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Riverview Press Releases

Carisa Biesecker — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:27:48 +0000

Remembering Your Pet This Valentine’s Day
Celebrate the “other” love of your life at Dog Gone Holistic, located at 5620 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia, on Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Get a free doggie or kitty Valentine’s Day gift with any purchase of $10 or more. Our pet’s love us unconditionally…show them how much you love them back this Valentine’s Day with special treats and gifts from Dog Gone Holistic.
For more information, call 651-0842.

Mardi Gras Festival Made Kid Friendly
Relay For Life’s Team Home Advantage Pet Care is hosting the Mardi Gras Children’s Carnival on Sunday, February 22, at 1 p.m. at the Brandon Moose Lodge Hall located at 804 S. Miller Rd. It is open to kids of all ages with games, prizes, food and fun available. Tickets will be sold for $1 each or in packets of 15 for $12 or 25 for $20 or purchase packets of 15 for $10 in advance from any Home Advantage team member.
For more information, call Amber Roland at 361-6976 or e-mail ams217@hotmail.com.

Salon Hosting Locks of Love
If you are in need of a new hairstyle and would like to donate your hair to Locks of Love, please stop by En Vogue Salon, located at 11343 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, on Sunday, February 22, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Prices for women’s haircuts will be $16, men’ haircuts will be $10 and kids’ cuts will be $5.
More information about Locks of Love can be found at www.locksoflove.org. For more information, call 672-3632.

Health Fair Extravaganza
A free Health Fair Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, February 21, from 1– 4 p.m. featuring all-natural, organic products and alternative methodologies at Riverside Golf and Boating Resort located at One Pier Dr. in Ruskin, sponsored by Bill and Louise Smith, owners of Apollo Beach Massage Therapy and All Healthy Choices, a Shaklee independent distributorship. Refreshments and chair massages are free, and there will be drawings for free gifts and health screenings.
For additional information, please call 641-8202 or e-mail lcsmail@earthlink.net.

Gallery Supports Local Schools
Beth Howard, owner of South Shore Gallery located at 447 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach, is spearheading a fundraising project in order to supplement the art departments at local schools, which are suffering from funding cuts, by offering 10 percent of one’s purchase to go to a SouthShore school of their choice.
For more information, call 645-0483.

Bike Nite Held in Gibsonton
The Showmen’s Association and Coconuts Bar announce Wednesday Bike Nite at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Gibsonton. There is parking for thousands, live bands, raffles, giveaways, drink specials, great food provided by Steak n Shake and The Club Grill, all from 7-11 p.m.
For more information, call 677-1109 or 677-3590.

Toastmasters Reach Goals
Four South Shore Toastmasters were recognized during a recent club meeting for achieving milestones in 2008. The awards earned were: Jeanette Doyle—Competent Toastmaster; Phyllis Hodges and Francine Webb—Competent Leader and Advanced Communicator; and Jan Diehl—Advanced Communicator. Toastmasters is an international organization for individuals seeking to improve their communication and leadership skills. South Shore Toastmasters meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday monthly at Trinity Baptist Church, 702 W. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Center. For information, call 633-1523.

Roundtable Elects New Members
The board of directors of the SouthShore Roundtable has elected the following individuals as officers for 2009: Anne Madden – president; Dee Fridella – vice president; treasurer – James Johnson; and secretary – Don Schings. The SouthShore Roundtable Board of Directors is made of representatives of the four south county chambers of commerce, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview and Sun City Center, and their respective civic associations.
For more information, call 634-1396.

Chili Cook-Off to Benefit Parks
A benefit for the Friends of the County Parks will be held Saturday, February 21, featuring an outdoor flea market, starting at 8 a.m., and a chili cook-off, beginning at 12 Noon. Both events, hosted by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and
Conservation Department, will be held at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin, located at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin.
Contact 671-7655 to reserve booth space or enter the chili cook-off.

NAWIC 4th Annual Ladies Night Out
Women in Construction (WIC) week will be celebrated Sunday-Saturday, March 1-7, by more than 100 chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This year the event is on Monday, March 2, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and is hosted by Centex Homes at its Magnolia Park site located at 9008 Sienna Moss Ln. in Riverview. The cost is $15 and includes appetizers, drinks and a chance to win a $50 door prize.
Free goodie bags will be given to the first 50 participants who register online at www.nawictampa.org. For more information, call 769-8775.

County Details Projects Available for Stimulus
Hillsborough County government has submitted a list of its stimulus projects that are “ready to go” and could be considered for local funding through a possible federal economic stimulus package. The list of proposed projects totals more than $436.5 million and includes transportation, water infrastructure and energy efficiency projects. Some of the top projects on the list include widening Boyette Rd. from Donneymoor to Bell Shoals Rd.; and widening U.S. Hwy. 301 from Balm Rd. to S.R. 674.
For more information, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/administrator/.

Seminar Show How Pets Affect Well-Being
Feline Folks is conducting a free, educational program, How Pets Benefit Your Well-Being, on Tuesday, February 24, from 2–4 p.m. at South Shore Regional Library located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin.
For more information, e-mail Info@FelineFolks.org or call 944-7651.

South Shore Library Hosts the Arts
South Shore Library, located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin, will host the Muses: Celtic Music With A Zing! (www.themusesmusic.com) on Tuesday, February 10, at 2 p.m. Also being held is the Florida Pro Musica–Baroque Chamber Music Concert (www.FloridaProMusica.com) on Sunday, February 15, at 3 p.m. Free tickets will be available one hour prior to both programs at the library.
For more information, call 634-1396.

Garden Club Holds Annual Sale
The annual Riverview Garden Club Plant and Rummage Sale will be Saturday, February 28, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Riverview Civic Center, located at 11020 Park Dr. in Riverview. Items that the Garden Club members have put together include: plants and seedlings, many donated by area nurseries at bargain prices, along with baked goods, household items, clothes, books, jewelry, great treasures, raffles and yard art. All the proceeds from this sale go to various charities and organizations. The Riverview Garden Club holds monthly meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Riverview Civic Center.
For more information, call 653-1459.

Auxiliary Hosts Dinner
Sponsored by the Marine Corps League Auxiliary Riverview Unit #1226 to be held at American Legion Post 148, located at 7240 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview, a spaghetti dinner will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 4 p.m. for $6. It is open to the public and to-go orders are available. The league meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverview VFW #8108, located at 7504 Riverview Dr. in Riverview.
For more information, call 672-1778.

Newland Communities Renames Lake Hutto To Circa FishHawk

Marie Gilmore — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:16:16 +0000

By Michelle Caceres
It’s not a part of FishHawk Ranch, but the 700-acre site formerly known as Lake Hutto has been renamed Circa FishHawk to reflect its close proximity to the master-planned behemoth.
FishHawk and Circa developer Newland Communities and its advertising agency worked closely to settle on the new name.
“We felt that it was important to position this community as its own special place while still acknowledging the strong FishHawk Ranch brand that has come to define the ‘FishHawk’ area,” said Newland Communities Regional Marketing Director Pam Parisi.
Located south of FishHawk Blvd., between Boyette Rd. and FishHawk Ranch, the steady pace of construction in Circa is currently underway. Roadways to two new schools, Stowers Elementary and Barrington Middle, are being laid with the schools slated to open in August. Attendance boundary lines for the schools are in the process of being drawn and approved. A public meeting to discuss boundaries has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-media room at Randall Middle School.
Parisi expects the community to attract families for the same reasons they’re attracted to FishHawk Ranch. The community will feature onsite schools, a convenient town center and a variety of amenities all connected by a trail system.
In addition to families, Circa is also expected to attract singles, pre-family couples, empty nesters and retirees with its variety of housing options, including many maintenance-free options that appeal to these buyer groups.
While the land plan is still being designed, product offerings will include apartments as well as a variety of single-family and multi-family options.
Circa is the continuation and evolution of the FishHawk area, bringing a vibrant Village Center and fresh, new lifestyle choices-both residential and commercial-to the area, said Parisi.
Newland officials say the community is still in the envisioning process, as they are attempting to nail down the land plan and product offerings. Builders are showing interest in the community but specific discussions with builders have not occurred.
“It’s still way too soon,” said Parisi.
For more information about Circa FishHawk, visit www.newlandcommunities.com.

County Celebrates Groundbreaking of U.S. Hwy. 301 Project

Tamas Mondovics — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:39:37 +0000

The northeast corner of U.S. Hwy. 301 and Big Bend Rd. in Riverview marked the site of the beginning of another long-awaited project, soon to alter the flow of traffic in Riverview.
Hillsborough County and Florida Department of Transportation officials, along with staff, local development representatives and community representatives, gathered together in October to celebrate the groundbreaking of the U.S. Hwy. 301 Improvement Project and to be first to put the shovel in the ground.
According to County Division Director of Transportation and Land Development Review Bob Campbell, work on the project itself, which is hoped to improve a six-mile segment of U.S. Hwy. 301 from Gibsonton Dr. to C.R. 672/Balm Rd., began in 2005 when the county approved an agreement with nine developers to provide partial funding for the widening U.S. Hwy. 301 to four lanes from Gibsonton Dr. to S.R. 674 (Sun City Center).
Campbell explained that additional funds were provided by a second group of developers in 2008 which allowed the county and Florida Department of Transportation to expand the design of the project to six lanes with a 22-ft. median. Pedestrian features will include a five-ft. sidewalk on the west side and a 12-ft. multi-use path on the east side.
The cost of the current phase is approximately $110 million, which includes construction, design, studies, acquisition and administrative costs. The state is contributing $47 million to the project. A portion of this amount, $32.9 million, is from a grant that the county received from the state in October of 2007, which is awarded to communities that have congested state roads. Developers are contributing about $42 million to the project, and the county will be contributing about $20 million.
But according to District Secretary Don Skelton, the best part of all of this is what the three parties involved were able to accomplish.
“The partnership between the state, the county and the developers alone is a tremendous accomplishment,” Skelton said.
FDOT spokesperson Marian Scorza agreed when she said “This construction project is simply unique. Due to the efforts of all involved, the project construction has advanced by almost 10 years,” she said.
Of course, this project will require the cooperation of all motorists as well before things will be smooth sailing on U.S. Hwy. 301. The project is to be completed and open to traffic in the summer of 2012.
For more information, residents may call the Florida Department of Transportation at 975-6060.

Lumsden Trace to Get Reclaimed Water

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:39:53 +0000

A local community is soon to have reclaimed water in its neighborhood. Lumsden Trace, located on Lumsden Rd. between Mulrennan Rd. and St. Cloud Ave., will begin construction for its new sprinkler system and other uses for reclaimed water in October. The project is expected to take six months.
According to Shelly Spehr, senior supervisor for Hillsborough County Water Resource Services, Hillsborough County staff will work with homeowners’ associations to evaluate the possibility of reclaimed water within the community.
If it is identified as a possible reclaimed water project, the community will be placed on a waiting list and will be notified in writing when reclaimed water becomes available. Spehr said seven subdivisions are on the county’s waiting list to get reclaimed water, with 21 to 1,553 homes in each.
“Once the reclaimed water is available, we send out petitions with a preliminary cost estimate and the residents can petition to bring the service to their community. More than 50 percent of the parcel owners must sign the petitions,” she said. “A representative from the homeowners’ association can contact me to see if their community is eligible to be put on the waiting list.” To be eligible, subdivisions must be within one-fourth of a mile of an existing reclaimed water line and show a majority (50 percent) of residents support connected to it.
Approved uses for reclaimed water include: landscape irrigation via an in-ground sprinkler system. Reclaimed water may also be applied using a hose bibb (connection) assembly that is located in a below-ground locked vault or service box and clearly labeled as being of non-potable quality (bearing the words in English and Spanish: “Do Not Drink – No Beber” together with the equivalent standard international symbol).
From the reclaimed water line at Lumsden Rd. and St. Cloud Ave., county crews will run a main line on Lumsden Rd. into the subdivision. The county will pick up the $127,000 construction tab.
Crews also will bury 2,600 ft. of pipe on Lumsden Trace Cir., where it intersects with Lumsden Rd., and connect it to the sprinkler systems on both sides Lumsden Trace Circle. The $311,000 cost of that leg of the project will be divided among homeowners.
Spehr said homeowners can pay for connection to the reclaimed water line all at once or spread it out over the next 20 years on their property tax bills.
For more information, visit the Hillsborough County’s Website at http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/water/reclaimedwater/ .

Publix Transitions to South of S.R. 60

Carisa Biesecker — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:33:07 +0000

Publix of Valrico is moving, but no worries as the new facility will be just a hop, skip and a jump away across S.R. 60 on the south side, residing within Valrico Square, the former Winn Dixie-anchored plaza.
Sharing quarters with Applebee’s and Estrella Tropical, Publix will now reside within the plaza, absorbing a total of 54,000 sq. ft. in the process. The current space in which the Publix is housed, 1930 S.R. 60 E. in Valrico, also measures 54,000 sq. ft., but, according to Media and Community Relations spokesperson Shannon Patten, “This is the latest and greatest. It really gives us the option to expand our services.”
Here, the company will feature a spacious, open-air feel to its new floor plan with a fresh look and a vibrant color palate. New technologies will be incorporated alongside eco-friendly, energy saving components which encompass the entire store as well as an expansion of services already offered by the grocer. “It will have all the bells and whistles our customers would expect,” adds Patten. Although the facility will be made new, patrons will still see the same faces as the current staff will make the conversion as well.
This “new prototype” store has begun construction and is planned to be completed within the next nine months, making the store available to clientele in the spring of 2009. Patten comments, “You won’t have to go a day without your Publix,” as the current location will close at its regular operation hours and reopen the new Publix the following day.
“We are really looking forward to serving our customers in the Valrico area everything they ever wanted in a Publix,” concludes Patten.
Publix, whose mission “is to be the premier quality food retailer in the world,” according to its Website, was founded by the late Winter Haven resident George W. Jenkins in 1930. From its inception, it has grown greatly, totaling 948 supermarkets across the states of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida which alone harbors the greatest number of stores at 678. Employing over 140,000, this locally known retailer acquired $23 billion in 2007, proving its popularity amongst residents.
For more information, visit www.publix.com.

South Hillsborough Soccer League (SHSL)

Tamas Mondovics — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:22:29 +0000

A small ceremony including a ribbon cutting featuring county and league officials was recently held in order to dedicate Hillsborough County’s latest sports complex located in the heart of Riverview.
The 23-acre $3 million Summerfield Soccer Complex will be used and officially occupied by and will be the home to the South Hillsborough Soccer League (SHSL) serving 750 members in its recreational and competitive soccer programs.
The dedication was also the official opening of the new Summerfield Soccer Park. This park was in the planning stages for about 10 years, but funding was only approved by the board of county commissioners about three years ago. While bids for the complex were solicited two years ago, construction began in late September 2006.
Located at 11942 Big Bend Rd., approximately 5.5 miles east of I-75, includes seven soccer fields, concession building, a maintenance building, lights, sidewalks, irrigation system, parking, and landscaping as well as an entrance road.
According to SHSL President Bob Bruce, the dedication program proved to be a success which included a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, a DJ, free soccer ball giveaway, bake sale, snow cones and cotton candy while it also hosted three soccer games.
Guest speakers included Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham who thanked all the volunteers and sponsors that have contributed to the facility’s present condition and said “I am looking forward to the success of the season as well as the facility.”
Florida Youth Soccer Association’s Region C Vice President Dave Ditillio presented a Hackworth-Davis Scholarship Award to one of SHSL’s most talented players, 18-year-old Rachael Sandora. Her mother accepted the $250 award on her behalf because Rachael is currently attending Gulf Coast University.
“I am very proud of Rachel. Her dedication and hard work has truly paid off,” Kim said.
Rachael played soccer at South Hillsborough Soccer League (SHSL) since the age of 5, playing in both of the recreational and competitive programs. Rachael was also a coach and referee at SHSL.
Besides the fun and food more than 170 children registered to play soccer for the upcoming season. SHSL officials were proud of raising money to support the upcoming athletic events and to bu more new equipment for the fields.
“The money will be spent on new player benches, goals and equipment,” SHSL League President Bruce said, adding, “Everyone had a great time and although Tropical Storm Fay made her presence felt, the weather didn’t dampen our spirits or hold down attendance too much.”
For more information about SHSL’s youth and adult athletic programs as well as season, field and volunteer programs please e-mail League President Bob Bruce at president@shslsoccer.com.

County to Initiate Third Phase of Boyette

Carisa Biesecker — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:57:52 +0000

With daily traffic coming to a gridlock along the Boyette Rd. construction corridor, residents are looking for a silver lining in it all, something that may take a little while in finding as Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County spokesman, confirms that the second phase will not be completed until February of 2009.
Consisting of roadway from Balm Riverview Rd. to Donneymoore Dr., Boyette Rd. is being made into a four lane road, capable of accommodating the 24,000 vehicles that travel its cement contours each day. The problem is the need for turn lanes. So far, the county has incorporated a left turn lane on Boyette Rd. for those traveling westbound. But to its detriment as gridlock is still occurring in the area.
“This time around, we have tightened up on our contracts for bid,” states Valdez. “The contracts do not allow for turn lanes to be taken out. We are hoping for a much smoother commute for everybody during the phase three construction.”
The county has plans to begin the third phase of Boyette Rd. construction, from Donneymoore Dr. to Bell Shoals Rd., in March of 2009. Still keeping with the existing alterations, four lanes, bike lanes, curbs and gutters, the county seeks to complete the project within an 18-month timeframe. The only difference will be the overhaul of the connecting bridge along Boyette Rd., which Valdez says will be totally reconstructed, leading to a total cost of $30 million for the third phase. In total, the combined phases are expected to cost over $50 million.
Once completed, Valdez mentions that the roadway should be able to have capacity for not only the 24,000 vehicles currently traveling the road but should also be able to provide enough capacity for 6,000 more cars, totaling a traveling vehicle volume of 30,000 daily.
To those who are amidst the orange cones and exhaust fumes, Valdez says, “Construction is never a pleasant thing, especially when you live amongst it. Everyone’s patience has been appreciated. When it is said and done, their [residents] lives are going to be much easier on a daily basis.”
For more information, please call 272-5275.