Davis Islands Today

Do you know what’s going on in our little village? Do you wonder why certain stories make the news, and some don’t? Do you have questions about Davis Islands? Or maybe you have answers.

Are you resident with something to say about Davis Islands, surrounding neighborhoods, the City of Tampa, Tampa Bay, or Florida? Then we want to hear from you. And your neighbors want to hear it too.

Let your voice be heard! Leave a comment here with an email address, fill out the contact form, or send an email to tommy@davisislandscommunitynews.com

We’re trying to come up with a map and tour of Davis Islands holiday lights.

Do you plan to put up a great holiday display? Let us know about it in the comments below. Leave your name, address and a brief description of your display.

What is the best thing about playing, visiting, living, or working on Davis Islands?

We all know that Davis Islands is a great place to live, work, and play. But what is it that made you choose Davis Islands? Why do you continue to live here? Is it the people? The airport? The Hospital? The Civic Association? The Newspaper (HA!)?

Leave your answer below in comments. Selected answers will be published in the January edition of the Davis Islands Community News print edition.

by Bill Sharpe

Tampa General Hospital Opens State of the Art Emergency and Trauma Center

With an expenditure of nearly $200 million and an addition of over 200 employees, Tampa General Hospital on Tampa’s Davis Islands opened a facility prepared for any large scale crisis. With an emphasis on comfort and convenience, the new center provides an increase in rooms and facilities, while keeping a ready eye on the potential for most any type of disaster Tampa could face.

For most patients, the hospital can now offer the convenience of 24 hour valet parking and a pager provided upon arrival. Comfortable seating and lounges with wifi greet customers immediately upon arrival. Waiting rooms have great views of Tampa’s waterways, and the waiting room has a beach themed pediatric play and theater area.

Each private room includes a door for privacy, and telephones, washroom, and television for privacy and comfort. The colors and designs continue with a beach and nautical theme, helping to chase away some of the uncomfortable feeling that a hospital visit can provide. Full registration will take place at bedside, rather than a waiting room.

While the appearance seems softer, the preparedness for possible catastrophic events is hard and ready. Formerly on ground level, the new emergency room is now 22 feet above sea level, settling concerns about flooding. The emergency center is almost double the size of the previous facility - six trauma rooms are combined with 66 private treatment rooms. Over 70 different additional locations exist for oxygen and other hookups. Many rooms are equipped with negative pressure facilities to assist in handling infectious diseases or other matter. Every room in the new center has the equipment necessary to handle double the planned patient capacity, and the hospital is now prepared to handle up to 250 patients.

The expansion also includes a doubling of the Aeromed Command Center. With over 2,000 flights per year, the helicopter program operates from three locations - Tampa General, Citrus County, and Sebring. In addition, the parking garage is equipped to quickly turn into a shower area to wash more than 200 patients per hour from hazardous material clean ups and assignment for medical care.

With over 5 years in the design and construction process, a life size 3d model was constructed in order to recreate the feeling of what parts of the facility would look like and to evaluate functionality. 5,000 suggestions of various types were made and incorporated in the final center. The new state of the art equipment is a source of pride among staff and has already been helpful in recruiting new staff members.

Tampa General Hospital treats over 68,000 patients per year, including about 100 major trauma cases each month. As the region’s only level 1 trauma center, Tampa General Hospital has taken a major leap in providing even better patient care with their new expansion. The economic impact of over $200 million in construction and over 200 new jobs is also a significant boost to Tampa.

From a recent press release:

This month, First Watch Restaurants, the nation’s fastest-growing daytime-only cafe, eliminated all artificial trans fats from their menus.

“We knew it wouldn’t be too difficult to fully transition First Watch’s menu to artificial trans fat free, as we have always focused on offering healthy fare that also tastes great,” said First Watch Executive Chef Kevin Hall. “First Watch has never used fryers, and we only use the freshest ingredients available in our dishes. We are very happy to now offer an additional healthful benefit to our guests by presenting an artificial trans fat free menu.”

Researchers have established a link between artificial trans fats (also known as partially hydrogenated oils) with higher cholesterol, which can lead to a number of serious health problems. First Watch set out to be in the forefront among restaurants to eliminate artificial trans fats completely from menus and assure a continued emphasis on healthy offerings. According to nutrition expert Dr. Christine Gerbstadt, a physician and registered dietitian, artificial trans fats – which are created from modified vegetable oils and used to make food more stable – are unhealthy because they increase inflammation, which can be a starting point for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eliminating artificial trans fats can significantly reduce the risks and complications of certain diseases and also promote a healthy heart, according to Gerbstadt.

In order to complete the transition, First Watch took a comprehensive look at its menu, identified items that contained artificial trans fats and also sought out new vendors for healthier ingredients and products. For example, First Watch tested more than 10 healthy alternatives to margarine and successfully settled on a whipped-European blend, which combines the best aspects of margarine and butter, with none of the unhealthy artificial trans fats. According to Hall, all of the menu items will maintain the great taste and consistency that First Watch customers have grown to love.

“First Watch has been one of the leading innovators in creating healthy choices for consumers, and the company’s move to remove all artificial trans fats is another huge step,” said Gerbstadt. “First Watch already offers healthy side dishes, fresh fruit, vegetables and a full nutrient profile of menu items.”

In addition to the menu modification, First Watch recently expanded its Web site to offer an a la carte nutrition guide for consumers to check the nutritional information for each menu item separately.

First Watch specializes in daytime dining with unique breakfast, brunch and lunch creations freshly prepared to order. The company recently introduced its new Sunrise Select Premium Blend™ coffee, a full-bodied specialty combination of Panamanian beans and 100% Colombian coffee, hand selected for its rich flavors and pleasant aromas. Complimentary WiFi Internet access is also available at all First Watch restaurants.

First Watch Restaurants, Inc. is one of the largest, privately owned, daytime-only restaurant companies in the United States. Headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., First Watch has set the standard for quality daytime dining since its inception in 1983. It is the frequent recipient of “Best Of” accolades in cities where it operates. Currently operating 76 restaurants in 11 states, expansion plans call for two additional new restaurant openings in 2007 and continued growth in 2008 and beyond. Each new restaurant creates between 25 and 30 jobs, and First Watch currently employs approximately 2,000 people. Projected annual total system sales for 2007 are $77 million. First Watch has been health-conscious since its inception and will launch an artificial trans fat free menu on November 1. For locations and more information, please visit www.firstwatch.com.

There is a First Watch in Downtown Tampa at 520 Tampa Street.

Do you know what’s going on in our little village? Do you wonder why certain stories make the news, and some don’t? Do you have questions about Davis Islands? Or maybe you have answers.

Tell us what is on your mind.

If you are a resident with something to say about your Davis Islands, the surrounding neighborhoods, the City of Tampa, Tampa Bay, or Florida, then we want to hear from you. And your neighbors want to hear it too.

Let your voice be heard!

We’d like someone to keep track of local events and other entertainment options in and around Davis Islands. But we are certainly not limited to that subject. If you can contribute anything on a regular basis, let us know. Likewise, if you have a letter to the editor, a news tip, a story to tell, or want your event publicized, please feel free to use our contact form. Plus, there is a space for your comments on every story published here on Davis Islands Today, including this one!

Davis Islands is not just the name of a neighborhood. It is the community of people that live in and around that neighborhood. Davis Islands Today exists for you and your neighbors. Let them know what’s going on.

Have a great day on the Islands!

by Bill Sharpe

The Glazer Family Foundation recently pledged $5 million to help build the Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa. Added to previous commitments, the children’s museum now has about $9 million of the $21 million in private donations needed to build the place.

The Tampa Bay History Center has also been quietly and effectively raising funds and they are reported to have $23 million of the necessary $32 million in private donations to build. The history museum broke ground in September.

The Tampa Museum of Art has raised $8 million of the $20 million in private donations they need to open a new art museum. They plan to begin construction in January.

All of these projects have received some assistance from the city of Tampa, but nothing near the over $17.5 million being offered to the Museum of Art. That fact seems overlooked by many Museum of Art board members when discussing the new building. We get the distinct impression that art museum board members don’t acknowledge or even seem to care that residents in East Tampa, New Tampa, South of Gandy and Davis Islands are helping to foot the bill.

Neither board members nor supporters of the art museum speak up at the city’s town hall meetings. They don’t offer any information about outreach programs or neighborhood initiatives. It’s no wonder that Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio recently told us that there is a “disconnect between the people downtown and the people in the neighborhoods.”

The board seems to think they are above typical Tampa residents, and they operate with an air of elitism with little regard for neighborhoods - the same neighborhoods that are paying for the land and over $17 million in taxes for construction. Meaningful involvement is necessary from all residents, since this endeavor is a “public” museum.

To be sure, Director Ken Rollins has done a little better than his predecessor in this regard, but there is much more that should be done. Of course, he is serving in a part time, temporary capacity while the new museum is being planned. This project should have long range fundraising goals and exhibit planning, yet there is no search yet underway for a new Director.

The museum’s fancy fundraiser, “The Pavilion,” will help add to museum coffers, but if groundbreaking takes place in January, there is likely to be a significant shortfall to build the museum as presented by architect Saitowitz at a recent meeting of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Finally, Avant Garde, a young professional group that exists to support the museum, has failed to build a meaningful effort to assist the museum during the past few years. A new President, Sarah Richter, is known to be dedicated and effective, offering a promise of a change in this group.

In order for the city of Tampa’s RiverWalk project to proceed, the existing museum building must be demolished soon. Will the museum have raised enough money for Mayor Iorio to approve the start of construction? If not, then what?