I need your Tampa Heights news!

Please - do not hesitate to send me your Tampa Heights news, notes, announcements or anything else relevant to the neighborhood.

Yard sales, homes for sale, pictures of your home improvement projects, just a good photo of the neighborhood, history notes, help wanted or services offered - ANYTHING.

I would love to see this blog more active, and I would love for it to be more of a resource for our neighborhood.

No reasonable post will be turned down! Email me your news!

Next THCA meeting - 5/22

Topic: Taste of the Heights

The THCA General meeting will start at 6:30 pm Thursday May 22nd, with a "Taste of the Heights". The Tampa Heights Civic Association has made arrangements to have several local restaurants feature some of their menu items for the residents of Tampa Heights. The tasting event with start at 6:30 followed by a fashion show from the students at D.W. Waters Career Center in Tampa Heights. We want to showcase and show our support for the local eateries within our neighborhood. Please invite a neighbor to come along.

A Heights house bites the dust

Submitted by Heightsmaster Brenden McLaughlin (sorry for the tardiness in getting it up).

Brenden says:

My neighbor Gayle took these cool pics of a house being demo'ed on Central between Park and Frances near Lee's Market. It had been derelict for a long time and was not rehabable. Don't know the story behind who owns it and what they have planned ... but maybe a blog post with pics might uncover something. This happened about two weeks ago.

Another friend that owns the Lee's building mentioned he also knew about the property coming down. He also pointed out it wasn't a real brick house, just faced that way (silly me ...)

So - anyone know anything about the lot or the plans?

Ros & Guil and Cafe Hey

For anyone in the Heights looking for a great bit of entertainment, let me humbly submit my current show, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. We're playing at TBPAC's Shimberg Playhouse for hjust 7 more performances, through April 27.

Also, I can't remind people enough to go hit up Cafe Hey on the Kay Street corner of the Oceanic Supermarket building. They're good people, and they serve damn fine coffee. I'm a big fan of the Black Hole. I've seen Heights shakers Brenden McLaughlin and Manny Leto (ok, Manny lives in VM Ybor, but he's close) there in just the past 5 days. My lack of ability to get to the store and buy espresso has resulted in them seeing steady business from me. It's very convenient to hit them up on the way to work. Far more convenient (and money better spent) than hitting up Starbucks or Indigo.

Local business only makes it if you support it! Get a coffee from Cafe Hey on your way to Ros and Guil this weekend! :)

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!