Friday, March 27, 2009

Republican Spies At April Griffin's Temple Terrace Home

That's the suspicion of some Hillsborough Democrats, after seeing Republican activist Hank Gill show up at a recent Democratic Professionals Council meeting snapping pictures and then last night meeting a fellow named Michael Ciftci at a Young Democrats gathering at April Griffin's Temple Terrace home........here

Florida Film Festival 2009

Cutting-edge American independent and international film paired with fine cuisine and wine will take a bow at the 18th annual Florida Film Festival, March 27 through April 5, 2009........here

Cities Dimming Their Lights For Earth Hour

The SunTrust building dome will go dark for one hour Saturday night. The lights will be going out for Earth Hour. The event, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. around the world, is organized by the World Wildlife Fund to draw attention to global warming...........more

Albany Jane's Trip To Tampa

There are worse places to be than Tampa in March”, so we managed to enjoy ourselves on this trip as well. He is quite right – Tampa was so very nice in comparison to the 29F degree weather in Albany...........more

Friends Of Stogie

At Bulls Club

What Happens When Tampa Bay Really Runs Out Of Water?

Our reservoir is essentially dry. More than 6 major brush fires burn in the counties around us due to the dry conditions and we’re only at the beginning of the dry season. Is anyone besides me wondering what happens next?.......more

Sunset Beach Alcohol Ban Proposal Withdrawn

A proposal to ban alcoholic beverages on Sunset Beach was withdrawn tonight in the face of overwhelming opposition from Sunset Beach residents............more

University of Florida Plays Large Role in Combatting Discrimination

What may have been the biggest weapon in the arsenal of LGBT rights supporters in Gainesville this past week, who handily defeated an anti-LGBT ballot initiative in municipal elections on Tuesday.........more
Go Gators

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Treasure Island City Commission “Emergency Meeting”

An alcohol-free Sunset Beach? That could become reality if several Treasure Island homeowners get their way...........more

Fans Of Stogie

Marla Of Tampa

The Suncoast Avian Society

Will hold its Exotic Bird Fair on April 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Minnreg Bldg., 6340 126 Ave., Largo

Ybor Festival of the Moving Image

Wednesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 5
Palm Ave and 15th Street, Ybor City

Twigs & Leaves Of St.Pete

Specializes in native Florida plants, trees and flowers and carry environmentally friendly organic soils, fertilizers and pesticides. Full sun, partial shade or full shade, there are Florida native plants suitable for any project. Through the use of Florida native plants, homeowners can enjoy a lush and colorful landscape that saves energy, reduces water usage and adds to your quality of life............more

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies

Keep Jazz On The Air In Tampa

On WMNF,
The big push for jazz-programming pledges takes place this Saturday,
March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m...........more

StandwithDrDean.com

Brian Blair Facing Elections Commission Charges

The Florida Elections Commission has found probable cause that former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair violated state law in his unsuccessful reelection bid last fall.......more

Castor To Talk Women At USF St. Pete

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor will lead a discussion on women in politics at USF St. Petersburg on Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event in honor of Women's History Month is open to the public and takes place in Davis Hall, Room 130, at USF St. Petersburg, 140 Seventh Ave. S.......more

Kevin Beckner Is Legislator of the Year

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner may have failed in his attempt to get the commission to consider offering domestic partner benefits to county employees. But he succeeded in getting an award from social workers for the effort..........more

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

What Stogie Had For Dinner

Pork Chops
Yellow Rice, Spanish Bean Soup And Yuca
$7.95............At Bohio Verde Cuban Restaurant, 8114 N Florida Ave, Tampa

Pedestrian Unfriendly Tampa Bay

Oh, the joys of living someplace so totally pedestrian unfriendly... Yes, my city, state and region (Tampa Bay area) have the dubious distinction, several times over, of being one of the most dangerous places in the nation for pedestrians and cyclists..........more

Festa Italiana In Ybor City

Festa Italiana is a gathering of authentic tastes, sights & sounds straight from Italy... Imported here to Ybor City. An annual event guaranteed to delight your whole family! Set in the heart of Historic Ybor City. Proceeds to benefit the Italian Club Restoration Fund L'Unione Italiana Founded 1894. Admission $5.00 - Under 12 FREE

Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho

Todd Rundgren To Perform At Capitol Theatre

Friday, March 27, 8 p.m., Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater.

"Tampa Bay in the Future" Chalk Walk

Last week, I reported on the "Tampa Bay in the Future" Chalk Walk Art Event. It was an incredible success, bringing in many chalk artists and hundreds of attendees to share their interpretations of the future of Tampa Bay in chalk. Here are a few images of the event.

TSA: Let's Let In The Sunshine

Irritated by the ouster of the Tampa Sports Authority's executive director, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio announced today that the city's TV station will start airing the agency's meetings..........here

Fans Of Stogie

Jose Of Tampa

WMNF Needs Our Money

A couple of times year, we ask for your contributions to help keep WMNF on the air. WMNF is non-commercial community radio - we survive only due to the generosity of listeners like you.
...............here
We need: $473,000.00 - Raised so far: $54,749.63 from 642 generous supporters!

What Stogie Had For Breakfast

Eggs, Bacon And Home Fries
$4.50.........At 3 Coins Diner In Tampa

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Storms: Funding Public Art Low Priority In Tough Times

The Brandon Republican also questions whether the more than 100 pieces of public art occupying the University of South Florida's Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses contribute anything to the quality of the education students receive............more

Ybor City Hopes Connector Will Ease Traffic Woes

Hope has taken the form of an elevated bypass that would let trucks and other traffic travel from the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway to Interstate 4 without touching an Ybor road...........more

Friends Of Stogie

At Apadana Pub In Tampa

Welcome to the Evelyn City Neighborhood

We would like to invite you to get involved with our latest project: ECO.lution, 2009. The Urban Charrette is a collaborative that seeks to educate and empower the community to support the development of a more livable city............more

Florida Anti-War March

Join several hundreds from more than 10 cities, Miami to Atlanta, in demanding our government fund human needs instead of war and corporate greed. Bail out the people and the troops, not the banks.........more
”Hey, Obama, yes, we can. Troops out of Afghanistan.”.........Mark Weaver

Tampa Wants To Give Away Water

City officials have come up with a plan to get more reclaimed water onto parched lawns and gardens in the drought-plagued Tampa Bay area: give it away............more

Tampa Police Use MySpace

That’s the goal for the Tampa Police Department, which took the innovative step in summer 2008 to create MySpace pages for itself and each of its 25 school resource officers...........more

Tampa Bay Water Is Incompetent!

Tampa City Council blames our water woes on the wrong people, ratepayers. It’s the same ridiculous scenario every year. The dry season comes and we are blamed for the area’s water shortcomings. The blame and sacrifices should be borne by the worst-run government agency in the area, Tampa Bay Water..........more

Monday, March 23, 2009

Floridians Are A Bunch Of Unmotivated, Crack-Smoking Losers

This slap in the face comes courtesy of
Florida State Senator Michael S. Bennett
A Republican from Bradenton. He’s 64, Baptist and hails from the Midwest........here

Fans Of Stogie

Shawn Of Pennsylvania, Go Steelers

Stogie Recommends

A Bronx Dream
Is an inspiring look into the lives of 32 children from a school in one of the poorest districts of the Bronx, their discovery of Irish dancing, the Irish language and their journey to and passion for a country they have only seen in their imagination.

Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho

Tampa Mayor And Light Rail

The solution to economic woes is light rail because it will create jobs and promote smart growth. Iorio said she hoped by the end of the year Hillsborough County commissioners would approve putting a referendum on a sales tax to pay for a line from the
University Of South Florida To The Airport
On the 2010 ballot...........more

An Evening With Amy Goodman At USF

Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman, host of the daily, grassroots, global, radio/TV news hour “Democracy Now!” is coming to USF-Tampa on Monday, April 6th........here
Stogie's Hero

Shop Local

The Dog's Meow
16311 N. Florida Ave., Lutz

here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Beef Stew
With Moro
$5.95..........At Las Margaritas Restaurant, 4031 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa

Sunday, March 22, 2009

FLORIDA WILDLIFE: THE VIEW FROM SIOUXIE'S DECK

here

Big John's Alabama Barbecue, Get It While You Still Can

Tuesday, March 31st, will be the last opportunity that patrons of an East Tampa business will have the opportunity to visit for several weeks. Big John's Alabama Barbecue is closing its doors for the expansion of the N. 40th Street Widening Project........more
"But We Are Coming Back Bigger And Better".........Ms. Jabessa Stephens Major

Debbra Bruce Photography Of Tampa

here

Republican Civil War Raging In Tallahassee

Over the past few weeks there has been a Republican civil war raging in Tallahassee, splitting Florida's GOP into two factions: the Crist "Out-Of-Touch" Republicans and the "Arrogant-Elitist" Republicans............more

Friends Of Stogie

At Baba Louies

4,000 God-Fearing Patriots In Orlando

More than 4,000 people attended the Orlando Tea Party, a conservative rally aimed at expressing discontent with Washington.........here