Bloomindale/Fishhawk Edition

Holiday Gift Giving Guide

By Kate Barker

It's that time of year again; cooler weather, festive music and frustrating trips to the mall looking for the perfect gift for your friends and family. With so much going on at this time of year, it is easy to take the easy way out and buy the same old gifts as every season. But before you do, take a look at some of these original gifts ideas from local vendors.

Mandalay Mist

For the hard to shop for lady in your life, stop by Mandalay Mist Bronzing Spa and Boutique. As soon as you walk through the doors of the beautifully decorated store, you will feel the holiday spirit. With a large variety of high quality tree ornaments and holiday decorations (including beautiful mirrored snowflakes), in addition to artisan-crafted jewelry, handbags, home decor, candles and a new selection of fashionable clothing, Mandalay Mist is a great place to find something special for the person who has everything, on any budget.

Gift certificates for the boutique's UV-free mist tanning booths are also available, to give a safe and effective golden glow without any harmful side effects.

Mandalay Mist is located at 1602 Oakfield Dr., Suite 103 in Brandon and is open Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The store will also be open Christmas Eve until 3 p.m. for last minute shopping. For more information, call 662-MIST.

Pets and People Boutique

Bloomingdale's new Pets and People Boutique is a must-see for anyone with an animal lover on their gift list. In addition to purses and jewelry from around the world, Pets and People Boutique has a wide selection of pet products from deluxe beds, to pet strollers and to clothing for animals of all sizes.

"We have so many unique gifts," says owner Linda Maidani, "nothing that you will find in a pet store and prices ranging from $1 to $100s."

Pets and People Boutique is located at 912 E. Bloomingdale Ave. and can be reached at 657-5776.

Studio Eyes

For something different for the man on your list, stop by Studio Eyes in the Stein Mart-anchored Lithia Crossing plaza. The large selection of designer sunglasses include the new Oakley Thump, fashionable sunglasses with a built-in MP3 player, and the Oakley Razorwire, sunglasses with Bluetooth technology built-in, allowing access to your cell phone.

Studio Eyes is located at 3466 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and can be reached at 657-3937. Owner Dr. Chris Russell also recommends buying gift certificates to give the gift of sight to everyone on your list.

Valrico Brothers Coffees

Do you know your Blue Mountain coffee from your Chai tea? Thanks to Valrico Brother's Coffee, you don't have to! Amaze the coffee lover on your list with a great selection of award winning, organic and just plain great coffees and teas.

The local company roasts beans from around the world at its Falkenburg Rd. location and offers a wide variety of gift baskets, coffee of the month subscriptions and even a four-hour, hands on coffee seminar.

For more information, call 493-0579 or visit www.vbcoffee.com. On-line orders are accepted.

Usborne Books

What better gift to give children than books? FishHawk resident Christine Ans is a consultant for Usborne Books and her web site, www.ubah-usa.com, offers a wide range of children's books from fiction to educational, all available for purchase online to avoid the lines.

E-mail Ans at ubahfla@yahoo.com for more information.

Brandon Floral Boutique

For the perfect hostess gift or a great way to brighten your home for the holidays, call Brandon Floral Boutique. With unique gift and gourmet baskets, exotic and seasonal fresh cut flowers and plants, Brandon Floral Boutique can fill all your floral needs. It is a FTD and Teleflora registered dealer and takes orders 24-hours a day.

For more information, call 643-8866 or visit www.brandonfloralboutique.com.

Coopie Cookie Pies

Looking something a little different to serve as dessert at a holiday get together? What about a coopie? It is an individual sized-pie filled with a cookie and comes in three delicious flavors; chocolate chunk fudge, caramel macadamia nut and peanut butter fudge. Delicious as they come, or after a few seconds in the microwave, these fun snacks are sure to be a holiday crowd pleaser.

For more information,visit www.thecoopie.com or call 689-0708.

Where To Dine?

By Sharon Still

Bonefish Grill

1015 Providence Rd. If you are craving a fresh catch, head down to Bonefish Grill where fresh fish are shipped in daily and every day there are eight or more fish to choose from.

Rainbow trout, gulf grouper and Mahi Mahi are just a sampling and entrees come paired with fun and unique sauces.

Aside from fish, there are a variety of menu items such as the pork tenderloin topped with portabella piccata sauce, chicken marsala and filet mignon.

Recommendations include the Ahi Tuna Sashimi or the calamari for starters and the Chilean sea bass also is quite flavorful.

Hours are Monday-Thursday 4-10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4-11:30 p.m. and Sunday 4-10 p.m. 571-5553.

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill

Boyette Rd. and 2055 Badlands Dr. The wing choices at Buffalo Wild Wings go way beyond mild, medium and hot - be adventurous and try them all, from sweet barbecue and teriyaki to Thai and spicy garlic.

There are also plenty of other foods to enjoy including burgers, wraps, salads, popcorn shrimp and sandwiches.

Menu selections include The Swiss and 'Shroom Burger, boneless wings, taco salad, quesadillas and potato wedges.

There is something for everyone in the family, plenty of TVs, video games and great food.

It's also a great place to take the team after a game. Phone numbers are 655-4555 ( Brandon) and 571-1045 (Boyette).

Della’s After Dark

608 Oakfield Dr. For a special night out like "date night" choose Della's After Dark. While only open three nights a week, your experience is sure to include fine wine, flavorful food and pleasing entertainment.

The restaurant's website describes the fare as Pacific Rim food fused together with American comfort foods and appetizers include crab and shrimp cakes, fried calamari and chipolte duck quesadillas, among others.

Dinner entrees, ranging in price from $12-$24, offer braised veal shank, basil pesto crusted rainbow trout and mussels fra diablo (in marinara). For details, call 684-3354 or www.dellasafterdark.com.

Estrella Tropical

1941 E. S.R. 60. Estrella Tropical brings Latin fare complete with the atmosphere to S.R. 60 in Valrico. Owners father and daughter, Eli and Elizabeth Espinosa describe menu options as a Taino Indian combination of Spanish and African foods and technique. These are dishes that you won't find everywhere.

Menu items are unique and the recommended favorite is the seasoned and roasted pork. The café con leche also is a nice treat.

Restaurant hours are Tuesday-Thursday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday - Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. with extended hours planned later. For more information and a catering menu, call 643-8700.

Outback Steakhouse

16547 FishHawk Blvd. While steaks are the signature item at Outback Steakhouse, the menu offers a variety of fresh fish, chicken and vegetarian items that are "never frozen."

New menu items include "Hearts of Gold" fresh catch, cyclone pasta (penne, alfredo, grilled chicken, tasso ham, three cheeses and spices), citrus chicken and buffalo chicken strips. Hours are Monday-Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday 3:30-11 p.m. and Sunday 3:30-10 p.m. Call-ahead seating and curbside to go are available. Contact information: 689-9222 or www.outbacksteakhouse.com.

Po’ Boys Creole Café

3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Known for its "Po'Boy" sandwiches made piled high with ingredients and served on half and full loaves of hot pressed french bread, this restaurant offers loads of choices from crawfish and oyster to tuna salad or roast beef sandwiches.

Wraps, Creole favorites like jambalaya and gumbo, salads and southern-style dinners round out the menu.

Options such as the bananas foster waffle, crabmeat benedict and the New Orleans omelet made with Andouille sausage or ham and cheddar cheese make Sunday brunch a favorite.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday 11-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 11-2 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit www.poboys.com or call 643-7777.

Trio’s Pizza

2549 S. R. 60 E. and 4389 Lynx Paw Tr. An Osprey Observer staff favorite, Trio's has two area locations; the location on S.R. 60 for delivery and take-out and the River Hills location for dine-in, take-out and delivery.

This is the place to take the family and is probably one of the best venues in the area to get the biggest bang out of your buck for a meal.

As the name implies, pizza is the specialty and you can order pies with all the traditional toppings and then some. Other menu items include salads, pasta, calzones, stromboli and hot wings.

Trio's opens at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and is open all day Saturday and Sunday. Call 567-1269 (Valrico) or 856-0288 (River Hills).

Snow, Santa & Holiday Happenings

By Kate Barker

Are you looking for something different to do with your family to get into the holiday spirit this year? Check out some of these suggestions for family friendly seasonal events taking place in the Tampa Bay area.

Mosi Hosts Breakfast With Santa

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa is hosting a breakfast with Santa on December 3 and 10, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The event includes a buffet-style breakfast hosted by St. Nick and other fun holiday activities. If you are a MOSI member, tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. Non-member adults are $18 and children $15. The price includes breakfast and entry into the Kids In Charge! Program. Picture packages are available at an additional fee.

MOSI also hosts multiple youth and family programs throughout the month.

For more information, call 987-6000 or visit www.mosi.org.

Busch Gardens Celebrates with Dance

Busch Gardens is commemorating the holidays with a Christmas Celebration through January 2. The song and dance extravaganza for all ages features snowmen, reindeer, toy soldiers and even a special visit from Santa and his elves.

In addition, Busch Gardens is also celebrating the New Year with firework displays nightly from December 27-30 and a New Year's Eve concert on Gwazi Field with fireworks and the opportunity to ride the park's thrilling coasters in the dark, including America's only dive coaster, SheiKra.

These events are included in regular ticket prices. For more information, call (888) 800-5447 or visit www.buschgardens.com.

Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park

Throughout the month of December, Lowry Park Zoo will be transformed into a Wild Wonderland, the zoo's annual winter festival. Wild Wonderland transforms the zoo into a nighttime spectacle of lights.

Guests can go on a horse drawn Jingle Bell Carriage Ride, play themed games, see live reindeer and visit with Santa. Ticket price includes free unlimited rides, with the exception of the Jingle Bell carriage ride which is $4 per person. Annual Zoo Pass holders receive $1 discount with valid ID. Cost is $13 for adults, $11 for children age 3-11 and free for children 2 and under.

Cypress Gradens Christmas Wonderland

Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland through January 8, as millions of twinkling lights and displays blanket the park, creating a magical background for the celebration.

The park's Royal Palm Theater hosts a living nativity, Christmas on Ice and various other holiday-themed productions, including Jubilee Junction with strolling carolers and a brass quartet.

In addition, the Star Haven Amphitheater plays host to great series of Christmas concerts with Tony Orlando, December 4; Regis Philbin and Susan Lucci, December 10; the Jingle Jam with Everlife and B-5, December 11 and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, December 17.

For more information, visit www.cypressgardens.com or call (863) 324-2111.

Universal Hosts Grinchmas

Universal Orlando invites you to give in to your mischievous side from December 9-January 1 at its Grinchmas celebration. Seuss Landing transforms into Whoville, with roaming "Who's" and a flurry of whimsical Who-liday decorations. You can even meet the mean, "green one" himself. Then head over to Universal Studios to catch the Macy's Holiday Parade, a showcase of authentic larger-than-life balloons and floats direct from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

For more information, visit www.themeparks.universalstudios.com

Florida Aquarium Celebrates the New Year

The Florida Aquarium is also hosting two New Year's Eve events. For the children, there is the New Year's Sleepover offering fun-filled event for children from 6-12 years old until Midnight. Reservations are required and tickets are $75 for members and $90. For more details, call 273-4015.

For the adults, the aquarium will host the second annual New Year's Eve Celebration, offering live music, fireworks over Tampa Bay, complimentary beer and wine from 9 p.m.-Midnight (cash bar available), a champagne toast and food throughout the Aquarium.

The party is 21 and up, ID is required and tickets cost $80 for members and $85 for the general public. All tickets purchased after December 26 cost $90. Tickets can be purchased at www.flaquarium.org or by calling 273-4030.

Riverview Edition

Putting For Paws

Putting for PAWS second annual golf tournament will be held October 22 at Summerfield Crosssings Golf Club.

This 4-person scramble is limited to the first 140 players. Tee time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., registration and grill opens at 11 a.m. The $60 per person registration fee includes a bucket of range balls, greens fee, golf cart and a trip to the grill. Mulligan and raffle tickets for door prizes available at registration.

As a special treat, there will be an auction of some Tampa Bay Lightning and other sports collectibles. This auction will also be open to the public -- no registration necessary.

Please register for this event at www.pawsofhc.org.

Community Garage Sale

Boyette Farms, located on McMullen Rd. and Boyette Rd. north of CVS will hold its annual community yard sale on Saturday, November 1, 8 a.m.- 12 Noon. Visit www.boyettefarms.org.

Ladies Club Hosting Garage Sale

The Summerfield Ladies' Club is sponsoring a community garage sale on Saturday, October 15, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Summerfield Crossings, located off U.S. Hwy. 301 and Big Bend Rd. This will be a huge event with more than 20 separate communities participating. A rain date has been scheduled for the following weekend October 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All residents within Summerfield are invited and encouraged to participate. This is a fundraising event for the Ladies' Club in which some of the proceeds will be contributed to a local charity. For any information on this event you may contact Shirley Parrish at 677-8341 or Nancy Rademaker at 672-2802.

South Pointe Fall Festival

The community of South Pointe located on U.S. Hwy. 301 north of Big Bend Rd. will host a fall festival on Sunday, October 9, 1-4 p.m. There will be several business displaying their wares and services, plus food and refreshments and visits from the Bloodmobile, sheriff's office, fire department and more. Visit www.oursouthpointe.com or call 230-6764 for further details.

Sessums Family Night

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 21, 5 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. and bring the family to Sessums Elementary School, located at 11525 Ramble Creek Dr. (in the Rivercrest Subdivision). The event will feature food, fun, games, raffles and moon walks. Call 426-7540 for further details.

Bake Sale

The Women of St. John the Divine are having a bake sale featuring homemade baked goods, cakes, pies, breads and fresh coffee on October 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Business Expo Building of the Sun City Center Community Hall located at 1910 Pebble Beach Blvd. S. in Sun City Center. The bake sale will raise funds for many outreach focuses. For more details, call Carole Elliott at 633-9960.

Fall Festival

St. John the Divine is having its annual Fall Festival on October 8 from 5-8 p.m. at the Sun City Center Community Hall located at 1910 Pebble Beach Blvd. S. in Sun City Center.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m. A German dinner catered by C.J. Cafe in Sun City Center will begin at 6 p.m. Music will be from the "Front Porch Pickers" at 7 p.m. and music for dining and dancing will be provided by the memory keyboard of Al Frenzel.

Tickets are $15 each and are on sale at the church. For reservations or ticket questions, please call Lena Rose at 642-0788.

Spotted Redfish Tournament

D & J's Bait, Tackle & More and The Beer Shed present the first annual Spotted Redfish Tournament on Saturday, October 15. The cost is $30 per angler and pre-registration is available at D & J's, located at 8811 S. U.S. Hwy. 301 or the Beer Shed, located at 11208 McMullen Lp. The registration fee includes tournament entry and a T-shirt. Proceeds will go towards the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

Redfish will be judged based on he total spots combined from both sides. An awards ceremony will take place at the Beer Shed at 8 p.m. Activities throughout the day at the Beer Shed include a wild hog stew, raffles, a horseshoe tournament and live music from the T-Blue Band.

For information, call 671-9595.

Ruskin Seafood Festival

The 17th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival and Ruskin Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, November 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at E. G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Avenue NW, Ruskin.

Vendors will be serving up all types of food including crab cakes, oysters and shrimp scampi. To add variety to the fare, there also will the Polish sausage, black beans and rice, kettle corn and more.

Additional activities include a juried art show will, a boat show and a business expo. There will also be educational exhibits on wildlife, big cats on display, rock climbing and more.

Admission is $5, seniors $4, and children under 12 are free. Parking is free. The Ruskin Seafood Festival and Ruskin Arts Festival is an alcohol free, family friendly, community event that promotes appreciation of the unique environment in the area. Funds raised support the Chamber of Commerce and its economic and community development programs.

Contact the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce 645-3808 or visit www.ruskinchamber.org/rccsff for information.

Republican Metting

Valrico Edition

Bloomingdale Classics Seeks Players

Are you looking beyond Little League for your son? Is your son ready to compete at the highest level of competition in Southern Florida? If so, we may be just what you're looking for. The Bloomingdale Classics 12 and under AAU baseball team is looking to add 2-3 solid players to their roster for the 2006 season which starts in January. We play in the top division in Southern Florida and compete in Sunday doubleheaders as well as some weekend tournaments within the surrounding area. We have an NCAA Champion coach and foster the team approach to winning. We are also the only team in the Brandon/Bloomingdale area which competes at this level. Little League Spring Ball participation is allowed. To be eligible, players can not turn 13 before May 1, 2006. If you would like your child to compete against the best in the area, please contact us for more information at 662-0330.

PlayTampa.Com Sports Club

PlayTampa.com is the answer to a socially active lifestyle in the Greater Brandon Area! Born in Tampa, the Tampa Sports & Social Club has relocated offices to the Brandon area due to overwhelming response from its members. Club director, Grant Samson, started Miami's first sports & social club and since has created one in Las Vegas and now in the Tampa/Brandon area. For more information, call 727-793-7529 or visit www.playtampa.com.

Tampa Bay Waves Meeting

Tampa Bay Waves Unit 55 will hold its regular monthly meeting on Saturday, December 10 at the Golden Corral Restaurant, 815 Providence Rd. at 11 a.m. All women of the Military Sea Services are invited to attend. For information call Joanne Nesmith at 681-4008 or Ann Laing at 633-3314.

Pinecrest Little League spring registration

Starts online for baseball and softball throughout December at www.pinecrestlittleleague.org.

On-site registration will be held on January 7 and 21 at the Pinecrest Baseball Park from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate. The cost is $125 for leagues ages 11 and up and $85 for leagues ages 10 and under. For more information, e-mail powers@tampabay.rr.com.

Youth Basketball- Winter Leagues Registration

i9Sports will be presenting the Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA Winter Basketball League. This league will be played at local gyms in Hillsborough County. Boys and Girls Leagues separated by age divisions, league open for youths 8-14 year olds. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programs emphasize fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive participation in a fun and rewarding youth basketball experience where young players can create a bond with the game while learning what it takes to be successful away from the court.

League play begins January 7. Registration Deadline is December 17. Register or get more details online at www.i9sports.com or call 754-1720.