HONNA Newsletter December 2013
Content
HONNA Neighborhood Meetings are held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 126 11th Avenue NE Social: 6:45pm—Program: 7pm December 12 -- Young Nor’Easter Holiday Party (see page 29 ) December 16 -- Neighborhood Holiday Party (see below) February 21 -- Porch Party (see page 29)
Unchain Yourself!.................................5 Halloween Fun......................................9 The Power of 1....................................10 Preserving Old NE Character..............18 Parks & Rec., St. Pete Style................32 Plant Rant............................................34
Celebrating 100 Years of Community 1911-2011
St. Pete’s Jewel on Tampa Bay
Volume 42 Issue 4 / December 2013 / www.honna.org Published Quarterly
Candlelight Tour of Homes
Time for the Big Show!
by Bonnie Bailey Chair, Candlelight Tour Committee
fter a yearlong wait, the holiday season begins on Sunday, December 8 with the 16th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes in our Old Northeast neighborhood from 3-8pm. Don you festive apparel, ring the bells and invite your neighbors -- especially new neighbors -- to join you and your family for this lovely holiday tradition. There will be eight distinctive homes on the Tour, each decorated seasonally and with music playing throughout. Advance tickets for the Tour may be purchased for $20 online at www.HONNA.org or at one of the many local area ticket outlets listed online. On the day of the event, you must go to Westminster Palm View, 939 Beach Drive NE (entrance on 10th Avenue), to get your Tour booklet with a locator map of the eight homes. Tickets can also be purchased at that time for $25 (check or cash only). For your convenience, two free trolleys will be available, looping their way through the neighborhood
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to escort you to the homes. The Candlelight Tour is the largest event and fundraiser for your neighborhood association. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Goodwill’s BookWorks, a pre-school literacy program for at-risk kids in Head Start and other low income schools, and the Family Residency Program of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. HONNA is always looking for more volunteers; if you are interested please go to HONNA.org or call 727/269-5521.
The North Ward School: Annual Old NE Holiday Party
What is That Building with the Chain Link Fence Around It?
Take some time out from the holiday rush to join neighbor friends – old and new – and catch up on all that’s going on. Pizza, salad and dessert for $5 per person (cash bar). You’re asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book for a child or young teen which will be donated to Toys 4 Tots. Thanks to The Old NE Tavern for their hospitality.
Monday, December 16 Old Northeast Tavern 201 7th Avenue N 6:30-9pm
by Robin Reed orth Ward is the oldest school in St. Petersburg, celebrating its 100th anniversary this coming year. Built in 1914, it was one of four schools constructed to advance public education in the early days of our City’s history -- so early in fact that at the time of its construction it was described as being located “just north of the city limits.” The design of the building exemplifies early school architecture in St. Petersburg. An impressive entry hall with a wide divided staircase leads to the second floor. The large rooms are spacious and bright with over-sized, paired windows. An exceptional bond existed between the school and the community from its very first days. The teaching of supervised art was first promoted by the PTA at North Ward School. Students were involved with parades, puppet shows, an annual carnival, sports and essay HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS Page15 1 continued on page
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Jay Marshall
Association President
Let’s Get Involved
am going to conclude my writing “The President’s Perspective” with the way that I started – just so thankful for living here in The Historic Old Northeast neighborhood and so very appreciative of all the residents who contribute to our quality of life. Please read the article that Rick Carson, our newsletter editor, writes found on page 32 (it also appeared in the November/ December issue of The Northeast Journal). Rick really captures it all about where we live and what a treasure The ONE is. So the challenge before us is not to carve out a special place for us to live, work and play. That has already been done for us. The focus is to preserve it. And that takes energy and community commitment -- whether you are just passing through the neighborhood as part of your career path or planning to stay awhile and set down roots. One of the great things about joining the Board of Directors
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is being more aware of what it takes to make this neighborhood special. I have to admit I joined the Board not to chase windmills or foster an agenda. It was really out of curiosity -- thought I would show up at meetings to learn about what makes HONNA tick and why we do things the way we do. It could be a great way to meet people, understand the issues and generally get a sense of what this ‘hood is all about. What I did not count on learning was just how generous folks are with their time and talents to make things happen. If one considers the number and breadth of activities that go on all year round, it is truly awesome. I hope everyone gets involved in some way to keep our community spirit alive. In fact, one of the highlights of our neighborhood is coming – the 16th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. This event attracts many of our residents to help plan for the big day, get advertisers to support us, arrange with homeowners to serve as Tour homes (we are so grateful to those homeowners), enlist volunteers to “docent” the Tour homes and greet the crowds who look on this occasion as their big holiday outing. Everyone in our community should plan to experience the Tour, scheduled for Sunday, December 8. Tickets are easy to get, either at the retail stores or on the HONNA website (www.honna.org). Support your neighborhood by spending a wonderful afternoon and evening visiting some great homes that reflect the character and ambience of where you call home.
The Newsletter of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association
Published quarterly – March, June, September and December and mailed to all households in The Old Northeast P.O. Box 76324, St. Petersburg, FL 33734 e-mail [email protected]
But your neighborhood association is not just about promoting porch parties, pot lucks and picnics: there is business to be done. For example, we all know that 4 th Street is always going Networking * Education * Community Involvemen through commercial transformation -- Smith and Associates Mike Dailey Sue Strott Barbara Marshall Courtney Ellis recently inaugurated its new St. Pete real estate office at 11 th Jill McGrath held on the 2nd Wednesday of every m Sara Wolski Hopkins Monthly meetings Avenue; a new medical building will be coming on the corner th th at 7 Avenue; and a new Trader Joe’s coming between 27 and Circulation Joe O’Connor, Larry Smith & Steve Urgo 28th Avenues. But what we and often get overlook is at the corner of Learn more involved! Contributors All our Old Northeast neighbors th 11 Avenue and has been there since 1914 – the North Ward Newsletter Layout & Design Sharon Bond: [email protected] School. Nearly a century old, this is the oldest schoolhouse in AdVertisinG Information: Sue Strott Visit us served online at; St. Petersburg. This building the children and parents www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html at the time our neighborhood was developing and growing. This historic structure is a reflection of what makes The HisAd Rates www.4thStreetBusinesAssociation.com toric Old Northeast unique and why your association wants 1 Qtr 2 Qtrs 3Qtrs 1Year Ad SiZe to preserve its special place in our history and character. Business card 50 93 128 160 Unfortunately, the Pinellas County School Board has listed 1/4 page (H 4.9” x w 3.7”) 100 186 256 320 the building for sale. HONNA has already requested the City, 1/2 page (H 4.9” x w 7.8”) 200 372 512 640 in cooperation the Pinellas County Schools,of to designate Good for 50% discount to Stwith Petersburg Chamber Commerc Full page 400 744 1024 1280 the school as a historic landmark. We hope you will support Back Cover 1/2 page 1400 this great cause. more about North Ward School on (available to[Read qualified new member only) page 1 of this issue.] *Inserts and Premium Placement: Rates Upon Request *Preprinted inserts that you provide are delivered within the newsletter. Due Expires 9/30/2012 I thank you for allowing me to be your President for the last two to delivery restrictions, inserts are available on a limited basis. years. And I thank all of you who have stepped up to the plate to The newsletter quarterly publication dates are March, June, September, and December. The deadline for accepting new ads and ad changes is three weeks prior to make this year the best ever. A new President will be elected in the publication month. The next deadline is February 7th. Payment for new ads should December by the new Board of Directors. I know he or she will be submitted at the same time that the ad layout is provided and should be addressed carry us to the next level. Be a part of this next level and consider to “HONNA Advertising.” The newsletter is distributed by mail to all homes in The Old Northeast (boundaries are 5th Ave N to 30th Ave N, and 4th St N to North Shore Dr/Cofjoining HONNA and serving your neighbors through its commitfee Pot Bayou Blvd). There are approximately 2,500 active home mailing addresses. tees and the many activities, events and programs we have available Contact Sue Strott: www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html throughout the year. Ad space is limited so please make arrangements early.
Editor Rick Carson Columnists and Reporters
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Association News & Activities
The September quarterly neighborhood meeting at Westminster Church featured an e-z pot luck with HONNA providing the food and refreshments – thanks to the delicacies created by neighbor and executive chef/caterer Rita Fabula (R in photo). Police Chief Chuck Harmon (center) paid a visit to share his thoughts about policing models for the City and how the changing nature of crime is requiring local police agencies to work more closely with their Federal, state and county counterparts. Officer Jason Deary provided an overview of crime in The Old NE during the previous four months, reporting that there had been about 40 auto burglaries (and, as usual, most often of unlocked cars) and only a few residential burglaries. He took questions from the audience about alarm systems, the importance of keeping shrubs alongside the house trimmed so as to not block windows (and make it easy for burglars) and how the department works with pawn shops to retrieve stolen goods. Earlier in the evening Office Ray Merritt (above) was available outside the church to register residents’ bikes, and about 15 people took advantage of this opportunity to obtain some additional security for their bikes.
Traffic/Parking
Ron Magray, Chair New Crosswalk for 4th Street…The FDOT and the St. Pete DOT are collaborating for the construction of a new crosswalk on 4th Street in the vicinity of 15th Avenue N. The impetus for the crosswalk came from a group of Crescent Lake neighborhood residents, spearheaded by Vanessa Wheeler. When we (HONNA) became aware of the efforts of the Crescent Lake group, the HONNA Board immediately agreed to lend our support.
The FDOT is seriously evaluating how to improve pedestrian safety in our state and will use this project as a test site. Once the project is installed, usage will be monitored to help with the practicability of future sites. 4th Street has become a pedestrian barrier. In our entire stretch of neighborhood from 5th Avenue to 30th Avenue there are only five places where a pedestrian can safely cross 4th Street. This crosswalk, approximately mid-way in our neighborhood, will provide on-foot access to another neighborhood, a park and -- in the big picture -- our sustainability.
Larry Smith, Chair New/Renewing Members and Membership Database…. Welcome again to all the 128 new members who have joined HONNA so far in 2013, and thanks to all existing members who have renewed their membership this year. Currently, we have 294 active members, but with over 2,500 residences in The Old NE we should have many, many more. We did a membership renewal mailing in October this year to try and beat the year-end rush. If you haven’t renewed, you can now renew online through our website, HONNA.org. In late January we will be doing another renewal mailing and then conducting our Yard Sale membership drive in early March. Please use these opportunities to support your neighborhood and join HONNA. We have worked hard this year to upgrade our membership database with the help of neighbors Steve Urgo, Joe O’Connor and our Treasurer, Ann Caviness. With the HONNA Board reduced in size in 2013, next year we are going to be putting a major emphasis on growing our different HONNA committees. We will be encouraging the committees to meet regularly in order to continue to support the different activities and events that HONNA sponsors throughout the year. If you have expressed an interest, you will
Membership
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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be contacted next year. If you have an interest in helping with the membership recruitment, volunteer coordination, Porch Parties, New Resident Meet & Greets or with any of our other HONNA committees, please contact me at [email protected]. Porch Parties….As we finish another successful year of HONNA Porch Parties, we want to give a big “Thank You” to all the individuals who made these Friday evening events such a success. Those who opened up their porches this year included: Don Culpepper and Dino Cappelli, Neverne Covington and Don Strobel, Charlotte Cabrol and Amy Johnson, Bennett and Ashleigh Smith (with help from Betty Smith and me), MJ and Jerry Robinson, Steve May and Andy Bauer, Steve Deal and Frank Hay, and Warren and Linda Roeifler-Alessi. In addition, we had two special Porch Parties: a “Back to School Family Porch Party” at Great Explorations and Sunken Gardens. Thanks to HONNA VP Peter Motzenbecker, who initiated a conversation with Lisa Negrini, CEO of Great Ex, and Lauren Kleinfeld, manager of Sunken Gardens. Their great support made this event a most enjoyable evening. ccording to Walk Score, a company that ranks the most walkable geographic areas in the country, The Historic Old Northeast is the eighth most walkable neighborhood in St. Petersburg. The ranking is created by an algorithm that awards points for ability to walk, bicycle or use transit to various amenities (such as shopping, businesses, parks and schools). Downtown is the #1 walkable area. Other neighborhoods in the top 10 include Uptown, Crescent Heights and Crescent Lake. (www.walkscore.com)
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Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association
OFFICERS and BOARD
President....................................... Jay Marshall Vice President................... Peter Motzenbecker Treasurer.....................................Ann Caviness Secretary............................... Donna Guillaume Board Kristi Alexander Chad Boyd Rick Carson Mary Alice Lange Ron Magray Larry Smith
And, to close out the year, Old Northeast resident Don Howe, with the Museum of Fine Arts, invited HONNA to enjoy an evening on MFA’s colonnade, with wine, hors d’oeuvres and free admission to their newly renovated galleries. Special thanks to Bailey Nicholas for coordinating the event. Several volunteers who stepped up this year to help with greeting Porch Party guests included Barry Avedon, David Morris, John Hockensmith and Paul Kreigler. Finally, The Old Northeast will miss Bob and Jeanne Hunter, who moved south to Lakewood Ranch. As one of the original founders of HONNA Porch Parties over ten years ago, Bob was always willing to help find “porches” and to send out “original” Porch Party e-blasts. Bob and Jeanne have a standing invitation to return for any and all future Porch Parties! Our goal is to hold Porch Parties in all parts of the neighborhood. We hope it’s a way for “old“ neighbors and new neighbors to get to know one another. Currently we have five months for 2014 that have not yet been booked. If you have an interest in hosting, we have the third Friday of March, April, June, September and November open. Please contact me at [email protected] to book your month. New Resident Meet & Greet Events….In an effort to reach out to our new residents, we held three “Meet & Greet” events on the last Monday evening of March, June and September at local eateries --the Old Northeast Tavern, Melting Pot and Three Birds. At several of the events we had standing-room only crowds, so we plan to continue them in 2014. If you are new to the neighborhood or would like to bring a new resident or welcome our new residents, please be on the lookout for the dates of these events next year.
To contact an officer or Board member via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/ volunteer/ where you can click on the name of the office/person you wish to contact and send him/her a message. HONNA Board meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church and are open to the public. Check beforehand with the Board president in case the meeting day has been re-scheduled.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Unchain Yourself!
by Peter Motzenbecker
t. Petersburg and The Old Northeast are home to many fine local and national chain stores like Publix, CVS, Lowe’s, Panera Bread, Starbucks and many more. They are important members of our community. We depend on them for their fine products and services as well as the many jobs they create and the tax revenue they generate for our City. But when was the last time you went out to dinner at a locally owned restaurant or shopped in a locally owned business? If you live in The Old Northeast or anywhere in the St. Petersburg area, there is a pretty good chance that you have done so recently and possibly even today. While “local small business” is typically not the first thing we think about when we head out the door to shop or consume, maybe it should at least cross our minds. We pass by these hard working entrepreneurs daily. They advertise in our local publications (like the one you are reading right now!). They live, work, play, employ and strive to make a positive impact on our community. And they risk: locally owned businesses are bold ventures. They are big investments fueled by a passion to make dreams come true, and they help make our existence a little more special than it otherwise might be. They deserve a special place in our hearts: they are our friends and neighbors, they add that extra unique element to the experience of living in our community. Out of habit, we sometimes forget that these great little businesses are here. The big chain stores dominate major street corners and advertise constantly via print, radio and television in a way our local small businesses can’t. So while it is easy to see how we can forget about that little craft store down the street, the baker around the corner, the dress shop downtown or the coffee shop next to the office, etc., we owe it to ourselves to not let that happen. We owe it to ourselves, our community and our local entrepreneurs to remember! You could go through an entire day in St. Petersburg by way of local independent business. You could start your day with locally roasted and brewed coffee at one of a number of local coffee shops. You could have lunch at a locally owned deli or restaurant. You could work out in a locally owned gym. You could grab some potting soil or potted plants at a local nursery. You could enjoy a cold, locally brewed craft beer in a locally owned and operated pub. And you could have dinner in any number of locally owned restaurants. The list could go on and on. The point of this is not to say that all you should do is shop and do business with local small businesses. It isn’t necessary or even practical. By all means, order a pizza from Pizza Hut or Domino’s if you must, but don’t forget Old Northeast Pizza, Valentino’s, Flippers, Joey Brooklyn’s, Tour de Pizza or the many other locally owned purveyors of fine pizza. Love Starbucks? I do, too. But I love Kahwa Coffee as much. Think about the businesses you frequent every day and ask yourself if there is a locally owned counterpart you haven’t tried yet. A good bagel? I love Einstein Brother’s and Panera Bread, but how about St. Pete Bagel? St. Pete Bagel is locally owned and operated and has been in business in St. Petersburg since 1987. If I say “hamburger,” most people think McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. But how about Harvey’s, El Cap, or Chattaway, just to name three? If you think about it hard enough, there is almost nothing you do as a consumer that you can’t do with a locally owned and operated small business. Of course there are exceptions. There are cases where it is very difficult. But it is possible. And that brings me to the “Unchained Weekend” challenge. Start on a Friday night and try to spend your entire weekend without going into a major chain store. Let your mind run with that. It won’t be easy, but you can do it. What is easy? How about an unchained date, or an unchained meal, or an unchained gift for a wedding or a birthday present. Think businesses along the 4th Street Garden District section, Central Avenue and along and off Beach Drive and even within your own neighborhood. Thinking “unchained” is not to say that we don’t love, need and appreciate our favorite chain stores, restaurants and businesses. But don’t forget the small business owners who have risked it all to help make the wonderful experience of living in St. Petersburg and The Old Northeast all that it is.
Peter served as Vice President of the HONNA Board.from 2012-2013.
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Volunteer with one of our committees!
Your volunteer involvement in one of our committees will help enhance your neighborhood and our association. Please contact any committee chair for information.
Like our neighborhood? Want to make it even better?
New Members
Stephanie Adair...............................................................1040 Locust Street NE Sarah & Anthony Albert...................................................... 110 20th Avenue NE Jerry Alaimo & Diane Zacharias...........................................555 5th Avenue NE Nadine Appelt & Mathias Mey............................................506 16th Avenue NE Leah Campen.................................................................2402 Brevard Road NE Donna Davies & David Lintz................................................ 415 17th Avenue NE Ralph & Kate DeMarco.......................................................636 18th Avenue NE Rita Fabula & Tracey Reed..................................................235 8th Avenue NE Chuck & Susan Faris..........................................................106 23rd Avenue NE Beatrice & Judith French......................................2514 Coffee Pot Boulevard NE Ann Goldman.....................................................................251 15th Avenue NE Patrick Hamilton...............................................................115 7th Avenue N #10 Hillary Hart..........................................................................130 27th Avenue NE Neil Joseph.......................................................1012 North Shore Drive NE #35 Jaclyn Lopez & Adam Lessey...............................................205 11th Avenue N Adam & Nikki Nate.............................................................235 15th Avenue NE Istvan & Jennell Peteranecz............................................... 455 21st Avenue NE Lonnie & Jennifer Orns......................................................... 319 10th Avenue N
Communications Anna Costello & Rick Carson Newsletter Rick Carson Programs Chad Boyd Neighborhood Planning Mary Alice Lange Neighborhood/Historic Preservation Peter Motzenbecker & Kristi Alexander Membership Larry Smith Public Safety Peter Motzenbecker Traffic/Parking Ron Magray
where you can click on the name of the person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.
honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/
To contact a chair via e-mail, go to
Read the newsletter in full on our website at honna.org/newsletter
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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Dear Neighbors, We are the owners of Boaters Republic, which we opened last April because we love boating and saw the need for a great boat supply/fishing supply store in this area. The small business culture that 4th street has developed into is something we really value, and we are doing our part to improve how 4th Street looks. Boaters Republic is an upscale store that carries Yeti coolers, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Olukai sandals, Pelagic gear and much more. Our boat supply inventory is extensive as is our ever-growing fishing section. Between our store and our warehouses, we have well over 20,000 products ready to help you get your boat running or updated with the latest technology. If you haven’t made it into our store, we invite you to stop by and check us out -- we are open 7 days a week and would love to see you. We know that you have a lot of choices when it comes to your boat supply/fishing needs, and we really appreciate you giving us the chance to earn your business. Here are “before-and-after” pictures of our little bit to help improve 4th Street. Have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year! Mark and Michelle Thomas Owners, Boaters Republic
After Before
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
A DELIGHTFULLY HORRORIFIC
nce again The Historic Old Northeast was the place to be on Halloween night to enjoy the weird, wacky and wonderful creativity of homeowners who went all-out to decorate their homes and make treat-or-treating a real treat. A guestimate of the number of children going door-to-door on 17th Avenue between Cherry and Locust Streets was put at 3,000. Several homes were singled out for special recognition for their creative decorations by a team of volunteer “judges” which included Cynthia Serra (on behalf of Smith and Associates Real Estate), Kathi Harris, Alice Tinney and Anne-Marie Stephenson along with several witches from Smith and Associates and their children.
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1st Place
• First place kudos went to 206 11th Avenue NE, which had a theme 2nd of “Til Death Do Us Part, combining various skeletons on the front Place porch with a “deadly” SUV curbside. • The second place nod went to 112 16th Avenue N, for its field of pumpkins (handmade by the homeowner) and gravestones – all especially eerie at night. • The “cocoon people” at 425 18th Avenue NE wrapped up third place for just hanging around. • There were honorable mentions for 456 18th Avenue NE, 236 14th Avenue NE, 436 19th Avenue NE, 400 20th Avenue NE and 436 20th Avenue NE. To assist residents and visitors from outside the neighborhood in finding some of the more interesting house decorations, more than four dozen homes and blocks were singled out for special notice by Susie McGarry, Anna Costello and Mary Alice Lange, who drove up-and-down our streets to make note of deserving efforts. This list was then posted on the HONNA website a few days in advance of Halloween. Homes and blocks were identified on the listing with helpful descriptions like “spiders, spiders everywhere,” “ghosts, goblins lights, howling,” “orange, scary and bright” “ghost pirate ship and scary” and “huge graveyards.” Special thanks to those neighbors who joined with other neighbors on their streets to present block-wide visual extravaganzas. This included 14th Avenue NE from Locust to Poplar, the 400 and 500 blocks of 14th and 15th Avenues NE, 100 block of 16th Avenue N, 400 block of 17th Avenue NE, 500 block of 18th Avenue NE, 700 block of 18th Avenue NE, 500 block of 19th Avenue NE, 400 block of 20th Avenue NE and 300 block of 21st Avenue NE.
3rd Place
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The Power of
This article is the third in an occasional series entitled “The Power of One.” Featured are residents of The Historic Old Northeast who are making a difference — be it major or modest, creating change, defining a vision, saying “We can” when others say “It can’t be done,” planting a seed — in the community. Know someone we should consider profiling? Send us an e-mail at [email protected].
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Beyond Fitness, Finding Recovery
by Sara Wolski Hopkins
s the holiday season draws near, so do visions of sugar plums, cookies, pies, cakes and too-tight pants. For the annual cycle of weight loss, hitting the gym and New Year’s resolutions this year, why not try something different? St. Petersburg native and Old NE resident Tom Hutcherson has been a personal trainer and fitness coach for 13 years. In his training methodology, he focuses on strength, speed, flexibility and conditioning. As he puts it, “Strength is key because whatever your age or circumstances, our muscles get weaker and atrophy very fast when we don’t use them. It’s the ‘use it or lose it’ mentality. Speed is key also because as we age we get slower, especially if we don’t intentionally move fast. Flexibility, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects to training. Most people sit all day and create muscular imbalances that make them inflexible. Conditioning is key for everyone. Having a healthy circulatory and aerobic system is vital for overall health and wellness and definitely a prerequisite for athletes of all sports.” It all sounds straightforward enough. But consider those parameters and this fact: he never uses the same workout twice. “My program is always changing to accommodate new knowledge gained and what works well with clients and what doesn’t,” he says simply. The range of customization and creativity that goes into each individual training session is not only impressive – it’s fun! He practices what he preaches, as do his clients. Those of us who have been to the gym and seen the personal trainers there may have had the passing thought that their physiques were a bit out of the attainable range for everyone else. Not so for Tom’s clients: they see results. “I really see myself more
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as a Health and Fitness Lifestyle Coach,” Tom says. “I’m all about helping people reach their goals. Ninety percent of people who work out want to lose body fat, and 100 percent want some type of body composition change, whether better muscles or less fat. So my main task as a trainer is to help them reach those goals. My distinction is that I help people integrate healthy habits into their lives to accomplish goals. Nutrition is key in this, and helping people weed through all the information – and misinformation – out there is something I focus on as well. Body fat is gained and lost primarily through nutrition, not exercise, so this is integral in helping people attain their goals for their body and health.” Tom has gone beyond the call of personal training duty several times for his clients, and the results he’s helped them achieve have been far more impactful than shedding a few pounds. He told me the story of a young Old Northeast resident who had struggled with addiction and gained over 100 pounds over the years, never quite seeming to overcome the destructive cycle – until she began working with Tom. She has since lost all of that weight and has been clean and sober for years, sustainably. Tom says of her journey, “It wasn’t easy by any means, but she had the will and determination to reach her goals, and it was an honor helping her do that.” Tom has also helped young athletes accomplish their goals, transforming what may have been the last picked team member into the star player. He worked with a 14-year-old neighbor to prepare him for football and track. Tom says, “We got him stronger and faster, and he went from a scrawny kid to a lean athletic machine. He ended up going to the state finals for the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints. He is now a college football and track athlete up in Minnesota. I couldn’t be more proud of him for all the hard work and dedication he put it.” Tom’s clients range in age from seven to 70. He coaches people with chronic illnesses, cancer survivors, new mothers, athletes and non-athletes recovering from injuries and everyone in-between. To best accommodate his clients’ often hectic schedules, he maintains a centralized training studio in The Old Northeast as well as conducting training sessions at North Shore Park on occasion and even in clients’ homes. His clients come first: from finding the right workout location, the right budget and, most importantly, the right fitness solution. In the few hours Tom spends not working with clients, he stays active in the community. You can often find him playing beach volleyball and tennis, working with youth and volunteering at his church. His passions are boundless, and his priorities are clear. “I just fell in love with fitness and working with people,” Tom says. “Helping people is a big passion of mine, as are health and fitness, so this is a perfect combination for me as far as a career.” His success is evident when one looks at his clients: the young athletes bursting with excitement to tell him about their latest wins, the beaming young moms, the active adults who look and feel ten years younger. Most importantly, equipping each of his clients to lead sustainably healthy lives – that’s a job well done.
You can learn more about Tom online at stpetestrength.com.
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Over The Back Fence
by
…is a collection of what we’ve heard exchanged in the aisles of the supermarkets, shared waiting in line to pick up the kids from school, read in the papers, overheard in the pew behind us in church and, yes, even passed over the back fence. If you have something you’d like to share about a special recognition, award received, birth, graduation, gooddeed-done or observation around the neighborhood please pass it along to the Editor. “Over the Back Fence” is only going to be interesting if we hear from you!
S
and
S
A Growing USF/St. Pete….Dr. Sophia Wisniewska, Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida/St. Petersburg and a new Old NE neighbor, discussed her vision for the school on “University Beat,” aired on WUSF-FM on September 10.
Food Fight!!....Passersby North Shore Park in early October may have been puzzled to see a “kitchen” set up in the park amidst all sorts of filming equipment. What was happening was an An-
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thony Sullivan Productions infomercial being taped, involving a bunch of kids in a “food fight.” Not too long ago observers might have noticed a clothes line with laundry being filmed for an ad. Just more evidence that there’s no end to what our parks can be used for. Navigating Our Streets During Storms….Quite the storm on Friday afternoon, September 13. Dumped 1”+ of rain in a very short time period, causing many of our streets to become waterover-the-hubcap creeks. Takes living in the ‘hood awhile for drivers to know which streets to avoid when we experience such downpours. Fortunately the deluge in the greater Tampa Bay area a couple days later on Sunday afternoon spared us a similar fate. Gotcha!....Police were out in late October and early November on Beach Drive NE with hand-held radar guns (similar to photo) catching speeders along the popular route into downtown St. Pete and connection to 5th Avenue NE and the Interstate. Word has it that residents on Snell Isle had been complaining about speeding motorists in the neighborhood, many of whom then end up traversing Beach Drive to join up with Old NE residents. Pricey Digs….According to St. Pete PATCH (posted on October 15), an analysis based on 2011 records finds that 5.2% of the homes in The Old NE from 5th Avenue N/NE to 13th Avenue N/ NE were valued at $1 million or more (this section of The Old NE includes the Vinoy condos). For the section of the neighborhood from 13th to 22nd Avenues N/NE, the figure is 1.7%. The portion of the neighborhood from 22nd Avenue to 30th Avenue N/NE was contained in a larger section that goes up to 38th Avenue and over to MLK Street N so it is not exclusively The Old NE; the figure for this area is 1.9%. First Flight….To commemorate the first commercial air flight in the U.S., which took place on January 1, 1914 -- from downtown St. Pete to Tampa -- a reenactment of the world’s first airline’s flight will take place on January 1 at 10am. Plans are to have a full-scale replica of the original Benoist Airboat Bi-plane fly across the Bay. Me Encanta St. Pete….Neighbor Joe O’Connor made it on TV recently, and unless you are in the habit of watching Univision (the American Spanish language TV network, which is channel 7 on Brighthouse cable) you didn’t catch it. Joe was jogging around the Pier the day after the Lens was voted down in the referendum, and a Univision reporter interviewed him on-camera. His voice was overdubbed in Spanish and his Spanish is poor enough that he’s not sure how his words were translated. “OK, We’ll Do It Ourselves!”….Granada Terrace neighbors
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
masters, one of the Toastmasters International organizations in the county, meets every second and fourth Friday of the month from 7-8:30pm at First Unity (46th Avenue and 4th Street). Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. For more information, contact Brenda Bouchey at [email protected]. A Foodie Desert?....St. Petersburg seems to find itself at or near the top of both “best” and “worst” fill-in-the-blank categories of late. A real estate blog – Movoto Real Estate – has placed St. Petersburg number seven on its list of “The 10 Worst Cities in America for Food Lovers.” The criteria involved such things as numbers of restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, ice cream and roots had clogged the pipes and caused candy shops, food and wine festivals, caterers the urn to fill with water (and thereby and gourmet grocery marts. Hmmm, seems Over The Back Fence is a killing the shrub). Residents were told by we’re doing pretty well of late in many of the City that the maintenance of the urn those categories – it’s just getting better and was the neighborhood’s responsibility. better. At about the same time a travel website So a few Good Neighbors took on the named the “Top 25 Beaches in the U.S.” and StEP oN UP project, completely cleaning out the urn Pinellas did well with #4 (Fort DeSoto), #12 (which had been repainted by neighbors a and (Caladesi Island State Park), #15 (Pass-acouple years ago), opening up the clogged Grille) and #18 (Clearwater Beach). [source: drainage hole, placing stones in its bottom LEt’s HEAR Tampa Bay Times, 9/8] for better drainage, filling it with dirt and fRoM YoU Have You Found “The Sweet Spot”?.... adding the new plant, which will be cared Chad and Jennifer Boyd from 16th Avenue NE for by Dorothy Richardson. Thanks to (he’s on the HONNA e-mail: [email protected] these neighbors and others who take it Board) are bringing upon themselves to provide needed TLC in a new sweets to medians and similar public spaces that shop cafe to the neighborhood. It’s welcome our attention. like an ice cream shop, coffee shop World of Weighty Words….A new Great Decisions discussion and candy shop all rolled into group is forming in The Old NE. Great Decisions is America’s one! Shaved ice, smoothies, largest discussion program on world affairs and is part of the Forpastries, chocolates and Hong eign Policy Association. The local group will meet once a month Kong egg waffles too! Hint... for eight months, it’s near a Sunken Garden. beginning in January. Each meeting will discuss a specific foreign policy topic, outlined in the workbook that each member will read beGreat Last Minute fore each meeting. The Great Decisions website, which outlines the topics to be addressed and describes the workbook, is www. Holiday Gifts fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_main. The group will meet on • Educational and fun stocking stuffer Wednesday evenings. If you are interested, please e-mail Old NE for the kids neighbor Ann Albert at [email protected] • Terrific hostess/host gift for those She’s Baaaack!....Former HONNA Board member and current holiday parties HONNA webmaster Anna Costello, who moved to Denver last Get your award-winning Souvenir of St. Petersyear, has come to her senses and returned to The Old NE where burg: Views from the Vinoy book about the City of she belongs. She’s still working for the same Denver-based comSt. Petersburg and The Historic Old Northeast for pany, Adpay, and doing marketing and client development. It’s only $16 (including tax) at the following locations: great having her back! Renaissance Vinoy Coffee Shop, Sunken Gardens Looking Good….The new owners of the four-plex at the corner (4th Street), Haslam’s of Beach Drive NE and 12th Avenue are doing a great job spiffBook Store (Central Aving up the property – visible from the enue) and Marion’s Gift outside are new windows and doors for & Clothing (4th Street). starters and it looks like the interiors You may also purhave also been renovated. The property chase a copy directly is in good company with the small from HONNA by going apartment complex across the street th to the HONNA website at 626 12 which also has undergone and “Store” link. extensive upgrading. Let’s Toast This!....Intrepid Toast-
are giving a shout out to John and Susan Stearman and Tom and Karen Davis on Brevard Avenue NE for unclogging the giant urn on 25th Avenue NE and replanting it with a new bougainvillea. The urn had not been draining properly because the old bougainvillea’s
Soapbox...
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Page 13
by Sue Strott
City Hall, 893-7111. I have been told that whenever this number is called with a complaint that staff actually follows up to see that the complaint has been addressed. It has worked for me. However you act to report non-working street lights, you’re helping keep our streets well-lit, safer and a deterrent for criminal activity.
Bicyclers in Old Northeast
Are you one of those people who goes about your day-to-day life noticing things happening around you (or not happening) in the neighborhood and our City and you wonder why (or why not) but never get around to discovering the answer? We’ve decided to ask one of our neighbors, Sue Strott, who’s lived in The Old Northeast almost forever, to track down the explanations for some of those puzzling questions which bug, bedevil and frustrate us.
So here’s a start with some of those nagging, niggling WHYs? and WHAT’s?. Let us know if you have a particular issue or query you’d like The Answer Lady to check out and we’ll see what she can learn. Like FiOS... will we ever “hear them now”? Contact The Answer Lady at [email protected].
Some More Pet Peeves
“Dumpsters”
It seems that some folks in The Old Northeast are not observing the City rule that after “Dumpsters” have been cleaned out, the trash containers are to be taken away from the sidewalk or curb (unless, of course, you have alley pickup) by 7pm that same day of pick-up. Hopefully, those neighbors will observe this from now on. Removing the trash containers makes the street look more presentable while also providing more room available for parking.
It seems that since the new lanes have been added to 1st Street specifically for bicyclers, many have not changed their old ways of not stopping at stop signs – which they are legally required to do -- nor even looking both ways (as we have always told our children). Now that we have bicyclers travelling both directions on this one way street -- and some drivers have not yet become aware of this -- we have an accident waiting to happen as driving either a bicycle or a motor vehicle has become more hazardous. I, personally, have spoken to some of the bicyclers to make them aware of the danger. Maybe, if we all speak to them each time it happens, we might prevent the inevitable. Let’s help save some lives! If you have any other pet peeves you’d like to air in this column, please contact me c/o [email protected]. I’ll do my best to find the answer, address your concern or at least make others aware of it.
Sue was born in Chicago and lived in Canada before moving to The Old NE in 1973 where she continues to run an apartment rental business. She lives with her dog, Foxy Lady, and is one of those people who enjoys being busy!
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Street Lights
Whenever we see a street light not working at night, we should contact the office responsible for getting it working again, which is Duke Energy. Its “outage” line is 800/228-8485. Follow the prompts to speak with a staffer, who will ask you for the closest street address of the non-working street light. Another option is to go online “Light Repair” at www.progress-energy.com/app/streetlightrepair/default.aspx and provide the information requested (which also will require you to supply the nearest street address of the out light). I’ve found that if you don’t receive a quick response from Duke Energy, you might try just contacting the Mayor’s Action Center at
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
North Ward School
from page 1
competitions, clothes drives for the needy and the sale of bonds during WWII. In the early 1920s, the school even had a float in the Festival of States parade. Taking advantage of Florida’s warm climate, classes were often held outside under a community-built pergola and picnic tables. When it was proposed that the building be closed in 1977, parents protested vigorously and took it upon themselves to paint and do needed repairs. As each new issue arose -- whether it was overcrowding, lack of playground equipment, trees and landscaping, a piano for the classroom, or art for the walls -- the community responded. In its 1987 publication, A Tradition of Excellence, Pinellas County Schools: 1912-1987 , North Ward School was justifiably characterized as follows: “Over the years, North Ward School has been in essence a fundamental school at its best. Parental support has been superb. Many of the
students have grown up to be community leaders.” Today, the Pinellas County School Board has put the building up for sale. The asking price is $1,750,000. Concerned about preserving this important community asset, The Old Northeast Neighborhood Association and St. Petersburg Preservation are partnering to landmark the building. It is hoped that it will be re-purposed and put to a new use that will benefit all the residents of St. Petersburg. If you would like to support this effort to landmark the property, you’re encouraged to send a letter to Kimberly Hinder, Preservation Planner for the City, at [email protected].
Robin is a former member of the HONNA Board where she chaired its Historic Preservation Committee. She recently completed serving two consecutive three-year terms on the City’s Community Preservation Commission.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Neighborhood Book Group
As The Pages Turn...
by Susan Englar
NE Great Book Club’s September selection was a classic from the past. Some of us were revisiting an old friend, but for more than half of the group this was their first encounter with Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It was chosen by our hostess, Kim Wolfe, because she felt she had missed reading a novel that is often considered to be part of our shared cultural experience. Written in 1868, Little Women was a bestseller of its time and has continued to be much beloved by adolescents for over 100 years. There have been at least three major film adaptations of the book with actresses as diverse as Katharine Hepburn, June Allyson and Winona Ryder playing the headstrong and tomboyish heroine, Jo March. Louisa May Alcott grew up in a family that was intellectually rich but financially impoverished. Her parents were transcendentalists who believed in independent thinking and individualism and their friends included Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. But it was ultimately Louisa’s success as an author that supported the family. Hospital Sketches, which described Alcott’s
O
experiences as a Civil War nurse, was well received and she wrote other romantic novels, plays and poetry. But it was her books for young girls (Little Women and the sequels Little Men and Jo’s Boys) that brought her fame and financial security. Little Women closely followed her own life. Like Jo, Louisa was the second of four sisters growing up in a loving but poor family. Unlike Jo, she never married and remained devoted to her parents. Perhaps as a result of being treated with a mercury compound for typhoid, her health was compromised for the second half of her life. She died at age 55, only one day after her beloved father. Our group admired Alcott for being an early feminist and abolitionist and recognized that she was forward-thinking for her time. As adult readers, however, we found the book somewhat tedious and rather moralistic in tone -- which is not to say that it did not have redeeming qualities. The family relationships were well portrayed and touching. Also, we were surprised and pleased that Alcott did address issues that are timeless, such how to balance the desire for an independent life and career with family obligations and marriage. And, of course, we all identified with Jo. As a group, we were entertained by the idea that we had read both 50 Shades of Grey and Little Women in the same year and decided no one could say we suffer from a lack of variety in our members’ book choices. Perhaps some of you who are reading this article will be inspired to revisit a favorite book from your past. What you discover about yourself and the book might surprise you. ONE Great Book Club continues to have a waiting list. It meets the second Thursday evening every other month. Coordinator Kim Wolfe can be reached at [email protected]. ONE also continue to have a “sister/brother” book group which meets the last Wednesday of every month at 2pm. Contact Colleen Grant at [email protected] for more information.
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Preserving the Character of The Old Northeast
The Mission of The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association is to promote, preserve and protect the quality of life in our unique corner of the world.
So, What Do You Think?
by Mary Alice Lange Chair, HONNA Neighborhood Planning Committee
he most obvious option for someone wishing to reside in The Old NE is to purchase (or rent) a place. But it’s not always that easy, due to listing prices and availability. And if the “perfect” space can’t be found, alternative plans might be to renovate/remodel/restore a fixer-upper, build on one of the very few available empty lots or go the tear-down route with new construction. In recent months there seems to have been increased tear-down activity. In terms of commercial property on 4th Street, the long-vacant Rhodes Funeral Home has been demolished to make way for a medical facility, the planned Trader Joe’s will require the demolition of several buildings and the fate of the North Ward School building is up-in-the-air [read more about these in this issue -Bungalow at 215 “”In Case You Missed It” and “The North Avenue N (top) Ward School: What is That Building with was demolished to the Chain Link Fence Around It?”]. make way for new Residential properties at 215 9th Avenue N construction and 226 16th Avenue NE were not considered worth saving by the owners and met the wrecker ball’s fate. A double shotgun-style structure on 7th Avenue N (at the rear of the Rhodes Funeral Home property) was not long for this world until it was rescued by Ken and Elizabeth Grimes. The Grimes had the building moved to space on their property at 3rd and 9th Avenue N – alongside their home, the Monticello (1909), which they had saved and moved 226 16th Avenue NE from another location and then restored back in 2005. Although not in The Old NE, the nearby Henry Bryan home, a designated local landmark at 146 4th Avenue NE, was moved to 13th Avenue S where it will be fixed up as a Habitat for Humanity residence. Henry Bryan home New construction is underway at the corner of 18th and Bay Street NE and several vacant buildable lots are for sale in The Old NE including at 13th and Bay Street NE (this sign has been removed but the seller is the same company) and at 3rd Street and 14th Avenue N. So, what does all this – tear downs, house-moving, renovating, new construction – mean about “preserving the character” of The Historic Old Northeast neighborhood according to the City of St. Petersburg’s Neighborhood Plan for The Old Northeast? Time to think about it – it’s activity that is happening all around us and it affects us all. It is why we buy and live here. It is the character of the streets, trees, block rhythm and the houses we live in and next to and drive by. It affects
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our sense of home, hearth, family, neighborhood and the entire St. Petersburg community. If you’d like more information about historic preservation efforts in the City, check out St. Pete Preservation at http://stpetepreservation.org/. You also may contact Mary Alice at maryalice. [email protected] for more information about the Neighborhood Plan and its relationship to changes taking place with regard to residential and commercial development in The Old NE. Click here to view the copy of the Neighborhood Plan (2009): http://honna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ FINALPLANHONNA121709.pdf After the move Sign previously at 13th and Bay Street NE The house from 7th Avenue N was moved to the Monticello property on 9th Avenue N
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Thoughts from the Front Porch…
by Courtney Ellis, MA, LMHC
The Balancing Act (Part 2)
s some of you may remember, my last article (in the September issue) focused on the importance of achieving balance in our lives. The visual I gave was that of a table requiring four legs to stand and to work correctly. If our lives are that table, the legs required for balance are the following: 1) Physical Health; 2) Mental/Emotional Health; 3) Spiritual Health; and 4) Relational Health. Each of these four areas is essential -- especially during this busy holiday season -- to experience the fruit we often promote this time of year: peace, joy and goodwill towards men. The problem comes, then, when we either focus all or no energy on one of these legs, causing the table… and our lives…to become off-kilter. The holiday season tends to be one where we find ourselves feeling the most off-balance. We run around like crazy, neglecting ourselves or our families. We go to holiday party after holiday party but are too stressed to even be mentally present with those we love. We emphasize “peace” during this season but don’t take a minute to sit down and just breathe. My challenge to us all this holiday season is to seek balance in order to truly enjoy and embrace all that these wonderful weeks have to offer. In my previous article I focused specifically on achieving balance within the areas of physical health and emotional and mental health (feel free to dig up your last newsletter or find it on www.scribd.com/honna/documents to get a refresher of how we can grow in those areas). In this article, then, we will be focusing on how to achieve balance spiritually and relationally. These are two areas that we most often tend to neglect, often prioritizing the needs of our job over down time and quality time with others. I see a lot of clients who are very successful in their careers but still feel an emptiness that no amount of achievement or promotions can satisfy. I think many of us realize that what matters in this life is connection with people and having a strong grounding in what we believe. But, again, these tend to be areas that are underrated in our work-driven society. I am not saying we should not work hard
A
-- we definitely should. I am saying that we need to find balance in these areas so that our lives can be well-rounded and focused on the things that matter most. If we focus first on the area of spiritual health, we can recognize this as an important foundational piece for how we live and how we perceive things. Our spiritual health comes down to a few things, one of which being what we place our beliefs in. This leg is becoming more and more emphasized within the field of counseling as many therapists, religious and secular alike, are recognizing spirituality as an important vehicle for healing. As some of you might be able to tell from past articles, my faith life is very important to me. It grounds me and gives me a framework from which I can look at life circumstances and, in turn, how I allow things to affect me. The problem for me comes when I neglect this area of my life and focus more on working late, sleeping in or wasting time doing meaningless tasks. When I neglect my spiritual life, I feel out of sorts and it affects me in every other facet of my life. Balance comes, then, when we create time to sit, breathe, pray, meditate and figure out what it is we believe about this life. Whether we believe in a higher power or not, we all have belief systems which dictate the way in which we operate -- belief systems such as, “The world is a good place” or “Everything happens for a reason.” Because when life starts getting difficult, those beliefs will keep us from feeling thrown by the storms of life. I encourage you to take time to grow the spiritual aspect of your life, even if it just means waking up five minutes earlier, sitting on the porch with coffee and enjoying the sounds of nature before rushing to work. It might also mean reading a book that challenges you, joining a yoga class, listing the things you are most grateful for, listening to uplifting music or taking a weekend trip to the beach to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. It sounds like a lot of work, but it brings such a simplicity to life, making it completely worthwhile. The last leg of the table is that of relationships. If we go back to the struggle of extremism, many of us tend to focus either way too much attention on relationships or very little. The “all” aspect of that spectrum can lead to codependent relationships as people become entrenched in the lives of others and are unable to separate themselves or have an identity outside of those relationships. The “nothing” aspect of that spectrum can lead to isolation, feeling disconnected, surface relationships or even putting up walls out of fear of vulnerability. Like all the other legs of the table, we have to cut out time from our busy lives in order to invest in relationships. This leg moves beyond just going deeper with our immediate families and involves forming a sense of community and belonging. Unfortunately, when we focus too much time and energy on other parts of our lives, we tend to be physically present but not mentally or emotionally. A favorite quote of mine is, “Wherever you are, be fully there”. College student Alexis Jane Torre wrote an article on this quote in the Huffington Post, talking about the temptation to multitask, simply because she can. I wonder how many people you’ve noticed who are having lunch with a friend while texting another. I know I’ve been guilty of it. How many people do you see having dinner in front of the TV rather than sitting around the table? And how many people have you seen who have thousands of Facebook friends but feel extremely lonely on a Friday night without that necessary face-to-face interaction. As Alexis Jane Torre found after she challenged herself to focus on one thing at a time, “It was relaxing to slow down, focus, observe and just be fully there.” Imagine the depth our relationships as we force ourselves to just
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be present with one another. This is especially fitting for this time of year as we will enjoy the blessing of spending more time with family and friends at parties and other functions. I encourage you during this season to slow down, seek balance and embrace each moment you spend with one another. Try not to get focused so much on the tasks and focus more on the people. At the end of it all, we will be so thankful that we did.
Courtney Ellis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides individual and couples counseling to the Tampa Bay area. She lives in a cozy bungalow in The Old Northeast with her husband and two dogs. She tries to spend as much time on her front porch as possible.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Thank You, Helen, for 20 Musical Years!
by Anne-Marie Stephenson
he final and twentieth year of Old NE resident Helen Torres’ sponsorship of the Florida Orchestra Pops in the Park concert came on October 19. The Vinoy Park crowd, estimated at 19,000, was there to enjoy every musical note and oooo-and-awww at every burst of fireworks. Tampa Bay Harvest reported concertgoers donated over 4,000 pounds of food, and Helen’s “Bucket Brigadiers” going through the crowd collected almost $10,500 in contributions for the Florida Orchestra. When it was time for John Philip Sousa›s march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Helen accepted the baton from guest conductor Damon Gupton, and the loyal audience of so many years went wild with applause. Helen was born to conduct, and that she did with all the love in her heart for her musicians and the audience. What a way to end a sponsorship of 20 years, with a baton in your hand and fireworks streaking into the sky. Thank you, Helen, from “Helen’s Buddies,” “Bucket Brigadiers,” the Florida Orchestra staff and musicians and the Florida Orchestra Guild/St. Petersburg (who recently held a gala for Helen and presented her with its “Heart of Gold” tribute at the new Birchwood on Beach Drive NE) -- and all who have enjoyed Pops in the Park these many years.
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YES-Homes Deborah Eagan Steve Capen Scott Samuels Nadine Appelt Laney Pitt Denise Antonewitz Lori Famiglietti Lonnie and Jennifer Orns Kinsey Brown Kathy Hamilton Susie Miano Karen Nasello Estelia Mesimer Kent Dudley Lola Walker Jeff Joyner Kelly Fenton Joe Moledo Lorraine Bennett Susan Thompson Debra Ferguson Bruce Brown Anita Kleinfeld Karen Lucas Bruce Harris Karen Dudley Zach Zehnder Pete McGahan Chris Hounchell Sonny Hotchkiss
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*Pinellas Realtor Organization, South Pinellas County offices
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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In Case You Missed It: Updates and Follow Ups Keeping You Current on Some Neighborhood Stories That Have Been in the News
It’s official -- Trader Joe’s is coming to St. Pete. It will be located on the 2800 block of 4th Street N, the present location of the Ringside Café, Classy Closet, 4th Street Boxing Club and several other small businesses, most of which have already made relocation plans (Ringside to the Club Detroit/Vintage Ultra Lounge space downtown and the Closet to Central Avenue). Opening date is set for late 2014. The specialty grocer is known for its good prices and unique offerings – including the popular Two Buck Chuck wine which usually sells for $2.99. With the addition of Trader Joe’s, 4th Street is becoming a “foodies” destination, joining two Publix supermarkets, Fresh Market, GFS Marketplace and Mickey’s Market. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 10/30, 10/31] A neighborhood property (on the Candlelight Tour of Homes a few years ago), which is currently on the market, was featured prominently on the front page of the 10/20 Tampa Bay Times as an example of a house for sale that does not require flood insurance. Aside from its many desirable features, the article suggests not
requiring flood insurance may be its best selling point. The house, in the City’s “vaunted Old Northeast neighborhood,” was used as an example of what has become a major marketing advantage as Federal subsidies for properties in flood-zone areas are in jeopardy of ending. Without subsidies, premiums for homes requiring flood insurance are expected to rise dramatically. A motorist wrote to Dr. Delay (Tampa Bay Times, 10/13) concerned about the intersection of 5th Avenue N and 2nd Street, which the writer believes is dangerous for cars navigating from 2nd Street because of obstructed views caused by parked cars along 5th. Dr. Delay reported that the City has already reviewed the intersection, which did result in the creation of an additional crosswalk, speed limit and parking restriction signs. She reports that police have increased their surveillance of the intersection because of speeding on 5th and the failure of motorists to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks. The study of the intersection did not indicate that it met the criteria for a four-way stop or traffic light. After closing eight years ago, the John S. Rhodes Funeral Home at 635 4th Street N has stood empty. It was recently purchased for $1.2 million (asking price had been $2 million) and the 23,000sqft building has been torn down to make way for a 15,500sqft medical complex offering dialysis.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
The Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete Half Marathon, scheduled to be held in February, has been canceled due to what the organizers say
has been low participation the past two years. There were about 7,000 runners in 2012 and 6,500 this year – not near the hoped-for 12-15,000. The low numbers are attributed to competition from other such races. In the past the event would end in North Shore Park with a concert by a popular rap artist. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 9/4] A new museum – the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement -- appears in the works for downtown St. Pete, to be located in the lot on 3rd Avenue N adjacent to the Synovus Bank. The new 90,000sqft building will house Rudy Ciccarello’s $60 million collection of some 1,200 pieces from the Arts and Crafts period – an early 20th century architectural style very prevalent in City neighborhoods such as The Old NE, Roser Park and Kenwood. The collection will include furniture, pottery and tiles. The addition of such a specialized museum, complementing all the various museums already in place, is considered a “major coup.” Completion date for construction and opening is 2016. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 11/7] The creation of the Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation some two years ago is already benefiting the stretch of parklands from the North Shore parks in The Old NE south to Poynter Park. The foundation, the brainchild of Philip Graham, Jr., is supplementing the decreased City parks’ budget and enabling the City to undertake basic maintenance and beautification efforts residents have come to take for granted. In addition to being able to continue the planting of colorful annuals in the flower beds, efforts will be made to relocate or hide utility boxes, which are often located in “high focal areas.” Graham, the senior principal in a landscape architecture firm, believes efforts need to be made to make various “gateway” areas more attractive – such
as 4th Avenue NE at North Straub Park and Beach Drive along South Straub Park. The foundation, which is applying for Federal tax exemption as a non-profit organization, will be approaching downtown businesses and area condo associations and groups for financial support. A major fundraiser is planned for March. The St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce has already contributed $5,000 from several of its own fundraisers, and HONNA has made a $1,000 contribution. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 9/29] See more about the recreational use of our waterfront parks in this issue, “Parks & Recreation, St. Pete Style.” A lawsuit involving local residents over the State of Florida’s attempt to claim title on submerged land in Coffee Pot Bayou, long in private hands, has now been joined by the City of St. Petersburg as a defendant. The suit, by Richard and Kelly Ware, Photo credit St. Pete PATCH seeks to prevent the State from re-claiming title to their land, which could also impact the ownership of up to 83 docks (including some owned by the City) built on submerged land. The case has received coverage by WTSP Channel 10, including reports by investigator Noah Pransky on October 25 and November 7 (http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/ story.aspx?storyid=342018; http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/ story.aspx?storyid=343561).
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Property Transfers
The St. Pete Times section of the Wednesday edition of the Tampa Bay Times provides a partial listing of real estate transactions compiled from public records. These entries come from those listings. $99 NEW PATIENT SPECIAL If any of these folks live near you, make sure you welcome them • Dental Examination (ADA code 0150) to the neighborhood. (gum disease & oral cancer exam included) 525 5th Avenue NE........................................................................ Ted Tenaglia • Full mouth xrays (ADA code 0210) 555 5th Avenue NE #283 ............................................ John & Dorothy Kaelber (we use thyroid collars) th 555 5 Avenue NE #533 ......................................... Robert & Ilene Gershberg th 145 6 Avenue NE .............................................................. Jeremy Kaufmann Invest in your health, your 218 7th Avenue N........................ McKay Smith & Indira Guerrero Monterrubio return is compounded daily! 237 7th Avenue N #3 .................................................Kenneth & Brian Haynes 224 9th Avenue N ............................................................... Michelle DeForrest 215 10th Avenue N ...................................Thomas Stewart & Tamara Steward Call Your Downtown Dentist Today! 445 10th Avenue NE ..................................................... Douglas & Irene Nixon th 165 12 Avenue NE .................................. Donna Sue Davis & Shane Darling 211 16th Avenue N ......................................................................Jo Etta Bauer Caring • Conscientious • Confident 126 17th Avenue NE .............................................Edward & Autumn Dreyer III 606 17th Avenue NE .......................................................Darla Katherine Reed 200 18th Avenue N ..........................................................David & Rachel Wein 234 18th Avenue NE ..................................................................... Jane Seaton John A. Ferullo, D.D.S, M.S. 735 18th Avenue NE ....................................................... David & Alexis Novak 556 19th Avenue NE ............................................... Jose & Kathryn DeVicente 200 Central Avenue, Suite 830 405 20th Avenue NE ................................................Scott & Laurel MacDonald 166 21st Avenue NE ....................................................Mario & Anne Garneau St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 316 21st Avenue NE .....................................................................Linda Collins 134 22nd Avenue N .............................................................. Ryan Hanewinkel 241 24th Avenue N........................................Thomas & Francine Forbes Riley www.yourdowntowndentist.com 121 28th Avenue N.......................................................... Jane Hanna Nicholas 2325 1st Street NE..................................................................... Matthew Nardi 757 2nd Street N................................................................................ D.S. Klein “ANCIENT MEDICINE FOR MODERN PEOPLE” 5/16/11 1108 3rd Street N....................................................................... Aaron Sprague JAFerullo AD v3-May2011.indd 1 rd 1128 3 Street N.............................................. Kathryn Andrew & David Shaw 2031 Bay Street NE.....................................................................Lynne Craver 700 Beach Drive NE.................................................................. Vincent Brown 700 Beach Drive NE #603..................................... Graham & Ellen Thompson 1800 Beach Drive NE...........................................Howard & Patricia Hermans 2101 Cherry Street NE................................................................ Elena Azuola 1036 North Shore Drive NE #2........................ Dean Tyler & Mary Ellen Cerny 1060 North Shore Drive #1.......................................................... Joan Mancini 923 Oak Street NE........................................................ Candace Dornstauder
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
P O R C H PA R T I E S
Monday, December 16 All Neighborhood Holiday Party Old Northeast Tavern No Porch Parties in December or January First Porch Party of the New Year! Friday, February 21 Dino Capelli and Don Culpepper 732 Oak Street NE
Old NE residents enjoyed a very special non-third-Friday-ofthe-month “Porch Party” at the Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday evening, November 7, and the opportunity to enjoy the staff’s hospitality and view the newly refurbished galleries. Thank you, MFA!
You’re Invited!
Porch Parties are held the third Friday of the month from 7:30-10pm (except December). Porch Parties are strictly social and provide and informal and fun way to mix and mingle with your neighbors. Bring your own beverage. Cups, ice and light snacks are provided. Ask a neighbor to ride or walk over with you. For more info, contact [email protected]
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Come meet some of the many other “Young Northeasters” and enjoy an amazing view of downtown St Peter from the sky balcony. For all you newer young residents, this is one you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t already joined HONNA, please do so for $30 at www.honna.org. Please RSVP to [email protected]
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Page 29
ON THE DOCKET:
Some Upcoming Events In and Nearby Our Neighborhood
We encourage you to go directly to the City website –www.stpete.org and look for Upcoming Events where you can click on “View All Events.” This will enable you to check updates and all the scheduled events day-by-day for the coming weeks and months.
and Mahaffey Yacht Basin; 800/940-7642
DECEMBER 1 Gem Jewelry & Bead Show and Sale, Coliseum; 892-5202 DECEMBER 2 World AIDS Day, Williams Park; 403-3366 DECEMBER 5 CASA Peace Breakfast, Coliseum; 895-4912 DECEMBER 5-8 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, Albert Whitted Park DECEMBER 6-7 Ties and Tennis Shoes Gala and 5K, (benefits Take Stock in Children) The Trop DECEMBER 7 97X Next Big Thing Music Festival, Vinoy Park Santa Parade and Snowfest, North Straub Park; 893-7441 DECEMBER 8 CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES (SEE PAGE 1) DECEMBER 8 1st Annual Wounded Warrior Softball Series, Al Lang Stadium DECEMBER 12 YOUNG NORTHEASTER’S (undER 40 oR young at hEaRt) HOLIDAY PARTY (SEE PAGE 29) DECEMBER 13 Boley Centers Jingle Bell Run, The Pier; 821-4819 DECEMBER 14 Christmas Jamboree, Pinellas Pioneer Settlement; 866-6401 Winter Wonderland, Great Explorations DECEMBER 16 ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY PARTY (SEE PAGE 1)
DECEMBER 23 Beef ‘O’ Bradys Bowl, The Trop DECEMBER 31 First Night, Various downtown locations JanuaRy 1 Flight 2014,St. Petersburg Museum of History JanuaRy 2 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, The Trop JanuaRy 10-12 Sunshine City Antiques Show, Coliseum JanuaRy 10 Inaugural Mayor Ball, (benefits Junior League of St. Petersburg) Mahaffey Theater JanuaRy 14 Tampa Bay Job Fair, Coliseum JanuaRy 17-19 Gem Jewelry & Bead Show and Sale, Coliseum; 892-5202 JanuaRy 18 East-West Shrine Football Game, The Trop; 813/281-8686 JanuaRy 19 Sunshine Music & Blues Fest, Vinoy Park JanuaRy 20 MLK Jr. Breakfast, Coliseum; 896-6556 JanuaRy 20-FEBRuaRy 17 Tall Ship Lynx Port Visit, Port of St. Petersburg JanuaRy 29 Tampa Bay Senior Expo, Coliseum FEBRuaRy 1 Localtopia Celebrating Williams Park, Williams Park FEBRuaRy 15-16 NOOD Regatta, St. Pete Yacht Club FEBRuaRy 15 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest, The Trop; 800/FAN-RAYS Big Band Ballroom Dance, Coliseum FEBRUARY 21 PORCH PARTY (SEE PAGE 29)
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
BUSINESS-RELATED DECEMBER 2 City of St. Petersburg Incentives and Services for Business Owners and Startups DECEMBER 3 Intellectual Property Anyone? DECEMBER 4 Introduction to Business Startup DECEMBER 4 (and 11 & 18) 1 Million Cups – Kaufman Foundation program RECURRING EVENTS
(see calendar at www.stpete.org for more opportunities and details and any changes in these schedules) Monday, WEdnEsday, ThuRsday & Sunday Yoga Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Monday Art Bites (2d) Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Jazz Jam (1st), Hangar Restaurant Monday, WEdnEsday & FRiday St. Pete Half Century Softball Club, North Shore Park field, 420-8102 TuEsday New Parents Gallery Gathering (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Hoop Dancing and Kids Hoop Dancing, Sunken Gardens, 5513102 Ballroom Dancing, Sunshine Center, 893-7101 WEdnEsday Coffee Talk (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Coffee with a Curator, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Kundalini Yoga, Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Library LEGO Mania (1st), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268 Roll Over and Read (3rd), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268 Paddleboard Social, North Shore Park, 510-1921 WEdnEsday & ThuRsday Story Time for Families, Dali Museum; 823-3767 WEdnEsday & Sunday Docent Tours, Holocaust Museum ThuRsday Specials at Museums, (extended hours and reduced admission) Dali Museum and Museum of Fine Arts Genius Next Door (3rd), Dali Museum; 823-3767
DECEMBER 11 (and JanuaRy 8) How to Research and Write Your Business Plan DECEMBER 12 Social Media DECEMBER 12 How to Do Business with the City DECEMBER 17 Business Start-Up Basics DECEMBER 18 Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Business Owners DECEMBER 19 Establishing a Home-Based Business
Opera @ The Dali (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Our Town: Conversations with St. Pete Mythmakers (last), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Hot Hula, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102 Open Level Vinyasa Flow Vandana, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102 UNCHartED Random Culture, Museum of Fine Arts FRiday Garden Tour Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 St. Pete Shuffle, Shuffleboard Courts, 822-2083 Founders Corner Fresh Market, 431 Southwest Blvd N; 490-9161 Get Downtown Music Series (1st), Central Avenue b/w 2nd-3rd Downtown Lunchtime Walking Tour (1st),Central Avenue at 2nd SatuRday Breakfast with Dali and Families (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Horticulture Workshop Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Super Special Saturday/Family Day (3rd), Museum of Fine Arts; 8962667 Kidding Around Yoga and Yoga & Family (1st and 3rd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667 Arts and Crafts for Families, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Dali & Beyond Film Series, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Take 5 with the Director (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 823-2667 2nd Saturday Art Walks/Gallery Walk (2nd), various downtown locations; 323-ARTS St. Pete Indie Market (1st), 600 Central Avenue Saturday Morning Market, Al Lang Stadium parking lot St. Pete Preservation Walking “Historic” Tour (2nd), 200 block Central Avenue Storytime at the Market (2nd), Al Lang Stadium parking lot Sunday Inspire Yoga at the Dali, Dali Museum, 823-3767
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Page 31
Parks & Recreation, St. Pete Style
by Rick Carson Editor
ow do you enjoy our waterfront spaces along Tampa Bay? Ever give it much thought? In the September issue of this newsletter, HONNA President Jay Marshall drew attention to what is taking place with the waterfront parks which form our neighborhood’s eastern boundary. T he reason for this is that the almost seven miles of contiguous public waterfront stretching from Coffee Pot Park at 30th Avenue NE south to Lassing Park at 20th Avenue SE are being studied as part of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan. Back in 2011, voters passed an amendment to the City Charter mandating the creation of a plan to be adopted by City Council before July 1, 2015, which would be used as an “umbrella” policy and planning document for the future of these seven miles. Panelists from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Washington, D.C., have been engaged by the City to assess the waterfront from all angles – design, marketing, land use, economics. Eight of ULI’s experts shared their initial impressions before City officials, staff and the public on October 5th at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. The panelists were impressed with what they had seen and are optimistic about the waterfront’s future – providing the City takes care going forward to involve public-private partnerships in implementing a comprehensive vision. Realizing the stake The Old NE has in what takes place in its front (or back) yard, the neighborhood association has contributed $1,000 to the private Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation [read more about the Foundation in “In Case You Missed It” in this issue]. Those of us who live so close to this space as I do may take our front yard for granted. Guilty as accused. And, yes, we – especially those of us residing toward the southeastern corner of The Old NE – will continue to curse the “visitors” who overwhelm “our” space, take away “our” parking spots on busy event weekends, subject us to blaring loudspeakers at 6:30am and leave behind their trash in our yards and curbside. OK, so it’s the price we pay for location, location, location. So I thought I’d try to get a better idea how residents and visitors utilize this space -- just enjoying the greenspace, recreational opportunities or taking advantage of the waters off the park land. And over two weekends in early September, I got an eyeful into the many diverse ways in which our nearby waterfront parks and adjacent areas are experienced. I saw just about everything. There were Segway and scooter riders, the usual joggers and walkers (and dog walkers), bicyclists pedaling solo or duo -- plus the large groups of cyclists which launch from 9th and North Shore Drive on Saturday mornings. Fisherman were casting from the seawall and boats as well as wading out from the shore. There were windsurfers, kayakers, swimmers, sunbathers, kite flyers and picnickers. The motivated were getting exercise on the pull up bars on the beach along with the small groups suffering through mini-bootcamp workouts. All sorts of “boarders” were observed – paddlers on the water, skimmers along the shore and skaters on the sidewalks. The tennis courts were filled, and the volleyball “courts” on the beach were getting their regular weekend usage – though strangely quiet on the weekend of September 13 when the big professional beach volleyball tournament was underway over in Vinoy Park. On one Saturday a dozen-plus bunch of moms had gathered under a shade tree near the tennis courts with their kidfilled strollers all lined up alongside. The North Shore Aquatic Complex was its usual active spot with both recreational swimmers and a boisterous swim meet on one Saturday. The North Shore “Kids & Kubs” ball field and dog park are also popular as are the small kids’ playground and climbing rock (and planned fitness zone) near the seawall at the edge of Vinoy Park (and don’t forget the playground at Coffee Pot Park). And for those seeking a respite from the hubbub and heat, the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum provides shade and solitude.
H
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
And this was just on weekends; similar activity takes place on weekdays, only to a lesser extent. You’ll find the Master’s swimmers in the pool before dawn, bootcampers out early as well going through their drills along with Lori Hendry’s “women-only” exercise group (see photo opposite below). Depending on the season, you can watch football or soccer being played in the wide open spaces of the Flora Wylie section of North Shore Park or maybe spot a golfer practicing chip shots (though doing that is posted as illegal). And after a heavy rain, Flora Wylie becomes Flora Wylie Pond, attracting lots of wading birds for birdwatching pleasure as is scouting the rookery just south of the Snell Isle Bridge. Along Coffee Pot Bayou’s seawall and the Venetian steps, manatee-watching is a popular pastime. If it had been spring, you would have seen our French Canadian visitors playing boules (or bocce) on the sand at the north end of the beach. When you consider the various purposes for which Vinoy Park is used – Mainsail Arts Festival, Vans Warped Tour, Florida Orchestra Pops in the Park, Association of Volleyball Professionals Tournament, Ribfest, Blues Festival, International Folk Fair, SPCA Pet Walk -- you’re reaching audiences with tastes and interests which are about as diverse and varied as could be. Then there are the once-a-year events in the Flora Wylie and Elva Rouse sections of North Shore Park such as an Easter Sunrise service, Paws on Parade and the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. Benefit races and walks often wend their way along the edges or through the parks. You may even spot a wedding taking place in the palm arboretum and professional photo shoots being filmed just about anywhere. And thanks to several generous neighbors, we have the Centennial Sundial at Vista Point. HONNA takes advantage of our parks as sites for
the annual Easter Egg Hunt (organized in cooperation with Smith & Associates Real Estate) and the 4th of July Children’s Parade. HONNA also utilized the space in 2011 when the association hosted National Night Out (recognizing our citywide community-police partnership) and threw the Centennial Picnic (celebrating The Old NE’s 100 years as a neighborhood). When you consider the Vinoy Marina, Spa Beach, Straub Park, Demen’s Landing and Whitted Park there’s even more to enjoy nearer downtown. And the front row seats the parks provide for the numerous fireworks displays are another nice benefit from living in The Old NE. Plus, if you aren’t interested in doing anything “active” to enjoy the waterfront you can have a good time just sitting on a bench or the grass to people-watch. If you have thoughts on how the waterfront should – or should not – look, let your voice be heard. To read more about the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan and how you can share your opinions about the waterfront’s future, go to http://www. stpete.org/downtown_waterfront_master_plan/. So let’s do our part to insure that these parks and bay shore areas we value so highly now can become even better for those who follow us here in our neighborhood we call “St. Pete’s jewel on Tampa Bay.”
A version of this article appeared in the November/December issue of The Northeast Journal. According to the City, by its deadline date it had received a total of 13 Downtown Waterfront Master Plan submissions “ from a diverse and
exceptionally talented group of respondents.” These submissions are available for viewing online at http://www.stpete.org/downtown_ waterfront_master_plan/documents. asp.
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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Plant Rant
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
by Flora Adorer
lora has been walking the neighborhood streets and alleys with her canine companion, “Sniff.”. We’ve discovered all kinds of interesting landscapes, plants and outdoor décor on our adventures – so varied, in fact, that Flora calls it The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of The Old Northeast! Starting with good sightings…the new landscape at the “Wedding Cake” house at the northeast corner of Beach Drive and 13th Avenue NE. Once a barren eyesore around this grand house, which has been renovated, the yard is filled with colorful specimen trees, shrubs and perennial flowers. Thank you to the new owners for improving our neighborhood’s curb appeal.
F
man on Oak Street NE who even took Flora on an impromptu tour of his delightful garden and koi pond, she’s still in awe! Now for the bad. Flora knows alleys are for parking and trash removal, but couldn’t we at least make an effort to keep our backsides tidy? If you’re going to grow plants there, at least stick with low maintenance ones. Flora has seen lovely beds of aloe, motherin-law tongue (Sansevieria), jasmine, blanket flower (gaillardia) and succulents. Or don’t grow anything. And, honestly, can’t we please pick up our trash that doesn’t land in the huge can? Here’s a radical idea – have a neighborhood alley clean-up day! (Or are you too embarrassed because you threw your old mattress and boxspring back there -- you know who you are on 15th Avenue NE!) Cactus and thorny plants next to our sidewalks are bad! They are also prohibited by the City when planted in the right-of-way or within two feet of the sidewalk. If you’ve got a Spanish Bayonet, Century plant, Bougainvillea or cactus where it shouldn’t be, consider yourself warned! And a big ouch to the house with huge Century plants in the median where, unfortunately, “Sniff” tried to snag a dropped candy the day after Halloween. Now for Flora’s Number 1 ugly of the neighborhood -- rust stains on houses, walkways, fences and outdoor furniture! The stains are caused by iron in well water used for irrigation. When iron is exposed to the air, it rusts. You can prevent ugly staining by adjusting your sprinkler heads so they aren’t “over spraying” onto structures – that includes parked cars. There are several inexpensive spray-on products that will remove rust stains, including Rust-Aid and No-Rust, which you’ll find at the hardware store. There’s even a tank that connects to your well pump that adds rust preventer every time you water. Sure seems like there’s more good to our neighborhood than bad, especially with the holidays here and so many homes decorated for the season. The Historic Old Northeast is known as one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the City thanks to the efforts we all make. Happy Holidays from Flora and “Sniff.
Flora Adorer is the nom de bloom of an Old NE resident with extensive knowledge about plants and vegetation. Let Flora know about your garden and send a photo, too. E-mail her at [email protected]. ‘Til next time, happy gardening!
Another goodie is the little “free library” in the front yard of the Locke (Tracey and Kenny) home on the northeast corner of 15th Avenue and Locust Street NE. Painted the same color as the house, the cute box full of books invites neighbors to take a book, return a book. Flora discovered this lending library idea is an international effort with 15,000 little free libraries in 55 countries. So glad our neighborhood has one! (visit littlefreelibrary.org for info). Nice people who garden also make the good list. Flora has stopped to chat with neighbors working in their front yards, many of whom have offered up plant cuttings and gardening tips. To the nice gentle-
Whitefly Alert!
atch out for Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, a new pest to our area that infects white bird of paradise, gumbo limbo tree, coconut palm and even live oak. The undersides of leaves will be covered in a white waxy material and the tops of leaves will have black sooty mold. The whiteflies feed on plant sap, excrete a sticky substance that the mold grows on and can block sunlight. The Pinellas County Extension Service suggests several treatments. On small plants you can remove sooty mold by hand with water and/or spray horticultural oil on all leaf surfaces. For larger plants apply systemic treatment to the soil with an insecticide such as Merit, Bayer’s Advanced or Safari (available at garden centers). Here’s a helpful link: http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/ Rugose.pdf . Thanks to neighbor Kathi Harris for the heads-up.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
T H E M A LO WA N Y G R O U P
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All Neighborhood Holiday Party Monday, December 16, at 6:30pm (see p.1)
All residents welcome
Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 76324 St. Petersburg, FL 33734
www.honna.org Prsrt Std U.S. PostaGe Paid St. PetersburG FL Permit #1020
In this issue • North Ward School Property • Candelight Tour of Homes • What’s Our “Walk Score”? • Anser Lady & Pet Peeves • Pops in The Park • Whitefly Alert! • Lots To Do (see On the Docket)
... and more!
“Oh, There’s NO Place Like Old Northeast for the Holidays.”
Julie Jones
Kathryn Krayer Zimring
If you’re ready to buy or sell real estate in St. Pete… It’s Good to Know JJ and the Z
727-344-9191 [email protected] www.JJandtheZ.com
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
201 2nd Ave. North St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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Unchain Yourself!.................................5 Halloween Fun......................................9 The Power of 1....................................10 Preserving Old NE Character..............18 Parks & Rec., St. Pete Style................32 Plant Rant............................................34
Celebrating 100 Years of Community 1911-2011
St. Pete’s Jewel on Tampa Bay
Volume 42 Issue 4 / December 2013 / www.honna.org Published Quarterly
Candlelight Tour of Homes
Time for the Big Show!
by Bonnie Bailey Chair, Candlelight Tour Committee
fter a yearlong wait, the holiday season begins on Sunday, December 8 with the 16th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes in our Old Northeast neighborhood from 3-8pm. Don you festive apparel, ring the bells and invite your neighbors -- especially new neighbors -- to join you and your family for this lovely holiday tradition. There will be eight distinctive homes on the Tour, each decorated seasonally and with music playing throughout. Advance tickets for the Tour may be purchased for $20 online at www.HONNA.org or at one of the many local area ticket outlets listed online. On the day of the event, you must go to Westminster Palm View, 939 Beach Drive NE (entrance on 10th Avenue), to get your Tour booklet with a locator map of the eight homes. Tickets can also be purchased at that time for $25 (check or cash only). For your convenience, two free trolleys will be available, looping their way through the neighborhood
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to escort you to the homes. The Candlelight Tour is the largest event and fundraiser for your neighborhood association. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Goodwill’s BookWorks, a pre-school literacy program for at-risk kids in Head Start and other low income schools, and the Family Residency Program of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. HONNA is always looking for more volunteers; if you are interested please go to HONNA.org or call 727/269-5521.
The North Ward School: Annual Old NE Holiday Party
What is That Building with the Chain Link Fence Around It?
Take some time out from the holiday rush to join neighbor friends – old and new – and catch up on all that’s going on. Pizza, salad and dessert for $5 per person (cash bar). You’re asked to bring an unwrapped toy or book for a child or young teen which will be donated to Toys 4 Tots. Thanks to The Old NE Tavern for their hospitality.
Monday, December 16 Old Northeast Tavern 201 7th Avenue N 6:30-9pm
by Robin Reed orth Ward is the oldest school in St. Petersburg, celebrating its 100th anniversary this coming year. Built in 1914, it was one of four schools constructed to advance public education in the early days of our City’s history -- so early in fact that at the time of its construction it was described as being located “just north of the city limits.” The design of the building exemplifies early school architecture in St. Petersburg. An impressive entry hall with a wide divided staircase leads to the second floor. The large rooms are spacious and bright with over-sized, paired windows. An exceptional bond existed between the school and the community from its very first days. The teaching of supervised art was first promoted by the PTA at North Ward School. Students were involved with parades, puppet shows, an annual carnival, sports and essay HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS Page15 1 continued on page
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Jay Marshall
Association President
Let’s Get Involved
am going to conclude my writing “The President’s Perspective” with the way that I started – just so thankful for living here in The Historic Old Northeast neighborhood and so very appreciative of all the residents who contribute to our quality of life. Please read the article that Rick Carson, our newsletter editor, writes found on page 32 (it also appeared in the November/ December issue of The Northeast Journal). Rick really captures it all about where we live and what a treasure The ONE is. So the challenge before us is not to carve out a special place for us to live, work and play. That has already been done for us. The focus is to preserve it. And that takes energy and community commitment -- whether you are just passing through the neighborhood as part of your career path or planning to stay awhile and set down roots. One of the great things about joining the Board of Directors
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is being more aware of what it takes to make this neighborhood special. I have to admit I joined the Board not to chase windmills or foster an agenda. It was really out of curiosity -- thought I would show up at meetings to learn about what makes HONNA tick and why we do things the way we do. It could be a great way to meet people, understand the issues and generally get a sense of what this ‘hood is all about. What I did not count on learning was just how generous folks are with their time and talents to make things happen. If one considers the number and breadth of activities that go on all year round, it is truly awesome. I hope everyone gets involved in some way to keep our community spirit alive. In fact, one of the highlights of our neighborhood is coming – the 16th Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. This event attracts many of our residents to help plan for the big day, get advertisers to support us, arrange with homeowners to serve as Tour homes (we are so grateful to those homeowners), enlist volunteers to “docent” the Tour homes and greet the crowds who look on this occasion as their big holiday outing. Everyone in our community should plan to experience the Tour, scheduled for Sunday, December 8. Tickets are easy to get, either at the retail stores or on the HONNA website (www.honna.org). Support your neighborhood by spending a wonderful afternoon and evening visiting some great homes that reflect the character and ambience of where you call home.
The Newsletter of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association
Published quarterly – March, June, September and December and mailed to all households in The Old Northeast P.O. Box 76324, St. Petersburg, FL 33734 e-mail [email protected]
But your neighborhood association is not just about promoting porch parties, pot lucks and picnics: there is business to be done. For example, we all know that 4 th Street is always going Networking * Education * Community Involvemen through commercial transformation -- Smith and Associates Mike Dailey Sue Strott Barbara Marshall Courtney Ellis recently inaugurated its new St. Pete real estate office at 11 th Jill McGrath held on the 2nd Wednesday of every m Sara Wolski Hopkins Monthly meetings Avenue; a new medical building will be coming on the corner th th at 7 Avenue; and a new Trader Joe’s coming between 27 and Circulation Joe O’Connor, Larry Smith & Steve Urgo 28th Avenues. But what we and often get overlook is at the corner of Learn more involved! Contributors All our Old Northeast neighbors th 11 Avenue and has been there since 1914 – the North Ward Newsletter Layout & Design Sharon Bond: [email protected] School. Nearly a century old, this is the oldest schoolhouse in AdVertisinG Information: Sue Strott Visit us served online at; St. Petersburg. This building the children and parents www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html at the time our neighborhood was developing and growing. This historic structure is a reflection of what makes The HisAd Rates www.4thStreetBusinesAssociation.com toric Old Northeast unique and why your association wants 1 Qtr 2 Qtrs 3Qtrs 1Year Ad SiZe to preserve its special place in our history and character. Business card 50 93 128 160 Unfortunately, the Pinellas County School Board has listed 1/4 page (H 4.9” x w 3.7”) 100 186 256 320 the building for sale. HONNA has already requested the City, 1/2 page (H 4.9” x w 7.8”) 200 372 512 640 in cooperation the Pinellas County Schools,of to designate Good for 50% discount to Stwith Petersburg Chamber Commerc Full page 400 744 1024 1280 the school as a historic landmark. We hope you will support Back Cover 1/2 page 1400 this great cause. more about North Ward School on (available to[Read qualified new member only) page 1 of this issue.] *Inserts and Premium Placement: Rates Upon Request *Preprinted inserts that you provide are delivered within the newsletter. Due Expires 9/30/2012 I thank you for allowing me to be your President for the last two to delivery restrictions, inserts are available on a limited basis. years. And I thank all of you who have stepped up to the plate to The newsletter quarterly publication dates are March, June, September, and December. The deadline for accepting new ads and ad changes is three weeks prior to make this year the best ever. A new President will be elected in the publication month. The next deadline is February 7th. Payment for new ads should December by the new Board of Directors. I know he or she will be submitted at the same time that the ad layout is provided and should be addressed carry us to the next level. Be a part of this next level and consider to “HONNA Advertising.” The newsletter is distributed by mail to all homes in The Old Northeast (boundaries are 5th Ave N to 30th Ave N, and 4th St N to North Shore Dr/Cofjoining HONNA and serving your neighbors through its commitfee Pot Bayou Blvd). There are approximately 2,500 active home mailing addresses. tees and the many activities, events and programs we have available Contact Sue Strott: www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html throughout the year. Ad space is limited so please make arrangements early.
Editor Rick Carson Columnists and Reporters
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Association News & Activities
The September quarterly neighborhood meeting at Westminster Church featured an e-z pot luck with HONNA providing the food and refreshments – thanks to the delicacies created by neighbor and executive chef/caterer Rita Fabula (R in photo). Police Chief Chuck Harmon (center) paid a visit to share his thoughts about policing models for the City and how the changing nature of crime is requiring local police agencies to work more closely with their Federal, state and county counterparts. Officer Jason Deary provided an overview of crime in The Old NE during the previous four months, reporting that there had been about 40 auto burglaries (and, as usual, most often of unlocked cars) and only a few residential burglaries. He took questions from the audience about alarm systems, the importance of keeping shrubs alongside the house trimmed so as to not block windows (and make it easy for burglars) and how the department works with pawn shops to retrieve stolen goods. Earlier in the evening Office Ray Merritt (above) was available outside the church to register residents’ bikes, and about 15 people took advantage of this opportunity to obtain some additional security for their bikes.
Traffic/Parking
Ron Magray, Chair New Crosswalk for 4th Street…The FDOT and the St. Pete DOT are collaborating for the construction of a new crosswalk on 4th Street in the vicinity of 15th Avenue N. The impetus for the crosswalk came from a group of Crescent Lake neighborhood residents, spearheaded by Vanessa Wheeler. When we (HONNA) became aware of the efforts of the Crescent Lake group, the HONNA Board immediately agreed to lend our support.
The FDOT is seriously evaluating how to improve pedestrian safety in our state and will use this project as a test site. Once the project is installed, usage will be monitored to help with the practicability of future sites. 4th Street has become a pedestrian barrier. In our entire stretch of neighborhood from 5th Avenue to 30th Avenue there are only five places where a pedestrian can safely cross 4th Street. This crosswalk, approximately mid-way in our neighborhood, will provide on-foot access to another neighborhood, a park and -- in the big picture -- our sustainability.
Larry Smith, Chair New/Renewing Members and Membership Database…. Welcome again to all the 128 new members who have joined HONNA so far in 2013, and thanks to all existing members who have renewed their membership this year. Currently, we have 294 active members, but with over 2,500 residences in The Old NE we should have many, many more. We did a membership renewal mailing in October this year to try and beat the year-end rush. If you haven’t renewed, you can now renew online through our website, HONNA.org. In late January we will be doing another renewal mailing and then conducting our Yard Sale membership drive in early March. Please use these opportunities to support your neighborhood and join HONNA. We have worked hard this year to upgrade our membership database with the help of neighbors Steve Urgo, Joe O’Connor and our Treasurer, Ann Caviness. With the HONNA Board reduced in size in 2013, next year we are going to be putting a major emphasis on growing our different HONNA committees. We will be encouraging the committees to meet regularly in order to continue to support the different activities and events that HONNA sponsors throughout the year. If you have expressed an interest, you will
Membership
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be contacted next year. If you have an interest in helping with the membership recruitment, volunteer coordination, Porch Parties, New Resident Meet & Greets or with any of our other HONNA committees, please contact me at [email protected]. Porch Parties….As we finish another successful year of HONNA Porch Parties, we want to give a big “Thank You” to all the individuals who made these Friday evening events such a success. Those who opened up their porches this year included: Don Culpepper and Dino Cappelli, Neverne Covington and Don Strobel, Charlotte Cabrol and Amy Johnson, Bennett and Ashleigh Smith (with help from Betty Smith and me), MJ and Jerry Robinson, Steve May and Andy Bauer, Steve Deal and Frank Hay, and Warren and Linda Roeifler-Alessi. In addition, we had two special Porch Parties: a “Back to School Family Porch Party” at Great Explorations and Sunken Gardens. Thanks to HONNA VP Peter Motzenbecker, who initiated a conversation with Lisa Negrini, CEO of Great Ex, and Lauren Kleinfeld, manager of Sunken Gardens. Their great support made this event a most enjoyable evening. ccording to Walk Score, a company that ranks the most walkable geographic areas in the country, The Historic Old Northeast is the eighth most walkable neighborhood in St. Petersburg. The ranking is created by an algorithm that awards points for ability to walk, bicycle or use transit to various amenities (such as shopping, businesses, parks and schools). Downtown is the #1 walkable area. Other neighborhoods in the top 10 include Uptown, Crescent Heights and Crescent Lake. (www.walkscore.com)
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Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association
OFFICERS and BOARD
President....................................... Jay Marshall Vice President................... Peter Motzenbecker Treasurer.....................................Ann Caviness Secretary............................... Donna Guillaume Board Kristi Alexander Chad Boyd Rick Carson Mary Alice Lange Ron Magray Larry Smith
And, to close out the year, Old Northeast resident Don Howe, with the Museum of Fine Arts, invited HONNA to enjoy an evening on MFA’s colonnade, with wine, hors d’oeuvres and free admission to their newly renovated galleries. Special thanks to Bailey Nicholas for coordinating the event. Several volunteers who stepped up this year to help with greeting Porch Party guests included Barry Avedon, David Morris, John Hockensmith and Paul Kreigler. Finally, The Old Northeast will miss Bob and Jeanne Hunter, who moved south to Lakewood Ranch. As one of the original founders of HONNA Porch Parties over ten years ago, Bob was always willing to help find “porches” and to send out “original” Porch Party e-blasts. Bob and Jeanne have a standing invitation to return for any and all future Porch Parties! Our goal is to hold Porch Parties in all parts of the neighborhood. We hope it’s a way for “old“ neighbors and new neighbors to get to know one another. Currently we have five months for 2014 that have not yet been booked. If you have an interest in hosting, we have the third Friday of March, April, June, September and November open. Please contact me at [email protected] to book your month. New Resident Meet & Greet Events….In an effort to reach out to our new residents, we held three “Meet & Greet” events on the last Monday evening of March, June and September at local eateries --the Old Northeast Tavern, Melting Pot and Three Birds. At several of the events we had standing-room only crowds, so we plan to continue them in 2014. If you are new to the neighborhood or would like to bring a new resident or welcome our new residents, please be on the lookout for the dates of these events next year.
To contact an officer or Board member via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/ volunteer/ where you can click on the name of the office/person you wish to contact and send him/her a message. HONNA Board meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church and are open to the public. Check beforehand with the Board president in case the meeting day has been re-scheduled.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Unchain Yourself!
by Peter Motzenbecker
t. Petersburg and The Old Northeast are home to many fine local and national chain stores like Publix, CVS, Lowe’s, Panera Bread, Starbucks and many more. They are important members of our community. We depend on them for their fine products and services as well as the many jobs they create and the tax revenue they generate for our City. But when was the last time you went out to dinner at a locally owned restaurant or shopped in a locally owned business? If you live in The Old Northeast or anywhere in the St. Petersburg area, there is a pretty good chance that you have done so recently and possibly even today. While “local small business” is typically not the first thing we think about when we head out the door to shop or consume, maybe it should at least cross our minds. We pass by these hard working entrepreneurs daily. They advertise in our local publications (like the one you are reading right now!). They live, work, play, employ and strive to make a positive impact on our community. And they risk: locally owned businesses are bold ventures. They are big investments fueled by a passion to make dreams come true, and they help make our existence a little more special than it otherwise might be. They deserve a special place in our hearts: they are our friends and neighbors, they add that extra unique element to the experience of living in our community. Out of habit, we sometimes forget that these great little businesses are here. The big chain stores dominate major street corners and advertise constantly via print, radio and television in a way our local small businesses can’t. So while it is easy to see how we can forget about that little craft store down the street, the baker around the corner, the dress shop downtown or the coffee shop next to the office, etc., we owe it to ourselves to not let that happen. We owe it to ourselves, our community and our local entrepreneurs to remember! You could go through an entire day in St. Petersburg by way of local independent business. You could start your day with locally roasted and brewed coffee at one of a number of local coffee shops. You could have lunch at a locally owned deli or restaurant. You could work out in a locally owned gym. You could grab some potting soil or potted plants at a local nursery. You could enjoy a cold, locally brewed craft beer in a locally owned and operated pub. And you could have dinner in any number of locally owned restaurants. The list could go on and on. The point of this is not to say that all you should do is shop and do business with local small businesses. It isn’t necessary or even practical. By all means, order a pizza from Pizza Hut or Domino’s if you must, but don’t forget Old Northeast Pizza, Valentino’s, Flippers, Joey Brooklyn’s, Tour de Pizza or the many other locally owned purveyors of fine pizza. Love Starbucks? I do, too. But I love Kahwa Coffee as much. Think about the businesses you frequent every day and ask yourself if there is a locally owned counterpart you haven’t tried yet. A good bagel? I love Einstein Brother’s and Panera Bread, but how about St. Pete Bagel? St. Pete Bagel is locally owned and operated and has been in business in St. Petersburg since 1987. If I say “hamburger,” most people think McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s. But how about Harvey’s, El Cap, or Chattaway, just to name three? If you think about it hard enough, there is almost nothing you do as a consumer that you can’t do with a locally owned and operated small business. Of course there are exceptions. There are cases where it is very difficult. But it is possible. And that brings me to the “Unchained Weekend” challenge. Start on a Friday night and try to spend your entire weekend without going into a major chain store. Let your mind run with that. It won’t be easy, but you can do it. What is easy? How about an unchained date, or an unchained meal, or an unchained gift for a wedding or a birthday present. Think businesses along the 4th Street Garden District section, Central Avenue and along and off Beach Drive and even within your own neighborhood. Thinking “unchained” is not to say that we don’t love, need and appreciate our favorite chain stores, restaurants and businesses. But don’t forget the small business owners who have risked it all to help make the wonderful experience of living in St. Petersburg and The Old Northeast all that it is.
Peter served as Vice President of the HONNA Board.from 2012-2013.
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Volunteer with one of our committees!
Your volunteer involvement in one of our committees will help enhance your neighborhood and our association. Please contact any committee chair for information.
Like our neighborhood? Want to make it even better?
New Members
Stephanie Adair...............................................................1040 Locust Street NE Sarah & Anthony Albert...................................................... 110 20th Avenue NE Jerry Alaimo & Diane Zacharias...........................................555 5th Avenue NE Nadine Appelt & Mathias Mey............................................506 16th Avenue NE Leah Campen.................................................................2402 Brevard Road NE Donna Davies & David Lintz................................................ 415 17th Avenue NE Ralph & Kate DeMarco.......................................................636 18th Avenue NE Rita Fabula & Tracey Reed..................................................235 8th Avenue NE Chuck & Susan Faris..........................................................106 23rd Avenue NE Beatrice & Judith French......................................2514 Coffee Pot Boulevard NE Ann Goldman.....................................................................251 15th Avenue NE Patrick Hamilton...............................................................115 7th Avenue N #10 Hillary Hart..........................................................................130 27th Avenue NE Neil Joseph.......................................................1012 North Shore Drive NE #35 Jaclyn Lopez & Adam Lessey...............................................205 11th Avenue N Adam & Nikki Nate.............................................................235 15th Avenue NE Istvan & Jennell Peteranecz............................................... 455 21st Avenue NE Lonnie & Jennifer Orns......................................................... 319 10th Avenue N
Communications Anna Costello & Rick Carson Newsletter Rick Carson Programs Chad Boyd Neighborhood Planning Mary Alice Lange Neighborhood/Historic Preservation Peter Motzenbecker & Kristi Alexander Membership Larry Smith Public Safety Peter Motzenbecker Traffic/Parking Ron Magray
where you can click on the name of the person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.
honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/
To contact a chair via e-mail, go to
Read the newsletter in full on our website at honna.org/newsletter
C OL O R
...and remember to tell them that you saw their ad here.
Please Support Our AdVertisers
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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Dear Neighbors, We are the owners of Boaters Republic, which we opened last April because we love boating and saw the need for a great boat supply/fishing supply store in this area. The small business culture that 4th street has developed into is something we really value, and we are doing our part to improve how 4th Street looks. Boaters Republic is an upscale store that carries Yeti coolers, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Olukai sandals, Pelagic gear and much more. Our boat supply inventory is extensive as is our ever-growing fishing section. Between our store and our warehouses, we have well over 20,000 products ready to help you get your boat running or updated with the latest technology. If you haven’t made it into our store, we invite you to stop by and check us out -- we are open 7 days a week and would love to see you. We know that you have a lot of choices when it comes to your boat supply/fishing needs, and we really appreciate you giving us the chance to earn your business. Here are “before-and-after” pictures of our little bit to help improve 4th Street. Have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year! Mark and Michelle Thomas Owners, Boaters Republic
After Before
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
A DELIGHTFULLY HORRORIFIC
nce again The Historic Old Northeast was the place to be on Halloween night to enjoy the weird, wacky and wonderful creativity of homeowners who went all-out to decorate their homes and make treat-or-treating a real treat. A guestimate of the number of children going door-to-door on 17th Avenue between Cherry and Locust Streets was put at 3,000. Several homes were singled out for special recognition for their creative decorations by a team of volunteer “judges” which included Cynthia Serra (on behalf of Smith and Associates Real Estate), Kathi Harris, Alice Tinney and Anne-Marie Stephenson along with several witches from Smith and Associates and their children.
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1st Place
• First place kudos went to 206 11th Avenue NE, which had a theme 2nd of “Til Death Do Us Part, combining various skeletons on the front Place porch with a “deadly” SUV curbside. • The second place nod went to 112 16th Avenue N, for its field of pumpkins (handmade by the homeowner) and gravestones – all especially eerie at night. • The “cocoon people” at 425 18th Avenue NE wrapped up third place for just hanging around. • There were honorable mentions for 456 18th Avenue NE, 236 14th Avenue NE, 436 19th Avenue NE, 400 20th Avenue NE and 436 20th Avenue NE. To assist residents and visitors from outside the neighborhood in finding some of the more interesting house decorations, more than four dozen homes and blocks were singled out for special notice by Susie McGarry, Anna Costello and Mary Alice Lange, who drove up-and-down our streets to make note of deserving efforts. This list was then posted on the HONNA website a few days in advance of Halloween. Homes and blocks were identified on the listing with helpful descriptions like “spiders, spiders everywhere,” “ghosts, goblins lights, howling,” “orange, scary and bright” “ghost pirate ship and scary” and “huge graveyards.” Special thanks to those neighbors who joined with other neighbors on their streets to present block-wide visual extravaganzas. This included 14th Avenue NE from Locust to Poplar, the 400 and 500 blocks of 14th and 15th Avenues NE, 100 block of 16th Avenue N, 400 block of 17th Avenue NE, 500 block of 18th Avenue NE, 700 block of 18th Avenue NE, 500 block of 19th Avenue NE, 400 block of 20th Avenue NE and 300 block of 21st Avenue NE.
3rd Place
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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The Power of
This article is the third in an occasional series entitled “The Power of One.” Featured are residents of The Historic Old Northeast who are making a difference — be it major or modest, creating change, defining a vision, saying “We can” when others say “It can’t be done,” planting a seed — in the community. Know someone we should consider profiling? Send us an e-mail at [email protected].
1
Beyond Fitness, Finding Recovery
by Sara Wolski Hopkins
s the holiday season draws near, so do visions of sugar plums, cookies, pies, cakes and too-tight pants. For the annual cycle of weight loss, hitting the gym and New Year’s resolutions this year, why not try something different? St. Petersburg native and Old NE resident Tom Hutcherson has been a personal trainer and fitness coach for 13 years. In his training methodology, he focuses on strength, speed, flexibility and conditioning. As he puts it, “Strength is key because whatever your age or circumstances, our muscles get weaker and atrophy very fast when we don’t use them. It’s the ‘use it or lose it’ mentality. Speed is key also because as we age we get slower, especially if we don’t intentionally move fast. Flexibility, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects to training. Most people sit all day and create muscular imbalances that make them inflexible. Conditioning is key for everyone. Having a healthy circulatory and aerobic system is vital for overall health and wellness and definitely a prerequisite for athletes of all sports.” It all sounds straightforward enough. But consider those parameters and this fact: he never uses the same workout twice. “My program is always changing to accommodate new knowledge gained and what works well with clients and what doesn’t,” he says simply. The range of customization and creativity that goes into each individual training session is not only impressive – it’s fun! He practices what he preaches, as do his clients. Those of us who have been to the gym and seen the personal trainers there may have had the passing thought that their physiques were a bit out of the attainable range for everyone else. Not so for Tom’s clients: they see results. “I really see myself more
A
as a Health and Fitness Lifestyle Coach,” Tom says. “I’m all about helping people reach their goals. Ninety percent of people who work out want to lose body fat, and 100 percent want some type of body composition change, whether better muscles or less fat. So my main task as a trainer is to help them reach those goals. My distinction is that I help people integrate healthy habits into their lives to accomplish goals. Nutrition is key in this, and helping people weed through all the information – and misinformation – out there is something I focus on as well. Body fat is gained and lost primarily through nutrition, not exercise, so this is integral in helping people attain their goals for their body and health.” Tom has gone beyond the call of personal training duty several times for his clients, and the results he’s helped them achieve have been far more impactful than shedding a few pounds. He told me the story of a young Old Northeast resident who had struggled with addiction and gained over 100 pounds over the years, never quite seeming to overcome the destructive cycle – until she began working with Tom. She has since lost all of that weight and has been clean and sober for years, sustainably. Tom says of her journey, “It wasn’t easy by any means, but she had the will and determination to reach her goals, and it was an honor helping her do that.” Tom has also helped young athletes accomplish their goals, transforming what may have been the last picked team member into the star player. He worked with a 14-year-old neighbor to prepare him for football and track. Tom says, “We got him stronger and faster, and he went from a scrawny kid to a lean athletic machine. He ended up going to the state finals for the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints. He is now a college football and track athlete up in Minnesota. I couldn’t be more proud of him for all the hard work and dedication he put it.” Tom’s clients range in age from seven to 70. He coaches people with chronic illnesses, cancer survivors, new mothers, athletes and non-athletes recovering from injuries and everyone in-between. To best accommodate his clients’ often hectic schedules, he maintains a centralized training studio in The Old Northeast as well as conducting training sessions at North Shore Park on occasion and even in clients’ homes. His clients come first: from finding the right workout location, the right budget and, most importantly, the right fitness solution. In the few hours Tom spends not working with clients, he stays active in the community. You can often find him playing beach volleyball and tennis, working with youth and volunteering at his church. His passions are boundless, and his priorities are clear. “I just fell in love with fitness and working with people,” Tom says. “Helping people is a big passion of mine, as are health and fitness, so this is a perfect combination for me as far as a career.” His success is evident when one looks at his clients: the young athletes bursting with excitement to tell him about their latest wins, the beaming young moms, the active adults who look and feel ten years younger. Most importantly, equipping each of his clients to lead sustainably healthy lives – that’s a job well done.
You can learn more about Tom online at stpetestrength.com.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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Page 11
Over The Back Fence
by
…is a collection of what we’ve heard exchanged in the aisles of the supermarkets, shared waiting in line to pick up the kids from school, read in the papers, overheard in the pew behind us in church and, yes, even passed over the back fence. If you have something you’d like to share about a special recognition, award received, birth, graduation, gooddeed-done or observation around the neighborhood please pass it along to the Editor. “Over the Back Fence” is only going to be interesting if we hear from you!
S
and
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A Growing USF/St. Pete….Dr. Sophia Wisniewska, Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida/St. Petersburg and a new Old NE neighbor, discussed her vision for the school on “University Beat,” aired on WUSF-FM on September 10.
Food Fight!!....Passersby North Shore Park in early October may have been puzzled to see a “kitchen” set up in the park amidst all sorts of filming equipment. What was happening was an An-
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thony Sullivan Productions infomercial being taped, involving a bunch of kids in a “food fight.” Not too long ago observers might have noticed a clothes line with laundry being filmed for an ad. Just more evidence that there’s no end to what our parks can be used for. Navigating Our Streets During Storms….Quite the storm on Friday afternoon, September 13. Dumped 1”+ of rain in a very short time period, causing many of our streets to become waterover-the-hubcap creeks. Takes living in the ‘hood awhile for drivers to know which streets to avoid when we experience such downpours. Fortunately the deluge in the greater Tampa Bay area a couple days later on Sunday afternoon spared us a similar fate. Gotcha!....Police were out in late October and early November on Beach Drive NE with hand-held radar guns (similar to photo) catching speeders along the popular route into downtown St. Pete and connection to 5th Avenue NE and the Interstate. Word has it that residents on Snell Isle had been complaining about speeding motorists in the neighborhood, many of whom then end up traversing Beach Drive to join up with Old NE residents. Pricey Digs….According to St. Pete PATCH (posted on October 15), an analysis based on 2011 records finds that 5.2% of the homes in The Old NE from 5th Avenue N/NE to 13th Avenue N/ NE were valued at $1 million or more (this section of The Old NE includes the Vinoy condos). For the section of the neighborhood from 13th to 22nd Avenues N/NE, the figure is 1.7%. The portion of the neighborhood from 22nd Avenue to 30th Avenue N/NE was contained in a larger section that goes up to 38th Avenue and over to MLK Street N so it is not exclusively The Old NE; the figure for this area is 1.9%. First Flight….To commemorate the first commercial air flight in the U.S., which took place on January 1, 1914 -- from downtown St. Pete to Tampa -- a reenactment of the world’s first airline’s flight will take place on January 1 at 10am. Plans are to have a full-scale replica of the original Benoist Airboat Bi-plane fly across the Bay. Me Encanta St. Pete….Neighbor Joe O’Connor made it on TV recently, and unless you are in the habit of watching Univision (the American Spanish language TV network, which is channel 7 on Brighthouse cable) you didn’t catch it. Joe was jogging around the Pier the day after the Lens was voted down in the referendum, and a Univision reporter interviewed him on-camera. His voice was overdubbed in Spanish and his Spanish is poor enough that he’s not sure how his words were translated. “OK, We’ll Do It Ourselves!”….Granada Terrace neighbors
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
masters, one of the Toastmasters International organizations in the county, meets every second and fourth Friday of the month from 7-8:30pm at First Unity (46th Avenue and 4th Street). Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. For more information, contact Brenda Bouchey at [email protected]. A Foodie Desert?....St. Petersburg seems to find itself at or near the top of both “best” and “worst” fill-in-the-blank categories of late. A real estate blog – Movoto Real Estate – has placed St. Petersburg number seven on its list of “The 10 Worst Cities in America for Food Lovers.” The criteria involved such things as numbers of restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, ice cream and roots had clogged the pipes and caused candy shops, food and wine festivals, caterers the urn to fill with water (and thereby and gourmet grocery marts. Hmmm, seems Over The Back Fence is a killing the shrub). Residents were told by we’re doing pretty well of late in many of the City that the maintenance of the urn those categories – it’s just getting better and was the neighborhood’s responsibility. better. At about the same time a travel website So a few Good Neighbors took on the named the “Top 25 Beaches in the U.S.” and StEP oN UP project, completely cleaning out the urn Pinellas did well with #4 (Fort DeSoto), #12 (which had been repainted by neighbors a and (Caladesi Island State Park), #15 (Pass-acouple years ago), opening up the clogged Grille) and #18 (Clearwater Beach). [source: drainage hole, placing stones in its bottom LEt’s HEAR Tampa Bay Times, 9/8] for better drainage, filling it with dirt and fRoM YoU Have You Found “The Sweet Spot”?.... adding the new plant, which will be cared Chad and Jennifer Boyd from 16th Avenue NE for by Dorothy Richardson. Thanks to (he’s on the HONNA e-mail: [email protected] these neighbors and others who take it Board) are bringing upon themselves to provide needed TLC in a new sweets to medians and similar public spaces that shop cafe to the neighborhood. It’s welcome our attention. like an ice cream shop, coffee shop World of Weighty Words….A new Great Decisions discussion and candy shop all rolled into group is forming in The Old NE. Great Decisions is America’s one! Shaved ice, smoothies, largest discussion program on world affairs and is part of the Forpastries, chocolates and Hong eign Policy Association. The local group will meet once a month Kong egg waffles too! Hint... for eight months, it’s near a Sunken Garden. beginning in January. Each meeting will discuss a specific foreign policy topic, outlined in the workbook that each member will read beGreat Last Minute fore each meeting. The Great Decisions website, which outlines the topics to be addressed and describes the workbook, is www. Holiday Gifts fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_main. The group will meet on • Educational and fun stocking stuffer Wednesday evenings. If you are interested, please e-mail Old NE for the kids neighbor Ann Albert at [email protected] • Terrific hostess/host gift for those She’s Baaaack!....Former HONNA Board member and current holiday parties HONNA webmaster Anna Costello, who moved to Denver last Get your award-winning Souvenir of St. Petersyear, has come to her senses and returned to The Old NE where burg: Views from the Vinoy book about the City of she belongs. She’s still working for the same Denver-based comSt. Petersburg and The Historic Old Northeast for pany, Adpay, and doing marketing and client development. It’s only $16 (including tax) at the following locations: great having her back! Renaissance Vinoy Coffee Shop, Sunken Gardens Looking Good….The new owners of the four-plex at the corner (4th Street), Haslam’s of Beach Drive NE and 12th Avenue are doing a great job spiffBook Store (Central Aving up the property – visible from the enue) and Marion’s Gift outside are new windows and doors for & Clothing (4th Street). starters and it looks like the interiors You may also purhave also been renovated. The property chase a copy directly is in good company with the small from HONNA by going apartment complex across the street th to the HONNA website at 626 12 which also has undergone and “Store” link. extensive upgrading. Let’s Toast This!....Intrepid Toast-
are giving a shout out to John and Susan Stearman and Tom and Karen Davis on Brevard Avenue NE for unclogging the giant urn on 25th Avenue NE and replanting it with a new bougainvillea. The urn had not been draining properly because the old bougainvillea’s
Soapbox...
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Page 13
by Sue Strott
City Hall, 893-7111. I have been told that whenever this number is called with a complaint that staff actually follows up to see that the complaint has been addressed. It has worked for me. However you act to report non-working street lights, you’re helping keep our streets well-lit, safer and a deterrent for criminal activity.
Bicyclers in Old Northeast
Are you one of those people who goes about your day-to-day life noticing things happening around you (or not happening) in the neighborhood and our City and you wonder why (or why not) but never get around to discovering the answer? We’ve decided to ask one of our neighbors, Sue Strott, who’s lived in The Old Northeast almost forever, to track down the explanations for some of those puzzling questions which bug, bedevil and frustrate us.
So here’s a start with some of those nagging, niggling WHYs? and WHAT’s?. Let us know if you have a particular issue or query you’d like The Answer Lady to check out and we’ll see what she can learn. Like FiOS... will we ever “hear them now”? Contact The Answer Lady at [email protected].
Some More Pet Peeves
“Dumpsters”
It seems that some folks in The Old Northeast are not observing the City rule that after “Dumpsters” have been cleaned out, the trash containers are to be taken away from the sidewalk or curb (unless, of course, you have alley pickup) by 7pm that same day of pick-up. Hopefully, those neighbors will observe this from now on. Removing the trash containers makes the street look more presentable while also providing more room available for parking.
It seems that since the new lanes have been added to 1st Street specifically for bicyclers, many have not changed their old ways of not stopping at stop signs – which they are legally required to do -- nor even looking both ways (as we have always told our children). Now that we have bicyclers travelling both directions on this one way street -- and some drivers have not yet become aware of this -- we have an accident waiting to happen as driving either a bicycle or a motor vehicle has become more hazardous. I, personally, have spoken to some of the bicyclers to make them aware of the danger. Maybe, if we all speak to them each time it happens, we might prevent the inevitable. Let’s help save some lives! If you have any other pet peeves you’d like to air in this column, please contact me c/o [email protected]. I’ll do my best to find the answer, address your concern or at least make others aware of it.
Sue was born in Chicago and lived in Canada before moving to The Old NE in 1973 where she continues to run an apartment rental business. She lives with her dog, Foxy Lady, and is one of those people who enjoys being busy!
We welcome these new and returning businesses which are advertising in our newsletter. Thank you!
Street Lights
Whenever we see a street light not working at night, we should contact the office responsible for getting it working again, which is Duke Energy. Its “outage” line is 800/228-8485. Follow the prompts to speak with a staffer, who will ask you for the closest street address of the non-working street light. Another option is to go online “Light Repair” at www.progress-energy.com/app/streetlightrepair/default.aspx and provide the information requested (which also will require you to supply the nearest street address of the out light). I’ve found that if you don’t receive a quick response from Duke Energy, you might try just contacting the Mayor’s Action Center at
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
North Ward School
from page 1
competitions, clothes drives for the needy and the sale of bonds during WWII. In the early 1920s, the school even had a float in the Festival of States parade. Taking advantage of Florida’s warm climate, classes were often held outside under a community-built pergola and picnic tables. When it was proposed that the building be closed in 1977, parents protested vigorously and took it upon themselves to paint and do needed repairs. As each new issue arose -- whether it was overcrowding, lack of playground equipment, trees and landscaping, a piano for the classroom, or art for the walls -- the community responded. In its 1987 publication, A Tradition of Excellence, Pinellas County Schools: 1912-1987 , North Ward School was justifiably characterized as follows: “Over the years, North Ward School has been in essence a fundamental school at its best. Parental support has been superb. Many of the
students have grown up to be community leaders.” Today, the Pinellas County School Board has put the building up for sale. The asking price is $1,750,000. Concerned about preserving this important community asset, The Old Northeast Neighborhood Association and St. Petersburg Preservation are partnering to landmark the building. It is hoped that it will be re-purposed and put to a new use that will benefit all the residents of St. Petersburg. If you would like to support this effort to landmark the property, you’re encouraged to send a letter to Kimberly Hinder, Preservation Planner for the City, at [email protected].
Robin is a former member of the HONNA Board where she chaired its Historic Preservation Committee. She recently completed serving two consecutive three-year terms on the City’s Community Preservation Commission.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Neighborhood Book Group
As The Pages Turn...
by Susan Englar
NE Great Book Club’s September selection was a classic from the past. Some of us were revisiting an old friend, but for more than half of the group this was their first encounter with Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It was chosen by our hostess, Kim Wolfe, because she felt she had missed reading a novel that is often considered to be part of our shared cultural experience. Written in 1868, Little Women was a bestseller of its time and has continued to be much beloved by adolescents for over 100 years. There have been at least three major film adaptations of the book with actresses as diverse as Katharine Hepburn, June Allyson and Winona Ryder playing the headstrong and tomboyish heroine, Jo March. Louisa May Alcott grew up in a family that was intellectually rich but financially impoverished. Her parents were transcendentalists who believed in independent thinking and individualism and their friends included Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. But it was ultimately Louisa’s success as an author that supported the family. Hospital Sketches, which described Alcott’s
O
experiences as a Civil War nurse, was well received and she wrote other romantic novels, plays and poetry. But it was her books for young girls (Little Women and the sequels Little Men and Jo’s Boys) that brought her fame and financial security. Little Women closely followed her own life. Like Jo, Louisa was the second of four sisters growing up in a loving but poor family. Unlike Jo, she never married and remained devoted to her parents. Perhaps as a result of being treated with a mercury compound for typhoid, her health was compromised for the second half of her life. She died at age 55, only one day after her beloved father. Our group admired Alcott for being an early feminist and abolitionist and recognized that she was forward-thinking for her time. As adult readers, however, we found the book somewhat tedious and rather moralistic in tone -- which is not to say that it did not have redeeming qualities. The family relationships were well portrayed and touching. Also, we were surprised and pleased that Alcott did address issues that are timeless, such how to balance the desire for an independent life and career with family obligations and marriage. And, of course, we all identified with Jo. As a group, we were entertained by the idea that we had read both 50 Shades of Grey and Little Women in the same year and decided no one could say we suffer from a lack of variety in our members’ book choices. Perhaps some of you who are reading this article will be inspired to revisit a favorite book from your past. What you discover about yourself and the book might surprise you. ONE Great Book Club continues to have a waiting list. It meets the second Thursday evening every other month. Coordinator Kim Wolfe can be reached at [email protected]. ONE also continue to have a “sister/brother” book group which meets the last Wednesday of every month at 2pm. Contact Colleen Grant at [email protected] for more information.
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Page 17
Preserving the Character of The Old Northeast
The Mission of The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association is to promote, preserve and protect the quality of life in our unique corner of the world.
So, What Do You Think?
by Mary Alice Lange Chair, HONNA Neighborhood Planning Committee
he most obvious option for someone wishing to reside in The Old NE is to purchase (or rent) a place. But it’s not always that easy, due to listing prices and availability. And if the “perfect” space can’t be found, alternative plans might be to renovate/remodel/restore a fixer-upper, build on one of the very few available empty lots or go the tear-down route with new construction. In recent months there seems to have been increased tear-down activity. In terms of commercial property on 4th Street, the long-vacant Rhodes Funeral Home has been demolished to make way for a medical facility, the planned Trader Joe’s will require the demolition of several buildings and the fate of the North Ward School building is up-in-the-air [read more about these in this issue -Bungalow at 215 “”In Case You Missed It” and “The North Avenue N (top) Ward School: What is That Building with was demolished to the Chain Link Fence Around It?”]. make way for new Residential properties at 215 9th Avenue N construction and 226 16th Avenue NE were not considered worth saving by the owners and met the wrecker ball’s fate. A double shotgun-style structure on 7th Avenue N (at the rear of the Rhodes Funeral Home property) was not long for this world until it was rescued by Ken and Elizabeth Grimes. The Grimes had the building moved to space on their property at 3rd and 9th Avenue N – alongside their home, the Monticello (1909), which they had saved and moved 226 16th Avenue NE from another location and then restored back in 2005. Although not in The Old NE, the nearby Henry Bryan home, a designated local landmark at 146 4th Avenue NE, was moved to 13th Avenue S where it will be fixed up as a Habitat for Humanity residence. Henry Bryan home New construction is underway at the corner of 18th and Bay Street NE and several vacant buildable lots are for sale in The Old NE including at 13th and Bay Street NE (this sign has been removed but the seller is the same company) and at 3rd Street and 14th Avenue N. So, what does all this – tear downs, house-moving, renovating, new construction – mean about “preserving the character” of The Historic Old Northeast neighborhood according to the City of St. Petersburg’s Neighborhood Plan for The Old Northeast? Time to think about it – it’s activity that is happening all around us and it affects us all. It is why we buy and live here. It is the character of the streets, trees, block rhythm and the houses we live in and next to and drive by. It affects
T
Page 18
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
our sense of home, hearth, family, neighborhood and the entire St. Petersburg community. If you’d like more information about historic preservation efforts in the City, check out St. Pete Preservation at http://stpetepreservation.org/. You also may contact Mary Alice at maryalice. [email protected] for more information about the Neighborhood Plan and its relationship to changes taking place with regard to residential and commercial development in The Old NE. Click here to view the copy of the Neighborhood Plan (2009): http://honna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ FINALPLANHONNA121709.pdf After the move Sign previously at 13th and Bay Street NE The house from 7th Avenue N was moved to the Monticello property on 9th Avenue N
Before the mov
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Page 19
Thoughts from the Front Porch…
by Courtney Ellis, MA, LMHC
The Balancing Act (Part 2)
s some of you may remember, my last article (in the September issue) focused on the importance of achieving balance in our lives. The visual I gave was that of a table requiring four legs to stand and to work correctly. If our lives are that table, the legs required for balance are the following: 1) Physical Health; 2) Mental/Emotional Health; 3) Spiritual Health; and 4) Relational Health. Each of these four areas is essential -- especially during this busy holiday season -- to experience the fruit we often promote this time of year: peace, joy and goodwill towards men. The problem comes, then, when we either focus all or no energy on one of these legs, causing the table… and our lives…to become off-kilter. The holiday season tends to be one where we find ourselves feeling the most off-balance. We run around like crazy, neglecting ourselves or our families. We go to holiday party after holiday party but are too stressed to even be mentally present with those we love. We emphasize “peace” during this season but don’t take a minute to sit down and just breathe. My challenge to us all this holiday season is to seek balance in order to truly enjoy and embrace all that these wonderful weeks have to offer. In my previous article I focused specifically on achieving balance within the areas of physical health and emotional and mental health (feel free to dig up your last newsletter or find it on www.scribd.com/honna/documents to get a refresher of how we can grow in those areas). In this article, then, we will be focusing on how to achieve balance spiritually and relationally. These are two areas that we most often tend to neglect, often prioritizing the needs of our job over down time and quality time with others. I see a lot of clients who are very successful in their careers but still feel an emptiness that no amount of achievement or promotions can satisfy. I think many of us realize that what matters in this life is connection with people and having a strong grounding in what we believe. But, again, these tend to be areas that are underrated in our work-driven society. I am not saying we should not work hard
A
-- we definitely should. I am saying that we need to find balance in these areas so that our lives can be well-rounded and focused on the things that matter most. If we focus first on the area of spiritual health, we can recognize this as an important foundational piece for how we live and how we perceive things. Our spiritual health comes down to a few things, one of which being what we place our beliefs in. This leg is becoming more and more emphasized within the field of counseling as many therapists, religious and secular alike, are recognizing spirituality as an important vehicle for healing. As some of you might be able to tell from past articles, my faith life is very important to me. It grounds me and gives me a framework from which I can look at life circumstances and, in turn, how I allow things to affect me. The problem for me comes when I neglect this area of my life and focus more on working late, sleeping in or wasting time doing meaningless tasks. When I neglect my spiritual life, I feel out of sorts and it affects me in every other facet of my life. Balance comes, then, when we create time to sit, breathe, pray, meditate and figure out what it is we believe about this life. Whether we believe in a higher power or not, we all have belief systems which dictate the way in which we operate -- belief systems such as, “The world is a good place” or “Everything happens for a reason.” Because when life starts getting difficult, those beliefs will keep us from feeling thrown by the storms of life. I encourage you to take time to grow the spiritual aspect of your life, even if it just means waking up five minutes earlier, sitting on the porch with coffee and enjoying the sounds of nature before rushing to work. It might also mean reading a book that challenges you, joining a yoga class, listing the things you are most grateful for, listening to uplifting music or taking a weekend trip to the beach to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. It sounds like a lot of work, but it brings such a simplicity to life, making it completely worthwhile. The last leg of the table is that of relationships. If we go back to the struggle of extremism, many of us tend to focus either way too much attention on relationships or very little. The “all” aspect of that spectrum can lead to codependent relationships as people become entrenched in the lives of others and are unable to separate themselves or have an identity outside of those relationships. The “nothing” aspect of that spectrum can lead to isolation, feeling disconnected, surface relationships or even putting up walls out of fear of vulnerability. Like all the other legs of the table, we have to cut out time from our busy lives in order to invest in relationships. This leg moves beyond just going deeper with our immediate families and involves forming a sense of community and belonging. Unfortunately, when we focus too much time and energy on other parts of our lives, we tend to be physically present but not mentally or emotionally. A favorite quote of mine is, “Wherever you are, be fully there”. College student Alexis Jane Torre wrote an article on this quote in the Huffington Post, talking about the temptation to multitask, simply because she can. I wonder how many people you’ve noticed who are having lunch with a friend while texting another. I know I’ve been guilty of it. How many people do you see having dinner in front of the TV rather than sitting around the table? And how many people have you seen who have thousands of Facebook friends but feel extremely lonely on a Friday night without that necessary face-to-face interaction. As Alexis Jane Torre found after she challenged herself to focus on one thing at a time, “It was relaxing to slow down, focus, observe and just be fully there.” Imagine the depth our relationships as we force ourselves to just
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
be present with one another. This is especially fitting for this time of year as we will enjoy the blessing of spending more time with family and friends at parties and other functions. I encourage you during this season to slow down, seek balance and embrace each moment you spend with one another. Try not to get focused so much on the tasks and focus more on the people. At the end of it all, we will be so thankful that we did.
Courtney Ellis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides individual and couples counseling to the Tampa Bay area. She lives in a cozy bungalow in The Old Northeast with her husband and two dogs. She tries to spend as much time on her front porch as possible.
Networking * Education * Community Involvement Monthly meetings held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Learn more and get involved! Visit us online at;
www.4thStreetBusinessAssociation.com www.4thStreetBusinesAssociation.com
Good for 50% discount to St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce membership (available to qualified new member only) Expires 9/30/2012
Wills & Trusts Probate Trust Administration Elder Law Medicaid Planning VA Benefits Coordination Real Estate Transactions
Residential & Commercial Closings • Deeds Leases • Contracts • Mortgages
Richard I. Kantner, Jr. Old NE Resident
THE
KANTNER
L A W F I R M, P L
Serving Generations of Floridians
31 Beach Drive S.E., St. Petersburg 727.781.8201
[email protected] www.AttorneyKantner.com Member: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Complimentary Consultations Other offices: Palm Harbor ⟡ Largo/Belleair
HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Thank You, Helen, for 20 Musical Years!
by Anne-Marie Stephenson
he final and twentieth year of Old NE resident Helen Torres’ sponsorship of the Florida Orchestra Pops in the Park concert came on October 19. The Vinoy Park crowd, estimated at 19,000, was there to enjoy every musical note and oooo-and-awww at every burst of fireworks. Tampa Bay Harvest reported concertgoers donated over 4,000 pounds of food, and Helen’s “Bucket Brigadiers” going through the crowd collected almost $10,500 in contributions for the Florida Orchestra. When it was time for John Philip Sousa›s march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Helen accepted the baton from guest conductor Damon Gupton, and the loyal audience of so many years went wild with applause. Helen was born to conduct, and that she did with all the love in her heart for her musicians and the audience. What a way to end a sponsorship of 20 years, with a baton in your hand and fireworks streaking into the sky. Thank you, Helen, from “Helen’s Buddies,” “Bucket Brigadiers,” the Florida Orchestra staff and musicians and the Florida Orchestra Guild/St. Petersburg (who recently held a gala for Helen and presented her with its “Heart of Gold” tribute at the new Birchwood on Beach Drive NE) -- and all who have enjoyed Pops in the Park these many years.
T
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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In Case You Missed It: Updates and Follow Ups Keeping You Current on Some Neighborhood Stories That Have Been in the News
It’s official -- Trader Joe’s is coming to St. Pete. It will be located on the 2800 block of 4th Street N, the present location of the Ringside Café, Classy Closet, 4th Street Boxing Club and several other small businesses, most of which have already made relocation plans (Ringside to the Club Detroit/Vintage Ultra Lounge space downtown and the Closet to Central Avenue). Opening date is set for late 2014. The specialty grocer is known for its good prices and unique offerings – including the popular Two Buck Chuck wine which usually sells for $2.99. With the addition of Trader Joe’s, 4th Street is becoming a “foodies” destination, joining two Publix supermarkets, Fresh Market, GFS Marketplace and Mickey’s Market. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 10/30, 10/31] A neighborhood property (on the Candlelight Tour of Homes a few years ago), which is currently on the market, was featured prominently on the front page of the 10/20 Tampa Bay Times as an example of a house for sale that does not require flood insurance. Aside from its many desirable features, the article suggests not
requiring flood insurance may be its best selling point. The house, in the City’s “vaunted Old Northeast neighborhood,” was used as an example of what has become a major marketing advantage as Federal subsidies for properties in flood-zone areas are in jeopardy of ending. Without subsidies, premiums for homes requiring flood insurance are expected to rise dramatically. A motorist wrote to Dr. Delay (Tampa Bay Times, 10/13) concerned about the intersection of 5th Avenue N and 2nd Street, which the writer believes is dangerous for cars navigating from 2nd Street because of obstructed views caused by parked cars along 5th. Dr. Delay reported that the City has already reviewed the intersection, which did result in the creation of an additional crosswalk, speed limit and parking restriction signs. She reports that police have increased their surveillance of the intersection because of speeding on 5th and the failure of motorists to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks. The study of the intersection did not indicate that it met the criteria for a four-way stop or traffic light. After closing eight years ago, the John S. Rhodes Funeral Home at 635 4th Street N has stood empty. It was recently purchased for $1.2 million (asking price had been $2 million) and the 23,000sqft building has been torn down to make way for a 15,500sqft medical complex offering dialysis.
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
The Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete Half Marathon, scheduled to be held in February, has been canceled due to what the organizers say
has been low participation the past two years. There were about 7,000 runners in 2012 and 6,500 this year – not near the hoped-for 12-15,000. The low numbers are attributed to competition from other such races. In the past the event would end in North Shore Park with a concert by a popular rap artist. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 9/4] A new museum – the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement -- appears in the works for downtown St. Pete, to be located in the lot on 3rd Avenue N adjacent to the Synovus Bank. The new 90,000sqft building will house Rudy Ciccarello’s $60 million collection of some 1,200 pieces from the Arts and Crafts period – an early 20th century architectural style very prevalent in City neighborhoods such as The Old NE, Roser Park and Kenwood. The collection will include furniture, pottery and tiles. The addition of such a specialized museum, complementing all the various museums already in place, is considered a “major coup.” Completion date for construction and opening is 2016. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 11/7] The creation of the Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation some two years ago is already benefiting the stretch of parklands from the North Shore parks in The Old NE south to Poynter Park. The foundation, the brainchild of Philip Graham, Jr., is supplementing the decreased City parks’ budget and enabling the City to undertake basic maintenance and beautification efforts residents have come to take for granted. In addition to being able to continue the planting of colorful annuals in the flower beds, efforts will be made to relocate or hide utility boxes, which are often located in “high focal areas.” Graham, the senior principal in a landscape architecture firm, believes efforts need to be made to make various “gateway” areas more attractive – such
as 4th Avenue NE at North Straub Park and Beach Drive along South Straub Park. The foundation, which is applying for Federal tax exemption as a non-profit organization, will be approaching downtown businesses and area condo associations and groups for financial support. A major fundraiser is planned for March. The St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce has already contributed $5,000 from several of its own fundraisers, and HONNA has made a $1,000 contribution. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 9/29] See more about the recreational use of our waterfront parks in this issue, “Parks & Recreation, St. Pete Style.” A lawsuit involving local residents over the State of Florida’s attempt to claim title on submerged land in Coffee Pot Bayou, long in private hands, has now been joined by the City of St. Petersburg as a defendant. The suit, by Richard and Kelly Ware, Photo credit St. Pete PATCH seeks to prevent the State from re-claiming title to their land, which could also impact the ownership of up to 83 docks (including some owned by the City) built on submerged land. The case has received coverage by WTSP Channel 10, including reports by investigator Noah Pransky on October 25 and November 7 (http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/ story.aspx?storyid=342018; http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/ story.aspx?storyid=343561).
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
Property Transfers
The St. Pete Times section of the Wednesday edition of the Tampa Bay Times provides a partial listing of real estate transactions compiled from public records. These entries come from those listings. $99 NEW PATIENT SPECIAL If any of these folks live near you, make sure you welcome them • Dental Examination (ADA code 0150) to the neighborhood. (gum disease & oral cancer exam included) 525 5th Avenue NE........................................................................ Ted Tenaglia • Full mouth xrays (ADA code 0210) 555 5th Avenue NE #283 ............................................ John & Dorothy Kaelber (we use thyroid collars) th 555 5 Avenue NE #533 ......................................... Robert & Ilene Gershberg th 145 6 Avenue NE .............................................................. Jeremy Kaufmann Invest in your health, your 218 7th Avenue N........................ McKay Smith & Indira Guerrero Monterrubio return is compounded daily! 237 7th Avenue N #3 .................................................Kenneth & Brian Haynes 224 9th Avenue N ............................................................... Michelle DeForrest 215 10th Avenue N ...................................Thomas Stewart & Tamara Steward Call Your Downtown Dentist Today! 445 10th Avenue NE ..................................................... Douglas & Irene Nixon th 165 12 Avenue NE .................................. Donna Sue Davis & Shane Darling 211 16th Avenue N ......................................................................Jo Etta Bauer Caring • Conscientious • Confident 126 17th Avenue NE .............................................Edward & Autumn Dreyer III 606 17th Avenue NE .......................................................Darla Katherine Reed 200 18th Avenue N ..........................................................David & Rachel Wein 234 18th Avenue NE ..................................................................... Jane Seaton John A. Ferullo, D.D.S, M.S. 735 18th Avenue NE ....................................................... David & Alexis Novak 556 19th Avenue NE ............................................... Jose & Kathryn DeVicente 200 Central Avenue, Suite 830 405 20th Avenue NE ................................................Scott & Laurel MacDonald 166 21st Avenue NE ....................................................Mario & Anne Garneau St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 316 21st Avenue NE .....................................................................Linda Collins 134 22nd Avenue N .............................................................. Ryan Hanewinkel 241 24th Avenue N........................................Thomas & Francine Forbes Riley www.yourdowntowndentist.com 121 28th Avenue N.......................................................... Jane Hanna Nicholas 2325 1st Street NE..................................................................... Matthew Nardi 757 2nd Street N................................................................................ D.S. Klein “ANCIENT MEDICINE FOR MODERN PEOPLE” 5/16/11 1108 3rd Street N....................................................................... Aaron Sprague JAFerullo AD v3-May2011.indd 1 rd 1128 3 Street N.............................................. Kathryn Andrew & David Shaw 2031 Bay Street NE.....................................................................Lynne Craver 700 Beach Drive NE.................................................................. Vincent Brown 700 Beach Drive NE #603..................................... Graham & Ellen Thompson 1800 Beach Drive NE...........................................Howard & Patricia Hermans 2101 Cherry Street NE................................................................ Elena Azuola 1036 North Shore Drive NE #2........................ Dean Tyler & Mary Ellen Cerny 1060 North Shore Drive #1.......................................................... Joan Mancini 923 Oak Street NE........................................................ Candace Dornstauder
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
P O R C H PA R T I E S
Monday, December 16 All Neighborhood Holiday Party Old Northeast Tavern No Porch Parties in December or January First Porch Party of the New Year! Friday, February 21 Dino Capelli and Don Culpepper 732 Oak Street NE
Old NE residents enjoyed a very special non-third-Friday-ofthe-month “Porch Party” at the Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday evening, November 7, and the opportunity to enjoy the staff’s hospitality and view the newly refurbished galleries. Thank you, MFA!
You’re Invited!
Porch Parties are held the third Friday of the month from 7:30-10pm (except December). Porch Parties are strictly social and provide and informal and fun way to mix and mingle with your neighbors. Bring your own beverage. Cups, ice and light snacks are provided. Ask a neighbor to ride or walk over with you. For more info, contact [email protected]
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Come meet some of the many other “Young Northeasters” and enjoy an amazing view of downtown St Peter from the sky balcony. For all you newer young residents, this is one you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t already joined HONNA, please do so for $30 at www.honna.org. Please RSVP to [email protected]
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
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ON THE DOCKET:
Some Upcoming Events In and Nearby Our Neighborhood
We encourage you to go directly to the City website –www.stpete.org and look for Upcoming Events where you can click on “View All Events.” This will enable you to check updates and all the scheduled events day-by-day for the coming weeks and months.
and Mahaffey Yacht Basin; 800/940-7642
DECEMBER 1 Gem Jewelry & Bead Show and Sale, Coliseum; 892-5202 DECEMBER 2 World AIDS Day, Williams Park; 403-3366 DECEMBER 5 CASA Peace Breakfast, Coliseum; 895-4912 DECEMBER 5-8 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, Albert Whitted Park DECEMBER 6-7 Ties and Tennis Shoes Gala and 5K, (benefits Take Stock in Children) The Trop DECEMBER 7 97X Next Big Thing Music Festival, Vinoy Park Santa Parade and Snowfest, North Straub Park; 893-7441 DECEMBER 8 CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES (SEE PAGE 1) DECEMBER 8 1st Annual Wounded Warrior Softball Series, Al Lang Stadium DECEMBER 12 YOUNG NORTHEASTER’S (undER 40 oR young at hEaRt) HOLIDAY PARTY (SEE PAGE 29) DECEMBER 13 Boley Centers Jingle Bell Run, The Pier; 821-4819 DECEMBER 14 Christmas Jamboree, Pinellas Pioneer Settlement; 866-6401 Winter Wonderland, Great Explorations DECEMBER 16 ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY PARTY (SEE PAGE 1)
DECEMBER 23 Beef ‘O’ Bradys Bowl, The Trop DECEMBER 31 First Night, Various downtown locations JanuaRy 1 Flight 2014,St. Petersburg Museum of History JanuaRy 2 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, The Trop JanuaRy 10-12 Sunshine City Antiques Show, Coliseum JanuaRy 10 Inaugural Mayor Ball, (benefits Junior League of St. Petersburg) Mahaffey Theater JanuaRy 14 Tampa Bay Job Fair, Coliseum JanuaRy 17-19 Gem Jewelry & Bead Show and Sale, Coliseum; 892-5202 JanuaRy 18 East-West Shrine Football Game, The Trop; 813/281-8686 JanuaRy 19 Sunshine Music & Blues Fest, Vinoy Park JanuaRy 20 MLK Jr. Breakfast, Coliseum; 896-6556 JanuaRy 20-FEBRuaRy 17 Tall Ship Lynx Port Visit, Port of St. Petersburg JanuaRy 29 Tampa Bay Senior Expo, Coliseum FEBRuaRy 1 Localtopia Celebrating Williams Park, Williams Park FEBRuaRy 15-16 NOOD Regatta, St. Pete Yacht Club FEBRuaRy 15 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest, The Trop; 800/FAN-RAYS Big Band Ballroom Dance, Coliseum FEBRUARY 21 PORCH PARTY (SEE PAGE 29)
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HISTORIC OLD NoRTHEAST NEIGHBoRHooD NEWS
BUSINESS-RELATED DECEMBER 2 City of St. Petersburg Incentives and Services for Business Owners and Startups DECEMBER 3 Intellectual Property Anyone? DECEMBER 4 Introduction to Business Startup DECEMBER 4 (and 11 & 18) 1 Million Cups – Kaufman Foundation program RECURRING EVENTS
(see calendar at www.stpete.org for more opportunities and details and any changes in these schedules) Monday, WEdnEsday, ThuRsday & Sunday Yoga Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Monday Art Bites (2d) Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Jazz Jam (1st), Hangar Restaurant Monday, WEdnEsday & FRiday St. Pete Half Century Softball Club, North Shore Park field, 420-8102 TuEsday New Parents Gallery Gathering (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Hoop Dancing and Kids Hoop Dancing, Sunken Gardens, 5513102 Ballroom Dancing, Sunshine Center, 893-7101 WEdnEsday Coffee Talk (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts, 896-2667 Coffee with a Curator, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Kundalini Yoga, Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Library LEGO Mania (1st), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268 Roll Over and Read (3rd), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268 Paddleboard Social, North Shore Park, 510-1921 WEdnEsday & ThuRsday Story Time for Families, Dali Museum; 823-3767 WEdnEsday & Sunday Docent Tours, Holocaust Museum ThuRsday Specials at Museums, (extended hours and reduced admission) Dali Museum and Museum of Fine Arts Genius Next Door (3rd), Dali Museum; 823-3767
DECEMBER 11 (and JanuaRy 8) How to Research and Write Your Business Plan DECEMBER 12 Social Media DECEMBER 12 How to Do Business with the City DECEMBER 17 Business Start-Up Basics DECEMBER 18 Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Business Owners DECEMBER 19 Establishing a Home-Based Business
Opera @ The Dali (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Our Town: Conversations with St. Pete Mythmakers (last), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Hot Hula, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102 Open Level Vinyasa Flow Vandana, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102 UNCHartED Random Culture, Museum of Fine Arts FRiday Garden Tour Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 St. Pete Shuffle, Shuffleboard Courts, 822-2083 Founders Corner Fresh Market, 431 Southwest Blvd N; 490-9161 Get Downtown Music Series (1st), Central Avenue b/w 2nd-3rd Downtown Lunchtime Walking Tour (1st),Central Avenue at 2nd SatuRday Breakfast with Dali and Families (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767 Horticulture Workshop Sunken Gardens, 551-3102 Super Special Saturday/Family Day (3rd), Museum of Fine Arts; 8962667 Kidding Around Yoga and Yoga & Family (1st and 3rd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667 Arts and Crafts for Families, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Dali & Beyond Film Series, Dali Museum, 823-3767 Take 5 with the Director (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 823-2667 2nd Saturday Art Walks/Gallery Walk (2nd), various downtown locations; 323-ARTS St. Pete Indie Market (1st), 600 Central Avenue Saturday Morning Market, Al Lang Stadium parking lot St. Pete Preservation Walking “Historic” Tour (2nd), 200 block Central Avenue Storytime at the Market (2nd), Al Lang Stadium parking lot Sunday Inspire Yoga at the Dali, Dali Museum, 823-3767
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Parks & Recreation, St. Pete Style
by Rick Carson Editor
ow do you enjoy our waterfront spaces along Tampa Bay? Ever give it much thought? In the September issue of this newsletter, HONNA President Jay Marshall drew attention to what is taking place with the waterfront parks which form our neighborhood’s eastern boundary. T he reason for this is that the almost seven miles of contiguous public waterfront stretching from Coffee Pot Park at 30th Avenue NE south to Lassing Park at 20th Avenue SE are being studied as part of the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan. Back in 2011, voters passed an amendment to the City Charter mandating the creation of a plan to be adopted by City Council before July 1, 2015, which would be used as an “umbrella” policy and planning document for the future of these seven miles. Panelists from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Washington, D.C., have been engaged by the City to assess the waterfront from all angles – design, marketing, land use, economics. Eight of ULI’s experts shared their initial impressions before City officials, staff and the public on October 5th at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. The panelists were impressed with what they had seen and are optimistic about the waterfront’s future – providing the City takes care going forward to involve public-private partnerships in implementing a comprehensive vision. Realizing the stake The Old NE has in what takes place in its front (or back) yard, the neighborhood association has contributed $1,000 to the private Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation [read more about the Foundation in “In Case You Missed It” in this issue]. Those of us who live so close to this space as I do may take our front yard for granted. Guilty as accused. And, yes, we – especially those of us residing toward the southeastern corner of The Old NE – will continue to curse the “visitors” who overwhelm “our” space, take away “our” parking spots on busy event weekends, subject us to blaring loudspeakers at 6:30am and leave behind their trash in our yards and curbside. OK, so it’s the price we pay for location, location, location. So I thought I’d try to get a better idea how residents and visitors utilize this space -- just enjoying the greenspace, recreational opportunities or taking advantage of the waters off the park land. And over two weekends in early September, I got an eyeful into the many diverse ways in which our nearby waterfront parks and adjacent areas are experienced. I saw just about everything. There were Segway and scooter riders, the usual joggers and walkers (and dog walkers), bicyclists pedaling solo or duo -- plus the large groups of cyclists which launch from 9th and North Shore Drive on Saturday mornings. Fisherman were casting from the seawall and boats as well as wading out from the shore. There were windsurfers, kayakers, swimmers, sunbathers, kite flyers and picnickers. The motivated were getting exercise on the pull up bars on the beach along with the small groups suffering through mini-bootcamp workouts. All sorts of “boarders” were observed – paddlers on the water, skimmers along the shore and skaters on the sidewalks. The tennis courts were filled, and the volleyball “courts” on the beach were getting their regular weekend usage – though strangely quiet on the weekend of September 13 when the big professional beach volleyball tournament was underway over in Vinoy Park. On one Saturday a dozen-plus bunch of moms had gathered under a shade tree near the tennis courts with their kidfilled strollers all lined up alongside. The North Shore Aquatic Complex was its usual active spot with both recreational swimmers and a boisterous swim meet on one Saturday. The North Shore “Kids & Kubs” ball field and dog park are also popular as are the small kids’ playground and climbing rock (and planned fitness zone) near the seawall at the edge of Vinoy Park (and don’t forget the playground at Coffee Pot Park). And for those seeking a respite from the hubbub and heat, the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum provides shade and solitude.
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And this was just on weekends; similar activity takes place on weekdays, only to a lesser extent. You’ll find the Master’s swimmers in the pool before dawn, bootcampers out early as well going through their drills along with Lori Hendry’s “women-only” exercise group (see photo opposite below). Depending on the season, you can watch football or soccer being played in the wide open spaces of the Flora Wylie section of North Shore Park or maybe spot a golfer practicing chip shots (though doing that is posted as illegal). And after a heavy rain, Flora Wylie becomes Flora Wylie Pond, attracting lots of wading birds for birdwatching pleasure as is scouting the rookery just south of the Snell Isle Bridge. Along Coffee Pot Bayou’s seawall and the Venetian steps, manatee-watching is a popular pastime. If it had been spring, you would have seen our French Canadian visitors playing boules (or bocce) on the sand at the north end of the beach. When you consider the various purposes for which Vinoy Park is used – Mainsail Arts Festival, Vans Warped Tour, Florida Orchestra Pops in the Park, Association of Volleyball Professionals Tournament, Ribfest, Blues Festival, International Folk Fair, SPCA Pet Walk -- you’re reaching audiences with tastes and interests which are about as diverse and varied as could be. Then there are the once-a-year events in the Flora Wylie and Elva Rouse sections of North Shore Park such as an Easter Sunrise service, Paws on Parade and the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon. Benefit races and walks often wend their way along the edges or through the parks. You may even spot a wedding taking place in the palm arboretum and professional photo shoots being filmed just about anywhere. And thanks to several generous neighbors, we have the Centennial Sundial at Vista Point. HONNA takes advantage of our parks as sites for
the annual Easter Egg Hunt (organized in cooperation with Smith & Associates Real Estate) and the 4th of July Children’s Parade. HONNA also utilized the space in 2011 when the association hosted National Night Out (recognizing our citywide community-police partnership) and threw the Centennial Picnic (celebrating The Old NE’s 100 years as a neighborhood). When you consider the Vinoy Marina, Spa Beach, Straub Park, Demen’s Landing and Whitted Park there’s even more to enjoy nearer downtown. And the front row seats the parks provide for the numerous fireworks displays are another nice benefit from living in The Old NE. Plus, if you aren’t interested in doing anything “active” to enjoy the waterfront you can have a good time just sitting on a bench or the grass to people-watch. If you have thoughts on how the waterfront should – or should not – look, let your voice be heard. To read more about the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan and how you can share your opinions about the waterfront’s future, go to http://www. stpete.org/downtown_waterfront_master_plan/. So let’s do our part to insure that these parks and bay shore areas we value so highly now can become even better for those who follow us here in our neighborhood we call “St. Pete’s jewel on Tampa Bay.”
A version of this article appeared in the November/December issue of The Northeast Journal. According to the City, by its deadline date it had received a total of 13 Downtown Waterfront Master Plan submissions “ from a diverse and
exceptionally talented group of respondents.” These submissions are available for viewing online at http://www.stpete.org/downtown_ waterfront_master_plan/documents. asp.
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Plant Rant
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
by Flora Adorer
lora has been walking the neighborhood streets and alleys with her canine companion, “Sniff.”. We’ve discovered all kinds of interesting landscapes, plants and outdoor décor on our adventures – so varied, in fact, that Flora calls it The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of The Old Northeast! Starting with good sightings…the new landscape at the “Wedding Cake” house at the northeast corner of Beach Drive and 13th Avenue NE. Once a barren eyesore around this grand house, which has been renovated, the yard is filled with colorful specimen trees, shrubs and perennial flowers. Thank you to the new owners for improving our neighborhood’s curb appeal.
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man on Oak Street NE who even took Flora on an impromptu tour of his delightful garden and koi pond, she’s still in awe! Now for the bad. Flora knows alleys are for parking and trash removal, but couldn’t we at least make an effort to keep our backsides tidy? If you’re going to grow plants there, at least stick with low maintenance ones. Flora has seen lovely beds of aloe, motherin-law tongue (Sansevieria), jasmine, blanket flower (gaillardia) and succulents. Or don’t grow anything. And, honestly, can’t we please pick up our trash that doesn’t land in the huge can? Here’s a radical idea – have a neighborhood alley clean-up day! (Or are you too embarrassed because you threw your old mattress and boxspring back there -- you know who you are on 15th Avenue NE!) Cactus and thorny plants next to our sidewalks are bad! They are also prohibited by the City when planted in the right-of-way or within two feet of the sidewalk. If you’ve got a Spanish Bayonet, Century plant, Bougainvillea or cactus where it shouldn’t be, consider yourself warned! And a big ouch to the house with huge Century plants in the median where, unfortunately, “Sniff” tried to snag a dropped candy the day after Halloween. Now for Flora’s Number 1 ugly of the neighborhood -- rust stains on houses, walkways, fences and outdoor furniture! The stains are caused by iron in well water used for irrigation. When iron is exposed to the air, it rusts. You can prevent ugly staining by adjusting your sprinkler heads so they aren’t “over spraying” onto structures – that includes parked cars. There are several inexpensive spray-on products that will remove rust stains, including Rust-Aid and No-Rust, which you’ll find at the hardware store. There’s even a tank that connects to your well pump that adds rust preventer every time you water. Sure seems like there’s more good to our neighborhood than bad, especially with the holidays here and so many homes decorated for the season. The Historic Old Northeast is known as one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the City thanks to the efforts we all make. Happy Holidays from Flora and “Sniff.
Flora Adorer is the nom de bloom of an Old NE resident with extensive knowledge about plants and vegetation. Let Flora know about your garden and send a photo, too. E-mail her at [email protected]. ‘Til next time, happy gardening!
Another goodie is the little “free library” in the front yard of the Locke (Tracey and Kenny) home on the northeast corner of 15th Avenue and Locust Street NE. Painted the same color as the house, the cute box full of books invites neighbors to take a book, return a book. Flora discovered this lending library idea is an international effort with 15,000 little free libraries in 55 countries. So glad our neighborhood has one! (visit littlefreelibrary.org for info). Nice people who garden also make the good list. Flora has stopped to chat with neighbors working in their front yards, many of whom have offered up plant cuttings and gardening tips. To the nice gentle-
Whitefly Alert!
atch out for Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, a new pest to our area that infects white bird of paradise, gumbo limbo tree, coconut palm and even live oak. The undersides of leaves will be covered in a white waxy material and the tops of leaves will have black sooty mold. The whiteflies feed on plant sap, excrete a sticky substance that the mold grows on and can block sunlight. The Pinellas County Extension Service suggests several treatments. On small plants you can remove sooty mold by hand with water and/or spray horticultural oil on all leaf surfaces. For larger plants apply systemic treatment to the soil with an insecticide such as Merit, Bayer’s Advanced or Safari (available at garden centers). Here’s a helpful link: http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/GardenPubsAZ/ Rugose.pdf . Thanks to neighbor Kathi Harris for the heads-up.
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T H E M A LO WA N Y G R O U P
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All Neighborhood Holiday Party Monday, December 16, at 6:30pm (see p.1)
All residents welcome
Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 76324 St. Petersburg, FL 33734
www.honna.org Prsrt Std U.S. PostaGe Paid St. PetersburG FL Permit #1020
In this issue • North Ward School Property • Candelight Tour of Homes • What’s Our “Walk Score”? • Anser Lady & Pet Peeves • Pops in The Park • Whitefly Alert! • Lots To Do (see On the Docket)
... and more!
“Oh, There’s NO Place Like Old Northeast for the Holidays.”
Julie Jones
Kathryn Krayer Zimring
If you’re ready to buy or sell real estate in St. Pete… It’s Good to Know JJ and the Z
727-344-9191 [email protected] www.JJandtheZ.com
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201 2nd Ave. North St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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