Join the Friends of the Port Tampa City Library in Dedication of Yeats Room

The Friends of the Port Tampa City Library have succeeded in having the second floor meeting room of the Library dedicated and named after James G. Yeats, who constructed the building in 1926 for his First Bank of Port Tampa City.

On Saturday, June 16, 2007, 3:00 p.m., a formal dedication will be held in the main meeting room of the Library, 4902 W. Commerce Street, to honor Mr. Yeats who was a three-term mayor of Port Tampa City, chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, bank president, newspaper publisher, real estate broker, and construction and paving contractor.

The community is invited to join in the dedication sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Board, the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, and the Friends of the Port Tampa City Library.

Port Tampa Beauty

One of the many things we love about Port Tampa is the variety of plants and flowers seen on a walk through the neighborhood. No matter what you see on HGTV or in the big box stores, nothing can take the place of time in establishing beauties like these. Many thanks to Carol Curtiss for these gorgeous pictures. Look for more in the coming days, and drop a note if you'd like to see some of your photos posted here.

National Trails Day Event in Port Tampa, June 2

Here's an opportunity to learn about trails in our community. If you are feeling adventurous, join the City of Tampa Greenways and Trails Citizen's Advisory Committee on a trek through Southwest Port Tampa to celebrate National Trails Day.

Saturday, June 2, 2007 9:00 am - noon at the SouthWest Port Tampa Park parking lot located at 7506 Morton Street. Instead of a traditional meeting, the GTCAC and interested public are invited to bring their bikes (mountain bikes recommended) and/or hiking shoes and we will follow the planned trail route alignments to Picnic Island to celebrate National Trails Day.

We will trek around the Chevron parcel along City stormwater drainage canals which the City hopes to purchase through ELAPP. In addition we will bike down to the saltwater mud flats south and west of the petrolum tank farms. An on-road side trip to Picnic Island Park will also be made.

In the event of inclement weather (very high winds or rain), the event will be rescheduled to a later date.

This event is being posted on the National Trails Day event calendar, as well as with TampaBayCycle.com. Members of the Hillsborough MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will also be invited.

Please be prepared with sunscreen & mosquito repellant & water. The City will provide water and snack bars at the beginning and end of the ride. Note that access to restroom facilities is limited to those available at nearby park facilities. Special accommodations will be made to the extent possible with motor vehicle access to portions of the trail alignment for those physically challenged.

Please RSVP to Mary Helen at mary.duke@tampagov.net to participate in this event. City liability waivers may be required.

Picnic Island Adventure Race Series Starts Friday

Each race last year saw over 400 runners competing on the new course with a beach start and finish. The weather could not have been better and the competition was fierce. We expect low tide conditions this year so it could be a fast race. Read more here

Tea Party Scheduled for Young Ladies

The Port Tampa City Woman’s Club and the Kwane Doster Rec Center are planning a Tea Party for young ladies on Saturday May 26th, at 11:30 AM. It’s going to be a “dress up” party and “art show” with the girls wearing flowered hats. "The girls are practicing proper tea etiquette and are looking forward to displaying their artwork and modeling the brightly colored straw hats they created,” says Queen Matthews, Kwane Doster recreation center director. We may need some help with decorations. If you would like to be involved please contact Cookie Robinson at 390-9766 or sumiyo@yahoo.com

Thanks to the Port Tampa Women's Club newsletter.

Garden Party at the Pavilion

From the Port Tampa Women's Club
PLEASE JOIN US
Saturday, May 5th 11:00 AM Under the Pavilion at Spanish-American War Memorial Park

Bring your favorite dish and wear a Fancy Fedora for our Spring Garden Party.

For more Information call 837-5135 or
ptcwc@porttampa.org

Hoadley Ave Junkyard Site of Animal Cruelty

ABC Action News had video of the fence mentioned below, and an interview with a nearby Port Tampa resident. I can't find the link now, and they may have taken it down permanently, but if I can find it I'll post an update. One thing development is bringing is closer scrutiny of what goes on behind the fences at these junk yards. This headline could also have been, Concerned Neighbors Try to Save Dogs' Lives, Report Abuser

Man Charged With Cruelty
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 21, 2007

TAMPA - A 51-year-old city man, who displayed suspected dog skulls on his fence, has been charged with cruelty to animals for allegedly neglecting dogs he kept outside at his boat business.

Authorities were notified by a concerned citizen and responded to Richard Allan Hopkins' business at 7260 Hoadley Avenue, according to Marti Ryan, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County animal control. Ryan said three dogs - two adults and a puppy - had been neglected for some time and had injuries to their faces and paws that were infected and untreated. The animals were also infested with fleas and showed signs of heart worm, she said.

Hopkins had two full skulls and some more partial skulls on his fence. Ryan said investigator Renee Northrup is confident they are dog skulls.

Read the full story here