Osprey Observer Bloomingdale/FishHawk July 2023

LEARN AND SERVE TAMPA GIVES BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS RESOURCES TO SUCCEED

Dr. Kristy Verdi created the Randall Middle School 9/11 Memorial in 2010, involving each student in this massive undertaking that encouraged the practice of service-learning for middle school students. Service-learning is an important part of education, as it instills civic responsibility in students and teaches them not just curriculum but also how to give back to their community. Although an increased number of teachers have tried to integrate this approach in classrooms, very few resources are available. This lack of resources is why, in March of 2020, Dr. Verdi created Learn and Serve Tampa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing service-learning projects to K-12th grade students and schools.

“We want to empower youth service and connect it with classroom learning,” said Dr. Verdi.

Since its creation, the organization has participated in countless projects, including the sponsorship of three national days of service: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Global Youth Service Day and the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. This year, Learn and Serve Tampa has had over 2,000 volunteers participate in a multitude of events. Current projects include replacing student artwork at the McKay Bay Na-

By Ava Benedict

ture Park Pavilion, creating posters that encourage the use of recycling bins through the NYLC Education in Action program, participating in the NYLC Project Ignition’s safe driver campaign and establishing a community garden at Burnett Middle School. Before founding Learn and Serve Tampa, Dr. Verdi previously organized the 9/11 Memorial at Randall Middle School and led the Randall Area Youth Service Council, known as the R.A.Y.S. program. This program encouraged middle school students in the community to partake in more service-learning projects and volunteer opportunities. When Dr. Verdi left Randall Middle School in 2018, she continued to pursue her passion of providing service-learning programs to students.

“True service-learning should be the kids themselves looking around them and saying, ‘Hey, we see this issue and want to do something about it,’” said Dr. Verdi.

Learn and Serve Tampa continues to aid teachers in connecting students with service-learning projects and nonprofits that are in need of volunteers. Although it has received grants from some local businesses, it mainly operates on donations from people throughout the Tampa area. To learn more information about Learn and Serve Tampa and how to get involved, visit its website at www.learnandservetampa.org.

813-657-2418

CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF KEEL & CURLEY WINERY WITH ITS NAPA TRIP SWEEPSTAKES AND BIRTHDAY PARTY

Keel Farms is celebrating Keel & Curley Winery’s 20th anniversary with the ‘Cheers to 20 Years’ Sweepstakes from now through Saturday, August 5.

The statewide sweepstakes consists of simply entering to win on the Keel Farms website, along with runner-up prizes found on Keel & Curley Winery bottles’ peel-away stickers.

One winner selected at random will win an all-inclusive winemaking trip for two to Napa Valley on a date of their choosing. One runner-up winner will win a VIP experience at Keel Farms for two on a mutually agreed upon date, which includes a winery tour, tasting and dinner for the winner and one guest of their choosing.

Additional prizes found on bottles in stores include either a $5 coupon for a wine bottle online at www.keelfarms.com or a free drink in the Keel Farms Tasting Room.

Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms is a winery dedicated to handcrafting high-quality, locally grown fruit wines. Founded in 1984, the family-owned and operated Keel & Curley Winery is located 17 miles east of Tampa in Plant City at 5202 Thonotosassa Rd. Started with just 10 gallons of blueberry wine in 2003, Keel & Curley Winery now produces over 500,000 bottles of wine annually and ofers visitors lunch and dinner daily,

as well as tastings, tours, events and more. The winery also produces Keel Farms Agrarian Ciders, a line of delicious hard ciders made using Florida fruits. Keel & Curley products are available online, at Keel Farms and in select grocery stores statewide.

“Our winery has grown tremendously over the past 20 years, and that’s because of support from our loyal customers,” said Keel Farms President Clay Keel. “This sweepstakes is our way of saying thank you. We have many exciting developments in the works, so we look forward to more milestones and fun giveaways in the future.” There is no purchase required to participate in the sweepstakes. Participants can enter by filling out a form at https://www.keelfarms. com/cheers-to-20-yearssweepstakes.

The Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes will conclude with a celebratory Keel & Curley Winery birthday party on August 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Keel Farms. Parking and admission are free, and all are welcome.

IN THIS ISSUE:

NEWSOME PARKING PLANS PG 3

MOTORING TAMPA BAY PG 5

HIGH 5 NEW GARDEN PG 11

EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PG 43

President and Vice President of Keel & Curley Winery Clay and Ryan Keel.

Each year, organizations across the world, including Learn and Serve Tampa, organize projects for students to help their communities on Global Youth Service Day.

Did you know Florida State University (FSU) has a campus in Valencia, Spain? Katie Hurst, Bella Ferretti and Briahna Rigaud spent a six-week summer term in Valencia and are pictured here in front of their FSU apartment. Read more about the experience in Ferretti’s

on

SENIORS ONLY PARKING PLAN DURING NEWSOME CONSTRUCTION

FishHawk school Newsome High sent out a call to parents recently to let families know that the rising junior class will not have access to on-campus parking this upcoming school year due to construction. Seniors are the only permitted class to park on campus, and this will likely stay the same for the next two-year construction period. However, of 825 seniors, there are only about 600 parking spaces available as a result of construction for this upcoming school year. All 100 previous overflow parking spots will be given to teachers, and about 3040 spots from the original 640 spots in the student lot will be taken away. This will make for an extremely competitive environment over the summer parking pass sign-up.

Parents and students alike are truly bothered by this ordeal, as not many places around Newsome allow for students to park on its premises and some areas around Newsome have been known to tow student vehicles from the parking lots.

Rising junior Tim Collis reacted as “bummed” upon hearing the news. When asked how he plans on getting to school next year, Collis explained, “We will either carpool again like we did last year or I will drive and park somewhere close and hope they won’t tow.” Collis lives roughly 10 minutes away with no trafc, but it is known to be around 20-

SUNNY SIDE OPERA: BRINGING THE JOY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN AN AFFORDABLE AND EXCITING WAY

By Sophia Walck

30 minutes with school trafc. This is a major disadvantage to Collis as it is, but with no direct parking access to Newsome, he’s at an even bigger disadvantage.

Unlike some areas, the nearby FishHawk Sports Complex plans to accommodate Newsome students as it has in the past. Chris Kiddy, interim athletics manager in Hillsborough County, said, “Last year, students started parking in the dirt between the complex and road. Our staf wanted to stop them from parking there because they thought it to be unsafe, so they allowed them to park in the actual parking lot instead.”

Kiddy agreed that with a larger population of students unable to park on Newsome’s campus, the previous estimate of student drivers parking on the complex’s property will increase.

“I think with leadership and managers getting together to oversee the parking situation through estimates and numbers, the sports complex can be part of the solution,” said Kiddy.

Parents and students are scrounging to find ways to get to school, and there are a few recommended options: carpool with a senior friend, park at the FishHawk Sports Complex, ride the bus or be dropped of by a parent. For more information about the Sports Complex, www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/locations/fishhawk-sports-complex.

For FishHawk resident Lois Larsen, her love for classical music extended much farther than just a casual listen or a trip to the local theater. With 10 years of experience under her belt, Larsen founded Sunny Side Opera; through her strong sense of passion and partnership, she is bringing her aspirations to the community to share with artists alike. With its first production this July, The Marriage of Figaro, Sunny Side’s mission is to honor the artist’s vision for their individual craft, blending unique perspectives into a production while creating an afordable opportunity for aspiring opera singers and classical musicians.

Larsen has studied opera since her freshman year of college back in 2013. Navigating her way through this unknown craft, she soon found her passion for this timeless art form. After performing in a dozen productions throughout her undergraduate and graduate career, she had a newfound joy for creating recitals to share small segments of operas with locals. After 10 years of performing, Larsen realized a larger aspiration to include her own artistic vision in the art that she admired dearly.

“I love performing, but I wanted more of a say in the way productions are accomplished, with an emphasis on respecting colleagues’ time and personal

By Ella Shockley

artistic visions. Having more control over the production allows me to pour more of my energy and passion into the project as a whole, which hopefully translates into a more successful performance overall,” Larsen said in reference to her inspiration for the creation of Sunny Side Opera.

Sunny Side Opera’s opportunities are specifically created with the artist in mind while considering performers’ time and resources, as well as making sure eforts are mutually beneficial. The goal is for passionate artists to incorporate their visions into their performances with a sense of community. Larsen makes this accessible for aspiring artists all over the area to participate, serving as a local and afordable opera. Sunny Side Opera resides at the Hutchinson Auditorium at Florida College, located at 119 N. Glen Arven Ave. in Temple Terrace.

The Marriage of Figaro is showing on Friday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 22 at 5 p.m. Larson hopes this is the beginning of an ongoing, exciting series of performances to the public. Tickets are available to purchase at www.sunnysideopera.com or at the venue day of show.

If you or anyone you know is interested in being involved with Sunny Side Opera, visit www.sunnysideopera.com or reach out at sunnysideopera@gmail.com.

Sunny Side Opera’s frst upcoming production’s full cast, venue and ticket information.

Construction at Newsome High School begins this summer. Newsome’s overfow lot has been blocked of

nitishrele@gmail.com

VOLVO XC60 PLUG-IN HYBRID BOASTS COMPELLING RIDE, LUSH CABIN

It is one of our favorite midsize luxury crossover SUVs. We have driven several versions of the XC60 over the years and can say with surety that the 2023 version tops them all.

Under the hood of this Volvo sits a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged and supercharged engine putting out a massive 455 horsepower and 523 pounds-feet of torque. We test drove the T8 plugin hybrid version (E-AWD). That is essentially an electric motor and an 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which can take the SUV nearly 35 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in (full charge time for the battery is about five hours on 240 volt). The eight-speed auto gearbox in our all-wheeldrive SUV is sprightly in any untoward situation. And the start-stop feature (auto engine stop when the vehicle halts) ensures substantial savings in fuel and weight. Tow capacity is a cool 3,500 pounds.

XC60 AWD (ULTIMATE)

Wheelbase: 112.8 inches

Length: 185.4 inches

Height: 64.2 inches

Width: 78.7 inches

Suspension: Double wishbone front, multilink rear

Steering: Electric power

Weight: 4,677 pounds

Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons

Electricity and gas: 63 MPGe

Gas only: 28 mpg combined

Base price: $66,950

Price as tested: $74,690

Website: www.volvocars.com

By Nitish Rele

one and watch it expand while keeping the other tiles visible for future use. The splashes of wood decor and a tailored dashboard is a nice touch. Standard goodies include two-zone auto AC, 10-way power heated/cooled Nappa leather front seats, 60/40 rear seat, aluminum cargo scuf plate, panoramic moonroof and a leather-wrapped dashboard. XC60 continues as is with passenger volume topping around 100 cubic feet.

The handsome crossover portrays a centered high-gloss black mesh grille with the familiar Volvo iron mark, flanked by LED headlights and Thor’s Hammer-like daytime running lights. The generous cabin conveys an upscale aura with a 12.3-inch instrument panel decked in shimmer graphite aluminum inlays. New for 2023 is a Google builtin Assistant, Maps and Play store. There is ample space for leg and shoulder room for three adult passengers in the rear seat. Volvo Sensus infotainment, with a distinct vertical 9-inch display touch screen, is essentially made up of four tiles: navigation, media, phone and user-defined. Activate

The Chinese-owned but Swedish-made car company is renowned for safety. Continuing the tradition, the XC60 gets dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, lane departure/keep aid, blindspot information, cross-trafc alert, rearpark assist and sensors, adaptive cruise control, four-wheel antilock brakes, threepoint seatbelts for all, side impact protection, dynamic stability and traction control, 360-degree camera, hill-start assist and descent control, City Safety (brakes automatically to help prevent a rear-end collision) with steer assist, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Yes, it’s an SUV, but don’t for a minute believe that your outing will be sluggish. Sitting on 20-inch wheels, the XC60 can take of 0-60 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds and reach top speed of 130 mph. Apart from astonishing liveliness and sharp handling, the ride boasts a well-crafted and wisely designed cabin. Volvo’s prolonged safety list makes it a no-brainer.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ADULT DAY CARE SERVICES OFFERS A WAY FOR RESIDENTS 60 AND OVER TO STAY AT HOME WITH LOVED ONES

Hillsborough County Aging Services ofers Adult Day Services at several locations, including the Bloomingdale Adult Day Care Center, located at 3940 Canoga Park Dr. in Brandon. There are also centers located in Plant City and Tampa.

Hillsborough County Adult Day Services ofers comprehensive health, social, supportive and therapeutic services for functionally impaired seniors in a community-based setting. Adult Day Services aims to help families whose loved ones wish to remain at home but struggle with providing care. The services are for Hillsborough County residents 60 years old and older who have decreased physical, mental or social function.

Daniel Tillotson of Lithia is a caregiver for his wife of 60 years, Virginia, who sufers from dementia. She has been attending Bloomingdale Adult Day Care Center for over a year. Tillotson said, “It is daunting to be a caregiver. We want to stay together at home.” He added, “The center gives me respite care. It gives me time to take

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFERS SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM AGAIN FOR 2023

By Kathy L. Collins

care of myself, run errands and take care of the house. It also allows her to socialize.”

“The staf at the center are well trained and very professional.

Virginia is excited to see her friends and enjoys participating in the daily activities. She is much happier because she is not just sitting at home,” Tillotson said.

The Bloomingdale Adult Day Care Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. It offers a set schedule each day. Clients select the days they want to attend.

Christine West, center manager, said, “The caregivers are the heroes. We allow caregivers to work and get respite care for themselves.”

Clients who attend can receive breakfast, lunch and a snack ofered intermittently through the day’s activities. In addition, the center ofers support care for caregivers on the third Thursday of the month from 3-4 p.m.

If you are interested in touring the center and need information on applying to attend, you can call West at 813-330-7964.

Hillsborough County Public Schools understands the importance of ensuring our students have access to nutritious meals while on summer break. Starting at the end of May and continuing through Thursday, July 27, students will have several opportunities to receive free meals as Hillsborough County Public Schools hosts its annual ‘Summer Food Service Program for Children.’

The program o f ers students breakfast and lunch for free at schools that provide summer school programs. All children, 18 years and younger, can arrive at an open school Monday through Thursday — the breakfast and lunch mealtimes will be posted on the front o f ce window. The child does not have to be enrolled in summer school to take advantage of the free meals.

Shani Hall, general manager of student nutrition services, explained, “A lot of times, it’s about helping parents make ends meet. And especially now, now that the economy is harder on everybody.”

In addition, the district is also us -

7/31/2023

7/31/2023

ing refrigerated trucks to deliver box meals to community sites with summer programs. This includes YMCA programs and county parks and recreation sites.

“We know that many of our students rely on their schools for access to nutritious breakfast and lunch during the school year, and that need does not go away during the summer months,” said Superintendent Addison Davis. “I want to thank our dedicated Student Nutrition Services team who will feed thousands of children over the next few months. It is our hope that these well-balanced meals will nourish young learners during their summer vacation and give families peace of mind.”

A few of the area schools and participating YMCAs are: Alafia Elementary School, Barrington Middle School, Bloomingdale Senior High School and FishHawk Creek Elementary School.

To find the complete list of locations near you, visit www.summerbreakspot. org and search by zip code, or text ‘Food’ or ‘Comida’ to 304-304.

Students will have opportunities to receive free meals as Hillsborough County Public Schools hosts its annual ‘Summer Food Service Program for Children.’

Hillsborough County Aging Services ofers Adult Day Services at several centers, including the Bloomingdale Adult Day Care Center, located at 3940 Canoga Park Dr. in Brandon.

SENIORS IN SERVICE PROVIDES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS 55 YEARS AND

If you or someone you know is over 55 years old and would like to volunteer for your community, you should contact Seniors in Service. This is an organization that was established in 1984. The mission of Seniors in Service is to provide solutions to community challenges by engaging volunteers ages 55 and older.

OLDER

By Kathy L. Collins

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFERS MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM

By Kathy L. Collins

Live your legacy now by becoming a volunteer through Seniors in Service. Help a homebound senior, become a cherished mentor to a struggling child or an appreciated companion to an at-risk veteran.

Chris Noble, community engagement manager for Seniors in Service, said, “Engaging volunteers is our specialty. Older adults have a lifetime of experiences and talents that can be used to uplift our community. We help seniors of all ages step into the best years of their life and live with purpose through service to others. Research shows volunteering is good for your health. It keeps you active, purposeful and socially connected.”

There are several ways you can serve. Noble explained, “Our volunteers tutor and mentor children, provide companionship for homebound elders, connect disheartened veterans to resources and provide food security for hungry families and individuals. They also use their talents to help other nonprofit organizations accomplish their mission.”

If you are interested, visit https://seniorsinservice.org/ to see volunteer opportunities or contact Natalie Salas at nsalas@seniorsinservice.org or 813-492-8928. Seniors’ passions, skills and schedules are examined to match them with the volunteer oppor-

tunity that is right for them. According to Noble, “The greatest need right now is to recruit volunteers to serve as tutors and mentors in the classroom. We place volunteers who are 55 and older into pre-K through third grade classrooms to serve as classroom grandparents. Volunteers serve 1520 hours per week in the same classrooms for the entire school year, providing one-on-one tutoring to help struggling students learn to read. Classroom grandparents receive monthly training. Eligible seniors will receive an hourly stipend.”

For many children, a grandparent fills a role that no one else can.

The motto of Seniors in Service is “Got an hour? Given an hour.” There are a lot of opportunities, and many only take an hour a month.

Noble said, “If you want to step into the best years of your life and start serving your community, Seniors in Service can help you find the volunteer opportunity of your dreams. You can join a community of over 1,500 volunteers who are building a better future for children, seniors, families and veterans. Last year our volunteers used their talents to provide over 280,000 hours of service throughout Tampa Bay.”

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

School can be difcult for any child, but if you factor in coming from a migrant family, it can be much more difcult. Hillsborough County’s Migrant Education Service Center, located in Plant City, serves migrant students and their families to make school easier for them.

The Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program carried out by the state. The purpose is to provide a range of activities and services to support the needs of migratory children, including identifying and recruiting migratory children, providing instructional and support services that help bolster and sustain the educational progress of migratory children and collaborating with other organizations and programs that serve migratory children. The Migrant Education Program has been in Hillsborough County for over 30 years.

The program serves migratory children ages 3 through 21 years old and their families. Supplementary migrant services include: identification and recruitment, advocacy, health and social services, academic support, parental involvement and family literacy.

Services are provided to eligible students based on the availability of funds, priority for services and need. The Migrant Education Program employs certified migrant advocates, teachers and migrant recruiters.

The definition of a ‘migratory child’ is

someone who is younger than 22; has not graduated from high school, or does not hold a high school equivalency certificate; and has made a qualifying move within the preceding 36 months due to economic necessity from one residence to another residence and from one district to another district, and the child moved as a worker, with a worker, to join or precede a parent/ guardian or spouse who is a worker.

Delma White, a migrant advocate with the program, said, “Migrant advocates provide information, guidance and support to migrant students and their families to facilitate their academic success. Migrant advocates establish collaborative partnerships with teachers, counselors, administrators, special program staf, parents and community agencies to ensure that migrant students attend school and have access to appropriate programs and resources.”

Each year, the program serves between 2,000-3,000 students.

White added, “We want the community to know that we support children in their education so that they may overcome adversities associated with a migratory lifestyle. Our goal is that they can break the cycle of poverty and become valuable citizens that contribute to the improvement of the community.”

For information, visit www.hillsboroughschools.org/migrant.

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Te Hillsborough Migrant Education Program is a federally funded program that serves migrant children ages 3 to 21 years old and their families.

With the summer storm season upon us, protecting property, valuables and lives from the e f ects of foul-weather events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, becomes a consideration. Knowing what to do and when to do it can depend on understanding terms that are often heard but maybe not well understood, such as flood zones and evacuation zones.

Flood and evacuation zones serve two di f erent purposes, and assigning properties to them is done by di f erent government agencies.

Flood zones are determined by the National Flood Insurance Program and serve to identify areas that could easily flood. Designation within a high-risk flood zone could mean flood insurance is required for a property. Factors such as land elevation, proximity to water bodies and the historical record of floods are considered in determining flood zones.

Evacuation zones identify areas that are at risk of being evacuated during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or a flood. Local o f cials determine evacuation zones based on things like an area’s potential for flooding and the availability of safe roads and shelters. You can check which evacuation and flood zone a property is in by visiting hillsborough-

By Brad Stager

county.org and entering the address in online interactive maps accessible on the website. Information from the maps also include locations of public shelters and an area’s evacuation status. Some shelters are designated as pet-friendly, and nonhuman family members are welcome at these facilities. County o f cials say it is important to pay attention and be able to provide for your pet’s needs if moving to a shelter during a disaster.

“It is strongly recommended that everyone bring their own supplies with them; crates, food, water, medication, anything that the pet needs,” said Crissy Leto, who is the program coordinator for Hillsborough County’s pet resource center.

She added that custodians of pets who are not dogs or cats need to be particularly mindful of the animals’ needs.

Residents who require routine medical support such as dialysis and other conditions can register for space at a special needs shelter where medical personnel and equipment are available. Registration can be accomplished online or by mailing or faxing a downloadable form available at www.hillsboroughcounty.

at 813307-8063.

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW GOVERNOR APPROVED HYDROGEN PLANT IN MULBERRY

LowCarbon, a global eco-friendly company specializing in clean energy solutions, in partnership with Ocean Green Hydrogen, a Tampa-based company, recently celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new clean hydrogen plant in Mulberry. This event marked a significant milestone, as it is the first plant of its kind in the region, bringing cutting-edge clean hydrogen technology to the state. The plant will be located on 10 acres at 5000 Old State U.S. Hwy. 37 in Mulberry.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, state and local government ofcials, industry leaders and representatives from LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen.

“I am thrilled to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mulberry Clean Hydrogen plant in our own backyard,” said Commissioner Ken Hagan. “This project not only contributes to our environmental well-being but will also generate economic opportunities for our region. I commend LowCarbon and its partners for their dedication to innovation and sustainability, and I look forward to the positive impact this plant will have for our region and the state of Florida.”

On April 26, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Seoul, South Korea. The MOU highlights the joint eforts to construct the Florida clean hydrogen hub, a project val-

ued at over $1 billion. The project aims to produce economical, clean hydrogen and serve as a strategic area in Central Florida for clean energy advancements.

DeSantis expressed great enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “LowCarbon’s carbon capture technology is really positive, and we will work together to build a clean hydrogen hub in a strategic area in Central Florida.”

LowCarbon is committed to utilizing advanced technologies and sustainable practices to reduce carbon emissions and foster environmental well-being. Through the collaboration with Ocean Green Hydrogen and Space Florida, the aerospace economic development agency of the state, the clean hydrogen plant in Mulberry will serve as a crucial step in achieving these goals.

The company is expected to invest more than $100 million to develop the facility and provide 150 jobs on-site with an average annual salary of over $60,000.

“We are excited to break ground on this landmark clean hydrogen plant in Mulberry,” said Henry Jeong, president of LowCarbon America. “This project represents a significant investment into sustainability and energy independence in the state of Florida.”

The plant will pave the way to further advancements in Florida’s clean energy technologies, contributing to the state’s commitment to a greener future.

Hillsborough County’s landscape has many bodies of water and low-elevation areas that make it a good idea to check how a property is classifed in food and evacuation zones.

State and local ofcials, along with representatives from LowCarbon and Ocean Green Hydrogen, were present for the ofcial groundbreaking of the clean hydrogen plant.

HUGE TURNOUT FOR LITHIA PINECREST WIDENING PROJECT PLAN

By Brian Bokor

On May 23, Hillsborough County held a public information meeting at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library for the Lithia Pinecrest Road Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, Capital Improvement Program Project 69649000.

The turnout was tremendous with nearly 150 concerned residents showing up to participate with support from local leaders, including Florida House Representative of District 69 Danny Alvarez, Hillsborough County Commissioner of District 4 Michael Owen and Assistant County Administrator of Public Works Kim Byer in attendance.

A PD&E Study is an environmental and engineering process that was developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in response to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The PD&E study process ensures that transportation projects are developed with consideration of current engineering standards, project costs and minimization of social and environmental impacts, while involving the public throughout the entire study process.

Upon entering the room, several large posters lined the walls, each depicting one geographical section of the study area. This area includes Lithia Pinecrest Road from Fishhawk Boulevard 6.2 miles to Lumsden Road, and Bloomingdale Avenue

1.3 miles from Culbreath Road to Pearson Road. The total project length is 7.5 miles.

Participants were asked to visually represent where they lived, worked, shopped, played, worshiped, and, if applicable, where kids went to school by placing color-coordinated dots on the maps where these activities occurred. Other displays included one asking if locals would con-

sider utilizing walking or bike paths if the paths were improved and better connected and another that showed turning movement volumes at intersections along the corridor.

Teams of county planners and Public Works representatives were readily available throughout the room, answering any questions from the large audience and explaining the maps and charts displayed.

Safe mobility for all roadway users, regardless of mode of travel, will be considered and incorporated into the study and the alternatives evaluated. Alternatives will be generated based on the result of a trafc analysis and feedback provided by the community.

These alternatives may include:

• Widening for additional through-lane capacity.

• Access management improvements to incorporate turn lanes onto side streets.

• Intersection analysis to evaluate roundabout alternatives and other intersection configurations.

• Improved pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, including shared-use paths, a connected sidewalk system, bufered bike lanes and mid-block crossings.

• Moderating travel speeds to improve safety through reduced lane widths, lane deflections, landscaping and contact-based roadway treatments.

Members of the engineering team told

the group 18 intersections were under evaluation for roundabouts versus traffic lights. The purpose of utilizing roundabouts is twofold in reducing speed as well as making corridors more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.

Once all necessary data is collected, plans will be designed and shared with the community through public meetings. Based on feedback from these meetings, alternative plans may be developed and evaluated.

The study is expected to be completed by fall 2024 with design, right-of-way (land) acquisition and construction as the next steps in the process. Construction is expected to take two to three years after land acquisition is complete.

The PD&E is funded at a cost of $4M with design ($10M), right-of-way ($40M) and construction ($146M) not yet funded. Please send questions to pwcustomerresolution@hcflgov.net or call 813-6355400.

REGISTER NOW FOR 2023 SUMMER CAMP!

Also hiring for 2023 Summer Camp Counselors & Runners.

Summer Camp Includes:

Pools, Laser Tag, Diving boards, Customized weekly themes, Ofsite fieldtrips, Video game rooms, Onsite fieldtrips, Playgrounds, Arts & Crafts, Indoor sports, Outdoors sports, S.T.E.M activities & so much more!

Ofering at 3 loctions: High 5, Inc. Main Campus, Symmes Elementary, and Fishhawk Creek Elementary

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HOW STUDYING ABROAD CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON LIFE

I’ll never forget everyone telling me, “You’re going to come back a new person after studying abroad.”

As a Florida State University (FSU) student, I had heard nothing short of amazing things about the several international programs, which sparked my interest to apply.

Although I knew that studying abroad would afect my life, I never expected the volume of impact it would have on my perception of the world.

To put my experience into words would be impossible, but I can say that I grew in countless ways, and I’m forever indebted to FSU Valencia, Valencia itself, FSU Garnet apartment one, the people I met along the way and, of course, my best friends. My scope of the world was opened further than my hometown, college campus and occasional travel vacations.

I learned that the people in Spain are very softspoken (my friends and I found this out the hard way). I learned that bikes are the main source of transportation for locals in Amsterdam. I learned that people in Europe tend to work to live rather than live to work. I learned that the best stargazing spot in Morocco is the tallest dune in the Sahara Desert. The list could go on for days, but what all of this has taught

EGGS UP GRILL CELEBRATES 500,000 CRACKED EGGS

By Bella Ferretti

me was that life isn’t about what’s coming up next, but rather what’s right in front of you. I realized that I was constantly living by looking for the next best thing instead of taking a step back and appreciating the beauty of now.

Having immersed myself into several diferent cultures and meeting hundreds of diferent people, I felt a sense of gratitude for this abroad experience as well as my life at home. Throughout my six weeks in Valencia, traveling Europe, taking classes, and living in an eight-girl apartment, I was the most present I had ever been in my life. I raised my hand in class, introduced myself to strangers, booked flights, planned weekend trips, woke up early, went to bed late and lived every day like it was my last. I was eager to explore and embrace independence, which allowed me to take in everything that I saw and learn lessons that will guide me through the rest of my life. To say that these were the best six weeks of my life is an understatement and I cannot recommend studying abroad enough. For more information about FSU International Programs, visit https://international. fsu.edu/.

Can you imagine cracking half a million eggs?

Eggs Up Grill in Riverview can, as it has now cracked and served over 500,000 of them.

This hot breakfast spot has been counting the number of eggs it has cracked since the moment it opened its doors. Throughout the last two years, owners John and Priscilla Conyer have enjoyed celebrating the community they have created not only through counting eggs but through serving delicious, fresh and locally sourced meals.

“Eggs Up Grill is all about neighbors serving our neighbors, and guests get a kick out of coming in from their previous visit to see how we’ve grown in egg count,” said Priscilla.

The community loves to be connected to the restaurant through the counting of the eggs. The guests at Eggs Up Grill enjoy taking a picture of the egg-counter display and comparing it every time they dine in. When Priscilla and John see guests attending each egg-count milestone, they feel pride in being able

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

to connect with their community.

“I love dining in at Eggs Up Grill, and every time I come it always makes me feel happy being here,” said the guest who ate the 500,000th egg. “I feel like I’m forever part of history right here in our community.”

With the care that each team member puts into your breakfast, dining in at Eggs Up Grill truly makes you feel like part of the community. Along with a large and delicious menu, Eggs Up Grill also ofers catering for any size event and a private dining experience in the store for groups of up to 15.

The Conyers hope to be a staple restaurant in the community and look forward to the next egg-count celebration when Eggs Up Grill cracks its 750,000th egg. Eggs Up Grill is located at 3920 U.S. Hwy. 301. Its hours are 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., seven days a week. Stay up to date on special promotions and details on Instagram and Facebook @eugriverview and check out the full menu online at https:// eggsupgrill.com/.

My FishHawk resident roommates and I holding Issue 5 of the Osprey Observer outside of the Florida State University Valencia, Spain Garnet Building. Pictured (left to right): Katie Hurst, Bella Ferretti and Bri Riguad.

A view of the Marina of Valencia.

Te guest who ate the 500,000th egg was surprised to be served this milestone egg and was excited to receive it.

Eggs Up Grill has customers who dine in at least two times a week, and they love an opportunity to celebrate the restaurant.

HIGH 5 INC. DEDICATES NEW MEMORIAL GARDEN TO SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

High 5 Inc. recently dedicated the new TRIDENT Memorial Garden during the nonprofit organization’s 60th anniversary celebration.

The garden was dedicated to Candy Corsi, former Training and Recreation for the Intellectually Disabled Enabling their Natural Talents (TRIDENT) director, on May 20. Corsi became the director in 2011 and built the special needs education program into what it is today.

Her two sons are still active members of the TRIDENT program, but, after her death in 2021, the organization wanted a way to remember her legacy.

“[The garden was built] to honor and remember an amazing woman with a huge heart that touched the lives of everyone she met,” said High 5 Inc. CEO Chuck Burgess.

The memorial garden is located in High 5 Inc.’s back fields by its 25-meter pool. The garden is filled with flowers, water features, gazebos and picnic tables. Burgess and current TRIDENT director Joe Somers came up with the idea for the memorial garden to involve their special needs members.

“This project began back in January with the planning phase and will be a living, on-

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPOINTS VAN AYRES AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

By Lily Belcher

going garden that will be continuously improved by the TRIDENT Team,” said Burgess.

The TRIDENT Team, Brandon Leadership Class of 2023 and other members of the High 5 team worked to create the memorial garden. Community donations from Rivard Buick GMC, Home Depot, Kerby’s Nursery and Rotary Club of Brandon supported the team during the five months of construction.

The TRIDENT Team is a daily program for adults with special abilities. The program acknowledges that some students may not be able to live independently, but High 5 and TRIDENT can help them maximize their strengths.

Through the program, special needs kids and adults have the opportunity to participate in social, educational and recreational activities, like building High 5’s first memorial garden.

High 5 Inc. is a nonprofit organization that serves local adults and kids by positively impacting their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing at their location of Highway 60 in Brandon. For more information on High 5 or its TRIDENT program, contact memberservices@high5inc.org or call 813-689-0908.

At a special called school board meeting, Van Ayres was appointed as interim superintendent, e f ective Saturday, July 15. Ayres is currently chief of strategic planning and partnerships where he led the district’s five-year strategic plan, all while building community relationships.

Ayres was born and raised in Tampa and has been a lifelong educator with Hillsborough County Public Schools.

He graduated from Je f erson High School in 1992. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Tampa, he began his teaching career in 1997 as a science teacher at Blake High School. In 2003, Ayres was selected to become assistant principal for student a f airs and later assistant principal of curriculum at Blake High School.

In 2012, Ayres jumped at the chance to return to his alma mater and was appointed principal at Je f erson High School. Three years later, he was promoted to deputy superintendent, and then spearheaded the work to improve the district’s graduation rate — which increased by 12.2 percentage points over a five-year period.

Ayres comes from a family of educators. His father and mother were both dedicated teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools. His father, Van, taught

at Leto High School for 33 years. His mother, Nuri Ayres, spent 35 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools, as a math teacher at Webb Middle and Jefferson High School and then a beloved principal at both King and Sickles high schools. Ayres’ two children both graduated from Hillsborough County Public Schools, from Blake and Robinson high schools.

“I am truly honored to lead this district. Hillsborough County Public Schools is my home and I know this is one of the best school districts in the nation. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we prepare to open schools and welcome our 210,000 students back to the classrooms. I look forward to this opportunity and thank the school board for their confidence in my leadership,” said Ayres.

On June 15, Superintendent Addison Davis submitted his letter of resignation, and will leave HCPS on Friday, July 14, after three years at the helm of the nation’s seventh-largest school district. During his tenure as superintendent, Davis worked to improve HCPS’ academic ranking from 35th in the state to 19th — the highest ever. Also, during his time in HCPS, Davis’ team solved a $150 million financial deficit and obtained the district’s highest graduation rate of 89.2 percent.

Candy Corsi’s sons unveil the new Trident Memorial Garden located on High 5 Inc. as a legacy to her service to the program.

Van Ayres has been appointed as Interim Superintendent.

FLORIDA COLLEGES HOLD VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS TO ASSIST WITH MOVE-IN DAYS

As local families and college students face the fast-approaching event of college dormitory move-in day, many Florida colleges ofer support through helpful volunteer programs.

While moving possessions into their dormitory at the start of a new semester, attendees of the University of South Florida (USF) are assisted by student volunteers in the annual Bull Haul program.

Move-in day is crowded with students and their families, as everyone attempts to transport necessities and decor simultaneously. Organization and assistance are provided through the program as fellow Bulls direct the crowds, answer questions and ofer a hand.

“For students whose parents couldn’t come help them move in, they were glad to have the option for another student to help them,” said USF student Joseph Santarlas as he reflected on Bull Haul’s impact during past move-in days.

The cause not only benefits incoming residents but also the volunteers who sign up to help. To motivate the community to give their time, USF ofers the opportunity for those who register to move into their dormitories early. They will also receive community service hours and merchandise, such as free shirts.

“I got an email from USF saying that I could move in three days early by helping so that no one is stressed. We benefit

HILLSBOROUGH PET SHELTER RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

By Anna Edlund

by moving in early because move-in day is hectic,” explained Lilly Erwin, a past Bull Haul member.

The program unites the entire college community by making sure that the days run smoother for families, while providing perks to the people who choose to help out. The Bull Haul is a great opportunity to get involved with for USF students.

Similar organizations

ofer assistance in other Florida schools for the upcoming summer and fall terms. The University of Florida (UF) invites members of the college to be ‘move-in volunteers’” throughout terms. The University of Central Florida (UCF) ofers its own ‘Movein Volunteer Program’ (known as MVPs), similar to USF’s Bull Haul.

Be sure to follow your college housing department’s website, as well as its Instagram and other social media, for upto-date information and to discover ways that it plans to help make moving in a breeze.

For more information on USF’s Bull Haul, visit its website at www.usf.edu/ housing/residential-experience/bull-haul. aspx.

For more information on UF’s Movein Volunteer opportunities, visit https:// housing.ufl.edu/volunteer/.

For more information on UCF’s Move-in Volunteer program, visit www.housing. ucf.edu/movein/free/.

The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center received the National Association of Counties’ Achievement Award for successfully rebuilding its volunteer program after the pandemic at the beginning of June.

The Building Back a Volunteer Program Post-Pandemic Award came after a twoyear-long rebuilding process after the coronavirus shutdown decimated the shelter’s volunteer program. Despite the lack of volunteers, animals continued to come to the shelters, emphasizing the need for a new program.

“It was all about building a strong program for the future,” explained volunteer coordinator Chelsea Waldeck. “I wanted to try to utilize technology as much as we could to assist with trainings and things like that so, that way, we could better utilize staf time and provide our resources to our volunteers.”

Waldeck was hired to revive the program and, last year, had over 250 volunteers who dedicated 14,000 hours of direct care and enrichment to the pets.

Waldeck established a volunteer application for volunteers 16 years old and older, as well as an online training process. The online application and training made the hiring of volunteers more efcient

By Lily Belcher

and efective in order to introduce qualified volunteers to the newly revitalized program.

In April, the shelter applied for national recognition, highlighting how its volunteer program is not only back but also thriving.

“Trying to maybe be recognized at this level and maybe be able to help other shelters who are in the same boat as we were is really satisfying,” said Waldeck. “I’ve had other shelters reach out with questions, … and I absolutely love being able to help others to help as many animals as we possibly can.”

The Pet Resource Center houses around 15,000 dogs and cats each year, relying on volunteer and community support to care for the animals. The shelter is actively seeking volunteers, so those who are interested can apply online.

“For me, to be able to build this program back up is more animals that we get to help on a daily basis, and that’s the most important aspect of the mission that we have here: helping pets of Hillsborough County. So, we really need all the volunteer support that we can have,” said Waldeck.

For more information on the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.

Photo courtesy of Lilly Erwin.

Te University of South Florida campus, where the annual Bull Haul program takes place on move-in days.

Volunteer coordinator Chelsea Waldeck helped rebuild the volunteer program at the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center after the coronavirus shutdown.

A KITTEN PLACE: GIVING HOPE TO SPECIAL NEEDS CATS AND KITTENS

By Keiko Moral

WAT MONGKOLRATANARAM BUDDHIST TEMPLE HOLDS

SUNDAY MARKETS AND BUDDHIST EVENTS

By Anna Edlund

A Kitten Place (AKP) was established with a mission to give cats and kittens with challenging medical conditions the best chance at survival and a safe environment. This amazing program helps the most vulnerable members of our feline community. A Kitten Place focuses on providing individualized care to each rescue, doing its best to provide a happy and healthy life.

“AKP specializes in rescuing neonates (who must be bottle-fed around the clock), special needs (including paralyzed kittens), kittens needing amputations or eye removal, kittens needing extensive diagnostics,” said Michelle Bass, who established the rescue with Alicia Pollock in August 2019.

Recently, A Kitten Place has expanded its program, significantly increasing its capacity to help those in need. With its intake now averaging 250 cats and kittens at any given time, the organization is making an even greater impact. This expansion has been made possible through partnerships with two local cat cafes, Sassy Cat Club Cafe in Brandon and Purrology Cafe in Lakeland. The cafes are a great place to visit after a stressful day or as a family outing, and there are always cats waiting for cuddles. These collaborations have not only allowed A Kitten Place to save more animals but have also led to an increase in successful adoptions.

In another exciting development, A Kitten Place has been invited to become an adoption partner with PetSmart Charities. This new partnership has resulted in the establishment of its own adoption center at the Brandon PetSmart, located of SR 60 at 1051 W. Brandon Blvd. This new facility allows AKP to showcase more of its kitties to a receptive audience of potential pet owners, increasing the chances of finding loving forever homes for these pets.

The community can play a vital role in helping A Kitten Place save more lives. Volunteering is invaluable, with opportunities available in fostering, transportation, events and as PetSmart Kennel volunteers. Additionally, monetary donations play a pivotal role, as the program incurs an average of $15,000 in monthly expenses to provide the necessary care for these vulnerable creatures. Those interested in supporting A Kitten Place, such as learning more about donating funds, can visit its website, https://akittenplace.org/, or fulfill its wish lists on Amazon and Chewy.

The Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple, established in Tampa since 1981, offers Sunday markets, Thai culture and Buddhist services to the public.

Each Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., guests are able to buy traditional Thai food from volunteers at the market. The food includes a variety of noodle soups and rolls, as well as many other delicious options. All proceeds from the events are donated to propagate Buddhist practice and teaching.

“I recommend anyone go because sometimes it’s a culture shock to people. I feel like it’s something diferent for people to experience and new foods to try,” explained Mia Ramos, a temple visitor.

Being half Thai and Cambodian, Ramos appreciates being able to connect to her culture through events at the temple. She especially enjoys New Year’s celebrations filled with food, dance performances and parades. Ramos additionally recalls how people often buy peace oferings and donate money to the temple to maintain it as a beautiful place for the monks who live on the grounds.

Visitors can also be engaged in religious practices and educational sessions that promote mental development. The temple holds meditation workshops, weekly religious service and Buddhist chanting services.

Buddhist chanting is often performed in Thai temples through Pali, a sacred language of Buddhism. The Wat Mongkolratanaram is special, as it often includes recordings of an American monk performing Buddhist teachings in English. English-speaking visitors who seek the opportunity to participate in these sessions are able to comprehend words through this unique and inclusive method.

“Being able to understand what is being said has created a welcomed level of understanding to what is taking place that I have been missing out on for years,” stated Rich Tyson, who finds clarity at the temple.

As an English-speaker who has regularly attended Buddhist ceremonies, Tyson is used to just appreciating the rhythm of the monks’ chants and not being able to understand the language. He appreciates the inclusion that he experiences at this specific temple, especially as he attends alongside his daughter and strives to expose her to her Thai culture.

Whether or not identifying with Thai heritage, the Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple grants partakers a space to explore Buddhism. All are welcome and encouraged to become immersed in the culture in new and enjoyable ways.

For more information, visit https:// wattampainenglish.com/.

A Kitten Place works hard to help heal any cats that come its way.

Dancers perform on temple grounds in a New Year’s celebration.

Photos courtesy of Mia Ramos. Visitors enjoy the scenery of the temple grounds during the 2023 Songkran Festival.

PROTECTING YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER IN THE WATER

Summer break in Florida comes with heat, humidity and mosquitoes. Kids, desperate to stay cool, look for the closest body of water, such as a pool or going to the beach. But what normally is a fun-filled activity can quickly turn dangerous. Many parents may not realize that for children ages 1-4, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death, and, for 5 to 14-year-olds, the second-leading cause.

Sadly, drownings often occur within 10 feet of an adult (it’s quiet and fast). As parents and caregivers, what can be done to keep your kids safe in or around water?

First, be aware of nearby pools of water. Children should know to ask for permission to go near any water. Also, all pools and hot tubs need to have a safety fence. If a lake, pool or river is nearby, make sure that children are within arm’s reach (especially kids who are not able to swim yet).

Second, have a designated ‘water watcher,’ alternating watchers every 30 minutes. The water watcher makes sure to keep an eye on all children in the water and isn’t distracted (no texting or talking). Often, drownings occur because adults believe someone else is watching the kids since there are many other adults present.

Third, have someone available who

By Ashley Abene

knows CPR. Being trained in infant and child CPR could save a life.

Finally, teach survival swim skills and swimming to all children. Babies can even learn to self-rescue as early as 6 months old. There are many places offering swim lessons locally, such as: the YMCA, High 5 Inc., Kinder Swim, Watermelon Swim, Angelfish Swim School and several others.

The YMCA even ofers a program for free called ‘Safety Around Water.’ Lacey Boldman, senior director of aquatics and swim at the Tampa YMCA, stated that the YMCA ofers this program from “May 8-11, and then we are hosting it again August 21-24. The skills that we focus on during that program are submerge, jump, push, turn/grab and swim/float/swim. In addition to that program, during all of our regular group swim lesson programming (in the beginner stages), they focus on those important ‘self-rescue’ skills.”

These are just a few of the things you can do to keep your children’s summer break both fun and safe. You can check out more tips on water safety at the American Red Cross’ website at www. redcross.org/get-help/how-to-preparefor-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/ water-safety.html.

FOUR AREA STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP FROM SANWA FOOD GROUP FOUNDERS

The summer before Crystal Vazquez started attending the University of South Florida (USF), she had to spend most of the money she’d saved for tuition on a new transmission for her car. She considered pausing her education, but her parents encouraged her to sign up for classes and have faith that the finances would work out.

Her older sister, a USF alumna and the first in the family to graduate from college, asked if she’d checked on the scholarships she’d applied for. Feeling pessimistic, Vazquez asked her sister to do it. “She logged in and was like, ‘It says you have $5,000.’ I was like, ‘No way. It’s a mistake.’ I literally started shaking and crying,” said Vazquez, realizing her tuition was covered.

Vazquez is one of the recipients of the Leung Family Scholarship, established by Connie and Tony Leung in 2022. It supports students from high schools in Southern Hillsborough County, including the areas of Ruskin, Apollo Beach and Wimauma.

The Leungs founded their business, Sanwa Food Group, 42 years ago in Ruskin. “We had a lot of support from the community in South Hillsborough County, and we wanted to give something back to the people who helped us be successful in our industry,” said Connie.

The Leungs particularly hope to help students from low-income and migrant families.

Vazquez’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Veracruz, Mexico and supported the family with agriculture jobs in Wimauma and Ruskin. Now settled in Gibsonton, they work in construction.

“It literally changed my life,” Vazquez said about the scholarship. Being a substitute teacher and Amazon employee, she could cut back on work to better focus on her studies.

Vazquez, who will receive an addition-

By Kiley Mallard

al $5,000 from the scholarship, was among the first four recipients. Hailey Friedrichsen, Javier Perez Iglesias and Franjelys Reyes are also receiving $10,000 each. Reyes, a business analytics and information systems major, is also the daughter of immigrants.

“It feels good to fulfill my mom’s purpose in moving to the U.S.,” said Reyes, who plans a future in business.

Before the fall semester, Reyes figured she would have to pay most of her tuition herself. Like Vazquez, Reyes held down two jobs. The scholarship has allowed her to work less and study more.

“I was doing full-time school and then full-time work, and it was a lot, but I needed the extra income.” she said. “Now I’m able to focus on my studies, and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that.”

This is the Leungs’ second USF scholarship. In 2009, they established the Leung Global Experience Scholarship, which they endowed in 2011 and then earmarked for students in the Muma College of Business in 2016. It subsidizes a study-abroad experience, which is significant to the Leungs. Both natives of Hong Kong, the couple met while attending Guelph University in Ontario, Canada.

“A couple of the students expressed to me that without this funding, they probably would have had to work to save enough money or even skip a college degree,” said Tony.

“There’s honestly no words that can explain to them how grateful I am,” said Vazquez, who was inspired by the Leungs’ story of being immigrants to this country and starting their own successful business. “It really gives me hope for the future. I hope to one day be in their position and give back to my community.”

From left to right: Jay Stroman, CEO of the USF Foundation; Connie Leung, Tony Leung, donors; Irene Hurst, director of operations at the USF Center for Analytics and Creativity.

High 5 Inc. ofers all levels of swimming lessons at its facilities.

Te Tampa YMCA ofers a free ‘Safety Around Water’ course during the summer that teaches children vital water survival skills.

BLOOMINGDALE REGIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARY INVITES COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IN EVENTS

By Keiko Moral

EDUCATION TALK: READING FLUENCY AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR ALL STUDENTS

Did you know reading fluency is an important aspect for students? Literacy should start being introduced to children once they are born. A parent is a child’s first teacher, and this shouldn’t be taken lightly. On average, children should start reading between ages 6-7 years old. Reading gaps in younger students could mutate into future academic problems. Students who read during the summer and during their free time gain an average of one month of reading proficiency. Students who don’t read lose an average of two to three months proficiency over time; those months add up to years. By high school, the number has doubled. Both parents and teachers are seeing an increase with students who struggle with reading. What can be done? Expose students to a variety of books and materials. If the reader is showing signs of struggle, practice words of difculty and introduce choice reading material that gets them excited. Here’s a mindful tip: Becoming a fluent reader means establishing a consistent rhythm and pace that help guide the reader through the text. Remember, it’s not about being the fastest reader but rather developing a reader who keeps a steady pace throughout their reading.

It’s all about strategy and finding the best strategy when it comes to developing a fluent reader. Developing reading fluency helps students grow as learners and with other core subjects. In order to do so, provide students with various opportunities to read the same passage orally. When a child reads, it helps when this is done orally. When

By Dr. Tyla Phillip

a child can hear themselves, this will help progress the reader as they build reading skills. Mindful tip: To do this, you should first know what your student is reading. Second, you should have your student read aloud repeatedly. Model fluent reading, then have students reread the text on their own. Allow a student to learn through examples and models. The first mistake is not showing and not correcting the development of a reader. Rather, give students the best chance at becoming a fluent reader. Introduce good models of fluent reading; giving examples of a reader’s voice can help written text make sense. Read aloud daily to your students; by

Bloomingdale Regional Public Library is gearing up to ofer an exciting lineup of events in the upcoming month designed to engage individuals of all ages and foster a love for learning and creativity. With a range of programs, the library aims to cater to the interests and needs of its community.

One of the highlights is the chess club, scheduled for Thursdays at 2 p.m. Whether you are a seasoned player or a beginner looking to learn the ropes, this club welcomes kids of all skill levels. The chess club ofers an opportunity for participants to sharpen their strategic thinking, enhance problem-solving skills and engage in friendly competition. The library provides chess sets, so attendees can focus on the game without worrying about equipment.

nurturing a love for reading from an early age. To cater to the youngest members of the community, Bloomingdale Library hosts Toddler Time for toddlers. Held nearly every week Monday to Thursday at 10:15 a.m., Toddler Time provides an interactive experience for children ages 18-36 months old and their caregivers. Through engaging storytelling, music and age-appropriate activities, toddlers are introduced to the joy and magic of books. Parents can also connect with other families in the community while their little ones explore the world of imagination.

reading efortlessly and with expression, you are modeling for your students how a fluent reader sounds. Reading is a gateway to academic success and can open the door for students in school.

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certifed tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, algebra through calculus, chemistry and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confdence and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of the Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at https://huntingtonhelps.com/. For franchise opportunities, please visit https://huntingtonfranchise.com/.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fctitious name of Foundation Christian Academy intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee FL and/or Clerk of the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, FL. Foundation Christian Academy, Inc, 3955 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Valrico, FL 33596.

For kids with an interest in music, the library is ofering a ukulele class on Mondays at 5 p.m. This class will introduce the basics of playing the ukulele in a fun and interactive manner. From learning how to hold the instrument to strumming techniques and basic chords, participants will receive hands-on guidance to kick-start their musical journey. Prior experience is optional, and the library will provide a limited number of ukuleles.

The library recognizes the importance of

Regional

Library will be hosting several great events for its community.

“Creating a welcoming environment for our community is at the heart of what we do,” said Muyao Guan, former Bloomingdale Library intern. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library is located at 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. To learn more about these upcoming events or to register, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the library’s website at https://hcplc.org/locations/bloomingdale or call 813-273-3652. Spaces may be limited for certain events. From writing workshops to tech and film screenings, the library has consistently been a community engagement hub. Come and discover the joy of learning and creativity at your local library.

Bloomingdale

Public

RETURN OF SUMMER NIGHTS SPECTACULAR AT BUSCH GARDENS

There is no better place to be this summer than Busch Gardens parks, voted one of the best theme parks in the U.S. in USA Today’s 10Best 2023 Readers’ Choice awards. Returning this summer is fan-favorite Summer Nights, featuring all-new entertainment, fireworks and more.

“Summer is always an exciting time at Busch Gardens and there are more reasons than ever to celebrate it at one of the best theme parks in the country,” said Marc Swanson, CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

Guests can enjoy great experiences both new and returning this summer.

The all-new Serengeti Flyer is the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind. With each swing of Serengeti Flyer, riders soar higher and higher above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain while experiencing multiple negative-G moments before plunging back toward the Earth. Guests can also experience a host of other amazing thrills, including Iron Gwazi. New this Summer is Icons, where guests can step into the world of musical icons with a new review show at Dragon Fire Grill. Featuring live performances of fan-favorite hits inspired by musical legends, this show will have guests singing and dancing in their seats. Other fan-favorite entertainment includes Turn It Up! Remix, an award-winning year-round ice-skating show at the Moroccan Palace Theater.

As the sun goes down, the park lights

up on 27 select nights with a dazzling display of colors and sound.

From jaw-dropping colors to intricate patterns, the Summer Nights Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers, will leave guests in awe.

Also new this summer is the Summer Nights

Elite VIP Tour, where an experienced Busch Gardens guide will map out a personalized and unforgettable day. In this private, guided tour, guests will be provided the VIP treatment. From front-of-the-line access on Florida’s favorite thrill rides to up-close animal encounters and feeding opportunities, and lunch at fan-favorite restaurants, this tour will provide the elite experience. Other not-to-miss favorites include the Animal Care Center, where guests can see and learn all about animal care at the stateof-the-art care facility, and the award-winning Serengeti Safari, which ofers guests a unique and up-close look at African wildlife with a 30-minute of-road expedition led by an expert guide, providing the opportunity to hand-feed girafes and explore the habitats of the Serengeti Plain.

An annual pass is the best way to enjoy an entire year of family fun, thrilling attractions and exciting seasonal events. Categorized in easy-to-use tiers, options provide guests with unlimited year-round admission and unbeatable benefits, including free parking, in-park discounts and monthly rewards. For more information, visit https:// buschgardenstampa.com/.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has been awarded a multiyear Florida Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program grant for $1.5 million to target literacy for children from birth through 12th grade (B-12).

The grant is funded through the Florida Department of Education.

The CLSD program will include local high-need early childhood programs and nine high-need HCPS schools, including five elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school in a feeder pattern throughout east-central Hillsborough County. The grant will serve over 6,500 traditionally underrepresented children across the B-12 continuum, specifically students with disabilities, English language learners and economically disadvantaged children. HCPS has strategically designed the CLSD grant activities to meet the needs of the students identified in the targeted feeder pattern.

The goals of the CLSD project are to build the capacity of students’ knowledge and use of evidence-based reading practices, improve teachers’ use of ev -

idence-based practices in the classroom, increase PK-12 student literacy outcomes and reduce the achievement gap. The comprehensive strategy focuses on providing a robust array of professional development on evidence-based reading and literacy practices, training parents/families on how to interpret student data and determine resources that can be used to address achievement gaps and strengthening the vertical articulation across the B-12 continuum, including student instruction that is aligned to Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for English Language Arts.

HCPS expects this CLSD project will result in gains in student scores on formative and summative assessments and improved literacy outcomes for pre-K12th grade students within the identified feeder pattern. The CLSD grant activities are specifically designed to bolster student achievement by creating seamless articulation and maximum access for families and students living in the targeted communities.

HCPS was awarded a $1.5 million dollar grant for literacy with a goal of bolstering student achievement.

FREE COURSE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

In response to the global demand for guidance on how employers can address mental health, USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences has partnered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay to ofer a free online course designed to help managers and employees become more well-versed in addressing mental health and its impact on their organizations.

The program is called Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace. It is a seven-session course that covers symptoms of some of the most common mental and behavioral disorders. It will also show how to identify behaviors that may suggest an impairment and how to approach the employee. It will also include information on available resources to help businesses attract and retain top talent.

A new two-hour session will be released each week, with all sessions becoming available at the end of July. The course features 40 speakers from organizations and corporations across the country, such as Tampa Electric, Bealls and USAA. The group of professionals includes executive coaches, intervention specialists and several USF faculty and staf members who have an expertise in mental health and human resources.

“Every year, businesses lose billions of dollars due to mental and behavioral

By Kathy L. Collins

health issues experienced by members of their workforce or their family members. These financial losses can be attributed to absenteeism, a decrease in productivity and medical claims.

In addition, there are considerable reputational repercussions due to high employee turnover, job dissatisfaction and poor morale. Identifying workers at all levels of an organization with mental or behavioral health issues and securing assistance for them is essential,” said Julie Serovich, dean of the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.

“There is no question that the past several years had an incredible impact on the mental health and well-being of the more than 160 million people in the U.S. workforce,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “Major events including the pandemic, social unrest and now financial uncertainty have taken their toll on our communities. Now, more than ever before, it is critical that we build healthy organizational cultures to protect workforce well-being, while at the same time acknowledging the economic impact mental and behavioral health issues can have on a business,” added Reynolds.

While the course is free and open to the public, registration is required. Please visit www.usf.edu/mhww.

Community Plan

5920

Te Doors of Te Church Are Open

Church Services 10am Sunday

Youth & Teens Church School 9:00 a.m.

Kingdom Builders 10:00 a.m. (Children’s Church ages 2-10)

Bible Study

7pm Tuesday (adults) Via Zoom

Wednesday Prayer Via Zoom

7 pm Tuesday (teens) Via Zoom

Community Food Pantry

2nd & 4th Tursday 11:00 -2:00 Monthly

Second Chances Job Training Mon.-Fri.

Christian Debutant and Master’s Program (ages 7-21)

J.

FACEBOOK:

Project PIC

Program for Teens 13-18 (Call for information)

(1st Gentleman)

GET INVOLVED AT THE OPEN

Saturday, July 22 | 9 am–noon

Mulrennan Middle School Cafeteria 4215 Durant Rd, Valrico, FL 33594

Monday, July 24 | 5–7 pm

Mulrennan Middle School Cafeteria 4215 Durant Rd, Valrico, FL 33594

Friday, July 28 | noon–1 pm

Register for the virtual meeting at bit.ly/planvalricojuly28

USF and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay are partnering to ofer a free course to the public that addresses mental health in the workplace.

Karen

Sims, Pastor and Roy Sims

Awards, Cornhole, Bingo & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

JROTC Award Winners

The Alafia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was pleased to announce the winners of its awards to JROTC students at seven local high schools.

The winners are: Armwood High School — Cadet Makayla Gould; Bloomingdale High School — Cadet Christine Allen; Brandon High School — Cadet Mia Gontowski; Durant High School — Cadet First Lieutenant Elizabeth Morris; Newsome High School — Cadet Isabella Donnelly; Strawberry Crest High School — Cadet First Lieutenant Cynthia Rivera-Trejo; and Tampa Bay Technical High School — Cadet Maysa Bouslimi.

ROTC medals are awarded to student cadets of outstanding ability and achievements in high school JROTC programs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. They are selected by their JROTC leaders.

Free Beer Returns To Busch Gardens For Limited Time

Busch Gardens is giving another reason to celebrate summer with free beer. It’s Busch Gardens’ way of saying thank you and helping guests cool down and beat the heat while enjoying new thrills, new shows, special events and fan-favorite animal experiences all summer long. From now until Thursday, July 20, guests 21 and older can enjoy a free pour at Twisted Tails Pretzels, located in the Pantopia area of the park, from 10:30 a.m. to one hour before park closure. For more information, visit www.buschgardenstampa.com.

Sassy Cat Club Cafe Summer Events

The Sassy Cat Club Cafe will be host-

ing a variety of events this summer at its Brandon location at 735 W. Lumsden Rd. There will be reading hour with Molly, family movie nights, yoga with cats and a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Information about it and all of the events can be found on its website at https://sassycatclubcafe.com/ or by calling 813-4093670. Reservations are required as spaces are limited.

Te 1975 Coming To AMALIE Arena

The 1975 ‘Still … at their very best’ tour will be visiting AMALIE Arena on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Over the last decade, The 1975 have firmly established themselves as the defining band of their generation with their distinctive aesthetic, passionate fanbase and unique sonic approach. Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www. amaliearena.com or call 813-301-2500 for more information.

Back Te Line Charity Events

Cornhole Fundraiser

Back the Line Charity Events will be hosting a cornhole fundraising event on Saturday, August 12 starting at 12 Noon for a Plant City teenager battling cancer. Along with the cornhole tournament, there will be a silent auction, 50/50 rafe and barbecue lunch from Newman’s BBQ. Tickets are $60 per team of two and include a barbecue lunch. To register, use the QR code. The event will take place at the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center, located at 2508 W. Oak Ave. in Plant City. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available; please contact Heather Cropper at 813-625-1507 for more information.

St. Stephen Catholic Church Hosts Bingo Fundraiser

St. Stephen Catholic Church will be hosting a bingo fundraiser on Tuesday, July 18 at Bullfrog Creek Brewery Co., located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Along with bingo, there will be other fundraisers, with the proceeds going toward both church and nonprofit groups, like Homemakers of Hope, THORN Ministries and the HOPE organization.

The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and Florida 4-H Foundation are honored to announce the 2023 inductees to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame: Betsy Barfield of Jeferson County, Todd Bundy of Gadsden and Leon counties, William ‘Bill’ Hill of Polk and Hernando counties, Larry Middour of Orange County and Christopher Tompkins of Hillsborough County (posthumous).

The induction event will be held Thursday, August 3 at the University of Florida (UF) Reitz Union.

Established in 2002 during the national 4-H centennial year, the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding 4-H alumni, volunteers, professionals and community leaders. Members have made significant contributions to 4-H and their community through accomplishments in the areas of citizenship, leadership, career and character.

Tompkins made a lasting impact on all who knew him. His legacy of leadership at a young age impacted the careers of many fellow 4-H youth.

Warren Brooks, executive director of career, technical and adult education for Hillsborough County Public Schools, shared, “I am not sure if there has ever been a student more decorated than Christopher Tompkins. His drive to succeed I have not witnessed in any other; however, instead of focusing on all his awards, his real impact was his ability to elevate others and encourage them to grow personally.”

Tompkins influenced Brooks’ own evolution from a shy, quiet kid into a 4-H state ofcer traveling the country, an experience

that would impact his own career. This is a common testament from those who knew Tompkins.

As a student at the University of Florida, Tompkins continued to succeed and serve. He became UF’s first Truman Scholar, and in his final year of law school served as UF Student Government president. Tompkins worked with multiple elected ofcials before opening his own law firm in Brandon. Tompkins passed away in 2005 at age 34 after a battle with leukemia. His legacy is marked by dedicated service, authentic leadership and firm belief in the importance of citizenship and community service.

Special thanks to 2023 hall of fame sponsors Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. and Friends of the Florida 4-H Foundation. Event and youth sponsorships are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-4-h-hall-of-fame-induction-registration-623709280247.

Nominations for the 2024 inductee class are accepted online at https://give.ifas.ufl. edu/4-h-giving/fl-4-h-foundation/fl4hhof/ now through January 31, 2024. For questions, contact Caylin Hilton at grow4H@ ifas.ufl.edu or 352-392-5432.

4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. 4-H provides hands-on educational experiences for youth ages 5-18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University. Learn more at https://florida4h.org/.

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

(never known to fail)

O Most beautiful fowers of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succeed me in my necessity (make request). Tere are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times).

Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you. T.O.C.M.B.

Pest Control

service@repcopest.com

NEW FAUX FLOWERS FOR RENT

Titus and Renee Pea served in the United States Air Force; Titus served for 26 years, and Renee served for 22 years. In 2021, they were asked by a friend to make all of the arrangements for her fairytale destination wedding at the Twickenham Estate in Jeferson, North Carolina. “When the guests and the bridal party walked into the reception hall, the looks on their faces were priceless,” Renee said. “As a team, my husband and I found our calling in floral design. We can design your dream flowers for any special occasion.”

The couple’s flowers are truly unique, as they are not real, they are fake — or faux. “These aren’t your grandmother’s flowers,” Renee said. “They have a natural look and touch and are eco-friendly.”

The Peas are the owners of FauxReal Flowers in Brandon. “Our flowers will never wilt and are afordable for any budget,” Renee said. “We will customize, deliver, set up and pick up your arrangements for your events.”

Renee got into flower arranging as a way of relieving anxiety. “My husband is very active in the Brandon community, and we wanted something to do togeth-

By Libby Hopkins

er,” Renee said. “We had been looking at franchising, and we found FauxReal Flowers. I met with the franchise owners for two days and decided this was a perfect fit for us.”

The FauxReal Flowers model is a low-maintenance and fun business to be in, while ofering franchisees a low investment cost for a great turnaround. The profits are high and the costs are low, which makes investing in FauxReal Flowers worth it. “FauxReal Flowers are sustainable, rent-and-return flowers, so brides or event organizers get a luxury dream look at a fraction of the price,” Renee said. “Our goal is to give our clients everything they want and more without breaking the bank. This includes beautiful bouquets, arbors, walls, stands, accents and more at competitive prices.”

If you would like to learn more about FauxReal Flowers or hire FauxReal Flowers for your next event, you can visit the Peas website at www.brandon.fauxrealflowers.com or call them at 813-5956374. You can also stop by their showroom, located at 1363 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

JROTC CADET LEADERSHIP CAMP INTRODUCES CADETS TO ADVENTURE TRAINING

From rappelling o f a 40-foot tower to ziplining from tree to tree roughly 20 feet in the air, the Junior Reserve O f cers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet Leadership Camp (JCLC) took the summer camp experience to new heights this season.

Hosted at the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation in Lake Wales from June 12 to June 15, JROTCs from schools in Pasco, Broward, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties attended the annual adventure training conducted here at no cost to the cadets. Cadets from each school were then assigned to one of the four companies — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or Delta — in an e f ort to teach them leadership skills among new friends and colleagues.

On June 12, cadets who could not swim were identified. To increase their familiarity with the water, these novice swimmers were introduced to several basic techniques in a pond on the property with lifeguards on duty. All JCLC cadets were then encouraged to complete a 10-meter swim; those who were unable to finish were given a bracelet to identify their current swimming level and had access to life preservers for all future challenges.

Beginning on June 13 and continuing through June 14, each day was divided into both a morning and afternoon session, both of which were devoted to the completion of a particular task. This ranged from rappel and water survival training to canoeing. Cadets were also encouraged to finish a Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences (COPES)

By Madeline Gardner

course; this course tethered participants in before requiring them to walk across a series of cables and brave a zipline along the way.

Running the rappel tower this year was Lennard High School’s senior army instructor, LTC (R) David Dietz, who brought along 16 of his own cadets. Monitoring their progress on this course, Dietz cited the sense of personal accomplishment the cadets experienced to be a rewarding aspect of this challenge and others.

“They’re very scared of these training events, but when they go through and they conquer it, it’s a sense of success you just can’t give in any book or on a PowerPoint,” said Dietz. “Every year — these cadets who say they can’t do something — we teach them they can do it with a little bit of grit and application of e f ort.”

Topping o f the camp experience with closing remarks, June 15 also featured an opportunity for each of the four companies to compete against one another as they prepared and performed skits. This final collaborative activity o f ered the cadets a moment to reflect on all the connections the camp had helped furnish.

“The most exciting aspect of JCLC for me is teamwork while going through all the activities,” said Cadet Isabela Stitt, a rising sophomore at Lennard. “I realized you needed to be able to get along with others to complete the tasks. The aspect of teamwork was also rewarding because teamwork helps you meet new people and make new friends.”

Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved one.

Gain this knowledge at our NEW hybrid support groups being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon.

Hybrid Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Groups

Titus and Renee Pea served in the United States Air Force; Titus served for 26 years, and Renee served for 22 years. Tey are the owners of FauxReal Flowers in Brandon. Te couple’s fowers are truly unique, as they are not real, they are fake — or faux — and you can rent them for your next event.

Cadets were responsible for participating in a series of water survival activities, including completing a 10-meter swim on their frst day.

Cadets who attended JCLC completed a series of adventure training exercises, including rappelling, canoeing, completing water survival tasks and fnishing a COPES course.

TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL ELEVATES HOME HEALTH CARE REP. VERN BUCHANAN ANNOUNCES LOCAL SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS

Tampa General Hospital’s (TGH) profound and expert quality care has been quite literally lifesaving for the past 95 years.

But what if you were told patients could be treated with the same quality from the comfort of their own home?

That’s right, the program, TGH at Home, saves people the overwhelming experience of a hospital environment while keeping them in the care of trained health care providers. Patients must first be admitted to the hospital or seen in the Emergency Department to be transferred to TGH at Home, and there are no additional costs. With an average of just three to four out of every 100 individuals from this program readmitted to the hospital, TGH at Home hurdles obstacles and reaches goals in patient care. From simply improving patients’ states of mind to saving approximately 50 lives a year from sepsis, this program is an example of a dawn of a new era for hospitals around the world. Receiving positive patient feedback, Tampa General has hopes to continue advancing the program for the greater good of the community.

Mainly treating only patients with chronic illnesses, the program combines daily in-home visits from expert doctors and nurses, virtual visits and 24/7 remote monitoring. TGH at Home’s hardworking team of staf are eager to expand the area it cov-

By Avery Ranieri

ers along with continuing to diversify its treatments.

Dr. Peter Chang, vice president of health care design and care transitions, said, “With new technology and processes, we’ve been able to take better care of a patient at home because they are surrounded by their loved ones, a familiar environment, their pets, their normal daily routines and you’re bringing the hospital to them.”

These groundbreaking technologies are found in Tampa General’s CareComm, where artificial intelligence applications store patient data, which then helps to reduce the length of patients’ stays. TGH at Home’s foundation is within this master communication hub. The innovative program works with CareComm to “battle high hospital capacities and provide quality and safety,” said Dr. Chang.

The endless benefits of this program compile into one major thing: world-class care in your own home. TGH at Home’s dedicated team of staf strives to make sure patients are comfortable and taken care of.

“Working with this program reminded me why I became a doctor,” remarked one of Dr. Chang’s colleagues.

For more information on eligibility and frequently asked questions, visit www. tgh.org/institutes-and-services/hospital-at-home.

Congressman Vern Buchanan recently announced that 13 students nominated by Buchanan have received an appointment to a U.S. service academy.

“I congratulate these outstanding young men and women for their appointments,” said Buchanan. “They should take pride in having successfully competed with so many students from across the country. It is an honor not only for them but for all who have supported them along the way. I wish them the best of luck and have every confidence that they will serve our nation with distinction.”

Each year, members of the House and Senate nominate senior high school students they represent for admission to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval academies. Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a nonpartisan Service Academy Board appointed by the congressman.

Students nominated by Buchanan from Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties received appointments. The following local students nominated by Buchanan received an academy appointment for the fall:

• Tampa Catholic High School graduate Maria Teresa Castillo Salom of Riverview received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

• Newsome High School graduate Tyler Edwards of Valrico received an appointment

to the United States Naval Academy.

• Newsome High School graduate Luke Plesko of Apollo Beach received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.

“I am highly honored to be nominated by Congressman Buchanan because he trusts me to represent and defend this country,” said Castillo Salom.

When asked about how she came to choose the Naval Academy, Castillo Salom explained, “I attended the Naval Academy and West Point summer seminars to experience life at the academies. After attending both summer seminars, I realized that the Naval Academy was the best fit for me. I fell in love with every aspect of the academy, from the discipline to the camaraderie. Being accepted into the Naval Academy is a dream come true. When I received my appointment, my family and I shed tears of joy. Upon graduating from the academy, I plan on commissioning into the Marine Corps.”

The U.S. service academies are four-year post-secondary institutions that combine educational excellence with military ofcer training. Students accepted to the academies receive a free four-year education in return for a commitment to serve five-years in the active-duty military after graduation. For more information about the appointment process, visit each service academy’s website. For info about a service academy, visit https://buchanan.house.gov/.

Congressman Vern Buchanan poses with some of this year’s appointees, including (from left to right) Luke Plesko, Aravind Rajeev, Jack Tomas, Landon Shepard, Maria Teresa Castillo Salom and Michael Rossi.

Patients wear an adhesive patch that monitors all their vitals.

From the Alafa River west to Gulf beaches and east to the lakes of Polk County, Realtors in our region are leading teams to make a difference! Contact the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors or your favorite local agent for more information.

I give free ad space to groups or events that improve our community. Call me with your ideas!

For sale (coming to the market soon) east of FishHawk near Alderman’s Ford!

It s a brand-new pool & spa home of nearly 4,000 SF in exclusive Alafia Ridge Estates, a still-developing neighborhood zoned to welcome your horses right along with you. The custom builder is delivering 5 beds, 4.5 baths, a 3 garage, & a 2-story design with soaring ceilings from 10 to 16 ft. Quality finishes range from quartz counters & soft wood cabinets to 8-foot doors, 8 baseboard & wood-look tile floors. Gas heat for the pool & tankless water heater, high-end appliances, butler’s pantry & other amenities are part of the package, too, while the pool includes sun shelf, fire pit & more. $1,290,000

Ann Marie

For sale in Riverglen, this 4/3/2 pool home stands out before you even get inside because of its new roof & fenced back yard with a variety of spaces for Florida living! The pool is surrounded by a stamped concrete deck with both open & roofed areas for all-weather enjoyment, including a 400-SF screened lanai & a wood-walled retreat of 100 SF accessible by sliders from both of the main living rooms. The lanai is set up with a hot tub featuring stacked facade; the privacy-fenced yard is gated on each side; & a big storage shed can handle all your equipment (plus more) for maintaining the landscaped 1/4 acre. No carpet in this 2,050 SF, only tile & wood laminate floors. $475,000

Over $20 million in sales in 2022

RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Top 1% among all agents across Tampa Bay

Certified Luxury Home Specialist Newsome High, Riverview High parent

“I live here. I love it here. And I sell here like no one else!”

Email: annmarievaughan @verizon.net

Web: annmarievaughan. realtor

Under contract with a closing date this month!

In a gated enclave of FishHawk, this 5,000 home was custom by Hannah Bartoletta for the original owners offering it for sale. On a cul-de-sac half-acre, it features an impressive pool & spa overlooking conservation woods & water $1,400,000

Under contract with a closing date this month!

In Boyette Springs, this SF home has 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, a 1/4 acre yard & a fenced pool lanai. A 2017 roof & 2020 AC are among the many improvements. Bonus: no HOA or CDD fees in this community west of FishHawk. $525,000

Under contract with a closing date this month!

In FishHawk s Garden District, this 2-story home with separate living quarters above a detached rear garage provides a total of 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, & 2,550 SF. The fenced yard & the front porch are part of the classic appeal. $523,500

Sold the day this ad hit the printer! I closed my first 6 months of 2023 sales with this listing for loyal clients in Temple Terrace. Updated from roof to floors, inside & out, it’s a 4/3 with over 2,600 SF plus a 2side-entry garage on a privacy-fenced, double gated 1/3 acre. $590,000

to my buyer clients 6 months after it hit the market! This Rivercrest villa took a long time to close for a few reasons, but the listing agent & I worked to get it done for a buyer family trying move an elder parent closer to a daughter already on the same street in a home I sold her earlier. $315,000

Sold in 4 days, closed in 3 weeks! This 2-bed, 2.5-bath townhome in Riverview’s Valhalla delivers a woodsy pond view, not a rear neighbor, beyond a screened lanai with storage closet. It s on a cul-dewith plenty of parking near the back entry gate, community pool & mailboxes. $272,000

Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More Opens

Big Frog Custom

T-shirts & More of Brandon provides creative individual designs and unique selling points. The shop features direct-to-garment printing, screen printing, vinyl printing and direct-to-film printing on a wide variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, ball caps, tote bags and more, all with a fast turnaround, often within 24 hours. Embroidery services are also available. Customers receive free in-person design help, and there are no minimum quantities or setup fees. The grand opening is set for Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be free T-shirts for the first 100 people and food, fun and drinks for all. Big Frog of Brandon is located at 935 E. Brandon Blvd. For more information, visit its website at www.bigfrog.com/ brandon/, call 813-6842873 or email brandon@ bigfrog.com.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is a full-service design, installation and maintenance outdoor lighting company. It knows that outdoor and landscape lighting is one of the most efective ways of adding beauty and value to your home. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is America’s most trusted residential outdoor lighting specialists, and it

provides the perfect placement of lighting fixtures to transform your home. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is located at 330 Pauls Dr., Ste. 113 in Brandon, additional information can be found on its website at www.outdoorlights.com/ brandon/ or by calling 813-755-4344.

Te Artzy Mermaid

The Artzy Mermaid is uniquely both a coastal art boutique and a paint-and-sipstyle venue where various types of fun painting and art classes are ofered. Classes are available for both children and adults in a wide variety of disciplines, including art made with seashells, crushed glass, resin and beads. Private parties can also be arranged and are ideal for birthdays, bridal showers and corporate events, so stop by and unleash your creativity. The Artzy Mermaid also showcases local Florida artists’ work, which is for sale in the boutique.

For more information, visit its website at

https://theartzymermaid.com/ or call 813-649-0366.

Ruskin Seafood Company Opens

The Ruskin Seafood Company is owned and operated by longtime friends Chris Marrero and Ryan Garis, who are very excited to be opening the store in their hometown.

Ruskin Seafood Company will ofer a wide selection of fresh and frozen fish and shellfish, including grouper, snapper, yellowtail and even gator meat; fish dips; soups; ceviche; and key lime pie. The store is located at 701 U.S. Hwy. 41 S., Ste. D in Ruskin. For more information, call 813-6497900.

Vine Vegan Celebrates Opening

With A Ribbon-cutting

Vine Vegan of Brandon celebrated the opening of its plant-based eatery with a multichamber ribbon-cutting hosting the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce, Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Hearts & Heels. Owner Danielle Stevens opened Vine Vegan six months ago in the location that was previously Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium. Providing dishes that reflect a multicultural influence and feature many of the veggies, spices and techniques that we all enjoy, she promises you will love your dining experience! Stevens’ goal is to “blow the minds of carnivores all over Brandon,” and she guarantees even the most critical skeptic that they will not miss their meat-based meals. Visit Vine Vegan at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon on Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. You can read more about Vine Vegan’s story or view its menu at https://vinevegan.com/.

Paul & Tammy Holmberg, owners of Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village, located at 11325 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, celebrated 25 years in business with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce.

EYE ON BUSINESS.....CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

By Jenny Bennett

BRANDON SENIOR SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL FLOURISHES AND CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The Brandon Senior Softball Association is celebrating its 20th year of providing the opportunity for senior softball players (men ages 60 and up and women ages 55 and up) to play the kids’ game we love.

New Christian Academy Opening

Tyndale Christian Academy is a new classical Christian academy that will be opening with a kindergarten class this fall at the First Baptist Church of Dover, located at 3223 Gallagher Rd. in Dover. The vision of the school is to add one grade level each year. As a ministry of First Baptist Church of Dover, the goal is to train virtuous leaders with Christ at the center of all subjects and curriculum. Through high academic expectations and a Biblical foundation, Tyndale’s desire is to help students develop to their fullest potential.

Visit its website for additional information at https://tyndalechristianacademy. com/.

Celebrate

Christ -

mas In

July At

Satin &

Lace Bridal Boutique

Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique is running a Christmas in July sale, culminating with the National Bridal Summer event. Select dresses and accessories are up to 50 percent of and wedding gown preservation will be ofered at 10 percent of. The eighth annual National Bridal Summer Event will run from Saturday, July 15 to Sunday, July 23 at independent, locally owned bridal retailers. Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique is located at 11286 Sullivan St. in Riverview in the Winthrop Plaza. For additional information or to book an appointment, visit its website at https://satinandlacebridalboutique. com/, email manager@satinandlacebridalboutique.com or call 813-928-0504.

Hope For Her Celebrates Supporting Women In Our Community

Hope for Her hosted a ribbon-cutting with the Valrico FishHawk Chamber Com-

merce, celebrating over 16 years supporting women in our community. As a nonprofit founded by women who have endured serious life challenges, Hope for Her is a safe place where women experiencing crisis and trauma find the strength, skills and support they need to rebuild their best lives. Women who need help can call 813-309-3357 or visit its location behind Bay Life Church at 140 Yarbrough Rd. in Brandon. It is open for services from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. You can find out more about Hope for Her, what it ofers and how you can support its program by visiting www. hopeforherfl.org.

Small-pet Boarder Opens In Valrico

With the support of the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department, games are played on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. yearround at the county’s well-maintained regulation fields at the William Owen Pass Sports Complex, located at 1300 Sydney Dover Rd. in Dover. Over 100 players throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties, and even some from up north, gather for batting practice and games in the present eight-team league with competitive balance in a recreational league concept. Batting practice and pickup games are available on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Phil Grassmuck, president of the association, said, “The purpose of the league is to provide for its members so that they may enjoy good fellowship, enhance their well-being through physical exercise, promote 60-plus softball (55 for females) and enjoy playing slow-pitch softball. This league is for fun and recreation.”

By Taylor Wells

a family of comrades, providing encouragement for retirees to stay active and young in spirit; it’s a little league for old guys with a touch of competitiveness. Nothing beats post-game lunching and domino playing with tall tales of game replays. It is not unusual when a player becomes ill or injured and has no family nearby for another player to take him in until recovery. The league supports various charitable projects, on occasion makes contributions honoring deceased members and responds en masse for memorial services.

“My favorite part of the league is comradery,” Grassmuck added, “and the fun of the guys playing ball.”

The 20th anniversary party will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, October 24 and 26 at the field, with current and former players, presidents and board members, as well as guests, honoring the league founders and renewing friendships from over the years with lunch and reminiscing after a week of softball skills, homerun derby and all-star games. Current and past league members will also get special shirts.

Valrico’s newest dog lodging facility, Adorable Ankle Biters Bed & Biscuit, is now open and operated by Dena Craig, veteran groomer and owner of Adorable Pets by Dena. Wanting to provide a safe and comfortable place for her small-pet clients to feel comfortable leaving their fur babies while they are away, Craig opened Adorable Ankle Biters Bed & Biscuit for small pets only and provides a warm, inviting feel of a Southern bed and breakfast with private bedroom areas and an indoor park that feels outdoorsy. Services ofered include tuck-in and cuddle time, doggy massages, Jacuzzi baths, breakfast in bed and ice cream treats. There is also a fulltime paw-activities director to organize fun playtimes for your pups. Located at 3220 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Ste. 103 in Valrico, it is open from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.7 p.m., and on weekends by appointment. For more information, call 813-324-9400, email adorableanklebiters@gmail.com or visit https://adorableanklebiters.com/. until July 31st

From the grand celebration and opening games on August 27, 2003, the league has developed into a caring community,

If you are a player and need a league, friends, fun and exercise, or if you would like more information, visit www.brandonseniorsoftball.com.

Brandon Senior Softball Association members ready to start batting practice.

A photo of Brandon Senior Softball Association members from the early days of the league.

THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA NAMES NEW CEO

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) has named Ignacio Barrón Viela as its new president and CEO, the orchestra announced. He brings global experience to lead the state’s largest professional orchestra in a new era of growth in Tampa Bay, joining TFO in August.

Born in Zaragoza, Spain, Barrón Viela is a classically trained cellist who has spent more than a decade performing in orchestras and managing music projects worldwide. He comes to TFO from the Reno Philharmonic in Nevada, where, as president and CEO, he helped expand its artistic oferings with a wide variety of events and concerts, including a semi-staged opera. Post-pandemic audiences consistently grew, sometimes exceeding pre-pandemic levels. During his tenure, the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Before that, he was the executive director of the Billings Symphony in Montana, where he created key partnerships with local and national associations, cultivated donor relationships with record-setting donations and doubled the symphony’s net worth and endowment. Barrón Viela succeeds Mark Cantrell, who departed in April to be CEO of the Colorado Symphony.

“It will be an honor to lead Florida’s premier orchestra,” Barrón Viela said. “I am impressed by the orchestra’s stellar reputation and innovative programming, and I am inspired by TFO’s commitment to serving the needs of this growing community with such passion. I look forward to working closely with Michael Francis, the remarkable Florida

YOU MATTER TO ME PROVIDES RELIEF FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES ACROSS THE AREA

Staf Report

Orchestra musicians, a great board and an energetic staf.”

“I am delighted Ignacio Barrón Viela will join us as president and CEO of TFO,” said music director Michael Francis. “From our first meeting, it was clear that Ignacio has a genuine passion for music, a strategic mindset and a charismatic ability to communicate deeply about our wonderful art form. With his fascinating background as a musician, engineer, senior management consultant and successful orchestra CEO, Ignacio will bring a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic approach to leading The Florida Orchestra.”

Barrón Viela holds a Master of Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business, with an emphasis in arts leadership through the USC Thornton School of Music. In 2020, he was nominated as one of the ‘40 Under 40’ most successful leaders in Montana, and in 2022 he was recognized with the Community Builder Award by the Downtown Billings Association.

Barrón Viela and his wife, Brianna, enjoy exploring the great outdoors, running road races and learning from and engaging with people from all walks of life. They will make the move to Tampa Bay over the summer.

As the largest professional orchestra in the state with 71 full-time professional musicians and conductors, TFO performs more than 100 concerts a season and provides free music education and outreach programs to underserved areas throughout Tampa Bay all year long. Visit https://floridaorchestra.org/.

“Your passion develops over time, but your curiosity is what leads you down a particular path,” said Barbara Howard, founder of You Matter to Me.

Curiosity is what drove Howard to learn more about the struggles migrant families face as they move throughout the year. This led Howard to create the organization You Matter to Me in the spring of 2022, focusing on supporting migrant students and their families who have come to the area for agricultural work. Howard said that a big reason she created You Matter to Me was to educate people on the migrant farming lifestyle.

“I saw a huge need in the migrant community, … but on the same side of the coin, it was to educate,” Howard said.

Two-hundred and sixteen volunteers participated in a variety of projects this year, including creating goody bags for Valentine’s Day, snack bags for spring break and transporting furniture to homes. Volunteer Sally Wanner recalled how excited migrant students were to receive the goods made for them.

“It’s very fun for me to see how excited they are to have these things,” said Wanner. Wanner has helped bring furniture and other goods to migrant families throughout the area, providing a sense of normalcy for

By Ava Benedict

them as they move from place to place with limited help. Maurena Rotering, another You Matter to Me volunteer, has participated in countless projects since its creation. She has sewn curtains, put together baskets and goody bags and donated clothing to support families in need.

Volunteers are always needed, and one of the best projects for those who want to help are welcome bags, which contain necessities for moving migrant families. Toothbrushes, hair products and toilet paper are just some of the goods distributed through these bags. These bags make a huge impact on the lives of migrant families.

But it is not just those receiving help who have benefitted from the organization’s work. Ana Dans and her family donated toys and clothes to migrant students through the program, an experience that allowed Dans’ children to learn more about the challenges migrant families face. Both Wanner and Rotering agree that volunteering has improved their lives and provided them with an outlet to give back to those in need.

For more information on You Matter to Me and how to get involved, visit its Facebook page at You Matter to Me - Lithia, FL.

Ana Dans and her family provided books and toys for migrant students in need.

LOCAL TEEN JASMIN CONTINUES RECOVERY AFTER TRAGIC CRASH IN MEXICO CLAIMS PARENTS

Almost a year after she became the sole survivor of a fatal car crash in Mexico last summer, Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia is proving to be the fighter her family already knew she was.

The 13-year-old sufered traumatic brain injuries in a head-on collision during their annual trip to Mexico that hospitalized her for four months.

Now, with the support of her four older brothers, including Cruz Cervantes, Jasmin has improved immensely.

“We’ve been fighting, going to therapies, doing everything we can as far as making Jasmin’s life a little easier and letting her know she’s not alone, despite losing her parents and grandparents,” said Cruz.

Jasmin has always been an active and sociable person. She loved dancing, playing volleyball and spending time with her family. Following the accident, Cruz quit his job as a crane operator in order to devote his time to caring for his little sister.

Since the accident, Jasmin has been homeschooled, and her brother is hoping she will return to school soon. While she may not be able to play volleyball yet, she has found a new passion for food and eating out.

FAITH AND DANCE COME TOGETHER AT DANCE QUEST INTERNATIONAL

By Kelly Wise Valdes

By Lily Belcher

“The funds that we have raised help towards any medications and any extra little equipment and even her wanting to go out to eat because she’s a big foodie now,” said Cruz. “… Now she’s starting to want to be social and go out and not be in bed all day or in the house alone.”

Cruz said he saw a change in Jasmin around the holidays because she was able to be around her extended family and lots of activity. Jasmin has also improved enough to better communicate when she wants to go out now thanks to the help of speech and physical therapy.

A GoFundMe page is still actively collecting donations to support Jasmin’s therapies and to help her brother while he stays home with Jasmin.

“From my family, myself and Jasmin, we just want to say thank you to everyone who has had Jasmin in their prayers and have thought about her and anybody and everybody who has helped in any way, shape or form,” said Cruz.

To help Jasmin and her family, members of the community can donate to their GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/bring-jasmin-home-and-medical-expenses.

Dance Quest International, located in Brandon, brings its vision to be an internally minded performing-arts ministry that breeds new vision and new faith. With more than 300 students enrolled in the studio last season, the ministry is looking forward to things to come.

Dance Quest was originally born in 1995 through the teaching of dance in schools in the Central Florida region, however, the original Brandon studio opened in 2011, and was moved into a larger space in 2014. The Brandon Dance Quest location includes three spacious studio rooms including one 900 square foot studio, one 850 square foot studio, and one 500 square foot studio.

This summer Dance Quest is ofering many dance options for all ages and skill levels. There are currently more than 100 students enrolled in the summer program. The Art From The Heart Dance Camp is being ofered for ages 9-12 beginning Monday July 17- Thursday July 20, from 2-4 p.m. Students will be learning dance and enjoy the art of worship and having a heart of worship.

The second summer dance class is Identity- 4 Day Worship Experience being held Monday July 10- Thursday July 13 from 2-4 p.m. for ages 13 and up. This class allows students to explore and find identity in Christ through the art of worship.

According to marketing assistant Syd-

ney Wingate, faith plays a major role in the studio. “We strive to point all of our attention to Jesus in the dance studio, said Wingate. “We incorporate this by praying with and over our students in every class, many of our teachers include times of worship in class on occasion, and we demonstrate the love that Christ has for us by loving our students and reminding them how greatly Jesus loved them also.”

Dance Quest also ofers school programs for preschool and elementary school aged dancers in more than 10 schools in the Brandon and Jacksonville areas.

According to Wingate, Dance Quest stands out from the crowd. “We keep our focus on Christ and our atmosphere, teachers, dancers, and choreography all reflect that focus,” said Wingate. “Our Quest is to create a family that encompasses unity and community. Our dancers will be encouraged to grow spiritually from the inside out, while still equipping their God-given artistic performance, and technical abilities.”

Registration for the 2023-2024 season will take place soon and can be found on the Dance Quest website at www.dancequestintl.com. Dance Quest is located at 853 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon. For more information call 813842-1687.

FINANCIAL FOCUS

HELP GET YOUR TEEN STARTED WITH A ROTH IRA

To be successful in most endeavors, it’s important to develop good habits — and that’s certainly the case for investors. And the earlier one develops these habits, the better. So, if you have teenagers who may be starting to work at part-time jobs, now may be a great time to introduce them to investing — and one place to begin might be a Roth IRA.

“We pride ourselves in developing a personal, caring partnership dedicated to tailoring our services to meet the individual needs of our neighbors and their families”

-Dr Minick and Dr Pruitt

As you may know, a Roth IRA is a popular retirement savings vehicle — its earnings can grow federally tax-free, provided withdrawals aren’t taken until the investor is at least 59½ and has had the account fve or more years. But because a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, contributions can be withdrawn at any time, penalty-free, to pay for any expenses — including college. Roth IRA earnings can also be used to help pay for college, although these withdrawals will be taxable. However, if a child is the account owner, a lower tax bracket will likely apply.

In 2023, up to $6,500 per year can go into your teenager’s Roth IRA, as long as the amount contributed doesn’t exceed the amount of their taxable compensation for the year. And your child doesn’t have to put all the money in — you and the child’s grandparents can also contribute. In fact, you might want to “match” your child’s contributions up to the limit to provide an incentive for them to continue investing in the Roth IRA. Not only will your matching contribution help build the Roth IRA’s assets but it can also instill in your child’s mind the beneft of earning a match – which can prove valuable later on, when your child is in the workforce full time and has a chance to receive an employer’s matching contributions in a 401(k) or similar plan.

Your child may well fnd a job at a local restaurant or shop, as these businesses have experienced a shortage of workers the past couple of years. But if you have a family business, you can employ your teen to provide income that can go into a Roth IRA. Furthermore, if the business is one parent’s sole proprietorship, or it’s a partnership in which each partner is the parent, the payments for a child younger than 18 are not subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. As an employee, your child must perform reasonable tasks necessary for the business and be paid reasonable wages — that is, wages comparable to what you’d pay a regular employee for the same work.

But wherever your child’s wages come from, using some of them to help fund a Roth IRA can be a good move. For one thing, it gives you a chance to explain the value of putting time on your side when you invest — simply put, the more years you invest, the greater your chances of accumulating the resources you need to meet your goals. And by helping your teen open a Roth IRA, which holds stocks, mutual funds or virtually any other type of security, you can discuss the diferent risk/ reward characteristics of various types of investments — the kind of basic knowledge that all investors should have.

Once your teen’s frst paychecks start coming in, consider bringing up the idea of opening a Roth IRA — you may well be opening the door to a lifetime of consistent and informed investing.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

edwardjones.com/adam-benabram

Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia’s brothers have helped her on her road to recovery.

Jasmin Cervantes-Garcia has continued to improve since surviving a head on collision in Mexico last summer.

Tis summer Dance Quest International is ofering many dance options for all ages and skill levels.

TAMPA TO CUBA WITHOUT A PASSPORT

Where do Germany, Cuba, Italy and Israel intersect? Ybor City, to be exact, which explores the rich and international history of Tampa and its Cuban roots. While there are many public parking garages available in Ybor City, why not park near The Florida Aquarium and enjoy the free and breezy 10-minute streetcar ride north to the end of the line at Ybor Centennial Park on 8th Avenue? The city-protected roosters, chickens and chicks welcome your arrival.

Once you arrive, walk one block north to the Ybor City Museum State Park, the original site of the Francisco Ferlita Bakery, which at the height of its production was baking 35,000 loaves of Cuban bread weekly in its large, handlaid brick oven. Today, the bakery is a charming museum highlighting the internationally colorful history of Tampa and Ybor City.

While touring the state-run museum, with a small $4-per-person entry fee, you will learn about the history of Ybor City and its founding in 1886 by Vicente Martinez-Ybor, who left his native Spain for Cuba when he was just 14 years old. Suc-

By Jef Hoening

cessful in the tobacco trade, he chose Tampa as the site for his new industrial city, based in cigar making. Immigrants from Germany, Italy and even Israel arrived in the 1800s and worked in cigar-making-supported businesses, such as textiles and cigar box design. You will also learn the international influence on the Cuban sandwich, which has ingredients representative of Tampa’s multinational immigrants (Cuban roast pork, German pickles and mustard and Italian salami).

Many of the original cigar factories are still in Ybor City and have been repurposed over the years. Explore the eclectic shops, restaurants and even breweries along 8th Avenue as you stroll to nearby Jose Marti Park on the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street. Named for Jose Marti, a poet and a writer who was instrumental in the success of the Cuban War of Independence from Spain, you enter through the gates and quite literally walk on Cuban soil. Your streetcar picks you up at the Centro Ybor station for a quick ride back to your car, with a new appreciation and fondness for your city.

July is starting out with a bang. The water is getting very hot, but the bite in nearshore, o f shore and inshore is on fire. There are so many species in so many locations to target. Inshore bites are finding good numbers of mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel and trout in the bay. Trout are in the deeper flats, around 6-8 feet. Target the grass edges adjacent to the sand patches. Larger trout like to ambush their prey as the bait flees over the sandy patch; easier pickings for them, as they don’t have to chase them back into the grass. Artificial baits work very well in these grassy areas and are beneficial to the survival rate of release. Snapper will hold in the flats, as well as in deeper rock piles. Use lots of chum or cut up threadfins and light leader with #1 hook to gather these sweet-tasting fish. Remember, it’s five per person and 10” minimum. Try to keep them a little larger though. Let these guys mature a little since 10” fish don’t really yield enough fillet to make a taco at that size.

Spanish mackerel will readily come to a chum block hanging of the side an anchored boat. Use 30-40# fluorocarbon leader with a long shank 1/0 hook along with live greenies or threads for the best results.

Scallop season is in full e f ect in Homosassa. It’s like an adult Easter egg hunt. Snorkel down to about 4-7 feet of water and you will see them. Once you get your target image, you will find many more. There are several guides in that region, but if you want to come with me, contact me at Fish This Inshore Charters at 813-459-2521 or email fishthischarters@gmail.com. Many great memories are made with adult groups and family groups.

The o f shore bites are going great and will improve through the summer. Great weather, big fish and lots of fun. Contact Billy Nobles for your o f shore adventure at 813-299-5563.

Get out this summer and enjoy what makes the area of Florida the ideal vacation destination.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS:

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Te Ybor City State Museum is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Each province of Cuba is represented in Jose Marti Park with dirt from that province.

Stay Healthy This Summer

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

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Ten treatment areas, including seven exam rooms and three rapid medical exam spaces

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NEWSOME FOOTBALL PLAYER COMMITS TO NAVAL ACADEMY

Once again, there will be a Newsome High School alumnus on the roster for the United States Naval Academy as Tyler Edwards, class of 2023, has committed to play tight end for the midshipmen in Annapolis, Maryland. His longtime dream fulfilled, Edwards is excited to get to work for the Navy and head coach Brian Newberry. On June 29, Edwards was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2027, which kicks of six weeks of basic training.

After years of hard work and dedication, Edwards has achieved his goal of playing Division I football, but he certainly did not do so alone. Edwards is quick to credit his support system with playing an active role in getting him to where he wanted to be.

From coach Joe to coach Sedrick to his teammates, he makes it clear that he could not have done this alone. However, his biggest motivators and supporters are his parents, who he said instilled skills in him that will help him find success at the academy and cheered him on the entire way.

“My biggest supporters are my parents; they’ve taught me everything I know, and I can only wish to be as great as them someday. This whole process of getting to this point has been a huge honor, and without my parents by my side, it would never have

By Jonathan Hurst

been possible. I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done, and continue to do, for me,” Edwards said. While Edwards is excited to get into training camp and integrate himself into the ofense at Navy, playing for a U.S. service academy, and ultimately serving in the military, was not always part of his game plan, which was simply get to the Division I level however he could. The Naval Academy came into the picture when a coach went to Newsome to speak with a few of the players, and Edwards had realized this as a legitimate path.

“My family has a history of serving in the military, and I have always had the utmost respect for those who chose to serve, so when I thought the Naval Academy might be an actual option, it immediately became a front-runner when I was making my commitment decision.”

The hard work is not done yet, as being a student at the Naval Academy is a huge commitment in itself, but to balance that with the responsibilities of playing on the football team is no easy task. Edwards is ready for it though, and he is looking forward to the grind and the challenges that come along with it.

TAMPA BAY RODEO & FAMILY FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY BARTOW FORD, GALLOPS INTO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

The best entertainment in Western sports gallops into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds when the Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, arrives on Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15. The two-day extravaganza chockfull of bull riding, bronco busting and barrel racing brings cowboys and cowgirls throughout the South to test their skills against some of the best bucking horses and bulls in all of rodeo. Tickets are on sale today for this electrifying event.

Seven-time International Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year Matt McGee from the award-winning T-T Rodeo Company, based out of Waycross, Georgia, will present lively and hilarious entertainment between competitions that will have fans stompin’, hootin’ and hollerin’ with excitement. Highlighting the bull riding competition, select competitors will attempt to ride Georgia Smoke Shop, a legendary undefeated bull.

Fans can arrive early for the Family Festival featuring good grub, spirited games, live music and entertaining activities that will thrill the entire family, from the littlest cowpokes to the most seasoned cowhands. Roaring into the Family Festival for the first time, a monster truck will show of its oversized maneuverability in

demos. Rodeo royalty will be in the house as fans can meet and take pictures with Justin Thigpen, 22time world champion cowboy with more than $1 million in career rodeo winnings. An expanded, tented eating area will allow fans to eat and enjoy the live music featured on the Bartow Beer Barn entertainment stage protected from the sun or rain. In addition to a monster truck, live music and meet and greets, guests can test their skills on the mechanical bull, ride ponies, speed down the giant slide or play oversized lawn games. Yummy vittles at the Family Festival include corn dogs, barbecue, tacos, funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza, hot-pressed Cuban sandwiches and more. There’s something for everyone at this summer spectacular.

The Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, is a community event featuring local vendors and area sponsors, including:

• Bartow Ford. • Acme Barricades.

• Bass Pro Shops. • Boot Barn.

• Hooters. • Duke’s Brewhouse.

• John Deere. • KC Coastal.

• US 103.5. • Tampa Bay Times

• Russell’s Work & Western Wear. For more information and tickets, please visit https://hillsboroughcountyfair.com/tickets.

United States Naval Academy commit and Newsome High School alumnus Tyler Edwards after a reception.

Te Tampa Bay Rodeo & Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, features bull riding, bronco busting and barrel racing, along with live music, meet and greets, family games, food and local vendors.

Acne

What causes acne and what can be done to treat it?

Like most common medical problems, acne is surrounded by its share of myths.

Although acne can be aggravated by poor personal hygiene or by eating too many sweets, acne is a hormonal problem.

It develops when the sebaceous follicles — which are concentrated mostly in the skin of the face, neck and shoulders — begin producing too much oil. This excessive oil production is brought on when the levels of certain hormones in the blood increase.

These changes also trigger the sexual development that takes place during adolescence.

Oil is not the only culprit

At the same time, there is over¬production of the skin cells that line the follicle. These excess skin cells, along with the excess oil, form a sort of paste which clots the follicle and forms a pimple.

Whiteheads are formed when the follicle opening is tight; blackheads form when the opening is large enough for oil and cells to push up to the surface.

Blackheads are dark in color not be-

By Dr. Robert Norman

cause of dirt but rather because they are made up of pigment producing cells.

Doctors classify acne as either noninflammatory or inflammatory. Noninflammatory acne, characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and perhaps an occasional red lesion – may be cleared up with over-the-counter remedies. Sulfur, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are good for drying the skin.

However, these chemicals can irritate the skin, so it takes a bit of trial-and-error to find the right product.

An exfoliant can also be helpful.

These drugs work by opening the follicles so that the excess oil can flow out.

For severe cases, such as inflammatory acne, you should seek our care.

There are several prescription medications that are highly efective in clearing up severe cases of acne, and we can give you information about them.

I want to stress that teenagers should not be blamed for having acne.

Acne is a biological condition that is not caused just by bad hygiene or improper diet. If you mislead your child to believe these myths, you may create an unhealthy situation of self-blame, while wasting time that you could spend treating the problem.

Brian Dunkley of Riverview is the owner of Dunkley Auto Detailing. You could say auto detailing is in Dunkley’s blood. “When I was a little kid, I would walk around our neighborhood with my Radio Flyer wagon and a bucket and wash neighbors’ cars,” Dunkley said. “As I got a little older and was able to drive, I started detailing my own car and my family’s cars.”

Dunkley Auto Detailing is proud to provide the highest-quality auto detailing in Tampa Bay with the convenience of coming to you at your home or work. Your time is valuable, and driving to a facility and waiting for paint cleaner to dry is boring. “We come to you so you can skip all of that hassle,” Dunkley said. “We service the Brandon community as well as Hillsborough County.”

Dunkley’s clients love the simplicity of his mobile service. “No more driving to a detail shop and waiting for hours for your vehicle to be serviced or having to arrange a buddy to pick you up and drop you of,” Dunkley said. “We’ll help you select the auto detail package that is right

By Libby Hopkins

for you.”

If you ask Dunkley what makes his business diferent from other mobile auto detailing businesses in the area, he will tell you it’s the quality. “There are a lot of great detailing businesses in the area, but what makes us diferent is our quality of work,” Dunkley said. “The look on my customers’ faces when they see their car after it’s been detailed is the best part of my job.”

Dunkley Auto Detailing ofers three different auto detailing packages, so there is a package that will fit your budget.

Dunkley is also believes in keeping thing local. “As a local small business, keeping things local is extremely important to me,” Dunkley said. “I buy all of my detailing supplies from local business. We need to support each other so we can help our businesses can grow and grow our community.”

If you’d like to learn more about Dunkley Auto Detailing and the services he offers, you can visit his website at https:// dunkleydetailing.com/ or call 304-7193464.

Dr. Robert Norman is an award-winning dermatologist with ofces in Tampa at 8002 Gunn Hwy. and in Riverview at 10422 U.S. Hwy. 301 S.

UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE: NOT YOUR MOTHER’S

CONSIGNMENT STORE

Uptown Cheapskate, a local clothing store, is the latest in upscale resale to join the consignment community in Brandon and the surrounding Southeastern Hillsborough County area. Located at 11229 Causeway Blvd., neighboring JOANN and Nordstrom Rack, this exciting new store is stocked with trendy clothing and accessories for men, women and teens. The grand opening on June 15 gave customers in attendance first dibs on bringing home items with familiar high-end brand names, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Kate Spade. Not only was the guarantee of obtaining these products at thrift store prices extremely high, and well received, but one of the first 40 customers in line was lucky enough to win a $25 gift card to Crumbl Cookies. This afordable ‘treasure-hunting’-style of shopping is fun and endless. Because locals are able to swap clothes for cash on the spot, the store is restocked each week.

Uptown Cheapskate’s minimalistic design generates a sense of welcomeness for customers or passersby. Upon entry, it is hard to ignore the eye-catching storefront and pops of color. The interior is modish and organized and is a value location for trendsetters and those looking to shop

By Avery Ranieri

their favorite brands.

Owner Amber Watt oversees this ‘dawn of a new era’ in consignment, in which her employees, mostly local students, are hard at work.

“This job is just plain fun,” said Watt. She wholeheartedly believes in bringing good fashion resale options to the area. The amiable and dedicated team of staf works to upcycle clothing items for the greater good of the community.

Uptown Cheapskate’s general manager, Kylie Duncan, explained, “We’re excited to bring sustainability to Brandon.” Upcycling clothing introduces ‘zero-waste lifestyles.’ In today’s society, fast fashion has a negative impact on the environment, and consignment’s positive efects and healthy cash flow are needed more than ever.

Alongside Uptown Cheapskate, the Brandon area is also home to multiple other consignment stores with inexpensive prices and good deals. After visiting Uptown Cheapskate, make sure to stop by Plato’s Closet, Style Encore, Julie’s WalkIn Closet or Agape Chic, all vital members of the local consignment retail ring. For more information on Uptown Cheapskate, visit www.uptowncheapskate.com/location/brandon/.

All-inclusive display of fashionable clothing for sale at Uptown Cheapskate.

FIRST BEALLS FLORIDA STORE CONCEPT OPENS IN BLOOMINGDALE SQUARE

The Bealls at Bloomingdale Square celebrated its grand reopening as the flagship Bealls Florida store at 925 E. Bloomingdale Ave. with a weekend celebration. Company President and Tampa native Tianne Doyle and company CEO and fourth-generation namesake Matt Beall joined the local store team to ring bells and cut the ribbon just before the doors opened to more than 250 shoppers. The first 100 shoppers each morning of the grand opening weekend received free gift cards to the store.

Bealls Inc. announced in March that it was rebranding its 68 Bealls stores to Bealls Florida to align with the chain’s unique Florida “Live Life Local” motto. The company’s 570 Burkes Outlet and Bealls Outlet stores in 23 states are being renamed bealls (stylized with a lowercase b). In total, 250 Florida stores will be rebranded before the end of 2023.

Store manager Shayla Gainer, who is excited to be opening the new concept to the community, said, “The store is so customer-friendly and efcient because everything is at the customer lever and better for our guests. The store is bright and seems so much bigger with the new renovations.”

Customers will recognize longtime team member and key holder Rosalina Coughlin, who can be found throughout the store and has worked for the company for 24 years. “The customers are loving the luxury of the new store,” she said.

By Marie Gilmore

Beall was on hand for the ribbon cutting and said, “This is an incredible community and has supported our business for 37 years, and this store is our biggest real estate transformation in the company,” said Beall.

The reinvented Brandon Bealls Florida store features expanded home and beauty assortments, enhanced apparel oferings for the whole family, a completely new store design and self-check-out. The Brandon location opened in 1986.

“We have incredibly loyal customers here in Brandon who will be blown away when they see the new look and our expanded offerings,” said group manager Amanda Sharrer. “We wanted to continue delivering the best year-round life-in-the-sun assortment while adding a bit more of a mass-merchant feel where our guests can also get great beauty products, kitchen gadgets, bedding, bath and home decor and updated looks for young moms and kids.”

Sharrer added that the shopping environment is brighter and easier to navigate with curated collections.

Bealls Inc. is now represented in 23 states with bealls, Bealls Florida, Home Centric and Rugged Earth Outfitters stores. Headquartered in Bradenton since 1915, Bealls Inc. is a privately held company that has been owned and operated by the founding family for over 100 years. To learn more about Bealls Inc, please visit www.beallsinc.com.

Te newly renovated and rebranded Bealls Florida store is now open in Bloomingdale Square.

HILLSBOROUGH NAMED A NATIONAL FINALIST FOR EXCELLENCE IN PARK AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT

For the second year in a row, Hillsborough County has been honored as one of the top parks and rec programs in the country.

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation is one of four national finalists in the Class 1 category for the 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration announced. Class 1 includes the nation’s largest parks and recreation departments, serving populations of more than 400,000.

Only one department will receive the highest award, the Grand Plaque, in September. Each finalist sends the judges a short video highlighting their department.

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation manages 167 parks, 223 sports fields, 118 playgrounds, 54 recreation centers, 47 athletic complexes, 10 dog parks, six cemeteries and five splash pads. These parks provide an economic impact of nearly $50 million in increased property values.

To provide equitable access to all parks, Parks & Recreation established a $9 million Athletic Turf Initiative to ensure high-quality playing conditions for 40,000 youth athletes and a $3.5 million Americans with Disabilities Transition Plan that assists in removing physical barriers.

Parks & Recreation is always searching for creative ways to increase park capacity in an ever-growing urban environment. As a result, Lucy Dell Community Pond, once an overgrown, littered water basin dividing two neighborhoods, was transformed by install-

ing a boardwalk, fitness station and walking trail, creating an urban oasis. Similarly, when a wastewater treatment plant was decommissioned, the department invested $10 million to create the county’s first destination park at the site, which has 603,000 visits annually.

In 2021, a former landfill site was converted into the county’s first drone racing park. Winner of the 2022 Planning Commission’s Planning & Design Award for Excellence in Entertainment & Environment, the course features metal obstacles, start and finish gates, shaded seating and restrooms.

The Wellness Access Pass was created to promote healthy lifestyles. For $10.75 per month, participants receive access to county-owned fitness centers and open gyms. The county’s Move Hillsborough initiative encourages residents to get active through a variety of programs. As part of the initiative, the county invested more than $1 million in building 10 state-of-the-art outdoor fitness zones throughout Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough County Hiking Spree is an annual event that encourages residents to “Take a hike!” and highlights 22 trails..

To help serve a population of nearly 1.5 million, the department has engaged 182 partners who provide programming, with 376,927 participants annually. Partners include 49 Youth Sports Partner Organizations, the Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Office and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/recreation-and-culture/parks

Te Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center includes a dog park, basketball courts, a playground and a splash pad.

KEEP TAMPA BAY BEAUTIFUL TO HOST AFTER THE 4TH CLEANUP

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays of the year for the U.S., a celebration of our nation, but people can get carried away with their explosively colorful festivities, leaving behind lots of leftovers from fireworks and other litter.

That’s why, to go along with the holiday, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) hosts a cleanup with volunteers each year to collect all the land debris. This year, in partnership with Freedom Boat Club, KTBB will host its After the 4th Cleanup on Wednesday, July 5. It will be held from 8-11 a.m. at Davis Islands Boat Ramp, located at 801-1399 Severn Ave. in Tampa.

KTBB will provide all the cleaning supplies, with Freedom Boat Club being on-site to hand them out and sign-in volunteers. Closed-toe shoes will be required, and it’s recommended to bring sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and a hat or sunglasses. Promotional giveaways are available as well while supplies last.

“Eighty percent of the trash on land actually ends up in the water, and that’s why we try to get to it quick … because it will just blow right of of the trails and into the water, and then it harms the wildlife, it harms the ecosystem and it’s just a downward slope from there,” said Kira Baker, environmental projects manager with KTBB.

By Taylor Wells

Last year, this cleanup had 109 volunteers, who removed 3,300 lbs. of trash; in 2021, 60 volunteers removed 2,125 lbs.; and in 2020, 167 volunteers removed 4,375 lbs. Each volunteer helps significantly in reducing the litter that clutters the area and stopping it from getting into our waterways.

“The Volunteers, I mean, they’re so amazing. They’re there because they want to be there, and they look forward to these events,” said Debbie Evenson, executive director of KTBB. “They’re disgusted when they pick up this stuf because we shouldn’t have to, but we do. We do it because we care. We do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

With the mission of promoting a culture of environmental stewardship through volunteer and educational opportunities, KTBB also hosts numerous other events, such as its upcoming 32nd annual Tropical Nights gala, Ragan Park Tree Planting and Cleanup, Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup and more.

For more information about the After the 4th Cleanup or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/keep-tampa-baybeautifuls-after-the-4th-cleanup-tickets-648184686847. To learn more about KTBB, its events, or how to help, visit www. keeptampabaybeautiful.org.

Volunteers at the sign-up tent of last year’s After the 4th Cleanup, which is also where they can get supplies on the morning of this year’s cleanup.

A volunteer with left-behind freworks collected during a previous After the 4th Cleanup.

DUFFELS OF DIGNITY DONATIONS

FILL NEW CHILDREN’S HOME NETWORK DONATION CENTER

Thanks to an amazing show of generosity by residents, Hillsborough County recently delivered more than 160 dufels, backpacks and suitcases stufed with personal care items for children in foster care. The donation coincided with National Foster Care Month in May.

The Dufels of Dignity program helps children in foster care or other difcult and traumatic situations who often leave without even a bag to carry their belongings. The program partners with nonprofits throughout Hillsborough County to donate items to its clients. The Children’s Home Network has been a partner since the program started, and most of the items collected through the Dufels of Dignity program are given to youth in foster care or who are temporarily housed at the Children’s Services campus.

The items were delivered to the Children’s Home Network’s new Donation Center on May 25 in Tampa. County Commissioners Michael Owen and Gwen Myers were in attendance, along with Irene Rickus, president and CEO of the Children’s Home Network, and Craig Jewesak, Hillsborough County administrative services coordinator.

Dufels of Dignity ofcially launched in October 2022. The idea came to fruition after Jewesak and his family realized they had extra dufels and smaller suitcases in nearly new condition that could be donated. “Being

in children’s services, I am acutely aware of the needs of foster children and the kids who are going through very traumatic experiences, … and the program bloomed from there,” explained Jewesak.

Thursday’s delivery was the largest

in the program’s history and will make an immediate impact for Hillsborough youth who need it most. In total, Dufels of Dignity will have donated an estimated 900 duffels, backpacks and suitcases packed with much-needed items such as toothbrushes, combs, shampoo, deodorant and more.

In addition to the Children’s Home Network, organizations that have received donated goods through the Dufels of Dignity program include Metropolitan Ministries, ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) of Brandon and The Spring of Tampa Bay, which helps women and their children escape domestic violence.

The program is ongoing, and donations can be dropped of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Hillsborough County Children’s Services Administrative Ofce, located at 3191 Clay Mangum Ln. in Tampa. Dufels of Dignity also has an Amazon Wish List. Items purchased from this list will be delivered directly to the Children’s Services campus. More information and a link to the wish list are available at www.hcflgov.net/ dufelsofdignity.

Life doesn’t slow down, but getting a clearer picture of your health matters. That’s why we’ve created a convenient imaging experience located at the AdventHealth Care Pavilion in Riverview with extended hours — all at afordable, outpatient pricing. With our stateof-the-art imaging technology, we ensure your doctors have all the right information — so you can get back to life’s important moments.

District 4 County Commissioner Michael Owen spoke about the importance of supporting Dufels of Dignity at a recent donation event.

Rainy season is underway here in Florida, which means our amphibius wildlife friends will be out in full force enjoying the splendor. Amphibians are small, vertebrate organisms that have unique and distinct metamorphosis phases in their lives. This involves both living in water and on land. During the months of May through mid-October, many amphibian species are observed at a higher rate of frequency due to the increased amount of rain occurring throughout the state. This includes the 30plus species of our hippest and hoppiest residents around, frogs.

Frogs are amphibians that spend most of their lives on land but have spent the first part of their life living in water. In fact, frogs need water and moist environments to reproduce, as they will lay their eggs directly in water, where they hatch into tadpoles, using gills to breathe until they develop lungs and move out of the water onto land. This can include lakes, ponds, marshes and even man-made water sources such as fountains and pools.

Florida’s warm and hospitable tropical and subtropical climate makes the state a welcoming environment for tree frogs and toads alike. Native and non-native species have both proven very successful in breeding and distributing among almost every ecosystem that Florida has to ofer. Florida is home to several species of frogs and two distinct variations, tree frogs and toads.

Tree frogs are easily identifiable by their uniquely designed feet. Tree frogs prefer to frequent vertical surfaces and have round toe pads that look and function like suction cups. This handy adaptation allows them to ‘stick’ to their preferred vertical structures, such as trees, wet leaves and, often, residential glass doors, windows and sliders.

There are also several species of toads in the state. They difer in appearance generally by having shorter legs and dryer skin, and they are found in terrestrial habitats, such as urban and suburban areas. Toads are never far from standing water and cannot achieve the vertical climbing that tree frogs are able to.

Frogs are each uniquely important to the overall health of our ecosystems and are vital indicator species. Due to their porous skin, frogs have a keen sensitivity to changes and pollutants in the environment. The presence of any species of frogs is a good indication of favorable water quality and a healthy ecosystem. You can help protect the frogs of Florida by reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides in the environment.

Ali Holton is currently director of FishHawk TNR Inc. She has a master’s in biodiversity, wildlife and ecosystems and 20 years of experience specializing in animal behavior and conservation. To reach her, email fshhawktnr4@gmail.com.

HEART OF ADOPTIONS ALLIANCE OFFERS SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Connecting children in need with loving families is a challenging but rewarding responsibility.

Heart of Adoptions Alliance Inc. (HOAA) works hard to not only support children and families but expectant and birth parents as well through online resources, support groups and more.

HOAA, founded in 2003, is a Hague-accredited nonprofit adoption agency that works to help families and individuals through the adoption process.

Heart of Adoptions Alliance o f ers domestic and international adoption placement services as well as support for families adopting from foster care. HOAA can provide post-adoption support for families and birth parents too. The organization has many online resources, including a blog with real stories, educational information and tips for families and expectant parents. The HOAA website also provides resources for pregnant women and families to inform them on how to follow the right steps when interested in the adoption process.

There is a tremendous need for families to adopt children from, and working with Heart of Adoptions Alliance ensures you will be supported from the

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

moment you decide to adopt.

“The future is grim for these children without our help, and it is easy to comprehend that children can’t thrive without a loving and permanent home,” said Anthony Todaro, chief marketing o f cer at Heart of Adoptions Alliance. “In fact, they wind up in our criminal justice system, and mental health, teen pregnancy and homeless populations are in strong numbers.”

After working in adoption law for many years, Jeanna T. Tate developed her passion for helping individuals and families, and with this she founded Hearts of Adoptions Alliance. She knew that she wanted to spend her life helping children find loving homes so they could have the opportunity to grow into amazing adults.

If you are looking for help, HOAA holds monthly community support groups and training. It also hosts numerous events throughout the year to support adoption, like National Adoption Month events in November, an annual gala in April and more.

If you are looking to adopt or are an expectant parent seeking help, please call 813-559-0035, text 877-202-9624 or visit https://heartofadoptions.com/.

Performance Care to Maximize Your Athlete’s Abilities

Athletic Injury and Performance

Florida high school athletes are pushed to perform at high levels, year-round. Whether that be in multiple sports or with single-sport specialization, it puts them at a high risk for overuse injuries. When you get pain while throwing, squatting, or with certain movements during the game, it can be hard to know if you should just push through it or if it’s something that may result in full-on injury if you keep going.

The Good News!

It’s common for us to have athletes come into our offce to get an injury treated, but more often than not, a non-traumatic injury is the result of body mechanics not functioning appropriately. This means that if we were to just treat the injury itself and then send that athlete back to the sport that caused the injury in the frst place, they would likely end up injured again. This is why in all of our treatment plans we perform a head to toe joint evaluation.

Many of these aches and pains, if caught early enough, can have simple fixes when properly assessed and treated.

From your neck down to literally how your big toe is functioning, we evaluate how that joint is performing when you run, pitch, jump, etc. Not only does this approach keep our athletes out of injury, but it can make them to pitch faster, run harder, and jump higher.

But, you could put yourself at risk for more serious injury…

If you try to play through the pain. You could cause injury to the muscle, ligaments, or joint, or even change the entire biomechanics of your pitch/swing/etc. Treating an ache versus over-use damage to the body, then re-training movement biomechanics and building back up the strength and endurance to perform at the level you were before, can be the difference in days of rehab compared to months. Unfortunately, it only takes one throw/kick/etc. to cross that line from ache to full-on injury.

Generalized training and conditioning with the team or even sport-specifc with most trainers does not account for every athlete’s individualized anatomical abilities. They train for the sport requirements and not what that athlete may be able to safely perform, so ultimately, it ends up training compensation patterns that result in injury or decreased performance.

Our physicians are trained in techniques that many professional athletes and teams utilize to keep their players performing at their highest ability, safely.

High school athletes training year-round need to have a relationship with a trusted medical professional familiar with these cases. At Motion ChiroTherpapy, we see athletes involved in everything from baseball to swimming to horseback riding. And it’s not just back pain...many of these athletes have their own individual goals in mind. Some want to get rid of pain they get while playing, others come wanting to pitch faster or stronger at higher counts.

You can fnd the same techniques and protocols in our offce that are used throughout the MLB, NHL, NFL, and even at Westside Barbell, which produces arguably the strongest powerlifters in the world.

Dr. Lutz and Dr. Price create individualized rehab plans to accomplish whatever their patient’s goals are, whether it’s rehabbing injury or training biomechanics for optimal performance. If your high schooler is training year-round, it’s not IF they will get injured, it’s WHEN. Trust the professionals and get treated like a pro at Motion ChiroTherapy.

Athletes we love to work with: runners, swimmers, pitchers, golfers, weightlifters, and all youth and high school athletes

Dr. Robert Lutz

Dr. Robert Lutz

Heart of Adoptions Alliance Inc. supports children, families and birth parents through the entire adoption process and beyond.

GET THE DIRT: REDS, WHITES AND BLUES!

BY LYNN BARBER, URBAN HORTICULTURE AGENT

QUE FOR A CURE RETURNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

By Libby Hopkins

This time of year I’m thinking about a patriotic landscape of red, white and blue. Red is a great color for adding an eye-catching pop to your landscape. Red penta, also available in other colors, firespike and salvia are good choices. Pentas can reach a height of 2-4 feet and spread of 2-3 feet, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Firespikes can be 2-6 feet tall and have a spread of 2-3 feet. Salvias/sages can reach a height of 8-10 feet and a spread of 1-10 feet. All are fast growers and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Great selections for white flowering plants include scorpion tail, mandevilla, almond bush and climbing aster. Scorpion tail blooms all year on what appears to be the curved tail of a scorpion. It is a Florida native attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. The white mandevilla vine blooms profusely most of the year. This vine can be enjoyed in the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden at the Hillsborough County Extension ofce; although, it sports new plantings at this time. Almond bush blooms repeatedly from late spring through late fall, needs full sun and can grow to 8 feet and over. The scent is amazingly like almonds. Climbing aster, a native plant, can reach a height of 1-12 feet and a spread of 2-4 feet. It prefers full sun and attracts butterflies and birds.

Blue selections can include ‘indigo spires,’ a fast-growing salvia with a height of 1.5-3 feet that attracts butter-

flies and hummingbirds with its blue/ purple foot long flower spikes, and plumbago, a sun-loving perennial butterfly-attracting bush that has blue (or white) flowers all year. Blue daze, a groundcover with a ½ to 1-inch height and a 1 to 2-inch spread, shows of its blue flowers from spring to summer and needs partial shade. Maria Carver, horticulturist and plant enthusiast, said, “Blue daze and plumbago are two of my favorites. Both have true blue flowers, which are very rare in nature.”

You can add these plants to your landscape temporarily using the pot-in-a-pot method. Select the location for your colorful plants and dig the hole. Place an empty plastic pot of the same size in the hole. Leave the plant you purchased in its plastic pot, placing it inside the pot you put in the hole. If you want to change out these plants with the season, remove the potted plant and place it elsewhere, replacing it with a plant that will fit into your next holiday theme.

Add some sparkle to your landscape and celebrate our independence. Contact your local county UF/IFAS Extension ofce for more information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. If you live in Hillsborough County, contact our ofce at 813-744-5519 or stop by to take a stroll in the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden. Contact Lynn Barber at labarber@ufl. edu.

The Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview.

“My goal this year is to raise more than last year,” said Roni-Kay Lopez, founder of the Seize the Moment Foundation. “I want it to keep growing every year to show that the awareness is getting out in our community.”

Lopez became an advocate for epilepsy after her successful surgery in 2008. She started her foundation to help others with a great support team of volunteers. She volunteered to consult other candidates considering the surgery and has since helped 12 others with their surgery, and she was actually in the surgery room with one. “Our mission is to raise local, state and nationwide awareness about epilepsy and seizures,” Lopez said. “We hope to make our cause, our organization and our patients known to ‘Seize the Moment.’”

Lopez hopes to raise more money for epilepsy research with this year’s Que for a Cure. “With funds raised last year and some winners giving back their earnings, we gave TGH/USF $20,000 to the epilepsy fund I set up for epilepsy research

and development,” Lopez said. “I hope to have a packed event for both days to show the teams and vendors who have supported the event and are participating that we are sparking interest in our community of what we do. My hope is to bring people together to see not only what the barbecue is about, but to see what we do for our charity, how we help and assist patients in need, how our funds help doctors and hospitals with research and development and how we share our stories to inspire others.”

Lopez is still looking for sponsors and donations for this year’s Que for a Cure. “We are still looking for event sponsors, and any business or individual who would like to donate to our silent auction and rafe are welcomed to do so,” Lopez said. “We can always use volunteers to help with the event as well. Areas of parking, rafe, merchandise sales — honestly, any and all help is appreciated. Donations are always welcomed and can be done on our website for those who cannot attend.”

If you would like to learn more about the Seize the Moment Foundation and Que for a Cure, visit www.queforacureseizethemoment.org.

Summer Youth Camp

Blue plumbago

Pentas

Te Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. Last year, this event raised $20,000 for epilepsy research.

MONSTER JAM ROARS BACK INTO TAMPA THIS SUMMER

This. Is. Monster Jam™! The most unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to Tampa this summer for two adrenaline-charged events at AMALIE Arena on Saturday, August 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., unleashing the all-new 2023-debut truck ThunderROARus™, which is appearing for the first time in Tampa! At Monster Jam®, world champion athletes and their monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill.

Monster Jam drivers are trained, worldclass male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but also the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™

The excitement begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party fan experience on August 19. Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly activities. New-for-2023 activities include the Sand Box play area, UNOH tire demonstration, coloring and temporary tattoo station and the chance to take a photo with the series trophy. This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up-close access to the Monster

Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition. Pit Passes are available for purchase for $20 each.

Florida motorsports fans will be on the edge of their seats as world-class drivers show of crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-tohead battles for the event championship. Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in freestyle, skills and racing competitions. The Tampa events feature eight skilled athletes battling for the event championship and tearing up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining.

TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger®, driven by Weston Anderson; Monster Mutt® Dalmatian, driven by Jamie Sullivan; El Toro Loco®, driven by Elvis Lainez; ThunderROARus, driven by Tony Ochs; Megalodon®, driven by Mikayla Tulachka; Just Ger R Done, driven by Brandon Tulachka; Wildside, driven by Zack Garner; and Over Bored, driven by Jamey Garner.

For specific Tampa local event info, visit www.monsterjam.com/en-US/events/tampa-fl/aug-19-2023-aug-19-2023.

Follow Monster Jam on its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok pages @ monsterjam.

Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/monsterjam.

Te ever-popular Grave Digger, driven by Weston Anderson, is back for Monster Jam at AMALIE Arena on Saturday, August 19.

OF TAMPA RIVERWALK HOSTS BOAT PARADE, POKER RUN AND BLESSING OF THE FLEET FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY Staf Report

Celebrate Independence Day at the Tampa Riverwalk with a spectacular day of fun and family-friendly activities.

This year’s line-up of events, hosted by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, includes the third annual July 4th

Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet, plus a digital boat poker run and a water ski show by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Team. All the events are being held in conjunction with the Star-Spangled Sparkman festivities hosted at Sparkman Wharf, which will conclude with a spectacular nighttime fireworks display.

The July 4th Boat Parade will feature patriotically decorated vessels that will sail approximately 7.5 miles on the Hillsborough River. The grand marshals for this year’s parade riding in the lead boat, Latitude Lindsey II, will be Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

The course for both large and small vessels will end at Sparkman Wharf, where guest judges from the Boys & Girls Club will evaluate each vessel and select one to receive a trophy and gift basket full of local prizes for the Most Patriotic Boat.

During the July 4th Boat Parade, boaters will participate in Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk’s digital boat poker run. Boaters will check in at various GPS hot spots along the Hillsborough River parade route. Participants who successfully check into each location will be entered into a random drawing for an assortment of local prizes.

There are public viewing areas all along the route where residents and visitors can cheer on the boaters and enjoy the festivities.

At 6 p.m., members of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Team will thrill the audience near Sparkman Wharf with aerial tricks during a 45-minute water show. Also, at Sparkman Wharf, boats in the parade will be able to take part in the Blessing of the Fleet. This centuries-old tradition draws its heritage from Mediterranean fishing communities and is celebrated around the globe. Local clergy will bless the vessels to help ensure a safe and bountiful season.

Registration to participate in this year’s July 4th Boat Parade began on June 1. The registration fee is $50 per boat. Captains who are interested must register their vessel online at https://thetampariverwalk. com/. Registration fees help cover the cost of the parade.

For public viewing of the boat parade, visit these locations at the (approximate) designated times: 6:15 p.m. at Tampa Convention Center, 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 6:45 p.m. at Armature Works, 7:15 p.m. at Davis Islands and Channel Drive and 7:30 p.m. at Sparkman Wharf.

Public viewing is also available at Water Works Park and Harbour Island. To view the entire route, visit https://thetampariverwalk.com/. Following the boat parade and water ski show, spectators can stay to enjoy an exciting free fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m. at Sparkman Wharf.

Te Latitude Lindsey II will be leading the boat parade again this year.

THE MISSING PIECE THEATRE PRESENTS SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL

The Missing Piece Theatre, an all-volunteer community theater group, will show Seussical the Musical this July. All shows will be held at the Gem Theater, located at 118 NW 1st Ave. in Mulberry. Seussical the Musical is directed by Steven Bucko, who leads a local all-star ensemble cast, with 12 of them being from Lithia, Valrico, Riverview, Brandon and Plant City. The youngest performer is 6 and the oldest is in their 60s. Bucko has directed shows across the United States and is a previous winner of the BroadwayWorld Best Director Award for Tampa/St. Pete as well as the Short Play award winner at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival.

Whether you are 8 or 88 years old, you will love the next show being put on by Te Missing Piece Teatre. Seussical the Musical is a great show for anyone, and the Gem Teater in Mulberry is a treasure and a great place to see the show.

PLANT CITY ENTERTAINMENT TO PRESENT THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS

never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Bucko said, “Seussical is an amazing collection of classic Dr. Seuss characters that come together to tell a wonderful story of friendship, family and fun.

While the zany and crazy antics of the Cat in the Hat make this a can’t-miss show for our audiences to enjoy, the gorgeous music and choreography will provide amazing treats for your eyes and ears. We have all grown up reading the books, and now you can see them come to life.”

Plant City Entertainment (PCE) will present The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas over several weekends in July. Plant City Entertainment, a local nonprofit, is located at 101 N. Thomas St. in historic downtown Plant City.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas will be shown beginning with the opening night on Friday, July 14. Shows will also be on Friday, July 21 and 28; on Saturday, July 15, 22 and 29; and on Sunday, July 16, 23 and 30. The Friday and Saturday night shows will be at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinees will be presented at 2 p.m.

Do not miss your chance to see Plant City Entertainment’s next production, Te Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

know audiences will too.

Ever since Shirley Outen (longtime board member and concessions extraordinaire) and Kay Secord (former board member and president of PCE) said I should direct this show, I have wanted to do it. This show is a little diferent from the norm that I usually direct because it is not a fairy tale.”

The show tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent of to military school for thinking too many thinks. Horton faces a double challenge, for not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz

Bucko added, “Although most of the action will take place on the gorgeous Gem Theater stage, audiences can expect to get an even closer view as our characters venture out into the audience. You will want to get a close look to see the beautiful costumes.”

Seussical the Musical will be presented beginning on Friday, July 14 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 15 and 22 and Sunday, July 16 and 23, the shows will be held at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be obtained by visiting www.themissingpiecetheatre.org.

Tickets to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for members and groups of 10 or more. There will be an opening night special of two tickets for $35. Tickets can be obtained online at www. plantcityentertainment.com (until 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 10 a.m. on Sunday) or at the door, if tickets are available.

Kristen Permenter, director of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and a veteran of Plant City Entertainment, said, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a foot-stomping, country-romping heck of a good time. I absolutely love the music and lyrics (by Carol Hall) in this show, and I

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texaswas made popular with the 1982 film starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. It tells the story of an actual brothel that operated in La Grange, Texas from 190573 called the Chicken Ranch. Permenter explained, “In the opening number, the bandleader and narrator tells our story of how the Chicken Ranch got its name. The show goes on to tell and sing and dance the story of the rise and fall of the historic Chicken Ranch and how a televangelist reporter blows the whistle on the whole operation and brings the governor, a senator, a mayor, a sherif and a whole town to its knees.”

The show is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

Permenter added, “With a cast and crew of over 35 people, this show will blow you away.”

For more information, visit www.plantcityentertainment.com or call 813-754-4925.