The expression used to be that things were going to the dogs. In Lake Worth it's going to pot, well, almost.
All of us who used to smoke and/or drink are insufferable when it comes to what we now consider nasty, stupid habits. Personally I think smoking is nuts and it's unbelievable to me how people continue this ugly and dangerous habit. I admire those who quit like Loretta. Laws are in effect to protect people. Why don't we have any Code that protects the consumer from himself?
We have two businesses that have gravitated towards the latest fad for getting legally high and for making easy money off primarily the younger population that thinks it cool. However, there are a few older people, rejects from the 60's, who imbibe as well.
We have had a Kava bar here for awhile. A few months ago it set up a tent on the sidewalk and had loud outside music. It brought back the planters of palms that were previously rounded up by the City because it was reported that some questionable activities were happening behind the leaves and losers were hanging out. When walking by the establishment with its door wide open, it had the affect of 1,000 cigarettes blowing right in your face.
Some worry about our city being invaded by illegals and others worry about all the other progressive lifestyles with their influence, but businesses with known addictive substances as their main attraction, are far worse. All I can do is hope these fads are short-lived or that they some day disappear.
Now a Hookah bar has opened.
We have a Hookah House that has been described as having a very nice decor--over the top on decorating. Being totally turned off by smoke, I have not been in it. It is coming before the Commission tonight to get a proximity waiver that has already been approved by the P&Z. Now it also wants to be a bar so that the consumer can have a drink at the same time it is "hookahing" it. The hours of operation will be from Noon until 2am, seven days a week.
Each hookah session typically lasts more than 40 minutes, and consists of 50 to 200 inhalations that each range from 0.15 to 0.50 liters of smoke.
In an hour-long smoking session of hookah, users consume about 100 to 200 times the smoke of a single cigarette; in a 45-minute smoking session a typical smoker would inhale 1.7 times the nicotine of a single cigarette. The water used to filter the smoke does not remove harmful cancer-causing chemicals from the smoke as is believed by some. Source: Wikipedia.
Kava Bars
Described by Kava Dot Com as the second most widespread intoxicating beverage after alcohol, Kava is a cold herbal drink consumed over much of the Pacific Islands and Hawaii, and might just be an interesting (and much healthier) alternative to hitting the vodka or other narcotics. I can't understand why the smoke was so heavy and those passing by could barely breathe besides nearly tripping on chords placed on the sidewalk for their outside entertainment.
Medical literature sometimes claims Kava has a "potential for addiction" because "it produces mild euphoria and relaxation." But the owner there is not described as a mellow fellow. I was told that a nearby shop owner is suing him for causing a disturbance.
In a traditional setting, a moderately potent kava drink causes effects within 20–30 minutes that last for about two and a half hours, but can be felt for up to eight hours. Some report longer term effects up to two days after ingestion, including a feeling of mental clarity, patience, and an ease of acceptance. The effects of kava are most often compared to alcohol, or diazepam. Source: Wikipedia
Thank you, very informative. I need a good high.
ReplyDeleteYawn..........
ReplyDeleteha, ha, ha. Well, I didn't know what in the heck these people sold so I thought it interesting. Actually more interesting than even that to me is the fact that just about any place can come before us and get a waiver. We dish them out like candy.
ReplyDeleteIt is all legal. Prohibition did not work out. If you want to control legal substances like alcohol etc. then place an officer outside bars and follow the patrons to thier car and when they start the car breathalize them and you know the rest. You cannot codify stupidity.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "progressive life style"? Is that code for behavior contrary to a "traditional lifestyle"? Is calling someone a 60s reject really necessary? Otherwise, informative and interesting blog, as all of your writings that I generally enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWell since you asked me, "progressive" to me is the left winged Socialists roaming around our streets--the open border people--come one, come all. Those who believe that we all should pay the "same" for a service that is not a service. That type.
ReplyDeleteAs far as 60's rejects, there are still a few flower children around that think all that crap is cool man, cool.
Be careful. I heard this guy at the kava place has actually threatened people
ReplyDeleteI noticed they have Waterman signs in their windows. Figures
ReplyDeleteI don't frequent the Kave or Hookah bars, but the products sold are no more dangerous or addicting than the liquor/beer/wine sold by the bars downtown.
ReplyDeleteWPB beach has both a Kava and Hookah and Delray has both as well. These types of establishments attract all types but favor the younger, the arty crowd and the hipsters. Further, they attract a different crowd than the bars so I say welcome and I hope they do well. We need more businesses down town not fewer.
Anonymous at 11:40--I figured I would get that excuse sooner rather than later. However, I knew it would come. Business just to have business is a ridiculous excuse. Prostitution is a business as well. I am hoping that someday, with enough exposure on this situation, it too will be illegal.
ReplyDeleteLynn, Perhaps like you, I am confused when I hear politicians call themselves "Progressives" wondering what that means? When you ask them what they mean when they say that they usually give you some kind of rambling, politically sounding answer that doesn't mean a thing. When Rachel Waterman was quoted in the PB Post saying "We live in a town where the right-wings are Democrats. There is money in social progressivism." I asked her how are we going to make money on them?
ReplyDeleteawful looking people hanging out at kava
ReplyDeletekava is consumed traditionally in the south pacific as part of their culture and hookahs are smoked regularly in the middle east as a part of THEIR culture, i see no difference in trying out kava or hookah or eating asian or ethiopian or whatever kind of cuisine america embraces all culture and people so americans are used to being open to trying new things. when i was a kid and you too probably, i experimented with all kinds of things. so young people are trying new things and mingling with other young people in a place that doesnt serve alcohol and send people home driving drunk. i think its great thing as the college kids will most likely move on from kava or hookah eventually just as all other teenagers of the past have had their fun with substances and then grew up and moved on....so who cares let them be waste your breath on something of actual importance. have you ever even tried kava? you have to drink practically a gallon of it to feel anything and when you do its just a clear minded mellow feeling its disgusting,so disgusting that good luck on being physically able to drink enough to get an effect, but still quite nice .
ReplyDelete