New Tampa Relocation Guide

Relocation

Guide

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Relocation Guide

Our area was occupied by only

Indians until Ponce de Leon’s

arrival in 1513. Many Span-

ish explorers followed, includ-

ing Panfilo de Narvaez in

1528, Hernando de Soto in

1539, and Pedro Menedez in

1565, all in search of gold and

acquisition of North Ameri-

can territory. Central Florida

was then largely ignored for

the next 200 years, while

Spain concentrated its efforts

on settling eastern Florida.

In 1763, Great Britain ob-

tained Florida in a trade with

Spain for Havana. Twenty

years later, Spain captured

Pensacola and re-acquired

Florida by right of conquest in

the Treaty of Paris. The

United States purchased

Florida from Spain in 1821

for a sum of five million dol-

lars. Andrew Jackson was ap-

pointed territorial governor of

Florida. In 1845, Florida

became the 27th state.

Bernard Romans, a cartogra-

pher (map maker), named the

Hillsborough Bay for Lord

Hillsborough, British Secre-

tary of State for the colonies,

in 1772. By 1834, the Territo-

rial Legislature designated

about five million acres

(which now forms five

counties) to create Hillsbor-

ough County.

In 1835, Major Francis Dade

and his troops marched into

what is now Dade City. It was

here that the Seminole Indi-

ans demonstrated their resis-

tance to leaving the area with

the massacre of Major Dade’s

command. A year later, Fort

Dade was built on

the south bank of

the Withlacoochee

River.

Subsequent to the

construction of

railroads through

the area in 1887,

Pasco County was

established by the

Florida Legislature.

It was named to

honor Samuel

Pasco, a Confederate veteran

and chairman of the 1885

Florida Constitutional Con-

vention. Pasco also became a

United States Senator.

Henry B. Plant’s railroad was

expanding in 1883 and new

industries were fostered.

Plant City was named after

the railroad magnate, Henry

Plant, who had a great impact

on the area. After the intro-

duction of his railroad, he

started a steamship line from

Tampa to Key West to Ha-

vana, Cuba. He had obtained

a U.S. Mail contract for this

route and also developed a

splendid passenger trade.

In the 1890’s, Plant opened

the Tampa Bay Hotel. The

ornate structure contributed

to making Tampa a popular

winter resort area. Its Moorish

architecture with its l3 silver

minarets is a renowned land-

mark serving as the adminis-

trative headquarters for the

present-day University Of

Tampa.

Vincente Martinex Ybor

brought his cigar manufactur-

ing facility to the area-Ybor

City-from Key West in 1886,

and numerous cigar plants

soon were opened. By 1927,

Tampa was known as the

History Of The Tampa Area

Inside this issue:

Tampa Area Climate 2

Economic Overview 2

Transportation 3

Tampa Bay Statistics 3

Schools 4

Especially For Newcomers 5-6

Florida Living 7-11

Downtown Tampa, Florida

VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 8

© CORNERSTONE

PROPERTIES &

INVESTMENTS , LLC . 2011

Summer 2011

factories in the city employing

13,000 persons. Production

of cigars that year totaled

479,000,000. That industry

still exists today, and the

Latin influence has greatly

shaped the cultural heritage

of the Tampa Bay Area.

Another prosperous industry

is Florida citrus. Around

1845, members of the Tucker

family planted the first orange

grove in Pasco County.

Thought there had been

many wild groves, this was the

first with deliberately planted

rows. Lykes-Pasco (formerly

Pasco Packing Company)

became a pioneer developer

of citrus concentrate and the

world’s largest citrus packing

plant. With the introduction

of the railroad, the area be-

came a hub for citrus distribu-

tion. The industry survived

and thrived after many harsh

freezes.

Florida is one of the nation’s

THE AUTHORITY ON FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

Page 2 Relocation Guide

leading tourist centers today,

as it was at the turn of the

century. In the early l900’s,

Sulphur Springs swimming

pool was a popular recreation

site. Thousands of bathers

would frequent the superb

swimming hole, which was

said to be one of the finest

bathing resorts in the country.

The temperature of the water

was 72 degrees throughout the

year. The Spring had a flow

of approximately 60,000 gal-

lons per minute. In 1904,

Josiah Richardson purchased

the area and developed the

Sulphur Springs Arcade. In

1927, he built a water tower

that today stands as a land-

mark on Florida Avenue.

Our area has been home to

many military bases

throughout its history,

from Fort Dade to the

MacDill Field U.S.

Army Air Base, which

was built in 1939 and

officially activated in

1941. The base was

named in honor of

Col. Leslie MacDill

who was killed in an

air crash near Wash-

ington, D.C. During

WWII. Today the

base is an Air Mobility

Command Installation. The

host unit is the 6th Air Refuel-

ing Wing.

As the population

grew, the area and

industry flourished

to make Hillsbor-

ough and sur-

rounding counties

a commerce center

and popular vaca-

tion destination.

It features a diver-

sified mix of eco-

nomic and recrea-

tional opportuni-

ties.

turing and industry strengthen

the economic foundation of

the state and the service indus-

try is well represented. The

Florida business community is

considered very strong. Be-

sides tourism, Hillsborough

County’s main industries are

light manufacturing with ap-

proximately 700 firms and

over l,400 wholesale distribu-

tion firms. Pasco County’s

Florida has a strong economic

base. Tourism and agriculture

make up the primary base, yet

Florida’s technology fields are

expanding rapidly. Manufac-

main industries include light

manufacturing and citrus,

pure water and egg processing.

The two counties shared na-

tional attention with Tampa-

one of John Naisbitt’s

“Megatrend” cities. Both

counties continue to grow at a

rapid pace.

History Of Tampa — Continued

Economic Overview

months being April and May.

Average yearly rainfall is 55

inches. June through Septem-

ber receives 60% of the an-

nual precipitation, or about

eight inches per month. The

afternoon sea breezes and

thunderstorms keep summer

temperatures down below 90

degrees for a welcome relief

from the hot, humid weather.

Fall and spring are usually dry

seasons and snowfall is ex-

tremely rare with measurable

snow under one-half of an

inch occurring only a few

times in the past l00 years.

June and October are the

months of the highest risk

from hurricanes. Florida has

never gone more than two

years without a tropical storm.

Tampa Bay’s subtropical cli-

mate promises an annual tem-

perature averaging 72 degrees

and a relative humidity of

75%. The average temperature

in January is 59.8 degrees and

82.2 degrees in August.

Known as the “Sunshine

State”, the greater Tampa Bay

area has sunshine the majority

of the time with the sunniest

Forbes ranked Tampa #1

in Florida and #17th

nationwide for “The Best

Places For Business”

Tampa Area Climate

Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Tampa has been named

the number one market in

the South by Southern

Business & Development

Magazine.


Horse-drawn buggies, the

Tampa Electric Company

trolley that carried travelers to

the Port Of Tampa, steam-

boats and trains, all mark the

area’s colorful past. Whether

just “getting about town” or

shipping precious cargo, each

of these modes of transporta-

tion has made an important

impression on the county’s

growth. Today, local travelers

use I-75, I-275 or I-4 to arrive

at their destination. Whether

it be in their own car, in a

taxicab or by the local bus

company (HARTline in Hills-

borough County and PSTA in

Pinellas County), transporta-

tion is easy for commuters.

The counties are served by

CSX for freight and by Am-

trak via Tampa. The Auto-

train offers convenient service

that transports driver and car

from northern points to San-

ford, Florida. There is a piggy-

back service available in Dade

City.

For air travel, the Tampa

International Airport serves

both counties with more than

20 major airlines and over

250,000 flights per year. The

beautiful airport has been

hailed by national and inter-

national travelers as one of the

finest and most efficient facili-

ties of its kind. The Tampa

Bay area is renowned in the

airline industry due to Tony

Jannus who made the first

regularly scheduled flight in

January l9l4.

The St. Petersburg-Clearwater

International Airport in Pinel-

las is located off US 19, 15

minutes from downtown

Clearwater and less than 30

minutes from downtown St.

Petersburg.

There are also a dozen other

municipal airports in the area.

cludes the Central Library in

downtown Tampa and 15

branches in the county. To

contact the Main Branch, call

(813) 273.3652.

In Pasco County, there are

nine libraries throughout the

county-two in Holiday, and

one each in Hudson, Dade

City, Zephyrhills and New Port

collection of books, reference

materials, and in some in-

stances videos, cassette tapes,

records, compact

discs and artwork.

Hillsborough

County Public Li-

brary System in-

cludes the Central

Library System in-

Richey. The Main Office is in

Hudson: (813) 861-3040.

Most libraries in Pinellas

County belong to a coopera-

tive library system that shares

resources and includes 13

member cities with a total of

24 libraries. For more infor-

mation, please call

(813) 535-7979.

Transportation

Libraries

Conde Nast Traveler rated Tampa

International Airport one of the ten

best in the world

Statistics Florida : 54,135 square miles

Hillsborough County: 1,072 square miles

Pasco County: 790 square miles

Pinellas County: 280 square miles

State Water Area: 4,425 square miles

State Coastline: 1,197 square miles

State Capital: Tallahassee

Nickname: Sunshine State

State Song: Suwanee River by Stephen Foster

State Flower: Orange Blossom

State Tree: Sabal Palm

State Fish: Largemouth Bass (Freshwater),

Sailfish (Saltwater)

State Bird: Mockingbird

State Mammal: Manatee

State Animal: Panther

State Motto: In God We Trust

State Shell: Pleuroploca

State Gem: Moonstone

There are many public librar-

ies located throughout the

counties that offer a varied

ing it the 12th largest in the

nation and the third largest in

Florida. (Only Dade and Bro-

ward Counties are larger). For

more information on the

Hillsborough County School

System call (813) 272.4000.

The Pinellas County School

District has 144,000 students

in 130 schools, and is the 7th

largest in the state, and the

23rd largest school system in

the U.S.

Pasco County Schools serve

approximately 42,000 stu-

dents at 46 facilities, making it

the 13th largest school system

n Florida. All of its elemen-

tary and secondary schools are

accredited by the Southern

Association of Schools and

Colleges. For more infor-

mation, contact the Pasco

County School Board at

(813) 996-3600.

Quality education is re-

flected in the students’ SAT

scores in all three counties,

which are higher than the

state and national averages.

In addition to special pro-

grams for the handicapped

and impaired, the school sys-

tems have designed a compre-

The area has dozens of private

and parochial schools, repre-

senting a myriad of different

teaching methods and ideolo-

gies, including Montessori,

Christian fundamental, Pres-

byterian, Baptist, Roman

Catholic and college prepara-

tory. Each of the area’s public

school systems, though sepa-

rate, offer outstanding and

unique programs of educa-

tion.

Elementary schools encom-

pass kindergarten through

grades 5, middle schools are

grades 6 through 8, and high

schools include grades 9

through 12.

Under Florida law, children

six years of age or older must

attend school until they turn

16 years old. Children who

are five years old on or before

September lst may be admit-

ted to kindergarten. The state

law requires that children

successfully complete kinder-

garten before entering the first

grade.

Hillsborough County Schools

have an enrollment of ap-

proximately 146,000 students

and 150 school facilities, mak-

hensive range of alternative

and special education pro-

grams at various sites. Hills-

borough, Pasco and Pinellas

County Schools are all

equipped with computers and

each classroom is air-

conditioned.

Higher Education

For those looking to further

their education, there are a

number of community col-

leges and universities.

The University of South Flor-

ida is part of the Florida state

system. Enrollment, includ-

ing graduate and undergradu-

ates, totals more than 37,000.

The school is designed as a

metropolitan university acting

as an integral part of the com-

munity, and many of its stu-

dents are commuters. USF

was founded in 1956 and

today has five campuses, the

largest of which is 1,700 acre

campus in North Tampa.

Telephone (813) 974-2011.

The University of Tampa is a

private, coeducational liberal

arts and science four-year col-

lege in downtown Tampa.

Courses of study include busi-

ness, education and pre-

professional programs. The

Schools, Universities, & Colleges

68-acre campus sets along the

picturesque Hillsborough

River and includes Plant Hall

with its towering minarets.

The school also offers a Mas-

ter of Business degree. Tele-

phone: (813) 253-3333.

Hillsborough Community

College is a fully accredited

public comprehensive commu-

nity college serving the resi-

dents of Hillsborough County

with four campuses. It is a

member of Florida’s commu-

nity college system, offering

university parallel, career and

community services programs.

Telephone: (813) 253-7000.

Pasco-Hernando Community

College is the newest and

most modern of Florida’s

junior colleges. Founded in

1967, the school offers a two-

year degree program and spe-

cialized vocational courses, as

well as academic courses de-

signed to prepare a student for

transfer to another college. It

is accredited by the Southern

Association of Colleges and

Schools. Telephone: (352)

567-6701.

Florida College is a coeduca-

tional liberal arts junior col-

lege with an enrollment of

more than 400 students, many

of whom come from outside

Florida. Bible study is in-

cluded in the students’

curriculum. Telephone:

(813) 988-5131.

Tampa College, founded

in 1890, is the oldest

business college in Flor-

ida. Today the school is a

non-profit, non-sectarian

co-educational institution

chartered the by State of

Florida and offering four-

year collegiate degrees. Tele-

phone: (813) 879-6000.

University Of South Florida



Auto Insurance

Florida law requires that all

automobile operators have

No-Fault insurance. Under

No-Fault Law, your

insurance company

pays for treatment

of any personal

injuries received as

a result of an auto

accident, no mat-

ter who is at fault.

You must show

proof of this insur-

ance to obtain

automobile tags.

For more information on

insurance laws, call

l-800-342-2762.

Drivers License

If you become a resident of

Florida, are employed here, or

enroll your children in area

schools, you must have a valid

Florida driver’s license within

30 days. The license is good

for six years and is renewable

by your birth date. If you have

a valid license from another

state, you need only to take a

sight test.

Auto Tags

Within 30 days of moving to

Florida, you must also obtain

a Florida license plate if (1)

You are employed here (2)

Your children attend school

in the state (3) You claim a

homestead exemption, or (4)

You register to vote.

The tag is renewable annually

during your birth month by

obtaining a small adhesive

sticker to be placed on the

metal plate. The metal

plate is transferable if

you purchase another

vehicle. Usually the

registration renewal

form and emission in-

spection information is

sent to you in the mail

at renewal time. To get

your license plate, take

your vehicle registration,

proof of insurance, and

automobile title to any

of a number of tag offices.

Look in your county govern-

ment listing in the phone

book for convenient locations.

Some driver’s

license branches include:

Tampa: 4100 W. MLK Blvd.

(813) 871-7658

3904 S. Dale Mabry Highway,

(813) 871-7375

have a valid Florida registra-

tion. The registration is avail-

able from auto tag registration

offices. All craft, motor or

sail, and regardless of size,

must be registered annually.

Fishing Licenses

A license is needed for many

types of recreational fishing.

A valid out-of-state registration

of any pleasure craft is recog-

nized for up to 90 days in

Florida. Then, boats must

Licenses are available from the

county Tax Collector’s office

or substations ranging from

bait shops to discount stores.

Contact your local Tax Collec-

tor’s office for more informa-

tion:

Tampa (813) 272-6040

St. Petersburg (813) 582-7689

Clearwater (813) 298-1700

Dade City (352) 521-4360

Information Especially For Newcomers

Boating & Fishing The Tampa Bay MSA has

a population of over 2.89

million people.

The Tampa Bay Area

enjoys an average winter

temperature of 63 degrees

and an average summer

temperature of 82 degrees.

Auto Insurance, License, & Tags


Each community has its own utility ser-

vices and rates are determined accord-

ingly. Most utilities require refundable

deposits and they too, may vary. Flor-

ida’s utility rates are regulated by the

Public Services Commission in Tallahas-

see, 1-800-342-3552. The major gas,

electric, water & cable companies are:

Tampa Electric Co. (Hillsborough County) (813) 223-0800

Florida Electric (Pinellas County) (727) 895-8711

(S. Pasco County) (800) 700-8744

Teco Gas Co (Hillsborough County) (813) 275-3700

(Pasco County) (727) 275-3700

(Pinellas) (727)826-3333

Trash/Solid Waste (Hillsborough County) (813) 272-5680

(City Of Tampa) (813) 348-1111

(Temple Terrace) (813) 989-7170

(Pasco County) (727) 847-8123

(Pinellas County) (727) 464-7565

Verizon Phone & Cable ( All Counties) (800) 483-4200

Water & Sewer (Hillsborough) (813) 272-6680

(City Of Tampa) (813) 274-8121

(Temple Terrace) (813) 989-7170

(Pasco County) (727) 847-8131


Bright House Cable (Hillsborough County) (813) 684-6400


(W. Pasco County) (727) 856-3278

(E. Pasco County) (813) 862-0500

Roadrunner Broadband Internet (All) (888) 547-6602

You must be at least l8 years old and be a permanent resident of the state of Florida to register to

vote. Registration must be 30 days prior to an election in order to vote in that election. For more

information, contact your area Supervisor of Elections.

Hillsborough 601 E. Kennedy, 16th floor, (813) 272-5850

Pinellas 315 Court Street, Clearwater, (813) 464-3551

East Pasco 38053 E. Live Oak Avenue, Dade City (352) 521-4302

West Pasco 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, (813) 847-8162

Utilities, Phone, & Cable

Voter Information

Taxes There is a 6.75% sales tax in Hillsborough County, 7% in Pinel-

las and 6% in Pasco County. Florida has no state personal in-

come tax.

The state offers a Homestead Exemption to Florida residents

who own and occupy a home as of January 1 of any given year.

The exemption is $25,000 off the assessed value of your home.

You must file for the exemption between January l and March l,

and must renew the exemption annually (depending upon the

county). For more information, contact the your Tax Collector:

Hillsborough (813) 272-6100

Pinellas (813) 464-3294

West Pasco (813) 847-8151

East Pasco (352) 521-4460

Call the Asthma and Allergy

Foundation of America, Flor-

ida Chapter, for more infor-

mation at (813) 972-7872.

Alligators

Alligators are common

throughout Florida, but found

mostly in major rivers and

lakes in central and southern

Florida. Alligators are car-

nivorous and should be con-

sidered dangerous at all times.

Alligators vary in size and

shape, with the largest re-

corded alligator in Florida

measuring l7 feet and 5

inches. Alligators dig nests for

themselves and their young.

Adult alligators have no natu-

ral enemies except man. Fol-

low these steps if you should

encounter an alligator:

Do not approach it.

Call the Game and Fresh Wa-

ter Fish Commission at l-800-

282-8002 if the alligator pre-

sents a serious threat.

Do not swim in waterways

that could be infested with

alligators. You can assume

that there are alligators in

ponds, lakes and drainage

areas.

Never feed an alligator under

any circumstances.

Alligators can run fast, even if

only for short distances. Look

for a safe place to climb up.

Allergies

People expect to be ever

healthy in warm, sunny Flor-

ida. Many are dismayed to

find that allergies and sinus

conditions they never experi-

enced up north, develop in

Florida. Vegetation varies and

pollination from different

types of trees and flowers oc-

curs year-round. This causes

problems for asthma and al-

lergy sufferers.

The long growing season for

grasses poses problems from

mid February until Mid-

October. Mold spores tend to

be high for the majority of the

year in all parts of Florida,

with a count of more than

2,000 being common during

the same period.

Fortunately, most homes are

centrally air conditioned

which reduces the humidity in

the air and significantly lowers

the mold count to below that

of the outdoors.

To help keep allergies under

control: (1) Dust your house

regularly (2) Minimize your

exposure to grasses and pollen

(3) See an allergist to deter-

mine your specific allergies,

and (4) Ask your doctor about

prescription and over the

counter medications for aller-

gies.

Bites and Bumps

Florida’s tropical climate

brings with it some uninvited

guests. Bugs and other crawly

things deserve a look.

Caterpillars

Three caterpillars-the “Puss”,

“Saddleback” and “Io”- pose

problems for Florida resi-

dents. Touching their prickly

spines may inflame the skin.

When this happens, you

should apply an antiseptic

cream to the affected area. If

nausea, sweating or dizziness

occurs, seek medical treat-

ment.

Insects

Insects can ruin the day, espe-

cially bees, hornets and wasps.

These insects are found

mainly outdoors and can be

avoided by following these

guidelines.

Avoid wearing brightly col-

ored clothing and perfumes.

Wear shoes or sandals when

walking outdoors.

After picnicking or sun bath-

ing, shake out towels and

clothing before putting them

Florida Living on. Wear an insect repellent

or repelling skin oil.

Stings affect people in many

different ways. Most stings

only cause localized pain, itch-

ing and swelling and can be

relieved with ice or cold com-

presses. Applying bleach to

the stings on arms and legs

can also reduce swelling and

draw out the pain. Also, a

paste made of baking soda or

meat tenderizer and water can

decrease the swelling and

speed healing. If you know

that you are allergic to stings,

seek medical attention imme-

diately. Severe reaction to

stings can cause hives, welts,

vomiting, dizziness, tightness

in the chest and difficulty in

swallowing or breathing. Seek

medical attention immediately

for severe reactions to stings.

Scorpions

Florida scorpions are not

poisonous. If you are stung by

a scorpion, self-treatment is

usually sufficient. To provide

relief from the itching and

pain, apply a mixture of bak-

ing soda and water, ice or

hydrocortisone cream.

Snakes

Snakes abound in Florida.

Most are harmless and help

our ecology. However, there

are some poisonous snakes

that you want to observe only


Center at (813) 253-4444 or l-

800-282-3171 (Plant City

only) for further information.

Spiders

Two venomous spiders pose a

threat in Florida. If you know

you have been bitten by a

venomous spider, seek medi-

cal attention immediately. If

unsure, watch for warning

signs.

The Black Widow (with a red

hour glass marking), leaves

two tiny red bites with a white

middle and a bluish red bor-

der. These symptoms can

occur 30 minutes after the

bite and may include limb

pain, redness, itching

and swelling, cramping

pain, muscle twitching

and vomiting.

The Brown Recluse

spider is recognized by

the fiddle-like marking

on its back. Its bite

leaves a small laceration

that festers within 6 to

12 hours. Reactions that

may develop in 24-73

hours include fever,

rash, vomiting, diarrhea,

chills and shock. To

care for spider bites, immobi-

lize the affected area and apply

cool compresses. Keep the

victim still and get them to the

hospital as soon as possible.

Snakes Continued

from a distance. It is impor-

tant that you and your family

members recognize them.

Only six species are poisonous

and they fall into two distin-

guishable categories:

Copperhead, cottonmouth

and rattlesnakes have facial

pits, located between the eyes

and the nostril on each side of

the head, V-shaped head and

elliptical eye.

Coral snakes have bands of

red, yellow and black. Coral

snakes can easily be mistaken

for the harmless king snake

and are differentiated by the

following poem:

Red touch black-a friend of

Jack,

Red touch yellow-will kill a

fellow.

Snakes occupy swamps, flat-

land and fields throughout

Florida. To avoid being bit-

ten, watch where you walk,

especially at night. Do not

stick your hands, arms, feet or

legs in any bush, shrub or

vegetation. Always wear shoes

when walking in the woods or

on river banks. Be especially

careful on golf courses.

If bitten by a snake, stay calm.

Do not run. Keep the bite

below the level of your heart

to slow circulation of the

venom. Do not tourniquet or

suction the bite. Do not drink

anything. Get to the hospital

immediately!

Contact the Poison Control

Other bugs

We have other frequent visi-

tors, but they cause little

harm:

Lovebugs are seasonal insects

that usually arrive two times a

year-in April/May and again

in September. Lovebugs do

not hurt people, but they can

damage the finish of your car

due to a chemical in their

system. Be sure to wash them

off immediately to prevent

paint damage.

Roaches, Palmetto bugs, are

another annoyance. The

main concern is that they

spread germs. To keep a

roach problem to a minimum,

consider having an extermina-

tor spray your home monthly.

Also, keep counter tops free of

food and crumbs. Keep exte-

rior doors closed. You can

also lay roach traps between

exterminator visits.

Boating

Boating can introduce you to

a world of natural beauty and

great sport in Florida. Re-

member, though, a boat is a

Florida Living sophisticated vehicle that re-

quires expert handling and

attention to safety.

Boating is a licensed recrea-

tional sport and there are

rules of the water to follow.

Know Florida boating laws

and proper boating proce-

dures.

For further information on

boating safety and available

boating courses, contact the

Marine Patrol, United States

Power Squadron, the U.S.

Coast Guard Auxiliary or the

Boat Owners Association of

the United States, 880 S.

Pickett Street, Alexandria,

Virginia 22304.

Outfit your boat with enough

Coast Guard-approved flota-

tion devices for all your pas-

sengers.

Let a friend know your travel

and return plans so that any

delay will be noted and help

can be dispatched from shore.

Avoid alco-

holic bever-

ages when

driving a

boat. Accord-

ing to the

U.S. Coast

Guard, more

than l,000

people die

annually

from acci-

dents involv-

ing alcohol

and boats.

Finally, pay attention to

weather bulletins before tak-

ing off on the high seas. Be

sure that you are heading out

for a day of fun in the sun,

not showers.


Be familiar with the evacua-

tion routes. Know the location

of the nearest shelter. Shelters

do not accept pets, so plan

ahead for your animals.

Buy enough non-perishable

and bottled water to last at

least two weeks at the begin-

ning of hurricane season.

Avoid the use of candles;

stock up on batteries and keep

flashlights handy.

Know these hurricane desig-

nations:

A Hurricane Watch is issued

when there is a possible threat

that a hurricane may hit and

usually within 36 hours. Use

the warning period. Be sure to

monitor radio and TV an-

nouncements, fuel and service

vehicles, secure your home

with plastic and plywood,

check food and water supplies,

check prescription medicines

and first aid items, and stock

up on extra batteries.

A Hurricane Warning means

that hurricanes are expected

to hit land within 24 hours.

Protect yourself: closely moni-

tor TV and radio for instruc-

tions and information, follow

Food Poisoning

Picnics are a year-round pleas-

ure in Florida, but heat can

cause many foods to spoil

quickly. Pack foods in ice,

especially seafood and dairy

items. Take no chances-never

eat anything that looks or

smells unusual. Food poison-

ing symptoms include nausea,

stomach cramps, diarrhea,

fever and chills. Call your

doctor or go to the hospital

immediately if you suspect

food poisoning.

Hurricanes

Autumn winds bring hurri-

canes, not falling leaves to

Florida. Tampa Bay’s hurri-

canes are the result of warm

temperatures in surrounding

water. Hurricane devastation

has hit Florida in the l990’s,

most recently Hurricane An-

drew in l992 and Hurricane

Opal in l995. They rocked the

coast of Florida with powerful

winds, torrential rainfall, high

tides and flooding. Andrew

caused more than $25 million

in damages to southern Flor-

ida. Opal’s destruction sur-

passed $3 billion.

Here are some tips for hurri-

cane preparedness:

Keep your TV or radio tuned

to local weather reports for

sophisticated tracking and

early warning guidelines.

Continue to monitor storm

news until an “All Clear” is

given. Hurricanes are unpre-

dictable and change course

quickly and erratically. They

lose power over land, but can

go back to the water and build

up power and come ashore

again.

instructions

given by local

officials, leave

early if evacuat-

ing and notify

neighbors

and/or relatives

of your evacua-

tion plans.

When the

storm arrives:

(1) Stay away from windows

and doors – even if they are

covered. (2) Stay in a small

room, hallway or closet. Take

a battery powered radio with

you. (3) If in a two story

home, go to an interior room

of the home. (4) Most impor-

tant, stay calm in a hurricane.

This will allow you to think

clearly and help your family to

stay safe.

Lightning

Did you know that you moved

to the Lightning Capital of

the United States? The Tampa

Bay area is subject to thunder-

storms and rainy weather,

especially from June l to No-

vember 30. Thunderstorms

can cause strong winds, large

hail, tornados, flash floods

and dangerous lightning.

Florida ranks first in the na-

tion for thunderstorms, aver-

aging 143 days annually.

Florida Living Lightning strikes kill l00 to

600 people in the U.S. annu-

ally. Each day more than

50,000 lightning bolts hit the

earth. Lightning voltage is

extremely high, often surpass-

ing one million volts. Air tem-

perature near a lightning

strike is 50,000 degrees Fahr-

enheit-hotter than the surface

of the sun. Lightning results

from a buildup and discharge

of electrical energy between

positively and negatively

charged air. Thunder is a

shock wave of this air. Re-

member, if you hear thunder,

you are close enough to be

struck by lightning.

Take the following precau-

tions to prevent a lightning

strike:

(1) Find and stay inside a safe

shelter.

(2) Get out of boats and

get away from the water.

(3) Unplug electrical

appliances and do not

use the telephone.

(4) Do not take a shower

or a bath. Lightning can

travel through pipes and

plumbing.

(5) If outside, find a low

spot away from trees,

fences and poles.

(6) If in your car, stay there

with the windows rolled up.

Helping a Lightning Strike

Victim

Besides knowing how to keep

from being struck by light-

ning, you need to know to

help a lightning strike victim.

Victims require immediate

care and attention:


The Oleander is a beautiful,

flowering shrub that also

causes rashes. Avoid picking

the pastel flowers or using the

braches as

sticks for

barbecu-

ing.

Other

exterior

plants to

watch for

are the

China

Berry,

Boxwood, Lantana, False

Poinciana and Water Hem-

lock. Some household plants

are dangerous, too. The

Diffenbachia is a popular

decorator that can cause se-

vere poisoning if ingested.

Check with the Poison Con-

trol Center, (813) 253-4444 or

l-800-282-3171 (Plant City

only) for information on any

plant or shrub that is unfamil-

iar.

Sun Safety

Florida is a sunbather’s para-

dise. However, prolonged

exposure to the sun can in-

crease skin wrinkling and skin

cancer or cause serious dehy-

dration. Southern sun can be

deceiving because a bad sun-

burn can develop on a cloudy

cay as ultraviolet rays pene-

trate through the clouds.

Taking these simple precau-

tions can keep skin healthy at

the beach or golf course:

Limit your first exposure to l5

minutes.

Wear sunglasses to protect

Lightning Continued

Call 9ll for medical assistance.

Do not attempt to move the

victim unless there is a threat

of being struck again.

If moving the victim is neces-

sary, keep in mind the possi-

bility of spinal, neck and back

injuries.

Clear the victim’s airway and

be sure he can breathe. If the

victim is not breathing, being

CPR immediately. Don’t be

discouraged if CPR does not

offer immediate results be-

cause many lightning victims

require lengthy CPR.

If and when a victim regains

consciousness, provide emo-

tional support.

Take the victim to a hospital

for follow-up care.

Poisonous Plants

Florida has beautiful plants

for your home or garden.

However, precautions must be

taken to avoid accidental poi-

soning by plants.

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

are common types of poison-

ous plants. If you come in

contact with these plants, a

mild rash may appear within

two to seven days. Wash the

affected area with mild soap

and water to prevent spread-

ing and apply calamine lotion

to relieve itching.

your eyes from ultraviolet sun

rays.

Sunscreen (at least l5 SPF)

should be worn at all times

and reapplied often.

Drink

lots of

liquids

while

sun-

ning to

replen-

ish

natural

body

fluids.

If you do get burned, the

stinging sensation can be re-

lieved with cool compresses,

or a 20-30 minute cool bath.

Keep an aloe plant at home.

The soothing, healing aloe gel

can also ease burns from the

sun or the stove.

Heat emergencies

may include heat

exhaustion and

heatstroke. Heat

exhaustion occurs

when the body

loses salt and wa-

ter, reducing the

body’s overall

blood volume.

Heat exhaustion is character-

ized by fainting, nausea, fa-

tigue and headache. A person

with heat exhaustion should

be allowed to lie down in a

cool place. Give water in

small, cool doses to replace

body fluids.

Heatstroke can be life threat-

ening. Heatstroke occurs

when the cooling system of

the body system breaks down.

Skin becomes hot, red and

dry-there is no sweating. A

heatstroke victim may col-

lapse, go into seizures, become

Florida Living unconscious or die. Victims

should be cooled immediately

with cold water and taken to

the hospital.

Swimming

Water safety is one of the

most important responsibili-

ties of a Florida resident, espe-

cially if you have small chil-

dren. Everyone should know

how to swim. Drowning is the

third most common death

among children and 40 per-

cent of drowning victims are

under the age of nine. We

encourage everyone living in

Florida to educate themselves

on the dangers and precau-

tions to take around water. To

avoid drowning:

(1) Do not let children out of

your sight near water.

(2) Keep doors locked and

pools

fenced

in when

small

children

are

around.

(3) Re-

move all

floating

objects from the pool when

not in use. Children may see

these objects as toys and try to

reach them.

(4) Keep an approved flotation

device poolside at all times.

(5) Begin children in swim-

ming classes as early as possi-

ble.

(6) Do not dive into unknown

water, especially if you cannot

see the bottom.

With the numerous amount

of swimming pools and other

bodies of water around


live hazards. These include a

variety of marine life such as

jellyfish, stingrays and sharks.

Jellyfish can be found mostly

in shallow salt water. They are

clear and blob-like, resembling

gelatin. Reactions to their

sting may include cramps,

nausea and vomiting. The

affected area should be

washed with baking soda or

rubbing alcohol. Medical at-

tention is usually not neces-

sary, except in very serious

cases.

Stingrays are normally hidden

because they burrow under

the sand on the gulf or ocean

floor. The best way to avoid

contact with these creatures is

to shuffle your feet along the

Swimming Continued

Florida, precaution and educa-

tion are the best defenses. To

aid a drowning victim:

(1) Call for help.

(2) Perform the Heimlich

Maneuver to clear the air pas-

sage of any water or other

foreign objects.

(3) Begin resuscitation imme-

diately and continue until

medical assistance arrives. Do

not give up on the CPR, it

may take a long time before

the victim will be revived.

Live Aquatic Hazards

Gulf waters are home to some

sand when in the water. Sting-

rays inject poison through

their tail. If stung, one should

immediately soak the area in

hot water and seek medical

attention.

Although rare, sharks do

attack, even in shallow waters.

Sharks normally feed on squid

and fishes smaller than them-

selves. Swim

with groups of

people since

humans who

are attacked by

sharks are

usually swim-

ming alone or

wearing black

or blue bath-

ing suits.

Also, don’t

Florida Living swim if you have a bleeding

cut (sharks can smell blood) or

at night, when sharks nor-

mally feed.

Don’t confuse sharks with the

dolphins found playing in the

Gulf of Mexico-dolphin fins

make a rounded, circular mo-

tion, while shark fins cut a

straight path across the water!


People come to sunny Florida from every corner of the world. Florida is a beautifully

diverse state, full of friendly people and unique things to do, see, and enjoy. We hope

that our informational guide about Florida living has provided you with answers to some of the more common questions and an insight

about our wonderful state.

H

365 days a year, Tampa Bay is illed with the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation. Year-round, beautiful weather makes it easy for you to enjoy all of our beaches, parks and waterways. Take a “safari over the Serengeti Plains” to see exotic African animals roam; or ride some of the tallest roller coasters in the country at Busch Gardens—one of the ultimate family adventure parks. Come face-to-beak with African black-footed penguins during daily Penguin Promenades at he Florida Aquarium. Walk next door to the Channelside District to dine at waterside cafes or step inside one of its great entertainment venues or boutiques. Get up close and personal with manatees, feed a girafe and a white rhino, or visit 2,000 other animals at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, the “#1 Family Friendly Zoo,” voted by Child magazine. Meet planet Earth and learn about its place in the solar system at the largest Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in the Southeast. A short scenic drive across the Bay takes you to downtown St. Petersburg where you can appreciate the spectacular waterfront views from the Pier. Take a stroll around the corner to Bay Walk where you will ind a mix of retail shops, restaurants and a movie theatre. he Gasparilla Pirate Fest and the Florida State Fair, two of Florida’s most celebrated events, take place annually every January and February respectively. For sports enthusiasts, the Bay area is home to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees’ spring training camp. In upcoming years, Tampa Bay will host many major sporting events: the annual Outback Bowl, the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII and the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling roller coaster ride, a relaxing day on the beach, or a chance to watch your favorite professional sports team—Tampa Bay will give you the adventure of a lifetime.

attractions

Hundreds of ways to spend a day!

100 Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce

THEME PARKS29. *Adventure Island 10001N.McKinleyDr. Tampa,FL33612 (888)800-5447 www.adventureisland.com

30. *Busch Gardens Africa 3000E.BuschBlvd. Tampa,FL33612 (888)800-5447 www.buschgardens.com

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

31. *Big Cat Rescue 12802EasySt. Tampa,FL33625 (813)920-4130 www.bigcatrescue.org

32. Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249WindwardPassage Clearwater,FL33767 (727)441-1790 www.cmaquarium.org

33. *The Florida Aquarium 701ChannelsideDr. Tampa,FL33602 (813)273-4000 www.flaquarium.org

34. *Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo 1101W.SlighAve. Tampa,FL33604 (813)935-8552 www.lowryparkzoo.com

35. The Pier Aquarium 800SecondAve.NE. St.Petersburg,FL33701 (727)895-7437 www.pieraquarium.org

36. Celebration Station 24546U.S.Hwy.19N. Clearwater,FL33763 (727)791-1799 www.celebrationstation.com

37. *GameWorks 1600E.8thAve.,SuiteA147 Tampa,FL33605 (813)241-9675 www.gameworks.com

Attraction Description Hours Admission Unique Features

30acresofwater-drenchedfuninthesunfeaturestheultimatecombinationofhigh-speedthrillsandtropical,tranquilsurroundingsforguestsofallages,allwithinasoothingKeyWestatmosphere.

CapturethespiritofAfricaatthis335-acrefamilyentertainmentparkwithitsuniqueblendofthrillingrides,dazzlingliveenter-tainmentandaworld-classzoofeaturingmorethan2,000exoticanimals.

100wildcats...onewildtime.Theworld’slargestandmostdiversecollectionofexoticcatsisinTampa.Yourvisithelpssaveover100bigcatswhohavebeenrescuedfromabandonmentandabuse.

AFloridanon-profitorganizationdedicatedtotherescue,rehabilitationandreleaseofmarinelife.Comevisit,takeapicturewithoneofourdolphins.Seeournewchanges,newexhibitsandbepartofthisuniqueexperience.

TheFloridaAquariumishometomorethan20,000animalsandplantsfromFloridaandaroundtheworld.Seepen-guins,sharks,ottersandsomuchmore.Divewithsharks,swimwithfishesorjustplayinExploreAShore,a2-acrewateradventurezone.

Recognizedasthe#1family-friendlyzoointheU.S.byChildmagazine,Tampa’sLowryParkZoofeaturesmorethan2,000animalson56acresofnaturalhabitats.Alsoatthezoo:waterplayareas,rides,educationalshowsandrestaurants.

Discoveranotherworldandlearnaboutdifferentmarineenvironmentsfromallovertheworld.LearnabouttropicalissuessuchasHurricanesandRedTide.Helpusfeedourfishat3pmandreceiveanofficial“FishFeeder”certificate.

CelebrationStationoffersafriendlyatmo-spherewithexcitingrides,challenginggamesandgoodfood.It’sagreatplaceforthewholefamilytocomeandhavefun.

GameWorksisatotalentertainmentexpe-rienceforguestsofallages.Withover128games,greatfoodandafullbar,everyoneissuretohavefun.

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VarieswithseasonPleasecallorcheckwebsite

VarieswithseasonPleasecallorcheckwebsite

ToursMon-Fri

9am-3pmSat9:30am,11:30

am,1:30pmNochildren

under10except9amSaturdaytour

Mon-Sat9am-5pm

Sun10am-5pm

9:30am-5pm

9:30am-5pm

Mon-Sat10am-8pm

Sun12pm-6pm

Mon-Thurs12pm-9pm

Fri12pm-12amSat10am-12amSun12pm-9pm

Sun-Wed11am-12am

Fri-Sat11am-2am

Adult$36.95Child(3-9)

$34.95(2&under)

Free

Adult$64.95Child(3-9)54.95(2&under)Free

$22.00perperson

Adult$11Child$7.50

Adult(12-59)$17.95

Senior(60+)$14.95

Child(3-11)$12.95

(2&under)freeticketrequiredfor

admission

Adult(12-59)

$18.95Seniors(60+)

$17.95Children(3-11)

$14.50(2andunder)Free

Adult$5Student(7+)andSenior(64+)$4

Child(6andunder)and

membersfree

Free

Free

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Lockers,showers,changingareas,certifiedlifeguards,waterslides,wavepool,children’swaterplayground,champion-shipsandvolleyballcomplex

Wheelchairaccessible,multi-lingualstaff,guidedtours,busparking,kennelfacilities

Guidedtours,busparking,ADAaccessible

Eco-boattrips,behindthescenestours,birth-dayparties,dolphinencountersandmore

SwimWithTheFishes;DiveWithTheSharks;WildDolphinEco-tours;guidedBehindTheScenestours,busparking

Children’szoowithridesandwaterplay,interactiveexhibitsandanimalfeedingopportunities,RiverOdysseyEcoTourandmanyspecialevents

Hands-on,upcloseTouchTankExperienceisscheduled1-4pmdaily.Fishfeedingat3pm

Lasertag,battingcages,miniaturegolf,arcadegames,birthdaypackages

Cardtostoreyourvirtualtokens

attr

action

s

*GreaterTampaChamberofCommerceMembers

2008-2009 Relocation Guide 101

ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

38. Grand Prix Tampa 14320N.NebraskaAve. Tampa,FL33613 (813)977-6272 www.grandprixtampa.com

39. The Pier 800SecondAve.NE. St.Petersburg,FL33701 (727)821-6443 www.stpetepier.com

40. *Splitsville 615ChannelsideDr. Tampa,FL33602 (813)514-2695 www.splitsvillelanes.com

SCIENCE MUSEUMS

41. *Dinosaur World 5145HarveyTewRd. PlantCity,FL33565 (813)717-9865 www.dinoworld.net

42. Great Explorations 19254thSt.N. St.Petersburg,FL33704 (727)821-8992 www.greatexplorations.org

43. *Museum of Science & Industry 4801E.FowlerAve. Tampa,FL33617 (813)987-6300 www.mosi.org

COMEDY CLUBS

44. Side Splitters Comedy Club 12938N.DaleMabryHwy. Tampa,FL33618 (813)960-1197 www.sidesplitterscomedy.com

45. Tampa Improv Comedy Theater 1600E.EighthAve.(C-112) Tampa,FL33605 (813)864-4000 www.tampaimprov.com

Getthethrilloftheraceasyouspeedpastyourfriendsonthelargestgo-karttrackontheWestCoastofFloridaorplaythenewgamesavailable.

Thisunique5-storyinvertedpyramidistheperfectplacetovisitforshopping,diningandadventure.

SplitsvilleisanupscalebowlingcenterlocatedinChannelside.Withsixbilliardtables,12bowlinglanes,severalbarsandavarietyofgourmetfoods.Itisoneofthehot-testpartyspotsinTampaBay.

Over150life-sizeddinosaursinanoutdoormuseumsetting.Searchthroughsandforauthenticfossilstokeepatthefossildig,indoordinosaurmuseum,uncoverlife-sizedskeletonsintheboneyardandmuchmore.

New“Fit4Allkidsville”Exhibit.Kidswillhaveablastwhilelearninghowtoleadahealthylife.OtherattractionsincludeMyFirstMarket,PetVet,FireHouse,IConstructTreeHouse,GreatSplashandmore.Becreative,discover,learnsomethingnewandhavefun.

Experienceover450hands-onactivitiesatTampa’sMuseumofScience&Industry,thelargestsciencecenterinthesoutheasternU.S.LearnthroughplaywithfuninteractiveexhibitsincludingFlorida’sonlyIMAX®DomeTheatre.

Tampa’sPremierComedyShowplaceformorethan15years.Allshowsare18tolaugh,21todrink.

Improvistheperfectplacetokickoffamem-orableeveningoffuninYbor.Itisanincred-iblerestorationofanoriginaltheaterwithbalconyseatingthatwilltakeyourbreathaway.

Sun-Thurs10am-11pm

Fri-Sat10am-1am

Mon-Thurs10am-9pm

Fri-Sat10am-10pm

Sun11am-7pm

Mon-Thurs4pm-1am

Fri-Sat11am-3am

Sun11am-1am

9amto5pm

Mon-Sat10am-4:30pm

Sun12pm-4:30pm

Opendailyat9amclosinghours

seasonal

Thurs-Sun6pm-2am

6:30pm-10pmor1am

(if2shows)

Free

Groupdiscountsifcallahead

Bowling(perperson,per

game)Sun-Thurs$4.95

Fri-Sat$5.95Child(10&

under)$3.95Billiards

$12.00/hour

Adult$12.75Senior$10.75

Child$9.75

AdultsandChildren(1andup)

$9Seniors$8

Adult$20.95Senior(60+)

$18.95Child

(2-12)$16.95Child

(under2)Free

$10-18.50Specialevent

pricingissubjecttochange

Varieswiththeperformer

Videogames,battingcages,miniaturegolf,go-karts,pooltables,birthdaypartypackages

Aquarium,shops,galleries,boutiques,restaurants,foodcourts,chartersail-boats,bikerental,electricboats,sightseeingcruisesandfishing

Electronicscoring,plasmascreenTV’s,valetparking

Picnicareas,videotheater,outdoorclassroom,wheelchairaccessible,grouprates

RightnextdoortoSunkenGardens.Themuseumiswheelchairaccessible,calltofindoutaboutthefeaturedtravelingexhibit.

IMAXDomeTheatre,Planetarium,BioWorksButterflyGarden,KidsInCharge,DisastervillefeaturingWeatherQuest

Groupratesavailable

Ticketsmaynowbepurchasedonline.Twouniquesoundsystems.Uniquepartyatmo-sphere.

Stateoftheartaudio,video&bigscreen,3floors,amplestageareathatcanadapttoAVequip.,full-servicein-housecateringavailable

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attractions



Narratedsafaribusandhorsebacktoursexplorewoods,swampsandpastureswithsightingsofwildlifeandcattle.Nativeplants,animalsand400yearsofcattleranchinginFloridaarebroughttolife.

Seewhythousandsofvisitorsfinditaplaceofextraordinarytreasures.Rushingwaterfalls,flowingponds,lushtropicalfoliageandexoticbloomsprovidearelaxingandentertainingglimpseofnatureatitsmostbeautiful.

TheCalypsoQueenoffersdailylunchanddinnercruises.FeaturesafunandexcitingTropicalPartycruisenightly.TwodecksenclosedwithA/C,fullbarserviceavailableanddancingoneve-ningcruises.

YachtStarshipisFlorida’slargestdin-ingyachtat180-feet.Experienceanunforgettableeveningof4-starcuisine,breathtakingviewsofTampaBayandentertainmentonthepromenadedeck,perfectfordancingunderthestars.

NATURE EXPERIENCE

46. J.B. Starkey’s Flatwoods Adventures

12959S.R.54 Odessa,FL33556 (813)994-4872 www.flatwoodsadventures.com

47. Sunken Gardens 18254thSt.N. St.Petersburg,FL33704 (727)551-3100 www.sunkengardens.org

48. Calypso Queen Cruises 25CausewayBlvd. ClearwaterBeach,FL33767 (727)461-3113 www.calypsoqueen.com

49. *Yacht Starship Dining Cruises 223S.12thSt. Tampa,FL33602 (813)223-7999 www.yachtstarship.com

Safaritours-Adult17.95,

Senior$18.95Child(3-12)$11.50

HorsebackRiding$25.00(1hr.)

$50(2hr.)$60.00(2hr.narrated)

Adult$8.00Child(2-11)$4.00

(under2)FreeSenior(55+)$6

Groupratesavailable

Lunch-Adult$21.90Child$13.90

DinnerAdult$31.90

Child$18

DinnerAdult$79.95Child$44.95

BrunchandLunchAdult$44.95Child$31.95

Mon-SunCallAhead

Mon-Sat10am-4:30pm

Sun12pm-4:30pm

DeparturesMon-Sat12:30pm,Sun

1:30pm,CallforEveningCruise

timesandreservations.

Dinnerandlunchcruisesvary.

Callfortimes.

Moonlitfestivals,POWWOW,horsebackriding,pettingzoo,ponies,parties,busparking,grouppavilions

Gardentours,horticultureprograms,specialevents,handicapaccessible,somewheelchairsavailable

Caribbean-themedcruiseoffersadeliciousislandstylebuffet

5elegantdiningrooms,entertainmentwithdancingonthepromenade,largeexteriordeckforsight-seeing,4-starserviceanddining

Venues

50. *Ford Amphitheatre 4800U.S.Hwy301North Tampa,FL33610 (813)740-2446 www.livenation.com

51. Jannus Landing 200FirstAve.North St.Petersburg,FL33701 (727)896-1244 www.jannuslanding.net

52. Legends Field 1SteinbrennerDr. Tampa,FL33614 (813)870-2700 www.legendsfieldtampa.com

53. Raymond James Stadium 4201NorthDaleMabryHwy. Tampa,FL33607 (813)673-4300 www.raymondjames.com/stadium

54. *St. Pete Times Forum 401ChannelsideDr. Tampa,FL33602 (813)301-6600 www.sptimesforum.com

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Glass Canvas Gallery 146 2nd St. North St. Petersburg, FL 33701(727) 821-6767

Nancy Markoe Gallery 3112 Pass A Grille Way St. Pete Beach, FL 33706(727) 360-0729www.nancymarkoegallery.com

Plainsmen Gallery 2450 Sunset Point Rd. Suite AClearwater, FL 33765(727) 726-5100www.plainsmen.com

Syd Entel Galleries 247 Main St.Safety Harbor, FL 34695(727) 725-1808www.sydentelgalleries.com

HILLSBOROUGH

Artists Unlimited Inc. 223 North 12th St.Tampa, FL 33602(813) 229-5958www.artistsunlimited.org

Baisden Gallery 442 West Grand Central Ave. # 100Tampa, FL 33606(813) 250-1511 www.baisdengallery.com

Brad Cooper Gallery/Jbc ARTS 1712 East 7th Ave.Tampa, FL 33605(813) 248-6098www.bradcoopergallery.com

Clayton Galleries Inc 4105 South MacDill Ave.Tampa, FL 33611(813) 831-3753www.claytongalleries.net

Hoffman Porges Gallery 1907 East 7th Ave.Tampa, FL 33605(813) 247-2000www.hpartgallery.com

Michael Murphy Gallery M 2701 South MacDill Ave.Tampa, FL 33629(813) 902-1414www.michaelmurphygallery.com

National Wall Art Gallery 401 North Ashley Dr. Tampa FL, 33602 (813) 258-2244www.nationalwallartgallery.com

Nuance Galleries 804 South Dale Mabry HwyTampa, FL 33609(813) 875-0511www.nuancegalleries.com

Scarfone/Hartley Galleries310 North Blvd.Tampa, FL 33606(813) 253-6217www.ut.edu/visitors/Scarfone-Hartley-Gallery.cfm

Tampa Realistic Artists Inc. 705 West Swann Ave.Tampa, FL 33606(813) 251-3780www.tra.dreamstation.com

*VSA Arts of Florida 3500 East Fletcher Ave. Suite 234 Tampa, FL 33613 (813) 975-6962www.vsafl.org

PINELLAS

Florida Craftsmen Gallery 501 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701(727) 821-7391www.floridacraftsmen.net

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retail

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

*Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon

459BrandonTownCenter,Brandon,FL33511(813)661-6245www.westfield.com/brandonLocatedinBrandon,thismallfeaturesfountains,tropicalcolorsandaquaticsculptures.WestfieldBrandoncombinesthebestoftraditionalretailwithinnovativeelementsinamoremodernandengagingshoppingsetting.ThemajordepartmentstoresincludeMacy’s,Dillard’s,JCPenney,andSears.ThecenteralsohousesPaneraBread,RubyTuesday’sandSamSeltzer’sSteakhouse.

*Centro Ybor

1600East8thAve.,Tampa,FL33605(813)242-4600www.centroybor.comLocatedintheheartofYborCity,CentroYborisahubofentertainment,shoppinganddiningforbothdayandevening.SomerestaurantsincludeBigCityTavern,FreshMouthRestaurant,MarbleSlabCreamery,YborCityBrewingCompany,BerniniRestaurant,SamuraiBlue(asushiandsakebar)andStarbucks.AfewentertainmentoptionsincludeGameWorks,MuvicoCentroYbor20andTheImprov.ShopsincludeOceanDriveFashions,SunglassHut,UrbanOutfittersandVictoria’sSecretjusttonameafew.ItalsohasaCigarMuseumandaHavanaDreamsCigarFactory.Therearemanyparadesthattakeplaceinthisareathroughouttheyear.

*Channelside District

615ChannelsideDr.,Tampa,FL33602(813)221-5882www.channelside.comChannelsideisaplacetoenjoyaneveningoutwithover30artiststudiosandsomeofthefinestentertaininganddiningoptions.TheFloridaAquariumisamainattractionandislocatedinbetweenthePortAuthorityterminals.BananaJoe’s,Bennigans,ColdStoneCreamery,ChannelsideCinemas&IMAXTheater,HowlattheMoon,Joffrey’sCoffee,MargaritaMamas,ThaiThaniandTinatapa’sareamongtheexcitementatChannelside.

*Westfield Shoppingtown Citrus Park

8021CitrusParkTownCenter,Tampa,FL33625(813)926-4644www.westfield.com/citrusparkCitrusParkTownCenterisasinglelevelmallfeaturingover130storesand1.1millionsquarefeetoffamily-friendlyexcitingentertainment,nottomentiongreatrestaurantsandanarrayofstores.Abercrombie&Fitch,BananaRepublic,Macy’s,Dillard’s,JCPenney,PotteryBarn,SearsandWilliams&Sonomaareafewamongstmanydiverseshops.Somerestaurantsandenter-tainmentincludeJohnnyRockets,RiceandCompany(anAsianBistro)andRegalCinemas.

*International Plaza

2223NorthWestShoreBlvd,Tampa,Fl33607(813)342-3790www.shopinternationalplaza.comShoppinganddininghavenevermetlikethis.InternationalPlazaisthemostdistinguishedshoppinganddiningdestinationonFlorida’sWestCoast.TherearefabulouslyfashionabledepartmentstoressuchasDillard’s,NeimanMarcusandNordstrom;over200specialtyshopsincludingAnnTaylor,Bombay,Build-A-BearWorkshop,Coach,Gucci,Lladro,LouisVuitton,Robb&StuckyInteriors,Swarovski,SwatchandTiffany&Company.BayStreetisthediningdepotofInternationalPlazawithexcitingnightlifeatBlueMartini,CaliforniaPizzaKitchen,CapitalGrille,ChampsRestaurant&Bar,TheBambooClubandTheCheesecakeFactory.

Old Hyde Park Village

748SouthVillageCr,Tampa,FL33606(813)251-3500www.oldhydeparkvillage.comLocatedintheheartoftheHydeParkHistoricDistrict,HydeParkVillagefeaturesamixofnationalretailers,uniquelocalboutiquesandmanywonderfulrestaurants.ThisEuropeanstyleshoppingvillagefeaturesAnthropologie,AnnTaylor,BrooksBrothers,DowntownDogs,PotteryBarn,RestorationHardware,TommyBahamaandWilliams&Sonoma.TherearemanygreatrestaurantsincludingNature’sTable,TimpanoItalianChophouseandWineExchange.Foralistingofevents,visitthewebsite.

*University Mall

2200EastFowlerAvenue,Tampa,FL33612(813)971-3465www.universitymalltampa.comConvenientlylocatedbetweenI-75andI-275onEastFowlerAvenue,justminutesfromtheUniversityofSouthFlorida,BuschGardensandAdventureIsland.UniversityMallhasover150specialtystoresincluding:AmericanEagleOutfitters,AnnTaylorLoft,ChampsSports,TheChildren’sPlace,Limited,OldNavy,SunglassHut,TheDisneyStore,Victoria’sSecretandWaldenbooks.Therearethreedepart-mentstores:Dillard’s,Macy’sandSears.ItalsohousesaCinemaMovieLineTheater.

*West Shore Plaza

250WestShorePlaza,Tampa,FL33609(813)286-0790www.westshoreplaza.comEnjoycomplimentaryvaletparkinginfrontofMaggiano’sLittleItalyandPFChang’sChinaBistro,twoofWestShorePlaza’smainfeatures.ThePalmRestaurant,Mitchell’sFishMarketandStarbuck’sarealsoagreatpartofthismall.WestShorePlaza’sanchorsincludeSears,JCPenney,Macy’s,andSaksFifthAvenue.Thereareover100specialtyshopslikeAnnTaylor,Bebe,Brookstone,Cache,CharlotteRusse,Express,Gap,LaneBryant,NewYorkandCompany,Victoria’sSecret,WetSeal,andmanymore.ThisstylishandaffordableshoppingplazaoffersavarietyofeateriesandanAMC14movietheaterwithstadiumseating.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Bay Walk

1252ndAve.North,St.Petersburg,FL33701(727)895-9277www.baywalkstpete.comLocatedindowntownSt.Petersburg,BayWalkisoneofTampaBay’sbestplacesfordining,shopping,andentertain-ment.BayWalkoffersa20-screenmovietheaterwithsta-diumseating,theTranquilityDaySpa,wonderfulnightlife,exquisiteshopping,exceptionaldiningandweeklyentertain-mentonthemainstage.SomestoresfeaturedatBayWalkareAnnTaylor,Being,MetropolitanOutfittersandWhiteHouse/BlackMarket.RestaurantsandbarsincludeBen&Jerry’sIceCream,DanMarino’sFineFoods&Spirits,DISH,TheMartiniBarandTooJay’sGourmetDeli.

Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside

27001USHighway19North,Suite2096,Clearwater,FL33761(727)796-1079www.westfield.com/countrysideThisdoublelevelshoppingmallisequippedwiththeTampaBaySkatingAcademyinthecenterofthemall.ThelocationhousesdepartmentstoressuchasMacy’sandDillard’s.ThespecialtystoresinthismallseemneverendingwithshopslikeAmericanEagleOutfitters,AnnTaylorLoft,BombayCo.,Cache,Gap,Limited,NewYorkandCompany,TheDisneyStore,YankeeCandleandmanymore.

Parkside Mall

7200USHighway19North,PinellasPark,FL33781(727)527-7241www.parksidemall.comThisfamily-orientedmallhasentertainmenteverynightoftheweek.ThelocationoffersJCPenney,SavorySouthDanceHall,TheAvenues,anindooriceskatingrinkandRegalCinema16Theatres.

Tyrone Square Mall

690122ndAve.North,St.Petersburg,FL33710(727)347-3889www.simon.comComediscovertheeleganceofshopping.TyroneSquareMallfeaturesfourdepartmentstoresandover170specialtystores.CustomerscanexperiencetheeleganceatAmericanEagleOutfitters,AnnTaylorLoft,Macy’s,Dillard’s,Gap,JCPenney,NewYorkandCompany,SearsandYankeeCandle.TherestaurantsincludeRubyTuesday.

SOUTH PASCO COUNTY

Gulf View Square Mall

9409USHighway19,PortRichey,FL34668(727)848-3600www.simon.comGulfViewSquareMallfeaturesMacy’s,Dillard’s,JCPenneyandSearsasitsdepartmentstores.OthershopsincludeAmericanEagleOutfitters,Bath&BodyWorks,BestBuy,CasualCornersAnnex,Gap,FinishLine,Linens&Things,OldNavyandVictoria’sSecret.SamSeltzer’sSteakhouseisalsolocatedhere.

RETAIL



BEACHESwww.pinellascounty.org/parkwww.floridastateparks.org

1. Anclote Key Preserve State Park D4-#1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 469-5942A small island that is located in the Gulf of Mexico 3 miles offshore from Tarpon Springs and only accessible by boat. It’s worth the effort to visit because of the excellent fishing, shelling and beautiful beaches. Picnic shelters with grills and primitive camping sites are found on the north end of the island.

2. Caladesi Island State Park #1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34689 (727) 469-5918 Accessible by ferry service from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park or by private boat; this park offers the 4th best natural beach in the nation, picnic pavilions, bath-houses, concession stand and a 108-slip marina. Enjoy 3 miles of nature trails through 100-year-old live oak and slash pine forests or paddle a scenic kayak water trail.

3. Egmont Key State Park4905 34th St. South, #5000St. Petersburg, FL 33711(727) 893-2627Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay withaccess by private boat or ferry from Ft. DeSoto State Park, this tropical island park is a“step back in time” and features a 150-yearold working lighthouse, gun batteries built in1898 and old brick roads. Secluded, pristineand palm tree lined beaches are ideal for shellcollecting and relaxing. This HillsboroughCounty beach is open from 8 AM to sun-down, 365 days a year. No concessions.

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4. Fort De Soto Park 3500 Pinellas Bayway South Tierra Verde, FL 33715 (727) 582-2267 A spectacular and historic 1,136-acre park that sprawls across 5 islands. On Mullet Key, the largest island, stands a historic fort built during the Spanish American War of 1898. The fort can be explored along with seven miles of unbelievably beautiful white sand beaches. Swimming, fishing, multi-use trails, kayak/canoe rental, great birding, wildlife viewing and camping sites are available along with concessions, boat ramps, showers and restrooms.

5. Fred Howard Park 1700 Sunset Dr. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 (727) 943-4081One doesn’t need a boat to reach this 155-acre island park on the Gulf of Mexico. Just drive across the one mile-long causeway that connects this park to the mainland to enjoy white sand beaches, 9 picnic shelters with grills that can be reserved, 6 restrooms, beach showers, lifeguards on duty, women’s wind-surfing day, and outreach programs.

6. Honeymoon Island State Park #1 Causeway Blvd. Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 469-5942Discovered by Spanish explorers in 1519, and now accessible by a causeway from the main-land, this state park that happens to be an island, offers swimming, fishing, great shell-ing, and nature trails. View Tocobagan Indian mounds and one of the last remaining virgin slash pine stands in Florida. Concessions, restrooms, and rental pavilions are available.

7. Indian Rocks Beach Access 1700 Gulf Blvd. Indian Rocks, FL 34635 (727) 588-4852 This cozy 1.5-acre beach access park has 80 parking spaces, restrooms, outdoor showers, native landscaping and a wide white sand beach.

8. Madeira Beach Access 14400 Gulf Blvd. Redington Shores, FL 33708 (727) 549-6165Another public access that makes it easy toenjoy the beach. Easy access, 3.5 acres with104 parking spaces, restrooms, beach showers, and a water fountain are all available for a quick trip to the beach.

9. Redington Shores Beach Access 18200 Gulf Blvd. Redington Shores, FL 33708 (727) 549-6165 A delightful small 3.5-acre park that has a 400-foot wide, white sand beach; the amenities include 170 parking spaces, restrooms and beach showers.

10. Sand Key Park 1060 Gulf Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33767 (727) 588-4852Gulf of Mexico and Intercoastal waterway frontage make this beautiful beach special. This 95-acre park that comes with a beach has just about everything: cabana rentals, year-round lifeguard, 9 outdoor shower stalls, 2 bathhouses with changing stalls and rest-rooms, picnic shelters with grills, playground and 9 boardwalks to the beach.

11. Tiki Gardens – Indian Shores Beach Access19601 Gulf Blvd.Indian Shores, Florida 34635 (727) 549-6164Spectacular views of blue water and white sandy beach are enjoyed at this 9.9-acre landscaped beach access. A boardwalk takes visitors over natural sand dunes to the beach from a free 170-space parking lot. Showers, benches, a water fountain and restrooms are available. A pedestrian crossing light safely gets visitors to the beach access. No lifeguard.

12. St. Pete Beach Access4700 Gulf Blvd.St. Petersburg Beach, FL 33706(727) 469-5917One of our southernmost beaches, visitors to this 5.5-acre beach access can access world famous St. Pete Beach via three boardwalks that take visitors over natural sand dunes and sea oats from a 235-space metered parking lot. Restrooms, showers, and a water foun-tain are available. No lifeguard.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PARKSwww.hillsboroughcounty.orgwww.tampagov.net/dept_parks

13. Alderman’s Ford Regional Park 9625 Canoe Launch Loop Lithia, FL 33547 (813) 757-3801 A popular gathering place through the years for east Hillsborough county residents, this 1,441-acre park includes the area where the two branches of the Alafia River merge. There is a 1,875-foot boardwalk in the area between the two prongs that provides a scenic view of the point of convergence. Picnic

shelters, a visitor center and interpretive display, two miles of asphalt bicycle trail, nature trails, camping, canoeing and restrooms are available.

14. Alafia River State Park 14326 South County Rd. 39Lithia, FL 33547 (813) 672-5320 Eight distinct natural communities make up this 6,000-acre park that includes six miles of shoreline along the south prong of the Alafia River. Scrub, xeric and hydric hammocks, floodplain swamp, baygall, bottom land, upland forest and blackwater stream are areas that can be explored by off-road biking, horseback riding and hiking. Lonesome Lake campground has 30 sites with water and electricity. Two large rental pavilions, a playground and restrooms are in the park.

15. Ballast Point Park 5300 Interbay Blvd. Tampa, FL 33611 On the shores of Hillsborough Bay and over-looking downtown Tampa, this historic park still has its original bandstand and trolley car stop. With shady trees, picnic tables and grills, playground, long fishing pier, concession, restrooms and quick access to Bayshore Blvd. for jogging/rollerblading, this park has been a favorite place for over 100 years.

16. Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve/Mountain Bike TrailSoutheast Hillsborough CountySouth on US Hwy. 301East on CR 672North 1.25 miles on Balm Boyette Rd. (813) 672-7876A unique, one-of-a-kind 4,916-acre nature pre-serve, Balm-Boyette contains a high percentage of undisturbed upland habitats. The west side of Balm Boyette has a 3.25-mile hiking trail (no biking permitted) and 18 miles of mountain bike trail are on the east side across Balm Boyette Rd. Natural habitats include sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, pine flatwoods, hardwoods hammock, wet prairie, freshwater marsh, cypress and hard-wood swamps. The mountain bike side includes a 1,200-acre abandoned phosphate mining site that has been transformed into 6 miles of easy double track, ten miles of intermediate single track, and two miles of technical berm trail-along lakes. Protected species of plants and animals found here are Florida golden aster, Curtiss’ milkweed, Eastern Indigo snake, Sherman’s fox squirrel, Florida Sandhill crane, Southeastern American kestrel, and gopher tortoise. Guided tours of the site are offered through the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department’s Resource Management Office.

beaches & parks


17. Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park312 Bayshore Blvd.Tampa, FL 33603Tampa’s signature boulevard has the world’s longest sidewalk at 4.5-miles and has some of the most scenic views of Hillsborough Bay and the downtown skyline. A three-mile on-road bicycle lane, wide landscaped park-like median, benches, water fountains, exercise course and two Bay access areas complete this park.

18. Hillsborough River State Park

15402 U.S. 301 North

Thonotosassa, FL 33592

(813) 987-6771Hammocks of live oaks, sabal palms, hickory trees and the upper Hillsborough River can be found in this 3,383-acre park. Visit a replica of Fort Foster that was constructed on this site during the second Seminole War of 1835 or hike the Rapids Nature Trail to view some of the only Class 2 rapids in Florida. Canoe rentals, swimming pool, 111 campsites, multi-use trails and picnic areas and pavilions are just some of the amenities found at this park.

19. Lettuce Lake Regional Park

6920 East Fletcher Ave.

Tampa, FL 33637

(813) 987-61204

With its meandering 3,500-foot boardwalk and

35-foot observation tower, visitors can get a

close look at the beautiful hardwood swamp

and upland forest environment that make

up this park. A pedestrian/bicycle path circles

through pine flatwoods and includes a fitness

course specially modified for users in wheel-

chairs.

20. Lithia Springs Regional Park

3932 Lithia Springs Rd.

Lithia, FL 33547

(813) 744-5572

One of Hillsborough County’s most

popular parks, the spring’s 72-degree water

draws many swimmers year-round. The Alafia

River runs through this park’s 200 acres of

varied plant communities. Cypress swamp,

hardwood hammocks and high sand hills are

found here. Family camping sites contain a

picnic table, barbecue grill, water faucet and

electricity. A canoe launch and nature trail are

located on the river.

21. Little Manatee River State Park215 Lightfoot Rd.Wimauma, FL 33598 (813) 671-5005The wild and scenic Little Manatee River flows for 4.5-miles through this 2,400-acre state park that offers canoeing, camping, hiking, an 8-mile equestrian trail and 4 eques-

trian campsites. Canoeing, fishing, RV and

primitive campsites are available.

22. E. G. Simmons Park

2401 9th Ave. Northwest

Ruskin, FL 33570

(813) 671-7655

A campground with a beautiful waterfront

view of Tampa Bay, along with a beach

makes this 469-acre park and nature preserve

a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. Located

near Ruskin in south Hillsborough County,

Simmons Park offers swimming and sunning,

picnic areas, a boat launch, saltwater fish-

ing piers and areas for bank fishing. Shallow

waters and mangroves make bird watching a

popular pastime.

23. Upper Tampa Bay Regional Park

8001 Double Branch Rd.

Tampa, Florida 33635

(813) 855-1765

Bordered on the west and south by Old Tampa

Bay and on the east by Double Branch Creek,

visitors find a 596-acre peninsula park property

that has changed little since its early inhabitants

left. The early Indians harvested shellfish and

their shell mounds are found throughout the

park. Nature study and interpretive displays, salt

water fishing, canoeing, primitive camping and

picnic shelters with tables and grills are

available.

24. Wilderness Regional Parks

Thonotosassa, FL

(813) 987-6209

Dead River

15098 Dead River Rd.

Flatwoods

16400 Morris Bridge Rd.

John B. Sargeant, Sr.


Morris Bridge


Trout Creek


Veteran’s Memorial

3602 Highway 301

Six different areas make up this park sys-

tem that is connected by offroad trails.

Flatwoods, Dead River, John B. Sargeant,

Sr. Memorial, Morris Bridge, Trout Creek

and Veteran’s Memorial have some 20 miles of

the Hillsborough River within their park sites.

Picnicking, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping

and many miles of biking trails can be found

within these areas.

PINELLAS COUNTY PARKSwww.pinellascounty.org/park

25. A.L. Anderson Park

U.S. Hwy. 19 North

Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727) 943-4085

Wooded hills and beautiful views

overlooking Lake Tarpon are features of this

129-acre park. Picnic facilities, a boat launch,

nature trail, elevated boardwalk and play-

ground are some of the many amenities.

26. Boca Ciega Millennium Park

12410 74th Ave. N. (Old Oakhurst Rd.)

Seminole, Florida 33772

(727) 588-4882

Plenty of natural beauty is waiting to be dis-

covered at 184-acre Boca Ciega Millennium

Park. The Florida Native Plant Society has

recognized this park for the use of native

plants in landscaping and it is a stop on the

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s

“Great Florida Birding Trail.” A wide variety

of native habitats offer visitors a chance to

view coastal oak hammock, bay head, salt-

marsh and pine flatwoods. Amenities include

Bay access, a canoe launch, playgrounds,

35-foot observation tower, nature trail, foot/

bicycle paths, picnic shelters and restrooms.

27. Philippe Park

2525 Philippe Parkway

Safety Harbor, FL 34695

(727) 669-1947

A beautiful and historic park that was the 1824

plantation home of Count Odet Philippi who

introduced citrus culture to Florida. The 122-

acre park is the site of a large Indian mound

listed on the National Register of Historic

Landmarks. Picnicking and fishing can be

enjoyed on the one mile of shoreline on Old

Tampa Bay that also includes a boat launch.

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28. Pinellas Trail

12020 Walsingham Rd.

Largo, FL 33778

(727) 549-6099

Created along an abandoned railroad, the

park is a 47-mile-long linear recreation trail

and protected green space for walking, jog-

ging, skating and biking. It features benches,

rest areas, water fountains and stretches from

St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

29. Sawgrass Lake Park

7400 25th St. North

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

(727) 217-7256

The Audubon Society has designated this park

as one of the premier birding sites in Florida.

One of the largest maple tree swamps on the

Gulf Coast is found within this 400-acre park.

Great migratory birding, a butterfly garden and a

mile-long boardwalk are some of the activities.

30. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park

4905 34th St., South #5000,


(727) 865-0668

Enjoy fishing or sightseeing on the longest

fishing pier in the world. Drive your car or

camper and park within a few feet of your

favorite fishing spot. Open 24 hours a day and

365 days a year, with fishing supplies, snacks,

drinks and bait available. Fees required.

31. Wall Springs Park

3725 De Soto Blvd.

Palm Harbor, FL

(727) 943-4653

A historic spring used as a spa from the early

20th century and now a 190-acre park that

features 10 natural habitats with a wide variety

of wildlife, native plants and trees. Nature

trails, picnic tables, grills and restrooms are

available.

32. Walsingham Park

12615 102nd Ave. North

Largo, FL

(727) 943-4653

One hundred-acre Lake Walsingham divides

this 354-acre park into two sections. Five

different habitat areas including an oak scrub,

botanical gardens, a boat launch (no motors),

fishing, nature trails, playground and six picnic

shelters are features of the park. Popular activities

are bird watching and using the 10-station

fitness area.

33. War Veteran’s Memorial Park

9600 Bay Pines Blvd.


(727) 549-6165

Located on Boca Ciega Bay with Gulf access

for boaters, this park has beautiful water views,

5 picnic shelters, a 24-hour six-lane boat

ramp, playgrounds, and restroom facilities. Four

memorials to the different branches of the

United States military are found here and

picnic shelter five is a popular spot for

weddings.

PASCO COUNTY PARKSwww.pascocountyfl.net/deptp/depts.html

34. Crews Lake Wilderness Park

16739 Crews Lake Dr.

Shady Hills, FL

(727) 847-2411 Ext. 1260

Experience Pasco County the way it was.

Located on Crews Lake, this 113-acre pristine,

scenic park offers fishing, multi-use and nature

trails, a boat ramp, canoe access, pier, picnic

shelter area, playground and restrooms. Tent

camping is available.

35. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

10500 Wilderness Park Rd.

New Port Richey, FL 34652

(727) 834-3247

Created from the former cattle ranch of the

Starkey family, and encompassing the head-

waters of the Anclote River, visitors will find

in the 8,069-acre park 9 miles of bridle paths

and sites for equestrian camping, 27 miles of

foot trails, and 5 miles of paved roads. The

facilities include 8 primitive cabins, 16-car

camping tent sites, and areas for fishing, pic-

nicking, a playground and athletic field.

36. Werner-Boyce Salt

Springs State Park

P. O. Box 490

US 19 & Cinema Dr.

Port Richey, FL 34673

(727) 816-1890

A good place to see a West Indian Manatee

or Florida Black Bear, this 3,500-acre park has

abundant wildlife. The West Pasco Audubon

Society has reported numerous sightings of

bird species and visitors can also see alligators,

endangered gopher tortoises, and Southern

bald eagles. Opened in March 2001, the park

contains 2,800 acres of wetlands and offers

great birding, picnic pavilions, hiking trail

and restrooms.

37. Withlacoochee River Park

12449 Withlacoochee Blvd.

Dade City, FL 33525

(352) 567-0264

Explore the Green Swamp and the upper

Withlacoochee River from this 606-acre wilder-

ness park. The Green Swamp is the

headwaters for four major Florida rivers and is a

wild, protected and virtually untouched area

of the state. Check out the 1800’s log cabin,

a Native American village and Florida history

village and enjoy fishing, nature trails and picnic

shelters. A playground and restrooms are avail-

able.

Tampa’s Dog Parks

Some relatively new additions to city

parks are “Bark Parks”, where dog owners

can let their dogs run unleashed. There are

four parks consisting of about one and a

half acres that have the same amenities

of fenced double gated areas, drinking

water and waste pickup/trash facilities.

Dogs can enjoy sunny and shady leash

free activity areas and even a 200-foot

beach at the Davis Islands’ Dog Park.

Al Lopez Dog Park

4810 North Himes Ave.

Tampa, FL

Davis Islands’ Dog Park

1002 Severn Ave.

Tampa, FL

Gadsen Dog Park

6901 South MacDill Ave.

Tampa, FL

Palma Ceia Dog Park

San Miguel & Marti Streets

Tampa, FL

parks


spor

tsGOLF COURSES

AvilaGolf & Country ClubPAR-72943GuisandodeAvilaTampa,FL33613(813)961-1770www.avilagolf.comAvilaGolfandCountryClubisconsideredoneofAmerica’smostbeautifulandexclusiveclubs.AvilaisfamilyfriendlyandoffersJuniorGolfPrograms,annualsocialactivities,poolandtennisrecreation,andPGAprofessionalsonstaffforprivatelessons.Amenitiesinclude18holesofgolf,atraditionalcaddyprogram,sixlightedHar-Trutenniscourts,fullyequippedproshops,ajuniorOlympic-sizeswim-mingpoolandaMediterranean-styleClubhouse.Thesignaturegolfcoursewasredesignedin1988bydeveloperBobSierraofAvilaandpartnerJackNicklaus.

*Bardmoor Golf & Tennis ClubPAR-728001CumberlandRd.Largo,Florida33777(727)392-1234www.bardmoorgolf.comLocatedminutesfromsomeofthebestbeachesinFlorida,BardmoorisconsistentlyratedoneofthepremierFloridagolfcourses.BardmoorhasbeenthehostofthePGATourandLPGATour.TheyalsohostedtheJCPennyclassicfor13seasons.RepresentingFloridagolfatitsbest,thecoursefeaturesTif-Eaglegreensthatarepro-status.Bardmoorgolfcoursewasredesignedin2001byGaryKoch.

Belleview Biltmore Country ClubPAR-711501IndianRocksRd.Clearwater,FL33756(727)581-5498www.belleviewbiltmore.comSince1925,BelleviewBiltmorehasbeenanAmericanfavoriteforgolfersfromallovertheworld.ThiselegantclubofferslessonsbyPGAprofessionalsonanexten-sivelyrestoredDonaldRoss-designedcourse.Withbeautifullylinedfairways,tacticallyplacedbunkers,andwaterhazards,golferscanenjoyakinggolfingexperience.

Bloomingdale Golfers ClubPAR-724113GreatGolfersPlaceValrico,Florida33594(813)685-4105www.bloomingdalegolf.comRated#1byGolfweek magazine,BloomingdaleGolfersClub(BGC),is

hometosomeoftheworld’sbestplayersofthePGA,LPGA,EuropeanTour,Buy.comtourandotherregionaltours.Golf DigestdescribedBloomingdaleGolfersClubashavingthebestcollec-tionofpar5’sononegolfcourseastheyhaveseen.PlayersgetachancetorubelbowswithPGAtourstarslikeMichaelBradley,whocurrentlyplaysoutofBGC.EnjoylessonsfromMyproGolfSchoolforallagesastheyoffersuperiorjuniorgolfprogramstothecommunity.

Cheval Golf & Country ClubPAR-724312ChevalBlvd.Lutz,FL33558(813)948-2114www.chevalgcc.comAbeautifuldesignbySteveSmyers,Chevalisanexceptionallymaintainedcourse.NotthetypicalFloridacourse,Chevalhaselevationchanges,iswelldrained,hasnearbywateron17of18holes,hasjustunder100scenicstrategically-placedsandtrapsandhaswall-to-wallirrigation.ServicesincludegolflessonsfromPGAprofessionals,Corporate&CharityOutings,GHINHandicapSystem,PersonalizedClubFitting,ClubRepairandRe-gripping,BagStorage,LockerRoom,ShoeShineService,andClubRental.Chevalisaprivateclub.

Emerald Greens Golf & Country ClubPAR-7213903ClubhouseDr.Tampa,FL33618(813)961-1381www.emeraldgreensgcc.comEmeraldGreensisoneofTampa’spre-miercountryclubslocatedintheareaofCarrollwood.Whetheryouareascratchgolferorabeginner,anyoneissuretoenjoyaroundonthenewlyrecon-structedgolfcoursesdesignedbyarchi-tectDanMaples,whichfeatures27holesprovidingthree18holecombinations.

Heritage Harbor Golf & Country ClubPAR-7219502HeritageHarborPkwy.Lutz,FL33558(813)949-4886www.heritageharborgolf.comAtheritage,apublicdaily-feecourse,golferscanfindmanychallenges,suchasbeingforcedtocarryovernaturalwetlandstoreachthegreen.WhileatHeritage,golfersalsogettheprivilegetoviewsuchwildlifeashawks,ospreys,loons,ibis,heronsandkingfishers.It’saparadiseforbirdsaswellasforgolfers.

*Innisbrook Resort & Golf ClubPAR-71CopperheadCoursePGATourPODSChampionshipeachMarch36750U.S.Hwy.19NorthPalmHarbor,FL34684(727)942-2000www.innisbrookgolfresort.comInnisbrookisoneofFlorida’smostout-standinggolfresortswithfourtop-ratedcoursestochoosefrom.Thecourseoffersthebestplayingconditionsandgreatservice.Innisbrook’sfourcoursesweredesignedbyE.LawrencePackard,oneofthenation’smostexceptionalgolfdesigners.AttheInnisbrookResortandGolfClub,playersmayfindupto70feetofelevationchange.InnisbrookisalsotheproudhostofthePODSchampion-ship.Innisbrookoffersamenitiessuchasdining,pools,fishing,miniaturegolf,etc.Innisbrookhasmadeitapersonalmottotoconsistentlyofferbothsensationalserviceandthetypeofpristinecourseconditionsthatonemightexpecttofindatonlythefinestprivatecountryclubs.Innisbrookofferssocialandgolfmem-bershipsstartingat$500.

*Northdale Golf & Tennis ClubPAR-724417NorthdaleBlvd.Tampa,FL33624(813)962-0428www.northdalegolf.comDesignedbyRonGarlin1977andrenovatedbyGolfSculptorsofFloridain2002,Northdaleisachallenging,playerfriendlycourseforanyonetoexcel.Northdalehascontinuedtoprovidewonderfulcustomerserviceforthepast30years.ThecoursehasperfectFloridaterrainwithtallcypresstreesandbeautifulnaturallakeswhichmakesforanelaborateandunforgettableroundofgolf.Thesefirst-ratecourseconditionsandoutstandingamenitiescomplementthisscenicgolfcourse.

*Saddlebrook ResortPAR-70and715700SaddlebrookWayWesleyChapel,FL33543(813)973-1111;(800)729-8383www.saddlebrook.comSaddlebrookResortoffers36holesofchampionshipgolfdesignedbytheleg-endarygolfer,ArnoldPalmer.Extensiverenovationofbothcourseshasjustbeencompletedandthelayoutsandconditionsaresuperior.AstheWorldHeadquartersoftheArnoldPalmerGolfAcademy,Saddlebrookalsohasavarietyofinstructionalprogramsforadultsandjuniorsalike.

Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club PAR-725811TampaPalmsBlvd.Tampa,FL33647-1097(813)972-1991www.tampa-palmscc.comTampaPalmsGolfandCountryCluboffersawiderangeofexceptionalservices.IncludedfortheuseofTampaPalmsguestsarepracticedrivingranges,practiceputtinggreen,privatelessonsfromPGAprofessionals,beveragecartservice,full-serviceproshops,conve-nientclubrepair,lockerroomfacilitiesandmuchmore.AtTampaPalms,guestscanfeelathomewithfullresortaccom-modations,dining,spa,andprivatefunctionrooms.Enjoythe18-holeArthurHillsdesignedgolfcourseatTampaPalmsforatrulyroyalexperience.

*TPC of Tampa BayPAR-715300WestLutzLakeFernRd.Lutz,FL33558(813)949-0090www.tpc.comVotednumber#1bytheannualTampaBayReader’spoll,TPCTampaBayistheannualhostoftheOutbackSteakhousePRO-AM,achampionstourevent.TPC’scoursedesignwascreatedbyarchitectBobbyWeedandPGATourdesignservices.AtTPCofTampaBay,greensriseandfalldrasticallywithsharpdrop-offsandslopesandtherearemanymulti-tieredteesandgreens.Thetraditionalfeaturesandnaturalhazardsdemandaccuracyandfinessemorethanpower,providingforanunforgettablegolfexperience.

Westchase Golf ClubPAR-7211602WestchaseGolfDr.Tampa,FL33626(813)854-2331www.westchasegc.comTheWestchaseGolfClubisconsideredoneofTampaBay’supscalegolffacilities.The6,710-yardcoursewasdesignedbynationally-knownarchitectLloydClifton.Westchaseislocatedinnorth-westTampa.Itisapremiumdaily-feefacilityrecognizedbytheNationalGolfFoundationforitsoutstandingcourseconditions,serviceandvalue.WhatmakesWestchaseGolfClubstandoutfromalltherest?Howaboutthewellkeptfairways,greensonacoursesur-roundedbynaturalwetlands,woodenbridgesandbulkheads?Enjoyfun,challengingandrewardingplayatWestchaseGolfClub.



Collegiate Sports

*BullsUniversityofSouthFlorida(813)974-2125www.gousfbulls.comUSFisquicklyemergingasaBigEastprogramonthemove.HeadCoachJimLeavittledtheBullsintotheir11thfootballseason.SophomoreGeorgeSelviewasnamedtheBigEastdefensiveplayeroftheyearandearnedconsensusfirstteamAll-Americanhonors.Fellowdefensivestar,cornerbackMikeJenkinswasnamedafirstteamAll-Americanaswell.TheBulls(9-4,4-3BIGEAST)alsoplayedinthe2007BrutSunBowl,whichwastelevisedbyCBS.Fanscanalsowitnesswhatisarguablyoneofthefinestbasketballteamsinthenation.Theuniversityhasmanyotherpopularsportsaswell,includingmen’sbaseball,women’svolleyball,men’sandwomen’ssoccer,cross-country,softball,basketballandtennisteamstonameafew.

*SpartansTheUniversityofTampa(813)253-6240www.tampaspartans.comThisprivateuniversityholdsNCAAIINationalChampionshipsinmen’ssoc-cer,baseball,volleyballandgolf.TheUniversityofTampa(UT)fields14men’sandwomen’svarsitysports,whichcompeteattheNCAADivisionIIlevel.UTisamemberofthenine-schoolSunshineStateConference,consideredthe“ConferenceofNationalChampions,”whichisthetopNCAADivisionIIathleticleagueinthecountry.TheUniversityofTampaisthehomeofnumerousAll-Americans,All-RegionandAll-Conferenceplayerseachyear.Whether

youareaparticipantorspectator,TheUniversityofTampaSpartansofferanexcitingbrandofintercollegiateathletics.

*HawksHillsboroughCommunityCollege(813)253-7446www.hccfl.edu/athleticsTheHillsboroughCommunityCollege(HCC)Hawksoffersmen’sbaseball,men’sandwomen’sbasketball,women’svolleyball,tennisandsoftball.HCCisamemberoftheRegionVIINationalJuniorCollegeAthleticAssociation.HCC’swomen’svolleyballteamwontheFloridaCommunityCollegeAthleticAssociationStateChampionshipin2006.Thatsameyear,HCC’swomen’stennisteamfinished2ndinthenationatthe2006NationalJuniorCollegeTennisChampionship.HCC’smen’sbasketballisconsistentlyrankedasoneonthetopteamsintheStateofFloridaandnumerousmen’sbasketballplayershavegoneontostaratNCAADivisionIinstitutions.

Professional Sports

*Tampa Bay BuccaneersTickets:(813)879-BUCSwww.buccaneers.comFirethosecannons,becausethe2003WorldChampionBuccaneershavesomeofthemostloyalfansaround.Knownasthe“pewterpirates,”theBucshavebeenabelovedsportsteamintheTampaBayareasince1976.TheteamplaysatRaymondJamesStadium,whichwillhostthe2009SuperBowl.TheTampaBayBuccaneersbecamehomeoftheLombardiTrophyafteravictoryoverOakland.TheircurrentHeadCoach,JonGruden,ledthemtorank1stintheirdivisionlastseason.

*Tampa Bay RaysTickets:(727)825-3137www.rays.mlb.comOnOctober6,2005,StuartL.SternbergbecamethePrincipalOwneroftheTampaBayRays.Sternberghasstartedmanyinitiativestoimprovethebaseballclub,includingspending$10millioninrenovationsatTropicanaField.In2004,theRaysfinishedin4thplaceintheA.L.East.Theirtalentedyoungathletesalsoguidedtheteamtoa39-34recordafterthe2005All-Starbreak.Oneoftheiryoungestplayers,CarlCrawfordwontheAmericanLeaguestolenbasetitleforthe2ndyearinarowin2005,withateam-record59.BaseballfanscanalsoenjoythespringtraininggamesthatstarteveryyearonthefirstweekofMarch.

*Tampa Bay LightningTickets:(813)229-BOLTwww.tampabaylightning.comWhowouldhavethoughttheSunshineCapitaloftheWorldwouldwinaStanleyCup?In2004,theTampaBayLightningdefeatedtheCalgaryFlamesandmadehistory.Alongthewaytheycapturedtheir2ndconsecutiveSoutheastDivisiontitleandfinishedwiththebestrecordintheEasternConference.TheteampracticesandplaysattheSt.PeteTimesForum,whichwasrecentlyrankedbyPollstarasthe#1bestvenueinAmerica.

Tampa Bay StormTickets:(813)301-6780www.tampabaystorm.comTheTampaBayStormhaswonanArenaFootballLeaguerecord5ArenaBowls,havingwonchampionshipsin1991,1993,1995,1996and2003.TheteammovedfromPittsburghtotheBayareain1991andcurrentlyplaysattheSt.PeteTimesForum.ThearenafootballseasonrunsfromthebeginningofMarchtotheendofJuly.

Major League Baseball Spring Training

*New York YankeesTickets:(813)875-7753www.legendsfieldtampa.com

Philadelphia PhilliesTickets:(727)712-4400www.phillies.com

Toronto Blue JaysTickets:(727)733-9302www.bluejays.com

CruisesandSightseeingTakeabreakfromtheordinaryandspendadaycruisingthewarm,smoothwatersoftheGulfofMexico.EnjoyscenicviewsasyousailalongsidethebeautifulWestCoastandwatchformarinemammals.Greatfortheentirefamily,asunsetsailistheperfectwaytoendaday.Manyofthecruisesprovidefoodandbeverageservices,aswellason-deckentertainment.Avarietyofdeparturetimesandcruisinglengthsareoffered.

*CaptainMemo’sPirateCruise(727)446-2587www.captmemo.com

DolphinEncounterCruise(727)442-7433www.dolphinencounter.org/dolphin.html

KaiLaniCatamaran(727)446-6778www.kailanicat.com

DolphinLandings(727)367-4488www.dolphinlandings.com

PrivateFishingChartersIfyou’relookingtoreelinthebesttheBayareahastooffer,thenlooknofurtherthanaprivatefishingcharter.Opentobothbeginningandexperiencedfisherman,acharteredboatisanexcellentwaytoputyourskillstothetest.Thesetop-of-the-linefishingboatsareequippedwithelec-tronicfishlocators,radarsandprovideinstructionsandallrodsandreels.

ByRequestCharters(727)587-0714www.byrequestcharters.com

DoubleEagleDeepSeaFishing(877)446-1653www.doubleeagledeepseafishing.com

CharterBoatTwoC’SII(727)797-0784www.fishtwocs.com

LegendFishing(941)794-0652www.legendfishing.com

HotAirBalloonRidesIfyou’rereadytotakeituptothenextlevel,whynottakeahotairballoonride?Spendanafternoonsoaring1,000feetupintheairenjoyingthethrillandexcitementofthebreathtakingviewsoftheTampaBayarea.Ahotairballoonrideistrulyanexperienceofalifetime.

AerialAdventuresofTampa(727)726-8938www.aerialadventuresoftampa.com

BigRedBalloon(813)969-1518www.bigredballoon.com

CelebrationAviationInc.(813)884-5610www.celebrationaviation.com

CrystalMagicBalloonCompany(813)536-3005www.crystalmagicballoon.com

18thCenturyAviation(813)969-3345www.18thcenturyaviation.com

HorseBackRidingGiddeyup!It’stimetosaddleupandtakeaquiettrailridealongascenicFloridapath.Thesestablesalsoofferridinglessonsandguidedtours.Choosefromavarietyofhorses.Rentalbythehour.Don’tforgettopackapicnic.

IntheBreezeRanch(813)264-1919www.inthebreezeranch.com

EquusMeadowInn&RidingStable(813)806-5566www.equusmeadowinn.com

GreatWorldPoloLLC(941)907-7272www.greatworldpolo.com

OakHavenRiverRetreat(813)988-4580www.oakhavenriverretreat.com

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