Gulf Coast Claims Facility Administrator Kenneth R. Feinberg today announced the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) is fully functioning and will begin to process claims for emergency payment. All individual and business claims and supporting documentation have been transferred from BP to the GCCF, which is an independent facility run by Feinberg.

The GCCF was established in June as part of an agreement between the Obama Administration and BP to assist claimants in filing claims for costs and damages incurred as a result of the oil spill stemming from the Deepwater Horizon Incident of April 20, 2010. Claims previously filed with the BP Claims Process have been transitioned to the new GCCF Claims Facility for review, evaluation and determination, however claimants will be required to file new forms with the GCCF to receive payments.

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What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes and is starting to show up in South Florida. According to MedlinePlus:

Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever, often as high as 104 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit. A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body 2 - 5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like the measles, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable. Other symptoms include; headache, fatigue, joint aches, muscle aches, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and vomiting.

The Florida Keys and Key West have been ground zero of the dengue fever outbreak. Business, health and tourism officials are already getting phone calls about the threat.

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In the wake of what’s now the largest oil spill in history and with the oil affecting Florida Beaches, bays and economy, Floridians are gathering to Stand against Texas oil wildcatters and their Republican friends like Florida State Senator Mike Haridopolos.Floridians, Americans and the world to join hands in the largest gathering against offshore oil drilling in history. Hands Across the Sand is now international. Any person in any country may plan events on the handsacrossthesand.org website.

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Florida Tourism Businesses Affected by Deepwater Horizon Accident

Florida tourism businesses have already been affected by the Gulf oil spill because many travelers have canceled their summer vacations in Florida, while others who would normally begin making plans for their Florida getaways are still on the fence or worse, making plans for travel to places in South Carolina and Georgia. As of yet, no oil has affected Florida beaches and hopes remain high that there will be minimal damage to our natural resources here.
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Every April Dr. William Gray rolls out his prediction of the coming hurricane season and every year news organizations trumpet his predictions like a TV preacher predicting the end times. However, many Florida tourism related businesses believe his predictions are more about Dr. Gray’s ego and his desire to appear on camera.

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Cape Canaveral, FL - The achievements at Kennedy Space Center have been spectacular from launching the first man on the moon, Neal Armstrong to International Space Station (ISS) now orbiting the earth. However, as the space shuttle program winds down, Florida’s Space Coast is faced with enormous layoffs.

How many Space Shuttle launches are left? There are four remaining Space Shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral.

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Miami, FL - The 69th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami cruises into town February 11-15, 2010, where new and experienced boaters from throughout the world can gather in one place to view, board and buy the best the boating industry has to offer. With special deals on everything from sportfishers, sailboats and mega-yachts to engines and the newest electronics, the 2010 Miami International Boat Show is the ideal place to shop, save and enhance every boating experience.

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With Miami only 590 nautical miles from Haiti, its no surprise Florida is playing a large role in the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Many Florida emergency service teams are helping in the relief like the Miami Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team which has been sent to Haiti. According to sflcn.com:

A team of 80 rescuers representing South Florida Task Force 2 departed for Haiti today as part of an international response to the devastating earthquake, which struck the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince.

Outpouring of Floridian Financial Support

Floridians are giving in record numbers to support the Haitian relief efforts, according to gofbw.com:

“Our people stepped up to the challenge,” Hughes reported. By Wednesday, Jan. 20, the congregation had given $158,000 including $35,000 in cash during the church’s seven weekend worship services–nearly double the church’s weekly offering receipts.

How can you help?

The following links can take you to worthy organizations:
Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
Salvation Army
Care
Feed the Children
Doctors Without Borders
UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF)
Save the Children
The International Rescue Committee

The Oasis of the Seas is the largest ship in the world at 1187 feet, a beam of 208 feet and can sleep, feed and entertain 5,400 passengers on 16 guest decks. The ship sails from the largest terminal in the world at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

The Carnival Dream is the newest Port Canaveral Cruise Ship. The cruise liner is Carnival’s largest to date at 1,004 feet and a beam of 158 feet. The Dream has 13 guest decks and can accommodate 3,646 passengers.

The two new super-size cruise ships are sailing at a time when the economy is just starting to rebound and consumers are feeling better about spending, adding more capacity to a cruise market that has already discounted fares.

Miami, FL - Sedano’s Supermarkets, the number one Hispanic retailer in the United States, announced today that it will acquire three Albertsons supermarket locations in Central Florida. This acquisition marks Sedano’s Supermarkets’ first expansion beyond its South Florida headquarters and brings the total number of stores to 33 in Florida.

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