#Tampa tourism

[eliteroofings4l]

Dive into the Excitement of Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL

At Busch Gardens Tampa, FL, the pulse of thrill rides meets the wonder of wildlife encounters. This African-themed adventure park, just minutes from downtown Tampa, draws visitors of all ages with its electrifying roller coasters, captivating shows, and immersive animal habitats. Combining adrenaline with entertainment, it’s a dream destination for families and thrill-seekers alike.

Heart-Pounding Roller Coasters

Busch Gardens is renowned for its impressive lineup of roller coasters that deliver pure exhilaration. Highlights include SheiKra, a floorless dive coaster that plunges riders down a dramatic 200-foot drop, and Tigris, the tallest launch coaster in Florida, catapulting riders through loops and sudden drops. Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, adds to the excitement with its unique blend of wooden and steel tracks. These high-speed thrills keep coaster enthusiasts coming back for more.

Wildlife Encounters and Safari Experiences

Beyond the rides, Busch Gardens is a sanctuary for over 200 animal species, offering unforgettable wildlife experiences. The Serengeti Safari brings guests into a sprawling 65-acre plain where giraffes, zebras, and antelope roam free. Exhibits like Jungala provide close encounters with majestic tigers and playful orangutans, all within naturalistic habitats. Emphasizing conservation, the park offers educational insights into wildlife preservation and exotic animal behavior, adding depth to each encounter.

Family-Friendly Fun and Live Entertainment

Busch Gardens has something for everyone, including attractions designed with young visitors in mind. The Sesame Street Safari of Fun invites children to meet favorite characters, enjoy gentle rides, and play in water zones. Live performances throughout the park add to the magic, from acrobatic shows and musical acts to interactive animal presentations. Seasonal events like Christmas Town and Howl-O-Scream create unique, themed experiences that make every visit memorable.

Dining and Shopping Adventures

When it’s time to relax, Busch Gardens offers a range of dining options to satisfy any craving. From quick bites to sit-down restaurants featuring global cuisine, there’s something for every palate. Specialty shops scattered throughout the park offer unique souvenirs, from African-inspired crafts to clothing and collectibles, so guests can take a piece of the adventure home. With its blend of dining, shopping, and attractions, Busch Gardens delivers an action-packed day.

Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL, is a place where the thrill of adventure meets the beauty of nature, leaving visitors with memories that last well beyond their visit.

[carpetcleaningecopower]

Discover the Art and Culture at Tampa Museum of Art in Tampa, FL

In the heart of Tampa, FL, the Tampa Museum of Art shines as a cultural gem, offering a rich tapestry of artistic experiences. As you approach this esteemed museum, its impressive architecture and the promise of an immersive journey into art and history beckon with excitement.

https://ecopowersteamcarpetcleaning.com/tampa-fl/

Eclectic and Exciting Exhibitions

The museum's eclectic exhibitions span a vast range of artistic periods and styles, providing a feast for the eyes and mind. Within its walls, you'll find an array of contemporary art that pushes boundaries and sparks imagination with innovative use of materials and bold concepts. The museum’s dedication to modern art gives both up-and-coming and established artists a stage to showcase their creativity.

In contrast, the classical art exhibitions take you on a journey back in time. The ancient sculptures and artifacts, especially the Greek and Roman collections, offer a window into the artistic achievements of past civilizations. This blend of ancient and contemporary works creates a captivating dialogue between eras, enhancing the overall experience.

A highlight of my visit was the 20th-century American art retrospective. Iconic pieces from legends like Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe provided a deep dive into the artistic movements that shaped the last century. The thoughtfully curated exhibits, accompanied by insightful plaques, added layers of understanding and appreciation.

Interactive and Educational Programs

Education and community engagement are at the heart of the Tampa Museum of Art’s mission. During my visit, I joined a guided tour led by an insightful docent who shared intriguing stories and context about the artworks on display. This interactive tour invited questions and fostered enriching discussions.

The museum’s schedule includes a variety of workshops and lectures that cater to all ages and interests. One such lecture on contemporary art trends was particularly enlightening, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving art landscape. These events position the museum as a hub for intellectual and cultural conversation.

For young art enthusiasts, the museum offers art classes and activities designed to inspire creativity and learning. The children’s art studio buzzed with energy, as kids engaged in hands-on projects under the guidance of experienced instructors. These programs ensure that the museum remains a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

A Cultural Epicenter

More than just an art venue, the Tampa Museum of Art serves as a cultural epicenter in Tampa. Its prime location along the Tampa Riverwalk provides stunning views of the waterfront and easy access to other attractions. Stepping out onto the museum’s terrace, you are greeted with panoramic views of the Hillsborough River and the city skyline, a perfect complement to the art inside.

The museum's collaboration with local artists and cultural organizations further enriches its offerings. During my visit, a special event featuring live performances by local musicians and dancers added a festive and communal vibe. These events highlight the museum’s role in supporting and celebrating Tampa’s vibrant arts scene.

The Tampa Museum of Art in Tampa, FL, is a treasure trove of artistic and cultural experiences. Its diverse exhibitions, engaging educational programs, and lively events make it a destination not to be missed. Whether you are a seasoned art lover, a curious visitor, or a student eager to learn, the Tampa Museum of Art promises a journey of discovery that celebrates the beauty and power of art.

[msfcreativemedia]

@BuschGardens

©️ @msfcreativemedia

@zabo

[about-usa]

Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center - Tampa - Florida - USA (by Matthew Paulson) 

[queroviajarpaula]

Busch Gardens anuncia nova atração para 2024.

Essa notícia é para quem gosta de montanha russa!

O parque Busch Gardens,de Tampa na Flórida,acaba de anunciar que em 2024 terão a Phoenix Rising,uma nova montanha russa.

Na atração,os visitantes poderão sobrevoar a Planície do Serengeti,sentindo a emoção de poder voar e a força do vento.

A Phoenix Rising será a maior atração voltada para famílias e a décima montanha russa do Busch Gardens.

Para entrar tem que ter a altura mínima de 1,07 metros,pois ela será suspensa e atingirá uma velocidade de até 70km/h em um percurso de mais ou menos 550 metros.

O diferencial dessa montanha russa é que ela terá um sistema de áudio integrado e ela será invertida,deixando a aventura ainda mais incrível!

E aí? Vamos passear na Phoenix Rising?

A imagem é de divulgação.

#turismo #tourism #travelblogger #travelgram #instatravel #travel #traveler #wanderlust #travelblog #noticiasdeviagens #noticiasdeturismo #viagemeturismo #instagramdeviagem #instagramdeturismo #blogdeviagem #blogdeturismo #tampabay #tampaflorida #buschgardens #rollercoasters #montanharussa #buschgardensrollercoasters #phoenixrising #buschgardensflorida

[atcbusesorlando]

ATC Buses at the Tampa Buccaneers stadium proviging charter bus transportation services for Orlando Florida group on a day trip to Tampa Florida.

[subsidystadium]

The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays are fighting each other for tourist dollars

For years, the Tampa Bay Rays have been trying to get taxpayers to build them a new ballpark. It doesn’t matter where the ballpark is located. They will go to Tampa, outside Tampa and even to Montreal for half the year. Wherever they go, you can be sure that they will do everything in their power to keep all negotiations closed off from the public until the very last second. When the Rays do…

[al-perthe]

Want to Help Punish Ron DeSantis?

Boycott some of these Florida-based businesses!

Some notable examples:

Tourism (Disney World, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens, etc)

Bealls Outlet Stores

Bloomin' Brands Restaurants (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, others)

Checkers/Rally's

Chewy Inc. (online pet retailer)

Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, others)

Hertz (Car rentals)

National Beverage (soft drink producer - notably La Croix and Faygo)

Office Depot (office supply store)

Publix (grocery store chain)

Restaurant Brands International (the American restaurants - Burger King, Firehouse Subs, Popeyes)

Winn-Dixie (grocery store chain)

There are others, and some of these are more common in the southeastern USA (notably Publix & Winn Dixie), but if you can avoid buying from these brands, please consider doing so!

DISCLAIMER: The key words are IF you CAN avoid. Please don't feel guilty if there are necessities that you can only get from certain businesses, like pet medications through Chewy, or the only grocery store in reasonable distance happens to be Publix.

EDIT 06/02/2023:

Back in 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays were one of three pro sports teams (the others being the San Francisco Giants and New England Patriots) to sign an amicus brief in support of same-sex marriage.

If you want to support a FL sports team, that's your go-to!

[deke-rivers-1957]

Mike Windgren's Rank

Disclaimer: For my tier list I’m basing this off of a one on one fight with no weapons and no outside interference. If a character has to rely on a weapon they’re ranked lower. If a character has to fight more than one person at a time, I’d look at it on a case by case basis. Age, size and general background are factors that will be taken into consideration. Since a lot of those details are going to be up to interpretation as these are characters and not real people, feel free to share your own thoughts.

There are some context clues we get about when this movie takes place. For instance there's the fact that Mike's parents live in Tampa, Florida. Tampa experienced a significant amount of growth in both population and economically between the 1950s-1960s. Acapulco also experienced a significant amount of growth to the point where foreign countries started investing into the city. With a rise in tourism, Acapulco had the ability to invest in fancy hotels and beach resorts. And then there's the circus including the flying trapeze. While circuses that heavily involved animal acts and "freak shows" were starting to decrease in popularity, family owned circuses still had success by focusing on human performances like acrobatic stunts in the 1960s. What causes me to think this is late 1962/early 1963 is the small pink Jeep toy on the receptionist's desk. That toy was made by Tonka and was released in 1962. Since Tonka was an American company it isn't hard to assume it took some time for Mexico to have them.

Even though Mike is clearly old enough to legally buy alcohol and work out of the country, we don't have that many clues on his age. We can only guess based the physical prowess that's necessary for a trapeze act. While it isn't out of the question for middle aged trapeze artists to exist, it's not a secret that being a professional trapeze artist is age-sensitive. It's also been shown by scientific studies and by sports statistics that athletic performance in men tend to decrease once they're past 30. Since Mike's accident involving the death of his brother was never labeled as an age related issue, we can assume that Mike is below the age of 30. Mike having to physically hold the weight of another grown man with just his wrists means he's essentially a powerlifter which requires a combination of elastic yet well developed muscles and tendons. This is why at an Olympic level athletes hit their peak at 25. Given that Elvis himself was 28 at the time of filming, we can assume Mike is that age as well since he would still be in his peak years.

This is actually a great example of a fight that fits into the rules I established above. Mike threw a punch and Moreno reacted with a punch in return. No one interfered and no one used a weapon. We actually get a clear winner because Mike managed to cause Moreno a significant injury that made him unable to fight. It's actually realistic for Moreno to break something in his forearm due to the fall after being knocked over a set of furniture. Even though he was falling at a weird angle, he would still have that instinct most if not all humans have to use his hands to brace his fall which would therefore increase the risk of forearm/wrist injuries.

You can assume Mike and Moreno are equal since a diver has to be a strong swimmer and climber. Since Mike was able to win fair and square, this would give him a showing. I say fair and square because Moreno had just as much of a chance to injure Mike under the same circumstances.

Mike's physical appearance indicates that he has well formed, lean muscles in his arms. If he has the strength to consistently support the weight of a fully grown man with really nothing but his arms, he must be strong. However, in his only fight against Moreno he basically won because of luck. Moreno is basically a strong, yet otherwise average man.

Because I consider them to be evenly matched, that would mean Mike is also a strong, yet otherwise average man. Can he win fights against stronger opponents? Possibly since again, anyone can get a lucky hit in regardless of their actual skill level. Therefore, I would put him in B tier since we have no canon information to suggest he has the professional military or fight training characters in A tier would.

Tagging: @butler-trouble, @eapep, @elvismylove04, @somethingaboutelvis, @ssinnerplazahotel,

@callieselvisobsessed and @theelvisprincess.

[shadowsteed15]

Romania 🥰

This year my summer is a bit Dracula themed and last month I went on a little trip to Romania by myself. Romania is a beautiful country, it's tourism still growing and not everything is perfect, but there are plenty of wonderful places to see that are more than worth the visit, so here you have some tips for some Dracula tourism in his home country. 😊

Brasov - Whether you're going to Romania to follow Dracula or not, Brasov is an excellent place to start. Situated in the centre of Transylvania, it is a lovely, historical city and a tourist centre from which you can travel to different places of interest in the surrounding area. In the 15th century, Brasov was one of the most important cities belonging to the Transylvanian Saxon merchants, who didn't have a very good relationship with Vlad Tepes and according to legend, Vlad once came to the city and impaled 40 of the merchants on the nearby Tampa mountain. You can visit the mountain yourself either by climbing one of the tracks or using a cable car that travels from the foot of the mountain. Once you come back down, you can visit the beautiful Council Square with the famous Black Church and then you can go have lunch to the Dracula restaurant that features some lovely Dracula-themed decorations. 🙂

Bran Castle - From Brasov, you can then travel by bus or book a day tour to the Bran Castle, nestled in the mountains not far from the city. Bran is famously called Dracula's Castle, even though it has little to do with either the vampire or the prince, beside the fact the the castle is said to have been the inspiration for the actual castle in the book. But here at Bran they love their connection to the vampire that brings crowds of tourists to the area and the castle features a small exhibition dedicated not only to Vlad Tepes and Dracula, but also to other stories from Romanian folklore. In addition to that, the castle is a museum featuring exhibits from the life of the royal family, who used to live in this castle during the last century. 😊

Sighisoara - If you want to truly immerse yourself in the story of Vlad Tepes, you can travel to the beautiful town of Sighisoara, where he was originally born in 1431 and you can find signs of his presence everywhere. Sighisoara is a lovely city with a small, medieval fortress situated on a hill in its centre. This UNESCO heritage site will make you feel like you've been transported back in time with its colourful, old buildings and unigue, medieval atmosphere. The most famous building is a large clock tower that you can see from everywhere in the city, but a few steps from the tower you can find the house where young Vlad Tepes lived with his family for the first few years of his life. Today the building houses a restaurant and a souvenir shop.

Continuing with our exploration of the city, not far from the house, between a church and the city's town hall, you will find a stone bust of Vlad Tepes, commemorating the city's connection to the ruler. Walking back to the square and turning to another street, you can then visit the Mystical Transylvania museum that offers two small, but very well made exhibits, one talking about some famous stories from the city's history and the other one focusing on the story of Vlad Tepes himself, narrating his life with the use of projections, light and shadow and other special effect and an entertaining voice acting.

Though the journey had some challenges, I had a lot of fun and definitely will visit Romania again to see some other cool places, not only those connected to Dracula, and there's still a lot of these, but also from the large collection of other places that I haven't seen yet. 🥰

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Florida neighbors band together to recover (AP) When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a late-night text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.” The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator. The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded. The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and cleaning out their damaged homes. “Everyone has, like, the chain saw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”

Thousands march in Spain to demand affordable housing (Reuters) Thousands protested on Sunday in Madrid to demand more affordable housing amid rising anger from Spaniards who feel they are being priced out of the market. “Spaniards cannot live in their own cities. They are forcing us out of the cities,” said nurse Blanca Prieto, 33. Spain is struggling to balance promoting tourism, a key driver of its economy, and addressing citizens’ concerns over unaffordable high rents due to gentrification and landlords shifting to more lucrative tourist rentals. Residents of the Canary Islands and Malaga have also staged protests this year against the rise in tourist rentals. Seasonal hospitality workers struggle to find accommodation in these tourism hot spots, with many resorting to sleeping in caravans or even their cars.

Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Ports Target Shipping (NYT) Russia has stepped up its assaults on Black Sea port infrastructure and civilian shipping in recent days, in what Ukraine says is an attempt to disrupt its exports and damage its economy. The attacks are part of an intensifying campaign of strikes on the city of Odesa and the region along Ukraine’s southern coast. Since last Monday, Russia has carried out five attacks in the area, killing 14 civilians and injuring 28, the U.N.’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported on Friday, citing local authorities. The strikes on ships were mostly aimed at those flying flags of small countries unlikely to retaliate against Russia. Last Monday, a container ship under the flag of Palau was hit, Ukrainian official said. The day before that, a missile damaged a vessel under a Saint Kitts and Nevis flag, according to the regional military administration.

Pakistan’s internet slows to a crawl as blame falls on government (Washington Post) Mobile internet in Pakistan has been painfully slow for over two months. Now, technology experts and political activists are accusing the government of intentionally throttling the internet to suppress political protesters. Digital rights activists fear that Pakistani officials are installing new controls to more tightly monitor social media and to censor political content.

China’s ‘New Great Wall’ Casts a Shadow on Nepal (NYT) The Chinese fence traces a furrow in the Himalayas, its barbed wire and concrete ramparts separating Tibet from Nepal. Here, in one of the more isolated places on earth, China’s security cameras keep watch alongside armed sentries in guard towers. High on the Tibetan Plateau, the Chinese have carved a 600-feet-long message on a hillside: “Long live the Chinese Communist Party,” inscribed in characters that can be read from orbit. Just across the border, in Nepal’s Humla District, residents contend that along several points of this distant frontier, China is encroaching on Nepali territory. The Nepalis have other complaints, too. Chinese security forces are pressuring ethnic Tibetan Nepalis not to display images of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, in Nepali villages near the border, they say. “This is the new Great Wall of China,” said Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, the former provincial chief minister of the area. China’s fencing along the edge of Nepal’s Humla District is just one segment of a fortification network thousands of miles long that Xi Jinping’s government has built to reinforce remote reaches, control rebellious populations and, in some cases, push into territory that other nations consider their own.

Sri Lanka closes schools as floods hammer the capital (AP) Sri Lanka closed schools in the capital Colombo and suburbs on Monday as heavy rains triggered floods in many parts of the island nation. Heavy downpours over the weekend have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, flooding homes, fields and roads. Three people drowned, while some 134,000 people have been affected by flooding, according to the country’s Disaster Management Centre. Sri Lanka has been grappling with severe weather conditions since May, mostly caused by heavy monsoon rains. In June, 16 people died due to floods and mudslides.

Can the Government Get People to Have More Babies? (NYT) In 1989, Japan seemed to be an unstoppable economic superpower. Its companies were overtaking competitors and gobbling up American icons like Rockefeller Center. But inside the country, the government had identified a looming, slow-motion crisis: The fertility rate had fallen to a record low. Policymakers called it the “1.57 shock,” citing the projected average number of children that women would have over their childbearing years. If births continued to decline, they warned, the consequences would be disastrous. Taxes would rise or social security coffers would shrink. Japanese children would lack sufficient peer interaction. Society would lose its vitality as the supply of young workers dwindled. It was time to act. Starting in the 1990s, Japan began rolling out policies and pronouncements designed to spur people to have more babies. The government required employers to offer child care leave of up to a year, opened more subsidized day care slots, exhorted men to do housework and take paternity leave, and called on companies to shorten work hours. In 1992, the government started paying direct cash allowances for having even one child (earlier, they had started with the third child), and bimonthly payments for all children were later introduced. None of this has worked. Last year, Japan’s fertility rate stood at 1.2. In Tokyo, the rate is now less than one. The number of babies born in Japan last year fell to the lowest level since the government started collecting statistics in 1899. Now the rest of the developed world is looking more and more like Japan.

The Brewing War With Israel Is Boosting Iran’s Young Hard-Liners (Foreign Affairs) The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s influential, ideological armed force, has been riven by divisions between its older, conservative commanders and its younger, radical ranks. The former generally favor exercising some restraint when it comes to Israel, whereas the latter want to go directly after the Islamic Republic’s nemesis. Typically, the older elite have held more influence with the supreme leader. But as more and more IRGC commanders and partners have been killed, the younger generations have gained the upper hand. They have done so by questioning the competence of their elders but also by suggesting that some IRGC elites are actually Israeli assets, including Esmail Ghaani, the IRGC commander who controls Iran’s Quds force—which, in turn, controls Iran’s network of proxy militias. After Israel killed Nasrallah, Khamenei’s calculus appears to have been shaped by this younger cohort. It is part of why Khamenei launched the October 1 attack.

Netanyahu Is Killing Us To Set Us Free? Logic, Grief And Resistance In Beirut (Daraj/Lebanon) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed us, the Lebanese people, and offered us a gift: a massacre. He sent soldiers to the Lebanese border town of Maroun al-Ras, raised an Israeli flag there, and sent the picture to the whole world. Netanyahu, who has so far killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and about 3,000 Lebanese, addressed us directly—and said that he is killing us for the sake of our future [by destroying Hezbollah]. Netanyahu tells us that he wants to give us after killing us, a homeland, one that is no more than a graveyard and no less than a colony. This speech he addressed to us is truly amazing, a summary of what awaits us if Netanyahu, owner of the “massacre doctrine,” achieves what he wants.

U.S. to Deploy Missile Defense System and About 100 Troops to Israel (NYT) The United States is sending an advanced missile defense system to Israel, along with about 100 American troops to operate it, the Pentagon announced on Sunday. The move will put American troops operating the ground-based interceptor, which is designed to defend against ballistic missiles, closer to the widening war in the Middle East. It comes after Iran launched about 200 missiles at Israel on Oct. 1 and as Israel plans its retaliatory attack. The THAAD battery, a mobile defense system, will give the Israel Defense Forces another layer of protection to defend cities, troops and installations from short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles like those deployed by Iran in its last attack.

Netanyahu tells U.S. that Israel will strike Iranian military, not nuclear or oil, targets, officials say (Washington Post) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the Biden administration he is willing to strike military rather than oil or nuclear facilities in Iran, according to two officials familiar with the matter, suggesting a more limited counterstrike aimed at preventing a full-scale war. In the two weeks since Iran’s latest missile barrage on Israel, its second direct attack in six months, the Middle East has braced for Israel’s promised response, fearing the two countries’ decades-long shadow war could explode into a head-on military confrontation. It comes at a politically fraught time for Washington, less than a month before the election, and President Joe Biden has said publicly he would not support an Israeli strike on nuclear-related sites. When Biden and Netanyahu spoke Wednesday—their first call in more than seven weeks after months of rising tensions between the two men—the prime minister said he was planning to target military infrastructure in Iran, according to a U.S. official and an official familiar with the matter.

Is Israel deploying a ‘surrender or starve’ strategy in Gaza? (Washington Post) Northern Gaza, already pummeled by a year of ruinous war, is in the grips of a punishing new Israeli offensive. Israeli forces encircled the battered Jabalya refugee camp in a bid to “systematically dismantle terrorist infrastructure,” according to an IDF statement. Israel issued evacuation orders to some 400,000 remaining residents in northern Gaza, telling them to go to areas farther south that are already teeming with the displaced and still hit by Israeli bombardments. Airstrikes have killed dozens. Aid workers described a catastrophic scene. “It is like hell to be honest,” Fares Afana, the head of ambulance services in northern Gaza, told The Washington Post in a voice note on Sunday. Israeli forces were attacking the Jabalya refugee camp “for the third time and its surroundings in Beit Lahya and Beit Hanoun,” Afana said, and the camp was surrounded “from all sides.” Humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders said Friday that thousands of people—including five of its staffers—were trapped in the Jabalya camp. “Nobody is allowed to get in or out—anyone who tries is getting shot,” Sarah Vuylsteke, a project coordinator for the organization, said in a news release. The intensifying siege will “continue as long as required in order to achieve its objectives,” the IDF said in a statement. It comes alongside an apparent blockade. No food trucks have entered at all in October. Such a tactic may fuel further accusations that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza.

[mythicalthing]

i mean... did we WANT her to get political at her show because that's like. a safety concern right now.

trans people in florida are facing what looks like state-sanctioned genocide so yeah it would be cool if she said even the most basic thing like i'm thinking of you all please know you are loved regardless of how you identify. even something that small would signal her support. also i promise that taylor alison swift will be fine if she addresses anything political in florida as she is bringing the state so much tourism money with these three shows. also i'm bitter that tampa got those two surprise songs and i didn't so there's that

[reasoningdaily]

Yahoo News: Civil rights groups warn tourists about Florida in wake of 'hostile' laws

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state's largest job sectors.

The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP's board of directors tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida "devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”

An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis' office seeking comment. The Republican governor is expected to announce a run for the GOP presidential nomination this week.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.

Several of Florida's Democratic mayors were quick to say Sunday that their cities welcomed diversity and inclusion.

“EVERYONE is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect,” tweeted Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg in a message echoed by the mayor across the bay in Tampa.

“That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee,” tweeted Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa.

The NAACP's decision comes after the DeSantis' administration in January rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course. DeSantis and Republican lawmakers also have pressed forward with measures that ban state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory, and also passed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.

In its warning for Hispanic travelers considering a visit to Florida, LULAC cited a new law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver’s licenses held by undocumented immigrants, among other things. The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics have said is intended to dissuade immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from seeking medical care.

“The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state,” said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice president for the Southeast region.

Recent efforts to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, the removal of books with gay characters from school libraries, a recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors, new restrictions on abortion access and a law allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit contributed to Equality Florida's warning.

“Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state,” Equality Florida's advisory said.

[solarpaintdragon]

As a FL native who is in the direct path of Milton I feel the need to add that all the fear-mongering language is probably made for the native Floridians who stubbornly refuse to leave but also the ones who do not have anywhere safe to go.

Evacuating is exhausting, yes. But if you are in an evacuation zone, and you are ordered to leave, you need to leave. Even going a few miles inland can make a difference.

However…. Telling people “if you live anywhere near Tampa Bay you need to get the hell out or you WILL die” is ridiculous, not reaching the people it’s intended for, and is just going to make people who probably don’t need to leave feel the need to run and clog the roads and take all the gas.

If you feel the need to leave, leave. But do not panic. Overreacting can be just as bad as underreacting.

some more resources:

FL 511 for live traffic updates for those evacuating:

Zoom Earth for live weather updates and Satellite:

This Topographic map, to check the elevation of your location, useful for gauging storm surge:

And my absolute favorite place for info, directly from the NHC’s website. They have updates every 4 hours. Be sure to check the windspeed, warning cone, storm surge map, and rainfall potential:

Additionally, make sure to look up your evacuation zone which you should be able to find easily by googling “(your county) evacuation map”

Stay safe everyone

feeling very frustrated about the ways people are talking about hurricane Milton. lots of needless, borderline fear mongering language with very little actual helpful information.

information about Milton that might ACTUALLY be helpful:

Hurricane Milton is shaping up to be the third strongest hurricane ever recorded.

Make sure you have an evacuation plan if the order is given or if you've already been told to leave.

there is also a code for free Ubers to evacuate effected counties, as well as shuttles from evacuating counties to nearby storm shelters

Prepare/secure your home

Find your nearest shelter and be prepared to leave

If you want to stay in the loop about the hurricane, WESH 2 News has ongoing coverage ad-free on YouTube.

General resources/information:

Please for the love of God stop preying on people's fears and causing panic. Know what resources are available to you and how to access them. If you approach this hurricane carefully YOU WILL BE OKAY!!!!! YOUR LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE RUINED!!!

Please link other resources you find or think other people might find useful!

[floridabrushmulching]

The Future of Real Estate: Land Development Trends in Florida

The real estate market in Florida has always been one of the most dynamic in the United States. Known for its scenic beaches, favorable climate, and tourism-driven economy, Florida continues to attract individuals and businesses alike. However, as demand for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces surges, developers are adapting to a series of evolving trends that are shaping the future of land development. From sustainable practices to innovative land clearing techniques, these trends offer a glimpse into what lies ahead for Florida’s booming real estate sector.

1. Sustainable Development and Green Building Practices

As environmental concerns rise, Florida is seeing an increase in sustainable land development. Builders are prioritizing eco-friendly designs and construction methods to minimize environmental impact. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, water conservation systems, and energy-efficient materials. Sustainable practices also extend to land clearing in Florida, where developers are opting for less invasive methods that reduce deforestation and preserve natural habitats. This trend not only meets regulatory requirements but also appeals to environmentally conscious buyers.

2. Urbanization and Mixed-Use Communities

Urbanization continues to reshape the landscape of Florida, particularly in major cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The demand for space in these areas has led to the rise of mixed-use developments—projects that integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. These communities create walkable, convenient environments that attract younger professionals and families. As developers plan for these areas, land clearing in Florida plays a crucial role in transforming previously undeveloped land into spaces suitable for high-density, mixed-use purposes.

To read our full blog on Land Development Trends, click here:-

https://floridabrushmulching.com/2024/09/26/the-future-of-real-estate-land-development-trends-in-florida/