MUSIC FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Susan, and our friend Virginia and I will be going to this.

If you have never been to the Tampa Theatre you are missing out on a great experience. This is one of the advantages of living in Seminole Heights is how close so many great places are.

MUSIC FROM THE INSIDE OUT

TAMPA THEATRE
One Night Only!
Wednesday, March 8
Doors/Bar @ 7:30 pm | Show @ 8pm

"(This) profound and moving documentary captures the power of the creative process in an uncommonly perceptive and inspiring way. A crowd-pleaser, emotionally, musically, and intellectually." -Laura Kern, New York Times

Filmed over a period of five years on three continents, Music From the Inside Out is the result of a unique collaboration between the filmmaker and the 105 musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The film breaks down the barriers that have long separated orchestra musicians and their audiences, and gets to the essence of the magic and the mystery of music itself. Incorporating a blend of well-loved musical works - including classical, jazz, bluegrass, salsa, and world music - the film features one of the most eclectic soundtracks of any recent documentary.

History of the Tampa Theatre (taken from their website)

Built in 1926 as one of America 's most elaborate “movie palaces”, the Tampa Theatre today is a fiercely protected and generously supported landmark. Designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, the Tampa is a superior example of the “atmospheric” style of theatre design. Inside the Tampa , audiences are transported to a lavish, romantic Mediterranean courtyard replete old world statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. Over it all is a nighttime sky replete with twinkling stars and floating clouds.

Like other new movie palaces around the country, the Tampa Theatre was enormously popular. For the first time in history, the common person had access to opulence on a scale never before imagined. For 10 cents, they could escape into a fantasy land for two hours, see first class entertainment, and be treated like royalty by uniformed platoons of ushers and attendants. By the end of the 1920's, over 90 million Americans were going to the movies every week.

For several decades, the Tampa remained a jewel and the centerpiece of Tampa 's cultural landscape. People grew up, stole their first kisses in the balcony, followed the weekly newsreels, and celebrated life week after week by coming back to the Tampa .

But by the 1960's and 70's, times had changed. America 's flight to suburbs was having a damaging effect on downtown business districts across the country. Hardest hit were the downtown movie palaces which dotted America's urban landscapes. Audiences dwindled and costs rose. Many of our nation's finest movie palaces were quickly demolished before anyone noticed because the land beneath them became more valuable than the theatre operation.

In 1973, the Tampa Theatre faced the same fate. But in Tampa citizens rallied. Committees were formed. City leaders became involved, and soon a deal was reached to have the City rescue the Tampa by assuming its leases. The Arts Council of Hillsborough County agreed to program and manage the Tampa with films, concerts and special events. By the time the Theatre reopened in early 1978, the Tampa had become something of a national model on how to save an endangered theatre.

Today, Tampa Theatre is a remarkable success story, presenting and hosting over 600 events a year. With a full schedule of first run and classic films, concerts, special events, corporate events and tours, the theatre is one of the most heavily utilized venues of its kind in the United States.

Since its reopening, over 2 million guests have enjoyed film events, over 800,000 have attended concerts, and over 700,000 elementary children have enjoyed professional touring theatre productions in the context of one of Tampa 's largest historic preservation projects.

Private support is critical to the Theatre's continued success and service to the community. In spite of its successes, the Theatre only earns about 65 % of its annual operating budget through earned income. The non-profit Tampa Theatre Foundation helps to make up difference by through memberships, special fundraising events, sponsorships and planned giving programs.

Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres."

Inferiority Complex

Today the Verizon neighborhood Yellow Pages was delivered to my house. What's it called?

You guessed it "South Tampa"

"Includes listings for Ballast Point, Beach Park, Davis Island, Downtown Tampa, Harbour Island, Hyde Park, Interbay, MacDill AFB, Palma Ceia, Port Tampa, Sunset Park, TIA, West Tampa, Westshore."

Siiiigh......

SeminoleHeights.com

Seminole Heights is fortunate to have a good amount of websites for people to learn more about the neighborhood.

SeminoleHeights.com is one of those websites. It has a lot to offer. It is run by Michelle Geisler, another Seminole Heights resident.

I went through the site and cut some descriptions to share:

About Seminole Heights: Whether you’ve lived here 20 years, just a few
months, or are contemplating moving to our neighborhood, here is where you can
find all the facts and history of our unique neighborhood. Click on the buttons
below to explore more!

"Research your house history- Free!"

"About Seminole Heights: Interesting Facts"

"Archival Record: We are building an archival database of information about
Seminole Heights. Our goal is to gather as much information as we can about the
entire history of our neighborhood - from 1910 to today! We know there are
thousands of stories out there, and would love to hear what you have to say. If
your grandmother grew up here, her story is priceless. Collecting oral histories
of a neighborhood are vital to capturing the true spirit of living here in a
particular space in time.

If we don't take a few minutes today, this information could be lost
forever. Together we can help preserve Seminole Heights' rich history for
posterity. Thank you for your generous participation!"

"Welcome to your community Resources Center. This space belongs to the
residents of Seminole Heights. It's a perfect place to share information with
others, or search for topics you need help on or an interest in learning more.
Explore below to find and benefit from helpful "how-to" information shared by
your neighbors. Share your own knowledge! "

Want a web presence? Try one of their store fronts.

"Your business' exclusive StoreFront within the Commerce and Business
Channel of SeminoleHeights.com
Free listing in general business directory, with StoreFront icon
Up to three pages within StoreFront
Unlimited changes to storefront via administrative tool
Unlimited images (Total image size limited to 1MB per StoreFront)
Flexibility to change content easily and quickly
Monthly activity reports to track your store traffic
Distinct presence: Customizable through the use of many layout templates
"Ride-along" boost from SeminoleHeights.com general site marketing efforts, including indexing at major search engines, site-wide promotions & opt-in
newsletters"

The Times attacks the Tribune

In my prior post I talk about the tbt* going daily.

These are not the only changes made by the Times. Today they
launched tampabay.com "Welcome to the new St. Petersburg Timesand tbt*/Tampa Bay Times homepage You've landed on tampabay.com, the new home page for the St. Petersburg Times and tbt*/Tampa Bay Times. We've combined our sites into this central starting point to create the most comprehensive news and information portal for the Tampa Bay region. Read full story"

To me these are the first salvos in a newspaper war. The Times is going to try to make some serious in-roads in the Tampa newspaper market. This may be a great opportunity for us Central Tampa residents. If this area is a true 2 paper market then perhaps maybe we as subscriber and advertisers might get more coverage and respect by both papers.

As a rule, I believe the Tribune provided more coverage of the Seminole Heights area. I see the Tribune's Kathy Steele all over the place. I don't see The Times Sherry Day that much. Maybe it is because Kathy lives here and I suspect Sherry might not. This is disappointing, especially since there are several good Times writers in Seminole Heights.

A concrete example of lack of Times coverage is Monday arts town hall meeting at Covivant. Kathy Steele was sitting next to Susan, busy writing away and interviewing people.

Here is an idea. The Times could hire Kathy Steele. (*Note to St. Pete Times. If you hire her, give her a raise. She's worth it.) (*Note to the Tribune. Give her a raise anyway because she is worth it.) (*Note to everyone. I only know Kathy though her reporting and so have no personal interest. But I appreciate good work and the good press relationships she has made in the neighborhood. Just like Sean Lengell and Sherri Ackerman had when they covered issues in Central Tampa)

Maybe this war will get us more coverage by the Times.

tbt* Tampa Bay Times goes daily

At lunch time, I have just finished reading the first issue of the 5 day a week tbt*.

I like it.

The tabloid format makes it easier to read on the run that normal daily format. Seemingly there is more color (photos/ads) than a daily. This paper ads more comics to my daily read, ones I had never seen before. This format is an improvement on the oncee a week tbt* format because it fills in the gaps between the articles. It is hard for me to explain, but it flows better than the once a week version did, basically because there is more to read.

There are rumors that in the future there may be a Central Tampa or Seminole Heights page/section included.

This 5 day a week news tabloid is free. So if you are a regular Tribune reader (as I am) and want to get daily taste of the Times for free. Try the daily tbt*

I believe at least one of the tbt* staff lives in Seminole Heights. Here are photos of the staff members to see if you can pick out who it is.

So where can we get the tbt* in Seminole Heights? I believe there may be a rack outside of Nickos. Maybe we could get it also placed at the library.

Forgotten Places

Most of Seminole's Heights focus tends to be on Nebraska and Florida Ave. However most Seminole Heights goes all the eay over to 22nd street. That section tends to get ignored. Example: Blue Sea is not the only seafood restaurant in Seminole Heights. On Sligh just before 22nd is the Crab Shack. Never been there but it always seems to have a good crowd. No one ever talks about it on the blog or in the email groups.

At the SE Seminole Heights eastern border of 15th Street (at the corner of Ellicott is the Caribbean Store with a take out restaurant in the back. That too is not talked about .

The Seminole Heights Guiness Book of Records.

Who has the oldest house in Seminole Heights?
Who has the largest?
Who has the smallest?
Who has the tallest? In height and stories.
Who has the most unique or oddest house?
Who has the longest?
Whose house sticks over the river the most?

I will start things off with my house. I lay claim to oldest and smallest. My house is a 1922 bungalow, 905 square feet. Go ahead, knock me off the list.


3/6/06 Note: Suggested by Anonymoose

Without violating anyones privacy, how about some other categories.
Oldest resident:
Resident of the neighborhood the longest:
Lived in the same home in the neighborhood the longest:
Oldest business:
Building thats had the most businesses in and out:
Largest tree:
Narrowest street:

People to do things for you.

So you are looking for someone to do something for you like landscaping. There are a few lists around to help you.

Seminole Heights resident and Realtor Rich Guagliardo has a list of vendors/service providers he recommends.

Southeast Seminole Heights has a What's Your Recommendation List

I have a list on my unofficial website based on reccomendations a neighbor collected from other neighbors and from our email list.

If you are looking for a mechanic, I highly recommend John's Import Auto on Nebraska just north of Hillsborough. He works on both of our cars. They are great people

School Psychologist shares space in Seminole Heights.

So your kid needs some school testing to see if they are gifted or have some learning issues, but the school system is woefully backed up. What do you do?

You march on down to Keith Clower's Sports and Physical Therapy of Seminole Heights and speak to Abby R. Hill.

Abby and her husband recently moved to Seminole Heights. She is a full time school psychologist, practicing in our school system. She has decided to open up a part time private practice. She has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology, is a Licensed School Psychologist (FL Lic. # SS 850) and also a Certified teacher. In her private practice, she is available for psycho-educational evaluation and testing, as well as counseling. Children, adolescents, and adults, individual and group settings. After school, after work, and on Saturdays.

The address for Sports and Physical Therapy of Seminole Heights is 5803 N. Florida Avenue, 33604. Her phone is: (813) 236-2730.

Busted at Nickos

Today, about 7:30 AM, as usual for the weekend, Susan and I are eating breakfast at Nicko's ( I am having the 2-2-2 special), along with our friend, Sherry Simons. I go into the bathroom to take a picture, so as to follow up on my prior post about places to explore in Seminole Heights. However, someone was using it, so I don't take the picture. As I walk out of the bathroom with camera in hand, one of the waitresses, Karen (and Nicko's fiancee), sees me with the camera and essentially asks me what I am doing. I tell her, and she proceeds to tell me that she was at the Front Porch last night and someone told her about how Nicko's bathroom was mentioned on my blog. Uhoh. I quickly explain that I found the bathroom to be interesting, and tell her how much people have raved about Nicko's on my blog as being one of the best eating places in Seminole Heights. I hope that I have not made my self persona-non-grata there because as really I enjoy my 2-2-2 (2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon) breakfasts.

If you are a blog reader and are in Nickos on Saturday or Sunday around 7:15 - 7:30 AM or so, say hello. Susan and I eat on the south side of the restaurant. I usually wear a blue TGH ball cap.

"Protesting for the sake of being loud"

bootsgt posted on his blog some commentary about the no, no no signs that were posted on the Starbucks sign a bit back. One line I found great was "Look at me! I'm a cool counter-culture protester getting my anti-corporate merit badge."

TBO.com snubs SE Seminole Heights

On November 18, 2005 the Tribune wrote up a community profile story for SE Seminole Heights that appeared in the real estate section. These profiles are then put in the homes section of TBO.com. Except for us. I have been checking the site since then and even compained to the tbo.com people. There are listings for New Tampa (10 profiles) , South Tampa (4), Brandon & South Shore(28), Pasco (11), Northwest (13). None for Central Tampa.

Is this a snub? Or is it very lax management in that section of the TBO.com?

Going to the Feds for Speed Bumps

Residents Pursuing Federal Grant
By KATHY STEELE
Published: Mar 4, 2006

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - City officials say Chelsea and 12th streets haven't passed the test to qualify for speed tables.

So residents are taking another route to slow what they say is a heavy load of speeders in their Southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood - a federal grant. (more...)

Vote Seminole Heights

I am starting a series called VOTE SEMINOLE HEIGHTS. In order for Seminole Heights to get it's issues taken care of we need to be listened. In order to be listened to we need power. We will get power by being organized. We will get power by being on local boards and commissions. We will get power by running for office. We will get power by expression our concerns and opinion to our leaders as groups. We need to vote for things on how they will affect Seminole Heights

Tonight at the SE Seminole Hts porch party, I was speaking to Randy Baron, preaident of Old Seminole Heights. He has a couple ideas.

The first was Seminole Heights needs to be in it's own City Council district. His idea was to get us moved to District 6, carving out some from District 5 and 7. I agree. I don't know what the process it to get that done but will look into it. We may need to have a signature campaign.

The second is to have some an organized dialogues with state elected officials on issues with broader focus than the narrow neighborhood focus.

How do you trash a trash can?

In my inbox:

We didn’t know if this was for Miss Manners or Dear Abby, so we thought we’d ask
you since your blog has been so helpful since we moved to Seminole Heights last
month.

How do you throw away a garbage can?

When we moved in, a ratty, old, cracked 50 gallon plastic can was parked by the porch. We use two new garbage cans and have placed he old one next to them for
pick up. We’ve put it right side up, upside down, on its side…Our trash is
picked up very early, so we sleep through speaking with the sanitation workers
directly. Or current options include: cutting it up into little pieces and bagging it, spray paint “this is trash, please take” and learning to love it as a quirky feature of our home.

Any thoughts?

I had the same problem. I had an old horse poop bucket we decided to trash. The first time I put it out upside down next to my trash can. It was still there after trash was picked up. I planned on putting a note on it but the next time did not have the time. So what I did was stick the poop bucket in my regular trash can. That worked.

Weekly Planet as Urban Explorers

The Weekply Planet written one of the coolest stories I have seen, ever. They have gone where no man has gone before, well ......actually, where most of us can't go.

"Where have you always wanted to go but figured you wouldn't be able to get in -- at least not without a press pass, a VIP invite or a death wish?

That's the question that drove this year's UrbanExplorer's Handbook.

In our inaugural edition ofthe handbook in 2005, we focused on neighborhoods -- areas that balance urban complexity with small-town character in ways unique to Tampa Bay. Places, in other words, we hoped you would explore, too, if you hadn't already."

Our towering white neighbor to the north (no... it's not Canada) it on the list. As are alot of cool places.

"Landmarks loomed large: the Sulphur Springs water tower, the UT minarets, the top floor of AmSouth. Anything that was way up high or way down under: the top of the Trop, that bomb shelter behind Al Capote Dry Cleaners. Closed doors were a temptation, too: a police evidence locker, the Lightning locker room and the
dressing (or un-dressing) room at the 2001 Odyssey strip club."

So what places do we have like that in Seminole Heights? Perhaps they aren't arcane or secretive enough for the Weekly Planet, but that we would find interesting or strange or may places we can't get to or maybe have just not gotten around to doing?

I propose the following:
The carillion tower of Hillsborough High School.
The steeple for the Seminole Heights Baptist Church.
The Troll Bridge under I-275
The Captain's Bridge on the Department of Juvenile Justice Building
Behind the scenes at Blount funeral home.
The back seat of a TPD cruiser
All of backrooms/storage areas of Publix
Jean Street boatyard
Assorted interesting houses (anyone have any specific place in mind?)
The men's room in Niko's

Anyone have any other places?

MySpace - Mid Tampa Artists Group

Timothy Schroyer has started a mypsace called Mid Tampa Artist Collective.

"A group for artist in Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Ybor and Ybor Heights, Sulphur Springs and Tampa in general. This means Painters, Musicians, Sculptors, Writers, Film makers, thinkers, Photographers, supporters of the arts. People who just want to be involved and be apart."

Myspace is "an online community that lets you meet your friends' friends.

Create a private community on MySpace and you can share photos, journals and interests with your growing network of mutual friends!"

I like the Name Mid Tampa.

This means there is now two online venues for Central Tampa/Mid Tampa artists.

St. Pet Times Friday News Stories about Seminole Heights

We have a slew of stories about Seminole Heights or that mentioned Seminole Heights residents.

The first is about the various business changes we have had.
Seminole Heights loses, gains stores
St. Petersburg Times Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:11 PM PST
Seminole Heights' fledgling commercial lineup is showing signs of last-minute shifting before what could prove to be a neighborhood turning point, the mid-April opening of Starbucks at Hillsborough and Central avenues.


Madison Bickel of Seminole Heights is mentioned in this article about the Source Teen Theatre
Issues, answers, controversy
St. Petersburg Times Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:13 PM PST
Students in the Source Teen Theater hope to change, or even save, lives with their message on sex. They're learning a few lessons, too.

"Through educational sessions, meetings and theatrical performances, the teens support each other and try to help their peers with life choices regarding sex, family issues and peer pressure."


Angelica Diaz of Viva La Frida's write a letter t othe editor about the saferty along Florid Avenue and misfocus code enforcement. It's the 3rd letter in the column. Of note is the second letter about Tampa never having a vibrant art scene
Grocery's parking lot anything but a pleasure
St. Petersburg Times Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:11 PM PST

"City should do more to make U.S. 41 safe". . . . What is perplexing is the strong-handedness the city of Tampa's Code Enforcement is exercising with regard to what they consider code violations, such as xeriscaping and other minor, vague cosmetic violations." . . . ."Get these businesses to remove their obstructing fences, enforce speed limits and discourage auto racing on U.S. 41. I'd like to see my overtaxed dollars used to make my neighborhood a pedestrian-friendly one."


The eighth blurb down in this story is about an award to a MHC program manager
Notebook: Group needs help for cleanup
St. Petersburg Times Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:12 PM PSTTAMPA
The Homeless Coalition awards first hero award
"OLD SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County has awarded the first Homeless Hero Award to Jenine La Coe, program manager of homeless services for Mental Health Care Inc."

Landscaper

From an email:

"I have been having problems finding a reliable landscaper to come out and take a look at my yard when they say they will. I should say I am having problems finding a landscaper to come out at all. I am in need of some grading and possible sodding afterward. I am ready to start the project now so I thought I would ask you if you know of anyone local, or if not local, someone that would be recommended. I appreciate any help you can pass my way"

Tennie Simmons - Odd Job Man

When you live in an urban neighborhood, you will likely encounter visits from some of our residents who have different priorities in life. They will come up and see if there are any odd jobs they can do for you. Sometimes they ca nvery helpful. Sometimes not. Sometimes they are just there to scam you. They often have arrests of minor or petty crimes. Sometimes not so petty. One example is George. Another is Jeff Burgess.

I don't recommend you utilize their services. If you do so, be smart. Don't let them in your house. Pay them only after the work is done to your satisfaction. Be clear as to what work gets what pay. You may need to stand around and supervise. Get their name and run a quick background on the HCSO (only goes back 5 years but has photos) or on Clerk of Circuit Court (goes back longer but no photo) websites

Here is another odd job man who every so often pops up in our email group.

Name: SIMMONS,TENNIE JR
DOB: 10/22/48

"This man has visited my house many times begging. When I tell him that there are organizations to help him, he runs off. But, He still returns at least once
a month."

"I was talking to a neighbor, who knew him and called him, "Mr. Simmons." She said he was nice, etc.. He was very persistent in raking my front yard and he did appear to be homeless. I never really answered yes or no before he had started. After his outlandish $ request for raking 6 -7 piles of leaves, I paid him what I had on me, lower than what he wanted, and he left. I
do need to say, however, because this could be very helpful to police should anything further happen, he had a gunshot wound on his stomach. Bobbie had
brought it up and he so graciously showed me. He said he was shot by police. I
wanted no details. The worst part of this is, he came back 2 nights later around
10:45 saying he had no $ to get back to his shelter in S. Tampa (which he did
tell me the previous time that he lived) and that he had no way to get back. It
was projected to get to freezing temps. this particular night and I didn't want
him staying at our house, so my husband gave him $ (very unlucky for us, $20 is
all we had on us at that time) and needless to say, although it's probably
helped keep him away from us, we never saw him again after his 'promise to
repay' the next day."

"I know Mr. Simmons has taken money in small denominations from anyone who will give it to him for the four years I have lived here. I personally have experienced him coming to the door late at night asking for money. . . .I don't think he's dangerous. I do feel he needs to be discouraged from his door to door activities, but I don't know what the solution is. He's been in jail several times and I believe his drug and
alcohol addiction lead him back to people's doors as soon as he gets out."

"He's been a fixture in this neighborhood since we moved here and has
never done more than panhandle that I know of. He is often seen with a rake in
his hand offering to do yard work for money and while he's not the best worker
for your money, he will work if you keep your eye on him."

"This is also the guy who did some yard work for me a couple of years ago, and when he had a big pile in the back yard, he said he'd go get his truck to pile it all in. I
foolishly paid him in full, never saw him again and he took my best rake!"

"This sounds like the guy that we encountered when we first moved in one
year ago. He said he lived down the street from us and needed to get to the
hospital to see his wife, whom we must have seen in the area before in her wheel
chair (which, of course, we hadn't). He asked for money for gas. My husband
instead gave him the gas we had just bought for our lawn mower. He promised to
return the container in the morning. Of course, he didn't. He came again, by
which time we had learned our lesson, and we sent him on his way. He's been
doing this for a good long time!"

Artists Painting Picture For Their Future

Kathy Steele did an article on the Monday night arts meeting. The google group http://groups.google.com/group/Central-Tampa-Artists has 17 members. On that group there has already been posted some commentary on the meeting, a call for artists and a request by a gallery owner seeking artists "I am opening a retail frame shop/gallery in Largo near Bellair Bluffs. I am interested in artists, to show their work, sell it, and possibly arange shows for the public and design trades. "

If you have problems joining the group, email me


Artists Painting Picture For Their Future

By KATHY STEELE ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: Mar 2, 2006

"Artists may have taken the first step toward forming an arts league after a town hall meeting this week at Covivant Gallery.

More than 40 artists discussed their wish list for a brighter cultural future for such neighborhoods as Tampa Heights, Ybor Heights, Seminole Heights and Sulphur Springs. The meeting was sponsored by the Artist Advisory Committee of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County." more...

Car For Sale

We are selling our blue 1990 Toyota Camry DX. $1500. 147k miles. A/C, Power windows and locks. Sony removable face plate AM/FM cassette. Runs well. We have records of all the maintenance done on the car. Email me or if you know my phone number call me. The car is at the side yard of my house.

Southeast Seminole Heights Porch Party

I can't take credit for this creative work. This is what was sent out. All are welcome to join the party. Those from Old and South Seminole Heights, drop on by and meet your Southeast neighbors.

Time to Shake Up The Hood!

FRONT PORCH PARTY!

Come to our Front Porch Party

This Friday, March 4@ 911 E. Shadowlawn

We are going to have a FRONT PORCH and yard party!

Come and help us make everyone who lives in the hood, and drives by

wonder why they didn't come!

Bring a neighbor, your beverage of preference and a dish to share.

Home Owners Clubs of America Inc. (HOCOA)

The owners of this business run the business out of their home in Seminole Heights. Many times on our emails groups people ask "can anyone recommend. . . ." when they need something done for their house. This seems to be one way of getting reliable recommendations.

HOCOA Service Offerings Grow with Membership
Home Repair Contractor Referral Service Announces First Year Benchmarks

TAMPA, Fla., March 1, 2006 – Over the past year, more than 2,000 Hillsborough County home owners were spared the dilemma of mistakenly hiring incompetent, unethical home repair contractors by utilizing their member benefits with Home Owners Clubs of America Inc. (HOCOA) – Greater Tampa Bay; a Tampa-based home repair and maintenance contractor referral franchise that has rapidly grown in membership and service offerings since it began business in March 2005.

“Each of our contractors undergo meticulous screening for proper insurance, licenses and performance references before they are accepted into our Home Repair Network,” said Brian Deacon, president of HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay. “No longer having to guess which contractor can repair or maintain one’s property – correctly and at a fair price – is an idea that’s struck a positive cord with Tampa Bay’s home owners.”

“Plus, the services of our Home Repair Network are available to HOCOA members 24/7 with only one phone call,” added Chris Snyder, vice president of HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay. “This simple, win-win arrangement between our members and our pre-approved contractors has resulted in a 30% boost in membership and has helped us expand from 12 service offerings to over 32!”

Throughout the past year, HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay has served home owners, realtors and property management agents throughout Hillsborough County and has recently expanded its services to Pinellas County (as of March 1, 2006). Today, HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay has more than 2,100 members and continues to grow; while its Home Repair Network now includes over 60 pre-qualified contractors ready to deliver an abundance of high-demand services including: air conditioning and heating, electrical, handyman and landscaping. For a complete list of HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay’s services, visit www.hocoafl.com.

HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay Area is a franchise of HOCOA Inc. and was founded in March 2005. It is headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and serves Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, with immediate plans to expand its services (and open offices in) the counties of: Collier and Lee (April); Lake (July); and Sarasota and Manatee (September).

HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay Area is a member-based home repair and maintenance contractor referral service that matches its members needs with contractors that have been pre-screened for proper insurance, licenses, experience and performance records. All contractors, once approved by HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay Area, become part of HOCOA’s Home Repair Network.

HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay Area’s service offerings are vast and varied and include A/C and Heating, Carpentry, Concrete, Electrical, Fencing, Handyman, Landscaping, Masonry, Painting, Pest Control, Plumbing, Roofing and many more. For more information on HOCOA – Greater Tampa Bay and its many services, visit www.hocoafl.com.

Armed Robbery on the border of Seminole Heights

This occurred just outside the SE Seminole Heights borders across 15th Street. That area is part of East Tampa, although I understand in the past, residents of the section have asked to become part of SE Seminole Heights.

Brothers held in attack on teen
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA
TAMPA - A teenager was knocked unconscious and slashed in the face during an armed robbery in his backyard near southeast Seminole Heights Monday afternoon ...

Hillsborough High - Renovated Main Building Celebration

A celebration of Hillsborough High Schools's newly renovated main building will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2006 on our campus. There will be an Open House from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM with a ceremony and concert in the auditorium at 1:00 PM. MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent of Schools will be joined by School Board members, County Commissioners, and City Council members as well as many other invited guests. Light refreshments will be served by a partnership of Hillsborough High School Culinary Arts students, HHS lunchroom staff, Hillsborough County food service staff and Starbuck's.All residents of all parts of Seminole Heights are invited. Please park where space is available and follow directions of JROTC and Student Government students.

Art Show at the Old Seminole Heights Home Tour

The upcoming April 2, OSHNA Home Tour will include an art event at the Seminole Heights Garden Center Park. If you are interested in showing your art there, please email Christie Hess. There was no fee in the previous tours. I imagine there will not be one this time either. Susan will be displaying her work there.

Central Tampa Edition To Return - More or Less

Very interesting meeting tonight at the Tampa Tribune. 40 or so people from the Trib and from the neighborhoods attended the meeting. The Trib had Gil Thelen (Publisher), Janet Weaver (Executive Editor), Duke Maas (Managing Editor), Bayard Steele and Dennis Joyce (Senior Editors) and others. The Central Tampa area had leaders and representatives from many of the neighborhoods, but especially the Seminole Heights neighborhoods and most especially Old Seminole Heights.

One of the comments made was the anger people felt about the manner in which they learned about the loss of the Central Tampa section. After a resident asked for an apology about that, Janet Weaver immediately responded with "I'm sorry, we could have handled it better" and discussed how they could have provided better notification of the changes. It is refreshing to have a senior executive of a large organization, without hesitation, apologize for an error.

The Tribune explained that the Central Tampa section was started 6 years ago. It had hoped that readership of the Trib in this area would would increase as a result. It did not. The readership in Central Tampa was 39%. The average readership is 68%. Further more it generated only $33,000 a year in ad revenues. This was cover the cost of 4 reporters and other staff and the cost of printing the paper. The other neighborhood editions generate $143,000 a week. One interesting thing they did was they cut the Central Tampa section, they did not necessarily cut the reporter positions, because although the Central Tampa section was a revenue black hole, it was a news bonanza.

In spite of all of this we may be getting a Central Tampa edition back - sort of. The bureau will not return. However they are exploring to see if they can modify the paper that is sent to Central Tampa residents. They use as a base the South Tampa section. They give us back the name Central Tampa and modify or move around some of the content to reflect more of a Central Tampa emphasis. For example if a story in the South Tampa section about Seminole heights is a front page but bottom of the fold story, in the Central Tampa section it might move up to top of the fold. They might be able to subsitute some of the information in South Tampa section with Central Tampa info. IE Crime Stats. However a good portion of the info would be common info. (As it was already. If you read the old Central Section closely, you would often see articles from other neighborhood sections.) This semi-reversion is very good news.

They also are exploring of possibly doing some reverse publishing, where they take commentary or stories from selected area blogs and use it in the paper. Normally blogs quote from the paper. I believe this means they would do the reverse, and quote from the blog or use the blog as source material. By doing so, they could get a better feel for community issues and concerns or find stories that might get overlooked. This sort of happens with this blog, in that the blog is read by reporters from the Tribune, St. Pete Times, Weekly Planet and TBT and they use it for story ideas. The reverse publishing would go one step further and quote from the blog. This blog may be one of the blogs the Trib looks at. I think the Weekly Planet article on the Central Tampa issue might be a good example of one type of reverse publishing.

After a comment made about the difficulties in getting the news to the right Trib reporters, the Trib noted they are hosting a workshop for non profit agencies in the near future about getting press releases to reporters. They may open it up to the neighborhood organzations.

It became clear that the only way to get a full Central Tampa Bureau back was to increase readership and advertising. I recommened the Trib consider ways to partner with neighborhood associations to increase the readership and advertising. They thought it was a good idea.

The Trib will make a decision about the modified Central Tampa section by the end of next week

I appreciate the Trib listening to us.

There was more, but it is late and I am tired. Perhaps some readers who were there can can fill in the blanks. I will post more later. If anyone from the Trib wants to comment on this post or correct anything, please feel free do so in the comments section or email me.

The Projection Walk - Neighborhood Watch

Here is the info I mentioned in a prior post. This project will occur somewhere in Seminole Heights. Awesome!

Call for Work, deadline March 8th, 2006

This is a call for entries to be considered in a juried projection show.

The Projection Walk: Neighborhood Watch, - selections of still or time based media on the theme of Public and Private Space will debut in the Seminole Heights region of Tampa. Works will be on display for one evening on Friday March 31st at sunset for a duration of 2 hours. The walk will be a small scale, pedestrian tour of video, film, slides or lights in a residential neighborhood.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by 5:00 PM Wednesday, March 8th, 2006.

REQUIREMENTS: All submissions must be complete and in digital format on DVD and under 15 minutes in length. Submissions must be labeled with Artist’s Full Name, Address, Email and Phone number. Those submissions with SASE will be returned.

Mail or Hand Deliver Submissions to:

Chelsea Goodwin
USF CVPA
4202 E Fowler
Ave. FAH110
Tampa, FL 33620

Selected pieces will be disbursed for projection to willing participants in the community. Invitations will be printed as maps and the Projection Walk: Neighborhood Watch will culminate at a residence for reception and awards.

Direct questions and e-mail correspondence to seagood

The 5 Senses - A Seminole Heights Arts Experience

After last night Arts Meeting, someone brought up the idea to hold a stand alone Art in the Park Event at Rivercrest Park. In the last Business Guild meeting there was a discussion about having a Taste of Seminole Heights. A musician at the Arts meeting last night said to not forget the musicians, that they would love to participate in Art Event or in general community events.

Hmmm...... See, Taste and Smell, and Hear. Aha!

Combine it all and you end up with "The 5 Senses - A Seminole Heights Arts Experience" showcasing the works of Central Tampa Artists, Musicians, Writers and Restaurants.

The artist gets a full blown art show (juried?). The restaurants get a taste of central tampa restaurants. The musicians get whatever musicians do to best showcase their work. (Are there musician contests?) There could be a poetry slam for poets. Readings from selected short story or novels for writers. Also a meet the author, borrowing on the big reading event they hold at Eckerd College. Maybe there could even be some speakers on various topics (Art/Music/Writing/Cooking) This could be a 2 day event. On Saturday night video could be shown outdoors, similar to what Chelsea Goodwin is doing or what the traveling video group did a few years back off of Bird Street. Also performance art somewhere in the mix. Maybe something could also be done in the river. Oh I forgot. Theatre. Excerpts from some plays?

Somehow we have to get the the fifth sense (Touch) in there. Bring in some massage therapists? Else rename it the 4 Senses.

The title is sort of a Covivantian type title, different than what others call their art shows because this would be different than everyone else's art shows.

Parking could be at the school and the nearby churches. Maybe even use some shuttles. Rivercrest would be the best park for this.

There would be a few booths for the area neighborhood and business organizations also.

Tribune Meeting Reminder

Don't forget about the meeting with the Tribune about the loss of the Central Tampa section. Tommorrow, Tuesday 7PM at the Type and Gripe Factory (The Tribune Building)

The Tribune Issue Gets Another Dimension
The Flyer reaches Seminole Heights
Tampa City Council, Tampa Tribune and South Tampa
What's Wrong With This Picture?
Tampa Tribune cuts the Central Tampa Section

Viva La Fridas will not close just yet.

According to Angelica, until the restaurant sells, Viva La Frida's will remain open so you can continue to eat there.

Artists of Central Tampa Unite!

Tonight was the Seminole Heights Town Hall meeting of the Arts Council Artist Advisory Committee. It was held at Covivant. About 40 people showed up. Lots of information shared that I did not take good notes about. However Kathy Steel of the Trib was there and I'm sure she will do her usual good story. Here are a few items. Perhaps the AAC will fill in some of the blank spots when they read the blog.

1. The Arts Council new website is TampaArts.Org

2. Chelsea Goodwin announced her call for artists for show called Neighborhood Watch. She is a Seminole Heights resident who has created this juried video show in Seminole Heights. The artists will project video on the homes of Seminole Heights residents and culminate with awards being presented in a Seminole heights home. Last day to enter is 3/7/06. The show is 3/31/06 Friday from 9PM to 10PM. If anyone knows her please ask her to email me the call for artists and any promo material so I can accurately write about it.

3. Paul Wilborn introduced developer (or architect or something like that) who working on the building that will be replacing the old Mass Brother's site. He is exploring offering some lower cost places to live in the building for artists. To help maintain a creative spirit in downtown and attract people to the building. The developer wants feedback from artisits. Email Paul Wilborn for more details. Paul Wilborn also mentioned some other things including a Community Design Center that I will need to get more details from City of Tampa Arts Cultural Affairs website.

3. There was a little survey they had you fill out to get an idea of what needs or wants the artists had. This generated much discussion. It was agreed that Central Tampa Artists need to organize, to communicate, to share infomation. People talked about creating artists studio tours, art shows in the park and other activities to gain more money and publicity and exposure for Central Tampa Artists. As part of that I volunteered to create a Google Group "Central Tampa Artists" to help achieve the aims. Power to the Creative People! Unite! (Although is trying to organize artists like herding cats?) There was discussion about a North Tampa Arts Group that has exploded the arts activities in North Tampa that we could emulate them.

5. I also volunteered to post on my sidebar a link to the website any artist in Central Tampa. Email me the link and include which Central Tampa neighborhood you are in so I can organize by neighborhoods.

6. Don't Forget. March 4. The Booty Art Expo will feature emerging and established artists and will run in conjunction with Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Location: Franklin Street at Kennedy Blvd. Some of the art is in PODS.

Senior Home Improvement Program (SHIP)

This was part of recent an email conversation. As I mention in a prior article, SHIP may be coming to Seminole Heights. Actually they have already been in SH, helping our Seniors Fix up their homes.

. . . . But it IS getting better, and it will continue to get better.

For instance, I know some people are disappointed that we are getting SHIP, yet another social service organization, on a parcel that could have been developed in a way more consistent with the Business Strategic Plan. But what they fail to see is 1) a socially responsible, cream of the crop service that 2) employs people that will have to eat somewhere (Cappy's, Stephano's, Martha's, Coffee Bean, Blue Sea, Westshore Pizza, Nicko's, Abuela's, and a few I missed...the list gets longer all the time) and that 3) will not need all the parking that the parcel provides and who may be willing to offer it as shared parking. Could something "better" have gone in there? Possibly. But as it turns out, SHIP can be a pretty good use for that parcel.

Yes, there are obstacles (our FDOT superspeedways...err...streets), hurdles (zoning regulations inappropriate to urban neighborhoods) and disappointments (the closings of Ashley's and Viva's). But there are also successes and opportunities. The naysayers need to understand that the change will not happen overnight. And they need just a little bit of vision to see the potential and faith that investors/developers will too. And maybe some desire to help those of us working to improve the neighborhood instead of sitting on the sidelines and sniping at our efforts. As the old saying goes, be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

3 Home Tours

HISTORIC HYDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES
FOURTH ANNUAL HISTORIC HYDE PARK HOME TOUR

Saturday, March 4, 2006
10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Kate Jackson Community Center
Tickets are $20.00

Historymeets today when the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association hosts its
fourth annual tour of homes on Saturday, March 4, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. until
2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased the day of the event at Kate
Jackson Community Center.

This distinctive tour, open to the public,will feature homes of historic significance and varying architectural styles. Many homes have undergone extensive restoration efforts over the years and have been carefully preserved. Guests will visit the homes at their own pace using the map and guidebook provided when they register. Homeowners will be available to offer tours and to answer questions about their home’s history and the efforts taken to preserve and upgrade their properties. Homes are also lovingly furnished and reflect the personality of the homeowners. Many homes will also have added the decorative touches of local designers and florists.

In the past three years, the Historic Hyde Park Home Tour has hosted over three
thousand guests from all over Florida, and funded historic street signs and other enhancements for our neighborhood.

Neighborhood home tours are a popular means of educating individuals about the unique areas of Tampa, while raising funds for neighborhood improvements.

For more information, call 813-727-0785.

The following weekend (March 12) you can go to Tampa Heights Tour of Homes.

You get break for several weeks then on Sunday, April 2, comes Tampa's premier spring Home Tour, The Old Seminole Heights Home Tour.

8th Annual Home Tour

The sociable residents of Old Seminole Heights invite restoration enthusiast’s do-it-yourselfers and the generally curious to explore their historic neighborhood located in the heart of Tampa. The eighth annual home tour is planned for Sunday, April 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There is a little something for everyone in historic Seminole Heights. With two National Register, and one locally-designated historic districts, the tour will offer visitors an opportunity to see many sections of the neighborhood.

One of the homes this year is a house built in 1942 by Melvin Jones, a blind man. The home was featured by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Home tour visitors will go inside homes from the 1920’s through the 1970’s in varied architectural styles, see restorations and renovations, completed and in progress, and meet the homeowners happy to discuss their home’s history and share renovation stories and tips.

Tickets for the tour will be sold for $10 per person on the day of the event.
The tour begins at the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5800 Central Avenue (between Hillsborough and Sligh) where the home tour brochure and map can be obtained and attendees can hop a ride on one of four historic Tampa Trolleys to the homes.

For more information contact Christie Hess at (813) 237-8808. Sponsored in part by Eric Krause Design and First Home Realty.

On-line purchase of tickets will be available on the new, improved website coming to you soon.

Picture Framer

Looking for a picture framer? Check out Sun Frames at 4705 N. Nebraska Avenue (next to Ybor Pizza) Phone 237-8030.

Rummage Sale

Parking Lot Sale

Many are participating in the is "Rummage Sale" Antiques, furnitures, collectibles, household items and lots more.

Saturday March 18
8:00 AM to 2:00 P.M.
at Sherry's Yesterdaze
5207 N. Florida Avenue
813 231-2020

Sherry is still accepting participants. Please call her for more details.

Lorenzo's House

Torture scene to enter hot market
St. Petersburg Times Mon, 27 Feb 2006 0:05 AM PST
A legal fight begins over who gets the money when Steven Lorenzo's "stigmatized" bungalow is sold.

New Do's

Several of our businesses have gotten or are getting new do's and are looking much better:


Post office on Nebraska



The old Tintera Electric Building - now to be an office.

Even the Loma Linda Motel got into the act, with a new paint job. So all you old tired looking businesses, join those businesses who have improved their image. Help bring more life to our business district.

Flora Revesz Memorial Service

From an email:

"By the way, Flora's memorial service yesterday was wonderful. I spoke at
length with her parents before and after the ceremony and they were both
very touched by all the things people related about how Flora had affected
their lives. My best guess is that there were about 300 people there. "

Related:
Update on the Death Due to Sight Obstructions
News article on the death of Flora

St. Petersburg Times Subscriptions

As a result of the coverage on the blog regarding the loss of the Central Tampa edition of the Tribune, I have been contacted by the St. Petersburg Times regarding the possibility of some initial discount in the subscription to their paper. Details will follow as things are worked out.

Blog sources

One of the things that I feel makes this blog works so well is that it is not just me, it is more of a community blog, either directly or indirectly. Many times I find things out because I see something, wonder what is going on and ask about it. However many more other times, I learn of something, because someone chats with me or emails me. Either they ask me question (causing me to look for answer) or they supply an answer to a question I ask. Sometimes they supply an answer to a question I did not know existed. I am also on several area email groups. All of this helps me to have a better feel for concerns in the area. (Recently someone wrote me and said "you do have an enviable supply of informed sources")

The more people talk to me, the better the blog is. So if you have any questions or answers or even rumors, please be an informed blog source and email me. Or go to the comments section and comment on the articles.

Starbucks - A socially responsible company

I was sent this email below, tying in with a previous post. This caused me to think.

I went to college and graduate school in a radical Jesuit College (Ateneo De Manila University) in the Philippines while it was under the oppressive Marcos dictatorship. I understand the issues regarding large (multinational) corporations very well. I was schooled in liberation theology. I have seen poverty that makes the Robles Park project look like a palace. I have seen greed and corruption. I have seen both sides of the political coin. President Marcos' daughter went to my school. The son of his leading political opponent (Ninoy Aquino, who was later assassinated) went to my school. I had classmates who had relatives who had to flee to the US to avoid persecution or death. My economics professor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was the daughter of a former Philippine President. She is now the current President of the Phillipines (and is facing a coup attempt due to rigged election and corruption concerns). I was there when the demonstrations started against Marcos. As a consequence, I understand protest very well.

I have also seen fashionable protest, protest on an issue just because it is the thing to do, because someone's peer group it doing it.

Is this the case of some of the Starbucks objectors? (Not the ones who had legitimate issues with the architechure/zoning) The ones who would consider Starbucks to be the Devil. Are they non-thinking protestors?

Here is the email:

Found this on the cnn.money site. Far be it from me to stir up the Starbucks hornets
nest again, but after of the bashing it has received, especially by those who consider it corporately irresponsible, I thought this might be of interest. An excerpt:

NEW YORK (FORTUNE) - What's a socially responsible company? It
is a company that serves. It serves its customers by selling something of value,
its workers by providing good jobs, its owners by generating profits and all of
us by making the world a better place.

Starbucks. A pioneer in the area of corporate responsibility, Starbucks (Research) broke the mold in the fast-food industry by offering health-care benefits and stock (called "bean stock") even to part-time workers. It is now forging partnerships with coffee growers around the world that are designed to give growers a fair price for
their beans -- often higher than the so-called Fair Trade price -- and to
promote sound environmental practices. Starbucks also seeks to become more
"green" at the retail level by, for instance, offering a 10-cent discount to
customers who bring their own cups.

"They are innovative, distinctive, commendable and unfortunately not copied by many other companies," says David Vogel, who teaches at Berkeley's Haas School of Business and is the author of The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility. Seattle-based Starbucks generated $6.4 billion in revenues last year.

Pretty positive stuff for that company that was compared to Hannibal Lechter by one of the posters to the Starbucks message chain.

Related:
Magic Johnson and Starbucks
All of my Starbucks posts

Antique Stores

Years ago, maybe 10 or so, I remember we had 2 large antique malls in Central/North Tampa. At the Floriland Mall, in the old movie theatre, there was a large section just for antiques, especially furniture. Then on Busch Blvd, somewhere around 15th street ( I think) there as good antique mall in a place that used to be a piano store. Susan and I used to go to both places all of the time. I also remember, again I think, there used to be a place in Seminole Heights called the Red Rooster. All 3 places are closed down. Am I correct in assuming there has been a reduction in the number of antique stores in Tampa? Why? Is it due to E-Bay?

Rants

1. I sent this in to to the Tampa Tribune

Regarding Raymond Coleman's comments (Letter's Feb 25) about female TPD Officers.

As a man, I'm offended by the unprofessional behavior of those immature male police officers.

As a Tampa resident, I am angry those male police officers have besmirched the reputation of our fine police department.

As a community activist who has worked with many of our TPD officers, I'm insulted by his comments If he ever commits a crime in Tampa, and if he resist's arrest, he will find out how easily our pathetic blah blah blah, female police officers can kick his butt. As can the HCSO deputies.

There is a difference betweeen free speech and stupid speech.

Condolences regarding TPD Det. Juan Serrano

This blog offers condolences to the Tampa Police Department, Mayor Pam Iorio and the family and friends of TPD Det. Juan Serrano. Det. Serrano, who is Mayor Iorio's driver, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Gibsonton about 1 p.m. today.

According to Bay News 9 Serrano, "was on his way home from an assignment when he exited I-75 at Gibsonton Drive. A second vehicle driven by 35-year-old Jose Luis Espinoza ran a red light and collided with Serrano's car. Serrano suffered a head injury and was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where he died."

Good News

There is a very good article in the Trib called Businesses Reach for New Heights by our great Trib reporter, Kathy Steele.

I agree with Larry Olsen. All you South Tampa businesses who want to move here, get in now while the going is good, before the prices start going insane! (Sorry - flashbacks to some old commercials).

There is still even more opening up or being redeveloped than the article mentions and I hope to have some more stories. I have a lead on an engineering business that is moving to Seminole Heights, remodeling a run-down business site.

Also there is another story about Home Improvement Program Could Have New Digs at 5023 N. Florida Ave.

Going back to the story on Businesses Reaching for New Heights, I have to add two comments. Angelica, you did this to your self. I do not see chains gobbling up small businesses here.

Jeff Craft. You are full of crap. We do not need wealthy investors or large corporations to make our businesses district work. We need more people like Young of Blue Sky, Sherry of Yesterdaze, Milton of Coffee Bean, Jimmy of Van Gogh and etc. Jeff, that is the problem with old Business Alliance. Full of naysayers. The residential area improved because people getting one house done at a time within strong neighborhood organizations. The business district will be the same. One business at a time. And it is working! Jeff, your last name should be Jeff Crap.

Seminole Heights Civic and Neighborhood Associations

I thought I had posted this before in the blog, but can't find it so here it is.

Seminole Heights is composed of 3 neighborhood associations.
Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA)
Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association (SESHCA)
South Seminole Heights Civic Association (SSHCA)

Go here to find out which neighborhood you live in.

Each association has general membership meetings several times a years, a newsletter that is published several times a year, a web site and email groups. Old and South have alert emails groups, Southeast has a discussion email group. On each website they will tell you about membership.

If you live in the Hampton Terrace area of Old Seminole Heights, they have their own website/forum

If you do not live in Seminole Heights, put your address in at this website to find out what neighborhood you live in.

Giddens Park - we discovered that decorative aluminum fencing bends very easily especially when soccer players run into it!

USF takes over

In 2 hours, at 12:01 AM, I will no longer be employed by Tampa General. Instead my whole department will become part of USF. Go Bulls!

Why is Seminole Heights Sports and Physical Therapy Closing?

Bigger dreams is why!

Keith sent me this email:

Since the posting, my wife and I have taken several calls from people
wanting to know “what happened?” Today I took a call from someone at the
St. Pete Times who will be doing an article in next Fridays paper. So I
thought I would let you in on why we are closing. It’s not because
business was bad. In fact it was starting to become steady. I still
think this is a GREAT location, GREAT neighborhood and that’s what I told the
guy from the Times. I’m closing because we are moving to Costa Rica to
start a real estate sales and investment business. We are currently
building a house there on Playa Potrero overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Its beautiful. So to me, it’s an easy decision. I’m a water person,
surf, dive, fish, etc… I’ve lived in Tampa my whole life (I was born at St.
Joe’s in 1970). If things don’t work out, Tampa will still be here.
I have family here and will always be coming back to visit. This is just a
personal decision and we are both excited about the opportunity. Like I
said, Seminole Heights is a great neighborhood and we still have many friends
here. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know the “why” of the
closing. Look for more info in next Fridays article.

Keith and Rebecca, good luck!

Waiting for Death - Chelsea and 12th St.

There is a discussion going on our email group about serious traffic issues at Chelsea and 12th. Making the issue worse is the lack of side walks on both streets.

"I have had 3 traffic "studies" done on Chelsea St. over the past 5 1/2 years that I've been here. Each study has produced results that from which any intelligent person would conclude that there was a serious traffic issue on Chelsea St. But as the bureacrats see it, there isn't.

I was told after the last one (summer 2005) that only 50 % of the traffic on
Chelsea went over 35 mph (the limit is 25mph) and that there were over 1500
vehicles per day travelling along Chelsea St. And that there were even vehicles travelling up to 70 mph. BUT...They said that wasn't enough to qualify Chelsea street for any traffic calming device. They say that the "rule" is that at least 85% of the traffic must be going at least 10 mph over the designated speed limit. I was even told once that they could not put up a stop sign at 10th street and Chelsea because it did fall into FEDERAL GUIDELINES!! Yes, the Federal Gov't tells the city where they can put a stop sign!!

Unfortunately, it will take the death of a child before something is done. I have observed that the worst offenders are the 50 or so school buses that cut through using Chelsea St. everyday.

I agree with the above. Maybe we should asked for a new study and rig the results by getting a whole bunch of people to go 11 MPH just over the measuring cables.

I want to focus a little on the fact that speeding school buses are a problem. ABC7 did a news story on this in Lee County. Here is a complaint form. The main number for the school board transportation department is 982-5500.

Here is a website on traffic calming.

St. Pete Times News Stories

Articles in the St. Pete Times:

Neighbors' complaints about corner bring action St. Petersburg Times Thu, 23 Feb 2006 10:19 PM PSTInspectors order the removal of objects at the site of a fatal wreck. Neighbors say businesses hinder the view.

Also there is a story about the Blue Sea Seafood Market and Restaurant in
It's a breezy bite of the Windy City St. Petersburg Times Thu, 23 Feb 2006 10:12 PM

Cell phones

I'm in line at a store and once again somebody is on their cell phone while at the register, slowing things down because they do not have their full attention.

Tampa City Council and the County Commission need to pass an ordinance making it illegal to provide service to anyone on a cell phone. All businesses should be required to post signs that say "Using cell phone - No Service"

Seriously there need to be a public service campaign on this issue of rude people.

When you get up to the register, call the person back. Chances are they are on cell phone to and cal be easily reached. Sometimes at work we are in the middle of a medical exam and the parent phone rings AND THEY ANSWER IT!. There is a such a thing as voice mail.

We need little cards that say "Your Cellphone Use Is Rude" that we can hand out to people we see on the street doing rude cell phone behavior.

Perhaps some creative person in Seminole Heights could come up with creative signs for businesses to post in the vein of SHHH, the Society for HandHeld Hushing.

News article on the desth of Flora

Fatal Crash Puts Safety In Question
The Tampa Tribune Thu, 23 Feb 2006 4:17 AM PST SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - A mistake cost a 31-year-old woman her life on Valentine's Day when her car was hit broadside by a truck at Florida and Powhatan avenues, police said.

Missed Recycling

On the SE Sem Hts mailing list some residents are noting that they have been having some problems getting their recycling picked up. One person had their recycling missed 4 times.

susan and I have had it happen a couple of times in last six months.

I wonder if this is occuring because not enough people are recycling? And so in some sections the driver does not travel unless he happens look down from the end of the street to see a blue bin? And if the bin is hidden by a trash can it does not then get picked up?

If we had more people recycling then maybe they would go down every street all of the time?

Perhaps we need to say something in our newsletters extolling the virtues of recycling

Give a Hoot - Don't Pollute



2/23/06: Tampa Solid Waste Recycling Program 348-1111

All City of Tampa residents with curbside garbage service now also have weekly curbside recycling service. All residents received a 14 gallon blue bin with a brochure. With curbside recycling you can now recycle paper, glass, aluminum cans and plastic bottles in your blue bin with just a short trip to the curb. A paper grocery bag can be used for extra newspapers. Recycling is collected once a week on your assigned recycling day (the day is printed in the brochure that came with your box). A separate truck will come by to collect the recyclables. The recycling truck collects recyclables between 6:30am and 5pm.

What can be recycled curbside in the blue recycling bin?
Brown, green and clear glass bottles and jars
Newspaper
Aluminum cans
Milk & juice cartons made from paper
Plastics bottles (such as soft drinks, water, ketchup, shampoo, etc.)

What can't be recycled at this time?
Here are a few tips of what to leave out of your curbside recycling bin:

Used motor oil and motor oil containers (please place the containers in the garbage); To find a location for recycling used motor oil, call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 1-800-741-4337.

Paint cans (open up to let paint dry or use newspaper to soak up any remaining paint; then take to a Hillsborough County household chemical collection center. Contact the Hillsborough County Department of Solid Waste at 813-272-5680 for dates, times and locations).

Batteries (AA, C and D batteries can go in the garbage. Button and nickel cadmium batteries from cell phones etc should be taken to a participating store such as Radio Shack, Target, Home Depot etc.)

Plastic bags (these should go back to the grocery store for recycling)
Paperboard boxes (cereal and cracker boxes and beer and soda holders)
Corrugated cardboard (not collected in the blue bin). If you have a large quantity, call a local paper recycler.

Here is a brochure

Vision and the Business Community

One of the most important things I feel is necessary to rebuild the business community in Seminole Heights is vision. The ability to see what is not there.

Case in point. At the last Business Guild meeting, in the breakout session, someone made a comment that they could never see anyone shopping on Nebraska Avenue south of Hillsborough. This was ironic because the meeting was being held in A.W Windhorst Hall on Nebraska Avenue south of Hillsborough. I'm sure Don at Green Shift would be incensed at that comment. I was, as I live two blocks off of that stretch of Nebraska.

That person lacked vision. I look at that stretch and see marvelous opportunities. We have some great buildings that just need a change of use. (By the way this is probably the only section of Florida or Nebraska in Seminole Heights without a single used car lot.)

The ghost town (Nebraska and Osborne) is my favorite area of vision. I see the chain link removed from the back of the buildings, the overgrowth cut back and some enviromentally good paving (turfblocks) done to create a common parking area. This includes the side of Ybor Pizza. I see front overhangs placed back. Bricked up windows replaced with glass. The facades made more decorative.

I see roofs put on the two buildings just north of Osborne and the grassy area around it turf blocked. I see the Florida School for the Arts building fixed up, with its overhang put back and some windows put back.

What do we then have? A great little shopping and eating district. There is already a restaurant (Ybor Pizza), a framing store, and an art studio that could include a gallery component. More antique stores, gift/collectible/cards stores, and others could move in. A second restaurant could move in to complement what is offered at Ybor Pizza. Maybe another art gallery, or a statuary store. An ice cream store. Maybe the chocolate painter across from Home Depot would be willing to move there. This would create bounce back traffic between this area and the stores at Osborne and Florida. I could see many people from all over, coming to shop there. People could then walk across the way and watch people practicing their music or dance routines at the arts school, getting more business for them.

I love the two story brick building, next to the old Eckerds. What a great building. Someone would just need to buy up the empty lot across the street just north of it to make more parking. What an art galllery and studio that would make. The upper floor could be made into studio areas and downstairs the gallery. Or the whole thing could be some offices. There is so much potential there.

Or some one could buy all of those empty lots on that lot between NorthBay and Ida and build some townhomes with some shop space.

The old grey fruit stand/appliance store now owned by Phil Alessi also has potnetial. Since he owns the grass lot next door parking is no longer a problem. The house behind grey building that is part of the property could be converted to some commercial use also.

Some of this would require cooperation between different business owners, or least one person would have to buy out several people to make a vision come true. Susan and I discussed that perhaps what is needed is for a coop to be started amongst the residents, some to provide money and others to provide sweat equity, to get these kind of visions going. Or perhaps the Central City CDC could do something like that.

Vision. You have to look beyond the obvious.

Hey, Current or Future Small Business Owners

The Small Business Information Center of Hillsborough County has posted the March and April, 2006 Calendars with Class descriptions online at: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/sbic/calendar/

Human Rights Coalition visits

I had a pleasant visit from Desiree of the Human Rights Coalition. She was walking door to door trying to get people to become a member of HRC to counter the right wing element of our country. Please consider joining.

"The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations."

This ties in with my recent post about Marriage Protection Amendment.

From their press release on the subject:

"Americans want fairness for gay couples and this amendment could wipe out any option for providing critical responsibilities and protections to families,”
said Solmonese. “Our nation’s founding document should be amended to expand
rights and liberties, not take them away.”

The amendment received prominent attention in 2004 when House and Senate
leaders tried to use same-sex marriage as a wedge issue in the November
elections. Yet, despite intense pressure from the White House and extreme
right-wing organizations, the amendment, which requires two-thirds approval in
each chamber, failed in the House by a 227-186 margin and in the Senate with a
vote of 48-50. Republicans and Democrats joined together in both houses of
Congress to defeat the attempt to single out one group of Americans for unequal
treatment in the Constitution."

If you see her at your house, tell her hello for me.

And the Answer is.....

The answer to Tuesdays Puzzling Question is

"Wayne Garcia - Political Editor of the Weekly Planet."

He interviewed me for an article in today's Weekly Planet on the loss of the Central Tampa section. We met at the Taconazo - Taco Bus for the interview. He took a picture of me reading the S**** Tampa section of the paper for the article, so I reciprocated by taking a picture of him reading the menu.














The Taco Bus is well known amonst the Weekly Planet Staffers. When he left to come to the interview coworkers were jealous he had the chance to eat there. He also had to order something to take back to a co-worker, or else he would have gotten into deep trouble. Wayne highly reccomends the mole.

Even though Wayne is a South Tampa resident, he is a reader of the blog and I think a Seminole Heightsian at heart. As a consequence I stamped his South Tampa passports with an unlimited entry pass to Seminole Heights. He will not have to undergo a TSA patdown as he crosses Kennedy Blvd.

So Wayne, what was the joke you had in mind for the article, that you resisted the urge to print? Also, one slight error in the article. Jeff Harmon lives in Old Seminole Heights not Southeast Seminole Heights.

Great article Wayne, thanks!

more on the issue:
The Tribune Issue Gets Another Dimension
Meeting with the Tampa Tribune concerning the loss of the Central Tampa Section
The Flyer reaches Seminole Heights
Tampa City Council, Tampa Tribune and South Tampa
What's Wrong With This Picture?
Tampa Tribune cuts the Central Tampa Section

Memorial Service for Flora Revesz

I received an email that said the funeral was in Georgia on Monday 2/20/06 and that the memorial service in Tampa will be Saturday Feb 25th. Apparently Saturday would have been her birthday. As I get more details I will post them.

Sports and Physical Therapy of Seminole Heights to close

Keith Clower emailed me to let me know that they are closing Sports and Physical Therapy, located at 5803 N. Florida Ave.

"The building is on the market. I’m in no rush to close, but my wife and I will be moving in October. If you know anyone interested in the building or business let me know." You can contact Keith at 813.238.2829. This is a very great building. Keith and Rebecca put a lot of money and work in getting the place remodeled and set up for their business.

It is sad that Keith and Rebecca, Ashley, and Angelica are moving on from their businesses here. However it is important to realize that they are the business urban pioneers. They came in with vision and took some chances. Because they were here other businesses moved in. Furthermore, they created places that once they leave, other businesses can move into with less effort. This is part of the process of revitalization. We see the same in the residential area.

Thank you for helping build our community. Good luck!

Update on the Death Due to Sight Obstructions

There has been some action regarding the tragic death of Flora Revesz in the car accident at Florida and Powhattan. Tonight, I went back to the various intersections to see what has changed.

Mayor Pam Iorio responded to the email on this issue from Randy Baron by having Roy LaMotte, head of the City of Tampa Transportation Dept. look into this situation immediately. Mayor Iorio wrote "I am very sorry about this tragic accident".


Mr. LaMotte, Tom Snelling, Kevin Amose from Code Enforcement, Gloria Moreda made a personal inspection of the Florida & Powhatan intersection.

"The investigation clearly identified one of the possible causes to the fatality is limited sight line when departing Powhatan, due to the manner in which vehicles are being stored on private property continuous to the State's limited right-of-way.

The immediate countermeasure is for the private owner to remove & restrict vehicles from parking within the sight triangle. The City of Tampa already has a code on the books in Chapter 27 preventing the prevailing condition and code is reacting by citing the respective owners who fail to comply. This same condition exists at two other corners of this same intersection and all parties must be cited to improve public safety.

After riding the roadway corridor and seeing the problem, I'm certain it exists elsewhere along Florida Avenue and have instructed members of my staff to begin documenting and inventory the problem intersections so we can be proactive in preventing this problem in the future.

In closing, I have also asked the Florida Department of Transportation to investigate this accident and share their feedback with you & me since Florida Avenue is under their jurisdiction."

This picture above is what the corner looks like now. All the vehicles moved, except for the one pick up truck. I don't know if that vehicle is in the sight triangle or not.

Code Enforcement had more to say on the issue:

"At this time, temporary measures have been taken at several locations on Florida Ave, north of W Hillsborough. This is to insure that the sight line remains clear for drivers attempting to enter traffic from streets off of Florida Ave. Vehicles and related equipment from businesses on Florida Ave are suspected in contributing to sight line obstructions, thereby creating a potential hazzard. As a temporary safety measure, Code Enforcement Inspectors have ordered property owners relocate anything that may have been parked or located within 10 to 12 feet of the affected corner. Code Enforcement is standing by to take technical direction from Transportation and the Zoning Division to determine the appropriate action to take as a permanent measure in the form of notice of violation or other legal action. In recent weeks, similar notices of violation have been issued ordering the removal of unlawful signs and banners that may have also been causing a sight line obstruction."

The next two pictures below shows the views from the other corners at that intersection of Powhattan and Florida. I don't see any changes there.




The rest of the photos are new pictures of the other intersections I took photos of in the previous article. Henry, Idlewild, Jean and Pocahantas. I don't see any changes.









So what do we need ot do to continue to ensure action on the issue?

In one email on the subject it was said

"Even on this very narrow issue of sight obstructions making turns, there are probably a few hundred (if not more) violations throughout the city. However, ours was the street that finally caused a fatality and changed the priority of allocating resources. We are now the flavor of the week and we need to take advantage of it, because next week some other tragedy is going to happen in some other part of the city and the priorities will shift again. I encourage everyone to keep the heat on the city by continually emailing Code Enforcement (Curtis Lane), Zoning (Thom Snelling), Transportation (Roy LaMotte), city council and the mayor and asking for progress reports. I will make sure that the media follows up as well. In this case the squeaky wheel truly does get the oil, or, more to the point, the priority of resources.I encourage everyone to keep the heat on the city by continually emailing Code Enforcement (Curtis Lane), Zoning (Thom Snelling), Transportation (Roy LaMotte), city council and the mayor and asking for progress reports. . . . . In this case the squeaky wheel truly does get the oil, or, more to the point, the priority of resources.

Another email on the subject:

This was an issue that I brought up at a neighborhood watch meeting with Chief Hogue last year. I complained specifically about some of the sight obstructions of car lots on Nebraska and whether TPD would ticket cars parked on sidewalks or in the rights of way. Chief Hogue, who I support, said that it would be a waste of TPD resources and didn't think it was a big problem.

I think we should make sure that District 2 and other TPD districts hear about this and that they take a more proactive move toward enforcing this. They have non-police type personnel that they can send out to ticket and tow.

Code Enforcement is an avenue but it takes a very long time to get through the system and then the violator can always move the cars to get into compliance and then put them back.

Two places that are very bad are the tire place at the corner of Clifton and Nebraska and the Auto Repair/Car Lot just south of Tampa Bay Hardware on Nebraska.

Apparently there has been some communication with both TPD Major Teague and Assistant Chief Castor since this accident happened last week. "TPD District 2 is committed to ticketing those cars that block the line of sight."

2/22/06 12:10PM

Emails: Roy.LaMotte(at)tampagov.net, thomas.snelling(at)tampagov.net, tampacitycouncil(at)tampagov.net, curtis.lane(at)tampa.gov.net, pam.iorio(at)tampagov.net (Replace the at with@)