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Letter to the editor

Alphabet scoop

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published June 22, 2007

The entertainment scene around the Tampa Bay area can be tough to navigate. So what could be more useful than an A-to-Z list of venues, ideas and suggestions? (Well, maybe a geographic list could be more useful. Or one by theme. Or by price. Or ...) Well, too bad. This will make it easier to use the Yellow Pages at least. So here's a guide to entertainment places and people around mid and North Pinellas, A to Z.

A

ANCIENT INDIAN MOUND

Go to Philippe Park in Safety Harbor and take in an inspiring view of Old Tampa Bay from a hill created centuries ago by the Tocobaga Indians. In a strangely familiar twist, they weren't big on clothing but liked tattoos.

B

BOTANICAL

The Florida Botanical Gardens' 182 acres in Largo celebrate roses, jazz, topiary and tropical plants, among other things. www.flbg.org

C

CHIC

As in the Chic-a-Boom Room. This hipster hangout is just one of the many draws on Main Street. Quirky shops, good dining, nightlife and even informed gossip abound in downtown Dunedin.

D

DAIRY KURL

Catch a soft-serve cone at this family-run spot on the way home from Clearwater Beach. Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, across from Crest Lake.

E

EIGHT O'CLOCK THEATRE

My Fair Lady, yes, but also Urinetown. www.largoarts.com

F

FRANCIS WILSON PLAYHOUSE

A part of Clearwater's performing arts scene for nearly eight decades. Coming this fall: A female version of The Odd Couple. www.franciswilsonplayhouse.org

G

GHOST TOURS

Every Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa. The tour features stories of a grief-stricken bride, missing pearls and the spirits of many children who are said to haunt the property.

H

HONEYMOON ISLAND

Honeymoon Island State Park's new Rotary Centennial Nature Center offers exhibits, videos and guided tours of flora and fauna. www.islandparks. org/naturecenter

I

ICE SKATING

Cool off during the heat of summer with a quick turn around the rink at Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside. Then grab a coffee. Then shop.

J

JUICE

Remember this one when it gets cooler: fresh orange juice at Citrus Country Groves on U.S. 19.

K

KAYAKS

There are few better ways to see Tampa Bay and the gulf coast. And you can rent them or book a tour. www.simplykayaking.com or www.ospreybay.com

L 

LARGO CENTRAL RR

A mini train on 1.2 miles of track. It's free, it runs the first full weekend of the month and the ride lasts eight or nine minutes. A good way to amuse the kids. www.lcrailroad.com

M

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Cheap, laid-back summer entertainment. And you might catch a future Hall-of-Famer. Dunedin Blue Jays or Clearwater Threshers. Take your pick.

N

NEW CENTURY OPERA

This ambitious Tarpon Springs-based company takes on material from Gilbert and Sullivan to Wagner. Want more? www.tarpon arts.org

O 

OLDSMAR FLEA MARKET

Antiques, collectibles, crafts, plants, used books, music and just plain weird stuff. Tampa Road at the Hillsborough County line. Weekends.

P

PINELLAS TRAIL

Ninety thousand walkers, runners, bikers and skaters a month can't be wrong. More than 30 miles of opportunities to explore Pinellas at the pace of your choosing.

Q

QUESADILLAS

Over the years, Los Mariachis at Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue has shown staying power, but the area around downtown Clearwater offers a growing variety of Mexican groceries and takeouts.

R

RUTH ECKERD HALL

A spacious, acoustically generous hall with a concert, it seems, for every ear: classical, kids, folk and the monsters of rawk. www.Ruth EckerdHall.comS

SUNSETS AT PIER 60

Surf, sand, arts and crafts, music, street performers (the Human Volcano got married there last weekend), and a natural finale your relatives up North would die for. Nightly, roughly 6:30 to 10:30, at Clearwater Beach.

T

TAMPA BAY WATER SKI SHOW TEAM

This group competes in the Southern Regionals Show Ski Tournament at 6 p.m. Saturday and offers a superhero-themed show at 2 p.m. Sunday on Tower Lake behind the Oldsmar Flea Market on Douglas Road.U

UNUSUAL

"Exotic" would be another word to describe Bamboo Gardens at County Road 1 and Virginia Avenue, just south of downtown Palm Harbor. The business specializes in 55 to 60 varieties of the plant. Hours by appointment or by chance. (727) 784-0517

V 

(Go) VERTICAL

To catch a sea breeze from the gulf or a great view of Lake Tarpon, climb the observation towers at John Chesnut Sr. Park, Wall Springs Park or Boca Ciega Millennium Park.

X

XERISCAPING

The Pinellas County Extension office has a conference on Florida-friendly landscaping coming up, but lots of programs and information between now and then. http://coop.co.pinellas.fl.us/ Y

Yanny's

For breakfast, many locals swear by the homemade yogurt and French toast at this Highland Avenue hole in the wall. Also worth a visit: Lenny's on U.S. 19.

Z

Zoophytes This is the class of plantlike animals that includes sponges, and sponges mean Tarpon Springs. As ever, the Sponge Docks offer guilty pleasures in the form of flaming cheese, retsina and gift-shop browsing.

[Last modified June 21, 2007, 22:14:36]