What do you do about boom box cars?

At times when I am sitting traffic, next to one of those obnoxious boom box cars, I think of this.



Top Gear - Jeremy Clarkson.

Read any good books?

My readings habits tend to primarily lean to science fiction and fantasy. I get enough serious reality at work.

Currently I am reading "One Good Knight" by Mercedes Lackey. What is interesting about this book and others in its series, is that it pokes fun of the whole fairytale storytelling tradition.

One reviewer called it a "delightfully twisted fairy tale."

Traditionally, marauding dragons are soothed only by a virgin sacrifice. And so the frightened people of Acadia devise a lottery system to choose the victims. Things are going fairly smoothly - except for the women chosen, of course - until practical-minded Princess Andromeda is picked. She accepts her duty, though she would prefer to defend herself. And so Andromeda faces the dragon alone.

Until a Champion arrives to save her - sort of. Sir George doesn't quite defeat the dragon, but as Andromeda finishes rescuing herself she discovers that beneath the Good Knight's well-meaning though inexperienced heroics lies a further tale.…

Still, Andromeda can't leave her seacoast country in further jeopardy from the dragon's return, and so she and…er… George join to search for the dragon's lair. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way.

Somehow, though, none of this was taught in princess school.…"

I just finished a book outside of my usual reading types, The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

"Bestsellers Preston and Child have come up with another gripping, action-packed page-turner in this concluding volume to a trilogy pitting their Holmesian hero, FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, against his Mycroft-turned-Moriarty—his younger brother, Diogenes. Picking up shortly after the events of 2005's Dance of Death, the book opens with the arrival of a package of fine dust at the Museum of Natural History; Diogenes has returned the diamonds he stole earlier. Meanwhile, Aloysius is in prison, having been framed for a number of murders. As his friends plot to spring him, his adversary lays the groundwork for a crowning criminal achievement. A mysterious benefactor funds the restoration of an ancient Egyptian tomb at the museum, but the work is beset by the mayhem Preston and Child's readers have come to expect—gory murders and suggestions of the supernatural. This entry, tying up many loose ends from its predecessors, is less likely to work as well for first-time readers, but followers of Aloysius Pendergast's previous exploits will find it a satisfying read with a tantalizing, ominous twist at the end."

I enjoy the character Aloysius Pendergast. This book is the third in a sort of a trilogy, starting with Brimstone. The character is in several other books.

What are you reading?


Speaking of books, an email I received:

"Our donations for this years book sale seem a bit shy. Could you get the following out and about? Any suggestions as to how we might attract more contributions?"

Seminole Heights Branch Library

Book Sale

The Seminole Heights branch library is now accepting donations for the 2007 book sale, the lucky 13^Th annual book sale. The book sale will be Feb. 9 (5:30-7pm) and Feb. 10 (9 am-2pm). The library is at the corner of Central and Osborne, across from Hillsborough High School.

We need your donations of books, records, DVD’s, CD’s, tapes, quality magazines and software, etc.

All proceeds go to the library. Most of the money is used for children’s programming.

You can take your donations to the library even on the day of the sale.

For more information call Steve Gluckman, 238-9115.

Things I don't understand

Front doors left open all day. There was a red frame house on Giddens east of 15th Street where the front door was open (no screen). People came and went and hung out. Flies, Mosquitos and other creepy crawlies.

Car windows left open/rolled down, sometimes over night. Rain, cats urinating and theft. I have seen several in the neighborhood repeatedly this way.

House siding left open for 4 to maybe 6 months. I drive by this house alot

Photo taken in November.



Taken recently. That is a cat peeking his head out from the interior of the house. I would think the owner would be concerned about rain damaging his plaster and having mold on the lower interior walls. He and his family lives there. 

Pictorial History

One of the cools things at Tampa General Hospital are the photos on the walls on the way to the cafeteria, showing historical and current pictures of activities at the hospital.

Here are some operating room photos.


Click on this to enlarge. Look at the old style operating room uniforms.


You should see the photo of the patch cord telephone operator station.

Dear readers, where else can someone find photos of Tampa history like this, in a business or building? 

Saying Yes Becomes an Accomplishment

Gwen Miller's tenure on City Council amounts to nothing more than political welfare.

Here are some of her own words about her accomplishments in the Times (via Blurbex)

"And she regards the construction of a district police headquarters in east Tampa as one of her biggest accomplishments, she said.

What was her role in that?

"The mayor asked me if I thought it was a good idea, and I said yes," she said."

I can do that. Yes. YEES. Yeees. YEEeeeEEES.

Want a bigger Seminole Heights Branch Library?

Start attending some of the Library Board meetings. The Library Board's meeting schedule can be found online at www.thpl.org, click on the Library Board link, and then you can click on links for the different committee meetings under the "2007 Notice of Meeting Schedules".

While it is important for the concerned residents of Seminole Heights who want to see a bigger library built in the area to attend as many meetings as possible, a particularly important one is the the Planning Committee's Feb. 20th meeting. It will be at the John F. Germany Library on that date at 3:00pm. This is an important meeting because they will be talking about and possibly deciding items/issues concerning the next budget cycle.

"The Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Board was created in 1984 by Laws of Florida, Chapter 84-446. It consists of twelve members (3 from each of the 4 Hillsborough County Commission Districts) who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for three-year, renewable terms. The Library Board advises Library staff and the Board of County Commissioners regarding planning for new and existing libraries, the library department budget, Internet use, public art and library policies.

Library Board Members:

James B. Johnson, Jr., Chair
(District 4)

James Martin, Jr., Vice Chair
(District 1)

Sandra Cameron
(District 4)

Michelle Schofner
(District 1)

Margaret Fisher
(District 3)

James J. Harkins
(District 4)

Dr. Alma Hires
(District 3)

Kay O'Rourke
(District 2)

Dora L. Reeder
(District 3)

William Scheuerle, Secretary
(District 2)

Robert "Bob" Argus
(District 2)

Laura Vickers
(District 1)

Members of the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Board may be contacted via e-mail at: board@thpl.org or via the Director's Office at 813-273-3660

Tinted Windows - The Cheap Way

I am in traffic on Nebraska and some idiot next to me is loudly boom boxing away. He pulls in front of me and I notice his solution to a problem.

Problem: Can't afford to tint your windows?

Solution: Lightly spray paint the inside of the window with some black spray paint!

 

Cuba and the Embargo

A little national politics intrudes in this little blog. A chance of pace. This is an issue that I have thought a lot about for many years.

Today the Tribune has an editorial titled "U.S. Must Engage Cuba Today To Foil Tomorrow's Dictator"

"The long, tight embargo of Cuba makes less and less sense with each step Fidel Castro takes toward his grave.

The time has come to relax the trade restrictions, allow freer travel and permit relatives here to support family members in Cuba. If a half century of U.S. hostility were going to change Cuba, it would have done so by now."

Finally, so sense on this issue. I have felt for a long time that our embargo of Cuba was dumb. Dumb only because it was not working. If you kept spraying a roach with an insecticide and the roach did not die, you would find something else to kill it. For more than 40 years, we had this embargo in place to try to get rid of Castro. And it did not work. He is still there. Only a natural death is going to cause him to leave. This embargo was kept by spite, not for any real reasons.

Who has been hurt by this embargo? Not Castro. Instead it was the Cuban people.

I believe in the power of the US dollar as a subversive tool. I think that is one of the many factors as to why the Soviet Union fell. Money and corruption changes politics. If the embargo were lifted and Americans went to Cuba, I think the current communist government would fall much quicker. I think that had we lifted the embargo 10 to 15 years ago, we would have seen a different Cuba today. Once people have money, expectations change. Change is demanded. I think the dollar in Cuba would have created something Castro would not have been able to control.

We in Tampa would majorly benefit. Before Castro, for a long time, Tampa was a major trading point with Cuba. If we lifted the embargo, we would be both a major air and sea transit point to Cuba, generating much jobs and dollars for our City. Also hundred's of 1950's antique cars would show up on our roadways, as collectors bought them from Cubans. Who knows, maybe even our Tampa cigar businesses might get a shot in the arm.

For this reason, I was always surprised the pro-business Republicans kept supporting the embargo. Cuba represents a new close market for US products. More resources for us to take.
This was the one thing I agreed with Dick Greco about. We need to send trade groups to Cuba and seize the opening spot when the market opens up. Mayor Iorio and City Council needs to lead this effort. This issues needs to be asked of the candidates.

What would this mean to Seminole Heights? Trickle down. With more jobs and money for Tampa some of it has to get to us. More money to be spent on our infrastructure.

The Library Joins The Calendar

The Seminole Heights Branch Library now has its schedule of events in the Blog Calender at the left side of the blog, near the bottom, joining SESH and BGOSH. If you are an Seminole Heights non profit/neighborhood organization and want your events on the blog calendar, email me and I will send you an invite.

Still missing. South Seminole Heights, OSHNA, Alley Cat Players.

Found Max

Good news:

"I just wanted to let you know that Max showed up at our door step about 4:00am this morning. Very dirty, smelly and thin but in good spirit." . . ." Today I will be making my rounds to take down all my posters." Kathy & Jim

In other news The found cat may have been claimed by her owner. Someone was going to take a look to see if it was hers.

Now if someone would find Pearli

Dang Those Dung Dolts

A raging rant from a responsible Lake Roberta reader:

"I am so very tiring of the people walking their dogs on Lake Roberta.....and not cleaning up after their pets (some just look around to see if anyone is looking and walk away, some just don't give a crap and walk away oblivious). Then on top of that, they believe that they have the right to yell at someone who is speeding around the circle???? C'mon peeps....get a grip...if your dog's poop is quite ok to allow to leach into the water system, why the heck do you give a crap about someone speeding? If this lake is so very important to you that you choose to shout at speeders, why do you not clean up the crap from your dog??? This is incredulous!!!

"May your own dog's poop fill your shoes and socks and invade your home with filth!"

and ps.........Rest In Peace Barbaro"

Perhaps what is needed is a dog poop bag holder somewhere at the Lake.

From the recent TBO article:
"The feces carry bacteria that can force beaches to close and add more nutrients to water already laden with algae feeding material.

Excess nutrients in the water can encourage algae blooms that can lead to fish kills when the algae decays and robs the water of oxygen.

"I've had people say they leave it because it's fertilizer and good for the grass," Holland said. "It is fertilizer. The problem with our waterways is they already have too much fertilizer."

The trouble with the tons of abandoned dog scat isn't just degrading water quality. The feces can pose health problems, too, said Nilufer Wilkins, a veterinarian with Hillsborough County Animal Services.

Dog and cat feces can carry roundworms and hookworms that can infect children or people with weakened immune systems, Wilkins said.

"It can be a health issue," she said."

From the Tampa Bay Estuary Program
An average-size dog dropping produces 3 billion fecal
coliform bacteria.

Research has shown that up to 95% of the fecal coliform found
in urban stormwater comes from animals.

Top 5 Reasons People DON’T Pick Up After Their Pets
Because it eventually just goes away
Just because
Too much work
Dog goes on the edge of my property, where I don’t walk
It’s in my yard (where it doesn’t bother anyone)

Top 5 Reasons People DO Pick Up After Their Pets
It’s the law
Environmental reasons
Hygiene/health reasons
Neighborhood courtesy
It should be done

Pooches for the Planet
www.tbep.org

Now someone is going to say, the ducks eliminate excrement extravagantly, why can't I?

The answer is, not much we can do about wild animals and ducks. A lot we can do about domesticated ones.

Florida Avenue: Another Line of Site Accident.

From and email............

Another traffic accident happened this afternoon at about 4:00PM on FloridaAve at W. Chelsea in South Seminole Heights. Again, like others, line ofsight at West Chelsea is a contributing factor. It is unknown if speed wasalso a factor. The responding officer was still writing up the report. Thesecond vehicle that hit the car at West Chelsea stopped when hitting a fencea block away (about 200 feet). To the best of my knowledge, no one wasinjured, so we as a neighborhood dodged the bullet again. The driver of thevehicle pulling out from Chelsea is familiar with the area. She lives ahalf block away from the scene of the mishap. Even with her knowledge ofhow dangerous the intersection is, she wasn't able to avoid an accident.

We Need Books, CD's, DVD;s, etc!!!

Seminole Heights
Library Book Sale

The Seminole Heights branch library is now accepting donations for the 2007 book sale, the lucky 13th annual book sale. The book sale will be Feb. 9 (5:30-7pm) and Feb. 10 (9 am-2pm). The library is at the corner of Central and Osborne, across from Hillsborough High School.

We need your donations of books, records, DVD’s, CD’s, tapes, quality magazines and software.

You can take your donations to the library until the day of the sale.

For more information call Steve Gluckman, 238-9115.

Victim of Hit and Run dies

Thanks to Cristi for informing me of this:

Hit-And-Run Victim Succumbs To Injuries

"TAMPA - A pedestrian who police say was hit and seriously injured in November by a mother driving her daughter to school has died.

Ricky Lee Brown died of injuries he suffered in the Nov. 30 accident. Brown, who was homeless, was being treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was 50 at the time of the accident."

Our condolences to Mr. Brown's family.

Previously
More on Hit and Run

Hanna Speedway

House Where Nobody Lives

There are two songs that I connect to regarding this "town" of Seminole Heights. The people in the "town" and the houses.

The first one is Our Town by Iris Dement (posted previously.) The second is "House Where Nobody Lives" by Tom Waits, from the album "Mule Variations". Several years ago I stumbled across this album in the library, not knowing who Tom Waits was. This one grabbed me as I thought about driving through the neighborhood and see empty, abandoned houses in the midst of happy, living homes. It is not only the words, but his voice that makes this song.


There's a house on my block
That's abandoned and cold
Folks moved out of it a
Long time ago
And they took all their things
And they never came back
Looks like it's haunted
With the windows all cracked
And everyone call it
The house, the house where
Nobody lives

Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away
Did they know what it means
Did someone's heart break
Or did someone do somebody wrong?

Well the paint was all cracked
It was peeled off of the wood
Papers were stacked on the porch
Where I stood
And the weeds had grown up
Just as high as the door
There were birds in the chimney
And an old chest of drawers
Looks like no one will ever
Come back to the
House were nobody lives

Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away
Did they know what it means
Did someone's heart break
Or did someone do someone wrong?
So if you find someone
Someone to have, someone to hold
Don't trade it for silver
Don't trade it for gold
I have all of life's treasures
And they are fine and they are good
They remind me that houses
Are just made of wood
What makes a house grand
Ain't the roof or the doors
If there's love in a house
It's a palace for sure
Without love...
It ain't nothin but a house
A house where nobody lives
Without love it ain't nothin
But a house, a house where
Nobody lives.


Note: Thanks to Susan, I live in a very grand palace.

Getting on the sidebar

Every so often I get asked, how do I get on the side bar? How much does it cost?

It costs nothing. If you have a business in Seminole Heights, whether bricks and mortar or out of your home, and you have a web site, blog, myspace site or other online presence, send me an email with the site and I will add it.

Also, if you live in Seminole Heights and have a blog, email me and I will add it to the blogs section.

I just ask that, if you have links on your site and it is appropriate to do so, please add a link to this blog.

Cell Phone Numbers

So aside from friends, family and work, what numbers do you have in your cell phone that someone living in the neighborhood might want to have in their phone.

I have:

TPD 231-6130. See a crime occurring, or someone or something suspicious? Call TPD. See a broken water pipe after hours as I walk the dog? Call TPD so they can a hold of the emergency water crew . See a shopping cart on Davis Island Bridge that could easily get knocked over into the roadway? Call TPD. Drive by Rivercrest Park after hours and see a Port O' John turned on its side? Call TPD so they can notify the after hours Parks people.

Carrollwood Lowes (249-6091) and Florida Avenue Home Depot (933-0302). Instead of wandering around the store looking for a particular item or looking for a associate, while in the store I call the main number and their customer service reps not only tell me what aisle I need but whether it is stock. They can also page a associate to my location.

Cappys (238-1516) Blue Sea Seafood Restaurant (234-5085) and Stephanno's (232-9486). Hot food waiting for me instead of me waiting for hotfood. Often I am away from the house when we decide to order there.

I C E - In Case of Emergency - Susan's name and my home number

TECO - 223-0800 - When the power goes out, no stumbling around in the dark looking for the phone book.


Whatis in your cell?

Fun Lan Drive In

Ever been to Fun-Lan drive in? Bike Stories Alan Snel takes you there.

Sometimes I wonder . . .

Sometimes I wonder about people who run things.

Illegal roosters. Sounds like a simple thing to deal with. Not according to this blog commenter.

"I have a homeowner a couple of doors down from me who thinks having a rooster in their back yard is cool. The F!$@%ing rooster starts at about 4:30 every morning and has done so for a month. The owner has told other neighbors that the rooster isn't going anywhere, and it's legal to own one in Tampa.

So, I wait for it to go off at 4:30am and call TPD to file a disturbing the peace complaint.

TPD response: Call Animal control, we can't do anything about it.

My response: Call animal control, report rooster in city limits.

Animal control response: As far as we're concerned, having a rooster in the city limits is legal, it's a city code violation, call code enforcement.

My response: Call Code Enforcement, report illegal rooster.

Code's response: We'll send a letter and wait 21 days to inspect the property, if the rooster is still there after 21 days we'll send another letter, wait another 21 days and inspect again. If it's still there after that we'll send another letter and wait another 21 days. If it's still there after 21 days we *may* file charges and bring the owner to court where we *may* give them another 21 days, or we *may* fine them.

So I guess I have approx another 80 days of being woken up at 4:30am with absolutely nothing I can do about it.

In my short experience with Code, Animal Control, and TPD, I think they all suck."

Here is my solution. Tampa City Council passes an ordinance that provides Animal Control the authority to deal with any illegal roosters, hens and other fowl. If farms animal are not allowed in City limit, then Animal Control can deal with it. Anonymous - ask your City Council representative about this and let us know.

Helping Black Kids

Today I read how Miami Herald Columnist Leonard Pitts is seeking to use his column further making a positive difference in the lives of black children.

"And here, I'm thinking specifically of black children. Black girl shot in the head because she lives in an urban war zone. Black girl going to school hungry in hand-me-downs. Black boy who couldn't tell you where his father was if you paid him. Black boy who couldn't diagram a sentence if you threatened him. Black girl who thinks she is unattractive because she is a black girl

"violence, poverty, fatherlessness, miseducation and self-esteem"

"Here's how it will go: I want to see e-mails from you on how we should approach -- how we can fix -- any or all of the five areas of concern (violence, poverty, etc.) listed above. But -- and this is important -- I don't want generalities and pet theories. Rather, I am asking you to steer me toward specific, concrete, up-and-running programs anywhere in the country that are showing demonstrable and verifiable results."

"Who in your community is doing good, forward-thinking work that the rest of us can learn from? Let me know. I will visit the most promising-sounding programs and profile them in this space. The idea is to share what we know and create a database of workable ideas that drives the discussion forward and inspires change."

Email him at lpitts@MiamiHerald.com. Let us on this blog know also by posting a comment.

Read his column for more.

Tell me more about the candidates:

Thanks to Renee who found it on City of Tampa website. If you don't have cable.like me, don't forget you can watch it online.

General Election Public Forums on CTTV Channel 15

January 25, 2007 - As a service to Tampa residents, City of Tampa Television (CTTV) will be televising candidates forums for the 2007 City of Tampa general election, which takes place on March 6, 2007. The League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County produces the forums in an effort to help the public become better informed about the candidates that are running for political office. Candidates for Tampa Mayor and City Council Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, will gather at the CTTV studio to discuss the issues that are important to the area. There will be no forum for City Council District 3, as that seat remains unopposed. Panelists for the forums include members from local newspapers, radio, television and community organizations.

The forums will debut on City of Tampa Television, Channel 15 on Verizon Fios and Bright House Networks, beginning on Friday, February 2, at 8 a.m. The complete listing of candidate forums is as follows:

Mayor
Sundays at 9 p.m., Fridays at 8 a.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m.

City Council, District 1
Sundays at 10 p.m., Mondays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 5 p.m.

City Council, District 2
Sundays at 3 p.m., Mondays at 8 a.m., and Fridays at 7 p.m.

City Council, District 4
Sundays at 3:30 p.m., Mondays at 8:30 a.m. and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.

City Council, District 5
Mondays at 3 p.m., Fridays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 p.m.

City Council, District 6
Mondays at 2:30 p.m., Fridays at 9:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m.

City Council, District 7
Sundays at 5 p.m., Mondays at 9 a.m. and Fridays at 8 p.m.

CTTV, Channel 15...Your City, Your Station

Photo of missing Max

Photo of missing dog Max.
 

Code Enforcement Leadership Maintains It's Efficiency Level

Thanks to an alert resident on the SESH email list, I was made aware of an update to the ongoing saga - (it moved from a story to a saga a while ago and is moving to epic status now)

To recap: The neighborhood was able to get an illegal boarding house in the area that housed more than 15 people, capped at 5. The surplus went to the an illegal boarding space at the Solid Rock Church of Jesus on 2746 N. Florida Ave. That place as hit by Code , TPD and everyone else and the surplus got moved to a duplex in Sulphur Springs.

I thought the City had closed down the illegal boarding house at the Church but as per Chris Martinez of ABC Action News - no.

He found that there were still people living there. Because they were sex offenders, he was able to track their location there.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/video/news/2007/01/0125sexoffender.shtml

According to the news story, this has been allowed to continue because the City was too busy to take care of it.

Update on Urban Design

Michael Canning of the Times tells us all about the Urban Design business that that opened up at 4011 N Nebraska Ave. He says:

"Try a graphic arts, Web design, casual clothing, music and recording studio business. Oh, and it offers medical uniforms, too.

"Believe it or not, these industries are so connected," said Urban Design co-owner Joseph Licari. Perhaps with most of that stuff. But medical uniforms?

"Well, that just happens to be a real moneymaker for us," Licari said.

Urban Design happens to be an honest reflection of the backgrounds of its four owners. Licari comes from the Web design and signmaking industry. Karolyn Findley is the graphic artist, and Peter McPherson is an event and music promoter. Their friend Mike Desamouras just happens to have an established medical uniform and scrubs business. He also runs the music shop, which consists mostly of local hip hop and rhythm and blues titles.

As for why this location was chosen, Licari said, "This whole corner has been dead for years. We don't care about the Riverwalk, we don't care about 20 more high-rises downtown. We want our neighborhood to look better. The people need this kind of progress so they don't feel left behind by all the progress that's happening downtown."

It's phone is: 231-2536.

Seminole Heights House for Rent

Beautiful 2bd/2ba spacious Tampa home located in the
heart of Seminole Heights. Home is minutes from all
amenities situated on a large lot, beautiful
landscaping with a fenced back yard. Interior features
include Central AC, hardwood floors, ceiling fans,
high ceilings,BIG ROOMS, updated lighting, an amazing
updated kitchen with granite counter tops and many
other great features. Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Gas
Appliances, Range, Refrigerator, Washer, nice pantry,
Wood Deck…
Easy access to I-275; minutes from downtown and USF...
walk to the new Cappy's Pizza and it's a few blocks
from the new Starbucks...
$1100.00 plus utilities, and deposit, pets are
welcome, with an additional small deposit.
941-284-9460 cell. Ask for Veronica.
213 W Violet Street, Tampa Fl 33603.

Shocking News!

Linda Saul-Sena apparently prodded and electrified Tampa City Council and got them to look again at the issue of electric fences.

Up for a second reading was a plan to "permit electrified fences in industrial districts and in some commercial areas with variance review board approval." She wants more neighbors say in whether a fence should be allowed. She "found agreement on greater oversight from the council or the variance review board when fences are proposed for industrial sites next to neighborhoods."

The only person she did not convince was Shawn Harrison.

I tried to look back in City Council to see what Linda Saul Sena's arguments were back in the October 26 meeting, but I think her part of the discussion must have occurred in a part closed to the public. We will have to hear from someone who attended yesterday's meeting to let us know how she manage to convince City Council to make it harder to get a electric fence.

Chance to be on HGTV

From Chrissie:

"Saw this on HGTV and it made me think of SH. It would be great for SH if a resident made it on this show. "

(Site note: At least one Seminole Heights home has already been on HGTV, the home of Stan Lasiter and Louie Olivarez)


Do you love where you live? Tell us about it and you could be on a new special!

You Should Live Here, an upcoming HGTV special, is trying to find out the best place to live in the U.S. and we want to hear what you think! Send us a video that explains why you love your hometown: Show us a couple of city landmarks and give a creative tour of your town! We may show part of your video on the special.*

Along with the written information sheet and release agreement, please submit a short videotape (no more than five minutes) that explains why you love your city. All videos must be on VHS videotape or on a DVD. Tapes and any other materials submitted will not be returned to applicants, and become the property of HGTV.

Download the information sheet and release form here.

Send your tape, information sheet AND release agreement to:

You Should Live Here
High Noon Productions, LLC
4100 E. Dry Creek Road
Centennial, CO 80122

Political Signs 2007

It is time again to review the political signs dotting the landscape. I will start with two.

Randy Baron's signs ae good. The red baron plane is a good touch. It ought to make the sign stick more in people's memory.

However the best political sign I have ever seen is John Dingfelder's new sign. I really like the very good photo of him of him in his suit. The best photo on any political sign. This will stand out from his competition's by a mile.

As I get photos I will post.

TPD Citizen of the Year

Kathy Steele's article in Tribune about Sherry Genovar-Simons being selected Citizen of the Year.

""She is absolutely committed to improving the neighborhood, not only her neighborhood but other neighborhoods," Guidara said. "She's tenacious, a protector of the people and always working very hard for the community.""
. . .

In the past five years, Genovar-Simons has volunteered with the antiprostitution Vehicle Crime Patrol, the committee working to rehabilitate Giddens Park and the annual Dog Day in the Park fundraiser, which she founded. Most recently, she has taken on code enforcement issues, in one instance helping oppose a New Orleans Avenue rental house used by sex offenders. . . "


"She said the award is "overwhelmingly nice," but the honor also goes to the association.

"I'm not the only one," she said. "We're people who talk to one another. The association fights really hard for issues in the neighborhood.""

Merino's Deli Menu

Click to Enlarge
 

Finding Your Neighborhood

There have been some interesting comments made about people getting or not getting connected with their neighborhoods.

One way people can find out is by going to The City of Tampa Neighborhood and Community Relations site. At that location there is a map of the city, showing areas with neighborhoods and those without. There is also a search by address feature.

I think there is more we can do, (which would be more than anyone else is doing in the City). Read Branding Seminole Heights for those ideas.

Kung Fu and God

Apparently we have two Christian self defense programs in Seminole Heights. I blogged about the new Karate place on Nebraska and now read in the Creative an article:

My god has kung-fu grip - Finding Jesus and confidence at Grace Martial Arts' weekly self-defense classes

"Ten-year-old T.J. Coloosey stands just over 4 feet tall, but when 58-year-old Mark McGee grabs his shoulder, T.J. isn't worried. After all, he has God on his side.

The small boy twists his torso and, using an open palm, slaps McGee's arm at the elbow and off of his shoulder. McGee grabs T.J. again, this time harder, and when the boy's first strike doesn't break the older man's grip, T.J. twists his body and delivers another open-palm strike, but this time to McGee's torso. The grip is broken.

T.J. isn't in any real danger; he is just practicing a basic karate move with his teacher at Grace Martial Arts, a weekly Christian self-defense class inside Seminole Heights Baptist Church. It may seem like an unlikely place to teach children to punch, kick and jab, but for the last two years, the church's reception hall has become a de facto dojo for dozens of men, women and children." read more

2007 - Vote Seminole Heights

It's time again for Vote Seminole Heights.

We need Seminole Heights representation in City Council. Once Rose and Kevin left, we lost it. We want things done for Seminole Heights - we need power.

Many times we complain about those South Tampa people and all the power they wield. A lot of it is due to the money they have and influence it buys. We have an opportunity to counter that through people power.

Vote. And Vote for what is best for Seminole Heights.

Interestingly enough not only does South Tampa have more money, a greater percentage of their registered voters vote as compared to Seminole Heights.

Here are the results from last District 1 race, for the Seminole Heights precincts:

PRECINCT

REGISTRATION

BALLOTS

MELHMAN

MILLER

PERKINS

STOKES

Voting %

237

1725

641

162

211

79

111

37.16%

233

1106

406

104

135

47

63

36.71%

333

1061

380

65

144

53

65

35.82%

335

1131

373

99

120

58

47

32.98%

231

2500

789

126

316

82

175

31.56%

318

1000

301

52

145

33

41

30.10%

331

583

168

27

74

18

26

28.82%

319

1430

395

45

197

38

61

27.62%

246

175

42

13

11

5

5

24.00%

334

62

13

2

7

2

1

20.97%

336

189

20

3

11

2

3

10.58%

Grand Totals

153572

50748

6785

19843

5511

10903

33.05%

Most of the top voting precincts were from South Tampa, with a high of 49.5%.

We want more for Seminole Heights, we need to get out the vote. Organize. Vote. Get your neighbors to vote, your friends, your coworkers to vote.

Seminole Crest blog

Newest blog in Seminole Heights
http://tampa50ranch.blogspot.com/

Merino's Opens!

MERINOS DELI IS OPEN

Attention Seminole Heights, Merinos Deli is finally open for you to try us out.

We are at 6428 Florida Ave. in the same location as Larry's Automotive.

Hours are 10 AM to 7 PM, Monday thru Saturday.

On the same note, we are always seeking experienced Sandwich/Deli workers

for both part and full time positions.

Please drop by the deli any day after 2 PM or call Mike Merino at 431-5730.

Merinos Deli looks forward to seeing you soon!

Neighborhood Drop-off site

I have trying to find info on the proposed Waste Transfer station on the web to no success. That is because it is called the "neighborhood drop-off" site.

Here is what I found in the 2006 Tampa budget files

"Solid Waste: A neighborhood drop-off site facility
is proposed for East Tampa. The project cost
estimate is $227,649. This facility will accept
bulky trash, yard waste, appliances and other
items that are not collected along with the regular
bi-weekly residential garbage. The facility will be
secured and staffed during operating hours to
prevent potential illegal dumping activities in the
area and along the surrounding roadside and
community."

In my research, I found concerns people were making about all of the illegal dumping in alleys and empty lots. This seems to be a way of dealing with it. Create a close site to the problem so people can get there trash there. However.....

February Variance Review Board Agenda

CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA
VARIANCE REVIEW BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING
MEETING DATE: February 13, 2007
MEETING TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: 315 East Kennedy Boulevard, 3rd Floor, City Council Chambers

7. PETITION: VRB07-19
PETITIONER: Andy and Lorraine Lutton
LOCATION: 6508 North River Bend
REQUEST: To reduce the side yard setback from 7’ to 2.9’, with the allowed
encroachment of the eaves and gutters.
PURPOSE: To build residential addition.
NEIGHBORHOOD Old Seminole Heights Association

lost dog from Hanna/Nebraska-I 275

an edited email:

My name is Kathy T. I live at the 800 block of E Hanna Ave. About 9:30pm to 10:00pm My dog Max a lab mix got out with another one of my dogs got out and we have not been able to find him. We found the other dog at Seminole Heights Elem. School. He is black with a white chest and bout 60lbs. His tag number is 123751. He is an indoor dog so he will probably be afraid of people. I will e-mail you a picture. My e-mail I will be trying the shelters today. He is 3 years old.

I have her cell numbers.

Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights business gets in on Extreme Makeover

Karen Comer at Karen's Place (Florida & Osborne) gets a bit of camera time on the TV show Extreme Makeover (not Karen herself, but the shop). Here's her comments:

"What a fun bunch of people the Extreme Makeover people
were! They spent 4 hours in my shop choosing things
for the Tate house and then filming. No footage of me
- I hate cameras of any description pointed my way!
(Not to mention my Limey accent!!) They didn't take a
lot of stuff for the show considering the size of that
mansion on Davis Island! Then they all went around
the shop and bought things for themselves! It was a
fun day. I'll be watching out for the Tate's next
yard sale and I can probably buy it all back again...

The Tate Family, Episode #416, will air on March 4th
on ABC."

We'll have to watch and see what we can recogonize at Karen's.

Found Cat - 5100 Block of Seminole

An email from Mike and Monique:


"We have had a Siamese cat in our backyard for 2 weeks now--very pretty and friendly with thebrightest blue eyes. We are trying to find out if he belongs to anybody. He or she does not have a tag.We already have 2 cats of our own and will have to take this one to theshelter next.We have attached a few pictures.Let us know if you are missing a cat or would like to adopt one."

Found 5100 Block of Seminole.

more photos on my yahoo photos 

World Class Pizza Man Hosts Feb Porch Party

Here are some pictures to get you in the mood and a letter from our host!

Make Your Own Pizza Porch Party

In order to keep the pizzas from being all cheese or all pineapple. We are asking that you decide what toppings and sauce you would love to eat and share!

Below is an email from Pizza Guy August
Otherwise known in the hood as "Bread Guy"

Think about it and be ready to commit to your contribution. On Wednesday, January 24th
There will be a form on the web to fill out with what your bringing!

If you can't wait till then you can send your contribution information to
Info@seshca.com

Also, starting Wednesday, we will post and email what toppings will be coming to the party so you won't duplicate!



From August:

I'm planning on making enough dough for about 50 pizzas. Guests will choose from a large table of ingredients and create their own pizza.

Create your own pizza = Roll out the dough, choose any topping you want, put the pizza in the brick oven, rotate the pizza, take the pizza out, cut it, eat and share it.

No experience is required.

Guests (who want to eat pizza) are required to bring in some toppings. In order to avoid having way too much (or too little) of any given topping, I suggest people sign up for some of the toppings below.This list should allow us to make some pretty creative pizzas but if anybody wants to bring in other toppings, be my guest! All the toppings can be found at Publix or other normal grocery store. I have divided the toppings into two categories (no preparation required and preparation required)

No preparation required:
Tomato Sauce: 5 jars (26 oz) (ex. Classico Tomato & Basil, Classico Roasted Garlic or another variety)
Pesto Sauce: 2 jars (10 oz) (ex. Classico Basil Pesto)
Grated Mozzarella Cheese: 16 cups
Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: 2 packages (16 oz) (ex. Sargento or the real stuff)
Goat Cheese: 4 packages
Feta Cheese: 3 packages (4 oz)
Pepperoni slices: 3 packages (6oz)
Cooked Ham: sliced thick, diced thin (1lb) (ex Publix Tavern Ham)
Shredded BBQ Pork: 3 Publix shredded Pork packages (16 oz)
Pineapple: 2 cans (20 oz) diced or tidbits
Mild Banana Peppers: 2 jars (16 oz)
Black Olives: 2 cans (3.8 oz) sliced
Capers: 2 jars (3.75 oz)
Anchovies: 2 packages

Some preparation required:
Frozen Spinach: leaf spinach, thawed.
Onions: 3 big ones, sliced thin, raw
Tomatoes: 6 ripe tomatoes, sliced thin
Mushrooms: 4 packages, sliced and cooked
Basil: handful, freshly chopped
Italian Sausage: 2 packages, grilled and sliced thin
Onions: Caramelized, 5 big ones
Gourmet Sausage (eg. Chicken, Turkey): 2 packages, grilled and sliced thin
Roasted Garlic: 5 whole heads of garlic
Roasted Red Pepper: 4 roasted red peppers, no skin and sliced thin

City Attorney Promises Foreclosure Improvements

TBO Today

TAMPA - The city's foreclosure program hasn't run as smoothly as it could, but the city attorney says that will change.

To push the process along, David Smith said he will meet monthly with staff from the city's legal, real estate and code enforcement departments. That should bridge communication gaps that have slowed the process, but Smith said no one should think the program is in "abject disarray. It is not."

He was responding to criticism over the lack of foreclosures two years after a mayoral order to get tough on the worst code violators. Since 2005, the city has filed five foreclosures at the Hillsborough County Courthouse but has not foreclosed on any properties. Two of the five cases have been settled.

City attorneys initially anticipated as many as 15 foreclosures a month.

Smith said his staff reviewed fewer than 50 cases between September 2005 and March, and most did not meet the criteria for foreclosure. Properties must be nonhomesteaded and readily marketable, have repeat code violations and be clear of hazardous waste contamination.

"There certainly have been some problems, and some fits and starts," Smith said.

He said the administration is trying to find a balance between foreclosing on the worst offenders and nudging others to clean up properties.

Kathy Steele

Stolen Truck - Occasional Bat

An email:

Need to see if possible to post on the blog about my truck that was
stolen at 6:10 am Sunday morning from our driveway.

Details:
2002 Silver Dodge Dakota
Plate No: X44DWB
Tinted Windows
Big Bat Decal on the back window. The Occasional Bat in silver. Takes
up about half the back window.

Obviously the police are out "looking" for it, but any help would be
appreciated. If someone sees it, can they please contact me at
813-368-7392 or the police at 813-231-6130, and reference case #
07-41438.
The more eyes out there the better.

Thanks again,
Ed Frederick
6000 block of Branch Ave.

Moderate Baptists

I believe that the political pendulum is swinging, that we are moving away from the conservatives and towards moderatism. The recent elections nationally and statewide support that. I found another sign of that in an article in the Washington Post article about Presidents Carter and Clinton helping organize moderate Baptists into a coalition to rival the conservative Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)

This would consist of a "coalition of four historically black Baptist churches -- including the 7.5-million-member National Baptist Convention USA and the 2.5-million-member Progressive National Baptist Convention -- and several predominantly white Baptist groups, including the 1.4-million-member American Baptist Churches USA and the 500,000-member Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Together, they have more than 20 million members, outnumbering the SBC"

". . . broadcast evangelists such as the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Rev. Pat Robertson, along with the Southern Baptist Convention, have "downsized the moral message" of the Bible "so that the dominant question has to do with sexuality."

Black Baptist churches, he said, are saying that "sexuality is not the only dimension of morality. The whole business of social justice, of a fair prosecution of offenders, caring for the environment, immigration, even the morality of our foreign policy, are things that really need to be put into the debate."

The Core

A religious community organizer sent me an email. I am posting this because I support community organizing:

I am attempting to start a community redevelopment ministry/church in the University West neighborhood (Suitcase City). Thus far I have had little success within the community. Since October I and a few others have walked the streets every other weekend picking up trash and passing out water at the basketball courts. I have had difficulty with gaining interest from people outside of the neighborhood and most residents still don't quite trust us yet. I was hoping that you could send some information on local groups or organizations that might be interested in helping in some manner. What we need most are people to come and volunteer with us and local groups to help us get the word out about what we are doing. Any guidance you may have would be most appreciated! Also if you know of any blogs from the University neighborhood those would come in very handy to me.

Thanks, Ken Storey
The Core
myspace.com/thecoretampa

Any Ideas?

On his website I found this link to another blog with an interesting title
ChurchMarketingSucks

Kendall Williams - Exposed

So what was Kendall Williams of Pebble Creek, doing in Seminole Heights at 12th and Idlewild at 5:30 AM, in the company of a known transgender prostitute, Misha Sanders?



According to an neighborhood watch email, An alert resident noticed the suspicious activity. Three Tampa police cars arrived within 5 minutes and found out that Misha Sanders has been using the side yard the side yard as a place to conduct her business. Misha "admitted to the Officers that she uses this yard regularly. Over the past few weeks (the resident) has noticed “remnants” of prostitution activity on the ground on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Both Misha and her possible john, Kendall Williams (from Pebble Creek in New Tampa), were issued trespass warnings. Both have prior arrest records in Hillsborough County.

Our neighborhood has worked very hard over the years to eradicate this type of activity. It would be a shame for it to start creeping back. Lets keep our eyes open and contact TPD at 231-6130 if we see anything suspicious."

Misha is also known as Mack Anthony Sanders.

So Kendall, do you have a wife or girlfriend? What would they think? What about your mother? Or your boss? Or your children?

US Army does advertisting on the cheap?

Driving home on Florida Avenue today, I noticed that every telephone pole from some point after downtown Tampa to Floribraska was papered with US Army flyers. Some were just the US Army logo with some text, and others were these flyers explaining the benifits in enlisting the Army, with the little tear of phone number strips.



Is this an indicator that due to the expense of the war, the Army is changing it's advertising strategies? Dumping expensive Madison Avenue campaigns for cheap grassroots advertising? Will we be seeing hand scrawled snipes signs along the roads way? Fast Cash men standing at street corners with signs? Pizza delivery style door hangers on each household's door? Craglist ads? Flyers posted on our cars at Home Depot parking lots? 

Hot Topics!!

The latest on the ole' Dis and Dat is that there will be a school or single business of some sort on the top floor and 4 different stores on the bottom including a restaurant, probably Caribbean.

Written confirmation of this due next week!

More on Karate School.

Michale Canning did a blurb on the new karate school.


"Armed with a Bible and a black belt, Cintron is both a martial arts instructor and self-fashioned missionary. And like a missionary, he's expanding his operations and preparing to open a second location of his Tampa Bay Tang Soo Do Karate school.
The new dojo, at 4707 N Nebraska Ave., isn't far from the original at Hillsborough and Rome avenues, next door to Cintron's church, Bethel Assembly of God. "But something has kind of chased me there," Cintron said of the new Southeast Seminole Heights location. He's excited about the area's urban renewal, he said. "I want to be a part of that," he said.

The karate schools are a family affair. Cintron's wife, Molly Cintron, runs the afterschool pick-up program for the children who make up a large portion of the clientele. Willie Cintron's adult daughters from a previous marriage, Venia Cintron and Christina Amezquita, are black belts and help with the karate instruction.
Willie Cintron, 48, has studied Tang Soo Do karate for 32 years and holds black belts from three different Tang Soo Do associations. The New York City native said he had a tough childhood, growing up with his siblings in a single-parent home and dropping out of high school."

Cintron expects to open the new Nebraska location Feb. 1. The Cintrons can be reached at (813) 426-2356.

Need a Pizza delivered?

Read Mal Carne's trials and tribulations in trying to get a pizza delivered. Hey raises some good points.

Hey, Mal - corporate giant Dominos' delivers, Hanna and Florida.

Citizen of the Year

Sherry Simons, President of Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association was named Citizen of the Year by Tampa Police Department. More details to follow

Joe Redner to Run For Tampa City Council District One

Joe Redner filed last week to run at-large for the District One seat. "Some of the stigma that I carry, I think I'm losing that, I think the people thought that I wasn't (legitimate) because I'm an adult business owner, I'm chipping away at that perception. I (just need to) reach that point that I convince more than 50 percent."

Say what you want about Joe Redner, but one thing is certain: He's no quitter.

Redner filed Thursday to run for Tampa City Council's District 1, a citywide seat. This will be his seventh run for public office.....

"I see what the special interests are doing to our community," Redner said. "We need someone in office who will have only the people's interests at heart. I pay taxes, I pay insurance, my grandchildren are educated in the school system. I see the problems we have."

If elected, Redner would focus on growth management by developing ways for new development to pay for itself. Only then, he said, will government have enough money to improve roads and other infrastructure.

Redner won nearly 40 percent of the vote against incumbent Commissioner Jim Norman and a third candidate in his bid for County Commission in 2006..

Redner faces a crowded field for the District 1 seat. City Councilwoman Gwen Miller, the incumbent, is running for re-election. Randy Baron, Julie Jenkins, Rick Barcena and Denise Chavez also have filed for the seat.

..................
I think Joe jumped into the right race. He's certainly got more name recognition than any other District 1 candidate including the incumbent: Gwen "Do-Nothing" Miller. With Gwen's fundraising woes, could the 7th time be the charm for Joe?

Urban Design

We have a new neighbor in the neighborhood. The old carpet church has been made over into Urban Design LLC, a company run by Joseph Licari.
 

Lawn Service?

An email:
My lawn's getting a little out of control with the warm weather and I'm
having a hard time finding a good the opportunity to mow it. Can anyone
recommend a good lawn care service that does good work at a reasonable
price?

Starbucks Robbed

An email:

Hi, I work at the starbux on the corner. I was on my way to work about an hour ago (4:45am) to open the store and, as I rode up on my vespa, I was surprised to see about 10 cruisers and csi investigators at my store. Apparently someone through rock or something through the window and robbed and trashed the place. So needless to say, I can sere coffee to you all this morning. I’m not sure what time its gonna be opening today (or if it is), but I just thought I would let you guys know about it."

Punk Music

While trying to locate Tampa's Punk House, I went to the MySpace sites of Crash Mitchell and NinjaGun. As normal on MySpace sites, the groups music started playing. I clicked on some other songs from each group and found I liked their music. Last Cowboy, Smoking Gun, Dry Hump Lovin'. Wait a minute. I thought this was supposed to be punk. Isn't punk music loud, harsh, discordant stuff? Sex Pistols kind of thing? People with spiky hair? This sounded like mainstream stuff I would hear on WMNF. Well, WMNF mainstream, not corporate top 40 mainstream.

Okay punksters, punkys, punkifonts, punkoids, elucidate me.

Gwen Miller can't get the cash

According to Wayne Garcia in Trouble on the City Council Gwen Miller is lagging behind in raising campaign funds, as compared to other City Council members. She has only raised $16,0000 vs Shawn Harrison who raised $120,000. This is makes her very weak and very vulnerable to her opponents, which includes Randy Baron.

Help an elderly South Seminole Heights resident

This email went out on the South Seminole Heights Civic Association Attention email list:

An elderly neighbor needs assistance in clearing brush from the alley behind her house, and the Association has volunteered to do the task.

We will meet at her house on W. Emma this Saturday, January 20th at 11am. The work should take less than 2 hours. If you would like to help out, please contact Gary Ellsworth via email . Plan to bring work gloves and hedge cutters. Gary will give you the specific address when you contact him.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Les

I Am Really Curious.....

My daughter and I went to the movies last night to see Children of Man (don't bother) at Channelside. Sunday night at the movies is a bit slow so was not surprised to see that the ticket sales were at the Customer Service Service Desk inside the door. However, I was surprised to see a single ticket sales person in the usual outside sales area........with a sign that said "Indian Tickets Only". Is this some sort of new thing? The man behind the counter did appear to possibly be Indian (not American Indian) and Borat is still playing at the theater. I am dying to know. Is this all related? Was Borat possibly offered in some form only Indian's would see? Do Indians wish or need to be segragated in either ticket purchasing or movie viewing?

Anyone have a clue?

Seminole Heights Playgroups

The Seminole Heights Playgroups will be one year old on February 11. This group was created to be: "a place for Moms and Dads in Seminole Heights to share information about getting together for play activities for their children. Whether you are a working parent, a stay at home mom or a stay at home dad, we are looking for people in and around our central Tampa neighborhood to bring our families together for fun & support."

The groups is pretty active, in a low key manner. They have set up playdates at homes or at the parks, try to go to activities such as the Baby Times at the library and other things.

There are 17 members of the playgroups.

If you are interested in becoming part of this playgroup, click on the email subscription link and include your name, address, and email address as part of the sign up process. To join the Yahoo Group requires moderator approval. This is to ensure a certain measure of safety for the members of the playgroup. If you need more information about the play group email Renee King. If you are having problems subscribing to the Yahoo Group email me. Although not required, to get the most out of a Yahoo Group it is best to get a Yahoo ID. Without it you can get emails from the group. With it you can access other features on the Yahoo Group website.

Election Issues

Yes, it is that time again. In March we have a election for Mayor and City Council. I plan to ask each of the candidates to speak out to Seminole Heights as to why we should vote for them.

Before I do so, I thought it would be helpful to identify what issues Seminole Heights is concerned about.

1. Improving Code Enforcement.

2. Actually moving forward with foreclosing on non-homesteaded serious code violators.

3. Reactivating the public nuisance abatement board. Apparently is it currently defunct, according to a Tampa Tribune article about Gene's Bar. This allows the city to seek sanctions that can include up to closure for properties that have a certain number of drug or prostitution arrests in a given period of time.

4. Having Florida Avenue and Highland revert back to 2 lane status from their existing one way status.

5. Working with County Commission, Library Board, and School Board to build a improved Seminole Heights library with a recreation center/community center.

6. Speed up getting the Sulphur Springs Park/Tower connection built and opening up the Tower part of the park.

7. Improving the Hillsborough Avenue corridor.

What other issues not mentioned do you see as important? Of the ones I mentioned above what do you see are important?

Stupid Hit and Run Driver

An email that brings to mind the stupid crooks who leave their wallets at robbery sites:

Hello Neighbors,
Wanted to let you guys know my car was hit while parked in front of my house
on Sat. night.

I live on Louisiana.(Ed note: Between 9th and 12th st)

Witnesses saw a dark green toyota-no specific model.
They left the bumper on the road with texas plates still on it-this may help
find them.

If you think you see the car in the neighborhood let me know please. Missing
front bumper, One headlight probably bashed(passenger side). Probably no tag
in back.

HOOD SHOTS

Had a bit of time on Saturday so took some shots in the hood. Follow this link for pics of the new landscaping, the castle and what is going on inside Warner's old building.

http://seshca.com/Gallery/Nebraska-Corridor

Battle of the High Schools

I live in between Hillsborough and Middleton High Schools. Both are just north of Osborne about 20 blocks or so between them.

When a football band is playing at either school, I can hear it. I am waiting for the time when I hear them play at both schools at the same time, in essence a long distance battle of the bands. I bet this is the only part of Tampa where that occurs.

Landscaping on Nebraska Avenue

Bike Stories scooped me on this one. There is actual landscaping being placed in the right of way on Nebraska. It looks rows and rows of little bushes being placed on the Nebraska Avenue right of way from The Presbyterian church continuing north past the apartments and several other businesses. What gives? Did some landscapers plant them in error, or is Nebraska Ave. actually getting some improvements? Who has the scoop on this?

Cross your tires

Someone is going around and emasculating cars:

From TPD:


Report Location Zone/Grid Date(s) Time(s)
06-739482 9305 N. 14th St. C7/20 12/20/06 0130
07-12303 5043 Chalet Ct. C4/24 01/06/07 1320
07-14210 10610 N. 30th St.-16C C3/14 01/06/07 0100-1700
07-16244 8604 N. Florida Ave. D3/27 01/07/07-01/08/07 2000-1000

Between December 20, 2006 and January 7, 2007 there have ten (10) catalytic converters removed from vehicles parked at four different locations within District II. The unknown suspects are removing the catalytic converters, possibly with a hacksaw. Witnesses have observed two black male suspects working together in several of the offenses. The suspects do not seem to be targeting a particular make of vehicle. They have removed the converters from Nissan, Chevrolet, Honda, Ford, Jeep, and GMC vehicles. There were additional offenses reported today. They are still under investigation at this time and will be added as information is received.

SUSPECT 1: Black male, 18-21 years of age, 5’10”, thin build, black hair, and dreadlocks in a pony tail. LSW: striped T-shirt.
SUSPECT 2: Black male, 18-21 years of age, 5’10”, thin build, and short length black hair.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Suzuki SUV, possibly a Vitara, dark green in color, unknown tag number.

Anyone with information reference these offenses is asked to contact Sergeant L. Figueiredo, District II, at
(813) 309-2623.

Found Dog

An email:

While putting up "REWARD" posters for the hopeful return of Pearli, I found this dog sitting alone inside a closed gate at the dog park Tuesday night, Jan 9, about 9:30 pm. No one around, no cars, although some kids were playing B-Ball down the way----the said they did not know the dog.

He is extremely skinny, weighing in at 35 pounds. Full of fleas, flea bites and skin welts from reactivity to pests. Voracious appetite. Yellow pit bull mix, intact male, has all adult teeth, probably just about 1 year. Yellow-green eyes. No microchip, no tattoes. I am going to foster him for the St. Francis Society; the first few weeks, we'll search for an owner, and then, perhaps an adoption. For the time being, I am calling him "Marley", working on leash training and simple commands. His disposition is primary friendly and submissive. He has cleaned up nicely with some aloe baths, Advantage and Vitamin E/lipid supplements in his food.

I think it's a real compliment to the residents of Seminole Heights that perhaps someone who could barely feed their family closed him into a dog park in a neighborhood where a compassionate soul was likely to embrace him.

Still looking for Pearli, but a little calmed down now with someone to care for. Jill.

Very Important!!

SESHCA Needs Your Help!
The 2007 Slate of Officers ran unopposed and there were no write ins. Many people apparently did not think it was necessary to vote. Therefore a quorum was not reached and your board is not confirmed. If you wish to ratify the October vote, Please........
Vote YES

------------------------
To Ratify The Results of The 2006 Election
For the 2007 SESHCA Board Members

Members only there are two ways to vote.

One: send name and complete contact information to info@seshca.com

Two: fill out the form @ http://www.seshca.com/vote2006.htm

All votes will be checked. Duplicate votes will not be accepted.

Randy Baron for City Council - Website

Here is Randy's website http://www.baron4tampa.com/

News roundup

Neighbors rally to family's aid after house fire
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
People from all parts of Seminole Heights came to offer help. One gave them the rest of her Home Depot gift card, and another brought them pizza and soda. ...

Capacity issues put library in an after-school bind
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
So were about two dozen more kids on the lawn of Seminole Heights Library on Monday afternoon. Another two dozen were inside. ...

At Five Guys, it's all about the burgers
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
It's just that Octopus Pavers and Stones is moving to 1302 E Hillsborough Ave. in Old Seminole Heights. Owner Frank Melgar is moving his operation from 3910 ...

After giving up everything, she'll be an intern in Sudan
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
After graduation and between aid missions, she lived with a boyfriend in a mother-in-law suite in Seminole Heights - "actually, it was a shack," she said ...

Looking Good!

Just an update! I took some pictures yesterday with the intent of posting them today. Then a friend tuned me in to the article by Kathy Steele in todays paper!

Click Kathy's name to link to the online version of this article.

Thanks Kathy!

This should answer some of the questions!!

Buying A House? Beware!!

From an email in the neighborhood.

................Yes, my house finally sold. Beware to all out there --- there is a group of investors (who bought my house) who turned around and assigned the contract to someone else for 90k more. There is no way that my house appraised for over 300k. Very fishy, but this had dragged on for so long and I ended up having to get a lawyer to look it over. Although not the best way to do business, I was advised that it was ok for me to sign so I did. The title company is already being looked into and I am working on getting something done about this investment group.

Stories

One of the things I enjoy the most from the blog is reading peeople's stories about events,escapades and life in the neighborhood, now and most especially in the past. Anytime readers like Flyer Anon and Kelly B. give us a crumb, I eagerly lap it up. (As I have said before I like mixed metaphors) Readers, to quote the musical Grease "Tell me more, tell me more" about your memories.

PS. This story pushmed me over the edge. I am going to invite Kelly Benjamin to be a blog writer, as soon as I find his email address.

Merinos Deli photo

 

A photo that I tried to post in an article about Merino's a bit ago, that for some reason Blogger would not take. 

Gourmet Surge

 

Based on the number of kitchen scales I have seen for sale, first at the BP Station at Sligh and then the Texaco at Osborne, we must have recently been inundated with a lot of gourmet cooks who like to weigh their food before they cook it. What other reason would gas stations sell kitchen scales? 

Kick Some Butt

Mr. Miyagi anyone?



Another new business in Seminole Heights, in Ybor Pizza building 

Have a little extra time?

From Mike Merino:

I have received some positive responses from the neighborhood.

After reviewing things I find myself very weak in the "during our busy lunch time" segment which consist from 11 AM till 2 PM.

So, I was just pondering, there must be many housewife's or house husbands that live in our area, that take the kids to school in the morning, clean up the house and then have far too much time on their hands before its time to get the kids at school days ending.

What a great opportunity for someone, Male or Female, in Seminole Heights to be both "Good Mom or Dad" and earn some extra income for the household budget!

Mike can be reached at Merino's Deli # 813-236-3354.

Public Meeting - I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector

I only post this as many of you drive this going to and from work. Might be something of interest.

For anyone interested in the I-4/Selmon Expressway Connector, the Florida Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at the Lion's Eye Institute located at 1410 N. 21st Street in Ybor City. Please read the attached newsletter for additional details. If you have any questions, please contact the following:
Mr. Adam Perez, P.E.
Interstate Program Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
11201 N. McKinley Drive, M.S. 7-600
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 975-6277
adam.perez@dot.state.fl.us