My Seminole Heights

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.

There's a tussle brewing between residents with alleyways and Tampa's Solid Waste department due to the recent change to only servicing the front curb.  If you have an alley, you probably have been getting your trash picked up behind your back fence, next to your garage, and out of sight (and smell).  Disguised as just a service date change, residents were treated to a bright new can and a big blue headache.

The Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association (OSHNA) is gearing up to fight the city on this one and is calling for help.  They are passing around a petition; you can even download your own. 

For more info on this, check out OSHNA's site: Big Blue Bombshell

We're inching up to national and local elections so it isn't surprising to see our favorite politicians taking on projects that energize their constituents.  Oil leaks in the Gulf and gasoline reaching past $3 a gallon again makes people wonder what will replace fossil fuels.  Electric vehicles have been in the news off an on the past few years with the Chevy Volt slated for release later this year--the first mass-produced electric vehicle intended for the daily commute on US highways.  All of this is great except that one nagging question: where do you fill up its "tank