Chili cookoff in Gulfport

If you love chili and the charms of downtown Gulfport (count me as a “yes” on both counts), you’ll want to head over to the Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff on Saturday, Sept. 26  at the Gulfport Art Village Courtyard from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Here’s my write-up for Creative Loafing.

Hula Hula says “aloha” to its Gulfport home

Just got off the phone with Annette Vedsegaard-Ross, who confirmed that Hula Hula, the Floridiana/Hawaiian-themed store she owns along with husband Stephen Ross, will close its Gulfport location for good at the end of July.

I profiled Hula Hula in Creative Loafing (where I worked as copy editor until January) in December, and mentioned them as one of 25 must-sees in downtown Gulfport in CL‘s Urban Explorer’s Handbook in March 2008.

Vedsegaard-Ross, who is currently on vacation with her husband in St. Augustine, cited a “lack of traffic” along Beach Boulevard as one of the main reasons for move, adding that if she and Ross wanted to work full-time, they would probably stay. However, as patrons to Hula Hula already know, the husband-wife team prefer to keep what they call “island hours,” and encourage people to phone ahead just to make sure the shop is open.

Vedsegaard-Ross said she and her husband originally planned to look for a new location upon returning to Gulfport, but they that have since decided to take the summer off and instead focus on their upcoming antique shows, including Retro-Rama and the Floridiana Festival, both of which will be held at the Gulfport Casino. They are also starting a new endeavor, Antiques in the Park, which will be held at Clymer Park in Gulfport the first Saturday of the month in November, January, March and May.

Hula Hula will be open this Saturday during the Gulfport Art Walk, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. For store hours, call727-421-0441.

Local news — property taxes, Starbucks and ridiculous legislation

The city of Gulfport says its budget will be $3 million short in October, but wants to avoid raising property taxes.

The city has frozen all hiring, except what is considered “mission critical” positions.

Unfilled positions include city manager, the police chief, a police sergeant, two police officers, a police department records technician, a fire lieutenant, the leisure services administrative assistant and a staff assistant in the administrative services department.

The city had already eliminated several library positions, as well as a fire captain, firefighter, maintenance worker, recreation coordinator and a clerical position in the city clerk’s office.

My question — can the St. Pete Times please provide city documentation with its story to give some context to that $3 mil figure?

Tommy at Sticks of Fire explains why delinquent property taxes means more money for newspapers.

Teen shot at Childs Park Rec Center.

Kenneth City’s mayor-elect could be sworn in, 44 days after winning in a landslide. The takeaway here is that Kenneth City, with a population of about 4,400, and a land area of 2 square miles, has a mayor.

Ybor City loves its Starbucks. Take that, Cuban coffee!

Alex Pickett has expanded his Bipartisan guide to ridiculous leglislation.