Metro I-4 News

You are browsing the archives of 2008 June.

It’s June 30th and the Tampa Bay Rays are in first place, starting a three game series tonight against the second place Boston Red Sox, after which they could be anywhere from 3 1/2 games up to 2 1/2 games behind.
The biggest milestones in Rays history are March 9th, 1995 (the day the franchise [...]

Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex is undergoing a change, and will soon bear the name of ESPN.  Makes sense since most kids these days have never heard of the long running “Wide World of Sports” brand and television show on ABC.
But anyway, in regards to that subject, Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer Scott Powers interviewed [...]

Do your best to not think Exxon Valdez as you read Clearing up Florida oil-rig rhetoric: What does drilling mean for you? OK, that was a cheap shot. Instead, try not to think Charlie Crist as Dan Quayle.

If people can’t afford to own their home then of course: Brokers, lenders like prospects for Orlando apartment market

(1) Cameras really aren’t smart. (2) People keep communities safe. Not technology. Yet, the Sentinel headline might lead you to think otherwise: ‘Smart’ cameras will help keep new Parramore community safe

Library’s big move kicks off at campus This might be a good idea for Lakeland USF Polytechnic. Lakeland doesn’t need a branch library in the 1-4/Polk Parkway area yet, but it will sooner than you think. Build a joint use building, with separate check out stations. Make it where you can close off the public area when they close earlier than the campus library. Just off the top of my head.

Tampa is looking into a different approach to growth: Tampa Contemplates Transit-Oriented Development Concept

Does the two-party stranglehold on power help or hurt local politics? This Tribune editorial has a problem with one aspect of it. Strip Write-In Candidates Of Power To Close Any One-Party Race

The right to vote is one of the most precious privileges that we have. The decisions we make this fall will help shape the direction of our county, state, and nation for the next four years. While people can bring change, it is important that we do so peacefully by making intellegent decisions. That means 1) learning all you can about those men and women who seek public office, 2) registering to vote, and 3) actually getting out and doing so.

Members of Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards’ staff will be in towns throughout the county during July as part of a voter registration drive.

Tuesday, they will be at the Auburndale Public Library at 100 Bridgers Avenue from 9-11 AM, and at the Polk City Public Library, 213 South Bougainvilla Avenue from 2-4 PM. Thursday, you can find them at the Bartow Public Library, 2150 South Broadway Avenue, from 9-11 AM, and at the Eagle Lake Public Library, 75 North Seventh Street from 2-4 PM

Those who are already registered to vote may come during these times to make changes to your name, address, and/or party affiliation.

Let’s keep ‘em busy!

Between the Tampa Bay Rays‘ win Sunday over the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox‘ loss last evening, our local Major League Baseball team is back at the top of the American League Eastern Division…for now anyway. Hey, it’s only one-half game, but what a change from last season, when their season was, in reality, over at the bottom of the rankings.

We Central Floridians are all-to-familiar with the seasonal summer storms. We’re smack dab in the middle of them right now, actually. As I sit here typing this post, here’s what’s outside my apartment window:

It’s times like this I’m glad I’m safe indoors. Have you had similar storms in your part of town?
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Eastern Hillsborough County keeps getting more and more interesting. Finally got myself out the Sunday Market at the Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple in Palm River (5306 Palm River Road, just off 50th Street). It’s like taking a day trip to Thailand. The people are friendly, the temple is stunning and exotic and the shady grounds [...]

Several local news outlets reported late yesterday/early today that vandals have damaged city vehicles by spray-painting anti-Barack Obama messages on them. Reports are that the vehicles were actually parked out in the open, across from city hall in downtown Orlando. Here’s the kicker: the vandals left business cards!

I’m sure there will be [...]

Rising fuel prices and declining tourism prove to be a problem for the Orlando airport: OIA flights clipped

The Tribune has a special report about one of the effects of the current economy: Staring Into The Face of Foreclosure

The Sentinel Editorial page Editor decides to retire, but there’s no mention if Sam Zell has anything to do with the decision: A great 35 years — and more to come

In an editorial that is certainly to generate a few reader arguments, the Tampa Tribune believes Big Investment In Rail Will Help State’s Economy Keep Rolling

Earlier this week (and repeated on Friday), I posted here regarding two organizational meetings to be held yesterday for the local Obama for President campaign. One of those was noted to have been held at the Lake Gibson Starbucks location on South Florida Avenue. The information was based on announcements at a previous meeting held the week before at which I was present, as well as e-mail communication.

Unfortunately, there was no meeting. As it turned out, the request which was made to gather at the Starbucks location was rejected by management. It is the policy of Starbucks’ corporate that no location should host any type of partisan event. I was made aware that an e-mail was sent to that effect, but I did not receive any such communication. It was also posted on the group’s board at the national campaign Web site, which I simply failed to check.

It was a simple case of basic miscommunication…stuff happens, lesson learned, and we move onward and upward. To anyone who may have taken the time to come based on my earlier post, please accept my sincere apology. I’ll always work harder to do better for you.

Now for the good news…

The meeting held in Winter Haven came off exceptionally well, according to a couple of reports I received. A group of approximately 120+ gathered in the poolside room of the city’s Chain of Lakes (a/k/a Southeast) Center to begin planning the local effort in support of Senator Obama. Most areas of Polk County were represented, especially from around Lake Wales. No surprise there; Lake Wales has traditionally had a very active Democratic group that works hard to support their candidates.

The number from yesterday’s gathering shows the beginning of a very promising effort here. Of course, there’s always room for more people to help in the effort.

Kill vampires, cut as much as 13 percent off your utility bill

AAA: ‘Hypermiling’ can be dangerous to motorists

Well, not all about energy as this next link is about taxes.

Taxable Property Values a Mixed Bag

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5, giving them a two game win streak and a record of 8-2 for their last ten games. More importantly, the victory keeps our local team within a half game of the American League East leading Boston Red Sox.

Starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (7-3)came close to giving up a seven run lead in the fourth inning, but some good defense and relief from the bullpen saved the win for him. Tonight, Edwin Jackson (4-6) takes the mound for the Rays against Pittsburgh’s Ty Tambenheim (0-0).

The Rays also won this week by announcing that they would not pursue a referendum on the November ballot on funding for a new stadium in St. Petersburg. The fact is that with the economy in poor shape, with yet deeper cutbacks in many government services coming, public funding for this type of project is simply not there…and likely won’t be for the near future. The team earned a bit of goodwill with their decision.

According to a recent Tweet by Orlando Arts Blog’s Mark Baratelli–and an article currently on the OrlandoSentinel.com homepage–Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island is closing its nightclubs. Apparently they aren’t doing that great, and Disney fans would rather see more shops and restaurants in the space.
In all honesty this is probably more upsetting to [...]

ABC NEWS / This Week with George Stephanopoulos: Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D - IL) and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) will discuss the major political news of the week, including two major United States Supreme Court decisions, the unity effort of Democratic nominee-apparant Barack Obama and former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the latest polls on the presidential race. Also, former consumer advocate and current Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader will explain his motives for entering the contest yet again (not to mention his recent comment regarding Obama). This week’s roundtable will feature Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington, Byron York of the National Review, Hugh Hewitt of Townhall.com, and Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation.

BAY NEWS 9 / Political Connections: Bay News 9 does not provide advance notice of the guests or topics for Political Connections.

CBS NEWS / Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer: Appearing to discuss the presidential campaign and North Korea’s decision regarding it’s nuclear programme: U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (I - CT / McCain supporter), General Wesley Clark (Ret.) (D / Obama supporter), and David E. Sanger of the New York Times.

CABLE NEWS NETWORK / Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer: Wanna know how Congress is dealing with skyrocketing gas prices? U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R - KY) will provide his own views. Governors Jon Corzine (D - NJ) and Bobby Jindal (R - LA) will bring their ideas on the presidential campaign, along with Clinton Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe. Also appearing: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Seymour Hersh of The New Yorker magazine.

FOX NEWS / Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace: A couple of key advisors to the presidential campaigns will appear: Rob Portman for the McCain team, and Governor Ed Rendell (D - PA) for Obama. Also, Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr will talk about his race for the White House. Finally, the weekly roundtable featuring Fox News Washington Managing Editor Brit Hume, Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard, and Juan Williams and Mara Liasson of National Public Radio

NBC NEWS / Meet the Press: This weekend, Interim Moderator Tom Brokaw takes a look at the presidential race from a western point of view. Appearing from the Western Governor’s Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming will be three governors from the region: Arnold Schwarzenegger (R - CA), Dave Freudenthal (D - WY), and Bill Ritter (D - CO). Also, insight and analysis on the race from NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd. PROGRAMMING NOTE: MTP will be either rescheduled or preempted next Sunday due to NBC Sports‘ coverage of the Wimbledon men’s championship match.

SYNDICATED / The Chris Matthews Show: The questions this week: Will Hillary Clinton’s supporters climb aboard the O-Train en masse? And what should the Democratic nominee-apparant look for in a running mate? The panelists: British Broadcasting Corporation Washington Correspondent Katty Kay, Gloria Borger of CNN and U.S. News and World Report, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory, and David Brooks of the New York Times.

WEDU-TV 3 / Florida This Week with Rob Lorei: WEDU does not provide advance notice of the panelists and topics to be presented.

WFTS-TV 28 / Flashpoint with Brendan McLaughlin: This week’s guest will be author Rick Shenkman, author of the just released book Just How Stupid Are We? - Facing the Truth About the American Voter. It points out several, well, embarrassing points about our fellow citizens and how much many don’t know about our government and the issues for which we elect our local and national leaders.

As many of you know, I’m the lead singer in a wonderful rock ‘n’ roll band. Check out our website at JGLB.net
A couple of these gigs were set up at the last minute, so in case you are wondering, here is where you can find the JGLB this weekend:
Friday
Blues Ship on Top
1910 E. 7th [...]