Air Conditioning Contractor Expanding Services

If your air conditioning system is in need of care, #1 Cooling & Heating can help. The company offers air conditioning services, new construction, air filtration, Hepa filters, UV lights, filters, and pool heat pumps. The business, know by its customers for being fair and honest, is expanding its reach of services to the Brandon area.

Co-owner Doug Loggins has 25 years experience in new construction, service, and customer care in all areas of the air conditioning and heating business. Co-owner Sue Loggins is licensed in accounting and paralegal.

The company is located at 1410 Pinetree Circle in Wimauma and business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  After hour calls are taken at no added cost to the customer. For more information, contact Loggins at 600-3843 or visit the Website at www.1coolingheating.com.

New Bar & Grill Restaurant Opened

Do you enjoy a casual, family friendly environment when you dine out? Cherry's Bar & Grill, which recently opened its doors in Apollo Beach, features an all American cuisine with a full service bar.  Cherry's is solely operated by Owner Jill Canavan, where customers receive a friendly and personal experience, high food quality, and great atmosphere. The company is located at 6186 N. Hwy 41 in Apollo Beach. Restaurant hours are Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Happy Hour is offered everyday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The company has a large covered patio for comfortable outdoor seating. Kids eat free every Tuesday. For more information, contact Canavan at 641-9333.

New Kids Clothing Store Coming to Riverview

The Castro family in Riverview is opening a new fine clothing store for kids in March. Owners Elix and Luz Castro, along with their kids, are excited about opening Zulex Kids Boutique. The store will offer a variety of fine clothes for kids ranging from premature babies to young kids, as well as shoes and accessories. The company provides a huge selection of children's clothes for special occasions, baptisms, first communions, birthdays and more. They also have a variety of textures: silk, linen, cotton, and others. The company's goal is to provide its customers with a variety of unique, premium quality clothing, not only comfortable and good looking, but also something children will love to wear. The store will be located at 10657 Big Bend Road next to Sweet bay. Store hours will be Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, contact Castro at 468-1290.

New Office Offers Psychotherapy Services

Owner Sarah Pollard-Hughey opened a new office in the Brandon area bringing the highly successful Anderson Method of weight loss and weight management to the Tampa area for the first time. 

The Anderson Method has a 97 percent success rate with those who follow the behavioral plan.  It is a behaviorally focused psychotherapy approach to weight management provided by a licensed mental health counselor and certified addictions professional. 

Pollard-Hughey also offers traditional types of counseling dealing with drugs and other additions, depression, anxiety, and life's challenges.  Psychotherapy Services is located at 9350 Bay Plaza Blvd, Suite 120-27 just behind Ferman Chevrolet, off S.R. 60 and Ware Blvd.

To make an appointment, contact Pollard-Hughey at 514-6149.

Recently Opened Full-Service Real Estate and Consulting Group

If you're in need of real estate services, the Producers Realty Team may be able to help. The recently opened company is a full-service real estate and consulting group.  It offers services on all real estate transactions including residential, commercial and Investment. 

The company also specializes in assisting clients who area selling a pre-foreclosure and consults with clients who need to sell and purchase real estate and for someone to handle all the details from beginning to end. Owner Chris Erigo-Backsman has assembled a team with over 15 years of experience serving and consulting with clients. Producers Realty Team's motto is "Earning A Standing Ovation From You!"

The company is located at 3450 Buschwood Park Dr., Suite 345, in Tampa. Business hours are flexible based on times convenient to the customer. For more information, contact Erigo-Backsman at 319-6566 or visit www.TheProducersTampa.com.

Coneys 'n Cream Opens

What keeps a family together? Well, if you are a member of the Fox family in Apollo Beach the glue is coneys and ice cream. The five Fox children Shea, Terah, Brean, Tristan and Makenna with their mother, Michelle recently opened Coneys 'n Cream in the Shoppes of Apollo Beach. Four years ago the family had a seasonal ice cream and chili dog store up north, but it had to close when their father and husband passed way from cancer.

The devastated family not only lost a loved one, but also lost a way of life. They loved going up north every summer to work where even the smallest child had a job to do in the family business. Coneys 'n Cream is located in suite 101 of the Shoppes of Apollo Beach (facing Apollo Beach Blvd., next to Trustco Bank). For more information, contact Coneys 'n Cream at 645-6567.

South Bay Hospital Announces New Board of Trustees

South Bay Hospital is pleased to announce three new members to the Board of Trustees. As of January 2008, South Bay welcomes Benjamin Marquez, MD, Spencer Faircloth, and George Keith, PhD.

"I feel that each of these gentlemen bring something unique to the leadership of South Bay Hospital," said Chief Executive Officer, Stephen J. Daugherty. "The other Board members and I look forward to working together with Dr. Marquez, Mr. Faircloth, and Dr. Keith."

Benjamin Marquez, MD is a family practice physician that has been on staff at South Bay Hospital for the past 10 years.

Faircloth is a very active resident of Sun City Center and he has recently retired from SunTrust Bank were he served as vice president and trust officer. George Keith, PhD is the president, chief executive officer and chief academic officer of Hillsborough Community College. For more information, contact Melissa Morgan at 634-0496.

Bank of America Awards Operational Grant

As part of its commitment to providing opportunities to community organizations, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently awarded an operational grant in the amount of $35,000 to Florida Home Partnership, Inc.  The homebuilder will use the funds in support of its outreach and community activities, helping to provide more housing opportunities to low-income, first-time homebuyers in southern Hillsborough County.

"This grant is such a blessing because it will give us the chance to reach out to more individuals in the county and inform them of how our program can benefit them," said  Marketing & Public Outreach Coordinator Melinda Dale, who works for Florida Home Partnership. 

Officials at Bank of America are equally as pleased about the opportunities this grant will present.  "Bank of America is proud to support the efforts of Florida Home Partnership as it helps families reach the dream of homeownership and financial independence," said Market President Bill Goede, of Bank of America in Hillsborough County. 

For more information, contact Florida Home Partnership at 672-7889 or visit www.FLHOME.org.

Salon Changing Names

In need of a great hair day? Hair Carvers, located at 6512 U.S. Hwy 41 North in Apollo Beach, is soon changing its name to Victoria's 5th Avenue Salon. The Redken salon offers a widely diversified selection of services and products to its guests.

Owner Victoria Tawney has 25 years experience and holds a Redken Master's Specialist Certificate/Diploma. Tawney takes pride in the fact that her staff is always continuing their education so they can provide customers with the best service possible. Customer Alicia DeFrancesco said, "I've been coming here for three years and my hair always looks great.  The service is always wonderful.  I wouldn't go anywhere else." Salon hours are Monday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Tawney at 645-0109 or visit their Website at www.victorias5thavesalon.com.

Cuppy's Coffee First to Open in Alafia Crossing Shopping Center

If you enjoy espresso beverages, Cuppy's Coffee, Smoothies & More is sure to be on the top of your list when it opens in Riverview. Cuppy's Coffee offers premium espresso based beverages, all natural fruit smoothies, and a variety of breakfast and lunch items. Owner Sheila Goodlett is a multiple franchisee for Cuppy's Coffee and will open her first Cuppy's Coffee location at the Alafia Crossing Center within a year. The Alafia Crossing Shopping Center is located on Gibsonton Dr at I-75.  The new Cuppy's location will be great for commuters in Riverview looking for an indulgence and a wake up call on their way to work. Goodlett was recently welcomed by the Riverview Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Andi Davidson at 888.241.4324.

New Italian-American Restaurant

All Stars Italian-American Grill, located at 15260 FishHawk Blvd. plans to open its doors in early February. The restaurant will be family friendly, offering a kid's menu that the little ones will love and a "kids eat free night." The restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner; Sunday brunch will be served beginning in March. All Stars Italian-American Grill will have a varied menu offering everything from seafood, steaks, and chops to traditional Italian pastas and pizza. Guido Stocco, the restaurant manager, has over 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry and is very focused on customer service. For more information, contact Matthew Amoroso, Louis Gallotta or Stocco at 689-9600.

Lah-Tea-Dah and Bellafia Chocolate Boutique hold a "Chocolate Divini-Tea"

 Enjoy an afternoon of spoiling yourself with luscious chocolates and teas from all over the world! Deborah Williams, owner of Bellafia Chocolate Boutique and Joa Jane, owner of Lah-Tea-Dah! are offering a wonderful and informative afternoon on the age old pairing of tea and chocolate. Learn about different types of chocolate and tea and how they can be savored together.

Guests may choose from the basic Chocolate Divini-Tea package at $16, which includes a rich selection of chocolate and chocolate desserts as well as tea, or the deluxe package at $24, which includes full afternoon tea as well as the chocolate delights.

The event will be held Saturday, February 16 starting at 2 p.m. at the Bellafia Chocolate Boutique at Winthrop Town Center in Riverview. Tickets may be purchased through Lah-Tea-Dah at 326-4921 or at Bellafia Chocolate Boutique at 657-1218.

In addition, Bellafia Chocolates Boutique invites residents to a Valentine's Day Extravanganza on through February 23 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Chocolate gifts filled with gourmet chocolates and beautiful Valentine accessories to express your feelings for a special loved one. There will also be discounts on purchases over certain ammounts.

Bellafia Chocolate Boutique is located at 6028 Winthrop Towne Centre Ave, Riverview.  For more information please call at 657-1218 or check out www.bellafia4chocolate.com.

Insurance Company Adds New Employee

All Bay Insurance Group, located in the Summerfield area of Riverview, recently added a new employee, Esther Charpentier. Charpentier has lived in the Tampa Bay area for more than 40 years. She has three children and two grandchildren (that she loves dearly).

Charpentier lives in Summerfield, and she is the sweet voice you'll now here when you call the agency.  "We're glad to have Esther as a part of the agency, and we know you'll enjoy getting to know her," says Agency Owner Joel Meek.

For more information, contact Meek at 677-1121.

SouthShore Bank Welcomes Kurt Beste

Kurt H. Beste has joined SouthShore Community Bank as vice president and commercial lender. Beste brings over seven years of lending experience from the Tampa Bay area. Formerly at First Commercial Bank of Tampa Bay as a commercial relationship manager, his focus has been commercial real estate, commercial lines of credit and real estate development loans. Larry R. Tracy, president and CEO of SouthShore Community Bank, said he was pleased to have someone with Beste's depth of knowledge join the bank.  "Kurt has a lot of key contacts in Hillsborough County and is a great asset to SouthShore Community Bank," said Tracy. SouthShore Community Bank is located 5998 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Apollo Beach.

For more information, call 649-9400. 

AAA Hosts Travel Expo

AAA's Brandon and Sun City Center offices will jointly host a 2008 Travel EXPO on Saturday, February 16, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at River Hills Golf and Country Club, 3943 New River Hills Pkwy., Valrico.

The EXPO will feature more than 20 cruise and tour representatives from many of AAA Travel's Preferred Partners such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations and Trafalgar Tours among others. Each vendor will have special savings and travel incentives for both AAA members and nonmembers. Six tour operators and cruise lines will feature 25-minute presentations on signature trips offered. Southwest Airlines Vacations will discuss destinations such as Las Vegas, New Orleans and Nashville, all of which leave out of Tampa. Tauck World Discovery will showcase its unique trips abroad to Europe, the USA and Asia.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department will be onsite to fingerprint children for their identification/security program. And, to add to the fun, Big Nasty-the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' ultimate fan and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame-will be available for pictures and to sign autographs.

For more information, call 681-5761, ext. 2230.

Home or Commercial Cleaning Discount Available

If your home or business needs cleaning, you’re eligible for a discount just because you’re reading the Osprey Observer Business Section. Ron’s Cleaning Service, who recently opened October 30 in Ruskin, is offering new clients a $10 discount to those who mention they read this article. Cleaning services offered include home and commercial deep cleaning. Owner Ronald Ceulemans says he uses a non toxic disinfectant for cleaning and provides reasonable prices that include cleaning of inside windows.  Ceulemans’ experience includes several years cleaning in Belgium, Europe.