Metro I-4 News

You are browsing the archives of 2008 July.

For those Polk Countians who are supporting presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, or thinking about doing so, you may want to check out the local support group’s new Web site, www.polkforobama.com. It has apparantly been up only this week, and is really sharp in terms of appearance and organization.

The home page features a list of local events such as voter registration drives and canvassing. There is a button for those who wish to volunteer for campaign or otherwise participate in the events mentioned above. Also, there is a button for undecideds to click on and compare Obama and John McCain’s positions on many issues. And there is a button which features downticket Democrats such as 12th Congressional District candidate Doug Tudor.

In addition, there are links to the national campaign, forms and volunteer resources such as voter registration forms and absentee ballot requests, and a store where you can purchase campaign items such as buttons, shirts, and the like (that button is not yet operable).

There’s still some work to be done, but I’m duly impressed. It’s obvious that a lot of time and work has gone into it, and for a grassroots organization, it looks damn good! Check it out!

From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, the Tampa Bay area lost over 23,000 jobs. As a percentage, the Bay area’s job losses are second-worst nationally:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater lost 1.8 percent of its jobs over the year ending in June
That’s second worst for [...]

KS sends along this NYT obit for cassette tapes.
“While the cassette was dumped long ago by the music industry, it has lived on among publishers of audio books. Many people prefer cassettes because they make it easy to pick up in the same place where the listener left off, or to rewind in case a [...]

Mayor Pam Iorio says that Tampa needs to get started on rail transit now, and not wait for TBARTA to get it going.
TBARTA wishes she would just give ‘em time to analyze the entire region.
The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners will have to decide if they want to ask for extra sales tax as soon [...]

Starting high school later to save money: After a long and bumpy ride, Orange School Board signs off on schedule swap

Who ever accused drivers of gas guzzlers as being courteous? Drivers show little respect for hybrid-only parking spaces

Orlando jumps the gun and wants a project that isn’t regional. Tampa’s response? Try to do the same thing. Iorio Wants Tampa’s Train Plans To Move Forward

Want to make sure your money actually helps people? Charitable Bang Per Buck Biggest Here

Bonus:

If you want to see Obama tomorrow, get your tickets tonight.

I had a dry spell for a while, but the Lakeland SPCA called last week to see if I could foster any of the 15 puppies that weren’t yet old enough to be adopted. I agreed to care for three six-week-old puppies. Believe it or not, these are all siblings:

This is the little girl. She is so sweet and her tail is constantly wagging.

This one is a little boy. He’s the rambunctious one who attempts to chew up my plants and who can’t understand why the neighbor dog on the other side of the fence doesn’t want to be his friend.

Another little boy. This one is a chunk! I think he’s gonna be big. Out of the three, I think he loves affection the most. Let’s hope he doesn’t think he should still be a lap dog if he reaches 90 pounds.

If you love pets, but can’t afford the full-time commitment of owning one, I recommend becoming an SPCA foster parent. The foster parenting hyperlink takes you to the SPCA’s application. For me, this experience is perfect. I get all the enjoyment of having a puppy. But caring for them is just enough work that by the time they are old enough to be adopted, I’m actually ready to let them go.

If you simply can’t handle the responsibility of foster parenting, but you firmly believe in the SPCA’s cause, I hope you’ll consider supporting them. The SPCA always is in need of supplies such as dry puppy and kitten food, towels and blankets, bleach, paper towels, unscented liquid laundry detergent, medium and large latex gloves, liquid soap, distilled water, gallon size Ziploc freezer bags, kitty litter and new or lightly used pet crates/carriers. Can’t decide what to buy? You never go wrong with gift cards to PetSmart, PetCo or Pet Supermarket.

I’m pleased to say I’m the newest contributor to another local Central Florida blog, “Orlando Arts Blog,” soon to be joined by my good friend and blog co-author klynn! Check-out my introduction post when you have a chance. I’ll be providing insight into the ever-changing field of Marketing/Interactive/Technology.
I hope you’ll join [...]

“…complete freedom to report.”

That is what Chinese officials said seven years ago when they bid for the 2008 Olympic Games which begin in just over a week. Even earlier this year, Hein Verbruggen and Kevan Gosper — two senior International Olympic Committee officials assigned to overseeing the Games — said they had been assured that Internet censorship will be lifted for reporters covering the events.

Promises, promises.

USA Today reported this morning that reporters working in the Main Press Centre are experiencing blocks to Web sites that the Communist regime does not like.

The blocked sites will make it difficult for journalists to retrieve information, particularly on political and human rights stories the government dislikes. On Tuesday, sites such as Amnesty International or any search for a site with Tibet in the address could not be opened at the Main Press Center…

The censored Internet is the latest broken promise on press freedoms.

The IOC’s Gosper backtracked Tuesday, saying that the Chinese freedoms on Internet sites only applied to those which related to “Olympic competitions”.

“The regulatory changes we negotiated with BOCOG and which required Chinese legislative changes were to do with reporting on the games,” Gosper added, using the acronym for the Olympic organizers. “This didn’t necessarily extend to free access and reporting on everything that relates to China.

Well, friends…what did you expect? They’re working in a totalitarian country, where things are happening that the government would rather not see opened to the world (Read: Tibet, human rights violations). Did ya REALLY think the Chinese would REALLY open Internet access for more than 5,000 journalists from around the world?

Everyone should have known that they would lie through their teeth in putting their best foot forward to win the bid for this summer’s Games, then as the time approached their true colours would come out. Hell, everyone who is participating in the opening ceremonies have to sign confidentiality agreements, with anyone breaching the contract risking seven years in jail. (BTW: A South Korean journalist shot video footage of a dress rehearsal for the ceremony Monday. You can see it here (www.newsvod.sbs.co.kr/nw/0123c203089.asf)… but hurry, before the Chinese force the Seoul Broadcasting System to remove it.

One thing I can promise you…it will be the most secure Olympics in history.

BBC News story: Which Websites Has China Blocked?

“You could freeze ice on his wife’s ass.”
That’s one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, “Pretty Woman.” Honestly, I don’t really know what it means but I just think it’s funny. Soon enough all Central Floridians will be able to freeze ice on their asses. Actually, their asses [...]

Besides the (very) loud music, here’s your introduction to Criss Angel > The Official Website:
Don’t miss the first LIVE episode in MINDFREAK history as Criss attempts to escape from an imploding building! Watch it LIVE on Wednesday, July 30 at 10 PM EST / 7 PM PST on A&E, or watch it LIVE here on [...]

Polk Indigent Care Plan Faces Deep Cuts and The Sentinel thinks: Providing basic services is essential as the needy population rises in Central Florida

Because having your gun with you at all times is so important, we have two articles today: U.S. Judge Upholds Guns-at-Work Law and Take guns to work - but don’t stop on way?

This isn’t for the reason you think… State shuts down FPL’s renewable energy program

Bonus:

School boards in Central Florida move toward taking meetings online

The tough economy is getting to everyone.  We are all trying to keep costs to a minimum, and come up with money-saving ideas.  Of course, as goes your economy, so goes the entire economy, including non-profits.  For instance, you did not buy enough Girl Scout Cookies last season:
While your support and enthusiasm drives us to [...]

Meet Cisco. He is a 7-year-old Sheltie. He was born and raised in Gainesville, where he attended UF with his mommy. After he received his degree in barking and ultimate frisbee, he moved over to the East coast. He is a very loving boy who makes sure that his family never leaves any food behind. [...]

Well, you can add two more restaurants to the list of those closing, this time on the south side of Lakeland: Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern and Steak & Ale on South Florida Avenue.

Apparantly, both were owned by Metromedia Restaurant Group of Plano, Texas, which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. Metromedia is the parent company of the two national chains.

Another chain owned by Metromedia, Pondrosa Steakhouse, put 59 of it’s Florida locations up for sale or lease last month (none in Polk County).

As the economy continues to falter, and customers cut back on their eating out or choosing lower cost options such as Golden Corral and similar style buffet restaurants, we’ve seen a number of eateries across Polk County falter in recent months. Sadly, I can’t see where the process will end soon, and that means more people out of work locally.

First, I ask this question purely out of a sense of curisosity, and is not meant to be offensive to anyone.

As our culture has developed over the past 20 to 30 years, the idea of interracial relationships between couples has become quite common. Every day, one can see African-American men and white women arm-in-arm or enjoying a meal in a local restaurant. However, it is very rare to find black women with white men together.

So I wonder: Why is this? I am interested in your answer.