Summer Bunch Picnic Aug 4

The Summer Bunch meets again!

Mission: Everyone Bring a Joke! You will be asked to participate!

The June party was so successful, that they have decided to do it again in August. We will meet at Sunset Point at 6:30 pm on August 4. (Rain schedule will be in the Hall). The free meal provided will be Sloppy Joes, just bring some additional snacks, and your drinks. This will be fingerfood, so no silverware will be provided. ( It wouldn't hurt to bring some forks, because someone is bound to bring a salad.) No reservations are required.

The Regency Cove Ramblers will play for awhile, but they also want to relax and enjoy the night. Dancing music will be provided.

Come out and join the fun.

About Rumors...

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three.

"Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem. Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or are about to repeat a rumor.

awesome grouper

How's the Weather? July 16, 2007

Early in the morning of July 16, the prevailing winds took a decided change, and the morning temps were a few degrees cooler than the past 7-10 days. The official low temp today was 78, after almost 2 weeks of lows in the 80s, and the highs around 92-94 (depending on the source).

The TV news predicted early this morning that a late afternoon thunderstorm would finally douse the Tampa Bay area, rather than travel inland as usual, leaving us high and dry. Late afternoon today, clouds gathered out in the Gulf, but the ones from the south, black and threatening, dumped an inch of rain with lots of lightening, during the dinner hour. The official rainfall on one nearby internet location claimed .8" rainfall. Our rain gauge stuck in the front lawn measured 1".

All I know is that my 55 gallon drum rain barrel is now full to capacity, and I am ready to irrigate!! HOO HA! Let's hear it for the barrels!

Rain Barrel Workshop a Success

Marina D'Abreau, from the Hillsborough County Extension Service, skillfully guided 35 households or more through their rain barrel lesson today. The 55 gallon drums, when installed, will saves thousands of gallons of water use in the park, and hopefully lower our exorbitant water bill. The concerned citizens who are taking part in this voluntary program should be commended for their efforts. Next time you see a working rain barrel here in Regency Cove, stop and tell the homeowner, "Thanks for caring!"

Also on our grounds today was Lisa Strange, a Master Gardner and Community Association Outreach Coordinator, also from the Extension service. Lisa evaluated 8-10 homes and lawns, and met with a few homeowners to discuss their landscaping concerns. She studied and photographed the Blvd. 7 median strip, and will hopefully give us some ideas to beautify that barren landscaping. She will complete a written evaluation for the park., and we look forward to her recommendations. We will keep you apprised of the results.

Mayor Throws the Switch

At 10:15 this morning, Mayor Pam Iorio officially christened the completed Manhattan Ave construction project. The project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule.

A loyal group from Regency Cove attended.

Wal Mart Meets with the Neighborhood

On July 10, 2007, at the Gandy Civic Center, Wal Mart officials met in a preliminary, very informal meeting with the neighborhood. Al Steenson, president of Sun Bay South Neighborhood Association chaired the meeting. Also present in the audience were Rose Ferlita, County Commisioner, Jerry Frankhouser, president of Bayside West Neighborhood Association, twelve residents of Regency Cove (including 3 Board members), and a full house totaling over 60 concerned citizens.


WalMart's team included the senior manager of public affairs, Quenta Vellel, their attorney, Jim Porter, and the Building and the Traffic Engineers. Each took turns explaining that this is just a preliminary meeting, that they are meeting with Tampa officials tomorrow, and a brief overview of the 2 preliminary drawings that were available were described. Here is what we learned.

The property is already zoned commercial, so there is no need for them to go before the variance board, and have public hearings. They will, however, continue to maintain an open dialog with the neighborhood association.
There are 5 parcels of property involved, Sticks N Stuff, and the sex shop, and three more behind them. They have not yet been purchased, but contracts are pending.

The proposed store will be a 24 hour Super Center, meaning groceries and retail goods are sold. There will be no Tire and Lube Center, nor a gas station, due to space limitations. The store itself, including the Nursey Center will be 147,000 sq feet, covering 12.5 acres. This is comparable to the store on Dale Mabry, past I275. Anticipated completion is 2009.

The parking lot will have a 625 car capacity. Although there are currently 3 accesses on Gandy Blvd. with the current stores, WalMart is planning a single access on Gandy, but three on Lois Ave.

Questions and concerns from the audience included:

• Traffic- what will be done to alleviate it, are speed bumps planned, what improvements to Lois Ave are anticipated.?Would left hand turns on Gandy be allowed? Would they consider completing a tie-in to the Tyson corridor? A traffic study is currently in the works, but not as yet completed. They are bound by FDOT regulations.
• Storm water run-off--- where is it going, are they using neighborhood infrastructure, or disposing of it themselves? Are they aware of the significant neighborhood flooding that occurs during "normal" summer downpours?
• Is Wal Mart concerned with "green" buildings, environments? There will be no grass roof, but the company is currently researching a variety of parking pavements, lighting options, and opportunities for using less water, and eliminating more storm water naturally. More to follow.
• Jobs to become available-- 300 to 350. Many with benefits.

This will be interesting to watch as time goes on. Most people present were happy to see the store coming into our South Tampa neighborhood. One or two were visibly upset.