On the radar

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 4, 2008

LARGO

Helmet award for boy saved by headgear

Johnathon Ferland, the 11-year-old bicyclist who survived being hit by a traffic sign and metal pole because of his bike helmet, will be honored at 10:30 a.m. today at Largo Middle School. The sixth-grader was standing at an intersection Tuesday when a truck rolled down a nearby embankment, felled two signs and barely missed hitting Johnathon. The boy was struck by a yellow pedestrian sign that sliced his neck. Johnathon will be recognized for adhering to bicycle safety and be given a new bicycle helmet.

ST. PETERSBURG

'Vatican Splendors' opens at museum

The long anticipated "Vatican Splendors" exhibit opens Saturday at the Florida International Museum. It runs through May 11. General admission is $20; $17 for seniors; $13 ages 6-12. Information: (727) 341-7900 or floridamuseum.org.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Gates open for Florida State Fair

The 104th annual Florida State Fair opens Thursday at the fairgrounds in Tampa at U.S. 301 and Interstate 4 and runs through Feb. 18. This year's theme is "It's Showtime, Baby." The fair features agricultural exhibits, entertainment and midway rides and food. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 11 and free for 5 and younger. Parking is free; gates open daily at 9 a.m. Closing varies by day. For more information, go to www.floridastatefair.com.

DADE CITY

Quilt show and festival on tap

The Pioneer Florida Museum's 18th annual Farm Festival and Quilt Showruns from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $8 adults, $4 for children 10-17, $2 for children 5-9, and younger than 5 free. The museum is on Pioneer Museum Road, off U.S. 301 a mile north of Dade City. Visit www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org for information.

Tampabay.com

People are talking about . . .

Reader reactions from blogs.tampabay.com.

What nexton taxes?

(TroxBlog, Jan. 30)

Gigi wrote: "As an elected official, we need to encourage our residents to get VERY involved in their city's budget process in the upcoming cycle. It won't be pretty!!"

Gayle Guyardo's Gasparilla moment

(The Feed, Jan. 28)

The Ch. 8 anchorwoman was briefly removed from parade coverage after viewers complained about her slurred speech.

Informed observer wrote: "I have known her for around five years. I used to drink heavily and that bit of a video clip has no relationship to alcohol consumption. Quite simply her having a cold is more in line with what I heard. . . . Y'all need to sharpen your observation skills or you won't get to keep your 'Junior G-Men badges.' "

And this one: "Gayle, I jush wanna kish you!"

[Last modified February 3, 2008, 23:07:04]