Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho In Tampa

Florida Republicans Turn Down Stimulus Money For Unemployment

This morning several of my friends were aghast about the Florida state Senate passing a bill to put crucifixes on license plates. And it was a bipartisan bill! But, truthfully, there was something even more disturbing that came out of the Florida legislature today. The Republicans, who still control the state legislature, are turning down the stimulus money that their own party's Governor is so eager to get.........more

BAMCO Backs Florida Tomato Pickers

The gigantic U.S. food-service company Bon Appetit Management Company has partnered with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to take on
Florida’s shamelessly, and infamously abusive tomato growers.........more

Florida Hospital Caught in Swine Flu Cover-Up?

A case of swine flu was diagnosed today in at Florida Hospital and disclosed in an email authored by its chief medical officer, but the infection was immediately denied by Florida Hospital and Orange County health official........more

Charlie Crist And The Jesus Plate

Offshore Oil Drilling In Gulf Off Florida Being Horse-Traded

Sen. Dan Gelber, a candidate for the U.S. Senate and a Democrat, warns of a rumor to that regard.......here

Canoeing Down the Hillsborough River

I’m about to endorse something I’ve previously spoken against - outdoor activity.
Take a deep breath, collect yourself…and we’re back...........more

Calvin Harris: No Pay Cuts For Pinellas Commission

Unlike counterparts in Hillsborough County,
Pinellas County commissioners won't dock their pay............here

HOTEL FLORIDAN TO REOPEN

Have you ever gone by this building in downtown Tampa and wondered what happened to it? There was a time when the Florida Hotel was the tallest building in Florida until 1966........more

Tampa Bay Water has Bleak Outlook

Tampa Bay is probably most known in the water community for having one of the largest desalinization plants in the nation, and is looked upon by many as the model to see if desal is a feasible alternative for the future...........more

Tampa Caribbean Carnival Festival

The 4th annual Caribbean Family Festival came to the Florida State Fairgrounds this weekend, bringing authentic island culture, music, food and dancing to Tampa. The sounds and smells of the islands filled the air............more

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies In Tampa

Bartlett Park Protest Against Violence

Thank you to all who came out this morning.
here

Shoreline of Florida’s Pan-Handle

here

Cyclist Down

On South Dale Mabry In Tampa

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Seafood Platter

$14.95...........At The Jerk Hut On Fowler Ave. In Tampa

Eat Local

Cat Killer "Robert George Smith" Of Clearwater

On Saturday, Smith was seen kicking a cat in the face, causing the animal to suffer a "severe head trauma injury," jail affidavits said. The cat had to be put down as a result..........here

Artist James Rosenquist Of Aripeka

Al Austin Using Up Tampa Bay’s Water

WestShore developer and Republican Party fundraiser Al Austin stared at the lush acreage that fronts his Tampa estate. The bluegill pond, the crape myrtles, the field of St. Augustine grass..........more

Hillsborough County's Cone Ranch

At the far northeast corner of Hillsborough County lie nearly 13,000 undeveloped acres that evoke old Florida. Here, cabbage palms, cypress stands, otters and gopher tortoises preside over an almost 20-square-mile swath, all owned by the public...........more

Temple Terrace Bat Tower Reconstruction

The Friends of the Temple Terrace Parks and Recreation and the Temple Terrace Preservation Society have partnered on fund raising to rebuild the greatest of Temple Terrace icons: “The Bat Tower............here

Peter Schorsch And The St. Petersburg Times

Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes since 2002, made several points and took some questions. This is what emerged, as it relates to the two wins by the St. Petersburg Times.

here

Florida Senate Approves Religious License Plates

If you want Jesus on your license plate, the Florida Senate is looking out for you...........here

Friends Of Stogie

At The Firehouse

Garden For Florida - Who Needs A Lawn?

We can’t make the rain fall from the sky, but we can change our lifestyles to make the best use of it when it does. So get outside now, in this beautiful spring weather, and make some changes in your yard. By the time the next dry season rolls around, you’ll have a yard that pretty much takes care of itself. Who could ask for anything more?............more

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Meat Loaf

With Mashed Potatoes, And Green Beans

$6.99............At Central Park Restaurant, 13418 Telecom Dr. In Temple Terrace

Eat Local

Parallel Parking

56th Street And Fletcher Ave. In Temple Terrace

Confederate Shindig

Under Their Flag At I75 And US 92

Bea Arthur

RIP

Gator Shows Up On Hillsborough County Woman's Doorstep

Commissioner Beckner Strikes Back

Sued for libel by his former political opponent, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner fired back today with a sharply worded legal filing that seeks to get the case tossed out of court........more

St. Pete Mayoral Forum At Parkshore

About fifty or so residents of the waterfront condominium community attended a forum for the six major mayoral candidates on Thursday at the Parkshore building...........more

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies In Tampa

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.

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

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!

here

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

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