BRIAN AND HIS MAGIC SHIRTS!

At the City of Vero Beach 90th anniversary celebration, back in October, Miss Vero took a total of two pictures before our little camera conked out. The first photo, which y'all have already seen, was of a man and his possum. And the other photo? Well, take a look, it's Brian and his magic shirt!

We had all but forgotten about this picture until we saw Mr. Heady's smiling, winning photo in the VeroNews.com today and there he is, wearing another magic shirt! Those patriotic polos have apparently done wonders for his political career. Congratulations, Mr. Heady and don't change your wardrobe.

Now, Miss Vero has to ask - "Ya kin afford to buy her, but kin ya afford to keep her?" That was a question put to us by our uncle Bubba, when as a youngin, we saved up some money and purchased a pony that was destined for the glue factory. That was a very valuable lesson. Sometimes we can afford to buy something, but don't understand what the real cost is over time. So our question is - Did Mr. Heady work all his magic on gettin' elected and does he have enough magic left for the work ahead? I guess we'll find out.

Of course, y'all may have seen the first photo of City Councilman elect Mr. Charlie Wilson and his proud mama at What-A-Tavern last night. Mr. Wilson had a gathering of supporters, including County Commissioner, Mr. Wesley Davis and Vero paparazzi!

Mr. Wilson was genuinely concerned the entire evening, he never once felt that there was a sure outcome until the results were finally revealed (sarcasm alert!) by the magnificently efficient Kay Clem. As a testament to his good manners, Mr. Wilson's first comment to Miss Vero was "My heart goes out to Ken [Daige] right now". Indeed, that topic of conversation circled the room, as most of us had assumed that Mr. Daige would also be congratulated.

It is so unfortunate that the City of Vero Beach has not recognized the dedication and hard work that Mr. Daige would have brought to the city council. We know that Mr. Daige's time away from the council (and new perspective from the outside lookin' in, attending all those meetings as a concerned citizen) gave him a unique understanding that would have been quite a change from his previous position. We are convinced that Mr. Daige learned quite a lot in the past year and could have made the city the beneficiary of his learnin' had he been given the opportunity to serve again. We also know that we will continue to see the Daige's out and about and caring passionately about Vero Beach. Ken and Deborah Daige will continue to be involved in the issues of the city, Downtown, Osceola Park and the historic elements of the community, and for that, we thank them.


Now y'all will have to excuse us. Miss Vero must concentrate on more important issues, like beauty, fashion and liquid libations.

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

GREETINGS FROM FARAWAY PLACES!

We see y'all have have more than enough bitter Lemmon around town -
if Miss Vero could take it all away, we would!

When one travels to faraway places and occasionally checks in on the local news and we see the same story over and over and well, beat so far into the ground that it starts pokin China, isn't that enough? Just tell us when it's over OK?

We did happen to be in town momentarily to repack, readjust and regroup before takin off to our next locale and that was last Tuesday. We also happened to watch the County Commission meeting that day, where poor ole Wesley Davis wiped his worried brow and prayed to jumpin jee-ha-zus, that the folks who turned up to asked about Mr. Joe Baird's sitch-e-ation, would not turn into a pack of wild dogs fightin over a scrap of meat. Praise the Lawd, ole Wes kept the room cooler than the other side of your pillow on a humid, breezless Florida night!

If the folks who comment on TCPalm regarding this matter would have taken the time to listen to the meeting, UNDERSTAND IT and read the pretty darn accurate articles written by Mr. Henry Stephens and Mr. Elliott Jones, perhaps the issue would become clear for them. But someone named gubmintcheese already pointed that out in the Lemmon circus :

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jun/15/one-year-drivers-license-suspension-for-indian/

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jun/09/county-will-wait-until-court-rules-making-any-deci/


Maybe because everyone was so ready to play a Vero version of "The Lottery", they missed, what we feel was a more important event that day - the renaming of State Road 60. Only one Commissioner - Mr. Gary Wheeler had the ball... uh, courage to pipe up and ask "Why should we memorialize someone for doing their job?". We say yeah! Mr. Wheeler, because we will not be giving anyone directions by saying - "Oh, y'all just go west on the Stan Mayfield Memorial Highway about four miles, till y'all get to the dirt road... No! we are not doin that!

Another thing that we picked up Tuesday, was our mail and periodicals, one of which is The Hometown News. We like the Hometown News, it has a habit of not wasting our time. Oh yeah, and it's free.

Maybe y'all missed this interesting editorial from the publisher, Mr. Steve Erlanger, we are printin the whole dang thing just in case the link doesn't work and Miss Vero wants y'all to read it anyway:

http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=58503

By Steve Erlanger

Hello, friends. Imagine that you're working at the local corporate-owned, Cincinnati-headquartered daily. You have "stressed to the max" managers hammering you every day to do more. Sales are down, morale is even lower and the competition is driving you nuts. The bean-counters in Cincinnati are trying to tell you what to do from 1,200 miles away, your circulation is dropping every week, you have shipped a lot of your graphics jobs out to India, you've had layoffs, buyouts and cutbacks and freezes. What do you do?

Well, it appears that some genius over at the daily came up with the brainstorm of an idea to start spreading the rumor around Vero that their nemesis, the competition, Hometown News, is shutting down. What a great plan. They could go out and tell the businesspeople and anyone else who would listen that Hometown News is going to be closing in July. That would take the heat off of their own precarious situation. Maybe all of the readers of HTN would go back to the daily. Maybe the hundreds of readers, who are deciding weekly to save the money that they have been wasting on a subscription to the daily and get a free subscription to HTN instead, would come back to them.

That maybe the hundreds of local business owners, who have been pleased with, and doing business with Hometown News for years, would now go back to them.

Sorry, guys. The gig is up.

First of all, let me assure all of you that Hometown News is alive and well. We have actually been on a growth streak for all of 2009. We have no intention of closing, in July or anytime. The rumors that our "friends" over at the daily are spreading are just that: rumors.

Even after 28 years in this business, it never ceases to amaze me to what low levels our "friends" will sink. Now, this is not meant to disparage everyone over at the daily. There are some great folks who work there. Some I would even consider as my friends. I don't know if they would, but I do. But there is an element over there unlike any I have ever come across in my travels around the country during my career.

It started from the very first month, when they made copies of our sales pieces, along with a copy of an employment ad we had run with them, and they went around to the businesses and told them we were lying about our circulation, and that if (Hometown News) was so good, why did we have to run an employment ad with them?

(We never have since.)

It continued a couple of years ago, when they found out that a major appliance dealer on the Treasure Coast was going to run some ads with us and one of their head guys went over and told the owner that if they ran with us, then the daily might "have to revisit their rate structure," essentially telling appliance dealer that his rates would go up if he did business with us.

It continued with their attempts to strong-arm the area's nonprofit groups into giving them "exclusive rights" to the groups' events and fundraisers, thereby hurting the groups' efforts to raise much-needed funds. (Fortunately, most of the nonprofit groups have told them to go take a flying leap.)

And now this. Have they no shame? Have they no ethics?

Friends, there is no denying that the past year and a half has been the toughest I have ever experienced, as it has been for everyone. I am not fortune-teller and I can't predict the future. But I can tell you this. Hometown News will continue to give you the most and best local news coverage. We will continue to fight through this trying time, with your help and support. We will come out of this stronger, smarter and better then we went into it. And, heaven forbid, but if anything bad was going to happen to our Hometown News family, I promise you, you will hear it from us first.

Steve Erlanger is publisher and chief operating officer of Hometown News. He can be reached at erlanger@hometownnewsol.com.



Well, that certainly was interesting.

It really makes a person sit down and wonder, just why this daily local newspaper of ours is so darn hateful and just why we continue to allow it.

Could it be that we are a harbor of hate? Our friend Jose Lambiet of the Palm Beach Post sent us this:

http://www.page2live.com/2009/06/11/the-cnn-express-takes-wrong-turnpike-exit/



Miss Vero just wanted to check in and let y'all know that we are still alive and kicking. We will be in and around town, off and on, if that isn't too vague.

We are absolutely looking forward to the launch of VeroNews.com!

And...we have many surprises for y'all this fall.

Did any of y'all happen to catch Miss Vero on The Rhett Palmer Show for an entire hour and a half on a Monday morning (June 1st)? Ole Rhett was off in Europe and Miss Vero sat in with Mr. Charlie Wilson. It was the most grueling experience ev-ahh! As y'all know, we are not a morning person and Charlie lured us in with promises of bloody marys and fun. We don't know what we were thinking.


Well, take care hunnies! We'll be seein y'all real soon...and a big thank y'all and shout out to our many blog followers, fans and friends on myspace and facebook!

The funniest comment on our myspace page? -"What a fun profile, for Vero! Is that really allowed there?"

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

PRESS JOURNAL POLITICS

Russ Lemmon Searches For His Next Big Story

Today's offering from Mr. Lemmon -

"Wanted:Red Cross Volunteers"

What's that ? Might be a hurricane a comin? DUH! Welcome to Florida. Thank y'all so much for this public service "opinion". Now that the primaries are over, looks like Mr. Lemmon has finished slingin his Bob Evans hash.

Diana Foote searches for a new word in the dictionary to impress us

Today's offering from Miss Foote -

"With a flourish, our waitstaff discreetly informed us of the arrival of the Maine lobsters and I ordered my pound-and-a-half ($26.99) with alacrity. It arrived properly steamed and still steaming, the optimum moment to begin cracking the claws and walking legs, and sucking the tender, ambrosial meat."

Can y'all guess which restaurant she's talkin about? Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty! We'll give y'all a minute to stop laughing before we continue....

AND MISS VERO IS STILL SEARCHING FOR THE NEWS!

Where is the report of Mr. Colman Stewart's press conference?

Mr. Stewart informs us that -

"A total of 6 candidates, in 3 different races, were missing from the ballot in the recently certified primary election."

This is serious news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is Miss Vero the only person in this county concerned with this issue? Kids, we sent our posse in and here's what what we know -

There was a dismal turnout of our "elected" officials to hear Mr. Stewart speak. Joe Flescher (not running for office this year) was the only County Commissioner that stayed throughout the press conference, although he seemed to be "visitin" with folks more than payin attention.

Wesley Davis showed up late, talked on his cell phone outside and then stayed for about all of three minutes. Somebody ought a tell that bubba that large horizontal striped shirts are not a good fashion choice for him. Oh. Never mind we just did.

Miss Bea Gardner and Miss Cathy Hart listened attentively. A representative from Captain Bill McMullen's office was also payin attention, while Duurrrrll Loar was spotted outside parkin his Jeep, but no where near the press conference.

And the PJ? Y'all think that maybe they'd be on hand to cover a story about a candidate they endorse? Nope.

Will there be any follow up? Dunno.

Must self medicate heavily today, martinis intravenously we think.

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

A GUY WALKS INTO A BAR...

So, we're sitting in a bar on a Monday night, enjoying a libation and a spring roll (we were upstairs at the Szechuan Palace),when we look out the window and see Ed Glaser and Wesley Davis yuckin it up on the corner of 43rd and state road 60. We can't even begin to imagine what went on in that conversation, but apparently there was no need to hold up signs and wave to voters.

A short time later Mr. Glaser himself, comes into the Szechuan Palace hideaway to enjoy his own libation and spring roll. What are the odds kids? Now y'all know Miss Vero just had to strike up a little conversation, so we asked Mr. Glaser - if he wasn't in the race, who would he like to see win and y'all know what? He said he wouldn't say cause he 's the best qualified and he's gonna win and then he invited us to his victory party tonight at the Atlantic Grill. So there. (pssst, don't tell Mr. Glaser, but we still like our bubba, Captain Bill McMullen).
http://www.votemcmullen.org/



We got home from our little outing just in time to see Senator Kennedy give his speech at the Democratic convention. It was nice to be reminded that there's another party out there, somewhere. Just not mentioned much around these parts.



We hear that bob Evans has two new menu items especially for Mr. Lemmon tomorrow - humble pie and crow.



Planning on a little outing again tonight, wonder who we'll run into next?




MWAH!

missvero@live.com

AND THE WINNER IS...

Only in Indian River County there should be two elephants, sometimes three.

Today's local news is interesting:

Tax Collector Hands Over Six Figure Job to Mayfield - Um, we mean endorses.

Couldn't they have just played poker for it?

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/aug/12/indian-river-county-tax-collector-endorses-stan-ma/

Y'all would think that, at the very least, Miss Vero would get an invite to the Friday night "Roast"of Wesley Davis, still checkin our mail.... Oh, y'all didn't get one either? Must be some kinda bubba buddy ritual.

IRNA (Indian River Neighborhood Association) submits more entries than Common Ground in the "Win a Date with Miss Vero contest" - neither win (read July 31st post "Grow Up). We were gonna let y'all vote, but seriously why drag it on? It was one "endorse my candidate ad" after another. Everyone completely missed the point.

"Whether you’re 18 years old or 80 , you should not favor any organization when deciding how to vote…. Vote the person, not the organization."

That right there is about as much info as an 18 year old could handle about the upcoming elections (provided they are making their own decision and not followin in their mama or daddy's footsteps). So the writer of that quote and my lunch date yesterday was Miss Bea Gardner.

Now don't y'all go pestering Miss Bea for any info about Miss Vero. She has been sworn to secrecy and believe me children, nobody wants to see Miss Vero even a teensy bit annoyed. Let's just say it's not pretty. We are not endorsing or saying anything more about it. Just two ladies who have never met, having lunch. Check out Miss Bea's website and form your own opinions.

http://www.electbea.com/

My goodness, we have had enough of politics. For now.

Hmm, should we comment on the fact that a "correspondent" from the PJ reported on the Gloria Estefan concert at the Hard Rock and not our old pal Russ? We'll let him lick his wounds a while before we play with him again. We're just plain tired of that topic. Yesterday's news kids.

In fact, we are so tired of the goings on around these parts that we're gonna hafta send the Secret Squirrel on a mission tonight to deal with the candidates.

County Commission Candidate Forum: Hosted by The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. Courthouse Executive Center, 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, 5:15 p.m.

The Squirrel just loves that sort of thing.

MWAH!


missvero@live.com

TOMORROW'S NEWS TODAY!

Secret Squirrel strikes again!

Our very favorite correspondent -Secret Squirrel - just zapped us a photo of

the groundbreaking this morning at Pointe West!

Look at that! A politician shovelin' sumthin!

Anyhoo kids, we told y'all about the new medical center being built at Pointe West in our June 23rd post "All roads Point West" and we hear that later on this year, there will be another ground breakin for the shops and restaurants that will turn this community into Vero Beach's own "mini-Tradition"

Check it out:

http://www.pointewestflorida.com/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=231196&ssid=82042&vnf=1

Are we excited? Heck yeah.

Why? Because this is a perfect example of development done right.

Now, Miss Vero has never been too involved with the politics of it all, we just know what we like and we sure do like Pointe West.

Since this county growth issue seems to be the main topic of the year, what do y'all think?

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

OUR NEW BOYFRIEND, BALTIMORE

Let's just say that Miss Vero is not a big fan of sports, but we have been keepin on eye on the Dodgertown saga because, well, it's in Vero. Now that we've all gotten the official word that the Dodgers are leaving and word on the street in Baltimore seems to agree: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/16876218/detail.html
Looks like we're gonna have to get used to the idea that there's a new boy in town.


Well hunnies, we gotta tell y'all, it just feels like we've been dumped by our forever boyfriend, LA and have to settle for our only prospect, Baltimore. We did try flirtin with Boston, but he mighta been just too far outa our league, so to speak. Big Daddy Joe Baird and Uncle Bubba Jim Gabbard, kept insistin that we keep company with this new boy, Baltimore. All they care about is baseball, but we wonder if they know anything else about our new beau.

The birthplace of Nancy Pelosi and Tupac Shakur, Baltimore seems to be far more diverse than Vero Beach. Baltimore is also the home of John Waters, one of our favorite peculiar people. In fact, not too awful long ago, we happened to run into him in Monterey, California and we also happen to know Mink Stole, a famous thespian from the John Water repertory. So with that in mind, we were thinkin, on ways to make this new baseball boyfriend a little more lively.

Wouldn't it be fun to have John Waters night at Holeman Stadium? We could all dress up like characters from John Waters movies and wave pink flamingos at the team. We were thinkin that Mr. Wheeler would make a fabulous Divine, but we doubt he has the energy for it. Perhaps our own Wesley Davis might step up to the plate, you know, takin one for the team. And Miss Sandra Bowden! Don't y'all think she would be a classy Edith Massey? Maybe Vero Beach could become famous for that! And wouldn't that just make Miss Vero happier than Divine with a plate o'pooh!

http://www.dreamlandnews.com/
http://www.minkstole.com/
http://www.dreamlandnews.com/divine/
http://www.theoretical.com/eddie.html

We could start practicin this camp dress up idea when the Rocky Horror Picture show comes to town on August 1st and 2nd (can y'all imagine?) at The Riverside Theater:
https://tickets.riversidetheatre.com/public/
Y'all know we'll be there, right?

We are feelin so much better, at least now we have somethin to look forward to, this Baltimore boyfriend is given us a whole new outlook. Thanks Big Daddy and Uncle Bubba!

Mix up some cocktails and pop in the Hairspray CD, we feel a party comin on!

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

THE FOURTH OF CLEVER - SEBASTIAN, FL

This was a big day in Sebastian...

where a patriotic flyover started the morning...

and patriotic floats set the mood...

to remember those that fight for freedom...

and continue to believe...

that we can pursue our dreams...

with liberty and justice for all...

that we should be kind...

and preserve the past while nurturing the future...

HEY,WAIT A MINUTE !

ISN'T THIS MISS VERO'S BEACH HOUSE?!

LET'S TRY THOSE CAPTIONS AGAIN...

Ok kids, what in the heck is going on with Jeffery Barton's pants?

And since David Snell always comes in last,

we thought we might feature him first for a change...

and Ed Glaser was freakishly not perspiring...

and there seems to be a write in candidate for Sheriff...


Kent Campbell's crew took up half the parade,
but had some really cool recycled floats...


Anthony Consalo was better looking than his picture...


Deryl Loar tried to look like his car...






But Bill McMullen is still a sweetie pie.


Cool cars...


but Gene Billero was even cooler...


The Sebastian River High School marching band...


always makes for a great parade...




Wesley Davis, once again, wins the wet dress shirt contest...



just as sure as a Shriner has a little car...





and don't mess with this guy...


if you're a skeeter...


An old polished beauty...


and Sandra Bowden.



Cute chiropractor Dr. Matt...

and his big daddy Gary Parris...



Babies gettin ready to be kissed...



by Carole Jean Jordan...


but since she's running for two offices,
she might as well get two pictures...


and besides, she brought her own bass playin brother
to rock us through the morning...



There was Honey...




and Bea...

Kay Clem lookin surprised...


Colman Stewart, rightly lookin suspicious of us...



and Cathy Hart just lookin good...

Bob Solari ran too far ahead of his group...



and Gary Wheeler was wisely put in the passenger seat,
because the one time they put him in the back, the car popped a wheelie...

Wesley finally found a way to cool off...

and the message is "Heritage, Not Hate"
Besides these ole Confederate folks are just plain cute...
(and hopefully harmless)

and we were luvin us some Dixieland in the park...

and happy to see young people doing good work...

and fixin to get some good food...

while everybody had a great time.

But when we went lookin for our ole pal Russ, he was no where to be found...

Miss Vero sure hoped y'all had a good time perusin the pictures,

Happy 4th!

MWAH!

missvero@live.com