Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Sweet relief: the cost of one gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has fallen below $2.00 at some area stations.

Tampa Gas Prices provides a great way to find the best deals near you (emphasis for those that are driving to other counties to “save” - please don’t do this).

And straight from our own federal government, here are some tips to get the best gas mileage from your vehicle, gas guzzler or otherwise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We here at sticks are thankful for living right here in Tampa. For all we find to complain about, there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be.

Thanks also goes to our sponsors: Tampa4Sale, Tampa Bay Muse, Googleads, and Sunbelt Solutions.

Thanks to every website who links here. A big thanks to the Weekly Planet and St. Pete Times (and tbt*) for highlighting local blogs and bloggers!

Another big heaping of thanks goes to all of our contributors here: skippy, joel, wendy, kate, editengine, and filmfan make this site what it is. Each of them have increased the quality of stuff found here, and their time and effort has been invaluable.

John and Brett have done a remarkable job in making this site look the way it does. My sincerest thanks to both of you for taking your valuable time and talents to make this spot on the web unique.

I also want to thank all of the readers here. That people come and look at all we find to complain about is still nothing short of amazing to me. I hope all of you have a great day every day.

If there’s something you are thankful for, please let us know about it in the comments.

Mayor Pam continues to screw with businesses in Ybor.

First, Iorio wants to reduce the noise volume even further. We’re still going through the first round, and I’m not sure it is fair.

The next idea she has is to toughen wet-zoning requirements that would force bars to stay open longer hours. Currently the bars open when foot traffic demands it. There’s no sense in opening for no customers. The bars will have higher expenses and may be forced out of business.

Hey Pammy - I have an idea. Let Ybor be what it has become - an entertainment district. Focus your efforts on West Tampa - make it the new family-friendly Tampa destination. You can start there with a blank slate.

Isn’t it easier to start from scratch, rather than turning a prostitute into a virgin?

oops

Mary Ann Stiles is gathering signatures to change the structure of Hillsborough County government. Because the BOCC is run by seven equal people, it seems they are going in seven different directions. Stiles says having one mayor over the commission would give the county true leadership.

The Tribune editorial board says Voters Should Pursue Right To Elect a County Mayor. And Tuesday morning, Jack & Tedd also thought it would be a good idea.

Based on how the BOCC has gotten along with the City of Tampa for the past 35 years, I’m inclined to believe that anything is better than how it is currently. What do you think?

Film Floridais a non-profit organization formed to represent Florida’s film and entertainment industries and promote the creation of jobs in film. They recently elected new officers and board members for 2005-06. George Cornelius of Tampa Digital Studios was elected Secretary, and Tampa Bay Film Commissioner Krista Soroka was elected to serve on the Film Commission Council Board.

Congratulations George and Krista!

(cross-posted on Tampa Film Fan)

We go wayyyy back. To 1977 to be precise, when his novel The Shining first appeared in bookstores. That’s right, I have a long time fascination with Stephen King. What’s that got to do with the Tampa area? He’s making an appearance at the Writers in Paradise 2006 conference at Eckerd College, and you don’t have to be a conference attendee to go hear him read.

An Evening with Stephen King
Saturday, January 21, 2006 8pm
McArthur Gymnasium (see campus map)
Eckerd College
4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL
Tickets: $20. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
General admission seating

Thanks to TampaBookBuzz for alerting me to this special event. FYI, all you writers out there, Stephen King wrote one of the best books about writing on the market: On Writing by Stephen King.

Cigar City Magazine, a new bimonthly magazine dedicated to the history and culture of Ybor City and Tampa, premiered October 27th. Visit www.cigarcitymagazine.com to find out where to pick up a copy.

(cross-posted at Tampa Book Buzz)