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Pig Jam Competition Is Your Cue For BBQ

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

PLANT CITY - Break out the barbecue.

Pig Jam, the annual competition and celebration of grilled meat, is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

More than 50 professional chefs from across the nation will fire up their grills in hopes of taking home ribbons, cash awards and bragging rights. The day will offer something for everyone, said Marion Smith, president of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the event that last year drew an estimated 10,000 people.

There will be musical entertainment, games for children and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to sample some world-class barbecue. Most of the competitors will be selling their ribs, pork, other barbecue and side dishes.

Admission to the event at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1500 S. Park Road, next to Plant City Stadium, is free. Parking is $5.

George Wilkens

Bay Pines Earns Highest Honor

BAY PINES - Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Pinellas County, the fourth-busiest medical center for veterans in the country, has received the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' highest honor.

The Robert W. Carey Performance of Excellence award was recently presented to Bay Pines officials by VA Secretary James B. Peake and Under Secretary for Health Michael J. Kussman.

Bay Pines provides health care services to an estimated 94,000 veterans in Southwest Florida from St. Petersburg to Naples.

To receive the recognition, Bay Pines was evaluated on seven criteria, including strategic planning and customer focus.

John W. Allman

Old Cars Help Charitable Cause

WESTCHASE - Car lovers can check out some of their favorite classics and help a charity at the same event.

The Westchase Town Center, 9520 W. Linebaugh Ave., is hosting a classic car show from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature a range of cars, as well as food and music.

Visitors are also asked to bring canned food items, which will be donated to Metropolitan Ministries.

Michele Sager

Art After Dark On Tap Tonight

TAMPA - The Tampa Museum of Art's new executive director, Todd Smith, will give remarks at the Art After Dark With Starbucks set for 8 to 11 p.m. today at the museum's temporary home, 2306 N. Howard Ave.

The event also includes live music and other entertainment.

Art After Dark is in cooperation with the University of South Florida Alumni Association. It is free for museum members, $5 for USF Alumni Association members and $10 for others. For information, call (813) 274-8130.

Lenora Lake

Swap Till You Drop

BRANDON - A hodgepodge of gently used items will be free for the taking Saturday at a Community Swap Day sponsored by the Brandon Family Support and Resource Center.

Center manager Ligia Vigo said everyone is invited to raid their closets and garages for unwanted items such as household goods, clothing, toys, holiday decorations, etc., and haul it to the Brandon Recreation Center at 502 Sadie St., where set-up starts at 8 a.m. and the two-hour swap kicks off at 9 a.m.

People who want to contribute items but don't want to shop can drop and go, and those only interested in shopping are welcome to arrive empty-handed and select five items from each category. Furniture and large items will not be accepted. Anything left at the end of the swap will be donated to a local charity. For information, call (813) 740-4634.

Laura Frazier

Golf Course Under Fire

CLEARWATER - A Pinellas County audit shows the Airco public golf course next to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is so mismanaged, with essential repairs repeatedly delayed, that golfers themselves might be in danger.

"Airco's deferred maintenance, repairs and cost savings program has placed county staff and Airco customers at risk due to potential safety and health concerns," according to the audit, which was conducted by the internal audit division within the office of the clerk of the circuit court and released on Wednesday.

Among other criticisms, the audit says the golf course, which is managed by the airport, has no maintenance schedule for either the grounds or the facilities.

The snack building was leaking so severely it had to be closed with the exception of the bathrooms, and the bathrooms had holes that appeared to be the result of punches, the audit says.

Stephen Thompson

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