Osprey Observer Valrico September 2020

Valrico

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September 2020

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Volume 17, Issue 9 Ph: 657-2418

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2020 County Fair Offers Livestock & Harvest Queen Events Only

Eagle Scout Builds New Office Space For Ever-Growing ECHO

The 2020 will remain open until Hillsborough County October 1 and updatFair will be having a ed entry rules and restricted opening information will be due to the COVID-19 released soon on pandemic. For the www.hillsboroughhealth and safety of countyfair.com. the fair staff, volunThe Harvest teers, fairgoers and Queen Scholarship all vested parties, the Pageant will take Hillsborough County place on Saturday, Photo courtesy of Berry Sweet Memories by Fair Board of Dee Dee Wheeler September 19 as Directors voted to originally planned.

Two Harvest Queen Scholarship Pageant participants (left and right) with Contestants will be modify the fair their market lamb at the 2019 events to hold only notified via email by Hillsborough County Fair. the Youth Livestock the pageant commitShows and the Harvest Queen tee with the new, specific guideScholarship Pageant. All other lines. The pageant will also be a aspects of the fair will be postclosed event open only to the poned until 2021. contestants, their families and The Youth Livestock Shows the judges. and Sales will still be held from “We’ve held those events Thursday, October 22 through ever since the beginning of the Sunday, November 1, but with an updatfair and we felt that we had to modify the ed schedule and modified rules to adhere schedule to make it work, but we wanted to the CDC recommendations for Youth to still provide that for the youth because Livestock Shows at county fairs. they already had their animals, they All aspects for the Youth Livestock worked for many, many months to preShows will take place, except for the pare for the show and sale and we just Youth Rabbit Show, due to rabbits being wanted to do them justice in regards to potential carriers of the virus. Exhibitors following through and seeing that hapfor the youth rabbit show will be notified pen,” said Fair Manager Suzanne by the livestock director and all entry fees Holcomb. paid will be refunded.

For any questions about the These shows will now be closed Hillsborough County Fair or the two shows open only to the exhibitor and their events, contact the fair office at 737-FAIR families, but they will be livestreamed via or Holcomb at suzanne@hillsboroughits Facebook page. Information will be countyfair.com. For more information released in the next few weeks on the about the Youth Livestock Shows, email fair’s website and Facebook page and will Livestock Director Serena Stratton at be emailed directly to exhibitors that have rena70@aol.com. For more information already registered for this year’s Youth about the Harvest Queen Scholarship Livestock Shows and Sales.

Pageant, call Pageant Director Kelli Registration for the breeding shows Messick at 737-FAIR.

Emergency Help and is now, with help from Care Organization, also Bradford, a secluded area known as ECHO, has for future ECHO staff received help from local members to spread out Eagle Scout Jackson and get to work.

Bradford to transform When asked about what once was an underwhat this space means utilized kid’s play space for ECHO, staff member into a much more accomMyriam Lugo responded, modating office for poten“We are so grateful for tial ECHO employees. the work that Jackson ECHO’s primary has done for us. This location off Parsons Ave. space will help us continEagle Scout Jackson Bradford is home to one of ue to grow as we expand recently donated his time to Brandon’s most visited help expand the office space at our team with another ECHO’s Brandon office. food banks. permit position.”

With more than 180,000 If you or someone in your pounds of food distributed and family are a member of the Boy over 15,521 members of our Scouts and would like to volunteer community served, according its your time like Bradford at ECHO, website www.echofl.org, what please contact Myriam Lugo at keeps the ball rolling are the myriam@echofl.org. people behind the movement.

There are always larger scale These people, comprised of an imivolunteer opportunities perfect for an tate staff and a large volunteer base, are Eagle Scout not just at ECHO’s main in desperate need for office space. location but at ECHO Boutique and its That’s when Bradford stepped in to Riverview campus as well. step up.

Stay connected with ECHO through As a member of the Boy Scouts social media at ECHO of Brandon on Troop 79 which meets at Immanuel Facebook or visit www.echofl.org.

Lutheran Church, Bradford has set his sights high on achieving the Scouts’ highest rank: the Eagle Award.

Becoming an Eagle Scout takes hard In This Issue work, compassion and vision.

The requirements for earning the Eagle Award not only include Eagle Scout ISTROLL BRANDON...........................PG 3 merit badges as well as leadership chalBUSCIGLIO GIVES BACK ....................PG 4 lenges, but the toughest test of all is the Eagle Scout Service Project.

LOCAL OUTDOOR MARKETS.............PG 6 In order to earn the status of Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts like Bradford must SIBLINGS TAKE ON FFA LEAD............PG 7 complete a service project that directly LIVING IN COVID...........................PGS 10 contributes their community.

According to the Eagle Scout Service EYE ON BUSINESS....................PGS 17‐18 Project workbook, the project can be anyALAFIA DRIVING .............................PG 23 thing. “It might be a construction, conservation, or remodeling project, or it could HEALTHY LUNCH.............................PG 25 be the presentation of an event with a worthwhile purpose,” it states.

READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE What once was an abandoned play www.ospreyobserver.com space for children of ECHO’s client base

By Kye Saunders

Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596

Postal Customer

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3345 LITHIA PINECREST RD, VALRICO, FL 33596 | (813) 643-7777 Hillsborough Community College will receive a federal Student Support Services (SSS) grant of $1,891,185.00 to help more students succeed in and graduate from college.

Read the full article on page 15.

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Valrico Edition

Volume 17, Issue 9

September 2020

Page 3

Valrico Edition

Champion City Church Holds Fourth Annual Backpack Drive For A Kid’s Place

iStroll Brandon Gets Moms, Dads, Babies And Others Out To Exercise And Socialize

Remember the chased through the night before the first monetary donations by day of the new school church members as year? You picked out well as the outreach your favorite outfit and efforts in the communiplaced your new pair ty. “As pastors, we of shoes next to them. don’t want to just talk You may have stared about tithing,” said at them for a bit, and it Hall. “But, we want to Champion City Church held its fourth be a church that tithes, made you feel good. annual backpack drive to benefit For some students it foster children living at A Kid’s Place so 10 percent of gave them some coneverything that’s given Tampa Bay. fidence. This was the driving force behind to us at Champion City is given away Champion City Church’s backpack drive through our outreach called ‘Love The for A Kid’s Place Tampa Bay. 813.’ As a church, we give to the commu“We wanted them to go back to nity, world missions, help others plant school with the confidence that other stuchurches and assist other churches reach dents wouldn’t pick on them about their their communities.” shoes,” said Bruch Hall, lead pastor at Hall explained that the children at A Champion City Church. “We wanted them Kid’s place have already been impacted to have the peace of mind that they have in life and need advocates. “A Kid’s Place a new backpack that will last the school has already done so much to stand along year and it has some things in it that will these little champions and we want to do help them succeed this school year.” our part too,” said Hall. “Most of these A Kid’s Place, located in Brandon, children arrive at A Kid’s Place with all of provides a safe and loving home for fostheir earthly belongings in a Walmart ter children. Champion City Church’s suc- shopping bag, if they even have that. cessful backpack drive provided 60 back- They don’t have backpacks and they packs and 60 pairs of shoes for the chilmore than likely don’t have a good pair of dren living at A Kid’s Place. shoes. We wanted to do something about Hall said that the church has been that.” very moved by the work at A Kid’s Place.

Champion City Church has a contin“They take care of the orphans and that’s uing vision of outreach for the community exactly what the book of James tells us to with several upcoming events, including a do,” said Hall. “The Bible tells us in food pantry to serve students that may James 1:27, ‘Pure and genuine religion in come from food-insecure homes, a the sight of God the Father means caring Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas toy for orphans and widows in their distress drive. Visit www.MyChampCity.com. You and refusing to let the world corrupt you.’” can also follow on Facebook The backpacks and shoes were pur@MyChampCity & @Love_The813.

Many retired folks idea hit her. With her athmight remember the letic background, schoolStroll. The Stroll of the ing and love of fitness, 50s was a group dance Partridge started her own that was done in two stroller-based workout. On lines, with boys on one June 1, 2005, she hosted side and girls on the her first iStroll class. other. The people in the iStroll is the ultimate lines would wait for their 60-minute, book campturn to stroll down the type stroller workout made middle. by athletes for parents.

Fast forward 70 iStroll incorporates runyears. Dances and Amanda Aufiero is the owner of ning, body weight, dumbfamily dynamics have bells, resistance bands iStroll Brandon and invites everyone to come try out a free and a stroller. It gives drastically changed. In lesson. the 50s, the proportion moms and dads a full of working moms in the U.S. was 33 perbody workout while keeping babies cent. involved. It is also a place to meet other According to FlexJobs, today, almost parents with similar interests.

70 percent of all mothers with children Eighteen months ago, Amada Aufiero under 18 years of age participate in the became the owner of iStroll Brandon. labor force in the United States. That Like Partridge, Aufiero is accomplished includes 57 percent of mothers with professionally with an MBA, anticipating infants, 64 percent of mothers with chilpursuing a promising career. However, dren under 6 years old and 75 percent of becoming a mom changed those plans. mothers with children 6 to 17 years old.

Also like Partridge, she wanted to remain The 30 percent who stay home are physically healthy and participate in a encountering problems those from 70 community of moms who were health years ago and more did not: the isolation conscious and wanted social interaction. and diminished social life of moms who Aufiero said, “Everyone in iStroll is so choose to stay home. However, some kind and empathetic. We are all in this things that have not changed for women together and become each other’s best are their creativity and determination in friends.” The first class is free with differsolving problems. ent packages available. Meetings are Tess Partridge, a medical school held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at BayCare applicant, chemistry lab researcher and HealthHub and Tuesday and Thursday at accomplished athlete, decided to be a Bloomingdale East Park. Visit www.facestay-at-home mom. After having her baby, book.cos/iStrollbrandon, Partridge found getting out of the house www.istroll.co/brandon or email istrollwithout her baby difficult. That’s when the bloomingdale@gmail.com.

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Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

Busciglio Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Will Provide Gift Cards To Local Teachers

By Tatiana Ortiz

This year, maybe prosperous educationally,” Dr. more than ever before, Derek said. teachers have dedicated Those interested in entertheir time and money to ing the contest should fill out an preparing for the return online form at http://bit.ly/busof students. All of these cigliotag2020. The entry page efforts will go a long way. consists of basic questions that To demonstrate its thankevery contestant must comfulness towards teachplete. The contest ends on ers, Busciglio Smiles Thursday, October 1 and the Orthodontics & Pediatric winners will be announced Dentistry created a shortly thereafter with updates teacher appreciation gift posted to Facebook at card giveaway contest https://www.facebook.com/busas part of its philanthropy cigliosmiles/. by supporting education Dr. Derek’s father, Dr. John through its involvement Busciglio, started the practice with a nonprofit organizain 1972. For nearly 50 years, tion called Partners in Busciglio Smiles has beautified Education. smiles in the community while Busciglio Smiles will continuing to grow and deliver award three $350 Visa pediatric and orthodontic denBusciglio Smiles gift cards to local teachtistry. Dr. Derek is a board-cerOrthodontics & Pediatric ers that work within the Dentistry will award three tified orthodontist with more geographic bounds of $350 Visa gift cards to local than 15 years of experience. teachers in its giveaway those education districts Busciglio Smiles Orthodontics until Thursday, October 1. in which the practice & Pediatric Dentistry takes serves in Hillsborough County. Both pubpride in providing the boost in confidence lic and private school teachers are invited its patients deserve. Locations can be to enter. found in Brandon, Lithia and Plant City.

The hope is that the gift cards will “Overall, by making great smiles it assist teachers by offering additional also helps me smile,” Dr. Derek said. funds to purchase items needed for their For more information, visit classrooms. www.BusciglioSmiles.com The Brandon Dr. Derek Busciglio, who owns office is located at 515 Corner Dr. and in Busciglio Smiles, expressed what he Lithia it is at 16141 FishHawk Blvd. The would like the community to know about offices are open Monday through his involvement with the giveaway. “I want Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and on to make sure we are creating an environFriday by appointment. Call 681-9473 to ment where our kids succeed and are learn more.

Expiration: 9/30/2020

Expiration: 9/30/2020

Expiration: 9/30/2020

September 2020

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Valrico Edition

Tampa Bay Speech, Language & Reading Clinic Offers Solutions For Communication Disorders

By Gwen Rollings

Some children strugshe is the mother of four gle with understanding children, so she also and speaking, and they brings the ‘mommy perneed help. They may not spective’ into her clinic. master the language mileOther team members stones at the same time include Mandy Matteis, as other children, and it who has a Master of may be a sign of a lanPhysical Therapy degree guage or speech delay or and over 15 years of clinidisorder, according to the cal experience in treating Center for Disease orthopedic injuries, neuroControl. logical conditions and If your child is one of Director Julie Kogut with one pediatrics. Matteis is also the nearly 8 percent of a certified handwriting of her special friends.

U.S. children who struggle with speech specialist through the Handwriting and communication problems as well as Without Tears program. the many other disorders associated Other members of the clinic include with speech, language and reading, the Samatha Schultz, Ayesha Aawad and Tampa Bay Speech Language & Loren Oglesby, who earned B.A. Reading Clinic in Lithia has solutions for degrees in SLPA (speech-language you. pathology assistant).

The clinic opened in 2001 and is Some of the therapies include: articlocally owned and directed by Julie ulation, auditory processing, fluency, Kogut, MA, CCC-SLP. Kogut has been a reading/writing, handwriting, pediatric speech-language pathologist for 22 physical therapy, speech-language disoryears. Parents are reassured as Kogut der, sensory feeding, voice, hearing disand her team give individualized attenorders, stroke, Alzheimer’s and autism. tion and effort in order to properly Kogut said that implications from assess the problem, find a solution and COVID-19 have made her clinic even give the treatment necessary to achieve more necessary. “COVID has basically a successful resolution. The clinic also elevated the need for our support of caters to all ages, from infant to adult, as these kids, and we never closed. We are the team has extensive experience in like a family and do not want any of speech, physical and occupational thera- those coming to us to get even further py. behind because of what is happening,” In addition to her master’s degree in she said. Zoom sessions are available, speech-language pathology and her 22 as are one-on-one safe procedures in years of experience working with both the clinic. children and adults in numerous settings Email tampabayspeech@gmail.com (private clinics, hospitals and schools), or call 368-2485.

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Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

Local Markets Offer Outside Shopping, Crafts, Art, Produce & More

By Tatiana Ortiz

With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, many residents prefer shopping in the open air and local markets throughout the area are stepping up to offer that option.

The Rustic Door Décor & More Brandon Sunday Market

The Rustic Door Décor & More will have its Brandon Sunday Market on October 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It will feature a variety of vendors, food trucks, local artisans, fresh produce and more. This community event occurs every fourth Sunday of the month from October through April. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/brandonsundaymarket. It is located at 772 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Call 6553667.

The Rustic Door Décor & More Valrico Grand Opening Festival

Come celebrate the grand opening of The Rustic Door Décor & More’s Valrico location as it kicks off the market season with local vendors outside on Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It is pet friendly. Foods by the plaza restaurants, such as La Villa Mexican Grill and more, will be provided.

It is located at 4367 Lynx Paw Trl. in Valrico. Email therusticdoormarket@gmail.com.

Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. Launches Monthly Bullfrog Creek Night Market

Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. will be launching its monthly night market this month from from 6-10 p.m.

Attendees will get to hear live music, see artisan vendors and much more.

For more information and dates,

search for Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. on Facebook. It is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Contact 703-8835.

Valrico Sunday Market At Chill Cawfee

The Valrico Sunday Market Artisan Faire under the grandfather oaks occurs every second Sunday and fourth Sunday of the month. Live music will be provided. Nearly 40 vendors will be present with items such as handmade jewelry, a variety of foods and much more.

For more information, search for the Valrico Sunday Market on Facebook. It is located at 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

JF Kicks Restaurant & Patio Bar Saturday At The Market Vendor Event

JF Kicks Restaurant & Patio Bar is having it Saturday at the Market Vendor event on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. During the event, JF Kicks will be serving lunch specials. With the the event under the treeline a selection of baked goods, custom items and more will be available. For more information, search for the event on Facebook. It is located at 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

Contact 643-7777.

Art Monkey Emporium Merchant Market

The Art Monkey Emporium will have its monthly market on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. These monthly markets will take place on the second Saturday of each month. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/316 200686395591/. It is located at 16132 Churchview Dr. in Lithia.

Contact 315-9803.

Winthrop’s Pop-Up Market At Mama’s General Store

Mama’s General Store is restarting its outdoor gift market on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m.-

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2 p.m. It will take place every third Saturday of the month. Discover many local artists, small businesses and makers under the old oak tree by its store and Full Grown Girl. For more information, visit www.mamasgeneral.com/market. It is located at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. Contact 379-9799.

tion, visit http://www.jensmarket.com. It is located at 536 Bahia Beach Blvd. in Ruskin. Email Jennifer@jens-market.com.

Ruskin Family Drive-In Market Is Open

The Market at the Ruskin Family Drive-In is back open for its once a month event on the fourth Saturday of each month, except for in December. The event is free and pet friendly. Bring home wreaths, jewelry, sweet treats and other unique items during a visit on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m.2 p.m. For more information, search for the Market at the Ruskin Family Drive-In on Facebook.

It is located at 5011 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Ruskin. Contact 6451455.

Mira Bay Market At The Salty Shamrock Irish Pub

Mira Bay Market at the Salty Shamrock Irish Pub will be having an event on Sunday, October 18, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This takes place on the third Sunday of each month. It is pet friendly, free to attend and attendees are provided free parking. This market is in its fifth year. Tungett Produce and Citrus will have locally

The Little Harbor Market At Harborside Suites

In its sixth year, the Market at Little Harbor at Harborside Suites will take place on Saturday, October 10 from 12 Noon-5 p.m. It occurs on the second Saturday of every month. The event is pet friendly. It is free to attend and offers free parking. An array of crafts, pet products, local packaged foods and more will be available. For more informa-

farmed vegetables and citrus available here, along with many other different vendors. For more information, visit http://www.jens-market.com. It is located at 6186 U.S. Hwy. 41 S. in Apollo Beach. Email Jennifer@jensmarket.com.

Sunday Pop-Up Market With Smokeez BBQ

The Sunday Pop-Up Market with Smokeez BBQ will occur on the first Sunday of every month, from 9 a.m.1 p.m. This pop-up vendor market is free and kid friendly. It features local vendors selling gifts, local honey and more. For more information, search for the event on Facebook. It is located at 204 W. Shell Point Rd. in Ruskin. Contact Melissa Busbee @mbusbee83@gmail.com.

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September 2020

Valrico Edition

Page 7

Chamber Hosts Business Excellence Awards, Names Saladino Key Citizen

Local Sibling Trio Accepts Durant FFA Leadership Roles, Encourages Participation

The Greater munity. The three comBrandon Chamber of panies that were honCommerce held its ored are Brandon annual Business Regional Hospital, Excellence Awards last Hillsborough County month, recognizing Sheriff’s Office and businesses in different TECO. These compacategories for their nies give their time and accomplishments. resources to help make Individual awards are Leadership Brandon a also given to members program of immense of the community for value. their dedication and Two individuals service to the Greater were also recognized Brandon area. While The Greater Brandon Chamber of during the event.

Commerce held its annual Business Robert Bivins was recthis was a more intiExcellence Awards last month. mate event than in ognized with the past years due to COVID-19 restrictions, Community Leadership Award. This “It was an evening enjoyed by all,” said award recognizes a person for their dediBernadette Pello, 2020 Chairman of the cation and service to our community.

Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Tony Saladino was recognized with the The five business categories and the Key Citizen Award for his dedication and winners are as follows: service to our community. Both gentle•Emerging Business – Nuvita men are known for being giving, their Chiropractic generosity and their selfless service to •1-5 Employees – Warped Vision our community.

•6-20 Employees – Bivins and Presenting awards for the evening Hemenway, P.A. consisted of past winners and elected offi•21-plus Employees – Fuzzy’s Taco Shop cials, including County Commissioner •Nonprofit – BSAC (Brandon Sports and Sandra Murman, School Board Chair Aquatic Center) Melissa Snively, Senator Darryl Rousson, The Greater Brandon Chamber of House Representative Adam Hattersley Commerce also recognized three compa- and Congressman Ross Spano (via nies for their dedication and support to video). the Leadership Brandon program.

“The evening was a much-deserved Leadership Brandon is the signature procelebration for our finalists and winners,” gram at the chamber where members said Pello. take part in an intense leadership develTo learn more about the Greater opment program and are immersed into Brandon Chamber of Commerce, visit the various other programs in our comwww.brandonchamber.com.

The Durant High always have someone School FFA (Future to be my biggest Farmers of America) cheerleader.” program continues to The eldest of the strive for domination three, Will, explained, of state and national “Being able to compete rankings as members in competitions and enter another year of participate in events competitions with a with my sisters has fresh group of teens allowed me to push ready to make their myself to a higher marks as leaders. level.”

FFA develops But FFA isn’t just a members’ potential family affair, it’s an through hands-on Will, Caroline and Payton Haxton are organization that all members of the leadership team shapes young people experiences in agriat Durant High School’s FFA culture and leadership into leaders and is program. and is a vibrant part available to high of Durant High School’s stuschool and middle school student body. dents everywhere across the One family that has nation. made a big splash in The Haxton siblings have Durant’s FFA chapter this lots of advice for students who year are the Haxtons, with are interested in joining their three siblings all in leaderlocal chapter. ship roles.

“Get involved in your chapters Will Haxton (12th grade) is the FFA events,” said Caroline, whereas Payton vice president, Caroline Haxton (10th suggested, “Go all out—do the contests, grade) is a reporter, and Payton Haxton show an animal and run for office.”

(10th grade) is a parliamentarian.

But it is Will that puts it best: “My All three Haxton siblings have been advice I would give to someone who active members of the Durant FFA since wants to join FFA would simply be just to their first year in the program. do it.”

“The FFA has helped to create a If you or a student you know would stronger bond between us all, and I like to be involved in your FFA chapter, wouldn’t have it any other way,” said you can go online and search for the Caroline. nearest one to you through the FFA Her twin, Payton, added, “Being in website at www.ffa.org/chapter-locator/. the FFA with my siblings has made it Stay updated on all things Durant much more fulfilling to me because I FFA by liking it on Facebook.

Staff Report

BEAUTIFUL HOMES START WITH BEAUTIFUL FLOORS

By Kye Saunders

Page 8

Valrico Edition

Volume 17, Issue 9

Edward Jones’ Adam benAbram Gives Financial Checkups

Get To Know Hidden & Fascinating Places With Local Author’s Secret Tampa Bay Book

Working as a financial ments and strategies that advisor for the last nine support and align with peryears has been a fellow sonal goals. endeavor to a 25-year “By asking where a career in medicine for client is today, where Adam benAbram, but the they’d like to be, if that goal motivation for each of is realistic, how they get these careers has been there and how they can the same. stay on track, we build a “I want to take care of strategy tailor-made for people,” he said. “I just that client,” he said. “By went from taking care of getting to know them, I am people’s physical health to better able to build stratetheir financial health.” gies to help them reach Studies, including one those goals.”

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Adam benAbram can from the Brookings That holistic partneryou a checkup on your Institution, show that richer give ship with his clients is a financial health and put you people live longer and on the path to reaching your very rewarding for retirement goals. having a financial plan benAbram. “I build lifepromotes emotional stalong relationships and get bility, alleviates stress and to watch the important anxiety and builds confimoments in their lives,” dence. Since COVID-19 and the volatility he said. it has wreaked on financial markets, it’s By partnering with benAbram, he can more important than ever to build a build a diversified portfolio from a broad focused wealth strategy. selection of quality investments, including That strategy requires thought and stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and planning, said benAbram. Whether peoinsurance and annuity products. He also ple are looking to build and preserve offers professional administration options wealth, manage cash flow before or durto assist with specific wealth strategies, ing retirement or need help managing trust management or business ownership complex situations, he has a portfolio needs. option to address those needs.

Adam benAbram’s office, located at Before he can develop an investment 10312 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 105 in strategy for his clients, benAbram must Riverview, is open Monday-Friday, 8 get to know them. By working through the a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday by appointEdward Jones 5-Step Asset Management ment. Appointments can be in-person or Process with each client, he assesses tol- via Zoom. erance for risk, creates a quantifiable To schedule, call 626-3052 or visit financial goal and recommends investwww.edwardjones.com\adam-benabram.

Do you have a desire his shih tzu, Tinkerbell, his for adventure, want to find stalwart companion. fascinating and weird On how he finds secret things or just wonder what places, Ginsberg said, “I usukind of things are hiding in ally start off either talking to your local area? Then local folks, locals who’ve been in author Joshua Ginsberg’s town a long time, about new book, Secret Tampa things that are strange and Bay: A Guide to the Weird, unusual, or I do a lot of Wonderful, and Obscure, research online as well.” published by Reedy Press, Due to the COVID-19 is just right for you. pandemic, Ginsberg tried to Ginsberg, himself a keep the entries in Secret seeker of wonder, wrote the Tampa Bay as current as book to guide others to his possible. Most of the places Joshua Ginsberg is a favorite finds, and it’s not a in it are still open, and he local writer, entrepreneur believes those that aren’t will short list. He found so and curiosity seeker who many that he couldn’t fit reopen shortly. wanted to share the them all into the book. Be it fascinating and obscure There will be a release enchanting, historical, artis- things he discovered in party and book signing set for Tampa Bay through his tic or odd, there’s no shortSaturday, September 19 from new book. age of variety.

4 to 7 p.m. at South Tampa “I wanted it to be such that whether Trading Co. on 1916 S. Dale Mabry you’re from out of town or you’ve lived Hwy. in Tampa. Call for 831-7882 more here your whole life, there will be someinformation. The date and time are tentathing interesting and something exciting tive due to the pandemic. for just about everyone,” he explained.

There will also be a presentation Some of those finds include a doland book signing at Rao Musunuru phin with an innovative prosthetic tail; Museum on 6431 Circle Blvd. in New the oldest restaurant in Florida, which is Port Richey (time and date TBD). Call also the oldest and largest Spanish 727-847-0680 for more information. restaurant in the U.S.; an aluminum casBoth events are free and open to tle/home filled with artworks made from the public. recycled materials; a tower and garden To learn more about fascinating straight from a Tolkien novel; and much things that didn’t make it into the book, more. visit When seeking for curiosities, terraincognitaamericanus.blogspot.com.

Ginsberg likes to travel with his wife, Secret Tampa Bay: A Guide to the who helped him pick which places got Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is availinto the book. He also often travels with able wherever books are sold.

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September 2020

Valrico Edition

JF Kicks Hosts Saturday Market, Classic Car Shows, Live Music Events & More

By Gwen Rollings

Johnny from 3-7 p.m. in the Spieldenner is the fifth parking lot. Classic oldest in his family of cars will park along the 18 children. He tree line with open explained, “We are a hoods to display cusfamily of caregivers, tom motors. There just service members and might be entertainentertainers who have ment by a mobile DJ the idea of helping othto begin the family fun, ers ingrained into our which is planned as a life philosophy.” recurring event for the As the owner of last Saturday of each JF Kicks owner, Johnny Spieldenner, month.

JF Kicks restaurant pictured here with his children, has and patio bar in Yappy Hour set up many community events at the Valrico restaurant and patio bar.

Valrico, Spieldenner Community Pet manages to incorporate a menu of his Project, a nonprofit created to assist families’ philosophy along with delicious homeless and at-risk Hillsborough County meal choices served within an ambience families struggling to keep pets fed and of nostalgia in JF Kicks’ spacious dining healthy, begins at 4-7 p.m. on the last room or on the gold patio, complete with Saturday of the month. Dog enthusiasts a fireplace and water feature. are encouraged to bring man’s best This month, the restaurant is really friends to JF Kicks’ dog-friendly patio and kicking up its community events with raise money through 50/50 bingo and something for everyone. donations.

JF Kicks’ Care, Serve and Live Soloists – every Thursday, Entertainment Menu: Friday and Saturday on the patio starting Saturday at the Market – second at 7 p.m.

Saturday of the month in Kicks’ parking Although masks are required, lot at 10 a.m., vendors include Sugar Spieldenner said, “We all need some Lees Gourmet Coffee, Rhonda semblance of normalcy and live entertainMcDaniel’s A Caring Touch Skin Therapy, ment that has been sorely missed. We Pop Pops Tinker Show as well as prodare finding a balance to keep our staff ucts and services like homemade beef and local musicians working while providjerky, paintings, baked goods, beard care ing safe entertainment for the communiand bath and beauty products. The $25 ty.” He emphasized that there are many vendor fee donated to the nonprofit Just measures in place to provide a safe work One Foundation. and dining environment.

Classic Car Show – cars, music and For more information, visit food lovers welcome (that includes most www.JFKicksRestaurant.com or call 643everyone) on Saturday, September 26 7777.

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Page 9

The Smith Family Quarantine Includes A Front Door Hand Washing Station

Florida Blue Offers An Emotional Support Helpline Available 24/7

Kim and Dave sanitize before Smith of Valrico entering.” The couhave opened their ple scaled the boys’ hearts and home to therapist team foster children. Even down from eight to though they have four because of the children of their pandemic. own, they have Dave became always felt there is the designated room for one more ‘runner’ for the famKim and Dave Smith (center) of Valrico to love. ily’s items that they have opened their hearts and home to When the pancouldn’t get delivfoster children. Even though they have children of their own, they have always felt ered to the house. demic hit, the Smiths had to close there is room for one more to love. When The couple’s the pandemic hit, the Smiths had to close their home, so to their home so to speak because Kim has teenage son, Zeke, two autoimmune diseases and the couple’s used the culinary speak, because foster child has severe asthma.

Kim has two skills he was learnautoimmune diseases and the couple’s ing in school to help make the family’s foster child has severe asthma. “I had meals. “Zeke has become an awesome been following COVID for a while since cook and baker,” Kim said. “He uses I’m a travel agent and it had been affectmusic to help him get through being stuck ing travel plans for a while,” Kim said. in the house. Before the pandemic, he “When school shut done in March for started to learn how to play the guitar. He spring break, I had a feeling it wasn’t asked us for a keyboard so he can teach going to reopen.” himself how to play the piano, which he The couple decided it was best for started doing as well.” the health of their family to cut everything Friends and family have helped the off and stay in their home to be safe. “We couple to try and keep things as ‘normal’ moved all of the boys’ therapies to teleas possible. “For the boys’ birthdays, we health appointments, except for our arranged to have a birthday parade go by behavioral therapy,” Kim said. “Our family the house,” Kim said. “We talked a lot to is very close with the boys’ behavioral the boys about the virus and why things therapists and we needed them to come are the way they are now. For being 3 and help with adjusting to their new norand 6 years old, they are adapting well. mal and eLearning for school. So, we Their only real concern that they have is made sure masks are worn, shoes are wanting to know if Mickey, Donald Duck removed before entering the house and and Santa are staying safe and virus-free, we have a handwashing station set up and we tell them, ‘Yes, they are all safe outside by our front door to clean and and they are wearing their masks too.’”

Even before the COVIDPresident David Pizzo. “We 19 pandemic, Florida Blue’s will continue to monitor the mission has been to help need within the community people and communities for the helpline and keep it achieve better health, which open as long as necessary declares its purpose as a to assist our neighbors. We company and serves as the understand this is an ongostandard against which it ing issue that will have long weighs its actions and its lasting effects on our comdecisions. munities.”

It strives to be a leadFlorida Blue has ing innovator in enabling partnered with New healthy communities, Directions Behavioral which is both the inspiraHealth to provide tional and aspirational licensed clinicians availdescription of the future able to speak to anyone state of the company. It is in Florida free of charge this framework that guides in both English and every aspect of Florida Spanish. “Our Florida Blue. By broadening its Blue Center neighborscope and continuing to hood nurses and comFlorida Blue Market President evolve, it has more flexibil- David Pizzo is part of the Florida munity specialists are ity to make a greater Blue team that recently created a also just a phone call 24/7 bilingual, emotional support away,” Pizzo said. “They impact on as many peohelpline. The emotional support ple as possible. helpline is toll-free number and is are ready to answer Florida Blue realizes available by calling 833-848-1762. questions about It’s accessible 24/7. the impact of the coronCOVID-19, testing site avirus has caused substantial anxiety as locations, ways to stay healthy and many Floridians worry about the health of their other types of relief programs.” loved ones and themselves. The compaIf you would like to learn more about ny recently set up a 24/7 bilingual, emothe different services offered by Florida tional support helpline. “As part of our Blue, you can visit its website at ongoing support of our members and the www.floridablue.com or call 877-352communities we serve, our free emotional 5830. It is open from Monday-Friday, 9 support helpline can assist any Floridians a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 feeling anxiety, grief, isolation or stress, p.m. including those who do not have insurThe emotional support helpline is tollance or have coverage with another free number and is available by calling health plan,” said Florida Blue Market 833-848-1762. It’s accessible 24/7.

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Valrico Edition

Page 11

Local Musicians Share Talents At International Piano Guild Performance

Staff Report

Music learning about Showcase other cultures, hosted its especially their 13th annual accents and lanInternational guages.

Piano Guild Faith is also last month.

12 years old, and More than 20 she is going into pianists from seventh grade and around the has played piano area particifor five years. She pated in the likes to draw, annual closed spend time with juried event, friends, watch including anime and play eight from video games.

Music Showcase hosted its 13th annual International Piano Guild last month with eight students from Music Showcase, including Bryson Music One the state Moore, Catalina Van Bourgondien, Saanvi Chinthamaneni and Noah Hoyte.

Showcase. level among Music with Catalina Van level among the Music The International Piano Guild Showcase participants, Bryson Moore Bourgondien for Showcase participants holds auditions around the world with got the top score. Moore is 13 years are Saanvi Chinthamaneni music professionals grading students first place in the old and has been playing the piano for district level. River and Noah on accuracy, continuity, phrasing, four years, which he enjoys playing for is a seventh grade Hoyte. Chinthamaneni will pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, tempo, friends and family. He is entering the student at be attending the fifth grade tone, interpretation, style and techeighth grade and excels in school as Mulrennan Middle at Lithia Springs nique. The audition, open for stua High Academic Honor Roll stuSchool. She has Elementary. She enjoys dents of all levels, is a yearly event dent. He is also a part of his school’s playing piano, drawing and at Music Showcase. Students have to been playing the chapter in the National Junior Honor piano since she singing. memorize and play scales and Society. Moore’s hobbies include was 5 years old Noah Hoyte is 12 years songs, sometimes as many as 10 online gaming with his friends, swimand loves all different kinds of music, old and has been playing piano for each. The guild’s purpose is to ming and trail riding. is active in church and Girl Scouts five years. Noah loves animals, drawencourage growth and enjoyment of Kai Edwards placed second and enjoys spending time with her ing and video games. Noah would like among the Music Showcase students the piano. Auditioning students family. Yebba is interested in teachto be a zoologist because he loves receive the prestige of becoming in the state level. He has participated ing and architecture.

Nine-year-old animals. In third place in the district members of the guild for a year and in the National Piano Guild for four Van Bourgondien and has been playlevel for Music Showcase are Tyler report cards. Students can also years. He is in the seventh grade at ing piano for four years. She likes to Smith and Faith Hoyte. receive community service credit Seven Springs Middle School.

Smith, 12 years old, has been through the public school system and perfect her songs and play them for For more about the International family members. She also enjoys playing piano for four years. He also academic accreditation on college Piano Guild program, please contact playing softball, swimming, reading recently started learning to play guitar. Debbie Evans or teacher Jean applications and resumes. and visiting Disney.

He also enjoys playing hockey. During Hackley at 403-8634 or jean.hackAmong the Music Showcase stuComing in second in the district his home school studies, Smith loves dents, River Kyrie Eleison Yebba tied ley@yahoo.com.

Page 12

Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

Operation Lotus Shining A Light To Help Return Students To The Classroom

By Lily Belcher

Melanie Jordy, MD, a researcher founder of Operation from the U.S. Food Lotus, has partnered and Drug with UVILIZER to Administration, supply six teachers showed the effect UV with UV lamps to light has on COVIDhelp disinfect schools 19. for students’ return in “UVC (ultraviolet August.

C) efficiently inactivatEight years ago, ed SARS-CoV in 40 A UV lamp donated by UVILIZER to Jordy started her minutes,” Darnell Operation Lotus for schools. nonprofit, Operation concluded.

Lotus, to improve the lives of people in The Center of Disease Control and her community through donations and Prevention confirmed Darnell’s results, charity events. explaining that UV light can kill “In September of 2012, my huspathogens in the air and on surfaces. band, Leon, died suddenly in my arms.

Operation Lotus’ newest project is At 31 years old, I was a widow. Leon left helping students and teachers return to behind two small sons, Brodie (then age schools safely. After her research, Jordy 5) and Carson (then age 3). On the reached out to UVILIZER, a company morning of his funeral, I discovered I that sells UV lamps. UVILIZER said it was pregnant with our third child,” she would partner with Operation Lotus and explains on the Operation Lotus website. donated two handheld ultraviolet light She chose the name Operation wands and two ultraviolet lamps. It also Lotus because “a lotus is a beautiful provided a 10 percent discount to cusflower that grows from the muck in the tomers that use the code LOTUS. water. In the worst conditions, it develMaggie and Nate Goldberg from ops into something beautiful.”

FishHawk donated two additional UVIWhile Hillsborough County families LIZER lamps. The Goldbergs donated have been struggling with the decision the lamps because they wanted to do whether or not to send their students their part in helping students return to back to school in the middle of the coroschools. navirus pandemic, the mother and “We both believe strongly that one retired educational therapist came up of the best ways to protect the kids is with an idea to help sanitize classrooms. keeping the classrooms continuously In her research, Jordy uncovered clean,” Goldberg said. the ability of UV lights to eliminate bacteTo purchase a UVILIZER lamp, visit ria and viruses that incubate in classhttps://www.uvilizer.com. To learn more rooms. about Operation Lotus, visit https://operOne study by Miriam E. R. Darnell, ationlotus.wixsite.com/website.

See our o website for additional informatio on.

All are welcomed to participate in the sp piritually meaningful High Holiday services this year at CBS for fre ee. Join our community to celebrate this important time in the safe ety of your own home.

We so appreciate your support and wou uld ask that you increase your donation this year so that we may continue to provide special i l programming i through th h 5781 .

Reb Tuviah and ourr congregational family welcome you.

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Page 13

Valrico Edition

Hillsborough County Public Schools To Upgrade All Campus Air Filters

Staff Report

As local stuto provide filters for each dents prepare to of our schools. I want return to school our families to know we later this month, are taking every step Hillsborough possible to create a safe County Public environment as our Schools (HCPS) is learners prepare to working to make return to the classroom,” classrooms safer said Davis. with new, upgradIn addition to the filed air filters. ter installation, engineers “Hillsborough will assess indoor air Hillsborough County Public Schools is in County Public the process of upgrading air filters on all quality, ventilation, temcampuses to a MERV 13 rating.

Schools continues perature, humidity, to invest in the safety of its students and mechanical systems and domestic water staff by upgrading air filters on all camfollowing CDC, ASHRAE and OSHA puses to a MERV 13 rating, which can guidance to help mitigate the spread of help reduce the impacts of COVID-19 viruses and bacteria. Engineers are also within our schools,” said Tanya Arja, conducting an assessment of indoor air HCPS chief of communications. “The quality along with CO2 sensor accuracy CDC and the American Society of and exhaust fan operations.

Heating, Refrigerating and Air“I am proud that our long-term partConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has nership with the district regarding energy recommended school districts across the efficiency will now include upgrading filtranation install these upgraded filters as tion systems for each campus. Our goal students return to the classroom.” has always been to help Hillsborough According to Arja, Superintendent County Public Schools to provide the Addison Davis announced this upgrade most comfortable and safe learning enviearlier this month along with district partronment for students and teachers. By ners as HCPS works to evaluate the installing MERV 13 filters, this district high-level functional performance of the becomes the state leader in this arena,” ventilation systems in schools and admin- said Mike Grabham, vice president of istrative buildings.

McKinstry.

“The health of our students, teachers More than half of schools will have and staff has always been the priority been converted to MERV 13 filters by since the beginning of this pandemic.

August 24, with full installation in all These upgraded filters are in highschools set for completion by Thursday, demand across the nation, and because October 1. our team has been forward-thinking To learn more, visit the website at throughout this situation, we are now able www.hillsboroughschools.org.

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Page 14

Valrico Edition

Inna’s Alterations Uses Circus Costume Experience To Ensure The perfect Fit

Amy Schechter

Whether you are ding or bridesmaid in need of a wardrobe dress? Shirts or pants repair or a custom garnot fitting well? ment, Inna Lilov, owner Uniform is uncomfortof Inna’s Alterations ably snug or large? and Repair, possesses Come by the store unsurpassed talent. and it will fix it.

Now with over 60 Recently, Inna’s years of experience, Alterations has begun Lilov began her work making custom leowhen her family was tards for gymnastics part of the Moscow and dance. It can work Circus, and she continwith you on a design ued her efforts when and include embellshe traveled the world Inna Lilov and Vlasta Weimann of ishments like rhineInna's Alterations & Repair with the Ringling stones on a notoriBrothers. During her time in the circus, ously difficult fabric. It will have you lookshe designed and constructed her own ing your best so you are ready to comcostumes and her family’s. Now, she pete, go to work, have a night on the decorates her store with pictures from town or celebrate a special occasion. her time in the circus where she perLilov and staff also want to give formed dangerous stunts, like walking back to the community by sewing washthe tightrope and working with bears, able, reusable masks for both children lions and horses, all while looking glamand adults. They offer custom patterns orous in her custom pieces. and will ship, but your best option is to She and her staff, Vlasta Weimann come by the shop because they also and Natalia Vertuozova, offer an array of have an array of designer dresses, outalteration services for men and women. fits and accessories in all sizes priced Her customers come back because of well below department store prices. the quality of their work. One reviewer, For more information, find it on Lauren Cohagen, notes, “Inna is great!

Facebook at www.facebook.com/innaalMy mother ha[d] always gone to her if teration/ or email she needed something altered, so I went innasalterations@gmail.com. Inna’s myself when my prom dress needed Alterations and Repair is open Tuesdaymajor work. My dress was too big and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 too fluffy, but Inna carefully listened to all a.m.-3 p.m. It is closed on the last my concerns and made sure she altered Saturday of the month. For information, it to fit like a glove! My dress was even call 651-4416. Inna’s Alterations is locatmore beautiful thanks to her.” ed at 1548 Bloomingdale Ave. E., Ste. In need of an alteration for a wed1514 in Valrico.

Volume 17, Issue 9

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Page 15

Valrico Edition

HCC Awarded $1.8 Million Federal Funding For Student Support Services Grants

Staff Report

The U.S. Many Student Department of Support Services Education announced alumni have gone on recently that to great success.

Hillsborough Among them are Community College Emmy, Tony and (HCC) will receive a Academy Award-winfederal Student ning actress Viola Support Services Davis; U.S. Rep. (SSS) grant of Gwendolyn Moore of $1,891,185.00 to help Wisconsin’s 4th more students sucDistrict; and Franklin ceed in and graduate Chang-Diaz, the first from college.

Hispanic astronaut.

According to SSS began in HCC representatives, Hillsborough Community College will 1968 and is one of receive a federal Student Support this amount reprethe eight federal sents an increase of Services (SSS) grant of $1,891,185.00 ‘TRIO’ programs to help more students succeed in and $64,000 for the grant authorized by the graduate from college. period of 2020-2024.

Higher Education Act HCC received its first TRIO SSS to help college students succeed in highgrant in 1974 and for 46 years the proer education. It recognizes that students gram has served more than 8,000 stuwhose parents do not have a college dents and boasts a high graduation rate. degree have more difficulties navigating Over the last five years, student particithe complexity of decisions that college pants were awarded $352,938 in scholrequires for success; it bolsters students arships. from low-income families who have not SSS helps college students who are had the academic opportunities that their low-income, first-generation (those college peers have had and helps stuwhose parents do not have a four-year dents with disabilities remove obstacles college degree) or students with disabilipreventing them from thriving academities. The array of services the grant will cally. provide are comprehensive and will For more than 50 years, nationally, include academic tutoring, financial aid the Student Support Services program advice, career and college mentoring, has made important contributions to indihelp in choosing courses and other viduals and society as a whole by proforms of assistance. Such services viding a broad range of services to help enhance academic success and make it students succeed. This vital program more likely that students will graduate or can and does make all the difference. transfer with the lowest possible debt.

To learn more, visit hccfl.edu.

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Valrico Edition

Volume 17, Issue 9

In This Section

Valrico

SAVANNAH COURT HUGS ..............PG 18 REALTOR KARYN SCECH..................PG 19 BUDGET BLINDS .............................PG 20 TIDE CLEANERS DELIVERY ..............PG 21

September 2020

Volume 17, Issue 9

ALAFIA DRIVING .............................PG 23

Ph: 657-2418

Rockstar Lobster Joining Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co.

Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. is thrilled to announce that Rockstar Lobster food truck has decided to permanently park its truck at its location on 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Rockstar Lobster’s hours of operation are Monday to Saturday, 12 Noon-9 p.m., and Sunday, 12 Noon-8 p.m.

Dancing For Donations Open To All

Dancing for Donations is a nonprofit organization with a mission to make dance affordable and available to all members of the community. Dancers of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to explore the different types of dance available to them.

The studio can be found at 1076 E. Brandon Blvd. Visit www.dancing4donations.org or call 601-3009 for additional information.

Forever Young Aesthetics Coming To Valrico

The founder of Forever Young Aesthetics in South Tampa, Rick Young, CRNA, will be in Valrico on the first Thursday of every month.

Young, a talented and trusted aesthetician, is a leader in the field who owes his reputation to a highly personalized and meticulous approach. Starting on Thursday, September 3, appointments will be available at Deliz Dental Studio on 2448 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.

To schedule an appointment, call 3530023 or visit foreveryoungtampa.com.

A recent Dancing for Donations recital group.

Heath Wealth Management Welcomes New Licensed Administrative Assistant

Heath Wealth Management LLC is happy to announce the newest addition to the team, Will Heath, as the new licensed administrative assistant. Will joined the team after completing his Series 7 General Securities license and plans to pursue his CFP designation while working and learning alongside Elijah Heath. Will started his higher education at Florida Gulf Coast University before transferring to the University of South Florida, where he graduated in the Fall of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Heath Wealth Management, a statewide leader in financial planning, is led by Elijah, who has over 20 years of experience as a financial professional. Heath Wealth Management invests time into understanding what is important to you

and what you would like to accomplish financially over your lifetime.

For appointments and additional information, visit HeathWealth.com, visit on Facebook @HeathWealthMgmt or call 556-7171.

CycleBar Opening In Valrico

CycleBar, the world’s premium indoor cycling brand, is coming to Valrico. The studio goes beyond a great cardio workout with premium amenities and a community of riders to motivate and inspire your fitness journey. Each CycleBar session is a 45-minute lowimpact, high-intensity cycling experience for all ages and body types. Classes are led by the industry’s best instructors and with various class formats you can diversify your workout to rock your ride any way you’d like. Energizing playlists and a concert environment accompanied by performance stats help you to achieve your

personal best, ride after ride.

The studio will be situated at 3335 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico in the same plaza as Sprouts. More information can be found at www.cyclebar.com/location/brandon, its Facebook page @CYCLEBARBrandon or by calling 990-7978.

Tampa Restoration Equipment Rental Is Here To Meet Your Needs

Tampa Restoration Equipment Rental is based in Valrico and is the place to go for your restoration equipment needs. You can rent just the equipment or they can supply a full restoration service.

Products available include air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers and emergency generators.

Restoration services for water mitigation from floods, burst pipes or other water intrusion are also offered.

An additional service currently on offer is COVID-19 cleaning, using electrostatic misting.

It is available 24 hours a day and can be reached on 510-7357. Visit

Continued on Next Page

Page 18

Business Column Continued...................

By Jenny Bennett

www.trerc.com or its Facebook page @tamparestorationequiprental.

Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

when we work together, encourage, support and serve one another.” One way it supports the commuJen’s Markets & Events nity is by offering a military Looking Forward To discount and free use of the Fall company truck for local charitable organizations Jen’s Markets & Events and by utilizing the area on manages two seasonal outthe rear of the truck to door markets and after the thank and show appreciaCOVID-19 pandemic it is tion to the military service excited to reopen for the fall. members and frontline The markets have over 30 Owner Sean Klotz using workers that live among us. local vendors from all over TrackMan to practice and monitor his swing.

For more information, Southern Hillsborough visit lithiastorage.com or call 502-6755.

County, including crafts and local produce. Booths will be set 6 feet apart and 1 Stop Golf Shop Opens directional signs will help you to navigate the site, vendors will be required to wear Being named 1 Stop Golf Shop, the masks and hand sanitizing stations will store really is the one stop needed to fulfill all your golfing requirements. also be available. Instead of the usual Recently opened at 3321 Lithia fundraising activities held at the markets, Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico in the same a portion of the proceeds will instead be plaza as Sprouts and JF Kicks, the new donated to a local nonprofit organization.

The Little Harbor Market will take owners, Jim Allsbrook and Sean Klotz, place at 536 Bahia Beach Blvd. in Ruskin are excited to share their knowledge on Saturday, October 10 from 12 Noon-5 and love of golf with all those that stop p.m. and the Mira Bay Market will be held by. Along with retail merchandise, 1 on Sunday, October 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Stop Golf Shop also offers golf lessons the temporary new location of 6186 U.S. with professional instruction, club fitting and repair and lots of friendly and Hwy. 41 S. in Tampa in the car park next informative advice. to the Salty Shamrock Irish Pub. Currently, 1 Stop Golf Shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Lithia Storage Opening Soon Lithia Storage, the new storage facili- Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.More information ty built on Lithia Springs Rd. alongside can be found at Lithia Pinecrest Rd., will www.1stopgolfbe opening soon. The shopfl.com, its facility offers over Facebook page 80,000 square feet of @1StopGolfShop or climate-controlled and by calling 655-0355. non-climate-controlled storage space as well Tower Radiology as outside covered and And openDoctor non-covered parking Craig Stern, owner of Lithia Partner For Online for boats and RVs. An Storage, and his family.

Scheduling on-site manager will reside on the grounds and free Scheduling an appointuse of its company truck will ment at Tower Radiology just be available when moving got easier with a new online items into the facility. Owner scheduling experience Craig Stern is excited to open. “While through the openDoctor platform. leasing storage units and selling merOnline scheduling is easy, fast and chandise is our business, we want our convenient for patients to set an unmatched customer service with primary appointment. focus on our customers’ needs to distinctThe new online feature is available ly define us and set us apart. The differ24/7 and provides appointment confirence is not in what we do, but rather how mation and paperless preregistration. we do it,” he said. “As we aim to please This exciting new tool enhances the our customers, we also aim to be of benpatient experience. efit to our local community by supporting, If you would like to enroll, please participating and providing resources to contact Christie McCarty at 253-2721 the community around us in various ext.1950 or contact direct by email csmcapacities. We believe life is best lived ccarty@TowerRadiologyCenters.com.

Savannah Court Offers Way For Residents To Get A Hug While Maintaining Protocols

By Amy Schechter

As restaurants leaving a family member reopen, people start to in assisted living strugventure out and life gle with not being able somewhat normalizes to hold the hand of their after the beginning of the loved ones or give a coronavirus pandemic, long-awaited hug. Huff things are not the same realized, “They need for our most vulnerable that contact, just like populations, such as the they need air.” So, she residents at Savannah and her staff have creatCourt Assisted Living ed an innovative way for Facility of Brandon. For that to happen. Huff these people, it has been calls it the Hug Booth. It over 100 days since is a box, much like a many of them had seen telephone booth, that their friends and families can separate two indiface to face. viduals, yet it still allows Chyna Huff, execu- Savannah Court assisted living for a true embrace. facility recently installed a hug tive director of Using easy to clean booth for residents.

Savannah Court, knew plastic barriers and this was not healthy: “It’s bad enough wearable, disposable gloves/shields, where the families cannot get in and residents can now safely embrace one see them. Humans aren’t made to sus- another, their families and their friends. tain that type of constant depression, Savannah Court of Brandon’s disconnect and loneliness. We had try efforts are a testament to the loving, to do things that will ease the situagracious senior care it offers the comtion.” munity. Currently, it provides traditional Savannah Court is an active assisted living in a variety of floor plans assisted living facility. Its monthly activi- as well as overnight respite care for ties included big field trips to places those individuals who may need help like the USF Botanical Gardens, but for a few days or weeks following a Huff had to revamp their offerings for surgery, for example. When the pansmaller, in-house groups. Bible study, demic passes, it hopes to again offer exercise classes, bingo and music are day services designed for caregivers regular activities, but Huff and her staff who may need eight hours once in a have added more events, like ice while or on a regular basis to fulfill oblicream socials and beauty salon days gations they would not be able to do that mimic the aspects of the residents’ while caring for their family member. routines that they can no longer enjoy.

For more information or to take a It offers Zoom sessions with family virtual tour, call 603-7844 or visit members, recorded messages from www.slm.net/seniorfamilies and friends and even window living/fl/brandon/savannah-court-ofvisits where families, friends and resibrandon/. Personalized virtual tours are dents are safely separated yet able to also available for those who have speinteract. cific questions and want to hear resiStill, Huff realized something was dent interviews. Find it on Facebook at missing. There is nothing that can truly www.facebook.com/SavannahCourtBra replace the physical touch of another ndonAssistedLiving. Savannah Court person. So many children, spouses, of Brandon, ALF License #9353, is and residents who deal with the rollerlocated at 824 N. Parsons Ave. in coaster of emotions that comes with Brandon.

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Page 19

Valrico Edition

Karyn Scech Is A Realtor With Yellowfin Realty Who Offers Expertise And Dedication To Home Buyers

By Gwen Rollings

No matter what Karyn feel like we were the most Scech pursues, she gives important client!”

100 percent of her effort “Amazing Agent! Her into it. That is especially knowledge of resources evident as she is a was very impressive as licensed real estate agent she coordinated the best at Yellowfin Realty. prices. She has a heart, Scech’s pursuit of compassion and amazing excellence is apparent in skills.” her professional and perThe excitement of sonal life. She said, assisting first-time home“When I graduated from buyers is something Scech Indian River State does not take for grantCollege, I worked as a ed. She works with many retail manager for many Karyn Scech, a realtor with homebuyers in the years. After starting a Brandon, Valrico, Yellowfin Realty, guides homebuyers with expertise, Riverview and Plant City family, I became a preknowledge and concern school teacher for 14 areas and loves the throughout the entire years, allowing me to process of finding the perhomebuying process. spend time with our son, fect home for each individAlex. I became the corpoual family. rate administrator for It is a seller’s market Yellowfin Realty five years now with multiple offers ago, which lead to my on most homes in spite of current career as a COVID-19, Scech said, REALTOR®.”

“We work hard to keep Having lived in the customers safe by asking Tampa Bay area for over 25 years, it is them to wear masks and using sanitizer her attention to detail and her ability to for each showing.” connect with her customers that gives Scech promises to give each perher a leading edge. The customer is the son her trademark 100 percent effort, driving force that keeps Scech motivated utmost care and knowledge that is and ready to help achieve the goal of above and beyond her competitors. home ownership.

“We focus on taking the pressure from Scech continuously receives glowyou so you can make a clear and coning recommendations from previous cise decisions throughout the real clients: estate process.”

“She made our first house purchase For more information, visit so much fun! She was always available KayrnScechHomes.com, call 376-0269 for us to see or speak with, she made us or email karyn.yellowfin@gmail.com.

BayCare And St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Launch Back-To-School Resource Hub

Staff Report

Going back to helping children cope with school may look difCOVID-19, keeping kids ferent for many famisafe while social distanclies this year. To proing, how to kill germs in vide parents and the home and tips for caregivers informakeeping kids active while tion to help get kids eLearning at home. back to learning General back-tosafely, BayCare school topics such as BayCare is teaming up with St. launched its back-to- Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to offer immunizations, backpack school resource online back-to-school resources for safety, healthy lunch students. hub: options and signs of bulBayCareBackToSchool.org. lying.

“Whether a child will go back to The web page is organized with school in person or learn at home, we COVID-19 resources at the top, followed want to help them stay healthy—both by general learning information for physically and mentally,” said St. infants/toddlers, kids and teens. Content Joseph’s Children’s Hospital President is arranged by target audience so that Sarah Naumowich. users can easily find the information they On the back-to-school resource need. page, families have access to podcasts, “The back-to-school resource hub videos and articles that offer health and offers a variety of information to help get safety information as well as the opporkids back to learning safely and we hope tunity to find a pediatrician or pediatric families in our community find the specialist. resource helpful,” said Naumowich.

Some of the featured content BayCare is a leading not-for-profit includes: healthcare system that connects individVideo interviews featuring BayCare uals and families to a wide range of experts regarding back-to-school safety services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of and how to talk to kids about the best other convenient locations throughout way to properly wear and store masks. the Tampa Bay and West Central Florida A podcast discussion regarding the regions. Inpatient and outpatient servicdecision to send kids back to school in es include acute care, primary care, person during COVID-19. imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, Animated videos for children that home care and wellness. Its mission is demonstrate the proper way to wear a to improve the health of all it serves mask, how to prevent the spread of through community-owned healthcare germs and the proper way to wash your services that set the standard for highhands. quality, compassionate care. For more Articles that provide information on information, visit www.BayCare.org.

Assisted Living “Tessera Brandon… living your lifestyle.”

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Located in the heart of Brandon close to I75, Hwy 60 and Hwy 301

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EXPIRES: 9/30/2020

Page 20

Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

Budget Blinds Offers Great Window Services And Keeps Things Clean And Distanced

HCC Hosts Robotics Camp For Girls

By Faith Miller

Staff Report

Mike and Adriane This zero contact Wonderlin have now process includes: owned the Social distancing local Budget of 6 feet minimum.

Blinds franchises of All products Brandon and Greater packed in boxes and Tampa for two years. or cardboard will be In January, they unpacked outside. expanded by purchasIncreased sanitaing the Lakeland territion by all design conAdriane and Mike Wonderlin have tory. They also plan sultants and installers owned the local Budget Blinds franchises of Brandon and on opening a new before and after Greater Tampa for two years. showroom in Wesley every call, including Chapel this fall at the KRATE container hand washing and disinfecting of all tools. park.

Every design consultant entering The Budget Blinds showroom that your home wears shoe coverings or will serves Brandon, Lakeland, Apollo Beach remove their shoes. and the surrounding areas is located at “Our niche in the market is some10437 Gibsonton Dr. in Riverview. The where between a big box store and callWonderlins have a second showroom in ing a decorator,” said Adriane. “Our Tampa, serving the North Tampa area. It design consultants don’t just go out and offers a complete line of window covergive a quote, they actually help design.” ings, be it blinds, shutters, shades, pan“You can buy the same exact line at els, valances or drapes.

Home Depot, but you won’t get the same “The most important thing is that we warranty,” Mike explained, noting that have a style and service for every budgmany of Budget Blinds’ warranties are et,” Adriane said. both lifetime and ‘no questions asked’— While customers are always welfor any reason, the product will be come to visit either showroom, Mike said replaced. that many clients never set foot in the Budget Blinds, the Wonderlins said, door. A design consultant will come to is also an area leader in smart devices your home with many samples for a com- and offers many products that are autoplimentary design consultation to help mated, set on timers and interact with you choose the perfect products for your smartphones or Alexa. needs.

Budget Blinds’ showroom hours are To help customers quickly and safely, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Budget Blinds implemented a zero conSaturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit budgettact process that minimizes all person-toblinds.com/brandon. Call 445-7121 or person contact during in-home service email btumelty@budgetblinds.com or calls.

522-0619.

Last month, the Engineering Technology Department at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) - Brandon Campus partnered with the Tampa Bay STEM Network and Hillsborough County School District to host a weeklong virtual robotics camp for girls.

According to Desh Bagley, HCC camp coordinator, HCC Brandon has hosted all-girls robotics camps for five years. The camp was for girls in grades 5-10 and was hosted via Zoom from 9 a.m.-12 Noon, Monday-Friday. Bagley explained it was very important to those in charge of the camp to give the girls the opportunity to learn together with handson tools as in previous summers.

The camp provided participants with UBTECH’s UKIT Intermediate robotic kits to work with and keep at the camp.

The kits included a microprocessor, four servo motors, wheels, LEDs, IR sensor, touch sensor and a charging cable, altogether valued at $299, and were made available to the girls through a partnership with the Tampa Bay STEM Network, Hillsborough Education Foundation, Women In Defense and UBTECH Education. By using the UKIT app that was available through tablets

and cellphones, the girls were able to look at 3D models of the robots they were building and were able to program robots through Bluetooth.

Campers built multiple robots and learned skills about robotics, including motors, sensors, lights along with controls such as joysticks and buttons. At the end of the week, each girl was given the task of creating her own robot using these skills and gave a presentation through Zoom. The goal was to make a robot that could help in the community or the world. They then demonstrated their robots in action and showed the code on the UKIT app. Some of the robot designs included companion robots, food serving robots, robotic pets, police officer robots, trash collecting robots, hand sanitizer dispensing robots and many more.

Shirley Dobbins, HCC Engineering Technology Department chair, stated that her hopes for the future of the program, along with the continual support of their partner, include being able to be on the campus next summer and make some creative and competitive activities that will challenge and encourage the young ladies participating. “I enjoy[ed] the joy and sense of accomplishment displayed by the young ladies,” Dobbins stated.

For more information on future camps and other opportunities, including virtual robotics teams, contact Bagley at dbagley5@hccfl.edu. Learn more at www.westfloridarobotics.org.

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September 2020

Page 21

Valrico Edition

Tide Dry Cleaners In Valrico Launches New Convienient Delivery Service

By Tatiana Ortiz

Tide Dry Tide also Cleaners is offers contact making life free drop-off easier for resiand pickup dents. Berry options with a and Sharon 24-hour drop Wright, who box, 24-hour own the locapickup and tions in Valrico drop-off and a and South kiosk that can Tampa, be utilized 24launched a hours a day.

Tide Dry Cleaners Route Manager and Driver Ted There is also a new delivery Craft are part of the the company’s new delivery service out of valet lane for service. the Valrico store this month. drop-off and pickup, and wash and The service, which has been run- fold laundry is also available as team ning in South Tampa since earlier this members follow the requirements to summer, makes the well-known Tide protect themselves and guests. cleaning services more convenient According to Sharon, a team with for customers. more than 100 years of experience in “To provide the guest with conresearch developed the Tide venience and quality would be our Complete Care System. It creates goal of the new delivery service,” whiter, cleaner and fresher clothes, Sharon said. using a detergent that can only be According to Sharon, when cusfound at Tide Cleaners. tomers sign up for the service, they A reward program, included autoreceive a hook and a Tide Cleaners matically, allows customers to receive bag that can be placed outside their coupons and more with a point door. After confirmation via text the earned for every item brought in. night before, a driver comes to cus“All in all, as we continue to tomer’s homes to pick up items adapt to the times, we are happy to placed on the hook. help as much as we can,” Sharon Homes or businesses in the said.

Valrico, Brandon and Riverview areas For more information, visit are serviced for delivery out of the https://tidecleaners.com/en-us. The Valrico location. Those who choose Valrico store is located at 1928 E. delivery can expect it to come twice a Bloomingdale Ave. and is open week for either drop-off or pickup.

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 The day and time will depend on the p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. area.

Call 662-4243 to learn more.

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Page 22

Valrico Edition

also the story of a cancer survivor and how her faith, her husband, her friends and a stray dog from Greece all gave her the support she t t e needed to persevere. y Benn n How Far I Have n e J y om Risen - Coming ed b Compil preyobserver.c t@os Clean About God, jbennet Cancer And My American Dream was published in March and rose to number two in new releases in Christian biogPopular Bluegrass Band Coming To raphies in the U.S. Today, seven years Sun City Center after arriving, Costello is the owner of The United Methodist Church of Sun Custom Cleanups, a house cleaning City Center welcomes Sandy Back Porch service in Lithia. To make good on her to its campus for a 7 p.m. concert on Friday, September 25. Sandy Back Porch is most often called a bluegrass band, but make no mistake, they are also country, patriotic, Irish, gospel and country classic as well. One thing is for sure: they hit the ground running with hard-driving, traditional music at lightning speed, offering toe-tapping, people-pleasing performances. The church will employ safety Bluegrass band Sandy Back Porch is coming to measures including masks and a Sun City Center.

25 percent venue capacity, meaning only the first 175 people will be admit- promise to “pay it forward,” she partnered ted into the sanctuary. A donation of $10 with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit is requested at the door on the night of organization that provides free house the concert. cleaning for cancer patients. “My greatest For more information about this and hope is that by sharing my story, I will other concerts, please contact Kevin inspire others to know that no matter what Goodenow, concert series coordinator, at you face in life, you can overcome it and 362-0956.The United Methodist Church achieve all your dreams, even if you don’t of Sun City Center is located at 1210 Del quite know what those dreams are yet,” Webb Blvd. W. Additional information Costello explained. about the church can be found at How Far I Have Risen – Coming www.sccumc.com.

Clean About God, Cancer And My American Dream by Jacky Local Author’s Costello is available on Amazon Biography On The and at bookstores nationwide. A Bestseller List portion of the proceeds from Jacky Costello’s every book sold will be donated story is not unlike many to Moffitt Cancer Center in immigrant success stoTampa, where Costello received ries of hard work and her follow up care. determination to take advantage of opportuniNew Market Coming To ties in America she did Park Square not have before. It is Art Monkey Emporium,

, Car C C S o T g omin & More C d n a B r Popula Coastal Cleanup Show,

Donations Accepted Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 am - 1 pm Clothing and Accessories, Housewares, Furniture, Children’s Toys and so much more!

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Estate Planning Wills • Living Trusts Health Care Documents Probate 635 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon Bank of America Plaza (by appointment only) 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1430, Tampa

located at 16132 Churchview Dr. in the Park Square neighborhood of FishHawk Ranch, in collaboration with Pish Posh, is pleased to announce that they will be hosting a market on the second Saturday of every month commencing on September 12 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Approximately 20 vendors featuring local artists and makers are expected.

HCC To Launch Free Job Skills Training Program

Hillsborough Community College is launching a free training program in partnership with Verizon to boost in-demand job skills and workplace connection. The program will have multiple offerings through the fall of 2022, and the first cohort will begin on Monday, September 14 and run through Saturday, October 31. The innovative program will offer flexible learning formats, build industry experience and develop the most sought-after aptitudes needed for indemand fields. Topics for the program include communication, problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, networking and more. Individuals who complete the training will be paired with a mentor, job shadow and/or be placed in an internship with local companies. Limited need-based scholarships are available for unpaid intern placements.

For more information and registration, visit hccfl.edu/academics/lets-get-2work.

ECHO Brandon Looking For Volunteers

ECHO was founded in 1987 with the mission to assist residents of Hillsborough County in crisis with emergency food and clothing, offering life-stabilizing programs and resources. It was created so churches and others could send people in need to one central location. ECHO has been extremely successful in fulfilling its mission, but during this time of increased need due to COVID-19, it has found itself experiencing a reduction in volunteers as many of its older volunteers choose to

Volume 17, Issue 9

isolate for their own protection. If you would like to assist ECHO by volunteering, please visit www.echofl.org or call 685-0935 to register.

Car Show To Benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The first annual Belmont Car Show and Market will take place on Saturday, October 3 at 10050 Paseo Al Mar Blvd. in Wimauma from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Do you want to show your car off? Categories include fan favorite, classic and best in show; preregistration is only $10. Along with the car show, there will be a market with local vendors and entertainment for the family.

If you are interested in having a booth or entering your vehicle into the show, call 954-300-8657 or email belmontmarketandcarshow@gmail.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Registration Is Open For The Annual Hillsborough River And Coastal Cleanup

At this time of year, Keeping Tampa Bay Beautiful would traditionally be looking forward to having huge numbers of volunteers gather for the annual Hillsborough River and Coastal Cleanup. Like a lot of other organized events, it will be doing things a little differently this year.

Instead of designating one day for the cleanup, it is devoting the entire month of September to encouraging you to do selfled cleanups either individually or in small groups. Keeping Tampa Bay Beautiful will be providing supplies to all, which will include supplies needed to perform cleanups, masks or buffs as well as Chick-fil-A gift cards as a thank you to its volunteers.

To register for the event, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQ LSeAfvEdY1ejWSm9YEZ_ZZQG3pahag RYp2u4--5q9LQ-zpWZwQ/viewform.

September 2020

Valrico Edition

Page 23

Alafia Driving Academy Helps Get Future Drivers Road Ready In 5-8 Lessons

Bass Pro Shops Pairs With Take A Kid Fishing Charity To Help Make A Difference

Alafia Driving straight roads Academy is a that typically lasts local business an hour, while the opened by Cole rest are 90 minDolmseth in utes and October 2013. increase in diffiThe driving culty as each one school, which passes. teaches safe As of now, driving skills and the academy has habits including three instructors, Alafia Driving Academy has had countless merging, hard including successful graduates. braking recoverDolmseth, and ing, interstate access, offer numerous options turns, parking and more, for classes to satisfy the has served multitudes of needs of the student. teenagers and adults This can range from a 10 who need extra help in their journey to or 20-hour package to just a single lesgetting their licenses. son before the DMV’s driving test.

“I started it when I realized that there The instructors bring a company car weren’t any driving schools in the area, equipped with a passenger side brake to and my son needed to learn how to use as the driving vehicle and even have drive,” explained Dolmseth. video cameras set in place to document The company serves Eastern good and bad habits and sometimes Hillsborough County and has had stuhilarous mistakes. These moments can dents from Iraq, England, Jamaica, be found on their YouTube channel, France, Cameroon, Vietnam, Uganda ‘Alafia Driving Academy,’ where they and several other countries learn from have been posted with consent. them over the past seven years.

Declared an essential business, the “We are based out of Bloomingdale school will continue to run throughout and service from Wimauma and Sun City COVID-19, combatting the pandemic by Center all the way up to Thonotosassa,” thoroughly cleaning the vehicles after said Dolmseth. each lesson and having teachers wear Students are found to typically need two masks when with the students. around six to eight hours of lessons The hour-long lesson costs $80, the before they are fully prepared to take on 90-minute costs $120 and the two-hour driving alone; and to pass the driver’s costs $160. Packages are available. test, however, each person is different.

To book a lesson (or multiple), visit The 10-hour and 20-hour package the academy’s booking page at lessons begin with an easy ride along http://alafiadrivingacademy.setmore.com.

A local charity, lies in the power Take a Kid Fishing of fishing.

Inc., teamed up Fishing with Bass Pro enables these Shops recently to kids the chance brighten the lives to learn of a group of local patience, teamkids. work and relaxTake a Kid ation, which in Fishing, a nonprofit turn enhances organization that their mood and Bass Pro Shops recently donated more enhances the lives than critical thinking 400 rods to local nonprofit Take a Kid of underprivileged skills, all while Fishing Inc. and fatherless kids having the through its fishing mentorchance to get onto the water ship program, received and have fun. more than 400 rods from Take a Kid Fishing gives Bass Pro Shops. kids without a father figure or The gently-used rods reliable encouragement the and reels were donated by chance to feel supported not customers in exchange for discounts just by Dunn and his team but also on new gear; each piece is refurby the other kids within the program. bished to ensure they are fish-ready Whether they land the biggest for kids. catch of the day or not, fishing “We are excited that more famiteaches the kids how to support lies and kids across the country are each other, win or lose. discovering fishing. They’re putting As a nonprofit, Take a Kid down their phones and video games, Fishing is entirely dependent on picking up fishing poles and enjoying donations, volunteers and sponsors. making some memories together in When asked about the impact the great outdoors,” Bass Pro the equipment would have on the General Manager Ronnie Cheeks program, Dunn stated, “We are all said. about the kids. We are so thankful to Take a Kid Fishing takes kids of be chosen to receive this equipall ages on various yearly fishing ment.” excursions where Founder William Stay connected with Take a Kid Dunn and his team teach the youth Fishing by following it on social in their program real-life skills and media and visit www.takffl.com to the power of responsibility. learn more about how to donate and What makes the program unique make a difference.

By Laura Tamayo

By Kye Saunders

Page 24

Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

With Arts & Entertainment Editor Kathy L. Collins

Krazy Kup Reopens Upstairs Entertainment Area For Friday And Saturday Night Events

Art Created By Students In The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory Is On Display At Krazy Kup

Krazy Kup, an munity friendly. old-world authentic During the day, coffee house located Krazy Kup is a wonat 101 E. J. Arden derful coffee house Mays Blvd. in historic where family and Plant City, is pleased friends can gather to reopen its upstairs and enjoy a delientertainment area. cious beverage or Krazy Kup has hosttreat. On Friday and ed some stellar acts, Saturday nights, including GRAMMY Krazy Kup is transAward winners and formed into a fun Krazy Kup, a great authentic coffee global artists. Krazy house located in historic downtown gathering spot.

Plant City, is a fantastic venue for all Kup is owned and On the first types of family-friendly entertainment, Friday and Saturday operated by Frank from musicians like James Hurlburt and Wenda Trunzo. and bands to retro movies and more. nights of each When businessmonth, Krazy Kup es closed this spring, Krazy hosts faith-based bands Kup was able to open via and a Bluegrass Jam. On an innovative walk-up winthe second weekend, they dow in its courtyard. “The host Trivia Night and Open previous owner had used it Mic Night. On the third as a drive-through. We did not want weekend of the month, there is Retro that. We petitioned the city to open Movie Night and ‘Whose Line Is It the area as a courtyard,” said Frank.

Anyway?’. On the fourth weekend, it “We had never gotten around to take will host a professional bluegrass full advantage of the area until it band and then Comedy Night. When became a lifesaver. Now we have an there is a fifth Friday or Saturday, a art filled area and the lifesaver is gor- special event will be planned. geous. The courtyard saved us from All of the events are familyhaving to close,” added Frank. friendly and rated G or PG. In addiThe courtyard has indeed tion, space is limited to ensure propbecome a great place to not only er distancing and compliance with order but to sit in comfort outside. “It local, state and federal mandates is a great place to relax. It is narrow regarding COVID-19. enough that you do not get too much Krazy Kup is open Tuesday sun,” said Frank. through Thursday from 7:33 a.m. to 6 Now, with many businesses p.m., Friday from 7:33 a.m. to 8:33 reopening in different ways, Frank p.m. and Saturday from 8:33 a.m. to and Wenda have revamped the oper- 8:33 p.m. ating hours and entertainment schedFor more information, please visit ule to make it more family and comwww.krazykup.com.

The students in Art Factory runs in the Winthrop Arts conjunction with Mobile Art Factory in Hispanic Services Plant City have, along Council’s La Red with Lead Art de Padres Activos Instructor Bryant (Network of Active Martinez, created two Parents), a unique large art pieces coninitiative aimed at sisting of several canhelping Latino parvas paintings. The artents ensure the work is on display at educational sucKrazy Kup, located at cess of their chil101 E. J. Arden Mays dren now and Blvd. in historic down- Frank Trunzo (left), owner of Krazy Kup in throughout life. town Plant City.

Annabel Plant City, graciously offered to provide a space so that the artwork of children in the Saavedra is the Krazy Kup is Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory could owned and operated community coordishowcase their artwork. The artwork was

by Frank and Wenda created by the students and art instructor, nator for Hispanic Bryant Martinez (right).

Trunzo. The paintings Services Council are in the newly renovated Krazy Kup in Plant City. Saavedra said of the Mobile courtyard. The two pieces are a series of Art Factory program and the art on disself-portraits of the children in the proplay, “The community embraces the art gram. Each one is unique and beautiful. as expression. In engaging in art, children Frank said, “The courtyard and art show their creativity and have an outlet to wall are a platform to allow artistic minds portray their ideas. In doing so with others to showcase their talents. It is extremely who share their interests, [it] helps develimportant. Fortunately, we have a great op friendships and allows children to location.” He added, “In general, with socially flourish. Parents benefit from this artistic people, you cannot exploit them. It formation of social circles and bonds as is one of their motivations to show their well. This children-to-parent effect is how work in public.” communities build trust and inclusion The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory among members. The Red de Padres is a grant-funded outreach program that program hopes that the use of art will provides free art instruction to underhelp the Hispanic circle thrive and develserved children living in communities op.” such as Plant City. Funders of the proWinthrop Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit gram include the Arts Council of that also offers art classes for students, Hillsborough County and Suncoast Credit teens and adults at their art education Union. studio known as the Art Factory, located Winthrop Arts has been partnering at 11267 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview. with Hispanic Services Council since For more information, please visit February 2018. The Winthrop Arts Mobile www.winthroparts.org.

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September 2020

Page 25

Valrico Edition

Healthy Lunch Ideas As School Starts From Dept. Of Ag MyPlate Program

Healthcare Solutions Team Helps Choose The Best Possible Health Insurance Plans

during the day and put a negative learning curve on their education. So, making a healthy lunch choice will benefit your child now and in the future.

If you include your kids in the process, they will tend to eat more and healthier. Children who know to eat healthy meals and snacks will do so at Kimberly Bragg-Armatrout, NDTR, health and nutrition agent of UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, offers school and at home. tips for healthy back-to-school lunches.

Such eating habits will help prevent weight With school starting soon, prepare your child—or yourself—with a healthy issues.

It has been determined that one lunch. Make it easy and nutritious by out of three American children are following guidelines from the U.S. either overweight or obese. Providing Department of Agriculture MyPlate them with healthy lunch options can program. Guidelines from MyPlate include vegetables, fruits, lean protein, help prevent this from happening to your child. If they are getting the nutriwhole grains and fat-free or low-fat tion that they need during the day, dairy. By using the MyPlate program then they will not be as hungry when as a guide, you will provide your chilthey get home and grabbing the first dren with a lot of healthy options, and thing that they see, which is often you’ll teach them about portion conunhealthy. They will be able to choose trol.

Why is lunch so important? Lunch a healthy snack and wait for dinner.

So, mix and match and be creis served during the middle of the day ative with school lunches. Here, I’ve while kids are at school or adults are presented just a few ideas of a wellat work. This meal is going to give balanced lunch that you can pack for your children the nutrition and energy your kids or yourself so that you can to get them through the day, help finish out the day energized. them learn and provide them with For more information, contact good habits for a healthy future.

Kimberly Bragg-Armatrout, NDTR, If their lunch is nutritious, they will health and nutrition agent of UF/IFAS be able to focus on learning. If their Extension Hillsborough County, at lunch is full of fat and high sugar conbraggk@hcflgov.net or 744-5519. tent, it is going to make them crash

Choosing a plans. health insurance “Even if you are plan can be complialready covered by cated. Those in the a group plan by market for insuryour employer, we ance must have an can still run an understanding of analysis to see if terminology such there is a less as HMO, POS, expensive plan for EPO and PPO and Healthcare Solutions Team finds the best you,” he said. “Our be able to comclients are surpossible health insurance plans for its clients. pare plans that prised at how much aren’t created equally. we can save them.”

Ken Bardales, owner of Healthcare Open enrollment for the ACA-comSolutions Team, said he can make the pliant health insurance coverage for process simpler. He and his team help 2021 begins on Sunday, November 1 explore all healthcare possibilities to and will run through Tuesday, December ensure clients receive the best coverage 15. Some people may qualify for enrollat the best price. ment earlier. Obamacare plans may not Bardales opened Healthcare always be the best value. “We compare Solutions Team, located at 1040 E. them with private sector plans to find the Brandon Blvd., in 2018 but had been one that right for you,” he said. working in the industry for almost 10 Bardales commented that individuyears. Business has been thriving. His als who make more than $100,000 in team has rapidly expanded to more than income annually and don’t qualify for 30 employees working with clients in government assistance on the marketmore than 40 states. “We’ve been so place find that in most circumstances a busy I had to hire another assistant,” he private insurance plan is more costsaid. “It’s a good problem to have.” effective.

They’re so busy because they are “We have a plan for everyone,” he good at what they do, which is finding said. “Whether you are looking for better the best coverage for each client and coverage, are recently uninsured or its their situation. your first time purchasing health insur“We’re not all the same when it ance, we will help you find a premium, comes to our health insurance needs,” affordable plan,” he said. he said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all Healthcare Solutions Team is open approach.” Healthcare Solutions Team Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. interviews each client and assesses key To schedule an appointment, visit data, including family size and health www.healthcaresolutionsteamstatus, to qualify them for available brandon.com or call 689-8800.

By Kimberly Bragg-Armatrout

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Offer valid only when coupon is presented at drop-off. Coupon can only be redeemed for dry cleaning services sold at participating Tide Cleaners locations. They cannot be redeemed for any product sold at any other retail store. Not valid on wash and fold, laundry, leather, alterations, household items or wedding dresses. Cannot be used with any other discount or promotion. One discount per household. Offer valid for one-time use through 10/14/2020.

Offer valid only when coupon is presented at drop-off. Coupon can only be redeemed for dry cleaning services sold at participating Tide Cleaners locations. They cannot be redeemed for any product sold at any other retail store. Not valid on wash and fold, leather, alterations, household items or wedding dresses. Cannot be used with any other discount or promotion. One discount per household. Offer valid for one-time use through 10/14/2020.

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Page 26

Valrico Edition

Volume 17, Issue 9

Sports Connection Photos courtesy of the Chris Moulin

657-2418

www.ospreyobserver.com

By Nick Nahas

Local Tennis Sisters Succeed And Become Teammates At James Madison University same team as her.”

Two FishHawk sisters, Hope Hope always knew that and Kylie Moulin, that trained in she wanted to go to an out-oftennis at the Brandon Sports and state school because she has Aquatic Center (BSAC) are lived in Florida her whole life going to be teammates at James and she wanted to experience Madison University (JMU). something different. When she Alex Golub, co-owner of visited JMU, she knew immediGolub Tennis that works out of ately that it would be the right BSAC, has been a big influence fit. Her ultimate goal in tennis is on the girls as their coach for to compete in the NCAA many years. Golub thinks that Tournament for JMU. James the Moulin sisters’ work ethic, Madison won its conference along with their talent, makes Hope Moulin uses her backhand Kylie Moulin (left) celebrates with Kylie Moulin is a redshirt junior at tournament in 2018, and the them successful tennis players. shot. her sister, Hope Moulin, after she James Madison University. team was not able to defend won second place at the Bobby Hope trains five days a week at tennis careers has been Curtis Junior State Championship. verbally committed to their title this past year due to COVIDBSAC and competes in United States rewarding.”

JMU. The sisters have trained together 19.

Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments Kylie, a redshirt junior at JMU, for most of their lives, starting tennis at 5 Kylie’s first season at JMU was halton the weekends. She said that training recently transferred to the school after and 7 years old, respectively. When Hope ed in mid-March due to COVID-19. Her at BSAC with Coach Golub for 11 years spending her first two seasons at was 16, she came in second place in the goal is to help bring JMU another conhas helped shape her as a tennis player.

Alabama. The move was the right fit for Bobby Curtis Junior State Championship, ference championship if they are able to Kylie said that training at BSAC helped her after recovering from injuries. The forthe biggest tournament in Florida with 64 play. She is excited to become teamprepare her for the physicality of college mer assistant coach in Alabama that she competitors. She is currently ranked secmates with her sister after watching her athletics. enjoyed playing for is now the head ond in the state at 18. Kylie encouraged grow in the sport for years.

“They both work hard and are coach at JMU. She played her freshman her sister to join her in college.

“It was really awesome to watch her extremely dedicated to the sport,” said season on the Newsome tennis team that “We have trained together my whole fall in love with the sport like I did and Golub. “I have been coaching them a made it all the way to the state tournalife,” said Hope. “I honestly couldn’t imagreally be able to see her grow and long time, and seeing them grow over ment. ine going somewhere and her not being improve and be able to reach the level that long period of time and watching Younger sister Hope is currently a there with me—it means a lot to be on the that I was able to reach,” she said. them have success and advance their senior at Newsome High School and is

September 2020

Valrico Edition

Be An Informed Voter, Know Where And How To Vote So That Every Vote Counts

By Kathy L. Collins

Voting is a right and not a privilege. In order to exercise this right, every voter in Hillsborough County must be informed and must know where to vote and how to do it. In Hillsborough County, there are three ways to exercise your right to vote: Vote By Mail, Early Voting and Election Day Voting.

In order to vote in the general election, set for Tuesday, November 3, you must be registered by Monday, October 5. When you register, you are asked to select a party. The parties are Republican, Democrat or No Party Affiliation. You can also register as a member of a minor political party such as the Green Party of Florida.

In a general election, your ballot, or those you vote for, is based upon where you reside. In other words, you vote for officials who represent your area. This year, everyone votes for the office of the president. There are no statewide elections this year as neither U.S. senator who represents Florida is up for election.

There are countywide elections, including the office of the Hillsborough County state attorney.

You can view a sample ballots for the general election by visiting www.votehillsborough.org.

VOTE BY MAIL Vote By Mail is the most convenient method. You do not need an excuse to choose this option. If you request this method, you will receive your ballot in the mail as early as Thursday, September 24. The deadline to request your Vote By Mail ballot is Saturday, October 24. Using this method allows you to take your time making your voting decision. The Vote By Mail ballot must be received by the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. You can mail it or drop it off in person at one of their offices or at an Early Voting site. In order to avoid any delays that may be experienced with the mail and to make voting as easy as possible, the supervisor of elections offers curbside drop-off this year. You must be mindful of the deadlines in order to use this method. You can request your Vote By Mail ballot and track its delivery by visiting www.votehillsbor-

ough.org.

“During the primary election, we had curbside Vote By Mail drop-off at each of our 24 Early Voting sites and it was very popular. We expect even more voters to choose this convenient way of voting in the general election. Voters really liked being able to get their ballots at home and drop them off in person without leaving their car,” said Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer.

“The office plans to have drop-off tents at its four offices seven days a week, starting Friday, September 25, and will expand to the 24 drop-off sites during Early Voting, from Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1,” added Latimer.

EARLY VOTING Early Voting will take place from Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early Voting is just like Election Day Voting. You must bring one or two forms of identification with your photo and signature on it. Acceptable forms of identification include a Florida driver’s license, state-issued identification, U.S. passport, student ID, public assistance ID and more.

During Early Voting, you can go to any of the 24 sites designated as an Early Voting site. Conversely, on Election Day, you must vote at the precinct designated on your voter registration.

ELECTION DAY VOTING Polling places or precincts, noted on your voter registration card, are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. This year, the general election day is Tuesday, November 3. You can bring your sample ballot with you and use it while you vote. Latimer said, “We got a lot of positive feedback from our voters and poll workers on the health and safety of in-person voting. Voters appreciated the way we set up our polling places so that everyone could be socially distanced, our poll workers were wearing masks and keeping things clean and we were happy to see that nearly all of our voters wore masks too.”

Whichever method you choose, remember that your vote counts.

For more information, please visit www.votehillsborough.org.

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Volume 17, Issue 9

Valrico Edition

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