Handblown spice jars arranged in front of organic teas
I was downtown today and happened to hit the Farmers Market on a Wedneday for the first time. It may not be as big as Saturday’s market, but the quality and variety of the vendors is impressive. I stopped to talk to Tim Howe, who was setting up a booth with rows of organic spices and teas, and his crystalline pink Himalayan salt caught my eye. He sells all kinds of interesting varieties — all organic — and I bought samples of “Quiet Child” tea along with a fruity tea called “Mango Ceylon.”
The fresh veggies are winding down as the summer heat starts to come on strong, but there are still hydroponic offerings, as well as honey, plants, and other items you won’t find anywhere else.
The Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 11-4, and Saturdays from 8-2, 200 N. Kentucky Ave.
admin, June 17th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a director of a local native plant society. A lot more people are showing an interest in landscaping with native plants — particularly because of the drought. But the guy I was interviewing said you shouldn’t count on saving water just because you’re planting a native Floridian. Lots of plants are native to wet, swampy areas of Florida, so obviously they’d need a lot of water. I’ll be doing more on this topic soon!
I thought these lantanas were natives, but this species might not be. In any case, they attract bees and take very little water.
These are Periwinkles. I thought they were natives, but they're not. Still, they don't need any water and you can't kill them if you try.
admin, June 11th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
Remember your high #school chemistry teacher putting on those dramatic, combustible demonstrations? They were a great diversion from another lecture — but were they actually teaching you something? Florida teacher Auburn Thompson emphatically says “yes.” Hear him astound and amaze his 10th graders.
Originally aired on the Chemical Heritage Foundation podcast, “Distillations.”
admin, May 31st 2009 |
Tags: Education, kids, school, science
Posted in Education
What is it abou
t the bagpipe? The sound expresses something about fragility, sorrow and hope so much more articulately than even the best speech, and it’s a proven tear-duct stimulator. LISTEN to bagpipes from a Memorial Day service at Cotanchobee Park in downtown Tampa. The seagulls flying overhead make it Sound Like Florida.
admin, May 25th 2009 |
Tags: Military, music, Tampa
Posted in Military, Tampa
At the Pink Slip party Tuesday night, I met Steve. He’s a chaplain and was laid off from his job with Hospice last 
summer. He’s working part-time for Hospice and a few other organizations, but it’s not enough to live on and doesn’t pay out benefits. He’s 64 years old. Yes, it’s tough. He says he’s been close to landing a job a couple of times — but it’s gone to the younger guy. So he’s now retraining; studying for a pastoral counseling certificate, which he hopes will open the door to some hospital chaplain jobs. I don’t think any of us would imagine that for ourselves: networking, retraining, heading into a crowded room with a stack of resumes…at age 64. Best of luck, Steve.
A recruiter told me that the job market is “terrible” right now, but she says her phone is starting to ring and she’s hopeful things will pick up in the next three to five months. From her mouth to God’s ears! (And then back to Steve.)
admin, May 21st 2009 |
Tags: Chamber of Commerce, jobs, Lakeland, Pink Slip
Posted in Economy
Out of work? No m
ore moping. Drown your sorrows with fellow unemployed at Lakeland’s first Pink Slip Party.
The Lakeland Chamber is hosting and says not to expect a job fair…just a drink and snacks with some people who can relate. There will be recruiters and some employers there, too.
Tuesday May 19th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Natalie’s Sports Bar & Grill, 3120 South Florida Avenue. $5 gets you in.
admin, May 18th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
Listen to Tim Center, Director of Sustainable Florida, talk about how Polk County is doing at balancing growth and sustainability HERE.
admin, May 13th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
Tim Center of Sustainable Florida will be speaking at a workshop tomorrow at 6:30 pm at the Ridge Career Center in Winter Haven. From the press release:
The workshop will also explore how people can move towards sustainable practices, which can benefit and provide solutions for people, the planet, and business.
Center’s talk will also be broadcast live by webinar on The Ledger’s website, www.TheLedger.com/PGTV.
admin, May 13th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
The design-build group slated to work on the planned intermodal hub in Winter Haven has cancelled its job fair, according to the Winter Haven Chamber blog:
Since SunRail failed to pass legislative muster, CSX’s plans for the rail hub are on hold, for now.
admin, May 12th 2009 |
Posted in Uncategorized
