FLORIDA DIGEST - September 23, 2008

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

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

-Sheriff, judge to meet with gay community on hate crimes
The Dolphin Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans - the gay political groups from both parties - together are pressing for action against hate crimes.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbgay0923sbsep23,0,502758.story


CELEBRATE ALL HALLOWS EVE AT THE WICKED MANORS BLOCK PARTY
Greater Fort Lauderdale's Scariest and Most Fabulous Spot In Town.
Dust off those wigs and over-the-top costumes, it's time to celebrate the most ghostly of holidays ... Halloween. Join us in Greater Fort Lauderdale for the hottest party in Florida - the Wicked Manors Block Party on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. This year's theme, "The Silver Scream" will feature classic horror films from the past with party-goers in more eclectic and eccentric costumes than anywhere in South Florida. Female impersonators, contests, food vendors, bars and themed booths will fill "The Drive" with lots of good old Halloween fun. Looking to play some tricks or get some treats then come to one of these devilishly fun events or contests:
5 pm: Trick or Treat on the Drive
Get in the Wicked Manors spirit and trick-or-treat the entire length of the Drive from 5 pm to 7 pm. Participating businesses will offer special "treats" for the kids and adults and be on the lookout for your favorite storefront decorated in the spirit of Halloween!
7 pm: Wicked Manors Block Party Begins
Party the night away with a fabulous DJ and other live or (undead) entertainment.
For more info check out www.WickedManors.com


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Hello Democrats!
With our brand new Get Out The Vote Center up and running, it's time to utilize our base of operations and actually Get Out The Vote. With Senators Obama and McCain in a dead heat in Florida (48% to 48%), we need to make sure that as many people are registered to vote as possible, so that EVERYONE has the chance to have their voice heard. We need volunteers to set up GOTV tables outside bars, restaurants, churches and other community areas to get people registered. We'll also be looking to canvass unregistered households to get people registered. But we need people to donate their time and their talent to make this happen. If you are interested in helping at a table or canvassing, please email me at hipwich00@hotmail.com. Let me know what days and times you are available and if you have a preferred location. If you're the member of a church and want to register people there, let's set that up. If you volunteer at Poverello and want to register people there, let's set that up. If your employer will let you take registration forms around your office, let's set that up. Together, we can make sure that politicians hear the voice of the people. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to working with you all soon.
Sincerely,
Chip Clapp
Outreach Coordinator - GLBT Get Out The Vote Center
Chipwich00@hotmail.com


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Steve Glassman for For Fort Lauderdale City Commission
GLASSMAN LAUNCHES STRONG BID FOR COMMISSION SEAT
Says he was moved by his opponent's neighborhood neglect and unresponsiveness
Central Beach Alliance (CBA) President Steve Glassman announced his bid to challenge Charlotte Rodstrom for Fort Lauderdale's District II commission seat. Mr. Glassman stated that his opponent's neighborhood neglect, unresponsiveness to the community and unbelievable lack of leadership were the motivating factors behind his candidacy. He said, before the overwhelmingly receptive audience, that, "This decision was made after months of listening to what you and the many neighborhoods throughout our community have told me - that your concerns were not being met and that we need a change in leadership to move not only District Two, but the entire City, forward." A mainstay civic leader in the same community he seeks to represent, Steve helped found, build and then lead the CBA because as he puts it "We were no longer going to be ignored!" He points out that, "We gained a powerful voice and a respected seat at the table." He added, "Now I want to be that same consensus-building, responsive voice for all the neighborhoods and families that call District II home. It's the kind of genuine leadership I've been providing all along."
Contact: Steve Glassman
Cell: 954.790.4199 or randesteve@bellsouth.net


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From Earl Rynerson for Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Campaign
As a Mayoral Candidate for the City of Fort Lauderdale, I want to remind you about the "Meet and Greet" reception I am having at my home this Friday September 26th. My effort for Mayor is a "grass roots" effort; therefor donations to my campaign are encouraged so please bring your checkbook.
438 NE 8th Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
The event will start at 7pm and end promptly at 9pm. For those of you who want to watch the Presidential debate, it starts at 9pm, so you can leave by 8:30 and still catch it. Thank you for your consideration.
Earl Rynerson
www.earlformayor.com


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

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

-Eyes are on tropical system near Dominican Republic
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical disturbance near the Dominican Republic, saying it still holds potential to grow into a tropical depression within a day or two. On Monday evening, however, the system remained disorganized and the hurricane center gave it a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing. The system already has produced heavy rains over Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other nearby islands. Computer models project the system will bypass Florida and aim toward the Carolinas. Ken Kaye
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flbtropics0923sbsep23,0,4822409.story

-Lake County killer's execution due tonight
Barring a final-hour reprieve, Lake County child killer Richard Henyard today will become the 66th person executed by the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Assistant Florida Attorney General Stephen Ake urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to reject Henyard's latest appeal, saying his lawyers "failed to demonstrate any basis" for another review of the 1993 murders of Eustis sisters Jamilya Lewis, 7, and Jasmine Lewis, 3, regarded as one of the worst crimes in Lake County history.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/orl-henyard2308sep23,0,929318.story

-Wilton Manors first-grader saves mother during robbery
His mother beaten, then both are bound and robbed
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbtiedup0923sbsep23,0,1721552.story


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-What's in a name? Ballot confusion
OUR OPINION: JUDICIAL CANDIDATES SHOULD KNOW, FOLLOW THE RULES
In 2006, Mardi Levey Cohen ran for Broward County Circuit judge -- and lost. This year, she tried again, using a different name, Mardi Anne Levey. She finished second, winning a runoff against Bernard Issac Bober in November. Last week, however, Senior Judge Richard Yale Feder kicked Ms. Levey Cohen off the ballot, finding that the name change was inappropriate. She will be replaced on the ballot by incumbent Judge Pedro E. Dijols, who finished a close third.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/697450.html

-CAMPAIGN 2008 | THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE
McCain outraises Obama in Florida
John McCain posted his best month in Florida in August, taking in twice as much as Barack Obama.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/697423.html

-NAKED POLITICS BLOG
New Florida poll: Obama 47, McCain 45
Barack Obama has a slight lead over John McCain in Mason-Dixon Research & Associates latest Florida poll, conducted for the Today show. That means the race is basically dead-even, considering the error margin of 4 percent.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/campaign-2008/story/697766.html


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

-Wall Street bailout could boost South Florida housing market
South Florida business leaders are generally upbeat about the federal government's proposal to buy up to $700 billion in bad debt from ailing U.S. banks and institutions, with many predicting the effort would speed the recovery of the region's battered housing market.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/697448.html

-Biofuel operations take root in Florida
Farmland around Lake Okeechobee is attracting the interest of companies hoping to make ethanol for blending with Florida's gasoline. A Fort Lauderdale company recently announced plans to build three plants, producing up to 100 million gallons of ethanol using locally grown sweet sorghum, a plant similar to sugar cane.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/sep/23/biofuel-operations-take-root-florida/

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