Hands Off Honeymoon Island!

Dunedin's Beltrees Street - What Happened?

2012-03-01T04:45:00.001-08:00

Is this part of the town's new re-branding?

Just in time for Spring Training?

This poorly spelled graffiti is not the only problem. It's a symptom of a much larger issue.

Take a look at Beltrees St. and the connecting streets lately. While there are still many proud and responsible home owners and renters....... Well, you look!

Picture it in 5 years!

I never thought I would see this type of 'Urban Blight' in 34698!

Rand Paul Detained by TSA at Nashville Airport (Refused Pat Down)

2012-01-23T07:20:00.001-08:00

Rand Paul Detained by TSA in Nashville

Ron Paul is reporting that his son, Rand Paul is being detained by the TSA at the Nashville Airport

#RonPaul -My son Rand is currently being detained by the TSA at the Nashville Airport. I'll share more details as the situation unfolds.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) was detained Monday by the Transportation Security Administration in Nashville, Tenn. after refusing a full body pat-down. “I spoke with him five minutes ago and he was being detained indefinitely,” Paul spokesperson Moira Bagley said Monday morning. “The image scan went off, he refused patdown.” Paul’s father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) tweeted out news of the incident, saying that there had been an “anomaly” with a body scanner.

“My son @SenRandPaul being detained by TSA for refusing full body pat-down after anomaly in body scanner in Nashville. More details coming,” wrote the authenticated Twitter account of presidential candidate Ron Paul. Paul was travelling when he was detained.

The incident was first reported by Bagley on Twitter.

“Just got a call from @senrandpaul. He’s currently being detained by TSA in Nashville,”

How Long Can Locked-Up a Bike Last in NYC? Time-Lapse Video

2012-01-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

Fantastic time-lapse video!

Re-Post from TheBlaze.Com

Bike locks can only do so much.

A branding firm called Red Peak has released the result of an interesting urban experiment they carried out with Hudson Urban Bicycles:

“Get a bike. Lock it to a post. Take a pic every day for a year.”

The firm chained a fully loaded bike with bells, basket, and lights to a post along a busy Soho street on January 1, 2011. They then took a picture of the bike everyday for 365 days, watching it slowly disappear.

Check out the project they call “LIFECYCLE:: 365 days in the life of a bike in NYC.”

Wonder Hostess Bakery Thrift Shop: Clearwater

2012-01-14T17:18:00.000-08:00

After Hostess announced this week that they were seeking bankruptcy protection and attempting another restructuring, the press was overflowing with dire predictions regarding the fate of the beloved (or infamous) Twinkie.

Hostess Brands represents much more than Twinkies however!

The loss of Hostess would mean the loss of dozens of iconic American brands and products. Founded in 1930, they are the owner of Hostess, Wonder Bread, Nature's Pride, Dolly Madison, Butternut Breads, and Drake's brands - including of course the famous Ring Dings, Devil Dogs and Seinfeld's favorite, the Drake's Coffee Cake.

We are lucky enough to have a local Wonder / Hostess Bakery Thrift Shop and who doesn't like close-out coffee cakes? Actually, they offer most of the Hostess and Wonder products at severely discounted prices. Bread is available in half a dozen varieties for under $1 per loaf.

If you would like to support Hostess and would like to save some money in the process, then stop by the Wonder Hostess Bakery Thrift Shop at:

301 South Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

727) 799-3416

Sarasota Homeless Man Decapitates Friend over Spilled Food

2012-01-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

A homeless man is accused of decapitating a companion in a fit of rage over a knocked-over grill, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said.

Ricky L. Leer, 48, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Tuesday in the death of another homeless man whom authorities have not identified.

Deputies said a 911 call came in at 1:32 a.m. Tuesday from a man who said he saw Leer kill someone by "chopping off his head." Deputies met with the caller, who led them to an area in the woods near the 3100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, where a body was located.

Deputies said they canvassed the area and located Leer near the campsite drinking rum and leaning against a tree. He was taken into custody.

The 911 caller gave a sworn statement saying he and the other two men were cooking steaks and drinking rum when Leer and the victim began arguing and the victim accidentally knocked over a grill, deputies said. The witness said Leer knocked the victim down, grabbed a machete-like knife and began to chop at his head.

The witness identified Leer as the suspect with an accurate description of his clothing and physical attributes, deputies said.

Deputies said Leer exercised his right to have an attorney present for questioning.

Raheem Morris Fired! Tampa Bay Bucs Manager AND Staff Sacked

2012-01-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired coach Raheem Morris on Monday, the team announced.

Dropping their season finale 45-24 to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Bucs closed the year with 10 straight losses -- the franchise's worst in-season stretch since the 1977 team lost its first 12 games."We want to thank Coach Morris for all his hard work and dedication as head coach of the Buccaneers," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement.

As the NFL's second-youngest team, the Bucs (4-12) might have not handled last year's NFL lockout as well as an experienced club, but Tampa Bay still managed a 4-2 start that included an emotional 16-13 win over Atlanta. That Week 3 victory ended a five-game series losing streak that gave quarterback Josh Freeman his first win over the Falcons.

While Freeman completed a career-high 62.8 percent of his passes this year, he threw 22 interceptions just a year after throwing just six.

When Tampa Bay struggled badly in Morris' first season of 2009, the Bucs still had a reputation for playing hard despite their 1-12 start.

But they won 16 of their next 25 and seemed ready to challenge New Orleans and Atlanta for supremacy in the NFC South.

Everything began to unravel, however, after they beat the Saints 26-20 on Oct. 16. They lost their next 10 -- the franchise's worst stretch since the 2008-09 teams combined to drop 11 straight.

Sunday marked the seventh loss this season by 16 or more points.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7413905/tampa-bay-buccaneers-fire-coach-raheem-morris-10-game-losing-skid

Aliens Welcome in Ozona, FL - Updated Pics

2011-12-31T10:15:00.001-08:00

I saw quite an interesting thing this morning when seaching Zillow for Ozona, FL real estate listings. I was shocked to discover that Ozona not only welcomes aliens, they actually "heart" them! In fact, as the included photo indicates (Thanks Galaxy Tab!); At least one Ozona resident has extended an invitation to come and "Take Me".....

I won't list the actual address, but you can see the street listed :-).

Severed Leg in Tampa Bay (Cops Look for 'Other' Body Parts)

2011-12-27T10:14:00.000-08:00

Just the thing to drum up positive 2012 Republican National (GOP) Convention Press.......

Uh Oh! A severed human leg washed up behind the St. Petersburg, Florida vacation home of two visiting Canadian snow birds. The couple discovered the leg early Tuesday morning and called Police right away.

The police are continuing their investigation, but do not have any leads or expectations of a positive identification unless the unfortunate individual already had DNA records in a law enforcement database.

The Tampa, Hillsborough and Pinellas County marine units are keeping their eyes peeled for any other body parts......

Occupy the 2012 GOP!

Republican National Convention

http://OccupyGOP.US

Occupy the 2012 Election!

Occupy the VOTE!

http://Occupy2012Election.US

Occupy Tampa Bay

WE ARE the 99%

http://OccupyTampaBay.Net

Occupy Florida!

Home of the 2012 GOP Convention

http://OccupyFlorida.Net

Siku the baby Polar Bear: Hopefully a better end than Knut

2011-12-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

Siku, the month-old polar bear cub being hand raised at the Denmark Zoo is the hottest cool polar bear since Knut, who died March 19, 2011 at only 4 years old.

The media phenomenon dubbed "Knutmania" is sure to follow for Siku and "Sikumania" is well underway already.

Let's hope that this baby Danish polar bear "celebrity" has a longer, happier life than his German cousin!

Pam Bondi has Urine Ready

2011-12-10T04:43:00.000-08:00

29 Arrested at Occupy Tampa Bay (2 from Dunedin)

2011-12-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

Two from Dunedin Arrested in Occupy Tampa Demonstration

A Dunedin man and at least one former Dunedin High School grad are among 29 demonstrators arrested at an Occupy Tampa movement Thursday evening.

By Katie Dolac
Email the author
December 2, 2011

http://patch.com/A-pj16

Murder Charge a Bummer 4 Hit & Run in UR Hummer!

2011-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

Man in Underwear Leads Authorities on Chase

"The driver of a red Hummer was arrested this morning after deputies say the suspect was involved in a hit-and-run crash and then led authorities on a chase through Dunedin."

By Emily Seawell and Katie Dolac

http://patch.com/A-pfcy

Algae Bloom Swarms Through Old Tampa Bay!

2011-08-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

Algae bloom swarms through Old Tampa Bay: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

TAMPA - An algae called pyrodinium bahamense is once again blooming in Old Tampa Bay, and crabber Mark Davis knows it.

"The water's definitely got something in it, because it's not green. It's red," Davis pointed out as he pulled his boat out on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. "I had probably a hundred pounds of dead crabs today."

Algae blooms cause fish kills by depleting the water of oxygen. Pinellas County watershed manager Kelli Hammer Levy watched the latest bloom in water samples.

"Within a couple of weeks it went from a little to millions. Millions," she recalled. "You look in a microscope and your eyes go, 'oh jeez, where do I begin counting?' "

Nobody knows how long the bloom will last or spread. The last major bloom in 2009 persisted for months and spread out over 14 miles.

"It got bad. I had to move out of this area," Davis remembered. "Everything's dead, you can't crab, you can't catch a product. I had to move out, but hopefully it don't get as bad this time, I really hope not."
Levy said the algae probably never really went away.

"This organism creates a cyst, and that's a problem, because the cyst can live in the sediment for a really, really long time. And then when the conditions are just right -- boom!" Levy explained.

There are no known health effects on humans, although heavy concentrations can bother people with sensitive respiratory systems.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/algae-bloom-swarms-through-old-tampa-bay-08262011

Tampa Bay Algae Bloom Threatens Estuary's Fish - St. Petersburg Times

2011-08-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

Tampa Bay Algae Bloom Threatens the Estuary's Fish!

St. Petersburg Times

Jet Fuel: Leak Stopped, Spread 'Several Miles' down creek - From BN9

2011-07-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

Officials are working to remove jet fuel from a creek before it spills into Tampa Bay.

The Central Florida Pipeline carries jet fuel between Orlando and Tampa. A 10-mile section was shut down after part of the pipeline in the Mango area ruptured Friday night and began sending jet fuel into the water.

In just two days, the fuel spread several miles down a nearby bypass creek that leads into Tampa Bay.

Now the focus is on removing the spilled fuel from the water. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency are overseeing the progress of the clean-up.

Now investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency are getting involved.

"Right now, I think it's going very well," EPA spokesman Chris Russell said. "Obviously theres a concern because there's a product in the backyard for some of them so we want to make sure we're addressing it. That's why were here to oversee and also give that third-party look for public health and environment."

Large trucks are vacuuming the fuel from the creek and booms are keeping it from spreading.

Unlike the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, no dispersants will be used in the clean-up. Officials said the equipment they have should be sufficient.
Officials: Tests show no problems

So far EPA officials don't believe there are any immediate public health concerns, and air monitoring tests haven't shown any problems.

"All numbers thus far have showed no concerns but we'll continue through until the product is fully removed," Russell said.

The groundwater appears to be safe as well, but local agencies are doing tests and residents are being provided bottled water just in case. Some residents with potable wells are also being offered to relocate.

The EPA said that if any problems are found, they will notify the public quickly.

Officials said they are also working with biologists and Fish and Wildlife officials to ensure birds and fish in the area are protected.
Residents unhappy with official response

Many residents in the area are not happy. They said not only are they concerned about the leak and the strong fuel smell, but no one is telling them what is going on.

Kevin Nevins lives a few yards from the ruptured pipeline. He said he knew there was a problem because of the smell

"We figured it was diesel oil, or maybe tar, somebody was tarring the roof," he said.

The other way he knew was from watching Bay News 9.

"It's Sunday morning and we actually found out more information from you this morning than what we've received from Friday night, Saturday," he said.

Residents are upset that, despite the fact that enough jet fuel to fill four tankers was spilled nearby, there was no notice from officials.

"You would think that they would come down and knock on the doors and let us know, but nobody's done anything," resident Kurt Woodward said.

Most of the homes in this neighborhood use wells, so residents are wondering how this spill could affect groundwater.

Russell said said he knows the smell is causing concern but tests have not shown any groundwater contamination.

"The smell is there, but the science behind it shows that there's not a real public health concern."
Third party blamed for leak

Kinder Morgan, the owner of the pipeline, said a third party is responsible for damaging the line.

Officials said someone may have started digging in the area without permission.

The company won't give a timeline for when the clean-up will be complete. They say they are taking it one day at a tiime.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating the incident to see who will be held responsible.

By Kristy Wolski, Jonathan Petramala, Team Coverage
Last Updated: Monday, July 25, 2011 5:41 AM
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/july/284362/Clean-up-continues-on-jet-fuel-leak

Jet Fuel Leak: Central Florida Pipeline Co / Kinder Morgan (KMP)

2011-07-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

2101 GATX Drive
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 248-2148

Kinder Morgan's "PUBLIC AWARENESS' Page: http://www.kne.com/public_awareness/

Kinder Morgan’s Central Florida Pipeline system consists of a 110-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline that transports gasoline and batched denature ethanol, and an 85-mile, 10-inch diameter pipeline that transports diesel fuel and jet fuel from Tampa to Orlando. The 10-inch pipeline connects to Kinder Morgan’s Taft, Florida, terminal (located near Orlando) and is the sole pipeline supplying jet fuel to the Orlando International Airport. Kinder Morgan also owns and operates liquids terminals in Tampa and Taft. The Tampa terminal contains approximately 1.5 million barrels of storage capacity for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and is connected to two ship dock facilities in the Port of Tampa. The Tampa terminal also provides storage and truck rack blending services for ethanol and bio-diesel. The Taft terminal contains approximately 0.7 million barrels of storage capacity for gasoline and diesel fuel for further movement into trucks.

Specifications:

Opened in 1965

Total Storage Capacity = 546,000 bbls.

Number of Tanks = 28

Range of Tanks = 8,190 gals. - 80,000 bbls.

Land is Available for Expansion

Transportation Modes:

Pipeline (receiving) = KM Central Florida

Pipeline (injecting) = Pipeline (injecting) = KM Central Florida to Orlando Airport

Servicing Railroad = Seaboard Coast Line

Servicing Major Roadways = I-4, Florida Turnpike, Beeline, US 441, Highway 527

Services:

Pipeline Receipt / Shipment

Tank Truck Loading / Unloading

Automated Truck Rack

Laboratory Testing

Vapor Recovery / Incineration

Additive Handling / Injection

Marketing Contact: Jim Lelio (713) 369-8733

Get Fluoride Out of Dunedin Drinking Water

2011-07-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

SIGN THE PETITION!

http://www.change.org/petitions/get-fluoride-out-of-dunedin-drinking-water?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

Professional Perspectives: Fluoride in Tap Water

UPDATED POST: Controversial Shark Photo!

2011-07-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

Censorship Sucks! But I understand that this photo IS graphic and clearly offends many so it has been removed, but the link remains (for now) and the original post remains below the jump, so all the harassment and accusations and threats and misrepresentations should, maybe, hopefully cease.

Once again, I didn't catch this shark or post the original photo on FB, but my re-post has clearly stirred things up. Discussion is good. Varying points of opinion are welcome. Let's keep it civil. Not everybody who was stirred to action by the planned development of Honeymoon Island has a singular point of view.

In addition to these adjustments, I am posting links to the Fishing Rights Alliance and the Shark Foundation

WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTO!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqQD2-qYMCI/TiBOdBDg2RI/AAAAAAAAABc/Q2WBvQn0CwY/s400/Redington+Beach+Shark+Controversy.jpg

__________________________________________________________________________________

The captions and original commments describe it as an almost 500lb Bull Shark. The now famous or infamous 'Rocky' caught it on a recent Friday night at the Redington Beach pier.

"Friday night..2 times Jaws dropped the bait and the 3rd time he got it..hours of fighting it.Rocky rubbed the skin off the inside of his arms..he was leaning so far back and his shark rod was bent in half..he is one sore boy..Rocky just moved his leg in time..he had to go down the ladder to gaff it..Jaws wanted Rocky.."

What do you think?

Don't Forget to Welcome Home the Jays Tonight!

2011-07-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

http://dunedin.bluejays.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110708&content_id=21586774&vkey=news_t424&fext=.jsp&sid=t424

Come Support the Park at the Ballpark!

Come support the park at the ballpark!

When the Blue Jays return home on Wednesday, July 13, they will be on a mission. In light of the recent developments surrounding Honeymoon Island, the Blue Jays will be donating $2 from every ticket sold to the Friends of the Island Parks.

The price of tickets will remain just $6, so this is an excellent opportunity to come out and support your local team and at the same time help support the movement to keep Honeymoon Island just the way it is.

The 7pm game will feature the Blue Jays and Bradenton Marauders, and like every Wednesday night there will be $1 hot dogs available throughout the game.

Don't miss this chance to show your Dunedin pride!

If you have any questions or would like more information feel free to call the Blue Jays at 727-733-9302.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues or its clubs.

Original Story from Dunedin Blue Jays
http://dunedin.bluejays.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110708&content_id=21586774&vkey=news_t424&fext=.jsp&sid=t424

CANCELLED: Special July 14th Pinellas County Legislative Delegation Meeting

2011-07-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Special Pinellas County Legislative Delegation Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, July 14th has Been Cancelled Due to the Governor's Decision to keep his Hands Off Honeymoon Island!

Dunedin City Commission's "Hands Off Honeymoon Island" Resolution: 7/7/11

2011-07-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

"The Message was Heard Loud and Clear"

2011-07-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

"The message was heard loud and clear," Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) said, moments after receiving a letter from DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard. "I'm very pleased."
http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/state-takes-hands-off-honeymoon-island

In a letter to State Sen. Mike Fasano, DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard, says Honeymoon Island is being removed from a list of 56 state parks where new campgrounds would be built – in part because of the public outcry against the plan. “As a result, the Department with the full support of Governor Rick Scott, will not recommend going forward with camping at Honeymoon Island State Park and will be evaluating how to proceed at Fanning Springs, DeLeon Springs, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs and any other park that was initially considered for campsite expansions,” the letter says.
http://www.wusf.usf.edu/news/2011/07/08/scott_drops_private_campground_plan_at_honeymoon_island_state_park

Vinyard said that in the future, the DEP would do a better job of gauging community reaction.
" I have asked staff to meet with local communities, state park citizen support organizations and other park stakeholders before formally proposing the addition of amenities or services, including family camping, at any of our state parks," he wrote.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/no-rv-campgrounds-on-honymoon-island-07082011

A news release on Governor Rick Scott's website also confirmed that the plans would not move forward. "After seeing the public's reaction, it is clear that this is not the right time to expand camping at Honeymoon Island State Park," Scott said in the news release. "These natural treasures belong to all the tax-paying citizens of this state and it would be unfair to proceed with a plan that so many Floridians are so adamantly opposed to."
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/no-rv-campgrounds-on-honymoon-island-07082011

Dunedin Mayor Dave Eggers issued this statement to Dunedin Patch late Friday:

"I am pleased to hear that the DEP has listened to us Floridians and the residents of Dunedin and Pinellas County and decided not to pursue their RV camping proposal. I am so proud of Dunedin and the rallying of support that was pulled together to fight the process and an ill-conceived plan. I want to thank all of our neighbors from around Pinellas County and beyond for standing along side of Dunedin, Honeymoon Island's primary caretaker.

I want to once again thank all of those folks in attendance this past week at the Hale Center as we learned of the plan and and collectively voiced our opinions. I also wanted to thank our recreation staff, our fire department and Sheriff's department for their collective efforts at ensuring a predominately civil discourse, remembering that without it, we will not get results of which everyone can be proud.

I also wanted to thank Senators Fasano and Latvala, State Representatives Corcoran, Hooper and Nehr and our County Commission led by Commissioner Latvala for all of their support in opposing the proposed plan. Finally, I wanted to thank Vice Mayor Barnette, Commissioners Scales, Bujalski and Carson for showing such strong leadership during such an emotional and difficult time. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Islands are the real winners as they can now rest as the sun goes down on RV camping."

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/mayor-pleased-with-honeymoon-island-announcement

FL DEP…the Honeymoon is over, plans for RV camping canceled

2011-07-09T04:44:00.000-07:00

FLDEP…the Honeymoon is over, plans for RV camping canceled

DEP secretary writes letter to Senator Mike Fasano. (from Dunedin Patch)

2011-07-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

DEP secretary writes letter to Senator Mike Fasano. (from Dunedin Patch)

DEP secretary writes letter backing off, reconsiders future processes.

Click for PDF from Dunedin Patch

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/state-takes-hands-off-honeymoon-island#pdf-6932926

It's Over!!!! State Takes Hands Off Honeymoon Island (from Dunedin Patch)

2011-07-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

State Takes Hands Off Honeymoon Island (from Dunedin Patch)

DEP secretary writes letter backing off.

By Kathryn Dolac | Email the author | 7:10pm

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/state-takes-hands-off-honeymoon-island

Florida Department of Environmental Protection scrapped its plan to allow recreational camping on Honeymoon Island late Friday.

"The message was heard loud and clear," Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) said, moments after receiving a letter from DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard. "I'm very pleased."
The controversial plan to open 17.5 acres of Honeymoon Island State Park for RV use met staunch, swift resistance from Dunedin residents as soon as it came to public light. The DEP was criticized for blindsiding stakeholders in a rushed process and for inadequate consideration to the island's fragile ecosystem.

It embroiled citizens and drew unprecedented numbers — an estimated 1,200 people — to a public hearing with DEP on July 5. Hundreds of residents, state and local officials, a state-appointed advisory group and the City of Dunedin unanimously rejected the DEP plan for 45 RV campsites.
Herschel's letter to Fasano states:

"The Department recognizes that adding amenities in state parks should be a citizen-supported effort and should not appear rushed. Going forward, we will be taking a different approach and I have asked staff to meet with local communities, state park citizen support organizations and other park stakeholders before formally proposing the addition of amenities or services, including family camping, at any of our state parks."

The plan was next to appear in August before the DEP Aqcuisition and Restoration Council, a 10-member review group in place to review and evaluate management plans such as the one proposed for Honeymoon Island. The group is made up of representatives from the governor's office and at least four state agencies.

By Kathryn Dolac | Email the author | 7:10pm

http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/state-takes-hands-off-honeymoon-island