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Local
Grant Park Leader Credits Sports And Parks For
Drop In Violent Crimes
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For more than two decades, the Grant Park community had been under siege by young Black males who ran roughshod over everyone, includ- ing older adults, women, and small children.
Over the past 5 to 6 years, the community has made a complete 180, and Resident Association President, Desmond Key, said he’s happy with the progress made, he’s enthusiastic over the suc- cess they’ve had with stopping the violence in Grant Park.
“We owe a lot to the city’s Parks and Recre- ation Department who’ve allowed us to put to- gether a basketball team. Now, the different parks are competing against each other and we hope this will stop all the petty beefs that have stirred up so much violence.
“Coach Tony started putting together our basketball team two years ago, and then talked to Parks and Recreation to put the rest together.”
Key said they want to use Parks and Recre- ation to bring the young people together.
“We haven’t experienced any problems, nor do we expect them.
“We have faith in our children that the major- ity of them are tired of the violence, and just want to grow up and be a kid. They want to have fun and enjoy life growing up.”
The average age of the kids playing basketball range from 12 to 17, and as far as the scheduled all-star game is concerned, parent participation is a must.
DESMOND KEY
“Parent participation has increased steadily since we started,” said Key.
“We want to give East Tampa something spe- cial.”
Key said what he’s discovered through men- toring and interaction with a lot of young males is that they don’t smile because they don’t know how people will react to them. That’s why they wear the frowns.
“They hope by frowning, they can intimidate people and that makes them feel powerful. It gives them a false sense of pride.
“We have to care more about our children being happy. We have to keep them motivated.”
A La Carte Pavilion May Be Shutting Down
In January 2001, A La Carte Pavilion opened its doors for the first time, although the roots of the venue stretch back to 1981 when founder Laura Boehmer attempted her first business venture.
Now, charities and event planners are close to losing one of the area’s most popular ven- ues. It was announced that Bloomin’ Brands Incorporated will stop leasing the venue from the Egypt Shriners at the end of the year.
A spokesperson for the Shriners, James Lich, said they are considering there op- tions for the future of the 56,000-square-foot building
that sits on 13 acres of beautiful waterfront property.
One proposal was to sell off two-thirds of the venue, and membership would hold on to the 20,000-plus-square-foot Stu Lang Auditorium next to A La Carte.
A second proposal has the Shriners selling the entire par- cel for $15 million. The third, and least likely proposal, would be leasing it to another hospi- tality tenant that would con- tinue to book and cater events at the venue.
Usually, A La Carte stages about 500 corporate, nonprofit and wedding events a year and seats up to 1,000 guests.
Meeting
Blake Class Of 1967 To Meet
Members of the Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1967, will hold a Meeting on Saturday, August 8th. The Meeting will begin at 5 p.m.
The meeting will take place at the home of classmate King Davenport, 4604 Riverhills Drive, in Temple Terrace, FL 33617, (813) 965-6861.
For more information call Gwen Andrews (813) 248-1071; Rosita W. Baker, (813) 621-1027; Sandra H. Davis, (813) 989-3108; or John A. Bowden, (813) 600-8859.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A