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LIFE’S TREASURES THRIFT STORE IN BRANDON HOSTED A PINNING CEREMONY FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS

By Tatiana Ortiz

Life’s Treasures Thrift Store held a special pinning ceremony in commemoration of Independence Day weekend on July 3 as part of the Chapters Health Valor program to honor veterans and first responders. Chapters Health Foundation funds and operates the program. At the Brandon location, 12 veterans and first responders were recognized. Each veteran and first responder received a pin, a certificate as well as a stitched star.

Adam Stanfield, the vice president of development and executive director of Chapters Health Foundation, explained how the pinning ceremonies came into fruition.

“The Valor pinnings were a fundamental part of prior programming to which the Foundation is seeking to expand throughout its service community,” Stanfield said. “This will be a natural efort as the stores run through the commitments of more than 400 volunteers, with many being veterans,” he added.

Chapters Health System honors first responders and military veterans with a high quality of life until their last breath. It also provides hospice care, grief services and home care to the veterans and their families. The design of this program aims to meet the special needs unique to first responders and military veterans, which includes honor pinning, American flag presentation and much more. Florida is the third-largest military veteran population in the nation, consisting of dedicated and highly skilled first responders. Chapters Health Foundation supports the work of Chapters Health System and serves Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk along with other counties too. In Hillsborough County, Chapters Health Foundation supports LifePath Hospice. Life’s Treasures Thrift Store Manager Cherly Ann Haley at the Brandon location stated that,

Navy veteran Perry W. Norris received his as a local storefront, pin from uniformed, retired Air Force Lt. Col. it makes daily conLee Alexander at Life’s Treasures Trift Store tact with veterans, in Brandon. first responders and Photo courtesy of Chapters Health System. active military. This would be how her business got involved with the pinning ceremony. “Overall, being able to talk with the people who received their pins and seeing their appreciation felt inspiring as well as humbling all at the same time,” Haley said. For more information, visit www.chaptershealth.org. Those interested in volunteer opportunities at either Life’s Treasures or with the Valor program can contact Anne Ferrell at ferrella@chaptershealth. org or call 461-5279.

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REVAMPED 2022 HYUNDAI TUCSON WILL ENTICE BUYERS

Vivid and stunning desert landscapes, splendid and picturesque drives, unbelievable viewpoints, magnificent mountain ranges, marvelous biking and riding trails, serene picnic spots and the extraordinarily enduring saguaro cacti make Arizona’s second largest city into a bewitching metropolis, and the perfect venue for the Hyundai folks to kick of their overhauled 2022 Tucson. Welcome to Tucson the city and, more importantly, Tucson the SUV.

First introduced in 2004, the compact SUV has undergone a makeover in the past. But the inside-out redesign and powertrain transformation (with hybrid and plug-in hybrid) for the front-wheel or all-wheel drive Tucson is major. And for the better, we must say.

It’s a bigger vehicle than the predecessor in every respect. Length is up by 6.1 inches, width and height 0.6 inches and wheelbase 3.4 inches; cargo volume increases by 7.7 cubic feet and passenger volume 6 cubic feet. In essence, there is plenty of legroom now for rear seat passengers. Make it a total of 108.2 cubic feet for total passenger room. Cargo space is a cool 80.3 cubic feet with the rear seat down.

A 2.5-liter direct injection gasoline engine puts out 187 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 178 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. A 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine develops 226 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque with an electric motor and battery pack. The plug-in hybrid is also 1.6 but packs a punch at 261 horsepower and with an electric-only range of 28 miles before fuel kicks in. A six-speed or eight-speed auto gearbox is ofered, depending on the trim you pick. The front MacPherson strut and multilink rear suspension have been re-engineered while body rigidity, sound damping and safety have improved with advanced high-strength steel. A top-selling

TUCSON (SE, FWD) SUV for Hyundai,

Tires: P235/65R17 the fourth-genera-

Wheelbase: 108.5 inches Length: 182.3 inches Width: 73.4 inches tion Tucson boasts a sporty, modern, sleek look up front as diamond-cut elements

Height: 65.6 inches gaze at you from the

Weight: 3,329 pounds sharp parametric jewFuel capacity: 14.3 gallons el grille. The cabin is City: 26 mpg “hidden tech,” as the

Highway: 33 mpg Hyundai team likes to Website: www.hyundai.com call it, with a lowered and hoodless digital instrument cluster, buttonless center stack, capacitive touch controls, multi-air mode, new ambient lights, 10.2-inch color touch display, Hyundai digital key (lock/unlock vehicle with phone), latest version of Bluelink and remote smart park assist. Standard features on the base SE include tilt/telescopic steering column, six-way adjustable driver seat and 60/40 fold seat with recline/center armrest. Safety is paramount for Hyundai with dual front and side airbags, side curtain with rollover sensor, lane-keep/follow assist, forward collision warning, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, front/rear parking sensors and crumple zones, electronic stability and traction control, blind-spot warning, forward collision avoid assist, remote keyless entry, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system standard. Starting at $24,950, the Tucson peaks at $37,350 for the limited hybrid AWD. Now that is a heck of a deal. The three powertrains result in a responsive ride, sharp handling and decent overall cornering balance. And Hyundai’s five-year, 60,000-mile basic and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranties should convince you to sign on the dotted line.

TRIPLE CREEK RADIO CONTROL CLUB HOSTS NATIONAL MODEL AVIATION DAY EVENT

By Lily Belcher

The Triple Creek Radio Control Club, led by Club President Keith Hall, is hosting an event for National Model Aviation Day on August 14. The event will provide the community and members of the Triple Creek Radio Control Club a chance to participate in and celebrate the hobby of model aviation for free beginning at 8 a.m. and ending around 1 p.m.

The event will feature model planes of all sizes, from micro to giant-scale planes. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to fly model planes on their own or with the assistance of the ‘buddy box.’

The buddy box allows inexperienced pilots to practice flying the model planes without fear of crashing them. An experienced trainer, identified by the yellow vests they will be wearing at the event, will get the plane in the air and stable before pressing a switch on the transmission to allow the new pilot to control the plane with their own control. If the new pilot gets into trouble while flying one of the model planes, the trainer simply has to let go of the switch to regain control and straighten the plane out.

Guests will have the chance to build their own model planes as well.

“It’s wonderful for the kids. We’ve got some younger members in our club and they can build their own airplane. It involves science and math. It’s a very creative hobby as well,” explained Hall. The Triple Creek Radio Control Club will also be collecting donations for the

Te Triple Creek Radio Control Club celebrates National Model Aviation Day with a model plane event for the community. National Model Aviation Day will feature a variety of planes to fy, build and watch. Wounded Warrior Foundation. Each year, it collects donations because of the large number of members who are veterans from World War II through Vietnam to today. There will be a general donation box as well as people collecting money around the event. Hall encourages community members to come out to watch, fly or build model airplanes on Saturday, August 14 at 12705 Balm Boyette Rd. in Riverview. Guests can bring their own chairs if they want to watch trainers and new pilots fly the model planes, and drinks will be available for purchase during the event. For more information on the event, contact Hall at 928-3861 or visit triplecreekrc.com. To learn more about National Model Aviation Day, visit modelaircraft. org/nmad.

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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EASES RESPONSE TO COVID-19

By Taylor Wells

Since the start of last year, the world has been taking many measures to ensure everyone’s safety against COVID-19 and develop ways to prevent, treat and cure it. As more people are being vaccinated against COVID-19, cases continue to decrease and demand for testing and vaccination declines and more private providers ofer services, Hillsborough County’s response to the virus is winding down. Because of that, government departments like the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health decided to cease daily reports for Florida counties on June 3.

“Florida has transitioned into the next phase of the COVID-19 response. Infections and disease control is a core function of the Florida Department of Health, and we continue to surveil, adapt and respond to COVID-19 to protect public health statewide,” stated Weesam Khoury, communications director at Florida Department of Health. “Florida’s case positivity has been below 5 percent for a month, and has continued to decrease over 10 weeks. Almost 85 percent of Florida’s seniors vaccinated. Nearly 90 percent of the population is eligible for the vaccine, which is widely available statewide.”

In Florida, one of the first two COVID-19 cases was reported in Hillsborough County on March 1, 2020, which is when COVID-19 data began being reported. As of July 18,

according to the CDC, Florida’s total number of cases was 2,406,794, the number of fully vaccinated people was 10,240,997 (47.7 percent of the population) and the highest seven-day moving average of cases was 17,568 on the week of January 2-8. In Hillsborough, as of July 16, the total number of cases was 150,433 the number of people vaccinated was 700,729 (54 percent of the population ages 12 and up) and the highest seven-day moving average of cases was 6,398 on the week of JanuHillsborough County’s seven-day total, rate, percentage and percent change in the last seven days, from January 1 to July 15. (Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) ary 2-8. Though the weekly and daily case numbers have gone down drastically and more people are being vaccinated, as we all continue to deal with the virus, residents and visitors of Hillsborough are still encouraged to follow the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines and be mindful of the virus. To view weekly data reports for COVID-19 (updated each Friday), find vaccination or testing sites or get any other information related to the virus, visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/. More information is also available at hcflgov. net/staysafe and https://covid.cdc.gov/ covid-data-tracker/.

ADOPT A HILLSBOROUGH TEACHER PAIRS NEEDS WITH GENEROUS COMMUNITY

By Anika Shah

Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher is a Facebook group that helps teachers fulfill their school supply wish lists for the year. It all started last year when former teachers Brooke Elkins and Lorra Gillman noticed the success of the Adopt a Senior Facebook page, which allowed residents to connect with and buy care packages for high school seniors who didn’t have a graduation. Elkins got to thinking that the same could be done for teachers, “who, especially during COVID, were needing support in the classroom more than ever,” she said.

What started as a whim stayed up for the entire school year and blossomed into a thriving community of over 13,000 members. It touched nearly every school in Hillsborough, which is quite a feat considering it is the 27th biggest county in the United States. The growing popularity of the page influenced Pasco and Pinellas Counties to start one.

Originally a hub of posts by teachers, Elkins has streamlined the page to be organized alphabetically into threads of schools.

Educators post their Amazon Wish List of supplies under their school thread and residents buy them. The Amazon pages update in real time so community members will know what has already been bought and what is still needed. Starting since July 17, threads are live, with all of the eleSchool supplies received through Adopt a mentary, middle, high Hillsborough Teacher. and charter schools being posted in the days following. They will stay online for the duration of the school year. With over 250 schools in the district, the 100 dollars in flex spending that teachers receive is often not enough. Instead, “teachers are pouring hundreds and hundreds of dollars of personal money into their classrooms every year.” For Elkins, “The more help we are giving our teachers, the better it is for them, and ultimately it’s better for the kids,” she said. While some teachers’ whole lists have been cleared, others, especially Title 1 schools, struggle with getting enough supplies. On how people can help, Elkins said, “Join, adopt and share the page.” For more information and to support, visit ‘Adopt a Hillsborough Teacher’ on Facebook.

GIRL SCOUTS COLLECT SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN NEED

By Makenzie Atkins

Ever wonder what our local Girl Scouts are up to? Turns out they are doing good all around the community to earn badges and support those in need. Girl Scout Troop 33017 recently collected socks and underwear to donate to Hope for Her in order to receive their next badge by setting up at different locations.

These Junior Girl Scouts were seeking out the Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout this age can receive. The award consists of a minimum 20 hours of the girls exploring the community and then choosing, planning and completing a project that will support a local issue. While planning the project for the award, the girls realized how many kids their age are on the verge of being homeless or are homeless in the community.

Each girl submitted an idea and met several times to discuss until they decided to focus on helping the homeless. After they landed on their topic, the leaders reached out to different churches and organizations for specific projects they could work on. Two of the churches they reached out to recommended they work with Hope for Her. Once all the

details had been worked out, the girls found diferent organizations that would host their drive. The troop had donation boxes at Lithia Springs Elementary, Alafia Elementary, Campo Y and more. They even have an Amazon Wish List that is still able to accept donations. Hope for Her is an organization in Brandon that helps women and children struggling with crisis and trauma find the support they need. The orTe Girl Scouts celebrate the positive impact that Hope for Her ganization assists with things creates in the community by collecting donations. like childcare, employment, food, clothing and so much more. Hope for Her was started by Cheryl Hickman, a woman who went through a similar experience to the women she helps today. After experiencing her own crisis and trauma, she knew she wanted to help other women and children who need it. The sock and underwear drive done by the Girl Scouts had a big impact on the community and the organization couldn’t have been more thankful. “The girls project benefits 250 children indeed. Some of these children, ages 4 to 12, come from homeless families right here in East Hillsborough County. I love the fact that the girls chose to do a project that directly impacts their peers locally,” said Hickman. Hope for Her was so impressed by the work this Girl Scout troop did that it even invited them back for its back-to-school event on Friday, August 6. At this event, the girls will be able to hand out the socks and underwear they collected along with items like school supplies, backpacks and toiletries. Contact Jennifer Dionne at jenndionne@ gmail.com or read more about Hope for Her at https://www.hopeforherfl.org.

TAMPA BAY WATER WANTS PUBLIC INPUT FOR NEW PROJECT

By Brad Stager

Each day, Tampa Bay Water provides drinking water to more than 2.5 million customers in the Tampa Bay area. The region’s growing population is creating a need for the utility to plan for a changing future, in which it said at least an additional 10 million gallons of water a day will be needed by 2028 to support anticipated growth.

In order to ensure water needs can be met, Tampa Bay Water is requesting public input on a proposed project that is intended to help maintain a reliable water supply, especially in Southern Hillsborough County, where a large amount of development is occurring.

According to Brandon Moore, public communications manager of Tampa Bay Water, involving the public is an essential part of the work the utility performs. Residents can learn details about the project by visiting Tampa Bay Water’s website and reviewing the information presented there, including a video. Feedback about the project can be provided via an online survey.

“Your voice counts,” said Moore. “The 15 minutes you spend watching the video and answering the survey provides us valuable feedback we can share with the project team and will inform our board as they make their decisions on the next water projects.”

The project’s goal is to increase capacity of the region’s aquifer to support demand by reducing saltwater intrusion into it. This increase Tampa Bay Water provides drinking water to more of capacity in disthan 2.5 million regional customers each day and is tributable water planning for future growth. would be achieved by constructing a series of recharge wells that inject reclaimed water underground that can serve as a barrier between the encroaching saltwater from the west and the aquifer’s fresh water supply inland. The injection sites would be along Southern Hillsborough County’s coastline, in brackish areas of the aquifer. Water treatment facilities will be built on Hillsborough County-owned land near the intersection of Balm and Balm Riverview Rds. The volume of freshwater available for distribution to customers will increase and no reclaimed water will intrude into the wellfield according to Tampa Bay Water, which said the project will increase water distribution capacity by 7.5 million gallons per day, and possibly even more. There will also be a virtual public meeting on the project hosted by Tampa Bay Water on Tuesday, August 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting requires preregistration at tampabaywater.org, where you can also review the video and other project materials as well as provide feedback.

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DEVELOPERS TO PAY FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT ON LITHIA PINECREST ROAD

By Brian Bokor

A new trafc light is planned for Lithia Pinecrest Rd. at the main entrance to the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lithia.

Construction plans for a trafc signal on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. have been submitted to the county on behalf of Publix Supermarkets at the Shoppes of Lithia and the owner of Lithia Crossing Shopping Center. The light would be located at the main entrance to the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lithia shopping center with a new entrance to Lithia Crossing created between the two existing entrances near Panera Bread and Chili’s making one centralized, signalized entrance and exit for both shopping centers.

The study was funded by the owners of these properties and if construction plans are approved all cost for the project will also be the owners’ responsibility. Once completed, the signal will be transferred into Hillsborough County trafc management ownership. According to the trafc signal warrant analysis, “this study was previously performed in 2011 and updated with 2016 trafc volumes and vehicle crashes. This study is now being updated to reflect current trafc volumes and vehicle crashes.”

On a random Thursday this past April, video cameras were set up for 24 hours at the three locations under review in order to gather trafc volume information including U-turns, left and right turns, straightthroughs and crosswalk crossings in all four directions of travel. These cameras were set at the northern entrance to Lithia Crossing near Chili’s,

the southern entrance near Panera Bread and the central entrance into Publix on the opposite side of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. The video from the day was sent to Countcloud counting services which counted and compiled turning movement counts for each intersection.

In order to justify the need for a signal, certain trafc standards based on volume, crash statistics and other pertinent criteria must be satisfied before the project can move forward. In this case, the resulting data showed multiple instances where minimal criteria were reached at this location with the conclusion and recommendations of the analysis stating it clearly shows the need for a light at this intersection along with a recommendation “that the intersection be signalized as soon as possible.”

The estimated cost of the installation is between $250-$400,000.

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THOSE BATTLING CANCER RECEIVE KINDNESS AND PILLOWS FROM A SENIOR AT NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL

By Laura Marzullo

Cancer has impacted many lives. Grace Allen, a rising senior at Newsome High School, felt impassioned to give to those who were battling the horrendous disease.

Allen has been involved in GIrl Scouts for 13 years. With her involvement comes awards at the Bronze, Silver and Gold level. Each award revolves around a project. Allen has devoted each project to spreading kindness to cancer patients.

Allen is currently participating in the Gold Award, which is earned individually as a senior/ambassador Girl Scout (grades nine through 12). To earn this award, you must complete the Girl Scouts curriculum, present your project idea to the Gold Award Committee at GSWCF (Girl Scouts of West Central Florida) council, follow the key components of the award and present the final report to the committee for approval. Key components of the award include: sustainability (the effects being long lasting), advocacy (educating the community about the project cause), measurability (show success of the project) and leadership skills. Allen hopes to be apart of the 6 percent of eligible Girl Scouts to earn the Gold Award yearly in 2022.

With big goals to continue to help cancer patients, a troop leader suggested doing port pillows. After research, she fell in love with the cause. When a cancer patient has to have multiple chemo treatments, they might have a tube installed in their chest for their treatments. “The port pillow will attach to a seatbelt and cause a cushion to relieve any irritation. It sounds like a simple thing, but to a patient who has a port installed, it’s a wonderful comfort,” stat-

Pretty port pillows ed Allen. handcrafted by Grace The Girl

Allen, FishHawk resident. Scouts has given Allen the opportunity to change lives, learn new skills and experience new opportunities. This project has allowed her to help people and showcase their needs. She has been going to Florida Cancer Specialists every month (with the exception of COVID-19) for the past four years to deliver goody bags and will continue to go for the next year to deliver port pillows. “Every time I go, I see people of all ages, races, genders fighting a battle with cancer. This project helps me to stop and be thankful for my health, the health of my friends and family, and I am very thankful for the doctors and nurses who work there,” exclaimed Allen. For more information, go to http://gsprettyinpink.com/ or contact Allen at prettyinpink.gs@gmail.com.

LOCAL TEACHERS PARTICIPATE IN UF RESEARCH PROJECT

Staf Report

K-12 science teachers from across Florida, including Hillsborough County, spent four days this summer immersed in a virtual research lab experience as part of a professional development workshop hosted by the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School (SEFS) program titled ‘The Hydrosphere.’

Fifty-nine teachers representing 22 counties selected from a pool of 274 applicants assisted scientists with ongoing research projects. The teachers worked with scientists to develop lesson plans that help students better understand issues about Earth’s hydrosphere, which includes all of the water on our planet. Selected teachers will receive a $500 stipend for their participation.

Brian Abramowitz, K-12 education and outreach coordinator for SEFS, said interest in the annual SEFS summer professional development workshop has grown tremendously since last year, even with a shortened summer break.

“Last year, we received 99 applications, and that number has more than doubled this year,” Abramowitz said. “We believe this is through word of mouth and more teachers learning about this free and innovative program.”

For the second summer in a row, the workshop took place entirely on Zoom. Fourteen laboratories from the University of Florida,

Florida State University, the St. Johns River and South Florida Water Management Districts, EarthEcho International, the Everglades Foundation and the Loggerhead Marinelife Center agreed to host a small group of teachers for the week. The scientists’ reK-12 science teachers from across Florida, including Hillsborough County, spent four days this summer immersed in a virtual research lab experience search interests range from wastewater as part of a professional development workshop treatment to tracking hosted by the University of Florida Tompson tides. Participating Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida scientists have agreed

School program titled ‘Te Hydrosphere.’ to make at least one virtual visit to the teachers’ classrooms in the upcoming school year. This is the third time SEFS has hosted a workshop of this kind. Last year, 40 teachers attended virtually for similar experiences focused on what educators call the “nature of science,” or the tools, theories and skills scientists use to carry out research. The mission of the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School program is to engage Florida’s K-12 students and teachers in cutting-edge research by providing science role models and experiences that inspire the future stewards of our planet. In its second year, the SEFS program has coordinated more than 1,700 scientist visits to classrooms representing more than 400 schools, marking 55,000 impressions on Florida’s K-12 students. So far, more than 850 teachers and nearly 600 scientists have participated in the program. More info is available at www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/scientist-in-every-florida-school.

LITHIA WOMAN’S 6-MONTH WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY VIDEO GETS MORE THAN 25M TIKTOK VIEWS

By Michelle Caceres

Lithia resident and personal trainer Lucy Prev created a TikTok video of her weight loss transformation and created a brand with friend Alyssa Wiedrich.

TikTok isn’t just a place to share choreographed dance moves or short comedy skits. For Lithia and former New Jersey resident Lucy Prev, a 21-year-old personal trainer, it’s also the place to document her six-month weight loss journey in a 30-second time lapse video that has been watched more than 25 million times. Bergin was inspired to make the video last September after watching Oklahoma resident Hunter Hobbs’ weight loss transformation video, going from 202 pounds to 160 pounds in three months.

“I’m a certified personal trainer, but during the pandemic I gained 30 pounds,” confessed Prev.

She and her best friend, Alyssa Wiedrich, who had also gained weight during the pandemic, put their knowledge and expertise to use, changing their eating habits and creating a daily exercise regimen. While her friend was following a keto diet, Prev said she preferred a protein and carb-based diet.

“My goals included muscle gain and since I was lifting heavy weights, my body needed protein but also equally important carbohydrates,” she said. “My body was using those calories and replacing fat with lean muscle.”

Prev didn’t realize how much her body had changed until she started making the video. “Progress pictures are so important,” said Prev. “If I hadn’t been documenting it, I wouldn’t have realized how far I’d come.”

Prev and Wiedrich, who were featured on The Today Show, have started GritttFit, a website ofering Zoom and in-person personal training sessions as well as its 35 Days To Fit Challenge. The pair has also been featured on featured on, Insider, The Sun, Newsweek, The Daily Star, Sydney News Today, The London Times, Yahoo News and more.

“This was something we’ve wanted to do since we first met in college,” Prev said. Prev, who has scoliosis, said she never felt like she had a ‘normal’ body type. Growing up, she was constantly comparing her body to others.

“We want to teach women that every body is a normal body type,” she said. “Each of us are on our own personal fitness journey and as a community we should come together and be proud of one another.”

She said fitness is an outlet and beginning the journey can be the most difcult part. “It’s so hard to take the first step, but it’s important to make your physical and mental health a priority because you need to make time for you,” said Prev.

Visit www.gritttfit.com or email Prev at contact@gritttfit.com.

By Libby Hopkins

TechPlayzone is a science and technology program/camp that began in 2005, founded by Desh and Daryl Bagley. The TechPlayzone staf ofers on-site workshops and training. Staf members bring the equipment, curriculum and high-energy workshops to students at their locations.

In addition to all the cool technology and fun the program ofers, the high-energy, teen staf are all former attendees of TechPlayzone.

Amelie Strahan, Abigail Peterson, Reid McAdam, Deshara Bagley, Jade Brown, Douglas Brane and Lanson Nicholas all attended TechPlayzone camp when they were in elementary school. Deshara actually attended camp as a newborn baby. “I have been a part of Techplayzone since I was in the womb,” she joked. “It’s all I’ve ever known my entire life and it has helped me excel in school.” Deshara is the daughter of TechPlayzone’s founders.

Peterson and Deshara have been a part of the camp the longest. “The camp has had a huge impact on my life,” Peterson said. “STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a huge part of my life and TechPlayzone is a great starting place for kids to get into

STEM.” In addition to teaching TechPlayzone’s instructors about STEM, the camp has also taught them many important life skills. “It has taught me patience and how to interact with students,” Amelie said. “I love that I’m teaching future generations about STEM.” McAdam and Brown both Left to right: Reid McAdam, Lanson Nicholas, Abigail Peterson, started at the TechPlayzone Deshara Bagley, Jade Brown and Douglas Brane are the high-en- camp when they were in kinergy, teen staf at TechPlayzone, who were all former campers of TechPlayzone’s STEM camps. dergarten. “I liked that everything we learned in camp was very hands-on,” McAdam said. “It’s cool that I now get to teach STEM to little kids. Brown lives in Texas, but she comes to teach at the camp every year. “If it wasn’t for TechPlayzone, I would have never learned about STEM because my school in Texas really doesn’t have many programs for STEM,” Jade said. “I love that I can teach what I know from the camp to new campers and TechPlayzone is like family to me.” This is Brane’s first year teaching at TechPlayzone. He lives in Louisiana and found out about the camp from his aunt who lives in Brandon. “I love computers and I like that I now have the opportunity to teach other kids about them,” Brane said. Nicholas got involved with the camp through his brother who was a former camper. “I attended camp and then, as I got a little older, I started to volunteer at the camp,” Nicholas said. “The camp has always been a part of my life and I’m happy that it’s still a part of it.” If you would like to learn more about TechPlayzone, visit www.techplayzone.com.

NONPROFIT PROVIDES CLOTHES TO KIDS IN NEED

By Meghan Reyes

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, as of 2018, one in six kids lives in poverty. Without proper funding, many children go without the necessary supplies to succeed during the school year. Some go without notebooks or pencils, but many go without proper clothing.

Clothes To Kids is a local nonprofit organization that collects and distributes used clothing to children in need. Started by Jode Eye and Marie McClung in 2002, Clothes To Kids has provided upwards of 168,646 wardrobes to at-risk and low-income children.

“We provide new and quality used clothing to low-income and at-risk school-aged children free of charge,” Megan DiBlassi, Clothes To Kids development director, said.

Children in PK4 through 12th grade who qualify for free or reduced price lunch are eligible to shop with Clothes To Kids free of charge. Customers can take up to a week’s worth of school clothes twice in 12 months. Each wardrobe, whether shopping in-person or through the Clothes To Go program, will include: five pairs of underwear, five pairs of socks, five tops, four

bottoms, one dress and a pair of shoes. “We’re not just an organization that puts clothing in a bag,” DiBlassi said, “We provide the entire shopping experience.” Clothes To Kids had three locations where customers can shop. Each store is set up like a boutique and lined with racks of clothing to choose from. These stores are located in Clearwater, St. Pete and Tampa. “Research shows that the more conTe ‘Drop Your Drawers’ campaign will be receiv- fident students feel ing donations until the end of August. Clothes To during school, the

Kids helps hundreds of at-risk and low-income children every month. better they will learn,” DiBlassi said, “We’re trying to break these barriers.” Clothes To Kids relies heavily on community donations and constantly reaches out to corporations and schools for clothing donations. It also holds fundraisers throughout the year. ‘Drop Your Drawers’ is a clothing drive where people are urged to drop of unopened packages of underwear. Clothes To Kids is always taking donations and the Drop Your Drawers campaign will be receiving donations until the end of August. Call 616-6430 to speak with an associate at the Tampa location or visit https://clothestokids.org/ to learn how to volunteer.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

By Ariana Pedraza

A group of local residents took time this summer to help those less fortunate.

The Ronald McDonald House (RMDH) was founded in 1974 with the mission to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Since then, the group has assisted millions of families around the world with pediatric medical expenses like housing and food, but none of it would be possible without donations and volunteers.

Due to the pandemic, the Ronald McDonald House closed its doors to volunteers in eforts to keep their residents safe. Because the organization houses pediatric patients and their families, volunteers have not yet been allowed to help onsite. However, this did not stop a family of FishHawk residents from doing what they could.

Molly Zurlage, a FishHawk resident, began volunteering at the RMDH as a child with her grandmother. At the House, she would make chocolate chip cookies, and sometimes even the residents would join in to have fun and help.

“I remember feeling really good see-

ing the happiness and joy just cookies could bring,” Molly reminisced. “I really enjoyed being able to give back.” She continued all the way up through college, and now has three kids of her own whom she wants to get involved in comFishHawk resident Molly Zurlage recruited her munity service. Her family and friends to make care packages for the experience with the

Ronald McDonald House last month. RMDH led her to call the organization to see what they could do, but they were not allowed to enter their buildings. Determined to help in any way they could, the Zurlages found that they could make care packages from home and deliver them. These care packages will include snacks and hygiene products and the goal is to make 150 of each. Hoping to meet this goal, Molly enlisted the help of friends, asking for donations and inviting them to make them with her and her children, who attend Bevis Elementary and Randall Middle Schools. Grayson, her 11-year-old son, explained, “I am excited to do it and I hope we meet our goal. Hopefully, we can make the residents smile.” To help the RMDH, please visit https:// www.rmhc.org/get-involved. There you will find a donation button and other ways you can get involved.

BASS PRO SHOPS DONATES FISHING EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

By Pauline Derry

Tampa’s Bass Pro Shops recently donated over 600 fishing combos, rods and reels to local nonprofit organization Take a Kid Fishing, Inc. as part of its annual Gone Fishing National Donation Day that took place on June 10.

This year, over 40,000 refurbished rods and reels were donated to nonprofit organizations across the country. The gently used fishing equipment was brought in by customers in return for discounts on new gear.

“We’re thrilled to be such an important part of introducing kids and their families in our community to the fun of fishing. They’re choosing to put down the phones and video games and spend quality time in the outdoors making wonderful family memories,” said Jarron Ritchie, Bass Pro Shops Tampa general manager.

William Dunn, founder and CEO of Take

a Kid Fishing, Inc., and his team change the lives of fatherless and foster kids by mentoring them and taking them on fishing trips where they learn the importance of life skills and, most importantly, are shown that someone cares about them. “Their donation enables me to bless less fortunate kids in the community. A lot of the kids live in foster care and are unable to aford the equipment to fish. I William Dunn, founder and CEO of Take a Kid give away eight to Fishing, Inc., takes underprivileged kids on fshing 10 rods at a time, so excursions. donations like this help us keep going,” Dunn said. “This is their second year donating to us and it has helped tremendously.” William and his team are always accepting PayPal donations on their website along with new company sponsors to fund fishing trips to help their cause. For more information on how to get involved or to donate, visit www.takf.com or contact Dunn at 863-944-5641.

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CAMPO YMCA WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS

By Michelle Caceres

Campo Family YMCA has appointed Robyn Ostrem as its vice president of operations and Ryan Pratt as its associate executive director.

Ostrem, who has been working for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA since 2019, transferred from the New Tampa Family YMCA, where she served as its executive director. Prior to 2019, she was living in Illinois and working for the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

Ostrem said she and her staf have been working diligently to make cosmetic updates (fresh paint, updated lighting and hiring a new cleaning company), and other exciting facility improvements are coming soon.

She also is focusing on increasing the number of individuals serving on the board of advisors. “These individuals are tasked with helping to raise money for the Y, which is important since we are a nonprofit organization,” she said. “Funds raised support our Open Doors program, which ensures YMCA membership and programs

are afordable for all.” Pratt joined the YMCA team in 2018 as membership and wellness director at East Pasco YMCA after moving from Michigan, where he was manager of Domino’s Farms Corporate Fitness Center. He graduated from Eastern Michigan UniCampo Family YMCA welcomes Robyn Ostrem and Ryan Pratt to its team. versity with a BS in sports medicine and exercise science. He has been blown away by the number of members that visit the Campo YMCA each day, which is a marked increase from number that frequented the East Pasco facility. He knew every members name, a task that he said is going to be more difcult at Campo. Pratt said he wants members to know the YMCA is there to support them. “Every time a member steps into our facility, I want them to know they are a part of our Y family and that we are here to assist them on their journey to living a healthy and fulfilling life,” he said. Campo Family YMCA, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, ofers two swimming pools with a splash pad and waterslides, an outdoor picnic and workout area, a basketball gym, a variety of frequent group exercise classes, plenty of exercise machines and free weights, youth sports, summer camps and more. For more information, please visit www. tampaymca.org or call 684-1371.

NEW DO-IT-YOURSELF NORIDA PODS MAKE TINY HOME LIVING ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

By Marie Gilmore

We’ve all heard about the tiny home movement, the idea of leaving our glut of ‘stuf’ behind and making life simple by just keeping our essential needs. Now, there is a new doit-yourself kit for a new kind of tiny house lifestyle that you can build in about 60 hours. The company, a partnership between two entrepreneurs, is reminiscent of an IKEA furniture kit. The small tiny house or ‘glamping pod’ is available in a kit, ready to assemble, and can be delivered within the week.

Currently, the company, called Norida Pods, has a prototype house available for tours right in Plant City and has pods at the ready.

Both Swedish-American partners have a passion for real estate, high-quality construction, creation of passive income and how people live.

“I was born and raised in Sweden and moved to the United States six years ago,” described Co-Founder Fredrik Axelsson. “I have seen big changes in how people want to live, such as work from home, gig economy and even afordable housing. The demand is there and growing, but the supply is lacking behind. Together with my co-founder, Lars Dyrendahl, we aim to ful-

fill that need and collaborate with counties around the country for best possible solutions. We start with our glamping pods and will grow into tiny houses, ADUs (accessory dwelling units—typically a kitchen or spare room in Europe) and other modular homes.” Each pod consists of a wooden oval structured ‘house’ made of ScandiNorida Pods Co-Founder Fredrik Axels- navian pine, designed and son stands with his wife, Sandra Sanchez, in front of a prototype do-it-yourself ‘glamping pod.’ handcrafted in Europe and shipped to Florida. The package includes the boards, doors, windows and all types of screws needed. Pricing starts at $8,600 for an 8x10-foot and ranges to $14,900 for a 10x19-foot floor plan. The 10x19 design can include a kitchen area, living space, queen-size bed and bathroom area, plus a small front porch with French doors, double-pane windows and a shingled roof. The pods are available for immediate delivery to all parts of the country and suitable for campgrounds and parks. They are also great as a home ofce, guest house, garden shed or art studio. Customers are responsible for checking local zoning regulations/permissions to ensure compliance. For more information, call 561-801-5400, email fredrik.axelsson@noridapods.com or visit https://noridapods.com/.

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RETIRED USAF VETERANS CREATE FOAM-FILLED FUN

By Annabelle Caraway

Stephen Herron, Shane Stults, Brian Porter and Brenda Porter, the owners of Foam Factory.

Milestones, accomplishments and more are all causes for celebration. When thinking about a party, the usual comes to mind, balloons, cake and maybe a bouncy house. The Foam Factory is a perfect addition to a celebration list.

Brian Porter and Shane Stults have been best friends for 15 years, including serving in the United States Air Force together. Porter and his wife, Brenda, used to own a gymnastics company years ago and enjoyed seeing the happiness they brought to children.

The Foam Factory currently has three franchises in FishHawk, Orlando and South Carolina.

“We wanted something new that people would be looking for; something new instead of bouncy houses for children’s parties and birthday parties in general. We saw it on the internet and not many people were doing foam parties, so we started doing homework and Shane said he wanted to do it,” said Porter.

The best part is that the party can come to you and doesn’t need a specific location. The foam is created from a special foam gel and water. To disperse the fun at parties, a 6-foot-tall cannon blows the foam in a 40x40-foot area.

While playing in the foam, the Foam Factory plays music to keep the party going.

“The foam isn’t just white. We have blue and red that is almost pink, so we can do gender reveal parties. We also have glow foam for evening

parties with strobe lights to add efect,” said Porter.

The Foam Factory is all about bringing smiles and laughter to people through its unique party feature. As a recently opened business, it is hoping to increase its clients and continue being a part of your celebration. For more information, you can visit its website at www.floridafoamfactory.com or www.facebook.com/floridafoamfactory for its Facebook page.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL INVITES RESIDENTS TO TEA

Staf Report

All ladies and little ladies are cordially invited to attend the St. Vincent de Paul Annual Ladies Tea, which benefits the food pantry and financial assistance program. Last year, during the pandemic, the pantry stayed open and gave out over 18,000 lbs. of food and $64,600 in financial aid for rent and utilities. The majority of the funds are given to the group by parishioners. This tea is the group’s only fundraiser.

“We are greatly indebted to the ladies and gentlemen who dedicate themselves to supporting our ministry,” said Liz McLaughlin with the pantry.

Attendees may be a hostess for a table and set it with their own dishes or paper products.

“Choose a theme for your table if you wish and invite all your friends to join you or come and join someone else’s table and meet new ladies,” said McLaughlin.

The menu includes delicious tea, traditional scones, tea sandwiches and desserts served as a bufet, with each person selecting their items that will be served to them. Younger ladies may choose an optional menu of PB&J sandwiches, juice and desserts. They are invited to decorate flowered headbands and model their creations in a parade.

New this year is the entertainment provided by St. Stephen Catholic School Music Group. Rafe prizes include a 55” smart TV, iPad Air and Magnolia and Vine Versa purse.

All money from ticket sales and donations go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to assist those in need. Additional monetary donations beyond the $20 per

Tickets are now on sale for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual tea event. person would be greatly appreciated. The group requests that laundry soap be donated to help those who come to the pantry in need of this expensive product. Please make checks payable to SVDP. For more information or reservations, please call Arlene Stein 284-5884 or arstein@outlook.com. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, September 8. Can’t make it? Make an online donation of the price of a ticket at svdpriverviewfl. org by September 8 and you will still be eligible for the rafe prizes. The event will take place on Saturday, September 18 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Family Life Center of St. Stephen Church Catholic Church, located at 10118 St. Stephen Cir. in Riverview.

TAMPA BAY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL LOOKS TO THE BRANDON COMMUNITY FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS

By Libby Hopkins

The Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (TBUFF) was founded eight years ago by award-winning Tampa Bay area filmmakers, actors, critics and artists to catch the independent films that fall through the cracks and end up, well, underground. With most independent films going straight to home video, TBUFF ofers each cast and crew the opportunity to see their movie on the big screen in digital sound at a real theater, as well as marketing, promotion and accolades to shore up distribution prospects.

“Although the ‘U’ in TBUFF stands for ‘Underground,’ we don’t necessarily mean that in the ‘dark and disturbing’ sense. ‘Underground’ is really more about the manner in which the movies are produced—in a scrappy, micro budget manner, generally without Hollywood backing, although we’ve had a few movies with well-known talent in them,” said TBUFF’s programming director, R. Presley Stephens. “But the average person hasn’t heard of most of the filmmakers and actors involved in TBUFF movies and, unlike a lot of festivals, we’re fine with that.”

TBUFF is looking for film submissions for the festival that will be taking place in late October of this year. “Although we’ve had plenty of horror films, art films and just plain ‘weird’ films, TBUFF is definitely an allgenre film festival and we’ve shown every-

thing from feminist dramas and family films and heartbreaking documentaries to superhero films and sci-fi action films, many of them with professional efects done on a shoestring budget,” Stephens said. “We showTe Tampa Bay Underground Film Fes- case both featival (TBUFF) was founded eight years ture-length ago by award-winning Tampa Bay area and short flmmakers, actors, critics and artists to films and, with the catch the independent flms that fall through the cracks and end up underground. obvious exception of 2020, we’ve had more than 200 selections each of the past five years, which is among the most of not just any festival in Central Florida, but among all the so-called underground festivals in the country, so we do bring a lot of filmmakers together from around the world.” TBUFF has a strong connection with the local film community and tends to show a great deal of films from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Orlando, Sarasota and other areas of our state. “At the time TBUFF was founded, we felt like a lot of Florida festivals had become somewhat unsupportive of the state’s talent in favor of what we like to call ‘Sundance films,’ so we wanted to have a little diferent culture from that while still recognizing strong entries from around the world.” If you’d like to learn more about the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival or if you’d like to submit a film to the festival, you can visit its website at www.tbuf.org.

UP OWL NIGHT SLEEPOVER ADVENTURES OPENS, OFFERS THEMED BIRTHDAY SLEEPOVERS AT REASONABLE PRICES

By Debra Garcia

A child’s birthday can be very exciting, as it is the one day a year they get to make memories with their friends and family, celebrating their lives up till that point. There are many ways that kids these days celebrate their birthdays, whether it’s with a party, going to an arcade, visiting a theme park or even having sleepovers.

Sleepovers can be tricky to host, though. Not anymore. Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures is a new local business in the FishHawk area that hosts children’s birthday sleepovers. Founded by the mother-daughter duo Kathy Lucket and Bree Music, Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures was made to bring wonderful memories to all children who come through their doors.

“Growing up, sleepovers were a staple in our home and birthdays have always been something our family has taken very seriously. Still to this day, we have some of our most fond memories of sleepovers we have held,” said Music.

Music has a background in elementary education and loves to bring children’s imaginations to life. Luckett is known as the fairy grandmother to her family and friends and has an incredible gift of decorating. Together, they combined their skills to open Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures.

These are not just ordinary sleepovers, however. Every sleepover has a specific theme. Right now, its themes include ‘Uni-

corn Dreaming,’ ‘Wilderness Explorers,’ ‘Pretty in Pink,’ ‘Dinosaur Island,’ ‘Princess Ice Palace,’ ‘Game On’ and ‘Calling All Superheroes.’ Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures hopes to make more themes as time progresses. Not only does Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures have very reasonKathy Lucket (middle) with kids during a b l e their frst Up Owl Night sleepover pricing, starting at $130, a lot is included in all pricings. This consists of delivery, setup and takedown of everything, including indoor overnight tents, plush mattresses, mattress covers, sheets, blankets, throw pillows, trays, table lights and decor, decorative garlands, teepee lights and a small present for each child. Booking a birthday sleepover is very easy as well. Just visit its website, click “book a party” and book a day and time that is available. Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures is recommended from children ages 5 and up. “Our hopes are that we would like Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures to become well known in the community. We want to host as many parties as we can because we want children to experience how fun a themed sleepover can be,” said Music. For more information, please visit the Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures’ website at https://www.upowlnightadventures. com/, its Facebook page at Up Owl Night Sleepover Adventures LLC or email Music at sales@upowlnightadventures.com.

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TAMPA BAY RAPTOR CENTER RESCUES HAWK IN BACK OF MARIE GILMORE’S HOUSE

By Debra Garcia

The Osprey Observer’s very own editor-in-chief, Marie Gilmore, had a runin with a red-shouldered hawk that desperately needed rescuing. Have no fear, the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, Inc. is here.

It all started when the hawk slammed into Gilmore’s pool screen.

“After four hours of trying, Raptor Center sent their volunteer over within 15 minutes and she picked him up and he flew away,” said Gilmore.

Nancy Murrah, who is the president of the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, was on the scene.

“The hawk got stuck in her lanai, and we were able to get it out successfully. There was no injuries, so he was able to be released on the spot,” said Murrah.

The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay is a nonprofit organization that is currently building a wildlife rehabilitation facility with a focus on birds of prey. This is where they will rescue, treat and rehabilitate raptors, always with the goal to release them back into the wild.

The organization is made up of volunteers, state and federally permitted rehabbers, educators and conservation advocates.

The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay has

been trying to build this facility since 2018 when it bought a piece a land but was not allowed to build on it. No, it is still in search to buy a bigger piece of land in the southern part of Hillsborough County. In addition to rescuing, raising, rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of birds of prey across Central Florida, the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay also provides transportation and Nancy Murrah, president of the Raptor Center of facilitates solutions

Tampa Bay, in a car after rescuing a hawk. for non-bird of prey

Photo courtesy of the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay. species and deploys rapid response teams to treat and transport the species. One of the main reasons the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay wants a facility so bad is for the bald eagles. When an eagle is captured, they need to be taken to a flight cage in order to be rehabilitated. Other than the cage in Busch Gardens, the nearest flight cage is over 200 miles away. The Raptor Center of Tampa Bay wants to be able to have their own flight cages so the eagles do not have to travel so far. It also hosts environmental/nature education teaching events for the general public and works in conjunction with utility companies and corporations to provide solutions for these birds. For more on the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, visit www.raptorcenteroftampa.org.

NEW LAW WILL REQUIRE CPR AND BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

By Lily Belcher

On July 1, a new law took efect that will implement CPR training for students in middle school and high school.

Committee Substitute/House Bill 157 was first filed with the House on January 4 and was voted on unanimously by the Florida House and Senate on April 26. The legislation, which was signed into a law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 21, will encourage schools to provide CPR and basic first aid training for their sixth and eighth graders and require the training for ninth and 11th graders.

However, Hillsborough County Schools will not see too drastic of a change, as hands-only CPR, heat acclimation tips, and caring for basic injuries are already taught to some elementary and middle school students and all high school students through Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) classes.

The enforcement of CPR training has saved lives before. Since many high school teachers and coaches have been trained in CPR, Plant City High School coach Carrie Mahon was able to perform CPR on student Charlie Curtis, who fell into cardiac arrest while running laps in 2014. Curtis’ story, among others, furthered the push to require CPR training in classrooms.

“With the new bill that passed, we are working on updating all our pacing guides

to make sure it definitely is stated on there and includes the bill number,” explained Supervisor for K-12 Physical Education Ashlee Cappucci. “We will continue with yearly trainings so that our teachers are equipped to provide any updated information and materials.” In order to ensure the CPR and first aid training is taught correctly, the Hillsborough County Schools District is workLeslie Wheeler’s class at Nelson Elementary School practices CPR. ing with the American Heart Association, Collet Bobs with BayCare’s Heart Healthy Curriculum, and Joel Strom and Charles Sand from STEMI. Strom, who runs the STEMI meetings, is responsible for relaying information about recent heart events and how Hillsborough County Schools are responding and preparing for similar events if they should occur. “American Heart Association donates mannequins and is a huge partner with us to help with educating our students each year,” added Cappucci. “Eric Stommes from the American Heart Association is our district support and works with us to ensure students are educated on a healthy heart.” The CPR training will be included in the 2021-2022 school curriculum and open to any students, not just the specified grade levels. For more information, contact Media Outreach Department Manager Erin Maloney at erin.maloney@hcps.net.

LOCAL RAP ARTIST KE$H MULA LOOKS TO PUT TAMPA MUSIC INDUSTRY ON THE MAP

By Nick Nahas

Local rapper/artist/ executive producer Ke$h Mula is making waves in the music industry. The Valrico resident just dropped his latest music video for his song “My Year,” which he filmed in Los Angeles.

The Bloomingdale High School graduate dedicated his song to his longtime friend and supporter Jessie Fuhs, who died of brain cancer earlier this year, as well as his friend Chris ‘Juxe.’ His late friends are an added motivation for him to succeed in his career.

“I just want Jessie to know that his legacy continues, no matter what happens,” Mula said. “I am going to make sure that his name lives on, and I want him to know that I love him very much. I just wanted to put their faces in the music video to show how much I care about them and how much I want them to be there with me on my journey.”

Mula started his own record label, Strictly Business Entertainment, and has an album out called 81305. He recorded his first song, “Applying Pressure,” in 2015, but admitted that he didn’t get serious about making music until about two and a half years ago. The album pays homage to the two cities where he is from. Mula, whose family is from Colombia, was born in Miami and grew up in Valrico. The album name is a combination of area codes from Tampa (813) and Miami (305). He is currently working on a new album that he plans on releasing before the end of the year called Hustleonomics.

“My career right now is really about being the best me possible,” said Mula. “When it comes to making music, I don’t lie about anything—everything is real to the core and every song that I make is a part of me, it comes from my soul.”

The rapper has been traveling around the country to cities such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and New York, working with diferent artists and producers to gain exposure and grow his audience. He admitted that he has so much left to accomplish and he

Mula started his own record label, Strictly Business Entertainment. Photos courtesy of Ke$h Mula. is hungry to do so. Right now, he isn’t focused on signing or making more money, his main goal is improving his craft. He credits musicians Lil’ Wayne and Drake as influences on his style of music, word play, creativity and versatility. Every time he has writer’s block, he said, he turns on some Ke$h Mula just dropped his latest music video Lil’ Wayne to help for his song “My Year,” which he flmed in Los inspire him as a blueAngeles. print for success. He considers himself a student of the game, and understands that he has to study and learn from the best in order to be the best. Mula is proud of where he came from and incorporates the city of Tampa in every project that he does. In his album, 81305, every producer, photographer and videographer that he worked with was from Tampa. He prides himself on working with people from the city and he recognizes all the talent from his hometown. He never forgets where he came from. “When you are trying to write your story for the world that’s outside looking in, you have to start from the beginning,” said Mula. “I named my album 81305 because those are the roots of where I was born and where I got my main influences from. I appreciate everybody that’s behind me, and I can’t wait to take this thing to the top.” Ke$h Mula plans on finishing his album by the end of the year and going on tour next year. His music is available on Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube and Tidal, to name a few.

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CULINARY SPECIALTIES TAMPA SUPPORTS FEEDING TAMPA BAY BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL MEALS

By Lily Belcher

Culinary Specialties Tampa, a chef inspired gourmet food service, provided 14,000 meals each week in June to Feeding Tampa Bay, a food bank dedicated to serving individuals who struggle with food insecurity. Culinary Specialties supplied a variety of meals, including grilled chicken or steak with soups and other side dishes, that gave customers a flavorful and healthy meal.

“We are a wholesale specialty food service company that sells directly to local chefs,” said Sales Manager at Culinary Specialties Tampa April Music. “We make frozen and fresh hors d’oeuvres for large parties and weddings. And we also take recipes from local chefs and recreate their items; to help ofset their lack of labor. So, it’s still their same product just made from our USDA facility and delivered ready to eat at their location.”

The partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay has benefitted both Culinary Specialties, which had experienced a decrease in order volume when Covid hit, and Feeding Tampa Bay, which had experienced an increase in food demand as many families fell victim to Covid-related unemployment.

“We have really enjoyed picking up Feed-

ing Tampa Bay and helping the community during this time,” said Music. “God has been good to us. We are hopeful that we will always be able to help as the need arises.” In order to keep up with the increased volume of meals being made to support Feeding Tampa Bay, Culinary Specialties has brought on seven volunteers in addition to their four full time employees and five part time employees. “It’s hard work but it’s well worth it for the cause,” said part time employee Rachel Haley Alfonso, Breahna Nelis, Rayna Metcalf, Kiera Nelis, and Ava Covelli Hesse. E a c h help package meals for week, Feed-

Feeding Tampa Bay. ing Tampa Bay passes out the meals provided by Culinary Specialties. In response to the support they have provided. Culinary Specialties has received an outpouring of cards and gratitude from Feeding Tampa Bay customers, Music said. The meals and donated time have allowed Feeding Tampa Bay to provide for families and individuals in need of food during trying financial times. For more information on Culinary Specialties, visit their Facebook page or contact Music by email at aprilm@culinaryspec.com or call 453-3137.

#HASHTAGLUNCHBAG SERVES FOOD AND LOVE TO THOSE IN NEED

By Meghan Reyes

A new study from Porch shows that for every 10,000 people in Florida, 13.2 are homeless. Forty-four percent of those homeless are living without shelter or a steady food supply. This is where #HashtagLunchbag comes in. #HashtagLunchbag is a humanitarian service movement dedicated to empowering and inspiring others to reap the benefits of giving. It creates and uses bagged lunches, complete with additional inspiring messages attached, to spread love and share experiences to inspire others.

“The Tampa chapter was initiated in 2015,” Veronica Casteleiro, #HashtagLunchbag Tampa ambassador, said, “When the original ambassadors moved away, the chapter ‘died out.’ In March of 2018, I reached out to Ariana Stiller and the #HashtagLunchbag headquarters and we started the chapter back up.”

Vanessa Rocha, Casteleiro and Stiller are the head organizers of the Tampa Bay chapter. Each began as a volunteer for the organization and later became the heads of the chapter.

“There have been some giveback events where 60 people volunteered,” Stiller said, “Tampa Bay Buccaneer Kwon Alexander volunteered with us one week-

end, and a lot of people came out to that event.” According to Stiller, on average, 20 people will volunteer for giveback events. Volunteers will gather and discuss a game plan for each event. Groups of volunteers will break of into stations and begin assembling the lunch bags. Once all the lunches #HashtagLunchbag volunteers at the sand- are packed, a group wich assembly station. photo is taken and lunches are distributed through the homeless community in the Tampa community. “Our main goal is to spread kindness through the community,” Casteleiro said, “We want to show people that, although we may not be in your shoes, we still care.” The Tampa Bay chapter of #HashtagLunchbag is sponsored by the Kickball Society of Tampa Bay. A local DJ, DJ Uptown, is present to keep spirits high and music flowing at each giveback event. The Tampa Bay chapter of #HashtagLunchbag hosts giveback events every second Sunday at Yard of Ale Soho in Tampa. For more information on how to volunteer or start your event, go to hashtaglunchbag.org/get-involved or HashtagLunchbag Tampa Bay on Facebook.

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Kratom is a plant that is related to the coffee plant. Coffee releases a chemical called caffeine, however Kratom contains a chemical called mitragynine, an alkaloid that acts on the brain opiate receptors and alters mood. In Asia, people use it in small doses as an energy and mood booster and larger amounts for pain.

A recent study by Hopkinsmedicine.org estimates up to 16 million people use Kratom.

A recent survey of 2,798 people…of these participants, 91% reported taking kratom to alleviate pain for back, shoulder and knee pain, 67% for anxiety and 65% for depression. About 41% of survey responders said they took kratom to treat opioid withdrawal, and of those people who took it for opioid withdrawal, 35% reported going more than a year without taking prescription opioids or heroin.

There are different strains and different methods to consume, as well as quality of product. Kratom is not FDA approved so there is a lot of confusing, and conficting information online. If you would like more info on Kratom or try a free sample, come to either Chill Caw-Fee location and we will be happy to explain in detail.

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Yoga Classes, Granny’s Attic Sale, Bath Bombs & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Yoga Classes At Center Place

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon is hosting regular yoga classes. Holy Yoga Flow will take place on Saturday, August 7 from 8-9 a.m. and is geared towards beginners. Hatha Yoga Flow is also on August 7 from 10-11 a.m. and is for both beginners and intermediate yogis. An evening yoga class is available on Wednesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 26 from 7-8 p.m. Evening yoga is also suitable for both beginners and intermediate yogis. All yoga classes are $20. To register, call Center Place on 685-8888.

Granny’s Attic Sale At St. Andrew’s UMC

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon, is hosting its Granny’s Attic Summer Sale on Saturday, August 28 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come out and take a look at its gently used merchandise, including books, games, kitchen items, home decor, accessories and more.

It is also seeking vendors for its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, October 30. For more information, call the church ofce at 6896849, email info@saumc.net or visit www. saumc.net.

Center Place Presents Animal Safari Stories

Travel around the world and experience animated folktales about animals that teach us life lessons. Katie Adams’ storytelling show includes mime movement, a variety of rhythm instruments, a beautiful jungle backdrop and audience participation with animal movements and sounds. The stories in this popular show are Anansi and his Six Sons, from Africa; Coyote and the Laughing Butterflies, from the Southwestern United States; Papagayo, from the Amazon rainforest; and The Crocodile’s Tale, from the Philippines.

Performances will take place on Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The 6:30 p.m. shows will be pajama parties. The tickets are priced at $5 each and need to be purchased from Center Place by calling 685-8888.

GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club Upcoming Events

The GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s

Club is holding its general meetings in the clubhouse located at 129 N. Moon

Ave. in Brandon on Thursday, August 5 and Thursday, September 2 at 7 p.m. Wild Thing

Bowling is taking place on Sunday, August 29 from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $12 and sponsorship of the event is available for $50. Tickets and more information are available at www.gfwcbrandonjuniors.org.

East Hillsborough Democratic Club Meetings

The East Hillsborough Democratic Club will have its monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 10 at 6:30p.m. All like-minded individuals are welcome to attend the meeting at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, located at 701 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer will be the guest speaker. Please RSVP on Mobilize or www. easthillsboroughdems.org; for questions, call 677-8300 and leave a message.

Community Events At New Hope Church

A lot of exciting events are taking place at New Hope Church in Brandon. One event the church is ofering is a Friday Night Courtyard Concert on Friday, August 13 at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon. The event will be a family-friendly evening filled with music and fellowship.

This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to a socially distanced evening of great local music talent. There will be food truck favor and ice cream available for purchase.

Another event is the church’s Food Co-Op, which will meet every first and third Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the New Hope Life Center. One food unit, costing $5, will consist of a hefty amount of produce and a dozen eggs. You do not need to attend New Hope to participate—everyone is welcome.

Orders must be submitted by 11 p.m. on the Sunday prior to the Food Co-Op date.

For more information on the New Hope events, call 689-4161 or visit findnewhope. com.

Valrico Native Graduates From Te U.S. Naval Academy

Jessica Jenkins of Valrico successfully completed four years of challenging academic, physical and professional military training, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as a U.S. Navy Ens. She is a graduate of Bloomingdale Senior High School.

B Street Market Place Is Looking For Vendors

B Street Market Place will be starting in October and running through April, skipping January, and it is looking for vendors for the events. The markets will be held at Keller Williams Realty, located at 2350 E. SR 60 in Valrico, on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration fee is $40 per market or if you register for all six markets in advance the rate is reduced to $35.

Please reach out to the Brownlee Group at 413-4229 for more information.

Center Place’s yoga mother and daughter duo from Well Rooted Wellness will be teaching guests how to create their own bath bombs. The class will take place on Thursday, September 16 from 6-9 p.m. at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon. The cost for the class is $40 and includes wine, food and supplies for making bath bombs. To register for the class, call Center Place on 685-8888.

Dementia And Alzheimer’s Support Groups Now Meeting

Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved ones. A great way to learn and share are the new hybrid Alzheimer’s Association support groups, which are now being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon. One is an evening group and the other is midday. The evening group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. (Zoom meeting number: 897 6781 0479; password: evening). The midday meeting is on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. (Zoom meeting number: 869 4044 7508; password: support). Tessera of Brandon is located at 1320 Oakfield Dr. Call 607-6880 for more information.

Chill Cawfee Hosts Wellness Luncheons

Chill Cawfee will be presenting monthly Wellness Luncheons with Dr. Kelly King at Releaf MD. The luncheons will answer questions about CBD medical marijuana, ailments that qualify, products that are available at dispensaries and the processing of state information. Dates for upcoming luncheons are Saturday, August 21 and Saturday, September 18. The luncheons will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Chill Cawfee, located at 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. The luncheon charge is $5, which will include pizza from Rosati’s, and space is limited.

For more information and a list of in-store events, visit www.chillcawfee.com or follow its Facebook page @chillcawfee.

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PORTION OF STATE ROAD 60 RENAMED IN HONOR OF FALLEN HCSO SGT. BRIAN LAVIGNE

By Tatiana Ortiz

Governor Ron DeSantis signing Senate Bill 1716, along with the families of the fallen ofcers and other ofcials.

Deputy Caitlin LaVigne stands with her father Corporal Brian LaVigne while he received an award at the Alafa River Chapter NSDAR.

On January 11, 2021, Sgt. Brian LaVigne was killed in the line of duty while assisting his fellow Hillsborough County Sherif’s Department officers on a service call in Brandon. An individual, fleeing from law enforcement, struck Sgt. Brian LaVigne’s vehicle which caused injuries which ultimately took his life. Sgt. LaVigne, a 31-year veteran of the department was one shift from retirement when he was struck and killed.

On June 18, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1716, which is an act relating to transportation facilities designated honoring fallen law enforcement ofcers. Sgt. LaVigne along with Dep. Michael Magli with the Pinellas County Sherif’s Ofce and Master Patrol Ofcer Jesse Madsen with the Tampa Police Department were also recognized with commemorative roadway namings in the signing of the bill.

“We commemorated three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities,” Gov. DeSantis said. “Serving in law enforcement is a noble calling and deserves nothing less than our full support and respect. These were the type of men we need in law enforcement,” he added.

Families of the fallen ofcers also attended the commemoration, along with Hillsborough County Sherif Chad Chronister,

Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, Pinellas

County Sherif Bob Gualtieri and Sen. Ed

Hooper, among others.

As of July 1, State Road 60 between

Interstate 75 and Phillip Lee Boulevard in Hillsborough County is now designated as “Sergeant Brian LaVigne Road.”

“We are so thankful for this permanent symbol of the selfless service and ultimate sacrifice that Sergeant LaVigne made for our community,” Sherif Chronister said. “I hope that this permanent reminder comforts the family,” he stated.

The two additional renamed roadways include County Road 611 between Keystone Road and Forelock Road in Pinellas County now known as “Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Road.” And, Interstate 275 between East Sligh Avenue and East Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in is now known as “Ofcer Jesse Madsen Memorial Highway.”

“I am honored to make sure these brave heroes are never forgotten. May God grant their families and coworkers peace and comfort,” Hooper said. By Brian Bokor, Founder www.facebook.com/bokorscorner

Welcome to your August update of new projects in the greater Brandon/Riverview area. Please check respective Facebook pages or web sites for the most recent information.

In Brandon, contractors have been repurposing the closed Sweet Tomatoes restaurant on SR 60 west of Falkenburg Rd. into Sushi Yama, featuring Japanese and Asian cuisine, as well as converting the old Toys “R” Us building in the Westfield Brandon mall area into the new Tampa/Brandon campus of Rasmussen University, specializing in nursing education but also ofering degrees in business, design, education, health sciences and justice studies.

ModWash car wash submitted plans for a store on Falkenburg Rd. just south of Palm River Rd., adjacent to the 7-Eleven on the east side. Brandon Medical South, a 40,000 sq. ft. medical facility will be built on Kings Ave. between Oakfield Dr. and Lumsden Ave. The southeast corner of SR 60 and Miller Rd. will see the existing Hungry Howie’s and barber shop demolished, making room for a new Hungry Howie’s without seating, and reduced to 1,320 sq. ft., along with a proposed 2,600 sq. ft. Andy Frozen Custard added, with both appearing to ofer drive-through service.

In Riverview, the Hillsborough County School Board has recently submitted plans to add 594 seats to Collins Elementary along with a new 20,000 sq. ft. gymnasium and additions to the music, dining and media center and convert the school from an elementary school to prekindergarten through eighth grade. Additionally, the request includes the addition of shared park and recreational facilities as well as a 15,000 sq. ft. community center that includes a playground with basketball courts on the northern parcel to be shared with the public. KB Homes will be building 176 single family homes south of Symmes Rd. at the Riverview Flower Farm location between Fern Hill Dr. and U.S. 301. The Shops at Waterset Crossing will reside on the west side of Waterset Blvd. south of Big Bend Rd. The plaza has a “lease pending with a national grocer” as the anchor store with outparcels available for retail and restaurant opportunities. This shopping center will essentially be sandwiched between 293 D.R. Horton Townhomes on the east side of Waterset Blvd. and 343 apartments to the west of the project. The Belmont area keeps exploding with the announcement of the Sumner Crossing shopping plaza on the northeast corner with CVS, Starbucks, Lockhart Storage and Camel Car Wash planned for the 15acre site, with additional outparcels available. Directly across U.S. 301 on the northwest corner, the Strathmore Real Estate Group is marketing 4-plus acres of commercial land “capable of supporting enhanced drive-through capability for quick serve restaurants or a state-of-the-art convenience store with fueling stations,” as well as other potential opportunities.

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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA IS LOOKING FOR DONATIONS FOR WREATHS OF REMEMBRANCE

By Makenzie Atkins

Wreaths Across America is a national, non-profit organization which coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad.

With over 1.7 million wreaths placed in 2020, Wreaths Across America is hoping to create that same kind of impact by the end of this year.

According to its website, “While coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December on National Wreaths Across America Day is a big part of what we do, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out throughout the year. From our Remembrance Tree program to the Wreaths Across America Museum in Maine, there are many diferent ways in which you can get involved!”

Just as the pandemic hurt many businesses and organizations in the past year, Wreaths Across America has had a hard time fundraising for the Wreaths of Remembrance ceremony.

Locally, there are more than 730 headstones at the American Legion Cemetery that need a wreath this year. The local chapter of the organization is asking for help. Donations of any size can be made by cash or check mailed to the American

Legion Post 5: ALA Unit 5 at 3810 West Kennedy Blvd. 33609. Cash may also be dropped of at the post any Mon, Weds or Fri between 11 a.m and 4 p.m. Any amount is welcome and sponsorships are $15 for each wreath. The ceremony at the American Legion Cemetery will take place on Saturday, December 18 at noon. A wreath is laid and the name of the individual is said aloud in remembrance. Volunteers, students and family members are all welcome to participate. People of all ages come out to remember “The laying of the wreath our veterans by placing a wreath and symbols triumph over saying the name on each grave. death, it implies that family and friends or any individual is letting all know that the individuals soul lives on,” said Bonnie O’Brien from the Cemetery Board at American Legion Post Five. Anyone who attends Wreaths of Remembrance in December is invited to place a wreath on a headstone at the American Legion Cemetery. Being apart of the ceremony allows residents to show respect for the men and women who served. The cemetery, is located at 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609, 1/2 block in from Dale Mabry Highway and Kennedy Blvd. For more information, contact Bonnie O’Brien at obrienb43@yahoo.com, call 810-1727 or visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY WITH SUPERINTENDENT DAVIS

By Superintendent Addison Davis

It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome back our students, teachers, staf and families to what will be a phenomenal 2021-22 school year. Returning students to a more familiar routine will be paramount to their academic success and overall social and emotional wellness. Our families will re-engage through face-to-face learning, or by joining thousands of families who have chosen Hillsborough Virtual K-12.

Our first priority remains health and safety as students and staf return to campuses. We will continue to practice social distancing per CDC guidance for schools where possible; each school will have ample PPE available for use, including sanitation stations in all classrooms, face coverings for those who want one and directional signage in hallways for controlled movement. Each school will continue to have a COVID-19 lead—a staf member designated to guide our protocols in partnership with Department of Health - Hillsborough (DOH-H), including contact tracing and quarantines.

In line with CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals with no COVID-19 symptoms will not be required to quarantine. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and remain symptom free will also be excluded from quarantine.

Our schools will once again benefit from some of our most valuable partners—school volunteers. These irreplaceable resources provide crucial contributions, including individual academic supports for kids, distributing student incentives, gathering of school supplies and direct support to teachers. We do encourage our visitors to schedule appointments through school leadership prior to visiting campus. Based on COVID-19 trends across the community and combined with recommendations from local health ofcials, HCPS (Hillsborough County Public Schools) has planned for full student programming this school year. Our safety protocols will not vanish during extracurricular/athletic contests, as we will continue to recommend the use of face coverings and social distancing while in attendance regardless of the venue.

Reopening schools is critical in our efforts to narrow the achievement gap for students, as well as accelerate learning gains that may have slowed during the most unorthodox school year on record. We will continue to work with the DOH-H and Tampa General Hospital/USF Health as we monitor conditions across our community so that we respond in a smart and measured way as necessary.

We have also created a reopening plan with more information. Go to www.hillsboroughschools.org for details. We want to thank everyone that has contributed to the work of protecting and educating our students over these past 16 months.

ARMATURE WORKS HOSTS SECOND SUNDAY ART WALK AND VENDOR FAIR

By Lily Belcher

On the second Sunday of each month, Armature Works is hosting an Art Walk and Vendor Fair to feature local visual and artisanal artists. The yearround event takes place in the Courtyard and Western Walkway and gives locals the opportunity to support fellow community members in their eforts to showcase their original and creative pieces. The fair, organized by Art Curator Stella Gallerie, is open to the public for free from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. once a month.

“The event will feature a rotating cast of artisanal artists and makers selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, woodwork, gifts plus so much more in the Gathering space at Armature Works,” according to the Facebook page for the event.

Local and regional artists are welcome to submit an application to participate in the fair. Vendors who are willing to commit to a three-month time period are selected on a quarterly basis. If selected, they will be notified approximately three weeks prior and may be rotated out each quarter to ensure a diversity of works are showcased. The Art Walk will not include or be open to food trucks and vendors.

“Space is limited, and vendors will be selected based on their contribution to the diversity of the event as a whole,” according to the Armature Works website. The application to showcase one’s works is free, but, once selected, vendors must pay to reserve their space. For a 6-foot space, vendors are asked to pay $95, and for a 10-foot space, vendors must pay $135. The spaces are not reserved until the final payment is made and artists must carry their own liability insurance and bring their own setup, including tents and tables. The Second Sunday Art Walk and Vendor Fair typically sees 40 diferent vendors who take the opportunity to showcase their art, jewelry and other works. Guests are

On the second Sunday of each invited to visit the restaumonth, Armature Works is hosting an Art Walk and Vendor Fair to feature local visual and artisanal artists. rants at Armature Works to grab a bite to eat after visiting the Art Walk. The Art Walk and Vendor Fair is located at 1910 N. Ola Ave. in Tampa, across from Ulele Restaurant and Brewery. For more information or general inquiries, email secondsunday@armatureworks.com. For questions regarding an application, email victor@stellagallerie.com.

GAME OVER ESCAPE ROOMS OFFERS NEW THEMES

By Kate Quesada

Are you looking for a diferent way to bond with your family, friends or coworkers? Does the idea of trying to escape from a locked room with a clock counting down every second sound like fun? Then you need to check out Game Over Escape Rooms, located on Causeway Blvd., which opened earlier this year.

Owned by the Stone family, Jefrey, Robin and Blake, who have lived in the area since 1990, Game Over Escape Rooms’ Tampa location ofers four different rooms themed to every last detail with puzzles and electronics to enhance the experience.

According to Jefery, the four rooms, Lost City of Atlantis, Money Heist, Philosopher Stone and Haunted Mansion, are showrooms for Game Over Escape Rooms North America.

“The rooms have been chosen because they are so diferent from each other. One is creepy, one is magical, one is fantasy and the last is adventurous,” he said. “Lost City of Atlantis is a Poseidon-themed room with some really cool, first-ever-in-an-escape water features.”

The Stone family are no strangers to escape rooms. After founding 13 businesses in the Brandon area, from computer manufacturing to physical rehab, open MRI and

ambulatory surgery center, Jefrey teamed up with his wife, Robin, a speech therapist by trade, and son, Blake, who has a college degree in finance, to design and hand-build Legends Escape Room in Brandon. The family decided last year to Jefrey and Blake Stone, owners of Game Over Escape Rooms. grow their business by joining with Game Over Escape Rooms, the world’s largest escape room company. “This is the 87th location for Game Over Escape Rooms in 15 countries,” said Jefrey. “The Rome, Italy location has 27 rooms and Game Over in Slovenia has 10 rooms.” Game Over has more than 360 rooms built

Team Osprey escaped the new and running worldwide. Philosopher’s Stone Room at Game Over Rooms are often rentEscape Rooms. ed out for birthday parties and team building events for all ages as solving the puzzles can aid in development of communication, problem-solving and leadership qualities. Interested gamers are invited to check out more about Game Over online at https://tampa.escapegameover.us. The website ofers information about each room to help residents decide which one they want to try first and reservations can be made online. For more information, call 372-0040. Game Over is located at 10266 Causeway Blvd. in Tampa.

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NEWSOME ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAM PLACES SIXTH IN WORLD

By Ariana Pedraza

Newsome High School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is making headlines again. The team has, in the past, placed fifth in the state, first in the state three times, and fourth, eighth and 11th in the world. Now, even after the hectic school year, they have placed sixth in the world. They plan to compete again in the future. Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program and competition in which the participating team has to find and present a solution to a problem. They have five months to find a solution to a problem which ranges from building robots to building vehicles and structures on a $145 budget and without help from any adults. Next, they plan an eight minute play where they present their solution to a panel of judges.

They then have a second part to the competition called Spontaneous. The team is given a problem that they do not know in advance. The question could be about

building (i.e., building a structure out of a given material that can hold another material) or a question where they must be creative in their answer. When asked what her favorite thing about Odyssey of the Mind is, teammate Findlay Hartman said, “[it] encourages us to be Odyssey of the Mind Newsome High School teammates (in order) Bradley Carlson, Blake Bole, Kayla Purifoy, Findlay Hartman and Kaylee Matteis at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. creative. We have created some really cool solutions and robots. And since we have been together for six years, we know how to use our strengths to win.” The team is made up of five people that have been together since they were in fifth grade, and they are now rising juniors in high school. Passing through Fishhawk Creek Elementary, Randall Middle School and now Newsome High, they have really found out the best ways to work together and play to each other’s strengths while exercising their minds and learning new things. Kaylee Matteis explained, “Odyssey teaches me to be cooperative and accepting of others while not being afraid to share my own thoughts and ideas.” Due to COVID-19, the competition was held at Orlando Convention Center and was virtual for teams who could not travel. This next year, the team is hopeful to compete normally with international teams.

PEREZ MAKES DIRECTORIAL DEBUT WITH BLACK SAI MOVIE

By Libby Hopkins

By day, Derrick Perez of Lithia is a certified Guardian ad Litem for the 13th Judicial Circuit and works with more than 17 children in care. He also works as a family coach with Finally Home Adoption Agency and has done contract work with the Sylvia Thomas Center as well as Child Protective Services and Safe At Home PASCO. By evening and weekends, depending on production scheduling, he is a film director, producer, writer and actor.

Perez made his directorial debut on July 14 at Xscape Theatres Riverview 14 with the release of his new film, Black Sai. “As a young Tampa native, I have made filmmaking my passion; that started with my younger self watching the ‘behind the scenes’ content of my favorite films,” Perez said. “At the age of 23, I already have over a decade of experience shooting multiple commercials, documentaries, features and short films.”

Black Sai is about a very young Marissa Vasquez, who is tragically orphaned when two men break into her home and gun down her family. She is immediately filled with feelings of revenge and questions. “I hope to make a diference through my storytelling and other creative works,” Perez said. “I even founded my high school’s first film club, which has already inspired other

young creatives. I am wellversed in screenwriting, shooting video and graphic design and can manage any project, big or small.” This film brings awareness to human trafcking and tackles the issue of overcoming trauma. “What I like most about this film is the team of individuals behind Lithia resident Derrick Perez made his directorial it. We are a massive debut on July 14 at Xscape Teatres Riverview 14 group of minority with the release of his new flm, Black Sai. filmmakers in the area coming together to make opportunities for ourselves to grow and tell bigger stories. My hope for this film is to launch my new universe that I am building as well as build a fanbase in the community and bring more film and television opportunities to the Tampa Bay area,” said Perez. Perez’s film brings awareness to human trafcking and tackles the issue of overcoming trauma. “What I like most about this film is the team of individuals behind it,” Perez said. “We are a massive group of minority filmmakers in the area coming together to make opportunities for ourselves to grow and tell bigger stories. My hopes for this film is to launch my new universe that I am building as well as build a fan base in the community and bring more film and television opportunities to the Tampa Bay Area.” If you’d like to learn more about Perez’s film, Black Sai, visit www.gotchafilms.com.

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