Way back in April, I posted a story about the state's plan to lease Alligator Alley to a private contractor for 50 years in return for a lump-sum cash payment. The tolls could go up to $3.75 beginning in July of 2009, and then beginning January 2011, the tolls would rise each January 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. Next week, public hearings will be held in Davie and Naples; the Davie meeting is November 13th in the Liberal Arts Building Auditorium at Florida Atlantic University's Davie Campus (2912 College Avenue). It begins with an open house at 6p, followed by the hearing at 7p.
So the question becomes, how many times over have we paid for the alley?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Unsettlingly helpful travel tool
When I first read about this, I thought, "Ew, morbid much?". I suppose though, if you travel a lot by car, this could in fact be a helpful tool. Saferoadmaps.org is a site whereby you plug in an address or city you'll be traveling around in; soon after, you'll see an interactive map that shows you the locations of fatal car crashes in those areas, so you can avoid heavy accident-prone parts.
On a walking tour? The site also lists where pedestrians have been hit.... yeah, I know...
On a walking tour? The site also lists where pedestrians have been hit.... yeah, I know...
Honoring George Carlin
After the passing of comedian George Carlin in June of this year, the world got a little less funny.
Kelly Carlin-MCall, George's baby girl, is going to bring some of the funny back. Kelly has a deal to do an oral history of her father's life, due late next year. Sooner, 1984's Carlin on Campus has been released on CD (it had been out of print), and Carlin's final HBO special, It's Bad for Ya, will be released on DVD on November 25th.
Monday night, Carlin will become the first posthumous recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Kelly Carlin-MCall, George's baby girl, is going to bring some of the funny back. Kelly has a deal to do an oral history of her father's life, due late next year. Sooner, 1984's Carlin on Campus has been released on CD (it had been out of print), and Carlin's final HBO special, It's Bad for Ya, will be released on DVD on November 25th.
Monday night, Carlin will become the first posthumous recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Other election results
Elections don't just mean waiting in long lines after months of continual negative ads.... No, we also get to find out the winners of many election-inspired races.
For instance:
Back in June, I posted the site where you could vote in the annual Family Circle Magazine "First Lady's Cookie" recipe. The past four Presidential elections have been correctly predicted by the readers choosing their favorite cookie recipe. This year it was Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies vs. Cindy McCain's Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies. And the winner... Ms. McCain with 54% of the crumby vote.
Then there was the 7-Election, whereby you voted at your local 7-11 by selecting your favorite candidate's coffee cup. And the winner... Barack Obama with 60% of the caffeinated vote.
And finally, not even bothering with the actual candidates, there was Peanuts Rocks the Vote!
You were able to vote for your favorite Peanuts character. And the winner... Come'on dude, Snoopy, of course... or er, President Joe Cool!
For instance:
Back in June, I posted the site where you could vote in the annual Family Circle Magazine "First Lady's Cookie" recipe. The past four Presidential elections have been correctly predicted by the readers choosing their favorite cookie recipe. This year it was Michelle Obama's Shortbread Cookies vs. Cindy McCain's Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies. And the winner... Ms. McCain with 54% of the crumby vote.
Then there was the 7-Election, whereby you voted at your local 7-11 by selecting your favorite candidate's coffee cup. And the winner... Barack Obama with 60% of the caffeinated vote.
And finally, not even bothering with the actual candidates, there was Peanuts Rocks the Vote!
You were able to vote for your favorite Peanuts character. And the winner... Come'on dude, Snoopy, of course... or er, President Joe Cool!
Miami Book Fair
The 25th Miami Book Fair International 2008 is November 9th - November 16th. You'll have a chance to Greet the Lorax (my favorite Seuss character!), spend an evening with David Sheff, Dr. Brian Greene, Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali, Tavis Smiley and Cornel West, Naomi Klein and Gore Vidal. In most cases, free tickets are required for admission.
A giZmo for your gadgets
Broward County inventor Jean Newell has come up with The GiZmo, a wearable organizer for all your electronic devices. It's unisex, lies fairly flat, comes in 3 colors, and can be worn a variety of ways. You'll find The GiZmo (or Z Bag) at Dillard's for about $30 bucks. Ms. Newell also came up with the Personal Utility Pouch (or PUP), which is slightly smaller than the Z bag.
Fla. in diabetic top 10
Just another reason to get healthy, now! In the last 10 years, Florida went from one of the lowest rates of adult diabetes in the country to the top 10. From 2005 - 2007, cases of diabetes have tripled in Florida. You know the main reason... the very preventable bad diet; that is, what you put in your mouth and how much physical activity you put out. November is American Diabetes Month, and you can find out a slew of ways to prevent being a statistic!
Are you owed money?
The IRS has $12 million awaiting South Floridians... say what? These would be in the form of unclaimed tax refunds and economic stimulus payments. You can search a database set up by the Sun-Sentinel, or call the IRS; for stimulus checks, it's 866-234-2942. For tax refunds call 800-829-1954.
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