Osprey Observer Inc. Purchases Christian Voice Monthly
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. Read more
Valrico January Business Column
Storage facility opening soon
Budget Self Storage on S.R. 60 and Miller Rd. is nearing completion. According to its Website, the storage facility will be open in February. Budget Self Storage is located at 2504 S.R. 60 E. in Valrico, for more information call 657-7744, e-mail valrico@budgetselfstorage.bz or visit www.budgetselfstorage.bz.
CPA Opens New Office
Certified Public Accountant John C. Bailey recently expanded his team and moved to a new office at 12307 Boyette Rd., in the Clarkson Allstate building.
The new team member, Sue McCain, will assist Bailey with his growing business offering her wide variety of administrative and tax preparation experience.
“Documents and files of a confidential nature can be left with Sue with confidence as she will make sure they are properly delivered to me and stored in an appropriate manner,” says Bailey.
In addition to providing individual and business income tax preparation and planning services, Bailey provides tax preparation and consulting services for payroll, sales and use, and all state taxes.
For more information, contact Bailey at 672-9449 or cbailey@johncbaileycpa.com.
Marco’s Pizza now Open In Plaza, Offering Delivery
Marco’s Pizza, a franchise started in Ohio, recently opened in Valrico, located at 801 E. Brandon Blvd. The chain has been open for approximately three months, since October, said Manager Andy Dixon, a Lithia resident. What makes Marco’s Pizza different from other pizza places, Dixon said is that it uses better ingredients, everything is made fresh and nothing is frozen. “We make our dough daily,” he said.
Marco’s most popular pizza is its White Cheezy pizza, with four types of cheese including feta, bacon, onions, tomatoes and garlic butter sauce. Dixon said this pizza is “award-winning.”
Marco’s is offering limited delivery, within four miles of its storefront, and also offers take-out. You can also place you order online at www.marcos.com. Marco’s Pizza is open Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. For more information or to place an order, call 643-9988.
East Meets West When Indian Cuisine Comes To Valrico
Tandoor Indian Cuisine, in the same plaza as Marco’s Pizza, at 805 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, has been open for approximately two months, opening in November. The restaurant offers take out and catering, boasting “Catering is our specialty” in its menu. It will cater for weddings, conferences, birthdays, parties and special events. No occasion is too big or small, it says.
Kaustlubh Shiodkai, manager of Tandoor, said that it offers from dishes that other Indian restaurants don’t such as beef and pork, but it also has vegetarian dishes available. He also said their prices are about $1-$2 less than others.
Shiodkai said Tandoor’s most popular dishes are its appetizers, Gobni Manchurian and Lollipop chicken. The restaurant can hold about 40 people.
Tandoor has a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and is open for dinner Tuesday – Thursday, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. For more information or to make a takeout order, call 654-7300 or visit it’s Website at www.tandoorbrandon.com
Marriott To Open Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel in Plant City
New hotel is the first Fairfield inn in plant city
Marriott opened an 87-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Plant City in early January. Located at 4307 Sterling Commerce Dr., the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakeland/Plant City will operate as a Marriott franchise.
Whether you are traveling for business or for pleasure, the three-story hotel offers guests convenient access the Florida State Fairgrounds, the Sun ‘n Fun Air Museum, the Florida Strawberry Festival and Dinosaur World. Rates begin at $129 per night.
The hotel features a variety of enhancements to guest rooms and public areas, as well as the addition of distinctively designed suites. The signature king suite offers separate living and sleeping areas. In the living area, there’s a pantry with coffee maker, mini-refrigerator and microwave. A dividing wall separates the pantry and it features a 32-inch television and a stereo system. Additional in-room amenities include a desk chair, hair dryer and two phones with free local calls.
A complimentary continental breakfast is available each morning in the lobby area. Other hotel amenities include an outdoor heated swimming pool with whirlpool spa, exercise room, valet laundry service and free high-speed Internet and business center.
For more information or reservations, call the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lakeland/Plant City hotel directly at 757-6202, call the Fairfield Inn toll-free number at 800-228-2800, contact a travel agent or visit the Website at www.fairfieldinn.com.
New Businesses opening in Kingsway Plaza
A restaurant and credit union will soon be available to local residents at Kingsway Plaza, located at the corner of Kingsway and Windhorst roads.
Louie’s restaurant, a Latin/American café most popular sandwich is its Cuban and its most popular meal is its Picadillo, which is seasoned ground beef with diced potatoes and green olives. All of Louie’s meals are served with rice, beans and veggies. Owners and Brandon residents, Luis and Trini Simon, are both of Latin descent, Luis being Cuban and Trini being Puerto Rican. The 1,200 sq. ft. restaurant can hold up to 30 people and the Simon’s are planning on putting tables and chairs outside for patio seating.
Louie’s Latin/American Café is located at 1217 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon. Its hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The café will be closed on Mondays. For more information or to place a take out order, call 315-9845.
The Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union Account Executive Humberto Bravo said that the credit union is aiming at a July opening date, but the Seffner and Brandon Chambers are hosting a ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremony for Wednesday, January 14, at 1:30 and 2 p.m., respectively. The 2,500 sq. ft. credit union will feature safe deposit boxes and a drive thru, Bravo said. Its hours will be from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday- Thursday and 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday. Once the facility opens, Bravo said it will evaluate whether to open on Saturdays. For more information on the Railroad & Industrial Federal Credit Union, visit its Website at www.rifcu.org or call 621-6661.
Eye on Business Riverview
Pinch A Penny Celebrates Two Years
Pinch A Penny Boyette/FishHawk, located at the intersection of Boyette Rd., Bell Shoals Rd. and FishHawk Blvd., is celebrating two years in business this month, taking care of residents’ swimming pool needs.
“We are proud to be a Florida state contract licensed Pinch A Penny, offering not only supplies and expertise at our retail store, but on-site repair and cleaning at your swimming pool, with skilled technicians,” says owners Kim Zerr.
Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, call 657-1054.
Hospital Uses Games
South Bay Hospital’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Department is now using the innovative Nintendo Wii system to help patients recover from surgery, stroke and Parkinson’s.
“Our therapists are excited to offer rehabilitation patients something fun and new in the clinic,” says Rehab Director Paul Melancon. “Wii gives patients of all ages the ability to engage in physical exercise. The non-traditional approach is fun and stimulating which can speed up recovery time dramatically.”
“The addition of the Wii is a fine complement to our existing program,” says Melancon. “The ability to bring a smile to the faces of our patients and provide them an enjoyable rehabilitation experience is very rewarding.”
For more information, contact Melancon at 634-0221.
New Skin Care at Spa
Victoria Mrksich has moved her skin care business to A Peaceful Harbor Day Spa and Salon located at 1312-A Apollo Beach Blvd.
Mrksich, who has been in the skin care industry for more than 12 years, feels that her knowledge of services and products separates her from others in the field.
“I possess a strong knowledge of my services and products, a gentle touch and a desire to help you meet all of your skin care goals. Your skin care concerns are my skin care concerns, I am here to help,” she says.
Services include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, a range of facials and waxing services. In addition, she is also offering the newest technology in the industry, the non-surgical facelift. Visit www.MyVSkin.com or call 645-3303 for more information.
Carpet One Floor & Home Teams up with Box Tops for Education
Dove Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home and Dove Interiors Too recently announced its participation in the Box Tops for Education program.
According to Dove Interiors owner Joan Miller, in just over 11 years, Box Tops for Education has earned over $200 million to help America’s schools.
“Now, Dove Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home and Dove Interiors Too is joining the effort to help keep America’s schools stocked with supplies,” says Miller. “Stop by Dove Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home and Dove Interiors Too with your official Box Tops for Education coupons, and I will distribute them to Ruskin Elementary, Wimauma Elementary, Apollo Beach Elementary, and Summerfield Elementary.”
An active community member, Miller has owned and operated her Dove Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home since 1990.
“This is a new program for Dove Interior Carpet One Floor & Home,” says Miller, “and I’m very excited to have a direct role in the education of the area’s children.”
Box Tops for Education allows community members to earn cash rewards for their schools by engaging in everyday activities like buying groceries, shopping online, and making credit card purchases. Clip box tops from participating brands and earn money for your school. Make sure your school is registered and ready to receive rewards.
Contact Dove at 645-8660 or 672-9100 for more information about dropping off box tops, and visit Box Tops for Education at www.boxtops4education.com.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries Supports Toys for Tots with Tips for Toys
Five Guys Burgers and Fries, a national award winning fast food franchise, held its first annual Toys for Tots night in December at the Riverview location in the Shoppes of South Bay, off Big Bend Rd. Ten percent of the proceeds at the restaurant from the evening business will be donated to the local Toys for Tots campaign. The restaurant staff opened up their hearts by donating all of their tips from one week in November to buy toys for this worthwhile cause.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Brandon is located in the Westfield mall and can be reached at 657-0700. To reach the Riverview location, call 677-0400.
Martial Arts School Opens
There is something new in Riverview, KLS Tae Kwon Do. KLS Tae Kwon Do, located at 13320 Lincoln Rd, is a family-operated school that offers many programs from after-school pick-up to classes for the whole family.
According to owner Lori Van Kleeck, the primary focus at KLS Tae Kwon Do is for each student to grow into the best person they can become, using martial arts as a means of achieving their goals.
“The staff has been training and instructing in the local area for over 11 years and has developed a special curriculum for all students ages 4 and up to build self confidence, self respect and self esteem,” says Van Kleeck. “The primary aim of KLS Tae Kwon Do is not only to develop self defense skills but to also achieve academic excellence and to develop character. Students are required to furnish copies of their report cards to be eligible for each promotion.”
For more information, call 374-8838 or visit www.kls-taekwondo.com.
Learning Center Announces New Program
Huntington Learning Center of Apollo Beach recently announced a new program to give students a “Fast Track to Success.”
“This program follows the same guidelines approved by the Hillsborough County School District for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program, but it’s available to everyone,” says Executive Director Arthur J. Pierce II. “This program will help our kids perform better in school and will increase their skills to a degree that parents and teachers will see the difference.”
The program, a 12-week course offered two days a week for one-and-a-half-hours, is for students Kindergarten-12 who needs help in either math or reading or preparing for the FCAT.
The center is located at 6144 U.S. Hwy. 41 N., and can be reached at 645-4162.
Little Harbor Announces Townhomes
Little Harbor is pleased to announce an exceptional opportunity – the chance to purchase a two or three bedroom townhome in this amenity-rich, Caribbean-style seaside community on the SouthShore of Tampa Bay. A limited number of townhomes are being offered at significant discounts to qualified buyers.
Priced from the low $300,000s, these residences are marina and canal-front, and constructed of reinforced concrete block. Each unit has many design and construction features including expansive terraces, a washer and dryer, and am oversized one car garages and carports. The total AC sq. footage ranges from 1,000 to more than 1,800 sq. feet, with total area ranging from 1,800 to more than 3,200 sq. feet.
Ready to welcome you now are full resort amenities, including a secluded beach, deepwater marinas, wet and dry boat storage accommodating boats up to 60 feet in length, a private social room, waterfront dining, a Tiki Bar, heated pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, massage therapy, eco-tours, water sports rentals, professional services and more. Little Harbor features more than three miles of open shoreline and unimpeded access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, which sets the seaside village apart from most coastal communities. This one-of-a-kind community is located just 30 minutes from three major metropolitan areas: Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.
Little Harbor is an island-style residential resort on Tampa Bay. This unique seaside village presents an enchanting combination of beach, bay, river and harbor-front residential homes and resort-style residences, along with a colorful mix of amenities that evoke images of a bygone Caribbean lifestyle. The project is being developed by EarthMark Companies, a real estate development company known for creating resort-style, amenity-rich communities, as well as for its environmental stewardship through mitigation banking.
To learn more about this extraordinary and limited special offer, to visit the Sales & Information Center located at U.S. Hwy. 41 and Shell Point Rd., call 888-645-9010, e-mail sales@littleharbor.com or visit www.LittleHarbor.com.
Insurance Team adds Agent
All Bay Insurance Group recently added Jessica Weston to its team, as the agency continues to grow. A Riverview resident, Weston, who has more than six years of insurance experience, has earned a bachelor’s degree and completed her MBA.
All Bay Insurance Group opened in 2006 and specializes in personal auto, property, watercraft and motorcycles, along with financial services for the SouthShore community. The agency team consists of Joel Meek (agency owner), Troy Abell (account executive) and Esther Charpentier (contact manger).
“Our growth is attributed to our desire to help protect our customers rather than simply selling insurance,” says Meek.
All Bay Insurance Group can be contacted at 677-1121.
New Restaurant Comes to Plaza Bella
Food lovers throughout the area have a treat coming this month when the doors open to a new restaurant in Plaza Bella. Owned by Riverview resident Maribeth Hernandez and Sergio Arce, Rock N Pineapple will offer diners the opportunity to cook their own food, which includes Kobe beef, Caribu pork and much more with an Island theme, on hot volcanic rock plates right in front of them.
“When we decided to open a restaurant, we did a lot of research and asked a lot of people in the area what they were looking for in an eating establishment,” says Hernandez, who moved to the area from New Jersey a year ago. “We took all that and the pieces have been coming together for the last year.”
The restaurant, which is expected to open early this month, features a full bar, outdoor patio with seating for 30 and inside dining area.
“We are really excited to be here and are looking forward to becoming part of the community,” says Hernandez.
Rock N Pineapple is located at 1022 Bloomingdale Ave. in the Green Boutique-anchored Plaza Bella, at the intersection of Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd., and can be reached at 321-4900. A Website will soon be up and running at www.rocknpineapple.com.
Resident Opens New Law Office
The Law Office of Ingrid M. Hooglander, P.A. is opening a new law office in Lithia this month.
At the new office, Hooglander and her team of attorneys plan to serve clients in the areas of family law, employment law, criminal law, social security/disability, personal injury, bankruptcy and real estate.
Hooglander began her legal career as an assistant state attorney with the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office where she worked her way from a county prosecutor to an “A” level felony prosecutor, handling all aspects of the prosecution of the cases. During her tenure at the State Attorney’s Office, she tried over 25 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. She has also worked as a staff attorney for circuit criminal and circuit civil judges, preparing judicial orders on all litigation motions and as counsel for two privately owned companies handling various employment law, human resources and general business issues.
Hooglander is a member of the board of directors for Brandon Young Life and YP Brandon and is on the planning community for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce for the Leadership Brandon Class of 2009.
For information or to schedule a consultation at the office, located at 16637 FishHawk Blvd., Ste. 103, call 363-6045 or e-mail ingrid@imhooglander.com. For more information, visit www.imhooglander.com.
CPA Opens New Office
Certified Public Accountant John C. Bailey recently expanded his team and moved to a new office at 12307 Boyette Rd., in the Clarkson Allstate building.
New team member Sue McCain will assist Bailey with his growing business, offering her wide variety of administrative and tax preparation experience.
“Documents and files of a confidential nature can be left with Sue with confidence as she will make sure they are properly delivered to me and stored in an appropriate manner,” says Bailey.
In addition to providing individual and business income tax preparation and planning services, Bailey provides tax preparation and consulting services for payroll, sales and use, and all state taxes.
For more information, contact Bailey at 672-9449 or cbailey@johnbaileycpa.com.
Raquet Club Opens Restaurant
Apollo’s Bistro, a casual upscale bistro, recently opened next to the Apollo Beach Racquet and Fitness Club at 6520 Richies Way in Apollo Beach.
With menu items including shrimp or scallop scampi and clams with fresh tomatoes and herbs and rigatoni bolognese, the restaurant has something for everyone and recently started serving Sunday brunch.
In addition, Apollo’s Bistro can accommodate groups of up to 200 and catering is also available. For more information, call 641-2685. Restaurant hours are Monday – Friday, 11 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Eye on Business Riverview December
Playmania Adds New Programs
PlayMania, a family owned indoor children’s play and learning center, offering a series of parent-child programs devoted to the physical, emotional and social development of children including open play and classes children from birth to age six, recently added new programs including a dance class, toddler and preschool music and ornament making.
Visit www.playmaniatampa.com or call 649-8919 for more information.
Florist Celebrates New Location
Formerly Apollo Beach Flowers, Riverview Florist opened recently at 9405 U.S. Hwy. 301 S., at the intersection with Gibsonton Rd., in Riverview. Owned by Rick and Jan Crosby, who owned Apollo Beach Flowers for 15 years and Sun City Flowers before that, Riverview Florist is a full service floral store with products including balloon bouquets, silk flowers and fresh arrangements.
“We can do flowers for weddings, funerals, parties or gifts, says Jan, who takes great pride in the flowers, especially the roses. “We pride ourselves on our customer service and stand behind every one of our arrangements.”
The Crosbys have already started making themselves a part of the community through charity work and special deals for students at East Bay High School.
“We are really excited to be here and are looking forward to everyone finding out about us,” says Jan.
For more information, call the store at 677-9700 or visit www.riverviewsfinestflorist.com. For toll free calling nation-wide, call 1-800-525-4438.
Shop Local at CRT
Looking to buy something electronic for someone on your holiday list this year? Then instead of hitting one of the national chain stores, head over to CRT Computers at the intersection of Big Bend Rd. and Summerfield Blvd.
“We sell pretty much everything you will find at one of the big retailers, but with personal customer service and one on one attention,” says Daniel Zell who owns the store with fellow Riverview resident John Delage. “No one gets lost in the shuffle here.”
CRT, which recently celebrated its one year anniversary in this location, is a full retail store offering computer repair and retail, televisions, cameras, MP3 players and much more.
“We recently started stocking security cameras for homes and businesses,” says Zell, who explains that the interest in security cameras has grown in the tough economy.
For more information, call the store at 671-1108.
Legacy Holds Ribbon Cutting
Legacy Venture Group & BuyBizUSA owner Brian Stephens is hosting a ribbon cutting and evening networking event on Thursday December 11, beginning at 5:30 pm.
“Light refreshments, food, live music and fun for all will be available,” says Stephens. “The Beaux Art Gallery next door will be hosting a ‘Your Business & Art’ event in conjunction with the Ribbon Cutting.”
Legacy Venture Group Office is located in the Winthrop Shopping Center at 11256-B Winthrop Main St. in Riverview on the first floor of the Times Building (large white columns) on the far corner in the front, next to the Beaux Art Gallery.
For more information, call 571-7700.
Southbay Hosts Holiday Stroll
The Shoppes of Southbay will hold the first annual South Shore Holiday Stroll on Saturday, December 13. All proceeds will toward helping to stock local food pantries. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the shopping center on the southeast corner of Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview.
This is a free event open to the public. Guests will begin their stroll at the eastern end of the center where every family will be given a card to be stamped or signed by each of the shops. Each shop will have a sampling or goody for the families. Santa will be at the end of the stroll and will be available for pictures. Once the card is filled out completely the family will be given a goody bag and their card will be entered into a raffle for one of five beautiful gift baskets.
Participating shops include: Smoothie King, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Little Ceasars, Risque, Goin’ Postal, Sweetbay, Great Clips, Sonlight, Playmania, Leslies, Dove Interiors, Planet Beach, New Identities, LeBelle’s, Southbay Auto Service, Game Time, Buffalo Wild Wings, Goodyear and Fifth Third Bank.
Special appearances will be made by Buccaneer Cheerleaders, Lightning Girls, East Bay High School Jazz Band and Krewe of the South Shore Marauders pirates. Girls Scouts will also be available to do all your holiday gift wrapping.
Participants are asked to bring a canned good to assist in this effort.
For more information, contact Jennifer Griest from Southbay Auto at 675-5181.
Self Storage Hosts Ribbon Cutting
Self Storage Centers of America, located at 9234 Causeway Blvd., is hosting a ribbon cutting with the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce on December 16 at 12 Noon.
The facility, which opened in October, has 546 climate-controlled units, 60 parking spots for RV’s and boats as well as 80 outside non-climate controlled units that range from 10×20 to 10×40.
“Our facility has drive up storage units, RV/boat parking, free truck and driver with move-in, boxes and packing supplies and state of the art security,” says General Manager Sheila Burnett. “We are considered a Class “A” Facility.”
Office hours of operation are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Gate Operation is 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
For more information, call 621-7867.
Cardel Homes introduces new evening Model Home Hours
To accommodate homebuyers’ schedules, Cardel is pleased to announce new model home hours, effective immediately. The new hours are Monday to Friday, 2–8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 Noon–6 p.m.
Despite the later hours and elegant decor, evening dress is not required.
Cardel Homes builds single family, multi-family, and resort homes in locations across North America. For more than 30 years, their dedication to quality, fairness, and community involvement has made Cardel a mainstay among serious builders in the cities where they operate. In addition to achieving a reputation for design innovation and homebuyer satisfaction, Cardel is known for their charity and community initiatives. Cardel has conceived of organized, and funded numerous events that bring neighbors together on behalf of worthy causes. Cardel offers models in Starling Water on FishHawk Blvd. and within the Garden District in FishHawk Ranch and in Covington Park, in Apollo Beach.
For more information, visit www.cardelhomes.com.
Planet Beach Celebrates Anniversary
Planet Beach Contempo Spa is celebrating one year in its location in Summerfield.
“Planet Beach Contempo Spa offers an escape from daily stress by offering affordable day spa services that are controlled by the client,” says representative Anne Toro.
New services at the spa include cosmetic teeth whitening by Whiter Image, a Hydration Station, similiar to a vitamin infused steam bath that also used radiant heat that allows pores to open up and skin to become deeply hydrated, a private label nutrition line that includes meal replacement shakes, as well as online indiviualized meal planning, UV therapy (previously known as tanning) and Mystic spray tan.
“We also offer Hydromassage: it uses whirlpool jets heated to 100 degrees that the customer can adjust the pressure and the speed. The water is fully encapsulated so the client does not get wet from the jets,” says Toro. “We also offer photo rejuvenation via our Rejuvasun bed. LED light is known to help with collagen production, which is what helps plump our skin. This in turns leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Planet Beach is located in the Shoppes of Southbay, at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 301 and Big Bend Rd. and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 12 Noon-5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call 741-9280 and for more information, visit www.planetbeach.com.
Author Joins Dolphin Realty
Tommy Lovett, author of Doors Wired Shut, has joined Coldwell Banker, Dolphin Realty, in Apollo Beach.
“Tommy’s drive and desire to help people will bring great value to Dolphin Realty and fit well with our Customer First mentality and we are blessed to have him,” says broker Dianne Allers. “Tommy’s book is a true story about unfair housing practices toward handicapped and disabled American Veterans attempting to purchase a home.”
Lovett joined the United States Army in September of 1982 and was injured in the line of duty receiving an honorable discharge on May 15, 1984.
“Tommy quickly noticed discrimination in housing for Disabled veterans and has become a champion for Veteran housing,” says Allers. “He specializes in Veterans Administration specially adapted housing as well as VA loans and grants for veterans qualified for home purchase. Tommy brings to Coldwell Banker Dolphin Realty the passion to further the cause of veteran housing expertise.”
For more information, contact Lovett at 494-4867.
Ground Brocken at Riverview Hilton
Stacy Snow Feiler of Legacy Venture Group Business Brokers was one of the first visitors at the site of Riverview’s first hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, Tampa South East, which is slated to open in January 2009.
“I saw first hand what the Great American Bar & Grill will look like, heard the echo of the 4,200 sq. ft. meeting space, climbed six flights of stairs to the presidential suite and tromped through construction workers to visit the fitness room, pool, fireplace lobby and two kitchens,” says Feiler.
For more information, visit www.hilton.com.
Free Financial Seminar
United Mortgage Affiliates is offering a free seminar covering financial issues including short sales, how to get 100 percent financing and home buying and selling this month.
The seminars will take place on Wednesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 17, from 6-7 p.m. and both Saturday, December 13 and Saturday, December 20 from 10-11 a.m. at the Century 21 – Link Realty office at 1517 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.
For more information, contact Michelle Teeter at 300-2522 or Joe Haynes at 781-9487.
First Big Box Opening In February
The SouthShore area will soon be home to its first department store, Bealls.
According to its Website, the corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates over 560 retail store sites in states across the Sun Belt, from Florida to California, with annual sales over one billion dollars. Read more
Shop Local Day Declared By Mayor
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! Read more
Community News December
Presbyterian Church Announces Christmas Services The Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, located at 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave., has scheduled the following services for the Christmas season: Sunday, December 7 – Advent week two; Sunday, December 14 – Advent week three; Sunday, December 21 – Advent week four; Reverend John Wintringham will preach and the service will include a special Call to Worship with family music, readings, candles, Christmas decorations and poinsettias for the Advent season. Don’t miss the Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 21, at 10:30 a.m. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, with communion, is at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 24. Merry Christmas to all. Call 654-3699 for any questions or details.
St. Andrew’s Upcoming Events St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located at 3315 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, will be unveiling these events within the upcoming months as follows: On Wednesday, December 3, and Friday, December 5, the St. Andrew’s UMC theater group is pleased to present the warm hearted production Tis the Season. This funny and heart-warming show is about a local group of people trying to put together a live nativity, and the hilarious antics as the live animals get loose and the police have to step in. Both shows will take place in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. For further information, contact Brenda Gibbs at brendagibbs@verizon.net. On Sunday, December 7, during the 9:50 a.m. Contemporary Service, there will be a Christmas Celebration. Come and experience a morning of glorious praise and worship Christmas favorites with the Praise Team, choir and orchestra. Finally, on Wednesday, December 10, please join members for A Celebration of Lessons & Carols. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center, followed by a special evening of Lessons & Carols in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. The St. Andrew’s UMC chancel and hand bell choirs will be featured, plus readings and congregational singing of favorite Christmas carols. The dinner price for adults is $6, children is $4, 3 and under is free. The carols at 7 p.m. are free as well. Finally on Wednesday, December 24, St. Andrew’s hosts its Christmas Eve celebration O’ Holy Night. There will be a family service at 4:30 p.m., a contemporary service at 6:30 p.m. and traditional services at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. These services will speak on the meaning of Christmas and the true source of hope in this world. All events are free and open to the public. For dinner reservations or more information, please call the church at 689-6849. Residents can also visit www.StAndrewsBrandon.org.
FBC Presents Christmas by Candlelight The music ministries of First Baptist Church of Brandon and Tampa Baptist Church are joining together to present Christmas by Candlelight. On Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, at 6 p.m., the service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brandon located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. This powerful and upbeat celebration of the birth of Jesus, featuring a cast and crew of over 200, is under the direction of David Shenning and Randy Barton (choir), Kevin Lewis (orchestra) and Becky Lawrence (drama). Everyone is invited. There is no charge for admission. Doors open one hour before the program begins. For more information, call 689-1204. Meditation Held in Brandon Residents are welcome to a Buddhist meditation evening in Brandon with American Buddhist teacher, Dr. Anika Trancik. The class, entitled Resisting the Urge to Retaliate, will present an introduction to meditation from the Kadampa Buddhist tradition and includes two guided meditations and a short talk, suitable for beginners. Everyone is welcome. It will be held at Unity in Brandon located at 115 Margaret St. on Thursday, December 11, from 7:05-8:30 p.m. A donation of $9 or $5 for students or those with limited income is welcome. For more information, call 727-797-9770 or visit www.MeditationInTampaBay.org.
Apostles Lutheran Holds Festival The Apostles Lutheran Church invites residents to experience the pageantry and merriment, wonderful food, music theater and the wonder of the nativity, all woven together throughout the performance to celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, at the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. The dates of the festival are December 4, 5, 6, 7 at the Apostles Lutheran Church located at 200 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon. Admission is free with performance times being 8 p.m. for the evening performances on December 4, 5 and 6. For Sunday’s December 7 matinee, performance begins at 3 p.m. For more information, contact aim@apostleslutheran.net or call 689-2571. Craft and Bake Sale Announced Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, located at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico, will host its First Annual Christmas Whistle Stop Craft Show and Bake Sale on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring homemade crafts, baked goods, jewelry, quilts, candles, etc. It will highlight local vendors, a silent auction and entertainment. For more information, call 689-3130 or visit http://holyinnocentsvalrico.com.
Women of Destiny Welcome Onething Prayer Center, located at 777 W. Lumsden Rd. in the Oak Park Plaza in Brandon, will be hosting Women of Destiny, a program for prospective Christian leaders, speakers and writers which will be held on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. This practical application workshop will provide opportunities for women to learn the skills needed to pursue their destiny. A $10 registration fee is required and there will be a total of nine monthly workshops with a fee of $10 per class. Each class will include live call-ins from the National Leadership Team of Proverbs 31 Ministries. All materials are included, and participants receive a certificate upon completion of the course. You can register and view the 2008-2009 workshop curriculums by going to www.onethingprayer.com and clicking on “Ministries.” If you have specific questions, contact Ann Marie Peterson at 500-9411.
C.A.I. Announcements Concerned Action, IncHRIST will hold Orientation on thought-action process, repressed anger, grace, forgiveness and choosing a happier life the first and third Monday of each month, from 7-9:30 p.m., December 1 and 15, at C.A.I.’s office, located at 3813 Ravenna Dr. in Valrico and the third Friday of each month from 12:30-4 p.m., December 19, at Lighthouse Gospel Mission, 7211 S. 78th St. – Riverview. Canoeing, Rope Swings and Family Fun will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on December 20 and 21. Sunday Services are from 3:30-4:15 p.m., December 28, at one of four assisted living facilities in Brandon. At the I Am HOPE Café a free hot meal, help and referral assistance to the homeless, needy singles and families in our community will be provided every Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 6-7 p.m. at Mango Baptist Church and every Saturday from 9-10 a.m. at two locations: Mango Baptist, located at 11619 E. MLK Blvd. and Brandon Church of the Nazarene, located at 114 N. Kingsway Ave. The Share and Prayer Group’s Journey through the Bible is covering one book of the Bible at a time at the groups pace every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at CAI’s Office. Santa’s Surprise will be on December 13: All donated toys, money, food and serviceable clothes go to invited needy families conscientiously working on the roots to past burdens and back to self-sufficiency. Call 689-9552 for directions, more information or to make a donation to Santa’s Surprise.
PlayMania to Honor Gymboree Memberships As reported this week, Gymborees in Hillsborough County abruptly closed after the franchise owner filed for bankruptcy. Whitney and Todd Brundage, owners of PlayMania, Inc. recognize that this is an unfortunate event at a time when many parents cannot afford to purchase another membership. PlayMania will be honoring Gymboree memberships with any purchase of equal or lesser value. PlayMania will also be honoring any deposit given on a Gymboree Birthday Party. Located in Riverview on the corner of Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301, PlayMania is an indoor play center for children up to age 6. Featuring open play, classes and birthday parties, PlayMania is becoming widely recognized in the Riverview area. For more information, please call 649-8919 or visit www.playmaniatampa.com.
KCC Collects Candy for Troops In honor of Veteran’s Day, Kid’s Community College FishHawk collected candy to be sent to military men and women. The children of KCC decorated brown paper bags and enclosed a special thank you for protecting our country. Eighty goodie bags of donated candy were sent to Operation Shoebox, which is a non-profit organization that sends care package to our overseas military. To learn more about KCC, visit www.kidscc.org.
Bulls Seek Sponsors Please join Bloomingdale Head Baseball Coach Kris Wilken and the Bulls baseball team as they raise funds for the upcoming 2009 baseball season with their 13th Annual Golf Tournament. This event has supported the team for the last 12 years. It is seeking corporate sponsors and partners for this event. Tournament will take place Monday, December 22, at 12:30 p.m., with registration at 11 a.m., at the River Hills Country Club located at 3943 New River Hills Pkwy. in Valrico. The entry fee is $100 for Four Man Scramble and includes green and cart fees, awards, dinner and more. The registration deadline is December 15. For more information, call Brenda Acquaviva at 643-5833.
Lacrosse Registration Begins The Hillsborough United Lacrosse Club, formerly the Bloomingdale Lacrosse Club, will be having open registrations for U13 and U18 age groups. The U13- middle school registration fee is $125 and the U18- high school registration fee is $200. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. Registration will be held at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s located at 4330 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico, with registration dates of Monday-Wednesday, December 1-3, from 6-8 p.m. Please e-mail questions to Coach DePinto at Bloomingdalelacrosse@yahoo.com.
Cub Scouts Keep Active in Community Cub Scout Pack 632 of FishHawk Fellowship Church doubled its size in September, adding 48 new recruits to its ranks. It is apparent that these new recruits are serious about Scouting, as 25 boys were promoted to the rank of Bobcat this month. Pack 632 also participated in a book drive this past October, providing 1,040 books for a new library started at the Head Start Center in Balm, which is part of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. Two Newsome High School students, Tommy Lair and Niall Brown, approached the pack about doing a book drive for migrant workers in the community. While Lair and Niall were volunteering their time tutoring migrant adults and children, they learned that these families did not have a library and decided this was something they wanted do for those less fortunate. Many of the books donated by the pack came from the Scouts’ own personal collections, with Webelos Scout Zachary Fobert donating the most at 150. It’s still not too late to join the pack. Call Cubmaster Rich Young at 413-6973 or email richyoung87@hotmail.com.
Come Eat Breakfast with Santa Enjoy breakfast – pancakes, sausage and a beverage – with Santa on Saturday, December 6, from 8-10:30 a.m. at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s FishHawk location at 16773 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. Children are welcome to come and have their photo taken with Santa for an additional fee. The cost is $5 per adult and $2.50 for children under age 12, in advance, while at the door the cost is $6 per adult and $3 for those under 12. All proceeds will be donated to the Newsome High School Marching Band. Come listen to the Newsome Jazz Band perform while taking part in a 50/50 and themed basket raffles. Attendees are encouraged to drop off unwrapped toys, nonperishable food or gift cards for Newsome band’s charitable endeavor of adopting needy families in the community to give them a memorable Christmas. For more information, email newsomebandfundraising@verizon.net or call 695-0677 to purchase tickets.
Julestarz Kicks Off Outback Bowl Game Members of the Julestarz Academy for the Performing Arts Company dance team in FishHawk Ranch have been selected to perform in the pre-game and half-time shows during the 2009 Outback Bowl Game in Tampa on January 1. Julestarz Company members will join other members of the Just for Kix National Dance Team from around the country which will include several hours of practicing, visiting local attractions and competing in the Just for Kix National Dance Team Competition. Last year, the Julestarz dancers performed in the Orange Bowl half-time show in Miami. The company members also perform at a variety of local events and festivals throughout the Tampa Bay area. Julestarz, located at 16132 Churchview Dr., Ste. 202, in Lithia, offers classes in dance, musical theatre, Kwan Fu and private music lessons. For more information on Julestarz, please visit www.julestarzacademy.com or call 661-9037. Trade Your Pokemon The Brandon area Pokemon Trading Card Game League welcomes players to its free weekly league, meeting at the Bloomingdale Library at 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Please check for additional league dates at www.go-pokemon.com, under organized play and leagues. For additional information, please contact Teri Smith at tncsmith@mac.com or 436-0206.
LLT Thanks Locals for Donations LLT Academy, a charter school located at 6771 Madison Ave. in Tampa, would like to thank the following businesses for their donations to the school’s Learn to Earn Store: Caspers (McDonalds), Wendy’s (Bloomingdale), Dunkin Donuts (301, Riverview), Learning Express (Valrico), Albertsons (Valrico), Winn Dixie (Valrico), Chili’s (Lithia), Red Lobster and Olive Garden (both Brandon). It also thanks its very supportive parents for their donations as well. Based on behavior, children at the school have play money deposited in their account and at the end of each nine week grading period, each student with a positive balance in their “account” gets to go the Learn to Earn Store at the school. Here they purchase merchandise or gift cards with the “money” they earned. As a school, there is a need for help from the surrounding community with donations of gift cards or merchandise to “stock” this store. As a charter school, it has families that come from Plant City to Pinellas and Apollo Beach to Land O’Lakes. The school appreciates anything area businesses can give to help its students. All gifts are tax deductible. If you are interested in helping LLT for its December Learn to Earn Store, or have any questions, call 234-0940. To learn more, visit www.ltacademy.com.
Cadets Honor Veterans In November, Newsome JROTC cadets took a small trip to Randall Middle School to perform for the veterans who are teachers. Cadets from each of the JROTC teams showed off their team skills in front of the whole school. Teams that performed included the Exhibition Team, the Rifle Team, the Color Guard and the Raider Physical Challenge Team. There was a special individual drill performance done by cadet Robert Salka. Each year, for the past two years, the Newsome JROTC Wolf Battalion conducts the fundraiser Operation Patriot, bringing toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and other hygiene items to give to the incapacitated veterans at the B. Lopez State Veteran’s Nursing Home. This year, the cadets brought in 798 toiletry items to donate to the veterans. Operation Patriot is meant to show the veterans the cadets’ appreciation for their service to this country. Operation Patriot not only benefits the veterans, but the company that brings in the most items receives points that counts towards the Best Company at the annual Field Day.
From Television to Radio for FishHawk Resident
FishHawk Ranch has a country radio celebrity in its community: You can hear Jenny Dean weekday afternoons on US 103.5 FM on the Travis & Jenny Show from 3-7 p.m. Originally from Kentucky, Dean spent about five years in Illinois anchoring television news and came to this area to work for Bay News 9 as an anchor. Eventually, Dean made the decision to join the Clear Channel radio family and says, “I enjoy radio a lot.” Dean explains that the big difference between the two is that in radio, “I can have an opinion; I can just be myself and this is an opportunity to show people who I am.” Dean starts laughing and adds, “Not only that, but I don’t have to wear makeup, and I don’t have to get all dressed up for radio.” Dean emphasizes she didn’t leave television because she was unhappy, but, “I thought radio would bring something different and new to my life and it has.” Dean seems to have a lot of talents including singing, and says she has sung the National Anthem for all the professional sports teams in the area. Right now, Dean is getting ready for the annual Battle of the Media Bands, and comments, “I usually throw together some sort of band for the event, and we just make a fun night of it.” Dean also loves to travel and says she does so every time the opportunity presents itself. Dean has visited several states and has taken a lot of cruises, but says she has always wanted to go to Europe and also hopes to pack up her kids and take them to see the Grand Canyon one day. Dean has a 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter and says one of the things that attracted her to FishHawk Ranch was the schools. Dean goes on to say, “I love FishHawk; the neighborhood and community are just great, and it reminds me of the kind of area I grew up in when I was a kid.” WFUS 103.5 is also the FM home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning all the games can be heard on the station, along with pre-and post-game coverage. For more information about Dean or the radio station, visit www.us1035.com or call 839-9393.
Governor Huckabee To Speak At Bell Shoals
Heading a new campaign, presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee will be making his way to Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon to speak, endorsing his fifth book, From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STOPS to Restoring America’s Greatness. Read more
Eye On Business Riverview
New Owners of Apollo Beach Flooring celebrate with ribbon cutting From flooring and cabinets to countertops, blinds, shutters or shades, Apollo Beach Flooring has everything you need to give your home a face lift. Newly owned by Richard Widmer and Dorothy Williams, Apollo Beach Flooring offers sale and installation of carpet, wood flooring, laminate flooring, cork, tile, (floors, walls, backsplash etc), VCT and vinyl and cabinets (custom and prefab), countertops (laminate, granite, solid surface) and custom blinds, shutters and shades. It also provides floor repairs, carpet stretching, cabinet repairs and floor care products. “We come to your home or business to measure and give you a free estimate. We offer a lifetime warranty on our installations,” says Widmer, who has 27 years experience in the industry. “We love this area. It is a beautiful quaint town. This area is growing and we felt we could make a contribution to the community with Rick’s expertise and knowledge.” Apollo Beach Flooring and More is located at 205 Apollo Beach Blvd, Ste. 105 and can be reached at 645-6118 or apolloflooring@verizon.net. Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Store Opens For Special Occasions Looking for that perfect dress for homecoming or another formal occasion? Bloomingdale resident Cheryl Bowen recently opened Perfection Prom and Party on Bloomingdale Ave. offering dresses, evening gowns and accessories for prom, sweet sixteen, quinceanera, and other formal events. A dress registry insures that the dress you choose will be unique for your occasion. Perfection offers personalized service with friendly sales staff to assist you in a fresh, contemporary setting with later store hours to accommodate its busy customers’ schedules. Appointments and fashion show bookings are also available. Bowen, the wife of a retired Air Force officer has experienced over a dozen military relocations throughout the United States and Europe and understands the value of a well-stocked dress shop when the need for formal attire arises. “In addition,” adds Bowen, “My teenage daughter Hannah’s friends are always happy to offer advice, keeping me in the loop and up on the latest trends.” Perfection Prom is located at 10313 Bloomingdale Ave., across from SuperTarget in the Bloomingdale Towne Center, and can be reached at 621-1991. For more information, visit www.perfectionprom.com.
Thai Restaurant Opens on Boyette In the Thai language, “chai yo” means “cheers” and at the new Chai Yo Thai Cuisine customers are treated to a celebration with every meal. “We strive to infuse a celebratory, yet refined, spirit into the food that we prepare, the service that we provide, and the atmosphere that we create for our guests,” says owner Topp Saenngarm. “We will offer a dining experience that highlights the simple elegance of Thai cuisine and the warmth of Thai culture, so that our guests will come to think of Chai Yo as the ideal place to relax with friends and family.” Located at 11695 Boyette Rd., Chai Yo’s menu includes a wide variety of Thai favorites from Pad Thai to Green and Red Curry and appetizers such as fresh rolls and satays. “We pride ourselves on three main principles: the quality of our foods and services, the teamwork of our employees and the respect we have for each other and our customers,” says Saenngarm, who started in the restaurant business at the age of 16 and went on to get a graduate degree in engineering from the University of South Florida. For more information, visit the Website at www.chaiyothaicuisine.com or call 671-6935.
TechPlayzone Plans Night Out Every third weekend TechPlayzone invites young people to participate in Parents’ Night Out from 6:30-11 p.m. Leaving parents with an evening off, young people are able to enjoy TechPlayzone’s computers, movie making, electronic kits and more. During the month of December, there will be two weekends of Parents’ Night Out so that parents may take advantage of additional time for holiday shopping, cooking and gift wrapping. During Parents’ Night Out, TechPlayzone staff orders pizza and provides drinks and popcorn. The cost is $30 per child per night plus $15 for each sibling. TechPlayzone is a science and technology center conveniently located near Riverview, Valrico, Lithia and Brandon communities. TechPlayzone is pleased to announce that it is a finalist for 2008 Brandon Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award. Parents can find out more about TechPlayzone’s Parents’ Night Out, Tech Camps, After School Programs and Birthday Parties by calling 684-7329 or visit techplayzone.com/techplay.
Lil’ Swimmer Aquatics Offers Swim Lessons Although summer has come to an end, it is never too late to teach your little one to swim. New business, Lil’ Swimmer Aquatics teaches children from about 8 months, or as soon as they can crawl, to 5 years survival swimming skills based on the proven PediaSwim methodology in the Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview and Brandon areas. “One of the unique aspects of this business is that I can actually go to the family’s home pool to teach their children to swim,” says Owner and Apollo Beach resident Korey Nielson, a graduate of the PediaSwin Academy. “All of our lessons are one-on-one with the child so we can individualize the lesson and gear the lessons toward the child’s learning style.” For more information, call 777-3373 or visit www.lilswimmer.net.
Resident Offers Legal Services in Riverview Riverview resident Michael C. McGinn, P.A. recently moved his law office from downtown Tampa to the Riverview area offering residents help in the areas of family law, personal injury and auto accidents and criminal defense. “Unless I am with a client or in court I will always take your call and I am available 24/7. I have night and weekend appointments available and I offer services at affordable fees which is important in today’s economy,” says McGinn, who graduated from Florida State University and Stetson University College of Law (cum laude) and worked as a legislative assistant to former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and tried more than 60 jury trials to verdict for the Office of the State Attorney in Polk County. “I chose the location because it is close to home and it is a growing area that is currently underserved by the legal community,” says McGinn. For more information, call 374-0353 or visit www.yourtampadefense.com.
Dove Interiors Comes to Southbay After 17 years in business in Ruskin, Dove Interiors opened a second store in the Shoppes at Southbay, Dove Interiors, Too, recently offering Riverview residents a one-stop-shop for flooring with products including carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, cork, blinds, shades, shutters, soft valances, drapery, bedding, area rugs and floor cleaning products. Owned and operated by the mother, daughter and son team of Joan Miller, Kimberly Scott and Rick Razick, Dove Interiors offers a “Beautiful Guarantee,” which helps eliminate some of the stress from ordering flooring by replacing the selection with another if for any reason our customer is unhappy. “We also have the absolute best, nicest, most polite and experienced installers that you will appreciate having in your home,” says Miller. “Our main crew leader has been with us for over 13 years. That’s almost unheard of in this industry. We are very proud of them.” Dove Interiors, Too is located at 10645 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview and can be reached at 672-9100 and Dove Interiors Carpet One is located at 2305 College Ave. in Ruskin and can be reached at 645-8660.
Resident Makes Travel Fun Riverview resident Dee Deel Klotz Khayyata knows the ins and outs of the travel industry. As the face of Superocity.com, Khayyata, along with her husband Faez, help travelers find the best prices on vacations and more. While the main product is travel, the Website also features a honeymoon registry, along with car, golf and flower Websites. Customers are also offered tickets to sporting events, concerts, theatres, Disney and Busch Gardens. They can also help with passports, foreign currency exchange, a variety of vacation packages, last minute deals and much more. The Khayyatas, who moved to Riverview from Dearborn, MI, in February 2008, are both referring travel agents and independent marketing reps for the company. Superocity.com is open 24/7, 365 days a year via the internet at www.superocity.com. For more information, call Khayyata at 964-6356.
Storage Facility Opens For residents of the SouthShore who love their boats, trailers, RVs and campers but need a cost effective place to park them, there is a new low cost solution, Buc-A-Day Storage in Ruskin. Located at 1415 3rd St. N.E., Buc-A-Day Storage specializes in the outdoor storage of vehicles and is situated on 18.5 acres. Owners Kent Rankin and Richard Crannell, Honorary Mayor of Apollo Beach, saw low cost, clean, safe, 24/7 access and high technology driven outdoor storage was a growing need for the SouthShore area. “Our motto, ‘Home of the 0.99 cent special, (under 30 feet in length)’ makes outdoor storage an affordable alternative to more expensive options and even appeals to the homes with boat trailers perpetually parked in their front yards,” says Crannell. “With most new housing developments having deed restrictions and the proximity to the best boating waters in Tampa Bay, it was a perfect fit.” The location is convenient to area boat ramps and I-75 and the storage facility recently installed additional security fencing, computer operated key pads for recording use by tenants and 24 hour recorded video surveillance and additional lighting through out the facility. For more information, e-mail richard.crannell@verizon.net or call 480-1916.
Firm Announces Successful Peer Review The Apollo Beach accounting firm of Alvarez Company, P.A. CPA Firm has successfully completed a rigorous review of its accounting and auditing practice. The reviewer concluded the firm complies with the stringent quality control standards set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the national professional organization of CPA’s. José A. Alvarez CPA, managing director of Alvarez Company P.A. CPA Firm, has been a member of the AICPA for the over 34 years and explained the importance of the AICPA Peer Review. The firm focuses on privately-owned businesses, individuals, and not-for-profit organizations with an emphasis on advising business owners and is located at 605 Apollo Beach Blvd. For additional information on the firm, contact Alvarez by e-mail jalvarez@alvarezcpa.com or visit www.alvarezcpa.com. New Identities Celebrates Anniversary New Identities Salon is celebrating two years in business at its SouthShore location on November 14. Owner Kelly Higgs- Rockquemore started the company with a salon in Tampa in 1994, which is now a tour salon for Redkin, one of six in the country. Rockquemore now coaches the stylists in the salon every month, administers the educational fund, is in charge of budgeting, promotions, hiring and inventory control of all supplies and oversees several non-profit benefits. New Identities SouthShore is located at 10639 Big Bend Rd. and can be reached at 741-1177.
South Bay Recognizes World Stroke Day South Bay Hospital, located at 4016 Sun City Center Blvd. in Sun City, is celebrating World Stroke Day throughout the months of October and November by educating the community about stroke. Kim McKell, RN, MSN, stroke coordinator is spreading the word about what you can do to lower your risk of stroke, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of calling 911 if you or someone you know might be experiencing a stroke. For more information about stroke, contact McKell at 634-0249. If you would like to have McKell speak to your community group or organization, please contact Melissa Morgan at 634-0496.
Heath Fair at Prime Care Prime Care of Tampa Bay invites residents to attend a community health fair to promote healthy living on November 15 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon at its office at 13142 Elk Mountain Dr. in Riverview. During the event, residents will have the opportunity to meet the office’s doctors Cecil Sue-Wah-Sing MD and Jocelyn Bueno MD and can participate in health screenings, give-aways and more. Event sponsors include LinCare, WellCare, Tower Diagnostic, ACE Homecare, Reliance Consulting, Pediatric Healthcare Alliance and One Touch. For more information, call 672-8440.
Pedal for Prevention Through November Expresso Fitness and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently announced their partnership for Pedal for Prevention, a virtual ride-a-thon to raise funds for diabetes research, advocacy and education taking place in select fitness facilities across the country. Riverview Snap Fitness Center, located at 11369 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, is one facility taking part from November 2-16. Throughout this time, participants can hop on an Expresso Bike and earn miles (and pledges) at any time. This virtual ride-a-thon is truly the first of its kind that allows individuals to use their daily cardio workout to benefit others. For more information, visit www.diabetes.org/tour or www.expresso.net.
Medical Group Opens Riverview Office Brandon Family Medical Care, which is celebrating six years of business in the Brandon area, recently opened the doors to its Riverview location at 13007 Summerfield Square Dr. offering a full range of personalized medical services for your entire family. In addition to providing children ages 2 years and up with routine care (physicals, immunizations) and urgent care issues, the office provides women’s health care needs including annual exams/pap smears, cancer screening, evaluation of abnormal cycles, family planning, osteoporosis risk assessment, PMS/Menopausal concerns, and natural/alternative treatments for menopause and treatment for acne, skin cancer screening, wart removal, weight loss, smoking cessation, auto accidents, sexual dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chronic pain, unsightly moles, varicose veins and scar treatment. Owned by Lithia residents Michael Davis, MD, and John Fehling, MD, Valrico resident Randell Sehres, MD, and David Thiele, MD, all Brandon Family Medical Care physicians are Board Certified Family Practice Physicians and are members in good standing with the Florida Medical Association. Brandon Family Medical Care-South is located on the corner of Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301 S., across the parking lot from CiCi’s Pizza and can be reached at 684-5255.Hours of operation are Monday- Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
YMCA Hosts Corks and Forks Themed with the title Down Under and Australian decor, Corks and Forks will take place poolside at Campo YMCA’s newly unveiled Family Fun Pool, located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico, on Saturday, November 22, from 7-10 p.m. Tickets cost $50 for YMCA members and $75 for non-members.
Wilhelm Holds Breakfast For 80 In October, Mary Ann Wilhelm hosted her third annual campaign breakfast for her campaign for Honorary Mayor of Ruskin. Over 80 tickets were sold for the event. The grand prize – a brand new fully installed Carrier Infinity home cooling system was won by Dick Berg, an employee of Lewers Funeral Home. The second prize, a two-day, one night stay at the Resort and Club at Little Harbor was won by local resident Brian Lantz. The wine gift basket provided by SouthShore Community Bank was won by local attorney Damon Glisson. Gift baskets from the Ruskin Redneck Training Company were won by Dr. Stephen Murray and local resident Trish Todd. A handmade fashion wrap donated by local realtor Roberta Rowe was won by Joe Horvath. Carol Spagnola of Cruzin Canine Cuts won a gourmet chocolate basket provided by Wilhelm and Lori Graves of Southeast Glass and Mirror won a gift certificate from the Saints and Sinners Restaurant and Lounge provided by Allen Tidwell of Affinity Insurance Group. Food was provided by Wilhelm Heating and AC, Inc., and prepared by Judy Hamp of Weichert Realtors, SouthShore. For further information, contact Anne Madden, marketing director of Wilhelm Heating and AC, Inc., at 641-1811.
Dog Park Celebrates Anniversary Give A Dog A Bone, located at 6114 N. U.S. Hwy. 41 in Apollo Beach, is holding an Ott’s dog park third year anniversary celebration on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring your pups for a day of fun. There will be food for the owners and treats and food samples for the pups. Attendees are asked to donate $5 as they come in for the celebration. Give A Dog A Bone will also be hosting Christmas pet/family pictures on Saturday, November 8, and Saturday, November 22, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. On Saturday, November 15, the Presents for Pups drive kicks off. The shop will be collecting dog/cat food, treats, toys, beds (even gently used), towels, blankets, shampoo, cleaning supplies, office supplies, etc. All supplies collected will be dispersed to C.A.R.E. shelter in Ruskin, Humane Society of Tampa and local rescue groups before Christmas. All supplies can be dropped off at Give A Dog A Bone. If you have any questions, please call 641-3734. Feline Folks Initiates Program Feline Folks, a non-profit dedicated to humane feline management, is conducting a free educational program on Wednesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. at SouthShore Regional Library, off 19th Ave. NE. The topic is The Emotional Life of Cats and Pet Holiday Hazards. Paw pads and 2009 calendars will also be available for sale. For more information, email Info@FelineFolks.org or call 944-7651.
Civic Association Promotes Family Time A Bicycle Rodeo sponsored by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department will be held on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m.-12 Noon or until supplies run out. The event will be hosted by the Apollo Beach Civic Association, taking place at the SouthShore Methodist United Church in the Harbor Point Business Center located at 435 Apollo Beach Blvd. Deputy Fletcher invites all area children to come (with an adult or a parent) with their bicycles for a safety check, to ride “the challenge” and to be awarded for completing these tasks. Bicycle helmets and loaner bikes will be available. The association will also hold a 1958 Movie Night with refreshments and a non-denomination service at the Calvary Luthern Church, located at 5309 U.S. Hwy. 41, on Friday, November 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is organized by Kathi Sheehan of SouthShore Methodist United Church. For more information, call 649-9462 or email apollobchcivicassoc@tampabay.rr.com.
Help Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary 2009 calendar is at the printer and should be available for sale at $7 each or three for $20. This product is an excellent way to share the sanctuary’s mission with family and friends. On November 22, Saturday, there is a stable party at Sundance, and the sanctuary is having a yard sale and needs stuff to sell, people to buy stuff, people with muscles and/or a truck to move stuff around. The organization also has ongoing needs for volunteers to help with the animals, yard work and maintenance, shopping, small office tasks and most of all, people to cover the sanctuary. Please call Lois Croft at 385-4595 if you can help with any of the events mentioned.
Mayoral Candidate Announces Events Christa Jerome announces her Christa 4 Mayor schedule of events: Sunday, November 23, at 8 a.m. a Charity Toy Run will be held at X-Treme Power Sports of Tampa located at 1019 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with $20 per driver and $10 per rider. On Friday, December 12, at 12 Noon the Twelve Days of Christmas Golf Tournament will take place at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club. There will be contests for the Longest Drive and Hole-in-One as well as raffles and a dinner buffet. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview. Email Christa4Mayor@yahoo.com or visit www.Christa4Mayor.com for more information.
Fall Plant Sale Arrives The Riverview Garden Club will be holding its annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be many different varieties such as Florida natives, herbs and annuals, to name a few, at prices that will amaze your pocket books. The sale will be held at 9403 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview. For more information, call President Marlene Kirst at 653-1459. Summerfield Happenings Located at 13011 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview, Summerfield’s Annual Holiday Market will kick off on Saturday, December 8, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Residents will find a wide variety of holiday gifts to choose from with 50-plus craft vendors, artists and home-based businesses onsite. Remember to bring the little ones to Tinsel Town at 12 Noon as Santa arrives. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to the Holiday Market as part of Summerfield’s Toys for Kids holiday project. New unwrapped toys can also be dropped off the day of the holiday craft show or anytime before December 15. All toys will be donated to a local charity for distribution just in time for Christmas. Registration opens November 1 for crafters, artisans and local small businesses wishing to participate in the Holiday Market this season. The cost is $25 per table and $10 for electrical. Wine Tasting Also taking place is Time for Wine – It’s A Taste of European Tradition on Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center. Hosted by Charles Visalli from a Time for Wine, guests will sample a wide range of wines, learn their varieties and characteristics and discover how to match them with various foods. Cheese and crackers will be served. The cost is $7 per person. For more information or to RSVP, call Summerfield’s Program Administrator Chelsea Greene at 671-4568. Summerfield announces its upcoming Holiday Market and Time for Wine events for December.
Veterans Save on Gas If you are a U.S. veteran and have access to the VA system, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter No. 110 of Sun City Center now operates a new service van to the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa. Any such veteran is eligible to use this free service. It operates on a regular week-day schedule. It is not a “handicap accessible” vehicle, nor is it a taxi service. Reservations for the van service must be made seven days prior to the appointment by calling 642-0302 and indicating your name, telephone number, date and day of week the ride is needed, as well as the van pick-up station number to be used. Volunteer drivers from Sun City Center and South Shore area are needed. If interested, please call 634-4489.
Barbershop Chorus Welcomes Members South Shore Sound, a women’s barbershop chorus affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, is offering a holiday performance opportunity for women on Sunday, December 14. Participants will attend rehearsals starting Monday, November 3, every Monday at 7 p.m. for six weeks at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church located at 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W. in Sun City Center. Rehearsals will be led by Meg Mahoney, director of the South Shore Sound Chorus. On Sunday, December 14, participants will apply what they have learned by singing in a Holiday Show with the South Shore Sound Chorus. The show will be held at the United Methodist Church in Sun City Center. For further information, go to www.southshoresound.org or call Terry at 786-9418.
St. Anne Women Meet The Saint Anne Council of Catholic Women held its annual “Salad Supper” in October at the parish center on U.S. Hwy. 41 in Ruskin. Guest speaker for the evening was Stephanie Bosse, program coordinator for the Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Program in the Orlando Diocese. Her topic for the evening was “A Cup of Justice,” and she addressed, in particular, Fair Trade’s efforts to provide fair wages and profits for workers in Nicaraguan coffee cooperatives. The next meeting of the Saint Anne Women’s Council will be held on Tuesday, November 11, and will include a memorial service for deceased members. For more information, contact the parish office at 645-1714.
Veterans Receive Homage Destiny Church, located at 2322 11th Ave. SE in Ruskin, is hosting a “Salute to Veterans” on Sunday, November 9, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The annual event will pay homage to veterans of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines with patriotic music and video presentations. The honored history, bravery and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces throughout the history of the United States will be the focus of attention. Chuck Reif, Lt. Col. USMC (retired) will be the featured speaker. Jerry Lubrano, the lead pastor of Destiny Church is himself a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring in 1989 from active duty, and will be presenting each veteran who attends the service with a commemorative coin to say thank you for honored service to our country. For more information, call 645-3337.
St. John Episcopal to Host Bazaar St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, located at 705 9th St. SE in Ruskin, is having its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be served early and a luncheon will take place at 12 Noon (donations accepted) with the infamous Singing Waiters. There will be Attic Treasures, creative crafts, Christmas items, baked breads, cookies, cakes and homemade canned goodies for sale as well as a raffle, jewelry, gift baskets and a Chinese auction. Also, St. John the Divine celebrated the church’s 46th anniversary in October with a Fall Dinner/Dance. The dinner was catered by Tasty Solutions and music by The Two of Us. For more information, call 645-1521.
Gibsonton Church Holds Men’s Fellowship First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, located at 9912 Indiana St. in Gibsonton, is to host a Men’s Fellowship Meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18. There will be a potluck dinner, devotions and prayer requests. For more information, call 677-1301, Anthony at 654-8865 or visit http://1stbaptistgibsonton.org. Fall Festival at RUMC Riverview United Methodist Church, located at 8002 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. and the corner of Riverview Dr., will be having its Fall Festival on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Festival will have lots of fun things to do for young and old including: games for children and adults, inflatable rides, pony rides, crafts, food, music, an old-fashion cake walk and much more. All proceeds from the festival will be used for various charitable and mission needs. Space is available for crafters and antique dealers. If you wish to reserve booth space, please contact Kimberly Blaisdell at 458-3584. For more information, visit www.riverviewflumc.org or contact Linda Bauer at 677-0868.
Shop at Beall’s to Help Calvary For the third year, Beall’s Outlet, located in Cypress Village Shopping Center near Home Depot, will be offering punches on its discount cards for non-perishable food items being collected at its location through Christmas. Just bring your items to the store to deposit in a box near the checkouts and receive your punch on your card. All food items will be donated to the Community Cupboard in Ruskin, a ministry of Calvary Lutheran Church in Apollo Beach. Punch cards can be used personally or donated for use by Calvary when it does supplemental shopping for its annual Angel Tree project which provides Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. If you or your organization has a desire to help, contact the Calvary church office at 645-1305.
Youth Group Sends Thanks to Supporters During the month of September, 23 youth from St. Anne Catholic Church High School Youth Group and four adult chaperones attended Rock the Universe at Universal Studios in Orlando. The weekend included two nights of Christian concerts and a day at Islands of Adventure. It was an inspirational event for all in attendance. The group would like to thank all who support the youth group, making events like this possible. In November, the youth group is attending the Homeless Retreat in St. Petersburg. The youth group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m.; new members are welcome. The church is located at 106 11th Ave. NE in Ruskin. For more information, call 645-1714.
PlayMania to Honor Gymboree Memberships As reported this week, Gymborees in Hillsborough County abruptly closed after the franchise owner filed for bankruptcy. Whitney and Todd Brundage, owners of PlayMania, Inc. recognize that this is an unfortunate event at a time when many parents cannot afford to purchase another membership. PlayMania will be honoring Gymboree memberships with any purchase of equal or lesser value. PlayMania will also be honoring any deposit given on a Gymboree Birthday Party. Located in Riverview on the corner of Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301, PlayMania is an indoor play center for children up to age 6. Featuring open play, classes and birthday parties, PlayMania is becoming widely recognized in the Riverview area. For more information, please call 649-8919 or visit www.playmaniatampa.com.
Local Girl Scouts Honored Sixteen Girl Scouts in the Riverview area were awarded their Bronze and Silver Awards at a ceremony in September. Danielle Lenhardt from Troop 784 recorded 15 books on tape and created activities related to the stories for a local church preschool. Sarah Culter, Hannah Jackson, Kylie Rowan, Alexis Rowan and Macey Wilson of Troop 1011 earned their Bronze Award as a troop by organizing a “Queen for a Day” party for girls with cancer in a local hospital. Leilani Beal, Samantha Schutte, Elizabeth Metayer, Heather Nelli, Jullian Boyar, Taylor Thibodeaux, Brynne Piesco, Kathryn Wallace, Riley Wilson, and Maggie Watts from Troop 705 also worked as a troop to earn their Silver Award. These young ladies planned and led an encampment weekend for 150 Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, visit www.gswcf.org or call 800-881-4475.
Cub Scouts Recruit New Members Cub Scout Pack 205, which meets weekly at Riverview Elementary School, is recruiting new members from grades one through five. The pack is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America Gulf Ridge Council. Activities include monthly camping trips, outings and an annual miniature car race, along with community service opportunities. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays in the school cafeteria located at 10809 Hannaway Dr. For information, call Cubmaster Matthew Green at 633-0853 or e-mail mgreen609@netzero.com.
Music Showcase Idol Contest Music Showcase, located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, will hold it’s annual Idol Contest on November 15 at 10 a.m. The contest is open to all ages and is separated into three age categories: 8-12, 13-18 and 19-adult. Each age category must have at last eight participants or the contestant will be moved into the closest age category. The contest is free and open to all singers. Pre-registration is requested but not required, and all contestants must come with an accompaniment track. No live bands or musicians will be accepted. Prizes are awarded on the day of the contest, which include a free recording session. All those interested in participating should contact Wendi Pruitt at 685-5998.
Rotary Club Welcomes Speaker Paul Sponseller, vice president and trust officer of Encore Trust, recently spoke to members of the Rotary Club of SouthShore which meets every Wednesday at 12 Noon at Cypress Creek Golf Club, located at 1011 Cypress Village Blvd. in Ruskin. For more information about Rotary International, see www.rotary.org. For information about the SouthShore Rotary please call the club President, David Madden, at 447-9015.
Post Announces Meeting The next meeting of the Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, at the American Legion Post 148 located at 7240 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview. The detachment is always seeking new members and the meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. All former and active duty marines plus navy corpsmen who have served a tour with the Fleet Marine Force are eligible to join. For additional information, call Jack Skelding at 672-1778 or visit www.mclriverview.org.
Chamber Unveils Night in Havana The Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to A Night in Havana on Saturday, November 8, at the Moose Lodge Ballroom, located at 1212 E. Shell Point Rd. in Ruskin, from 6-10 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and includes Cuban cuisine, casino gambling for prizes, entertainment, a salsa contest and a silent auction. For more information, contact Joanne Gadeck at 645-1366.
Business Women Recognized National Business Women’s Day at Sava Cafe in Apollo Beach was celebrated in September by the Apollo Beach Women’s Club. It was very rewarding to see so many professional women coming together to support each other and provide information about the organization to guests. If you were unable to attend, please join the group for its monthly meeting held the third Monday of each month at Freedom Plaza in Sun City at 5:30 p.m. Visit http://abwasouthshore.com for more information.
BSSDD Has Openings The Boyette Springs Special Dependent Taxing District (BSSDD) Board of Trustees announces a vacancy for position of trustee. All homeowners who are registered voters and currently live in Boyette Springs are eligible to serve on this very important board. The BSSDD is comprised of seven volunteer homeowners. This is a working board, without a management company, which focuses on the maintenance and upkeep of the critical common areas, entrances, landscaping, exterior wall and monuments of this community as well as the setting up of the holiday decorations and floral arrangements at the five entrances. The term of service runs to September 2012. Anyone interested in serving as trustee should send their name, address and phone number to: Boyette Springs SDD, Attn: President, PO Box 1621, Riverview, FL 33568-1621 or email boyettesdd@gmail.com or bod@bshoa.org. The meetings of the BSSDD Board of Trustees are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Tampa Bay Academy, administration building, located at12012 Boyette Rd. at 7 p.m.
