Riverview/Apollo Beach
N E P O W NO December 2016 Volume 14, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418
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Winter Is Prime Time For Viewing Manatees In Apollo Beach
Bloomingdale Student Raises Funds For Queena Survivor Feature Film
Accessed by the nature trails, the boardwalk will take you to the wildlife observation tower which opened in 2014. The tower is 50 ft. tall and gives you a great view of the surrounding area and Tampa Bay. The entrances are located Now that cooler temperatures have finally arrived, it is a great time to bring the family to the Manatee Viewing Center. at the south end of the Manatee Viewing Center’s parking lot. It’s almost wintertime in Florida, and Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the although we don’t experience the tables at the base of the tower. extremely cold temperatures as our Built and located to minimize the northern neighbors, the Gulf waters do impact on the environment, the tower, cool down below 68 degrees and that boardwalk and habitat trail are part of a means that the native manatees must network of trails that will connect to find shelter in warmer waters. the Florida Conservation and Technology Many seek refuge at TECO’s Big Center, an under-construction project Bend facility as warm water flows from between Tampa Electric, the Florida the power station’s discharge canal. The Aquarium and the Florida Fish and Manatee Viewing Center, located at 6990 Wildlife Conservation Commission. Dickman Rd. in Apollo Beach, is both a The Manatee Viewing Center's tidal state and federally designated manatee walk is featured as part of the Great sanctuary providing critical protection Florida Birding Trail, but offers more than from the cold. The viewing center is just vibrant birdlife. During your walk on much more than just seeing the mana900-ft., ADA-compliant walkway from the tees. center to the Tampa Bay Estuary, you According to TECO’s Environmental can identify a wide selection of native Technician Jamie Woodlee, “We are a coastal plants and trees as well as a wide free environmental education facility variety of animal life. where people can come learn about New for this year will be a ray’s touch manatees and Florida wildlife/plants in tank and the boardwalks have been general.” widened leading out to the viewing area. Stroll among award-winning butterfly Both parking and admission are free. gardens and enjoy the Florida-friendly The Manatee Viewing Center is open landscaping. Along the way, there is a now through April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 variety of native and coastal plant life, p.m. daily (wildlife observation tower and where you can also catch a glimpse of habitat trails close at 4 p.m.). It is closed animals in the wild that make the center's on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and habitat their home. Easter.
on the second draft of the screen play. “The target audience for the film is pretty much anyone who has been told they aren’t capable of doing something. This film will not only prove them otherwise, but will also humble audiences to show them that they haven’t lost everything and that life is precious and worth fighting for.” Perez is hoping to Bloomingdale High School senior Derrick Ball Perez is raising raise money from the funds to make a movie about Queena, the 2008 Bloomingdale community to purchase Library victim. equipment, cover the Many people in the Brandon area cost of production and have funds to know the story of Queena, the 2008 distribute the film to audiences all over Bloomingdale Library victim, but Derrick the world. Ball Perez with Indomitable Productions, “We need the community’s help to a senior at Bloomingdale High School, tell Queena’s story,” said Perez. “She is looking for help from the community has lost a lot, especially a lot of things to introduce Queena to a much larger most of us take for granted. But the one audience. big thing she hasn’t lost is that amazing, Perez, who met Queena through beautiful smile and that laugh that fills his mother who performs essential oil the room and brightens your day.” aroma touches on her, has raised more According to Perez, all of the funds than $1,500 towards his $25,000 goal to made from the sales of the film will go fund a movie in the style of the popular to Queena’s medical costs. Dolphin Tale, based on Queena’s story. For more information on Queena, “I knew about the events that took visit www.joinqueena.com. Contact place eight years ago, but I was Perez at 304-7984. extremely unaware of Queena’s current condition,” said Perez. “A lot of people I know weren’t even sure if she survived.” Queena suffered a brain injury during an attack at the Bloomingdale Regional Library when she was an 18-year-old senior in high school, and is now wheel chair bound and was unable to take the spot she had previously earned at the University of Florida. “We want to make this film so we can use Queena’s story to inspire others,” said Perez who is currently working on the budget for the film and putting the final touches
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Photo By Tamas Mondovics Joined by her fellow cadets Riverview High School Navy JROTC Cadet Commander Arieles Quinones salutes during Hillsborough County’s 52nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute held Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N. in Tampa. The event saw one of the largest turnouts honoring all active and former U.S. military service members.
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