MyTampaLife » Tampa News

Billy Mays found dead in his Tampa home

Denis Baldwin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:17:00 +0000

If you ever needed proof that the world is an unjust place, here’s a bit for you.

Billy Mays, the marketing genius/pitchman behind Oxyclean, MightyPutty and a number of other direct-sell products is dead. He was found this morning in his Westchase home by his wife.

There were no signs of a break-in, and investigators do not suspect foul play. The coroner’s office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.

Mays’ wife, Deborah Mays, says the family doesn’t expect to make any public statements and asked for privacy. Mays was also featured on the reality TV show “Pitchmen” on the Discovery Channel, which followed Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs.

The injustice? Vince “Sham Wow” Offer/Shlomi still lives.

Tampa Bay gets it’s chance to be on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Ever want to be on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Tampa Bay residents, this is your chance.

This Friday, June 19th, producers from the show will be at the St. Pete Times Forum, auditioning potential players.

Auditions will run from 7 A.M. to 11 A.M. You will take a test (of 40 questions) and submit to an interview with a producer. A small portion of those who enter will be chosen for the show (approximately 10%), but anyone over 18 years of age can enter.

Digital TV Conversion is in one week, Tampa Bay!

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:39:00 +0000

It’s been prolonged time and time again, but it’s finally upon us.

A week from today, Tampa Bay goes digital television. No more rabbit ears. No more 2 channel black and white sets.

If you have cable or satellite, you’re fine. If you don’t, you’re about to be left in the dark.

Want to know more? See the government’s digital TV conversion website:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/FAQ.aspx

Freeway closures all around Tampa this weekend

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:43:00 +0000

Taken From:
http://mytbi.com/news/details.asp?newsid=2675

Expect lane closures and LONG TRAFFIC DELAYS this weekend as traffic is shifted to new northbound I-275 lanes

4/23/2009 – Northbound I-275 from Himes Avenue to the Hillsborough River (new alignment)

TAMPA — Traffic will be extremely slow the majority of this weekend on northbound I-275 in Tampa from the Westshore area to downtown Tampa as crews work to shift traffic to new northbound I-275 lanes adjacent to the existing highway.

Traffic impacts on I-275 will begin at 9 p.m. Friday (April 24) and are expected to be finished by 5:30 a.m. Monday (April 27). Here is what motorists can expect (with approximate times):

* 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday: The Dale Mabry Highway entrance ramp to northbound I-275 will be closed. Drivers should use Lois Avenue or Howard Avenue to enter northbound I-275.

* 9 p.m. Friday: 1 to 2 (of 3) lanes will close on northbound I-275 from Lois Avenue (Exit 40B) to Ashley Drive/Scott Street (Exit 44).

* 9 p.m. Friday: The Ashley Drive/Scott Street exit ramps (Exit 44) will alternately be closed until 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Traffic will be detoured to whichever of these two ramps is open at the time.

* Early morning Saturday: Traffic will be shifted to the new I-275 northbound lanes. Only two lanes will be open until about 5:30 a.m. Monday. The Dale Mabry entrance ramp to northbound I-275 will also reopen early Saturday morning.

* All weekend: Traffic is expected to be very congested on northbound I-275 and likely on nearby local east-west roads such as Columbus Drive, Kennedy Boulevard, and Cypress Street. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes, particularly to avoid northbound I-275 and its anticipated heavy traffic congestion. The closures and detours used over the weekend are needed to build new pavement at a higher level at each end of the project where traffic currently is driving.

By Monday morning, traffic is expected to be flowing on the new alignment in three through-lanes. However, motorists will not have additional planned lanes or full lane and shoulder widths until this fall as additional widening must be done from Willow Avenue to west of Exit 44 . Until that widening is completed, northbound I-275 on the eastern end of this project will have two 11-foot lanes and a 12-foot middle lane. Trucks will be instructed to use the full-width middle lane. In additional, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles-per-hour until construction is completed.

The Himes Avenue entrance ramp is also planned to open to traffic Monday, April 27 (this ramp has been closed since December 1).

The most important news for motorists over this weekend is to avoid northbound I-275 if you can. If you cannot, plan at least an additional hour into your travel time. Traffic backups on the I-275 corridor will be extensive and likely will reach into Pinellas County.

Tampa Mugshot Site goes live

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:30:00 +0000

In the tradition of the smoking gun and just about every sherriff’s page in the country, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco county now have a collective mugshot site:

http://mugshots.tampabay.com/

Updated throughout the day, the mugshot archive shows “up to the minute” stats and records of anyone being booked in the tri-county area.

Legal Note, from the website:

The information presented here as a public service is gathered from open county sheriff’s Web sites in the Tampa Bay area. The booking mug shots and related information are from arrest records in the order and at the time the data was collected. Those appearing here have not been convicted of the arrest charge and are presumed innocent. Do not rely on this site to determine any person’s actual criminal record.

Bay Area Beat Magazine features local music talent and news

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:20:00 +0000

With the disenfranchisement of so many local musicians and the continually widening rift between genres in the Tampa Bay Area, it’s time for a team of shepherds to bring the flock together. The entity making this attempt is Bay Area Beat, a new local music news rag aimed at supporting local talent and introducing the readers to the next up-and-coming bands. Their vow is to never put priority to national acts over their local counterparts and to always dig up the freshest new artists and new sounds throughout Tampa Bay.

Tonight, April 3rd at 8PM, they are having a maiden showcase, featuring Ronny Elliot, Rebekah Pulley and Blind Buddy Moody. I’ll be there to do photo recon. Cover is $6 and it’s held at:

Prostar Sound stage
3220 28th Street North
St Pete, Fl 33713

A copy of their first issue can be found online, via PDF:
http://realitysnap.com/bayareabeat/pdf/20409.pdf

Tampa Bay Water Restrictions Start Today

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:25:00 +0000

Water restrictions, now talked about for the last several weeks, go into effect today.

Details from the Water Use Restrictions Page:
http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Water/information_resources/restrictions/

Effective Dates

* These restrictions go into effect on April 3, 2009.
* They are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2009.

Affected Areas

* Modified Phase IV restrictions apply to customers of Tampa Bay Water member government utilities, other utilities that receive water from the member governments (either directly or indirectly), and Aloha Utilities in Pasco County. See list at the end of this page.
* Residents using water from the City of Tampa’s Water Department are to follow the City of Tampa’s Emergency Ordinances effective on April 3, 2009.
* Residents in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties using other sources of water, either private well water or water from utilities not affected by the Phase IV measures, remain under the current Modified Phase III restrictions.

Lawn Watering Schedule

* Same Days: All lawn watering remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule. Check with your local utility if you are unaware of your watering day.

* Different Hours:
o Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
o Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
o 6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties of any size, using sprinkling cans, hand-held hose equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle, or using a hose equipped with a portable sprinkler.

Note: The same lawn area may not be watered by multiple means, in other words, persons may not use an irrigation system and a hand-held hose to water the same area twice on their day.

Landscape (non-lawn) Watering Schedule

* Limited Days:
o Watering of landscapes using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) or a hand-held hose equipped with a portable sprinkler remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule as lawn watering.
o Watering of landscapes (non-lawn) using a sprinkling can, hand watering with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation is now limited to three days per week. Micro-irrigation includes soaker hoses, drip tubes, microjets and other forms of low-volume irrigation technology. Even addresses may use any of these forms of efficient irrigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd addresses may do so on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

* Different Hours:
o Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
o Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre, using an in-ground rotor and spray irrigation system.
o 6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.

Establishment Irrigation for New or Replacement Lawns

* Same Days: New and replacement turf (sod, plugs, seed, etc.) continues to have a 30-day establishment period:
o On days 1–15, the new or replacement turf may be watered any day of the week.
o On days 16–30, the turf may only be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may only water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

* Different Hours:
o Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
o Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre, using an in-ground rotors and sprays irrigation system.
o 6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.

Establishment Irrigation for New Landscaping (non-lawn)

* Different Days: New plants (other than lawns) now have a new, 60-day establishment period:
o On days 1–15, new plants may be watered any day of the week.
o During days 16–45, new plants may be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
o During days 46-60, new plants may be watered two days per week. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Sunday.

* Different Hours:
o Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
o Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre, using an in-ground rotors and sprays irrigation system.
o 6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.

Fountains

* Aesthetic fountains and other water features are now prohibited.

Car and Pressure Washing

* Residential car washing is now prohibited.
* Charity car washes are now prohibited.
* Commercial car wash operations and mobile detailing services are allowed. However, cars for sale or lease may not be routinely washed; they may be washed immediately prior to sale or lease.
* Pressure washing conducted by commercial businesses is allowed for certain purposes, which include cleaning to eliminate a safety hazard, preparation for painting or similar activity, maintaining a paint or material warranty, and as needed to meet federal, state or local health and safety standards.

Water-Based Air Conditioning

* Government facilities, common areas in malls, lobbies of multi-tenant office buildings and similar public spaces using cooling towers or other water-based cooling must keep the temperature at or above 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
* There are exemptions for health and safety, such as hospital facilities.

Remaining Restrictions

* Unless modified by the new Phase IV order, Phase III restrictions remain in place in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. This includes the use of irrigation wells and utilities not affected by the Phase IV order.

Tampa Electric Signs Contract to Purchase Solar Photovoltaic Energy

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:08:00 +0000

Story Courtesy of Solar Energy News and Reviews:
http://solarenergynewsandreview.blogspot.com/2009/03/tampa-electric-signs-contract-to.html

TAMPA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tampa Electric (NYSE:TE) today announced that it has signed a contract to purchase solar power supplied by Energy 5.0’s Florida Solar I facility, a proposed 25-megawatt (MW) solar PV electric generating station, for a 25-year period beginning in 2011.

Today, Tampa Electric filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission for approval to purchase the energy generated by the solar facility. The solar energy contract was awarded to Energy 5.0, the successful bidder in Tampa Electric’s 2007 Renewable Generation Request for Proposals.

“I applaud TECO and Energy 5.0 on this exciting partnership that moves Florida closer to our goal of increasing energy diversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “Two years ago, I challenged Florida to find the ‘gold in green,’ and we continue to see companies investing in innovative solutions that promote the use of renewable energy while saving money for consumers.”

Tampa Electric President Chuck Black said, “We are committed to pursuing our state’s goal of developing and supporting Florida renewable energy sources that will benefit our customers and are in the best interest of all Floridians. This cutting edge project will be important in meeting current and future state renewable energy objectives.”

Over its 25-year proposed contract term, the project is expected to avoid the emission of up to 1.45 million tons of carbon dioxide when compared to a natural gas-fired peaking combustion turbine. The contract will also:

* promote the state’s goal of encouraging the production of renewable energy produced by renewable energy generating facilities in Florida.
* reduce Florida’s dependence on natural gas and fuel oil for electricity production.
* provide the basis for significant new investment, economic development and job creation in Polk County and in the state.
* reduce environmental impacts associated with electricity generation.
* protect the company and its customers from technical and operational risks through its energy-only, fixed pricing.
* provide fuel diversity benefits.

Energy 5.0, a Florida-based company with extensive experience and success in the development, financing and operation of renewable energy projects, will build the 25-MW facility on a proposed 200 to 400 acre site in Polk County. The facility will be one of the largest solar PV facilities in the nation.

The project will consist of silicon-based PV panels that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. The 25-MW facility is expected to produce more than 48,000 MWh of electricity per year – enough output to serve the electric energy needs of more than 3,400 homes. The average home in Tampa Electric’s service territory uses about 14,000 kWh per year.

“As our company’s flagship solar power project, this undertaking will be a showcase for zero-emission renewable power in the Southeast,” said Energy 5.0 Chairman Bud Cherry. “Assuming approval by the Florida Public Service Commission this spring, deliveries from the Florida Solar I Project could begin in the first half of 2011.”

Tampa Electric Company is the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE), an integrated energy-related holding company with regulated utility businesses, complemented by a family of unregulated businesses. Tampa Electric Company is a regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System). Other subsidiaries are engaged in coal, and electric generation and distribution in Guatemala.

Energy 5.0 LLC

Energy 5.0 LLC, headquartered in West Palm Beach, is a privately held, well-capitalized, Florida-based company. Founded by energy professionals with over 80 years of industry experience, Energy 5.0 applies creative and reliable solutions to create value in energy ventures. Energy 5.0 is committed to excellence in the delivery of clean renewable energy.

Energy 5.0’s principals have over 40 years of experience in renewable energy power project development and renewable technology application utilizing cogeneration, geothermal, solar and wind technology. Energy 5.0 knows how to design, build and operate successful renewable energy projects. Energy 5.0 has assembled a team of recognized solar industry players and Florida professionals to undertake the Florida Solar I Project. Drawing on its own experience and this network of qualified professionals, the Energy 5.0 team will use its talent and state of the art technology to deliver a project with lasting beneficial impact.

For more information on Energy 5.0 LLC and its principals, visit www.energy5-0.com.

Speakers out of the back of van Scam

Denis Baldwin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:31:00 +0000

This is a pretty well known tale and I’d heard of this going on when I lived in Detroit, though I never thought I’d actually see it in action.

I pulled into my local Sweetbay (805 E DR Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 0 Tampa, FL 33603-4337) today to pick up a few groceries. No sooner did I park than two guys in a rust-color van rolled up on me and said, “Hey man, I’ve got this good deal on speakers. We just did an install and we had these extra. Sell them to you cheap.”

I asked what kind they are, and was told they were “MTS Technica”, and still in the box. I knew this sounded strangely familiar, so I politely told them that I wasn’t interested and went on about my business. They proceeded to pester several more people in the parking lot.

What amazes me about this is how gullible a person would have to be to fall for it. Common sense would dictate that nothing both good and legal ever came out of the back of a van. Secondly, even if MTS Technica really was a brand name, what do you know of them? Do they carry a warranty? Obviously, you can’t return these? Also, their “bargain price” of $300 for a pair is hardly a bargain. Decent mid-level high quality brand names can be had in big box stores for that much or less.

Much like Nigerian princes, anything easily debunked by the internet is too good to be true.

No related posts.

Racism alive and well in Hillsorough State Committee

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:32:00 +0000

This was too good not to re-post. Originally from St. Peters Blog. My comments in bold.

How many black people does it take to fire a GOP official?

NONE! It actually just takes said GOP official forwarding racist, idiotic e-mails and those going public. For your enjoyment I present the comedic stylings of Hillsborough state committeewoman Carol Carter.

From: Carol Carter
Friday, January 30, 9:30 AM
Subject: FW: Amazing!

I’m confused

How can 2,000,000 blacks get into Washington, DC in 1 day in sub zero temps when 200,000 couldn’t get out of New Orleans in 85 degree temps with four days notice?

Carol Carter

Good one, Carol! HAWE HAWE HAWE. What an asshat.

The most ridiculous part of this is you’d think someone in that position would know that email is easily monitored. You’d also think that of the people she sent it to, at least ONE of them would take some offense. This is insanity that this kind of blatant racism exists within our local government.

I find it worse that in the e-mail she sent to apologize for the first e-mail she said the following:

I am also sorry to learn that some of these persons are not real team players. There really was no reason for this to go beyond those that I e-mailed (8 people). This was not an e-mail blast as I do not have that capability.

Yeah dudes, that means what you think it means: team player in the GOP = keeping those racist jokes going and definitely not sharing them with those close minded people out there in the world that don’t find humor in racist jokes about national tragedies. Duh!

I am pleased to announce that Carol has resigned from her position as Hillsborough GOP Comedienne Laureate effective today. I’m also please to announce that the HCRP site is TEH SHIT!

Can you even imagine the email that prompted that half-ass apology? I’m sure one of her not-team-players was like, “Listen, lady, this isn’t 1885 and you’re no land baron”. Furthermore, this is equivalent to those holocaust deniers that rant and rave all day about the importance of the “Final Solution”. What are these people on? I can’t even imagine how anyone would find this acceptable. I wonder how Ray Nagin feels about this? or the NAACP? I’m hoping this woman never gets hired anywhere again. I know I wouldn’t tolerate this kind of hate in my workplace.

Cold Weather continues to pound Tampa Bay

Denis Baldwin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:41:00 +0000

I’ve never lived in a place where the heater couldn’t keep up. That’s the case here today.

I set my heater thermostat at 70 last night. I usually just leave it off, as this house tends to stay around 70-72, regardless of how cold it is outside, with just ambient technology and body heat. Last night, it dropped to 58 in here. Very cold! I turned the heat up to 70 and went off to bed.

Here it is, 10 hours later, and it’s still only 68 in here. The heater has been running non-stop and we’re just not getting there.

I went outside at 6 A.M. to bask in the 30 degree frigid cold. It seems so much colder in Florida than it ever did in Michigan. Perhaps it’s the sharp contrast. Perhaps it’s because I lost my thick skin of expecting a bitter winter. Perhaps it’s because of the gulf wind being cold, pulled over cold waters. Either way, it’s too cold to do anything productive today.

Unemployed outnumbering jobs in Tampa Bay

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:32:00 +0000

From Bizjournals.com:
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/02/02/daily9.html

Job hunting for many Tampa Bay area residents may be more arduous than they thought.

A new study from The Conference Board and Wanted Technologies Corp. shows that there are 3.3 unemployed people for every online advertised job vacancy. That is slightly below numbers for Miami but ahead of Florida, which had 4.2 unemployed people for every help wanted ad.

“The very sharp declines in advertised vacancies throughout the nation in the last two months are clearly making it increasingly hard for those who are unemployed to find new positions,” said Gad Levanon, senior economist at The Conference Board, in a release.

Nationally, online advertised job vacancies fell 506,000 to 3.36 million in January. Combined with the 507,000 drop in December, ads have fallen by more than 1 million, or 23 percent in the last two months. Florida lost 25,200 job ads in January, behind only Texas in the south.

The industries hardest hit in terms of job vacancies losses are transportation and material moving, office and administrative support, legal, business and finance, and construction. Health care support also declined but at a much slower pace.

The Conference Board Help-Wanted Online Data Series measures the number of new, first-time online jobs and jobs reposted from the previous month on more than 1,200 Internet job boards and smaller job boards that serve niche markets and smaller geographic areas.

I’m seeing this in a lot of instances, both online and off. A year back, when I had 3 jobs and was making good money, I could get most any job I applied for. These days, trying to find extra work seems impossible. I’ve put out resumes to over 100 jobs in the last 2 months. Full time, part time, in industries ranging from marketing to sales to information technology to labor. No one is hiring.

One place I applied at recently told me that they had over 300 applications for this one job, as a $8/hour marketing support person! That’s craziness. I would only use this job to supplement my current income, but it’s absolutely nuts to me that someone would work for $8/hour in a job that really needs 10 years experience and a college degree.

So, the search goes on. At least I’m not alone.

Superbowl Chicken Wing Shortage rocks Tampa Bay

Denis Baldwin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:53:00 +0000

What’s the Superbowl without Hot Wings? What will we eat if not for those delicious portions of bones covered in scant slivers of meat and a fried fatty skin, dipped in Franks, or your other favorite sauce? What will we do!?!?

Tampa Bay’s 10 News covers the story:

http://www.tampabays10.com/sports/story.aspx?storyid=99068&catid=199

South Tampa, Florida — What is a football game without wings?!

For most fans, chicken wings and football games go hand in hand. That’s why word of a shortage is causing concern around the nation.

“The recession made a major chicken producer based out of Texas went bankrupt and shut down,” said restaurant owner Mike Disser.

Disser owns Wings Gone Wild on Bay to Bay Boulevard in South Tampa. He said fortunately he gets his wings from a chicken producer out of South Carolina. Not all restaurants are that lucky and the customer could end up paying the price.

“This shortage has prices going up nearly fifty-percent,” said Disser.

It turns out the timing of this shortage is better than you would think because restaurants almost always brace for a shortage this time of year. “There is such a high demand for wings for the Super Bowl that we always factor in a possible shortage,” said Disser.

Any shortage causes costs to climb. “Our shipment we got several weeks ago cost $45 a box. In the latest shipment, that cost went up to $70 a box,” said Disser. He will not pass that extra cost on to the customer though. “We’re just going to eat the cost or else we won’t sell any.”

So, at Wings Gone Wild, they will not run out of wings or fun.

“We’ve got parties planned all week here. In fact, we’ll basically be the headquarters for the Cardinals. The cheerleaders will be here closer to the weekend. So, come on down!”

Luckily, I eat wings an average of 2-3 times per week, so missing this one day won’t affect me in the slightest.

I, for one, will do Nachos. Sure, it’s not as much fun as racking up a huge pile of bones to celebrate your expanding waistline or your impending heartburn, but today it will have to do.

Tampa crackdown already nets 19 women on prostitution charges

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:14:00 +0000

From The Smoking Gun:

JANUARY 28–Since it is Super Bowl week in Tampa, the local cops are cracking down on hookers working from area hotels, street corners, private residences, and massage parlors. As is customary in the days before football’s championship game, police have been rounding up women on prostitution charges, lest they supposedly cash in on the influx of out-of-town pigskin fans. As seen on the following pages, 19 suspects-aged 19 to 53–have been nabbed since Monday, with each arrestee posing for a mug shot at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. (19 pages)

The link above takes you to all the mugshots. My personal favorite:

Is that… a HERPES SORE? Is that even a WOMAN!?

Wow, man. I know most sports fans aren’t discriminating when it comes to the trim they pay for, but COME ON.

The cold weather continues to chill Tampa Bay

Denis Baldwin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:24:00 +0000

We’re on the 5th day of freezing arctic temperatures here in the bay. This morning, I went out to start my car to find the vinyl top frozen solid and covered in frost and ice.

I’ve had quite enough of being cold. I’ve had quite enough of no sunshine. Bring back my sunshine state!

Atleast the weather channel brings me good news for the coming week:

Let it snow?

Denis Baldwin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:15:00 +0000

Sticksoffire is reporting a possibility of snow falling today in Tampa Bay. To say the least, I’m not happy.

For those of you who come from the sub-arctic, Hoth-like northern states and now live in Tampa, you’ll most likely share my sentiment. You remember how beautiful the initial snow fall is… and how tragic everything from that point forward becomes. You remember the apocalyptic-like conditions while waiting for salt trucks (that I bet Tampa doesn’t have). You remember school closings and not being able to make it into work because there’s 2 feet of snow on the ground.

I fled Detroit to get away from the slippery white mess that is snow. There were times I’d completely lose a car in overnight snow. Other times, I’d sit in traffic for 3 to 4 hours at a time to travel 5 miles, just waiting for the delicate balance of chaos and carnage from people who think that four wheel drive equates four wheel stop. Ugh. Don’t want that here.

I present to you a picture of my last winter in Detroit. This was after the streets were clear the night before, and suddenly, when I woke, there was over 2 feet of snow on the ground. I’m the blob in black attempting to free my PT Cruiser from it’s icy grave.

No related posts.

I make the News! I’m above the Law!

Denis Baldwin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:41:00 +0000

It will never cease to amaze me when TV personalities do things that will obviously get them arrested, and most likely dethroned. Here’s a story on local FOX13 Tampa Anchor Russell Rhodes after his little escapade on Friday night, “non-violently” interacting with a Tampa Police officer at Channelside.

What kind of moron does that? His life is spent in front of the camera. He’s one of the faces of Tampa Bay. Not only has he ruined his own life (and career) by being a drunken bonehead, but he’s now made Tampa look bad. Shame on you, Russell Rhodes.

To top it off, I dunno how “non-violent” this takedown was. I mean, I’ve fallen on my face. I’ve had interactions with police, bullies, bouncers, you name it. Even on my worst days, I don’t recall coming out of it with my face looking like hamburger.

Story here:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8269326&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Full text of article here, incase they pull it:

TAMPA – FOX 13 morning anchor Russell Rhodes was arrested Friday night and charged with obstructing or opposing an officer without violence. The incident happened in the parking garage at Channelside.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s spokesman J.D. Callaway says that Rhodes repeatedly walked away from an off-duty deputy and refused to surrender his keys.

Callaway told FOX 13 that Rhodes was then injured as the deputy “took him to the ground and cuffed him.”

Rhodes was released from the Orient Road Jail Saturday morning on $500 bond.

FOX 13 management is aware of the matter and is reviewing it.

No related posts.

The Epidemic of Slowed Down Rap in Tampa

Denis Baldwin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:37:00 +0000

I noticed this counter cultural cling-on when I first moved to Florida, and it’s showed no sign of giving up the ghost as most annoying trend in music since… well… singer/songwriter man-hating lesbians. I’m talking, of course, about slowed down rap. SLAP, as it’s best known, is just that: a slap in the face of taste and class.

I have to notate that I *love* gangsta rap. Give me some mid 90′s Dr. Dre and Snoop, a controller to San Andreas and a dollar-bin DVD of Menace2Society and I’ve got a complete evening. What I don’t dig is this interaction:

Me: *driving my car on MLK near Nebraska*
Donk: *rolls up with bass so big and so low that my car disintegrates at the stop light*

But it’s not even the bass that bothers me. I listen to Electro and Techno and GangstaRap pushed to ELEVEN. It’s the slooooooooowwwwww piiiiitttttcchh annnnnnd breeeeeeeaaaaakkkk neeeeeeeeccccccckkkk sssssssnnnnnnaaaaaaiiiiirrrrrr that is declaring sonic warfare on my ears, not the lyrics or the bass really.

Every time I heared slowed down rap, I get good and pissed and look up to see…. a 17 year old white kid in a Navigator. Why do you have to ruin everything that was once good, white kids? Why?!

Red Light Cameras, coming to a Tampa Road Near You