UC Tampa Magazine Sept/Oct 2009

See complete version online at:
www.UCTampa.com

WHAT'S HAUNTING YBOR?
The Ghostly Side of Ybor City ... Pg. 18

A HAND UP, NOT OUT
The Freecycle Network ... Pg. 06

A FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HAUNT
Gaspar's Grotto Bar & Grill ... Pg. 24

NEWS&RUMORS
18 Bites of Neighborhood Gossip ... Pg. 12

FIT FOR PRINT: PART 2
The Goal ... Pg. 08

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Our Fave 5ive ... Pg. 28

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Tampa Heights page at Tampagov.net

Looks like the city has started neighborhood pages online. Here's the one so far for Tampa Heights. Includes a map, contact info, demographic info and a lot of other data that looks like it will come soon but is not yet posted (crime, city council districts etc).

I hope they keep this up and bring it up to speed. Could be a handy resource.

Support Cappy's!

We are in the same boat in many ways as Seminole Heights when it comes to a lack of businesses, particularly - good places to eat.

I think Cappy's has been a fantastic addition to Seminole Heights, and it's very conveniently located for us in Tampa Heights, too. This business could help that whole Florida Ave. corridor from MLK to Hillsborough.

Check out this story from the Seminole Heights blog.

Plus, they have dope pizzas and calzones and great salads. NUM!

Winter Wonderlands

I drive past this house on the corner of Arlington and Indiana every day. It's a great-looking house, and I always laugh at the pack of chihuahuas I usually see in the backyard on my way home.

Since I've lived in Tampa Heights, these guys go BUCK WILD around Christmas. The house sits on a double lot and it's covered - tastefully - with all the symbols of the season. I'm always impressed the put lights on the roof and around every edge with it being a two-story house. I don't know when they do it, either, it just seems to magically appear.

Drive by after dark if you get the chance. It's a spectacle.

Any other great neighborhood light displays we should know about?

Send me your news!

I'm one guy, so I really appreciate any leads you all can throw at me. Got a store opening, a property for sale, a place for rent, having a swap meet or garage sale? Drop me a line! I'll never be as good as some neighborhood bloggers, but I'm trying to give it a whack.

More on places to eat ...

Convenience is a major factor to me when I want to get dinner. I hate driving to South Tampa if I can avoid it. I'm also not real fond of driving too far in any other direction either.

So, why don't I get a list of easy-to-get-to Good Eats in and near Tampa Heights. Please feel free to add:

Tampa Heights/Downtown
Pesto's Italian - Tampa St.
Oceanic Supermarket's take-out/deli - Tampa St. - Mmm ... chow fun ... and you can get rad dim sum on the cheap once they've brought everything over after the rush at T.C. Choy!
Gold Ring Cafe - Tampa St. - Great breakfast spot
Grass Root Organic - Florida Ave. - I've still yet to eat there, but I hear the Miso rocks your mom.
Thai Corner - Franklin St. - Between The Hub and Tampa Theater, I have no idea why this place isn't always packed. Try the green curry soft-shelled crab!
Fly Bar - Franklin St. - Sure, it's trendy as hell right now and typically full of people I want nothing to do with, but it's a great spot with great food. The late night menu is very reasonably priced.

West Tampa
House of Soul - Columbus Ave. - Which is actually under new ownership and called something like My House or summat, but the guy told me they're about to start delivery service. Same great food!
La Teresita - Columbus Ave. - This one should go without saying. I love Vaca Frita Friday's!
Ho-Ho - Columbus Ave. - Much better take out than the little skeevy plae on Tampa and Columbus. It's worth the few extra blocks.

Ybor City
New World Brewery - 1313 8th Ave. - Thin-crust pizza and more beer than you can swing a dead cat at.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company - Centro Ybor - I'll admit, I'm still not thrilled with having to go to Centro to get my BrewCo on, but after a few months deprivation, the food was just excellent and will likely keep us coming back. Try their homebrews.
Laughing Cat - 15th St. - This place has to have the best lunch buffet in town. The dinner menu is also great, a bit more pricey though.

Open thread: What does Tampa Heights need?

Let loose, folks. How long til they turn that area between Florida and Tampa on Columbus into a decent shopping district? What about streetcar access? Need more of that? Less of Mr. Simmons asking if he can rake your yard til that check comes in? Less shed break-ins?

Speak up!