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Out A Politician
2008-02-04 02:49:00
Reading Rick Fifer's article Know Your Neighbor, (about those who signed the petition to put the ?Marriage Protection Amendment? on the ballot) I wondered,what politicians have signed this?Brian Blair of 12702 N Boulevard Tampa (County Commissioner?)James Norman of 4907 Londonderry Dr Tampa (Is this Jim Norman?) (County Commissioner?)Ronda Storms of 2129 Crosby Rd of Valrico (State Senator)Rick Lott 3200 Polo Dr. Plant City (Is this the Plant City Mayor?)Do your own search. Tell us what you come up with.
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Know Thy Neighbor
2008-02-02 18:34:00
Well we now have the so called ?Marriage Protection Amendment? heading to the November 2008 ballot. This will likely mobilize self proclaimed ?social conservatives? to turn out in a year where they are not too thrilled with the options for the top of the Republican ticket. It also presents an interesting dilemma for those folks in the Log Cabin Republican camp, since their Republican party has provided more than 2/3rds of the $445,000 the proponents of this amendment have raised. It should make for one intense fall campaign.Some months ago, I was sent an e-mail from a friend with a link to www.knowthyneighbor.org On this site you can search by street, county, or name to see who has signed to put this measure on the ballot. If you happen to be gay or lesbian, it let?s you know real fast who are your friends. If you happen to have family or friends who are gay or lesbian, it is an eye-opener. It was really surprising to see just how many people in the Seminole Heights area ac...

Band Aids for lake Roberta
2008-02-02 01:54:00
Today the Tampa Tribune ran an article by Kathy Steele about the stormwater project for Lake Roberta . The City of Tampa with a the assistance of a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) has begun another step in the long road to restoring Lake Roberta. This little gem of greenspace inside the Hampton Terrace Historic District is one of the few public areas on the east side of Old Seminole Heights.The project to capture storm water run-off on the northeast side of the lake follows a project a few years ago to capture the run-off on the west side coming from Nebraska Ave. The effort to improve the lake has been a slow process. Almost 20 years ago a longtime neighbor and Lake Roberta advocate, Myron Griffin, began planting trees around the edge of the lake. Later the neighborhood obtained a grant to add aquatic plants. But the pollution and silt still flowed in with each heavy rain. I remember in the mid 1990's when our neighborhood Publix store was rebuilt...
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New Blog - Florida Rescued Dogs
2008-02-01 16:43:00
Susan has a new blog called Florida Rescued Dogs at http://floridarescueddogs.blogspot.com/ "A venue for caretakers of dogs rescued from a life of homelessness or worse. A place to share problems and solutions, stories and photos, references to books, services, events and links that may be helpful in the rehabilitation of dogs who have had a less than perfect life. It is also a place for the kind hearted folks who take in strays to vent, because life with rescued dogs can be challenging, as well as rewarding."
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Amendment 1: Useful Info
2008-02-01 12:27:00
Now that Amendment 1 has passed. There will be questions about portability and the additional homestead exemption. I have already sent this to my customers who bought/sold in 2007. I wanted to make sure it got out to the general Seminole Heights community. The portability is retroactive to January 1, 2007. Check out the Florida Department of Revenue?s (DOR) Web site ( http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/sb4 d.html ). If you sold a homestead in 2007 and qualified for homestead exemption on a new home as of Jan. 1, 2008. As a homeowner you have only one month ? until March 1, 2008 ? to apply for property tax portability and the homestead exemption. The portability application and other pertinent forms can be found at the DOR Web site.I will add other information as it becomes available on my website: www.atHomeintheHeights.com
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Advanced Auto Parts for Sale
2008-01-30 15:30:00
Here's a flyer I found about the location at MLK and Nebraska Ave. (4010 N. Nebraska Ave.)http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/5 /8/D/58DB06F8-6F84-4C83-AAEC-09A7678B7E02 .pdfAnd only $3,000,000!
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Alterations
2008-01-30 15:10:00
From a reader:Does anyone know of a good alterations person in Seminole Heights or nearby area? I am looking to have some pants hemmed.

Historic Central Tampa Neighborhoods get new Website
2008-01-28 06:46:00
Historic Central Tampa Neighborhoods get new Website Online edition of magazine, focused on the Urban Corridor, officially launchedTAMPA, Fla., (Jan. 28, 2008) ? New Heights Magazine, the only magazine dedicated to highlighting Tampa?s historic urban corridor (UC) neighborhoods, officially launched its website, http://www.newheightsmag.com/, on Jan. 28, 2008. The website is an online version of magazine?s inaugural hardcopy edition, which is currently in stands at over 100 Tampa storefronts and is being delivered to thousands of local residents and businesses.NewHeightsMag.com and the hardcopy version features stories written by and relevant to people living and working in the Tampa neighborhoods of Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, West Tampa, downtown Tampa, Ybor and surrounding areas. The publication?s goal is to draw attention to the revitalization and positive news occurring in the focused areas.?The people in our neighborhoods have worked hard to improve our p...
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Roof Dogs
2008-01-28 05:45:00
In case anyone wanted to know what roof dogs is. This has been one of my favorite posts in a blog (a living hominid)
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Who's your pick
2008-01-27 17:01:00
Not exactly neighborhood oriented, but with the upcoming little to no count primary, I was wondering if anyone felt strongly enough about the upcoming primary to vote. If you are going to vote, what's your motivation - given that the Dem's won't count your vote and the Rep's might count half? Who's your pick, and why?
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Neighbors, how you hanging?
2008-01-24 16:56:00
A couple years ago when I first moved back to the neighborhood, there were some pretty silly, sometimes nasty comments on this blog regarding owning vs. renting a house in Seminole Heights. Some of the newly transplanted residents were a bit uppity about their recently acquired bungalows and got carried away with their giddiness over the Starbucks and their eagerness to oust the more working class elements from the hood in their quest to become "The New Hyde Park". What I'm curious about now is whether those folks who bought houses here during the boom of 04-06 still feel good about their purchases now that the bubble is collapsing around us and Tampa is facing an impending recession. Is the neighborhood all you hoped it would be? Is it transforming quickly enough? Have the taxes and insurance been worth it? Is Tampa, and this neighborhood in particular, still a great place to live? How does it compare to other neighborhoods you've lived in? How does the quality of life compare to...
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Vote x on One?
2008-01-24 16:08:00
With 5 days left until the election, I find myself with quite a few questions and not a lot of answers. As a registered voter with no party affiliation, I have exactly one issue to vote on; the dreaded property tax reform.On one side, some relief is better than no relief. However the estimated $240 dollars in savings does little to relieve the 50% increase that I received this year. As opposed to other states, Florida does not have unreasonable tax rates, but when I've paid taxes this high in other states, I received much more for my dollar than I do here.Another side is that this is only a state initiative, with local governments free to raise taxes, as necessary. So, is there really a fix here?Side 3 is that this is merely a shift in the tax burden from home owners to businesses and renters, as well as non-homesteaded property. Along with the added tax burden for businesses, non-homesteaded sn ow birds add quite a bit of money to the  state's coffers as it is, with higher tax es on...
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Stephen J. Gluckman Memorial Library
2008-01-23 13:37:00
Kathy Steele has an article in the Tribune "Friends to Seek Renaming of Library " about a movement to rename the Seminole Heights Branch Library after Steve Gluckman. The OSHNA board supports such an effort."Longtime friend Suzanne Prieur said residents want Gluckman's work to be remembered. "Everybody wants the library named after him," she said. "It was one of his longest-running, biggest projects and greatest love."Tell the Library what you think"The name request will be made to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System's board of directors at 4 p.m. Thursday at Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave.""To comment on the proposed name change, e-mail board@thpl.org or write to: Library Director Joe Stines, c/o John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa FL 33602"
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We want our New Heights Mag!
2008-01-23 07:18:00
We are actually ahead of schedule for distribution of New Heights Magazine and we've increased distribution locations from 50 stands to over 100!Click on the image to find a location near you!Locations will be updated as the magazine continues to roll out all across Tampa.Over 2,000 residents will also receive a copy at their door. Keep an eye out!If you'd like to request a copy of New Heights delivered to your doorstep -- or if you'd like to have a New Heights magazine rack in your storefront, please email editor@newheightsmag or call (813) 389-8116.

designer/architect/builder
2008-01-21 17:52:00
From a reader:I live in Old Seminole Heights (though not part of the historic district). My wife and I are considering adding on to our home (we have the space). Can any of the blog readers suggest a designer/architect/builder?
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Looking for Writers
2008-01-20 21:01:00
The Seminole Heights blog is accepting new writers. Do you live or work in Seminole Heights and are interested in writing about life here? Email me.
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Death Rattle?
2008-01-20 18:10:00
Seminole Heights Eats has some interesting points about the possible final demise of Ybor Pizza and Subs. Link Love 'em or hate 'em, they've been a Tampa institution for almost 20 years. I'm not going to drag up the old arguements pro or con. Some will cheer, some will mourn.
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Bungalow Bistro and Forever Beautiful
2008-01-19 04:04:00
Restoration powered by persistenceold seminole heights A couple didn't take no for an answer with a bistro and spa.By ELIZABETH BETTENDORF, Times CorrespondentPublished January 18, 2008http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/18/Cit ytimes/Restoration_powered_b.shtml Elizabeth Graham isn't one to let much of anything stand in her way. She holds a culinary degree, nursing degree, cosmetology degree and has even been to real estate school. "I'm a very determined person - I won't take no for an answer," Elizabeth says. "I'm dedicated to having an outstanding, outrageous and wonderful life." She'll be the first to tell you conventional thinking isn't her style: She and her husband, Michael, recently bought a 1930s fish camp along the Hillsborough River near Temple Terrace and are fixing it up as their home. In December, Elizabeth and Michael opened Bungalow Bistro , a restaurant specializing in seasonal fresh global cuisine and nestled in their 1920s carriage house at 5137 N Florida Ave. Eli...
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Sherry's YesterDaze Vintage Clothing & Antiques
2008-01-19 04:00:00
Shop owner deals in 'Hey, I remember that!'By ELIZABETH BETTENDORF, Front PorchPublished January 18, 2008http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/18/Cit ytimes/Shop_owner_deals_in__.shtmlWhen she opened her shop nearly a decade ago, Sherry King had a hunch about vintage collectibles. She still does. "One half of my shop is home goods," says King, who owns Sherry's YesterDaze Vintage Clothing & Antiques along Florida Avenue. As King prepares to celebrate the shop's 10th anniversary this spring, she's proving her hunch was right on the money. A survivor in a town where many trendy antique and vintage stores last only a few years, King thinks she may know the secret: "People are drawn to things they remember from their families or childhoods," she explains, "long forgotten things that make you go: 'I remember that!'" Even the shop itself. The exterior of her shop, wildly painted in a pink, peach and sea-foam green theme, recalls the clothes of Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci. She dis...

Feels Like Home (With Better Food)
2008-01-18 04:43:00
TAMPA - Get in your car and drive to the Bungalow Bistro of Seminole Heights.Do it. Now.Time is of the essence. It won't be long before more and more people realize this new gourmet eatery has opened in the heart of Seminole Heights, and the limited number of tables will be filled.The Bungalow Bistro may still be a work in progress, but what a promising start.Click here for full story.
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Blog "Posting" Update
2008-01-17 19:56:00
This is just a reminder to "posters" on the blog. When posting articles from any publication (i.e., Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, etc.), please be sure to include a link to the original article(s).Not doing so can be interpreted at a copyright infringement.
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Publisher Going To New Heights
2008-01-16 18:14:00
SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - There weren't many friends or near acquaintances Jay McGee didn't buttonhole for an opinion on why no one had launched a magazine about Seminole Heights.It has it all: history, Craftsman bungalows, artists, kitschy shops and the nostalgic charm of an old-style neighborhood where everyone feels, well, neighborly."Someone better do it," McGee kept saying, and so often that he finally knew he would be the one."For a year I've been doing the whole research. I've been testing the waters," said McGee, who has more than 10 years of experience in public relations and marketing.Writing, editing and graphics were familiar territory. But pulling a magazine together was a risk, and the first advice he got was to think beyond Seminole Heights to a broader market.He followed Tampa's urban corridors - Florida and Nebraska avenues - and pulled in Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, Ybor City, downtown, West Tampa and the Channel District.Click HERE for full story.
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Found Stray Beagle
2008-01-15 21:12:00
FOUND: Male Beagle Unneutered Tri Color on Tampa Street on 1/15/08.Please call Ginny Powell at 393-0033.
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Seminole Heights Bicycle Club
2008-01-15 00:02:00
During the next few weeks, I would like to gauge the level of interest in forming a Seminole Heights Bicycle Club .The goals would be to have scheduled rides on the streets in Seminole Heights; start bike rides from inside Seminole Heights of about 15-30 miles to other locations; to generally promote bicycling in Seminole Heights and Tampa; and to hold occasional bicycle events and festivals in Seminole Heights to enhance community spirit. A local Seminole Heights Bicycle Club would NOT duplicate any efforts of other bike clubs such as the Tampa Bay Freewheelers, which does a great job at sponsoring rides in the area. Seminole Heights resident Mike Limerick contacted me about the concept of a bicycle club, so we decided to put the word out on the street to see the extent to which people here in Seminole Heights would like to form a club. I have held several local bike rides in Seminole Heights and 15-30 people have participated in these local neighborhood bike rides. We have some of ...

Call for Articles: New Heights? mid-March/mid-May 2008 issue
2008-01-14 20:59:00
It?s that time again! Have your writings considered for publication in New Heights Magazine by emailing them to editor@NewHeightsMag.com by Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 .Reoccurring Article Word Count: 600-1,200Heights Heightlight Word Count: 1,200-2,000Article Guidelines:1. Topic(s) must be relevant to Tampa; specifically one or (preferably) more of Tampa?s historic Urban Corridor neighborhoods.2. Must fit in one of the magazine?s main sections: Health & Beauty, Home & Real Estate, Food & Drink, Arts & Events. Broad topic feature stories for the Heights Heighlight section are also requested.3. Include quote(s) from Urban Corridor resident(s). One (1) minimum, but aim for 2-4.4. Include supporting high-resolution photos, illustrations, maps and/or graphs. (See below for image guidelines.)5. When possible, identify (within the article) sources of statistics and facts.6. List contact information for the writer, quoted participants and photographer/artist.7. Include a short bio ...
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Very Sweet Stray
2008-01-11 02:05:00
She was found Tuesday 1/8/08, White and tan, Approx 25lbs, No Chip. She was found near the corner of Henry and Nebraska. She is being well cared for in the Hampton Terrace area. If you have lost this lovable, sweet little girl please email us at alhaddad1@verizon.net so she can be returned to you.
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Lost Baby Cat in Seminole Heights
2008-01-09 17:32:00
From an S.H. neighbor:I have recently lost a wonderful and loving cat. He escaped through my screen window on Christmas Eve night. His name is Baby because that's just what he is to my family. He's very loving and sweet and vocal...he calls me EL.I know that may sound funny, but if you've ever owned a vocal cat they call in their own sort of diction of cat language.He was born in my home almost two years ago. He was a sweet little thing and even though males are territorial he never wanted to fight with the other males. He has a few battle scars around the back of his neck due to his resistence to fight with other males.He would sit with me for hours rubbing his tummy and his chin. He is the most loving cat that I have ever owned in my life. When you lose a special animal I can't tell you of how you feel with frustration and hurt. They become part of the family and part of your life. I miss him terribly. It's so sad to think that Baby will not come back to his home.I am trying ...
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Field of Flags
2008-01-09 14:22:00
This past weekend our congregational church grounds were transformed into a field of American flags. The flags represent the Americans who have sacrificed their lives in Afganistan and Iraq. There is a flag for each of those who have died. The display came our church grounds from another United Church of Christ. It will be on our grounds for a month before moving to the grounds of another church. While displayed, additional flags will be added for any who die while the exhibit is on our grounds. The section nearest the sanctuary are those from Hillsborough County and Florida. Just inside, to the west of the parking lot is a blue board with the names of each individual. Nearly 5,000 flags cover the church grounds. This weekend members of the congregation will be reading the names of each soldier.For more information please visit the church link that goes to a page about the Field of Flags. The church grounds are located on Fowler Avenue just west of the Hillsborough river.First Unite...

100 things that make you go mmmmm
2008-01-05 11:51:00
From a recent St. Pete Times article. Hooray Bistro!N (new)Just open:Bungalow Bistro, 5137 N Florida Ave., Tampa, (813) 237-2000. The new Seminole Heights joint serves a serious burger.
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Ella in Lutz
2008-01-05 01:30:00
(Click on photo for more photos)The creator of this blog was enjoying a holiday party at the home of an infamous Seminole Heightsian, when another well known local requested that an update in the life of Ella , the dog, be posted. Most of you know, that the blogmaster, his wife and dogkids moved to Lutz from Southeast Seminole Heights in March of 2007. Ella is a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Hound mix who we adopted from a rescue group when she was six months old. You can read archived blog articles about her starting in April or May of 2006. She was a feral dog found on the streets as a pup and picked up by animal control. When we got her, the only thing she knew about humans, was that they put you in cages, poked and prodded, cut and snipped and dipped you in bathing tanks. Gaining Ella's trust and teaching her to adapt to life with humans has been a powerful experience.Ella turned two years old last October. The move was as stressful for her as it was for us. She regressed some, fi...