Friday, April 24, 2009

How will we get around Tampa Bay in 25 years?

A plan to keep us moving in the Tampa Bay of the future will be unveiled today, and it proposes a pair of major new changes for the area in the next 25 years. Seven counties are officially included in the plan, from Citrus south to Sarasota........here

Dine Out for Life Tampa Bay

Next Thursday, April 30, Tampa Bay area residents will have an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause by simply enjoying a meal out on the town............here

Florida House Rep. Charlie Van Zant

Is in favor of HB 1219.
here

Commissioners: What In The World Is Going On?

It is my understanding that there is no policy controlling our lobbyists during session with regard to opposing or supporting legislation that arises during the session. Is this true? I have questions, and am also making a public records request under F.S. 119, for all the policies directing lobbyists for Hillsborough County.........more

Mariella Smith: Water Alert

State legislators are planning to rob the pollution cleanup fund (paid for by gas tax) which is supposed to pay to cleanup toxic chemicals seeping toward our drinking water sources and threatening our rivers. Hundreds of polluted sites are under cleanup in Hillsborough County — 8 of those sites are labeled an "Imminent Threat" to our drinking water supplies........more

Map Of Oil Platforms Off The Gulf Coast

A Map Every Floridian Should See. We Can Win The Battle Right Here.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Ceviche
Fresh Fish, Shrimp, Calamari, And Octopus
With Sweet Potato, Peruvian Corn, And Yuca
$12.99.......At Machu Picchu Restaurant, 3974 W. Hillsborough Ave. In Tampa
Eat Local

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Obama meets Florida Gators

WMNF Live from Pasco Arts Fest!

The Pasco County Arts Fest and WMNF are teaming up to bring you great live music from the Shops at Wiregrass on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday May 3!

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies In Tampa

Local Hero Denise Layne: Letter To The BOCC

SENATE BILL 360
To: Al Higginbotham; 'Jim Norman'; 'Ken Hagan'; Kevin Beckner; Kevin White; 'Mark Sharpe'; Rose Ferlita
WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU ALL DOING TO PROTECT US???? NOT ONE LEGISLATOR IN THE HOUSE SAID ANYTHING. SENATOR JOYNER AND SENATOR STORMS ARE THE ONLY TWO IN THE SENATE WHO VOTED AGAINST THIS.
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IF THIS PASSES.
A very upset voter,
Denise Layne

Only $7.4 Billion For A Pinellas Light Rail System

U.S. War Costs: $12 Billion A Month
Voters could be asked next year to raise the sales tax to build a multibillion-dollar light-rail system and to double bus service in Pinellas County..........more

Howard And Main

In Tampa

VOTE NO ON SB 360 - PROTECT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY!

Here
THANK YOU SENATOR JOYNER AND SENATOR STORMS
Email our Legislative Delegation today…they will vote it out of the House tomorrow
VOTE NO ON SB 360 - PROTECT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY!
Delegation: joyner.arthenia.s18@flsenate.gov; storms.ronda.s10@flsenate.gov; justice.charlie.s16@flsenate.gov; crist.victor.s12@flsenate.gov; Kevin.ambler@myfloridahouse.gov; rachel.burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; faye.culp@myfloridahouse.gov; bill.galvano@myfloridahouse.gov; rich.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov; ed.homan@myfloridahouse.gov; seth.mcKeel@myfloridahouse.gov; darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov; ron.reagan@myfloridahouse.gov; betty.reed@myfloridahouse.gov; Michael.scionti@myfloridahouse.gov;
will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov

Pirates On The Streets Of Tampa

I4 And Columbus Dr. In Tampa

Fourth of July Cafe In Tampa

A recent poll found that the populations of Seattle, the corporate home of Starbucks, and Tampa, the home of the Fourth of July Cafe on Howard Avenue, ranked first and second in coffee consumption...........more

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Nelson Tweet: Is The Legislature Nuts?

“I can’t believe some Florida lawmakers might actually be serious about allowing oil drilling within ten miles offshore. They even want to ‘expedite’ permits for refineries in coastal communities.”............Bill Nelson

Hair the Highlight of Tampa Salon's Sustainability Effort

Hair stylists at Tribeca ColorSalon help the environment with every snip of their scissors. Inside this sustainability-focused salon, hair clippings serve a continued purpose. The forward-thinking company ships all cut hair to Matter of Trust, an organization which manufactures the material into mats used to absorb petroleum spills...........more

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Shrimp With Mixed Vegatables And Rice

$7.25........At Top China 13306 Telecom Dr. Temple Terrace

Pasco County Commission Fails To Lead In Water Conservation

Tuesday afternoon, the head of the regional water district called the Pasco County Commission the "absolute leader in water issues.'' Commissioners then did their best to prove him wrong.........more

Food Critic Laura Reiley Goes Out On A Limb

Best New Pizza In Tampa? Anthony's And Bavaro.
There are two pizza newcomers, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say they're both the best thing to happen to Tampa in a long time..........Laura Reiley
Stogie Will Be Trying Them Soon.

America, Jesus, And Cheap Gas!

MLK And Howard In Tampa

Friends Of Stogie

At The Firehouse

Stop Tent City

A group of people trying to stop
The Diocese of St. Petersburg
from building a homeless tent city (250 tents and sheds/shacks) at 6410 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa..........here

Mary Mulhern: Workshop On Green Jobs

City Councilwoman Mary Mulhern has put green jobs on her board’s monthly workshop agenda for this Thursday. Details for those who want to attend...........here

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Got Bedding?

On Hillsborough Ave. In Tampa

Tampa Mayor Slams Elections Bill

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio fired off a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist today urging him to veto the elections bill making its way through the state legislature if it reaches his desk........here

Howard Troxler and Dan Ruth

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Meat Loaf
With Red Beans And Rice
$5.95...........At Rosa's On MLK Just West Of Lois In Drew Park

Commissioner Beckner Announces Community Office Hour Schedule

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, District 6, Countywide, is hosting office hours in the community the last Friday of every month. The community office hours provide residents the opportunity to meet with the Commissioner and voice their concerns about and ideas for their community..........more

Randy Klindworth Of Hillsborough County

With little fanfare, one of the county’s employees has been quietly implementing energy saving strategies. It all started way back in 2000 when the county made the bold move of hiring Energy Manager Randy Klindworth. Back then, all he set out to do was curb expenses...........more

Democrat? Yolly Roberson Of Florida

Capitol Office (850) 488-7088 - District Office (305) 650-0022

Contact

Florida Sunset?

In a full-barreled appeal to the House Policy Council, the oil and gas industry persuaded lawmakers to vote 17-6 along party lines to open the door to oil and gas exploration in state waters.............here
Democrat Yolly Roberson And Every Republican Voted For It.

Hillsborough County Revenue Collectors

On Lumsden Rd In Brandon

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Florida Blue Dogs

The Florida Democrats look like they're about to get behind another
"Reformed" Republican.
This morning CQPolitics reported that Jim Piccillo, a lifelong Republican, who stumbled into a NY Times story about Republicans-for-Obama, is going to run against Brown-Waite next year.........more

CJ Dude Ranch In Brooksville

Tim Clements was excited about getting his new business up and running. Several weeks ago, he put up an impressive sign on the gate of his 10-acre horse farm on remote Hampstead Drive, tucked away in a pastoral setting in southeast Hernando not far from the Pasco County line...........more

The 12th Annual Teenage Battle Of The Bands

The search is on for talented teen musicians to compete in the 12th Annual Teenage Battle of the Bands hosted by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The event will be held November 6 - 7 at the Hillsborough County Fair from 6 – 11 p.m. The Fair is located at 4810 E. State Road 60 in Dover...........here

Helping The Vets

At Kennedy And Dale Mabry In Tampa

St. Petersburg Times Wins Two Pulitzer Prizes

The top editors knew on Friday, but the rest of the staff weren’t clued until earlier today. By 3 p.m., however, the newsroom at the St. Petersburg Times was filled with reporters and editors awaiting the formal announcement of the news: the Times had picked up two Pulitzer Prizes.......more

Tampa, St. Petersburg Mayors Face Off in "A Tale of Two Cities"

Two high-powered mayors will meet at 7 p.m. May 6 to debate whose city boasts the most colorful past. Sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council, “A Tale of Two Cities” features St. Petersburg’s Rick Baker and Tampa’s Pam Iorio at a free public program at the Centro Asturiano Theatre, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave. in Tampa. A cash bar and free on-site parking are available..........here

This Saturday Come To Bartlett Park

Please Don't Let Paris' Death Be in Vain
April 25, Saturday - People will begin to gather at 8:00 AM at the Frank Pierce Center, 2000 7th Street South, St. Pete..............more

Tampa Has A Thirst For Cuba Trade, Travel

In the minds of many, ties between Tampa and Cuba were among the strongest in Florida before the Castro-led revolution's impact on U.S. politics, trade and travel.........here

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Friends Of Stogie

At The Firehouse

What Stogie Had For Dinner

Red Wine Steak
With Red Beans And Rice And Veggies
$14.95.........At The Jerk Hut On Fowler Ave In Tampa

Errors Of Impunity: A Pinellas Pattern

A lapse of justice that allows a culpable offender to remain at large is known as an error of impunity, a miscarriage of justice. The integrity of the entire justice system becomes imperiled and so it has in Pinellas County........more

Florida Republicans: The 6 Minute Solution

"The 81-page bill was debated for just six minutes before it passed on a 10-5 party-line vote... no other committee is slated to review the bill." Make no mistake: this vicious attack on the public was made by Florida Republicans in response to the Obama victory in 2008 in Florida. Republican strategists understand that new voting registrations and demographics are moving, quickly, away from them..........more

Great American Cleanup Collects Tons Of Litter In Hillsborough

J.C. Singletary, 5, and his sister, Erica, 8, picked up plastic bags, beer bottles, cardboard and other items along the westbound lanes of the Courtney Campbell Parkway in Tampa during the Great American Cleanup on Saturday........more

Meghan and Jeff’s Ybor City Engagement Session

Jason Angelini Photography

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Earth Day Tampa Bay!

Tampa’s biggest Earth Day celebration, Earth Day Tampa Bay, promises to be bigger and better than ever when it takes over Lowry Park’s Band Shell area on Sunday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.........here

Parental Guidance Suggested

via SFDB

Nature's Classroom To Host Open House

Nature's Classroom, an environmental education center, will have a two-day open house during its 40th anniversary celebration. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 13100 Verges Road..........more

Wat Mongkolratanaram, Tampa’s Thai Buddhist Temple

If you take the 50th Street exit off the crosstown expressway, go south across the Palm River, turn left at the first light, and then, soon after the railroad tracks, turn left into the big parking lot, you will be transported to a different mindset, a completely different approach to life and being..........here