FLORIDA DIGEST - March 27, 2009

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

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Steve Rothaus
www.MiamiHerald.com/gay
Go to this link for the following articles:

-Gay rodeo in Davie to be protested Saturday by Florida animal-rights activists
1104184 This weekend is the fourth annual Sunshine Stampede gay rodeo at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie. The picture at right and those below are Miami Herald file photos from previous gay rodeos in Davie. (Click photos to enlarge.)
Ellie Brecher, our Crazy for Critters blogger, sent me this news release tonight about a planned protest on Saturday by Animal Rights Foundation of Florida:
The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida plans demonstration against the Gay Rodeo in Davie, FL
DATE: Saturday April 4, 2009
TIME: 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.
PLACE: Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Davie, FL.
(Davie) - Rodeos are violent and encourage brutal treatment of animalsand insensitivity to animal suffering. It is common for the animals in rodeo events to suffer multiple physical injuries and to be psychologically scarred for life. The Gay Rodeo in Davie is no exception, and the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will protest the cruel event on April 4, 2009 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Steers are subjected to painful tail-twisting to make them run from chutes. Terrified baby calves are chased around the arena during the calf-roping* event, before being snapped to a halt by a lasso tightened around their necks. It is common for these animals to suffer multiple injuries.
In the "bronc riding" or "bull riding" events, the animals are physically provoked into displaying so-called "wild" behavior through the use of bucking straps or electric prods. Take away the cruel tail-twisting, the painful electro-shock prods and bucking straps, and you take away the rodeo.
"Unless you like to support extreme animal cruelty, the rodeo is not for you," said Brad King, ARFF volunteer. "It is true that cowboys, cowgirls and animals all risk injury in the rodeo, but the animals do not have a choice about whether or not to participate."
ARFF encourages people (including cowboys and cowgirls) who respect animals to stay clear of the Gay Rodeo and to join in ARFF's protest. Visit or call ARFF for more details:
http://animalrightsflorida.org/Calendar.html/ 954.727.2733.
Thank you!
*This event has recently been renamed "tie-down roping" by the rodeo to deflect criticism.

-Congregation Etz Chaim reads love poetry from the Bible on April 10
From Jesse Monteagudo:
Congregation Etz Chaim, Wilton Manors' only synagogue, will hold a special service on Friday, April 10, at 8:00 p.m., when service leaders will be reading excerpts from the Song of Songs - a series of amazing Biblical love poems attributed to King Solomon. One might not think of the Bible as a repository of love poetry, but the text of the Song of Songs is exactly that. Jews all over the world read these wonderful romantic poems on the Sabbath that comes during the Passover holiday, which this year is on Friday, April 10. Congregation Etz Chaim is located at 1881 NE 26th St., Suite 100, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, Cong. Etz Chaim offers its members a variety of religious, educational and social events, as well as its Sisterhood and Men's Club. For more information about Cong. Etz Chaim phone 954-564-9232 or visit www.etzchaimflorida.org.


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

-Bottoms & Tops coming to Wilma again
Outlet store opening on Wilton Drive
By JAMES MICHAELS
Bottoms & Tops is moving their B & T outlet store from the Hub Plaza across from Searstown to Wilton Drive at the former space of Audace. Audace, which was a fashion fixture on Las Olas for over a decade, recently moved to The Drive late last year and recently closed their doors. "With the success of Sidelines and everything's that happening at that end of the street," said John Anderson, owner of Bottoms & Tops, we felt it would be wise to have a location there. Some people down there may not mosey on down to this end." The move to the new location has been delayed due to the heavy rains we have recently been having. "Thank God the roof caved in before we moved in.", said Anderson. The roof is currently under repair and remodeling of the space for the store will begin on Monday, March 30. Anderson expects the new store should open around April 10th.
http://www.floridablade.com/2009/3-26/news/localnews/5665.cfm


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

From Kristin Jacobs
Broward County Commission District 2
From increasingly intense weather patterns to rising sea levels, we know that climate change is already impacting life on our planet. This Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Broward County will take part in Earth Hour-the world's largest global climate change event. By simply turning out all non-essential lighting for one hour in our own homes, we will join tens of millions of concerned citizens throughout the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations. To read more about Broward County's participation visit: [...] This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger. In the US, cities large and small have said they'll participate including Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco.with more signing up daily. They will join international cities such as Beijing, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Rome, and Toronto. To get a better sense of the magnitude and inspiring nature the event, take a moment to watch WWF's video about Earth Hour 2008 by visiting http://www.earthhourus.org/video.php. Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and absolutely free. To get more information for Earth Hour 2009, visit www.EarthHourUS.org. I hope you'll join us, and encourage people you know in our community to also take part. AND - Send me pictures of your before and after you turn out the lights- to share your experience!!!! Don't forget-Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 pm, turn out, take action!
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/miramar/story/959308.html


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

-Crist Facing Conservative Rebellion
By WILLIAM MARCH
Florida Republican Party circles are hearing increasing talk of conservative dissatisfaction with Gov. Charlie Crist, and a possible primary challenge if he runs for the U.S. Senate next year.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/27/crist-facing-conservative-rebellion/news-politics/

-Former speaker of House weighs 2010 Senate bid
Staff Report
Former House Speaker John Thrasher said Thursday he likely will run in 2010 for a seat that will be vacated by state Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville. Thrasher, who served as speaker from 1998 to 2000 and has been an influential player in state Republican politics, would run in Senate District 8, which includes parts of Volusia, Flagler and three other counties. King cannot run in 2010 because of term limits.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Florida/flaSTAT01POLF032709.htm

-Florida losing an uncommon voice
Voters in this state are losing another valued ally with Common Cause's decision to shut down its Florida operations and lay off longtime state executive director Ben Wilcox. The cuts, part of the nonprofit government watchdog group's larger national response to falling contributions in the dour economy, come at a bad time for Floridians.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/opnOPN89032609.htm

-Shadow on the solar debate
Question of feed-in tariffs vs. credits deserves a fair hearing
The sun's daily rise is a predictable thing. A Florida legislative session, not so much. Bright, promising proposals sometimes never make it above the clouds of politics in the halls of the capital.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090327/OPINION/903271015/2213/NEWS?Title=Shadow-on-the-solar-debate

-Schools could get funds
Florida House proposal would use stimulus to shore up education
By BILL KACZOR
Florida House leaders ended speculation they might turn down stimulus dollars for education by putting about $1 billion in federal recovery cash into a preliminary public schools budget Thursday, but they may yet reject a big chunk of stimulus aid for the unemployed.
http://staugustine.com/stories/032709/state_032709_055.shtml


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JustNews.com
http://www.justnews.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Postal Service Could Cut Jobs, Reduce Delivery Days
Postmaster General: Service Could Have $6B Deficit
Financial troubles could prompt the U.S. Postal Service to lay off some employees and close some offices. The U.S. Postal Service said it could be out of money by the end of the 2009.
http://www.justnews.com/news/19020295/detail.html?treets=mia&tid=2655619429813&tml=mia_dailyforecast&tmi=mia_dailyforecast_1_04000103272009&ts=H


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