Restaurants Ready for January Openings

Valrico residents will soon have a shorter drive to some of their favorite restaurants. Chili's and Panda Express will be opening soon to S.R. 60 and Mt. Carmel Rd. in front of Lowe's in Valrico.

Next to the new Valrico Starbucks, Chili's plans to unveil a new store on January 24 while Panda Express is aiming for January 14.

Chili's Managing Partner Marty Martinez says the restaurant is making its home in the Valrico area "because people asked for it and we wanted to make it happen."

Residents in need of a job can go to the Chili's hiring center located in Valrico Square, next to Estrella Tropical located at 1941 S.R. 60 E., for an application, interview and possible career at the new location.

Specifying what makes Chili's so unique, Martinez says it is due to "our focus on food and service and our menu is definitely diversified."

For more information, please go to www.chilis.com or www.pandaexpress.com. 

Family Owned Mexican Restaurant Opens on S.R. 60

Sabor A Mexico, a new Mexican restaurant, opened last month in Brandon. Sabor means flavor in Spanish, so the new family-owned restaurant's name, translated, means flavor of Mexico.

Located at 706 E. Brandon Blvd. where Jimmy Lynn's Music Café used to be and directly next door to Ben's Family Restaurant, the restaurant features the authentic Mexican dishes, including enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas and tacos.

"We offer fast service for lunch and dinner; good food; authentic Mexican food other restaurants don't have. We have a full bar. We also have two separate dining rooms for big parties," says Manager Marco Gonzalez.

Alcohol is served, including margaritas in pitchers, three different sizes-small, medium and monster and Mexican beer like Corona or Dos Equis.

For hours and more information, call 654-4900.

Stylists Raise Money For Cancer

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two Brandon professionals donated their time and expertise to raise money for cancer awareness.

Kimberly Haggerty, a stylist and hair extension specialist/instructor with Balmain Paris and Seamless Extensions and Anne-Marie Dionne-Powell, owner of Jacob Andrew Hair Studio and stylist for over 25 years, offered free hair cuts and styles in support of the cause. Together they raised almost $300 in donations to aid in cancer awareness and support families currently fighting the disease.

"My mom died from cancer when I was in high school," Haggerty relates, "and it's a terrible disease. It's the least I can do to help find a cure."

To schedule an appointment with Haggerty, call 334-477-2611. Dionne-Powell can be reached at 494-7979. 

ShipOnSite Comes to Valrico

Offering more than shipping and packaging, the newly unveiled 1,200 sq. ft. ShipOnSite store, located at 1022 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, uniquely combines a retail store with postal services, providing eBay services as well as instant purchase of eBay items, all within one location.

"A large part of my business is my work as an eBay trading assistant," states owner Donna Barrington which she acknowledges as being the main reason that sets her company apart from others within the area.

Supplying professional photos, descriptions and product research for the merchandise, Barrington carries out the service with financial information anonymity, wrapping and shipping of the item and writing you a check.

Having lived in Brandon for the past 20 years with children who attend Bloomingdale High School, she says, "We are really embedded in this community and I really wanted to be here. It is an awesome location." In addition to setting up your consigned items on eBay, the store also provides shipping, packaging, passport photo services, copies, business cards and much more. The non-franchised store is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more information, call 661-6505 or go to www.shiponsitebrandon.com.

Tax Service Opens in Valrico

Valrico resident Elbin Jimenez wants to help you file your taxes this year. Her business, EJ Tax Service will open next month at 111 N. Valrico Rd. Ste. B in Valrico after a year of Jimenez working out of her home.

"I am an accountant and have been doing taxes for over 13 years," says Jimenez. "I would go to client homes and offices to prepare their taxes and offer all the same services as the big tax preparation companies; Rapid Refund, Electronic Filing, Direct Deposit all at half the cost."

The business offers a wide range of services including tax preparation, mortgages, cash advance, money transfers, notary services, travel agency, financial planning, cell phones and Jimenez plans to open an auto driving school in addition.

For more information, call Jimenez at 313-0557.

Weight Loss Seminar

Due to the strong demand in the Brandon area for other measured responses to obesity, Mike Fencel, chief executive officer for Brandon Regional Hospital announced a non-surgical weight loss option, in addition to its new bariatric surgery program.The first session of the year will be held on Tuesday, January 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center in Oakfield Medical Plaza, Suite 260, across from the  hospital. Rena Greenberg, Director of Wellness Seminars, Inc., is back by popular demand to lead this class.

The Wellness Seminar for weight loss is a highly effective seminar combining the power of hypnosis with behavior modification. Participants learn to lose weight without feelings of deprivation or denial and eliminate unproductive eating habits such as snacking, binging, overeating and emotional eating, in one convenient session. The first 45 minutes of each session is a free orientation. If the participant feels comfortable with the program, a one-time fee of $79.99 is paid. This fee includes a powerful hypnotic session, Rena's Hay House book, The Right Weigh: Six Steps to Permanent Weight Loss ($14.95 value), behavior modification booklet, home reinforcement hypnosis CD, and unlimited free repetitions of the hypnosis for one full year, if needed.

To register, call 1-888-3-BRANDON (1-888-327-2636). Wellness Seminars has offered smoking cessation and weight control programs in over 70 hospitals since 1990.

Tech Camp Cures Winter Break Blues

Winter Technology Camp has become a huge success for students throughout eastern Hillsborough County. Students look forward to creating video games, programming LEGO robots, making digital movies and making "science-tastic" toys at TechPlayzone during winter break. This year, TechPlayzone will offer two weeks of Winter Technology Camp for young people in K-seventh grade. Full day camp lasts from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for $150 per week while half day camp lasts from 9 a.m.-12 Noon for $100 per week. The first week of camp will be offered December 26-28. The second week of camp will be offered January 2-4. TechPlayzone, 13208 Boyette Rd., will also be open on Monday, January 7 for hands-on fun and excitement. Registration for Winter Camp has begun. 

Call 453-8612 or go to www.techplayzone.com for more information.  

Science & Cooking Experience

Mad Science and Young Chefs Academy are teaming up again this winter break to offer kids a mini version of their popular summer experience. Students age 7 and older can participate in a hands-on Mad Science activity each day and then will apply The Scientific Method to recipes and experiments in the Young Chefs Academy kitchen. The workshop runs January 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon each day, at 1576 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico (home of Young Chefs Academy).

Registration fee is $125 per student. Call  643-7025 for registration materials.

Dental Office Spreads Cheer

Dr. Jeff Bynum and his staff of Five Star Dental Care, located 3203 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, are providing meals for the less fortunate families during the holidays and care packages for deployed soldiers. Donations are welcome.

If you would like to help, contact the office at 653-2273.

Hot Locks Welcomes "Bo the Barber"

Michael Thompson, known as "Bo the Barber" around town, recently joined the staff at Hot Locks, a full service salon on Bloomingdale Ave.

A master barber with more than 30 years of experience, "Bo" is looking forward to serving both existing and new clients at this convenient location.

In addition to the barber industry, Thompson spent recent years working as a supported living coach working with disabled adults, assisting them in maintaining independent lifestyles. While he enjoyed the rewards of this career, he realized that his heart remained in the barber industry.

"I realized that I had left behind the career that I loved so much," he says. "Barbering has been my passion for most of my adult life, and it is with pleasure that I now apply my barbering skills daily at Hot Locks on Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon."

Hot Locks is located just east of John Moore Rd. at 106 E. Bloomingdale Ave. Call 684-3099 or visit www.hotlocksbrandon.com.

Invisible Fence Reaches Eastern Hillsborough

Invisible Fence® Brand recently expanded and will be offering pet containment and behavioral solutions to eastern Hillsborough County and Lakeland from its new Lakeland office..

Gibbs is the distributor for 14 Invisible Fence dealers throughout the state of Florida, and runs Invisible Fence of Tampa, Invisible Fence of Pinellas County, Invisible Fence of Ocala, and now Invisible Fence of Lakeland.

Invisible Fence® Brand has been keeping dogs safe at home for over 30 years. More than one million customers across the United States trust Invisible Fence® Brand pet containment systems and the local professionals to safely contain their dogs. The Invisible Fence brand pet containment system is the only one to receive the ASPCA® Seal of Approval and veterinarians trust the system. Invisible Fence® has been serving customers and their pets since 1973 and maintains a 98 percent customer satisfaction rating.

Visit www.invisiblefence.com or call 877-611-3647 (DOGS) for more information.

New Stylists Join River Hills Salon

Avena Hair Studio, located at 4379 Lynx Paw Tr. in the River Hills Plaza, welcomes two new master colorists and stylists to its team of professionals. Owner Jenni Marun is pleased to announce that Gigi Beyazian and Maria Gibbs, formerly of David Andrews Salon, will now be offering their services at Avena Hair Studio.

Both Beyazian and Gibbs have more than 20 years of experience and specialize in hair cutting and coloring. Other services available include perms and relaxers. Soon, facial waxing will be available.

Avena Hair Studio is open Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 655-6404 to set an appointment.

Have A Horse & Pony Party

Looking for a new and exciting activity for your child's birthday party or other special event? Isabella's Horse & Pony Parties specializes in parties and events at all churches, private schools, company picnics and for personal hire as well. Licensed in Hillsborough County, Isabella's customizes the horse and pony for a specific theme, such as a princess theme, cowboys and Indians, holiday themes and even some Disney TM & Pixar TM themes as well.

Hire just the horse or the pony or hire them both at the same time.

"We can be hired for any length of time needed, but require at least a two week notice for a booking or we can sometimes fit you in and all you need to do is call for times still/just opened availability," says owner Amanda Summers.

Isabella's Horse & Pony Parties serve all of Hillsborough County as well as surrounding counties.

"We enjoy what we do as well as the stars of our show Bella (Black Horse) and Little Feather (Shetland pony)," Summers adds.

For more details or to book a party, call 829-9442 or e-mail summersequinecare@tampabay.rr.com.