Affordable housing built by local builder D.R. Horton
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. Read more
Disney Hollywood Studios American Idol Experience
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – With all the thrills and suspense that have made it a television and pop culture phenomenon, “American Idol” comes to Walt Disney World Resort in a groundbreaking new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Read more
Durant Athletes Give In A Big Way
With Durant High School Head Basketball Coach Jeffery Shotwell at the helm, athletes from the school’s basketball, track and field, soccer and cheerleading program were able take part in the holiday spirit of giving by helping those in need.
“It was good for these student athletes to get involved in community projects and experience the satisfaction of giving and helping those who are less fortunate,” Shotwell said as he explained that just before the holiday break the students were involved with a couple of fundraisers, including selling T-shirts, which resulted in raising $700.
The money was then given to Everyday Blessings — a foster home for children in Thonotosassa — in the form of a Walmart gift card.
“They need the money for everyday supplies such as baby wipes, diapers, kitchen items and laundry detergent,” Shotwell said.
According to Shotwell, the children at Everyday Blessings desperately need role models and people that they can consistently depend on in their lives. He believes that the Cougars’ athletic program has a number of students who will step to the plate and be the type of people who will fill those roles.
“Everyday Blessings restores hope for these kids, and it would be great for our athletes to be a part of that process,” Shotwell said.
After visiting Everyday Blessings, to deliver the Walmart gift card, Shotwell was deeply touched and hoped to get personally involved with the facility during the coming year, while he vowed to strongly encourage the Durant athletes to do the same.
“I literally wanted to scoop up all the babies that were there and bring them home with me,” he said. Being a new father himself, having an 8-month -old son, Shotwell was overwhelmed at how children can get into that type of situation.
But the giving this past holiday season did not end there, as the fundraising continued with the effort of the Cougars cheerleaders, who have raised just over $1,100. With that money, toys, books and games were bought and given to All Children’s Specialty Clinic in Brandon in order to help it furnish its playroom and to give the therapists new supplies to use with children in therapy.
“They gave us a wish list of items they needed, and we were able to get most everything on the list,” Shotwell said, adding, “My assistant coach, Brandon Waraksa, even donated his own Wii video gaming system to the clinic, along with some games.”
During an earlier interview, Shotwell explained that it is important for young athletes to appreciate that there is more to life than just sports and that being successful is much more than just winning on the court.
For more information about Durant High School, please visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Newland Communities Renames Lake Hutto To Circa FishHawk
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. Read more
Small Business Of The Year Winners Announced
The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 2008 Small Business of the Year Awards. The annual recognition gala, featuring a red carpet theme, was held in October at The Palmetto Club at FishHawk Ranch. Fifteen area businesses were recognized as finalists at the Chamber’s annual event, sponsored by Bank of Tampa – Brandon Division. Supporting sponsors include Alday Donalson Title, Hanna, Lemar & Morris, P.A., State Farm- Melissa Snively Agent, and The Brandon News & Tribune/ The Tampa Tribune. Dave Mishkin, radio voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was the celebrity emcee for the 2008 event. One winner from each of the five categories was announced. Each finalist and past recipients of this prestigious Chamber award were also honored and featured in a video presentation. Nominations were received from the 1,800-plus members of the Chamber and divided into categories based on the number of employees or type of business. Judges reviewed the applications and interviewed the candidates to determine the finalists. The judges made personal visits to the finalists’ places of business, to conclude the judging process and determine the five winners. Award categories include home based businesses, minority and woman owned businesses, businesses with one-five employees, six-15 employees and 16 or more employees. This year’s winners include: Home Based Business Black Diamond Associates, LLC Minority or Women Owned Business Brandon Montessori School at River Hills 1 to 5 Employees Huth & Booth – The Portrait Gallery 6 to 15 Employees i9 Sports Corporation 16 Plus Employees ServiceMaster 24 Hour For more information on this event, visit the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Website at www.brandonchamber.com or call Jamie Reid at 689-1221, ext. 43.
FREE Disney Admission On Your Birthday in 2009
“Spend your happiest day of the year at the happiest place on Earth,” says Disney World’s Website, referring to its Free Admission on Your Birthday promotion. Beginning in 2009, you can spend your birthday at Disney for free. Disney is also offering specials for first time visitors, reunions, honeymoons, anniversaries and more.
Dave Herbst, print managing editor for Disney Destinations/Walt Disney World Resort said, “We realized that many guests come to Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate several years ago when we introduced Magical Gatherings and, more specifically, Grand Gatherings (www.disneyworld.com/grandgatherings).”
“That initiative was launched because we became aware that a significant amount of our visitation was made up of groups beyond the single household – whether it was extended family, neighbors, classmates … any circumstances that forge lifelong associations and friendships,” he said. “In the process of making vacation arrangements for these larger groups, our vacation planners frequently learned that personal milestones and celebration occasions were the impetus for the vacation – anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and such.”
Online registration has already begun for the free admission and will continue through December 31, 2009.
You must be 18 years old or older to register your birthday. If you’re under age 18, you need to have an adult in your household register your birthday for you. And you don’t have to register online as long as you have valid identification, including date of birth, allowing you to take advantage of this birthday offer at the Walt Disney World will-call windows. The reason for registering your birthday online is to save you time. You won’t have to wait while you fill out the forms at the will-call windows.
If you’re age 18 or older, proper ID would be a driver’s license, state-issued or government-issued photo ID or a government-issued passport. If you are under age 18 and don’t have any of the above mentioned ID, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate is required.
For Florida residents, Herbst said, “Considering their relative proximity to Walt Disney World Resort, many Floridians may make a ‘Disney day’ of their birthday in 2009.”
Herbst said, “As guests plan their days or full-scale vacations at Walt Disney World Resort, there are many ways that they can tailor the experience to make it something very individual.”
Some of the ways to do this include a pre-ordered Disney birthday cake that can arrive at your table, decorated and personalized just for you.
Unfortunately, the free admission cannot be used the weekend before or after your birthday. It’s only good for free admission on the ticket holder’s birthday.
This offer is good for anyone over age 3. Children under 3 are not required to have an admission ticket to enter the theme parks.
And this offer is valid for all guests, regardless of their place of residency.
The free birthday ticket may be upgraded to another ticket type on your birthday. However the celebrant is responsible for the incremental cost, and the new ticket may only be used by the celebrant. In addition, the one day/one park ticket is good for 12 months (an option for select guests) and may not be upgraded.
For more information or to register your birthday, visit www.disneyparks.com.
