Changes to Hurricane Relief

Broward County is changing up some of their post-hurricane practices. For instance, no more free ice; with many grocery stores and gas stations now equipped with back-up generators, the County feels ice will be readily available. Broward County will also use 311 along with the 954-832-4000 hurricane hotline.
If you are in an evacuation area and need public transportation, you won't have to go to specific bus stop. You can wave the bus down anywhere along its route.

School lunch cost increase

The Broward County School District plans to raise prices for school breakfasts and lunches. If approved, the increases go into effect July 1st. The School Board meeting to decide yay or nay to the increase is Tuesday, June 17th, 10:15 a.m., at the school district headquarters (600 SE Third Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale).

Flying the gouging skies

If you travel by air with any frequency, you know there's always been fluctuation in airfare. Recent increases would make sense what with the increase in fuel prices. However, there's some recent airline fees that border on preposterous.

There's the checked bag fee, whereby some airlines are now charging you to check a bag. There are many trips you can get by with a carry-on, but can you imagine traveling by air to a ski trip or with a large family without needing to check a bag. Come on! That's like a rental car company adding a charge to put something in the trunk - I probably shouldn't give them any ideas...

Then there's the advance seat assignment fee, where you'll pay a certain amount depending on which seat you pick; for example, one airline will charge $15 for a exit row, $10 for aisle or window, $5 for a middle seat. These fees are for one-way, by the way. Are you kidding me? You can still sit for free if the airline selects for you, but really, how many options do you have?

What's next? A fee if you'd like a licensed pilot? A fee for landing? Taking off? Stop the nickel-and-diming, please.

Walk-off home run?

As South Florida's biggest athletic supporter, I love all of our sports teams. When I saw that the Marlins beat the Phillies with Dan Uggla's home run in the 9th, I was thrilled. However it was the terminology that had me perplexed; it was called a "walk-off grand slam". Grand slam I know, but walk-off? I found out it's a relatively new term that basically means a home run that ends the game. Since Philadelphia pilfered our first place spot, I couldn't be more thrilled for Dan and the Marlins... Go Fish!

Humanity check, part two

So a couple blogs ago, I recounted the story of an elderly man in Connecticut; he was struck by two cars and while many called 911, no one went to the man's aid. It was chilling to think we've become so wary, or selfish, or indifferent as to leave a man lying in the road.

AND THEN...

I read a story that was not only the antithesis of selfish, it was one of the most heroic decisions I've heard about in a long time. You've probably seen it on the news; a man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman. The victim's description and the police officer's sketch so precise that it hastened the alleged perpetrator's arrest. What you may not know is that this 20-year-old victim convinced the man to allow the 90-year-old woman she was caring for to "go inside the house for safety and that she would then do whatever he wanted" . This 20-year-old girl, knowing what this guy was planning to do, pleaded with the attacker to spare the elderly woman. She is an absolute HERO and one amazing human being!!!

I consider myself slapped upside the head... again!

Heels to you, Camileon

Adjustable heels? Indeed! Camileon Heels allow you to adjust your heel from 3 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. All you do is pull down on the heel, push it forward and tuck it under the arch of the shoe.
The inspiration? The designer, David, got the idea from his sons' toy Transformers. There's also Inchworm shoes, that grow with a child's foot.

Jeans that fit your shape

Little in the Middle jeans were created by Palm Beach Gardens resident, Lee Ann Park. The jeans are for those of us with smaller waists than hips; for instance, a size six waist and a size eight hips and thighs. What? No more of the waistband of my jeans pouffing out above the backside? That can't be...