Well, that was disappointing (for some).
For the second year in a row, Tampa Bay's Fourth of July fireworks programs, um, blew it. Tampa's was distinctly underwhelming, and St. Pete's and Gulfport's shows were both canceled. Why do we hate America? (Gulfport's fireworks have been rescheduled for tonight.) Also, I drugged my dog for nothing, apparently.
While a bunch of residents got less than they bargained for on the Fourth, one guy at Busch Gardens got much, much more when he was hit by stray celebratory gunfire. As opposed to directed celebratory gunfire, I guess. Yeah, that still happens. Like, twice a year. Stop it.
Another species inconvenienced by thoughtless human behavior on the Fourth: sea turtles. People who set up chairs and tents on the beach overnight on July 3 to secure a good spot for fireworks watching on the Fourth disturbed nesting turtles, making it difficult for them to get up the beach, make their nests and get back to the sea. Also, who the hell sets up the night before a freaking fireworks show?
And finally, remember Guido, the beloved pug who was stolen along with a car back at the end of May? He's back, and has been reunited with his owner. Apparently he was abandoned immediately after the car theft, and found by an employee at a nearby business, who'd been taking care of him this whole time. Yay, Guido!
This article appears in Jul 5-12, 2018.