Saturday, January 31, 2015

Hablo Taco opens Feb. 4

Upscale Mexican restaurant Hablo Taco is the latest addition to Tampa Bay's Channelside Bay Plaza.

The restaurant owners, Channelside managers and even Mayor Bob Buckhorn came out Thursday to cut the ribbon on the new restaurant, which joins Hooters, Precinct Pizza and other offerings at the entertainment complex between Amalie Arena and The Florida Aquarium.

Hablo Taco is part of the reinvention of Channelside Bay Plaza under new owner Jeff Vinik. Vinik also owns the Tampa Bay Lightning, whose mascot helped with the ribbon cutting.

Hablo Taco's menu promises roasted corn on the cob with spice mayo, tacos with everything from pulled chicken to pork to steak, along with quesadillas and burritos featuring Aztec hot sauce.

As the menu proclaims: "Here's a taste of things to come. But this isn't the whole enchilada."

Charles H. Townes, physicist who helped develop lasers, dies at 99

Charles H. Townes, 99, a visionary physicist whose research led to the development of the laser, making it possible to play CDs, scan prices at the supermarket, measure time precisely, survey planets and galaxies and even witness the birth of stars, died Tuesday in Oakland, Calif. In 1964, he and two Russians shared the Nobel Prize in …

District girls basketball: Countryside 52, Northeast 45

ST. PETERSBURG — Countryside hopes of winning the school's first district title in girls basketball since 1993 did not start off well. The Cougars had two quick turnovers and fell behind 6-0 within the first two minutes against Northeast in Friday's Class 7A, District 9 final.

Work starts on Zoominations

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo has welcomed 40 craftsmen from Zigong in the Sichuan province of China. They'll spend the next few weeks construction a traditional Chinese lantern festival on the grounds of the zoo.

Zoominations: A Chinese Lantern Festival of Lights opens Feb. 28 and will run for three months. It's the first festival of its kind in the Southeast U.S.

The workers will build enormous illuminated displays from steel wire, silk and satin. The shaped will be lit with LED lights.

When they finish, the zoo will feature 30 displays spread across its 26 acres. The art will cover traditional Chinese themes from nature and folk lore, along with larger-than-life zoo animals such as elephants and rhinos.

A key feature of the exhibit will be a reproduction of the 600-year-old Beijing Temple of Heaven.

Lantern festivals have part of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations for 2,000 years. Celebrations run from mid-February through early March in China. New Year falls on March 5 this year.

The festival at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo will include Chinese acrobats and a market with handmade crafts. You can find out more at the Zoominations Facebook page.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA. It has been rated No. 1 by Parents magazine, “10 Best Zoos,” (2009) and Child magazine, "The 10 Best Zoos for Kids" (2004).

The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48) and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Parking is free.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Dungy, Lynch face uphill road in Hall of Fame vote

PHOENIX — If only the voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame could see what Tony Dungy inherited when he took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Top things to do for Jan. 31

Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion: Join thousands lining the downtown waterfront around 11:30 a.m. to watch the spectacle as fully-rigged pirate ship Jose Gasparilla sails in. The ship docks and the mayor surrenders the key to the city at about 1 p.m., Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. Then the marauding buccaneers …

Join Jungala in Celebrating Horst’s 37th birthday!

On January 31, Horst, the oldest living male Bornean Orangutan in the United States, will turn 37! His birthday celebration will take place on February 2. “Horst” is the only adult male orangutan at Busch Gardens.

Horst and his companion, Indra, will be celebrating with a typical birthday party. The orangutans will be given wrapped presents that include special goodies and surprises.

In the wild, male orangutans typically only live into their late 20’s or early 30’s. At Busch Gardens, however, Horst has access to high quality veterinary care and nutrition. In addition, Horst’s keepers provide him with plenty of enrichment (fun foods, toys, and variety), play, and training. All of these factors mean that Horst’s expected lifespan is actually 50-60 years, nearly double that of a wild male orangutan!

Orangutans are some of the most endangered primates in the world. Horst, along with Busch Gardens’ four other orangutans, are ambassadors for their species, which is suffering from deforestation due to the palm oil industry. The Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program aims to protect the wild orangutan population in and around Gunung Palung National Park in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has supported the program since 2011. You can help, too!

Palm oil, found in many everyday products, can easily be found through sustainable sources. Simply search for “palm oil” in your smart phone’s app store to pull up a variety of free applications to help you shop orangutan-friendly. In the meantime, be sure come celebrate Horst’s 37th with us! The party starts at 12:15pm near the Orangutan Outpost. See you there!

Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX Scouting Report: And the winner will be…

Does it feel like you've eaten McDonald's every day for the past two weeks?

What to wear? First ladies are steeped in protocol

WASHINGTON — The first lady, Michelle Obama, bared her head in Saudi Arabia, but covered it at the Vatican and at an Indonesian mosque. Laura Bush wore a head scarf only briefly in Saudi Arabia and to tour the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Hillary Rodham Clinton covered her head in Eritrea, the West Bank and Pakistan, but did not in …

Richest 1% just keep getting richer, study says

Worldwide Richest 1% just keep getting richer, study says

Lightning buries Red Wings

The grinder's first three-goal game in the NHL leads the effort in a big win.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Luxurious, Vintage Wedding Styled Shoot | Hillsborough River State Park

Vintage Tampa Wedding – Kéra Photography From the designer, From a Pea to a Tree: The theme of this shoot was “Vintage Luxurious.” I choose it because I wanted to do something different, something elegant, but at the same time a bit rustic and vintage. I wanted to take the outdoors and make it beautiful. My inspiration was my […]

The post Luxurious, Vintage Wedding Styled Shoot | Hillsborough River State Park appeared first on Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Blog.

Greg Baker resurrects Florida Cracker cuisine at Fodder & Shine

From cathead biscuits to fried gizzards, Greg Baker resurrects the state's early fare at Fodder & Shine.

Arrgh, matey! A primer in pirate patois

Avast, my hearties! How lucky be we here in glorious Tampa Bay? We have two chances a year to talk like a pirate!

When the scurvy crew of Jose Gaspar make their landing on our fair shores Saturday morn's Gasparilla Invasion, you'll want to feel like an old seadog yerself.

For a little refresher course, check out my favorite instructional video (left over from Talk Like A Pirate Day) for how to lose your landlubber lingo.

It be a marvel!

Largo to spend $37M on sewer upgrades

The state-mandated fix is meant to prevent overflows.

Brandon's Craft Beer Cellar celebrates one-stop shopping (and sipping)

I'm on a beer-buying moratorium. There's too much good beer out there, not to mention beer that might not be that great but is nonetheless intriguing enough for me to buy a bottle to clutter my home with. Forget beer trading — retail purchases alone have been enough to put me at the limit.

South Tampa listed among sexiest

Photo by Robert La Follette

South Tampa, Tampa Bay's home of the Epicurean Hotel, Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club and Bayshore Boulevard, has made Thrillist's list of "The 10 Sexiest Neighborhoods in America."

Tampa Bay's toniest address is in good company. The list also includes Buckhead in Atlanta, South Bay in L.A. and South Beach in Miami Beach.

What's Thrillist got to say about our little piece of high-end Heaven?

"Have you ever watched a Florida State game on TV, looked at the sections upon sections of gorgeous girls in the stands, and thought “Damn, I shoulda gone to school there.” Well, you know where a good chunk of those girls move after graduation? South Tampa, a popular post-grad spot for ALL the big schools in the Sunshine State that is essentially Greek life for grown ups. The area encompasses neighborhoods that share an exploding restaurant scene, walkable bars, and new condo construction that've drawn the best, brightest, and -- most importantly -- hottest young people in Florida who just can’t stomach the idea of living in…. ew… Miami."

While we can't endorse throwing shade at our friends from South Florida, we definitely agree that South Tampa is a great place to see and be seen -- whether at the Epicurean's Edge rooftop bar or dining on the patio at Ava. And don't miss a chance for a waterfront run, walk or bike along Bayshore Boulevard, the longest unbroken sidewalk in the world. It's one way Tampa Bay's beautiful people stay that way.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

What to name Jeff Vinik's Tampa project? Two ideas compete

TAMPA — Amid a whirlwind of speaking gigs to explain his $1 billion redevelopment plans surrounding the Amalie Arena, Jeff Vinik often drops fresh hints of how his mega-project is shaping up.

Adults-Only Valentine's Night Safari: Love on the Wild Side

Looking to make Valentine’s Day a little more exotic? Or dare we say…wild?

This year Busch Gardens offers the Valentine Night Safari: Love on the Wild Side! This adult-only twist on a guest favorite incorporates traditional Valentine date-night elements (like dinner for two at the Crown Colony Restaurant where couples are each seated at their own table for a sumptuous dinner!) with entertaining explanation of exotic animal courtship (otherwise known as "how our residents make beastly bedfellows!")

Stroll through the Edge of Africa to uncover the nighttime behaviors of lions, hyenas and hippos.

Take a safari out into the Serengeti with our resident animal love experts...

....and learn the secrets of affectionate antelopes, romantic rhinos, and gnaughty gnus.

Gather around a roaring bonfire, where you’ll hear colorful tales of love on the wild side, before finishing your nighttime adventure with a nightcap and dessert. 

 A complimentary photo is included to truly make this a night to remember.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join the wildest herd in town February 13th and 14th; register now for our Valentine's Night Safari: Love on the Wild Side!

5 Ways to Unlock Tampa Bay

Gasparilla Pirate Invasion

It’s unavoidable, and who would want to? Tampa Bay’s annual pirate-themed party sails into town at 11 a.m. Saturday with cannons blazing. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, aboard its ship the José Gasparilla, will lead a flotilla of pleasure craft into the heart of downtown. Two hours later, the third-biggest parade in the country steps off from Bay-to-Bay Boulevard traveling north along beautiful waterfront Bayshore Boulevard. Stake out your spot along the parade route early to catch all the beads you can.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

The pirates of Gasparilla will try a kinder, gentler approach to plundering Tampa Bay on Friday when they throw the locals a party in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Commodores and Atlanta Rhythm Section will provide the tunes. Tickets are $30, with the proceeds going to the Tampa Bay Humane Society and other charities. Because even a salty seadog has a soft spot for animals.

Blade Runner

Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece plays Sunday afternoon as the latest installment of the Tampa Theatre’s two-month Classic 80s film series. Come for a young Harrison Ford and his flying police car, stay for Rutger Hauer’s heart-breaking rooftop soliloquy at the end. There’s also Sean Young, Darryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy (and her snake), Captain Adama as an origami-loving detective and that guy who had two brothers both named Darrell on “Newhart.” Do androids dream of electric sheep? I don’t know, but in this movie they’re no less human than the rest of us.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Columbus Blue Jackets, the hosts of this year’s NHL All-Star Weekend, come to down Sunday for a game against Capt. Steven Stamkos and the first-place Tampa Bay Lighting at the Amalie Arena. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now.

 

Twelfth Night

In keeping with this weekend’s nautical theme, Tampa Bay's homegrown Jobsite Theater offers Shakespeare’s comedy, which starts with a shipwreck. From there, we get women disguised as men, mistaken identity and high-jinks galore (all that's missing is a bit with a dog). The setting of ancient Illyria will be replaced by Prohibition-era Ybor City to give this version a little local flavor. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. All shows are in the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Get your tickets here.

Tampa bars brace for Gasparilla, Super Bowl, Lightning game

Monday can't come fast enough for Tampa sports bars preparing to deal with crowds attending Gasparilla and watching the Super Bowl on TV all in one weekend — the first time in six years.

Maker of drone that crashed on White House grounds to stop flights over D.C.

The manufacturer of the drone that crashed on the White House grounds earlier this week plans to install software in its devices that would prevent them from flying in Washington.

Maker of drone that crashed on White House grounds to stop flights over D.C.

The manufacturer of the drone that crashed on the White House grounds earlier this week plans to install software in its devices that would prevent them from flying in Washington.

5 Ways to Conquer Tampa Bay

Gasparilla Pirate Invasion

It’s unavoidable, and who would want to? Tampa Bay’s annual pirate-themed party sails into town at 11 a.m. Saturday with cannons blazing. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, aboard its ship the José Gasparilla, will lead a flotilla of pleasure craft into the heart of downtown. Two hours later, the third-biggest parade in the country steps off from Bay-to-Bay Boulevard traveling north along beautiful waterfront Bayshore Boulevard. Stake out your spot along the parade route early to catch all the beads you can.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

The pirates of Gasparilla will try a kinder, gentler approach to plundering Tampa Bay on Friday when they throw the locals a party in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Commodores and Atlanta Rhythm Section will provide the tunes. Tickets are $30, with the proceeds going to the Tampa Bay Humane Society and other charities. Because even a salty seadog has a soft spot for animals.

Blade Runner

Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece plays Sunday afternoon as the latest installment of the Tampa Theatre’s two-month Classic 80s film series. Come for a young Harrison Ford and his flying police car, stay for Rutger Hauer’s heart-breaking rooftop soliloquy at the end. There’s also Sean Young, Darryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy (and her snake), Captain Adama as an origami-loving detective and that guy who had two brothers both named Darrell on “Newhart.” Do androids dream of electric sheep? I don’t know, but in this movie they’re no less human than the rest of us.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Columbus Blue Jackets, the hosts of this year’s NHL All-Star Weekend, come to down Sunday for a game against Capt. Steven Stamkos and the first-place Tampa Bay Lighting at the Amalie Arena. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now.

 

Twelfth Night

In keeping with this weekend’s nautical theme, Tampa Bay's homegrown Jobsite Theater offers Shakespeare’s comedy, which starts with a shipwreck. From there, we get women disguised as men, mistaken identity and high-jinks galore (all that's missing is a bit with a dog). The setting of ancient Illyria will be replaced by Prohibition-era Ybor City to give this version a little local flavor. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. All shows are in the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Get your tickets here.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott proposes $150 million for Florida Everglades work, $5 billion over 20 years

Standing outside a Miami airboat attraction with some of the state's top environmentalists and a caged panther named Harley, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday proposed spending $150 million in his next budget on Everglades restoration and habitat preservation.

Sports in brief

Autos Busch defiant, confident CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kurt Busch is confident he is in line for his best NASCAR season despite a domestic violence case that could keep him off the track.

Tampa Bay won't surrender to pirates!

Batten down the hatches! The invasion is coming!

The scurvy krewe of pirate captain Jose Gaspar rode into town Tuesday with guns blazing and cannons firing.

Bent on plunder, they hustled Mayor Bob Buckhorn from his office in City Hall and demanded he meet them in Lykes Gaslight Park.

They ordered the mayor to surrender the city. As every mayor has done before him, he stood firm.

A bunch of the smelly scallywags grabbed for the key, but the mayor kept them at bay.

"I waited 20 years to get this key! I'm not giving it up now!" said the mayor as he waved the giant key to the city in front of their swarthy faces.

Them's fightin' words! And brave talk, with the pirates' flag-bedecked ship, the Jose Gasparilla, anchored within sight of Bayshore Boulevard.

The pirates promised to return and take the city by force.

They'll make one more attempt -- this time to win the hearts of the citizens -- with this year's first-ever Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a feast of food, music and fun all for a good cause.

When that doesn't work (and let's be honest, the good people of Tampa Bay can't be swayed by pirates), they'll sail the Jose Gasparilla into downtown at 11 a.m. Saturday, continuing a century-old Tampa Bay tradition.

At 1 p.m., they'll lead a 5-mile-long parade down Bayshore Boulevard, kicking off two months of festivals, parades and parties collectively known as Gasparilla Season.

There's still time left to dress the part and sign on with Jose Gaspar's krewe -- before you're shanghai'd into it.

Anchors away, matey.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Reports show growing financial squeeze for most Florida workers

From 2009-12, the top 1 percent saw income rise 39 percent. The rest saw a 7 percent drop.

Gasparilla pirates invade Tampa!

Shiver me timbers! The Gasparilla pirates are coming to Tampa Bay again!

The captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, joined by his finest mates, will come to town Tuesday with cannons blazing to demand the surrender of our fair city. Will the mayor give in or stand up to this rowdy bunch of seadogs??

The pirate fire the first shot across our bow at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday when they arrive at City Hall to “discuss” with Mayor Bob Buckhorn (above) the advantages in surrendering the City of Tampa in advance of Saturday’s historic Gasparilla Invasion. The actual negotiation is rumored to begin around noon, with the Mayor respectfully escorted to meet up with the Captain on Franklin Street, between Kennedy and Madison near Lykes Gaslight Park (and the Tampa Police Department, if things get rough). 

The 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest begins on Friday evening, January 30th with the inaugural Gasparilla Pirate Fest charity concert and pre-Invasion celebration in downtown's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

The Commodores, with Special Guest Atlanta Rhythm Section, will headline the concert.

Tampa’s historic, 100-year-old community event continues on Saturday, with the Gasparilla Invasion. The action starts at 11 a.m. with the Jose Gasparilla, leading a flotilla of smaller boats, entering the city and docking at the Tampa Convention Center just in time for the 1 p.m. Invasion Brunch at 1 p.m.

The mayor and the pirates will meet again at 1:15 p.m., and this time, the mayor will surrender the key to the city. The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will begin at 2 p.m., running north along Bayshore Boulevard from Bay to Bay Boulevard to downtown. The beads will be flying!

The Gasparilla Invasion kicks off two months of festivals, parades and parties that make Gasparilla Season a great time to unlock Tampa Bay.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

J.J. Watt stands out in relaxed Pro Bowl

Times wires GLENDALE, Ariz. — Few moved very fast, no one flattened a quarterback and there were no bone-jarring hits in the gentle, friendly version of football played at the Pro Bowl Sunday.

Using mosquito nets for fishing adds to malaria risk, environmental damage

Using mosquito nets to fish fails to prevent malaria and could damage ecosystems.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Republican primary process unofficially kicks off — without Bush, Romney

But Bush and Romney decided to miss the early caucus state event.

Florida State loses tough battle with North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Brice Johnson had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 15 North Carolina beat Florida State 78-74 on Saturday.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Look who's turning 85: Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery …

Act your age? Well, if that's 80 and beyond, here are a few role models setting the pace.

Measles outbreak casts spotlight on antivaccine movement (w/video)

The cases, traced to Disneyland, cast a spotlight on the antivaccine movement.

5 Things to do in Tampa Bay

Gasparilla Children’s Parade (Saturday) – One of the largest children’s parades in the country steps off from Bay-to-Bay Boulevard at 3:30 p.m. and makes its way north along Bayshore Boulevard. Get the wee ones into their best pirate gear and come out for the fun. Come early to get

The Art of Piracy (Saturday) -- Before you hit the Gasparilla Children’s Parade, swing by the Tampa Bay History Center for The Art of Piracy: Pirates in Modern Culture. Whether your favorite pirate is Captain Hook, Captain Morgan or Captain Jack Sparrow, you’re bound to enjoy it. The exhibit opens at 10 a.m.

Better Off Dead (Sunday) -- John Cusack never played a pirate, but he did make a living in the 1980s playing love-sick teens. You can relive one of his most memorable roles – lovelorn and ineptly suicidal Lane Myers – during the latest installment of the Tampa Theatre’s Classic 80s movie series. Show starts at 3 p.m.

Book of Mormon (Sunday) -- The Straz Center for the Performing Arts continues this year’s Broadway season with the hit musical created by the same guys who brought us “South Park.” Get an irreverent peek inside the world of those clean-cut missionary with the name tags and the skinny ties. The show won 9 Tony awards.

USF Bulls basketball (Sunday) -- With the NCAA Women’s Final Four heading to town in a few months, now’s a good time to get yourself in the groove of women’s basketball. The University of South Florida Bulls take on Tulane at the Sundome at 4 p.m.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Bam! Emeril discovers Tampa Bay's Ulele

Bam!

One of Tampa Bay's newest gems, the Ulele restaurant, has caught the eye of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

The Gonzmart family's native-inspired creation will be featured this weekend on an episode of "Emeril's Florida" dedicated to waterfront dining.

Lagasse will speak with Richard Gonzmart, president of the Ulele's parent company, the Columbia Restaurant Group, about the Tampa Bay restaurant's unique offerings. Ulele's menu is built around the kind of locally grown food Native Americans and European explorers might have eaten centuries ago.

That means oysters -- lots and lots of oysters -- along with fish and Florida-based meat and vegetables. The dessert list combines the six best words in the English language in a single dish: candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream (OK, technically, that seven words, but ice cream is a single concept).

The on-site brewery produces Ulele's own brand of beer.

Ulele is named after a legendary Native American princess. It occupies the City of Tampa's restored century-old Water Works Building, which used to pump water from the nearby Ulele Spring.

Ulele's location on a bend in the Hillsborough River just north of downtown makes is a perfect spot of dinner al fresco, especially at sunset. It's open for lunch and dinner daily.

Uele's episode will air on the Cooking Channel three times: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25; 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26; and 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.

The show will air on the Food Network later in the year.

If you haven't been to Ulele yet, now's the chance to see what you're missing.

Tampa to consider traffic signal at lethal Hillsborough Avenue crossing

TAMPA — A City Council vote today could bring a crosswalk and traffic signal one step closer to the site of accidents that have killed two Middleton High School students.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Taking it easy, in Winslow, Arizona

People have just got to visit the town that the Eagles put on the map.

Seven people come forward with information on Emr the Jester, puppeteer caught with hundreds of child porn images

PINELLAS PARK — Since his arrest on Tuesday, at least seven people have come forward with information about a children's entertainer accused of possessing hundreds of images of child porn, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Help name Busch Gardens' new baby

Busch Gardens Tampa is asking fans of its Facebook page to help name its newest addition -- a male gorilla baby born Dec. 16.

You can pick from several options: Birungi ("bringer of good things"), Bem ("peace") and Enzi ("power").

So far, Enzi has been picking up the most votes.

Get to the Busch Gardens Tampa's Facebook page by Jan. 26 to make your vote count.

The baby lowland gorillas was born to Pele, a resident of the park's Myombe Reserve habitat. Mother and child are on display at certain times of the day.

This is Busch Gardens Tampa's second successful gorilla birth and the first since 2005. It brings the number of gorillas living in the 3-acre rainforest environment to six.

Mama Pele came to Busch Gardens Tampa in 2010 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

The as-yet unnamed baby gorilla is part of Busch Gardens Tampa's partnership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which encourages institutions to cooperate in the management of endangered or threatened animal species.

Since 2004, Busch Gardens Tampa has supported the study of western lowland gorillas in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The study, coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, focuses on the ecology and social behavior of lowland gorillas and has produced ground-breaking data on this species.

 

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Neil Gaiman comes to Tampa Theatre

If you like your love stories with a touch of the grotesque, graphic artist and film auteur Neil Gaiman and his wife Amanda Palmer have just the ticket for your Valentine's Day.

Gaiman and Palmer -- he of "Coraline" and "Sandman" fame, she of the Dresden Dolls and Grand Theft Orchestra -- will will bring their new show "Amanda Palmer & Neil Gaiman present Heartbreak Hotel" to the Tampa Theatre, the 1926 gem of a playhouse on in the heart of downtown.

Doors open at 7 p.m, Feb. 14. Gaiman and Palmer take the stage at 8 p.m. for a special "one-night stand" of music and stories. Our friends at the Tampa Theatre describe the show as "the most heartbreaking work the duo has ever made." They also promise "some lovey stuff, too."

Couples are, the theater folks note, "hesitantly welcomed."

Gaiman is a master of the graphic novel and the genre-crossing movies, such as "Coraline" and "Stardust," that have grown out of them. Fingers crossed for the film version of his awesome 1990s graphic novel "Sandman." (Insert fanboy "Squee!" here.)

Gaiman and Palmer have been married since 2010.

Palmer is a singer, playwright, blogger and pianist who, our friends at Tampa Theatre say, "simultaneously embraces and explodes traditional frameworks of music, theater and art."

Sounds pretty cool.

The show is being put on by Tampa Theatre and Soulshine Music.

Tickets are $40-50 (not counting service fees). They go on sale at the Tampa Theatre box office, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa, at noon Friday, Jan. 23. You can also find them online here.

For $200, you can buy one of the limited "meet & greet" tickets and press the flesh with Palmer and Gaiman.

 

How to beat bugs attacking Florida citrus? Get them high

It's an understatement to say the Asian citrus psyllid is bugging Florida and California citrus growers.

Get to Know Our African Penguins!

It’s National Penguin Awareness Day and we’re sharing the quirky personalities of each of our penguins that make them all so loveable! Six of the African penguins came to Busch Gardens this past summer from Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia. The youngest penguin, Banks, came to the park as an egg from The Georgia Aquarium in early May.

Banks hatched at Busch Gardens on May 29 and was hand reared by our neonate team. Baby African penguins hatch with a fluffy coat and begin swimming at about three months when their juvenile feathers have grown in.  The team assisted Banks in learning how to swim by using a kiddie pool.  It did not take him long to figure out how to control his buoyancy. The trickiest part was for him to learn how to get out of the pool using all his tools; body, wings, feet and beak. Take a look at some of his swimming lessons below that were shown on an episode of The Wildlife Docs!

Once Banks learned to swim he was slowly introduced to the rest of the colony. This whole process took nearly five months and now Banks and the rest of the colony have been living together in their new habitat since Thanksgiving.

Dijon and Curry, our oldest penguins, are brother and sister. Dijon (pictured to the right above) is very outgoing and extremely friendly to her keepers. She is a great animal ambassador for her species, making numerous radio and TV appearances as well as participating in Christmas Town photo opportunities with guests. Curry (pictured right below) is not as outgoing but loves to hang around the keeper’s feet during feedings and is always curious of anything going on in the habitat. Curry also loves to showing off his speed and agility in the water.

Marino (pictured left above), named after one of the greatest quarterbacks, hatched last February and loves to have his neck scratched. However, you don’t want to do it too long otherwise Dijon will get jealous! Marino also likes to play ball.  Go figure.

MK, short for Mary Katherine, is the quirky one. She hatched last March and is sweet when she wants to be. She loves braying to some of the keepers for attention, too. Braying is the vocalization used by African penguins to communicate to one another.

Tang (picture far right below) is our second largest male and also hatched last March. He prefers to be by himself and spends most of the day in the water showing off his swimming abilities.

Lloyd (center above) is our stealthiest and most laid back Penguin. If you are not looking out he will sneak up behind you and give a little peck in the back of the leg to let you know he is there. Lloyd is our largest male, weighing 8 lbs. 

The latest additions to our African Penguin family are two baby penguins that hatched at Busch Gardens in November. Stay tuned as we continue to discover their fun personalities and characteristics!  Until then, keep an eye on Busch Gardens' Twitter where the Animal Care Center posts select feeding times throughout the week!

Video: Fly into the largest photo ever taken

A mosaic of images from the NASA Hubble Space Telescope forms the largest photo ever taken, with a resolution high enough to see individual stars across a 61,000-light-year-long section of the Andromeda galaxy, more than 2 million light years away.

The Hillsborough County School Board could act today on Elia

TAMPA — The public will find out as early as this afternoon: Will MaryEllen Elia, the state's Superintendent of the Year, also be the superintendent who gets fired?

Monday, January 19, 2015

Selling Brand New Homes In Riverview Florida 33578/33569/33579

Search all the Riverview FL homes for sale here in list view or below. Riverview has fast become one Tampa Bay’s hottest community and a great place to call home. Did you know Riverview was voted for CNN’s top smallest communities in America? We love our Riverview community and would the opportunity to help you […]

Help Us Name Our Baby Gorilla!

Busch Gardens Tampa continues to celebrate the successful birth of a baby male gorilla by giving Facebook fans a chance to participate in a naming poll.  

Fans will help choose from names that were inspired from dialects spoken around the world. Potential names for the one-month-old baby gorilla are Birungi, meaning “bringer of good things”, Bem, meaning “peace”, and Enzi, meaning “power.”

By simply logging on to the Busch Gardens Tampa Facebook page, fans can cast their vote for their favorite name.  The naming poll will take place now through Monday, Jan. 26.

The baby gorilla was born on Dec. 16 at Busch Gardens to 12-year old endangered western lowland gorilla, Pele. Both Pele and baby, along with Busch Gardens’ other gorillas, can be seen in the Myombe Reserve habitat at select times throughout the day.  

Busch Gardens is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™, one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a worldwide leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company cares for one of the largest animal collections in North America and has helped lead advances in the care of species in zoological facilities and in the conservation of wild populations.

Free Vivitrol therapy starts for Florida opioid addicts ordered to seek treatment.

TAMPA — Once known as the pill-mill capital of the nation, Florida now faces another problem: Helping users kick their addiction to prescription pain pills and other opioid drugs.

Nomeat?NO problem.

Rise above Meatless Monday mediocrity with dishes your family will enjoy, not dread.

Water main break dunks vehicle, closes Tampa intersection

TAMPA — A broken water main shut an intersection on N 20th Street shortly before midnight Sunday.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

AFC: Patriots rout Colts for title, head to eighth Super Bowl

Belichick, Brady advance to their sixth Super Bowl.

Avila Golf and Country Club Bridal Show in Tampa – January 25, 2015

Tampa Bridal Show: Avila Golf and Country Club Wedding Venue Visit one of Tampa Bay’s most exclusive golf and country club’s at the Avila bridal show Sunday, January 25, 2015, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nestled in a gated community in North Tampa, Avila Golf and Country Club features an 18-hole of golf course (designed by developer Bob Sierra of Avila […]

The post Avila Golf and Country Club Bridal Show in Tampa – January 25, 2015 appeared first on Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Blog.

Captain's Corner: Amberjack fishing for divers

The water temperatures offshore are warmer than at this same time last year. The temperatures vary from the low to mid 60s. These temperatures and the time of year have moved schools of amberjack into closer waters. Some of our divers made the mistake of going too deep in search of these powerful fish, but others who stayed in the closer depths …

Police investigating homicide of Tampa man

Police are investigating the homicide of a Tampa man Sunday, authorities said.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Wrestling: Transfer helps Dunedin win its own tournament

DUNEDIN — The Dunedin Falcons faced a 27-6 deficit six matches into their final dual Saturday against visiting Fort Dorchester of South Carolina. Iowa transfer Robby Washam scored a first-period pin against Dorchester's Patrick Shaw in the final match to put the Falcons ahead 39-37 and win the coveted Falcon Duals title for the host …

Lightning beats Avalanche in shootout

The Lightning goalie (40 saves) is a pillar on a bumpy night.

Respected superintendents face hostile school boards in other districts, too

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK The idea of dismissing a well-respected school superintendent like Hillsborough County's MaryEllen Elia has left many observers scratching their heads. But Elia's situation is not unique.

Police: 'Shooter is contained' at Florida mall

MELBOURNE — Police say a "shooter is contained" at a central Florida mall.

Police: 'Shooter is contained' at Florida mall

MELBOURNE — Police say a "shooter is contained" at a central Florida mall.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Questions surround MLK parade finances

As events prepare to get going this weekend, officials wonder how much money has been raised and where it has been going.

Tampa restaurant news: Fusion Bowl, a French bakery, relocated chocolate and more

Downtown Tampa is starting the year with a heap of restaurant news. Fusion Bowl just opened at 504 E Jackson St., owned by Michelle Vuu, whose family has been in the restaurant business in St. Petersburg for years (currently Edo Japanese Steakhouse). As one might expect, the menu is an Asian-fusion concept that deftly scoots between …

Florida hospital says juvenile posing as doctor didn't have contact with patients

WEST PALM BEACH — A West Palm Beach hospital where an unidentified juvenile masqueraded as a doctor denied that the juvenile had any contact with patients.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Lightning tops Oilers

After another rough start, a strong third brings a win.

Brand New Homes Built in 2015 Riverview Florida

Search all the Riverview FL homes for sale here in list view or below. Riverview has fast become one Tampa Bay’s hottest community and a great place to call home. Did you know Riverview was voted for CNN’s top smallest communities in America? We love our Riverview community and would the opportunity to help you […]

Concord Station – The Retreat – New Homes

Located at the Gateway to Pasco County in Land O’ Lakes, Concord Station is one of the region’s premier master planned communities. It features on-site schools, community parks, conservation areas, ponds and an impressive 5,000 square foot clubhouse. WHY YOU NEED AN AGENT WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME Cost to You Nothing! Any compensation given […]

Florida RV SuperShow turns back the clock

TAMPA — Dust off your 8-track and bust out those hip hugger jeans, old is new at this year's Florida RV SuperShow.

New Stilt House Brewery brings laid-back vibe to Palm Harbor

Driving down an unfamiliar stretch of Alt 19, I overshot my destination and had to turn around on a residential road. A yellow street sign depicted a golf cart, with the text "all of Ozona." Across the street, a golf-cart dealership.

Moffitt hosts national conference on HPV and improving vaccination rates

Top public health officials will meet at Moffitt Cancer Center Thursday to discuss efforts to increase the lagging immunization rate against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Retired Ronaldo says he'll try to play for Strikers

HOLLYWOOD — Brazilian star Ronaldo said Wednesday he will attempt to make a playing comeback this spring with the Rowdies rival Fort Lauderdale in the NASL.

FSU loses to Pitt, falls to 1-3 in ACC

PITTSBURGH — Michael Young had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Pittsburgh received a big lift off the bench from forward Aron Phillips-Nwankwo in the second half to pull away from Florida State 73-64 Wednesday night.

Clearwater Marine hits visitor record

Winter and Hope packed the house in December.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to two of the most famous finned stars since Flipper, reports that it broke several attendance records at the end of 2014 -- just in time for the Outback Bowl, in fact.

The aquarium reached its highest-ever attendance on Dec. 30, when 6,654 visitors passed through its doors. The day before, 6,046 guests visited. Together, those two days' attendance was nearly double the same period in 2013.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an animal rehab facility that is also home to Winter, the young dolphin who was fitted with a prosthetic tail after her own tail was damaged by fishing gear and had to be amputated. Winter was the star of the 2012 film Dolphin Tale, which told her story, and last year's Dolphin Tale 2, which told the story of how Hope arrived to become Winter's new companion. Dolphin Tale 2 was released on DVD Sept. 12.

Winter and Hope aren't the aquarium's only residents. The aquarium, just off State Road 60 in Clearwater, houses plenty more animals, many of them recovering from injuries sustained in the wild. The aquarium treats dolphins, whales, otters, sea turtles, manatees and birds. It also protects and monitors 187 Loggerhead sea turtle nests.

The aquarium has plans to expand its facility at a new location in downtown Clearwater and plans to break ground this fall. You can support the expansion financially.

 

Hernando Events for Jan. 16

Events 16 Today German-American Club Inaugural Ball: The 2015 board of directors will be installed during the event. Attire is elegant to semiformal. Music provided by Manni Dunn. 4 to 10 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres from 4:30 to 5:30; dancing from 6 to 10 p.m. Bring your own beverage. Tickets are $11 for …

Tampa Bay's black heritage takes center stage

Before they became household names Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway made their bones in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay has long been a hub for African American culture in Florida. Tampa Bay's black heritage will take center stage this weekend when the 15th Tampa Black Heritage Festival fills downtown's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

The 10-day festival kicks off Jan. 15 with a 7:30 p.m. performance of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Organizers have put together a mix of cultural events, how-to business seminars and gatherings centered on the observation of the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Jan. 19.

The highlight of the festival will be the series of day-long concerts in Tampa Bay's centerpiece park on the Hillsborough River.

Downtown will ring with the two-day music fest, Jan. 17-18. The theme is "Following the Beat of the Drum."  The featured artists are R&B, soul and jazz singer Ledisi, and quartet Atlantic Starr, whose song "Secret Lovers" reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts in 1985. But the festival stage will also include nearly a dozen local groups as well.

Also on the list for the festival:

  • Former CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien will be a guest lecturer at the University of South Florida's Marshall Student Center, 7 p.m., Jan. 20.
  • Artist Aisha Tandiwe Bell will exhibit her work at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry Campus, 7 p.m., Jan. 22.
  • The Heritage Fashion Show will take to the runway at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore, 7 p.m., Jan. 25.

Many of the festivals events are free. But some, such as the fashion show and golf tournament, require tickets.

Come on out and celebrate Tampa Bay's black heritage!

 

Oscar nominations come out Thursday morning

Do Academy Award voters think the Budapest Hotel is grand, that Imitation Game is flattering and Theory. . . is everything it's cracked up to be? Will Birdman poop on all their Oscar dreams? These silly questions will be replaced by many more when the 87th annual Academy Awards nominations are announced Thursday beginning …

2015 is the Year of the Gibbon!

This year has been dubbed the Year of the Gibbon by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) The Year of the Gibbon initiative is all about bringing awareness to the plight of these unique primates. Throughout the year, I’ll be publishing blogs about these amazing animals and ways we can help them!

What exactly IS a gibbon?

So, before we can bring awareness to the struggles gibbons are facing, I will help you become aware of what a gibbon is! Gibbons are primates, apes more specifically. Most people are familiar with great apes, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. However, few are aware that there are actually lesser (meaning smaller, not less great!) apes: the gibbons. There are 17 species, all native to Southeast Asia.

Busch Gardens is home to two White-Cheeked Gibbons, Kodo and Milo. Stay tuned for upcoming blogs highlighting each of them! You can find Kodo and Milo in Jungala, which is home to all of the Asian species in the park.

What threats to gibbons face?

Like many animals, gibbons are threatened by habitat destruction. Some consider gibbons to be the most threatened primates on the planet. Unfortunately, some estimate that they may be the first major primate species to go extinct in our lifetime! One of the causes of deforestation is the palm oil industry. Palm oil is in many substances we use. By purchasing certified sustainable palm oil, we can ensure that we are supporting companies who have made the commitment to help gibbons.  

Join Busch Gardens in bringing light to the Year of the Gibbon! Stay tuned for more blogs and updates on our amazing gibbons and be sure to visit Milo and Kodo on your next visit! 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Judge declares mistrial in S.C. police shooting case

Jurors cannot reach verdict in murder trial.

Tanker truck overturns on Dale Mabry Highway

TAMPA — Police are at the scene of an overturned semitrailer truck at Dale Mabry Highway and Interstate 275 late Tuesday night.

Police say northbound Dale Mabry is shut down during the investigation. The accident occurred about 10:30 p.m.

Circulation Problems of the Foot

The prevalence of vascular disease or poor circulation in the foot has been increasing along with diabetes in our patient population over the past few months.  With this increase we have seen more and more people suffering from pain when … Continue reading

USAToday explores Ybor City's Cuban history

Our friend Susan B. Barnes (@travlin_girl) paid us a visit recently and discovered some of the best gems to be found in Tampa Bay's Latin Quarter, Ybor City.

Her article in USA Today focuses on three of Ybor's signature features: cigars, sandwiches and Jose Marti.

Here's a snippet from her section on Ybor's history at the Cigar Capital of the World: 

"Many of the original cigar factories are still standing in Ybor City and throughout Tampa, and have been converted into office space, restaurants and shops. Walk through the streets of Ybor and you'll get a feel for the way it was, while enjoying its vibe today."

For my money, the best part of the article is the section on Marti. The original Cuban revolutionary, Marti was rallying Tampa Bay's Cuban cigar workers against the King of Spain decades before Fidel Castro appeared on the scene. What followed was the Spanish American War and the liberation of Cuba.

"Though he later died in the war, Martí's mark in Ybor City is ever-present: stand on the same steps in Ybor Square (corner of Avenida Republica de Cuba and 9th Avenue) where Martí stood in 1893 when he spoke to cigar workers and Cuban freedom fighters about the Cuban Revolution."

Jose Marti Park remains the only piece of Cuban-owned soil in the United States -- a quirky fact that makes Tampa Bay a unique place.

 

 

Monday, January 12, 2015

Military: New Home Deals‎ MacDill Air Force Base @ Riverview Florida

Search all the Riverview FL homes for sale here in list view or below. Riverview has fast become one Tampa Bay’s hottest community and a great place to call home. Did you know Riverview was voted for CNN’s top smallest communities in America? We love our Riverview community and would the opportunity to help you […]

Eco-friendly solution to rising seas in St. Petersburg? Fake islands

The project could potentially help St. Petersburg avoid some damage from rising sea levels.

Daring Developmental Screening

From birth to kindergarten, your child will grow faster than you could ever expect. They will go from pudgy babies to tall and beautiful children in …

The post Daring Developmental Screening appeared first on Tampa Bay Parenting.

Busch Gardens welcomes baby gorilla

     

It's a boy!

Busch Gardens Tampa has welcomed a new baby gorilla into its fold.

The healthy baby lowland gorilla was born Dec. 16. He's the first child for Pele, who lives in Busch Gardens Tampa's Myombe Reserve habitat. Park officials believe his father is Bolingo.

This is Busch Gardens Tampa's second successful gorilla birth and the first since 2005. It brings the number of gorillas living in the 3-acre rainforest environment to six.

Mama Pele came to Busch Gardens Tampa in 2010 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

The as-yet unnamed baby gorilla is part of Busch Gardens Tampa's partnership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which encourages institutions to cooperate in the management of endangered or threatened animal species.

Since 2004, Busch Gardens Tampa has supported the study of western lowland gorillas in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The study, coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, focuses on the ecology and social behavior of lowland gorillas and has produced ground-breaking data on this species.

The baby gorilla is only the latest addition to Busch Gardens Tampa's animal collection.

The park announced last week that it was adding a recent arrival, Spike, a male Asian elephant to its herd of five females.

State's child welfare secretary pledges vigilance following Phoebe Jonchuck's death

TAMPA — The head of the Florida Department of Children and Families pledged Monday to do a better job investigating caregivers with mental health and substance abuse issues after the death of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck in St. Petersburg last week.

Communities – Riverview Florida – New Homes

Search all the Riverview FL homes for sale here in list view or below. Riverview has fast become one Tampa Bay’s hottest community and a great place to call home. Did you know Riverview was voted for CNN’s top smallest communities in America? We love our Riverview community and would the opportunity to help you […]

Tampa Bay courses make Golf Digest ranking

Tampa Bay is home to some of Florida's best golf courses. Just ask Golf Digest.

The golf magazine put six Tampa Bay area courses at or near the top of its new ranking of Florida's 75 best public courses.

Topping the list are two courses at the two-year-old Streamsong Resort about an hour east of Tampa. Streamsong's Red Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, comes in No. 1 on the Golf Digest ranking.

Coore describes the setting of Streamsong Red as "some of the most unusual, interesting and dramatic land forms we have ever encountered. The landscape is different that anything we've ever worked with."

At No. 3 on the Golf Digest list is Streamsong's Tom Doak-designed Blue course. Like it's Red counterpart, the Blue course gets its unique landscape -- native grasses, deep ponds and huge bunkers -- from the process of mining phosphate fertilizer. The resort was developed by The Mosaic Co.

At No. 4 on the Golf Digest list is the 18-hole Pine Barrens course at Wild Woods Golf Club in Brooksville, Florida, about an hour north of Tampa International Airport. Wild Woods was designed by Tom Fazio.

Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Fla., ranked No. 6 on Golf Digest's public course list. Copperhead hosts the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship each March. Copperhead is included in Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Course You can Play" and is a must for serious golfers.

Innibrook's Island course ranks No. 24 on the list of Florida's Top 75 public courses. As making the list was TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, about 30 minutes from downtown Tampa, ranked No. 28.

Tampa police looking for suspects who drove on golf course with pickup, tore up greens, then flipped truck

TAMPA — Police are looking for two people who rode a pickup onto a golf course and spun around in donuts, causing an estimated $10,000 in damage to greens overnight, authorities said.

New Homes in Riverview Florida Homes New Home Builders

Search all the Riverview FL homes for sale here in list view or below. Riverview has fast become one Tampa Bay’s hottest community and a great place to call home. Did you know Riverview was voted for CNN’s top smallest communities in America? We love our Riverview community and would the opportunity to help you […]

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Divers retrieve 1 of 2 black boxes from AirAsia jet

Indonesia Divers retrieve 1 of 2 black boxes from AirAsia jet

West End Townhomes: Meadow Pointe: Meadow Pointe Claridge Townhomes: Meadow Pointe: Meadow Pointe North Townhomes: Heron Preserve at K-Bar Ranch

Lennar Homes has Several Communities Down in Riverview & Ruskin including Belmont Estates, Belmont Executive, Belmont Manors, Cypress Creek Estates, Cypress Creek Manors, Hawks Point Estate Homes, Hawks Point Manor Homes, Hawks Point Town Estates, Preserve at Riverview, River Bend Estates Series, Spyglass at River Bend, Stillwater at Southfork, Stonegate at Ayersworth , Vista Palms […]

One critically injured in three-car crash on Selmon Expressway

One person was critically injured and another is in serious condition after a three-car crash early Sunday morning on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

One critically injured in three-car crash on Selmon Expressway

One person was critically injured and another is in serious condition after a three-car crash early Sunday morning on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Sunday's Sports on TV/radio

TODAY
Bowling
PBA World Championship1 p.m.ESPN
College basketball
Northwestern at Michigan StatenoonBig Ten
Women: USF at TemplenoonCB …

Paris on high alert ahead of high-profile unity rally (w/video)

As leaders speak out against jihad, hostages detail their experiences.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Same-sex marriage in Florida also means same-sex divorce

Same-sex marriage in Florida clears the way for gay couples married elsewhere to divorce.

More women opt for IUDs and other long-acting contraceptives

Though they continue to be overshadowed by less expensive, less effective birth control methods, long-acting reversible contraceptives such as intrauterine devices are gaining ground, according to an analysis of recently released federal data.

Quintessence promises a luxe experience to benefit three charities

Glimpse — or gawk — at luxury yachts, exotic automobiles and elite jets, then dine, drink and dance at Quintessence, a first-time benefit created by Laura Fage Signature Events & Design for three charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters; Julie Weintraub's Hands Across the Bay; and the Ryan Nece Foundation.

No injuries in Gibsonton RV fire

GIBSONTON — A recreational vehicle and semitrailer burned down Saturday morning at 8803 Nundy Ave., Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said.

Rod Taylor, Hollywood leading man who battled 'The Birds,' dies at 84

Rod Taylor, the ruggedly handsome Australian-born actor who fended off attacks from above in Alfred Hitchcock's revered horror film The Birds and helped an 8,000th-century people escape a monster race in the film version of the science-fiction classic The Time Machine, died Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 84.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Fatal crash closes exit ramp at Memorial Highway

TAMPA — Police were at the scene of a fatal crash late Friday night on the Spruce Street exit ramp from northbound Memorial Highway near Tampa International Airport.

Once dismissed, Lightning's Tyler Johnson plays a leading role

TAMPA — Bliss Littler said Tyler Johnson is one of the most fun players in the world to watch.

Babbitt bros on the road. Definitely.

The Babbitt brothers hit the road in this Sunday's installment of the Tampa Theatre's Totally 80s classic film series.

"Rain Man" takes the screen at 3 p.m. If you missed last week's showing of "Ferris Buehler's Day Off," this is your chance to make up your 80s film cred.

This is maybe my second-favorite Tom Cruise performance after "Risky Business" (sorry, "Jerry Maguire," didn't have me at hello). I don't know where to place it on the list of amazing performances Dustin Hoffman has done in his career, but it's near the top. Listening to Raymond describe the events of Jan. 12, 1965 will bring a lump to the throat of the most stoic moviegoer. (Is it a coincidence that Tampa Theatre is showing the movie one day short of 50 years after that date? Hmmm.)

The movie is like a time capsule, and not just for the 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible that carries the pair on their journey from Cincinnati to Los Angeles. Kmart, Judge Wapner and Wheel of Fortune's studio filled with glamorous merchandise and fabulous bonus prizes -- they're all in here.

And if the idea of a fart in a phone booth doesn't make you appreciate 2015 smartphone technology, nothing will.

 

Coast Bike Share off to a strong start

Tampa Bay's bike-share program, Coast Bike Share, got off to a strong start in its first six weeks of operations.

Coast's program director, Eric Trull, said today his group signed up more than 1,100 members between mid-November and this week.

The company's sky-blue bikes have traveled, collectively, 6,278 miles -- the distance from Tampa to San Francisco and back. The bulk of that pedaling has been around downtown Tampa, Ybor City, Davis Islands, Hyde Park and Bayshore Boulevard.

Coast Bike Share kicked off Nov. 17 with a members-only period. It opened bikes to the general public on Dec. 7.

Memberships are $79 a year, but bikes are available on the spot to anyone with a credit card and a smartphone. You can get the free Social Bicycles app (they're the ones who built the bikes) for iPhone or Android.

Each bike carries GPS and the technology to let riders rent a bike by their smartphone. When you're finished riding, just return the bike to one of the Coast stations and lock it back up.

The bikes are built for city riding. They're sturdy, with baskets and an enclosed driveshaft instead of a greasy chain.

One important note: In Florida, helmets are voluntary for anyone over 16, but mandatory for children under 16. Coast Bikes are BYOH, but City Bike Tampa, on Cass Street, will sell you one if you need one.

Coast has 300 bikes on Tampa Bay's streets with plans for more in 2015. The bikes are stored at stations outside City Hall, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and other spots.

They the perfect way to tour the Tampa Riverwalk or travel between downtown and popular neighborhoods like Ybor City. Bike lanes and bike paths separate riders from cars.

They're also a great way to burn off lunch at one of Tampa Bay's great restaurants. Coast officials estimate their riders burned a total of 221,137 calories since the program launched. 

Charlie Hebdo suspects killed, hostage freed as French police raid building

PARIS — French police stormed a printing plant north of Paris on Friday, freeing a hostage and killing two brothers linked to al-Qaida who were suspected of slaying 12 people at a Paris newspaper two days ago.

Man shot outside Pasco strip club subdues attacker with shovel

A man shot in the arm outside a strip club early Friday attacked his assailant with a shovel in Hudson, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Tampa International starts $1b expansion

Tampa International Airport, Tampa Bay's gateway to the world, has kicked off its $1 billion renovation and expansion.

Airport officials shut down one of the two shuttle lines serving Airside A and Airside C on Thursday morning. If you're traveling to Tampa Bay by way of those airsides in the coming months, you definitely want to build more time into your trip. For the rest of 2015, shuttles to Airside A and Airside C will run about every two minutes instead of less than a minute apart.

Airside A serves these airlines: Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Spirit, Sun Country and United.

Airside C serves Southwest exclusively.

The smoking deck between Airside A and Airside C will also be closed for the duration. You'll have to wait until you get to the airside to light up.

Over the next two years, all of Tampa International's airside shuttles will get updated and modernized.

Here’s some advice from TIA to help you navigate the new situation:

  • Only a boarding pass is required to get on the shuttles to the airsides. No ID is required until security, which is located at the airside.
  • Passengers should move to the last shuttle doors at the end of the lobby to make room for others during peak travel times.
  • Look for guidance from customer service representatives on hand to ensure efficient movement between the main terminal and airsides.

All the trouble will be worth it when the dust settles in 2017. The expansion will add more than 55,000 square feet – roughly the size of a football field – to the third floor of the terminal. It will include lounge areas and distinct spaces for business travelers and families, green zones with plenty of plants, and art installations. The inside of the terminal will become more open and spacious, making it easier to figures out get around.

The work will also create a new rental-car facility (complete with a people-mover -- the terminal is shown in the rendering above), a new taxiway bridge for airplanes and new concession areas.

Construction in the main terminal will hit its peak in August 2015 and is expected to conclude by winter of 2017.

New shops and restaurants could open in the expanded terminal by mid-2016.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Margaritaville comes to Tampa Bay

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for Jimmy Buffett's April 18 show at Tampa Bay's MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.

Tickets run $30 to $130. They're available at the Amphitheatre box office, 4802 U.S. 301 North, online through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band hit Tampa Bay as part of their "This One's For You" tour, a 40th anniversary celebration of their "A1A" album, the first to reach the Top 40.

The A1A album included "A Pirate Looks at 40," one of the dozens of Jimmy Buffett songs any Parrothead worth the salted rim of his or her margarita glass knows by heart.

 

 

 

 

Pass Members Receive $10 Busch Gardens Bucks Throughout January!

Throughout January, Pass Members get an exciting reward: $10 Busch Gardens Bucks to spend on dining, shopping and tours at Busch Gardens Tampa! Online registration is required – just login to the Pass Member Website and follow the steps below to claim your reward today.

 

It works like a coupon, so there’s no cash value and no cash back – but there’s also no minimum purchase! Your Busch Gardens Bucks are good for one-time use on dining, shopping or tours at Busch Gardens Tampa.

You can claim this reward for each active Pass Member in your household. To claim vouchers for your other Passes, you need to login separately with each individual barcode. Use the “Check a Pass” link on the login page and follow steps 2-6 to access offers for other Pass Members. 

To redeem this offer:

1.       Login

 

a.      If you have never visited the Pass Member Website before, you will need to register your Pass to link it to your email address. Just enter your barcode, zip code, email address and desired password then click the “Join Now” button.

 

b.      If you have already created a profile on the Pass Member website, click the “Sign In” link to enter your email address and password

 

c.       If you have trouble with both options above, click the “Check a Pass” link to login using your active Pass barcode and zip code.

 

d.      If you are unable to login, please call 888-800-5447 or email bga.guestinformation@buschgardens.com for assistance

 

 

2.       Once logged in, click the box labeled “Busch Gardens Bucks” within Your Offers

3.       Change the quantity to 1 and add the product to your cart (see above for how to claim this reward for other Pass Members in your household)

4.       In the top right corner of the page, click the “My Cart” link to checkout

5.       Proceed through all the steps of the checkout process

6.        Once checkout is complete, print your eticket voucher. Scan this voucher at the Self-Service Ticketing Kiosks at the park to receive your Busch Gardens Bucks.

 

Offer voucher must be redeemed at Self-Service Ticketing kiosks at Busch Gardens Tampa for Busch Gardens Bucks coupon.  Coupon will be valid only on the date on which offer voucher is redeemed at the park. Coupon valid for one-time use on select in-park purchases at Busch Gardens Tampa. Not redeemable for cash. No cash value.  No change or credit given. Offer voucher and coupon are non-refundable and nontransferable. Guest must present his or her own active Busch Gardens Tampa 1-year, 2-year, or Platinum Pass upon redemption of coupon.  Lost, damaged or stolen coupons will not be replaced. Offer not valid for Fun Card, Preschool Pass or Friends and Family Passes. 

Stay connected on Busch Gardens' Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for park updates and offers, including Pass Member rewards all year round! 

Busch Gardens unpacks a pachyderm

There's a new tusker in town at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Ganesh (aka Spike), a male Asian elephant, has settled into the theme park's wildlife collection after relocating from the Calgary Zoo in Canada.

He's joining the five female Asian elephants Busch Gardens Tampa already has on display in the elephant habitat across from the park's Animal Care Center.

Park officials hope 33-year-old Spike will play a big role in Busch Gardens Tampa's conversation efforts.

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Busch Gardens Tampa is part of the association's Species Survival Plan, which calls for breeding endangered species in captivity.

Spike, who weighs 6 tons, is the largest animal at Busch Gardens Tampa, which includes a sprawling safari park home to giraffes, zebras, ostriches and other African wildlife.

Spike traveled three days by truck from Calgary last year. He has lived behind the scenes at Busch Gardens while the park expands its elephant habitat to make room for its big guy.

His arrival in Tampa Bay marked Spike's return to Florida. Before moving to Calgary 20 years ago, he lived at the Miami zoo.

Busch Gardens and its parent company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, care for one of the largest animal collections in North America. Together, they have helped advance the care of animals held in zoos and in conservation of animals in the wild.