The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog

New Date For Free Workshop: ADA Compliance For Small Businesses

Due to Tropical Storm Andrea, a special event to update businesses on the legal and technical requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act had to be postponed, but has now been rescheduled for July.

The Hillsborough County and the Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities-Hillsborough County will present a free workshop, ADA Compliance For Small Businesses, featuring experts to help business leaders avoid costly mistakes by reviewing the latest ADA needs and requirements.

The workshop will now be held on Tuesday, July 30, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon at the Children’s Board, 1002 E. Palm Ave. in Tampa.

Session topics include:

· Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Small Business Primer–Brad deBeaubien and Jan Pietruszka, Attorneys at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

· Where to Start and What to Look For: Practical Solutions to Technical Requirements–Larry Schneider, AIA, Architect

· Building Access and Resources: Bringing New Customers to Your Door–Jack Humburg, Southeast ADA Center

Interested small business owners/operators of the ADA Compliance For Small Businesses Workshopare asked to pre-register online (https://sbic.hillsboroughcounty.org). The workshop is free, andcomplimentary continental breakfast will also be offered.

For more information, call the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center at 813-914-4028, or visit www.HillsboroughCounty.org

Recently, 2 Seminole Heights Chefs were named to the list of Best Chefs in America. BCA uses peer reviews to identify the best chefs in the nation. The Chefs are nominated by fellow chefs, culinary professionals and food Enthusiasts.

Greg Baker
The Refinery
5137 N Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33603

Eric McHugh
The Refinery
5137 N Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33603

Rene Valenzuela
Taco Bus
913 E Hillsborough Ave
Tampa, FL 33603

Another exciting Chef winning the honor is Ferrell Alvarez. Ferrell is the Chef behind the soon to open Seminole Heights restaurant Rooster and the Till on North Florida. Ferrell won for his culinary skills at Café Dufrain.

Another to note is Tommy Tang who is the Chef at the original Yummy House on West Waters. The original creator of the current Yummy House Hillsborough Avenue menu.

The weekend forum is your opportunity to discuss anything you wish… Need a good reliable contractor that had experience with old bungalows? Ask your neighbors!

Have something that wasn’t discussed on the site? Vent here.

Need a place to Rent? Ask Here.

Bored? Lonely? Want company? Adopt a pet!

JK, Enjoy your weekend. Until Monday!

Introducing…the kickoff of our Community Collaborative Series!

You are personally invited to join us to attend this exciting and engaging informational session with your City of Tampa Community Partnerships & Neighborhood Engagement Division. One of our goals for all our communities is to COMMUNICATE, EDUCATE, CELEBRATE and PROMOTE.

In an effort to achieve this, we have scheduled a series of meetings citywide that are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, in which you are encouraged to attend for your respective area. If for any reason you are not able to attend a meeting specific to your area, you are welcome to attend any of the scheduled dates below:

NORTH/EAST TAMPA
Tuesday, June 18, 2013:
6:00pm – 7:30pm

Rogers Park Clubhouse – 7911 North Willie Black Drive (30th Street), Tampa, Fl 33610

SOUTH TAMPA
Wednesday, June 19, 2013:
6:00pm – 7:30pm

Kate Jackson Community Center – 821 South Rome Avenue, Tampa, Fl 33606

WEST TAMPA
Thursday, June 20, 2013:
6:00pm – 7:30pm

West Tampa Neighborhood Services Center – 2103 North Rome Avenue, Tampa, Fl 33607

NEW TAMPA
Thursday, June 27, 2013:
6:30pm – 8:00pm

New Tampa Community Center – 17302 Commerce Park Boulevard, Tampa, Fl 33647

For the month of June, we are hosting this informative series of meetings in partnership with our City of Tampa Public Works Right-of-Way Division.

Director of Public Works Division Irv Lee along with the Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Manager Rick Carter, will facilitate a presentation on their system of planned and scheduled maintenance, educate you on their layout of maintenance zones and introduce you to the personnel responsible for the areas in which you reside.

Additionally, you will get to meet your new City of Tampa Community Partnerships & Neighborhood Engagement Division Manager Miray Holmes and Neighborhood Liaison Carla Jackson, to learn about our Vision and Mission as well as available resources and new initiatives we will be introducing to you throughout the year within our Neighborhood Services Department.

Even better…during these meetings we will solicit YOUR input as to how you can help us, support you to continue to be more effective as a leader and stakeholder in your community. You will have an opportunity to actively participate in various focus group discussions, regarding the needs of your respective neighborhoods!

STAY TUNED as future meetings with other City Departments, elected officials, government entities and community partners will be scheduled accordingly.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding these meetings, please call your Community Partnerships & Neighborhood Engagement Division directly at 813-274-7835 or email miray.holmes@tampagov.net or carla.jackson@tampagov.net.

We hope to see you there!

Recently, there has been much chatter at the rumor mill. From new business, to expanding business the neighborhood is buzz with exciting news. If you have heard any good news please share.

Rumor 1: Tijuana Flatts is coming to Seminole Heights. The rumor has it that it will be opening up at the old South Print building across from Cappys. Interestingly, there is a sign on the building saying a new development is coming. Fingers crossed.

Rumor 2: Dry cleaners at Florida and Hillsborough said they are getting new neighbor. New upscale gentlemens boutique opening up next door.Interestingly, There has been traffic at tan building and window coverings are going up.

Rumor 3: Rose Drugs for lease. Rumor has it that neighborhood yoga studio may be negotiating move. Interestingly, for the first time in years, the building has a real for lease sign up.

Rumor 4: Upsacle wine bar opening north of Hillsborough. There no definite location discussed other than North of Hillsborough near Publix. Interestingly, there are a few building undergoing somewhat major renovations that could work.

Have a juicy tidbit? Let’s hear it.

Recently, I read an interesting article about a “commercial neighborhood” that pulled together to clean, scrape and revitalize one block in St. Petersburg. The result: overwhelming success. Over the past few years, business owners, neighborhood activist, city leaders and others have worked together to form an artist and creative haven. The city has worked with the property owner to encourage inexpensive rent, fast track business permitting and other incentives. In exchange for the low cost perks, artists worked to clean, haul away the garbage, paint and clean. The success was so outstanding it made me wonder; could Seminole Height benefit from a similar plan? Currently, there are many abandoned commercial sites. Dilapidated sites. Could this help?

Click here to read more about the successful program.

A reader forward information regarding recent Tampa Police Departments sting operation. Read on:

Dear blogger, please share the information below with your readers. This is positive news that TPD is patrolling our streets and making an effort to assist neighbors with this continual problem. What I would like to see is neighbors having real conversations as to how to help fight this problem. Please notice all of the “3rd conviction” notes with many of the prostitutes. Can neighbors share ideas as to how to solve these repeat violators? I would love to hear suggestions. Thanks for all you do in making this a viable outlet to inform neighbors of neighborhood events and news.

ROC Squads 231 and 233 combined and conducted a prostitution
enforcement operation along Nebraska Ave in Sector C and Sector D utilizing
Ofc. R. Gregory in an undercover capacity. The operation resulted in the
following eight arrests:

13-366903 ( Annie & 9th St ) S/36
B/M Rings, Christopher L 08-29-92
Offer to Commit Prostitution,,

13-366894 ( 93rd & Nebraska Av ) S/36
B/M Batts, Javonte G 4-19-93
Offer to Commit Prostitution,,

13-366903 ( Nebraska & 112th Av ) S/36
B/M Rolle, Tavaris C 3-14-85
Offer to Commit Prostitution 3rd Conviction,,

13-367004 ( Nebraska & Curtis ) S/36
B/F Dukes, Jackie 12-15-59
Offer to Commit Prostitution 3rd Conviction,,

13-367035 ( Powhatan & 9th St ) S/36
B/M Burwell, Leon 4-21-81
Offer to Commit Prostitution 3rd Conviction
VOP- Offer to Commit Prostitution,,

13-367044 ( Hillsborough & Nebraska ) S/36 W/F Nieto-Romeo, Sandi 7-17-76
Precursor Act to Facilitate Prostitution,,

13-367075 ( Nebraska & North St ) S/36
W/F Reed, Serena 7-15-69
Offer to Commit Prostitution,,

13-367097 ( Nebraska & Clifton ) S/36
W/M Wyma, Keete D 12-8-78
Precursor Act to Facilitate Prostitution

The rainy season is upon us. Get ready to get the lawn mowers tuned up and the flower beds weeded regularly. Seems like we go from low maintenance to constant maintenance. Do you you have any gardening tips to share? Many of the email groups are buzzing looking for recommendations; electricians, plumbers, pool repair, window repair, AC, roofing, etc. Have a great contractor to share, tell your neighbors. Need one? Ask.

Until Monday, the forum is open. Enjoy your weekend.

1). ³Treasures of the Hard Rock² Traveling Memorabilia Exhibit. June 12-21.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will give fans an up-close look at
pieces of history from music superstars and legends with the
never-before-seen ³Treasures of the Hard Rock² traveling memorabilia
exhibit. The exhibit features iconic items from two one-of-a-kind
collections pulled from Hard Rock¹s vault, ³Gone Too Soon² and ³Music Gives
Back ­ Rock ŒN¹ Roll Philanthropy.² ³Gone Too Soon² pays tribute to music
icons whose lives and careers were tragically cut short. It features items
from contemporary talent such as an outfit worn by Lisa ³Left Eye² Lopes
during TLC¹s CrazySexyCool tour and an 8th grade yearbook from Kurt Cobain
to artifacts from legends of the past like Elvis Presley¹s custom-made
karate gi uniform and the unique Guild 12-string acoustic guitar Bob Marley
used to record ³Is This Love.² Hard Rock¹s ³Love All, Serve All² mantra was
the inspiration for ³Music Gives Back ­ Rock ŒN¹ Roll Philanthropy.² This
collection focuses on artists who have worked with the brand on various
charitable campaigns throughout its more than 40 years.
www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

2). The Beach Boys at Hard Rock Tampa. July 18th. Tickets on sale Friday,
June 7 at 2 p.m. As part of the brand new Hard Rock Heatwave, Seminole Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is bringing The Beach Boys¹ beloved sounds of
surf, sun and fun to Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday, July 18 at 8:30 p.m. Hard
Rock Heatwave, the casino¹s first-time summer series offering special events
and promotions, offers sizzling fun Monday through Friday from July 1
through September 2. General admission tickets for The Beach Boys concert
cost $69 and are available at the Hard Rock Store and all Ticketmaster
outlets online. www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

3). Founders’ Day. Thursday, June 14th, 2013. To commemorate Founder¹s Day,
the anniversary of the opening of the very first Hard Rock Cafe in London on
June 14, 1971, Hard Rock Cafe Tampa will celebrate with music, food and
film. Hard Rock Cafe Tampa team members will dress in the likes of The Spice
Girls, NSYNC, Prince and more. They¹ll serve up decade-spanning favorites
such as the original banana split, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, BLT
sandwich and grilled cheese sandwich. All items are $1.50 including the
draft beer special of the day. The best music from the past will also be
featured throughout the day. Additionally, iconic films will play on the TV
screens (without sound). www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

4). Lexus IS250 Convertible Giveaway. Sunday, June 30. Every hour from noon
­ 8 p.m., three lucky Wild Card members will win $500 in cash. The grand
prize drawing will be held at 8:30 p.m. for a Lexus IS250 convertible. Earn
entries June 1-June 30. www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

5). Royal Flush Promotion. Wednesdays in June from 12:01 a.m.-11:59 p.m.
Poker Room players will win $5,000 cash for every Royal Flush. In order to
qualify, both hole cards must be used in Hold¹em, and a player may not use
community cards in Stud. The hand doesn¹t have to be played to the river;
however the jackpot dollar must have been dropped. If less than $10 in the
pot, the player will win $500. At least four players must be dealt in on a
qualifying table. Tables with less than four players will not have a jackpot
drop. Live action poker games and single-table tournaments are eligible for
this promotion. Multi-table tournaments are not eligible for this promotion.
There is no limit to the number of Royal Flush Rewards a player is eligible
to win. Once the Royal Flush has been verified by Poker management the prize
for Royal Flush is $5,000 cash. www.seminolehardrocktampa.com

6). “Bring In The Weekend” Poolside Party Series. Fridays in June, 7 p.m. -
10 p.m. (Poolside). First 1000 people get in for free, 21 & up
Bring in the weekend with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and The
Eagle. Includes free sampling from popular craft beer and liquor brands
(varies weekly) and live entertainment, plus a chance to meet the master
brewers. A full bar will be available poolside for additional purchase.
Elite & Xcard members enjoy a complimentary open bar during the event.

7). VJ Kidd Leow at the Hard Rock Café. Spinning hits and rockin’ faces!
Cover for Ladies $5, Men $15 until 3 a.m. 12AM – 5AM at the Hard Rock Cafe.
http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/

8). Envy Saturdays rocks the house. 12AM – 5AM at the Hard Rock Cafe. Cover
for Ladies $5, Men $15. http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/

9). Classic Rockers Vespa Giveaway. Mondays in June at Fresh Harvest. Wild
Card members 55+ can put their mailed entry coupon into the drawing drum at
Fresh Harvest anytime from 11 a.m. ­ 9:59 p.m.
http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/

LINKS
Landing Page: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/
Promotions: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/gaming/promotions
Gaming: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/gaming
Cafe (dining): http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/dining/hardrockcafe
Cafe Entertainment: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/cafe/rock
Council Oak: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/dining/council-oak
Fresh Harvest: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/dining/fresh-harvest
Rise Kitchen & Bakery:
http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/tampa-restaurants/rise-kitchen-bakery
Rock & Raw: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/dining/rock-and-raw
Green Room: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/dining/green-room
Center Bar: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/entertainment/center-bar
Lobby Bar: http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/entertainment/lobby-bar
Council Oak Lounge:
http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/entertainment/council-oak-lounge
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/seminolehardrocktampa
@SHRTampa: http://twitter.com/SHRTampa
Rock & Raw Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-N-Raw-Tampa/348692625205523
Green Room FacebookPage
:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Room-at-Hard-Rock-Tampa/309279342502503
Fresh Harvest Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/FreshHarvestTampa
Council Oak Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CouncilOakTampa
Hard Rock Café Tampa Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/HardRockCafeTampa
Rise Kitchen & Bakery Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/RiseKitchenBakery

Are you on facebook? Did you know that nearly all of the Seminole Heights Associations, Groups, Sub Group, Stores and more have facebook pages? Almost anything you want to know about Seminole Heights, its eateries and more can be found on facebook. If you have not like the neighborhood pages, be sure to search all things Seminole Heights and like the pages. YOu can find events, specials and hot deals! Here’s a partial list. Be sure to add any that I might be missing. PS, some of these businesses aren’t even open yet!

Greater Seminole Heights
Eat Drink & Shop Local Seminole Heights
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
YesterDazed
Domani Bistro
The Independent
Mermaid Tavern
The Refinery
The Front Porch Grille & Bar
Cleanse Apothecary
Southern Brewing & Winemaking
Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association (Official)
Florida Avenue Ales
OSHNA
Taco Bus
Health Mutt
Rooster & the Till
Red Star Rock Bar
Seminole Heights Barbershop
Seminole Heights Yardsale
D & D Antiques and more
Reservations Gourmet-To-Go