An App called Last Night…? Have you heard about an app called Last Night…? This is a generation of smart phone, tech savvy, app users. Those who have smart phones have probably already
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Woo Me! January 24th, 2012 My new found state of mind has given me a feeling of control and empowerment. It no longer mattered how long it was since my last date. I didn’t care
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Monster Jam Returns to Florida Dennis Anderson celebrates 30th Anniversary and brings out all new “Grave Digger” attraction. We made our way over to Tampa, FL with haste to get to meet
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LeBron owns night against Kobe James scores 31 in Heat’s easy win against Lakers MIAMI There was this fascinating scene at the end of the first half that spoke of the larger
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LeBron James (flu) a game-time decision for Heat-Lakers showdown MIAMI— The Miami Heat may be without two of their Big Three. As many expected, Dwyane Wade will not play Thursday against the L
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The way of future farming
A friend of mine came by recently to watch a game and during halftime we got into this conversation about Aquaponics. Aquaponics? What is that?, I asked him. He began to go into detail about building a water filtration system that he uses to grow vegetables that filters out vital nutrients and sends the cleansed water into a tank in which he raises fresh fish, all for under sixty bucks. But before he could finish, the game was back on and I was not as interested. But the truth is I found it amazing that today we could do such things. Like many Americans, I am always looking for ways to live healthier. Whether it be through exercise, diet or just making better choices about the things I intake overall. So I did find what I was hearing a bit intriguing. As a matter of fact after the game was over we picked up on the conversation where we had left off and this is what I learned.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics in an interdependent environment. Each system uses water as its main conduit and works off the other to produce plant life and fish life in a controlled, healthy and natural way. Without the use of pesticides or any other dangerous chemicals. Hey, that’s just what I’ve been looking for. A healthy alternative that I can trust, but I don’t necessarily have the time or desire to become a 21st century farmer but maybe you do. I was informed that setting up your own aquaponics system at home required only a minimal investment of time, money, and real estate. Furthermore, the benefits seem to easily outweigh the costs, which on average were around $76. In doing my research I found systems that range from as little as $39 for a small courtyard system to as much as $300 for a family system. On the more expensive side there are also small commercial aquaponic systems upwards of $1000.
Some of these packages come with a course manual in aquaponics, construction plans, construction manual, and a day-to-day operations manual. So whether you want some fresh vegetables for you personal cooking needs or to set up a supplemental income by selling fresh fish and veggies at the farmer’s market there is a system for you. I’ll probably just see you at the market. But it’s always good to know you have options.
If you are interested in learning more about aquaponics, there are a ton of videos on youtube that demonstrate how to set up your system. There are also examples of different types of systems and the benefits of using them. If you happen to be in the orlando area you can go see my friend. He’ll be giving free classes on Aquaponics at the library. Stop by the Orange County Public Library, Alafaya branch tonight. Presentation begins at 6:30pm. or you can visit the Downtown Orlando branch Saturday January 28th, 2012 at 2pm. It’s sure to be informative. For more details you can also visit aquaponicbasics.blogspot.com
Description: The Downtown Arts District monthly Gallery Walk is the “go-to” event in New Smyrna Beach ! The galleries located on Douglas and Canal Streets feature monthly solo and group exhibitions, artist talks and live music. The Gallery Walk has become a community gathering spot for a discerning mix of art lovers, patrons and artists for over 10 years. Join us every 1st Saturday of the month from 4-7pm for this fabulous free event.
Participating galleries: Arts on Douglas Fine Art (123 Douglas St), Atlantic Center for the Arts at Harris House, Clay Gallery, Art Space and Artists Workshop. www.canalstreetnsb.com
Looking for some fun this weekend? Well, make your way to the Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival!! This art festival makes the list of Sunshine Artist Magazine’s top art shows in the country. For two days, attendees will have access to aisles of creative pieces of art from a broad range of mediums. Prices are set to suit all budgets and range from $25 hand-designed earrings to $30,000 metal sculptures. Patrons will enjoy works from the nation’s best talent – long-time festival favorites along with the newest names on the contemporary art scene. Come see some of America’s best artists displaying one of a kind jewelry and pottery. Additionally, there will be a vast array of original art including paintings, life size sculpture, photography, glass, wood and collages.
While admission is free and open to the public, the purpose of the St. Armands Circle Art Festival is to support the arts, the St. Armands Circle Association and the Local Economy. Thus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Armands Circle Association. The artists will line the streets of St. Armands Circle as well as South Boulevard of the Presidents with their professional display booths, transforming this popular shopping and dining destination into a first-class outdoor art gallery. The event appeals to people of all ages including families, art enthusiasts, and collectors looking for new and emerging talent.
If you’ve never been, Sarasota is on Florida’s west coast and St. Armands Key lies just off the coast. It is, indeed, a part of the infamous grouping of islands that make up that luxurious escape from our humdrum lives. In addition to the festival, St. Armands will provide a variety of fine shops and gourmet restaurants. While you’re there, use this weekend to bask in its history and beauty. St. Armands provides an unforgettable experience for visitors.
9th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival (Sarasota, FL)
January 28th & 29th, 2012
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Free Admission
“The Big Miss” makes Tiger Woods less trusting!
Saying he never expected former swing coach Hank Haney would write a book about their years working together, Tiger Woods didn’t deny recent events have eaten away at his trust factor.
Announcement of the upcoming release of “The Big Miss” – set for the week before the Masters – comes months after unsavory comments about Woods from former caddie Steve Williams.
Speaking with reporters in Abu Dhabi, Woods agreed with one questioner Tuesday who asked if such occurrences make it “difficult to trust anybody” close to him.
“Hmmm, one might say that,” Woods replied.
When the reporter followed up with “That must be so sad, in a way,” Woods turned the tables on the exchange.
“Why, do you think it’s sad?” Woods asked.
“Do you think so?” the reporter pressed on.
“I’m asking you.”
The reporter relented, saying he did “find it sad.” Woods replied: “OK, there you go.”
Haney’s book chronicles his relationship with Woods from the time they began working together in March 2004 to their split five months after a sex scandal disrupted his career, shattered his marriage and blemished his image.
The coach has stated he had no knowledge of the affairs. The book draws from notes Haney took as they spent time on the range, at tournament sites and perhaps 30 days a year staying at Woods’ Orlando home.
Last week, Woods told ESPN.com that Haney’s actions were “unprofessional” and driven by money.
Haney was one of the few people in Woods’ employ who never was asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Even so, the golfer said Tuesday he never thought Haney would turn his observations into a book.
Asked why he never expected it, Woods replied: “I don’t know.”
jshain@tribune.com. Read Jeff Shain‘s blog, The Downswing, at OrlandoSentinel.com/golfblog.
Read more here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/golf/os-tiger-woods-abu-dhabi-0125-20120124,0,7367503.story
Have you heard about an app called Last Night…?
This is a generation of smart phone, tech savvy, app users. Those who have smart phones have probably already downloaded apps at least once even if it was just out of curiosity. I personally have tons of apps. I always check the weather before I go out. It’s part of my prep work before I leave the house. Who has the patience to wait for the weather channel to finish playing commercials to show my city to tell me the weather for my neighborhood? We are living in the age of instant gratification! Weather app! If I am on a long commute and I need to figure out what to eat, I can find a restaurant or recipe in a jiffy! Who needs a cookbook or McDonald’s, unless I want it. My options are limitless and quick. My ADD doesn’t even kick in anymore. It doesn’t have a chance to because I have more apps than my phone answering, email sending, texting, tv watching, Shake & Spell in 3D playing, self can keep up with. So I actually appear highly focused these days.
There is a new app however, that I worry invades my privacy a bit too much! Last night…? is an app that tracks everywhere you go so the following morning you can look back and see where you were. GPS shows me how to get where I want to go. It can even tell others my current location if used properly. This is different though! It doesn’t just say I went to this address or where I am presently. It silently records my location, my route to my next destination, how long it took me to get there and how long I stayed. It records all of this as I comfortably go about my daily routine and lets me use the phone as I normally would. When I am ready I can open the app and analyze the data.
This may be a great app if I am going on that first date with a person I met online and am worried he will slip me a “mickey” and take advantage of me. If I were to get drunk and lose my memory I can open the app and see my whereabouts from that night! It is also a wonderful app to trap your cheating girlfriend or track your child’s activities. This app can be AMAZING in the search for missing people. How wonderful would it be if a missing woman used this on her phone. If when they found her phone it would be able to show exactly what her whereabouts were before she went missing. It would give the precise location of everywhere she visited right down to the place where she sat. How helpful would that be to the authorities?
Note: In order for this app to record, you must remember to turn on the app the night before. If you are using this on someone else’s phone you have to be certain that you will have access to it the following day.
With that said, for the very cautious parent, the paranoid employer, the jealous mate, or avid runner this app is well worth the $1.99 that it costs. For the majority of the world, I am not so sure it’s necessary. Then again, my dad always says you cannot predict an emergency, you can only wish you prepared for it. So you tell me. Take our poll and let us know what you think of Last night…?
My new found state of mind has given me a feeling of control and empowerment. It no longer mattered how long it was since my last date. I didn’t care. I am even slightly embarrassed to admit that I expected to get checked out 8 out of the 10 times that I walked by a guy. When it didn’t happen I was confused. Did every fairly pretty woman have that expectation? Who knows. The empowerment I feel now is great, I even stopped making excuses for not wanting to go on a date with a guy. The new me just says ”I’m sorry I’d rather not” or “I am not interested but thank you’.
It’s funny though, I have become so accustomed to not dating that I am afraid of falling into my old habits when I meet a man that interests me. Will I let him lead if he had all the correct prerequisities? Would I continue to date if things go well between us or will I fall into my usual trap of a relationship. The goal is to hang out with a man that I am attracted to and have fun. So my girlfriends and I go out.
Very few “cuties” to mention. Towards the end of the night though I notice a man walking my way. I realize I’ve seen him before at different functions. Never the less, I have not spoken to him before so I didn’t know why he seemingly heading my way. He was walking over like we were old friends. Pretty rare for me to be this relaxed in this situation. Go ME! So he stated what I just said. He says ”I know I have seen you before but I never asked you your name”.
He flattered me. I reciprocated. He bought me a drink and I accepted. Right before the flirtation and introduction became too involved, I thanked him for the drink and excused myself. My girlfriends were saying that if I found him attractive I should have stayed. The new me said “no”! That’s not the route for me. I wanted to watch him for a minute since he had time to watch me. This was empowering for me. I wasn’t sitting there going along with the flow and I was not waiting for the invitation to dinner. I made a small change in my behavior that made me feel like I had something to do with if and when we meet up again. Once I had time to watch how he interacted with others especially women and I was intrigued enough to want to know more, I walked back up to him. Since this was new to me, I just apologized for having to step away during our conversation. We spoke for a bit then I told him that I would love to talk with him more if he was interested. I gave him my phone number and I left. Empowerment feels amazing! Will he call? I have no idea. Right now I don’t even care. I feel great! I’ll let you know though!
Hey Florida! I’m back and better than ever! Truth be told, I realized I just don’t know how to date. In fact, I don’t even like dating, I am the relationship type. (Phew, I can finally say it out loud!) You see, if the definition of dating is to go out regularly with a few men for the intention of getting to know them, then I’m certain I don’t know how to date. When I meet a man, I need to know if they are relationship material. That determines if and how many dates will occur. Once I give the green-light, one date turns into a month of dating turns into the fifth anniversary! It’s amazing how insidious that relationship status is! … and…well… I still don’t really know much more except that he’s relationship material! It seems I had fallen into a pattern. For a lot of us, the avoidance of the “bad guy” becomes the only criteria for maintaining a relationship. Once we get past that hurdle, we exhale and forget to look for the characteristics that we really want. We tend to stay because it’s comfortable, perhaps better than before, but not necessarily because it’s good. This revelation caused me to take action!
In an effort to engage in good relationships, I am now making a conscious effort to look at the things I want. I have decided to work from the positive, and not from the negative. Damaged lovers have to work too hard at not bringing baggage to the next relationship. LOL! While it’s prudent to protect one’s heart, it can’t be so over-reaching that it becomes more important than seeking true happiness. I allowed my protective stance to became my mantra–No man is going to hurt my heart. While in love rehab, I overanalyzed and scrutinized every date. Simultaneously, while looking for the “relationship guy” I have dated a series of nice guys, never “my guy”. Well those days are over!! No more grading and judging men to see how far up they have crawled from the bottom of the barrel! I wont continue to settle for the “not bad”, rather, I will consciously seek “my guy”, the proverbial “one”! That said, I decided to take a break from the dating scene. I gave myself an opportunity to just relax! While online dating can be a way to screen many people without commitment, it can be strenuous. With my new frame of mind, I needed an adjustment period. I wanted the holidays to be stress-free and all about my family. I focused on my parents, siblings and most importantly my daughter.
My family and I went to concerts, parks and played Xbox 360 like we were kids again. It was one of the best holidays we have had in a long time. Surprisingly, I met more guys in that relaxed environment than ever before. For once in my life, I enjoyed being complimented and flattered without any expectation. Phone numbers were not exchanged; I accepted compliments, even gave a few; held short, flip conversations and kept it movin’. When that guy at the gym “noticed” my hard work, I winked and thanked him. When the ushers at church doted on me, I didn’t feel guilty (as the blue hairs grimaced). It’s a new day! I’ll let you know how it goes.
You wouldn’t believe it! Amir called. I know!!!! I didn’t believe it, either!! You would expect that I would be rude, but amazingly enough I wasn’t. I answered the phone. To quickly recap, my date with Amir was a disaster!! I had left early because he was consumed with himself! I’m looking for a different kind of love fest. Although he was clueless as to why I left early, I thought he would have been kind enough to call and see if I made it home. He did ask me to drive an hour out of my way…to accommodate him!! Well, he didn’t! In fact, he didn’t call that night or the next night or the next night! It took him a week! A week to call because he was concerned about my busted tail light!! REALLY??? SMH! Is it me?
So, let’s see what’s behind door number 2!! I called Neil.
After several cyberconversations with Neil, we decided to meet. (this is always the exciting part! The reveal!) I made plans for my sister to pick up my daughter. See, if I arrange important bonding time for them, I can arrange important bonding time for me at the same time (if you know what I mean)! Everybody wins!! Of course I felt downhearted as they left together, but I had to stay the course! This was a mission afterall! All I want is for someone to woo me! So I cranked up the music, flatironed my hair, and put on my dating uniform (sexy shoes and backless dress) and waited for the enem…I mean Neil.
Neil and I had planned to meet at a wonderful Italian restaurant. I got there first to scope out the place, and hopefully scope him out first. I spotted him right away! He was the sexiest man I had ever seen. Sparkling blues eyes, athletic build, confident stance. He was the male version of the Swedish bikini team. I was swept away by how nicely dressed he was. Mmmm, and he smelled so yummy (sigh)! Well, dinner went smoothly, conversation flowed. We talked about our families and hobbies and goals—you know, normal things. I could see my guard dropping. Then it hit! Like the bomb at Iwo Jima! I asked Neil how he liked his job. Innocent enough, right? He told me he was out of work (Boom!). Said his work visa would expire in 8 months (Boom!). He needed to find a company to sponsor him or (and here’s the mushroom cloud) an American wife!!!!! …and there it was! Devastation lay before me! WHY ME??? Anybody looking would have been able to see that my posture had changed–I was wounded! I had my own arsenal of questions but couldn’t fire them off yet. I just sat there listening to the gunfire of information that was coming my way! I knew I had to compose myself! I knew I should have run for cover! I was a single mom and could not allow myself to be mislead by this smooth talking dude with ulterior motives.
I could tell, Neil didn’t know that he had just overwhelmed me. He was still so charming. (Was I being Punk’d?) I thought “He just disclosed a lot of information, leaving himself very vulnerable.” Hey wait! What about my vulnerabilities? Did he know, had I mentioned that my parents were also immigrants? Did he see a kindred spirit in me? Did he expect this to be an easy conversation? Maybe he was doing what we all ask for. Maybe he was just giving me the truth, and nothing but! We always sound the battle cry “Tell the truth!!” Well, now what? If you do not share something on that first date, doesn’t that have the potential to manifest into something devastating to your new relationship?
I didn’t know if it was easy for him to have shared his green card dilemma. I didn’t know if I should have told him how I felt about it or about this date or the conundrum it’s caused. Could I continue seeing him without judgment? Did I owe it to myself to see where things would go naturally? Could things even go naturally given the information I, now, had? What’s a girl to do to be woo’d?
NOV 17th
Ok! Where did we leave off last time. Oh yes I was out with my girlfriends when someone that I refused to talk to on an internet dating site walks right up to me and calls me by name. I wasn’t happy about that at all. I mean if I didn’t want to chat with him online what would make him think that I would want to talk to him in person? It was just a little unsettling for me. So I did exactly as I told you all that I would. I deleted all of my online dating profiles. I was uncomfortable having set one up in the first place. Now I am back to the good old fashioned way of meeting a guy. It’s back to one on one, face to face chemistry, courage and conversation. I don’t need to hide behind a computer right? Just jump right in with both feet right? Well not quite.
See before I deleted all of my online profiles I needed to address the few men I actually did converse with already.
So let’s see…. There is Pierre. Pierre is so cool. He is so big city, well dressed and full of personality. So far we like the same kinds of music and both of us have daughters around the same age.
Then there is Amir. He is so well spoken. A sexy, smart, refined man. He was a sexy mix of Italian and East Indian. Very exotic.
And lastly there is Cris. Cris is Swedish. Sexy abs, blue eyes and an engineer.
I will go out on at least one date with each of them. I will do it because it is the correct thing to do. OF COURSE!!!!
Amir is first. So I give Amir my cell phone number. We talk all week. We chat after work and even a few hours every night before I fall asleep. He is really kind and polite. To me things were going well enough to meet in person. We decide to meet in a public place. I was uncomfortable meeting him at his home. He understood and was nice enough to accommodate my concerns. Well not so much. Can you believe he asked me to drive an hour to meet him. Mind you, where he says we should meet is only 15 minutes away from where he lives. I’m thinking “I am the woman here”. “Why am I meeting you closer to your hometown rather than mine” I ask. He claims that I should pamper myself and take a relaxing drive. REALLY??? Really? Well … Maybe? So I drive to the meeting place that he suggests. As I drive I start to think that this isn’t the wisest decision I have ever made so I alert my inner circle of friends and I inform them of all of the pertinent details of where we are meeting and what I know of him. I gave them everything but his social security and that was because I didn’t know it.
I meet Amir at this mall and we decide to grab a bite to eat. So the scoring begins I think to myself. The butterflies begin. He is looking yummy and smelling sexy. Based on how he portrayed himself to be on the phone I am anticipating this romantic date with a complete gentleman. Before I know it we are at this lovely restaurant. So I am standing there waiting to have my chair pulled out. He doesn’t pull out my chair. He sits down. No biggie! Pulling out my chair may be too traditional or over rated. We look over the menu. We are listening to the live band and the waitress comes to take our order. He orders first. Hmmmmm!!! No problem. I was undecided anyway. He didn’t know that but maybe I looked like I didn’t have my mind made up. So I order last and the waitress leaves. Conversation is flowing smoothly. He seems to love his family. He asks me all about my family. I hear all about his job. All about his favorite stores. He tells me how much he works out. He details how women try and pick him up at the gym and the club all of the time. Thank goodness the bill comes. I mean this has been a bit more about him than it has been about both of us or me or inclusive of me much at all. It doesn’t matter too much because he kept the conversation going. So he looks over the bill. He pulls out his wallet. Of course I say thank you for dinner. Then he says “I’m sorry. Here’s the bill! Yours isn’t too much.”
What?? Is he serious? He IS serious. Fine! I can pay for my own meal. I am not bourgie. But I am going home now. Most people say my emotions can be easily read all over my face but he is completely lost about why I am hightailing it out of the restaurant and through the parking lot. How is he missing it? Anyway, I’m thinking let’s get this hug/ first kiss out of the way so I can get this over with. You wonder why I would be thinking of kissing him aren’t you? Is it wrong to think that maybe the kiss will make me give him a second chance. Maybe he will say “Psych!!! You were just pranked!” We are at my car. I unlock my door. He kind of leans on the car and does all the moves that should lead into him kissing me. Instead he talks for another 30 minutes. About himself. REALLY? I mean I am not even contributing to this conversation at all. Did I not tell him I am leaving? So I finally shut him down. I open the car door myself. I don’t need the dating formalities at this point but it would be nice to see him demonstrate that he has some idea of what is supposed to happen on a date. I was over this date though. I probably should not have expected anything. All I wanted was to feel like I was being wooed by a worthy candidate. So I ask, is chivalry dead? Was he not into me?
I guess I’ll see if he calls!
Nov. 13th
My name is Woomi Lattimoore. I’m a 32 year old single woman with a beautiful little girl. I have an excellent career in sales. I would say that I’m surprisingly single but at this point it is a surprise to no one. I have been set up on blind dates and flirted with single church members (God help me, but the well is DRY!). In fact, I might as well be the poster girl for dating sites, even though I hate dating sites! Who wouldn’t hate marketing themselves in 250 words or less? Hoping you have the right 250 word combination, uploading the right photo (hmmm…should I go intelligent or sexy?). Sex sells, but how much is too much? Not an easy task, people, not an easy task. Ugh! What is a girl to do?
Back to my bio. I am quick witted, ivy league educated, and can still walk a straight line after 3 shots of tequila. My daughter is 7 years old and very loving. She can melt anyone’s heart. She has tan colored skin, a huge smile and curly dark brown hair. They call her the Disney kid because of her silly, sassy and outgoing personality. I will protect her at all costs. Unfortunately, one of the costs is my ability to go out regularly (hence, all of the online dating). My personal life is now a series of virtual conversations (with men who I pray will look like their picture). What’s worse, I am signed up with a minimum of 3 online dating sites. I may as well have a billboard with my profile on it. And while my market blitz should be successful, it’s just a little shy of that expectation.
On a recent (and rare) night out, I went out to a local lounge. Some of us were celebrating a friend’s birthday and participating in some very silly and scandalous party games. As I attempted to fulfill my duty as host of the party, this guy walks up and says “Woomi?” I searched this man’s face and realized I didn’t know him. Curious how he knows me I asked “Do we know each other?” He told me he had been trying to talk to me on one of the dating sites but I hadn’t responded. All at once my heart started to pound. “WHAT????” I thought. No one is supposed to recognize me in person!! Especially if we didn’t chat!! Ewwww…!! As I stood there, I realized why I hadn’t chatted with him. He looked like a pimp. A pimp with a bright purple suit and lime green tie. A pimp with a gold tooth that I could see my reflection in and he didn’t conjugate one verb in any of his sentences. I can handle a well used slang or a strong accent but come on…. Aaargh!!!! Is this what dating has come to? Am I the only one with these types of stories??? These type of things happen to me all of the time. Come back again. I’ll have more to tell you then…!!
It will be an all South Florida final as Oakland Park’s Meghan Stasi and Boca Raton’s Jaye Marie Green play for the championship in the 80th annual Ione D. Jones/Doherty Women’s Amateur Championship at the Coral Ridge Country Club.
Stasi, 33, easily dispatched Harriet Beasley (Stirling, England), 6 and 5 in her semifinal match, while Green, 17, defeated Alex Stewart (Carson City, Nev.) 2 and 1 to move into Saturday’s final at 8:30 a.m.
“It is awesome,” said Green, who shook off the disappointment of not making the U.S. Curtis Cup team a day earlier. Green is the No. 1 ranked amateur in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.com rankings.
“I can’t wait to play against Meghan. She lives close and I live close, so it is kind of cool that the locals are in the final. It will be a really good match because I know she knows the course really well and I know this course pretty well too.”
Green sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the 10th green to grab a 1-up lead in her match, and extended the advantage to 2-up on the 13th.
She missed a short birdie putt on 14 and bogeyed 15 to drop to 1-up again. Both players parred 16, and Green clinched the match with a 20-footer for birdie on 17.
Stasi had an easier time of it as she lost the second hole when her tee shot found a tree and she bogeyed, before rallying for the easy win.
Stasi rallied to go 1-up after 6 holes with a birdie on 5 and a par on 6. She then birdied 8, 9 and 10 to extend her lead and then closed Beasley out with a birdie on 13.
Isabelle Lendl defeated Stasi 1-up in the 2008 Doherty final, and Stasi is hoping this year is different.
“To be in the finals is an accomplishment in itself,” said Stasi, who needed treatment on her ailing back for the second day in a row.
“It is tough to get there in any amateur tournament. To win this would be a wonderful accomplishment, especially against these young girls.”
In the 27th annual Senior Amateur Division, Anna Schultz (Rockwall, Texas) will face Andrea Kraus (Baltimore) in the 8:20 a.m. final.
Schultz, 56, who won the 2007 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur event, was runner-up to Carolyn Creekmore for the 2009 Doherty senior title.
“Considering the caliber of players in this tournament to win this would be great,” said Schultz, who defeated Lisa Schlesinger (Laytonsville, MD) 2-up on Friday. “When you start off with 56 golfers and at the end there is only one happy person, this would rank right up there. It is so hard to win at golf.”
Kraus, 51, defeated Lin McMillan (Palm City, FL) 2 and 1 to advance.
“It would be delightful to win,” Kraus said. “I would be ecstatic, but I don’t want to put an importance on it because it would put pressure on me. I am happy to be in the final two.
Entire story and more Florida news here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/golf/fl-doherty-cup-fourth-round-0121-20120120,0,1747473.story
A Miramar High School music teacher who pushes his students to succeed academically has been named one of four finalists for 2012 National Teacher of the Year.
Alvin Davis, 35, will find out in April if he receives the prestigious prize. It’s the latest in a string of accolades for the 11-year teacher. He also is the county and state’s Teacher of the Year.
“I’m grateful and I’m honored,” Davis said Thursday at a press conference at Miramar High, where he was surrounded by his students, other teachers and district administrators.
“When it’s done right, no matter where it is, it works, it works, it works,” he said of teaching.
Davis is known for pushing his students in both music and academics, requiring them to take college-entrance exams and prove they have applied to a university. He personally reviews their report cards and includes study hall in his band rehearsals.
For the past three years, every student who was a regular member of the Miramar High band program has gone to college, according to the Broward School District.
“It’s through his love of music that he’s taught his students to love learning,” said School Board member Patricia Good.
Students said it’s the way Davis connects with them that makes the difference.
Enmanuel Trabal, 18, credited Davis with helping him get into Florida International University and Florida A&M University. He said Davis also taught him about pride and leadership, and was there for him when, as a freshman, his grandmother died.
“He has guided me through a lot of troubles,” he said.
Robert Gallimore, 17, described Davis as a “role model” who made students feel like teaching was more than a job.
“He’s like one of the best teachers a person could ask for, honestly,” he said.
Superintendent Robert Runcie said it was fitting that Davis comes from Miramar High, which he said sets a standard for urban schools. The A-rated school graduates more than 90 percent of its students and was ranked in the top 100 schools nationwide for the performance of its black students on Advanced Placement exams.
Yet 67 percent of students at the school are on subsidized lunch.
“At the end of the day, it’s building hopes and dreams for our students and their families,” he said.
Principal Brian Faso said the secret to the school’s success is that teachers and staff members “really, truly care about kids.”
“Mr. Davis, he exemplifies that,” he said. “That’s what makes him special.”
Davis, who grew up in Chicago, has been married for 10 years to Tiffani Davis. The couple has a 21-month-old daughter, Caitlyn.
He said his second-grade teacher motivated him to become involved in music.
“He saw something in me and he got me into music,” he said of the teacher, whom he still corresponds with through Facebook.
The national award, by the Council of Chief State School Officers, is given to teachers who already have earned recognition as a state Teacher of the Year. Finalists also are chosen from the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense’s overseas teachers and four extra-state jurisdictions.
This is the third year in a row that Florida has had a national finalist. Other national finalists came from Alabama, California and the Department of Defense.
cdfitzpatrick@tribune.com, 954-356-4527, Twitter @Fitz_ly
Read this and more Florida news here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-teacher-of-the-year-broward-20120119,0,6179928.story
Smoky chipotle peppers make this quick, citrusy barbecue sauce special. Try this recipe with shrimp or pork chops on the grill as well. Serve with your favorite side and dessert.
Total Time: 20 min
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Directions
Read more or get more meal ideas click here: http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/grilled-chicken-chipotle-orange-glaze-recipe-6033
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