Osprey Observer » chick fil

Community Reaches Out To One Of Its Own

Michelle Caceres — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:36:08 +0000

Update: It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Narda from her cancer on the evening of Tuesday, March 31. The community continues to rally and will continue to support the family fundraiser on Wednesday, April 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at FishHawk Fellowship.

Original Story: Fishhawk Ranch is a community abounding with caring and compassionate souls. We celebrate each others’ victories and help carry each others’ burdens, quick to assist in times of need.
It is no surprise then that when residents learned of a family in the midst of a daunting trial, they quickly came to their aid.
FishHawk resident Narda Almonte thought her busy life as a wife and mother was making her tired, falling asleep sometimes as soon as her husband Wilson came home from work. Then the pain began in her back and stomach.
Doctors, after a myriad of tests and biopsies, have settled on a devastating diagnosis: liver and colon cancer. Doctors have been unable to determine the primary source of the disease, making the cancer difficult to treat.
The couple is not unfamiliar with tragedy. Three years ago, the couple lost their 5-year-old daughter Sophia when a rare bacterial infection weakened her heart. She died in the car on the way to the hospital.
The diagnosis has left the family in financial ruin. Wilson, a businessman who owns Brandon Magazine and Iguana Printing, is putting aside his businesses to be there for Narda. The couple also has a son, 6-year-old Julian.
The Almontes also do not have health insurance.
So the family that is used to giving, a family that has never been on food stamps or Medicaid, now finds themselves on the receiving end.
Wilson expresses the difficulty of accepting charity from friends and neighbors. “I’ve always been a provider for my family, but I have reined in my pride and know I need to accept help from others,” he says. “My hands are tied.”
David Whitten, pastor at FishHawk Fellowship, affirmed to him that God is sending people his way and he needs to accept their help, which the community is offering so selflessly.
A bank account has been set up at Region’s Bank. Anyone wishing to make a donation can go into any branch and deposit the money into an account opened by the Almonte’s neighbor, Millie Coffey.
FishHawk Fellowship, in addition to prayers and fasting, is hosting a fundraiser for the family on Wednesday evening, April 8. Food is being donated by Chick-fil-A Valrico and Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant. Families are asked to prereserve meals by Sunday, April 5 and $10 per adult and $5 donation per child is suggested. To reserve, call the church at 655-7431. FishHawk Fellowship is located at 15326 FishHawk Boulevard.
The Mom’s Club of Lithia-Bevis has already taken up a collection and plans on having a fundraiser during the upcoming community yard sale.
The family will be attended to in their time of need, allowing Wilson the one thing he needs the most.
“The most important thing right now is that I am there for my family,” says Wilson, “and for all the help I am receiving right now, I am extremely grateful.”
Another upcoming fundraiser to benefit the family will be two special Romper Rhythms classes on Friday April 3. There will be two classes to choose from 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Classes will be held at the Osprey Club in Fishhawk Ranch. You must RSVP in advance to Jenn Patterson at 813-767-1729 to reserve your spot, the cost of the class is usually $6 but any donation for the family will be accepted.
The MOMS Club of Fishhawk Creek has also joined forces to provide assistance to the family and presented a donation.
Brandon Foundation Angels Program is also in touch with the family and providing assistance.

Rock N Pineapple Gets Big Votes In Shop Local

Marie Gilmore — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:40:12 +0000

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.

Osprey Observer Inc. Purchases Christian Voice Monthly

Marie Gilmore — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:31:03 +0000

In February, Osprey Observer, Inc. the parent company of the Osprey Observer Community Newspapers completed the purchase of the 11-year-old East Hillsborough Christian Voice. The Christian Voice, published locally by Matt and Tammie Seifter, has been covering local Christian news for 11 years.
The Seifter’s were excited with the opportunity that the Osprey Observer staff brings to the 12-page monthly and will stay on board to consult and advise.
“We want to put our positive, community focus on the Christian Voice,” said Osprey Publisher Marie Gilmore. “We believe that there is room in this community to support a locally-owned Christian newspaper covering positive news regarding church and religion growth, new services and offerings and events in our community.”
Seifter says the Observer staff will have no problem publishing the newspaper, “We always did this as a family business, with the strength of the Osprey team behind it, I have no doubt this paper will find even greater success.”
Managing Editor Kate Quesada has big plans for the community coverage in the East Hillsborough Christian Voice and says, “With current events, activities, programs, festivals and concerts upcoming at our local churches, we will have lots of good stories to cover in the community and we welcome submissions.”
Gilmore thanks the community in advance for its support of the Christian Voice which will continue to be distributed at 150 local businesses including local Chick-fil-A’s, Jaymer Que BBQ and Cyndi’s Corner Café in the Albertson’s-anchored plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Campbell’s Dairyland as well as local Christian schools and supported businesses. If your business would like to be a designated pick up spot for the East Hillsborough Christian Voice, please call 657-2418 or email editor@ospreyobserver.com.
““In seven years, we have grown from one to four monthly editions in four different communities and will continue to make an impact with the East Hilslborough Christian Voice.”
The Osprey Observer will start publishing Christian Voice in March and the publication will be directly distributed throughout the community.
Visit www.ospreyobserver.com, or www.christianvoicemontly.com.

Center Places Seeks Wild Dames

Nora Zaki — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:34:29 +0000

The men may have rotary night, but the ladies have Wild Dame Night. This evening for adult ladies only will be held on Saturday, February 21, at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. Ste. B, adjacent to the Brandon Library. This year’s event is not only a night of social time, dinner and entertainment, but also a fundraiser, with the proceeds going towards children’s programming. With sponsors CMB Creations, Platinum Bank, TECO, Dynamic Printing, the Center for Radiation Oncology, Wachovia Bank, Durkin & Mason, C.P.A.’s, P.A., Valrico State Bank, Chick-fil-A at Lake Brandon Village, Stages Productions and Music Showcase, monetary funding for Center Place is expected to be generous despite the downturn in the economy.
Dawn Galia, art director, participated in her first Wild Dame Night last year. “It is really a lot of fun…the event is very popular, and we do sell out,” said Galia. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with social time and wine. A sit-down dinner will be catered by Affairs to Remember, along with decadent desserts. These include chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate-dipped fruit, chocolate-covered pretzels, key lime tarts, pecan tarts, mousse parfaits, rum bourbon balls, cheesecake, and many others. Stages Productions will host Sleeping Beauty – Pajama Party whereat ladies can wear their pajamas. Said Galia, “Sleeping Beauty is actually one of our children’s shows for this season, but it will be changed from a children’s version to an adult version with funny anecdotes added.”
In addition to the above activities, a 50/50 raffle and 20 door prizes will be given out by the end of the night. Last year, the raffle was approximately $800, and the event raised $11,088 after expenses for the children’s programming. Also, the funding will go towards the Saturday, April 25, Art Gala held at the Pepin Hospitality Center. After all, this event is one of the major fundraisers.
Tickets are $50 per person. There are 180 spots, along with sponsored tickets, which sell for $800 for a table of eight. Galia emphasized how quick the event sells out, so she urges those interested to purchase tickets as soon as possible. “If you have never attended a Wild Dame Night, I would highly recommend it. It is a great event and the proceeds benefit Center Place’s children’s programming. It is a fun ladies night out,” commented Galia. Please call Center Place at 685-8888 for ticket sales. Contact Galia at cpbrandon@verizon.net or at cpfinearts@verizon.net. Visit www.centerplacebrandon.com for additional information and upcoming events.

Shop Local Day Declared By Mayor

Marie Gilmore — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:35:45 +0000

Each week, 10 local residents will be pleasantly surprised to receive gift certificates for local businesses, restaurants and retailers in their mailboxes. Each Monday, entries are drawn from newspaper and online submissions to the Shop Local campaign and it is easy to win! Shop Local, a new small business campaign developed by Osprey Observer staff and local retailers is an encouragement to residents to shop local and support the local small business community this holiday season. Local participating small businesses can be identified with flyers and window decals identifying them as local businesses. “This is a great campaign,” said Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village owner and Brandon Honorary Mayor Tammy Holmberg. “This is what living in a great community like Brandon is all about.” Holmberg joined 75 business owners and Osprey staff for a Brandon Chamber ribbon cutting to launch the new campaign. Holmberg made a special proclamation declaring: “Whereas, shopping locally keeps our community thriving and helps secure the longevity of our small businesses, I hereby proclaim, Thursday, October 30 as Shop Local Day and I urge all citizens to join me and shop locally in support of their fellow business owners.” Logging onto www.ospreyobserver.com and clicking on the Shop Local tab will give residents the Shop Local page where more than 40 local businesses have signed on to be a sponsor of the campaign. In addition, when residents enter to win the weekly drawing by entering online, they are also entering the name of the local small business where they shopped. “Each month, we will tally all entries,” said Osprey Observer Advertising Manager Shannon Carlton, “The local business with the most entries will become our Shop Local business of the month and will receive a plaque and a Shop Local profile of the month feature story in our newspaper.” Carlton can also be seen on the front page of the www.ospreyobserver.com website in a short video promoting the campaign. For more information on becoming a Shop Local participant, contact Carlton directly at shannon@ospreyobserver.com or call 924-4679.

YMCAs’ Corporate Challenge Benefits More Than The Children

Marie Gilmore — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:27:24 +0000

By Michelle Colesanti
The Brandon area YMCAs’ sponsored their 2008 Corporate Challenge-Survivor in early November, benefiting the YMCA’s Building Strong Kids Campaign. The idea of going back to camp after all of these years seemed a bit intimidating, but I was ready for the challenge. Our team, FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG), was one of five teams that participated. In the end, it turned out to be a fantastic learning experience – except maybe for the worms. Each of the teams rotated between seven events throughout the day. The events included archery, an obstacle course, Fear Factor, a climbing wall/zip line, Leap of Faith, Spiderweb and a boat race. Every event depended on teamwork to earn points. Some of the events such as the Leap of Faith, which involved climbing a 50-foot high telephone pole, balancing on the top and then jumping off, proved that you need both mental and physical determination to do more than you might have thought possible. Having my team’s encouragement down below was the only thing preventing me from still being up on that pole. Back to the worms: Fear Factor involved eating foods that were not so enticing. I was not planning to participate, but our whole team decided to go for the highest amount of bonus points by indulging in the worms. Since letting down my team was not an option, I ate the worms. I can tell you that I will not be adding them to my meal planning anytime soon. We all broke for a great lunch that was graciously donated by Chick-fil-A on Lumsden Rd. in Brandon, Beef ‘O’Brady’s and East Coast Pizza, both located in Riverview. After lunch, we participated in one more activity, which involved more mental prowess than physical. We had to construct a boat out of cardboard boxes and duct tape and then have one of our team members get the boat across the pool, a futile attempt on our part as we came in fourth in this event. I personally learned that through team encouragement, it’s easy to work just a little harder and go that extra mile when everybody is cheering you on. In the end, our team came in last place, but we were definitely not losers. I highly recommend this experience for everyone. If you are interested in serving on the planning committee for next year’s event, contact Bryan Beckham or Cindy Sofarelli at 684-1371.

Help Send Cards To Deployed Troops

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:08:47 +0000

Honorary Mayor Tammy Holmberg is teaming up with Stampin’ Up! demonstrator Jeri Fontana to send cards to troops overseas. The pair is holding a card making event on World Card Making Day, Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country club, located at 2721 S. Miller Rd in Valrico.
Holmberg said she became involved in this event because “nothing means more than getting a hand written card in the mail” especially when loved ones are away.
They are planning to make 1,500 cards to send to the troops. The cards will be holiday cards and will be sent over blank for the troops to fill out to their family members and friends. Fontana has been in the Army and has been deployed twice; her husband is currently deployed so she understands the meaning of getting a handwritten card in the mail.
When Fontana moved to Valrico from Colorado last August, she started this as a project with a military spouse support group. “I thought it would be a good way to meet people and give back to the community.”
She met Holmberg through FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG) when she announced this “round” of dates for cards for the troops. She makes cards for the troops “quarterly,” she said.
Over this past year, she has sent cards for the holidays, Mother’s Day and all occasion cards. The Plant City Juniorettes made Valentine’s Day cards to send over for the troops (not to be filled out by them and sent back). Holmberg approached Fontana after her announcement and said, “We could do something bigger.”
Recently, Fontana received one of her own cards back in the mail from Tom in the 345th CSH. It read, “I put cards where everyone could get one and they were literally gone in one day.”
Sponsors for the event are the Bank of Tampa, Brandon South Rotary, Chick-fil-A and the Osprey Observer; however, more sponsors are still needed with sponsorship levels of $50, $100 and $150.
Also needed are addresses for deployed troops overseas. If you or anyone you know can provide addresses, please send them via e-mail to jerifontana2001@yahoo.com. For more information on this event, e-mail Fontana or call 684-3415.

Community Embraces Events For Victim

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:33:07 +0000

There has been a recent outpouring of support from the community for the East Bay High School student who was attacked at Bloomingdale Library in April.
Recently, a benefit was held at the Ruskin VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), located at 5120 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Ruskin raising more than $17,000 of much needed funds for the student who now requires $30,000 per month in rehabilitation costs
In Valrico, Bleu Salon will open its doors on a Monday when it is typically closed and donate all funds for services to the girl’s fund. On Monday, September 29, 12-5 p.m., all hair cuts, mini manicures and pedicures, 15-minute massages and waxing will be for donations to the fund. Bleu is located at the Lithia Crossings Stein Mart anchored plaza at 3472 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Call 651-4020 or visit www.bleusalonandspa.com.
At the Ruskin event, there was food, music, and beverages. The cost was $10 per family at the door or $5 per person. Additional donations were also accepted; for a donation of $10 or more, people could sign an eight-foot banner for her.
Melanie Morrison, the executive director for the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce, who along with a small committee comprised of Denise Reiter, Shirley May, Tony Zipperer, Stacy Self and Kelly Reedy, organized the event in less than two weeks, she said. She enlisted the help of some of the girl’s friends.
Morrison said anywhere between 1,000-1,100 people were served spaghetti dinners at $5 a plate. The spaghetti was prepared by Bernie’s Sports Bar. Other food items were donated by Sisco, Apollo Meats, The Island Bar & Grill and Olive Garden in Brandon. John Lawson, of Hydro Harvest Farms in Ruskin, donated, made and distributed 300 strawberry shortcakes. Morrison said they were “very popular.” Chick-fil-A also donated assorted desserts and tea for the event. Coca-Cola donated 30 cases of soda for the event and the VFW rented out its building for no charge for this event.
“At one point, we ran out of food,” Morrison said. “Pizza Hut in Sun City Center called and brought enough food for 200 more people.”
The event raised a total of $20,000, with the Wal-Mart on Bloomingdale Ave. having donated $1,000 prior to the event, and the Brandon Foundation committed to donating $2,000. The night of the event, Morrison said, they raised $17,000 in cash.
“We never dreamed it would be that great,” she said. She had volunteered for the Ruskin Relay for Life in April of 2008, approximately two weeks before her attack, Morrison said. She had also volunteered the year before at the Ruskin Seafood Festival in November of 2007. “So it had extra meaning,” Morrison said.
The 18-year-old girl, who was blinded in the April attack and can’t walk or swallow, is undergoing rehabilitation in Sarasota. The girl was about to graduate from East Bay and had a full scholarship to the University of Florida. Morrison said the girl’s sister told them that the girl and her mother watched the event on television from their room.
Her care costs $30,000 a month and Medicaid recently notified the girl’s family that it would only pay for her medical care until August 15.
The girl’s 16-year-old assailant, Kendrick Morris, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated and sexual battery. He has pled guilty and is awaiting trial in Orient Road Jail.
For more information, call Morrison at 645-3808 or send an e-mail to ruskinchamber@earthlink.net.
For those who did not make the event, but still wish to contribute, a fund has been set-up for the teenager at SunTrust Bank. To contribute, go to any SunTrust Bank branch and request the money go to the Bloomingdale Library Assault Fund.
Other events are being planned across the community with all funds going directly to the care of the girl, whose name and identity has remained private.

Win Prizes On New OspreyObserver.com

Marie Gilmore — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:00:02 +0000

The Osprey Observer has merged its community online, on demand television My Osprey TV and its Website www.ospreyobserver.com and to celebrate the merge, is giving away more than $1,000 in gift certificates to local restaurants. The campaign kicked-off at the 50th Annual Fourth of July Parade in Brandon when Osprey staff handed out more than 5,000 postcards with Harley’s Home cooking’ recipes for Mom’s Apple Pie on one side and a Website announcement on the other.

“The postcards are promoting our www.ospreyobserver.com campaign,” explained Managing Editor Marie Gilmore. “We partnered with Chick-fil-A on Lumsden Rd., Jaymer-Que BBQ and Honey Baked Ham to offer more than $1,000 in gift certificates to residents who subscribe to our twice monthly informative updates on the site.”

The first sets of prizes are the in the mail so sign-up today to win!

In addition to the contest, the Osprey Observer is launching its weekly news broadcast of community news and events on its site. The show called, This Week’s Edition, is a weekly broadcast update available on demand, online at any time.

“We have guest hosts and Osprey staff who will come in each week and go live with an informative news show each week that highlights things going on in our community,” describes Gilmore. “In addition, we encourage community members who have a passion for their industry to contact us about having a segment on our weekly show.”

Current Brandon Honorary Mayor Tammy Holmberg will feature Coffee with the Mayor several times per month where she will invite local charities to come in for an in-person, sit down interview in the Valrico studios of MyOspreyTV. This week, the charity interviewed is The Dream Factory of Florida.

For more information, visit www.ospreyobserver.com or e-mail editor@ospreyobserver.com with show ideas.