Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood News - June 2007

Historic

Published Quarterly

Old Northeast Neighborhood News
www.honna.org

Volume 34 Issue 2
IN THIS ISSUE
Family Village .......................... Page 5 Basements ?! .......................... Page 6

June 2007

The President’s Perspective
Mary Alice Lange
Association President

Dear Neighbors, We did it together! Thank you to all who came 4th of July Parade together in a collaborative effort to request a de........................ Page 11 nial of the proposed 33 story hotel / condominium Day at the Beach ........... project at the corner of 1st Street and 5th Ave N. ........................ Page 14 The citizens who shared their concerns came Hurricane Preparedness from across the City including The Historic Old ................. Pages 20-21 Northeast, Downtown Associations, Council of Neighborhood Associations, St. Pete PreservaHONNA Neighborhood tion and other groups. Our voice was clear. The proposed project size, scale and mass were out Meetings of context for this location. There were 69 are held the third Monday of each month speaker cards and hundreds of e-mails or letters that were submitted to the City. (except August and December) Some of the many tasks accomplished by the at Westminster volunteers included delivering flyers door to door, Presbyterian Church sending e-mails or letters to the City of St. Peters126 11th Avenue NE burg staff, telephoning friends and relatives to get 6:45 p.m., social continued on page 2 7:00 p.m., business
HONNA Board Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm and are open to the public.

A concerned neighbor holds a sign at the street corner rally prior to the EDC hearing

I Don’t Think We’re in Kansas Anymore
by Rick Carson
If you ever doubted that you live in a pretty neighborhood of bungalows and oaks. But let’s not special place, consider the piece which appeared quibble – the woman nailed it in so many more in the May 11th ediways than not. tion of the New When you read the York Times (in the lead paragraph — “Escapes” sec“Anyone who still contion). Writer Jill siders St. Petersburg, Capuzzo’s love afFla., the last stop befair with St. Petersfore checking into a burg and The Hisnursing home may be toric Old Northeast shocked by the transis shamelessly apformation of this once parent, and we are sleepy Gulf Coast city. so glad that she Construction cranes decided to kiss and pierce the sky, topping tell. South Beach, off a series of new Longboat Key, Old high-rise condominiHyde Park…eat your hearts out. ums. Closer to the ground, daytime visitors tarry While she entitled her article, “A Neighborhood between art museums, a farmer’s market and the of Colonials and Palm Trees,” perhaps many of waterfront park, while young professionals pack us know The HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Historic Old Northeast more as a continued on page 12 Page 1

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Mark your calendar!
June 18th “New LDRs and Beyond” Bob Jeffrey Urban Planning / City of St. Petersburg July 16th Remembering St. Petersburg, FL: Sunshine City Stories Volume II Presentation by author Scott Taylor Hartzell August No Meeting

Mary Alice holding a placard showing the size of the proposed condo/hotel (middle) relative to Parkshore Plaza and Bayfront Tower

President’s Perspective

from page 1

Watch for HONNA’s new web site ... stay tuned!
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Like our neighborhood? Want to make it even better? Volunteer with one of our committees! AD RATES
AD SIZE
Business card 1/4 page (4.75" x 3.5") 1/2 page (9.5" x 3.5") Full page Single page insert* 1Qtr 50 100 200 400 300 2 Qtrs 93 186 372 744 600 3 Qtrs 128 256 512 1024 900 1 Year 160 320 640 1280 1200

involved, attending numerous meetings about the project, taking photographs of current parking conditions and traffic concerns, making signs, participating in the street corner rally and speaking at the Environmental Development Commission public hearing. All of these efforts came together at the May 16th public hearing allowing the commissioners to weigh the adverse affects of this project on our neighborhood and beyond. The neighbors who spoke said the project would negatively affect their lives in many different and important ways. The commissioners voted 6-1 to deny the application. The EDC said they listened to everyone who spoke, and if you were there on that day, you would have to note that they were very attentive throughout the lengthy hearing. The developer has the right to file an appeal of the EDC decision to City Council. We will keep you updated on the process and let you know what steps are next. [See related story on page 28] We live in a magnificent city!

Mary Alice Lange 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]
Editor Rick Carson Columnists and Reporters Peter Stanhope Mike Dailey Susan Alderson David Forman John Gee Yvonne Swanson Chuck Lindeen Linda Dobbs Circulation Contributors Newsletter Layout & Design Advertising Information

*Preprinted inserts that you provide are delivered within the newsletter. Due to delivery restrictions, inserts are available on a limited basis. 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 the publication month. The next deadline is August 6th. Payment for new ads should be submitted at the same time that the ad layout is provided and should be addressed 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/Coffee Pot Bayou Blvd). There are approximately 2,800 active home mailing addresses. Contact Peter Stanhope: [email protected] Ad space is limited so please make arrangements early.

Keaton Green Barbara Rhode Amy Labie Jill McGrath

Cathy Leonard and Joe O’Connor All our Old Northeast neighbors Sharon Bond: [email protected] Peter Stanhope: [email protected]

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Association News & Activities
Committee Reports
Treasurer
Douglas Haan
Generous neighbors have donated additional monies to HONNA when they have recently renewed memberships or become new members. Over $600 has been donated since December, and these funds have been designated toward either tree planting and landscaping, monument maintenance or the general fund. We thank these neighbors for sharing in this way – and we encourage others to follow their exemplary lead! Andrea and Tom O’Neil Jeanne and Kevin Milkey Katherine Kalmer Jeannie and Brian Johnson Leslie Bevis and Kate Dyer Kathleen and Patrick Calcutt Mary Alice and Steve Lange Theresa Watson Margaret and Hoard Steuart Rosemary and Charles Sexton Cynthia Cerra and Allison Butler Linda and Lou Santoro Lisa and Jim Rohrerq Barbara and Tim Rhode Monica and Garth Vernon

Sash, say?
Neighbor Maureen Stafford, who is hands-on renovating her home on Bay Street NE, gave a presentation on the “art” of preserving wood windows at the March general meeting. Assuring us that “we’re never going to get these wood sash windows back,” she proceeded to show that they are not difficult to restore once you take the mystery out of the process and appreciate that there are degrees of restoration. She walked the audience through the disassembly of a wood sash, advising that it comes apart almost like a kit. And a couple of her

Planning/Historic Preservation
Robin Reed, Chair
Progress is being made on a number of initiatives the committee has identified as goals for this year. The “Meet & Greet” committee is up and running! This group will visit new neighbors and welcome them to the neighborhood with information about HONNA, Porch Parties, the newsletter and the general community. Cynthia Sylvestri and Kathi Harris are co-chairing this group. The “HONNA Events” committee held a very successful Easter Egg Hunt in April. Close to 100 children (and a few hungry squirrels!) managed to find about a thousand hidden eggs in about ten minutes! This may be a neighborhood record. Plans are currently underway for an old fashioned 4th of July Parade for children to be held on Wednesday, the 4th, from 9:30 to 11:30am. There will be prizes and activities for children. Cathy Leonard is overall chair of the group and has a wonderful committee of mothers with young children helping to make plans for a funfilled morning. [FMI see page 11.] Carol and Burt Kline have identified by address all the house photos on a CD created by southside neighbor, Tom Ziebold. They have also taken photos themselves of all the houses from 4th Avenue to 12th Avenue -- a huge undertaking, I’m sure all will agree! This collection of photos will help to document our neighborhood for the future. The first of two walking tours was held in April -- another great success for Rob Wertz and Mike Dailey. They covered the area around 13th Avenue and 1st Street on this tour. As always, they had wonderful architectural information and tales of The Old Northeast to impart. The education group has made giant strides towards publication of a book about The Old Northeast. It will tell the story of our neighborhood in the context of the history of St. Petersburg.

secret ingredients for doing this restoration? All purpose putty and Bondo. Elaine Normile, Maureen Stafford, Nona Peebles and I are working on this exciting project. There are only 75 “Preserve the Historic Old Northeast” flags left. We would like to see them all flying by the end of the year. Please tell your friends and neighbors to jump on the bandwagon and show their support for the preservation of our unique neighborhood! The preservation of our neighborhood was addressed in a recent feature article about The Old Northeast in a Friday “Escapes” section of the New York Times. Here is the link to the article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/realestate/ greathomes/11havens.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) or you can find much of it reprinted beginning on page 1 of this newsletter.

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association
OFFICERS and BOARD
President Mary Alice Lange 251-2034 Vice President Chuck Lindeen 822-8444 Secretary Anne-Marie Stephenson 897-9398 Treasurer Douglas Haan 488-5514 Board Member At-Large (Past President) Cathy Martin 821-8656 Directors Julia Brazier Rick Carson Nicole Durkin Brian Johnson Susan Lahey Virginia Littrell Nona Peebles Robin Reed 403-2237 898-7834 391-9756 368-8419 823-9042 894-3529 825-0480 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

HONNA Board meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm and are open to the public. Check with HONNA for the location.

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 3

Crime Watch Fact Sheet
Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ City/State: St. Petersburg, Florida. Zip: __________ Home Phone: ______________________________ Office Phone: _____________________________ Cell Phone: _______________________________ E-Mail: ___________________________________ Emergency Contact Person: _________________ Contact’s Phone # __________________________ HONNA Member: Yes___ No___ Would like more info on membership Yes___No___ Signed: ___________________________________

The committee has been busy! If you would like to join us, please e-mail me at [email protected].

Crime and Safety
Brian Johnson, Chair
The Crime Watch Committee continues to collect member names. If you haven’t joined, please fill out the application (see left) so we can add your name to the e-mail network. Another reminder that the hurricane season is upon us. Please check your flashlights, batteries, canned food and bottled water supply and other survival needs. As important, it’s time to make alternate plans for evacuation in case a storm requires us to leave our homes. Video your home room by room to have a record of furnishings and have ready any important papers — especially insurance policies — that you will want to take with you if evacuation becomes a necessity. Let’s hope we dodge another bullet this year, but be prepared for the worst. [See related article on page 18.]

Traffic
Nicole Durkin, Chair
School’s out! Please pay particular attention to your speed in the neighborhood as the children are out of school for the summer. A friendly reminder that our neighborhood-wide speed limit is now 25 mph. The St. Petersburg Police Department continues to conduct traffic enforcement in the neighborhood, so watch that speed. HONNA is continuing to gather information in order to request the City implement a “resident only” parking area, particularly from 5th Avenue to 9th Avenue/4th Street to Beach Drive, due to the events and growth in and around downtown. Please continue to document the influx of traffic throughout the neighborhood, but especially in this area. The inability of residents to find parking, even during non-event times, due to construction traffic and the cumulative impact of the booming downtown, continues to worsen. Any photographs, videos or other assistance in this regard is greatly appreciated.

HONNA
P O Box 76324, St. Petersburg, FL 33734

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association Membership
The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association was founded in 1974 to promote civic improvement of our neighborhood. We invite and welcome all residents of the Old Northeast to join the association and become involved. Annual membership dues are $25 per household.

JOIN 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.
Candlelight Tour of Homes (December): Co-Chair Elaine Normile, 821-3479 C.O.N.A. Rep: Chuck Lindeen, 822-8444 Crime & Safety: Brian Johnson, 391-9756 Membership: Douglas Haan, 488-5514 Neighborhood Design Review: Julia Brazier 403-2237 Newsletter: Rick Carson, 898-7834 Planning/Historic Preservation: Robin Reed, 825-0480 Programs: Susan Lahey 368-8419 Research: Virginia Littrell 823-90420 Traffic: Nicole Durkin, [email protected] Website: Nona Peebles 894-3529

Send this completed form to:
Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 76324 St. Petersburg, FL 33734

Name(s): ________________________ Address: ________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Phone: __________________________ E-Mail: __________________________
When did you move into the neighborhood (month and year)?: _______________ ANNUAL DUES ENCLOSED $25 through 12/31/07

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

A Loving Partnership With Family Village
by Anne-Marie Stephenson
Do you know that the YWCA has existed for almost 150 years and that we have a YWCA in our own town? Yes, we do! Our YWCA is affiliated with USF and has a facility known as Family Village on 6th Avenue S. This facility has a dedicated staff that provides emergency and transitional support service to homeless families with minor children. There is a small group of Old Northeast volunteers, formed in 2005, that can hardly wait for each Monday during the school year to interact with the children. The volunteers have developed programs for gardening, nature and science, cooking and seasonal arts and crafts along with off-site tours to such places as Sunken Gardens, The Dali Museum, Florida International Museum and picnics by the bay. These play times incorporate reading, listening, sharing and an abundance of welcoming and farewell hugs. What satisfaction and fun!

This endeavor has partially been funded by The Old Northeast Garden Stroll Event, The Candlelight Tour of Homes and neighbors, which has been gratefully appreciated. Volunteers include: Julie Feeley, North Shore Drive NE; Jenny D’Elia, 19th Avenue NE; Kathi Harris, 15th Avenue NE; Cynthia Silvestri, 16th Avenue NE; Nancy Tait, 12th Avenue NE; Susan Lahey, 14th Avenue NE; Vicki Bennett, 16th Avenue N; Anne-Marie Stephenson, 12th Avenue NE and Laurie Clement, Tierra Verde. They thank the YWCA staff members Leo, Regina, Tamika and Joyce for capably guiding them with enthusiasm. There are many ways to be a part of this wonderful haven for the children. For example, skilled people who can help and tasks that need doing include: bilingual individuals, child care ambassadors, development and marketing, donations/donation sorters, general maintenance, general office work, guest speakers, mentors, occasional transportation assistance, photographers, seamstresses, storytellers and tutors. If you are interested please contact Tamika Coley, Assistant Director, at 822-9079, ext. 202.

A Bargain Hunter’s Delight
HONNA’s second annual neighborhood-wide yard and garage sale provided dozens of residents with a two-fer — an opportunity to clean out their closets while filling their pockets with some extra cash. The event, held Saturday morning, May 12th, saw hundreds of bargain hunters clogging streets and alleys in search of treasures. Westminster Presbyterian Church on 11th Avenue NE was “sale central” where shoppers were able to stop and pick up locator maps of the neighborhood which indicated addresses where residents had set up shop (and others who had not contacted HONNA to put their locations on the map nevertheless benefited from all the traffic). The church was also selling flea-market items along with sandwiches, and both the police and fire departments had vehicles in the parking lot for passersby to check out. HONNA tried to make it easy for residents wanting to be involved in the sale by providing free publicity — taking out ads in the classifieds and running an announcement in the “Neighborhood Times” section of the St. Petersburg Times, posting signs at key entryways into the neighborhood a week in advance, circulating flyers and sending e-mail alerts to HONNA members and promoting the event on the HONNA web site. Thanks are in order for Jackie Romero (11th Avenue NE) who coordinated the event and put many hours into its planning and implementation.

Above: Pastor Dave at the grill Below: Decisions, decisions...

Left: Not only kids were interested in learning about fire trucks
HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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Preserving the Character of Old Northeast Houses
Old Northeast Underground
by Mike Dailey
I grew up in St. Louis, where almost every house had a basement. Our family used it primarily for storage and laundry, but it also served as a tornado shelter and as a playroom in bad weather. Our home’s furnace and water heater lived down there, as did the water and gas meters. Moving to St. Petersburg, I was told that you couldn’t have a basement in Florida’s sandy soil. The high water table would flood the space. It would be impossible to waterproof. So I was surprised, walking up to Cynthia Serra and Allison Butler’s house in The Old Northeast for the first time, to see a ground-level basement window near the front porch. Of course, I asked to see it and they agreed. It was smaller than the footprint of the house, about ¼ the size. And it had a plaster ceiling – something you never saw in the utilitarian basements of the Midwest. Since then I’ve been in several basements in The Old Northeast while working on house renovations and still spot basement windows on my walks through the neighborhood. Most basements are not as large as Cynthia and Allison’s, nor as finished. One thing all the basements in this neighborhood have in common is that they are generally dry. I’ve never seen a floor drain in one. The reason that basements stay dry here is that we have sandy soil that drains away quickly after rainstorms. And parts of The Old Northeast are conducive to having a basement because the water table is low enough that there is very little water pressure (hydrostatic pressure) on the subterranean walls and floor. Dickens House Bed and Breakfast, near 8th Avenue NE and Beach Drive, has a basement under the kitchen that is accessed by an external hatchway. Ed Caldwell, the owner, has his water heater

Inside and outside view of an Old NE basement

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200 Central Avenue, Ste 620 (Bank of America Tower)

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

and central vacuum system there, along with some storage. He told me that his basement stays dry but that he did get water in there through a hole in the foundation during a bad El Nino a few years ago. The “Four Sisters” houses — four very similar Mediterranean Revivalstyle houses on 13th Avenue N at 2nd Street — all have small basements that were built as boiler rooms. Those houses’ basements have concrete slab ceilings, which make them ideal for use as a storm shelter. Joe O’Connor, who lives in a “Four Sister” with his wife Maureen Corbett and daughter, told me that his basement never floods and isn’t even damp. They’re using it as a place for the air handler and tool storage – a working basement. At least two houses at the southern end of Beach Drive have basements. One of them, a very old house at Beach Drive and 6th Avenue NE, has an internal staircase but the basement has packed dirt walls with a brick floor. There is a circle of bricks amidst the regular rows in one area of the floor that may be the remnants of a former well. Building basements in Florida, never a very popular option, fell out of favor after the Great Depression. One reason may be because boilers, which were separated from the main living space for safety reasons, were replaced with oil heaters in new houses, which could be located right in the living space. Newer houses constructed in The Old Northeast don’t have basements at all – they would be very expensive to build and waterproof to modern standards. Seems we are just as happy to keep our stuff in the garage.

Mike, an Old Northeast resident since 1996, holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of South Florida.

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 7

Over The Back Fence

by

S

and

S

…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!

Vehicular courtesies…What is with the packs of bicyclists swarming up and down Coffee Pot, Beach and North Shore drives, particularly on Saturday mornings? Do they have to ride three and four abreast, way under the posted speed limit for cars and blocking the car lane so motorists can’t pass? Drivers are often accused of failing to be courteous to cyclists (including endangering their safety) but courtesy is a two-way street (pun intended)…Speaking of two-way streets, you don’t have to drive much in the neighborhood to become frazzled by our too-narrow-for-two-cars streets. If you find yourself on one of these streets – like 9th Avenue – and you see a driver a block away coming toward you and there’s not enough room for two cars to pass, try to pull over and wave the other car through. It’s a nice, neighborly courtesy. And who knows – maybe the next time someone will wave you through. Who woulda thunk?...In covering the Dali Museum’s 25th anniversary celebration in March, the St. Petersburg Times acknowledged (“special mention” they called it) the role Jim Martin (9 th Avenue NE) play-

ed in bringing the museum to St. Pete. Way back in 1980 he had read in the Wall Street Journal that the couple who donated the collection were having trouble finding a place for their treasures. Why not St. Petersburg?, he asked. And so it was. Sun shine…Congratulations are in order for Emilia Hoppes, daughter of Helga (Walnut Street NE), for placing as second runner-up in the Festival of States Junior Sungoddess pageant. Emilia is a senior at St. Pete High.

You never know what you’ll see...

in North Shore Park

The Ba Fen ence Ove r The Back Fence is a

pbo Soa pbox...
STEP UP ON U P and

e-mail: ns n a e di t or@a o l.c om nsn dit [email protected]

LET’S H E AR F R O M YO U

Check out the HONNA website
Page 8

www.honna.org

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Ponderings
lege educated (the vast majority had some college with bachelor degrees the most popular), we know the difference between average and median. But even with this above-average wealth, our lifestyle expenditures (clothing, entertainment, contributions, etc.) are only slightly above average. Politically, we are as divided as the rest of the country with the Republican Party holding a slight edge. In two of the precincts in our neighborhood (#141 and #142) there are 1,806 registered Republicans, 1,737 Democrats and 1,129 “other.” According to statistics from the last election, in House District 52 there were 32,000 registered Republicans voters and 30,742 Democratic. In our Congressional District 10, there were 166,495 registered Republican voters with 148,334 Democratic. Overall, in Pinellas Country there were 231,052 Republicans and 223,554 Democrats. Since never being capable of drawing the right conclusions from statistics, whatever I read into these few facts is questionable. However, it appears that any newsletter that appeals to educated retired couples of above average wealth should do well in our neighborhood while any mention of politics will guarantee to make half the population angry. So, just like any party in any part of our neighborhood, keep the conversation on the weather, real estate and business without mentioning politics and party — and our newsletter will succeed. Isn’t it nice that there are some periodicals around where the ugly head of partisanship must remain shrouded? John and his wife Kathy moved to St. Pete from New Mexico four years ago, and he currently teaches history at a Sarasota high school. He has served on the HONNA Board where he co-chaired its Historic Preservation Committee. You can also read more from John in the Northeast Journal.

Demographics... Weather, yes. Religion and politics, no.
by John Gee
After a discussion with someone about how best to design a newsletter that would appeal to the most people in our neighborhood, I realized that I had no idea what type of people lived in The Old Northeast and what they thought about anything, let alone the appropriate content of a newsletter. Since information these days is only a click away, let me share some demographic information about our neighborhood to shed some light on who lives here. To make things easier — for me — this information covers only zip code 33704, precinct 142, US Congress District 10, Florida Senate District 16 and Florida House District 52. Thanks to real estate agencies, it is easy to find citywide demographics. A search of homes.point2.com discloses a lot of stuff about any neighborhood, but there are more websites to help. In zip code 33704 there are 16,105 people, evenly split between males and females. Interestingly, our population has dropped 2% since 2000 but the median age has held steady at 40.58. Out of a total of 7,362 households a large majority is married couples without children with an average people-perhousehold of 2.14 (who is that .14% of a person anyway?). Financially, we are doing well. The average household income is $72,075 and the median household income is $48,810, which is a 77% increase since 1990. Our average household net worth is $141,751, the median household net worth is $43,181 and the average home sale price is $325,586. Since most of us are col-

Individual and Business Tax Returns Small Business Accounting & Consulting
Monica M. Vernon • Garth A. Vernon

St. Petersburg 424 22nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 Seminole 7700 Seminole Blvd, Ste 200, Seminole, FL 33772

(727) 393-1922 office • (727) 392-3266 fax
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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

A Work In Progress
Each issue of this newsletter introduces you to a neighborhood house which has recently or is presenting undergoing a major renovation. Perhaps some of the trials and tribulations (and joys!) experienced by these homeowners will give you ideas and inspiration as you consider a renovation or your present home. Maybe you’ll be motivated to bite the bullet and purchase that next house you’ve been thinking about. If you’d like to share your renovation story or know of a neighbor with a good one, let us hear from you.

Our “New” House
by Peter Stanhope
Many things brought Vicki Bennett and Rich Luker to our neighborhood from Chicago: they have family in the area, the diversity of our community and the ease of walking or riding your bicycle in this paradise we call The Historic Old Northeast. However, what sold them on this charming house at 130 16th Avenue N was Hannibal the Hawk. Vicki is a retired psychologist, active in the community garden club as well as Friendship Village. Having recently taken up nature photography, watching Hannibal soar above — bobbing and weaving as he patrols the area — is music to her soul. Rich, who is not retired, cherishes each moment he can at the home they have created. Vicki, along with builder David Lawrence of Bay Construction, transformed this cottage into a gracious home based on her vision of simple elegance. Built in 1934, the house appeared to be in good condition at purchase. Since the house was too small for their needs, they constructed an addition. The house resides in the center of an oversized lot, so the room to expand was there without compromising garden space. This was important as both Vicki and Rich enjoy outdoor living. One of the first things that caught my eye was the wraparound porch added to the west side of the house. It is a bold move that changed not only the look of the house but the function as well. French doors leading from each room incorporate this outdoor space into a living area. The furniture is arranged in a casual manner inviting the homeowner and visitor alike to sit back and enjoy breezes as the sunset plays across the sky. The house originally had a flat front with a central door and stoop. It is angular with a steep pitched roof. The addition is seamless in design so that though the house was expanded it looks and feels as if it has not been altered. The biggest surprise uncovered in the renovation was that all the mechanicals needed replacing, which they had hoped to be able to replace as needed. Also, there were issues with the foundation walls and significant water damage. Vicki advises choosing your builder well. She looked at previous work and developed a comfort level before starting the project. She found herself being very hands-on from both the beginning to the end of the project, and in between she spent a great deal of time on the phone. Vicki learned renovation is a huge undertaking and is exceedingly time consuming. Patience and perseverance is the advice she passes on to others. She also passes on her vision of simple elegance. The interior is not fussy. She used good quality basic materials for tile and most surfaces. Her investment was in the accents. In the galley kitchen she used whimsical knobs and pulls on the cabinets. She sparingly placed handmade Arts and Crafts tiles from an artisan in Michigan to draw the eye. In the bathrooms she used basic materials throughout and accented with granite counters for the sinks. Her new master bedroom boasts windows placed high and vertical on the west wall for privacy. Here she put Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired stained glass panels. She accented with a lighted tray ceiling. Adjoining the master suite is a private screened porch with views of the back garden. The library also has French doors to the side porch. Vicki again used a Wright-inspired table and upholstered chairs for intimate entertaining and card playing. She has chosen native plants, shells and gravel for landscaping. Enjoying casual breakfasts or leisurely lunches on their new porch, Vicki and Rich are anxious to see how everything grows together.
Peter and his partner Marc moved to Florida seven years ago from their home in the historic German Village section of Columbus, OH. Peter offers renovation and interior design services. He may be contacted at [email protected]

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Curb Appeal
by Chuck Lindeen
This little corner of our neighborhood newsletter is specifically focused on spotlighting the homes of our neighbors who have worked magic in one way or another to create “curb appeal” —that much sought-after quality in their little corner of The Historic Old Northeast. Curb Appeal focused in the previous issue on the fine job our neighbors at 206 11th Avenue NE have done with their property. Keep up the great work, and thanks again for your efforts! In this issue we would like to add our neighbors at 1101 2nd Street N to the Curb Appeal Hall of Fame. As with several previous designees, this property is also located on a corner lot. It sits on the “hill” at the corner of 11th Avenue N and 2nd Street. “Hill?,” you ask. Yes. If you stand in the middle of this intersection, you will find the street slopes down from here eastward and provides a view of Tampa Bay…if you squint. Conversely, if you stand at 11th Avenue NE at Beach Drive NE you can clearly see the rise in elevation that begins beyond 1st Street N. In this area of the neighborhood, 1st Street N. is the flood zone boundary. This property recently underwent a complete landscaping overhaul. I knew something was up when I saw work beginning on a new irrigation system. It had been xeriscaped originally and the new, professional landscaping design is also xeriscape. I once spoke to a professional landscaper who called this type of landscaping “zeroscaping.” Every time I hear either word I stop and laugh and think back to that discussion with him. There are many examples of xeriscaping around that can be called nothing but zero-scaping. Some of them just seem to have been thrown together without any thought or plan. Some of them are overgrown and flowing out into the street without any attention as if the owner thought xeriscaping meant zero maintenance. This neighbor’s new yard has given me a fresh look at how beautiful a well thought-out and executed xeriscape design can be. It incorporates some of the existing palm trees and plants and added a lot of new ones. In addition to the plants, the designer incorporated rocks of various sizes and shapes in both the yard and in the City right-of-way to provide visual excitement as you move from one area of the yard to another. To tie in the historic aspect of the home and neighborhood, some of the owner’s hexagonal blocks were used to create a path from the front porch around to the side yard gate leading to the back yard. The result of all this design effort and installation is a house that you just can’t walk or drive by without slowing down to enjoy the simple beauty. This is the definition of Curb Appeal...xeriscapestyle. If you haven’t seen this house yet take time and swing by for a look. Congratulations to you on a job well done.

Renewing an Old Tradition in The Historic Old Northeast

Neighborhood Children’s Parade
Wednesday, July 4th, 9:30-11:30am
Parade will start at 10a.m. SHARP! Meet in the rear parking lot behind Westminster Presbyterian Church – 126 11th Avenue NE Bring kids and/or grandkids with decorated bikes, tricycles, scooters, wagons, strollers, buggies, roller skates, pedal cars and their favorite music-makers! Family, friends, neighbors and visitors are welcome to set up chairs along the route (exact route to be announced) to watch the parade!

Prizes for most patriotic, most creative and most musical.

FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILDREN TO ENJOY.
Check www.honna.org and click on Community Calendar for updated information about the parade.

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 11

Not in Kansas

from page 1

restaurants and clubs at night.” – you know this is going to be good. And it doesn’t disappoint. She notes that the skyline is changing dramatically and that our neighborhood is finding that a “particular boon.” Our “quiet residential neighborhood stuffed with old houses” is in contrast to the “happening downtown scene” but herein, she suggests, lies our appeal: “a sense of community while relishing the easy access to downtown.” “Everyone is so friendly,” she quotes one resident as explaining. Ms. Capuzzo interviewed a number of residents who waxed eloquently about what drew them to The Old Northeast in the first place and what keeps them put. According to real estate agents the draw is not only for year ‘round residents but empty nesters and semi-retired folks as well who see an investment value in property here. For some buyers it’s their second, third or even fourth home. She observes that unlike much of the Gulf coast, which typically attracts new residents from the Midwest, it’s Northeasterners who tend to be captivated by The Old Northeast. Singled out by the writer as pluses are the “eclectic architecture,

brick streets, picket fences and lush foliage…[offering] an odd blend of New England style and tropical sensibility.” Close proximity to the arts and cultural scene downtown and a convenient 20 minute drive to Tampa International contribute to the appeal. Then there’s North Shore Park — a dream for joggers and walkers, cyclists and dog lovers. And she seemed charmed by the fact that our “tightly knit commu-

nity” thinks nothing of closing off streets for a hockey game, block party or, of course, our famous Halloween festivities. All this being said she didn’t have room to include other local treasures like Sunken Gardens, the historic Vinoy hotel and attractive bed-and-breakfasts, North Shore Pool, our playgrounds, tennis courts and beach, the Northeast Journal (and this newsletter!) and activities like the Florida Orchestra in the Park, monthly Porch Parties and our widely popular Holiday Tour of Homes. Then there are those intangibles, like inhaling the heady perfume of gardenias, frangipani and night-blooming jasmine, strolling under the leafy tree canopy or catching a big, orange sun rising from Tampa Bay. But all is not necessarily entirely rosey. Ms. Capuzzo notes that the downtown’s recent growth is “increasingly encroaching on Old Northeast, whether it is the weekly events in the waterfront park that overflow into the neighborhood and clog the small streets and alleys with traffic, or the ever-growing pressure by developers to build there.” Robin Reed, a member of H O N N A’ s Board of Directors and chair of its Historic Preservation Committee, shared insights into the neighborhood’s appeal and the recent unsuccessful campaign for Local Historic District status. She cited concerns for the increasing number of smaller residences which are being replaced by larger condos. “St. Petersburg for many years was a sleepy little place, and that preserved what we have here,” Robin said. “But like many communities near the water, in these economic boom times, if someone wants to come in and tear down a little house, they can do it overnight.” So amidst all the many positives

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

she illustrates, we must acknowledge what she indicates as one of the “cons” of living in The Old NE: “the evergrowing pressure by developers to build there.” A potential red flag from someone who was captivated by our City and, most particularly, our neighborhood. So if this is a sentiment you share, make your own voice known in opposition to inappropriate development in the neighborhood and adjoining areas of downtown – something so many of our neighbors did, fortunately, in May to help defeat a massively out-of-scale condo-hotel project slated for 5th Avenue. Ms. Capuzzo observes that with the prices of some of the downtown condos flirting with a $6 million price tag and the very expensive properties nearby on Snell Isle, houses in The Old Northeast “could still be considered relative bargains.” While she suggests that bungalows in our southern blocks are going for “as low as $400,000,” it’s more common to see listings for Mediterranean-style stucco houses with four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms at just under $800,000. The state of the current real estate market is examined, with local agent Alona Dishy sharing that houses are stay-

“A Neighborhood of Colonials and Palm Trees”
ing on the market for an average of six months and the one-time price increases of 30-35% are now 10-12%. Smaller condo units in renovated old buildings are going for $200,000-$300,000 with units at Vinoy Place ranging from about $800,000-$3 million. At a time when the real estate market seems soft, charming bungalows are being replaced by McMansions, homeowners’ insurance policies are being canceled and another hurricane season is upon us, it’s restorative to be reminded why this isn’t such a bad place after all. Yeah, we have to worry about hurricanes, but Kansas has tornadoes – and no palm trees.
HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 13

BEACH

Bumming
by Keaton Green

inellas County is well known for its spectacular beaches, but there’s more to having fun at the beach this summer than sun and surf. There are interesting shops, historical sites and great family-friendly restaurants serving everything from pancakes to grouper sandwiches. So pack your towel, sunscreen and don’t forget your appetite! You can start a family day at Pass-a-Grille Beach with breakfast at the Seahorse (800 Pass-a-Grille Way). This landmark restaurant is open for breakfast every morning (except Tuesday), and for many “locals” it’s their favorite beach restaurant. Don’t

P

GRADY The Historic Home Handyman
“Custom work my specialty” Resident of Old Southeast

miss the historic stop across the street called Merry’s Fishing Pier or the nearby collection of cute beach shops. After breakfast you could head down 8th Avenue to take a glance at some unique shops offering antiques, jewelry, clothing and those real beach staples — T-shirts and flip-flops. For a look at the more historic side of Pass-a-Grille, take a peek at the quaint old houses dating back to 1886 on 7th Avenue. At 612 is the Zephaniah Phillips House, which at 120+years old is one of the most historic houses on the island. On the right at 613 is the V.K. Outlands House, which was constructed in 1917 and was the home of a noted poet locally known as “Cat Woman.” For lunch, you can’t beat Pass-a-Grille’s Seaside Grille (on the beach at Gulf Way and 8th Avenue) for something good and quick while playing on the beach. Across the street is the famous Hurricane (809 Gulf Way), known for its grouper dishes. After lunch you could try your hand at volleyball at the volleyball courts located in between the public restrooms and the Seaside Grille. At Frank T. Hurley Park (in the block between 15th and 16th avenues), there’s a playground, basketball court, picnic shelter and plenty of shade for getting a break from the sun. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, reserve a boat with Adventure Boating (801 Pass-aGrille Way). As the sun sets on the Gulf of Mexico, head north to St. Pete Beach, where even more activities await. For dinner, there’s Blue Fugu (5615 Gulf Boulevard), a Japanese restaurant offering an early bird special before 6pm. Another favorite is the Bon-Aire Resort (4350 Gulf Blvd.), a mom-and-pop motel with an outdoor restaurant right on the beach. Some people say it serves the best burgers on the beach, but place your order before the kitchen closes at 7pm. After dinner, enjoy the public beach at sunset. If you are looking for a more casual outdoor restaurant, you can’t beat Caddy’s on Treasure Island (9000 West Gulf Boulevard). Located right on the beach, there’s plenty of space for the kids to play and picnic table seating for watching the sunset. There is usually a band every Friday and Saturday night. To finish off a wonderful day at the beach, have some ice cream at the cute, old-fashioned ice cream shop at the Don CeSar Hotel (3400 Gulf Boulevard). Keaton Green lives in Old NE with her parents, sister and brother. She is a 6th grade student at the Canterbury School of Florida.

727.895.2272
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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

PORCH

PAR ARTIES PARTIES
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 Julie Feeley (822-4969; [email protected]).

You’re Invited

June 15 th

Alex and Robin Glenn 616 16th Avenue NE July 20th Michael and Gina Julian 615 19th Avenue NE August 17th Harbour Hill Community Association 700 Beach Drive NE

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 15

Downtown

by Chuck Lindeen

Dining Around… Downtown keeps getting closer and closer to The Historic Old Northeast, and as far as I’m concerned, to steal another’s catch-phrase, it’s a good thing. I know this place will not be “new” to many of you, but it’s new to me. I am such a creature of habit that I find a place I like and go there regularly, until I wear it out — which could be several years if it’s really good. As I sat their eating my meal, I tried to figure out exactly what else may have been keeping me away from Chipotle. It could be seeing those jam-packed parking lots at lunch time or just navigating traffic in that funny stretch of 4th Street where people don’t seem to understand the turn lanes or observe the posted speed limit. Food… or my life? Taking my life into my own hands, venture I did and I’m glad I did it! I am disinclined to frequent chain restaurants IF there is a viable, locally-owned alternative, but there are exceptions and this will be one of those. I decided to give it a try at the worst possible time, right about 12:30pm at the mid-week lunch rush. I got the last parking place — I mean the last one in the lot AND the last one at the south (opposite) end of the lot. I was expecting to find a crowd at Chipotle and my expectations were met: I was approximately 18 people back from the cashier at the end of the line. I watched the line as I progressed toward the front and later as I ate, and it stayed at 18-20 people consistently until about 1:15pm when it started to slack-up a bit. My wait-time was about 15 minutes from walking in the door to walking away from the cashier. So if you are in a hurry and it’s lunch time you may want to go elsewhere. This is not really fast food. Once I figured out that the menu boards were not left to right — as I’m used to reading

— they were pretty easy to follow. First, you pick your style: burrito, burrito bol, soft taco, crispy taco or salad. Second, you start filling what you selected from either chicken, steak, carnitas (seasoned pork), barbacoa (spicy, shredded beef) or vegetarian options. Then you move down the line and add toppings to your fillings. Among these options were chopped tomato and cilantro, salsa, corn, sour cream and cheese. Then, as they say, “Pay up. Chow down.” But before you pay up you can add extras…such as chips with salsa or guacamole and drinks (soda or beer). Then there’s one last option: eat there or take it home (or back to work at your desk!). Seating is available inside or out. The inside has more tables than I care to count, with various configurations, and the outside appeared to have about 10 tables, some with umbrellas. The dining area and kitchen area are all one large space and there seemed to have been little consideration given to sound-deadening in that space as it was rather noisy, especially with the crowd in line getting caught-up on office gossip. I wanted the full experience so I stayed inside and sat at one of the barheight tables-for-two with built-in stool and foot rest. The décor is very urban/tech with a dash of South-of-theBorder thrown-in to remind you this is Mexican cuisine. The Average Joe or Jane may not even catch the Mexican reference in the artwork on the walls. Let’s leave that for you to discover on your next visit. I had ordered a burrito with carnitas (naturally raised pork, seasoned with thyme, bay leaves, juniper berries and freshly cracked black pepper – seared, then braised for hours) and my additional toppings were the tomato/cilantro salsa, corn, sour cream and cheese. It was delicious. The pork was excellent, and everything else was very fresh and crisp. I am not a big “handfood” fan and was amazed that the burrito held together to the end. I also ordered the chips and guacamole and was very satisfied with that as well. So the final word on Chipotle? Remember the Dining Around… Downtown three-point scoring system: food, service and atmosphere. For chain-store “fast food”-type food I have to rate Chipotle as very good. Service — I did just great, and the staff was all very pleasant and accommodating so we’ll give them a “great” as well. The atmosphere can only be described as average for this type of dining. It was very nice to see staff circulating even during the lunch rush to make sure all tables were wiped down with each turn and the self-service soda fountain area was kept clean and neat. So overall, I would give Chipotle 2.5 out of three, or a big thumbs-up. Eat, drink and be Mayan (that’s a clue!). Chipotle’s hours are 11am to 10pm daily. They accept most major credit cards. They are located at 780 4th Street N (Corner of 4th Street and 8th Avenue N). Phone number is 895-6050; fax number is 895-6393.
Chuck has been a resident of The Old Northeast for over 10 years and a 33-year resident of the city. He served two appointed terms on the St. Petersburg Arts Advisory Committee and has volunteered for numerous arts organizations including the Salvador Dali Museum, American Stage/American Stage in the Park and the Arts Center. He is currently serving on HONNA’s Board as Vice President.

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

New Members
Anard and Pallavi Iyer ........................................... 20th Avenue NE Joe and Erica Malerba ........................................... 20th Avenue N Art and Peg Silvergleid ......................................... 16th Avenue NE William Moore ....................................................... 16th Avenue NE Roland and Heather Martino ............................... Beach Drive NE Michael and Brittany Martin ..................................... Oak Street NE Catherine Landstra and Victor Meaders .............. 11th Avenue NE Timothy Kennedy ....................................... North Shore Drive NE Susan Coffey and Amir Lashgari ......................... 27th Avenue NE Heidi Colbertson .................................................... Bay Street NE Karem and Karen Esin ................................................ 1st Street N Lew and Ellie Estabrooks .............................. Andalusia Way NE Beverly Graves and Jay Houghton ....................... 14th Avenue NE William and Caroline Bosbyshell ........................ 21st Avenue NE Vivian and Peter Cammick ................... Coffee Pot Boulevard NE Laura and Vitali Chadrine .................................... 16th Avenue NE

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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ARE WE

by Jill McGrath

rom the 26th floor of a downtown building, in the heart of St. Petersburg’s business district, The Historic Old Northeast looks like an umbrella of green, the live oaks standing protective guard over the roof tops, both large and small. The Old Northeast is framed within the boundaries of 5th to 30th avenues on the south to north edges and from Tampa Bay to 4th Street on the east to west edges. The architecture is very diverse, from the Mediterranean influence in magnificent homes to examples of cottages, bungalows and ranch houses. Like the buildings, the citizens are disparate in age, background, education and interests. The neighborhood is again a beautiful area and one which resurfaced from years of neglect and misuse when the Vinoy was restored and the downtown was no longer a section of St. Petersburg to avoid. In the “Neighborhood News” section in the Sunday St. Petersburg Times, we are Area #43 of District #2 in the Crime Report section. It is always reassuring to see that the listings for Area #43 are most often smaller in size than other areas, even though the types of crime are similar. We have our cars and bikes stolen, there has been a murder, there are attempted and successful burglaries, there are scam artists and there are armed robberies and domestic disputes. A cross- section of our localized crimes can be found in the Crime Report in all the other areas of the City. We cannot assume that we are safe just because we live in a “nice” neighborhood. During an unscientific survey, a number of citizens from within our Old Northeast boundaries were asked, “Do you feel safe in this neighborhood?” Most said, “Yes.” Some replied that when they are out and about they kept alert about the surroundings and only became uncomfortable when they saw people who were unfamiliar or acting suspiciously. One neighbor replied that even though he slept through a murder which occurred just outside his house, he feels safe. Another neighbor reported that his house had been the target of three scam artists with heart-rending stories: one young man wanted change for a $20 bill for his “grandmother, who lives just down the block”; a woman needed money for gas so that she could go see her “mother who had been in an auto accident in Orlando”; and another man needed money for his “daughter’s medicine” (when that request was addressed with a question, “Do you want me to call an ambulance or the police”, the man fled as though he had wings). These incidents are all too common. Whether we know the neighbors who have been victimized through crime or not, tomorrow it could be you who are the victim. All of us want to feel safe, see safety measures and be safe. Scam artists are a nuisance, serious crimes are frightening. We have lost possessions when we were at work or while we slept, we have lost our purse to a man with a gun, our cars and bikes have been stolen and brutalized, there have been many tres-

F

afe? S

passes while were away from our home. One citizen, returning from a golf game, was met in his kitchen by a stranger with a gun. We have lost the safety factor in our neighborhood, maybe not every day or every week but we must always be on guard, each and everyone one of us, and we need to be aware of that fact and take steps to insure our safety as much as we can. HONNA volunteers are needed to be involved in all of the activities in our diverse neighborhood because those efforts keep the citizens in our historic area caring and also connected to one another, by street, by household and by our National Historic District designation. We need to embrace our neighborhood differences and celebrate the accomplishments of everyone who lives within our boundaries because, until we all feel safe, we remain a neighborhood of vulnerability. In The Old Northeast we cannot afford either division or fear. Conversely there exists a false sense of security in our neighborhood: people do not want to think that “it can happen to them.” One neighbor expressed her displeasure with her husband’s idea to have a security system installed. She was concerned about the cost and stated that there wasn’t anything of value to be stolen from their house. Criminals will find anything they perceive as valuable, and when someone stands in their way a weapon can assist them in their goal. Ask anyone who has had a gun shoved in their face because they had something – anything — someone wanted to take, and by force if necessary. Be very aware that our homes, and the actions of us around our homes, are vulnerable to surveillance by people who are ready to take advantage at the slightest opportunity. We may feel safe and we may not worry, but it doesn’t take much of our time to be vigilant. A request to speak to Police Chief Chuck Harmon was declined. Major Melani Bevan, who recently spoke at a HONNA monthly neighborhood meeting, only had time to speak for a few minutes by speaker-phone. The question, “Why was our Area #43-assigned officer position eliminated by Chief Harmon’s-inspired neighborhood protection plan?” As odd as this sounds, it is explained that we now have better coverage because previously our neighborhood Community Police Officer only worked an eighthour shift each day which left 16 daily hours of fragmented coverage. Now, a number of officers can scour the neighborhood

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derstaffed.” We need plainclothes police officers patrolling our around the clock and more officers can answer a call for help. neighborhood by bicycle, unmarked car and by foot conducting Recently, an officer who was patrolling Area #62 responded to an stake-outs, but there aren’t enough officers for stake-outs or surabandoned vehicle complaint in our Area #43. He felt that the new round tactics. Unfortunately, officers are leaving the force besystem works well and allows each officer to get to “know” each cause of the poor pay scale though Major Bevan explained that as neighborhood within the City. And we may not see the obvious far as salary and equipment are concerned there are only one or signs of police protection, but the Major assures us that police are two other City agencies which “make out better than we do.” quite present in The Old Northeast and are watchful of activities around our streets, alleys and houses. We have been asked to give this new system a chance; it is not set in stone and the plan is being scrutinized and adjusted accordBrian Johnson, a lawyer, HONNA Board member and chairing to data from monthly reports. Brian stated that, under the new man of the Crime and Safety/ Neighborhood Watch committee, system of patrol and responsibilities within each area of each disspoke at a recent neighborhood meeting and shared with us the trict, “the kinds and number of calls answered, and their disposikinds of protection we can implement at our own properties. For tion, are being monitored and recorded for a future audit in order instance, the need to have some type of security system installed to provide better service.” And that processed information will be and consistently using it, including the benefits of motion detectracked from one month to tion lights at our entrances. His list the next, and beyond. Major includes recommendations that we We need plainclothes police officers Bevan said, “The key is the not leave our windows open and response time, and so far our patrolling our neighborhood by bicycle, that we keep a flashlight, cell response time is better than the phone and car key alarms by our unmarked car and by foot conducting national average.” bedside at night. It is also imporstake-outs, but there aren’t enough officers tant to have both the 911 emerAnd, when we call in for gency phone number as well as our help, we need to keep a log of for stake-outs or surround tactics. own District #2 non-emergency response times so that the inpolice number (551-3182) prominent on every house and cell formation can be added to the monthly statistics. It is obvious phone. We are also encouraged to not be at all hesitant about that we aren’t as well protected as we wish, but if we all join in reporting anything we see or hear which may spell trouble for watching and helping our neighborhood with unity and care the anyone. Neighborhood Watch will be a very successful safety plan for us all. Most importantly, it is ourselves who must keep us safe. Some of us have begun to carry pepper spray and Mace when we are out and about to protect ourselves. But we are also warned For more information about the Neighborhood Crime Watch to be “vigilant citizens, not vigilantes,” and, further, that it is not program, contact Brian Johnson at [email protected] wise for us to “do police work.” And just because we cannot see or 391-9756; also see page 4 of this issue. a police cruiser driving by does not mean an officer isn’t around, Jill and Ed McGrath (who grew up together in the Hudson Brian assures. River Valley of New York) are restoring a 1910 cottage on the In my interview with Brian, he suggested that when we do corner of Bay Street and 6th Avenue NE. This is Jill’s fifth (Ed’s make a call either to 911 or 551-3182 we “let the dispatcher drive third) complete house restoration project and they have promised the conversation.” The dispatchers need specific answers so that each other that it will be their last. the proper authorities will be the responders. Brian is processing the Neighborhood Watch organizational tools and it is hoped that all Old Northeast citizens will participate so that we can connect our safety needs for and with one another. Members signing up will receive monthly emails containing crime statistics of the past month, hot spots of crime activity and “heads-up” notices about safety-awareness needs. Despite the loss of our Community Police Officer, Brian believes that there is a better response under the new organizational police system but better coverage has yet to be determined. Brian believes Chief Harmon “is doing an outstanding job with what he has but he needs more funds because his department is underpaid and unHISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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Prepare Your Home: Before During and After a Storm

#1: DO YOU LIVE IN AN EVACUATION AREA? • Call the Pinellas County Interactive Hurricane Evacuation Inquiry Line at (727) 453-3150 and key in your home phone number without the area code to hear your home’s evacuation level. • Go to www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/local.htm and click on Evacuation Lookup. Type in your home address to see your evacuation zone and nearest shelters. Click on Evacuation Level Maps to view your location. • Call Pinellas County Emergency Management at (727) 464-3800 for help looking up your home’s evacuation level. Regular business hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. • Pinellas County Utility bills and Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notices by the Property Appraiser list evacuation zones. #2: GET PREPARED Check Your Disaster Survival Kit Purchase needed items. Have at least a twoweek supply of non-perishable foods and a manual can opener. The food, drinking water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and other essentials may save you from struggling to find basic needs after the storm. Get Your Paperwork In Order Copy important documents, medical and legal records, receipts of valuable items and other papers. Place originals in a safe, watertight place. Inventory all items you and your family own in case you need to file an insurance claim. Check Your Insurance Coverage • If you live in a flood-prone area, look into flood insurance. Most Pinellas County communities participate in the National fore a storm threatens, take a good look at your roof. Flood Insurance Program making lower-cost flood insurance available to • Are the shingles in good condition? Does the roof need repair? Small residents living in designated flood-prone areas. leaks can become severe with heavy rain and the impact of storm debris. • If you live in a municipality, call your city hall. You can also view • Inspect the underside of your roof from inside the attic for structural all of the flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) on the county’s website, problems. Look along the rafters or the tops of the roof trusses for large www.pinellascounty.org. nails driven through the sheathing and not secured into the frame. That #3: GET YOUR HOME IN SHAPE could mean the roofers misnailed the roof deck . One or two may be OK, Whether or not you evacuate, you still should carefully protect but more than that, and your roof’s strength could be compromised. your home. Don’t wait until a storm approaches. • If you need to have your roof redone, be sure to ask the roofer to • Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and remove any limbs that overrenail your sheathing to ensure it is properly secured and specify hang your home. Dead and diseased tree limbs can easily be snapped wind-resistant shingles. off in high winds, causing great damage. HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Page 20

• Replace stone mulch with shredded bark mulch. • Bring in all yard furniture, grills, potted plants and other items. Windows And Doors Windows and doors are particularly vulnerable to wind and rain damage. Window films, tempered glass and other products may not withstand wind-borne debris felt during a hurricane. Plywood • Don’t risk long lines and limited supplies if you plan to shutter with plywood. Buy and cut early. • Use a minimum of 5/8ths inch thick exterior grade plywood to withstand flying debris. • For masonry buildings, use masonry screws that cut their own thread in concrete, or use lag shields inserted into predrilled holes. Wood screws can be used for wood framed homes. Hurricane Shutters Typically made of metal, vinyl or polycarbonate, these shutters come in many designs. Check options with a licensed installer and be sure they meet the 2002 Florida Building Code. Hurricane Screens Some of the newest options available are permanently attached metal mesh screens or flexible woven polypropylene netting. Both are approved for use throughout Florida. Garages According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), about 80 percent of wind damage in homes starts with wind coming through the garage door. • If your garage door was installed before 2002 code changes, call the manufacturer to determine the strength of the door or ask a building inspector to check the door for its wind-worthiness. • Replace older garage doors or retrofit with bracing kits. Your Roof Your home’s roof is the first line of defense against rain. High wind can tear off shingles, underlayment and even the roof sheathing. Be-

For more hurricane-resistant tips, check out the Florida Home Builders Association at www.fhba.com under the Consumer Services Section. #4: SELECT A SAFE ROOM If you don’t have to evacuate and plan to weather a hurricane at home, set up a safe room for you and your family in case your home is damaged. This is also a good place to store emergency supplies, important papers and battery-powered radios. Make sure the room has a solid-core door with heavy duty hinges for greater protection. Use long screws to ensure the hinges are anchored securely. Installing a deadbolt lock, like those found on entry doors, will further help protect you and your family. Where your safe room should be located depends upon how many levels are in your home or building. • In a one-story house, the ideal safe room is in the center of your home with few or no windows. • In a two-story house, seek out an interior first-floor room such as a bathroom, closet or space under the stairs. • In a multiple-story building, go to the first or second floors and take refuge in halls or other interior rooms away from windows. Interior stairwells and areas around elevators shafts are generally the strongest parts of a building. #5: AS A STORM APPROACHES If you are planning to leave the area, go early. Other tips: • Refill your prescriptions. Make sure you have at least a two-week supply. • Fill your car’s gas tank. Have the oil, water and tires checked. Gas pumps cannot operate during power outages. Place emergency items inside like booster cables, tire repair kit and spare tire, flashlight with extra batteries and matches. • If your home may flood, stack valuable items and cover them with plastic. • Get cash. Credit cards may not work. • Secure your boat and make arrangements for your pets early. When a Hurricane Watch is issued, a storm may affect our area within 36 hours. This is the time to review your family plan and Survival Kit checklist as well as: • Contact family members to coordinate efforts and exchange plan information. • Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. • Freeze drinking water in plastic jugs. • Stock up on an emergency water supply. Sterilize bathtub, jugs, bottles, utensils and containers. • Set up 5-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids for use as emergency toilets. Line each bucket with a heavy-duty plastic trash bag. • Install shutters or precut plywood over windows. • Drop the water level in your pool by 1 or 2 feet. Shock the pool with extra chlorine to compensate for heavy rains. • Turn off the pool pump. Put outdoor furniture and pool equipment into the pool, but remove after the storm passes to prevent rusting. • Listen for weather updates and information on local TV or radio. The NOAA Weather Radio is a reliable source. Turn to Pinellas Channel 18, Your County Connection, to receive the latest official Pinellasspecific information. Don’t rely on rumors and speculation. #6: IFYOU MUST EVACUATE When an evacuation order is given, only 8 to 12 hours are left before conditions become too treacherous to be on the road. If the evacuation order applies to your area, you should: • Secure all windows and doors tightly. • Put your Disaster Survival Kit in your car. • Turn off electric, water and gas. • Wear protective clothing like long pants, long sleeve shirts and sturdy shoes. • Lock your home. • Evacuate quickly but safely. The sooner you leave, the less time

you spend in a traffic rush. • Only evacuate as far as necessary. Traffic gridlock could leave you stranded. When the storm passes, you may not be able to get back in. Officials suggest going to someone else’s home in a nonevacuation area. • Let friends and family know your plans. #7: WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED Hurricane conditions are less than 24 hours away and violent weather may come quickly. If you are not ordered to evacuate, complete your preparations and head to your home’s safe room. • Move your supplies and disaster supplies kit to your safe room. • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors, particularly double inward-opening doors and garage doors. • Most importantly, stay inside and do not leave your shelter. To be continued in September... if we’re all still here :)

Pinellas County Emergency Management
400 S. Fort Harrison Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 464-3800 TDD: (727) 464-4431 Important Websites
Pinellas County Emergency Management http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency Find Your Evacuation Level http://pubgis.co.pinellas.fl.us/hurricane_txt/ Storm Preparation Information http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/local.htm

New Businesses In Our Neighborhood
As the downtown and Grand Central areas of the city continue to blossom as shopping and dining destinations, so does The Old Northeast. Here are a few commercial establishments that have opened in our neighborhood in recent weeks or will be opening soon. Give ‘em a try!: Scrubs n Duds 2620 4th Street N Dr. Mona Henri, Eye Care 2300 4th Street N Poshe Nails and Spa 944 4th Street N Embellish Gift Boutique/ Monograms 321 10th Avenue N

Neighborhood Scoop Ice Cream Shop 718 2nd Street N Page 21

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Thinking in

Purple

by Barbara Rhode, LMFT
Barbara Rhode is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who lives in a very purple house in The Old Northeast, a place where she contemplates in shades of “purple.”

Turning Lemons into Lemonade
When I first moved to Florida almost 28 years ago (can it really be that long ago?!), I was surprised by how much slower the typical pace of life was here during the summer. Don’t get me wrong — we got languid and lazy on Long Island in July and August, and I know things there slowed down a bit but not to the extent that I notice they do here. Perhaps it was because we had hibernated from January to March so that by the time summer arrived most of us felt rip-roaring ready to expend some sweat energy even though the kids were off from school and the bees were buzzing. Living here, I quickly discovered that the south does summer a bit differently. First of all, quite a few of the neighbors pack up the kids and assorted treasures and hide out somewhere cooler for extended periods of time. Even those of us who have to stay put for various reasons seem to simply fade away, becoming significantly less accessible during the most humid of days. People in general seem to become hesitant to make many plans or set new goals and the average work week shortens, probably from the logical fear that you would spontaneously combust if you put too much effort into anything amidst all that heat. But none of this is openly talked about and some people seem

to even express guilt over their apparent decline in motivation and ambition that accompanies the rising temperatures. It is almost as if the “summer doldrums” is a secret that we emphatically deny when any of our northern neighbors get brave enough to visit us this time of year and notice our lethargy. Why don’t we openly agree as Floridians that June, July and August get officially designated as our communal time of hibernation? We could collectively let go of any guilt attached to this apparent decrease in productivity and take deep breaths by circulating fans together. Instead of hunkering down with a hug mug of cocoa during a snowstorm like our relatives up north get to do in the winter, we could sip lemonade while fanning ourselves by the Gulf waiting on the occasional breeze. We could mutually agree to expect less out of each other and save our last reserve of patience for when it is really necessary — like being stuck in traffic on US 19 while listening to the kids scream that their set of glitter crayons just melted into the new car seats or when first climbing into a parked car on a sweltering August afternoon and instantly feeling as if you are going to die, right then, right there. Most of us typically juggle enormous loads of tasks and projects throughout the year and, in lieu of any significant seasonal changes, expect ourselves to march around at that same exact pace throughout the summer. I propose instead that summer is the perfect time to begin a daily practice of “napping,” which I believe is now even being touted by the Surgeon General as an essential healthy habit, one well worth cultivating. Summer is also ideal for gifting yourself the pleasure of reading a few of those books that Oprah recommended and you bought months ago, only to leave on a shelf to impress guests and collect dust. Summer could even be the right time for casual conversations over the back fence that evolve into relaxed neighborhood barbecues while kids run around laughing and adults get to share gossip and renew friendships. Think about it…all of that pleasure and extra leisure time — which the research says is becoming a lost art — without guilt, without angst and with some much needed space and breathing room (even if that room is as humid as a wet blanket and hot, hot, hot). Ahhh, summer.

Barbara is a licensed psychotherapist and co-founder of Transitions & You, Inc. offering educational programs and workshops to increase awareness and understanding about young adult growth, healthy family development and personal wellness. For more information, visit www.transitionssite.com or 418-7882.

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

EASTER EGG HUNT

a Sweet Success!

The Smith & Associates-sponsored Easter Egg Hunt at Coffee Pot Park on April 7th was a delight for the 80 neighborhood children who participated. Squirrels and kids competed for the 1,000 eggs volunteers hid throughout the park (and the little rascals – the rodents, that is — expressed a decided preference for orange eggs!). The annual event was a gift to the neighborhood from Smith & Associates’ Platinum Group (Cynthia Serra, Connie Lancaster and Ed Sandford) who sponsored the fun time with monetary donations and prizes and to Cathy Leonard of HONNA’s Membership Committee who stuffed all the eggs! Since the kids had such a good time (along with their parents who attended), thought is being given to having an adult Easter Egg Hunt next year. Dust off the bunny outfits and rabbit ears!

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

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“Just “Jus t The Right Number”
Here are some phone numbers you may need City Hall ............................................................. 893-7171 Mayor’s Office .................................................... 893-7201 Mayor’s Action Center ......................................... 893-7111 City Council ....................................................... 893-7117 District 4 Member Leslie Curran ...................... 893-7117 Police (non-emergency) ..................................... 893-7780 .......................................................................... 551-3182 Codes compliance/enforcement/ assistance .......................................................... 893-7373 Remodeling permits ............................................ 893-7231 Fence permits .................................................... 893-7231 Neighborhood Design Review ............................. 893-7257 Historic Preservation/Urban Design . 894-7491 or 893-7153 Planning/zoning .................................................. 893-7471 Neighborhood traffic/parking ............................... 893-7843 Junk/debris/brush collection (alley) .......................... 893-7398 Overgrown property ............................................ 893-7373 Water/sewer problems ........................................ 893-7261 Street maintenance ............................................. 893-7421 Sidewalk repair .................................................. 893-7850 Tree removal/trim (on city property) ........................ 893-7298 Graffiti ................................................................ 893-7394 Mulch (free) ........................................................ 893-7398 Rodent control (free) ........................................... 893-7360 Animal services (loose dogs) ............................. 582-2600 Street Light Out (Progress Energy) ..................................... 800/228-8485 Park Light Out .................................................... 893-7335 Bus schedules .................................................... 530-9911 Senior services .................................................. 893-7101 Library (main) ..................................................... 893-7724 Mirror Lake branch .......................................... 893-7268 County Commissioners ....................................... 464-3000 District 7 Member Kenneth Welch ................... 464-3614 County building department ................................. 464-3241 Property taxes .................................................... 582-7771 Senator Mel Martinez .................................... 407/254-2573 Senator Bill Nelson ...................................... 407/872-7161 Congressman Bill Young ............................... 727/893-3191 Governor Charlie Christ ................................ 850/488-7146 Citizen Services Hotline ............................ 850/488-4441 State Senator Charlie Justice ........................ 727/217-7970 State Senator Arthea Joyner ......................... 813/233-4277 State Rep. Bill Heller .................................... 727/552-2573

ON THE DOCKET:
Some Upcoming Events In and Nearby Our Neighborhood For a current and more detailed listing go to the City’s website at www.stpete.org
Get Downtown Music Series Central b/w 2nd-3rd; 393-3597 June 1 St. Pete Shuffle 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N; 867-7228 June 1-3 Taste of Pinellas Vinoy Park; 767-4193 June 9 Hurricane Preparedness Expo BayWalk; 384-6000 June 9 International Young Eagles Day & Albert Whitted Airport Open House Albert Whitted Airport; 822-1532 June 9-10 Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival Vinoy Park; 327-1277 JUNE 15 PORCH PARTY (see p. 15) June 16-17Pinellas Living Green Expo Coliseum; 892-5202 JUNE 18 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING June 30 St. Pete Gay Pride Promenade and Street Festival Central b/w 22nd-28th; 365-0544 June 30- Artwalk at BayWalk July 1 BayWalk; 384-6000 JULY 4 OLD NORTHEAST 4th of JULY CHILDRENS PARADE Westminster Church; see p 11 and www.honna.org July 4 Fouth of July Extravaganza The Pier; 821-6443 July 4 Fourth of July Bash BayWalk; 384-6000 July 6 Get Downtown Music Series Central b/w 2nd-3rd; 393-3597 July 8 Share the Road Ride North Shore Pool; 582-1910 JULY 16 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING July 19 Sunrise Sale Participating shops and businesses downtown; 893-7465 July 20 Vans Warped Tour Vinoy Park; 896-2276 JULY 20 PORCH PARTY (see p. 15) July 21-22 19th Annual Cool Art Show Coliseum; 736-2976 July 28-29 Hurricane Cat Show Coliseum; 892-5202 Aug 3 Get Downtown Music Series; Central b/w 2nd-3rd; 393-3597 Aug 4-5 Suncoast Avian Society Exotic Bird Show Coliseum; 892-5202 Aug 15-19 Old Salt Loop Tournament Spa Beach; 497-1060. AUGUST 17 PORCH PARTY (see p. 15) June 1

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Dave Forman is a happily transplanted Los Angeleno living here with his wife and young daughter.

oofers p S

… by D.S. Forman

DISCLAIMER: The stories you are about to read are not true. Not even the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Enquirer
nesses, the large grapefruit bounced off the teen’s overly-spiked haircut and dropped harmlessly beside him, leaving a five-inch diameter dent in his stiffened hair. Hours earlier, police were called to the same scene to retrieve a dead squirrel that was evidently flattened by another falling grapefruit. “That coulda been me,” rued the young man. “This hair wax saved my life!”

The Old Northeast

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ A MOSQUITO PREAREDNESS DRILL PAREDNESS DRILL will be conducted at North Shore Park in advance of the seasonal onslaught by the hordes of bloodsucking pests. City entomologist Darryl Ichimin will advise participants in effective evasion techniques, including smoke and net strategies, swatting etiquette, and DEET dipping. Thursday at dusk. + MEDIA SYMPOSIUM AT THE POYNTLESS INSTITUTE Soak in the brilliance from a distinguished panel of media elites, Pulitzer Prize winners and journalistic wags who will discuss the thorny issue: “Why Circulations are Slipping – Is the Press Too Smart or is the Public Too Stupid to Appreciate Us?” Friday night, 7pm at St Pete’s prestigious Poyntless Institute. General public is welcome at the door — but only after passing a written test. + OPEN HOUSE AT MANATEE MATES If you always wanted to swim with the manatees, but never had the chance, then why not do the next best thing — swimming with men and women who look like manatees! Come to the yearly membership drive of St. Pete’s oldest continuous swim club, the Manatee Mates, and find out what it takes to wallow, dive and frolic like a real manatee (even if you don’t weigh 300 pounds…but it helps if you do). This Sunday at 10am on the beach behind North Shore Pool.

RESTAURANT CLOSINGS

BUSINESS OPENINGS

+ Jason’s Divine Dining located at the entrance to BayWalk is closed until further notice for refreezing thawed fish and serving endangered species. + Bunny’s Salad and Endiv Endive Bazaar has been closed indefinitely by City health officials for violating a radicchio and for spinning salads in a washing machine.

OF LOCAL INTEREST

+ HAIR WAX SAVES TEEN FROM FALLING WAX SAVES TEE FROM FALLING GRAPEFRUIT GRAPEFRUIT An extra stiff hair wax is credited with saving a neighborhood teenager from a serious concussion when an overripe grapefruit fell directly onto his head. According to wit-

+ Craftier’s Papier-Mâché House If you think papierCraftier’s Papier apierHouse mâché is just for kids, think again! Madeleine and Claude Craftier sell hand-made kitchen knives and garden tools made entirely of flour and recycled paper. “Paper can be very dangerous,” says Claude. “Just think of all the people every year who get paper cuts.” The Craftiers claim their papier-mâché knives are not only sharp but also biodegradable and safe for the environment. 4th Street at 5th Avenue N. + Ray’s Miami Stuff Machine Unable to lease his neighborhood mini-mall, rookie developer Ray Meeker has taken the space himself and opened a unique retail store selling everything Miami, from stuffed parrots to Gloria Estefan CDs. Be sure to check out the “Miami Vice” aisle of adult amusements – but leave the kids outside, please.

“Spoof” is a noun which the dictionary defines as a “light humorous parody.” Actually the word is an acronym devised in the early 20th century from the phrase “St. Pete: Our Outlandish Funtasyland.” SPOOFers was a column in the local newspaper, The Leningrad LAMPOON (the precursor to the St. Petersburg TIMES).

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 25

How Does Your Garden Grow?
by Yvonne Swanson -- Master Gardener
because there’s less evaporation from heat and wind and less risk of water-borne diseases (such as fungus). A once-a-week deep soaking helps plants develop a deep root system rather than frequent shallow watering. Heavy rainfall can keep many plants happy for up to two weeks, according to SFWMD. Typically plants in the growing season need from one-half to one inch of water per week. That rate, however, depends on what you’re growing and your property’s growing conditions. Turfgrass needs watering once every 3 to 5 days in spring, once every 5 to 7 days in summer and only once every 10 to 14 days in winter, recommends SFWMD. You’ll conserve water and keep your plants healthier by inspecting them regularly for signs of under or over-watering. You can get free information on a wide variety of water-wise topics, including drought-resistant plants, micro-irrigation watering, installing a rain barrel and more, from the Pinellas County Extension Service (582-2100 or http://coop.co.pinellas.fl.us) or the City of St. Petersburg’s Water Resources Department (8937261 or www.stpete.org/water). Update On Reclaimed Water In Old NE The City of St. Petersburg won’t lay new pipes for reclaimed water in our neighborhood (or any area in the city) under its moratorium on expansion, but if underground pipes for reclaimed water are already running down your street – and in front of your house – the City will hook your irrigation system to reclaimed water, according to Patti Anderson, the City’s water resources director. There are about 10,000 residential customers in the City already using reclaimed water, which is produced from wastewater and is safe for outdoor irrigation only. The problem with the system is there simply isn’t enough wastewater to go around. To irrigate one residential property, it takes the combined wastewater of five residential homes (drinking, wash and bath water – not sewage). Residential customers (on lots no larger than one acre) pay $14.36 per month for unlimited reclaimed water use, although they are asked to voluntarily comply with a three-day-a-week watering schedule. To find out if your property is eligible, call the City’s reclaimed water office at 921-5111. Hookup fees vary, but Anderson recalls a recent residential connection fee of $325. One of the highest fees was incurred by the Home Depot on 22nd Avenue N, which paid about $20,000 to tap into the reclaimed system. There is a waiting list (first come-first serve) for City residents who want to hook up to reclaimed water but don’t have the underground pipes available. According to Anderson, there currently are no plans for lifting the moratorium on new service. Yvonne Swanson is a master gardener for Pinellas County. She also writes a garden column for the St. Petersburg Times.

Water(ing) Woes
Summer kicks off the rainy season in Florida, and it can’t come too soon. The drought conditions and strict water restrictions imposed last January have taken a toll on our home landscapes — and if you’ve been supplementing your irrigation system with handwatering, you’re experiencing higher-than-average water bills. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD or Swiftmud), which oversees 16 counties, mandates that homeowners water outdoors just one day per week when using an irrigation system or sprinkler with public or private water, as well as from ponds, rivers and other surface water sources. Micro-irrigation or drip systems, hand-watering with a hose equipped with a shut-off valve and reclaimed water systems are not affected, although reclaimed water households are asked to voluntarily comply by not watering more than three times each week. In the City of St. Petersburg, watering is allowed on Saturdays only for house numbers ending in an even number or the letters A through M; odd-numbered houses and those ending in letters N through Z can water on Sundays. Watering is limited to between 5 to 9am and 7 to 11pm, and individual zones can only be watered once during the day. The restrictions are in effect until July 31st. If you don’t comply with the restrictions, the City will issue an initial warning. A second notice could result in a $175 fine, plus up to $58 in court costs. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $500, plus court costs. (Warning: If you’re wondering how violators are caught, the City encourages neighbors to report violators.) Besides programming your irrigation system and following the restrictions, there are plenty of ways to conserve outdoor water use, which accounts for 50% of total household water usage. Leaky faucets can waste up to 300 or more gallons of water each month so it’s important to check outdoor spigots. A leaking garden hose wastes water, too. Both are easy to fix with new washers. A shutoff valve on your garden hose is a must; leave a hose running without one, and you’ll waste 530 gallons of water in an hour! Periodically check your property for any soft, wet spots – a sign that an in-ground sprinkler is leaking or, worse, a break in the water service line to your house. Call a professional plumber. When you water is important. Early morning is always best

The Old Northeast Garden Club
meets the first Friday of each month
For information please contact Marilyn Johnson at 553-9155 or e-mail: [email protected]

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Property Transfers
Following is a listing of recent property transfers in our North Shore neighborhood. The individuals listed are new owners of the properties cited but not necessarily the residents of those properties. The properties are listed in chronological avenue and chronological and alphabetical street order. If any of these folks live near you, make sure you welcome them to the neighborhood. 220 7th Avenue N .......................................... Alexandra Prudente 221 8th Avenue N ................................................. Dennis Lehane 418 9th Avenue NE ............................... Kenneth and Renee Prine 240 15th Avenue N ............................................ Joseph Mingione 201 17th Avenue N ................................ Rachel and Keith Sartain 150 18th Avenue N ................................Bryan and Kristin Harper 555 18th Avenue NE ........................................... Michael Roberts 246 19th Avene NE ........................ Stephen and Elizabeth French 210 22nd Avenue NE #15 ..................................... Michael Matino 235 25th Avenue N ................................. Mark and Dana Stanton 310 28th Avenue N ....................... Michael and Mary Woodcock 175 29th Avenue N ............................................... Michele Turner 700 Beach Drive NE #802 .................. Thomas and Denise Glynn 2636 Coffee Pot Boulevard NE ... Kenneth Scott and Julie Davis 2700 Coffee Pot Boulevard NE ..... Rusian and Debra Fedotenko Compiled from public records by the Florida New Business Report.

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 27

In Case You Missed It: Updates and Follow Ups Keeping You Current on Some Neighborhood Stories That Have Been in the News
The site plan for a 33-story hotel-condo proposed for the 100 block of 5th Avenue N was denied on a 6-1 vote by the Environmental Development Commission on May 16 th. The developer was seeking approval for an almost 400 foot high building before more strict land use regulations go into effect by this summer; under the new rules the size of the development would be halved. The Downtown Neighborhood Association, the Downtown Residents Civic Association and HONNA all actively opposed the proposal and addressed the commission. The St. Petersburg Times, opposing the proposed development in an editorial titled, “Wrong building, wrong location,” wrote, “City officials can’t afford to ignore legitimate public concern about a project that is so far out of touch with acceptable standards of development.” The developer is likely to appeal the decision to the City Council, a procedure that is at least a couple months away. [source: St. Petersburg Times, 5/13, 5/16, 5/17]

Top: Site of proposed development at 1st Street and 5th Avenue N. Left: A neighbor giving her views on the project to a local TV reporter.

Concerned neighbors demonstrating on the street corner prior to the hearing

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

One of the neighborhood’s favorite restaurants is closing (and probably has by the time you’re reading this). The Sunshine City Grille, a generous supporter of The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association, will be leveled by the construction ball in June. They have plans to build a new multi-use building to house the restaurant as well as office or retail space. It will be located on the same site (1300 block of 4th Street N) as the former restaurant as well as the lot adjacent (which used to house a gas station). Look for the “new” Sunshine City Grille to open in the spring of 2008….Even more changes on the lower end of the Garden District of 4th: new construction on the 1000 block (west side of street) is to become Salon Lofts, a Community of Individual Salon Owners; the 1100 block (again, west side) is the proposed The Orleans, two residential units/lofts with eight office/retail spaces. By the end of summer it’s expected that the North Shore Pool will have a “splash pool” or “sprayground” in its southeast corner. The shallow play area will be a play area with water toys and water cannons that explode water. The feature was not part of the $3 million budgeted for the recent pool expansion so the costs will be covered by money from the City’s sale of Weeki Wachee Springs. [source: St. Petersburg Times, 4/8] The neighborhood is getting a new ice cream parlor in June courtesy of the owners of the Old Northeast Tavern. The shop, which will offer smoothies, protein shakes, homemade ice cream and coffee drinks, will be at 718 2nd Street N around the corner from the tavern. [source: St. Petersburg Times, 5/2] The floating dock marina in the Vinoy Basin that was

destroyed by winds from Hurricane Dennis in July 2005 is being replaced by a fixed dock that will have the same number of slips (74). The $4 million-plus construction is being done by the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club which owned the original marina. It is expected to be completed as early as October, and boaters have already leased about half the number of planned slips. [source: St. Petersburg Times, 3/28] Back in February 90 volunteers from First Presbyterian Church went to five different help-the-needy organizations around the City to lend them a hand. For instance, 30 visited ASAP, a dropin center for the homeless, and spent the day painting, cleaning and fixing up two transitional housing units. All this was part of the church’s “Mission Possible” faith-based initiative to address social problems in the community. [source: St. Petersburg Times, 2/28]

HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Page 29

KIDZ KORNER
With the steady influx into our neighborhood of new residents, we’re seeing an increasing number of families with young children – plus the stork is keeping pretty busy around here as it is. So we thought it might be helpful to share with parents of youngsters (as well as grandparents welcoming visiting grandkids) ideas of familyfriendly activities and destinations nearby, especially ones which are free or inexpensive. If you have any such good “secrets” you’d like to pass along, let us know.

Weedon Wonderland!
by Linda Dobbs What is the most outdoor fun thing ever – one which is close by, not too expensive, only takes half a day, is totally “green” (doesn’t hurt the environment), is healthy exercise, is awesome entertainment for all ages and only requires three minutes of training? Here’s a hint — the word is the same spelled either forwards or backwards. It is – KAYAK – as in KAYAKING! If you have a kayak, you know what I’m talking about. But, if you don’t own a kayak, you too can have this great family experience (I’m talking three generations here). Either borrow a friend’s kayak or rent one locally and head for Weedon Island Nature Preserve. Nothing could be easier than the last option. One weekday morning during spring break in March, six of us (two kids – ages seven and 13, two parents and two grandparents) drove to Sweetwater Kayak Outfitters on Gandy Boulevard off 4 th Street N (parents had to sign a release form). The kids spent a few minutes looking over the huge selection of kayaks, gear and other necessities before we drove over to the Weedon Island canoe/kayak launch located next to the fishing and sightseeing pier. You can reserve ahead and pay on line. Stop by the store beforehand to sign the release form and then you can just go directly to Weedon Island on your reserved day and time. Sweetwater personnel will meet you directly at the launch site and deliver the kayaks, lifejackets and paddles. A quick “plop” into the water, a few paddling precautions and

instructions, a guide map, life jackets all on correctly and off go the three double kayaks into Papy’s Bayou. The gentle, shallow waters of the saltwater estuary make the difficulty rating “basic.” It was a little rocky at first – you know, jockeying for position, seeing who could go the fastest, the smoothest, the farthest, etc. — until we hit (not literally) the first “tunnel.” That’s when things quieted down and we learned why we needed “take-apart” paddles! A “tunnel” is an archway of low growing mangrove trees stretching over the water. It’s sort of dark and a little spooky inside the canopy, just enough to make it almost as exciting as the best rides at a theme park. Have the dad go in first with the 13 year-old son – they can clear out all the spider webs (with spiders!) for the rest of us. Some tunnels are so low (especially if it is high tide) that the typical kayak two-sided paddles must be broken down to half size or they act as “brakes” on the tree limbs or even the roots in the water. This is when the going got earnest and the smartest, quietest, most careful paddlers glided into the lead. There were some yells from the first kayak and lots of giggles from the last ones. However, no one made it through without getting caught up in mangroves once or twice! But our paddling skills were refined and we gained a new appreciation of cooperation! The four-mile self-guided kayak trail is like a maze of mangrove tunnels, which open into private lagoons. The area is full of wildlife, both above and below. Since kayaking is so quiet you don’t disturb nature and you get to see and hear a lot — spiders, crabs, fish, birds and even an occasional snake (we did see a rattler slithering across the main road as we drove in). Since we were the only kayakers and there were no boaters (only fishermen who are usually very quiet), it was truly like being in the wilderness. The call of a bird or the splash of a fish were easily heard. Hard to believe we were only 10 minutes from downtown! Allow three-three-and-a-half hours to do the whole trail. A half-day tour is plenty of time if you don’t stop for a picnic. There is a rest stop and picnic area near marker # 9, which is a good place to get out and play “musical kayaks” or change kayak partners! Be sure to bring drinking water, sun block and insect repellent and a camera and a cell phone in a plastic bag if desired. Go for mid-to-high tide if possible and remember there are less bugs in winter or spring. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. There are full or half-day tours, even private, custom group tours. The cost for a half-day is $38 for a single kayak and $54 for a double. The hourly rentals (available on weekends only) are $16 for a single and $23 for a double. Contact Sweetwater Kayak

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HISTORIC OLD NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Outfitters at 10000 Gandy Boulevard, 570-4844 or www.sweet waterkayaks.com. Weedon Island Reserve is at 1800 Weedon Island Drive NE (off Gandy Bouelvard; see sign marking right turn onto San Martin Boulevard or turn right onto 83rd Avenue N from 4th Street). Phone is 453-6500 and website is www.weedonislandcenter.org. Linda and her husband Bob moved to The Old Northeast on Valentine’s Day 2003 (they wanted to be near their two grandchildren who live in our neighborhood). Over the past 30 years Linda has been editor of a weekly newspaper, a magazine and a medical journal as well as numerous newsletters.

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See page 11 for the upcoming schedule

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Next Neighborhood Meeting: Monday, June 18th, 7pm
All neighborhood residents invited
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 • The Power of Neighbors • Old NE Shines • Summertime and the Living is... • Water, Water, Nowhere... • Are We Safe? Plus Spoofers and more

The New York Times delivers!
If you haven’t read it yet, you probably have heard about it!
The New York Times ran a story May 11th with the angle on Old NE and surrounding areas. I spent several hours with the writer for the story when she was in St Pete a few months ago. I knew it would have a positive spin because she was genuinely fascinated with the area. She met & quoted some of my clients including the Higgs’ (656 16th Ave NE –the beautiful featured listing in the story at $749k), & the Hargroves who recently purchased one of my other listings. She talked to Mary Bryant, whose historic waterfront Brightwaters Estate listed at $3.350k was noted as one of the most photographed homes in the area. She met Roberta Wilson, on 119 13th Ave N (Mediterranean gem — excellent buy at $499k) In Granada Terrace she visited 135 25th Ave. NE (gorgeous home on 1.5 lots , pool: $799k) & was impressed with the location, style & curb appeal of Dan Crow’s home on 1801 Beach Dr. (Only $699k). Since the visit was several months ago, she never saw my new listings on 816 15th Ave NE and 1876 Coffee Pot, (both homes have large front porches which was the focus of her story for a front porch kind of neighborhood: and both listings have spacious Carriage houses & a pool). We also took a drive around the waterfront areas and by 2514 Coffee Pot (only $749k — great buy, charming 2300sq.ft!), 2926 Coffee Pot ($990 large lot, water slip & dockage) 2172 Coffee Pot (vacant land: Rare deep lot plus dock & water slip for 990k). We discussed how the Vinoy condos (as well as my listing at 650 Beach) straddled the border between Old NE & downtown, & how 307 Brightwaters forms the unspoken gateway to Snell Isle. She was impressed with the warm hospitality of the community, the historic homes & with the burgeoning downtown scene. A positive story with a national audience I certainly know it has been read by many because of the response I have received from it. One day soon, we will all wish for the good old days (now 2007) when listings were taking longer to sell and prices were enticing! Now is the time to buy!

www.AlonaDishy.com
Alona Dishy (727) 458-8037
Office (727) 823-8000 X 129 • Pager (727) 462-8887 • Realty Executives
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