Abate of Florida 
Next State Meeting

SLUGBURGER FESTIVAL 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
July 6-9, 2005 Corinth, MS  
If you're not up to sampling the main course at this event, you should stick around at least for the entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival rides that are going on while everyone else is sampling the slug burgers. Don't worry, they don't really use slugs. According to the "Gourmand’s Guide to Dining in and Around Corinth," a slugburger is "a burger made of a mixture of beef and some form of cheaper breading extender, which is then deep-fat fried to a golden brown instead of grilled as a common hamburger." In the past, cornmeal was the most common extender and lard was used for frying; today, soybean meal is the extender of choice and vegetable oil is used for frying. 

"The standard garnish for a slugburger is mustard, pickle and an ample dose of onions. Good manners requires everyone to partake at the same time so that afterward everyone’s breath is equally offensive," the guide stated. 

The origin of the slugburger name is a matter of local debate. For many years, slugburgers were sold for a nickel and a slang expression for a nickel was a slug, hence the most common explanation for the name. Another popular explanation is that if you overindulge, you might feel as though someone slugged you in the stomach. 

The perils of toxins such as chocolate, anti-freeze, pesticides, and some household plants are well recognized by pet owners. Raisins and grapes, however, are relatively new to the list of absolute NO NO's for cat and dog ingestion. According to the National Animal Poison Control Center, pets can be extremely sensitive to an unknown chemical in grapes, raisins, and juice or wine made from grapes. 

Even a small amount of raisins or grapes can make an animal seriously ill. Without intensive treatment, pets can lapse into kidney failure and die. First and foremost, keep pets away from toxic substances, including vineyards that are accessible to your animals. If you suspect that your cat or dog has ingested even a few grapes or raisins, call your veterinarian immediately. Your can reach the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by calling (888) 426-4435 any time of the day or night, 365 days a year. 

Kittens For Dummies, by Dusty Rainbolt, notes that kittens should not be allowed to play with grapes or raisins, because even the juice can cause kidney failure in smaller pets. 

Another method of removing burnt food is to cover the area with dishwasher powder and enough water to make a paste. Let it soak overnight and wash it clean the next day.

Steve Austin and Vince McMahon will announce this Wednesday in Hollywood, California that the two sides have come to terms for a three movie deal for the former WWF champion with WWE Films. 

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and legendary superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin will be on hand this coming Wednesday January 18 to announce their agreement for a three-picture deal under the WWE Films™ banner. WWE Films will produce and fully finance the films under the supervision of Joel Simon, President of WWE Films. Most recently, Steve wrapped a supporting role in The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and directed by Peter Segal, scheduled for release by Paramount later this year. 

Stone Cold Steve Austin's first project for WWE Films will be The Condemned™, written by Rob and Andrew Hedden. The film will be executive produced by Vince McMahon and George Vrabeck. The film will be produced by Joel Simon in association with Sidestreet/New Wave Entertainment.

To keep a shower curtain from attacking you while you shower, wet it on the side next to the tub, plaster it to the tub, and it will stay there.

Clean a metal file. Put a piece of tape over the length of the file, press firmly, then peel off.

Eliminating Grease....
Eliminate the fat from soup and stew. Drop a few ice cubes into the pot and stir. The fat will cling to the cubes. Just throw away the ice cubes before they melt!

01/19/2005 Biker killed; rival gang is suspected 
By Dan Russo ,  STAFF WRITER PHILADELPHIA 

 With a funeral expected this week for a high-ranking Hells Angels member from Upper Darby who was gunned down early Friday, law enforcement officials in the region are on alert for retaliation against rival motorcycle gangs. 

Delaware County officials said the high-profile incident highlights the illegal activities of outlaw motorcycle clubs that have been operating in the region for years.

Advertisement "I really think the public has to be aware that these people are still out there," said acting Tinicum Township Police Chief Walter (Bud) Fife. "There's a lot of people who think they're gone. As of right now, we have not had any retaliation or problems within the county."

Upper Darby Police Chief Vincent Ficchi declined to comment on the shooting. 

At a press conference last week in Philadelphia, Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson declared that the city would "not tolerate a war."

Philadelphia police are continuing to investigate the shooting of Thomas Wood, 36, of the 100 block of Harvin Road. He was fatally shot while driving a 2000 GMC pickup truck westbound on the Schuylkill Expressway at about 1:40 a.m. Jan. 14. The gunman fired several times at the truck. It's unclear whether Wood fired back, according to police.

"He died from a gunshot wound to the head," said Philadelphia Police Cpl. Jim Pauley.

Officers responded to the 3000 block of Vare Avenue near New Hope Street, according to Pauley.

Wood, a former member of the Pagans motorcycle club, was pronounced dead at 2:06 a.m. at the Hosptial at the University of Pennsylvania. He came to the aid of another man riding a motorcycle that was being fired upon by unknown shooters in another vehicle, reports state.

Outlaw biker activity in Pennsylvania and New Jersey has increased in recent years after the Hells Angels established a presence for the first time several years ago. This has led to tensions with local groups, police sources said. 

At the Hellraiser's Ball in Long Island, N.Y., in 2003, one person was killed, 10 were wounded and about 70 were arrested when Pagans stormed the Hells Angels' event. In response to the brawl, a South Philadelphia tattoo parlor was firebombed, according to reports.

With branches in 24 countries, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is the oldest and largest of its kind in the world, according to the group's website. 


Hong Kong - Nudists in Hong Kong are asking for permission to take over a deserted outlying island to open the territory's first naturist colony, a news report said on Tuesday.

The nudists want to use one of the tiny deserted islands off the east coast of Hong Kong's rural New Territories to set up the colony to avoid upsetting residents.

A holiday villa and areas for barbecues, swimming, hiking, yoga, boating and photography would be set up on the island, according to the South China Morning Post.

There was this lady who was visiting a church one Sunday. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the congregation fell asleep. After the service, to be social, she walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman, extended her hand in greeting, and said, "Hello, I'm Gladys Dunn." And the gentleman replied, "You're not the only one ma'am, I'm glad it's done too!" 


TALLAHASSEE - In recognition of Florida’s Arbor Day, the Department is encouraging Floridians to protect the State’s natural woodlands, hardwood hammocks and mangrove forests by planting native trees and preventing the spread of invasive plants. In Florida, late winter is an ideal time for planting native trees, including the sabal palm, Florida’s State tree, making Florida’s Arbor Day several weeks earlier than the national observance.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day. Since then, every state in the nation and many countries around the world have designated their own Arbor Day. Florida celebrates the third Friday in January as Arbor Day.
Florida is home to a number of invasive tress including the Australian pine, chinaberry and Brazilian pepper. Invasive, non-native plants inhabit almost 15 percent of Florida’s public conservation lands and waterways, decreasing native biodiversity and affecting an eco-tourism economy valued at more than $7.8 billion annually. Throughout the past four years, Governor Bush has tasked a multi-agency team with researching, preventing and eradicating biological invasions in Florida.