This probably won’t surprise you. I’m ecstatic that the GOP today chose Tampa Bay to host the 2012 Republican National Convention. I have attended the last two Republican Conventions (New York in 2004 and Minneapolis in 2008), and I can assure you, it’s a big deal for our region. I know, I know, I’m not supposed to be partisan in this space, and, as soon as I finish telling you how happy I am that our convention’s coming to Florida for the first time since 1972 (Miami), I’ll dispense with partisan euphoria. Ok, one last thought…we deserve it.
Chuck: The worst opening for any episode, any season. Katie is in bottom 3 from the top row. Didi & Tim from the bottom row. Ruben Studdard performs. Ruben didn't win...everyone knows it was fixed.
A bit of chatter lately surrounds Tampa International Airport’s international flare – or lack thereof, maybe. Mitch Perry provides a good post about the status of international flights at TIA and the relatively turbulent discussion that opened the dialogue again. There are certainly some unresolved questions after all the flap: Are there not enough international [...]
My life has changed dramatically (and traumatically) in the past twelve months. Has anyone ever told you: “wow, you look like you just lost your best friend?” I’ve looked as if I just lost my best friend for 11 months. I did. His name was Randy. He profoundly changed my life, and his death upended [...]
In the education post both Carol and I start with this Gallup poll that shows a very high satisfaction rate (77%) with how schools are educating children. Parents generally think their child is getting a good education. But those other kids? The poll shows that only 46% are satisfied with education in the country. What [...]
Recently a woman I was dating dragged me to torturous evening event in town. The scene was a hot dark room where someone ordered me to put my body into strange positions....
It's an action, comment, or attitude. It's something we just can't accept. It's a "deal breaker." Chris Craig looks into deal breakers today in Religion in the City
The Tampa Apple store closed Aug. 24 for renovations and will reopen Sept. 17.
A week or so ago I found myself at Infusion, a quiet little tea shop café off I-4 in Orlando. As I sat and read, I overheard a couple of guys sitting behind me talking about the rising number of deaths in the world. They caught my attention when one of the men exclaimed, "Can you believe it? First Ed McMahon and then the Taco bell dog; who's next?" Now my first response was to....
At Jannus Landing (St. Pete) Sat 08/08 Best of The Bay/Summer Jam 2009 - Featuring: Javon Black, Cristol, Tom G and Hardwhite At New World Brewery (Ybor/Tampa) Wed 08/12 Jacuzzi Boys, Davila and Others At Ford Amph (Tampa) Sat 08/08 Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum Sun 08/09 Coldplay, Elbow and Kitty Daisy & Lewis Tue 08/11 Rockstar Energy Meyham Festival - Featuring: Slayer and Manson With: Bullet For My Valentine, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Behemoth, Whitechapel, God Forbid, All That Remains, Mushroom Head, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse & Job For a Cowboy Wed 08/12 Dave Matthews Band Fri 08/14 Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick
In the social service world, one of the greatest challenges is finding the energy to delineate which clients are in true need of help and which ones are simply sponges of the social service wheel. Take a look inside to find one of Craig's inspirations that helps him in his work...
Step into the world of animation at Animation’s MOSI’s latest exhibit which opens this Friday, July 10. According the to MOSI web site you will “explore animation from concept to finished product — from storyboarding, character design, and drawing techniques to movement, timing, filming, and sound. Larger-than-life graphics of popular Cartoon Network characters provide a colorful backdrop to the exhibit, which also explores the history of animation and features a screening room and a cartoon museum.” It’s a great time to take the kids (or a significant other) and see this latest exhibit and to watch a movie in the IMAX dome theatre.
The Hold Steady, a self-proclaimed bar band from Minneapolis emerging as one the country's beacons of modern rock and roll, has a special affinity for Ybor City, or at least the the way the words sound in songs. So last night's show at The Ritz in Tampa was a sort of homecoming. Your humble scribe was there.
Am I making a promise I can't keep? Keep reading to find out and see what I'm talking about.
Bio: I’m a Christian, a husband, a father, a son, a real estate consultant, and now, an amateur writer. As well, I am a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 63, or parts of Polk and Hillsborough Counties. My goal in this space is to provide my insight and comment on events shaping our larger region. I hope to consistently remind my community that we live in a connected world and that our commitment to being a player in the Metro I-4 super-region will make all the difference in the world. Selfishly, I also hope to further develop my skills as an amateur writer - a muse with which I’ve always tinkered but, until now, never published. I hope you find depth in my insights and sincerity in their offering. And I hope you’ll let me know how I’m doing… email: mckeel@metroi4news.com