Anyone that knows Key West knew Fast Buck Freddies...gone to us now...

And this is Studios of Key West, where I take my painting classes

And so what do these two places have in common right now?

Studios of Key West is doing an amazing display, of the work of Ann Meek and her helpers from many years worth of Fast Buck Windows....

There's Freddie the Frog,

Pop Art

And classic window displays that should not be missed

The exhibition goes right up stairs,

And is full of wonderful memories that can be enjoyed by locals,

And visitors alike.  The Studios is a wonderful place.  Between all of the classes and workshops, they also have changing exhibits year round. I try to stop by at least once a month if I'm not taking classes at that time because I don't want to miss anything, there is so much talent and imagination.  If you get a chance please stop by and check out this latest show..I promise if you are a local it will bring back some wonderful memories.  And Thank you Fast Buck Freddies and Ann Meek and Co. for all the enjoyment you have brought to us over the years!  www.tskw.org

XO
Smiles,
Toni

This picture was taken in 1965, Oct. 14.  It was taken by United Press International, here is the wording from the side:
10/14/65 - KEY WEST, FLA: Captain Tony Tarracina of Key West, Fls. skipper of the "Greyhound 111" is shown after his return from Cuba 10/14.  Tarracino took a group of newsmen to the island for coverage of the refugees tryingt to reach the US.  Government officials met the boat owner and took he and his crew, including a girl "interpeter", away in cars.  None of the crew had passports to enter Cuba.  UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL TELEPHOTO.

I went to the Monroe County Library today to see what our wonderful custodian of history Mr. Hambright could help me find, and he only found one article, which I kind of summarize below...

And once again I quote - this time from the Key West Citizen...

I'm a very lucky girl...

I came home from work the other day....

To find Tom....

Creating a new room for me!  As anyone that's ever lived in Key West knows, space can be at a premium.  So having an option right outside is always nice....and he said that Tonitarracino.com could use the space. Or maybe he's just trying to get me out of the house?

As you can see, he is just thrilled to be featured here.....I think his comment was "Great, now the Whole Country can see me".  Obviously he didn't think about the WORLD...someday...maybe...

And he was even kind enough to try it out first!  A man that's willing to hit the ground for you so that you don't have to must love you right?

I don't do well in the sun, so look at my beautiful view, lots of shade, peaceful, quiet....an ideal place to work on my blog...

Except for occasional pesky advertising. Wow, they can find you anywhere - can't they?

But for the most part it's perfect.....it realy is the little things..

A perfect place to read, I mean dream, Whoops I mean Work!!!   Thank you Tom!

XO,
Smiles,
Toni

A lot of community events take place during the weekend in Key West, during the hours that I work.  Last week I was fortunate to attend an event honoring Claude Valdez at Fire Station #3. 

This is the poster from that event with him and Daddy.  Daddy was the Prime Minister of the Conch Republic, just love the sash, but more importantly - Mr. Valdez was the creator of the familiar Conch Republic flag...

Firestation #3 is located on the Corner of Grinnell and Virginia, and is now the Key West Firehouse Museum.  I finally got to tour it the other night and I really enjoyed it! It's another wonderful example of a "hidden treasure" in Key West.  I love how you never know what you may find around any given corner..

From the days of horses....

And coal, and mostly volunteer firemen

When every neighborhood had a call box that was numbered, so they would know which neighborhood was in danger...

Note "Division" St., which is now Truman Ave

And then the infamous story of the missing "Bum Farto", and so much more.......

Our wonderful tour guide Alex Vega did a captivating job of telling us of the history of firefighting in Key West.  Alex has tirelessly worked for years to preserve the firehouse....

And with it our history too.  If you are in Key West you should try and take the time to see it.

It was well worth MUCH more than the price of admission - which is Free - with donations greatly appreciated.  Tours can be arranged by calling 305-292-8179 or  check out thier website at www.keywestfirehousemuseum.com 

XO
Smiles,
Toni

This is a Gumbo Limbo Tree. We call them the "Tourist Tree'. They are another of our trees that are located all over the island, and provide much needed shade.

Heres a smaller one. They grow very easily, and the resin in the not too distant past was used for treatment of gout, and the leaves were used to brew a medicinal tea to treat everything from backache to fevers.  This one is at my job, and although it was looking really poorly due to white flies, it's doing just great now. They are Hurricane resistant as well as being beautiful, and in my researching (or snooping) - I found out it is the traditional wood used for manufacture of carousel horses in the United States!  I guess you could say that is a "modern"  carousel horse parked next to it...

These are close ups of the branches....

Which explains why................

We call them the Tourist Tree, because they peel just like a sunburned tourist!  So when you come to Key West to visit, and see one of our Gumbo Limbos,  it's a perfect reminder to put on your SUNSCREEN!  Unless you are like me, and you are perfectly happy to stay underneath it..........

XO
Smiles,
Toni

This is downtown Miami.  Last month was my daughters Birthday, and I wanted her to experience a part of Miami other than the beach and the mall.  My Grandson TJ was jealous that his Mom was going to "Urami" without him...does every families kids call it "Urami" down here?  We always did growing up, unless we were going and then it was "mYami"

Like a typical Conch, the buildings fascinate me....

And loved the old parts of the area, like this ticket window from an old movie theater....

This old picture was in the window of a photographers shop...it absolutely fascinated me...What year?  Who are they?  Where are they now?  Check out the couple in the back of the line....and the Bride appears to be  wearing my Tevas!

And Birthday girl shopped...just a little...

And then we had lunch, where my daughter pointed out that everyone seems to want our Conch, there was also a Key West Mahi Mahi sandwich on the menu....and so we laughed

Our room had a beautiful view

And since it was Sunday, it was cool to see to see the Miami locals enjoying thier version of Snipes/Marvin/etc. right outside our window...

Alexandra promptly went to sleep, while I went exploring, I was of course interested in seeing the local fishermen at the hotel marina. I absolutely LOVE this guys advertising - "Specializing In Catching Monster Sharks" - "Awarded #1 Charter Boat In The W....."  Reminds me of Daddy...

The view from our room at night was amazing.....I could have stared all night....but we had more shopping to do the next day, as every Key West parent knows, Miami is the best place for the little ones school clothes...

This is my 26 year old baby!  Happy Birthday Alexandra...sad part is, I kept thinking she was 24, I have problems with that 1/4 century part with my girls, can't imagine why?

And back home down the long road with the beautiful clouds, it's good to get away, makes you appreciate Key West even more...

Smiles,
XO
Toni

This is a picture featuring Daddy and My Mother (best known as "Mommy") at the Key West Dog Track on Stock Island.  I would guess the picture was taken in the early 60's?  Oh how Daddy loved to gamble.  He would go to that track every night, saying "It's the only game in town".   I actually remember him telling stories about the track getting so run down, that one of the dogs actually caught "Swifty" the fake rabbit that was run around the track on a stick mechanically. In later years, I believe they actually called the dog "Conchy" for at time.  In fact, he spent so much time there through the years he had his own parking spot, with a sign in big letters that said "Parking for Capt Tony Only".  And the spot was actually one spot closer to the entrance than the handicap spot!

This picture was taken on one of his many trips on the gambling ship in Key Largo. Athough this picture was taken in front of the slots, he was primarily a blackjack player.  He would drive up with someone in the  family, heck sometimes all of us would go. It always involved dinner somewhere afterwards at different restaurants in the Keys.  Lots of family love, with lots and lots of laughter. And of course each and every waitress fell in love with Daddy everywhere we went  As it got older it got a little harder for him to travel,  As my stepmom Marty said when she gave me this pic..."He just looks so happy to finally be there", To be gambling again.......

This is a picture of me and my daughters, sometimes we took ALL the kids when the boat was based in Key West, Hey they have to learn sometime, right? Daddy was actually "The Host" on the Sun Kruz for awhile...He used to say it was the best job in the world, on a boat, meeting and greeting people, and getting to play.   But my very favorite times were when it was just me and Daddy.  Hey always paid for ALL of my betting, no matter where we were, Horse Track, Casino, Dog Track or Jai Alai, and if I won I got to keep the money....but to me I ALWAYS won, because I was with Daddy. His #1 piece of advice when it came to gambling?  If you break even you've won... 

Smiles,
XO
Toni