My first reaction to news of the Old Meeting House's demise was outrage.
With the departure of such longtime establishments (yes, I'm still mourning the Chatterbox and refusing to eat at the SoHo Panera) you have to think nothing is sacred in this town anymore.
Then someone asked, "How often did you eat at the Old Meeting House?" Truth be told, not that often, and apparently, not nearly enough.
Of course, that inquiry misses the point. There are no mountains in this town, no visible landmarks beyond the minarets, so places like the Old Meeting House and Palio's served as landmarks. No, we don't go there everyday, but it's going to hurt down the road when we look up and the familiar Old Meeting House lantern sign is gone.
There is only one way to end the pain. Pick out your all-time favorites and then make it a point to patronize them at least once a week.
Do you like strolling through Hyde Park Village? Well you better stroll a little more often. And here's an idea: Buy something.
I love the barbecue at Moses White's, but it's been two months, 15 days and - depending on when you read this - six to nine hours since I've been there. That's shameful.
I don't know how business is at Mel's Hot Dogs on Busch Boulevard, but if the Old Meeting House can close, anything is possible.
Don't wait for the candlelight vigil. Stop taking places for granted and then crying woe when they go belly up, because a landmark is a terrible thing to waste.
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Kudos to my Leadership Tampa Class of 2003 classmates and our Caribbean Spectacular Fundraiser. The event, held last Thursday aboard the yacht StarShip, netted more than $37,000 to help the Mayor's Beautification Program revitalize Giddens Park in southeast Seminole Heights.
And by the way, from nearly all accounts people had a great time. Sounds like it needs to become an annual event, folks. Come on, feel the love.
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Raise your hand if you will still have some party left in you on Sunday.
I know, you started with pre-Guavaween festivities early last week, rallied on Saturday night for the parade, and now you're not sure you'll have enough steam to get through the weekend.
But what if the party is really cool? For your consideration: Viva La Frida's Dia De Los Muertos/Re-Encarnacion Festival.
The Day of the Dead/Reincarnation Festival will echo Mexico's annual celebration of death, in which the living invite the dead to come back, sit by the hearth and warm their cold bones.
The party will be Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the cafe, 5901 N Florida Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door or $6 with a dinner receipt and guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite dead celebrity.
Sure does seem we have a lot to choose from this year.
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The Price Is Right is such a part of my consciousness that I often hear the losing refrain whenever something bad happens. You know, that "bum-bum-da-dum, duhhhhhh" song they play whenever the yodeling mountaineer goes over the edge in the Cliff Hangers game, or when time runs out in the Clock Game?
(Editor's note: Ernest's television privileges have been revoked.)
Given that, it goes without saying I was disappointed to hear about the death Monday of announcer Rod Roddy.
What's amazing, however, is that host Bob Barker has actually outlived two of his announcers. The man Roddy ultimately replaced was the legendary Johnny Olsen, who died in 1985 at age 75.
So how old is Barker? The venerable host turns 80 on Dec. 12, and CBS is soliciting video greetings for the special show. And if Barker is 80 and I've been watching The Price Is Right since I was 8, that means I'm ... never mind.
