Sunshine Slate

[Destin, FL] Ah, the flip flop. That easy to slip on and off, somewhat disgusting foot wear item that is best suited for the beach and quick about-towning. It certainly is iconic … and loud – that heel slapping sound, yuck. But should it be the state shoe? The folks behind the Tropical Smoothie Cafe [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Today is Memorial Day. But what does it mean beyond “support the troops” and “remember those who died fighting for our freedom”? Memorial Day – a federal holiday – got its start after the American Civil War. It was originally called Decoration Day and was intended to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of [...]

[Everytown, FL] One of the fastest growing drug abuse problems in America is prescription drug abuse. It is an epidemic that has affected the country as a whole, and Florida is one of the states hardest hit by this new trend. From prescription drug-related burglaries to fraudulent doctors and crooked clinics, the problem has taken [...]

[Eustis, FL] Social media continues to shape our lives, allowing us to reach out to people in new ways. While most use technology for entertainment, others have taken to sites such as Facebook to positively impact those who might not be as fortunate as themselves. Kelly Raley’s third-grade class at Eustis Elementary in Eustis is [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] A measure that would allow homeless people aged 16 to 22 – some of them called “gap kids” – to control their own legal matters has cleared all committees in both chambers. Sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala (R-16/St. Petersburg) and Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-62/Plant City) the bills (HB 1351, SB 1662) were spoken [...]

[Orlando, FL] Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a true tale of the heart. Last week, doctors at Florida Hospital in Orlando performed the first heart transplant in Central Florida, a true medical breakthrough for the area. It has taken the staff four years of diligently doing paperwork, participating in rigorous training and making vast [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] The annual report that looks at the plight of black males in Florida has been released. And it isn’t pretty. The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB) 2011 Annual Report, released Jan. 27, sheds light on the injustices that black males face in our society. It details [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Every year, citizens of the United States pay respects to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man that changed all of our lives for the better. On the third Monday of January – which is on or around King’s Jan. 15 birth date – we celebrate the accomplishments and the sacrifice of [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] In the heart of Tallahassee rests a dream cottage filled with hope and inspiration for troubled youth. The resident visionary, local businesswoman Mrs. Kimolyn Ferrell, has created a much-needed safe haven for at-risk young girls. Countless lives are changed as a result of being exposed to the faith-based Dare to Dream Young Girls [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] The Florida foreclosure rate remains the highest in the country – one out of every four foreclosure homes are in the Sunshine State. Many government agencies, non-profits and for-profits have stepped up to help struggling homeowners deal with the financial and emotionally draining process. On Monday, The City of Tallahassee Equity and Workforce [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] Every day we are being bombarded with an influx of dismal messages regarding how millions of Americans are without employment. Even those who have employment are feeling the pain of societal changes. As a people we cannot afford to place our heads in the sands of time. We must become proactive participants in [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] It was a normal afternoon like any other. While folding laundry, I vividly remember suddenly feeling like a 90-year-old woman living in a 35-year-old’s body. I walked into the emergency room moving at a snail’s pace and with no idea that my world would be changing forever. It was my personal wake-up call, a [...]

[Tampa, FL] Many career professionals look at an MBA as a vehicle to better status and more pay. But what the university programs won’t tell you is why you shouldn’t get an MBA. Times have greatly changed. Before World War II, people worked on the family farm or took up their parent’s trade. It wasn’t [...]