Neighborhood Gossip?

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 Urban Corridor 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:

Stephanno’s Pizzeria to open New Location
Plausible: The Seminole Heights (mostly) to-go restaurant is considering an additional location near the Tampa Heights/Seminole Heights border.

Acropolis Taverna to open in Seminole Heights
Plausible: 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 Heights
Plausible: 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 Heights
Plausible: Although New Heights’ sources have verified a franchisee has considered several locations in the neighborhood, whether one has been secured is unknown.

Bungalow Bistro to add Full Bar
Plausible: The popular new restaurant will soon go before Tampa City Council for approval to sell beer, wine and liquor. If all goes as expected, the beer and wine should be on the menu by the end of May.

Coonfare’s changes Ownership
True: Coonfare’s (502 N. Tampa St.) has switched ownership and now operates under the name Arena Sports Café.

Front Porch to host Live Music
Plausible: The Seminole Heights landmark is currently building an outside bar. Upon city approval of the addition, the owners plan to host live music three nights a week.

L’Eden to add Downtown Location
Plausible: Chef Gerard Jamgotchian has confirmed his restaurant (500 N. Tampa St.) is looking for an additional and larger location downtown, but a storefront has yet to be secured.

Merino’s Deli Moving
Plausible: The fairly new restaurant, located at 6428 N. Florida Ave., is considering moving to another Seminole Heights location – closer to Hillsborough Ave.

Mr. Empanada to add more Stores
True: The West Tampa-based company now has five restaurants in Tampa Bay and will soon open storefronts in Brandon and near USF.

New Grocery Store for VM Ybor
False: A circa 1908 brick building was moved from 2506 N. 12th St. to 1001 E. Columbus Dr. The wide spread rumor that it would become a grocery store is probably rooted in (and confused with) the fact that it used to be the El Progresso de Ybor Grocery. The building is for sale by the city and its use will be up to the purchaser.

New Heights now in Storefront Location
True: New Heights Magazine has moved into a storefront where three UC neighborhoods (Seminole, Riverside and Tampa Heights) converge: 3901 N. Boulevard. It neighbors with Grunt Marketing and Spencer Financial.

Sangria’s Seminole Heights [You Fill in the Blank]
Unverified: Although Sangria’s Seminole Heights location has been approved by the city, none of the information New Heights has heard about the 512 E. Hillsborough Ave. location has been verified. Rumors include: April 2008 opening, adding a story, razing and re-building the property, opening an adjacent tanning salon and more. Victor, please call us: (813) 389-8116.

Seminole Hard Rock offering free UC Shuttle
True: The hotel and casino runs a free shuttle to and from select downtown hotels.

Tampa Bay Brewing Company to add Locations
True: The favorite Ybor City haunt has plans to open 3-4 more locations around Tampa.

UPS Store to open in Seminole Heights
True: If all goes as planned, the location at 5100 N. Florida Ave. will soon house a UPS Store and possibly a few other retail shops, such as a grocery store or bank.

UT Track/Soccer Field being Renovated
True: The University of Tampa’s track and soccer field was closed for renovations in January. The track is scheduled to open April 11; the field August 1.

Vietnamese Restaurant to open Downtown
True: Bamboozle Cafe will open soon at 516 N. Tampa St.

Tampa Heights in New Heights Magazine

Seminole, Riverside, Tampa, Ybor and so forth, the UC is filled with Heights neighborhoods. But why? ... Read More

Also: News & Rumors & Scene in the UC

And much, much more: http://www.newheightsmag.com/

Galleries Align For 1-Man Show

It's rare to have two galleries work together to sponsor the same artist at the same time. But that's what's happening in two exhibits of the drawings, prints and steel sculptures of local artist Dominique Labauvie.

Called "Constellations, & Acrobats," the sculpture portion of the exhibit opens Saturday at Michael Murphy Gallery M in South Tampa. The exhibit of drawings and prints will open Friday at Bleu Acier in Tampa Heights. Both shows run through April 19.

Labauvie's wife, master printer Erika Schneider, played a big role in producing the prints.
"I'm an enabler and an alchemist," said Schneider, owner of Bleu Acier. "When an artist has an idea and wants to make a print, I teach them how to do it and work with them on the color and the layering. It's a true collaboration."

To illustrate her point, she discussed one of the prints, "The Golden Fleece."

"It went through quite a few changes," she said. "We had to play with the colors a little bit, and then we decided to throw a transparent golden layer over the whole thing to make it really bright, and all of a sudden, the print came together."

The exhibit's theme centers on the representation of mythological figures from constellations, interpreted through Labauvie's lines and forms.

He made "these round dots that insinuated respiration or breath, and then he integrated them into the composition of the drawing," Schneider said. "It's more of an imagined golden fleece than the actual one in the sky."

As for the acrobats in the title, that refers to the process of making a sculpture. Like many artists, Labauvie's creative process often starts with a mix of excitement and uncertainty - much like a tightrope walker would feel.

The exhibit opens with free receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bleu Acier, 109 W. Columbus Drive, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Gallery M, 2701 S. MacDill Ave.

Call Bleu Acier at (813) 272-9746 or Gallery M at (813) 902-1414 for details.

New Heights Call for Articles: April 1, 2008

It’s that time again!

Have your writings (and photography) considered for publication in the mid-May/mid-July issue of New Heights Magazine by emailing them to editor@NewHeightsMag.com by Tues., April 1, 2008.

Complete guidelines can be found HERE.

COME ON TAMPA HEIGHTS -- WE WANT YOUR STORIES AND PICTURES!

Tampa Heights Home for Rent or Sale

1907 Meets the 21st-Century

$2100 / 4br - Lots of space, new construction, huge lot, close to Downtown

In the Tampa Heights Historic District, with a spectacular contemporary environment, perfect for entertaining. Can be 3, 4 or 5 BEDROOMS, as spaces are very flexible. Has 2.5 BATHS, an all NEW IKEA island-style kitchen, with stainless gas stove and dishwasher. Eat in kitchen, with pull-out pantry and lots of storage. Side-by-side refrigerator, full size laundry room with closet and front-loading washer and dryer. BONUS ROOM or OFFICE, plenty of storage, private outdoor courtyards, extra large lot with off street parking. This house is an intriguing mixture of old and new construction with massive, warehouse-style, double-volume living area. 1907 meets 21st Century!! Over 2,500 square feet of newly decorated versatile living space. This is a smoke-free home. AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT. READY TO LEASE (or SELL)
Contact: f.cz2@verizon.net

See great selection of photos by going here!

Good Ole Rhonda Storms - Staying the Course

TAMPA - State Sen. Ronda Storms has introduced legislation that city officials say would severely hamper their efforts to revitalize neighborhoods like East Tampa and Tampa Heights.

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I would make a comment about her effects on neighborhood growth -- but I think her actions say it all.

Full Story

Red-light cameras in the news

Saw this article today on the implementation of traffic cameras to catch people running red lights. We could stand for a few of these in our neighborhood: Florida and Palm, Tampa and Palm, Florida and Columbus, Tampa and Columbus. Any others?

Tampa Heights in the News

Video Link: http://www.tampabays10.com/video/16x9/?aid=55634&sid=73344

By: Jennifer Howe
Tampa, Florida - The Tampa Heights neighborhood was established back in the 1880's and sits just north of downtown. It is experiencing a re-development now as the city's newest, oldest suburb.

Gene Howes is a documentary filmmaker who has spent a lot of time walking these streets, photographing the unique architecture.

"I love this area,” said Howes. “I love the diversity of it. I love the history of it, and so it's fantastic to be a part of what's going on."

He's now contributing to a new magazine dedicated to the people of Tampa, Seminole and Riverside Heights.

We met the editor of "New Heights Magazine” at the old Tampa Fire House #5. Jay McGee started the magazine after realizing how many stories could be told about the neighborhoods and what they've accomplished.

Jay said, "What I could do was kind of act as a facilitator for all these neighborhoods by creating a magazine that talks about, not necessarily what we all need, but what we all have."

He wants to write about history to preserve it. The old fire house, for example, is about to get a face lift. A Tampa man is turning it into an art gallery.

"We have this future vision of what we'd like it to be, but we don't want to get rid of the past," said Jay McGee.

He has drawn on the memories of the people who live here. They are the authors and photographers who have filled the pages of new heights with stories.

People like Gene Howes who finds beauty in these old streets.

"It just needs to be noticed, and I think that's what the magazine will do," said Gene.

New Curtis Hixon Park

Tampa Downtown Partnership invites you to coffee with

Mr. Tom Balsley

Mr. Balsley is the architect of the New Curtis Hixon Park and we are very pleased that he has been able to make some time available to show and further describe the plans for the $15 Million renovation of this significant public space.

Maestro’s Restaurant
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place
Monday, February 26th
8:30am to 9:30am

Parking as available on the arrival plaza

Go play in the dirt!

The Florida Yard Fandago is coming up March 8-9 at MOSI. Heck, make a day of it and check out the RenFest as well!

See yourself in Pictures

Have you hosted or attended a Tampa Heights event this year?

Do you have pictures of it that you'd like to share?

If so, please email them to Jay McGee, editor@NewHeightsMag.com along with the event's name, location and date -- as well as the names of the main people in the photos -- and I'll post them on this blog for you.

This weekend in the Heights!

Cafe Hey is having a Grand Opening soiree tonight - check it out! It includes an art show and live music.

Why not stop by for a bit?

Also, on the same block at Oceanic Supermarket, there will be a Chinese New Year celebration outside at noon tomorrow that includes a dragon dance and fireworks. While you're there, you're a fool if you don't go inside and nab up some of the delicious fresh deli items.

Office Space Available???

Our business is growing, so to better serve our neighborhoods we are considering leasing office space in one of our core covered areas: Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, West Tampa, downtown or Ybor.

We are looking for a low, "friendly" monthly agreement, with enough workroom to house 2-3 desks. A highly-visible, high-traffic address is a plus, but not mandatory.

If you know of a space -- or would like to sublet an office at one of the locations we're currently considering -- please contact Jay McGee, editor, New Heights Magazine, at (813) 389-8116 or editor@NewHeightsMag.com.

As always, thanks for helping us support Tampa's Urban Corridor nieghborhoods.

(Parts of) Tampa Heights to see form-based zoning

The pilot project will cover Old Seminole Heights, Southeast Seminole Heights, South Seminole Heights and parts of Tampa Heights.
_________

By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

For an experiment in urban redesign, the city is thinking Seminole Heights.
For years, residents have said traditional zoning codes work against rebuilding urban communities into pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhoods.

They cite the parking restrictions that nearly shut down Cappy's Pizzeria on Florida Avenue and the long battle to win design approval for Starbucks coffee shop on Hillsborough Avenue.

The city hopes to pioneer a new course, known as form-based zoning, by promoting communitywide planning that seeks a consensus on what residents want and creates zoning codes to make it happen.

Seminole Heights is a good choice for the project because it has single-family residential, historical districts and a "lot of Main Street area corridors," including Florida and Nebraska avenues, city official Cynthia Miller said.

"Seminole Heights probably has a little bit of everything," said Miller, growth management and development services director. "We can capture a broad area."

On Tuesday, the city's land development staff will attend the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association's meeting to discuss the new zoning. Workshops will be scheduled to get residents' input on a redesign along Florida and Nebraska.

The pilot project will cover Old Seminole Heights, Southeast Seminole Heights, South Seminole Heights and parts of Tampa Heights. Members of those neighborhood associations, as well as Tampa Homeowners, an Association of Neighborhoods, have been invited to Tuesday's meeting.
Miller said Tampa probably has up to 15 areas that could adopt communitywide planning and form-based zoning.

"We're the test case for the city," said Susan Long, president of the Old Seminole Heights group.
Many residents can recount stories of themselves or friends trying to renovate older buildings and open shops only to be told by the city "you can't do that," Long said.

The reason usually is the city's mandate for a land-use change that triggers requirements for retention ponds or parking spaces. With older buildings built out to the property lines, it is nearly impossible to meet those requirements, Long said.

Waters Center Makes Progress

Waters Center Makes Progress
By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA HEIGHTS - The drilling, sanding and banging sounds like a sweet melody to Veronica Knight, principal at D.W. Waters Career Center.

Crews are rehabilitating the school's auditorium. They have added lights, air conditioning and a new stage floor. They have repaired the ceiling, widened the stairs to the stage, added metal doors for fire safety and encased six steel beams with drywall.

The auditorium will be painted, and work could be completed in February, said Mario Morales, supervisor for Morganti Group, the project contractor.

Knight said having a useable auditorium will unite students.

Click HERE for full story.

Please send us your Tampa Heights news!

We want your garage sale listings, warnings, lost or found, neighborhood notes or services - ALL Tampa Heights related news items.

Please send them to maladrin@gmail.com! I will post them ASAP!

Historic Central Tampa Neighborhoods get new Website

Historic Central Tampa Neighborhoods get new Website
Online edition of magazine, focused on the Urban Corridor, officially launched

TAMPA, 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 properties, businesses and the community as a whole,” said Jay McGee, editor, New Heights Magazine. “We are sharing these stories within our community and with the rest of Tampa to encourage people to utilize our businesses and parks and find out for themselves how great an area the UC is to live and shop.”

Although the publication is free, supported by advertisers, NewHeightsMag.com is noticeably absent of banner ads. They will be added in the near future, along with enhancements designed to make the site’s business directory and events sections more interactive for visitors.

McGee expects (based on the number of pre-subscribers) a modest website readership of 5,000 for the first, bi-monthly issue, which runs from mid-January to mid-March 2008.

“Our web readers will boost the unexpectedly high circulation of our first issue,” said McGee. “Combined with our hardcopy readership, 20,000 people will learn more about the UC.”

About New Heights Magazine LLC
New Heights Magazine was established in 2006 and serves as the only publication solely focused on highlighting and perpetuating the revitalization efforts occurring in the historic neighborhoods in and around downtown Tampa and to the north; specifically Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, West Tampa, downtown Tampa, Ybor and surrounding areas. Collectively, these neighborhoods are recognized as Tampa’s Urban Corridor (UC).

By publishing articles written by UC residents and about the people, businesses, places and events in the community, New Heights distributes news to all of Tampa and beyond the city’s borders. The ultimate goal is to increase interest in the UC and encourage commerce, tourism and investment in the community. The publication includes a business directory of local businesses, as well as a feature story (known as Heights Heighlight) and other articles that center on Health & Beauty, Home & Real Estate, Food & Drink and Arts & Events. Additional columns are scheduled to appear before the end of 2008.

For more information about New Heights, visit http://www.newheightsmag.com/, email editor@NewHeightsMag.com or call (813) 389-8116.
###

NH Web Launch & Hardcopy Pick-up Points

NewHeightsMag.com will launch in its new format Jan. 28, 2008!

Meanwhile, the hardcopy version of the magazine can now be found at 78 Tampa locations; with 26 more approved (to date) and awaiting delivery. That's 104 locations -- over 100% more than originally planned!

For a continually updated list of locations where you can find your copy of New Heights, visit:
http://www.newheightsmag.com/NH%20Distribution%20for%20Website%20012508.pdf

Also, we have increased our hand-delivered copy count to nearly 4,000 homes in the Tampa Urban Corridor. More will follow!

If after all this, you still haven't got your copy -- or if you'd like your storefront to be a distribution point -- just email or call us and we will deliver a copy or copies of New Heights right to your door! editor@newheightsmag or (813) 389-8116

Thank you all for your overwhelmingly positive and encouraging support.

Publisher Going To New 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.

Call for Articles: New Heights’ mid-March/mid-May 2008 issue

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: 600-1,200
Heights Heightlight Word Count: 1,200-2,000

Article 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 of the author, describing his/her experience with the topic. Also provide a photo of the author, when available. (See below for image guidelines.)

Other Suggestions:
* Use a clear, friendly and non-technical style.
* Avoid jargon and explain acronyms on first reference.
* Divide the article into shorter "chapters" for easier reading.
* Include the importance or timeliness of the topic (somewhere in the article’s opening paragraphs).
* Emphasize the positives of the article’s people, places, things and/or events. Be thorough and descriptive.
* Include any relevant information you’d like to have accompany your article.

Photo/Image Guidelines:
* Submit each image separately, with a brief text caption that explains what the reader is seeing.
* Supporting Graphics (charts, graphs, maps, etc.): Send in high-resolution pdf or jpg format.
* Photographs: Submit as pdf or jpg files no larger than 500x300 pixels. Resolution must be 300 dpi of higher.
* All images must be accompanied by artist’s name and contact information (phone and/or email).

Permissions: Accuracy and proper attribution of sources are essential. Authors are responsible for fact-checking articles prior to submission, noting all sources and obtaining written permission to use any copyrighted material.

Please do NOT submit articles that have either been previously published or that are scheduled to be published in any city of Tampa serving publication.


For more information about submitting articles, contact Jay McGee at (813) 389-8116 or editor@NewHeightsMag.com. For advertising information contact ads@NewHeightsMag.com.

Phil Bourquardez Park

Here's and update no our previous posting about this park.

TAMPA HEIGHTS - Phil Bourquardez Park had appeal when the Tampa Police Department headquarters and the Free Library were nearby.

Today, it's a little empty spot. But as the area around it begins to change, the park could develop into something special, said Jeff Warren, president and co-founder of the Bush Ross law firm.

Warren's firm recently moved into its new office, 1801 N. Highland Ave., adjacent to the park.
Bush Ross purchased the property from the city with an agreement that it would rehabilitate the city park and help pay to maintain it for 10 years. The firm spent about $10 million buying the land, building its office and improving the park, 1810 N. Tampa St.

The park, which will be rededicated at 10 a.m. Friday, has new benches, trees and a walkway. A waterfall was removed from the 1 1/3-acre park, which was dedicated in 1962 and closed in March for construction of the Bush Ross building.

Bourquardez, a descendant of one of the city's first families, was born in 1885 in Tampa and died in 1958.

He was elected city clerk and served from 1933 to 1955. He also was a county jailer and bought property in the city and county, including near Fowler Avenue and 56th Street.

Bourquardez's family said they are proud of the park rededication.

"He was a wonderful man," said his daughter Phyllis Gates, 83, of Tampa. "He would go out of his way often. He was always helping people."

Bill Gates Jr. of Tampa said his grandfather was reserved, but people took notice of him.
"When he said something, people listened because he had something to say," said Gates, 63.

Bourquardez was 6-foot-4 and wore size 14 shoes. Around 1918, he took three years to build a home on Branch Avenue in Seminole Heights. People called him "Mr. Phil." It might have been because they couldn't pronounce Bourquardez, which sounds like Bacardi, Phyllis Gates said.

"If anyone deserves it, he does," she said. "Tampa was his home. That was all he knew."

Warren said the park will enhance the area. It is next to the Stetson University College of Law, 1700 N. Tampa St., and near the future home of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and Hillsborough County Bar Foundation.

"It is a beautiful park," Warren said. "When the trees mature in the spring, I think it will be really nice."

Bush Ross will also celebrate a ribbon cutting Friday to recognize its new building. Last month, it moved its 40 lawyers and 50 administrative employees from Franklin Street to the three-story, 34,000-square-foot building.

"It is a wonderful building," Warren said. "It is very attractive, very functional for us as a law firm."

Kitty update

Here are photos of the two kittens from my previous post. Please contact me if interested!

Help needed with cats!!!

To keep a long story very short, we've come into two kittens around 10-12 weeks old and three fairly feral (but used to people) cats from the Downtown Howard Johnson's. Due to construction on the property, the cats can't go back, so initial plans of fix and release are no longer possible.

We are hoping to adopt the two kittens to good homes (we've already adopted out one who has transitioned wonderfully) and possible a rural feral colony or a piece of property looking for outside/barn cats for the other three.

We are very, very desperate at this point, and only have about a week and a half to find a final solution due to constraints at our house.

If you know ANYONE who might be able to help, I would greatly appreciate it. My wife and I will be pretty particular about where the kittens go, be forewarned. She likely more than me as she's the CatMaster.

We've contacted multiple cat rescue places with absolutely no luck. HELP!

Get Your Event Published in New Heights

Please send us ASAP news about any event in your UC* neighborhood that will take place between Jan. 21 and April 30, 2008.

Those relevant and received by Jan. 7 will run in the first issue of New Heights Magazine, which is due out the week of Jan. 21.

To be included, email the event's name, location, date(s) and hour(s), admission charge - and any other info you see fit - to editor@newheightsmag.com.

*Remember, the UC means Urban Corrdior and includes Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, downtown Tampa, Ybor City, West Tampa and surrouding areas.

Thanks,
Jay M., editor
New Heights

Tampa Heights: house for rent

Looking for a great rental house?

It's a 3-bedroom, 1-1/2 bathroom. It's got an outdoor shower, big shed, fenced yard, wrap-around front porch, a great "dog yard" etc.

The rent on the house is $1300 which includes security alarm and lawn maintenance. Pets are okay.

It's in the Northern area of Tampa Heights (Arlington Heights).

Please contact me if interested and I can pass you on to the appropriate folks!

New Bleu Acier show

Opening Reception: Friday, December 28, 6-9pm

Bleu Acier is pleased to present The Greatest, three works by three New York-based artists – Ain Cocke, Chantel Foretich, and Trong G. Nguyen. The exhibition is guest-curated by Carrie Mackin, former director of Covivant Gallery, who chose simply to adorn two walls with a spare selection of small works that invite close engagement.

Ain Cocke’s paintings and drawings question the masculine mold that he and most men were socialized and assimilated into. Using the standard-bearer of testosterone, the military man as his model, Cocke romanticizes the soldier not as an aggressive combatant in the field of battle, but rather an effeminate figure who is seemingly in touch with other “natural orders” of the male mystique.

Chantel Foretich’s miniatures and dioramas recreate memories that, though they may not be so distant, exude the presence of a long, lost bygone era. Their intimate scale allows the viewer an opportunity to experience more fully with contemplation and nostalgia what might have escaped them in real scale and actual time.

Trong G. Nguyen’s contribution to the show is the complete text of Mallarme’s Igitur written word for word on individual grains of rice. The story itself opens with a pure encounter of the reader and his text, in which the mysteries of both open one another to revelation. Perhaps going against the grain of the digitized library, Nguyen’s “book” complicates the relationship of the book as object as knowledge.

Bleu Acier will also be closing Marie Yoho Dorsey’s show: Tales of Old Japan and Other Stories and will be presenting works by gallery artists in the main gallery.

BLEU ACIER INC. is an active fine art print publisher, print atelier, gallery and live-in loft that functions at the intersection of private and public space where art and the city keep company. Bleu Acier exhibits works in all disciplines by emerging, mid-career and established artists from the U.S. and Europe.

BLEU ACIER
109 West Columbus Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602
813.272.9746 | erika@bleuacier.com | www.bleuacier.com
Gallery hours: by appointment.

Metropolitan Ministries still needs your help!

Over 22,000 families will seek assistance from Metropolitan Ministries this holiday season. They need your help!

Critical Needs:

• Turkeys
• Cereal
• Cookies/Cake Mix
• Infant Toys
• Teen Gifts
• Monetary Donations

Boxes of Hope
Help feed hungry and homeless people in our community by conducting a Food Drive. Boxes of Hope provide enough food to feed a family of four for three days.

Bags of Joy
Bags of Joy provide toys for children and needed personal items for adults. Please donate new, unwrapped gifts and bring joy to a disadvantaged child.

You can drive by the tent anytime now through Monday afternoon to make a real difference for a family this Christmas.

This is the only faith-based charity I donate to, which may seem out of form for me, but this group really does tremendous good in this community. We usually make a point of donating cash around Easter and Thanksgiving to feed families, and this year we donated twelve new toys for teenagers. It's often most difficult for them to find enough gifts for teenage boys and girls and infants.

There is still time!!!

Live music will mark hostel owner's passing

TAMPA HEIGHTS - Almost three weeks after the suicide of Gram's Place hostel owner Mark Holland, family and friends are busy planning a memorial. Of course, it will include live music.
Holland, 56, spent his childhood inviting friends over to listen to music.

He grew up and opened a music-themed hostel, named after country roots singer Gram Parsons, his idol.

Impromptu jam sessions filled his two patios - named "Little Amsterdam" and "Little Montreal" - with music. On Dec. 1 at 2 p.m., his friends will do the same across the street at Plymouth Park, 3100 N Ola Ave.

Along with the music, they plan to speak about Holland and showcase his mementos.
Backpackers will travel from across the country for it, said Holland's friend and neighbor, Marlene Dusz.

"We plan to make this a Mark Holland day," she said.
For more information, contact Dusz at (321) 544-6518.

Tampa Heights Updates 12/17

Tampa Heights Civic Association Holiday Social will be held on Thursday 12-20-07 at Stetson University in room 136. Please come out and bring a dish for the event.

Arlington Avenue Crime Watch will be hosting a Crime Watch Meeting at 6:30 pm, immediately prior to the Holiday Social - Stetson University, room 136.

Please remember Tampa Heights Civic Association election of officers will be at the January 24, 2008, meeting at Stetson University. Names of Candidates for office can be submitted at the meeting.

Residents, Civic Leaders Fighting Fuel Pipeline Plan

TAMPA - More than 100 people have signed petitions opposing construction of an underground jet fuel pipeline through central city neighborhoods to Tampa International Airport.

Dozens of other residents have called the city to voice opposition to the 9-mile pipeline, which would originate at the Port of Tampa, southeast of downtown.

Nine pages of petition signatures were received Nov. 26 at Mayor Pam Iorio's office. Many petitioners listed West Tampa addresses north and south of the proposed pipeline route.

Tampa Homeowners, an Association of Neighborhoods, an umbrella organization of civic groups known as THAN, also sent a letter to Iorio in late November expressing "deep concern" about the proposed pipeline.

A consortium of airlines at TIA hired Houston-based Kinder Morgan to build the underground pipeline. In October, Kinder Morgan unveiled a proposed route that cuts through portions of Ybor City and West Tampa historical districts, as well as parts of Tampa Heights and Macfarlane Park.

A Kinder Morgan spokeswoman said the company will submit a new route proposal to the city early next year.

Who's watching your Pet as you shop/vacation?

An email from a Neighborhood Business:

Christmas is almost here are you ready!!!

We are Insured, Bonded, Pet Cpr & Lic and we live in Seminole Heights!

813-932-5075 * 813-900-7085

Tampa Heights holiday lawn/light displays submissions wanted!

Send in your photos of Tampa Heights holiday displays here! Businesses, residences, churches or what have you - we want to see them!

If we get enough (read: any) entries, we'll post them here. Feel free to also send the address (or not) of the property so that folks may be able to drive by and see it themselves.

Elaborate, traditional, gorgeous, retro, modern, eccentric or gaudy - we want to see them all!

And yet more on Cafe "Happiness"

TAMPA HEIGHTS - For the three thirtysomething owners of Cafe Hey, the recently opened coffee shop is an opportunity to re-create the artsy, engaging and warm atmosphere they have experienced in other cities in the United States and abroad.

They also see a chance to contribute to the city that helped raise them and perhaps transform an area on the edge of downtown that, while undefined, screams potential.

"When you go away and come back, you make the comparison," said co-owner Anne Vela, who has lived in Baltimore, New York, Washington and Savannah, Ga. "You look at what the potential might be.

"You want to contribute to your environment rather than bemoan what is lacking," said Vela, 30, who has a bachelor's in liberal arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, Md.

Her business partners are her husband, Chris, an architect at PBS&J in Tampa, and S. Cheong Choi, manager of Oceanic Restaurant Equipment. Cafe Hey, 1540 N. Franklin St., is located on Oceanic Supermarket property; Choi's family owns the business.

The three met when they attended Plant High and got reacquainted in 2005.

They started rehabilitating the 800-square-foot storefront two years ago during weekends and evenings. They opened in October.

The cafe sells coffee - latte, cappuccino, iced coffee, espresso, Cafe Cubano, cafe con leche and a regular cup of Joe - teas, sandwiches, salads, soups, muffins, scones, brownies and cookies.

The name Hey means happiness in Cantonese, said Choi, who was born in Malaysia and raised in Tampa.

The owners want to do more than just serve customers. They want people to gather, meet and connect at the cafe. They plan to hold coffee tastings, art shows and music performances, and hope to expand by about 300 square feet.

"There is a certain energy in a coffee shop that is very different from a restaurant," said Choi, 32.

"It is not just a meeting place for people, it is a meeting place for ideas," said Choi, who has a bachelor's in political science from the University of Georgia and a master's in European studies from Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

"You feel a certain loyalty for your hometown and seeing it do well," he said.
The partners also want to boost the area's business potential.

"Doing this is adding to the urban fabric that the city needs," said Chris Vela, 30, who holds a bachelor's in arts and a master's in architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Tampa Heights resident Heather Frankel is a Cafe Hey regular. She enjoys the coffee, the food and the owners. She said the cafe is exactly what the area needs.

"We have over 2,000 homes in Tampa Heights," said Frankel, a real estate agent. "We need food, cafes and places to go."

Anne Vela said she is enjoying interacting with customers and seeing the area slowly transform. Soon the Bush Ross law firm and the Hillsborough County Bar Association and its nonprofit foundation will open across the street.

"The community is forming," she said. "It can only get better."

Support the Heights, Earn Cash

New Heights Magazine is set to profile our neighborhoods in the positive manner they deserve. All stories are being written by residents to inform tourists, as well as residents of other areas (i.e., New Tampa, Westchase, Hyde Park, etc.) about the great people, places and events that make Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, downtown Tampa and Ybor City great places to visit and spend their time and money.

The magazine will also serve as a catalyst to bring the people of our local neighborhoods together and to remind them that there are great businesses and sites to visit nearby – which means there’s no reason to drive far for goods, services and things to see/do.

Supporting New Heights is supporting your neighborhood. Contact us today about our Ad Commission Program and we’ll set you up (as an authorized representative) to receive a commission from every ad you refer that sells.

Advertising from within and from outside our core neighborhoods (i.e., other areas investing in our communities) is highly encouraged!

Contact Jay McGee, editor of New Heights, at (813) 389-8116 or editor@newheightsmag.com for more information. Learn more about the publication at the website or blog.

Call or email today! The ad deadline is Jan. 3, 2008 for the Jan/Feb 2008 issue.

Disable Vets Club - something's happening

Drove by what I think is called the Tampa Chapter of Disable Vets Club, just north of the new Family Dollar. something is going on there.

I saw several people outside of the building planting landscape around the structures perimeter. I also saw some people in the group walking in and out of the building's front door.

Frankly, I'm betting it's being turned into a church. Has anybody heard otherwise?

Sorry for no picture. I was in a hurry to get to work.

Lost dog

A boy here in the Arlington Heights area came to my door with a flyer showing him holding a very cute 4 month old Pekingese puppy. If anyone finds him, contact me and I'll pass on the phone number.

Area Business Directory: List your Business FREE

New Heights Magazine is listing businesses free of charge in its Local Business Directory section. This directory will be included in the hardcopy and online versions of the magazine, which will have a Tampa-wide circulation of 15,000+ per issue.

To qualify for your no-cost listing, your business must be in or service either the 33602, 33603, 33604, 33605 or 33607 zip code(s).

For more information, visit the magazine's blog at: http://newheightsmag.blogspot.com/

Park Renovations Underway

It looks like they are making some progress on the park directly north from Stetson University. It's hard to see in this camera phone picture, but I'm betting the majority of the work will be complete within 3-4 weeks.

What an awesome little addition to section of T.H. that's improving in leaps and bounds.

Call for Articles: New Heights Magazine - Jan/Feb’08 Issue

New Heights, the official magazine of Tampa’s Urban Corridor (UC), is requesting articles for key sections of its inaugural Jan-Feb 2008 issue. Articles must be prudent to residents and business owners within the UC (defined below), while written broad enough to appeal to all of Tampa. Extra editorial placement consideration will be given to articles with two or more direct quotes from residents/business owners within the areas that the magazine highlights.

Authors must submit their articles to Jay McGee at editor@NewHeightsMag.com by 5pm on Dec. 7, 2007 for consideration. Articles chosen, as well as their accompanying images, will be published in the hardcopy and online versions of New Heights, along with appropriate author/artist credits. (There are no stipends available at this time.)

For more information, contact Jay McGee via phone, (813) 389-8116. or email, editor@NewHeightsMag.com or visit the magazine's blog: http://newheightsmag.blogspot.com/

Church for Sale

Church on Tampa St. for Sale (can also be converted [no pun intended] to neighborhood business)

3201 N Tampa St.

Tampa, FL 33603

Property Use Type: Vacant/Owner-User
Primary Type: Special Purpose/Religious Facility
Building Size: 2,000 SF
Price: $249,900
Price/SF: $124.95

Property Description: Zoned PD (planned development) has been used as a Church. Has a small office and two bathrooms. Parking lot and lots of street parking available. Property adjacent also available for 249,900 was used as Church office and day care. Want both , make offer!

Introducing the first Magazine to Highlight the Best of Tampa’s Urban Corridor

For residents and business owners of Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights, The Heights – and surrounding neighborhoods – your time has come.

New Heights, the first Tampa magazine dedicated to sharing information about the revitalization of your community, is set to launch early 2008. But it can’t be done right without your help!

As editor of New Heights – and longtime local resident – I am seeking contributors to assist in the following areas:

• Board of Directors – residents from serviced areas to contribute ideas and resources to the launch and success of New Heights.
• Donors – people willing to donate time and money, who share in the vision of how New Heights will aid in the continuing revitalization of their community.
• Writing – talented people to conduct research and contribute relevant, high-profile content.
• Photographers – artists to provide photographs of local people and places to complement articles.
• Distributors – people who wish to help distribute the good news of New Heights to local storefront stands and assist in USPS mailings.
• Distribution Points – storefronts and organizations that would like to include a New Heights magazine rack at their location.

For more information, please call Jay McGee, editor/publisher, at (813) 389-8116 or email editor@newheightsmag.com. You can also visit the website, http://www.newheightsmag.com/, or blog, http://newheightsmag.blogspot.com/.

Span's Rededication Bridges Gap

This bridge is at the southwest corner of the Tampa Heights neighborhood. There are more stories about it if Google it, like: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/12/Citytimes/Bridge_links_us_to_mo.shtml

Span's Rededication Bridges Gap
By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Through the years, Hal Holtsinger heard people referring to the bridge as the North Boulevard Bridge.

But he remembered the summer day in 1959 when the bridge spanning the Hillsborough River was dedicated for his grandfather, Eugene Holtsinger, a developer who helped create Bayshore Boulevard's first subdivision, Suburb Beautiful.

Hal Holtsinger wrote to Mayor Pam Iorio asking whether the bridge's name had been changed. Coincidentally, his cousin Joan Holtsinger Turner wrote a similar letter.

No, the city said, the bridge is still named for Eugene Holtsinger.

A rededication was held recently in his honor, with new markers erected. Hal Holtsinger, 81, attended.

"I am happy that the proper markers are back up again," he said. "I am happy for him to have the recognition. I just think in his relatively short life he accomplished a lot in this city."

Eugene Holtsinger moved to Tampa in 1905 from Dandridge, Tenn. He teamed up with Alfred Swann, also of Tennessee, in a land-development business and built homes in Hyde Park, Ridgewood Park, Ybor City and West Tampa, as well as Suburb Beautiful.

Eugene Holtsinger was the developer of the area known today as Channelside. He also helped form the Tampa-Sulphur Springs Traction Co., which built the Garcia Avenue Bridge over the river for streetcars running between Ybor City and West Tampa.

Holtsinger, who had diabetes, was 48 when he died on Dec. 16, 1916.
The bridge bearing his name, which replaced the nearby Garcia Avenue Bridge, cost $800,000 and was dedicated July 22, 1959.

"While a lot of things change in our city, we always have to remember those historical figures who helped make Tampa what it is today," Iorio said at the October rededication.

While I'm shilling art ...

My company, Jobsite Theater, has only two performances left of Gorey Stories in the Shimberg Playhouse at TBPAC. As you all likely know, TBPAC is the most convenient performing arts venue within reach of the neighborhood. Also, as a resident of Tampa Heights I don't feel bad about pimping my shows here, too.

We were originally slated to close on Nov. 4, but popular demand allowed us to extend through Nov. 11.

We have a show tonight at 8pm and Sunday at 4pm. We usually advise folks to buy tickets in advance, but you very well may be safe if you can get to the theater within an hour to half hour to curtain to purchase your tickets.

It's a sensational show, and we'll be sad to see it close. See what people are saying about it here.

New Bleu Acier show

I'm a little late in getting this one up - it opened last night!!!

I'm regretful I didn't get it up sooner, I've known Elsa since I was in undergrad at USF. A great artist and a better soul. If you ever get the opportunity to check her work out - it's worth the trip.

BLEU ACIER INC.

109 WEST COLUMBUS DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33602 TEL/FAX: 813 272 9746
_____________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: BLEU ACIER IS PLEASED TO PRESENT

MARIE YOHO DORSEY
TALES FROM OLD JAPAN AND OTHER STORIES
NOVEMBER 9 THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2007


CLAUDIA SCALISE
PETITS FOURS

NOVEMBER 9 THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2007

ELSA VALBUENA and GAUDERE DANZA
8 PM Friday, November 9, 2007

OPENING RECEPTION: NOVEMBER 9, 2007, 6 –10 PM
IN PRESENCE OF THE ARTIST

Bleu Acier is pleased to present Tales From Old Japan and Other Stories, Marie Yoho Dorsey's first solo exhibition at Bleu Acier. Dorsey’s Japanese heritage is the primary stimulus of her work. A long time practitioner of Ikebana, she draws a continuous source of intellectual inspiration from this practice. Much like Ikebana whose exquisite forms are transient in nature, direct gravure has provided a sensitive tool with which to create the same fleeting forms in ink onto delicate Japanese paper. The elaboration of the image continues with the application of embroidery and sewing. As a result of this process the prints become sculptural images in nature and practice.
The three new direct gravures are images rooted in traditional Japanese folk tale. The Crane Wife, Love Echo and Stardust are tales constructed within a narrative landscape. There are references to the Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa and tales such as “The Crane Wife”, and “The Marriage Ceremony of Two Rocks on the Japanese Island of Saddo”.
In addition to these works on paper several new installations will be presented,
as well as the first sculpture edition realized and published by Bleu Acier.

In conjunction with ARTE 2007, The Festival of the Latin Americas, Bleu Acier is pleased to present the paintings of Miami based artist Claudia Scalise. Claudia Scalise is represented by the Dorsch Gallery of Miami.
The work featured is from her ongoing series, “Petits Fours”, which in French is the name given to small beautifully decorated puffed pastries. Claudia Scalise paints the people she knows and the things that she collects. She chose this title as she seeks to share through her painting the richness of the lives and histories of the people and objects she portrays. The images are an inventory of her environment. The paint is used as a tool to describe the natural atmosphere of the subject. Scalise is interested in “the intangible qualities and personal history of the figure or object and its universal aspects”. The suggested intimacy of the images allows a very personal relationship of the viewer to the image. The small scale also evokes the Mexican Milagros tradition. Milagros, which means magical, are small religious charms that help bring about well-being and equilibrium in the lives of those who use them for prayer and to the lives of those who are prayed for.
The artist when finished with an image allows the image to also do it’s magic when presented to the public thus bringing to the viewer an object (the work of art) which carries within itself a message for the viewer to share, reconstruct or disregard. Magic works in many ways, as does the artist’s image.

Especially for the evening of ARTE, Bleu Acier has invited Columbian Choreographer, Elsa Valbuena and her company Gaudere Danza for a one evening performance November 9th at 8 PM.

Gaudere Danza derives its name from the Latin word meaning to rejoice as it is in the process of the work that I : We, find special joy. Gaudere’s objective is creation, collaboration and communication through the language of the human body. It is a constantly changing organism. Each project begins with its own particular concept and inquiry. The outcome reveals itself unfolding in layers of movement, images that send us to the interior of our being towards a unique vision of time and undoubtedly to the human condition. The plasticity, sensual precise physicality and poetry contained in each piece show an esthetic vision, which is imprinted by its founder Elsa Valbuena.

BLEU ACIER INC. is an active fine art print publisher, print atelier, gallery and live-in loft that functions at the intersection of private and public space where art and the city keep company. Bleu Acier exhibits works in all disciplines by emerging, mid-career and established artists from the U.S. and Europe.

Gallery Hours: by appointment
For further information contact Erika Schneider 109 WEST COLUMBUS DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33602 TEL/FAX: 813 272 9746 BLEUACIER.COM

Threatening your Safety & Property Values with Jet Fuel

There was a meeting last night, that I do not know the outcome of yet (for I was out of town). But it had to do with putting a jet fuel line underneath Tampa Heights.

Number 1, it's a moronic idea. Number 2, the company who is slated to do this has a horrible track record.

I can explain this but an area blogger has already done a fantastic job:

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

Kinder Morgan has a dismal safety record

I understand there are some issues with the new proposed jet fuel pipeline. Kinder Morgan, which wants to build the 9-mile pipeline through parts of the Ybor City and West Tampa historic districts, as well as Tampa Heights and other neighborhoods. Afterall there has been a pipeline in Westshore since 1971 ('71 Jet Fuel Pipeline Draws Little Notice In West Shore).

Giving a hoot

Last night my wife and I went by New World Brewery after work for a quick pint before going home to eat dinner and watch HEROES on DVR. While we were there in our usual chairs slaving on the Megatouch machines, our old pal Martin came up with a ladyfriend.

I was worried he thought we were being rude since we merely grunted while punching letters in a frenxy, but when once we finished our game and I found him outside he admitted to also having a bit of a problem with the game, too. I felt better about myself.

The four of us got to talking about how we were "right down the street" and when we started discussing our neighborhoods, we realized that we both lived in Tampa Heights just about a block away from one another.

Small world. Small town anyway ...

So we keep talking and she mentions her dog - a St. Bernard. A light bulb immediately goes off over my head and I realize that I know who she is though I couldn't verify her face: she's the lady with the St. Bernard who picks up trash while walking her dog. I've seen her plenty of times, though I guarantee without the dog I wouldn't know her. It's odd how much I recall people's dogs better than their faces or names. She was actually a bit delighted that her deeds went noticed. If only we had less people actually making a mess in the first place ...

I know a lot of it comes out of windows since Tampa is a busy street. I pick up trash out of my yard almost daily. Mostly McDonald's, candy wrappers, religious tracts and beer bottles. A lot more of it though is unfortunately tossed by pedestrians walking to and fro or waiting at bus stops or from people on bikes.

In any case I only pick up trash in my own yard. It probably wouldn't kill me to bring a bag along on a dog walk though. It's a good idea.

Biz Op For Sale

Multi Unit Office Space
3302 N. Tampa St.
Tampa, FL 33603


Property Use Type: Vacant/Owner-User
Primary Type: OfficeOffice Building
Building Size: 3,353 SF
Lot Size: 15,000 SF
Price: $595,000
Price/SF: $177.45
Date Last Verified: 11/6/2007

Property Description:3,353 total s.f. on 15,000s.f. of land. Totally remolded. Ample parking.

Property also For Lease $12.00/s.f. Modified Gross (1,600s.f. available for lease. 4 offices. Waiting Room. Rec. Area. Break Room. 2 Restrooms.)

Location Description:Property is located on the west side of N. Tampa St. just south of Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. in Tampa, Florida.

Great Loss for Tampa Heights and the City

Family, friends mourn Gram's Place owner
Mark Holland, whose Tampa Heights hostel was world-famous, dies of an apparent suicide.

TAMPA HEIGHTS - Mark Holland, the owner of the world-famous Gram's Place hostel in Tampa Heights, died Sunday afternoon of an apparent suicide, a family member confirmed. He was 56.

Just last January, neighbors and backpackers filled City Council chambers to support the free-spirited hostel owner as he fought 21 code violations for the hostel's rooftop crow's nest and treehouse-style deck.

Friends called him a cultural hero who welcomed evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, got drug dealers out of a park across the street and kept the independent flavor alive in Tampa. City Council members were impressed by the turnout and erased the violations for the hostel named after Mr. Holland's idol, singer Gram Parsons.

After the hearing, Mr. Holland held in tears as supporters surrounded him. "It's you guys that have saved me," he told them.

His brother, James Holland, is still trying to make sense of the death. There was an altercation with a guest dealing with payment about 4 p.m. Sunday. A worker at the hostel suggested Mr. Holland call the police, but he resisted the idea.

"He thought that if the police were brought into his place of business, it would look bad for the hostel and his surrounding area," his brother said.

Mr. Holland retreated to his room, where he died by hanging. It was Gram Parson's birthday.
November was the busiest season for his hostel and it is booked through the month, his brother said. His family plans to meet with a lawyer to determine the benefactor of his business.

Mr. Holland had just bought a $5,000 guitar and was planning a vacation to Canada, one of his favorite places in the world. He was teaching his nephew to play the guitar.

But "he was having difficult times dealing with life," his brother said. Lots of highs and lows. "I tried to get him help in the past, but he did not want to have any kind of help from the government."

Even as a kid, Mr. Holland was a "free bird," his brother said. He needed to work for himself. He bought the two-cottage property at 3109 N Ola Ave. in 1977 and made it a rooming house.

In 1989, he and a team completed a four-year project, the first video documentary ever produced about Gram Parsons, whom Mr. Holland recognized as the godfather of country rock. The Legend of the Grievous Angel aired on public access cable in Tampa. Fans spread it around the world on videotapes.

The following November, Mr. Holland traveled to Amsterdam. The city's laid-back nature inspired him to re-create a slice of it in Tampa, his hometown. He split outside patios into "Little Amsterdam" and "Little Montreal," where people could gather in the spirit of music.

Two years later, he began advertising it as a European-style hostel. Mr. Holland spent his childhood inviting friends over to listen to music. Now, he jammed with his band members and backpackers from across the world. They filled his guest books with praises.

"He was a very unique person, very unique" his brother said. "Everybody loved him. I'm just so sad."

Mr. Holland leaves behind two brothers, his mother and extended family. They want to hold a small memorial gathering at the hostel, but have not determined a date.

Sara Romeo, a former state representative and family friend who spoke for him at the City Council, describes him as a "kind spirit."

"What he did for Tampa Heights is just legendary," she said. "He helped revitalize the area."
She said hostel business had been picking up when Mr. Holland died. Mr. Holland had said that at best, he often only broke even. The business consumed him. His brother had tried persuading Mr. Holland to sell it and relax, but he never did.

Mark Holland loved his hostel, which he always said had a soul, "Where time stands still and the music plays on."

Family Dollar

FYI - the new location on the southwest corner of Columbus Ave. and Tampa St. opened a couple weeks ago with minor sprucing. It also appears they plan on trying to rent out a few thousand square feet to another business.

For some reason, I'm guessing a laundrymat but who knows.

More on Cafe Hey

TAMPA HEIGHTS - The north side of downtown seemed lonely and much too quiet to three Plant High School graduates.

So after noticing that a lot of people they grew up with still live in Tampa, many of them working downtown, they decided to open a neighborhood gathering spot.

Their coffee shop, appropriately titled Cafe Hey, is set to open in a week or two in the historic Franklin Printing building at 1540 N Franklin St.

The 500-square-foot space is just a block north of where Franklin meets Interstate 275 and is close to the southern border of the Tampa Heights neighborhood.

"It's on the outskirts of downtown, so it doesn't get as much attention as Ybor City or the center of downtown," said S. Cheong Choi, one of the owners.

"But things are happening here. There's a great amount of potential for this neighborhood. Before people with billions of dollars come in and start airlifting malls here, we should give it a personality."

Cafe Hey plans to distinguish itself with its local and Fair Trade coffees, from Gainesville's Sweetwater Roasters and Tampa's Naviera Coffee Mills. Food will be "classic coffee shop fare" with a Tampa bent, said co-owner Anne Vela. The shop will serve baked goods made on site, along with soups, salads and sandwiches. Offerings will include Cuban sandwiches and cafe con leche.

"The three of us are wanting to do something for the community and bring some youth into this area of downtown," said Vela, who partnered with her husband, Christopher, an architect who designed the interior, and Choi.

The three graduated from Plant between the early and mid 1990s. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shop will be closed Monday. Vela said the plan is to eventually add more hours and occasional live music to the menu.

T.H. Investment Op

3310 Nebraska Ave & 801 e 26th Ave., Tampa, FL 33603

Property Use Type: Investment

Primary Type: Special PurposeSpecial Purpose (Other)
Building Size: 2,700 SF
Lot Size: 1.60 Acres
Price: $990,000
Price/SF: $366.67
Date Last Verified: 10/26/2007

Location Description: This development has seven adjacent lots beautifully wooded with just about any option open for development. It has town homes/multi living units written all over it. This is in Tampa heights area zone for revitalization thru the City of Tampa. It has three entrances to the development from three different streets. It's a total of 1.6 acre tract of land. The parcels are zoned commercial and multi/mixed use parcels. This property has a two story Multi unit plus the front parcel has a pizza restaurant removable unit partial equipped with a drive thru already in place. Property is completely fenced with a couple of electronic gates. This property has a wide range of possibilities. Partial financing for the right partner or developer all option open.

Note -- I am in no way affiliated with any real estate company, nor do I have a financial interest in any property selling that I post. I just want to see the area continue its revitalization.

Club wins initial okay for Wet-zoning Permit

It's not likely a person of my income will ever be allowed to step foot in the place, but I do think it's a postive move for the area -- assuming other, community-serving, "non-private" places will pop up around it.

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

The Rialto theater is one step closer to becoming Print, a private club so elite, a thumbprint scan is required to open the door.

City Council members unanimously gave wet-zoning approval on a first hearing last week.
The application met no objections from the city, neighbors or police. But council member Mary Mulhern had a question on the description of the club.

"Private members-only lounge. Mezzanine with private rooms and public catwalks. I don't think it should be surprising that people are wondering if this is going to be adult use," Mulhern said. "What else is going to be happening on those catwalks?"

She also cited the failure of Chateau Prive, which opened as a private club in SoHo staple St. Bart's Island House but failed, closing abruptly in July. Why did Print have to be private?
Mark Smith, Print president, said any confusion over the club's "private" designation was his fault.

A technology and finance businessman, he didn't realize some might get the wrong impression of the description he put on Print's wet-zoning application. His reason for a private club was to avoid the rowdy element that causes problems at nightclubs.

The wet-zoning permit that the council granted includes conditions that prevent an adult use or liquor store from ever moving into the building in the 1600 block of N Franklin Street.

Council member Linda Saul-Sena commended the Print team for seeking a historic designation for the 1925 movie theater. The council will take a final vote next week.

"I'm happy that council was able to see through some of the confusing language," Smith said.

"We're very happy we'll be able to become part of the Tampa nightlife scene."

Smith says if the council grants the Print group final approval, they plan to close on their building purchase on Nov. 15. Smith hopes Print will open by Super Bowl 2009.

Tampa Heights tidbits 10/19

A few links from Jay McGee:

Developers make nice with neighbors

Bridge links us to more bits of history

Here's a photo he snapped of the recently demolished building on Florida and Floribraska, behind the Idlewild church. As he states, "I hope something nice goes up" there.



Aannnnd ... while I am at it, I believe Jay has just offered to become a poster here at the Tampa Heights blog. Though not a resident, this guy's really got his ear to the ground and rides through our glorious hood basically every day. This is great news for me, who doesn't always get a lot of news since I'm also notoriously busy managing my company, a day job and a semblance of a life. Help is surely appreciated!

In that regard, please make sure to send me any news bits you might have - properties for sale, yard sales, openings/closings - anything that's newsworthy to us Tampa Heights residents.

And to any of my neighbors who are unhappy with the shape of my yard - I promise, I'm getting to it on Saturday. I've barely been home these past two weeks as I've gotten Gorey Stories (we're already sold out for the rest of the weekend and just extended through Nov. 11!) up and ready. I'm so all over going at my yard with a vengeance this weekend - if only it would cool off.

Don't forget to stop by Cafe Hey this weekend if you get the chance and grab a cuppa. Or maybe a breakfast sandwich from Gold Ring? Or the miso soup from Grass Root? Or why not all 3? Support local businesses if you really want this neighborhood to flourish!

Tampa Heights news tidbits

Jay McGee is working overtime over here, he seems to be able to find way more news than me! Take a look at his latest two tips:

• You should consider going to this neighborhood meeting on making Tampa and Florida two-way streets again! If anyone goes I'd love a report/account/update! I really hope we can get these roads back to the two-way model and take some of this speeding traffic out of a residential neighborhood!
• Developers are proposing a Membership Club in the old Rialto Theater.

Bungalow Bistro now open!

Jay McGee sent me this link today from the Seminole Heights blog - Bungalow Bistro - another new place to eat in the 'hood!

Keep the news tips coming!!!

Cafe Hey in Downtown Tampa

From an email I got over the weekend:

Scheduled to open at the beginning of October, Cafe Hey occupies the historic Franklin Printing building at 1540 N. Franklin Street.

Cafe Hey will open at 7am until 2pm Tuesday through Friday, and from 10am until 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Extended hours are planned in the near future.

Coffee from the renowned Fair Trade/organic Sweetwater Roasters in Gainesville and Tampa's own Naviera Coffee Mills will be served. Teas sourced from around the world are to be offered. Cafe Hey features a menu of all in-house baked goods, as well as classic deli sandwiches, green salads and homemade soups.

Please call us at 813.221.5150 for more information, and feel free to stop by and say hello!

Pesto's is now Boxxxers

Hat-tip to Jay on this bit of news:

BOXXERS LIQUID LOUNGE (Was Pesto's Italian)
1811 N. TAMPA ST
TAMPA, FL 33612
Voice: 813-226-8502

www.myspace.com/BOXXXERS

TAMPA'S NEW GAY MEGA-CENTER! 2-4-1 MIXED DRINKS EVERYDAY ALL DAY

Tampa Heights road resurfacing/bike lanes

Seems like they've been making good progress on Tampa Street in the northern area of Tampa Heights. All three lanes have now been resurfaced, and they've added a bike lane. There's still a real dodgy area of the road north of the interstate up just a little north of Columbus, and hopefully they get to that soon.

I will say I do ultimately pine for Tampa and Florida to become 2-way streets, but this small improvement looks to go a long way.

Now let's see if the people passing through the neighborhood can manage to actually use the bike lane and go the right way down the street ...

New Bleu Acier show

BLEU ACIER INC.

109 WEST COLUMBUS DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33602
TEL/FAX: 813 272 9746
_____________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

STEVE McCLURE
RECENT WORK
OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, 6-9 PM The Artist will be present.
SEPTEMBER 14 through OCTOBER 27, 2007

Bleu Acier is proud to present an exhibition of new paintings by New York based artist Steve McCLURE.

For the past year McClure has been living and working in Provincetown Massachusetts as a recipient of the prized Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship. McClure paints light; the way it draws and reveals form within a given space; the active white space of the image defines the positive space of action. His ink and watercolor images on paper mix precision and atmosphere as if you were a voyeur into another’s song.

McClure borrows from the artifice of drama and uses these elements to secure a visual narrative that combines different elements from different historical and political eras into one frame. It is here where we can understand his admiration of obsolete photographic treatises and their historical conflicts with painting. He calls his work camera-less photographs and explains that “like photography they use a simple process (ink absorbed into paper) and are informed by chance events like gravity and evaporation.” McClure works often in series and sticks close to the photographic format of 4 X 5 inches. His use of historical and political metaphor combined with a brilliant contemporary abstract use of paint introduces the viewer into a mixed ambiance of déja vu and right now.

BLEU ACIER INC. is an active fine art print publisher, print atelier, gallery and live-in loft that functions at the intersection of private and public space where art and the city keep company. Bleu Acier exhibits works in all disciplines by emerging, mid-career and established artists from the U.S. and Europe.

Gallery Hours: Saturdays 12 – 5 PM and by appointment For further information contact Erika Schneider

109 WEST COLUMBUS DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33602 TEL/FAX: 813 272 9746 BLEUACIER.COM

Steve McCLURE, NJ Dance, 2006 5 X 6 in. ink/paper

Crime Alert!

This was passed on to me through the THCA:

Hello All, I just spoke to Officer Kevin Doom who is the police officer assigned to Robles Park
area. He asked me to share with the community that there have been two home invasion over the past few days, including one early this morning, where a two or three teens entered occupied homes between 2:00 am and 4:00 am in the northwest and northeast quadrants of Tampa Heights. He said that they know who at least two of the teens are and they are looking for them but they have not caught them yet. At one of the homes they entered through a burglar bared window. (I do not know the details.) He is encouraging everyone to be extra careful and very vigilant.

Please remember our discussions our meetings and by email regarding crime. Please be very
watchful and CALL, CALL, CALL, when you see any suspicious activities in and around your area. All the officers who were at our meetings encouraged us to continue to do our part. Malina has added all the updated police contact information to our website.

Hope for 2-way main roads in Tampa Heights yet!

This was passed to me a few days ago from Jay McGee, from the Seminole Heights blog.

As someone who lives ON one of these major roads, I'd really like to see the traffic cut down (if not, at least slowed down).

As always: if you have news, listings or anything else neighborhood related - pass it on to me! I'll post it! Tell me about your yard sale or that neighbor that just put that cool old house up for sale!

Have you voted in the 2007 Best of the Bay Awards?

Make sure you take the time to vote for your favorite Tampa Heights businesses (and vote for Tampa Heights as Best Neighborhood!) in Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay Awards. The polls close on Aug. 8 - so go ahead and vote today!!!

Some suggestions to support Tampa Heights and our neighbors. You have free will, so vote for whatever you like, these are nothing more than recommendations:

Best Theater Troupe: Jobsite Theater (you had to see that coming ...)
Best Actor: Take your pick
Best Actress: Take your pick
Best Vegetarian: Grass Root
Best Art Gallery: Bleu Acier
Best Local Stand-up Comedian: Ranney
Best Concert Venue: Morsani Hall, TBPAC
Best New Restaurant: Fly
Best Bargain Restaurant: La Teresita
Best Barbecue: My House
Best Mexican: El Taconazo
Best Cuban Sandwich: La Teresita
Best Soul Food: My House
Best Bakery: Alessi
Best Pizza: Cappy's
Best Burger: Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Best Breakfast: Gold Ring
Best Veterinarian: Harris Vet-Care
Best Local TV Anchor: Brendan McLaughlin
Best Radio Station: WMNF
Best Neighborhood Hillsborough: Tampa Heights
Best Local Blog: Sticks of Fire
Best-Kept Secret: Tampa Heights

Just make sure you vote!!!!

Did I miss anything? Hate any of my suggestions? Have better ones? LEAVE ME A COMMENT!

In other news - sorry I've been so light on posting, but my newest play has been sucking it all out of me. I expect to go back to normal in about two weeks. In the meantime, feel free to email me anything you'd like me to post!

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.

Questions from a Tampa Heights resident

From Tampa Heights resident and WFTS news anchor, Brendan McLaughlin, submitted via email:

I noticed the two adjacent lots on the 300 block of East Ross between Jefferson and Morgan are no longer sporting a "For Sale" sign. I've heard from neighbors that a single buyer has purchased both lots and intends to put up a single (presumably large) single family home. Anybody have hard information? I'd also be interested in knowing what's in store for Lee's Grocery on Central Avenue (no pun intended) now that the building is reportedly under new management.

I know the couple who purchased the Lee's Grocery and the adjacent property. I can ask them specifically what their plans are. If I recall correctly, the rental property is being rehabbed and will in fact be rented out, and they are also looking for a potential renter for the grocery space. I'm not 100% on that though. Give me a few days.

TAMPA RIVERWALK TO RECEIVE $2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING

The Tampa Heights Civic Association sent this bit in their latest newsletter:

We are pleased to inform you that The Tampa Riverwalk was granted $2 million in funding from the State of Florida when Gov. Crist signed the FY08 State budget last week. This is an exciting moment and a great step forward for the Riverwalk. The earmark will supplement the construction funding of the History Center Riverwalk segment and fund the design of Kennedy Plaza, the over water connection between Curtis Hixon Park and the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. Please share this wonderful news with your respective groups that you each represent. Thank you for your continued support of The Tampa Riverwalk!

For more information, visit tampariverwalk.net

Where ya at, Tampa Heights?

To quote David from the Seminole Heights blog, I'm in need of your "Events. Activities. Commentary. Photos. Stories. Tell us about your remodeling of your house. Issues you deal with in your daily life here. Cool things you see. The pleasures you find."

Anything at all Tampa Heights related.

You can send whatever you like here. If it is appropriate, I'll put it up. If anyone is really interested in writing, I'm also totally open to operating this blog by a team.

Bleu Acier opening: New Editions

NEW EDITIONS
OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY JUNE 15, 2007, 6-9 PM
June 15 through July 31, 2007

INTRODUCTION BY ERIKA SCHNEIDER AT 7PM

OPEN ATELIER VISIT WITH PRINTMAKING DEMONSTRATIONS:
Saturdays June 16th and 30th at 2 PM
June 16th Relief Printing with Dominique Labauvie
June 30th Monotype with Debra Jo Radke
Reservations required 813. 272. 9746/ each will be limited to 15 visitors

Bleu Acier is proud to present their new fine art print editions published during 2006 and 2007. For many of the artists - accustomed to working in other media from painting to video - this was their first print project, and first invitation to work on prints at a professional press. This collaborative exploration of new materials combined with the experience of a master printmaker produced a striking range of works.The painters Neil Bender, Elisabeth Condon, Kim Curtis, Pierre Mabille, Steve McClure, and Judith Sturm each worked on their first series of monotypes. Monotype, which signifies a unique work (not an edition or a multiple) is a combination of painting or drawing and printing. The artist works directly on the surface with printing inks. When the image is built to desired effect, it is run through the press as either a single pass, or a series of "built" layers or multiple passes. Printmaking allows a quality of layers, surfaces and color combinations not found in painting.Neil Bender works on one-run images and then manipulates them after printing. Elisabeth Condon transforms space and the surfaces of her landscapes and abstract compositions through her intense layering technique. Kim Curtis found equivalents to the editing process she uses in her oil paintings, and Judith Sturm developed a much freer manner of image making through the monotype. Pierre Mabille's conceptually minimal approach to building space grew even more refined within the monotype process.For the artists Hervé DiRosa, Steve McClure and Vicky Colombet, the idea of collaborating remotely from their respective locales in Miami and New York generated an interest in direct gravure. Direct gravure uses a drawing on mylar made by the artist which is then transferred to a copper plate using the photogravure process. This process generates images that utilize similar marking techniques found within other aspects of the artists' work. The advantage of direct gravure is it allows artists to work wherever they are and send the mylar to the shop to be processed. Often the plates are continued by hand when the artist can visit the shop.
Marie Yoho Dorsey uses direct gravure as a starting point for her unique images which she embellishes with drawing and embroidery.DiRosa's triptych of the Miami urbanscape has the rich qualities of his ink drawings. Colombet's landscape offers a different spatial reading than that of her suspended pigment paintings. In Steve McClure's monotypes and gravures we discover a different spatial spontaneity than in
the paintings.

Dominique Labauvie, who utilizes the relief process for its ability to negotiate positive and negative space in a manner similar to his sculpture, combines woodcut imagery with monotype. Using monotype as the image "ground" allows him a freedom of mark-making that generates very rich and sensual surfaces akin to his pastel drawings.Robyn Voshardt and Sven Humphrey chose to do a diptych of 3-color woodcuts based on their video "When I Look Up, I Fall Down," presented at the DiVA video fair in New York earlier this year. The artists interpreted video stills onto woodblocks, and ended up discarding the stills in order to be influenced by the direct marking possibilities on the wood. As with other parts of their oeuvre, their drawing space takes over the time-based space making for an interesting perception of movement.Bleu Acier is also pleased to include several guest artists in the show:
Tom Antista, a photographer and designer from Atlanta, Georgia, completed an impressive series of photogravures here at Bleu Acier. His boxed set of eleven portraits of New York is entitled "ELEVEN."Brian Reedy, an artist who lives and works in Miami and is represented by the Brook Dorsch Gallery of Miami will show his woodcut series entitled "Eleventh Hour." With these very stark linear woodcuts, each image is packed with social commentary and humor.Debra Radke, a painter and printmaker who lives and works in Tampa, has been working in monotype at Bleu Acier for the past year and has invented new layering systems for her work. The monotypes have a glowing quality that is very unique.

NEW EDITIONS:
Neil Bender
Vicky Colombet
Elisabeth Condon
Kim Curtis
Hervé DiRosa
Marie Yoho Dorsey
Rachel Hoffman
Dominique Labauvie
Pierre Mabille
Steve McClure
Judith Sturm
Robyn Voshardt/Sven Humphrey

Guests:
Tom Antista
Debra Radke
Brian Reedy courtesy of Brook Dorsch

BLEU ACIER INC. is an active fine art print publisher, print atelier, gallery and live-in loft that functions at the intersection of private and public space where art and the city keep company. Bleu Acier exhibits works in all disciplines by emerging, mid-career and established artists from the U.S. and Europe.


Gallery Hours: Saturdays 1 – 5 PM and by appointment
For further information contact Erika Schneider
109 WEST COLUMBUS DRIVE TAMPA, FL 33602
TEL/FAX: 813 272 9746 BLEUACIER.COM

Central Tampa Trib - Life Not Updated Daily

In theory the neighborhood sections of the Tribune website are a great idea. Localized news coverage. Crime Tracker stats. Smaller stories that might not get a lot of play in an A or B section of the paper.

In execution though, it's been lousy.

Some time ago, the South and Central Tampa sections were going to be combined into one South Tampa Section which was to cover Davis and Harbor Islands, South Tampa, Hyde Park, Downtown, Riverside Heights,West Tampa, Seminole and Tampa Heights and basically everything around and between those areas. It was a horrible idea. Even more horrible to call it just South Tampa. Explain to me how Lowry Park is South Tampa?

Anyway, during this period it was near impossible to find anything online if it was from the Central Tampa area.

Looks like the bad old times are back again. The Trib has been retooling these pages and now half the links don't work, Crime Tracker appears to be totally gone and overall it's as useless as boobies on a bull.

This went on for a week and a half before I emailed Mother Trib. A week later I got an email saying they knew and they're working on it. A week after that it's still FUBAR.

Wouldn't you think they'd fix all this stuff and work all the kinks out - or at least a bulk of them BEFORE going live?

In other news, I posted pictures of the fence on Columbus/Tampa in my previous post. Anyone know anything here?

Tampa Heights simulcast

Tommy Duncan over at Sticks of Fire has asked me to join a network of Tampa neighborhood blogs he's putting together, and he's given me the url of tampaheightstoday.com. It's going to take me some getting used to Word Press, but for now I'll be simulcasting all posts.

Illegal fence up at Columbus/Tampa?

I noticed as I was driving to work on Fri. morning that two guys were putting up an 8-ft black chain-link fence around the property on the corner of the 2600 block of N. Tampa St. I may be wrong, but I was pretty sure that that type of fencing was illegal in our neighborhood. A lot of those car lots on Florida and Tampa have fences grandfathered in, but this is new construction. It was an open lot prior to yesterday.

I'll try to snap a picture on my way into the theater today - butdoes anyone know if this is a code violation? In addition to being an eyesore, these fences are dangerous on corners as motorists typically cannot see around them.

This corner should be in the process of beautification, not taking a huge step backwards.

Anyone know anything about this?

UPDATE - A few photos. Click to enlarge:

Tampa Heights Civic Association Meeting - May 24

Tampa Heights Civic Association
General Meeting

Thursday, May 24 (tomorrow)
7 pm @ Stetson Law School (1700 N. Tampa St.)

Topics:

• Dennis Prieur from Through the Woods will be giving a hardwood floor maintenance/ restoration presentation. He will also be on hand to questions. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about our great old homes.
  
• City of Tampa Clean Team will be presenting information on clean up efforts in Tampa Heights.
  

Old Tampa Heights Blue Ribbon to become Family Dollar

Thanks to Torgo, for submitting this in a comment (oh, and for anyone else curious the link to submit news is the very first link under Links in the left-hand column!):

Thursday, May 17, 2007
Urban Improvement?
Well, I was hoping for better news, but I finally found out what's replacing the Blue Ribbon Supermarket in our adjacent southern neighborhood, Tampa Heights, at the sw corner of Columbus and Tampa St. I'm told through reliable resources that it's going to be a Family Dollar.

I guess the good news is it's no worse than what it is now (i.e., unkept vacant building).

I can't say I'm stoked about it, but at least it won't be an empty building and lot. I know Publix or Sweetbay were out, but maybe I was holding out for a indie grocer or at least a farmer's market or something.

You know it's getting close to summer in the Heights ...

For the first time this year I noticed a truck full of watermelons pulled up in one of the lots on Florida and Columbus. For those of you not in the know roadside fruit is always pennies on the dollar of what you can get in the store. Try them out.

Summer's getting closer ...

Wow, I have a lot of stuff I wanted to do to my yard before having that first BBQ. I better quit blogging and get to work ...

Neighborhood map

Thanks to the Seminole Heights blog for providing this map link. It shows all the neighborhoods for the majority of Tampa.

Finally, I have a clear picture of Old, South and Southeast Seminole Heights and how it relates to Tampa Heights. VM Ybor and Ybor Heights, too.

In other news, it looks like the old Blue Ribbon grocery on Columbus and Tampa is being cleaned out. There's a long dumpster out there full of furniture and fixtures. Has anyone heard of any plans for that space?