The Year of Changes - 366 days with DarbySea

Name the Baby Albino Wallaby

DarbySea — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:06:25 GMT

Cypress Gardens is having a “Name the Baby Wallaby” contest now through June 30.

The person who gives the winning name picked for the baby will receive a family four pack of tickets to Cypress Gardens. Enter your wallaby name by emailing "contest at cypressgardens.com". Be sure to include your full name, phone number and suggested baby girl name OR snail mail the same information to Haley Kish 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33884. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2008. The winner will be contacted by phone.

Happy Summer!

DarbySea — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:49:22 GMT

For the next 7 Wednesdays only, McDonald's will have .49 hamburgers and .59 cheeseburgers, Noon to Midnight. Limit 10.

Also, on Father's Day, Dad will get a FREE breakfast.

What's Missing?

DarbySea — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:16:00 GMT

Downtown Winter Haven

(c) DarbySea Critendon 2008

Outside Jail?

DarbySea — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:16:05 GMT

Yes, there really is an outside jail, it's someplace along highway 17 about 10 mins past Winter Haven heading South.

My LOL Day

DarbySea — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:47:00 GMT

Yesterday was just one of those crazy days, for me. I guess I was over due for one, because it hit all at once. Here's the play-by-play:

Work up way too early - when I went to my car had a flat - called TWO co-workers that go by my place to work, one left their phone at home, the other has a small car but had dog kennels in the back and already one passenger (no room for me but they did volunteer to come back and get me once they had an open seat). A while ago I had done some research on the bus routes and times. By now I had to call into work saying I would be a few mins late (I made up the time of course) Anyways, so the Citrus Connection Bus would be coming soon so I headed out to the stop (this would be only my second trip on a public bus) I went to what I thought was the stop by apparently the one I needed to get on was a few more blocks down the way, but I waved down the bus anyways b/c it said 'Bartow' and that is where I was going. The ride was nice and the AC felt great. Finally got to work, did my stuff. About an hour before going home I called AAA Auto so they could come put on the spare. Was quoted 70 min wait, that is fine since I'm not there, yet. When has AAA ever been on time or early? Never, for me. Left the office headed down to the bus stop and waited. Ring Ring OMG they are calling me saying already there. I have not even gotten on the bus yet. It was going to be another 30 mins before I would even be home. They said I have to call back when I am at the car, luckily for me the guy who arrived was bored and did not have another call. Once I got home he had already been outside in the sun for 35 mins. OUCH! I kept saying sorry etc. I also asked him to check the air pressure on the other tires as they were looking low, he said he would if he could get a cold drink. I said gladly and went a got him a bottle of water. There were also some other drinks in the fridge (left over from an event my house he he) so I grab him one of those as well. I think he was shocked that I had something like that and would offer it to him b/c all he could say was 'wow' 'ok' 'um' I just set it on the ground, if he wanted to take it later he could - of course to drink it after work. Spare tire on time to go get it fixed, drove to Sears (b/c I have road hazard insurance there). Apparently the tread was less than standard on 3 of the 4 tires... Went ahead and got new ones. UGH, and that about wraps up my day. I know now it was not as worse as it could have been and I am thankful for that.

Are You Ready?

DarbySea — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:32:11 GMT

The Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has a count down until hurricane season, today it says 12 days left. Ouch! Am I ready? As I check my food pantry I see that I do have some can goods, lots 'o batteries for flashlight(s) set aside already for an emergency (well, I have them mainly for my digital camera but would use them for the flashlight) but I don't have a bucket of extra stuff. When I worked with PGTV we did this commercial taking a huge bucket (5 gallons I think) to make a 72 hour survival kit. Included in it were change of clothes, important documents in zip lock bags, hygiene items, pillow, snacks, and other important stuff. Need to know what else you should use? Check out the BoCC Disaster Guide Page. It only took 15-20 mins to put together, if you have kids, make it into a game (and be sure to include some board games as well).

Also, the BoCC has a site redesigning coming!

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!
A new look, a new feel! On June 2, Polk County will unveil a re-designed website created with YOU in mind. Look for more user friendly content and locate information according to the services you need.

Be Prepared
xoxo
DarbySea Critendon

FREE Tickets!

DarbySea — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:50:00 GMT

Got this in the mail the other day. It's part of a new Cypress Gardens marketing campaign. Yes, Cypress Gardens is open. They are sending these to residents of Polk County, not sure to how many. Be on the look out for yours... Also, if you are looking for some summer family fun in Polk a multi-park pass is coming soon. I'm sure the info will be posted on Sunny Central Florida once it's ready to go.

Good Bye

DarbySea — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:41:00 GMT

J Seward Johnson sculptures will be coming down within the next few days. Better hurry to see them one last time.

Mayfaire

DarbySea — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:50:22 GMT

Until now, I have not bought art at an art show. Yesterday at Volvo Mayfaire by the Lake I bought this great piece below! Well, it is just a candle holder but still. You can view the video and interview at Lakeland Local. This piece is shown about 1:16 into the video. Also my fave part is around 2:12.

Braun research CALLED ME!

DarbySea — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:31:14 GMT

Braun research called and asked me 70 questions, taking almost 30 mins (26:29 to be exact). DJ was the interviewer. My fave q -"Name the 3 idol judges" Here is what they asked, in the same order.

Who would I vote for John McCain vs Hillary?

Who would I vote for Barack Obama vs McCain

List of statement agree or disagree
America’s founding documents are absolute
A person evaluation on nation improves with the understanding of that name

America corrupts good people

The university should be balanced with liberals and consultative among faculty

Immigration into to American should be reduced no matter how well they assimilate

America is a model of freedom and justice for the world

American government should try to do more to solve world problems

Competitive political parties improve public policy

With hard work and perseverance anyone can be successful

Rep and democrat similar in their beliefs

Discrimination is an urgent problem in America

Homeschooling negligent community obligations

10 commandments irrelevant

Religion and science conflict today

Publics school teachers be allowed to pray

America is the greatest melting pot

Same sex couples should be allowed to marry

University should be allowed to read in (missed the rest of this one)

Abortion should be allowed in any time frame in the process

Latino America immigrations are assimilating in America

The bible is the word of God

Society is the identical to government

Government regulations do more harm than good

Government must act to cure global warming

Americas founders obsessed about universal health care

Global capitalism few winners and many losers

Teachers should focus on teaching technical skills in the economy

Increasing minimum wage decrease employee

Prosperity depends on entrepreneur and free markets

Local zoning laws improve community laws

Who is commander in chief for military

Source of following phrase

Government for people by people

International trade and naturalization lead to – what?

Which of the following is a policy of the federal reserve

What is a business profit -?

Main issue with Abraham Lincoln and Douglass in 1858

Progressive tax is what

Who can declare war

What did Susan Anthony do

What did Martin Luther King do In his speech

(15 mins – tired of typing --- Stuff below is towards the end )

Scopes monkey trail what about what?

Yes or No questions:
Am I was/in military, held office, attend rally, contributions $ to charity, signed a petition, voted, volunteer, registered to vote, gave $, influence how other vote, how often do you talk about government events , do you attend church, learning handicap

what religious preference

how often do I - watch tv documentaries, read books on history, reading fictional books, browse internet, how much time on e-mails in a week, talking on phone, playing video games, explore social networks,

who are the 3 judges on Idol, last grade finished, what race, is English first language, total income range, formally a teacher and ever taught k-5 to 6th?

Events Today

DarbySea — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:18:01 GMT

*Wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager in Crawford, TX
*National Train Day
*Volvo Mayfaire by the Lake (Lake Morton that is...)
*8th Annual Kid's All American Fishing Derby - Simmers-Young Park (formerly Fairgrounds Park)
*Stamp Out Hunger food drive

On The Road: Lost

DarbySea — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:34:00 GMT

How can someone be driving around if they don't have this?

(saw this in WH by Wal-mart and DQ)

New Blog

DarbySea — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:14:38 GMT

The day has finally come! The Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau (Polk County Tourism Office) has launced their blog - Sunny Central Florida.

Cinco de Mayo

DarbySea — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:34:23 GMT

Downtown Lakeland's Mid Florida (on Lemon Street) will be having Cinco de Mayo festivities today, 4-8pm. This party will even have a piñata and mariachi band. Read more here. If you see a guy with a camera, that will be Al from PGTV. Once your done with the party stop by Linksters, Black & Brew, Molly's or even Harry's for drinks and or food.

New Special Events Manager for PMoA

DarbySea — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:07:00 GMT

Meredith Spresser always sends out press releases about the happening's of the Polk Museum of Art (PMoA) this is the latest one -

They have hired Charlene Vocelle to be the Special Events Manger. Pal Powell (yes her real name) has been promoted to Executive Assistant to the Director. PMoA even promoted Bill O'Connell to Operations and Security Manger. - So don't try to steal anything Bill is watching you!

It will be interesting to see what events Charlene brings. She was the director of development for Sunrise Community of Polk County, Inc for the last 10 years.

And at the end of the press releases they put info about the Museum...
"Polk Museum of Art is located in Lakeland, Florida. The Museum is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Central Florida and is the only art museum accredited by the American Association of Museums serving the residents of Polk County. Regular Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm; and Sunday, 1 – 5pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free for Museum members. General admission is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for Seniors (62 and older). Children and students with ID are free. Admission is free to all on Saturday mornings from 10am until noon. The Museum is fully accessible."

Graduation Day!!!

DarbySea — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:12:00 GMT

It's Graduation Day!!! Congrats to Young and Successful, Susan and everyone else in the class! We made it

On the road

DarbySea — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:07:00 GMT

Is a person that works and drives a vehicle that promotes eating better and feeling better allowed to eat at a fast food place?

On The Road: Warning - High Cube

DarbySea — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:57:00 GMT

What is a 'high cube'? Does it mean the truck is tall?

On The Road - Silly Slogan

DarbySea — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:32:00 GMT

This is a silly slogan. "Catch the 7 day bug" for a bank. I guess I could see where the marketing is coming from because the car is a 'bug' and the bank is open 7 days a week.... Can you come up with something better?

Publix To Open 930th Store!

DarbySea — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:52:11 GMT

A new Publix will be opening Thursday, April 24 on Hwy 98 in Highland City. I'm not sure if it really is the 930th store but according to the Publix web site they already have 929 stores with 7 more opening, so it's between 930 and 936th store. I called the media relations office but was on hold for sooooo long I just hung up. Other stores that will be opening in the plaza will be Mid Florida, Gators Dockside Restaurant (the first in Lakeland) and Palace Pizza. Others in the works are Subway, medical office, gym, phone store (possibly Metro PCS), coffee place (but not starbucks) and a Chinese Restaurant.