If only we were as social a creature as our beloved pet! Ann Kelly in Kelly’s Kitchen, with very cool news from Hillsborough County Animal Services. Marti Ryan, a former radio colleague and now the Community and Media Relations/PIO tells me for the very first time they will be open on Sundays…and what a way to kick it off than with an “Ice Cream Social Sunday” this Sunday with special low adoption fees and free Blue Bell Ice Cream from noon – 2 pm; regular adoption hours for Sundays will be 10 am to 3 pm. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy what we love the most in Kelly’s Kitchen (ice cream!) and a nice way to spend Sunday finding that special friend to make a part of your family.  The shelter is at 440 Falkenberg Road in Tampa, and their phone number is (813) 744-5660. This is our featured pet of the week from Animal Services, and he’s a special guy. Here’s how Marti describes Ben: “He's FEELIN' YA, man!  Little "Ben" is a great listener.  Highly attentive and sweet, Ben has a slight disability that just won't keep him down.  Just a year-old, this stray poodle mix is blind.   Ben will make a fantastic companion to an owner with a little patience and appreciation for beauty.   Ask for animal ID 1372845.  Fully neutered, vaccinated, licensed, and microchipped from Hillsborough County Animal Services -- 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa  (813) 744-5660 -- www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices.  Adopt Tuesday - Sunday, with new weekend hours (now open Sundays from 11 am until 4pm *adoption desk always closes 30 minutes prior to shelter).”  

Please remember, there are plenty of pets who need your love and a wonderful new home. Please stop by and say hello!

So what else is happening this weekend to tempt your taste buds? How about Tampa’s First Food Truck Rally this Saturday at Hyde Park Presbyterian Church at 1309 Swann Avenue, kicking off at 11 am and running until 3 pm. Check them out on Facebook for complete details, but it’s fantastic to see food trucks emerging in Tampa Bay. Fans of the Taco Bus already knew that, but so many more have arrived and Wicked ‘Wiches.

If you’re heading to the rally, you might want to start the day at Ybor City’s Saturday Market. The Cooking Channel (my favorite channel of course) will be on site with their Frozen Treat Truck Tour from 10 am to 3 pm. They’re also looking for new vendors, so send them a note at ybormarket@yahoo.com for more info.

And for those of you close to Palm Harbor Saturday morning, please show some love for the Suncoast Animal League and enjoy a free coffee or adult beverage courtesy of the Old Town Café on Florida Avenue in Palm Harbor. Dogs will be pampered from 11 am – 4 pm, and Doggie Spa prices (I love that) are extremely reasonable. Check their website for more events at www.suncoastanimalleague.org , and don’t forget Dogtoberfest coming up November 12^th. I live for that event!

I’ll be spending some serious quality time in Tampa this weekend, with the Forgotten Children’s March Saturday morning in Curtis Hixon Park in the morning, then back in the evening to Board Games, Bubbly and Brew at the Glazer Children’s Museum. It’s from 7-10 pm for the adults to get a taste of Tampa Bay from over 20 restaurants, with lots of fun games. We are, after all, kids at heart. I’ll report back this coming week on what we sampled and who we met. Lots of video to enjoy! Have a wonderful weekend!

Words of Wisdom from Kelly’s Kitchen;

"I've been thinking Hobbes --"
"On a weekend?"
"Well, it wasn't on purpose..." ~ Calvin & Hobbes Quotes