Davis Islands Today

Dear Island Neighbors:

Annual Meeting Notes
We had a fun and informative Annual Meeting in November, and we have many people to thank.

Delicious refreshments were made possible courtesy of our association, and we also received donations from Sweetbay Supermarket on Swann, the Press Box, and Publix Supermarket on Bayshore. Java & Cream donated gift certificates for door prizes.

For our program, we thank Ms. Laurie-Potier Brown, along with Angela Kranjic and Bernadette Cory, all from the City Parks and Recreation Department. These three women set up the extensive display, created a presentation, and led the discussion on the concept plan for the South Davis Trail, which is about to become a reality (more info coming soon). The architects and the engineer of record from Sprinkle Consulting were also present. One of the issues that came up during discussion was a desire by some residents for having as many trees as possible along the trail, both for appearance and for shade.

We also want to thank the Glazer Children’s Museum (Tracy Clouser), the Tampa Bay History Center (Audrey Roňon), and the Tampa Museum of Art (David Bryant) for bringing very interesting displays and information about the progress of their capital projects downtown.

City Councilwoman and DI resident Linda Saul-Sena attended and provided an update on the TECO franchise agreement approval issue. The Davis Islands Civic Association also presented Councilwoman Saul-Sena with the Silver Ice Cream Scoop award for tirelessly serving ice cream for three years running at the Davis Islands Spring Ice Cream Social.

The most EXCITING part of the entire evening was the announcement of “Charner’s Challenge” by our immediate past Davis Islands Civic Association president Charner Reese.

In order to fund capital improvements on the Island identified by residents, such as repair and refurbishment of the swimming pool, or a community center, some private funds will be needed. One way to raise money is to begin an account at the Community Foundation, but that requires a minimum balance of $10,0000.

Charner, who also chaired the Stewardship Implementation Team, issued a challenge to the community to raise $5,000 in pledges in six months; if this goal is met, Charner promises to donate the remaining $5,000 necessary to open the account.

Why does Charner Reese care about Davis Islands so much? I learned that Charner was raised in the house on Davis Islands that her late father built 55 years ago. Her maternal grandfather, Houstoun Wall, was a founding member of the DI Yacht Club, and the annual sailing race trophy is named for him. Her great-grandfather, Perry Wall, was mayor of Tampa when D.P. Davis was seeking support from the City to create Davis Islands. We can’t thank Charner enough for her leadership and generosity.

If you would like more information, or would like to contribute, email us at davisislandscivic@gmail.com. You can read more about Charner’s Challenge elsewhere in this issue of the Davis Islands Community News.

Finally, please welcome new board members elected in November: Patti Bancroft, Ken Elmore, David Whigham and Antonio Amadeo. We are looking forward to a productive year in 2009, with community-oriented improvements and social events. Please consider taking part: a list of committees is available online at www.davisislandscivic.com. If you have any questions or comments, email us at davisislandscivic@gmail.com or call me at 813-259-9744. With best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Lisa K. DeVitto, Out-going President 2008

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and by many accounts, it’s going to be a slow one. Over the past couple of years, insurance and taxes have risen, as have the ranks of the unemployed. Along with the value of our homes, retail spending is down.

Well, we want to help you get the most bang for your buck this holiday season, and this issue of the Davis Islands Community News is packed with ways you can help yourself this year.

Our front page story explains how shopping at local retailers keeps your money in your own neighborhood. The more you spend right here in Tampa, the more you see invested in your surroundings, including some places very close to home.

We also have some tips for saving money during this holiday season. Inside the Community News, you will see plenty of ways to be thrifty when shopping for gifts, including ways to save that just make good sense, as well as some ideas that you may have never considered.

Local non-profits give back directly to the community, too, and Judy Hill reminds us of a couple that are making Tampa a better place – for all of us.

You will want to grab the December issue of the Community News right out of your mailbox, and read it from cover to cover to find more ways to stretch your gift-giving (and grocery shopping) budget in the coming weeks.

Happy Holidays from the Davis Islands Community News!

Uh ohhhhhh… Looks like there was a mix-up down at the ol’ Davis Islands Community News factory.

Vicki Pollyea writes in the DICN about neighborhood news in her great neighborhood of Bayshore Gardens.

Irene Potter writes in the DICN about the happenings at her Davis Islands Garden Club.

When you get your copies of the Davis Islands Community News for the month of April, you may notice that we put Vicki’s photo atop the article about the Garden Club.

We think both of them are great writers, and beautiful representatives of their social circles, but we humbly apologize for the error, and we’ll do our best to never let it happen again.

Sorry about that!