A Happy New Year

May all of the residents and employees of Regency Cove have a happy and healthy New Year! Enjoy the celebration safely tonight.

Hope to see many of you tomorrow at the New Year Party on January 1. Doors open at 7pm, Happy Days will be performing again from 8 pm to midnight. This is a BYOB affair, and bring an appetizer to share. This event has been sold out, no tickets will be sold at the door.

Obituary

Our condolences go out to the family of Chuck Linn who passed away yesterday at his home near Erie, PA. Chuck and Ruth have been long time residents of Regency Cove, since the early 90s. Chuck was quite a videographer, and shared his home videos when I was involved in writing the history book.
Chuck has been struggling recently with complications of conjestive heart failure. Our loving wishes are extended to Ruth and the rest of the family. He will be buried Saturday after a funeral in Erie.

Thanks A Million

(Click on Photo to enlarge)

Thanks a million to the crew of volunteers who showed up this afternoon with rakes and shovels to clear the stones off the median strip. It was backbreaking work, I heard the term "chain gang" spoken once or twice. We kept it under an hour, but got quite a bit accomplished in that short time. More rakers are needed. Jane Mahoney came out twice with bottles of cold water, and a tray of Christmas cookies. Much appreciated, Jane. Thanks!

The next time you see Bill Mountford, Ed Bedore, Jane Mahoney, Ed Pauquette, Gene James, Manny Maldonado, Paul Larsen, or Mike Ross, give them a great big THANKS! Or better yet, pick up a rake and help us next week. Go out there, anytime, and just clear the stones away from the tree trunks and lightpoles.

Needed: A Few Good Men

At 1:00 on Saturday afternoon, December 27, 2008 the first of the volunteers will begin raking stones on the Blvd 7 median strip. Ed Scobee has been using the Bobcat to remove the decorative stone. We need a few good men to rake the stones away from the tree trunks and light poles in the median, and pile them up for easy removal. Everyone is welcome. Come on by and see what real heroes look like.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to our Regency Cove family and circle of friends.

Thank you for reading the blog, and for keeping the numbers up so high. That's encouragement to keep this thing going.

God bless you all and your families too.

Board Welcomes New Director

At the December 20, 2008 meeting of the BOD of Regency Cove, the board sadly accepted the resignation of Richard Siddens due to reasons of health. Richard was elected last year to serve the final year of Father Bob's term, which expires in March, 2009. Several board members nominated a replacement, all of the board members were asked to make their choice. A majority of the directors selected Pat Fennessy, a woman who demonstrated her desire to serve on the board by puttting her name on the ballot last March. She will serve on the board until the elections in March, when she will again run for the position, if she so chooses.

Pat diligently served on the Rules and Regs Committee which met weekly since August. That committee just recently wrapped up their revisions, which will go before the board, and then to the membership for final approval. Welcome aboard, Patty!

Emergency Water Restrictions

The management of Regency Cove issued an alert to residents today regarding the newest water restrictions imposed by Hillsborough County. Remember that there will be no warnings issued, and violations will be immediately fined. Fines could range as high as $500.

Residents: Please be advised of the new water restrictions effective immediately:

1. New Sod: New Sod is Prohibited: Only exception is for new homes or if a contract was signed prior to October 28, 2008 with a sod company; contract must be presented to the City of Tampa.
2. Sod Infested with Pests: If sod is pest infested or has other issues that require it to be replaced; it will not be exempted from the One-Day-A-Week rule. If new turf is installed under these conditions, it may only be irrigated on the proper irrigation day during permitted irrigation hours.
3. Fountains: Operation of aesthetic fountains inside Tampa City Limits is prohibited.
4. Pressure washing of buildings and other structures: Pressure washing of buildings and other structures for maintenance and painting purposes using low volume methods shall not be restricted. The washing or low volume pressure washing of sidewalks, streets, driveways, and other non-pervious areas shall be prohibited except for public health and safety.
5. New Plant(s): New Plant establishment allowance is still 60 days total; however on days 31 – 60, new plant material may only be watered every other day instead of any day. Even-numbered addresses may accomplish every other day watering on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
6. One Day per Week Irrigation Restrictions: This includes Micro-Irrigation, Hand Watering, or other Low Volume Irrigation.
Addresses ending in an even number, may water on Tuesdays only.
Addresses ending in an odd number, may water on Sundays only.
Watering on the designated day is allowed between midnight and 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. and midnight.
Any one zone of a property may only be watered once during the allowable day, NOT both in the morning and again in the evening.
Restricted hours apply to all irrigation with potable water - including automatic sprinklers, hose-end sprinklers, hand watering, micro-irrigation and other low volume methods.

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year

This is always such a beautiful time of the year in Regency Cove. The Christmas lights begin to appear in the garden areas and its such a welcome sight on our evening walks around the park. It is difficult for me to photograph in the darkness, but a few photos came out well enough to share with you.

We need to extend a thank you to our maintenance crew for a job well done. Thanks Ed, Mike, Richard, and Bobby. Season's Best to you all!

And what about that new sign!! Even in the middle of the night (as pictured) we can read the coming events. This is awesome!

Groundbreaking Ceremony Today

Click on any photo to enlarge or print. Click the Back button to return to this screen.

Many residents were surprised to see the new sign at the front gate advertising the Groundbreaking Ceremony which happened today. At 10 am today in Goodwin Hall, there was a reception to welcome volunteers to the kick-off the the new Regency Cove grant A Florida-Friendly Facelift for Boulevard Seven, sponsored by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, the Hillsborough County Children's Board, and the Frank E. Duckwell Foundation of Tampa Bay.

Lisa Strange, a master gardener from the Florida Extension Services, also attended and spoke about the numerous workshops that their office sponsors each season. This reception was nicely attended by many of the residents who generously signed up on the Volunteer Sheets for a variety of jobs: food donations, plant planning committee, planting people, micro-irrigation installation volunteers, people to rake, and people to plant. We will always welcome new volunteers to join us.

The planning committees will shortly be invited to a field trip to the University of Florida Extension Office Betty Walker Discovert Garden in Seffner, on December 30. We will gather early in the morning at 9 am or 9:15 to car pool out to Seffner for this fun field trip.Watch your mailbox and this blog for updates.

There are 3 pages of the grant tacked to a small board in the Information Room for your inspection. It spells out each phase of the process, from concrete breaking, to watering the finished garden.

A timeline will be published very soon. Thank you residents for coming out today and supporting this community project! Thank you to Ed Scobee for providing all the equiptment, and the support that made this morning's reception a real historical occasion for Regency Cove. Ed, you never fail us. Thanks to Mike and Bobby for the extra effort in their busy days to make this cereminy a lot of fun for those who attended. You guys are GREAT!!

Communication Committee Meets

The Communication Committee is the lifeline of Regency Cove. Susan Dunphy's Disaster Committee was instrumental last summer in getting the word out when Hurricane Faye was at our doorstep, and Hillsborough County issued a premature evacuation order. Tampa police actually knocked on doors here in the park, at 5:oo am to rouse our residents, just minutes before the evacuation order was cancelled. Better safe than sorry!

During the winter months, Ruth Paruszkiewicz's block captains take to the streets for necessary communications around the 'hood. On December 18, at 2:00 pm the entire Communication Committee will meet at Goodwin Hall. Our manager, Cheri Scobee, will outline any new Florida mandates, and keep us up-to-date on strategies to help us communicate in the event of any disaster. We welcome suggestions and positive comments.

All block captains and Disaster Committee members are welcome. The rest of the park is welcome too.

Building Standards Committee

The Building Standards Committee has been meeting on Friday afternoons to review and revise their documents and application form. All projects which are done outside the home: painting, construction, roofing, and landscaping require a HORC building permit. Some projects will require a city of Tampa permit as well. These meetings are posted and open to the public.

Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award

On May 17, 2000, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners established the Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award in honor of a County resident who lost his life while trying to rescue a neighbor’s cat from a tree. This was not the only instance of compassion and helpfulness shown by Lonnie. Neighbors tell story after story of how he could be relied upon to help out in a number of ways – from putting up Christmas tree lights for a recently widowed woman to fighting a brush fire until firefighters arrived.

The award is meant to recognize those good neighbors who help simply because help is needed – individuals who demonstrate the spirit shown by Lonnie Lea Napier.

Individuals, neighborhood associations and community groups may make nominations to the Office of Neighborhood Relations at any time throughout the year. On a quarterly basis the County will recognize a “good neighbor”. The quarterly nominations will be reviewed and an annual “Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award” will be presented at the Annual Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference in March.

All residents of Hillsborough County are eligible to nominate and be nominated. The nominee must demonstrate an on-going spirit of compassion and helpfulness to his/her neighbors.
The annual award comes with a $2,000 prize to be awarded to the neighborhood association serving the area in which the recipient lives. The money must be used for a project that improves the neighborhood or the association.

For additional information contact sandyross@regencycove.com, or the Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations:
Bryant O. Johnson, Executive Manager
601 East Kennedy Blvd.,
13th FloorTampa, Florida 33602
Telephone: (813) 272-5860

Its time to recognize your neighbors!

Groundbreaking Ceremony

On Dec 16, 2008, at 10 am, there will be a reception in Goodwin Hall and a groundbreaking ceremony to begin the grant project A Facelift for Blvd 7. The Beautification Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the raking that will be needed once the concrete has been removed. The persons who signed the volunteer sheet will be notified personally.

Early brochures illustrate the types of plantings that proved frustrating to maintain through the intense summer heat and during winter droughts.A micro-irrigation system will be installed to periodically irrigate the Florida-friendly plants if needed. A few volunteers will be needed for this part of the installation. New soil and mulch will fill the area. This garden will serve as a model for the community using maximum. xeriscaping techniques. It will also serve as a showcase to the entire community for arriving guests.

Website Toolbar Introduced

Next time you visit the website www.regencycove.com, please take a moment to download the free Regency Cove community toolbar. With this fantastic accessory, you can access our site from a push of a button on your top toolbar. You will able to receive real time alerts from the manager, office staff, or board of directors, in the event of an emergency.
I put a few fun things on the toolbar as well, a radio that plays a few oldies and county channels while you are browsing, a weather button for up-to-the-minute weather broadcasts, and a message center for friendly reminders and non-emergency items.
There are many options that can also be included... a chat room for residents, a link for stockmarket updates, and several games, to name just a few. We'll have the board talk about it before I rush into anything.
This blog is not an official site , but the webpage is. Please try it out. You can always uninstall it if you don't like it. Let me know what you think.

New Water Restrictions

Water Restrictions Tightened to Conserve our Water Supplies

By Neil Combee
Governing Board Chair
Southwest Florida Water Management District

The Tampa Bay region continues to suffer from the effects of a three-year drought, moving from a "severe" to an "extreme" status. We need your help to conserve water and protect the environment.

This summer's rainy season was not enough to refill our lakes and rivers. We are just beginning our eight-month dry season, yet many water levels are where they'd normally be at the end of the dry season. This month, the Hillsborough River reservoir, the main water supply for the city of Tampa, is as low as it normally is in May. The Alafia River is so low that it is no longer able to provide water to meet public supply needs. The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir has about five billion gallons left in storage, compared to a capacity of 15 billion gallons, and water supply officials predict it could be dry by late April or early May, well before the start of the annual summer rainy season in mid-June. Weather forecasters are predicting below-normal rainfall conditions this coming winter and spring.

With seven months of the dry season still ahead of us and demand for water spiking, we face many challenges. If we don't reduce the amount of water we use, increased withdrawals will result in further impacts to our lakes, wetlands, streams and estuaries. In an effort to reduce demand for water, Tampa Bay Water, the region's wholesale water supplier, requested the District increase its watering restrictions for Tampa Bay Water's member governments in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

On Oct. 28, the District Governing Board increased its water shortage designation for the Tampa Bay area from severe to extreme. The additional water shortage measures include restricting hand-watering and micro-irrigation for non-lawn landscaping to before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.; ordering the postponement of turfgrass renovations (including sod replacement and vertical mowing); reducing the hours that aesthetic fountains and waterfalls may operate from eight hours to only four hours per day; and requiring water utilities and other local enforcement officials to increase their education and enforcement efforts, including issuing citations for a first offense rather than a warning. These additional measures apply to all areas of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

The Governing Board is asking residents and business owners to do their part by following the tightened one-day-per-week watering restrictions and by conserving water whenever possible both indoors and outdoors.

We're asking you to:
Only water on your watering day and only if your lawn needs it.
Skip your watering day if the soil is already moist or within two days of a heavy rain.

The District appreciates everyone's efforts over the last two years to conserve water during the drought. However, we must be vigilant and continue working together to protect Tampa Bay's fragile water resources and natural environment over the next seven months. Let's all pitch in and do our part.

For more information and free materials about the tightened water restrictions, the drought and how you can conserve water both indoors and outdoors, I encourage you to visit the District's web site at www.WaterMatters.org/drought.

Grant Money Awarded

Marylou Laycock, Community Services Program Coordinator from Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations met this morning with Ron Herb and Sandy Ross to sign the Letter of Understanding, which finalizes the process of awarding the $1500 beautifucation grant to Regency Cove. This grant is made possible by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, Hillsborough County Children's Board, and the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

The grant was written by Sandy Ross and Judy Webb last Spring, and was submitted well before the summer deadline. In October, the park was notified that we had won the full amount. The grant is called A Florida-Friendly Facelife for Boulevard Seven. It involves the use of a jack hammer to break up the cemented stone, installation of a micro-irrigation system, and purchase of dirt, mulch, and Florida friendly plantings to landscape a central eye-catching garden.

Many residents volunteered last Spring to assist in the project. They will be notified, and a kick-off meeting is planned in a few weeks, when our Christmas activities die down.

This project must be completed by August 2009, but we expect it will be finished before the snowbirds fly back home.

Joel - John Concert Tickets

Elton John and Billy Joel will perform at the St. Pete Times Forum on March 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm. Tickets officially go on sale this Saturday at 10 am, and can be purchased at the Forum box Office, at all Ticketmaster locations, and by calling Ticketmaster Express (866) 448-7849. This is for automated sales only, no live people.

Tickets will range in price from $55 to $177. Great Christmas presents!

A Few Helpers Needed

Volunteers are needed to string the Christmas lights around the pool area. Remember how nice it looked last year? Leave a comment below, or email hoa@regencycove.net if you'd like to help.

Christmas is Coming

Next time you walk into the clubhouse and see the decorations, thank a volunteer. Sunday afternoon, a dedicated group of volunteers wrapped the pictures hanging on the walls, and set up 3 trees and the manger. Take a minute and look at the ornaments from residents of days gone by. Better yet, add an ornament to one of the trees with YOUR name immortalized on it. Under the trees are stuffed animals with gift tags commemorating a few of our OUTSTANDING (deceased) residents.

Alice Disharoon and Sandy Ross hosted the party that decorated the hall, shopped and served the wine and cheese and fresh fruit, and cleaned up afterwards.

Please bring a signed Christmas card to post in the Information Room. We are trying to eliminate the need for people to send out many cards. The economy is tough right now. Bring your community Christmas card and tape it to the wall. Let's begin a new tradition.

Our thanks to the lively group of helpers, shown below. Missing from the photo is Ellen Nimon, who came, did her job, and left before the party started.

Volunteers: Margaret Mohar, Ruth Paruszkiewicz, Chet and Carole Hindman, Roger DesRosiers, Mary Lou Mittel, Charlene Haviland, Marvin and Earlene Randolph, Katie Johnson, Alice and Joe Disharoon, and Sandy Ross. (Your name could be here.) How could we EVER forget Karen and Chuck Paramore?! You guys are the greatest!

Fishing News

Yesterday, Saturday Nov 29, the black sea bass were hitting over near the power station. Under the direction of Ol' Ed Bedore, we floated with the waves and tides, and kept repositioning the boat to where the hits were. At one point all four poles had a bass on them. The largest one caught was 16 inches long! We kept 20 as the catch of the day.

Rules and Regs Committee Wraps Up

The Regency Cove Rules and Regs Committee has been meeting weekly since August, refining and revising the park rules. A new rental and leasing policy has been written, and is ready to be proposed to the Board of Directors at 1:00 on Dec 4. Rule changes in the other categories will also be presented at this meeting.

The final wrap up meeting of the committee will convene at 3pm on Dec 1.

Craft Sessions

There will be two craft sessions at the home of M L Mittel, on Dec 3 from 1-4pm, and Dec 4 from 6-9pm. The purpose of this get together is to create the angel centerpieces for the Dec. potluck supper. Andrea Sencich has generously donated all the supplies for the crafts.

Please bring a pencil, ruler, and good scissors. Give Mary Lou a call and let her know that you're coming.

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

May your bird be the best!

Have a wonderful and thankful day.

Tree Trimming Party

Come and help us deck the hall, put up the Christmas trees, listen to a little soft music, and drink a little wine. Everyone is welcome!

When: This Sunday, November 30, 2-4 pm.

Please sign-up in the Information Room, so we have a headcount.

Nov 22 Board Meeting postponed

Due to illness and absence, the Nov 22 meeting of the Board of Directors was postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience to the residents of Regency Cove. The meeting will be held November 29, 2008 at 10 am at the clubhouse. We look forward to seeing you there.

2009 Budget Arrives in Mail

The proposed 2009 HORC budget arrived in the mail this week. Every shareholder should have a copy of this by now. At the December Board Meeting, it will be voted on by the Board of Directors.

If you have any questions or concerns about this budget, please contact the Office, Manager, or any Board member. If for any reason you have not received a copy of this budget, please call Peggy and let her know.

Snowbirds, if you have just returned to the park and have not let the Office know that you are here, your mailing has gone north. Please call Peggy and let her know you have returned. All residents, please advise your neighbors to check in with the Office upon their return. The sign-in book is now conveniently located right inside the door of the Office. We can save lots of money in mailing if we know you are here.

Club Regency Honors Pat Myers

At the Thanksgiving potluck supper last night, Club Regency did a surprise honorarium for past resident Pat Myers. Pat has served Regency Cove for decades, visiting homebound, taking folks for rides to the store or just around the park. In more recent years, he has jazzed up his golf cart to be the honorary mobile boom box for Gasparilla parades, and July 4th parties. Pat left the park earlier this year to another facility but he said that he daily remembers his friends and colleagues back here in Regency Cove.

After the ceremony, Pat donated the original painting of Regency Cove by resident artist Doris Long. Pat generously paid for reproductions to be printed up for residents to buy, as a donation to Pat's charitable cause (St Vincent Society)

More than 160 members and residents attended this sit down dinner of roasted turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and a roll and butter. The dinner was FREE for members. (You don't get this anywhere else, folks!)

Shuffleboard

Regency Cove's Friendship League will host Silver Lake on November 18, and Americana Cove on Nov 25.

How-U-All plays Gateway off site on Nov 21, and Lowes City on Nov 28. Good Luck, Shufflers!

Fall Frolic Dance

Regency Cove Yacht Club's Fall Frolic dance will be held on Friday, November 21.

The dance will feature entertainment by Fatu. Dance starts at 7:30 P.M.

The price of the tickets are $6.00 per person and the dance is open to everyone and outside guests. Tickets can be purchased from Guy Hislop or Warren Mansfield.

Thanksgiving Potluck

All Club Regency members are welcome to a complimentary turkey dinner with all the fixings, on November 17, 2008, at 5:30pm. Guests will be charged a $5.00 fee. The co-hostesses of this evenings festivities are Jesse Anderson and Joyce Healey. The menu includes oven roasted turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, roll and butter, coffee, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

After the meal we will have a short meeting and then a delightful entertainer, Jean Seymour, will play the piano, sing a few songs, and crack a few jokes.

Please sign up in the Information Room before the list is removed or we hit our quota, and you miss this sumptuous feast. As always, bring your drinks and cups or glasses. This meal only, plates and silverware will be provided. Don't forget to wear your badge!!!

Veterans Day

Get that flag out of the shed, and put it up on the house!

Today's the day to honor all the men and women who have served their country. Its too bad this only happens once a year.

Years ago in Regency Cove there were ceremonies around the flagpole to honor the numerous veterans living in the park. One of these years, we ought to do it again.

Thank you to all the vets for your duty and honor to our country.

Attention all Fishermen

The sea bass are in.....here is a nice 15" er ! Old port Tampa shipping channel.... Remember, a bad day fishing, is better than a good day at work ? Saltydog

St Pat's Italian Dinner

When: Nov 5, 2008

Time: 5pm to 7pm

Cost: Adults $6.00 adults / $4.00 kids under 10

Everyone is invited!

Come to St Patrick Church on Manhattan this Wednesday to enjoy the sumptious feast hosted by the Men's Club. The menu includes spaghetti, sausage, meatballs, stuffed shells, salad, and garlic bread. Drinks and lemon digestive assistant included.

Good Morning!

Sunday morning at 7:10am.

Have a glorious day!

Gasparilla Planning Meeting

Call for Volunteers!!

On November 5, 2008 the planning committee for the upcoming Gasparilla celebration will be meeting in the hall at 1:00 pm.

Ron Jeffries will serve as chairman of the festivities, and Mike Ross is the first mate of the Flotilla. If you would like to assist in any aspect of the party or parade, please attend, or let Ron know.

We need help with the flags, ticket sales, hall decoration, cooks, flotilla, the all girl marching band, judges for boats, bikes, and golf carts, and clean-up. Without your help, this party will not succeed.

Come on out, get involved in one of the funnest activites of the year. No clubs sponsor this event, it is all accomplished by volunteers..... you.

Time Change Tonight

Don't forget your lawn timer.

REMEMBER TO CHECK TIMERS ON IRRIGATION SYSTEM CONTROLLERS

(Oct. 31, 2008) –The Tampa Water Department reminds residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers when they turn their clocks back one hour on Saturday night to change from Daylight Saving to Eastern Standard Time. Residents also may want to take the opportunity to ensure the battery backups on their controllers are operating properly to maintain system programming during power interruptions.

Tampa’s one-day-a-week irrigation restrictions remain in effect and are enforced 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. Water restrictions inside Tampa’s city limits allow residents with addresses ending in an even number (or letters A – M) to water on Tuesdays only, and addresses ending in an odd number (or letters N – Z) to water on Sundays only. Watering is limited to a complete irrigation cycle and is not allowed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on your designated day.

In addition to Tampa’s water use restrictions, the recent Executive Order SWF 08-044 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District prohibits all hand watering, micro-irrigation and other low-volume irrigation between the hours of 8 a.m and 6 p.m. throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, including the City of Tampa. Tampa Water Department customers who live outside of the city limits should call Hillsborough County at (813) 275-7094 or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water/restrictions/ for approved irrigation days and times.

Jerry Frankhouser, President

Bayside West Neighborhood Association

http://www.baysidewest.50megs.com/

813-507-9664

No News Is Good News

Community Association Institute

On Oct. 28, four board members attended a breakfast meeting of the "CAI". There were over 100 in attendance. Three attorneys were present who answered all questions from the audience, board members and managers from HOAs all over the county. The subjects were many, and the attorney advice well taken. Free advice from experts was appreciated.

New Directories

New directories will be released from the Office on Monday, November 3. Peggy and Mary have done an OUTSTANDING job on this issue!
These publications are historically outsourced to a local printing firm, after Peggy and Mary have done all the typing, ads, and layouts. This year, with the advantage of our new copy machine, the ladies also printed up each issue right in our office. We have saved well over $400 with this issue, thanks to their devoted efforts. Kudos to you both! We always like to save money!

A Call for Prayers for Larry

Earlier today, just after 11 am, Board member Larry Buttelwerth was with members of his Building Committee in a renovated home when he collapsed. Committee person Mary Lou Mittel was talking to him at that time. as was Chuck Davis, who made the 911 call.



Larry is currently in ICU at Tampa General. He suffered a blood clot to his brain. After an unbelievable brain surgery, he appears to be somewhat stable. His wife Nancy is asking for our prayers to get Larry through the next few days'

In the past few months, Larry has been a powerhouse committee chairperson for the Building Standards, and Marine Committee. He has been instrumental in establishing a written code for the Building Committee, which will be presented very soon to the shareholders.


Please pray for the speedy recovery of Larry Buttelwerth.

E-Waste Harmful Materials

Take advantage of the Department of Solid Waste's upcoming Household Chemical and Electronics Collection Day on October 25th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 4010 W. Spruce Street, to safely dispose of your old televisions and computers (in addition to many other materials - visit www.tampagov.net/solidwaste for more information on materials accepted).





Electronic waste accounts for 70 percent of the overall toxic waste currently found in landfills. In addition to valuable metals like aluminum, electronics often contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury. In just 2005, almost two million tons of e-waste ended up in landfills.





While toxic materials comprise only a small amount of this volume, it doesn't take much lead or mercury to contaminate an area's soil or water supply. Before there were plasma screen and liquid crystal display (LCD) tubes, we were all watching our Super Bowls and sitcoms on cathode ray tubes (CRT). The CRT model provided room for all your switches and wires in a box behind the screen, but it also stored a lot of lead. Approximately 20 percent of CRTs are comprised of lead, equivalent to between four and eight pounds per unit.





Combine this with the fact that the FCC is going to require all televisions to run a digital signal by February 19, 2009, and we could be looking at a lot of lead headed for landfills. Even the smallest amounts of lead can be a serious issue, and we're talking about eight pounds per unit. ComputersMany laptops have a small fluorescent lamp in the screen that contains mercury, a toxic material when inhaled or digested.






Mercury is also contained in computer circuit boards, which also include lead and cadmium. Circuit boards can also feature batteries made of mercury, as well as mercury switches. So please consider this information and be sure to dispose of your e-waste at a local Household Chemical and Electronics site. Call the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management at (813) 348-1111 for more information.





Jerry Frankhouser, PresidentBayside West Neighborhood Associationwww.baysidewest.50megs.com813-507-9664

Costumes Prizes Awarded

Linda and Rich Siddens took the 1st place award this evening for best costumes at the potluck supper. Doris Long won 2nd place. They each won Publix gift cards. Great party, loads of fun. We're still trying to determine if that Trailer Trash woman was for real, or if she wore a costume. She took 3rd place.
(What happens at the Halloween party STAYS at the Halloween party.) Not really...
check out the Club Regency blog for more pictures.

Beautification Committee Members Needed

The Beautification Committee was recently reinstated, and guess who they put in charge?



Residents of Regency Cove: I am imploring you to respond to my request for volunteers for this important committee. I have unfortunately been asked to fill the gigantic footsteps of Regency Cove legends such as Dick Warp, Don Stevens, and Wayne Lidstone. There may be a few more, and I will be happy to report them as they are told to me.

The Beautification Committee is that historically wonderful group of individuals who may take on some small painting tasks around the park. The Beautification Committee will be asked to contribute horticultural ideas for beautification of our common areas, at the Points, and at the memorial plantings along our West Shore boundary. We don't have to do the work, we can advise the maintenance crew. I am open to your suggestions for park beautificaton.


1993 Volunteers at the docks George Mitchell and Joe Mills 1991

For all of you who read this blog every day, I am asking you to click on the "comment" button below, add your response, and for heaven's sake please help me out here!!! Call me, or leave a message in my mailbox. (15-28) I am asking for one hour per person. Period.


No one who contributes will go unnoticed or unappreciated.