Davis Islands Today

All Islanders:

The city of Tampa began the Community Tree Planting Program in 1997.

The program’s goal is to replenish Tampa ’s tree canopy by planting 1000 trees annually, and this is a great opportunity to enhance Davis Islands with more trees. Most trees will be planted between November and January, so now is the time to make your request. 30 gallon shade trees and ornamental trees are available, and there is a maximum of two trees per address planted.

I will submit a group application this week for anyone who would like trees planted in a city right-of-way near your home (this can be in your front yard as long as it is on city property).

If you would like to make a request, please email me soon at rfernandez@rwbaird.com with the following information:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your tree preference (Live Oak, Winged Elm, Dahoon Holly, Little Gem Magnolia)
• Where you want the tree(s) planted
• What cross street you are near
• Whether you have the ability to assist with ongoing maintenance and watering

Please submit your request before October 1st so that we can submit our group application soon.

Newly signed hockey player Steven Stamkos toured Tampa General Hospital to add a little excitement to many patients’ lives. Stamkos was the #1 Draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team.

Stamkos and entourage arrived at TGH on Davis Islands in a very long stretch limo. Stamkos and the patients were all smiles as autographed pics were handed out and many photos were shot. The buzz that the young hockey superstar has brought to the Tampa Bay area has been highlighted with a “SeenStamkos.com” campaign. The Ontario based player was given a tour of Tampa and our area beaches. Get more info at www.seenstamkos.com

See our photos at TampaGold.com

The Tampa Tribune reports on the recent string of Davis Islands graffiti:

Residents and businesses are coping with a rash of graffiti.

The spray-painted scrawls began appearing several weeks ago at numerous locations in the neighborhood, including a sea wall near Martinique Avenue, a utility box on Channel Drive, a gas station on East Davis Boulevard and in the 400 block of Danube Avenue.

“It’s disrespectful,” said Lisa DeVitto, president of the Davis Islands Civic Association. “It’s unkempt. It’s meant to deface, and it looks bad.”

Several residents contacted city officials and the police department, which dispatched a gang suppression unit to the neighborhood.

“They determined this is not gang-related,” said police Lt. Don Peters, a district shift commander. “They determined these are juveniles with misplaced expressions.”

Most of the graffiti has been removed.

DeVitto said residents will continue to work with police and increase crime watch initiatives.

“We are hoping to be as proactive as possible,” she said.

If you have information about the graffiti, call police District 1, which includes Davis Islands, at (813) 354-6600.

You can also leave a comment here on the Davis Islands Today website.

By Mark Misner

If you have read any of my previous columns, you know that it really does not take much to get me excited about exercise. After over twenty years as a personal trainer, I still smile at each new piece of research that ultimately reinforces the many virtues of a healthy exercise commitment.

The June 2008 issue of the Tufts Health and Nutrition Newsletter reviewed some exciting research. Basically, feelings of fatigue and lack of energy are not valid excuses for skipping or postponing your exercise. Are you often felling tired? This is an ongoing excuse that most use to wait until tomorrow to do their next exercise session. Well there is an ever-growing body of evidence that shouts out, “Get up off the couch and move!”

A team of researchers at the University of Georgia estimated that 1 of every 4 people suffer from persistent feelings of fatigue. These researchers found that regular, low-intensity workouts, such as a leisurely stroll, boosted participants energy levels by 20%. (If you have not recently been active, remember to consult your physician before you begin an exercise program.)

It gets even better. This research further reinforced numerous other studies supporting the psychological benefits of exercise. According to lead author, Tim Puetz, PHD, “Exercise traditionally has been associated with physical health, but we are quickly learning that exercise has a more holistic effect on the human body and includes effects on psychological health.”

If you are prone to gently say to yourself, “You are too tired to exercise. Exercise will only cause more fatigue.” Then you need to dig a little deeper to motivate yourself by recalling research such as that summarized above. Keep in mind that you will gain energy and productivity from regular exercise. It only takes a little effort to gain a lot of energy from exercise.

Now if you want to achieve additional benefits of exercise, such as melting away unhealthy body fat, you will likely need to raise the bar higher. To improve your body composition (lose body fat), I recommend;

• Two to three safe, challenging, weight training sessions each week.
• Four to six days of healthy, heart pumping, aerobic exercise.
• And a diet including consistent, moderate calorie eating decisions.

All of these things are important to healthy living. You decide at what level you want to progress and set your goals accordingly. Once you start to exercise regularly, it will get easier and easier to motivate yourself, both because of increased energy and noticeable changes in your health. To keep your exercise from getting dull you should vary the type of exercises and the setting. If you usually run or walk on a treadmill, head outdoors instead. Try some new weight training exercises or a different form of aerobic exercise. You might be surprised to find some things you really enjoy, and the more you enjoy your exercise time, the easier it is to commit.

You are worth the effort. Get moving today. Have a very healthy day.

Mark is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and the president of Body By Design, Inc. – Personal Trainers; he has been helping clients realize their health and fitness goals for over nineteen years.

From Charner Reese:

It’s time to review & comment on the Draft STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN for implementing our approved Davis Islands Community Plan

During the month of May, the draft Strategic Action Plan will be posted at davisislandscivic.com for review and comment by all interested stakeholders. Please take this opportunity to find out what proposed actions and priorities have been identified by the DI Plan Stewardship Team to achieve the vision of the Davis Islands Community Plan.

In June, the Stewardship Team will reconvene to review your input on the draft Strategic Action Plan and make final revisions.

For more information, please contact Charner Reese, Stewardship Team Leader, at 251-5421 or charnerreese@aol.com.

by Bill Sharpe

The family oriented Islands Fest was held at the Seaplane Basin Park on Davis Islands to a crowd of almost 5,000. This free, family oriented event featured entertainment from 10 am until 4 pm. Activities included bounce houses, a gyrosphere, pets parades, fashion show, free airplane rides, pram races, an art show and plenty more.

Over 35 artists participated in the event and all were enthralled with the beautiful view and perfect day along the waterfront. Over 40 different exhibitors provided plenty to do and see. RV’s and cars were on display at the park and classic airplanes and helicopters were on display at the Peter O. Knight airport.

A lion dance and Kung Fu presented by Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi had the crowd excited. Music was provided by 97 West, the Plant High School Jazz Band, DayBreak with Connie Gee, and even Elvis made an appearance. This annual event is Davis Islands largest. It was a fun day for everyone as many attendees discovered the treasure of the Davis Islands Seaplane Basin. Special thanks must be given to the volunteer committee that organized the event under the direction of Pete Moller and Jim Frijouf, the many sponsors that helped to make the event possible, the artists that participated, the airport and their many contributions and many more that will be forgotten.

More info about the event can be found at www.islandsfest.com, and check out our photos of Islands Fest.

The largest annual event held on Davis Islands is coming this month!

This FREE event is open to the public and will feature plenty of exhibitions, events, and fun! Visitors will find a pram sailing exhibition by the Davis Islands Youth Sailing Group, inflatable bounce houses and slides for children, rock climbing wall, a magic show, and a pet parade and contest. Guests will also get an up-close look at airplanes, helicopters, RVs and a fire engine. If the weather permits, airplane balloon rides will also be available.

Islands Fest plans lots of music, too. Appearances are expected by the Plant High Jazz Band, the 97 West Band, the South Tampa Fellowship Youth Choir, Elvis Tribute artist Steve Roberti, and popular local group Daybreak.

In addition to all of that, for the first time the 2008 event will feature the Islands Fest Art Show. With over 20 participating artists, everyone is sure to find entertaining and interesting displays from creative minds.

Event organizers include President Pete Moller, Vice President Jim Frijouf, Marketing Director Jennifer Dehnert, and Treasurer Deborah Cock. Committee members include Lee Medart, Jason Culbreath, Susan Hardeman of the Tampa International Airport, George Arroyo of Studio Cabello, Jana Alexander with the St. Petersburg Times, Bill Sharpe of the Davis Islands Community News, Artie McCall, and Dan Abate. All of the volunteers have been working hard nearly each week for the past year in order to get ready for the big event.

Islands Fest is held at the waterfront Seaplane Basin Park, right next to the Peter O. Knight airport, on Saturday, April 26 from 10 AM – 5 PM.

Sponsors of Islands Fest include Tampa General Hospital, the St. Petersburg Times, Studio Cabello, SweetBay Supermarkets, Lazy Days RV Supercenter, Loren Potts and Company, PA, the Davis Islands Community News, Atlas Aviation, the South Tampa Fellowship, Tampa International Airport – Community Airports, TampaGold.com, Frijour, Rust, and Pyle, PA, and many more.

Check the website for further information: http://www.islandsfest.com/

The largest annual event held on Davis Islands is coming this month!

This FREE event is open to the public and will feature plenty of exhibitions, events, and fun! Visitors will find a pram sailing exhibition by the Davis Islands Youth Sailing Group, inflatable bounce houses and slides for children, rock climbing wall, a magic show, and a pet parade and contest. Guests will also get an up-close look at airplanes, helicopters, RVs and a fire engine. If the weather permits, airplane balloon rides will also be available.

Islands Fest plans lots of music, too. Appearances are expected by the Plant High Jazz Band, the 97 West Band, the South Tampa Fellowship Youth Choir, Elvis Tribute artist Steve Roberti, and popular local group Daybreak.

In addition to all of that, for the first time the 2008 event will feature the Islands Fest Art Show. With over 20 participating artists, everyone is sure to find entertaining and interesting displays from creative minds.

Event organizers include President Pete Moller, Vice President Jim Frijouf, Marketing Director Jennifer Dehnert, and Treasurer Deborah Cock. Committee members include Lee Medart, Jason Culbreath, Susan Hardeman of the Tampa International Airport, George Arroyo of Studio Cabello, Jana Alexander with the St. Petersburg Times, Bill Sharpe of the Davis Islands Community News, Artie McCall, and Dan Abate. All of the volunteers have been working hard nearly each week for the past year in order to get ready for the big event.

Islands Fest is held at the waterfront Seaplane Basin Park, right next to the Peter O. Knight airport, on Saturday, April 26 from 10 AM – 5 PM.

Sponsors of Islands Fest include Tampa General Hospital, the St. Petersburg Times, Studio Cabello, SweetBay Supermarkets, Lazy Days RV Supercenter, Loren Potts and Company, PA, the Davis Islands Community News, Atlas Aviation, the South Tampa Fellowship, Tampa International Airport – Community Airports, TampaGold.com, Frijour, Rust, and Pyle, PA, and many more.

Check the website for further information: http://www.islandsfest.com/

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!

The Young Islanders will once again sponsor the Annual Davis Islands Easter Egg Hunt, along with the Junior Gardeners of the Davis Islands Garden Club, D.I. Body & Boutique, D.I. Civic Association, Serendipity and Tate Brothers Pizza. We are delighted to announce that this year’s Easter Egg Hunt will once again be held on the beautiful grounds of the Davis Islands Garden Club at 81 Columbia Drive. The Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday, March 22, 2008 and will feature eggs filled with many Egg-citing surprises. You won’t want to miss it!

An Egg Stuffing Party will take place at Tate Brother’s Pizza on Tuesday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. Teens – come earn your service hours while we help stuff the more than 2,000 eggs. Please join us for the egg stuffing fun!

You won’t want to miss the 6th Annual Davis Islands Easter Egg Hunt. All Davis Islands resident children age 12 and under are welcome to join in the fun. Be there promptly to sign in, and then the hunt begins. Come early, those eggs go fast! Be sure to bring your basket!

• Date: Saturday, March 22, 2008
• Time: 8:45 am Check-In, Hunt Begins at 9:00am
• Where: Davis Islands Garden Club, 81 Columbia Drive
• Look For: The Sign-In Table and The Young Islanders Banner out front
• Bring: A Basket! (Over 2,000 eggs will be hidden)