to the Tampadelphia Eagles Fan Club for the 2007 Philadelphia Eagles season!!

First of all, thanks to the dozens who called and kept in touch.  Life saved up some challenges that hit me all through 2006, but we’re through them and moving forward.  Now it’s another Eagles season, many good Eagles game days are ahead for us in Tampa, and a higher level of recognition for the biggest and best Eagles fan club in west central Florida.
                          
Last year was tough with death and injuries within the family, surgery and business changes.  I also renovated my house in Phila. for six months in 2007.  That’s all done.  This season everyone is back on track.  The site will get a new look, areas upgraded and new partnerships profiled. 

Our mission statement:  we’re committed to a good Eagles game for all members of the family, with a great venue, good food and service in a safe environment, good Eagles chat and a good Eagles game for you and your family.  Bring the fun, leave behind the language, brawls and baggage and have a fun day with all generations of Birds fans. 

If you’ve heard our cheers and 700 level passion you know a church outing it ain’t, and some cusses that go with the dropped pass or sack.  But while football is a game of the heart we want to make our group a family place for you to enjoy to the max.  Thanks to everyone that does me this favor and keeps it that way, and to those that have personally expressed their appreciation for the bar held higher. 

We’re looking forward to another season at the DoubleTree Hotel on Cypress St. in Tampa’s Westshore district just south of the airport and International Plaza, and north of the Westshore Mall.  It’s where all the major roads converge:  Rt. 275, the Veterans Expressway, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Kennedy Blvd., Dale Mabry, Westshore Blvd., the Schuylkill Expessway, Rt. 95, Broad St., Rt. 1, 611, 202, 463, 295, the Blue Route, Rt. 38, 70, 73, 130, 41, 168, 50, the Jersey Turnpike, Rt. 13, Nemours Hwy, Rt. 309, 32, the PA Turnpike, 63, Market St., the El and the subway.

Yes, I promise...

...to do a better job of keeping our site up to date

DoubleTree 2007!

New news!  We were supposed to get a complete overhaul, which changed when the hotel was juat sold again in spring 2007, from a small ownership group to a much larger one.  Welcome back to TC, F&B Director Mark and Shannon from our original crew. 

What’s new?  Immediately ahead (yes, immediately, during this 2007 season) is a re-do of the lounge.  You may have already noticed a few changes.  They will be re-decorating the entire lounge.  We will move into one of the large meeting rooms directly across the hall, with the large screens when work commences.  All the TVs will be replaced immediately to new 42” flat LCD screens.  The work order for that is already cut, so say goodbye to our large yellow beast in the corner! 

Raffles will continue.  Thank you for your support.  We go for better quality stuff, and your buck really helps offset costs for this fun drawing.  Congrats to all the recent winners, and those of you that never stop winning (so it seems). 

We will be having a buffet during the 1:00 games.  It’s all you can eat for $11, which includes soft drink.  The “pilot” buffet during the Lions game went well, and offers you a range of choices with alot of sides and salad.  Enjoy as often as you like, it’s available till the final gun. 

Or, if you prefer, we also have new menu items, and drink specials. 

I’ll be reviewing the Tampadelphia room rate, and setting plans for another Christmas party and offline events.  If you’re good at organizing golf days, parties and nights out, please contact me, I need the help!

As always, bring your Eagles beads or grab new ones, we gotcha covered.

Flyers are coming! And if you need tickets . . .

I have 10 tickets to the Flyers – Lightning game for Oct. 25th.  Tickets are $11 each, my cost.  At least are accounted for already, please ask if interested.

Jaws and many others say hello to Tampadelphia

We’ve talked to Jaws, Sal Pal, Tony B, some friends at WIP, NFL and other media folks several times within the last season, and they all ask about you and pass on regards to us Tampadelphia diehards.  Many thanks to WIP and Dave Spadaro for the favorable mentions.

Dedicated to our military and especially the Navy Seabees

Knights Sports Productions

In our third year, this Tampadelphia partner offers television production and NFL-based properties to television and radio networks.  We have many NFL and media-experienced folks in front of the cameras and microphones, and offer quality productions at very reasonable costs compared to the media capitals of NY or LA.  Take a look at our team, video and stills at www.knightssports.com for more info.

Tampadelphia:  new business, new partnerships

• Stop in and say hello to Joe and enjoy some back-home food Joe at Famous Philly’s, at the intersection of US 1 & Nova Rd. in Port Orange, FL.  Or contact them if you crave a taste:  www.famousphillys.com, or 386.767.6338
• G&G’s is a taste of South Philly right in Largo, on the Pinellas side of the causeways.  The menu looks great!  They’re at 325 West Bay Drive in Largo, and offer Tastykakes, Herr’s chips, cheese steaks, Hank’s beverages and more.  727.51.STEAK for directions. 
• The Courtside Grill in Clearwater is owned by ex-76er Matt Geiger.  He wouldn’t be adverse if you stopped in for some relaxation!  He’s right on Ulmerton at the Carillon Center in Feather Sound.  Call 727.561.7433 for directions.  Andy Friedman or anyone on staff will be glad to help. 
• If you would like to trust your prescription or medical business to a diehard Tampadelphia native son, contact Mike Steiner at the Tri-Med Pharmacy, located at 5779 49th St. N. in St. Pete (zip 33709, across from Northside Hospital).  Call if you have questions, 727.527.4569.  Mike accepts all major insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid. 
• The Capital Grille at Int’l Plaza is managed by Philly transplant Diane who made the Phila. location on Columbus Ave. so successful.
• the Tropical Café Smoothie, 4608 Boy Scout Blvd in Tampa, owned and managed by a fellow Eagles diehard. 
• interested in an Eagles ring?  I can offer them at a very reasonable price.  This is a non-NFL merchandised product, but makes our loyalty quite clear in gold.  If you’d like to see one just ask, I’ll wear mine to every game. 

Whether you’re self employed, part of a company or group and have something to offer, let us talk about you on our site without charge.  Just get in touch.

We are always after ways to provide value to our group.  The opportunity has come my way to offer you Eagles gear at very good prices.  How about authentic Eagles jerseys, half price?  It’s legitimate, and may be a long term partnering opportunity.  I can accept orders for hats or shirts if you have an immediate interest, and can ship anywhere for you.  Our profit is minimal, the purpose is to help our Tampadelphia Eagles fans here in Tampa, and offset some costs.

Eagles games for shut-in fans

Do you know a diehard Birds fan that may be a medical shut-in having some tough days and needs a boost?  Maybe they can’t make it to the games or want to enjoy some team memories.  I acquired years of Eagles games, and will make games of your choice available to help any Eagle fans.  There’s a small fee for the materials.  Drop me a note if you’re interested (tampdelpha@aol.com).  If it helps them, even for a few hours, we’re happy to assist these fans that carried the Eagles torch before we could.

I am re-checking on this as the new owners take possession of the hotel.  The Tampadelphia room rate will accommodate anyone coming in to the TB area.  The accommodations are certainly high quality DoubleTree standards, znd once confirmed please contact the hotel directly to be assured of this benefit.

Media note

Please note that the DoubleTree has many media capabilities for on-site AV needs.  If there is anything you require, please let me know at Tampadelphia@aol.com.

Need a personal chef?

If you’re having a function and need a chef at your location, call one of our own Tampadelphia diehards, Terry Ryan.  His company, Cosmopolitan Delights, offers dinner parties, personalized menus and in-home meal services.  Contact Terry at 813.926.5070 or email:  cosmopolitan@tampabay.rr.com.

“Tampadelphia Travel”

Our association with a Philly based travel group can get you to any Eagles game under a package plan.  Whether out of Tampa or Philly we can make it happen.  If it can help the average Eagles fan like you and me and save us some money, I’m all for it. 

Look for packages on Eagles games, which include travel, hotel and more.  If you have any interest click on the link and deal with the pros who make that happen.

Business people, take note . . .

If you’re in Tampadelphia or a Philly person who enjoys the site, advertise free! 

That’s right.  If you have a business or product, post up your information here on our site at no charge.  Thanks to additional site capacity you can tell us about yourself, complete with logo and text.

There is no catch, no money involved, just new ability to deliver more back to our bunch.  Contact me via email at Tampadelphia@aol.com for more information.

Got your digital camera? Didja shoot movies yet?

Your Tampadelphia guys can show your movie files on our site.  Let us know the file size and the format, and webmaster Paul will enable links so your movie footage shows right here!  You’re in Tampa?  No problem.  You’re in South Philly?  No problem.  You were at the game?  No problem.  No matter where you are in the world, the rest of us can watch and join you cheering on the Eagles!  We’ll link up with webmaster Paul (and some of my tech engineers if needed . . . you know I’m with a cool technology company, right?) to set you up on this.

TV footage available

Tom Gilbert, on-air sports personality

An Eagles cheer to Tom for joining us at all our Eagles games at Players to talk Eagles, and help us with Lightning tickets.  Tom is with the Lightning and also an on-air personality every Wednesday night from  7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 1490 AM in the Tampa Bay area.  See him at all our games or call him at 941.745.1490 to talk Eagles and sports in general.  And, if you’re looking for Lightning tickets, email Tom at chyper3@aol.com.  Tell him you’re with Tampadelphia, he’s happy to help you.

About Tampadelphia

Please note thatwe still meet in the Players Lounge at the Doubletree Hotel on Cypress St. across from the Marriott.  We’re still in Westshore, convenient to 275, the Veteran’s, Dale Mabry, the Crosstown and TPA airport.  Just exit 275 at Westshore, go north on Westshore to Cypress, turn right and it’s on the right after the first light and by Charley’s Steak House.  Bad note for the guys:  we’re right smack in the middle between Westshore Mall and International Plaza.
                                
We upgraded our Eagles game day again, and we’d like to thank our hosts for making us feel very welcome.  The service is excellent, as are the complimentary popcorn and snack mix.  When you join us you’ll find a cushioned environment, plenty of TVs, good choice of beverages, reasonable prices, food and beverage specials, Eagles décor, free garage parking and a lot of hospitality. 

It’s comfortable and there’s plenty of room.  We have 95% of the chairs in Players now, can fit another 40 in there if needed, and have 300 across the hall. 

Please note that we also have AV equipment, like microphones for guests and full capabilities for visiting media. 

Keeping an eye on capacity, we now have capabilities for up to 800+ Philadelphia Eagles fans in this one location.  We’ll grow as fast as you can find us, Florida.

We have it mainly for Eagles fans, and want to keep our focus on Eagles football and family.  Bring the kids, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, mom and dad.  We have no fees.  Just come by, wear your green, bring your Eagles cheers, cameras and enjoy the day!