Civics Lessons

August 26, 2009



Hometown PAC event

Civics Lessons



The return home to Key West after our Orlando mini-vacation heralded the end of the summer season and the transition into the fall and the start of the school year as well as moving into the fall election season locally. Kathy has been busy getting ready for the start of the school year at the Key West Preschool Co-op and preparing to welcome a new crop of bright-eyed three year olds to class.



I have actively participating in learning about local government and the upcoming elections this year. First I have been taking a 16 week class offered by the City of Key West called the Key West Ambassadors program. This class meets once a week and focuses on a single branch of the city government each week.





We are 6 weeks into it and to date have had presentations and tours of the police department, the department of transportation, port operations, the housing authority and the city manager’s office. This week, we toured the Key West Fire Department and had a presentation from Fire Chief David Fraga. It was another in a series of wonderful, informative classes that are designed to give citizens a look behind the scenes into what makes Key West tick.







This week was especially interesting, face it, who doesn’t enjoy hanging out at a fire station, getting to see all the trucks and gear that comprise the Key West fire department and getting to hang out and talk with the dedicated firemen. It was my favorite class of program to date and it certainly gave us a much better appreciation of all that being a member of the fire department entails.

City Commission Candidate Jimmy Weekley

Candidate Tom Milone

The civics lessons continued at the first official event of the local election season which was hosted by Hometown PAC at the Botanical Gardens. The “meet the candidates” gathering allowed the public to meet at greet all the candidates running for Mayor and for the City Commission in the election this October. As a Hometown PAC Board member, I was there taking photos and listening to the candidates even through the rain showers that forced us to move indoors.

Hometown's Carol Wightman



I try to avoid overt political pronouncements on this blog, but would urge Key West residents to come out to one of the future candidate forums that we have scheduled and get involved in your local politics. It is nothing if not interesting, especially the local elections here in Key West. Check out the Hometown website for details and come be entertained and informed.

Candidate Clayton Lopez

Incumbent Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson

Mayoral Challenger Mike Mongo


Hometown PAC

Counting Crows, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Augustana

August 19, 2009

Counting Crows, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Augustana



“Say Hey, I Love You” live in Miami



So to wrap up our trip, we headed south to Miami to attend yet another show in the Counting Crows, Saturday Night Rebel Rocker Traveling Circus & Medicine Show. This show was held at the newly revitalized, refurbished and reopened Bayfront Amphitheatre in downtown Miami.





Things began well as upon checking into the Holiday Inn on Biscayne Blvd., located right across the street from Bayside and the amphitheatre, we were informed that we had been selected “Priority Club Member of the Day” which gave us a free upgrade to a fabulous suite on the top floor, free drinks at the bar and a free breakfast buffet the next morning.







The view from the top was great, looking out over the bay and Bayside marketplace and the amphitheatre where the show was to take place. Kathy & I meandered down and through Bayside, stopping in at the Hard Rock Café for a drink before the short walk to the venue.

“Caravan” live in Miami

The venue was great, I had been there years before to see the likes of Nirvana & Jane’s Addiction, but it had fallen into disrepair prior to the recent renovations. The venue seats about 3000 or so and has permanent seats and a small lawn area. We had seats up front in the 5th row, but were actually farther from the stage than we had been in Orlando where it was standing room only.







It was a steamy, warm but otherwise beautiful South Florida summer night. It was strange to have the show begin while it was still light out, but they had to, to be able to finish around the 11 PM curfew and still play for the 3 ½ hours.





The show was fantastic again, the crowd wasn’t quite as receptive as the Orlando crowd and the show seemed a little rushed at the end, but the magic and excitement of the fantastic format came through again.







Once again, it was Michael Franti who brought the best energy to the stage, but all the bands were once again in top form. Another stellar performance. The youtube videos that I have included will hopefully give you a taste of what went on, though it really is one of those “had to be there” sort of moments.



Counting Crows – “Miami” live in Orlando