Niece of the Week: Alexis Mateo
You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
It was New Year’s Eve 2004 and we were at the Suncoast Resort working. It was extremely cold that New Year’s Eve. The hotel was sold out and as always there was a big-name concert in the huge outdoor courtyard. Then, at 11 p.m., the unthinkable happened. There was a huge unexpected downpour that lasted all night.
The next morning, after waking up pretty late (wink, wink), we drove back to our home in Tampa. We went down our alley and parked in the garage. Then we walked slowly into the back of our house. The phone rang and it was a neighbor, who asked excitedly, “Are you all OK? How is your home?”
We asked “Why?”
“Go look at your front door!”
We walked outside and to our surprise the house next door had burned down! The firemen told our neighbors that our home was saved because of our tin roof and aluminum siding. The firemen kept one truck spraying our house with the water hose. They also said the hard rain all night definitely helped too.
WOW. The storm the night before turned out to be a real blessing!
Thank You for 25 Years in Business
Twenty-five years in life and in business go by quickly. We both can attest to that. Originally MC FILM FESTIVAL was to be a small part-time satisfying dream we had. That has changed and we refocused our lives. Twenty-five years have passed but a lot more ideas and goals are coming together for the next 25 years!
Thank you to everyone we have come in contact with. Everyone makes a difference in our lives. As we all go down that rainbow road together, look to the beautiful friends and acquaintances we’ve made for a more positive world in 2015!
Florida Marriage Equality Moves Forward on January 6!
Traveling down a bumpy road to end the ban on same-sex marriage in Florida, the end is near and the higher court has spoken. The U.S. Supreme Court decision will allow the stay on same-sex marriages to expire after January 5. The ruling makes Florida the 36th state to provide equal marriage in the United States. With the stay denied, all marriages will receive federal spousal benefits . The special day is coming: January 6, 2015 at 12:01 am.
Attorney General Pam Bondi commented, “The state of Florida wanted a clear ruling on same sex marriage from the upper courts.” No further comments have been given.
Still somewhat unclear is if all the Florida counties will be granted the right to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Only in Washington County in the Florida Panhandle, some legal experts are saying. The ACLU, representing Florida gay couples, is asking for a clear and definitive ruling for the state’s county clerks.
