Staff writer Rick Gershman is going to be a little peeved when he sees my smiling face atop this ... Ducking the dance, drinkin

You see, months ago I told Gershman I would be on spring break this week with my kids. I pleaded with him to take my invitation to participate in a fundraiser for the Spring of Tampa Bay because I would be out of town.

Alas, my plans changed because my wife got called for jury duty. Honest. By no means did I lure Gershman into the event under false pretenses. After all, why would my two left feet want to avoid a ballroom dancing event featuring local celebrities such as former Mayor Dick Greco, WFLA-Ch. 8 anchor Gayle Guyardo, former Bucs punter Mark Royals and Florida Orchestra associate conductor Susan Haig?

So on Thursday, an eager Gershman will trip the light fantastic. Or he may just trip. I'm not sure because of this ringing endorsement: "I won't be the worst."

The curtain rises on Celebrity Dancing in Tampa Bay at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall. For more information, go to www.forthespring.com/index2.html.

Now comes word that Starbucks will open a street-level cafe in April on the corner of Franklin and Platt streets. The cafe will be part of the new Embassy Suites across from the Convention Center. When you go in for your cinnamon dolce Frappucino light blend, you can thank me.

Please, don't think for a minute that Starbucks had planned to open this store months ago. It's not a coincidence, it's my far-reaching sphere of influence. And just to prove it, I'm going to bring a second Starbucks to downtown within the next year.

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