O'shy's Irish Tap House - Truly a Community Business, written by Tanya Galloway

Bellair resident, Jennifer Landry hails from Chicago, Illinois who is no stranger to authentic Irish Pubs. Jennifer has always paid close attention to her surroundings when visiting pubs, taverns and restaurants and even coffee houses, keeping notes of things that she liked and things she did not. With her heritage being Irish and Czechoslovakian, she feel that she truly has something different to offer and always wanted a place to call her own.

The opening of O'Shy's Irish Tap House in Largo, Florida didn't just appear at the end of some rainbow, but through hard work and her dedication to having a place where people could just 'come and hang out', 'like a coffee shop but with beer'.  For a first time business owner, opening a business can be quite a difficult task. Well, she wasn't going to make any mistakes doing so and her voice was well heard by local city officials who not only listened to her but made changes in the way of the assistance for business owners.  Now her dreams of her place to call her own, is no longer an idea or a dream, but a reality put into motion. With the politics out of the way, she was now able to focus on opening the doors not only to the new business, but to her dreams as well. Being a single parent, Jennifer was concerned of how she was going to be able to build the place she wanted.  While renovations commenced, much needed items were being donated by other local businesses and people within the community that had heard her story and wanted to pitch in.  Her boyfriend Eddie and longtime friends, Marty and Josh and many others were close at hand, putting countless hours into painting, building and plumbing to helping this amazing woman open the doors to her dreams and to her new business, O'Shy's Irish Tap House, which is named after her daughter, Shyan. 

O'Shy's Tap House not only offers 46 different beers on tap from around the world, but many bottled beers and fine wines as well as specialty beer drinks that are dazzled with chocolate and raspberries too.  

Jennifer opened O'Shy's Tap House officially on March 5th, 2011 with a packed house, making new friends. She also shares plans for a "Fighting Irish" wall, which will honor Irish police offers, fire fighters and first responders from her hometown of Chicago and her home in Florida.  She says she isn't done yet!  She wants to open additional businesses in the area such as a Pizzeria and an upscale liquor bar and promises her son the pizzeria would be named after him.    

O'Shy's will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day in a more unique fashion.  Of course, there will be beer and live music, but they will also be offering Shephard's Pie, green snow and some other special surprises!  Guess you will have to stop in and see what they are! 

O'Shy's Irish Tap House is located at 80 Clearwater-Largo Road South in Largo, Florida on the southeast corner of Clwr-Largo Road and West Bay Drive.  Hours are from 11am until 2am. 

Cash is King at O'Shy's (ATM inside)

Outside patio 

For more information give Jennifer a call at 727-588-4444. 

O'Shy's Irish Tap House Online  or Add O'Shy's on Facebook!

Photos by Tanya Galloway of Wandering Star Photography

Keeping Pools Safe for Loved Ones of All Ages

Far too often when we think of pool safety we think of small children.  Keeping your loved ones safe around the pool includes your precious family pets, disabled family members as well as anyone you are caring for that may suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.
Here's the problem, individual's who suffer from Alzheimer's have difficulty judging distance and determining color and contrast.  In terms of perception, they may see the pool, but only see the bottom and not be able to judge the distance and that is actually water.  When it cannot be determined in the mind that it is not a hard surface, they continue to walk therefore falling into the pool causing possible head injuries or even worse, death.  


By installing a pool safety fence which creates a barrier around the swimming pool and a self-closing, self-latching gate, you are reducing the chances of an accidental drowning. You can also help reduce the tragedy of accidental drowning by adding layers of protection, such as an door alarm or gate alarm. 

Help keep your loved ones safe around the pool.  For more information on pool safety fences please visit Pool Guard Safety Fences.  

Hey Butt Heads!

I like to find little hidden tranquil places to create, to write and to plan.

As I sat in one of these favorite little spots along the coast, I gazed down to admire the shells and driftwood that had washed ashore.  While I was checking out the cracked oyster shells, the hungry little crabs burrow their way through the moist sand, I noticed an ungodly sight. Within a five foot radius, gently resting on branches, shells, driftwood and other natural wonder were nothing but cigarette butts. Oddly enough, I was writing plans for a community clean up event I am organizing.  So, I immediately packed my belongings and headed for my car, where I happen to keep a trash bag and gloves.  I charged onward to the shore with a mission; Mission Butt Head!


When I reached the head of the shore, to my disgust this is what I found.  

Not only is this very unpleasant to look at, but consider the damage it is doing to the Earth. If you don't think flicking your cigarette butt is a big deal, think about this. The core of most cigarette filters -- the part that looks like white cotton, is actually a form of plastic called cellulose acetate. By itself, cellulose acetate degrades very slowly in our environment. Depending on the conditions of the area the cigarette butt is discarded in, it can take 18 months to 10 years for a cigarette filter to decompose. But that isn't the worst of it. Used cigarette filters are full of toxins known as tar, and those chemicals leach into the ground and waterways, damaging living organisms that contact them. And, most filters are discarded with bits of tobacco still attached to them as well, further polluting our environment with nicotine. So the fish that you eat, could potentially be contaminated by nicotine and other harmful chemicals that are found in cigarette filters. 


The cigarette filters were not the only things that I found tainting this beautiful hide-a-way, other items included, plastic bottles, cigar filters, candy wrappers, napkins, pieces of tires, beer cans, condom wrappers and the one thing I did find nestled in the grass was a fortune.  

It is such a splendid feeling when you run across those little signs letting you know you are on the right path in life. 

I pressed on, filling an entire trash bag of things that could have been recycled and some that should have just been thrown in the proper trash recepticle. This wasn't a very large area either, it was a span of approximately ten feet by about forty yards.  If we all just do our part, we are reducing some very negative effects we are causing on this Earth.

Community clean-up's are held regularly in most communities.  If you choose not to participate in these types of events, at least do your part. Most communities also offer recycling programs as well. Here are some helpful resources on recycling. 


The City of Largo offers a plethora of options, one of which includes curb side recycling. All you have to do is put your recyclables in the container and put it out with your trash - they pick it up.  The bins are free and they will even deliver them at no charge. 
www.largorecycles.com 

1-800-RECYCLING.com  offers a ton of information about recycling programs around the world and different ways you can make a difference by going green! 


St. Pete also offers many recycling options for residents too.  http://www.stpete.org/sanitation/earth_friendly_recycling/


Hillsborough County also offers these programs, which you can check out at www.hillsboroughcountyrecyles.org.

Remember:  Don't just throw it away, recycle!

The Eagle Has Landed - Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park got it's name back in 1939 when a New York City developer by the name of Clinton Washburn and LIFE magazine bought the island.  They held a contest where newlywed couples could submit essays for a chance to win a two week, 'Sunny Florida Beach Bungalow Honeymoon". The 50 beach bungalows were made out of palm fronds and the winners were flown in and off the island for their honeymoon.

Honeymoon Isle, Beach Bungalow "Lover's Nook"

Today, Honeymoon Island State Park visitors can enjoy mangrove swamps, sunny beaches, picnics as well as a lovely stretch of lush nature trails.  It is virtually impossible to appreciate mother natures beauty until you meander through Honeymoon Island State Parks appropriately named, Osprey Trail. You will find a variety of plants, animals as well as over 20 active osprey nests.

As you walk through the trail, you can hear these beautiful creatures warding off the other birds trying to steal their catch of the day. Honeymoon Island State Park is also home to two adult American Bald Eagles, which have a nest at the north end of the trail, which is also home to two eaglets.  

The Eagle's nest is protected with a perimeter, however an Eagle watching area has been created to watch this amazing bird in action.  

The trails are lined with the most surreal, Tim Burton like trees, cacti and wildflowers.  

Honeymoon Island State Park is located at the tip of the Dunedin Causeway.  The entrance fee is $8.00, but well worth it.  The Caladesi Island Ferry is also located at Honeymoon Island.