Page 10 - 7-17-15 Friday's Edition

Local
Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned For Perry Harvey Park
This rendition is one of several sculptures that will be located in the new Perry Harvey Park. The characters are dancing “The Twist,” which was created on Central Avenue.
Tampa Bay Water To Receive $1.25 Million In BP Settlement
With a vote of 7-0, Tampa Bay Water’s board of directors today accepted $1.25 million in a settlement and release of claims against BP Oil and re- lated entities for economic damages incurred by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Once approved by a Federal Judge in Louisiana who is handling all BP oil spill claims, the $1.25 million settlement will be paid to Tampa Bay Water within 30 days, minus 20 percent for fees and pay- ment of litigation costs.
In December 2012, Tampa
Bay Water’s board of directors retained the Penton Law Firm, and the firms of Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith and Frank Miranda, P.A., as special coun- sel concerning the BP oil spill. In January 2013, Tampa Bay Water submitted its claim for economic damages to BP, and filed a law suit in Federal Court in April 2013.
A panel appointed by the Federal Court to review all claims by State and local gov- ernments decided on the full and final settlement of claims on July 2, 2015.
On Tuesday, July 21st, at 9:30 a.m., members of the community will join Mayor Bob Buckhorn for the groundbreaking of the Perry Harvey Park.
“Central Avenue has a spe- cial place in Tampa’s history, particularly for the African American community, and this park will be a place where generations can come to- gether to share in that history and enjoy,” Mayor Bob Buckhorn said.
The planned improvements for Perry Harvey Park are poised to celebrate the history of Central Avenue, its commu- nity leaders and cultural influ-
ences. The area was settled after the civil War, when freed slaves were relocated to an area northeast of downtown Tampa called ‘The Scrub.’
Over time, the area grew to become a successful African American residential and commercial district. The cul- tural attractions became leg- endary, bringing nationally known artists to Tampa, in- cluding: Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Hank Bal- lard, and many others. In fact, the dance ‘The Twist’ was invented at an entertainment establishment along Central
Avenue, inspiring the song created by Hank Ballard, which was later made famous by Chubby Checker.
The community’s history will be commemorated in the form of custom artwork, in- cluding am engaging “History Walk” located along Central Avenue, large scale statue commemorating Perry Har- vey, Sr., and Leader’s Row featuring the community lead- ers, including Lee Davis, Robert Saunders, Christina Meacham, Moses White, Henry Joyner, Georgette Gard- ner, and G. D. Rogers.
‘Top Master’ Wins State Checkers Championship
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Several years ago, Arthur “Moochie” McCarr began playing checkers with other Tampa natives. Then, the late C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., suggested they form a check- ers club.
McCarr said the Lily Checkers Association was cre- ated and its members played in several tournaments a year. The organization eventually faded away, but McCarr con- tinued to hone his skills.
Recently, McCarr com- peted in the Central Florida Checkers Challenge and walked away with the top prize. The tournament was held on June 27th at the West Orange Neighborhood For Families. It was sponsored by the Central Florida Checkers Association.
In 2008, he competed in a tournament and walked away with a victory. That win ele- vated him to the rank of “Top Master.” He is currently rated #31 in the nation. This was quite an accomplishment for McCarr, who had not played for several years due to illness.
“I’m the only person in the state who has done what I have done in the last 20 years. I won my way up to the top,” he said.
After recovering from his ill- ness, McCarr began playing in the early 1990s. He would play at the HOPE Center and compete against people from
ARTHUR “Moochie” McCARR ... Ranked as Top Master
all over the country.
McCarr said checker games
don’t take as much time as chess, but it is the same con- cept. “Studying the game is how you become good. You have to learn as much as you can about it, if you don’t study then you will never be good.
“When you’re playing, you take your time, the higher you go in the rankings, the more time it takes to play a game.”
McCarr said an average game between professionals lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.
McCarr said next year, the tournament will be played in Albany, Georgia. He hopes that their organization can bring the national tournament to the Orlando area in the fu- ture.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015