A Florida state senator walks in to a Tallahassee bar. She sits down next to a big city newspaper reporter. They chat about the things that pols and newsies used to chat about in the 20th century, when both professions had better poll numbers than they do now. 

Gov. Rick Scott has conjured up a 12th university that Florida can’t afford and nobody but outgoing Polk County Sen. J.D. Alexander thinks Florida needs.

“People always think they’re behaving ethically, even when they’re being hauled off in handcuffs," said veteran newspaperwoman-turned-Leon County Commission candidate Mary Ann Lindley at a community conversation on ethics.

Nobody has ever accused me of being disrespectful of people of faith. Any faith. I’m on the lunatic fringe of respect and tolerance for belief systems ranging from Anglicanism to Zoroastrianism.

For anyone who has lived with or been around mental illness -- and who has not -- "Melancholia" is a must-see movie.

"Tonight, tonight …"

Moviegoers will have the chance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film version of the groundbreaking Broadway musical "West Side Story" with a one-night-only screening in theaters nationwide. (www.fathomevents.com)

I know it’s fall when the Walgreen’s flu shot reminder arrives in my mail.

As Tallahassee’s pols, pundits and power brokers gathered around the TV Thursday night to reinforce opinions they’ve already formed about the job performances of President Obama and Congress, a far more uplifting show unfolded at Ruby Diamond Auditorium.