I’ll bet you thought it was too late to visit the 1964 World’s Fair, didn’t you? The fair was actually held over for an additional year, but even by the most generous measure, you’re about 43 years late for the New York venue.
Several of the most popular attractions are still alive and going strong, though, albeit with a few updates and expansions along the way.
You can begin your trip through the Johnson Administration at the Carousel of Progress, which was designed and built by Disney’s Imagineers on behalf of General Electric. Walt designed the show with heavy emphasis on GE product placement (causing his project lead to dismiss the whole thing as a “refrigerator show”), but loosely based on Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town, in that it follows a single family through time and acknowledges the audience.
Yes, Carousel of Progress is campy, and I’d even agree that it has been clumsily updated…it would be far more interesting to see the 1960’s vignette rather than the modern day scene currently on display…but the narration at the beginning, pointing out Walt’s love of innovation and progress, could not be more true.
Next stop is the Hall of Presidents, which is the successor to an attraction built for the State of Illinois, featuring Abraham Lincoln. Walt was most personally involved in the development of this show, for which he was sharply criticized by those who believed that his treatment would lack respect or would cheapen Lincoln’s legacy…after all, 1964 was the 100th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. The audio-animatronic Lincoln was well-received by most, however, there’s another interesting sidebar to this story: The original body movement measurements and studies were done with Buddy Ebsen, the actor who would go on to portray Jed Clampett. Lincoln continues to dominate the Hall of Presidents and has, ironically, provided a sense of realism to a larger-than-life historical figure for generations of students (including me), though I confess that I have used the hall as punishment for my misbehaving children.
Finally, head over to the happiest cruise that ever sailed, it’s a small world. Walt was always working to line-up corporate sponsors, which was his usual method of financing his grandiose plans. With his staff already hard at work on the other attractions, Walt arranged to build a “little boat ride” for Pepsi and UNICEF in an irrationally short amount of time. The original idea was for the figures to sing their national anthems, but the result was an indecipherable wall of noise, which is why you’ve had that cute theme song stuck in your head for decades. Interestingly, Walt was also courting Coca-Cola at the same time, trying to interest it in sponsoring an audio-animatronic bird attraction that would eventually become the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Though it didn’t appear at the fair, Walt was working on an audio-animatronic bear band for a ski resort project at around the same time. The resort never materialized, but unless I’m mistaken, the band is still playing at the Country Bear Jamboree. Not many people would walk into the Magic Kingdom and only do the rides and shows that I’ve mentioned here, but old Uncle Walt personally touched all of them and believed that these kinds of attractions would be a big part of his legacy. He was absolutely right.

Public Meeting To Discuss Lithia Pinecrest Road Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) Study

Hillsborough County, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), will hold a public meeting to discuss the Project Development and Environmental Study for Lithia Pinecrest Road in the Brandon area.

The Study evaluates the proposed widening of Lithia Pinecrest Road from SR 60 (Brandon Boulevard) to CR 39. The study length is approximately 10.95 miles.
The meeting is being held to obtain your input regarding the location, conceptual design and environmental effects of the alternatives for the proposed project’s needed improvements.

County Staff and representatives from FDOT will be at the meeting to discuss the details of the project and answer any questions residents may have. Please attend, we welcome your input.

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Palmetto Club, 17004 Dorman Road
All meeting facilities are ADA compliant. For additional assistance, please call us.
For more information, please call Steve Valdez, Public Works Department, at 272-5275 (TTY: 301-7172).
Visit us on the Web at - www.hillsboroughcounty.org.

Over the summer break, seven students, including college journalism majors, marketing and public relations majors and high school journalists, completed an Osprey Observer internship, a program open to all students interested in learning more about the field and jobs in journalism.
“We love to open our doors and teach students about the opportunities available to them in the field of journalism,” said Managing Editor Marie Gilmore. “And, each time we complete a program, we learn something new, too.”
Interns are asked to commit to 100 hours of in-office training on a flexible schedule. “Our interns leave our program with a letter of recommendation from us, 10 published articles and, hopefully, a new love and appreciation for the field,” mentioned Gilmore.
University of Florida journalism major and Riverview High School graduate Jennifer Smith enjoyed her time at the Osprey Observer and said, “From the internship, I learned that writing is truly my passion and that I would like to pursue a career in print journalism.”
The program, which runs spring break and summers throughout the year, requires a resume and a request, along with transportation and a love of writing. In addition, graphics interns are accepted and given the opportunity to design advertising and supplements for the Osprey Observer.
In addition to writing, photography and reporting, interns are invited to Brandon South Rotary meetings and to participate in community events.
For more information, call 657-2418 or email editor@ospreyobserver.com. Resumes and internships are being granted for summer, 2009.
2008 Summer Interns
Name: Jennifer Smith
School: Graduated Riverview High School, currently attends the University of Florida.
Major: Journalism

“The most memorable story I worked on was about the Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Cure Kids Cancer Walk. It was an inspiring assignment because I got to work with a great organization and offer my support to a great cause.”

Name: Elizabeth Wilhelm
School: Marist College/University of South Florida
Major: Marketing
“I learned how to market myself as an individual and as a part of an organization and how to create contacts throughout a community. I also learned a lot of interesting things about my community.

Name: Nora Zaki
School: Newsome High School
Major: Journalism and MidEast Studies with a minor in Arabic
“I truly think interning at the Observer for nearly four weeks gave me a larger sense of independence. I learned how to listen intently to the person(s) I’d be interviewing to make sure I wrote down their responses accurately and wanted them to realize that I was truly interested in listening to them. I guess one can say, my perception of the community where I live has somewhat improved.”

Name: Lauren Ashley
School: Brigham Young University
Major: English
“I loved writing about the charm classes held at Center Place because of the interview I had with the teacher of the class. She was the perkiest and, yet, most sincere person I had ever met, and even though I was interviewing her about what she did, she took time to get to know me and really helped me to feel the importance of the classes she taught. I really wanted to be a better journalist and person!”

Name: Luz Ma
School: Savannah College of Art &
Design
Major: Graphic Design
“I was interested in using my time wisely over summer break, besides just working, and developing any skills with computers or design.”

Name: Kasie Anthony
School: University of Central Florida
Major: Marketing with a minor in Communications
“The internship helped me enhance those skills and apply them to real life situations. Just being in the office and experiencing how a business is run was a learning experience of itself.”

Name: Keria Martin
School: Bloomingdale High School
Major: n/a
“ During my internship, I learned the true meaning of the term “prioritize.” Between phone calls for quotes and deadlines for articles, it was really important to priortize the multiple assignments that were given. Sometimes that meant rescheduling an interview to make room for a more important story that had a much closer deadline. I think this will be a crucial skill in my career as a journalist. “

To commemorate November being National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, Valrico resident Zach Bonner is hitting the pavement and walking 280 miles from Tallahassee to Atlanta Georgia. Last year, the 10-year-old took a 250 mile jaunt from Tampa to Tallahassee to raise awareness of the estimated 1.6 million kids that are homeless in our Country and he collected about $25,000 in supplies and money for the organization he founded “The Little Red Wagon Foundation Inc.” Bonner says he has the hike down to a routine of walking about 5 or 6 miles each day, stopping to eat and rest, then walking another 5 or so miles until he and his mother collapse in their Recreational Vehicle each evening.
“The money I raise on the Florida section will stay in the state for the projects my foundation funds for the homeless and street kids” according to Bonner, who adds, “While on the Macon trek that money will go toward building a house with Habitat for Humanity”, and in Atlanta those funds will go into a new project to help underprivileged kids explore their artistic side.
Bonner will be on the road 30 days with the conclusion of the walk on his birthday November 17 and you can follow the progress of the soon to be 11-year-old by going to his Website and clicking on “Zach Tracker.” If you want to contribute any money you can do that too, says Bonner, adding “And you can decide where it goes.” Some of Bonners honors include meeting President George W. Bush, receiving numerous awards for his dedication and hard work through his foundation, and so what could this little man have planned next? Bonner says he is already thinking ahead and “Next year I might do another walk from Tampa to Tallahassee, depending on how this one goes,” and he says he is also trying to figure out how he can walk from Tampa to Key West. For more information about Bonner’s charity you can go to his Website at www.littleredwagonfoundation.com where you can also click on” Zach Tracker” to pinpoint his exact location.

It is safe to say that the start of every school year is the most hectic time for parents, students, teachers and school administrators all around the county. But nothing seems to stir the emotions more than student transportation and bus stop issues which were once again a hot topic at the recently held series of 2008-09 town hall meetings led by Hillsborough County’s Superintendent MaryEllen Elia.
After parents fired questions at Elia, which included the problem with not enough bus stops, having unsafe bus stops on busy streets, changes on routes, overloaded busses and a seeming lack of transportation efficiency of drop-off and pick-up times, there was no doubt changes would have to be made.
One of these parents, convinced the system is flawed, was Becky Goodman, whose daughter was mistakenly put on the bus at school and dropped off at a bus stop without a parent to meet her.
According to school officials, as far as the recently raised issues are concerned, such as the overloading as well as the installation of safer bus stops, problems have been resolved, and the department has made the necessary changes.
Elia told parents that the district did investigate more than 200 bus stop complaints and moved about 80 stops already, while most concerns had to be referred to Hillsborough County Schools General Transportation Manager John Franklin, who said, during a phone interview, that the issues parents were concerned with at the start of the year were legitimate and have been addressed.
“Parents can rest assured that the department is working hard to make sure that the kids are safe,” Franklin said.
Franklin explained that safety is the department’s first and foremost goal and focus, while acknowledging that there are situations that do arise every year.
“We have installed additional bus stops and given parents some additional information on the changes that were made,” Franklin said.
The way this is done, according to Franklin, is through the department’s Bus Stop Safety Review Committee, set up not only to fix the problems already on the list, but, also, the ones that might arise in the future.
While not trying to minimize the transportation department’s responsibilities and the errors made at the start of the year, Franklin said that it does take time to work out some of the bugs, especially when parents do not follow the directions given by the school their children attend.
According to Franklin, children are often left at a certain bus stop without notifying the department under the assumption that their children will get to school.
“While we will not leave a child alone at the stop, it does create some overloading problems,” Franklin said.
To work on these and other safety issues on and off the buses, the department sends out field supervisors as well as certified traffic safety inspectors to evaluate each route on a regular basis.
Franklin said that the budget cuts are not affecting the way the department operates.
For more information, changes or questions, please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/transportation or call 272 4602.

Burning rubber never felt so good as motorcyclists are invited to ride in the First Annual Benefit Toy Run initiated by Thornton Chiropractic Center of Brandon.
Taking place on Saturday, December 6, motorcycle enthusiasts are welcome to join the ranks of fellow bikers, taking off at 11 a.m. from Harley-Davidson/Buell of Brandon, located at 9841 Adamo Dr. S.R. 60 in Tampa, to help benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and Guardian Ad Litem. After the 30-mile ride, the motorcyclists will end their route at Thornton Chiropractic Center, located at 906 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon, around 12 Noon. Here, participants and residents alike can enjoy the sounds of the band Live Wire and the delicious spread of food catered by Oakfield Market, all for just $10 and a new, unused toy. Those who rode as a passenger on the bike only pay $5 and donate a new, unused toy as well.
Having had its hand in multiple philanthropic benefits in the past, some of which include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), LifeCare of Brandon (formerly Brandon Care Pregnancy Center), American Heart Association and Toys for Tots, the center is trying “to do something on a grander scale. It is now a full scale event,” comments Dr. Glen Thornton, a chiropractor for the past 21 years. Hoping for over 100 riders, he says, “We’ll see how it goes and have some fun with it.”
From 12 Noon-3 p.m., local businesses will be onsite as well, allowing attendees to network. Participants of the ride will also receive a commemorative T-shirt as well as a free consultation with Thornton where an examination and x-ray of their area in question will be administered at no charge. According to Thornton, this is a “patient appreciation event as well,” having held previous patient appreciation days where patients would bring in toys in place of payment in order to benefit both the patient and the Toys for Tots charity. Having been at its current location for the past 14 years, Thornton Chiropractic Center offers a variety of techniques to bring its patients to their optimal spinal health providing chiropractic treatments, rehabilitation, therapy and nutrition guidance. A member of the Florida Chiropractic Association, The Hillsborough County Chiropractic Society and the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Thornton, a Brandon resident, adds, “We provide customized care for every individual. I am a doctor who listens to them, that cares. It is this quality of care that leads to excellent results.”
If you would like to join in the festivities, please go online to www.brandonbackdoc.com, clicking on “Special Offer,” to register for the event. If you won’t be able to participate in the motorcycle ride or attend the networking event, but still want to participate in some way, feel free to drop off a new, unused, unwrapped toy to either Thornton Chiropractic Center, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-12 Noon, 3-6 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, or the Osprey Observer, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, located at 900 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon. Those who have a business are welcome to sign-up for the event until November 22. Spaces are available for the cost of $25, though no electricity or awning/tables will be provided. Sponsors are still needed as well. For more information, please call 685-7107.

“An estimated 138,530 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2008,” reads the Website of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, inspiring the MOMS Club of Lithia to continue the fight, hosting the Fourth Annual Roll for a Cure.
Taking place on Thursday, November 20, at the Palmetto Club, located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in FishHawk Ranch, Roll for a Cure will be “a night of fun, food, prizes and bunko,” according to Terri Fischer, president of the MOMS Club of Lithia-Bevis, which is working in conjunction with the MOMS Club of Lithia-FishHawk Creek to host the event. The two groups were once one, having dispersed into two due to growth, and both felt the effects of lymphoma first-hand as they watched one of their own pass away from the disease, forging the conception of Roll for a Cure.
Residents will wine and dine on appetizers, desserts and a cash bar with a DJ on-hand to dole out the tunes and $2 and $5 raffle tickets will be available for purchase to win prizes. With last year’s event welcoming 130 residents and raising $8,500, the group is hoping for a turnout of 100 this year. “Our goal is to beat our amount raised last year, but we will be excited about any amount raised since all the proceeds from the evening go directly to benefit the amazing charity,” says Committee Chair Danielle Triplett of the MOMS Club of Lithia-FishHawk Creek.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. for Roll for a Cure, with games beginning at 7:30 p.m. Those interested in donating to a good cause can play bunko for $20. Sponsors of the event include: www.mountaincabinbythelake.com, Family Medical Care of Riverview, Superior Autobody in St. Petersburg, It’s Personal-Seriously Adorable Personalized Artwork, the Bank of Tampa as well as donations from sponsors such as Alycia Alverez Photography, RobZFitness, Studio 1 to1, Lowery Park Zoo, Stonewood Grill and Tavern and many more.
If you are a business owner and would like to make a donation to be incorporated within the prize baskets, need more information or would like to find out more about the MOMS Club of Lithia-FishHawk Creek, please contact Triplett at 294-0405 or visit www.rollforacure.info. To learn more MOMS Club of Lithia-Bevis, call Fischer at 654-9988. To inquire about The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

The Neuroscience Center at Brandon Regional Hospital was recently the proud recipient of the prestigious 2008 Bronze Stroke Award. Light refreshment welcomed the staff and the public at the hospital’s “A” tower front lobby and reception area as representatives from the American Heart and the America Stroke Association presented the award to members of the center’s staff for their recent outstanding accomplishment, high level of performance and patient care. BRH Neuroscience director Melissa Cole was pleased with the recognition which was appropriately called the “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Bronze Performance Achievement Award,” meaning that the center has reached the bench mark of 85 percent of 7 levels of quality measures on all stroke patients for 90 consecutive days. “Our motto is ‘Every patient every time,” said Cole. According to Cole, receiving the award, of course, only means that the center is that much closer to the silver and the gold awards. “We are now focusing on maintaining the level of care and just working on getting better,” Cole said. During the ceremony the public was offered free stroke screenings and could watch demonstrations of the operation of the centers Brain Lab. According to a brochure published by HCA West Florida, with 750,000 new stroke cases reported each year in the United States, and stroke being the third leading cause of death as well as the number one cause of disability, the mission of BRH’s Neuroscience Center is to provide support and education to both the patients and their families. Newly added to the hospital staff is the center’s stroke coordinator Cathy Harrison who according to Cole makes rounds on all the patients while also handles in-services to train staff as well as patients and is also involved with community education on subjects such as how to recognize and to prevent a stroke, along with the importance of getting help quickly and on time. Treatments at the center includes brain tumors, carotid stenosis, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis, nerve disorders, spinal disorders, spinal tumors and, of course, stroke. For more information about the Brandon Regional Hospital Neuroscience Center please visit www.myBRH.com.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Barbara Burbage of Brandon, who was one of dozens of local senior residents receiving flu shots early this year. Every fall, senior citizens get to move to the head of the line to obtain a flu immunization shot. Thanks to the effort and cooperation between those who have the means to support this program, this year is no different. Once again, the Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services and the Florida Health Department have joined forces and begun offering flu and pneumonia immunizations to county seniors (those 60 years of age and older) and others in the community at each of the county’s senior centers. Starting in October, those with Medicare part B can receive the flu shots for free, while for HMO or other forms of insurance holders, the cost of the shot is $25. “We have been offering the shots for the members of this community and for our senior residents here at the center for a long time,” said Brandon Senior Center nurse Carol Swilley. Swilley explained that as it has always been true, annual flu immunizations are more important for seniors as they are more likely to develop complications if they do get the flu. “Without the shot, a serious case of flu can develop quickly and worsen rapidly,” Swilley said, adding, “With the shot, flu symptoms are shorter and the severity is much less.” Swilley’s words ring true in a statement from the Center of Disease Control, saying that the single best way to avoid the flu is to get an immunization. During the recent immunization, the Brandon Senior Center saw close to 50 who took advantage of the offer. “A very good turn out,” according to Swilley. Flu shots will continue to be offered to all seniors in Hillsborough County at the various senior centers for the rest of October and early November. Residents can receive a flu shot at the nearest Senior Center. For more information, please call the Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services at 272-6630.

By Donna M. Rogers
If you are looking to share your time this holiday season, then look no further that Cynthis Pickney’s upcoming Thanksgiving Day Dinner. The fifth Annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be held at the Bill Carey Boys and Girls Club located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon on Thursday, November 27. The Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Two hundred and fifty volunteers are to help serve approximately 900 homeless men, women and children. All volunteers must take the last remaining training class to be held on Saturday, October 25, if you have not already done so. This training class will suffice for the Christmas dinner as well. The training class will be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 402 E. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Lunch is served free of charge, to register call 571-1556 or send an email to cp@cynthiapinckneyministries.org. At this year’s Thanksgiving event, the organization is giving away toiletries, clothing, shoes, blankets, socks, school supplies, canned food and staple items. Nurses will also be onsite to give free blood and glucose monitoring. In addition, the ministry will provide free hair cuts and massages too. There will be a fun house for the children, face painting, entertainment and arts and crafts. Music will be provided by Extreme Faith Ministries and door prizes will be given away. So please mark your calendars now to take part in this awesome charity event. A list of donations needed for the Thanksgiving feeding and other information can be found at www.cynthiapinckneyministries.org. Cynthia Pinckney stated, “I am ecstatic at what God has done to grow this ministry and that we are able to help so many needy people. In spite of our nation’s economic crisis, people are giving help to those less fortunate more than ever before. This includes monetary contributions, item contributions such as clothes, household items, shoes, etc., but, more importantly, they are giving their precious time. Homelessness can happen to anyone. Businesses shut down and jobs are lost; spouses die; homeowners suffer mortgage foreclosures; and bank accounts dwindle. Soon you are forced out of your home to live on the streets. Tragically, we are seeing a significant increase of whole family units joining the homeless population, but thankfully, God has given us a servant’s heart to minister to His people in unique ways. We are grateful to everyone in our community that gives to the needy. Without your support, we couldn’t do what we do. Thank you.”