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Local Greek Music Legend George Soffos Dies

Tarpon Springs' George Soffos, known as a master of the bouzouki, died earlier this month of an apparent heart attack. He was 59.

George Soffos, a musician known for providing the soundtrack to Greek celebrations in Tarpon Springs and around the world, has died, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Soffos, 59, played the bouzouki, "the metallic-sounding cousin of the mandolin and guitar and a staple of Greek music," in cities around the United States and in Greece, the Times notes. Some even considered him one of the best bouzouki players in the world. Soffos died Jan. 8 of an apparent heart attack. Read more about his life and his music in the Times' obituary. Share your memories of George Soffos in the comments section below or upload photos of him to this story.

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Gen. Schwarzkopf, 78, Has Died in Tampa

Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf had retired to Tampa, Fla., after a final military assignment leading U.S. Central Command.

Retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 78, passed away today in Tampa, according to media reports. Schwarzkopf was best known to the American people for his leadership in removing Saddam Hussein and his forces from Kuwait in 1991. Schwarzkopf had successfully led an international coalition of U.S. allies to drive out Iraqi troops. "Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation," former President George H.W.  Bush said in a written statement, according to ABC News. Schwarzkopf led what came to be known as Operation Desert Storm under President Bush. Most recently, Schwarzkopf had served as commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in …

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Obituary: Nickoletta 'Nickie' Orfanides Pappas, 82

The wife of Jack Louis Pappas, whose family opened the famed Pappas Restaurant on the Sponge Docks, has passed away, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Nickoletta "Nickie" Orfanides Pappas, matchiarch of one of Tarpon Springs' most well-known families, has died, the Tampa Bay Times reports. She was 82. Pappas was married to Jack Louis Pappas, whose family opened the famed Pappas Restaurant at the Sponge Docks. She was a Tarpon Springs native and a 1948 graduate of Tarpon Springs High School, where she was a drum major in the marching band, according to the Times. Pappas is survived by five children, 10 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, a brother and many nieces and nephews. Read her full obituary in the Times. Did you know Nickie Pappas? Leave your remembrances and condolences in a comment below.

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Small Business is Big News at 2012 RNC

Small business has been a major theme both inside and outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum this week.

Small business has been a major theme both inside and outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum this week. With events tied to the 2012 Republican National Convention taking place in all parts of the Tampa Bay area, many local business owners prepared to have the biggest money making week of their year. At the beginning of the convention, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the 2012 Tampa Host Committee projected a $150 – 175 million boost to Tampa’s economy because of the 2012 RNC. "The way the City (of Tampa) and the Downtown Partnership put it out, we'd have 50,000 visitors and we'd be swamped," said Marc Zolkowski earlier this week. Zolkowski is the co-owner of the Metro Lounge and Restaurant in downtown Tampa. His neighboring business owner, …

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Bulldog

8:43 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Definitions: Liberal: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor. Generous in amount; ample. Conservative: Favoring traditional views and …   more ›