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.

New Riverview Company Lets Men Be Men

New Riverview Company Lets Men Be Men

by Tamas Mondovics

While there are thousands of home parties catering to women, including some of the more popular ones like Pampered Chef and Mary Kay, one new company appropriately named Man Cave, dedicated to letting men be men, is ready to heat up the competition. Founded by Nick Beste a little more than a year ago, Man Cave currently has 740 advisors located in 47 of the 48 continental states, who primarily through a new type of manly gathering, which the company actually calls “MEATings” market a wide selection of products ranging from meats, spices, BBQ tools, wood chips to poker chips, mini keg dispensers, beer mugs, and bottle openers, just to name a few.   According to Man Cave spokesperson Samantha Krause, these MEATings are a great opportunity for guys to get together and have a Man Cave advisor teach them new grilling techniques like how to smoke a rack of ribs, grill a beer can chicken, and then, of course, to eat the food while having a couple of beers,” she said.  Krause said that the company is most proud of its quick growth in popularity and size and hopes to grow to 8,000 advisors by the end of the year. Demonstrating the company’s ambition, Man Cave recently announced a new partnership with Miller-Coors in which advisors are able to provide Leinenkugels beer at MEATings.  “This is something that we are very excited about and can’t wait for the results from this to start pouring in,” Krause said. Through the industry’s Support the Troops program, Man Cave hopes to donate $200,000 worth of products to the American service men fighting overseas.“With this program, when a customer buys a package of goods we will send an identical package overseas to the troops,” Krause said.   One of Man Cave’s newest local advisors, Riverview resident Robert Valadez, said that he couldn’t be happier being involved with Man Cave and, in turn, recommends being an advisor to others.“I love to grill,” Valadez said. “I use the products myself and have a great time introducing them to all who attend the MEATings. For me, it is a win-win situation.” All those interested in becoming a Man Cave advisor or hosting a Man Cave MEATing, visit www.mancaveworldwide.com or call Valadez at 526-0235 or e-mail to robsmancave@gmail.com.

FishHawk Ranch YMCA Express Signs New Two-Year Lease

FishHawk Ranch YMCA Express Signs New Two-Year Lease

By Paige Fernandes

YMCA members will be happy to hear that the 4,000 square foot FishHawk Ranch YMCA Express is committed to its Park Square location, a complement to the full service Campo YMCA on Bloomingdale and Culbreath.The Express, which celebrated its opening in 2006, offers a small childcare center, fitness room and cardio and weight training equipement.FishHawk Operations manager Mindy Anderson says, “We are very convenient for the families in the FishHawk community and we are proud to be here.”The FishHawk Express offers state-of-the-art cardio machines which are equipped with Cardio Theatre, a group exercise studio, hosts a wide variety of classes free to members. The Play Center offers high-quality, caring supervision of children age seven and underThe YMCA Express, located on the second story of Park Square in the Center of FishHawk Ranch, has 4,375 sq. feet of space. Donna Rayburn, a resident of FishHawk Ranch, says, “I am so thrilled to know that I can continue the YMCA quality workout right in my neighborhood. FishHawk residents have to drive so far for many amenities, having the YMCA here is such a blessing!”Swimming lessons are offered through the YMCA and taught at the nearby FishHawk Aquatic Club pool. Lessons start at six months and go all the way up to adults. For children, the YMCA offers a competitive swim program, the FishHawk Fins swim team. This summer, the YMCA also has other activities that are geared to area youth such as Pilates, yoga, kids’ cardio and martial arts classes. It is open Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Memberships at the YMCA start at $25-80 per month for a family and scholarships are available. One-time enrollment fees are waived for military families.For more information, call 651-4200 or visit the YMCA Express at 16144 Churchview Dr., Ste. 201, in Park Square.

Local Entrepreneur Hosts Grand Opening Of New MMA Studio

Local Entrepreneur Hosts Grand Opening Of New MMA Studio

By Jennifer Silverstein

From the man who brought you throwback sandwiches, comes real throwdowns at the newly opened South West Florida’s Elite MMA. Junior Santana, owner of Franks & Subs in both Riverview and FishHawk, said he decided to open a mixed martial arts (MMA) fitness center because his two children, ages 13 and 15, fight in MMA competitions.The studio will be located next to Buffalo Wild Wings at 13410 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. It will be open Monday–Saturday, from 12 Noon–9 p.m. and Sunday, from 12 Noon–4 p.m. and will offer an afterschool program with pick up.  The instructor his children train with, Jerre Norton, will be the trainer at this school as well. Norton’s qualifications include training under Kerry King, an instructor under Professor Rickson Gracie from 1994-1997.  From 1997-2009, he trained under Professor Eduardo De Lima, who trained under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. from Gracie Barra and was honored his black belt in 2009 by De lima.In 2000, he came in first place in the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) GI super heavyweight division. In 2001, Norton came in third place in Pan American GI tournament super heavyweight division. In 2003, he placed second in the super heavyweight division of the Florida state championship. He won first place in the GI super heavyweight at Robson Moura jui jitsu tournament in 2009 and came in second place in the super heavyweight GI division at the 2010 Florida state championship.  Forms of mixed martial arts to be taught at South West Florida’s Elite MMA include boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, grappling and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, with classes for adults and children as well as men’s and women’s boot camp and self defense classes. Classes will start at 5 p.m. for children, with adult classes running from 6-8:30 p.m.“You can try it for one week, free,” said Santana. Full-contact sparring at the MMA center will occur with the use of head gear to prevent injuries, Santana assured.For more information, e-mail junior@southwestfloridaselite.com.

Winthrop SummerFest Promises Fun For The Family

Winthrop SummerFest Promises Fun For The Family
By Suzy Wiesenhart
It’s here again: The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) is proud to announce its 2010 SummerFest, which will be held at the Barn Theater at Winthrop, located at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview, on Sunday, June 20, from 1–5 p.m. Local businesses and restaurants are invited to register for this exciting event. The goal of 2010 SummerFest is to showcase more than 100 quality businesses located in Riverview and the surrounding area. Inside and outside vendor spaces are available and range in price from $25 to $200, depending upon whether you are a chamber member or not. Restaurants that give out samples are exempt from payment.Event sponsors include Osprey Observer, Chris’s Plumbing Service, St. Petersburg Times, Mosaic Fertilizer, PF Auto Glass, Inc., Space Walk of Brandon, Superior Residences of Brandon, Canine Cabana, Tampa Electric Co., A & A Mortgage Funding, Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Leading the Web, Inc. and Winthrop Town Centre.Tanya Doran, GRCC executive director, says: “It is essential that the community support local businesses. This exciting event is a great way for local quality businesses/organizations to connect with the community. SummerFest is open to the public. There is no charge for admission, parking or the children’s play area. There will be fun activities for the entire family”.While residents enjoy food samples from their favorite restaurants, music and entertainment, they can take advantage of visiting with local vendors and learning what local businesses have to offer. So grab Dad for Father’s Day and stop by the 2010 SummerFest for good food, games, a 50/50, raffles and plenty of fun. Donna Fore, 2010 SummerFest coordinator, says, “It’s a great way to celebrate Father’s Day.”To register a vendor space for this exciting event or for more information, contact The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce at 234-5944 or visit www.riverviewchamber.com.

Pawn King Provides Residents With A Golden Opportunity To Help Other

Pawn King Provides Residents With A Golden Opportunity To Help Other
By Carisa Biesecker
Lending a helping hand to those in need throughout the greater Brandon area, local Seffner-based Pawn King owners Heidi Crouse and Tim Kaye plan to donate 10 percent of their gold proceeds from half the month of May to the Greater Brandon Community Foundation.The decision to aid the charity was an easy one, according to Kaye. “Have you ever met Anne Nymark [co-founder] or the people in the foundation?” he quips. “These people are really making a difference. We have wanted to help the local community in some way, and since buying gold is a huge part of our business, we figured, why not?”Having opened its doors in 1998, the 3200-sq.-ft. Pawn King offers residents a treasure trove of undiscovered items to choose amongst, ranging from DVDs, videos games and musical instruments to firearms and jewelry. Pricing spans from just $2 to the thousands when it comes to diamonds, with a discounted jewelry case on-site that is reduced by 50 percent. For those seeking an instant profit, the business offers as much as $4 more per gram on 14k when compared to neighborhood competitor We Buy Gold, says Kaye, selling 14k for $14 per gram and 10k for $10. Because of this, Pawn King has heeded much more foot traffic and would like to, in turn, give back to the community, donating 10 percent of its profits made from gold purchases from mid-May until Monday, May 31, to the Greater Brandon Community Foundation. Founded in 2003 by Nymark, president, and Arlene Waldron, vice president, the charity has dispersed more than $950,000 to more than 50 charities’ endeavors. Kaye encourages residents to come out and buy or sell their gold in order to be a part of the effort. “You will be helping a great cause,” he adds.     Partnering with Heidi in November of 2008 to manage Pawn King, after the passing of its original owner, Jim Crouse, Kaye remarks about his business, saying, “With our four employees, we will always try to help a customer out and treat them with respect in a warm, family atmosphere.” Besides valuing their customers, the local pawn shop owners also focus on their safety, setting the shop apart from businesses like it. Gun safety classes are taught on the premises, with the next class falling on Saturday, May 29, at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $65 or $60 if a resident and his/her friend signs up. Veterans and their family members pay only $50. Residents are taught how to group shots and prepare themselves for a home invasion, though the classes “mainly help parents think things through,” comments Kaye.Open from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Pawn King is located at 707 W. MLK Blvd. in Seffner, within the Winn Dixie Plaza. For more information, call 661-2277, e-mail Tim.pawnking@gmail.com or visit http://thepawnking.com.

Women’s Care Takes Whole Health Approach To Care

Women’s Care Takes Whole Health Approach To Care
By Jennifer Silverstein
Following the latest trends in health care and being attuned to the needs and time of its clients, the doctors at Women’s Care want to be the whole health solution for their patients. There is a movement of “medical homes” for comprehensive care. In addition to offering OB/ GYN care, Women’s Care Florida will now offer immunizations. The following vaccines will be available: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumonia, zoster (shingles), human papillomavirus (HPV) and TDaP, which stands for tetanus, diphthera and pertussis (whooping cough).Many times in the past, Women’s Care deferred vaccinations to a family practice or primary care physician. Starting with Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, OB/ GYN offices began offering vaccines again. “We’re trying to get everyone vaccinated, especially pre-pregnancy,” said Dr. Keith Whitehead,According to Whitehead, all pregnant women should get the Rubella vaccine (German measles). “I get all kinds of weird looks when I ask ladies when their last tetanus shot was,” Whitehead said, but tetanus is part of the TDaP shot, which also contains the vaccine for pertussis, which can be lethal in children under 2. Women’s Care is also offering the hepatitis A and B vaccine, both of which are sexually transmitted or bloodborne diseases which can be contracted from tattoos, piercings or multiple sexual partners. In addition, anyone who travels, especially to South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, should get the hepatitis A vaccine.Vaccines are considered preventative care and are covered by most insurance companies. This division of Women’s Care Florida was the pilot for vaccinations and has been administering them for nearly a year now. On a weekly basis, between 50 and 100 patients get vaccinated, and they could be receiving more than one of the vaccines at a time. Whitehead estimates that the four offices see a combined 3,000 patients per month, roughly 30 patients per day, per doctor, so between 15 and 20 percent of patients coming into the office are being vaccinated.Immunizations, or vaccinations, are an important part of preventative health care and offer protection against the serious effects of certain diseases.  “It’s important to have the vaccines. It [getting vaccinated] doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive,” Whitehead said. “It’s quick and easy.”Women’s Care – Lithia is located at 5470 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 699-1006 or visit www.womenscarefl.com.

Tea Room Featured In New Book

Tea Room Featured In New Book
By Jennifer Silverstein
Camellia Rose Tea Room & Gifts has been featured in the new book Mini Teatimes by Susan Rios. Owner of Camellia Rose Tea Room, Ellen Garrett, first met Rios at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas last year. Rios then painted an oil canvas of the tearoom, which is now on display in Camellia Rose. When Rios began writing Mini Teatimes, it was only fitting that she called Garrett to be featured.Mini Teatimes is a collection of quotes, reflections and recipes from select tea houses and includes two recipes from Camellia Rose: tortellini soup and Swedish pound cake, both of which are recipes from Garrett’s two sisters. Mini Teatimes is available  at Camellia Rose for $9.95. In April, the tea room celebrated its three-year anniversary, having opened in April of 2007. Garrett’s mother, Nancy Hensley and two daughters, Stacey and Keri, also work at the tea room. It offers ongoing tea events, which have, in the past, included a Titanic tea event, a Victorian fashion teatime, a Jane Austen tea, a Gone With The Wind fashion teatime, a father/ daughter teatime, a Valentine’s Day tea and mystery teas.  During the month of June, Camellia Rose is hosting its Charmed Tea. Anytime during the month, with a reservation, you will receive a sterling silver tea-themed charm for a bracelet. “It’s a great way to start or add onto a charm bracelet.” In June, Garrett will again attend the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas.Menu prices start at $5.95 and go up to $24.95. All prices include the gratuity. Camellia’s Afternoon Tea is $20.95 and includes a three-tier curate of scones, finger sandwiches and desserts, while Lorna’s Afternoon Tea is $24.95 and includes the same three-tier curate and a cup of homemade soup.The most popular item on its menu is the curry chicken salad sandwich, encrusted in pecans.  “We serve that every day because it is so popular with our guests,” Garrett said.It also has a gift shop full of unique items and some well-known lines, including Trollbeads, Chamilia Jewelry, Archipelago candles, Crabtree & Evelyn, Kameleon Jewelry and Lady Primrose fragrance. It  recently added Christine Alexander apparel, handbags and jewelry; the Lollia fragrance line; Crislu jewelry; and Switch Flops. “We added a lot of apparel. I want them [customers] to do two things they love: shop and have tea.”The tea room and gift shop occupy approximately 3,000 sq. feet. Camellia Rose can seat 35-37 guests in its main dining room and 15 in the tea cottage.Camellia Rose is located in the heart of the Downtown Historic District of Plant City at the intersection of Collins and Reynolds streets. The building was completely renovated, which was originally the Bank of Plant City, built in 1919. Garrett did manage to retain the original hardwood flooring of the bank during the renovation.Garrett says the tea room currently offers more than 70 different teas from different importers and that every tea is tasted by herself and her staff before making a decision to purchase it. One of its newest teas is a chocolate banana. Camellia Rose also has an annual “Tea with the Queen,” with the Strawberry Queen and her court.Camellia Rose Tea Room & Gifts is located 120 N. Collins St. in Plant City and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Visit  www.CamelliaRose.com  or call 659-TCUP (8287).