Interested in planning for this year's Egg Hunt at Cuscaden Park?  Or just have some good ideas that we can include in this year's fun-filled event?  If so, please join us on February 10th at 6:30pm at Open Arms Church (1314 18th Avenue) for an organizational meeting.  Open Arms Church has very generously offered to provide 2000+ candy filled eggs for our community's children to hunt for and have graciously allowed us to use their church hall for a meeting.  This is the year to get involved - it is YOUR neighborhood!   PIcs from last year can be viewed here.  Pics from last year can be viewed on the Egg Hunt Page.

Come kick off 2012 with the first porch party of the year - Chrissy Gesmundo is generously hosting this get-together at her home: 1309 E. 17th Avenue on 01/21 @ 6:30pm.  Please bring a side to share and your beverage of choice.  The theme is BBQ (vegetarian hot dogs and beef burgers will be provided).  Hope to see you there!  

Please join us on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30pm at the Children's Board (1002 E. Palm Avenue) for the first VM Ybor Meeting of 2012.  We will be planning for 2012 events and initiatives!  Want to serve on a committee, plan for this year's home tour, or organize the community yard - this is the meeting to attend!  As always, a representative from TPD will be on hand to take any questions or concerns.  Refreshments and a door prize will be provided. 

Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 7th, 6:30pm at the Children's Board (1002 E. Palm Avenue).  This meeting serves as our Annual Elections for Board Positions.  We will also review committees and establish goals for 2012. 

What has the neighborhood association been doing?  Check out this document for a summary of committees and events developed over the last 2 years.  If you are interested in serving on the Board and would like to be included on the printed ballot, please contact Kim Headland.

The monthly VM Ybor General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/02 at 6:30pm at the Children's Board (1002 E. Palm Avenue).  Our guest speakers will be Chief Bennett (Assistant Chief of Operations) and Lt. Sawicki from the Tampa Police Department.  If you have public safety related concerns, long term issues you would like addressed, etc., this is the meeting to attend.  In addition, we recently received notification of a grant award for the community garden - so we will be discussing how to allocate the funds and move forward with the fall gardening season. Refreshments and a door prize provided!

Cuscaden Park is getting a BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND!  But it can't be completed without your help - we need volunteers for the BIG Build Day!   Join us on Saturday, 10/22 at 8am - all you need to do is show up, register, get a t-shirt and start helping your neighbors and new friends build a playground.  Breakfast, lunch, a family fun zone, and plenty of entertainment will be provided!     The project is funded in part by Forester's and the Friends of Tampa Recreation, Inc., a not for profit organization that raises funds to support the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department's programs and activities.  This will greatly improve our local playground and will make lots of kids happy for many years to come!  THANK YOU!   Informational flyer here.

Please join us Sunday, 10/16 for our neighborhood's 3rd Annual Home Tour.  Guest will be welcomed into numerous historic homes, the JC Newman Cigar Factory, Academy Prep, and Home Encounter.  Michelle Faedo's On-the-Go Food Truck will be on hand with plenty of Cubans and Deviled Crab!  You don't want to miss this opportunity to support (and promote) our great neighborhood - hope to see you on Sunday!  For tickets or more information, click here.