Creative Loafing suggests that it is just perceptions that are hurting Ybor City, and says that the neighborhood may be ready for a revival. Ybor City Chamber of Commerce president Tom Keating blames the media for Ybor City’s bad reputation (I added the links below). Keating says… Crime is down nearly 70 percent in Ybor, and [...]
Frank Garcia is Tampa! Paleontologist Frank Garcia wrote a song for his beloved hometown of Tampa, called “Corazon de Tampa.” Frank recently performed it live as part of Hispanic Heritage Day. Friend Fred Jacobsen grabbed a bunch of Garcia’s family photos, and with the song, he put together this great video. Take a look and a [...]
Celebrating Columbus Day in Tampa Bay. Or not.
The anti-Gasparilla party has turned into Gasparilla. Officials are now taking steps to return Guavaween toward its roots, and the Gasparilla crowd is gonna take their ball and go home - Good Riddance!
Tree huggers gathered in opposition to big oil, and drove their gas-guzzlers four blocks to do so.
I’m sure you heard that the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) killed the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) running around downtown Tampa. Four different companies were operating the NEVs, which offered short rides to destinations in and around downtown Tampa. Drivers accepted tips, and the companies made money by selling advertising on the carts. The cab companies [...]
With the closing of Valencia Garden, I got to thinking about some of Tampa’s other long-time independents that have gone over the past 15 years or so. It helped that Jeff Houck put up some photos of these places over the years. I was fortunate enough to visit the following places, which no longer [...]
Between the decline in popularity of traditional so-called “terrestrial” radio stations, the abundant availability of music online, and changes in the public’s individual tastes, the recording industry as we know it is quickly becoming extinct. Understandably, many people within that industry – artists as well as executives – are very nervous while they wait to [...]
Today, Tampa takes another step on the journey to the Big Time! Or not. Or somewhere in between. Depending on whom you ask. Today, is the official Grand Opening of Tampa’s IKEA store. There has been and continues to be, much debate on how big a deal this really is, with seemingly everybody having something to say. Personally, I think it’s [...]
