photos and descriptions of what makes our world a pleasure
emphasis on Florida and the Tampa Bay area but also far beyond

ACTIVITIES

If you’re ever in St. Pete in June…

June 26, 2010
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If you live in St. Pete, chances are someone you know was either marching down Central Avenue today or watching others do so. They may have been your brother or sister, your aunt or uncle, your son or daughter, your boss or employee…or a fellow church member. I counted almost 2 dozen churches marching in [...]

Stockyards, Fort Worth, Texas

April 25, 2010
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On a recent trip to Fort Worth, Texas, a friend, born and raised in Texas, took me to the old Fort Worth Stockyards. If you’re ever in Fort Worth, a free (except for parking) bit of entertainment that’s very enjoyable, especially for kids or easily amused old folks, is a trip to the stockyards. The [...]

Philfest 2010

March 31, 2010
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Can there be any doubt that the mix of family, friends, and food is one of life’s greatest pleasures? One look at the pictures accompanying this article should be proof. Those smiles are deeply felt. Joined in common cause, these families and friends celebrate their Filipino community while preparing their culture’s foods. “Backstage” is where [...]

St. Petersburg 2010 Antiquarian Book Fair

March 13, 2010
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    There’s one more day of the 29th Annual Antiquarian Book Fair at the St. Petersburg Coliseum (floridabooksellers.com/bookfair.html). It’s only $6 for the day–$5 if you pick up one of the many coupons around town. If you enjoy books, especially books from your childhood or books you remember seeing in your grandparent’s home libraries, [...]

Behind the scenes at the Arbors Records Invitational Jazz Party

January 24, 2010
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Gary Baldassari, Incorporated Magi audio engineer, instructing Full Sail interns on microphones Teachers and students   The tagline for Inkwatu is “Delights, near and far.” Less poetically put, that simply means that this blog is about things that I find delightful: people, places, things, food…and also the good I see some people do. One such [...]

Antiques Show at St. Pete Coliseum

January 7, 2010
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Tomorrow, the Sunshine City Antiques and Collectibles Show opens at the St. Pete Coliseum. Here’s the details from the City of St. Petersburg Events page. January 8-10 Sunshine City Antiques and Collectibles Show, Friday 5pm to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm, $6 adults, 12 and under are free. This nationally recognized show features [...]

St. Petersburg’s Grand Central Chili Cookoff

December 5, 2009
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Last weekend was the St. Petersburg Grand Central Chili Cookoff. This was the third year I’ve attended this event and it’s one I look forward to. It is amazing how varied and how original some of the chili recipes can be. I honestly don’t know how the judges reach a conclusion. I know it would [...]

Sunday Morning in the Dog Park

November 21, 2009
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Daisy Grady Last weekend, I visited my son and his fiancé up in Atlanta. Sunday morning, their two dogs (Daisy and Grady–both pictured above) and my son and I went to a nearby dog park for some fresh air and fun.   Anyone who thinks dogs are not sentient beings fully capable of emotions including [...]

2009 St. Petersburg International Folk Fair photos

November 14, 2009
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PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH FUNNEL CAKE SPIFFS (the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society — www.spiffs.org/) “is the only independent multiethnic organization of its kind in the United States. It was founded in 1975 as an umbrella organization of ethnic groups who joined together to present a festival during the US Bicentennial Celebration.” In addition to their [...]

Thai Orchids at St. Petersburg International Folk Fair 2009

November 6, 2009
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Click on any picture in this post for larger image. SPIFFS (www.spiffs.org/), the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, is one of the beloved institutions of St. Pete. I’m honored to be their official photographer this year while their regular photographer is in the hospital. This year, the fair has been moved from the spring [...]

Geckofest and other festivals

October 10, 2009
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It’s that time of the year in Florida. The hot, humid days of late summer are just beginning to pass away. There’s the occasional cool front that comes through (we never seem to have real cold fronts). And the festivals begin. A couple weeks ago I went to the Geckofest (geckofest.com) in one of my [...]

Oktoberfest

October 3, 2009
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If you are looking for something fun to do tonight—especially if you’re a family—go to the final night of the German American Society of Pinellas County OKTOBERFEST! (8098 66th St. N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781). They serve food from 6 pm-8:30 pm and the event (and beer!) continues until 11:30 pm. Admission is $6, food [...]

Cassadaga, Florida

September 19, 2009
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The best non-fiction book I have read this year is The Power of Coincidence: How Life Shows Us What We Need to Know, by David Richo. I don’t say that lightly, because I read a lot of books. It’s so good, in fact, that I’ve already begun rereading it. THE CASSADAGA HOTEL (note the spirit [...]

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