Being a local small business in the Brandon community, the Osprey Observer has always been and continues to be a big supporter of fueling our community’s economy by shopping local. Shopping Local is not about using the department store down the road, it is about buying from people who live, [...]]]> By Nan Hager

Being a local small business in the Brandon community, the Osprey Observer has always been and continues to be a big supporter of fueling our community’s economy by shopping local. Shopping Local is not about using the department store down the road, it is about buying from people who live, work and own businesses in the local area. It’s about buying from your friends and neighbors. 

When you shop local a much higher percentage of your dollars spent in your community, stays in your community, including taxes, additional purchases and charitable contributions. Locally owned businesses are much more likely to support local charities and offer their expertise and services back to the local community to enrich the lives of many within the community.

The Osprey Observer is expanding on their Shop Local program that has been in place for four years.  While we have always included restaurants as a true Shop Local participant, we want to acknowledge them in our program and will have a SHOP LOCAL – DINE LOCAL campaign. 

As we kick-off a new year, and the 10th anniversary of the Osprey Observer, we are kicking off our new Shop Local-Dine Local program.  We’re inviting locally owned businesses to join forces to boost our local economy through a buyer rewards program.   That’s right readers!  You win! 

Each time you shop or dine in a participating locally owned business, be sure to go online to www.ospreyobserver.com/shoplocal and vote for that business. Tell us about your experience and we will send you a $10 gift certificate to another Shop Local-Dine Local business! It couldn’t be easier for you, and it makes a difference to our local business owners.

For every vote you, the reader, provides, it’s another chance for the business to win a free video for their Website, a feature article in the Osprey Observer and on our Website! It’s never been more important to shop local and dine local. Let’s support our local economy.

WHAT: Walmart is hiring approximately 90 associates to work at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market slated to open this spring in Riverview. To facilitate applications, the retailer has opened a temporary hiring center at 10616 Riverview Drive.

The [...]]]> Riverview Walmart Neighborhood Market plans to employ 90 associates
Hiring Center opens for new Walmart

WHAT: Walmart is hiring approximately 90 associates to work at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market slated to open this spring in Riverview. To facilitate applications, the retailer has opened a temporary hiring center at 10616 Riverview Drive.

The hiring center began accepting applications Monday, Jan. 16, and will continue accepting applications from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Interested applicants can apply online at http://walmartstores.com/Careers.

According to store manager Ronald Freitas, the store will be hiring both full- and part-time associates. “We are excited to add this Walmart Neighborhood Market to Riverview and bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area,” he said. Freitas began his Walmart career in 1998 as an assistant manager at a store in Sarasota.

Freitas said associates are needed to work in all areas of the new store, including supervisory positions.

Walmart’s benefit program is available to eligible full- and part-time associates and provides a variety of affordable health and well-being benefits including medical insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers matching 401(k) contributions of up to 6 percent of pay, discounts on general merchandise for store associates, an Associate Stock Purchase Program and company-paid life insurance. Additionally, eligible associates receive a quarterly incentive based on store performance.

The majority of associates will begin work in March to help prepare the store for its grand opening

WHERE:           Walmart Hiring Center                          New Riverview Walmart Neighborhood Market

10616 Riverview Drive                                      10863 Bloomingdale Ave.

Riverview, Fl                                                      Riverview, Fl

WHEN:             Hiring Center Opening Date: Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This month, the Osprey Observer Community Newspapers celebrates 10 years of publishing local, positive community news in the South East Hillsborough County area, and we couldn’t have done it without [...]]]> Osprey Observer, Inc. consists of a team of 20 local residents who work together to publish more than 200 pages of community news per month.

This month, the Osprey Observer Community Newspapers celebrates 10 years of publishing local, positive community news in the South East Hillsborough County area, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

Needless to say, starting out as a one-sheet newsletter and home-based business and now, with two offices and publishing more than 200 pages in five monthly editions with a team of more than 25 people, it is a little bit of a different workplace environment here at the Osprey Observer.

The main goal when we started, was to make an impact on the local community. Our idea was to get involved and to make a difference in the community. 

At the same time, it has been important for us as a company to stay current, trained and active in the changing economic market and with social media and technology, so that we aren’t left behind.

For our business, this has included the addition of video, Facebook, an active, archived Website and the continuation of building our brand at events, festivals and with sponsorships in the community.

In addition to our community office on Lithia Pinecrest Rd., we have leased a second space in our plaza to allow for our staff meetings. This is the Small Business Center which is also open to the public for small, intimate business meetings and trainings for up to 20 people and is a service to our customers.

As a community newspaper, we find that this is what sets us apart and keeps our readers interested as we cover the news. We are supported 100 percent by local small businesses who support the free community newspaper and allow us to print and mail our editions each month.

Without the support of these businesses, we wouldn’t have the staff to send to cover community events nor the community office to be the hub of local information. 

Our staff prides itself on being available for community information. ”Its been a lot of fun to watch over the years how the paper has gone from a four-page newsletter, to five monthly editions,” says nine-year team member and assignment editor Michelle Colesanti.

“My role has been very interesting, it has never been boring and I have grown over the years from doing billing to advertising and now settling into the editorial and writing side that I have found that I really enjoy.”

In addition to concentrating on our main business, publishing newspapers that people read, we also have been active in our local chambers and encourage businesses to not just join, but actually get involved and attend events.

The best advice we can give any small business owner, is to find your niche in what you do best, and be the best, treat every customer like your absolute best customer and follow the general small business rules that will set you apart: Be On Time – Send a Thank You Note  – Follow Up – Stick to Your Core Business- Do Your Best Every Time.

If it weren’t for our loyal readers, and avid business supporters, we couldn’t do what we do in the community. So from the Osprey Observer team, Thank You!

The Osprey Observer offices are located at 900 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Call 657-2418 or visit www.ospreyobserver.com. Please like us on Facebook at OspreyObserverFans.

You only have to walk into Revolution Cycle & Fitness to see that it is not just ‘another gym’. Instead of housing a plethora of machines for different workouts, Revolution Cycle & Fitness [...]]]> Staff members from the Osprey Observer recently enjoyed a spinning class at Revolution Cycle & Fitness, located on Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

You only have to walk into Revolution Cycle & Fitness to see that it is not just ‘another gym’. Instead of housing a plethora of machines for different workouts, Revolution Cycle & Fitness has 21 Schwinn AC Sport indoor cycling bikes, two 60-inch TV screens and a state-of-the-art sound system that is ideal for playing music.

The owners of Revolution, Victor and Christine Giordano, are cycling enthusiasts, which is what first gave them the idea to open their own studio. “We are very passionate about cycling and we saw that we were not getting the results we were looking for at other cycling classes,” said Victor. “That’s what inspired us to open our own cycling studio and people have been really excited about it.”

Revolution Cycle & Fitness is the only studio of its kind in the Brandon area and has received rave reviews from those who have attended classes. Several members of the Osprey Observer staff went to Revolution to try a class, with cycling expertise ranging from ‘newbies’ to ‘advanced’, and each staff member enjoyed the experience.

“The cycling class was a hard workout, but at the same time it was also a lot of fun,” said Jennifer Silverstein, assistant editor at the Osprey Observer. “You get to choose you fast you pedal and how much resistance you want on the bike.
Even though it’s a class setting, the instructors are sure to remind you that you can still go at your own pace.”  

Revolution Cycle is a 45 minute class that the Giordano’s refer to as their ‘cardio party’ and research shows that, on average, indoor cycling classes can burn anywhere from 400-700 calories per class.

There are no membership fees, as at Revolution you can pay per class or they have different ‘class packages’ that are good all year long and each person’s first class is free.

Revolution Cycle & Fitness is located at 524 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more information about cycling and to check their class schedule, call 447-1410 or visit their Website www.revolution-cycle.com.

Members of the Riverview Chamber of Commerce, [...]]]> Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard, left, shakes and with Dick Stowers, during a ribbon cutting celebration of the new Boys & Girls Club now open in Riverview. The cub is located at 6809 Krycul Ave. in Riverview, on a two-acre property owned by Resurrection Catholic Church.

Members of the Riverview Chamber of Commerce, joined by members of the community gathered together for a special ribbon cutting in late January to celebrate the opening of the new Riverview Boys & Girls Club, located at 6809 Krycul Ave. in Riverview.

The more than 200 in attendance got the chance to tour the facility and hear a few words from local community leaders and financial supporters of the project, including Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard, Boy & Girls Club Tampa Board Member and Alumnus Joe Garcia,  Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee, George Simmons who administers the Mabel & Ellsworth Simmons Charitable Foundation and Dick Stowers, just to name a few.

While construction of the $1.6 million club, began last June, the project was actually launched in 2006 after a generous $750,000 donation from the Campo family.

Attendees such as Simmons, not only praised the effort to build the new club on the two-acre property owned by Resurrection Catholic Church, on behalf of the community and its young residents, but were proud of being a part of contributing to see it  become a reality.

“This meant a lot to me, and to a lot of people, who have worked very hard and donated a lot of money to see this project all the way through and this facility built,” Simmons said.

In agreement, Lennard emphasized that with the Riverview area growing, the need was recognized for a local Boys & Girls Club.

“The facility will help our  youngsters to have something to do in a positive after school environment,” Lennard said. “I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this come true.”

The Riverview club boast of a 6,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse that includes a multipurpose room and computer lab, a game room, an activity center for arts and crafts, a kitchen and an outdoor basketball court pavilion.

According to club director Fred Spencer it is hoped that as more funds become available, the club will turn the court into an enclosed gymnasium.

The club will operate from Monday-Friday, 2-6 p.m., with two full-time and four part-time staff attending to the more than 100 children who otherwise would likely be unsupervised after school.

Commenting on the importance and benefit of having such facilities available for local youth, Gee shared some statistic with the audience based on the results of a crime rate survey in the area after the opening of the Brandon  Boys and Girls Club.

“After the Brandon club was built, we found a 50 to 60 percent reduction in daytime burglaries,” Gee said. “There was little doubt that building a club in Riverview would be beneficial and make a difference.”

Adding to the economic benefit of having a club operate in the area Gee said that it costs $114.44 a day to house juveniles in the county jail and $276 a day to house juveniles in state custody.

On the other hand, he continued, it costs just $13 a day to send a child to a Boys & Girls Club, which only helps them to  to stay in school and become productive citizens.

“It’s a good investment, it makes good business sense and it’s the right thing to do,” Gee said.

The Riverview club is currently at capacity with many more on the waiting list, which to Brad Baumgardner, president of the Tampa Bay Boys and Girls Club, simply validates project’s importance and necessity.

“The fact that we’ve had so many enrolled and so quickly only goes to show you the great need in this community,” Baumgardner said. “We didn’t even have to advertise as the kids tell other kids about the club. It is a great place for these kids because it combines fun with a purpose.”

The Riverview Boys and Girls Club has enough funds to run its operation for the next 3-4 years.

The Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay network currently includes 15 clubs in Hillsborough County and another three in Pasco County and is now celebrating 85 years of serving the community.

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club please visit www.bgctampa.org.

If you love nothing better than a scrumptious barbecue lunch or dinner made up of pulled pork, brisket or slow smoked dry-rubbed ribs with a choice of sides including potato salad, spicy pasta salad and baked [...]]]> Cyndi and Jaymer Holcombe, co-owners of Jaymer-Que BBQ & More, are celebrating six years in business in the Albertsons Plaza

If you love nothing better than a scrumptious barbecue lunch or dinner made up of pulled pork, brisket or slow smoked dry-rubbed ribs with a choice of sides including potato salad, spicy pasta salad and baked beans, you need look no further than Jaymer-Que Southern BBQ.

For six years, Jaymer-Que has provided the Valrico area with delicious, homemade barbecue and more. The menu is so good that since opening in 2006 Jaymer-Que has won Best BBQ, Best Ribs two years in a row, Best Chicken runner-up behind Chick-fil-A and the restaurant’s bread pudding with homemade caramel sauce just won 2011 Best Dessert of the Year.

The reason that the food is so deserving of award-winning recognition is that Jaymer Holcombe, co-owner of Jaymer-Que with his wife, Cyndi, is very specific about the quality of his food and will only serve his customers the best.

What many people do not know is that Jaymer-Que offers more than just barbecue, as it and Miss Cyndi’s Catering Company are one and the same menu. Other than barbecue, Jaymer-Que is the place to go to find Cyndi’s Famous Smoked Chicken Salad as well as signature salads and sandwiches.

The restaurant’s expanded dining room is the perfect place for families to enjoy a meal together while their children play in the new kid’s area. “The only time we ever see tears in our restaurant are from kids when they have to leave the play area,” said Cyndi.

The menu also offers several catering options, from The Piglet, which feeds four to six people to The Porker, which feeds 16-24 people.

Don’t think that you can’t call them with a unique order, though. “If it’s on your menu, it’ll be on ours,” said Cyndi. “We have catered a variety of events, from a wedding with prime rib to boxed lunches to salads for luncheons. We are always willing to accommodate.”

Jaymer-Que has weekly specials and events, such as Family Game Night and kids eat free with a purchase of an adult meal on Thursday nights. Tuesday’s after 5 p.m. offer Tampa’s only smoked burger for $6. Daily lunch specials are offered from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jaymer-Que  is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday. The restaurant is located at 3331 Lithia Pinecrest Rd in Valrico. For more information, call 6JQ-4BBQ (657-4227), visit its Facebook page or Website at www.jaymerq.com.

From a very early age, we are taught how important it is for us to brush our teeth and floss daily in order to maintain [...]]]> February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and Dr. Edward Gonzalez, of Pediatric Dental Center, makes sure that children in the Brandon community are taught the importance of dental health.

From a very early age, we are taught how important it is for us to brush our teeth and floss daily in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Teaching children about the importance of brushing their teeth is so important, in fact, that the entire month of February is dedicated to it.

Every February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM) in order to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The biggest reasons that parents should teach their children good dental health practices from a young age is that it helps start them on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. One of the ways to do this is by starting these habits early and by scheduling regular visits to the dentist.

For Dr. W. Edward Gonzalez, owner of Pediatric Dental Center, February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month highlights what Pediatric Dental strives to do all year long. “At Pediatric Dental we have a dental health educator that we send out into the community, which is something we have been doing for 25 years,” said Gonzalez. 

NCDHM campaigns bring together dental professionals, health care providers and more to help promote the benefits of dental health not to just children, but also to adults, caregivers and teachers. Over the years, NCDHM campaigns have reached millions of people across the nation. This year’s campaign slogan is ‘Rock Your Smile,’ encouraging kids to show off their healthy teeth by smiling.

Gonzalez added, “We think it is very important to educate the overall community, especially children, about the importance of dental health. Every year, our dental health educator talks to around 22,000 children in day cares, nursery centers and after school programs.”

Pediatric Dental Center is located at 517 Corner Dr. in Brandon. For more information or to make an appointment, call 685-0804 or visit the Website www.kidtooth.com. For more information about National Children’s Dental Health Month, visit the American Dental Association Website www.ada.org.

The Regent, located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview, is looking for 2012 to be a year full [...]]]> You can discover a number of community outreach opportunities at The Regent including monthly art exhibits, Teach Your Talent, Open Mic Night! and more. For the latest information on upcoming events and programs, visit them at experiencetheregent.com/community.

The Regent, located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview, is looking for 2012 to be a year full of opportunities for the community to come out and enjoy the beautiful facility. “We want to create an opportunity for members of the community to use the facility. This includes giving artists the chance to showcase and exhibit their work,” said Kristen Kerr, executive director of The Regent.

“The Community Room located on the ground floor of The Regent is essentially a blank canvas and is a perfect venue for a monthly art exhibit,” added Kerr. The first art exhibition will be held during the month of March and will feature Cindy Conti. Each monthly exhibit will be kicked off with an artist’s reception.

In addition to art exhibits, The Regent will host monthly sessions called “Teach Your Talent”.  This is an opportunity for anyone with a special talent, skill or knowledge to share it with other members of the community. These will be held in the Community Room and are free to the public.

You won’t want to miss “So You Think You Can Paint? The Greater Brandon Edition 2012.” This will give members of the community an opportunity to participate in an art exhibition. Artists can submit up to three paintings with no entry fee. Art can be dropped off on Sunday, February 5 from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 7 from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The judging process is a reinterpretation of the reality TV judging shows. The community is invited to a reception and awards presentation on Friday, February 10 from 6- 8 p.m. Five grand prizes and five special category prizes will be awarded.

On Thursday, February 16 The Regent will host the first ever Open Mic Nite! from 6-8 p.m. in the Ballroom. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who likes to sing, read poetry, play music or perform before a crowd. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. You can enjoy this event for a mere $2 at the door.

If you just want to come out and check out The Regent, they will be hosting a monthly Community Open House on the first Thursday of each month from 9-10 a.m.

For more information on all upcoming programs and events at The Regent, please visit the community website at experiencetheregent.com/community or contact Kerr at kristen@experiencetheregent.com or call 571-2494.

Mongolian Stir Fry is a fast casual dining, Asian stir-fry concept that allows guests to create their own meal by picking from a menu or buffet of options. It [...]]]> Looking for a new dining option? Give the newly opened Genghis Grill – The Mongolian Stir Fry a whirl and experience a fresh culture of dining.

Mongolian Stir Fry is a fast casual dining, Asian stir-fry concept that allows guests to create their own meal by picking from a menu or buffet of options. It is an interactive style of exhibition cooking modeled after a centuries-old legend. According to this legend, 12th century Mongol warriors, led by the mighty warrior, Genghis Khan heated their shields over open fires to grill food in the fields of battle.

Since opening about a month ago, Genghis Grill already has a huge following and is drawing crowds daily. “Come in around six and there is a line out the door,” said grill master T.J. Beal.

At Genghis Grill, each guest is presented with a bowl and guided through the five-step process by their server. Step one is choosing a protein, followed by seasoning, a choice of vegetables and sauce and to round it out, a starch.

Among the proteins, guests will find steak, shrimp, chicken, calamari, tofu, ham, scallops and more. Vegetables also are plentiful and squash, bean sprouts, onions, mushrooms, baby corn and spinach are among the options. Servers are more than happy to help with sauce selection and seasoning suggestions, as well as anything else. Combinations are endless and there are also pre-printed cards featuring suggested bowls along with the calorie count.

Part of the experience for diners is watching as the chefs prepare the food on the grill and upon request, the grill masters will create a spectacular fire show.

Lunch bowls are $8.99 and dinner bowls are priced at $9.99 and everyone receives a rewards card to build up points for future discounts.

Riverview resident Kathi Fernandez tried Genghis for the first time and commented that she enjoyed the food and the fun atmosphere. “I have never had anything like this before,” she said. “I thought it was great.”

Genghis Grill is located at 910 Providence Rd. in front of Barnacles. Hours are Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Visit www.genghisgrill.com or call 662-2695 for further details.

The competition, a weight loss contest, will be called the “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge.  “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge will consist of [...]]]> Rob Zulkoski, owner of RobZFitness wants to help Brandon residents ring in the new year with a community-wide competition that will get local residents on track and inspired for a great 2012.

The competition, a weight loss contest, will be called the “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge.  “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge will consist of local contestants who will weigh in weekly for 12 weeks of this health challenge makeover.  The winner will walk away with the title of Brandon’s “LoZing Big” weight loss winner, and will be the lucky recipient of awards, accolades, envy and a brand-new Apple iPad. This type of contest is rewarding to those individuals who might need additional support to get inspired to kick-start their weight loss in 2012.

Zulkoski will support the contestants with weekly weigh-ins as well as offering online video support, monthly coaching seminars, and a community interactive message board. The three month “LoZing Big” challenge will start on Wednesday, February 1, 7p.m. with an official weigh in and run until Tuesday, May 1 with a final weigh in.

“By offering this “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge, I am helping many people who want and need the encouragement to kickstart their 2012 New Year healthy campaign off the right way, and this community deserves that,” describes Zulkoski, owner of the personal training studio. “If we can support and inspire the Brandon area and make a fitness transformation right here in our own backyard in 2012, that will be a reward in itself to my staff, and I who truly care about making a difference in everyone.  You will not find a more dedicated and educated team of trainers than at RobZFitness.”

In addition to the contest, Zulkoski offers anyone a free fitness evaluation and assessment to those that may be interested in training at the studio. His website has 80+ published before/after picture and video testimonies of people just like you.

RobZFitness has been training local residents for more than 20+ years.  Recently, a fourth client, Ira Sukrungruang just joined the 100 lb. weight loss club. Zulkoski is proud of the results of his clients and continues to celebrate their success and grow his community business. Three additional trainers on staff include Davie Ferraro, Sam Kicak and Taylor Green.  RobZFitness is located In the Steinmart anchored Lithia Plaza, at 3438 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico.

To sign up for the “LoZing Big” weight loss challenge, visit www.RobZFitness.com or call 571-3700.