3.8 • 19 APR 11 FREE FREE TO READ! FREE TO WRITE! SUBMIT YOUR STORY ONLINE BY APR 29 WESTLAKE | BAY VILLAGE Community News & Views Written by the Citizens of Westlake & Bay Village • Join in at www.wbvobserver.com The Citizen-Powered Community Newspaper. » See TADYCH, page 2 by Mel Maurer T he Westlake Bicentennial Poetry Contest is off and running! Contest entry forms are now available at every Westlake school, at Porter Library, and on page 4 of this newspaper. This contest is designed to celebrate the 200th birthday of Westlake with poems commem- orating any aspect of the city the writer chooses to feature. It’s open to all Westlake students 18 and under. Prizes will be awarded in three age groupings. As someone who has read and judged about 3,000 poems over several years in a Westlake middle school poetry contest, I know our students are good writers – creative and caring, with good language skills. I suspect, too, that with today’s “Tweeting and texting” – both saying much with few words – in a sense, our students actually write poetry more often than prose. I’m looking forward, along with the other judges, to reading all submissions. The deadline for entries is April 30. For questions, call Zac Springer at 440-250-5486 or email Tara Wendell at [email protected]. Westlake students invited to share in Bicentennial spirit by Elaine Willis W estlake Porter Public Library has named Jennifer Cirincione its 2011 Myrna Chelko Volunteer Award winner. Cirincione received the award at a volunteer recognition recep- tion held April 10. The award is named for the late Myrna Chelko, an early library supporter who epitomized the spirit of volunteerism. Cirincione began volunteering in 2003, and has contributed 933 hours of service to the library, 420 of it in 2010. She has served as the secretary and vice president of the Board of the Friends of Porter Library, and is currently serving as the group’s president. As vice president and head of the annual Ice Cream Social, Circincione added a suc- cessful Chinese auction as a fundraiser to the event. She has instituted monthly auctions in the lobby of the library and increased the group’s fundraising through other activities, such as the recent Mini-Golf in the Library event. Cirincione has also used her con- siderable marketing skills to expand the Friends presence in the community, cre- ating and distributing imprinted pens, magnets and T-shirts, as well as Friends gift baskets for charitable fundraisers. Cirincione was behind the Friends of the Library’s successful application for three 2009 Best Friends awards from ALTAFF (Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations). Her enthusiasm and dedication to Westlake Porter Public Library, as well as the voluminous time she puts into her volunteer activities make her a worthy recipi- ent of the Myrna Chelko Award. Dedicated Porter Library volunteer honored Jennifer Cirincione accepts the Myrna Chelko Award certificate from Westlake Porter Public Library Director Andrew Mangels. Josie, Annabel and Morgan McFarland joined scores of kids and their parents at Bay Middle School for the annual Bunny Hop held by the Bay Village Recreation Dept. on April 9. Lots of fun activities were in store for the children including face painting, games, crafts, a soft climbing environment and visit by the Easter Bunny. See more pictures on our website at wbvobserver.com/photoblogs. Easter fun at the Bunny Hop by Dave Tadych O n Monday, April 11, I filed petitions with the Board of Elections to continue my service as councilman for Bay Vil- lage’s Ward 1. With your help, this will be my fifth term of office. I began my first term as Ward 1 councilman in 2002. Ward 1 is located in eastern Bay. The ward begins at the Rocky River border and goes west to Parkside Road. I’m particularly proud of the semi-annual Ward 1 meetings I started during my first term in 2002. These meetings were the precur- sor and were responsible for City Council’s current Town Hall Meet- ings of today. The meetings made a big dif- ference in allowing residents to express opinions and seek answers to concerns in a less formal setting than City Council. Three and a half years ago I began a new effort for residents that keeps them informed of city projects, changes and costs. I called them “Clustered Home Meetings.” When contacted by a resident, I set up a meeting date at their home where they can invite neighbors to listen to a city update after which they can ask questions about city concerns. The meetings are more popular in the summer when hom- eowners can plan a cookout around the gathering. The meetings help me stay in touch and become informed of resi- dents’ ideas and concerns. They let residents understand what is hap- pening in their town. I’ve had a few requests for repeat meetings. It’s just a great way to stay connected. Tadych seeks fifth term on Bay City Council Over 800 participate in third annual Emily’s Rainbow Run & Family Walk Check out the Bay Com- munity Garden forum! tinyurl.com/baygarden
