Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

We got a letter from a faraway reader, and he is asking for some Tampa-based assistance. I’ve supplied some information, but feel free to add to it as you see fit. Here’s the missive:

First allow me to say that I’m a great fan of Sticks of Fire. It’s a daily read for me, and is proving to be an invaluable resource.

My fiancée and I are planning a move to Florida from the Washington, DC area. She has applied to Stetson, and we expect to be moving some time around February.

What this means, of course, is that I’ll need a job in order to make our transition easier. Moving isn’t a lot of fun. Moving without any money is less fun. At any rate, I’ve spent most of my professional career in Washington, in politics and government. I have certainly enjoyed working for a non-profit for the last two years, and would be willing to consider a move to a non-profit in Tampa, but I’m open to new ideas and suggestions.

I would very much appreciate any ideas you might have, any suggestions you could give, even just on the transition from a place like Washington to a city like Tampa. Thanks in advance and please keep up the good work at Sticks of Fire.

Sincerely,
Lee Ving DeeCee

Dear Lee,

First of all, I’d like you to know that your taste in blogs is unsurpassed. Sticks should be a daily read for you and everyone you know.

Congratulations on your wise decision to relocate to the Tampa Bay area. Stetson is a fine school, and your fiancée should find it to her liking – as long as she is not a blogger.

February is an excellent time for a move to the area as well. If you make it by early February, you should plan on taking in the Gasparilla Festival and Parade. It’s probably like DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival, except with pirates, beads, and flashing girls instead of uh, trees.

There are other differences you can expect as well:

1. Slow down: Everything in Florida is much more laid back than many places, especially DC.
2. Don’t offer advice: It’s true – we really don’t care how you did it “back home.” Any suggestions that begin with “Back home we used to…” that are met with one finger pointing up (north) (don’t take offense, it only means you should drive “back home”).
3. Income Tax: Ain’t got none for the State, County, City, Neighborhood, or District. Just one for your soon-to-be-former neighbors’ pockets.
4. Weather: Leave your snow shovel, buy more t-shirts.
5. Attire: Leave your three-piece, buy more t-shirts.
6. Crime: DC was once the Murder Capital of the US, and Wikipedia even has a separate entry on Crime in Washington DC. People move to Florida after they have murdered, then become pirates.
7. Sports: Your teams are named “Washington,” but play elsewhere. Our teams are named “Tampa Bay,” but actually play on land. For Redskins games, check out Elmer’s in Ybor City. For playoff games, try Raymond James Stadium and the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa (explaining this is a post in itself).
8. Business: DC – government and tourism. Tampa Bay – tourism and call centers.
9. Diversity: DC’s tourism board website has a section for GLBT. Tampa Bay’s tourism board website has a section for FAQ’s.
10. Food: Here you have the Cuban Sandwich, or eat at Hooters. DC doesn’t want anything to do with Cubans.
11. History: In DC there are too many places to mention. In Tampa there are too few.
12. Politics: Big difference here - Washington politicians are concerned with an entire country of diverse citizens. Hillsborough County politicians are just trying to get rid of gay people and titty bars. But these locals fight harder and dirtier, ‘cuz it’s more important. However, none of our mayors have been arrested for crack. They do get their cars immobilized though.

I’m certain there are more changes in store for you. Check the comments in case others have more information.

As far as finding a job for you, the unemployment level here is low. You will likely have little problem finding something that appeals to you. I am not aware of any specific help needed in the non-profit sector, but I can get you some work mowing grass. Perhaps the great local SOF readers are aware of openings within the non-profit sector. (Readers, this is where you leave a comment that I can forward on to Lee Ving DeeCee).

Generally, if you like cigars, bugs, saltwater, strippers, sunshine, traffic, or pirates, you’ll do just fine here. Just don’t be surprised to find movie rentals and bait in the same store.

At any rate, we here at Sticks wish you the best of luck with the move, and look forward to welcoming you into our great community! Let me know when you get settled, and I’ll buy you a real Cuban Sandwich.

I’ve missed a couple “this day in Tampa” tidbits. Here’s what happened:

November 27, 1926: The City of Tampa leased some land from John Drew for an airport. That place opened in February of 1928 as Drew Field. In 1952 it was renamed Tampa International Airport. The neighborhood just east of the airport is now known as Drew Park.

November 28, 1984: Ricky Bell died. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers number one draft pick in 1977, running back Ricky Bell was a victim of heart failure at age 29 due to a rare muscular disease. Mario Van Peebles starred in a made for TV movie of his story: A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (review)

I have a quick follow-up to the nationwide story about the strip club love bus. It seems the bus had a brass pole installed, and two of the dancers were arrested for performing in an oratorical manner. Oh, and a customer was busted smoking pot. All of this just outside the Bucs game. You’d think the Minnesota Vikings were in town.

Hey! I just came up with a brilliant idea that may save HARTline. I’ll have to flesh out the details, though.

We heard again from Travis Puterbaugh, researcher for the Tampa Bay History Center. As is often the case, Travis was recently asked about the name of a few streets, and after digging up the answers, he forwarded the interesting stuff on to us.

George H. Packwood, a successful military man, bought the first deed in Maitland, FL in 1873. After a freeze ruined his orange groves, the Packwood family packed up for Tampa in the 1880’s.

George brought his entire family to the west coast: Wife Lahvesia, Son George H. Jr, and daughters, Mary, Eunice, Lahvesia, and one they all called “Babette.” They settled in Hyde Park, just west of downtown.

Within the Packwood Subdivision, there were a number of streets named after the family. Packwood St. was named after George Sr. The kids each got a street based on their names, too. Unfortunately, Lahvesia, Mary and Eunice streets have since disappeared. But I’m sure you’ve driven down the road named after George Horatio Packwood, Jr., as well as the one for Babette’s real name, Azeele. See the map.

And you were googling Babette Avenue.

As you might imagine, there are similarly named roads in Maitland. Incidentally, Maitland is named after William Seton Maitland, who was never in that area, but died during the Seminole Wars in a battle near Tampa.

Travis found the info in the November 1988 edition of The Sunland Tribune in an article written by Ernest Packwood McBryde (pdf), Packwood’s grandson.

Thanks a bunch to USF Libraries Special Collections and, of course, Travis at the Tampa Bay History Center.

A new book suggests John F. Kennedy was targeted in Tampa four days before he was killed in Dallas.

An old person hits the accelerator instead of the brake, and kills her friend. You’ve read that before, and you’ll read it again.

If you don’t understand the reason we included dancers in our “Tampa is…” series, catch the latest in tailgate parties: high heels on wheels.

I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner and 2005 is almost over. Well…whether you need a nudge to get you into the holiday spirit or you’re already in the that cocoa by the fireplace frame of mind, Lowry Park Zoo’s Annual Wild Wonderland is a great family experience.

This year’s display of lights will be the largest ever, including lighted walkways and animatronic displays. For the price of admission you’ll also enjoy free unlimited rides, meet Santa’s reindeer, strolling carolers, live bands & a winter wildlife show. You can also have your photo taken with Santa for $5 per person, take a jingle bell carriage ride led by a team of Haflinger horses for $4 and try out the holiday themed games for .50 per game. Young and old - there’s something for everyone.

Admission: $13 for adults (ages 12 and over) $11 for children (ages 3-11) Free for children 2 years and under.
Dates: December 2-3, 9-11, 16-18 & 20-23.
Time: 6pm -9pm