e*ti - August 27, 2008

	August 27, 2008 Published online since 2005 by the City of Treasure Island Public Information Office for nearly 1000 online sunscribers and forwarded to the Teeming Millions TI WEATHER \| LATEST E-ALERT \| COMMUNITY CALENDAR Proud, happy and thrilled, we were, like the wife of an Apollo astronaut, when the new Treasure Island Causeway Bridge officially opened a year ago this week. Can't get much more prouder, happier or thrilling-er than that. So to be asked to tour the new Treasure Island Publix before the grand opening this Thursday, August 28th - well, call us an astronaut's wife, because we were proud, happy and thrilled. You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge the view. We start our Publix tour on the parking level. Yellow means caution, kids - let's be careful in that garage! It has parking spaces for 125 cars, slightly less if you drive a land yacht and have poor parking skills. Just beyond the Star Trek-like doors is the lobby, where a grinning pirate and greenery welcome you to the six enormous elevators that whisk you and your wallet to the second level, where shopping pleasure begins. And what a pleasure it is! Brightly lit, roomy beyond all expectations and decked out with all the latest high-tech grocery gadgetry. Here we see Harry Black, proud, happy and thrilled by the melons. Our touring group included members of the Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Mary Maloof and Vice Mayor Bob Minning, seen lingering near the extensive Publix bakery and desserts department. Pastel greens and yellows decorate the new Publix. The beer aisle is conveniently located near the butter, eggs and milk, setting the stage for a Sunday-brunch-and-football-afternoon shopping spree. Seven checkout lines are located at the front of the store (one of them will be designated an express lane for those who know the meaning of "10 items or less"). Elevators and stairs exit to the garage and Gulf Blvd. Some members of our touring group look as if they'd spotted a UFO or a flock of gulls or the Wizard of Oz in a balloon heading for Kansas. We don't know what caught their attention but it's nice to see people looking up. Oh, wait! Now we remember - the group was looking up at an enormous Buccaneer pirate ship that lights up and belches smoke evey now and then. Sounds like a relative we all know. What other grocery store offers a view like this? None. It's a rhetorical question. The architects and builders have done a truly amazing job in offering so much store in only 28,000 square feet. Publix, on the corner of 104th Avenue & Gulf Boulevard, opens at 8am on Thursday, August 28th. Store hours are 8am to 9pm.


	Beach Graffiti

AHOY, SWIMMERS and BOATERS!
Some changes in the swim and boater zones coming ashore at Caddy's on Sunset Beach. Expect to see a new boat zone in line with Caddy's parking lot where boaters could come within 100 feet of the shoreline. 2nd Reading of the ordinance is Sept. 3rd and then it goes to the state for approval and then buoys have to be purchased and anchored and ... and it might be awhile before all this takes effect. We'll keep you posted ...

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT: Work is almost done on the 123rd and 100th Avenue boat ramp renovations, reports TI Public Works Director Jim Murphy, with new concrete ramps (with curbs!) and hard-packed crushed shell parking areas. Work continues for a few more weeks on the 84th Avenue & Bayshore boat ramp which is closed for now ... WHY DO WE DRIVE ON A PARKWAY AND PARK ON A DRIVEWAY?: The commission agreed during a recent workshop to consider increasing citywide parking fines from $20 to $40. The commission expects to consider the new parking fee ordinance in September ... NO BEAUTY NEXT MONTH: The Beautification Committee meeting for Tuesday, September 2nd is cancelled ... IS THAT THE SOUND OF BUDGET HEARINGS? The City Commission will hold public budget hearings on September 3rd and 17th. Both are Wednesday night meetings beginning at 6pm ... TUESDAY IS TI NIGHT: Look for the segment taped in Treasure Island this past spring on the Golf
Channel's "Highway 18" September 2nd at 10pm ... AMEND ANY CONSTITUTIONS LATELY? You have your opportunity November 4th. There are nine amendments on the ballot, ranging from gay marriage to community college funding. What are they all about? Who is for and against? Read about it here ... Next scheduled newsletter: September 11th.

Jeff Jensen, Editor