Davis Islands Today

By Vanessa Daniel

Not Formal, Not Fussy, Not Fusion: So states the sign that hangs outside on the walls of an old 1920s style bungalow in the heart of Old Hyde Park village. With that motto in mind, Bailey’s Catering & Restaurant is out to please diners in an extremely welcoming environment with high-quality, perfected home style cooking.

Unlike some restaurants that brag of healthy options or small servings, chef and owner Kim Bailey’s dining options complement his diet craze: The North Beach Diet. If you are unfamiliar with this latest idea, just read the title of the book to get a good idea of what he is talking about: “The North Beach Diet: Add Belly and Hip Fat Instantly with Batter Fried Twinkies and More.”

This is not your typical restaurant.

When dining at Baileys, expect the owner to personally welcome you at your table, and be prepared to enlighten him with the dessert selection you plan on devouring that evening, as it is a requirement when indulging at the “big yellow house” on Rome Ave.

The vast menu changes weekly, but will always evoke inner childhood memories with options such as pot roast and meatloaf to fried shrimp and mac and cheese.

On our most recent visit, we started with the Bailey’s AWESOME Corn Fritters ($6.95). Calling them an appetizer is an understatement; the dinner sized portion of fritters were served in a large basket, sprinkled in powdered sugar and served with orange blossom honey. This, in addition to the complimentary black bean humus and pita chips brought immediately to the table after being seated, had me full before I was even able to decide on my main entrée.

Somehow I found enough willpower to opt for the incredible homemade chicken and dumplings for two ($16.95). OK, so it’s not really made to be shared by two people, but the filled platter might as well have been split! The dish came served in a large bowl with a generous amount of shredded chicken, perfectly prepared dumplings and served with 2 sides. My side preferences that evening were the mashed potatoes and the cauliflower / broccoli mash – a must at this place!

If deciding on a menu selection is too hard for you though, don’t worry about deciding on the wrong option – everything on the menu is made fresh from scratch daily, using only the finest ingredients all the way down to Kim’s homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

And don’t forget to wash down your dinner with a reasonably priced bottle of wine or beer. You may say to yourself, no restaurant offers a reasonable priced wine and/or alcohol menu and you’re right – Baileys is BYOB with no corkage fee and therefore YOU choose what price you are paying for your evening’s beverages. No Fuss, indeed!

The only downfall of Bailey’s is that they are only open from Tuesday through Thursday evenings, 5:30pm – 8:30pm. You will crave its tantalizing menu much more often than that.

If you simply can’t live without the food on those nights they are not open, you can always call upon Baileys for your catering needs. Baileys specializes in offering its clients with “delectable food from around the globe” for your corporate meeting or personal gathering at your home.

Bailey’s Catering
815 South Rome Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33606
(813) 254-8018
(800) 977-9423
www.BaileyCatering.com

Paws for Thought
By Jennifer Fadal

I write this article every year because I think it is so important to remember pet safety during the holidays.

It is so tempting to “give a dog a bone”… or a piece of juicy turkey, or, gravy covered mashed potatoes or… Well, you get the point. They look at you with those sad, sad eyes and there is absolutely food everywhere! I know! Although the average American gains a pound or two over the holidays, we should not allow that for our canines and felines.

The fresh aroma of turkey basting in the oven, along with creamy gravy simmering on the stove and pies on the table will have your dog drooling. During this month and the next, it is important to watch the health and safety of our pets. Here are a few tips to help avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency vet or a sick pet at the party.

• • Keep your pet on their standard diet. Avoid giving them turkey or other meats, since this can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, all of which can ruin the celebration.
  • Keep aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags and wax paper away from pets. Disposing of these items properly can prevent accidental intestinal blockage while trying to lick the last morsel of gravy from the cover.
  • While a wishbone may bring you a great wish, it can bring your dog an unwanted problem. Any brittle or splintering bone, wish or otherwise, can become lodged in their esophagus as well as puncture a hole in their intestines.
  • Discourage friends and family from feeding your dog extra snacks and scraps. Snacks that are high in salt (chips and peanuts) and other fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition.
  • While chocolates may taste great, they contain theobromine which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Baker’s chocolate is the highest in theobromine and can cause the most problems.
  • As with any holiday, see that your pet has a safe haven to move to…away from the festivities. This will give your pet a much needed “Time-Out” from the hustle of the holiday.
  • Make sure that your pet has their identification tags on during all parties or get togethers. With people coming in and out of the house it is very easy for your pet to wander through and open door. It is also helpful to get your pet micro-chipped. Most animal shelters have devices to scan for these chips and to identify the owner quickly.

Please join us on November 22 from 10-5 for Pet and Family Pictures at Wag. There is a $6 sitting fee for your pictures. You will be able to view and choose your photos online and YES! Holiday cards are available.

We will have a “safe” Thanksgiving feast for your pets that day as well!

Happy Turkey and enjoy your pets!

Jennifer and Abe Fadal
Wag, 304 E. Davis Blvd.
Davis Islands, Fl
www.wagoftampa.com
813-258-9181

By Wayne Shattuck

CITY FOLK ARE GREENER…. Here’s a bit of news to make you feel a little better about yourself. While it is known that cities are hot spots for global warming, it seems that people living in them turn out to be greener than their country cousins. According to researchers at the Brookings Institution, each resident of the largest 100 metropolitan areas is responsible on average for 2.47 tons of carbon dioxide in energy consumption each year, 14% below the 2.87 ton U.S. average. Now those 100 cities still account for 56% of the nation’s carbon dioxide pollution. But their greater use of mass transit and population density reduce the per person average. Which cities are the best and the worst? Lexington, KY had the biggest per capita carbon footprint with each resident on average accounting for 3.81 tons of carbon dioxide in their energy usage per year. At the other end of the scale was Honolulu, HI at 1.5 tons per person.

POWERFUL UNDERWEAR…. Eco-friendly clothing is supposed to be the next big thing in fashion and it seems that our inventive friends from Japan are on top of it! Triumph International Japan Ltd. has come up with the “Solar Power Bra”, which can generate enough energy to charge a cell phone. The lingerie, which is green in color as well as concept, operates on a solar panel that wraps around the wearer’s stomach. This is not the company’s first venture into environmentally friendly underwear: they have also put out a bra that doubles as a shopping bag. (I can’t make this stuff up)

WEIRD WEATHER…. (From Randy Cerveny’s “Freaks of the Storm”) On July 1st, 1955, Sharon Weron, a nine year old South Dakota farm girl was riding her pony through the grassland prairie. Suddenly a thunderstorm built over the area and she turned her horse quickly back toward her home. Unfortunately, as she galloped to within a few hundred yards of her farm, a tornado struck. She and her pony were whipped into the air, over a hill, and across a valley. The girl’s mother briefly saw them both airborne, being carried over a second hill by the tornado. The pony and youngster ended up being carried over three fences and dropped about one thousand feet from where they were picked up by the twister. Both she and her pony survived with just minor cuts and bruises.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL….November is “National Raison Bread Month”

Real Estate Outlook
By Kevin Reder and Rick Scherer

Many distressed homeowners may be able to finally breathe a sigh of relief due to rising home costs from expired ARMS (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) or the possibility of foreclosure. Major lenders have created new policies, some even entirely new departments, to alleviate the burden facing many homeowners created by the economy and various markets.

Bank of America and its acquisition of Countrywide Financial have been leaders in this arena, offering innovative solutions to keep people in their homes. New policies, re negotiating interest rates, lowering principals, and the development of Bank of America’s Nationwide Homeownership Retention Program for Countrywide Customers are the latest tools Bank of America has implemented to keep their customers in their homes.

Starting December 1, nearly 400,000 Countrywide borrowers could benefit from the creation of the Homeownership Retention Program that will modify up to $8.4 billion in interest rate and principal reductions. “We are confident that together with together with Attorneys General we have developed a comprehensive program that provides more solutions than ever before to assist troubled borrowers and put them back on the path to sustained home ownership,” said Barbara Desoer, president, Bank of America Mortgage, Home Equity and Insurance Services. “Since acquiring Countrywide in July, we have committed significant resources and developed innovative programs to help as many Countrywide customers as possible stay in their homes.”

Other lenders are developing secured, but inventive, programs in order to offer loans in this tightening credit crunch. One lender is offering occupation specific loan programs, such as a 100% financing loan for Physicians. Wells Fargo is considering alternate underwriting guidelines that would take less emphasis on an individual’s current credit, but consider the individual’s entire credit history. While some of these programs are still in an exploratory phase, lenders are working to find a way to offer money by alternate means than simply immediate credit driven scores.

(more…)

The Florida Kinship Center at USF Celebrates 10th Anniversary by Holding Its First Annual Tailgate Pep Rally and Fundraiser

The nationally recognized Florida Kinship Center at the University of South Florida is celebrating its 10th anniversary by throwing its first Tail Gate Party and Pep Rally on Sunday, November 23.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will raise money and awareness about Kinship Caregivers and the assistance that the Center offers them in terms of support and advocacy. The tailgate buffet includes cocktails, entertainment, raffle and more and will be held at the home of Sandy and Jim Murman from 4:30-7:00 pm. Immediately following the pep rally, guests will join USF football fans at Raymond James Stadium to cheer the Bulls at the University of South Florida’s last home game vs. Uconn. The game begins at 8:00 pm. Tickets to the game are included in the Pep Rally.

Caregivers, who are raising their relative’s (or kin’s) children, strive to keep their families together rather than placing the children into the foster care system. Eighty percent of kinship caregivers are grandparents and many of these are single grandmothers.

Sponsorship categories are: Touchdown Sponsor $6,000, Field Goal Sponsor $3,000, Extra Point Sponsor $1,000, First Down Sponsor $500, and Individual Ticket $100.

For more information, contact Carroll Gossage at the Florida Kinship Center by calling 813-974-4921.

TBCN Offers Video Production Classes

Shoot Video Like A Pro is a new workshop offered to the public by Tampa Bay Community Network. Topics include scripting, focus, lighting, editing and uploading to sites such as YouTube.com. Classes take place at 7 PM on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 1001 W. North B Street, Tampa on the campus of the University of Tampa. A non-refundable advance registration fee of $35 is required. Attendees should bring their own video cameras. Class size is limited so call 813-254-1687 for reservations today and make better video tomorrow.

TBCN is a service of Speak Up Tampa Bay Public Access Television, Inc., a 501 [c][3] non-profit which provides City of Tampa residents with the training, facilities and equipment to produce their own programming on cable television. Programming can be viewed on Verizon channels 30 and 36, Comcast channel 20 and Bright House Networks channels 949 and 950.

On Life And Limb
By Irene Potter

Summer in Florida, although portrayed quite romantically to unsuspecting tourists, is a most uncivilized season. The mosquitoes, wasps and weeds to have their run of the land; it is simply too hot to care.

However, sensing just the slightest cool down in the mornings and evenings, we gardeners become giddy with the thought of toiling amongst the overgrown and haggard shrubbery. We all slowly and cautiously emerge from the cool rocks we’ve been “summering” under, and begin to take an inventory of how our yards and gardens have fared this year.

What did well, what didn’t? Why? These questions are just flip sides of the same botanical coin. A plant that’s done well for years may start looking distressed. Something has changed. We address the obvious culprits: add more fertilizer, water more, water less, we ask other green thumbs for advice. We wring our hands, “What to do, what to do?”…we resort to talking nicely to the plant-calm, encouraging words, but still…drooping leaves, dropped flowers, vacancy.

Is it possible that the plant feels fatigued by the monotony of its own existence - grow,
flower, seed, repeat? Can it just get bored of its own life and give up?

They must hope that their gardener will figure it out.

This past April, I bought two milkweed plants at Green Fest at Plant Park. This outdoor gardening festival is quite intoxicating; cheerful flowers that would never normally grow in Florida and hearty plants that have been coaxed into blooming just this one weekend all scream, “pick me, pick me”! I know because I’ve heard their siren call, and have forked over lots of cash in this green seduction.

So, I planted these two milkweeds in my backyard with the anticipation of having my garden appear on the butterflies’ version of Southern Living. “When passing through Palma Ceia, make sure you stop off for some great local flavor milkweeds to die for!” One milkweed plant just thrived; it swayed in the breeze as if listening to its own spicy iTunes, showing off its yellow and red flowers.

However, its unhappy sibling showed signs of discontent right away. It started forming seed pods immediately as if to say, “I’m outta here!” I watered it more, and it responded with a few perky leaves, but then slowly wilted again-its enthusiasm and water stores were short lived.

I insisted it live; I nurtured this plant with everything I could muster and was determined it would thrive in the location I had selected no matter what. I had something to prove after all; that I was a resilient and intrepid gardener who would face down this botanical challenge. Could I will the plant to thrive? I’d try.

Things always have to hit rock bottom before we even consider concocting a
“Plan B.” Such was the case upon arriving home one afternoon to find my milkweed in complete collapse. It had given everything it had, but now, even its reserves were depleted. What had I done? I searched my mind for possible remedies when my husband piped in, “Why don’t you just transplant it?” My analytical husband David has an uncanny ability to point out the obvious, which has irked and intrigued me for all of our 22 years together. “I don’t know why you keep forcing it to live here; it’s obviously unhappy and has been telling you for weeks now. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad gardener. Just move it!”

I fretted about this for several days. What if the plant completely croaked because of the move? What if it was already too stressed? Perhaps if the plant died, I could justify my decision to move it by finding out if something had attacked it roots.

With my little spade at the ready, I took a deep breath in, and plunged the tool into the earth. Its roots were deep, there were no insects…could it be that it was simply time to move on?

I selected a new location for my fragile milkweed. I’d transplant it on the other side of the house, far away from the misery it had endured over the summer. It would either live or perish near a busy birdbath and Don Juan climbing rose that reminds me of the beautiful roses my parents grew. I didn’t have high hopes, but as my father always says, “It will either get better and live, or get worse and die.” It can be just that simple.

I watered it well and wished it luck but expected the worst. The poor little plant had tried so hard in its former location, and perhaps its will to survive had long since left aboard its seed floating along a Palma Ceia breeze.

The next morning as I was filling birdbaths, I barely noticed the milkweed, but not for the reason you may think. By some miracle of nature, the milkweed had made a full and swift recovery. It showed no signs of stress whatsoever, and instead was filled with potential- a certain courageous presence in nature that speaks directly to your soul.

This little plant had been speaking to me for weeks, but instead of listening, I continued to subject my own personality on the will of the milkweed. I didn’t want to accept what was really happening, and hoped some gardeners’ secret trick could be employed. Ironically, the soil, light conditions and water are quite the same as they were in its former location.

What had changed? My attitude. Even with its deep roots quite firmly embedded, and lots of TLC from me, the plant had to move to live.

I’m not afraid to take inventories of my garden anymore, and I am ready to dig up some of my own emotional roots. Do they need to be transplanted, are they headed for the compost pile, or are they contented with their chosen spot? Fall is a great time of the year to re-evaluate your springs and summers-get a leg up before winter nears. After all, sometimes gardening can be simple: when you’re restless, sad or feeling blue, just move yourself to the sunny side of the street.

Irene Potter grew up on Davis Islands and now makes her home in Palma Ceia.

From the Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce

The Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce is continuing on its growth pattern with a membership increase of over 30% for the 2008 year.

During the past few months, the Chamber has co-hosted two candidates’ forums with the Davis Islands Civic Association.

Chamber members Louis Villanova, Jennifer Fadal, and Jennifer Dehnert organized the successful Oktoberween event that brought many residents to the Village business district.

Plans are underway for a fundraising effort to provide residents with a historic cookbook gift package that can be easily purchased online and sent as holiday gifts.

We are also getting ready to promote the business district with a color brochure to be ready for distribution prior to the start of the holiday season.

You can meet your Chamber members at a free social event to be held at Glass Reunions on Wednesday, Nov 12 from 6-8 PM. This event will give you the opportunity to visit the new unique glass gallery in the Village. Additionally, Irvin Lee, Director of Public Works for the City of Tampa will discuss traffic and other issues affecting Davis Islands.

I encourage you to please support all of the businesses on Davis Islands.

Bill Sharpe
Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce President

A relationship column for cats and their humans…
By Lisa Kane DeVitto

Mittens and Moppet are two mature kitties who live a comfy life in the Tampa Bay area. Their goal is to give back to society by promoting harmony between cats and humans, and they want to answer YOUR questions. Write them through LDEVITTO[at]earthlink.net or use the contact form at DI Community News.

Dear Mittens & Moppet: I am having some serious issues with my little kitten, I hope you can help! I have an approximately 8-9 months old Calico kitten named Bella that I found high up in a tree when she was about 7 or 8 weeks old and it was love at first sight! Now this is the problem, right when I get home and sometimes during the middle of the day she is the sweetest kitten you have ever met… however for the remainder of the time she is a little mini terror! She knocks over and gets into everything in sight including ALL picture frames that are sitting on table and dressers she has a need to be on the highest spot in the apartment and she has an obsession with light sockets and a plant which she has completely destroyed! And on top of it all she is a chewer, I thought I found a cat not a dog! Please help me, I have never had a cat before and need some if any help to keep my mind at ease! Morgan on Harbour Island

Mittens says: Welcome to the wonderful world of felines!! You have told us a lot about what Bella is doing, but we don’t have details about what YOU have done to make your apartment a suitable home for a creature whose ancestors lived in the jungles and who still has lots of hunting and climbing instincts. Your home is now Bella’s territory, and she needs to survey it from a nice high place, not to mention scamper through it for her exercise. Some essentials are a tall cat tree with multi-level perches, and at least once scratching post. Bella probably would enjoy a “cat tunnel” that she could race through or some cardboard boxes. Many felines delight in the good smells of plants, harkening back to our outdoor ancestry. Smart humans will get some plants just for the feline in the house, but be careful: many plants are deadly poisonous to cats. The ASPCA website has a list — www.aspca.org. We do love to chew, just as we would upon catching live prey (we bite off mice heads, you know). We need toys, but many commercial toys have small parts or strings that can come off and choke us. Be very careful. Our dear human reads up on toy safety at www.myhealthycat.com. Electrical outlets are a problem: use plastic covers for unused receptacles, sturdy cord covers, and block access with furniture in strategic locations. Other dangers in the home are cleaning solutions, pesticides, pesticide-sprayed plants, thin plastic bags, pills that fall on the floor, etc. There is much more than we have time for here, but we hope we have given you a tail flick in the right direction – you can learn from other cat-lovers and also do some reading. You will want to give Bella her regular veterinarian visits and discuss all your concerns with the good doctor.

Moppet says: Whether you are human or feline, the basics of sharing a home are working out the joint spaces, accommodating each other’s behavior patterns, and learning when to give each other attention and when to leave each other alone. One accommodation you should make is to move your photos to less accessible spaces and either kitty-proof or hanging up some of your plants. It is probably natural that Bella is a “tiny terror” for part of the day; as a kitten she has more energy now that she ever will in her life. She probably so loving when you come home because she is glad to see you, and because you pet her. Make sure that her bursts of activity are not caused by boredom or because she feels ignored. At times she may just need petting or some playtime with you, and of course, she needs she needs her own toys. . Whenever problems arise, remember above all that we felines are very sensitive creatures. Harsh corrections and shouting are destructive – they only make us afraid. Meeting our emotional needs and re-directing our attention to constructive playthings are the best way to establish a lifelong loving relationship with us. We are as fascinating to read about as we are to live with, so we hope you will take the time to learn more about kitty health, physiology, psychology, communication, and all the other mysteries of the feline species. Lots of purrs to you and to Bella.

Health Note: In addition to your own veterinarian, you can contact the Humane Society of Tampa Bay with behavior questions – 813-876-7138 or email to petbehavior[at]humanesocietytampa.org

Copyright, Lisa Kane DeVitto, 2008. All rights reserved.

Davis Islands Civic Association News

Dear Island Neighbors:

All Davis Islands residents are invited to the Davis Islands Civic Association Annual Meeting & Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, from 7 to 9 pm at the Davis Islands Garden Club, 81 Columbia Drive. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

We are very pleased to report that the South Davis Trail is getting much closer to reality. The highlight of the meeting will be a presentation by Ms. Laurie Potier- Brown, from the City Parks & Recreation Department, on the concept layout for the South Davis Trail. The design consultants will be present to answer questions, and they will display drawings. This is an opportunity to ask questions and to comment. So, if you live near the proposed trail, or plan to use it, and you would like to have input, please plan to attend. It is very exciting that the plans for the South Davis Trail have advanced to this phase and we thank the Parks and Recreation Department for making this special presentation.

Also at the Annual Meeting, we have invited downtown museums with capital projects underway to provide displays and information for us, a little “mini-museum walk,” so that we can see the new plans. We will also be honoring local residents and outgoing board members for community service, including a special recognition to our Young Islanders for their outstanding work. Refreshments will be served and children are welcome.

I want to especially thank the following outgoing board members: Rudy Fernandez, past president and past Parks Committee Chair who is moving off the Islands; Bobby Bobo; Vince Palori; past president Henry Gill; and, long-serving treasurer Pat Wolfe, for their contributions to Davis Islands for many years. We welcome new board member S. Kristopher Kral, who has been elected to fill the vacancy created by Rudy Fernandez’s move.

If you have questions, or need information about the annual meeting, please email us at davisislandscivic@gmail.com or call me at 813-259-9744. Meeting information will be posted at www.davisislandscivic.com as well as in our Fall Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Lisa K. DeVitto, President