The following list includes links to items of interest to new arrivals to Tampa, including hard-to-find or special interest topics that are not available through the tourism bureau. Should you wish to add your contributions to the list or suggest other topics of interest, please email Paula Lee or Margit Grieb with a short blurb (where, when, hours/season of operation, basic description, costs).

Links of Interest

RADIO STATIONS

WMNF 88.5 FM. Alternative, community radio station run mostly by volunteers. Great news programs and good music.

WUSF 89.7 FM. Where you go for your NPR fix, jazz, blues, and classical music.

MOVIE THEATERS

Fun-Lan Drive In Theater:. Yes, it really is a Drive-In Theater playing first-run movies. Founded in 1950, it now has three screens and a snack bar. Hard to beat on a warm summer night! 2302 E. Hillsborough Tampa, FL 813-234-2311

Sunrise Cinemas: The former Madstone Theater is located in the heart of Hyde Park. Plush seats, groovy décor and a bar frequented by shiny blonds and jejeune men. First-run art-house and big studio films, some limited release.

Tampa Theater (Art House and Classic Films): One of the best things about Tampa. Watch the organist rise slowly up from the floor as he plays the cheesy intro. Bask under a canopy of twinkling electric stars as you watch Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman play it again for Sam. 711 Franklin Street (Downtown), Tampa, FL 33602, 813-274-8982.

GRANOLA (HEALTH FOOD STORES)

Abbey's Health and Nutrition: This is a good, privately owned health food store in Carrollwood. The sales staff is knowledgeable. There is a book and magazine section in the back, as well as a hot food bar, primarily vegetarian and organic! 14374 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL, (813) 265-4951.

Ansley's: This place used to be good…10 years ago. Located in Central Tampa/Seminole Heights. Go when you’re desperate for your organic rye flakes and soy milk. 402 E. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL, (813) 239-2700.

Chuck's: The closest organic food story to campus. Over priced, but also privately owned. It's good for "gotta have my wheat grass shot now," but get your vitamins somewhere else: they are exorbitant in cost. There are three locations, but here's the closest: 11301 N 56^th St., Tampa, FL, (813) 980-2005.

Nature’s Harvest Market & Deli: Some hippie friends complain it's overpriced, which it is, but they have a rockin’ hot food bar and give vegetarian cooking classes, which I love. Also the staff is pretty well informed. It's South Tampa so if you are in that area, it’s great. 1021 N. Macdill Ave, Tampa, FL, (813) 873-7428.

Nutrition Smart: Also in Carrollwood. It's a chain, but it's a good store with great prices. The staff is a bunch of kids so don't expect too much expertise, but they are all generally pleasant. It's a chain, but not the multi death corporation kind. 14847 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL, (813) 908-9500.

FARMER’S MARKETS & ORGANIC  PRODUCE

Bearss Groves: Some of the best oranges available in Tampa, excellent produce, some organic vegetables. Great prices and extremely friendly service! Located at the s.w. corner of Bearss Ave. and Lake Magdelene Blvd. (approx. 2 miles west of I-275 in N. Tampa (Carrollwood). Open Monday through Saturday 9am-7pm.

Big Top Flea Market: Not properly organic, but farm-fresh, in-season produce available for dirt-cheap prices. Go to the Produce Stall at the entrance to “area A” and tell him the Grapefruit Lady sent you. 9250 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33592, (813) 986-4004. Open Saturday & Sunday 9am to 4:30pm.

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm: A great resource for eating organic at a cost effective rate. (If you’re interested in finding someone with whom you can split the deliveries, post a message on the JFG Bulletin Board on Blackboard, under “Miscellaneous.”)

Old Hyde Park Village Farmer’s Market: Fresh produce is available every Saturday from 9 am—2 pm. The fall season will begin the second weekend in October 2004. Corner of Swann and Dakota Ave., near Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606.

FLEA MARKETS

Big Top Flea Market: This sprawling place used to be a real flea market full of great old stuff, now it’s just tables of cheap junk. However, it is still worth a trip: for off-price CDs, Avon products on sale, and wrapping paper by the case, it can’t be beat! Entry is free. 9250 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33592, (813) 986-4004. Open Saturday & Sunday 9am to 4:30pm.

Fun-Lan Flea Market: When the Fun-Lan isn’t showing movies, it’s hosting 130 tables full of off-price and garage-sale goods. Admission is free. 2302 E. Hillsborough, Tampa, FL, 813-234-2311. Open Wednesday - Sunday 5:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Avant-Guard Group at the Museum of Art, Tampa: The Avant-Garde Group is a group of young professionals who promote the Museum through a variety of social, volunteer and arts-related events. The Museum is located downtown at 600 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL.

Winebrats: This is a relaxed group of young professionals who enjoy tasting wine while sampling good company. Their motto: “Everything you wanted to know about wine but were too afraid to ask.”

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