Osprey Observer » Summerfield

Riverview Names Businesses of the Year

Marie Gilmore — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:20:23 +0000

Riverview business owners had a lot to celebrate during The Greater Riverview Chamber Annual Membership and Award Dinner held at the International Independent Showmen’s Association in Riverview. In addition to passing the gavel to 2009 Chamber President Jill Andrew, the chamber announced its new Honorary Mayor, wished former Executive Director Kitty Cunningham well in her retirement and named the Riverview Citizen of the Year.
“This chamber has the biggest heart and this is the hardest decision I ever had to make,” said Cunningham who accepted an honorary chamber membership and a Summerfield Crossings Golf & Country Club membership and is retiring to spend quality time with her grandchildren.
Billie Gordon, 2008 Chamber president, said, “We had a few trying times with the economy, but we made it. The board will do us justice for next year.”
“We currently have 405 members in good standing,” said Gordon. “We have been adding eight to nine new members per month which is not bad at all.”
The Riverview Chamber Awards Included:
The Business of the Year: DeForest Brown of Brown Comfort Systems Air Conditioning Business Person of the Year: Walt Vickers, St. Law Pest Control.
“I take care of people first, business second and my business is thriving,” said Vickers.
Ambassador of the Year Joe Eletto with Pure 4 You., Inc., said, “I look forward to making some great changes and do what we can do to help those business patrons.”
Margy Watkins Volunteer of the Year, Donna Fore with P.F. Auto Glass.
The Riverview Citizen of the Year was named as Jim Johnson, representing Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, who credits a supportive employer for his community involvement. “One of the best blessings I have is working for a company that encourages community involvement,” said Johnson who also credited his wife for her support.
Riverview Honorary Mayor 2008 Mike Wick introduced the two 2009 Riverview Honorary Mayor candidates: Aaron Fredricks of East Coast Pizza and Christa Jerome of New York Life Insurance. Though a close race and with more than $15,900 raised, Fredricks was announced the winner. The Honorary Mayor of Riverview is an honorary designation for business owners who raise the most amount of money for charity in a designated time. Fredricks donations will benefit the Bloomingdale Library Attack Victim Special Needs Trust whose recipient is currently continuing the road to recovery at home while Jerome benefited the Boys & Girls Club of Riverview.
“The charity wins here,” said Jerome. “Thank you all for donating.”
In addition to saying goodbye to Cunningham, the Riverview Chamber welcomed its new Executive Director Tanya Doran.
The evening ended with the Installation of Andrew and the 2009 Board of Directors including Ed Booth, president-elect, Sherri Walker, treasurer, Billie Gordon past president, Annette Bilyeu, Jeanne Bush, Joe Eletto, Ryan Esto, Donna Fore, Jim Johnson, Dr. Earl Lennard, Diana Niles, Carol Todd and Bert Wallin.
Food was offered by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and served by Oakfield Café and Catering, and desserts were created by Superior Residences of Brandon Memory Care.
Sponsors included Mosaic, TECO, Superior Residences, South Bay Hospital, East Coast Pizza, SunTrust Bank and Valrico State Bank.
For more information, events and activities for the Riverview Chamber, visit www.riverviewchamber.com.

Eye on Business Riverview December

Kate Quesada — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:50:12 +0000

Playmania Adds New Programs
PlayMania, a family owned indoor children’s play and learning center, offering a series of parent-child programs devoted to the physical, emotional and social development of children including open play and classes children from birth to age six, recently added new programs including a dance class, toddler and preschool music and ornament making.
Visit www.playmaniatampa.com or call 649-8919 for more information.

Florist Celebrates New Location
Formerly Apollo Beach Flowers, Riverview Florist opened recently at 9405 U.S. Hwy. 301 S., at the intersection with Gibsonton Rd., in Riverview. Owned by Rick and Jan Crosby, who owned Apollo Beach Flowers for 15 years and Sun City Flowers before that, Riverview Florist is a full service floral store with products including balloon bouquets, silk flowers and fresh arrangements.
“We can do flowers for weddings, funerals, parties or gifts, says Jan, who takes great pride in the flowers, especially the roses. “We pride ourselves on our customer service and stand behind every one of our arrangements.”
The Crosbys have already started making themselves a part of the community through charity work and special deals for students at East Bay High School.
“We are really excited to be here and are looking forward to everyone finding out about us,” says Jan.
For more information, call the store at 677-9700 or visit www.riverviewsfinestflorist.com. For toll free calling nation-wide, call 1-800-525-4438.

Shop Local at CRT
Looking to buy something electronic for someone on your holiday list this year? Then instead of hitting one of the national chain stores, head over to CRT Computers at the intersection of Big Bend Rd. and Summerfield Blvd.
“We sell pretty much everything you will find at one of the big retailers, but with personal customer service and one on one attention,” says Daniel Zell who owns the store with fellow Riverview resident John Delage. “No one gets lost in the shuffle here.”
CRT, which recently celebrated its one year anniversary in this location, is a full retail store offering computer repair and retail, televisions, cameras, MP3 players and much more.
“We recently started stocking security cameras for homes and businesses,” says Zell, who explains that the interest in security cameras has grown in the tough economy.
For more information, call the store at 671-1108.

Legacy Holds Ribbon Cutting
Legacy Venture Group & BuyBizUSA owner Brian Stephens is hosting a ribbon cutting and evening networking event on Thursday December 11, beginning at 5:30 pm.
“Light refreshments, food, live music and fun for all will be available,” says Stephens. “The Beaux Art Gallery next door will be hosting a ‘Your Business & Art’ event in conjunction with the Ribbon Cutting.”
Legacy Venture Group Office is located in the Winthrop Shopping Center at 11256-B Winthrop Main St. in Riverview on the first floor of the Times Building (large white columns) on the far corner in the front, next to the Beaux Art Gallery.
For more information, call 571-7700.

Southbay Hosts Holiday Stroll
The Shoppes of Southbay will hold the first annual South Shore Holiday Stroll on Saturday, December 13. All proceeds will toward helping to stock local food pantries. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the shopping center on the southeast corner of Big Bend Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview.
This is a free event open to the public. Guests will begin their stroll at the eastern end of the center where every family will be given a card to be stamped or signed by each of the shops. Each shop will have a sampling or goody for the families. Santa will be at the end of the stroll and will be available for pictures. Once the card is filled out completely the family will be given a goody bag and their card will be entered into a raffle for one of five beautiful gift baskets.
Participating shops include: Smoothie King, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Little Ceasars, Risque, Goin’ Postal, Sweetbay, Great Clips, Sonlight, Playmania, Leslies, Dove Interiors, Planet Beach, New Identities, LeBelle’s, Southbay Auto Service, Game Time, Buffalo Wild Wings, Goodyear and Fifth Third Bank.
Special appearances will be made by Buccaneer Cheerleaders, Lightning Girls, East Bay High School Jazz Band and Krewe of the South Shore Marauders pirates. Girls Scouts will also be available to do all your holiday gift wrapping.
Participants are asked to bring a canned good to assist in this effort.
For more information, contact Jennifer Griest from Southbay Auto at 675-5181.

Self Storage Hosts Ribbon Cutting
Self Storage Centers of America, located at 9234 Causeway Blvd., is hosting a ribbon cutting with the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce on December 16 at 12 Noon.
The facility, which opened in October, has 546 climate-controlled units, 60 parking spots for RV’s and boats as well as 80 outside non-climate controlled units that range from 10×20 to 10×40.
“Our facility has drive up storage units, RV/boat parking, free truck and driver with move-in, boxes and packing supplies and state of the art security,” says General Manager Sheila Burnett. “We are considered a Class “A” Facility.”
Office hours of operation are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Gate Operation is 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
For more information, call 621-7867.

Cardel Homes introduces new evening Model Home Hours
To accommodate homebuyers’ schedules, Cardel is pleased to announce new model home hours, effective immediately. The new hours are Monday to Friday, 2–8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 Noon–6 p.m.
Despite the later hours and elegant decor, evening dress is not required.
Cardel Homes builds single family, multi-family, and resort homes in locations across North America. For more than 30 years, their dedication to quality, fairness, and community involvement has made Cardel a mainstay among serious builders in the cities where they operate. In addition to achieving a reputation for design innovation and homebuyer satisfaction, Cardel is known for their charity and community initiatives. Cardel has conceived of organized, and funded numerous events that bring neighbors together on behalf of worthy causes. Cardel offers models in Starling Water on FishHawk Blvd. and within the Garden District in FishHawk Ranch and in Covington Park, in Apollo Beach.
For more information, visit www.cardelhomes.com.

Planet Beach Celebrates Anniversary
Planet Beach Contempo Spa is celebrating one year in its location in Summerfield.
“Planet Beach Contempo Spa offers an escape from daily stress by offering affordable day spa services that are controlled by the client,” says representative Anne Toro.
New services at the spa include cosmetic teeth whitening by Whiter Image, a Hydration Station, similiar to a vitamin infused steam bath that also used radiant heat that allows pores to open up and skin to become deeply hydrated, a private label nutrition line that includes meal replacement shakes, as well as online indiviualized meal planning, UV therapy (previously known as tanning) and Mystic spray tan.
“We also offer Hydromassage: it uses whirlpool jets heated to 100 degrees that the customer can adjust the pressure and the speed. The water is fully encapsulated so the client does not get wet from the jets,” says Toro. “We also offer photo rejuvenation via our Rejuvasun bed. LED light is known to help with collagen production, which is what helps plump our skin. This in turns leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Planet Beach is located in the Shoppes of Southbay, at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 301 and Big Bend Rd. and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 12 Noon-5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call 741-9280 and for more information, visit www.planetbeach.com.

Author Joins Dolphin Realty
Tommy Lovett, author of Doors Wired Shut, has joined Coldwell Banker, Dolphin Realty, in Apollo Beach.
“Tommy’s drive and desire to help people will bring great value to Dolphin Realty and fit well with our Customer First mentality and we are blessed to have him,” says broker Dianne Allers. “Tommy’s book is a true story about unfair housing practices toward handicapped and disabled American Veterans attempting to purchase a home.”
Lovett joined the United States Army in September of 1982 and was injured in the line of duty receiving an honorable discharge on May 15, 1984.
“Tommy quickly noticed discrimination in housing for Disabled veterans and has become a champion for Veteran housing,” says Allers. “He specializes in Veterans Administration specially adapted housing as well as VA loans and grants for veterans qualified for home purchase. Tommy brings to Coldwell Banker Dolphin Realty the passion to further the cause of veteran housing expertise.”
For more information, contact Lovett at 494-4867.

Ground Brocken at Riverview Hilton
Stacy Snow Feiler of Legacy Venture Group Business Brokers was one of the first visitors at the site of Riverview’s first hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, Tampa South East, which is slated to open in January 2009.
“I saw first hand what the Great American Bar & Grill will look like, heard the echo of the 4,200 sq. ft. meeting space, climbed six flights of stairs to the presidential suite and tromped through construction workers to visit the fitness room, pool, fireplace lobby and two kitchens,” says Feiler.
For more information, visit www.hilton.com.

Free Financial Seminar
United Mortgage Affiliates is offering a free seminar covering financial issues including short sales, how to get 100 percent financing and home buying and selling this month.
The seminars will take place on Wednesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 17, from 6-7 p.m. and both Saturday, December 13 and Saturday, December 20 from 10-11 a.m. at the Century 21 – Link Realty office at 1517 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.
For more information, contact Michelle Teeter at 300-2522 or Joe Haynes at 781-9487.

South Hillsborough Soccer League (SHSL)

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

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

Soccer League Opens At Summerfield

Tamas Mondovics — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:48:52 +0000

The South Hillsborough Soccer League (SHSL) Celtic Football Club has a lot to be grateful for and was pleased to announce the opening of Summerfield Soccer Park, a new state-of-the-art, seven-field, multi-million dollar soccer facility.

“We have simply outgrown our present location,” said league member Jim De Luca as he talked about the old location where the league has been playing since 1979.

SHSL is a non-profit organization that offers programs for children between ages 4-18 as well as a number of soccer clinics for adults. The league has been playing at Vance Vogel Field on Bullfrog Creek Rd. in Riverview and has been catering its clinics to those with experience as well as to those who are brand new to the sport.

The new Summerfield Soccer Park is a $3 million (soccer-only) facility located at 11942 Big Bend Rd. just west of the Summerfield Elementary School. The playing surface (made totally of Bermuda grass) is only one of the many new additions. The facility also features a new concession stand with all new equipment, and a new and healthier menu. All the lights inside the complex are on automatic timers to allow evening play while preserving the tranquility of the existing homes in the neighborhood. The SHSL had approximately 650 players register last fall and over 300 this spring. The organization hopes to retain the Vance Vogel fields for practice, expansion and for tournament play.

“Tournaments are a great source of bringing players from out-of-state to the area, providing an economic boom to South Hillsborough hotels and restaurants,” De Luca said.

Tryouts for the upcoming competitive season began on May 27, with registration for its recreational program being held in August. Soccer academy will also be held to get kids ready for the competive teams.

“We are still in need for a service vehicle or two and we are looking for sponsors, with the largest sponsor to donate at least one scoreboard,” De Luca said.

With the addition of the new Summerfield Soccer Park, SHSL plans to become one of the best youth soccer associations in Florida.

For more information, please visit www.shslsoccer.com.

F.I.S.H., A Factor In School’s Success

Kelly Legg — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:36:50 +0000

Summerfield Crossings Elementary celebrated the end of its inaugural school year with a celebratory dedication of its $11 million, 78,860-square foot building. The school, designed to house up to 960 students, is named for the Riverview community where it’s located: Summerfield Crossings.

Summerfield is considered a “prototype” school – one of the first new schools in Hillsborough County designed and constructed as an “environmentally friendly” complex. The school uses “smart” control technologies that detect humans’ presence and movements in each room, and then regulates air-conditioning, heating and light accordingly.

During the dedication ceremonies, Hillsborough County School Area Director Sherrie Sikes praised the faculty and staff at Summerfield Crossings, saying, “They are dedicated, visionary leaders who believe students come first.”

Brandie Jackson and Megan Wink – Summerfield PTA board members – were proud of the successful launch of the new school and pleased with the first year’s successes. “We expected some minor difficulties during the first year of a new school,” Jackson said, “but everything, this year, went very well.”

Students, parents, teachers and community dignitaries listened attentively as Principal Dr. Eric Cantrell explained that the school’s motto – “Whatever It Takes” – became a guiding light and professional mantra for Summerfield’s faculty and staff. And although the school opened a year later than originally planned, Cantrell considered the 2007-08 school year a success on every level.

Cantrell went on to explain that a large part of the school’s success is attributable to the F.I.S.H. philosophy (Fun In School Happens), which is derived from the book with the same name. Schools across the nation are using the F.I.S.H. philosophy as pilot programs to promote a positive school atmosphere.

“Some say the opening of a school is a labor of love, where sometimes you laugh and sometimes you cry,” said Cantrell. “And we mostly had laughter.”

For more information, call 672-5621 or visit the school’s Website at summerfieldcrossings.mysdhc.org.