Thanks New Blair Higginbotham!

Rural residents against sprawl (or as opponents negatively call us, diehards) successfully defended the rural area against another assault last Thursday. Not without first having to battle arguably one of the most influential developers in the county, Stephen Dibbs..........more

Alex Pickett’s Guide To Ridiculous Legislation

5 Bong Hits: Florida Lawmakers Want To Ban Novelty Lighters

There are few bills that reach the absolute absurdity of SB 806, a proposed law banning lighters that resemble “a cartoon character, animal, toy, gun, watch, musical instrument, vehicle, food or beverage, that plays sound or musical notes, or that displays flashing lights or other visual effects.”...........here

Hillsborough County To Vote On Furloughs

With the Hillsborough government facing a deficit of more than $100 million, County Commissioners today agreed to lead by example by voting to furlough themselves several days sometime later this year.
The idea of the Commissioners taking a hit themselves originated last week from Commissioner Kevin Beckner..........more

Friends Of Stogie

Sarge Of The Bulls Club In Tampa.

Florida Journalists on the Future of Newspapers, Community Media

With Amy Goodman, Rob Lorei Of WMNF, Patrick Manteiga Of The Gaceta, And Marty Petty Of The St. Pete Times. From Tampa

Ghost Hunters @ The Cuban Club & Trelles Clinic Ybor City

There was a fairly decent display of actual debunking going on, but still a lot of assumptions that leave the proverbial door wide open to debate. First, lets look at the paranormal claims being made by the sites under investigation...........more

Joe Gets Fined For Helping A Chicken Cross The Road in Ybor City

Hillsborough Rejects Development In Little Manatee River

Hillsborough County Commissioners today rejected a developer’s request to build homes on a slice of land near the Little Manatee River in Ruskin, and instead said they would forward the issue to their environmental lands acquisition department for possible purchase...........more

Rob Lorei Chats With Rich Lowry Editor Of National Review

Play Date 4.8.09
Rich Lowry Was Actually Pretty Cool, For A Right Winger

Banquo's Ghosts - NRO

USF Student Arrested by Immigration Three Days After Acquittal

Nighttime Economy Stimulus Program

Ybor City Will Host The First Of Fourteen Regional Forums

On the nighttime economy held throughout North America. Each forum will guide business and government leaders in planning and managing nightlife. The first forum in Ybor City on April 30 will be followed in cities from Providence to San Diego, Toronto to LA and Seattle to New York City...........here

The "IKEA-Zation" Of Ybor City

The latest addition to the Ybor City arts scene is part gallery, theater, concert hall, gift shop and classroom...........more

Tampa The Best City For Cats

Stogie's Friends

A survey by CATalyst, a coalition of veterinarians, cat loving academics, nonprofits and industries as well as animal welfare organizations, has named Tampa the best city for felines..........here

Tax Leaves Cigarmakers Feeling Burned

Wallace Reyes of Gonzalez Habano Cigar Co. fears new taxes will kill the cigar industry in Tampa..........more

Mom Finds Missing Son In Ybor City Bar

A missing Orange County man was found safe in Hillsborough County recently after walking away from his life in Orlando. Darren Harris, 24, was found safe in Ybor City on April 3 at a bar there. Harris' mother, Carrie Helfrich, drove from Tennessee to Tampa after Orange County deputies discovered he had been staying in the area...........more

The Warrior Woman Of Tampa Bay

Adrienne Nadeau

The Warrior Woman, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing teens and at-risk youth a means of artistic expression is looking for volunteers!We are currently running a program called "The 36 Schools Project". We will travel into under-funded and at-risk schools and run empowering spoken word poetry events for approximately 150 teens...........more

Hit and Run

Tampa Mugshots

here

Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho

Ben Folds at The Ritz Ybor

Walking by the Ritz in Ybor City last Friday night, you may have thought some tech convention was going on..........more

Alan Snel's Letter To The City Of Tampa

I want to share a letter I wrote today informing the city of Tampa to please instruct its police officers to not stop bicyclists from crossing the Gandy Bridge...........here

Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure

WMNF Film Series Committee

Presents the film Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure, a documentary about the 1st US war for oil of the 21st century Narrated by Ed Asner........more

TIA Transfer Center

In March, bus service to Tampa International Airport got faster and more convenient with improved frequencies on Route 30. Now, service is slated to improve even more with an agreement to build a new multi-modal transfer center on airport property..........more

Mote Aqaurium’s Turtle Mascot

Mote Aqaurium's Turtle Mascot, Shelley, Comes Out of Her Shell... from roblimo on Vimeo.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Assorted Chinese

$5.24.............China First, 2811 E Fowler Ave, Tampa

Eat Local

Jen Of "Go Green Items"

Featured her recycled eco friendly purses in a 10 x 10 tent in beautiful Hyde Park Tampa and had a wonderful day. Not realizing it I was in conversation with a very nice woman and then realized it was Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. What a great feeling to welcome the Mayor into my booth, then it got better, she loved my recycled juice box purses and actually purchased one. She was also sweet enough to let me snap a quick picture..........more

U.S. Congressional Delegation Arrives in Havana

U.S Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif, speaks with journalists along with fellow congressmen in Havana, Friday, April 3, 2009. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus traveled to Cuba on Friday in another sign of the US Congress' apparent interest in easing a long-standing trade embargo and travel restrictions............more
Let's End The Embargo, Yes We Can.

Best of Tampa Bay Apron Contest

The winner this year by unanimous decision was

Shelby McCarter

here

Looking For A Prostitute In Tampa?

Stay Off Nebraska Avenue, Tampa Police Is Watching

Friday night, they set up a prostitution sting along Nebraska Avenue. Undercover female officers posed as prostitutes. It took less than 30 seconds for a man in a truck to stop..........here

Free Electric Cart Rides In Downtown Tampa

With the electric shuttle behind him, driver Harry Peabody takes a photo of tourists from Allentown, Pa., in front of the fountain at the University of Tampa........more

A Florida Raccoon Bite Story

I am sharing this story as a reminder to never try to pick up a wild animal no matter how good intentioned you may be. Wild animals should be left alone and no one can really determine by a visual inspection that a animal may have rabies or other diseases.............more

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Is Rated Top Zoo For Children

Parents magazine, the nation’s leading parenting magazine with a community of 15 million readers, today named Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo the best zoo for kids in its first ever “10 Best Zoos” survey...........more

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies In Tampa

Irregular Artbeat Show at the Skatepark of Tampa

here

Tampa Photographer Michael Levan

Opportunistic Body Language

The Florida Meat Man

Working On Tampa Road

In Oldsmar

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Picadillo

With Red Beans, Rice And Green Beans

$5.95..........At Rosa's On MLK Just West Of Lois Ave In Tampa

Eat Local

Seminole Heights Tries Nonprofit Approach

Trailblazers in this historic section of central Tampa have big ambitions.......more
via....re/creating tampa

Mark Weaver Urges Boycott of Democratic Party

This week’s Mark Weaver Show (Sat 4/4 9-11am) reports on the Florida March for Peace and a New Foreign Policy last Saturday in Melbourne where 200 activists representing 64 peace and justice organizations convened from all over Florida............more

Going Green

Joe In Tampa

Thank You Representative Kathy Castor

President Obama's budget—which lays the groundwork for massive investments in health care for all, green jobs, clean energy and education—passed both the House and the Senate last night. It's a huge victory for progressives everywhere.

Call Rep. Castor and tell her how much her vote means to you?

Phone: 202-225-3376

Mail Box

In Palm Harbor, Florida

Tribute To Taft Richardson

Will be held in his honor at the the George Bartholomew North Tampa Center, 8608 N. 12th St., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today............more

Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho

Hillsborough County Schools And Cell Towers

Sase Persaud has always had a passion for fiction and poetry writing, but his newest fight to stop Hillsborough County School District support for school cell towers comes in a close second..........more
A 160-foot tower at Pride Elementary was built to resemble a flagpole.

Moslim Al-Assadi Likes Pornography

Tampa police have charged an Iraqi born Tampa man with torturing a female family member after she caught him with pornography.........more

Free Rain Barrel for Tampa Residents

All Tampa Water Department customers are eligible to receive a free rain barrel and a free Water Conservation Kit for attending a Hillsborough County Extension Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Rain Barrel Workshop.........here
Art Work: Durant High School Students

Tampa Indoor Rock Climbing

Come out and join the Tampa Adventure Group as we meet up for our monthly rock climbing event on indoor rock climbing walls...........here

Tampa Eyeing Land For Park In Channel District

The city is trying to bring green to the Channel District. It is negotiating to buy vacant property at Washington and 12th streets to build a half-acre neighborhood park............more