Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association Quarterly Newsletter

Historic Old NOrtheast NeighbOrhOOd News

St. Petes Jewel on Tampa Bay

HONNA Neighborhood Meetings are held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 126 11th Avenue NE

Social: 6:45pmProgram: 7pmJune 16 -- Meet Darden Rice (see below)

June 23 -- New Member Meet & Greet (see page 19 )July 4 -- Childrens 4th of July Parade (see page 12)

Volume 43 Issue 2 / June 2014 / www.honna.org Published Quarterly

Easter Egg Hunt Fun ............................ 4A Neighborhood Transforming? .......... 5 4th of July Parade ............................... 12Over the Back Fence .....................14-15Decluttering Your Life ....................... 16The Answer Lady ............................... 28

Celebrating 100 Years of Community

1911-2011

Peter MotzenbeckerAssociation President

Meet Darden RiceNeighborhood Meeting -- Monday, June 16Westminister Presbyterian Church

One of the newest members of City Council and representative for The Old NE neighbor-hood, Darden Rice will be our guest at the quarterly

continued on page 2

On Saturday, April 26, HONNA held the first annual Roaring 20s Gala at the Birchwood Inn on Beach Drive, and by all accounts it was a roaring success! Preliminary estimates put the final headcount at just under 175 neighbors and friends, and monies raised -- almost $13,000 -- will go toward historic preservation and our four cornerstone neigh-borhood non-profits: Sunken Gardens, Great Explorations Childrens Museum, the Pal-ladium and the new Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation.

And what an event it was! Over the course of the raucous evening, I ran into scores of neighbors -- many familiar faces and many not -- as well as folks from other parts of Pi-nellas and even a few from Tampa and beyond. There was great live music by Mark Zaus and the Z Street Band, fantastic food and medicinal elixirs served by the fantastic Birchwood staff and, of course, lots of dancing!

Almost everyone was in period attire, and it occurred to me that next year we will have prizes for best dressed. There were flappers galore, gorgeous head pieces, fringe, feathers and beads -- gentlemen in tuxedos and top hats, three-piece suits and derbies, seersucker suits and straw boater hats, knickers, spats and more. Besides all the laughing, chatting, frol-icking and dancing, there was a silent auction

and a spirited live auction conducted by the executive directors of each of our neighborhood non-profits.

The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association Board as well as the Gala Commit-tee are grateful to the HONNA membership, the many neighbors, friends and small businesses that stepped up to make this successful event possible. But as successful as it was, we believe it can be even better. And on behalf of the great team of people who helped make this years event pos-sible, we humbly ask for your support to ensure that 2015s Gala is even better. We may never be able to satisfy everyone, but we would like to create an event that means as much as possible to the most people as possible.

To be sure, The Old Northeast has much to be proud of and be grateful for. It is no doubt why you live here. We are surrounded by historic homes, brick streets, granite curbs, hex block sidewalks, old trees and good neighbors. We live on the edge of one of the most vibrant downtowns in the country and on the edge of the beautiful Tampa Bay with ready access to one of the most spectacular waterfront parks in the world. It takes effort and sacrifice to

maintain this, and it will take vision and com-mitment to ensure it is just as special 100 years from now. So share your ideas on what HONNA can do to make our neighborhood the best it can be, as well as more inclusive, more beauti-ful and more vibrant. If you are not a HONNA member, please consider becoming one. If you are not involved with our Board or its committees, programs and projects and would like to consider getting involved, please drop us a note. If you have never been involved in the Candlelight Tour of Homes, a Porch party, a neighborhood potluck or any of our other great neighborhood events,

neighborhood gathering on Monday, June 16. Its also an old fashioned ice cream social, so come early and enjoy some cool treats before we hear from Darden and you have an opportunity to ask her about issues of concern to you.


*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 7th. 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/Cof-fee Pot Bayou Blvd). There are approximately 2,500 active home mailing addresses.

Contact Sue Strott: www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.htmlAd space is limited so please make arrangements early.

AD SIZE 1 Qtr 2 Qtrs 3 Qtrs 1 Year Business card 50 93 128 1601/4 page (H 4.9 x w 3.7) 100 186 256 3201/2 page (H 4.9 x w 7.8) 200 372 512 640Full page 400 744 1024 1280Back Cover 1/2 page 1400*Inserts and Premium Placement: Rates Upon Request

AD RATES

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]

The Newsletter of the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association

Circulation Joe OConnor, Larry Smith & Steve UrgoContributors All our Old Northeast neighborsNewsletter Layout & Design Sharon Bond: [email protected]

ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Sue Strott www.honna.org/Newsletters/Advertising-Questions.html

Editor Rick Carson Columnists and Reporters

Sue Strott Courtney EllisSara Wolski Hopkins

Mike DaileyBarbara MarshallJill McGrath

Emily ElwynPamela CollinsElise McNeely

please consider get-ting involved. We need you! I may be reached at [email protected] if you would like to respond about the Gala and/or becoming involved with HONNA.

Thank you, and we hope to see you at the 4th of July Childrens Parade which is as much fun for us adults as it is for the kids!

Dan Gysel of Dang Design Tiffany Braun of Brauns

Fine Flowers Fred Astaire Dance Studios UBS Financial Services 3 Daughters Brewing Kahwa Coffee Sacinos Formal Wear MMD Events Joey Clay Photography Kristi Alexander Design Hivelocity Aqua Wave Pool Service

Jack LoBianco/Wells Fargo Advisors

SunTrust Flatwoods Landscaping Therapy and Sports Center Sun Bay Builders A Walk Around the Block RG Floor & Home Sharon Kantner/Realtor Kantner Law Firm Kers Wing House Monikas Cleaning Service

Peter MotzenbeckerJay Weisberg

Mary Lauritano

Logan DeVicenteKristi Alexander

Rick Kantner

With special thanks to sponsorsDwayne Hawkins and Joanne Pheil Hawkins

and to advertisers:

Gala Committee Members

More photos can be found at Honnas

Facebook page and at honna.org

Click on Events...

Photo Gallery ... then Albums.

See page 33 for additional photos


Association News & Activities

At the February general meeting we heard from Phil Graham, managing principal of a landscape architecture firm, who is the Director/President of the Waterfront Parks Foundation. The private foundation solicits donations for use in the Citys downtown parks. He presented a slide show highlighting some of what needs to be done to improve and beautify the park system.

The March meeting took place on St. Patricks Day, and instead of the traditional quarterly meeting being a potluck HONNA en-gaged Old NE resident chef/caterer Rita Fabula (above left) to create an array of Irish foods for attendees to sample.

At the February HONNA meeting, Candlelight Home Tour Chair Bonnie Bailey (center) presented two checks for $2,354 each to Diann OConnor, representing Goodwill Industries/BookWorks program, and Julie Bostic of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic/Family Residence program the two organizations selected by the Home Tour Committee to be recipients of the 2013 Tours charitable donations.

Traffic & SafetyRon Magray, Chair

Parking! Parking! Parking! -- Be Advised!! We have challenging parking problems in the neighborhood, some areas much worse than others. When the City parks are used for events, the influx of vehicles looking for free parking magnifies the problem, disrupting the lives many residents.

In the future the City Parking Department will cooperate with our com-munity by monitoring and enforcing parking during events. This will be a work-in-progress situation and we will need your help, especially if you continue to experience problems.

This change will help alleviate the congestion and parking abuses on our neighborhood streets, but it also places responsibil-ity on each of us to park legally. The parking department officers cannot differentiate between your vehicle and those of visitors; if you are parked illegally, you also will be ticketed.

If you are not sure about parking regulations, contact me at HONNA.org and I will provide you with an information booklet -- or come and pick one up at a neighborhood meeting. Our next meeting is June 16 and parking will be a topic for discussion. I wel-come your opinions on this matter.


Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood AssociationOFFICERS and BOARD

To contact an officer or Board member via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/ where you can click on the name of the office/person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.HONNA Board meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm at West-minster Presbyterian Church and are open to the public. Check beforehand with the Board president in case the meeting day has been re-scheduled.

President ..........................Peter MotzenbeckerVice President ................................Larry SmithTreasurer ....................................Ann CavinessSecretary ........................................ Chad Boyd

Board Rick Carson

Mary Alice LangeRon Magray

Jay Weisberg

The Easter Bunnys Egg-cellent Visit

The community gathered around our annual HONNA Easter Egg Hunt at Coffee Pot Park this year on Saturday, April 19, as scores of kids (with some assistance from their parents) scoured the grounds for plastic eggs filled with candies and other goodies.

Great Explorations and The Sweet Spot joined Smith & Associates this year as additional support for this annual HONNA tradition. We truly do have a tight knit and well-supported neighborhood. Thank you, Great Ex for your continued support in all our HONNA family events and a special thanks to our new neighborhood sweets shop, The Sweet Spot, for your complimentary shaved ice treats for everyone!

An added petting treat was the presence of Fluffy, a live bunny brought by neighbor Robyn Lyle and six year old Kate.

A couple of photos of the event appeared on the front page of the local section of the April 20 Tampa Bay Times.

More photos can be found at Honnas

Facebook page and at honna.org

Click on Events...Photo Gallery ...

then Albums


Teardowns of older structures?Construction of new houses that dont quite fit an historic, old neighborhood?Homeowners not taking care of their properties?Houses being purchased for rentals?Zoning and building codes seemingly not being enforced?Care about property values on your block?Want to tell HONNA about it? Drop an e-mail to NSNAeditor@aol.

com and look for a discussion of these subjects in coming issues of the newsletter.

Been Noticing Changes in Your Neighborhood?

A Business Run By Your Neighbors!

Were Experienced Move Managers

House to Home Relocation of St. Petersburg helps individuals and families with their residential transition needs. We also serve as a trusted professional resource for other service providers with clients who have downsizing and relocating concerns. We specialize in moving you expertly, compassionately and affordably.

Seniors New & Departing Families Job Relocations

727-388-2651www.HTHrelocation.com [email protected]

Develop a move plan Organize, sort and declutter Prepare floor plan Manage the sale or donation

of excess belongings Gather moving company

estimates

Manage your move Unpack and set up your new

home ... Plus More!

Barbara & Jay Marshall, Owners & Historic Old Northeast residents

Bonded & Insured

Free consultation Can help downsize

or disperse belongings even if not moving

No job too small Can help with

local and interstate moves

FAST ACTING PAINLESS NON-INVASIVE FDA APPROVED

Neck, Back, Knees, Feet Pain Arthritis, Bursitis, TMJ, Sinusitus Plantar Fasciltis, Sport Injuries Migraine, Neuropathy, Sciatica Carpal Tunnel and Lymphedema!

LASER THERAPY

forPAINGet Both Acupuncture

& Laser for $65Value $130

LUMINA HEALING CENTEROscar Hernandez, AP2903 Dr. MLK St. N. St. Pete.

727-898-5900 GoLumina.com

70213401


Feeding the Neighborhoodby Al E. Katz

We proudly fly our Historic Old Northeast neighbor-hood flag, but we do not remember ever putting out a sign announcing that we are a feeding station for neighborhood creatures that insist on living in the outdoors.

Never mind that caring citizens offer some of the abandoned wildlife cozy blankets, nutritious food, warm walls and human companionship. Oh, no, they consider it a sign of superiority that they can survive so well in the wilds of The Old Northeast -- just continue to put out the vittles, please.

The first visitor we encoun-tered when we bought our ne-glected cottage on a sand lot was a possum family, which had made an elaborate and hidden nest in tree branches that were wound together and lying on a flat section of our roof. In our side yard, our two rescued, non-hunting-dog mutts went into a natural point and upon further investigation we discovered a mother possum with a number of babies glued to her back. We had never been up-close-and-personal with a possum, and we were fascinated. She didnt move, the dogs didnt move and it was obvious that a stand-off was in process so we grabbed the statue-like puppies and retreated inside the house. We had no idea where mom opossum came from until months later a tree service was surprised by warning hissing sounds from our roof. We have yet to see the mother or babies since, but a year later some mean vagrant thought it would be fun to toss a dead and very odiferous possum into our newly planted rain-forest-like back yard.

On a walk-about one day we had just crossed the street when all of a sudden a squirrel ran towards us and proceeded to crawl up my husbands trousers and dive into his shirt pocket! This be-came a daily surprise, and we learned to always carry a supply of unshelled peanuts when we went roving around the neighborhood. A neighbor told us that the squirrel, which he named Rocky, had been peanut hunting in his shirt pocket for months. Unfortunately, Rocky disappeared from the close environs, obviously finding easier clothes-climbing somewhere else.

An affectionate tuxedo cat showed up one day, and we gave it food and water and left our little shed open for her bed. No one ever claimed her so a young couple in a nearby apartment lovingly adopted her and she is now living with them in Sarasota.

Another cat, black with a twitchy tail, visited every day and we assumed she wanted to be our cat so we fed and cared for her. We named her Tick-tock because her tail reminded us of a metronome. Several months later a golf cart came by and on the seat majesti-cally sat our black cat in a special basket. The driver, a wounded

Vietnam veteran, seemed surprised when we questioned his cargo. That was one smart cat, which conned two human caretakers. Eventually they moved away and we didnt see Tick-tock anymore.

One day several years ago a marmalade-colored cat appeared at our door as though he lived there. After canvassing the neighbor-hood we learned his original name was Gator before he was adopted by a young medical resident who named him Buddy. When the young man was assigned to the west coast, he attempted to capture Buddy in order that they could make the trip together. After many failed attempts, he gave up and Buddy was left behind. Neighbors fed him, he sought cover from weather under several houses and Buddy thrived. This one particular day he asked if he could come in, but when he saw our dogs on the landing he made a quick exit. Buddy lurked day after day, and we eventually decided to make a food and water station for him and he hung around, becoming more affectionate each week.

Despite efforts to find him a forever home, noth-ing worked. A veterinarian (an Old Northeast resident) became interested in finding Buddy a home and since Buddy had learned to trust me, I volunteered to pick him up and put him in a crate. He traveled quietly to Animal Medical Hospital, but peace came to an abrupt end. Buddy became a wild monster, unable to cope with being caged and had to be returned to our stoop. Our feeding station was re-established. Buddy quickly assumed his previous routine and then brought in two fe-

line friends, who sporadically shared in his good fortune. All the felines we encountered have been seemingly healthy and neutered, and we assumed that they have been dropped off by humans who could not, or did not want to, care for them anymore. Other cat visitors have been identified as belonging to neighbors but prefer to dine in other yards. The cat food bill increased, but we recognized that Buddy was now a bone fide neighborhood resident and we must honor his devotion.

We brought Buddys food and water bowls in every night to clean them because the contents were disappearing too fast and the bowls were left with dirt stuck to the sides. Cats are relatively clean so we were suspicious. Wed usually put fresh food and water in the bowls for the next mornings feeding but one night we left the bowls where they were placed and kept watch through a windows corner. Re-enter -- the possum, the scoundrel.

Now when we are called away for assignments, neighborhood residents take over the feeding chores; a nearby cousin and even a Clearwater family member drives over to make certain that Buddy is cared for and looks content. Several neighborhood residents have stopped by and revealed that they, too, have a Buddy feed-ing station and a blanket spread over a pile of leaves under their house for his bed.

At least three dogs have gotten lost from their owners and shown up at our house. Do we have a magical sign for them, too? 400 Beach has nothing on us.


Larry SmithFinancial Advisor

100 2nd Ave S Ste 904-S St Petersburg, FL [email protected] www.ameripriseadvisors.com/lawrence.b.smith

Meet your future with confidence.

Call me at 727.369.3215 for a complimentary Confident Retirement conversation.

The initial Confident Retirement conversation provides an overview of nancial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Condent retirement is not a guarantee of future nancial results. Brokerage, investment and nancial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. 2013 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

In challenging economic times it can seem difficult to feel confident about your financial future. Take the first step toward having peace of mind in retirement with our proprietary Confident Retirement approach. Ill work with you to address the four basic principles of retirement:

1. Covering your essential expenses

2. Ensuring you can live the lifestyle you want

3. Preparing for the unexpected

4. Leaving a legacy behind for family or a special charity

A New Journey by Nick Ameen

Its amazing how quickly 18 years fly by. Thats how long my mom and stepdad have lived in their house in Florida that I have long considered my home-back-home.We moved into the house on December 29, 1995. I was a

14-year-old high school freshman. Now, 6,639 days later, the house has been sold. My mom and stepdad, Andi and Tom ONeill, are embarking on a new journey. Finnegan, a goldendoodle similar in size to a small horse, is also very excited. Theyre hitting the road with a fifth wheel in tow to explore our beautiful nation and make new memories, a voyage more than a decade in the making.

Its amazing to finally attain this dream of living simply, and simply living, said Andi. Its bittersweet, though. This is my favorite place Ive ever lived. Now its someone elses turn to live in it and to love it.

Andi and Tom have certainly made many memories at the 90-year-old house in the historic Old Northeast neighborhood of St. Petersburg. They threw a Christmas party on Christmas Eve of 2002 and surprised everyone in attendance by getting mar-ried! They had it all planned out well in advance, and even had Toms mother and brother visiting all the way from Ireland. It was beautiful.

Tom always goes all out with the Christmas lights; Clark Griswold would approve. Their home was featured in the third annual Old Northeast Neighborhood Candlelight Tour of Homes in December 2000. The event, now in its 17th year, offers people the chance to tour beautifully decorated homes while benefiting various charities.

My love of photography started when I was a senior in high school and I got to take a photography class. We shot on film and

developed our prints in a darkroom. One of my photo assignments was a shot of our house, which my teacher liked so much, she submitted it for a county-wide exhibition. It was the only photo from my high school selected to be displayed in the exhibition, which was at the Dali Museum in downtown St. Pete. It was my first experience of one my photos receiving praise and getting ex-posure, and I have the framed black-and-white print of my former home back home still to this day.

Congratulations, Mom and Tom! Good luck, were all counting on you...

Nick currently lives in South Jersey with his wife, Beth, where he runs his photography and video production company called A-PIX Imagery. This article originally appeared on his company website, a-piximagery.com.


Yard Sale 2014by Kristi AlexanderYard Sale Coordinator

Many thanks to all who participated in our annual HONNA Neighborhood-wide Yard Sale on Saturday, March 15.We appreciate all the volunteers who stepped right up to help flyer all our Old NE blocks to promote the event. A special thank you also to Anna Costello, Ann Cavi-ness and Chris Avren who go above and beyond to make our yearly event a great success!

Almost 70 residents reg-istered ahead of the event as participants and were listed as sale sites on the locator map featured on the HONNA web-site. Residents who participated were encouraged to contribute 10% of their sales to HONNA, which help make it possible for our wonderful commu-nity events and improvements. Thanks to all those who sent in a check!

William OConnor has been so very helpful in making sure there is a Goodwill truck on hand to collect items from residents that werent sold. Their truck gets filled every year!

Prospective buyers considering an offer

Goodwill also benefited from

HONNAs Yard Sale

Call Now to Schedule Your

Complimentary Exam

Jeffrey Seymour, DMD, MS4305 4th Street N., St. Petersburg

727-954-3440www.northeastorthodontics.com

Traditional and clear braces Invisalign preferred provider Conveniently located in the neighborhood Full time office hours Most insurance plans accepted

Orthodontics for Children & Adults

Summer Braces Make Smiling Faces!

$400 OFF Comprehensive Treatment June-August


New Members

R. Winston Ball & Georgia Jackson....... 736 13th Avenue NECynthia Baran ................................ 2130 Coffee Pot Blvd. NEA J Becker ................................................ 111 23rd Avenue NFrank Biafora ............................................. 2620 2nd Street NMaria Blanco & Robert Davis .................. 206 8th Avenue NEPaula Bogdal ............................................200 13th Avenue NEdith Bond ............................................. 245 15th Avenue NEJames R. Bussey......................................207 27th Avenue NSteve & Melissa Clark ..........................1400 Beach Drive NEPaul & Carolyn Cooper .......................... 156 15th Avenue NEWilliam & Elke Culver ...........................1420 Beach Drive NEDonna Davis & Shane Darling ............... 165 12th Avenue NEJoanna & Charlie Davis .................700 Beach Drive NE #602Logan & Natalie DeVicente .................. 229 18th Avenue NEBill & Raleigh Duttwiler ............................ 116 22nd Avenue NCynthia Epler ......................................... 216 13th Avenue NERobert & Kathryn Gannon .......1200 North Shore Drive NE #309Colleen and Jim Grant ..............................212 16th Avenue NKathryn Hale .............................................176 30th Avenue NNicole & Mike Harris .............................. 335 13th Avenue NETracy & David Harris ..............................565 21st Avenue NEHillary Heath ............................................ 126 8th Avenue NEJoy & Allen Hill ...........................................724 Bay Street NEJennifer & David Jaffe ............................... 1520 2nd Street NPamela Jenkins ............................................837 3rd Street NPatricia Jenkins ..........................................104 9th Avenue NJeremy Kaufman ..................................... 145 6th Avenue NEDale Kleine & Eileen Maloney ............... 315 19th Avenue NESunny & Monrico Lehnert .........................129 29th Avenue NDonna Liszewski............................700 Beach Drive NE #408

Thomas & Jodi Loney ...............................135 20th Avenue NLynda Lucas ...........................................................................Robyn Lyle ................................................217 10th Avenue NJohn Mackey ......................................... 305 12th Avenue NEKimberly McIntyre ..................................1111 Beach Drive NEKatherine Main .......................................................................Jeffrey Maitre ..........................................115 12th Avenue NESusan Mayer ......................................... 155 18th Avenue NEJonathan Miller .....................................230 7th Avenue N #4Alexis Miller ..............................................857 21st Avenue NRick Miller & Tom Dwyer .............................. 930 2nd Street NPeter Misner ...................................... 145 10th Avenue N #11Anita Lang Osbourn.............................. 725 2nd Street N #10Bobby & Kristin Osterland ....................1225 Beach Drive NEPamela Patterson .................................. 121 28th Avenue NECarla Pence ..............................................168 26th Avenue NOrlando Perez ..........................................135 14th Avenue NMary Reed ................................................175 21st Avenue NBarbara Robison..........................939 Beach Drive NE #1410Ryan Ross & Robbie Kruithoss ............. 301 23rd Avenue NESteven Rubin & Elizabeth Fink ............. 345 9th Avenue NECarla & Benton Rudolph .......................... 215 5th Avenue NEKate & Mike Sawa ......................................140 9th Avenue NJane Seaton .......................................... 234 18th Avenue NEJon Shawkey & Louisa Scopacasa ......... 155 8th Avenue NEWilliam Sinclair ...................................... 207 18th Avenue NEBetty & Warren Smith ............................ 145 13th Avenue NEGeorge Smith & Jim MacKillican ........... 406 14th Avenue NEMari & Andrew Solomon ...................205 5th Avenue N #401Donette Stahnke & Aaron Sprague ............ 1108 3rd Street NDona Stewart ..............................................124 7th Avenue NJo Ann & Mike Talley ................................194 26th Avenue NJessica & Daniel Trotter......................... 332 10th Avenue NEHugh & Keith Tulloch ...................... 555 5th Avenue NE #921Shelia & Jeff Usher ................................ 326 10th Avenue NEJoel Weiser & Bob Harvey ......................100 Beach Drive NEStephanie Woolfenden .......................... 515 17th Avenue NE

Your volunteer involvement in one of our committees will help enhance your neighborhood and our association. Please contact any committee chair for information.

Like our neighborhood?Want to make it even better?

Volunteer with one of our committees!

Communications Anna Costello & Rick CarsonNewsletter Rick Carson Special Events Jay Weisberg Neighborhood Planning & Mary Alice Lange Historic Preservation Membership Larry Smith Public Safety Vacant Traffic/Parking Ron Magray

To contact a chair via e-mail, go to honna.org/get-involved/volunteer/

where you can click on the name of the person you wish to contact and send him/her a message.

Read the newsletter in full

COLORon our website at honna.org/newsletter

A Golfer? A Duffer?

Watch for HONNAs Golf outinG

Coming this fall


1 4 4 5 C e n t r a l A v e S t P e t e | 7 2 7 . 8 9 8 . 6 0 6 1 | M - F 1 0 - 6 & S a t 1 0 - 4

I N C

A RT G A L L E RY | C U S TO M F R A M I N G | w w w. a r t i c l e s s t p e t e . c o m 727.409.3873http://hefeldman.com/

H.E. Feldman & Son, Inc.

Builders and RemodelersProviding quality home building and remodeling

services in the Tampa Bay area since 1974.

Its not just a house, its a home.

#CGC

-151

1346

RR

- 005

6630

CHILDRENS PARADEFun for kids and kids at heart!

Friday, July 4 10amCoffee Pot Park

30th Avenue and 1st Street NECheck the HONNA website (honna.org) for details


Wills & Trusts Probate Administration Trust Administration Elder Law Medicaid Planning VA Benefits Coordination Real Estate Transactions Residential & Commercial Closings Deeds Leases Contracts Mortgages

THE

K A N T N E R L A W F I R M, P L

Serving Generations of Floridians

31 Beach Drive S.E., St. Petersburg 727.781.8201 [email protected] www.AttorneyKantner.com

Licensed in Florida and Tennessee Member: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Call for a Complimentary Consultation

Other offices: Palm Harbor Largo/Belleair

Richard I. Kantner, Jr. Old NE Resident


Over The Back Fenceis a collection of what weve 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 youd like to share about a special recognition, award received, birth, graduation, good-deed-done or observation around the neighborhood please pass it along to the Editor. Over the Back Fence is only going to be interesting if we hear from you!

S S and by

Over The Back Fence is a

Soapbox... STEP ON UP

and

LETS HEAR FROM YOU

e-mail: [email protected]

Math. Reading. Confidence.

2014 Kumon North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kumon puts children on the path to becoming the confident, independent,

self-reliant people all parents hope their

children can be.

Schedule yourFREE Placement Test today!

Kumon Math & Reading Center ofSt. Petersburg - East

2538 Dr. ML King Jr. Street N.St. Petersburg, FL 33704

727.822.4016kumon.com/st-petersburg-east

Sounds like the author of the article never made it to downtown St. Pete.

Old NE is for Newlyweds!...The From This Day wedding fea-ture in the Tampa Bay Times (March 9) told about Sara Campbell and Peter Pastman, how they first met and some details of their January 18 wedding and the planning that went into it. Currently they rent in The Old NE but are looking to buy nearby. We have to be within a certain radius of downtown, says Sara. The city is just so thriving. OK, Realtors, help them find a place in the hood!

Buy a Flamingo Funds for Flamingos got an above-the-fold photo on the front page of the local section of the 5/6 Tampa Bay Times. The caption informs readers of the opportunity to support the Flamingos Forever funding at Sunken Gardens to help

repopulate the dwindling (down to two from the original 17) Chilean flamingos in SG. So far $10,000 has been raised; each bird costs $2-3,000. To help, go to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SunkenGardens#sthash.h6QoF3cK.dpuf) or the City website (http://www.stpete.org/sunken/). A tax-deductible check can be made out to SPPI Flamingo Fund and mailed to Sunken Gardens, Flamingos For-ever Fund, 1825 4th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

The Perfect Lunchpail Replacement!...Old NE resident Janie Allen was featured on the front page of the 2/26 St. Pete Times section of the Tampa Bay Times for her creation of Snuppets reusable, envi-ronmentally-friendly snack bags that also double as hand puppets. She draws the designs on her com-puter, has them printed on material and assembles them herself on a sewing machine in her home, hop-ing for the time when the number of orders will make it financially feasible to sub

out their manufacture. She is constantly tweaking the product and exploring more ways to market it. They are sold locally for about $10 at Rollin Oats on MLK Street N and Thank You Mama on 4th Street N.

Unflashy?!?!... Pinellas County an unflashy region of mobile home parks, senior living complexes, golf courses and strip malls. This is how our area was described in The Econo-mist magazine (March 8) in an article about Canadian snowbirds.


Oranges and Base-ballsNeighbor Gary Mormino author, pro-fessor and member of the Florida Humanities Coun-cil writes about the en-dangered orange in an article for the Councils Forum magazine that was reprinted in the Tampa Bay Times (3/9). The problem: citrus greening, an incur-able disease that threatens to decimate Floridas iconic crop. Gary also wrote a fea-ture article Spring Train-

ing, 1914, about the early days of baseball in St. Petersburg, which appeared on the front page of the Perspective section of the 2/23 Tampa Bay Times. Early games were actually played at Coffee Pot Bayou Park, a ballpark whose exact location remains elusive, writes Gary, but some place it in Granada Terrace while others on North Shore Drive.

Fascinating PeopleThe ongoing series of ads in the Tampa Bay Times featuring Westminster Palms remarkable people residents has most recently profiled Philip Harsham writer, photographer, world traveler who for years reported on news from colonial Africa but now is content joining photo safaris there.

Pier PressureThe Piers 21-member working group includes Old NE resident Joe Reed. Appointed by Mayor Rick Kriseman, the groups mission is to come up with suggestions for the ameni-ties which will be offered by the new (or renovated) Pier. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 5/12]

Dog-Friendly DigsThree Birds Tavern now has a new dog friendly north patio! Pooches will be blocked in the patio area so they can roam about while diners and imbibers enjoy.

Preparing for the Big OneA free Hurricanes and Natural Disasters Expo is being held on Saturday, June 14, from 10am-2pm at the Science & Technology Center Museum (7701 22nd Avenue N). There will be informational seminars, exhibits and commercial vendors. FMI, 727/825-0018.

Fed up with flagrant il-legal parking, especially when there are large events taking place in the neighborhood? Cars parked within inches of stop signs, blocking sidewalks and creat-ing safety concerns at intersections? The City has received many complaints about this so you can expect to start seeing more tickets on windshields of offenders. See an on-street parking violation? Report it by calling the police

non-emergency line at 893-7780.

Sports SpotlightNeighbors Martin Plowman will be racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Reagan Quilty was the winner of the girls competition in the recent St. Anthonys Meek and Mighty triathlon.

A Tip of the Mortar BoardTheres lots of brain power in the neighborhood, especially on 16th Avenue NE, where siblings Adrianna and James Wenz reside. The two seniors just graduated at the very top of the class at Shorecrest Preparatory School, with James honored as valedictorian and Adrianna as salutatorian. The two also were selected from more than one million high school students nationwide to receive the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. Each will receive a $2,500 scholarship and plan to attend Brown University in Rhode Island this fall. The two received a very nice front page piece in the May 16 St. Pete Times section of the Tampa Bay Times. Their parents both died in a car accident in 2004 and the teens live with their maternal aunt (Mom) Roma Palcan and cousins Karsten and Larissa.

Speaking of ShorecrestSeveral Old NE teenagers who attend Shorecrest performed a medley from the musical Chicago at the Mayors Youth Showcase of Achievement, which was held at The Mahaffey Theater in May. The annual event recognizes outstanding middle and high school students in performing arts, academics, athletics and other disciplines. With Shorecrest winning the title of School of Excellence, drama students Aja Depass, James Wenz and Ginny Swanson reprised song-and-dance sequences from the schools spring musical Chicago; Brian Kiernan and Adrianna Wenz were in the show crew.


As a professional organizer, I lift the burden created by too much stuff and simplify lives in the process. Need-less to say, its a rewarding job. An equally big payoff -- that burdensome stuff benefits others in our community. So if youre thinking about tackling an organizing project on your own, keep these (and other) local organizations and businesses in mind.

Taming Your Desk and Cleaning Out Files? This project will generate a lot of paper, most with personal

information that shouldnt be thrown in the trash. According to dailyfinance.com, Florida has the high-est number of cases of identity theft in the country.

Visit Secure Shred/Louise Graham Regen-eration Center at 2301 3rd Avenue S (www.louisegraham.org). When you use Secure Shred, the proceeds go back to their sister or-ganization, the Louise Graham Regeneration Center. The center provides programs and life skills training for people with developmental disabilities so they may become more self-sufficient citizens. Secure Shred provides shredding to walk-in customers for just $3 per box. They also take corrugated cardboard for recycling, which generates additional funds for the center.

Emptying Overstuffed Closets? Organizing a chaotic closet can be tackled

in just two hours. I can guarantee you will find lots of things you dont wear or need. Unless the clothing is stained/damaged, donate it and make sure to get a tax receipt.

Visit Pet Pal Thrift Store at 1500 34th Street N (www.petpal-animalshelter.com). Pet Pal animal shelters mission is to rescue animals from other shelters that may be at risk of being euthanized due to illness, injury or lack of socialization or training. The or-ganization also promotes responsible animal ownership through spay and neuter services. The thrift store subsidizes the efforts of the shelter and accepts clothing, small furniture, household items and much more (hours are Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm).

Visit CASA Community Action Stops Abuse Thrift Shoppe at 1011 1st Avenue N (www.casa-stpete.org/thrift-shoppe). CASA provides refuge, crisis intervention and other critical services to break the silence of victims of domestic violence. Participants in the program receive gift certificates to shop at the thrift shop for the items they need, and 100% of the proceeds for retail sales goes directly to fund CASA programs and services. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.

Visit Beacon House at 2151 Central Avenue (www.stpeters-burgfreeclinic.org/our-services/beacon-house) Beacon House is a transitional residence for up to 25 men. Residents work on personal and employment goals, learn to budget for independent living and fine tune basic skills. It also functions as a community kitchen, serving dinner six nights a week to all who are hungry in our com-munity. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday before 4pm. They can use mens clothing, shoes, toiletries and books (just to name a few).

Garage overflowing with paint, chemicals and broken electronics?

Hazardous wastes are harmful to the environment and should not be mixed with ordinary garbage as they can be mixed with other trash in the garbage truck and produce toxic fumes, catch fire or even explode. Disposing of these items properly benefits everyone in our community and beyond.

Visit Pinellas County HEC3, 2855 109th Avenue N, off 28th Street N (www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/getridofit) The HEC3 center offers a fast and convenient way to get rid of household chemicals, paint and broken electronics. Just drive up and theyll even help you unload your vehicle. Even better are their hours: 6am-6pm, Monday

De-Clutter and Do Good in Our Communityby Anne Garneau


www.VseV.skincaretherapy.net

Plaza Tower Courtyard, Ste 202111 - 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

727-560-6644Member ASCPAssc. skin cAre ProfessionAls

seSKIN CARE

ACNEsolutions

Yaneth D. Hughes CME, CLE, CCE, CDA

English spanish

VV

ANTI-AGING & ACNE Specialist

Worship Service: Sundays 10:30am

Ad courtesy of HONNA in appreciation of Westminsters generous support of HONNA

aWalkAroundTheBlock.com

Dog Walking & PetsittingHouse Check+

727-483-4554

Service that relieves your stress and takes care of things when

youre out.

Whether its daily workday walks for

Fido or keeping an eye on the homestead in

your absence.

Call us any time -or visit online.

St. Pete s most re l iable!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

2013-aa-default.pdf 1 1/29/13 29,9:57 PM

through Friday and from 7am-5 pm on Saturdays.

Make sure to check the website referenced above beforehand to make sure your items are on the accepted list (ex: propane tanks over 1 lb. are not accepted).

Have something youre not sure how to donate, sell or dispose? Send me an e-mail and I would be happy to point you to additional resources that will benefit our community: [email protected]

Acne Solutions Anti Aging Services: Micro Current Radio Frequency LED Light Dermafile Sun Damage Mitigation Rosacea Mitigation

Fresh Start

Organing

Fresh Start

Need a Fresh Start?

freshstartorganizes.com(727) 399-6982

ClosetsBedroomsHome Offices

Kitchens GaragesPlayrooms

Let me help you restore order to your most chaotic spaces & give you the tools to keep it that way for good!

Bonded & Insured

10% OFFany project of $200 or more

.

...

.

.And Much More!


Probate Real Estate

Business Law Estate Planning

[email protected] 540 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Consultations by appointment Tel (727) 821-0904 Fax (727) 823-3479

JAMES W. MARTIN, PA

ATTORNEY AT LAW

As of mid-May the new branding of the Westminster Retirement campus largely the two blocks between 8th and 10th Avenues NE between Beach and North Shore Drives was nearing completion.

This signage has been a long, step-by-step process as these are not off-the-shelf, pre-fab stick-it-in-a-hole variety signs. While the individually-built concrete block signs have the same essential design and tile elements, each is a bit different in size and shape.

Each of the eight corners of the two city blocks is being landscaped and there is lighting and on one (at 8th and Beach) a water feature.

The Westminster Campus Gets Branded

1745 1st Avenue South St.Pete, FL 33712 727-388-6756 ww.avidbrew.com

Brew It Grow It

Beer & Wine Supplies

Hops Grains - Yeast

Brewing And Hydroponic Classes Available

Garden Supplies Indoor/Outdoor

Hydroponics and Aquaponics Grow Lights Nutrients Vertical

Gardens


A R C H I T E C TSpecializing in Residential Design

Renovations, Additions and New Homes

Call for a Consultation visit to your home.

A R 1 2 1 5 9

7 2 7 - 8 2 3 - 1 5 6 6Web Site trhode.com

T i m R h o d e

We welcome new and returning

advertisers to our newsletter.

Thank you!

Fresh Start Organizing

Aqua Wave Pool Services

H.E. Feldman & Son Builders and Remodelers

A Walk Around the Block

Team Old Northeast - Coldwell Banker Real Estate

Alona Dishy - Realty Executives International

NEW RESIDENT Monday, June 23, 6-8:30pm

HONNA provides delicious cheese

and chocolate fondues

2221 4th Street N

Check out the HONNA website www.honna.org


Front Porches Aaah!by Yvonne Swanson

When we were moving to The Historic Old Northeast 10 years ago, one of the top must-haves on our list was a big front porch where we could hang a swing and sit a while. But we couldnt find the dream house and instead settled for a 1920s bungalow-style with an itty bitty three-step stoop for a porch. No swing. No cozy chairs. Not even room for a standard-size welcome mat.

With the exception of our 80-year-old house, front porches were standard design for homes built in the early 1900s. Over time, how-ever, the outdoor porch was relegated to the backyard, where it became a private deck or patio. Homeowners werent socializing like the old days when sitting out front was the norm.

But being neighborly is one of the great attractions of living in The Old Northeast, where more often than not youll see folks enjoy-ing their front porches, kids playing in the front yard and neighbors stopping to say hello. HONNA, our neighborhood association, even sponsors monthly neighborhood porch parties on Friday nights.

If youre feeling left out because youve only got a concrete slab or stoop at your front door, no worries! Adding a front porch to your home is possible and its one of todays most popular amenities, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

You may have noticed new front porch additions throughout the neighborhood. On our street alone at least three neighbors have built covered front porches, boosting their curb appeal and adding character to their homes. Rocking chairs, potted plants and other nice touches make their new porches look so inviting youd like to stop and visit!

Its a great visual addition to a house and makes it more invit-ing, says Cynthia Serra (10th Avenue N), a Realtor with Smith & Associates and long-time resident. Buyers definitely want front porches. They love the front porch feel where they can sit outside and meet neighbors.

Front porches come in all sizes and styles, so the cost to upgrade an existing porch or add a new one will vary widely. According to Home & Garden TV, a small do-it-yourself porch can cost from $5,000-$10,000, a medium-sized covered porch built by a profes-sional can vary from $15,000-$30,000 and a large custom-built porch can cost $50,000 or more. Lighting, hardware, architectural details and furniture can add significantly to the cost.

Neil Fiske, general contractor and owner of TriplePoint Design Build in St. Petersburg, suggests adding a front porch to increase the enjoyment of your home but only if its a good fit for your homes style. You may want to build a front porch, but the reality may be that it wont work with the architecture of the home, he notes.

Preserving the Character of The Old Northeast

The Mission of The Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Associ-ation is to promote, preserve and

protect the quality of life in our unique corner of the world.


While ready-to-build porch kits are available, its wise to first consult a professional with design and construction experience. Otherwise, you could end up eroding your homes curb appeal (think Victorian-style porch on an Arts & Crafts bungalow -- ugh!).

According to a recent New York Times article, real estate agents say front porches rarely add to resale value, but they do increase a homes appeal. You cant necessarily ask more on the price, but you have to admit that they tug at your heart like a Norman Rockwell painting, and emotions often do sell houses, claimed a real estate executive quoted in the story.

The only porch-related improvement documented to hold value is the front door itself. Based on the National Association of Real-tors Cost vs. Value Report 2013-14, homeowners can expect to recoup almost 97% of the cost of a new steel entry door.


Thoughts from the Front Porch

Courtney Ellis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who provides individual and couples counseling to the Tampa Bay area. She lives in a cozy bungalow in The Old Northeast with her husband and two dogs. She tries to spend as much time on her front porch as possible.

by Courtney Ellis, MA, LMHC

Helping Your Kids Survive the Summer Sans Smartphone

Summer is upon us, which means many of you will now have your children home around the clock. This can be a great time for families to bond, vacation together and enjoy some quality time. On the flipside, summertime can be very difficult as your children battle daily boredom or as you butt heads more often due to the increased time spent together. As much as kids may see their months off as a time for total relaxation, I encourage you as a parent to take ad-vantage of having your child at home in order to instill some new practices, traditions and disciplines that can carry over once school begins again. In an age where kids are glued to their smartphones, tablets and computers hopefully this summer can be one that they remember and that sets the tone for the school year to come.

When I meet with and listen to families, I find myself silently thank-ing God that technology wasnt nearly as advanced when I was a child and teen. If I wanted to see my friend, I would walk over to her house to ask if she wanted to play. If she lived too far away, Id have to pick up the old home phone, politely ask her parents to speak with her and then plan out a time and a place to meet. And as much as we loved to sit inside and play video games, we spent the majority of the time running around the neighborhood using our imaginations, meeting new kids and tiring ourselves out. Now I know times have changed and our world is much different today, but I do think there is something very healthy about getting these kids off of their devices and out in the fresh air.

When kids are bored, they crave instant gratification to ease that boredom. They may scroll through Facebook, watch a series on Netflix or mindlessly play Candy Crush for hours on end. I know

I am guilty of doing all of these things when I am bored but the problem is they dont really help to take away my restlessness. For teens these devices can also add to their discontentment, low self-worth and feelings of loneliness. As much as they may feel con-nected, the smartphones are creating a false sense of community and an increased chance for isolation. When these devices are not an option, it forces us all to be more creative in how we will spend our time. I know without a doubt the teens will want to fight this tooth and nail but beginning to draw them away from their phones and tablets now might help them fight this addiction in the future.

Some ways you as a parent can help facilitate this change are the following:

Limit phone and tablet usage. If your child does want to watch something, encourage him or her to watch it in the family room rather than alone in the bedroom.

Ask or require your child to leave his or her cell phone charging in the kitchen at bedtime.

Buy your child an alarm clock. Many of us depend on our phones to wake us up in the mornings. Unfortunately, this leads to us falling asleep looking at our screens and waking up to our screens. It also causes many children to have trouble falling asleep at night.

Together as a family, create a Boredom Jar. Come up with creative ideas that would be fun to do when someone is feel-ing bored. Write them on Popsicle sticks and put them in a jar. When a child (or parent) is feeling restless, have them pick a stick out of the jar and go do that activity. Examples include throwing a football at the park, having a craft night, going out for ice cream, riding bikesor playing a board game. Model this behavior for your child. If they see your head down

staring at a screen all day, it will give them permission to do the same.

A great way to enforce these rules without having to deal with too much backlash (because of course, there will be some) is to get your kids involved with the planning of these boundaries. When a child is involved with the details of some new disci-pline, consequence or boundary, they are more likely to follow through and less able to argue it later on. I encourage you to sit down with them and have a discussion about how technol-ogy can be a benefit but how it can also be a downfall. There are some great videos to watch

to drive this point home (for instance, check-out the online video Look Up) and other resources that can be helpful in creating this new lifestyle. Good luck and I truly hope this helps enhance both your and your childs summer!


727.534.1872

Full Service, Quality Pool Maintenance

www.aquawavepoolservice.com

Proudly serving our neighbors in OldNE

Aromatherapy is the practice of using naturally-distilled plant essences to pro-mote the health and well-being of your mind, body & spirit. The fragrance of these oils can help restore balance & harmony to your body and to your life.

727/324-3939 [email protected]

Indulge Yourselfwith a

Scents of Mind SPA LOTION

CANDLERelax Energize

Meditate VisualizeOur candles are hand crafted

locally with the finest of essen-tial oils and pure soy wax.

Located in Clearwater, FL

Scents of Mind Pure Soy CandleS

MADE IN AMERICA

Mention this ad for a 10% DISCOUNT

with every purchase.


P O R C H PA R T I E S

Porch Parties are held the third Friday of the month from 7:30-10pm (except

December). Porch Parties are strictly social and provide and informal and fun way to mix and mingle with your neighbors. Bring your own beverage. Cups, ice and light snacks are provided. Ask a neighbor to ride or walk over with you. For more info, contact [email protected]

Youre Invited!

Friday, June 20, 7:30-10pmHosts Steve and Nina Urgo

115 16th Avenue NE

JulyNo Porch Party

Friday, August 15, 6-8:30pmBack to School

Family Porch Party at Great Explorations / Sunken Gardens

Your neighborhood sweets shop introduces

atChooseWaffle, Cookieor Brownie

Pick AnyIce Cream

Present this coupon for a buy 1 get 1Ice Cream Sandwich!!!

Expires:6/31/14

Coupon Code: SS051714

23 flavors Ice CreamUnlimited Toppings BarHawaiian Shaved IceShakes / Malts / Floats

Espresso Coffee BarPastries, Cookies/Brownies, ChocolatesFresh Fruit Smoothies

On 4th St. next to Sunken Gardens

1961 4th St NSt Pete, FL 33704

(727) 800 6966

Other Treats


In Case You Missed It: Updates and Follow Ups

Keeping You Current on Some Neighborhood Stories That Have Been in the News

The City Council voted unanimously to create a citywide

residential recycling service in which residents would mix all re-cyclable items in a 90 gallon container placed curbside and picked up weekly. Although it will not be mandatory, all homeowners will pay an additional $3 per month on top of the current $22.33 monthly fee for trash removal. Apartments, multifamily dwellings with two or more units, condos and commercial properties are not included. Council also passed a motion requesting the county help pay for the cost as the county is responsible for solid waste. The 16 recycling dropoff centers will remain open. The service should begin by this fall. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 2/21]

The former BayWalk shopping complex has a new name: Sundial. An ornate metal sundial will occupy the center of the courtyard. It will have a water feature, a mosaic lagoon, bronze sculptures of dolphins and large flower-like umbrellas. Tenants signed up thus far include Sea Salt (a nationally-acclaimed seafood restaurant with a location in Naples), Diamonds Direct, Ruths Chris Steak House, the Marilyn Monroe Spa, a fashionable bou-tique owned by Tracy Negoshian, Chicos and White House Black Market. Other possibilities continue to be rumored. Opening date for the complex is expected to be July. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 2/19, 3/28, 4/10, 4/16]

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car near the inter-section of 4th Street and 5th Avenue N in the early hours of March 2. The driver did not stop. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/3, 3/6]

Because of the limited availability of parking spaces on Beach Drive, the City will offer a free trolley shuttle service between Beach Drive and the Dolphin parking lot on the Pier ap-proach, which has been under-utilized since the Pier closed. The

parking fee (for the newly-named Beach Drive Parking Lot) will remain at its current $3 all-day rate. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 2/24]

The property in foreclosure at 121 5th Avenue N, owned by reality TV celebrity Brent Bruns II who had plans to make it into a rock n roll-themed bed and breakfast, was sold along with all its contents -- at auction on March 23. The 1910 bungalow and two small cottages had been purchased in 2010 for $265,000. Permits to convert the property and its nine bedrooms into a B&B appear not to have been issued. A couple of dozen people attended the auction, and several offers were made with the winning bid of $427,000 for the buildings going to Ed Ecker (Bruns owed $270,000 on the mortgage). Ecker said he wasnt sure what he was going to do with the property except that he thought youll see a beautiful house soon. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/8, 3/24]

The City has okayed a Mediterranean-style 16-story condo with 72 units at 131 and 145 4th Avenue N, which borders a Duke Energy electrical substation. The existing properties at those ad-dresses two older apartment buildings -- will be razed to make room for the complex; the developer paid $1.3 million for the properties in 2003. He plans to call it O.N.E. as in Old North-east, though it will be a block outside The Historic Old Northeast. Two-bedroom condos are expected to range in cost from $400-$600,000. The vice president of St. Petersburg Preservation has indicated plans to appeal the approval of the proposal because the building is out of scale and out of character for the north end of downtown. Others have also expressed their concerns. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/12]

A developer who planned to construct three- and four-story townhomes on the southwest corner of Beach Drive NE and 7th Avenue has changed his mind. The economics do not work under the underlying zoning, said a spokesperson for David Weekley Homes. A review of the plans by the City indicated that the den-sity of the proposed construction exceeded allowable size. The company suggested it might submit another proposal but with fewer units. Existing buildings on the property include the 60-year old Courtyard Vinoy apartments on 7th Avenue and a house with rental units on the corner of Beach and 7th. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/26]

Newly-elected City Council member Darden Rice, who represents The Old NE neighborhood, is calling on the City to come up with a registry of bad apple property owners. These slumlords deliberately elude accountability, hide behind corporate

photo credit: TampaBay.com


Sign Up for E-mail Alerts honna.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-announcements/

Like Us on Facebook

facebook.com/honnaorg

Follow Us on Twittertwitter.com/honnastpete

veils, defy city ordinances, run up fines, and create unsafe nuisance properties, she wrote to the other Council members. She believes this step will help the City as it seeks to improve housing stock and neighborhoods. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/9]

The City Council voted 5-2 against designat-ing the North Ward Secondary School at 4th Street N and 11th Avenue a historic landmark. The vote came on April 17 and overrode the endorsement of landmark status by the Citys Community Planning and Preservation Commission. The Pinellas County School District is seeking to sell the property, which has been closed and vacant since 2008. Some City Council members were concerned that a historical designation could jeopardize redevelopment plans and result in a lower sale price for the school district. St. Petersburg Preservation and HONNA jointly supported historic designation. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/30 and 4/20]

Efforts to save the historic downtown YMCA building con-tinue to struggle. Organizers need to raise $1.2 million within the next four months in order to maintain a contract on the property. Fundraising now aims to secure 12 people who each will put up $100,000 rather than finding one person to carry the entire load. Plans for the building envision creating a combination lounge, concert venue, boutique hotel and rock n roll museum. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 3/2]

The City plans to contract for a consulting firm to develop the master plan of the waterfront. A report recently prepared by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) could become part of that proposed plan. The ULI report included recommendations that: encouraged more focus on the southern end of the waterfront; improved public transportation between Mirror Lake and The Pier and from Wil-liams Park to 22nd Avenue S; more boat dock space; a movable pedestrian swing bridge between Vinoy Park and Spa Beach; more bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. City Council member Karl Nurse has expressed concern that public input regarding the ULI report has yet to be sufficiently solicited. A principal with the firm being enlisted to prepare the master plan said, My goal for the project is to have a plan that reflects the communitys values about the waterfront and is sensitive to and reflects the different activities that are happening from north to south along the water-front. The Council is skeptical about the proposed $475,000 budget for the plan and may be looking for ways to reduce it. The study will not be addressing the issue of The Pier. Adoption of the final

plan is expected by July 2015. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 2/17, 3/5, 4/27]

The round-about (circle or ro-tary) at 30th Avenue and 1st Street which we alerted you in the March issue was due to be removed very soon may now be history. Dr. Delay, in the 5/2 edition of the Tampa Bay Times, followed up on an

Old NE residents inquiry to say the City would begin removal of this road feature by mid-May. The roundabout had become very unpopular because drivers did not know how to navigate it, and that caused safety issues. A consultant was brought in to study it and several options were suggested. The solution: free flow of traffic traveling north and south on a narrowed one-lane 1st Street with stop signs for drivers going east and west. The circle pattern will remain and slightly raised. Cost: about $115,000 from Penny for Pinellas funds.

Great Explorations Childrens Museum has received ac-creditation from the American Alliance of Museums, making it one of only eight of 300 kids museums in the nation (and the only one in the state) to be so honored. [source: Tampa Bay Times, 5/2]

TEAM OLD

NORTHEAST Delivering Results

That Move You!

Weve been your Old Northeast neighbors for more than 25 years! Give us a call!

Dale Kleine 727.365.7661

Dawn Greenidge 727.773.6072


Are you one of those people who goes about your day-to-day life notic-ing things happening around you (or not happening) in the neighborhood and our City and you wonder why (or why not) but never get around to discovering the answer? Weve decided to ask one of our neighbors, Sue Strott, whos lived in The Old Northeast almost forever, to track down the explanations for some of those puzzling questions which bug, bedevil and frustrate us.

So heres a start with some of those nagging, niggling WHYs? and WHATs?. Let us know if you have a particular issue or query youd like The Answer Lady to check out and well see what she can learn. Like FiOS... will we ever hear them now? Contact The Answer Lady at [email protected].

by Sue Strott

Brick Street RepairAlthough Ive called the Mayors Office for four years about

the dips and valleys on various streets in The Old North East, the answer always was: We have to have a special crew to address brick streets.

After having spoken, in person, to newly-elected Mayor Rick Kriseman, in early February, he directed me to call his Mayors Action Line and said I should have a different result under his administration.

Jerry Fortney, Stormwater Supervisor and now covering streets as well, (along with Tom Smith who is now in charge of Paving

Maintenance) stated that they had had a crew of 60 with an excel-lent foreman but they now have a crew of only about 30 and lost the foreman as well due to budget cuts.

However, Mr. Fortney said that he will bring this to the Mayors attention at an upcoming meeting to express a serious need for a larger crew of regular workers, not just day laborers, as they had to make do with previously.

Interestingly, Mr. Fortney pointed out that when a pipe breaks or other happen-stance occurs that calls for street repair, the Pavement Maintenance Division is not charged directly and it doesnt come out of the Pavement Maintenance Division budget. Therefore, they really have the funds now in that Division, just not

Illegal Tree RemovalAn FYI that property owners need a permit before remov-

ing any protected tree species having a trunk thats at least four inches in diameter. The requirement is regardless of the trees health. Those trees that are protected include varieties of: ash, bay, buttonwood, cedar, cypress, dogwood, elm, hickory, holly, magnolia, maple, oak, royal palm, pines, plum, mulberry, sea grape, sugarberry, sweet gum, sycamore, tupelo and willow. If a tree was planted as part of required landscaping when the site was developed, then a permit is required before it can be removed.

Permits may be obtained by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 727/893-7471. If you believe a tree is being ille-gally removed, you may con-t a c t C o d e s C o m p l i a n c e Assistance at 727/893-7373 (you may do so anonymously). For more info, go to www.stpete.org/de-velopment/ur-ban_forestry_information/tree_removal_permitting.asp

With you, we design: Master Suites

Kitchens & Baths

Family room or other addion

Improvements to older oor plans

Add a Second oor

Sustainable and Universal Design

Exterior makeovers

...and much more!

We bring the design skills to plan the best ways to change your house into the home you really want.

WPArchitect.com 727-399-7504 [email protected]


Its Not Nice to Litter (plus its against the law)

by A. Non Emous

Is it just our alley or is yours littered with trash on the ground by the dumpsters? You know the stuff food containers and wrappers, overflowing bags, plastic bottles and sometimes unwrapped food gross! Stinky trash attracts pests and pol-lutes the environment. During the rainy summer season, the City of St. Pete is urging residents to Put a lid on it. But how can you close the trash lid when its spilling over?

According to the Citys Sanitation Department, a 300-gal-lon container is large enough for every three to four homes. When one is full, you should use the other containers in the alley. Never put garbage on the ground because the one-man automated trucks only empty the cans. Weve been com-plaining to the Sanitation Department (727/893-7334) and reporting illegal dumping to the tip line (727/892-5000). Our neighborhood sanitation inspector is Jennifer Anderson (727/893-7943).

If a littered alley isnt enough to cause alarm, perhaps this will. Litter in a community decreases property values 7% ac-cording to a national survey conducted by the non-profit Keep America Beautiful. Wind, rain, traffic and animals move litter into gutters, lawns, landscaped areas and alleys to contaminate the environment. In fact, 80% of our waterways are littered with trash that was dropped on land.

Keep America Beautifuls research finds that people who litter have no sense of ownership and think someone else will pick it up for me. People under age 30 are more likely to litter than older people. Litterbugs are sometimes just lazy and throw trash in a spot thats convenient, notes the group (which was responsible for the famous crying Indian cam-paign in the 1970s).

To protect our environment and ensure our neighborhoods quality of life, everyone should be diligent about preventing litter. Research shows once litter starts to accumulate in famil-iar places, people will keep littering in that location because litter invites more litter. And thats not nice.

Sue was born in Chicago and lived in Canada before moving to The Old NE in 1973 where she continues to run an apartment rental business. She lives with her new rescue dog and is one of those people who enjoys being busy!

the needed number of employees. Mr. Fortney hopes to remind the Mayor and others of this in hopes of rectifying the situation soon. Here is Mr. Fortneys phone number if you would like to report a spot that needs attention: 727/893-7260.

Share the RoadHave you ever ridden down a street and been almost driven off

the road because the oncoming driver wouldnt move over even though he was on the side of the street with parked cars? I think weve all experienced this.

The Police Department agrees that the person going down the street on the side of parked cars in that direction, should move over and let the other pass. However, although there is no ordinance on the books about this, the Police Department said its just com-mon courtesy!

Illegally-Parked VehiclesSeveral folks in The Old Northeast are continuing to build and

re-build. Hurray! Thats making our properties more valuable. However, often times some of these workmen park wherever they want -- up to or past the corner (and even stop signs), maybe even next to a fire hydrant or otherwise blocking the walking, biking and vehicle-riding public of the right-of-way. Manys the time Ive tried to make a turn but couldnt see oncoming traffic due to this blockage. This is dangerous -- homeowners educate your workmen, please! Know that you can always phone the police non-emergency number (893-7780) to report (anonymously) such on-street park-ing violations. Just provide the intersection or close-by street ad-dress; having the make of the car/truck helps. Trust me, a squad car will likely show up within minutes of your call, with a ticket forthcoming.

For more about illegally parked cars, see page 3.

Doggie DroppingsYou can often tell when you have new folks in the neighbor-

hood because we discover doggie droppings left on lawns and even on sidewalks. Our new neighbors may not realize that we have an ordinance that requires that we all pick up after our furry friends. Always! I find the plastic newspaper sleeves and a paper towel are ideal to use.


ON THE DOCKET: Some Upcoming Events In and Nearby Our NeighborhoodWe encourage you to go directly to the City website www.stpete.org and look for Upcoming Events where you can click on View All Events. This will enable you to check updates and all the scheduled events day-by-day for the coming weeks and months.

RECURRING EVENTSJUNE 1AVP Pro Beach Volleyball/St. Pete Open, Spa Beach

JUNE 12-14 The Beer Project, Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

JUNE 16NEIGHBORHOOD QUARTERLY MEETING

& ICE CREAM SOCIAL(SEE PAGE 1)

JUNE 18 City FY 2015 Public Budget Summit, Willis Johns Rec Center

JUNE 20PORCH PARTY(SEE PAGE 25)

JUNE 21 Go Skate St. Pete, Pier approach

JUNE 23 NEW MEMBER MEET & GREET

(SEE PAGE 19) JUNE 27-29

St. Pete PRIDE, various locationsJULY 4

4TH OF JULY CHILDRENS PARADE(SEE PAGE 12)

JULY 4 Fireworks, Downtown waterfront parks

JULY 10An Evening of Wine, Words & Wisdom: Happy Hour with the Historian Tim Dorsey, St. Pete Museum of History

JULY 19-20 26th Annual Professional Association of Visual Artists Cool Art Show, Coliseum; 892-5202

AUGUST 15PORCH PARTY(SEE PAGE 25)

(see calendar at www.stpete.org for more opportunities and details and any changes in these schedules)

SUNDAYYoga + Dali, Dali Museum; 823-3767Summer Concert Series in the Marley Room, Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAYYoga, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102

MONDAYArt Bites (2nd) Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

TUESDAYNew Parents Gallery Gathering (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Hoop Dancing and Kids Hoop Dancing, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102Ballroom Dancing, Sunshine Center; 893-7101Roll Over & Read (3rd), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268Friends of Decorative Arts Lectures (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667

WEDNESDAYCoffee Talk (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Coffee with a Curator (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767Hoop Dancing, Sunken Garden; 551-3102Library LEGO Mania (1st), Mirror Lake Library; 893-7268Paddleboard Social, North Shore Park; 510-1921

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAYStory Time for Families, Dali Museum; 823-3767

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAYTerrific Tots, Great Explorations; 821-8992

THURSDAYEDGE District Farmers Market (1st), Central at 11th Specials at Museums, (extended hours and reduced admission) Dali Museum and Museum of Fine ArtsOpera @ The Dali (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767Kids Yoga, Sunken Garden; 551-3102UNCHartED Random Culture, Museum of Fine ArtsThe Genius Next Door (3rd), Dali Museum; 823-3767Archaeology Lecture Series (3rd), Weedon Island Preserve; 463-6500Our Town Conversations with St. Pete Mythmakers (last), Dali Museum; 823-3767Wee-time at Weedon (2nd & 4th), Weedon Island Preserve; 463-6500

FRIDAYGarden Tour, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102St. Pete Shuffle, Shuffleboard Courts; 822-2083Founders Corner Fresh Market, 431 Southwest Blvd N; 490-9161Get Downtown Music Series (1st), Central Avenue b/w 2nd-3rdGreat Weedon Bird Quest (2nd), Weedon Island Preserve; 463-6500

Please Support Our Advertisers Who Support This Newsletter

No Advertisers = No Newsletter

And tell them you saw their ad here


BUSINESS-RELATED

IN-HOME PERSONAL TRAININGAll Equipment Provided

In Your Convenient Location: Home, Office, Gym or Park

Call Today for a FREE Consultation

Improved Lifestyle Fat Loss Build Strength & Vitality Improved Flexibility Nutritional Guidance Sport Specific Body Toning Injury-Free Training

GROUP TRAINING: Small or Large

Together WE Will Reach Your Fitness Goals

MICHELLE DUHAMEL YEAGER B.S. USF Degree: Personal Health & Wellness

ACE Certified Since 1995

813-263-5520 [email protected]

Your Neighbors Are My References...

Major Credit Cards Accepted

Its AlwaysSummer in Florida

JUNE 3 Affordable Care Act and Your Small Business

JUNE 4, 17, 18, 25 1 Million Cups, (local entrepreneurs present their startups)

JUNE 4 Introduction to Business Startup

JUNE 5 Intellectual Property Anyone?

JUNE 10 Franchising 101

JUNE 11Introduction to Business Financing

How to Research & Write Your Business PlanCity of St. Pete Incentive and Services for

Business Owners and StartupsSocial Media

JUNE 17 Legal Structures

JUNE 18 Establishing a Home-based Business

JUNE 19 How to Do Business with the City of St. Pete

Business Startup BasicsJUNE 24

QuickBooks Q&AJUNE 25

How to Research & Write Your Business Plan/Planning for Your Business

SATURDAYBreakfast with Dali and Families (1st), Dali Museum; 823-3767Dilly Dally with Dali, Dali Museum; 823-3767Horticulture Workshop, Sunken Gardens; 551-3102Kidding Around Yoga (1st & 3rd), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Yoga & Family (1st), Museum of Fine Arts; 896-2667Dali & Beyond Film Series, Dali Museum; 823-3767Take 5 with the Director (2nd), Museum of Fine Arts; 823-26672nd Saturday Art Walks/Gallery Walk (2nd), various downtown locations; 323-ARTSSt. Pete Indie Market (1st), 600 Central AvenueWeedon Guided Hikes, Weedon Island Preserve; 463-6500

Sign Up for E-mail Alerts honna.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-announcements/

Like Us on Facebook

facebook.com/honnaorg

Follow Us on Twittertwitter.com/honnastpete


Property TransfersThe St. Pete Times section of the Wednesday edition of

the Tampa Bay Times provides a partial listing of real estate transactions compiled from public records. These entries come from those listings.

If any of these folks live near you, make sure you welcome them to the neighborhood.

Source: Compiled from public records and printed in the Tampa Bay Times.

205 5th Avenue N #402 .........................................................Bryan Nelson555 5th Avenue NE #714 .................................................Pamela McNickle575 5th Avenue NE #575 .................................. Kenneth & Carol Davidson300 8th Avenue NE ..........................................................Michael Santiago200 13th Avenue N ................................Brian J. Scott & Corissa G. Leung238 13th Avenue NE .......................... John Barnes & Charles Champagne126 15th Avenue NE ............................ Robert Griendling & Karla Leavelle415 15th Avenue NE ................................................... Paul & Lydia Ladwig144 16th Avenue N ............................................................. Michael Walker250 16th Avenue NE .............................................................Elizabeth Fink325 17th Avenue NE ................................... Ronald Charles Hammond, Jr.425 17th Avenue NE ........................................... Timothy & Alison Franklin506 17th Avenue NE .................Joseph Emerson & Marci Girard-Emerson515 17th Avenue NE .............. Michael Carnevale &Stephanie Woolfenden150 18th Avenue N ...........................................Donald E. & Evelyn S. Law305 20th Avenue NE ...........................................................Mallory Dimmitt105 22nd Avenue NE ................................................ Nel & Robert Quarles135 24th Avenue N ................................................... Mike & Roxana Stoici 727 400-1910IN THE HEART OF IT ALL

Westminster Palms Enjoy the best of all worlds at Westminster Palms, the full-service choice in

senior living in the heart of Historic Old Northeast. We o er a lifestyle that enhances and invigorates your life, with the security of a continuum of care.

Call us today to learn more about the great lifestyle andremarkable people of Westminster Palms!

WestminsterRetirement.com939 Beach Drive NESt. Petersburg, FL 33701(727) 456-7103

240 26th Avenue N ...........................................................Michael Zehnder245 25th Avenue N ........................................ Nathaniel & Sarah Bernstein221 28th Avenue N ........................ Jane H. Nicholas & Edward C. Price III2400 1st Street N ..................................... David Peppers & Barbara Lusco2620 2nd Street N .................... E.D. LaFontaine & Gretchen Ward Warren700 Beach Drive NE #308 ................................................Vanessa Rophie700 Beach Drive NE #406 .................................................... Chase Carter1317 Beach Drive NE ............................................................ Ellen Kuebel1108 Oak Street NE ..........................................................Vanessa Rophie2017 Poplar Street NE....................................... Dion Lim & Evan Panesis


Old NE Renters!

Membership in the Historic Old Northeast Neigh-borhood Association is open to renters as well as homeowners and anyone else interested in supporting HONNA. As a resident, you are invited to attend our events, participate in our programs as well as volunteer even if you dont join the association.

But if you do wish to show your support, complete the membership form found on page 8 or sign-up online at honna.org.

Lightning PrintPhone: 727-321-0785

Email: [email protected] - Lown St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713

Newsletters ~ Brochures ~ FlyersManuals ~ Reports ~ FormsChurch Bulletins ~ Folders

Saddlestitch Booklets Business Cards ~ Envelopes

Letterheads ~ Post Cards

Lightning Printis proud to be the printers for the

Old Northeast Neighborhood News

If you are buying color or black and white copies give us a call and check our pricing.

Free local pick-up and delivery.

Newsletters ~ Brochures ~ Flyers ~ Manuals Reports ~ Forms ~ Church Bulletins ~ Folders

Saddlestitch Booklets ~ Post Cards Business Cards ~ Envelopes ~ Letterheads

Digital and Offset Printing

you are holding a

sample of our work!

HONNAs Roaring 20s Gala


Plant Rant

Flora Adorer is the nom de bloom of an Old NE resident with extensive knowledge about plants and vegetation.

Making Plants Yes, Making!by Flora Adorer

Summers coming and that means its time to make new plants! Yes, I said make them. All you need are the plants you already have, a sharp cutting tool, potting medium (or soil from the yard) and water. Better yet, team up with a neighbor or friend to share plant cuttings and your botanical bounty will blossom.

Making new plants -- which is known as plant propagation -- is so easy in our warm and humid climate youll wonder why you never tried it. Trust me, its not rocket science. Just select the plants youd like to propagate. Stems with tender new growth are best. Avoid plants in bloom.

Some plants -- such as coleus, sweet po-tato vine, pothos, African violet, begonia and philodendron -- produce roots when placed in a container of water in a bright window or outdoors out of direct sunlight. Change the water frequently if outdoors to prevent mosquitoes.

You can get hardier roots when cuttings are grown in containers using equal parts peat moss and coarse build-ers sand or perlite. Honestly, though, Ive used ground soil and thats worked just fine. Dont buy new containers -- just make drainage holes in recycled plastic food containers, disposable cups and nursery pots. Make a hole in the soil using a pencil and insert the cutting so that it stays upright.

Place the cutting in a protected area and keep the soil moist. In a few weeks you should have a new plant that can be transferred to a larger container or placed in the ground. Give the cutting the wiggle test: if you gently tug the

plant and it doesnt loosen from the soil, its ready to transplant. There are a few more methods for making plants, but they are

more complicated. Ground layering (usually vines), involves gently bending a stem to the ground, securing it with a hairpin, covering it with soil and keeping moist. As soon as roots form, cut the new plant from the mother plant, and then transplant. Air layering on a mother plant involves wounding a two to three-foot long por-tion of a stem by slicing off a small spot of the outer wood (but not severing it). The damaged spot is where new roots will form.

Next, pack moist sphagnum moss around the wounded area and wrap with plastic or foil. If it looks like a foil-wrapped baked potato on the stem, youve done it right. Keep it moist and when a ball of roots form, sever it from the mother plant and transplant it.

Of course there is always division from bulbs and tubers (daylilies, cannas, liriope). Just dig em up, divide them and transplant. For plants that produce seed, gather the seeds, dry them and keep in an air-tight container for several weeks before sowing.

I regularly make new ti and dracaena plants by pruning off the top half of the plant (which tends to look gangly after a while), then placing

Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association Quarterly Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association Quarterly Newsletter