The Cooler

Lots of new out there this morning, readers. Here's what I thought was interesting...or somewhat funny.

A- Sun-Sentinel: Yes, the big concern here is the city's image.

FORT LAUDERDALE— The homeless encampment in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale has worn out its welcome.

The city commission on Tuesday will consider crafting an ordinance that would discourage the homeless from congregating in Stranahan Park, in response to a drop in foot traffic at nearby restaurants, businesses and the county's Main Library.

"There is no question that merchants and businesses in downtown are asking for and deserve relief," said Mayor Jack Seiler. "The city has made it clear we will do everything possible."

[...]

"I have not heard that it has tainted the city's reputation yet, but there is a risk of it doing so," said Seiler. "To have a large homeless population right in the heart of downtown is not good for the city's image."

B- Sun-Sentinel: Is there really a market for this right now?

Imagine relaxing in a recliner with a waiter just a push of a button away, all while watching the latest blockbuster in a movie theater.

New iPic Theaters in Hallandale Beach and Boca Raton, opening this year, will offer restaurant and lounge services, electric reclining seats and a premium level seating option that comes with unlimited popcorn.

"Think of it as a better version of the W Hotel," said Hamid Hashemi, president and CEO of iPic Theaters.

Just don't think of it as cheap. Moviegoers may pay as much as $25 for weekend admission, although final prices have not been set.

C- Sun-Sentinel: Chan Lowe.

D- Palm Beach Post: One more reason to use MySpace.

A Riviera Beach woman was arrested on Tuesday after she was accused of purposely hitting her cousin with her car in an argument about a Facebook posting.

E- South Florida Business Journal: No thanks to Republicans.

After months of filibuster delays, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved the nomination of Cuban-born U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

President Barack Obama had nominated Jordan for the spot on the nation’s second-highest court on Aug. 2, but a Republican filibuster prevented a vote on it until Wednesday.

F- CBS4: Life in South Florida.

HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – One man is dead, a second hospitalized, after a dispute at a popular club in Pembroke Pines ended in gunfire on a Hollywood Street.

[...]

According to police the trouble started at Cafe Iguana, about four miles away from where the car was found. At the club, Thomas had accidentally spilled a drink on someone. Even though he apologized, the situation escalated. According to police, when Thomas and his friends left the club they were followed by several vehicles whose occupants opened fire on them.

G- CBS4: Why I don't ride in South Florida any more.

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Police say they a person and car of interest in the hit and run accident that injured two cyclists early Wednesday morning.

[...]

Cohen, a father of two, is in extreme critical condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery. Sources confirm to CBS4′s Gio Benitez that Cohen leads the Esserman International Racing Team.Walsh suffered a leg injury and spoke to CBS4’s Gary Nelson when he was released from the hospital.

“We were cycling up the Key Biscayne bridge side by side, in the bike lane, having a conversation. We didn’t even see anything. then there was a loud bang and the next thing you know I was on the ground and Aaron was 30 feet up the road lying on his back on the road not moving,” said Walsh.

H- WPTV: "I didn't even know I had a grandson named Jimmy!"

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. -- The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office is warning people of a scam targeting the elderly.

"We call this the 'grandparent telephone scam' because it often is aimed at an unsuspecting senior citizen," Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a news release.

Callers say they are a relative stranded in another country, then ask for money.

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