Eye On Business Riverview/Apollo Beach/Ruskin
Norgard Insurance Holds Ribbon Cutting
In early March, Norgard Insurance Group, located at 809 E. Bloomingdale Ave. # 387, hosted a Ribbon Cutting at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
Norgard Insurance Group offers its clients a variety of benefits the not limited to medical benefits for a group or individual, pre-paid legal, supplemental benefits, life and disability insurance and retirement planning.
For more information, please contact Dwayne Lewis at 928-4508 or via e-mail at dwayne@norgardinsurancegroup.com or Chad Norgard at 454-5072 or via e-mail at chad@norgardinsurancegroup.com
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Tampa Bay Printing Grand Opening
Now located at 501 S. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa with Tampa Centre, Unit C-7, Tampa Printing will be hosting its Grand Opening with specials from Precision Car Audio (PCA) and The Glass Bandits including full feature car alarms installed for $125 and free windshield installation with full coverage insurance.
It is also offering 35 percent window tint for $100 on any vehicle with a life time warrantee and a free power window motor and regulator diagnostic, a $25 value.
It is also offering 10 percent of your next order of $100 or more from Tampa Printing.
For more information, call 230-9890 or visit www.813TampaPrinting.com.
New Yogurt Shop Open In Brandon
Feel good about supporting a healthier world. Relax your mind, body and soul by escaping to your nearest DJ’s yogurt stop, located at 2946 Providence Lakes Blvd. in Brandon.
The yogurt shop is a self-serve style of natural frozen yogurt in 12 flavors with 33 varieties of toppings and fresh seasonal fruits. It has zero grams trans fat, is low in calories and carbs. Any flavor with unlimited toppings is 0.39 cents an ounce.
It is having a grand opening special of 50 percent off all purchases.
It will be having a raffle drawing giveaway for DJ’s yogurt stop customers, which includes a three gigabyte laptop, two eight gigabyte digital cameras, two eight gigabyte Mp3 players and two $50 gift cards. The final drawing will be March 31 at 6 p.m.
DJ’s Yogurt Shop is located on the corner of Providence Lakes and Causeway, next to Starbucks. It is open Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
For more information, call the shop at 655-9808.
Chick-fil-A goes WiFi
Join the Honorary Mayor Tammy Holmberg at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 25 at Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village, located at 11325 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon.
Celebrate with owner Paul Holmberg and his staff as they cut the wire for a special ribbon cutting ceremony.
Bring your laptop and try out the WiFi, while enjoying free coffee and breakfast.
For more information, call 655-1237 or visit www.Chick-fil-A.com.
Biker’s Bay
Lenny and Nora Gillespie, owners of the franchise Biker’s Bay, a motorcycle repair shop, are celebrating the business’ one year anniversary. It is the only Ride In/Ride out bike shop in the Brandon area.
They are also members of the Faith Riders at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon.
It is located at 9520 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., by the Sheriff’s Department, three blocks west of Falkenburg Rd. For more information, please call 740-2453 or e-mail noraandlenny@earthlink.com
Computer Help
Providence PC Consulting provides in-house computer, network and application support for all your residential or small business needs.
Owner Jay Drennan started the company after 25 years of experience with computers and related technology. Providence PC Consulting offers a wide variety of solutions, including website design and hosting, data backup and recovery, audio/visual and video production, software training, virus and spyware removal, high speed router set-up and various troubleshooting and repair needs.
For more information, visit its Website at www.ProvidencePCC.com, e-mail Drennan at jay@ProvidencePCC.com or call 393-9495.
Title Company Receives Award
All American Title is proud to announce that it has been notified by its underwriter Stewart Title Guaranty Co. that it was one of its top 10 agents in the entire state of Florida for 2008.
All American Title Company has two offices, one in Brandon at 679 W. Lumsden Rd. and one in the South Shore area at 609 18th Street S.E. in Ruskin.
For more information, call 684-3330 or 649-9740. More information is also available on its Website at www.allamtitle.com.
Liberty Tax Is Just What The Doctor Ordered; Free Tax Preparation for Hospital and EMT Employees
To honor these often unsung heroes, Liberty Tax Service is offering free tax preparation for all emergency medical technicians and hospital employees during the week of March 2-6. The company will offer this service at their Brandon offices located at 231 W. Brandon Blvd. and 10827 Bloomingdale Ave. for first-time customers.
“EMT and medical professionals work selflessly each and every day, saving lives and making friends and family comfortable through times of stress and pain. It’s our pleasure to be able to give back just a little to these individuals who perform life-saving miracles every day,” said Stephanie Nussbaum, general manager and owner of Liberty Tax Service.
Call Liberty Tax Service at 681-5358 if you’re eligible for this promotion, and you’d like more details.
Planet Smoothie Has New Owner, Outlook
Planet Smoothie in Brandon has been in operation for nine years. Eight months ago, Tony Menendez opened Planet Smoothie by University of South Florida (USF) and has enjoyed running this store and seeing it grow. In December of 2008, he was presented with the opportunity to take over the Planet Smoothie Brandon location and was not very familiar with the area. “In taking a good look I immediately fell in love with Brandon,” he said.
Menendez said he is trying to build a new customer base to go on top of the great loyal customer base that Planet Smoothie already has and is actively looking for events, parties and meetings to cater.
He is also trying to educate potential customers out there about Planet Smoothie and its great products. Planet Smoothie uses all fresh fruit in its smoothies and no preservatives. “This is what I feel makes our smoothie such a great tasting product,” Menendez said. “We also have very unique names for our smoothies that stick with you like the ‘Chocolate Elvis’ and ‘Yo’ Adrian’ to name a few.”
Menendez said the USF store is very involved with the community and Planet Smoothie Brandon will be no different.
Planet Smoothie Brandon is located at 11391 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon.
For more information, call the store at 653-9515 or visit www.planetsmoothie.com.
Cuenelli’s Peruvian Chicken
Mayla Cuevas recently opened Cuenelli’s Peruvian Style Rotisserie Chicken with the support of her husband Erick and her sons Kito and Daniel and her daughter Gabriela, who work in the restaurant with her. The Peruvian restaurant first opened in October and offers authentic Peruvian food, cooked from scratch. The 1,200 sq. ft. storefront is complete with an oven that was shipped from Peru. It cooks on charcoal only, using no electricity or gas. “That’s what gets us the great taste of the chicken and is what we are known for,” said Mayla.
Cuenelli’s other popular dishes include Bisteck a lo Pobre, a sirloin steak served with white rice, beans, fried egg, French fries and plantains; Lomo Saltado, a grilled sirloin with onions and tomatoes served with white rice and French fries and Papa a la Huancaina, boiled potatoes topped with spicy creamy cheese sauce. It also serves some traditional Peruvian desserts including Alfajores or Peruvian cookies, flan and cuatro leches or four milk cookies.
The restaurant can seat 40 people inside, with room for approximately 35 on its patio area.
Mayla said that she has been getting requests for Peruvian ceviche and will begin to serve it on the weekends. Cuenelli’s is available for dine in, take out and also does catering.
The Cuevas’ have been local Riverview residents for six years and say they plan on participating in local Winthrop events with the other tenants.
Cuenelli’s Peruvian Style Rotisserie Chicken is located at 6260 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview within the Winthrop Town Centre. It is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 12 Noon – 8 p.m. and is closed on Monday. For more information or to place a takeout or catering order, call 681-7773.
Kiddie Kat’s Childcare
A new business recently came to the area, Kiddie Kat’s Childcare, located at 1109 E. Camellia Drive in Brandon
Kiddie Kat’s is a licensed family childcare home and is looking to fill all current openings. The business was opened for two reasons. First, to help parents afford quality childcare at a reasonable price and second, to assist in teaching a strong foundation to our future. “Nurturing Our Future,” is the motto of Kiddie Kat’s, according to its owner and provider Kathi Collins.
The rates are very competitive, and the quality of care is extraordinary due to a low class size.
The following services are offered: structured environment; healthy, nutritious, tasty snacks and meals provided; diapers provided; indoor/outdoor activities; north Brandon/Seffner area, educational development based; daily workout video with Bert, Ernie and Big Bird; infant/toddler CPR and first aid certified; early childhood development certified and babysitting Available.
For more information, call 571-7085 or 918-7772 Collins is also available via e-mail at kathi@kiddiekats.net. Kiddie Kat’s also has a Website at www.kiddiekats.net.
Women’s Care Offers Extended Hours
To make those well women’s visits and paps a little easier for its patients, Women’s Care is staying open late on Tuesday nights in the Brandon office for those ladies who need evening appointments. One Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) will be on-site until 7:30 p.m. seeing patients in May, every Tuesday.
Also, Women’s Care is starting to perform in-house surgeries such as NovaSure and Essure procedures in the office.
Women’s Care of Brandon is located at 731 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. For more information, call 681-9171.
The Salon at Remington Provides Professional Services
The Salon at Remington, a Cosmetology program part of Remington College recently opened and held a ribbon cutting at its location at 6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste. # 400 in Tampa.
The Salon at Remington is a MATRIX signature school. It uses professional products from Matrix, Design Essentials, Pevonia and OPI.
All services are performed by students under the strict supervision of a licensed instructor. The salon functions and provides all services of a full service salon and spa including manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing. Hair services include cuts, color, perms, relaxers, up do’s, braids, hair extensions and many more services.
If you’re interested in starting a cosmetology program, please come and take a tour of Remington’s campus. It has classes starting monthly. Remington also has many other diploma and degree programs. You can reach the admissions department at 935-5700.
The salon is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. -3:30 p.m., appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 316-4470.
Rock N Pineapple Gets Big Votes In Shop Local
Since the day it opened, Rock N Pineapple in Plaza Bella on the corner of Bloomingdale and Bell Shoals, has embraced the Shop Local campaign. Servers make sure to give every diner at the new restaurant a Shop Local postcard and to ask them to go online and vote for them as the best restaurant. And, the effort has paid off as Rock N Pineapple joins Bella Garden and Peterbrooke Chocolatier as Shop Local Businesses of the Month.
Rock N Pineapple received a certificate, flowers and a video on www.ospreyobserver.com recognizing them as the Shop Local Business of the Month for March.
“We come from up north where everything was about shopping locally,” said Rock N Pineapple owner Sergio Arce who owns the new concept along with wife Maribeth Hernandez. Rock N Pineapple Restaurant and Bar is located at 1022 Bloomingdale Ave. Phone 321-4900.
Hundreds of local residents are reaping the rewards of the campaign as well and receiving $10 gift cards to local retailers just for entering online. Participating businesses can be identified with a Shop Local banner and window cling in their business.
To see a full lising of current Shop Local participants, go online to www.ospreyobserver.com and click on Shop Local. See the listing of local retailers, restaurants and service businesses who are currently signed up to be recognised as a Shop Local business. Entrys are accepted for any local business but Shopping Local is encourage.
Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village owner and Honorary Mayor of Brandon Tammy Holmberg is a big supporter of the Shop Local campaign and identifies it at all her events. “It’s all about Shopping Local and keeping our local businesses open,” she said. To get involved, call 657-2418, or shannon@ospreyobserver.com.
Comments on Brandon Community Plan Welcome
The public is invited to attend an open house on Thursday, March 26 to view the proposed Brandon Community Plan. The meeting is open, and the public is invited to drop by anytime between 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the Brandon Regional Service Center at 311 Pauls Dr. in Brandon.
Since August of 2007, community volunteers and planners have been working to formulate a Community Plan for the future of Brandon. The plan incorporates Bloomingdale, and the issues addressed in the plan include environment, transportation, development, growth and the services needed to support future growth.
Those involved in the plan will be available on Thursday, March 26 to answer questions and explain the concepts behind the plan. The public is invited to give comments on the plan. According to William Lamboy of Hillsborough County, “We have a dynamic group working on this plan. We need the public to view the plan and give comment so that the plan can be finalized by the end of the summer.”
If you want your opinion to count when the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission decide issues related to future zoning requests and future development plans in Brandon, then make your feelings known at the Community open house on Thursday, March 26.
The public can view the entire plan at www.hccommunityplanning.com/brandoncommunity. If more information is needed on the plan, contact William Lamboy at 276-8337 or at lamboyw@hillsboroughcounty.org.
Winthrop Buzzes With New Business
Winthrop Town Center in Riverview at the corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and Providence Rd. is flourishing with new businesses opening in the small town-centered plaza. And with homes under construction in the surrounding area, a community Advantage Center planned nearby and a few more spots to fill, Winthrop is becoming a community destination. Read more
Stokes Named Buccaneers 2008 Coach Of The Year
While Buccaneers fans walked away disappointed after the realization that their team will not advance to the playoffs this year, one fan, teacher and high school Varsity football coach took home much more than just memories from the season’s final game.
Earlier, Bloomingdale High School coach Jason Stokes was named the Buccaneers 2008 Coach of the Year and presented with a trophy and $1,000 for his efforts by Buccaneers General Manager Bruce Allen before kickoff of the Buccaneers’ final season home game.
Formerly a defensive coordinator at Riverview High School, Stokes replaced Corey Brinson, who resigned at the end of the last season in November of 2007, following the Bulls’ final regular season 10-20 defeat to Durant and finishing the season with only two wins out of 11 games.
Stokes, who played football at Oxon Hill High School in Maryland, went on to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he was part of a two-time conference champions team and named All-League Linebacker. He began his Florida teaching and coaching career at Riverview High in 2003.
Understanding his limits at the start of the 2008-09 season with the Bulls, Stokes felt confident about his new role as head coach.
“I am feeling positive about the upcoming season,” Stokes said, but added, “While I know we will have a winning season, the bottom line is that we can only go as far as the kids are willing to go and perform to the best of their ability.”
The Bloomingdale Bulls finished the past season with a 6-5 overall and 3-1 district record which has earned the program its first winning season and first playoff berth in the school’s 21-year history.
“I had a great season, but the work is not done,” Stokes said, adding, “We are eager to start the new season with its changing district line up.”
For more information about the Bloomingdale High School athletic program, please visit www.highschoolsports.net.
Durant Shows Strength During Six-Way Wrestling Tourney
The first day of the 2008-09 winter school break proved to be an important day in the wrestling arena as a number of local squads, which included Bloomingdale, Newsome, Plant, Durant, Lennard and Jefferson high schools, had the opportunity participate in a six-way tournament hosted by and held at Bloomingdale High School last month.
The Durant Cougars squad, with a long and well-known reputation of strength and talent, was ready to prove itself, looking forward to dueling its biggest district rival, the Bloomingdale Bulls. The Cougars’ goal of proving to be a tough competition was achieved during the tourney.
With Head Coach Dennis Kitko at the helm, the Cougars did get a chance to stand out from the rest, showcasing a great program, despite having entered the competition with an injury plagued squad and losing of a number of seniors at the close of the 2008-09 season.
At the start, perhaps based on experience, Kitko was confident of a measure of success and said, “We are finally getting healthy, and we are getting better. With some time off over the winter break, we should be ready for districts.”
The Bulls defeated the Cougars 37-23, but it was the closest point range during the six-way duel. Bloomingdale also defeated Newsome, 68-12, Plant, 70-4, Lennard, 72-6, and Jefferson, 72-6, and won the competition.
Cougars’ junior and state hopeful Alex Hamm (112) was ready for the tourney, starting his matches with a win by pinning his opponent in 2:37.
“I have started the season kind of slow, but I am doing much better and aiming for the state tournament.
Keeping busy, Hamm went 4-0 with four pins, while his team took third during the Winter Springs Rotary Duals.
The Durant Cougar wrestling program is filled with young talented athletes and has no reason to worry about the lack of success, as the current 2009-10 season continues to challenge the squad to improve and to turn in a season befitting the program’s reputation.
For more information about the Durant High School wrestling program, please visit www.highschoolsports.net.
Library Attack Victim’s Recovery Inspired By Community
Every good story seems to start with a hero seeded in trying circumstances due to some foe’s doing, but good always perseveres. Every now and again, life mimics these stories as is the case with the victim of the Bloomingdale Library attack. Read more
Sharks Host First Season Six-Way
“If you have to wrestle Brandon you might as well get it out of the way,” said Riverview wrestling Coach William Sargable following a meet against the Eagles.
That being said, the young Riverview team was ready to host its firs 2008-09 season six-way tournament in November, producing some impressive results.
Just before the weigh-in, Riverview Head Coach William Sargable commented on the fact that the program continues to work on building the numbers but spoke highly of the effort turned in by each athlete, and the numbers spoke for themselves.
Individually there were some impressive performances with Ryan Hight (5 pins), Herman Hernandez (4 pins), Lemarkus Dennis (3 pins), Ryan Gascon (3 pins) and Rafael Rivera (3 pins) who finished with 5-0 for the day.
Steven Akel and Taylor Akins went 4 and 1 with 3 pins each. Jeffery Hagin, Eric Nava, Ryan Pulaski, Josh Dossantos and Jacob Scott went 3 and 2. Aaron Kee and Lance Gabbert both went 2 and 3.
Team results included RvHS 64 – Armwood 18, RvHS 72 – Blake 6, RvHS 76- Freedom 6 and RvHS 60- Middleton 20. The Bloomingdale defeated the Riverview 54-24.
The event was an opportunity for a number of wrestlers to show what they are made of for first time, but the Sargable was pleased.
“It was the debut matches for several guys… they wrestled well. The JV team went 5 and 0 on the day. Awesome Job,” he said.
For some of the veterans like Ryan Hight, who, according to Sargable, blew through his opponents like a hot knife in butter, it was just practice.
Hernandez— Hight’s wrestling buddy—this portion of the season is just the preparation for the championship.
“For me, the next three months are just to get ready for states,” Hernandez said.
Sargable summed up the day by saying that the Riverview wrestling program’s inexperience was exposed, however, it was still a productive day.
“We still have lots of work to do, starting with not giving up pins. Nonetheless, it has been a great start to the season.”
For more information about the Riverview high School wrestling program, please visit www.eteamz.com/riverviewwrestling.
Council Meeting Focuses On Gang Awareness
“There are more than 30,000 documented gangs in the U.S., with more than a million certified gang members,” said detective Mark Wilder, of the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office (HSCO) Gang Unit, during the recently held Bloomingdale area community council meeting. What do these numbers mean for Hillsborough County? Wilder explained that as of the second week of November 2008, the county has 156 documented gangs on record with 3,200 certified members, an almost 50 percent increase in recent years. Gangs and gang awareness are not new to most communities, but with numbers like this, the topic merits attention, hence the reason for the great turnout at the HCSO Bloomingdale substation’s November meeting which is normally held on the third Thursday of each month. Residents, along with local deputies as well as local county officials, discuss important issues pertaining to the community including crime trend, traffic problems or, in this case, gang awareness. According to Wilder, gangs are not illegal in the state of Florida, but gang activity is. Wilder explained that while the state ranked second in the nation only to California, beating out cities like Chicago, New York and New Jersey just to name a few, Hillsborough County is leading the state in taking action to control the problem. “As of October 1 in Hillsborough County, all certified gang members who have been convicted of a crime will be registered and handled similar to the way sex offenders are,” Wilder said. This means that parents and community members will have the opportunity to know about convicted gang members within their neighborhoods. “While registration has already begun, the process of posting the information for the public is currently being worked on,” Wilder said. For now, bedsides the efforts of local law enforcement, members of each community are being encouraged to take the necessary steps in controlling or, hopefully, eradicating gangs or gang-related activity. “But, by all means, do not take matters into your own hands,” HCSO Deputy Pete Maurer said. “That’s when we come in,” he commented. For more information about gangs or to report gang activity, residents are encouraged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Tampa Bay Area Gang Hotline at 877-Gang-Out (426-4688).
Lithia Pinecrest Road Widening Public Meeting Draws Crowds
Hundreds attended a recent public meeting concerning the proposed widening of approximately an 11 mile section of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. from its current two travel lane roadway to a six travel lane roadway, affecting the Brandon, Bloomingdale and Lithia communities from S.R. 60 in Brandon to C.R. 39. Read more
