December 12, 2008
THE FINE PRINT: Published online since 2005 by the City of Treasure Island Public Information Office for exactly 1022 online sunscribers and forwarded by the Teeming Millions

TI WEATHER | TI NEWS CLIPS | TI COMMISSION MEETING 12/16/08

 
The choices are many, this oh-so festive time of year. Is it the Christmas tree or Chanukah menorah that does it for you? Santa or St. Nick? Paper or plastic? Cash or charge? Job-saving bailout or taxpayer ripoff? Alleged corrupt Illinois governor or a well-coiffed poodle? Choices everywhere, indeed, and we've chosen for you (with your mind in mind) pertinent news of Treasure Island. No talkin' trash here (we'll leave that to a certain alleged corrupt Illinois governor) although we will talk about trash. Your Thursday, December 25th trash day moves to Wednesday, December 24th. If your trash day is Friday the 26th, then remain calm, for a choice has been made - it's business as usual for your December 26th trash pickup.

Going green with a brown lawn
We're in a super-dry time of year and new lawn watering regulations have come down from the water gods:

  • Once a week lawn watering. That's it.
  • You can hand-water non-lawn landscaping any day (before 8am or after 6pm).
  • New plants are OK to water for 60 days but after day 31 you can only water new plants every other day.
  • Totally forget about a new lawn or sod - it's not happening, at least for now.
  • Got a fountain or waterfall? (Who do you think you are, Liberace? Rod Blagojevich?) You can run it only four hours a day.

These new Swiftmud regulations are in effect until June 30, 2009.

Big splash in the pass scheduled for Tuesday morning
Another John's Pass Bridge detonation is set for 8am Tuesday, December 16th. There are a few remaining underwater portions of the old bridge that must be blown to Click here to watch the bridge detonation from last monthblagojevich, or smithereens, or very tiny pieces. The channel under the bridge closes at 7am; Gulf Boulevard closes to traffic and pedestrians at 7:50am at 126th Avenue in TI and at 130th Avenue in Maderia Beach. After successful detonation, the bridge will remain closed for approximately 10 minutes to determine that all charges were detonated.  The John’s Pass Channel will re-open 10-20 minutes after the bridge re-opens.

In shape? Round is a shape ...
A bunch of new exercise classes come to Treasure Island right after the first of the year. The lovely-sounding Sweat 'n' Sculpt is held on Mondays, followed by 30 minutes of heart-pounding cardio and abdominal workout with Absolute Abs on Wednesdays and Body Power on Fridays. Classes begin January 5th, 8 to 9am. Sign-up info from the TI Recreation Department at 727-547-4575 ext. 237

 

  
 
   

 
 
Beach Graffiti

LIGHT 'EM UP: The 23rd Annual TI Lighted Boat Parade is this Sunday the 14th. Bring a toy to the TI Yacht Club, help Toys for Tots and join the party. Parade departs the club at 6:20pm and passes thru the Causeway Channel around 7pm, so expect a traffic backup for about a half-hour. Best public viewing areas: TI Causeway Bridge, 115th Avenue on Isle of Palms and John's Pass ... MORE VOTING AHEAD: Unlike national vote-fests, Treasure Island's campaign season is cheap and compact. Candidates can begin qualifying December 19th, signs can go up February 4th and Election Day is March 10th. On the ballot: Commissioners for Districts 1, 3 and the Mayor ... STROLL THE STREETS: Join Santa & Mrs. Claus in Sunset Beach with caroling and sharing holiday cheer as they stroll the streets with "Merryment Stops" along the way, Sunday December 21st. Meet at 5pm at the Beach Pavilion ... AND NOW, A CULTURAL MOMENT:

A Sunset Beach Christmas
by Rob Gottron
It's a Sunset Beach Christmas in Florida weather, not a creature is stirring 'cause shaken is better.
Cosmos for red, and then for the green, palm fronds ornate as a Japanese screen.

With lights on their balconies, tinsel on gates Everyone's snoring, menorahing and waits
For sounds on the rooftop (not hoof-taps, but cranes) and wondering: "What will we do if it rains?"

With Ma in her kerchief, whatever that is
out putting candles in yards with the kids
Who think that a visit from Santa is neat
(I'm hoping he parks on an alternate street).

And Wall Street and Main Street are nowhere in sight, from this wonderful island this wonderful night.
So holiday greetings to all and to each, and to all the lost drivers: "This ain't St. Pete Beach!"
Next newsletter: December 23rd.

- Jeff Jensen, Editor