Parks and Rex: The roadside dinosaur of St. Petersburg, Florida

 There's some nice patio work behind this fellow but now it's going to seed.

 Not sure what this hole is for, unless this guy was mechanical and needed some maintenance.

 Zoned C-2...that must mean large concrete dinosaur mascot allowed.

 We are family...I've got all my sisters with me.

There's friendly green roadside greeter along 66th Street in St. Petersburg, Florida, just waiting for someone to adopt him. We're a little uncertain how this coelurosaurian theropod wound up in this spot...perhaps he was a hold-over mascot from a mini golf course or other fun venue, but he appears to have last been employed by the Florida Brick and Paver Company, who apparently pave no more here, as the "For Lease" notice covering their sign would indicate. Could this happy green fellow be going, well, the way of the dinosaur? Let's hope not because he is a delight to behold, with his intricate scale work and cheerful toothless grin, not to mention the large, white cartoony bone he appears to be using as a jaunty walking cane. Perhaps if someone leases the property, the owners will thrown him in at no extra cost...wouldn't that be an enticement? Whatever business moves in would certainly get our patronage for keeping such a sight for 'saur eyes.

Optimistic marquee of the week

I know this sign probably refers to financing of some sort, but wouldn't it be nice if everybody approved of everybody else?

Keeping it reel: The Ruskin Family Drive-In of Ruskin, Florida

How cool would it be to live in that mobile home next to the drive-in?

 Keeping it alive...we like the sound of that.

 They're proud of their 2000 square-foot screen, and who can blame them?

 Thank you, and please come again.

 I believe this is clue that Paul is dead.

All this and a Beloved Drive-In Theatre Cat, too? We liked this place before, but now we love it.

I had a ModBetty moment while driving down the Tamiami Trail (Route 41) in the western part of my new home state of Florida recently. She's the hostess with the mostess of fun retro places to visit at her groovy website Retro Roadmap and the Ruskin Family Drive-In theater has her name written all over it. It's a place that's been around since 1952 (the first movie they screened was "Singin' in the Rain", for crying out loud) and they're still open year round, rain or shine, hot or cold, including holidays. If that isn't dedication to the glorious retro tradition of drive-in movie theaters, we'll eat our pork pie hats. Here's a little something from their website (a website for a drive-in?, now that's a paradox):

"We call it the “Last family drive-in” in the U.S.A. because families, dating couples, single parents with children and everyone else young and old can come and visit.  We had family values when family values were the rule.  We still have family values although by some we’re not considered cool."

Not considered cool? What are you, nuts?...nothing could be cooler. Movie memorabilia fans should take note of the fact that they sell off their old movie posters at the bargain price of $5, so if you're in the market for a "Hunger Games," "Madea Christmas" or "Wolverine" placard, check them out. This money and the snack bar profits go to support their digital projector, a rarity among drive-ins.

Thank you, Ruskin Family Drive-In, for keeping the flame, or flick in this case, burning brightly in the great state of Florida.