What I love most about Tampa is the strong sense of identity and togertherness we have here. The city is a melting pot of varied races, religions, and nationalities, and yet, despite our vast differences, we have been able to evolve into a cluster of very close-knit and family oriented communities. Ybor City, Davis Island, Belmont Heights, Seminole Heights, West Tampa, Palma Ceia, Interbay...these and more are the areas that make up the city of Tampa. Chances are, you can be anywhere in the country, or in the world for that matter, hear someone from Tampa talking, and know exactly where they came from and what neighborhood they grew up in. We have developed our own unmistakable dialect. Furthermore, you can live here all your life, meet someone for the very first time, begin a pleasant chat--one where you start dropping names of friends and family members--and before you know it, you're connected, and feeling as though you'd been friends all of your life. Our roots are deep, our bonds are strong, and our hospitality is contagious.

     The video I've submitted is entitled "I Remember Tampa", and it is based on a song by the same title which I wrote last year. The song was inspired by a local television program called the Tampa Natives Show, which focuses on preserving our rich history through the sharing of memories from live call in audiences respondng to specially selected topics about growing up in Tampa. The hourlong show airs once a week in Hillsborough County, on Tampa Bay Community Network, and can also be viewed from anywhere in the world via TBCN's webcast. Most of the pictures shown in this video have been featured on the show at one time or another over the past 5 seasons since its inception. This is only the tip of the iceberg, but these pictures should give everyone a good idea of what Tampa is all about. And the song should echo the sentiments of all who grew up here. I've traveled throughout the United States and visited many beautiful cities, but for me, there's nowhere else on earth like Tampa. (For additional information regarding the Tampa Natives Show, visit www.tampanativesshow.com...for additional information on Tampa and it's history, visit www.tampapix.com.)