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1 For The Road? Try This

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By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

CARROLLWOOD - It's that time of year when a holiday tradition doesn't mix with the laws of the road.

The Florida Department of Transportation has a plan aimed at designated drivers, in its fourth year, which leaves alcohol out of the mix.

This year's "Recipes for the Road" continues a tradition of festive nonalcoholic drink ideas provided by restaurants throughout Tampa Bay for New Year's partiers.

"We've already gotten calls from some other restaurants that have seen the compilation and want to be in next year," FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson said. "It's slowly catching on."

The nearly 50 recipes range from thick and sweet, to light and tangy.

The Candy Cane Latte from Tampa's You Do the Dishes features espresso and steamed milk with mint and cherry syrup. Candy canes are suggested as a garnish along with a dollop of whipped cream on the top.

Another drink, the Pink Sangria, hails from Citrus County's Stumpknockers. That includes equal parts orange, cranberry and pineapple juice with nonalcoholic White Zinfandel and ice.

Restaurants from Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties contributed to the list.

Booklets with the recipes may be found at contributing restaurants throughout Tampa Bay, on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Web site, www.hcso.tampa.fl.us, or at FDOT's site, www.tbinterstates.com/home.

Carson said money is not involved with FDOT's partnership with the restaurants.

"It's basically free publicity for these restaurants," she said.

Carson said 1,099 people died in Florida in 2006 in alcohol-related accidents, and between Thanksgiving 2006 and New Year's Day, more than 50 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Hillsborough County.

The compilation of recipes also includes various facts and tips regarding alcohol, including AAA's Tow to Go program, which takes intoxicated folks and their vehicles home for free during holidays such as New Year's Eve. The number for that is 1-800-AAA-HELP.

This year's recipe list was dedicated by Gov. Charlie Crist to the memory of Sgt. Ron Harrison, who was on the DUI squad of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Harrison was killed in the line of duty this year.

More Traffic

Traffic issues around town include:

•Road improvements in front of Sickles High School on Gunn Highway, between Hixon Road and Keystone Crossing Boulevard. Work there lasts until Aug. 29.

•Until March 30, between rush hours, lanes are likely to be slow on Hutchinson Road between Pennington and Carey roads because of telephone pole and wire replacements.

•The addition of lanes on Linebaugh Avenue between Racetrack Road and Countryway Boulevard is scheduled to be completed today

•Bridge maintenance on West Waters Avenue between Redbraes Drive and Montague Street is scheduled to end Friday. Also on West Waters, a water main installation is expected to be completed Jan. 10.

•On Woodbridge Circle between Woodbridge Boulevard and San Luis Court, curb and gutter repair work continues from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Jan. 18.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS?

Are there local traffic or road issues that concern you? Construction projects you wonder about, or hazards other drivers should know about? If so, contact reporter Harold Valentine at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine @tampatrib.com.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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