Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Could it be that the St. Pete Times reads Sticks of Fire? I recently highlighted the trouble Detroit is having with their property tax cap. In an excellent commentary, SoHoTampa points out that the St. Pete Times is now finding the same problems right here in South Tampa.

Full disclosure: I have previously said that the tax cap is a “great idea.” Seeing the long-term results of this playing out, I’ve changed my mind.

CP Ships, which is based in London, but has a very large presence here in Tampa, announced they will restate their revenue to the tune of about $45 Million. In other words, they took in Forty Five Million Dollars less than they said they did over the last couple years. According to Lloyd’s List, CP Ships is now ripe for a takeover. Wow. Have you ever heard of a huge company misstating revenue that badly? Oh wait… There might have been one or two. Sheesh.

Costa is closing his Critical ‘I’, and becoming a population statistic. Rather than go on about what a great name change, or incredible design, or brilliant decision he made by switching blog software, I think I’ll just say that I like the way the transformation was done. Change the things you are not thrilled with all at one time. It’s like instead of fixing up an old house, ya just move to a new house, except without being unable to get insurance ’cause it’s hurricane season. Anyway, all his archives will be over there, the new stuff is over here, and I’ve already made the change in my sidebar. Have fun with the new spot, CT.

At I-4 and 301, a large group of people gathered to be entertained. There was much happiness and beer. But it rained. And it became a muddy mess. Was it the first day of the State Fair? Naw. But it kind of felt like it. It was Projekt Revolution, although I’ve taken to calling it the KoRn/Dogg Concert (say it out loud). I even got accidentally moshed a little. If you’re going to the Ampitheatre, here’s a hint: when people will be moshing in the orchestra pit, they will also do it in the yard*, causing the grass to let go of the earth. Then, when it rains, the earth moves. The giant hill slowly becomes a slippery slide. Plenty of the earth ends up heading down toward the stands, and the drains down there aren’t perfect. The moshers were covered in mud from head to toe, but they were having a great time.

The music was great, too - loud, clear, and very entertaining. KoRn was ok, and Linkin Park had an energetic, highly entertaining performance, but Snoop came close to stealin’ the show. The D-O-Double-Gizzle went old school for much of his set, and had the crowd waving, swaying, cheering, screaming, and tossin’ up the sticky icky. He even brought up 10 beauties from the crowd to dance on stage with him. Dogg and the Snoopadelics were all wearing Devil Rays jerseys and shirts, and were ready to party hard. Read more about the KoRn/Dogg show from the Tribune and Times reviews.

The parking there really sucks.

*yard = my name for the “Festival Lawn”

There’s probably no reason to panic, but there’s been no posts at Florida Politics since Friday. I don’t know exactly in which part of Florida it’s posted from, but has anyone heard anything?

Kat has many posts on how you can help, including this one.

A new charitable blog, Strengthen The Good wants to enlist your blog on some charitable endeavors, and will soon pick a smaller Charley-based charity for donations.

If you are from out of state and looking for family members in the aftermath of Charley, DebWire says the Red Cross has a phone number that may help:

Can’t find a loved one? Call the Red Cross at 1-866-GET-INFO (438-4636) to
inquire whether your loved one turned up on rosters at evacuation shelters in
Southwest Florida. Don’t be surprised if you have a minutes-long wait on this
busy phone line before being put through to a representative.

Just for you in Tampa: Want to help, but can’t send cash? Don’t have time to drive to Punta Gorda or Lakeland? Here’s an excellent opportunity. Just today, the United Way opened a Regional Recovery Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in East Tampa. They need volunteers to assist with the recovery efforts for victims of Hurricane Charley. They need you for warehouse workers, telephone, runners/messengers and fork lift operators, among others. Read about it and sign up now.

The centerpiece of Gov. Jeb Bush’s education policies, private school vouchers, has been ruled unconstitutional. Under Jeb!’s plan, students attending public schools that earn failing grades two years out of four are eligible for vouchers to private schools, including religious schools.

Cal Thomas doesn’t like it one bit, and even suggests that liberals wouldn’t allow their kid to stay in a failing school:

“You can bet none of the leaders of the organizations opposing vouchers for the poor would let their own children or grandchildren spend a single day in failing public schools.”

You are wrong Cal. Instead of moving kids to a new school, most want better standards at the existing schools.

The unconstitutional ruling will be appealed, but this is a big blow to Jeb!’s administration. The voucher system doesn’t work, and I especially don’t like the fact that there is very little (or no) oversight on the private schools that profit from these vouchers. Now with this development, the whole thing may be scrapped soon.

Thanks to Stonegauge for some links.

Those who live by da fairgrounds, look out, the big booms is coming!! The Projekt Revolution concert is tonight at da new ampitheatre, know what I’m sayin’? Tonight hell, that shiznit’s starting right now n’ shit. I’ll be there in a few hours. Gainesville rockers Less than Jake begin on da main stage around 4:30, followed by da used, Snoop Dogg, KoRn, ‘n finishing wit Linkin Park, know what I’m sayin’? I think that shiznit might be a gravy time.

*shizzolated by Snoop’s Shizzolator

Complimenting someone’s haircut could get you killed.

Sarahintampa is organizing a local bloggers night out for tonight September 18th at Splitsville at Channelside. So far, Rae plans to come from Spring Hill, Melissa is coming from Orlando, Josh is a definite maybe, and Dave will be there, as will Chris. Here’s your evite.

EDIT: Um, The get-together is September 18, not tonight.