PILOTS AND PETS, what a Combo !
Our May Pets About Town event was a big event. The extra boost came from the Air Force, Army, and Navy Pilots that arrived looking for fun after the MacDill Air Fest. Over 30 pets and their owners crowded the MacDintons deck for a perfect afternoon of music and fun. This FREE monthly event is always well attended, and this was no exception.
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SOHOTampa.com Editor and Davis Islands Community News Publisher asked to stay away.
This evening I received a call from Tommy expressing his displeasure with my article. As I have always said, he is a very easy person to talk. He indicated that my comments were a “cheap shot” and that I was not his friend.
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Islands Fest Grows Again
The family oriented Islands Fest was held at the Seaplane Basin Park on Davis Islands to a crowd of almost 5,000. This free, family oriented event featured entertainment from 10 am until 4 pm. Activities included bounce houses, a gyrosphere, pets parades, fashion show, free airplane rides, pram races, an art show and plenty more. Over 35 artists participated in the event and all were enthralled with the beautiful view and perfect day along the waterfront. Over 40 different exhibitors provided plenty to do and see. RV’s and cars were on display at the park and classic airplanes and helicopters were on display at the Peter O. Knight airport.
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Last Days of SOHO Sushi
The last night of business for SOHOSushi was full of spirit and excitement. After a record week of business, this popular restaurant will be relocating to the West Kennedy Blvd area. The long debate as to when and how they would close is finally over. The continuing effort by Tommy Ortiz to take full control of the block had kept a thundering cloud over SOHOSushi for sometime. They hope to move to the former Jasmine Thai location at 3218 W. Kennedy Blvd. Watch for an opening soon.
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Taste of South Tampa
Some of South Tampa’s most popular restaurants participated in this annual event organized by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. This Sunday afternoon eating frenzy has a perfect location in the Old Hyde Park Village shopping district. Plenty of food selections were available. Several hundred attended with proceeds going to various local charities. Great job to the organizing committee, but mostly to the many restaurants and staff that provided their contributions for free.
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Earth Day Celebration in SOHO
Introducing VODKA 360, eco luxury vodka, was a lot of fun, especially when held at Ceviche and raising funds for environment projects in Tampa Bay. Lots of sumptuous tapas dishes kept flowing along with the Vodka 360 drinks. Many SOHOTampa.com online friends arrived to say hello adding to the fun.
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New Concept Opens in SOHO
The service industry has always been alive and well in Tampa, but the recent opening of Salon Lofts offers each professional with the opportunity to run their own business. 26 various studios of hair styling, massage, grooming advice, and lots more is open at 2511 W. Swann Avenue. The concept is pretty simple, a large space is cut into smaller studios for each professional. Each studio provides their own customized services at their rates and times.
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Winefest is Great for the 11th Time
Quality occasions are clearly synonymous with the name of Bern’s in Tampa, and for the 11th Annual Bern’s Wine Fest there were plenty of quality wines, vodkas, champagnes combined with incredibly artistic food and culinary delights. The multi day event was totally sold out days before the start. The Saturday night soiree featured the Lounge Cats with dancing tunes and an upbeat sound.
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Pets Had a Clear Day for their Event
The rescheduled April Pets About Town was a lot of fun. Due to a total deluge the week before, the pets cleared their busy calendars to gather at MacDintons for SOHOTAMPA.COM’s monthly event. Sponsored by Wag Pet Boutique of Davis Islands and Tailored Pet Sitting, there were plenty of great giveaways and more.
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BREAD FACTORY BECOMES CONDO LOFTS
Remember driving the Crosstown or driving near Hyde Park and smelling the just baked bread smells of the Merita Bakery ? If you do, then you will be amazed with the now completed Seybold Lofts. You can even have the original oven in your living room ! A recent Grand Opening at the Seybold featured music, drinks, hors doeuvres and many guests.
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The French Takeover SOHO for a Night
The French American Business Council of West Florida met for dinner and wines – French, of course - at Chateau SOHO this week. Over 50 members and friends enjoyed a special dinner meeting and get together at their Annual Meeting. The 10 year old group has provided a great introduction to international business for many during those years.
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St. Pat’s 2008
One day a year everyone becomes Irish, St. Patrick’s Day 2008 was a perfect day to party. The weather was perfect as almost every bar had expanded their outdoors space to handle the increased crowds. Falling on Monday this year did not dampen the enthusiasm as the local Irish clubs were packed.
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Easter Bunny Seen In Old Hyde Park Village
A sunny day had the kids looking for eggs and fun at Old Hyde Park Village. Balloons, face painting, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more added excitement to the upgrading shopping village. Learning Express and Color Me Mine were the main stops for the day.
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Kumbaya in SOHO ?
St. Patrick’s Day at TWO Irish Pubs in SOHO
The Dubliner vs Ortiz – the Showdown – Is it Over ?
After the court decisions yesterday, we heard from Dubliner owner Richard Campion indicating that he felt he and Tommy Ortiz would be able to get along and he was optimistic about the next 4 plus years of the Dubliner’s operations.
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Homes on Tour
The Annual Hyde Home Tour benefited the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association and the local VFW Post this year and attracted a large turnout. 7 different homes were generously opened for viewing.
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Pets About Town Bigger Than Ever
Maybe it was the St. Pawty’s Day pet cake made by Wag Pet Boutique of Davis Islands or the Gift Baskets by Tailored Pet Sitting that brought out the largest crowd, or of course, it could have been the almost 80 degree weather combined with two for one drinks at MacDinton’s outdoor deck, but whatever it was, there were plenty of pets and owners having a great time.
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Art in the Rain
The annual Hyde Park Art Show was blasted with rain on its opening day but seemed to make up for it on Sunday as a large crowd seemed ready to get out of the house and be outdoors. The second day started out very overcast, but the sun prevailed.
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Our Largest Pets About Town Event Ever
With the end of the regular football season the pets got off their sofas and away from their tv’s to socialize at SOHOTAMPA.COM’s regular Pets About Town event. Over 60 pets arrived to hear Sweet Spot band play some of their favorite tunes and to enjoy treats and more provided by Tailored Pet Sitting, Wag Pet Boutique, and SOHOTampa.com.
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