Osprey Observer » FishHawk – Bloomingdale

Gang Awareness Seminar Ensures Area Incidents Stay Isolated

Tamas Mondovics — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:27:32 +0000

Following a recent gang-related incident on the trails of FishHawk, where some local resident were assaulted by known gang members, Newsome High School, in conjunction with the Hillsborough County gang task force, opened its auditorium to hold its first-ever gang awareness seminar last month.
Opening the meeting, which mainly targeted local students in hopes of providing them with information, FishHawk resident and school Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) President Debbie Edwards welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for supporting area high school and middle school resource officers, all who are on the forefront in keeping an eye on local gang activity and are well-supplied to provide parents, teachers and students information pertaining to and dealing with gang-related issues at local schools and in the community.
“I think our schools’ resource officers are doing a great job keeping this problem, so common in many neighborhoods, under control,” Edwards said.
Commenting on the effectiveness of the seminar and preparation on the part of the deputies, Edwards added, “The presentation and the wealth of useful information for both parents as well as students was outstanding.”
While Newsome High School Resource Officer Mike Alonso shared some information about ways to identify a gang or a gang member, deputies from area schools – including FishHawk, Riverview and Plant City – one-by-one provided a PowerPoint presentation pertaining to what is a gang, why do young people join a gang, what can parents and local residents look for to identify gang members and gang-related activity.
“Make no mistake about it, gangs are real,” Alonso said. “This is an important issue. There are 170 active gangs in Hillsborough County, with 3,200 certified members, many of them supplied with an arsenal of fire arms,” Alonso said.
Of course, there was no shortage of good advice from the experienced officers, including a number of detectives present from the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office’s Gang Unit.
“Keep your children busy instead of letting them hang out at Park Square with nothing to do,” Alonso said, adding, “There is nothing wrong with hanging out but having nothing to do can easily result in criminal activity.”
Riverview High School Resource Officer and FishHawk resident Tommy Shannon advised parents when he said, “Make your home a place of refuge and not a battle zone,” adding, “I do not see much gang activity in FishHawk but do not be misled, it does reach all races and economic levels.”
Tomlin Middle School Resource Officer Victor Vasquez, who emphasized that gang activity is very common even in middle schools, talked extensively about the difference between tagging and graffiti and how residents can deal with the issue.
“Work with local law enforcement and take back your neighborhood and community,” Vasquez said.
All law enforcement personnel present during the seminar were unanimous about the fact that gang awareness meetings will continue to be a part of the effort to control area gangs and gang activity.
“Communities must come together,” said detective Mark Wilder, of the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office’s Gang Unit. “These meetings help each member of the community to pay attention to and report signs of gang activity and to be aware of gang related signs, behavior in our children and the steps everyone can take to control and, ultimately, eradicate gangs and gang-related criminal activity.”
For more information about gangs or to report gang activity, residents are encouraged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Tampa Bay Area Gang Hotline at (877) 426-4688 (Gang Out). Students are also encouraged to report gang activity to their school resource officer, which can be done anonymously.

Community Reaches Out To One Of Its Own

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

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

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

Affordable housing built by local builder D.R. Horton

Jennifer Silverstein — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:59:32 +0000

There’s an old adage in the real estate business: “What are the three most important things in real estate? Location, location, location.”
D.R. Horton realizes that many things are important to homebuyers in addition to location. For 30 years, D.R. Horton’s homes have been designed and built with a focus on quality and value, and it is now offering that quality and value to customers in the FishHawk and Riverview areas.
What else should you consider as you are selecting your new home? Vice President of Sales and Marketing for D.R. Horton’s Tampa divison Darren Saltzberg said, “We believe the financial strength of the homebuilding company is an important consideration, especially in today’s uncertain economic environment.”
“In the 30 years since D.R. Horton was founded in 1978, we have delivered more than 385,000 homes to our homebuyers,” Saltzberg said, adding, “for each of the past 7 years, we have delivered more homes to our customers than any other homebuilder in the United States.”
D.R. Horton’s trademark “Manor” town homes are available in Kinglet Ridge at FishHawk Ranch. The Santa Barbara is a one-story, approximately1, 200 sq. ft. townhome with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a one-car garage. The Catalina is a two-story, approximately 1,481 sq. ft. townhome complete with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a two-car garage. The Santa Cruz is also a two-story townhome, with three bedrooms and two-and-a –half bathrooms and a two-car garage. Its sq. footage is approximately 1,635 sq. ft. All of these townhomes are model homes. The Santa Barbara is available from the upper $120s, the Catalina from the upper $140s and the Santa Cruz from the upper $150s.
D.R. Horton also has three floor plans available in the Riverview area at Eagle Palms: The Preserve North. The first is called the Concord, priced from the low $100s- this plan is an approximately 1,017 sq. ft. home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a one-car attached garage. It is a one-story plan. The second plan for this community is the Newport; priced from the upper $120s this plan includes two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a one-car garage. This two-story model is 1,183 sq. ft. The last model available in Eagle Palms: The Preserve North is the Pasadena. Priced from the upper $130s, this plan provides an approximately 1,580 sq. ft. townhome with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a one-car garage. This is a two-story model.
Recently, Jonathan Torres purchased a townhome in Eagle Palms. He and his fiancé moved to the Riverview area from Miami and Torres, being a first time homebuyer, said that D.R. Horton made the process as easy as possible.”I always had access to see the home while it was under construction,” he said.
“The home is great,” Torres said. “I haven’t had to have anyone come out for repairs since I closed.” He said that D.R. Horton is consistently making an effort to back up its quality and service.
Torres said the townhomes are so different than any others he’s ever seen. “When you look at the buildings, they look like single family homes,” he said.
Kinglet Ridge at FishHawk Ranch and Eagle Palms: The Preserve North are both communities offering townhomes with garages. For more information on Kinglet Ridge, call 689-4600. For information on Eagle Palms: The Preserve North, call 234-9530.
The Tampa D.R. Horton office is located at 14055 Riveredge Dr. Ste. 200 in the Hidden River Corporate Center III. For more information, visit tpa.drhorton.com or call 549-1935.

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.

FishHawk Business Column September 2008

Kate Quesada — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:02:07 +0000

Arby’s coming to FishHawk Corridor

Arby’s has a new location under construction in front of the Tire’s Choice on FishHawk Blvd. The project is being built by Titan Development.

New Mailbox Store in FishHawk
FishHawk area residents now have a new option for all their shipping needs. The Postal Shop opened last month at 5668 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in the Publix at FishHawk Plaza offering shipping through FedEx, DHL, UPS and the United States Postal Service and other services, including key cutting, passport photographs, photocopies and a notary.
Owner Tim Kronenwetter, an Apollo Beach resident, adds, “We also carry a lot of neat retail items and offer gift wrapping.”
In addition, the store has high speed Internet and computer time rental, mail forwarding and fax services.
Kronenwetter is looking forward to the store becoming an important part of the FishHawk community. “It is a great area that continues to grow,” he says. “Everyone I have met has been so pleasant.”
For more information, call the store at 661-5668 or e-mail postalshop@verizon.net. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

New Vet and More in Plaza
“Our Shopping Center at FishHawk Blvd. and Osprey Ridge Dr. has opened to much success,” says Barclay Group Leasing Agent Matt Fuller.
According to Fuller, an animal clinic will join the current tenants, which include All Stars Italian American Grill, Exit Realty, After Image Salon, Tippy Toes Nails and Spa and DaSilva’s Coffee, this month.
Paw Prints Animal Clinic is currently under construction in the plaza and is scheduled to open soon with veterinarian care.
“We still have three small spaces available, each approximately 1,500 sq. ft.,” says Fuller.
For further leasing information, contact Fuller at 727-733-7585, ext. 324.

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 Stein-Mart-anchored Lithia Crossings Plaza making 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 outgoing 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.

Dog Gone Holistic Events
On September 6, Dog Gone Holistic, located at 5620 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia, will hold a Cat Call Adoption Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Also on September 27, the business will offer a Holistic Pet Nutrition Seminar held by Dr. Frances (Lea) E. Baker, DVM. It is a two-hour, free seminar from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. It is free to attendees with a minimum donation of $10 for a local pet rescue group to secure a seat. Sign-up and donation suggested.
Please call 651-0842 or visit www.doggoneholistic.biz for more information.

Victoria’s Hosts Open House
School of Dance Holds Open House Victoria’s School of Dance, now located at 11958 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, will hold its Open House on September 20, Saturday, 1-4 p.m. within the Boyette Executive Center. Entertainment will be provided by the Spectrum Dance Team. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be for sale with 50 percent of food sales being donated to an organization still to be chosen. For more information, call 661-1172 or visit www.VSOD.net.

Park Square Holds Wine Fest
Park Square Cellar, located at 16132 Churchview Dr. in Lithia, is holding its Third Annual Fall Wine Fest through Friday, September 12, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, September 13, from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday, September 14, from 1-6 p.m. There will be live entertainment, light hors d’oeuvres from Fireside Grille, complimentary wine tasting featuring over 100 wines and more.
For more information, call 689-4560 or visit www.parksquarecellar.com.

Chick-fil-A Offers a Night Out with the Family
The newly revamped Chick-fil-A of Lake Brandon Village, located at 11325 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon, will continue to host “Kid’s Eat Free” nights on Tuesday nights from 5-10 p.m. with the purchase of a combo meal. There are activities for children from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with local businesses providing activities every second Tuesday of the month. Starting Thursday, September 4, from 5-8 p.m. the restaurant will also be offering monthly themed nights for children and their parents kicking off with an “Under the Sea” theme. There will be free face painting Diane’s Funny Faces as well as giveaways. Also, children can partake of free mermaid cake and bubbles and are encouraged to dress for the theme. A “Princess and Pirate” theme night is scheduled for Thursday, October 16.
For more information, call 655-1237 or visit www.chick-fil-a.com/lakebrandonvillage.

Carvel Hosts National Customer Appreciation Day
In May, Carvel successfully launched its new frozen beverage line with a Happy Hour event which resulted in locations system-wide giving away over 97,000 Arctic Blenders and Blended Coffees. The company had a very successful summer and has no one other to thank but its loyal guests. For that, Carvel is saying thank you by throwing a Nation-wide Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 20, from 12 Noon–5 p.m. Every guest that comes into the store within this time frame can purchase a small soft serve ice cream cone for $0.59. This is close to an 80 percent savings off the regular price. Additionally, every guest that comes in will receive a free Lil’ Rounder novelty.
Carvel, located at 117 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon, can be contacted at 571-7841.

Curves Holds Open House
Residents are invited to come out to Curves’ Lithia location on Saturday, September 6, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to see what the women’s fitness center has to offer.
In addition to special offers, entertainment and products from local vendors, a special sign-up discount of 66 percent will be offered to anyone who signs up for one year during the open house.
Curves of Lithia is located at 5618 FishHawk Crossing Blvd., in the Publix at FishHawk plaza. Owner Nancy Marc, RN, MSN, can be reached at 413-8500 for additional information.

Avena Celebrates Anniversary
On Friday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m., residents are invited to celebrate one year of success for Avena Hair Studio with a Silpada Jewelry party.
The celebration, which will be held at the salon, located in the River Hills Plaza at 4379 Lynx Paw Trl., will also feature refreshments, including cheese and wine, raffles and an opportunity for residents to become familiar with the salon and everything it has to offer.
For more information, call the salon at 655-6404.

Storage Facility Opens
Crosstown Stor-N-More Self Storage, LLC, a family owned and operated company, opened its doors in July to a brand new, seven-acre facility housing more than 750 units. In business for more than eight years in other areas, Stor-N-More is excited to open its newest location in Brandon.
Climate controlled and non-climate controlled units, a state-of-the-art security system and RV and boat parking are just a few of the many amenities and services offered. Free truck usage is included with all move-ins.
Stor-N-More is located at 1505 U.S. Hwy. 301 S., just one block north of the Crosstown Expressway. Hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
For more information, call 627-8559.

New Office Suites Available
Crosstown Executive Suites at Stor-N-More, located at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 301 and the Crosstown Expressway, is open with great locations to operate your business.
With furnished or unfurnished offices available, flexible lease terms and full administrative and receptionist services are available.
“Whether you need a permanent office space or just a place to meet with clients, we can suit your business needs and your budget,” says representative Erin Williams.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Williams at 626-0673.

Cruise On A Budget
FishHawk resident Dan Rondeau wants to help you have the vacation of your dreams this year. Rondeau recently opened www.1CheapCruise.com, a Website dedicated to finding the best deals on cruise vacations.
“My company is challenging the big boys in the online cruise market,” says Rondeau. “I cater to the cruise passenger that knows exactly what they want and reward them for their experience.”
Rondeau, who has more than 21 years of experience in the travel business, negotiates every sale for the customer and saves them time and money.
For more information, call 651-9727 or e-mail sales@1cheapcruise.com.

TechPlayZone Hosts Imagine Tomorrow
TechPlayZone, a popular science and technology center for children located on Boyette Rd., is joining forces with Imagine Tomorrow to offer an eight-week session of classes for children starting Monday, September 8.
Imagine Tomorrow is a nationally recognized curriculum established in 1991 offering classes to students ages 2-7 years, aimed at expanding their understanding of sophisticated technology in a fun manner.
“Every class brings new experiences designed to teach young students how to think creatively, express their ideas and apply the skills they are learning to solve problems and accomplish their goals,” says Brandi Hopper, Imagine Tomorrow representative. “This unique approach takes fundamental literacy concepts and brings them to life for children by immersing them in a story where they get to become the main character.”
According to Hopper, every class combines interactive video and software in a proprietary format that allows children to work at their own pace in a group setting.
“Created to incorporate core literacy and technology concepts, this program is designed to prepare all young children with the skills necessary to succeed in their future,” she adds.
For more information, contact Hopper at 404-1811 or e-mail puterbugs2@yahoo.com. For more information on TechPlayZone, visit www.techplayzone.com.

Resident Installs Solar Screens
A trip to visit his sister in New Mexico brought about a new way of life for FishHawk resident Kevin Sanders. After noticing the solar shields on his sister’s windows and how they helped save her money on air conditioning and heating bills, Sanders decided to bring the concept to the Brandon area and opened SUN BLOCK Screens of Florida, LLC.
According to Sanders, the screens block up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat before it hits the glass, reducing the interior room temperature up to 15 degrees and can also cut air conditioning bills by up to 50 percent.
“During the daytime, your neighbors cannot see into your house, but you can see out. The screens actually allow 75-80 percent of the natural light into the room so you do not have to close your blinds or curtains during the day; but at night your neighbors can see in, so make sure you keep your blinds for nighttime privacy,” says Sanders, who runs the company with his son Shaun.
For more information and a free estimate, call 690-4637 or visit www.sunblockscreens.com.

Salon Thanks Clients and Offers New Services
Ambiance Salon and Spa is hosting its annual Customer Appreciation Party and Open House on Friday, September 12, from 4–8 p.m.
According to owner Inna Konyayeva, residents are invited to the spa, located in FishHawk Ranch’s Park Square, to meet the staff and sample exciting new products and services which include Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatments and cupping massage, a modern adaption of the ancient art of Chinese cupping therapy.
“Guests will enjoy complimentary hair styling and consultations, nail treatments, skin evaluations, microdermabrasion skin treatment samplings, chair massages, mineral makeup makeovers and much more, says Konyayeva. “It is a wonderful opportunity for Ambiance Salon and Spa to open its doors to new guests as well as to give back and thank their clients for continuous support.”
The event will also feature wine, hors d’oeuvres, prizes and product samples.
For more information, call 657-6000 or visit the salon at 16132 Churchview Dr.

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 such as hair color, perms, relaxing techniques and hair extensions and spa services which include 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 661-1414.

New Team Member and More at Integrative Health Solutions
The summer brought some exciting changes to Integrative Health Solutions, formally Family Care Chiropractic, located in the River Hills Plaza.
“We changed the name to reflect the fact that chiropractic is just a component of the evidence-based, non-surgical health care services that we offer,” says Practice Director Dr. Nicholas Cammarata. “Other services offered include massage therapy, soft-tissue mobilization, rehabilitation and nutritional counseling. In our experience, we have found that integrating these approaches often creates a synergy that leads to better results.”
“We have also brought in an exciting, new, FDA-approved technology for pain relief: Class IV laser therapy,” says Nicholas. “It is fast and painless, and it has applications for many different musculoskeletal conditions.”
In addition, Dr. Andrea Cammarata, Nicholas’ wife, recently joined the staff, having graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida in 2006. As a native of Valrico, she hoped to return to the area and offer this healing art to her hometown community. Now she is able to do just that, treating patients on Monday and Wednesday afternoons by appointment.
Mother to 19-month-old daughter Mia, Andrea treats all ages, and she especially enjoys working with pregnant moms who need natural forms of pain relief.
Hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.–12 Noon and 3–8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.–12 Noon and 3–6 p.m. and Saturday, by appointment.
For more information, visit the office at 4341 Lynx Paw Dr., the Website at www.integrate4health.com or call 868-1138.

Center Has Entertainment for the Whole Family
Looking for a fun location for a family outing? K Breeze Indoor Putt Putt opened recently on Bloomingdale Ave., offering a Playstation 3 gaming center in addition to an 18-hole miniature golf course.
Owned by John Tierney, the center is available for birthday parties in a private room, with three different packages available, and offers drinks and light refreshments.
Children under 3 years play for free.
K Breeze Indoor Putt Putt is located at 815 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, 12 Noon-6 p.m. Call 315-9813 for more information.

Free Listings Available
EZ Choice MLS is now offering a free MLS listing for all FishHawk residents. The listing will be good for 90 days with the promotion ending September 30.
Go to www.ezchoicemls.com and use promo code 150pC upon checkout for your free listing, or you can contact EZ Choice MLS at 653-9676 or info@ezchoicemls.com with any questions.

Around Town

Marie Gilmore — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:26:02 +0000

Sweetbay Offers Cooking Classes
Sweetbay is now offering the “Taste the Passion Cooking Class” every second Saturday of every month from 1-2 p.m. Call 643-5564 or see the store, located at 16751 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia, for more details.

Companies Unite
TRW and Associates, Inc. of Tampa is pleased to announce that it recently signed a five year, multi-million dollar agreement with Gramercy Capital Corporation (NYSE: GKK) to provide the company with project management, consulting and facilities management on all building and construction projects all while helping it conserve energy and waste. The scope of work includes overseeing approximately 11 million sq. ft. for 900 banking facilities, including branch locations for Bank of America, Wachovia and Fifth Third banks. The joint venture is slated to begin in July and marks one of TRW’s largest contracts in company history. TRW has been mindful of the environment and dedicated to “green” service since its conception in 2003.

Concert Series Continues into August
Summer is far from over, so gather up your beach blankets, chairs, friends and neighbors every Friday night through August to catch FishHawk’s Annual Summer Concert Series with performances on: August 1 featuring The GoDaddies, a current rock and dance band with just the right amount of classics thrown in. The GoDaddies possess a wide range sound with three part harmonies and a song list to be enjoyed by all; on August 8, Crystal Blue, a four-piece band that features four lead vocalists, all with distinctive styles, returns to center stage to rock out the park; on August 15, Yesterdayz, a 60s tribute band, will take residents back to the decade of peace, love and rock and roll with the popular sounds of the 1960s; on August 22, Disco Inferno, a 70s tribute band, will surely have you grooving and moving to some of the best disco songs of all time; on August 29, Revenge of the Spazmatics makes its first appearance, center stage, with popular hits from the 1980s. The Summer Concert Series is free and open to the public being held at Park Square at FishHawk Ranch, located at 16144 Churchview Dr. in Lithia, every Friday night through August beginning at 7 p.m. For additional information on scheduled performances, please visit www.fishhawkconnect.com or call 654-6360.

Village Players Perform
The Village Players present Noises Off, the brilliant, award-winning comedy by Michael Frayne. It will take place at the James McCabe Theater, located at 506 5th St. in Valrico, on August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 with all proceeds benefiting the restoration of the theater as well as future community events and programs. For more information, call 657-1834 or visit www.villageplayers.scriptmania.com.

Resident Donates Locks to Charity
Lauren Crisp, recent graduate of Newsome High School, has been letting her hair grow this last year to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. This charity uses donated hair to make wigs for women affected by cancer. Stylist Leah Almeida of Studio Tripp, located at 4340 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia Plaza, cut Crisp’s hair for the donation.

Walk Against Pediatric Cancer
The Cure Kids Cancer Challenge will be taking place on Saturday, September 13, at Park Square in FishHawk Ranch. Residents are encouraged to register at 7:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start, choosing from the 5K Walk/Fun-Run or the One Mile Family Walk. There will be food, festivities and family fun. The event is open to the public with a $25 per entrant fee or a cost of $100 per team, up to six participants. To register, visit fastercure.org or call 269-0955 with any questions.

Palmetto Club to Host Luau
The Palmetto Club at FishHawk Ranch, located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in Lithia, will be hosting the Tropical Island Luau on Friday, September 5, from 7-11 p.m. Tickets, costing $15 each, are to go on sale August 11. There will be hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and entertainment. For more information, contact the Osprey Club at 657-6629.

Residents Clean-up Buckhorn County Park
For five hot hours in July, 47 adults and children of the Buckhorn and Buckhorn Preserve subdivisions in Valrico volunteered their time to help clean-up the Buckhorn County Park. The joint effort was organized by the Buckhorn Homeowners Association and Buckhorn Preserve Homeowners Association. Buckhorn Park is a small eight-acre park that features a jogging trail, playground equipment, basketball court and green area. The volunteers pulled weeds, picked up trash and broken glass, sifted small debris from the playground sand, weed-wacked the fence and other areas, edged, spread two large pallets of mulch, cut tree limbs and mowed some of the areas. Jeff Mauch of the Hillsborough County Parks Department arranged to supply the mulch for the work. The volunteers celebrated their work by socializing during a hot dog barbecue picnic at 12 Noon on the work day. For more information, contact Ken Nailling, chairman of Buckhorn HOA’s Park & Security Committee, at 684-9688.

Auxiliary Donates $8,000 to Clinic
The Brandon Regional Hospital Auxiliary has contributed over $8,000 to the Dover Health Clinic, located at 14254 S.R. 574 in Dover, since 2000, prior to it being renamed after former Senator Tom Lee. The auxiliary has supported the Greater Brandon Community with over $750,000 in total scholarships and donations since its inception for over 31 years. The auxiliary’s main fundraising vehicle is through the two hospital gift shops, which the volunteers staff and purchase merchandise for throughout the year.

Help Stuff the Bus
The Kiwanis Clubs of Brandon and Sun City kicked off their first “Stuff the Bus” campaign today by delivering boxes to area businesses for the collection of school supplies. On August 7 from 7-8:30 a.m. residents are welcome to visit Kmart, located at 1602 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, to help fill an entire bus with school supplies which will be allocated to schools within the Brandon and South Shore areas. Drop boxes will also be located at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, the Sun City Chamber of Commerce, Kmart, Music Showcase and Beef O’Brady’s in the local area (Call for drop point verification). For more information, visit www.brandonkiwanis.org.

GFWC Announces Scrapbooking Event
The GFWC Brandon Jr. Woman’s Club will be holding Santa in September Scrapbooking Croportunity to benefit its annual Children’s Holiday Party for underprivileged children in the Brandon area. The event will take place on September 20 at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located at 3315 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The cost will be $25 which will include lunch, scrap space, snacks, a goodie bag and more. Vendors will be on hand along with classes and raffles. Any business who would like to donate a raffle prize will be advertised the day of the event. To register or donate an item, please contact Becky Goble at agoble@aol.com or 651-9333.

Leadership Brandon Alumni Night
On August 15, from 6:30-11:30 p.m. the Leadership Brandon Alumni Ninth Annual Casino Night will be held at the Palmetto Club located in FishHawk Ranch at 17004 Dorman Rd. in Lithia. Tickets are on sale for $30. For more information, call Aubrey Primrose at 244-5525 or by e-mail at aprimrose@sptimes.com or call Miranda Avecillas at 765-1021 or by e-mail at Miranda.avecillas@wachovia.com.

Local Troop Visits New Mexico
In June, Troop 610 of Lithia visited Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. According to Troop Leader Peter Williams, Philmont has enormous mountains, the likes of which never seen in Florida. There are towering pines and thick copses of aspens, trickling streams, and a brilliant blue sky. Out at Philmont, one can see the stars undiluted by any city lights, shining in all their glory. On Mount Baldy’s peak, which is 12,441 feet above sea level, one can see the entire camp in its glory, stretching out in thick forests and diamond sheets of water. Along with the view from Baldy, the troop hiked about 80 miles in 11 days, usually gaining about 200 feet of elevation every day. Most days, while hiking, the troop would have Philmont programming, which entailed tomahawk throwing, branding, lassoing, tree climbing, a challenge course including a line of tire swings and a climbing wall, rock climbing, repelling and horseback riding. The troop saw the top of Tooth of Time, deep valleys, babbling streams, and many incredible animals. There were bears, rattlesnakes, chipmunks, mule deer and mountain lions. Then there was Felipe Alajandro Cortez. Felipe was the troop’s burro for three days, but it seemed much longer. He never really wanted his saddle, so he was prone to take off down the road. He also dragged two of his handlers in his sprints and kicked three people. One day at a staff camp, a kitten spooked him, causing him to chase the entire staff onto their porch. Overall, the troop found Felipe to be a lovely addition to the group. The group delighted in the exquisite adventure it took part in. For more information, visit www.troop610.net.

Girl Scouts Promotes New Program
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida assumed the lead role for the Florida Girls Collaborative Project (FGCP), a project that informs and motivates girls and young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields. The FGCP offers a number of resources for collaborating partners to implement STEM programs for girls and young women across the state and brings together leading organizations to share resources and collaborate on future STEM projects. This year, the FGCP will host its annual conference at the University of Central Florida’s Student Union in Orlando. The conference, held on Friday, October 10, will bring together lead organizations from across the state to learn more about mini-grant funding, successful STEM projects, evaluation methods and networking. To find out more, contact GSWCF Director of Program Services Amy Foster at afoster@gswcf.org or (800) 881-4475, ext. 210 or at 262-1764. Those interested in learning more about the programs can visit www.ngcproject.org/directory.

League Unveils Fall Season
The FishHawk Youth Baseball League will host a fall baseball season at the new FishHawk Sports Complex from September 2-November 22. Registration will be held at the complex’s concession building on Saturday, August 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, August 21, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for the FishHawk Youth Baseball League as well as the Miss Tampa Bay Softball League. On Wednesday, August 27, from 6-9 p.m. only registration for baseball will be held. The fees are $65 for T-Ball, $85 for Rookie/Minor Divisions and $105 for Major/Junior Divisions (with paid umpire). The team will have a football friendly schedule. For more information, please log onto www.fishhawksports.org or e-mail vintille@aol.com.

Rookies Holds Tryouts
Rookies Academy will be holding tryouts for boys ages 8-14 for the Seminoles AAU Baseball Teams. Tryouts will begin on Saturday, August 2. The team is located in the Brandon area. Also, Rookies Academy will start taking registration for after-school programs starting at the beginning of the new school year. It will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. If interested, please call 857-2847 for times and place. For more information, visit www.rookies-bsa.com.

BSAC Offers Free VPK
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center Academy of Early Learning, located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, is offering free VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten). All children who turn age 4 by September 1, 2008 are eligible. The VPK program at the BSAC Academy of Early Learning addresses all aspects of your child’s cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development. It has four available options to suit your family’ busy schedule: 8-9 a.m.-Early Drop off; 9 a.m.–12 Noon-VPK; 12 Noon–2:30 pm-Lunch & Longer; and 2:30–6:30 p.m.-All Stars Program. Or choose all four. Space is limited, so register today. Contact Kim Dearth at 689-0908 or at kdearth@mybsac.org for more information.

Dinner & a Show at Little Harbor
Death Bemoans Her will be performed on Thursday, August 7, from 6-10 p.m. at The Resort and Club at Little Harbor located at 611 Destiny Dr. in Ruskin. The cost is $50 per person which includes dinner and drinks. Get your team together and solve the mystery of the murder at the special meeting of the Gazillionaire Girls Group. Proceeds from this event go to the Ruskin Honorary Mayor Campaign of Mary Ann Wilhelm, president of Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning. Charities benefiting from this campaign are the Scholarship Fund of the SouthShore Charter Chapter ABWA and Deputy’s Darlin’s. For more information, call 645-3291.

Young Writer’s Workshop Announced
A fun, fabulous and free workshop for aspiring writers ages 11-18 is offered by creative writing instructor and author of nine books, Debora M. Coty. Come and laugh while you learn. The Young Writer’s Workshop will be from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon on Saturday, August 9 at the Brandon Barnes & Noble bookstore in Brandon. For more information, call 681-7516 or e-mail dcoty@earthlink.net.

Paint at Center Place
Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon, is offering the Art of Acrylic Painting with instructor Harvey Berman. Beginners, intermediate and advanced students will be introduced to the application of color by the use of palette knifes, brushes and the methods of glazing. Subject matter will be either by instructors’ choice or students’ preference. Subject matter can be either landscapes, still life or seascapes. Students will also be introduced to the basics of painting portraits as the sessions progress. The supply list will be provided. The class runs through August 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The fee for members is $40 while non-members pay $50. Another class will run through September 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 1-3 p.m. The fee for members is $40 while non-members pay $50. For more information, call 685-8888.

Boating Safety and Seamanship Course
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 of Brandon, located at 3006 S. Kings Ave. in front of J.C. Handley Park, will be offering a Boating Safety and Seaman (BS&S) course in the Brandon area designed to help the new and average boater improve on their skills and knowledge to be a safer recreational boater. The BS&S course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Lab Administrators. Successfully completing the course with a passing grade qualifies the participant to become eligible for a state issued boating education ID card. Many insurance companies offer boat insurance discounts. The fee is $50 (and only $45 for each additional family member) which includes materials. The presentation will be held Monday evenings from 7-9 p.m. beginning August 11 for nine weeks, not including Labor Day. To pre-register, call 1-800-704-4216 or go to www.cgaux74.org. The Flotilla also offers free Vessel Safety Checks the first and third Saturdays of every month at Williams Park in Riverview at the boat ramp on the Alafia River. For information, contact Robert Lowry at 685-3130.

BSAC Offers New Program
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center will kick off its new Kaleidoscope Home School Program with an open house on Tuesday, August 5 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon and from 5-7 p.m. Home school parents and children will have an opportunity to tour the facility and meet program coaches. The program begins Tuesday, September 2 and runs from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. Registered students will experience swimming, diving, gymnastics, martial arts, self defense, tennis, track and field and arts and crafts. The first session ends December 9, and all students will receive a certificate of completion for their home school portfolios. For more information, please call 689-0908.

Chiari Walk Hits Close to Home for Resident

Carisa Biesecker — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:12:38 +0000

Affecting over 300,000 people nationwide, Chiari malformation is one disorder that is gaining interest which is why Dover resident Vonda Maxwell has decided to take the word to the streets, hosting the Conquer Chiari Walk Across America in Lithia.

Taking place on Saturday, September 20, with registration beginning at 8 a.m., the walk will start at the FishHawk Sweetbay located at 16751 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia at 9 a.m. From there, participants will walk a total of four miles along the bike paths in FishHawk, arriving at FishHawk Fellowship for free water and then returning to Sweetbay.

Chiari malformation, which can be detected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), occurs when the cerebellum descends from the base of the skull, causing pressure to one’s spine. Due to this, its victims can have dizziness, migraine-like headaches, neck pain, severe weakness in one’s extremities and respiratory issues. It can also lead to a disruption in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, creating fluid-filled cysts on the spine known as syringomyelia. These cysts can cause nerve damage and even paralysis.

Maxwell, along with her mother and three daughters – Bryanna, 10, Mckenzie, 8, and Gabriel, 7 – suffers from the neurological disorder, with two of her daughters having syringomyelia as well. “It is very personal to me,” comments Maxwell. “I had a desire to do something,” she says which is how the walk came to fruition here in FishHawk. “This is the first year for the walk, and its goal is to span 50 states,” having been originated by the C&S Patient Education Foundation, also known as Conquer Chiari, a nonprofit organization formed in 2004 which is aimed at providing funding for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.

“Although Chiari is not well-known, it affects about the same number of people as MS [multiple sclerosis] in a similar way. It is our hope that an increased awareness of Chiari will help people when they are diagnosed. Also, there is not much research on Chiari which, of course, we would like to change,” states founder and Executive Director Rick Labuda who says the walk has already landed 20 sites across America with hopes of thousands joining the ranks of walkers.

Residents are invited to take part in the walk with a minimum donation of $20. Those who pre-register online before August 15 and include a $20 donation will receive a T-shirt. There is a need for walkers, walker sponsors and corporate sponsors for the event. Maxwell is hoping for 100 walkers as well as to raise over $1,000 for the cause that touches so close to home for her and her family.

For more information, call Maxwell at 393-9012, her sister Nancy at 393-8333 or Carey at 393-8570. If you are unable to participate in the walk and would like to contribute to the effort, log onto www.conquerchiari.org, clicking on the “Conquer Chiari Walk Across America: Sept. 20, 2008” icon and then the “Online Sponsor Donation” icon, entering information for the Lithia, Florida walk. This site also provides patient information as well as a bi-monthly newsletter on current Chiari research.