CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH TWO WEEK LONG JUBILEE

Staf Report

got for Christmas. There are so many options to make fun food for your family.

On February 27, Jean Ligon encourages spiritual health with ‘When We Decrease.’ Society sends the message that as women we have to ‘do more and work harder,’ but when we decrease and stop trying to control everything, God shows up in a mighty way.

March 6 is ‘Functional Fitness’ with Amanda Wolverton.

Wolverton is a certified yoga instructor with extensive knowledge of health and wellness. Dress comfortably as she shares tips and techniques to stay healthy and keep your body moving.

And finally, March 13 is ‘Food and Love.’ Stubbs will share about how what we eat afects every aspect of our lives, from our physical health to our emotions to our ability to love. This is based on Dr. Gary Smalley’s book of the same name.

All classes are free. RSVPing is helpful but not required. Call 813-309-3357 for more information or go to the ‘Events’ page at http://hopeforherfl.org/.

\ Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is no stranger to changing tides in the Tampa Bay community and beyond. From inspiring the number one box-ofce hit Dolphin Tale starring Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin rescue and later CMA resident, to achieving feats such as releasing over 850 animals since 2010, CMA remains committed to making a difference in the lives of both its rescues and aquarium visitors.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium ofers guests an opportunity to tour numerous exhibits and book VIP animal experiences.

“That’s part of our mission: inspiring the human spirit,” said Kelsy Long, CMA’s director of media relations. “When people walk through the door, we want them to feel inspired by our animal stories and everything that they’ve been through, and the challenges that they’ve faced.”

From December 26, 2022, to January 7, CMA celebrated its 50th anniversary by extending regular hours to encompass a range of jubilee-themed events. Between 3-7 p.m. daily, visitors were invited to take part in activities such as the Spheres Bubble Show with Blaise Ryndes, who was featured on America’s Got Talent, as well as a Jubilee Boat Ride. Honoring CMA’s influence abroad, presented cuisine took on a Caribbean theme with menu items including dishes from places like Cuba and Belize.

Pairing rescue and rehabilitation programs with eforts to expand research and conservation methods, CMA’s mission to protect the future of marine life began in 1972 with the name Clearwater Marine Sci-

By Madeline Gardner

ence Center (CMSC).

In 1978, the CMSC moved its operations to a formerly abandoned water treatment facility on Island Estates donated to it by the city of Clearwater, and by 1981 the aquarium’s initial renovations had been completed and the first exhibit was presented to the public. However, it wasn’t until 1995 that the CMSC’s name was changed to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

CMA currently ofers a host of experiences to visitors, including opportunities to build a salad for sea turtles, feed stingrays and secure photo opportunities with animals. Exhibits feature North American River Otters, a nurse shark and Great White Pelicans among others, as well as moments to learn more about aquaponics and CMA’s surgical suite.

Looking further ahead into 2023, CMA will continue to plan new events and exhibits to engage the community such as “Dino Rescue”, which features life-size animatronic dinosaurs throughout the aquarium. Remaining open until April 15, this storyline features dinosaurs who are recovering from perils similar to those CMA marine animal rescues had faced before their own treatment at the facility.

For more on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, its mission, and admission, visit https://www.cmaquarium.org/ or call 727441-1790. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and is located at 249 Windward Psge. in Clearwater.

Matthews Anglican Church

10701 Bloomingdale Avenue, Riverview

813-663-0334

Stephen Catholic Church

10118 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview

689-4900

CHURCH OF GOD

Boyette Springs Church of God

12114 Boyette Rd., Riverview 671-0086

Plant City Church of God

Mud Lake Rd., Plant City 752-4591

EPISCOPAL

Innocents' Episcopal Church

N. Valrico Rd., Valrico 689-3130

LUTHERAN

Immanuel Lutheran Church

John Moore Rd., Brandon 689-1787

Living Savior Lutheran Church

Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico

681-2375

METHODIST

United Methodist Church of Seffner

South Kingsway Rd., Seffner

689-3513

Grace Community United Methodist Church

Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Lithia 661-8858 • info@mygraceumc.com

Hope United Methodist Church

N. Knights Ave., Brandon 689-4161

Riverview First United Methodist Church US Hwy 301., Riverview www.riverviewflumc.org

Ruskin United Methodist Church

4th Ave. NW, Ruskin 645-1241

South Shore United Methodist Church

11525 Big Bend Rd., Riverview

649-9462

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Calvary Chapel Brandon Kingsway Rd., Brandon

681-5318

Centerpoint Church

S. Miller Rd., Valrico 689-1906

Grace Community Church 1425 N Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-9781

Harvest Bible Chapel Bloomingdale High School 813-699-0517

Love First Christian Center 12847 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview 813-671-2009

River of Life Christian Center

6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview 813-677-4453

New Life Christian Church 401 S. Saint Cloud Ave, Valrico 813-548-2733

South Bay Church

13498 US 301 S., Riverview 813-677-0721

The Chapel at FishHawk 6026 Churchside Dr., Lithia 813-661-7105

The Crossing Church - Main Campus

10130 Tuscany Ridge Dr., Tampa, (813) 626-0783

The Crossing Church - SouthShore 2409 East College Ave., Ruskin (813) 626-0580

The Palms Church

207 New Hope Rd., Brandon (813) 841-9598

True Sanctuary 6528 US Hwy 301 S., Suite 114, Riverview (813) 319-5862

PENTECOSTAL

Destiny Church 2322 11th Ave. SE, Ruskin (813) 645-3337

HighPoint Church of Brandon 2207 Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico/Brandon (813) 685-4827

PRESBYTERIAN

First Presbyterian Church of Brandon -PCUSA 121 Carver Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4597

Redeemer Church-PCA 12404 Boyette Rd., Riverview

Pentecostal

Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico/Brandon (813) 685-4827

Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church of Brandon -PCUSA 121 Carver Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4597

Redeemer Church-PCA

12404 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 741-1776

Westminster Presbyterian Church PCA

402 E. Lumsden Rd., Brandon (813) 689-6541

“6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. 7This was their song:

“‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!’

“8 This made Saul very angry. ‘What’s this?’ he said. ‘They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!’ 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”

In this story, Saul is the boss and David is the employee. Saul hired David to be his mercenary or security guard, and, over time, David won every battle and secured victory for Saul. The issue was that David gained notoriety because of his success and Saul became resentful of people praising his subordinate. A key aspect of being a successful leader is not feeling threat-