Gift Cards Solve Holiday Shopping Problems City Websites and Contacts
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If your grocery budget is in the red this month, you can blame mother nature. This year’s record setting lengthy cold snap in January and February has driven prices up and, in some cases, dramatic shortages will be with us until late spring.
Two things happen when the weather gets cold. First, below freezing temperatures destroy crops almost ready to be harvested. Long periods of cold weather retard the growth of maturing plants which leads to market shortages and fewer harvesting dates for farmers.
In the restaurant business the effects are felt by huge wholesale price increases and local shortages. As an example, tomatoes are costing us $50-55 per case as compared to $17-25 per case under normal circumstances. We are being warned that corn, beans, mangoes, avocados and leaf greens will soon feel the impact of weather related damage. Many suppliers have looked to Mexican markets, but soon the demand outpaces the supply and prices rise quickly while supplies are stretched thin.
Some restaurants, primarily chains, are no longer offering tomatoes on sandwiches. Others, like Maggie Mae’s and Backwaters, are absorbing the price increases for now. Grocery store prices, already at record highs, will continue to rise until crops due to mature in mid April start hitting the market.
For the home cook there are some alternatives. Canned tomatoes and other vegetables may fill the gap. Fresh alternatives may be different varieties. In the case of tomatoes, there are Roma, cherry and heirloom offerings that can help satisfy the demand. Other vegetables and fruits that freeze well may be a way to fill in those recipes.
On Tuesday March 9, 2010 we again get to exercise our rights under the Constitution and elect officials, vote on material issues and make our individual voice heard through the ballot box. Check with your local community for times and location; in Belleair Bluffs the Community Center is the polling place from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Clearwater Sea Blues festival will highlight the weekend’s activities at Coachman Park in Clearwater. Beginning on Friday, February 19th the sound of blues will start at 5:30 PM on the grassy slopes of the park. The weather is supposed to cooperate and top name entertainment has been booked for this FREE event. It’s a short ride to great sounds!
For a complete schedule and the headliner acts performing visit www.clearwaterseablues.com.
Monday night, February 16, 2010 there is a meeting for concerned citizens and businesses to examine a crime watch program in Belleair Bluffs. The meeting being held at 5:30 PM, City Hall, will explore the need and recent spurt of vandalism within the city.
While Belleair Bluffs is a very safe community, recent minor issues remind all of us that the best way to stay safe is through the vigilance of the entire community. Extra eyes and ears that support law enforcement can be a great deterrent to the criminal element always looking for easy targets.
In an effort to raise awareness about the plans to allow oil drilling along Florida’s coast, organizers of Hands Across the Sand plan a beach rally that includes people joining hands at 1:30 PM on beaches throughout the state. This union will reflect the group’s opposition to the risk of environmental disaster from oil spills and other effects that could spoil the natural beauty we share.
Hands Across the Sand also recognizes the significance of beaches as a draw for the largest industry in the state – tourism. A single oil spill could destroy the states economy for years to come.
For more information about this event, click here for the website.
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!
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Maggie Mae’s Weekly Specials
Feta and Spinach Omelet - Our three egg omelet filled with feta cheese and spinach. Served with homefries and toast. $5.95
Brunch Burger - We top a half pound hamburger with bacon American cheese, and a fried egg. It's like having breakfast and lunch at the same time! Served with French fries or homefries and a pickle. $6.95
Buffalo Chicken Tender Sub - Chicken breast strips breaded, fried and tossed in buffalo wing sauce with provolone cheese on a hoagie roll. Served with blue cheese, chips and a pickle. $5.95
Greek Salad - Mixed greens topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, black olives, feta cheese and potato salad. $6.95
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