Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Historic Stranahan House Museum Present “Native Reel Cinema Fest”

Wes Studi is “Ronnie BoDean” in Steven Paul Judd’s film

Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Historic Stranahan
House Museum Present “Native Reel Cinema Fest”

 The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Seminole Paradise, and the Historic Stranahan House Museum present South Florida’s first “Native Reel Cinema Fest” during the Annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Pow Wow on Friday, February 5 at 5:30 pm and Saturday, February 6 at 5:00 pm at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The free screening of Steven Paul Judd’s film “Ronnie BoDean,” starring Wes Studi, will be presented in conjunction with an interactive session with the director. This event will help provide the platform of showcasing Native American talent through film.

“Native Reel Cinema Fest” will spotlight on native short films by Kiowa/Choctaw director and writer Steven Paul Judd. Wes Studi stars as the eponymous Ronnie BoDean, a larger-than-life outlaw who must shake off an epic hangover and use his considerable street knowledge to take on his greatest challenge yet – babysitting. Judd’s film presents the first Native American “anti- hero” allowing for a new opportunity to explore the culture’s representation in films. The film was financed by a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Judd is known primarily as a filmmaker; yet he’s also a prolific visual artist whose mashups of Native experiences and disposable American pop culture are sly and often downright funny. His creations include paintings, prints, poster art, photography and t-shirt designs.

The evening will include the presentation of the film accompanied by two of Spencer Battiest’s music videos also directed by Judd – “Love of My Life” and “The Storm”.  Battiest is an American Indian singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and actor from Hollywood, Florida. In 2013, Spencer became the first American Indian artist to sign with Hard Rock Records. His music release song "The Storm" garnered his first music video win as a musician. The music video was filmed entirely on the Seminole Reservation in Florida highlighting historical tribal land, ancestry and culture. The song was written as a tribute to the Seminole tribe of Florida, and homage to his parents, grandparents and tribal leaders. Battiest will join Judd during the Q&A session.

The event is coordinated by Seminole Tribal Members and film co-producers,Everett Osceola and Oliver Wareham, with the support of April Kirk. Osceola serves as the Cultural Ambassador for the Seminole Tribe and is an educator sharing the importance of the Seminole culture as instilled by his family. Wareham serves as an Official Commissioner for Seminole Gaming and is a photographer and storyteller sharing the beauty of the Seminole culture through images and the spoken word. Kirk is the Executive Director of the Historic Stranahan House Museum and a painter. The team envisions bringing a larger multi-day Native American Film Festival to South Florida in the future - which will become the only one of its kind on the southeastern coast.

The portrayal of Native Americans in film has been fed by stereotypes, however, a growing number of pictures have portrayed indigenous peoples of the Americas in a more historically accurate light. In recent years, the growth of Native Americans in all avenues of the film industry has been substantial. There are only a few Native American film festivals in America, all of which take place in the mid and west coast of the country, with the exception of the Native American Film and Video Festival. The “Native Reel Cinema Fest” goal is to focus on films that can provide an in depth look into Native cinema in America.

The Seminole Tribe and the Stranahans have a long and mutually respectful relationship. Collaborative efforts between the two strive to bring an awareness and appreciation of Seminole Culture and how it has positively impacted the lives of areas first settlers. Programs work to preserve, interpret, and promote the two histories to residents and visitors alike.

Last year the Seminole Tribe and Stranahan House partnered under the leadership of Osceola and Kirk to bring “Seminole Cinema Night” to the Historic Stranahan House Museum. This was the first-ever local screening of the 1958 film, “The Exiles” produced by director Kent MacKenzie. The documentary, which was lost for nearly 50 years and restored in 2008, follows three Indian Americans who have left their reservations to live in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row. The film reveals the complex social issues faced by these young teens and highlights many challenges that still exist today.

"They say pictures are worth a thousand words,” said Everett Osceola. “Native Reel Cinema Fest gives you the opportunity to experience our journey through our words and images.”

Native Reel Cinema Fest

Friday, February 5th at 5:30 pm and Saturday, February 6th at 5:00 pm

Film Screening, Music Videos, and Q&A

Tickets: Free and Open to the Public

Location: Paradise Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino One Seminole Way, Hollywood, Florida 33314

For information, please contact:

Everett Osceola, Seminole Tribe of Florida Cultural Ambassador

954.393.7757 | EverettOsceola@semtribe.com

April Kirk, Historic Stranahan House Museum Executive Director

954.524.4736 | 954.691.6138 | director@stranahanhouse.org

For interviews, please contact Everett Osceola at EverettOsceola@semtribe.com or 954.393.7757.

Seminole Tribe of Florida:

Known as the “Unconquered” Seminole Tribe of Florida, because the Tribe never signed a peace treaty with the U.S. Government, the Seminoles are one of the most admired and successful Indian Tribes in North America.  The Tribe’s seven casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., are among the most financially profitable casinos in the world. The Tribe also owns Hard Rock International, with a total of 212 venues in 69 countries, including 162 cafes, 23 hotels and 11 casinos. More than 4,000 members of the Seminole Tribe live on and off reservations in many parts of Florida. Today’s Seminoles are often entrepreneurs and college graduates, including many who work in tribal economic enterprises or in tribal government.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach, features a AAA Four Diamond resort with 469 luxury rooms and suites, award- winning restaurants, high-energy nightlife, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, and premium meeting and convention space. As South Florida’s premier entertainment destination, Seminole Hard Rock hosts top-name acts at its 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena and offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a stand-alone poker room. Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new- style Japanese cuisine. The resort also features contemporary and casual eateries, including Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour, diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe - Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 162 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.

Historic Stranahan House Museum:

Stranahan House is the oldest and most historic surviving structure in Broward County. Originally the Trading Post of the New River Settlement, the wood frame structure has served as a community center, boarding house, restaurant, and home of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Founding Family, the Stranahans. Today the building stands as a museum preserving the history of the Stranahans, the Seminoles, and the first settlers of Fort Lauderdale. The mission of the museum is to tell the story of the birth of our community through the lives of two extraordinary people and the homestead they created and to serve as an enduring legacy for historic preservation.

Three Time Loser Michael E. Carn Appointed to Vacant City Commission Position

 Three Time Loser Michael E. Carn Appointed to
Vacant City Commission Position

Carn, who ran unsuccessfully for the commission in 2009 and 2011 and for state Senate in 2008, will be sworn in at the commission's Dec. 16 meeting.  Very Surprising the commission would appoint someone the voters resoundingly rejected not once but three times, Twice in the very same seat they appointed too. Has the Oakland Park Commission just usurped the Voters wishes 

The commission never discussed the other candidates, who were each given three minutes to speak. Guevrekian, who started the commission discussion, moved to appoint Carn to the position.

Mayor Tim Lonergan seconded the motion after neither Vice Mayor John Adornato nor Commissioner Jed Shank chose to do so, but Carn still received a 4-0 vote.

Broward State Attorney Mike Satz has an opponent for the Democratic nomination

Broward State Attorney Mike Satz has an opponent for the Democratic nomination. Last week, Teresa Elizabeth Williams kicked off her long-rumored campaign to be Broward’s top prosecutor. Satz has been Broward State Attorney since 1976.

In September, Williams spoke to BrowardBeat.com about the race.

“I have lived in South Florida a long time. I know Mike Satz is an institution…it won’t be easy,” said Williams.

PARIS ATTACKS OVERSHADOW SECOND DAY OF GOP EVENT

Speaking to Florida Republicans in the wake of a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, GOP candidates for the White House largely stuck to foreign policy on the second day of the state party's "Sunshine Summit" event.

It was a striking change from first day of the gathering when most of the high-profile contenders for the Republican presidential nomination used standard stump speeches and emphasized their ties to Florida. Instead, the candidates who spoke Saturday included some whose poll numbers have been lower, and they focused on the fallout from the assaults on Paris.

Those attacks overnight -- or late in the first day of the summit --- left 129 people dead, according to media reports. The Islamic State militant group, which is also known as ISIS, has claimed responsibility.

That put the spotlight  on issues of terrorism and how the United States should handle the Islamic State's growth in Iraq and Syria. Many of the candidates either spoke extensively about the attacks or scrapped their standard speeches to focus entirely on the events in Paris and whether the United States should expand its current air campaign against ISIS.

Several also used the events to try to distinguish themselves from other contenders on the issue of national security experience.

Carly Fiorina, a businesswoman who had surged to the top tier of GOP candidates but has lately seen her numbers fade, laid at least part of the blame for the attacks on President Barack Obama.

"Mostly, I am outraged because the murder, the mayhem, the danger, the tragedy that we see unfolding in Paris, in the Middle East, around the world and, too often, in our own homeland, are the direct consequences of this administration's policies," Fiorina told a cheering crowd of party activists and officials at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort. "You cannot lead from behind."

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said the attacks highlighted the need for someone who has dealt with foreign policy over a long timeframe, particularly in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

He suggested that he and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina fit that bill, along with perhaps Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a former congressman. But Santorum also cast doubt on the relevance of Kasich's experience.

"I think if you're interested in national security, you're looking at frankly two people who have had national security experience in the post-9/11 world," Santorum said. "That would actually be Sen. Graham and myself. Congressman Kasich was long gone, and I think if you look at some of the policies he's advocating, I don't think he clearly understands the threat that radical Islam is. He wasn't in Congress and wasn't dealing with it."

For his part, Kasich called for NATO to invoke the mutual defense clause of the organization's founding treaty.

Kasich called for no-fly zones to be enforced over Syria, where the government of Bashar al-Assad has sought to hold onto power by brutally crushing a rebellion in a war blamed for killing tens of thousands of people, leaving millions homeless and providing a breeding ground for radical groups like ISIS.

"Last night, it was not just one isolated, small group and not just an attack that we have seen of just a lone wolf," Kasich said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we need to understand that these attacks really represent an attack on Western civilization."

But not everyone agreed. Former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore, who pointed to his experience as the state's chief executive during the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon, said a no-fly zone would be dangerous now that Russia has begun a military intervention in Syria.

"And frankly, we should have had a no-fly zone, which was imposed and put the burden on the Russians to try to intervene and to overturn that, which they probably would not have tried to do," Gilmore said. "But by delaying so long, and really leaving a lot of our allies out there swinging, now the Russians have intervened and put us in a position where we could end up in a war with Russia."

Some candidates also used the attacks to highlight divides on how Obama and social conservatives view the conflict between the West and groups like ISIS. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was among those calling for blunt declarations about the involvement of Muslims in terrorist groups.

"We need a president who will say this: Islam has a problem. That problem is radical Islam," Jindal said. "We need a president who will say this to the Muslim clerics and leaders: It's not enough to condemn generic acts of violence. They must make it clear, they must go after these individuals by name, and say that they are not martyrs. If you kill in the name of Islam, you are not a martyr. You are not going to enjoy a reward in the afterlife, but rather, you are going straight to hell where you belong."

Many of the candidates also criticized Obama's willingness to accept thousands of Syrian refugees in response to the suffering. They said the nation wouldn't be able to adequately screen potential refugees to make sure that terrorists don't blend in with other Syrians.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky called for regional powers to absorb some of those flowing out of Syria.

"I would like to see Saudi Arabia take them. I'd also like to see Iran take them," Paul said. "The two arsonists in that region throwing gasoline on the fire --- Saudi Arabia, Iran --- they're not taking any refugees. I think the refugees need to go to some of the local countries."

At least one candidate seemed to use the dangers of the world to remind Republican voters about the risks of nominating a flamboyant outsider like real-estate tycoon Donald Trump. Without naming Trump, who has vaulted to the top of the polls, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he understands the anger that many GOP voters feel.

"And then you take that anger and you want to use your vote as a chance to send a message about that anger," Christie said. "These times are too dire for that luxury, and the threats we are facing are too great for that act of vanity."







By BRANDON LARRABEE
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

RPOF Sunshine Summit In Orlando

Sunshine Summit Details

What: This two-day event will bring presidential candidates along with Florida's elected officials together to address voters, grassroots leaders, and GOP supporters from across the state.

When: November 13th & 14th.

Presidential Candidate Agenda 

Friday, November 13, 2015: 

11:30 am U.S. Senator Marco Rubio Remarks 

12:30 pm U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Remarks 

1:00 pm U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham Remarks 

2:00 pm Governor Mike Huckabee Remarks 

4:00 pm Governor Jeb Bush Remarks 

5:30 pm Donald Trump Remarks 

Saturday, November 14, 2015: 

11:00 am Senator Rick Santorum Remarks 

1:00 pm Governor Bobby Jindal Remarks 

1:30 pm Senator Rand Paul Remarks 

2:00 pm Governor Chris Christie Remarks 

2:30 pm Governor John Kasich Remarks 

4:00 pm Carly Fiorina Remarks 

Where: Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida 

Fresh off the fourth set of debates, most of the Republican presidential candidates will converge on Florida during the next two days for the Sunshine State Summit. The cattle call, at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, will serve as a sort of kickoff to the race for Florida's share of delegates in the GOP primary --- not to mention the state's trove of 29 electoral votes in the 2016 general election.

In all, 14 of the 15 declared candidates who are still in the race and have been on at least one of the eight debate stages this year --- there have been two debates each night --- will be at the event. (Only former New York Gov. George Pataki, who's been having trouble getting traction in the polls, won't be speaking.)

That means Florida's two favorite sons --- former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio --- will join bombastic tycoon Donald Trump, neurosurgeon Ben Carson and 10 more candidates in vying for attention.

The March 15 primary in Florida, which will award all of the state's delegates to the leading candidate, could end up playing a major role in who gets the nomination. Florida has the third-largest number of delegates to the Republican National Convention, behind California, which won't vote until June, and Texas, which votes March 1 and will allocate its delegates proportionally.

Unlike the old Presidency events hosted by the Republican Party of Florida, the straw poll at the end of the event has been jettisoned. A 2012 straw poll was best known for beginning a boomlet for pizza magnate Herman Cain, who ended up dropping out of the race a few months later. But the chance to schmooze with a large group of party activists in a key state has still proved too much for the campaigns to pass up.

The summit comes little more than a month after a Quinnipiac University poll found Trump and Carson leading the field in Florida despite Bush and Rubio's perceived home-field advantage. In that survey, Trump was supported by 28 percent of registered Republicans, compared to 16 percent for Carson, 14 percent for Rubio and 12 percent for Bush. No other candidate got out of single digits.

Rubio, who will be the first Republican candidate to speak Friday morning, is looking to build momentum after being seen as one of the winners at this week's televised debate. Bush is also trying to show strength; some reviewers said he was better during the last debate showdown between the candidates, but his performances have generally been panned. He will speak Friday afternoon.

Also speaking on the first day of the summit: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Trump and Carson. The cast for Saturday includes former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, outgoing Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and businesswoman Carly Fiorina.

Independent and Indispensable

http://www.newsserviceflorida.com

Governor Scott Announces TQL Expansion Will Create 60 New Jobs in Dania Beach

 

Governor Rick Scott announced Total Quality Logistics (TQL), one of the largest freight-brokerage firms in the country, will be expanding in Dania Beach and creating 60 new jobs. The expansion of their logistics operation will also create a capital investment of approximately $600,000 in Broward County. TQL has operations in Dania Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Daytona Beach and currently employs nearly 450 Floridians across the state.

Governor Scott said, “TQL has experienced exciting success in Florida and I am proud to announce the creation of 60 new jobs in Dania Beach today. We look forward to working with the Legislature to create the new Florida Enterprise Fund so more job creators like TQL can continue to create new jobs and diversify our economy.”

The Dania Beach expansion is in addition to their recent Daytona Beach opening that will create 100 new jobs, and the recent announcement that TQL will add a new carrier services division to its operations in Tampa that will create up to 200 new jobs. The company began operations in Florida in 2010 and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer in the Sunshine State.

TQL President Kerry Byrne said, “Thank you to Governor Scott and Enterprise Florida for their efforts to support new business growth in the state and build a competitive workforce. Our experience has been extremely positive working with the state to grow our presence and find the quality, professional talent we need to continue to grow our market share in the logistics industry.”

Florida’s expansive and multi-modal infrastructure is among the best in the nation. As the Western Hemisphere's commercial gateway, Florida's logistics & distribution industry is poised to grow further with the Panama Canal expansion in 2016, and the numerous infrastructure developments and upgrades underway around the state.

Bill Johnson, Enterprise Florida president and CEO said, “Florida is one of the top states in the country for infrastructure and logistics, and that is why we keep attracting great companies like TQL. We congratulate TQL on their continued success and wish them the best as they continue to grow and create new opportunities in Florida.”

The TQL expansion was made possible through partnerships between Enterprise Florida, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County, and Dania Beach.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “TQL’s continued expansion across the state is a win for Florida’s economy. Today’s announcement is great news for 60 families in Broward County and continues our trend of making Florida a national hub for logistics and distribution.”

As part of the project, CareerSource Florida has offered TQL performance-based grants for employee training through the Quick Response Training program. Quick Response Training grants are structured to be flexible and responsive to the training needs of new or expanding businesses.

Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the growth of TQL, a major national player in the logistics industry. We’re glad to be part of TQL’s long-range growth strategy, providing jobs today and in the future, here in Broward County.

City of Dania Beach Mayor Marco Salvino, Sr. said, “We are very pleased TQL is expanding its presence in the City of Dania Beach. We look forward to TQL’s continued success in our City.”

Bob Swindell, president and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance said, “Global Logistics are an important targeted industry for Broward County and we are excited for TQL’s statewide growth, and grateful they chose to expand in Dania Beach.”

***

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is the middle man of the transportation industry - connecting companies needing products hauled with carriers delivering goods. Their ability to connect customers to the hundreds of thousands of trucks belonging to small carriers and owner/operators creates greater efficiency in transportation and keeps the economy moving. TQL’s Fort Lauderdale office is located at 1855 Griffin Road, Suite A-410. The office is  hiring and interested job seekers can learn more at www.tqljobs.com.

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is Broward County’s official public/private partnership for economic development.  Its mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy by stimulating the creation of new jobs and capital investment while facilitating the growth and retention of businesses in Broward County.   Services offered by the Alliance include assistance with business relocation or expansion and site selection; incentive programs and information; market research; and serving as a liaison for workforce development between CareerSource Broward, educational institutions and the business community.  To learn more, call(954) 524-3113.

Florida Republican Party Sunshine Summit 11-12 to 11-14-15