Bloomingdale/FishHawk
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31 C E L E B R A T I N G
December 2019 Volume 18, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418 1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Riverview To Host Dancing For Donations' First Nutcracker Performance
By Tatiana Ortiz
Photo courtesy of Selah Photography
Dancing for Donations performers are getting ready for their first Nutcracker performance.
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
FishHawk Dunkin’ Fills Cups To Brim With $5,000 Seeds Of Hope Donation
By Michelle Caceres
It was a dark, chilly morning when FishHawk’s highly anticipated Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins opened their doors, but the 5 a.m. opening time and weather didn’t deter hungry patrons from being first in line when its doors opened. Local residents Jonathan Rosano and Will Power lined up at 4 a.m., eager to order a cup of coffee and donuts. “We both work at Publix and found out it was opening so [we] thought it would be fun to come and be able to say we were its first customers,” said Rosano. Located across from Newsome High School at 16645 FishHawk Blvd., Dunkin’ is decked out in the next-generation design concept that was introduced by the brand in 2018, which includes an eight-headed cold beverage tap system and Nitro cold brew, a glass bakery case that gives customers a better view of the donuts, free Wi-Fi, two drive-thru lanes and indoor and outdoor seating. In addition to the new look, customers in a hurry can use On-the-Go mobile ordering through the Dunkin’ app and pick it up by either walking in-store or in the drive-thru lane dedicated for mobile orders. In addition to its iconic donuts, the menu features easy-to-eat items such as its meat-free Beyond Sausage breakfast sandwich, burrito bowls and a power breakfast sandwich consisting of a veggie egg white omelet with spinach, peppers, onions, turkey sausage and American cheese on multigrain sandwich bread topped with seeds and rolled oats. Owners Nick and Thomas Apostoleres are no first-time franchisees.
The FishHawk Dunkin’ is their 18th store in the Tampa Bay area. Nick’s parents opened a Dunkin’ in Brandon in 1973 and he started working in their store when he was 14. “I would go to the store every day before and after school,” he said. “I was making $1.50 an hour and I
loved it.” As Nick became an adult and opened his own stores, Thomas also grew up working for his dad. “I’m thirdgeneration Dunkin’,” he said. Even before the store opening, the Apostoleres’ were putting down roots in the community by generously sponsoring local sports teams and PTAs. “FishHawk has been yelling out ‘we want Dunkin’’ for years,” said Nick. “We are here now and want to be a part of this community.” The store will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with free prize giveaways, donut decorating for the kids, entertainment and a visit from the Dunkin’ mascot. Dunkin’ FishHawk is open Sunday-Thursday from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 a.m.-12 Midnight.
40 BELL SHOALS WIDENING ...................PG 3 AROUND TOWN EVENTS ...................PG 6 WILDLIFE W/ALI.................................PG 9 SPORTS .....................................PGS 34‐35 EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26
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Take a seat and travel back into the storyline of the famous Nutcracker as it will be performed by Dancing for Donations for the first time at Riverview High School on Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. Nearly 40 dancers of all abilities between the ages of 3 to 12 will be participating. Tickets cost $8 prior to it or $10 during the week of it. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets through https://27007.recitalticketing.com/r/?tid= 584&sid=0&message=. President and Director of Dancing for Donations Sara Battaglia mentioned how this all came into fruition. “We put on a smaller Christmas performance every December and thought it would be appropriate for the dancers to be exposed to the Nutcracker,” Battaglia said. “To add, as a child I always performed in it as well.” The Dancing for Donations performers will be placing their own spin to the traditional Nutcracker as it will remain inclusive. Battaglia and another teacher are assisting with the choreography, which includes acro dancing. Some of
the costumes for this recital were donated by Traveling Tutus. Dancing for Donations partners with Traveling Tutus and donates to them monthly. With this partnership, Dancing for Donations can provide assistance to Traveling Tutus in regards to assuring that its exact mission of the love of dance and spread of joy become available for individuals around the world. Battaglia shared that the recital is open to the public and is seeking community support through volunteers, sponsors and more. Anyone who would like to assist should send an email to dance4donations@gmail.com. “Overall, I am excited for our dancers as they get to perform the Nutcracker,” Battaglia said. Individuals who cannot attend will get another chance to watch a smaller version of the Nutcracker on December 23 at 2 p.m. at The Bridges Assisted Living Community at 11202 Dewhurst Dr. in Riverview. For more information, visit https://www.dancing4donations.org. Check out its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dancingfordonations/. Dancing for Donations is located at 1076 E. Brandon Blvd. #101 in Brandon and is open Monday through Friday from 3-7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:45-11:30 a.m.
P O S I T I V E
LITHIA
Now Offering FREE DELIVERY Jonathan Rosano and Will Power were Dunkin’s first customers at its FishHawk location. The store will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with free prize giveaways, donut decorating for the kids, entertainment and a visit from the Dunkin’ mascot. Dunkin’ FishHawk is open Sunday-Thursday from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 a.m.-12 Midnight.
for purchases over $50 Serving Our Customers in 4 Locations: Lithia • Big Bend, Riverview • 301, Riverview • Sun City Center
737-9223 10415 C.R. 39 (Just 2 miles south of FishHawk at the corner of Lithia Pinecrest Rd and CR 39)