Behind the booms

Companies that produce fireworks shows for Florida cities make nice returns, and must rely on planning and exact precision


THE COASTS OF THE FLORIDA peninsula deep in the subtropics and Great Britain deep in the north Atlantic may have only one thing in common: at celebratory moments — coronations and World War victories in the case of Britain or July 4th celebrations in the case of Florida — residents can look for miles north or south and see bonfires […]

Beloved limes the key to fun-filled weekend festival




In terms of size, the Key lime — Citrus aurantifolia to botanists — isn’t the most impressive of citruses. It’s not the rarest, or the biggest. The plant itself isn’t gorgeous, either — it’s thorny, scrubby and prone to whitefly infestations. It apparently arrived in the Keys via Spain, by way of Sicily, by way of North Africa, by way […]

Looking back at Marco




The day we drove into West Miami to see where Marco Rubio grew up — and where he still lived with his wife and four children only three blocks away, at the end of Southwest 13th Street — Osvaldo “Waddy” Padilla took me home to meet his parents. Sen. Rubio was as eager as a big-eared puppy to become the […]

There will be blood




Three years have passed since the mass shooting by a deranged gunman killing 20 school children and six adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School. It has been just over a year since a white racist gunned down nine African-Americans attending a Bible study class in an historic A.M.E. church in Charleston. Six months ago, 14 people were killed and 23 […]

Heed Trump’s warning




One of Donald Trump’s political skills is giving widely condemned speeches. His post-Orlando jeremiad fit the pattern. There is something so inherently inflammatory in Trump’s delivery that he could read the Gettysburg Address and some listeners would wonder how he could possibly say such a thing. The kernel of Trump’s speech was rather obvious: “The bottom line is that the […]

Water is the way to cool off during summer




This is shaping up to be a hot summer, so what are some cool things to do to beat the heat? The obvious is to go to the beach or a pool. This is great for families as well as kids, too! Lots of running around, playing in the water, Frisbee, catch, snorkeling, the list is endless. While at some […]

Animal minds: The search for intelligence in other species




I recently flew to Mongolia for a 20-day expedition to the Gobi Desert, Hustai National Park and places in between. One of my companions on the 20-hour flight, plus the five days it took to drive to the Gobi from Ulaanbaatar, was ethologist Frans de Waal — not in person, but in the form of his new book, “Are We […]

Pets of the Week



To adopt or foster a pet These animals are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte. All animals are microchipped, neutered and current with their shots. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. To view adoptable pets, visit awlshelter.org. To adopt or foster a pet To learn more, visit […]

Nissan Titan XD diesel most capable truck to come from Nissan yet

BEHIND THE WHEEL


Anyone who has to take a car, boat, camper or other toy across country — or just a few states — needs a good tow vehicle. The all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD can do the job. While the pickup has some slick and fresh sheet metal, it is the “XD” that is arguably the most important part of the new […]

FWC votes 4-3 to postpone 2016 bear hunt in Florida



The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 to postpone the 2016 bear hunt. “Although hunting has been demonstrated to be a valuable tool to control bear populations across the country, it is just one part of FWC’s comprehensive bear management program,” said FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley. The commission agreed to accept a recommendation for there to be […]