Tampa Is…?

No one really knows how long chickens have been roaming Ybor City.  I’d guess they have been there since the late 1800s, but I know I have seen them strutting around Ybor for the last 25 years or so, which makes the “Chickens of Ybor City” an older franchise than many of the businesses currently found on 7th Avenue.

But now, someone wants to get rid of the chickens.  In fact, someone or something has killed at least one hen and her chicks.  So now the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has shown up in Ybor to catch some of them chickens with a plan to move them to Pasco and Polk Counties, in the hopes that no more chickens get harmed (or so they say).

Tommy doesn’t want any part of that.  Tommy has lived in Ybor for over 20 years.  He helped found the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Association, and is one of the founders of Guavaween.  For the past ten years(well, most years), he also hosted the annual James E. Rooster Funeral Procession and Party.  And Tommy likes feeding the chickens.  Oh, and everyone calls him ‘Rooster Tommy.’

Lots of folks like the chickens.  Artists and tourists love to photograph the chickens of Ybor City.  When writing about the culture of Ybor, workers mention the chickens.  Hundreds have gathered at Tommy’s rooster funeral parties to celebrate the Chickens of Ybor City.  (Yes, Arroz con Pollo is on the menu.)

So, of course, now we have all the makings of a chicken protest party.  The party will be this Sunday, November 16 at around halftime of the Bucs game.  Or maybe just following the Bucs game.  At any rate, please make a note of it, because the Times article has the wrong day.  The chicken protest will be held on Sunday, November 16, exactly at 2:30, give or take 90 minutes either way.

Editor’s note:  Don’t sweat the time thing - time barely matters in Ybor City.  Otherwise we’d know when the damn chickens got there in the first place.  Also, if you have read this far, you may as well read the last bit.  Anyone got a better name for a “chicken protest party?”

Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties to Close Elevated Portion of Friendship TrailBridge

Structural problems are forcing the closure of nearly all of the Friendship TrailBridge, a popular recreational link between Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

On Tuesday, an inspection found the elevated portion of the TrailBridge has significant structural deficiencies. As a result, officials from both counties decided to immediately close much of the bridge.

Less than half a mile on each end of the bridge will remain open. The rest of the TrailBridge, including all of the humpback center span, will be closed off.

This is the old span of Gandy bridge, which was saved from demolition in 1999, and has since been used as a recreational park / hiking trail.  they have always had to deal with a shoestring budget. I don’t think it was ever used as a viewing area for boat races, which could have raised some funds to save this thing (as would a running race, etc.).

I got an email from that cool artsy theater-type himself, Mr. David Jenkins.  He was concerned that the two local daily newspapers may not be sending a reviewer to the latest Jobsite production, thereby depriving all of their readers the chance to read what’s going on (not to mention the publicity for Jobsite that comes with it).  Update:  The Tribune confirmed they will not review it.

Unfortunately, I’m going to be busy being a rock star and a dad to attend any of the performances this weekend, much less make my thoughts of it somewhat coherent.  So, I figured I would ask you great readers to do the job of the local dailies, and go see a play, and write a review for it.

Here’s the advance from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center:

The History of the Devil

Jobsite’s 10-year anniversary production, and by all accounts the show that put Jobsite on the lips of area theatergoers. Jobsite is excited to revisit this epic courtroom drama where the Devil is up for parole that sold out every performance in 1999. The trial of the new millennium is about to begin – and you’ve been called for jury duty! Old Nick believes he’s done his time and deserves to be readmitted to heaven. History is examined (Christ’s temptation, Nazi crimes), witnesses are called (including a belligerent Dante Alighieri), and the audience is left to consider whether the Prince of Darkness has spent his time as an outcast, as a mastermind or in the service of man in this black comedy.
Contains adult language, situations and subject matter.

RUNNING TIME:  Approximate run time is two hours and 45 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.

You may also want to take a look at Jobsite’s longer description of the play.  Also, CreLo’s Leilani Polk previews the production, and from a nearby cubicle, Anthony Salveggi recommended the show.

If it sounds intriguing enough for you to consider, then please just buy the tickets and enjoy History of the Devil.

However, if you feel like doing the job of our local daily newspapers and promise to write up a small review of the play for publication on Sticks of Fire, use the CONTACT FORM to send me your phone number, and I’ll make sure you get hooked up (aka FREE TIX) for the showing of your choice.

And yeah, both David and I want you to give your honest thoughts on the show.

It took Wayne Garcia 1 hour and 15 minutes to vote this week.  His masterful writing skillz make it sound as if it were a complete nightmare.

It took Kate more than an hour, too.  Her expressive writing skillz make it sound as if it were a trippidy acid trip.  With kids in tow.

My writing can’t compare at all, so luckily (for all of us) I was able to submit my choices in 20 minutes.

I went to the Fred B. Karl County Center in downtown Tampa on Thursday morning, rode up the elevator to floor 16, and got in line at 9:39am.  Once it was my turn, I handed my FL DL to the volunteer, and by 9:54 I was finished signing my name, and was given a ballot.  I grabbed an “I VOTED” sticker at 9:58, and was waiting for an elevator at 9:59.

Not a very exciting story, I know.  But then again, it’s just voting.  The exciting part comes after they count.  You know - when the lawsuits begin.

Now it’s your turn.  Vote and be bored heard.

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Ok, forget what anyone has said about pivotal moments for the Rays. The three game series against the Boston Red Sox that began last night is undoubtedly the biggest thing to ever happen in Tampa Bay baseball history…to date anyway. After Wednesday night’s game, the Rays could find themselves anywhere from feeling free to place an order for division championship t-shirts to locked in a battle to even make the postseason.

It’s time to go to the games, folks. If you’re a fan of this team at all, there are simply no valid excuses. It’s the middle of September and meaningful major league baseball is being played in Tampa Bay. This is what the collective we have been saying we wanted for more than 20 years! So suck it up, drive over there (carpooling saves gas and gets you free parking), ignore the dome and the fake grass (but feel free to enjoy the air conditioning and not being rained on), deal with being a little tired at work after staying up late and root, root, root for the home team. It will be worth it.

I took off from work to spend a couple days with the soon-to-be 3rd grader.  Having exhausted my patience with crafts, games, Barbie, and SpongeBob on day one, I thought we should get out of the house for a second day of fun.

I didn’t have a spare hundred bucks laying around for a theme park, so I figured I’d try to keep the nearly-eight-year-old happy without spending a bunch of dough.

Not only did we have a good time, but I got out of it without spending much at all.  In fact, after breakfast, I didn’t spend a thing.

We started out at Dunkin’ Donuts.  Yep - the Rays won the night before, and When the Rays Win, You Win!  So we each enjoyed a free donut for breakfast with all the old folks!  With my coffee and her milk (and, ok, another donut for each of us), we got out of there for about $5. 

Next we went to the library.  There is a lake and a park adjacent, so we took our time walking around a bit.  We looked for frogs on the lily pads (none), butterflies near the flowers (a handful), and dragonflies everywhere else (a bunch).  We successfully avoided all fire ant mounds.

Once inside, she immediately found the library’s toys for smaller ones, and the little girl had fun with them for quite a while.  She then walked the entire juvenile section - over a dozen aisles! -  looking for a good book or three.  I convinced her to put Junie B. Jones (First Grader) back on the shelf and keep the Goosebumps story, The Girl Who Cried Monster.  She also grabbed a big Narnia book.

Then we went off to the mall!  Not to buy anything, but to play in the kids’ play area.  She towered over the other kids, and had fun getting chased around.  I found out later that there is a 42 inch limit to that play area. Luckily, no one kicked us out.  But I was getting hungry, and we left anyway.

We went home, where I taught her how to make a double-decker peanut butter sandwich.  She thought a triple-decker would be a good idea, but seeing as how I am the daddy, I had to put my foot down.

But just because we were home doesn’t mean that we were done for the day.  On to the pool!

The City of Tampa has a dozen parks with pools, and they are all free to use. We went to the Spicola Family Pool at DeSoto Park (we love DeSoto Park!) and spent the afternoon there in the Palmetto Beach neighborhood.

Like the pool at Sulphur Springs, Spicola has lap lanes, two waterslides, and a giant waterspouting mushroom-looking thing that kids love. They even have a shade tent where a daddy can comfortably read his own library book!

On the way home, we stopped at the McKay Bay Nature Park, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.  It was fun for about 20 minutes.  We saw unusual birds and big spiders on bigger spider webs.  In our one bad decision, we picked a random trail that wound through the brush.  Although we didn’t get bit, we were chased right back into the car by a cloud of mosquitos!

The kid will tell you she had a great day (although she was not much impressed by the mosquito attack)!  Daddy had a great day, too, watching his daughter be a kid.

It wasn’t difficult, either. Just go and use the amenities that are available to you!

For Free!

Th Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers free gator-hunting classes:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering alligator hunters no-cost, three-hour classes to help them prepare for the Aug. 15 – Nov. 1 statewide alligator harvest. Reservations are not required to attend a class.

Attendance is not mandatory for licensed hunters, but the FWC recommends that participants attend, especially if they have not previously hunted for alligators. Class topics include preparing for the hunt, hunting techniques and safety, harvesting and processing, caring for your alligator hide and alligator hunting rules and regulations. Also, persons who do not have an alligator harvest permit can attend if they want to learn what hunting alligators is all about.

As it says, you don’t have to sign up. Just show up on Aug. 2, 1-4pm at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. (use the Orient Road entrance). For directions, call 800-345-FAIR (3247) or visit www.floridastatefair.com.

All hunt permits have been sold for this year; however, alligator trapping “agent” permits are available for $52. Agent permits enable permit holders to assist a licensed trapper in taking alligators but only in the presence of that trapper.

For those of us not interested in playing with native critters who can eat us, you can learn all about the dinosaur descendants by downloading the FWC’s All About Gators Coloring Book from the kids & gators section of the website.

Note: Some links here automatically start video and audio, so adjust your volume accordingly.

First off, WE LOVE KELLY RING. Kelly Ring has been coming into our living rooms for decades, and there is no better natured, more beautiful, always smiling and pleasant person to deliver the news to us. Her “What’s Right With Tampa Bay” is a favorite segment of ours. She has won three Emmys! Her mom dated Elvis! Kelly is so cool that she had the Wendy Ryan hair thing going on ten years before her (well, ok, maybe not quite).

But, as a newsreader, well, uhhh, she fumbles over her words now and again. Oh - she usually recovers, and she’s so cool about it, you can nearly forget or ignore the mishaps. But it does happen more often that she’d like. I figure she successfully makes it through two or three reading segments between tripping spells.

The unscripted banter is much more amusing. At the end of “live on scene” segments, WTVT anchors ask reporters one or two more questions. With Kelly, these are almost comedic. I figure there is about a 50/50 shot for a seamless chat between her and the reporter on the scene. The same thing often happens when handing off to Weatherguy Paul Dellegatto or Sportsguy Chip Carter.

All of which means that we have the perfect basis for The Kelly Ring Drinking Game.

There are only two rules:

• Take a drink whenever anyone mentions Kelly’s name, or whenever Kelly calls another staffer by name.
• Take a drink whenever Kelly mispronounces, repeats herself, or otherwise jumbles up her words. On close calls, give her the benefit of the doubt - another opportunity will come along shortly.

And that’s it! Watch the Fox 13 Six O’Clock News for Happy Hour, and the Ten O’Clock to get juiced for a night out. Have fun and use a designated driver!