And now, driving the number 33 car..........

Move over Darryl Waltrip, Cole Bob
wants to drive this year.

"Cole Bob" Kreienkamp checks out Grandma's Volvo 

 NASCAR will be the ultimate destination for Cole Robert Kreienkamp, based on his meteoric rise in the stock car ranks as the number one baby driver for Richard Childress' Number 33 car, sponsored by General Mills.  He's the latest stock car phenomena to come out of the St. Louis market, and takes his driving seriously but with a lot of enthusiasm.

Cole already is doing a number of public appearances on behalf of product line Cheerios, which he heartily, if not messily, eats every race morning. 

When asked to comment, he said something which I'm sure was positive, but must admit I'm just not sure what he said.  After all, he's only 13 months old.

Anniversary today, 14,975 and counting

Sometimes, the frivolous muse attacks, and I cannot resist writing something.  Today, December 29th, marks the start of my 42nd year of marriage.  Tomorrow, at church, the poinsettias which will adorn the pulpit will be commemorate that achievement of Elizabeth's - enduring 41 years of marriage to me.

Of course, we don't choose the flowers as they are generally "of the season".  You pay your $25, you take your chances, and then you get to take home the flowers after the service.  Since Poinsettias are not healthy for little dogs, we've decided to let somebody else enjoy them.

So, tomorrow begins day 14,976 (yes, I did remember to add those ten "leap year" days into the calculation) of the union of John & Elizabeth.

Many at our wedding were making book that it wouldn't last, and I think the longest bet was five years.  
Today is like our wedding day (which actually was more of a wedding night) inasmuch as it's also raining outside and we have no special plans.  After that late afternoon wedding on December 29th, 1971, we attended briefly the reception at a nearby hotel, then retired to my apartment to watch a little TV ("Outer Limits" as I recall) and turn in to go to work the next day.  I was a student working days and attending evening classes, and Elizabeth was working, and we couldn't afford a "honeymoon" but hoped that our tax return (remember, I had just gained an extra deduction for a dependent) would provide that money by the following April 15th.

We both agree that the "honeymoon" was postponed till 1974, after I had graduated college and was attending my first job related business meeting in Orlando.  Disney was the location, Epcot was new and we took perhaps an extra day.  About all I remember, but maybe that's just age talking.  Anyway, best wishes to all those people who attended our wedding, made bets, and lost money - like a Timex, some marriages take a licking, but keep on ticking.  

Oh, the cartoon?   Well, it just reminded me of that new competitor for Hickory Farms of Ohio, an upstart firm in nearby Pennsylvania.......you know it...........Cheeses of Nazareth.

Cole's First Birthday Celebration Week

Proud mom and dad share cake with Cole

Cole Robert Kreienkamp, age 1

Toby, Ripley, Cole and JoJo and Grandpaw

My week in Missouri comes to an end today, as we pack up the Volvo and head back south to Florida.  I must admit it's been a great time to be a grandfather, even with the obligation (once) to have sole duty and change an actual diaper.  I've got to say, they're a whole lot easier, without those darned pins.   In fact, the best thing about a grandson is that you can always hand him back to his mom, or dad, not to mention Grandma who is always willing to step in.  Cole is really an ideal child, whip smart, and on the whole quite easy to deal with - he seems to have his mother's joyful temperament and his father's unflappable sense of calm love.  My daughter did OK in the marriage department, as Matt is a great dad and it's clear that Cole loves him as much as she does.   Not all children have this to grow up around, so as grandparents, we're truly blessed.

When J.B. and Caitlin were growing up, my wife was a stay at home mom, and I was out chasing a career.  Granted, that career was a good one, and provided for educational opportunities for both my children, the fruits of which are coming to pass in this less than ideal economy of today.  When one looks around to see how many lack jobs and nice homes, you come to appreciate your own good fortunes.  Cole is growing up in a nice home, with two loving parents, and two small dogs.

As to those dogs, I'm not sure either would have been my own choice, and I'm quietly convinced that Matt would have preferred something in the way of one larger animal, but JoJo the Dumpster Dog (actually rescued from a dumpster in Detroit of all places by a high school friend) and Toby the Toy Fox Terrier without tear ducts (making it two dogs with one good eye between them) are part of the package.  At least for one week, Ripley the beagle showed Cole what a dog is supposed to be.  Non yapping masculine bark, patient with small hands learning to to pet "gently", handsome as the day is long (like his daddy) and award winning breed (we all remember Uno, who won at Westminster K.C.).   Although, last night, as we were repacking suitcases, I did hear him exhale a sigh of relief that we'd soon be "on the road again".

So, as the dawn breaks, and the household awakes, I'll end this missive by saying "while you can't go home again", you can visit your children and enjoy watching them grow up to adulthood.  Next year, Cole will be walking, and talking, and probably having a lot to say........I can't wait.

Not every train has a

Cole Car, but this one does after his birthday celebration today.

Cole Bob turned one year of age on the 22nd of November, which this year was also Thanksgiving Day.  Because of that, Caitlin and Matt decided to move his party to Saturday, December 1st.  It's not as if Cole Robert Kreienkamp would notice, were it not for the photos taken - who remembers their own first birthday, after all?

The car was a joint purchase of Cole's two married uncles and their wives, and we decided to show him before the party, as long as he promised to repeat the joy in his eyes when he "officially" saw it later today.  Now, as to that title "not every train" - it also refers to my weekend plan to drive to Indy and search out a train set piece that eluded me the last time I went into that giant archeological dig known as my mother's basement.   Wish me better luck this time, as I'm searching for an "O" gauge Sante Fe engine.  I already have an old engine, and now I have a cole car to go with it.

Masterpiece Theatre redux

OK, I'm not Alistair Cooke, nor is this theatre, unless you include set design.  But visualize me sitting in this lovely Pier One chair, reading a classic, and then placing the book on this elegant side table.

The chair, which my spouse has been craving for weeks, since she changed out the colors of the bedroom, came home in the back seat of the Volvo convertible earlier this week, which then begged the need for an appropriate height table.

Being the consummate penny pincher that I am, I suggested we not buy retail, but to check out thrift and consignment shops.  Sarasota has quite a few along Fruitville Road.  I am proud to say "I found it" and she liked it, so she bought it for $59.  A side trip to Lowes for some Olde English Scratch Cover stain and cheese cloth, and after church today the project was completed.  She did a fine job, and we end up with a quality wood product which didn't come in a box, and won't fall apart the first time we try to move it.  To quote another famous Englishman, Colonel Hannibal Smith, "I love it when a plan comes together".

Well, forget that visual of me reading an actual book, and the closest I'll come to the late KBE (Knight of the British Empire) journalist was my time as a military journalist and broadcaster.  If we ever did classics, they were the Classics Illustrated comics.

What's important is that my wife now has her chair, and a table, and has seriously rebuffed my idea of placing Corvette models under the display glass.  All that's missing now on that table is a good book.
Feel free to suggest an appropriate author with a book jacket cover that complements that fabric, if you can.  I'll work on the lighting, and the sound.  Ripley will work on, or become, the new seat cover.

Statistical Dig - How many were there?

This is the sign marking a nest

The sign is how it all started - a turtle watch volunteer saw evidence that a several hundred pound turtle crawled up near the dunes and laid her eggs.  Average loggerhead turtles bury between eighty and 120 eggs.  The volunteers "mark" the nest, and watch for signs of hatchlings.  This happened several days ago, so tonight the post-operation evaluation was scheduled.

They publish information by the Turtle Watch people (volunteers), and tonight a very large crowd turned out to witness this procedure.  It starts with a careful excavation of the nest, which had been marked several months earlier.  This time the volunteers will log next depth, how large the chamber was at the bottom (think of a chemistry beaker round at the bottom), and how many hatched eggs are found.  The baby turtles (whose tracks were spotted by early morning "watchers") are gone - well, all but one live survivor - and now its time to record the statistics.  That one lone survivor, who apparently missed the voting and was still on the island, will go to Mote Marine for rehab,  to strengthen his little flippers and be given a ride out to the seaweed beds his brothers and sisters were headed for a few nights earlier.   Oh, from the count about 77 got out of the nest and went toward the moonlight on the water.  Another nine eggs, which resemble rubbery pingpong balls, never fertilized and were intact, as opposed to those shown below.

empty shells

Kiwanis visits the food bank

Representatives of 4 clubs are briefed

This past week, our Kiwanis DCM (District Commissioner's Meeting) was held at the All Faiths Food Bank in suburban Sarasota, east of the Interstate off Fruitville Road.  It was called by our incoming Lt. Governor, Jackie Booth (pictured in black skirt in center of picture).
Jackie will officially be Lt. Governor for District 18-North starting on October 1st, and running through September 30, 2013, when I am scheduled to wear that hat.

There are four Kiwanis Clubs in our district, one of the smallest, and the only bifurcated one in the state.  If I'm lucky, they'll redistrict and I won't have a turn in the barrel - ha ha.  Speaking of barrels, the collection barrels for food need help, as you can see the shelves should be full, but they are not.  This is one reason Jackie decided to take the meeting "on the road" to show us where needs exist.  She tells us the next meeting shall be at the Salvation Army in November, very timely as our club starts ringing the bell at the new Publix store on Longboat Key soon thereafter.  Nice job, Jackie - good luck for your year as Lt. Governor.

Food awaiting packaging

Shelves dangerously bare

By the Authority Invested in Me........

Lori's dad Jim Ritter, me, Kevin

Lori's son, Mike Cullen, was the ring bearer

Lori, her sister Sharon and Jake

...under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may now kiss the bride.

Thus ended the ceremony of the second  marriages for both Lori and Kevin, on a very beautiful and warm Sunday afternoon in Riverview, Florida.  By saying "I do" (or "si quiero", en Espanol), they completed the knot that began in New Jersey, and moved to the Tampa area where they built a home for themselves, full of love and beagles.  Lori, his beagle rescue foster mom, is now his second mom.

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Boyd 

No picture of Lori would be complete without a beagle, and that's Jake - her first boy beagle - along with her sister.  Ripley had been the surrogate beagle in their lives before Jake.  Soon Ripley and Jake can run in that extensive back yard where the two boy beagles can join Katie and Mollie, her girls, and hopefully run a few pounds off the Ripper.  We go on cruises to seemingly gain weight, Ripley goes to stay with Kevin and Lori to lose it.



Lori and Kevin wrote simple vows, beginning with the words "I marry you with my eyes wide open."

They offered themselves to each other as a "partner in life"and further stated "Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again".

You have to truly appreciate those words, as they are words to live by.

Favorite Boys Update

This post will be remarkably short, just an update on my two favorite boys.  That's Cole Robert Kreienkamp on the left ("Cole Bob") and Ripley N.M.I. Wild on the right. While Ripley Wild has no middle initial, he does have his own FaceBook page (I'd love to write one for Cole, but my daughter and wife wouldn't appreciate my humor and captions).

Ripley Wild

Cole Robert Kreienkamp

This week, Cole Bob was pictured outside his baby sitters home, enjoying the late summer weather.  He's ten months old, has learned to stand and cruise along the furniture, but drops to a crawling position to move about.  Only a matter of time before walking.

Ripley was once again modeling scarves for doggies, to be included in a fashion spread by his friend Shannon's new business - pupcakepoochparty.com.  He is perhaps the most famous beagle on our island, as he certainly doesn't lack for pup-licity.

Anyway, that's my story about my favorite little buddies this week.  Maybe Caitlin Wild Kreienkamp will create a FaceBook page for Cole Bob, but for now Ripley Wild has good optics and high favorables in the PR race.  Long may they both wave.

There's Got To Be A Morning After

David, our host, on left

Last night my neighbor David (pictured in the small inset at left)
decided that we needed to have a Hurricane Party to celebrate the storm that wasn't much for Longboat Key.

Tropical Storm Isaac (downgraded to T.S. Isaac from Hurricane Isaac) gave me an excuse to take the three cans of Lite beer, instead of something more powerful.  Truth be told, I left them in David's refrigerator as I stuck to wine to go with the many snacks pictured below.  This was our first time to meet new neighbor Sy and Robin who moved in just two weeks ago  experiencing their first storm.  Not a lot of storm, but a whole lot of fun.  And on Monday, the sun came out and life went on.

Me, Robin, Russ, Sy, Jo, Birgit and Ron (from left to right)

Ripley "hunkers down" before T.S. Isaak

Our hero, Ripley Wild (did I mention you can visit him on FaceBook?) has been practicing the art of "hunkering down" for the oncoming Tropical Storm Isaac.  He only understands that tropical storms bring lots of rain, and he's not a big fan of going outside to do his business in the rain.

Meanwhile, the map at the right shows the Cone of Uncertainty and compared to two prior blog entries (this is our broadcast weather report, via blog) has moved dramatically to the west, and continues the established NNW track.  This is exactly 24 hours from the prior blog entry map, and 96 hours since I began this narrative.  I am prepared, having taken down our patio furniture and umbrellas, and also helping two subdivision trustees in securing the pool furniture.  In two-and-a-half hours (1800 hrs) the neighborhood "hurricane party' begins - and I'm prepared for that as well.  Ripley is ready, I am ready, and my wife is in Missouri - c'mon Isaac, hit me with your best shot......with a wimpy hame like that, I bet T.S. Debby last month could land a harder punch.

48 hours later - Isaac turning away

As you can see by comparing this "cone of uncertainty" from my post just two days ago, Isaac is meandering west ("go West, young storm") and now projected to find landfall between Pensacola and New Orleans.

It had left Haiti and was headed to the somewhat lower mountain ranges in the SE provinces of Cuba.  It is still considered a Tropical Storm, however Key West is now under a Hurricane Emergency Warning which our Governor declared in order to tap federal relief funds.
Taller mountains and land mass help defeat formation of a TS into a true hurricane.  That requires wind speeds in excess of 74 miles per hour sustained.

Some of the more dramatic media outlets are allowing as how it 'could' reach Category One status after passing over Monroe County (the Florida Keys south of Miami).  Winds at 60 MPH, pressure at 1,000 millibars.  Millibar (not MiniBar as found in expensive hotels and cruise ships) readings drop as pressure rises, so a falling barometer reflects an increase in wind and rain.  The Weather Channel now expects Isaac to be a weak Category 1 hurricane, with a track well out to sea.  Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday expected to be the heaviest rain and flooding in Tampa.  Ought to keep those "Occupy" weenies and anarchists off the streets - see, a silver lining.

And, so it begins - hurricane season

This is today's chart for Hurricane Isaac, except for one small matter - Isaac (the 9th storm of the season) has yet to even graduate to earn the sobriquet "hurricane Isaac".  Until he hits sustained winds of 74 MPH, he's still technically a tropical storm.

Debby came through here a few weeks back, as a weak tropical storm.  Winds up to half a Cat 1 storm she did indeed move a lot of beach sand, and flooded some streets, and even caused some 1988 canvas awnings in our subdivision to tear, but we survived.  Only the dog had to hold his knees tightly together as he's not that fond of going out in a storm.

Personal experiences with hurricanes for me date back to 2004.  That was the year of Charley, Francis, Jean and Ivan.  The track of Charley looked ominously familiar to that of T.S. Isaac, and Charley did reach winds in the Cat 2 to Weak Cat 3 as I recall.  He was a manly hurricane, and we evacuated the island and went to Spring Hill to visit my uncle with Millie (prior beagle) and the cat.  In a Corvette, no less, so it was packed full.  We took all the meat from the refrigerator (and left it for my uncle and aunt), and stayed with them for two days.   Had we waited for half a day, we'd have never left as Charley went into Port Charlotte, 75 miles south, and up the Peace River to inland Florida.  We'd have seen some wind, and a lot of rain, but that would have been it.   Frances came later in the season, and left us without power for perhaps 16 hours - used those candles we'd stockpiled, and had to relearn the art of conversation.   My wife then left for the Missouri condo, and I weathered Jean (no power loss) and Ivan alone - nothing else significant in 2004.  When Ivan passed, the surfers went crazy because he was far out in the gulf, but made some nice waves to ride.  Ivan went to college, and Florida State closed down.  Caitlin drove north for a week but came back when classes resumed.

I have decided that "hunker down" is more than a phrase from Jim Cantoni of The Weather Channel, its an attitude of seasoned Floridians.  So far, no fear of Isaac........but you're welcome to stay tuned.

Publix/CVS Project Update

This is the brand new CVS drugstore on Longboat Key, replacing a much older and smaller facility.

This is the new CVS, open one month ahead of schedule, and the pile of debris is the old store, now gone and perhaps as quickly forgotten.  It is larger, and has a drive thru pharmacy window at the rear of the store to accommodate the many elderly residents who previously had to park, get out of their cars, and walk inside.

The Town of Longboat Key does not embrace change easily, but with Publix as the anchor tenant of the Bay Isles shopping district, we were able to get past the 'usual suspects' who were against any and all redevelopment.  This store is larger than its predecessor, shown in its final stages of decay and destruction.  I will not miss it, and the new store does have a familiar feel to it - perhaps because it is a standard CVS layout.   The only 'end-stage' argument was when the store requested a second sign on the elevation facing the road, and our town quickly denied same.  Our "anti business" attitudes are apparently still strong on some of the town boards.

This is the first new development in years, and comes at a good time for Longboat, as many older residents are making their final moves and being replaced by "baby boomers".  I noted that the economy must be on the upswing too, as one whole aisle was devoted to beach products.  Another area even had sandwiches and enhanced food selections, which helped those who needed supplies normally carried by Publix.  That grocery chain is also moving ahead of schedule, from appearances, and when initially proposed to our Planning & Zoning Board it was to be open by the 'first of the new year'.  Now the educated guesstimates are much closer to Thanksgiving than they are to Christmas or New Years.

Perhaps the happiest folk will be the Salvation Army and our Kiwanis Club, if we're able to man the
top grossing "kettle" in Sarasota County this year, and once again gain an award for our clubs work in benefitting the children's programs of the Sarasota Salvation Army.  Stay tuned to this blog for more information on the Publix side of the project.

Caitlin's Beachy Birthday Wish

Wild and Kreienkamp Families, July 13, 2012

Cole contemplates the surf

On Friday, July 13th, we trekked to the beach behind our local professional phtographers' home and captured the images you see presented here.  Our daughter, Caitlin, had wanted a family photo with her husband, baby Cole, her brother and of course mom and dad.  The weather was bright and sunny, with a bit of wind,  Not sure how many shots were taken by Mary Lou, but four days later and before Caitlin returned north, she and her mother (I tagged along, but mostly just observed and ate cookies) picked about six or seven shots and decided on sizes of prints.

After we had been out on the beach, we went inside to see her studio, and Cole decided to be a bit more cooperative (see solo picture below).  He had completely zonked out and had fallen asleep in Matt's arms by the time we got around to the beach shot in front of the sea oats.  He had shown a lot of interest in the wave action however, and now that he's home, he's taking "swimming lessons" twice a week.  While they were visiting for a week, I took a number of pictures of him, but this blog entry only displays those professional shots.   He gets comments all the time, generally incorporating the key phrase "he's so damn cute".   Well, you can't argue with that now, can you?

Sarasota's "Beachy Amish" community

This is one of the best places to shop in Sarasota - at Yoder's, where they have the best pies in town.  We stopped by there the other day, and bought some great tomatoes, plus other fresh veggies.  But before we shopped, we worked up an appetite next door at the restaurant.

Sarasota has a significant Amish and Mennonite population,  with the vast majority clustered around Yoder's or up the street at Troyer's Dutch Heritage (also known locally as "der Dutchman".   There is also a significant Amish furniture store next door to Troyers, where the quality is very high, and the prices even higher.

I had the sugar free blueberry pie, and it was good.  The picture above is self explanatory (of the tomatoes), but the farmer and the four boys painting the fence are just cutouts and therefore somewhat one dimensional.   I'm told they were too busy working to stand around all day at be gawked as by "the English".  If you're ever in Sarasota, drive down Bahia Vista, east of US 41, and you'll find this area, but watch out for the Amish on their bicycles and adult tricycles - they're everywhere.

Oh, about that title - this is the significant "southern" group of Amish and Mennonite families, and many of the northern Amish come here for vacations - hence the common thought that the name is a reference to beaches.  Actually, it's a reference to Moses Beachy, an Amish Bishop from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, who established congregations south of the normal spread of Anabaptist Amish as most think of in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.  The Beachy Amish combine the influence of Old Order Amish and Conservative Mennonite.  There are 108 Beachy congregations in America, per a directory published in 2005.   In fact, this group while observing most traditions, also in the mid 1950's allowed doctrine to find some accommodation to modernity - electric fans, even air conditioning units are allowed.

Every year, buses roll through Amish country up north, loaded with Florida bound vacationers.  Once here, the younger ones flock to the beaches of Siesta Key.   There is a lot of "what happens in Sarasota, stays in Sarasota, then the kids head back home to a much more sedate pace of life.

I looked for Harrison Ford, or the barn with his VW, but alas - his Amish were in Pennsylvania still.

A Longboat Fourth of July

Awaiting the Butterfly Release

Hula Hoop Contestants

The Fourth of July holiday on Longboat features one of the very shortest parades in the nation, where the children of our island decorate their bicycles, strollers and wagons and march perhaps one city block down Bay Isles, from the Town Hall to the Post Office and back (it's a divided parkway type road).  Of course there are the usual luminaries, including a Grand Marshall, the Mayor, Vice Mayor and several council members.   And yes, even a few convertibles were there, one of them mine with local Councilman Phil Younger in the passenger seat, and Ripley Wild sitting on the console.  Thankfully, Phil and Ripley are good friends, and shared taking the waves of citizens along the street.  The event, sponsored by the Longboat Observer, featured games for the kids, and food for the adults.  More pictures of this event can be found on the web at www.yourobserver.com, in their photo essay section.   There have been rumors we had young children living here, and these pictures clearly show them out for a fun day.  

The day began with the parade, followed by a dedication and renaming the event in the name of our recently deceased and much loved Chief of Police.  His widow was the Grand Marshal, and accepted a lovely framed compendium of stories that followed his untimely death, including comments from residents that were published in the weeks following.  Then one of the paper's reporters sang our National Anthem, followed by the traditional butterfly release, and then the kids games began.  Ripley had lots of young children petting him, and he enjoyed meeting many new dogs as well.  It was a great way to celebrate our nation's great day.

                                   

The local paper and its budget 'dunk tank'

Walkin' to New Orleans

OK, I didn't exactly walk, but Fats Domino was a native of New Orleans, among other luminaries, so he gets first mention in this blog entry about the Kiwanis International (K.I.) convention this past week.  Of course, New Orleans brings out the festive, and I was able to capture some of this with my camera.  Many individuals dressed in costume captured my attention as I walked through the cavernous exhibition hall, which over the period would fill with people in all sorts of attire. All seemed involved in advocating candidates for future office.  We Floridians often dress in orange, including a sports jacket with Kiwanis lining that my wife considers garish.   As the saying goes "every party has a pooper".  I found it easier to capture some pictures off the monitors, I was so far back in the hall.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu

Kiwanis members from as far away as Australia and the orient were there, along with Europeans.  In fact, the newly elected President of K.I. is a German fellow.   Last year's convention was in Geneva, next years will be in Vancouver, so we're truly an international philanthropic organization "serving the children of the world"  Close to two thousand people attended this most recent annual meeting, and I was privileged to represent my Longboat Key Kiwanis chapter.

Ripley has a photo shoot for a commercial

Ripley always draws attention wherever he goes, and we think he might actually have a career as a fashionista.
His big moment today came when a friend asked if she could borrow him for inclusion into an advertising campaign for Pup Cakes, and a canine party planning business via the Internet.  In addition to dog treats which were very tasty, she also was involving herself in colorful canine couture.

Ripley was part of a canine casting call, preceded by Elvis, the Doberman Pinscher.  The plan is to take these individual shots and "photo shop" them into a picture of multiple dogs sitting around a table full of Pup Cakes, enjoying a birthday party.  We also were shown pictures of a cute little Yorkshire Terrier.  If the tasty treats business doesn't pan out, perhaps my friend will go for pet photography.   Ripley didn't get to keep the shirt, but was given a nice scarf for his sitting fee.   Sit, Ripley, sit......no, STAY and give me one of those great big beagle smiles......

Hey mom, do I really have to wear this shirt.  It's more dad's style, after all.

Commissioner Wild......yep, it's got a ring to it

"Once more, unto the breach, dear friends" reads my FaceBook quote which I posted this morning following my reappointment to Seat #8 of the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Commission.  I had asked Donna, from the department, to snap a picture with thoughts I might want this to remind me that "indeed, I had asked for it" when someday the bastards are really grinding me down.

Today was pretty uneventful, as evidenced by Vice Chair (and presiding officer) Al Hixon finding something in his folder more exciting than watching me and seat mate Len Garner take our renewal oaths of office.  This will be my second full term, following a partial term back in 2007 when someone in that seat was "called up to the majors", followed by a full term appointment in 2009.  These are three year terms, and this one will expire May 13, 2015.

There are nine Planning commissioners, who are appointed by the seven Town Commissioners who are elected.  This time around, I got five of the seven votes needed for reappointment.  I believe in 2009 I got four of seven, as was the case when I filled somebody else's unexpired term.  That was so long ago I can't remember who occupied seat eight, but apparently it's lucky for me.

The future will hold several important issues for Planning and Zoning, among them what to do with The Colony, rapidly falling into disrepair after hosting POTUS back on 9/10/2001.  Then there's the Longboat Key Club redevelopment, which is currently awaiting a judge's decision before coming back to us.  And of course, there's that wonderful Whitney Plaza mess at the north end of the island.  The plaza is falling down, and adjacent parcels are vacant lots, a vacant bank building and a vacant gas station.  It is not a pretty scene, at the entrance to "the Village" where the local citizens don't know what they want, yet they complain about what they have, and seem to oppose any and all ideas of how to improve the neighborhood.  Multiple ideas and concepts have been floated, but none have found traction.  The mess isn't helped by local north end activists spreading disinformation about plans.

I do believe the next three year term will be exciting and yes, fun.   As my friends know, I love this stuff and spent a career in government - but the pay before retirement was far better.  This job pays zero, but is priceless in terms of satisfaction.   I hope I can make a difference when the time comes, and who knows - maybe someday I'll be the guy in seat number eight who is called up to the majors.

Neighborhood Lawn Care Specialists

Busy picking grubs

Close up from < 6 feet, amazing

When I drove up to visit with Ripley's foster mom in Riverview, Florida, I was surprised to see these Sandhill Cranes standing in the next door neighbor's yard.  Having brought my camera along to record Ripley meeting her new beagle puppy, I spent a good five minutes, starting at a distance with the telephoto lens and then realizing these birds appeared to be almost domesticated.  My friend told me "oh, that's the landscaping crew - they work these four or five front yards, removing grubs, beetles, and other bugs.  They also eat small reptiles, like the always present gecko lizards found here.  I snapped a number of pictures of these beauties, and will probably add more to my FaceBook page.  In the meantime, enjoy seeing some really neat birds, who apparently are welcomed as the local landscaping crew.  I wish I could have shot video, so you'd have heard their very strange call.