The Riviera Bay Civic Association Newsletter is a 50 year old communitiy publication hand delivered to 1300 homes and businesses in Northeast St. Petersburg, FL. For advertising information, call 727-577-5500. [email protected]
NEWSLETTER OF THE RIVIERA BAY CIVIC ASSOCIATION SINCE 1960 “It’s another great day in Riviera Bay!” S peaking of friends... please join us on Thurs evening, Nov 17th at St James Hall for our annual RBCA Thanksgiving dinner. Jus sayin’, you really don’t want to miss it this year. As I’m writing this, we haven’t ironed out all of the details yet, but expect real Turkey, real stuffing, real gravy and real potatoes… and a special dessert treat this year from Yogurtology… and I also might have a few giveaways that expire this year. Don’t forget donations for Joshua House can be dropped off at the dinner also. (See article inside) Speaking of others... the RBCA’s first ever Carefest project on Sept 24th was a resounding success. After the city’s N-Team did most of the more difficult prep work and delivered a bunch of mulch, we had 44 people step up that day to help a needy family in the neighborhood with some painting, cleaning, and landscaping. (We actually filled 2 dumpsters - you won’t believe the before & after pictures inside.) Mayor Foster stopped by, many of the volunteers, including Father Tapp, came from Holy Family Church, many came from our neighborhood, and assorted other youth groups. Everybody worked hard, got a lot accomplished, and left feeling very rewarded. Jim & Sam Nolin and I actually uncovered a historic hexagon block sidewalk leading up to the front door, and Hal Hammer from Riviera Bay Builders plans on doing some more improvements in the near future. I would definitely like to tackle at least one Carefest or “Neighbors helping Neighbors” project every year. (See article inside) Speaking of family... I’m very proud to say that this year my Dad was inducted into the Maryland Country Music Legends Hall of Fame (see page 10), my lovely Princess bride Donna and I celebrated our 28th Wedding Anniversary on Oct 14th, Donna’s birthday is on 11/11/11 this year, and on a scale of 1 to 10, she’s always an 11 in my eyes. See ya next time we look at ya, hopefully on Nov 17th or Dec 1st. Donna and I wish everybody the best during the holidays and hope the Christmas Eve candle luminaries and boat parade are spectacular and meaningful for everyone, Prez Dave. The Holidays Are Here! The Holidays Are Here! Time To Think About Family…And Friends…And Others. NEXT GENERAL MEETING - THURS, DEC 1, 7PM HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL, 250 78th AVE N AGENDA: 2012 Event planning & concerns, Christmas Eve boat parade Captain’s meeting, 2012 Nominations, Christmas Eve candle sales, Joshua House Toy Drop Off (East on 76th Ave N, straight at Stop sign to 2nd left, then right into parking lot, enter on the west side of 2 story Bldg C) RBCA THANKSGIVING DINNER THURS, NOV 17, 2011 St James Church Hall, 845 87TH AVE N (Doors open at 6:30 pm) (Corner of MLK and 87th Ave - Enter on North side)
Transcript
NEWSLETTER OF THE RIVIERA BAY CIVIC ASSOCIATION SINCE 1960
“It’s another great day in Riviera Bay!”
Speaking of friends... please join us on Thurs
evening, Nov 17th at St James Hall for our annual RBCA Thanksgiving dinner. Jus sayin’, you really don’t want to miss it this year. As I’m writing this, we haven’t ironed out all of the details yet, but expect real Turkey, real stuffing, real gravy and real potatoes… and a special dessert treat this year from Yogurtology… and I also might have a few giveaways that expire this year. Don’t forget donations for Joshua House can be dropped off at the dinner also. (See article inside)
Speaking of others... the RBCA’s first ever Carefest project on Sept 24th was a resounding success. After the city’s N-Team did most of the more difficult prep work and delivered a bunch of mulch, we had 44 people step up that day to help a needy family in the neighborhood with some painting, cleaning, and landscaping. (We actually filled 2 dumpsters - you won’t believe the before & after pictures inside.) Mayor Foster stopped by, many of the volunteers, including Father Tapp, came from Holy Family Church, many came from our neighborhood, and assorted other youth groups. Everybody worked hard, got a lot accomplished, and left feeling very rewarded. Jim & Sam Nolin and I actually uncovered a historic hexagon block
sidewalk leading up to the front door, and Hal Hammer from Riviera Bay Builders plans on doing some more improvements in the near future. I would definitely like to tackle at least one Carefest or “Neighbors helping Neighbors” project every year. (See article inside)
Speaking of family... I’m very proud to say that this year my Dad was inducted into the Maryland Country Music Legends Hall of Fame (see page 10), my lovely Princess bride Donna and I celebrated our 28th Wedding Anniversary on Oct 14th, Donna’s birthday is on 11/11/11 this year, and on a scale of 1 to 10, she’s always an 11 in my eyes.
See ya next time we look at ya, hopefully on Nov 17th or Dec 1st. Donna and I wish everybody the best during the holidays and hope the Christmas Eve candle luminaries and boat parade are spectacular and meaningful for everyone, Prez Dave.
The Holidays Are Here! The Holidays Are Here!Time To Think About Family…And Friends…And Others.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING - THURS, DEC 1, 7PMHOLY FAMILY SCHOOL, 250 78th AVE N
AGENDA: 2012 Event planning & concerns, Christmas Eve boat parade Captain’s meeting, 2012 Nominations, Christmas Eve candle sales, Joshua House Toy Drop Off
(East on 76th Ave N, straight at Stop sign to 2nd left, then right into parking lot, enter on the west side of 2 story Bldg C)
RBCA THANKSGIVING DINNERTHURS, NOV 17, 2011
St James Church Hall, 845 87TH AVE N (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
(Corner of MLK and 87th Ave - Enter on North side)
Council Member Kennedy’s CornerSister-City Anniversary Celebration
In the last newsletter, I informed the residents of the Riviera Bay Civic Association of the 50th Sister-City Anniversary between the City of St. Petersburg and the City of Takamatsu, Japan. Last month, the City welcomed more than 80 delegates from Takamatsu. They visited many downtown attractions, planted a tree in one of our downtown parks, and enjoyed our beautiful waterfront. This month, Mayor Foster will lead a St. Petersburg delegation to Japan to enjoy a unique array of activities and will also plant a tree in one of Takamatsu’s downtown parks.
The PierAs you may be aware, the City Council voted to replace the Pier due to the deterioration of the concrete substructure. We launched an International Design Competition in June 2010 and received 23 interesting design proposals. After a review by a five member jury of design experts and local elected leaders, the lists of designs were narrowed down to nine. The jury selected three finalists. From December 6 - 30, the designs will be on display for inspection (no cost) at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. In addition, speakers from the design team will make presentations Friday, December 16 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at the Coliseum.
Mahaffey TheaterBig 3 Entertainment is the new operator and manager of the Mahaffey Theater. Bill Edwards, the owner of Big 3 Entertainment will present an Opening Gala at the Mahaffey Theater November 18-20. The lineup includes the following: November 18, Don Henley; November 19, Marc Anthony; November 20, Cedric the EntertainerPlease visit the website at www.themahaffey.com for future shows and other exciting events, as well as on how you can become a member of the Mahaffey Foundation.
When reflecting this Thanksgiving season, please know that I give thanks for the opportunity to serve as your elected official.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Your Rivera Bay Civic Association would like to invite you to our Thanksgiving
Dinner. Come share the spirit of the season with your neighbors and family.
All we ask is that you bring a side dish or dessert to share with your neighbors and have fun. RBCA Members are free. RBCA Residents who are not active can use this opportunity to join the association for $10 per family at the door which will also be used for your 2012 membership. RBCA resident’s guests are invited for $5 per person.
Hal Hammer Jr would like to have a little time at our Thurs, Dec 1st RBCA meeting at Holy Family school to discuss this year’s parade with anybody thinking about joining the boat parade this year. I regret Donna and I will be freezing our a…ah, noses off in MD on Christmas Eve so we’ll miss this very popular party event again this year, but here are a few tidbits I pulled from Hal’s boat parade article last year:
Boats should gather around the Sunlit Cove boat ramp around dusk, for safety in the dark you must have some kind of working lights on your boat, monitor marine radio channel # 72, when signaled, head north, then west around
CHRISTMAS EVE BOAT PARADE CAPTAIN’S MEETING
Sunlit Cove and then around to U turn at the San Martin bridge, then west into the neighborhood, with everybody trying to get as far up the canals as possible because many of our residents plan big parties around the boat parade. (I also know from past experience that candle luminaries along your dock or seawall really help to guide the parade and also prevent any damage to your dock or boat in the dark.)
Portions of our 2007 and 2008 RBCA boat parade are on youtube.com.
Thanks Hal for leading this event, have a great time everybody, and please stay safe on or off the water. For more info contact Hal at [email protected] or 727-576-5257.
PS: If you really want to “Party like a Rock Star” sometime next year, you may want to talk to Hal about the one-of-a-kind-way-cool “Floating Band On A Party Barge” he built where he can motor over and tie up at your seawall or dock and his band provides Kick-A-- music for your “Rock the Dock” Kick A-- party. (More details and pictures, and a better name for the party barge to follow next year.)
Each year our family submits this reminder about collecting toys for the children of Joshua House. In the 12 years that have passed I would like to thank all the RBCA neighbors who have graciously donated over the years.
Last year when Lance and I made the toy delivery to the kids we got to tour the facility and learn more about the needs and life of the children now. The children of Joshua House are older, children who are having a harder time getting placed in a permanent home. With the economic difficulty of our country more children are coming into the system then are going out, there are not enough families out there to foster or adopt them. Florida ranks 3rd in the country with the number of children in foster care (19,100), 1755 kids alone in Pinellas county with only 461 beds for them to be placed. Places like Joshua House are so needed.
The goal at Joshua House is to give each child a few new toys and clothes to make their holiday as special as it can be. We are asking RBCA neighbors to help by buying toys and clothes for boys and girls ages 7-16
years old. PLEASE REMEMBER THE TEENAGERS!!! Some of these teens leave straight from Joshua House and start living on their own so boxed sets of plates, sheets, kitchen utensils and any household items are also appreciated.
The new toys, clothes and other goodies can be dropped off at the RBCA Thanksgiving Dinner or anytime at 9399 Oak St NE between
now and December 11th. If you have any questions you can call Debby or Lance at 727 578-9718 or 727 742-3043.
We hope this will be another awesome year for the Joshua House Toy Drive and we highly appreciate your kind support and very big hearts!!!
*www.friendsofjoshuahouse.org/
13th ANNUAL JOSHUA HOUSE
TOY DRIVE
I was so proud of the way everybody came together on Sept 24th to help this family in our neighborhood. The
city’s N-Team came in numerous times before our date and did a wonderful job of pressure washing and painting because it was a 2-story house, and also removed the more difficult debris, and then dropped off a ton of mulch.
We don’t have many pictures of all 44 volunteers working that day because my camera battery died, but the before and after pictures are pretty dramatic. I recycled any metal and glass to keep it out of the landfill and we still
managed to fill 2 industrial dumpsters that day with tree and yard debris. Mayor Foster, Codes Director Gary Bush, and Neighborhood P a r t n e r s h i p Director Susan
Ajoc were there, and a lot of volunteers representing Holy Family church were there, including Father Tapp, and worked hard all day. We had volunteers from the NE Terrace neighborhood, The Knights of Columbus, and the city even sent some other groups over that had finished their own Carefest project.
We had plenty of water and donuts and sandwiches and all of our volunteers received a Tote bag with supplies and could have gone to a Thank You party afterwards at Lake Vista park if they wanted. I’d really like to make “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” an ongoing project in the neighborhood. Hal Hammer from Riviera Bay Builders is already planning a few future improvements at this
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CAREFest
property, so if you have any time, expertise, or plants you’d like to donate, or want to nominate a Riviera Bay property for us to consider, please contact Prez Dave at [email protected] or leave a message at 579-3644.
There are really too many volunteers to list them all by name, and I can’t read a lot of the signatures anyway, but I’d really like to give MSNT’s (Majorly Special Neighborhood Thanks) out to our RBCA residents Ed, Elisabeth & Judi Bruckner, Jim & Sam Nolin, Denise Spornraft, Diane Croft, Randi Langas, Ken Turcotte, and Donna Hoover who worked hard with me all day, and to anyone else that helped make the world just a little better place for all of us that day.
For those not familiar with the custom, we have been beautifying the area for the past twenty-five years by
decorating at Christmas time with the “farolitos” (little beacons). This beautiful custom has come to us from our Spanish southern neighbors and each year is spreading more throughout the country. In ancient times, luminaries were built along the roads to light the way for travelers (Joseph and Mary and the shepherds) enroute to Bethlehem. The squat candles in the paper bag of sand that we use today came to us from New Mexico where the “farolitos” were first used and are called by the Indians “the golden blossoms”. Christmas Eve is truly an impressive sight when whole neighborhoods are embraced in the soft candlelight.
The candles are six (6) for $5.00 with bags. They should be equally placed along the street and canals (if your lot is on the water they really help to guide the boat parade) and are lit Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm. They usually burn until about midnight. In case of rain, they are lit on Christmas evening. This custom was not created to make money, but for a service to all to help beautify the area and convey the Christmas spirit.
Christmas Eve Luminaries Turn the top of the bag over three (3) times. Crease well to stiffen the bag. Fill 1/3 full with sand. Place the candle in the center straight. Place on flat surface. Trim the wick if long so the bag doesn’t catch on fire. For the candle to burn longer, make sure they are straight so a pud-dle of wax forms around the wick. Also if you refrigerate the candles for a day before burning, it makes them burn longer.
The candles will be delivered to the homes of the dis-tributors around Thanksgiving. The candle distributors are
those who volunteered last year (and for which I thank them most heartily for their efforts). The volunteers will be around to your homes and the candles will be available until Christmas Eve. If a distributor misses you in your area, you can go to their residence and pick up the candles. Also remember, these are your neigh-
bors delivering candles and all are volunteers. Please don’t give them a hard time; they don’t buy the candles nor set the price, and they don’t make a penny doing this for you! Once again, let’s have a terrific Christmas Eve Luminary showing. We actually hear from people all over St. Petersburg that they look forward to seeing our display each year. Let’s not disappoint them.If you have questions, problems, or want to purchase in large case quantities, please contact Jean Tyack 9200 Sun Isle Dr. N.E. Her phone number is 576-9300.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLE DISTRIBUTORS
It’s that time of year again and we need a few volunteers for a couple of areas. Even if all you can do is store candles at your
house for residents to stop by and pickup, or help the volunteers already assigned to your street.
This is a great way to meet your neighbors. Please call
to volunteer.
1) Marc & Carrie Plotnick, 9001 Treasure Lane NE -563-059997th Ave NE, 1st Str NE & Oak Str NE
1A) Nancy Haines, 117 98th Ave NE 576-565998th Ave N & NE
2) Heather Green, 9482 Sun Isle Dr, NE - 577-5130Sun Isle Dr., NE and 96th Ave N
3) Terri Hammer, 9200 Treasure Lane NE - 576-5257South side of Treasure Lane NENorth side of Treasure Lane NE
4) Debby, Lance & Crystal Obst, 9399 Oak Str N - 578-971894th Ave N, Oak Street NE & 1st Str N off of 4th Street
5) Dan & Sheryl Spencer, 9485 2nd Street N - 577-61872nd Street between 92nd & 97th Ave N and 93rd Ave N
6) Karen Smith, 320 90th Ave N - 577-6717, 90th Ave NE, 6A) Kenny Turcotte, 9031 Bay Street NE - 579-4264
Bay Street & 1st Street between 89th & 92nd6B) Kim Triplette, 8965 3rd Street - 577-4117 2nd Str & 3rd Str between 89th & 92nd Ave 6C) Sandy Mitchell, 200 90th Ave NE - 251-5054
92nd Ave between 2ns & Oak & Oak Street between 89th &
92nd Ave N7) Mark & Julie O’Brien, 210 89th Ave N - 570-8114
88th Ave NE & 89th Ave N, & Sunlit Cove Dr7A) Dawn Jones , 160 92nd Ave NE - 577-8152
89th Ave NE & Bay Street between 89th & Sunlit Cove8) NEED VOLUNTEER
South of 83rd Ave NE to include Riverside Dr NE &80th Ave NE & area eastward to Rio Vista School area
9) Wayne & Ingrid Busselle - 215 Tallahassee Dr NE - 576-3656Tallahassee Dr NE, 87th Ave NE, Riverside Dr NE, Orient Way NE between Tallahassee & 85th Ave NE
10) Denise Spornraft - 641-8398 & Diane Croft 301 87th Ave N - 244-2712North side 83rd, 84th Ave N, Diagonal Rd, Waverly Rd,3rd Str N, Tobay & Riverside Dr N
11) Mike & Mary Reed - 221 Freeport Ave NE - 576-2144Freeport Ave NE, 84th Ave NE between Orient Way NE & Riverside Dr N. Orient Way NE between 83rd & 85th Ave NE
12) Karen Demario - 341 89th Ave NE - 577-648187th Ave N & 85th Ave N
13) NEED VOLUNTEER80th, 81st & 82nd Ave N between 4th Str & Riverside Dr N, Waverly Rd N, Riverside Dr N & 3rd Str N south of 83rd Ave N
14) Don Steer - 201 87th Ave N - 578-285979th Ave N, 2nd Way N, 2nd & 3rd Street N
15) NEED VOLUNTEER78th Ave N & NE, 79th Ave NE, 1st Street NE
Rbca Member AnnouncementsHELP WANTED: Prez Dave needs someone with dock knowledge to help him rebuild his dock, and maybe help with fixing and/or selling a boat. Please contact [email protected] or leave message at 579-3644.
Charles D. Hoover Inducted Into The “Maryland Country Music Legends Hall Of Fame”
Prez Dave is proud to announce that his father, Charles D. Hoover was inducted into the “Maryland Country Music Legends Hall Of Fame” this year. A retired mild-mannered science teacher by day, a top 40 rock-n-roller by night. At 80 years young, he’s still playing keyboards and singing in the Top 40 band, “Robin and The Rythmix.” His “Rock & Roll Medley” brought the house down and received a standing ovation during his induction ceremony. He’s slowed down a bit now from his “just like Jerry Lee Lewis” days, and he currently has numerous videos on YouTube at cdhoover. The newspaper article about his induction can be viewed at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/publications/north-county-news/ph-nc-musician-honored-0721-20110721,0,4879047.story
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We are very excited with our STARFALL pilot program for our PreK 4/VPK 4 class! Our very own Kindergarten teacher (and
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1631-4th Street North(Located inside Bob Lee’s)Mon-Fri, 7:30am-2:30pm(727) 822-3981
Animal Control ......................................................................582-2600Chamber of Commerce ..........................................................821-4069Codes Compliance..................................................................893-7373Curb, Street, Sidewalk Repair.................................................551-3151Neighborhood Partnership......................................................892-5141Public Utilities........................................................................893-7761Reclaimed Water.....................................................................892-5111Sanitation................................................................................893-7398Sewer Repair...........................................................................893-7261Street Light Outage..........................................................800-228-8485Street Signs/Traffic Signals....................................................893-7421Water Resources: ext. 0 ..........................................................893-7261Water and Navigation ............................................................453-3385
(Dock permits, report Mangrove cutting, etc.)Weedon Island Preserve..........................................................453-6500
We are your neighborhood civic association and we work for you to maintain and improve your neighborhood. If you have not joined or renewed your membership in the Riviera Bay Civic Association, please take a moment to fill out this membership form and bring it to the next meeting or send your dues to the address below. Please show your support by sending in at least $10.00. (A larger amount would be appreciated!) One association membership per household includes your spouse and children, to be purchased each calendar year.
I would like to join/rejoin the Riviera Bay Civic Association. Enclosed please find at least $10.00 (more is appreciated) association dues for our family for January through December.Name: _________________________________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: ___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________Please make checks payable to: Riviera Bay Civic AssociationMail to: Riviera Bay Civic Association, 163 87th Ave. North, St Pete, FL 33702 (727) 579-3644
