Tampa Bay Parent

There was a lot of disappointment before when the Buccaneers where shutout of the 2008 Pro Bowl. Even in years past when the Buccaneers did not make it to the Super Bowl or even the playoffs there was still the consolation that some of the boys in crimson and black were making their way to the Pro Bowl. Well, now by forfeit, Jeff Garcia becomes the only Buccaneer to make it to this year’s NFL Pro Bowl game. Brett Favre was initially supposed to play that game for the NFC, but since he is unable to make it, Jeff Garcia was chosen in his place. Tony Romo and Matt Hasselbeck are also slated to be NFC quarterbacks.

Parents all over Florida with children in the public schools may be feeling the same type of pressure that their children may be feeling. FCAT may become a pass or fail type of situation that parents will feel pressured to make sure their children perform well. FCAT (Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test) was designed to assess a student’s academic achievement based on the Sunshine State’s standards. The Sunshine Standards are what public school use to base their instruction of students.

Passing the FCAT really becomes serious because it is one of the requirements for attaining a high diploma. High school students in Florida public schools are required to pass the 10th grade FCAT. Students do also have the option of obtaining an equivalent score on the SAT or ACT college admission tests.

With so much riding on the FCAT it is no wonder that students feel a lot of pressure when testing time comes. Some things that are recommended are that students try to relax on the testing day, get plenty of rest the night before, and have a good breakfast the day of the test.

Florida Department of Education does offer some free material that students can use to prepare for the FCAT exam.

Sample FCAT Questions are available online.

FCAT Explorer

Two different high rise condo residents feel that their view of the water will be blocked by the proposed stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. The new stadium has a retractable roof with mast that local residents feel will obstruct their view.

The Rays pledged that the $450 million facility, to be located on the site of the historic Al Lang Field Spring Training facility, will require no new taxes or the reallocation of existing taxes, though the complex financing plan must first clear several hurdles, including the transformation of the 85-acre Tropicana Field site into a retail and residential district.

Source: Tampa Bay Rays

Dr. Phil, who visited Britney Spears recently during her recent hospitalization, has decided against doing a show on Britney Spears and her problems for the moment. Anyone who has been watching her life spiral out of control cannot feel anything but pain for the whole situation. No matter how people may feel about Britney’s mother, Lynne Spears, it must be hard for any mother to have to deal with her daughters being in crisis right now and her two grandson’s be caught in a severely destructive situation that is hard for their little minds to comprehend. She has asked the world to pray and I will pray for her and her family. It must be extremely difficult time for a family as a whole and hopefully something will be done soon to turn this situation around.

Dr. Phil deciding to put brakes on discussing Britney Spears on his show is an excellent idea. Her problem has been discussed enough on television and what she needs is some private and confidential therapy that hopefully she will be able to receive very soon.

Elisabeth ended her maternity leave this week and returned to “The View” for a day of “Hot Topics” she brought along her two month-old baby Taylor to host the show. There were many hot topics. But few sparks flew. Although politics were brought-up everything was discussed in calm way. When the topic went to Dr. Phil visiting Britney Spears during her recent hospitalization, the question asked “Is he a real doctor?” A representative from his show immediately e-mailed the show and to say that Dr. Phil is a clinical psychologist.

The major television stations will be required to switch the signals they use from analog to digital and to be able to view programs from these stations television sets must be able to receive digital signals. The deadline for the switch is February 17, 2009. Those that are not able to receive digital signals with their television can purchase a digital converter box. Some televisions do have a digital tuner and if you have cable and satellite you should be able to view the new digital programs.

To help with the transition the United States government is offering two $40 coupons per household that can be used toward the purchase of digital converters.

Get more Information on the digital converter program.