14 THE COURIER NOVEMBER 18,2004 Pig Jam Promises Finger-Lickin' Fun LOTS OF BARBECUE ON TAP By GEORGE H. NEWMAN gnewman@mediageneral.com You'll be able to turn dollars into "pig bucks" next week and enjoy some of the best barbecue cooking this side of Pecos, Texas, at the Randy Larson Four-Plex. The second annual Pig Jam State BBQ Championship will be contested during the Nov. 20 event. The Pig Jam is a fundraising benefit put on by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Com- merce from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is $3 and admission is free. "We are all looking for a good time that Saturday," said event coordinator Chris Sparkman. "But it is a real com- petition. Experts in the craft of cooking barbecue, professional cooks from all over the country, are invited to partici- pate." It is said some of these barbecue gurus take the competition seriously. The entrance fee for professionals is $250 and $50 for amateurs. Children 15 and younger will be able to compete for free. "We have four categories of meat presented during the competition," Sparkman said. "Each group, pros, amateurs and youngsters, will be judged in the preparation of beef bris- ket, pork, chicken and ribs." Prizes for the professionals will be $500 for first place in each category.. Second place will get $400, $300 for third, and so on through. fifth place. The professional grand champion will receive $2,500 and the reserve champion $1,500. "They take this stuff pretty serious," Sparkman said. "There are bragging. rights that go along with the prizes. They are coming here to win this thing." The young competitors will receive guest passes to Busch Gardens and Universal Studios as their prizes. Last year the event drew more than 6,000 spectators, said Marion Smith, chamber president. "We are expecting about 50 teams to compete for the prizes," Smith said. "But regardless of who wins, it is a great time for the family. Not to mention some really good eating." About 80 percent of the money made from the event will go back to the competitors, Sparkman said. The other 20 percent will benefit the chamber. For those who are afraid they might miss some college football while they are eating barbecue, Sparkman said there will be two 50-inch televisions set up so fans won't miss any of the action. The organizers also will award three bicycles to young chance drawing ticket holders. The Four-Plex is at 1900 S. Park Road. For more information, call the chamber at 754-3707. New Police Department Headquarters Opening Delayed PLAN CHANGES ADD CONSTRUCTION TIME By GEORGE H. NEWMAN gnewman@mediageneral.com The Plant City Police Department will have to wait until April to move into its new home two months later than originally estimated thanks to changes in construction plans. The new headquarters are being built into the shell of what used to be the AutoNa- tion restoration center on Wil- lamette Drive for an estimated $5.2 million price tag. Most of the renovation budget is being spent to divide the buildings on the AutoNa- tion site into needed adminis- trative offices, a dispatching and 911 center, a squad room, a forensic laboratory, a full- scale firing range, evidence and vehicle storage space, records storage, a fitness center, suspect interrogation rooms, property storage facili- ties and eight holding cells. Part of the renovation proj- ect will be completed by the beginning of the year, allow- ing the vehicle maintenance department to 'move into a, 30,000-square-foot building on the site. But plans for the police department's move in January have been set back until April, construction offi- cials said. "The city has decided to include an emergency opera- tions center at the headquar- ters site," said David Oellerich, owner and president of Math- ews Construction of Tampa, the project's general contrac- tor. "Those changes have added to the schedule needed for completion. The fleet maintenance department will still be able to move in on - schedule." The city,cominmssion voted to approve construction of the emergency center at the new police facilities after the expe- rience this summer with a rash of hurricanes in the area. City hall was used as an emer- gency center from August through September. The lack of room and the over-abun- dance of windows threatened by high winds called for the change, officials said. Despite the delay, city officials are high on the prospect of a first-class facility for the police and the fleet maintenance depart- ments. "This was an opportunity that we just couldn't turn our backs on," said City Manager David Sollenberger. "To pur- chase a developed facility that cost $10 million less than 10 years ago for just under $3 million was a tremendous bar- gain. It was also a perfect fit for the city's need for a new police headquarters and, separate from that, a vehicle mainte- nance center." The police headquarters building is 68,000 square feet with 20-foot ceilings through- out much of the site. The ren- ovations needed to make the See DELAY, Page 16 Santa's expecting you at Hillsborough County's 3rd Annual Enjoy a street carnival filled with games, arts and crafts and holiday treats from 5 9 p.m. It's all free, courtesy of Friends of the Parks. This year kids can even play and go sledding in the snow! Plus, watch Santa as he sets Courthouse Square ablaze with thousands of lights on all "Santa's Missing Mrs. Claus," starting at 6:00 p.m. Joe Chillura Courthouse Square Located at the corner of Pierce Street and Kennedy Boulevard You tear it up and we'll fix it Up. ,/4rodlkt S oiCsuItants Unlimited WEB Development, Design & Hosting Computer Repairs Laptop Repairs On-site Service VOIP 601 N. Michigan Ave. Plant City, FL 33563 813-717-7717 www.pcustore.com www.pcuvoice.com www.plantcity.com $10 OFF in store service with this coupon Expires 12/31/05 425263 Great gifts for this Holiday! Full line of Bikes, Clothing, Helmets, Accessories Airdyne & Bowflex Equipment Blooming ale& Kngs 685-3104 -E W 425603 R -Me LfespErtConnecion Authorized Dealer of PROBUILT SHEDs "Built to last a lifetime" Sale Prices on All In Stock Sheds! 35252 SR 54 W Zephyrhills 813-779-1810 visit our website at: www.probuilt.com 414451 9][ I-