Ropes, shoes, toothbrushes and cigarette butts -- 2,000 pounds of them -- were picked up off the beaches in Volusia County on Saturday as part of this year's annual coastal cleanup.
The cleanup was in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup and included Flagler County volunteers.
"We had a really good turnout, about 500 volunteers," said Stacey Bell, project coordinator and a Volusia County environmental staffer. "There was lots of trash out there."
Saturday's cleanup included 10 sites along Volusia County's beaches, from Ormond-by-the-Sea to New Smyrna Beach.
Morning winds pushed ocean seaweed up onto the beach and the trash came with it, Bell said.
"There were lots and lots of cigarette butts," she said. "I don't think people realize it takes at least a decade for one to decompose."
Recyclable material was separated from trash as it was collected. "This allowed us to be really green," Bell said.
Though she hadn't had a chance to look over all 2,000 pounds of trash, a vintage dress probably was the most unusual find, she said.
The ecologically minded crew even found time to rescue a bird, Bell said.
"One of the groups found an injured bird -- some type of gull -- and took it to the Volusia County Marine Science Center at Ponce Inlet," she said. "There is a bird hospital there."
By JULIE MURPHY
Staff Writer
news-journalonline.com
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
UF Grants Rock Icon "Bo Diddley" Posthumous Degree
August 10, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - More than two months after his death, rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley has been awarded a college degree from the University of Florida.
Diddley's daughter, Evelyn Kelly accepted the honor on his behalf at Saturday's commencement in Gainesville.
Diddley, a longtime Alachua County resident, was nominated last fall for the honor, but a lengthy approval process pushed a vote past his death.
The singer and performer's signature shuffle rhythm and edgy guitar were major influences on rock 'n' roll.
The Mississippi native was raised in Chicago and best known for his songs "Bo Diddley" and "Who Do You Love?"
- FROM NEWS SERVICES
Visit Us at: http://www.floridasclassifieds.com/
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - More than two months after his death, rock 'n' roll pioneer Bo Diddley has been awarded a college degree from the University of Florida.
Diddley's daughter, Evelyn Kelly accepted the honor on his behalf at Saturday's commencement in Gainesville.
Diddley, a longtime Alachua County resident, was nominated last fall for the honor, but a lengthy approval process pushed a vote past his death.
The singer and performer's signature shuffle rhythm and edgy guitar were major influences on rock 'n' roll.
The Mississippi native was raised in Chicago and best known for his songs "Bo Diddley" and "Who Do You Love?"
- FROM NEWS SERVICES
Visit Us at: http://www.floridasclassifieds.com/
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Bandannas Raise Awareness Of Abuse Among Female Farmworkers
Quickly, the women learn. Stay with the pack, whether the crop is oranges, tomatoes, strawberries. Don't work too fast, and under no circumstances fall behind. Don't go to the packing house alone. Dress like a man, sweating in baggy flannel shirts under the merciless Florida sun. And always bring a bandanna. Around the head, it hides the beauty of a young face. On the chest, it blocks gawking eyes as boxes of produce are lifted by crew leaders onto the truck. Around the waist, it helps mask curves.
According to one study, 90 percent of female farmworkers say sexual exploitation is a problem in the fields — not only by co-workers but by crew leaders and farm owners. "When people think of sexual harassment, they think of inappropriate comments," says Monica Ramirez of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "For farmworker women, it often rises to the level of rape."
TAMPA - More than anything, the young mother wanted her children in a permanent home so they could succeed in elementary school. They must not end up like her and their father, hunched over rows of crops all day in eastern Hillsborough County's sun-baked fields.
So the family settled into a trailer. With hard work, they could stay put, no longer chasing the harvest.When the owner of the farm began sexually assaulting her, she kept it a secret. If her hot-headed husband learned of it, he might take matters into his own hands. If he went to prison, she and her children would be destitute. She pretended to be too sick to work, but that caused strife in the home. They desperately needed the few dollars she earned each day.
When Lourdes Villanueva finally heard the woman's story, the worker with the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Plant City tried to help. But the woman was ashamed and terrified — of immigration officials, of deportation, of her husband's wrath, of the boss, of getting her family blackballed from working again. No, she would handle it. No policia, no. When Villanueva visited her trailer this month, the family was gone.
Because farmworker victims of sexual assault are too frightened to come forward, no one knows how many are affected, says Monica Ramirez, head of the Esperanza project at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama. Studies suggest as many as 90 percent think it's a problem.RamÃrez established Esperanza, which means "hope" in Spanish, as a statewide project in Florida to combat sexual exploitation of workers. She met with women in Hillsborough County and is convinced the problems are widespread here.
This month, the center is sponsoring the national Bandana Project, encouraging universities and community agencies that serve migrant workers to hang decorated bandannas to bring awareness to the plight of sexually exploited women. The bandanna was chosen as a symbol because it commonly is used in the fields to camouflage feminine traits.
"The women never want to dress in a provocative way," says Villanueva, migrant farmworker advocate for the Redlands center. She calls it a shame that women must endure discomfort to try to keep safe. "It's so hot, but you really have to cover up," she says. "You're all dirty and sweaty, but after the third or fourth time having men stare at you, looking down your shirt as you lift up the boxes to them, you say, 'OK, where's my bandanna?' "
Lawmakers Are Noticing Cristina Dragustinovis, coordinator for the Redlands facility in Plant City, says the owner of a farm propositioned her when she was in her 20s. "He said if I would sexually do something for him, I wouldn't have to work." She could refuse him because she worked alongside several male family members and they helped her feel safe.
"Sometimes the women feel they can't do nothing," Dragustinovis says. "You think the boss is being nice, but he's really a wolf." Villanueva says younger workers especially are used to doing what they're told. They're so vulnerable because they don't want to disobey the boss. If he wants you to go somewhere, you go."
Mary Bauer, director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the SPLC, testified April 15 about farmworker exploitation before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The hearing was called by senators who expressed concern about the treatment of Florida workers after the collapse of a plan to get fast-food industry leaders to help boost their wages. Testifying were farmworker representatives and Reginald Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, who said his members treat their workers well and pay fair wages.
Bauer told the senators that of the estimated 70,000 female farmworkers in Florida, hundreds if not thousands face chronic sexual harassment on the job. They often are forced to have sex with supervisors to get or keep jobs, she said, and they put up with a "constant barrage of grabbing, touching and propositions for sex by their supervisors."
Bauer testified that her organization represented five Haitian women who were sexually harassed while working in the packing house of Gargiulo Inc. in Immokalee. The lawsuit alleged that the women were subjected to repeated, unwelcome sexual advances by their supervisor and then faced retaliation after they complained. The women, who worked as tomato graders, rejected the man's advances, then were suspended without pay, subjected to adverse working conditions and either fired or not rehired for a new packing season.
In reaching a settlement in 2007, Gargiulo, one of Florida's largest fruit and vegetable wholesalers, agreed to pay $215,000 and entered into a consent decree to change its practices, Bauer testified.Lawmakers called for a federal review of Florida tomato picker wages and greater oversight of worker conditions.
'It's Just Heartbreaking' Ramirez says the few studies that have been done on sexual exploitation reveal a pattern. "It's like a Catch-22," she says. "The women know the abusers won't get in trouble, and the abusers know it, too. They'll use threats against the woman's family or say, 'I'll have your husband and children deported.' "If they're undocumented, they are certain no one will believe them."
Getting the victims to come forward is daunting, says Manuel Zurita, director of the Tampa field office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "In 2006, we had an event at the Beth-El Mission in Wimauma to educate women about these issues," he says. "After that, I went there once a week and sat at a desk. But no one came." Eventually he gave up but says he plans to try again with weekly visits at the Hispanic Services Council in Plant City. "I know they won't come to my office in downtown Tampa," he says. Not only is the distance prohibitive, but his office overlooks the Greyhound bus terminal, where agents of the U.S. Border Patrol watch for undocumented workers. "They won't be coming in my front door."He stresses that it makes no difference to the EEOC whether victims are undocumented. He doesn't ask.
"Getting them to trust us — that's our biggest problem." The same holds for sex crimes reported to local sheriff's offices, says Carlos Cuevas, a deputy with the Hillsborough County refugee victimization unit. Deputies will not ask whether a worker is documented. But victims remain suspicious. "A lot of them come from countries where law enforcement is corrupt or where you have to pay money to get help," he says.
Cuevas says that even when a victim comes forward, she often refuses to testify. Because the court process can take months and victims are forced to keep on the move with the harvest, it can be difficult to get them into court. Even if they are in town, missing a day in the field can be costly. "These are law-abiding people, and there are so many people who are committing crimes against them," he says. "It's just heartbreaking."
Law enforcement has a new tool to encourage reporting. Immigration services in October began issuing U Visas to undocumented workers who report crimes and assist law enforcement. The visa allows the person and his or her family to remain in the country for four years. During that time, they can apply for citizenship. Cuevas says his department can refer people to lawyers who do the U Visa paperwork free. But he worries it won't be enough. "They fear entrapment, which is totally not true," he says. "They need to have faith in the system, which they don't have."
DONNA KOEHN -- The Tampa Tribune
Visit Us at: http://www.hillsboroughcountyclassifieds.com/
According to one study, 90 percent of female farmworkers say sexual exploitation is a problem in the fields — not only by co-workers but by crew leaders and farm owners. "When people think of sexual harassment, they think of inappropriate comments," says Monica Ramirez of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "For farmworker women, it often rises to the level of rape."
TAMPA - More than anything, the young mother wanted her children in a permanent home so they could succeed in elementary school. They must not end up like her and their father, hunched over rows of crops all day in eastern Hillsborough County's sun-baked fields.
So the family settled into a trailer. With hard work, they could stay put, no longer chasing the harvest.When the owner of the farm began sexually assaulting her, she kept it a secret. If her hot-headed husband learned of it, he might take matters into his own hands. If he went to prison, she and her children would be destitute. She pretended to be too sick to work, but that caused strife in the home. They desperately needed the few dollars she earned each day.
When Lourdes Villanueva finally heard the woman's story, the worker with the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Plant City tried to help. But the woman was ashamed and terrified — of immigration officials, of deportation, of her husband's wrath, of the boss, of getting her family blackballed from working again. No, she would handle it. No policia, no. When Villanueva visited her trailer this month, the family was gone.
Because farmworker victims of sexual assault are too frightened to come forward, no one knows how many are affected, says Monica Ramirez, head of the Esperanza project at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama. Studies suggest as many as 90 percent think it's a problem.RamÃrez established Esperanza, which means "hope" in Spanish, as a statewide project in Florida to combat sexual exploitation of workers. She met with women in Hillsborough County and is convinced the problems are widespread here.
This month, the center is sponsoring the national Bandana Project, encouraging universities and community agencies that serve migrant workers to hang decorated bandannas to bring awareness to the plight of sexually exploited women. The bandanna was chosen as a symbol because it commonly is used in the fields to camouflage feminine traits.
"The women never want to dress in a provocative way," says Villanueva, migrant farmworker advocate for the Redlands center. She calls it a shame that women must endure discomfort to try to keep safe. "It's so hot, but you really have to cover up," she says. "You're all dirty and sweaty, but after the third or fourth time having men stare at you, looking down your shirt as you lift up the boxes to them, you say, 'OK, where's my bandanna?' "
Lawmakers Are Noticing Cristina Dragustinovis, coordinator for the Redlands facility in Plant City, says the owner of a farm propositioned her when she was in her 20s. "He said if I would sexually do something for him, I wouldn't have to work." She could refuse him because she worked alongside several male family members and they helped her feel safe.
"Sometimes the women feel they can't do nothing," Dragustinovis says. "You think the boss is being nice, but he's really a wolf." Villanueva says younger workers especially are used to doing what they're told. They're so vulnerable because they don't want to disobey the boss. If he wants you to go somewhere, you go."
Mary Bauer, director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the SPLC, testified April 15 about farmworker exploitation before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The hearing was called by senators who expressed concern about the treatment of Florida workers after the collapse of a plan to get fast-food industry leaders to help boost their wages. Testifying were farmworker representatives and Reginald Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, who said his members treat their workers well and pay fair wages.
Bauer told the senators that of the estimated 70,000 female farmworkers in Florida, hundreds if not thousands face chronic sexual harassment on the job. They often are forced to have sex with supervisors to get or keep jobs, she said, and they put up with a "constant barrage of grabbing, touching and propositions for sex by their supervisors."
Bauer testified that her organization represented five Haitian women who were sexually harassed while working in the packing house of Gargiulo Inc. in Immokalee. The lawsuit alleged that the women were subjected to repeated, unwelcome sexual advances by their supervisor and then faced retaliation after they complained. The women, who worked as tomato graders, rejected the man's advances, then were suspended without pay, subjected to adverse working conditions and either fired or not rehired for a new packing season.
In reaching a settlement in 2007, Gargiulo, one of Florida's largest fruit and vegetable wholesalers, agreed to pay $215,000 and entered into a consent decree to change its practices, Bauer testified.Lawmakers called for a federal review of Florida tomato picker wages and greater oversight of worker conditions.
'It's Just Heartbreaking' Ramirez says the few studies that have been done on sexual exploitation reveal a pattern. "It's like a Catch-22," she says. "The women know the abusers won't get in trouble, and the abusers know it, too. They'll use threats against the woman's family or say, 'I'll have your husband and children deported.' "If they're undocumented, they are certain no one will believe them."
Getting the victims to come forward is daunting, says Manuel Zurita, director of the Tampa field office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "In 2006, we had an event at the Beth-El Mission in Wimauma to educate women about these issues," he says. "After that, I went there once a week and sat at a desk. But no one came." Eventually he gave up but says he plans to try again with weekly visits at the Hispanic Services Council in Plant City. "I know they won't come to my office in downtown Tampa," he says. Not only is the distance prohibitive, but his office overlooks the Greyhound bus terminal, where agents of the U.S. Border Patrol watch for undocumented workers. "They won't be coming in my front door."He stresses that it makes no difference to the EEOC whether victims are undocumented. He doesn't ask.
"Getting them to trust us — that's our biggest problem." The same holds for sex crimes reported to local sheriff's offices, says Carlos Cuevas, a deputy with the Hillsborough County refugee victimization unit. Deputies will not ask whether a worker is documented. But victims remain suspicious. "A lot of them come from countries where law enforcement is corrupt or where you have to pay money to get help," he says.
Cuevas says that even when a victim comes forward, she often refuses to testify. Because the court process can take months and victims are forced to keep on the move with the harvest, it can be difficult to get them into court. Even if they are in town, missing a day in the field can be costly. "These are law-abiding people, and there are so many people who are committing crimes against them," he says. "It's just heartbreaking."
Law enforcement has a new tool to encourage reporting. Immigration services in October began issuing U Visas to undocumented workers who report crimes and assist law enforcement. The visa allows the person and his or her family to remain in the country for four years. During that time, they can apply for citizenship. Cuevas says his department can refer people to lawyers who do the U Visa paperwork free. But he worries it won't be enough. "They fear entrapment, which is totally not true," he says. "They need to have faith in the system, which they don't have."
DONNA KOEHN -- The Tampa Tribune
Visit Us at: http://www.hillsboroughcountyclassifieds.com/
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Floridas Classifieds Presents Another Great!... Turn-Key Restaurant Business
The famous "Suwannee Gables Restaurant" in Old Town Florida is up for sale. Situated right across the street from the "Suwannee Gables Motel", and just over the bridge from the historic Suwannee River and Fanning Springs, on busy Highway 19. This is a turn-key, walk-in and set-up business for the right person... open up tomorrow if you like!!! This ready-to-open business has just been closed as of 06/01/2007... the owner has retired and all the equipment is in good working order. Dining area has seating capacity for 80 people. There is 2600 + square feet of building area and the restaurant sits on approximately .64 of an acre with overflow parking in the rear of the property.
Owner had building rebuilt in 2000 with masonry exterior, wood paneling interior and a blue galvanized sheet metal roof. Three septic tanks and a well in the rear of the property. "GREAT" Investment for the right person... hurry while this fantasic opportunity lasts!!!*
Price Just Reduced to: $249,000
Great Price!
Visit Us at: http://www.ezproperties.com/id130.htm Wednesday, June 11, 2008
15 Acres and over 1100 ft. of Suwannee River Frontage
That's right... the historical and much-sung-about "Suwannee River" in Levy County, Florida. Over 1100 feet of river frontage and 15 acres of undeveloped land... Oh My!!! Think "BIG" because this property has much potential and a lot of river frontage.
The property is located in the Camp Azalea area of Chiefland on the Levy County side of the river. Directly across from the property is the Yellow Jacket Campground which is on the Dixie County side of the river.
Presently zoned for 1 home site. Mostly wetland area to the river with approximately 2+ acres of highland area at road access.Platted road access to this unique piece of property makes it even more desirable. We say this because many of the properties located on the Suwannee River are land-locked.
If you like gorgeous sunrises and sunsets with animal life abounding everywhere then you're sure to "LOVE" this location. Quiet, serene and just downright "Good Ole Southern Livin" at its best. Mint Julep anyone???...
Visit Us at: http://ezproperties.com/15_acres_way_down_upon_the_suwannee_river.htm
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Make $Money From Home!
"Rockstar Affiliate MILKS $541,839 in Profit From Google and How You too can Swipe The Secrets of 3 ClickBank Cash Cow NICHES Worth $15,673/monthly Plus The Simple 3 Step SPF Method Used To PUMP $6228.33 From Google Into ClickBank In Just 6 Days on Virtual AutoPilot..."YES, Eric I understand you are handing me a GOLDEN TICKET to 3 ClickBank CASH COWS Worth atleast $15,673/monthly... I can simply Swipe my Way to Massive ClickBank Profits by using these little known (almost blackhat) Loopholes you've discovered for Pinching Google for Dirt Cheap .01 Cent Clicks...And if I invest right now I can be one of the few thousand allowed access to it for a super low discounted price.
Here's what you don't need...
Here's what you don't need...
NO Website, NO Tech Skills There are powerful techniques I'll demonstrate that can make you money without even owning your own website.
NO Experience Needed It's actually better if you are a newbie so you won't have to erase what you've learned so far. This methodology works and all you have to do is follow along and literally copy/paste your way to profits.
NO Need For A Huge Budget You can start with very little start up capital and take your profits and reinvest. (You'll be able to scale your business at rapid rates turning over your initial investment at huge gains.
NO Preexisting Customer List You'll discover how to build a huge mega list that will have your clickbank account spitting out money at you like a broken down ATM.
NO More Reason For FAILURE You no longer have a reason to fail at the adwords game. By following this simple system your ROI will be massive while your click costs will be dirt cheap.
Want to know more?... visit us at: http://www.floridasclassifieds.com
Friday, May 30, 2008
Home Based Business and More!
Do, Pass GO... Do, Collect $200 and Do, Get A Stay-Out of Jail Pass just for... Starting Your Own Business?... huh?
I was born in northern New Jersey on January 23rd, 1974.
I grew-up poor- single parent household. I think I had some sort of learning disability, because as a child, I could not retain anything I learned in school. I'd study like hell for an upcoming test... but as soon as I finished reading a chapter in my school book... I couldn't remember what I just read. It would not penetrate into my brain. It was extremely discouraging, so I gave up. I failed everything... even P.E. class.
I finally dropped out in the 10th grade. Nobody seemed to mind. No matter how hard I tried, it always seemed like I wasn't going to amount to anything real important in life. And this really sucked because I had a passion for the finer things. I wanted the gold Rolex, the sporty Mercedes, and the Million-Dollar Mega Mansion! But when I looked in the mirror, I didn't like what I saw. I was convinced the good life I wanted was just a dream.
But that was all about to change. Seriously- by the time I was 19, I had a brand-new Corvette. At 20, I had 2 brand-new Mercedes Benz automobiles. And at 21, I was the proud owner of a Rolls Royce Silver Spur!
By the time I turned 28... I made over $100 Million in gross sales. I profited over $50 Million. I owned two homes- one of them was 14,000 square feet and had a seven-car garage, a billiards room and a resort-style pool with an underwater bar! And I paid cash for the home!
In my garage, I had a red Lamborghini Diablo, a yellow Ferrari 360 Spider, a white Bentley Arnage Red Label, about 4 Mercedes, and a 12-passenger Lincoln Town Car Limo! My checking account had over $10 Million in it. I was earning $400,000 in pay each and every week. That breaks down to $80,000 a day... or $10,000 an hour! And those figures were if I worked 5 days a week for eight hours a day, which I didn't!
In the year 2002, I made more money than the CEOs of Federal Express... eBay... Amazon.com... Time Warner... Apple Computer... McDonalds... Microsoft... Nike... Yahoo... Ford Motor Company... General Motors... and Goodyear Tire- COMBINED! Yes-COMBINED.
In the May 12th, 2003 issue, Forbes Magazine listed their top paid 500 CEOs in America. Of their prominent and prestigious list of the 500 CEOs, I made more money than 483 of them.
$17,549,000 MORE than the CEO of Starbucks
$13,030,000 MORE than the CEO of Target
$17,225,000 MORE than the CEO of Motorola
$13,030,000 MORE than the CEO of Target
$17,225,000 MORE than the CEO of Motorola
Now, this may all seem like I'm some rich idiot bragging about how rich I am... and you're partly correct. I am bragging! But more importantly, the reason why I'm telling you about all this is that this course is about getting rich very quickly. If the talk of obscene money makes you feel uncomfortable, or even angers you, maybe you do not really want to be rich.
The reason why I'm telling you about all the toys I had when I was just 28, is to prove to you that if an guy like me... with a learning disability... a bad childhood... and no formal education can get filthy rich by the time I was 28... you can absolutely follow in my footsteps and build yourself your very own empire of wealth!
To get the rest of the story, go to this poor guys website:
http://www.12monthinternetmillionarie.co/
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