Locavore Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama carries his order of wings and rings at the Firehouse Brewing Company in Rapid City, South Dakota...........here
Tampa Locavore

Annette Taddeo In Key West

Thursday, June 5th, 2008, 6:00pm

here

Obama: Mensaje a Puerto Rico

Obama's South Florida Ground Troops

Earlier this month, a group of about 30 people gathered at the downtown Miami law firm of delancyhill. Most attendees were not seasoned political operatives, but many are well known within South Florida’s diverse black community, drawn from the worlds of marketing, business and law........here

Peaches For Oysters

If you’ve ever heard the saying – “the best defense is a good offense” – then you know exactly what I’m thinking when I say we should boycott Georgia Peaches...........here

300 Days Alone On A Tropical Island

French explorer and adventurer Xavier Rosset is about to embark on a 300 day trip to live alone on a remote tropical island in the South Pacific. His adventures will be filmed and used for a 52 minute documentary..........here

Annette Taddeo Calls On Ros-Lehtinen To Sign Pledge

The time has come to lift the 2004 travel and remittance restrictions. I hereby call on
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – who was so instrumental
in the Bush Administration’s decision to impose the ban – to abandon her previous position and to support Cuban and Cuban-American families. I call on President George Bush, and commit to press the next President of the United States and the Congress, to remove the 2004 travel and remittance restrictions and to return these regulations to their pre-2004 levels..........here

Wasserman Schultz, Robert Wexler and Barack Obama

Three Reasons To Hope

Perhaps nothing has been as disappointing over the past 7 and one half years than the inability of Congress to get its act together and take action against Bush and company.........here

CSX Street Running In Downtown Tampa

The Reality Of Salaries And Florida’s New Health Care Law

I don’t know how anyone votes when you actually have good choices for once. There is actually going to be a real debate with McCain and Obama, one that was missing in 2004 when the two choices were bad and worse............here

Florida Cuts Tax Holiday For Hurricane Supplies

Just four years ago, Florida was ravaged with four major hurricanes in the span of 10 weeks. Then, in 2005, two more major hurricanes hit Florida, making it one of the worst consecutive hurricane seasons in U.S. history..........here

Celine Dion Wasting Florida's Water

This TreeHugger doesn't usually cover the celebrity beat and I would rather chew on ground glass than listen to her, but Canada's gift to the world, Celine Dion and her husband René Angélil, drink up 18,000 gallons of water per day in their modest 9,800 square foot Jupiter Island pile.......here

Amateurs Assist with Florida Fires

Amateur Radio operators in Brevard County, Florida responded in a support role during a recent spate of wildfires that ravaged the towns of Palm Bay and Malabar........here

This Is Why Other Countries Laugh At Us

Dunkin Donuts pulled an ad of Rachael Ray because some conservatives didn’t like her scarf!!! What’s obviously a paisley print black and white scarf wrapped around her neck apparently looks like an islamic head covering to the others.......here

The Republican Party Of Florida

In Communist Party newspaper Monday, Fidel Castro called Obama the "most advanced" candidate in the presidential race, though he also criticized Obama's stance on the Cuba embargo. That proved too tempting for the Republican Party of Florida, which altered this image to make it seem like Castro is holding an Obama poster..........here

Samm Simpson for Congress - Democrat, FL Dist 10

"Taking the Lane” With Florida Bicycle Laws

Everyone’s familiar with the rules for bicyclists riding on the road in Florida, right? OK, check the Florida Statutes section 316.2065 for a quick refresher..........here

Joe Garcia: Questions

Where Is Mario?

Netroots Nation DFA Scholarships

here

Florida Ranks 50th In The Nation For Children's Health Care

Thank you JEB

And special recognition to his outstanding supporting cast of Florida Legislators. You've managed to undo a decade of advances in Florida's child health care. Now we're at the bottom of the pile in a nation that lags behind most other major nations in the world. Aim low and it's easy to succeed.......here

Dean Emerges As Peacemaker

Howard Dean arrived at this month's New Hampshire Democratic Party convention with the purposeful brusqueness that has marked his years on the national stage, climbing out of his rental car with hardly a word for anyone before retreating into a holding area........here

Judge Tosses Tampa-Based DNC Suit -- Again

A federal judge has once again thrown out a Tampa political activist's request to have the courts force the Democratic National Committee to seat Florida's presidential delegates.......here

Clinton Fans Protest At Obama Fundraiser

In South Florida

Pat Hollarn, Supervisor of Elections Of Okaloosa County

A small county in the Florida Panhandle that is home to one of the world's largest air bases is embarking on a sweeping experiment in Internet voting that could transform elections in the 21st century..........here
Meet The Supervisor

Clinton Fans Rally In Tampa

Picket lines were up outside the Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse in Tampa. Protesters want to draw attention to a lawsuit filed by democratic activist, Victor DiMaio.......here

Annette Taddeo At The Miami Beach Convention Center

Thursday, May 29 at 12 p.m.
info

Street's Of Tampa

Memorial Mile 2008, Gainesville, Florida

Alex Voted Out Of Class

Melissa Barton said she is considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class. After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote.......here

2008 Netroots Awards: Vote!

here

Free Upham Beach

Over 1.5 million dollars of taxpayers money was spent on a 2004 experimental project to save Upham Beach. Geotextile tubes were placed in an effort to slow the sand erosion process on a wave-breaking beach. Today, and since the middle of 2006, these yellow tubes are exposed and can been seen lining the Gulf shore.......here

Phoenix Probe Lands Safely On Mars

A small science probe blazed through the salmon-colored skies of Mars on Sunday, touching down on a frozen desert at the planet's north pole to search for water and assess conditions for sustaining life.........here

A Sunny Thing Happened Today at the Forum

It seemed, to me, like clouds parting and light pouring down instead of rain; like tears evaporating from the warm apples of a child's now-smiling face when despair is supplanted by thoughts of good things to come.......here

Obama, Howard Dean Speak Up Against Attacks On Immigrants

On Thursday in Florida Barack Obama accused Rush Limbaugh and Lou Dobbs of causing a rise in hate crimes against Hispanics. This was Rush's home territory, and it hurt his feelings.........here

Joe Garcia: Our Troops

IS 318: Hell, No, We Won't Take Another Test!

More than 160 students in six different classes at Intermediate School 318 in the South Bronx - virtually the entire eighth grade - refused to take last Wednesday’s three-hour practice exam for next month’s statewide social studies test.........here
“He was pulled because he was inappropriate with the kids. He was giving them
messages that were inappropriate.”........David Cantor
“My students know they are welcome in my class to have open discussions. I teach them
critical thinking.”..........Douglas Avella

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Chopped Sirloin
With Cottage Cheese And Squash
$7.50 At.......Stefano Greek Italian 8904 N 56th St Temple Terrace
Tampa Locavore

No. 1: Caladesi Island State Park

Dr. Beach describes Caladesi Island State Park as a "well-kept secret. Surrounded by a lush state park, few people in Tampa seem to know its whereabouts."......here

Tomato Pickers Win Victory With Burger King

BKC has agreed to pay an additional net penny per pound for Florida tomatoes to increase wages for the Florida farm workers who harvest tomatoes. To encourage grower participation in this increased wage program, BKC will also fund incremental payroll taxes and administrative costs incurred by the growers as a result of their farmworkers' increased wages, or a total of 1.5 cents per pound of tomatoes...........here

Newsome High School Students At Obama Rally

Essie Mae Reed, Is A Tampa Treasure

That's how U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, described her recently when Castor stood on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor the community activist as a champion of the poor. Reed's legacy now is part of the Congressional Record.........here

Barack in Sunrise, Florida

It was still dark outside on Friday when the Young family got in line for an afternoon event in a 20,000-seat arena.... So what is it about Democrat Barack Obama, a first-term U.S. senator from Illinois, whose Florida supporters filled two NHL arenas in three days this week?........here

Streets Of Tampa

Where Was Hillary During The 2000 Florida Recount?

Now that Hillary Clinton (D) is shamelessly evoking the 2000 Florida Recount in her desperate effort to lay claim to the Florida delegation -- and the fact that Kevin Spacey's film on the recount called 'Recount' is being shown on HBO this Sunday night -- it seems like a good time to share a story with you.......here

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Endorses Obama

Yo Ho Hoedown In Ybor City

If you happen to be in Ybor City this weekend, expect to see cowboy hats. Expect to hear music involving trucks and hound dogs. And expect the unexpected..........here

Civil War Sloop Found In Hillsborough River

Billy Ray Morris hovered in the water above his prize, the submerged hull of what may be the Kate Dale, a Civil War blockade runner.........here

Florida Voters And Obama's Tampa Speech

The crowd in the forum yesterday was like nothing I have seen since I moved to Florida from California a number of years ago. At one point, looking around, I turned to my companion and said, "It looks like Los Angeles in here. Only, more friendly." It did: people of every age and race, not just sharing space but talking to one another, sharing their stories of where they lived and worked, how they came to know Obama's campaign, and what they liked about his policies......here

Brian Moore To Speak In Tampa

Socialist Party USA presidential nominee, Brian Moore, will speak on "How America Can Change from Capitalism to Socialism" on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, from 12 noon to 2 PM, at the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa, 900 North Ashley Drive, Tampa........here

Miami Republicans Act Of Political Cowardice

Miami's three Cuban-American Republicans in Congress have scrapped plans to participate in a series of debates with their Democratic challengers. The South Florida AFL-CIO, which in recent years has hosted debates for mayoral and gubernatorial races, planned three debates next week for the nationally watched contests. But the Republicans said this week that they're not going.........here

The Jan Kaminis Platt Trail

America'a first overhead bicycle path. From bedroom community of Brandon to Tampa.

JOE GARCIA RESPONSE TO BUSH SPEECH ON CUBA

“Apparently, cosmetic policy changes are not only limited to Havana, they are taking place in Washington, too. If George Bush were serious about effectuating change in Cuba he would immediately grant Cuban-Americans unrestricted family visitation and remittances rights.

This is nothing more than political gamesmanship in an election year with the emotions of the Cuban people, which have already suffered through 50 years of a brutal regime and eight years of an incompetent administration.”......Joe Garcia

Far Right Wins in Florida, Loses in Indiana

Every election season brings a new crop of political hopefuls from the radical right. So far this year, their win-loss record is a respectable 1-1........here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Tasajo
With Moro and Yuca
$5.95 At.......Rosa's Market 4209 W.Martin Luther King Blvd Tampa

Al Gore: We can change the conversation

Howard Dean On Senator Kennedy

"Senator Kennedy is a true American hero and a leader in the Democratic Party, having spent a lifetime standing up for the values of fairness, justice and equality. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our prayers and well wishes to Senator Kennedy, his wife Vicky, and the entire Kennedy family.".........Howard Dean

Barack Obama Takes on McCain in Tampa, Florida

Streets Of Tampa

Obama Rocks Tampa Bay

Mary Tiler More Of Fort Lauderdale

I paint tiles and then I hide them or just leave them in random places where they're likely to be found.........here

Tampa's Economy Falls To Last Place

Continued job losses helped propel the Tampa Bay area's economy to last place in a ranking of six Southern cities, according to a new report by the Tampa Bay Partnership........here

The South Florida Trifecta

Will Democratic challengers in the three "Cuban" congressional districts of South Florida loosen the stranglehold that old-line anti-Castroism has had on presidential politics and Cuba policy? That's a question that can be answered only in the byzantine maze of Little Havana politics.......here

Joe Garcia: Welcome To S. Florida, Sen. McCain

One of eve of John McCain's major speech on Latin American policy and trade in Miami, Joe Garcia, the former executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation and a candidate for Congress, held a conference call to deride the Republican hard-line stance on Cuba, and to warn that South Florida's robust Cuban-American community isn't the GOP bastion it once was........here

Two Local Women Have Opened Up Their Hearts

Today approximately 700,000 Russian orphans are living in government run facilities. If the children aren’t adopted as infants, their chances of finding a new family lessen as they grow older. Jan Temkiewicz of Marco Island and Liz Mossman of Naples are volunteers with the Hosts of Hope program that bring older Russian orphans to this country for an enriching travel experience........here

Florida Going Solar

The “Sunshine State” is going to put some of that sunshine to use for something besides orange juice, tourism and melanoma. How about a little electricity? Or in the case of Florida Gulf Coast University, for a lot of electricity........here

Sting Operation Busts 78 Year Old Florida Man

A man who said he thought he was just helping a woman in need is accused of running an illegal taxi service. Miami-Dade County's Consumer Services Department has slapped Rosco O'Neil with $2,000 worth of fines. After O'Neil dropped off the woman,
Police Surrounded Him,
issued him two citations and impounded his minivan........here

Tennessee's Republican Party: "Lay off my wife"

The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record," Obama said. "If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable.........here

McCain's YouTube Problem Just Became a Nightmare

Sun-Sentinel Washington Bureau Chief William E. Gibson

A South Florida Sun-Sentinel article quoted Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party, saying, "This is a terrible thing," and adding, "I wish Obama would not pretend to care about the Jewish community." At no point did the article quote the Obama campaign or anyone besides Dinerstein on the issue of Obama's commitment to the Jewish community........here

WMNF’s 27th Annual Tropical Heatwave

The community radio station’s signature fundraiser, it featured six stages in and around the Cuban Club in Ybor City. About 30 mostly national and local bands, ranging from polka to post-rock acts, entertained the thousands of attendees.........here
more
Photo By Wade Tatangelo

Solidarity for Dr Lemur

75,000 Gather For Obama In Oregon

"Wow! Wow! Wow!"
Were his first words as he surveyed the multitude, which included people in kayaks and small pleasure craft on the river on an unseasonably hot day in Oregon.........here
In Tampa At The St. Pete Times Forum Wednesday, May 21st, Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.
Tix

Miami's Famous 'Coppertone' Sign

The Coppertone sign in downtown Miami is being removed after nearly 50 years. The landmark neon sign will get a face lift and will be put back near its original location.......here

Wackenhut Gets The Finger In Miami

On July 4th, 2007, a Wackenhut executive dressed in a suit and carrying a briefcase filled with taxpayers’ dollars, sprinted through the streets of South Beach while being chased by a giant finger and several sets of eyes.......here

Lunch At The Columbia In Ybor City

The original Columbia is located in Tampa in the historic Ybor City district, and since we just happened to jump off the plane during lunch hour, we thought we would take the kids for a visit......here

'Brokeback Mountain' Airs On Cuban State Television

here

Breakthrough City Church In Ybor City

Along the sin-soaked streets of Ybor City, Scientologists compete against bull-horn-toting evangelical Christians and Jesus Christ look-a-likes for their latest converts. The church is led in part by the Revs. David and Esther Crownborn, a husband-and-wife team who sermonize in a theater at Muvico Centro Ybor.........here

If I Were A Terrorist

Michael Burks At Skipper’s In Tampa

Arkansas-based bluesman Michael Burks will celebrate the release of his new CD, Iron Man, with a live performance in Tampa on Friday, May 23, 8 p.m., at Skipper’s Smokehouse..........here

Bike to Work: New Tampa To Downtown

The Times let me write a column on the 13 mile trek from New Tampa to downtown I took last Friday in recognition of Bike to Work Week. It was the first time I had ever ridden to downtown. I thoroughly enjoyed most of the ride but as a whole it was sub-par.........here

Florida Again Is Campaign Central

Signs are everywhere that Florida will return to center stage in presidential politics next week.
Howard Dean will be in Tampa on Monday evening where the Democratic National Committee chairman will combine fundraising with a sit-down dinner with Florida Democrats to try to soothe hard feelings left after the national party refused to recognize the state's primary results.........here

Joe Garcia - Best Miami Politician

In South Florida, the notion that there's such a thing as a first-rate politician is hard to swallow. But Garcia is simply good at what he does........here

Where To Get Tix For Obama In Tampa

here

Ellen DeGeneres Getting Married

Amtrak: The Leroy Selmon Express

Brandon To Downtown Tampa Every Morning And Back In The Afternoon. The Tracks Are Already There. How Much Does A Train Cost? We Can Turn The Ugly Addition To The Crosstown Expressway Into A Bike Path.

Robert Wexler And Debbie Wasserman Schultz

“I strongly reject President Bush’s politically calculated attack on Barack Obama in the Israeli Knesset today. It is clear that President Bush was directly attacking Senator Obama while at the same time unconscionably using the horrors of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust for political partisan gain.........here

"It is unprecedented that a sitting American President would stoop to this level and launch a deliberate attack on Barack Obama who is a staunch supporter of Israel.”......Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach

For The Love Of Woman

A circle of Sisters on the web and a few blessed men. A safe place. A helpful place. For the glory of Woman, the uplift of Woman and the health of Woman in body, mind and spirit.......here

Florida Republicans Against Our Troops

Bilirakis (FL-09), Brown-Waite, G. (FL-05), Buchanan (FL-13), Diaz-Balart, L. (FL-21), Diaz-Balart, M. (FL-25), Feeney (FL-24), Keller (FL-08), Mahoney (FL-16), Mica (FL-07), Miller, J. (FL-01), Putnam (FL-12), Stearns (FL-06), Weldon (FL-15), Young, C.W. (FL-10)

Source

Creative Loafing 2008 Summer Guide

TECO's Connection To Mountaintop Removal

You are connected to mountaintop removal. Your electricity provider, Tampa Electric Co, buys coal from companies engaged in mountaintop removal. Big Bend , operated by Tampa Electric Co -- located in Hillsborough County, FL.......here
ILoveMountains.org

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Meat Balls, Moro And Yuca

$5.75 At..........Deli Dreams, 6901 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa

Tampa Locavore

West Tampa Elementary

Students from Susan Beran's second-grade English for Speakers of Other Languages class at West Tampa Elementary had perfect attendance during April. As a reward, the 13 youngsters boarded a van at the school this morning and headed to International Plaza, where they stuffed cuddly animals at Build-A-Bear.......here

Obama Rally In Downtown Tampa

Wednesday, May 21, 12PM, St. Pete Times Forum

GOP Love Fest

Prescott Bush Appeasement Of Nazi Germany

Hitler's Angel

George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany..........here

Gov. Howard Dean - Florida Progressive Coalition

Traffic Changes Coming - For Better Or Worse

This Thursday, commissioners will consider several changes to our Land Development Code including two proposals affecting traffic: one good change, proposed by our county transportation planners, and one bad change, proposed by developers (well, by their lawyers)..........here

Tampa Theatre Trailer

Racism At Mulligan's Food & Spirits

The publishing company that owns the Curious George image says it is considering legal action to stop the sale of a T-shirt depicting Barack Obama as the monkey from children's books. The T-shirts are being peddled by Marietta bar owner Mike Norman at his Mulligan's Bar and Grill in Cobb County. They show a picture of Curious Georgie peeling a banana, with the words "Obama '08" underneath.......here

Florida Fires From Space

here

The Florida Theater - Jacksonville, Florida

The Florida Theatre originally opened to the public on April 8, 1927, as downtown Jacksonville's 15th—and largest—movie theatre. With lavish interior decor unmatched in Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre is the city's last remaining example of 1920's fantasy architecture and is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in Florida during this period........here

Speeders In Florida Beware

As of October 1st, anyone caught doing 30mph over the speed limit in Florida faces vehicle confiscation, five to ten years in prison and a ten-year license suspension. Bill HB 137, which was signed into law earlier today, was originally targeted at motorcyclists, but was amended at the last minute to include all vehicles.........here

Dean Congratulates Rep-Elect Childers

"On behalf of the Democratic Party I congratulate Representative-Elect Travis Childers on his win. The other winners last night were the people of Mississippi's First Congressional District. We thank them for reaffirming that when Democrats stand up for the values we share, we can win in Mississippi and across America.".........Howard Dean

Meat Is Murder

Tampa, Florida

Joe Garcia's Summer Leadership Program

More Homeless In Tampa Bay As Economy Worsens

Tampa Bay's largest agency for helping homeless and "working poor" families is reporting a huge increase in requests for service in recent months. Metropolitan Ministries says the number of families needing help is up 20% over the same period last year...........here

WMNF 27th Annual Tropical Heatwave

Saturday May 17 5:00PM - Cuban Club, Ybor City
info

Florida Prisons Are Booming

Crime might not pay, but we keep paying for criminals.

Especially for offenders in the never-ending War on Drugs.

In a lean budget year that will put the crimp on public schools, universities and health care, the state's prison system keeps pumping iron. The upcoming budget includes $309 million to build three prisons..........here

Denise Layne For Hillsborough County Commission

here

Tampa's Neglected Landmarks

Hillsborough County just committed $17-million in tax money toward the new history center. It will be a fine addition to the downtown Tampa waterfront. But the history already here is starved for money........here

Speedo Bob Ticketed on Florida Beach

A hairy-chested 61 year old man is "frightened and embarrassed" that he was ticketed for wearing a Speedo at a Florida beach. Apparently, nobody ever complained until some "bully deputy" came along and ticketed the old man.........here

Giant Worm Filmed Off Florida Coast

Posing As A Drug Buyer For The Tallahassee Police Department

Rachel Hoffman, a graduate of Clearwater's Countryside High School who was killed last week. Details of how the 23-year-old with a degree in psychology from Florida State University agreed to become an undercover informer, only to be killed in a rural area near Tallahassee, remained elusive..........here

National Train Day at Tampa Union Station

Here are some pictures taken during Saturday's National Train Day at Tampa Union Station. I spent about an hour and a half mulling around, taking pictures, and talking with event organizers and other insiders who were excited about the prospects of a re-emerging rail network between Florida cities.........here

Let's Talk SCHIP With Annette Taddeo

Let South Florida Secede

What a great idea. If this had been done earlier, the good people of North Florida wouldn't have had to suffer through eight years of Gov. Jeb Bush, a Miami resident. We also wouldn't have had to put up with the damage done to North Florida by House Speaker Marco Rubio, another Miami resident. And think about it. Where do hurricanes strike most often? That's right. South Florida........here
Where Does Tampa Bay Fit In?

Open Season On Bloggers

Recently a number of sports writers have expressed their disdain for bloggers culminating with Buzz Bissinger's expletive filled tirade on Bob Costas' HBO show.......here

John Graziano

Nick Hogan threw himself at the mercy of the judge today in Clearwater, FL in his felony reckless driving case -- and he got just a lil' bit. Hogan was sentenced to eight months in jail, five years' probation and 500 hours community service, and the judge yanked his license for three years............here

Joe Garcia: Doble-Moral

The Captive Blogger

When Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez was awarded the Spanish journalism prize Ortega y Gasset, she had to celebrate it from her home in Havana. She could not travel to receive it in Madrid last month because she did not get the necessary exit permit from Cuban authorities. ........here
Stalinism With Conga Drums

Clintonistas Kendrick Meek And Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Rarely have I seen grown adults throw temper tantrums the way the Clintonistas have because their “inevitable” candidate is not winning. You can be sure that each signatory of this letter is losing some position in Hillary’s Administration by the fact that Barack Obama is going to win the Democratic Nomination.........here

Obama: I Love Florida

Showing that the delegates in Florida and Michigan are on the mind of voters as well as Democratic presidential candidates, a woman at Barack Obama’s town hall meeting here asked Obama about ceding a state to Hillary Clinton.......here

Annette Taddeo Has Passion

I just got back from Annette Taddeo's campaign headquarters in Pinecrest after attending a little get together she hosted for a few of us local bloggers.........here

Rob Lorei Interviews Brian Moore

Socialist Party USA Presidential Candidate Brian Moore was interviewed on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, on Tampa Bay, Florida's Alternative Community Radio station WMNF, 88.5, by News Director Rob Lorei, on his program "Radioactivity: Live Call-In.".......here

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Benefits the Tampa Schools

A constitutional amendment was passed in November 2002 that established the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for all four year olds in the state of Florida. The program benefits not only the children but the Tampa schools, as well, by preparing children for kindergarten and beyond........here

Asher Edelson’s Ambitions

At just 13, Asher’s written two self-published books filled with strange creatures, including a talking bear. “He’s trying to save his world against a horrible, horrible tyrant,” says Asher about the plot of Adventure Land......here

President Barack Obama

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Can't Keep Her Mouth Shut

Palmetto Beach Could Go From Hidden To Historic

Perhaps one of the city's most overlooked historic neighborhoods, Palmetto Beach may soon get a big dose of recognition from the federal government. A local effort has the enclave just south of Ybor City on track to make the National Register of Historic Places........here

Co-Op Nurtures Tampa Bike Community

The second meeting of the Tampa Bike Co-op was held Monday at Transitions Art gallery on Columbus Avenue E. Green gearheads with a passion for cycling came together to share skills, tools and parts..........here

Pangea Day In Tampa

Innovation Hangar, a group of artists, designers, photographers and filmmakers, will host Pangea Day at its warehouse in the Channel District...........here

17% In Florida Voted For "Other"

Senator Clinton today wrote an open letter to Senator Obama demanding that he agree to count all the delegates from Florida and Michigan which broke the party's rules..........here

Philadelphia Beating

Hip Hop Thugs Beat Up Photographer In St. Pete

A 25-year-old Florida photographer will no doubt win a handsome sum if he decides to sue the thugs who beat him up and stole his camera. Photographer Luis Santana said the thugs were limousine-riding bodyguards for hip hop artist Chris Brown, a 19-year-old boy wonder who had opened for Kanye West in St. Petersburg Monday night........here

Carter: Michigan and Florida Should Not Be Counted

Former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that delegates from Florida and Michigan should not be counted at the Democratic National Convention because they “disqualified themselves,” and he warned of a disaster if party insiders try to wrest the nomination from the candidate with the largest number of votes and state victories..........here

Senior General Than Shwe

In the wake of a massive cyclone, tens of thousands of Burmese are dead. More than 40,000 are missing. A million are homeless. Burma's brutal and corrupt military junta failed to warn the people, failed to evacuate any areas, and suppressed freedom of communication so that Burmese people didn't know the storm was coming when the rest of the world did. Now the government is failing to respond to the disaster and obstructing international aid organizations........here

Free Burma

We Are All Sean Bell

Today, Al Sharpton and thousands of others did their best to “shut the city down.” There were protests at 125th and 2nd, in front of the Triborough Bridge; at 59th, in front of the Queens Bridge; downtown in front of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges…and of course, one at 1 Police Plaza..........here

He Just Thought He Had To Do Some Hero Thing

Glen Lee Powell
Left his mother's house this afternoon, she said, armed with his convictions that government and law enforcement had interfered with his personal freedoms............here

Warrick Dunn: A Home Of Their Own

It takes 'move-in condition' to a whole new level. Buccaneer Running Back Warrick Dunn surprised first-time homebuyers with furniture, appliances, and much more Tuesday.......here

"What we do is give families an opportunity to better their lives"

The Warrick Dunn Foundation

In Florida, The Farther North You Go, The Further South You Are

Mayor Donovan and North Lauderdale Mayor Jack Brady feel like patriots. They are floating the unusual idea to take South Florida’s beaches, residents, schools and everything else, and create a South Florida State. The reason is because they say South Florida bears an unequal burden–paying more in taxes than this region gets back. Obviously, this will never happen, but Florida is already two separate states.......here

Barack Obama North Carolina Primary Victory Speech

Carlos Miller's Saga Continues

The sight of a video camera in the courtroom sent shivers down the spine of the prosecution Monday morning. As soon as I stepped in front of the judge, the young state prosecutor in my case asked for a 15 minute delay because a Local 10 cameraman had his camera trained on him.........here

The Life and Times of Joe Garcia

While there have been many Independents, Libertarians, and Greens running for office in the Elections that are being held in the United States of America in 2008, there are some people within the Democratic Party that are worth mentioning. One of them is Joe Garcia and the upcoming elections for the 25th District of Florida.........here

Tampa Bay Transit Plans Find Funding In Tallahassee

Two transportation budget items have passed both houses of the Florida Legislature and are part of next year's budget.......here

Raytheon's Florida Neighbors Sue Over Water Contamination

The city of St. Petersburg, Florida is sending out letters this week to about 150 homeowners living within the boundaries of the so-called Azalea neighborhood, which appears to be contaminated from underground wastewater seeping from the Raytheon Company plant........here

Florida Forever Funding Approved Unanimously

Environmental groups throughout the state are delighted with the approval of funding for the land acquisition and protection program Florida Forever - or at least for the next 10 years...........here

Joe Garcia Talks About Gas Prices

Charles S. Rushe Middle School - Land 'O Lakes, Florida

Administrative Team

WMNF Film Series: In Sickness and In Health

Wednesday May 07 8:00PM

Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach

info

DFA Training Academy in Orlando

Saturday May 17 through Sunday May 18
9am-6pm each day
click here

Tampa Gives Itself A Pass On Destroying Trees

It is only by holding ourselves to the highest standards that we can expect others to do the same. We certainly cannot expect individuals to act in a more honorable fashion then our own elected city officials. The do-as-I say-not-as-I-do mentality of days gone by is past.........here

Crazy People Check Cashing

34th St. And Hillsborough Ave. Tampa

North and South Florida?

Tired of what they say is mistreatment by the State government, the North Lauderdale City Commission is pushing a resolution that would split Florida into two separate states..........here

Florida Passes Draconian Marijuana Bill

HB 173 is now the law in Florida. This means that if you have 25 or more marijuana plants, you will be charged with a felony, because supposedly you are selling or intending to sell your crop. Apparently, while most of the country has been liberalizing their marijuana laws, Florida has chosen a retrograde path to the 1950s.........here

Wizardry In Land 'O Lakes, Florida

Hoo boy. Just when you thought it was safe to come out of your insanity-resistant cave comes news from Pasco County, north of Tampa, that explains rather clearly why Florida's legislature is crawling with batshit insane fundies. In short, it must be the batshit insane fundies who vote for them........here

Hispanics May Put Florida In Play For Dems

Democrats are poised this week to pass a crucial milestone in Florida: For the first time, the number of Hispanic Democrats in the state is expected to exceed the number of Hispanic Republicans.......here

Margie’s Florida Adventure

It has taken the entire day to get to St. Petersburg and as daylight turns to dusk over the tangle of sailboat masts at the city marina, I know that my complicated route -- by train, bus and on foot -- is going to cost me some sightseeing.......here.......via SOF

Mildred And Richard Loving

A black woman whose challenge to Virginia's ban on interracial marriage led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling striking down such laws nationwide, has died, her daughter said Monday........here

Howard Dean as a Model Candidate

"I'd argue that the example of Howard Dean -- a losing candidate who just figured out another way to contribute, and significantly -- isn't a bad model to hold our candidates up against"...........Nancy Scola

Taking Her Secrets To The Grave

Geraldo Calls for Florida Gov to Investigate Palfrey “Suicide”

2008 Independents' Film Festival

The Education Channel in Tampa, Florida is currently soliciting films, videos, animations and digital media from independent artists, producers and students in Florida and beyond for inclusion in its 2008 Independent’s Film Festival........here

Under-Bridge Living

here

Peacocks Shot, Poisoned in Florida

Olivia's Kiss

Chapter 6

Learn How To Roll Your Own Cigar In Ybor City

The International Bazaar teaches people how to hand roll cigars in Ybor City, a district in Tampa Florida which was once the epicenter of cigar manufacturing in the United States.......here

The Bush-McCain Challenge

here

I'm A Joe Garcia Small Dollar Contributor

I'll take this opportunity to make the record clear--I'm a Joe Garcia small dollar contributor. No secret there, and hardly a cover up. How about you? Is your donation being "covered up"? Let's show Diaz-Balart what good, patriotic American small donors can do in defense of our country--electing serious men and women who will fight for us on the real issues facing the country today, not the bogeymen from decades past........here

Tampa Begins National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, and to observe the occasion, more than three dozen cyclists rode into downtown Tampa on Friday.........here

David Rivera's Bill

Aruca believes Rivera introduced this bill now "to create a favorable campaign environment for the reelection of the three federal congresspeople, courtesy of the Cuban Republican lawmakers in the state Legislature." In fact, for the first time, the three federal Republican Congress members from Miami will face serious opposition in November from challengers who have a chance to defeat them and who favor lifting restrictions for Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba......here

Richard Jackson for Florida House

District # 67

Antievolution Bills Dead In Florida

When the Florida legislature ended its session on May 2, 2008, legislative attempts to open the door to creationism died in the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 2692, as originally introduced, purported to protect the right of teachers to "objectively present scientific information relevant to the full range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical evolution.".........here

Joe Garcia - AIDS Walk

Why Stogie Likes Tampa Bay

Alafia River - Gibsonton, Florida

Vote for Change Kickoff In Ybor City

Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
1226 E. 7th Ave. Tampa FL

info

Stephen Colbert: Separation of Church and Plate

Annette Taddeo Campaign Office Opening Party

The Taddeo for Congress (Florida’s 18th District) campaign had a party yesterday evening to celebrate the opening of its new headquarters and I went along to see … partly because they invited local bloggers, partly from nostalgia.......here

While New Orleans Drowned

“Touring the 9th Ward with reporters can’t hide the fact that John McCain voted against billions of dollars in Katrina recovery efforts, emergency health care for survivors, unemployment assistance for displaced workers, and even the creation of a commission to find out what went wrong"......Howard Dean

Florida Teacher Fired Over Bikini Photos

A former Florida teacher claims she was unjustly fired because of her part-time job. Tiffany Shephard says she was abruptly fired from her job teaching at Port St. Lucie High School."They would not tell me why. I asked the straight out if it was because of my part-time job. "The biology teacher had recently begun working part-time with 'Smokin Em' Charters, a fishing boat that's been in the news before......here

Happy Mission Accomplished Day

May 1, 2003