Times staff Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Today Jazz in New Tampa: Violinist Lemay Olano James performs at 8 p.m. Fridays over dinner at Urban Culinary Cuisine, 10016 Cross Creek Blvd., New Tampa. He also plays at 7 on Thursday evenings. Call (813) 994-3800. Entertainment at Kennedy's: Sing karaoke from 5 to 8 Friday nights at Kennedy's Bar and Grill, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive, Heritage Isle. The ...

Officer Rosco died serving Fort Myers police

The Fort Myers Police Department's K-9 Unit is down to five dogs after the shooting death of Rosco during a botched robbery Tuesday night.

SE Florida Evangelism Conference to offer inspiration and instruction

MIAMI (FBC)—Small group seminars, presentations and discussions on successful and effective church evangelism efforts will be highlighted during the Southeast Florida Evangelism Conference set this month in Broward and Dade counties.

Florida imam hopeful church will call off Koran-burning event

Imam Muhammad Musri of Orlando meets with the Rev. Terry Jones and says they found common ground in the denunciation of terrorism. Jones, however, still plans to burn the Muslim holy book. Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida in Orlando, emerged from a meeting with the Rev. Terry Jones on Wednesday hopeful that the fervently anti-Islam church leader would call ...

FSU film animation school plans revealed

In West Palm Beach, plans to bring the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts, a digital animation college in conjunction with FSU’s Film School, was made public on Monday, Sept. 5, and is now waiting for the city’s approval.

USF relishes trip to Swamp

Saturday morning, he will leave his hotel room in downtown Gainesville and savor the two-mile trek to Florida Field.

FSU students set clothing aside, opt for underwear

Students at Florida State University will literally strip down on campus at the first annual Undie Run on Friday night, Sept. 10, to help benefit a Goodwill donation center in Tallahassee.

West Valley volleyball shuts down Shasta

The West Valley volleyball team proved it knows how to close out a match with its four-set home win over Shasta on Wednesday.

Denison to face Florida's Belle Glades Saturday

Each week in the Denison locker room, there are fliers hanging in the stalls referring to the upcoming opponent. This time around, there is a noticeably different tone to the slogan standing out on lime-green paper, since it refers not to a specific team or mascot but an entire state.

Padres push West lead to two

Rookie Cory Luebke struck out seven in six sparkling innings, Luis Durango hit a key two-run single and the San Diego Padres added to their lead in the NL West with a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. Los Angeles Dodgers - San Diego Padres - National League West - San Diego - United States

LAWRENCE: Local teens have an âAmerican Idol Experienceâ

A trip to Disney World is a dream come true for many young persons. For Avery Epstein of Princeton and her friend Taylor Blanton of Lawrenceville, the dream came true, along with an unexpected role in the park’s “American Idol Experience” and a chance to audition for the hit television show.

Only Fort Myers Beach theater closes

Fort Myers Beach lost its only movie theater this week.

Disney dancer

Kelsey Witt of River Vale was one of the Ridgewood Performing Arts Center (RPAC) students who recently performed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Fort Bend Baptist excited for Florida trip

On Thursday morning the Fort Bend Baptist Academy football team will depart on a trip even some of the state’s most noteworthy big public school programs don’t get to take.

Beverly's Jewelers teams up with Miami Heat

Fort Lauderdale , Fla.—Beverly's Jewelers, the South Florida retailer with three stores in the Fort Lauderdale area, is now the official jeweler of NBA defending champions the Miami Heat . The retailer is also the new presenting sponsor of the Heat's dance team, the Miami Heat Dancers.

Florida pastor on outskirts of U.S. Christianity

NEW YORK -- The Florida pastor who plans to burn the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 is rooted in Pentecostal tradition that believes Christians are engaged in a modern-day spiritual battle with evil.For Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Cente ...

Key West Celebrity S.L.A.M. begins Friday

KEY WEST -- Fishing for elusive shallow-water gamefish is the primary attraction in the Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament, set to draw anglers, guides and celebrities to Key West... read more

Obituaries

SANDFORD MALLARY BIRDSEY Sandford Mallary Birdsey, iconic Key West artist whose paintings have been collected internationally and whose "plein air" art classes have been a familiar island sight for... read more

Johnston: Revenge, retribution for Miami, Florida State?

Johnston: Neither has played for national title since losing to ... well, lookie here. Will Hurricanes and Seminoles be able to wipe away some bitter memories by pulling off upsets at Columbus and Norman, respectively?

South Florida fishing report

Captain Roan zumFelde of Rz's Fishing Extremes out of Naples reported snapper were almost a nuisance when fishing offshore for grouper, and a lot of Spanish and king mackerel are available offshore.

Upcoming outdoors events

South Florida Freedivers will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Scotty's Landing in Coconut Grove. For more information about the club, visit www.southfloridafreedivers.com.

University tops Florida Christian

The University School girls' volleyball team cruised to a straight-sets win against Florida Christian on Wednesday night, 25-16, 25-9, 25-12. Amber Addison's four blocks, seven kills, and two aces led the way in helping University bring down the Patriots.

Sign-sporting student inspires others

Any University of Miami student that has been around campus for the last two years knows about Kemy Joseph. They may not know him by name, but they certainly recognize him by the homemade signs he wears daily.

Bulls' moment has arrived

TAMPA Saturday morning, he will leave his hotel room in downtown Gainesville and savor the two-mile trek to Florida Field. Amid orange-and-blue madness, he will proudly wear the green and gold.

News Briefs 9/9

Celebration of life A memorial for University of Miami student Kelly McConnell will take place on Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. in Storer Auditorium. There will be speakers, a slideshow of photos and a reception to follow with light refreshments. Business dean stepping down Barbara E. Kahn will be stepping down as dean of UM’s [...]

FSU's Evening of Bubbles Was A Big Hit

It was called an Evening of Bubbles and Tallahassee residents got all dressed up for the occasion.

South Florida has $3B worth of wishes for stimulus funds

The wish list is enormous: From $4 million worth of fire sprinkler systems and alarm upgrades at Miami International Airport, to millions of dollars of new ramps on the Palmetto Expressway, to a new $100 million interchange on Oakland Park Boulevard west of Florida's Turnpike in Broward County.

South Florida has $3B worth of wishes for stimulus funds

The wish list is enormous: From $4 million worth of fire sprinkler systems and alarm upgrades at Miami International Airport, to millions of dollars of new ramps on the Palmetto Expressway, to a new $100 million interchange on Oakland Park Boulevard west of Florida's Turnpike in Broward County.

South Florida has $3B worth of wishes for stimulus funds

The wish list is enormous: From $4 million worth of fire sprinkler systems and alarm upgrades at Miami International Airport, to millions of dollars of new ramps on the Palmetto Expressway, to a new $100 million interchange on Oakland Park Boulevard west of Florida's Turnpike in Broward County.

UM women to face challenging schedule

University of Miami women's basketball coach Katie Meier announced the 2010-11 schedule for the Hurricanes on Wednesday. The Hurricanes will play 15 games against teams that advanced to the 2010 postseason and will also be featured in four TV games.

Dogs and other pets welcome at Florida dorm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jasmine Parham's new college roommate is a dear friend from back home.

Miami Hurricanes' Jacory Harris focuses on Ohio State

Jacory Harris said the quarterbacks in the UM-Ohio State matchup are only part of what will drive Saturday's game in Columbus. It's all about the teams, he said.

Health agency’s conflict of interest dilemmaBRADENTON HERALD EDITORIAL | Nonprofit should halt all insider business ...

With insider business deals, conflict of interest concerns and questionable bylaw changes swirling around Manatee Rural Health Services, the nonprofit organization must establish strong ethical standards to restore its damaged credibility.

Ohio State Football: 10 Keys To Beating the Miami Hurricanes on September 11

Seven years ago in Tempe, Ohio State shocked the college football world by defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in double-overtime, in what would be one of the greatest college football games ever. Fast forward to September 11, as the Hurricanes come up north to Columbus for a regular season showdown with the Buckeyes. This time, the tables are reversed, with the Buckeyes being the national ...

Region's banks suffer from nonpaying loans

Though Southwest Florida's community banks performed better in the second quarter than in earlier

Florida pastor not backing down on Koran-burning

GAINESVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - An obscure U.S. Christian pastor whose plan to burn copies of the Koran on September 11 has sparked an international outcry said on Wednesday he would go ahead with the event despite warnings it would endanger American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

FWC closes Gulf Coast snook possession

Anglers on Florida's Gulf Coast will have to wait nearly a year for a snook dinner unless they are

FWC closes Gulf Coast snook possession

Anglers on Florida's Gulf Coast will have to wait nearly a year for a snook dinner unless they are

Missing witness in Charlotte case released from Sarasota jail

Booking records show that a key witness in a Charlotte County homicide case spent the night in

Florida Minister Determined to Hold 9/11 Quran Burn

The Rev. Terry Jones at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, plans to burn copies of the Koran to mark the anniversary of September 11 terrorist attacks. (AP) GAINESVILLE, Florida (AP) – A top general, the secretary of state, the White House and political and religious leaders from around the world have decried a plan by the leader of a small Florida church to burn copies of ...

Tampa star commits to Winthrop

Andre Smith, a senior point guard from Tampa, Fla., remembers watching Winthrop's basketball team play on television in the NCAA tournament. He paid special attention to then-Eagles point guard Chris Gaynor.

Fort Myers city leaders brainstorm ways to keep people downtown

FORT MYERS: The City of Fort Myers is making mega money on weekends. But mid-week, things get slow. City leaders want to make some changes to keep the party going all week long.

Paddle boarder hopes to raise $100K for charity with Cuba-Key West trip

Cynthia Aguilar is already an accomplished and award-winning paddle boarder. But she wants to be more than that. She wants to be an inspiration.

Defiant Florida church says Koran burning to go ahead

A small Florida church has shrugged off global outrage and vowed to go ahead with a Koran burning ceremony amid growing fears it will ignite a wave of Islamic rage.

Miami notebook: Hurricanes could be facing record crowd Saturday at Ohio State

USF excited about opportunity to face Florida

TAMPA — Skip Holtz relishes the opportunity to take South Florida into The Swamp for the Bulls' long-awaited shot at playing Florida. Win or lose on Saturday, the USF coach says it's just one game and won't determine whether this season is a success or failure.

USF excited about opportunity to face Florida

TAMPA — Skip Holtz relishes the opportunity to take South Florida into The Swamp for the Bulls' long-awaited shot at playing Florida. Win or lose on Saturday, the USF coach says it's just one game and won't determine whether this season is a success or failure.

Fort Myers PD mourns death of K9 officer

Flags fly at half-staff at Fort Myers PD as the department mourns the loss of one of its own.

News Wrap: Fla. Pastor Sticking to Quran-Burning Plans

Listen to the Audio In other news Wednesday, Pastor Terry Jones says he will continue with plans to burn Qurans on the anniversary on 9/11 despite opposition from around the world. In Afghanistan, hundreds flocked to the Kabul Bank to withdraw savings after two directors were forced to step down after allegations of corruption surfaced. HARI SREENIVASAN: The pastor of a small church in Florida ...

USF Bulls ready to run with No. 8-ranked Florida Gators

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist Wednesday, September 8, 2010 They have to play the game at high noon. They have to play the game at Florida Field. They have to play the game in front of the largest collection of unhappy fans you can imagine. Given all of that, isn't there any way the USF Bulls can play the University of Florida last week? Now those Gators, USF could beat. You know, the ...