Thursday, May 10, 2012
Every day leading up to Mother's Day we'll feature a mom from the Westchase area. Today it's Melanie Atkinson, mom to three sons, funny blogger, hockey lover and realtor.
Melanie Atkinson Age: 35 Neighborhood: Highland Park Mommyism: "You can't be perfect. Perfection isn't what kids need." In 2000, with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Florida and a master's degree in human resource management and industrial relations from the University of Illinois under her belt, Melanie Atkinson was ready to pursue her dream job of working for Pepsi in Tampa. "I was more comfortable with the Pepsi truck driver than a doctor at Pfizer," Atkinson said. But the birth of her first son, Garrett, would change that. "It was a game changer," she recalled. "It was literally a complete 180 in my life." Her priorities switched and instead of pouring hours into industrial workplace issues, she was knee deep …
Sunday, May 6, 2012
An Acheiva Credit Union is opening at the old Blockbuster location. Here's what Westchase Patch Facebook fans are saying.
In case you haven't heard, the empty storefront that once housed Blockbuster Video at 12105 W. Linebaugh Avenue in the Publix Shopping center is going to reopen as an Achieva Credit Union later this Spring. A conversation about the new business took place earlier this week over on Westchase Patch's Facebook Page. Here's what folks are saying: Denise Acton Palmer wrote: "aw, man! first watch would have rocked!" Andrea Leslie Forsmans wrote: "Another financial institution. Why?" Stacy Woonton Shasek wrote: "It is a big space. A good breakfast place in here would be great. A mimi's or first watch seems like a smart choice to me. oh well. we all need another bank. ha" Eddie Shasek wrote: "I don't think I have set foot in a bank branch in …
Monday, April 30, 2012
Westchase Patch is giving away $500 gift cards in time for Mother's Day.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
We want to highlight some of the awesome Mom's in our community.
Editor's note: Thank you all for taking the time to share such incredible stories about the amazing women in your lives. You made us laugh, cry and cheer right along with you! We have selected the winners, but are in the process of contacting each one so we can share more about them and their special Moms with you. Check back with Patch in a few days for a listing of who's who. Just to be clear: You're all winners in our book! Earlier: Your mom was there to kiss your boo-boos when you were little and to help you wrestle with life’s tough questions as you grew older. She’s special and you want her to know it. Affording a gift worthy of Mom’s awesomeness can be tough in this economy though. Don’t worry; Patch has got your back! Just tell us …
Saturday, April 28, 2012
This week, companies across the U.S. invited employees to bring their children to work. But would you want your child to follow in your career footsteps?
- OPINION
-
Saturday, April 28
This week, as Americans observed the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, came news that almost half of doctors would choose a different career if they had it to do over again. Couple that with reports that job satisfaction in the U.S. isn't great and isn't improving, and we aren't looking at a very optimistic picture for our children's occupational future. Would you want your child to go into the same industry you chose? What advice would you give students trying to pick a career? Share your thoughts in the comments below. But there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. The Washington Post questioned the negative results of some recent job satisfaction surveys, pointing to other polls that indicate job satisfaction has …
Friday, April 27, 2012
Westchase Patch is your place to connect with neighbors.
Westchase Patch is about more than local headlines. We’re also your connection to the community around you. On this site, you can talk to your neighbors, share your opinions, show off your photography skills and a whole lot more. While you might be familiar with the headlines, here are five things you may not have known you could do on Westchase Patch: Create an event – Want to let others know about a concert that’s coming up or a bake sale that needs customers, just post your event on Patch. Share your photos – Did you know you can add your photos to our stories and even help populate an ever-evolving neighborhood gallery? You can and it only takes a few moments to share your shots with everyone in Westchase. Voice Your Opinion – You’re…
Monday, April 23, 2012
We have a winner!
Update: The votes are in and the Publix Citrus Park floral shop takes this week's poll. Congratulations! ***** May is almost here. If you don’t know why that matters, you might already be in trouble! Don’t worry though; the Westchase area has plenty of florists that would be more than happy to bail you out with Mom. (That’s right: Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13.) In the spirit of the season, we’re dedicating this week’s poll to the businesses that are perfectly poised to bail us out of gift-giving jams with eye-popping arrangements that send just the right sentiments. Here are some of our favorite florists close to Westchase: Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. Friday, April 27. Ties will be broken based on the official rules …
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The battle is on and we want to hear your opinion about who has the best.
The gauntlet’s been thrown. It’s a battle between two cities and their Cuban culinary masters. Who threw down first is hard to discern, but one thing is clear: pride is on the line. The shots started flying as the Tampa City Council explored the possibility of naming the Cuban the city’s official sandwich. As plans came together for Tampa to honor the sandwich, Miami fired back with a declaration that its version of the sandwich is the best. “Tampa has some serious pedigree when it comes to Cuban history — but no culinary chops,” wrote The Miami Herald’s Fabiola Santiago just days before the council’s April 19 vote on a resolution to name its official sandwich. The issue: Tampa’s use of salami in its Cuban. Santiago’s solution: “Pull it …
Monday, April 16, 2012
A motorcycle crash on Countryway Boulevard has sparked community discussion about the safety of that intersection.
We asked and you answered. An accident on Friday left John P. Palaez, 26, in critical condition, after his motorcycle was struck by a 2012 Hyundai driven by 18 year old Michael A. Conlon. Conlon was attempting to make a left turn from Oaksbury Drive onto Countryway when the accident occurred. Palaez remained in critical condition at St. Joseph's Hospital as of Sunday night, according to officials from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The accident struck a chord with many in the community who consider that portion of Countryway Boulevard to be among the most dangerous roads in Westchase. So we asked this question on the Westchase Patch Facebook Page: How would you solve traffic concerns on Countryway at Oaksbury where Friday's …
Friday, April 13, 2012
Roxane Riley is the Executive Director of LifePath Hospice.
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, and LifePath Hospice encourages everyone to take a few minutes to discuss their care decisions with their loved ones. Take a moment to think about this serious question. Who will speak for you if you suffer a critical medical issue and can’t speak for yourself? What type of medical care do you want – or don’t want? Monday, April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day – a day set aside to remind area residents to take time to fill out their advanced directives – a living will and a healthcare surrogate form. Take a few minutes to fill out the forms and then let your loved ones know your wishes. LifePath Hospice wants to make it easy for you to complete your advance directives. Throughout the …
Kclery
12:02 pm on Sunday, May 13, 2012
Congratulations Melanie! And thanks to the Westchase Patch for using Highland Park as a back drop to photograph these pretty, and amazing Moms! more ›