His family in Canada was keen on the collection staying together, ideally in the Florida Keys,”
says Convertito. “It was fitting e Society received
the donation of artwork from Papio’s family.”
For many years the collection was given little
attention due to management shifts from within the
organization, but when e Society came under the
curatorial direction of Convertito and the executive
direction of Michael Gieda, it was recognized for its
significance and plans were laid out to help put
Papio in his proper place.
“Having such a comprehensive body of Papio’s
work is central to the Society’s mission of preserving
the art of the Florida Keys,” says Convertito.
Sponsored in part by Monroe County Tourist
Development Council. For information, contact
Cori Convertito, (305) 295-6616, Ext. 112. n
INFO
kwahs.org
Five fun facts about the
Stanley Papio Kinectic
Sculpture Parade
n May 14
Kick-off presentation by historian Sharon Wells,
free, 4-5 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Custom House
Museum. Free opening celebration, 5:30-7 p.m.
Saturday, May 14
K
ey West Art & Historical Society
brings the island’s creativity to a new
level of celebration with its inaugural Papio Kinetic
Sculpture Parade with additional festivities Friday
and Sunday as well. Here’s the low-down if you’re
just now tuning in:
1. LET’S GET KINETIC!
It’s a family-friendly, art-inspired, human-powered,
mobile sculpture and art-bike parade! ink art
with parts that move. Watch the one-hour cavalcade, May 14, down Duval or be in the parade that
starts moving at noon at the Custom House Museum.(First register: papioskineticparade.com)
2. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
No need to be the next Stanley Papio or eo
Jansen to make your own Kinetic Sculpture Float or
Art Bike —some creative inclination mixed with kinetic savvy.
Bust out with own human-powered “Strandbeest” or pedal a cruiser in your best tutu with your
toddler twins in tow—it’s all good. Not sure how to
begin? Go online for inspiration:
papioskineticparade.com/what-is-a-kinetic-sculpture
3. WHO IS PAPIO, YOU ASK?
at would be the late Key Largo folk artist Stanley
Papio, rebellious welder-turned artist who explored
recycled materials long before it was hip to be rusty.
Papio transformed his collected metal—old cars,
washing machines and other metal appliances piled
high in his yard—into extraordinary pieces of art,
many of them offering comical and caustic commentary on neighbors and naysayers.
Left top, over-the-top stupendous human-powered kinetic sculpture like this 13-foot tall, twinseated poodle sculpture named Fifi, the annual
belle of Kinetic Baltimore, shown here during her
Frida Kahlo period. Ben Mason photo
Left bottom, human powered kinetic sculptures
can range from modest to magnificent. This “Kinetic Kensington” entry features flight crew
pumping a bicycle and paper mache airplane.
Cori Convertito, KWAHS curator, and Stanley
Papio sculptures on permanent exhibit, May 14
Photo contributed
7
YOUR
FINANCIAL FUTURE
At what cost do adult
children live at home?
BY ROXANNE E. FLESZAR
KONK LIFE COLUMNIIST
cent average annual return, another
$6,371 of earnings are lost. e longer
they remain at home, the more retirehere are many reasons the
ment savings are not realized. is
number of adult children
could mean retirement deferred.
live with their parents has risen over
If as empty nesters the parents
the past decade. ey may not have
wanted to downsize to utilize their
found a good-paying job after college.
home equity for retirement, they can’t
ey may have dropped out of school
because the family is still living in it.
and have significant college debt. Or
While slow economic growth, the
can find a job but cannot afford the
burden of college loans and increased
rent and other living costs. Of course,
cost of rental properties is a factor for
there are those who are not ambitious
millennials, parents should determine
and desire to return home to comfort.
how they can assist their children to
According to a Pew Research Cenmove forward. Most don’t want to risk
ter analysis of U.S. Census Bureau
creating perma-children nor becoming
data released in 2015, more adult chil- perma-parents!
dren are living at home than during
What to do? Set expectations. Set
the recession of 2007-10—24-26 perup the financial and work obligations
cent of 18 to 34 year old adults live
around the home. What are options?
under their parent’s roofs which begs
Charge rent, even if it’s modest, so
the question, how long should an
they share in household finances.
adult child live at home? And who
While you could specify a certain
pays their living expenses?
amount of rent, it may be effective for
It can easily cost thousands of dolthem to understand the costs of living
lars to feed an adult child annually. It
in the house. Make them aware of the
could be $10,000 or more to cover
monthly expenses and determine
other expenses such as phone/Internet, which ones are their responsibility. It
transportation, clothing and insurance will help rationalize the rent if they
and entertainment. at certainly
see it paying the mortgage, taxes or
could impact the lifestyle and financial groceries. Maybe the loan the parent
planning for their parents
took to pay for their
and siblings. What are the
college education!
implications for an adult
Or have them save
child moving home?
the equivalent of rent for
If a parent assumes the
a move to an apartment,
burden of expenses and
condo or home. Last but
can no longer defer those
far from least, have them
funds for retirement, it
set aside those savings
can have an effect on the
for their own retirement.
value of their savings and
Savings in a tax-deferred
timing of their retirement.
ROXANNE
or tax-free retirement
Not only are they not
FLESZAR
account can compound
deferring their savings,
to a significant sum over
COLUMNIST
they are not earning a
40-plus years! n
return on their money.
Say the adult child lives at home
Roxanne E. Fleszar, CFP, ChFC is presifor five years. Assuming $10,000 in
dent of Financial Resources Management
annual expenses, that’s $50,000 that
Corp, a registered investment advisory
has not been saved. Assuming a 6 per- firm in Key West, Boston and Naples.
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I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y n More! Page 18
MARK THE
CALENDAR! MAY 7
Audition!
n May 6
eatreXP will audition for its
Summer Stage season 4:30 p.m. Friday,
May 6, at the Red Barn eatre,
319 Duval St. in Key West, upstairs
rehearsal room.
Needed for “Bad Jews” are two men,
25-35 and one woman, 25-30. Needed
for “Water by the Spoonful” are one
woman, 50-60; one man 35-45; and
one African-American man, 40-ish.
Readings will be from the scripts.
Rehearsals begin May 9 for both plays,
times TBD. Production dates are June
29-July 31; performances Wednesdays
to Sundays.
For information, call Bob Bowersox
at eatreXP, (302) 540-6102. n
ART STROLL
• First Friday Upper Duval
Distinguished Volunteers at Taste of Key West
AIDS Help volunteers Brian Green, Mindy McKenzie and Dianna Sutton
get ready to help out at this year's Taste of Key West fundraiser held
at the Truman Waterfront. n
Pete Arnow photo
Photographer
Blackburn
to show
KWPD donates
to Operation
Graduation
Spring migration
e Florida Keys Audubon Society
hosted the last in its series of bird walks
coinciding with spring migration as the
Keys is a prime stop-off point for birds
returning from the Caribbean and
South America. On Wednesday, May 4,
Keys Audubon teamed up with Andy
Wraithmell of the Great Florida Birding
Trail for a 8 a.m. walk beginning at
Indigenous Park, 1801 White St.,
for about two hours. Participants
advised to bring hat, binoculars
and water. n
INFO
keysaudubon.org
Key West Police Chief
Donie Lee and School
Resource Officer Deglys
Chavarria recently gave
Key West High School
teacher Monica Fletchall
$2,500 for Operation
Graduation. This
outstanding program
provides an all-night get
together of fun, keeps
grads safe, drug and
alcohol free while they
dance, eat, watch
movies and win great
prizes. n
Sailing into Salt
Bottom right: ‘Running Home’ (oil on
canvas) is one of several paintings
to be revealed in a special preview
6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at SALT
Gallery at SALT Island Provisions,
830 Fleming St. (at right). The exhibit,
“A Sailing Life,” features new paintings showcasing the fluency of his
marine landscapes that often emphasize a contradiction between serenity
and danger in a way that is moving,
accessible and intelligent. Tinkham’s
exhibit runs until June 6. n
INFO ADTinkham.com
9
n May 6
Local photographer Larry Blackburn
will again show his photographic works
6-9 p.m. Friday, May 6, in conjunction
with the First Friday Upper Duval Art
Stroll. “Scene in Key West,” continues
to feature recent additions to his
collection of familiar sights around Key
West that Blackburn feels fortunate to
experience on a daily basis, along with
many of your favorites from previous
exhibits. Photographs printed on several
media types including canvas, metal and
metallic paper along with new acrylic
additions.
Show takes place inside Duval
Square, 1075 Duval St. Cash bar and
complimentary light hors d’oeuvres
provided by New York Pasta Garden
restaurant. Chance to purchase that
piece you have looked at numerous
times and made that decision for it
to grace your walls. n
IN
REVIEW
ONSTAGE
RED BARN
THEATRE
‘Inishmaan’
n Through May 14
BY EMILY SCHULTEN
is performance is both delightful
with laughter and full of longing, a
show that will broadly entertain. e
play takes place on the island Inishmaan in Ireland, and when we find our
cast of characters, they are excited by
the rarefied news that a Hollywood film
crew is filming nearby.
Playwright Martin McDonagh
weaves intrigue into this 1934 Irish
community using gossip as his instigator. e dialogue is witty, and the characters bring to the stage quirks and
interactions that keep the audience
laughing. e characters become more
rounded in light of their relationships
to one another, and the actors in this
production highlight one another’s personalities in their performances as their
characters meander through Inishmaan.
Embedded in the storyline is also a
sense of entrapment. ese characters
on their small island yearn for wandering and freedom, while simultaneously
trying to convince themselves that
their predicaments are satisfactory, a
sentiment echoed in the refrain line,
“musn’t be such a bad place.” It is
seldom convincing, however, as
throughout these characters encounter
prisons in various forms: the island, sea,
physical impairments, illness and, a
time or two, an actual jail cell.
e cripple of Inishmaan, Billy
Claven, is played by Arthur Crocker.
Crocker illustrates the strength and
vulnerability of Billy, despite the people
of Inishmaan doubting him in almost
every way. Billy has been, since being
orphaned as an infant, taken care of by
Eileen and Kate Osbourne, played
respectively by Vanessa McCaffrey and
Peggy Montgomery. ese two are
10
Arthur Crocker and Ross Pipkin in a
pivotal scene, “Cripple of Inishmaan.” Larry Blackburn photo
quick to doubt Billy’s capabilities, but
much of this is because they need him
to depend on them—caring for him is
their whole lives.
Johnnypateenmike, played by Doug
Shook, is the primary vessel for gossip.
His character is nosey and sneaky and
mouthy, but he is also attached to the
people of the town, whom he visits
daily to deliver any “news.” He is a
thorn in the side of everyone, including
his 90-year-old Mammy O’Dougal
(played by Robin Deck) but also creates
for the town the sense of action they so
long for.
Siblings Bartley McCormick
(played by Charlie Lawrence) and
Helen McCormick (played by Aleister
Eaves) fancy themselves better off than
the town cripple, but they too are in
search of something better. Eaves entertains the audience with her portrayal of
the character’s playful and blatant mischief, and Helen serves as an outlet for
excitement in the town, making as
much fodder for Johnny’s gossip as she
can. Babbybobby Bennett (played by
Ross Pipkin) makes some surprising
and important decisions that drive the
plot, Doctor McSharry (played by Tom
Murtha) serves as a voice of truth,
which isn’t always easy to find in the
town of Inishmaan.
Inishmaan ends hopefully and with
despair, fitting for a show that keeps
you laughing and confronts characters’
disappointments. 8 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday, until May 14. n
INFO
redbarntheatre.com
ON THE COVER
THEATRE
ONSTAGE
WATERFRONT
PLAYHOUSE
‘Die,
Mommie,
Die!’
• Randy Roberts stars
n Opens May 11
e Waterfront Playhouse closes
the blockbuster 76th season with
the hilarious comic thriller, “Die,
Mommie, Die!” by Charles Busch
and starring Randy Roberts. e
play opens May 12 and runs for
three weeks, Wednesday-Saturday
each week at 8 p.m. with one lowpriced preview at 8 p.m. May 11.
“Die, Mommie, Die!” is a comic
melodrama that evokes the lurid
1960’s films that featured aging stars
such as Bette Davis, Joan Crawford
and Lana Turner. Roberts plays
Angela Arden, a once-famous pop
singer trapped in a hateful marriage
with film producer Sol Sussman
(David Black). Angela will do just
about anything to get out of the
marriage and find happiness with
her hot younger lover, an out
of work TV actor, Tony Parker
(Rock Solomon). So Angela disposes
of Sol in a hilarious scenario.
In a move that combines Greek
tragedy with Hollywood kitsch,
Angela’s daughter, Edith (Erin
McKenna), convinces Angela’s
emotionally disturbed son Lance
(Matt Hollis Hulsey) that they must
avenge their father’s death by killing
their mother. Lance, demanding
proof of Angela’s crime, slips some
LSD into her after-dinner coffee.
Angela is plunged into a wild acid
trip that reveals all of the Sussman
family’s dirty laundry once and for
all. Assisting with the shenanigans
is Angela’s mouthy maid, Bootsie
(Traci Reynolds).
“Die, Mommie, Die!” is directed
by Murphy Davis and features an
outstanding cast of comic actors. Set
designer Michael Boyer will create
the 1960’s Beverly Hills home with
costumes by J. B. McLendon, Randy
Roberts and Sushi. Lighting will be
by John Jaworski with properties by
Carmen Rodriguez. Trish Manley is
the stage manager.
Randy Roberts is a Key West
legend with his famous one-man
show at LaTeDa, appearing in film
(“Any Day Now” with Alan Cumming), TV (“America’s Got Talent”)
and stage, including “Bitchslap!” at
the Waterfront two years running.
David Black has just come off the
smash hits “e Producers” and
“Enchanted April” at the Waterfront.
Erin McKenna and Matt Hollis
Hulsey were in the Waterfront’s
“Noises Off” and the Red Barn’s
“Venus In Fur.” Rock Solomon
appeared in last season’s “Monty
Python’s Spamalot” as Sir Galahad
and Traci Reynolds was in “Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels” and “e Full
Monty.”
“Die, Mommie, Die” carries an
Audience Advisory of adult language
and sexual situations.
Opening night, May 12, sponsored by Kevin Melloncamp and
Scott Mason and includes a gala
after party. Production sponsored
by LaTeDa.
Tickets $40 and available online
or (305) 294-5015. n
INFO
waterfrontplayhouse.org
n
More CHARLES BUSCH page 12
11
MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT
Antony Picone
• Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Anthony
Picone
Anthony Picone is a singer/songwriter/guitarist grew up playing music in
the suburbs of New York City. He picked
up the guitar at age 11, performing bars
and nightclubs by age 18. He paid his
dues, performing in bands playing about
every style of music. For eight years, he
played in one of the biggest rock bands
in New Jersey, e Benjamins.
In 2007, e Benjamins released an
• May 16
Double dose
of Busch
During the past four years, Charles
Busch has performed his one-man
cabaret act in just about every part of
the world from San Francisco to London, Provincetown to Paris. On May
16, he finally gets to bring his act to Key
Indie album with national distribution,
appearing on national TV and radio.
In 2011, Picone decided to launch
his solo career and leave e Benjamins
to relocate to Key West. e laidback
lifestyle, sunshine and diverse music
scene had a huge influence on his
writing. He recently released his debut
self-produced solo album, “e Highest
I’ve Ever Been.” e 10-song album is a
West, a town he has loved for decades
but has seldom had a chance to visit.
Nominated for a Tony Award and
the winner of several Drama Desk,
Outer Circle Critics, Sundance Film
Festival and MAC Cabaret Awards,
Busch is an influential drag artist,
author (often star) of “Vampire Lesbians
of Sodom,” “e Divine Sister,” “e
Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” “Psycho
Beach Party” and at the Waterfront
Playhouse, “Die, Mommie, Die!”
“I’ve always had a great time in Key
West and it’s wonderful returning,”
Charles enthused.
12
fusion of Rock, Americana, Folk and Pop
with catchy melodies and clever lyrics.
e album is gaining popularity and
being played on FM radio all over South
Florida. In addition to writing the music
and lyrics, Picone engineered, mixed and
produced the album. He performed the
vocals, guitars bass and some keyboard
on the album.
Charles performs his one-man
cabaret show at the Waterfront, “A
Divine Evening with Charles Busch.”
“My cabaret act is a bit different
from what people might expect. I perform in drag but really perform as myself, not a character.”
Don’t miss chance to meet Charles
Busch. “A Divine Evening with Charles
Busch” is one performance only, May
16, at the Waterfront Playhouse.
Tickets $45.
Busch’s hysterical melodrama, “Die,
Mommie, Die!” opens May 12 and runs
through May 28. Tickets $40. n
WHAT’S HAPPENING
7 " , Ê " 1 -ÊÊÊN
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Bahama Boyz
Schooner Wharf Bar
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Thursday 0505
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
7pm-Midnight
Los Tres Frescos with Sam Ramos,
Marty Stonely and Noel Torres center
stage with a tropical Latino vibe,
Motown, funk and rock tunes.
Fiesta features Best Mexican Hat
Competition, Taco Eating Contest.
Friday-Saturday 0506-07
Entrain 7-11pm
Epic in sound and kaleidoscopic in
vision, eclectic Martha’s Vineyardbased six-piece Entrain has been
thrilling critics and fans. They have
an amazing ability to shift effortlessly
between musical styles—rock, blues,
calypso, ska, zydeco, jazz, funk—
often within the same song.
Sunday 0508
Gary Hempsey/Emily Springsteen
7-11pm
Acoustical rock teamup forEmily’s
heavenly voice and Gary’s offbeat
humor and great guitar pickin!
Monday 0509
The Other Band 7-11pm
Standup bass, mandolin and guitar
create downhome Americana style—
blues, country, folk, ragtime—with
some classic rock favorites and hints
of bluegrass and reggae.
Tuesday 0510
Doerfels/Doug Yeomans 7-11pm
The Doerfels and Doug Yeomans.
Bluegrass, blues, contemporary,
classic rock, country, alternative,
and pop.
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Wednesday 0511
Bahama Boyz 7-11pm
Keith Ricks and Chris Case bring
authentic sound of the islands,
Motown, funk, rock and blues.
The Smokin’ Tuna
4 Charles St., (305) 517-6350
n
Wednesday-Sunday 0504-08
Key West Songwriters Festival
The largest festival of its kind in the
world celebrates its 21st year. Since
1997, BMI presenting sponsor of the
festival and helped it grow into a
tourist attraction and favorite of locals. Live music bliss introduces
crowds to the faces, voices, stories
behind the songs. Event schedule:
www.kwswf.com
The Pier House
At the Beach Bar, One Duval,
(305) 296-4600
n
Thursday
Brian Noon-3p; Din 4-7pm
Friday
Alfonse Noon-3pm; Joel 4-7pm
Saturday
Alfonse Noon-3pm; Din 4-7pm
Sunday
Amandah Noon-3pm
Monday
Rob Noon-3pm
Tuesday
Rusty Noon-3pm; Rob 4-7pm
Wednesday
Rob Noon-3pm; Tom Taylor 4-7pm
14
Key West Songwriters Festival
Wednesday-Sunday
• Through May 8
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Chicago’s
Kim Jade
Hog’s Breath is better
than no breath at all
✔ Three live acts from 1 p.m. until 2 a.m.
✔ Full menu! Fresh seafood, sandwiches
& classic island favorites.
✔ World famous t-shirts and merchandise.
✔ Private party and special events room.
Visit us at hogsbreath.com
296-4222
400 Front Street
Key West
Hog’s Breath Music Schedule for this week!
Thur. 0505
Joel
Nelson
Jimmy
Parrish
Reggie
Sullivan
Band
Fri. 0506
Sat. 0507
Barry Cuda Barry Cuda
& Kenny
& Kenny
Frandley
Frandley
Jimmy
Jimmy
Parrish
Parrish
Reggie
Reggie
Sullivan
Sullivan
Band
Band
Sun. 0508 Mon. 0509 Tues. 0510 Wed. 0511
TB
Jimmy
Parrish
Reggie
Sullivan
Band
Zack
Seemiller
Joel
Nelson
Joel
Nelson
Patrick &
The
Swayzees
Patrick &
The
Swayzees
Patrick &
The
Swayzees
David Mead David Mead David Mead
& Tommy
& Tommy
& Tommy
Keenun
Keenun
Keenun
Chicago’s
610 Greene St., (305) 741-7891
www.chicagoskw.com
n
Mondays-Saturdays 5-8pm
Amandah Jantzen
Sundays Noon-3pm
Appears at Pier House Beach Bar
Nightly! Kim Jade 8-11:30pm
The Good Thing through May 31
Hog’s Breath
David Mead and Tommy Keenun
Patrick & The Swayzees 10pm-2am
Surf rock to doo-wop, rockabilly to beach
music, created current yet nostalgic
blend of early rock ‘n’ roll sounds.
Original songs and instrumentals and
mix of well-known cover tunes. Spin-off
of two well-established Key West bands.
Hog’s Breath Saloon
400 Front St., (305) 296-4222
n
Thursday-Sunday 0505-08
Jimmy Parrish 5:30-9:30pm
Native Floridian, singing/playing
for 27 years, performing the East Coast
since 1990. Formed Ocean Waves Band
2000 and entertained the Parrot Heads
with island-style tropical flavor. Festivals,
Myrtle Beach to Miami. Trop-Rock.
Reggie Sullivan Band 10pm-2am
Sullivan received Bachelor of Music
in Jazz Studies from University of South
Carolina 2006, since has become one
of most-requested musicians in
Columbia, S.C. Performed with musical
legends Marian McPartland, Olivia
Newton-John, Wycliffe Gordon, Herlin
Riley, Chris Potter, Yuseef Latif, Ron
McCurdy, Howard Hewitt, Randy
Crawford, Joe Sample. Band influenced
by many musical genres, high-energy.
Monday-Wednesday 0509-11
David Mean/Tommy Keenum
5:30-9:30pm
Nashville’s David Mead teams up with
Tommy Keenun to play the mid-shift.
Mead’s music featured in movies such
as “Boys & Girls,” “Restaurant” and “The
Sweetest Thing.” TV shows use Mead’s
music, including “Ed,” “Men in Trees”
and “Private Practice.” For the past
decade, Keenum has been a sought
sideman lending vocals, sax, percussion
to a variety of rock and pop acts.
16
Hog’s Breath
Patrick & The Swayzees
Tuesday-Thursday 0510-12
Joel Nelson 1-5pm
Local troubadour popular entertainer
at the Hog’s Breath.
Ocean Key Sunset Pier
Zero Duval St., (305) 296-7701
n
Thursday 0505
Marjorie Lee 1pm
The E’Claires 7pm
Friday 0506
Patrick and the Swayzees 7pm
Sunday 0508
Nina Newton Band 1pm
Robert Albury 7pm
Monday 0509
Robert Albury 7pm
Tuesday 0510
Tony Baltimore 1pm
The Happy Dog 7pm
Wednesday 0511
C.W. Colt 1pm
PAPIO
While none of Papio’s sculptures
were made to be mobile, the parade
is a nod to his legacy and collection of
work—more than 100 sculptural objects and three-dimensional constructions in a permanent exhibit at Fort
East Martello with free opening celebration 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, May
14, featuring music by Ben Harrison.
Want to know more about this pioneering folk artist? Check out the free
kick-off presentation by historian
Sharon Wells 4-5 p.m. Friday, May
13, at the Custom House Museum.
4. PUT SOME FUNK INTO
JUNK Human Powered Kinetic
Sculpture Floats and Art Bikes can be
simple, whimsical, futuristic or fantastical—the only requirement is they are
physically moved by you (and/or a
teammate/s). Recycling is highly encouraged; wit and humor loudly applauded. Welding, wheels, gears, wire,
or glue? It’s entirely up to you. But
choose soon—May 14 is looming
with cash prizes to entice you towards
your best efforts!
5. BEGINS, ENDS WITH PARTY
Everyone can get kinetic the night before the parade, 5-8 p.m. Friday 13,
with free performance by Patrick and
the Swayzees and full bar in front of
Custom House Museum, with lastminute registration and volunteer
signups. After the parade (1-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14), revelry and fanfare
at the Southernmost Beach Café with
awards, drinks, food and more.
Make Papio proud. Give a rebel
yell and sign up now. Parade registration $25 for Kinetic Sculpture Float
teams; $15 for each Art Bike. Parade
creations with exhibition at Fort East
Martello, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15. Sponsored in part by the
Knight Foundation Knight Arts Challenge, Helmerich Trust, Community
Foundation of the Florida Keys, Monroe County Tourist Development
Council. n
INFO
papioskineticparade.com
18
LOCAL
OBSERVATION
Piano Key
BY CHRISTINA OXENBERG
hen I was seven, I remember being dispatched for a
week to the house of an old lady, a friend of
my mother’s. In the house was a piano, and
I took to sitting on the wood bench and tapping at the black-and-white bars, instantly
beguiled by the sounds. e old lady claimed
arthritis prevented her from using the thing,
and I begged her to ship it to my mother’s
house. When the piano arrived, my mother
was not pleased. She
said, “You’re taking lessons!” I said, “Perfect!”
I was triumphant
until the lessons began,
and it was evident I had
zero aptitude. Instead
of creating music, I was
exasperated with the tedium
of dull, repetitive
CHRISTINA
practice.
One day, withOXENBERG
out explanation, the
LEiGH VOGEL photo
piano was gone.
Later, in boarding school aged 13, on
nights when I could not sleep, I would creep
along the dark corridors to the music department with its wall of narrow rooms, each
with an upright piano and space for two,
tops. I’m still afraid of the dark and the experience of getting there and back to my dormitory was terrifying, meanwhile I was
compelled to go hide, alone with the tunes.
My sanctuary.
I would choose notes until I found pleasing combinations which I would repeat and
gradually get lost in them, my escape. Boarding school on the English coast in the winter
was always damp and cold. Rain drizzeled
day and night. Wind shook windows and
thrashed tree limbs against the red brick
building. England in the 1960s was Dickensian. Sure London was hopping, but in
boarding school it was all about cold and
hunger and abuse. I would rather have moved
in with Fagin. Doubtful I pictured a life in
the tropics, definitely I daydreamed of getting
away, even if only in my mind.
Today I live on an island in the Caribbean
and someone is delivering a piano. Mainly
to store it. Perhaps I’ll toy with it. Better yet
someone else will, someone with talent, and
I’ll dance. n
W
T R O P I C S P R O C K E TS
IAN BROCKWAY
TROPIC CINEMA
416 Eaton St.
877-761-3456
Week of Friday, May 6, 2016
to Thursday, May 12, 2016
PAPA: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA
(CARPER) (DOW ON THURSDAY)
R 1:49
DAILY AT (2:00) 4:10 6:20 8:40
A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING
(TAYLOR) R 1:38
DAILY AT (2:15) 6:30
EXCEPT SUNDAY AT 6:30
THE BOSS (TAYLOR) R 1:39
DAILY AT (4:30) 8:30
MARGUERITE (GEORGE) R 2:09
DAILY AT (1:30) 5:45
ELVIS & NIXON (GEORGE) R 1:26
DAILY AT 4:00 8:15
HOCKNEY (DOW) (CARPER ON
THURSDAY) NR 1:52
DAILY AT (1:45) 6:00
EXCEPT THURSDAY AT (1:45)
GREEN ROOM (DOW) (CARPER
ON THURSDAY) R 1:34
DAILY AT 4:05 8:10
EXCEPT THURSDAY AT (4:05)
SPECIAL EVENTS
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 1:30PM,
OPERA ON SCREEN,
LUCIA DI LAMMERMORE
(TAYLOR)
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 6:00PM,
MEL FISHER’S INVESTOR’S
MEETING, RECEPTION AND
SCREENING (CARPER)
Tropic Cinema
Four Screens in Old Town.
Rated Best Cinema in Florida.
www.TropicCinema.com
First Monday
in May
t’s fashion season! “e First Monday
in May” by director Andrew Rossi
(Page One) takes us inside the living
dream of curator Andrew Bolton and
his vision in creating a fashion show
specifically about China’s influence on
Western art. Bolton is taken on by the
Met to helm the yearly gala. But can he
do it? e heavy chain mail wraith of
Steve McQueen’s exhibition, “Savage
Beauty,” still hangs over his eye.
Nevertheless, Bolton accepts. Anna
Wintour is hired as a co-designer along
with the hallucinatory film director
Wong Kar-wai. At first, decisions are in
disarray. What do they do with the
main hall, which colors belong to which
room? How does one approach Chinese/ American Pop culture without
treading upon the shaky ground of
racism and stereotypes? Luckily, Bolton,
who bears a striking similarity to David
Bowie, is a peacemaker between parties
and has a discreet diplomatic knack in
facing these issues head on.
ough we are put behind closed
doors, Rossi does not bog the audience
down in the politics of the administration. e director keeps things moving,
and we are given nothing less than a
kaleidoscopic feast. roughout, the
militaristic and birdlike creations of
McQueen hang over all—a luxuriant
ebony cloud. Bolton doesn’t know how
to proceed. His McQueen memory
becomes a vulture, yet he carries on.
Anna Wintour, uncompromising and
adamant, is juxtaposed with Chinese
American actress Anna Mae Wong
as a Dragon Lady.
I
Movie stars, musicians, directors and
designers stalk the red carpet like
animals from an endangered species.
Sarah Jessica Parker transforms into
an Asian flame diva. Jennifer Lopez
resembles an amber panther dusted
in gold. Rihanna gives everyone present
a case of a toxic shock as she incubates
into a fuzzy golden caterpillar with
seeming effortlessness, enshrined as she
is in a fur dress with an abundant train,
stretching to envy.
Justin Bieber provides comic relief in
the film. When arriving, he is clothed as
a Punk version of a Michael Jackson
militiaman. He doesn’t gaze at the art.
Instead, he half yodels an R&B party
tune.
Kim Kardashian appears, too, as if in
an instant by supernatural means. Her
body is an unholy bend of lurid curves,
equipped with a bottom shaped like
a sorceress’ cauldron.
Everyone has to stop by Wintour’s
scarlet robed-centurion who takes a
19
cue from Alice in Wonderland in his
mushrooming, aubergine attire. George
Clooney doesn’t stop and is called to the
carpet. e celebrities gab and flare
like Chinese lanterns, oblivious
to the decadence within.
Bolton lives to delegate another day,
having faced the zen koan of how
to incorporate e Buddha
with Chairman Mao. n
A Hologram
for the King
Hologram for the King,”
the latest from director
Tom Twyker (Run Lola Run, Perfume)
and based on the novel by Dave Eggers,
goes down easy. It is a light bubbly and
entertaining film, despite its breezy
tone.
A
KEY BUSINESS
KEY WEST
LOUIS PETRONE
of heroin is basically the same as the cost of a
pack of cigarettes. In most instances, slightly
cheaper.
Cigarettes are differently priced in each state.
For whatever reason, the cost of one bag of
heroin is similar to the cost of a pack of cigarettes in a particular state.
For example, a pack of cigarettes is roughly
$7.75 in Baltimore. A bag of heroin roughly $5.
In New York City, cigarettes run around $11-12
a pack. A bag of heroin $10.
Cost is affected also by quality and availability. Which does on occasion increase the price
of a bag of heroin to $15-20.
Comparatively speaking, heroin is cheaper
to buy than other street drugs.
e heroin trade is sophisticated. One
example is that illegal heroin can be purchased
over the Internet. I tried to understand how.
I could not. However, my research indicated it
can and is being done safely by sellers and users.
e heroin industry has its own computer geeks.
Tens of thousands were hooked on heroin
in 2009. Today, millions.
In 2010, U.S. heroin deaths were 3,036. In
2014, 10,574.
Year 2014 was a banner year. e number
of deaths keeps going up.
Afghanistan opium production has also
increased significantly. From 123,000 hectacres
in 2009 to 224,000 hectacres in 2014—
224 hectacres equates to 6,400 tons of opium.
A hectacre is equivalent to 2.5 acres.
It is estimated there are 4.5 million heroin
users in the United States today—2.5 million
are addicts; 2 million casual users.
With daily use, a person becomes physically
addicted in 30 days.
e number of U.S. heroin deaths are
difficult to estimate. One authority says one
every 32 minutes. Another claims heroin deaths
are difficult to trace via autopsy. Heroin breaks
down in the body within hours to morphine.
Coroners record the deaths as morphine
prescription ones. It is estimated such coroner
determinations result in heroin deaths being
underreported by 100 percent.
e United States has failed to properly fund
the heroin problem. e DEA, CIA and DOD
are not provided sufficient funds to effectively
seek out and eliminate heroin use.
e CIA uses the term “blowback.” Blowback
20
is the “consequences at home of operations
overseas.” e U.S. failure to renew the
DynCorp. contract in 2009 a perfect example.
Another blowback was Obama’s desire
when he took office to reduce the number
of U.S. combatants in Afghanistan and the
costs of the war generally.
Millions of addicts require billions of dollars
to treat. e United States has yet to address the
problem. Medical care for in-patient treatment
is estimated at $25 billion a year. Out-patient,
$10 billion a year.
At some point, the United States has to confront the medical needs head on.
Heroin is a hell of a problem! One we are
not yet as a nation facing.
e primary campaigns reflect the failure
to address the heroin problem. I do not recall
any candidate speaking to the issue. n
ANTHONY PICONE
While recording the album, Picone wrote
most of the songs for a followup album to be
released later this year.
“I’ve made the choice to record and release
music independently without shopping for a
major record label,” said Picone. “e music industry is in the worse place [since] its inception.
anks to streaming and piracy, there’s no
money in selling music. On top of that, major
record labels are only signing and pushing
crappy country pop and dance pop acts. e
lyrics are infantile and the music is generic and
predictable. ere’s nothing wrong with Pop
music, but there are ways to be simple and interesting at the same time. Not to mention the fact
that no one takes chances with production anymore. It’s as though every song on the radio was
recorded, mixed and produced by the same people. I never write a song with the intention of
pleasing anyone but myself. I simply translate
what I hear in my head. Some songs turn out as
pop songs, some don’t. I truly believe if you
write from the heart, sing and play every note
with passion, the audience will find you.”
Filmmaking has always been Picone’s second
passion. In 2010, he wrote and directed a feature
film, “Long Road Home,” and since directed an
independent TV pilot and several music videos.
In addition to writing music, he is currently
writing several screen plays, TV shows, documentaries and music videos. Picone performs
music in most venues in Key West and will tour
the country to promote his album later this year.
“e Highest I’ve Ever Been’ available for
download and streaming on iTunes, Amazon
Music, Google Play, Spotify, Rhapsody and
more. His music, schedule and CDs on the
official website. n
INFO anthonypicone.com
TROPIC
S P R O C K E TS
IAN BROCKWAY
HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING
Alan Clay (Tom Hanks) is a middle- aged tech salesman who doesn’t
feel quite right. He has always known
how to handle the business world
aside from having to speak to his
team about being laid off. But, as
luck would have it, Alan is en route
to speak to the Saudi king about a
hologram system. ings may be
looking up.
When he arrives in Saudi Arabia
nothing is as it seems. He is late. e
king is nowhere to be found and his
software personnel are listless and
enervated. Alan is vexed at every
turn. He confronts the front desk,
helmed by the formal Maha (Almira
El Sayid). She tells him that his
contact is busy and, furthermore, the
king is not expected. A “Groundhog
Day” story arises. is is fun, given
that Hanks is so earnest and aghast
at every obstacle.
Alan meets Yousef (Alexander
Black) a comical and gregarious cab
driver. A rapport develops. He
also meets Hanne (Sidse Babett
Knudsen), a down-to-earth Danish
ex-patriate. She gives him liquor.
During a boozy interlude he notices
a growth on his back. Enter the
alluring yet all-business doctor
(Sarita Choudhury) who examines
him.
e best parts of the film are
those containing a sense of mystery.
In the opening scene, Hanks is
singing the famous Talking Heads
song, “Once in A Lifetime,” where
his house, wife and car dissolve in a
puff of purple smoke. In another
scene, his computer generates an
image of his daughter that invades
his hotel room. ese moments
give the film a refreshing quickness,
full of quirk and zip.
Lively too, is the friendship
between Alan and Yousef. eir
dialogue is spirited, gently zany and
authentic. It is only during the last
half of the film, when the doctor
and Alan exchange emails and
half-intimacies, that the story loses a
bit of its momentum.
Such voiceovers are the stuff
of romantic comedy and the
correspondence feels commonplace
and deja view, (ala You’ve Got Mail)
balanced against the humor of Yousef
and Alan’s eerie curiousity for Saudi
Arabia and the fine unusual touches.
e alliance between doctor and
patient is a little too pat, their tryst a
bit too sundry under a sun that never
theatens.
Actors Hanks and Choudhury
have interest and mystique but once
they meet and share, the exchanges
seem a shade Hallmark. Beyond
initial sparks, the two never ignite.
Tom Hanks does handily once
more as the sympathetic Everyman,
eager to listen and explore. In his
many roles, he has turned the
expression of earnest surprise into
his trademark. And after all, who
better than Hanks to show us that
Saudi Arabia need not be
threatening and innaccessible?
As swift and Pop as it is, the
narrative is a missed opportunity.
With its setting and freewheeling
happenstance, these characters
possess charge and magic. If the film
didn’t ultimately drift into the realm
of romantic convention, “Hologram
for the King” would have made a
creative elixir instead of a mirage. n
SHORTANSWERS
BY J E F F J O H N S O N n P A U L A F O R M A N
Department of Yuck
Dear Short Answers: My husband
probably has the most disgusting habit
I’ve ever seen, but there is nothing I can
do to stop him. Frank has a great deal
of nose and ear hair, and he is constantly
“plucking” it out, even in public. I’ve
begged him to do this ONLY in the
privacy of his bathroom, but he tells
that it’s no different than combing your
hair or putting on lipstick in public. I
disagree, but I am getting NOWHERE!
How do I make him stop?
e Mrs.
Dear Mrs: For us, this
would be a deal breaker.
Disgusting. If you are not
ready to leave him, then
leave the table, restaurant
or the room whenever he
goes at it.
Depends what
you think ‘it’ is
breath. And if you have been listening,
you will know what to stay next.
Worried wanderer
Dear Short Answers: I’ve been in a
great relationship for the past two years.
I really love him and have never been
happier. e problem is, I’ve always had
a wandering eye. I’ve never cheated on
him, but I’ve cheated on guys in the past
and do develop crushes on other guys.
Does this mean he’s not the right one, or
is this something I’m always going to have to deal
with? Roamiette
Dear Roamy: Nothing
to worry about—probably
an overactive hormone.
You’ll probably out grow
it but, in the meantime,
find another hobby.
Minding his
own business
Dear Short Answers: A
Dear Short Answers:
friend
of mine is about to
I think my boyfriend is
make
a
fool of himself by
checking his texts . . . while
PAULA FORMAN &
pursuing
a much younger
we are having sex!!!! Does
JEFF JOHNSON
woman.
Should
I try to
this mean he is cheating?
save him?
Hold the Phone
Embarrassed
Dear Hold: Well, you certainly don’t
Dear Embarrassed: It’s his party—
have his full attention. And if you think
you
have no role in this unless your
that it is cheating, it’s cheating. BUT,
advice
is solicited. Stand at the ready—
we think it is probably a simple case
either
for
celebration or comfort.
of Smartphone addiction—worthy of a
conversation, but check out your own
phone manners before you fire the
first shot.
Dear Short Answers: I am an aging
fashionista. I still wear skinny jeans
and, frankly, anything else that appeals
Dear Short Answers: What is the
to me. I hate the “goddess” look—or
best way to engage in a conversation
anything else that suggests that you no
with a woman you like? JAM
longer
care. At least not for me.
Dear JAM: e best way to engage
I
realize
that I may not have an
a woman in conversation is to ask her
accurate
view
of myself (I’m well into
intelligent, open-ended questions about
my 70s) but don’t want to appear
her life.
foolish either. How can I tell if I have
“Tell me about your job…”
crossed
the line? Fashion Fool
“Tell me about your family…”
Dear
FF: ere is no “line” that we
“Tell me about the best vacation you
are
aware
of. If it looks good, and you
ever had…” You get the idea. Most
feel
good,
then trust us, it is good. n
women are smart enough to pause for
Mutton dressed
as lamb
Shuddup and listen
Tropic Cinema
Four Screens in Old Town.
Rated Best Cinema in Florida.
www.TropicCinema.com
Life is complicated. “Short Answers isnt. Send a question about whatever is bothering you to
[email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist
will answer. A selection of the best questions appear in Konk Life.
21
WHAT’S HAPPENING
BottleCap’s Blue Room
1128 Simonton St., (305) 296-2807
www.bottlecapkeywest.com
n
Friday 0506 5-8pm
Tips benefit: Forida Keys Healthy
Start’s Over the Moon Fundraiser
Saturday 0507 11pm
Latin Dance Party: Party Celebration
for Mother's Day and benefit for
Ecuador Earthquake Relief with DJ
Bosco from Miami, DJ Zisco,
DJ JC and DJ Dandy
Tuesdays
8pm Country line dancing lessons
by Marvin
11pm House Music
Night with DJ Dino
and guest DJs
The Green Room
501 Greene St., (305) 741-7300
greenroomkeywest.com
n
Thursday 0421
Karri Daley 5:30pm
Chris Toler 10pm
Friday 0422
Jason Konersman 5:30pm
David Warren 10:30pm
Saturday 0423
Jason Konersman 5:30pm
Karri Daley 10:30pm
Sunday 0424
Chris Toler 9pm
Monday 0425
Jason Lamson 9pm
Tuesday 0426
Jason Lamson 5:30pm
Chris Toler 10pm
Wednesday 0427
Jason Lamson 5:30pm
Karri Daley 10pm
My New Joint Lounge
22658 Overseas Hwy., Cudjoe Key
n mynewjoint420lounge.com
Thursday
Michelle Dravis
Friday
Robert Douglas
Saturday
Larry Baeder
Pinchers
n 712 Duval St., (305) 440-2179
Carl Hatley 1-5pm
Bobby Enloe 1-5pm
Carter Moore 7-11pm n
22
Over the Moon,
May 6
e BottleCap Blue Room hosts an
Over the Moon benefit for the Florida
Keys Healthy Start Coalition 5-8 p.m
Friday, May 6. Winners of Over the
Moon Challenge announced and prizes
presented. Evening features a pop-up
boutique for shopping, celeb bartenders,
Wheel of Fortune, face painting, games
for kids, 50/50 drawing, silent auction,
appetizers. Purchase tickets to win a bike
donated by We Cycle and painted by Jim
Heidenreich (Jim Who Likes to Swim).
Only 250 tickets will be sold.
Donation of bartenders’ tips and
evening’s proceeds support programs and
services for healthy babies in the Keys. n
INFO keyshealthystart.org
KINO SANDALS
CELEBRATES 50TH
ANNIVERSARY
Photo: Larry Blackburn
Kino Sandals celebrates 50 years in Key West
PHOTOS BY TERRY SCHMIDA
ey West’s most venerable mom and pop
enterprise is getting ready to celebrate
its 50th anniversary. Kino Sandals, which still manufactures all of its products in town, was founded in
the spring of 1966 by an entrepreneurial Cuban exile
named Roberto T. Lopez and his wife Margot.
Despite an initial struggle to turn the skills he
learned as a boot and sandal maker in Cuba into
viable business in America, Lopez’s vision eventually paid off.
From a small factory and retail store on Whitehead Street, Kino’s which is named after its creator’s
Cuban nickname has expanded into a large selling
space at Kino Plaza, 107 Fitzpatrick St., where the
business has been operating since 1978.
“When we arrived here in Key West, my husband worked as a roofer, and later as a carpenter,
building the first screen printing tables for Key West
Handprint Fabrics,” Margot Lopez said.
After five years of working for other people,
Kino decided to start his own business, and his
boss co-signed his first loan. At first business was
a little slow, but a smart decision on Lopez’ part
soon turned things around.
“It was tough going at the start,” Margot Lopez
said. “But then Kino started coordinating his sandals
with purchases made at Key West Handprint Fabric.
Customers loved the idea of matching sandals to
their dresses. Things started picking up after that.”
Margot’s mother Ana Hernandez, herself a onetime employee of Key West Hanprint Fabric, joined
K
the Kino staff not long after the business opened,
becoming a huge, and lifelong asset to the business. Roberto and Margot’s son, Robert has been
working with the company since 1976. When
Mr. and Mrs. Lopez retired in 1985, Kino’s
daughters Ana and Christina joined the business.
Kino and Margot now have a third generation
of grandchildren. Ana has four children, Antony,
Andy, Alan, and Ana. Christina and her husband
Manuel of 25 years have three kids, including
Anthony, Roberto, and Christopher. Today Robert, Ana and Christina still run Kino’s, keeping
up the tradition in every aspect.
Kino’s family and staff celebrate 50 years of service
As the only remaining manufacturing com- to the Key West community. Come wish us a Happy
Anniversary this Saturday May 7, 2016 from 2pm to
pany in the Southernmost city, Kino sells its
4pm at 107 Fitzpatrick St. inside the Kino Plaz.
handmade sandals to tourists and locals alike,
while providing steady employment to dozens
point of pride for the many descendents of Roberto
of locals. The company still produces its first sandal, and Margot Lopez who are carrying on the compathe Lilly (named after Lilly Pulitzer) as well as 10
ny’s tradition of quality products.
other women’s styles, four models for men, and one
“These days, it seems like you can’t buy anything
children’s style - with pride, in Key West.
in town that wasn’t made somewhere else” Kino
During a walk through the Kino Sandal Factory, grandson Roberto Ruiz said. “We don’t take the easy
the sound of salsa music and spoken Spanish fill the way out. We still do things the old-fashioned way.”
air as do the smell of leather and glue. Long-term
His cousin Alan Johnson agreed.
employees sit focused at their tasks on the machines,
“This business really is the embodiment of the
many of them designed and built by Kino himself.
American dream,” he said. “It’s a real honor for us
Part of the third generation, Alan Johnson and
to still be here.”
Roberto Ruiz, are already working in the family
A celebration of Kino’s 50th anniversary in business
business. Having branched out into Internet sales
will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the
in the last few years, Kino’s staff now satisfies the
courtyard of Kino Plaza.
demand from their many repeat customers online, a
[email protected]
The entire Kino Family and employees would like to give their sincere THANK YOU! to all of their old and new customers..
Without our customers we would not be in business.
Thank you to all our customers for all of the kind words and positive feedback we receive everyday on the internet and in our store.
Thank You again and we hope that you give us another 50 years to serve you.
27
24
www.konklife.com
www.konklife.com MAY
MAY 5-11,
5-11, 2016
2016
Kino Sandals 50 Year Anniversary
PHOTOS BY LARRY BLACKBURN
Mrs. Kino (Kina) of the late Roberto T. Lopez, in their long time Key West home. Taking the Kino family tradition into the future, Robert Ruiz (L) and Alan
Johnson (R) are the beginning of the 3rd Generation.
Locals and tourists alike have enjoyed shopping at Kino Sandal Factory for Cedric Cruz for over 35 years has been part of the Kino Sandal Factory
50 years.
family.
28
25
MAY 5-11,
www.konklife.com
5-11, 2016
2016
Red Barn’s “The Cripple of Inishman” Opening Night Party
29
26
MAY 5-11,
www.konklife.com
5-11, 2016
2016
Red Barn’s “The Cripple of Inishman” Opening Night Party
27
30
Womankind Fundraiser at the Bottlecap Blue Room
28
31
www.konklife.com
www.konklife.comMAY
MAY5-11,
5-11,2016
2016
Womankind Fundraiser at the Bottlecap Blue Room
29
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CIA Military Muster at the Gardens Hotel
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5-11, 2016
2016
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MAY 5-11,
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JET SKI TOURS
SUNSET SAILS
Th
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he Most Thrilling Activity in Key West!
Enjoy Key West’s Legendary Sunsets!
• 27 Miles
(40+km)
• 90 Minutes
• 4 Stops
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Play Time
• Full Speed!
• Catamarans
• Schooners
• Live Music
• Booze Cruises
• Food Served
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FISHING TRIPS
SCOOTER & ELECT. CARS
Sport, Light Tack le, Reefs and Wrecks!
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• Private or
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• Eat Your
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• A Few Hours
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• Even Free
Shuttles!