The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will be holding it's annual fundraising walk for the animals on March 22
Bark in the Park 2008 Luau
Fundraising Walk for the Animals
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay provides shelter, food, spay/neuter services and medical care for the thousands of animals that are relinquished to their care each year
Saturday, March 22, 2008
8:30am - 12noon
Registration, demonstrations, sponsor/vendors open at 8:30am
One mile walk begins at 10:00am
Pet costume contest immediately after the walk
Activities will continue until 12 noon
Al Lopez Park in Tampa
4810 North Himes Avenue (Between Hillsborough and MLK Blvd)
This is a great opportunity to support the Humane Society. My "Homer" was a Humane Society adoption when he came home 3 years ago. Yeah he is a bit bigger than I was led to believe...at nearly 90 lbs. But he has a great personality and gave new found energy to my 8 year old, 30 lb terrier mix. To this day my odd couple pair play well together. If you are in the Tampa bay area, I hope you will consider supporting this great organization.
Oh yeah, and every dog deserves his or her own yard, Let me show you some possibilities.
Today the Tampa Tribune ran an article by Kathy Steele about the stormwater project for Lake Roberta. The City of Tampa with a the assistance of a grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) has begun another step in the long road to restoring Lake Roberta. This little gem of greenspace inside the Hampton Terrace Historic District is one of the few public areas on the east side of Old Seminole Heights.
The project to capture storm water run-off on the northeast side of the lake follows a project a few years ago to capture the run-off on the west side coming from Nebraska Ave. The effort to improve the lake has been a slow process. Almost 20 years ago a longtime neighbor and Lake Roberta advocate, Myron Griffin, began planting trees around the edge of the lake. Later the neighborhood obtained a grant to add aquatic plants. But the pollution and silt still flowed in with each heavy rain. I remember in the mid 1990's when our neighborhood Publix store was rebuilt the rivers of orange and white silt that flowed into the lake. The journey toward restoration will take time. It didn't decline over night but rather by decades of abuse and neglect.
Today, it is still so far removed from the images captured by the Burgert Brothers in the 1940's when the lake was still healthy enough to host fishing tournaments. Hopefully, some day in the not too distant future, funds will be secured to dredge the lake of the many years and feet of polluted silt.
To to learn more about the Seminole Heights area, please visit: www.atHomeintheHeights.com
I guess every city has it's own unique festivals. 
Well in my adopted home of Tampa we have GASPARILLA. A pirate festival rooted in the antics of the mythical Jose Gaspar. Legend has Jose Gaspar running his pirate enterprise along the west coast of Florida in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The Gasparilla Festival is more than a century old, and basically begins when the pirates raid downtown Tampa and the mayor of Tampa surrenders the keys of the city; then a few days later the pirate ship, the Jose Gaspar sails into Tampa Bay along with floatilla of hundreds of other boats as the pirates come ashore and begin the 3 hour parade up Bayshore Blvd to downtown Tampa.
This year the parade begins Saturday, January 26th at 2:00 pm. Get there early, because you will likely need to walk several blocks. Bayshore Blvd will be closed and pedestrians (pirates included) will rule the roads and sidewalks in much of South Tampa. (image courtesy of the city of Tampa website). Thousands upon thousands of beads and trinkets will be flying as our local pirates try to win over the local populace in their invasion of Tampa!
For more info you can visit the official website: Gasparilla Pirate Fest
The festival has it's social krewes (much like New Orleans);Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla is the sponsor of the day parade. Oh yeah, we also have a night parade about 2 weeks later in Ybor City...Tampa's Latin Quarter and entertainment district. That event is sponsored by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago.
Just another reason that Tampa is a great place to call home. posted by: www.atHomeintheHeights.com
An interesting thing has been occuring that I think tells how dramatically the media has been adding to the housing situation. On December 29th, our local Tampa Tribune ran a front page story about our housing market in Tampa relative to the other metro markets in the State of Florida. Tampa was the top selling region in the state with almost 21,000 homes in 2007. 2nd was Orlando with around 14,000. Last was Miami at around 5200.
Since the beginning of the year my website has seen a dramatic increase in hits and property views. I have had more showings in the past 3 weeks than in the previous 3 months. Then I checked my listing views on Realtor.com and found that the week beginning Dec. 30th saw a jump in property views. Not a jump of 5 or 10 percent but as much as a 400% increase in property views!!!! The property views on every listing went up at least 150% per week for the past 3 weeks.
Coincidence? It seems a little too sharp and consistant to be coincidence.
I would be interested in knowing if others have seen similar activity in other areas following positive or negative articles in your local media. If so, I think we should all consider how many advertising dollars we give to our local media when they have been talking the country into recession and pushing the housing markets to the abyss.
posted by: www.atHomeintheHeights.com
The source for vintage homes in Tampa
On January 24th, the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA) will be requesting the Hillsborough County Library Board re-name the Seminole Heights Library as the Stephen J. Gluckman Memorial Library. The OSHNA board is asking that anyone who wishes to support this request attend the Library Board meeting at 4:00 PM, which is being held at the Robertson Saunders Branch Library located at 1505 N Nebraska Avenue.
If you cannot attend, please either send an email requesting the name change to board@thpl.org, OR send a letter to: Joe Stines, c/o John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Street, Tampa, Florida 33602
Steve Gluckman was a long time board member of OSHNA, a voice for historic preservation, and an advocate for the local neighborhood branch of the library system. Steve initiated the annual book sale that the association used to support programs in the local Seminole Heights branch of the library. To learn more about the annual book sale please see my earlier posting about the sale.
The re-naming of the branch in his honor would be a very fitting tribute to his memory and his contributions to our community. Steve and I did not alway see eye to eye but he was agreable and cared very much about the community.
Seminole Heights: a great place to call home
posted by www.atHomeintheHeights.com
Specializing in bungalows & vintage homes in Seminole Heights, Ybor Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights. Neighborhoods noted for their charm, tree shaded brick streets, riverfront parks & more
Originally from the suburban Philiadelphia area, I came to Tampa in 1983. My undergraduate degree is from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. I have two graduate degrees from the University of South Florida. Prior to going into real 
estate, I spent 20 years in social work doing eveything from case management, supervision, contract management, and as a program director. I currently live in the Seminole Heights neighborhood with my two dogs, Homer (from the Humane Society) and Cicero who I adopted at a neighborhood yard sale over 10 years ago.
My first home was in the Hampton Terrace section of Old Seminole Heights and Seminole Heights has remained my home 15 out of the past 17 years. I have completed renovations of my third bungalow home in Seminole Heights. But there is a character and charm in vintage homes that I can't resist. Some might say that makes me a glutten for punishment but I have come to love the challenge. Each time I say I'm staying put life has a way of introducing change. So will this be the last personal home renovation? Who can say. Even the two years I moved back to Philly, I had to renovate a home while I was living 
there. I think it is an addiction.
Along the way I gained a bit of knowledge and learned a lot of new skills. This has often proven helpful when working with customers since my speciality is historic and vintage homes.
During my years in the Seminole Heights area I have actively worked with many equally dedicated neighbors to bring positive changes to our central Tampa community through volunteering in a number of ways. As a former President of both the the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA) and the South Seminole Heights Civic Association (SSHCA), I have seen tremendous changes made within all of the Heights neighborhoods over the years. I was an early supporter of the Seminole Heights Business Alliance when it formed.
While I am dedicated to providing excellent service to all of my customers. When you start talking about Seminole Heights is when you really see my passion and commitment to community. To search for homes in: Old Seminole Heights , South and Southeast Seminole Heights Or maybe you are like me and are drawn to Vintage homes, well I have a search that will match your budget, however modest or grand. Just visit: Vintage Homes
My first and foremost I strive to provide each of my customers with superior customer service. That applies to both my buyers and sellers. I don't disappear after listing your home but I keep you informed with feedback until your home sells! As a buyer, it is not about getting you into contract and moving on, I am very hands on involved in making sure everything runs smoothly. Whether you are a buyer or seller, the words of my past customers below speaks best to my commitment to my customers.
Tampa has many unique neighborhoods just like any city. My goal is to help you get the home you want in the neighborhood that meets your needs and budget. However, my speciality is bungalows and older homes in Seminole Heights, Ybor Heights, Tampa Heights, Riverside Heights and Ybor City. These neighborhoods are noted for their historic homes, brick streets, riverfront parks and historic districts. Bungalows from the Craftsman era are the most common of the historic homes and can be found each of the Heights neighborhoods. In that sense I am selling
not just a house but neighborhoods and communities to which I am deeply committed.
Historic Districts. Tampa has 6 designated historic districts: Hyde Park, Ybor City, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, West Tampa, and Hampton Terrace. I love the charm, character, and craftmanship that can be found in older homes. Some have been neglected and abused but they have stood the test of time. And personally, I don't think they still build them the way my great-grandfather and his generation did. But of course he didn't build in hurricane alley or in termite heaven.
First time buyers. Years ago when trying to buy my first home, the downpayment and closing cost were a hurdle that kept me from buying. I would talk to agents and even some lenders who wouldn't give me the time of day or point me in the right direction. I haven't forgotten those days and so I try to connect my first-time buyers with resources to purchase their first home. Using these programs require a greater investment of time on the part of buyers and mine as their real estate agent; generally take a bit longer to go from contract to closing (one reason many lenders and real estate agents don't get involved with them). However, for buyers who are really wanting to own instead of rent, I have the resources to help you navigate down payment assistance programs.
... we wanted to live in Seminole Heights, but we weren't sure which realtor to use. We chose Rick because of his expertise in this area, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. Rick is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and he is an excellent listener as well! After just a few conversations with Rick about our preferences and needs, he found us a number of houses that met all of our criteria. We ended up in a great house that's in a perfect location for us. Rick helped us immensely throughout the entire process, and even though we closed over a year ago, we still go to him for advice about home improvement and recommendations for skilled laborers. He is always ready to offer his expertise, and we consider him an invaluable resource. Jennifer Bosson and Dave Davisson neighbors in Old Seminole Heights
"Thanks Rick for showing us all the properties,... we were really glad the first seller didn't respond on time, it gave us time to find the perfect home with your help. ...my wife was really glad you knew so much about all the different plants in the courtyard. And thanks for being so professional ... I would not of had the patience you did. " Randy and Penny Dean, new homeowners in Carrollwood Village
"...thank you for helping me through this home buying process. I really do love the house and couldn't have made the move without your compassionate help and guidance." Jamie Pilarczyk, first time homebuyer
"Rick was an absolute joy to work with. As a first time home buyer this was an exiting yet unnerving experience for me, so having a reliable and knowledgeable agent was key. It was clear to me that he has strong ties to the Seminole Heights community and genuinely cares for the neighborhood and its residents. Most importantly, I think Rick listened to all of the specifics I was looking for in a home, and found the perfect match for me. I couldn't be happier, or more satisfied. I feel completely confident recommending his services to anyone interested in buying or selling a home." Courtney Ellison, Hampton Terrace resident.
"We wanted to express to you are gratitude for helping us sell our property. We sincerely feel that we could not have done it without you. You went far above what would be considered standard realtor effort to make sure everthing was perfect. Your knowledge of the marketplace, your eye for detail and your integrity are certainly a winning combination. Over the last couple of years we have had many experiences across the country in real estate and by far dealing with you has been the best experience that we could ask for. We can highly recommend to anyone that when they hire you... they are hiring the best! Please have any of your potential clients call us if they need a referral." Tom & Andrea DeFrancisco, Lake Wylie, SC sellers, 912 W. Idlewild
"Although it has been a couple of months since the closing on my new home, I have not forgotten how you helped me fulfill that dream. Four realtors later, and me at the end of my wits, is when I met you. I will admit I was skeptical at first...however, you immediately gained my trust and the rest is history. Your patience and determination prevailed as you kept looking for the perfect home for me and then we found my "Gingerbread House!" With all said and done, your diligence, perseverance and patience was outstanding. I truely believe you were operating in my best interest and for that, I am most grateful." --Linda "Lou" Gomes, first time home owner
We had worked with two other realtors who could not find what we were looking for. Our participation in the city's first-time homebuyer program presented several challenges, but Rick met them all. My dad even told me "I never saw a real estate agent work so hard for his client." We were so pleased with his abilities that we have recommended him twice, once to a friend who he helped into her own first house, and later to my sister when she wanted to sell. They were both as happy as we were with the experience, and we would recommend Rick to anyone." --T.J. Weekes and Chris Schad, first time buyers
"I wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful service you provided me over the last year in my house hunt, and my recent purchase of a home. It took me over a year to purchase a home and I greatly appreciate you're patience, and consistently providing me with prompt and courteous service that whole time. I think most other Realtors would have become fed up with me after showing me house after house and I either wasn't interested in making an offer, or by the time I made up mind and decided I wanted to make an offer, the property was already under contract. In spite of all my hemming and hawing you stuck with me and remained positive and supportive and encouraged me to do what I felt was right, and didn't put any pressure on me to buy something I wasn't sure about. Thanks again for all of your patience, advise, and good service on the purchase of my wonderful home. I've already been recommending you to all of the people I know who are interested in either buying or selling a home." Cole Talty, CPA south Tampa.
"You made selling our house a calm and even fun experience. Your knowledge, support, and customer service led to a quick and profitable sale. While we are both happy with 'quick and profitable,' it is your guidance and honesty we'll remember forever!" - Marky Spies and Ed Van de Wall
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