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No-Nonsense Judge Retiring From Bench

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

DADE CITY - As a teenager, this man once spent his nights prowling the swamps of Florida in search of snakes and raccoons.

The unlucky critters that came into his hands would be sold to the roadside attractions that used to dot the state's roads. As a high school dropout, he needed the extra money to supplement the pay he earned installing gas tanks or working as an apprentice gunsmith during the day.

In the early 1950s, no one could have pegged Wayne Cobb for someone who would eventually hold a Pasco Circuit Court judgeship for more than three decades. In a few days, however, the 72-year-old will retire from that very position, ending his run as the county's longest serving jurist at nearly 32 years.

"I don't know if retirement is going to be hard for me," Cobb said earlier this month. "But there's something disquieting about being told you are too old to work."
Todd Leskanic
Art Show On Tap At Center

CARROLLWOOD - Art lovers can start 2009 by checking out a local artist in a new show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Brandon artist Candace Knapp will be displaying one of her installations featuring sound from Tuesday through the end of the month.

The center is at 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lennie Freeman will also show her drawings and paintings Tuesday through Jan. 15.

There will be a reception for the artists from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14. For information, call (813) 269-1310.

Michele Sager

Longtime Brandon Eatery Closes

BRANDON - Piccadilly Cafeteria, an institution on State Road 60 for more than 21 years, has closed its doors for good, company officials said this week.

Angele Anson, senior marketing director for Piccadilly Restaurants in Baton Rouge, La., said the economic downturn forced the company's decision to close the restaurant, noted for its Southern home-style buffet and meal discounts for seniors and children. The eatery's last day was Christmas Eve.

The Brandon franchise was the only location in the nationwide chain to close recently, Anson said. The company has no foreseeable plans to close more of its roughly 120 other cafeterias, including those on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, and 34th Street North in St. Petersburg.

A statement issued Tuesday by Piccadilly's regional manager, Frank Frantom, said the company is working to relocate displaced employees to other restaurants.

Laura Frazier

Use Care When Discarding Old TVs

TAMPA - If you're thinking about throwing your old analog television set into the trash or leaving it on the side of the road, consider safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Most analog sets contain cathode ray tubes, which usually have 4 to 8 pounds of lead and other harmful substances. The sets can still be used for playing movies or video games, or they can be donated to a charity.

If neither of those options works, the sets can be taken free of charge to one of Hillsborough County's household chemicals and electronics collection centers. Collections are held at these sites from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

•First Saturday monthly at the Northwest county facility, 9805 N. Sheldon Road, Tampa.

•Second Saturday monthly at the South county facility, Powell Road, a quarter mile north of Big Bend Road and U.S. 41 South, Gibsonton.

•Third Saturday monthly at the East county facility, 6209 County Road 579 (Mango Road), Thonotosassa.

For information, call (813) 272-5680, or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/solidwaste, then click on "household chemicals & electronics collections."

Mike Salinero

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