FLORIDA DIGEST November 26, 2007

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.


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To Ray's List,

Our schedule is very tight for the coming week. We'll send Florida Digests as often as possible but may miss some days.

Best wishes!

Ray and Michael



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzcal1126sbnov26,0,479718,full.story

Conference on Gay/Lesbian Tourism, 2 p.m., St. Regis Resort, 1 N. FortLauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Community Marketing Inc. presentsthis week-long eighth annual conference for professionals in tourism andhospitality, destination management firms, meeting planners and suppliersand more, to learn about sales and marketing opportunities in gay andlesbian independent travel, meetings and events. VisitWww.CommunityMarketingInc.com. E-mail Glen@CommunityMarketingInc.com. 415-437-3800.



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flb3bdigest11261sbnov26,0,438419,print.story

Davie: Gay Episcopalian bishop to speak at Nova university

November 26, 2007

The Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopalian confirmed asbishop in 2003, will speak at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad LawCenter on Tuesday as part of the 2007 Goodwin Symposium on sexuality,morality and the law.

Robinson's speech, a part of the symposium titled "30 Years After AnitaBryant's Crusade: The Continuing Role of Morality in the Development ofLegal Rights for Sexual Minorities," will address how views about moralityhave evolved since Anita Bryant's anti-gay rights campaign in the 1970s andto what extent morality influences the laws impacting sexual minorities inthe United States and abroad.

The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. in the Large Lecture Hall, 3305 CollegeAve. It is free but reservations are required. Visit www.nsulaw.nova.edu/events/rsvp.cfm or call 954-262-6295.



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbmayor1126sbnov26,0,2160812,print.story

Two candidates emerge in Fort Lauderdale mayoral campaign

November 26, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE

Candidates and political activists are already looking past Jim Naugle'slong run as mayor.

The election isn't until March 2009, but Commissioner Cindi Hutchinsonbecame the first official candidate last week. And state Rep. Jack Seiler,who also plans to run, said Hutchinson's decision isn't going to alter histimetable.

"It's not a presidential race. You don't need a 15-month election," saidSeiler, D-Wilton Manors.

Hutchinson's communications consultant, Stephen Gaskill, said his candidatewanted to begin organizing and raising money. "People knew that Cindi wasrunning and we just wanted to make it official as soon as we could getthings together to do a launch."

Naugle has been mayor since 1991. He can't run again because of term limits,opening the high-profile post.

more . . . . .



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-semday2sbnov26,0,6362139,print.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

DAY TWO

Seminole leaders spend lavishly as elections near

By Sally Kestin, Peter Franceschina and John Maines
November 26, 2007

In the past seven years, Seminole Tribal Council members have spent morethan $280 million from accounts they control. That spending has includedpaying tribal members' bills, financing their vacations and buying themcars, motorcycles, furniture, televisions and computers.

A majority on the council has maintained power for more than a decade, inpart by spending on tribal members, especially before elections, a SouthFlorida Sun-Sentinel investigation found.

"We are elected by the tribal people to provide for our tribal members,"said council member Max Osceola Jr. "Does that mean that [before] theelection, we don't help anybody? Of course not. The needs of Seminoles areforever."

The newspaper obtained a check registry from the tribe's government fund foran eight-month period in the 2007 fiscal year. It shows $2.7 million goingto furniture stores and car dealers and shops, with a spike in paymentsbefore the May 14 tribal election.

"It would strike me that it might be more than coincidental," said PhilHogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, which regulatestribal spending of gambling profits. "It's curious that just before theelection, a quite disproportionate amount of those dollars are expended."

more . . . . .



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Sun-Sentinel.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/sfl-flfproptaxlegalsbnov26,0,6684107,print.story?coll=sofla_tab01_layout

Even if voters approve, lawsuit could sink property tax reform

By Linda Kleindienst
Tallahassee Bureau Chief
November 26, 2007

TALLAHASSEE

If the Legislature's property tax fix is passed by Florida voters inJanuary, it could quickly face another hurdle - the courts.

That could put the plan in limbo for years.

If the plan is implemented, a successful legal challenge could even forcehomeowners to pay back some of the benefits they received.

As they debated and agreed to put the proposed constitutional amendment onthe Jan. 29 ballot, state legislators and their hired experts expressedconcerns that it might not pass muster in court.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees equal protection and the "right to travel,"which promises "those travelers who elect to become permanent residents, theright to be treated like any other citizens of the State."

more . . . . .



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Ft. Lauderdale

Ribbons for the Children Event

A World AIDS Day Art Exhibit and Benefit Auction

To Support Children and Families with HIV/AIDS of the Comprehensive Family AIDS Program

Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 6:00 - 8:30pm

Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
One East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

RSVP 954-728-1088

Admission: $25.00 donation
Cocktails, hors d'oeurves and entertainment
Cocktail Attire



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Ft. Lauderdale

ArtsUnited

We are accepting submissions for a photography exhibit for December at theStonewall Library and Archives. Please read the attached application fordetails. In order to judge the number of submissions, it would be helpful ifyou could drop me a note indicating you will be submitting work for thisshow. We have only received 6 affirmative responses to date. Also, pleasesend me the images you intend to submit so I have something for theinvitations and press releases.

thanks,

Chuck Williams
President
ArtsUnited, Inc.
954-530-2723 phone
954-537-2143 fax


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