January 29, 2009
THE FINE PRINT: Published online since 2005 by the City of Treasure Island Public Information Office for exactly 1071 online sunscribers and forwarded by and to the Teeming Millions

TI WEATHER | TI NEWS CLIPS | TI COMMISSION MEETING 2/3/09
 
In a perfect world, both Super Bowl teams would win. In a perfect world, the oil companies would bail out the auto manufacturers. In a perfect world, banks would bet tens of billions of dollars that people with no verifiable income could afford expensive houses and ... um, waitaminute ... nevermind. In a perfect world, the Pinellas Trail would link to Treasure Island via our beautiful Causeway Bridge. Well, THAT world is about to happen, and you, with your local insider status, keen powers of observation and spirit of community, can help "pick a path" to choose the route of the New Treasure Island Bike Path linking the Pinellas Trail in St. Pete with downtown Treasure Island and the beach. "Chime in" at a special community bike path meeting on Tuesday, February 24th at the TI Auditorium at 6pm.

Review: New Dune Walkovers
A perfectly-executed project to replace 18 dune walkovers over sensitive sea oats areas along Treasure Island's beach is waaaay ahead of schedule, with only 6 more walkovers to go. Southwest Contracting, Inc. built the walkovers as part of a $551,000 project that also included three totally renovated boat ramps. The project was funded by FHWA, HUD and the Pinellas Interlocal Agreement. And what are beachgoers saying about our superb new walkovers?
"I was so impressed I spent the day just walking back and forth on it. I never even got to the beach!"
"My bare feet have never been happier ... and I have very angry feet, you know."
"At the crest of the 99th Avenue walkover, I could actually see my house from there! And I live in Guelph, Ontario."

Bucky's First Tourists
Meet the Schabows of McHenry, Illinois. No, make that the lucky Schabows, for they are the first Treasure Island visitors to pose with Bucky the Pirate at his new Community Center Park home. (In a perfect world, this would be you posing with Bucky.) How lucky do the Schabows feel? Like finding an elf finger in a box of Keebler cookies.
Bucky had resided atop the Buccaneer Motel since shortly after the Earth cooled and continents formed. He was donated to the city in 2005 when the motel met a wrecking ball. Bucky is single, prefers garish purple trousers and has a wooden leg.

  
 
 

 

  

 
Beach Graffiti 

LANDING WAS EASY AS ABC: Action News, that is. After spending some quality air time hovering over Gator's during the Florida vs. Oklahoma game January 8th, the WFTS news chopper pilot noticed the engine overheating and landed on the beach as a precaution. They hauled the chopper away on a flatbed truck the next day ... AND OUR NEXT MODEL IS DRESSED IN SAFETY VEST ORANGE: Yes, when you call TI Public Works, you're talking with THE Mary Ann Connors, who now can add "fashion model" to her resume. Mary Ann (or "Mac," as we call her) models in the upcoming Treasure Islettes Fashion Show and Luncheon on Saturday, February 7th at the Community Center. Tickets on sale now at the TI Chamber office on 107th Avenue ... THE TINY GIANT: She was short, but you looked up to Rosalie Brownley. If there was a prize for the most service, in the most organizations, for the longest period of time, Rosalie would've won. She also found time to run the Ship's Haven Motel on Sunset Beach for over 30 years. Rosalie always had a smile, a good word, a great sense of humor and a comforting way about her. We will always remember Rosalie for these things and we all miss her dearly. Rosalie left us January 14th ... THE 60-MINUTE ZUMBA: No, it's not the new Viagra slogan - it's a one-hour Zumba exercise class on Saturday, February 14th, from 2 to 3pm at the Community Center, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. Sign up at 727-547-4575. Just $5 ... Next Newsletter: February 12th.

- Jeff Jensen, Editor