AVON PARK — It's not uncommon for one or two college students to doze off during a morning class. But when psychology professor Brian Deery sees that, he turns to his stand-up comedy routine. "Sometimes I have to use a technique we call 'kicking the mule,' which we use to get a crowd going," said Deery, who has been a stand-up comedian for 26 years. "I'm not there to do comedy, but it certainly is helpful to use those comic elements as long as they are learning something too." He tags his comedy as "clean and clever," meaning he avoids cussing and lewd subjects, which he thinks is more challenging but also more fun. "Comedy allows you to play with reality and being a psychologist, I can appreciate that," Deery said. ...more

November 10, 2007

Part Of Nature Regarding "Hometown Democracy Gives Voters A Say In Development" by Arthur Hayhoe, My View, Oct. 21: ...more

November 7, 2007

In one week, Southern California's wildfires spewed as much carbon dioxide - the primary global warming gas - as the state's power plants and vehicles do in a week, scientists say. ...more

November 1, 2007

Most people don't like lawsuits. Even the lawyers I know prefer to settle a dispute long before they see a judge. But when all else fails, our laws and courts are there to protect us, and we shouldn't be shy about defending our rights. And fortunately, that is exactly what is happening with global warming. ...more

October 22, 2007

He spent decades trying to get the world to listen and believe as he did that global warming would destroy the planet unless people changed their behavior, and fast. ...more

October 14, 2007

Plenty of people share the glory of the Nobel Peace Prize - thousands of scientists have been studying and documenting climate change under a U.N. body set up in 1988 as concerns grew about global warming. ...more

October 13, 2007

WASHINGTON - Florida's humidity is hard to bear. Scientists say it might get worse, thanks to global warming. ...more

October 11, 2007

Commuters may have noticed a bright yellow 17-foot by 10-foot banner off the Howard Frankland Bridge on the way to work. It's pretty hard to miss. The Green Armada and Environmental Defense have launched the campaign to help get the word out on a hot-button issue - the choices Americans, especially Floridians, need to make on global warming. ...more

October 10, 2007

If you are the kind who throws away soda cans, milk jugs, newspapers, magazines, batteries and other recyclable products –– well, then shame on you. ...more

September 10, 2007