FLORIDA DIGEST - September 17, 2008

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

South Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
Go to this link for the following articles:

-GayVana comes to Calle Ocho
Third Wednesday party in Little Havana The third Wednesday of the week is gay night on Calle Ocho: it's GayVana! Head to Alfaro's Lounge, 1604 SW 8th St, tonight from 6-9 p.m. for drinks and delightful conversation. Speaking of Calle Ocho.wouldn't a mojito be delicious right now? Mmm. Hopefully Alfaro's has fresh mint. Info: www.gayvana.com.

-Gay man from Jamaica receives political asylum in U.S.
Court rules man would face torture, possible execution if forced to return home
David Bromfield claimed if he was ordered to return home to Jamaica, he would suffer torture and possibly death in the notoriously hostile-to-gays environment of the country. Jamaica actively prosecutes GLBT citizens, enforcing the "Offenses Against the Person Act," which prohibits acts of "gross indecency," which is generally interpreted as any kind of physical intimacy between men, in public or in private. The government punishes homosexuals by up to 10 years' imprisonment. Originally his plea was denied, but he appealed and the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with his assertation. The court granted him political asylum, citing a 2005 U.S. State Department Country Report for Jamaica that found a "culture of severe discrimination" in the country against homosexuals, rife with physical attacks from citizens and police. Gay man from Jamaica receives political asylum in U.S. Court rules man would face torture, possible execution if forced to return home
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#21070

-South Florida Blade presents Mack Mixer
Fort Lauderdale business networking event mixes
By Dan Renzi, | Sep. 16 at 10:54 AM | drenzi@expressgaynews.com
Fort Lauderdale's favorite gay and straight-friendly mixer comes to the delicious Himmarshee Bar & Grill, 210 SW 2nd Street. Cocktails, cuisine and conversation are the order of the night at this lively little restaurant, which is often noted as one of the best in South Florida. Dress is hip-cool-casual, and admission is free! For more info, go to http://www.mackmixer.com/.


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Ft. Lauderdale:GAY & lESBIAN COMMUNITY CENTER (GLCC)
www.glccsf.org

-PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS IN FOOD FOR THOUGHT
3030 Ocean - 3030 Holiday Drive
Christina Wan's - 664 N. Federal Hwy /Dinner Only/Dine-In Only
Shawn & Nick's Courtyard Cafe - 2211 Wilton Drive
Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar - 2389 Wilton Drive
Humpy's Pizza - 2244 Wilton Drive
Java Boys - 2230 Wilton Drive
Juiceblendz Wilton Manors - 2246 Wilton Drive
Las Olas Cafe - 922 East Las Olas Blvd.
Mario's Catalina Restaurant - 1611 N. Federal Highway
The Melting Pot - 1135 N. Federal Highway
One Tea Lounge - 2037 Wilton Drive
Primavera - 830 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Rendez Vous Cafe - 1576 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Rosie's Bar & Grill - 2449 Wilton Drive
The Usual Place - 3045 N. Federal Highway
Wilton Wings - 1428 NE 4th Avenue - Dinner Only/Dine-In Only
Please support the restaurants that support the GLCC.
Invite your friends out for an amazing evening and celebrate life!


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From Amy Rolnick - Miami
Hope for GLBT Kids!
Finally, there is hope for GLBT kids in the Foster Care System
For years, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered Children in the Foster Care System have suffered from prejudice and abuse. These children are at risk for suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV and aids, and often become homeless. For years, there has been nowhere for these kids to turn. Now there is! Finally, here in Dade County , there is a solution. Family Resource Center , a full service foster care agency with a long track record of exemplary service, has inaugurated a ground breaking, innovative program designed to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. If you or someone you know has ever considered becoming a parent, please read on. If you or someone you know is a member of an organization whose members might be interested in becoming parents, please read on. If you or someone you know would like to help this project move forward, please read on. Family Resource Center will provide enriched training for prospective foster parents to provide them with the tools for building a successful and loving family. A full program of services and support will be available to those who take in children so desperately in need of love and acceptance. In choosing to take this step you will join a tightly knit, supportive community of people like yourselves who want to make a difference in the life of a child. As a foster parent myself, I can say unequivocally that it has been one of the deepest, richest and most rewarding experiences of my life. If you would like to know more, please call Robert Boyack of Family Resource Center at 305 489 4472 or 954 319 8397 or email him at rboyack@frcflorida.org
Or feel free to give me a call at 786 525 6973 or at arolnick@rocketmail.com.
Please feel free to pass this along to anyone whom you know that might be interested.
Thank you,
Amy Rolnick


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Wilton Manors: From Dolphin Democrats
Saturday - Get Out The Vote Training For All Precinct Committee Members and Area Leaders & Community Organizers
Agenda
9:00 AM Light Breakfast
9:30- 10:30 AM : Voter Access Network Training
10:30 AM-11:00 :Phone Banking Training
11:00 AM 12:00 PM: Creating Value And Vote By Mail
12:00 PM- 12:30: PM Lunch
12:30 PM- 1:00 PM: Canvass Training
1:00 PM-2:00 PM: Blogging Your Message
2:00 PM Hititng The Streets To Canvass Phone Bank And Blog
When: Saturday September 20th 9:00 Am To 2:00 PM
Where: The New GOTV Center
2040B - N. Dixy Higway, Wilton Manors, FL


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Ft. Lauderdale - Sunshine Cathedral
www.sunshinecathedral.org/

-You are invited to The 2008 Diamond Ball!
The Ball will be held on Sunday, October 19, at 6:00pm at Hugh's Catering
4351 NE 12th Terrace
Oakland Park, FL 33334
Tel: (954) 563-4844
The open bar cocktail party starting at 6:00pm will be followed by a sumptuous dinner. Then we'll dance away the night (and the calories.) Of course, we will also have our traditional silent auction and a special raffle. Don't forget the presentation of our annual "Sunny Awards." In addition to these award winners, Jamaican AIDS Services (JAS) will receive a portion of the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle at the Diamond Ball. Reservations are now being accepted at $125.00 each. You may process your reservation online by clicking the Reservations link -
https://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=ICD7VYR3ZG1OM96P - or mailing your request
to:
Sunshine Cathedral
2008 Diamond Ball
1480 SW 9th Av
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

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

-Letter: Amendment 2 anti-gay
We thank Michael Mayo for his courageous stand in support of extending the right of non-related adults to marry. He is correct that the only reason for Amendment 2 is to perpetuate discrimination against gays. My friend, Ambrose Smith, and I are gay. We just celebrated 56 years of living together without any of the legal safeguards our married friends enjoy.
Ian Fraser, Coral Springs

-Area inflation still worst in U.S.
South Florida posted a big slowdown in consumer price increases during July and August, according to new inflation figures released Tuesday.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzinflation0917sbsep17,0,4718905.story

-Keeping our distance
Despite bitter objections that it didn't go nearly far enough, the House voted Tuesday to allow oil and gas drilling closer to the nation's shores, except along Florida's west coast. Interactive map shows where the oil may lie.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-fladrillheds0917sbsep17,0,1691672.story

-Air and Sea Show may return to Fort Lauderdale
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbairshow0917sbsep17,0,2409126.story

-FAU President Frank Brogan's contract extended through 2015
The board set Brogan's salary at $357,000, a $32,000 raise from this year. He also is eligible for both $42,840 in annual deferred compensation, putting his total package at $399,840, and for a yearly performance bonus.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/schools/sfl-flpbrogan0917pnsep17,0,1776677.story

-Palm Beach: Judge orders recount, possible re-vote for disputed race
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-recount0916,0,7488636.story

-Know the rules before joining condo or homeowner board
Thinking about joining your condo or homeowners association board? Good. Maybe you think yours doesn't listen, or that you can do a better job. Before you sign up, do yourself and everyone else a favor. Learn what it takes to do the job.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbcondocol0917sbsep17,0,1533002.story

-Common Cause says state ill-prepared for Election Day crush
Never mind Palm Beach County's latest election troubles with ballots. In a new report, a nonpartisan government watchdog group criticizes state and county elections officials throughout Florida who they say are ill-prepared for an expected crush of voters in November.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpvote0917pnsep17,0,554486.story


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

-Democrats, Florida elections officials criticize GOP mailing
A new pitch for John McCain's presidential campaign aimed at older Democratic voters is causing complaints by Democrats and concern by elections officials.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article814237.ece

-GOP Jewish group did push poll
Politico reports that the Republican Jewish Coalition is behind a poll that links Democrat Barack Obama to Palestinian causes, though the group's leader claims the survey was aimed only at gauging the opinions of Jewish voters.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/09/gop-jewish-grou.html

-Fla. poll: McCain up; Palin "comfort" questions
As John McCain wraps up a two-day Florida campaign swing here with a late-morning rally, a new Rasmussen poll shows the GOP presidential nominee with a 49-to-44 percent lead over Democrat Barack Obama in the state.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2008/09/16/fla_poll_mccain_up_palin_comfo.html?cxntfid=blogs_q_florida_politics

-Obama camp uses Palin to damage McCain
Barack Obama campaign officials mocked the size of the crowd that Republican candidate John McCain drew today in Jacksonville and compared it to the audience that turned out for Obama in Grand Junction, a Republican-friendly town in Western Colorado.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2008/09/15/obama_camp_uses_palin_to_damag.html?cxntfid=blogs_q_florida_politics

-Florida drivers can now renew vehicle registration for 2 years
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbdrivers0917sbsep17,0,6144680.story?track=rss

-SECURITIES
Fla. Treasury cash in uneasy securities
At least 6.6 percent of Florida's Treasury is invested in unstable securities. The Florida Treasury has $1.578 billion invested in the debt securities issued by eight troubled financial services companies including Lehman Brothers.
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/689452.html

-51,000 children will have to change health plans
Some 51,000 children in the Florida Healthy Kids program this fall will have to change HMOs, and possibly doctors, in the largest turnover of health plans in the history of the children's health insurance program.
http://floridahealthnews.org/index.cfm/go/public.articleView/article/8998/top/true

-Tackling health care reform
Specialty physicians essential to any plan
Whoever wins the November election, health-care reform will be at the top of the agenda in Washington next year.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/COLUMNISTS0205/80915035/1138/OPINION

-Rove, Carville to speak at health-care confab
Some of the country's top health-care gurus will be in Orlando starting today for a conference on ways to improve the U.S. medical system. The conference, "America's Health Care at Risk: Finding a Cure," kicks off tonight with a private dinner featuring Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff for President Bush, and Clinton campaign strategist James Carville. On Thursday, speakers at the Orlando Hyatt Regency will discuss the uninsured, the costs of health care and other topics. Organizers expect more than 200 people from health care and related fields to attend. The event is not opento the public.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-b3report17_408sep17,0,5516754.story

-State AG Offices Struggle With Cuts
Voluntary pay cuts, layoffs increasing
State attorneys general across the country, from California to Illinois toVirginia, are trying to adapt to slashed state budgets by cutting employees,meting out more casework to fewer lawyers and clamping down on expenses.
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202424537200&pos=ataglance

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