The cowardly nation

Oh, I’ve thought a lot about what Eric Holder had to say about these United States as a sort of Cowards R Us.

If I had to take one side or the other (which is such a silly way to think …, but if I did …), I’d say that yes, Americans have a strong streak of cowardice in them. But then, I think probably it’s pretty likely that all humans on this planet share that same cowardly streak. (more…)

Magical music in the March nights

The past couple of weeks, at night, just around this time, 10:15 p.m., my home is quiet, I’ve hopefully turned the computer off, and I’m sitting, perhaps reading, or paying a bill or two, maybe just petting a cat. Winding down from the day and sometimes, and I’m not proud of this, thinking about tomorrow with a grim “Geez, how can I get everything that needs to be done, done?” kind of attitude.

But then there are these birds. (more…)

Buying … drinking … thinking … local

Ah, the words on everyone’s lips these days are “Buy Local!” I agree with the sentiment, for the most part, and if you haven’t been to Local Coffee & Tea out on Siesta Key … well, it’s a great place to buy, sit, sip, and enjoy all things local.

Local Coffee & Tea on Siesta Key

Sarasota voters — bah, bah, bad sheep

Good grief. I think I heard on the news today that less than 7% of registered voters in the City of Sarasota bothered to vote in yesterday’s election. On the ballot were the issues of whether to have a strong mayor and which people the citizens of Sarasota want governing them and making laws and decisions that will undoubtedly affect every aspect of their lives.

Sarasota has a population of about 55,000, I think. About 12,600 people voted yesterday. That’s about 22% of the populace. That’s dismal, abysmal, just plain mal — which means “bad” in French! (more…)

Creative Loafing writers deliver on the mayor debate and give a shout out to my book signing tonight (thanks guys!)

If you haven’t read Creative Loafing’s very-un-loafing writers Cooper Levey-Baker and Tim Sukits recent Truth Commission report on the mayoral debate in SRQ … here’s a snippet from that piece:

“The Elected Mayor Now proposal has effectively divided Sarasota. Whether you have given much thought about it or not, you should. When city voters head to the polls next Tuesday, they very well could be determining what Sarasota will look like in five years. (more…)

Weighing in on Sarasota’s political dog and pony show

Folks I run into on the street and readers of this blog keep asking me why I haven’t weighed in on the raucous ranting and raving going on all over town about the question of having a so-called Boss Mayor.

I haven’t weighed in because, frankly, I’m a bit under-whelmed with the brouhaha. (more…)

Sideways in Sarasota … and in Bradenton this Friday night

In 2007, I wrote a column — see below — that later launched my book — Sideways in Sarasota — a compilation of newspaper columns from my Reality Chick days at the Pelican Press.

The Village Bookshop in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts is kindly hosting a book signing event for me this coming Friday night, March 6, beginning at 6 p.m. C’mon on out, say hello, buy a book, get my million-dollar (NOT!) signature, and get a glimpse of one of the most wonderful bookstores I’ve been in … in, well, nearly forever! iI hear they have a kickin’ open mic session beginning at 8 p.m. — I might say a few introductory words to get things going. (more…)

MC published in Bradenton Herald

My Manicures & Money story was printed in the op/ed section of the Bradenton Herald on March 1, 2009.

Sarasota County buses — a good deal for most; a GREAT deal for some …

At 75 cents a ride — almost a third of what folks pay in many other parts of the country — Sarasota County Transit Authority (SCAT) offers local folks one of the few good deals they get in this ever-more-expensive town.

And the fare used to be even lower. Up until fall of 2007, the regular one-way bus fare was only 50 cents.

Of course, the fare is even lower than that if you’re a County employee … in that case, it’s a completely free ride. (more…)

SNN LOCAL News 6 — Live Before Five!

SNN promised to go back on the air at 5 pm today … but check it out! Newspaper and station bigwigs, set-masters, and broom-sweepers are getting the set ready and celebrating the station’s return.

Interesting!