#ESCAPE Tampa Bay Village

[xtruss]

Adan Salazar, a member of the cabalgata (a parade of horseback riders), travels 20 miles from the neighboring town of Múzquiz to celebrate Juneteenth in 2018 in Nacimiento, the generational home of the Black Seminoles who escaped the threat of slavery in the United States.

Just Across The Border, This Mexican Community Also Celebrates Juneteenth

The “Southern Underground Railroad” helped formerly enslaved people reach freedom in northern Mexico. One village here has observed Juneteenth or “Día de los Negros” for 150 years.

— By Taryn White | Photographs By Luján Agusti | June 17, 2021

In northern Mexico’s Coahuila State there’s a village where locals celebrate Juneteenth by eating traditional Afro-Seminole foods, dancing to norteña music, and practicing capeyuye—hand-clapped hymnals sung by enslaved peoples who traveled the Southern Underground Railroad to freedom.

It may seem unlikely that this holiday would be honored in a small village at the base of the Sierra Madre range, but Nacimiento de los Negros—meaning “Birth of the Blacks”—became a haven for the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped the brutality of the antebellum South and settled in Mexico.

Now, long after the group came to Nacimiento in 1852, a new challenge remains for the Mascogos: Keeping their culture and traditions alive. In a country of approximately 130 million people, where 1.3 million identify as Afro-descendants, there are only a few hundred Mascogos. Decades of navigating ongoing drought conditions in Mexico, currently affecting 84 percent of the country, have devasted the village’s agriculture-based economy. Younger community members have little choice but to seek new opportunities elsewhere.

A young girl dons on the Traditional Attire—Polka-Dot Dress, Apron, and Handkerchief—worn by Mascogos Women during Juneteenth celebrations in Nacimiento.

But there is hope—both in the strength of Mascogo identity and in the growing recognition of Juneteenth (June 19), a day that marks the freedom of enslaved people in Texas at the end of the United States Civil War and is considered by some to be America’s “Second Independence Day.” On June 17, President Joseph Biden Signed a Bill that recognizes Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Such recognition could also strengthen the visibility of this historic community nearly 2,000 miles from Washington. D.C.

Juneteenth Becomes A Federal Holiday! President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Evan Vucci/AP, June 17, 2021

The Southern Underground Railroad

Hundreds of enslaved people fled from southern plantations to live among the Seminoles in Florida Territory during the mid-to-late 18th century. Spain granted freedom to enslaved people who escaped to Florida under their rule, but the U.S. did not recognize this agreement.

In 1821, the Spanish ceded Florida to the U.S., sending the Seminoles and their Black counterparts farther south onto reservations near the Apalachicola River. Andrew Jackson, territorial governor of Florida, ordered an attack on Angola, a village built by Black Seminoles and other free Blacks near Tampa Bay. Dozens of escaped slaves were captured and sold or returned to their previous place of enslavement; many others were killed.

From left to right: Jose, Aton, and Sebastian, members of the horseback parade, arrive in Nacimiento’s nogalera (a Park Surrounded by Walnut Trees) as part of Día de Los Negros.

Nearly a decade later, Jackson, now president, signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830 into law, which required Native tribes in the southeast to relocate to Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma. Seminole and Black leaders opposed the forced removal, later leading to the Second Seminole War (1835–42). Halfway through the confrontation, the Seminoles called for a truce and agreed to move—if their Black allies were allowed to move safely as well.

The negotiations quickly fell through, and the war resumed, but the relocation of nearly 4,000 Seminoles and 800 Black Seminoles, also known as the Trail of Tears, had already begun.

Southern Underground Railroad

As many as 5,000 enslaved African Americans escaped to freedom in Mexico, after that country outlawed slavery in 1829. While most traveled on their own or in small groups, some were helped by an informal network of free African Americans, Mexicans, Tejanos, and German settlers. Motivations for assisting the refugees were complex—some did so out of sympathy, while others were paid to transport them across the border.

Katie Armstrong, NG Staff. Source: Thomas Mareite, Abolitionists, Smugglers and Scapegoats: Assistance Networks for Fugitive Slaves in the Texas-Mexico Borderlands, 1836–1861, Cahiers du MIMMOC; National Park Service, National Trails Intermountain Region

By 1845, most Seminoles had been relocated to Indian Territory, where many Black Seminoles who joined the journey were kidnapped and sold into slavery in Arkansas and Louisiana. Faced with continuous hardships in Indian Territory, members of the Black Seminoles, Seminole Indians, and Kickapoo tribe left Indian Territory in 1849 for Mexico, where slaves could live freely.

Mexico officially abolished slavery in September 1829, and in 1857, Mexico amended its constitution to reflect that all people are born free.

Alice Baumgartner, assistant professor of history at the University of Southern California, says that the Seminoles’ and Black Seminoles’ move to Mexico was part of a much longer history of Mexican authorities recruiting Native peoples who had been forced from their homelands to help defend Mexico’s northern border. In exchange for fighting, they would receive 70,000 acres of land in northern Coahuila as well as livestock, money, and agricultural tools.

“That alternative was far from perfect,” she says, “but it was an alternative nonetheless.”

Juneteenth—In Mexico And The U.S.

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation declared enslaved people in the Confederacy free on January 1, 1863, word had not fully spread to geographically isolated Texas, where slaveholders refused to comply with the federal orders.

It wasn’t until the last battle of the war when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas—a full two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed—that many enslaved people knew they were free.

One year later, freedmen in Texas organized “Jubilee Day” to commemorate the date, initially holding church-centered gatherings that provided oral history lessons on slavery. Today, the holiday, which is officially recognized in more than 47 states and the District of Columbia, typically includes barbecues, street festivals, parades, religious services, dancing, and sipping red drinks—the last to symbolize the bloodshed of African Americans.

Left: Josue, who is of Mascogo descent, honors the traditions of his community for Juneteenth, which now a federal holiday in the U.S. Right: Jennie Hidalgo was crowned the Queen of the Jineteada (the town’s pageant) for Nacimiento’s 2018 Juneteenth celebration.

Left: Gustavo wears the traditional dress for men during Juneteenth. Right: Jennifer celebrates Juneteenth with her community. After the parade of horseback riders arrives into town, Mascogo descendants gather under shade trees to barbecue and boil ears of corn over wood fires.

María Esther Hammack, a historian at the University of Texas at Austin, believes the first Juneteenth celebrations in Nacimiento may have been held as early as the 1870s due to military families traveling back and forth from Nacimiento to Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas. From 1870 to 1914, Black Seminoles were enlisted by the U.S Army as Seminole Indian “scouts” to defend against other Native American tribes as the U.S. Government expanded into West Texas.

“People in el Nacimiento had already been enjoying freedom for many years, since their arrival in Mexico in 1850,” says Hammack. “[But] Juneteenth celebration in Coahuila, Mexico began as a means to show solidarity with their brethren in the U.S.,” says Hammack. Black Seminoles still living in Brackettville drive 160 miles south to celebrate Juneteenth with the Mascogos in Nacimiento.

While many details of the earliest celebrations have been lost to time, today’s traditions are a vibrant testament to Mascogo culture. On “Día de Los Negros,” women wearing traditional polka-dot dresses, aprons, and handkerchiefs assemble at the nogalera (a park surrounded by walnut trees) at dawn to begin cooking the communal meal. The cabalgata (a parade of horseback riders) begin their 20-mile journey from the neighboring town of Múzquiz, while the elders lead the community in clap-accompanied spirituals such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Dancing to live music and playing bingo, a popular pastime in the town, are also musts.

By noon, the cabalgata arrives at the nogalera, and the townspeople enjoy traditional Afro-Seminole and Mexican dishes, such as corn on the cob, tetapún (sweet potato bread), pumpkin empanadas, pan de mortero (mortar bread), soske (corn-based atole), and asado (slowly cooked pork in hot peppers).

After a quick rest, the Mascogos reconvene at night for a party in the town’s plaza, where they dance the night away.

Threats To The Mascogo Culture

With more and more Mascogo descendants leaving Nacimiento for other parts of Mexico and the U.S., Dulce Herrera, a sixth-generation Mascogo and great-granddaughter of Lucia Vazquez Valdez—one of the last surviving negros limpios (pure Blacks)—fears the traditions of her culture will be lost.

She hopes to preserve them by teaching the younger generation of Mascogos the traditional songs and gastronomy of the community. Herrera is also working with her mother, Laura, and great-grandmother to raise the awareness of Mascogo heritage in Mexico.

Joseph stands with his horse’s whip. Currently, around 70 families live in Nacimiento and are dedicated to farming and cattle and goat ranching.

“Negros Mascogos is one of the most invisible Afro-descendant communities in Mexico,” she says, citing incidences in which community members were asked for official identification when visiting neighboring towns because “they think we are not Mexican.”

Her efforts have not been in vain. In May 2017, the governor of Coahuila signed a decree recognizing the Mascogos as Indigenous people of Coahuila.

As a result, Herrera and Valdez were able to secure federal funding for huertos familiares (community gardens) to assist community members with planting and selling their crops.

Travelers to Nacimiento can visit the small Museo Comunitario Tribu Negros Mascogos, which contains local artwork and exhibits related to Mascogo history. In 2020, the community also opened a restaurant, El Manà de Cielito, which serves local cuisine, and a hostel, Hospedaje Mascogos. Future plans include boosting cultural tourism by teaching community members to sell embroidered textiles, traditional handicrafts, and organic food as well as developing trails for walking, hiking, and horseback riding.

[barefootbeachresort]

Barefoot Beach Condo Resort, Indian Shores, Florida Vacation Rentals

Introduction

Nestled along the pristine shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Barefoot Beach Condo Resort in Indian Shores, Florida, offers an exquisite haven for vacationers seeking a memorable coastal escape. With its stunning views, luxurious accommodations, and a plethora of recreational activities, this resort has become a sought-after destination for travelers in search of sun, sand, and relaxation. This article delves into the charms of Barefoot Beach Condo Resort, highlighting its vacation rentals and the enchanting experiences it offers to guests.

The Location: Indian Shores, Florida

Indian Shores, a picturesque coastal town on Florida's Gulf Coast, is a hidden gem for vacationers. It's known for its tranquil ambiance, white sandy beaches, and breathtaking sunsets. The town offers a perfect balance between a serene getaway and easy access to nearby attractions. Barefoot Beach Condo Resort is ideally situated in the heart of Indian Shores, allowing guests to explore the local charm while enjoying the comforts of a world-class resort.

Vacation Rentals

The vacation rentals at Barefoot Beach Condo Resort are a blend of elegance and comfort. Spacious and well-appointed, they cater to various group sizes, making it an excellent choice for couples, families, and friends traveling together.

Condominiums: The resort offers a variety of condo options, including one, two, and three-bedroom units. Each condo boasts a fully equipped kitchen, a cozy living area, and a private balcony with views of the Gulf. The contemporary design and modern amenities provide a home-away-from-home experience.

Amenities: The vacation rentals come with a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, in-unit washer and dryer, and a well-equipped kitchen. The resort also provides complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas, ensuring guests can make the most of their beachfront stay.

Scenic Views: Perhaps one of the most enchanting features of Barefoot Beach Condo Resort is the mesmerizing views of the Gulf of Mexico. Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves and stepping out onto your private balcony to witness a breathtaking sunrise. These panoramic views create lasting memories for guests.

Recreational Activities

While the beach itself is a major attraction, Barefoot Beach Condo Resort offers a host of recreational activities and facilities to keep guests entertained.

Beachfront Pool: The resort features a large beachfront pool, perfect for those days when you prefer freshwater to saltwater. Sunbathe on the pool deck, take a dip, or simply relax with a book.

Tennis Courts: Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a game of tennis on the resort's well-maintained courts.

Fitness Center: Stay active and fit during your vacation at the resort's on-site fitness center.

Water Sports: For those seeking more adventure, the resort offers opportunities for water sports such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet skiing.

BBQ Grills and Picnic Areas: Gather with family and friends for a barbecue by the beach or enjoy a picnic in the shaded areas provided.

Local Attractions

Barefoot Beach Condo Resort is not just a place to stay; it's a gateway to exploring the wonders of the Gulf Coast.

John's Pass Village: Just a short drive away, John's Pass is a lively waterfront village known for shopping, dining, and water activities.

Clearwater Beach: A neighboring beach town renowned for its white sands and vibrant nightlife, Clearwater Beach is a must-visit destination.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Thrill-seekers can enjoy a day at this world-class theme park, located within an hour's drive from the resort.

Wildlife and Nature: The area offers opportunities for bird-watching and exploring the local wildlife, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Dining Options

For those who prefer dining out, Indian Shores and its neighboring towns offer a plethora of dining options. From seafood shacks serving fresh catches of the day to upscale restaurants with Gulf views, there's something to satisfy every palate.

Conclusion

Barefoot Beach Condo Resort in Indian Shores, Florida, is a perfect destination for vacationers looking for a beachfront escape. With its luxurious vacation rentals, stunning Gulf views, and a wide range of amenities and activities, this resort offers an unforgettable experience. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, this hidden gem on Florida's Gulf Coast is sure to leave you with cherished memories of your vacation. Come, slip off your shoes, and let the Barefoot Beach Condo Resort redefine your idea of a perfect coastal getaway.

[johndesautels1]

Seller Says Sell! Special Financing May Be Available! Madeira Beach Almost New Construction Elevated Custom Built Beach House Only 4 Structures To The Sand With a Monster 4-5 Car Garage on a grandfathered Duplex Zoned-R2-Buildable oversized lot with the ability to build up to a 40 foot high structure & Bay-Inlet Views! This Florida Keys style abode is an ABSOLUTE POTENTIAL CASH COW. Build a 2nd rental unit adjacent or on top of your crib and use the rental income to pay your expenses. This home is right by multiple beach access points and the sugar sand beaches of Pinellas County. Thirsty? Head outside your door & enjoy a magnificent sunset at the nearby Madeira Beach Cantina while enjoying a glass of Chardonnay or an ice cold beer. Ready for a night of world class entertainment? Stroll several Blocks down to nearby world famous John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk with over 100 shops & restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, boating, fishing charters, dinner cruises, dolphin tours, jet ski rentals, parasailing, ice cream parlors, waterfront live music venues & a long boardwalk that runs along the gorgeous intracoastal waterway. Madeira Beach is nestled in the heart of Tampa Bay-Less than 35 minutes to World Famous Clearwater Beach, Downtown St. Petersburg, "the new cultural hub of the west coast of Florida," & Tampa International Airport! This Move-In Ready modern beach escape is the tropical oasis you & your friends,family,tenants and guests are looking for! Upon arrival you are graced with a magnificent modern curb appeal and an absolute beast of a garage to store your boat, jet skis scooters, kayaks and other beach toys. There is also plenty of extra parking. The interior of this shangri-la is equally impressive! The interior is a wide open floor plan that lives far larger than it's public records square feet. The interior is absolutely bathed in natural light as well as 10 foot ceilings throughout! The Chef’s dream kitchen is equipped with many bells and whistles & was built with quality modern slow close cabinets, stone countertops and stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom is generous & will easily accommodate a king size very comfy bed. The guest bedroom is sizable & easily will fit a queen size bedroom set. Additionally, both bedrooms afford walk in closets and plenty of room to melt you credit card at the mall. This entire home was designed to meet the latest building code with high quality construction materials including solid pilings, ground up all block construction and impact windows & doors. Step out to your PROTECTED eastern facing balcony and enjoy a morning cup of Joe. As an added bonus the utilities are dirt cheap and electric averages $90-$130 per month...Above base flood elevation! Flood insurance is only $256.00 a year!!!

[mypositiveoutlooks]

For $1,200 a month, you can own a Tiny Home that allows residents to live in an eco-friendly village

For $1,200 a month, you can own a Tiny Home that allows residents to live in an eco-friendly village

This tiny home village in Tampa Bay, Florida, is providing an affordable alternative to apartment living. In 2021, house designer ESCAPE opened a tiny home village in the area. With the recent rise of interest in remote lifestyles due to the pandemic, the units in this village quickly sold out. ESCAPE Tampa Bay Village “Little did we know we’d experience such demand so quickly,” said ESCAPE…

[redofthewestcountry]

FEBRUARY'S THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD AND THE WONDERFUL

Month 2

1st Feb: Myanmar military coup - Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders detained

1st Feb: Dustin Diamond (Saved by the Bell) passed away

1st Feb: India cuts Internet in New Delhi - agriculture reform protests

1st Feb: French football crisis deepens as league fails to resell TV rights

2nd Feb: Captain Sir Tom Moore dies from Corona virus

2nd Feb: Man wakes from 10 month coma with no knowledge of covid

2nd Feb: Space X prototype crashes, again

2nd Feb: Rare black leopard spotted in Indian wildlife park

3rd Feb: Myanmar dance video goes viral with Coup in the background

3rd Feb - Proud Boys labelled as terrorist group in Canada

3rd Feb: Perth wild fires

3rd Feb: Navalny jailed

3rd Feb: Biden signs three executive actions to reunite migrant families separated by Tr*mp policy  

4th Feb: Kenyans celebrate zero Rhino killings in 2020

4th Feb: Iran diplomat jailed for plot to bomb French Rally in 2018

4th Feb: Denmark politicians gives green light for first 'energy island' in North Sea

5th Feb: Christopher Plummer passed away - Sound of Music

5th Feb: Smallest reptile on earth discovered in Madagascar

5th Feb: John Pullin - Former England Rugby player passed away

5th Feb: Stutthof Camp - 95 year old woman accused of aiding mass murder in holocaust

5th Feb: 185 German actors come out ad LGBT+ in campaign for more visibility, diversity, and recognition

6th Feb: Myanmar Internet shut down

7th Feb: Pope appoints first female undersecretary to the Synod of Bishops

7th Feb: Tampa Bay win super bowl

7th Feb: Indonesian Town turns red as flood waters hit textiles factory

8th Feb: Tangier illegal underground factory flood

8th Feb: Uttarakhand, India dam disaster

8th Feb: UK's youngest terror offender sentenced

8th Feb: First major snowstorm in Netherlands in a decade

9th Feb: Second Impeachment Trial begins - votes trial to impeach is constitutional

9th Feb: New Mozambique Military Chief dies from Covid

9th Feb: UAE Probe makes it into orbit around Mars

9th Feb: Weetabix suggests baked beans on weetabix

9th Feb: 116 year old French nun survives Covid

10th Feb: Saudi women's right activist released from jail

10th Feb: First photo of Mars from UAE Hope orbiter

10th Feb: Lawyer accidently uses cat filter on zoom

11th Feb: Hundred car pile up in Texas

11th Feb: Blues' Clues new alphabet song includes P is for Pride

11th Feb: Biden cancels funding for Tr*mps border wall

12th Feb: 5km wide Dartmoor Fire

12th Feb: Mario Draghi named new Italian Prime Minister

12th Feb: Belarusian migrant given a 90 day bus pass, and a free Polish language course for pushing bus out of the snow in Warsaw

12th Feb: "Convict Tr*mp and Lock Him Up" banner flown over Mar-a-Lago

12th Feb: Indian Village teacher wins $1 million prize for world's most exceptional educator

12th Feb: Female founded dating app Bumble tops $13 billion in market debut

13th Feb: Tr*mp acquitted of inciting insurrection

13th Feb: Japan appoints Minister of Loneliness

13th Feb: Stonehenge linked to original site in Wales

13th Feb: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) issued for people with learning disabilities with covid

15th Feb: First woman appointed Head of World Trade Organisation

15th Feb: Southern states snow storms

15th Feb: Hidden world of bizarre creatures discovered under Antarctic ice

17th Feb: Tr*mp era in Atlantic City ends with three thousand sticks of dynamite

17th Feb: Zanzibar Vice-President dies of Covid

17th Feb: Wife of North Korean leader reappears after a year

18th Feb: National League North and South teams vote to null and void season

18th Feb: NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars

19th Feb: China-India border clash

19th Feb: First colour photos from Mars

19th Feb: First Black Hole ever discovered far bigger than first thought

19th Feb: 2,300kg of cocaine worth £184 million found in banana boxes from Colombia in Portsmouth

19th Feb: Man fakes kidnapping to avoid work

20th Feb: Algerian protests start again

20th Feb: Boeing 777 scatters engine debris over Denver homes

21st Feb: Daughters of Malcom X ask for murder investigation to be reopened in light of new evidence

21st Feb: Israel oil spill on Mediterranean coastline

22nd Feb: H5N8 Bird flu infects humans

22nd Feb: Daft Punk split after twenty eight years

22nd Feb: Gender reveal device kills dad-to-be

22nd Feb: Boeing 747 drops engine parts in Netherlands

22nd Feb: NASA releases first audio recordings from Mars

23rd Feb: Public inquiry into Capitol riots begin

23rd Feb: Tiger Woods car crash

23rd Feb: Oldest Australian rock art discovered approx 17,300 years old

24th Feb: Neil Lennon resigns as Celtic manager

24th Feb: Detention camps reopen on Mexican border, to hold hundreds of children

24th Feb: First delivery of UN Covax vaccine

24th Feb: 12th Century bathhouse discovered in Sevilla

2th Feb: 28 whales saved from stranding spot

24th Feb: Syrian ex intelligence officer jailed

26th Feb: Unexploded WW2 bomb found in Exeter

26th Feb: Over two hundred prisoners escape from Haiti prison

26th Feb: Amazon rainforest plots being sold on Facebook market place

27th Feb: Archaeologists uncover chariot outside Pompeii

27th Feb: Indian man killed by own rooster during cockfight

27th Feb: Iceberg the size if Bedfordshire breaks off Antarctica

27th Feb: WW2 bomb found in Exeter detonated

28th Feb: Russia launches Space satellite Arktika-M on first mission to the Artic

[tabloidtoc]

People, September 28

Cover: A Killer in the Woods and a Teen’s Brave Escape 

Page 3: Chatter -- Demi Lovato on getting engaged to Max Ehrich after four months together, John Legend joking about expecting a third child with his wife Chrissy Teigen, Kelly Clarkson on moving on after filing for divorce in June, Keith Urban on wife Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry on struggling to get roles after her 2002 Oscar win, Jennifer Garner responding to a commenter who’d asked if she was pregnant on Instagram 

Page 4: 5 Things We’re Talking About This Week -- Golden Girls gets an all-Black reimagining, Rick Moranis makes a comeback for an ad with Ryan Reynolds, Keeping Up with the Kardashians goes kaput, Franzia introduces a boxed-wine backpack 

Page 6: Contents 

Page 8: StarTracks -- Naomi Osaka won the U.S. Open final and sported face masks honoring Black people who have been victims of racial violence 

Page 9: Mariah Carey styling daughter Monroe’s hair, Shakira showed off a bikini she designed, Kate Hudson wore a cute cat face mask while she did some shopping at Palisades Village 

Page 10: Stars’ Best Friends -- Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid walked their new pup Dexter in West Hollywood, Dennis Quaid was all smiles when he met a rescue pup on the set of Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family, Hugh Jackman strolled through N.Y.C. with his dogs Allegra and Dali, Ryan Reynolds wished his dog a happy birthday, PLEASE ADOPT, DON’T SHOP 

Page 11: Tom Brady’s first game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans, Russell Dickerson and wife Kailey welcomes their first child Remington Edward, Bethenny Frankel during a surf lesson in the Hamptons 

Page 12: Royals Back Out & About -- Camilla Duchess of Cornwall visited the Medical Detection Dogs training center where trials are underway to determine if dogs can detect COVID-19, newlywed Princess Beatrice stepped out for a shopping trip in London as her husband waited in the car nearby, Prince William attended a Police Service of Northern Ireland Wellbeing Volunteer Training course in Belfast 

Page 15: Scoop -- Katie Holmes’ hot new romance with Emilio Vitolo Jr. 

Page 16: When they announced their split The Bachelor’s Colton Underwood and Cassie Randolph said they’d remain friends but that is decidedly not the case -- Cassie was granted a restraining order against Colton claiming he showed up unannounced outside her Southern California home and placed a tracking device on her car

Page 17: Tyra Banks takes charge on Dancing with the Stars 

Page 18: Heart Monitor -- Lily Allen and David Harbour just married, Justin and Hailey Bieber happy anniversary, Jacob Elordi and Kaia Gerber new couple

Page 20: Tenet’s John David Washington on fame and family and a bold new movie, Baby Boom -- Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester 

Page 21: Kate Gosselin accuses Jon Gosselin of abuse 

Page 22: Passages, Why I Care -- after losing her brother to leukemia when they were kids Cindy Crawford is raising awareness about pediatric cancer 

Page 23: Diana Rigg 1938-2020 

Page 24: Stories to make you smile 

Page 27: People Picks -- Ratched 

Page 28: Micky Guyton -- Bridges, Q&A with Chris Messina

Page 29: Blackbird, Unpregnant 

Page 30: The Devil All the Time, Long Way Up 

Page 31: Antebellum 

Page 32: Books 

Page 34: Cover Story -- Terror in the Woods -- Jack Gershman and his dad Ari were off-roading in a California forest when they stopped to get their bearings and a stranger opened fire -- Ari was murdered and Jack escaped into the wilderness running for his life 

Page 40: Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson -- she’s still my closest friend -- in a new book the country star and his sibling and longtime musical collaborator look back on their tragedies and triumphs 

Page 45: Regina King -- all hail the king! -- the winner of 3 Emmys and an Oscar just directed her first film and is loving every minute of being on top 

Page 48: Tragedy on the West Coast -- it’s like the end of the world -- unprecedented wildfires in California and Oregon and Washington turn millions of acres into ash forcing thousands to flee and choking the region with toxic smoke 

Page 52: Pauly Shore -- still crazy after all these years -- the ‘90s comedy star survived a career implosion and coped with private grief and now at 52 he’s ready to be his goofy self again 

Page 56: Lady Gaga and her mom Cynthia Germanotta -- how we healed our relationship -- the star and her mother’s new book Channel Kindness was inspired by their own journey from trauma to understanding 

Page 58: Gabourey Sidibe -- you’re lucky to have me -- the actress is feeling some serious swagger these days with a new movie and a live-in love and a blessed career turn 

Page 60: The Home Edit founders Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer -- building an empire organizing stars’ stuff -- two Nashville moms had the idea that getting rid of clutter could be fun and pretty and now they’re celebrity gurus and TV stars 

Page 65: The It Gets Better Project: 10 Years Later -- I learned how to really live -- as a closeted LGBTQ teen Lark Doolan contemplated taking his own life and now as an openly trans man he reflects on the video series that helped him find hope 

Page 68: Kim Cattrall -- finding joy in letting go -- the former Sex and the City star is back on TV with a hot new show and ready to move on from the past 

Page 70: Coronavirus in America -- back to school -- as the pandemic continues to claim lives parents and students and teachers and administrators around the nation share their hopes and fears for this strange new school year 

Page 74: Country singer Lauren Alaina -- single and stronger than ever -- following two painful breakups the country star is embracing independence after healing her heart 

Page 76: The Fall family survival guide 

Page 81: Melanie Griffith -- what my life’s really like -- the actress opens up about finding balance and staying friends with her exes and managing all this group texting 

Page 82: Style -- it’s time to update your underwear drawer 

Page 87: Second Look -- Evan Rachel Wood and Gina Rodriguez in Kajillionaire 

Page 88: One Last Thing -- Ziggy Marley -- the Grammy winner and dad of seven is releasing a new kids’ album

[msjr0119]

One Temptation

Part 4

*This new series is based on The Royal Romance characters who belong to Pixelberry - AU Plot switch*

Riley Brooks moves back to New York after leaving five years prior- struggling to get by in life she wanted to go home. After getting mugged, a woman and man come to her rescue and offer her a job at their strip club. A rich business man Liam Rhys is forced to visit the club as part of his bachelor party. What will happen that night?

Warnings: Swearing, Smut, drunk antics 🤣

Tags-if you want to be removed let me know 😊: @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @drakesensworld @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @dangerouseggseagleartisan @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415 @notoriouscs @whenyourheartskipsabeat @jovialyouthmusic @nz1091 @yukinagato2012 @indiacater @seriouslybadchoices @rainbowsinthestorm @cordonianroyalty @dcbbw @qammh-blog @beardedoafdonutwagon @jared2612 @princess-geek

*******

Liam walked towards the strip club- not knowing exactly why. Forcing himself to see the girl who’s heart he broke all those years ago.

Liam entered his penthouse after work, noticing the light off- he switched it on. Jumping out of his skin- he didn’t know that Madeleine was there.

“Why are you sitting in the dark? You scared me.”

“Care to inform me as to why Alice is going out with Leo tomorrow?”

“He’s her uncle! It’s about time that he knew about her and spent time with her!”

“You went behind my back Liam!”

“So what DARLING? You and me are over... I’m fighting for full custody and I want you to leave as soon as possible. You are nothing to me apart from the mother of my child. You were the biggest mistake of my life.”

“Good luck with that!”

“I beg your pardon.”

“You heard me Liam, how do you even know that she’s yours?” Madeleine smirked knowing she was getting under his skin. Sipping the glass of wine- she laughed in his face. “When she was conceived, I was still sleeping with your brother remember. Except I knew that you’d be the better option to be a father...”

“You are despicable. You should stop drinking. Alice is mine whether you like it or not.”

“She may not be... did you know Riley had a pregnancy scare when you cheated on her with me?” Liam’s heart sunk, he had only ever imagined a family with Riley. Assuming that Madeleine was lying with what she had just said- his fists clenched.

“You are sick, a disgusting vile creature Madeleine. I’ll see you in court!”

After his argument with Madeleine there were doubts racing through his mind about the true paternity of Alice. If Alice wasn’t his daughter- he had nothing to lose, he knew he’d win back Riley. Surely? Noticing Riley, he walked straight over to her.

“Hello Riley.”

“Oh hi. Please don’t cause any trouble Liam after the last time you was here.”

“I won’t I promise, I just need a drink, and a friend.”

“I’m working Liam, I can’t talk much.” Reaching over to grab her hand, she fixated her gaze on him. He looked broken.

“I’ll ask if I can have my break. I’ll meet you over by the booth.” Watching him walk of to the booth, she noticed his face fall into his hands. She wasn’t a bitch, before they began dating they were close friends- if he was sincere about his intentions of being there, she would talk to him as a friend.

“So what’s up?” Sliding a scotch towards him, she provided a soft smile.

“I don’t think my daughter is mine, she said she slept with Leo around the same time.”

“Maybe the two of you need to learn how to put something on the end of it? I’m sorry Liam, but this is karma for you.” A sly smirk appeared on her face, but she couldn’t bitch about Madeleine when she herself had slept with the two brothers.

“Don’t you see? If she isn’t mine, we can start again? I’ll make it up to you a thousand times over. I know you still love me and could forgive me deep down Ri.”

“I do still love you- I’ve never denied that. But...” Liam forced his lips on to hers, expecting for her to slap him he was confused when she didn’t. Deepening the kiss, he placed his arms around her- he had missed her. Not giving two fucks that Drake had escaped, he knew he wasn’t with Maxwell so he had gone elsewhere.

“Bastien? What the fuck? Where is he?”

“I don’t know? I’m sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”

“For fucks sake!” Storming over to Maxwell’s, he banged on the door. Hoping that Drake was there.

“Liam? Can I help you?”

“Is Drake here?”

“Why would be here? He’s in Texas isn’t he?” Maxwell knew what Liam had done, and he knew to not keep Drake at their apartment- not only for Drake’s safety but also for his.

“Can I check that he isn’t here at least?”

“I’m not stupid liam, but sure check every crevice if you need to. If you do find him please do let me know .”

Knowing she didn’t resist the kiss, he was making it his aim to win her back.

“Liam, I’m so sorry. That shouldn’t have happened. It can’t happen again. I think you should leave.” Touching her lips with her fingertips, she immediately regretted what she had just done. Feeling frustrated with herself, she couldn’t make eye contact with him.

“Ri, I felt something that I haven’t in a long time. Please just give me a chance.”

“I can’t Liam I’m sorry. Please.”

“Okay, I’m sorry Riley. I do love you- I always have and I always will do.” Holding her hand he had hoped that she would see that he was telling the truth- he knew he had messed up. Opening her mouth she was about to respond breaking his heart, knowing she could never forget what he had done.

“Liam?”

“Leo? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same. Are you okay Ri?”

“Yes, I’ll be ready in an hour Leo. Goodbye Liam.” To avoid the awkwardness, she gave Liam a quick hug before returning to work.

“What are you playing at Leo? Ready in an hour?”

“I’m taking her out with Max. She’s been down since Drake left- I assume that was down to you?” Folding his arms, his eyebrows raised- wondering what wonderful bullshit Liam would produce out of his constant lying mouth.

“Maybe you are right. I need her back, Drake was in the way. She kissed me back- she loves me.”

“You lost her a long time ago- you didn’t see how broken she was- who was there picking up the pieces? Me! I care about her, she’s one of my closest friends. Get Drake back now!”

“What do you mean you picked up the pieces? I can’t- I don’t know where he is.”

“Oh Liam, whilst you was fucking Madeleine. I went to find the apparent love of your life- I found her. I spent a week with her trying to convince her to come back.”

Leo arrived in Florida six months after Riley abruptly left New York, not knowing exactly where Riley would be- he needed a miracle. He had heard in the past of her talking about her Gran in Tampa Bay. It would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

After a few days of searching for her- he had given up hope. Sitting down at the fountain in Hyde Village- he had given up hope. Wishing she wasn’t stubborn and kept in touch with the people who cared for her. Believing it was his imagination, he stood up seeing the brunette walk past him.

“Riley Brooks.” Turning around slowly, she recognised that familiar voice- the colour drained from her face as if she had seen a ghost.

“L- Leo? What are you doing here?”

“I could kill you at times Missy- we’ve all missed you. It’s a free country, I don’t have to explain why I’m here. How are you doing?”

“I’m better, thank you. How are you? You look more toned.”

“Do you like what you see? It’s what single life does to you... sends you to the gym.” Winking at her, he always flirted with her in the past- it was typical Leo.

“You look good Leo, but I have to go. My Gran is expecting me.”

“Let me take you out tonight please.” Looking into his piercing eyes, she couldn’t resist saying no to one of her best friends- in the back of her mind she was contemplating what his true intentions were for showing up unexpectedly.

“Leo, I’m not interested in Liam. If that’s why you’re here.”

“No, I’m here as a friend.”

“Oh sorry. No funny business though alright Leo? Don’t be getting us into trouble.” Remembering back to the good old days, Leo nearly got them all arrested one night- laughing at the memory she knew if she refused he would be persistent in persuading her to reconsider.

“I can’t promise that.”

“Come back with me then we will go out. I just need to give her her medication and make her some food, change her catheter...”

“Is that why you left? I didn’t realise she was that poorly.”

“No, I left because of Madeleine and Liam- I didn’t realise either until I arrived. Come with me to my grans?” Leo nodded, Riley suggested this as she didn’t want to arrange meeting him somewhere that he wasn’t used to.

Walking to Riley’s grans, Leo’s heart sunk watching Riley fuss over her gran- she was selfless and attentive.

“So where are you wining and dining me Rhys?” Riley was used to Liam treating her to five star Michelin restaurants- she didn’t really appreciate the grand gestures as she was more of a greasy junk food type of girl.

“That is upto you... I’ll let you decide.”

“I know the place, come upstairs with me whilst I get ready- I don’t want you feeling awkward.” Leo covered his eyes as she got herself ready just to provide her with a bit of dignity. He was tempted to peek, but respected her more.

“Whatcha think?”

“You’re beautiful... Erm... I didn’t... I ... you look good Ri.”

“Why Leo, I’ve never seen you this flustered before. Are you okay? Come on....”

“So I know you don’t want to talk about him- but how are you feeling regarding him.”

“I’m still heartbroken, I cry myself to sleep every night- every time I close my eyes I see her smirk in my mind. I just need to move on- have a rebound, get over him.”

“I’ll make you a deal- we will help each other pull tonight, they both fucked us over- we both need to release.”

“Deal!”

After a meal, they headed over to a bar. Leo did his usual trick attempting to pull- it wasn’t working as he had expected it to. Riley sat the bar witnessing him failing - laughing to herself she felt sorry for him. Ordering them both another drink- Leo disappeared out of her view, smiling she had hoped that he had finally pulled. Someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Hey beautiful, are you alone.”

“Yes. No. I’m with a friend.”

“Shame. Are you single? You know if you are I could change that?” Feeling his warm breath linger in her ear- her skin crawled.

“Sorry, I really need to go. Nice meeting you.” ‘Not’, she muttered.

“Don’t go, I haven’t got started yet!”

“Get your hands off me you creep!” Leo returned from the bathroom, seeing the commotion- witnessing Riley slap the man.

“Hey, are you okay? Hey mate get your hands off my girl.”

“She gave me the impression that she was single.”

“Not anymore.” Leo cupped her cheeks forcing a kiss on her lips- Riley knew it was for show so decided to go along with it hoping the creep would move into his next victim.

“You okay?” Pulling her towards him, he watched the man walk away- hoping he wouldn’t bother Riley again, as he would sure teach him a lesson in how to respect women.

“Just peachy Leo, thank you. Why do I always attract the bad eggs?” She laughed trying to make a joke out of the bad situation.

“At least you pull. How about we go back to my hotel room and raid the mini bar? No creeps involved.” Heading towards the exit, she turned around wondering why he was hesitating leaving.

“What are you still doing here? Come on Rhys.” Holding her hand out towards him, he eventually snapped out of his gaze- and led her to the hotel.

Arriving at the hotel room, they decided to play drinking games both becoming intoxicated far too quickly. Both laughing like the old days- they collapsed on the couch, she had missed Leo as well as Maxwell and Bertrand. Hoping that eventually she could return back to New York.

“We should have just stayed here- avoided you pulling creeps, avoided me becoming embarrassed at the lack of pulling.” Snuggling into him, she laughed- they were both useless.

“Do you ever think about what our futures would have been like if they didn’t cheat on us?” Leo looked at her, noticing that her smile had soon disappeared- seeing the tears fall down her cheeks, he caressed both cheeks.

“Well I’d have potentially been in prison for murdering her. I think you and Liam would have been married, had kids- I’d be the cool wind up merchant uncle.”

“The biggest wind up merchant. I’ve missed you Leo- you’re still one of my closest friends.”

“Likewise Brooks. Do you miss him? I don’t miss her one bit.”

“Of course I do. I’m just sexually frustrated as I still love him. I wish I could forgive and forget -but I can’t. If I did he would do it all over and over again. He would continue to make a mug out of me.”

Leo too was sexually frustrated, an idea popped into his head but he knew she would potentially slap him as she was in that kind of mood.

“He was an idiot letting you go. Please don’t slap me, but I have a suggestion. How about you and I... help each other... no strings attached. I’m here for a week or so...”

“Why would I slap you?”

“Because you may think that I’m using you- but you admitted that you are sexually frustrated as am I... we can just you know.” Riley always thought Leo was attractive- he was a Rhys after all. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the desire to just have sex that made her crash her lips onto him.

“Have you got a condom?” She asked breathlessly.

“Of course I do... just for precaution.”

Leo turned to face her, knowing he was now the one breaking the brother code- no matter how appalling Liam was towards her, he was still his brother- his brother who betrayed both him as well as her. Hesitantly pulling her towards him- he didn’t know what to expect as she was one of his closest friends. He believed that she was beautiful, there was no denying that. In the back of his mind, they were both each other’s rebound- no strings. But he didn’t care- if they could both make each other happy as friends with benefits- he was intending on doing it. Both their heartbeats increasing, they both closed the distance, matching baby blues containing desire. Their lips crashed onto each other’s as if their lives depended on it. His tongue slid across her cherry bud lips before entering inside her mouth, starting off gentle but soon turned demanding- their tongues battling against each other. Riley’s fingers ran through his hair - knowing it was just sex, she inhaled the familiar scent, it was as if she was sleeping with Liam again. Leo’s hands held her hips, pulling her closer to his muscled chest.

The kisses became more passionate as the time went by. Leading her over to the bed, they stripped each other’s clothes off eagerly- pausing to admire each other’s bodies. Falling backwards on to the bed she pulled him down towards her.

“ Are you sure about this Ri?”

“Yes. Stop teasing me Leo. We both need this.” Not sure if it was the alcohol that made her feel intoxicated, or the presence of someone with her- she didn’t care, she wanted him. All of him. Staring into her eyes, they pleaded with him, he nodded in response. Her heart began pounding as he stood up, placing the condom on before he forgot- licking her lips, he smirked rather than physically responding to her by speaking.

Gently cupping her cheeks as he hovered over her, he kissed her forehead. Guiding her hands above her head, he held them with one hand- whilst his other hand explored her body, circling her breasts- before kissing her hard.

“This is going to feel so strange, if you want me to stop just tell me.”

“Leo, just shut up and kiss me. It’s just sex remember. ”

Leo slid his hand between her legs- positioning his fingers and thumb at her entrance. The slightest touch, made her damp- Leo wasn’t expecting her to be like that. Kissing her neck, whilst working his thumb over her clit in a tantalising rhythm, she couldn’t contain her moans, hearing her scream him name made him want to skip pleasuring her and just get to the main part. All her muscles began to quiver- Leo smirked knowing he was showing how to treat a girl. Seeing her breathless already, he removed his fingers, replacing them with his tongue instead. Witnessing her eyes widen, he wondered how long it had been for her since she had this pleasure. Was Liam the last man to taste her?

“You taste so good, baby girl.” He said before plunging his tongue deeper inside. “Fuck!” Riley screamed, as she dug her nails into back- making the slightest mark. Removing his tongue, he placed his fingers there giving her that bit more pleasure- smiling at her as her whole body trembled.

Before she could recover from the actions he had performed on her, he rubbed against her entrance, before forcing his cock inside of her. Holding that position, their eyes fixated on each other. Slowly Leo began to thrust in and out at a steady speed, before increasing it- hitting her deeper. “You feel so good, Leo.”

His thrusts were powerful as their bodies collided in sync perfectly together. “This is just the start baby.” After a while his movements slowed down, as he released himself.

“Well that wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be. Thanks Ri, you’re amazing you know that?” Riley opened her eyes, as Leo removed himself off her, laying at the side of her. Both staring vacant up at the ceiling. Holding his hand, she turned to face him. “No it wasn’t awkward at all. So what are we now? Fuck buddies” She laughed whilst snuggling into his embrace. Both breathless, they laid in silence- until Riley heard him take a deep breath.

“Come back to New York with me, it is your home. We all miss you. Maxwell and Bertrand especially.”

“Leo, I cant. Not whilst my gran is poorly. Maybe in the future. Thank you for tonight- I really needed it.”

“So did I. You’re amazing Ri. Best friends, friends with benefits. No strings.”

“Damn right Rhys.”

“So if you’re free tomorrow... how about you show me around your new stomping grounds?”

“Is that all you want to do?” Leo looked at her puzzled, with the seductive tone of voice she had provided.

“Yes. What do you take me for? You could show me around, then I’ll thank you by doing this...” Kissing her neck, she immediately felt turned on once again. He could see it in her eyes, rolling her on to him- they both gave each other that knowing look.

“Round two Miss Brooks?”

“We slept together for that whole week- she soon forgot about you. What are you going to do? Get rid of me too? You lost her. Get over it! I’ll pick Alice up at ten in the morning.”

“How could you do that to me?” Riley looked over at the two men, Leo looked smug- whilst Liam looked as if he was about to break down uncontrollably. Feeling her heart beat increase, she was intrigued as to what was included in their discussion.

“No strings attached my dear brother. She was single, as she was single when she slept with Drake. Don’t worry there wasn’t any feelings between us- it was just sex. If you love her you’d let her go Li. Just think about it. Oh and remember if she knew what you did to Drake, she would never forgive you. Maybe you should find him and make amends!”

*****

Liam stormed out of the club and made his way back to his penthouse- Madeleine was in her designer dressing gown. Pulling her up from the sofa, he pulled her into the bedroom. No strings attached, he thought.

******

Leo and Riley met Maxwell at Kismet, the friends kept drinking shots- all almost ready to pass out. Riley noticed that Leo’s gaze was fixated on the red head at the bar.

“Hey, Max. I think Leo likes her over there look.” Maxwell followed to where Riley’s finger was pointing. “He’s hypnotised, shall we play matchmaker?” Maxwell nodded, he was too drunk to function correctly- he needed to inform her about Drake. Waiting for the right opportunity, he knew if Leo copped off with the stranger he could talk to her in private.

“Hey, my name is Riley and this is my friend Maxwell.”

“Olivia.” Maxwell pulled the stranger and Riley into a group hug- the alcohol had gone straight to his head.

“Nice to meet you Olivia. Our friend over there the handsome blonde with the piercing blue eyes can’t take his eyes off you. Would you like to join us for a drink?” Olivia looked over, and saw Leo wink at her.

“He looks like a player. Not my type sorry.”

“He’s not a player. He’s a good shag.” Maxwell looked confused at the statement. How the fuck does Riley know? This woman is going to kill us if he’s a shit shag.

“And how would you know? Are you his ex or something?”

“No, I’m his brothers ex. But I slept with him for a week- no strings attached- so i know he’s a good shag. You won’t regret it. Give him a chance. I’ll pay you $20 to just talk to him.” Olivia smirked, grabbing the money she walked over to Leo- winking at his two wingmen, leo was grateful for their spontaneous matchmaking.

“We need words now Riley!”

“Max, I need more shots- I’m not leaving this bar until I have them. I’m missing Drake- how could he leave me?” Beginning to cry, she would regret this drunk breakdown over a man she hardly knew.

“So when did you and Leo sleep together?”

“In Florida, he came looking for me unlike you guys... sorry... it just happened. It meant nothing. The only person I’ve felt something towards left me.”

“I need to talk about that to you. We are going to Bertrand’s.”

“But I’ve just ordered these shots.”

“Drink up buttercup. Bertrand is expecting us.”

“What about Leo?” Both looking over towards the table, Leo had his tongue down Olivia’s throat- he wouldn’t care if his friends ditched him as he was most likely getting laid later that night.

“He’s fine with Olivia. Come on.”

*****

The cold air had hit the two friends walking from the cab towards Bertrand’s front door. Spying through the peep hole forgetting to knock on the door they both had giggles- not realising why Bertrand wasn’t answering.

“B... b.... let us innnn... pleasssee...”

“Bertrand... I need to wee. I’m going to do it ... on the door...”

“Don’t you dare... piss all over me Max. You’re disgusting....” Riley began banging on the door and pressing the buzzer frantically, as Maxwell whipped his cock out spraying all over the door.

“BERTRAND OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR NOW!!! Why are we here again? How much have we had to drink? I think I’m going to be sick!” Riley placed her ear next to door, hoping to hear footsteps. The door suddenly opened- both Riley and Maxwell fell through it landing on the floor.

“Hey Riley, are your legs open like that on the pole.”

“Fuck off Beaumont, I don’t dance.”

“You would do if I was a certain tall dark handsome strangerrr...Who are you?”

Both looking up they saw a woman staring at the two of them with a perplexed expression.

“Can I help you? Where’s B?”

“I’m Savannah, let me help you both up.”

“Riley! Maxwell! Can neither of you contain yourselves?” Both biting their lips, attempting to hold their laughter in- they knew they were in the doghouse.

“Savannah darling, please make them a strong black coffee.” Riley and Maxwell both looked at each other- before bursting out laughing. Riley decided to mimic Bertrand’s voice, much to his annoyance.

“Savannah darling, could you add a bit of Irish whiskey in it. I need it after the day I’ve had. Fucking Liam. Thanks babe.”

“What’s he done?”

“Kissed me. I pushed him away. Fucking wanker. Karmas hit him though - hard. I’ll explain tomorrow. So are we having one big sleepover B? I think we will have to sleep naked though. Have you got a spare toothbrush? Toothpaste? Where are we all sleeping?”

“Arsehole...forget the sleepover essentials... we’ll just be dirty stop outs for the night... I forgot why we actually came here... oh yeah... Ri. Go in the spare room.”

“Why?”

“Erm, there’s a secret stash of booze.” Bertrand shot him a stern stare. “Sorry she wants booze what else could I say?” He whispered to his older brother who just shook his head.

“Why didn’t ya say so before?” Stumbling into the spare room, she opened the door- believing she was hallucinating.

“D-Drake?”

[passiongracelb]

Bucket Full of Memories, Theme Parks around the United States

I love going to theme parks so here is a list of all the theme parks from around the United States

Alabama Alabama Splash Adventure, Bessemer Southern Adventures, Huntsville Spring Park, Tuscumbia Waterville USA, Gulf Shores Alaska Roadrunner Amusement Park, Anchorage ArizonaEdit Castles N' Coasters, Phoenix Enchanted Island, Phoenix Funtasticks Family Fun Park, Tucson Golf n' Stuff, Tucson Golfland Sunsplash, Mesa Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek Wildlife World, Litchfield Park Arkansas Fast Lane Entertainment, Lowell Funland Amusement Park, North Little Rock Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, Hot Springs California Northern California Blackbeard's Family Entertainment Center, Fresno Boomers, Fresno Funderland, Sacramento Fun Town at Micke Grove, Lodi Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy Golfland, Castro Valley, Milpitas, Roseville, San Jose, and Sunnyvale Kiwanis Kiddieland, Merced Roseville Golfland Sunsplash, Roseville Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Scandia Amusements, Rohnert Park and Sacramento Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, Sonoma San Francisco California's Great America, Santa Clara Children's Fairyland, Oakland Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, San Jose Pixieland Amusement Park, Concord Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo Los Angeles Golf 'N' Stuff, Norwalk Mountasia Family Fun Center, Valencia Pacific Park, Santa Monica Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia SpeedZone Los Angeles Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City Orange County Adventure City, Anaheim Boomers, Fountain Valley Disneyland Resort Disney California Adventure, Anaheim Disneyland, Anaheim Golfland, Anaheim Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park Riverside County Castle Park, Riverside San Bernardino County Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Big Bear Lake Boomers, Upland Fiesta Village Family Fun Park, Colton Scandia Amusement Park, Ontario and Victorville San Diego Belmont Park, San Diego Boomers, El Cajon Frasier's Frontier, El Cajon Legoland California, Carlsbad SeaWorld San Diego ColoradoEdit Elitch Gardens, Denver Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs Heritage Square, Golden Lakeside Amusement Park, Lakeside Mile High Flea Market, Henderson City Park, Pueblo Santa's Workshop, Cascade ConnecticutEdit Lake Compounce, Bristol Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury Delaware Funland, Rehoboth Beach Jungle Jim's Adventure World, Rehoboth Beach Florida North Florida Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach Big Kahuna's, Destin Cobra Adventure Park, Panama City Beach Fast Eddies Fun Center, Pensacola Race City PCB, Panama City Beach Sam's Fun City & Sam's Surf City, Pensacola Shipwreck Island, Panama City Beach Wild Willy's Adventure Zone, Fort Walton Beach Central Florida Andretti Thrill Park, Melbourne Boardwalk Amusements, Daytona Beach Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Celebration Station, Clearwater Daytona Lagoon, Daytona Beach Dinosaur World, Plant City Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island Legoland Florida, Winter Haven Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee Greater Orlando Fun Spot America - Kissimmee, Kissimmee Fun Spot America - Orlando, Orlando Gatorland, Orlando Give Kids the World Village, Kissimmee Holy Land Experience, Orlando Magical Midway, Orlando Old Town, Kissimmee SeaWorld Orlando Discovery Cove, Orlando SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida, Orlando Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake Disney's Hollywood Studios, Bay Lake Epcot, Bay Lake Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake South Florida Kidstar Park, Port Charlotte Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami Uncle Bernie's Amusement Park, Fort Lauderdale Zoomers Family Amusement Park, Fort Myers Beach Georgia Adventure Crossing, Augusta All American Fun Park, Albany Alpine Park, Helen Black Mountain Alpine Coaster, Helen Fun Spot Atlanta, Fayetteville Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell Wild Adventures, Valdosta Hawaii Maui Golf and Sports Park, Wailuku Sea Life Park Hawaii, Oahu IdahoEdit Silverwood Theme Park, Athol Wahooz Family Fun Zone, Meridian Yellowstone Bear World, Rexburg Illinois Donley's Wild West Town, Union Enchanted Castle, Lombard Go Bananas, Norridge Grady's Family Fun Park, Bloomington Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort, Utica Haunted Trails, Burbank and Joliet Knight's Action Park, Springfield Odyssey Fun World, Tinley Park Pirates Cove, Elk Grove Village Safari Land, Villa Park Santa's Village AZoosment Park, Dundee Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Gurnee Indiana Team Combat, Tactical Laser Tag for Adults, Teens & 8-12 Year Olds, Hobart Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus Indiana Beach, Monticello Iowa Adventureland, Altoona Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park Lost Island Amusement Park, Waterloo Kansas All Star Adventures, Wichita Kiddieland, Pittsburg Kentucky Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville Malibu Jack’s Indoor Theme Park, Lexington Louisiana Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin', Baton Rouge Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, New Orleans Celebration Station, Baton Rouge Maine Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach York's Wild Kingdom, York Beach Maryland Adventure Park USA, New Market Baja Amusements, Ocean City Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Ocean City Jolly Roger at the Pier, Ocean City Laugh Out Loud Stations, Greenbelt Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro Trimper's Rides, Ocean City Wisp Resort, McHenry Massachusetts Edaville USA, Carver Salem Willows, Salem Six Flags New England, Agawam Michigan A-Maze-N Mirrors, Mackinaw City Adventure Island Family Fun Park, Cadillac Arzo Sports & Fun Park, Alpena Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park, Comins CJ Barrymore's Family Entertainment Center, Clinton Township Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park, Pinconning Full Blast, Battle Creek Funland Amusement Park, Houghton Lake Jeepers, Sterling Heights Kokomo's Family Fun Center, Saginaw Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon Nelis' Dutch Village, Holland Minnesota Como Town, St. Paul Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington Paul Bunyan Land, Brainerd Spirit Mountain, Duluth Valleyfair, Shakopee Mississippi Brookhaven Exchange Club Park, Brookhaven Missouri Branson Coaster, Branson Branson Tracks, Branson Branson Mountain Adventure Park, Branson Hydro Adventures, Poplar Bluff Miner Mike's Adventure Town, Osage Beach Mountain Adventure Resort, Branson Silver Dollar City, Branson Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka Worlds of Fun, Kansas City MontanaEdit Amusement Park Drive In, Laurel Big Sky Water Park, Columbia Falls NebraskaEdit Fun-Plex, Omaha SkateDaze, Omaha Nevada Adventuredome, Las Vegas Akita Plaza, Las Vegas Buffalo Bill's, Primm Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix, Las Vegas Playland Park, Reno New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Stratosphere Las Vegas, Las Vegas Wild Island, Sparks New Hampshire Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett Candia Springs Adventure Park, Candia Canobie Lake Park, Salem Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park, North Conway Clark's Trading Post, Lincoln Fort Jefferson Fun Park, Jefferson Fun-World, Nashua Santa's Village, Jefferson Story Land, Glen New Jersey Action Park, Vernon Blackbeard's Cave, Bayville Bowcraft Playland, Scotch Plains Casino Pier, Seaside Heights Central Pier Arcade & Speedway, Atlantic City Clementon Amusement Park, Clementon Fantasy Island, Beach Haven Funplex, Mount Laurel Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Ocean City iPlay America, Freehold Jenkinson's Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach Keansburg Amusement Park, Keansburg Land of Make Believe, Hope Morey's Piers, Wildwood Playland's Castaway Cove, Ocean City Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Steel Pier, Atlantic City Wild West City [1], Byram Township, New Jersey Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Township New Mexico Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque Western Playland, Sunland Park New York Downstate New York Adventureland, Farmingdale Adventurers Family Entertainment Center, Brooklyn Country Fair Entertainment Park, Medford Boomer's Family Fun Center, Medford Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Brooklyn Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, Flushing Fantasy Shore Amusement Park, Staten Island Kids 'N Action, Brooklyn Luna Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn Playland, Rye Victorian Gardens, New York City Upstate New York Darien Lake, Darien Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland Hoffman's Playland, Latham Holiday Valley, Ellicottville Huck Finn's Playland, Albany Magic Forest Park, Lake George Fantasy Island, Grand Island Midway State Park, Maple Springs Legoland New York, Goshen (starting construction in 2017, planned to open in 2019)[1] Party Zone USA, Middletown Santa's Workshop, Wilmington Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Beach North Carolina Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park, Carolina Beach Carowinds, Charlotte Deadwood, Williamston Ghost Town Village, Maggie Valley Great Wolf Lodge, Concord NASCAR Speedpark, Concord Santa's Land, Cherokee Tweetsie Railroad, Boone North Dakota Grand Forks Theme Park, Grand Forks[citation needed](Scheduled) Super Slide Amusement Park, Bismarck Ohio The Beach at Adventure Landing, Mason Cedar Point, Sandusky Cherry Valley Lodge, Newark Comfort Inn Splash Harbor, Bellville Coney Island, Cincinnati Coshocton Lake Park Recreational Complex, Coshocton Erieview Park, Geneva FunTimes Fun Park, Alliance Howard's Apples Farm Market, Bainbridge Jungle Jack's Landing, Powell Kings Island, Mason Lincoln Park Family Aquatic Center, Marion Long's Retreat Family Resort, Latham Memphis Kiddie Park, Brooklyn Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park, Chardon Richland Carrosuel Park, Mansfield Sluggers & Putters, Canal Fulton Stricker's Grove, Ross Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park, Olmsted Township Tuscora Park, New Philadelphia Oklahoma Bell's Kiddieland, Tulsa Eagle Park, Cache Frontier City, Oklahoma City Kiddy Park, Bartlesville Oregon Enchanted Forest, Turner Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Pennsylvania Brandywine Picnic Park, West Chester Carousel Village at Indian Walk, Wrightstown Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Tipton Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown (Dorneyville) Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster Fun Fore All, Cranberry Township Hersheypark, Hershey Idlewild and Soak Zone, Ligonier Kennywood, West Mifflin Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg Lakemont Park, Altoona Pocono Play Park, East Stroudsburg Sesame Place, Langhorne Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony Waldameer Park, Erie Rhode Island Adventureland, Narragansett Atlantic Beach Park, Westerly South Carolina Broadway Grand Prix, Myrtle Beach Carowinds, Fort Mill Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park, North Myrtle Beach Pavilion Park, Myrtle Beach Pedroland, Dillon South Dakota Evan's Plunge, Hot Springs Flags & Wheels Indoor Racing, Rapid City Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone Storybook Island, Rapid City Thunder Road Family Fun Park, Aberdeen Tennessee Anakeesta Gatlinburg Goats on the Roof, Pigeon Forge Dollywood, Pigeon Forge Fun Stop, Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, Gatlinburg Incredible Pizza Company, Cordova The Island in Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge NASCAR Speedpark, Sevierville Ober Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Rockin' Raceway, Pigeon Forge Rowdy Bear Mountain Gatlinburg Sir Goony's Fun Zone, Chattanooga Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Pigeon Forge Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville Texas Adventure Kingdom, Lumberton Aquatica, San Antonio Austin's Park N Pizza, Pflugerville Downtown Aquarium, Houston Elise's Family Fun Center, Winnie Funtrackers, Corpus Christi Funplex, Houston Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Grand Texas Theme Park, New Caney (planned, opening April 2020) Joyland Amusement Park, Lubbock Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah Kiddie Park Of San Antonio, San Antonio Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio NRH2O, North Richland Hills Sandy Lake Amusement Park, Carrollton SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington Tilt Studio, Katy (inside Katy Mills) Wonderland Park, Amarillo YesterLand Farm, Canton ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin Zuma Fun Center, Houston Utah Boondocks Fun Center, Kaysville-Draper Cherry Hill Resort, Kaysville Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington Vermont Bromley, Vermont's Summer Adventure, Peru Killington Resort, Killington Virginia Atlantic Fun Park, Virginia Beach Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg Central Park Fun-Land, Fredericksburg Go-Karts Plus, Williamsburg Kings Dominion, Doswell Motor World, Virginia Beach Washington Pier 57, Seattle Remlinger Farms, Carnation Riverfront Park, Spokane Washington State Fair, Puyallup Wild Waves Theme Park, Federal Way West VirginiaEdit Camden Park, Huntington Wisconsin Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay Knucklehead's Bowling & Family Entertainment, Wisconsin Dells Little Amerricka, Marshall Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells Paul Bunyan's Adventure Golf, Wisconsin Dells Riverside Amusement Park, La Crosse Riverview Park & Waterworld, Wisconsin Dells Timbavatvi Wildlife Park/Storybook Gardens, Wisconsin Dells Timber Falls Adventure Park, Wisconsin Dells Wyoming Cowboy Carousel Center, Buffalo Puerto Rico Cayo Lobos Marine Park, Cayo Lobos Children's Dream Park, Añasco Fun Valley Park, Arecibo Jungle Park PR, Bayamón Parque de las Ciencias, Bayamón Villa Campestre, Guaynabo

[btghfl]

7 Most Common Myths About Investing In Real Estate in Florida

7 Most Common Myths About Florida Real Estate

Florida has a very popular image worldwide and its “sun, sand, and sea”. Everyone dreams of owning a property in Florida – some need a family home while others are looking for an investment property. Florida is a real estate investor’s dream destination. Great quality of life with excellent work-life balance, a growing population, and a thriving job market are the main reasons for such a boom in the real estate industry.

However, buying a property is a major decision and there are many myths about investing in the real estate market in Florida. Bay to Gulf Holdings debunks some of the common myths below:

1. Look for the right time 

There may be many websites and articles on the internet which claim to know the right time to invest in Florida. However, the reality is that even with detailed research and in-depth knowledge, a 100% accurate prediction is not possible. A thumb rule to go by is “there is a never bad time to start”. Investing in the real estate market is an important decision and once the buyer is ready to go ahead, there is no need to wait for the right time to arrive.  

2. Too expensive

It is a very common notion among international buyers that one needs a lot of money to invest in Florida. The reality is that there is a wide range of options for investors- starting from small cottages to more expensive luxury homes. Bay to Gulf Holdings can help to find the right property ensuring that the buyer makes a secure investment and enjoys benefits from their Florida holiday home. 

3. Florida is all about theme parks

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are top international tourist attractions. However, Florida has much more to offer than these theme parks. There is a very large coastline, stunning beaches, sleepy villages, and excellent natural wildlife habitats that offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. To top it all, Florida has near-perfect weather with temperatures ranging from 61 ºF to 82 ºF.

4. Never offer full price

Buyers tend to offer a price way lower than the asking price to save money. However, particularly if the buyer is looking for a luxury home, this low-price offer may not be a good option. Luxury homes are generally in high demand in Florida. The best thing to do would be to offer a competitive price. BTGH can provide advice on the right price to offer for quick and transparent purchases.

5. It is better to do it yourself than through a realtor

Real estate investment should not be treated as a DIY project. The reality is that it is always better to have the advice of a real estate firm. A professional firm will: 

Have access to properties that are not listed online

Have excellent negotiation skills

Provide help with the legal formalities of the purchase

Be able to find a property that suits the buyer’s pocket 

Have information on which property may be coming up for sale in future

6. Some properties are available at their lowest rates

Some buyers believe it is better to look for an investment property that is available at their lowest rates. The reality is that such properties might require a lot of renovation/repair and might come with many hidden costs, thus burning a hole in the buyer’s pocket. It is necessary to conduct inspections thoroughly before buying. 

7. Too young to invest

Young buyers are prone to procrastinating and speculating. Investing in real estate is a great option that can provide good returns later on in life. Young investors can take advantage of their age and risk-taking ability. Starting early helps to reduce mortgages and by making the right investment early on, they can reap the rewards of property appreciation for a long time.

Why Bay to Gulf Holdings?

Bay to Gulf Holdings is a leading real estate investment company in Tampa, Florida.

BTGH has years of expertise in providing the best investment opportunities and comprehensive real estate investment management services.

Contact Bay To Gulf Holdings now at (813) 476-3199 or investment.team@btgh.com to find the most suitable real estate investment opportunity.

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source https://btgh.com/press-releases/7-most-common-myths-about-investing-in-real-estate-in-florida/

[soclaimon]

How buyers are living large in tiny houses #SootinClaimon.Com

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/property/30396718?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral How buyers are living large in tiny houses

Oct 25. 2020

Tim Mastic in front of his tiny house in the Escape Tampa Bay Village community in Florida. MUST CREDIT: David Peterson. 

By Special to The Washington Post · Harriet…

[scienceinnovation]

Black Seminoles Native Americans

Black Seminoles, Maroons and Freedom Seekers in Florida, Part 1: Early Freedom Seekers in Florida Long before Florida was a U. S. state, it was home to diverse freedom seekers who found refuge from slavery, established thriving communities and prospered on Florida's frontier. Part 1 of this series looks at Florida's earliest African Ancestored inhabitants and how they lived their lives. Florida's Native Inhabitants Florida' original inhabitants were southeastern Native Americans who had occupied the land for many generations. These were the native populations that European explorers such as Panfilo de Narvaez and Hernando De Soto encountered when they made landfall on the Florida peninsula and set out to explore the interior of North America. As Europeans sought to colonize the New World, southeastern North America became a contested area for Spain, England and France. After 1776, the United States also joined the colonial struggle for control of the southeast. The Florida peninsula in particular was much sought after by imperials who hoped to control the rich and strategic shipping routes in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico (Milanich 1995). Image: Black Seminole Subchief Gopher John With Kind Permission of the Florida State Archives Online

The arrival of European explorers and conquistadors in the mid sixteenth century marked the beginning of a drastic population decline that characterized European contact and colonialism in North America. During the First Spanish Period (before 1763) the Spanish Crown had a tenuous hold on her La Florida colony, and could never invest the money or military resources needed to defend the colony. Instead, the Crown relied upon a system of mission settlements designed to Christianize the native inhabitants and create a population buffer along the borders of the Spanish frontier (Mahon and Weisman 1996). Florida’s native populations, who came into extensive contact with early explorers and Spanish colonials, were severely impacted by the Spanish presence and were nearly extinct by the year 1700. The Spanish sought to repopulate the La Florida colony by welcoming Native Americans and African Ancestored people from other parts of southeastern North America who would pledge their allegiance to Spain (Mahon and Weisman 1996). Early Freedom Seekers in Florida As early as 1687, the Spanish government had unofficially offered asylum to British slaves, in an attempt to break Britain’s economic stronghold in the borderlands around Spanish Florida. In 1693 that asylum was made official when the Spanish crown offered limited freedom to any slave escaping to Spanish Florida who would accept Catholicism. When the English established the border colony of Georgia in 1733, the Spanish Crown made it known once again that runaways would find freedom in Spanish Florida, in return for Catholic conversion and a term of four years in service to the crown (Riordan 1996:25). Fort Mose: Fortress of Freedom Incoming freedom seekers were recognized as free, mustered into the Spanish militia and placed into service at the Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose military fort north of St. Augustine, which was established in 1783. Their leader, who had fled from slavery in the English Carolina colony, was known to the Spaniards as Francisco Menendez. In 1740, English forces led by James Oglethorpe attacked and destroyed the fort, sending its inhabitants to the refuge of St. Augustine, where they lived until Fort Mose was rebuilt near its old location in 1752. Florida was ceded to the English in 1763 and most of the inhabitants, including many black militia troops, migrated to Cuba with the evacuating Spanish. Other black militia members chose to stay and make their lives in English Florida (Landers 1999; Landers and MacMahon 1995). Africans and Native Americans The incoming English government soon learned that Florida was a magnet to Africans and African Americans in North America who sought freedom from slavery. Once in Florida, freedom seekers encountered the Creek and Seminole Native Americans who had established settlements there at the invitation of the Spanish government. Those who chose to make their lives among the Creeks and Seminoles were welcomed into Native American society. Governor John Moultrie wrote to the English Board of Trade in 1771 that “It has been a practice for a good while past, for negroes to run away from their Masters, and get into the Indian towns, from whence it proved very difficult to get them back.” When British government officials pressured the Seminoles to return runaway slaves, they replied that they had merely given hungry people food, and invited the slaveholders to catch the runaways themselves (Schafer 2001:96). Creek and Seminole “Slaves” Porter (1996) states that during British rule, government officials had presented Creek and Seminole leaders with “King’s gifts” of slaves in return for service to the crown. Some Seminole chiefs also began to buy enslaved Africans at this time; noting the prestige that both the Spanish and English attached to slave ownership. They frequently paid in cattle for such purchases (Simmons 1822:75). By the 1790s, wealth was increasingly determined by slave ownership. By 1793, Alachua leader King Payne, nephew of the Alachua immigrant Cowkeeper, was reported to have owned twenty slaves (Weisman 2000:141). The Seminoles’ concept of slavery was very different than that of the whites. While it is true that the Creeks and Seminoles had taken slaves before blacks came among them in appreciable numbers, these were frequently war captives, who were expected to fill the labor demands of warriors lost in battles. Some were eventually adopted into the tribe, especially if they intermarried with their new captors, which was often encouraged (Covington 1993). Even though early Seminole settlers in Florida are said to have owned “a considerable number of Yamassee slaves” (Covington 1993:13), these were generally well treated, and children born to Seminole Indians and Yamassee captives were not considered slaves (Covington 1993:14). Thus, Seminole society had no cultural antecedent of chattel slavery to govern their relations with their new “possessions.” When the new wave of runaway slaves began to pour into Florida, The Seminoles provided them with tools for building houses and planting crops. Black Seminoles lived apart from their masters in a sort of vassalage, enjoyed great personal freedom, owned property and livestock, and were indebted to their “masters” only for a share of their yearly productions, and for military allegiance. Inhabitants of each town were formally linked by tribute and allegiance obligations to the Seminole village of their master. These Africans, an Indian agent reported, also had “horses, cows and hogs, with which the Indian owner never presumed to meddle” (Klos 1989:59). They were of course required to provide the Seminoles with a portion of the slaughter, but retained for themselves all of their surplus productions from animal husbandry (Porter 1996:5). According to Porter, “It was a mutually beneficial relationship. The ‘owner’ provided protection, and the ‘slave’ paid a modest amount in return. This arrangement was, obviously, quite different from traditional plantation bondage” (Porter 1996:5). Early Black Seminole and Maroon Communities By the time of the Revolutionary War, Florida had been a haven for runaway slaves for more than seventy years. The outbreak of hostilities of the Revolution afforded enslaved persons yet another opportunity to give their masters the slip, and they did so in great numbers. Many of these freedom seekers found shelter among the Seminoles. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, there were already established Black Seminole villages near major Seminole towns with an estimated 430 inhabitants. By the end of the Revolution, hundreds of East Florida plantation slaves were unaccounted for. Some fled to the Seminoles, while others established maroon communities, encountered little colonial government oversight and enjoyed peaceful relations with Seminoles and Black Seminoles (Riordan 1996). By 1800, Black Seminoles and maroons had established several more villages in the area between the Apalachicola River and Tampa Bay (Weisman 2000). Black Seminole Society Mulroy provides us with a comparison of the daily lives of the Seminoles and Black Seminoles: “These maroons lived in much the same way as the Seminoles. They resided in cabins of palmetto planks lashed to upright posts and thatched with leaves. They also dressed like southeastern Indians” (Mulroy 1993:20). Many other aspects of Seminole and Black Seminole existence were the same: “The economic arrangements of the black and Indian towns were similar, being based upon communal agriculture and hunting, the only significant difference being that the Africans apparently were the more successful farmers and owned more property than the Seminoles” (Mulroy 1993:20). While many aspects of the two groups’ daily lives were similar, others were quite distinct. According to Mulroy, “The differences formed the bases of the maroons’ ethnicity and defined them as a people” (Mulroy 1993:22). Although the Black Seminoles quickly mastered the language of their allies, their primary language was a Creole tongue related to Gullah. Religious beliefs and traditions also differed from those of the Seminole and frequently incorporated African, Creole, Spanish, and Indian elements, reflecting the diverse origins and experiences of Black Seminole society members (Mulroy 1993:22). As was Seminole society, Black Seminole society was stratified. Some community members were field hands; others warriors; and still others occupied the high status of “chief negro” or “sense bearer.” The latter were interpreters and even advisors to their Seminole “masters;” chosen because of their knowledge of the language and customs of the whites (Porter 1996:6; Weisman 2000:142). Some of their names survive. Abraham stood in this relationship to Micanopy, Harry to Eneha Micco or Emathloche, John Caesar to King Philip and Whan to King Payne (Brown 1991:39; Simmons 1822:76). The first Black Seminoles were a culturally diverse group of individuals who drew together for a common purpose: to pursue the relative freedom of life among Native Americans over enslavement to the Europeans or Americans. Some had been born in Africa and were first generation former slaves, while others were born into plantation slavery. Some were skilled craftpersons; having been sailors, carpenters, cooks, bakers, shoemakers and other technicians in servitude (Landers 1995). As time passed, others were born among the Seminole or other Indian nations, and followed their customs from birth. Wright describes their manner of dress: “They dressed like natives—in stroud cloth flaps, moccasins, leggings, linen or cotton shirts, knee-length coats, and cloth turbans often adorned with ostrich feathers” (Mulroy 1993; Wright 1986:74). Thus diverse life experiences and cultural traditions contributed to the amalgam that was Black Seminole society. The earliest Black Seminole settlements were near Seminole towns in the north and central peninsula in present-day Alachua, Hernando, Leon and Levy counties (Weisman 1999). Documentary accounts of the earliest Seminole settlements are sparse and rarely mention the names of associated Black Seminole villages or their occupants. It is only after 1812 that Florida’s many Black Seminoles come into historical focus through documentary accounts. Please read the next article in our three part series: Black Seminoles, Maroons and Freedom Seekers in Florida, Part 2: The Beginning of Troubled Times. Part 3 of our three part series: Black Seminoles, Maroons and Freedom Seekers in Florida, Part 3: The Destruction of Angola, chronicles the Coweta raid upon Florida, the destruction of the Angola community, and the aftermath, when many freedom seekers fled to the Bahamas.

Image: Comparison of Seminole/Black Seminole Dress, Adapted from Images Online at the Florida State Archives References Cited Brown, Canter Jr. 1990 The "Sarrazota, or Runaway Negro Plantations": Tampa Bay's First Black Community, 1812-1821. Tampa Bay History 12(2):5-19. 1991 Florida's Peace River Frontier. Orlando: University of Central Florida Press. Covington, James W.1993 The Seminoles of Florida. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Klos, George 1989 Blacks and the Seminole Removal Debate. Florida Historical Quarterly 68(1):56-79. Landers, Jane 1995 Slave Resistance on the Southeastern Frontier: Fugitives, Maroons, and Banditti in the Age of Revolutions. El Escribiano 32:12-49. 1999 Black Society in Spanish Florida. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. Landers, Jane and Darcie MacMahon 1995 Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Mahon, John K. 1985 History of the Second Seminole War. Gainesville: University of Florida Press. Mahon, John K., and Brent R. Weisman 1996 Florida's Seminole and Miccosukee Peoples. In The New History of Florida. M. Gannon, ed. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Milanich, Jerald T. 1995 Florida Indians and the Invasion from Europe. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Mulroy, Kevin 1993 Freedom on the Border: The Seminole Maroons in Florida, the Indian Territory, Coahuila, and Texas. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press. Porter, Kenneth Wiggins 1996 The Black Seminoles: History of a Freedom-Seeking People. Gainesville: University Presses of Florida. Riordan, Patrick 1996 Finding Freedom in Florida: Native Peoples, African Americans, and Colonists, 1670-1816. Florida Historical Quarterly 75(1):25-44. Schafer, Daniel L. 2001 St. Augustine's British Years. El Escribiano (The Journal of the St. Augustine Historical Society)38. Simmons, William H. 1822 Notices of East Florida, With an Account of the Seminole Nation of Indians. Charleston. Weisman, Brent R. 1999 Unconquered People: Florida's Seminole and Miccosukee Indians. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. 2000 The Plantation System of the Florida Seminole Indians and Black Seminoles During the Colonial Era. In Colonial Plantations and Economy in Florida. J. Landers, ed. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. Wright, J. Leitch, Jr. 1986 Creeks & Seminoles: The Destruction and Regeneration of the Muscogulge People. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. This article may be printed and freely shared for nonprofit purposes, as long as this notice and citation appear with the article: This article was prepared for The USF Africana Heritage Project (www.africanaheritage.com) by Toni Carrier. Citation: Carrier, Toni 2005 "Black Seminoles, Maroons and Freedom Seekers in Florida, Part 1: Early Freedom Seekers in Florida." The USF Africana Heritage Project, http://www.africanaheritage.com

[ufcw]

Theme park discounts for UFCW members

Time to Save and Splash at America’s Favorite Theme Parks

Whether you are a roller coaster enthusiast or just like an excuse to eat funnel cake, your UFCW membership gives you discounts on some of the most popular parks in the country.

Access Your Water and Theme Park Discounts

Accessing your discounts does require setting up an account on the UFCW Lifemart Discounts website, which is free for UFCW members. From there, you’ll not only get access to discounts on theme parks, but discounts on movie tickets, hotels, car rental, and more that can help you squeeze a little more fun out of your wallet.

REGISTER/LOGIN AND START SAVING ON FAMILY FUN

Discounts Available at:

WALT DISNEY WORLD ® RESORT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD DISNEYLAND® KNOTT’S BERRY FARM KNOTT’S SOAK CITY WATER PARK – ORANGE COUNTY SEAWORLD ORLANDO BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO SESAME PLACE – LANGHORNE, PA LEGOLAND® FLORIDA RESORT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT – CARLSBAD, CA LEGOLAND® California Resort has more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including the new LEGO® Star Wars

: The Force Awakens Miniland Read MoreSAVE OVER 40%BUY TICKETS DOLLYWOOD & DOLLYWOOD’S SPLASH COUNTRY WATERPARK KNOTT’S BERRY FARM – 2019 SEASON CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM – SAN FRANCISCO, CA SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN – LOS ANGELES, CA PACIFIC PARK ON THE SANTA MONICA PIER SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR – CONCORD, CA SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR – LOS ANGELES, CA AQUATICA – ORLANDO DISCOVERY COVE ADVENTURE ISLAND TAMPA BAY, FL RAPIDS WATER PARK UP-CLOSE DINING AT SHAMU® STADIUM AT SEAWORLD® ORLANDO BUSCH GARDENS SERENGETI SAFARI FUN SPOT AMERICA DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH WATER PARK DISNEY’S TYPHOON LAGOON WATER PARK DISNEY AFTER HOURS AT MAGIC KINGDOM PARK COCO KEY WATER PARK – ORLANDO, FL DAYTONA LAGOON WATER PARK FUN SPOT AMERICA ATLANTA SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA – CHICAGO, IL WORLDS OF FUN & OCEANS OF FUN MICHIGAN’S ADVENTURE VALLEYFAIR NICKELODEON UNIVERSE AT MALL OF AMERICA SILVER DOLLAR CITY SIX FLAGS OVER ST. LOUIS – ST. LOUIS, MO SIX FLAGS THE GREAT ESCAPE – LAKE GEORGE, NY DIGGERLAND USA – A CONSTRUCTION THEME PARK LEGOLAND® NEW YORK RESORT DORNEY PARK LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER WESTCHESTER CAROWINDS & CAROLINA HARBOR WATERPARK KINGS ISLAND & SOAK CITY WATER PARK LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER PHILADELPHIA KENNYWOOD AMUSEMENT PARK LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER DALLAS / FORT WORTH JAY PEAK PUMP HOUSE INDOOR WATERPARK BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG WATER COUNTRY USA KINGS DOMINION & SOAK CITY WATER PARK MOUNTAIN CREEK WATERPARK SPLASH ZONE WATERPARK, NJ WET ‘N’ WILD EMERALD POINTE CRANMORE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PARK CAMELBEACH MOUNTAIN WATERPARK WATER COUNTRY NEW HAMPSHIRE IDLEWILD & SOAKZONE RAGING WATERS SACRAMENTO RAGING WATERS SAN JOSE RAGING WATERS LOS ANGELES NOAH’S ARK WATERPARK SANDCASTLE WATER PARK WHITE WATER BAY SPLASH KINGDOM WATERPARK SUGARBUSH RESORT GOLF CLUB HERSHEYPARK BIG KAHUNA’S WATER & ADVENTURE PARK DUTCH WONDERLAND – A KINGDOM FOR KIDS BROMLEY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PARK WET ‘N’ WILD PALM SPRINGS FRONTIER CITY THEME PARK SANTA’S VILLAGE – EAST DUNDEE, IL

  from Theme park discounts for UFCW members

[nelladorsey28]

Ultimate Guide: Moving to Bradenton Florida

Bradenton is a beautiful community on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located on the Manatee River as it opens into Tampa Bay, Bradenton is only on 25 miles from St. Petersburg via the Sunshine Causeway and Bridge or 45 miles from Tampa along the coast of Tampa Bay on I-75. With a population of 57,644, it is the main city in the North Port, Bradenton, and Sarasota area.

Bradenton Demographics (Who Lives There?)

The estimated Bradenton population in 2018 was 57,644, according to the census bureau. Only 38 percent of Bradenton residents were born and raised in Florida. 74 percent of the population is Caucasian, 16 percent are Latinos, and 20 percent are African-American. While half of the residents of Bradenton can from different states in the USA, 13 percent came from foreign countries. The largest age demographic in Bradenton is over-65 retirees. Over 90 percent of Bradenton residents are US citizens.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Bradenton?

A big part of why folks retire to Bradenton is the low cost of living. The average home price is $150,000. This is less than the Florida average by $28,000 and less than the national average by $43,000. Likewise, property taxes are low to mid-range between $800 and $1,500 a year. Those rent in Bradenton (about 45 percent) pay $1269 a month on the average. It is important to note, however, that the trends for both rents and property prices have been steadily going up over the years.

Bradenton Weather

Not only this central Gulf Coast Florida city warm, as you would expect, but it boasts 249 days of sunshine every year! This beats the national average by 44 days. The temperature rarely falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bradenton, so Northern retirees will have successfully escaped winter snow. But, the central Gulf Coast of Florida does get a fair share of rain.

Schools in Bradenton

For folks with children, there are lots of schools. The city offers 46 middle schools as well as 31 high schools. There is also a robust private school system. For advanced students, the Collegiate School of the State College of Florida offers advanced courses of study combining high school and college classes. Besides getting an excellent education, kids who attend this school can receive their college associate degree at the same time as their high school diploma and never pay a cent of tuition.

Employment in Bradenton

If you are working age, the largest employer in the city is Tropicana, which has more than 8,000 employees at its production plant in Bradenton. Other options include Champ Sports, IMG Academy, Costco, Blake Medical Center, and Bealls.

Despite being hit hard by the 2008 Financial Crisis, Bradenton has been steadily recovering. The median family income is $42,000 and has been growing steadily.

Activities in Bradenton

This city has lots to do for its residents from excellent shopping at the DeSoto Square Mall or Ellenton Premium Outlets to nightspots with music, dancing, and drinks. And, obviously, the warm and sunny climate offers tons of fun outdoor activities. Here are two that you need to check out first of all.

LECOM Park

Every spring, you can take in a few spring training games as Bradenton is where the Pittsburg Pirates warm-up for the Major League season. When the regular season begins, the Bradenton Marauders play in Class A Advanced Florida State Minor League as a farm team of the Pirates. (Don’t forget to check out their All You Can Eat Five Game Plan!)

Robinson Preserve

This 682-acre nature preserve attracts outdoor enthusiasts, and it is all within the city boundaries of Bradenton. The preserve is a mix of tidal marsh, mangrove, and former farmland that has been allowed to regress back into the coastal wetland. A 2.5-kilometer pedestrian-only trail of rubberized material allows you to enjoy the wetland areas and keep your feet dry!

In addition, there are places to launch your kayak and on-land trails as well as picnic areas. If you want to explore further, there are 19 park areas within just a few miles of Bradenton.

Best Neighborhoods in Bradenton

Although the city features many great places to live, here are our choices of the best.

Bradenton East

With many excellent homes, this neighborhood features an average sale price of $140,000 and provides a very-affordable housing option.

Candlewood

If you will be raising a family in Bradenton, this is a great community with good schools and home prices that start as low as $180,000.

Wares Creek

For pure charm and a bit of Florida history, this neighborhood offers attractive bungalows dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.

Silverlake

For larger homes in the $200,000 to $350,000 range, a fantastic lake, community pool, and strong home values, come to this neighborhood. The majority of homes in this neighborhood are less than 15-years-old.

Sterling Lake

This area also has a community pool, excellent homes, and lakeside property.

Bradenton Village of the Arts

Our favorite Bradenton community is this revitalized neighborhood with both commercial and residential properties. Browse the art galleries and studios, especially on First Fridays, when all of the neighborhood galleries are open. This neighborhood boasts nice restaurants and lives music.

Bradenton Restaurants

Newcomers to Bradenton are always surprised and pleased with the variety and quality of eating establishments in the city. Here are just a couple that we suggest you check out.

Restaurant Edelweiss

On the East side of the city, this restaurant features classic German food, a beer garden, live music, and a popular Sunday brunch. It is located at 611 Manatee Ave E, and you can make reservations call them here.

Fav’s Italian Cusina

Come to this genuine Italian restaurant in the center of Bradenton, near the river for homemade pasta and a cozy atmosphere. Come here to enjoy Italian cuisine but not to party all night. They close up at 8 pm! They are located at 419 12th St W, and you can reserve a table by calling 941-708-3287.

Moving to Bradenton?

If you are planning a move to Bradenton, call us at 941-357-1044 for professional moving services.

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Ultimate Guide: Moving to Bradenton Florida

Bradenton is a beautiful community on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located on the Manatee River as it opens into Tampa Bay, Bradenton is only on 25 miles from St. Petersburg via the Sunshine Causeway and Bridge or 45 miles from Tampa along the coast of Tampa Bay on I-75. With a population of 57,644, it is the main city in the North Port, Bradenton, and Sarasota area.

Bradenton Demographics (Who Lives There?)

The estimated Bradenton population in 2018 was 57,644, according to the census bureau. Only 38 percent of Bradenton residents were born and raised in Florida. 74 percent of the population is Caucasian, 16 percent are Latinos, and 20 percent are African-American. While half of the residents of Bradenton can from different states in the USA, 13 percent came from foreign countries. The largest age demographic in Bradenton is over-65 retirees. Over 90 percent of Bradenton residents are US citizens.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Bradenton?

A big part of why folks retire to Bradenton is the low cost of living. The average home price is $150,000. This is less than the Florida average by $28,000 and less than the national average by $43,000. Likewise, property taxes are low to mid-range between $800 and $1,500 a year. Those rent in Bradenton (about 45 percent) pay $1269 a month on the average. It is important to note, however, that the trends for both rents and property prices have been steadily going up over the years.

Bradenton Weather

Not only this central Gulf Coast Florida city warm, as you would expect, but it boasts 249 days of sunshine every year! This beats the national average by 44 days. The temperature rarely falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bradenton, so Northern retirees will have successfully escaped winter snow. But, the central Gulf Coast of Florida does get a fair share of rain.

Schools in Bradenton

For folks with children, there are lots of schools. The city offers 46 middle schools as well as 31 high schools. There is also a robust private school system. For advanced students, the Collegiate School of the State College of Florida offers advanced courses of study combining high school and college classes. Besides getting an excellent education, kids who attend this school can receive their college associate degree at the same time as their high school diploma and never pay a cent of tuition.

Employment in Bradenton

If you are working age, the largest employer in the city is Tropicana, which has more than 8,000 employees at its production plant in Bradenton. Other options include Champ Sports, IMG Academy, Costco, Blake Medical Center, and Bealls.

Despite being hit hard by the 2008 Financial Crisis, Bradenton has been steadily recovering. The median family income is $42,000 and has been growing steadily.

Activities in Bradenton

This city has lots to do for its residents from excellent shopping at the DeSoto Square Mall or Ellenton Premium Outlets to nightspots with music, dancing, and drinks. And, obviously, the warm and sunny climate offers tons of fun outdoor activities. Here are two that you need to check out first of all.

LECOM Park

Every spring, you can take in a few spring training games as Bradenton is where the Pittsburg Pirates warm-up for the Major League season. When the regular season begins, the Bradenton Marauders play in Class A Advanced Florida State Minor League as a farm team of the Pirates. (Don’t forget to check out their All You Can Eat Five Game Plan!)

Robinson Preserve

This 682-acre nature preserve attracts outdoor enthusiasts, and it is all within the city boundaries of Bradenton. The preserve is a mix of tidal marsh, mangrove, and former farmland that has been allowed to regress back into the coastal wetland. A 2.5-kilometer pedestrian-only trail of rubberized material allows you to enjoy the wetland areas and keep your feet dry!

In addition, there are places to launch your kayak and on-land trails as well as picnic areas. If you want to explore further, there are 19 park areas within just a few miles of Bradenton.

Best Neighborhoods in Bradenton

Although the city features many great places to live, here are our choices of the best.

Bradenton East

With many excellent homes, this neighborhood features an average sale price of $140,000 and provides a very-affordable housing option.

Candlewood

If you will be raising a family in Bradenton, this is a great community with good schools and home prices that start as low as $180,000.

Wares Creek

For pure charm and a bit of Florida history, this neighborhood offers attractive bungalows dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.

Silverlake

For larger homes in the $200,000 to $350,000 range, a fantastic lake, community pool, and strong home values, come to this neighborhood. The majority of homes in this neighborhood are less than 15-years-old.

Sterling Lake

This area also has a community pool, excellent homes, and lakeside property.

Bradenton Village of the Arts

Our favorite Bradenton community is this revitalized neighborhood with both commercial and residential properties. Browse the art galleries and studios, especially on First Fridays, when all of the neighborhood galleries are open. This neighborhood boasts nice restaurants and lives music.

Bradenton Restaurants

Newcomers to Bradenton are always surprised and pleased with the variety and quality of eating establishments in the city. Here are just a couple that we suggest you check out.

Restaurant Edelweiss

On the East side of the city, this restaurant features classic German food, a beer garden, live music, and a popular Sunday brunch. It is located at 611 Manatee Ave E, and you can make reservations call them here.

Fav’s Italian Cusina

Come to this genuine Italian restaurant in the center of Bradenton, near the river for homemade pasta and a cozy atmosphere. Come here to enjoy Italian cuisine but not to party all night. They close up at 8 pm! They are located at 419 12th St W, and you can reserve a table by calling 941-708-3287.

Moving to Bradenton?

If you are planning a move to Bradenton, call us at 941-357-1044 for professional moving services.

from Flat Fee Movers https://ift.tt/2SaaYVo

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Youth: The Runaways

uncredited writer, Time, 8 September 1967

Time was when parents took it almost for granted that any red-blooded boy would sooner or later run away from home on a summertime Tom Sawyer adventure. It was part of growing up, a way to gain experience and nothing to be alarmed about. Sometimes the boy would be gone for a week or so, but generally his plans to join the circus ended about nightfall, when his empty stomach and the animal sounds near his woodsy hideout quickly convinced him that daddy's razorstrop was not so bad after all.

The phenomenon is still seasonal—thousands of teen-agers who ran away in June for a summer-long taste of the hippie life were wending their way back home last week for the beginning of school. But for an increasing number of tormented teenagers, running away is not a lark but a desperately serious act for which returning home is an all but unthinkable conclusion.

School & the Draft. Runaways are a grave problem in every major city, and the problem is growing, partly due to the sharp rise of the teen-age population. Chicago police handled 7,904 runaways last year, up 50% from five years ago; and so far this year the rate has been running 10% higher than 1966. More than 2,000 juveniles were reported missing from the San Francisco Bay Area last year, and 3,000 ran away from their homes in affluent Houston. Overall, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports, U.S. law-enforcement officers arrested 90,246 juvenile runaways last year—almost half of them girls—an increase of almost 10% from the previous year.

What makes them run? "Something inside that was always denied," sigh the Beatles in “She's Leaving Home”, one of the most popular cuts from their latest Sgt. Pepper album. "They're running away from a system and not just maladjusted homes," insists Dick Chandler, 37, whose first play, The Freaking Out of Stephanie Blake, is about a teen-age runaway, and is scheduled to open on Broadway next month starring Jean Arthur as a sympathetic aunt. "Some of them come from very good homes and are given everything," says Chandler, "but it's what the parents stand for, the whole system—the competition, the lack of human values, of humanity in their life." For older teen-age boys, running away is often an escape from the pressures of school and the threat of the draft.

"If you have 20 different runaways, you will have 20 different reasons," says an Atlanta Juvenile Court officer. Kim, 13, ran away to Boston from her Los Angeles home because she could not get along with her new stepfather. "My parents didn't understand me or something," mumbles Paul, 15, who first left his Virginia home two years ago, and prowls the streets of Manhattan's East Village every day looking for the next place to stay.

No Hang-Ups. Dutch is 14, wears braces on his teeth and still speaks in a boyish treble, but all it took to send him scampering from Columbus to Chicago's bohemian Old Town district was the prospect of military school. Joe, 17, blames his run from Tampa, Fla. to Atlanta on parental neglect. "I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life," says Joe, the youngest member of Atlanta's small hippie colony. "This is more like a family than you could find, really, because there are no hang-ups."

Though not all teen-agers run away with the intention of joining the hippies, that is often where they wind up. "It's simply because the hippies will take them in when nobody else will," says Rabbi Samuel Schrage of the New York City Youth Board.

For teen-agers who do run away to the hippies, it is increasingly becoming a bad trip that is not only degrading but also dangerous. After the money runs out, they often turn to begging in order to eat. "There is a lot of panhandling. They are like parasites," says Allan Katzman, 30, editor of Manhattan's underground hippie newspaper, The East Village Other. To a juvenile who is already disturbed, the easy combination of drugs and sex is hardly good medicine; one 13-year-old runaway who began "dropping acid" nine months ago has tried to kill herself three times since.

Summer in the Park. For a place to stay, some runaways roam the streets looking for vacant houses to break into. "Most of them just sleep in the park; after a few nights of that you will go home with anyone—you don't even look," says Manhattan Hippie Jim Fouratt. "They are exploited by all kinds of people," says Fouratt, "and what's going to happen when winter comes and they can't sleep in the park?" Not that sleeping in the park is any too healthy in summer: last week a 15-year-old runaway from upstate New York was raped by two young Negroes and her 17-year-old "flower husband" (known to her only as "the Poet") was beaten unconscious in Central Park where they were sleeping.

Scarcely more salubrious are the "crash pads"—communal sleeping quarters rented by older hippies, who run them as free hotels. They are largely responsible for an alarming increase in venereal disease—up 1,000% in West Hollywood in the past five years. As an alternative to the crash pads, San Francisco's church-financed Huckleberry's for Runaways provides "fugitives" with food and shelter while setting up channels through which they can re-establish relationships with their parents. Operating out of a Victorian house at 1 Broderick Street in the Haight-Ashbury district, Huckleberry's has handled 190 runaways since it was set up two months ago. Most of them, after counseling by four staff psychologists and 13 other volunteers, have gone home.

The Bulletin Board. In tracing their children, parents usually begin by contacting the Missing Persons Bureau and metropolitan newspapers, which, in recent months, have been running increasing numbers of pictures of runaways. More likely sources exist within the hippie communities themselves. In San Francisco, for example, the hippie-run, Haight-Ashbury Switchboard (3873575) not only helps hippies with information and advice about food, lodging and the draft, but also passes dozens of messages from distraught parents along the grapevine every day. Poignant parental pleas appear in the classified ads of underground newspapers, and major hippie hangouts sport bulletin boards crammed with personal messages.

As a last resort, some desperate parents invade hippie country in personal searches for their wayward kids. One New Yorker finally located his 20-year-old son after days of scouring the Hashbury on foot. "Barry came down looking stunned," the father recalls. "It was touching and painful, harder for him, I guess, than for me. It took him ten or 15 minutes just to get back into his face." The reunion lasted only long enough for a short trip to Big Sur. Then Barry went back to Hashbury.