Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Remember this accidental porn?  And this accidental porn?  The local branch of the US Postal Service has written the next chapter. 

Dave Pinero has updated and redesigned his Tampa Rail website.  He’s busy tracking all the rail news he can find on his Blog, including the local light rail transit, the Teco streetcar, and the statewide bullet train.  The redesign looks great, Dave.  Thanks to John of Stonegauge and Boltsmag fame for the heads-up on the latest news and the redesign.

As I’m sure you already know, the double your homestead exemption amendment didn’t pass muster  with the State Supreme Court.   FlaBlog had it right on when he said the summary was deceptive.  Good call, Mark.

A quick Panama City tidbit:  People have no clue how to properly drive on the interstate.  Some people get into the left lane, and just stay there.  Forever.  But most of them get in the center lane, and stay there.  Forever.  So those who drive faster have to choose between the far left or the right lane.  If the left lane is clogged with a slow driver, the faster one will go to the right lane.  Where they will inevitably be slowed by a slower driver in the correct lane.  And the recent news that the slow-lane cloggers will be severely dealt with?  I’ll believe it when I see it.  From Tampa up I-75 to I-10 to 231, and back again, I saw one billboard.  Just one.  Near one of the Ocala exits.  And it was difficult to see among the many billboards there.  I must have missed this one.  To me it’s simple:  Stay to the far right unless passing.  If you are driving on the interstate, and someone passes you on your right, YOU are in the wrong lane.

It may get weird over in Pinellas tonight:  Bay News 9 just reported that an internal probe cleared the St. Pete officers in the Marquell McCullough shooting in May.  You may recall what happened last time.

It may stay weird there, too:  Bubba the Love Sponge is running for Sheriff of Pinellas.

Tampa Bay tied with Salt Lake City, both ranked 18^th most passionate sports market in DirectTV’s Sports Fan Passion Index

A couple months ago, St. Pete won a “Most Livable City” designation from the “Partners for Livable Communities.”  Turns out the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership paid $10,000 for “winning” the title.  The nonprofit group PLC claims the payment and award are not tied.  That the fee pays for listing at PLC’s website and maintenance.  But every community that won has been invoiced $10K.

At best this arrangement is inappropriate and leaves the designation meaningless.  Not to mention that $10K seems to be a lot of money for maintenance for this crap.  If you had $10K to throw away on the internet, wouldn’t you fix this first?

You knew this would happen.  Rev. Nancy Wilson of Metropolitan Community Church, and her wife, Dr. Paula Schoenwether are suing to have their same-sex Massachusetts marriage recognized nationwide.  Why do I mention it at Sticks of Fire?  It could set a historic precedent, that’s why.  Oh, and it’s happening right here in Tampa.

Just got back from Panama City Beach…  updates to come