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If Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio wants to appease Republicans who were miffed that she skipped President Bush's Tampa appearance in February, she apparently can show up for a Bush speech in any town in America and hear the same message.
Fill the potholes.
According to the Washington Post, Bush's civic-oriented speeches draw plenty of notice because he constantly promotes pothole prevention. The paper estimates he has referenced the road hazards at least 30 times.
When President Bush spoke at Tampa's NuAir Manufacturing plant in February, he implored the mayors of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Seminole to fill the potholes.
Iorio did not attend the speech because she had scheduled an interview with a candidate for the director of arts and cultural affairs, but if you ask me, missing a speech on absent asphalt isn't that big a deal.
WITH TUESDAY'S sun-splashed skies gleaming off its curvy, bright red body, Aida Rodriguez's convertible was the envy of nearly everyone having lunch at Rick's On The River.
Rodriguez drives a Panoz AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) Roadster, a car that sizzles with cool and exudes sexiness. From a distance, it slightly resembles a Chrysler Prowler, but such a comparison is folly. This is a car with an identity all its own.
After all, it's handmade, rare and out of production. The Georgia-based company has since moved on to a new model. Rodriguez appreciates the car's unique style, but her passion goes beyond just having a different vehicle.
"It hugs your body," said Rodriguez, a personal injury attorney. "It's very still and it doesn't make you feel unsafe. People love that car. Children love it. They have a lot of questions about it.
"The first day I bought it, a man drove up to me and said, "I'll trade you. I've got a baby seat in my car."'
Rodriguez bought the car after she saw it in front of Jaguar of Tampa Bay last year. The car was on display before the dealership even opened, and Rodriguez said when her husband drove her by, she fell in love with the Panoz. Now she drives it every day, even though there's a slight leak in the soft-top roof.
I have to admit, I was a little surprised to learn Rodriguez is married. The Panoz is a single woman's car. Of course, if a man is driving it, it's a mid life crisis car.
WHEN THE MAYOR SAID she wanted to expand downtown living, I don't think this is what she had in mind.
Atop the St. Pete Times Forum is a tent, complete with recliners, a television (with cable!) and an assortment of drinks. Welcome to the humble abode of Thunderbug, Lightning mascot and rooftop resident. Thunderbug vows to stay until the Lightning's Thursday night playoff game sells out.
Fewer than 4,000 tickets remained as of Tuesday, and Thunderbug, who communicated through sign language, was confident he would get off the roof before the game starts. Or after 13 days, he was at least hopeful.
Of course, when the world starts getting you down, being up on the roof isn't so bad. There's room enough for at least a dozen people and on Saturday, the ESPN production crew brought post-party bedlam to Thunderbug's bed. On Tuesday, the Sports Chix from WQYK-AM 1010 were broadcasting live and looking relaxed as they enjoyed the skyline.
Overall, the public relations ploy is cute, but it raises some real questions about where we are as hockey fans.
Some may wonder what's wrong when a town with the Eastern Conference champions doesn't sell out immediately, but I think the city is bordering on absolute hockey passion.
We're not as rabid as folks in Detroit, but hey, Hockeytown wasn't built in a day. If the Lightning can make it to the conference championship and play well, I think a bunch of people who drive around in convertibles and eat at dockside marinas are going to go bonkers over a winter sport.
That's all I'm saying.
- Ernest Hooper can be reached at 813 226-3406 or Hooper@sptimes.com