20th Annual River clean-up....Nov. 17th

November 17th marks the 20th annual Mayor's River clean-up. The shear size of Seminole Heights means that we, in this community, benefit from this project more than any other neighborhood. The event removes nearly 10 tons of garbage from the lower Hillsborough River (the area south of the dam in Rowlett Park).
From Seminole Crest at 22nd st to MLK to the south, the river is the boundary for both Old Seminole Heights and South Seminole Heights. Several miles of river front. For a number of years South Seminole Heights has had a group that participated. It would be great if there were several teams in Old Seminole Heights.

Volunteers need to register at Lowry Park at 8:00am on the 17th.

The pictures are from Epps Park (upper)in Old Seminole Heights and Rivercrest Park (lower) in South Seminole Heights.
The event usually draws 1,200 volunteers. Image if that could be doubled with additional Seminole Heights volunteers. We have 10,000 homes in all of Seminole Heights so it certainly is possible!

SC Tavern

Interestingly, I noticed S.H.'s old Spinnaker Lounge at 6416 N. Florida Ave. (I can't remember the name of the two places it's been since), has gotten a name change and an exterior face lift.

Dubbed "SC Tavern," it now looks very nice and almost inviting, despite the lack of windows. The place does still has a package store in front of it.

Has anyone heard and/or ventured into this place, which was once a Tampa landmark and that has (until recently) been rumored as a possible purchase for a Beef O'Brady's???

"I didn't know"

In the brouhaha over the Hampton Terrace Local Historic Designation as noted in Tommy's blog, one comment struck me, essentially "I didn't know this was going on" and "this was being done in secret". When I lived in Seminole Heights (Southeast)I often heard comments like that involving neighborhood issues. (Usually from people who let their copy of the neighborhood newsletter rot in the rain.)

I did not live in Old Seminole Heights yet I knew about the Hampton Terrace plan.

So I decided to research what information that was made available.

First, I know from personal experience (from getting them myself) that info was sent out many times via the Bungalow Alerts emails. I also know mention of the plan and meetings about the plan were in the OSHA Newsletter many times. (All members receive this newsletter. Non members get it once a year or if you go to Publix you can pick it up there every time.)

At the OSHNA Website, extensive information is made available about the process, include minutes of meetings

HamptonTerrace.Org first had mention of it in the forums on 10/13/04.

Then it was in the papers and on the blogs.

September 28, 2006 - Tampa Tribune
Historical District Proposal Moves Ahead - STATUS WOULD BRING REHAB GUIDELINES
"Hampton Terrace is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and the neighborhood could be on track to become a local historical district.A recent meeting at the Seminole Garden Center drew about 60 people . . ."

September 8, 2006 - St. Petersburg Times
Historic status up for debate
"It's Hampton Terrace residents' turn to weigh in on their neighborhood's designation."


September 3, 2006 - LifeInSeminoleHeights Blog
Hampton Terrace: local district?
See meeting info. at the bottom
"A lot changes over the years. The goal when launching the effort for what became the Hampton Terrace Historic District was always a local district"

June 6, 2005 - Seminole Heights Blog
Historic Districts and Overlay
"Hampton Terrace is exploring at local historic district status. All of these 3 areas with maps and boundaries are better shown at the Historic Preservation section of Old Seminole Heights website."

October 16, 2004 - Tampa Tribune
Hampton Terrace Wants Preservation Zone -
HISTORICAL DESIGNATION WOULD PUT TEETH IN RULES
OLD SEMINOLE HEIGHTS — "Few Tampa neighborhoods possess the architectural diversity and charm of Hampton Terrace, a section of Seminole Heights developed more than six decades ago.

So some homeowners intent on preserving the identity of the quaint community around Lake Roberta are taking steps to have it designated a local historical district."


Want to know more about what is going on? Just join your neighborhood association, or read the newsletters, newspapers, blogs and other media.

Brunch at the Bistro

Latest on the Bungalow Bistro:

The public has spoken; due to an overwhelming number of requests, the Bungalow Bistro will now be open for Sunday Brunch from 10-2. Offerings will include specialty breakfast items, as well as crowd favorites from the regular menu.
While no beverage license yet, they will have bloody mary mix and makings for mimosas if you care to bring your own alcohol.

Election Hijacking?

Tommy from "Tommy in Old Seminole Heights" has an interesting article in his blog.

"Old Seminole Heights is Being Hijacked

If you read one post from my blog, read this one. There is a movement in the neighborhood that is attempting to hijack the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA). They wish to elect a write in candidate on Tuesday October 23rd based on a single issue. There is a minority group in Hampton Terrace that has posted a series of untruths about the designation of Hampton Terrace as a local historic district. But the lies they have promoted via mail and door-to-door pitches isn't what concerns me the most."..... read more

Garden Center Rehab Mtg - 10/17, 5:30-7:30pm

From an email ...

As many of you probably are aware, a decision has been made by the City Parks and Recreation Department to begin a badly-needed interior rehab of the Seminole Garden Center. This building is frequently rented by organizations throughout the City. However, since it is located within the boundaries of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association, which uses it regularly, the designers are working closely with OSHNA for input.

A meeting has been scheduled by the Parks and Recreation Department to be held at the Garden Center Wednesday, October 17th, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

The purpose of the meeting is to allow interested neighborhood residents to meet with Brad Suder, Project Manager, and James Jackson, City Architect. They will present their Site Plan Update for interior renovation and improvements. Just as importantly for them, is to hear our suggestions, as site users, for improvements that we feel to be important.

So, please come prepared to actively participate and to understand that these renovations will likely be in place for many years to come. This is a cooperative effort between OSHNA and the City Parks and Recreation Department, for which our Organization is very grateful.

S.H. Pumpkin Patch Event - 10/19-10/20/07

Calling All Want-to-be Bakers. Open your Own!

Property Description: Free standing retail commercial building. Available for many uses. Formerly a wholesale bakery with all equipment still inside for a new owner.

Location Description: Nebraska Ave and Osborne. Close to MLK and I-275

Property Use Type: Vacant/Owner-User

Primary Type: RetailFree Standing Bldg

Building Size: 1,534 SF

Lot Size: 3,240 SF

Price: $125,000

Corner Club offers free hot dogs on Sunday nights!

Just so you know, the Corner Club has free hot dogs on Sunday nights, Hot Boiled Peanuts every night, and Karaoke every weekend! Yes, it's all true! Watch out for a guy named "Animal"...

Two-Waying Roads Community Meeting TONIGHT 10/10

This is worth reposting, due to it's importance and that it's being held tonight.

Community Meeting!
Tampa City Councilwoman Mary Mulhern invites you to come share your thoughts on turning one-way Highland Avenue/Tampa Street and Florida Avenue into two-way roads. Additionally, Florida Department of Transportation representative, Daniel Lamb, will be available to talk with us about this critical topic.Residents of Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights are encouraged to join the discussion. We need your interest and energy on this important issue!!See details below, or for more information, please call 274-7071 .

Community Workshop .....
DATE: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Stetson Tampa Law Center1700 N. Tampa Street, Tampa
DIRECTIONS:From Seminole Heights, just drive straight down one-way Tampa Street. The Law Center will be on your right just before you reach I-275.

Copa Cabana, bye-bye. Sweet Spot, hello.

Maybe the music and passion were always in fashion at the Copa Cabana Cafe, but perhaps the food and service weren't. That's likely the reason that the last remaining location (of two) at Osborne and Florida Aves has finally closed.

In it's place, and now open, is The Sweet Spot cafe. I only quickly drove by it, but it appeared that the multitude of national flags inside were gone and the table decor had changed slightly.

I think I also read on their logo'd sign something like "home cooking" or the sort. Like I said, it was a quick glance.

Has anyone heard news or tried the fare at the newest version of Rigos, Ms. Vivian's Whistlestop, Coffee Bean and Copa Cabana Cafe?

Bungalow Bistro Update

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to do a quick follow-up to my original posting on Oct. 3, which was titled “Bungalow Bistro Open for Business.”

We will now be open for lunch! Please note that our temporary business hours will be Tue-Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. We are trying our best to establish business hours and menu items to best serve our community. We will be serving dinners soon. I will post another update with dates and times.

We look forward to enticing you with a daily special or one of our signature dishes. Our menu includes gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, homemade hot soups as well as homemade desserts. The official Web site will be up soon, and you can now email us at info@bungalowbistrotampa.com for more information. Also, feel free to call us at (813) 237-2000 to place an order or schedule an event.

We hope to see you soon!

Elizabeth

Bungalow Bistro of Seminole Heights
5137 N. Florida Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603

Community Meeting!

Tampa City Councilwoman Mary Mulhern invites you to come share your thoughts on turning one-way Highland Avenue/Tampa Street and Florida Avenue into two-way roads. Additionally, Florida Department of Transportation representative, Daniel Lamb, will be available to talk with us about this critical topic.
Residents of Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights are encouraged to join the discussion. We need your interest and energy on this important issue!!

See details below, or for more information, please call 274-7071 .

Community Workshop .....
DATE: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Stetson Tampa Law Center
1700 N. Tampa Street, Tampa
DIRECTIONS:From Seminole Heights, just drive straight down one-way Tampa Street. The Law Center will be on your right just before you reach I-275.

FREE PARKING!

Maybe a large turn-out will convince the "wise sages" on the Tampa Tribune editorial board that this matters to more than "a few neighborhood activist" in Seminole Heights. Councilwoman Mary Mulhern has gone out on a political limb to support something that could help improve our neighborhood and the viability of our commercial areas on Florida Ave. Please lend your support and thoughts to the discussion.

Paws In the Park

From an email:

PAWS IN YBOR PET EXPO

Sat. 10/6

10 AM – 2 PM

Ybor City’s Centennial Park

(8th Ave. & 19th St.)

FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING

Featuring:

Pet adoptions by local rescue groups

Pet photographs

Paw painting

Contests & prizes

Proceeds will benefit local non-profit pet organizations

For more info, call: 813-932-5795

Bungalow Bistro Open for Business

Hi Neighbors,


After years of work, we are thrilled to invite you to the opening of Bungalow Bistro. Bungalow Bistro, located at 5137 N. Florida Ave. two blocks south of Hillsborough Avenue, will serve breakfast and lunch between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this week, Tuesday through Saturday. We will begin serving dinners soon. I will post an update on the dates and times.

Our menu includes warm pastries, daily quiches, gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads and soups as well as homemade desserts. There is seating for up to 75 people. The bistro also has upstairs dining, perfect for hosting a private party. While we have hired a head chef, this is very much a family affair. My mother is a pastry chef and came up with our signature desserts.

As many of you know, my husband Michael and I have been lovingly restoring the building ourselves for several years. The original structure was a garage apartment that was saved from demolition when Hillsborough Avenue was widened in 2000. We moved the garage building and the main house to Florida Ave and first opened Forever Beautiful Salon and Day Spa in the main home next to Bungalow Bistro. Forever Beautiful has served as a neighborhood salon since 2002. We have focused our attention on preserving every historical detail.

To place an order call 813-237-2000 or log on soon to our coming website www.bunglaowbistrotampa.com Thank you for supporting our neighborhood business. We look forward to being a favorite gathering place for our friends and neighbors.

Elizabeth Graham

Skye Craft Mfg.

Merino's Deli - Moving? And more restaurant news.

If anyone knows about any of the below restaurants (or rumored new ones), please reply with your news.

Merinos:
There's a rumor that Merino's Deli will be moving in the near future, due to some issues created by the goals of the new owners of the building it's hosted in (i.e., auto repair shop).

Knowing Mike loves and is committed to S.H., you can rest assured my sources say he's not leaving the area. I'm told he will be moving a little further south on Florida Ave. -- possibly into a CI-zoned house.

If this is true, I'm sure that the place would benefit from even more ambiance, a better location, and hopefully more parking. We shall see.

The No Name Cafe (i.e., Copa):
On another note - the infamous Copa Cabana Cafe's last open location seems to have gone through a transformation for the worse. It's now a no name cafe as the "Copa" signs have been painted over so that they are just big, yellow billboards with no text or logo. Additional signs touting "$4.50 lunch" have been handwritten and are pinned up around the property.

Sports Bar:
Latest report on this, pending final wetzoning approval next week by City Council, is that ground breaking will begin within 4 months.

Ellas:
With groundbreaking rumored to supposed to happen last May, I've heard no new news on it.

Bungalow Bistro:
It looks ready to open. In fact, it even looks like it is open when you drive by; but it isn't yet. Although I've heard nothing about it -- I'm betting Elizabeth is going through the motions and still fighting with the city to cross her T's and dot her I's to make sure she encounters no future problems with the city.

Missing Person - NO JOKE

I know this unuasal but I wanted to post it anyway. I found this flyer on my truck at Big Lots today and call his sister, she gave me permission to spread it around the Internet. She said the police are doing what they can but she would apreciate any help we could give. She also gave me permission to post it the blog spot. Please take a moment to look at the flyer she made and pass it on to your friend.

Update on found pitbull

Well, the owner called and has missed two appointments to pick her up. At this point the mission has turned from finding her owner to finding her a home. Doga is a really sweet little girl, has had her shots, and is spayed (according to the owner).
If you, or anyone you know can provide a good home to her, please call 813-500-3205.

Found Dog

She appears to be about 1-2 years old, a boxer mix. She was in my yard at N.Boulevard and Sligh on Tuesday night, I now have her in my backyard in hopes I can find her family rather than take her to Animal Services. I took her to the vet and she is not micro-chipped.

My number is 813.758.0558/Anthony

Fun ! Fun !! Fun !!!

Don't forget to set your clocks, your watches, stomachs and anything else you have to remind you to be at Merino's Seminole Heights Deli this Friday

Super Exemption update

Two days ago a judge struck the Amendment from the January 29th ballot. Since the legislature has a special session beginning on Oct. 2nd. That gives them plenty of time to modify the proposed ballot initiative to meet the requirements of submitting it 90 days before the election. The initiative would grant homestead exemption on 75% of the first $200,000 in assessed value. That could be a huge benefit to most of our newer Seminole Heights neighbors. (it also exempts 15% of assessed values between 200k and 500k)

It would allow people who prefer their Save Our Homes status to retain that on their current property. It is a win-win for both our long time neighbors and new neighbors. It would also help those who want to down-size but feel trapped by the tax implications.

Hopefully, folks will call and write their state legislature members so this can be infront of voters when they vote in the January primary.

Eating Tampa...best of

One of our new neighbors found Creative Loafing's best of choices for places to eat lacking some catagories and set up his own. His post can be found at: Eating Tampa . It is a shame and source frustration that Seminole Heights can't dominate the list but we are getting more choices. We have Merino's, Cappy's, Three Coins, Nicko's, Martha's, Front Porch, Rincon Catracho, and others. We are getting there but our choices are still limited.

Are you ready?

Merino's Seminole Heights Deli is getting ready for the mixer of a lifetime.

Sports Bar & Grill - Last Phase of Approval

Below is the city council's minutes, but basically Greg Smith is one city council meeting away (i.e., two weeks) from being approved his wet zoning permit, which means Seminole Heights is one meeting away from being granted a brand new construction Sports Bar & Grill!

Here are the basics I pulled out of the meeting for you:
1 )Wet zone is 3,000 square feet, which 2,400 of them will be located inside of the building.
2) There will be about 400 seating seats and 18 of them will be located outside of the building.
3) The sale of alcohol would be incidental to the primary function of the building.

The propert owners says, "Plan to put up a 2,800 square foot sports bar. And sporting events, games."

--------------------

15:58:55 The case number was Z-06-27, PD.15:59:05 Petitioner is requesting 2(COP-R), the sale of beer15:59:08 and wine, at the 6401 north Nebraska Avenue.15:59:15 In association with the restaurant.15:59:16 Wet zone is 3,000 square feet, which 2400 of them will15:59:23 be located inside of the building.15:59:27 There will be about 400 seating seats and 18 of them15:59:33 will be located outside of the building.15:59:36 The sale of alcohol will be primarily -- would be15:59:40 incidental to the primary function of the building.15:59:43 At this time, there are no other wet zoned locations15:59:45 in the area.15:59:48 There are residential locations, residential uses, as15:59:51 well as the institutional, at this time petitioner is15:59:55 requesting the waiver to the distance separation.16:00:01 At this time, when I went to the location, it's a16:00:06 vacant lot.16:00:08 (off microphone)16:00:21 As you can see the wet zoning.16:00:29 Land development has no objection.16:00:42 Land development has no objection.16:00:53 The petition has been forwarded to the Tampa Police16:00:54 Department.16:01:00 >>> Officer Don Miller, City of Tampa police16:01:02 department.16:01:02 We have no objections to the wet zoning.16:01:05 >>GWEN MILLER: Petitioner?16:01:11 >> 1400 Gandy Boulevard.16:01:19 I have not been sworn.16:01:21 (Oath administered by Clerk).16:01:27 >>> Yes.16:01:30 >>GWEN MILLER: What do you plan to do?16:01:32 >>> Plan to put up a 2800 square foot sports bar.16:01:38 And sporting events, games.16:01:54 >>GWEN MILLER: Is there already a building you are16:01:56 renovating or what?16:01:57 >>> No.16:01:58 It's flat.16:01:59 >> You are going to build a new building?16:02:01 >>> Yes, ma'am.16:02:02 From the ground up, construction.16:02:04 >>GWEN MILLER: Mr. Dingfelder?16:02:05 >>JOHN DINGFELDER: Are you aware, sir, under this16:02:07 zone, that you are requesting, that the sales have to16:02:11 be 51% as a total sale?16:02:15 >>> Yes.16:02:18 69 is there anyone in the public that wants to speak16:02:20 on item 121?16:02:23 When they are done speaking you may come back.16:02:27 >>> Susan Lauren, treasurer of the Old Seminole16:02:30 Heights association.16:02:31 I have been sworn.16:02:34 We have been working with this owner for on and off16:02:38 for probably two or three years.16:02:43 To meet our requests, we strongly urge to you approve16:02:47 this request.16:02:48 Thank you.16:02:49 >>GWEN MILLER: Any questions by council members?16:02:51 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move to close the hearing.16:02:53 >> Second.16:02:53 (Motion carried).16:02:54 >>CHAIRMAN: Do you have an ordinance?16:02:56 >> I move an ordinance upon second reading, making16:03:11 lawful the sale of beverages containing alcohol of16:03:13 more than 1% by weight and not more than 14% by weight16:03:16 and wines regardless of alcoholic content beer and16:03:19 wine 2(COP-R) for consumption on the premises only in16:03:23 connection with a restaurant business establishment on16:03:25 that certain lot, plot or tract of land located at16:03:28 6401 north Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, Florida, as more16:03:32 particularly described in section 2 hereof, waiving16:03:34 certain restrictions as to distance based upon certain16:03:37 findings, providing for repeal of all ordinances in16:03:39 conflict, providing an effective date.16:03:41 >>JOHN DINGFELDER: Just for clarification that's first16:03:43 reading?16:03:45 >>THOMAS SCOTT: First reading, thank you.16:03:46 >>GWEN MILLER: Motion and second.16:03:47 (Motion carried)16:03:52 >>GWEN MILLER: Item number 122, anything on that?16:04:00 >>JOHN DINGFELDER: Good luck.16:04:01 >>GWEN MILLER: When you open list know.16:04:04 >>MARTIN SHELBY: It's going to be coming back in two16:04:06 weeks so it will be final when the council votes again16:04:08 in two weeks.16:04:09 Thank you.16:04:12 >>GWEN MILLER: You don't have to come back.16:04:21 >> You should.16:04:22 >> You should come back.

Tampa's Codes Throttle Progress

I have no idea who wrote this, as the St. Pete Times gives no credit, but I think it voices what most people say on the blog. Actually, to the point, it's kind of the same ole ... but at least it's getting print.

STORY: The softening of the housing market forces cities to be aggressive in building their tax bases through commercial investment. Yet city codes in Tampa undermine that effort by overly restricting development. Some of Tampa's oldest neighborhoods, such as Seminole Heights, underwent a face lift during the recent housing boom, as owners renovated block after block of traditional homes. Yet these same neighborhoods lack many of the basics that once made them self-sustaining, such as restaurants and retail shops, because city codes don't accommodate the unique challenges of rebuilding older, urban settings.

Urban areas, unlike the suburbs, are not a blank canvas. Developers looking to turn homes or factories into other uses or to locate a business in a neighborhood are limited by man-made and natural features, such as existing homes, roads, utilities and other public works. Land typically is more expensive and difficult to assemble. That is why development standards appropriate for the suburbs may not fit the urban core. A dry cleaner on a residential block cannot be expected to provide the same parking as one in a strip mall. Urban neighborhoods in Tampa and elsewhere were designed before the car, and the geography forces the city to balance development standards with practicality and convenience.

The fact that it took months in Seminole Heights to open a coffee shop and allow parking for a pizzeria shows how lacking the city's development posture is in the very areas gentrification has primed for commercial development. Residents flocked to the city and rebuilt homes because they wanted an urban experience. A new approach the city is examining, called form-based zoning, is a step in the right direction, for it would look beyond the elements of a project to the impact it would have on the neighborhood.

Flexibility is about more than reacting to a slowing residential property market. These residents are already there - in Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights and other neighborhoods near downtown. Serving them is an opportunity to grow and diversify Tampa's economy. The city can maintain strong development standards by making smarter use of its regulatory power. That begins by remembering that people and commerce together make cities work.

[Last modified September 23, 2007, 22:12:46]

Bike Riders Tour Seminole Heights

Sounds like the event was a success. Congrats to you Alan and to all that participated.

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - About 30 residents ages 7 through 60-plus pedaled off Sept. 15 on a 5.2-mile jaunt through the neighborhood.

Organized by resident Alan Snel, the bike ride was the first of what he hopes are many more to come. Snel, a former Tampa Tribune reporter, is coordinator for South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers, a group of retail bicycle stores.

The slow-paced ride started on East Powhatan Avenue, with a route that included North 12th Street, Park Circle, Central Avenue and a victory lap around Lake Roberta. Participants showed up with required helmets and an array of bikes, from a tandem to mountain and road bikes.
The rides are designed to highlight areas of Seminole Heights and promote bike riding in the Tampa Bay area. The next ride is set for 8:15 a.m. Oct. 13. Snel said he's considering an 8- to 10-mile ride, possibly heading west of Interstate 275.

For information, go to www.alansnel.com/blog or e-mail Snel at alansnel@yahoo.com.

Another Biz Location Op

100 E. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

$575,000

Property Description: This freestanding historical gem is almost 5,000 sf of Office/ Retail/ Apts and is most recently known as the RealMarc Properties headquarters. Boasting over 200' MLK frontage x 100' depth on the front commercial parcels (both zoned CI Commercial Intensive) w/ half of that being a vacant (leased) storage lot (additional parking, redevelopment &/or just as-is for leased parking and storage), the front of the structures 1,000 or so sf is professional offices occupied by the owners w/ the additional 2-story 4,000 sf of apartments (fully leased), which were actually used as (and can be again) small incubation offices (to grow new businesses years back), a front curb cut b/w the 2 front parcels, an alley for rear exit/ entry to Highland Ave, another additional paved rear parking lot (zoned RS-50) that fronts IDA St.

PS - I have no vested interest in this property, other than wanting someone (who cares about helping to revitalize the S.H. and T.H. communities) to take it over and do what's right for the residents.

A Little Good PR for the Neighborhood

Yes -- this entry's title (above) is sarcastic.

STORY: Most of the eight dogs are still considered puppies. The youngest is just five months old.

Vets say every one is infested with fleas and in dire need of medical care. But their biggest concern is wounds from abuse a neighbor said some of the animals had to endure.

"There was a grave concern from this witness who saw this person hitting his dog with a chain in the backyard," Hillsborough County Animal Control investigator Pam Perry said.

That backyard at the Seminole Heights home is familiar to animal control. Officials say they've been there many times since February, warning both Everell Forbes and Chavonne Jennings to take better care of their animals.

This time, authorities say the conditions were even worse than before. And this time, their discoveries didn't end with the dogs. They say Jennings, a convicted felon, was also hiding a handgun, drugs and kits used to make crack cocaine.

Long-time neighbor Andy Betancourt watched as the animals and their owner were taken away Tuesday afternoon, both alarmed and relieved to see it come to this.

"There's been a lot of drugs coming out from that house," Betancourt said.

The question now becomes what will happen to the dogs. So far, animal control officials say they seem healthy enough to survive.

"There's no excuse for this," Perry said. "These people knew exactly they had to do and they failed. They failed the dogs."

They're Watching Us

I can't belive it took me this long to notice, but from the 2nd floor of my 2 story house I can see one of those I275 traffic cameras mounted on an 80 ft pole. My immediate reaction was and is "if I can see it from my window, it can certainly see me." And of course, it's true and scary for all of us living near the Interstate or many local intersections.

Here are some clips from a story I found that speaks of it:

At major intersections and interstates, you may have noticed another type of camera perched atop light signals or 80-foot poles. These traffic cameras, white-and-black dome-shaped devices resembling R2D2, are closed-circuit TV cameras operated by local, county or state departments of transportation.

"We'd like to have a camera every mile," says Bill Wilshire, who heads FDOT's Intelligent Transportation Program that calls for cameras to line I-275 ... and all major roadways and intersections ...

Officials say the cameras help identify accidents, alert emergency authorities and help the public avoid long delays.

Then why do local governments need high-tech cameras that can pan, tilt or zoom, wonders Brown, the surveillance critic.

"If you need to passively observe traffic flows at an intersection, you don't need a camera with pan, tilt or zoom -- you can use a fixed camera," he says by phone from his New York City home. "It exceeds what they're trying to do with it. If the Department of Transportation wants to see if there's a traffic jam at a certain intersection, that is OK, but it seems that they should be limited to what kinds of cameras they're using, especially if they can peer into automobiles." *Blog entry author note: If this is possible, looking into homes flanking those roads has to also be possible.

Jacobs says the zoom allows them to see a half-mile down a roadway, helping them to gauge how far traffic is backed up in any one place. But he doesn't discount that as the cameras become more integrated with communication systems used by emergency personnel, the video could one day be used for enforcement.

"That seems to be almost a reverse of 'Peeping Tom' statutes," he says. "A Peeping Tom cannot stand outside your window and photograph into your window, and the same thing seems to apply that someone shouldn't shoot out of a window indiscriminately for the purpose of entertaining people."

Of course, as you can tell, I'm pretty weirded out by the situation, but to see both sides of the story I pulled from, visit: http://www.notbored.org/tampa.html

New Hours - Ybor Pizza

Just an FYI. Ybor Pizza is now open on Sundays, per the owner.

Tampa Area Marine Parents Association new website

The Tampa Area Marine Parents Association was started by Cyd Death in SE Seminole Heights.

"The mission of the Tampa Area Marine Parents Association is to give support in whatever areas are needed and whenever possible while continuing to be an active and visible presence to all branches of the military in our communities, the state of Florida and wherever we are led."

They have a new website ww.usmcfamilysupport.org

Rincon Catracho

An email I received from "Lisa" (whom I know):

Rincon Catracho

As a resident of Seminole Heights and a relatively recently returned U.S. Peace Corps volunteer (RPCV, 95-98), I have been embarrassed and down right ashamed of the lack of open mindedness and support shown for the Rincon Catracho on Florida Avenue by an overwhelming majority of my fellow Seminole Heights residents. Come on neighbors, where's your spirit of adventure? Try something new and be proud that these spirited entreprenuers with international experience picked OUR neighborhood in which to "give it a go".

It's true, this restaurant is not the "avante garde, tres chic, wine drinking, upper crust of the town", but you know what? It's as AUTHENTIC as it gets. The only thing that distinguishes this restaurant from one that you might find in the Central American country of Honduras is their, now-by local demand, English language menu. By the way, the translated descriptions of their economically priced and absolutely soul satisfying authentic Honduran cuisine just doesn't do the food justice. If you were to get on a plane for Honduras right now, you'd be sitting in the lap of luxury to find a restaurant that even served seafood, let alone one that supplied the music AND video AND occasionally live music or the hottest soccer match.

In Central America you might discover that the music is loud;service is offered at a leisurely pace; and usually, the menu depends on what's locally available and in season. So what, isn't that part of why we seek out international cuisine? To pretend that, even if momentarily, we can be transported to another world, another way of life, full of new flavors, new sounds, and new traditions?

In closing, I beg you to try Rincon Catracho with a traveler's mind. And, please consider showing your utmost respect to your fellow diners. As you enter Rincon Catracho, pass along a "BUEN PROVECHO" to your fellow diners. It means ENJOY YOUR MEAL and it's customary to say as you enter a room where anyone is seen to be dining in Honduras and most of Latin America.

Merino's Seminole Heights Deli Mixer

Click on image to enlarge

The Heights Loses One of Our Own

Local musician and 20 year SH resident Jeff Wood has lost his fight with brain cancer. His prolific music career spanned local and international bands (though not an exhaustive list) The Moon Calves, Fugitive Kind, Forgotten Apostles, Monday Mornings, Smashmouth, Joe Popp, Barely Pink, Spiller, Nutrajet and many, many more.

The culinary underbelly of Tampa

Yesterday I took two of Tampa's food journalists on a tour of my favorite hole in the wall restaurants. The mission; to show that exceptionally good food can be found in the most unlikely looking places, that every day people with a passion for their trade can produce results every bit as good, or better, as the culinary elite.

Our first stop, and the one with neighborhood significance, was Martha's. While it may be old hat to some readers, to the uninitiated I must climb on my soapbox and sing it's praises.

Sitting at a rickety table and sharing the only menu between the four of us, we decided to share the biscuits and gravy and catfish and eggs. (We had 6 more stops to make, so moderation was the watchword of the day). The biscuits and gravy arrived post haste.

The term "food porn" has been thrown around quite a bit in culinary writing of late. While a perfectly seared piece of glistening foie gras may do it for some, this plate of biscuits smothered in white, pork filled goodness was my food porn. The biscuits, a cross between a quick bread and a yeast roll, were light, fluffy, slightly burned, and delicious. The sausage gravy, a whole that is greater than the sum of it's simple ingredients of sausage, flour, milk, and black pepper has the potential to be a gluey, gummy, glutenous mess of blandness to the nth degree, or a light, velvety, heart attack inducing, life changing experience. Yes, it was the latter, with just a trace of a soda waterish tang to get you in that spot where your jaws hinge. Moderation went out the window as I dove in to the plate again and again.

The catfish arrived with just a telltale trace of the frying oil streaking the plate that showed the pefect amount of use to the fryer, none of that squeaky clean, transparent, brand new grease for me, thank you. The simple anglaise breading of flour, salt, and pepper was all that was needed to seal in the moisture and preserve the texture of a perfectly fresh filet. The curious pairing with eggs sent all semblance of kosher running for the hills, but I was raised Irish catholic and don't need to worry about such things. The eggs were scrambled and cooked (possibly unkown to the cook) omlette souffle style, which resulted in an airy pillow of eggy goodness.

The passion and ethos demonstrated by the family run operation at Martha's is little heard of these days. One of the journalists was impressed to the point that he wants to run a feature on Ella and her food in the near future. I highly suggest that you sample their wares before anything happens that could send them the way of the dinosaur.

Mission accomplished, I exposed a culinary gem in a most unlikely box.

Other places outside of the neighborhood on the tour that you may want to look in to:
La Cabana Antiquena(Columbian)
Mi Mexico
Gold Ring
Big John's BBQ
Cephas Hot Shop (do NOT let him talk you into drinking the aloe before eating - that's a story for another day)

Yet More '2 Way' News

I attended this city council meeting and I must say that I am floored by the lack of care Transportation Department planner Daniel Lamb shows for our neighborhoods.

In the midst of concerns from residents about their safety when walking down Florida Ave. and Tampa St./Highland Ave. while thousands of cars pass dangerously close and at unsafe speeds, he not only ignored our pleas, he added insult to injury by stating: By 2030 traffic along the corridors is expected to increase by 50 to 60 percent.

So he wants run 60% MORE traffic through our neighborhoods at unsafe speeds and dangerously close to kids walking to school and people trying to walk to neighborhood business -- despite our concerns at the volume now??? What part of this doesn't sound CRAZY?

Hey Mr. Lamb -- I've got an idea. Why don't we run 20,000 cars at 45-55+ mph in front of your house every day? Try it from our viewpoint some time and tell me you feel comfortable and safe.

Kudos to the few on the city council that are currently showing some common sense in this matter. Payback is due for letting the right of way for roads rule our neighborhood -- by first splitting it; then crippling its revitalization.

Furthermore, I also realize the FDOT is trying to make this an all four roads or no roads conversion deal. Let me point out that it is ok to work on a couple sections of one set or the other at one time, then move to others. This is exactly the way downtown is converting its roads to mostly two-way traffic (i.e., ala sections).

And Miranda -- your comment at the meeting about 5 roads coming together won't work where Aremenia and Howard come together if they go 2-way, you might want to look at the hundreds of other city's that promote those exact type of locations -- such as Little Five Points (Atlanta), 5 Points (Jacksonville), etc.

Those areas are meccas for their communities and loaded with community-serving businesses like restaurants, shops, etc.

We deserve better ...

One Day Only

Glass Onion Opens

The Glass Onion, a new artist co-operative gallery and venue is now open in Seminole Heights. Clint Corfman, the owner of the former glass studio on Nebraska Avenue tells me that he plans to host weekly Tai Chi, Yoga, and Raw Food Preparation Classes with various volunteer instructors as well as a weekly Sunday market and other events.

Check out the opening this Saturday, September 8th @ 7pm with work by Jeff Spelcher, Crystal Kreuzinger, Regina Brady, and UFOS Art

Live Music by Sunset Bridge and DJ Humblelion

The Glass Onion is located at 6310 N. Nebraska Avenue, 33604
For more info contact Clint at 813-841-3292

More on 1 way vs 2 way On Council agenda 9/6 at 9am

Tomorrow Morning City Council has a committee report on the conversion of Florida ave. and Highland/Tampa to 2 way. So is it important???. That depends on whether you want Florida Avenue to function as a commercial corridor serving the neighborhoods of Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights. That depends on whether it is important for the residents in South Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights to not have a virtual freeway running through what is for the most part a residential area.

DOT has naturally weighed in to conclude "Conversion to two-way is not feasible". Well DOT doesn't want it so let's just shape the conclusion that you want. Let's even make it difficult to compare the two parallel roads.

From Palm Avenue northward to Hillsborough Avenue it is possible to change the configuration on Florida Avenue without impacting 275 access to the south. From Hillsborough to Palm it is possible to change the configuration without impacting 275 access to the south on Tampa St.

Traffic counts north bound north of 275 are 12,000 (Florida)...half of what they are south of 275
Traffic counts southbound north of 275 are 9,500 (Tampa/Highland)

Since these are basically parallel roads a change to two-way traffic would have an affect on the traffic volume. We have basically 21,000 car trips on these two roads, divided between both under a two way configuration you are talking 10,750 on both roads. So there is not some greater degree of stress on the road way. You would have slightly reduced traffic stress on Florida and slightly more on Highland/Tampa.

What would we gain in our communities? Slower average traffic speeds in the residential stretch of Highland/Tampa. A Commercial Avenue that would be more viable for commercial redevelopment in the case of Florida Avenue. Commercial property functioning at a higher or best use will generate more revenue to the city not less. We gain by having a less blighted roadway and hopefully will attract more neighborhood serving businesses.

Yes it means we need to convince the City to push DOT to do what it is not naturally inclined to do. Respond to the needs and desires of the community. Believe it or not folks, DOT did not build that wall on Hillsborough because they thought it was a swell idea. It was through a lot of effort, research, lobbying, and studies generated through the hard work of Kacy Curry and the OSHNA highways and by-ways committee which she did a supurb job of chairing.

Folks in Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights should turn-out at council tomorrow to show this is something the City should push DOT to do. While it is a committee report, having concerned bodies in the audience gives support to those Councilmembers who have been listening and thinking about this issue. IT TAKES US ONE STEP CLOSER TO FIXING A 50 YEAR OLD MISTAKE.

Neighborhood Solicitator

An email that was sent to a neighborhood watch coordinator:

"Just wanted to give you a heads up about the latest neighborhood solicitor. XXX just had a guy (w/m) come to the door offering "air quality testing". He told her he needed to come in to do a demo (uh, no). He also asked her if she lived alone and some other random, unnecessary questions. He was driving a green mini-van that was parked a few houses away so she couldn't get the tag. After he left our house he went straight to the van and left so she's not sure if he hit any other houses on our street before us. She's also not sure if anyone else was in the van. Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Who hits up houses at 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday....hhhhmmmm.

Another Op - On the Market

Thankfully, this place is up for sale. Yet another place within (southeast) S.H. for a revitalization op.

1317 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33604

Property Description: A perfect opportunity to own a large building in one of the areas that has been experiencing a rejuvenation for several years now! When Starbucks moved in a few blocks away, you can bet that the market is strong and viable in the neighborhood!

Built in 1990, this CB building has a metal roof and four oversized electric doors!$100,000 BELOW APPRAISED VALUE! BUSINESS NOT FOR SALE - ONLY BUILDING AND LAND!

Location Description:200' Frontage on Hillsborough Ave, few blocks from I -275!

2-Way Debate Reopens On 1-Way Streets

I'm thankful at least one of the council members has a little common sense on this subject and the study. Thank you Mary Mulhern.

--------------------
From TBO.com

A state report last month rejected proposals to turn Armenia Avenue, Howard Avenue, Tampa Street and Florida Avenue into two-way streets.

That should have the ended conversation, and for a while it seemed that way. Now, Tampa Councilwoman Mary Mulhern is restarting the dialogue.

"The report failed to weigh the problems these one-way streets are causing. Keeping the streets one-way ensures they function as commuter routes to get motorists in and out of downtown, and to Interstate 275, as quickly as possible. That divides the neighborhoods and disrupts economic development," she said.

-------------------

Sounds a lot like comments from our blog contributors, huh? I'd like to think our comments were at least considered in this new movement.

Sports Bar & Grill - Greg Smith

I've finally seen some movement on Greg's grub & pub venture (to be located just north of Hillsborough Ave. on Nebraska Ave.). There is a public notice posted for a hearing to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages of more more than 1%.

Pretty essential for a pub, I'd say.

I did not see the date of the hearing.

Good luck Greg. I hope the same community support for you at city council as seen by Cappy's and Starbuck's.

On another note, Ella's eclectic bistro, which was set for a ground breaking last May, visually has made no progress; while the Bungalow Bistro now had tables and chairs inside the building , along with window treatments.

Good things to come ...

Sunday morning coming down

"Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt /and the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad so I had one more for dessert" Mr. Cash

Not really, but it seems a good way to start out a Sunday morning story.

Sunday morning; the closest thing to a day off that I get theses days. A chance to sleep past 6am, an opportunity to see the outside world for a few hours. I like Sunday mornings. What started out as running a few errands turned into a tour of the old and new while travelling the length of the Heights on Nebraska - with musical accompaniment.

"...and to the confusion of our enemies" Riverboat Gamblers

First stop of the morning was to do some pet sitting for a friend that's out of town. Mission accomplished, I found myself at the corner of North Bay and Nebraska looking across the street at what could be a man tarted up for business, or could be a woman in normal clothes not wanting to sit next to the creepy guy at the bus bench 20 feet away. I guess I spent a little too long studying on the question, because the evil glare that I received from across the street belied that fact that the truth of the situation was the former. It's been quite some time since I've seen a tranny working in daylight on Nebraska.

"They picked me up off the street/ they said 'hey get off my beat'/ they spread out all my things on top of their car/ identified, detained and inspected/ that paints the picture clear... " Low and Sweet Orchestra

Time for breakfast, we headed towards the new, improved 3 Coins. Passing the rim store next to Publix, two of Tampa's finest were cuffing up a man. What he did, I'll probably never know, but I had a flashback to the 80's and being stopped a few times in the same area for WWP - walking while poor. Not that there couldn't be a more noble reason for him being detained, the memory just popped into my head.

"eggs and sausage and a side of toast coffee and a roll/ hash browns over easy
chile in a bowl /with burgers and fries / what kind of pie?" Tom Waits

3 Coins. I'd given up on this place years ago, except for when I'd get a hankering for some SOS and eggs - which isn't that often. Inspired by Rick's post, we decided to give the new, improved version a try.
We weren't dissapointed. I like the new place. It's clean, the service is attentive and friendly, and the food is remarkably good when taken in context. Sure I'm a chef, sure I can do great things with foie gras, but there is a time and a place for everything, something that my contemporaries often forget. I'm the kind of person that has to try quite a few things when first trying out a place. So with a table covered with french toast (light, crisp, flavorful), biscuits and gravy (great biscuit, flavorful sausage gravy without a trace of uncooked flour taste), a Southwest breakfast wrap (the closest thing that I've found in spirit, if not execution, to a TexMex breakfast taco since leaving Austin), some nicely seasoned, crisp home fries, and various breakfast meats I couldn't find a thing that I didn't like. Only impending middle age and an eye on my cholesterol stopped me from eating everything on the table and licking the plates.
The kitchen was weeded when we sat down, so food wasn't exactly flying out, but the wait staff kept us informed and our drinks filled while we waited. I think I've had about six cups of coffee because of the wait, but I didn't mind waiting. Then, the dam broke and food just started flying all over the restaurant. The poor servers went from trying to keep people happy to trying to keep up with all of the food, but they did it with grace and great attitudes.
My hat is off to Moe and something new in the Heights.

Quasi day off over. It was good to get out for a while.

"what do you do with a life of work?" Iggy Pop

Restaurant Hours May Curb "Oldest Profession"

With the advent of Three Coins (corner of Broad and Nebraska) going 24 hours there is most likely going to be an unplanned benefit to Seminole Heights. It seems that since we have the only 24 hour restaurant in central Tampa, it is fast becoming a late night spot for TPD officers for breaks when working the late nights. Good news for residents of the northern half of Seminole Heights. With added police traffic stopping in for their dinner breaks, those engaged in what has been termed the "oldest Profession" may just have no choice but to find new haunts. The "johns" and "tricks" may not feel too comfortable with the nearly constant presence of police cruisers on Nebraska Ave.

Another great reason to support and promote the success of this venture by the owner of Three Coins. He is definitely eager to be a good business neighbor and to get involved in the community. It is great to see this trend growing among neighborhood "brick and mortar" establishments.

It will be even better when the planned restaurant/sports bar starts to come out of the ground at North and Nebraska. A few more positive like this and those working the streets in that oldest of professions may become as rare on Nebraska as they now are on Kennedy Blvd.

So if you stop in Three Coins....you just might want to thank Moe for making it a 24 hour establishment!

Fresh water for the river

While all signs would point to the logical conclusion to the contrary, ie; gutting of the county wetlands division, the threat of a dump on 22nd, etc - the City, Swiftmud, and Friends of the River have actually come to an agreement about the lower Hillsborough River. The agreement ensures a minimum, continuous fresh water flow to the river below the dam. The fresh water will help to recharge the mostly dead estuary of the lower river.

I have to say that I'm pleasantly shocked at this act of placing environmental sensitivity over the desires of developers needing more fresh water for the acres of growing sprawl.

Link to the Tribune story: http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB0LJI6N5F.html

Park's Budget

It is budget season folks. We have heard about all the cuts the City of Tampa (aka Mayor Pam) proposing. Last years budget after the small milage reduction was 725 million dollars. The proposed budget for the new fiscal year is 761 million dollars. That is a better than 4.5% increase. Which by the way is more than the inflation rate or the average employee's raise. So why if the budget is growing and all these staff positions were eliminated is the Parks Department taking a 4.5 million dollar cut out of its 38 million dollar budget. That is a better than 10% cut.

Do the math. Asked the questions. The budget hearings are set for Sept. 4th at 5:00pm.

And they keep on writing themselves.......

I'm sure that everyone received their personal letter from Rob Turner this week. I got mine, too.

Mr. Turner personally(I'm quite sure) let me know that the possible passing of a property tax bill will save me money...blah blah blah --it's from a Florida politician, my attention span is only so great when it comes to the fertilizer that usually gets spread in such a manner.

I bought my house in early 2006 and thought that I'd dodged the bullet on ridiculous taxes when I got my bill last year. Well, fool me 8 times shame on me.  Yup, my taxes went up roughly 50% this year. But the REALLY GOOD NEWS is that I could potentially get tax relief in the amount of $41.36. It's too good to be true!!!! Raise my taxes by roughly $800 but cut them by $41.36? Thanks, you're too kind. Just be sure that my $41.36 in savings is taken out of infrastructure repairs, 
parks and recreation and, oh yeah, can I please be billed for emergency services when I need them? kay, thanks

How much "relief" are you folks seeing and where do you hope it gets cut from?

For Sale By Owner - 1 Dog Track - River View

So the Tampa Greyhound Dog Track is going to quit operations, according to the Tribune.

Anyone interested?

The assessed value is $3,860,680. The current owners do not have a homestead exemptions.

The Clubhouse has three connected buildings.

Building 1 has 107,520 heated square feet. It is 3 stories tall. The exterior walls are precast panel, interior walls are masonry, the roofing structure is steel frame or truss covered with built up tar & gravel. The floors are vinyl or carpeted. Central heat and air.

Building Two has 10,603 heated square feet. It is 2 stories tall. The exterior walls are brick, interior walls are masonry and drywall, the roofing structure is steel frame or truss covered with built up tar & gravel. The floors are vinyl or carpeted, Central heat and air.

Building Three has 43,092 heated square feet. It is 3 stories tall. The exterior walls are brick and concrete block, interior walls are masonry, the roofing structure is steel frame or truss covered with built up tar & gravel. The floors are vinyl or carpeted, Central heat and air.

There is a warehouse/storage building that has 2,553 heated square feet and 3,618 overall square and a second one with 1,260 heated square feet.

Finally there is an auto service/ garage with 1,782 heated square feet.

Last years taxes were $98,433.68. However the asessed value went down last year from $4,199,926 to $3,860,680 so the new taxes will be $82,895.75.

Additionally there is additional parking across the street, abutting the Sulphur Springs Park that the owner also has. This land (without the office tower which is owned by a church) is valued at $2,704,928. The garage comes with the land.

This would be a great party house. Plenty of parking for hundreds of your friends. You could jog in the morning on your own personal running track and never be disturbed by your neighbors dogs. Plenty of bathrooms. Big backyard to walk your dogs in. Easy access to the Interstate.

Randy Baron's New Role

I actually like Randy a lot; although from past posts I've seen a mixed review. I do think, however, most of us agree that he is passionate about Seminole Heights and looks out for the overall best interest of the neighborhood.

That said, according to the story below, Randy (already president of OSHNA) is now serving an additional role as VP of Tampa Homeowners Association (TPA).

Knowing Randy is an avid reader of this blog, I have the following questions for him:

1) What duties will he perform in his newest role?
2) Does the TPA benefit S.H.; and if so, how?
3) What can we do, as a neighborhood, to utilize the power of TPA to assist in our area's continued revitalization?

Neighborhoods Group Selects Leaders
Published: August 15, 2007

TAMPA - The umbrella group over the city's neighborhoods has a new leader.
Wofford Johnson, former president of the Sunset Park Area Homeowners Association, was elected president of Tampa Homeowners, an Association of Neighborhoods, this month.
Johnson, who has lived in Tampa since 1955 with his wife, Ann, has also previously served as vice president and treasurer for the association.

Also elected were Randy Baron, vice president; Fred Zerla, secretary; and Bill Duval, treasurer.

http://centraltampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/aug/15/st-neighborhoods-group-selects-leaders/?news

Boarding House Operator Out Of Jail

So the City and State are investigating another boarding house with illegal operations.
Boarding House Operator Out Of Jail


"A woman accused of running an overcrowded boarding house for 18 people lives in a sprawling estate along the Hillsborough River valued at more than $500,000.

"The Department of Children and Families closed the Beach Street home to tenants on Thursday because of improper supervision, environmental hazards such as the lack of air conditioning, medical neglect and fire code violations."

Based on our experiences in Seminole Heights with an illegal boarding house how long do you think it will remain closed?

Something New In Store For Hutto's Corner

This location is literally just across the MLK boundary of Seminole Heights southwest corner. The property sits on the southeast corner of Boulevard and MLK.

It's nice they are actually doing something with the property, but I question their clientele goals of a "hair salon, phone company ... and liquor store." Not exactly high aspirations. I understand that he needs to lease places out to be profitable; but I'm all for at least aiming a little higher than a "Beepers and Phones."

The owner of the new plaza owns the Citgo across the street from it (southwest corner of intersection).

http://centraltampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/aug/08/st-something-new-in-store-for-huttos-corner/?news

Sometimes they just write themselves

I've been wondering what to do with my new-found posting powers; home improvement, social woes, what did I eat last night, whatever. Funny how once one has the ability to voice one's opinon, you find yourself drawing a blank.
But looking through the Trib today I found a very interesting article about how the City Council has generously foregone a cost of living pay increase in light of the budget crisis from our enormous tax breaks.

Several council members said they have no problem going without the annual increase because they realize nearly every city department has had to make sacrifices.
Council members make $40,250 annually for what is considered a part-time job.

Sounds generous and righteous, right? Wait, it gets better:

A 31 percent pay raise approved in 2005 boosted the council members' salaries from about $31,000 to $40,250. Although approved two years ago, the increase didn't take effect until April.

Also in April, the mayor's salary increased from $135,000 to $150,000. Her salary can now increase by the same across-the-board increase given to other managers but cannot exceed 3 percent.

Well then, who needs 3% when you've just received 31% for a part time job? Thanks guys, you're too kind.

Link to the aritcle: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/aug/09/me-mayor-asks-city-council-to-forgo-annual-raise/

Now for some self-serving linkage:
http://centraltampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/aug/04/st-family-recipe-for-relief1/?news

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/03/Citytimes/Who_s_Cooks__Co_It_s_.shtml

Two-faced Tampa

In a prior conversation, a little research showed quite a change of opinions between babied traffic projects for downtown vs. ignored projects for the "Heights" areas.

Twiggs Street Project — Second Downtown Two-Way Street Conversion Completed
"Spanning from Ashley Drive to Morgan Street, this is the second east/west street in the downtown area being converted from a one-way to a two-way configuration. The project will improve the overall efficiency of the circulation of traffic downtown and create a more pedestrian friendly environment."

vs.

No 2 Ways About It - (Tampa and Seminole Heights)
"The department study says converting the roads to two-way traffic will cause lengthy backups at intersections and increase the number of accidents from cars making left turns across traffic."

Politics and flip-flopping to get what they want. In Tampa? What a surprise.

And I love how we are put second to finances:
"Doing the project right would mean doubling the width of the roads and force the department to buy rights of way from residents and businesses."

Yeah -- why would you ever want to do the project right when it's north of downtown Tampa; instead of west or south? Very transparent. Very sad ......

No 2 Ways About It

I haven't heard any mention of this on the blog, but I'm assuming we've all heard about it by now.

Sad that, as usual, the costs seem more important than the neighborhoods and their people. The story also mentions studying the conversion of all four roads. How about studying the two sets separately?

Lastly, I partially understand at least their arguement (not necessarily their findings), but still find it ironic that a city putting so much focus on bringing people to downtown (i.e., Riverwalk) is so set on being sure those people can drive out of downtown as fast on the residential roads as they can the Interstate the roads p-a-r-a-l-l-e-l.

Double sigh.

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TAMPA - Citing cost and traffic concerns, state transportation officials are rejecting neighborhood requests to convert busy Armenia Avenue, Howard Avenue, Tampa Street and Florida Avenue into two-way routes.

Skip directly to the full story. By RICH SHOPES. The Tampa TribunePublished: Jul 28, 2007

Super Homestead Exemption Calculator

The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser site now has a calculator for the proposed "Super Exemption"to be on the ballot during January presidential primary. It gives a dramatic graph of the reductions in taxable values. However, there is in this writer's opinion a built in bias to keep the status quo. The default on the Property Appraiser's calculator assumes a 7% appreciation in values. Historic norms are more like 3% maybe 4%. The difference is significant when it comes to deciding which is better in the long term. The default setting at 7% negates the super exemption savings in less than 5 years. At the more likely historic norm of 3% appreciation, it would take 15 years to negate the super exemption savings.

Run it on your own property and see the result for yourself using the default 7% and a more realistic 3%.

Ybor Pizza Re-Opens Today, Wed., 8/1/07.

Just an FYI.

3 Coins goes 24/7

Starting today Seminole Heights has a 24/7 place to go to eat. A long time neighborhood gathering place has a new feel, new attitude, and new expanded menu. New granite counters. They now even take credit cards! Breakfast is available anytime with new omlettes choices. A number of new lunch and dinner items. From the looks of the menu items, it looks like they are aiming to compete with Perkins, Denny's, and Village Inn.

The resturant came under new ownership about 2 months ago. The new owner clearly felt there would be a market for a 24 hour establishment in the neighborhood. It also is a huge vote of confidence in the future of that section of Nebraska Ave.

Three Coins is located on the corner of Broad and Nebraska

FOR ALL YOU NAYSAYERS, ALARMISTS, AND GENERAL MALCONTENTS!

For all of you who thought you had something big to talk about....down on TPD, spreading the rumors, read it and weep!
http://www.seshca.com/TPD.htm

Ybor Pizza - Resurrected

"News of my death is greatly exaggerated." - Mark Twain

When Ybor Pizza closed, my neighbor and original owner of the restaurant told me, "It may come back."

True to his word, Copa Cobana on Nebraska Ave. is back in his hands as of last weekend and he's been quick to turn it around and prepare it for business. Down came the beautiful yellow/red flame paintings on the glass windows touting "The Best Wings in Town." Gone went the matching yellow outside walls.

We on the blog, expect no apologies from people like Alex Zayas (reporter - St. Pete Times), who skewed the neighborhood for our take on businesses like Copa Cabana; transforming our opposition of shady local establishments into a racial issue. Still, if not an apology - some sort of wink of acknowledgement would be nice if the rumor holds true that Copa's owner packed it up in the middle of the night and skipped out on his two leases (the other place being on Florida Ave.). If it's confirmed the owner just took all he could from the neighborhood and ran - disappearing when real people/employees (and likely families) are depending on him for a wage - I believe it unfortunately justifies our initial concerns.

In the end the neighborhood as a whole not only perseveres - we win! Seminole Heights might have been changed in the minds of some outsiders due to yellow journalism, but as neighbors we know we have many things to be proud of: Diversity, acceptance, beautiful homes, great people, a growing trend for neighborhood serving businesses, and once again the best damn pizza trifecta in Tampa Bay: Cappy's, Stephanno's and Ybor Pizza.

Note: As for what's to become of the Florida Ave. location, I do not know. However, I did see it still seemingly open for business on Saturday.

MERINOS DELI NEEDS MID-DAY HELP!

Merinos Seminole Heights Deli is seeking a person that has the lunch time available to work at the deli from Monday thru Friday.
School will be back and we want to train a person to learn to help us make our delicious deli sandwiches and greet our neighbors at lunch time from 11:30 till 1:30 and possibly later if necessary.
No experience is necessary, but you will have to be ready to bring your smile and good hearted nature.
Drop by the deli at 6428 Florida Ave. or call me on my cell at 431-5730.

Leroy's officially For Sale?

There is an unconfirmed rumor that Leroy's 4x4 has officially been put up for sale on a wide scale. After a scour of resources I did find a confidential listing for a 33604 "Auto Repair Business" that's "located along a heavily traveled corridor."

The price is $1,050,000 for the two buildings and land, but to get specific information I'd have to sign a Confidentiality and Non Circumvent Agreement, which ain't gonna happen.

Other tib-bits I learned about the property is that it has/is:

• Bay doors & Lifts
• Near Major Interstate
• Business Established nearly 12 years
• High Traffic Count
• Strong Financials
• Commercial Zoning

I don't know a ton about Leroy's, but from what little I do, it certainly sounds like the place to me. Please chime in if you have any news/info.

Merino's Deli Reaching Out

Compliments to Merino's Deli for continuing to reach out to the people of S.H. and beyond. In addition to a recent Blood Drive with goodies for participants, they've been running coupons in publications that are delivered in and beyond neighborhood boundaries.

One is pictured here. Another can be found on their website or at: http://www.efloridacoupons.com/hill_rest_merinos.htm

Keep it up Mike!

Grand Opening & July Mixer

BGoSH is proud to announce that Custom Creations & Events, Inc., located at 6420 N. Central Av., is hosting their first mixer along with their grand opening on Friday, July 27th 2007 - 5pm to 9pm.

Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres will be served, start your weekend off right and come party with the party people!

Public invited, please feel free to bring co-workers, friends and family, we are looking forward to seeing you there!

Call if you have questions or need directions 813-234-3755 or visit us on the web at www.CustomCreationsAndEvents.com

Come and see what Custom Creations & Events can do for you! Specializing in events of all kinds. . . Weddings, Anniversaries, Family Reunions, Birthdays, Holiday Parties, Fund Raisers and more!

Parking is available at the church.

Revitalization north of I-275 stokes Debate

Very interesting story from John Allman of the Tampa Tribune about revitalization efforts going on between S.H. and downtown Tampa.

I think he did a decent job at balancing the debate of "progress" vs. providing services for the less fortunate.

S.H. gets a plug too: "Seminole Heights, the neighborhood north of Tampa Heights, continues to attract homebuyers and popular retail spots such as Starbucks."

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB86OFJ34F.html

Tax cut. Can Tampa make it a Win-Win?

Perhaps I'm being too logical here, but today it hit me that these two events might be able to help each other:

1(link) Tax cuts: "Mayor Pam Iorio laid off 121 full-time city employees and eliminated 133 part time and seasonal jobs and 115 other vacant posts Thursday to trim $15-million from the city's bottom line. "

2 (link) Code enforcement/collection: "Court records show the city fined Bitman about $43,000 in a 1999 code case involving inoperable vehicles and open storage but never collected."

"... the oldest violations date nearly 10 years to a vacant lot ... which has fines totaling about $107,000."

Seems to me that if Tampa wants to help make up the shortfall in property tax cuts, they should be investing more in code enforcement/collection -- not less.

What do you think? Am I missing something here -- or are they?

Farmers' Market trumps Car Lot

Our friend, Alan Snell, of Bike Stories reports the owner of the northwest corner of Florida and Hillsborough Ave. is bucking used car lot owners' offers to buy the property and is instead trying to start a Farmers' Market.

Alan wrote "Rob [the owner] said he's going to have the freshest fruits and veggies and will eventually build a small structure to house the goods. But for now, he'll sell the stuff from his green truck. A white fence is coming, too, on this property that he owns."

I think the premise seems positive and community serving -- and its success could encourage other property owners to continue to say no to car lots.

Please stop by the Farmers' Market, anytime between 7-2pm on Saturdays. There might not only be great produce deals there -- but you just might find yourself a business opportunity.

Read more from Alan Snell at: http://alansnel.com/blog/2007/07/farmers-market-blooms-in-seminole.html

Moving Fence for Safety

Odd how threat of a lawsuit draws more action than a senseless death.

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Nothing can ease their loss, but the parents of a woman killed in a wreck say they hope an agreement to relocate a chain-link fence will make Florida Avenue a safer road.

http://centraltampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jun/30/st-moving-fence-for-safety/?news

FREE TO ALL GREATER SH RESIDENTS

A Summer Gift from SESH to all it's SH neighbors!

This is the second annual SESH Summer Ice Cream Social. We had so much fun last year we are extending an invitaion to all of our SH neighbors to join us. As long as the delicious home made ice cream lasts...............IT'S FREE! So come early!

Lots of toppings, cones and cups, and a brownie to made a delicious sundae..............oh yeah..............we even have sugar free!

See you there!

Found Dog on Flora

Reunited - her name is Daisy and she's home where she belongs. Thank to 2 special little girls, their mother and their neighbor Krissy. Thank you ladies for your help.



This was emailed to me today. I have this little darling and hoping someone claims her.


Hello! Two small girls came to my house on Park Circle a little while ago with a dog they found. It appears to be a Chihauhau or a mix. They found it on Flora St. It's very sweet and doesn't have a collar. They can only keep it at their house for a short time so I'm hoping we can find her owner. I've attached a photo. I made it small for the web - let me know if you need it bigger. I've already posted this on the OSHNA website.

Thanks for what you're doing!

Hallelujiah ... Pass the Tylenol.

During my daily bike trip/death wish from my S.H. home to my downtown workplace, I noticed a sign being put up on the long vacant building at the northeast corner of Highland Ave. and MLK. The new use for the old Babylon gay and lesbian night club (and previously Tampa's original Carmine's Restaurant) is ... [pause for suspense] ....

A church.

Surprised? The sign was in spanish, which I can't read, so I don't know the name. All I remember is "Episcopal."

Personally, I think this is just in time, since I notice a shortage of churches in the area. (Yes, that's sarcasm.)

Do you have an opinion, positive or not, on the high concentration of churches in S.H.?

Hampton Terrace Summer Reasarch Event

Location: Seminole Heights Garden Center

Hampton Terrace Heritage Research and Preservation Event
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7 PM
Seminole Heights Garden Center
5810 Central Ave.
Old Seminole Heights


For the past six weeks, USF students have been roaming the neighborhood surrounding Lake Roberta, armed with cameras and clipboards, conducting heritage research projects in collaboration with the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Associationâ??s Preservation Committee (OSHNA). They have collected historical and archival data specifically focused on the Hampton Terrace Neighborhood and conducted oral history interviews with community elders.

Under the direction of Dr. Antoinette Jackson of the USF Department of Anthropology, the Heritage Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) was designed to help prepare participants to study heritage as a key cultural resource in areas such as quality of life programs and policies, education, tourism, historic preservation, youth activities, and neighborhood revitalization.

An analysis of Seminole Heightsâ??both past and presentâ??will be profiled through presentations by USF student researchers on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7 PM at the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5810 Central Ave. We invite your attendance to view the fruits of their research, learn more about your neighborhood and meet your neighbors.

For more information contact Suzanne Prieur at 813 610-5255.
Hampton Terrace Heritage Research and Preservation Event
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7 PM
Seminole Heights Garden Center
5810 Central Ave.
Old Seminole Heights


For the past six weeks, USF students have been roaming the neighborhood surrounding Lake Roberta, armed with cameras and clipboards, conducting heritage research projects in collaboration with the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Associationâ??s Preservation Committee (OSHNA). They have collected historical and archival data specifically focused on the Hampton Terrace Neighborhood and conducted oral history interviews with community elders.

Under the direction of Dr. Antoinette Jackson of the USF Department of Anthropology, the Heritage Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) was designed to help prepare participants to study heritage as a key cultural resource in areas such as quality of life programs and policies, education, tourism, historic preservation, youth activities, and neighborhood revitalization.

An analysis of Seminole Heightsâ??both past and presentâ??will be profiled through presentations by USF student researchers on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7 PM at the Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5810 Central Ave. We invite your attendance to view the fruits of their research, learn more about your neighborhood and meet your neighbors.

For more information contact Suzanne Prieur at 813 610-5255.

Final report by the USF students who have been doing heritage resources research in Hampton Terrace. See preservation committee for more information.

As grandma remembers...

Hanging out with Grandma this weekend I learned a little family history...

The overpriced house currently for sale at 404 E. Fern Street was built by my grandma's "Uncle Doc" Thomas. (Morgan Lester Thomas, as it turns out, a mid 20th century Tampa dentist.) The classic 1340 square foot bungalow with wrap around front porch is a scaled up duplicate of a smaller house Uncle Doc had on Waters Avenue before World War II, back when Waters was a 2 lane road leading out to the sticks.

As Grandma remembers...

“About a week before Christmas every year Uncle Doc used to come around and knock on everyone’s door and say ‘I’ll be looking for ya Christmas morning.’ Christmas morning you’d go over there and he’d have an apron on sitting on a high stool and he’d have a big ol Mixmaster going. He was making homemade eggnog with raw eggs and whisky! And his wife, Aunt Dora, she was a great baker, would be in the kitchen making cakes…coconut cake, orange cake, fruit cake, you name it she had it. And people would walk all over that house with a glass of eggnog in one hand and piece of cake in the other. There were so many people there you couldn’t find a place to sit down!”

“Uncle Doc died in the front bedroom of that house. His daughter inherited it. When she married, she decided to move to Maine and sold the house for twelve thousand dollars. That was 40 some years ago. Now it’s for sale for $264,000!”

“I always wanted to own that house. It’s not as nice or as big as my house, but I loved it.”
...
And another gem from Grandma's 21st birthday back in 1945 at the Barcelona Restaurant which sat on the southwest corner of Nebraska and Osborne:

"...waking up the next morning I was one sick cookie..."
...

I read in the paper that USF students have been conducting oral histories in the neighborhood as part of a Heritage Research Experience program. They'll be presenting thier research on Hampton Terrace at 7pm Wednesday, June 20th at the Seminole Heights Garden Center (5810 Central Ave). On Thursday, anthropology students will be presenting findings on the black community of Spring Hill in Sulphur Springs at 6pm at the George Bartholomew North Tampa Community Center (8608 N. 12th St.)

BGoSH General Meeting

It doesn't matter if you're a member or not, if you own a business or not, come out and join us for the next BGoSH General Meeting:

This month's focus is on "Beautification and Your Business". We invite residence to come out and tell the business community what you would like to see in your community.

Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 7:00 pm - Metropolitan Community Church - 408 E. Cayuga Street (corner of Central Avenue and Cayuga Street)

Nebraska Ave. Construction

Kris Carson, FDOT Spokesperson, said" Engineering studies have actually shown us that we can do this. We can reduce the amount of lanes of there and by adding that two way center left turn lane we're not going to affect the capacity we're actually going to increase the safety and the flow out there. And in terms of why can't we just buy more land and add more lanes, it just comes down to funding."

Jeff Craft, an accountant and president of the Seminole Heights Business Alliance, diagrees. "That will slow drivers and might discourage some from taking Nebraska."

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=56665

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBM28H5S2F.html

My Seminole Heights

The Seminole Heights Blog will be transitioning to different blog software (Wordpress) and a better looks. The name will be changing to My Seminole Heights and will be found at www.myseminoleheights.info This the result of work by Tommy Duncan and the Sticks of Fire gang and is part of a new initiative by him.

As part of this transition I am looking for more writers. Anyone who is currently a writer for the seminoleheights.blogspot blog will invited to join the new blog. But I am also looking for additional writers. Whether you have an existing blog or not, you are welcome to apply. I am looking for people who have something to say about living or life in Seminole Heights. Events. Activities. Commentary. Photos. Stories. Tell us about your remodeling of your house. Issues you deal with in your daily life here. Cool things you see. The pleasures you find. Email me at dbanghart@yahoo.com if you are interested. Something I also hope to do down the road is to put some feeds from some of the other great blogs in the Seminole Heights neighborhood on the side bar, so those blogs will get better exposure and so the commentary is richer.

For a little bit I will crosspost until all the elements are complete in the new blog. At that point the old blog will remain in an archive form for reference.

Let me know if there are features you would like to see.

Water Woes

Daniel Ruth recounts the tale of the owner of the Swann Avenue Market and Cafe in Hyde Park who got hit with a recent water and solid waste bill with $1,776.12 in "past due" charges.

The reason? Because the City forgot to charge him for recycling disposal or container fees.

Some may argue whether or not he should have been charged at all for the past payments. That's debatable. David McCary's stance was:

"We're not trying to pick on him," a sympathetic McCary commiserated. "But our policy is we don't eat the cost."

Ah, the dreaded policy.

"A mistake was made," McCary conceded. "Nothing was covered up. But we can't ignore [the $1,776.12], and that's the problem."

My issues is in the way it was handled. Instead of just sticking it on the bill with no explantion, the City should have sent a letter explaining the error and indicating it would be willing to work on how it would be paid.

On a related note, a friend from the neighborhood also got a past due notice. However she always paid her bill on time. The city said they did not get the payment. Finally it came in. This happened again the second month even though she sent the check in plenty of time. The problem apparently has something to due with the fact the City sends its bills to a company in Atlanta to handle, thus causing a delay.

Bureaucrats.

If water was not a city monopoly, would free market forces cause better customer service?

crossposted on My Seminole Heights

The dump is dumped

According to the Tribune, the park at the end of 22nd street, next to the Seminole Crest area of Old Seminole Heights, will no longer be a drop off site for waste

"In a debate between residents and city officials over the location of a dumpsite, the residents won"

""We are taking a step back and will search for a more viable location that will be viewed by the public as complementary and beneficial," solid waste Director David McCary wrote in a memo to city council. "Therefore the location at 22nd and Sligh has officially been ruled out and will not be reconsidered."

"Residents from several communities opposed the plan. They showed up at a city council meeting last week and told the board they didn't want the center in their neighborhood."

Good job guys. That old saw is wrong. You can fight City Hall and as usual Seminole Heights proved it.

FINALLY!!!

I borrowed these pics and headline from our friends at S.H. Hot Topics. Their pictures are worth 1,000 words.