Saying Goodbye To One ‘Old Friend’ & Thanking Another

An editorial by Gary Nager
An editorial by Gary Nager

When I started writing and editing professionally in New York back in 1982, I never had just one writing or editing job. Although I almost always maintained a full-time position while I did freelance sports, entertainment and business writing, I spent a lot at time at home, behind one of the earliest personal computers available. I’m sure you’ve heard of Epson printers? My first “PC,” purchased in 1984, was a $7,000 Epson computer that was obsolete from Day One, and no longer being made just two years later). I wrote everything from feature film treatments to freelance computer software articles at that time.Continue reading

Peabody’s Welcomes Back The Deacon Blues Nov. 22!

By Gary Nager,

After packing the house at Peabody’s Palms Lounge (15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa Palms) on Sept. 28 for a Leukemia Society fund raiser in honor of Busch Gardens dance captain Marlana Lacivita, the Deacon Blues Band (TheDeaconBlues. com) will return to Peabody’s on Friday, November 22, 8 p.m., with a canned food drive concert to benefit Metropolitan Ministries (MetroMin.org).

The cover charge is $5 per person, and every paid admission who also brings a canned or non-perishable food item will receive a free drink card. All food donations will benefit Metropolitan Ministries. The Deacon Blues always rocks the house, so we hope you’ll be there, too!

Also appearing at Peabody’s, the week before the Deacon Blues, on Friday, November 15, is Synergy in a Cup, Tampa’s hottest new soul, funk and blues band.

For more info, call Peabody’s at 972-1725 or visit Peabodysbilliards.com.

 

D’Alessio’s & OTB Café To Open Across From FHWC

By Gary Nager,

Two new restaurants are poised to fill the voids in the Shoppes of Wesley Chapel shopping plaza, which is located directly across BBD from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) and already is home to Dickey’s BBQ, The Hungry Greek & the Latin Twist Café.

Moving into the space vacated by Baja Fresh is D’Alessio’s Restaurante, which will be a casual fine dining Italian restaurant and gourmet pizzeria. Owner Dom D’Alessio says his brother owns Francesco’s Pizzeria in Dade City, which has been very successful, “but this will be a little more upscale, with fine wines, beer and a unique Italian menu.”

Dom says D’Alessio’s should open sometime this month.

In addition, according to a flier posted on the window, Only The Best (O.T.B.) Delights Café will be moving into the space vacated by The Brewhouse coffee shop and Buddy’s Hot Dogs“We will be up early to provide you, our guest, a savory breakfast to start your day,” the flier reads. “We are working hard to open soon and can’t wait to see you!”

The flier says that the restaurant will focus on using local ingredients that don’t include unnatural nitrates, antibiotics or hormones and try to use as little processed food as possible.

Redistricting Plan Unlikely To Move New Tampa Precincts Out Of District 7

Although the Tampa City Council districts are being altered, New Tampa residents aren’t expected to have any of their voting precincts moved out of District 7 (pictured above in orange). Map: City of Tampa
Although the Tampa City Council districts are being altered, New Tampa residents aren’t expected to have any of their voting precincts moved out of District 7 (pictured above in orange). Map: City of Tampa

By Matt Wiley

Although the 2015 Tampa City Council elections are still more than a year away, the redistricting process is under way to even out populations in each Council districts, including New Tampa’s District 7, represented by Councilwoman Lisa Montelione. However, New Tampa residents shouldn’t be too worried about their voting precincts being moved into another Council district.Continue reading