As you may know, “sticks of fire” is the translation of the Calusan word “tanpa,” where Tampa got its name. Because of that, the phrase “sticks of fire” is used all over this area in various capacities, including a local band, an art sculpture on the grounds of Plant Park, and of course this very [...]
Two and a half years ago, I wrote about the St. Pete Times taking over the entire area from the Tampa Tribune. I noted that over the years, the Times simply took the talented writers away from them: Howard Troxler, Tom Scherberger and Paul Wilborn all worked for the Tampa Tribune before being lured over to [...]
Eric Deggans is reporting that snarky columnist Dan Ruth has been let go by the Tampa Tribune. It’s just the latest in a string of layoffs of well known writers at the Tribune: Over the years, staff reductions and voluntary departures have taken some well-known names from the Tribune’s roster, including movie crtic Bob Ross, classical [...]
Great read: If we decide the election, who are we? In spite of the “election” reference, it is not just about politics. It’s a great insight as to the paradox that is “the people of Tampa Bay.” It helps that it is written by Ben Montgomery, one of the most talented writers in all the [...]
Gary A. Poole contacted us, told us he had written about Tampa’s first professional football game, and asked us to pimp his new book, The Galloping Ghost: Red Grange, an American Football Legend. I asked him to write something up about Grange’s time in Tampa, and so he did (I added the images, which are [...]
With apologies to the greatest novels of all time for the liberties I’ve taken below. Treasure Island city commissioners have decided that they will no longer be funding the Treasure Island library: Cutting the Treasure Island library funding means residents of that city no longer will have free access to the Gulf Beaches system, which is located [...]
The Pinellas Public Library Cooperative serves Pinellas County residents in member cities and the unincorporated county. The Cooperative office provides coordination of activities and funding as well as marketing services for the following 15 member libraries. Clearwater Public Library System Dunedin Library East Lake Community Library Gulf Beaches Library Gulfport Library Largo Library Oldsmar Library Palm Harbor Library Pinellas Park Library Pinellas Talking Book Library Safety [...]
“We don’t have a mandate to share editorial. We’re so local in our orientation, it’s never made any sense to do it that way. I think we’ve got six or seven film critics around the company now. If you put your efficiency hat on, could one film reviewer do the same job for everybody? Perhaps, [...]
Mark your calendars! Deep Carnivale:A Celebration of Words is now scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Here’s a partial event description from the Deep Carnivale website: This literary festival aspires to bring Florida authors, writers and poets and related vendors together to share in a celebration of literature and writing with the Tampa [...]
