Dining Dollars Card Now Has Two New Categories, 20 New Participants
More than 30 local restaurants including California Pizza Kitchen, Mellow Mushroom and Green Iguana are participating in the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce's Dining Dollars program offering discounts and special offers to residents. Stop by the Osprey Observer today to pick up your Dining Dollars card.
With 20 new participants, the Brandon Chamber is encouraging residents to get out there and eat, locally, of course.
Since its inception in 2009, the chamber’s Dining Dollars card has been offering residents a way to save while dining out. Some discounts include 20 percent off; 15 percent off; 10 percent off; buy one, get one; free dessert with an entrée; a free drink or some other type of discount.
New participants of the card include Bob Evans, California Pizza Kitchen, Wizeguyz Pizzeria & Restaurant, American Pie Pizza Co., Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on Adamo Dr. and Kings Ave., Stingray’s Grill of Brandon, Sweet Tomatoes, Campbell’s Dairyland, Inc., Moe’s Southwest Grill- Winthrop, Chicken Kitchen – Brandon, Domino’s Pizza – Brandon, Ms. Cyndi’s Corner Café, Jaymer-Que Southern BBQ, Golden Corral – Brandon, The Rack Sushi Bar Billards Lounge – Brandon, Taiga/ Coach’s, GrillSmith – Brandon and Mango’s at Embassy Suites Tampa – Brandon.
The two new categories added this year were “Free Drink” and “Other.” “Both categories are new because of the unique offers our members wanted to give the community,” said Jamie Reid, the chamber’s member programs leader, engagement and programming.
Continuing their participation from 2009 are Barnacles, Buffalo Wild Wings, Giordano’s of Brandon, Green Iguana, Sinigual Mexican Cuisine, The Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Southeast, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, Zaxby’s Valrico, Village Inn, Honeybaked Ham and Tres Amigos Cantina.
Restaurants offering 20 percent off your entire bill include Bob Evans, California Pizza Kitchen, The Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Southeast, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, Wizeguyz and Zaxby’s. American Pie, Barnacles, Beef’s, Green Iguana, Planet Smoothie, Sinigual, Stingray’s and Sweet Tomatoes are offering 15 percent off the total bill. And Buffalo Wild Wings, Campbell’s Dairyland, Giordano’s and Moe’s are offering 10 percent off.
At Jaymer-Que and Village Inn, if you use your dining dollars card, you can get a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Chicken Kitchen, Domino’s, Honey Baked Ham, Ms. Cyndi’s and Tres Amigos are offering a variety of buy one, get one deals with the card.
New this year, the free drink offer can be redeemed at Golden Corral, The Rack and Taiga. In the “Other” category, GrillSmith is offering $5 off $25 or more and Mango’s is offering a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée.
The Dining Dollars program is offered by The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, located at 330 Pauls Dr. in Brandon, and sponsored by the Osprey Observer. For more information, visit www.brandonchamber.com, call the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at 689-1221 or e-mail jreid@brandonchamber.com.
Exciting Changes At Winthrop Town Centre
The Riverview Chamber will be moving to the Winthrop Town Centre at the end of August. The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce was established in 1966 and has been at its current location for three years. When asked about the move, Director Tanya Doran said it was all about, “Location, location, location.”
With close to 400 members, the chamber’s next big event is its annual Multi-Chamber Business After Hours, scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at South Bay Hospital, located at 4051 Upper Creek Dr., Ste. 103, in Sun City Center.
Participating chambers include Apollo Beach, Greater Riverview, Ruskin SouthShore and Sun City chambers of commerce.
For more information on the Riverview Chamber, please call 234-5944 or visit www.riverviewchamber.com.
Winthrop Liquors, touting itself as the “first of its kind,” and “a new experience in spirits,” is currently open in the plaza, offering cigars, beer, liquor and wine.
Owner Tom Manchesi said the store will host a grand opening on Friday, August 27. The event is scheduled from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and will have live music, food and drink. Both The Riverview Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will do an official ribbon cutting at 5 p.m.
Manchesi and plaza developer John Sullivan are asking for a $5 donation, of which 100 percent will go to local charities. Donations and reservations can be made in advance with The Brandon Community Foundation by calling 689-6889 or the Brandon Outreach Clinic at 654-1388.
Located at 11127 Winthrop Market St., next to Green Iguana Bar & Grill, the store can be reached at 382-9463 or info@winthropliquors.com. More information is also available online at www.winthropliquors.com.
Lady Chameleon, which used to be situated within a kiosk at Westfield Brandon, recently opened a storefront offering Miche bags, Sierra’s Flexible Fun Footwear and Me Beads.
The store, with the slogan, “Embracing the Ever-Changing You,” will be located at 6030 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview, next to Starbucks.
Owner of Miche Bags of Greater Tampa, Lynn Wise, said she chose this location because, “the area is lovely and well-trafficked.”
The store will be open for shopaholics Monday–Saturday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information, please call 421-3220 or visit www.ladychameleonllc.com.
Sketch and Sip, a unique instructional painting class, has found a new venue for hosting classes within the Winthrop Town Centre, which is slated to expand, as developers have only built 10 percent of what is planned.
Located behind the Times Building at 11248 Winthrop Main St., Ste. B in Riverview, the studio has already hosted its first class. August is also Sketch and Sip’s second anniversary. In its two years, it is estimated that close to 100 paintings have been created for a class, with some paintings being used for more than one class.
The new studio is 650 sq. feet, able to accommodate between 20-25 people. For larger parties, such as birthday parties or bridal showers, Sisco says she is able to rent the Winthrop Barn Theater. Sketch and Sip’s new location will have one class per day, Monday–Friday at 7 p.m. and two on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. To create a canvas painting, the cost is $40. For a wine glass, the price is $18.
Owner Patty Sisco plans on hiring one-two more artists to help teach classes at the studio and will also have guest artists, such as an 87-year-old woman who will teach a gourd class. “For my repeat customers, I wanted to give them something different to do,” Sisco said.
For information on when guest artists will be coming to Sketch and Sip, residents are encouraged to sign up for the company’s newsletter.
Sisco will still continue to offer what she now calls “satellite classes” at Pottery Patch in Valrico, DaSilva’s Coffee House & Roastery in Lithia and Café Kiln in Tampa.
For more information, please call 263-4576, visit www.sketchandsip.com or find it on Facebook by searching “Sketch and Sip.”
The Joint PT, a privately owned physical therapy practice focused on the one-on-one treatment approach, with the motto “Flexibility. Mobility. Recovery,” recently opened in Winthrop Town Centre as well.
All patients are treated by physical therapist, Earlee Salas, versus assistants and/or machines, and the practice is unique in its working hours and the fact that all of the staff is bilingual.
Services that The Joint PT treats include orthopedic and sports injuries, muscle imbalances, post surgical rehab, arthritis, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, spinal care, geriatric care, automobile and work-related injuries and massage therapy.
“Our patients classify us as the boutique of physical therapy and we’re very proud to be in the area,” said Cyndie Salas, director of operations for The Joint PT.
The Joint PT is located at 11256 Winthrop Main St., Ste. A, in Riverview. For more information, please call 443-5749 or visit www.thejointpt.com.
LOL In Brandon’s Newest Comedy Club
Thomas Brown, owner of the new Jokers Live Comedy Theatre, has toured with comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall.
Riverview resident Thomas Brown used to sneak into his father’s room as a boy to learn every last one of Richard Pryor’s jokes. He was the class clown in school. An accomplished automotive metal fabricator and custom painter, Brown has restored cars for Major League Baseball stars Dwight Gooden and Gary Sheffield as well as for Tom Dupont, publisher of the Dupont Registry, among others. Believing that his true calling was to make people laugh, Brown resolved to pursue his dream full-time. The one-time paint-and-body man turned comedian hasn’t looked back since.Since then, he has toured with Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall, earning his comedian credentials. He has been voted AOL’s Best Cruise Line Comedian for the past two years.He has a CD entitled Stupid Things that People Do and a cookbook- From the Stage to the Stove, World’s Funniest Cookbook. Brown, along with his wife, Vanessa, is now opening his own comedy club in the Brandon area. Jokers Live Comedy Theater will have its first show on Friday, June 18, at the Embassy Suites Tampa-Brandon, located at 10220 Palm River Rd., Tampa. With shows performed once per month, Brown has hopes of expanding the shows to every Friday night. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online or at the door. Embassy Suites Tampa-Brandon features a restaurant- Mango’s- and a full bar. “The great thing about having it at a hotel is that if you have too much to drink, you can stay,” joked Brown.Brown also wanted to emphasize that another advantage to having the business within a hotel is the ample parking lot. With seating available for up to 250 guests, Jokers Live Comedy Theater will have a different format than most comedic “three-man” shows. Brown said he is aiming to have six comedians on stage every night. “You’ll see a new, fresh face every time,” he said.Another unique characteristic of Jokers Live Comedy Theater is the audience participation. “We take down that fourth wall and make you feel like a part of the show,” said Brown.The Browns live in Aberdeen Creek with their two children, daughter Niyah and son Trae. “I love being a dad,” claimed Brown. “For a grown man, there’s no feeling quite like the one you get when you get in an argument with your 4-year-old daughter…and lose.” For more information on Jokers Live Comedy Theater, please call 377-3070 or visit www.jokerslivecomedy.com.
12-Year Granite Company As Solid As A Rock With Years of Experience
People agree that upgrading the kitchen and bath areas of your home is one of the best investments your home could receive, both for your pleasure and your home’s value. Granite is fast becoming the material of choice for these improvements; there is simply no match for its uniqueness and natural beauty. Enduring and elegant natural stone is available in a wide variety of colors to match virtually any decor. If you find the variations and character of granite is not for you, then you might consider the more consistent and particulater look of an engineered quartz surface. Quartz is also available in an array of colors and offers benefits similar to granite. Any shape imaginable can be produced from either material for beautiful kitchen countertops, fireplace surrounds, bathroom tub decks and vanities. West Central Granite and Marble Works opened in the spring of 1997. “Being at the same location for more than 12 years, you know where you can go to be rest assured that your granite or marble project will be completed in a professional and timely fashion,” said owner Keith Rose. With seven employees, West Central Granite and Marble does all of the fabrication and installation of granite, quartz and marble counter tops, tub decks and fireplace surrounds. Depending on the size of your kitchen, granite counter tops with a basic edge detail can start at about $39 per sq. ft. The 7,000-sq.-ft. showroom is located at 12222 N. Hazen Ave. in Thonotosassa, just five minutes from the I-75 and I-4 exchange within 30 minutes of most of Hillsborough County. West Central Granite and Marble Works is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday by appointment. Rose said he would like residents to know: “They will be treated personally like they are doing business with a small shop but their project will be completed with the ability of the largest. “ “West Central Granite and Marble Works’ philosophy is that quality and concern will always be in demand,” he concluded. For more information, please call 982-9504 or visit www.westcentralgranite.com.
State Fair Has “Super” Theme
The Florida State Fair will return with the theme “Super Fair” this year from Thursday, February 4- Monday, February 15, at the State Fairgrounds, located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa, on the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and U.S. Hwy. 301, near I-4.New to the fair this year are helicopter rides in the original Batcopter used in the TV series, a Las Vegas-style show called Celebrate! and frog jumping championships, in addition to the already popular Kachunga alligator show, Sea Lion Splash and Welde Big Bear Show and Grizzly Falls.According to Florida State Fair spokeswoman Denise Shreaves, the Batcopter will provide a 15-minute aerial tour of the surrounding area for two people at $30 per person. Two people are needed to ride the Batcopter. She said this and the Slingshot are considered “thrill rides” and are not included in ride tickets or armbands. The newest “fair food” this year is Fair Squares, which are described as fluffy, deep-friend goodness with pink powdered sugar topping. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen For the Cure charity. Reaves said Fair Squares are similar to the French pastry beignet, meaning fried dough. Other discount offers include a coupon value book which can be purchased in advance for $4. Shreaves said it is similar to the entertainment book but is specific to fair vendors only. For instance, she said, you may have a coupon for $1 off a corndog, or in the Entertainment Hall, a vendor may offer $1 off a $10 purchase. Coupon books will be available for $5 at the fair. Other discount offers include 30 ride tickets for $24 per sheet and Pepsi armbands for $25 per armband. When residents purchase the ride tickets in advance, Shreaves said they get 10 more ride tickets.Special value days at the fair include the opening day armband for $20 after 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 4; student days at the fair are Friday, February 5, and Monday, February 15, and cost $6 for ages 12 through 12th grade and $5 for ages 6-11; senior days are Tuesday, February 9, and Thursday, February 11, and cost $6 for ages 55 and over; Thursday, February 11, is Salute to Veterans day where admission is free after 4 p.m. and there is free musical entertainment at 6 p.m. in the Sweetbay Entertainment Hall; and 4-H and FFA days are Saturdays, February 6 and 13. For more information on the 2010 Florida State Fair, please call 621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com.
Riverview Business – August 2009
Sun City Resident Honored
Senator Ronda Storms and Jeff Atwater, president of the Florida Senate, recently presented the Senate Medallion of Excellence Award for outstanding public service to Sun City Center resident Dave Brown for his public service on a number of issues including flood plains and back flow valves.
Brown’s attention to the flood plain issue was drawn by a map displayed by Hillsborough County showing that his home on Burlington Cir. was subject to flooding. Amazed, he pointed out that the map, based in part on FEMA studies, could only be valid if water flows uphill. After more than a year of detailed study, it was found that Brown was right, and the finding meant a re-drawing of flood plain maps for much of Hillsborough County.
Earlier this year, Brown was presented with a plaque by the Sun City Center Community Association showing its appreciation for his tireless efforts on these projects.
It has been estimated that Brown’s work has saved the residents of Sun City Center hundreds of thousands of dollars by not having to install unnecessary “backflow” equipment around their homes, and for savings on flood insurance premiums where no compelling need exists.
For more information on Brown, please visit his Website at www.suncitydave.info.
Doggie Day Care Voted Brandon’s Best
Canine Cabana, Riverview’s premier dog day care and boarding facility, has been voted Brandon’s Best Dog Kennel. Customers voted online and through paper ballots to choose their favorite local dog kennel.
Canine Cabana offers full-time and part-time dog day care as well as boarding. In order to ensure that your dog will have a fun and safe visit, staff trained in dog behavior and pack behavior have a constant physical presence with the dogs during group play. Your favorite four-legged friend can enjoy a run on Canine Cabana’s one-acre, tree-covered property, a refreshing dip in a pool, or relax in their air conditioned play area. You will have a well-exercised, happy dog that will be ready to head home and relax with you at the end of your busy day or vacation.
Every dog that plays at Canine Cabana goes through a one-day behavioral assessment conducted by owners, Angie Frazier and Kendall Duncan.
Frazier and Duncan are long-time residents of the Brandon area and have over 20 years of animal care and behavior experience. At Canine Cabana, its personal goal is to build relationships with owners and dogs that last a lifetime. Since dogs are part of the family, Canine Cabana wants to be sure that its customers and their pets always feel like part of the family…The Cabana Family.
Canine Cabana is conveniently located at 9708 Carr Rd. in Riverview, just off Boyette Rd., one mile west of Bell Shoals Rd.
For more information or to schedule your first day, call 672-WOOF (9663) or visit www.caninecabana.biz.
Winthrop Chocolate Shop Adds Treats
Bellafia Chocolate Boutique, located in Winthrop Town Centre, has expanded its gourmet product line by adding some scrumptious treats which include domestic and imported chocolates and nuts.
Domestic nuts include Indianola cinnamon pecans, Indianola Caribbean pecans and Indianola sea salt roasted pecans. Domestic chocolate includes Asher’s milk and dark chocolate assortment, Whetstone milk chocolate filled with raspberry or orange, Florida Gator Poop deluxe chocolate candy mix and Theo Organic Fair Trade Certified cherry and almond, dark and mint dark chocolate.
Chocolates available at the shop from Germany include Asbach Uralt Pralinen-Mischung (brandy filled), Fedora Gourmet Dark Chocolate, Schladerer Pralines filled with plum, cherry, raspberry and assorted liquor, milk or dark egg liquor filled Eierlikor Pralines, Hachez Talers in cherry, lemon and orange flavors, Hachez Shorts (55 percent and 77 percent) and Reber Latte Macchiato Schokies.
The Pernigotti small assortment of nougats is in from Italy, and from South Africa comes Fair Trade Certified Divine Chocolate in mint dark, fruit and nut dark, hazelnut, milk, white chocolate with strawberries and 70 percent dark chocolate.
Bellafia also offers sugar-free options including the Ritter Sports Diet in yogurt, nougat and milk chocolate from Germany, and Asher’s sugar free in solid milk chocolate, pecan and caramel and Asher’s milk and dark assortment.
Samples of gourmet chocolate and nut morsels greet every customer as they browse the variety of chocolates and nuts from all over the world.
Bellafia Chocolate Boutique is located at 6028 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview. For more information, call 657-1218 or visit www.bellafia4chocolate.com.
Local Resident Opens Law Firm
Riverview resident Michael Eisenberg recently opened Eisenberg Law Firm in Tampa at 3111 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. 100. He has lived in Florida his entire life and graduated from Barry University of Law in Orlando.
Staff of Eisenberg Law Firm practices law in the following areas: wills, trusts, mortgage foreclosures, debt collection, landlord/ tenant and insurance defense.
Eisenberg is a parishioner at Nativity Catholic Church and has two children, Nick, 4, and Isabel, 19 months, with his wife of 14 years, Alice.
For more information on Eisenberg Law Firm, please call 350-7800.
New Accessories Shop Now Open
If you’ve been needing a necklace to go with that little black dress or a great pair of earrings to show off your new haircut, then head on over to Winthrop Town Centre, where new accessories shop Blumchen just opened up.
It offers costume jewelry like necklaces, rings and bracelets. For an accessory set, price ranges from $10-$15. The store also offers purses, which range in price from $25-$40.
Blumchen is located at 6026 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview. For more information, please call 470-9074.
Big Bend Preschool Welcomes New Director
Big Bend United Methodist Church Preschool is happy to introduce its highly-qualified and enthusiastic new director, Yvette Sasha Caballero.
Conveniently located in the Riverview Summerfield neighborhood, the preschool is a Christian-based educational institution that focuses on providing a safe and loving environment for nurturing children.
Caballero comes to the Big Bend school with 12 years prior experience in directing childcare centers. Now, she looks forward to meeting every child, parent, and teacher in the coming days at her new location.
She states, “I believe in open communication and working together as a team with parents and staff to motivate children and enrich them emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually.”
At Big Bend, children are taught developmentally-appropriate games as well as instruction in the ABCs and 1, 2, 3s.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of infants, toddlers and each child at his level of development along the growth continuum. Guidance and activities in each classroom foster language, pre-reading, pre-writing, and other foundational skills.
The preschool is open to children from the ages of 6 weeks through 4 years old and offers free state-sanctioned voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) instruction. The center also provides after-school care for children through 12 years old. Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday all year round. Some flex schedules are available, too, to accommodate various needs.
Nutritious and child-appealing breakfast, lunch and snack are served, included in the school’s affordable rates.
Enrollment is now open. For more information, please call 671-3515.
Regional Energy Conference Held at HCC Ruskin Campus
Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Advanced Technological Education Center for Florida and Hillsborough Community College (HCC) jointly hosted the NSF sponsored Regional Energy Industry Forum recently.
This day-long event held at HCC’s SouthShore campus in Ruskin was targeted to identify and define new energy technologies and services in Florida.
Facilitated by the NSF Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC), the meeting of energy, industry and education experts was one of a series of eight energy-related nationwide forums to develop comprehensive regional snapshots of the emerging energy sector.
Cindy Amor, organizational effectiveness manager at TECO Energy in Tampa who also participated in the forum said, “The most valuable part of the forum is that it brought industry and education together to assess the future path of renewable energy in Florida, and determine strategies to prepare workers for the future direction of renewable energy.”
Amor says the biggest challenge is “interpreting the needs of the industry and integrating it into practical knowledge and skills.” She hopes education can meet those needs with better trained; better skilled workers that are prepared to meet the challenges of the future.
For more information about the Forum or ongoing renewable energy-related initiatives in Florida, contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at 259-6577 or via e-mail at barger@fl-ate.org.
PartyLite Fundraising Programs Net 50 Percent Profits
How would your organization like to earn 50 percent profit on the next fundraiser? That’s just one of the many benefits of participating in the PartyLite Fundraising Program.
For more than 35 years, PartyLite has offered quality candles, home accessories and exclusive fragrances and has helped millions of people transform their lives.
As an independent PartyLite Consultant, Deanna Stec of Riverview welcomes the opportunity to help you achieve your fundraising goals. In addition to receiving 50 percent profit on all that your organization sells, you’ll enjoy a program that is simple and stress free. PartyLite offers some of its most popular candle products in a variety of fragrances, and its candles are boxed for easy gift giving and delivery. Speaking of delivery, it ships the products directly to each seller to eliminate sorting, storing or distribution by your organization.
For more information, please contact Stec at 957-5670 or www.partylite.biz/deestec.
Local Resident Comes To You To Fix Your Computer Problems
It seems that different viruses are popping up each and every day, and they are getting more difficult to eradicate. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your business? Local resident and owner of Vivjer Computers Jerry Rothstein recommends upgrading programs, anti-virus software and spyware regularly.
“If you are a business owner, I always recommend allowing me to come to your office once a month to make sure all the computers are up to date with their Windows updates, Anti-Virus updates and defrag of the hard drives. These steps would keep the computers running at a optimum level,” he said. “For residential customers, I usually recommend a plan of coming by every six months to do the above tasks.”
Vivjer Computers first opened in March of 2006, although Rothstein has been in the computer industry since 1994. He offers new desktop or laptop systems, repairs or upgrades of existing systems, networking (wired or wireless), virus, spyware, MalWare, Adware removal and remote assistance. He does all these services at your home or office. He charges $85 per hour, with no minimum. If he is at your place of business or residence for 15 minutes, he only charges $21.25.
“I go do my jobs, trying to solve the problem(s), knowing that each minute that they are down, especially for a business owner, means money lost,” he said. The thing Rothstein says he is most proud of is that people tell him how easy it is to talk to him about their computer problems. “I’m able to listen to them, even when they aren’t really saying the right verbiage about their problem, and tell them what’s going on in laymen terms,” he said. “I try very hard to keep all that technical babble out of my discussions and explain to them what’s happening so they understand what I’m doing to help them.”
Rothstein runs this business out of his home, so he is available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done to your satisfaction and keep the charges to a minimum”
For more information call 689-5028, 454-6325 or visit www.vivjercomputers.com.
FishHawk and Bloomingdale Business – August 2009
FishHawk Resident Named Top Lawyer
FishHawk resident, Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr., has been named by Florida Super Lawyers magazine as one of the top young lawyers in Florida for 2009. Less than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are named Rising Stars by Super Lawyers.
Lawrence is a founding member of Thorn Lawrence, P.L. in Tampa, Florida. His practice is focused in the areas of commercial litigation, construction litigation and military law. Lawrence is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law where he was a Reynolda Law Faculty scholarship recipient. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy as a JAG Corps attorney. Lawrence has represented clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to Tampa area business owners in jury trials and alternative dispute resolution proceedings to include mediation and arbitration. He is licensed in Alabama and Florida and is active in the Hillsborough County Bar Association where he currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Bar’s Leadership Institute and as Chairman of the Military Liaison Committee.
The selections for Super Lawyers are made by Law & Politics, a division of Key Professional Media, Inc. Each year Law & Politics undertakes a rigorous, multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers and an independent review of candidates by their attorney-led research staff.
For more information on Lawrence, please visit www.thornlawrence.com.
Flower Shop Offers A Tropical Paradise
Local Valrico resident for 21 years Karen Conrad began her business, Karen’s Flower Cart, seven years ago after 30 years of working for other floral departments.
Karen’s Flower Cart was formerly located within the Brandon Crossing Shopping Center on Falkenburg Rd. and Adamo Dr. in Tampa. She recently relocated to the Albertson’s Plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd.
Karen’s Flower Cart is a full-range florist offering arrangements for weddings, funerals, birthdays, gift baskets, corporate businesses and more. Prices range from $5 up to “as much as you want to spend,” says Conrad.
She says roses are still the most popular flower “but that’s just because guys don’t know any better,” she chuckles. Gerber daisies and sunflowers are a close second and third, according to her. “My favorite flower is Iris,” she said.
Conrad said her specialties include tropical flower arrangements and plants that will grow and flourish in the Florida weather.
Karen’s Flower Cart is a 1,800-sq.-ft. floral design shop located at 3335 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., next to Jaymer-Que BBQ. Its hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For more information or to place an order, please call 685-7655.
Beauty Supply Shop Soon to Open in Bloomingdale Square
If you have been looking for a place to get a hair straightener, extensions, makeup or any other beauty supply, then you are in luck. Sally Beauty Supply, the world’s largest retailer of beauty supplies, is opening soon in the Bloomingdale Square shopping plaza, located on the corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd.
At Sally Beauty Supply, you do not have to be a professional hairstylist or manicurist to shop there. Sally Beauty Supply will be located at 929 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.
For more information, please visit www.sallybeauty.com.
New Party Store Open in Lithia Crossings
If you’re planning a baby shower, wedding, birthday party or any other party, head over to Lithia Crossings plaza, where a new party store, amply named Party Your Way recently opened in late June.
The party place, located at 3474 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., offers cards, party supplies such as plates, cups, napkins, banners, gift bags and wrapping paper as well as piñatas, balloons, favors and picture frames.
Party Your Way’s slogan is “for all your party needs and last minute gifts.” Its store hours are Monday- Saturday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 Noon- 5 p.m.
For more information, please call the store at 689-7869.
Beauty Meets Charm at New Day Spa
A new day spa recently opened in Bloomingdale East, called Charm Ville Day Spa, with the motto “Where Beauty Meets Charm,” and is owned by local Riverview resident Amna Hussein.
Charm Ville Day Spa offers a wide variety of signature facials, manicure, pedicure, massage, spa body wrap, threading, acyclic nails, wax and packages for special occasions such as bridal and party makeup’s.
Beginning in August, it will offer Wednesday as senior day and Thursday as student day and will host a back-to-school special.
Charm Ville Day Spa is located at 4312 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico in the Dr. Sonia Ruiz building, next to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and Marathon gas station.
It is open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Charm Ville Day Spa is closed on Sundays, but can be opened for a party of five or more.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 643-2400 or visit www.charmvilledayspa.com.
Realtor Recognized For Record Sales
The Chadderton Group was honored by Keller Williams Realty with First Place Achievement Awards in Written Volume and Sales Volume for the month of June. Laura Harris, broker of Keller Williams Realty, announced the Chadderton Group’s Written Volume (contracts written) was $2,697,800 and its Sold Volume (closed transactions) was $2,309,400, all taking place in a 30-day period.
The Chadderton Group is led by Ray Chadderton and can be reached at 601-0597.
Doctors At South Bay Hospital Pioneer New System
South Bay Hospital’s endoscopy suite now has an exciting new tool, SpyGlass. It’s state-of-the-art imaging system allows Gastroenterologists, physicians who diagnose and treat disorders of the digestive system and diseases of the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and pancreas, to directly view and treat the biliary system —the system made up of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
The biliary system is the place where painful gallstones can accumulate and where life-threatening cancerous lesions can form. Traditionally, x-rays (black and white images) have been used to diagnosis and treat. Often these images do not provide enough information to obtain a complete diagnosis. However, with SpyGlass, physicians are now able to view the ducts in color.
“SpyGlass allows our physicians direct visualization of the biliary system,” says Janiece MacDonald, RN, BSN, Director of Surgical Services at South Bay Hospital, “which improves our ability to assist physicians in the care for their patients.”
If the physician finds a problem, the Spyglass tool is used to take clear, color images, allowing the physician to make a quick, accurate diagnosis. Treatment can begin for the patient right away.
“With this new technology, I can biopsy tissue, break up and remove painful gallstones, and eliminate blockages in the bile duct,” says Ashok Dhaduvai, MD, Gastroenterologist on staff at South Bay Hospital. “In some cases, this prevents my patients from needing major surgery.”
For more information about SpyGlass or Surgical Services at South Bay Hospital, contact Melissa Morgan at 634-0496.
Outdoors Store to Open in River Springs Plaza
An outdoorsman’s dream store will soon be opening in the River Springs Plaza on the corner of FishHawk Blvd. and Bell Shoals Rd. called Flint Creek Outfitters. This will be the store’s second location, with its other being in Ocala.
It will offer merchandise including men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, camping equipment, fly-fishing rods and equipments, pet merchandise and more. Brand names include Patagonia, Orvis, Guy Harvey, Sperry Top Sider, Mountain Hard Wear and more, your next adventure lies with Flint Creek Outfitters.
For more information, please visit www.flintcreekoutfitter.com or call the Ocala store at 352-237-5325.
Convoy of Hope Still Needs Volunteers For August Outreach At Fairgrounds
Convoy of Hope, a non-profit organization which conducts community outreaches, will be coming to the Florida State Fairgrounds, located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa, on Saturday, August 1, and needs your help. Its mission statement is “Not a Handout, but a Hand Up.” Local Coordinator Jeff Arp and pastor of the Brandon Assembly of God, located at 710 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon, said, “I think people are generally excited about this coming to the community because of the need we have in the area.”
Convoy of Hope will be offering groceries, a health fair, and a kid’s zone including rides and popcorn, medical services, haircuts, hot meals, a connection to local churches and community organizations and job placement services free of charge. Several bands are scheduled to provide entertainment throughout the day.
According to Arp, approximately 40 churches, organizations and businesses have signed up to be a part of Convoy of Hope, including: One Thing Prayer Center, Christian Life Center, New Day Church, Rivers of Life Church, Revival Outreach Center, Quest Church in Seffner, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Brandon, Seffner Presbyterian Church, Lighthouse Ministries and Cynthia Pinckney Ministries, along with many more. So far, several Mary Kay representatives will be on-hand as well as individual hairstylists. Medical service professionals are still needed to provide physical evaluations, blood pressure tests and more. If people are involved in a community outreach organization and want to get involved, they can contact Team Leader of Community Services, Doris Haskell at 661-6325.
“Anybody can volunteer that has a desire to help,” Arp said.For those who want to volunteer, there is a “volunteer commissioning rally” to be held the Friday before Convoy of Hope comes to town, July 31, at the Florida State Fairgrounds from 6:45-8:30 p.m. At the rally, they will hear from Convoy of Hope national leadership, hear reports on how this has helped other cities it has been to and get to see the layout of the event center. The Convoy of Hope will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. in Tampa. There are no requirements to come to the Convoy of Hope, although Arp said he will target the homeless, poor and working poor because, “They are in the most need.”
For more information or to sign up to volunteer with the Convoy of Hope, call Arp at 689-2345 or 527-4098. More information on Convoy of Hope is also available on its Website at www.convoyofhope.com.
Apollo Beach Residents Have Many Local Options At MiraBay Village
Apollo Beach residents will no longer have to travel to get their nails done, for a cocktail after work or to seek the advice of a Read more
