The Florida Democrats look like they're about to get behind another
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 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
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
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
Please Don't Let Paris' Death Be in Vain
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
Red Wine Steak
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
"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
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
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
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
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
A Plant City savings and loan has filed a foreclosure lawsuit against former Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson because of missed payments on a $400,000 loan..........more
Peggy Fleming spent years preparing to become an Olympic champion. Now she's using that same determination to reach what she considers a more important goal: a long, healthy life..........here
Dean encouraged citizens to participate in democracy at the local and state levels, especially those that bring diversity to the political arena...........more
Savor the sights, sounds and aromas of Ybor City’s rich traditions at the 3rd Annual Ybor Aficionado Days . Gather with family and friends and discover the aficionado within. Saturday, April 18, 2009 and Sunday, April 19, 2009............here
The county Environmental Protection Commission issued the advisory today at 4 p.m. when ozone levels reached 81 parts per billion. The levels are forecast to remain above 75 parts per billion, the new federal safety standard, for eight hours..........more
This week’s Mark Weavers show — 9-11am Saturday features U.S. Green Party leader Greg Gerritt who recently founded the Green Party Candidates and Campaign Resource Center, a consulting business to help Green candidates win campaigns...........more
Meet John
The State Legislature is threatening Florida Forever, the state's land preservation program. Unless the Legislature funds it in the 2009-10 budget the program could end this year...........here
The amount of journalism talent in the Tampa Bay area is about to reach ridiculous levels this week..........here
They marched for Paris Whitehead-Hamilton on Good Friday. 
Needs Some Volunteers
Eric Deggans
South Tampa businesses say they're not happy with plans by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority to extend the Selmon Crosstown Expressway to the Gandy Bridge..........more
There are many reasons Tampa has been included in TNG. A few of them are: a vibrant nightlife, a unique historical district, a rich art scene, the large number of indie theaters that are located in the area, and a local gay culture that could be better represented when it comes to things to do and the places to see and be seen..........here
It’s been a month since my wedding day, and I’m still in awe of how fantastic and beautiful the day was. It was everything I could have imagined - and more! I’ve received all of my photos from my photographer, so I thought I’d post a few for your viewing pleasure.
This is the story of a little-known South Florida mayor, a progressive anti-automatic weapons kinda politician with little name recognition and labeled with the tag “the gay candidate” in his quest to be the next U.S. senator from Florida..........more
Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Fla., is home to scores of exclusive fashion and jewelry shops — and a growing number of empty storefronts. Some multimillionaires are snapping wallets shut, too............more
