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Resource Officer Is Voice For Valrico Student Battling Pediatric Cancer
Coach Norm Harris, Jr. Legacy Honored With YMCA Gymnasium Naming
Breanna that come with just Rodriguez, the being a working community mom. Rodriguez resource officer ensured Arianna and for the her brother had presHillsborough ents and took care of County District V Christmas, but somestation, always thing even more had a generous beautiful blossomed: heart. Her profesa real relationship sion is a true callwith the Shiver famiing. She builds ly. Officer Rodriguez bridges between smiled when she the sheriff’s office reflected and said, and the commu“The fact that we’ve nity, and every year, she looks forward to December, when her office partners with local hospitals and Valrico resident Breanna ‘adopts’ families Rodriguez, the community who have fallen resource officer for the Hillsborough County District V on hard times to station, met Arianna Shiver ensure they have through her work with Tampa’s a wonderful holi1Voice Foundation. day. “We used to take stockings to created the hospital every year, but you only such a saw people for a few seconds. I great bond; wanted something a little more perit’s seemed pretty destined. We all sonal,” Rodriguez explained. It was just get along so much.” through one of these partnerships Rodriguez is now a regular family and her additional time spent volunfriend, and Arianna recently surprised teering with Tampa’s 1Voice her in a big way. The National Foundation that she met Arianna and Pediatric Cancer Foundation puts on Paulina Shiver last year. an annual event called Fashion When Rodriguez met the family, Funds the Cure, which combines a Arianna had recently turned 10, and runway fashion show with food, cockthankfully her pediatric cancer was in tails and a silent auction. As part of remission. Paulina was working and the gala, pediatric cancer patients having difficulty balancing everything participate in the Dream Walk where as she worried about Arianna’s health along with the myriad of things Continued on Page 17
Residents familJessica has set up scholariar with the Campo ships in Norm’s name YMCA know how helping eight local children many lives the peothis year alone.“The world ple who volunteer is minus a super guy, a time there touch. loving husband, a devoted Norman Harris Jr. father and a dedicated was one of those coach. As tragic as his people and to honor death was and continues the impact he made to be for us, we desire to on the teams he remember and honor the coached the YMCA way he lived – giving of is dedicating a gymhimself for the sake of nasium in his honor. young people,” she said. Before he The dedication cereCoach Norm Harris Jr., who passed passed away in mony for the Coach away in 2018, will be honored in 2018, the Valrico February with a gymnasium named in Norm Harris Jr. his honor at the Campo YMCA. resident coached Gymnasium will take 60 teams and hundreds of athletes, many place on Sunday, February 28 at 3 p.m. through the YMCA. He and his wife To learn more, visit www.tampaymca.org. Jessica joined the Campo Y when it first For the Norman A. Harris Jr. Scholarship opened and went on to sponsor kids for on Facebook or email summer camp and serve on the board. nahjscholarship@gmail.com. “Norm spent many hours of his life in the YMCA gym and so we found it fitting to name it for him so that people would remember his commitment to the young people of this community,” said Jessica. According to W. Scott Barnhard, Chief Development Officer at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, the organization’s Governance Board has established DONOR Naming Opportunities for already existing facilities that have not been previously named. “Nearly one year ago, Jessica Harris met with me and the Campo YMCA Executive Director Jarrod Williams to discuss a memorial gift to honor her husband Norm Harris, Jr.,” said Barnhard. Jessica and Norm’s children, Jacob, Henry and Sarah, grew up at the Campo YMCA and are proud to see their father honored. “I cannot express in words how 25 amazing my father was,” said Jacob. “He was the most caring and loving man. When we played sports, he coached CENTER PLACE TREE.........................PG 4 everything. He took us to games and coached almost every single one of our EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PG 25 teams. I always admired my dad's selflessness. I always admired his concern DURANT BASKETBALL D‐1 ..............PG 27 for others.” SPORTS ...........................................PG 29 In addition to the gymnasium,
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Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
December 2020
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Valrico Edition
Local Seniors Enjoy A ThanksgivingThemed Parking Lot Bingo
By Libby Hopkins
Hillsborough would come daily to County Aging meet friends, take Services is doing classes and participate what it can to in organized activities, keep seniors such as bingo. engaged due to “Since the panthe challenges of demic, Aging Services the pandemic. has been offering creOne of the many ative ways to work with unique activities its clients,” Duran-Brea planned was a said. “Now, Aging socially distant, Services will start offeroutdoor parking ing socially distant, Hillsborough County Aging Services hosted a socially distant, outdoor lot bingo last outdoor parking lot parking lot bingo. month with its bingo for its clients older active adult population. once a month.” The next parking lot “It was our very first themed parkbingo will be held on Thursday, ing lot bingo,” said Hillsborough December 10 at the Town ‘N Country County Aging Services’ Frances Senior Center. It will be ChristmasDuran-Brea. “We had a great turnout themed and we are planning on doing and our guests had a great time and these parking lot bingos monthly at loved that we did this event. Clients different senior centers all over the who got a bingo would blow their horn Tampa Bay area.” to let us know they had a bingo.” Duran-Brea hopes seniors in the Parking lot bingo is for area will want to attend this event and Hillsborough County Aging Services others offered by Hillsborough County clients. Aging Services. “Our seniors were “We allow a total of 20 vehicles thanking us at the bingo and they per bingo event,” Duran-Brea said. were so appreciative for this event. It “Only two people are allowed per made them feel great to get out and vehicle and each participant must have some fun.” wear a mask. Some sit in their vehiIf you are a member of cles and others sit outside their cars Hillsborough County Aging Services in chairs provided by Hillsborough and you’d like to attend its next parkCounty Aging Services or chairs they ing lot bingo, you must RSVP to bring. Aging Services clients must Frances Duran-Brea at RSVP to attend.” duranf@hcflgov.net. If you’d like to Due to COVID-19, Hillsborough become a client of Aging Services, County Aging Services has had to visit www.hcflgov.net/aging or call close its senior centers, where seniors 272-5250.
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Brenda Wade Team Partners With Local Businesses To Benefit Seeds Of Hope
By Michelle Caceres
The Brenda had their hours Wade Real Estate reduced. Team and its busiEaton said ness partners have Seeds of Hope is teamed up for the one of the food eighth annual banks that has Partners in Giving seen increased event, which has demand. raised almost “There have $20,000 for Seeds been so many peoof Hope, a charity ple in our own comthat provides food munity that have assistance to local The Brenda Wade Real Estate Team and been impacted by its partners have donated almost $20,000 the economic ramifamilies through to Seeds of Hope in conjunction with its once-a-week food fications of COVIDannual Partners in Giving event. distributions, a 19,” she said. “The mobile food pantry and a ‘Backpack of boxes of food we distribute weekly has Food’ program coordinated with local gone from 120 boxes before the pandemschools. ic to a recent record of 618 boxes.” This is the third year in a row Wade, Leda said the charity couldn’t do it her team and business partners have without the support of local businesses donated to Seeds of Hope, totaling more like the Brenda Wade Team. than $40,000. “With everything that is “I am so appreciative of her and her going on this year, I thought Seeds of team choosing Seeds of Hope as their Hope would be the best choice,” said charity of choice for the Partners in Giving Wade. program,” she said. It was an excellent choice. Wade is thankful to her business Seeds of Hope Founder Leda Eaton partners, who offered their support not said that this year the food bank has seen only to her clients but to the community an unprecedented need for food, serving as well. more neighbors during the COVID-19 “When we work together, we can pandemic than ever before. make a difference,” she said. According to Feeding America, the Want to get involved to help Seeds of nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief Hope achieve its goal of providing food to and food rescue organization, more than local families in need? Consider volun80 percent of food banks nationwide are teering at the food bank or making a serving more people now than they did a monetary or food donation. year ago. Many of those served are getFor more information about Seeds of ting help for the first time as people who Hope or to find out how to help, visit had stable incomes have now lost jobs or www.sohopefl.org.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
Brandon Regional Hospital Acquires Newest Endoscopic Ultrasound Technology
Center Place Fine Arts And Civic Association Hosts Annual Tree Lighting On The Pond
Brandon Regional Dedania, MD recently Hospital has acquired the completed the first EUS latest technology to perform procedure at Brandon endoscopic ultrasound Regional Hospital. (EUS) procedures. “Brandon and the Physicians at Brandon surrounding communiRegional Hospital are now ties will benefit from using this technology in a access to this advanced, variety of applications to minimally invasive techhelp them with the diagnonique,” said Dr. Dedania. sis and staging of cancers “The EUS system allows such as esophageal, gasfor further evaluation, tric, rectal and pancreatic which facilitates cancers; diagnose diseases improved identification of internal organs; locate and more accurate stagcommon bile duct stones; ing of GI tumors.” and evaluate masses in the Because EUS can lining of the GI tract or in be used to visualize Brandon Regional Hospital has enlarged stomach folds. acquired the latest technology other organs outside the to perform endoscopic ultra- digestive tract, EUS EUS combines ultrasound (EUS) procedures. sound technology with plays an important role in endoscopy to gain an internal vantage diagnosing diseases of the pancreas, bile point for better visualization. While conduct, liver, spleen and gallbladder, as well ventional endoscopy only provides a view as assessing a variety of cancers. In of the innermost lining of the digestive addition, EUS is useful in therapeutic tract or its wall, the addition of ultrasound applications such as tissue sample collecallows the physician to see beyond that tion, cyst drainage or biopsies of lymph wall to visualize all five layers of the GI nodes, making it an ideal, minimally invatract as well as surrounding tissue and sive alternative to exploratory surgery. organs. Accredited by The Joint Commission, From a clinical perspective, this Brandon Regional Hospital is a 422-bed means that an abnormality below the sur- acute care facility that is nationally ranked face of the digestive tract wall—such as a as a Top 100 Hospital by IBM Watson, a suspicious growth that was detected at a Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog prior endoscopy or during a CT-scan or Group, a U.S. News & World Report High physical exam—can be further evaluated Performing Hospital in COPD and Heart under EUS, helping doctors better underFailure, and a Leapfrog Group ‘A’ for stand its nature and prescribe the best patient safety. The hospital is located at treatment option. 119 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more Gastroenterologist Bhavtosh information, visit BrandonHospital.com.
I am thrilled to LeAnne’s Cookies let the Brandon and Coppertail community know Brewing Co. were that Center Place two of the business Fine Arts and Civic sponsors of the tree Association is lighting. “We liked back. We have helping our local been closed since community with this past March, events, especially but the brand-new during these difficult executive board times with the panand myself are demic hapworking with pening,” said Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association hosted its Hillsborough John Zenger annual Christmas tree on County to get the of Coppertail the pond tree lighting on center reopened Brewing Co. December 9 on its deck. for programming and event rentals. Patricia We hosted our annual Christmas tree Odiorne was on the pond lighting on December 9 on the founder the deck at Center Place. “The Christmas and creator of Center Place. Her son, tree has been a part of the Brandon com- Ryan Odiorne, is the president of Center munity for more than 30 years,” said Place’s executive board. “This Christmas Center Place board member Mike tree let the community know that Center Owens. “I remember playing baseball at Place is still here,” Ryan said. “Even the baseball field next to Center Place though we went through the whole shutand seeing the Christmas tree out on the down because of COVID, we are in the pond. This year, more than any other process of basically rebuilding Center year, we needed to have this tree lighting. Place to make it better and offer more Obviously, with the holidays, there are a programming in 2021.” lot of things we can’t do because of The Christmas tree lighting on the COVID. A lot of people are hurting right pond was limited to 50 people. The event now financially and spirits are kind of was free, but registration was required to down, and I think that this tree symbolizes attend and masks were worn during the hope and our community.” event. If you would like to know about The community came together to future events, please call Center Place at help Center Place make the tree lighting 685-8888. Center Place Fine Arts and happen. Owens purchased the tree and Civic Association is located at 619 Cliff Curry of Curry Law Group donated Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B in Brandon, next the floatation device for the tree. to the Brandon Library.
Staff Report
By Interim Executive Director of Center Place, Libby Hopkins
December 2020
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Stores recently opened include Cigars International, a 6,000plus sq. ft. indoor/outdoor destination featuring over 1,300 cigar brands, a full-service bar and multiple flat screen TVs, all housed under a state-of-the-art ventilation system and located on Palm River Rd. near TopGolf, where plans for its 11,443 sq. ft. putt-putt course have temporarily been put on hold. The Flip Flop Shops in Bloomingdale Square welcomes anyone searching for casual footwear to its location near Bealls. A smorgasbord of new dining choices recently opened, starting with Eggs Up Grill and Wendy’s, both located in Riverview on U.S. 301 near Falkenburg Rd. Donovan’s Meatery in Winthrop Town Centre has been receiving rave reviews along with Gasparilla Pizzeria & Growlers in Bella Plaza on Bloomingdale Ave. Cali Cafe, specializing in homemade Colombian coffee and goodies, celebrated its reopening in Riverview on U.S. 301, south of Boyette Rd. Mandola’s Italian Kitchen introduced its first Florida location on U.S. 301 in Riverview not far from the long-awaited Chick-fil-A near Summerfield Crossing Blvd. Projects coming, but not ready, begin in Seffner on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. with a new Marco’s Pizza near the Mango Rd. intersection and Seffner Self
Storage at Kingsway Rd. The two buildings on S.R. 60 near Lakewood Dr. in Brandon will be Bolay and Panda Express with no replacement announced for Lucky’s in that plaza. The land cleared at Lumsden Rd. and Kings Ave. will be a RaceTrac with Walmart on Causeway Blvd. adding a health clinic, a new concept only available at this location. Further west on Causeway Blvd., both Texas Roadhouse and Bubba’s 33 will soon be opening at Falkenburg Rd. Bloomingdale Ave. is seeing two banks with PNC Bank under construction at Providence Rd. and TD Bank breaking ground in front of the Walmart Supercenter along with Heartland Dental and a yet unnamed third tenant. Bloomingdale Square is getting a The UPS Store with LA Fitness’ opening date still unannounced. On Boyette Rd. in Riverview, the two unfinished block structures west of CVS will be a Culver’s and an as yet unnamed daycare with ALDI recently breaking ground on its newest location on U.S. 301 across from Balm Riverview Rd. The Triple Creek area will see a Goddard Daycare off Boggy Creek Dr. with FishHawk getting a new 36,000 sq. ft. medical office built at the Mosaic Dr. and Circa Crossing Dr. intersection.
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Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
Woman’s Clubhouse Has Served Brandon For Over 90 Years: 129 Moon Ave., Brandon Sometimes big things come in tiny packages. That certainly applies to the little building at 129 N. Moon Ave. in Brandon that has had an outsized influence on the community’s life. There you will find the Brandon Woman’s Club, constructed by its members in 1925 and now protected by the Brandon Woman’s Club, 129 Moon Avenue. board of county comal design as one reason for protection. missioners as a local historic landmark. The structure incorporates many characThe Brandon Woman’s Club can teristics of the bungalow style, typical of trace its roots back to 1915, when a the 1920s. This building, however, has group of 14 pioneer women met at the home of Alice Rankin to organize a home been lovingly maintained and cared for by the club’s members. Importantly for hisdemonstration club. The Hillsborough toric preservation, there have been very Historic Resources Review Board few changes to the structure. Its owners (HRRB) approved the landmark designamaintained the building’s basic style and tion, in part, because the club’s formation character, and it looks very much like it serves as an excellent local representadid when first constructed. tion of the development of such clubs From its inception, the Brandon around the nation. Woman’s Club dedicated itself to the For 10 years, the club met at its community of Brandon. The club is wellmembers’ homes and in local schools. In remembered for its support of the 1925, the club, now officially chartered as Brandon School in providing a small the Brandon Woman’s Club, set out to library and hot lunches. In the 1920s, the have a building of its own. Through variclub’s focus expanded to improving the ous fundraisers, it raised the $50 necescommunity’s quality of life, and the listing sary to put down on a lot in Brandon in of its community involvement is enorOctober 1925. It took another two years mous. to raise enough money to begin construcWhen the club reorganized in 1925, tion. On September 6, 1928, the club’s 45 members decided to build a small clubmembers met at their new clubhouse for house that would serve the entire comthe first time. munity. It would be impossible to list all of The county also included architectur-
Expiration 01 /01 /2021
By Charles Nelson
dren overtaxed the small structure, forcing a move to the Brandon Civic Center in the 1960s. In 1960, the club resurrected a library in a corner of its small clubhouse, serving Brandon area library patrons three days a week until the county opened a new library in 1968. The Brandon Woman’s Club generously supported that county effort with its time, talents and books along with a generous monetary donation. Of course, the clubhouse Checking out books at the Woman’s Club Library. Source: Tampa Bay Times, December 20, 1966. also served as the traditional meeting house for its memthe groups, clubs and individuals who bers. From this small structure, the memhave used the building. Girl and Boy bers gathered to socialize and enjoy a Scout troops, medical organizations and covered dish meal. churches and religious groups are just a From here, it also continued to serve small sampling of those that used the the community in significant ways and facility. with a substantial impact on Brandon’s Interestingly, the Hillsborough County well-being. government served Brandon residents by In more recent years, membership in using, at various times, the clubhouse as the Brandon Woman’s Club declined and a polling place, a driver’s licensing facility it eventually disbanded. Fortunately for and a draft board during World War II. us, however, it deeded the “little building Tampa-based newspapers often wrote of that could” to the Brandon Junior private weddings and parties held at the Woman’s Club, which proudly continues clubhouse. to care for this historic building today. In 1936, the club opened a health clinic at the clubhouse that served the Charles Nelson Bio community until the 1960s. Once a Charles Nelson holds a MA degree in History from George Mason University and month, a doctor and nurse from the taught as an adjunct instructor at HCC Hillsborough County Health Service used (Dale Mabry). He is also affiliated with the facility to give babies checkups and Tampa Bay History Center as a volunteer docent, researcher and immunizations while club members community lecturer, with an emphasis on helped by weighing and changing babies. South Hillsborough County history. However, at times, 40 mothers with chil-
Expiration 01 /01 /2021
Expiration 01 /01 /2021
December 2020
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Valrico Edition
Feeding Tampa Bay Hosts Mega Pantries In Area Including HCC Brandon
By Libby Hopkins
The recent through locations to COVID-19 pandemic 10 to better serve has weakened our those who continue local economy and to struggle with food this has caused insecurity,” Oliviero many people from said. “With that in our community to mind, the team at become unemFTB has launched ployed. Feeding and is testing a new Tampa Bay (FTB) text program, FTBhas been at the foreFYI, to better confront of feeding those nect with those in Feeding Tampa Bay’s goal is to have who are food inseour care.” Tampa Bay hunger-free by 2025. cure in the Tampa Feeding Tampa Bay community even before the pandem- Bay’s communications team is attending ic hit and it has continued to help those in Mega Pantries and personally introducing need since then. those it serves to the pilot program that The goal is to have Tampa Bay will be shared with them in both English hunger-free by 2025. One way the group and Spanish. is achieving this goal is by hosting Mega “Updates will include a peek into Pantries in the Tampa Bay area. FTB culture that relates to those that “While the reopening of our state is we serve, recipes that support grocery on the horizon, the effects of COVID-19 distribution, additional food availability are far from over,” said FTB’s external and resources to help bring comfort in affairs officer, Shannon Hannon Oliviero. these challenges times and any “This crisis has nearly doubled the unem- changes in scheduling that may ployment rate in Florida and placed over occur,” Oliviero said. “We have stood 1.7 million food insecure individuals in our side by side with those that we serve care. To meet this increased need for all along, but now more than ever we food assistance, we have created Mega are committed to connect in a more Pantry distributions.” meaningful way as we all adjust to Mega Pantries are equipped to serve what the pandemic has created as our over 3,500 families at a time with 175,000 new normal.” pounds of food, which is 22 times larger To learn more, visit www.feedingthan their typical Mobile Pantry distributampabay.org. tions. FTB hosts a Mega Pantry in “Due to distributing nearly 60 million Brandon on Thursdays from 4-6:30 meals since the pandemic began, p.m. at HCC Brandon at 10451 Nancy Feeding Tampa Bay has now expanded Watkins Dr. in the parking lot next to our Mega Pantry program from six drivesoftball field on E. Columbus Dr.
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Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
ry o t S s d e Ne l a i c , e a p t S n a S ith W e m i s& T r a d n e l Ca n e t t i K MobyrJeenny Bennett om ed Compil preyobserver.c s o @ jbennett
restaurants. In addition to the returning menu items, participating restaurants are also offering a selection of holiday gifts and merchandise, including holiday ornaments, bottled sauces and seasonal gift cards. These are only available while supplies last.
Special Needs Story Time With Santa
Barry White after he was nursed back to health.
Cute Kitten Calendars Help Save Lives
Local animal charity A Kitten Place has just launched a cute calendar for 2021 featuring cats and kittens that they have saved over the past year. A Kitten Place specializes in rescuing the cats and kittens in most need and nurses them back to health. Barry White, a kitten, was found laying in a gutter and was unable to move due to extreme malnutrition. Due to A Kitten Place’s diligent care and unwillingness to give up on him, Barry slowly improved and is now a beautiful, young cat enjoying life with his new owners. Calendars are $20 and can be purchased by emailing akittenplace@gmail.com to place an order. All proceeds directly benefit the charity. For additional information on A Kitten Place or to view any of its adoptable cats or kittens, please visit akittenplace.org.
Santa will be visiting F.R.I.E.N.D.S., a Down syndrome and special needs group, to read a few favorite Christmas stories live via Zoom. Santa will then spend some one-on-one time with each child, checking to see if they have been naughty or nice and to find out what they would like for Christmas. The stories he will be reading are: Tuesday, December 22, Five More Sleeps ‘til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon; Wednesday, December 23, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg; and Thursday, December 24, The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore. This is a free event and all ages and abilities are welcome. Spaces are limited and you will need to register on Zoom and send an RSVP to info@friendssupport.org. You will then receive the log-in information for the event.
200+ Scholarships From Hillsborough Education Foundation Available For High School Seniors
Staff Report
Hillsborough Using HEF’s online Education Foundation process, students only (HEF), the only not-forneed to complete one profit focused solely on application to determine strengthening public eligibility for multiple education in scholarships. Based on Hillsborough County, is scholarship criteria, stunow accepting applicadents may be tions for senior scholarrequired to ships. complete addiHillsborough Education There are more tional essays Foundation is offering than 200 scholarships as part of the more than 200 scholarships to high available, ranging from qualification school seniors. $500-$15,000. All process. Some Hillsborough County Public Schools 12th scholarships are not restricted only to grade students with aspirations of continpublic school students. uing their education after high school at a Established in 1987, Hillsborough university, community college or technical Education Foundation is a nonprofit college may apply for these scholarships. focused on strengthening public educa“We are able to support students’ tion by supporting teachers and empowdreams of pursuing higher education ering students to achieve academic and through the generosity of our business personal success. Together with commupartners, community organizations and nity partners, HEF strategically invests in individual donors—many of whom want initiatives that impact teaching quality and to leave the ultimate legacy of a loved increase graduation rates, bolstering a one by naming a scholarship in their thriving workforce of tomorrow and the honor,” said Hillsborough Education sustainable prosperity of Tampa Bay. Foundation CEO Kim Jowell. “We underVisit stand for many students affording the www.educationfoundation.com/seniorsch opportunity can be a financial strain on olarships for a list of available scholarfamilies. These scholarships can help ships, criteria and to apply by the Friday, ease that stress, positively impact stuJanuary 31 deadline. Recipients will be dents’ lives and the future of our commuannounced in the spring of 2021. For nity.” questions, contact Angie Anthony, director Scholarships are awarded based on of scholarships, at aanthony@educationa variety of criteria, such as GPA, field of foundation.com or 574-0273. If you’re study, financial need, challenges overinterested in funding a scholarship, concome, school and community service or tact Chief Advancement Officer Mike extracurricular activity participation, and McCollum at 574-0296 or vary from scholarship to scholarship. mmccollum@educationfoundation.com.
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Main Office: 108 S. St. Cloud Ave. • Valrico • Fax 685-3607 • 6am-6pm Clearwater-Lakeland-Orlando-Plant City- Carterville GA- Warner Robins, GA
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes
The holiday season has arrived and this marks the return of two favorites to the Chick-fil-a seasonal menu: the peppermint chip milkshake and the chicken tortilla soup. These two items are now available for a limited time at all Chick-fil-A
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of A Time and Place located at 2212 Valterra Vista Way, in Hillsborough County, in the city of Valrico, FL 33594 intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida Dated at Valrico, Florida this 15th day of December 2020
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December 2020
Page 9
Valrico Edition
Local Resident Helps To Empower Women In The Community
By Libby Hopkins
Katie McGill of asked McGill to Valrico is a local take her place as powerhouse. She is executive director. the executive direc“I have been the tor of Dress for executive director Success Tampa for 12 years now, Bay and she is the but a volunteer recipient of the since day one,” 2017 the Tampa McGill said. Bay Lightning’s The mission of Community Hero Dress for Success Award. She is also is to empower known in the comwomen to achieve munity for her economic indeworkshops and volpendence by proKatie McGill of Valrico is the executive director of Dress for Success Tampa Bay unteerism. viding a network of and she is the recipient of the 2017 the McGill develsupport, profesTampa Bay Lightning’s Community Hero oped the Success Award. She is known in the community for sional attire and her workshops and volunteerism. Strategies program the development for the Centre for Women, which provides tools to help women thrive in work and in intensive employment services to women life. “We provide each client with profesages 18-35 who are unemployed and sional attire to secure employment, but underemployed. She implemented this we are about much more than simply a program from a grant concept, operanew outfit,” McGill said. “Besides physitionalized and expanded, all in a very cally equipping the client with apparel and short period of time. accessories, our programs furnish her After working for Centre for Women with a confidence that she carries forevfor 10 years, she resigned and started er.” her own organization called Let’s Talk The recent pandemic has had an Consulting Group. affect on Dress for Success. Donations When Dress for Success’ founder, are down and the needs have increased. Pat Ellington, decided to start the local “We are in need of under garments, plusnonprofit, McGill immediately stepped up size business attire and we can always to volunteer for Ellington. “When she use black dress pants in all sizes,” McGill came to the Centre for Women years ago said. To learn more about Dress for and started talking about Dress for Success or to make a donation to the Success, I knew I wanted to volunteer local nonprofit, visit www.tampabay.dresswith her and help her,” McGill said. “I love forsuccess.org or call 259-1876. Dress for volunteering and giving back to our comSuccess is located at 1705 N. Howard munity.” When Ellington retired, she Ave. in Tampa.
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Page 10
Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
December 2020
Valrico Edition
Snowcat Ridge Joins The Tampa Community And Brings Snow To Florida
By Libby Hopkins
The ribbon was Coast, and a member cut on the fresh fallen of the team that Florida snow on helped Nagengast’s November 20 at project come to life, Snowcat Ridge Alpine was on hand at the Snow Park. Yes, you ribbon-cutting. “We read that correctly, really weren’t anticifresh fallen Florida pating to add snowsnow. tubing and snowball Snowcat Ridge is fights to our destinaFlorida’s only alpine tion’s repertoire of snow park with real activities and we are snow. It features a 60- Snowcat Ridge is Florida’s only alpine so excited to have snow park with real snow. foot-tall and 400-footthat in our own backlong snow-covered tubing hill with magic yard,” Thomas said. “If you think about it, carpet lifts, an Alpine Village and a 10,000 what’s more unique than a mouse, a roll sq. ft. snow dome. Snowcat Ridge will coaster and a beach? A snow park in also feature a child-sized snow hill for Florida, how amazing is that?” young riders and a magical music and Since opening, the park has had an light show during the evenings. overwhelming amount of interest and “We have had a tremendous amount guests at the park to the extent that of support on this project and it has been Nagengast’s team is working diligently to a very unique project to bring to Florida,” produce snow for inside the park’s Arctic said Snowcat Ridge’s CEO, Benjamin Igloo. Nagengast. “My family and I have owned “We are working hard on our snow and operated family attractions for the last production efforts so that we have 20 years and so this our new facility, enough snow for everyone to play with, Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park, in the as well as have the bunny slopes operastate of Florida.” tional, to keep up with the overwhelming Nagengast and his team have been demand,” Negengast said. “We definitely working on Snowcat Ridge for the last want to ensure all of the kids and families five years. He selected the sight for that want to see and play in the snow are Snowcat Ridge because it’s adjacent to able to. In regards to Snowy Slopes and his other properties, TreeHoppers and the Alpine Village, which includes a Scream-A-Geddon. “We were able to Christmas Market, these are open, with combine the best of both worlds, which is limited capacity to adhere to the COVIDthe sunshine and the snow,” Nagengast 19 guidelines.” said. “It is no mean feat to be able to For info and tickets, visit www.snowcombine those two aspects.” catridge.com. The park is located at Adam Thomas of Florida’s Sports 27839 Saint Joe Rd. in Dade City.
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Page 11
Hope For Her Schedules Golf Tournament
By Kate Quesada
Get out your golf help. Each woman clubs and enjoy a and child supported round for a great by Hope for Her cause next month. receives one-on-one Hope for Her, a individualized supBrandon organization port unique to their helping women facing situation. homelessness, hunger, Its work is also job loss, domestic vioguided by God, with lence and other seriChrist and his teachous life issues, is hostings at the heart of ing a golf tournament its mission. at River Hills in Valrico “We are so on Monday, January grateful at Hope for 18, 2021. Her for the overThe event, which whelming love and starts with a check-in prayers,” said at 7:30 a.m. and a Hickman. “Thank shotgun start at 8:30 you to all who parta.m., includes lunch ner with us to give and prizes for hole-inhope and invest in one, straightest drive, changing lives. You closest to the pin and are a blessing to putting. There will many families right also be a raffle and here in our commuHope for Her is hosting a golf tournaauction baskets. ment next month to raise funds to help nity.” local women in need. “We are so excitHope for Her is ed about our 2021 golf tournament,” also hosting a meet-and-greet for the said Cheryl Hickman, executive director. family and friends of beloved volunteer “2020 was a tough year. We reschedPeggy Jones on Sunday, January 17, uled the golf tournament a couple times 2021 from 4-6 p.m. at the River Hills and now it is finally happening. River Clubhouse. Hills Golf Club and our community is so The goal of the event is to honor supportive of the work we do.” her with a time of fellowship and Hope for Her helps approximately remembrance. 100 women in need in each month, but “You can be the hope for women has to turn people away due to a lack and children experiencing unimaginable of funds. The charity takes a big picture life circumstances in our area,” said approach and supports women in every Hickman. aspect of their lives, including housing, For more information, call Hickman employment, childcare, food, finances, at 309-3357, or email info@hopeforhertransportation and safety, in an effort to fl.org or go to HopeForHerFL.org.
Page 12
Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
Pottery With Parkinson’s Keeps Retired Chaplain Active And Raising Funds For Cure
Brandon Outreach Clinic Offers Free Medical Assistance For Qualified Hillsborough Residents
Bruce Wright—or everything we sell ‘Bishop,’ as many to the Michael J. people in the Plant Fox Foundation to City area also know help find a cure for him, because he Parkinson’s.” worked for 15 years Bruce finds as the senior chaplain inspiration for his for Florida Hospital pieces from Tampa in Tampa— YouTube and has a passion for Pinterest, but he scripture and pottery. loves the whole “I am an Anglican process of making bishop and the nickone of them. “From name kind of stuck,” start of a piece to Bruce said. finally pulling it Bruce and Elaine Wright are the owners of from the kiln, I love He has been Pottery with Parkinson’s. They started married to his wife, their business after Bruce was diagnosed the entire process,” with Parkinson’s Disease in 2007. Elaine Wright, for Bruce said. “It more than 44 years. “I was diagnosed forces me to concentrate on the task at with Parkinson’s disease in 2007,” Bruce hand, which gets my mind off of my myrisaid. “Upon retirement, actually disability, ad aches and pains.” from the hospital in 2015, I found myself Scripture influences his pieces as bored silly. Of course, I was still active in well. “As I sit at the wheel, I am reminded our church, I still hung around with friends of the Scripture in Isaiah 64:8, ‘But now, at the cigar stores, but the extra free time Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, I used, although unintentionally, [was] and you our potter, and all of us are driving my wife crazy. A retired art the work of your hand,’” Bruce said. “If teacher, she suggested I look into potgiven the choice, I would not have chotery.” sen to have Parkinson’s disease, but I am The couple started Pottery with encouraged by the fact that God is in Parkinson’s as a way for Bruce to help charge and He has a plan. He directs the with his condition and to raise money for events of my life. As I encounter difficulthe Michael J. Fox Foundation. ties, learning to trust in His potters’ hands “We started Pottery with Parkinson’s is tremendously encouraging and reasprimarily for me for therapy on my cramp- suring.” ing hands, arms, etc. after I was first diagTo learn more about Pottery with nosed in 2007,” Bruce said. “We began Parkinson’s or to buy a piece of Bruce’s offering it for sale to generate a few bucks pottery, visit and also to clear out our rapidly growing www.potterywithparkinsons.com or call inventory. We donate a percentage of him at 493-0856.
Hundreds of cars pass healthy so they can go to by 517 N. Parsons Ave. work and take care of their weekly in Brandon. There families by managing their is a sign at the end of an conditions, keeping them out inconspicuous strip mall of expensive emergency saying Brandon Outreach rooms and minimizing Clinic (BOC) is located healthcare costs in our comthere. What that sign does munity. not say is that BOC might Although most patients have an answer to the coming to BOC work and healthcare concerns of have incomes at or below many residents of 200 percent of the federal Dr. Stephen Parks opened Hillsborough County who the doors to the Brandon poverty level (for a family of Outreach Clinic in 1989. do not have health insurfour, this is $48,600), their ance and cannot afford jobs do not include access to healthcare, and the clinic affordable health insurance. charges no fees for services to qualified As an income-based clinic, those seeking patients. medical services are asked for donations The vision to create a safety net for to help purchase medications, medical uninsured and underinsured individuals supplies and operating expenses. who were falling through the healthcare The eligibility requirements for pedicracks began in 1987. Stephen D. Parks, atric (infants to 17 years) and adults (18M.D. brainstormed what this clinic might 64 years) are: (1) resident of Hillsborough look like with other medical and commuCounty, (2) U.S. citizen or permanent resnity leaders. When Dr. Parks suggested ident, (3) meet low income guidelines and that someone needed to be appointed as (4) no other medical insurance (including point man, they appointed him. Medicare, Medicaid or other governmentAfter two years of planning, fundraisfunded healthcare.) ing and establishing a grassroots network Dr. Parks established his primary of providers, the clinic opened its doors in care practice in 1983 and has served on April 1989. Staffed entirely by volunteers, boards for six years at Brandon Regional the clinic opened only one evening a Hospital and for 25 years as a medical week. Since then, a collaboration with director at BOC. He said, “The impact of other medical providers and volunteers this clinic goes far beyond just treating has expanded its hours to four days a physical conditions. We hope to positively week. impact individuals, families and our comBOC is a 501(c)(3) organization offer- munity by bridging the gap for the unining diagnostic and primary care and a sured.” three-tiered pharmacy. The goal of BOC For information, visit www.theis to help patients become and remain outreachclinic.com or call 654-1388.
By Libby Hopkins
By Gwen Rollings
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December 2020
Valrico Edition
Page 13
YMCA Of Tampa Bay Named Business Journal ‘2020 One Tampa Bay’ Honoree
Sincerely Santa Tampa Gears Up For Holidays With Annual Toy Drive
The YMCA of 8,000 senior memthe Tampa Bay bers to prevent recently received social isolation and recognition for the lift their spirits. The help given to the YMCA team also community during produced virtual the early days of resources to help the pandemic. The community memgroup was named bers stay active, a ‘2020 One healthy Tampa Bay’ honand oree by the Tampa conThe YMCAs of Tampa Bay were Bay Business nected recognized recently for work done Journal. in their for the community during the early ‘One Tampa own days of the pandemic. Bay’ is a Tampa Bay Business Journal home. award that honors nonprofit organizations Additionally, blood drives hosted at and for-profit companies for their philanYMCAs across Tampa Bay have positivethropic efforts. This year’s class features ly impacted 2,637 lives so far. 17 corporate philanthropy honorees and Furthermore, the Ys conducted 1,678 vir21 nonprofit organizations out of over 220 tual reading and Early Head Start sesnominations. sions to help students stay on track. Stepping in to fill critical voids, the “For more than a century, the Y and Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA transithe Tampa Bay community have made it tioned its Y facilities to provide emergency through many challenging times togethrelief care for 1,534 children of medical er. Historically, the Y has played imporpersonnel, first responders and other tant roles in helping our community essential workers during the initial months endure during times of uncertainty and of the pandemic. In doing so, the Y was societal strain. The current COVID-19 able to provide over 308,800 hours of pandemic is another challenge that none safe fun and 15,440 healthy meals to chil- of us will soon forget,” said Matt Mitchell, dren in partnership with local school dispresident and CEO of the Tampa tricts. Metropolitan Area YMCA. “We are fortuTogether with Feeding Tampa Bay nate to have the support of our neighand other community organizations, Ys boring Ys, community partners, donors across Tampa Bay served more than and staff to find ways to use our 70,000 meals to families in need, providresources to offer solutions to social ed 1,104 baby care essentials and gave voids.” 753 cloth masks to community members To learn more, visit www.ymcatamin need. Y staff reached out to nearly pabay.org.
A group of Hillsborough County children will have a more joyous Christmas thanks to a Tampa nonprofit. Sincerely Santa Tampa has coordinated gifts for underprivileged and at-risk children in Tampa Bay every year since its estabEvery year, Sincerely Santa Tampa distributes gifts to lishment in 1987, providing hundreds of local children. Last year, first responders and clothing and toys to a total of law enforcement members were able to deliver the toys to more than 100,000 children. the children. Each year, those in side kindergarten through third grade get an the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, opportunity to write a letter to Santa Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Temple explaining what they would like to have Terrace Fire Department and more to get for Christmas, then the teachers and these gifts processed and delivered. This social workers select the neediest chilyear, due to COVID-19, the organization dren and forward the letters to Sincerely teamed up with the Hillsborough County Santa Tampa. Once those letters get Parks & Recreation centers to minimize reviewed by the Sincerely Santa Elves, contact at a location where families can they are displayed at the Westfield come to pick up the gifts for their children. Brandon mall and distributed to the orgaFamilies will be notified and must provide nization’s corporate partners. identification in order to receive their Civic organizations, mall shoppers packages. and more have the opportunity to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue become a sponsor by choosing a letter or Captain David Raasch stated how he felt letters which include items that could be about all of these efforts from many who bought for the child. The letters can be contributed to Sincerely Santa Tampa located at the Sincerely Santa Tampa over the years. booth inside the Dillard’s at Westfield “I just want to thank the community Brandon from now through Sunday, for 33 years of support,” Capt. Raasch December 20. said. “We are dedicated to giving back to For more information or to donate, the local community we serve as this visit www.sincerelysantatampa.org. meaningful cause brightens the lives of Check out the group’s Facebook page at young children,” said Westfield Brandon’s www.facebook.com/SincerelySantaTamp marketing director, Dawn Arvidson. a, email info@sincerelysantatampa.org or The organization also works alongcall 841-4611.
Staff Report
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Page 14
Valrico Edition
The Knights Of Columbus Provide Holiday Dinners To Local Veterans
By Libby Hopkins
A group of local Catholic Church in veterans enjoyed a Valrico to provide delicious Thanksgiving meals Thanksgiving thanks for local veterans. to some local Knights. “The idea for the The Knights of Thanksgiving dinners Columbus is a truly came out of Catholic fraternal need in the communiorganization founded ty,” Andersen said. on the mission to aid “About 15 years ago and protect widows the members of and orphans. The Assembly 1850 wantorganization was ed to do something Knights of Columbus Assembly 1850 founded in 1882 by during the holiday worked together with the students of Nativity Catholic Church to provide local season to help out now-blessed Father veterans and their families Michael J. McGivney those who served Thanksgiving dinners. to provide financial our country. We were assistance to widows and their children already partnered with Haley Cove and after the passing of the father. saw the need with veteran families trying Service and charity are at the heart to make ends meet. This year, we relied of the Knights of Columbus. It was found- heavily on the generosity of our membered to meet the needs of immigrants, ship to help us make our budget for the refugees and families suffering from the Turkey Drive. Big help came from the kids death of a breadwinner. The Knights at Nativity Catholic School donating began as a small service organization $1,000 to the VA Turkey Drive.” and it has grown into a worldwide finanThe Knights worked with the local cial and charitable organization. Veteran Affairs Office to get the “Locally, our Assembly 1850, named Thanksgiving meals and turkeys to the after Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin, is veterans and their families before part of our patriotic degree,” said Marc Thanksgiving Day. “We are truly honored Andersen of the Brandon Knights of to assist those in our community who Columbus. “Named after the first bishop have served our country,” Andersen said. of the St. Petersburg diocese, we donate “Many of our members are active or our time to serving those who served our retired military personnel. They take great country. We are also partnered with pride in doing their best to serve and Assembly 3418, Monsignor John F. honor their brothers and sisters in the Scully, to meet the growing need in our armed forces.” veteran community.” To learn more about The Knights of Andersen and his fellow Knights Columbus, visit www.kofc.org. worked with the students of Nativity
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Volume 17, Issue 12
Heart Gallery Of Tampa Helps To Spread Joy This Holiday Season
By Kye Saunders
Children all According to over the Tampa its website, 80-90 Bay area are in children are feaneed of some tured in Tampa’s extra love this Heart Gallery each holiday season year. and Heart Gallery Over the past of Tampa is offerdecade, the Heart ing a way to conGallery has develnect with some of oped larger touring them. and interactive galEstablished leries, expanding in 2001, Heart to hundreds of Gallery of Tampa cities across the was founded by country. Diane Granito. Each gallery Being both a works ceaselessly skilled photograto find each child The Heart Gallery of Tampa is setting its sights on doing good this holiday season. their forever family. pher and adoption worker, Granito fused her two During the holidays, many of the passions together to create a method children featured on the Heart Gallery of introducing these children waiting to website are included in a separate find loving adoptive families in a powarea so that residents can sponsor erful new way by taking her photograthem with a holiday donation. The phy to the public. website features information about “It was almost as if the country each child in addition to his or her was waiting to be told that these chilprofessional photograph, and donors dren are out here because no one have the opportunity to pick the really talked about them before,” said amount of money they would like to Granito. send to the child. Her poignant portraits of older chilDonations can be paid by credit dren and sibling groups were now card and visitors are also able to send viewable in what it is known today as a message to the child they chose. the Heart Gallery. To learn more about adoption and Heart Gallery children represent to sponsor a child for the holidays or a those in foster care who need addition- birthday, visit www.heartgallerytamal support in finding families due to fac- pa.org. The Heart Gallery of Tampa is tors of age, race, being part of large located at 5463 W. Waters Ave., Ste. sibling groups and special needs. 850 in Tampa.
December 2020
Page 15
Valrico Edition
Dooley Groves Shipping & U-Pick In Ruskin Opens For Its 53rd Citrus Season
By Tatiana Ortiz
Individuals This month, seeking a famipeople can U-pick ly-friendly, Sugarbelles, which socially disis a cross between tanced activity a clementine, a should visit tangerine and a Dooley Groves Honeybell. in Ruskin, which Dooley Groves reopened on has more than November 19 6,500 Honeybell for its 53rd cittrees open for Urus season. pick from January Diane through April. For The grandsons of Dooley Groves Owners Houghtaling and the U-pick, Dooley Mike Houghtaling and his wife, Diane her husband, Groves supplies Houghtaling. Mike Houghtaling, own the 40-acre baskets and clippers. Once the proorange grove offering U-pick and fruit duce gets picked, guests are charged sales. by the pound. During the season, UMike is a fifth-generation Florida pick is open seven days a week from farmer who loves the business, which 10 a.m.-4 p.m. was first started 53 years ago by In addition to the U-pick citrus, Mike’s grandparents and parents and Dooley Groves offers a retail store has been handed down for three gen- with local items such as unfiltered erations. orange blossom honey, fruit jams and Dooley Groves grows fresh, premore. It also makes freshly squeezed mium citrus fruits and is the largest orange juice and other products. U-pick Honeybell grove in Florida, Furthermore, it can ship fruit all over and it offers several other citrus varithe United States and Canada. eties throughout the citrus season “There are not many old-time cittoo. rus groves and markets left in Florida, To help keep everyone comfortnone in Hillsborough County quite like able while at Dooley Groves, the fam- Dooley Groves,” Diane said. “For ily made some adjustments with the example, we offer fresh picked citrus U-pick procedures, how it takes shipvarieties that most places do not ping orders and much more. have, like the pink pomelos and “We feel that one of the best more,” she added. ideas people can do right now is to For more information, visit be outside in the wide-open spaces, www.dooleygroves.com. It is located getting vitamin D while getting vitamin at 1651 Stephens Rd. in Ruskin. Call C,” Diane said. 645-3256.
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Page 16
Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
Tech Connect Program Offers Internet Support To Hillsborough County Elementary Students & Families
Forgotten Angels Raffles Off Motorcycle To Provide Support For Aged Out Foster Youths
School closures due “Since launching on October to COVID-19 impacted 5, we’ve received 48 referrals Hillsborough County stufrom public elementary dents, teachers and schools across Hillsborough families in numerous County with more coming in ways, but social and daily. We are working to economic issues quickly enroll as many students and created a digital divide families as quickly as possiand became a matter of ble.” urgency for Hillsborough Funding from the Education Foundation Children’s Board added (HEF). four full-time staff: a According to Kim program coordinator Daniel is one of Hillsborough Jowell, CEO of HEF, Country's Tech Connect stu- and three e-learning coaches. dents who was given a com“Closing the digital Although the grant does puter and internet support. divide for our highest not cover the total cost of needs students has been a top priority internet service, HEF has committed since inequities surfaced during the pannearly $40,000 to ensure more children demic. We launched our new initiative have the tools they need to succeed. The called Tech Connect in October to contin- cost to serve a student with a computer ue our work to create equitable access to and internet for a year is $640 per child. resources and opportunities for all stuEligible students must be referred to dents in Hillsborough County Public this free program by a student’s school Schools.” social worker, instructional staff or adminFocusing on the premise that every istrators. Based on the family’s needs, student should have access and the they may receive a computer, one year of opportunity to benefit from a high-quality internet access and guidance in using eeducation, COVID-19 presented unique learning programs, as well as ongoing challenges concerning disparities that support and training. some families in Hillsborough County Jowell explained, “Families must face by not having internet access, espeweigh a number of personal factors in cially in rural areas, or affording quality making the decision between e-learning internet service. or attending classes at school. HEF’s The Tech Connect program was Tech Connect initiative supports students funded by a grant from the Children’s and families who choose e-learning but Board of Hillsborough County and will aren’t fully equipped with technology to support nearly 300 families of elementary reach their full academic potential.” school students participating in e-learning. To volunteer, donate or for more Mindy Taylor, HEF’s Tech Connect proinformation, visit http://educationfoundagram coordinator, said in early November, tion.com/programs/donate.
Cindy Tilley, presifrom foster care on his dent/founder of birthday, he survived by Forgotten Angels of panhandling and sleepFlorida (FAF), knows ing in the park. FAF firsthand the special provides a light at the birthday present that end of the foster care foster youths receive on tunnel. their 18th birthdays. Youths are referred Statistics reveal that by friends, associated 30,000 youths age out organizations and of the foster care syshomes refusing to keep Congressman Ross Spano recently them after they age out tem annually and are spent time at the Forgotten Angels ushered through a oneof the system. Although of Florida in Brandon. way door that often leads to homelessmainly from Hillsborough and Pinellas ness, lacking necessary life skills and Counties, other youths residing at FAF opportunities to succeed. come from as far away as California. Tilley, once in foster care herself, felt There are few programs like Forgotten led to found FAF in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) Angels and Tilley would like to become nonprofit. She said, “Forgotten Angels is more established throughout the country. different in that we care for every single Committed friends and supporters aspect of our residents’ successful future. can donate food, clothes, furniture and We provide employment opportunities, other items. Although COVID-19 has education and enrichment. Most imporeliminated many fundraising plans, donatantly, we love, respect and care for them tions can be hosted on Facebook. as if they are our own children, not a case Weems Motor Co. number or a dollar amount.” (weemsmotorco.com/raffle) is offering a For those aging out of foster care, raffle to win a motorcycle, and in 2021 an tiny homes in Brandon are provided to actual brick-and-mortar home valued at encourage independence, a sense of $350,000 will be raffled off. self-worth, responsibility, self-esteem and Currently only housing boys, locating some privacy. An assessment is pera property and/or home for girls is on the formed on arrival to determine medical horizon. concerns, education level, legal issues Tilley explained, “These kids need and former agencies to provide approprisomeone there for them who underate assistance. stands their struggles. They deserve so Tilley said residents are at various much more than they have been given in levels of independence. While some can ways of love and support.” cook and clean, one youth said he didn’t For more information or ways to know how to tell time until he was 17. He donate or volunteer, visit http://forgottehad so few life skills that when released nangelsflorida.org.
By Gwen Rollings
By Gwen Rollings
December 2020
Page 17
Valrico Edition
Resource Officer Is Voice For Student ...Continued From Page 1
Tampa Bay Rum Company Still Offering Tastings, Tours & Making Essential Hand Sanitizer
they walk the runmoment in the way with their office with heroes. If you Arianna trumped have not already the big night at guessed, the stadium. Rodriguez is Rodriguez Arianna’s hero. did the walk solo Now, Arianna on November 13 wants to be a with her husband police officer one and parents day. cheering her on This year’s and got tears in fundraiser took her eyes as local place at anchor and MC Raymond James Gayle Guyardo Stadium, but told Arianna’s because of story. The only COVID-19, thing that would Arianna could not have made it betparticipate in perter would have son. They knew been to have they needed an Arianna by her alternative, and side. She together decided encouraged other Rodriguez would local residents to walk the evening think about their of the show and impact on the Valrico resident Breanna Rodriguez, the they would play a community: community resource officer for the recording of Hillsborough County District V station, met “Anything where Arianna Shiver through her work with Arianna and her you take a little Tampa’s 1Voice Foundation. walking together bit of stress off of in the background. Arianna dressed someone’s life. Seeing their gratitude in SWAT gear and walked the red and their appreciation, it makes it all carpet in the District V office side by worth it. You just see the impact you side with her hero. Rodriguez smiled can make with just one little act.” and said, “I felt humbled that she For more information on how you wanted me to do it and that she can join in the fight to end pediatric looked up to me in that way. It’s cancer, visit 1voicefoundation.org something I never expected.” That and nationalpcf.org.
Tampa Bay Rum theft while it was shut Company located in down during the panYbor City was created demic. The highs by chiropractor Samuel were that it joined Myers who felt forces with Coppertail Tampa’s pirates needBrewing Co., also in ed their own locally Ybor City, to create, made rum. sell and donate hand The legendary sanitizer to the Tampa pirate, José Gaspar, Bay community and still lives in residents’ its local businesses. hearts, but his rum “Coppertail had a was lost to time, forclot of keg beer that ing the fine citizens of wasn’t going to get Tampa to endure rums sold and they asked shipped from distant us if we wanted to disTampa Bay Rum Company located in till it to make hand lands while celebratYbor City was created by chiropractor sanitizer,” Myers said. ing his spirit every Samuel Myers. January during Tampa Bay Rum Gasparilla. But what was lost has been Company recently donated hand sanitizer found, and Myers and his team are happy to the Center Place Fine Arts and Civic to now provide Tampa’s own Gaspar’s Association of Brandon to assist in the and Gasparilla Rums. center’s reopening efforts. “I wanted to create this because Myers and his team want to make Tampa is pirate-crazy; we have all the their products Tampa Bay’s rum of beautiful beaches where rum drinks are choice. sold, so I was able to trademark “I want Tampa Bay and Gasparilla to Gasparilla Rum and we’ve been making have their very own rum,” Myer said. rum since 2018,” Myers said. “We have “Gasparilla is the biggest pirate festival in various rum products, a sugar canethe world and the third largest parade in based vodka and some barrel-aged prod- America, so what’s more important to a ucts.” pirate than rum? I want us to be the rum The barrel-aged products Tampa Bay of choice when they order a rum cocktail Rum Company released in 2019 won at a local bar or restaurant.” American Distilling Institute’s ‘Best Rum’ To learn more about the Tampa Bay in category and class. Rum Company’s products or to schedule The recent pandemic has given the a tour and tasting at the distillery, visit local rum company some highs and lows www.gasparillarum.com or call 284-5485. over the last few months. The lows The tasting room and distillery are located included some issues with vandalism and at 2102 E. 4th Ave. in Ybor City.
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Page 18
Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
Lasagna Love Prepares And Delivers Meals As A Community Act Of Kindness
Power Disconnect Calls Are Scams
Of all the wear and could request a meal for tear associated with themself or someone COVID-19 during the else. It started out as past year, mealtimes moms helping moms and have taken a serious toll became a way to put a on many peoples’ smile on someone’s face nerves. Especially as that only a delicious kids remain at home dismeal could engender. tance learning and parWhether an overents are remotely workwhelmed single mother, ing there, so coming up someone going through Volunteers prepare and with three meals a day chemo treatment, a head deliver delicious meals for can be daunting. of the family out of work those who need a little kindness during these difficult or an isolated elderly Having a delicious days. meal prepared just for person, there are no regyou, left on your doorstep (not in a flat, ulations for who is eligible. cardboard box) at no charge, is actualVolunteers are needed. Ignatius ly possible thanks to Lasagna Love. said, “You can sign up on lasagDuring this pandemic, Lasagna nalove.org, decide how many meals Love was created by Rhiannon Menn, you would like to prepare and deliver who lives in San Diego. What started each week. The meals have expanded as a few meals to help neighbors sudto more than lasagna, so volunteers denly became a nationwide movement prepare hearty portions of their and nonprofit organization in six short favorites.” months with over 3,000 volunteers To request a meal for yourself or preparing and delivering meals. someone else, the procedure is sim“Lasagna Love was started kind of ple: go to lasagnalove.org and fill out by accident in the beginning … honthe information requested. Within a estly just a way for me to feel more few days you will be contacted and helpful,” said Menn. asked about any food allergies, etc., Wanting to be helpful was also the and then a meal will magically appear reason Mary Ellen Ignatius of River on your porch with no delivery person Hills became involved with Lasagna in sight, just a text announcing it’s Love. While watching a morning talk there. show, Ignatius knew she could share Ignatius said, “I love giving people her love of cooking by sharing a meal. It’s often bad times that bring Lasagna Love here. Ignatius is the first out the best in people.” and presently only volunteer in our For more information, to request a area. meal or to volunteer to cook a meal, Ignatius stressed that anyone visit www.lasagnalove.org.
The other day was no longer in servwhile I was at work, the ice.” “We’re not disconphone rang and it was necting people for nona recorded message payment right now from TECO. It said that because of the pan“my power at my place demic,” TECO spokesof business was set for woman Cherie Jacobs disconnection in 30 said. “So-called ‘spoofminutes” and if I’d like ing’ scams are comCOVID-19 scams are on the rise. to speak to a TECO Never answer robocalls or respond mon. An unauthorized to emails you don’t recognize. representative I could person makes it look “press one.” like they’re calling from a legitimate I pressed one and I was connected source and demands money from a custo Diana Rodriguez with TECO’s customer. It’s plagued Tampa Electric for the tomer service. Ms. Rodriguez explained past eight years,” Jacobs said. to me that since my place of business Other COVID-19 scams to be aware was closed for three months, due to the of are stimulus check scams. “When stimCOVID-19 pandemic, my place of busiulus checks were being distributed ness’ electric bill was now delinquent and nationwide, we anticipated phone and my power would be disconnected in 30 email scams related to checks and minutes. I asked Ms. Rodriguez if she worked to get ahead of that issue by could pause this disconnection so I could spreading awareness online and through call my boss and see if we could get a PSA,” said Crystal Clark, chief commucaught up on our bill. She said she could nications officer for the Hillsborough pause the disconnection, but I would County Sheriff’s Office. have to pay in cash only. She gave me Be wary even of COVID-19 contact her “direct line” to call back once I had tracing callers, the latest COVID-19 scam. spoken to my boss. According to the Federal Trade When I called my boss, in an Commission’s website (www.ftc.gov/coroabsolute panic, to ask him if we had navirus/scams-consumer-advice), “Learn enough cash to get our electricity caught how to tell the difference between a real up, he informed me that since our busicontact tracer and a scammer. Legitimate ness is housed in a county building, the tracers need health information, not county pays our electricity. He also money or personal financial information. informed me that I had just fallen for a … Ignore offers for vaccinations and mirscam! I was extremely mad. I called Ms. acle treatments or cures. Scammers are Rodriguez back on her direct line and selling products to treat or prevent informed her that the county pays our bill. COVID-19 without proof that they work. She immediately hung up on me. When I Be wary of ads for test kits.” Use called back again, I got a recording saysites coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coroning, “The number I was trying to reach avirus to get the latest information.
By Gwen Rollings
By Libby Hopkins
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December 2020
Page 19
Valrico Edition
Hillsborough County Developing A Plan For Sustainability, Input Needed
By Brad Stager
Protecting natuof life. When communiral resources while ty members get promoting an active involved, we can creand enjoyable ate a shared vision lifestyle for people is with realistic goals and a sustainability balactions.” ancing act that Hillsborough becomes a formidaCounty is using a varible task when ety of methods to applied to an area as engage the public in large as Hillsborough examining issues relatCounty—1,266 ed to energy and water How residential and commercial develsquare miles—that usage, transportation opment is balanced against preserving natural resources and green spaces, needs and ways to proalso includes a diverse mix of urban, such as this spot on Springvale Ave. in mote a healthy quality Bloomingdale, is a concern that rural and suburban Hillsborough County is addressing in of life for residents. its sustainability action plan. communities within A series of open its borders. house webinars were held in November In order to assess the interests and and an online survey was available to priorities of residents and business ownresidents until Tuesday, December 1. ers when it comes to sustainability-related People can also hold guided diamatters, Hillsborough County is asking for logue sessions with friends, neighbors their ideas in creating a community susand family members to generate comtainability action plan that will help shape ments and ideas for consideration by policies and determine allocation of action plan developers. For these, the resources by the county. county provides sustainability-related According to Sheila McNamara, susinformation and instructions for the sestainability manager for Hillsborough sions which can be held in-person or County, input from residents is needed to online. Feedback from the communityensure the area continues to be an based dialogue sessions will be accepted attractive place to live. until Sunday, December 13. When com“It takes a community to sustain a pleted, the community sustainability community and Hillsborough County action plan will be presented to the Board wants to know what’s important to our of County Commissioners so it has residents and business owners,” she access to the information and can considsaid. er it as policies are developed. “Many people love living and working For more information, please visit the in Hillsborough and have great ideas on Sustainability & Green webpage at hillsways to protect our resources and quality boroughcounty.org.
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County Contact Tracing Guidelines By Libby Hopkins
Contact tracing is the engagement through the proprocess of notifying people vision of education and com(contacts) of their potential munication to increase public exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the awareness of how to protect virus that causes COVID-19, individuals and their commuproviding information about nities, as well as providing the virus and discussing their awareness of how to stop symptom history and other disease transmission. relevant health information. Contact tracing activities Contact tracing gives instrucshould be inclusive of all poptions for self-quarantine and ulations and available to all monitoring for symptoms. It Contact tracing centers communities.” around community also offers the infected perContact tracing can be engagement through broken down into five vital son support and referrals to the provision of testing, clinical services and steps. Step one is case ideneducation and communication to other essential support servtification, prioritization and increase public ices are provided, as indicatsurveillance triage. Step two awareness of how to ed. protect individuals and is case investigation. Step their communities, as three is contact elicitation. For contact tracing to be well as providing most effective, it should be Step four is contact notificaawareness of how to carried out as soon after tion. Step five is contact monstop disease transmission. diagnosis as possible. If you itoring. have tested positive for COVID-19, you “There may be instances when will likely be contacted quickly by a public COVID-19 patients have difficulty health professional to initiate contact trac- recalling close contacts or they are ing. It is important to remember, though, unavailable for inquiry,” Walter said. that not being contacted for contact trac“Social network information, settinging does not mean you did not test posibased investigations and proxy intertive or that you cannot transmit COVIDview methods will be needed to sup19. Proper precautions, such as social plement the contact list. In lieu of the distancing, regular handwashing and ability to speak to the patient, details wearing a mask, should still be taken. to inform case investigation and con“Preventing and controlling COVIDtact tracing may be gleaned from 19 in communities across Florida requires healthcare providers or legal proxies strong collaboration between the DOH as available.” and the many partners involved, directly To learn more about COVID-19 or indirectly, with impacting public health contact tracing or other COVID-19 outcomes,” said Kevin Walter of the information, please visit the Florida Florida Department of Health. “Contact Department of Health’s website at tracing centers around community www.floridahealth.gov.
Traveling Tough During The Pandemic By Libby Hopkins
COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in $463 billion in cumulative losses for the U.S. travel economy. The continual depressed level of travel spending has caused a loss of $59.5 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue since March 1 (www.ustravel.org). Traveling within the U.S. has some challenges with COVID-19 numbers on the rise. All Points Travel Connections has been in business Due to the pandemic, internafor more than 25 years. When the pandemic hit, the tional travel has many new travel industry took a major financial hit. restrictions and processes. Kim Smith of Valrico has been work“The states aren’t very difficult, but ing at All Points Travel Connections for a with that said, the U.S. has been very little over a year and the company has complacent,” Smith said. “Even though been in business for more than 25 states ‘require quarantine’ when you years. cross the state line, no one enforces it. It “Before COVID, business was also depends on state to state as far as booming,” Smith said. “Even for the first what’s open to the public and capacity few months, with rescheduling, new controlled. As far as international travel, bookings, etc., I do mostly the cruise the places that are accepting Americans industry and the theme parks. That’s the have strict quarantines set in place. For niche where I thrive, probably because I example, you need a negative COVID truly love both industries.” test within a certain window of time prior Then the pandemic hit and, as to travel, plus you need to quarantine for Smith puts it, “We’re docked.” 10-14 days depending on the country of “No cruises at this time,” Smith said. your final destination.” “In addition, no one is really welcoming Smith is very hopeful for the travel Americans right now. People don't want industry in the coming year. “I know the to come to Florida, spend money for travel industry will come back even their magical Disney vacation on a stronger,” Smith said. “It’s just going to chance of staying healthy. I think, from take time. It did with 9/11 and it will now. the travel agents’ perspective, the most People love to travel. Our wings are just frustrating part has been the push-out. clipped for now.” Every time they push a sail date back, To learn more about All Points it’s a ton of work for us.” Travel Connections, visit www.allSince the beginning of March, the pointstravelconnections.com.
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Get To Know Your COVID-19 Testing Options, Rapid, PCR, Antigen
By Libby Hopkins
With COVID-19 infection numbers on the rise and the holiday season upon us, now more than ever COVID-19 testing is a must. But where can one go to get a test, which test is more accurate and what are the costs? First, let’s explain the difference between the tests that are available. PCR tests and antigen tests are both diagnostic tests, which means that they can be used to determine whether you currently have an active coronavirus infection. PCR tests detect the presence of the virus’ genetic material using a technique called reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR. For this test, a sample may be collected through a nasal or throat swab, or a saliva sample may be used. The sample is typically sent to a laboratory for testing. PCR tests are highly accurate. However, it can take days to over a week to get the results of a PCR test. Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the coronavirus. These are rapid tests because you get your results in less than an hour. “This is a test that does not take longer than 15 minutes,” said Dr. Sonia Ruiz of Bloomingdale Pediatric Associates. “It’s done in-house. I charge $50 for this test and I offer it to anyone needing a rapid COVID test.” If you’d rather do your COVID test in the privacy of your own home,
M
Due to limited supply, RTPCR tests will be available on a reservation basis. Reservations can be made using Save Your Spot® at https://baycare.org/services/urgent-care. The test will not be billed to insurance but will be available as a self-pay service for $150. “We’re looking forward to offering this service for patients and giving them an accurate diagnosis in real time,” said Jim Cote, senior vice president for ambulatory services. “This service will give people a peace of mind as they plan their holiday travels and celebrations with their families.”
There are multiple COVID-19 testing options in our area.
Quest Diagnostics can send a test to your home. “Accessible, high-quality COVID-19 diagnostic testing is essential to containing the spread of COVID-19,” said Jay Wohlgemuth, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Quest Diagnostics. “With our new QuestDirect COVID-19 Active Infection self-collection kit, anyone can access a high-quality COVID19 test with access to interpretation and referral into care from a physician. Additionally, individuals can receive a self-collection kit either at home or at a nearby Wal-Mart drivethrough location for the ultimate in speed, safety and convenience.”
BayCare Urgent Care centers also offer an effective and reliable rapid test that can detect both COVID-19 and the flu. The test is available to asymptomatic people wishing to confirm they are negative for COVID-19 before traveling or visiting loved ones during the holiday season. This service, which is an extension of Tampa International Airport’s testing site operated by BayCare, will offer a real-time RT-PCR test that detects both the flu and COVID-19 with the same reliability as a labbased test. Patients can receive test results in 30 minutes.
Testing Locations: ● Bloomingdale Pediatric Associates, 4316 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico. Call 684-1881. Testing cost is $50 ● BayCare Urgent Care, 10125 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. Call for an appointment at 605-3200. Costs may vary due to which test. Some tests are billed, others are self-pay. ● Advent Health Centra Care in front of Target on Bloomingdale, 10222 Bloomingdale Ave, Riverview, FL 33578 Call for an appointment at (813) 515-5814. https://centracare.adventhealth.com. First test may be billed, self pay starts at $129. Did we miss, email kquesada@ospreyobserver.com.
Pets Still Unlikely To Get COVID By Libby Hopkins
There has been human infection, but dogs, pigs, much speculation as to chickens and ducks do not. whether or not our pets There is little to no evidence that can get COVID-19. domestic animals are easily According to Dr. Christy infected with SARS-CoV-2 Layton, chief of staff at under natural conditions and no Timberlane Pet Hospital evidence to date that they trans& Resort in Plant City, mit the virus to people. they can become infectPets are tested the same ed with COVID-19 from way humans are tested for us. COVID-19. “Yes, they can, but “While testing is very limited the numbers of animals Dr. Christy Layton, chief of at this time, the testing of anistaff at Timberlane Pet that have mals uses the same techniques become symptomatic for Hospital & Resort in Plant as those used for humans,” Dr. City. the disease after being Layton said. “The tests are curexposed by a known human positive rently only being used on animals with case are extremely low,” Dr. Layton said. clinical signs of COVID-19 and with a “Therefore, if you test positive, you should known exposure to a positive human. To try to isolate yourself from your animals if date, around 60 dogs and cats have testat all possible, but understand that the ed positive in the U.S. for SAR-CoV-2, risk of you passing it onto your furry friend which is a very low number when you is very low. According to current research, think about the numbers of COVID-19 it is even less likely that a human can get positive human cases and the numbers SAR-CoV-2 from a dog or cat.” of dogs and cats that are living with us in There have been fewer than the U.S.” 25 reports from around the world of pets If your pet becomes infected with the (dogs and cats) being infected with virus, you should follow the same proceSARS-CoV-2; however, none of these dure as if it was a human that became reports suggest that pets are a source of infected. “Animals are treated similar to infection for people. Evidence to date how humans are treated,” Dr. Layton from the few domestic animals that have said. “They are treated based on their tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 indicate clinical signs, which is often a respiratory these infections are typically a result of illness, and the severity of their disease.” close contact with people who have If you would like to know more about COVID-19. In laboratory studies of experi- Timberlane Pet Hospital & Resort and the mental infection with SARS-CoV-2, ferservices offered by Dr. Layton and her rets, Syrian hamsters and cats—all anistaff, visit www.timberlanevet.com or call mals that may be kept as pets—show 754-7387. The office is located at 1704 potential for serving as animal models of Walden Village Ct. in Plant City.
Telehealth Visits Are Here To Stay
By Libby Hopkins
Telehealth has had compared to the same perinumerous benefits during od in 2019. During January the pandemic by increasing to March 2020, most access to care, reducing encounters were from disease exposure for staff patients seeking care for and patients, conserving conditions other than scarce supplies of personal COVID-19. However, the protective equipment and proportion of COVID-19reducing patient demand on related encounters signififacilities. Telehealth policy cantly increased from 5.5 changes might continue to Dr. Wilbert Rodriguez is a percent to 16.2 percent physician at Sanitas Medical during the last three weeks support increased care Center in Riverview. access during and after the of March 2020 pandemic. “During the COVID-19 pan(www.cdc.gov). “Virtual health is about demic, we have seen an exponential more than just virtual provider visits,” increase in the use of telehealth services Pizzo said. “Florida Blue has care teams from our members,” said David Pizzo, who are able to intervene quickly when Florida Blue’s market president. “For care is needed by deploying connected example, from January to March 2020, devices to our members that allow for we had approximately 1,500 claims filed real-time, remote patient monitoring.” for telehealth services. Compare that to Dr. Wilbert Rodriguez is a physician March to July 2020, when we had at Sanitas Medical Center in Riverview. approximately 600,000 telehealth claims “In the beginning of the pandemic, it was filed. Telehealth has played an instrumen- a bit challenging because some of our tal role in providing medical access to our patients didn’t have access to the technolmembers when there were no other avail- ogy they needed to do telehealth,” Dr. able options.” Rodriguez said. “This has definitely been In February 2020, the CDC issued improving, though, over the last few guidance advising persons and healthmonths with help from our providers.” care providers in areas affected by the Florida Blue is focused on increasing coronavirus pandemic to adopt social dis- patient access to care while decreasing tancing practices, specifically recomcost and driving efficiency across the mending that healthcare facilities and healthcare system. “Virtual health is a key providers offer clinical services through component of how we’ll get there,” Pizzo virtual means such as telehealth. said. “We had already planned to expand During the first quarter of 2020, the our existing virtual care options by number of telehealth visits increased by January 2021.” 50 percent compared to the same period Visit www.floridablue.com. To learn in 2019, with a 154 percent increase in more about Sanitas Medical Center, visit visits noted in data from week 13 in 2020, www.mysanitas.com.
December 2020
Page 23
Valrico Edition
What’s Your Blood Type And Are You More Susceptible
By Libby Hopkins
The spread of COVID-19 locally and throughout the country is driving more of us than ever before to ask questions about our health, including “What’s my blood type?” Sadly, many of us don’t know what our blood type is, and it’s a bit concerning because our quality of life depends on it. In a just-released survey of 500 adults (ages 18-64), commissioned by local direct access lab testing company Any Lab Test Now, 37 percent of those surveyed have no clue about their blood type and 58 percent of them have never even thought about it. “Many of our clients don’t know their blood type when they come in for testing,” said Bob Showers, owner of Any Lab Test Now in Brandon. “There are really only four types of blood types, A, B, AB and O. Then you have a positive or a negative of those.” Research is currently being done to see if there is a connection between blood type and your chances of catching and recovering from COVID-19. Does your blood type increase your risk of getting COVID-19 and other serious illnesses like heart disease and some gastrointestinal cancers? “This pandemic has more people than ever before monitoring their health, and thankfully we’re seeing families come into our labs to get a quick and simple screening to learn their blood type to understand their risk for diseases,”
said Clarissa Bradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now. “If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be vigilant about our health, and a good place to start is with knowing our blood type and the health risks associated with it.” Two studies published on October 14 of this year in Blood Advances suggest, “People with blood type O may have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and reduced likelihood of severe outcomes, including organ complications, if they do get sick. Blood type O may offer some protection against COVID-19 infection, according to a retrospective study. Researchers compared Danish health registry data from more than 473,000 individuals tested for COVID-19 to data from a control group of more than 2.2 million people from the general population. Among the COVID-19 positive, they found fewer people with blood type O and more people with A, B and AB types. The study results suggest that people with blood types A, B or AB may be more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than people with type O. Since blood group distributions vary among ethnic subgroups, the researchers also controlled for ethnicity and maintained that fewer people with blood type O tested positive for the virus.” Visit www.anylabtestnow.com or call 438-8700. The office is located at 205 E. Brandon Blvd. COVID-19 testing is not offered at this location.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
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St. Joseph’s Named As One Of The Nation’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals
St. Joseph’s Hospital was recently named as one of the nation’s top performing hospitals by Fortune and IBM® Watson Health®. The annual Fortune/IBM 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study spotlights leading short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals that treat a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. The study is designed to identify impartial, actionable and attainable benchmarks for hospital and clinical leaders as they work to raise their own organizations’ standards of performance in cardiac care. “The fact that we are the only hospital in Hillsborough County to receive this award, and that this is our third time on this list, underscores how we strive to provide extraordinary care for our community,” said hospital President Kimberly Guy. “St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Heart Institute is one of the most advanced and comprehensive centers for cardiovascular care in Florida. We combine our expertise with compassionate care and are at the forefront of
Herzing University Tampa, visit www.herzing.edu/tampa or email tpainfo@herzing.edu.
The new Herzing University campus in Tampa.
the latest research and new techniques in heart care.”
Phoenix House Florida Supports Those Struggling With Substance Use
COVID-19 has disrupted routines, created the loss of in-person support meetings and counseling and forced the collapse of other support structures, all of which increase the risk of relapse and overdose. The forced isolation is especially dangerous to those struggling with addiction and recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that drug overdoses have increased 30-40 percent since the initial outbreak of the virus. Phoenix House Florida is proud to support those struggling with substance use by providing outpatient and residential services. For more on the services Phoenix House Florida provides, call 328-3960 or visit www.phoenixfl.org.
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Herzing University Opens Nursing-Focused Campus In Tampa
Herzing University, an accredited, private, nonprofit institution with locations in seven states, announced it will open a new campus in Tampa in early 2021. Herzing’s Tampa campus will offer several nursing programs and pathways that are modeled after the programs at the school’s Orlando campus. The new campus will be at 3632 Queen Palm Dr. in Tampa. The more-than-30,000 sq. ft. campus will feature modern classrooms and common areas as well as state-of-the-art nursing skills labs and simulation learning technology. Enrollment is open immediately, with general education courses beginning in January 2021 and core nursing classes starting later in the year. For more information about
Image 360 Mobile Advertising Can Bring Holiday Cheer
Image 360 is Tampa Bay’s premier LED digital mobile advertising truck company. The digital mobile billboard trucks bring innovation and excitement along with the newest technology to any advertising campaign. It is the solution to ensure that you reach the widest audience for your event or campaign, whether it’s an advertisement, concert, conference or fundraising drive. At this time of year, it can also be used to bring holiday cheer to any event or to help celebrate. The screens can be used to play holiday movies, music or family pictures, including outside the homes of loved ones who have been socially distancing. For more on Image 360 mobile digital billboards, visit www.image360yborcity.com or call 800-7446.
Continued on Next Page
Page 26
Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
Business Column Continued................... Business Retreat For Women
Local author and entrepreneur Shannon Carlton invites you to spend a weekend with women entrepreneurs for her annual Business Vision Board Retreat. From Friday-Sunday, January 15-17, time will be dedicated to growing businesses together and rediscovering your visions for your professional lives. Time will be spent creating systems, processes and content, as well as diving deep to find your value proposition and new ways to better your life. A mastermind session will give you the opportunity to bring your challenges to the group and get input from the other minds in the room. After the sessions, you will create your vision board with all the fantastic things you have learned, and finally, Sunday morning will be spent learning to create healthy rituals and implement healthy habits so Tony and Jennifer Friedrichsen, owners of T & J that you Painting. walk into 2021 with a FUEL-filled (fulfilling, uncomplicated, exciting and lucrative) business. For more information and the application, visit https://www.shannoncarlton.com/business-visionboard-retreat/.
A Party 2 Remember Celebrates 16-Year Anniversary
A Party 2 Remember is a traveling business specializing in a variety of quality bounce houses and inflatable rentals for children’s parties and all types of family-friendly events. No event is too big or too small. A Party
By Jenny Bennett
2 Remember is reliable, prompt and professional, and its equipment is cleaned and sanitized after each use. Along with inflatables, A Party 2 Remember now also offers table and chair rentals, characters and entertainers as well as outdoor movies. For more information, visit www.aparty2remember.net or call 225-2622.
T & J Painting
When Tony Friedrichsen from T & J Painting finished school, he worked in the painting industry before going to college and earning both a BA in communications and an MBA from the University of Central Missouri. He then took a job in sales before taking side jobs in painting to help support his family. The side projects quickly evolved and he realized that there were more opportunities in running his own business with his wife versus the corporate position he had. T & J Painting was licensed in 2008 and has been in operation ever since. T&J Painting offers residential and commercial painting, specializing in any size exterior painting projects, large or small. They are fully licensed and insured and Friedrichsen takes an active role in all projects from start to finish and never subcontracts any work. Friedrichsen feels that T & J Painting has been able to rise above the competition because of its pride in professionalism, its work with clients to determine exactly what they want and need and by never assum-
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes
ing that it knows best. It will help with project design and layout to make sure that clients are completely satisfied to the best of their ability. Other services offered by T & J Painting include power washing, deck and dock staining/painting, barrel/Spanish tile roof painting and fluid-applied commercial roof coating systems. To find out more, visit www.tandjpaintingfl.com or call T & J Painting at 670-8565.
Adam Bantner Is Designated AV Preeminent By Peers
Adam Bantner, a criminal defense and personal injury attorney with Valrico Law Group, has been designated as an AV Preeminent lawyer by MartindaleHubbell. This adds to the growing list of recognitions for Bantner. Adam Bantner with He has been Valrico Law Group. board certified by the Florida Bar in Criminal Trial Law since 2016, has been on the Super Lawyers Rising Star list over multiple years and was recognized by Florida Trend as one of Florida’s Legal Elite in 2020. AV Preeminent is the highest peer rating standard and is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills and ethical standards. Valrico Law Group is situated at 3626 Erindale Dr. in Valrico. Bantner can be reached at 397-3965, or you can go to www.ValricoLawGroup.com to learn more.
Chill Cawfee along with ReLeafMD will be hosting a lunch-and-learn with Dr. Kelly King on Saturday, December 12 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at its 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. There will be a Q&A session covering subjects including medical marijuana and you, qualifying conditions, types of products, how it works and more. If you choose to proceed, they can help you to process your state card on that day. Lunch will be provided by Rosati’s Pizza. For more information and to reserve a place please call Chill Cawfee on 324-9472.
Southwest Florida Rheumatology Updates Office
Southwest Florida Rheumatology is excited to announce its newly renovated and upgraded Riverview office at 11954 Boyette Rd. The space has been redesigned to promote a calm, therapeutic environment for patient care. It is also pleased to introduce its clinical team of registered nurses, Jennifer and Raquel, at both the Riverview and Sun City Center locations, who will be using their years of experience to provide outstanding infusion and outpatient rheumatology experiences. To schedule an appointment, call 672-2243. Visit swflrheum.com for more information.
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Page 27
Valrico Edition
Matt Lentz Becomes First Durant Basketball Player To Sign D-I In A Decade
By Nick Nahas
Durant basketwants to help ball forward Matt him develop as a Lentz has become player and the first Cougar to become the best sign to play college that he can be. basketball at the Durant Head Division I level Coach Sean since Andre Nation Hayes is (James Madison impressed with University) in 2011. Lentz’s work The 6’6” senior ethic, coachabilisigned to play for ty and his leaderJacksonville ship by example. University in Hayes, who is in Matt Lentz was able to celebrate with his family and coaches. November. his third season Lentz wasn’t initially planning on sign- as head coach, believes that Lentz has ing during the early signing period, but felt helped build a successful foundation for that it was the right time to do it, with the his program to succeed for many years. uncertainty of the pandemic. He and his He said that Lentz spends a lot of time in family usually have a socially distant dinthe weight room as well as the gym to ner at his aunt and uncle’s 12-acre propimprove his shot. erty on Tuesdays, and they decided to “He’s bought into everything that have a last-second signing party amongst we’ve done. He gets to the gym early and his family, friends and coaches to celesweeps the floor, he’s that kind of kid,” brate this milestone. said Hayes. “It’s been awesome to have “It was really exciting, and kind of, in him around, I think the younger guys reala way, a relief,” said Lentz. “You do all this ly look up to him.” work, you get up early, you don’t go out Lentz has come a long way since he when other people go out, instead you go began playing basketball just six years to the gym and you are constantly asking ago. He started playing for Durant as a yourself if it’s all worth it—am I going to sophomore after previously being homemake my dream a reality? Until that schooled the year before. The 6’6” formoment when you get the offer, commit ward is very versatile on the floor, playing and sign, you really don’t know 100 perboth inside and out. He is also a great cent that it’s going to happen. It’s a relief student and works hard in the classroom. to know that all the hard work paid off in Lentz wants to help lead Durant to a the end.” district and state title before he moves on Lentz, who had two other college to the next level. Lentz hopes to play pro offers, felt that Jacksonville was the right basketball and eventually become a fit for him because the coaching staff coach when his career is over.
Local Angler Pens First Children’s Book, Clyde’s Corner Brian Wilson’s passion for fishing is evident in his personal and professional life. He loves teaching people to fish and being out on the water. After moving to Apollo Beach in 2017 with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Wilson, they made sure to buy a house Apollo Beach resident on a canal. Then, Brian Wilson recently published Clyde’s when the opportuniCorner. ty arose, he became co-owner of Bait and Tackle of Apollo Beach. Now, Brian can add ‘published author’ to his repertoire, and you can bet the book is fishing-related. “We both grew up fishing,” Brian said as he reflected on his time fishing in Anna Maria with his grandparents; he and his wife still enjoy casting a line together as adults. “It’s special to us.” For that reason, when his cousin’s family moved to the area, Brian and Jennifer take their godson, Cam, out to their dock, especially at night when the green dock’s light illuminates a special friend, a large, green snook. “He’s in the same spot every single night, and we all decided we needed to name him,” Brian explained. “We picked the name Clyde.” Cam’s love for Clyde inspired Brian to write Clyde’s Corner for his godson’s first birthday. He and Jennifer then had the book illustrated and bound as a special present. When friends and family read the book, they knew it
By Amy Schechter
was something special. With their encouragement, Brian decided to explore publication. In Clyde’s Corner, readers meet Clyde and his best friend, Warner. The two little fish go off on an adventure away from the safety of their dock for the very first time. When they get lost, they have to rely on help from Clyde’s dad to return home. It is a story of friendship, of facing your fears and of finding help from family. Brian is even working on the second book in what will now become a series, Clyde Counts to Ten, where Clyde will learn to count an assortment of undersea items local to Apollo Beach habitats. Clyde’s Corner is a great stocking stuffer or bedtime story for any occasion. Copies are available for purchase on Amazon. To connect with Brian, you can reach him via email at wilsonsaltlife@gmail.com. He also has copies of his book available at Bait and Tackle of Apollo Beach, open from 6 a.m.7 p.m. daily and located at 6040 N. U.S. Hwy. 41 in Apollo Beach.
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Page 28
Volume 17, Issue 12
Valrico Edition
With Arts & Entertainment Editor Kathy L. Collins
Tampa Museum Of Art Offers New Exhibit Featuring The Florida Highwaymen
Plant City Photo Archives And History Center Features Veterans Exhibit
The Tampa by the racial prejudice Museum of Art continof their time. The ues to celebrate and group had little to no honor the richness formal training or and complexity of access to conventionFlorida’s cultural tapal art markets. To estry with its newest overcome these exhibition, Living obstacles, they proColor: The Art of the duced large numbers Highwaymen. The of works that could be exhibit will be open sold at affordable The Tampa Museum of Art has opened prices, often door-toand available for the a new exhibition presenting works by community to view door and sometimes artists known as the Florida now through Sunday, from their cars’ trunks Highwaymen March 28, 2021. along such thoroughfares as Route 1. Living Color brings together 60 paint“We are pleased to be able to bring ings from five outstanding private collecLiving Color to Tampa because this exhitions. The exhibit features the works of a bition speaks to the resourcefulness and group of African American artists known resilience of this group of artists. The as the Florida Highwaymen. These artists Florida Highwaymen, based in and depicted the state’s natural environment around Ft. Pierce, developed their own and rich tones through their unique, selfcreative community during a time in taught painting styles. Florida’s history that coincided with an The Florida Highwaymen produced economic boom in the state and African artwork from the 1950s to the 1980s. The Americans fighting for equal rights,” said artists in this group included Al Black, Joanna Robotham, curator of modern Mary Ann Carroll, Willie Daniels, Johnny and contemporary art. Daniels, James Gibson, Alfred Hair, Roy Capacity of the museum is limited to McLendon, Harold Newton, Sam Newton, 50 percent. The Tampa Museum of Art, Willie Reagan and Livingston Roberts. located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plz. in downThe Florida Highwaymen painted as town Tampa, is open seven days a week, a means to make a living. Many were Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and quite successful, especially Hair and on Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Call Newton. They faced limitations imposed 274-8130 or visit tampamuseum.org.
The Plant City large panels. Photo Archives and The exhibit also History Center’s annual displays a photo of Salute to Veterans United States Army priexhibit is currently on vate first class Henry display until Tuesday, Van Demps, who died January 5, 2021. The in Vietnam in 1966 and Plant City Photo was recently honored at Archives and History Garden of Peace Center is an award-winCemetery in Plant City. ning history organizaThere are photographs The Plant City Photo Archives and and the story of Craig tion located at 106 S. History Center’s Salute To Veterans Evers St. in historic exhibit, which runs through Tuesday, Mills, the most highly January 5, 2021. downtown Plant City. decorated Plant City This year’s exhibit is a truly special one. soldier in World War II. Additionally, the Ed Verner, Plant City Photo Archives Purple Heart and the story of Elmer president, said, “The exhibit this year will Jones Hiott, a member of the 85th contain over 700 photos of local veterans Armored Division who was killed in action as well as a special exhibit prepared by in Luxembourg in October 1944, is also Ivan Cardwell, who experienced the on display. This extraordinary exhibit conCuban Missile Crisis in a personal way.” tains so much history. It is something for Cardwell was a United States Air Force everyone to see. staff sergeant assigned to the Joint Chiefs The Salute to Veterans exhibit is on of Staff and working out of the Raven display in the Photo Archives Gallery from Rock Mountain Complex during one of Monday through Thursday, 10:15 a.m. the most pivotal moments of the Cuban until 6 p.m. Missile Crisis. The Raven Rock Mountain The mission of the Plant City Photo Complex is an underground nuclear Archives and History Center is the preserbunker near Blue Ridge Summit in vation of the community’s history and herPennsylvania that has been called an itage through the collection and preserva“underground Pentagon.” His exhibit is tion of the community’s photographs and based on those moments and the crucial documents. story of the unfolding of the Cuban Visit www.plantcityphotoarchives.org Missile Crisis. The exhibit contains 10 or call 754-1578.
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December 2020
Valrico Edition
Page 29
Sports Connection Photos courtesy of the Durant hockey program
657-2418
www.ospreyobserver.com
By Nick Nahas
Durant Cougars 2020 Hockey Team Shows Great Promise Leading Into Season
By Wes Reid
A culture of With only two excellence has been players graduating crafted by the coachfrom last year’s ing staff, and the state championship players hold each tournament team other accountable to and 10 rising senprovide maximum iors back to form effort for the good of the nucleus of this the team. year’s squad, Head Coach Durant High Todd Comunale has School’s hockey found the right ingreteam has some dients and he has lofty expectations proven to be a masthis season, and Season records: The Durant hockey team looks to win a state championship this season. ter chef. for good reason. • 2017-2018: 10-10-2 Player Spotlight: defensemen. Senior captain Jordan midway point of The Cougars are Paragon Hockey’s • 2018-2019: 13-7-2 Junior forward, #5 Putnam leads the team in scoring, the season. Some state championship favorite. • 2019-2020: 12-4-6 Dante Denny has of the credit for Durant’s hockey program, now in with an average of over three points • 2020-2021 to date: 11-2-0 silky smooth hands, per contest, while seven other the program’s its fourth year of existence, has its vision, speed, poise skaters are averaging more than a success can be sights set on securing a spot in the and, best of all, a great attitude. This point per game. Alternate captains attributed to an experienced and Lightning Cup Final at AMALIE kid isn’t missing much, if anything, Michael Romeo, Xander Wise and expansive coaching and administraArena, as well as a return trip to the from what it takes to be a complete Joshua McKeen play strong leadertive staff; with the player-to-coach SAHOF State Championships tourplayer. Denny’s ability on the ice ship roles on the squad and are well ratio under 4 to 1, the club priorinament. comes directly from his work ethic tizes near-individualized instruction The Cougars are led by arguably respected by their teammates. and mindset. With many of the players now in during its practice sessions. The the best goaltending tandem in the Keep an eye on this kid. He has their third or fourth year in the proamount of support Durant has for its Lightning High School Hockey one year left and he hasn’t even gram, this year’s squad sits atop the hockey team should be the benchLeague (LHSHL) and a stout come close to his ceiling. LHSHL’s Eastern Conference at the mark for high school hockey. defense, comprised of five senior
Page 30
Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12
Take Cross Bay Ferry To Visit The Newly Redesigned St. Petersburg Pier
By Michelle Colesanti
The Cross Bay Ferry the Pier overlooking the has returned to Tampa Bay. bay is Doc Ford’s Rum Bay The Provincetown III, here & Grille. This 10,000 sq. ft. from its seasonal Boston-torestaurant/bar focuses its Provincetown runs in menu on Florida fare and Massachusetts, will continue flavors from throughout the service here until April 30, Caribbean. 2021. At the end of the Pier, Excited to hear about the the four-story structure ferry’s return, my husband houses a few restaurant and I, along with close choices. On the ground Kids can enjoy the playground area The Cross Bay Ferry has returned to friends in our COVID-19 buband the beach when visiting the Pier. level is the Driftwood Cafe, the Tampa Bay area and is making trips between Tampa and St. ble, recently took the ferry to a casual walkup spot offerPetersburg every day, except Monday St. Petersburg. We were ing ice cream and snacks. and Tuesday, through the end of April happy that masks were Enjoy a picnic here while 2021. required while on board. Two overlooking the water. The cost is $10 Janet Echelman’s net sculpture, floors accommodate passengers. The We had dinner at Teak, each way for adults and Bending Arc, brilliantly lights up the upstairs section of the ferry is all outdoors $8 for seniors 65-plus, a fine dining restaurant, Pier each evening. (though partially covered). The day we which was a wonderful treat. motion with the wind. military and college stutook the journey, it was not crowded, so it There are a lot of great seafood choices To me, it was most dents. Children under 4 was easy to social distance. as well as other options. I had the mahi impressive after dark. are free. On the Tampa side, the ferry leaves fish and chips with seasoned fries, which At the entrance of the Pier, you can Once you arrive in St. Petersburg, just outside of the Tampa Convention was delicious. It’s located on the fourth stop for a meal or drink while overlooking there is plenty to do downtown. Over the Center on the Riverwalk. The trip across floor, and the views are fantastic. It will the marina. Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro’s years, we have watched this city morph the bay takes just under an hour and is make you feel as if you are mini-vacationwraparound deck offers great views for into a vibrant community. The Pier, which very relaxing. It crosses the channel out ing on a cruise ship. On the rooftop, kick lunch, dinner or weekend brunch. was rebuilt after years of discussion on of Tampa between Harbor and Davis back and enjoy Pier Teaki’s classic tiki As you stroll onto the Pier, there are how it should look, recently opened in Islands, so there are great views of the bar. kiosks with vendors set up selling mostly July. It is a short walk from where the homes along the water that you can’t see ferry disembarks and you can’t miss it. If walking is an issue, there is a free touristy items. That area is shaded and from the interior. If you are lucky, you may tram with four stops along the length of possibly protected from inclement weathEncompassing 26 acres, there is a also catch a glimpse of a dolphin. The the Pier. There is so much more, but you er. Beyond that there was a great play lot of space to maneuver and social disferry arrives in St. Petersburg across from tance, as is always a concern to us durwill have to visit and see for yourself. area for youngsters and a beach where North Straub Park. We enjoyed walking and taking in the you can sit, relax and even swim; a great ing the COVID-19 crisis. Masks are Limited food and a full-service bar whole ambiance of downtown St. family destination. It is right behind Spa requested outdoors and required at are available on board. There is no ferry Petersburg before settling back on the Beach Bistro, an outdoor cafe serving limindoor venues throughout the Pier. service on Monday or Tuesday, and servferry for the return trip. ited items, including design-your-own You will notice immediately, even ice is limited on Wednesday and Visit https://stpetepier.org/ for more pizza. Vendors were also selling cans of before you reach the Pier, a net sculpture Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, morninformation. beer and hard seltzers. What impressed called Bending Arc, which Tampa native ing-through-evening departures will give For more information tickets and me most was how nice this area all ties Janet Echelman has created. Bending you enough time to enjoy a leisurely visit departure times, visit www.thecrossbaytogether in its simplicity. Arc measures at 76 ft. at its highest point on the other side of the bay. ferry.com. Another restaurant about midway on and 428 ft. wide. It is perpetually in
December 2020
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Valrico Edition
Time To Consider Magnet And Career School Options For 2021-22
By Brad Stager
The Hillsborough are available to students County School District’s entering grades K-11 out of magnet school, career and the schools’ attendance technical education (CTE) areas on a space-available and school choice probasis. Transportation is not grams offer students a provided by the school disvariety of focused educatrict to out-of-area stutional opportunities with dents. which to pursue their acaThe school choice demic and professional option is also available to aspirations. The district’s families without signing up first window for families to for a CTE program. In apply to these programs those cases, the option is for the 2021-22 school available to students enterEven during a pandemic, year opened on ing grades K-11 on a Hillsborough County Public space-available basis at November 2 and continSchools students have the ues through Friday, opportunity to safely explore schools outside of their December 11. Families will their talents through magnet attendance areas. No and school choice options. be notified about school district transacceptance in late portation is provided for January 2021. school choice. The district’s magAccording to Bob net school program proCox, the district’s supervides instruction at specified elementary, visor of magnet programs, “Our choice middle and high schools that is themeand magnet options are some of the based, emphasizing areas such as permost dynamic and rigorous programs forming and communication arts, within our school district. We have International Baccalaureate studies, worked diligently to ensure our families technology like robotics and game will have an informative and enjoyable development as well as business and experience as they explore new educahealth sciences. Transportation to magtional paths through our district’s 80-plus net schools is provided by the school magnet and choice programs.” district. For more information and to apply CTE programs are areas of focus at for a magnet or choice program, visit many neighborhood middle and high hillsboroughschools.org, where you can schools, ranging, for example, from also participate in online events. automotive maintenance and light repair Representatives from magnet schools at Brandon High School to web develop- will talk about their programs and ment at Newsome High School. Access answer questions during the event, to these choice schools and programs which requires online registration.
Toy Drive Hosted By Lighthouse Gospel Mission For Children In Need
By Tatiana Ortiz
Spreading some holiday cheer might look slightly different this year for some families. Lighthouse Gospel Mission and its ministry, Operation Hope of Florida, strives to bring smiles through assistance of a toy drive and much more. All of the toys donated will be distributed during the annual Christmas of Hope event, which is free to the community, on Friday, December 18 at the Lighthouse Gospel Mission in Riverview at 6 p.m. Lighthouse Gospel Mission Development Manager Joelle Allen shared her input about the toy drive. “We are trying to collect the toys for children ages 2 to 10 and make sure their Christmas is blessed,” Allen said. Operation Hope of Florida is a food ministry that distributes more than 2.4 million pounds per year to families in need. It serves 2,105,497 people annually. During Christmas of Hope, attendees will receive a hot meal, a food box and toys for kids. The overall goal of this toy drive is to fulfill the mission through the love of Jesus to serve those who are hungry, hurt and addicted in communities within its four avenues of ministry.
Since Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s establishment on December 12, 1952 by J.A. Lennard, it has continued providing an impact on the lives of thousands all across the Tampa Bay area. Lennard started the mission as an encouragement to the homeless in downtown Tampa by offering them a hot meal and clothing. Due to the growth of Lighthouse Gospel Mission’s ministry, it later relocated to its current spot. “Overall, we want to others to know that we are here trying to make a difference within the surrounding community,” Allen said. Those interested in contributing can drop off the toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lighthouse Remnant Thrift Store. The deadline to donate is on Friday, December 11. For more information, visit www.lighthousegospelmission.org or check out its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lighthousegospelmission. It is located at 7211 S. 78th St. in Riverview. Call 6775220.
EXPIRES: 9/30/2020
Neeed A Business Attorne n y? Rory B. Weiner, P.A. . 813-681-3300 Star a Bus
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635 W W.. Lumsden Road, Brandon by appppointment onllyy) Bank of America Plaza (by 101 E E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1430, 1430 T Taampa w RoryW iner. in .com om
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Valrico Edition
Volume 17, Issue 12