Michael Halpern, a distinguished Key West citizen. A man of many facets. Attorney, businessman, entrepreneur. He died yesterday at the age of 72. He was the owner of the Southernmost House Hotel and the initiator of the Willie Wonka Chocolate Festival.

Halpern’s impact on Key West will be missed. He was definitely a part of the community. May he rest in peace.

Tonight the night! New Year’s Eve!

I have done all the special places over the years. All exciting.

My favorite became the Bourbon Street Pub. Sushi falling from the second floor while seated in the infamous Red Shoe. Sushi packed it in a few years ago after 25 years of riding the shoe down. He will be replaced this evening by the lovely Christopher Peterson.

The corner is the best place to be. Bourbon Street and 801 kitty corner each other. All kinds of play and activity taking place at the intersection leading up to Midnight. It will be crowded! Guaranteed fun!

I will not be there. I stopped going out on New Year’s Eve several years ago. Too old for all the hustle and bustle. Also, standing for a few hours became too much for me.

I will watch the New Year arrive in New York and Key West on TV at midnight. From the comfort of my bed.

President Biden named January 9 as National Day of Mourning in honor of Jimmy Carter.

Carter was possessed of a moral compass. Religiously grounded.. His faith not for show as it has been with many Presidents.

Hard to believe. Carter helped to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes in 14 countries while working with Habit for Humanity. Using his hands, hammer and tool belt. He had the time. He was done being President when he was 56 years old.

A federal appeals court upheld the $5 million sexual abuse decision against Trump. The appeals court involved was the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Court’s holding does not surprise me. When I was a practitioner, I had many appeals before the 2nd Circuit which sat in New York City. A straight by the book Court.

My concern is what happens next with this case. An appeal may be available before the U.S. Supreme Court. A Court that has become perverted and biased. The Court has shown much favoritism to Trump. Improperly so.

Trump announced he backs Johnson for reelection as Speaker. Many questioned whether he would.

Siberian peasant Rasputin was murdered December 30, 1916 by Russian nobles. Rasputin was a religious fanatic who influenced Czar Nicholas and his wife. He exhibited an ability to “cure” / “keep under control” the bleeding of their hemophilic son.

Some believe Rasputin’s influence, which screwed up the royal family’s life, contributed to the later Russian Revolution.

Syracuse basketball today.

Syracuse plays Wake Forest at 2 this afternoon. I hope to watch the game at Brady’s. My back will decide.

Wake Forest favored. Wake Forest is 9-4 while Syracuse is 6-6.

Enjoy your day! Enjoy your evening! Happy New Year!

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