Friday, October 06, 2006

FLORIDA DIGEST October 6, 2006

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CLUB BLUE
HRC's Monthly Social in South Florida

October 19, 2006
6:00pm-8:00pm

Trina Restaurant & Lounge
601 N Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
(directions here)


$10 suggested donation
No RSVP required!
Join HRC at South Florida's Monthly Social -
CLUB BLUE!

Club Blue is a monthly social and networking event designed to promote the Human Rights Campaign and its membership in South Florida. It is held on the third Thursday of each month!Join the HRC South Florida Committee each month to network with other LGBT professionals and to learn about HRC in South Florida.



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http://expressgaynews.com/print.cfm?content_id=3109

The Express Gay News
BEST OF GAY SOUTH FLORIDA
Simply the Best


Oct. 06, 2006

We all know what a great gay place South Florida is. After all, isn't that why we live here? In this issue of the Express, we bring you the best of the best, the choices by both readers and editors of what makes our great gay world so fabulous.



DINING
BEST BRUNCH
READERS: TROPICS
EDITORS: COLORS BISTRO
COLORS BISTRO
2736 N. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale
954-566-2880

Colors Bistro offers a Sunday Champagne Brunch with items that will appeal to every palette. Their $14.99 brunch menu includes a champagne cocktail or fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee or tea and a basket of freshly baked breads. Some choices include the New Colors Eggs Benedict: poached eggs, smoked salmon, sliced brie on a toasted English muffin with sour cream lemon dressing and fresh fruit salad; Classic French Crepe: Black Forest ham, eggs and cheese in béchamel sauce, wrapped in a crepe with fresh fruit; and French Toast made from French bread grilled with the homemade fruit compote of the day and served with whipped cream.

In addition to the enticing menu, Colors' décor is, well, quite colorful.

The mosaic tables and bright couches will get you going at brunch time.

BEST ETHNIC CUISINE
READERS: GALANGA
EDITORS: THAI SPICE
THAI SPICE
1514 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
954-771-4535

Thai Spice on Commercial Blvd. is always packed-which says a lot about a place. The Thai food at the restaurant is of a more upscale, gourmet variety. You'll find the usual Thai fare, in addition to some unusual offerings, all authentic cuisine. Besides tasty food, the three-room restaurant has a nice, cozy ambiance and is decorated with large tanks of colorful fish.

BEST VEGETARIAN


more.....


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http://expressgaynews.com/2006/9-30/news/localnews/glcc.cfm

The Express Gay News

City gives tentative OK to GLCC project

Developer says gay center can probably stay at its current location until January 2008

By PHIL LAPADULA
Saturday, September 30, 2006


The Fort Lauderdale City Commission has given tentative approval to arezoning request that will allow plans for a new Gay & Lesbian CommunityCenter of South Florida to be built across the street from the current gaycenter on Andrews Avenue.

The commission voted 5-0 Sept. 19 to approve a plan submitted byTarragon Corp. to rezone a 1.2-acre site on the east side of Andrews Avenuefor "community facilities." A second vote on the proposal is scheduled forOct. 3, and the rezoning plan is expected to receive final approval then,according to Danny Bivins, vice president of Tarragon Corp.



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http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061006/OPINION/610060729/1264/NEWS0103

Avoiding an election snafu

Local supervisors wisely reject state's advice on Foley question



The Florida Division of Elections put county supervisors in a bind this weekby recommending -- without the support of state law -- provisions thatthreatened to confuse an already-controversial congressional election.

Fortunately, the attorney for the state's election supervisors provided goodadvice to his clients yesterday: Do only what state law allows, not what thedirector of the Division of Elections encourages.

On Tuesday, Dawn Roberts -- the director the Division of Elections,appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush -- sent a memo to supervisors in the eightcounties, including Charlotte, that comprise the congressional district ofdisgraced former Rep. Mark Foley. The memo said "we recommend" that thefollowing statement "be posted at all early voting sites and pollingplaces":




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http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/CD/20061006/CAPITOLNEWS/610060328/-1/capitolnews


October 6, 2006


Crist's prescription plan: Copy Wal-Mart

Critics: Drug plan also looks a lot like opponent Davis'

By Aaron Deslatte
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU

Charlie Crist wants to make it easier for seniors and the working poor toget cheaper prescription drugs by putting information - and a new card - intheir hands.

He can thank Wal-Mart for the idea.

Crist, the Republican nominee for governor, said Thursday that he wouldleverage Florida's buying power when it negotiates for Medicaid to also getcheaper drugs for all Floridians outside the program.

Florida already negotiates for lower drug rates when it buys in bulk for its2.3 million Medicaid patients.




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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pncelxdebatebox08oct06,0,7086357.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

Sen. Klein offers plan for Social Security
By Anthony Man
Political Writer

October 6, 2006


Democratic congressional candidate state Sen. Ron Klein, of Boca Raton, useda debate Thursday with U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, to unveilwhat he called a three-point plan to fix Social Security.

The centerpiece is appointing a commission to study the system and recommendchanges to Congress.

The other two elements are "modernizing" the system by taking advantage of"direct deposit and various other things," and obtaining an analysis to "getthe issues on the table as to what the real costs are."

Shaw, a 26-year incumbent, scoffed at the idea. After the debate, hosted bythe Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale, he laughed out loud at the notion thatKlein's proposal -- coming 16 months after the challenger said somethingneeded to be done to save Social Security -- could even be called a plan.



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http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB105FZXSE.html

Lack Of Contributions Hampers Davis TV Campaign
By MICHAEL FECHTER The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 6, 2006


When it comes to money, the governor's race is starting to look like a match-up between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The perennial playoff Yankee team has a payroll just under $200 million. Thelast-place Devil Rays spent about $35 million.

In his matchup against Democrat Jim Davis, Republican Charlie Crist wearsthe pinstripes.

A huge financial advantage allowed Crist to begin airing campaigncommercials a week after the Sept. 5 primary. That helped him open a leadthat's as high as 21 points in one poll.

Strapped for cash, Davis is trying to make every dollar count. His first twoads, which debuted this week, are 15 seconds long. An announcer has time tointroduce the issue at hand, offer two declarative sentences and thenidentify Davis and his running mate Daryl Jones with the tag "because it'stime for a change."



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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15690660.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Posted on Fri, Oct. 06, 2006

WAL-MART

Offer for cheap drugs widens

Wal-Mart's discount prescription drug plan starts in all of Florida today, months earlier than expected.

From Miami Herald Staff and Wire Reports

Wal-Mart announced Thursday that it will expand its discount generic prescription drugs pricing scheme to all of Florida starting today, nearly four months earlier than expected.

''Wow, that is something,'' said Aventura resident Steve Adams, 58. He said his wife, Leesa, goes to CVS to pick up brand-name prescriptions, but since Wal-Mart is ''just a short ride up'' from their home, ``she probably would switch.''

But some South Florida consumers said the $4 price for a month's supply wasn't enough to make them switch from their current pharmacies.


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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15691108.htm

Posted on Fri, Oct. 06, 2006

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

New plan for dike leaves questions

A $300 million plan to strengthen the dike around Lake Okeechobee will be overhauled, but important questions remained unanswered.

BY CURTIS MORGAN

cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com

After criticism from state consultants and an internal review, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scrapped its $300 million plan for shoring up the aging dike around Lake Okeechobee.

The agency unveiled a more ''robust'' design on Thursday that would better withstand hurricanes and high water, but it also would cost ''significantly'' more -- in large part because it would require buying residential backyards and other private properties in the shadow of the earthen levee ringing Florida's largest lake.

While Corps leaders could not estimate how much the work might cost or when it might be completed, they called it a top priority to upgrade the structure that protects more than 40,000 people -- particularly after last year's harsh lesson from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.


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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-celxdebate06oct06,0,6864435.story?coll=sfla-news-sfla

Klein, Shaw go toe-to-toe in first debate of House race
By Anthony Man
Political Writer

October 6, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Shedding his usual grandfatherly demeanor, U.S. Rep. ClayShaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, aggressively went after state Sen. Ron Klein,D-Boca Raton, on Thursday, ridiculing his challenger's ideas and ethicsbefore a friendly audience in Shaw's home territory.

Klein was less direct in his criticisms at their debate. Without usingShaw's name, he suggested the 26-year incumbent is part of an old,out-of-touch way of doing things.

"There's a problem in Washington. The integrity and the leadership ismissing the ball. They've lost their focus. It's more about re-electingpeople and just keeping them in power than it is about protecting us andsolving our problems," Klein said. "It's time for a change. It's time fornew direction, new ideas and new energy."



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ArtsUnited Features Painter Gil Martin in October


ArtsUnited is featuring the paintings of local artist Gil Martin in asolo exhibit at Stork's Bakery Coffee Cafe, 2505 NE 15th Avenue in WiltonManors. The exhibit entitled "Angels" will be on display through November 4,2006. Admission is free to the public.

Born in New Jersey, Mr. Martin moved to Florida when he was only 11years old. His parents did not have enough money to buy their childrentoys, so Gil began to make his own toys and draw on paper bags. Inelementary school when the class had contests to determine who was the bestartist of the class, he would always be chosen.

In 2000, Martin began painting professionally. To date, Gil considers"Angel: Happiness and Sadness" to be his greatest creation. Gil's creativityis fueled by his passion and filled with rich colors. He believes his worksends a message. "After six years of painting, this is the first time I ampresenting my work to the world. When you look at my art, you look throughmy eyes. Enjoy!" said Martin.

Contact us at rays.list@comcast.net if you would like the full article.


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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-1006negron,0,5819285.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Absentee ballots won't have notice that Negron has replaced Foley
Associated Press

October 6, 2006, 7:13 AM EDT

WEST PALM BEACH -- Absentee ballots sent to voters in the 16th CongressionalDistrict will not include a notice informing voters that Joe Negron hasreplaced resigned U.S. Rep. Mark Foley as the Republican candidate,elections supervisors in that sprawling district said.

An e-mail to the eight supervisors from the state Division of Electionsoffered guidance for posting signs in voting booths to clear up confusionthat may arise when they see Foley's name on the Nov. 7 ballot. Thechallenger in the race is Democrat Tim Mahoney.

The agency also advised a clarifying notice be included in future absenteeballot mailings. But the eight supervisors said they would follow a legalopinion issued Thursday by the Florida State Association of Supervisors ofElections that state statutes do not allow for notices to be included inabsentee ballots.



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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-1005robbery,0,4722449.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines


Police: Woman, 85, choked, robbed at her Wilton Manors apartment

Sun-Sentinel.com

October 5, 2006, 9:49 PM EDT


Police are searching for man who robbed an elderly woman Thursday morning atknifepoint in her Wilton Manors apartment.

Shortly after 8 a.m., an 85-year-old resident was startled when a man in his20s forced his way into her apartment in the 2700 block of North AndrewsAvenue, and demanded cash while threatening her with a knife, according toGreg Gardner of the Wilton Manors Police Department.

When the woman began to scream, the suspect choked her until she agreed tohand over some money, at which time he fled her apartment.



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-felxharris06oct06,0,3143841.story

Harris says rival's votes go against faith
Nelson rejects religious tone in Senate race

By Jim Stratton
Orlando Sentinel

October 6, 2006


Six weeks after urging voters to elect only "tried and true" Christians,Senate candidate Katherine Harris is questioning her opponent's faith bysaying he "votes completely contrary" to Christian principles.

In an interview published by a Christian news service, Harris said thatincumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson "claims to be a Christian" butsupports policies "completely contrary to what we say we believe."




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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/opinion/l06foley.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print


October 6, 2006
The Foley Scandal, in Perspective (7 Letters)


To the Editor:
Re "Real Scandals, and Fake Ones" (editorial, Oct. 5):

You write, "When it comes to sexual scandal, American voters tend to be morerational than American politicians." Really?

I've been closely following the Foley imbroglio, all the while wonderingwhy.

It is certainly a matter for concern in and of itself and, as you note, inits potential to engender a spike in intolerance, however irrational, forgay politicians. But while the Bush administration and its Congressionalenablers are butchering habeas corpus and squandering American lives and dollars and prestige on an insane, futile war, I'm mesmerized by thespectacle of one congressman caught sending lewd instant messages to Housepages.

For the other letters contact us at rays.list@comcast.net


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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com



http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/15681370.htm

Posted on Thu, Oct. 05, 2006

COURTS

Chief justice: Concealed cases must get review

Sealed and hidden court cases were targeted by Florida's top judicial officer, who asked key judges around the state to review such cases.

BY DAN CHRISTENSEN AND PATRICK DANNER

dchristensen@MiamiHerald.com

Florida's chief justice has asked all chief judges in the state to review all cases in their courts that have been sealed or hidden from the public.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Chief Justice R. Fred Lewis told the 20 judges to report back to him within 10 days on what they have done and plan to do. He also asked the Florida Bar to speed up its review of proposals to prevent the hiding of documents in the future. The move is the first comprehensive attempt to open up court cases that in many instances should never have been made secret in the first place.

Lewis acted in the wake of Miami Herald reports that revealed hundreds of files hidden on secret dockets in Broward, Palm Beach and Pinellas counties -- in violation of the basic tenet that publicly funded courts should be open to the public. Hidden files have also been found in Hillsborough, Sarasota and Pasco counties, but so far not in Miami-Dade.


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