By John Tanasychuk May 23, 2012 07:00 AM OpenTable.com, the online reservation web site, just released its list of top 100 restaurants for outdoor dining across the country. With 30 statewide restaurants, Florida was second to California for the number of top al fresco dining destinations. There are 19 restaurants on the list from Key West to Palm Beach Gardens. Winners were based on the opinions of nearly 5 million reviews submitted by Open Table diners for more than 15,000 restaurants. Here are the South Florida winners: Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill, Blue Moon Fish Co. and Chart House in Fort Lauderdale; GG’s Waterfront Bar and Grill in Hollywood; Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar and Max’s Grille in Boca Raton; Dada, Deck 84 and Sundy ... Continue reading →
By the numbers About 2.7 million children live with grandparents, extended family members or family friends. That represents an 18 percent increase in the past decade of these alternative arrangements, according to a new Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, based in Baltimore, Md. NAPLES — More children with troubled home lives are staying with grandparents or other family members, usually without the involvement of state foster-care systems, according to a national report being released today. About 2.7 million children live with grandparents, extended family members or family friends. That represents an 18 percent increase in the past decade of these alternative arrangements, according to a new Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, based in Baltimore, Md. The nonprofit ... Continue reading →
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By John Kennedy Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 11:07 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2012 Posted: 10:45 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2012 TALLAHASSEE — Amid a fourth straight year of budget shortfalls, signs of fraying in Florida's tax system abound. Money for each of Florida's 2.7 million public school students this fall will be at its second-lowest level in eight years. Only last year was worse. There are no dollars for public school construction or repairs, while universities can pay for only about a quarter of what they say is needed. Even as gas prices rise, gas tax collections are tumbling as fuel efficiency slows consumption. Florida road projects totaling $11.6 billion were shelved in the past five years because of the money shortage. On ... Continue reading →
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - New Census data shows that Sarasota and Charlotte counties have the most percentage of residents 85 or older in Florida.The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that age group is also the fastest-growing in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. The population group now makes up more than 5 percent of Sarasota County's population for the first time. It outnumbers children under five by nearly 5,000 - the biggest gap in the state.In all but five Florida counties, the under-five age group outnumbers the older group. But statewide, the 85-and-older group was the fastest-growing from 2010 to 2011.Experts say that while those in that older age group bring great wealth to Florida as they migrate from other states, they also are straining the state's long-term ... Continue reading →
Courthouse News reports today on a disturbing story regarding a cruise passenger's death due to what is alleged to be delayed and inadequate shipboard medical care. The story involves John and Victoria Showers who sailed from Miami on a Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Dream. After leaving Miami, Ms. Showers complained of constipation. She went ashore in Cozumel, the following day, where she purchased laxatives that didn't help her. The article states that Ms. Showers experienced severe abdominal pain while back on the cruise ship. The following morning, Mr. Showers called the ship's medical personnel, who eventually sent a wheelchair to their cabin and took Ms. Showers to the infirmary. But instead of seeing a ship doctor, Ms. Showers was seen by who appears to ... Continue reading →
