Davis Islands Today

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

By Mark Misner, Certified Personal Fitness Trainer

It feels like we are finally through those long, hot and humid days of summer. With November, comes wonderful weather. Unfortunately, it can also bring along a weight gain. Research has shown that most people gain 5-7 pounds during the long stretch of winter holidays. This hazardous season begins at Halloween, includes Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas and finally ends after Gasparilla and Valentine’s Day. Many people mistakenly think “I’ll start exercising after the holidays and then lose the extra weight.” Don’t allow yourself to fall victim, you do not have to follow such an ugly trend!

Here’s how to beat the holiday bulge in a few simple steps.

First of all, get moving and exercising now! With the better weather, there are no worthy excuses. It really requires very little investment (only a decent pair or walking/running shoes) to get out and walk, jog or run. Start slowly and progress in reasonable increments. Work yourself up to 30 to 45 minutes of heart pumping activity, three to five days per week. This will help keep off the extra pounds and also combat that extra stress that arrives this time of year.

Secondly, you must use the key mantra of MODERATION! The holidays are rich in traditions of incredible dining and delicious treats. Enjoy these wonderful tastes, just keep mindful of choosing small servings. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “everything is good in moderation.” Too many small servings can quickly add up your caloric counts and sabotage your effort to eat healthy. As you take undersized “tastes” and “bites,” do so with an awareness of how much you are consuming in total. And don’t forget to include the calories you drink, many of the holiday punches and spirits are filled with empty calories.

Lastly, don’t punish or limit yourself to the point you do not enjoy the season. If you really want a cup of eggnog, go ahead and have a small cup, but forgo tasting the cookies or add an extra exercise session during the week. These straightforward actions will keep you on track to look and feel great through the holidays (and beyond!)

Fitness may protect the brain in early Alzheimer’s disease.

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SEEING IS JUST THE BEGINNING AT CHARITY’S EYE BALL IN NOVEMBER

Soulful Jazz and R&B Hits Performed by Late Night Brass, an Epicurean Menu, and Special Guests Make for Memorable Evening to Benefit Corneal Transplants & Research

The Lions Eye Institute Foundation (LEIF) is hosting its second annual Eye Ball Saturday, November 15, starting at 6 pm.

The premier fundraising event for LEIF, this James Bond-style black tie affair will feature live entertainment by Late Night Brass, a gourmet meal and the presentation of the “Light of Sight” Award. Special guest Olympic Silver Medalist Zach Railey will be in attendance. Railey represented the U.S. in Beijing in Finn class sailing competition, and won second place in his first trip to the Olympic Games.

The Eye Ball will be held in the historic elegance of the ballroom on the top floor of the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research, 1410 North 21st Street in Ybor City .

Alicia Roberts of WFLA News Channel 8 will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening, which also includes both a live and silent auction. This year’s Eye Ball will have a special focus on one family’s decision to give the gift of sight and the gift of life, made possible through corneal donation and organ donation, after the tragic death of their 20-year-old son.

Tickets: $250 per patron ticket (includes invitation to Patron Pre-party at Hoffman Porges Gallery in Ybor City and $100 contribution to the Circles of Pride Campaign benefiting LEIF); or $150 per individual ticket.

For more information, contact Terri Goldstein at 813-289-1200. For sponsorship information and tickets, visit www.eyeballtampa.org.

The National Research Corporation awarded Tampa General Hospital the prestigious Consumer Choice Award for 2008-09. The award identifies hospitals that healthcare consumers perceive have the highest quality and image in the country.

TGH, which has won this recognition for the third straight year, is the only hospital in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties to earn this award.

The National Research Corp. surveyed more than 200,000 households, representing 400,000 consumers, throughout the United States. TGH was one of 226 hospitals nationwide, and one of 16 in Florida, selected from among the 3,200 hospitals named by study participants.

Ron Hytoff, president and CEO of Tampa General, said the recognition was a reflection of the role teamwork plays in helping to shape the views and opinions of health care consumers.

“People have become very sophisticated when it comes to making decisions about health care,” Hytoff said. “Those decisions are shaped in part by their perceptions of not just doctors and nurses, but also the clinical techs that perform diagnostic tests, the people who clean the hallways and rooms, and the dietary staff that prepares the meals.”

The 2008-09 Healthcare Market Guide is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive study of its kind. No other study used to measure hospital performance and preferences contain more consumer responses than NRC’s study. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.2 percent at a national level. Co-winners are named when scores fall within the statistical margin of error for a given market. This is the 13th year that the NRC has presented the Consumer Choice Awards.

National Research Corporation (NASDAQ: NRCI) is an industry leader, with more than two decades of experience in healthcare performance measurement and improvement. Find out more at http://hcmg.nationalresearch.com

Pets of the Month
By Jennifer Fadal

In August of this year, Wag Pet Boutique celebrated National Homeless Animals month and hosted dogs and cats in need of loving homes. Shaymus (formerly Jethro), a St. Francis Society Animal Rescue dog attended. He had recently been taken out of a poor home environment and was hoping to find a new family.

Shaymus was the largest dog at Wag that day. The rest were small, adorable Dachshunds that garnered most of the attention. Unfortunately, as it goes, the large dogs at adoption days are oftentimes overlooked. Coupled with the fact that there were fuzzy kittens onsite as well… his chances looked slim.

As the event was rounding to a close however, the McEnery family (DI residents) were driving by and noticed something taking place at Wag. They pulled in and were instantly interested in Shaymus. He resembled their dog Lucy and something about him just tugged at their heart strings.

Before completing an application and agreeing to a home visit, the family asked good questions and spent much time with Shaymus.
The next step was to have their dog Lucy meet him. This would be the real test.

Lucy arrived at Wag and took her time getting to know the new kid on the block. She gazed at him with a leery eye, but things looked hopeful. Many sniffs later, the family decided to complete an application and schedule a home visit.

I am happy to report that Lucy and Shaymus are the best of friends! It took Lucy about two weeks to get used to sharing her family and her “pad” with Shaymus…but now they are inseparable. Janet couldn’t be happier and the family adores both dogs.

Congratulations to Shaymus and Lucy! This is a true success story!

If you would like to nominate your dog or cat for the Pet of the Month, please email a picture and a description of your pet’s contributions to society to: info[at]wagoftampa.com. Deadline for the December issue is November 14!

By Jennifer Sharp Pavluk

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. 8 out of 10 lung cancer cases are attributed to cigarettes, cigars or pipe smoking. Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer but it is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. It is also the most preventable.

The American Cancer Society is a large army in this fight, funding cutting-edge research leading to the discovery of lifesaving treatments like Alimta (pemetrexed), for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

This November 20th, 2009 is the Society’s Great American Smokeout. Since 1977, this event has drawn attention to the deaths and chronic diseases caused by smoking, and the many smoking cessation methods.

Quitting may not be easy but the signs of recovery are almost immediate, and the benefits, priceless:

• After only 20 minutes - your heart rate drops.
• In 12 hours – carbon monoxide levels in the blood drops to normal
• 2 weeks to 3 months – circulation improves, lung function up 30%
• 1-9 months - coughing congestion and fatigue decrease, and the cilia regain normal function in the lungs reducing infections
• After 1 year – risk of coronary artery disease is half that of a smoker.
• After 5 years – your risk of stoke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker
• At 10 years – risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of smokers.
• 15 years – risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.

This year, encourage the smokers in your life to quit, and the youth in your life not to start. Give your love, support and patience. And give them ACS Quitline, 1-877-YES-QUIT.

Despite the very serious prognosis of lung cancer, some people are cured. More than 400,000 people alive today have been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in time.

Please join us to support Davis Island’s Relay For Life event April 24th 2009. By donating time and/or money, you will stand up for all those affected by lung cancer…and those that will be. relayforlife.org/davisislandsfl

Ar you interested in supporting your Relay For Life of Davis Islands? Contact Yvonne Cordoves at Yvonne.cordoves[at]cancer.org, (813) 319-5918, or Event Chair Jennifer Sharp Pavluk at sharpiej[at]mac.com

News from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay

YARD SALE – November 8

The employees at International Plaza’s Banana Republic have been making meals and doing pantry drives for the Davis Islands Ronald McDonald House, but wanted to do something on a larger scale. They decided to hold a yard sale as a fundraiser, and just needed the right location. The Davis Islands Ronald McDonald House has a beautiful large yard, perfect for their yard sale, now scheduled for Saturday, November 8 from 9am – noon.

Store employees and house volunteers will clean out their closets and bring their treasures to the sale, and along with leftover items from the House and a few surprises. A good crowd is expected with some great deals for everyone. The public is invited to join us and find some bargains while raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House program.

For more information, contact Tampa RMH House Manager Betsy Wilkinson at (813) 254-2398, ext. 316 or email bwrmh[at]tampabay.rr.com.

GOLF TOURNAMENT – November 14 & 15

Our annual two-day golf tournament at the prestigious Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Tarpon Springs raises operational funds for our local Ronald McDonald Houses while offering some of the best golf on the west coast, not to mention a lot of fun! To download our 2008 Golf Brochure containing Registration and sponsorship information, please visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay website at www.rmhctampabay.com.

WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY – November 10 to 20

Support RMHC while enjoying your favorite McDonald’s foods. On November 20, McDonald’s will donate $1 for every Beef or Chicken Extra Value Meal© and Chicken McNuggets sold.

In addition, from November 10-20 customers can donate $1 towards RMHC by purchasing a helping “Hand” that will be displayed in-store during the event.

Take the night off from cooking and support RMHC this November.

LIGHT A LIGHT – Throughout the holiday season

The A-Train Teams Up With Ronald McDonald House

Mike Alstott, his wife Nicole and the Alstott Family Foundation are heading up this year’s Light a Light & Share a Night holiday campaign for Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay. They are committed to helping children and families in our community and want to encourage others to do the same. Mike and Nicole believe in actions speaking louder than words, and for a second year in a row, they will personally prepare Thanksgiving dinner for our St. Pete families.

Each year the Ronald McDonald House invites the Tampa Bay community to share in their mission by contributing to the Light a Light & Share a Night program. This year, the Alstotts are stepping forward to set an example for others. They encourage you to consider giving a donation to Ronald McDonald House in lieu of your usual gifts this holiday season. We will send you or your honoree a beautiful commemorative brass ornament/bookmark for your gift of $50 or more, while those under that amount will receive a paper ornament. Every gift, no matter how large or small, is immediately put to good use.

Each donation you provide supports the families who stay with us to be near their hospitalized children. Your gift helps those unable to afford a $10 per night donation for their overnight stay, and no one is ever turned away. Actual costs are $60 per night.

When you drive by and see the twinkling lights on our Ronald McDonald Houses, think of the families inside those houses. Instead of making holiday preparations, wrapping gifts, listening to seasonal music or playing with their children, the families in our houses gather to share the latest news on their child’s medical care with other families. Their faces speak of the worry and fatigue after a long day at the hospital. They communicate to their family from a great distance while receiving comfort from volunteers and parents of other sick children.

Please join the Alstott family in helping our families by supporting Light a Light and Share a Night for Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay. We need your help to support the 2,000 families who stay with us each year when they need it most.

Please call (813) 258-6430, ext. 3 to make a donation or visit www.rmhctampabay.com to make a donation online.

Find out more about Ronald McDonald House Charities.

By Judy Hill

After the introductions, the speeches, the heartfelt accolades from colleagues and friends, Helen Gordon Davis moved to the podium, scanned the audience in the ballroom at the Tampa Hyatt Regency and smiled.

She smiled again. And again.

Was she speechless after all the kudos?

Almost.

But not quite.

Still elegant at 80, still gracious, still committed to issues she has championed for many years, she thanked those who gathered to honor her Oct. 16 at a luncheon hosted by the Centre For Women and the Florida Displaced Homemakers Network.

Then she said:

“I was told not to talk about politics … “

The crowd of nearly 200 laughed. No way the consummate politician whose impact on Florida is without measure, could resist politics.

She didn’t mention candidates, but the long-time Democrat did talk about issues: Women’s issues. Children’s issues. Gender and racial discrimination. All of which still need our attention, she cautioned.

She also called for appropriate elder care, meaningful welfare reform, expanded access to healthcare, equal pay for equal work.

Helen Gordon Davis has been speaking out in one way or another about such things since 1948 when she became the first Caucasian woman in Florida to join the NAACP after she realized that her nanny had to ride in the back of the bus.

She believed that what was occurring around her in Tampa in those days of legal segregation wasn’t fair. So she spent the better part of the next 60 years fighting to right wrongs.

Even in tiny type, her accomplishments could take up an entire page in the Davis Islands Community News.

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