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What if there were a Hurricane Omega?

By Times Staff
Published November 1, 2005

Add hurricanes to the list (cockroaches, heat, humidity, mildew, gators, etc.) of things people will endure to live the Florida lifestyle. That's the take of University of Florida researchers who studied population after last year's devastating hurricane season. Though a few counties lost numbers, the state as a whole gained 400,000 people - adding near record growth to the 17.5-million already here. The researchers say it would take several bad years in a row to affect attitudes enough to turn people away. A new population estimate is due out today.

But please, don't make your dog dress up, too

They hope this dog park deal puts tension on a leash. Tampa finalized a settlement agreement Monday with a dozen residents who filed a lawsuit seeking to close Palma Ceia Park's popular dog run. Instead of shuttering it completely, the city will shorten the run's operating hours and move it away from houses and closer to the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. For now, the run is closed for renovation. Park officials plan to reopen it in its new location Thursday. Pleased that the parties settled, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Charlotte Anderson encouraged the neighbors to make nice and go trick-or-treating together. It's no joke. Neighborhood relations, which had soured among residents on opposing sides of the issue, are likely on the mend.

Realtors seek aid for Hurricane Stan victims

Charity stretches thin these days, with named storms depleting the alphabet and devastating the Gulf Coast. But the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors hopes to help Hurricane Stan victims in Central America. More than 1,000 Guatemalans were killed when mudslides decimated the Mayan Indian village of Panabaj, Reuters reported. Stan did similar damage in El Salvador, already reeling from the Oct. 1 eruption of the Santa Ana volcano. The association is collecting relief supplies and cash - $15,000 so far - and hopes to send the aid next week. The effort involves mostly association members, but for more information call 813-879-7010.

Boat show delay? Yup, Wilma's to blame

The St. Petersburg Boat Show, originally planned for Nov. 17-20, has been postponed until the weekend after Thanksgiving. Blame Wilma. Organizers use many of the floating docks and big tents from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which was pushed back a week (it will start Thursday) because of hurricane damage. The domino effect is delaying the St. Petersburg show by a week, too. Expect no change in the show's size or vendors. Organizers hope the new post-holiday date will actually boost attendance, which last year stood at 20,000.

Correction

Environmental groups in Florida oppose federal legislation that would transfer regulation of wetland areas of 10 acres or less from the Army Corps of Engineers to the state. A story Saturday erred on the acreage.

[Last modified November 1, 2005, 17:57:43]