Bloomingdale Family To Battle It Out On Family Feud
Bloomingdale Family To Battle It Out On Family Feud
By Michelle Colesanti
On Wednesday, March 3, the Hirsch family, of Bloomingdale, will face off against the Lewis family, of Inglewood, CA, on the exciting new season of Family Feud. Excited to be on the Feud, the members of the Hirsch family include Kevin, a sales manager for Nestles, who also was a former semi-pro hockey player, and his wife, Diana, who currently works in ministry support at Celebration Church in Valrico.Together, they have three sons: Ryan has a master’s degree from Florida State in Integrative Marketing Systems; Shawn is currently finishing his masters program at the University of South Florida in Tampa; and Derek is a student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and is an Ultimate Frisbee champion. They will appear on the show, competing for the top prize of $150,000 and a brand new car. The show is taped before a live studio audience in Hollywood.“Our son, Derek, discovered the auditions for Family Feud in Miami,” said Kevin. “There are five members on a team, and we have five members in our immediate family, so it was a perfect fit. If we win, we want to take a trip to Germany where our ancestors are originally from.”During their auditions down in Miami back in July, they played two mock games which were viewed by a producer but not filmed. After that, producers chose certain families for further interviews and taping. Tapes were then sent to LA where the tapes were further reviewed. They only had to wait two weeks for notification of their selection, and by Labor Day weekend, they were in Los Angeles filming for their March debut. Ordinarily 1 percent of families that tryout make the cut.“The Hirsch family has a leg up on the competition with all three sons in graduate or undergraduate school,” said host John O’Hurley, best known for his role of Mr. Peterman on Seinfeld. “Hopefully, they had some time to study up on popular survey questions before their exams.”Family Feud, created in 1976, is currently produced by Fremantle Media North America and distributed by Debmar Mercury. A press release from the studios states that each weekday on the all-new variation of the Feud, O’Hurley will guide the audience through exciting new changes that will make the show a modern classic. Those interested in trying out for Family Feud can call the show’s hotline in Los Angeles at 323-762-8467 for an interview.Family Feud airs Monday-Friday at 2 p.m. on WTTA (Channel 38). Be sure to watch Wednesday, March 3, to see if the Hirshes win enough to take that coveted trip to Germany. Check your local cable or Fios provider for the specific channel it will air on.
Jessica Rose Family Fun Day Creates Foundation For Families
Jessica Rose Family Fun Day Creates Foundation For Families
By Carisa Biesecker
“Every day is an uphill struggle for me just to get through the day and night without her. I have to find the strength just to keep asking myself, ‘What would Jessie want?’” states FishHawk resident Maureen Massari in regard to her daughter, Jessica Rose, 6, who lost her battle with cancer in February of 2009 after battling neuroblastoma stage IV for two years. Her answer came in the form of The Jessica Rose Foundation, Inc.Being unveiled on Saturday, February 6, at Sunset Bay Chapel, located at 6026 Churchside Dr. in Lithia, the foundation’s launch will be an afternoon in the making from 12 Noon-5 p.m., as a ribbon cutting will commence the day and an honorable mention of children in the area battling cancer, referred to as “honorary warriors,” will follow. Recognizing the force behind the foundation, a memorial service will be held in honor of Jessica and the one-year anniversary of her passing. Local children who have lost their battles with cancer will be recognized as well. Then, the celebration will begin with music provided by Pure Power Productions and singer Lisa Hertzner belting out some tunes, 100 baton twirlers from Let’s Twirl performing, food, raffles, a silent auction, arts and crafts, a bounce house, a super slide, Valentine photo opportunities, costume characters, face painting, a bake sale, pony rides, a clown, a magician, Valentine balloons and more.Through the Jessica Rose Foundation, families battling pediatric cancer, with a child in active treatment, will be given up to $1,000 in support, whether it be in gift cards, medical costs or travel expenses incurred by treatments. “I thought it was a wonderful way to help local families with some immediate needs, not just financially but also emotionally,” says Massari, adding that the she hopes to expand the charity’s mission one day to include mental health support for parents and public education for residents. She adds: “It’s heartbreaking watching these children’s lives change the way they do. They truly are heroes! The love they give is unconditional and the joy and inspiration they bring to others is unmatched. They share their feelings and thoughts from a place that most of us have never been to. It leaves you speechless, because we know they should be thinking about what toy they want to play with next, not about their white blood count, nor asking whether or not they can play with their friends that week, simple things most healthy people take for granted.” Sponsors of the grand opening include Chick-fil-A, Hillsboro Bank, Air Gas, Minuteman Press of Town & Country, Dairy Queen, All Stars Italian Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Joel’s Pizza, Lowry Park Zoo, Firehouse Subs, Lillian Portraits, Westshore Pizza and Big Belly. Raffle items are still needed and volunteers are being welcomed for the grand opening. For more information, visit www.jessicarosefoundation.org, call 451-6544 or e-mail maureen@jessicarosefoundation.org.
Collections For Haiti – Local Ways to Contribute to Relief from the Recent Earthquake Disaster
Publix Collects Earthquake Relief Funds for Haiti
Customers may donate any amount of money by adding it Read more
Local Car Hops Appear in National Sonic Drive-In Commercial
Two local resident car hops will appear in a National Commercial for Sonic Drive-In in March. Sonic Director of Operations Brad Young stands Read more
Volunteers Needed For Daystar Center “I Am Hope” Homeless Café
Volunteers Needed For Daystar Center “I Am Hope” Homeless Café
By Carisa Biesecker
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Am Hope Café will soon have a third local location on the grounds of Daystar Faith Center in Gibsonton thanks to the partnership of local organizations who gathered together at Riverview’s Resurrection Catholic Church last month.With the numbers of the homeless growing, the Greater Brandon Ecumenical Ministries is aiming to open the third I Am Hope Café in order to provide struggling residents with food and a connection with services provided through the staff of the center. Here, homeless residents would be introduced to a hot meal while having access to clothing, hygiene products, household items, tents, backpacks and the technology to obtain food stamps and a mailing address for their personal use.“I think there’s a tremendous need. It would really complement what they’ve got,” stated Margaret Shaw, a Brandon resident who has spent the past year volunteering at one of the two pre-existing cafes in the greater Brandon area through her church, the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale. These cafes are operated out of First Baptist Church of Mango, situated at 11619 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. E. in Seffner, Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 6-7 p.m. and Saturday from 9-10 a.m. and Brandon Church of the Nazarene, located at 114 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon, every Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Daystar will also be partnering with the Brandon-based nonprofit Cynthia Pinckney Ministries – which also aids residents facing hard times. The facility also expects to begin a GED program, in January. “I feel God is directing us, and this is the right thing to do,” said Ecumenical Ministries, Inc. President Vince Ferraro.The newly formed council welcomes others to volunteer at the cafe, with the group’s next meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 7, at 10 a.m. at Daystar Faith Center, located at 7017 Gibsonton Dr. in Gibsonton. According to Baylife member Christine Hicks, residents can also help by filling their tanks with 10 gallons or more of gas at area Citgo gas stations which, in return, provide customers with a $3 pre-paid phone card which can be donated to homeless residents.For more information, visit www.iamhopecafe.org or call 643-0323.
Local Sponsors Contribute to Summer Bible and Basketball Camp’s Success
Local Sponsors Contribute to Summer Bible and Basketball Camp’s Success
By Tamas Mondovics
What do 18 coaches, 26 corporate sponsors, 93 children and $4,000 in cash and donations equal? One of the most successful summer camps in the area. Bibles and Basketball Summer Camp—as it has come to be called over the years—was once again hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church and School and led by Ed Treimanis, Chief Financial Planner of Ameriprise Financial Services, who was proud to announce that this year’s camp was an overwhelming success. Due to the overwhelming support from local Platinum corporate sponsors, Women’s Care of Brandon, William F. Price Foundation, Treimanis, and the camp’s original sponsor Neal A. Kahn of Olin Mott Tire Store, Carlos Velez of the Orlando Magic, who has co-sponsored this year’s camp and other individual and corporate sponsors, for the first time all 93 children that attended camp did so free of cost. “Our goal to ensure that no child is turned away from our Bibles and Basketballs camp due to finances was reached beyond our expectation,” Treimanis said. “Originally, we were able to let the first 77 children enjoy the camp without cost, but after the support from the community, we knew this number would be much higher.” The camp concluded with a pizza party as well as an evening charity basketball tournament at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, which welcomed more than 200 parents, fans and local sponsors, who came out to support the event and to give back to their community. Treimanis and the Immanuel Lutheran Annual Basketball Camp have chosen (Sharing Hope for Orphans and Every Soul) SHOES to receive half the proceeds of the charity game. “We would like to extend a special thank you to Dick’s Sporting Goods, who donated equipment and prizes for the camp including basketballs, Nike bags, whistles as well as gift certificates for coaches and volunteers and coupon books for basketball related items from Dick’s,” said Ameriprise intern Jeremy Whitehead. During a recently held banquet at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, at 9331 Adamo Dr., in Tampa, awards were handed out to coaches and players for their participation. Besides the willing support of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s management team, Treimanis also acknowledged Marie Gilmore of the Osprey Observer and the Christian Voice, along with Carlos Velez and Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic for getting the word out prior to camp. For further information feel free to call Treimanis 623-5713 or contact Immanuel Lutheran School at 685-1978. To learn more about SHOES, please visit www.destinyshouse.com/shoes.
Where To Go To See The Holiday Lights In The Brandon Area
Where To Go To See The Holiday Lights In The Brandon Area
By Jennifer Silverstein
Looking for something to do with the family during the holidays? Read more
Walmart Celebrates Revamp With $10,000 In Donations
By Tamas Mondovics
The results of a three-month long remodeling project at the Walmart located at 949 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon were recently unveiled and celebrated during a re-introduction ceremony. The festivities, which included cake and a ribbon cutting, were topped off with a presentation of $10,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to nine local organizations.These included the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), the Sincerely, Santa program, Brandon Sports and Aquatics Center, Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, Brandon Bolts basketball team, PAWS, Ministry of Hope of Brandon, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay and Monster Club Foundation Services for Children. “The help comes at just the right time,” said Stacy Efaw of ECHO. “We truly appreciate Walmart choosing to support our efforts.” Last year, Walmart gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. “We try to give to as many local organizations as we can to support the causes that are important to our customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods,” said Walmart District Manager Dave Chamura.According to Store Manager Peter Peck, the improvements of the 23-year-old Brandon store were needed to make shopping more convenient for customers. “We listened to our customers and have re-designed the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier,” Peck said. “We want give the community and our local shoppers a glimpse of the company’s next generation of store design and customer experience.” Peck said that the remodeled store features a more open shopping environment that contains no product displays as well as the strategic alignment of a number of departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items. “The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities,” said Peck.The store’s renovated pharmacy has a more spacious customer area, as it continues to offer its $4 price on hundreds of generic prescriptions.Walmart added an expanded electronics department, which features a more hands-on experience with interactive displays for hi-definition Blue-ray, video gaming and portable electronics. A new department, Celebration Station, has also been added, featuring party supplies, greeting cards, balloons and helium tanks, cake supplies and gift wrap.Peck was specifically thankful to store associates, whom he said worked hard during the renovation process.“This was the most difficult remodeling event. The challenge was to keep the store shoppable during the project. Thank you and please thank your families,” Peck told all in attendance. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.
Apollo Beach Hosts Holiday Fair
By Sharon Still
The Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce is keeping busy this fall with events for the entire community. In October, the organization hosted a grand opening celebration at its new office and Saturday, December 5, will be the group’s first-ever Holiday Fair in the Village. The grand opening celebration held at the office, located at 137 Harbor Village Ln. in the MiraBay Village Plaza, attracted more than 350 guests who enjoyed the Oktoberfest-themed event including hot dogs and bratwursts with all the trimmings, entertainment by DJ Gary, the Warehouse Rockers and Gary Underwood’s strolling accordion. Sponsors, the Apollo Beach Chamber, Accurate Air, AON Advertising, Apollo Beach Air, Apollo Beach Physical Therapy, Cherry’s of Apollo Beach, Cox Computers, Mosaic, Pearson Capital, TSI Technical System Integrators, Trustco Bank and the Warehouse Rockers, helped to make the evening a great success. Up next, the chamber is sponsoring its first Holiday Fair in the Village at the MiraBay Village Plaza on Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.All artists and crafters are invited to participate in the day-long event that will showcase local handmade wares (there will be no commercial merchandise). Eight-ft. display spaces are available for $30. Additionally, all area businesses are invited to participate. Apollo Beach Chamber member space will be $35; non-members will be $60.“We consider Apollo Beach the social and cultural heart of the SouthShore area,” says Chamber board member Kevin Conlan. “Helping everyone succeed in their business is our chamber’s primary objective. As working partners, your success is our success.”For information about the Apollo Beach Chamber and its events, please contact Joan at 645-1366 or e-mail abeachchamber@tampabay.rr.com.
