The Hillsborough County Fair, in its new location, east of Brandon at the intersection of S.R. 60 and Sydney-Washer Rd., will run from November 5-9. Read more

“Come join friends and neighbors at Park Square on Saturday, October 25, as we host the third annual Life is good Pumpkin Festival,” said Newland Communities Marketing Manager Dawn Turner.
FishHawk Pumpkin Festival is a family-friendly event to be held all day October 25 from 9 a.m. beginning with a pumpkin carving contest all the way to 10 p.m. Read more

Things are getting HOT at the New Fireside Grille and Bar
Located in the heart of FishHawk Ranch’s Park Square Town Centre. Owners Scott and Heidi Shimberg have brought in Executive Chef, Rick Franco, formerly of the Long Boat Key Club, and exciting changes have arrived at the popular neighborhood establishment. Discover nightly specials and exciting menu items that are receiving rave reviews.
Enjoy the Fall weather while watching the dancing fountains of Park Square under the new outside covered terrace.
Belly up to the expanded bar for nightly drink specials, and complete beer, wines liquor selection.
Fireside Grill is located within Park Square at 16132 Churchview Dr. in Lithia. For more information or to make reservations, call 813-661-7755 or visit www.myfiresidegrille.com.

FishHawk Flooring Celebrates Anniversary
FishHawk resident and owner of FishHawk Flooring Jim Branciforte wants to thank his customers for a great first year in business. The flooring company, located in the FishHawk Office Park at 16637 FishHawk Blvd., Ste. 102, has been selling and installing fine woods, Shaw carpets, laminates and tiles to homeowners throughout the area for the last year.
“We realize this is a tough economy and want to thank everyone for spending their hard earned dollars with us,” says Branciforte. “We are proud to be the local flooring store.”
FishHawk Flooring is open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-7 pm. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call 600-1788. A Website is also currently under construction at www.fishhawk flooringdesignstudio.com.

Landscape Nursery Opens in Lithia
Long-time Brandon resident Darryl Flint recently opened DCF Landscape at 5329 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., just south of the intersection with FishHawk Blvd., on the property also occupied by Lancaster Farms.
Products available at DCF Landscape Nursery include plants, palms trees, mulch and sod and services include mulch, plant and sod delivery.
“I grew up in the sod business and saw the opportunity for a nursery in the area,” says Flint. “We are looking forward to growing our services even further in the future.”
For more information, call Flint at 684-9328. The nursery is open Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Creamery Comes to Valrico
Soft serve ice cream fans keep your eyes open in the Lifestyle Family Fitness-anchored plaza at the intersection of Bloomingdale Ave. and Lithia Pinecrest Rd. According to representatives at Toppers Creamery, the soft serve ice cream franchise will be opening a location in the plaza in the next 90 days.
Toppers offers high quality chocolate and vanilla soft serve with a variety of toppings to mix in.
For more information, visit www.topperscreamery.com and check future issues of the Osprey Observer.

Fifth Third Bank Launches $250,000 Sweepstakes
Fifth Third Bank is pleased to announce the launch of its Unlock Your Dreams sweepstakes, which will award nearly $900,000 in sweepstakes and scratch off prizes. To participate, customers and non-customers alike may visit any of Fifth Third Bank’s nearly 1,300 branch locations before October 31 to obtain a game piece. The game piece will reveal one of many instant offers including a $10 MasterCard Gift Card (no purchase necessary), 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points with a new Visa Signature Credit Card, $50 deposit into a new Goal Setter Savings account, $50 off Direct Loan closing costs (excludes Fifth Third Equity Flexline),5,300 Bonus Rewards Points with a new Fifth Third Equity Flexline and $50 off Mortgage Loan Application Fee.
Additionally, each game piece will have a “code” that the participant can use to register online at http://53unlockyourdreams.com for a chance to win the grand prize of $250,000 or one of 22 local $10,000 regional prizes distributed throughout the Bank’s 12-state footprint.
For more information, visit the FishHawk Fifth Third branch at 16509 FishHawk Blvd. or call 684-5060.

Strategist Speaks at the Palmetto Club
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 16 at 6 p.m. when Cassandra Ingraham will sponsor a workshop with Jairek Robbins, a peak performance strategist and national speaker from the Anthony Robbins Company.
According to Ingraham, the workshop, titled Strategies from “Unleash The Power Within,” will provide residents with the same strategies, positive energy and physiology used by the world’s top achievers to attain outstanding success and life fulfillment.
“Those who desire to learn cutting edge tools that will help them overcome challenges and rapidly achieve their personal and professional goals should attend,” says Ingraham, who lists the benefits as improved performance, the power of focus, positive mindset, lower stress, better relationships and higher job and life satisfaction.
The event will take place in Palmetto Club at FishHawk Ranch, which is located at 17004 Dorman Rd. Space is limited so RSVP with name, address and telephone number to Cassandra 4jrobbins@ Cassandra Ingraham.com.

Business Invites Residents to Paint
Are you looking for a way to express your artistic side? Then you might want to check out the new Sketch and Sip classes from Patty Sisco, owner of Gallery Clocks.
The classes, designed for people without a lot of artistic experience, are a fun and unique way to get creative.
“Sketch and Sip is taking art lessons to a whole new level. You paint a picture through a step by step process while enjoying your favorite beverage. That evening, your painting will be ready for you to take home,” says Sisco, who has worked as an artist for eight years and teaches the classes.
For more info about the class, visit www.sketchandsip.com or call 263-4576.
South Bay Installs Mammography Unit
South Bay Hospital is pleased to announce the installation of a new Digital Mammography unit at the South Bay Hospital Outpatient Diagnostic and Rehab Center. Digital Mammography produces a higher quality image than traditional mammography, during a shorter exam time for the patient.
The image produced by the Digital Mammography unit is a high resolution image that can be enhanced and manipulated. This means that the physician can zoom in on questionable areas and make adjustments to the image. This technology expands our ability to detect abnormalities and breast cancer in more women.
Digital Mammography also allows for less time in the exam room and less time waiting on results. Since the image is instantly transferred to a computer, there is no longer the need to wait on film development. This means our patients are able to get their results sooner.
“Waiting for mammography results can be very stressful,” says hospital CNO and breast cancer survivor Terrie Jefferson, RN. “Reducing that wait time for our patients while producing a higher quality image for diagnosis can help ease some of that anxiety.”
For more information about Digital Mammography, contact Melissa Morgan at 634-0496, or to schedule a Digital Mammography, call 642-8468.

Shaughnessy Law Reveals Web Site
Shaughnessy Law, located in FishHawk Ranch, Tampa and Brandon, will hold an open house celebration at its FishHawk location on October 10 from 5–7 p.m. to celebrate its new Website, www.MaraShaughnessy.com.
Since opening in 2006, Shaughnessy Law has helped more than 400 families in the FishHawk area with their legal needs, including real estate law, title and escrow, estate planning, probate, contracts and family law.
“We are excited to offer our community a legal resource,” says Mara Shaughnessy, principal at Shaughnessy Law. “Our clients are now able to receive electronic updates on their case in real time. They will also be able manage their legal documents in their online case file and print them as needed. We are always trying to add more value to our client relationships. We want to be your attorney for life.”
As part of the celebration of its new site, Shaughnessy Law will donate 50 percent of October paid legal fees to the FishHawk Wolfpack when mentioned during your free consultation. To take advantage of this offer, or to RSVP for the open house, contact Shaughnessy Law at 16132 Churchview Dr. at FishHawk’s Park Square, by phone at 657-6700.

Cruise Planners Offers Deals
October is National Cruise Vacation month and Sherry Leybovich ECCS, CTA, owner of Cruise Planners, is celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event, offering clients values and incentives on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations.
“The World’s Largest Cruise Event is a celebration where lucky agents like me get to give the gift of great savings on cruises, and our clients are the guests of honor,” says Leybovich. “Best of all, Cruise Planners is extending what is traditionally one special night into an entire week of offers and incentives, so the gifts will keep coming from October 4 to the 10.”
According to Leybovich, a prize-a-day giveaway has been incorporated into this year’s cruise event week where clients can enter a daily contest for fabulous prizes and ultimately be entered into the week end grand prize of a free cruise.
Cruise Planners will host a cruise night on October 6 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in FishHawk Ranch where clients can learn more about Cruise Planners and the new Oasis of the Seas, which will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in December 2009. Representatives from the U.S. Postal Service will be on hand to take applications for passports and to answer questions on the new regulations concerning passports. Lights refreshments will be provided by Bellafia Chocolate Boutique and Lah-Tea-Dah.
Founded in 1994, Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel Services Representative national cruise agency headquartered in Coral Springs, that operates a franchised network of more than 700 experienced travel professionals who independently book cruises and other associated travel. Leybovich has also earned many personal awards and is one of the top franchisees within Cruise Planners. She is currently one of the finalists for home based business of the year through the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call at Leybovich 657-0844, or visit www.cruisesforu.com.

Serenity Stream Empowers Women
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month, Serenity Stream Yoga & Wellness is beginning a Women’s Empowerment series that will continue on through 2009. Judy Shepherd, licensed clinical social worker, and Ellen MacKay, registered yoga teacher, will join together to promote health and well-being through an hour of education and group discussion and an hour of yoga.
“Empowering women has always been a passion of mine and I am so thankful that I get to share my experiences through yoga to help these women grow and prosper,” says MacKay.
The start-up workshop in October will focus on simplifying life. Appropriately named, “I Have Everything I’ve Ever Dreamed of but Why Am I Still Not Happy?” In this workshop, participants explore why people become dissatisfied with their lives, despite the fact that they are achieving their goals and appear to be successful. This workshop helps participants develop strategies to really simplify and enjoy life. The yoga section of the workshop will involve becoming aware of and enjoying the subtleties of basic yoga postures, breath and meditation.
Monthly workshops will begin in January featuring such topics as, “Are You a Mess from Stress?”, “Relationship Check-Up” and “Creating Joy in Your Life.” Each workshop will include an hour of related yoga postures including focus on balance, stress relief, partner yoga and strength building.
Serenity Stream Yoga & Wellness is located at 11954 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. The class will take place on October 25 from 3–5 p.m. and tuition is $35.
For more information about this workshop and other classes offered, visit www.serenitystream.com or call 368-6546.

Auto Business Celebrates Anniversary
FishHawk resident Kevin Hart has been working on cars for satisfied customers in the Lithia area for two years and is looking forward to many more.
Hart, owner of Fixin’ Your Ride, a MARS International franchise, offers a wide variety of vehicle restoration services including paint touch up, scratch removal, bumper repair, spot blending, odor and stain removal, pin striping, head light restoration, carpet cleaning and paint protection film.
“Most other franchises only offer a select few services, but MARS offers everything under the sun for vehicle restoration,” says Hart, who has been self employed for eight years and came from a sales background. “I only provide the services I am good at.”
According to Hart, MARS International, based in Dallas, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary and was started by a father and son team.
For more information, call Hart, who is available seven days a week, at 966-7800 or e-mail kevinhart@marsinternational.com.

Equestrian Retail Store Opens in Lithia
From anvils and horse shoes to tacks and racks, Equine Corral, a newly opened equestrian retail store, has everything for the horse enthusiast.
Located at 10419 C.R. 39 S. in Lithia, Equine Corral is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and can be reached at 737-4400.
“Please stop by to say hello and take a look around,” says owner Terry Hunt. “Bring your business cards, flyers and questions. I’m anxious to find out what your needs are, what brands you like and what disciplines you ride or teach. We already have an exciting assortment of stock in the store with boxes arriving daily.”
The farrier supply shop will now be known as Farrier Corral and will remain at the same location, 10427 C.R. 39 S. in Lithia, but the phone number has changed to 737-5400 and the Website is now www.farriercorral.com.
For more information, visit www.equinecorral.com.
Tennis Store Opens at BSAC
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) is now home to the Brandon area’s first tennis pro shop, The Tennis Shack of Florida, offering a wide variety of products for every tennis player’s needs, from apparel to custom stringing services.
According to owner Tim Plossl, the store will carry brands including apparel by Adidas and Fila and shoes by Adidas, Fila, Prince and Babolat.
For more information, call 315-9810 or visit www.mybsac.org.

Triangle Resolutions, LLC Opens Doors
Triangle Resolutions, LLC and owner, Damon Dye LMHC, NCGC, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony with the support of the Riverview Chamber of Commerce last month for the new business hoping to help residents seeking life balance.
Damon Dye, a licensed mental health counselor and nationally certified gambling counselor, started Triangle Resolutions, LLC in July, 2007, and recently began serving the Riverview community from his office at 10014 Park Place Ave. off Gibsonton Dr., between U.S. Hwy. 301 and I-75.
Dye has a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Counseling Psychology. He serves as a primary referral for the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, and is Board Certified in Clinical Hypnosis to treat clients dealing with trauma. Dye also has extensive experience counseling children from the ages of 3 to 17.
Triangle Resolutions, LLC is proud to open its doors to offer discreet services for a wide variety of life challenges. Hours include evenings and weekends to accommodate all schedules. Consulting services and workshops are also available.
For more information, call 714-6107 or visit www.triangleresolutions.com.

A Massage and Rehab Clinic Opens in Brandon
A new clinical, medical and rehab massage clinic, A Touch of Wellness, opened its doors recently at 915 Oakfield Drive Ste. A and celebrated with a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 15.
“A Touch of Wellness, is a massage and rehab clinic with a softer feel which caters to the diversity that is part of what makes Brandon so great,” says Scott Robinson, L.M.T., owner. “We specialize in auto injuries, sports injuries, and any soft tissue injuries. We also offer nutrition consulting, nutritional supplements, and will be adding a Chiropractor to the practice within the next 45 days.”
The practice’s two massage therapists are trained in a variety of techniques from Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and Reiki to Hot Stones and Relaxation massage.
In addition to taking patients at their Brandon office, A Touch of Wellness makes outcalls for any patients are not ambulatory and offers corporate accounts.
For more information, please call Robinson or Sharon Aldrich, L.M.T., M.M.P. at 689-7799.

TherxFitness & Physical Therapy Offers Services
TherxFitness, located at 16637 FishHawk Blvd., Ste. 105 (behind KFC/Taco Bell, across from Newsome High School), now offers registered dietician services to the community. These services include dietary consultation of both healthy and medically complex clients as well as meal plans for weight loss, weight gain, diabetics and cardiac clients. They offer a large menu of dietary services to meet your needs.
TherxFitness now also offers small group personal training. Reserve their private studio for you and up to four friends or you can be grouped with others. Gain the benefits of having your own trainer for a fraction of the cost of private one-on-one sessions. Price determined by group size. Limited to five per group. For more info, call 655-8822.

Resident Opens Design Service
“My passion is to design beautiful, functional interior spaces that promote wellbeing, both physical and psychological, for every inhabitant of that space,” says FishHawk resident and Principal Designer and Owner of Focus Design Services, Kim Albritton. “To do so in a manner that will enable homeowners to use their homes regardless of the curves that life may throw at them, is my ultimate goal.”
Albritton, who operates the business from her home, uses a holistic approach to help her clients, who are mostly older residents and those with physical disabilities, design interior environments that promote independence and exude dignity and style. Through her work with the physically challenged, she came to the realization that people of all types can benefit from her service.
“My observation has been that the one thing we all have in common, regardless of aesthetic taste or income level, is the desire to remain in our homes as long as we wish, surrounded by loved ones,” says Albritton, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design and has earned a CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation from the National Association of Home Builders. “Well-designed interiors can empower us to do just that.” For more information, visit www.focusdesignservices.com or to schedule a consultation with Albritton, call 368-7420.

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Photographers Recognized
Local photographers Edward Booth and Betty Huth, owners of Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery, recently received the Florida Service Award for service to the profession at the Florida Professional Photographers Annual Convention.
“We both were honored to receive the Florida Service Award given for service to the profession,” says Booth. “Receiving this award in just three years is very unusual.”
According to the duo, they have worked together for 18 years to create family portraits with the expectation that they will be handed down from generation to generation.
“We pride ourselves in providing our clients with exceptional portraiture of families and children,” says Booth. “It’s a pleasure that we continue to strive for, that of seeking excellence in preserving precious memories.”
Since moving to the area from California in July of 2005, Huth and Booth have been active members in the Riverview and Greater Brandon area communities volunteering their services to numerous charity organizations, clubs and civic centers. They are also members of the Brandon ‘86 Rotary Club.
The Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery is located at 11711 Nikki View Dr. in Brandon in Lake Brandon Professional Park. For more information, call 571-2100 or visit www.hbphoto.com.

Tennis Store Opens at BSAC
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) is now home to the Brandon area’s first tennis pro shop, The Tennis Shack of Florida, offering a wide variety of products for every tennis player’s needs, from apparel to custom stringing services.
According to owner Tim Plossl, the store will carry brands including apparel by Adidas and Fila and shoes by Adidas, Fila, Prince and Babolat.
For more information, call 315-9810 or visit www.mybsac.org.

New Business Brings Fun to the Streets
Valrico residents James and Josette Delaney are bringing a taste of the tropics to the Brandon area.
The Delaney’s recently opened a franchise of Kona Ice, a traveling Hawaiian Ice van offering 20 flavors of shaved ice and ice cream.
In addition to traveling through local neighborhoods, Kona Ice can be scheduled for private parties or group events.
“Kona has its most fun when they are supporting the community,” says James. “Whether you are a school, a church, or an organization looking for fundraising ideas, Kona Ice is there to help. In a time crunch, don’t worry because under the right conditions we can serve over 200 people in less than an hour.”
For more information, call 484-6595 or visit www.kona-ice.com.

A Massage and Rehab Clinic Opens in Brandon
A new clinical, medical and rehab massage clinic, A Touch of Wellness, opened its doors recently at 915 Oakfield Dr. Ste. A. and celebrated with a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 15.
“A Touch of Wellness, is a massage and rehab clinic with a softer feel which caters to the diversity that is part of what makes Brandon so great,” says Scott Robinson, L.M.T., owner. “We specialize in auto injuries, sports injuries, and any soft tissue injuries. We also offer nutrition consulting, nutritional supplements, and will be adding a chiropractor to the practice within the next 45 days.”
The practice’s two massage therapists are trained in a variety of techniques from Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and Reiki to Hot Stones and Relaxation massage.
In addition to taking patients at their Brandon office, A Touch of Wellness makes outcalls for any patients not ambulatory and offers corporate accounts.
For more information, please call Robinson or Sharon Aldrich, L.M.T., M.M.P. at 689-7799.

New Store is 4Reel
With fall on the horizon, the temperatures will be just right for outdoor activities like fishing and camping and a new store, 4Reel Fishing and Camping Supplies, which opened recently in the SteinMart-anchored Lithia Crossings Plaza makes shopping for those outings a breeze.
From camping lanterns and air mattresses and fishing tackle and hooks, 4Reel has a wide variety of supplies.
“Our store carries something for every person in the family,” says Cheryl Phelps who owns the store with her husband Mike. “We have fishing and camping supplies for the most experienced to the up and coming.”
Valrico residents who grew up fishing and camping on the Alafia River, the Phelps see the Bloomingdale area as a perfect place for the store.
“The area is so family oriented as well as out going and that combination spells camping and fishing,” says Cheryl.
4Reel Fishing And Camping Supplies is located at 3430 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and can be reached at 651-5151. For more information, visit www.4reelfishingsupplies.com or stop by the store Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Aquali Opens In Valrico
With a wide range of services from master technicians, Aquali Salon and Spa opened recently on Erindale Dr. in Bloomingdale.
“All of our stylists are master technicians, many of whom have furthered their skills by becoming educators for product lines, including Alterna, Rusk, Sexyhair and Scruples,” says stylist Hannah McArty.
The full service salon and spa offers services including hair color, perms, relaxing techniques and hair extensions and spa services including acrylic nails, manicures, spa pedicures, facials and full body waxing.
“Aquali salon and spa is a green friendly environment,” says McArty. “Not only do we recycle, we offer coffee and fruit flavored water in glasses rather than non bio-degradable cups. We are trying hard by taking small steps to preserve our environment just as you are at home.”
Aquali Salon and Spa is located at 3652 Erindale Dr. and is open Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
For more information, call 653-3736.

Cruise Planners Offers Deals
October is National Cruise Vacation month and Sherry Leybovich ECCS, CTA, owner of Cruise Planners, is celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event, offering clients values and incentives on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations.
“The World’s Largest Cruise Event is a celebration where lucky agents like me get to give the gift of great savings on cruises, and our clients are the guests of honor,” says Leybovich. “Best of all, Cruise Planners is extending what is traditionally one special night into an entire week of offers and incentives, so the gifts will keep coming from October 4 to the 10.”
According to Leybovich, a prize-a-day giveaway has been incorporated into this year’s cruise event week where clients can enter a daily contest for fabulous prizes and ultimately be entered into the week end grand prize of a free cruise.
Cruise Planners will host a cruise night on October 6 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in FishHawk Ranch where clients can learn more about Cruise Planners and the new Royal Carribean Oasis of the Seas, which will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in December 2009. Representatives from the US Postal Service will be on hand to take applications for passports and to answer questions on the new regulations concerning passports. Lights refreshments will be provided by Bellafia Chocolate Boutique and Lah-Tea-Dah.
Founded in 1994, Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel Services Representative national cruise agency headquartered in Coral Springs, that operates a franchised network of more than 700 experienced travel professionals who independently book cruises and other associated travel. Leybovich has also earned many personal awards and is one of the top franchisees within Cruise Planners. She is currently one of the finalists for home based business of the year through the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call at Leybovich 657-0844, or visit www.cruisesforu.com.

Hospital Welcomes New CNO
“Susan Laber, RN, BSN, MHA, CHCQM, has been promoted to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Brandon Regional Hospital,” says Mike Fencel, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, “replacing Cheryl Goforth who was promoted to CNO at Trident Health Systems, in Charleston, South Carolina.”
Prior to assuming this role, Laber was the Interim CNO for several months, as well as Assistant CNO at Brandon, from 2006-2008. Since her promotion, Laber and her family have relocated from the Sarasota area to FishHawk Ranch.
Laber’s vision for her nursing team can be boiled down to “do what is right for patients first and inspire others to do the same thing. The opportunity lies in providing an environment where patients are the number one priority; use data to make positive changes; challenge the status quo and create a positive culture where nurses want to work.”
For more information, call the hospital at 571-5105.

Bonefish Grill Awarded Top Honors
Consumers have voted and the results are in: Bonefish Grill has been awarded the Platinum Award in the seafood category at this year’s Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards. Platinum is the highest honor. The annual survey, conducted by Restaurants & Institutions magazine and now in its 28th year, is considered a key measure of success for restaurant chains across the nation.
For the 2008 awards, more than 3,100 consumers were asked to rate 120 restaurant brands on eight customer satisfaction attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, reputation and convenience.
“We are especially thrilled that this award is voted on by consumers,” says John Cooper, President of Bonefish Grill. “It means our customers appreciate the lengths we go to in delivering an exceptional dining experience. Congratulations and thanks go to our teams across the country.”
Patricia Daily, Restaurants & Institutions’ publisher, says, “The R&I Consumers’ Choice in Chains awards is a people’s choice award that conveys to the industry and beyond which restaurants have earned consistent business and guest loyalty and why.”
Complete survey results are available through Restaurants & Institutions magazine (www.rimag.com).
For more information and sample menu from the restaurant, visit www.bonefishgrill.com.

Winn-Dixie Helps Hurricane Victims
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. announced recently that customers can help their neighbors affected by the 2008 hurricane season by simply donating at any neighborhood Winn-Dixie.
Winn-Dixie is implementing its “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program in all of its 521 stores as a way to assist the American Red Cross, which has seen its Disaster Relief Fund depleted after an active year of disasters.
The Red Cross provided food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the communities affected by the storms that battered Florida and the Gulf Coast during the past month. Similar efforts across the country have forced the Red Cross to launch a national drive to raise $100 million to keep the Disaster Relief Fund afloat.
Winn-Dixie customers will find “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” donation sheets available at all registers, where they can donate an amount between $0.50 and $500 directly to the American Red Cross. The cashier will scan the Neighbors Helping Neighbors donation sheet, which automatically adds the amount designated by the customer to the total bill.
“Our neighbors face a long and difficult recovery process, and we want to do everything we can to help them,” says Terry Grooms Derreberry, Winn-Dixie manager of corporate giving. “Our hearts go out to those who were impacted by these storms.”
The American Red Cross provides immediate response in more than 70,000 disasters each year through its Disaster Relief Fund. Disasters include fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and tornadoes. Contributions to the relief fund are used to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims as needed.
The Winn-Dixie in the Bloomingdale Plaza at 179 Bloomingdale Ave. can be reached at 681-7337. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

St. Andrews United Methodist Church, located at 3315 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, is planning its annual pumpkin patch sale set to begin on September 28 and run through October 31.
. The proceeds from the sale benefit the youth program at St. Andrews UMC with a portion of the profits going to a charity of its choice.

Center Place Exhibit
Then and Now Paint Box Studios will be on exhibit from October 2-31 in the Mook Gallery at Center Place located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon. An art reception will be held on Sunday, October 12, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The multi-talented artists in Paint Box Studio are a group of women who have painted on Thursdays at Center Place for many years. They work in a variety of media, both small and large, and take pride in their individual accomplishments as well as those with the Paint Box Studio. They are members of the Miniature Society of Florida and participate in other art groups in the Tampa Bay area. The Paint Box Studio will have a special remembrance for Edith Wily who passed on this year. She was an avid member of Center Place, the Brandon League of Fine Arts and the Limona Methodist Church and a long-time member of the group. She will be missed by all.
For more information, call 685-8888.

Children Fly Flags in Honor
At 9:59 a.m. on 9/11, Castles of Imagination Preschool began its annual flag waving ceremony. Throughout the day motorists along Bryan road were greeted by cheering preschoolers waving American Flags. Many drivers waved and some even honked their horns. The school spent the week teaching their young students about community heroes and decorating their American Pride Shirts. This is the seventh year they have observed 9/11 with their students. Castles of Imagination is a National Accredited Preschool and Gold Seal Appointed by the state of Florida. For more information, call 689-2036.

HCC Seeks Host Families
Hillsborough Community College is sponsoring another group of 20 international students of the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) Program. The college is still looking for families to host two male students for a period of eight months, who can provide room and board and the meals to the scholars; also with whom the students can best gain proficiency in English as a second language, learn more about the American culture and the local community. The host families also have the opportunity to learn about another cultural background, participating in social and recreational CASS activities; receiving a monthly stipend of $200 for hosting a scholar; gaining new friends from the U.S. and other countries; and gain the satisfaction of helping international students, among other benefits.
If you know anyone that may be interested in hosting a student, please call Mery Young at 259-6593 or 924-5825 or e-mail at myoung20@hccfl.edu.

Resource Center’s Upcoming Events
The Brandon Family Support & Resource Center, located at 1277 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon, will host the upcoming events: Kids Hour, every Tuesday, from 5-6 p.m. Join children ages 5-12 for fun and games of all types. Snacks will be provided; Teen Movie Night on Saturday, September 27, from 3-6 p.m. A movie, refreshments, prizes and plenty of fun will be available.
Call to sign-up for any of the events at 740-4634.

Golf School Offers Classes
Ace Golf / Pebble Creek Golf Club is now offering Junior Golf School with year-round Saturday group classes containing three levels: beginner, advanced and intermediate. Instructor Tom Egan, PGA professional, will be accepting a maximum of 10 students, with a minimum of four per class, ages 7-17. Classes include range balls and run 45 minutes per week at 820 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Prices range from $69-$125, depending on level chosen, as do times.
Call 651-4653 for more information.

Dance Classes Held in Brandon
Teaching the Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha Cha, Rumba and even Samba and Mambo, dance instructor Donna Garzone offers low-cost dance instruction to beginners on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Brandon Community Center, located at 502 E. Sadie St. in Brandon, for $25 per month and on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon for $20 per month. She also holds dance parties once a month for the students.
For more information, call 340-9433, 671-3009 or e-mail dogrogan@mindspring.com.

Chess at Center Place
Every Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. chess lessons for beginner players will be offered at Center Place located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon. Classes are open to all ages for only $5 per session.
For more information, call Coach Taylor at 727-8852.

Victorian Tea Room Hosts High Tea
Don’t miss this chance to join Tracie L. Arnold of Past and Present Creations and Jewelry Designer Jill Bailey for Afternoon Tea and High Fashion on Sunday, September 28, from 1-4 p.m. at the Victorian Grace Tea Room located at 616 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. Travel back in time for a very feminine and fun event as you view the timeless pieces of jewelry and fashion of that era. Victorian and Edwardian attire is welcomed and encouraged but not necessary. After, enjoy the Afternoon Tea, served on a beautifully presented three tiered tray with mouth watering scones, finger sandw

There was no doubt that on the mind of anyone who follows high school football that the Bloomingdale football program will have its work cut out for the 08-09 season, but most did not expect to see the Bulls suffer a defeat by Spoto High. At the end, however the score board showed 26-12 in favor of the Spartans.
Expecting a strong opponent and trying to get back on track after a disappointing game the week before, Bulls head coach Jason Stokes said that his team was ready to take on the Spartans.
“We have been training hard and we should have a good game tonight,” said Stokes, just before the game.
Unfortunately, Spoto proved to be a bit too strong, too fast and too much for the Bulls to handle.
Spartan’s running back Tim Randolph turned in a great night of football by posting a 147 yards on 14 carries including the scoring on a 67-yard run in the second quarter topping it off with a 34 yard run later.
Bulls’ running back Derek Johnson ran for 95 yards on just 10 carries while Anthony Amos was able to gain 67 yards for Bloomingdale for the night.
True to Stokes’ words the game was a close one with Bloomingdale running the ball for a total of 160 yards and passing for 77 yards, while Spoto ran the ball 176 yards and passed for 78 yards.
Bloomingdale had almost twice the amount of first downs with 14 to the Spoto’ seven.
But, while the Bulls, according to Stokes, have been concentrating on the fundamentals they were only able to gain most of the yards in the final quarter, which proved to be a little too late to catch up with the Spartans’ big plays throughout the game.
“Spoto has a great football program,” Stokes said, adding, “They are tough, and clearly have a lot of speed and will be hard to beat this season.”
For more information about the 08-09 high school football season, please visit www.highschoolsports.net or www.maxpreps.com.

“I think the new library will prove to be a wonderful edition in the community,” said chief librarian Marilyn Shynett, as she talked about the soon to be completed new Seffner-Mango Branch Public Library located at 410 N. Kingsway Road, in the heart of Seffner.
Local residents are currently visiting the twice-moved existing and much smaller facility now located inside the Seffner Walmart shopping plaza. At a glance,the library has pretty much everything any library should.
But as most Hillsborough County residents are able to discern the recent population growth which has also added to the local student population has increased the need for a larger place to be able to accommodate the need of all visitors.
“That is a big part of what the new library will help with,” said Shynett adding, “I believe that it is a good move not only because it will be a much bigger building but it will be in the vicinity of local schools and new developments being built in this community.”
Shynett, who has been a librarian since 1979, has seen a lot of changes in the last three decades and favors all the changes especially the new technology, such as self checkout, online cataloging and computer access for both young and old to enjoy, that have become a must have in recent years.
“Customers are now so much more empowered to use the facility,” she said.
As far as the layout of the new building is concerned, Hillsborough County Public Library manager Suzy George said that while each library is unique in itself, the county has used some of the most recent designs.
“We build on what works,” George said but added, “It is always based on population growth and community need.”
The new 15,000 sq. ft. library will almost triple the size of the existing library space and will increase the in-house materials from 45,000 to close to 100,000 books, magazines and other reading materials.
The project’s estimated total building cost is $6.5 million which includes the land, building, furniture as well as $1 million dollars worth of new books, movies and other library materials.
The library will also feature a new computer lab with 12 personal computers, along with 25 additional PCs for all to use, science room, a children’s department and a number of meeting rooms to complete the project.
The Friends of the Library organization will also have a separate space for book sales as it will continue to support the local library.
All monies for the project come from the Hillsborough County’s general revenue and it is scheduled to be completed later this year.
For more information please visit www.hcplc.org or call 273-3652.

Hillsborough County plans to make the intersections of Kings Ave. and Victoria St. and Providence Lakes Blvd. and Kings Ave. a bit more pedestrian-friendly in the upcoming months.
Located near Brandon High School, the project concerning Kings Ave. and Victoria St. will feature the revamp of the existing traffic light, a pedestrian button, sidewalk ramps and crosswalks.
“This is part of our signalization program to increase the efficiency and safety of pedestrians in our area,” stated Hillsborough County spokesman Steve Valdez. “It is a heavy pedestrian area.” Which hits the nail on the head with a study having been done five years ago leading to the findings that 12,000 vehicles travel the roadway, a roadway originally slated for a capacity of 8,000. This peak of vehicle traffic is usually seen when the school’s session is beginning or ending. “This project will take care of these peak times,” added Valdez.
The intersection of Providence Lakes Blvd. and Kings Ave. will be fitted with a new traffic light, a pedestrian button, sidewalk ramps and crosswalks as well.
According to Valdez, the cost of both projects will be somewhere in the ballpark of $200,000 which is pulled from the Transportation Trust Fund – an account set aside specifically for transportation issues initialized from citizens’ taxes.
Both projects are expected to begin in the next few months, with no initial date having been given for its ending due to the steel mast arm poles to be used in the projects. Made site specific, these factory created poles are Florida mandated due to their ability to withstand hurricane winds and take some time to be fashioned with multiple orders coming into the factory. But no worries should come to motorists traveling these roadways as Valdez assures the public that no delays will be incurred.
“There are no geometric improvements. We may put down a little paint, but there should be no delays,” Valdez concluded. The next project the county will begin on will be the finishing of the third installment of Boyette Rd. in Riverview, but, for now, no other projects are scheduled for the Brandon area.
To learn more about any of the projects mentioned above, please visit www.hillsboroughcounty.com or call 272-5275.

“There are no words to describe how we feel right now that we are finally able to open the “I Am Hope Café” and feed the area homeless,” says Vince Ferraro who heads up this endeavor. Read more