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Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How to get a Jimmy Buffett getaway if you're planning a trip to the Florida Keys
Summer is about over, except for one last getaway. Labor Day holiday weekend. Need a distinctly Floridian thing to do for that Aug. 29-Sept. 1 weekend? Retracing Jimmy Buffett's steps in Key West where the late troubadour began his musical career nearly 55 years ago to a soundtrack of his music could be the last blast of summer fun before fall studies and the height of hurricane season take over. MORE: 'The longevity of mischief.' Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig Key West hosts its second annual Buffett-themed 'Just a Few Friends: Key West Favorite Son Celebration' with a four-day schedule of events, many of them free. The idea: 'remembrance with revelry,' organizers say. The son of a son of a sailor died two years ago on Sept. 1, 2023, after battling Merkel Cell Skin Cancer for four years. Highlights include a walking tour that takes in the streets and bars and personas Buffett immortalized in his songs; a memorial parade down Duval Street featuring Buffett's music and a party in Truman Park near the water. That party features some musicians, vocalists and songwriters playing songs you — and they — know by heart. They would be familiar with this material. Some of these people, including vocalist Nadirah Shakoor, former 1970s Coral Reefer guitarist Roger Bartlett, and composer Will Kimbrough, who co-wrote Buffett's posthumously released 'Bubbles Up,' toured with Buffett. "This is about more than music," co-organizer Paul Menta said in a statement. "We honor Jimmy's memory by immersing people in the island he loved — the people, the history, the sunsets, the flavors. It's a celebration of a way of life.' MORE: You can now cruise Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway with a Margaritaville license plate Buffett's biggest fans may want to take everything in at one of nearly 50 events spread over the four days. There's a Cruisin' Tiki Sunset & Music Cruise and Mimosa-Ville Brunch: A Buffett Buffet. There's a Coconut Telegraph Trolley Tour. A Pool Party at The Marker and a Pencil Thin Mustache Contest at the Chart Room. Sunset & Bubbles: Songs & Stories with Will Kimbrough at Sunset Pier's big stage. But if you can't get away for all four days, here are a few events to consider. Second Line Memorial Walking Parade. When: 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31. Free. This procession celebrates the life and times of Buffett in the Keys, the era when he cut his first batch of core Key West albums including 'A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean,' 'Living and Dying in ¾ Time,' 'A1A,' 'Havana Daydreaming' and 'Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.' For that LP, Buffett finished writing his biggest hit, 'Margaritaville,' when he was stuck on the Seven Mile Bridge west of Marathon waiting for a fender bender to clear in 1976, he told the Miami Herald in April 2023 when his sole Billboard Top 10 song was entered into the 2023 National Recordings Registry of the Library of Congress. He honed his music for these albums at Key West places that no longer exist like Howie's Bar and some that still do, like the Chart Room. The procession steps off from the lower 100 block of Duval Street, parades five blocks down Duval, turns onto Southard Street for another five blocks, and ends at Truman Waterfront Park for a casual celebration. Expect live music, group singalongs, and island-style outfits. You're encouraged to dress up in tropical attire and take in the Park: Nadirah Shakoor & Friends Tribute to Bubba. When: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31. Free/badge perks. This is where the parade leads you to at Truman Waterfront Park. Rotating live music performances by a lineup including Shakoor, Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band, and other local musicians. Bubba, by the way, was a term of endearment Buffett's bandmates and friends used around a Few Friends Walking Tour. When: Noon-2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30; 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Cost: $45 each day. You will meet up outside Shrimp Boat Sound, Buffett's private recording studio since 1988's 'Hot Water' album through his last one, 'Equal Strain on All Parts' in 2023. Country superstar George Strait also recorded a string of his albums at Shrimp Boat. The recording studio was once a shrimp storage cooler (hence its name) and sits in the Key West Historic Seaport near the shrimp docks between Schooner Wharf Bar and Conch Republic Seafood Company. You're welcome to leave a memento or sticker on the white wall outside the studio as you take off on the 90-minute guided walking tour through some of the Key West places frequented by the Keys' favorite son over his history on the island. We bet you'll see the Chart Room or the supermarket Fausto's on Fleming Street where Buffett popped in for chocolate milk in the lyric of his 1976 'Havana Daydreaming' tune, 'My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don't Love Jesus.' Probably Caroline Street where that woman was seen goin' crazy in the song of that name on the same album. You'll almost certainly see Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant on Duval Street at some point — either on this tour or along the parade route. Buffett tried out new songs on the joint's small stage. Capt. Tony's Saloon on Greene Street should figure, too. Buffett sang about stopping in here on the title song of his 1985 album, 'Last Mango in Paris. MORE: Why was a Florida sea creature named for singer Jimmy Buffett? Researchers have a reason Many of the events are free. Others like the cruises and walking tours and brunches and restaurant events carry a cost. A $35 laminated, double-sided Event Badge is not only a commemorative souvenir but it gains you entrance to some invitational events like the Kimbrough Songs & Stories event or it can get you closer to the stages and other perks from event sponsors. Badge holders will also have access to a log-in link to participate virtually if you or your whole family can't make it to the Keys that weekend. Badges can be purchased at Donations can also be made on the Badge site to help support the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, which will donate proceeds to the Bahama Village Music Program; Reef Relief; and the Key West High School Marching Band. 'The Key West Just a Few Friends is not sanctioned by the estate or Margaritaville. We are not involved at all, but in the spirit of keeping Jimmy's party going, we hope everyone has a blast,' said Mindy Espy-Reyes, Coral Reefer Band spokeswoman. Speaking of the Coral Reefer Band, its key members, including lead vocalist and guitarist Mac McAnally, Buffett's frequent co-songwriter since 1981, are on the road this summer through Sept. 18 opening for the Doobie Brothers on the Walk This Road Tour. The band is fulfilling Buffett's edict just before he died to 'keep the party going.' There are no Florida dates on this leg of the Doobies/Coral Reefers North American tour. More dates are to be announced according to the Doobies. More information on the Aug. 29-Sept. 1 Just a Few Friends: Key West Favorite Son Celebration event at
Middle East Eye
11-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Israeli civilians paid thousands to demolish Gaza homes
Israeli civilians operating heavy machinery in Gaza can earn as much as $9,000 per month, TheMarker reported on Thursday. Since the start of the war on Gaza, the Israeli military has been systematically demolishing homes and civilian infrastructure across the Palestinian enclave. Heavy machinery has played a central role in this destruction, operated both by soldiers and civilians. According to TheMarker, a trained heavy equipment operator can earn approximately 1,200 shekels ($360) per day, drawn from the 5,000 shekels ($1,500) the Israeli Ministry of Defence pays daily to the equipment's owner. Private contractors can also choose to work at different rates. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters For demolishing a three-storey building, contractors receive 2,500 shekels ($750); for taller buildings, the rate rises to 5,000 shekels ($1,500). 'For a contractor to earn another 5,000 shekels by bringing down a house, it's considered acceptable to kill people who are just looking for food' - Israeli soldier 'At first I did it for the money. Then for revenge. The work there is very hard and unpleasant. The army doesn't operate smartly, it just wants to destroy as much as possible and doesn't care about anything,' one heavy equipment operator told TheMarker. 'I used to take home a salary of 30,000 shekels ($9,000) a month. I got a car, and they rented me a flat in Ashkelon,' he added. The military encourages rapid demolition in the enclave, according to TheMarker. 'The faster the buildings in Gaza are levelled, the higher the income for equipment owners,' the report said. There has also been a noticeable increase in online job advertisements for operators in recent months. The army's official website states: 'Today, every commander wants a skilled heavy equipment operator and a powerful bulldozer by his side on the battlefield.' While the Israeli military primarily uses the armoured D9 bulldozer, it has also deployed civilian machinery in Gaza to meet demand. 'These vehicles aren't armoured, and a private company is hired to protect them from missiles and snipers. But there's no real military purpose to their activity,' a reservist told TheMarker. Killing aid seekers for profit Contractors' eagerness for more demolition work in Gaza is also contributing to the mass killing of Palestinian aid seekers near US aid distribution points. According to soldiers who spoke to Haaretz last month, private contractors 'act like a kind of sheriff', demolishing wherever they choose along the Gaza Strip and requiring Israeli soldiers to stay with them for protection. When contractors get too close to unarmed Palestinians, soldiers open fire, claiming the civilians' proximity poses a danger. Gaza: Israeli soldiers admit to deliberately killing unarmed aid seekers Read More » 'They're making a fortune,' one soldier said. 'From their perspective, any moment where they don't demolish houses is a loss of money, and the forces have to secure their work.' He added that it is often the soldiers who move closer to Palestinian aid seekers, only to then declare them a threat. 'So, for a contractor to earn another 5,000 shekels by bringing down a house, it's considered acceptable to kill people who are just looking for food.' This week, during a demolition operation in Khan Younis, an Israeli soldier was killed by Hamas fighters after they decided against capturing him. The soldier, Avraham Azoulay, a settler from Yitzhar, was a heavy equipment operator. A chat group of hilltop youth, the armed militias of settlers in the occupied West Bank, said that Azoulay fell in battle "while destroying and demolishing the enemy's houses". Far-right MP Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist Party also eulogised Azoulay during a parliament debate. Azoulay "came to Rafah and destroyed many buildings in the name of the State of Israel, knowing that he might not return home, as really happened," Sukkot said. Hilltop youth recruitment In May, Sukkot eulogised David Libi, another settler who was killed in the Gaza Strip while working as a heavy equipment operator. Libi was "directly responsible for the greatest achievement of the war in wiping out tens of thousands of homes," Sukkot said. Shortly after Libi's death Sukkot highlighted that many of the operators come from settler communities. Rabbi Avraham Zarbib is the most famous operator. Zarbib, a settler from Beit El, has become a social media phenomenon due to videos he uploads, in which he is seen demolishing houses in Gaza. "We will defeat this damn village until the end, until the victory, until the settlement," Zarbib said in one of his latest videos taken in Khan Younis. 'We will not give up until this village is wiped out' - Israeli soldier and bulldozer operator "We will not give up until this village is wiped out." Last week, Israeli journalist Uri Misgav reported that two civilian setups operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defence are responsible for the heavy equipment operation in Gaza. Each setup includes dozens of heavy equipment, and their operators are recruited from among the hilltop youth. According to Misgav, the setups are divided between north and south. Golan Vach, a former senior army officer, oversees northern Gaza. Vach is the brother of Yehuda Vach, a division commander, who was labelled by the Hind Rajab Foundation as "The Executioner of Gaza" for his alleged role in the "establishment and enforcement of an unlawful 'kill zone' in the Netzarim Corridor". Last month, the foundation filed a complaint against the two brothers to the ICC for crimes committed in Gaza. The southern Gaza Strip is overseen by Bezalel Zini, the brother of David Zini, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial candidate for head of the Shin Bet.
Middle East Eye
09-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Israel counts high cost of Iran war as censorship masks full damage
With the war now over, media reports are beginning to reveal the full extent of the destruction caused by Iranian missiles on Israel during the war last month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a "historic victory" after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on 23 June. He hailed the opening strikes as a major achievement and vowed that Israel would not remain "complacent" about any renewed threats. However, Netanyahu also acknowledged that Israel suffered heavy losses. The Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 29 people were killed and 3,238 wounded, some critically, as a result of Iranian attacks. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The war also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, property, and buildings across the country. The Ministry of Finance estimates the total cost of the conflict at 10bn shekels ($3bn). Direct damage from Iranian missile strikes is assessed at three to five billion shekels ($900m to $1.5bn) with indirect losses projected to be of a similar scale, according to TheMarker. Data published in Maariv indicated that more than 1,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, primarily in central cities such as Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Ness Ziona, and Bat Yam. Additional destruction was reported in Beersheba and Haifa, the largest cities in southern and northern Israel, respectively. Israel faces multi-billion shekel price tag from Iran war Read More » The Israel Tax Authority said over 46,000 compensation claims have been filed for damage to homes, vehicles, property, and equipment. According to The Times of Israel, around 18,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, with most relocated to hotels at the government's expense. During much of the 12-day conflict, only essential workers were permitted to report to work, as Defence Minister Israel Katz imposed a nationwide state of emergency. The economic toll was significant. The Manufacturers Association, quoted in Ynet, estimated that the shutdown cost the economy approximately 1.5 billion shekels per day ($450m). Critical sites were also hit, including the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Bazan's oil refineries in Haifa, and Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. The direct damage to these facilities alone is estimated to exceed 3 billion shekels ($900m). TheMarker reported that damage at the Weizmann Institute was especially severe. 'Initial estimates put the direct damage to buildings and equipment at 1.5 to 2 billion shekels ($450 to $600m), but the long-term scientific and economic losses are far greater, some of them incalculable,' the report stated. Censored damage Yet not all the destruction Israel suffered during the conflict was reported. The Israeli military censor is preventing the publication of Iranian missile impact on military infrastructure. The Telegraph reported this week that "Iranian missiles appear to have directly hit five Israeli military facilities," in the north, south and centre of Israel. Israeli news outlet Walla on Wednesday reported that Netanyahu's office at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv will be unusable for up to four months due to extensive renovations. 'There is real fear': How Israel's attack on Iran enabled an assault on press freedoms Read More » The Kirya, Israel's central military headquarters, houses top military command and key defence offices. It was evacuated following Iranian missile strikes on the building last month. Last week, left-wing journalist Raviv Drucker criticised the heavy censorship imposed by Israel on the true extent of the attacks. 'Many of the Iranian strikes have gone unreported,' he said, noting that Iran had succeeded in hitting multiple military bases and strategic targets. According to Drucker, military censors have blocked the release of specific locations, arguing it could assist Iran in refining its missile accuracy. However, he questioned that justification, suggesting the real motive was to manage public morale and control the narrative. 'It's hard not to suspect that the real reason is essentially semi-Iranian: propaganda and preserving public spirit. The truth is, we were also deterred,' he remarked. A source in a government ministry told The Times of Israel that he estimates the war's military costs amount to more than 20 billion shekels ($5.6bn). The figure reportedly includes the cost of ammunition, aircraft fuel, the operation of Israel's defence systems, and the large-scale mobilisation of reservists for strikes across Iran. In addition, The Telegraph reported that the United States launched around 36 THAAD missiles to support Israel's air defence. Each missile is estimated to cost $12 million.
Middle East Eye
25-06-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
Israel faces multi-billion shekel price tag from Iran war
Israel's 12-day war with Iran is estimated to have cost tens of billions of shekels, with thousands of people made homeless by missile strikes, according to Israeli sources. Defence spending in 2025 has already exceeded the state-approved budget, reaching between 20 and 30 billion shekels, following the escalation with Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza, according to TheMarker, the economic section of Haaretz. The Ministry of Defence projects that expenses will rise by an additional 25 to 30 billion shekels in 2026. As a result, Israel's budget deficit in the first five months of 2025 was 15.9 billion shekels ($4.56bn), Israel's Ministry of Finance stated. The deficit had risen to 8.5 percent of GDP by the end of September but has narrowed since then to around 5 percent of GDP. On 13 June, Israel launched air strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and killing senior military commanders and scientists. In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel. While most were intercepted by Israel's defence systems, dozens broke through, striking at least 63 sites, according to figures published by Israeli news outlet Ynet. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Israeli health ministry reported that 29 Israelis were killed in the Iranian attacks, and 3,238 were wounded. The Marker described the missile strikes as causing 'apocalyptic' destruction, with damage estimated at a minimum of 5 billion shekels. After the ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: "There is no doubt that this morning leaves a bitter taste, but with all the sorrow, the truth is that we achieved a decisive victory in the campaign against Iran. "We have removed an immediate existential threat from Israel," added Smotrich, who has been criticised in Israel for the delay in compensation for people evicted from their homes. Thousands of compensation claims According to property tax estimates, approximately 15,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes due to damage, with many relocating to hotels across the country. The cost of their hotel accommodation is currently estimated at around 100 million shekels ($29m). "The question is what will happen from now on: the homes of a large part of the evacuees are slated for demolition, and even if they don't, it will take time before badly damaged homes can be rebuilt so that they are habitable," TheMarker report. Israel's failure to subdue Iran shows it can no longer dictate the regional order Read More » "The state will have to pay rent for an unknown period of time to hundreds or thousands of families, some of them long-term, until the collapsed building is rebuilt - a process that could take years." So far, more than 41,000 claims have been submitted to the Government Compensation Fund, with many more expected, according to data published by the right-wing newspaper Israel Hayom. Of these, approximately 33,000 claims were for damage to buildings, while over 8,000 related to damage to vehicles, property, and equipment. The majority of claims - around 26,000 - were submitted by residents of Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel has also incurred significant indirect costs, as only essential workers were permitted to work during the war. The government is expected to announce a support program for workers and business owners affected by the conflict, with an estimated cost of 2 to 3 billion shekels. State expenditures are also projected to rise in the coming years due to ongoing payments of permanent compensation to Israelis impacted by the war, according to TheMarker. Before 7 October 2023, around 6,000 Israelis were receiving permanent compensation from the state. That number rose sharply to 25,000 following the Hamas-led attack on Israel. According to TheMarker, this figure is expected to increase further in the aftermath of the war with Iran. While the exact rate of growth is still unclear, the report estimates the additional cost will be at least tens of millions of shekels annually.
India.com
19-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Israel Iran war: Netanyahu is spending THIS amount every night to stop Iranian long-range ballistic missiles and..., Pakistan's economy is not even...
Israel Iran war: Netanyahu is spending THIS amount every night to stop Iranian long-range ballistic missiles and..., Pakistan's economy is not even... Israel Iran war: It is raining missiles on the skies of Israel and Iran. Israel is running short of Arrow interceptor missiles to defend against long-range ballistic missiles. According to a report, this shortage will put Israel's ability to deal with missile attacks at risk if the conflict with Iran continues. Israel's defensive interceptors cost a lot. After Iran's missile and drone attacks, reports of their stock decreasing rapidly have started coming. This is the reason why their cost has become a matter of great concern. Israel is spending crores of rupees every night to stop Iranian missiles. If comparison is done, small countries like Pakistan cannot even imagine this. Know here how much these defensive interceptors of Israel cost and how much it is spending daily to protect against Iranian missile attacks. Israel's multi-layered air defense system mainly consists of three interceptors: 1. Arrow system: Arrow interceptor missiles are designed to intercept long-range and very high-altitude ballistic missiles. These are most effective in intercepting Iran's ballistic missiles. These are the most expensive. The cost of an Arrow interceptor missile is said to be between $2 million and $3 million (approximately Rs 16.7 crore to Rs 25 crore). 2. David's Sling is meant to intercept medium to long-range missiles, such as large rockets and cruise missiles. An interceptor missile of the David's Sling system costs more than $1 million (approximately Rs 8.3 crore). 3. Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets, mortars and drones fired from Gaza by groups such as Hamas. The Iron Dome interceptor, known as Tamir, is relatively inexpensive. It can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 (roughly Rs. 16.7 lakhs to Rs. 83 lakhs) per missile. Some reports put the price at $50,000 to $150,000. Total cost comes up to… Israel's depletion of interceptor stock and cost impact Israeli financial daily 'The Marker' estimates that Israel is spending up to $285 million (about Rs 2,380 crore) every night to prevent Iranian missile attacks. This expenditure mainly includes the use of expensive interceptors such as the Arrow system.
