The SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin holds many events and hosts dozens of programs throughout the month that cater to children, [...]]]> Each month the SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin will present “No Fuss Foods” cooking classes. The classes are free to the public thanks to funding raised by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library.

The SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin holds many events and hosts dozens of programs throughout the month that cater to children, teens and adults. The newest addition is a monthly cooking demonstration called “No Fuss Foods.”

According to Allison Turrill, adult program coordinator, “The library added cooking because our patrons expressed an interested in it. We will host as many classes as we can.” Turrill added, “The SouthShore Regional Library has a large cookbook collection. We hope that people will checkout some of the books after attending the demonstrations.”

The first program was “Creative Tacos” held on Friday, January 20. More than 20 people attended, and there was a waiting list. Rowena Sjovall of Lithia led the fun and interactive class. Sjovall showed the class what a taco is (a method of preparing a dish), and made delicious ones with Bulgogi Beef (the national dish of Korea). Attendees were able to sample the delectable beef filled taco.

Diana Walker, of Wimauma, attended the class. Walker said, “I found the class very interesting and informative. I am already signed up for the next class.” Stacey Smith, of Ruskin said,” cook a lot, and she has given me some good tips.

She’s very informative.” Smith added, “This library is beautiful. This class compliments it very well.”

Programs such as the “No Fuss Cooking Class” are funded by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library. The Friends raise funds for programs through book sales and the book room. Turrill said, “We have a great set of Friends at the library.”

The next “No Fuss Foods” program will feature Take-Out Chinese At Home and is set for Friday, February 24, beginning at 11 a.m. Seating is limited to 20, and you must register in advance.at the library’s information desk or by calling 273-3652. According to Turrill, “We are looking forward to a demonstration on vegetarian cooking in March.”

The SouthShore Regional Library is located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin. For more information on upcoming programs at the SouthShore Regional Library, please visit www.hcplc.org and click on Events/Classes.

Kid’s Community College (KCC),  a nationally accredited charter school renowned for its unique system of individualized learning, has recently announced plans for a new [...]]]> Kid’s Community College founder Timothy Kilpatrick praises the organization’s growth and success during a groundbreaking ceremony of the school’s new 50,000-sq.-ft. facility scheduled for completion this summer and opening this fall.

Kid’s Community College (KCC),  a nationally accredited charter school renowned for its unique system of individualized learning, has recently announced plans for a new International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Campus, the relocation of its current Lake Saint Charles campus to a newly constructed 50,000-sq.-ft. facility in Riverview and the addition of 30 new jobs.

According to KCC founder and director Tim Kilpatrick, the realization of the school’s six-year strategic Riverview Growth Plan actually began in June of 2011 with the design of a new, two-story, 4.5-acre campus, located just west of Lowe’s on Gibsonton Dr. and Mathhog Rd.

Following a ground breaking ceremony held last month, construction of the new campus began with completion scheduled for this July, with an anticipated 125 openings for the upcoming school year.

Kilpatrick said that each oversized classroom will offer smart boards. Along with music, science and technology labs and a 3,600-sq.-ft. cafeteria, the new campus remains true to the Kid’s Community College mission.

“We will keep our total student population to only 636 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade to make sure our students receive the same successful individualized attention the school has always been know for,”  Kilpatrick said of the tuition free public nonprofit charter school, which was founded locally by residents of the community it serves.

KCC’s Southeast IB modeled campus, which currently is located at 6528 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview, will only admit 108 families in its first year, increasing enrollment to a maximum of 348 students by year three and will follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years programme (IB PYP) of study.

Kilpatrick stressed that KCC’s growth announcements in Riverview are attracting significant attention from educators and parents alike.

“We have made a commitment to Riverview to geographically distribute our unique higher-learning systems throughout the county,” he said. “We are living up to that promise. Expansions such as these not only offer new professional opportunities in a industry recently besieged by cutbacks and layoffs, but it also encourages economic stimulus in a local rural community that is experiencing it’s fair share of financial challenges.”

Currently, Hillsborough County offers just two IB PYP schools and there are only a total of 24 IB PYP programmes in the entire state.

KCC Director of Middle Charter School Operations Karen Seder said that the school’s growth and success of the organization is the result of a continued focus on putting children first while addressing community needs and placing a high value on the associates of the company.

“Being able to work hand-in-hand with our board, students, parents and the Riverview community has allowed us all to grow and bring a long-term, high-quality educational vision into clearer focus,” Seder said.

Open enrollment for both campuses have begun for the much anticipated August openings.

Parents interested in enrolling are encouraged to apply early by visiting www.kidscc.org/register or stop by the Riverview elementary campus.

Interested educators can apply online at www.kidscc.org/careers.

Campus information, including artist renderings of the new campuses, can be found at www.kidscc.org/campuses.

The 2012 cheerleading and football season is a big one for the East Bay Buccaneers Youth Football and Cheerleading, as the organization is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

The organization was the dream of local businessmen Howard Corr, Harley [...]]]> This year the East Bay Buccaneers Youth Football and Cheerleading organization celebrates their 25th anniversary

The 2012 cheerleading and football season is a big one for the East Bay Buccaneers Youth Football and Cheerleading, as the organization is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

The organization was the dream of local businessmen Howard Corr, Harley Burnett, Dave Sutherland, Gary Moore and other local sponsors in 1987. Practices were originally held behind East Bay High School and then moved to Vance Vogel Park in 1990. What the founders really wanted, though, was to make Vance Vogel Park the East Bay Buc’s home field. 

“On January 26 of this year we were given written approval to make Vance Vogel Park the organization’s home field. This was originally the vision of past president Harley Burnett’s and other board member’s to see this accomplished and I am very happy we can get started on this happen during our 25th anniversary,” said Jason Hillman, current president of the East Bay Buc’s organization.

Other than building their own practice field, the organization has several other plans in the works to help make their 25th anniversary something special, including changing the uniform colors back to the original ‘creamcicle’ orange for the entire year. There will also be a 25th year homecoming event at some point during the 2012 season.
“During the past 25 years there have been thousands of children to pass through this organization, and some of those kids have grown up and are now coaching their own kids here,” said Hillman. “The homecoming event will allow anyone who either currently plays, has played or had a hand in the organization.”

The East Bay Buccaneers allow children from ages five-15 to sign up for tackle football and cheerleading. Open registration dates are Saturdays February 18, March 24, April 21, May 19 and June 16. Those interested can register on these dates from 9 a.m.-12 Noon at Vance Vogel Park, located at 10210 Bull Frog Creek Rd. in Gibsonton.

For more information on the East Bay Buccaneers Youth Football and Cheerleading, please visit their Website at www.eastbaybucs.org or call Hillman at 276-3223.

Fishing lovers who are looking [...]]]> The North Tampa Bass Club participates in competitions throughout the year, such as the B.A.S.S. Southern Open. NTBC has members from all over the greater Bay Area. Pictured from left to right is Don Lilly (Oldsmar), Frank Kruk (Valrico), Eamon Bolten (Temple Terrace), Rod Longnecker (Tampa) and Steve Jarrett (Valrico).

Fishing lovers who are looking to get more involved in the sport should be sure to look into joining the North Tampa Bass Club (NTBC), which welcomes boaters and non-boaters who want to learn more about bass fishing, compete in friendly competition and have a camaraderie with other fishermen.

Founded in 1988, NTBC is a Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation affiliated club, which allows its members to compete at a high level if they desire. The club meets monthly to discuss techniques, select future lakes and pairings for upcoming tournaments and award performance.

“The name ‘North Tampa Bass Club’ is a little misnomer because we do have many members from the Riverview, Valrico and Brandon areas,” said Steve Jarrett, president of North Tampa Bass Club. “Along with our meetings, we also meet on the last Saturday of the month to fish on local lakes.”

NTBC participates in fishing competitions throughout the year, such as the B.A.S.S. Southern Open and Lake Tarpon Tournament. This year NTBC has partnered with Gulf Coast Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to host the PVA Citrus Slam Bass Tournament. This year the tournament will be held on Lake Toho in Kissimmee from April 14-15. Currently NTBC and PVA are looking for boaters and non-boaters to be a guide, coach, or assist the disabled vet on the first day of competition then fish as a team for the second day.

“We hope to have a very successful event to support our veterans with disabilities,” said Jarrett. “I personally have participated in three of these events and they are very rewarding.”

For more information on the Paralyzed Veterans of America event, visit their Website at www.pva.org/sports. For more information on the North Tampa Bass Club, visit their Website at www.northtampabassclub.com or e-mail Jarrett at jarrettsm@hotmail.com.

St. Lawrence Church Higgins Hall 5221 N. Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614

The men of Sun Coast Catholic Ministries would like to invite you to “Come Follow Me” the Annual Tampa Bay Catholic Men’s Conference on Saturday, February 18th, 2012.

The Conference will be held at Higgins Hall on the [...]]]> Suncoast Catholic Ministries is hosting it’s 2^nd  annual Catholic Men’s Conference on February 18th, 2012 at:

St. Lawrence Church
Higgins Hall
5221 N. Himes Ave,
Tampa, FL 33614

The men of Sun Coast Catholic Ministries would like to invite you to “Come Follow Me” the Annual Tampa Bay Catholic Men’s Conference on Saturday, February 18th, 2012.

The Conference will be held at Higgins Hall on the campus of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.  Please join us for food, fellowship, Mass, confession and exciting messages from two of the most popular Catholic speakers today:

Noted speaker and author Dr. Scott Hahn & SIRIUS/ XM radio host Gus Lloyd.  Reserve your seat today!

For more information and registration fees please visit  http://suncoastcatholicministries.com/

Artists and art lovers will gather for the 20th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. This year’s festival is [...]]]> The 20th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts showcases fine arts and fine crafts in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Festival goers can meet and interact with the artists and fine craftsmen.

Artists and art lovers will gather for the 20th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. This year’s festival is set to run on Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the TECO SouthShore Community Event Center located at 302 Noonan Beach Road in Apollo Beach. Admission is $5.00 which includes parking and free shuttle to the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center. Children 12 and under are free.

Festival attendees can meet and interact with over 75 artists. The Festival is an innovative showcase of fine arts and fine crafts which draws talent from the local community as well as from across the country. The exhibitor’s area offers visitors the opportunity to meet and interact with artists to view their work and purchase it from the individual who created it.

The festival also features tasty treats from local vendors including Hydro Harvest Farms, Ole Kentucky Kettlecorn, Ali’s Lemonade, kabobs and more. One of the highlights of the festival is entertainment. According to Melanie Morrison, Executive Director of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, “We will have a variety of entertainment showcasing all types of talent.”

The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts is a nationally recognized juried art show. Over $13,000.00 will be given out in awards to the artists. Morrison said, “This is more than has ever been awarded.”

Morrison added, “This is the 20th anniversary of the event. It is also the first year that the newly merged SouthShore Chamber of Commerce is putting on this event. We have local community artists helping on the committee this year. We have a few really exciting and new hands on arts activities in the kids’ area including visual arts, performing arts and musical arts.”

Morrison explained, “The SouthShore Chamber of Commerce supports and promotes the business community as well as the community and residents as a whole. The Ruskin and Apollo Beach Chambers merged on July 1, 2011 and now form the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce.”

For more information about the 20th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, please visit www.ruskinchamber.org or call 645-1366.

The Greater Brandon Area Friends of Scouting Committee in conjunction with the Gulf Ridge Council Timucua District Boy Scouts of [...]]]> You can help support the over 3,000 boys who participate in the Boy Scouts in the Brandon/SouthShore area by attending the 2nd Annual Soaring Eagle Dinner on Thursday, February 23 at The Regent in Riverview.

The Greater Brandon Area Friends of Scouting Committee in conjunction with the Gulf Ridge Council Timucua District Boy Scouts of America will host its Second Annual Soaring Eagle Dinner on Thursday, February 23, at The Regent in Riverview. All members of the community are invited to attend. The Regent is located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m.

This year’s Soaring Eagle Award recipient is Richard Eatman. According to Becky Jordan, co-chair for the dinner, “The Soaring Eagle Award was established as a means of recognizing members of the greater Brandon/SouthShore area who has had a significant impact on Scouting and in the southeastern area of Hillsborough County.”

In addition to presentation of the Soaring Eagle Award, the keynote speaker will be USF Bulls Football Coach, Skip Holtz. Jordan said, “We are exciting to have Coach Holtz as our guest speaker.”

Molly Blanton, District Executive, Timucua District, Gulf Ridge council,l said, “Our Soaring Eagle Dinner is an opportunity to bring together people from around the community and share with them a little of what our Boy Scouts (and Cubs and Venturers) are doing around our area.” Blanton added, “It is also an opportunity for us to recognize an outstanding community builder.”

There are no tickets to attend the event. Funds raised by the dinner are by means of donations and/or pledges to Scouting.  The dinner is a major source of support for the area packs and troops.

Blanton explained, “The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations.” Blanton added, “The Boy Scouts provide fun and challenging programs for young people that build character, train them in responsibilities of participating citizenship and develop personal fitness.”

The Brandon/SouthShore areas are home to over 150 Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops consisting of over 3,000 boys and over 900 adult volunteers.

If you would like to support Scouting, the Soaring Eagle Dinner is a prime opportunity for you to enjoy a dinner catered by Southern Gourmet Catering, hear a guest speaker and help honor a community leader. To RSVP, contact Molly Blanton at 210-1788 or mblanton@boyscouting.com.

It was a festive night at the Riverview Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, held last month at the Showmen’s Club in Riverview. The theme was tropical and [...]]]> Tony Del Castillo, with the Tampa Times/TBT; Eric Butler, 2011 Business Person of the Year; and Sherri Walker, outgoing president of the Riverview Chamber celebrate Erik’s win.

It was a festive night at the Riverview Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, held last month at the Showmen’s Club in Riverview. The theme was tropical and flowers were everywhere on Hawaiian shirts and dresses.  It was a celebration of the achievements of the Riverview Chamber, including installation of a new president and board of directors, and presentation of awards.

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham was the keynote speaker and spent a few moments telling of his struggles since his hunting accident that left him unable to walk. With perseverance, hard work and support of family, “I triumphed three years later,” said Higginbotham. He went on to not only walk again, but climb mountains, and documented his trials in an autobiography, By Faith, I’m Still Standing.

Outgoing President Sherri Walker, of Crane Tech, spoke sincerely, “The chamber is more than a place to network, and it’s the people that give it soul.” She reviewed the accomplishments of the chamber over the past year, including kicking off the South Shore Young Professionals Association. She passed the gavel to incoming President Ed Booth, of Huth & Booth Photography. Booth. 

The emcee for the evening, Tony Del Castillo, with TBT and Tampa Bay Times, did a great job keeping the festivities flowing. Jim Johnson, of Mosaic Fertilizer, was named director emeritus to the chamber board for his 14 years.

Honorary Mayor Lisa Kennedy, with Alley Cat Pest Control, received the key to the chamber; Tanya Doran was honored for her hard work as director each and every day; and the following awards were issued for 2011: Margie Watkins- Volunteer of the Year; Larry Brooks, A & A Mortgage- Ambassador of the Year; Mary Ellen Owens, Black Diamond Associates – Shining Star Award; Gabrielle Perham, Mace Multimedia- Riverview Citizen of the Year; Barbara Jones, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office-Business Person of the Year; Eric Butler, Take Out Butler- Business of the Year, Four Paws Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Kim Tyson.

Booth explained that the chamber has major plans for this year, including launching its first membership drive, a golf tournament planned for St. Patrick’s Day, the annual Springfest and Teacher of the Year, Honorary Mayor’s Race, New Teacher’s Breakfast and Trick or Treat Street.

“We’re going to make this absolutely the very best year we’ve ever had,” said Booth.

By Adam Musgrave

A series of fundraising events is underway that aims to provide assistance for the family of Diego Duran, the 12-year-old boy struck by celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.

Two events so [...]]]> 12-year old Diego Duran has garnered national support since being struck by celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.

By Adam Musgrave

A series of fundraising events is underway that aims to provide assistance for the family of Diego Duran, the 12-year-old boy struck by celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.

Two events so far, a barbecue dinner and a garage sale, have met with great success, drawing an outpouring of support for the Duran family. The dinner took place on January 21 and the garage sale on January 28 and 29.

 The dinner alone drew more than 300 people, according to Teo Leonard, who helped to put the event together. A local DJ and magician also attended to provide entertainment and to ensure the dinner’s success.

In addition to individuals like Leonard, a number of corporate sponsors have come together to help out. Among the many organizations offering assistance are Sweet Bay, ACE Hardware and the South Shore United Methodist Church.

There has been no shortage of groups looking for ways to help. The  garage sale was sponsored by the Firehouse Cultural Center and the SouthShore Arts Council. The barbecue dinner was planned and run by family friends with the support of other individuals in the community and each of these groups offered its sponsorship on its own.

Since the beginning, the family has asked only for the thoughts and prayers of supporters, stressed Leonard. In the long run, however, he and others believe that efforts to raise funds will be of great help to the Duran family.

“The family needs a hundred percent of its effort to go to supporting Diego’s recovery,” Leonard said. He said that the fundraisers that he and others have been planning exist to ensure that they are allowed to do just that.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page devoted to Duran has garnered support and prayers from across the country. Every day, status updates appear, apprising followers of Duran’s progress and concerned members of the community offer their encouragement and prayers for the Duran family.

For more information on Duran’s continuing recovery, to offer support, or to make a donation, visit “Friends of Diego Duran” on Facebook.

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.