This Fine Golden Lady Graces the Bow of the Pirate Ship Jose Gasparilla

This is the bow of the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla that invades our city each year carrying hundreds of blood-thirsty, swashbuckling pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. The ship spends most of its year quietly docked in the channel on Bayshore Boulevard across from Tampa General Hospital and the Tampa Convention Center. But it will silently diappear come winter and reappear in February to carry its invading Krewe as they take over the city of Tampa and parade through the streets. If you read my post at Tampa Florida Photo about the Bead Barn, I mentioned that each year this citywide invasion draws hundreds of thousands of spectators and probably millions of beads are thrown and collected around everyone’s neck. It's a fun celebration that we look forward to each year.

You're Invited to Experience ART-Symphony Galleria

The Art-Symphony Galleria, which has a very informative website, is located on South MacDill Avenue just north of Bay-to-Bay, in the heart of the Palma Ceia arts and antiques district. Several popular restaurants are nearby including one of my new favorites, Datz Delicatessen. The gallery's owner, artist Marc De Wade, specializes in canvas works, metal sculptures, copper fountains, trompe l’oeil and wall murals. Born in Belgium in 1962, De Wade worked throughout Europe including having a part in the restoration of the paintings at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium. His work is in several private collections. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Eeklo, Belgium, took courses in Paris and exhibited widely in Europe. Since coming to the United States in 1999, he has accepted commissions to create trompe l’oeil orders, restorations and wall murals - and furniture restoration - for private clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. In 2008, he began to restore and convert this wonderful two story building on MacDill Avenue into Art-Symphony Galleria. The front is filled with large, bold examples of his work. Plus, you may have seen his sculpture, The Harp Fountain, on downtown's Franklin Street Mall. De Wade created this fantastic piece for the artLOUD Competition sponsored by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). The artLOUD installations are designed to promote culture and the arts in the downtown district. It features eleven yearlong installations of which De Wade's is very prominent and incredibly interesting. You must see it (the small photo doesn't capture its intricacy, beauty and design. Click on it to see it much larger.)

Tampa Fireboat to the Pool Party Rescue

I like that the classy fireboat, the same one that I featured at its dock in my Tampa Daily Photo post of May 27th, is out patrolling the channel between Davis Islands and these homes on Harbour Island. Do the girls in bikinis beside the pool of this million dollar home look like they need rescuing? They might just be rushing out to the seawall to bring ice water to the men working in the midday sun. Your guess is as good as mine. I just enjoy the close proximity of the fireboat to the poolside party the men are, sadly, missing out on. Someone has to work and patrol the waters for fires and rescues.

Boxing for the derriere: Who knew it'd come to this?

I found this sign firmly nailed to a telephone pole in the South Howard - SoHo - section of South Tampa. It's intriguing to say the least. I didn't call for more information and there is nothing at all online with more information or details to go with. It'll remain a mystery, a titillating sign of someone's desire to really get that part of their body in great shape. The classes are probably filled with young, female, power-professionals who want to look their best. (After a few weeks of boxing just don't mess with them. Right?) I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Be very afraid: Respond, the Frog in the swing, is armed and on duty 24/7.

This humorous, carved wooden frog hanging in the tree is apparently guarding this million dollar home on one of Tampa's sumptuous waterfront streets. I wanted each of you to be aware if you had any thought of burglary of this particular residence that "Respond," the frog, is positioned on the swing and on duty day and night. Ready to spring and leap into action. He (or she?) will take action to thwart your attempt. Scary, right? (And this is one of South Tampa's most beautiful and desirable neighborhoods. I wonder what they pay for this unique security service?)

A Thunderstorm Moves Over Tampa's Hillsborough Bay

The Ballast Point picnic area is being drenched with an afternoon shower, more frequent now then we have experienced over the past few months. The rain is very welcome and it turns the view of the downtown into an interesting and very colorful Impressionist painting. Visit Tampa Daily Photo and Tampa Florida Photo for my other Tampa blogs.

Just as the oak tree limb falls away