Here's how we do things: boats, beads and cold beer
By ERNEST HOOPER
Published September 24, 2003
As I prepared to speak at a Newcomers of Northwest Hillsborough luncheon last week, I quickly cobbled together a list of places, restaurants and activities that might be of interest to the group.
I thought the newest newcomers - some have actually been in the group for years - should have something of a guide to our area. The premise was pretty simple.
You haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have ______________.
On my way back to work, my mind was flooded with even more ideas. My newsroom colleagues had some thoughts, too. So here we go.
* * *
You haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have
... watched the sunset from the third deck of the Hurricane in Pass-a-Grille.
... had some beer and played pool at the Tiny Tap, Tampa's last great dive bar.
... bought ice cream through the walk-up window at Bo's on Hillsborough. (Drive through purchases don't count).
... had a sweet, infectious concoction in the dessert room at Bern's.
... enjoyed a boat ride down the Hillsborough or Alafia River.
... danced to the Saturday night Cuban music in the Pipo's courtyard on Davis Islands.
... downed a fried grouper sandwich at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill in Clearwater.
... watched pelicans keep pace with your car as you drive across the Howard Frankland.
... had soul food at Frank-El's on Busch Boulevard.
* * *
You haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have
... made a fool of yourself at a certain February parade just to get beads you wouldn't care about on any other day.
... visited the Dali Museum. But you may want to go without your elementary school kids, unless you want them to learn why Dali's self-portrait has a hand representing his head.
... seen the flamenco dancers at the Columbia.
... had a Cuban sandwich in Ybor.
... sipped cafe con leche at La Ideal in West Tampa.
... left work early to go to a Yankees spring training game.
... had a pint of beer atop the Four Green Fields deck on a crisp autumn evening. (Yes, we do have a few crisp autumn evenings in Tampa.)
... seen the Bucs lose a game they surely should have won.
... listened to Marvin Gaye while eating ribs at Moses White's Barbecue in Ybor City.
* * *
You haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have
... used Mons Venus as a landmark when giving directions to a Dale Mabry establishment.
... seen the wide-eyed look of someone trying to merge into Malfunction Junction from the Ashley Street on-ramp.
... watched an episode of Cops and said, "Hey, that's Tampa."
... smelled the trash that washes up on Bayshore Boulevard.
... said, "What, another Starbucks?"
* * *
You haven't lived in Tampa Bay until you have
... had a clap of thunder and a streak of lightning get you closer to God.
... taken your children to see the manatees at Lowry Park Zoo. (Mayor Iorio sent that one over).
... listened to Polka, Gospel and Sunday Simcha in a single day on WMNF-FM 88.5.
... driven across the Skyway Bridge on a sun-splashed day.
... delved into the serenity enveloping the Franciscan Center in Riverside Heights.
... danced barefoot in the sand at Skipper's Smokehouse.
* * *
I've lived in Tampa Bay for 15 years, but after assessing the list, there are at least three tasks that have gone undone.
