Lake Roberta-Urban Lake Rescue

The second and final meeting regarding the Urban Lake Rescue Project addressing water quality improvements for Lake Roberta.

Tuesday, May 29 2007
7-9pm
Seminole Heights Garden Center

42 Arrested In Crime Crackdown

42 Arrested In Crime Crackdown
By CHRIS ECHEGARAY The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 26, 2007

TAMPA - There were 42 arrests in Tampa police District 2 on Friday, stemming from a crime reduction campaign.
Of those arrests, 22 were warrant arrests, eight were on charges of solicitation of prostitution, 11 were narcotics-related and one was on charges of driving with a suspended license, Lt. Jill Kwiatkowski said.
The suspects were being held at Orient Road Jail.
There were 40 officers involved in operation Blue Heat, Kwiatkowski said. The operation also included zero tolerance for traffic infractions.
District 2 covers the north part of Tampa, including Seminole Heights, the University of South Florida area and New Tampa.

Incident on Branch Ave

Well its my first week in the neighborhood and I've already had to call the police. There was a teenager (16-19yo) on a silver mountain bike hanging out in front of my house (backside of the high school) talking on a cell phone. My neighbor let his dog off leash to play with my dog. The kid got on his bike and my neighbor's dog went to follow him. At that point the kid stopped and started kicking my neighbor's dog. Then he picked a fight with my neighbor, we backed off and the kid left. Then my neighbor went to walk his dog and kid tried to fight my neighbor at the corner of Wilder and Branch. So I called the cops but the kid had already fled by the time they arrived. The kid is a young black male, tattoos, short hair, white shirt, blue jean shorts and a silver mountain bike. The cops told my neighbors and I to call them if he comes back around.

Merino's Seminole Heights Deli

After a long day of moving my stuff into storage I decided to give Merino's Deli try. The service was outstanding and the sandwich (Big Daddy)was good too. I look foward to returning with my family. It's not everyday that you find a place that is so dedicated to customer service. I've stolen the menu from the Seminole Heights Blog and posted it below.

Body Found in Burned SUV

Body found in burned SUV

Tampa, Florida - Tampa Fire and Rescue responded to a car fire this morning in Seminole Heights and found a body inside.

A 1996 Cadillac sedan was well involved in flames, but firefighters were able to quickly put the fire out. That's when they found the body of an adult male inside.
The cause of the fire and how the man died are still under investigation.

Today's Letters: A strange anxiety about Hispanics

I am sure most Seminole Heights residents are aware of the drama on the Seminole Heights Blog concerning recent articles about Hispanic resturants and Seminole Heights. Well it continues in the SP Times letters to the editor:

Today's Lettrs: A strange anxiety about Hispanics
By LETTERS TO THE EDITORPublished April 28, 2007

Seminole Heights Blood Drive

Stef and I can't give blood due to our travels to the Middle East and Central America but we encourage those that can.

Lake Roberta - Urban Lake Rescue

Lake Roberta - Urban Lake Rescue

The City of Tampa has contracted with Dyer, Riddle, Mills and Precourt, Inc. (DRMP) to provide professional engineering consulting services necessary for the preparation of construction plans and specifications for the Lake Roberta - Urban Lake Rescue project. The project will address water quality improvement associated with stormwater management within Lake Roberta and the enhancement of stormwater capture in adjacent right- of-way areas. Vegetative plantings and removal will also be discussed.
The public meeting is your opportunity to provide comments and suggestions regarding design elements which may be a part of the project. Representatives from DRMP and the City will be in attendance to provide an overview of the project as well as to listen to your priorities for water quality improvement in Lake Roberta. All comments received during the public meeting will be considered in finalizing the project design. Please note this project is limited in scope to the improvement of water quality and, therefore, will not address aesthetic improvements to Lake Roberta.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Seminole Garden Center, 5810 Central Avenue, Tampa
For further information, contact Ben Koplin, City of Tampa Stormwater Department, at (813) 274-8371, or by email: Ben Koplin
Doreen Di Bona, Trustee, OSHNA
email: bungalowalert@gmail.com
web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e4abj4bab.0.mqyxi7bab.bzzqi7bab.685&ts=S0240&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oldseminoleheights.com

Photos of the Bungalow

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Packing and Planning

I have collected so much junk from the military over the past 9 1/2 years. The military wouldn't take most of it back. Please let me know if anyone needs any camouflage pants for gardening or renovation work. Keep in mind I'm over 6ft tall.

It's strange that it had taken me 15 minutes to get into the military but it's taken several months of processing to get out. Part of the problem is that "Admin and Personnel Command" thought I was in Korea. I have never been to Korea. And I was told I couldn't get out until I got home from Korea? So I assume I returned from Korea last week, at least that's what the papers said. I was even awarded a "Korea Defense Service Medal". Of course, I've been waiting a year for medals from things I have actually done. Finally, tomorrow morning at 9am I get my final discharge papers...I can't wait.

I'm driving back down to Seminole Heights this Thursday for the home inspection. Last time I was in town I went to the Taco Bus. I thought it was nice that the restaurant let our dog sit on the patio with us. I think this time I'm going to try Cappy's Pizza. I'm not sure about going to the American bungalow presentation, that may run a little late for me.

We're a little discouraged by the permit process in Seminole Heights. I think our first projects, after moving, will be a deck and fish pond. The previous owners did a wonderful job with the interior of the home and there is little I would change.

:)

Last Days of Military Life & Off to Seminole Heights

Here I am in my home in Valdosta, Georgia (thats near the Florida border). Today I am packing up my military gear and turning it in to my unit on Monday. I pull off my helmet cover etched with; Invasion 03, Baghdad 04, Kirkuk 05, Baghdad 06. A flurry of memories from the past 4 years of war rushes through my mind. With each tour worse than the former.... but its time to move on.

My wife (Stefanie), Slippers (he's a dog, but don't tell him that) and I have found a new home in Tampa, Florida. In a cozy corner called Seminole Heights. After recieving a job offer in Tampa we began our research. And the more we learned about Seminole Heights, the more we realized this will be our new home. And this week we found that home on Branch Ave in OSH (Old Seminole Heights).

So here we go, looking for a church, a new favorite resturant (Taco Bus maybe?) and a place with good techno music. Stefanie is graduating nursing school soon but is probably moving to Honduas to speed up the process of bringing two Hondurian orphans home. A process that has taken nearly 3 years so far. International adoption doesn't happen in Honduras. But we love these children and we made a promise to these girls.

Here's to a new future, new friends, and new memories. Seminole Heights here we come.

Tommy

PS

Oh, and something goes wrong with the closing on this house, we have a list of seven others to choose from in SH.