Caribbean Crazy Ants Invade Myakka City

They're called Caribbean crazy ants and it's a good name. "They drive me really crazy," says 9-year-old Daniel Morris. Daniel's family lives near Myakka City and the ants have infested their home and the five acres around it. Everywhere you go there are "ants, ants, ants, ants, and ants........here

Brian Blair And Stephen Dibbs

The billboard on Ehrlich Road in north Tampa touting the re-election of Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair reads, in fine print at the bottom, "Political advertisement paid for and approved by Brian Blair, Republican for Hillsborough County Commission, District 6." It appears, however, that his campaign did not pay for the billboard advertisement........here

W. - Final Trailer

JoJo Pellegrino At The Ritz In Ybor City

Friday - 11/28/2008 - 7:00 PM

For Tickets......Gasparilla Tixx

Residents Fighting Yet Another Bottling Plant in Florida

In Florida, an overwhelming number of residents seemingly oppose issuing a permit for another water bottling plant on the Santa Fe River (five permits are in the works), yet a denial of the permit is hardly a done deal - even though the water bottling company involved has yet to be identified by the property owner..........here
Flow The Film

Kevin Costner loves the Tampa Bay Rays

Costner and his band Modern West have just recorded a song for the Tampa Bay Rays to celebrate their AL East division title...........here

How Florida Voted On The Great Swindle of 2008

Democrats -- Yes: Alcee Hastings, Ron Klein, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Robert Wexler, Kendrick Meek, Tim Mahoney, Corrine Brown, Allen Boyd. Democrats -- No: Kathy Castor.

Republicans -- Yes: Ander Crenshaw, Adam Putnam, Dave Weldon. Republicans -- No: Jeff Miller, Ginny Brown-Waite, Cliff Stearns, John Mica, Ric Keller, Gus Bilirakis, C.W. Bill Young, Vern Buchanan, Connie Mack, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Tom Feeney..........here

Thank You Kathy Castor. Shame On You Robert Wexler.

FL-25: Real Trouble For Mario Diaz-Balart

Diaz-Balart (R) 45
Garcia (D) 41
These are awesome numbers. Diaz-Balart is well under 50 percent, which of course is a danger sign for any incumbent. But Diaz-Balart is also fighting against the changing trends in this district and a blockbuster Obama operation...........here

Annette Taddeo: Nuevo Rumbo

The Florida FlyIns

Let me explain. ... It’s called the Florida FlyIns -- an international journalism course at the UF. For nine years now, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and professor extraordinaire John Kaplan has been teaching the course. Every year the class flies to a predetermined country and spends a week there, trying to tell its stories...........here

Florida Organizations Unite to urge Gov. Crist to say No to Nuclear

With a new Energy Bill slated to be signed by Florida’s Governor Crist, grassroots organizations from all over the state came together this week to sign a letter urging Governor Crist to take a stance against nuclear energy.......here

Tampa International Airport Number Two

Tampa International Airport came in second and Orlando International Airport fifth in the magazine's annual business poll of airports, airlines and hotels............here

Bruce Springsteen On The Streets Of Tampa

Bruce Springsteen will make hands raise up in the air during next year’s Super Bowl halftime in Tampa, Florida. He will sing along with his backing group, the E Street Band, according to the NFL and NBC’s announcements Sunday night........here

Obama Should use Cuba as the Case Study on Isolation

Cuba is a perfect case study for Obama to use in his argument that isolation is a failure. Our policy towards Cuba is one out of place in the world we currently live in. Obama has staked his campaign on the idea that the American people are not stupid. America is ready for a change regarding its Cuba policy and it can be a home run for Obama...........here

Jews for Obama

So are the Democrats going to have Florida stolen from them again? Not if everyone's favorite homegirl Sarah Silverman has anything to say about it........here

Tampa Republican for Obama

It's time to make a stand for change. I am a African American Republican and I am voting for Obama. Not because he's Black but because I agree with his issues on changing America. We Obama takes about tax cuts he's talking to me. This meeting should be for everyone in Tampa who's tired of the same old same old. The good old boys network is not welcome to this meeting..........here

Gotti Arrest Recalls Florida Mob History

The ghosts of Tampa's old-time wiseguys awakened this summer when Mafia scion John "Junior" Gotti came to town in handcuffs, accused of pulling the strings in a bunch of classic mobster crimes........here

Lucchese family soldiers Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke just gave the welcher an old-fashioned beating, ending up at a dingy north Tampa bar that still stands across the street from the Busch Gardens amusement park.

Obama Leads McCain Among Florida Hispanics

A new poll released Friday shows that Sen. Barack Obama is leading Sen. John McCain 2-to-1 among Hispanics in swing states -- including Florida, where the Democrat holds a slight edge.......here

Brooker Creek Preserve October Programs

Call (727) 453-6800 for information and registration.
Registration is required for some and appreciated for all programs........here
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center

Voter Registration at Tampa's Navaratri Celebration

Empower the South Asian American community! Help others register to vote at Tampa's Navaratri Celebration: Sept. 26th and Sept. 27th at the Indian Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa.........here

Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay

Dionne Blaesing: Paw Lawyer

Her New Port Richey firm, Blaesing & Diaz on Main Street, handles civil and administrative disputes involving pets, barn animals, livestock and wildlife..........here

Eating Tampa’s Best of Tampa Reader’s Poll

Stogie's Favorite: El Paraiso Cafe

The end of the month is rapidly approaching, which means that the polls will soon be closed on Eating Tampa’s Best of Tampa Reader’s Poll. Vote! Vote! Vote! (And THANKS to all those who have already voted).

You can vote in the comments, or send me an email
at eatingtampa@gmail.com

Tribute to Paul Newman

Challenges To Diaz-Balarts Draw National Attention

With little more than a month to go before their first serious reelection challenge goes to voters, Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart have launched TV ads that accuse one Democratic challenger of corruption and the other of backing an $88 million utility-rate hike. Democrats Raul Martinez and Joe Garcia have fired back.......here

Newman's Own

Paul Newman - Rest In Peace
Today, Newman’s Own is a thriving company with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. As always, all profits are donated to charity through Newman's Own Foundation. We will miss Paul, but we will honor his vision for the Common Good through dedicated stewardship of his company that will perpetuate his philanthropic legacy. Paul wouldn’t have it any other way..........here

The Case for Obama: An Interview with Howard Dean

In the midst of a historic and heated Presidential election, Howard Dean, the opinionated and passionate chairman of the Democratic National Committee, sat for this exclusive interview to make his case for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party...........here
Muslim American interviews Howard Dean about Obama

Volunteers in Florida

Campaign volunteers in Florida talk about why they got involved and the important work they're doing for Barack Obama.

Coca-Cola Rolls Out Hybrid Delivery Trucks In Florida

Coca-Cola is going green. The company on Thursday rolled out 10 heavy-duty hybrid-electric delivery trucks that it’s adding to its South Florida fleet. The new trucks are estimated to improve fuel efficiency by 32 percent, reduce emissions by 37 percent and create less noise when idling or stopped in traffic..........here

Minority Pastors Rally In Tampa To Support Amendment 2

A group of black and Latino pastors pledged Wednesday to rally support among their congregations for Amendment 2, the measure that would essentially ban gay marriage in Florida........here
Politics And The Pulpit. Where Were These People At The Start Of This Illegal And Immoral War?
Vote No on Florida Amendment 2

Tampa's Confidence In Bush

15 hours after Bush’s speech to the nation on the economy, 61% of adults in the Tampa area say they have no confidence in Bush’s ability to lead the nation during these economic times.......here

Signs O' The Times: Parents Abandoning Their Children

Nine siblings are among 11 children as old as 17 who were left at Omaha hospitals Wednesday under Nebraska's unique and new safe haven law, which allows caregivers to abandon babies and teenagers alike at hospitals without fear of prosecution.........here

Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker At USF

Saturday, September 27, Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker and his wife, Keisha Whitaker, will be at USF as part of the Obama Campaign’s efforts to encourage Floridians to register to vote in advance of the October 6 registration deadline.

University of South Florida College of Public Health
Public Health Auditorium
13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, Florida
5:15 pm

The Great Swindle of 2008

Look, Bush/Cheney and their cronies have been bilking this nation and raiding the coffers with countless unaccounted for no-bid contracts for the war, Katrina, no child left behind, faith based initiatives, etc. while simultaneously almost completely eliminating taxes for corporations and rich old white dudes.......here

Make Your Vote Count Tampa Bay!

I’ve heard soooo many different things being tossed around about who can vote, when you can vote where you can vote etc. So this blog is going to be VOTE CENTRAL!! I plan to keep you informed on making sure your VOTE counts!........here

Hallmark Prize Goes To Pet Lover From Tampa

Tampa's own Susan Rodnite, and pal Daisy, recently won the grand prize for funniest pet card in Hallmark Cards' recent YourPets contest. Susan and her English bulldog were among 67 finalists chosen by Hallmark, which turned their entries into greeting cards that are being sold across the country..........here

Florida Republicans: Filled With Corrupt Politicians And More

The Embarrassments Keep On Coming For Florida Republicans
1) According to a recent report by the non-partisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), two Members of Congress from the Sunshine State --- both from the I-4 Corridor --- are listed among the 20 Most Corrupt from among the nation's 535 Senators and Representatives........more

Florida's First Gay Adoption

Earlier this month I posted about the Circuit Court judge in Florida who had struck down the state's ban on gay adoption in order to allow a foster parent in Key West to adopt the son he had been raising. Here's more from the Miami Herald on Wayne Larue Smith and partner Daniel Skahen and their 12-year-old son........here

The Democratic Party’s Gang of 66

The Gang Of 66 came into existence on June 14, 2007 with a $10,000 "Money Contribution" (i.e. legal bribe or graft) to the Democratic Party Majority Whip, James Clyburn, from the ultra-right-wing 'U.S.-Cuba Democracy' PAC, headquartered in Hialeah, Florida, a suburb of Miami...........here
Florida Members:
Boyd Allen, Brown Corrine, Castor Kathy, Hastings Alcee, Klein Ron, Mahoney Tim, Meek Kendrick, Wasserman Schultz Debbie, Wexler Robert.

Tampa Bay Socialists Have Their Presidential Candidate: Brian Moore

The Socialist Party of Tampa Bay -- not to be confused with the Socialist Workers Party, the St. Petersburg-based African People's Socialist Party or the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement -- has been active in the Tampa Bay area since the early '90s. Activists with the group have led antiwar marches, supported the Immokalee workers and left a whole lot of propaganda at area coffeeshops............here

The Socialist Party of Tampa Bay

Mario Diaz-Balart On Health Care

Mario Diaz-Balart thinks our healthcare system works well when it's accessible to athletes, celebrities and members of royal families.

Evangelicals Take Credit For Tampa Bay Playoff Berth

Christian evangelicals across the country are rejoicing today as the Tampa Bay Rays have made the playoffs, an event for which evangelicals are taking complete credit........here

See what happens when you get the Devil out of you?”.......Pastor Lukas Mark Smithers

Florida Sun Shines On Obama

Howard Dean: John McCain Is Simply Making Stuff Up

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean lashed out at John McCain Tuesday for “simply making stuff up” about Barack Obama and his Democratic colleagues. “At this point his campaign has sort of deteriorated into just a really dishonorable campaign,” Dean said on MSNBC. “He says we’re opposed to clean coal. That’s not true. He says Obama’s going to have huge tax increases. That’s not true.”........here

Joe Garcia: Ask Him A Question, And Take A Seat

Over the weekend Real Clear Politics ranked Joe Garcia as the South Florida candidate most likely to defeat an incumbent and the Miami Herald's Naked Politics Blog was quick to pick it up..........here

What is the Cuban Mafia?

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bill Nelson, Mel Martinez
The Cuban Mafia is not an established organization per se; it is a state of mind of certain American politicians who are vociferously anti-Cuba, and who are primarily based in the state of Florida.........here

Latinos in Tampa Make the Difference

We Will Be Hosting Two Events

1. Tampa Hispanics for Obama Kick-Off and Phone Banking for Change, which will take place this Tuesday, September 23 at 5pm. · It is the occasion to rally our supporters and reach out to those who still have to hear our message and connect to it.

2. Debate Watching House Parties, September 26 at 9pm ET · On the 26th of this month, Barack Obama will square off against John McCain on National Security and Foreign Policy..........here

It's Your Time, Don't Blow It.........Howard Dean

Local 10 Debunks Mario Diaz-Balart's False Ad

St. Lucie County Students To Lend Food Bank A Hand

Treasure Coast Food Bank's inaugural "Kids Feeding Kids Student Food Drive" begins today and runs through Nov. 1. Selected as one of six food banks in the nation, Treasure Coast Food Bank received a grant award from Tyson Foods to support youth volunteerism and launch a student-led food drive to help lessen hunger in the community........here

Florida Voter Suppression Makes a Dangerous Comeback

There are dark clouds on the horizon of the battleground state of Florida. New laws and tales of voter suppression efforts already have many voters nervous and confused. Florida, which was recently named

“The Most Hostile State In The Nation To New Voters”

by three national voting-rights groups, has significantly tightened voter identification laws and made it easier for voter’s rights to be challenged..........here

Wayne Garcia's Moral Courage Award

I got the OK from the higher-ups here to give Moral Courage Awards annually, starting this December, for people in Tampa Bay who demonstrate, in the words of the county’s award, “exceptional ethical behavior and the moral courage to challenge the actions of government.”........here

To make a nomination, send an e-mail to wayne.garcia@creativeloafing.com

Gay-Marriage Ban On Florida Ballot Generates National Attention

Proposed bans on same-sex marriage are on the ballot in Florida and two other important states this fall, rousing passions on both sides, yet neither John McCain nor Barack Obama seems eager to push the issue high on their campaign agendas..........here

The Florida Botanical Gardens

With 120 acres to explore, the Florida Botanical Gardens provides a day full of adventure. Meander down paths and walkways to beautiful courtyards, sculptured and succulent gardens, seasonal displays, tropical, native and palm gardens............here

"Top Chef: The Tour" Comes To Tampa

Witch's Masquerade Ball

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Holds its fourth annual Witch's Masquerade Ball at 6 p.m. to midnight, 11400 Morris Bridge Road. There will be food, drink, shopping, tarot reading, face painting, dancing, a costume contest and a fun house. For more information, call (813) 988-8188 or go to uutampa.org.

Lady Lake, Florida

The McCain-Palin campaign is making a lot of noise about the large crowd that came to cheer Sarah Palin at her appearance in Lady Lake, Florida, last week. Local fire officials estimated the crowd at 25,000 to 30,000, while the McCain-Palin campaign claims an audience twice that size...........here

Obama 2008
It's Your Time, Don't Blow It.........Howard Dean

Barack Obama in Dunedin

This Wednesday, September 24th, please join Barack Obama in Dunedin, where he will talk about his vision for creating the kind of change we need.......here

Cry foul: Lincoln Diaz-Balart won't debate Raul Martinez

Sorry, little mistake in the headline. Replace the word foul with fowl, for chicken. That should be the modifier for Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who's not up to the challenge of meeting his challenger in the debate arena..........here

Was the McCain Camp Engaged in “Vote Caging” in Florida

That title got your attention, didn’t it? Good. Before we get to the potential voter suppression going on in Florida, however, a bit of stage-setting is in order. Context is everything, after all.........here

Saving Tampa

Saving Tampa , a romantic suspense is about an FBI Agent and a psychic forced to work together to prevent a terrorist attack on Tampa Bay.......here

New Hillsborough County Logo

Based on the decision by the Board of County Commissioners to rename the Moral Courage award, to the Ralph Hughes award, it is time to unveil the new Hillsborough County logo.........here

Christians Rally Around Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. Several Christian groups are attributing the team's success to the fact that this year they changed their name from "Devil Rays" to simply "Rays."...........here

Call for Joe on September 25th!

Big Cats Find Sanctuary In Tampa

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, you don’t often get lions called Cameron. Savage as Cameron is capable of being, he’s never seen nature red in tooth and claw. He was liberated from a roadside zoo and lives now at Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit sanctuary for exotic cats that have been abused or abandoned. It’s not a zoo. Visitors are offered two or three 90-minute guided tours a day and that’s it. Big Cat Rescue depends on the $25 admission fee to help meet its $1 million animal budget.......here

Howard Dean To Young Voters: It's Your Time, Don't Blow It

Howard Dean was the headliner at a voter registration rally hosted by College Democrats at Temple University. A crowd of a couple hundred heard the former Vermont governor and former presidential candidate call for young people to lead the way in taking the White House from the G.O.P.......here

An Open Letter to All Republicans

Dear Republicans: This election all Republicans who love America must vote for Obama. A vote for business-as-usual and a continuation of the Neoconservative/Religious Right/ party of corporate American alienation is a vote against America. As a former Republican activist, I appeal to your patriotism and honor..........here

Tampa Bay Bar and Restaurant Examiner

Locals and Limey's Pub; A St. Petersburg Tradition
Limey's Pub is the quintessential local watering hole for St. Petersburg residents. With about 13 mostly British beers and one Cider on tap, served in true 20 oz. English pints, the pub has become a staple for business men, musicians, sorority girls and lesbians alike........here

Limey's Pub

Lacking Income, Sex Offender Lives Under Crosstown

Zackery Hicks, 42, needed a place to live after serving 14 years in prison on a robbery conviction. As a registered sex offender, however, Hicks wasn't allowed to live within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, public park, playground or bus stop........here

Obama To Prep In Tampa For 1st Presidential Debate

Officials within Obama's campaign confirmed the democratic presidential nominee will be in town to prepare for next Friday's presidential debate with republican candidate John McCain.........here

Puppets Pay Tribute To Their Master

I’m sure you’ve already heard that your Hillsborough County BOCC voted 5-2 to rename the county’s Moral Courage Award after long-time local activist and money man Ralph Hughes........here

He was a major contributor to commissioners Brian Blair and Jim Norman and state Sen. Ronda Storms.

"He was the father of conservatism in Hillsborough County,"...........Joe Chillura

Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator

If you were born to Sarah Palin, your name would be

here

High-Tech 'Batman' Ship in Florida Drug Raid

In the early days of August, a suspected drug-running boat zoomed through the Straits of Florida, trying to outrun her American pursuers. The drug boat zigged and zagged near reefs and sandbars at 42 knots, and skimmed over water as little as five feet deep. Ordinarily, that would have been enough shake off any Coast Guard cutter or Navy frigate chasing her -- those vessels can't be in such shallow water. But this pursuer kept coming, and coming...........here

'Blacks Against Obama' Heckle Barack In Coral Gables

Not all black people are voting for Obama. A group of protesters calling themselves "Blacks Against Obama" interrupted Senator Obama's speech at a rally in Coral Gables, Florida today........here

Say No 2 Campaign Launches Make Your Own Commercial Contest

Florida's SayNo2 Campaign against the dangerous and deceptive Amendment 2 has just announced a contest to create your own commercial against Amendment 2! They will be picking the top user-generated commercials to blast out on all of their social networking sites..........here

Tampa Undecideds Swing Away From Palin

Of the 11 undecided voters participating in the free-wheeling discussion one recent evening at the Times — four Republicans, five Democrats, and two registered to no party — only two Republican men applauded the selection of Palin.............here

Obama 2008

South Tampa MoveOn for Obama Party

1112 South Dunbar Ave

21 Sep, 5:00 PM Tampa, Florida

RSVP

Homestead Mayor Lynda Bell

City taxpayers in Homestead footed the bill for nearly $500 worth of posters touting federal projects Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart has championed, city officials acknowledge.Though the poster boards didn't bear Diaz-Balart's name, they were displayed at a fundraiser for the congressman whose district includes Homestead -- and were ordered up by the city mayor.........here

Best Of The Bay: Best Radio Station WMNF

WMNF is a non-commercial, community radio station operating in the city of Tampa in the U.S. state of Florida that broadcasts at the FM frequency of 88.5 MHz and streaming live. The radio station is listener sponsored, relying on some 11,200 (as of June 2007) supporters for a majority of required funding which is raised in two or three semiannual pledge drives........here

Meanwhile, In Jebbie's Florida Fiefdom

Top Florida investigators found that state regulators failed to alert police agencies to crooked mortgage brokerages, ignored citizen complaints and allowed hundreds of people with criminal histories to peddle loans........here

Annette Taddeo - South Florida Wants a New Beginning...

Best Of The Bay Local Hero: Joe Redner

The Father Of The Nude Lap Dance

Redner has been engaged in legal battles with the Tampa City Council, which has tried to place restrictions on the strip club industry for 25 years. Mons Venus and Redner have filed suits that have reached the Supreme Court and have become case law in many court cases. Redner ran for County Commissioner as an independent in 2004..........here

Joe Garcia: When Will Diaz-Balart Debate Me?

Mario Diaz-Balart and I were supposed to have a debate on Univision this week about the issues affecting our community. He said he couldn't make it because he would be in Washington, but an online invitation shows him as the headliner for an event in Miami.........here

Governors Sebelius and Napolitano at Eckerd College

This Saturday, please join the Florida Campaign for Change in St. Petersburg for a women's economic security event with Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona.......here

Republican Party Of Hillsborough County Needs Your Cash

Charles Hobbs is a Democrat who votes in nearly every election. Hobbs is one of many local Democrats who have received mailers from the Republican Party in recent weeks questioning their voting status and hitting them up for cash. Staff at the Hillsborough County Democratic Party offices in Tampa have been getting barraged with phone calls from party members who have received what they say are deceptive mailers........here

Ralph Nader Makes Florida Ballot

Ralph Nader is back. The perennial presidential candidate will be on the Florida ballot in November. Nader's name is anathema to many Democrats in Florida becuase they blame him for President Bush's 2000 election........here

Motorcycle Riders In Florida Beware

Florida House Bill 137 Becomes Law
The bill that wanted to originally confiscate motorcycles for speeding and or stunt riding was contested by many during the Florida 2008 Legislative Session.......here

Megan in Plant City, Florida

Often worries about her family's ability to pay the bills. A mother of three and stepmother to one, Megan and her new husband first ran into trouble with the failing housing market. Though her husband still works as a nurse, Megan lost her job working as a property manager, and she has realized she can no longer afford health insurance........here

McCainvsFlorida.com Gets More Than 30,000 Hits

Today the Florida Democratic Party officially launched http://McCainvsFlorida.com, a website to highlight all the ways that John McCain is out of touch with Florida. This launch comes one day after the site was unveiled to grassroots activists across Florida, leading to more than 30,000 people visiting to learn more about why John McCain is wrong for the Sunshine State.......here

DFA Unity 4 Change Debate Watch Party

Sep 26, 2008 7:00PM
Davis Island Garden Club
81 Columbia Drive
Tampa, Florida.........RSVP

Dywan Washington: A Tampa Republican

"I don't agree with Barack's liberal socialist views. I'm proud to be a young black supporter of McCain."..........Dywan Washington

"EXCITED ABOUT TUESDAY WHEN I WILL SEE ONE OF MY HEROES LIVE JOHN SYDNEY MCCAIN"
@.....My Space @.....Facebook

Obama To Rally at Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Metropolitan Park
1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida........info

Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay

Coskata Eyes Florida Sugar To Biofuel Plant

Coskata, a startup working on next-generation cellulosic ethanol, is talking with Florida sugar producer U.S. Sugar Corp about building a plant that produces biofuels from sugar cane on its land. While U.S. Sugar is in the process of selling its land in the Everglades to the state of Florida for $1.75 billion to be restored, Florida Governor Charlie Crist has endorsed building ethanol on the land as a way to keep jobs in the area.......here

The Habitat For Humanity Of Hillsborough County ReStore

Offers a wide variety of new and used building materials, appliances, cabinets, furniture and much more at discount prices. All proceeds from our store go directly to fund the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County. We are located at 3738 East Hillsborough Avenue.........here

Meet Christine Jennings, Running For Congress In Florida

Christine was born in Ohio but moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1984. Since then, she has been actively working with local families and neighbors to help them achieve their needs and their dreams. Dedicated to community building and service........here

Eden Tampa Goes Clothing-Optional

That seems to be the prevailing opinion of the young apartment dwellers I talked to while visiting Eden, the newly renamed and much-buzzed-about condominium complex near Westchase. Formerly the Arbors at Branch Creek, the complex is morphing from family-oriented apartment units into a "South Beach-style" condominium with a nude pool.......here

Eden Tampa

Michael Phillips Of Tampa Wins Emmys

Michael Phillips, an amazing 27-year-old with a muscle disease that has eliminated his ability to move his limbs. Breathing through a respirator and outfitted with a computer that can turn text into spoken words............here

Plan for Change

"Plan for Change" is a two-minute advertisement in which Senator Obama will speak directly to the nation on his view of the state of the economy and what he would do to fix it if he is elected president.

Best Local Blog: litbrit

She’s progressive. She’s a hottie. And she is a major Frank Zappa fan, posting little-known clips of the late composer-rocker on her blog each Friday. So what’s not to like about Litbrit, aka Deborah Newell Tornello. The 47-year-old Gator grad started her blogging career as a commenter/contributor to Shakespeare’s Sister, the nationally known progressive outlet......here
Readers' Pick: Sticks of Fire

Whaling Group Meeting In St. Pete Beach

For 22 years, the International Whaling Commission has banned commercial whaling. But now a group meeting behind closed doors in St. Pete Beach is talking about what it would take to end that moratorium..........here

Florida Company to Recycle Political Signs

Gulf Stream Plastics (GSP), a Florida-based company, is serving as a dropoff site for political signs through Thanksgiving. Thus far, an estimated 800 pounds of political signs have been collected and shredded.........here

3,000 Pack The Tampa Convention Center For McCain

John McCain put corporate chief executives on notice during an appearance in Tampa Tuesday. About 3,000 people came to listen............here
About 20,000 Saw Obama At The St. Pete Times Forum May 2008

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Orlando Bosch And The Bush Family

The political pressure to grant Bosch a pardon was begun during the congressional campaign run by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, herself a Cuban American, and overseen by her campaign manager Jeb Bush. The resultant pardon reputedly saw huge celebrations in Miami, in what was then called 'Free Orlando Day"

Iran Is Not The Problem

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 8:00pm

Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

In Florida, Dems Now Outnumber Repubs Among Hispanic Voters

Looks like yet another group that has been a stalwart for the GOP has come to its senses, in the wake of the Worst President Ever. Hispanic voters in Florida now are mostly Democrats...........here

Debates On Between Raul Martinez And Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Oct. 8 and Oct. 31, the dates for debates between Democratic challenger Raul Martinez and
Republican rubber-stamp Lincoln Diaz-Balart......here

Obama To Campaign in Miami and Jacksonville

On Friday, September 19, Senator Obama plans to campaign in Miami-Dade County, and on Saturday, September 20, he will hold an event in the Jacksonville area.
Details on locations, times and ticketing for these events will be announced in the coming days.

Brian Blair And Michael Jackson From Gary, Ind.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair went a bit off track in an interview between himself and challenger Kevin Beckner on ABC Action News’ Flashpoint talk show on Sunday, cracking a racial joke about himself and singer Michael Jackson both being from the same Gary, Ind., neighborhood........here

¡Todos Unidos!

Annette Taddeo

Big Cats on the Menu

This page was devoted primarily to pending changes in Florida's captive wild animal rules, but even if you are not from Florida, this could make a big difference where you live because Florida currently produces more big cats than any other state. These cats are hauled all over the country, and sometimes even to foreign countries where people are not as concerned with protecting animals...........here

Kurt Browning's Florida Voting Law

Voting rights advocates are alarmed over the Florida Secretary of State's September 8th decision to enforce the state's "no-match, no-vote" law, a voter registration law that previously blocked more than 16,000 eligible Florida citizens from registering to vote, through no fault of their own, and could disenfranchise tens of thousands more voters in November.........here

Florida Deal for Everglades May Help Big Sugar

In June, Gov. Charlie Crist announced that Florida would buy one of the state’s two big sugar enterprises, the United States Sugar Corporation. He billed the purchase as a “jump-start” in the environmental restoration of the Everglades, which cane growers are accused of polluting with fertilizer runoff........here

Sarah and Hillary

Men Painting Florida - Highwaymen Art

The Highwaymen artists are/were a collection of black artists from Fort Pierce, Florida who painted vivid landscapes and Florida scenes. They painted from the 1950's to the 1970's. With few exceptions, you could not purchase their paintings in galleries. Their works were sold mostly from the trunks of cars to passing motorists. They could also be found carrying their paintings door to door in business districts and even selling on busy street corners.........here

They Killed Him In My Mom's Yard

A 46-year-old man died Thursday night after being zapped three times with a Taser and bound in handcuffs and leg irons, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
"We told them, 'Don't shoot him no more,' and they kept shooting him,"
Wilson's mother, Annie, said Friday...........here

Fellow Floridian Andy Lacasse

A sign in one man's front yard has stirred up a controversy in his community. "I got nothing good to say about Obama," Lacasse told News 13.
"If I see anybody touching that sign, I got a club sitting right over there."............here

"If you're going to attract attention, at least make sure your spelling is right."........Steve Rice

Noventa Y Tres Por Ciento

Mario Diaz-Balart

Joe Garcia Endorsed By Bob Graham

Some history lessons leap out at you with road signs. Well, today it was a sidewalk sign saying this building in the center of Miami-Dade College was the Dante Fascell Conference Center, and this was where Sen. Bob Graham was going to issue his endorsement of Joe Garcia for Congress in FL-25........here

Blair Vs. Beckner Sunday At 11 a.m.

In the highest profile one-on-one meeting in the campaign so far, incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair and challenger Kevin Beckner have taped an appearance for Sunday’s Flashpoint with Brendan McLaughlin on ABC Action News Channel 28..........here

Howard Dean Rocks Lewis & Clark

Howard Dean still has something of a rock star quality about him, at least on college campuses.
The chairman of the Democratic National Committee was at Lewis & Clark College on Friday as part of a voter registration tour of the Northwest. Coatless, with his sleeves rolled up, Dean entered from the back of an auditorium at the Templeton Student Center to the rousing cheers of about 300 students..........here

John McCain's Ads Are Lies

Here's The Video Proof

Miami Residents Are Most Attractive In US

If you live in Miami, consider yourself among the most attractive people in the United States. The Sunshine State's metropolis has the most beautiful people, according to an online survey of "America's Favorite Cities" by Travel + Leisure magazine, while Orlando came in At No. 21..........here

The Citrus Taliban On Barack Obama

Who knew the Christian Coalition was in the business of defining Christianity? Perhaps Mr. Baxley might consider pausing and looking back at the campaign of the man he supported so diligently in 2000 and 2004..........here

"He wants to tax the rich more and redistribute wealth to other people — where I come from that’s socialism. Karl Marx was not a Christian.”...........Dennis Baxley

Annette Taddeo: Red to Blue Winner In FL-18

Terrific news for Annette Taddeo, our brilliant challenger against a Bush rubber-stamp in Washington. Taddeo now has full backing of the Democratic Party establishment’s Red to Blue program.......here

It's About Time!

New Roof For Tampa's Kress Building

In the wake of the demolition of a historic high school earlier this week, Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena today proposed spending $100,000 to repair the collapsing rooftop of the Kress building, one of the city’s threatened downtown landmarks........here

Soledad O’Brien Visits UF

She is a correspondent for CNN’s Special Investigations Unit and co–anchored the network’s morning show from 2003 to 2007.And now, she’s coming to UF. O’Brien will kick off UF’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations with a speech at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts tonight.......here

Carolyn Wonderland

One Of Stogie's Favorite At The Cuban Club In Ybor City

Saturday Sep 13 8:20PM

info

Kate Gets The Best Emails

*Black teen pregnancies? A "crisis" in black America.White teen pregnancies? A "blessed event."
*If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual,you're "reckless."A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a "maverick."
*If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people,you are an "arrogant celebrity".If you are a popular Republican female candidate, you are "energizing the base."
more

WMNF's 29th Birthday Bash

Saturday Sep 13 06:00PM -- Cuban Club, Ybor City

info

High Treason

Is criminal disloyalty to one's country. Participating in a war against one's country, attempting to overthrow its government.

here

Sen. Bob Graham's Veterans Tour Kick-Off

September 12, former U.S. Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) and Obama campaign National Veterans Outreach Director Phillip Carter will hold a conference call with Florida reporters to preview an upcoming veterans tour and discuss Senator Barack Obama’s plan to fulfill our sacred trust with America’s veterans. In Tampa.....
Tampa Veterans Roundtable Discussion
With: General Claudia Kennedy, Commander Sergeant Major Michele Jones, Sergeant Major Jon Estrada, Staff Sergeant and Iraq War Veteran Mike Wilson and local veterans

American Legion Post 248 – 2105 West Jamaica Street, Tampa Florida
SATURDAY, September 13, 2:00 p.m.

Movie Groovy Casting In Tampa

Friday, September 12, 2008 - 5pm-10pm - University of Tampa
info

Name The New Baby At The Lowry Park Zoo

Help us name the endangered Pygmy Hippopotamus that was born Tuesday, August 26, at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. The birth is the first for the Zoo and a significant conservation milestone for the species in captivity with only a few calves born each year..........here

Yvonne Yolie Capin For Florida State House

Tampa Is In My Genes
As a small business woman, I know the value of hard work.
I want to fight in Tallahassee for a stronger economy, better schools and to make sure that one catastrophe doesn't devastate your family's future.........here
You can now make "A Choice for A Change"

Florida Trail: Gold Head Branch State Park

Mayor’s Youth Corps Class of 2009

Mayor Pam Iorio is inviting Tampa teenagers to get involved in government by joining. Young people in 9th, 10th and 11th grade can apply now to become a member of the Mayor’s Youth Corps. The deadline is October 24, 2008 and applications are available from high school Guidance Offices.......here

Free Churros At Polling Stations

How to Increase Voting According to Tiny
Tommy at Sticks of Fire is looking for suggestions on how to increase voter turnout, especially elections that don’t involve presidential candidates and don’t take place in November.........here

I'm Getting My Chocolates In Largo

William Dean Chocolates is an artisan chocolate company that hand paints and airbrushes chocolates right here in Largo. On Monday they appeared on “The View” as one of Whoopi’s “Must Haves.”..........here

Ethically Challenged Florida Republicans

Tom Feeney and Vern Buchanan

According to a new report released today by the non-partisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Republican Congressmen Tom Feeney (FL-24) and Vern Buchanan (FL-13) are among the 20 most corrupt Members of Congress out of the 535 members of the House of Representatives and Senate........here

Million Doors for Peace

Join thousands of us on Sept. 20th, as we go door-to-door in our communities across America, finding the next wave of the movement to End the Iraq War.
here

The Big Read Hits Tampa

Whether young, old, black or white, a rainbow of readers gathered to launch the Big Read Tampa at Hillsborough Community College in Ybor on Saturday. This month, members of Hillsborough County are encouraged to participate in the communitywide reading event by reading a single book and attending countywide activities......here

Tampa Bay's Media Talk: Healthy Together

Sun City Campaign for Change Office Opening

Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 PM
137 Pebble Beach Blvd S
Suite 202G
Sun City Center, Florida

info

Eating Tampa’s 2008 Search for the Best Food in Tampa

Stogie's Favorite: El Paraiso Cafe

Welcome to Eating Tampa’s 2008 search for the best food in Tampa! Polls will be open for the month of September and winners will be posted throughout the month of October.
Vote Here

Hillary's Visit To Tampa

Clinton spoke to a crowd estimated by organizers at about 2,300 at the All People's Life Center in East Tampa,.........here

El Capitan's Pics

The Blair Watch Project Takes All Of Us

That campaigning takes people who are willing to put their money and/or time where their mouth is. If you ever complained about your county commission, or shook your head in disgust as you read about them in the paper, or wished your leaders had more vision or spent your taxes more wisely

your time to do something about it is now........here

Bloggers Link To This Project. Help Brain's Fans Stay Informed.........here

Vote Kevin Beckner

Plant City Federated Republican Women Know

THIS DOG CAN HUNT!!!!!!!!

Here

HadNuf: Drill Drill Drill

Bill Nelson's Fightin' Words On Drilling

"I want everybody to know -- including the senator [Saxby Chambliss] that’s just walking onto the floor -- that this senator is not going to allow Florida to be a sacrificial lamb for whatever is struck as an energy compromise,"..........here

To Lose It All In Pinar del Río

There will be no journalists there hunting for slogans, nor hearing the victim’s complaints over unfulfilled promises. But support from citizens, help from family living abroad and from international NGOs [non-government organizations] – solidarity that doesn’t look for political support, nor acts of faith – cannot disappoint them.........here
Stop The United States Embargo On The Cuban People

Dr. Dean In Collegetown, USA - No Slackers Here

A coalition of students from Stephens College, Columbia College and MU registered 659 college students Friday, a figure that exceeds their total registration count from the 2006 election cycle......here

Sarah Palin Has Women Flocking - To Barack Obama

EMILY's List was perhaps the first to sing out about an opportunity rather than a threat from Palin, pointing to a poll it had done a couple of days after McCain selected the Alaskan moose huntress..........here

Joe Garcia's Reaction To The GOP Convention

In Spanish

Hillary Coming To Tampa

All Peoples Life Center
6105 E Sligh Ave
Tampa, FL
Monday, Sept. 8, Doors Open at 5:00 PM.

This event is free and open to the public, however, tickets are REQUIRED.

Old Florida on the Half Shell

It's several degrees hotter than the highest recorded temperature in Hades, and so humid it's like breathing wet cotton. Only air conditioning makes the Southern summer bearable -- air conditioning and seafood. I decide I need to pay homage to Apalachicola, Fla., a place sanctified by both. Apalachicola is the Jerusalem of air conditioning and the Vatican City of oysters.........here

Bush Front Man Martinez Shines Less Bright In Florida

A June Quinnipiac University poll found only 40 percent of Florida voters approved of Martinez's performance, compared with 51 percent for Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and 61 percent for Gov. Charlie Crist.......here

Outrageous Injustice for Florida MILF

I often write about the female sentencing discount, but here's one terrible aberration--a 40-year-old woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison--yes, you read right, 30 years--for having sex with a 16-year-old boy.......here

Happy Birthday, Yoani

Generation Y

Michael Moore's "Slacker Uprising" For Free

"This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans. The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November."........Michael Moore

Hypocrisy Now!

Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Meeting

The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners met today in Tampa and covered a range of issues including park lighting, road safety in front of Plant High School, affordable housing, street flooding, the Confederate flag, and the county’s animal shelter.........here

Obama Could Pursue Criminal Charges Against Bush & Co.

Mr Biden Said At An Event In Deerfield Beach, Florida

“If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued, not out of vengeance, not out of retribution, out of the need to preserve the notion that no one, no attorney general, no president - no one is above the law."...........here

Florida Levee Grows Weaker Each Day

Drive down US-441, and you'll run right into it. A grass-covered wall that stretches as far as you can see in both directions. It's the levee that wraps around Lake Okeechobee -- that huge lake in the middle of Florida. Altogether, the levee is 143 miles long. And the protection it gives could give way in a massive hurricane.........here

THE LAKE OKEECHOBEE DIKE

Lake Okeechobee at record low from drought

Canvass Old West Tampa

Outraged about the last eight years? Eight is enough! Let's canvass Old West Tampa and take on John McCain before it's too late! Bring your walking shoes.......here

Joe Biden In Sarasota, Florida

Doug Tudor for Congress

Florida 12th Congressional District.........here

Help Cuba recover From Gustav: Obama Says Suspend Embargo

Barack Obama and the three Democrats running for Congress in South Florida against Bush rubber-stamps have a common platform on the Cuba embargo: relax it only after Cuba makes progress toward democracy, but meanwhile ease restrictions on family visits to Cuba and on sending money to relatives in Cuba.........here

Amy Goodman Reports On Her Own Arrest

Immokalee Slave Masters Plead Guilty

Five Immokalee residents pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges of enslaving Mexican and Guatemalan workers, brutalizing them and forcing them to work in farm fields. The 17-count indictment in the case - one of the largest slavery prosecutions Southwest Florida has ever seen - was originally released in January.........here
Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Riviera Beach Police Cracking Down On Crime

Meet Kenneth Smith. The Florida man, 29, was arrested yesterday for wearing baggy pants. Smith was busted by Riviera Beach cops for violating a city ordinance governing low-slung trousers........here
In a bid to criminalize a fashion style popularized by urban youth and hip-hop fans, Riviera Beach voters approved the new ordinance earlier this year.

Amy Goodman Grills St. Paul Police Chief

St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington

Held a news conference where he spoke about the nearly 300 people arrested in a police crackdown on protesters a day earlier. Among them were several journalists covering the protests in the streets, including three of us at Democracy Now!—Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Amy Goodman questions Harrington about the arrests.........here

Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper & Trig

Is This An Alaska Thing?........here

Diaz-Balart Brothers: Out of Touch

Brian Blair Mocks Local Blogger David Pinero

I've got job interviews I need to attend to, so I decide to get my suit dry cleaned. There's this dry cleaner on the way to my current job I always pass, so I figure, hey, I'll finally stop in and give them some of my business. In I wheel into the parking lot when, slam, this is what I encounter staring back at me.......here
In Case You Want To Choose Option Number One, This Cleaners Is At Linebaugh Ave And North Boulevard In Tampa.

Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore?

St. Pete for Peace Wednesday Film Series

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8:00pm

Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Don't Rig Florida Coalition Holds Rally

The term “offshore drilling” was the ticket to free admission into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday evening. The tiny aquarium, known for its sizeable rehabilitative work with marine animals, invited visitors to attend a discussion about the upcoming vote in Congress on Sept. 12 that will determine whether drilling will be allowed within 50 miles of the Florida coastline.......here

Joe Garcia Is Here To Win

Things happen when, after so many years of a family holding political power, all of a sudden, there is fatigue of the repeated speeches, the passing of days, generational shifts or the moment of political realignment in the country sounds several alarms that warn that the trendy word, change, is not only coming to the White House, but to the Congress as well........here

Mahan Massacre Petitions Delivered

Olivia's Kiss

Chapter 10

Walk Your Tail Off Tampa Bay

Our 8th annual Stride for Strays walkathon is coming up on October 11! Walk your tail off for homeless pets and enjoy food, fun, prizes, activities, demonstrations and a fun day in the park with your dog.........here
October 11, 2008 - 9 am - 1 pm at Lowry Park in Tampa

Sarah Palin: Dick Cheney In A Dress

McCain's anti-choice, anti-science, anti-environment, anti-gay right wing extremist pick for vice president -- particularly important in view of Sen. McCain's advanced years and failing health -- reveals the depth of his cynicism and condescension towards American voters, women in particular.........here

Florida Life: Gators on the Lot

Via......Pete McDonald

Florida State Parks to Celebrate Literacy in September

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks are celebrating the second annual Literacy Month this September at each of the state's 161 state parks. In conjunction with International Literacy Day on September 8 and National Library Card Signup Month, entrance to all of Florida 's state parks will be free the week of September 7-13 for visitors who bring a library card, library book, or who donate a new or gently used family book......here

DWS: "Don't Pull That Populist Stuff With Me."

When my friend Jane saw what Florida congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the DCCC's Red to Blue program, which is charged with defeating Republicans and replacing them with Democrats, saw how shabbily Wasserman Schultz had treated progressive Navy veteran Doug Tudor, her astonishment was palpable. "Wow," she wrote, "We really are the New Republicans!".........here

Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC

Kevin Beckner And The Green Team

For Hillsborough County Commission, District 6

here

The Official and Uncensored Beat Brian Blair Website

Take a look at Blair's His Contributors tab. As of June 30th, he had 650 contributors, 413 of which are "developer-related" individuals. Why should such a small number of people, 413, run Hillsborough County? That's 1 of THEM for every 2,803 of US.1,157,738 people live here......here

Joe Garcia: Special Video for Supporters

Annette Taddeo: I'm Going To Beat Ileana

Given a brief chance to introduce herself to Florida Democrats at a breakfast here Wednesday -- a day after fellow candidates Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez appeared before the entire convention -- Taddeo seized the moment, taking to the stage in the delegate hotel to outline her candidacy against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.........here

Johnny Depp's Charitable Florida Jam Session

Johnny Depp played at a charity benefit concert in Pompano Beach, Fla., Friday night. The charity that benefitted from Depp's largesse was the Dan Marino Foundation. The former Miami Dolphin football player's charity funds programs for children with special needs including the Marino Autism Research Institute......here

Ybor (Cigar) City

Hoping to escape labor issues, Vicente Martinez Ybor became the first Key West cigarmaker to move his operations to Tampa......here

Three Men Charged Over Threats To Kill Gordon Brown

Three men arrested over threats to kill Gordon Brown have been charged with terrorism offences, threat posted on website hosted in Tampa Florida.........here