Digest

Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 20, 2007

'Don't taze me, bro' becomes an instant fashion statement

It was inevitable, right? But you can't help but be impressed by the speed with which "Don't Taze Me, Bro" merchandise became available. It's been just a couple of days since University of Florida journalism student Andrew Meyer was Tasered and hauled off by campus police during an appearance by Sen. John Kerry on the Gainesville campus - the drama recorded on a videocamera and promptly posted on YouTube. But cafepress.com already has everything from T-shirts and throw pillows to boxers and even aprons with the now-famous "Don't Taze Me, Bro" printed on the front. There's even an organic cotton T. Check it out here: www.cafepress.com/bobmccarty/3696793.

Glitziest Home Award goes to Vinny Testaverde

NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde is a first-place kind of guy. He won college football's highest honor in 1986. He was the first overall pick in the 1987 NFL draft. And now, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer owns the priciest home in Hillsborough County sold this year. Gray Homes of Tampa Bay custom built the house on Gunn Highway. Valued at $4.5-million, the 7,090-square-foot house has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, an eight-car garage and three-story elevator. Harry Gray, owner of the Odessa-based company, was mum on features of the Testaverde abode. "We build big houses for rich people," he said. "Rich people value their privacy as much as poor people do."

A divorce and a Yankees pink slip?

A Hillsborough judge on Tuesday finalized the divorce between Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's daughter and Steve Swindal. But don't expect to read any of the juicy details. Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal and her ex signed a confidentiality agreement to keep the terms of their split private. Court records did indicate that neither party will receive alimony. The Yankees gave a "no comment" Wednesday evening when asked about Swindal's job status with the organization. But on the team's Web site, his name is no longer on the list of front office staff.

What's biting you?

Have you been attacked by something in Florida's wild? Maybe a brown recluse, a snake, an alligator, a shark? If you're willing to tell the tale, e-mail us at local@sptimes.com and put "dangerous bites" in the subject line.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 00:13:45]