Herald-Tribune

“When they say your name, it’s like they dropped an anvil on your head,” said Brandon Oldenburg, a Ringling College of Art and Design class of 1995 alumnus who won his first Oscar for best animated short film Sunday night with co-director William Joyce. “Stars spin around your head, birds are chirping and you have a goofy grin that won’t go away.”

The short film, “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” had already been honored at more than a dozen film festivals. But there’s nothing quite like winning an Oscar.

Oldenburg and Joyce, were practically tongue-tied Sunday night in their tuxedos, which were custom-made by Dickies in Oldenburg’s hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.

Full story

Tampa Bay Times

Okay, so not every company can be Apple, an innovation machine valued at a half-trillion dollars. Even without Steve Jobs, Apple once again tops Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of the “world’s most admired” companies.

Still, 10 Florida companies made the list. Among them: Tampa Bay’s own Tech Data Corp., Raymond James Financial and Jabil Circuit, along with nearby Publix Super Markets.

Give deserved kudos to Florida’s 10, but let’s dig a bit more. What makes the world’s most admired businesses worthy of being so respected or, more to the point, worthy of emulating?

Full story

Tampa Bay Times

After more than a year of quiet discussions between local officials and transportation experts, the conversation about public transportation in Pinellas is about to get broader and louder. An ambitious proposal to expand bus service and build light rail in Florida’s most densely populated county is ready for a vigorous public debate, and that discussion must include everyone. A modern transit system is critical to Pinellas’ economic future and quality of life, and there should be time to make adjustments and build broad public support before a voter referendum.

A project advisory committee has been working for months on a $4 million transit study paid for by state and federal grants that offers a promising vision. The Pinellas bus system, which is experiencing record ridership even with limited routes and declining property tax revenue, would be expanded by 70 percent. A 24-mile light rail system with 16 stations would be built between downtown St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Voters would be asked as early as next year to pay for the transit plan with a 1 cent sales tax, and the existing property tax now dedicated to the bus system would be repealed.

Full story

Tampa Bay Times

Accidental Floridians. They move here for a job or retirement, because the taxes are low or because they are tired of shoveling snow. But they never quite fall in love with Florida. They wish Florida could be somewhere else.

They might go to the beach once a year or take a visitor to Disney World. Otherwise, they are afraid of everything in their yards and in the creek at the end of the block. They have never seen a wild alligator, of course, or enjoyed a bowl of buttered grits. They never get off the interstate because there may be what they call “hillbillies” lurking along the two-lane roads. And the heat! When they make out their wills, they demand burial back in the civilized world — Ohio, Michigan, Indiana.

Steve Cinnamon, born in the Bronx, was an accidental Floridian.

Full story

TBO.com

Promoting and attracting business to the Tampa Bay area can happen if the community makes healthy foods and wellness a priority, business and health care leaders said Friday.

For two years, the Tampa Bay Partnership has promoted health as essential to competing for new jobs and businesses. The group’s regional visioning forum Friday identified long-term health priorities for the eight-county region including:

• Finding ways to increase the community’s access to healthy and affordable foods and physical activities;

• Shifting focus of health care from treatment to prevention;

• Better integrating health education into the lives of children and adults.

Full story

The show’s editors picked the best old house neighborhoods of 2012. St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast made the list, as the best neighborhood for gardeners. Highlights included lots of restaurants within walking distance, an eclectic mix of traditional house styles and waterfront parks.

Full story

TBO.com

The Ferlita Macaroni Factory building, once destined for demolition, is better than saved.

It’s restored.

The 90-year-old Ybor City building’s decaying façade has been shored up. Now the site is going to be used as a company’s showroom and office.

A gathering at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday will celebrate improvements to the landmark at 1607 N. 22nd St.

Ybor City resident Fran Costantino, who pushed for the building to be saved, said it’s a great example of Ybor City’s rich Italian heritage.

“There’s nothing Italian left,” she said. “All the cigar factories were all Spanish and Cuban. The Italian Club is the only other thing connected to our Italian culture.”

Full story