Oldsmar Hotels

Open Question: Do carpet beetles bite humans?

Since we came home from a recent vacation to Florida, we have been experiencing strange skin conditions including small, red welts and itching. Thinking that we may have brought home bed bugs from the hotel we stayed in, we searched our luggage and the clothes we took with us and found a carpet beetle larvae. We know that they can damage clothing but will they bite humans as well?

Open Question: Why are GOP officials so disdainful of their own voters and supporters here on Yahoo and elsewhere?

Exclusive: RNC document mocks donors, plays on 'fear' By: Ben Smith March 3, 2010 04:23 PM EST The Republican National Committee plans to raise money this election cycle through an aggressive campaign capitalizing on “fear” of President Barack Obama and a promise to "save the country from trending toward socialism." The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how “ego-driven” wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and “tchochkes.” The presentation was delivered by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart to top donors and fundraisers at a party retreat in Boca Grande, Florida on February 18, a source at the gathering said. In neat PowerPoint pages, it lifts the curtain on the often-cynical terms of political marketing, displaying an air of disdain for the party’s donors that is usually confined to the barroom conversations of political operatives. The presentation explains the Republican fundraising in simple terms. "What can you sell when you do not have the White House, the House, or the Senate...?" it asks. The answer: "Save the country from trending toward Socialism!” Manipulating donors with crude caricatures and playing on their fears is hardly unique to Republicans or to the RNC – Democrats raised millions off George W. Bush in similar terms – but rarely is it practiced in such cartoonish terms. One page, headed “The Evil Empire,” pictures Obama as the Joker from Batman, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid are depicted as Cruella DeVille and Scooby Doo, respectively. The document, which two Republican sources said was prepared by the party’s finance staff, comes as Chairman Michael Steele struggles to retain the trust and allegiance of major donors, who can give as much as $30,400 a year to the party. Under Steele, the RNC has shifted toward a reliance on small donors, but the document reveals extensive, confidential details of the strategy for luring wealthy checkwriters, which range from luxury retreats in California wine country to tickets to a professional fight in Las Vegas. The 72-page document was provided to POLITICO by a Democrat, who said a hard copy had been left in the hotel hosting the $2,500-a-head retreat, the Gasparilla Inn & Club. Sources at the event said the presentation was delivered by Bickhart and by the RNC Finance Chairman, Peter Terpeluk, a former ambassador to Luxembourg under President George W. Bush. The RNC reacted with alarm to a question about it Wednesday, emailing major donors to warn them of a reporter’s question, and distancing Steele from its contents. “The document was used for a fundraising presentation Chairman Steele did not attend, nor had he seen the document,” RNC Communications Director Doug Heye said in an email. “Fundraising documents are often controversial. “Obviously, the Chairman disagrees with the language and finds the use of such imagery to be unacceptable. It will not be used by the Republican National Committee – in any capacity – in the future,” Heye said. The most unusual section of the presentation is a set of six slides headed “RNC Marketing 101.” The presentation divides fundraising into two traditional categories, direct marketing and major donors, and lays out the details of how to approach each group. The small donors who are the targets of direct marketing are described under the heading “Visceral Giving.” Their motivations are listed as “fear;” “Extreme negative feelings toward existing Administration;” and “Reactionary.” Major donors, by contrast, are treated in a column headed “Calculated Giving.” Their motivations include: “Peer to Peer Pressure”; “access”; and “Ego-Driven.” The slide also allows that donors may have more honorable motives, including “Patriotic Duty.” A major Republican donor described the state of the RNC’s relationship with major donors as “disastrous,” with veteran givers beginning to abandon the committee, which is becoming increasingly reliant on small donors. The party’s average contribution in 2009, according to the document, was just $40, and the shift toward a financial reliance on the grassroots may help explain Steele’s increasingly strident tone toward the Obama Administration. While the crude portrayal of Obama may be - as Steele ‘s spokesman put it - “unacceptable,” other elements of the presentation may be of equal interest to close political observers. The RNC plans to raise $8.6 million from major donors alone in 2010, less than 10% of its total 2009 fundraising take, which was primarily from small donors." The center of that plan is an extensive, and colorful, schedule of events. Along with traditional fundraisers with conservative luminaries including Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes, the party plans to raise $80,000 for a trip to Lond

Open Question: Which is better for a romantic weekend Naples or Daytona beach florida?

We are a young couple (early 20s) looking to spend a romantic weekend - which city is better? We were worried Naples might be too boring? We want romantic but with a young feel... We would want to stay at an oceanfront or close to the beach hotel which is near shops/restaurants too.

Resolved Question: Florida Please answer i need a opinion?

Ok so I'm going to Florida for 10 days with my mom, dad, and brother. Is this a good list. 10 T-shirts 6 Pairs shorts 2 Pairs Jeans Pjs Hoodie 2 Swim Suits 2 Pairs Flip flops 1 pair running shoes slippers toothbrush toothpaste muke up lotion face cleaner beach towel under water camera camera scuba gear googles ipod ipod charger sun glasses sunblock underwear about 12 pairs 5 bras 4 pairs of socks (just in case) hand held fan that sprays water for the beach 6 Tank tops (I like to wear them under t-shirts and over my swim suits Shampoo and Conditioner Just in case Water bottle (for the hot beach lol) Cell phone and charge in case of emergency Laptop (its mine but the hotel has wireless n i have a ipod touch so im letting my parents and bro us it) Razer Hairbrush and bobby pins, and hair bands Deodorant Book Beach tote Lots of Gum Belts Portable DVD player Thanks and anything else please include btw i dont wear skirts or dresses and if this helps we are going to bush gardens, sea world, beach of corse, disney land. what should my 9 year old brother pack also he wants to know thanks

Open Question: im going to orlando florida at the end of march i will be gone for 1 week and i need help with a packing list?

i will be gone i am a girl.. and i am going to be staying at the hilton ohhhhhhhh it is a fancy hotel so i need help with a packing list...

Open Question: I might be going to Florida. How much money should I take?

Okay, so I am most likely going to florida with my friends and a parent for a full week. My friend's mom has this house there so we won't have to worry about getting a hotel. We basically just have to pay for when we go out to eat (which will be frequently) and for the stuff we want to buy. I think I'm just bringing 260 for the trip but do you think that's enough? Thanks

Open Question: What is a good hotel on the beach of Daytona Florida where the check in age is 18 or 19?

I want to go to Daytona next week and i need a good hotel on the beach but I'm only 19!

Open Question: What are some good hotels to throw a hotel party in south florida?

I want to throw a hotel party and I want to find a hotel that most likely wont complain and I would not get in too much trouble for throwing down a party.

Resolved Question: holiday for family of 4 to orlando florida from dublin ireland, spending money, please help so confused.?

hi all, myself my husband and our 2 daughters 10 and 7 are flying to orlando for 3 weeks in august.its our holiday of a life time and all we talk about. we have been saving for years. we spend nearly 6,000 euro on our flights and accommodation . lot of money when you have young kids. i have a few q to ask if anyone could be so help full. we decided not to purchase tickets foe the theme parks, but can still do so if suggested!!!!! was this the right decision? they were nearly 3,000 more for 2 weeks!!!! how much spending money will we need? we want to hire a car and visit every park we will eat out twice per day as breakfast is part of our package in our hotel. i want to give my kids memories to tell their gran children , so ill do my up most to give them all they ask for.it is a hol of a lifetime for us... ill be doing shopping and the dinner shows , blue man group and eating out, could anyone be so kind as to help me out with costing all of this as we hear so much conflicting answers, i would be so very great full as would be my little fairy's. many thanks an irish mum.

Open Question: Need recommendations for a good, affordable hotel in the Florida Keys.?

My husband and I are taking a trip for a few days to the Florida Keys at the end of April. We are not looking to spend a small fortune on lodging. We don't want to spend more than $150/night. This is just a quick trip to have a relaxing time and get away from everyday life. We are looking for something close to beaches, snorkeling, and fishing charters. We would also like something actually on the water with a small private beach and perhaps a pool. We are looking for a smaller, quiet place that is clean and friendly. If you have stayed at a place like this in the Florida Keys, please let me know. Thanks.