Key Rat Stickers in copyright mess

My friend Mauro, proprietor of Elemental “Product Spot” in the Gables, is a little frustrated right now. He’s created various Key Biscayne themed designs for shirts and stickers, all of which are highly original and creative. Now he’s come to find out that someone has copied one of his designs and has been distributing stickers.

The details are scarce. Have the stickers been sold? No one can be sure. The thing about copyright, though, is that it doesn’t matter if they’ve been sold or not. Fair use limits a person, in this case, to reproduce the design for personal use; making your own sticker or a poster is fine. The line is crossed when things are distributed, even for free.

If you have any info as to any of this, post a comment or drop a line.

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New railings ruin the view?

With little warning, Miami Dade work crews have begun erecting a new railing on the Bear Cut bridge (the little bridge) and on the William M. Powell bridge (the big bridge). Both bridges already have railings facing South, but now the northern sides will have railings also.

While I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal, I do think it kind of spoils the view. I can’t think of too many times where people have gone over the rail. The one that comes to mind, with a cyclist, survived without incident.  Do we really need to put in railings then?

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AC Milan to head KB Football

(Note: I call it football)

In case you missed this week’s Islander (or maybe you only caught the most important article), it seems that the Key Biscayne Recreation Department is looking to get AC Milan to run the football program. The deal would have AC Milan’s coaches and developers run the program, with the possibility of sending any really amazing talent over to Milan to be farmed into a proffessional player.

Proponents of the deal claim that the help from AC Milan would bolster the program and alleviate some of the stress involved in finding committed coaches. Opponents think it will detach Key Biscayne and its proud and successful football culture, as well as diminishing the importance of girl’s football.

I personally think it’s a great idea unless it forces our teams to be more AC Milan than Key Biscayne. In international, proffessional play I’ve never had problems with foreign coaches, and this seems to be much the same but on a much smaller level. As long as Key Biscayne keeps the blue and white and we don’t have to call the teams AC Milan, I can only see it as a good thing.

Any thoughts?

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Welcome Islander Readers

Rat Radio has had the privilege of being in the Islander News this week. In case you’re reading this site for the first time because of said article, I welcome you to explore all that is Rat Radio.

I should also clarify some points made in the article. For one, the RatRadio.Net and the actual Rat Radio Free Radio Key Biscayne actually launched simultaneously. I didn’t stop the radio to do the site, as may be implied in the article.

Also, at the end of the article it mentions that I recieve about 1,000 hits a day. That’s correct, but then it quotes me as saying, “To make any real money, you need at least 2,000 hits a day.” If only it were that easy! What I actually said is that you need 200,000 hits a day, which is much harder to attain considering 12,000 people live in Key Biscayne.

All in all, though, it’s nice to get some publicity. If you’re reading this and think you’d like to write articles about the happenings and interests of Key Biscayners for little more compensation than internet fame, drop me a line at rafa@ratradio.net.

If you missed the paper you can read the article here.

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The New Places

Me and my friends have had a long running joke about food spots on the key. When we make plans to go eat lunch someone will always suggest, “that new place.” Unsuspecting friends will then excitedly ask, “What new place?,” to which we would get a hearty laugh.

See, the key hadn’t had a worthwhile lunch establishment open up for a good number of years until last month. Then in one swift month, three new places landed on the key. I’ve eaten at all three spots, and will attempt to give a good assessment of what they’re all about. It’s worth noting that it’s still impossible to get a good cheeseburger and fries on the key for under $10 (a good cheeseburger being defined as one where you can choose how it’s cooked). Anyway, on to the reviews.

Continue reading The New Places…

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Happy 4th of July!

Well, it’s not technically the fourth yet, but I definitely won’t be tending to the site when it is. So have fun on the 4th. Parade starts at 11:00am. Festivities go on all day afterward.

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Google Street View adds the Key

Google has taken pictures of every street on the key. When Street View first debuted, it was limited to certain parts of Miami and Miami Beach. It’s seems they’ve expanded and added many more parts of Miami. Not sure when this happened so it might be old news, but if you want to waste five minutes look up your house and check if you’re outside.

To use it, just head to Google Maps and find the place you want to see, then hit the Street View.

Update: My boy Ike has officially been immortalized in Google Maps. If you find any more post a comment.

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Rats’ Creed

In honor of the Easter holiday, I thought we’d take this time to reaffirm our beliefs as Key Rats. Please, read and speak aloud:

“We believe in one Key, the Island, the Village, maker of condos and houses, of all that is rich and less rich. We believe in one Home, Key Biscayne, the only important Key, eternally begotten of Key Rats, Key from Key, Isle from Isle, true Key from true Key, elitist, not inclusive, one in being with its Rats. Through It all things were made…better. For us Rats and our salvation It has really high property tax, limited space, and a ten-mile toll road separating it from mainland trash: by the power of the Rats, It was born of the county, and became Village. For our sins It was given its own overly-funded police department; we were tailgated, pulled over, and ticketed for no reason. On another day we were followed out of 7-11 and our licenses and registrations were checked—again, for no reason: we are still Rats, still hard, and still live on the Key. Even if we move, we will come again in glory to buy condos and/or houses, and the Ratdom will have no end. We believe in boating, the Ski Hole, and Regattas on the sandbar by Nixon’s house. Our friend with the boat: he is worshiped and glorified (and, mostly likely, used). He doesn’t really care as long as you bring girls and/or alcohol. We believe in Sir Pizza, crustless, square-chopped, and possibly dipped in Ranch. We acknowledge one option for going out during the week: Greenstreet. We look for the promotion of clubs, and the free bottles that are to come. Amen.”

Happy Easter, My Fellow Rats. Don’t worry, Jesus would have wanted it this way.

P.S. I’m going to hell for sure.

P.P.S. But, I’m going to talk to Barry about opening a Sir Pizza franchise there. I’m gonna be riiiiiich!

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The key’s hidden beach bar

You may not have heard, but recently a little beach bar opened on Key Biscayne. It’s not technically on the beach, but you can see the ocean and even hear it (between the reggae songs). And it’s not technically public, but it’s not too hard to get in.

The place is Las Olas, at Key Colony, and it’s the only beach bar on the key where you can get a cold beer for three bucks. They’ve got all sorts of stuff to eat also, from empanadas and paninis to ceviche and paella. The little down-low watering hole actually opened two weeks ago, and is run by my friend and key rat Lawrence Kelly. It has a great little vibe and is worth checking out Friday afternoons for happy hour. Hours of operation are whenever there’s sun out, so don’t bother going on a rainy day.

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