Even a “known drug dealer” is legally allowed to photograph undercover cops as they serve a search warrant, if he takes the photos from a public space, according to a Florida prosecutor.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play Anna in the Tropics, written by Nilo Cruz, and directed by Dr. Sybil Barnes-Johnson, is being performed this weekend and next by Hillsborough Community College's Ybor Campus Theater Department.........here
Bacalao With Moro And Platanos
This is a tremendous social crisis, greater even than the issue of slavery.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that that President Bush will nominate Army Gen. David Petraeus as the new commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.......here
Today, the USA is a synonym for corruption, greed, homelessness, hopelessness, high crime and never-ending financial speculation. People are loosing their homes and are faced with ever increasing gasoline prices..........here
Ropa Vieja With White Rice And Yuca
Seems that paragon of jurisprudence and rational thought, Florida, thinks that having a pair of these on the hitch of your truck is a bad idea. As a matter of fact, if you scoff at this law, and continue to display your Truck Nutz, the state now sees fit to ticket you for $60.........here
"I guess these guys living in Puerto Rico learned how to swim."
Pam Iorio was re-elected to her second term as Tampa mayor last year. Previously she served as Hillsborough supervisor of elections and was a Hillsborough County commissioner.
In the past, Castro has liked to say to visiting U.S. congressmen,
Simon Rosenberg said the coming clash in the party will be between the "activist" class and the "governing" class for the heart and soul of the party. This was from a Time article from 2004 the day after the election........here
For a few cycles now, I keep hearing talk that South Florida may be ready for a somewhat more enlightened approach to Cuba than the "starve them until they give us back our confiscated property" model that's done so very little to drive Castro from power over the past 50 years.......here via.....flablog
The fastest route through the Everglades could lead drivers straight through a private company's toll booths by this time next year.The Florida Department of Transportation plans to talk to contractors this week about leasing out Alligator Alley, which could put the 78-mile toll highway into the hands of private interests........here
A plastic surgeon in Florida has come out with a picture book for young children called, "My Beautiful Mommy". It helps kids to cope with what happens when mummy gets a tummy tuck, a nose job, breast implants, and becomes unrecognisable.......here
Check out Pen and Brush Promoting emerging and established cartoonists in the Tampa Bay area........here
Wednesday, April 23, 8:00pm 
A sixty-two year old woman who earns half her income from the sale of sprouts and microgreens at the downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market was shut down today by the Florida Department of Agriculture.......here
I came across a very interesting form among the Bylaws of Polk County's DEC, Democratic Executive Committee. It is a Loyalty Oath that supposedly all Democrats who are elected to public office are supposed to sign under oath.......here
Sarasota’s premiere demonstration education facility for resource-conserving sustainable living, is undergoing a transformation.........here
On April 22nd, 2008, we will celebrate Earth Day. Faye Armitage, who is running for Congress against John Mica in District 7, is the smart choice to help protect Florida and the Nation’s natural resources........here
This is not a partisan issue, yet we belong to the party whose members often advocate for pro-life issues. I cannot imagine a more pro-life stance than advocating for state funding for living children who have been abused or abandoned by their parents.......here
When the summer beach season arrives in May, locals and visitors will see a Clearwater Beach vastly different from last year's version, at least at the southern end........here
Six of 11 student protesters are still fasting until they can talk about UF's investment policy with UF President Bernie Machen, but they're dropping fast. Two have already fainted after nearly a week, protesters said.......here
Troubled by restaurants that don't disclose the price of their specials, Aventura Commissioner Bob Diamond is pushing the county to adopt a law requiring eateries to, at the very least, tell diners how much each special costs.......here
When Congress approved the President’s authorization to go to war in Iraq – no matter how well-intentioned – it was giving the green light to the President to set his Doctrine of preemptive war in motion. It now appears that Iraq was just the first step. Already, the Bush Administration is apparently eyeing Syria and Iran as the next countries on its target list.........here
"That kind of divisive language is part of the reason why Mario Diaz-Balart was recently ranked 406th in Congress and last in bringing Florida taxpayers their fair share of benefits. The Diaz-Balarts are like the Sixth Sense -- they are dead, they just don't know it."........Joe Garcia
A discussion in the Florida Legislature on Thursday turned a bit awkward Thursday.
It’s big, purple and coming to the state of Florida. AARP and Divided We Fail unveil the “Champmobile,” an interactive educational vehicle traversing the state in the months leading up to the November elections........here
Sen. Ronda Storms attempted unsuccessfully Wednesday to eliminate the Byrd Alzheimer's center's state earmark, arguing that doing so would reveal whether the University of South Florida really wants the center, or only wants its money.........here
The idea is the brainchild of two-term city council member John Dingfelder. He wants to bar corporate and PAC donations, reduce the individual contribution from the current $500 to $200, and create more transparency of campaign contributions........here
50's style red-baiting has become as salient as... hula hoops -- except in Florida where McCarthyite tactics are frequently on full display. Extreme right politicians are never shy about tarring their opponents as "Communists" and "commie-dupes." If you check over at ActBlue, you'll notice that Blue America's latest endorsee, Joe Garcia, has more contributions than all the other candidates in the entire state -- combined........here
Now the Republican politicians in Tallahassee want to squeeze the people of Florida even more - including the most vulnerable among us. I'm always amazed by how heartless and self-serving Republicans in power are, but the proposed state budgets from the House and Senate mark a new low........here
The Senate may seek a federal investigation into a 2005 earmark on a highway funding bill that was mysteriously altered after Congress approved the measure but before President Bush signed it.......here
Florida has been long-known as a metropolis for family vacations, complete with saltwater, sunshine and animals that frolic with children. However, a seismic shift in tourism is leading families away from the dazzling Magic Kingdom to the quiet waters of Citrus County........here
Wesley Chapel High students approved their Wildcat Gay-Straight Alliance statement of understanding and acceptance more than three years ago. The school, principal Andy Frelick says, is "preaching tolerance all year." That said.........here
APRIL 18-27, 2008 - KEY WEST, FLORIDA
I bought about a pound of grouper (which has been scarce lately). I made a quick dusting of flour, kosher salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and a bit of peri peri powder and lightly coated the fillet..........here
An award-winning young-adult book was pulled from the shelves of an elementary school after a review committee determined it was inappropriate for the grade level. “The Land,” by Mildred Taylor, will be collected and put on library shelves in middle schools instead........here
"There should be something in the Constitution that protects someone with little or no power," he said. "This country was built on capitalism. What I do is one of the purest forms of capitalism there is.".........here
"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."...........here
As a trying-to-reform black-thumb gardener in Florida, I’ve learned to appreciate the benefits and advantages of native plants. They’re the smartest way to go for anyone who loves greenery but hates the constant battle against bugs, drought, heat and the region’s other environmental challenges..........here
