Boy Howdy Music Fans. Greetings from the Conch Republic! This sattelite installment is coming to you from Key West, Fla. We’re down here getting our vacation on! Hanging out with the ghosts of Harry Truman and Earnest Hemingway can drive a man to drink. Conch chowder, rum punch and fresh fishes along with a steady diet of superb live music are a way of life !
    Down on Front Street at The Rum Barrel we ran into former OC local Kathy O'Neill using her bar/restaurant expertise to run this rockin' downtown eatery.She says she's lovin' life and gets plenty of visitors from our part of the world. You may remember her from Tio Gringo's, Macky's or the old Ocean Club.She says “HI EVERYBODY!”
    I've been frequenting the usual haunts on Duval Street: The Hog's Breath Saloon, Sloppy Joe's and The Green Parrot, among others. The live tunes are flowiing like wine at these spots. My favorite so far is Key West regulars The Stray Dogs. These guys fuse reggae, funk, jazz and pop for a tasty mix of party music! Tonight we're going to see blues songstress and plus size model Candye Kane at The Green Parrot solely on local recommendation!
    Our crew had a top shelf Italian meal at Antonia's owned by yet another former OC local Chistopher Rounds. Great veal homemade pasta, and killer desserts made this well worth the trip. Antonia's is at 615 Duval St. if your'e down here in search of a great feast.
    Even though they're in the quiet season down here, the general opinion is that the tourism industry is only slightly feeling the effects of the current economic downturn. Hopefully that trend will catch on up North next season.
    On the home front Happy Thanksgiving from The Coconut Times. We're lookiing forward to home and hearth at the Beach this week
    BJ's on the Water on 75th St. continues its weekly Wed. deck party with Poole and the Gang on the 25th at 4PM. Look for The Mood Swingers on Fri.11/27 and Sat. 11/28 at 9PM. blues fans should not miss their brand of rockin' blues! Don't miss BJ's Christmas party on Wed. Dec. 9th. at 8PM. Teenage Rust will provide the entertainment and this gig benefits The Wo. Co. Humane Society. Bring a bag of pet food or a pet toy and get a holiday dinner with all the trimmings. Any cash donations are also greatly appreciated
    I shall now continue my quest for leisure time here at Smather’s Beach.
    Till next time  Tah! – Marco Ink

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