Talking Tampa

What Good is a Law That's Not Enforced?

2009-02-05T12:02:35-05:00

In yesterday's Tampa Tribune, a Letter to the Editor from David Johnston caught my attention. Johnston had relatives in town for the Superbowl. They stayed in downtown Tampa, but their stay was adversely affected, if not ruined, by the noise of loud car stereos, which kept them awake at night. Unable to change hotels, and needing to sleep, by Saturday night, they had had enough and moved in with Johnston.
He points out that they would not give the city of Tampa a B+. In fact, they likely will never return to our fair city.
Johnston pointed out that there are laws against this excess noise, but they aren't enforced. I'd have to agree; of course, some will say that since it was Superbowl weekend, and the partying went on quite late, but, I hear these earth shaking, blaring stereos every day.
You know what I'm talking about. You pull up to a light, and one of the cars, sometimes a couple of lanes over, is blaring some music - no, not music, noise - which often even includes obscenities.
I want to do something when this happens. I dream of making a citizen's arrest, but, of course, I would never approach the perpetrator, lest I be attacked and become the victim of stereo induced road rage. So, I suffer until the light changes.
I've tried this strategy once: I turned my radio up very loud - it was on a classical station - to try to overpower the other stereo, but, having a standard setup in my car, I knew I would blow out my speakers before getting loud enough to be heard by the occupants of the offending vehicle.
Anyway, to David Johnston, I hear you, and I agree. There is a law, but I wonder if it ever gets enforced by the City of Tampa Police Department or the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department.
It's kind of like the litter laws, and the laws restricting people from collecting money or selling things at intersections. They are on the books, and they are certainly taken seriously and enforced in other cities, but they are not enforced in Tampa.
We've got a lot to be proud of here, but we've also got a lot of things that need fixing. This is one of them.
What's the point of a law that is not enforced?

If City's Were People

2009-02-04T12:33:53-05:00

If Tampa was a person, she would be sighing, and I guess she is. The house guests are gone. She's getting things back in order. While she washes the sheets, makes the beds, puts away the extra silverware, stows away the ice chests, all the while she is thinking about the events of the last few days. Ahhhh, such a worldwind. So much planning for so long, but it paid off; the guests had a great time. They had good food with good friends, great weather, and a great game.
Yeah, just about a perfect weekend. Back to life as we know it, and that's not at all bad. Tampa looked good, Tampa WAS good. We weren't playing in IT, but we certainly played our part.
The Superbowl behind us, we'll hardly have a chance to catch our collective breath, because the Gasparilla festivities have already begun.
The good life goes on . . .

I Always Have My 'Game Face' on, I Think

2009-01-28T23:33:53-05:00

I'm not sure I know what a 'game face is.'

I do know that Tampa is all agog over the Superbowl, and I get that. Tampa loves sports, I love sports, but why do they keep showing that annoying public service commercial with the guy saying, "C'mon Tampa, put your game face on?" Translated, I think it means to be nice - or maybe to get excited. Hello, if Tampa gets any more excited, it may erupt into the first earthquake ever recorded in this state, and the game is still days away.

I suppose that 'game face' ad is to remind us to be good hosts, to be nice. Well, this is a nice city full of wonderful, friendly people, excited about hosting the Superbowl. We are good, no, not good, we are terrific people, most of us, and I don't think a commercial is going to change any who aren't. I've lived here my whole life, and I've always thought this city was chuck full of kindhearted, passionate, generous people, the kind who make great hosts and treat strangers the way they would want to be treated.

We don't need a public service announcement to tell us how to behave.

And if the people of Tampa did need a niceness lesson, why worry about it only for the Superbowl? I guess for the same reason that streets around the stadium and between the airport and hotels have been cleaned up, trees planted, trash removed, and medians landscaped.

Yes, the best thing about the Superbowl just may be all the sprucing up the City of Tampa does to look good for the visitors from out of town.

Of course, it's also insulting. If the money is there, in the city's budget, why does the City suddenly decide to spend it when we're going to have the Superbowl? It's our money, taxpayer money, so why wouldn't it be spent to impress us? And it seems unfair that a street that is nearby but not an artery likely to be traveled to the big game, will likely be ignored.

Here's a thought, how about killing the public service 'be nice' ad and using the money to beautify a few more streets?

Just a few Superbowl thoughts to munch on.

My Apologies to Readers and Congratulations to President Obama

2009-01-21T00:14:23-05:00

Okay, this is my first post in - uh, five months - ooh, not good. Well, I promise not to do that again, but I do have an explanation. See, I was waiting until I got ready to launch my YourNorthTampa website. You are saying, 'What does that have to do with it?" Well, too complicated to explain, but that is it. Anyway, now I am back, and I've got something much more exciting to say, and that is Congratulations, Tampa. We have a great new president. We are turning a corner, a wide corner that will take years to clear, but we are on the road and gaining momentum.

1. I feel like this shows how far we have come as a nation. It makes me feel happy, no, thrilled, on so many levels.
2. Imagine, how just this one event, has affected our impression on the world stage.
3. Imagine the impression on young African American children. Now, finally, they will believe that they can rise to the top.
4. More than anything else, the fact the we elected an African American reflects a huge step forward. It shows Americans and the world that we are finally a country that respects and appreciates all its races. It is a giant step forward. It's almost like we, as a country, are now on the road to recovery. It's like we are finally showing signs of recovering from an illness that began when our country was conceived.

What a great day. I loved watching the inauguration. President Obama has inherited grave problems, but I believe if anyone is up to the task, it is he.

Problem Solving 101 at Logan Gate Park

2008-08-13T10:08:00-04:00

If you live in Tampa, then you know that a young man, 13 yr. old Stephen Tomlinson, was killed in Logan Gate Park in 2005. The story has been all over the news again recently when the man accused of that crime was on trial. That is not what this story is about.

Unfortunately, the trial brought back the bad publicity, and that’s a shame. How is a community to recover if it is repeatedly thrust into the spotlight for the same single incident?

Well, the Tampa Tribune recently ran an article about Nick Valentine’s successful efforts to do just that. According to that article, Nick is a stay-at-home dad who moved into that neighborhood a few months ago. When he tried to play basketball at Logan Gate Park, there was a rough group there that was ‘owning’ the park, driving off anyone else who wanted to play.

Nick thought of a creative solution. He organized a series of basketball tournaments at the park, open to everyone, of course. I happened to visit the park with my daughter and our dogs during one of those tournaments. What a difference! On previous visits, we had both remarked about how sad it was that so few people used the park.

Well, not on this day. There were people everywhere, all ages, music playing, picnicking, smiles, laughter, lots of kids on the playground, lots of people playing basketball, and lots of people watching. Now that’s the way to use a park.

Nick took a negative situation and made it positive. As the Tribune article points out, on that day the park had a family feel. If bullies were monopolizing the park, and now people feel welcome and families are coming back, that’s what I call an equal and opposite reaction. It’s a lesson in how to deal with bullies, too.

Yes, there is a shrine in the rear of the park where the young man was murdered. That will always be there, as it should be, but let’s not roll up the park and waste it. Instead, let’s make it the kind of place where good things happen. That’s a much better way to pay our respects to the young man who was murdered there, and it’s certainly much better for the neighborhood.

You can run away from a problem or you can react with an equal and opposite reaction. That’s what Nick did.

To read the full Tribune story, click here.

Remember Nifty Binders?

2008-08-08T22:25:36-04:00

Well, it's only a few short days before the kids go back to school. When I see the ads for school supplies, I still feel like I want to run out and buy some. I used to love picking out my notebook each year. Does that make me a nerd? Then, as a teacher for 14 years, I'd enjoy stocking up on all the things that would enable me to teach the lesson plans I had thought up during the summer.

Yeah, I admit it; I enjoyed teaching that much. Although I was always sad to see the summer end, I was also always excited to greet those new faces and meet the challenge of a new year. . . that lasted at least a couple of weeks.

Parents will be fickle too, in some ways sad for their kids to go back to the rigor of school, but also relieved to have the family back into a routine.

For other adults, especially those who commute miles to work, like my husband, school starting means less sleep because traffic will be much more congested.

Last Minute Time Change for BOCC Meeting Regarding Funds for Trail Connector

2008-08-05T17:42:08-04:00

The county commission has changed the time for the meeting tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please spread the word.

It's Crunch Time: BOCC Will Meet Wednesday to Decide How to Use $40 Million in CIT Funds

2008-08-05T00:00:27-04:00

Here is an informative Fact Sheet.

From John Harrison:

HEY, everyone:

Thanks for your past support on this issue but now is the time to put your bodies into action!

The Hillsborough County Commissioners will vote on the allocation of the $40M in CIT funds on Wednesday, August 6. The have not added the UTBT to their list, yet. We need to have a large showing of trail supporters at their meeting to have an effect.

Please show up for the 9 AM public input time (arrive early and sign in at the UTBT sign) to show your support. Bring your kids (they want kids to be a factor), bring your friends, tell everyone. Lets fill up the commissioners chambers. You can also sign up to speak (3 minute limit) - good to do.

Show up at the BOCC Chambers on the second floor of the County Center at 601 East Kennedy Bvd. Park in the city garage next door.

This will not happen without you!

You can also send an e-mail to the commissioners if you have not done so in the past, heck send another one! Fact sheet attached.

http://hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm

Thanks, in advance for your support. See you there.

John Harrison

North Tampa Dog Parks

2008-07-30T23:55:53-04:00

We have several dog parks: Logan Gate, Al Lopez, West Park, and one I recently discoverd near the intersection of Lutz Lake Fern Rd. and US 41. These parks are divided into two areas, one for large dogs, and one for small dogs. West Park has a dog bath, which some of the dogs love, and which comes in handy because there is a lot of dirt. As a result, Bailey needs a bath before we leave. The dog park at Logan Gate is newer and has all grass but no bath tub. Apparently, not many people know about the Logan Gate Park, though, because there usually aren't many dogs there. Bailey loves playmates, so we're hoping more people discover it.

Celebrating the 4th in Style in Lutz

2008-07-16T18:16:28-04:00

I stopped celebrating the 4th in the traditional way a couple of years back. The traditional way for me - us - was to get the family together for a cookout. When the kids were young, we'd get $50 worth of basic fireworks - the kind they sell under the tents along the road - and they'd love watching 'daddy' set them off. We never had any�injuries, but in later years I learned to hate those fireworks, and I� actually became negative about the whole holiday for a while, and with good reason.

Three times during about a ten year period I found myself in the emergency room with a family member. One time my grandmother tripped as she stepped off the patio at my mother's house. Another time my daughter had an appendicitis attack, and a third time, my brother was hit in the head about an inch from his eye with a bottle rocket that a boy across the street - about 20 feet away - had fired. Anyway, the third time I decided I would treat the 4th just like any other day, and maybe nothing bad would happen.

Fast�forward to this year. We didn't plan anything special in the evening, but in the early a.m. I ran the Independence Day 5K in�Lutz with several of my friends. It was a wonderful race, and the weather was an amazing 74 degrees! By the time the race was over, preparations were underway for their annual parade and the festival was well under way.

On stage�an adorable group dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue was square dancing with great zeal. How much more American can you get? And there were booths everywhere selling all kinds of wonderful foods and confections, jewelry and handmade crafts. It felt good to see so many people having such a good time. Kids were getting their faces painted, and�women were showing off some amazing quilts. It was small town America on the outskirts of a very big town. I loved it, and I'll be back. Thanks, Lutz.�

Must be Summer in Tampa

2008-07-16T17:43:16-04:00

You just never know when it'll be raining when it's summer in Tampa, but you do know that it will most likely rain every day in July and August. If it's 4:00, and it hasn't rained yet, that doesn't mean a thing . . . it still will.

On the flip side, the weather changes quickly. It could be raining one minute, and twenty minutes later, the sun is shining. That's one of the best times because the showers cool it down. Oh, some negative types will? complain about? the humidity - okay, almost everybody who is not a Tampa native will complain about it, but you know what? At least we can get out and go places every single day all year. If it? wasn't better than in the snowy, cold, North, then we wouldn't have so many people here who moved from there.

And even in the middle of summer we almost always get several hours of lovely sunshine in the morning. And I have to have that. I mean, really, I think I require daily sunshine just as much as a flower or a tree, and if I have to put up with some rain and humidity, well, I can do that. Actually, I like the rain. I don't like it when I am ready to go for a run, but I love it when I'm just hanging out at home. And the thunder and lightening. I kinda like that, too. It's just Mother Nature flexing her muscles and reminding us that we're not in charge, she is.

For me, I'm okay with it, and for those people who have to complain, I say, "Why did you move here? Yes, it's dreary today, and wet, and humid. But you CAN go outside. You are never stuck in your house for days at a time.

When I was a kid growing up here, almost no one had air conditioning. When I was 7 years old, we had a house built in Old Carrollwood. I still remember having the discussion about whether to get AC. My brother and I argued that we didn't need it - we didn't know any better. My sister was adamant that we had to have it. We got it and immediately became spoiled, but fully half of the homes in original Carrollwood were built without central air. Imagine that.

We went to school with no air, too. An nobody felt sorry for us. Everything is relative.?

My daughter was visiting in Rhode Island recently, and she said? they were having quite a hot spell. I guess it gets hot everywhere. The difference is that no one there has air conditioning. Oh, there are window units, but no? central air.

I'll take Tampa any day, heat, humidity, rain, and all. This is home, and I'm stayng.

CIT Money for Connecting UTB and Suncoast Trails

2008-07-07T15:04:36-04:00

One of the�benefits of a blog is to�inform the public about�issues which affect them, but about which they may be completely uninformed. This is essential when it comes to local government activities because, very often,�the local government, in this case the�County, moves forward with very little public input. Public outcry may follow, and often does, but those cries fall on deaf ears because decisionmakers have already set wheels in motion.�

�

This blog, I hope, will keep issues in front of the constituents and provide direction regarding contacting officials and voicing opinions,�enabling residents to have input which will�benefit themselves and others. Right now,�you all have an opportunity to do just that.

��

The BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) will soon vote on whether to spend $40 million in CIT (Community Investment Tax) money to connect the Upper Tampa Bay Trail to the Suncoast Trail.

�

Unfortunately, there are some very vocal proponents of spending that same money to build more ball fields!!!!!!

�

If our voices - those of us who use and love the trails – are not heard loudly and clearly, then we will not see those trails connected for many, many years. The money is already there. I am attaching several documents regarding this important decision. Let’s get a dialog going.

�

There are two very important things every person can do:

1. Contact all the county commissioners.

2. Attend the meetings.

�

I have nothing against baseball, soccer, etc., but we’ve got many more ball fields than we have trails. Trails benefit all ages and people of all economic levels. And when the two trails are joined, both will become more valuable and attract even more users.

�

Please peruse the attached documents and join me in speaking up and voicing your wishes to the people who decide how to spend YOUR tax money.

Canvas - It's the Perfect Gift

2008-06-13T12:06:37-04:00

Download TheDangersofPlasticBags.ppt

It pleases me to?no end to see how many people and businesses are promoting environmentally safe or recyclabe products.

One way we can all do our part is to use our own bags, canvas or other types, for groceries and other purchases. Does it ever strike you as bizarre that if you go into, say, Staples, and buy a pen, they put it in a plastic bag? That's just nuts. What a crazy custom! No matter what we buy, they put it in a plastic bag, even if it is one item that easily fits in a purse? That's not really the point, though, the point is that the plastic bag is just creating more waste.

Some people reading this are saying, "Oh, but plastic is recyclable. Well, it's time for a reality check. We all know that not all plastic products actually are recycled. Sadly, very sadly, only a very small percentage ever get recycled, and even that takes energy, which we don't have to spare.

I digress. This post is about 'the perfect gift.' Last Christmas, my sister-in-law gave me two large canvas bags. I think they came from L.L. Bean, so they were probably pricey for canvas bags, but these bags are virtually indestructable, and I love my canvas bags. They are so much more efficient and convenient?than plastic bags.

First of all, I can really fill them up without having to worry that they will break. You should see the stitching on those seams! Second, they hold so much more per bag. And third, they are constructed so that they stand up on their own, making them much easier to fill. I love my bags! Thank you, Judy!

So, next time you need to get a gift for someone, think about giving them some nice canvas shopping bags. These bags will last me for twenty years, I'm sure. And you will be helping them help the environment. ?

If you're still using plastic or paper, check out the attached Power Point. You'll be searching for?canvas bags next time?you go to the store for sure.?

Be Still My Heart

2008-05-26T16:29:36-04:00

I just returned from my weekly run at Lake Rogers Park. I’ve seen many awesome sights there: birds, squirrels, armadillos, lush foliage in every shade of green and brown, snakes, yes, snakes, and my favorite, trees, dead and alive, that look like living art.

And the sounds are�as beautiful as the scenery; usually, however, those sounds are of birds singing or of trees blowing in the wind.

�

Today, I heard children’s voices talking excitedly. When I rounded the next bend in the trail, I came upon a family of four, sitting on a bench, facing Lake Rogers. The kids were having a wonderful time. Who knows what they were talking about, but that doesn’t matter. The pitch of their voices revealed their happiness. They were out in the wilderness on a beautiful day with Mom and Dad. Clearly, they were having a good time, and why not? They had the undivided attention of both parents. No cell phones, no TV, nary an iPod in sight.�They were, staring out at�Lake Rogers Park. Nature trumps TV every time, and the 'big' screen? This 'screen' was bigger than any other.

On my next lap I passed them again. This time they were walking; well, the parents were walking and the kids were skipping, burning up energy and still chattering away.

�

In this world, too many parents miss the opportunity to visit a park for some valuable ‘down time’ with their children, with each other, or even alone.

�

On this pristine Tampa day, I thought of how many families were probably crowded into Chuck E. Cheese or a movie theater or one of those indoor gyms. How many were planted in front of the TV or playing video games. I have nothing against any of these, but I do believe that all parents should recognize that everyone needs time among trees and birds, for it is in their presence that spirits blossom and stress magically melts away. This morning spent at the park will leave a lovely footprint in the souls of those two kids.

�

It did my heart good to hear their delighted voices and know their parents had taught them, probably mostly by example, to appreciate nature. I bet those kids don’t litter, and I bet they notice pretty flowers and listen for birds chirping. How lucky they are!

BOSTON 25908

2008-05-17T21:08:39-04:00

I've been running for over thirty years, and the Boston Marathon has been on my radar the whole time. For a runner to get to run Boston is like a biker getting to ride the Tour de France. The most prized item in my wardrobe is now my Boston jacket. Eight weeks before the race, Lynn Gray called to say Zika Rea of Zap Fitness Foundation had called to offer a charity entry to a member of Take…the First Step. I was the lucky recipient of that entry, and I am indebted to the club for that precious opportunity; I began training for Boston immediately.

The race has a reputation for being demanding, and I certainly agree. The hills were high, as expected, and my quads definitely were not happy, but I was as ready as I could have been in eight weeks. I had been nursing ankle problems for several months; therefore, I was not able to put in as many training miles or as many hills as I would have liked. I had completed two18 milers and a 20 in training, so I knew I could finish.
For me, it was a balance between getting in enough training to finish while not inflaming my ankles too much. In that sense, the race was a huge success. I am fortunate to have an excellent coach, and with her help, it worked out, and I finished, even ahead of some who qualified, as Lynn, in her coachly wisdom, pointed out. Of course I believe they were in their 80’s, but no matter. I finished and without injury with a time of 5:37.

I was right on target with my half marathon time of 2:26 , and if I could have maintained that pace, I would have been pleased. My goal was to finish around 4:50, a realistic goal, I thought, since I finished my first marathon last December in 4:58:28. I’m anything but disappointed, though.

After all, I ran with Cheruiyot, Tune, and Lance Armstrong. Well, if we loosely define ‘with.’ They were a tad in front of me. And then there was the invaluable camaraderie and collective experience of my Take the First Step buddies. Any experience shared with such good friends is enriched exponentially. Their encouragement, support, and advice carried me over Heartbreak Hill and on to the finish. And the icing on the cake? My daughter Wendy joined me at the finish, a Starbucks Vanilla Latte in hand.

I ran in the race where so many famous runners have made history. I ran in the race that every runner dreams of running. I was there, on the street, from Hopkinton to Boston , shoulder to shoulder with all the other lovers of running and appreciators of the magnificent tradition that is the Boston Marathon.

A Little Patch o' Paradise

2008-05-15T23:50:14-04:00

Sitting on a lovely patch of land just one tenth of a mile north of Hillsborough and another tenth east of Hanley Road is a little patch of paradise known as Sweetwater Organic Farm.

I'm not sure if I should be sharing this with you, because I’m just not sure if I want the whole world to know about this little gem.

On May 10^th, the Sweetwater folks held their annual Pesto Festo, their main fund raising event. I’ve been to the annual festival three years now; that is, I have been my daughter's guest. It’s become a ‘day-before-Mother’s-Day’ tradition for us. Wendy introduces me to all kinds of wonderful things; that’s one of the best things about children, I think, at least in my case. Wendy and Ben have each been expanding my horizons ever since their respective births.

As a member Wendy goes to the farm on Sundays – during season – to collect her share of that week’s colorful harvest, which she then shares with her grandmother and me.

This year we arrived early on Saturday evening for the Pesto Festo, and hurried to get in line, remembering that we had arrived a little later last year and had a hard time finding a seat.

Well, this year we ended up sitting on a lovely wooden bench around the new fire pit. I don’t know which was better, the view, the company, the food, or the weather, but the combination was one I won’t soon forget.

The farm seems to attract all ages of people from all walks of life, but the one common denominator is that all seem to enjoy and appreciate each other, the outdoors, and healthy food. They are all wearing shoes, but I get the feeling they wouldn’t mind wiggling their toes in the dirt, catching minnows in the creek or looking for shooting stars after dark. They are that kind of people.

Everyone gets a heaping plate of pasta with pesto sauce and salad. It's delicious, of course, and even more special because you know it was grown only a few feet away.

A blue grass band played, people danced, children hoola hooped, and dogs chased their tails. . . well, I didn’t see the latter, but there were dogs, and I’m sure there must have been some tail chasing because that would have just fit in so perfectly.

At evening’s end, when we crossed back over the bridge that separates the farm from the rest of the world, I felt more like I was crossing a moat. Once on the other side of Sweetwater Creek, the sounds of the band were drowned out by cars whizzing down Hanley Road, oblivious.

It looked to me like there were a couple of hundred people in attendance this year. I don’t know how many they can accommodate, but I can tell you this, if you haven’t visited the farm, you are missing a beautiful green oasis that is somehow magically hidden right smack dab in the middle of Town n’ Country. Who’d a thought?

The Yellow Bowl

2008-05-13T14:59:35-04:00

On Mother’s Day, I took my mother a yellow bowl, an old yellow bowl; actually, it was her yellow bowl. Maybe I should explain.

When my sister Laurie died, I had the dreadful, painful task of going through her belongings and emptying out her apartment. Just thinking about it, even now, makes my heart hurt. It was good for me, though, because it reminded me of everything about her, things I wanted to be reminded about. It helped me say good-bye.I would go over there for a couple of hours every day and bag up some things to give to charities. I was very careful to select charities that would be able to use those specific items, more careful than I normally would have been, because she would have been that thoughtful.

I would take some things home to keep, some because they would be useful to me and some because they had meaning for me. The yellow bowl fit into the latter category. I hadn’t seen that bowl in a long time, but when I saw it, I knew I would keep it, at least until I passed it along to Wendy.

Hugging that bowl, I remembered sitting on the terrazzo floor of our Forest Hills home with Laurie and my mom as we helped her shell conch peas for dinner. I remembered watching my mom’s hand travel the circumference of that bowl, always in a clockwise motion, over and over, as she mixed potato salad, Railroad Hash, baked beans and chocolate icing. Holding that yellow bowl in my hands, I could almost smell the onions in those baked beans.

I took it home.

That was eight years ago. I’ve used that bowl many times since then, always feeling a twinge of guilt, wondering if my mom would have liked to have it back. She might not have even known my sister had it. You know how kids sometimes appropriate things they need when they move out.

Well, I found this great Mother’s Day card this year that said, “A good mother lets you lick the beaters; a great one turns off the mixer first.”

That card got me thinking about ‘licking the beaters.’ How many times had I or one of my siblings, or all of us at once shouted, “I get to lick the beaters”? I bought the card.

Licking the beaters took on epic proportions at our house when I was little. The card reminded me of that yellow bowl because Mom always used that bowl when she baked cakes and cookies. There were four of us, so two would get the beaters, one got to lick the bowl, and if we were all four home – which wasn’t too common – the fourth got to lick the spoon. Sounds like a bad deal for the fourth, but Mom always made sure the spoon was full of dough.

Today, I took that bowl back to my mom, not to give it back, but to tell her that I had it, that I cherish it, and why I cherish it. I offered to give it back, but, of course, she wanted me to have it. I knew it would go that way because I know my mom. That bowl had been the vessel that carried all the best foods I’ve ever eaten. Today, it carried my love.

Kids' Day at the Village 2008

2008-05-09T13:20:45-04:00

If you have kids and you have time, don't miss the Kids' Day at the Village Saturday, May 10th. Maria Hochwarth-Alvarez, Carrollwood Village Special Events Manager reports that the event will feature "Games, entertainment, 18' inflatable slide, 29' challenge race obstacle course, golf putting greens, face painting, fire eater, magic, balloons, stories, animals, dance, arts & crafts, sports activities, giveaways, etc., etc., with a variety of kid friendly food at kid friendly prices."

This free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carrollwood Village Millennium Garden, 4535 West Village Drive, Tampa, FL 33624. It is open to the public and parking is free. Go to CarrollwoodVillage.com for complete information.

Pesto Festo at Sweetwater Organic Farms

2008-05-09T12:16:59-04:00

Pesto Festo is Sweetwater Organic Farm's main annual fund raising event, and it will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10th. This is the third year I will be attending, and it's always a good time. There will be a band - yes, there may be dancing - good food, the freshest food you can imagine, and plenty of happy, healthy people.

My daughter Wendy and other volunteers will be cooking the pasta tonight for tomorrow's festival, which celebrates the end of another fruitful growing season. Tickets are required but can be purchased at the door. Well, it's outside, of course, so there's no door, but you get the idea.

My first experience with the farm was several years ago when I went there with my nephew Zack, then a student at Berkeley. He was doing some community service hours. What a delightful norning we had. I had not seen such beautiful, healthy produce since visiting my grandfather's farm many, many years ago.

Their website describes it as "An urban, organic farm providing healthy food, educational programs and community-building opportunities since 1995."

A natural oasis in the heart of Town n' Country, Sweetwater Farm is a terrific but little known North Tampa nugget. If you haven't experienced the farm, I highly recommend it. For much more information, go to their website, and be sure to click on the 'About Sweetwater' tab and then scroll down to watch the video of the Sunday Organic Market. The farm is located between Waters and Hillsborough. Turn east on Comanche from Hanley Road. Their website has detailed directions and maps.

I hope to see you there.

I'll post my comments about this year's event along with some photos in the next few days. Hope to see you there.

Peacock Lane

2008-05-08T16:22:42-04:00

If you’ve lived in North Tampa for very long, you’ve seen the peacocks. There are two groups that I know of, the ones near old – or should I say, original – Carrollwood and the ones near the Upper Tampa Bay Trail where it crosses Gunn. I don’t know where the second group came from, but I can explain the existence of the first group.

My family moved to Carrollwood Drive in the early sixties, before Carrollwood Drive was even finished. It had to be paved on down to 11110 in order to build our house at the corner of Lipsey Road. Our lot was dotted with 26 orange trees, and the family on the other side of Lipsey had grapefruits. Some of my friends had tangerines, and there were even kumquat trees down near White Sands Beach.

You see, old Carrollwood was originally a citrus grove and, apparently, the dropping fruit attracted snakes. So, as the story goes, the owners of the grove kept peacocks to kill the snakes; I guess it worked because I have plenty of memories of peacocks and none of snakes.

Anyway, if you continue east on Carrollwood Drive from Lipsey Road, on the right is Lake Carroll, and the next street to the left is Peacock Lane, named for the peacock farm. That’s right, at least that’s what we kids called it. Whenever we didn’t have anything else to do, we’d walk down to the Peacock Farm to collect the beautiful feathers. The farm actually reached all the way through to what is now the curve where Lake Ridge Road becomes MacFarland Road.

Every family in the area had at least one vase filled with the lovely feathers. The peacocks roamed the whole area, frequently strolling into the backyard where we fed them bread. We got a kick out of it, but as a kid I didn’t realize just what a novelty it was.

As Carrollwood grew, development drove them further and further away, but there are still a few around. I don’t know if anyone has any idea how many.

So now if you see them looking altogether out of place on the sidewalk in front of Whaley’s Market, strolling through the parking lot at Lowes, or appearing to be waiting for a table outside of Carrabba's, you’ll know where they came from. Be nice to them because they were here first.

Today, when I run on the UTB trail in the late afternoon, I can hear the piercing calls of the peacocks in that area, and I am transported back to those carefree childhood days in old Carrollwood. Just yesterday I spotted two albino peacocks in the street behind Blinds to Go. Maybe someone who can explain the origin of that group will comment on this post and enlighten me. They are lovely creatures, and I’ll always be happy to share my North Tampa with them.