2012 JOKES ISSUE



LOOK, WE’RE FED UP AND WE AREN’T GOING to take it any more. For one thing, more than 7 billion people will wake up tomorrow morning, and every single one of them will have to go to the bathroom. That’s so depressing. As if that weren’t bad enough, medical research suggests that Americans are now universally infected with an incurable […]

Old wheels steer profits for charities, turn tax benefits toward donors




It was an old hippie thing parked in John Porta’s backyard — a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle that could still start, like the car in Woody Allen’s old movie, “Sleeper,” which our hero finds in a cave 200 years later and drives away to escape the bad guys. Built only six years before Mr. Porta arrived in Southwest Florida and began […]

The Big D




I thought about divorce last week, while getting some perspective on things — more than 40,000-feet worth of perspective. I had just learned by cellphone that two family members intend to divorce. Meanwhile, I’d spent several recent days talking about the Big D with a close friend, a man at once brilliant, brave and broken-hearted. My eastbound jet arced out […]

The lost ethic of Fraser Robinson




After all the oratory at both political conventions, one line stands out. It was from Michelle Obama, talking about her late father, Fraser Robinson, and his insistence on paying his small portion of her college tuition bills on time. “You see, for my dad,” she said, “that’s what it meant to be a man.” In one moving sentence, she opened […]

Mayor Rahm-ney’s attack on the Chicago teachers union




Unions are under attack in the United States — not only from people like Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, but now, with the teachers strike in Chicago, from the very core of President Barack Obama’s inner circle, his former chief of staff and current mayor of that city, Rahm Emanuel. Twenty-five thousand teachers and support staff are on strike there, […]

Fun sailing




Remember the days of your youth when you went to the lake for a family picnic and your relatives brought their favorite toys and games, like horseshoes and badminton or bocce? Some games, it would seem, were created to increase business at the local ER facility, such as Jarts. These lawn darts provide hours of fun for the whole family […]

Medical chairs coveted for historical, rather than aesthetic, value

KOVELS: ANTIQUES


Sometimes an unusual piece of furniture is offered for sale, and many collectors fight over it. A “Dr. Byrne’s Medical Examination Chair” was offered by Skinner Auctioneers of Boston. The odd chair was clearly labeled with its name and the maker, S. Betz & Co. of Chicago. The redpainted steel chair also was marked on the footrests with the maker’s […]

ROAD TRIPS

Kennedy Space Center opens grounds to triathlon participants

History will once again be made at NASA’s manned launch facility on May 5, 2013, when the space agency opens its gates to triathletes competing in the bicycling leg of the Inaugural Rocketman Triathlon at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The multi-race event will include three separate distances — Classic, International and Half — and marks the first time […]

SWFL Free to Breathe Run/Walk set for Nov. 10



The Free to Breathe fundraiser supports vital research, education and awareness programs to help defeat lung cancer. Registration is open now for the Free to Breathe Southwest Florida 5K Run- Walk and Mile of Memories Walk, a family-friendly event that brings the entire community together to inspire hope and create change for everyone impacted by lung cancer. The mission is […]

THIS WEEK ON WGCU-TV



THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 9 P.M.Doc MartinGentlemen Prefer – Episode 2Despite his disastrous introduction tolife in the sleepyvillage of Portwenn, the former surgeon hasdecided to stay.The waiting roomhas become adrop-in café complete with tea andbiscuits served byElaine. Elaine’sinefficiency pushes Martin to fire her.News of her dismissal spreads, and Martin becomes universally disliked. FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 10 P.M.From Dust to Dreams: OpeningNight […]