Port Tampa

Join the Friends of the Port Tampa City Library in Dedication of Yeats Room

2007-06-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Port Tampa City Library have succeeded in having the second floor meeting room of the Library dedicated and named after James G. Yeats, who constructed the building in 1926 for his First Bank of Port Tampa City.

On Saturday, June 16, 2007, 3:00 p.m., a formal dedication will be held in the main meeting room of the Library, 4902 W. Commerce Street, to honor Mr. Yeats who was a three-term mayor of Port Tampa City, chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, bank president, newspaper publisher, real estate broker, and construction and paving contractor.

The community is invited to join in the dedication sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Board, the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, and the Friends of the Port Tampa City Library.

Port Tampa Beauty

2007-05-28T13:40:00.001-04:00

One of the many things we love about Port Tampa is the variety of plants and flowers seen on a walk through the neighborhood. No matter what you see on HGTV or in the big box stores, nothing can take the place of time in establishing beauties like these. Many thanks to Carol Curtiss for these gorgeous pictures. Look for more in the coming days, and drop a note if you'd like to see some of your photos posted here.

National Trails Day Event in Port Tampa, June 2

2007-05-18T11:43:00.000-04:00

Here's an opportunity to learn about trails in our community. If you are feeling adventurous, join the City of Tampa Greenways and Trails Citizen's Advisory Committee on a trek through Southwest Port Tampa to celebrate National Trails Day.

Saturday, June 2, 2007 9:00 am - noon at the SouthWest Port Tampa Park parking lot located at 7506 Morton Street. Instead of a traditional meeting, the GTCAC and interested public are invited to bring their bikes (mountain bikes recommended) and/or hiking shoes and we will follow the planned trail route alignments to Picnic Island to celebrate National Trails Day.

We will trek around the Chevron parcel along City stormwater drainage canals which the City hopes to purchase through ELAPP. In addition we will bike down to the saltwater mud flats south and west of the petrolum tank farms. An on-road side trip to Picnic Island Park will also be made.

In the event of inclement weather (very high winds or rain), the event will be rescheduled to a later date.

This event is being posted on the National Trails Day event calendar, as well as with TampaBayCycle.com. Members of the Hillsborough MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will also be invited.

Please be prepared with sunscreen & mosquito repellant & water. The City will provide water and snack bars at the beginning and end of the ride. Note that access to restroom facilities is limited to those available at nearby park facilities. Special accommodations will be made to the extent possible with motor vehicle access to portions of the trail alignment for those physically challenged.

Please RSVP to Mary Helen at mary.duke@tampagov.net to participate in this event. City liability waivers may be required.

Picnic Island Adventure Race Series Starts Friday

2007-05-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

Each race last year saw over 400 runners competing on the new course with a beach start and finish. The weather could not have been better and the competition was fierce. We expect low tide conditions this year so it could be a fast race. Read more here

Tea Party Scheduled for Young Ladies

2007-05-02T15:50:00.000-04:00

The Port Tampa City Woman’s Club and the Kwane Doster Rec Center are planning a Tea Party for young ladies on Saturday May 26th, at 11:30 AM. It’s going to be a “dress up” party and “art show” with the girls wearing flowered hats. "The girls are practicing proper tea etiquette and are looking forward to displaying their artwork and modeling the brightly colored straw hats they created,” says Queen Matthews, Kwane Doster recreation center director. We may need some help with decorations. If you would like to be involved please contact Cookie Robinson at 390-9766 or sumiyo@yahoo.com

Thanks to the Port Tampa Women's Club newsletter.

Garden Party at the Pavilion

2007-05-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

From the Port Tampa Women's Club
PLEASE JOIN US
Saturday, May 5th 11:00 AM Under the Pavilion at Spanish-American War Memorial Park

Bring your favorite dish and wear a Fancy Fedora for our Spring Garden Party.

For more Information call 837-5135 or
ptcwc@porttampa.org

Hoadley Ave Junkyard Site of Animal Cruelty

2007-04-21T10:21:00.000-04:00

ABC Action News had video of the fence mentioned below, and an interview with a nearby Port Tampa resident. I can't find the link now, and they may have taken it down permanently, but if I can find it I'll post an update. One thing development is bringing is closer scrutiny of what goes on behind the fences at these junk yards. This headline could also have been, Concerned Neighbors Try to Save Dogs' Lives, Report Abuser

Man Charged With Cruelty
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 21, 2007

TAMPA - A 51-year-old city man, who displayed suspected dog skulls on his fence, has been charged with cruelty to animals for allegedly neglecting dogs he kept outside at his boat business.

Authorities were notified by a concerned citizen and responded to Richard Allan Hopkins' business at 7260 Hoadley Avenue, according to Marti Ryan, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County animal control. Ryan said three dogs - two adults and a puppy - had been neglected for some time and had injuries to their faces and paws that were infected and untreated. The animals were also infested with fleas and showed signs of heart worm, she said.

Hopkins had two full skulls and some more partial skulls on his fence. Ryan said investigator Renee Northrup is confident they are dog skulls.

Read the full story here

Traffic Light Coming to Interbay/Westshore/Commerce Intersection

2007-04-15T08:08:00.000-04:00

As reported in the Tampa Tribune:

By MARK HOLAN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 14, 2007

PORT TAMPA - The city will install a traffic signal at the busy intersection of West Shore and Interbay boulevards and Commerce Street.Residents say they have been asking for a flashing light or other ways to slow traffic at the bend for at least 10 years.Now they just have to wait one more year.

"We know the growth in this area is going to continue," transportation manager Roy LaMotte said Thursday after briefing the city council about the light. He said the design will include pedestrian crossing signals.

Read the rest of the article here.

IMHO Port Tampa residents need to stay informed about the design and construction. The last thing we need is to have the promised pedestrian signals delayed or cut because of budget issues.

Yappy Tails Expands, New Web Site Up

2007-04-08T16:05:00.000-04:00

The folks at Yappy Tails Barkery have expanded beyond basic word of mouth advertising and a faint web presence to a full blown .com web site. Visit the new
Yappy Tails Barkery site and support a homegrown Port Tampa business. The Barkery can supply all of your dog treat needs and the new site links to dog portraiture, dog events, dog info, and doggone fun.

Paint Your Heart Out Tampa to Improve Port Tampa Home

2007-04-05T16:17:00.000-04:00

Paint Your Heart Out Tampa Bay has selected a Port Tampa City Home to receive minor repairs, pressure washing and a fresh coat of paint. The all volunteer organization enables clubs, businesses and citizens to lend a helping hand to disadvantaged, elderly homeowners. Volunteering is rewarding in many ways,from being able to help others to the feeling of being part of a solution. The Tampa Bay Tigers, a local youth football team, wants to make a difference and plans to paint and build a wheelchair ramp for a Port Tampa City resident this month. Way to go, Tigers!
The scheduled paint day is Saturday, April 21st. If you would like to participate, please contact Cookie Robinson at 390-9766 for more information.

Hat tip to the Hibiscus Newsletter of the Port Tampa City Women's Club.

Port Tampa City 1938

2007-03-31T10:16:00.000-04:00

Wonder what your block looked like almost 70 years ago? Check out the searchable aerial photography database atAerial Photography Florida Then follow these instructions from the most excellent My Florida History blog

"From the site's home page, click "search." You will see a map of the state. Use the "zoom+" button to zoom on the part of Florida that interests you. After you zoom in several times, you will see dots with years, which are the links to photos from that year of that place. If you zoom in more, you will see street names. You can use the "select" feature to draw a rectangle around the dots you want. Links to the photos will appear below the map. Click on the camera icon by the year you want, and a new window will open with that aerial photograph. You can zoom in closer by using the drop down menu, or by clicking on the photograph (which also recenters the image). "

The empty block just below the center of the picture above is where the SW Port Tampa Park and Kwane Doster Rec. Center are now located. The large open space at the very bottom is still open space, occupied only by well used ball fields. Port Tampa City has certainly seen ups and downs over the years, but the Port Tampa blogger family appreciates the relatively high percentage of open space we still enjoy right in the city. Tampa in general does not rate very highly for open spaces and parks compared to other urban environments. It's important to support the Port Tampa City Women's Club in their efforts to make the Spanish American War Memorial Park something to be proud of.

What would you do with a Tampa mini grant?

2007-03-30T09:15:00.000-04:00

Tampa Neighborhood and Community Relations Director, Shannon Edge, was at the CAPT meeting on Tuesday and mentioned the new city mini grants. Questions soon turned to neighborhood and park improvements far beyond the scope of a mini grant but here at the Port Tampa blog we believe it's time to go after that money. 106 different neighborhood organizations are eligible to apply and there's only $15,000 to go around so it would pay to jump on this opportunity fast. Here are the details as posted on www.tampagov.net:

City Launches Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program

Tampa, FL March 19, 2007 - On March 2, 2007, the Neighborhood & Community Relations Office launched the City of Tampa Neighborhood Mini-Grant Matching Program reinforcing the city’s commitment to investing in neighborhoods.
Through this program, the city is allocating $15,000 to be awarded as matching grants to officially recognized neighborhood associations in increments up to $750. All 106 officially recognized neighborhood associations in the city are eligible to apply for the grants.

This new initiative will help strengthen neighborhood associations by funding communication efforts, publicity and insurance for special events, beautification projects, and leadership training development programs.

For additional information or to obtain a Neighborhood Mini-Grant Application, please contact Neighborhood & Community Relations Director Shannon Edge at (813) 274-7835.

Have a good idea? Post a comment and let's hear about it.

Port Tampa Murder Suspect in Custody and Other CAPT Meeting News

2007-03-28T09:49:00.000-04:00

Though he did not identify the suspect by name, TPD Cpt. Hugh Miller told a standing room only Kwane Doster Rec. Center crowd that a man in custody on other charges is the target of the department's investigation of the two recent murders on S. Morton St. Perhaps surprisingly for such serious crimes they were not the chief law enforcement concern of residents at the CAPT meeting. Traffic enforcement and the need for sidewalks topped the list and Civic Association President Jill Buford had petitions asking the city to install high priority sidewalks ready for signing.

Though many were vocal in their criticism of "no one telling us anything" and "not having a say" in community priorities the group fell silent during the call for nomination of new CAPT officers to serve through '09. While it's great to see more people attending CAPT meetings now that they alternate between the Southwest and Northeast rec centers, it's not so great if they aren't also willing to step up and be part of the solution to community problems.

On a personal note-it is very easy to get information about Port Tampa, and the city in general. This is one of the most Internet accessable city governments I've ever encountered. In the Port Tampa blogger family alone the city has twice cleaned up illegal dumping reported through tampagov.net, they've also had burned out street light bulbs replaced along Interbay just 2 days after they were reported on the tampagov site.

Other things take time, lots of time. The Tampa greenways and trails have been a decade in the making but we are finally on the cusp of seeing parts of the Port Tampa portion come to fruition.

TPD to Send Representative to CAPT Meeting Tonight

2007-03-27T06:04:00.000-04:00

Captain Miller of the Tampa Police Department is planning to attend the Civic Association of Port Tampa (CAPT) meeting tonight at 7:00 PM at the Kwane Doster Rec. Center. The Center is at the far south end of S. Morton St. in the Southwest Port Tampa park. Miller will address the status of the investigations into two recent shootings. No doubt police presence will be a hot topic as there were calls for more of it during the forum with Council Dingelder last month, but Miller claims some have complained about too much police presence on their block. No matter which side of the issue you take, go to the meeting and have a voice.

Losing Our Homeowner's Insurance

2007-03-25T16:16:00.000-04:00

We've insured homes with Armed Forces Insurance for almost 15 years now. We moved, bought and sold houses, and always took AFI with us. No more. The Ft. Leavenworth based insurance company has "evaluated its risk portfolio" and determined that we are at too great a risk for wind damage and ours will not be among the few policies renewed in Florida.

Ironically, we are being bitten by legislation designed to make insurance more affordable. AFI is a non-profit member owned company, one that pays a dividend to policy holders if claims are lower than expected. To assume too much risk, for houses like ours, without enough in premiums to cover potential claims is to put all the other owners (policy holders like us) at risk.

We'll try the next insurer of choice for most military families, USAA. If you have suggestions, let me know. I fear we are going to join the ranks of people who have insurance payments as high as their mortgages.

What does a house cost down there?

2007-03-18T09:43:00.000-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time out of town on business this winter and this time of year people seem to be particularly envious of a Tampa address. Some so want to escape where ever they are living now they start researching how to make a move to Tampa before employment or family ties bring them here. A recent visitor to the blog that covers all things Tampa,Sticks of Fire asked if a family could find a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for around $300,000.

So what does a house in Port Tampa cost? Wow, that is a really difficult question these days. A search of realtor.com for the 33616 zip code will include a lot of homes that aren't in Port Tampa proper, including Westshore Yacht Club. Here's the range I found after sorting through 187 listings:$179,900 will buy this three bedroom one bath home on a 50X100 ft lot. Built in 1900 it is on Fitzgerald just south of the Community Center.

There is no photo available for the 4 bedroom 4 bath $729,000 house going up on the far south end of Juanita. I don't think you can buy an insurable 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home in Port Tampa for under $375,000. Comment here if you can prove me wrong!

Opposition to Gazebo Demolition Growing

2007-03-15T07:29:00.000-04:00

Is Tampa disregarding the historic heritage of Port Tampa City. Some think so.

Received via e-mail:

Hello everyone,

What is so terribly wrong with our historic gazebo that it is unsound and unsafe for public use??????

Just a scant three months ago Santa and Mrs. Claus sat in chairs in this gazebo, along with other adults and musical equipment, while approximately 200 children came and went, telling Santa their wishes. There was nothing wrong with the gazebo at that time. It showed no signs of serious deterioration or harm to anyone.

Back in the year 1961 the City of Tampa annexed Port Tampa, in spite of vigorous protests by the residents. Come on, people, let's speak up now and keep what precious little of our historic heritage that we have left.

Take a look at the pavilion at the northern end of the Park. Many of us believe that the pavilion needs an entire new roof, but ... the City is just making repairs to the old roof ... pieces of wood being replaced here and there. The worker is doing a good job and would be a good person to replace bad wood on the gazebo.

I do not want a replacement gazebo! Let's fix the old one. Even if it costs more to repair than to replace, let's fix it. We can hold a fundraiser to raise money to reimburse the City for the extra cost.

Also, there are contractors residing in Port Tampa, so let's get bids from them. I feel certain that they would take great pride in restoring our historic Spanish American War Memorial Park Gazebo.

Carol Curtiss

Gazebo Declared Unsafe, Tampa Parks Dept. Plans Demolition

2007-03-14T19:02:00.000-04:00

Port Tampa City Women's Club President Chris Malzone sent out an e-mail earlier today with info about the imminent demolition of the Gazebo in the Spanish American War Memorial Park. Here is the e-mail response from Cathie Schanze of Tampa's Parks and Rec. Department.

"Staff met onsite with Ms. Malzone to discuss options for improving the Gazebo. They were very concerned about the condition of the structure and forwarded their concerns to me.

I met with our Building Services Superintendent to look at the structure on Monday. We found the structure to be unsound. The Pilings are inadequate. The base is not properly attached to the pilings. The deck boards are in need of replacement. The support posts are sitting onto of the deck boards and are not attached to the base or pilings in any way. The support posts and roof appear to be leaning.

Accounting for all the repairs it would take to remedy these situations, we felt it would be more cost effective to replace the structure in it's entirety.

I contacted Ms. Malzone with our findings and asked her to bring the information to your groups for discussion. I also offered to do some research on replacement structures to present to your groups as soon as possible.

At this time we have not determined any dates for the proposed demolition nor have we determined a source for the proposed replacement.

I apologize for not having more definite information but really wanted to let your group know what we found as soon as possible so we can work together to find a solution.

Please feel free to contact me, I would be meet with you and/or discuss alternatives.

Sincerely,

Cathie Schanz, CPRP
Operations Chief
City of Tampa
Parks and Recreation
1420 N Tampa St
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 274-7731 office
(813) 274-7744 fax
cathie.schanz@tampagov.net
www.tampagov.net/dept_Parks

Walk With Mayor Iorio March 17th

2007-03-09T17:57:00.000-05:00

Gunshot Victim Dies at Hospital

2007-03-05T16:26:00.000-05:00

Man Dies After Several Gunshot Wounds
Posted Mar 4, 2007 by The Tampa Tribune
Updated Mar 5, 2007 at 11:40 AM

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – A man who was shot multiple times in the upper body Sunday night has died.

Tedric Dewayne Maynard, 25, of Tampa was shot in the 7500 block of South Morton Street near West Richardson Avenue, according to police.

Tampa General Hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss said Maynard has died, but she couldn’t say when because of medical privacy laws.

Victim Identified

2007-03-04T23:37:00.000-05:00

As reported on TBO.com

Man In Hospital, Police Investigating Shooting
Posted Mar 4, 2007 by The Tampa Tribune
Updated Mar 4, 2007 at 11:16 PM

TAMPA - Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man Sunday night.

Tedric Dewayne Maynard, 25, of Tampa, was shot multiple times in the upper body and was in critical but stable condition at Tampa General Hospital, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

The shooting happened after 9 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Morton Street, near West Richardson Avenue.

A staff report

News Channel 8 in Port Tampa

2007-03-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

The News Channel 8 van took out a mail box on S. Morton St. then got stuck in the ditch, so lets hope the reporter was more competent than the driver. Her report, has not aired yet. Onlookers say it will say tonight's shooting victim was hit 5 times but is at the hospital and still alive.

Police Wrapping Up at Port Tampa Shooting Scene

2007-03-04T21:55:00.000-05:00

A crowd gathered at the corner of Morton and Richardson as about 12 police cars, an ambulance, and two firetrucks were called to the scene of the shooting near the Kwane Doster Rec Center. The victim was still alive when he left the scene in the ambulance. He has not been identified but bystanders believe he was not from the immediate neighborhood. This picture was taken at 9:45PM as police were wrapping up. Cones just visible in the center of the photo indicate where the victim fell.

Shots Fired Near Kwane Doster Rec Center

2007-03-04T20:51:00.000-05:00

Police are investigating a shooting on S. Morton Street on the same block as the Rec Center. This just happened a few minutes ago. One man was seen running from the scene, another was taken away in an ambulance.

More details as they become available.

Friends of the Library to Meet on Wednesday

2007-03-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

A note from Friends President, Jill Buford
Hello Port Tampa Friends

Our next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday March 7th 7pm 2007.

· Corey has a great summer schedule for the Library to share with us.
· Our computer Lab is a busy bee hive of activity thanks to Jeff the library’s computer specialist.
· We need to plan and prepare for the Dedication of the James Yeats Meeting Room on June 16th
· And we need to discuss the newest addition to the Library; the Ellen Haynes Green Reading Room.

Have a great weekend, see you next Wednesday.

Jill Buford

A portion of the library sidewalk damaged by tree roots was recently repaired with a new product. Read more about it here:
City Tests Flexible Sidewalk Material You can see more of this sidewalk at the corner of Idaho and Elliot where it was used for two newly constructed houses.

PTCWC Seeks Input on Park Gazebo, City Plans to Spend $250,000 on Another Port Tampa Park

2007-03-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

From the Hibiscus Newsletter of the Port Tampa City Women's Club:This is a representation of the suggested renovations to the Spanish American War Memorial Park Gazebo. The Port Tampa City Women's Club wants to anchor the structure, replace the floor, balusters & handrails, add gingerbread at the corner of each post and
paint. And, if they can afford it, add a decorative metal roof.
They are in the process of accepting & reviewing bids. Any donations
of materials and /or labor would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any information on the history of the gazebo, or any old
pictures, please share them with the PTCWC.
Comments or suggestions are welcome, please e-mail them to
ptcwc@porttampa.org, or call Chris Malzone 813-493-5201.

In her "Letter from the President" Chris says:
The City of Tampa has been making big changes at Spanish-American War Memorial Park in the past few months. We even have new garbagereceptacles! Recently, the Tampa Tribune stated in an article that $250,000 has been earmarked
for completion of the park by 2009. This is great news should it become a reality. However, it's nice to know that a project initiated by the Port
Tampa City Woman’s Club over 3 years ago is in the city's plans.

Civic Association of Port Tampa Meeting Tuesday

2007-02-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

Don't miss the February Civic Association meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 at the Rec. Center on Lancaster. The March meeting will be held at the Kwane Doster center in Southwest Port Tampa (on Morton, just south of Richardson). CAPT Pres. Jill Buford has been reluctant to hold meetings at the Doster Center because the meeting room is not accessable. However, the recent forum with Councilman Dingfelder proved that the foyer will hold a larger crowd than usually attends Association meetings. For his part, Dingfelder demured from making campaign promises except for being pretty emphatic that he would make accessability at the Doster Center a priority.

Parks and Rec Spending $250,000 on Port Tampa Park

2007-02-22T19:41:00.000-05:00

Improvements to the Southwest Port Tampa Park, noted by Councilman Dingfelder at the forum at the Kwane Doster center last week, have begun. New fencing around the park and the ball fields across the street, sidewalks in the park, new concrete pads under the bleachers, repair and painting of the shelters, engineered mulch under the playground equipment and a new parking area are all planned. The park is located between the southernmost ends of Elliot and Morton Streets.

Councilman Dingfelder in Port Tampa Tonight!

2007-02-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

John Dingfelder will be at the Kwane Doster Rec. Center at the Southwest Port Tampa Park (south end of S. Morton St.) at 7:00PM tonight, February 16. Neighborhood concerns are on the agenda, including the Port Tampa Blogger's personal favorite-sidewalks!

Dingfelder is running for reelection so come see and hear the man in person before you make your decision.

Paint Your Heart Out Tampa!

2007-02-04T09:09:00.000-05:00

Mayor Pam Iorio calls Paint Your Heart Out Tampa
“The best all volunteer program that Tampa has ever
had “
The citywide program enables citizens, businesses,
clubs and organizations to lend a helping hand to low
income, elderly homeowners. Over the past 18 years,
volunteers and sponsors have given of themselves to
paint the homes of more than 1800 grateful and deserving
residents, free of charge.
If you know of a Port Tampa City senior needing a
hand to restore the appearance of their home, please
contact Cookie Robinson at 390-9766 for further information.
Applications are now being accepted. The
next Paint Day is scheduled for April 21, 2007.
If you wish to contact them directly send correspondence
to
Paint Your Heart Out Tampa
Ph: 258-4512, FAX 251-5082

Hat tip to the Port Tampa Women's Club Newsletter for this info.

Murder Down the Street

2007-01-21T07:49:00.000-05:00

Ours is an early morning neighborhood. On recycling day the truck will have come and gone by 6:00 am. Our 17 year old dog needs to be walked early. Nearly blind, and almost totally deaf, she rarely notices the neighbor and little dog 4 houses down who, like us, are always out for a morning constitutional by 5:00am. Sometimes a late night trip to the water bowl for her, or some looming deadline for me, will have us up and out the door at a time where our early morning overlaps with the late nights of others.

Thus it was that we were out for a walk just three hours and two blocks away from Randy LeDuc's murder. I don't recall ever seeing LeDuc, though the "Amen Brothers," the twice retired gentlemen who congregate in the front yard of another neighbor, say he'd lived among us off and on for several years. These men, with careers in the Air Force and Army long behind them, know every person and every vehicle in southwest Port Tampa. During the day, if one or the other didn't belong they'd know it. They'd be a savvy detective's first stop.

But LeDuc was murdered at 1:00AM, near his "home." Home was a trailer parked in the yard of Italian Cast Stone. The thriving manufacturer of ornamental concrete is generally regarded as a good neighbor, with all trash swept and things buttoned up and tidy at the end of each business day. If you noticed the trailer at all you'd assume it was used for storage. Within hours of LeDuc's death the block looked just the same. No spontaneous memorials at the site of his shooting. No weeping relatives decrying random violence or official ineptitude. No police tape cordoning off the area for investigators to comb and recomb the crime scene for evidence. His shooting occured near us, but not among us.

Two weeks later I'm not sure how the loss of LeDuc affects my sense of safety. I don't hesitate to grab the leash and head out the door after midnight, but are we keeping the walks short for the old dog's sake or mine?

Gengiz Khan Gets Attention at Sticks of Fire

2007-01-18T21:06:00.000-05:00

Our friends at Sticks of Fire: A Tampa Blog have finally discovered the awesome SOG Gengiz Khan Mediterranean Grill (Corner of Interbay and MacDill). Check out Foodie Matt's review here.

Port Tampa Tree Lighting to Feature Henry Plant

2006-12-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

Dr. Kelly Reynolds, professor of living history, will bring his portrayal of Henry Plant to the Port Tampa Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 9th. Join your Port Tampa City neighbors in a free celebration of the holidays, and take a look at the fabulous renewal of the Spanish American War Memorial Park. The fun begins at 4:00PM and continues until dark. Study your Port Tampa trivia for a chance to win prizes, enjoy some cookies and punch while a students from Robinson High School and Westshore Elementary perform seasonal favorites, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as local firefighters. This is also a chance to vote for your favorite giant Christmas card.

This free event is brought to us by: the Civic Association of Port Tampa City, Port Tampa City Woman's club, Robinson High School, Westshore Elementary, Friends fo the Port Tampa City Library, Sweet Bay Supermarkets and the City of Tampa.

My Gandy to Cease Publication

2006-11-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

The editorial and advertising deadline for the 5th issue of My Gandy was to have been today, so you can imagine our shock when this missive from publisher Derek Reusser arrived via e-mail:

"I regret to inform you that My Gandy Magazine will be shutting down operation. Everything was on track until yesterday when two key advertisers pulled out. It was a last minute surprise that we could not overcome at this late stage of production.

I greatly apologize for any wasted time invested in advertisements and stories.
I appreciate the great amount support we received from advertisers, writers and readers alike. The time for my company and the market was just not quite right."

Full disclosure-the Port Tampa blogger wrote a couple of short pieces for My Gandy issue number 4 on a strictly volunteer basis.

The demise of Derek's venture makes us wonder when we'll have a critical mass of commercial/retail activity SOG so that instead of saying "I rarely venture north of Kennedy," we can honestly say, "I rarely have any reason to do business north of Gandy."

Author Chronicles Historic Tampa through Photos

2006-11-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

Join the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough as they unveil the book Historic Photos of Tampa tomorrow at 2:30,downtown in the John F. Germany Public Library . Listen to author Ralph Brower as he reveals the distinguished story of Tampa through the lens of the Burgert Brothers. On his journey Brower observes the influences of Henry B. Plant and Vincente Ybor on the town that would be known as "Cigar City." Light refreshments will be served.

If you can not make this book signing, the Ybor City Museum Store will have
the author visiting on the evening of December 8. The Museum Store is
located at the corner of 9th & 19th streets.

Helping Hands Need Help

2006-11-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

Volunteers Needed
(From the Women's Club Newsletter)
Last year, Port Tampa City’s “Helping Hands” made Christmas possible for approximately thirty families in our small community.
Westshore Elementary School
provided names of families who needed the help and support of Special Santas. People and businesses donated time, money and food to make this possible.

I know we all want to awaken on Christmas morning this year knowing that we have again shared our prosperity with those who are less fortunate. “Helping Hands”
will be reaching out again to give hope and to make Christmas possible for those in need. Volunteers are needed to take people shopping. Donations
of food and money are also needed. For a family
of two adults and two children, about $250.00 is needed
to supply gifts and food.

“Helping Hands” seeks your support in one of the following
ways:
Santa’s Helper Volunteer to collect and deliver items or to take people shopping.
Special Santa Financial Sponsorship of one family($250.00).
Santa’s Angel Donation of items or money.
Please contact Cookie Robinson at 390-9766 if you are able to assist “Helping Hands” in any way.

Cookie Robinson started "Helping Hands" and the Port Tampa City Women's Club has officially adopted the effort as one of its many community service projects. More on the club, which is open to men as well as women, in later posts.

Steve Silver Endorses Bernie Silver in Judicial Race

2006-11-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

While the Port Tampa Blogger occasionally takes a position on local issues, it is the policy of this blog not to endorse candidates. However, if you want to send a plug for your candidate go ahead. Steve Silver has been busy working on his father's campaign and sent this as a comment. It is also posted at Sticks of Fire.

Hello, I am writing to ask your help in spreading a message to clients, family, friends and neighbors in Hillsborough County to vote for Bernie Silver for Circuit Court Judge 32. I am sending this not only because Bernie is my father. I am writing because I think he's a fair and honest man, and by far the best person for the job. The October 24 St. Petersburg Times’ endorsement stated: “Bernie Silver is the better candidate even if his opponent.... had not been removed from the bench for ethical mistakes.” I agree. I would like to ask you to support Bernie on your blog and forward this message to your friends and family in Hillsborough County. As you probably know, many will not cast a vote for any judge; some will vote based on name recognition. A great many will not have the time or inclination to research candidates’ qualifications or suitability for the job. Most will not contemplate or understand how the outcome of judicial races affects people’s lives or the integrity of the system. Bernie is endorsed by The Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, LaGaceta and Florida Sentinel Bulletin newspapers, West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, West Central Florida Federation of Labor and City of Tampa Firefighters. He received a 95% approval rating from The Hillsborough County Bar Association and the endorsement of 20-plus former presidents of both the Hillsborough County Bar Association and Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers. Bernie is an ethical and experienced attorney who has been practicing for 35 years. He enjoys the highest level Martindale-Hubbell rating, is a board certified trial lawyer, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and an Inns of Court Master. Bernie is a certified mediator in both state and federal court since 1991 and served as Judicial Nominating Commission Chair for the Second District Court of Appeal. Since 1998, he has served on the board of directors and board of trustees for The Spring, a non-profit dedicated to preventing domestic violence and protecting its victims. As pointed out in the Tampa Tribune's October 11 endorsement of Bernie, his opponent is "a former county judge who was removed from the bench by the Florida Supreme Court in 1998. The court said she neglected her clients, concocted evidence against her former husband during a legal proceeding in 1996 and misled judges in court." She has no board certifications, no Martindale Hubbell rating and received only a 13% approval rating in the Bar poll. I ask you to please post this on your blog and forward this message to all the Hillsborough County voters you know. I think it’s important.

Thank you much,
Steve Silver

For the St. Petersburg Times endorsement, go to: St. Pet Times Opinion For the The Tampa Tribune endorsement, click: here Check out this an article in the St. Petersburg Times on his opponent --- Steve Silver http://www.silveradomedia.com http://steve-s.livejournal.com

Movement to Rename Library Opposed

2006-11-03T13:38:00.000-05:00

Recent efforts to rename the Port Tampa City Library in honor of the late Ellen Green have spurred some to oppose such a move. Jan Simpson shared the letter she wrote to the library board with the Port Tampa Blog. I tend to agree with Jan. The park that was already in progress when Ms. Green died seems a more appropriate tribute as it makes a positive new contribution to the neighborhood. The library is a landmark in both our geography and our history as its very existence is a tribute to the hard work of many community members. It should remain the Port Tampa City Library.

November 2, 2006

Mr. James B. Johnson, Jr., Chairman
Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Board
900 N. Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

RE: Port Tampa City Library

Dear Chairman Johnson:

As a resident of the Port Tampa community, I do not support a petition to rename the Port Tampa City Library. I sincerely hope the Library Board will not approve the petitioners’ request.

In April 1998 the Port Tampa community, after much discussion with county officials, voted at a civic association meeting to name the building the Port Tampa City Library. Several options were considered and debated. The consensus was that the imposing edifice should be dedicated to the Port Tampa community in recognition of the hard work and perseverance of many, not any one individual (such as James G. Yeats who commissioned the building) or organization (such as the Port Tampa City Woman’s Club that ignited the campaign to save the building for our library), who worked together for a common cause.

Speaking only for myself, the name “Port Tampa City Library” represents the names of all the volunteers that contributed to the five-year effort to save the building from demolition; the library board staff and director who succeeded in finding the right paths to save the building and fund our dream; the city, county, and state officials who acted favorably to secure the building as a library; and the planners, architects, and contractors who made our dream a reality.

The building was officially opened on June 14, 1998 and dedicated as the Port Tampa City Library. It stands proudly at the curve in the road as a tribute to the entire community.

Sincerely,

Park Renewal Progressing

2006-10-28T10:04:00.000-04:00

The pictures of what Port Tampa's Spanish American War Memorial Park could be that PT Women's Club members have held in their heads, and on paper, for years are soon going to be visible to all. Construction started this week.

Help the PTCWC make the vision complete, with all the landscaping and seating the master plan calls for, by sending your tax deductible contribution to Port Tampa City Woman's Club Inc., PO Box 19067, Tampa, FL 33686.

Petitions Circulate to Rename Port Tampa City Library

2006-10-24T07:44:00.000-04:00

If you haven't had a personal visit from Tonya (Cookie) Wideman as she knocks on doors collecting signatures in support of naming the library for the late Ms. Ellen Green you can stop by any of these area businesses:

Larcom's Garage
7001 S. Trask St.
(813) 839-3215

Circle K, across from the Port Tampa Post Office

Advantage Transport Towing Company
5106 W, Ingraham St.

According to Cookie, " So many people want to support this cause in behalf of this honor for the Late Ms. Ellen Green... The support of this has been overwhelming. Which has been great from people of all colors, races, and nationalities. This proves that the life you live will speak for you when your gone. People are stopping me in the Street to sign the petition for fear that they will be missed... Until the evening of the 25th of October we're asking all those that live within the Port Tampa Charter, meaning if you vote within poll site 101. So far we have over 200 hundred Signatures in support and many more want to sign."

Cookie will be speaking before the Library Board, Audience Comments Section at the beginning of the October 26th meeting making the request for the Port Tampa Library to be renamed the Ellen H. Green Library. (4 p.m. at the John Germany Library Downtown Tampa.)

Letters of support should be mailed to Jim Johnson, Chairman of the Library Board at 900 North Ashley Street , Tampa , Fl. 33602

PTCWC Takes on Park Redevelopment

2006-10-19T08:39:00.000-04:00

The Port Tampa City Woman's Club is close to being able to start redevelopment of the Spanish American War Memorial Park located at West Shore and Interbay(mentioned as a "tired little park" in one of this blog's very first posts). The PTCWC displayed the park's master plan at last year's Tree Lighting Celebration and it is wonderful. For info on contributing to the effort contact the club at ptcwc@porttampa.org, or skip that and send your check payable to Port Tampa City Woman's Club Inc., PO Box 19067, Tampa, FL 33686. This project has been a long time in the planning, as evidenced by this 2003 St. Pete Times article. Now is the time to add your tax deductible contribution to making this important part of Port Tampa City history shine as the gem it can be.

Transport Ships Loading at Port Tampa City, 1898
Often forgotten, though wrongly so considering its geo-political importance, the Spanish American War was still fresh in American minds in 1930 when Port Tampa City's Spanish American War Memorial Park was dedicated.

The following is a veteran's memoir written for one of the many annual veteran encampments held around the US.
East St. Louis Daily Journal - July 15, 1928
Written by Meyer Hurwitz

Tampa Overflows With Troops as Transport Docks

Tampa was choked with troops. It was a real military camp, and there we first glimpsed the khaki uniforms. The Rough Riders and many of the volunteer units had these on. And how cool they appeared alongside our heavy blue flannels! Wooden planks for side walks along the wharf, troops of all branches of the service promenading up and down, all day long. Some were on duty, hustling and bustling, some were merely sight-seeing, like our bunch. There were so many officers that the troops neglected to salute them anymore, we found out to our surprise after we got ashore. We had seen Gen. Shaftner, the commanding officer of the expeditionary forces in Cuba, who was a man of unusually large size, weighing about 350 pounds, so it looked like his horse was breaking under him.

While strolling along we saw the foreign attaches of the British, Russian, French and Japanese governments. We had also seen Gen. Miles, the commander-in-chief of the American army at the time, who was the most soldierly looking officer I have ever met. He was what is called every inch a soldier. We certainly saluted him. The wharf looked more like a circus ground. They were selling foam for a nickel a glass - lunch stands and fruit stands. There were exclusive restaurants also, where the charges were exorbitant for a good meal. More

That's Bicycle Bash, not Crash

2006-10-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

The Port Tampa blog is a big fan of rail transportation alternatives. We have seen the benefits of using CSX track for commuter rail in Northern Virginia and would love to sell at least one of the family vehicles to get it out of our driveway and into someone else's. We can picture a tastefully designed, yet fiscally prudent, station stop across from the Port Tampa library. In our mind's eye it is surrounded by commercial/retail space and sidewalks, lots of well maintained, accessible, sidewalks and has a bike rack....

Sorry, got carried away. For now, alternatives to taking a car everywhere are few, but biking is an option and one some very fine people are pushing to make safer and more enjoyable in the Tampa Bay area.
These advocacy groups, will be at the October 29th Bicycle Bash by the Bay from 11:00AM-5:00PM at the Times Forum.

Don't forget the bus!
If you are a regular, or even infrequent, HART bus rider please contact the Port Tampa blog. HART has made some efforts at improvements in the bus service lately and we'd like to post a Port Tampa review of these efforts. We will ride the bus before posting, but a couple trips made by someone with no particular place to go or time to be there is not the best basis for evalutation.

Walking Around

2006-10-06T19:00:00.000-04:00

The husband has been dodging mammoth pits where sidewalk should be, and a surprising number of racoons and opossums, on his morning run to work for some time. On Wednesday he startled a city public works employee by stopping to thank the work crew for this and 5 other sidewalk repairs done on Interbay just east of Manhattan this week.

Tired of wanting to walk to the library with the youngsters without having to walk in the street? Take a little civic action and give the city a call.

Directly from tampagov.net Dept. of Public Works a few sidewalk facts.

"The City funds annually a program of new sidewalk construction. The annual funding amounts to $680,000. The criteria considered for successful competition for these funds include:

Proximity to a school
Documented pedestrian activity
Major roadways and thoroughfares
Mass transit route
Neighborhood interest
The City also funds approximately $600,000 annually for the repair and replacement of existing sidewalks. The criteria considered for successful competition for these funds include:

The severity of the sidewalk damage or deflection
Neighborhood interest
Proximity to a large number of other sidewalks requiring repair
Requests for new sidewalks and sidewalk repair may be relayed directly to the department at (813) 274-8333."

Tampa/MacDill Joint Land Use Study

2006-10-05T18:15:00.000-04:00

It's dry reading to be sure, but the JLUS is online at Tampagov Required by federal legislation passed in '04 the JLUS is supposed to help military installations and their neighboring communities develop compatible land use plans. The Tampa/MacDill study was just completed this summer and calls for some minor city zoning changes related to density and height, and a realty disclosure statement. Because the requirements are based on proximity to the runway, Port Tampa City will probably not feel any direct impact. You can check the maps to see if you are in one of the zones covered by the study.

One thing I found interesting was that survey data considered in the plan came from questionaires handed out at public information workshops. Of 55 respondents, 49 people lived in the area and 36 of them lived in mobile/modular homes. I'm no demographic or statistical genius, but I would think with the sale of the two mobile home parks nearest the runway having been announced well in advance of the study completion they could have sought more representative input.

In Cased You Missed It

2006-10-04T18:57:00.000-04:00

Take a look at the St. Pete Times story on neighborhood blogs. Reporter Alexandra Zayas made mention of Seminole Heights (Granddaddy of Tampa's hyperlocal outlets), Port Tampa, and West Tampa. Do you have questions, comments, concerns, news, views? Don't just read and lurk. Post a comment. Or you can e-mail me directly at ToniDW@aol.com

Dining Out? Read FloridaFoodHound

2006-10-04T16:58:00.000-04:00

Long time readers probably know I don't get out much so I have done one restaurant review, of Ghengiz Khan Meditteranean Grill (which I love even if the service is often inept to the point of hilarity). So check out transplanted New Orleans foodie Matt's blog at FloridaFoodHound

Ellen Haynes Allen-Green May 19, 1915-September 24, 2006

2006-10-01T21:53:00.000-04:00

Excerpts of the obituary for Mrs. Green:

Ellen Haynes Allen-Green was born on May 19, 1915 in Port Tampa City. She was widowed twice and has three children from her marriage to Ernest D. Allen: Carl, Irma and Clyde. She devoted her life to being a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Mrs. Green lived in the same house in which she was born until her death on Sunday, September 24, 2006.

Mrs. Green was a devoted member of the Mt. Zion AME Church in Southwest Port Tampa City. She was an ardent Sunday School student, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent for 25 years, Church Steward for more than 35 years, Church Secretary for 19 years, and served as an Usher for 54 years. She touched and taught many young people at the church, workplace and in the community.

She spent 47 years at Afro-American Life Insurance, Central Life Insurance for 29 years, and Progressive Pallbearers Grand Union where she ended her career as Financial Secretary after 11 years. Fraternally, she was a member of the Sunlight OES #26 for 42 years and Pallbearers Grand Union Lodge #23.

She was a champion of civil and equal rights for all. She was Vice President of the Tampa Branch NAACP as integration began to emerge out of its cocoon of racial hatred. After three years of the pressures of meetings and travel, she suffered a heart attack and had to let go. As soon as she was well enough, she returned to lend a hand to make "freedom" a reality. Mrs. Green was President of the Tampa Chapter National Council of Negro Women, the West Tampa Advisory Council, the Southwest Civic Club, and Young Women's Christian Association.

She contributed to two chapters of the book "Port Tampa City, A History of Change": Chapter 6 Churches, Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church; and Chapter 7 Education, Segregation. The Friday before her death, Jill Buford, President of the Civic Association of Port Tampa City, cooked dinner for Mrs. Green and told her of plans to name a park in her honor.

We have lost a lovely lady who left us suddenly, a woman who drove herself beyond normal limits, a petite figure who tackled giants, a fearless fighter for civil and human rights, and a champion for her beloved Port Tampa City. Her passing leaves us with memories of her love for everyone who befriended her and as a crusader for doing right by all. Let us not be sad for her passing and be glad that we had a moment in time with her.

Traffic and Park News Make Tampa Tribune

2006-09-30T13:01:00.000-04:00

In other news, gleaned from the CAPT meeting, the Tampa Tribune reports on traffic woes at Westshore/Interbay/Commerce, and development of a new park to honor civil rights activist Ellen Green who died Sunday. http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGB1F6TYOSE.html

Some editorializing-This intersection has become progressively worse in the short time my family has lived in Port Tampa. Only a thrill seeker with delusions of invincibility, namely children and teens, would routinely cross the road here on foot. We can only hope that the city is more amenable to solutions before someone dies.

Tampa Tribune Reports on Holiday Mobile Home Park

2006-09-30T12:52:00.000-04:00

Here's the link to the Trib's story on DR Horton plans for the former mobile home park on Interbay. Just remember you read it here first!

Schooner Cove to Replace Holiday Mobile Home Park

2006-09-25T08:36:00.000-04:00

The mobile homes are all out of the park on the north side of Interbay, east of Port Tampa, and the DR Horton sign is up. Floor plans, but not prices, are available on the
DR Horton, Schooner Cove web page. I do wonder when some commercial development will follow all this density. Horton is marketing this development heavily to the miitary by offering discounts, and touting its convenience to MacDill.

Friends Win Approval of Yeats Room at Library

2006-09-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

Great News!

The Library Review Board voted unanimously to name the main meeting room of the Port Tampa City Library the James G. Yeats Meeting Room as requested by the Friends of the PTC Library. A plaque will be placed in the library and the Friends will schedule a special commemoration for Mr. Yeats
including presentation to the PTC Library of the book
"Port Tampa City, A History of Change".

Congratulations to the
Friends of the PTC Library
and the
Port Tampa City community.

Thank You
to all who supported this special recognition!

Rental Property Owner Makes Improvement

2006-09-03T11:25:00.000-04:00

The Port Tampa Blog has featured this block of rental properties before, for negative reasons. Now we want to applaud recent efforts to improve things in the parking area immediately adjoining the library parking lot. Tenants used to have the choice of on street parking, using the library parking lot, or parking on the grass. The new parking area should improve pedestrian safety around the library as well as improving the appearance of this very visible Port Tampa block.

Casa Bella Goes Vertical

2006-08-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

After seemingly endless months of site prep and infrastructure development the Casa Bella condominium development has finally progressed to some vertical elements. It's pictured here from across Westshore. Work has been going on to move the utilities on the 11 acre parcel from which these pictures were taken. Part of potential development? Let us know if you know.

Despite uncertainty in the housing market, the movement of mobile homes out of the two parks on Interbay continues. You may remember that a mobile home park once occupied the Casa Bella site.

Illegal Dumping Update: The far south end of O'Brien remains clear since the city responded to a citizen complaint via tampa.gov If you see dumping please report it!

New Port Tampa Business

2006-08-16T22:13:00.000-04:00

Bay Area Militaria and Collectibles on Westshore at Commerce is now open Saturdays and by appointment. A cautionary tale for collectors here. The owner developed such an extensive personal collection it made more sense to rent retail space than storage space.

Friends of The Library Campaign for Yeats Meeting Room

2006-08-13T10:08:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Port Tampa City Library made a presentation to the Hillsborough County Library Board on July 27th to ask permission to name the upstairs conference room after James G. Yeats.

James G. Yeats
January 4, 1876 – May 26, 1933

The Port Tampa City Library is housed in the imposing Italian marble structure at the intersection of Kissimmee and Commerce Streets. Built in 1926 by James Godfrey Yeats to house the First Bank of Port Tampa City, it subsequently served as a grocery store, aviation school, doctors’ offices, hospital, boutique, Commercial Bank, and then was forsaken for more than 30 years. In 1993 it was the impetus to unite the Port Tampa community in order to save the impressive edifice. On June 14, 1998, the 72-year old building was dedicated as the Port Tampa City Library. On that day accolades were given to individuals, organizations, and officials who had played important roles in saving the long-abandoned building from demolition and its renovation as the heart of the community. (“Port Tampa City, A History of Change”, Port Tampa City Woman’s Club, 2003) It is now time to honor the man who fulfilled his dreams and paved the way for Floridians to live their dreams.

You can support the Friends campaign by sending a letter of support to:
Mr. James B. Johnson, Jr., Chairman
Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Board
900 N. Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

Contact janrsimpson@aol.com for more information on the Friends' efforts.

tampa.gov Gets Results

2006-08-13T10:03:00.000-04:00

Port Tampa has covered the effectiveness, and sometimes lack of effectiveness, of reporting community concerns to the city via tampa.gov The husband recently reported 7 burned out street lights on Interbay between Westshore and Dale Mabry. The city responded saying all the lights are due for replacement in '07 with higher efficiency lighting. It took one more e-mail to clarify that the lights were completely out, but now they are all on. Total time from first report to action, less than 10 business days.

Port Tampa Blog Lives!

2006-08-13T09:40:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the assistance of some people who've lived in, and loved, Port Tampa City a lot longer than I have we have news to report and a renewed committment to keep this blog updated.

I truly appreciate the concern of those who've e-mailed, and if you want to see what's been keeping me away check out my other blog:Eagleview Community Foundation

Port Tampa Blog Needs Blogger

2006-07-20T09:59:00.000-04:00

For the two of you who read Port Tampa regularly I regret to say I won't be able to write the blog any more. Family business demands that I stay in Minnesota beyond the summer and without an everyday presence in the neighborhood I find it impossible to keep up with events, issues and observations.

If you are reading this, and care about Port Tampa's future, please consider writing. You can send an e-mail to me at admin@riverhavenonline.com and I'll be happy to give you the info you need to pick it up from here and keep the archived info.

Regretfully, signing off. Port Tampa the blogger.

Keystone and Cops

2006-06-29T09:22:00.000-04:00

Though their purposes were unrelated, Tuesday's CAPT meeting brought TPD and Keystone Homes together on the same agenda. TPD was there to present the Neighborhood Watch Program and get contact numbers for volunteers. To come is dividing Port Tampa into manageable watch areas for Block Captains and patrol volunteers, and training. Recent "crime and grime" issues have brought renewed interest in Neighborhood Watch and other community policing efforts.

Keystone Homes' plans may have a bigger impact on crime in the blighted area around the library than TPD or Neighborhood Watch could ever do. Unveiled at the CAPT meeting were the plans for a mixed use development of retail with living quarters above, and a row of townhomes, to take up the block near the library now occupied by vacant lots, vacant buildings, and run down rental units. Assembling the parcels to complete the development could be an issue as this isn't a situation where a developer can come in and buy an entire apartment complex and "take it condo." Residential property in Port Tampa is often purchased one 50X100 lot at a time. I wasn't at the meeting, but the husband reports that the response to Keystone's proposal was very positive. Port Tampans want to maintain a small town feel, but a bit of gentrification on a bad block is a welcome alternative to having our crown jewel of a library surrounded by illegally dumped sofas.

Getting Things Done (Sort of)

2006-06-27T08:18:00.000-04:00

My apologies to the anonymous poster who wrote way back on June 19th. Here's the comment that was posted:

Looking for some info. Do you think that the Civic Association of Port Tampa can assist me with getting a road cleared? I have seen the City out trimming trees on the west side tarpon and S. Shamrock St.

Yes I do anonymous, and if you've already tried working with the city I'd say contacting CAPT should be your next step. But if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend making your request through the city web site, tampagov.net You'll find the Customer Service Center link on the right side of the home page. I have had mixed success with this when I report illegal dumping, but it does seem work better than phone calls.

There is a Civic Association meeting tonight, but for between meeting contact e-mail president@porttampa.org

Good luck anonymous. We appreciate people who work to make sure the city does what it needs to do in Port Tampa.

CAPT Meets Tonight

2006-06-27T08:14:00.000-04:00

The Civic Association of Port Tampa will meet tonight at the rec center on Lancaster. Start time is 7:00 PM. Planned for tonight is discussion of reviving the Neighborhood Watch program. Some owners of apartment buildings near the library plan to attend so this looks like a good opportunity to get homeowners, landlords, and renters together to work towards improving the neighborhood.

Teachable Moments on Fathers Day

2006-06-18T20:59:00.000-04:00

Posted from way north of Tampa. So far north we get Canadian TV on cable.

I spent the better part of this afternoon replacing a paddle assembly on one of those impossible to use plastic pedal boats that kids love so much. Things started out easily enough, and removing the broken part was as "self explanatory" as the boat dealer who had the parts said it would be. However, once I had the old pieces off it became quite clear reassembly would require the instant lengthening of my arms by about six inches, or a helper. Luckily, two kids I know happened by on their bikes and were happy to help since I wouldn't let them throw rocks in the yard.

Today my young friends learned that a lock nut has a plastic lining, that you turn things clockwise to tighten, that things go better when you cooperate, that doughnut shaped piece is called a washer, to put tools away in the right places, and that even a kid can be a problem solver and positive actor in the world. Thank you Daddy, for teaching me all that and more. Thanks too to my grandfather, Pop, teacher of stilt walking and pole vaulting. Pop was a big fan of the phrase "he practiced that." A basketball player could make 20 shots in a row, a baseball player hit a homerun, or a pilot break the sound barrier and the comment would always be the same "he practiced that." With one simple phrase, and a million teachable moments, they both taught me to believe in myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, and thanks for teaching me to use power tools.

1 Week To June's Picnic Island Adventure Race

2006-06-16T10:03:00.000-04:00

You know you'd rather be doing this on a Friday night, and on June 23rd you could. Visit Tampa Races to register. Check outFlorida Event Photos for pictures of the May race.

Sit, Stay, Beg! Port Tampa Business Bakes Up Canine Rewards

2006-06-15T08:20:00.000-04:00

Rex tells all his pals to call Yappy Tails Barkery when they want a birthday cake to remember.

Tarren, Port Tampa mom of four, and full time student with a full time job, somehow carved out enough time to start a business with her children. "I wanted them to learn about business and being entrepreneurs," she says. After brainstorming some ideas, they settled on home baked dog treats that the kids, aged 9,11,13, and 15, could sell at the Picnic Island Dog Beach as a "one time thing." But in April a full blown business was born.

With the enterprise growing a little more quickly than she expected, Tarren has found herself having to call in reinforcements occasionally as her two convection ovens fill with goodies for Treat of the Month club members, birthday party guests, and individual orders. She says "I've kind of deliberately slowed us down." Despite not taking credit cards, and using a comment form instead of shopping cart on the web site, Yappy Tails is gaining a loyal following. Tarren estimates 75% of Port Tampa residents own dogs and feels the business can thrive by focusing on SOG, though she will ship anywhere.

Yappy Tails Barkery remains dedicated to Port Tampa dogdom. Tarren plans to use the business, and her newsletter, to launch a campaign to improve the Picnic Island Dog Beach and sponsor Yappy Hours.

What's Going Where Wednesday IX

2006-06-14T21:58:00.000-04:00

Many people are asking where all the storm water will go as SOG neighborhoods see more and more development activity. As mentioned in a previous Wednesday post, Ivy Homes has started using a product called Flexi-pave for sidewalks and driveways. In addition to being permeable, thus reducing run-off, it is made from shredding old tires. Pictured here in front of the Emmy Isle model, I think it is a pretty attractive alternative to concrete.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

2006-06-13T21:58:00.000-04:00

Port Tampa City Library
photo by raginglily, check out her flickr stream in my links

The Friends of the Library and Maritime Reading Room will hold their first book sale this Saturday, June 17th at the library on Commerce St. Come help with set-up at 8:00AM, stay for bargains when the library opens at 9:00AM.

Learning to Teach

2006-06-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Taking a summer math class and blogging daily don't mix. Generating a general formula for the number of black, or white, triangles in the nth iteration of a Sierpinski triangle, and figuring out how to explain it to middle schoolers kept me pretty busy over the last few days. The formula was easy, figuring out how to teach the problem solving steps that got me there, well that's why some teachers guard their planning time so ferociously and still end up taking work home.

An interesting byproduct of taking this undergraduate class for prospective math teachers is seeing how the teaching of teaching has changed in the last decade or so. Though one class, and my classmates, do not an accurate statistical sample make, it appears that today's teachers are subject to a lot more rigorous training than their predecessors. The best part is that more attention is paid to scholarship about how children learn, but by attention I don't mean jumping on every innovation band wagon. Instead, teachers are expected to be able to read research critically, understand a study's design and limitations, and ultimately use the research to inform their own classroom practices.

But, and you know there's always a "but" in writing about education, you have to know your students to use the research effectively. Yes, I'm in favor of small classes where you can get to know your students on a personal level, but I'm also talking about using available data to know what's happening in the classroom. Never before have schools collected so much information about what kids know, and when they know it. We are testing kids more often, on more subjects. If we only use the information to grade schools and create new regulations, and not change individual teachers' actions in the classroom we are wasting a lot of time, effort and money.

As an outside observer when it comes to actual Florida classrooms (wish me luck on that job search), it was heartening to see Florida's overall B- rating in Ed Week's 2006 Technology Counts report. However, we are lacking in critical areas that could make an immediate difference in any classroom. With all the data generated by the FCAT, Ed Week reports there is no state training on the use of data for instruction, no guides for data analysis, and no templates for analysis and graphing. Sure, my smart, eager, future math teacher classmates could figure all that out on their own, but they won't have time. When teachers must administer tests, and have their performance evaluated by the results, it doesn't make sense not to give them the tools they need to make their teaching more effective.

For a good overview of the Technology Counts report read my favorite education reporter, the Washington Post's Jay Mathews May 16 Class Struggle column. (Sorry, you'll probably have to register to access it.)

What's Going Where Wednesday VIII

2006-06-07T23:55:00.000-04:00

We've seen house and condo development race along for some time now but new commercial development has lagged. Could it be that the time is right for new businesses to locate in Port Tampa? Here are a few places where things could go.

If you're a newcomer wondering about the rumored building of a Publix in the neighborhood here is one site that is often mentioned. On Westshore just south of the big gray metal building, this site is zoned IG (Industrial General) and would have to be rezoned. As with any of our former industrial sites some environmental clean up could be expected. Remember, the coming of any supermarket to Port Tampa is pure conjecture at this point.

This building, on the other side of Westshore has been for sale for 18 months that I know of. It is zoned commercial and many of the windows were broken before the boards went up this week. The daughter thinks this would make a good restaurant location. Perhaps she's just tired of her drive up Westshore to work.

Designing out Crime

2006-06-06T07:47:00.000-04:00

I had a chat with Geoff Martin, soon to be former owner of one of the troubled apartment buildings on Mascotte. He is selling to someone who already owns a couple of the 4 unit buildings and, according to Geoff, the new owner plans to put up some fencing in an effort to stop illegal dumping and other criminal activity.

Call me a dreamer, but when I walk or drive by these buildings I see some real opportunities for trying some inexpensive Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) measures. As always, my vision starts with some nice low water use plants to replace the dirt that would be lawn if anyone ever watered. But I'll save my Xeriscape rant for another day.

I also see barriers, but not the high chain link fence I fear, more of a decorative barrier to denote boundary between public space like the library parking lot, and private space like the apartment complex would-be grounds. At this time it's hard to tell where the parking lot ends and the garbage dump starts, and none of it looks like the landscaping you'd expect around even modest apartment buildings in a neighborhood as nice as the rest of ours.

While we should do everything we can to encourage people to call the police when something suspicious happens, and expect TPD to take active policing measures to help us keep the open air pharmacies out of Port Tampa, it's time to also find incentives for owners and residents to install and maintain attractive landscape elements. These apartment buildings need both plant material and hardscaping that says "This is private space! Someone who cares and has TPD on speed dial lives here!"

A lot has been written about why these small efforts could do a lot to change our problem blocks. In Death and Life of Great American Cities, published in 1961, Jane Jacobs listed the three attributes needed to make a city street safe: a clear demarcation of private and public space; diversity of use; and a high level of pedestrian use of the sidewalks. Jacobs was then an editor at Architectural Forum magazine, with no formal training in urban planning but to say Death and Life influenced a new way of looking at cities would be a massive understatement. By the mid 70s urban planners and criminologists had come to similar conclusions and the terms "defensible space" and "CPTED" were coined.

CPTED is no panacea* but you can read a nice summary of the major concepts in
Watchword, TPD's monthly Neighborhood Watch newsletter.

* Which begs the question, what would be a panacea? I've often thought it might be worth buying a beach house in Panacea, FL just so I could use the phrase "now this is a true Panacea."

Port Tampa Immortalized by Thomas Edison

2006-06-05T16:58:00.000-04:00

Exploring Florida, USF's web resource for Social Studies teachers has some short movies from the Spanish American War. Yes, we are talking about 110 year old movies. Check out, African-American troops disembarking at Port Tampa, from the steamer "Mascotte." (scroll down)

Pie and Chips

2006-06-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

Who wouldn't want free pie and chips?

And who wouldn't like a Finnish Reggae Band singing songs of sauna? Conga Se Menne hails from northern Michigan and will be playing at the KAXE Mississipi River Festival (opposite end of the river from New Orleans). You can listen to samples of their songs here.

Listen to how they got started with Finnish Reggae, and many more song samples, in an oldMinnesota Public Radio interview.

Now everybody say sow-na, the correct pronunciation of sauna. IT IS NOT saw-nu.

A Teaching Life

2006-06-03T09:20:00.000-04:00

Updated! Thanks to Tommy for pointing out a previously broken link.
The job search is on. Can an experienced teacher with a Masters + bazillion credits, working on a Masters in Special Ed, but certified in Florida for Social Sciences 5-9 and 6-12, whose first name is not Coach, find a job in Hillsborough or Pinellas Counties, preferably in Alternative Ed.? We'll see. Yesterday's Hillsborough County Schools Secondary Job Fair was an interesting start to the interview season. Now I'm forced to decide if I should jump on an opportunity that has been presented, or hold out for something else.

That the job fair was held on June 1-2 brings me to a point about teacher quality and urban school systems. Hey folks, wake up, you will never attract a large percentage of the best and brightest if you continue to wait so darn long to hire people. That's not just me talking. The Education Writer's Association report Unintended Consequences blasts both school districts and teachers' unions for teacher transfer practices that delay new teacher hiring until suburban districts have pulled off most highly qualified teachers, particularly in shortage disciplines. For a less anti-union view you can read what the Democratic Leadership Council has to say in Help Wanted. Hillsborough and Pinellas won't lose an opportunity to hire me, I'll be around because the husband is stationed at MacDill. But, if I were completely mobile I'd be teaching in a school district able to commit to hiring in March, or even January as I did with our last military move. Pay is important, and there is no way any school district in Florida is competitive with the area I left. Even no state income tax and mild winters can't make up for a 25% pay cut. But, most people who stick with teaching long enough to call it a career are interested in making a difference in children's lives. Though we want to make a decent living for our own children while we're at it, many would choose a lower paying job in an urban school system if we just knew there would be a job. Why pass up a job in March for one that might materialize in June or July?

A little buzz from yesterday, overheard at the Century 21 table: "I thought the cost of living was supposed to be lower down here."

Port Tampa Jobs

2006-06-01T07:52:00.000-04:00

If you worked here you wouldn't have to worry about traffic...

Italian Cast Stone, located on Ingraham and taking up the whole block from Morton to Germer, has the hiring sign out on the fence by their manufacturing building behind Tillie's Bar. Apply in person. This place looks so cool as all manner of concrete and foam ornamentation piles up in the yard then gets loaded on trucks for use in fancy homes and commercial buildings. I have no idea what they're like to work for but I do think they're pretty good neighbors. They can have a forklift and piles of stuff all over both sides of Morton all day long and be buttoned up neatly with nary a stray piece of trash left out at closing time.

As reported in the May 18 issue of the Florida Baptist Witness First Baptist Church of Port Tampa is currently accepting applications to fill TWO BI-VOCATIONAL STAFF POSITIONS. Youth Pastor and Worship Leader. Please send your resume to Search Committee, FBC Port Tampa, 8306 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616.

What's Going Where Wednesday VII

2006-05-31T14:45:00.000-04:00

Once again we venture just outside the borders of Port Tampa City to the surrounding area. The fences are finally up at Rembrandt Gardens, the Public Housing Authority's notoriously troubled complex across the street from Robinson High School, and demolition will begin soon. Replaced by mixed income apartments at the Gardens of South Bay on Lois just north of Interbay, the Rembrandt Gardens property was transferred to the school district and is slated to become athletic fields.

The disappearance of Rembrandt Gardens has been in the works for a long time. The land swaps that made the Gardens at South Bay possible were promoted long before funds became available. Then in 2003 a builder who had been awarded public money to develop the property at South Bay backed out and the PHA jumped on the opportunity to apply for the newly available funds.

Rembrandt Gardens will remain a painful part of Port Tampa's history for a long time. Residents believe annexation led to a higher concentration of poverty and crime as ill considered public housing was forced into an area that, while never rich, was full of owner occupied homes and generations of families who lived across the street or down the block from one another. More than one person has traced our current issues with the apartments around the library to "bad elements" from Rembrandt Gardens moving into the area as emptying of one public housing project invariably moves ahead of the next one being ready for occupancy.

Good bye, and good riddance Rembrandt!

The new community center at Gardens of South Bay

Miss Prudence Fipwhistle Leads Port Tampa Tours

2006-05-30T18:56:00.000-04:00

Photo Reprinted by permission from The Sunland Tribune, journal of The Tampa Historical Society., 2005
If you were lucky enough to meet the fictional Miss Prudence Fipwhistle before her death in 1899, from a broken heart, you might have enjoyed her tales of Tampa's early days as cow town and Port Tampa's role as embarkation point for Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Happily, being fictional allows Miss Fipwhistle to continue in her role as social director of the Plant Hotel and lead tours for conventioneers and others interested in seeing Tampa's rich historical legacy.

Miss Fipwhistle, aka Maureen Patrick, was kind enough to respond to my query about the Port Tampa portion of one of her popular tours. One of an emerging class of professional women, the composite character of Miss Fipwhistle leads tours decked out in authentic Victorian attire and informed by Patrick's skill as a professional historiam.

Here is what she had to say about Port Tampa:

PORT TAMPA. This destination is part of my "Victorian Tampa" (bus and walking) tour. We usually reach Port Tampa via Interbay, since we have toured Bayshore Blvd. and Ballast Point. Not the most scenic route, it nevertheless allows me to use the Interbay Subdivision (founded 1924) as an example of a deed-restricted middle-class development in Tampa. Some points of interest in Port Tampa:

The site of Henry B. Plant's FIRST hotel in Tampa, the rustic Port Tampa Inn. Built on pilings alongside the Plant System rail/steamship terminus, the Hotel boasted that guests could drop a fishing line from their room windows into the Bay. At that time, the Bay was so thick with fish that guests complained they had trouble sleeping; the jumping and slapping into the water of the fish kept them awake all night. The Hotel was built at the same time the rail terminus was completed: 1885. Tampa was woefully short on "four star" accommodations at that time, and the luxury travel trade (which Plant was courting with his rail and steam service) demanded them. Thus, Plant built the Tampa Bay Hotel along the HIllsborough River in Tampa.

The area in Port Tampa interacted with the "new" hotel in many ways. For one, the area around Port Tampa was rich with game: quail, squirrel, deer, etc. Hunting groups from the Tampa Bay Hotel - led by Guide Arthur Schleman and his dogs - were led from the Hotel. The game they bagged was cleaned and served at dinner by the Hotel staff, and their trophies were enumerated in the Plant System Railway newsletter. This, read by travelers on the rail and steam lines, increased interest in vacationing at the Hotel.

Many of Port Tampa's early prominent citizens were employees of the Plant System. Some have streets named after them. Some streets - Mascotte - for example, are named after Plant System ships. (The Mascotte and the Olivette were the most famous of Plant's steam vessels, and represented state-of-the-art steam technology. They had huge, 1000+ hp stainless steel engines and were elegantly appointed.)

Another linking of the Hotel with Port Tampa occurred during the 1898 Spanish-American War, when the Port was used as the embarkation depot for the U.S. Expeditionary Forces to Cuba. Most of the "brass" stayed in comfort at the Tampa Bay Hotel, while the troops were billeted in a variety of tent cities around Tampa. The largest of these was at Port Tampa, where conditions rapidly deteriorated in the summer heat as troops waited to be loaded - along with massive amounts of materiel and horses, cannon, etc. - onto ships. (Frederic Remington, the noted illustrator, did many drawings of the Port Tampa camp for his employer: Harper's Illustrated Magazine. I own a particularly nice one, showing black soldiers exercising horses in the surf at the Port.) Food was short, since supplies were backed up along the rail line and spoiled in the heat. Mabel Bean, the daughter of the Postmaster at Port Tampa, remembered her dining room table being filled every night not only with family but also hungry soldiers. Not all families were so accommodating. Many defended their gardens and livestock with fences and firearms. Typhus, cholera, and malaria spread in the crowded and unsanitary conditions in the camps.

For an excellent overview of the loading of men and supplies from Port Tampa at the start of the War, see the 2005 Sunland Tribune. An article by Joe Knetsch deals with this topic. The Sunland Tribune (annual journal of The Tampa Historical Society, of which I am President), is available through the Society: 245 Hyde Park Place, Tampa, FL 33606 or by e-mailing me at info@historicguides.com) The cost is $10.

You can find out a lot more about Fipwhistle's tours, and other Tampa historic guides, by visitinghistoricguides.com

What's Going Where Wednesday VI

2006-05-24T11:05:00.000-04:00

No news to report from the CAPT meeting last night as it was cancelled. Everybody too busy with hurricane season prep? I hope so. I'm new here so I'll defer to Tommy at Sticks of Fire to advise and provide links.

Still out of town and my intrepid assistants have been busy comparing generator features and prices so the news is slim. In fact, we don't know where they're going but they are going-the mobile homes that is.

Several lots at the Interbary park, south of Interbay between Manhattan and Tanker Way, were vacated this week. As reported in the Tribune last year these folks have until the end of this month to be out. A PODS container is parked prominently in the middle of the park.

With an October deadlne looming, and an offer by park owners to provide space in another property near Orlando, residents of Holiday Mobile Home Park, on the north side of Interbay east of Lois have started to move their homes as well.

Many of the homes in both of these parks are pretty old so some residents will be moving out but leaving their trailers behind for disposal.

It's Not Too Late

2006-05-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

to attend the May Civic Association of Port Tampa meeting. On tonight's agenda are representatives from Keystone and Centex Homes. Come hear about, and talk about, potential commercial development on Commerce St. across from the library. Meeting starts at 7:00 PM at the Rec. Center on Lancaster. This is not a long winded group, you will only miss Idol if you hang around after.

Picnic Island Adventure Races

2006-05-20T16:42:00.000-04:00

Three race series starts May 26th.The off- road course is roughly 3.5 miles and has added challenges that may include getting your feet wet, crawling under a cargo net and jumping or climbing over obstacles. The husband claims this looks like it will be as much fun as the Marine Corps' Kaneohe Bay Swamp Romp in Hawaii but with a cool DJ and great catering.

This is the 4th annual running of this series so expect the race organizers to have things running smoothly. Register through active.com, or download the registration form from tamparaces.com All races are on Friday evening with a 6:45 PM start time. Race day registration is available.

Cancer Survivor Dinner On, Relay Cancelled

2006-05-17T07:20:00.000-04:00

Our two local school teams pulled out of the Relay for Life scheduled at the Port Tampa Rec. Center for Friday so the Relay was cancelled for lack of participation as only one team remained. However, the free catered dinner honoring survivors is still on. Funds raised can be turned in to the American Cancer Society, contact your team captain for details.

This is an activity near and dear to me so I hope the American Cancer Society will look at Port Tampa again for next year and set the date early so more teams can be recruited.

What's Going Where Wednesday V

2006-05-17T06:58:00.000-04:00

I've been away from the neighborhood, and my computer, for a few days and will be gone for a while yet but my intrepid assistants are helping me out.

These properties aren't in Port Tampa, but are so close they are of interest:

The old MacDill Credit Union building which has stood empty since the headquarters was moved to Brandon has been leased by SOCOM (Special Operations Command). Personnel should be moving into the building soon and I certainly hope they configure the entrance, and any required security, to get people off Dale Mabry and separated from the morning back up at the base entrance. Failing that, I'd suggest transportation look at having a "don't block intersection" sign at Dale Mabry and Interbay.

A confidential source reports the trailer place between the old Credit Union Building and the McDonalds at Interbay and Dale Mabry has been sold. Surveyors were out the other day so I anticipate permitting for something will follow shortly. (Wild guess) My source was not at liberty to say what is planned for this location but did say the billboard will stay. I hope the ad on the south side is changed as it currently reads "the seach is over" for an apartment complex. If I weren't afraid of heights, and opposed to even well meaning vandalism, I'd climb up and paint in an R. It drives me nuts.

Finally, it looks like "Interbay Self Storage" on Interbay just east of Port Tampa will be open for business soon. I don't know what this building was before as it has been empty and for sale since we arrived in the area. The new owners have beefed up the landscaping to the entrance and put up a new chain link fence topped by razor wire.

Calling All Cancer Survivors!!!

2006-05-13T10:10:00.000-04:00

Relay for Life May 19, 2006 6PM
Port Tampa Recreation Center

In honor of your battle against cancer, we invite you and your caregiver to join us in a celebration of your cancer survivorship by walking the first lap of the Relay for Life. There will be a complimentary reception for all survivors and caregivers. Your strength and courage are a personal testimony of the progress we are making in our fight against cancer. One person, hand in hand with another, can make a difference. We hope that you will stay and enjoy the festivities after the Opening Ceremony.

It's about being a community that takes up the fight... Call (813) 254-3630 extension 306 for more information!

VRB vs. Idol

2006-05-11T14:55:00.000-04:00

For reasons it would probably take therapy to figure out the daughter and I have bonded over American Idol this season. I'd never watched a single episode of the preceding four years so it took her a couple weeks to teach me the ropes. Now we make popcorn just before show time and share critiques. She is a huge McPheeverite. I am really bummed that Chris is out and Taylor is still in.

Where then was I on Tuesday night at 8:00? Not in front of the TV, but in front of the TV cameras, testifying at the Variance Review Board (VRB) hearing. Our rear yard neighbors asked for, and got, a setback variance for a screened porch they want to put on the back of the new house they are going to build. After watching the preceding cases and seeing the board deliberate, I have to say the tension is nearly as exciting as watching the Idol results show, and the outcomes a lot more important. A family will not be able to expand their family room any farther into their backyard, a middle aged guy who needs hyrdotherapy will not be able to build a 20' wide extenson on the back of his house to enclose a hot tub, and an elderly woman described by her agent as "substantially built" will have to come back with a plan for extending a car port that will accomodate a wheel chair but not a big boat. All of these were turned down because the board saw alternatives to encroaching on the setbacks that set the tone for their respective neighborhoods AND the homeowner was suffering no "hardship."

It's taken me a long time to get to it, but hardship is the point of this post. Under the legal definition a hardship that justifies granting a variance has to do with the property and its situation, not the situation of the owner. Needing a larger house for yourself and 4 children is not a hardship. Having a tree in the way of the new house that makes your lot unbuildable could be.

People who are successful with the VRB usually:

1. Have neighborhood support, either in person or by letter. However, many letters are too vague indicating the project might not have been fully described. In my neighbor's case for instance, the posted legal notice was for "reduction of rear yard setback" it didn't have to mention tree removal or that the porch would be attached to a brand new house. The minimum legal requirement was met. Importantly though, when asked, the builder and owner were very forthcoming with information about their plans and it showed at the hearing. The VRB takes neighbors' support more seriously if they can tell the surrounding property owners have full information.

2. Are sensitive to the surrounding architecture and landscape. Just because you can legally build form setback to setback doesn't mean you should. I am convinced my neighbor was successful because he is maintaining the current spacing between his new house and the old cracker style cottage next door. The cottage is built far closer to the property line than would be allowed now and he has no legal requirement to preserve the distance the adjoining property has enjoyed since the 1920s. Board members specifically mentioned the builder's accomodation of the house next door when they moved to approve the request.

3. Show a willingness to mitigate the adverse affects of their request. Volunteering to beef up landscaping beyond requirements or maintain the feel of an older home, even if it isn't designated as an historic structure, are both persuasive.

All in all my little sojourn into the world of public hearings was worthwhile, even though I totally missed Elvis night on Idol.

Ashton Woods Update

2006-05-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

According to sales personnel at their South Green development, Ashton Woods is clearing property on the west side of the far south end of Westshore. A drive down there yesterday confirmed that all old vehicles and other junk that occupied this property is gone. They plan to start construction on four model homes in September, but the person I talked to couldn't remember if they would be on Shamrock or Sparkman. That means the models and sales office will not be located on the Westshore site. The homes will be similar to the South Green houses that are nearly sold out and priced from the high 500s to low 700s, options extra of course.

There was evidence of illegal dumping on the right of way at the end of Westshore so I'll let you know how the city responds to my complaint.

What's Going Where Wednesday IV

2006-05-10T15:29:00.000-04:00

Ivy Homes: Drive down any street in Port Tampa and you'll see a new house, or two, going up. Some are filling in empty lots, others are replacing tear downs. Taken all together we probably have as many in-fill houses under construction as Inland and Castillo are building at South Tampa Square. This week I caught up with Ed Rechak, President of Ivy Homes, to ask him about the homes he's already built in southwest Port Tampa and where he's going from here.

Driving down Commerce Street toward Picnic Island Park most people don't even realize a residential enclave lies behind the industry on Commerce St. and Ingraham. Back in 2004 Rechak saw a neighborhood that had already turned a corner for the better and a larger area that was ripe for the developments like Casa Bella, Westshore Yacht Club and New Port Tampa Bay. "I saw where prices were going north of Gandy and saw potential south of Gandy. Once you get behind Ingraham there are some brick streets, beautiful trees, it's a neat place."

Named for his sister, Ivy Homes is Rechak's company. He came up through the ranks with some national home builders and decided to venture out on his own "to build the kind of home I would want to live in," he says. Apparently Rechak wants to live with hardwood floors, an enormous master bath, high tech gadgetry, high ceilings, crown moulding, granite countertops, screened lanais, and leaded glass entry doors. Ivy Homes' first two Port Tampa houses were finished in spring 2005, the second two houses were sold before the footings were poured. With each round of homes Rechak has aimed more square footage and a higher price point. His Eduard Isle model, just started on Shamrock near the Rec. Center, will have 2700sf of living space and a Victorian flare. The Padraic, planned nearby on Sparkman will have bay windows and 3400sf under roof. In keeping with the character of this area some would like to see designated an historic district, Rachek removed just one tree from the heavily wooded Shamrock lot.

Nearing completion in southwest Port Tampa are two more Ivy Homes models with a Mediterranean Revival character. Rechak says with these houses he'll be the first builder in Tampa to use a new "green" building product for sidewalks and driveways. The city has approved his use of Flexi-Pave, a permeable material made from shredded tires. Rechak chose a color that I think will read as weathered brick from a distance. In addition to providing a use for old tires the material reduces storm water runoff, and very importantly for homeowners does not puddle. When asked what he wanted the world to know about Ivy Homes Ed said he didn't really know, his aim as a builder is to provide a quality home with great customer service. He then called me back to mention he provides a 2-10 Home Warranty that is transferable when the house is sold, mold protection, and anti-microbial paint.

Ivy Homes has 2 houses going up on the 7400 block of S. Elliott, 1 at the corner of Bradley and Germer, 1 on the east side of Shamrock just south of the rec. center, and 2 in permitting for 2 adjacent lots on the west side Sparkman north of Interbay. Prices start in the high 400s.

A Litte Background Info

2006-05-09T16:25:00.000-04:00

It appears the Centex/Guyton Energy site plan for the Commerce St. property across from the library has been scrapped and new drawings will be forthcoming. Jill Buford, CAPT President, noted at the "Sale at the Jail" on Saturday that their spokesperson wanted to postpone presenting to the Civic Association until after a new plan was drawn up. Jill pointed out, quite rightly I think, that the time to talk to the neighborhood is before plans are set. Sue Murphy of Centex is still on the agenda for May 23. Meeting starts at 7:00PM at the Rec. Center on Lancaster. Here's some background info. Take a look and be sure to bring some ideas along to the meeting.

Disclaimer: The blurbs and links that follow are just for info. There is nothing in the information presented at CAPT meetings so far to suggest that the Commerce St. property will be developed in any way similar to any of the projects shown. Speculate wildly if you want, but don't blame the Port Tampa blog!

Just about everyone in the southeast is aware of Centex as a homebuilder but it appears they have an enormous commercial building division doing everything from military housing to expansion of the Miami Airport terminals. Although the company does not provide links from its website I did search around for a few projects and found:

This picture of Starbucks at the Village Center at Dulles, a Washington DC area suburb. Forgive them the dated Tudor look, but I've been there and for some reason this area of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) went hog wild with the faux timber frame look and can't seem to stop. I don't know which portion of this growing center Centex is responsible for, but the entire area is trying to revitalize from a car dependent area to pedestrian friendly.

Here is a link to a Boca Raton photo album where you can scroll down to seeMizner Park another mixed use development noted on the Centex Retail Portfolio web site.

I could not find any pictures of the Plaza at Delray which was a conversion from enclosed mall to open air strip, or the Blakeney Retail Center in Charlotte, NC. Blakeney is a "town within a town" in South Charlotte that is trying to adhere to a pedestrian friendly model while it straddles a major interstate interchange.

Finally, again with no link, the Centex site notes that they've built numerous Publix supermarkets.

Guyton Energy, is known for developing Texaco/Shell gas stations. However, founder Bryan Guyton was noted in this story about the Channelside 212 Lofts.

Boating Class Registration Closes May 14th

2006-05-08T17:46:00.000-04:00

The Tampa Power Squadron is offering a Boat Smart class at the Port Tampa City Library on May 20th from 9:00AM to 4:30PM. The $40 registration fee is due May 14th. Click here for more information. Boaters who take the Boat Smart class qualify to take the Smart Chart class on May 24th, also at the library. Registration deadline for Smart Chart is May 17th.

Some Libraries Friendless

2006-05-08T09:08:00.000-04:00

Some of our libraries don't have friends. I don't know which Hillsborough county libraries don't have active "Friends of the Library" groups but Port Tampa City is not one of them. Other news from the last Friends meeting on April 26th:

The purchase and placement of an identifying sign was discussed at the March meeting. Next year's library system budget includes a sign for the Port Tampa library so we will not be using Friends funds.

More information on digitizing the old city records will be forthcoming in the next couple months.

The library staff asked for support from the Friends to buy a table, some bulletin board materials, mouse pads and headphones for the computer lab. The membership immediately voted to authorize purchase of the table and bulletin board items. Four dozen mouse pads were donated to the library on May 4th, and headphone discussions were tabled pending further direction from library HQ. Sanitation and petty theft were sited as concerns with headphones.

Supporting documentation to name the meeting room after James G. Yeats is being assembled. The administrative labyrinth has prompted some (ok me) to call for pulling a "Port Tampa City permit," painting the name on the door, then letting the library system figure out what paperwork is needed to have it removed.

Here's a little info on Yeats, and the building that would become the library, from Port Tampa City, A History of Change published by the Port Tampa City Woman's Club, Inc.

"The First Bank of Port Tampa City was organized on September 30, 1924, on Ingraham Street, west of Davis' Corner, with Mr. James G. Yeats as president. Mr. Yeats was a prominent citizen, newspaper publisher, had served as mayor from 1915 to 1921, and had contracted to pave the City streets the year before. He also served as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and was responsible for building paved roads in Hillsborough County, Tampa, and throughout the state of Florida.
In 1926 Mr. Yeats, at a cost of $125,000 constructed a large building of imported Italian marble on Plant Avenue (now Commerce St.) at Mascotte Street and moved the bank there."

I'll have more on the building and it's revival as a library in future Friends posts.

View Port Tampa Photos as Slide Show

2006-05-07T19:02:00.000-04:00

raginglily was kind enough to organize all 35 of her Port Tampa photos into a set in her flickr stream. I've changed the link at right to go straight to the set and highly recommend you view them as a slide show.

O'Brien St. and Ashton Woods Redux

2006-05-07T12:24:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday I posted that there were objections to New Millennial Homes' rezoning request for the S. Obrien St. properties. Turns out they were city staff objections. Transportation wants sidewalks on the property line going through the driveways noted on the site plan. Storm water wants some water retention. Added to those are the council's request that they come back with a plan that shows more variety in facades and gets the cars parked to the sides of the houses instead of out front. The next hearing will on May 18th.

An anonymous commenter asked about Ashton Woods and I had hoped to be able to include something in What's Going Where Wednesday last week. Except for their development called South Green located 12 blocks south of Gandy on Sheridan in the Ballast Point area I haven't come up with anything. I did e-mail the company but did not receive a response so I guess it's time to get on the phone. I'm not optimistic though. Last year I called them when we were househunting and a rep told me they weren't going to be building in Tampa, then they broke ground a few months later.

Sale at the Jail Raises over $550

2006-05-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

That about says it all. If you slept in on Saturday you missed out on some great 36" mahogany doors. I arrived just as the last two of that size, and a sink, were loaded on a truck to be on their way to Ybor City. By the way, those aren't just burglar bars on those windows. This was a working jail for Port Tampa City.

There are two doors left, one as pictured here and another of solid wood. If you want one contact president@porttampa.org

Foil Hats No Protection!!

2006-05-07T06:51:00.000-04:00

Your usual Sunday "Pie and Chips" brought to you by Sam T. Gecko.

Though little noted by the MSM, or not noted at all, in early 2005 researchers at MIT tested the effectiveness of foil helmets in blocking radio waves and found they actually strengthened signals. Which begs the question, didn't anyone ever wonder why putting foil on the old rabbit ears helped the TV come in better? Then again, the daughter only knows cable. Here's the link for the details On the Effectiveness of Aluminum Foil Helmets: An Emperical Study. Sam posted this anonymously as a comment on the Seminole Heights blog.

Waste a few minutes on Improv Everywhere: Best Buy Mission. For more leads on insane hilarity, and more than a bit of the just plain strange, check in on the Houston Chronicle's MeMo blog. NPR listeners will know Kyrie O'Connor from the game show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."If the link above doesn't work, try again later, or check out the flickr stream and follow another Improv link from there:Best Buy mission flickr stream.

Tribune Highlights "Crime and Grime" in Port Tampa

2006-05-06T19:29:00.000-04:00

Today's Tribune featured a story by Dulcinea Cuellar headlined Help Sought To Fight Crime, Grime. I scraped myself down off the ceiling after about my third read through, having become just a little agitated that our whole neighborhood might be painted with the "crime ridden" brush. Even though Cuellar used terms like "little pockets" that have problems ,and was very specific in which blocks of Kissimmee and Mascotte are involved, I'm sure there are some people who will think all of Port Tampa is "ghetto." Now that I've settled down I'd like to share a few details and some observations not in the article.

Details:

Cookie Wideman, a concerned citizen quoted in the piece, is a dynamo who brought her concerns about criminal activity to the attention of the civic association. The city transportation department has already started working the issue of people parking on a corner that includes a bus stop, apartment mail boxes, and poor sight lines. This is important to the crime prevention, in addition to the traffic hazards, because criminal activity is being conducted out of parked vehicles in front of the apartments closest to Commerce Street. Hidden behind an empty building the occupants feel safe from discovery, and thus arrest. (See Street Parking to End on Block of Kissimmee from the Tribune.)

CAPT President Jill Buford has representatives from TPD coming to the June civic association meeting. She'd like to start the revival of the Neighborhood Watch group then, rather than delaying action by waiting to have an additional organizational meeting. If you want to volunteer to participate in the Neighborhood Watch, attend the meeting at 7:00PM on Tuesday, June 20th at the Rec. Center on Lancaster or email president@porttampa.org. She already has volunteers committed to be "block captains" on S. Morton Street south of Commerce.

Observations, all my personal opinions:

I am a little peeved with the undertone of helplessness voiced by some of the apartment building owners. I think Mary Ann Hoffman, owner of a building I have written about before said it best. As quoted by Cuellar, "It's just something that's been allowed to go on for a long time. And it's time we stand together to do something about it."

This is a critical time for Port Tampa City. We can wait for gentrification alone to clean up this corner, but lose some much needed affordable housing. Or we can "stand together" to make the buildings attractive to law abiding residents and unattractive to criminals. I'm a big fan of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPED) and hope that building owners will make some improvements out of enlightened self-interest.

Finally, though I mentioned this block of "unfortunate" buildings before, Port Tampa the blog, will not be posting pictures of them in their current state. The other day when I was taking pictures of vacant property across the street I was going to swing my camera around but there was a group of children waiting for the school bus. I simply do not have the heart to take pictures of their homes, then hold them up as an example of "Crime and Grime."

Returning to Gengiz Khan

2006-05-05T09:25:00.000-04:00

The daughter lobbied for a return to Gengiz Khan Mediterranean Grill, on MacDill Ave. at Interbay Blvd. from the moment our January visit ended. The husband and I were reluctant because our past experiences told us we'd need to reserve a whole evening for the meal. I am pleased to report that previous service issues were 100% absent last night. We enjoyed a delicious, well paced, efficiently served meal in about an hour, from ordering to all but licking our entree plates. It will take a few more visits to see if they've completely worked things out, or we just got lucky. Either way the food is consistently good, with some dishes worth ordering over and over.

Our dinner:

We started with Haydari and Sigara boregi. The Haydari, a yogurt dip thickened with garlic which we spread on freshly baked flat bread, was truly exceptional. The bread, a favorite from past visits, has been flattened to just a tad thicker than a pita and comes straight from the oven.

We like to use the Haydari to spread on the Sigara boregi too. Phyllo is rolled around a cheese filling and baked until golden. The cheese has a salty tang that could be a bit much if one person ate the whole plate of five "rolled cheese pies" as they are described on the menu. The saltiness is just right with the Haydari, or alternatively the yogurt Gengiz Khan serves with some meat dishes. Just ask your server for a ramekin full of the yogurt sauce.

Meat dishes at Gengiz Khan feature some pretty large portions. We are a family of carnivores, but we can't eat that much, so the three of us ordered just two entrees and put them in the middle of the table to share. Kus basi, beef kebob, and the Gengiz Khan Special. The special includes Doner kebob (ground lamb), Chicken Adana (chopped chicken seasoned and grilled on a skewer), chicken kebob, beef kebob, and a baby lamb chop.

I won't say much about the meats, they were all superb. If your meal doesn't come with the yogurt sauce, get some. It is a wonderful cool accompaniment to the seasoned meat that comes hot off the grill. All kebobs are removed from their skewers before service and served with rice. The daughter and I could make a meal of the rice by itself. The Mediterranean style grain is thicker, plumper, and not as sticky as the rice you'll find in Asian cuisine. After I finish this entry I'm going to spend some time searching for a recipe to start trying to duplicate this dish at home (my highest praise for a restaurant). In addition to rice, entrees come with a choice of vegetables or fried potatoes. We ordered both and really appreciated the freshness. They are obviously made to order, not prepped and then microwaved, or worse yet, held under heat lamps or on a steam table.

A word about the dining room. The decor is simple and quite fashion forward for a start-up ethnic restaurant of any variety. Turkish music plays lightly in the background. Just exotic enough to be fun, but not harsh on western ears. I do wish the hanging pendant lights had been placed after they set up the tables. One hangs a bit low, and is placed rather unfortunately off center at what would otherwise be the best table for 6 in the house.

It's also a bit unfortunate they don't serve alcohol. The Sigara boregi cries out for a nice red counterpoint to the cheese. That could be solved by calling for takeout as most of last night's customers did. We were too full for dessert but the daughter swears she will drive down there and eat by herself if that's what it takes to try their baklava. (Noted as home made on the menu.)

Gengiz Khan is open for lunch and dinner. Closed Mondays.

Entrepreneur Brings Advertising/Graphic Design Talent to SOG

2006-05-04T08:13:00.000-04:00

my GANDY The "Real" South Tampa's Bi-Monthly Business Forum
Derek Reusser was a bit bleary-eyed at the last Friends of the Library Meeting. It's understandable, he's a new parent with a start-up business so sleep is hard to come by. Despite the fatigue, Derek's enthusiasm for Port Tampa and his new direct mail advertising vehicle, a magazine/coupon book makes you think "Here's a young businessman to watch."

Reusser's first two issues are available in the my Gandy archives. Deadline for editorial content and advertising is Tuesday, May 9th.

From March/April-
CALLING ALL WRITERS!
We will be publishing S.O.G. sories of 250 words or less. Let's keep the memories alive. Include pictures if appropriate. Email to mygandy@tampabay.rr.com.

Rental Units Needed to Have Affordable Housing

2006-05-03T13:03:00.000-04:00

You have to love the easy access people in the Sunshine State have to public records. While taking some pictures for last week's WGWW I noticed a permit box hanging on one of those yellow 4 unit apartment buildings Port Tampans love to hate. This one is just south of the library on Mascotte Street. Windows were missing but work was obviously in progress so I looked up the owner and exchanged a few e-mails regarding the building's future.

Turns out two units were damaged by arson back in Jan./Feb. and repairs are in progress to make them habitable. Though investigators are sure the fires were set intentionally, the police say they cannot prove who did it. That's too bad, since there is a prime suspect.

On the positive side, the building is not being remodeled to become a condo conversion, nor torn down to build townhomes. "How is that positive?" you ask. Of all people, Port Tampa the blogger, an unabashed booster of home ownership and believer in community redevelopment, should be looking forward to the day all these buildings are long gone. Au contraire mon frere.

To have permanent affordable housing you must have rental units. I'm not saying individuals, of any income level, should occupy rented apartments forever. The apartments should be available to a series of occupants who stay for a while then move on in their lives-perhaps to buy a house or maybe take a job in a new city. Thus, I find Tampa's current investigation of how, or if, to require condo developers to reserve some units as "workforce housing" a great move but I worry that there is no way to write regulations that will keep those units within reach of teachers, police officers, artists, or personnel from MacDill. We must find a way, through tax incentives, or zoning variances, or things other cities have found to be successful, to include decent, affordable, rental housing in the mix.

The Tampa Bay Business Journal covered area jurisdictions' attempts to support affordability. You can read it all for yourself.

The part that really piqued my interest was:

"...But rental inventory in the Tampa Bay area continues to drop in a hot condominium conversion market, and existing home values are still rising. That's causing some programs to be less effective.

Potential homeowners in Tampa have help from a down payment assistance program through which city officials working from state and federal grants can place a 20 percent down payment on qualified homes that cost up to $164,000, which is paid back if the owner ever sells the home. While up to $35,000 in assistance can go a long way in reducing monthly house payments, there's been a problem. Few houses meet the criteria.

'We can't find it [homes that qualify]," said Cynthia Miller, director of Tampa's Department of Business and Housing Development. "If you find a house for $200,000, then we can't be of any assistance.'"

This is the lowest priced single family home listed at realtor.com for Port Tampa. They are asking $205,000.

What's Going Where Wednesday 3

2006-05-03T09:51:00.000-04:00

Saw Loren, proprietor of VT Clark's, working in one of the empty spaces in their building located at the corner of Westshore and Interbay the other night. Stopped in to introduce myself and ask what's up. Here's the scoop from the interview.

Port Tampa: "Hi, saw you working in here two nights in a row now. What's going on?"
Loren: "Getting it ready to rent to an Army colonel from MacDill. He has a lot of military stuff like WWI and II posters."
Port Tampa: "Oh cool, so this is going to be retail space then?"
Loren: "Yes."

(The space the new military memorabilia shop will occupy is the one in the middle above. The door is right behind the orange "buried cable" sign.)

Now you see why the great, and now late, Louis Rukeyser was such a genious in financial reporting. It's pretty darn hard to make business writing riveting.

Loren and I then went on to a much more interesting conversation about Port Tampa and "newbies" such as myself (no offense either meant or taken). If you want to sport a "Port Tampa City" shirt VT Clark, purveyor of General Merchandise, is the place to go.

In other developments, this sign at the junction of Commerce, Ingraham, and Hoadley has been up for more than a year but pretty much escaped notice because it didn't look like anything was happening. The area behind the fence was recently cleared so I talked to Bill at Precision Design Builders. They've been trying to get through permitting for a while now and the sticking points with the city revolve around parking and fire department access. Precision Design wants to move their offices to this site, locate some warehousing for their own use here, and put in 3 retail spaces. Their current office is located on Barcelona St. near MacDill Ave. in the Palma Ceia area. Originally slated to include more warehouse they've determined that doesn't make sense with recent Port Tampa development and the emphasis would be more on the office/retail with the warehouse disguised to fit in with the office. Ingress and egress are also an issue as the three streets meet at an unfortunate angle on the east side of the property. When asked if he thought they'd get started within a year, Bill said they still hoped to be done within the next year

Images of Port Tampa (Updated)

2006-05-02T10:15:00.000-04:00

A talented photographer has posted quite a few pictures of Port Tampa to her flickr stream. Check out the most recent pics of the library from ...and the lily raged. If you take a look at her daily stream you'll see more Port Tampa photos and I think I recognize at least one Picnic Island Park picture in the Beach collection. Hey raginglily, if you read this how about making a comment and telling us a little about your work?

(Update: raginglily uploaded new photos this morning, you'll have to scroll down to see the library pictures.)

FCAT Scores and School Quality

2006-05-01T13:30:00.000-04:00

The Florida DOE released 3rd grade Math and Reading scores today. Click here to check the score reports for any district, or school in the state.

My quick perusal shows that our own Westshore Elementary really struggled with the test this year. The percentage of third graders getting a Level 3 or above on the Reading test fell from 66 to 63, the Level 3 and above rate for Math fell a whopping 18 points from 70 to 52. This likely means the long held "A" rating will be lost, but the scores must come as a shock after the 4th grade writing climbed 6% in one year-to 90%. Westshore's Writing results, reported last month, beat many schools in wealthier areas.

Newsweek magazine also reported the results of their latest ranking of America's high schools. Hillsborough High slid from 10th to 21st in the nation. It will be interesting to see if they outdo last year's "D" grade under the state's A+ plan.

If you are confused by the myriad ways schools are rated, and how Hillsobrough can be one of the entire country's best but regarded as one of the state's struggling schools, join the club. When I talk to parents who complain about the long commute from the burbs, the lack of time they can spend with their kids, and lately the price of gas, they earnestly believe all those negatives are offset by the education their kids get in suburban schools.

Or they want to believe it, some seem to think they've been hoodwinked. They ask me for an opinion of which schools in the area are "best" and I never know what to say. As a parent, and a teacher, I learned long ago that you cannot judge a school by its ratings. I am committed enough to public schools that I have always taught in them, and always in alternative programs dedicated to getting "problem" students back on track. However, the daughter has attended public school, Catholic school, home school and private school. We have always tried to find the right fit for her and ratings don't have a category that says "Excellent setting for highly social, right brained female, who is an auditory learner, and needs to build a relationship with a teacher before tackling challenging curriculum. Math teachers all have novel approaches to overcome math phobia and your student's slightly delayed development of abstract reasoning. Teachers will return phone calls and e-mails the same day received and have no other life than teaching your child." Even home school can't provide all that 100% of the time.

Having gone through the process of choosing a school for the daughter 8 times in 10 years, what do I look for?

Safety- There's a federally mandated rating for that, but see Washington Post columnist Jay Mathews' explanation of why it's a joke in his column "The 26 Most Dangerous Schools in America." (Sorry you'll probably have to register with the WaPo site to get to his columns.) Instead of looking at that, I make an appointment with the principal for just after dismissal and arrive before the last bell rings. Will I be run over by students who don't even seem to recognize there's an adult around, or will students and staff greet me and direct me to the office? Is there a general sense of boisterous cheeriness at being set free for the day, or are gaggles of meanspirited students lingering around the lockers, or classroom doors, ready to descend on their hapless prey? I'm less afraid of an intruder getting in, or even students with guns, than I am the daily destruction of children's spirits by other kids. All the bully prevention programs in the world can't take the place of a school climate that doesn't tolerate students treating each other like crap, whether by word or deed.

Connection- There is no rating for this, but it can be generally evaluated by class size and school size. I ask, "Is every child here known, by name, by an adult other than his classroom teacher?" Eating lunch in the cafeteria is a good way to find out. Nothing is more lonely than being a little kid and the lunch lady doesn't even know your name.

One large, thousand student, elementary school the daughter attended did a good job with connection. The principal simply divided the school into "upper school," 3-5th grade, and "lower school," or K-2nd grade. He then devised a schedule that kept the two groups from crossing paths in the hall or other common areas. Except during fire drills you'd never know there were over 1,000 kids in the building and as students moved to the library or out to the playground the custodian assigned to their "school" could greet most of them by name.

Teachers- I really look more at teacher satisfaction than the federal definition of highly qualified or exemplary teachers. It may surprise education critics to learn that most teachers are most satisfied when their students are performing at high levels and their schools are safe, comfortable, places to be where everyone is treated with respect.

Nose around. Are rats deserting a sinking ship? Perhaps you've entered a situation where teachers are incompetent, and should be shown the door. But, as in any industry, high turnover is as much a symptom of mismanagement as it is incompetent employees. Again, being at the school at dismissal time is a good idea. Are teachers as likely as students to mow you down on their way out the door, or do they linger, perhaps gathering in twos and threes in each other's classrooms sharing ideas or just bs'ing while they unwind from a stressful day? Evesdrop a little. Do they speak of kids with contempt, or do they show some sense of humor and understanding when recounting the latest tales of student insubordination?
Most importantly, do they sound like they are trying to figure out what is going on in their classrooms, with both kids and curriculum, and looking at how to get everyone to learn? Finally, I give a lot of bonus points to teachers who keep a "new student kit" ready to hand to the new kid. Too many assume that the beginning of the school year is the only time they need the supply list, phone number info, or class procedure handouts. Even if your child is not going to be changing schools at mid-year you could be affected. I prefer the daughter's teachers to be organized enough that a new student doesn't throw off the entire class for weeks while everyone adjusts. By the way, teacher organization is highly correlated to student achievment.

Having said all that, I do look at school ratings. However, I believe they tell me more about the parents of the kids my kid will be sitting next to than they do about the education she'll receive. If you are still reading this you may well be wondering where we decided to send the daughter. After much research, and the husband's discussion with some achievement oriented parents who chose Robinson High for their children, like SOCOM's General Daly, we chose our Port Tampa location. In the interest of full disclosure though, the daughter will not be going to Robinson. Our house wasn't completed until November so we home schooled this year because of the mid-year move. Now she'll be finishing high school in December. We look forward to seeing how Florida's community college system measures up.

S. O'Brien St. Rezoning Delayed

2006-04-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

Thursday evening City Council voted to continue the hearing on New Millenial Homes' request to rezone a portion of the southernmost block of S. O'Brien from IG (Industrial General) to PD (Planned Development). They'll have to try again on May 18th.

Council members Saul-Sena and Dingfelder took the lead in emphasizing that "cookie cutter" development won't pass muster. In other words, New Millenial will not be able to win approval for 5 houses with identical elevations. They also struck a blow against garages with houses attached. (You've seen these houses. The garage is the primary architectural feature facing the street-perhaps with a tiny covered stoop over the hard to find front door.)

Watching the tail end of the hearing being replayed this morning, it appeared to me that New Millennial Homes representative Anthony Galarza was no more prepared for Council than he was for the CAPT meeting in March. The varied pictures he sent to Jill Buford to pass around at the April CAPT meeting were not reflected in the site plan presented to council. When he showed Council the pictures they were not impressed, because they appear to be all garage. Councilman Dingfelder told Galarza that since they were asking for a PD they should look at asking for a waiver of setback requirements to allow building a porte-co-chere beside the houses. This would minimize the need to park cars at the front of the house, or worse yet, on the lawns.

Had to take the husband to the airport this morning so I missed seeing someone who must have spoken in opposition to the rezoning, as council members did refer to citizen opposition. I'll see if I can track that down and will post an addition later.

My personal feeling is that the driveways on the site plan do need to be extended down the side of the houses to at least allow tandem parking that puts two cars beside the house rather than in front. A porte-co-chere would be even better. Also, though I'm glad to see some houses coming in at what is now the lower end of the Port Tampa price range, a few cosmetic changes to building facades makes for a nicer looking neighborhood without increasing costs to the builder and ultimately the buyer. Props to Dingfelder and Saul-Sena for supporting requiring developers to build in a way that enhances the neighborhood.

Bottom line, New Millennial will have to work with City staff to come up with a site plan and elevations that are more acceptable to Council.

Pie and Chips

2006-04-30T08:52:00.000-04:00

"Who doesn't like free pie and chips?" Gecko

I don't remember what search terms landed me at "Boy Stupid and His Brother Productions" but here is my favorite of some shorts and at least one award winner:Good Bad Music Video

Turns out the talented film maker's day job is in L'Angelus a Cajun/Country/Southern Rock Band.

Now you know why my lawn needs mowing and the dog hasn't been brushed all week. At least I made it a whole week without completing an online quiz.