Gift Cards Solve Holiday Shopping Problems City Websites and Contacts
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There was drama, entertainment and even a celebrity chef to keep the standing room only crowd happy.
 Chili Cookoff Winner - Bill Runyan, Largo Backwater’s on Sand Key held their 5th Annual Chili Cookoff on Sunday, January 31, 2010. While Bill Runyan won first place and Alex Zak resident of Sand Key, captured second place, drama ensued in the battle for third.
There was a three way tie in the points race for third spot. The five judges’ forms were totaled for flavor points only as called for in the rules. Again, a tie! The five judges were called back and asked to taste the three chili entries tied for third. Finally a winner was chosen between the three and Bill Tannock took 3rd place honors.
The crowd was able to meet Johnny Ciao, a New York celebrity personal chef, formerly of Indian Rocks Beach, who has cooked for the stars from “Willie Nelson to Marlon Brando”. Johnny also gave the winner a copy of his latest cookbook. Visit Johnny’s website.
The smell of chili powder, peppers and and spices will be in the air on Sand Key this Sunday, January 31, 2010. Backwaters will host the 5th Annual Chili Cookoff for the best chili makers in the area. The judging begins at 3 PM and the top three finishers are announced between 4 PM and 5 PM. You still have time to enter. It’s free – just stop by Backwaters and pick up the entry form and rules.
It’s a fun event and spectators get to taste the chilis after judging is complete. Join your friends and neighbors at Backwaters on Sand Key!
While budgets are very thin the new Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp and Park needs basic amenities such as vending, permanent restrooms and services for boaters and visitors. If you haven’t visited the area, make the brief jaunt off the causeway down to the boat ramp area. A walk around the area is a stroll worth taking. It is an asset to the area. Your comments are encouraged to pass along to Belleair Bluffs and the Pinellas county administrators.
While humans were uncomfortable during the blast of record cold weather in the past few days, the real damage will be the loss of thousands of fish. Soon there will be every species of game fish floating along our shores. Already there have been reports of snook, one of the more temperature sensitive fish, floating in the bays and backwaters. Sea turtles have also perished, but the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has rescued many of these lumbering animals along our beaches.
The water temperature becomes dangerous for our waters around 50 degrees and deadly below that.
Join us Saturday January 9th and Sunday January 10th for a Mimosa toast to our first full year at the Bluffs location. The complimentary Mimosas (Champagne and orange juice) are our way of saying THANK YOU for a great first year. After construction delays and customary regulatory issues, we opened last year to a welcoming community in Belleair Bluffs, Largo, Belleair and the surrounding area. Even with the bridge construction and troublesome traffic patterns, our guests found their way for breakfast and lunch.
Stop by Saturday or Sunday to say hello. We’ll have some treats for the kids too!
Without much fanfare, the bridge and boat ramp appear to be open. The area around the boat ramp is impressive with plenty of parking for cars and boat trailers. The fishing pier and docks are large and seem to be fully functional. The quiet opening was just the simple removal of barricades that prevented access.
Both sides of the bridge waterway are accessible from the boat parking area under the bridge. Hopefully, the county will eventually have a few picnic tables and permanent restrooms. The Belleair Causeway project has been one of the most successful in the area and Pinellas County can be proud of this park.
On January 9, 2010 Maggie Mae’s on the Bluffs will celebrate our first year anniversary. While the new year begins, it is difficult to imagine a better year than 2009 for all of us at Maggie’s. We have made many new friends, been welcomed in the community and established a growing restaurant in a recessionary environment. How could things get better?
It would be easy to say that our commitment to quality and friendly service was the reason for our success, but we know the people of Belleair Bluffs, Belleair, Largo, Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach and the entire area have supported us from day one with their patronage and encouragement. We will continue to listen to our guests and work hard to get better each day.
Some highlights this past year for Maggie Mae’s were:
- Just getting the doors open! The construction delays, red tape and licensing process was behind us on January 9, 2010 and we could focus on exceptional food and making our guest feel at home.
- Finding a staff that really cared about what they served and how they served it was fortunate.
- Seeing local celebrities and politicians use our restaurant as their new morning “hangout” was a good sight. You never know who may walk through our doors as our reputation for great food grew.
- Watching and anticipating the opening of the new bridge to expedite traffic flow in front of Maggie’s has come to an end with great results. The bridge is beautiful and functional.
- Of course, the highlight of the year as a restaurant was being named as “Runner Up – Best Breakfast” in one magazine’s reader pole for the entire Tampa Bay area. We were competing with many long time favorites in the area as well as large multi-unit chains, of which, one edged us out for the first place selection over in the Tampa area.
Please help us continue to grow by reminding your neighbors, family and friends about us. We can’t imagine a better year for Maggie Mae’s and hope 2010 brings all of our guests their wishes and hopes for the coming months.
All of us at Maggie Mae’s offer our best wishes for the holiday season. Our Christmas wish is that the spirit of Christmas extends throughout the coming year and spreads around the world for peace and prosperity. There is no other time of year that seems to unite people of all origins in a mindset of giving and forgiving.
May we also offer our thank you for the pleasure of serving the hundreds of friends, neighbors and customers that cross our path. Few people get the opportunities we have to meet and interact with the special guests who come through our doors. We appreciate your patronage and the opportunity we have been given.
Of the dozens of bridge projects in the last few years, the Belleair Bridge has been the most organized, least aggravating and fastest major bridge done in a long time. The county and contractors should be commended.
If you haven’t been across the bridge lately, you will find a semi-permanent traffic pattern and easier access to Maggie Mae’s and all the streets that had been difficult to navigate. Even the boat ramps and parking areas under the bridge are almost complete. Unless weather becomes a factor, by year end the area can boast of a beautiful asset to our community. Beach goers and fishermen can go back to normal!
Here are some of the dates you may want to remember for the next couple of months.
Sat., December 12 – Clearwater Lighted Boat Parade, 6 PM
Sat., December 19 - Indian Rocks Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Thurs., December 24 – Christmas Eve Eggnog Toast, Backwaters, 5 -7 PM
Friday, December 25th - Merry Christmas! Backwaters and Maggie Maes Closed
Wed., December 30 -Outback Bowl Party at Clearwater Beach, Pier 60, 11AM to 4 PM
Thur., December 31 - New Years Eve – Backwaters “Quiet” New Years Eve Celebration
Sun., January 31, 2010 -Backwaters Annual Chili Cookoff, 3 PM
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Maggie Mae’s Weekly Specials
French Benedict - A large buttery croissant topped with scrambled eggs, cheese and hollandaise sauce. Served with home fries. $4.95
Loaded French "Dipped" Roast Beef Sub - Slow cooked roast beef, caramelized onions and provolone cheese with Au Jus for dipping on a baked sub roll. Comes with chips and a pickle. $6.95
Egg Salad on Croissant Sandwich - Our homemade egg salad on a delicious croissant with lettuce and tomato. Comes with chips and a pickle. $5.95
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