Philly versus Key West? Yeah, right.

Philadepia Daily news writer Patty-Pat Kozlowski recently published an opinion column titled "10 reasons Philly tops Key West".

While the writer is obviously a fan of Key West, mentioning she visits twice a year, she managed to amusingly list ten reasons Philadelphia is better then Key West.

In response, here are 10 reasons that Key West actually tops Philly:

1) Its 72 degrees in Key West today. Philadelphia is 33 degrees. Where would you rather get a tan? (I should just end the list there, but I promised nine more reasons).

2) Yellowtail snapper, grouper, stone crab claws, lobster, and other fresh seafood are on the menu in Key West. Hey Philly: you sure about that pork roll?

3) In 2005, Philadelphia was ranked as the sixth-most dangerous among 32 American cities with populations over 500,000. The murder rate in Philadelphia is 1 per day. Key West, on the other hand, is quite safe. Most crimes involve a bottle of booze, two bleary-eyed men, and a woman that should only dance with her insane husband.

4) Key West has free cats! Well, not really. But in Key West, if you want a pet, you only have to put a bowl of water on your porch. A cat, is bound to show up at your door looking for a better deal out of life. (just don't consider yourself its owner).

5) Ever notice that everything tastes better when eaten outdoors? Its easy in Key West. That's probably why we don't mind lousy soft-pretzels.

6) Key Westers don't worry too much about the price of gasoline. I, for one, only fill up the car once a month. Key West is 2 miles by 4 miles - many locals get around on bicycles. Or walking (imagine that Philly!).

7) Key West is always ready for a party - every night of the week. Heck, Key West is so party ready, it even celebrates the sun setting each day.

8) Warm beaches are the norm in Key West. And with water temperatures typically between 70-80 degrees, you can leave that woolen bathing suit in Pennsylvania.

9) Traffic jams, a daily occurrence in Philly, are non-existent in Key West. However, you may have to wait a few minutes for that daiquiri during happy hour.

10) In Key West, you can go to work with a big hangover and no one thinks you have a drinking problem.

Agree? Don't agree? Feel free to add your reasons why one is better than the other.

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The Opposite of Key West...on Earth

What is the opposite of Key West? Turns out it isn't China - at least not geographically.

When I was a kid, for whatever the reason, I thought that you'd reach China if you dug far enough into the ground.

Turns out I was wrong. Instead, my digging would have led me to the Indian Ocean. 

I'm disappointed. I was hoping for land - a place where people lived.  And as a result of their geography, were similar or the opposite of Key Westers.  Then again - water is the opposite of land.

Here is a mapping tool showing where on the other side of the planet you'll end up if you dig straight through the earth's center.  Happy traveling:
View Larger Map

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Freedom to Travel To Cuba Act in Congress!

Less than two weeks after my prediction that the Cuba Embargo Ends This Year a bill was introduced by Rep. William Delahunt [D-MA] into Congress calling for the end of travel restrictions to or from Cuba.

Titled "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act", H.R. 874 will allow US Citizens and legal residents to travel to and from Cuba.

Here is a copy of the current text of the bill:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act’.

SEC. 2. TRAVEL TO CUBA.
On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, and subject to section 3-- (1) the President may not regulate or prohibit, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions incident to such
travel; and(2) any regulation in effect on such date of enactment that regulates or prohibits travel to or from Cuba by United States citizens or legal residents or transactions incident to such travel shall cease to ave any force or effect.

SEC. 3. EXCEPTIONS.
Section 2 shall not apply in a case in which the United States is at war with Cuba, armed hostilities between the two countries are in progress, or there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of United States travelers.

SEC. 4. APPLICABILITY.
This Act applies to actions taken by the President before the date of the enactment of
this Act that are in effect on such date of enactment, and to actions taken on or after such date.

SEC. 5. INAPPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.
The provisions of this Act apply notwithstanding section 102(h) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6032(h)) and section
910(b) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7210(b)).

Currently H.R. 874 has been referred to the House Foriegn Affairs committee.

Meanwhile, another bill currently in the House Agriculture committee, H.R. 188, introduced by Rep. José Serrano [D-NY] and titled the "Cuba Reconciliation Act", goes much further than lifting travel restrictions. The Cuba Reconciliation Act:

- Removes restrictions of trade and other relations with Cuba, including the repeal the embargo act of 1961, ending the Trading With the Enemy Act with respect to Cuba, allowing for exports to Cuba, repeals the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, and the removal of other acts and provisions that restricted trade and relations with Cuba.

-Allows telecommunications carriers to install, maintain, and repair telecommunications equipment in Cuba, and provide telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba.

-Removes travel restrictions to and from Cuba - including allowing transactions incidental to travel.

-Instructs the US Postal Service to begin direct mail service to and from Cuba.

Similar bills have been introduced to Congress during the past 5 years - all of them "died" in committee.

The Cuba embargo has been an injustice to the citizens of Cuba and the United States. It is time for this counter-productive policy to end. Call, write, or email your Congressional representitive and let them know you support this bill. (Click here to find your representitive)

To keep track of the progress of this bill in Congress, below is the bill's status (which will be automatically updated):

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Langerado Cancelled: Blame the Venue and Lineup

The Langerado Music Festival, the largest music festival in South Florida, has been cancelled.

The promoters have blamed poor ticket sales due to the sluggish economy. But in reality, it was the abandoning of the majority of its audience that caused the festival's demise.

I went to last year's festival, held in the Big Cypress Reserve and had a great time - along with 25,000 other people. Headliners included Phil Lesh & Friends, The Meters, and many other top-notch jam bands.

But when I saw this years lineup, I knew I'd skip the festival. No offense Snoop Dogg - but I wasn't about to shell out $75 per day for a lame lineup.

On top of the poor lineup, the promoters made another bad decision - moving the festival from the camping-friendly Big Cypress Reserve to a definitely-not-camper-friendly Downtown Miami.

On the Rolling Stone website , people are commenting on the cancelled event. Feller sums it up with:

It’s not the economy - this was a piss poor excuse for a show attempting to draw the masses. Look at last year’s lineup - REM, Beastie Boys, The Roots, Phil Lesh… - does it even compare? I mean, I’m a fan of a lot of the bands that were supposed to play this year, but they keep moving the show every year and, well, is Death Cab really headliner worthy? Snoop is still awesome but, uh, seriously?
A sluggish economy means people won’t spend money on something they’re lukewarm on. Sometimes a mediocre (or at least disappointing) product is the reason people won’t pay.

For those looking for satisfy their jammy festival inner soul, Bonnaroo has put together an amazing lineup. This festival, despite the economy, will sell out quickly - proving that Langerado's main problem wasn't the economy, it was a poorly put together festival.

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Predicition: Cuba Embargo Ends This Year

You've heard it here first: Cuba will open in 2009. Raul seems willing to change. And Obama is the perfect president to begin a new policy.

The embargo of Cuba should end as soon as possible. It is ineffective and is only hurting the people of Cuba is preventing Americans from exercising their constitutional right to travel freely. We are friends with far worse regimes, and an embargo-free Cuba will see changes that can be only brought about by an inundation of free culture.

It is my hope that in April 2009, at the Summit of the Americas, Obama will begin to change US policy towards Cuba.

Cuba's revolution is over. It happened. Live with it. For the most part, the Cuban people cheered and saluted as Castro seized power. The Cuban property that the Miami exile community thinks they'll regain is gone. It surely is not the United States responsibility to reclaim it for them.

Calls for a change to US policy to Cuba are growing louder, especially since the Miami exile community did nothing to help Obama get elected. Finally, the end-the-embargo voice is being heard.

Obama's inauguration address had a line tailored for Cuba: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. "

Today it was reported that Fidel Castro had positive words for Obama, calling him honest.
This month's Cigar Aficionado magazine has a lead story calling for Obama to end the travel ban. (here is a link to their previously published editorial titled: Editor's Note: Time to Change our Cuba Policy)

More notably, a widely read and highly respected report was released December 2008 titled "The Case For a New Cuba Policy", by Jake Colvin, offering advice to the new president:

In the following months, as the administration approaches the next Summit of the Americas in April 2009, the president should follow up on these initial signals by constructively engaging the Cuban American community, Congress, U.S. allies, and the Cuban government in the following
ways:

1. Change the tone. If the United States wishes to make a serious effort to engage Cuba and
   U.S. allies on issues such as human rights and economic development, it will have to change its rhetorical approach. The United States should raise important issues, including human rights, in a more constructive and direct way than has been tried in the past with Cuba.
2. Depoliticize the Cuba portfolio. The U.S. approach to Cuba has been too special, which has been reflected in the way policymaking has been politicized within the bureaucracy.
   Depoliticizing the portfolio and returning Cuba to its normal place within the State Department bureaucracy would facilitate diplomacy.
3. Advance U.S. interests through principled diplomacy. The next president should engage
   Cuba diplomatically and place the burden on the Castro government to act constructively.
   Reestablishing regular, lower-level contacts, which have been curtailed by the Bush administration, would set the stage for higher-level discussions down the road.
4. Stop harassing U.S. allies. The next administration must stop harassing U.S. allies about their contacts with the Cuban government and attempt to find ways to work cooperatively to support human rights, civil society and economic development in Cuba. The United States should also eliminate the extraterritorial application of U.S. sanctions on Cuba and facilitate license exceptions where necessary.
5. End the travel ban. Complete repeal of travel restrictions would allow Americans to promote freedom and democracy in Cuba and would remove a burden from the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security. The next president will have the support of moderate Cuban American groups, business interests, and other nongovernmental organizations to make a strong case for repeal.
6. Promote cultural exchanges and dialogue with the Cuban people. The next president should actively encourage people-to-people exchanges by streamlining the licensing process for Cuban musician, artist, athlete, and scholar access to the United States and by actively promoting dialogue and regular contact with the Cuban people. The U.S. government should also work with the private sector to encourage the establishment of a regular dialogue between Cuban economic officials and U.S. businesses. Facilitating sector-specific briefings—even in the face of continued trade restrictions—would establish important new channels of communication.
7. Prioritize sanctions administration and enforcement on the basis of national security
   risk. The next administration should call for a comprehensive reevaluation of the priority given to administering and enforcing all U.S. sanctions programs. This reevaluation, which could be done through a new quadrennial review at Homeland Security, should prioritize administration and enforcement of sanctions programs based on their relative importance to U.S. national security and the risk posed by lax enforcement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Foreign Assets Control in particular should be given clear guidance to prioritize high- risk threats.
8. Address broader impediments to normal relations. The Cuba Adjustment Act, Cuba’s
   place on the State Department’s list of countries that sponsor terrorism, property claims, trademark and other trade issues and the status of the Guantanamo Bay naval base will continue to be impediments to long term normalization of relations. These issues must be addressed either unilaterally or as part of a broader negotiation with Cuba.

As for the impact a embargo-free Cuba will have on Key West - that will be explored in future posts.

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A More Perfect Union: Thank You Barack Obama & America!

I could not be more proud of America today.

Barack Obama is to be sworn in as our nation's first African-American president.

Just when it seems like no progress is being made as a society, along comes an event so monumental and progressive that it shatters all notion of stagnation.

I look in the face of each African-American person I see and feel a mutual sense of pride - that we truly are moving forward. That despite every setback we encounter, there really is something good happening in our time.

I have always felt that African Americans are owed an unpaid debt, written by the founders of our country - that ALL men are created equal and shall have Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness. (Thank you Martin Luther King for fighting for the benefit of all humanity.)

No man is truly free unless we are all free.

So today, let me just say: Congratulations Barrack, Congratulations America.

For the first time, I feel like we are living in the future.

May we all work together to make this a more perfect union.

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Key West's Fantasy Fest 2009 Theme

The theme for this year's Fantasy Fest is:  Villains, Vixens, and Vampires.  (I haven't noticed it mentioned before).

Once again, the organizers of the weeklong party have shown an appreciation for assonance - no pun intended.  Last year, "P" was the repeating consonant - again, no pun intended.

Fantasy Fest is the biggest party of the year for Key West - drawing tens of thousands of people.

This is mostly an adult party.  To make the most of it, leave the kids with their granny - otherwise you risk exposing them to shirtless grannies.

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Key West Real Estate Freefall & Opportunity

Prices for Key West residential real estate are falling at an increasing rate. And this may mean we are closer to a bottom than the top of this wild ride. Market price trends often reverse themselves with a sharp spike. When prices are rising, the top is often marked by an even greater run-up of prices. And similarly, when the long-term trend in prices has been falling, look for a sharp spike on the downside to indicate market sentiment is about to improve.

According to the chart (above) from Zillow, prices for Key West houses, condos, and other residential real estate are showing a sharp decline since November 2008. Currently, Zillow shows "market value" for the Key West residential market at $472,000 - a 14% decline since November 2008.

Oversupply, along with a list of other problems, continues to weigh heavily on the Key West market. And much of that oversupply is from distressed sellers. Here is a map from RealtyTrak showing 219 properties that are either pre-foreclosure, bank owned, auction, or govt. owned:


Here is a look at the latest numbers from the MLS:

• 922 residential (includes single family, mobile home, condo, timeshare, 3-4 units, townhouse, duplex, and other property rights)
• 417 residential single family
• 400 residential condo & townhouse

So where is the bottom?
If you take a look at the 10-year Zillow chart for Key West, the long-term uptrend line would be at approximately $350,000. This translates into another 25% decline - if it happened in the short term. It is also possible that prices won't deteriorate to that level if enough time transpires to reach the trend line further to the right.

Here is the 10-year chart with a long-term uptrend line drawn in red.

But there is some good news.

Housing is definitely getting more affordable.


With mortgage rates now at 5% and property starting to sell for "affordable" prices (meaning less than the so-called "affordable housing" that the local developers have put up), it now may make sense to look for a place of your own.

Take a look at these numbers:

• 165 single family, condo, or townhouse properties priced at $350,000 or less


• the least expensive is a $128,500 condo at Santa Clara Condominiums (506 square feet). With a 5% mortgage and 10% down, your principle and interest payment would be $618 per month. Add on $300 per month for condo fees, taxes, and insurance and you are buying a condo in Key West for less than $1000 per month.


• the least expensive single family home is $169,900 at 3210 Eagle Ave (1032 square feet - Bank owned). With a 5% mortgage and 10% down, your principle and interest payment would be $821 per month. Add on $500 per month for taxes and insurance and you are buying a house for the same cost as rent.

Don't have 10% to put down? Call the City of Key West. They are planning to loan up to $20,000 to workers for downpayments (20 people initially).

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Blog Silence Over - Key West Chronicle Blog is Back!

Like the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos en espanol), the Key West Chronicle Blog is about rejoin the living.

No - I haven't died, left the island, or been forced to refrain from posting. My absence from the blogosphere had its reasons - none of which need to be elaborated here.


Now, though, I look forward to regularly posting again.


And to commemorate this new beginning I have given the blog a new look. New utilities will also be added. Today I have added a "Followers" box (on the right hand side) - allowing you to join Key West Chronicle Blog.


While I have much to write about, please let me know if there is anything you'd like to see written about.


In the meantime, expect entries about island life, politics, play, and the wonderful place known as Key West.

Thank you to my regular readers for your support. I promise: your patience will be rewarded.

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Bahama Village Needs Your Support

At tonight's Key West City Commission meeting, the Bahama Village Community Land Trust (BCCLT) needs YOUR support.
The Mayor of Key West, Morgan McPhearson, is attempting to undo the will of the majority of Key West citizens. We have voted, in a referendum, to lease the BCCLT 6 acres of land at the Truman Waterfront for housing, community centers, and other projects in support of one of Key West's most historic neighborhoods - Bahama Village.
Instead, the Mayor has been championing a water park. I know of no one that wants a water park.
Further, the Mayor wants to get control of the special funding that has been set up to revitalize the neighborhood.
It is a mystery why the Mayor no longer is interested in representing the will of the citizens, but it is starkly reminiscent of the County Mayor Mario DiGennaro's methods who seemed to never say no to a developer.
The Gang of Three has been broken up and mostly voted out (thank goodness), and the Mayors should read the writing on the wall: THEY ARE NEXT TO GO.
Please support the worthwhile efforts of the Bahama Village Community Land Trust and go to tonight's City Commission meeting at 6pm at City Hall.
And to Norma Jean Sawyer and the rest of the BCCLT, you have my complete support.

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