The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog

I received an email from a reader that had information that Phil Alessi has been in talks to demolish the two story structure that was once a brief home to the Scientologist. According to the source, Alessi had a Canadian investor in talks, which may have fallen through. Regardless, Phil has acknowledged that the home must be removed to add more space to the land. His most recent plan is to possible construct a small strip center across the property.

Today’s Tampa Tribune featured an article by Kathy Steele regarding the loss of Tampa Hardware.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/31/me-neighborhood-laments-loss-of-hardware-store/

Emailed Request for the Blog. I was fortunate to see this film. I was very shocked at the professional quality and interesting information. If you have not seen it, you MUST watch. I believe you can still purchase at Sherry’s Yesterdaze.

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Here is an item that I hope you will find important enough to post out on the blog…..(this post came from Tommy’s blog originally)
 
Seminole Heights Documentary is a Festival Finalist
Seminole Heights, An Intimate Look at the Early Years is one of the 3 finalists in the category Indie Documentary–under 60 minutes, in the Education Channel’s Independent Film Festival. Visit http://www.indiefilmfest.us. to learn more about the festival.
See the list of finalists at: http://www.ifftampa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=46
 
 
Thanks for your hard work on the blog - I’m addicted like may others in the neighborhood.

This morning, I logged in to find the following email from the SESH email group. It seems this problem just will not go away. However, with the City of Tampa citing a decline in crime, maybe now is the time to make a dent. While I don’t think TPD will be the answer, I do think our neighbors are creative enough to find an alternative solution. One thing we know for sure - crimes may be down but prostitution is up! Email below:

For years,
Seminole Heights residents have always been proud of the diverse makeup of our neighborhoods. It has always been one of the most attractive features of our neighborhood. It is one of the few areas were people from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, genders and religion can live together, usually in harmony.

Now this election season, it appears as if our future President has realized that diversity is appealing not only to inner city neighborhoods, but to all Americans. For the first time in American history, both major tickets will feature a diverse candidate on their party’s ticket for the country’s highest office.

Vote For A Cutting-Edge Stylist

It’s Barbara Forgione’s job to make clients beautiful at her namesake salon in South Tampa. Now her skills are getting some national attention from the beauty industry.

Forgione, a master colorist, is one of five finalists in a national video contest sponsored by Redken.

The Seminole Heights resident was chosen for her talent in transforming one of her clients, Bianca, from a red hot mama to a silver siren using Redken’s Shades EQ hair color.

“I’m excited,” said Forgione, 56. “I’ve been working a long time to get a little recognition from my peers. But I’m even more excited Tama Bay would win and be recognized for beauty talent and knowledge.”

You can view Forgione’s video and those of the other four finalists at www.doyoushadeseq.com. You have until Sunday at midnight to vote for your favorite video (guess who that should be).

The winning stylist gets a trip to New York and a feature spread in American Salon magazine.

Last night, in all his splendor, Barrack Obama accepted the democratic presidential nomination on the 45 year anniversary of the MLK Jr’s I Have a Dream speech. Continuing that theme today… Our topic will be Dreaming of Tomorrow! A tomorrow where we can all work together to build a better neighborhood. Through organization, inclusion of all, and lots of energy, we can all work together to create a shared vision for all of
Seminole Heights. We have the talent, resources and vision to make a better neighborhood. Now we must enlist ALL neighbors to help share the work.

 

Seminole Heights has always been a neighborhood of inclusion; be it Race, Gender, Social Status, Sexual Orientation or any other differentiating quality.  As we move forward, what is the vision you see of our neighborhood? How does our neighborhood evolve to ensure we stay true to our historic past to include all neighbors in our future of tomorrow? What can we do to motivate more neighbors to step up and become active and involved?

Over many previous post, many comments have been posted  regarding the various neighborhood associations and various projects of each. Many have made comments of things being a “OSHNA” thing, etc. However, over the many comments on the site, one thing is consistent–all three seem to face the same issues. (Prostitution, Drugs, the need for Commercial Development, etc) With many things to be done, and all focused on the same final outcome leads one to ask, “Should we have one common association to accomplish our goal?” To make
Seminole Heights a Better Neighborhood. If you look at the Pros vs. the Cons, one would have a hard time not agreeing that Greater Seminole Heights would benefit by a unified leadership effort. Since many neighbors are tapped to perform the exact task, it would seem that combining volunteers, more could be accomplished. Since the majority of our neighborhood area is covered by the same zoning and codes, this could almost be an effortless transition.  With many neighborhood leaders feeling, and commenting, that the candidate pool is limited for officers and board members this may triple our choices. Not a bad thing right?

(By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune Published: August 27, 2008 TAMPA)
 
When Police Chief Stephen Hogue talks about the city’s latest crime statistics tonight, what he says will draw as much attention as the folksy setting – a Suwanee Heights house with a wraparound porch. The city’s crime rate has dropped 12 percent between the first six months of this year compared with the first six months of 2007, according to statistics Hogue released today.To discuss the numbers with residents, Hogue and about 15 officers will visit 5501 N. Seminole Ave. about 7 p.m. for roll call, a briefing all officers receive at the start of their shifts. The intimate setting is part of a new community-policing initiative to connect police and residents more directly, police department spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Thursday night’s roll call, for instance, will be held in a yard in another pocket of District 2, which covers Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights and New Tampa. “We’ve been talking about community-oriented policing, so we’re taking it to the next level,” McElroy said. “We’re moving around in different neighborhoods … so we can truly partner with those citizens.” The city’s crime rate is calculated through seven categories: murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor-vehicle theft. During the first six months of this year, there were 9,126 offenses reported in all of these categories – 12 percent less than the 10,367 reported in these categories from January to June 2007. The biggest statistical drop was in reported sex offenses, which include rape, sodomy and fondling. There were 60 of these offenses reported during the first six months of this year compared with 84 reported during the first six months of last year, a decline of 28.6 percent. Murders declined 15.8 percent, with 16 during the first six months of this year compared with 19 during the first six months of last year. Reported motor-vehicle thefts fell 19.3 percent, from 1,051 during the first six months of last year to 848 during the first six months of this year. Reported aggravated assaults declined 18.6 percent, from 1,148 during the first six months of last year to 934 during the same time frame this year. Reported robberies dropped 16.1 percent, from 591 during the first six months of last year to 496 during the first six months of this year. Reported larcenies fell 11.1 percent, from 5,365 during the first six months of last year to 4,770 during the same time frame this year. Reported burglaries declined 5.1 percent, from 2,109 during the first six months of last year to 2,002 during the same time frame this year.

Not sure who dropped the ball and sent the late notice, but with less than 24 hour notice, I am sure it will be hard to make arrangements to attend. SOMETHING THIS VITAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SENT AT THE LAST MOMENT.

Greater Seminole Heights Vision Plan

The Tampa City Council is conducting a one-hour workshop regarding the Greater Seminole Heights Vision Plan draft. 
 
The workshop will be held on:
 

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 11:00AM
City Council Chambers,
315 E. Kennedy Blvd., 3rd Floor

Personally, I apologize for the late notice. I am hoping that a few people will be able to attend. We hear time and time again how we “were not represented” at meetings, etc. However, with the lack of timely communication, it makes it impossible to arrange attendance for these meetings.