Neighborhood politics seem to be the most contentious, huh? For ten years or so, the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association wanted to form a separate (but related) not-for-profit group in order to solicit donations for neighborhood improvements. But they never took the necessary steps to do so. Another group came along, jumped through those necessary hoops, and [...]
I am confused. I read that James Rosenquist lost his Aripeka home to a fire, and thought it would be cool to highlight the famous artist and find out more about Aripeka, FL and the surrounding area. I found a 2007 interview with Rosenquist at his Aripeka studios, along with some photos that give an idea of [...]
Recent rains notwithstanding, the Bay area is undergoing a severe drought, and the tightest watering restrictions ever have been imposed. As we watch our grass get brown and dry, this is a great time to consider a Florida-Friendly gardening tip: Reduce the size of your lawn, or eliminate it altogether. In Florida, lawns just aren’t natural. [...]
The St. Pete Times reports that many businesses have not yet paid their property taxes, leading to a record number and amount of delinquencies: A record number of property tax bills remain unpaid across the Tampa Bay area this year, one more casualty of tough economic times. In April, 114,000 properties had overdue bills totaling $332.1 million [...]
Congratulations to the St. Pete Times for winning two pulitzers this year! Lane DeGregory earned hers for “The Girl in the Window,” a compelling story that chronicled a Plant City child whose mother kept her locked in a filthy room, and the adoptive family who worked to overcome her feral beginnings. Times staffers at Politifact won too. [...]
The Florida State Legislature is nearing a close for the 2009 regular session with issues such as construction-industry deregulation, gutting wetland protection, animal husbandry and new sales tax exemptions for luxury items such as boats and planes while the state budget only escapes a larger deficit and deeper cuts by way of the US economic [...]
As if we needed another thing to worry about… She stepped half way into her car, and turned the ignition. Apparently, the fox was hiding under the vehicle, got spooked by the cranking engine, and bit the only thing he saw – her left foot. Citrus Park Mall has been around for over ten years now, isn’t [...]
I just had coffee and great conversation with Dave Rothacker of Rothacker Reviews. The topics were all over the place, but among the most interesting thoughts that stuck out was his assertion that those of us in Tampa Bay are willing to accept an inferior product or service. Dave says that more than any other place [...]
Let me see if I got this right. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners distract our performance auditor with political witch hunts, and are now upset that he has been unable to do the job he is supposed to do? We in Hillsborough County created the office of performance auditor in 2002. The one-person shop [...]
