FLORIDA DIGEST - February 18, 2009

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~
~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

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

-North Miami mayor enters primary race for U.S. Senate
Being openly gay is just a 'side note,' Burns says
Facing term limits that prevent him from running again to lead his city, North Miami Mayor Ken Burns announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbburns0218sbfeb18,0,3126526.story


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Equality Florida
Calling all bloggers & citizen journalists!
Please join us for an important briefing on the Rally in Tally TODAY
Wednesday, Feb 18th -6pm - Dial-in: 218-486-8700 - Pin: 32205
On March 16, 2009 we intend to make history by drawing thousands of LGBT and allied people to the capitol for the Rally in Tally. Given the post-election political climate, now is the time for all Floridians who care about LGBT equality to step up and hold our elected officials accountable. The rally will also mark the start of our annual Equality Florida Lobby Week. Come join us for the Rally in Tally, then stay for all or part of the week and tell legislators that it is time to protect our rights and our families. Bloggers are an important part of this success story and we ask that you join us for this important briefing.
Tobias Packer,
Equality Florida


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ArtsUnited
Art Explosion Finale featuring Lea Delaria,
with Scott Ryan, and Musical Guest Levi Kreis
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Broward Center for the Performing Arts,
Amaturo Theater - 201 SW 5th Ave
Ft. Lauderdale - $30/$45
(954) 462-0222
www.browardcenter.org

-Night at the Museum of Art
with Music by Cindy Curtis & Company
Join ArtExplosion as we celebrate 50 years of art at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. Everyone gets in for free, with 2 for 1 wine and beer special in the lobby, and Jazz music by Cindy Curtis & Company. Now is your chance to see two terrific exhibits before they leave; "Pablo Picasso ceramics/Carlos Luna paintings" is only on view through February 23, 2009 and "Coming of Age: American Art, 1850s to 1950s" is on view through March 23, 2009 "Picasso/Luna" pairs recent painting by Cuban exile and now MOAFL Artist in Residence Carlos Luna, with fifty Picasso ceramics from the Museum's collection. "Coming of Age" chronicles a century of art with masterworks from the Hudson River School to mid-century Abstract works.
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
One East Las Olas Blvd. - Fort Lauderdale
(954)525-5500 - Free Admission


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/public/us

-A Florida Court's 'Rocket Docket' Blasts Through Foreclosure Cases
2 Questions, 15 Seconds, 45 Days to Get Out; 'What's to Talk About?' Says a Judge
By MICHAEL CORKERY
Hoping to save her house, Saundra Hill Scott arrived at the county courthouse clutching dog-eared mortgage bills and letters from her lender.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123491755140004565.html


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

-Stimulus vote heightens importance of Florida Senate race
Posted by William Gibson
Passage of the economic-stimulus bill last week, which just barely overcame a Republican filibuster, highlighted the importance of next year's Senate campaigns, including a wide open race in Florida.
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/2009/02/stimulus_vote_heightens_import_1.html


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Palm Beach Post
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Pretend money isn't coming
Gov. Crist and the Legislature should act as if the money from the stimulus bill is temporary, since it is. Unfortunately, the governor is acting as if the money will be permanent.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/opinion/epaper/2009/02/17/a10a_legstim_edit_0218.html

-Crist's final four for McCarty seat.
Knowledgeable sources say there are four finalists for Gov. Charlie Crist's appointment to replace corruption-besmirched Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty. They are former Boca Raton mayor Steven Abrams, Boca Raton Councilwoman Susan Haynie, Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Jose Rodriguez and Patrick Halperin, a retired Chicago detective who now works part-time for the Palm Beach County sheriff's office. Crist is expected to interview the four Wednesday when he's in Fort Lauderdale for a town-hall meeting.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2009/02/17/crists_final_four_for_mccarty.html?cxntfid=blogs_q_florida_politics


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

-Editorial: Florida officials flying high and far, burning state funds
Kottkamp's excessive use of state planes underscores need to reform system Who is Jeff Kottkamp? A) Florida's lieutenant governor. B) A trial lawyer.
C) Traveler extraordinaire.
D) All of the above. - You chose correctly if you picked "D."
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/feb/18/not-cleared-for-takeoff/

-Financier gave campaign cash to Sen. Bill Nelson, others
Mark K. Matthews
A company run by R. Allen Stanford gave U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., nearly $46,000 in campaign contributions through its political-action committee and employees -- the highest total of any member of Congress, according to a new watchdog report.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-a2nelson1809feb18,0,1051053.story


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