Osprey Observer » environment

Library Attack Victim’s Recovery Inspired By Community

Carisa Biesecker — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:55:21 +0000

Every good story seems to start with a hero seeded in trying circumstances due to some foe’s doing, but good always perseveres. Every now and again, life mimics these stories as is the case with the victim of the Bloomingdale Library attack.
Having been brutally attacked by accused assailant Kendrick Morris, now 17, in April at the Bloomingdale Library, the 18-year-old East Bay High School student was left badly beaten and blinded, leading to an induced coma in her recovery from the injuries. Morris is currently in Hillsborough County jail and is scheduled to be tried as an adult, while the victim returned home from rehabilitation in November.
“She’s doing good. Home has been a much better environment for her to recover in. It is much easier for her but harder on my mom,” states the victim’s older sister, both of whose names cannot be released due to legal reasons. The victim’s eyesight has improved, and the family is working on her ability to start eating solid foods, which will then help strengthen her capacity to speak. Her sister says the 18-year-old communicates through hand and face gestures. To keep her therapy on track and her progress enduring, the Brandon-based family is seeking volunteers in the realm of a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a doctor of alternative medicine as the 18-year-old is reacting poorly to current prescriptions.
With the support of the community, the victim has gained a wheelchair, a conversion van, donations and volunteers’ time and help. “There’s so many [who have helped], I wouldn’t be able to name them all,” says the sister. “We just want to say thank you. We really wish we could personally thank you all.”
Care is around the clock for the victim, whose mother is the main provider of her needs, though many volunteers from the community have helped along the way. Through time and donations, over $100,000 to put a number on it, the family has been able to move forth with the 18-year-old’s therapy, but funds are running out and coverage will soon be coming to an end.
If you would like to make a donation to the recovering 18-year-old, visit any branch of SunTrust Bank with a check made payable to the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim Fund. Or, if you would like to volunteer your time and energy to help the family, call Cheryl Zemina, a close friend of the family’s, at 695-1412.
In the end, the victim’s sister exclaims, “It’s helped our little sister recover faster knowing there are so many good people out there, rather than just one bad person. Everyone tells her she is an inspiration, but the truth is, the community is an inspiration to her to get better.” And this victim plans to be a victim no longer but a hero in her own right as she uses the bad to forge good, one day planning to create her own charitable endeavor, helping those who have suffered as well from brain injuries, stroke and trauma. But readers will have to find out more about those adventures in the sequel.
Until then, visit www.bloomingdalelibraryattackvictim.com to blog or see what upcoming fundraising events are in the works.

Lithia Pinecrest Road Widening Public Meeting Draws Crowds

Tamas Mondovics — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:17:29 +0000

Hundreds attended a recent public meeting concerning the proposed widening of approximately an 11 mile section of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. from its current two travel lane roadway to a six travel lane roadway, affecting the Brandon, Bloomingdale and Lithia communities from S.R. 60 in Brandon to C.R. 39. Local residents who showed up at the Palmetto Club at FishHawk Ranch to hear more extensively about the project had the opportunity to view maps, elevations, a video presentation of the proposed change, as well as talk to county officials on-hand to address questions and concerns. Hillsborough County, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), has been working on preparing a Project Development and Environment (PDE) Study to consider the proposed widening of Lithia Pinecrest Rd., which according to county officials and many local residents, at this point, is simply not sufficient to handle the traffic. “Portions of this roadway currently operate below the county’s adopted minimum acceptable level-of-service standard,” said Hillsborough County Engineering Division Public Works Center Project Manager William Alford. Alford explained that the meeting was strictly about gathering information and that the improvements are intended to accommodate both existing and future traffic volumes as well as enhance motorist safety and reduce emergency response times. But while area residents in general agree that something needs to be done, just as many were unsatisfied due to the lack of information offered by the county. For starters, county officials were faced with complaints that the video presentation of the project seemed to be short on facts. The hot topic that seemed to concern most included the lack of traffic lights planned for the Valrico portion of the project. “I don’t see how they can talk about safety. It is difficult to turn onto Lithia Pinecrest going north now. How is that going to be better trying to cross three lanes and then merge in to three lanes of traffic without a traffic light,” said Gene Will of Valrico, who has lived on Hummingbird Ln. for the past 40 years and is very concerned about being able to turn northbound onto Lithia Pinecrest once the six lane road project is completed. For many residents the small but problematic as well as infamous, Bell Shoals Road and Lithia Pinecrest intersection just a few yards south of Lumsden was the worry of the day-although not on the agenda for the meeting-the proposed road widening plan will include the turning Bell Shoals Road, into a cul-de-sac, cutting traffic flow from it to merge onto Lithia Pinecrest. That is a big problem for Sue Curd with Curd and Associates who feels that the change would choke or at least alter the volume that her business generates. “I will lose business,” she said. Jim Barfield, also a Valrico resident for the past four decades whose wife Jean became Honorary Mayor of Brandon in1996, was disturbed by the fact that the County took this long to decide on thinking about the roads. “The County has been passing out building permits to developers for years. Now they have a problem on their hands and rightly; nobody is happy,” Barfield said. Good, bad or ugly, the meeting seemed to have accomplished its purpose and as expected could and would not please everyone while provided an opportunity to hear or to be heard. One thing is sure. This project will be done and Lithia Pinecrest Road will be a six lane major artery for commuters even if its success remains to be seen. For ore information about the project or for project updates, public comments and concerns please visit www.lpcstudy.com.

Eye on Business Valrico

Kate Quesada — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:26:15 +0000

Sprouts Open on Lithia Pinecrest Good news for parents and children throughout the Valrico area. Sprouts, a play, music and art facility, opened recently on Lithia Pinecrest Rd., just south of the intersection of Lumsden Rd. Sprouts, which opened in the area five years ago, encountered many obstacles while attempting to move into its own freestanding building which kept the business closed for just over a year. “Sprouts is back and stronger than ever,” says Rene Vojnovic, owner and operator. “The new building is designed specifically for the children.” According to Vojnovic, the little white cottage has wall murals throughout, thanks to the work of local mural artist Ann Migowski and is designed for safe play. Classes are offered for children from 9 months to 5 years, with parent/child play-music with colorful, soft play equipment and mats for structured, fun, kid-friendly classes and art classes in a custom-made room with easels displaying the work of the world famous artists. In addition to the Mommy and Me play, music and art programs, Sprouts and Vojnovic obtained child care licensing, allowing Sprouts to offer a new Moms Morning Out each Monday. Children 3-5 years can spend the morning at Sprouts without a parent or caregiver and enjoy music, snacks and art. Sprouts’ classes are already underway. Visit www.sproutskids.com for information including schedule, fees and to register for a free trial play-music class or contact Vojnovic at 653-2233 or 393-9084. Creamery Comes to Valrico Soft serve ice cream fans keep your eyes open in the Lifestyle Family Fitness-anchored plaza at the intersection of Bloomingdale Ave. and Lithia Pinecrest Rd. According to representatives at Toppers Creamery, the soft serve ice cream franchise will be opening a location in the plaza in the next 90 days. Toppers offers high quality chocolate and vanilla soft serve with a variety of toppings to mix in. For more information, visit www.topperscreamery.com and check future issues of the Osprey Observer. Chamber Hosts Business Seminar The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a seminar this month to help members find balance in their lives during these tough economic times. “Life Balance” is presented by Black Diamond Associates and will be held on October 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chamber’s TECO Energy Board Room. The cost, which includes lunch, is $18 for members, $12 for Elite members, no charge for Platinum Elite members and $30 for prospective members. The following topics will be addressed in this seminar: life balance truths, balance quadrants, formula for success and closing the balance gap. To register for this Biz Ed 101 Session, contact Amy at 689-1221 or via email at abelliveau@brandon chamber.com. Space is limited. Biz Ed 101 is a professional development program of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Sunshine State Federal Savings & Loan Association. Salon Welcomes New Stylists There are some new faces at the All Me Salon on Kingsway Rd. in Brandon. Talented hair professionals Master Stylist Martie Webb, Advanced Stylist Rachel Weaver, Melissa Haynes and Joe Caglianone, who has 30 years of experience, all recently joined the team at the upscale north Brandon salon. All Me Salon is located at 1263 Kingsway Rd. and can be reached at 651-1213. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Valrico Resident Promoted at Scottrade Scottrade, a leading branch-supported online investment firm, has promoted Valrico resident Brian Courtney to manage its Tampa branch office, located downtown at 1408 N. Westshore Blvd., Ste. 104. As branch manager, Courtney is responsible for branch operations, managing personnel and providing customer service. Courtney began his career at Scottrade nearly two years ago as a stock broker at the St. Petersburg branch office. He has 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. “Scottrade is focused on customer interaction,” said Courtney. “Working directly with our customers is something that I value.” As a leading online investment firm, Scottrade offers a full line of investment products, online trading services and market research tools to help investors take control of their financial future. Scottrade provides customers the convenience of buying many stocks online at just $7 per trade and the support of the largest branch network among online investment firms, with over 350 nationwide branch offices. Named Highest in Investor Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, Scottrade is dedicated to exceptional customer service and unprecedented value. Scottrade is also one of the FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America. For more information, visit www.scottrade.com. New Market Offers Fresh Produce From handmade glass jewelry to homemade fudge, there is something for everyone at the new farmers; market, taking place on Wednesdays from 12 Noon-6 p.m. at the Lancaster’s Hydro Farm Produce stand. Vendors’ items, including organic herbs and plants, artwork, photography, pet portraits, shea butter imported from Africa and orchids will be for sale. In addition, visitors can purchase funnel cakes, popcorn, hotdogs, homemade fudge and Italian ices. The stand is located at 5329 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Dog Groomer Comes to You Does your dog get stressed out at the thought of a trip to the groomer? Then let the groomer come to you! Valrico resident Joy Simms, owner of Pampered Paws Mobile Dog Grooming, serves Brandon area dogs with services including baths, haircuts, ear cleaning and nail trimming. “Each dog is cared for one at a time, so that your pet does not sit in a cage for six to eight hours until we get around to them,” says Simms, who started her business at the age of 21. “Being in a loud, strange environment for several hours is very stressful for dogs. Our service is far less stressful. The best benefit is that you don’t have to take two trips to the groomer nor have to deal with the hassle of loading and unloading your pet.” For more information, call 562-PAWS(7297). YMCAs Challenge Corporations This year, the Brandon area YMCAs will take participants on a wild adventure full of mental and physical challenges at the 2008 Corporate Challenge: Survivor! fundraising event. Held on Friday, November 7, from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at YMCA Camp Cristina, a 65-acre outdoor adventure site in Riverview, the event will put teams of six–10 members from local organizations head to head in a day of healthy team-building competition. The Corporate Challenge Volunteer Planning Committee is comprised of Riverview and Brandon area community leaders, including Tanya Doran of Spacewalk of Brandon, Cathy Middleton, Russ Young of South Bay Hospital, David Van Dyke of Gevity, Tyler Niermann of Wachovia and Melissa Poague of Media General. Sponsorships are available, and team entry is $500, which includes all activities of the day, light breakfast, lunch, and a signature commemorative bandana. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Building Strong Kids Campaign, which helps make YMCA participation possible for children and families in the Brandon area regardless of their financial circumstances. For more information, call Bryan Beckham at 677-8400. Photographers Recognized Local photographers Edward Booth and Betty Huth, owners of Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery, recently received the Florida Service Award for service to the profession at the Florida Professional Photographers Annual Convention. “We both were honored to receive the Florida Service Award given for service to the profession,” says Booth. “Receiving this award in just three years is very unusual.” According to the duo, they have worked together for 18 years to create family portraits with the expectation that they will be handed down from generation to generation. “We pride ourselves in providing our clients with exceptional portraiture of families and children,” says Booth. “It’s a pleasure that we continue to strive for, that of seeking excellence in preserving precious memories.” Since moving to the area from California in July of 2005, Huth and Booth have been active members in the Riverview and Greater Brandon area communities volunteering their services to numerous charity organizations, clubs and civic centers. They are also members of the Brandon 86’ Rotary Club. The Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery is located at 11711 Nikki View Dr. in Brandon in Lake Brandon Professional Park. For more information, call 571-2100 or visit www.hbphoto.com. Hospital Welcomes New CNO “Susan Laber, RN, BSN, MHA, CHCQM, has been promoted to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Brandon Regional Hospital,” says Mike Fencel, the hospital’s chief executive officer, “replacing Cheryl Goforth who was promoted to CNO at Trident Health Systems, in Charleston, South Carolina.” Prior to assuming this role, Laber was the interim CNO for several months, as well as assistant CNO at Brandon from 2006-2008. Since her promotion, Laber and her family have relocated from the Sarasota area to FishHawk Ranch. Laber’s vision for her nursing team can be boiled down to “do what is right for patients first and inspire others to do the same thing. The opportunity lies in providing an environment where patients are the number one priority; use data to make positive changes; challenge the status quo and create a positive culture where nurses want to work.” For more information, call the hospital at 571-5105. Bonefish Grill Awarded Top Honors Consumers have voted and the results are in: Bonefish Grill has been awarded the Platinum Award in the seafood category at this year’s Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards. Platinum is the highest honor. The annual survey, conducted by Restaurants & Institutions magazine and now in its 28th year, is considered a key measure of success for restaurant chains across the nation. For the 2008 awards, more than 3,100 consumers were asked to rate 120 restaurant brands on eight customer satisfaction attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, reputation and convenience. “We are especially thrilled that this award is voted on by consumers,” says John Cooper, president of Bonefish Grill. “It means our customers appreciate the lengths we go to in delivering an exceptional dining experience. Congratulations and thanks go to our teams across the country.” Patricia Daily, Restaurants & Institutions’ publisher, says, “The R&I Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards is a people’s choice award that conveys to the industry and beyond which restaurants have earned consistent business and guest loyalty and why.” Complete survey results are available through Restaurants & Institutions magazine (www.rimag.com). For more information and sample menus from the restaurant, visit www.bonefishgrill.com. Winn Dixie Helps Hurricane Victims Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. announced recently that customers can help their neighbors affected by the 2008 hurricane season by simply donating at any neighborhood Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie is implementing its “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program in all of its 521 stores as a way to assist the American Red Cross, which has seen its Disaster Relief Fund depleted after an active year of disasters. The Red Cross provided food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the communities affected by the storms that battered Florida and the Gulf Coast during the past month. Similar efforts across the country have forced the Red Cross to launch a national drive to raise $100 million to keep the Disaster Relief Fund afloat. Winn-Dixie customers will find “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” donation sheets available at all registers, where they can donate an amount between 0.50 and $500 directly to the American Red Cross. The cashier will scan the Neighbors Helping Neighbors donation sheet, which automatically adds the amount designated by the customer to the total bill. “Our neighbors face a long and difficult recovery process, and we want to do everything we can to help them,” says Terry Grooms Derreberry, Winn-Dixie manager of corporate giving. “Our hearts go out to those who were impacted by these storms.” The American Red Cross provides immediate response in more than 70,000 disasters each year through its Disaster Relief Fund. Disasters include fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Contributions to the relief fund are used to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims, as needed. The Winn-Dixie in the Bloomingdale Plaza at 179 Bloomingdale Ave. can be reached at 681-7337. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

Eye On Business

Kate Quesada — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:10:43 +0000

Photographers Recognized
Local photographers Edward Booth and Betty Huth, owners of Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery, recently received the Florida Service Award for service to the profession at the Florida Professional Photographers Annual Convention.
“We both were honored to receive the Florida Service Award given for service to the profession,” says Booth. “Receiving this award in just three years is very unusual.”
According to the duo, they have worked together for 18 years to create family portraits with the expectation that they will be handed down from generation to generation.
“We pride ourselves in providing our clients with exceptional portraiture of families and children,” says Booth. “It’s a pleasure that we continue to strive for, that of seeking excellence in preserving precious memories.”
Since moving to the area from California in July of 2005, Huth and Booth have been active members in the Riverview and Greater Brandon area communities volunteering their services to numerous charity organizations, clubs and civic centers. They are also members of the Brandon ‘86 Rotary Club.
The Huth and Booth Portrait Gallery is located at 11711 Nikki View Dr. in Brandon in Lake Brandon Professional Park. For more information, call 571-2100 or visit www.hbphoto.com.

Tennis Store Opens at BSAC
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC) is now home to the Brandon area’s first tennis pro shop, The Tennis Shack of Florida, offering a wide variety of products for every tennis player’s needs, from apparel to custom stringing services.
According to owner Tim Plossl, the store will carry brands including apparel by Adidas and Fila and shoes by Adidas, Fila, Prince and Babolat.
For more information, call 315-9810 or visit www.mybsac.org.

New Business Brings Fun to the Streets
Valrico residents James and Josette Delaney are bringing a taste of the tropics to the Brandon area.
The Delaney’s recently opened a franchise of Kona Ice, a traveling Hawaiian Ice van offering 20 flavors of shaved ice and ice cream.
In addition to traveling through local neighborhoods, Kona Ice can be scheduled for private parties or group events.
“Kona has its most fun when they are supporting the community,” says James. “Whether you are a school, a church, or an organization looking for fundraising ideas, Kona Ice is there to help. In a time crunch, don’t worry because under the right conditions we can serve over 200 people in less than an hour.”
For more information, call 484-6595 or visit www.kona-ice.com.

A Massage and Rehab Clinic Opens in Brandon
A new clinical, medical and rehab massage clinic, A Touch of Wellness, opened its doors recently at 915 Oakfield Dr. Ste. A. and celebrated with a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 15.
“A Touch of Wellness, is a massage and rehab clinic with a softer feel which caters to the diversity that is part of what makes Brandon so great,” says Scott Robinson, L.M.T., owner. “We specialize in auto injuries, sports injuries, and any soft tissue injuries. We also offer nutrition consulting, nutritional supplements, and will be adding a chiropractor to the practice within the next 45 days.”
The practice’s two massage therapists are trained in a variety of techniques from Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and Reiki to Hot Stones and Relaxation massage.
In addition to taking patients at their Brandon office, A Touch of Wellness makes outcalls for any patients not ambulatory and offers corporate accounts.
For more information, please call Robinson or Sharon Aldrich, L.M.T., M.M.P. at 689-7799.

New Store is 4Reel
With fall on the horizon, the temperatures will be just right for outdoor activities like fishing and camping and a new store, 4Reel Fishing and Camping Supplies, which opened recently in the SteinMart-anchored Lithia Crossings Plaza makes shopping for those outings a breeze.
From camping lanterns and air mattresses and fishing tackle and hooks, 4Reel has a wide variety of supplies.
“Our store carries something for every person in the family,” says Cheryl Phelps who owns the store with her husband Mike. “We have fishing and camping supplies for the most experienced to the up and coming.”
Valrico residents who grew up fishing and camping on the Alafia River, the Phelps see the Bloomingdale area as a perfect place for the store.
“The area is so family oriented as well as out going and that combination spells camping and fishing,” says Cheryl.
4Reel Fishing And Camping Supplies is located at 3430 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and can be reached at 651-5151. For more information, visit www.4reelfishingsupplies.com or stop by the store Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Aquali Opens In Valrico
With a wide range of services from master technicians, Aquali Salon and Spa opened recently on Erindale Dr. in Bloomingdale.
“All of our stylists are master technicians, many of whom have furthered their skills by becoming educators for product lines, including Alterna, Rusk, Sexyhair and Scruples,” says stylist Hannah McArty.
The full service salon and spa offers services including hair color, perms, relaxing techniques and hair extensions and spa services including acrylic nails, manicures, spa pedicures, facials and full body waxing.
“Aquali salon and spa is a green friendly environment,” says McArty. “Not only do we recycle, we offer coffee and fruit flavored water in glasses rather than non bio-degradable cups. We are trying hard by taking small steps to preserve our environment just as you are at home.”
Aquali Salon and Spa is located at 3652 Erindale Dr. and is open Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
For more information, call 653-3736.

Cruise Planners Offers Deals
October is National Cruise Vacation month and Sherry Leybovich ECCS, CTA, owner of Cruise Planners, is celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event, offering clients values and incentives on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations.
“The World’s Largest Cruise Event is a celebration where lucky agents like me get to give the gift of great savings on cruises, and our clients are the guests of honor,” says Leybovich. “Best of all, Cruise Planners is extending what is traditionally one special night into an entire week of offers and incentives, so the gifts will keep coming from October 4 to the 10.”
According to Leybovich, a prize-a-day giveaway has been incorporated into this year’s cruise event week where clients can enter a daily contest for fabulous prizes and ultimately be entered into the week end grand prize of a free cruise.
Cruise Planners will host a cruise night on October 6 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Club located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in FishHawk Ranch where clients can learn more about Cruise Planners and the new Royal Carribean Oasis of the Seas, which will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in December 2009. Representatives from the US Postal Service will be on hand to take applications for passports and to answer questions on the new regulations concerning passports. Lights refreshments will be provided by Bellafia Chocolate Boutique and Lah-Tea-Dah.
Founded in 1994, Cruise Planners is an American Express Travel Services Representative national cruise agency headquartered in Coral Springs, that operates a franchised network of more than 700 experienced travel professionals who independently book cruises and other associated travel. Leybovich has also earned many personal awards and is one of the top franchisees within Cruise Planners. She is currently one of the finalists for home based business of the year through the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call at Leybovich 657-0844, or visit www.cruisesforu.com.

Hospital Welcomes New CNO
“Susan Laber, RN, BSN, MHA, CHCQM, has been promoted to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Brandon Regional Hospital,” says Mike Fencel, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, “replacing Cheryl Goforth who was promoted to CNO at Trident Health Systems, in Charleston, South Carolina.”
Prior to assuming this role, Laber was the Interim CNO for several months, as well as Assistant CNO at Brandon, from 2006-2008. Since her promotion, Laber and her family have relocated from the Sarasota area to FishHawk Ranch.
Laber’s vision for her nursing team can be boiled down to “do what is right for patients first and inspire others to do the same thing. The opportunity lies in providing an environment where patients are the number one priority; use data to make positive changes; challenge the status quo and create a positive culture where nurses want to work.”
For more information, call the hospital at 571-5105.

Bonefish Grill Awarded Top Honors
Consumers have voted and the results are in: Bonefish Grill has been awarded the Platinum Award in the seafood category at this year’s Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards. Platinum is the highest honor. The annual survey, conducted by Restaurants & Institutions magazine and now in its 28th year, is considered a key measure of success for restaurant chains across the nation.
For the 2008 awards, more than 3,100 consumers were asked to rate 120 restaurant brands on eight customer satisfaction attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness, reputation and convenience.
“We are especially thrilled that this award is voted on by consumers,” says John Cooper, President of Bonefish Grill. “It means our customers appreciate the lengths we go to in delivering an exceptional dining experience. Congratulations and thanks go to our teams across the country.”
Patricia Daily, Restaurants & Institutions’ publisher, says, “The R&I Consumers’ Choice in Chains awards is a people’s choice award that conveys to the industry and beyond which restaurants have earned consistent business and guest loyalty and why.”
Complete survey results are available through Restaurants & Institutions magazine (www.rimag.com).
For more information and sample menu from the restaurant, visit www.bonefishgrill.com.

Winn-Dixie Helps Hurricane Victims
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. announced recently that customers can help their neighbors affected by the 2008 hurricane season by simply donating at any neighborhood Winn-Dixie.
Winn-Dixie is implementing its “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program in all of its 521 stores as a way to assist the American Red Cross, which has seen its Disaster Relief Fund depleted after an active year of disasters.
The Red Cross provided food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to the communities affected by the storms that battered Florida and the Gulf Coast during the past month. Similar efforts across the country have forced the Red Cross to launch a national drive to raise $100 million to keep the Disaster Relief Fund afloat.
Winn-Dixie customers will find “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” donation sheets available at all registers, where they can donate an amount between $0.50 and $500 directly to the American Red Cross. The cashier will scan the Neighbors Helping Neighbors donation sheet, which automatically adds the amount designated by the customer to the total bill.
“Our neighbors face a long and difficult recovery process, and we want to do everything we can to help them,” says Terry Grooms Derreberry, Winn-Dixie manager of corporate giving. “Our hearts go out to those who were impacted by these storms.”
The American Red Cross provides immediate response in more than 70,000 disasters each year through its Disaster Relief Fund. Disasters include fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and tornadoes. Contributions to the relief fund are used to provide food, shelter, counseling and other assistance to victims as needed.
The Winn-Dixie in the Bloomingdale Plaza at 179 Bloomingdale Ave. can be reached at 681-7337. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.

Soccer Program for Challenged Youth

Tamas Mondovics — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:48:03 +0000

Thanks to TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) many mentally and physically challenged youth in the Brandon area, from ages 5 years and up, will have the opportunity to be a part in a busy athletic season while playing soccer.
“The program is both social as well as athletic, designed for children and some young adults with disabilities the opportunity of learning the game and having some fun at the same time,” said TOPS local founder Ken Muzyk.
Muzyk explained that through the generosity and support of local businesses as well as organizations such as BAYSL (Brandon Area Youth Soccer League) TOPS, a national soccer program, will begin its tenth season this year on September 13, and will end on November 8, with a party as well as a trophy for each player.
As it was true in previous seasons the support of the community allows each player to be supplied with cleats, shin guards as well as uniforms at no cost while the program is carried out in a caring coaching environment.
According to Muzyk, TOPSoccer was designed not as a competitor to the programs run by other sports organizations for people with disabilities, but rather as a complementary program that works hand in hand with organizations like Special Olympics to expand the overall training and competition opportunities for young people with disabilities.
“This is an excellent program and it works well, which is why it has been able to exist for almost a decade. Muzyk said, adding, “We have on an average 120 athletes some of whom are in a wheelchair and many of them returning for the tenth time.”
While there are no practices during the week games are played on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at the J.C. Handley Park Soccer Complex, located at 3104 South Kings Avenue in Brandon.
The sports complex is also the location for registration which is scheduled for September 20. Each player is required to bring his or her birth certificate, Individual Education Plans (IEP), and a parent or guardian with photo I.D.
Volunteers are still needed to help with several parts of the TOPS program. For more information please visit www.brandonsoccer.comor call 657-5271.

Lake Community Tackles Cleanup Project

Kasie Anthony — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:52:08 +0000

Twin Lakes community residents are ready to reap the rewards of a one-year long pond cleaning project. Residents banded together last summer to achieve a year-long cleanup project which has had stunning results.

Lake Sterns is now trimmed and decorated with various aquatic plants, and residents will now tackle Lake Michaela’s overgrown infestation.

Paula Gaudio, a Twin Lakes resident who lives on Lake Sterns, initiated the cleanup.

With the desire to improve her community and to address the invasive species, Gaudio did research and contacted the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC).

She first gained approval from the Home Owners Association (HOA), informed and rallied other residents who came together and privately invested a total of $18-$20,000.

“The goal was to create a wildlife habitat and beautify the lake for everyone,” states Gaudio.

Michael Albrecht, a Twin Lakes resident of seven years, joined the project with hopes to gain back his view of Lake Sterns that he once had before the overgrowth.

Playing major roles in the project, Albrecht and his 12-year-old son, Spencer, continue to offer their time and skills to the project.

“It’s a great father/son effort that has helped make a difference in the environment, community and our own family,” says Albrecht.

He owes much of his motivation for the project to his enthusiastic son.

“There’s no better motivation as a dad when your son wants to spend time with you while working together on a project that so many other families can enjoy,” Albrecht says.

Through the cleanup, Albrecht and Tom Mack, another resident of Twin Lakes, discovered two small ponds by Lake Sterns.

More than 4,000 various aquatic plants and 35-40 trees surround the lake front, giving new shelter to wildlife.

Pleased with the success of the cleanup, residents are moving the process across the street to Lake Michaela, the central lake of the neighborhood.

“Now that we have the knowledge and experience, we feel it is the right thing to do to,” states Gaudio.

The Lake Michaela project began April 2008 and is projected to finish in July 2008. Investing around $24,000 into Lake Michaela, residents are seeing great change and coming together.

Both of the lake projects will continue to require maintenance that the HOA board is currently researching.

“It’s a very educational process, and it adds value back into everyone’s property, and, hopefully, everyone in the community can enjoy it for years to come,” states Albrecht.

For more information, go to http://www.tlbhoa.org/assessments.html.