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Talk of the bay: No flip-flopping over best beach: It's Fort De Soto
By Times Staff
Published February 29, 2008
Fort De Soto Park's North Beach has been named the top beach in the United States by TripAdvisor, the Web site that touts itself as the world's largest online travel community. TripAdvisor called the beach "a portrait of tranquility, with a spectacular combination of soft, white sand, calm and clear water, and a laid-back atmosphere." The survey of TripAdvisor members and staffers included three other Florida beaches in their top 10: St. Andrew's State Park in Panama City, South Beach in Miami and Pensacola Beach. Fort De Soto also was honored in 2005 as the nation's No. 1 beach by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach. Winners are retired from his competition. Dr. Beach rated Caladesi Island State Park No. 2 in the United States last year. Sprint hops on the $99 bandwagon Sprint is the latest one singing the unlimited tune. The wireless company Thursday announced that Sprint customers can have unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web surfing, Sprint TVSM, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, and other services for $99.99 a month. Sprint's announcement, which is effective today, comes a week after Verizon triggered the trend, offering unlimited talk time for $99.99. T-Mobile and AT&T followed with their own versions within hours of the Verizon announcement. Ironically, Sprint was the first company to experiment with the idea, rolling out unlimited test plans in certain areas including the Tampa market. Tampa's Utek finds expansion partner Utek Corp., a Tampa firm that helps businesses sift university labs for marketable inventions, has agreed to acquire the Chicago consulting firm Strategos Inc. in an all-stock deal. Strategos is being acquired for a maximum of 1,248,960 shares of Utek stock, with payments over two years tied to revenue milestones. The deal is expected to close in March. Strategos had a net loss of $375,000 in 2007 on sales of $10.8-million. Combined, the two companies have 85 consultants in the United States and Europe.
[Last modified February 28, 2008, 22:54:25]
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by Janette
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03/03/08 09:30 AM
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We were at Fort DeSoto just a month ago and really enjoyed the peaceful setting. My only complaint is that we had to leave to soon because it got dark!
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by Justin E
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03/01/08 09:15 PM
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Cory, my complex involves speaking out to protect Florida's natural beauty. Won't ever get over that, sorry. I'm trying to make a point, we need to protect our natural assets- the stadium plan involves destroying some of that, so I'm making a point
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by Justin E
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03/01/08 09:10 PM
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Kelly, they would fill in almost an acre of the bay to fit the new stadium. At that depth it would be the equivalent of a stack of 1 foot blocks 25 miles high--that's how much fill they want to put in a manatee area. They'll get to Ft Desoto later.
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by kelly
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02/29/08 05:56 PM
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Jusin E- they don't intend to put the stadium anywhere near ft.desoto..and althought i don't support the new location, they would be replacing the one already there and adding to that. Not much additional land is available there
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by Bobbi Jo
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02/29/08 04:33 PM
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I think that Fort Desota is the best beach so far and I have been to a few. The sand dollars are awsome they are always their for the kids to pick up and smile. The view is great of the Sky way bridge and the fishing on Fort Desota pier is the best.
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by Cory
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02/29/08 02:43 PM
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Justin E, get over your complex!
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by Justin E
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02/29/08 12:29 PM
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What use is this "Share your thoughts" feature if you don't post comments in a timely manner - or not at all if you don't deem them "appropriate" whether because what was written was actually in poor taste or just because it wasn't good for you?
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by John
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02/29/08 12:26 PM
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Know why it is such a great beach? There are no condos or high rises anywhere near there. Wouldn't it be nice if more of Pinellas County's beaches were like that.
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by Justin E
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02/29/08 12:10 PM
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Don't censor me!
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by Kathy
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02/29/08 12:04 PM
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We were married on that beach. I'ts a little bit of heaven on earth!!
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by Justin E
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02/29/08 10:59 AM
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I'm confused. I thought people came to St Pete for the baseball only. You mean they actually enjoy our natural environment too? Who'd have thunk it? I guess destroying a piece of that natural environment for a new stadium makes sense though right?
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by Justin E
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02/29/08 09:27 AM
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I'm confused. I thought people came to St Pete for the baseball only. You mean they actually enjoy our natural environment too? Who'd have thunk it? I guess destroying a piece of that natural environment for a new stadium makes sense though right?
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