This week’s dining suggestion (see back story in Jan. 1 Rants): last week we mentioned the late, great Philly Hoagie Shop in Clearwater. Well the descendants of the owner of that landmark have a neat operation of their own on Clearwater Beach – the Beach Shanty on Mandalay - quite possibly the best breakfast on the beach along with lunch plus a very friendly staff.

How Clearwater could have avoided its Scientology reputation

First of three parts

They called themselves the “United Churches of Florida” when they came to Clearwater in 1976 and remarkably managed to fool a lot of very smart people. We recall one very prominent citizen proposing their front man for membership in Clearwater’s most prestigious service club. Clearwater’s mayor at the time, Gabe Cazares (profiled in RANTS 9/25/16) was one of the few who smelled a rat. His thanks for his thorough investigation of several Scientology fronts was years of harassment which ended in his filing suit against the cult – a suit that was settled out of court. Meanwhile, most other political and civic leaders sat on their hands as the cult took over the Fort Harrison Hotel, then Schrafft’s Motor Lodge and then one property after another. Had there been a few other leaders with backbone like Cazares, Rev. C. Ray Jones and Jack Russell, Jr., to name three, the beach head at Project Normandy (the cult’s code word for their invasion of Clearwater) would have not been established. And at the same time Clearwater was looking the other way, federal agencies like the IRS and FBI folded like cheap accordions. Opportunity missed on two fronts. Next month: how an ill-advised 3-2 vote established another beach head for the cult.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff

1. It was interesting to watch on the bubble Senator Bill Nelson try to navigate his way through joining his Democratic brethren in trying to block one of the most qualified SCOTUS nominees in years while not incurring the wrath of Florida voters. Good luck with that, Billy.

2. Oh yeah, Palm Sunday weekend, one of the busiest at the beach and yet another foot race to gum things up for the second year in a row. If you’d like to gently suggest that Palm Sunday may not be the best weekend for a road clogging race try www.irongirl/events/clearwater.htm or myclearwater.com.     

3. As you write out a check to the IRS this week, make sure to note in memo area – “spend it wisely”.

4. Recently (RANTS – Feb. 19), we mentioned the Sunset 19 Point shopping center being difficult to navigate. Incredibly in the weeks since, it has grown worse. The merchants out there should be talking to their lawyers.

5. He and his best friend in show business, Bob Newhart, were the two of the best “clean” comedians ever. Don Rickles, the man who was universally loved by everyone he insulted, passed away last week at age 90 – a terrific loss.

The diamond, the media and other stuff:

6. Good to see former Central Catholic star Ryan Webb sign with the Giants. San Francisco has a reputation for nurturing pitchers and this could be just what Ryan’s career needs at this juncture.

7. We understand the rationale of major league baseball scheduling a day off after opening day to allow for inclement weather – but in the Trop?

8. Just an idle thought: was the University of South Florida a lot better off when they didn’t have intercollegiate sports? Virtually all of their programs seem to be an unhealthy distraction to the main function of a university.

9. Related to our lead item: you’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you attended a dance or two at the Fort Harrison Hotel’s elegant ballroom. To the cult’s credit, the ballroom has been restored to its 1950s-60s elegance.

10. Fifty years ago this week, an otherwise very intelligent young lady said yes to some moron’s request for a date. Thanks sweetie, it’s been a terrific ride!

Spring training is over and we say goodbye to some familiar faces

The end of spring training always leaves Floridians (and we guess, people in arid Arizona) a little melancholy. First, it will be another ten and a half months before we can sit within shouting distance of our favorite players and teams. Face it; there are a lot more local fans who would check “other” rather than Rays as their favorite team. Secondly, the end of spring training means the end of some fine baseball careers. We think specifically of Ryan Howard, not picked up by any team until a week ago and Jimmy Rollins cut last week by the San Francisco Giants – two guys who were part of the core of some great Phillie teams. Then there’s B.J. Upton and Desmond Jennings, once the centerfielders of the future for the Rays, along with Ryan Hanigan probably the best overall catcher the Rays had over the past three-four years. Upton, Jennings and Hanigan will catch on somewhere else but probably on minor league contracts with a ticket to obscurity.

SNEAK PEEK AT NEXT WEEK – NO BRAINER FOR CLEARWATER AND THE CMA