Raw Charge, a Tampa Bay Lightning community

As a reminder, September 4th and the end of voting for Creative Loafing's "Best of the Bay" readers poll is approaching. Have you voted yet? 200 categories of local topics and businesses (votes in 20 categories are needed for your vote to count) including "Best Local Pro Sports Team", "Best Tampa Bay Lightning Player" and "Best Local Website" (Raw Charge could use your vote in that category, thanks!).

It came to my attention earlier today that Kurtis Foster and his wife Stephanie have suffered an immense personal tragedy: The passing of their infant daughter, Lila. I don't like making public spectacle out of players private lives -- be they births, weddings, etc, so it's uncomfortable for me to write this... But I did want to express my profound condolences to the Foster's and their extended family. Comments and well-wishes can be sent through the link in the title of this post. A memorial mass is scheduled in Petersborough, Ontario tomorrow at noon.

We at Raw Charge would like to express heartfelt condolences to Brian Burke and his family after his son, Brendan, was killed ln a car accident night in Indiana.

Got any Rays fans over here? Vote for Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria and Jason Bartlett to the 2009 AL All Star squad