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Group To Protest Chasco Parade

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 16, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - American Indian Movement is planning to conduct a "peaceful" protest at the Chasco Fiesta street parade on Saturday.

Ruby Beaulieu, executive director of American Indian Movement of Florida, said she hopes to have a couple dozen protesters at the event in downtown New Port Richey.

The protest would mark the return of what had become a regular feature of Chasco Fiesta. There has not, however, been a major protest the past few years.

Beaulieu views the Krewe of Chasco float as racially offensive because in her view Krewe members perpetuate negative stereotypes and caricatures of American Indians.

"The African-American 'mammy,' 'Sambo' and blackface performances have disappeared, as well as Frito Bandito," Beaulieu said in a news release.

"Oh, boy," the parade's longtime organizer, Roger Michels, said with a sigh of resignation when asked about the protest.

"I wish they wouldn't, but so be it," Michels said. "I don't know if we've heard from them the last couple of years."

Carl Orth

Pay Cut Proposed For Plant City Commission

PLANT CITY - In the midst of economic belt-tightening everywhere, one Plant City commissioner has suggested a 10 percent salary cut for the five-member board.

Commissioner Dan Raulerson raised the issue at a recent meeting. "We are heading into some rough waters here," he told fellow commissioners, who did not immediately respond to the suggestion.

Questioned after the meeting, Raulerson said a salary reduction for the board seemed prudent in the face of budget cuts the city has made and faces in the future.

"If we're going to make demands on people to do without, we have to start looking at ourselves," Raulerson said.

The salary issue might come up for discussion, or a motion, at a future commission meeting, Raulerson said. "We're going to have some tough times, some tough decisions" requiring budget cuts, "and that starts here," he said.

Commission salaries are $9,526 annually.

George Wilkens

Donate Food, Earn Ticket To 'Disney On Ice'

TAMPA - A donation of 10 cans of food will yield a free ticket to "Disney on Ice - Worlds of Fantasy" for the donor while helping to stock the shelves of a local food bank.

"Disney on Ice" will accept the cans of meat, soup and vegetables from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the St. Pete Times Forum box office.

The tickets are good for the 7:30 p.m. May 14 show at the Forum. There is a limit of four tickets per family.

"Disney on Ice - World of Fantasy," which runs May 14-17, features four classic and current Disney stories. For information, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Lenora Lake

Fundraiser Gives Antiques A Close Look

TAMPA - Here's a chance to find out if your family heirlooms are worth more than just the sentimental attachment.

The H.B. Plant Museum will offer an antique evaluation at 10 a.m. Saturday in the music room of Plant Hall on the University of Tampa campus, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Evaluation cost is $5 per item, which goes to the restoration and renovation of the museum. There is a limit of four items per family. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be sold between 10 a.m. and noon. If furniture is too large, bring a good photograph and a drawer or door from the piece, if possible.

Well-known appraisers will evaluate jewelry, art, furniture, silver, documents, collectibles and other items.

Lenora Lake

Estuary Program Offers Updated Boating Guide

ST. PETERSBURG - A boating and angling guide loaded with information on seagrass, channels, fishing piers and boat ramps is now available through the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

The guide, produced by the estuary program and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, is free.

This is the first update for the guide since 2004. Like previous editions, it is a large, fold-out map of Tampa Bay on one side, depicting channels, seagrass, piers, boat ramps, artificial reefs and other valuable boating information.

The reverse side contains photos and descriptions of Bay habitat and inhabitants, along with smaller maps showing boat speed zones and a resource directory with phone numbers.

Some of the guide's enhancements are bridge clearance information, water depths, homeland security and manatee protection zones, and tips on ethical angling and boating etiquette. It also lists designated clean marinas and clean boatyards.

To get a free guide, e-mail colleen@tbep .org or call (727) 893-2765.

Yvette C. Hammett

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