Blue Benn Diner in North Bennington, Vermont

VISIT THEM HERE

Need A Subaru in Bennington, VT?

See Asher at Bennington Subaru

527 N Bennington Rd, Visit them HERE

Tampa Teacher Monica Narain

Monica Narain noticed some fifth graders didn't have dress up clothes for special events.

So instead of shaking her head, she thought hard about how she could help them out. 

Narain started "Fancy and Fly Boutique" out of her classroom, offering kids a place to dress up in nice clothes that they can keep. HERE

Tampa Jay: Lost Ybor!

Village of North Bennington, Vermont

Asher's place

On the National Register of Historic Places

Asher Customizing

North Bennington, Vermont

Asher's New Hangout

Already making new friends. Meet Nicole. 

Great Steamed Clams

And Bloody Mary

Visit them HERE

Asher's 1st Day in Vermont

Stogie Expedition: Over Rivers & Under Mountains

We are about to pass by Scranton, Pennsylvania, the city where an old television favorite of mine — The Office — is set. That is exciting to me! As is the looming reality of living in Bernie’s jurisdiction, Vermont!

As we pass over rivers and under mountains, I feel thankful for my cats, Mia & Frodo, my hedgehog, Pluto, my friend Julio, as well as all the loved ones back in Tampa. Here’s hoping the leaders in Tampa are up to the challenges ahead. I am pleased to see that issues like restoring public pools and the historic Jackson House are on the docket, so to speak.

So, who should run for Hillsborough County School Board? Any names? I know that Jessica Vaughn and Bill Person are in that loop, the former being a declared candidate and the latter considering another run. I want to see some good, healthy primaries in all of these School Board elections.

As for who I like, I will support Commissioner Pat Kemp’s re-election campaign, and Gary Dolgin’s bid for Circuit Court Judge. Beyond that, we will see what happens! I’ll have to juggle Florida politics with Vermont politics. Look out for an Edelson campaign sometime in the future!

—Asher

What Stogie Had For Lunch

ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS AND PITA

ARTICHOKES AND OLIVES at Pangaea

Bennington, Vermont

White Man's War

New York, Pennsylvania State Line 

The Blue Line

Bennington, Vermont

Stogie Expedition: Nearly There!

We are driving through rainfall and beautiful Pennsylvania countryside. We are ready to be in Vermont!
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We should be there tomorrow. And then, I will settle down, and start anew! I have a few places I’d like to show Julio, such as Kevin’s Sports Bar! Exciting stuff. 
I hope all is well in Tampa!
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—Asher

What Did Luis Viera Hear?

Is this legit or an overreaction?

Florida GOP Sued

An open-government watchdog group and several news outlets filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the Florida State Cabinet over a meeting being held in Jerusalem. HERE
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Republican megadonors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson were there 
HERE

Bernie Leading The Pack

Daily Kos Democratic Straw Poll: 

End of May edition

HERE

Stogie Expedition: North Through South

Day two on the long road has me contemplating family, friends, and the future. What political prospects might await me in Vermont? Will I be able to help heal our society? Time will tell, friends.

Through downpour rain in North Florida, marshlands in Georgia, woods in South Carolina, and now open land in North Carolina, we approach our Nation’s Capitol. We may stop before or after crossing through Washington DC. Time will tell, friends.

—Asher

Tampa Berners Needed

INFO

Hillsborough County's Gift To Hollywood

Nearly three years after Florida stopped giving out tax incentives for film and TV crews, producers are making their way back to the Sunshine State now that counties are picking up where the 
state left off.

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 Hillsborough County

$500,000 HERE

Ybor McDonald's workers walk out for union rights

Stogie Expedition: 2 Cats, 1 Hedgehog

As I make my way up to Bennington, Vermont, to start the next chapter of my life, I feel rather overwhelmed with all of the positive people in my life.

Together with my dear friend, Julio Rodriguez (founder of the Ybor City Stogie!), we are driving north with my two cats, Mia & Frodo Othello, and hedgehog, Pluto. I am eternally thankful to Julio for his helping me on this voyage, and I am eager to show him Bennington! Maybe introduce him to some original Berners!

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank and praise my friends Jason Marlow, Chris Bacon, John Godwin (whom, I didn’t realize, agreed to help on his Anniversary!) & my two amazing parents for helping me to pack up the truck in preparation for this trip. The help was monumental and I hope to host each of you whenever you’re up in Vermont—same goes for other friends and family.

So it’s Julio, 2 cats, 1 hedgehog, and myself, all on a road trip to Bennington. I am stoked and grateful.

—Asher

Asher's Last Day In Ybor

The View From Florida: A day in Ybor City

Ybor City Homeless

7th Ave

Ybor Musicians

Cliff

Ybor City Walk

Tampa Hoods

West Tampa

TECO Propaganda

TECO repeatedly cites their 2023 coal burning projection, artfully ignoring that the 10-plan that TECO filed with the Florida Public Services Commission just last month calls for future coal burning that vastly exceeds even 2019 levels. As a Public Utility TECO violates the Public Trust when they mislead the public about their plans for coal burning 
in Apollo Beach. HERE

Tampa Hero Thomas Dunn RIP

"In loving memory of HART driver Thomas Dunn. He was a loving father, and he lived his life w purpose. He was well loved by his union brothers & sisters in ATU 1593 and joined them in demonstrations against transit privatization in Sarasota. Reps from transit agencies across the country & as far away as Toronto attended. Thomas was fatally wounded by a deranged passenger as he was driving a bus. He managed to pull the bus to the curb as his last act. Rest In Peace." Commissioner Pat Kemp

Tampa Berners Needed

here

HART United

Britton Plaza

God Advising Florida GOP

“As plain as day, God spoke to me” 

Rep. Mike Hill said , while discussing his plans to ban virtually all abortions in the 
state of Florida. HERE

Mike Huckabee: Peasants Are Ruining My View

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Sirloin Tips

With Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

At Chops in Ybor

EAT LOCAL!

Gloria La Riva in West Tampa

Eyewitness Venezuela: National Speaking Tour

With longtime Venezuela activist Alvaro Montealegre

David Manard and Russell Giambrone 

Hosted by Answer Suncoast and  Answer Coalition

Party of a lifetime in Palm City

A post prom party - prevented. Hundreds of kids, charter buses, plenty of alcohol and pot. A 19 year old admitted planning it. Even charged 80 bucks a pop to get in. Sure. That’s the story. BUT WAIT. Why didn’t @MartinFLSheriff arrest the party planner? Details at 5 on @CBS12 pic.twitter.com/OXdGmcrvQT

— PaulCBS12 (@PaulCBS12) May 22, 2019

Ybor Bartenders

Hank at Reservoir Bar

Tampa Clean Team

Downtown

Ybor City Homeless

Meet Randy

Glock and Ready Teacher Betty Soto of Seminole

Soto had a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, a six-inch fighting knife, and another smaller knife in a backpack she carried with her into a classroom full of children at Starkey Elementary School. HERE

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When asked why she did it, Soto replied: 

"Ask DeSantis."

Abolitionist Society of Tampa recruiting at Randall Middle School

Florida GOP Dennis Baxley Encouraged By Alabama Abortion Law

Days after Alabama’s governor signed the nation’s most restrictive abortion law, he almost wet his pants thinking about what that could mean for similar legislation here. MORE