FANM 2015 Gala - Miami

info

Florida Competes

In Florida, someone can be fired from their job or denied housing simply because they are gay or transgender. It's wrong—but in 2015, we can pass common sense legislation protecting hardworking LGBT Floridians from discrimination.

Contact your legislators and ask them to support HB33/SB156, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, a law to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination in Florida! Just enter your information on the right to get started. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Pressed Cuban

At The Cuban Sandwich Shop, Tampa

Rick Scott: Worst Florida Republican

here

Fort Lauderdale Cop (Pig) Victor Ramirez

"I tell you what to do and you do it. It's that simple."

Florida for Care Bringing Nation’s Leading Drug Reformer

Florida for Care is hosting their first policy conference of 2015 this week. On Friday, February 27, 2015 they will bring Sheriffs, legislators, County Commissioners, advocates, medical professionals and business people together to discuss medical marijuana in Florida. Among those speaking at the conference will be Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance. “We are thrilled to have Ethan back. I suspect he’ll shed light on where Florida goes from here.” Stated Ben Pollara, Executive Director of Florida for Care.

Ethan Nadelmann was present during FFC’s last conference where he touched on Jamaica’s state of affairs in regards to medical marijuana- just over a month later Jamaica, as he predicted, decriminalized marijuana clearing the way for safe, legal access to medical marijuana. He also told guests of the last conference, “Building this industry isn’t just good for business, it’s the right thing to do”.

In addition to Ethan’s Afternoon Keynote speech, there will be panels titled Best Business Practices and Government Regulations.

The Policy Conference is being held at The Westin Colonnade of Coral Gables. The Conference is from 8am to 3pm on Friday, February 27 with a social networking event the evening before from 6:30 to 9pm. Registration is required to join the conference.

For more information on the event or how to become a member email Eric Stevens, Executive Deputy Director, at Eric@floridaforcare

Florida for Care will spearhead legislation in March of 2015 in Tallahassee, setting the standard for what the state’s medical cannabis system should look like and how it can function most effectively. Such a system must balance three core principles: first, safe, affordable patient access; second, a tightly controlled state regulatory structure; and third, a robust, free market commercial enterprise.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please call Bianca Garza at 407-930-3525 or email her at press@floridaforcare.org 

Local Hero Officer Christina Ammons

 I would like to thank the Florida Voices for Animals group for inviting me to be a guest of honor at their 22nd annual "HAVE A HEART FOR ANIMALS" meeting. I was awarded the "Animal Hero Award" and the group made a donation to the Shrimp Docks Kitty Rescue Project which was awesome! I met a great group of people who are completely dedicated to preventing the exploitation and abuse of all animals. This group is also involved with activities which benefit children and others in need as well as the betterment of our environment . I had a wonderful time and want to thank this great group of individuals for all that they do! here 

Florida Round Table - Alan Grayson

Stop New Oil And Gas Drilling Off America's Shores!

Did you know that after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, which dumped more than 130 million gallons of toxic crude oil into the 
Gulf of Mexico, only eight percent 
of that oil was ever cleaned up? Yet the Obama Administration just proposed a disastrous five-year plan that would open up vast portions of the Arctic and the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Georgia to dangerous new offshore oil and gas drilling. here 

The Campaign Against Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Because of her congressional votes and her criticisms of a Florida medical marijuana initiative last year, four political groups that advocate prescription cannabis and drug decriminalization vowed to campaign against the Florida representative if she were to seek a Senate seat in 2016. here

“She’s voted repeatedly to send terminally ill patients to prison. And we’re certainly going to make sure Floridians know that.

Hillsborough County Gives Hollywood $100,000

Director Tim Burton's next movie, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, will start shooting in various locations around both Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties thanks to $100,000 approved by the Hillsborough County Commission. Florida Inc. approved about $200 million dollars in state tax credits over a 5 year period. here

Florida GOP Corruption

The Florida House's move to quickly change how the state manages and preserves water is more about pleasing developers and farmers than protecting the environment. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Szechuan Beef

With fried rice and egg roll
At Hong Kong Chinese Food

128 W. Fletcher Avenue, Tampa

Lisa Wheeler-Brown Party In St. Pete

Tuesday, February 24th - 5:30pm – 7:30pm

The Hanger, 540 1st Street Southeast, St. Pete

To RSVP please contact Jon Stewart at 614-364-6601 

or at jon.matthew.stewart@gmail.com.

Karl Nurse and Darden Rice will be there. 

Sign the New Petition for Medical Marijuana

Thank you for helping us get medical marijuana back on the ballot for 2016.  We need everyone to sign the new petition. here

Guide Dog Brittani Retires In St. Pete

Brittani, guide dog of wounded U.S. Marine veteran Cpl. Michael Jernigan, was honored upon her retirement when St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman declared Tuesday “Southeastern Guide Dog Brittani Day.” here 

The Florida Wildlife Corridor

On January 10, 2015 we begin a new 1000-mile leg of our Expedition, to highlight a wildlife corridor from Central Florida to the Gulf Coast, through the Big Bend, and across the Panhandle all the way to Alabama, 
where our trek will conclude.

We’ll document our journey the entire way, using social media to showcase imagery and reporting from the field. We’ll host a series of Saturday Trail Mixers, where followers can join the Expedition team and participate in our trek. We are committed to bringing the Florida Wildlife Corridor to life through our Expedition. Join us!

MARCO RUBIO: NO CLIMATE DENIERS-IN-CHIEF

here

Clear Channel refused to accept billboard here

Justice for Brittany Overstreet

On February 13, twenty five activists marched through the streets of Ybor City to demand justice for Brittany Overstreet, a Black teenager who was attacked by her School Resource Officer at Chamberlain High School. here

On Monday, February 23, Bay Area Activists Coalition will be holding a rally at 7:45am at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, 600 East Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602, as Brittany and her family fight to get the charges dropped. The rally, “Kids Not Criminals: Justice for Brittany Overstreet” will be wearing all black and asking the question, Are our children really safe in Hillsborough County Schools?

Allen West Wants Congress To Censure Obama For Being An 'Islamist Sympathizer'

Florida Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam

 is aiming to wrest control of Florida water quality from the (absurdly, horribly) weak Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in which case taxpayers will never, ever have a "fair and balanced" accounting of the costs of pollution and why, exactly, the polluters aren't being held accountable to clean up their pollution. This development is unfolding right now in Tallahassee. It is being portrayed as a conflict between the ambitious Putnam and Gov. Rick Scott. In reality, these two are working 
hand-in-glove. here

Raíces en Tampa Rally To Support #DAPA

What: Sign-wave to support #DAPA

Where: La Mexicana Store

When: MONDAY, February 23rd at 6:00 pm

info

Jeb Bush Just Like His Brother In The Scariest Way

The Art Of Nicki La Rosa

Please join our art instructor, Nicki La Rosa, at her reception tomorrow at Bamboozle Tea Lounge. Her exhibition of fine art and photography will be displayed until March 12th and proceeds from her sales will support C4G!

For more info and to see Ms. Nicki's work, visit her website