Osprey Observer Bloomingdale/FishHawk June 2023

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER IS COMING TO TAMPA BAY

A new professional women’s soccer team is set to kick o f in Tampa Bay in August 2024. As part of the USL Super League, the new Tampa Bay franchise will compete at the highest level of women’s professional soccer. The team will bring top-tier women’s pro sports to the region for the first time, joining 10 to 12 clubs in the league’s initial market.

“This is about inspiring, energizing and uniting our Tampa Bay community. We’re ready to build a team that not only wins on the field but also makes a positive di f erence o f the field. To us, success comes when you become part of the fabric of your community,” said Darryl Shaw, who joined his childhood friends, David Laxer, co-owner of Bern’s Steak House, and Je f Fox, former chief information o f cer of BluePearl Pet Hospital, as the owners of the new team.

USL Super League will be the highest level of professional women’s sports to ever field a team with Tampa Bay on its jerseys. Once it is sanctioned by U.S. Soccer as a Division I league, it will rank on par with other top professional sports leagues and feature players who represent their countries in international competitions such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games. Be-

Staf Report

cause USL Super League will play from fall through spring, players will be able to balance their commitments to their club and their country.

“When I stepped onto the court in high school as a female athlete, there weren’t a lot of role models out there for me to look up to,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, a star basketball and volleyball player at Chamberlain High School and the University of Tampa. “Today, women’s sports are exploding in popularity, and our new team will put Tampa Bay at the forefront.”

The club’s name, colors and crest will be decided in the future with involvement from members of the public across the Tampa Bay area. An advisory board of community voices and soccer lovers has been created to o f er guidance on connecting with the community and delivering a positive impact.

The team will start playing in August 2024 in a temporary home until a permanent, soccer-specific stadium can be built. With that stadium, the team intends to create a year-round venue that will be used for a wide range of activities, including opportunities with youth

Continued on Page 6

CAMPO FAMILY YMCA OFFERS SWIM LESSONS TO STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD START PROGRAM

The Campo Family YMCA has partnered with 15 students from Pinecrest Elementary School’s Head Start program to ofer two weeks of swim lessons to the preschool-aged swimmers.

Through funding by Hillsborough County, Pinecrest Elementary was able to transport the students to the Campo Y each morning from Monday through Thursday at the beginning of May.

“They might not be able to come to swim lessons another way. So, I want to make the most of it because it’s not just that [the lessons] are free, but it’s that the school district is getting them here because transportation is a big barrier,” said swim instructor Paige Sahab. “The fact that the district gets them here is a big benefit of the program.”

The students were broken into three groups of five students based on their swimming experience and skill level. Sahab took each group into the pool for a half hour to work with the students individually.

“We talk about water safety: always asking permission before you go in the water, never swimming without a grownup, and things like that,” explained Sahab.

The younger kids work on basics, like floating and kicking in the water, and older, more experienced kids are working on swimming short distances.

“I just feel like every kid that we can get swimming is another potential trag-

By Lily Belcher

edy avoided. So, I see it as we’re saving lives here,” said Sahab.

This is Sahab’s first year working as an instructor at the Y, but she has been working with local recreation centers and pools for 15 years.

“I love that we’re doing this with the Head Start kids,” said Sahab. “I think that it’s wonderful, and I just felt like people needed to know that we are doing this.”

The funding from Hillsborough County allowed 10 Tampa YMCAs to host lessons across the spring and fall semesters. In the fall, the Campo Y hopes to host three or four more Head Start programs from local schools.

The Head Start program is a free public-school program that ofers specialized education to kids from ages 3 to 5 years old in low-income families. Teachers work with a small number of kids to maximize their development before beginning grade school.

For more information on the Y and its swimming and summer programs, visit tampaymca.org.

IN THIS ISSUE:

PATTY FRY AWARD PG 3

MOTORING TAMPA BAY PG 5 2023 VALEDICTORIANS............. PG 14

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..........PG 35

Summer is here! Reading improves your child’s focus, literacy, knowledge and sleep. During the summer, reading is more relaxing because your child can choose books that interest them. Tere are summer reading programs available to keep your child motivated, enthusiastic and rewarded. Check

to learn more about reading programs available to you this

Swim instructor Paige Sahab works with each swimmer on diferent skills to help them learn to swim.

Swim instructor Paige Sahab ofered two weeks of free swim lessons to 15 Pinecrest Elementary students.

Photo Courtesy of SuperLeague Tampa Bay.

The new Super League Tampa Bay ownership group, from left to right: David Laxer, Darryl Shaw and Jeff Fox.

LAKE BRANDON CHICK-FIL-A CELEBRATES 25 YEARS BAND MOM PATTY FRY AWARDED VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AFTER 12 YEARS OF WORK

As the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A celebrates 25 years of serving the community, it also thanks its customers for being loyal for so many years!

When owners Paul and Tammy opened the location on June 18, 1998, it was the first free-standing Chick-fil-A in Brandon and only the second free-standing Chick-fil-A in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. During construction, staf was hired out of a trailer onsite. The Brandon mall was just about to open, the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center hadn’t broken ground yet and there were fields for miles around!

“We didn’t know a soul,” Tammy said. “We opened a little Chick-fil-A and we didn’t know if it would be successful or not because it was on Lumsden and there were still cows grazing next door, when we opened.”

Fast forward 25 years and there isn’t an empty space for miles and the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A now has more than 80 employees. Throughout the years, the store has been renovated twice, most recently to add the double drive-thru lanes and the covered drive-thru area with podium ordering. In 2017, Paul and Tammy also opened the Bloomingdale Chick-fil-A store near Bloomingdale High School and instant-

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

ly found success with both locations.

“Both Paul and I are proud of what we have accomplished over the last 25-year journey in the Brandon community,” said Tammy, “and have seen many great changes in the area.”

Paul has now been a veteran franchise owner and operator for over 31 years with Chick-fil-A and moved to the Brandon area from Racine, Wisconsin with his wife and four school-aged children to open the Brandon location. When they moved to the community, the family immediately became involved in local schools, local sports and local community events.

Longtime customer Leslie Haxton loves the two locations and says, “Chickfil-A is like Cheers, where everyone knows your name.” She orders a large coke every day, “because Chick-fil-A has the best ice, cups and syrup mixture,” and she pairs it with the famous Chicken Minis.

Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village is located 11325 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511 and Chick-fil-A East Brandon/ Valrico is located at 2010 Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico, FL 33596. Visit www.chickfilabrandon.com, stop by the restaurant or visit www.facebook.com/chickfilabrandon.

The schools in the FishHawk community have seen many great parent volunteers throughout the years, though one of the longest and most dedicated volunteers has been Patty Fry.

Fry has always loved volunteering in her children’s schools and was involved in FishHawk Creek PTA, Randall Middle School and Newsome High School PTSA and Band Boosters, along with many other extracurricular activities her children have participated in.

As Fry’s last child graduates from Newsome, her 12 years with the band are coming to an end.

“When I think about what makes a great band parent, Patty is the perfect example,” said Christian Finch, the first band director Fry worked with at Newsome High School. “She is patient, kind and always positive. She’ll never let the kids go hungry, she is supportive of the vision of the program, but most importantly always willing to help.”

To honor Fry for her work with the band, the boosters have begun a new volunteer of the year award in her name. Going forward, a volunteer will be named by the executive board of the Band Boosters each year, whose name will be added to a special plaque that will hang in the band hall.

“It was a big surprise, and I am extremely grateful and honored to have been pre-

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

sented this award. As a previous teacher, I believe that volunteering is vital in schools and the community,” said Fry.

All four of Fry’s children have participated in musical extracurriculars since they were young, and music has become a huge part of their lives. Along with other musical ensembles, all of her children played in the Newsome High School Marching Band. As Fry was already part of the Randall Middle School Band Boosters, it felt natural for her to continue into Newsome’s Band Boosters when her oldest moved to Newsome in 2011.

“I have enjoyed working with other volunteers, getting to know them and building meaningful friendships,” said Fry, “but my favorite part of volunteering was chaperoning the students. I enjoyed getting to know the students and being a part of their band years.”

Everyone involved in the Newsome band wants Fry’s name and legacy to live on as she moves into a new chapter in her life. With the Patty Fry Volunteer of the Year Award, she will be recognized in the years ahead.

For more information about the volunteer of the year award or Newsome Band, please contact Amy Metz, president of the Band Boosters, at newsomebandnews@gmail.com.

Patty Fry (Right) worked on many of the pieces for the Newsome Band, including pushing instruments and props into the feld during games and competitions fundraising at events and with local businesses.

Paul and Tammy Holmberg (far left), owners of two Chick-fl-A locations in the area.

Perfect Picks, Your Choice of Two.

We’ve arranged some special summer ofers for you right now. Move to Osprey Heights and pick two perks to brighten your lifestyle. Come discover how life within our gracious community makes every day feel like a celebration. Schedule a visit to learn more today!

• Tablet and bluetooth headphones

• Flat-screen TV, up to 42"

• Second month’s rent free

• Free Pack & Move, up to $1,500

nitishrele@gmail.com

OVERHAULED AND ROOMY 2023 HONDA HR-V DESERVES ATTENTION!

It’s like a brand-new vehicle, totally redesigned inside and out and sitting on the most recent Civic platform. Meet the 2023 Honda HR-V, which is placed a notch right below the bestseller CR-V. The subcompact SUV gains a fresh and more powerful engine and substantial increases in wheelbase (1.7 inches), length (8.7 inches) and width (2.6 inches). Plus, the front and rear tracks are wider by 2.0 and 2.5 inches, respectively.

HR-V (AWD, EX-L)

Tires: 215/60/R17

Wheelbase: 104.5 inches

Length: 179.8 inches

Height: 63.4 inches

Width: 72.4 inches

Weight: 3,333 pounds

Fuel capacity: 14 gallons

City: 25 mpg

Highway: 30 mpg

Base price: $28,950

Price as tested: $30,590

Available in frontwheel or all-wheel drive, this year’s HR-V gets a 2.0-liter (from 1.8) 4-cylinder engine packing 158 horsepower (up 17) at 6,500 rpm and 138 pounds-feet (up 11) of torque at 4,200 rpm. It is mated to an updated but still noisy continuous variable transmission. However, the MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension is up to the task of smoothing rough surfaces on the road. The dual-pinion assist electric power steering is direct and accurate, making it easy to place the five-seater in corners.

Website: www.honda.com

By Nitish Rele

attention.

So does the metal honeycomb mesh that stretches across the dash, hiding silver-accented air vents. Save fuel by switching to econ from normal mode (snow is available). Other standard niceties include dual auto AC, 9-inch touch screen, leather on the seats, shifter knob and tilt/ telescopic steering column, center storage bin, wireless phone charger pad, push-button start, eight-way power driver seat, 12-volt power outlet in cargo and power/tilt moonroof. What’s missing is a built-in nav system.

Sitting on the unit-body structure is the traditional H emblem, surrounded by wideset LED headlights and a larger gloss-black honeycomb grille and trim on front bumpers, while the rear has LED tail lamps too and a spoiler. Space is plentiful in the airy interior with 97.3 cubic feet of passenger volume and 55.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 second-row seat. Step inside and the two rounded 140mph speedometer and tachometer clusters with the driver information center draw

Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover sensor, front knee airbags, vehicle stability assist, traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, hill-start assist and distance control, blind-spot info with rear cross-trafc monitor, rearview camera, side-impact door beams, front-seat active head restraints, electric parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. Adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation brake, lane-keep assist and more come at no cost with Honda Sensing.

Priced just right with a spacious cabin and impressive gas-sipping numbers, the HR-V is worth a test drive for a new driver in the family. However, an even greater power boost and a quieter transmission could make this baby SUV a huge moneymaker. Just like its big brother, CR-V.

WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the largest women’s soccer network in the world, including: 1012 professional teams in the first season of USL Super League, 65 preprofessional teams in USL W League this summer and more than 80 USL Academy programs for elite players under the age of 20.

HILLSBOROUGH SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON LITHIA PINECREST ROAD STUDY

and community soccer leagues and nonsoccer events. Engagement with stakeholders and exploration of stadium location and funding options can begin now that the team has been announced.

“This commitment to bring top-tier women’s professional sports to Tampa Bay, in a new stadium where it can truly shine, represents a sincere investment in making this great community even stronger for the future,” said USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort.

The USL Super League is developing

The USL, headquartered in Tampa, also oversees the USL Championship professional men’s league, which includes the Tampa Bay Rowdies. To stay connected with Tampa Bay’s new team and sign up for updates, visit www. superleaguetampabay.com and follow on Instagram @ superleaguetb.

service@repcopest.com

Residents and commuters who travel Lithia Pinecrest Road between Fishhawk Boulevard and Lumsden Road can participate in a transportation study to help the county understand the community’s desire for proposed road improvements.

The purpose of the study is to identify ways to relieve congestion and enhance safety on Lithia Pinecrest Road. The study will identify and evaluate potential improvements to Lithia Pinecrest Road and on Bloomingdale Avenue from Culbreath Road to Pearson Road. The total proposed project length is 7.5 miles.

Safe mobility for all roadway users, regardless of mode of travel, will be considered and incorporated into the study. Alternatives will be evaluated and will be generated based on the results of a tra f c analysis and feedback provided by the community. These alternatives may include:

• 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, bu f ered bike lanes, mid-block crossings, etc.

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

• Corridor enhancements with additional lane capacity in some areas.

The county is conducting a virtual engagement using the Hillsborough Engagement & Education Hub to gather feedback from the public about the project. Comment for this project is open through Tuesday, June 6. Visit www.hcflgov.net/hcengage to participate.

For more information, please call Hillsborough County Public Works at 813635-5400.

Pest Control

CREATING THE BEST EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS

Your taxpayer dollars are hard at work creating the best learning environment for students. It is all possible because the community recognized the need and stood behind Hillsborough County Public Schools back in 2018 when it overwhelmingly passed the Education Referendum.

It is important for our community to know exactly how each penny is spent as we continually act as responsible financial stewards. I am proud to announce that to date, the school district has invested more than a half a billion referendum dollars into schoolbased improvement projects.

We have completed 600 projects so far, thanks to the half-penny sales tax. Hillsborough County Public Schools has received more than $631 million dollars from the referendum and invested more than $558 million to date. We’re also happy to highlight that more than 46 percent of the funds have been invested in minority, women-owned or small business enterprises.

Through the guidance of our Citizen Oversight Committee, our leaders are prioritizing projects. One of the many schools reaping the benefits of these projects is Frost Elementary School. We’ve spent nearly $1.5 million to update the air conditioning and heating systems and replace ceilings, fire alarm systems, floors, paint and clocks at the school.

By Superintendent Addison Davis

At this time, architects are in the design phase for schools receiving HVAC overhauls, including Brandon High, Burns Middle, East Bay High, FishHawk Creek Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Sessums Elementary and Shields Middle.

The 2023 summer projects total approximately $47.5 million in repairs, renovations and other improvements funded by the half-penny sales tax. Coming into Hillsborough County as your superintendent three years ago, one of the things I had the luxury of inheriting was a community that truly cared about education and understood the billions of dollars of deferred maintenance that had to be addressed within our facilities.

The community stepped up for our children to approve this referendum in 2018, and we are proud the community realizes the importance of these crucial projects and places their trust in our district as we continue to invest these funds in our schools.

As we continue to accelerate Hillsborough County academically, we will continue to create a welcoming environment for our children to thrive every single day.

For more information about the Hillsborough Counnty Public School Education Referendum and half-penny tax, visit https:// www.hillsboroughschools.org/Page/6652.

FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM COULD MEAN SAVINGS ON PREMIUMS

Just as the memory of Hurricane Ian’s Gulf Coast landing fades from the minds of Hillsborough County residents, it is again time to get ready for potential foul weather disasters of the annual storm season that runs from June 1 to Thursday, November 30.

That preparation includes considering the need for flood insurance to cover water damage that is not usually a part of standard homeowners insurance policies.

One option is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program that provides flood insurance to residents in areas that are at risk of flooding. Hillsborough County is a participant in the NFIP Community Rating System, which means that residents and businesses in the county are eligible to purchase flood insurance through the program. According to a public letter released by Hillsborough County’s engineering and operations department, that could mean a financial benefit to residents.

“The county’s participation in this program gives residents the ability to obtain federal flood insurance at a discount of up to 25 percent. The county’s high level of participation and many hazard mitigation efforts has placed it within the top 10 percent of participating communities within the nation. This provides approximately $5.9 million in savings of federal flood insurance premiums paid by residents annually.”

The CRS is a voluntary incentive program

By Brad Stager

that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements established by the NFIP. According to Christina Hummel, Hillsborough County’s NFIP Community Rating System coordinator, the county’s emergency management eforts are making a diference.

“Hillsborough County has worked hard on your behalf to reduce those rates by adopting proactive floodplain management requirements to reduce flood risk across the county,” she wrote in a letter to local homeowners associations. Hummel adds that it doesn’t take a major storm like Hurricane Ian to cause flooding.

“A heavy afternoon downpour can turn into a life-threatening and financially devastating flood in the blink of an eye. Therefore, the county is encouraging all property owners in Hillsborough County to understand their risk for flooding and to purchase flood insurance. Remember, homeowners insurance does not cover water damage from flooding. Only flood insurance covers water damage to your property from a flood or storm surge.”

Residents can find out what flood zone they are in by visiting Hillsborough County’s online map at www.hillsboroughcounty. org and navigating to the Find My Flood Zone page of the website’s Homeowners & Neighborhoods section.

Tere is a lot of water in Hillsborough County, and the risk of fooding increases during the annual stormy season that runs from June 1 to Tursday, November 30.

$1 BUCKET OF BALLS OR MINI-GOLF AT ACE GOLF THIS SUMMER

Are the kids driving you crazy and playing too many video games this summer?

Want to have them do something healthy and learn a lifelong sport?

Ace Golf is ofering a $1 summer golf practice program for kids ages 4-15. Every day from Thursday, June 1 through Thursday, August 31, kids can sign up to receive a $1 small bucket of range balls and/or a $1 round of miniature golf each day for the whole summer. Kids will hit the balls on the practice ranges and miniature golf courses at bay-area Ace Golf locations. And it’s all just $1 per activity.

“There are a lot of families out there that just can’t aford to put kids in camps, or they just want something productive to fill their summer,” said Bill Place, owner of Ace Golf Ranges and Golf Courses. “We want to help, and hopefully in the process we may find the next Tiger Woods.”

How it works:

• Children may sign up for free at any of three Ace Golf locations in Riverview, Land O’ Lakes and Tarpon Springs.

• Each child receives a daily stamp card for $1 free small bucket and $1 miniature golf each day.

• Each time the child redeems their free bucket, they will get a stamp on their card noting the redemption. An adult must accompany them.

• No other purchase is necessary. Kids

should bring a golf club with them, or they may rent one.

• Miniature golf is available at the Land O’ Lakes and Riverview locations.

In addition to the Free Bucket or Mini Golf program, kids may also play golf for $1 when accompanied by a paying parent at all Ace Golf Courses (18hole golf courses) after 12 Noon every day starting June 1 through the end of October.

Ace Golf Range is located at 12910 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. It is open daily until 10 p.m. The facilities feature lighted golf practice ranges, miniature golf and batting cages.

Ace Golf Courses include the Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes (813996-4653; website: www.plantationpalms.net), and the Crescent Oaks Country Club at 3300 Crescent Oaks Boulevard in Tarpon Springs (727-937-4653; website: www.crescentoaksgolf.com).

All Ace Golf Courses are open to the public and ofer membership, dining and banquet centers.

Ace Golf is locally, family-owned by Su Lee and Place since 1993. In addition to the $1 kids’ program, each location ofers summer golf camps, clinics and private and group golf lessons. For more information, visit https://ace-golf.com/ or call 813-672-7750.

BULLFROG CREEK BREWING CO. CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

Five years ago, longtime local residents and business owners Jamie Ratclif and his wife, Kelly, opened Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. in an abandoned gas station in the heart of the Bloomingdale community.

Well today, that little gas station in the Erindale Plaza is a 3,000 sq. ft. center core of activity, events, members, fresh brews, live music, charitable events, markets and all embraced within a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

And credit has to be given to a business that not only survived the 2020 shutdown and pandemic but is also constantly evolving its business model, even making to-go cases of beer, cider and root beer and ofering curbside delivery.

As Valrico’s first brewery, Ratclif, a proud veteran, is also proud of the business they have created, and he said, “We love this community and we love to drink our beer with friends and family. Community is everything to us and we love to give back.”

And give back they do. Ratclif estimates that over the five years and hundreds of music bingo events, local nonprofits have raised more than $400,000 thanks in part to a generous program where Bullfrog provides the equipment and the preregistered charity provides the audience, the sales team and the priz-

By Marie Gilmore

es. Bullfrog is a fully working brewery and pub under the supervision of head brewer Nicholas DiGioia and general manager Alex Volovar. Iconic local brews include Buckhorn Baltic Porter, Bloomingdale Brown, Alafia Wheat and the newest addition, Pizza Rock IPA.

“Our team is passionate about beer and the art of brewing,” said Ratclif. “We believe in using only the finest ingredients to create unique and delicious beers that are sure to satisfy the taste buds of even the most discerning craft beer enthusiasts.” Over the five years, Bullfrog has created 386 beers, served 6.4 million ounces of beer and had 340 beers gifted to visiting veterans.

In addition to the best local brews, Bullfrog Creek has a full-time dedicated food truck serving pub favorite, such as burgers, fries, wings and more, directed by head chef Cormac McCarthy.

Bullfrog Creek opened to the public in March 2018 and is dedicated to crafting high-quality, innovative beers for beer lovers in the community. It is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12 Noon-10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 12 Noon-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 Noon8 p.m. Visit www.bullfrogcreekbrewing. com for a full listing of upcoming events.

until June 30th

Ace Golf is ofering a $1 summer golf practice program for kids ages 4-15 from June through August.

Valrico’s own Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. owners Jamie and Kelly Ratclif

SAMANTHA WALZ NAMED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR WITH NEWSOME’S SOFTBALL TEAM

Newsome High School softball senior Samantha Walz was named the Jack and Barbara Thompson Player of the Year after proving her skill and consistency as a right fielder.

“Sam really broke out of her shell this year. She has grown on and of the field and it’s been fun to watch. I’m blessed to have been a part of her journey,” said coach Ally Ledenham.

Walz was awarded the Player of the Year title after finishing the season with a .468 batting average and 25 runs. After four years on the team, she graduated with 115 hits and 75 stolen bases.

“It’s a big title. I was surprised and shocked I was awarded it. … I put in a lot of work and to see it play of was really cool,” said Walz.

Ledenham said Walz’s speed and consistency earned her the countywide title. Walz has batted leadof for the Wolves over the last two seasons and set the tone for Newsome’s ofense.

“It was really cool; … being back-toback district champions was something that was really cool for this group of girls,” said Walz.

Newsome’s team won the FHSAA Class

NAVIGATOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HOSTED UNDER THE SEA ART SHOW

By Jane Owen

By Lily Belcher

7A District 6 championship at the beginning of May, shutting out Durant in the semifinals and beating Winter Haven 7-1 in the district championship.

“This year, our team chemistry was our greatest strength. With a roster of 20, it’s rare to have a team where everyone gets along. Everyone showed up every day happy to be there and ready to work. It made the season a lot of fun,” said Ledenham. “They were each other’s biggest supporters and that made all the diference.”

This season, the Wolves only had four returning starters and Walz was the only returner to play the same position. They were forced to start from scratch, going back to the fundamentals to build a playof worthy team.

“By the end of the season, you would have never known that some girls weren’t playing in their natural positions. They knew what the team needed and they showed up every day focused and ready to work,” said Ledenham.

For more information on Newsome’s athletics, visit its website at www.nhsboosters.com.

On April 27, students and families from Navigator Academy of Leadership stepped out of the doldrums of life and into an Under the Sea Art Show experience.

The Under the Sea Art Show, spearheaded by Navigator’s elementary art teacher, Heather Adkins, featured artwork from every grade level (K-8), art-based activities in the cafeteria, local student-focused vendors and food trucks. The main feature of the night was the Glow Room that took over two months to create.

The Glow Room highlighted the unique animals in the oceans. Neon mediums — paint, crayons, oil pastels and markers — made the room come to life. Grade levels learned about various sea animals, such as sea turtles, jellyfish, puferfish and stingrays. Mixed-media art, made of everyday materials found at home and recycled materials, such as CDs, paper towel rolls and plastic bottles, were used to create the display.

Principal Rebecca Valdes said the art show provided a way to showcase the students’ art and allow them to be proud of their work.

“The art show is always a success

and could not be possible without our teacher leaders guiding the way. This year, the showcase [of] the show was the Glow Room. It was an amazing room where all K-8 students joined together to create one work of art.” Valdes said.

According to Adkins, the inspiration of the art show was multifaceted. She teaches a love of art and how science and math can be part of it.

“Art is everywhere. My goal every day is to make art fun and engaging for my students as well as to see them see art in even the smallest things,” Adkins said. “My background is in math and science, so if there is any way to incorporate it, I do.”

Part of the mission of the Navigator Academy of Leadership is a cross-curricular integration of science, math, art, reading and technology. For the Under the Sea Art Show, students spent weeks reading and learning about maritime science and math elements like shapes, lines and symmetry.

The Navigator Academy of Leadership is located at 1101 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For more information, visit https://navigatoracademyvalrico.com/.

Samantha Walz was named Player of the Year.

From left to right: Principal Dr. Rebecca Valdes, elementary art teacher Heather Adkins, middle school art teacher Samantha Patterson and vice principal Danielle Blaxton.

Newsome’s softball team became back-to-back district champions.

BLOOMINGDALE’S TRACK TEAM BREAKS A DOZEN SCHOOL RECORDS

Bloomingdale High School’s track and field team broke 12 school records this season. Eleven of the new record holders will advance to the states meet after their exceptional performance at the district and regional meets.

Senior Thomas Schilling broke the 25-year-old school record for the fastest 3,200-meter, running the race in nine minutes and 44 seconds.

Simon Castillo set the record for the 400-meter hurdles, completing the hurdles in a minute.

“He’s an all-around athlete,” said coach Dale Batemen. “He’s our hurdler specialist.”

Mia Courtney set the record for the women’s 400-meter hurdles as well with a time of one minute and 17 seconds.

Makenna Mach broke a 12-year record after her 800-meter run with a time of two minutes and 16 seconds. She also set the record for the 400-meter dash.

“She’s got a great stride. … She just has had the work ethic since [she was a] freshman and is coachable, takes in what you’re saying and goes with it,” said coach Nikki Porter.

Senior Zekira Snow beat a 12-year long record in the 100-meter dash with a time

By Lily Belcher

of 12.05 seconds. Snow also set the school’s 200-meter and long jump records.

“Zekira is just a hardworking athlete, just a great kid. She’s out on the track every day. … Just over the past four years, I’ve seen her grow and blossom into the athlete she is on the track,” said Porter.

Charles Coney set another record in field events this year with the school’s longest javelin throw of 144.5 feet.

Bloomingdale’s 4 x 100 relay team of seniors Mekhi Thomas, Michael McGee, Christian Bodnar and Derek Owens set a record with a time of 42.18 seconds.

The men’s 4 x 400 team set a record as well, with Wisny Cherident on the first leg and McGee, Bodnar and Owens following.

The women’s 4 x 400 team set a record time of four minutes and six seconds, with Sabrina Flowers, Mach, Kimmari Glenn and Snow racing together.

“They have to trust each other to know when to take of,” explained Bateman about his relay teams.

Fourteen track and field athletes advanced to the states meet for Bloomingdale. For more information on Bloomingdale’s track team, visit their Instagram @ bdalexctf.

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 02/14/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones

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Bloomingdale High School’s Tomas Schilling, Makenna Mach, Zekira Snow, Simon Castillo, Michael McGee, Mekhi Tomas, Derek Owens and Christian Bodnar broke 12 school records. (Not pictured: Bodnar.)

LOCAL RESTAURANTS OFFER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY MENUS IN THE AREA

Imagine going to a restaurant with a dairy allergy and ordering a burger. When the burger is delivered, it has no bun, no condiments, only lettuce and a patty. What happened? The restaurant wasn’t trained in food allergies or sensitivities, so to be safe it took most of the food away.

Anyone who struggles with food allergies and sensitivities understands this scenario all too well.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that in America, as of 2021, 16 million adults and 4 million children have food allergies. When so many Americans deal with food allergies/sensitivities, it can be di f cult for families to know how to navigate restaurants safely.

Thankfully, many large chain restaurants provide allergy menus when requested and bring out a manager to discuss safe options. But not all restaurants are created equal in dealing with food allergies. It’s important to find a restaurant that trains its sta f , waiters/waitresses and cooks in properly dealing with food and teaching knowledge of whether something would be cross-contaminated or not.

In the Brandon/Valrico/Riverview area, there are a few tasty options to eat at that are fairly allergy-conscious, such as:

Vine Vegan, Mellow Mushroom and Cali.

Danielle Stevens opened Vine Vegan five months ago as a labor of love. That is, the love of sharing vegan, plant-based fare. For those who su f er from gluten, dairy or egg sensitivity/allergy, there are many options to choose from on the menu. Vine Vegan has a 3,000-squarefoot location and is a fast-casual setting

with dinein and carry-out options, all within a family-friendly environment.

Justine Grossberg, Vine Vegan’s restaurant manager, stated that “the restaurant tries to take every precaution to avoid potential allergens when a customer informs of an allergy.” Employees clean the cooking surface, change gloves and write the allergen on the ticket. Then a binder of every ingredient is reviewed with the customer and a manager comes out to discuss food options.

Vine Vegan is located in the Brandon Crossroads Plaza at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. It is open Sunday to Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday to Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday to Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. For Vine Vegan’s menu, vis-

it www.vinevegan. com. Another allergy-conscious restaurant is Mellow Mushroom. Mellow Mushroom is a sit-down chain restaurant that has been around for the last 40 years. It primarily serves stone-baked pizza, but also sandwiches, calzones and even vegan/vegetarian food. The franchise focuses on nutrition and makes sure to source healthy ingredients into the food it serves. Mellow Mushroom’s menu indicates what is gluten-free or dairy-free for those with gluten or dairy allergies, making it fairly easy to determine what is safe to eat. There is also a whole section of the menu dedicated to gluten-free options. If there are other allergies/sensitivities to food, there is a feature on Mellow Mushroom’s website with which

By Ashley Abene

customers can select an allergen and then see their food options.

Mellow Mushroom is located at 10959 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon in the Causeway Shoppes plaza. Its hours are Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. To see Mellow Mushroom’s menu, visit www.mellowmushroom.com.

Cali is also an allergy-friendly option to choose from in the area. In 2005, the first Ciccio-Cali restaurant chain opened in Florida. Cali is a family-owned-and-operated chain with four locations in the Tampa Bay area: Tampa Palms, St. Petersburg, South Tampa and Brandon.

The Cali restaurants aim to provide ingredients that are antibiotic-free and hormone-free. Its menu ranges from rice bowls to wraps and pizza. Cali has a fast-casual setting with dine-in and carry-out options. Finding allergy-friendly foods is easy with this menu. Gluten-free or dairy-free options are indicated on the main menu. But if a customer has a soy, peanut, tree nut or egg allergy, the staff are often able to suggest options to eat.

Cali is located at 11230 Sullivan St. in Riverview, near Winthrop Village. Its hours are Monday to Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Saturday to Sunday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. To see Cali’s menu, visit https://www.eatatcali.com/.

Although these three restaurants are allergy-friendly, each place has indicated that cross-contamination of allergens can occur while cooking, so customers to be aware of that when ordering food.

BLOOMINGDALE SOFTBALL COACH LEAH PEMBERTON WINS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Bloomingdale High School head softball coach Leah Pemberton was named the Hillsborough County Federal Division Western Conference Coach of the Year after leading her team to a second district championship in two years.

“Words honestly can’t even describe it. I feel like I’ve continuously worked hard,” said Pemberton. “As a coach, you don’t do it for the money, you do it because you love it and you do it because it means so much more to you than the time out there, and so to be recognized by my peers and the other coaches in the division honestly meant so much.”

Pemberton was hired by her alma mater in July 2019. In her fourth season as head coach, she led the Bulls to a 14-7 regular season record and a regionals appearance. She had a very successful career as a player, patrolling the infield for Bloomingdale from 2009-12 and going on to play college softball for Florida Southern from 2013-17. She was one of the team captains during her senior season at Bloomingdale, hitting .301 with 22 hits, 14 runs scored and nine RBIs.

“Coach Leah loves the game,” said junior Camryn VanGalder. “She pushes us to practice hard and play hard. She notices immediately if we’re of as a team or individual and helps us get back on track. She believes in us, she allows us to make mistakes, but still requires 100 percent from us at every practice and game.”

By Nick Nahas

Pemberton said that Bloomingdale softball has always been a prideful program since she has played there, and she wants to teach her players the importance of maintaining the tradition and expectation of winning while taking pride in wearing the Lady Bulls uniform and leaving the program in better shape than when they first arrived there.

“She’s always pushed me to be my best self on the field,” said senior Megan Jones-Ortiz.

“She helped me understand the sport on a whole other level. Without her, I don’t think I’d be playing college ball.”

The head coach believes in focusing on the mental parts of the game while also teaching the skill. She wants her players to take it one inning at a time and one game at a time and to be competitive and mentally strong.

“She always helps me with any adjustments I have to make with my swing and cares a lot about her players and growing their abilities,” said senior Livia Velasco.

“Seeing it from a coach’s perspective, you can’t really contribute on the field. You can’t go up to hit, you can’t pitch and you can’t field,” said Pemberton. “Being able to sit back and know that come game time, all the work that you put in day in and day out, being able to watch it play out, I think means that much more. This is home to me.”

“I love Bloomingdale, I love giving back to the school that gave me some of the best years of my life,” she added.

The Hillsborough Community College (HCC)

Lady Hawks Tennis team won the NJCAA Division I Women’s Tennis National Championship during the national tournament held in Tyler, Texas from May 6-10. This is the team’s second national championship title in their school’s history, winning with a team point total of 46.

“I could not be more proud of how our team competed,” HCC athletic director and tennis head coach Sarah Lytle said. “They played with so much heart and beat out all expectations. They earned that championship.”

Lytle was also recognized as the Coach of the Tournament during the championship.

HCC swept all five championship matches during the tournament, earning first place in singles flights No. 3, 4 and 6, as well as first place in doubles flights No. 1 and 2.

Singles victories came from flight No. 3 Ita Habekovic, flight No. 4 Alicia Gomez and flight No. 6 Paula Cabrer-Pericas, who all earned first team singles All-American honors. Doubles victories came from Esmee Andresen and Arina Gamretkaia in flight No. 1 as well as Yoana Dudova and Gomez in flight No. 2. Both

duos also earned first team doubles All-American honors.

The Lady Hawks earned runner-up titles in the 2021 and 2022 national championships to Tyler Junior College. Their last national title came in 2008, in which they defeated Tyler Junior College by one point for a team total of 45.

To read more about team stats and see tournament photos, visit the NJCAA website, https://stats.njcaa.org/sports/ wten/2022-23/div1/national_championship/championship_recap.

The Lady Hawks currently practice and compete at the Tejas Pradip Patel HCC Tennis Center, located on the Dale Mabry campus. For court registration, center hours and more, visit hccfl.edu/ tennis-center.

HCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may o f er credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Hillsborough Community College serves more than 42,000 students annually at its five campuses located throughout Tampa Bay. For more information, visit www.hccfl.edu.

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 Senior Class.

Now that you’ve harvested seeds of success, Mosaic and the community wish you a bright and bountiful future!

Bloomingdale High School head softball coach Leah Pemberton was named the Hillsborough County Federal Division Western Conference Coach of the Year.

Te 2023 Women’s Tennis National Champions.

FUN ONLINE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

One of the best and simplest ways to prevent your child’s reading proficiency levels from declining this summer is to establish a daily reading habit. And with the relaxed pace of summer, your child might be happy to hear that he or she is free to choose whatever books sound the most interesting — a welcome change from the school year, which is undoubtedly busy with required school reading.

Want to give your child a nudge in the right direction? Why not enroll him or her in a summer reading program? Summer reading programs o f er a fun way for children to keep track of their reading and rewards for completing reading milestones. While your local library or bookstore may have a reading program, there are also a number of excellent online options as well — and even better, all are free. Here are just a few online summer reading programs for you to explore:

Scholastic’s Summer Reading

Home Base

From now through Thursday, September 7, kids can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which o f ers stories, characters, games and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading

Barnes & Noble provides a reading journal in which your child records the books he or she reads and a little about the book. After finishing eight books, a child can bring the printable reading journal into a Barnes & Noble and redeem it for a free book between Sat-

By Dr. Raymond J. Huntington

urday, July 1 and Thursday, August 31. Visit www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading and look for the 100 Books of summer for Kids section.

Camp BOOK IT!

The Camp BOOK IT! program is open to all families with PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12). Parents set goals, track reading and reward their students, all in a digital dashboard. The program dates are June through August. Visit www.bookitprogram.com/programs/ camp-book-it.

Half Price Summer Reading Camp

Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp, where online campers, and their trusty guardians, can get their fill of fun reads and activities to keep busy during lazy days of summer, including reading lists by age. The camp runs from now through July 31. Visit https://b. halfpricebooks. com/summer-reading/.

A summer reading program is a great way to incentivize your child to stick with reading all summer long. These programs all strive to make reading enjoyable, reward progress and encourage children to commit to reading as a hobby of choice. The summer is upon us — get started now, and help your child start o f on the right foot for a fun-filled summer of learning and exploration.

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 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 www. huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.

ROUTINE IS KEY FOR A HAPPY, ORGANIZED SUMMER FOR KIDS

I really enjoy the first week of summer break. Sleeping in, no morning rush, pajamas for half the day.

Then there comes a point where I need more routine; not a ton, but just enough.

It takes some efort to find the balance between structure and summer freedom. The challenge is allowing for downtime and relaxing from a stressful school year and still being productive.

I have learned that kids thrive on routine — a predictable routine for the family each day.

Here are a few ideas to provide just enough routine and create memories at the same time.

Create a summer bucket list

Everyone has summer expectations — things they look forward to doing, places they want to visit, people they want to spend time with. If they aren’t planned, and written down, when the end of summer comes, you’ll look back and say, “I didn’t do anything I really wanted to do.”

A summer bucket list doesn’t mean we will do everything on the list, but it certainly gives us a visual, of a few things, that will help every member of the family feel like they had a good summer. The only way for this to work is to include everyone in your family in the creation of the list.

By Alisa Adams

Chores for everyone

Everyone is home. That means everyone has ample opportunity in helping to maintain the home. For us, chores during the summer happen at the same time every day, right after breakfast. Knowing the expectation gets them done early in the day and allows for plenty of time for summer fun.

Build in daily time for academics, creativity and learning new skills

Time for online classes, musical instruments, workbooks, arts and crafts. There should be quiet time for reading and time for learning new skills.

Even with a routine, there is plenty of time for spontaneity.

Structure doesn’t have to ruin summer fun. When the house is in order and the important ‘have-to-do’ things are scheduled, there is less reluctance for the ‘fun’ of summer: friend time, a day trip, dinner out, time at the splash pad or/and afternoons at the beach.

Just enough routine in summer days will allow you to focus on the moments and create memories.

For more tips and specifics on creating a summer routine, follow my Facebook page @AlisaAdamsStyle.

A summer bucket list is

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY REMINDS

RESIDENTS TO CONSERVE WATER AND REVIEW THEIR WATERING DAYS AND HOURS

Hillsborough County has received very little rain this year — just 4.40 inches in the first four months. The average rainfall for the county for the first four months is 10.93 inches.

With the lack of rainfall, all water users in unincorporated Hillsborough County are subject to year-round lawn watering restrictions. Lawn watering drives peak customer water demand, and the restrictions help to balance the demand and prevent low water pressure.

Allowable watering days and hours for most water sources, uses and methods:

• Street addresses ending in 0, 1, 2 or 3: Mondays and/or Thursdays.

• Street addresses ending in 4, 5 or 6: Tuesdays and/or Fridays.

• Street addresses ending in 7, 8 or 9: Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.

• Common areas with or without addresses, locations with no address and locations with mixed addresses: Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.

• No watering is allowed on Sundays.

Watering may occur in only one of the two designated watering periods per day, between midnight and 8 a.m., or between 6 p.m. and 12 Midnight, on the allowable watering days.

Customers using reclaimed water may water on any day of the week, either before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

The use of drinking or reclaimed water for watering lawns must not be wasteful and unnecessary. Irrigation systems should be operated in a prudent manner to ensure that water does not collect or run-of from the system does not occur. Irrigation should

HILLSBOROUGH

COUNTY’S FIVE

SIMPLE STEPS FOR USING YOUR CURBSIDE ROLL CARTS

Staf Report

only be used as a supplement to rainfall.

Visit hcflgov.net/waterrestrictions or call 813663-3295 to confirm your allowable watering days and hours and find additional rules concerning hand watering, watering of new sod and landscaping, car washing, pressure washing and using reclaimed water for irrigation.

Enforcement of Watering Days

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement

ofcers are carrying out routine patrols. Violations of the ordinance can result in a warning and even a fine of up to $500. Violations can be reported by calling Hillsborough County’s water violations reporting hotline at 813-224-8993.

Irrigation Evaluations to Help Conserve Water

There are additional actions that residents can take to reduce water consumption.

The UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Ofce ofers free on-site and telephone irrigation evaluations for Hillsborough County residents and community and condominium associations that are high water users irrigating with metered water. This service provides education about the water conservation benefits of following Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles.

Extension staf can review rain or moisture sensors, irrigation system components and controller settings for proper setup and functionality. They can also perform a ‘wet walk’ of the property to identify irrigation inefciencies, such as broken heads and misdirected sprays. To schedule irrigation evaluations, contact Paula Staples at 813-7445519, ext. 54142, or staplesp@hcflgov.net.

FINANCIAL FOCUS BIGGEST THREATS TO A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT?

If you save and invest for decades, you’d like to know you can retire without fnancial worries. Nonetheless, you still have to be aware of some threats to a comfortable retirement — and how to respond to them. These threats include:

• Infation – Infation has been high recently, but even a mild infation rate can seriously erode your purchasing power. In fact, with just a 3% infation rate, your expenses could double in about 25 years — and your retirement could easily last that long. So, if you’re going to rely on your investment portfolio for a sizable part of your retirement income, you will need to own a reasonable number of growth-oriented investments, such as stocks or stock-based funds, whose potential returns can equal or exceed the infation rate.

• Excessive withdrawals – Once you retire, you should establish a withdrawal rate for your portfolio — an amount you can take out each year and still feel secure that you won’t run out of money. Some people make the mistake of withdrawing too much, too soon, once they’re retired. Your withdrawal rate should be based on several factors, including your age at retirement, the size of your portfolio and the amount of income you receive from other sources, such as Social Security. A fnancial professional can help you determine a withdrawal rate that’s appropriate for your needs.

• Market volatility – The fnancial markets will always fuctuate. When you’re still working, this volatility may not be such a problem, as you have years or decades to recover from short-term downturns. But when you retire, you don’t want to have to sell investments when their price is down. To help prevent this, you can tap into the cash in your portfolio, assuming you have enough to cover several months’ worth of

living expenses. You could also draw on a CD “ladder” — a group of CDs that mature at diferent times — to provide you with resources for the next few years and allow your equity investments time to recover their value.

• Unexpected costs – You had them when you were working, and you’ll probably have them when you’re retired: the furnace that breaks down, the car that needs a major repair, and so on. But if you’ve established an emergency fund containing a year’s worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account, you may be able to “ride out” these costs without jeopardizing your investment portfolio. Be sure to keep these reserves separate from your typical dayto-day accounts to avoid the temptation of spending your emergency money.

• Health – Retirees may face more health concerns than younger people, and those concerns often come with larger medical bills. That’s why it’s important to maximize the benefts from Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan. Also, if you contributed to a Health Savings Account (HSA) while you were working, and you haven’t depleted it, you can use the money in retirement. As long as the HSA funds are used for qualifed medical expenses, withdrawals are tax- and penalty-free, and won’t be included in your income. This could help keep your income below certain levels, lower your Medicare premiums or avoid the 3.8% surtax on net investment income that can be assessed on high-net-worth taxpayers.

Retirement can be a pleasant time in your life — and you’ll enjoy it more if you’re prepared for the challenges that face all retirees.

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

Hillsborough County weekly residential curbside collection service includes two trash pickups, one recycling collection, and one yard waste collection.

For trash and recycling:

1. Fill the GRAY cart with trash and the BLUE cart with recyclables.

2. Everything must fit inside the carts in order to be collected.

3. Tilt the carts and roll them to the curb by 6 a.m. on collection days.

4. Follow the 3-foot rule: Keep the carts at least 3 feet away from other carts, mailboxes, cars, trees, shrubs, fire hydrants and utility poles.

5. Look for the arrows on each cart lid. Place carts curbside with the arrows pointing toward the street.

Trash: This includes household garbage, food waste, soiled paper, diapers and nonrecyclable packaging. Bag all trash before placing it in the GRAY cart.

Recycling: This includes clean, dry and empty accepted program items, such as plastic food and beverage containers, aluminum beverage cans, metal food containers, food and beverage cartons, ofce paper, magazines, newspapers and flattened cardboard. All recyclables should be placed in the BLUE cart loosely — not bagged.

Find collection days by using the Solid Waste Information Viewer. Contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste to report

For yard waste:

missed collections, arrange for a bulk pickup, report damaged or missing carts and arrange for any other collection service needs.

Yard waste is collected manually at curbside. Follow these guidelines:

• Use your own cans, boxes, bags, or other containers for grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery trimmings and other yard waste. Help keep the county’s mulch product clean by not using plastic bags for tree limbs.

• Tree limbs and other large trimmings can also be bundled and stacked.

• Individual pieces must not be more than 4 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter.

• Each container, bundle, bag or individual item must not exceed 50 pounds.

• You may set out up to 12 30-gallon containers of yard waste or 2 cubic yards of stacked materials each week.

For bulky trash:

Furniture, appliances, mattresses, air conditioners, water heaters and other large items cannot be picked up by automated trucks. Take these items to a Community Collection Center for disposal at no charge (subject to annual volume limits). Or, contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste to arrange a bulk pickup for a fee. Visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/ residents/property-owners-and-renters/ trash-and-recycling for more information.

iSPY TEACHES STEM TO LOCAL PRESCHOOL STUDENTS

The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is to provide children, from birth to 5 years old, a high-quality, equitable and inclusive early learning experience to prepare them for success in school and life through the collaboration of families, educators and the community.

Recently, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program. “The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created the program because state tests show only half of kids in Tampa Bay are ready for kindergarten,” said Alison Fraga, chief development ofcer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, “so thousands of kids are starting school each year without the basic skills they need to succeed. This STEM program is one way to fix that.”

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, in partnership with ZooTampa, The Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children’s Museum, strives to improve reading, science and mathematics

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

By Libby Hopkins

literacies among preschool students ages 3-5 through playbased learning activities.

The iSpy Tampa Bay program provides the opportunity to engage children in science and nature play both in the classroom and at home. The program promotes natural curiosity, increases vocabulary and sparks imagination. “Each child gets a backpack full of STEM learning tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars,” Fraga said. “Kids also get a free family membership to the Glazer Children’s Museum, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa. Plus, teachers get special training to use STEM to help kids learn the key skills they need like math, reading and vocabulary.”

Only half of Tampa Bay’s students are entering kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed in school, according to state testing. “iSpy Tampa Bay is aiming to reverse that trend by bringing STEM learning into child care centers and preschools by using fun play to teach real science, math and reading skills,” Fraga said.

If you would like to learn more about the programs ofered by the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County or if you want to learn more about its iSpy Tampa Bay program, visit www.elchc.org.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

By Jerry L. Mallams, P.G., Operations Bureau Chief

Q: What does the district do to prepare for hurricane season?

A: Year-round, the Southwest Florida Water Management District operates 84 water control structures in its 16-county area. These structures assist with flood protection, manage lake water levels and prevent saltwater from flowing up freshwater streams and creeks. To prepare for hurricane season, staf conduct annual hurricane readiness checks of all the district’s structures to ensure they are working properly.

Q: What is a critical structure?

A: Some of our flood control structures are considered critical structures, such as the structures associated with the Tampa Bypass Canal System. This system routes flood water from the Hillsborough River around the cities of Tampa and Temple Terrace, providing protection from river flooding. Used in 2017 during Hurricane Irma, the canal system was moving up to 3 billion gallons of flood water a day, sparing homes and businesses along the lower Hillsborough River from flooding

Q: What is the largest flood control system in the district?

A: The Tampa Bypass Canal System is the largest flood control system in the district. It is made up of nine flood control structures, a 6.5-mile earthen dam and 15.7 miles of canals, and it impounds flood waters from the Hillsborough River into the 16,000-acre Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area. As the detention area fills with water from the river and the surrounding 450-squaremile watershed, the flows then enter the

Tampa Bypass Canal and are safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from flooding. The Tampa Bypass Canal System was constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960.

Q: How are the structures operated?

A: All the Tampa Bypass Canal structures, along with many other district structures, can be operated remotely or manually. All the district’s mission-critical water control structures, including the 17 flood control structures, are operated remotely by staf using a computer. This allows staf to operate structures 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any location. Approximately half of the district’s water control structures must be manually operated, with staf having to be physically present at the location to operate the structure.

Q: What actions does the district take during an active storm threat?

A: During an active storm threat, district ofcials activate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor tropical storms and hurricanes. Depending on the level of activation, the district will mobilize appropriate emergency personnel to report to the EOC for extended shifts. Staf will monitor and document water levels and operate water control structures on water bodies throughout the district’s 16-county area as needed. EOC ofcials will maintain direct communications and distribute information to the media, the public and district employees.

Jerry Mallams is a licensed professional geologist in Florida and has worked for the Southwest Florida Water Management District for 26 years. Jerry manages the 84 district-owned food control and water conservation structures and canal rightsof-way within the 16-county area.

Beach

813-793-7791 • www.MotionChiroTherapy.com

Te Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program.

HGTV 100 Day Dream Home, Basketball Camp & More...

Hillsborough Fleet Management

Takes Prestigious Awards

Hillsborough

County Fleet Management

achieved a rare triple win at the 2023 NAFA Fleet Management Association’s annual contest recognizing the best fleets in the United States and Canada. Hillsborough County Fleet Management provides asset management and policy development services for a fleet of 3,400 vehicles. The vehicles serve 30 county departments, county constitutional ofces and various Florida agencies.

HillsboroughCounty won all three categories for which it was eligible: Best Public Fleet; Fleet Professional of the Year, fleet management director Robert Stine; and Fleet Technician of the Year, Alex Gonzalez.

Newsome High School Basketball Camps

Newsome High School will be ofering basketball camps this summer for both boys and girls. The girls camp will run from June 5-8 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon for girls entering grades four through nine. Boys entering grades four through six will have camp from Monday through Thursday, June 1215 from 11 a.m-2 p.m., and grades seven through nine will have camp from Monday through Thursday, June 19-22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration paperwork can be collected from Newsome High School front ofce. Questions for girls camps can be emailed to scott.palmer@hcps.net and questions for boys camp can be directed to david. cassreino@hcpl.net.

Bolts to Hold Brew Fest at AMALIE Arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be hosting the sixth annual Bolts Brew Fest at AMALIE Arena on Friday, August 11 beginning at 8 p.m. The event will ofer craft beers from a variety of diferent local craft breweries, oversized games, ThunderBug and more. General admission tickets include entry at 8 p.m., ‘general admission plus’ tickets provide entry at 7 p.m., and VIP admission is at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets early. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit https://boltsbrewfest.com/.

Summer Camps For Children And Young Adults With Special Needs

Johnson’s All Care, located at 1005 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon, will be hosting a summer camp for children ages 5-13

years with special needs. Camp will run from Monday, June 5 through Tuesday, August 4 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be indoor and outdoor activities, including bowling, movies, music and crafts. The cost is $350 per week and includes outings and lunch. For additional information, contact Freda Johnson at jacchildcarecenter@gmail.com or call 813-360-6340.

Teens and young adults ages 16-22 years of age with special needs can attend summer camp at K2 Escape Academy, located 516 Corner Dr. in Brandon. Camp will run from June 5 through August 4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; extended hours can be discussed. Activities

will include themed celebrations, team sports, bowling and movies. For more information, contact Jasmine White at jwhite.k2escapeinc@ gmail.com or register online at www.k2escape.org.

Local Residents Returned To HGTV Shows

Local residents Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt recently returned to HGTV in a two-episode special of 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel, ahead of the new 11-episode season premiere of 100 Day Dream Home

During the beachfront hotel special, Brian and Mika turn their construction and design expertise toward the full overhaul of a dated 12-room property on the Florida Gulf Coast. 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel premiered on May 12 on HGTV, and was followed by the new season of the 100 Day Dream Home which premiered on May 26.

Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fctitious name of Durant Woods Homeowners Association located at 1037 E Brandon Blvd, in Hillsborough County, in the city of Brandon, Florida, 33511, intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Valrico, Florida this 1st day of June 2023.

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt from HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home.

A Better Surgical Option for You — Robotic Surgery

At Manatee Memorial Hospital, experienced physicians from the Surgery Center provide patients with the benefts of minimally invasive, advanced robotic surgery using the da

Vinci® Surgical System.

Benefts of robotic surgery may include:

•

Reduce pain and trauma to the body

Lessens blood loss

•

•

Lowers risk of infection

•

Shorten length of hospital stay

•

Promote quicker recovery with less scarring

Vinci® Surgical System allows surgeons to maneuver into small spaces within the body with 3D magnifcation, while providing a greater range of motion and precision with specialized instruments.

The da

Vinci® Surgical System. The hospital has recently achieved accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, recognized for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC).

UNION SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE, IRONWORKERS LOCAL 397 HOST YOUTH FISHING EVENT AT SUNCOAST YOUTH CONSERVATION CENTER

Nearly 200 youth and their families turned out for Take Kids Fishing Day at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center (SYCC) in Apollo Beach on April 15. Most of the participants had never fished before.

Hosted by Ironworkers Local 397 and the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), the free community event aimed to introduce youth to saltwater fishing from the boardwalk and fishing pier constructed by union volunteers at SYCC in 2019.

The wheelchair-accessible structure is the result of a multiyear community service project organized by the USA through its Work Boots on the Ground conservation program. It flanks a restored saltwater pond and marsh adjacent to the SYCC’s 6,000-square-foot education facility.

“We are grateful to the USA for its commitment to supporting youth engagement with the outdoors. The fishing pier they built for us makes a huge diference for visitors, field trip students and summer campers,” said SYCC director Candice Wade.

“Florida’s natural resources belong to all of us, and not everyone gets the chance to grow up with access to nature or guidance on how to engage with the outdoors,” she added. “Events like this empower youth and families to enjoy Florida wildlife in a conservation-minded manner. I especially love that participants received fishing gear so they can continue to apply the skills they

learned.”

As youth fished from the boardwalk and along the banks of the marsh, 18 union volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397 and the NFL Players Association, along with USA and SYCC staf, assisted them with baiting hooks, casting, reeling and getting familiar with their new fishing rods and reels, provided by the USA.

“The unions are part of the community, and we are always looking for ways to

give back and make a positive impact. We had plenty of volunteers to ensure the kids had a great experience,” said Keven Barber, Ironworkers Local 397 financial secretary-treasurer/business agent, who organized the event. “Between youth events like this and the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) apprenticeship readiness program we participate in with high schools, we hope to expose youth to the trades so they consider it as an option when

they graduate.”

“At the NFLPA, we look for opportunities for kids to experience activities they don’t normally get a chance to participate in,” said NFLPA Tampa Chapter President Jerry Bell, who volunteered at the event. “It was great to be able to spend time with these kids and show them a few things about fishing. I saw one little girl catch the biggest fish of the day, and it was neat to see how excited she was.”

Throughout the event, SYCC staf also manned four education stations, including fish tagging, knot tying, fish measuring and casting.

The Suncoast event was part of a series of free, community-based Take Kids Fishing Day events, organized through the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program with support from USA national partners Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Union Plus and Humana as well as founding partners UIG, ULLICO, Bank of Labor, AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation and Buck Knives.

“The weather for this year’s event was great, and the kids caught more fish — black drum and pinfish — than previous years,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell. “We can’t thank the volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397, the NFLPA and SYCC enough for donating their time to give participating families a fun and educational experience and spark their interest in fishing.”

Volunteers from Ironworkers Local 397 and the NFL Players Association assisted youth with baiting, casting, reeling and getting familiar with their new fshing rods and reels.

Te Union Sportsmen’s Alliance provided all participating youth with their own fshing rods and reels so they could continue to pursue fshing beyond the event.

Most of the youth taking part in Take Kids Fishing Day had never fshed prior to the event.

You want to contribute to causes you care about. How can you ensure your money will do the most good? Since 1990, Community Foundation Tampa Bay has been helping donors maximize their giving potential to create a greater collective impact. For more info, go to cftampabay.org.

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

Excellence & elegance surround you at this magnificent, 5,000-SF home custombuilt by Hannah Bartoletta for the original owners now offering it for sale! In a gated enclave of FishHawk, on a cul-de-sac half-acre, the property features an impressive pool & spa lanai with panoramic view of conservation woods & water. An outdoor kitchen & gas fireplace flank the heated pool on a travertine deck with both screened & roof-sheltered spaces for all-weather enjoyment. Triple pocket sliders from the family room throw the home open for entertaining, & of course, details are just as dazzling inside. Key numbers are 18 rooms upstairs & down, 5 bedrooms & baths, 4 garage bays, 3 AC units, 1 fine opportunity! $1,500,000

East of FishHawk near Alderman here’s another type of luxury coming to the market soon! 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-car garage, & a 2-story design with soaring ceilings from 10 to 16 ft. Quality finishes range from quartz counters & soft-close wood cabinets to 8-ft doors, 8-in baseboard & wood-look tile floors. Gas heat for the pool & tankless water heater, high-end appliances, butler pantry & other amenities are part of the package, too, while the pool includes sun shelf, fire pit & more. $1,290,000

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!”

One

FishHawk home

clients just downsized as a buyer client to this beautiful 2/2/2 with a water view in Sun City Center! I’ve helped a string of SCC buyers 55 & older this year already, including all the homes along this row & more. If you’re in this market, I’m here to help you. $335,000

beauty in the golf course community of La Paloma, which actu ally borders SCC, is larger & more costly than others my buyer clients have preferred as they downsize. It’s a 3/2/2 with 2,160 SF & a new roof just last year. But the HOA fee here is only $230/year with no CDD! $430,000

This 2/2/2 condo villa overlooks another golf course in SCC. With roof, windows, doors, electrical & other items updated, plus the easy condominium lifestyle, it became an excellent choice for clients who had become emptynest home sellers in Riverview’s Cristina community. $272,000

Skill Samurai Opens In Bloomingdale Square Plaza

Skill Samurai recently opened at 931 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon and o f ers after-school coding and robotic classes as well as summer camps. It believes that all children should have the opportunity to develop various skills, and several classes are available for all ages and skill levels. Instructors guide the students and ensure that every one of them is getting the best out of their class by tailoring the courses to students’ strengths and weaknesses. For more information, visit its website at https://skillsamurai. com/fl-brandon or call 813-761-2832.

Rumble Boxing Opens

Rumble Boxing opened its newest location in FishHawk at 5610 Circa FishHawk Blvd. and celebrated with a Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting. Visit www.rumbleboxinggym.com/ location/fishhawk for information on classes, where you can “rumble at your pace.”

Iron Rock Insurance Opens Commercial Division

Local-family-owned Iron Rock Insur-

ance has recently expanded and opened a commercial insurance division. With the growing commercial business Lisa Hast, managing partner of Iron Rock Insurance, felt it would be a great asset to the business as well as the community. Heading the commercial division is Spencer Foy, and Kate Norberg, licensed CSR, joined the commercial division as well. Iron Rock Insurance is located at 400 Frandorson Cir., Ste. 103 in Apollo Beach and can be contacted on 813-213-9600. Visit its website at www.ironrockins.com for more information.

Rello Runs Academy Summer Basketball

Rello Runs Academy, owned locally by Durrell and Jade Peterson, is preparing for its summer basketball camps and classes in the Riverview area. It provides a great fun environment for all athletes to grow in spirit, mind and body through basketball. Call 904-563-3170 or email jpetersoncorp@gmail.com for more information.

Wingspread Farm Selected For 2023 Best Of Valrico Award

Wingspread Farm has been selected for the 2023 Best of Valrico Award in the Farm category by the Valrico Award Program. Each year, the Valrico Award Program identifies companies that it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community. These are companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community and help make the Valrico area a great place to live. Wingspread Farm is located at 3003 Pearson Rd. in Valrico and is open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit its website at www.wingspread.farm for more information.

Home Care For Te 21st Century Now

Available

Home Care for the 21st Century is a

woman-owned business located locally in Hillsborough County. It aims to keep our seniors safer and at home longer by o f ering a wide range of services that match clients’ needs, including companion care, skilled nursing care, transportation, medical equipment, telehealth monitoring, dementia care and more. Families will enjoy peace of mind knowing that loved ones are safe and can maintain their independence in the comfort of their own home, and costs are significantly reduced compared with alternatives. At Home Care for the 21st Century, you are not just a number, you are part of the family. Visit its website at www.homecareforthe21stcentury. com or call 833786-2121 for additional information.

Vogt Insurance Advisory

Kevin Vogt, owner of Vogt Insurance Advisory, provides his clients with an educational experience that leaves them more informed about health insurance.

Spencer Foy is head of Iron Rock Insurance’s commercial division.

Canine Cabana celebrated 15 years, serving dogs and their families, with a multi-chamber ribbon cutting. Located at 9708 Carr Rd in Riverview, they ofer dog daycare, lodging, training and grooming services. Visit caninecabana.biz or call 813-672-WOOF for more information.

Rello Runs, owned locally by Durrell and Jade Peterson. Come visit Wingspread Farm and try the famous cinnamon rolls.

EYE ON BUSINESS...CONTINUED

This leads to the discovery of the coverage options that best fit their needs, budget and lifestyle. Additional information about Vogt Insurance Advisory can be found on its website at www.vogtinsuranceadvising.us, on Facebook at Vogt Insurance Advisory and by calling 813-7088070.

By Jenny Bennett

Dream Tat Big Publishing Celebrates Relaunch

MISSY’S INK ADDS LASER HAIR REMOVAL AND ELECTROLYSIS TO TOP TIER SERVICE OFFERINGS

By Lily Belcher

Florida Trade Academy Hires Chief Academic Offcer Florida Trade Academy (FTA), a groundbreaking program ofering trade education programs for career seekers and job changers, has named longtime higher education leader Lynette Barcewicz as its first chief academic advisor. In this newly created role, Barcewicz is helping advance FTA’s mission to close the skill gap that has become increasing prevalent in the U.S. and to become a reliable resource for talent at a time when millions of jobs remain unfilled. For more information, visit its website at www.floridatradeacademy.org.

your pace.”

Owned by Octoryia Robinson, Dream That Big Publishing is a Tampa Baybased, royalty-free, collaborative self-publishing company that provides mentorship, workshopping, writing and publishing services along with resources to authors and aspiring authors. The team at Dream That Big Publishing are dedicated and talented professionals who have the skills and tools to awaken and inspire nonfiction writers. Its ofce is located at 100 S. Ashley Dr., Ste. 600 in Tampa and is open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Additional information can be found on its website at www. dreamthatbigpublishing. com, by following on Facebook at Dream That Big Publishing or by calling 813-708-7167.

Missy’s Ink is now ‘Missy’s Ink & Laser’ after adding laser hair removal and electrolysis to its lineup of services for women in the Valrico area, allowing customers to add hair where they want and remove hair where they do not.

“I am thrilled to be able to ofer laser hair removal and electrolysis to my clients,” said owner Missy Duncan. “These services are in high demand, and I am excited to be able to provide them in a safe and comfortable environment.”

ter an over 30-hour laser and light-based hair removal course by the Florida Electrolysis Council, Duncan had to go to Orlando to take the exam.

Te Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce joined with ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization), in celebrating a multichamber ribbon-cutting ceremony in honor of the grand opening of its new ECHO Trift store at 815 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.

Duncan completed her International Board of Electrologist Certification Exam on April 12. In addition to her new certifications, Duncan purchased a Soprano ICE laser hair removal machine. The machine provides virtually painless hair removal because the tip of the laser is -3 degrees Celsius.

Missy’s Ink & Laser is also one of few studios in the area to ofer electrolysis, a hair removal service for women with lighter-colored hair.

“I’ll be one of the few people in this area who do electrolysis. It’s kind of a dying field but it is still needed,” explained Duncan.

Duncan’s certification was a huge accomplishment for her at 50 years old. Af-

“I’ve always not been a good test taker, so I was scared to death,” admitted Duncan. “But I had something to prove to myself pretty much. … It’s a huge accomplishment for sure.” Duncan started Missy’s Ink in 2017 after being a photographer for 20 years. Looking for a change, a door opened for her to start her career in permanent makeup. “God just lays it all out for you. When one door opens and another one closes, you kind of just run through it,” said Duncan. Missy’s Ink ofers permanent makeup, including areola pigmentation for breast cancer patients, in addition to hair removal services.

“I always try to treat my clients the way I would like to be treated as a client,” said Duncan. “And making women feel comfortable.”

For more information on Missy’s Ink, visit Duncan’s website at missysink.com or call 813-659-0648. Missy’s Ink is located in Crest Pointe Towne Center at 3117 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

Summer Youth Camp

Rumble Boxing opened its newest location in FishHawk at 5610 Circa FishHawk Blvd. and celebrated with a Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting. Visit www. rumbleboxinggym.com/ location/fshhawk for information on classes, where you can “rumble at

Missy Duncan is now the owner of Missy’s Ink & Laser and is certifed in electrolysis.

Lynette Barcewicz, the newly appointed chief academic advisor at Florida Trade Academy.

Jenifer Breaux with Dream Vacations celebrated the launch of her new travel book, Travel is Possible, with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce.

Marine Families, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to their mission to honor, support, educate and inspire military, veterans and their families. Marine Families was founded in 2004 by Cyd Deathe, the organization’s executive director.

Deathe said, “I established Marine Families because my son was going into the Marines, and I knew he was going to war. I founded the organization because I needed support.”

Marine Families is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting military, veterans and their families. United in teamwork, they continue to improve events, programs and projects ofered by the organization.

Marine Families’ projects include providing support to local Marines through monthly lunches ofered at the 4th AAVBN (Assault Amphibian Battalion) Marine Base located at 5121 Gandy Blvd. in Tampa. Each month, Marine Families provides lunch. This is done in partnership with local businesses and organizations that sponsor the meal. If you are interested in partnering with Marine Families on this project, please call Deathe at 813965-2682.

Marine Families also ofers a Yellow

By Kathy L. Collins

Ribbon Project. They o f er free, personalized deployment ribbons to Marine families all over the globe.

To date, Marine Families has provided over 5,000 ribbons. The Yellow Ribbons are a reminder to all that military men and women who are deployed serve in harm’s way. If you have a deployed service person in your family, you can fill out a form to request a ribbon by visiting www.militaryfamilies.org.

Marine Families also sponsors Krewe of Semper Fi. It has a float and takes local military, veterans and their families during Tampa’s parade season. The Krewe of Semper Fi was established in 2018.

Military, veterans and their families who live locally in the Greater Brandon area can benefit from the projects and programs o f ered by Military Families. It has 35 regular volunteers but is always in need of hardworking volunteers. Moreover, as this is an all-volunteer organization, donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.

Deathe said, “Although we are not in war, we have military men and women who need our support on a daily basis.” For information, visit www.marinefamilies.org.

Alex McKnight

Michael Francis, Music

Stella Chen, Violin

Jubilant Sykes, Baritone

Marine Families, a local nonproft, supports military, veterans and their families in a variety of ways, from monthly lunches and free Yellow Deployment Ribbons to the Krewe of Semper Fi.

Preserve Vision Florida was established in 1957. The nonprofit’s focus is promoting a lifetime of healthy vision care through advocacy, education, screenings and research. It does this by ofering vision education and services to Florida’s children and adults.

According to Jennifer Whittington, vice president of programs and COO, “We primarily screen children’s vision with the idea that if a child cannot see, they cannot read (and learn). Studies show that one in 20 preschool-age children have a vision concern. That ratio rises to one in four children with a vision concern at the elementary school level. If a child cannot see, then they cannot read. Therefore, our mission is to identify and assist getting glasses on children that are in need.”

Preserve Vision Florida works to promote a lifetime of healthy vision care by providing screenings and, if necessary, helps children get the eye exams and glasses they need to succeed in life.

By Kathy L. Collins

and day care centers around the county. It also ofers monthly screenings at each of the seven Children’s Board Family Resource Centers. There are centers located in Brandon, Plant City and Ruskin. You can visit www.pvfla. org/events to see the schedule of screenings.

RAINING CATS AND DOGS SHELTER AND SANCTUARY PROVIDES FOREVER HOMES FOR CATS AND DOGS

By Kathy L. Collins

Whittington added, “We also are funded to educate and assist some of the parents and caregivers of those children. In this way, we help parents become more independent, retain employment and ultimately model the behavior of wearing corrective lenses that children need to mirror. If mom or dad or grandma wear their glasses, it must be important.”

Preserve Vision Florida is funded through the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and United Way Suncoast. Preserve Vision Florida conducts vision screenings at many of the preschools

Whittington said, “We use some of the most updated screening methodology to screen for things like amblyopia (also known as lazy eye), strabismus (when the eyes are not working together), refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). We also screen for color vision deficiency (what used to be referred to as color blindness.) Although there is no cure for color deficiency, there are accommodations that can be made for a child in school once they are identified.”

When children are referred for a follow-up, Preserve Vision Florida continues to follow up with them. If a child does not have insurance or Medicaid, they have a program that ofers free exams and glasses.

Whittington said, “If you have a child in preschool, ask your director if they will arrange for vision screenings at their center with Preserve Vision Florida. If not, share our information. We would love to add your school.”

Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary was founded in 2017 by Laura Santo, rescue president. She wanted to start a rescue that accepted pets that were not considered highly adoptable and would provide a forever home for pets that are unadoptable or slow to be adopted due to age, health or temperament.

Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary is a nonprofit located at 2708 E. SR 60 in Plant City. It is 100 percent volunteer-run. While they accept owner relinquishment, they are not an open-admission shelter. According to Leslie Donegan, volunteer coordinator, “We partner with municipal shelters and accept at-risk pets. At-risk pets are not available for adoption to the public and are determined by the municipal shelter to be available to rescues only because of age, health or temperament.”

Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary has a foster program for puppies, kittens and nursing mothers. Donegan said, “We place animals into foster care that are recovering from surgery. We have a hospice foster program for senior pets to live out their final days in a loving home. All other pets are at the shelter so they have the best chance of being seen by potential adopters and

finding their forever homes.”

Donegan added, “Our shelter is di f erent from municipal shelters because we have no paid employees or receive tax-payer funding. We operate strictly o f of donations and volunteer labor. Our volunteers get to know and love our shelter pets. We strive to find a forever home for each shelter pet, no matter how long that takes. Our goal is to match an adopter with the right pet for their family, which is often not the pet that may have initially brought the adopter to our shelter.”

Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary o f ers meet and greets and adoptions for approved adopters by appointment only. It also has a Yappy Hour on Saturdays at the shelter from 4-5 p.m. which is open to the public.

As it is an all-volunteer organization, it welcomes student volunteers ages 1215 if accompanied by a parent. Students over 16 can volunteer without a parent. It is also in need of volunteers who are willing to make a weekly commitment to help with daily tasks of running the shelter.

For more information, please visit www.rainingcatsanddogsshelter.com or call 813-704-4915.

Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter and Sanctuary in Plant City is an all-volunteer organization that provides forever homes for pets that are unadoptable or slow to be adopted due to age, health or temperament.

VISION FLORIDA’S MISSION IS FOCUSED ON YOUR VISION

Easily identified by their snow-white bodies and bright-yellow feet, the snowy egret is one of Florida’s most widespread and commonly observed wading birds. Snowy egrets are in the heron family and are often found in shallow mangrove, estuary, marsh and wetland habitats. They are also commonly found on the coast. Year-round residents in the state of Florida, snowy egrets are widely distributed across the United States and can be found as far south as Chile and Argentina.

Snowy egrets average a height of 2426 inches tall and have a wingspan of up to 40 inches wide. Their bodies are covered in bright-white plumage (feathers) and their stilt legs are jet black with their characteristic bright-yellow feet. Their beaks are also black and have a bright-yellow patch at the base of their bill.

The snowy egret begins breeding in the springtime — in Florida, that is typically between March and April — like many other species in the state. During this time, the adult snowy egrets will develop long, wispy feathers on their backs, necks and the top of their heads. They nest on islands in their swamp and coastal habitats, where the females lay around three to five eggs. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs, which hatch around four weeks later. Both mom and dad will continue to rear their young for weeks to follow.

Snowy egrets feed in both fresh and

saltwater habitats and can be found intermingled with other species of wading birds. Their diet consists primarily of fish, shrimp and small invertebrates.

Historically, snowy egrets faced a major threat in the late 1800s due to the popularity of their plumage, specifically the feathers on top of their heads, that were being used in hats and as fashion accessories. The rapid decline from hunting them for that plumage jump-started conservation eforts that have thankfully preserved them to the present day. Today, snowy egrets are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and, with continued conservation awareness and eforts, will be around for many more generations to enjoy.

If you want to help snowy egrets and other coastal and wetland birds, remember to reduce waste, reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, recycle and remove and properly discard fishing lines, nets and hooks. Never approach or feed wildlife and always observe from safe distances. Together, we can keep Florida beautiful and wild.

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.

HIGH-COLOR, LOW-MAINTENANCE AND DROUGHT-TOLERANT SHRUBS, VINES AND GRASSES

BY LYNN BARBER, URBAN HORTICULTURE AGENT

Consider the first principle of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, which is ‘right plant, right place,’ as it relates to your plant selections and site conditions.

We are defining high color as foliage and flowers for several seasons. Low maintenance means minimal pruning, fertilizing and pest control. Try walking around your landscape at least once a week to check on the condition of your plants and proceed as needed.

Large shrubs: Aloysia virgata — sweet almond bush — can reach a height and spread of 6 to 12 feet. This shrub prefers full sun, tolerates drought well, attracts butterflies and produces white, fragrant flowers from summer through fall. Callicarpa americana — Beautyberry (native) can reach a height and spread of 6-8 feet. Beautyberry prefers shade to partial shade and has a high drought tolerance. This shrub produces purple to light-purple flowers from spring through fall and small purplish fruits that provide food for wildlife in later winter. There is also a white beautyberry (Callicarpa americana Var. lactea).

Small shrubs: Lantana depressa — weeping lantana, pineland lantana (native) — can reach a height and spread of 3-6 feet. This small shrub has medium drought and high salt tolerance, prefers full sun and attracts butterflies and birds. It produces small yellow, year-round flowers; however, the berries are poisonous. Russelia sarmentosa — firecracker plant — can reach a height of

3-4 feet and a spread of 2-4 feet. It is fast-growing, has medium drought tolerance and prefers full sun. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant, which produces red summer flowers. Yellow and salmon forms are also available.

Vines: Thunbergia alata — black-eyed Susan vine — can reach a height and spread of 5-10 feet. This vine prefers full sun and has low drought tolerance. It is a perennial that produces yellow summer flowers. Ipomoea spp. — morning glory (natives only) — can reach a height of 10-20 feet and a spread of 10-40 feet. It is fast-growing, prefers full sun and has high drought tolerance. Flower color varies. This vine spreads easily and provides food for wildlife.

Grasses: Muhlenbergia capillaris — muhly grass (native) — can reach a height of 2-5 feet and a spread of 2-3 feet. This grass has high drought tolerance and performs best in full sun, producing pink fall flowers. Eragrostis elliottii — Elliott’s lovegrass (native) — can reach a height and spread of 1 to 3 feet and is fast-growing. This grass has high drought tolerance, prefers full sun ranging to partial shade. It produces tan, year-round flowers, especially in the fall.

Many UF/IFAS Extension ofces have teaching/demonstration gardens where you can see these plants and many others in a landscape setting. Contact the UF/IFAS Extension ofce in your county.

Sweet Almond Bush

Beautyberry

BRANDON AUTO SERVICES HAS BEEN HELPING THE COMMUNITY WITH ITS AUTO NEEDS FOR 52 YEARS

Steve Holland and Ken Anderson have been friends since grade school. They have also been the owners of Brandon Auto Services for more than three decades. “We have been part of the Brandon community for 52 years,” Holland said. “My father originally owned Holland’s Auto Service in Brandon on Robertson, across from where the old library used to be. When he decided to sell the business; Ken and I decided to buy the business.”

Brandon Auto Services is the community’s one-stop shop for a wide variety of auto needs. “We have parts for vehicles, and we do general repairs, engine/transmission repairs, collision repairs and tire services,” Holland said. “We work hard to purchase damaged or used vehicles so we can recycle parts. This is an extremely important part of the automotive supply chain.”

Their customers get options in purchasing a quality used part that has a possible warranty ranging from 101 days to lifetime. Think of purchasing a used part when you need a wheel, a car body part, transmission or an engine.

If you ask Holland and Anderson what makes Brandon Auto Services di f erent from other auto services in the area,

LOCAL MED SPA HELPS RESIDENTS DEFY THE AGING PROCESS

By Jane Owen

By Libby Hopkins

they’ll say it’s the variety of services they o f er their customers. “I think growing up in the Brandon community and working in the community is what makes us di f erent,” Holland said. “We give options to our customers. We can use used parts, new factory parts or recycled parts. Customers can choose how their vehicles are fixed.”

Brandon Auto Services also specializes in Corvette repairs and parts.

“We have a large stock of quality of new and used Corvette parts,” Holland said.

“We also do a lot of Corvette repairs.”

Its tire department o f ers both new and quality used tires and wheels, including new custom wheels. “All major brands of tires are available for installation, including Goodyear, Pirelli and Firestone,” Holland said.

Call Brandon Auto Services at 813689-8131 if you need auto or truck parts. For the collision department or mechanic shop, call 813-689-8255.

For more information about the services o f ered at Brandon Auto Services, visit its website at www.brandonauto. com. The shop is located at 3159 SR 60 E. in Valrico. Its hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Have you ever wanted to defy the aging process? Who hasn’t? While no one can stop the clock and the passing of time, ageRejuvenation, a local medical spa clinic, can put a plan in place to bring your body back to an optimal level comparable to when your body was the healthiest in your 20s. ageRejuvenation also ofers weight loss plans that can help you reach short-term weight loss goals.

Under the medical direction of Dr. Dawn Ericsson, ageRejuvenation is committed to treating symptoms of aging and promoting longer and healthier living regardless of age. Core to its full-scale program is an individualized whole-body approach that helps patients restore their health through hormonal balance, decreased inflammation, improved sexual function and weight loss.

Brett Markowitz, visionary and founder of ageRejuvenation, said it is devoted to customized treatment plans that use advanced diagnostic testing to provide insight into the root causes of symptoms.

“We understand that no two individuals are alike,” Markowitz said. “We also believe that treating the whole body is important. Looking at the thyroid, looking at the hormones, looking at the gut health is essen-

tial.”

Clients are given a full-body assessment, which includes a lifestyle assessment with regards to stress, blood tests for hormone analysis and an analysis of food sensitivities and intolerances to support gut health.

“The average person going through traditional doctors and referrals would go through a whole year and a half to get the assessment and labs we do. We do that, day one. You get answers day one,” Markowitz said.

With regards to weight loss goals, ageRejuvenation’s holistic approach to healthy living ensures clients will have long-term success.

“Once you come see us, if you follow what we tell you to do, you are not going to put the weight back on,” said Markowitz.

ageRejuvenation has locations throughout Tampa Bay and will be opening additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. The Brandon ofce is located at 1155 Nikki View Dr. For more information about the services ageRejuvenation ofers, visit www.AgeRejuvenation.com. Call 813-681-8624 for a free consultation.

Dr. Dawn Ericsson is the medical director at ageRejuvenation.

SUMMER IS FAST APPROACHING SO GRAB A FRIEND AND REGISTER FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Bay Life Church

Located at 1017 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon, Bay Life Church will host Kidapalooza in June. The dates are Tuesday to Thursday, June 6-8, 10-11:30 a.m., for grades kindergarten through one and Monday to Friday, June 12-16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., for grades two through five. This will be Bay Life’s ultimate VBS extravaganza, filled with oodles of slime, loads of laughter and tons of fun. And best of all, it’s free. For more information and to register, visit kids@baylife.org.

First Baptist Church - Plant City

‘Stellar’ is the theme at First Baptist Church at 3309 James L. Redman Pkwy. in Plant City. Children will discover what it means to shine Jesus’ light in everyday life, and Stellar is filled with awesome Bible learning experiences for children to see, hear and touch. It will take place Monday through Friday, June 5-9 from 6-9 p.m. and is for children between age 5 and those completing fifth grade at the end of the 2023 school year. Register online at www. fbcpc.com/vbs.

Bell Shoals Church

The Bell Shoals Church campuses in Apollo Beach and Brandon will host Twist and Turns vacation Bible school for grades kindergarten through five. Children will play their way through VBS while learning Jesus guides them through all the twists and turns of their lives, and that even when they mess up, it’s never ‘game over.’ This summer will show children how following Jesus changes the game. It will take place Monday through Thursday,

June 5-8 from 9 a.m-12 Noon at both campuses.

The Brandon campus is at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., and the Apollo Beach campus is at 6414 Golf and Sea Blvd. Visit https:// bellshoals.com/vbs/ for more information and to register.

St. Andrew’s Youth Ministry

St. Andrew’s Youth Ministry will be kicking of summer with Youth Week for students grades six through 12 from Sunday through Friday, June 4-9 at its Brandon campus at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. The week will start with a glow foam party and then for the rest of the week students are transported to local mission partners in the community to have fun, grow in faith and serve. Register online at https:// saumclife.churchcenter.com/registrations/ events/1723038.

Providence Baptist Church

VBS will be held Monday through Friday, June 19-23 at Providence Baptist Church, located at 5416 Providence Rd. in Riverview from 6-8:30 p.m. In Keepers of the Kingdom, children will learn about the truth of God, how to prepare for battle and how to defeat our foe. Visit mypbc.org for more information.

New Hope Church

New Hope Church, located at 121 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon, is hosting Twists and Turns for all children who had turned 3 years old by August 31, 2022, up to those who have

completed sixth grade. They will spin the spinner, beat the clock, skip ahead and play to win. From classic tabletop games to video games and more, children will learn that Jesus guides them through the twists and turns of their lives. New Hope’s VBS takes place Monday through Friday, June 12-16 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. For more information, email Shelly Wilson at shelly@findnewhope.com or call 813-6894161. Register at www.findnewhope.com/ vbs.

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church

Children are invited to follow Jesus here, there and everywhere at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, located at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico. Children will be inspired to do what He says, believe Who He is, love who He loves, share what He did and go where He leads. Its VBS will be held Monday through Friday, June 26-30 from 8:30 a.m.-12 Noon and is available for pre-K through fifth grade students. Visit https://vbspro.events/p/ hiepiscopal to register.

St. Andrew’s Kids Ministry

Get ready to taste and see God’s goodness and have a great time at St. Andrew’s Church at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Its VBS will run from Monday through Friday, July 17-21 from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., with a VBS celebration on Sunday, July 23. Children must be 3 years of age and potty-trained to attend. The cost is $40 per child, $130 maximum per family, and includes a VBS shirt, daily crafts, science experiments, outdoor activities, Bible theater, live workshops and snacks. Register online at https://saumclife.churchcenter.com/ registrations/events/1745308.

Extreme Kids Week 2023 At FishHawk Fellowship Church

FishHawk Fellowship Church is hosting a VBS with Extreme Kids Week from Monday, July 24-Thursday, July 27 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. for children who have completed kindergarten through completed fifth grade. The cost is $50 per child. This includes the two Dry-FIT shirts, a drawstring bag, nightly dinner and nightly waterslides. It will also have Family Movie Night on Friday, July 28 from 6-8 p.m. Registration closes on Monday, July 17. There is a waiver that must be signed for your child to participate in Extreme Week. Registration is required. If you have any registration questions, email fckids@fishhawkfc.org. The church is located at 15326 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia.

First Baptist Church Brandon Host Twist & Turns VBS

First Baptist Church of Brandon is hosting a Twists & Turns vacation Bible school (VBS) from Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. ‘Spin the spinner,’ ‘beat the clock,’ ‘skip ahead,’ ‘level up’ and ‘play to win’ will keep everyone on their toes. You’ll need to bring your A game for this VBS. Twists & Turns is a fantastical celebration of games of all kinds. From classic tabletop games to video games and more, kids will play their way through VBS while learning that Jesus guides them through all the twists and turns of their lives. They’ll find that even when they mess up, it’s never ‘game over.’ VBS is for children ages 4 by Friday, September 1 through the completion of fifth grade. Visit www.fbcbrandon.org/vbs to register.

LeHeal Biogenix offers a nonsurgical way for patients to treat their pain by supporting and enhancing the body’s natural healing process. Through peptide, laser and new stem cell therapies, LeHeal Biogenix has helped their patients find pain relief since opening in September of 2022.

“The most rewarding part of our practice is the ability to help everyone. Our patients range in across the board in age, professions, activity level,” said co-founder and COO Stacey Heald. “Our patients are able to get back to what they love. This is diferent for everyone.”

LeHeal Biogenix ofers personalized treatment plans for each patient. Through this unique approach, treatment plans can be adjusted to fit most budgets while still providing pain relief.

Professional athletes and groups in the Tampa Bay area, such as former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jason Pierre Paul, have experienced pain relief and injury prevention with the help of LeHeal Biogenix as well.

“We have established relationships with a number of professional athletic groups in the Tampa Bay area, providing their members fast and efective solutions for muscle recovery, injury prevention and healing and to optimize their

By Lily Belcher

performance,” said Heald.

LeHeal Biogenix’s stem cell therapies enhance the cells’ natural ability to respond to damage and injuries. Peptide therapies allow providers to naturally regulate hormone levels to replenish the peptides and amino acids needed to heal the body. Its class IV laser therapies are another way LeHeal Biogenix naturally prompts the healing process, directing a beam of light into the skin to stimulate cells.

“There is a great deal of education involved in what we do. We love this part of the job. Some have heard of the treatments but don’t fully understand them. We have the opportunity to educate on the services and the overall human body and its incredible healing powers,” explained Heald.

In addition to ofering several treatment options, LeHeal Biogenix has four locations, including one in Brandon and another in Tampa. In June, it is opening ofces in Lakeland and Lakewood Ranch. The ofce collaborates with a network of chiropractic and physical therapy groups to support the patients during their recovery.

For more information on LeHeal Biogenix, visit their website https://leheal. com/ or contact 813-999-2192.

Having relationships with Tampa Bay professional sports teams allows LeHeal Biogenix to treat athletes like Jason Pierre Paul.

For FishHawk resident Robyn Walters, affectionately nicknamed ‘Sunny’ by her 10 grandchildren, the routine surrounding bedtime has always been a sacred one, and incomplete without a pair of cozy pajamas ready in hand. Having raised five children of her own and previously fostered 32 kids, Walters has always made it a priority to ensure brand-new nightwear remains available in her home.

Although no longer actively fostering children, Walters held steadfast to this passion while volunteering with the West Florida Foster Care Services (WFFCS) on a previous project. Upon speaking with a friend and fellow volunteer, Barbara Howard, Walters expressed her desire to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children in the foster care system with opportunities to receive new pajamas, one she planned to christen as ‘Sunny’s PJs.’

“Pajamas are something we all take for granted,” said Walters. “They deserve at least one pair of new pajamas when they come in.”

However, after her stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Walters’ family and friends took it as an opportunity to get the community involved with her mission. Upon inviting the director of family advocacy of the West Florida Foster Care Services, Janet Rinaldi, to attend a Riverview Woman’s Club meeting in April as the guest speaker, Howard began to realize the connection between Walters’ aspirations and the work of the WFFCS. After confirming a partnership

By Madeline Gardner

between Walters and WFFCS, the Sunny’s PJs drive was born.

“Her family and friends decided to host this donation drive in her honor as a way to help her still fulfill that dream and give her some encouragement while she’s going through her cancer treatment,” said Rinaldi.

Donations of brand-new pajamas are currently being collected by the WFFCS through its ‘empty closets,’ or collection sites, whose hours are made available on the WFFCS website.

These locations include Temple Terrace

United Methodist Church, located at 5030 E. Busch Blvd. in Temple Terrace; Riverview United Methodist Church, located at 8002 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview; and Theater Arts and Dance Alliance (TADA), located at 16711 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. For those interested in making a monetary donation, there is a direct link available on the WFFCS website.

Hoping that this drive will one day indeed become a nonprofit, Walters is appreciative of all the support she has received from friends, family and the community.

“I cannot begin to say thank you enough for taking the smallest little sliver of a dream that I had before I knew I had any kind of illness that I might not someday be able to do it and making that wish come true,” said Walters. “There’s no amount of gratitude I can begin to show them.”

For more information, visit https://wfcs. org/ or the WFFCS Facebook page.

The winds have finally calmed down and the fishing is on fire. Lots of bait on the flats and the target species is fol lowing the bait schools. Tarpon are back in town, and many anglers are catching some sizable fish.

Trout are a great go-to this time of year with the grasses flushing out on the flats. Fo cus on using artifi cial jigs with curly tail bodies. Adapt the weight of the jig head to account for the depth you are fishing. Use 1/8 ounce for 5 feet of water or less; a lit tle heavier if you’re in the 5-8 ft. depths. I prefer white or new-penny colors.

Tarpon are an amaz ing fight. Dead thread fins are premium for catching these chal lenging fish. Bridges, passes (like Bean Point and Egmont Channel) and local reefs are great locations to be

BY MICHAEL MURPHY

gin. They can be finicky at times but be patient and prepared.

These fish have a tremendous fight in them. Use a 6000 series spinning reel with a matching rod and some backbone.

Will be necessary to cast your baits to the schools of tarpon. 6/0 circle hooks work great for solid hookups. Don’t be discouraged if they throw the hook. It’s called jumping a tarpon. Happens quite often. Spanish mackerel are plentiful in the bay around the towers or the flats. Long-shank silver, 1/0 hooks with a 40# test leader will be your setup choice for best outcome. Snook are currently closed for harvest, but they are very much in the game plan for a great day out. Greenies always work best for snook and Spanish mackerel.

‘SUNNY’S PJS’ DRIVE COLLECTING PAJAMAS FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN

TAMPA

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVES SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING FOR TAMPA THEATRE

Tampa’s historic movie palace, Tampa Theatre, is owned by the City of Tampa and managed by the nonprofit Tampa Theatre Foundation. Recently, the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted to approve Tampa Theatre’s funding request for $14 million for restoration of the iconic city landmark.

Phase one, which consisted of restoration of the lobby, paint, plaster, seats and drapes, was completed in 2017 and 2018.

Phase two is already underway. “Our goal is to present a fully restored Tampa Theatre to the community in time for the Theatre’s 100th anniversary in October of 2026,” explained John Bell, president and CEO of Tampa Theatre.

The plan for phase two is a two-part component. One part is to make substantial capital improvements. The second part is for programming and to establish an endowment to preserve the theater for the next century.

Phase two has lots of exciting projects that will make going to Tampa Theatre an even greater experience for residents of and visitors to the Tampa Bay area. One project is the construction of a 42-seat micro cinema. It will be located in a floral shop that is located to the left of the existing box ofce.

According to Jill Witecki, vice president and director of marketing, “Despite the

small size, this micro cinema will dramatically increase our programming. If we have a concert or special program one night, we are not able to ofer a film a clean run. If we can use the smaller venue for one night of a film run, we will be able to guarantee a clean film run. As our CEO says, ‘We will be able to say yes to everything.’”

Another project is to restore an unused third floor (which is located on the Florida Avenue side). According to Witecki, “We have a need for space. This area has not been touched since the 50s. We need to install an elevator, put in electricity and more. It will become classroom and meeting space.”

Other projects are less noticeable but much needed, such as updating HVAC and plumbing and modernizing the production system.

Tampa Theatre is a strong economic driver. An average of 160,000 visitors come each year, generating millions in state and local taxes.

“The CRA support will ensure that the Tampa Theatre continues to be a landmark in downtown Tampa,” said CRA Chairwoman Lynn Hurtak.

For more information, please visit www. Tampa theatre.org.

POPULAR SUMMER CLASSICS MOVIE SERIES RETURNS TO TAMPA THEATRE’S BIG SCREEN THIS SUMMER

Tampa Theatre is proud to present its popular Summer Classics Movie Series this summer. This is the 32nd year that Tampa Theatre has ofered this series.

According to Jill Witecki with Tampa Theatre, “This year, the series celebrates a century of extraordinary filmmaking. The oldest ofering, a collection of silent comedy shorts from 1919-1927, takes Tampa Theatre back to its roots of presenting silent films with live musical accompaniment on its original Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.”

All of the shows are held on Sundays and are presented at 3 p.m.

The lineup starts with Mrs. Doubtfire on June 4. Next, you can see the thriller Veritgo on June 11.

Then, on June 18, come see the silent film The Flying Ace from 1926. This will be a free screening in celebration of Juneteenth. The film features an all-black cast and tells the story of the dastardly pilot Finley Tucker and the object of his affection, Ruth Sawtelle, who is said to be loosely based on aviator Bessie Coleman.

At the time of its release, The Flying Ace was advertised as “the greatest airplane thriller ever filmed.” In 2021, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of

Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Tampa Theatre will show Fantasia on June 25. Witecki said, “For the first time in Tampa Theatre history, the ‘Disney Vault’ has been opened to us, allowing us to screen a film that has been on our cinematic bucket list for a long time.”

Then, on July 2, come see Enter the Dragon. Next, you can see the musical Mamma Mia! on July 9. Witecki explained, “Mamma Mia! is a special selection by Tampa Theatre donor Jim Porter, who bid on and won the opportunity to ‘Pick A Classic’ during our WineFest fundraiser auction in March.”

The Breakfast Club will be shown on July 16. Then, you can experience 2001: A Space Odyssey on July 23. On July 30, go see The Lion King. Planet of the Apes will be shown on August 6. The drama Titantic will take the big screen on August 13, followed by Casablanca on August 20. The series will end with a showing of the silent film The Silent Clowns on August 27. Both silent films will be accompanied by Steven Ball on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.

Tickets for The Silent Clowns are $14.50, or $11.50 for members. The other tickets are $10, or $7 for members. Please visit www.tampatheatre.org.

Te Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency’s continued support of the arts is demonstrated by the approval of a $14 million funding request.

COMMUNITY

Tampa Teatre is Tampa’s nonproft movie palace and is this summer’s coolest place to be with for a lineup of favorite flms from the past 100 years.

QUEST VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY TEAMS EARN BIDS FOR NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Two Quest Volleyball Academy teams earned USAV (USA Volleyball) Bids at the national qualifiers this season. The 16 Taylor team earned their bid at the Lone Star Classic in Dallas and the 13 Sue team earned a rare two bids in the Sunshine Classic.

A USAV Bid is awarded to a top-performing team and earns the team a spot in the most competitive national tournaments each year.

“These two teams, like others in our program, have worked their way to the top of the age divisions and are well known as competitors in our area,” said director Teresa Tanski. “… Teams like this aren’t built in a season — they’re built because hardworking athletes share a common goal and work towards that goal every day.”

The 16 Taylor team consists of high school sophomores, many of whom have played at Quest for at least two years. The biggest challenge that faced the 16 Taylor team were injuries. One athlete, Siah Kennedy, tore her ACL, and Pamela DeJesus sufered a foot injury during the qualifier, but other, minor injuries have plagued the team during the tournament.

“The players have had to truly step up

KRAZY KUP OWNER FRANK TRUNZO’S AUCTIONEER STORY

By Kathy L. Collins

By Lily Belcher

into new roles and trust each other through the process of overcoming those injuries,” said Tanski.

Other teams have struggled with being overlooked because of the smaller nature of the club. However, the consistency and dedication of the coaches to the programs have allowed the teams to grow stronger.

The 13 Sue team fought for a 20-0 record across two tournaments at the Sunshine Classic and USAV Big South National Qualifier. With their impressive record, the athletes earned their first two bids as a team.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth from both of these teams over several seasons; an improvement in overall ball control and technicality. They’ve also got incredible team chemistry, some of the best camaraderie of any team at Quest,” said Tanski.

Quest Volleyball ofers consistent, yearround training for all athletes. Tryouts are typically held in July, with the season running from November through June.

For more information on Quest Volleyball Academy, visit www.questvolleyballacademy.com or contact Tanski at 813-382-9322 or teresa.tanski@questvolleyball.com.

Go with a good neighbor

Frank Trunzo, owner of Krazy Kup in Plant City, is the head auctioneer for Sotheby’s Concierge Luxury Real Estate Auctions. Trunzo’s path to this auspicious role has been an interesting one.

Trunzo grew up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He worked as a railroad brakeman and a lead singer in a production rock band in Texas. The latter did not last long, and he moved back to Pittsburg, where became an antique dealer. He was then hired on to be an auctioneer apprentice. He became a prominent auctioneer in Pittsburg and then landed in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he became the go-to celebrity auctioneer. He was thriving in the business.

Unfortunately, his personal life was not so successful. Following a divorce from his first wife, he moved back to Pittsburg, where he met the love of his life: his wife, Wenda. Trunzo explained, “During our time in Pittsburg, my antiques and auction knowledge landed me a position as head auctioneer of the then world-famous Great Gatsby Architectural Antiques Auction in Atlanta.”

Trunzo continued, “A sudden death of the owner ended that quest but opened a door to become head auctioneer at Dargate Galleries, a newly formed upscale antiques and art gallery in Pittsburg.”

Trunzo was then ofered a job in Florida. “In 10 days, I won the state auctioneer championship and two auto auctioneer jobs,” Trunzo explained. “Success of a contract auctioneer was mine. I was working contract auto auctions throughout the East Coast every day. Then, to my dismay, the internet captured the market. Trunzo then established a benefit auction business, which took of. Then, another opportunity presented itself. “I was ofered head auctioneer of a newly formed luxury real estate auction company. It was a big gamble,” Trunzo said.

“I have pedigree now. I went from selling items for one dollar in a country hall auction barn to selling multimillion dollar properties,” Trunzo said.

Trunzo has conducted over 5,000 auctions valued at over 5 billion dollars. “I hold the world record for the most expensive properties sold at live auction. I have conducted two historic auctions at Sotheby’s New York gallery and one in London,”

To keep up the energy he needs Trunzo owns the popular Krazy Kup cafe offering live music, authenic cofee, events and private rooms, located at 101 EJ Arden Mays Blvd. Plant City. For info, visit www.krazykup.com.

Trunzo added.

Frank Trunzo received the much-coveted White Glove Award for 100 percent sellthrough. He sold an incredible $38 million in just 58 minutes.

Te 16 Taylor team earned their bid at the Lone Star Classic.

The 13 Sue team earned two bids this season.

By Kathy L. Collins

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization, having more than 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Locally, there are several vibrant Lions Clubs that strive to do good work for the community. These include the Plant City Lions Club, the Brandon Lions Club and the Fishhawk Lions Club.

Lions Club International has thousands of members and clubs globally, including three in our local area. Tese service clubs include the Plant City Lions Club, the Brandon Lions Club and the Fishhawk Lions Club.

The Plant City Lions Club was established on April 4, 1929.

Bridget Zickefoose with the Plant City Lions Club said, “Lions Clubs worldwide has made a significant impact in servicing those who are visually impaired as well as fight hunger, childhood cancer, humanitarian eforts, disaster relief and diabetes. It is through fundraisers such as the Florida Strawberry Festival Queens Pageant, Florida Strawberry Festival Food Booth [and] annual golf tournament the Plant City Lions Club can help contribute to the Lions’ mission.”

The Plant City Lions Club meets at Mt. Zion Assembly of God on the first Thursday of each month at 12 Noon and on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.plantcitylions.org.

The Brandon Lions Club was established in 1954. While the club has many services and activities, its primary focus is assisting those in need relating to sight

conservation, prevention of blindness and dealing successfully with the loss of sight.

Joe Kuebler, treasurer for the Brandon Lions Club, said, “The main thing that could be said for the Brandon Lions Club is that we follow our Lions motto of ‘We Serve.’”

The Brandon Lions Club meets at 610 Limona Rd. in Brandon on the first and third Thursday of each month for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a meeting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please email brandonlionsclub@gmail.com.

The Fishhawk Lions Club, the newest area club, was established in 2020. This club contributes financially to traditional Lions charities, including the Lions Eye Institute in Ybor City.

Jack Bello, president of the Fishhawk Lions Club, said, “The Fishhawk Lions Club has served the community’s food banks, local charities and schools. The club’s latest projects include supporting foster children in local schools with its project of screening children’s eyes for numerous conditions. This endeavor will begin in the next few months.”

The Fishhawk Lions Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Grace Community United Methodist Church, located at 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia. For more information, please visit www.Fishhawklionsclub.com.

COACHING SPOTLIGHT: ALLY LEDENHAM NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL

Newsome Varsity Softball has a history of success that spans well over a decade and continues to this day. This level of success is not a given however, as the Newsome High School program certainly puts in the work to compete at this level, and that all starts with head coach Ally Ledenham.

Ledenham has been on the staf at Newsome since 2016 and has served as the team’s head coach since 2019. Originally joining the staf to fulfill an internship requirement for her sports management degree, Ledenham did not have any longterm plans pertaining to coaching. After returning to her alma mater, that internship quickly turned into a position on the staf and led her to the head coaching position she holds today.

“I wasn’t sure if coaching was my path but thought it would be fun to spend my internship coaching where I was once a player and to see the other side of the game. I reached out to the previous coach, coach Dunn, and have been here ever since,” Ledenham said.

Under the leadership of Ledenham, the Newsome softball team has not skipped a beat, as they have set records in her four years as head coach. In 2021, Newsome completed a perfect regular season with an

By Jonathan Hurst

unblemished 25-0 record, which was a first for the school. This past December, the program had a school record with seven players signing letters of intent to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level. While Ledenham plays a large role as head coach, she is quick to recognize that this is not a onecoach show, and the team

benefits greatly from the talent of the staf

“My coaching staf is amazing, and I could not do any of this without them. The amount of time and energy they put in is something I am extremely thankful for,” Ledenham said.

This cohesion amongst the staf has a trickle-down efect, as team chemistry among the players is one of the key elements of Ledenham’s coaching philosophy. The program also places a lot of emphasis on efort and controlling what the players can control.

While it is a simple style of coaching, its efectiveness is undeniable, and the results at Newsome speak for themselves. With Ledenham running the show, one can expect the success to continue into the future.

STRAZ ’23/’24 BANK OF AMERICA BROADWAY SEASON

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce the 2023-2024 Bank of America Broadway at The Straz season, supported in part by the Tampa Bay Times, ofcial media sponsor of The Straz. The slate includes Beetlejuice, Funny Girl, Company, Girl From the North Country, Mrs. Doubtfire, Peter Pan, Clue and, for a twoweek engagement, the Tony Award®-winning best musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The season also features The Choir of Man in the intimate Jaeb Theater. In addition to the nine-show package, the season hosts encore engagements of Jesus Christ Superstar, THE BOOK OF MORMON and Les Misérables

“Our 2023-2024 Bank of America Broadway at The Straz season will give our audiences wonderful new experiences,” said Straz Center President and CEO Greg Holland. “As always, the season is anchored with the most compelling Broadway musicals. For the upcoming season, we’re working with the producers of London’s West End musical The Choir of Man to create a special ‘Tampa-only’ production in the Jaeb Theater. 2023-2024 promises to be a magnificent season at The Straz.”

The 2023-2024 season features:

Beetlejuice, Tuesday to Sunday, October 24-29. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.

Funny Girl, Tuesday to Sunday, November 28-December 3. Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including the classic songs “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People,” this love letter to the theater is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice.

Company, January 9-14, 2024. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy is at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful and downright hilarious.

31, 2024. A new Tony Award-winning musical, written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From the North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before.

actor who will do anything for his kids.

Peter Pan, April 30-May 5, 2024. This high-flying musical has been delighting audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new production directed by Emmy Award® winner Lonny Price with an additional book by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse.

Clue, May 28-June 2, 2024. Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget. Based on the cult hit 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

The season also features The Choir of Man, Tuesday, October 3-Sunday, November 26. The runaway international hit is coming to the Jaeb Theater. The Choir of Man offers up one hour of indisputable joy. It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s the best pub lock-in you’ve ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, The Choir of Man has something for everyone.

In addition to the nine-show Broadway series, The Straz will present engagements of these ever-popular Broadway productions: Jesus Christ Superstar, March 5-10, 2024; THE BOOK OF MORMON, April 16-21, 2024; and Les Misérables, June 11-16, 2024.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, February 7-18, 2024. The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and — above all — love. Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical; it is a state of mind.

Girl From the North Country, March 27-

Mrs. Doubtfire, April 2-7, 2024. Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Tampa in an internationally acclaimed new hit musical. Based on the beloved film and directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work

Sign up now to become new season ticket holders. Prices for the nine-show season package range from $361.75-$980.50. For more information, visit www.strazcenter. org or call the Straz Center Ticket Sales Ofce at 813-229-STAR (7827) or outside the Tampa Bay area at 800-955-1045. Individual show tickets will go on sale at a later date(s), to be announced. Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

lotusnailsandspabiz@gmail.com

FLORIDA SOUTHERN OFFERS THE WRIGHT TOUR

When thinking of a famous architect, the name that probably comes to mind is Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous 20th century architect. Perhaps you’ve seen photos of the remarkable Fallingwater home in rural Pennsylvania or the iconic Guggenheim Museum in New York City. But here in our backyard is one of Wright’s greatest triumphs, a literal architecture museum disguised as a university campus: the beautifully designed grounds, chapels, ofces and eye-popping buildings of the lovely Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

In 2012, the Florida Southern College Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior for being the largest single-site collection of Wright architecture in the world. Daily tours take visitors through a mile-long covered esplanade artistically designed to replicate the orange grove that once covered the grounds, complete with tree trunks, leafy coverage and even individual oranges. Our entertaining and informative tour guide had ready answers to our many questions and peppered interesting historical anecdotes throughout the tour. You will also get exclusive

By Jef Hoening

access to two beautiful chapels — the Annie Pfeifer and Danforth chapels, as the college was once a Methodist seminary. The chapels were meticulously designed for beauty, modernity and efciency, even incorporating unique Native American motifs. Many buildings incorporate water features and individually hand-placed colorful glass pieces that capture bright Florida sunshine for beauty inside and out. At the campus center, check out the large reflecting pool, a rendering of the local lakes of ‘lake land.’ Wright designed fountain jets to shoot streams of water 45 feet high, replicating a domed collegiate building. This design in the early 20th century was over 60 years before the technology was available, a sign of Wright’s ingenuity. The tour ends at the fascinating Usonian home, a 1,333-square-foot, full-scale example of a planned faculty home designed for professors at the college. Unfortunately, none were ever built, as money ran out and costs were too high.

Whether you are a novice or connoisseur of architecture, anyone can enjoy this tour. For more information, visit www.flsouthern.edu/frank-lloyd-wright/ tours.aspx.

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Te construction of the Pfeifer Chapel exceeded the budget fve times. In spite of the cost, the Pfeifer family did not like the chapel, citing it looked too much like a cathedral.

BRANDON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PROVIDES A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

For over 160 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has changed and saved lives. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Boys & Girls Clubs promote safe, positive and inclusive environments for all.

For parents, the club is a support system you can count on. The clubs provide mentors, meals and meaningful life experiences after school and during the summer.

Locally, children can participate in activities at the Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls Club, located at 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon. This location has been open since March 2019. Students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible. Those who are homeschooled, in a private school or in a charter or public school can attend.

NaTasha McKeller, club director, said, “The Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls Club is a safe space that believes in giving our club members the best club experience. We want to give them an experience that gives them and their families a sense of belonging and support.”

The Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls Club ofers a variety of activities, includ-

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By Kathy L. Collins

ing BAM! (Brandon Art Masters), art, homework assistance, culinary arts, sports, dance, scouting and STEAM. The sports schedule is aligned to the sports in season. The sports ofered include basketball, football, lacrosse and soccer.

During the school year, the club is open on Mondays from 1-6 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2-6 p.m.

During the summer, the club ofers swimming lessons, Cricut crafting 101, gardening and photography. Summer camp is ofered from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

In addition, the club provides supper during the school year, and lunch and snacks during the summer.

The cost, per semester, to be a member of the Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls Club is $150 for elementary school students, $50 for middle school students, and $15 for high school students.

The Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls Club receives funding from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County for the BAM! program, and it has a committee that raises money. According to McKeller, “Funds raised cover swimming lessons, daily activities, field trips and school supplies.”

For more information, please visit www. bgctampa.org or call 813-444-0375.

Te Carey Family Brandon Boys & Girls

Club provides engaging activities that build confdence, self-esteem and social skills. Programming allows for creativity as well as improved academic success and learning lifespan.

WOMEN’S CARE OFFERS SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN LITHIA

Going to the doctor can be an intimidating experience for many women, which is why finding one who makes you feel comfortable is extremely important.

Women’s Care OBGYN in Lithia prides itself on stafng physicians who treat women with respect while providing the quality care that every woman needs. The board-certified physicians at Women’s Care have four years of additional training and stay current with the changing medical advancements in women’s health.

The ofce specializes in obstetrics, gynecology and other health services for women. Physicians at Women’s Care treat menopause, severe menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome; provide preconception and postpartum care and infertility testing and treatment; as well as give annual screenings and checkups.

“Taking care of women means to help each woman meet her full potential by advocating for health so she can strive for her dreams,” said Dr. Darcy Bryan, fulltime doctor at Women’s Care OB-GYN.

Not only does Women’s Care ofer health

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

services, but it also works in the com munity to support women and children.

Through the Wom en’s Care community grants, support is dedicated to physical health concerns for women and children, medicine and/or equipment for those underserved, mental health care for wom en and children and support for those a domestic abuse, including health care, shelter, counseling and more.

The business also of mendous support for its employees in the form of scholarships and hardship grants for employees who have found themselves afected by things like natural disasters, family death and medical emer gencies.

Women’s Care OB-GYN opened the Lithia ofce in 2015 and has been operat ing five days a week since 2022. Women’s Care OB-GYN is located at 16301 Fish hawk Blvd., Ste. 102 in Lithia.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 813-530-4180 or visit www.womenscareobgyn.com/lo cations/16301-fishhawk-blvd-suite-102lithia-fl-33547.

Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with

Women’s Care in Lithia has been providing a range of health care services for women

THE TONY BARONI TEAM CELEBRATES AN AWARD WINNING YEAR

The Tony Baroni Team with Keller Williams was named Real Estate Team of the Year by Tampa Bay Real Producers at the Agents Choice Awards in March. The Tony Baroni Team was also named one of Real Trends’ top five teams in the state after serving 300 families in the last year.

The Tony Baroni Team helped hundreds of clients buy and sell their homes while facing the challenging increase in interest rates. His team focused on the basics of real estate to continue to close on sales across Florida.

The team also started a new Homeward program, called ‘Sell Before You List,’ for their clients.

“We’re a preferred partner with Homeward, so, essentially, we’re always brainstorming what we can do to help with new, innovative products that aren’t out there. So, we’ve been in that process. We helped develop it,” explained Tony Baroni.

The program allows homeowners to get 88 percent of their value for their homes before they put it on the market and allows them to reap any additional monetary benefits made when they close.

“We’re one of only two teams in the country right now who have this, and

By Lily Belcher

we just rolled that out [on May 10]. We’re really excited about that,” said Baroni.

Lead buyer specialist Kate Conroy served 120 of these families by helping them find a house that suited their needs, and lead listing agent Craig Kellner helped 90 families sell their homes. The Tony Baroni Team only has seven agents but around a dozen people that support those agents.

“We have a pretty small team from a sales perspective. We really want to create mega agents within our team. We want them to do extremely well and make good money,” said Baroni. While his agents help families buy and sell their homes, Baroni and his team have continued to host the Call In To Win program.

The team recently gave away a Don Cesar spa day for Mother’s Day and donated $2 per caller to A Kid’s Place to give back to the community.

The Tony Baroni Team has given over $100,000 to a nonprofit called KW Cares since 2007. They have raised over $20,000 to local charities through their Call In To Win program and other contests.

For more information on the Tony Baroni Team, please visit their website at www.tonybaroni.com.

Te Tony Baroni Team was named Real Estate Team of the Year by Tampa Bay Real Producers in March.

FORMER BSAC AND NEWSOME

ATHLETE KYLIE

MOULIN PLAYS FINAL

MATCH AT JMU

Newsome graduate

Kylie Moulin played her final match for James Madison University in April, finishing her collegiate career with both athletic and academic accomplishments.

The Lithia resident began playing tennis with the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, now known as High 5 Inc., under coach Alex Golub when she was nine-years-old.

“They really pushed me and got me completely prepared, both mentally and physically [and] in all aspects for college. I owe them the biggest thanks because I know that, without them, I wouldn’t have ended up where I ended up,” said Moulin.

Following her graduation from Newsome in 2017, she began playing at the University of Alabama. Moulin defeated back-to-back conference opponents her freshman year and had a promising sophomore season until a hip injury forced her to redshirt in the 2018-2019 season.

Moulin transferred to James Madison University in 2019, just for that season to be cut short in the spring of 2020 due to the Coronavirus.

While redshirting and missing part of the 2020 season were negatives for many athletes, Moulin was grateful to play the additional two years because it meant getting to play with her younger sister Hope.

She was named the university’s Female

LOVE FIRST CHRISTIAN CENTER HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH EXPO

By Kelly Wise Valdes

By Lily Belcher

Scholar-Athlete of the year in the 2021-2022 season as a redshirt junior. Throughout college, Moulin managed to balance a 4.0 GPA and a demanding tennis schedule, earning her several academic recognitions.

“My mindset towards academics and tennis [is] I give 110% efort in both, which really helps me be able to balance those things. I think I do a really good job trying to prioritize the things that are most important when they’re needed,” said Moulin.

“I don’t let myself fall behind.”

Moulin is now pursuing her master’s degree at James Madison in exercise physiology after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.

In her final season this year, Moulin made the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women’s Tennis Team. She was named to the Singles Sun Belt All-Conference Team after being selected by 14 head coaches across the conference. It is her second time being named to an all-conference team. She won 128 total matches in her career with James Madison and went 20-10 in singles matches in her final season.

“Honestly, there is nothing like it. I mean, obviously having come this far, I thoroughly enjoy tennis and loved playing tournaments when I was younger,” said Moulin. “But at the college level, it means so much more.”

Get ready to mark your calendars and join Love First Christian Center at the first annual Health Expo. The entire community is invited to come out to this free family-friendly event on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a..m-2 p.m. Whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between, there is something for everyone at the 2023 Health Expo.

“Our goal is to bring awareness to the importance of proactively taking care of ourselves and our loved ones,” said Phaaedra Parker McKesson, marketing manager for Love First Christian Center. “There are so many issues surrounding health and wellness.”

At the Love First Christian Center 2023 Health Expo, there will be various health care screenings, services and information available free of charge, providing attendees with invaluable knowledge on how to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Participants will enjoy fun activities for the whole family, all centered around health and wellness.

“Our pastor is a colon cancer survivor and understands the importance of health,” said McKesson. “We want this expo to be a benefit to our community and to make a diference in people’s lives.”

The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be onsite, as will the OnSpot Dermatology Bus, which will provide skin screenings. Breast cancer screenings will also be available during the event. Many other health vendors that will be available at the event for BayCare, Moft, Hope Chiroptic and P2P Clinical Services.

“There are so many issues surrounding our health and wellness,” said McKesson. “Holding a health expo has been on the heart of our pastor, Charmaine Cousins, and now this is an opportunity for the community to get information on their own health and to participate in basic screenings.”

This event will allow people to come together as a community to prevent sickness and disease and take the first step towards better health.

In addition to the screenings, health vendors and business vendors, there will also be bounce houses for the children and food trucks. Love First Christian Center is located at 12847 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview. For more information, visit www.lfcc.tv/expo or call the church ofce at 813-671-2009.

Moulin balanced academic and athletic obligations during her collegiate tennis career.

Love First Christian Center in Riverview is hosting its frst annual Health Expo on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tis is a free community event.