This week’s dining tip (see back story in Jan. 1 Rants): The brighter sibling in our family introduced us to the Acropol Restaurant several years back. They have two locations – Sunset Point Road just west of U.S. 19 and on Starkey south of East Bay Drive. They feature a huge menu. On Starkey, say hello to one of our favorite servers, Kelly.

The price of Pinellas political poker is going up

We are embarrassed to report that the two candidates for mayor of St.Petersburg have already collected over a combined million dollars for their campaigns. In a word, that is just sick. The incumbent Rick Kriseman and his challenger former mayor Rick Baker will no doubt far exceed those numbers by the end of the campaign. We recall a successful city commission candidate in Clearwater in the mid-nineties expressing embarrassment in raising $14,000 as a political newcomer. Nowadays even in Clearwater that would be considered chump change. It’s time to bring some sanity to political spending in local elections.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

1. It has become easier to produce this tripe due to our new computer with the speed of a rocket ship. It replaces a device the vintage of an Apple II. Many thanks to Ray’s Connecting Point in Dunedin.

2. The Florida Supreme Court has struck down a common sense law capping how much money lawyers can seek in medical malpractice suits. Does this surprise you? There aren’t many doctors on the Florida Supreme Court.

3. Idle thought: with the billions of dollars being poured into medical research, why is the answer to so many ailments “treat it with marijuana”. What’s wrong with these folks?

4. Related to the above item, have you received an email yet announcing Cannabis Gummies “now legal to buy and ship in all 50 states”? The world is tilting on its axis – and not in the right direction.

5. You’ve lived in the bay area a long time if you remember gardening guru Gil Whitton’s popular shows on WFLA and WTAN.

The diamond, the media and other stuff:

6. Was there ever a campier show than Batman? Adam West, the original Batman, passed away last week at 88. A final BHAM! POW! to the TV legend.

7. Twice in the past week, we have tried to get a wrap of fifty one dollar bills from two different banks with no success. We cannot only surmise there is a nationwide shortage of one dollar bills. Pass it on and please read the disclaimer at the top of the page.

8. If you missed Tom Jones’ excellent piece on doubleheaders in Sunday the 11^th Times, try to retrieve it. Jones, although a fairly young guy, is quite old school.

9. Factoid: Mario Mendoza, the light hitting shortstop who was the inspiration for the Mendoza Line or “below the Mendoza Line” (sub .200), actually had a career batting average of .215.

10. Related to the above note, Hall of Famers who flirted with the Mendoza Line during their careers. Bob Uecker (inducted for his broadcasting) finished right at .200 and Hall of Fame Manager Tony LaRussa’s playing career ended at .199.

Cards lead the NL in retired numbers

Last month, we reported on the 20 (or 21 depending on whether you count two guys who had their #8 retired) retired numbers for the Yanks. Not surprisingly, the next largest group of numbers retired belongs to the National League’s version of the Yanks – the Cardinals. Among their players and managers honored: 1 – Ozzie Smith; 2 - Red Schoendienst; 6 - Stan the Man; 9 – Enos Slaughter; 10 – Tony LaRussa; 14 – Ken Boyer; 17 – Dizzy Dean; 20 – Lou Brock; 24 – Whitey Herzog; 42 – Bruce Sutter; 45 – Bob Gibson plus Rogers Hornsby whose initials appear with the retired numbers. The Rajah played before they issued numbers to players.

SNEAK PEAK AT NEXT WEEK - PEOPLE WHO NEED A HOBBY