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Alessi Clears Property In Seminole Heights
2008-05-17 14:37:00
By KATHY STEELEThe Tampa TribuneSEMINOLE HEIGHTS - A boarded-up store at Nebraska and Louisiana avenues came tumbling down in about three hours Tuesday.But the plot of dirt isn't being developed right away."The building was unsafe," said owner and restaurateur Phil Alessi Jr. "A car hit it about six months ago."Property records show the building, which Alessi sometimes used for storage, was built in 1928.Alessi said he is exploring possible development projects at the site but has no immediate plans."It's just something in discussion," he said.In 2006, Alessi listed the property for sale at about $1.2 million. The real estate includes three parcels stretching along Nebraska between Louisiana and New Orleans Avenue.Initial discussions focused on a range of developments including shops, a restaurant and apartments.The Alessi family owns Alessi's Bakery in West Tampa, and Alessi Jr. and his father opened Alessi Woodstone Oven on North Dale Mabry Highway in 2006.
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Bungalow Bistro Owner Explains Request for 4-Cop Incidental Wet Zoning
2008-05-16 03:13:00
From Elizabeth:Thank you for giving me the ability to explain our request. There have been several misconceptions as to what we are requesting including several misconceptions on the redeveloping and potential for future use of the property.The request being made to Tampa City Council is for a 4-COP incidental wet zoning. The emphasis is on the "incidental."Hotels often have this same type of wet zoning because it is incidental to the rental of rooms also including movie theaters, spas, bouquets, bowling alleys, tea rooms, jewelry stores, art galleries and other business where the sale and consumption is incidental to the business have this type of wet zoning.Both businesses are proposed to be operated as a single entity still requiring the incidental provision to the wet zoning.Will a 4-COP incidental allow for a package or liquor store? The answer is NO.The sale of alcohol would have to be incidental to the nature of the other business a package store is a principal use for the sa...
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At last, at last, at last ....
2008-05-08 20:13:00
Bye -bye ugly Alessi building (on Nebraska Ave. by Osbourne)! But hello ????I don't know why, but I have a funny premonition it may be a Beef O'Brady's. (Hey -- at least I'm not falling for the Panera Bread rumor again :)

MERINOS DELI NOW DELIVERS FOR FREE!!!
2008-05-07 10:32:00
Gas prices are outrageous!!! And Merinos, your neighborhood deli at 6428 Florida Ave feels your pain.We are now available to deliver your next deli sub, Hot Steak N Cheese, salad or even our hot daily special right to your door. No delivery charge, just a $10.00 minimum please. Our delivery hours are Mon. thru. Fri. 11 am to 7 pm and on Saturday 11 am till 4 pm. Call us at 236-3354 or fax that order in at 232-3354. Need to look over the menu? Go to www.merinosdeli.com
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Lost Cat
2008-05-07 10:29:00
Our names are Andy and Janet Alwood and we live on South Ave. Our cat, Imhotep, ran out the front door on the morning of Wednesday, April 30. We have not seen him since and we are worried sick.
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WMNF & Clip Event, May 7
2008-05-06 20:55:00
From a reader: http://www.blogger.com/www.wmnf.org for more informationhttp://www.blogger.com/www.bea chtheatre.com for ticket information
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MERINOS DELI NOW DELIVERS FOR FREE!!!
2008-05-06 15:18:00
Posting per a reader's request:Gas prices are outrageous!!! And parking can be tough at our location so, Merinos, your neighborhood deli at 6428 Florida Ave feels the pain with you and wants to help!!We are now available to deliver your next deli sub, Hot Steak N Cheese, salad or even our hot daily special right to your door.No delivery charge, just a $10.00 minimum please.Our delivery hours are Mon. thru. Fri. 11 am to 7 pm and on Saturday 11 am till 4 pm. We accept all major credit cards.Call us at 236-3354 or fax that order in at 232-3354.Need to look over the menu? Go to www.merinosdeli.com
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The City of Tampa Public Art Program
2008-04-27 20:44:00
City of Tampa logo CITY OF TAMPA Pam Iorio, MayorArt Program s Division Public Art ProgramRequest for QualificationsSeminole Garden CenterArt Allocation: $10,000Application deadline (postmarked or hand-delivered):Friday, May 16, 2008 at 5 p.m. The City of Tampa Public Art Program is seeking artwork for the grounds of the Seminole Garden Center. This artwork can be existing or it can be a commissioned work. The intent of this project is to recognize the richness of the Seminole Heights identity and culture and to fulfill Mayor Iorio's initiatives that include focusing on investing in neighborhoods and recognizing the City As Art. Site Description and Background:Seminole Garden Center is located at 5800 Central Avenue in the neighborhood of Old Seminole Heights in Tampa. Old Seminole Heights is Tampa...
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Verizon requests to Pollute Seminole Heights
2008-04-22 13:02:00
The following comes from a reader. I saw what he's talking about too, but (to date) have been unable to learn anything more about it. Please chime in if you know more:-----------------------I wanted to get something out there on the blog. Has anyone seen the big yellow sign on the side of the Verizon building at the corner of Hillsborough and Florida Ave? I have tried to read it driving by and it says something about an application to build an ?air pollution source?. Sounds like something we should get some more details on.Charles HaynieTampa Street Market
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What is this?
2008-04-20 19:58:00
I have searched the Internet for plums, cherries and fruits but I can not find this plant. Does anyone know what it is and are the berries poison?

Seminole Heights Documentary Sold Out!
2008-04-19 18:12:00
From the Times:Seminole Heights : An Intimate Look at the Early Years sold out. More than 100 people lingered on the sidewalk, without tickets.Suzanne Prieur, who spearheaded the project, came outside to tell the crowd there would be no second showing that night. No way she or resident filmmakers Gene and Krissy Howes could've anticipated the interest in Seminole Heights history."Stunned is how I'm feeling," she said. "Completely stunned."and"Among those who didn't get in was 84-year-old Anne Ramsey, who lived in the neighborhood in the 1930s."That's my grandma! So how was it? Any reviews? Opinions? Thoughtful critiques?
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Household Chemical and Electronics Collection Day
2008-04-19 16:48:00
Take advantage of Tampa's Solid Waste Department?s upcoming Household Chemical and Electronics Collection Day on April 26, 2008 from 9 a.m. ? 2 p.m. at 4010 W. Spruce Street, to safely dispose of your old televisions and computers (in addition to many other materials ? visit the web site at www.tampagov.net/dept_Solid_Waste for more information on materials accepted. (by the way...all those compact flourescent bulbs contain mercury and are toxic and should be recycled this way and not thrown in the trash)Electronic waste accounts for 70 percent of the overall toxic waste currently found in landfills. In addition to valuable metals like aluminum, electronics often contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury. In just 2005, almost two million tons of e-waste ended up in landfills.While toxic materials comprise only a small amount of this volume, it doesn?t take much lead or mercury to contaminate an area?s soil or water supply.Televisions Back before there were plasma screen and...
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A Rival for Taco Bus?
2008-04-18 21:01:00
From Jill, a reader ...Los Tucanes Restaurant1235 E Hillsborough Ave813-232-5084Los Tucanes, which recently was a different Mexican eatery, switched to new ownership last January and the food is vastly improved. The new owner makes homemade tortillas, fries his tortilla chips daily, and has some of the best salsa in the area. Highlights include whole tilapia and traditional barbacoa tacos where the meat manages to be rich without being greasy. Business is slow due to the reputation of the past owner, but it's a great time to give the restaurant a new chance to make a good impression.

Seminole Heights Publix Update
2008-04-15 03:01:00
The following was posted at the request of Chuck, the Publix manager and a Seminole Heights neighbor, to share news about our neighborhood Publix.Just wanted to drop a Publix note letting you know that this March we began our fourteenth year with the new store. We had forty years with the old store, so fifty five years of Publix in Seminole Heights!I am very honored to be your neighborhood manager and continue to strive to make you proud of our little store.Some updates of things that have recently happened and are coming up:1) The big yellow generator outside is large enough to run the entire store in the event of an emergency(hurricanes!). This will be very helpful to everyone if TECO has a major outage, plus good for Publix. We threw away $65 million in Groceries when the storms hit a few years back. This should be a win/win for everyone.2) The locking wheel carts are helping make sure you always have a cart available when you come shopping, plus they don't end up in your yard. ...
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Lost Dog
2008-04-09 13:44:00
Thank you Sherry for letting me know about this, I have it on the Lost and Found site as well.I had a guy that works at Enterpirse Car rental stop by around 1:30 today. He says that he found a lost boxer down there around the business and did not want to have to take it to the pound so he is looking for the owner. If you or a neighbor are missing a boxer please call Gregg Johannesen on his cell at 480-4774 so that you may be reunited.

Neighborhood Gossip
2008-04-07 12:42:00
We're looking for some juicy neighborhood gossip! We don't mean what Jane Doe said about the souffle John Doe brought to the porch party; rather we're looking for good things (confirmed or otherwise) happening in our neighborhoods.We'll run validated submissions in the hardcopy and online version of the next issue of New Heights.In case you missed the last issue's rumors:Acropolis Taverna to open in Seminole HeightsPlausible: Costa Waez, owner of Acropolis, reported to New Heights in February that he was actively looking at locations in Seminole Heights. If he finds the right place at the right price, he will open an Acropolis in the neighborhood.Bank to open in Seminole HeightsPlausible: New Heights’ was contacted by a person scouting locations to open a large bank in the neighborhood. A separate report indicates a bank may move into 105 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in 2009.Beef O’Brady’s to open in Seminole HeightsPlausible: Although New Heights’ sources have veri...
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Stolen Bikes
2008-04-07 12:39:00
Posted as requested by a reader:Hello-My wife and I and some friends were on the home tour this afternoon and our friends' bikes were stolen right out of our driveway. They were parked inconspicuously (or so we thought) in front of our cars in the driveway.Nevertheless, they are gone - pretty damn gutsy to take something in broad daylight with cars in the driveway and a barking dog in the house. They are both DIAMONDBACK MOUNTAIN BIKES - one RED, one HOT PINK.Since our street (Jean) isn't typically a cut-through, we're thinking that someone planned to do some trolling while the home tour was going on, even with a lot of cops driving around.If you think you've seen the bikes, please email me ASAP @ ddoughty1@tampabay.rr.comThanks,Darren
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second meeting about Seminole Crest parkland
2008-04-02 17:24:00
THURSDAY, APRIL 3RD AT 6 PM....AT THE TEMPLE CREST COMMUNITY CENTER.The Tampa TribunePublished: April 2, 2008TEMPLE CREST - City parks and recreation officials will hold a second public meeting to discuss an offer to build three football practice fields at 22nd Street Park.The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Temple Crest Community Center, 8116 N. 37th St.A March 18 meeting drew one resident from Seminole Crest, the neighborhood nearest the park.The North East Tampa Pirates, a Pop Warner football team, wants to build the practice fields on green space at the dead end of 22nd, behind Patterson Street. Volunteers also will repair a burned-out concession stand at Eddie Lopez Field, where adults play softball.For information about the meeting, call parks and recreation spokeswoman Linda Carlo at (813) 274-7723.
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Open Committee Chairs in OSHNA
2008-04-02 16:03:00
OSHNA needs volunteers for the following committee chairs. These committees play a significant role in influencing the quality of life in Seminole Heights. It was the Highways and Byways Committee that led the battle when FDOT wanted to widen Hillsborough Avenue. The work of this committee led to both the brick wall, the linear park and the period street lights. The Historic Preservation Committee has had a key role in the formation of both Historic Districts, the district design standards, and the residential overlay district. Code Enforcement Committee has been consistantly brought issues to the city that needed to be addressed to help control nusiance properties that hurt the quality of life in the neighborhood. These volunteer positions help enhance the desirability of our neighborhood. If you have been looking for a way to be involved in promoting your neighborhood (and protecting the investment you have made in living in Old Seminole Heights) here are three opportunities.If, a...
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S.H. Library to go Double Decker?
2008-04-02 12:34:00
SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Officials are exploring replacing Seminole Heights Branch Library with a two-story library and parking deck.The proposal, which includes school district property, would save the county from having to find and buy land for a new library.Full Story.
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Bob N Lou's is pretty darn good!
2008-04-02 04:03:00
Has anyone mentioned Bob N Lou's Cafe n Deli on here yet? Why not?! They make some pretty darn good cuban sandwiches, great cheesecake, and their espresso really hits the spot. They also happen to be a couple of sweethearts, really nice guys, the kind of guys who, in a just and sane world, would be puttin Starbucks out of business with their old school approach. In fact, it's my humble opinion that you should stop giving your money to Starbucks and spend it at Bob N Lou's on a regular basis. They're a genuine Mom and Pop, just Bob and Lou and some other dude in the kitchen whose name I didn't catch.Not sure what's up with their hours. Officially they're open 7am to 9pm weekdays and 8 to 8 on Saturday but I've caught them open all the way up to midnight once or twice. I like that-hours shouldn't be written in stone!Occasionally, they have these heavenly little chocolate covered cream puffs in there that will knock your socks off! I couldn't help eating about ten of them in ...
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Seminole Heights in New Heights Magazine
2008-03-28 13:29:00
Main story from the most recent issue: Moving Pictures: Making History on FilmTampa?s history goes largely unrecognized by many of the city?s tourists and newer residents. With the exception of a few hard-to-miss standouts, like the silver-capped, former Tampa Bay Hotel (circa 1891), ?progress? has erased much of Tampa?s early years from sight. But those years have not been erased from memory, as one local filmmaker has discovered ... Read MoreAlso: News & Rumors & Scene in the UCAnd much, much more: www.NewHeightsMag.com
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Free Concert March 28, 7pm
2008-03-28 13:22:00
From a reader:Hi kids ... Please Join the POPTARTS @ Lowry Park Bandshell (next to Zoo) Friday, March 28th, 7:00pm.FREE FREE! Bring a picnic bring the kids!
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Raised Bed Vegetable Garden
2008-03-27 00:40:00
Providence willing, there comes a time when one may experience the luxury of reliving cherished childhood memories. For me, one such is backyard vegetable gardening. Growing up in Clearwater, our family led by Dad the gentleman farmer, kept up a big garden over the years.Last weekend, I set out to create my version of the backyard garden by banging together some raised bed containers from yellow pine 2x10s. That job done, I started looking for a source of decent topsoil. No luck on craig's list and the bags at the garden centers are too expensive.So, before I let my fingers do the dreaded walking, I'm asking the SH blog community for suggestions for whom to call for delivery of a couple of yards of decent ("organic"?) topsoil I can use as a start in creating my "special blend".Any ideas? Any childhood gardening memories to share?
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Neighborhood input...Tampa style
2008-03-23 04:38:00
What if you had a meeting and nobody came? Well that seems to be par for the course with Tampa . They schedule a meeting about the future of the 22nd street parkland. Much like they did when planning to locate a dump there (oops, I'm sorry, "transfer station") they forgot to tell the folks that live there. Oh to the city's credit they did notify Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association which promptly did nothing to get the word out. Here we go again. Let me see, OSHNA can send out "alerts" announcing the new chair for the library committee (yawn) but can't send an alert affecting riverfront parkland in the neighborhood. (my personal editorial comments are on my personal blog) As an update/clarification: Susan Long, OSHNA's president did send Diane Jenkins to represent the neighborhood and association at the meeting and received a report back. Something that was not clear when we first spoke about this issue. While I think email alerts would have reached a broader audience...
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Golden In Need Of Good Home
2008-03-21 15:32:00
This good natured golden retriever needs a new home. His loving family has two children who are allergic to him. For more about him, see Florida Rescued Dogs blog.
More About: Home , Good , Golden

1920's Speakeasy Porch Party
2008-03-13 13:27:00
Old Seminole Heights 1920's Speakeasy Porch Party 15 March 2008, 7pm 5310 N. Branch Ave We are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the end of Prohibition by having a 1920's Speakeasy themed party, to include roulette, blackjack and poker tables. A stack of chips is $5 to play. 1920-30's clothing is optional but encouraged. Don't forget to bring a dish and a drink. Find out about events like this even sooner!

SESH General Meeting
2008-03-13 02:17:00
SESH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (open to Members and other interested parties) TUESDAY MARCH 18th KATHRYN MALONE CENTER SE CORNER OF 12TH AND GIDDENS 6:40 PM MIXER 7:00 PM MEETING GUEST SPEAKERS CATH COYLE Zoning Administrator and Land Development Coordinator for the City of Tampa, AND SAMANTHA FENGER Community Planner for the City Of Tampa SPEAKING ON FORM-BASED ZONING THIS WILL EFFECT SEMINOLE HEIGHTS FIND OUT WHAT FORM-BASED IS ALL ABOUT HOW IT MIGHT CHANGE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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Burger Wars
2008-03-12 22:45:00
Creative loafing is featuring "The Tournament of Burger s". At present, the contest is set out in a sports bracket type sheet online. Neighborhood contender Bungalow Bistro is set against Danny's All American in the first round. Show Elizabeth some love and help her climb in the brackets.Article: linkOnline voting form: linkI do have to say, I'm not a burger fan, but the burger that I had at the Bistro was pretty freakin' good. Take that for what it's worth from a non-fanatic. If you haven't had one, go try one for yourself.
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Hillsborough River shoreline cleanup
2008-03-12 17:58:00
On the SESH email list:"There will be a Hillsborough River shoreline cleanup at Rivercrest Parkin South Seminole Heights on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. That's thepark that's at intersection of North Boulevard and Osborne. T-shirt andlunch provided. Need to register by calling Nanette at (727) 893-2765 ore-mail nanette@tbep. org. Sponsored by Tampa Parks Dept., Tampa BayEstuary Program and South. Seminole Hgts Civic Association. Friends of theRiver is also involved."
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