I had the opportunity to drive to Miami and back last week for a two-day Florida Press Association conference in Miami. I enjoy driving by myself – but I’m not sure my office does. I’m usually listening to an educational podcast which makes me think of everything I should be doing in the office. I call the office and ask them questions conduct brainstorming sessions over the phone. I’ve actually been told that they really have work to d0 – if I don’t mind. I was also listening to 100 things great bosses know – which made me wonder if employees ever listen to 100 things great employees know. I don’t think that there is such an animal. However, there must be – because my staff must have already read that book or listened to that podcast. Whew. Oh, I also learned that Miami is the pits to drive in. However, I did get to eat at a famous Cuban restaurant and stay at a “haunted” hotel. The Biltmore Hotel was built in the early 1900s and spent some time being a VA hospital during and after WWII. There is also a mobster that was killed there. I slept great the first night – however, after reading about the hauntings … didn’t sleep so well the second night.

First of all, my apologies to anyone who thinks that I am ignoring them; I am really not. I just left the office and magically received 27 new voicemails all at once. I called Sprint and learned that they are having some problems locally. They apologized too. So, if you left me a message, please be patient.

Wil Pergande from the Gulf Breeze Sertoma Club stopped by the office to tell us about the 24th Annual Family Fishing Rodeo that is being held Saturday and Sunday at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. Proceeds from the tournament benefit a host of community organizations that help children and their families. There is a really impressive list of recipients on their website, familyfishingrodeo.com. To get the details of the event, look for their ad in this week’s issue on Page 8C.