Clearwater's sad rep, the budget hole, cries for help

Clearwater officials expressed disappointment with the NFL because of a perceived Super Bowl snub, but if the comments posted to St. Petersburg Times staff writer Mike Brassfield's story are any indication, they may want to start a serious PR campaign.

Said one reader: Clearwater — where fun comes to die.

It can be solved — who doesn't love Frenchy's, Shephard's or Coachman Park? — but don't wait until Tampa potentially hosts the Super Bowl in 2014.

Gov. Charlie Crist says the stimulus package may help the state avoid tax increases, but what about next year? If it provides a reprieve, the bright minds that guide this state have to come up with some out-of-the box, long-term solutions or we'll end up right back in the hole.

At its annual fundraising breakfast last week, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay executive director David Braughton said the number of suicide calls to the center have more than doubled, to 80 a month. It's just one sign that the center's needs are growing even as government funding declines. Still, Braughton talks about the center doing more, not less. To help, go to www.crisiscenter.com.

Seen on a bumper sticker (by a reader in Clearwater): All Work, No Pay Makes A Housewife.

The Rays' new spring training home in Port Charlotte has a tiki hut behind center field. I guess they had me in mind.

Can I sing? Judge for yourself when I join the Famunda All-Stars at the Koncert For Kiddz fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer at the Ritz-Ybor on Saturday. I'm not worth the price of admission ($25), but former NFL star Henry Lawrence definitely can deliver.

That's all I'm saying.