crescent heights neighborhood association newsletter · 1 1 – ` july/august 2012 crescent heights...
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JULY/AUGUST 2012
Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association Newsletter
www.mychna.org
2012 Hurricane Season: Still Trusting to Luck? Many of us in Crescent Heights, because our decades-old houses are still intact, believe we’re
immune to hurricane damage. Not true. We are simply lucky. Although Hurricane Charley came
very close in 2004, no hurricane has actually made landfall in Pinellas County since the “Great
Tampa Bay Hurricane” of 1921. The most devastating storm on record was the “Great Gale of
1848” – that was the storm that created John’s Pass! Other storms that did local damage were the
Cuba-Florida Hurricane, 1944; Easy, 1950; Alma, 1966; Agnes, 1972; and Elena, 1985.
One advantage for Crescent Heights is that – unless we live in a mobile home—it is unlikely we
will ever be forced to evacuate in the face of a hurricane. However, even in areas not subject to
flooding, the risk of high winds requires some commonsense preparations to make our homes
hurricane ready. They include:
Windows and doors – Consider storm shutters and other protection.
Roof – Making do with an ancient roof may be a false economy. Have the roof checked to
make sure it could survive high winds.
Garage doors – A reported 80% of wind damage to homes is via the garage doors. If a garage
door was installed prior to 2002, have it checked for adequate bracing to conform to current
codes.
Yard – Trees and bushes need to be pruned, and any outdoor items, including furniture, need
to be stowed or tied down.
For preparation checklists, go to: www.pinellascounty.org/emergency — Kristen Noakes-Fry
It’s CHNA Pool Party Time! Grab your sunscreen, towel and swimsuit. Whip up a dish to share, pack your drink of choice,
and bring your family to the Annual Neighborhood Pool and Patio Party. This year's festivities
will be on Sunday, July 22, from 2-5 p.m. at the home of Marlys Cox, 635 27th Ave. N. Burgers
(meat and veggie) and hot dogs provided. Hope you can make it! – John Sullivan
Why You Will Love Your New Bottlebrush Tree The CHNA bulk tree purchase will begin in September. If your yard could be improved with a
smaller, flowering tree, consider the Bottlebrush. No watering! It is both drought tolerant in the
winter months and can withstand the barrage of rain that we receive each summer. The flowers
attract bees, birds, and butterflies; so you'll be supporting nature's pollinators by providing food
and shelter. The tree is also frost tolerant and will live for about 40 years. Look for details about
our annual bulk-tree purchase in the September CHNA newsletter.
– Jen Wright
CHNA
Neighborhood
Happenings
—JULY 2012—
“Pool Party”
When: Sun. July 22
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Where: 635 27th Ave. N.
Host: Marlys Cox
—AUGUST 2012—
“Porch Party”
When: Sat. Aug. 18
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Where: 635 28th Ave. N.
Host: Lisa & Paul Chistolini
“Book Club Meeting”
When: Tues. Aug. 21
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Where: 2917 7thSt. N.
Host: Kristen Noakes-Fry
I Capture the Castle
by Dodie Smith (Check website for
reading lists and
discussion questions.)
—SEPTEMBER 2012—
“Florida Friendly
Gardening”
When: Wed. Sept. 19
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Church of the
Beatitudes
—OCTOBER 2012—
“Haunted St.
Petersburg”
When: Tues. Oct. 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Church of the
Beatitudes
Speaker: Brandy Stark,
SPIRITS of St. Petersburg
—John Sullivan
Newsletter published by
Crescent Heights
Neighborhood
Association (CHNA)
PO BOX 76051, St. Pete, FL 33734 www.mychna.org
2012 CHNA Board President:
Greg Holden, 727-537-0101 [email protected]
Vice President:
John Sullivan, 727-368-1112 [email protected]
Secretary:
Nancy Warner, 727-346-5664 [email protected]
Treasurer:
Mary Yates, 727-823-5544
813-230-3948 cell [email protected]
Membership Director:
Molly Longmire [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:
Kristen Noakes-Fry
727-258-8389 [email protected]
Web Designer:
Bill Wright [email protected]
Business Relations &
Newsletter Layout:
Chris Giebner
727-420-6868 [email protected]
Home of the Month:
Erica Allums [email protected]
Newsletter Distribution:
Lisa Chistolini
813-453-3240 [email protected]
At Large:
Jim Tomlinson, Jen Wright,
Tracy Donald
CHNA logo (top of page 1) by
Peter Bramley (1945-2005)
All content: Copyright 2012,
Crescent Heights Neighborhood
Association, St. Petersburg ,FL
President’s Letter…
I hope this note finds you doing well! A few quick updates for you...
Wedding Congratulations to CHNA Membership Director Molly Sipp, who became
Molly Longmire, with her recent marriage to Christian Longmire in a ceremony at
St. Petersburg's historic shuffleboard courts. The CHNA Board wishes her a lifetime
of happiness!
Banyan Tree Update: Best wishes to our neighbor Erica Allums on the re-opening of
her restaurant, Banyan Coffee & Tea, at 689 MLK (9th St.) N.
Palladium Officially a Landmark: Congratulations to St. Petersburg Preservation for
its part in achieving local historic landmark status for the Palladium Theatre at 5th
Ave. N. and 3rd St. For more about activities to preserve historic local properties, go
to: www.stpetepreservation.org
Fishing in Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake is one of 19 freshwater lakes that St.
Petersburg Parks and Recreation (727-893-7441) has opened for fishing from May 30
through Labor Day—usually stocked with bass, bream, catfish and Nile perch.
Shoreline fishing (no boats allowed) is allowed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.
Freshwater fishing license required. No license is needed for children under 15 or
county residents using a pole without a reel. Florida residents over 65 need no
license but must be prepared to show proof of age and residency. Licenses are
available at Pinellas County Tax Collector Offices and some bait and sporting goods
stores. For fishing license information, call 727-464-7777.
Volunteer Mornings at Crescent Lake: Dates for upcoming volunteer mornings at
Crescent Lake are: July 28, August 25, and September 29. For more information, see
www.clna.net or call Lucy at 727-798-0313.
Watch out for Mink: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
asks fishermen and boaters to keep an eye out for Florida mink, an endangered
species. Mink forage in and along the water’s edge, eating fish, frogs, crayfish, crabs,
etc. Report sightings to FWC at public.myfwc.com/hsc/mink. The link includes
photos to help you distinguish mink from otters and weasels.
If you have news for this column, please send me an e-mail (president @mychna.org).
In your service,
Greg Holden
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 2
Time to Schedule Your Porch Party
We are looking for neighbors to host a Porch Party in 2012-2013. These popular
events are a great way to get to know your neighbors. As a host, you would pick a
date, typically a Friday or Saturday evening, and choose the time, typically 6-8 or 7-9.
We ask the guests to BYOB and a snack to share--so you don’t have to worry about
cooking all day to prepare for it! It’s easy, and you don’t even have to have a porch.
If you have questions or are interested in hosting a Porch Party, contact me at
[email protected]. – John Sullivan
Are You On Facebook? Crescent Heights Neighborhood
Association has its own page
on Facebook. If you “friend”
us, you will have immediate
access to news about events –
useful if date or time is
changed due to weather or
other conditions. We know that
you are already a friend of
ours. So… why not make it
official?
"I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone." -- Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup
"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy.' They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life." – John Lennon
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 3
July/August Home of the Month: 2601 7th St. N.
Congratulations to the July / Aug 2012 Home of the Month! Your hard work and dedication has made your
home a beautiful place to live. (Photos by Erica Allums)
Everyone has noticed the Colombia flag blowing in the wind at 2601 7th St. North. This just happens to be our
July Home of the Month. Residing there are Dan and Silvia Leeper and their children, Nico and Simone.
Expanded from an original structure built in 1952, this fabulous red brick house is a shining star in our
neighborhood. I truly love everything about this home. In a 2003 renovation, the owners added on about 1,700
square feet of pure beauty. Of course, my favorite room—and Silvia’—is the spacious kitchen, with pristine
maple cabinets and a large Wolf stove top, perfect for all those yummy family dinners at the Leepers. Dan’s
favorite is the perfectly decorated living room with the gorgeous Colombian Marble fireplace (that I love). The
walls throughout the house are painted the most beautiful colors, from lovely yellows to Gulf of Mexico blues.
Outside is a charming gazebo and patio perfect for entertaining…or it will be when Dan gets on board with
Silvia’s newest project, French doors leading out to the wonderful patio. This is the only house their kids have
lived in. They love Crescent Heights and all their great neighbors. Dan and Silvia are both attorneys at Leeper
and Leeper, 2532 5th Ave. N. Son Nico is a student at Columbia University, Simone will soon be leaving for New
York to join him. Congratulations! – Erica Allums
HELP WANTED
CHNA Newsletter has openings for volunteers:
Editorial Assistant with web publishing skills to partner with Newsletter Editor and Web Designer to seamlessly coordinate the publishing of electronic and print content.
Writers conversant with a wide range of topics, such as home repair, investing, nutrition, music, landscaping, local history, etc. Let us know your ideas.
Researchers to track upcoming local events and opportunities and create short news items for the President’s Letter.
Distribution Team members to commit a couple of hours a month--usually during the first weekend of the month --for a “paper route,” making sure the CHNA newsletter is delivered to homes in an assigned area.
Interested? Get in touch with Kristen at [email protected] or 727-258-8389.
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 4
Bates ad
Book Nook I Capture the Castleby Dodie Smith
Join us for our August book discussion! It is not necessary to
read all of our selected books—so if one interests you, please
drop in. We will meet on Tuesday, August 21 at 7p.m.
Kristen Noakes-Fry is hosting at 2917 7th St. N. Light
refreshments will be provided. Book Club questions will be
posted in advance of the meeting on www.mychna.org.
A delightful summer read, I Capture the Castle (reprinted from
its 1948 version) by Dodie Smith, is the story of an English
girl’s coming of age in the 1930s. Written in diary form, this
novel features charming and eccentric characters and
wonderful descriptions of the English countryside.
Journaling about day-to-day life in pre-WWII England with
her unconventional family, Cassandra, the main character,
succinctly contrasts English mannerisms and etiquette with
the American way of doing things. The result is a book that
hits the mark even all these years later and provides many
issues for discussion. Cassandra is a witty and voracious
reader and compares her situation to that of the Bennets in
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She also beautifully portrays
the bevy of emotions a teenager goes through when falling in
love for the first time. In addition, the book reflects society’s
changing views toward women’s roles and opportunities in
the early 20th century.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “It is an occasion worth
celebrating when a sparkling novel, a work of wit, irony, and
feeling is brought back into print after an absence of many
years. So uncork the champagne for I Capture the Castle.” So,
maybe Kristen will serve champagne (or possibly sparkling
cider) and appropriate British fare at the next CHNA Book
Club discussion? — Maureen Camphire
(Review is partly a composite of Amazon reviews)
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 5
Art Around Town with Brandy: Eats and Arts
As an artist and an educator my personal goal is to show that art exists in everyday places outside of museums,
galleries, and art centers. As such, I was delighted to discover the Dunkin’ Donuts on 4th Street, just a hair south of
the 9th Avenue intersection (1046 4th St. N.). This store does many things. As with its chain-based brethren, it
serves wonderful gooey doughnuts. It has hyper-caffeinated coffee and southern sweet tea. These we have come to
expect with this restaurant chain. Yet, this one remains unique for two reasons: its status as a “green” building and
the miniature art gallery displayed in the back of the store.
Opening in 2012, this is the second “green” Dunkin Donuts in St. Pete, and has applied for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. (Its sibling at 76th Ave. opened in 2008 and achieved LEED Silver
certification in 2010. Both restaurants are run by Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee Robert Aziz and his team.) To
substantiate its green status, this new store has an electric vehicle charging station in its parking lot. The drive-
through has a rain catcher designed to collect rain water for later distribution. There are the upgraded restrooms
that waste less water and a zoned central air conditioner. The employees even gather the shop’s used coffee
grounds, which are picked up by local gardeners as plant fertilizer. However, there is something even more
unusual about the structure. The outside wall in the back of the store is a giant sheet of plate glass that houses a
gallery space. Anyone approaching the building may view the artworks on display. Currently, the pieces showing
are from students at Canterbury. Future plans for rotating art shows featuring more community and student art
are in the works. “Many people don’t know that this is here, but I think it’s a nice addition to this part of St.
Petersburg. The use of the arts is very reflective of our community,” explains Dunkin’ Donuts employee, Vanessa
Gillette. – Brandy Stark
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News -- p. 6
To Exercise or Not, That is the Question...
I’m not here to tell you all of the benefits of partaking in a regular exercise program, nor am I here to tell you to ditch the
“hamburger helper” and walk to the produce market to dinner. I’m assuming you already know that regular exercise and
eating a healthy diet decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease. You also know that they prevent and help manage a
wide array of health issues, including stroke, Type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, depression, metabolic syndrome, etc.
You already know these things.
So what I am going to discuss is what will eventually happen if you decide that exercise and eating vegetables are just not
for you. I say “eventually” because these things will not happen overnight. They take some time to develop. To start with,
the human body does not particularly like to keep things that are not being used. Well, put it like this, if you do not use
your muscles (yes, every muscle was put there for a very specific reason), your body thinks that you don’t need them any
longer. Muscles begin to slowly atrophy if they are not used. Fancy word, “atrophy.” It means that they begin to waste
away. Joints also need to be fully moved regularly. In other words, if a joint is designed to move 180 degrees and you only
move it half of that, you will lose the unused portion. Mobility in joints and strength in muscles are responsible for getting
you up the stairs, down the street, and off the toilet. Get the gist of it? This not exercising thing may be looking less
attractive by the minute. Just thinking about it, you may have started to feel pretty sad and depressed. Not surprising, since
exercise improves one’s sense of well-being – and you are choosing the path to feeling bad. That’s the same path to
increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke – and the likelihood of gaining weight. Wow, not exercising is probably
beginning to sound good – especially if you have always yearned for a wheelchair and to have someone help you on and
off the toilet! – Tracy Donald
(Tracy is a Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor who has worked in the wellness field for nearly 20 years. She
currently works for Shapes Fitness and Gold’s Gym.)
CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 7
Join the Crescent Heights Neighborhood Association TODAY!
Help support the neighborhood and efforts to make this a great place to live. Cost is just $20 a
year (Jan-Dec). Join online and pay with PayPal at www.myCHNA.org! Or fill out the
membership form below and mail or bring to the next meeting.
Name:_______________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________
Alternate Address: ___________________________________________
Phone: ________________________ Email: _____________________
Fee is $20 payable to CHNA. Bring to meeting or mail to:
CHNA, PO Box 76051, St. Pete, FL 33734
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CHNA JULY/AUGUST 2012 News — p. 8
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3-month minimum 1/2 page — $40
Full page — call for rates.
Kristen Noakes-Fry – 727-258-8389 Chris Giebner – 727-420-6868
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