TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tampa River Taxi Prepares To Sail On Hillsborough

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - As others head to their offices, Cliff Conatser works outside, painting and refurbishing his boat. He sees business potential on the Hillsborough River.

In December, he hopes to tap into the market by starting Tampa River Taxi and already has asked the city's parks and recreation department for approval to use available docks.

His vision is to run his 49-passenger boat, called the Fun Boat, from Tampa Heights, downtown, the Channel District, Harbour Island, Davis Islands and the Tampa Convention Center.

The taxi service will cost about $5 round trip. Conatser, a licensed captain with more than 30 years in the boating business, plans to offer monthly boarding passes and eventually operate two boats.

He's familiar with the water taxi business. He was a captain for Tampa Town Ferry, which provided a taxi service on the river in the 1990s.

Jose Patino Girona

New Bids To Be Sought For Basketball Courts

PLANT CITY - The city is running into difficulties finding a firm to build basketball courts at a park south of Interstate 4 for $100,000 or less.

The city recently rejected bids for the work at Mike Sansone Park for a second time. In both instances, the bids exceeded the $100,000 budget.

The city has decided to change the specifications and requirements and seek new bids for construction of two concrete basketball courts.

The courts will replace ones that will be displaced by a veterans park planned for Courier Field.

George Wilkens

Woman's Club Tea Event Will Honor Cancer Survivors

Members of the Tampa Woman's Club are busy making centerpieces, sandwiches and tea for their guests.

All the work is for the club's inaugural Pink Ribbon Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at its clubhouse, 2901 Bayshore Blvd.

Cancer survivors will be honored at the event, which also features music and speakers. Tickets are $15; $50 for patrons. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event. For reservations, call (813) 839-7457.

Lenora Lake

Local Art On Menu Downtown

DADE CITY - Shoppers come here for the small-town charms, quaint antiques and gift shops, and traditional Southern fare.

This holiday season, though, Dade City will be stocking something new: local art.

The Gallery opens today in a vacant downtown storefront at 14125 Seventh St. The opening reception is from 7 to 9 tonight. The Gallery will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, through Dec. 31.

David Hernandez, who owns the building, said he and his wife, City Commissioner Camille Hernandez, are big supporters of the arts. In addition to filling a vacant storefront during the busy holiday season, the Hernandezes wanted to see whether there is a market for a permanent art gallery in town.

Hernandez is donating the space, and artists displaying their work will pay nominal rent to the Dade City Youth Council, which is organizing the effort.

A staff report

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT