FLORIDA DIGEST - June 26, 2008

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New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-A Chance for the Everglades
We hope that the latest deal to restore the Florida Everglades will shameWashington into shouldering its full responsibility in the project.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/opinion/26thu2.html?ref=opinion


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Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Human rights gains noted during Unitarian gathering in Fort Lauderdale
The war may be in Iraq, but it will kill a lot of people elsewhere, aveteran human rights activist said Wednesday. Why? Because the Americanpeople won't be so quick to send troops to the next rescue mission, the Rev.William. F. Schulz said before his appearances at the annual convention ofUnitarian Universalists.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-626unitarian,0,2111299.story

-Health officials push expanded HIV screening
Health officials around South Florida are hoping to combat the state's highrate of HIV/AIDS infections by promoting dozens of free testing sites Fridayand continuing an effort to make routine screening in medical settings morecommon. As part of National HIV Testing Day on Friday, many clinics,hospitals and community organizations are offering tests free to thousandsof Florida residents.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flrxhiv0626sbjun26,0,1428369.story

-Sale of U.S. Sugar land comes at a price -- 1,700 jobs
When I heard of Gov. Charlie Crist's historic plan to buy 187,000 acres ofU.S. Sugar land and turn the area between Lake Okeechobee and the Evergladesinto a true river of grass, I thought, "What's not to like?" Restoringone-of-a-kind habitat. Improving water quality. All without a tax increase.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-626ralph,0,5269557.column


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Steve Rothaus
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/steve_rothaus/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Miami activists rally for arrested gay dissidents in Cuba
Gay dissidents in Cuba report that a planned gay-rights rally Wednesday wascanceled after government security officers detained nine organizers. "Themarch was not able to take place because the government stopped ourleaders," said Ron Brenesky, a Miami Cuban who heads the Unity Coalition,South Florida's largest Latin gay rights group.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/

-United Airlines to depart Broward, Palm Beach
United Airlines will stop flying to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood InternationalAirport and Palm Beach International Airport on Sept. 2.
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/583345.html


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Forwarded from Paul Harris

-Lambda Legal to Announce Lawsuit Against Florida Hospital For Mistreatment of Deceased Lesbian's Family
On Wednesday June 25, Lambda Legal will hold a press conference announcing a lawsuit against Jackson Memorial Hospital for the negligent and outrageoustreatment towards the family of Lisa Langbehn-Pond, a lesbian whose partnerof 18 years and their 3 children were not allowed to see her as she slippedinto a coma and died.

-Enclosed is a video link and a press release issued yesterday. This is a very powerful story and should be told to everyone who intends to vote forthe Marriage Amendment in November. Don Hayden, Lambda Legal NLC member andcooperating attorney from Baker & McKenzie in Miami and Beth Littrel, StaffAttorney for Lambda Legal in Atlanta are working on this case. Yourcontinued support will bring us closer to equality. Thank you.
http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=269017


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From Mark's List
http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/MSFL/2008/062508.htm
Go this link for the following articles.

-Join Southern Country South Florida for lessons Wednesday June 25 with opendance from 7 to 7:30 and lessons begin at 7:30. Beginner to Intermediatedancing depending on the dancers in attendance. This is a great environmentfor lessons - Smoke Free and Alcohol Free. There is a $5 donation collectedto benefit GLCC and their Instructors. The lessons will be held at the GLCCat1717 N Andrews Ave.

-There will be a GLCC Founders Reception on Wed June 25th hosted by theHyatt Regency Pier 66. To join the Founder Circle or learn more about thisexciting group of GLCC supporters, contact Robert Boo, Development Directorat rboo@glccsf.org or 954.463.9005.

-The Miami Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the largest not-for-profitcorporation in the country for gay and lesbian businesses, is presenting its7th Annual Gala Awards Dinner at the Hilton Miami at 1601 Biscayne Blvd., onSaturday, June 28. The high-end festivities will serve to honor corporateand individual hard-working leaders in our community. Tickets are on salefor $140 dollars which include cocktail reception, silent auction, cabaretand entertainment, dinner, and the valet parking. For tickets and additionalinformation on this fantastic event, visit its web site www.gogaymiami.com



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GLCC South Florida
www.glccsf.org

-GLCC Founders Reception on June 25 There will be a GLCC Founders Reception on June 25th hosted by the Hyatt Regency Pier 66. To join the Founder Circle or learn more about this exciting group of GLCC supporters, contact Robert Boo, Development Director at rboo@glccsf.org or 954.463.9005. To see pictures from the May Founders Reception which was sponsored by J.R. Dunn Jewelers and Merrill Lynch, click on this link http://www.photoshow.com/members/shirespics

-GAY MEN'S CANCER NETWORKING GROUP
BRING A FRIEND
MONDAY, JULY 21ST 6:30PM-8:00PM
FOR INFORMATION CALL
954-763-6776

-FREE WOMEN'S NET FINANCIAL FORUM
Monday July 14, 2008 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Topics: Financial, Legal, and Insurance
FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN

-FREE HIV RAPID TESTING
WALK INS 10AM to 9PM
MONDAY 23 to FRIDAY 27


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Lavender Writes: An Open Mic Reading
In recognition of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
Sponsored by Lavender Writes and the Broward County Libraries Division
Thursday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.
Broward County Main Library
100 S. Andrews Avenue, Bienes Center, 6th Floor
Fort Lauderdale
954-357-7443
www.lavenderwrites.org


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-FPL plans to build three photo-voltaic solar energy plants in Florida inthe coming year, including one at Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County. The three plants will provide up to 110 megawatts of energy, enough to meetthe needs of about 35,000 customers, said Lew Hay, FPL's chief executiveofficer. A planned 75-megawatt solar center in Martin County would becomethe largest of its kind in the world, he said.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Enviro/bchSTATE01ENV062608.htm

-Campbell says he may abandon race
Skip Campbell confirmed he is considering dropping out of the race againstincumbent Sen. Jeff Atwater, the Palm Beach Gardens Republican who is theincoming Senate president. "I would be not forthright with if you if I didnot tell you that there are considerations as to whether I'm going to stayin the race," Campbell said.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/06/25/s5b_campbell_0626.html

-Property Taxes: A really bad idea
A South Florida legislator is taking to the roads to fight a wrongheaded constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall. Amendment 5 would wipeout local property tax funding for schools and rely on the Legislature tocome up with replacement revenue.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062608/opi_295469863.shtml

-Schwarzenegger to speak at climate change summit
Gov. Charlie Crist is set to continue his second annual summit on climatechange in Miami. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled tospeak at the summit Thursday. In an address that kicked off the two-daymeeting Wednesday, Crist evoked President Kennedy's challenge to land on themoon and called for the same dedication and innovation to finding ways tosave the Earth.
http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/583680.html

-Goal: turn green to gold
For an environmental conference, there were an awful lot of hedge fundmanagers, private equity advisers and assorted big money players Wednesdayat Florida's second annual Summit on Global Climate Change. And that isexactly how Gov. Charlie Crist wanted it as he tries to turn his broadenergy reform goals into economic growth, and bring more than just the usualenvironmental groups in on his green energy goals.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080626/NEWS/806260324/1017/news0501

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