Free contests with prizes! Bring your dog for a fun-filled day!

Location: Centennial Park, corner of 8th Ave. and 19th St.

Date & Time: Saturday, April 28th @ 11am - 2pm

• Oh gee, my dog looks like me!
• Bow-Wow Fashion Show (dress up your pet)
• Size Does Matter (largest and smallest dog)

There is more: Largest Dog Bowl, Treat Station, Pet Adoptions & Rescue Groups.

The General Members meeting of the HYNCA Association took place at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County in Ybor City, FL 33605 at 6:30 pm on Monday, April 23, 2007 and was called to order by the President, Tony LaColla at 6:40 pm.

The following Officers attended: Tony LaColla, President, Scott Moore, Treasurer, Rich Simmons, Vice President, Tom Stephens, and Thomas C. Knueppel, Secretary
Members in attendance were: Jose Garboza, Margo Di Salvo, Connie Rasmussen, Tom Keating, and James Hill. Also attending were Ofc. R. Barrett, CPP Chris Cochran and CPP Maryanne Hunsberger from the TPD.

Thomas C. Knueppel prepared the minutes

Proceedings:

• Tony LaColla introduced Maryanne Hunsberger who gave a very enthusiastic presentation of the benefits of a Neighborhood Crime Watch program. Ofc. Barrett added to it extensively and gave us information on whom to contact. CPP Chris Cochran then explained the crime statistic handout and commented that the large majority of crime activity in Ybor City takes places between Friday night and Sunday morning. Following this discussion, Jose Garboza volunteered to head up our Crime Watch activities. ACTION: Jose to look for Block leaders.
• Tony then briefly talked about our upcoming General Meeting on June 3 in the Centennial Park.
• Following this Tony discussed the formation of a Newsletter Committee and Rich Simmons volunteered to chair this activity. ACTION: Rich Simmons.
• We also briefly discussed the opportunity to utilize one of the Parking Garage display windows for HYNCA purposes. ACTION: Tony to follow up
• The proposed IKEA building design was discussed and several members commented that the current design would not do much to complement the Historic Ybor environment and it was decided that our Association should make its voice heard in this regard. ACTION: Tony to work with Tom Keating on a position paper.
• Tony then discussed the subject of the Florida Property Tax reform and its possibly/likely negative impact on our CRA funds next year.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm

• Our next Members Meeting will be a Neighborhood BBQ – Get Together on June 3rd at 11:30 to 1:30 pm at the Centennial Park
• Our next Board meeting will be on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 6:00 am at Memas Tacos.

Agenda: TBD

When: Monday, April 23th @ 6:30pm

Where: TBD! 

Our next members meeting is on April 23rd at 6:30 pm at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County at 1002 E Palm Avenue, Ybor City 33605. If you haven’t been there before - when you go west on Palm Avenue, cross Nuccio Parkway and then just before Nebraska Ave on your right side you find the Children’s Board building. There is ample parking and when you get there please ask for the "Board Room"

Our guest speaker will be Maryanne Hunsberger from the Tampa Police Department who will speak on setting up a Neighborhood Crime Wtach Association Ybor City.

See you ALL there!!!

Savor the sights, sounds and aromas of Ybor
City’s rich traditions. Gather with family and
friends and discover the afi cionado within.

Saturday April 14, 2007
Noon - 4:00 pm – Ybor Cultural Showcase
Enjoy presentations and exhibits on the coffee, cigars,
sangria, food and history of Ybor City at the Italian Club.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm – Tapas Trail
Take the “Tapas Trolley” to sample tapas,
hors d’ oeuvres, antipasto and mesa at
cafes throughout the Historic District.
 

Savor the sights, sounds and aromas of Ybor
City’s rich traditions. Gather with family and
friends and discover the afi cionado within.

Friday April 13, 2007
Join us at Big City Tavern for cocktails,
dinner and a concert.
7:00 pm - Cocktails (cash bar)
8:00 pm - Dinner
Showcasing a variety of Ybor fare
9:00 pm - Concert
Featuring nationally-known jazz guitarist
Les Sabler & Citiheat

The Ybor City Museum Society has begun drafting plans to relocate additional casitas from the I-4 expansion to the area around the museum. In the past, the YCMS worked to relocate these historic homes or buildings from the interstate expansion site to Centennial Park, where they are presently located. One of these structures was The Bunker building, which underwent great restoration and has become the popular Tres Amici coffee bar. 

IKEA, the largest furniture retailer in the world, is opening a few blocks from you in mid 2009. Whether you like the sleek, modern style that IKEA offers (at affordable prices) or not, these are great news for our neighborhood. It will have a significant impact not only in the Ybor area but also in CBD and Channelside districts; bringing more than 400 jobs and the first large retail development since 1991. The popularity of the store will attract buyers from the entire Tampa Bay/West Florida Coast region. These same buyers will turn into visitors of our district and patrons of our small businesses.

Another important effect of the store is the beginning of the revitalization of the Adamo corridor, bordering the southern edge of the historic district. Currently the site is occupied by large warehouses known as Tampa International Center. Although the location lies immediately outside the historic district and is not restricted to Barrio Latino guidelines, IKEA has said they will work with the community to make the development appropriate for the area. WilsonMiller who will be working with IKEA to develop the site will meet with the Association’s board on Wednesday, April 11th for an initial informational session. We will keep you posted.