Eagle Eyes (Forest Hills Grid 18)

October 2009

O C T O B E R 1st.       WOW ! ! ! !

Where is the year going??? Only 77 more days until . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

                                                                           Beethoven’s Birthday!

(Which, for the record, happens to take place 9 days before Christmass.  Yes, you knew we’d be getting to that subject, didn’t you?)

 

  " C o m e s   t h e   R e s o l u t i o n   .   .   . "

Our correspondences with the city have paid off! Although the city still refuses to install flashing lights, they have agreed to make some big improvements to the traffic controls on Linebaugh, and this resolution may work even better than the flashing lights. Following are excerpts from the response we received from the traffic dept:

 “In the interest of student safety and in order to provide the safest driving conditions for motorists on Linebaugh Avenue, plans are underway to upgrade the existing signal installation and incorporate several design features to enhance signal visibility. This will include replacing the existing incandescent signal heads with LED signal heads which are much brighter and more conspicuous compared to the older incandescent bulbs. To supplement the signal heads mounted over the roadway, additional near-side mounted signal heads will installed on the signal poles at a height which will optimize signal visibility during the early morning hours. Further signal enhancements will include replacement of the existing pedestrian signals with pedestrian countdown signals. Work is expected to be completed by the end of October 2009, contingent upon contractor availability.”
 

“Additional signal warning in advance of the school crossing will be provided with the installation of Signal Ahead signs on the approach to the signal.”

 

 “ . . . to increase motorist awareness of the school zone and serve to reduce vehicle speeds to further enhance the safety of the school crossing during student arrival and dismissal times, we propose to establish a 15 mph school zone speed limit on the eastbound and westbound approaches to the signalized crosswalk on Linebaugh Avenue. The reduced speed zone will extend approximately 200-300 feet in each direction. It will be established using static fixed-message school speed limit sign assemblies in lieu of flashers. The sign assembly consists of a 15 mph speed limit sign and a supplemental sign indicating the specific times of the day and days of the week that the special school zone speed limit is in effect. Similar reduced speed zones established in this manner already exist on both Ola Avenue and Bougainvillea Avenue. We have found that this type of signing provides adequate warning to motorists of a reduced speed, and allows the police to issue citations to motorists exceeding the speed limit during the applicable hours.”

 

Thank you to everybody who contacted the mayor’s office regarding this dangerous situation. Our persistence paid off.

 

Thank you to the half dozen or so Mobile Patrol Volunteers from Grids 10 & 18 who worked alongside the staff at Forest Hills Elementary and TPD the entire first week of school, trying to help the traffic move more smoothly. Our hope was that if we started out the year with things running smoothly, the habit would continue for the remainder of the school year. As of last week, traffic is moving much smoother along Ola as well as down School Street, as compared to the previous few school years when it was an absolute nightmare. Remember that there is no parking on the city right-of-way along Ola --- on either side of the street. There is also no parking allowed on School Street. If you wish to walk your child into the school you may park in the Adams faculty parking lot (immediately behind Del Rio pool). It is not legal to drop off your children on Ola, causing them to have to cross traffic to get onto school grounds; that is considered child endangerment.

 

OK ----- Halloween is on a Saturday this year. Saturday Halloweens usually bring Trick-or-Treaters out in greater numbers. Everybody needs to try to keep an eye out for the little ones, and help keep them safe. We don’t want to see any youngsters bullied by the older kids. And the older kids will be out late, since there is no school the next day, so keep a close eye out for any suspicious activity which you might ordinarily attribute to Halloween activity --- it could be a camouflage for crime. Let’s all be safe out there.

 

Parents: remember to instruct your children that they should Trick-or-Treat       O N L Y         at  homes which have a front porch light illuminated;  an un-illuminated porch light indicates that the homeowner does not wish to participate in the Trick-or-Treat festivities. Some people might even have Halloween decorations in their yard, but won’t turn on their porch light because they don’t participate in Trick-or-Treat for various reasons (like their work/sleep schedule or an ill family member who shouldn’t be disturbed, etc). However, if they have decorated but don’t have their porch light on, that usually means they have given extra goodies to a neighbor to distribute on their behalf. 

 

How long has Trick-or-Treat been around? Well, the answer to that seems to depend upon what part of the country you grew up in. Around the Tampa Bay area, it wasn’t widely practiced until after the end of WW2. Here is a bit of trivia on the origins of Halloween and Trick-or-Treat traditions, for those who may be interested:

 

THE ORIGIN OF "TRICK OR TREAT"
The Celts tried to appease the evil spirits: ghosts, goblins, and demons. Huge "Samhain" bonfires were built to light the way for all the spirits to find their way in to the world of the living. They would leave out food, hoping that this would please the spirit world. If they did not leave a thing, then hence, the spirits would play evil "tricks" on the living in that house. The Druids required human sacrifices, they would go door to door asking for the virgin daughters. If this was not obtained at the chosen homes, then a hexagram was painted on the door in blood to show the appointed evil spirits to cause all kinds of evil to fall on the home. In some cases, this even resulted in death.

THE ORIGIN OF "BOBBING FOR APPLES"
Romans honored the dead with a festival called Feralia in late October. It honored Pomona, their goddess of fruit trees who was often pictured wearing a crown of apples. During this festival, they ran races and played games to honor the "Apple Queen" and used omens such as apple parings thrown over the shoulder or nuts burned in the fire in order to predict the future concerning their marital prospects. When the Romans conquered the Celts, they combined local Samhain customs with their own pagan harvest festival. Bobbing for apples was derived from this blended pagan celebration.

THE ORIGIN OF THE "BLACK CAT"
First of all cats are very spiritual animals. Out of all the animals, it is said that the cat can sense the presence of spirits, both good and bad. But the all black cat holds a high significance to the witches and Satanists. The black cat, they believe, has special powers. To them, they believe the black cat represents incarnated humans, malevolent spirits, or the "familiars" of witches. This is why that many black cats are in danger around Halloween. If you have a black cat, do not let them roam the streets at night, keep them inside. Also the local SPCA's won't let anyone adopt a black cat around Halloween time, in fear that the cat might be harmed.

THE ORIGIN OF THE COLORS: "ORANGE AND BLACK"
The colors orange and black can be traced back to the occult. They were connected to the commemorative masses for the dead, which were held in November. The unbleached beeswax candles used in the various ceremonies were orange. The ceremonial caskets were covered in black cloths. And let's not forget the modern-day "Jack O' Lanterns" orange in color.

THE ORIGIN OF THE "COSTUMES" ON HALLOWEEN
The huge fires atop the "sacred" hilltops in which the Druids sacrificed animals and humans derived their name from the skeletons of those who died in them. The words "bone" and "fire" formed the word "bonfire." The orange flames lit up the black night, thus the "official" colors of Halloween. As these pagan worshipers danced around and jumped through the fire, they wore disguises of animal-head masks and animal-skin costumes. The head of each household was given live embers to start a new fire on his hearth which would last until the next autumn. It was believed this fire would protect their homes from danger throughout the year. 

 

 

See  you on the sidewalk  . . . . . . . . . . . . . will you recognize me in costume ? ? ? ?     Bwaaahaaaahaaahaaaaahaaaaa ! ! ! !

                   

 

 

September 2009

Time to pack away the white dress shoes until Memorial Day! LOL!! In a state where color-coordinated flip flops are worn to church as dress sandals, I doubt if anyone follows the “no-white” rule anymore. (I wonder if leisure suits will ever make a comeback?!) Seriously, though, it IS time to put out that last dose of lawn food and bug killer before the grasses begin to go dormant. Not that they go very dormant in this zone, but they do need a winterizing dose of supplements. In addition ---- here come the oak leaves. Well, I’d rather rake leaves than shovel snow and fight icy roads. Remember to use environmentally friendly applications when you can, so as to not pollute our water supply.

Hurricane season is in full swing. It doesn’t end until December 1st. Have a plan in place for how to handle an emergency for your household, including enough surplus food & water for at least three days survival, just in case we lose power &/or can’t get to the grocery store. This plan should involve contact with your neighbors, as well. We must look out for one another.

Also time to drag out the autumn holiday decorations, and start stuffing those old jeans & flannel shirts to make that scarecrow. Around here hay is kind of expensive and difficult to come by for stuffing, but old plastic grocery bags work well – and you can take them in for recycling after you take down & unstuff Mr. Scarecrow. Be sure to check the light-up decorations for frayed wires, etc. to insure electrical safety.

Ahhhhhhh ----- cooler & drier air! Can’t wait to see the neighbors out of summer hibernation and about as they turn off the a/c to exchange those inside germs for some nice, fresh outside germs, and start enjoying the outdoors again. But please – don’t become complacent and leave your doors unlocked or windows open while you are on the opposite side of the house working in the yard or painting. The bad guys aren’t going to be enjoying the change of season --- they’re going to be looking for opportunities to make you a victim. Don’t let it happen!

Don’t let your shrubbery get overgrown while you are busy with your families & friends hitting the now-uncrowded tourist spots and enjoying the great fall temperatures – we don’t need a place for criminals to hide from your view or from law enforcement.

Remember, with school back in session, traffic is increased to our neighborhood, especially for fall sports spectators. But don’t get caught with your guard down, thinking that those people are just wandering around because of school activities. If you see someone suspicious, or a suspicious vehicle, call in a report to TPD 231-6130 and let the police decide if the suspects are up to no good or just cruising around looking for a place to park & watch the game. Also, let’s make a concerted effort to keep the litter picked up in our neighborhood. I know the overgrown right-of-way is a catch-all for litter, but it doesn’t cost anything to keep it picked up, and if we leave it on the ground that just encourages people to add to it. If we don’t respect our own neighborhood, the visitors that come through won’t, either. Let’s pay especially close attention to the right-of-ways along Ola and Floriland/Patbur, where the most traffic passes through.

Speaking of fall spectator sports, if you go to the community links section you can click on the hotlink for Chamberlain’s web site, and view the schedule for swim meets, football games, band contest, etc. There is also an alumni page where you might be able to find out what your ole classmates are up to these days & re-establish contact; I just submitted a memorial to one of my sisters, who graduated with the first class from CHS in 1958. Back then Ola didn’t connect from the practice field to Linebaugh!

Remember that Chamberlain isn’t the only happening place: Adams & Forest Hills Elementary have a lot of activities going on now that school is back in session. Their web sites are hotlinked into our web site also. Let’s support our neighborhood schools, and help shape the future of our community!

There was a drive-by shooting a few blocks north of Linebaugh, over in Grid 10 (Linebaugh Estates). Not a lot of details available to us about it at this time, because it happened the same time as the officer was killed down in Sulphur Springs, and it was so hectic over at TPD that public relations is still trying to play catch-up. We hope to have more info about the drive-by soon.

Speaking of officers being killed in the line of duty, The Tampa Police Memorial Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 in the Gaslight District of Downtown Tampa . Once again there will be an award for the Neighborhood Watch group with the most participation in the run/walk. Entry fee is only $10 in advance. If you would like entry forms, please contact the web master. Spread the word!

There is finally a solution - an alternative to flashing crossing lights - about to be implemented to address the crosswalk situation on Linebaugh, in front of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. There is also a solution being implemented and under study for improvement to smooth out the traffic situation associated with Forest Hills Elementary (a big "Thank You" to our Mobile Patrol Volunteers who have taken part in this endeavor). Both of these situations affect our grid as well as the school’s grid (Grid 10) both traffic and safety-wise, but mainly they affect the safety of all students.

Remember, not everybody has a computer to review this web site or get email updates, so please remember to walk over to your neighbor and be sure they are aware of what’s happening around our area. Thank you in advance for doing this.

As we wrap up the “Patriotic Season”, have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. Those of you who fly our flag on patriotic holidays might want to leave your flag up for a few more days – this year marks the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.

See you on the sidewalk.