Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

That’s the great thing about Jobsite Theater productions. They strive to bring unusual plays to town. And to be sure, unusual does not always mean “good.” But you will always go away having seen something you have not seen before (unlike movies, which are the same three or four stories over and over).

Playing right now are two more unusual shows, and both are getting rave reviews. Phyro-Giants!, is written around one simple concept: A dinner between four almost-strangers. The entire play is one scene that lasts 70 minutes with no intermission – perfect for those who get fidgety after an hour. Playwright Michael Blieden says “I must confess that I wrote this play, in part, to reach people who usually hate plays.”  The production worked well, and the actors within Jobsite are always fantastic. Shawn Paonessa in particular has an ease about him that makes you feel like you know him – no matter the character. Wifey and I were fortunate enough to see the production last weekend, and it was truly entertaining. Jobsite has more reviews and a video! 

While we were waiting to enter the theater Sunday, we saw Paul Potenza outside working with ranney and Derek Lance Jefferson on Topdog/Underdog, which opened last night. With even just that little sneak peek, the dynamics between the two actors (they are brothers in the play) were evident. This play promises to be a good one too. Jobsite has links to previews, and yes, another video. FilmFan Lisa is going this weekend, and will give us her thoughts next week. 

Now here’s the good part: I have 2 pairs of tickets to TopDog/Underdog for Saturday’s 8pm show. Leave a comment with a valid email address, and I’ll be in touch shortly.

Here’s ANOTHER good part: I have 2 more pairs of tickets to the Saturday 10:30pm showing of Phyro Giants!

Remember that is four pair in total. 4 winners will get 2 tickets each. For shows playing TOMORROW (don’t try to win if you can’t go). The first two to comment get their choice, the next two get what’s left over.  I’ll update this post when they are gone.

Authorities have found Jennifer’s car in Orlando.  But Jennifer remains missing.

Not that it matters, but I think I heard that Jennifer spent some time in Palm Harbor, and went to school at Gaither High (someone correct me if I’m wrong), so it’s not out of the question she would end up in Tampa Bay. 

Not that this matters, but the reward for information has increased to $15,000.  Keep your eye out for her, and call Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS with any info you may have.

So, about this Gasparilla thing… Is it good for Tampa or just a big, useless, pain in the ass? That’s a subject I was asked to discuss at a round table with past president of the Krewe of Sant’Yago Randy Conte, South Tampa resident and author Wendy Boucher, former assistant to Mayors Sandy Freedman and Bob Martinez and current president of the Hillsborough County Hotel & Motel Association Bob Morrison, Louise Thompson, Executive Director of TBCN and author of “No Girls Allowed,” and former Mayor Dick Greco. You read that right: Five fantastic, influential folks and one knucklehead*.

St. Pete Times reporter Rick Gershman moderated the discussion, and reports the highlights in this morning’s CityTimes section (yes, I saved the paper, mom). With the book she published in the early 90’s, Louise certainly took some shots at the establishment. She still sees no point in the affair, but no longer rails against it as she once did.

The discussion did get lively at times. Race, gender and wherewithal continue to be factors in the elite pirate-themed party, although most feel it has come miles from where it once was.

So, what do you think about the whole Gasparilla thing - should it stay or go?  Does it matter?
*You may also be aware that Dick Greco is a big fan of the JGLB.

Exactly 50 years ago today…

January 27, 1956 – The rotting hulk of the old ship Jose Gaspar catches fire in the Hillsborough River near the Hillsborough Avenue Bridge, apparently from flames spread from the torch of a welder who had been cutting metal from the ship’s superstructure.

Courtesy of the Tampa Bay History Center

***Cross-posted at Out in Left Field***

A recent article about popular nudist colony Paradise Lakes caught my eye. They are hosting a strip poker tournament Friday, following a day-long “Bulls in the Buff” event, targeting local USF students. College students get in free, along with anyone under age 25, and the tournament itself is for single women and couples only.

If you are so inclined, go for it. Tell ‘em Katie sent ya.

I’ve visisted Paradise Lakes with my closest friends (we were young and impressionable college students as well) and enjoyed myself. Mike liked to be naked even without high walls and a security system and Julie and I thought, “Why not?” There’s something exhilarating about stripping in public and rejecting conventional societal norms. Freedom never felt so freeing.

Let me debunk a few myths about the clothing-optional lifestyle. First of all, the experience need not be sexual in nature. Yes, Paradise Lakes has an active bar and dance club. Boys will be boys, with or without clothes, but tend to rely on intellectual mating rituals when exposed in more ways than one. That leads to stimulating conversations and a more honest approach. Still, even with everything out in the open, I never spent the night. Went in pure as snow and left with everything intact. Everything.

Secondly, revelers are not young hippies with a free-love philosophy. I always laugh when political candidates attack these resorts as “sin bins” and vow to rid Pasco County of places where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a naked keister. Then Republican Zealot gets elected and realizes these residents are older, conservative, and rich enough to finance several more campaigns. Afterwards we don’t hear much from them or their Bible-toting constituents which is why Land O’ Lakes remains home to four separate clothing-free compounds. That’s about the only alternative lifestyle these nudists can get behind.

And if you think you’re alone in there, think again. Over 100,000 people flock to these Naked Experiences every year. After a few of my own, I went with family to an Ybor City restaurant and our waiter recognized me. Future Husband laughed out loud when the guy said, “Didn’t I meet you last night at Paradise Lakes?” I turned red, smiled politely and avoided my relatives’ disapproving looks.

Then it hit me. He really did focus on my face! Should I be insulted or impressed?

One last piece of advice: If you bare it all, bring a towel to place under your tushie when taking a break from socializing and dancing. Those seat cushions get moist.

Oh, for goodness sake, take off your clothes and have a good time. When gravity becomes The Enemy, you’ll look back and be glad you did.

The Florida Center for Community Design + Research have been busy working since July 2004. The objective: design, create, and implement a Community Atlas. The ultimate goal is to

“provide citizens, professionals, and planners with comprehensive and current data and information about communities and neighborhoods in Hillsborough County. … we conceived of the Atlas as a “one stop information shop” to find the variety of information (social, physical and environmental) that relates to a community. The Atlas functions as a warehouse for a variety of community information including documents and educational links. We have also strived to make the Atlas a rich resource that educates citizens about the data presented and gives professionals easy access to the specialized information they need…”

Well, the project is finished. You are invited to explore the Hillsborough Community Atlas. Anyone interested in all sorts of information about all of Hillsborough, just Tampa (or Plant City or Temple Terrace), or maybe just your specific neighborhood should go take a look. Shoot, go look even if you just dig maps.

The atlas contains 24 communities and 79 neighborhoods. The maps are populated with data from 32 different data sets from various government agencies. I don’t really know what you will do with all that information.  I guess businesses could use it in seeking relocation opportunities.  I suppose the thing could just become a huge clearinghouse for everything in the county.  Anyway, the entire effort is very impressive.

A big pat on the back goes to the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County’s Public Works Department, the FCCD+R, USF, and a whole list of folks who worked on it.

86% of 350 respondents say the HCBOCC’s priorities are WHACK. Others complained the question led folks to answer that way.

Get the printed edition of the Tampa Bay Business Journal to read more comments.

Hey there.  Yes you.  Who are you?  Who, who, who, who?  I really wanna know.

Now and again, websites attempt to get some clue about the people that read their sites. Due to any number of visitor trackers, we can tell somewhat about where you are (United States!) and how you got here (TampaBLAB). But it’s pretty vague stuff, really. And there are a number of reasons why we would like to know more. I mean, we hate to just make assumptions!

Every website has its “lurkers.” Lurkers are known as readers of a website that choose to not comment. Some blogs announce a “Lurker Amnesty Day” or something to encourage readers to leave a comment – any comment, just to get a clue. Well, being that I’m just as curious as all those others, I want to know too.

Of course, it’s not enough for me to know that you are there. I want so much more. But no real identifying info. Use a fake name, leave the email stuff blank if you want.

No matter HOW you got here (RSS readers?), or why, or how often you come by – yes, even if this is your first visit, I encourage you to leave a comment.  please, Please, PLEASE leave a comment. I’d like to know these things:

1. Where are you? If in Tampa Bay, please give a neighborhood (Seminole Heights, South Shore, etc.) or directional (Northwest Tampa).
2. Who are you? Gender, Age,  
3. How often you stop by here?

That’s it. Only give as much info as you are comfortable. And feel free to use this opportunityto tell me what you think about this site – like it, hate it, what we are missing, whatever. Ok… but please hit comments, and say something. Yes – even you.

… meaning what you wear, as seen by Marian Liu of the San Jose Mercury News. I don’t know if you’ve heard, Marian, but it can get a little warm down here.

She also suggests we are a bunch of freaks:

“did Halloween come late or is the full moon out”

Maybe some of our readers can leave a comment at Marian’s blog with some suggestions for a better clubbing experience next time she’s in the area.  Or maybe it’s better that she goes “straight to Miami.” I’m dull, so I can’t help.

Heck, this might even be a chance to come together and turn our in-sniping into some positive representation for our Bay.