Letters to the editor with pictures since 0202. Published on Big Pine Key’s garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
 [The Plot To Kill Bruce Schmitt] In their court filing, lawyers for Ralph Lucignano, owner of Marathon Liquors and Deli, don’t dispute that their client may have been the money man behind the plot to kill Bruce Schmitt, as stated in Schmitt’s July 3 complaint. They simply don’t address that question. Link |
 |
 |
| [California’s Camp Fire] The town of Paradise was completely wiped out. Paradise had the same population as Key West of about 27,000 souls. California wildfires death toll climbs to 86, with more than 500 still unaccounted for. Link |
Evidently tap water kills young people. Us older folks can drink it, but it seems that youth have to drink it from a plastic bottle to be healthy. I guess that’s one of the mysteries of life. |
| [Alcohol] The fuel used in the engine of bad decisions. |
 |
| The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.
The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, we have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person. Link |
[Two Bedroom Duplex on Canal] Big Pine Key. 2 bedrooms. One bath. Unfurnished ½ Duplex on clean boating canal w/seawall going to Pine Channel and coral reef. Beautiful vaulted ceilings. 1500 square feet. Tiled floors throughout. Stainless steel stove & refrigerator, laundry room. Very clean. Central A/C. Ground level. Port Pine Heights subdivision. Quiet neighborhood. No smokers or dogs. $1800 a month. Available now. First $1800, last $1800 and $1000 security deposit ($4600 total to move in) Utilities not included. b33043@outlook.com. Link |
| [Sewers] FKAA and the County’s lawyers are trying to get Louise Delaney’s case dismissed because she sold her house on Little Torch. This is the case where Judge Koenig found that FKAA and the County never had legal authority to demand easements from homeowners to extend their grinder pump sewage collection system into private yards and demand that these homeowners provide the electrical service for the County-owned pump stations. We all knew this was unjust, and the demands made under “color of law” rather than actual authority to take property without compensation. But only Louise spent the tens of thousands in legal fees to challenge the activity. The hearing is November 29 at the Key West courthouse at 11 AM. It would help to have a show of support for Louise in the courtroom, so if you can attend the hearing it would be much appreciated. Let’s show the County and FKAA and Judge Koenig just how many of us do not appreciate being bullied unlawfully. |
 |
The cooking instructions said to let the turkey rest in the sink before roasting. So I did. |
| Capt. Scott Yetter, Sight Fish Charters 305-304-6132 |
 [Friday Joke] I sent a note to our neighbors who are placing Christmas lights and decorations in their yards, can you please avoid anything that has red or blue flashing lights together? Every time I come around the corner, I think it’s the police and I have a panic attack. I have to brake hard, toss my wine, fasten my seat belt, throw my phone on the floor, turn my radio down, and push the gun under the seat. All while trying to put my clothes back on.It’s just too much drama, even for Christmas. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Here, hold my beer and watch this…ouch! ~ Coconuts Bat & Liquor Store, Down Town Big Pine Key |
| [The Marathon Florida Show] Coming soon to the Marathon Cinema. Video |
 |
I finally found it. The pot at the end of the rainbow! |
| The next meeting of our Big Pine Computer Club is coming up Saturday, November 24, 10 am at the senior center. Hope to see you there. Full Menu > Ongoing Events |
 |
| [Marathon International Airport] I just read in the CT that New Yorkers will soon be able to fly non-stop to Key West soon. I wonder when anyone will be able to fly non-stop from anywhere into Marathon International Airport. Not! |
Gas today at Tom Thumb on Big Pine is $2.89. Gas today in Marathon Tom Thumb is $2.49 and $2.43 at Valero. I guess the gas station owners on BPK don’t care about the locals. |
| [Friday Joke] Apparently it’s no longer politically-correct to direct a joke at any particular racial or ethnic minority, so: An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman, a Welshman, a Ghurkha, a Latvian, a Turk, an Aussie, two Kiwis, a German, an American, a South African, a Cypriot, an Egyptian, a Japanese, a Mexican, a Spaniard, a Russian, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Swede, a Finn, an Israeli, a Dane, a Romanian, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian, a Libyan, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist and an Ethiopian went to a night club. The bouncer said, “Sorry, I can’t let you in without a Thai.” |
 |
I’m not sure that tequila will remedy your problems, but it’s worth a shot! |
| [Pedophile on the Lose] A Key West man facing up to 20 years for trying to meet up for sex with a 13-year-old girl didn’t show up for his sentencing Wednesday and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. William Baker, 42, was convicted April 19 of two counts of obscene communication after undercover agents lured him with a craigslist ad promising sex with a minor girl on March 2, 2016. Link |
 |
| [Technology to Eat Healthy] A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits can wreak havoc on our health. Can technology save us? Modern apps and gadgets are aiming to head that way. But are they really worth a try? Link |
 |
| The comics take a look at the President’s visit to California (and its aftermath) in Best of Late Night. Video |
One thing leads to another. |
| [Winn Dixie] Download our mobile app to get even more exclusive savings and deals personalized just for you. Link |
 [The Sioux Uprising 1862] The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, Dakota Uprising, the Sioux Outbreak of 1862, the Dakota Conflict, the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862 or Little Crow’s War, was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of Dakota (also known as the eastern ‘Sioux’). It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota, four years after its admission as a state. During the war, the Dakota made extensive attacks on hundreds of settlers and immigrants, which resulted in settler deaths, and caused many to flee the area. Intense desire for immediate revenge ended with soldiers capturing hundreds of Dakota men and interning their families. A military tribunal quickly tried the men, sentencing 303 to death for their crimes. President Lincoln would later commute the sentence of 264 of them. The mass hanging of 38 Dakota men was conducted on December 26, 1862, in Mankato, Minnesota; it was the largest mass execution in United States history. Link |
| [“Reply, read, delete”] These are quick notifications while your phone is active. It allows you to not open the message. You can choose to reply, mark as read, or delete |
 |
| [Craigslist Is Out And Zillow Is In] Our rental ad on Craigslist was hacked and caused us plenty of trouble because of it. Repeated emails to Craigslist have gone unanswered. We discovered Zillow.com and we do like it better. It has many features that Craigslist doesn’t have. |
 |
| [Friday Joke] Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was, ‘Name seven advantages of Mother’s Milk.’ The question was worth 70 points or none at all. One student was hard put to think of seven advantages. He wrote: 1) It is perfect formula for the child. 2) It provides immunity against several diseases. 3) It is always the right temperature. 4) It is inexpensive. 5) It bonds the child to mother and vice versa. 6) It is always available as needed And then the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test he wrote: 7) It comes in two attractive containers and it’s high enough off the ground where the cat can’t get it. He got an A+. |
 |
| [Dead Body] An investigation is underway after a fisherman found a dead woman in a wooded area north of the Vaca Cut Bridge in Marathon on Wednesday. The fisherman found the woman’s body while he was fishing from shore, and he alerted MCSO. Link |
Could Miami’s Ultra music festival be so loud it’s bad for fish? Link |
| [Garlic Odor] How does that garlic smell get into your skin, your sweat and your breath? California blame your gut. Smashing or chopping a garlic clove initiates a chemical reaction that produces a quartet of volatile organic compounds. All four contribute to garlic breath, but one of them, allyl methyl sulfide, or AMS, is most to blame. Your gut doesn’t break it down, so it enters the bloodstream and passes through your lungs and into your skin, whence you exhale it or sweat it out. But you needn’t swear off garlic. Chemicals in apples, lemons, fresh parsley, spinach or mint neutralize (that is, not merely mask) garlic breath. And to get the odor off your hands after working with garlic, wash with salt and lemon or a dab of toothpaste—-or rub your hands across a stainless-steel utensil under running water. |
 |
| [Everglades Reservoir Stunt] Bulldozers began clearing 560 acres of land for a “rapid start” on the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir Nov. 14, but in the wake of a controversial lease extension, Florida Keys advocates for Florida Bay largely dismissed it as a stunt.
“We are simply outraged at the actions of the South Florida Water Management District,” said Elizabeth Jolin, an Islamorada outdoors guide and co-founder of Florida Bay Forever. Link |
Samsung’s 85-inch 8K QLED TV is now up for pre-order for a cool $15K. Link |
| [Friday Joke] A man tells a Rabbi: “l have a strong desire to live to eternity. What am I supposed to do’? “Get married,” replies the Rabbi. “It’s that simple? Would that allow me to live forever?” “No, but the desire will disappear.” |
       |