My Seminole Heights

Last weekend the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA) and the Old Seminole Heights Preservation Consortium (OSHPC) joined forces to raise money to improve the soccer fields at Henry & Ola Park.  The event was a huge success.  Read more about it here, on OSHNA website.

The Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association on conjunction with the Old Seminole Heights Preservation Consortium is presenting a free soccer clinic over at Henry and Ola park on August 28th.  If you're a soccer mom or dad, this is for you.

On a hot Summer day like today, an ice cream truck could make a killing.  There is one particular ice cream truck that would be sufficient to get me out of my pool or air conditioned house and runing to the curb like an eight-year-old kid with his mother's money. Sadly, this truck is 1200 miles North in New York City.

While I have no idea what curried coconut tastes like on soft serve, I am the sort of shameless foodie that would rise to the occasion and suffer through his entire menu--several times, in fact, just to be sure.

Here it is, the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck.  Enjoy the link and stay cool.

Obligatory Seminole Heights relevance:  We have just this sort of experimental food here in the Heights over at the Refinery. 

 
As we pass Summer solstice, the tempuratures are growing and so is everything else.  However, in some parts of the garden, planting can be difficult.  Queen palms are hardy here in Tampa but planting around the base is near impossible with the solid mesh of roots right at the surface. Most urban gardeners have a patio, deck, or driveway in their yard that could use a little softening or perhaps some unmoveable feature that could use camoflage.  In these situations, gardeners reach for the pot.

Taco Bus is now a well-know restaurant in Seminole Heights. Writing a review on it seems a little silly, really, as most people I know have probably eaten there at least once if not many times.  The owner, chef Rene Valenzuela, has supported the neighborhood for years.  He holds events, contests, and concerts from time to time.  

Taco Bus, best known for its popular, traditional-style tacos, is also the best kept secret in vegetarian dining in Tampa Bay.  Chef Rene Valenzuela is looking to increase the vegan offerings in his restaurants.  If you have a vegan taco recipe that you would like to share, now is your chance to get it on the menu of a popular neighborhood eatery.

In the past ten years, an old gas station on the corner of Idlewild and Nebraska avenues has gone through numerous changes.  From pawn shop to used appliance dealer to used car dealer.  Finally, it has turned into something the area is hungry for--a restaurant. 

That got your attention, didn't it?

The SouthEast Seminole Heights Civic Association is holding their annual ice cream social and all of greater Seminole Heights is invited.  11am - 2pm at Giddens park.

Games. Ice Cream. Music.  What's not to like? 

SESHCA website is here for more information.

Hillsborough County is still moving towards energy diversity.  As we receive daily news about the risks and costs of drilling for oil, it's refreshing to see our government doing something other than avoiding the controversy. 

We are on a Mexican trend in Seminole Heights.  Two weeks ago, Taco Ola! opened up on the corner of Sligh and Florida avenues.  This tiny little taco joint claimed to serve up traditional Mexican tacos which is a boast I had to go investigate.