BSAC Announces Addition Of New Team Head Coach
By Tamas Mondovics
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) recently announced an addition to its Blue Wave Swim staff: Justin Correia is taking the title of head age group coach. Blue Wave swim team Head Coach Mio Vasic is proud to have Correia on board ensuring the center’s continued success. As a Florida native, Correia, a Burns Middle and Bloomingdale High School graduate, is by no means new to the area or to the BSAC swimming program. He brings a total of 13 years of head coaching experience, including four years as head swim coach and program director of the Swim Macon Aquatic Center and nine years at the Aquatic Club of Temple Terrace. “I am looking forward to utilizing all of my training and experience here at BSAC, “Correia said while emphasizing his focus on implementing a better progression routine for all athletes. “I am working hard on helping our young swimmers be able to make the necessary transition as they get older and swim against stronger opponents,” he said, but added, “I also want them to have fun in the water.”Correia, who has produced multiple Junior National, Southern Sectional, senior champions, junior Olympians, and state high school champions, specifically mentioned the positive outlook and atmosphere amidst BSAC’s diverse program choice.“There is something for everyone here, at every level,” he said.Some of the Blue Wave swim team’s recent success is owed to athletes such as 9-year-old Celi Guzman and 14-year-old Barbara Caraballo, both of whom swam well at the Nationals Championship in Puerto Rico. Guzman earned four gold and two silver medals, while Caraballo earned 11 gold medals, breaking 10 Puerto Rican records and six Blue Wave swim team records.Also on Saturday, May 8, the St. Petersburg Masters Club, along with St. Petersburg Aquatics, hosted the Hurricane Man 2.4 Mile and the Pass-A-Grill 1K Challenge Open Water Swims. BSAC’s Blue Wave swim team sent 11 participants, resulting in Bailey Bowden, Matt Colvin and Jack Deedrick all winning their respective age groups, while in the 1K challenge race, Van Cates, Mary Margaret Deedrick and Brett Yonkee all won their respective age groups. While BSAC offers its high-level programs, it continues to rely upon the generous support of the community.For more information about the Blue Wave swim team, please call the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center at 689-0908 or visit www.mybsac.org.
Press Releases
Democrats Meet
The East Hillsborough County Democratic Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at Giordano’s Restaurant, 11310 Causeway Blvd., Brandon. The next meeting is on Tuesday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m.
RSVP by e-mailing EHCDClub@yahoo.com.
Support Group Welcome Residents with MS
The Brandon MS Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at the Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon.
For information, call Gaye Moran at 681-4284 or e-mail BrandonMSSupportGroup@gmail.com.
League Reveals Annual Meeting’s Events
In June, The League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County hosted its annual meeting and welcomed members and guests to hear Commissioner Kevin Beckner discuss “Juvenile Justice in Florida” and highlight the purpose, goals, and membership of the Hillsborough County Juvenile Justice Task Force. The league elected officers and directors for 2010 – 2011. President, Mickey Castor; Vice President, Joan Pynes; Secretary, Shirley Arcuri; and Treasurer, John Teti assume their new responsibilities immediately. Newly elected directors include Lillie Samuels, Greg Vawter, Lee Essrig, Mike McKinney and Pat Hall.
For more information, call 649-4309.
New Square Dance Classes to Begin
Bay Area Twirlers welcome you to learn square dancing. The class is co-sponsored by Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation. A new class will begin on Thursday, September 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Brandon Community Center, 502 E. Sadie St. (north of Hwy. 60 between Kingsway and Parsons). For more information, call George at 662-1012 or Dan at 571-7786.
Resident Tween Continues March
Valrico resident Zach Bonner’s 2,478-mile “March Across America” will stop for a bit in El Paso, Texas, in July, where the Office Depot Foundation will welcome Bonner with a ceremony at a local Office Depot store. The Office Depot Foundation will donate 500 backpacks in Bonner’s honor to the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless, the Child Crisis Center of El Paso and the Sara McKnight Transitional Living Center of the YWCA of El Paso del Norte.
For additional information, visit www.MarchAcrossAmerica.com.
Consumer Protection Agency Recognized
Hillsborough County’s Consumer Protection Agency received the Outstanding Superiority in Community Service Award from the Elder Care Advocacy of Florida (ECAF). The award recognizes the highest achievement of service to all residents in a Florida municipality. The ECAF cited the county’s Consumer Protection Agency for the “comprehensive effort that investigates, prosecutes and deters illegal enterprises harmful to the general public.” The group also praised Consumer Protection for recovering nearly $5 million in restitution of money, goods and services for consumers over the past five years.
For more information, call 903-3425.
Community Investment Tax Report Available Online
A complete report on projects funded by Community Investment Tax funds in fiscal year 2009 is now available on the county’s Website for the public to review. The Community Investment Tax is a half-penny sales tax approved by voters in September 1996. The report is now only online, which saves the county $16,000 annually in publishing fees.
The complete report for fiscal year 2009 is available at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/communityinvestmenttax/. For more information, call 272-5275.
Bully-Free Summer Camp Tips
With school out, children are participating in dozens of different summer programs or summer camps. Camps, just like school and other places where children gather, can be settings for bullying. Crime prevention tips are provided by the Hillsborough County Criminal Justice Department by calling 276-2033 or visiting www.hillsboroughcounty.org/liaisons/criminaljustice/.
Commissioners Seek Applications for Citizen Boards
Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking residents to serve on several county citizen advisory boards and councils. Residents interested in seeking appointment must be registered voters in Hillsborough County. These are voluntary positions, and members serve without compensation. The deadline for applying is Wednesday, August 4. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in September.
An application is available in the commissioners’ reception area on the second floor of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa; by calling 272-5826; or at www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
Section 8 Wait List Registration to Close Temporarily
Hillsborough County’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program will be suspending its online wait list registration to evaluate and assess the current list of applications received since the online registration was implementation last January. The online registration system will be reinstated at a later date.
Citizens interested in more information on the program’s eligibility criteria and/or applying for the wait list by the closing date may visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org\hss\section8 or call 903-3400, ext. 218.
Beth Shalom Players to Perform
Please join the Congregation Beth Shalom Players, the temple’s theatre troupe, for an emotional and uplifting live dramatic presentation, The Engagement Party (PG)*, on Selichot, Saturday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m. The Engagement Party will take you into the lives of a small group of friends and relatives working through issues to which we can all relate. Rabbi Betsy Torop will lead a discussion immediately after its presentation, with a Selichot service to follow. This traditional service takes place on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). The service includes some traditional prayers and melodies associated with the High Holy Days and concludes with the sounding of the shofar. Audience members are invited to bring dairy desserts to share between the discussion and the service. The show will be presented at the temple, located at 706 Bryan Rd., Brandon. There is no charge to attend.
For additional information, call 681-6547.
*This presentation contains mild sexual references and mature language and is not intended for younger audiences.
Kids Invited on High Seas Expedition
The Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, invites children to a summer kids’ event, called “High Seas Expedition: Exploring the Mighty Love of God,” from Monday, August 2-Thursday August 5. Kids will go on a vast voyage through God’s Word as they participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, dig into yummy treats, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s Word and create Bible Point crafts they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called “God Sightings.” High Seas Expedition is for kids from 4 to 14 and will run from 6-8:30 p.m. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in at 8:15 p.m. each day for The Floating Finale—a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. The cost is $10 per child and includes a light supper.
For more information, call 654-3699 or visit www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/pcob.
Are you Really Prepared?
With the peak of hurricane season almost upon us, St. Stephen Catholic Church is offering Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness to be held on Saturday, July 31 from 10 a.m.-12 Noon. This will be presented by Scott Dunlap, Chief of Administration, Hillsborough County Emergency Management. Learn about evacuation plans, home safety, needed supplies, safeguarding belongings and much more. St. Stephen is located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico.
Local Author Holds Book Signing
Truth Christian Bookstore, 301 S. Collins Ave., Plant City, will host a book signing for author Debora Coty on Saturday, August 14, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information on Coty, visit www.deboracoty.com.
Area Students Benefit From Local School Supplie Drives
By Jennifer Silverstein
Pottery Patch Employees Gear Up for Sixth Annual School Supply DriveThe Pottery Patch, a paint your own pottery studio in Valrico, is sponsoring its annual school supply drive, benefiting the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) in Brandon. Needed supplies are pencils, paper, binders, crayons, backpacks and even shoes. The supplies will be delivered to ECHO for distribution to families in need. This is The Pottery Patch’s sixth year hosting this drive, and each year, the community is more generous than ever. Since 2004, more than 5,000 school supply items were donated to ECHO. It is known that just starting the school year off with the proper supplies not only gives a child the extra confidence but gives them the tools to start the school year off on the right foot. To thank the community for its generosity, The Pottery Patch is offering those who donate a way to earn Pottery Bucks along the way. For items donated, you will receive some bucks to spend at The Pottery Patch (up to $5 per person/$10 per family) in the month of September. Although school begins Tuesday, August 24, the school supply drive ends Sunday, September 5. However, the sooner the supplies reach The Pottery Patch, the sooner they will make a difference in a child’s life.The Pottery Patch has been a creative outlet for area residents since 2002. The studio is located at 2551 S.R. 60 E. in Valrico. For more information, please visit www.potterypatchstudio.com or contact the studio at 643-0014.Two Local Businesses Team Up to Collect School SuppliesHillsboro Bank and Brandon Chiropractic Associates are teaming up in the month of August to collect school supplies for the Stuff the Bus supply drive. The supply drive supports the students in need in Hillsborough County. Did you know that approximately half of the 190,000-plus students in Hillsborough County Public Schools cannot afford to buy the supplies they will need for the start of school on Tuesday, August 24? The six items that are most needed are paper (lined or unlined), composition books, scissors, pencils, crayons and glue.Hillsboro Bank will collect donations at its Valrico office, located at 1016 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, and their Plant City office, located at 509 W. Alexander St. If you have further questions or need directions, please call 657-8989.From Monday – Tuesday, August 16-31, Brandon Chiropractic Associates will be offering new patient services (a $250 value) free in exchange for donated school supplies. On Tuesday, August 17, existing patients who donate a bag of school supplies will receive a free adjustment. Please call 689-1883 for more details and appointments.For more information, please visit www.educationfoundation.com/TeachingTools/SupplyDrives. Bay Area Businesses Stuff the Bus for Our Students The Hillsborough Education Foundation is now hosting the 2010 Stuff the Bus campaign, gathering community support to help continue to stock the “Supply Store” shelves.From now through Wednesday, September 1, the campaign will enlist the help of Bay area businesses and organizations to collect supplies to benefit the Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools program. The partnering groups host a supply drive at their place of business and serve as drop-off locations for the community, encouraging employees and customers to bring in extra supplies to donate to the program.More than half of the 190,000 students in Hillsborough County Public Schools cannot afford the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom. Basics such as paper, scissors, pencils, crayons and glue are not easy for these students to come by. Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools works year-round to remedy this issue by providing these supplies, and many more, to teachers in the district’s most economically disadvantaged schools and education sites, free of cost. Every year, more than 1,800 teachers and 50,000 students benefit from the support of this program. For more information on the 2010 Stuff the Bus campaign and Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools, visit www.educationfoundation.com.ECHO Collection Aids More Than 300 FamiliesThe Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) is hoping to provide 300 children, whose families are experiencing a financial hardship, with the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year. A specific need for many of these children are new shoes and school supplies. Quality used children’s shoes are not readily available, nor are they the best solution for the problem. While both are basic necessities, they often are too expensive for needy families. By providing new shoes and school supplies for children, their self-esteem is enhanced and the start of school is made a more pleasant event. Families will be registered through August at ECHO. Each childwill receive new socks, underwear, a $15 shoe voucher for Payless Shoe Source and a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies On Friday, August 13, ECHO will have its own “Stuff the Bus” from 7-9 a.m. Donations can also be dropped off on-site at 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon Monday- Friday, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. A box will also be available for donations at Studio Eyes, located at 3466 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico within the Steinmart Plaza. The giveaway will take place on Saturday, August 14, from 9:30 -11:30 a.m.For more information, please call 685-0935 or visit http://echofl.org.
American Idol Phil Stacey Headlines Hunger Awareness Benefit In Brandon
By Carisa Biesecker
To all those American Idol fans out there, you may want to head over to First United Methodist Church of Brandon this coming month, as season six’s Phil Stacey will headline a concert to aid Brandon’s Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) in its efforts against hunger.Performing at First United Methodist Church of Brandon, located at 121 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon, on Friday, August 20, at 7 p.m., Stacey says, “I was thrilled to be a part of it. Anyway to be involved,” in regard to helping ECHO, a nonprofit emergency center he had heard about from a friend. Using this concert as a prelude to the Feed the Bay effort put forth by area churches, taking place on Sunday, October 24, ECHO Executive Director, Stacey Efaw, states, “We are very grateful to Phil for taking time out of his busy schedule to conduct the concert for ECHO. Our main focus of the concert is hunger awareness.” Here, details regarding Feed the Bay will be revealed, which prompts the community to help fight hunger amongst its fellow neighbors and residents by going out and purchasing nonperishable food items at Sweetbay and Publix to donate on-site that very same day.After organizing donations at ECHO, Stacey took a minute to talk about his fame, having made it into the top five on American Idol. “Fame has been funny,” he asserts. Reminiscing of his days in the military band Navy Band Southeast, one of 13 official United States Navy bands, he says things have changed since his first years of hitting the stage in Jacksonville, FL, where loyal fans always made their way to his shows with signage in hand and could be recognized by face. Now the fan base is a bit different, having traveled to Italy with his wife on his last vacation to be hit up for a picture by an unknown admirer.His plans for the upcoming year include finalizing production on a third album, while finishing up the Into the Light tour with special guests II Edition, promoting his newest album Into the Light. The singer mentions that tours will lighten up into next year, so he can get into the studio to produce his CD. Having toured in the past with Christian singers Natalie Grant and Michael W. Smith, Stacey leaves this advice with readers: “Whatever it is, whether it be singing or acting, that your dream may be, just go after it. My uncle, Mitchell Tolle, who is a famous artist, gave me the best piece of advice. He said, ‘If you have a back-up plan, that’s what you are going to do.’ So I never did. If you love to sing, you’ll sing. It’s for the love of what you do and the connection you make with people, touching people’s hearts.”Tickets, costing $20, are now available at www.itickets.com or ECHO, situated at 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Those interested in getting up close and personal with Stacey can do so through the VIP experience, paying $50 for dinner, an introduction, pictures, an autograph and VIP seating.“ECHO is the only one receiving funds from the concert, but ECHO does often supply food to many of the smaller food panties in the area,” adds Efaw. “We are hoping that the community supports the concert and that it becomes a yearly event to help us end hunger in Eastern Hillsborough County. Together we can accomplish a lot.” For more information, call 685-0935. To learn more in regard to ECHO, visit www.echofl.org. To find out about Stacey, visit www.philstacey.com.
Hawthorne Village Celebrates Opening New Rehab Facility
By Tamas Mondovics
Close to 200 visitors and community representatives, which included the Riverview and Brandon chambers of commerce, joined Hawthorne Village of Brandon Retirement Community’s staff last month to celebrate the completion of the facility’s state-of-the-art rehabilitation department expansion. During the open house event, guests were treated to some music and entertainment, door prizes, chair massages and drinks, including signature martinis.Hawthorne Village of Brandon is located at 851 W. Lumsden Rd., in Brandon, west of Kings Ave. across from Dunkin Donuts restaurant, and provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, as well as independent, assisted living and custodial care services. According to Executive Director Vernon Zeger, through Hawthorne’s unique Bounce-Back program, many patients have rehabilitated, recovered and returned back to their lives in the community. “Hawthorne provides full rehabilitative services, including physical, occupational, speech and massage therapy, provided by therapists with over 215 years of combined experience,” Zeger said. The expansion, which began last fall, cost the facility close to $800,000, expanding the original rehab to a total of 2,600 sq. feet, with two separate therapy rooms and now the new nautilus-like HUR exercise equipment, which sports a computer program that tracks resident’s improvements.State Representative Rachael Burgin also attended the event and was impressed with the results and the attention Hawthorne is giving to its residents.“What a great place for residents to get therapy,” Burgin said as she thanked Hawthorne for being a good representation of the Brandon community.Other projects for Hawthorne include room renovations, upgrading fixtures, lighting and resident care areas. The facility’s parent company, Florida Living Options, is in the process of building an independent living facility in Ocala and a new 120-bed rehabilitation center in Sarasota, scheduled for completion later this year and early 2012, respectively.Pleased with all the recent accomplishments, Zeger said that as a not-for-profit organization, Hawthorne is able to invest back into its buildings. “For those patients that come for rehab or for those residents that stay with us a little bit longer, these advances help us to stay current with the latest trends in therapy technology,” he said. “I believe our residents and patients enjoy the extensive therapy and nursing services that go along with growth and quality improvement.”To schedule a tour or for more information, please call 661-8998 or visit www.hawthornevillageofbrandon.com.
Summer Wrestling Camp Keeps Local Youth Busy
Summer Wrestling Camp Keeps Local Youth Busy
By Tamas Mondovics
In harmony with last year’s theme, “Get Moving,” and with some extra focus on the fun factor, the Black and Blue Summer Wrestling Fun Camp, held at Riverview High School, is once again offering an opportunity for local youth to keep busy during the summer months, with Riverview High School wrestling coach William Sargable at the helm. With the attention focused on the ever-growing problem of childhood obesity, Sargable emphasized the importance of getting young people off the couch and away from the TV and the computer. “It is imperative that kids develop good eating habits and physical activity and get busy,” he said. “Our primary mission for offering the summer youth sports camp is to give area kids an opportunity to stay physically active throughout the summer.” Sargable said that without organized athletic programs and camps, it is often difficult for a parent to motivate a child to be physically active. The Black and Blue Summer Wrestling Camp was founded six years ago with the purpose to introduce wrestling to area boys who may not have an understanding of or lacked exposure to real wrestling.While wrestling is the main course, in recent years the camp actually evolved into a full sports fun camp with activities that include water-ball dodgeball, kickball, flicker football, soccer, tennis, wrestling, games (like snake-in-the-grass, capture the queen), power ball and many more.“The kids love it,” Sargable said. “At the end of each camp, the campers are rewarded for their hard work and receive a camp shirt along with a pizza party.” Camp is scheduled for Monday – Thursday. Helping with the program as camp counselors are a number of high school wrestlers who also play all the games and have just as much fun as the rest. With June’s session over, the Black and Blue Wrestling Camp is going strong and will continue with three more sessions scheduled Monday- Thursdays, July 12-15, July 26-29 and August 9-12. For more information about the camp or to sign up for one or more of the upcoming sessions, please contact Sargable at 671-6009 or e-mail William.Sargable@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Press Releases
Businesses Provide Back-to School Health Series
The Compounding Shop of Riverview and Arbonne International are partnering to bring residents the free Family Health Series Back-to-School Health Notes on Tuesday, August 3, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Brandon Jr. Woman’s Club, 129 N. Moon Ave., Brandon. Information will be provided in regard to kids’ sports, nutrition, skincare, immunity and more. To learn more, call 500-2581.
Dog Obedience Classes Offered
Dog Obedience classes (an eight-week course) will begin the week of July 19 at the Brandon Recreation Center, 510 E. Sadie St. Basic classes are held on Mondays or Tuesdays. Sub-novice classes are on Wednesdays or Thursdays. All classes are 7-8 p.m. The registration fee is $80.
For information and pre-registration, call 689-0731 or e-mail sibesite@tampabay.rr.com.
Senior Living Puts Call Out to Crafters
Senior Living Guide has a goal of donating 500 new lap blankets to seniors in wheelchairs this December. Residents with a crafty side are invited to make a blanket, sponsor a blanket or donate toward the cause. All blankets need to be completed and delivered/ picked up by Monday, November 15.
For more information, e-mail seniorliv@aol.com, visit www.seniorlivingonline.com or call 1-888-604-8433.
Refresher Course Held for Drivers
The AARP Driver Safety Class, a six-hour refresher course for drivers over the age of 50, is being offered at Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Dr., Riverview, on Friday, July 16, from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To register call 677-1115; Sun City Center’s Caper Room, 945-A North Course Ln., Sun City Center, on Monday and Tuesday, July 19 and 20, from 12:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To register call Encore Bank at 634-8001.
Coffee Chat on One’s Hospital Stay to be Held
South Bay Hospital has teamed up with Sun Towers to provide a coffee chat on what patients can expect from their nursing staff, including the day to day routine of a nurse, what to expect if you are in the hospital and ways to take charge of your care. The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 22, from 10-11 a.m. in Sun Towers’ main dining room, 101 Trinity Lakes Dr., Sun City Center.
To reserve your spot, call 634-3347.
Animal Shelter Offers Specials
The CARE no-kill animal shelter, 1528 27th St. SE, Ruskin, is having adoption and extra hour specials during the months of July and August. Many playful kittens are available for half-price adoption fees during these months, and the shelter is opening every Sunday during July and August between 12 Noon-3 p.m. for pet introductions. Normal operating hours remain Monday-Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm. All kitten adoption prices include spaying or neutering, current vaccinations, a 5-lb. bag of food, a free litter scoop and a free initial office visit at the Boyette Animal Hospital in Riverview.
Call 645-2273 for more information.
Free Check-up at Sweetbay
Free diabetes screenings will be offered from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, July 17, at Sweetbay Pharmacy, 5570 N. U.S. Hwy. 41, Apollo Beach.
For more information, call 1-800-713-3301.
VBS Explores the High Seas
St. John The Divine Episcopal Church is offering two separate vacation Bible school programs. From Monday-Friday, August 2-6, High Seas Expedition for young children 4-10 years old will be held at the Ruskin Campus, 705 9th St., S.E., from 5:45-8:45 p.m. A program for youth entering the sixth grade and higher will be held at the Sun City Center Campus, 1015 E. Del Webb Blvd., from 6-8:30 p.m. Both programs begin with dinner and feature Bible learning, crafts, music, games and a mission project. There is no charge to attend. Please call 645-1521 for information or to register.
Kids Welcome to Saddle Up for VBS
Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS at Simmons Loop Baptist Church, 6610 Simmons Loop, Riverview, runs from Sunday-Friday, July 25-30, from 6-9 p.m. There are classes for 2 year-olds to adults. Saddle Ridge Ranch is a place where kids can ask questions and discover the answers found in God’s word. During their evenings at the ranch, kids will experience crafts, missions, music, recreation and snacks. They will visit “Worship Rally Valley” and learn in the “Bible study bunkhouse.” The “Buckaroo bucks” that the children earn each night can be exchanged for valuable items.
For more information, please call 677-9310. Register for VBS any time at www.simmonsloopbaptistchurch.org.
Camp’s Summer Issue a Buzz
The summer 2010 issue of the Camp Bayou Buzzzzz! is now available online at http://campbayou.org/newsletters/2010summer.pdf . It can also be accessed from the “News” link at the top of the page on www.campbayou.org.
For more information, e-mail campbayou@yahoo.com.
Girls Softball Team Hosts Charity Golf Tournament
Tampa HeatWave Girls Fast Pitch Softball will host a golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday, July 17, with registration starting at 7 a.m. and a shotgun scramble at 8 a.m. at WedgeWood Golf and Country Club, 401 Carpenters Way, Lakeland.
For more information, call 376-6785.
Meet with Commissioner Beckner
Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, District 6, Countywide, is hosting office hours from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Friday, July 30, at Ruskin Branch Library, One Dickman Dr., S.E., Ruskin
To learn more, go to www.CommissionerBeckner.com.
Boat Ramp Expansion Planned at E.G. Simmons Park
An expansion project will soon double the boat ramp launching capacity at Hillsborough County’s E.G. Simmons Park which provides access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This park improvement will provide a new 40-foot ramp and two floating docks that will increase safety and decrease the time needed for water enthusiasts to launch and load watercraft. The Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is joint-funded with a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The cost of the project is $476,500. Construction will begin this month and is scheduled to be completed in October 2010. Boat launch fees at County ramps are $5 a day or $100 for a yearly pass. Passes are available at the Park Office located at 15502 Morris Bridge Rd. or by downloading an application from the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Website at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/resources/forms/AnnualPass.pdf.
Section 8 Wait List Registration to Close Temporarily
Hillsborough County’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program will be suspending its online wait list registration to evaluate and assess the current list of applications received since the online registration was implementation last January. The online registration system will be reinstated at a later date.
Citizens interested in more information on the program’s eligibility criteria and/or applying for the wait list by the closing date may visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org\hss\section8 or call 903-3400, ext. 218.
Charter Review Board Wants Public Comment
The 2010-2011 Hillsborough County Charter Review Board is holding a public hearing to receive public comment on two proposed changes to the Hillsborough County Home Rule Charter: eliminate the position and functions of the County Internal Performance Auditor; repeal the provision that enumerates the veto powers of an elected county mayor. This public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa on Tuesday, July 13.
The Resolution to eliminate the IPA position can be reviewed at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/charterreviewboard/2010/IPAResolution.pdf. Direct access to the Charter Review Board is available by visiting www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
County Begins E.G. Simmons Park Boat Ramp Expansion Project
County Begins E.G. Simmons Park Boat Ramp Expansion Project
By Tamas Mondovics
An expansion project, which will double the boat ramp launching capacity, providing access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, has begun at the 469-acre E.G. Simmons Park and Preserve, located 2401 19th Ave. N.W., near Ruskin.Since the mid-60s, the park has been serving residents and outdoor enthusiasts as a popular location for picnics and camping, with a beautiful waterfront view. While a boat launch provides access to saltwater fishing and boating, the park features a number of fishing piers and areas for bank fishing. It is a popular location for bird watching among the shallow waters of the surrounding mangrove swamps.Of course, such a history of serving residents for almost five decades also means a need for some upgrades as well as much-needed timely improvements. According to Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Manager John Brill, this park improvement will provide a new 40-ft. ramp and two floating docks that will increase safety and decrease the time needed for water enthusiasts to launch and load a watercraft. “The new ramps and docks will mirror the existing facility and be constructed adjacent to the current ramp,” Brill said. “The existing ramp and docks will remain open during construction.” The Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is joint-funded with a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and is estimated to cost $476,500. Brill said that construction began in June and is scheduled to be completed in October 2010. “This particular boat launching location is one of the most heavily used in the county and makes the construction of a second floating, loading dock an important project welcomed by local boaters,” he said. Current boat launch fees at county ramps are $5 a day or $100 for a yearly pass. Passes are available at the Park Office, located at 15502 Morris Bridge Rd., or by downloading an application from the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Website at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/resources/forms/AnnualPass.pdf. The Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department manages more than 20 boat ramps that provide access to both fresh and saltwater recreation areas. For a list of boat ramps, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/BoatWeb.pdf.
Support Riverview High Sharks At Upcoming Fishing Tournament
Support Riverview High Sharks At Upcoming Fishing Tournament
By Sharon Still
Attention all anglers: Grab your fishing buddies and sign up to participate in the 2010 Shark Fishing Tournament presented by Riverview High School and hosted by S & S Tacos/Pizzas & Stuff, SouthShore Anglers and Cherry’s of Apollo Beach. The event will kick-off with a captains meeting at 7 p.m., Friday, July 23, at S & S Tacos/Pizzas & Stuff, located at 10664 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview. Tournament fishing will begin at 9 p.m. The entry fee for the event is $35 per angler. The pre-weigh-in party begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, at Cherry’s Apollo Beach, with the official weigh-in scheduled for 4 p.m. sharp. Three prizes will be awarded for the biggest black-tipped sharks. There also will be raffles and live music by Zebron & James. Raffle items include Tampa Bay Storm, Tampa Bay Lightning and East Bay Raceway tickets; gift cards; golf packages; and a kayak, among other items. Additionally, a signed basketball by Florida Gators basketball coach Billy Donovan will be auctioned. Local businesses are banding together to make this event a success and all proceeds will be donated to the Riverview High School football team in order for them to purchase stencils and imprint the Sharks’ logo on the football field at the school.“We are so fortunate that we could put this together,” says Mike Self, owner of S & S Tacos/Pizzas & Stuff, who is spearheading the tournament. “We just want to make a difference for the school and be part of a lasting thing in the community.”In addition to the aforementioned hosts of the event, other sponsors include Don’s Boating Supplies, SportClips, T.A. Mahoney Co., TakeOutButler.com, Osprey Observer, My Family Chiropractic, Sweetbay Supermarket, Multi Gear Bicycles, Linksters Tap Room, The Brandon Gazette, James Pulkowski, CPA, Your Neighborhood Magazine, USA BMX Riverview, The Sports Club 24/7 Fitness, Hot Spots Fishing Charters, Fisherman’s One Stop Bait & Tackle, ECB Business Services and County Commissioner Ken Hagan. “We hope this will be a huge community event that will partner the school with the businesses as a win-win event,” Self adds.For more information, contact Self at 677-8226 or visit www.southshoreanglers.com.
