News OVERVIEW FOR Saturday, May 25, 2013
June Tournament Aims to Lay Foundation for Proper Alonso Fieldhouse
Greenpointe’s Corky Miller has a singular goal in mind: A proper fieldhouse for the Alonso High School Football team. The 11-year Westchase resident has accepted the task of fund-raising to erect the much needed structure. The first event to help achieve that goal is a golf tournament on Saturday, June 15. Miller knows firsthand the talent on the team.
Westchase Pool and Patio Remodels: Creating a Backyard Retreat
Floridians have long understood that outdoor living spaces are just as important as home interiors. Now this trend of bringing the indoors outdoors is sweeping the nation – and sparking great innovations.
Irish 31 Coming to West Park Village Center
Can Westchase support two Irish pubs? We’ll find out this summer when Irish 31 opens in West Park Village. Irish 31’s Jay Mize thinks his restaurant will be a perfect fit for Westchase. “Irish 31 is the epitome of a neighborhood pub. We aren't coming to Westchase to take anything away from anybody or any other businesses. We are coming to add to the synergy already created by current businesses. We are excited to coexist with the others and will do whatever we can to help the community as a whole..."
Westchaser Named Youth U.S. Dragon Boat Coach
Greens resident David Nelson is headed to Hungary this summer as the youth coach for the U.S. National Dragon Boat team. What, you may ask, is a dragon boat? Dragon boats are one type of traditional long boats found throughout Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. A team paddling sport, dragon boat racing originated in China over 2,000 years ago and more recently emerged as an international sport in Hong Kong in 1976.
Westchaser Lands Perfect ACT Score
Out of more than a million students who took the ACT, Kevin accomplished a top score of 36. In contrast, the average composite ACT score for all test takers is 21.1. Commented Katie Wacker of ACT, “A score of 36 on the ACT Test is a remarkable achievement.” She added, “On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of all test takers earn the top score. Among ACT-tested U.S. high school graduates in the class of 2012, only 781 out of more than 1.66 million students earned a composite score of 36.”
Public Notice of Castleford and The Bridges Guideline Changes
Two changes under consideration by VMs could change mailboxes in Castleford and portions of The Bridges. According to the current Castleford and the current Bridges mailbox guidelines (Sturbridge, Wakesbridge and Baybridge only), all mailboxes within those neighborhoods must be “white with a flag (no specific color for the flag required) mounted on a white wooden post; [the] post shall have brass lettering for numbers and gold stripes be (sic) on the post.”
Third Annual Westchase Hunt Sees Eggcelent Crowd
For the third straight year the Westchase Spring Egg Hunt had a great turnout. Despite the threat of rain, over 350 kids, with their parents and grandparents in tow, came to visit the bunnies and hunt for eggs. The event raised almost $3,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Can You Lend a Hand?
The Stork Club is looking for an individual willing to greet Westchase’s newest residents. One of Westchase’s dedicated Stork Club volunteers is retiring and a replacement is needed to help greet Westchase newborns home from the hospital. The current volunteer covers the neighborhoods of Bennington, Glencliff, Glenfield, Harbor Links/The Estates, Saville Rowe, Woodbay and Wycliff.
Westchase Artists Slate Show
For the months of May and June, Carter’s Gallery will collaborate with the Westchase Artists Society for a two-month art show. The show at the eclectic boutique will feature 15 local artists and their body of original paintings, photography, sculpture and paper art airplanes. An official opening reception is planned for Saturday, May 4, from 3-7 p.m. at Carter’s Gallery. The event is free and open to the public.
Relay Camps Overnight at Davidsen May 10-11
Relay for Life is coming to Westchase! The Relay is the American Cancer Society's signature fund-raising event, bringing communities together in hope, celebration and commemoration. The overnight event remembers those who have lost the fight against cancer and honors those who have survived – while raising funds to find a cure. Relay for Life of Westchase is scheduled for May 10-11 from 6 p.m. to noon.
Did You Get Hooked?
For some Westchasers this article may come as a surprise. So we’ll get the formalities out of the way. Do you remember last month’s cover story about the cell tower disguised as a hill? Would you kill us if we whispered: “April Fools!”?
Longtime WCA Volunteer Gene McArthur Dies
Angus “Gene” McArthur, a longtime resident of Woodbay, died on April 11 after a sudden illness. McArthur, 82, formerly of Red Springs, NC, moved to Westchase in 2001. He was retired from the Air Force and was a Vietnam War veteran. McArthur was a dedicated volunteer with the Westchase Community Association (WCA), including a nearly decade-long stint as Woodbay’s voting member (VM) and a brief tenure on the WCA board, in both capacities triggering some controversy. McArthur also served on the Covenants Committee.
Memorial Services Scheduled For Westchase Swim Coach Kelley Allen
Westchase Community Association (WCA) Manager Debbie Sainz and Operations Manager Kelly Smith have released information about upcoming memorial services for Kelley Allen, the WCA’s Director of Competitive Swimming. Allen was tragically killed on Oct. 28.
Tales from the Black Friday Ninjas
Some Westchasers celebrate Thanksgiving night by pulling the covers over their heads and relishing their turkey-induced slumber. Others become Black Friday Ninjas. Millions of Americans choose to participate in the highly competitive consumer Olympics known as Black Friday, where average shoppers display the stealth and cunning of a ninja in order to bring home retail gold. These warriors head out in the dark of night risking a stray elbow to the eye or worse, a shopping-cart wheel to the freshly pedicured toe.
Public Notice of Residential Guideline Changes
At their Oct. 11 and Nov. 15 meetings, Westchase Voting Members (VMs) will be considering changes to the Westchase Residential Guidelines. The Westchase Residential Guidelines is a supplementary document to the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs). Both documents spell out architectural and use rules for Westchase residential properties.
Help a Wizard Make Magic
With just an hour of your time each week, you can dramatically change the life of a child who needs an adult role model. Westchase Elementary is looking for mentors for this school year. Can you lend a hand?
School Open Houses, 2011
Several private schools in the area are holding open houses to the community in the upcoming months. The list below is not a complete listing of all private schools in the area. Some of these institutions hold open houses in different locations; please contact the school admissions office for more information.
Westchase Birthday Celebration Oct. 29
This year Westchase turns 20 and you’re invited to the biggest birthday celebration around! On Saturday, Oct. 29, from 3-7 p.m., WOW is throwing a party to celebrate all that is great about our community. All residents are invited to join the fun on the West Park Green on Montague Street for a celebratory street party. The party will be held on the afternoon of the tenth anniversary running of The Great West Chase 5K and Children’s Fun Run.
Fitness Trail Opens This Month
The Westchase Community Association (WCA) and Community Development Districts (CDDs) are happy to announce the upcoming opening of the Fitness Trail in Baybridge Park.
