Porch Party

July 2012
Public Service
Representatives
Historic Kenwood Scores National Recognition
Historic Kenwood earned
national recognition for BungalowFest 2011 and its monthly
newsletter at this year’s Neighborhoods USA annual conference in Indianapolis. Created
in 1975, NUSA is the country’s
largest organization dedicated to
improving the work of neighborhood associations through
promoting productive collaborations between neighborhood
organizations and the public
and private sectors. Over 600
neighborhood representatives
came together from the across
the US and Japan to network,
attend workshops and celebrate
their local accomplishments.
Annually, NUSA’s Board solicits nominations to recognize
the commitment of neighborhoods, business and government
led initiatives and grassroots
neighborhood leaders in awarding “Neighborhood of the Year,”
“Best Neighborhood Program,”
“Neighborhood Newsletter
Award” and “Who’s Who in
American Neighborhoods.”
This year, Historic Kenwood
was awarded Second Place for
Physical Revitalization by a
Single Neighborhood in recognition of its Designer Show
Home at last year’s BungalowFest that raised nearly $5,000
for Children’s Cancer Center of
the greater Tampa Bay area, as
well as a Silver Level award for
our monthly on-line newsletter.
Special thanks go to all
those involved in last year’s
BungalowFest and the Designer
Show Home including Bob and
Lynn Jeffrey for acquiring and
renovating the sadly neglected
apartment residences at Burlington Ave. and 25th St. N, Stephen
LeBlanc for bringing together
eleven area designers and design
studios to work their magic
and transform each room into
a collection of dramatic design
statements and Frank Clemente
and his event planning company
Concept Bait for providing
the magical backdrop to the
Gala Preview Party and charity
fundraiser. Thanks as well go
to Bill Heyen for his continual
efforts in overseeing writing
and production of our monthly
newsletter.
Additional thanks goes to
Paul Dickens, Bob Jeffrey and
John Seibert for taking time to
attend the Conference (at their
own expense) and make a formal presentation to the judges,
as well as to Susie Ajoc, St.
Pete’s Neighborhood Partnership Director, for her attendance
as our conference liaison.
We also appreciate the accolades and recognition for our
success extended by City Council and the Mayor at Council’s
June 14th session.
Historic Kenwood had
already placed itself on the map
but it was a welcome addition to
get national recognition. Congratulations to all of us!
How can they help you?
There are three PSR’s in
the city serving three different
areas. We are in the Northeast
region, and our PSR is Debbie
Larson. The PSR is responsible
for fixing many of the things
that can go wrong in a city’s
infrastructure. These are things
that you pay your taxes for.
Please look at the following
items and if any of these things
need fixing on your street or in
your alley, please put a call in
to the Mayor’s Action Hotline,
so it can be set up and given
a number so it can be tracked.
Here are some of the thing a
PSR is responsible for:
• Street and alley repair including curb and gutter repair
• Blading and grading shell
alleys, debris in street and alley
rights-of-way
• Sign repair (ex.downed stop
signs)
• Cave-ins and depressions in
See PSR, Page 6.
Porch Party
July 13 at 7 p.m.
441 33rd St. N
This month we will be
hosted by Skyline 5th Apartments. They have done a
wonderful job with this property and are looking to show
it off and be a bigger part
of the neighborhood. Please
bring a dish to share and
your beverage of choice.
Want to host? Please
Email Bill at [email protected] Many months
available.
2 • Historic Kenwood News
HKNA Officers
President
Paul Dickens
[email protected]
Vice President
John Seibert
[email protected]
Secretary
Dean Robinson
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jeremiah Rohr
(727) 599-4427
Board Members
Bill Heyen
(727) 348-9200
Sandy Ewing
[email protected]
Bobbie Talley
[email protected]
Kathy Young
[email protected]
Dianne Caton
[email protected]
Merchandise Sales
Lyndsay and Tony
(727) 623-9412
[email protected]
Welcome Basket
Susan Rohr
[email protected]
Newsletter
Submissions & Content
Bill Heyen
[email protected]
Layout
Matt Wiseman
Potato Communications, Inc.
[email protected]
Ad Sales
Bobbie Talley
[email protected]
Distribution
Catherine Koogle
[email protected]
Important Numbers
Neighborhood Watch Coord.
Paul Dickens
[email protected]
Community Police
(727) 551-3183
Non-Emergency
(727) 893-7780
Tip Line
(727) 892-5000
Codes
(727) 893-7373
Mayor’s Action Line
(727) 893-7111
Animal Control
(727) 582-2600
July 2012
President’s Letter
Are You Ready to Vote? Over the next
several neighborhood meetings, we will be
setting aside time for candidates to speak so
you can get to know them. Each candidate
will be allowed to speak for a brief amount
of time and then you can ask them any questions AT THE END of the meetings. These
“meet and greets” should only be construed
as a “start” or a “glimpse” at identifying a
good candidate for office.
As a 501(c) 3, we do not advocate for or
against any politician. We are only offering
a venue to introduce them.
Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections
Deborah Clark will begin mailing new Voter
Information Cards to all 600,000 registered
Pinellas County voters on Monday, June
18. This mailing will take place over three
weeks and the last cards will be mailed July
2. 2012.
Clark is required to mail new voter information cards to all registered voters as part
of the redistricting process, which included
redrawing precinct lines to conform to
new district boundaries. Some district and
precinct numbers have changed, but most
polling places remain the same.
The new cards will provide voters with
their district and precinct numbers and
polling places. Voters should look for redwhite-and-blue mailers from the Supervisor of Elections and not confuse them with
campaign materials.
Voters who do not receive a voter card by
July 6 or have misplaced it, can call (727)
464-VOTE to request a replacement card.
Below is a calendar of events and deadlines. Please get involved in the election
process so we can maintain great decision
makers.
Don’t forget, the year is half over, so
please consider running for a Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association position.
We are always need new and fresh ideas.
— Paul Dickens
[email protected]
(727) 327-8786
Historic Kenwood Wins Awards
Hello Readers, I am proud to have won
the silver award for the newsletter at the
annual NUSA awards held in Indianapolis
this year. It is always nice to be receive
accolades for work that you do. I stepped
in to fill a need, and I guess others think it’s
been good work. It’s always nice when I met
someone in the neighborhood for the first
time and they tell me they enjoy reading the
newsletters and/or articles I have written. I
thank other editors before me, Julie Fitzgerald Andrea Pawliz, Stephanie Jones and Tim
Martin whose work I have read in the past
and learned from. They were good teachers.
I also have to give credit to other Kenwoodians who have helped me each month and
form a pretty good team:
• Matt Wiseman: His layout work
makes me look good.
• W.C. Turner: Awards Chair
• Bobbie Talley: Ads Chair
• Bryan Lynch: Artist Interviewer
• Kitty Koogle: Distribution Chair
• Delivery Team: Thanks to the many
people who donate time to deliver it each
month.
• All the people who have sent in
articles: I am always looking for neighborhood related stuff, so please send it in to
[email protected].
• Sue Heyen: Special “Thanks” to “she”
who allows me to take time away from
pampering her to produce it. :)
This is a team effort and It would never
happen without each of their efforts. I
wasn’t looking for this and didn’t want our
president to take of his time to work the
application. He and others had already spent
their own time and money to attend the
NUSA awards. Besides, that’s not why I do
it, but now that it’s done, it’s always nice to
hear that your efforts are appreciated.
Thanks and keep those articles coming,
— Bill Heyen, Historic Kenwood
GENERAL MEETING
July 5 • 7 p.m.
Suncoast Hospice • 3050 1st Ave. South
July 2012
Historic Kenwood News• 3
St Pete’s Italian Cafe Delivers
A BIG Thank You goes out to Gabrielle and Tony Semerero,
owners of Semeraro’s Italian Cafe for supplying the food at June’s
neighborhood meeting. The Italian sandwiches were delicious, the
salad was fantastic and the cheesecake was “to die for”! (I had 2
pieces but don’t tell anybody!) Visit Semeraro’s @ 1620 Central
Ave. and try one of their Select Beers or Premium Wines. AND…
don’t forget to tell them HKNA sent you!
Note: If you have a favorite eatery that you would like me to contact for a meeting, just let me know by notifying: [email protected]. OR call me at: (727) 384-0096
— Dave Hollowell
Grand Central District Meet & Greet
Painting with Fire Studio • 2428 Central Avenue
Tuesday, July 10, from 6 to 7:30?
Looking for a little fire and lots of color? Join Kenwood resident,
Barbara Lewis, at her new gallery and workshop, for a hands-on experience in torch-fired enameling.They’ll have several work stations
set up where attendees can give it a whirl. They’ll dim the lights, fire
up the torches and apply colorful, powdered glass to hot metal! It’s
easy, fun and foolproof, which is one of the reasons Barbara’s book,
“Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire,”
was named the Best Craft Book of 2011 at Amazon.
For more information, please contact Barbara at (727) 498-6409
or stop in. The studio is open Monday — Saturday from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. and some evenings for classes. You can also visit Barbara’s
website: http://www.torchfiredenameljewelry.com.
THE DEBBIE CUNNINGHAM REAL ESTATE TEAM
Gimme an
Arr!
Ahoy, Parents…
Debbie Cunningham, Broker
(727) 460-5418 Cell
Serving Historic Kenwood for more than 25 years,
Debbie is known as the “Bungalow Queen.” Let her help
you sell your home.
If you are in trouble or need to sell or want to take
advantage of the lower prices and purchase a property, call
Debbie today. You may be eligible for assistance from your
lender of up to$20,000.00 if you qualify for this program
when doing a short sale.
My team specializes in helping people with short sales
and loan modifications. We have closed more than 250
short sales. We can help you today!
735 Arlington Ave., Suite 213 | St. Petersburg, FL 33713
[email protected] | www.move2kenwood.com
If ye be looking for a place to learn yer young buccaneers
about the world of football, cheerleading and the like, there
be no better place than the new Gulfport Pirates. Practice
begins July 9 on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay. Register now.
Flag Football • Tackle Football • Cheerleading
Kids 4-14 • www.gulfportpirates.com • (727) 266-2207
Welcome Home
Do you have a new neighbor? You can help
make them feel like they’re really at their
new home by having a gift basket delivered. Please contact Susan Rohr, Welcome
Basket Chairperson, to make sure they receive a welcome basket: [email protected].
4 • Historic Kenwood News
July 2012
Ray Luck, Pianist Living in Historic Kenwood
By Brian Lynch
This is another in a series of interviews
with Historic Kenwood artists as part of highlighting our “Neighborhood of the Arts” and
our soon to be Artist Enclave.
When and why did you start playing?
I accompanied my sister to piano lessons
when I was six. Our teacher was very strict,
but I persevered and found that I enjoyed
playing the piano. I had perfect pitch and
grew up reading lots of music — solos and
duets — while taking music exams and performing at festivals and local concerts.
Do you perform in public? Please describe those occasions?
I have recently performed in Greece at
music festivals on Naxos and Rhodes and
in the Caribbean. Rhodes was particularly
memorable — open-air, late on a balmy summer’s evening with a concert Steinway in the
courtyard of the Palace of the Knights. It is
not often that a concert setting is so magical
and memorable!
Do you get nervous before a performance?
Yes, it is normal to be nervous. With
experience. I learned to cope. Starting young
helps. As an adult, the less ego you have,
the easier it is to focus on playing the music.
Much of stage-fright may come from too
strong a focus on one’s self, causing selfcentered thoughts that distract from the music.
What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Prepare well and practice intelligently so
that thinking and doing are always coordinated. The worst preparation for a performance
is to allow anxiety to have the upper hand
and make practice degenerate into mindless
repetition. The result is that one will wake up
from this automatic play during the performance and think “what‘s next?” — a recipe
for disaster!
What else would you like to say to our
readers?
I hope that the proposed Artist Enclave
overlay designation for Historic Kenwood is
successful since artists bring a creative vitality and optimism to places where they live
and work. It will benefit us all to be part of a
community that values the arts and discourages fear of what’s different.
For the entire interview with Ray Luck,
please go to http://www.historickenwood.org/
kenwood-artists.
Successful Home Design
Submitted By Stephen LeBlanc
Clear communication between owner, contractor and architect is critical to a successful
home design project. Agreement on some
simple definitions is a good place to start.
“Remodeling” is often broadly used to
describe any kind of change to an existing
house. Technically, it’s more accurate to say
that remodel means to change the character of
a house or a portion of a house. So when you
convert a den into a master bedroom you’re
remodeling the den. When you combine a
kitchen and dining room into one large eat-in
kitchen you’re remodeling the kitchen and
dining room (this is a popular type of project
in our neighborhood right now.)
“Renovating” is a much more specific
term. It means, quite literally, to make new
again. An out-of-date kitchen, updated with
new finishes and fixtures, has been renovated.
Replacing old windows with new ones is a
renovation project.
“Restoring” a house is sort of the opposite
of renovation. Instead of updating, you’re
making the house like it was before (i.e., you
can do a historic restoration but not a historic
renovation.) Even if you convert existing
spaces back to their original use, you’re still
restoring the original rooms, removing vinyl
siding and fixing up the original wood siding
and trim is a restoration project.
Three similar terms, three different meanings. I remember them this way:
• Remodel: Changing the use of a space
or spaces.
• Renovate: Make a space new without
changing its use.
Restore: Return a space to its original use
and/or return a space to its original character.
As we would like to keep the historic
character of our neighborhood intact it would
be most appropriate to maintain the exterior
of our homes to its original condition and
“restore” it to the best of our ability. From a
practical and financial standpoint”renovating”
a kitchen, to a safer and more functional space
with updated cabinets and appliances, is more
likely to be done before an expensive “remodeling” where one might want to in- large a
kitchen or perhaps add exterior French doors
to better access a back yard garden.
July 2012
Historic Kenwood News• 5
6 • Historic Kenwood News
July 2012
Historic Kenwood Has
Gotten Crafty
More
coverage.
Less
spendage.
Luis M Macias CLU, Agent
1909 34th St North
St Petersburg, FL 33713
Bus: 727-864-1506
www.stpeteinsurance.com
Discounts up to
40%
Get more. Spend less. It’s
that simple when you get car
insurance from us.
Like a good neighbor,
State Farm is there.®
CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7.
*Discounts may vary by state.
0901127.1
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL
Several weeks ago the Garden Workshop got together to try our
hands at some different items. We made mosaic pots and picture
frames, shell and driftwood items and had a great time. Thanks to
Molly for use of her beautiful back yard. Then some more of us got
together and made hypertufa pots with assorted items that make
some great looking planters. (See picture.)
HKGW is also working on our Garden Tour. It will be held on
Sunday Oct. 21, 2012. It will feature some exciting gardens and
will also include a “Peep at some Coops.” The theme will be “Fall
Harvest.” So, stay tuned for more…. Interested?????
Call Sue Heyen at (727) 251-2224.
PSR, From Page 1.
streets and rights-of-way
• Resetting, repair & cleaning of drainage catch basins
• Manhole maintenance and repair & pavement markings
• Street sweeping, sidewalk repair & weed control in brick
streets and city lakes
• Cleaning, mowing and trimming in drainage ditches
• Potable and reclaimed water meter box & valve cover
maintenance
• Removal of dead trees from right-of-way
• Removal of hanging limbs over the right-of-way
• Trimming limbs up over streets (14’) for clearance &
blocked street lights
• Clearing stop signs of vegetation for visibility and graffiti
removal
For Quick Response: Call the Mayor’s Action Center at
893-7111 or visit the Action Line at http://www.stpete.org.
Editor’s note: If you have a blind street corner or an alley
that is so over gown at the end that you can’t see oncoming
traffic, call for that also. It is the homeowners responsibility to
trim trees and/or bushes to height of no more than 36.” So, if
you are having to inch out the front of your car into the cross
street before you can see if it clear to proceed call it in. Please
make it safe for you and your neighbors.
July 2012
Historic Kenwood News• 7
St. Petersburg’s Good Neighbor
Guide to Power Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowing may offer some conveniences for doing yard work,
but it comes with responsibilities in being a considerate, law-abiding
neighbor.
WARNING: Improper use of leaf blowers may lead to pollution of our bays and waterways, neighborhood flooding caused by
clogged storm drains, noise and air pollution and a costly fine.
Did you know that city ordinance prohibits blowing yard in
clippings and other debris into the public right-of-way onto another’
property, into city streets, alley or storm drains? Debris in our streets
and storm drains can’ cause water quality problems in our creeks,
lakes and surrounding bays. City ordinance also prohibits the use
of loud leaf blowers and other power tools before 8 a.m. (9 a.m.
on Sundays and holidays) and violating these city restrictions may
result in fines and costs starting at $183 for each occurrence after 8
p.m. every day.
To report improper leaf blowing activity,
please call (727) 893-7111 or report it online
at www.stpete.org/eservices
GENERAL MEETING
July 5 • 7 p.m.
Suncoast Hospice • 3050 1st Ave. S
St. Petersburg’s
Watering Restrictions,
are different than those in surrounding cities and counties
and currently restricts watering to once-a-week. St. Petersburg
residents may water only on Saturday or Sunday as follows:
• Irrigation of established lawns and landscapes is now
restricted to once a week for all water sources except reclaimed
water.
• Addresses ending in an even number, or the letters A
through M, may irrigate on Saturday only
• Addresses ending in an odd number, or the letters N
through Z, may irrigate on Sunday only
• Watering hours are from 5-9 a.m. and/or 7-11 p.m.
These mandatory restrictions apply to properties using potable water, private well water and private connections to surface
water sources (lakes, ponds, etc.) for irrigation purposes. In
addition to the watering restrictions, car washing is limited to
one day per week on the designated watering day and operation
of fountains and other aesthetic-only water features is limited
to four hours a day. These current restrictions are in effect until
July 31, 2012. Don’t find yourself getting an expensive ticket.
Also from a neighbor, even in these dry times, be careful not
to have any standing water that may harbor mosquitoes or other
insects. Summer is bug season.
“THANK YOU”
I want to thank my neighbors,
past customers and friends
for their continued support
& trust in Real Estate referrals.
Sales are up…..
Values are on the rebound…..
[email protected]
Sandy Ewing Jr. SFR RCC SSRS
Historic Kenwood
Realtor Associate
Join today, Get involved
727-798-7097
St. Petersburg Native
31 years of Real Estate Experience
11 year resident of Historic Kenwood
3401-4th Street North
St. Petersburg, Fl. 33704
“Bigger is better at no additional cost”
Free Comparable Market Analysis
8 • Historic Kenwood News
July 2012
JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD - WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
HISTORIC KENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (“HKNA”)
2012 Annual Membership
Time to renew your membership (or become a member!) of the HKNA and
be part of the most active neighborhood association in St. Petersburg.
There is strength in our numbers, and adding your voice by being a dues
paying, voting member of the HKNA helps us achieve positive results for
the neighborhood.
Not only is the HKNA a great social network, but in the year past we have
been active in supporting the no- solicitation ordinance, expanded the
Crime Watch program, worked with the Nuisance Abatement board,
hosted a candidate forum, networked with businesses coming into the area
to further the interests of the neighborhood, and provided a forum for the
concerns of residents to be heard.
Please return the form below, and help us begin the new year with the
strength of your support. If you choose one of the “extra” memberships, you
can also enjoy HKNA items to proudly display the neighborhood logo! (Your
merchandise will be delivered to you)
Name(s):__________________________________
Address:___________________________
Email:______________________________
Individual: $15.___
Phone:__________________
Couple: $20.___
Additional levels of membership:
Bronze: $35. (includes HKNA Logo T-Shirt)
Silver: $50. (includes HKNA Flag___ or Tote Bag)
Gold: $100. (includes HKNA Limited Edition House Plaque, by Stephanie Schorr of Craftsman House
Gallery)
Make check payable to “HKNA” and mail to:
HKNA, PO Box 15134, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-5134