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Coveted Crib: Alys Beach Homes

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:00:14 -0700

I just came across Alys Beach, a community of resort homes on the Florida Panhandle, and I am completely infatuated with the place. With beautiful white stucco walls and white-ridged roofs, it's a cross between English and Spanish architecture with classic, old-world charm.

It's also outfitted with every modern convenience, and each home is built using green construction techniques. Many homes have gracious, private, and storm-resistant courtyards such as this one, but the community also has spacious central courtyards for getting to know neighbors. And with gorgeous ocean views, rooftop terraces are another luxury. As for the interiors, they're as magnificent as the exteriors with tall, vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, rich wooden ceiling beams, and a minimal, antique industrial aesthetic. Take the full tour of this house when you read more.

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Très Bizarre: Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Butt Implants

TresSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Hoping to put the whole ordeal behind her, Florida woman Sharhonda Lindsay plead guilty this week to administering illegal silicone butt injections. While the idea of butt implants might make you chuckle, Sharhonda's crime is pretty scary. Two women were hospitalized with serious injuries as a result of the dangerous at-home procedure.

Since she took a plea deal, Sharhonda avoided a potential 10 years in prison for practicing medicine without a license. Instead, she'll be on probation for four years.

Considering all the things that can go wrong with plastic surgery, I can't believe some women would resort to a bootlegged version!

City Workers Ordered to Wear Underwear in Florida Town

TresSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

"They said you had to wear undergarments but who's going to be the judge of that? Sometimes when it comes to certain people going braless, it's obvious. But who's staring to see if that person doesn't have underwear on?"

- Mayor Joe Bernardini of Brooksville, FL, about a new dress code voted in by the city council. Behold the following list, which makes one wonder what government workers were wearing (or not wearing) before the dress code: Underwear is now required; employees must use deodorant; no halter tops or Spandex at work; no skirts worn "below the waistline;" no "distracting, offensive, or revealing" clothing; only ears may be visibly pierced; and last but not least, all cuts or wounds must now be covered. Now I know why the weird news site Fark has a special category for Florida.

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Have You Ever Been Attacked By a Bird?

PopSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:00:31 -0700

Look out below! This mockingbird is on the attack at the University of Florida and, according to a recent study, she remembers the person in the pic as someone who came too close to her nest a few days before. The study, which had test subjects touching and getting up-close-and-personal to the mockingbird nest, proved that the birds can recall faces since they only attacked the people who actually touched the nest and ignored other passersby! Who knew birds had such good memories!?

I usually have a daily run-in with a pigeon (or two) that come a little too close to my noggin (and one blackbird continues to make news), but I've never been directly attacked by a bird like the poor girl in this pic. Well, unless you count the time I was pooped on by a seagull, but I doubt that was intentional.

Should Rape Suspects Always Be Charged As Adults?

TresSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0700

It is hard to imagine how an adult could commit as disgusting a crime as rape, but when minors commit this act of violence, the law is challenged to confront it as well.

In Florida, four middle school kids accused of raping a 13-year-old boy in a school locker-room over a two-month period will be charged as adults. They each face up to 120 years in prison, if convicted of all counts.

The case of Daniel Hood, a star football player, and convicted rapist, headed to University of Tennessee on a full scholarship, recently inspired a debate over second chances for rapists. When he was 13, Hood was tried as a juvenile for the rape of his cousin. He received probation, and is now free to live the privileged life of a college athlete.

While trying these boys as adults sends the message that rape is a serious crime, do you think they should still be afforded a second chance considering their ages?

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Holy Sex Seminar! Church Teaches Believers How to Get Down

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Is your sex life a bore? Then New Hope Church in Florida is here to help. The church sent out colorful flyers to 25,000 households inviting them to attend seminars on "how to have the great sex that God created you to enjoy!"

Dressed in jeans and armed with a Bible, the church's Pastor leads the lectures. He personally approves of getting busy while listening to Christian music, and recommends using the Bible to teach your kids about sex.

Many in the community feel the Sunday sex and marriage sermons are inappropriate, because they're held at an elementary school. But the pastor says there shouldn't be anything controversial, since (good) sex between married believers is holy. Amen?

To see video of the pastor at one of the sermons, read more.

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FL Judge: Droopy Drawers Are a Constitutional Right

TresSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

In 2008, 72 percent of voters in Riviera Beach, FL, passed a ban on pants that ride below the waist exposing skin or underwear. But wait: turns out loose waistbands are a civil liberty. A judge ruled this week that the ordinance violated the 14th amendment of the constitution, because there was no legitimate government interest in the law regulating style.

The city argued that the ban on saggy pants wasn't based on sartorial concerns, but safety concerns, since residents could hide weapons in their loose-fitting clothes. The judge didn't buy that.

Police in various states around the country have cracked down on baggy pants. In Flint, MI, the new chief announced last year that he would begin arresting people with droopy drawers for indecency and make offenders face a $500 fine and up to three months in jail.

In addition to the judge in Florida, the laws have raised the concerns of the ACLU and the NAACP, which worry about the racial implications. They think the baggy ban has the potential to disproportionately target the black community.

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Art Basel Miami Beach Kicks Off Today

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:30:40 -0800

Generally acknowledged as the most important art show in the US, Art Basel Miami Beach, the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, kicks off today in Miami's hip Art Deco District, and will run through Dec. 7. Art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, and plain old art lovers alike come to this special mass exhibit to enjoy artwork from over 250 leading international art galleries, parties galore, and events featuring music (Yelle performed last night), film, and architecture. For those who've got the dough, Art Basel isn't simply a trip to the museum: it's a shopping event. At Switzerland's Art Basel in June, Brad Pitt picked up a cool $500,000 worth of artwork. And for others, it's a chance to be recognized in front of their peers; this week, the Campana Brothers will be honored with the prestigious Designer of the Year award. The event will also be a debut for less seasoned artists. If you happen to be in South Florida, I beg of you to check it out. If not, we'll just have to wait for the first photos to arrive! Until then, you can see some spectacular images from June's Art Basel event in Switzerland when you read more.

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Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:58:25 -0800

When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot. This 9-year-old rescued pooch endured radiation, surgery on a malignant tumor, and a leg amputation from his skin cancer – and what I remember most from my chat with his super-sweet owners was that the pup had a fondness for pizza . . . yum!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sadly he just passed away. RIP, Gus!

I wanted to honor this pooch's big win in a gallery of photos so check them out when you read more.

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Gay Marriage Goes Down, But Not Without a Fight

LibertySugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:25:00 -0800

California county registrars may have stopped issuing licenses to same-sex couples, but not all Californians are ready to accept the newly approved marriage ban. The city of San Francisco filed lawsuits challenging Prop. 8's passage, and California Attorney General Jerry Brown says he will fight to defend the legality of the marriage licenses already issued to 18,000 same-sex couples.

Last night at a West Hollywood rally, 2,500 joined a protest of Prop. 8, which eventually clashed with the LAPD. Seven protesters were arrested. In San Francisco's Castro neighborhood the rainbow flag is flying at half-staff, and last night gay marriage supporters held a candle light vigil at San Francisco's City Hall. Rallies of support for gay marriage were held in other parts of the state, too.

Gay marriage bans also passed in Arizona and Florida on Tuesday, along with an Arkansas ban on adoption by anyone except a married man and woman. How long do you think the struggle for gay marriage will go on before it is completely successful? Will it ever be?

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