Writes of Passage

Tampa, Florida

^{A handsome Great Blue Heron 大蓝鹭}

Gulfport is a popular name: there is one in Mississippi, and one in Illinois. Any more?

This Florida one is in Pinellas County, incorporated in 1910. Current population is 11,783 (2020 census), with a mayor (Samuel Henderson) and a city manager (James E. O’Reilly).

Beach Blvd South is their Art District. From the Public Library down south to the shore, the few blocks are filled shops, cafes, restaurants, Pia Trattoria, bars, and arty vendors filled either sides of the sidewalks.

Loofahs 丝瓜 are selling at $14 at one vendor on the western side of the street. I remembered using it at bath in Beijing. Out of curiosity, I googled loofah:

Is Your Loofah Full of Bacteria? by Cleveland Clinic showed on top:
“This puffy shower accessory can become lodged with skin cells (and other gross things), so make sure you dry it daily and clean it once a week”

My cousin told me that loofah 丝瓜很好种,好吃,产量高 Luffa is easy to grow, delicious, and has a high yield.

A few businesses on the Shore Blvd South are severely damaged by the storm Hurricane Helene on Sept 26, 2024. Some are recovered partially while others are still skeletons.

The casino @ 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707 was built in 1934. But looks like been an event venue for some time and is closed current, probably due to the storm too.

It’s a little over 6 miles to Palladium Theater.

3054 Beach Blvd
Gulfport, FL 33707

… more pix n videos on google maps, Yelp n TA

Will return.

This Italian restaurant is family owned and operates, with two locations, across street from each other. The indoor one has been in biz for 20 years and the northern side of the street has mostly outdoor  – opened three years ago. They looked rambling and is sizable.

We dinned in the outdoor side because we did’t have reservation for this Friday – reservation is recommended for weekends.

Lush. Great atmosphere on a 67° day. Generous spacing between tables. Good service and food. Two men band plays jazz after 6pm.

Reportedly their bread is excellent but we didn’t order – too much to stomach. Maybe next time.

Wine glasses could use something better – but the outdoor tables are on the shaky ground. So I’m resting my case -:)

The house wine GL Italian cab is better than the Mont D’Abruzzo.

We’ve

1. calamari (not fried)
2. mussels in red wine
3. eggplant parm

They’re all yummy. Large portion. No seafood fork provided for my mussels. Mussels are clean and all opened. I would have the tiramisu but I also wanted to catch the sunset. So next time too -:)

Outside of the bathroom, there is handwriting note on the wall:

Enjoy your meal? Buy your chefs a round

$20

Gulfport is a lovely seaside town. A Little Night Music at Palladium is good too.

Palladium
St. Pete, Fl

… a few more pix & videos on Yelp.

A Little Night Music (1973) is a Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

The name is the same as Mozart’s English translation of Serenade No. 13, K. 525, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, but it has nothing to do with it. The popular song “Send In the Clowns” is beautiful. (Judy Collins)

Before the show starts, a man (forgot his name) said the theater is planing a renovation. Fundraising is underway: one can spend $1,000+ to name a seat. Hope the new theater would usher in new conduct, such as, enforce the later comers will have to stay till the intermission; no candy warpers … Gosh … sometimes it could feel like a zoo.

The production / singer / acting are all decent. On average, the actors have better figures than the opera.

音乐动听 歌喉好 制作不错 (不和百老汇比)
轻轻松松 笑声不断 嘻嘻哈哈

We’ve dinner at Pia’s in Gulfport.