By Anna Edlund
sees opportunities like this one as necessary practices to ensure a successful future.
“We need leaders to lead our future, and our future needs all the help it can get. Encourage your kids to get active,” said Pedraza.
The Brandon Moose Lodge is calling all local ‘kidpreneurs’ to o f er their products and services at the Kid’s Biz Market. The event will take place on Sunday, August 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For a $15 registration fee, kids ages 5-18 are able to set up a business for visitors to interact with. Each stand highlights a child’s unique talents and showcases a project, good or service. The booths range from items such as crafts and jewelry to others like baked goods and candles.
Attendees will be able to walk away with a variety of high-quality products while supporting the budding creativity of local children. Unlike the regular vendor markets that the organization holds quarterly, this kids-only event shines a well-deserved spotlight on the next generation of business.
“Our Kid’s Biz Market is a safe foundation for our young aspiring entrepreneurs to experience their creative dreams in real life,” shared Jessica Pedraza, one of the event coordinators who made the market’s creation possible.
As a mother of three boys, Pedraza views fostering children’s abilities and o f ering support as serious matters. Along with her fellow coordinators, she
Not only does the event strengthen the idea of young voices in business, but it also gives kidpreneurs the necessary tools to accomplish their dreams.
A large platform unlocks new skills that small neighborhood pop-up stands don’t allow for.
Pedraza stated she hopes the meeting will achieve everything “from learning firsthand, production inventory, customer relations and money handling to an opportunity to showcase their talents and realize the power they have within themselves.”
Amiee Johnston-Wells, leader of the planning committee, has been especially eager to turn the vision of the market into a real occurrence. What started as a simple vision of a way to encourage the youth business community has now been taken into e f ect.
The Brandon Moose Lodge encourages families to register for and attend the Kid’s Biz Market to empower youth and set up a foundation of skill that will benefit communities for generations to come.
For more information, please visit the Kid’s Biz Market Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ events/632548391839219.
Having opened on July 1, The Florida Aquarium’s newest gallery and interactive experience, MORPH’D, o f ers visitors many new exhibits and species.
Part of the Aquarium’s $40 million expansion, MORPH’D features 19 exhibits and 18 species that are known for their adaptable qualities. Some of these unique species include axolotls, four-eyed fish, bird-poop frogs (yes, they look like bird poop), archerfish, paddlefish, chameleons and more.
“The paddlefish and archerfish will be a big crowd pleaser,” said Eileen Caro, biologist II at The Florida Aquarium. “Archerfish are one of the two known species to actually shoot the water to get food.”
Caro demonstrated this amazing tactic by placing some krill on a branch that hangs above the archerfish tank. Then, the fish came up to the surface and spit water to free the food stuck above. This show that the archerfish put on will surely lure in a large audience.
“They have great aim, but you’re in a splash zone standing by the tank,” Caro said.
The MORPH’D gallery also promotes interactive features to viewers, like touch screens. These interactive features depict the correlating species’ characteristics, locations and more. All of this contributes to the aquarium’s overall goal to connect humans to these unique species, helping those participat-
ing to have a better understanding of what it is they’re looking at and just how remarkable these creatures are.
“I hope that this exhibit will bring in new people, especially people in our community that maybe have never been to the aquarium or people who have just recently moved here. Hopefully, with new visitors viewing the gallery, they’ll also get to see how special the rest of our aquarium is,” stated Caro. “It’s not just an entertainment factor but also a key to opening people up to conservation and education.”
MORPH’D is just the tip of the iceberg for The Florida Aquarium’s large expansion, which will go on for the next few years. This incredible exhibit that showcases the unique adaptable qualities the animals have acquired is the first step of many to transform The Florida Aquarium.
The Florida Aquarium is located in downtown Tampa in the Channelside District at 701 Channelside Dr. For more information on this exciting new exhibit, upcoming events, tickets and all the things yet to come, visit www.flaquarium.org.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT..................PG 3
HIGH 5 SWIM LESSONS PG 3
BEERFEST ............PG 8
EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26
DR. DEEP SEA ..........PG 29
Following the loss of Joshua Sangiorgio, his Boy Scout troop held a remembrance ceremony to finish his partially completed Eagle Scout project in his memory.
The title of Eagle Scout is the highest achievement that a Boy Scout can earn, and it is achieved through an honorable service act that benefits their community. For Joshua’s project, he strived to create a more inviting entrance to Sadie Park for visitors to enjoy, with new landscaping and native Florida greenery. He was unable to complete this task, as he tragically passed away in late January of this year.
Troop members, families, friends and additional volunteers gathered in Sadie Park on June 17 to finish what Joshua started. Equipped with gardening tools and a goal, they were able to build the beautiful entrance to the park that he had in mind.
“It was wonderful to see the support and willingness of our community to come together. What we thought would take us most of the day, as we are a small troop, only took a couple hours to complete,” said Stephanie Gaskins, Scoutmaster of Joshua’s troop.
Although strongly motivated by a cause, hard work was necessary to dodge obstacles that appeared along the way. Coordi-
nating a date for the event to take place, choosing areas to replant with the park manager and determining which plants would be acceptable to use, all of these are examples of decisions that had to be made.
Technicalities were tackled with the help of each and every person involved. Taking lead was Marcos Bares, troop committee leader, who dedicated himself to making sure that the remembrance went smoothly.
“Marcos Bares really helped coordinate the project. Once Marcos confirmed everything with the county, and through the help of an anonymous donor who donated all of the plants and expertise, it was just a matter of showing up with shovels, safety glasses, rakes and some power tools to get it done,” explained Gaskins.
Joshua’s father, John Sangiorgio, was also a Scout for many years. His heavy involvement in Scouting and extensive help towards community families has made him a mentor to troop members, including Gaskins and Bares.
The generosity of the Sangiorgio family over the years further motivated the community to make the remembrance a beautiful one. The family was presented with the Spirit of the Eagle Scout Award following the completion of the project in honor of their son.
I Am WiLD 94.1 radio host Buckwheat has been taking swim lessons since the end of June through High 5 Inc.’s program in order to swim with his daughter.
Buckwheat met the High 5 Inc. team in March after touring the Brandon facility with his friend. He expressed his interest in learning to swim, but he also admitted to being very afraid of the water.
“I encouraged him and said anyone can learn to swim with patience and persistence. I let him know to keep his eye on his final goal of swimming with his daughter,” said Sharon Finotti, director of aquatics.
Buckwheat was encouraged by hearing that adults could learn to swim at any age. As the host of his segment on 94.1, he can tell listeners about his experience and pass on the encouragement he received from High 5 Inc.
“The first day, he was very apprehensive. His face told the whole picture, and I had to provide a lot of encouragement. He was good to stand in the water. We first worked on being comfortable in the water by blowing bubbles, shoulders under and working towards face in,” Finotti
By Lily Belcherexplained.
With the help of Finotti in a 40-minute lesson, he was able to kick short distances on his own and built confidence in the water.
“He was very pleased and surprised that he had achieved so much in a short amount of time. He was ready to come back for his next lesson,” Finotti said.
The hardest part of the lessons for Buckwheat was learning how to float on his back. Many new swimmers struggle with this skill because it requires the swimmer to be confident and relaxed in the water. Finotti explained that, despite the challenge, floating is a vital survival skill for students as they learn to swim.
“The most rewarding part is watching him learn the swimming skills and be able to do them by himself with confidence while achieving his personal goals,” Finotti said. “Ultimately, the reward is that we are saving lives. When people know how to swim, they can help others if a circumstance ever arises, and they have to save another adult or a child.”
For more information on High 5 Inc.’s swim lessons, visit https://high5inc.org/ swim/.
From rappelling of a 40-foot tower to ziplining from tree to tree roughly 20 feet in the air, the Junior Reserve Ofcers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet Leadership Camp (JCLC) took the summer camp experience to new heights this season.
Hosted at the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation in Lake Wales from June 12 to June 15, JROTCs from schools in Pasco, Broward, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties attended the annual adventure training conducted here at no cost to the cadets. Cadets from each school were then assigned to one of the four companies — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or Delta — in an efort to teach them leadership skills among new friends and colleagues.
On June 12, cadets who could not swim were identified. To increase their familiarity with the water, these novice swimmers were introduced to several basic techniques in a pond on the property with lifeguards on duty. All JCLC cadets were then encouraged to complete a 10-meter swim; those who were unable to finish were given a bracelet to identify their current swimming level and had access to life preservers for all future challenges.
Beginning on June 13 and continuing through June 14, each day was divided into both a morning and afternoon session, both of which were devoted to the completion of a particular task. This ranged from rappel and water survival training to canoeing. Cadets were also encouraged to finish a Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences
By Madeline Gardner
(COPES) course; this course tethered participants in before requiring them to walk across a series of cables and brave a zipline along the way.
Running the rappel tower this year was Lennard High School’s senior army instructor, LTC (R) David Dietz, who brought along 16 of his own cadets. Monitoring their progress on this course, Dietz cited the sense of personal accomplishment the cadets experienced to be a rewarding aspect of this challenge and others.
“They’re very scared of these training events, but when they go through and they conquer it, it’s a sense of success you just can’t give in any book or on a PowerPoint,” said Dietz. “Every year — these cadets who say they can’t do something — we teach them they can do it with a little bit of grit and application of efort.”
Topping of the camp experience with closing remarks, June 15 also featured an opportunity for each of the four companies to compete against one another as they prepared and performed skits. This final collaborative activity ofered the cadets a moment to reflect on all the connections the camp had helped furnish.
“The most exciting aspect of JCLC for me is teamwork while going through all the activities,” said Cadet Isabela Stitt, a rising sophomore at Lennard. “I realized you needed to be able to get along with others to complete the tasks. The aspect of teamwork was also rewarding because teamwork helps you meet new people and make new friends.”
With the summer storm season upon us, protecting property, valuables and lives from the e f ects of foul-weather events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, becomes a consideration. Knowing what to do and when to do it can depend on understanding terms that are often heard but maybe not well understood, such as flood zones and evacuation zones.
Hillsborough County’s landscape has many bodies of water and low-elevation areas that make it a good idea to check how a property is classifed in food and evacuation zones.
Flood and evacuation zones serve two di f erent purposes, and assigning properties to them is done by di f erent government agencies.
Flood zones are determined by the National Flood Insurance Program and serve to identify areas that could easily flood. Designation within a high-risk flood zone could mean flood insurance is required for a property. Factors such as land elevation, proximity to water bodies and the historical record of floods are considered in determining flood zones.
Evacuation zones identify areas that are at risk of being evacuated during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or a flood. Local o f cials determine evacuation zones based on things like an area’s potential for flooding and the availability of safe roads and shelters. You can check which evacuation and flood zone a property is in by visiting hillsborough-
By Brad Stagercounty.org and entering the address in online interactive maps accessible on the website. Information from the maps also include locations of public shelters and an area’s evacuation status. Some shelters are designated as pet-friendly, and nonhuman family members are welcome at these facilities. County o f cials say it is important to pay attention and be able to provide for your pet’s needs if moving to a shelter during a disaster.
“It is strongly recommended that everyone bring their own supplies with them; crates, food, water, medication, anything that the pet needs,” said Crissy Leto, who is the program coordinator for Hillsborough County’s pet resource center.
She added that custodians of pets who are not dogs or cats need to be particularly mindful of the animals’ needs.
Residents who require routine medical support such as dialysis and other conditions can register for space at a special needs shelter where medical personnel and equipment are available. Registration can be accomplished online or by mailing or faxing a downloadable form available at www.hillsboroughcounty. org. You can also call the Hillsborough County Health Department at 813307-8063.
To be successful in most endeavors, it’s important to develop good habits — and that’s certainly the case for investors. And the earlier one develops these habits, the better. So, if you have teenagers who may be starting to work at part-time jobs, now may be a great time to introduce them to investing — and one place to begin might be a Roth IRA.
As you may know, a Roth IRA is a popular retirement savings vehicle — its earnings can grow federally tax-free, provided withdrawals aren’t taken until the investor is at least 59 ½ and has had the account fve or more years. But because a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, contributions can be withdrawn at any time, penalty-free, to pay for any expenses — including college. Roth IRA earnings can also be used to help pay for college, although these withdrawals will be taxable. However, if a child is the account owner, a lower tax bracket will likely apply.
In 2023, up to $6,500 per year can go into your teenager’s Roth IRA, as long as the amount contributed doesn’t exceed the amount of their taxable compensation for the year. And your child doesn’t have to put all the money in — you and the child’s grandparents can also contribute. In fact, you might want to “match” your child’s contributions up to the limit to provide an incentive for them to continue investing in the Roth IRA. Not only will your matching contribution help build the Roth IRA’s assets but it can also instill in your child’s mind the beneft of earning a match – which can prove valuable later on, when your child is in the workforce full time and has a chance to receive an employer’s matching contributions in a 401(k) or similar plan.
Your child may well fnd a job at a local restaurant or shop, as these businesses have experienced a shortage of workers the past couple of years. But if you have a family business, you can employ your teen to provide income that can go into a Roth IRA. Furthermore, if the business is one parent’s sole proprietorship, or it’s a partnership in which each partner is the parent, the payments for a child younger than 18 are not subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. As an employee, your child must perform reasonable tasks necessary for the business and be paid reasonable wages — that is, wages comparable to what you’d pay a regular employee for the same work.
But wherever your child’s wages come from, using some of them to help fund a Roth IRA can be a good move. For one thing, it gives you a chance to explain the value of putting time on your side when you invest — simply put, the more years you invest, the greater your chances of accumulating the resources you need to meet your goals. And by helping your teen open a Roth IRA, which holds stocks, mutual funds or virtually any other type of security, you can discuss the diferent risk/ reward characteristics of various types of investments — the kind of basic knowledge that all investors should have.
Once your teen’s frst paychecks start coming in, consider bringing up the idea of opening a Roth IRA — you may well be opening the door to a lifetime of consistent and informed investing.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
The Hillsborough County Communications and Digital Media Department has come up with a great way to connect new residents as well as longtime residents with the services, activities and opportunities that Hillsborough County has to ofer. The new service is called Home Sweet Hillsborough.
Each month an estimated 2,500 people move to Hillsborough County. There are nearly 1.5 million residents in Hillsborough County. The county is larger than several states, including Alaska, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Hawaii.
Hillsborough County launched Home Sweet Hillsborough to welcome the thousands of new residents every month and help them learn about the county they now call home. Te county wants residents to easily locate services and learn about unique programs and new initiatives that will help lead to a better quality of life.
Terri Cordova-Hewitt, director of Hillsborough County’s Communication and Digital Media Department, said, “Our goal is to be proactive and not reactive. We want to ofer a page that is helpful and residents can turn to and know they are getting quality information.”
Cordova-Hewitt added, “With Home Sweet Hillsborough, we want to welcome our new residents and serve as a trusted voice that they can depend on and turn to. Home Sweet Hillsborough can serve as a page where they can find the resources to help answer questions that they might have about the county or find new opportunities that they did not know existed.”
Home Sweet Hillsborough is a digital welcome guide that is a one-stop shop for a number of services, programs and top-
By Kathy L. Collinsics of interest that would be useful to new residents and longtime ones alike.
Cordova-Hewitt said, “Residents can learn about what is available in recreation, culture and parks. They can learn about family resources, including our public library system, and the county’s mental health resources hub. They can learn about our pet adoption program, how to prepare for a hurricane and all about their trash, water and sewer services. It is a variety of important and fundamental information that can serve both the new residents and existing residents.”
The Hillsborough County Communications and Digital Media Department works with the other county departments to provide important and helpful content to residents on the services that each department provides. The county’s programs, activities and services are always evolving with residents in mind. Home Sweet Hillsborough will be updated as programs are updated. The plan is to update the site regularly, so that residents will always be able to find out about new events and services being ofered by Hillsborough County.
For more information and to find the new service, please visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/residents/home-sweet-hillsborough.
Nestled among the roads of Valrico is an expansive 4.3acre property that is home not just to the Karnowski family, but also their farm full of miniature animal friends.
“I hope that it just brings joy in sometimes a sad world,” said Melissa Karnowski, founder of Mini Friends Farm.
The farm aims to provide a place of peace for people with autism and mental health conditions.
“Our goal is to equip all children with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to overcome their challenges,” the Mini Friends Farm mission statement reads.
Melissa views the farm as a place to disconnect from the rest of the world and embrace the quiet of the outdoors. She and her husband, Tom, were inspired to create the farm after their son, Brandon, started showing pigs through his school’s FFA program.
Brandon was diagnosed with autism and used showing pigs as an outlet to express himself. Melissa described how his entire demeanor seemed to shift when he was around animals, and she wants to give other kids with autism the opportunity to experience the same happiness. Currently, several people with autism visit the farm every one to two weeks to brush and feed the animals.
Melissa’s ultimate goal is to have even more children with autism visit and experience the farm. She said the animals have a healing touch, and spending time with them is extremely calming for everyone who visits. The farm is home to a variety of animals, including alpacas, miniature donkeys and a pony. Each animal is named after a celebrity or pop culture figure, including donkeys Snoop Donk and Martha Stewart and a pony named Dolly Parton. Although these animals are super lovable, it takes a huge amount of work to maintain the farm and cover the costs of providing for them.
To raise money for feed, farm supplies and animal surgeries, Mini Friends Farm hosts birthday parties and other special events on the property. One of these special events includes an annual Open Farm Day, where the public has the opportunity to learn how to brush, feed and take care of the animals on the farm. The last Open Farm Day attracted a crowd of over 70 people, so booking ahead is a must for those wishing to participate. Mini Friends Farm also gives people the opportunity to book experiences with the animals, such as walking the donkeys and animal-assisted therapy. To learn more about Mini Friends Farm and how to donate, visit its website at www.myminifriends.org.
The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and Florida 4-H Foundation are honored to announce the 2023 inductees to the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame: Betsy Barfield of Jeferson County, Todd Bundy of Gadsden and Leon counties, William ‘Bill’ Hill of Polk and Hernando counties, Larry Middour of Orange County and Christopher Tompkins of Hillsborough County (posthumous).
The induction event will be held Thursday, August 3 at the University of Florida (UF) Reitz Union.
Established in 2002 during the national 4-H centennial year, the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding 4-H alumni, volunteers, professionals and community leaders. Members have made significant contributions to 4-H and their community through accomplishments in the areas of citizenship, leadership, career and character.
Tompkins made a lasting impact on all who knew him. His legacy of leadership at a young age impacted the careers of many fellow 4-H youth.
Warren Brooks, executive director of career, technical and adult education for Hillsborough County Public Schools, shared, “I am not sure if there has ever been a student more decorated than Christopher Tompkins. His drive to succeed I have not witnessed in any other; however, instead of focusing on all his awards, his real impact was his ability to elevate others and encourage them to grow personally.”
Tompkins influenced Brooks’ own evolution from a shy, quiet kid into a 4-H state ofcer traveling the country, an experience
that would impact his own career. This is a common testament from those who knew Tompkins.
As a student at the University of Florida, Tompkins continued to succeed and serve. He became UF’s first Truman Scholar, and in his final year of law school served as UF Student Government president. Tompkins worked with multiple elected ofcials before opening his own law firm in Brandon. Tompkins passed away in 2005 at age 34 after a battle with leukemia. His legacy is marked by dedicated service, authentic leadership and firm belief in the importance of citizenship and community service.
Special thanks to 2023 hall of fame sponsors Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. and Friends of the Florida 4-H Foundation. Event and youth sponsorships are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-4-h-hall-of-fame-induction-registration-623709280247.
Nominations for the 2024 inductee class are accepted online at https://give.ifas.ufl. edu/4-h-giving/fl-4-h-foundation/fl4hhof/ now through January 31, 2024. For questions, contact Caylin Hilton at grow4H@ ifas.ufl.edu or 352-392-5432.
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. 4-H provides hands-on educational experiences for youth ages 5-18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University. Learn more at https://florida4h.org/.
Imagine a town where young entrepreneurs organize and operate a business. The business manages a personal bank account and creates a business plan with their staf Displays are created, items are priced and sold, reporters interview local business leaders to get the most up-to-date stories and CEOs and CFOs work together as a team. This describes a day at Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown.
This past June, the Junior Achievement Florida Foundation announced that it received a $70,000 grant from State Farm. The statewide initiative will support Junior Achievement learning experiences in eight localities throughout Florida, enabling thousands of young people to participate in JA’s nationally recognized financial literacy and career readiness learning experiences.
“State Farm believes that financial literacy education is critical to building stronger and more resilient communities,” said Jose Soto, State Farm corporate responsibility analyst. “Part of our education funding is directed toward initiatives and programs that support K-12 financial literacy and pathways for college and career success. We are proud to support Junior Achievement financial literacy and career readiness programs across Florida.”
Each of the eight Florida-based JA areas will use the support to advance learning experiences most needed in their region.
JA Tampa Bay, which includes Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands and Sarasota counties, will use the support for JA BizTown, a capstone learning experience that introduces fifth graders to economic concepts, workplace skills and personal and business finances. They act as employees and consumers, from paying bills to handling customer service, and experience what it’s like to earn and work in a community.
JA Finance Park, another capstone learning experience that is a real-life simulation, is where students enter the game of life and apply financial concepts to balance their personal budget and learn to make choices that support their future goals.
3DE Schools by Junior Achievement, the newest JA learning experience, teaches students in high school relevant business skills and core competencies through business case methodology. “In the past six years, Junior Achievement of Florida has received over $370,000 from State Farm to support all JA chapters across Florida,” Soto said. “In 2022, State Farm provided over $700,000 in charitable grants to JA nationwide in support of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education program in 43 regions.”
If you would like to learn more about Junior Achievement and the programs it ofers, you can visit its website at https:// jatampabay.org/.
Tampa Theatre will present its 11th annual BeerFest on Saturday, July 29 beginning at 7 p.m. This is a 21-and-older event. Participants will enjoy an evening of craft beers and local brewers, plus snacks and samples from some of the city’s top independent restaurants. This year’s theme is Beerassic Park.
Breweries and local restaurants that are participating include Coppertail Brewing Co., Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Independent Bar and Cafe, Motorworks Brewing, On the Go Gourmet, Woven Water Brewing Company, King of the Coop, BarrieHaus Beer Co., Common Dialect Beerworks, Corner Club, King State, Late Start Brewing and Ulele Spring Brewery. This list is sure to grow.
As with previous beer-infused, tonguein-cheek BeerFest events, Beerassic Park is chaired by one of Tampa Theatre’s favorite independent restaurant owners, Veronica Danko of Independent Bar and Cafe.
Jill Witecki with Tampa Theatre said, “Though the theme may be silly, BeerFest’s purpose is most serious: the 11th (almost) annual event benefits the theater’s artistic, educational and community programs, as well as the ongoing preservation of the 97-year-old historic landmark.”
Tampa Theatre is a remarkably beau -
By Kathy L. Collinstiful theater, and if you have not had a chance to visit it, this is a great opportunity.
Over the past decade, Tampa Theatre’s signature summer fundraiser, BeerFest, has raised more than $100,000 for the nonprofit movie palace with events like Barley’s Angels, The Brews Brothers and last year’s Pee-Wee’s Beer Adventure.
Witecki added, “BeerFest guests are invited to don their dino duds, dress as their favorite Jurassic Park character or come in a costume inspired by the movie.”
All are welcome to attend Beerassic Park, but you must be 21 or older to attend, and a valid government-issued ID is required for entry.
There are several categories of tickets.
A limited-capacity premium sampling begins at 7 p.m., and advance-sale tickets are $75. Grand-sampling ticket holders can enter at 8 p.m., and advance-sale tickets are $55. Tampa Theatre members save $10 o f advance-sale prices. Tickets are available at the Tampa Theatre Box O f ce or online on the theater’s website (convenience fees apply). Tickets will sell out, so get your tickets early.
Tampa Theatre is located at 711 N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://tampatheatre. org/. You can also call 813-274-8981.
The Children’s Home Network began as the Children’s Home of Tampa in 1893. The nonprofit is headquartered in Tampa. It serves nearly 7,000 children and adults each year. The Children’s Home Network provides compassionate and efective integrated child welfare, behavioral health, early childhood intervention and social service programs.
Te Children’s Home Network was able to make major renovations to its Tampa campus thanks to funding through a Community Block Grant from Hillsborough County.
Recently, major improvements were made at the Children’s Home Network main campus in Tampa. The renovations were funded with $1.6 million in the form of a Community Block Grant from Hillsborough County through a Community Development Block Grant.
The completion of the three projects will help improve the lives of foster children.
The projects are centered around Kids Village, the Children’s Home Network’s residential healing program for children ages 6-17. The program, located on the main campus of the Children’s Home Network, provides a place for more than 60 children to recover from abuse and neglect.
Thanks to the funding from the Community Block Grant, the Children’s Home Network was able to build a new Donation Center and maintenance building at the Kids Village campus and upgrade the security system.
The Children’s Home Network’s Dona-
tion Center enables foster youth living at the on-campus Kids Village to regain a sense of normalcy, independence and self-confidence. From clothes and shoes to self-care and hygiene items, school supplies and room decor, the Donation Center helps youth in foster care feel more at home and comfortable with themselves during a time of major upheaval. The Donation Center is arranged to look like a store, and children can shop for their own styles, sizes and preferences. The shopping experience strives to spark joy and restore a sense of dignity, allowing children to pick out their own belongings to make their living environment a warm, cozy and personal space. The center is stafed and open to all children on campus who are welcome to take whatever they need, whenever they need it.
The funding also provided for new security door readers. The children are particularly vulnerable, and many come from homes with a history of abuse and trafficking. These necessary upgrades to the campus’ safety system provide an extra layer of security for children and staf
The maintenance building is the headquarters for all repair and storage work on the sprawling campus that includes more than 50 air conditioning units, 15 washers and dryers and a dozen vehicles. For information, visit www.childrenshomenetwork.org.
Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved one. Gain this knowledge at our NEW hybrid support groups being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon.
In the face of adversity, one unwavering teenager’s remarkable spirit and determination continues to inspire countless others. Payton Hardy, a vibrant 15-year-old, bravely fought against glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, during her battle that began in October 2021. Today, she lives on through Payton’s Legacy, a nonprofit organization committed to uplifting young individuals by fostering programs in arts and education.
When Payton underwent an MRI in late September 2021 at John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital of Tampa Bay, the call back delivered heart-wrenching news to her family: They had found a malignant tumor.
In the face of uncertainty, Payton displayed amazing strength as she prepared for the long journey of treatment ahead. Despite her long battle with sickness, her determination and passion for music and academics continued to shine brightly. Payton’s love for the arts extended beyond music; she pursued dance classes in tap and contemporary at Dance Quest International and became the lighting designer in Armwood High School’s theater department. Academic excellence was also a hallmark of Payton’s life, as she achieved straight A’s and set her sights on graduating in 2024 with an associate degree in arts and her high school diploma.
Tragically, in January 2023, Payton’s journey reached its end. She left her loving family and community grieving the loss of an extraordinary person. However, through
By Keiko MoralPayton’s Legacy, an organization founded by her family — mother Cynde Hardy, sister Hayley Hardy and father Steve Hardy — they honor her memory and carry forward her mission.
Payton’s Legacy empowers youth by enhancing access to arts and education programs. Its heartfelt, deeply personal eforts include donating 399 toy girafes — Payton’s favorite animal — and bringing comfort to children at local hospitals. Additionally, it established an annual band scholarship, providing aspiring musicians with opportunities to pursue their dreams. The organization aims to assist underprivileged children in afording dance lessons with the aim of inclusivity and artistic expression, as well as the continuation of creative endeavors that Payton cherished, ensuring that her memory lives on even after she is gone. Looking ahead, the nonprofit is excited to announce the purchase of a lighting board for Armwood High and upcoming events, where the community can come together to celebrate Payton and contribute to the organization.
“We always knew Payton was going to change the world, but now we have to keep going in her honor,” said Steve, co-founder of Payton’s Legacy.
To contribute to, support or learn more about Payton’s Legacy, visit www.paytonslegacy.org.
Does the thought of four years of school and costly tuition make you uneasy? Although most people consider this path of college the traditional route, trade school is another option that ofers just as many benefits. With a variety of program ofers, direct entry into high-demand careers, shorter time in school and cost-saving programs, trade school allows people to experience real-world learning and tap into fields of high demand. Whether you’re looking to attend cosmetology school, become a welder or work in automotive maintenance, trade school ofers all the programs and more.
With three trade schools afliated with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and several private and non-profit trade schools throughout the Tampa area, it is easy to find which school is best for you in your area of interest. The three under the HCPS umbrella are Erwin Technical College, Aparicio-Levy Technical College, and Brewster Technical College.
Erwin ofers 27 programs, including ALTC programs. With a plethora of resources and financial aid options, there are plenty of opportunities to choose from at Erwin. For more information and contact lists, check out Erwin Technical College’s website at www.hillsboroughschools.org/erwin.
The Aparicio-Levy Technical College campus is the newest of three technical colleges operated by Hillsborough County Public School District and is located on the east side of Hillsborough County. Not sure which department is right for you? Check out Aparicio-Levy’s website at www.hillsboroughschools.org/altc, where you can find career links to personality tests and look through its various programs.
Finally, Brewster Technical College ofers similar programs along with opportunities for students with disabilities, and it even offers English language acquisition practices. More information can be found at www.hillsboroughschools.org/brewster.
Southern Technical College has a campus in Tampa as well as six other campuses around Florida. This school ofers programs in the allied health, veterinary, technical trades and nursing fields. For more information, you can request through email or schedule an appointment on The Southern Technical College website at www.southerntech.edu/locations/brandon/.
Trade schools often ofer resources for tutoring and academic support that make people feel welcomed and comfortable in this new stage of hands-on education. Florida Technical College is known for its resources, such as e-books and digital libraries, and even won the Hispanic Community Champion 2022 Don Quijote Awards. Additional information about Florida Technical College and more of its awards and recognitions can be found via its website at www.ftccollege. edu/college-campus/tampa-florida/.
Finally, the Florida Trade Academy in Tampa is another campus that ofers specialized concentrations and licenses that can be completed in just six months. Chris Pello from the Florida Trade Academy sees firsthand the demand for these jobs and why trade school is such a great path for people to choose.
“There is a huge push in the state of Florida for CTE (career and technical education) programs and workforce development,” said Pello. “Governor DeSantis has made it a priority that Florida will lead the nation in workforce development by 2030. Workforce development are initiatives that educate and train individuals to meet the current and future workforce for businesses in our community.”
To contact advisors or get more information, check out its website at www.floridatradeacademy.org.
With several trade college campuses right in the Tampa area, all specializing in diferent concentrations, there are many options available for your preferred path.
Darlyne Georges MSN,
Can you imagine cracking half a million eggs? Eggs Up Grill in Riverview can, as it has now cracked and served over 500,000 of them.
This hot breakfast spot has been counting the number of eggs it has cracked since the moment it opened its doors. Throughout the last two years, owners John and Priscilla Conyer have enjoyed celebrating the community they have created not only through counting eggs but through serving delicious, fresh and locally sourced meals.
“Eggs Up Grill is all about neighbors serving our neighbors, and guests get a kick out of coming in from their previous visit to see how we’ve grown in egg count,” said Priscilla.
The community loves to be connected to the restaurant through the counting of the eggs. The guests at Eggs Up Grill enjoy taking a picture of the egg-counter display and comparing it every time they dine in. When Priscilla and John see guests attending each egg-count milestone, they feel pride in being able to
By Makenzie Atkins Noel
connect with their community.
“I love dining in at Eggs Up Grill, and every time I come it always makes me feel happy being here,” said the guest who ate the 500,000th egg. “I feel like I’m forever part of history right here in our community.”
With the care that each team member puts into your breakfast, dining in at Eggs Up Grill truly makes you feel like part of the community. Along with a large and delicious menu, Eggs Up Grill also offers catering for any size event and a private dining experience in the store for groups of up to 15.
The Conyers hope to be a staple restaurant in the community and look forward to the next egg-count celebration when Eggs Up Grill cracks its 750,000th egg.
Eggs Up Grill is located at 3920 U.S. Hwy. 301. Its hours are 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., seven days a week. Stay up to date on special promotions and details on Instagram and Facebook @eugriverview and check out the full menu online at https:// eggsupgrill.com/4.
Whether you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, a peaceful walk, holiday festivities or a bite to eat, the Tampa Riverwalk has it all. This 2.4-mile multiuse path ofers a plethora of activities and sights for people to spend their time. On this walk, you can stop in museums, pass by art murals, check out the Straz Center for Performing Arts or relax in the Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The Tampa Riverwalk hopes to create a stronger sense of community and be an inviting outdoor destination for everyone to enjoy.
It all began back in July 2005 when Friends of the Riverwalk was incorporated as a Florida not-for-profit entity. The corporation raised over $2,778,000 cash and in-kind and then $1,350,000 was sent to the city to fund the construction projects that we can now enjoy ourselves.
The Tampa Riverwalk is always striving to expand and constantly brings in new events, sponsors and guests who can choose from several daily activities. The Fourth of July Boat Parade is a fun patriotic parade where people can register their boats and compete for the prize gifted to the most patriotic boat. There is entertainment as well, including a waterski show, blessing of the fleet and fireworks. You can even participate in the poker run by checking in at the specific locations to be eligible for more prizes.
Another special event the Tampa Riverwalk hosts is the annual free trick-or-treat event with over 50 stations, a Halloween lighted boat parade and a movie on the big screen in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at the end. This event will occur on Saturday, October 28. Save the date for an enjoyable Hal-
By Bella Ferrettiloween celebration with the Tampa community.
Along with several other annual events, you can always count on the Riverwalk for a celebration.
If you are looking for a jam-packed attraction day or three, the Riverwalk Attraction Pass is perfect for you. One pass ofers access to seven attractions, including The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Pirate Water Taxi, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and Henry B. Plant Museum. You’ll get a little bit of adventure, historical viewings and cultural sightings of Tampa. All of these attractions and events can be hard to remember, so checking out the event calendar or signing up for the newsletter would be a beneficial way to stay up to date with the Riverwalk.
People of all ages can enjoy a little something at the Tampa Riverwalk. With years of development, construction and teamwork, the riverwalk has developed astronomically and ofers several ways to help continue the expansion. You can see more of the community support with the personalized pavers along the walk. People can purchase pavers to honor a loved one, show support to events or leave their mark on a place they love. After purchase, you can then share the stories behind the pavers that are posted on the website for anyone to view.
You can donate, volunteer or purchase one of the three memberships to support the riverwalk and all it ofers. Check out the website https://thetampariverwalk.com/ for more information on events, restaurants, parking locations and ways to help.
At a special called school board meeting, Van Ayres was appointed as interim superintendent, e f ective Saturday, July 15. Ayres is currently chief of strategic planning and partnerships where he led the district’s five-year strategic plan, all while building community relationships.
Ayres was born and raised in Tampa and has been a lifelong educator with Hillsborough County Public Schools.
He graduated from Je f erson High School in 1992. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Tampa, he began his teaching career in 1997 as a science teacher at Blake High School. In 2003, Ayres was selected to become assistant principal for student a f airs and later assistant principal of curriculum at Blake High School.
In 2012, Ayres jumped at the chance to return to his alma mater and was appointed principal at Je f erson High School. Three years later, he was promoted to deputy superintendent, and then spearheaded the work to improve the district’s graduation rate — which increased by 12.2 percentage points over a five-year period.
Ayres comes from a family of educators. His father and mother were both dedicated teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools. His father, Van, taught
at Leto High School for 33 years. His mother, Nuri Ayres, spent 35 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools, as a math teacher at Webb Middle and Jefferson High School and then a beloved principal at both King and Sickles high schools. Ayres’ two children both graduated from Hillsborough County Public Schools, from Blake and Robinson high schools.
“I am truly honored to lead this district. Hillsborough County Public Schools is my home and I know this is one of the best school districts in the nation. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we prepare to open schools and welcome our 210,000 students back to the classrooms. I look forward to this opportunity and thank the school board for their confidence in my leadership,” said Ayres.
On June 15, Superintendent Addison Davis submitted his letter of resignation, and will leave HCPS on Friday, July 14, after three years at the helm of the nation’s seventh-largest school district. During his tenure as superintendent, Davis worked to improve HCPS’ academic ranking from 35th in the state to 19th — the highest ever. Also, during his time in HCPS, Davis’ team solved a $150 million financial deficit and obtained the district’s highest graduation rate of 89.2 percent.
until July 31st
Summer break in Florida comes with heat, humidity and mosquitoes. Kids, desperate to stay cool, look for the closest body of water, such as a pool or going to the beach. But what normally is a fun-filled activity can quickly turn dangerous. Many parents may not realize that for children ages 1-4, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death, and, for 5 to 14-year-olds, the second-leading cause.
Sadly, drownings often occur within 10 feet of an adult (it’s quiet and fast). As parents and caregivers, what can be done to keep your kids safe in or around water?
First, be aware of nearby pools of water. Children should know to ask for permission to go near any water. Also, all pools and hot tubs need to have a safety fence. If a lake, pool or river is nearby, make sure that children are within arm’s reach (especially kids who are not able to swim yet).
Second, have a designated ‘water watcher,’ alternating watchers every 30 minutes. The water watcher makes sure to keep an eye on all children in the water and isn’t distracted (no texting or talking). Often, drownings occur because adults believe someone else is watching the kids since there are many other adults present.
Third, have someone available who
By Ashley Abeneknows CPR. Being trained in infant and child CPR could save a life.
Finally, teach survival swim skills and swimming to all children. Babies can even learn to self-rescue as early as 6 months old. There are many places offering swim lessons locally, such as: the YMCA, High 5 Inc., Kinder Swim, Watermelon Swim, Angelfish Swim School and several others.
The YMCA even ofers a program for free called ‘Safety Around Water.’ Lacey Boldman, senior director of aquatics and swim at the Tampa YMCA, stated that the YMCA ofers this program from “May 8-11, and then we are hosting it again August 21-24. The skills that we focus on during that program are submerge, jump, push, turn/grab and swim/float/swim. In addition to that program, during all of our regular group swim lesson programming (in the beginner stages), they focus on those important ‘self-rescue’ skills.”
These are just a few of the things you can do to keep your children’s summer break both fun and safe. You can check out more tips on water safety at the American Red Cross’ website at www. redcross.org/get-help/how-to-preparefor-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/ water-safety.html.
Florida’s natural springs attract thousands of visitors every year. With their beautiful water and amenities, there’s no better way to spend a hot, sunny day. Here are the top five natural springs to visit all around Florida this summer with activities and amenities to fill a whole summer day for your family.
Tis beautiful spring is found below the surface, in an underground cave where visitors can snorkel around, or even scuba dive if they wish at Devil’s Den Spring.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, located in Fort White, is home of a national landmark, the Ichetucknee Head Spring. Costing only $8 per vehicle for entry, this park includes family favorites such as tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddling, swimming, snorkeling and even scuba diving. No need to worry about buying tubes or kayaks before you go, as the general store at this spring has rentals of all types available so your family can have the perfect day at the springs.
Silver Springs State Park, located in Silver Springs, is home to the filming of over 20 movies back in old Hollywood, including Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean; Distant Drums, starring Gary Cooper; the James Bond movie Moonraker; Creature from the Black Lagoon; and six Tarzan flicks. Costing only $8 for entry, its amenities include glass-bottom boats, paddling, hiking, wildlife/birding, camping, educational sites (museum and environmental center), cracker village
By Ella Shockleyand plenty of dining options.
Blue Spring State Park, located in Orange City, is home of the Thursby House, historically where Louis Thursby shipped tourists and goods to Jacksonville back in 1856. Costing $6 per vehicle, manatees are ready to be seen at this location. Also, activities such as birding, boat tours, camping, fishing, hiking, paddling, scuba diving, picnicking, snorkeling, swimming and tubing are all available.
Devil’s Den Spring, located right between Ichetucknee and Silver Springs in Williston, is known to be an underground spring home to many extinct animal fossils dating back to Pleistocene age. Costing between $18-$25, this spring ofers snorkeling and scuba diving in a prehistoric cave, a picnic/grill area, a heated swimming pool and assorted lawn games, as well as camping and a RV park. Wekiwa Springs State Park, located in Apopka, was the first tourist attraction in Central Florida, just miles outside of Orlando. Costing $6 per vehicle, this spring is home to unique amenities like horseback riding and mountain biking while including activities like paddling, fishing, geocaching and four diferent types of camping.
For more information on the springs listed, visit www.floridastateparks.org.
By Kathy L. Collins
On June 14, dignitaries and the community came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at A Kid’s Place. They were cutting the ribbon on some major renovations at the campus.
A Kid’s Place ofers a unique and safe home at its 60-bed campus, which is located on five acres in Brandon. The organization serves a large number of sibling groups.
Brad Gregory, CEO for A Kid’s Place, said, “It is important that children brought to A Kid’s Place after being removed from home feel safe and normal. The homes the children live in are strong, clean and beautiful, which allows them to have a peaceful night’s sleep, keep their personal possessions close, do homework without being interrupted and eat meals and visit with friends in an open space.”
Renovations were done on all five home interiors. The Stepping Stones Independent Living house was remodeled from top to bottom.
Specifically, as part of the improvement project, interior and exterior renovations were made to seven buildings and the surrounding grounds to provide a more suitable living environment for youth in foster
care and those ag ing out of foster care. The improve ments include the installation of new windows in five foster care homes; new kitch en and laundry room cabinets and countertops; a new roof at the aging-out facility, as well as interior painting of walls and ceilings; renovations to a kitchen and one bathroom; and new flooring installed throughout the home. Additionally, the renovation included up grades to the flooring and interior doors in the administrative building and classrooms. Finally, multiple trees were trimmed or re moved.
The renovations cost $448,000. Hillsbor ough County contributed $340,000 from Community Development Block Grants.
The remaining amount was contributed by others, including Florida Medical Foun dation of Caring, White Family Foundation and Homes by Westbay, KeHe Cares, Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation and the Mabel and Ellsworth Simmons Charita ble Foundation.
Gregory said, “For the last 14 years, we have rescued almost 2,000 abused and neglected children and provided them a safe, loving and nurturing environment in which to live. Our great success would not be possible without the generous support in all ways from the county and local com munity.”
For more information, please visit https:// akidsplacetb.org/.
Small But Mighty Heroes, a remarkable childhood cancer organization, continues to make an impact by providing tailored support, raising awareness and advocating for children battling cancer and their families. Founded in February 2017, the organization has grown exponentially, currently supporting over 400 oncology children and welcoming approximately eight new applicants every week.
Driven by a personal passion for pediatric care, the organization’s founder, Tina Downing, experienced a life-altering moment upon the birth of her second son. Inspired by a medical IT company’s nonprofit focused on children of all ailments, Downing dedicated her time as a volunteer and generously donated 6 percent of her paycheck. It was during this period that they crossed paths with a little boy named Blakey, who left an indelible mark on their heart. Witnessing Blakey’s journey and ultimately his passing, the founder realized the profound need for support in the pediatric oncology realm.
“My very real experiences fuel my mission. Connecting with these children and their families is the backbone of the support we provide,” said Downing.
Small But Mighty Heroes takes a personable approach, putting the needs of the children and families they serve at the forefront. Its dedication to remaining connected throughout the entire
journey, regardless of its direction, sets it apart. The organization o f ers five programs designed to address the unique needs of children fighting cancer, their siblings and parents. Furthermore, its commitment to collaboration has seen it forge partnerships with other nonprofits, expanding its reach and capabilities.
Notable partnerships include Dancing for a Di f erence, The Grow Group and Costumers with a Cause, organizations that contribute to the village of support o f ered to these families. Small But Mighty Heroes has also established strong alliances with esteemed medical institutions such as the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital oncology team and bone marrow transplant team, which work closely with dedicated sta f to expedite crucial assistance. Additionally, collaborations with Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando and Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri have reinforced its commitment to providing support.
As a licensed nonprofit organization in both Florida and Missouri, Small But Mighty Heroes remains resolute in its mission to empower and uplift childhood cancer warriors and their families. With its upcoming program launch in the fall, the organization continues to evolve and grow, ensuring that every child battling cancer knows that they matter.
103 years of life full of experiences, learning and lots of stories is worth celebrating.
Riverview resident Loraine Luyten celebrated her 103rd birthday on June 21 surrounded by family and friends while enjoying her favorite dessert: red velvet and carrot cake.
Luyten was born in Upstate New York in 1920 alongside her three older siblings. From an early age, Luyten was drawn to creativity, such as a passion for music, playing the piano and hairdressing. She led a successful career in hairdressing and even went on to open her own cosmetology school in St. Petersburg called Loraine’s Hairstyling Academy. This school is still up and running today with specializations in beauty school, nail school, spa, skin care and massage therapy. Her institution has even been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for vocational career education since 1966.
As you may be wondering how she stays so young, Luyten stated that she keeps a positive attitude, does her daily exercises and regularly plays solitaire on her computer. She also mentioned her favorite that she had lived in were the 40s and 50s because her kids were still young, and she could con-
By Bella Ferrettitinue to work in her at home salon.
Luyten radiates positivity, and those who have the pleasure of knowing her have said nothing but great things.
“Everybody says she is amazing, and although she has her ups and her downs, she has been able to get over any illness,” said her daughter, Ann Marden, age 76.
Marden believes that the secret to her mother’s longevity is her constant healthy lifestyle, as well as the heart bypass that she had at age 83. Luyten has always taught her daughter that it is better to keep quiet when you do not agree with something rather than trying to prove yourself.
Since moving into The Bridges Retirement Community in 2011, she has had an impact on those around her.
“In the 10-plus years I have known Loraine, she maintains such a positive attitude regardless of circumstances or what life gives her,” said Janet Noah, director of community relations at The Bridges.
Luyten is full of life and is a positive spirit who has continued to celebrate these milestones year after year. The Bridges is located at 11202 Dewhurst Dr. in Riverview.
By Keiko Moral
A Kitten Place (AKP) was established with a mission to give cats and kittens with challenging medical conditions the best chance at survival and a safe environment. This amazing program helps the most vulnerable members of our feline community. A Kitten Place focuses on providing individualized care to each rescue, doing its best to provide a happy and healthy life.
“AKP specializes in rescuing neonates (who must be bottle-fed around the clock), special needs (including paralyzed kittens), kittens needing amputations or eye removal, kittens needing extensive diagnostics,” said Michelle Bass, who established the rescue with Alicia Pollock in August 2019.
Recently, A Kitten Place has expanded its program, significantly increasing its capacity to help those in need. With its intake now averaging 250 cats and kittens at any given time, the organization is making an even greater impact. This expansion has been made possible through partnerships with two local cat cafes, Sassy Cat Club Cafe in Brandon and Purrology Cafe in Lakeland. The cafes are a great place to visit after a stressful day or as a family outing, and there are always cats waiting for cuddles. These collaborations have not only allowed A Kitten Place to save more animals but have also led to an increase in successful adoptions.
In another exciting development, A Kitten Place has been invited to become an adoption partner with PetSmart Charities. This new partnership has resulted in the establishment of its own adoption center at the Brandon PetSmart, located of SR 60 at 1051 W. Brandon Blvd. This new facility allows AKP to showcase more of its kitties to a receptive audience of potential pet owners, increasing the chances of finding loving forever homes for these pets.
The community can play a vital role in helping A Kitten Place save more lives. Volunteering is invaluable, with opportunities available in fostering, transportation, events and as PetSmart Kennel volunteers. Additionally, monetary donations play a pivotal role, as the program incurs an average of $15,000 in monthly expenses to provide the necessary care for these vulnerable creatures. Those interested in supporting A Kitten Place, such as learning more about donating funds, can visit its website, https://akittenplace.org/, or fulfill its wish lists on Amazon and Chewy.
Did you know reading fluency is an important aspect for students? Literacy should start being introduced to children once they are born. A parent is a child’s first teacher, and this shouldn’t be taken lightly. On average, children should start reading between ages 6-7 years old. Reading gaps in younger students could mutate into future academic problems. Students who read during the summer and during their free time gain an average of one month of reading proficiency. Students who don’t read lose an average of two to three months proficiency over time; those months add up to years. By high school, the number has doubled. Both parents and teachers are seeing an increase with students who struggle with reading. What can be done? Expose students to a variety of books and materials. If the reader is showing signs of struggle, practice words of difculty and introduce choice reading material that gets them excited. Here’s a mindful tip: Becoming a fluent reader means establishing a consistent rhythm and pace that help guide the reader through the text. Remember, it’s not about being the fastest reader but rather developing a reader who keeps a steady pace throughout their reading.
It’s all about strategy and finding the best strategy when it comes to developing a fluent reader. Developing reading fluency helps students grow as learners and with other core subjects. In order to do so, provide students with various opportunities to read the same passage orally. When a child reads, it helps when this is done orally. When
By Dr. Tyla Phillipa child can hear themselves, this will help progress the reader as they build reading skills. Mindful tip: To do this, you should first know what your student is reading. Second, you should have your student read aloud repeatedly. Model fluent reading, then have students reread the text on their own. Allow a student to learn through examples and models. The first mistake is not showing and not correcting the development of a reader. Rather, give students the best chance at becoming a fluent reader. Introduce good models of fluent reading; giving examples of a reader’s voice can help written text make sense. Read aloud daily to your students; by
Hope for Her is a local nonprofit that provides a safe place for women experiencing crisis and trauma in their lives. Trauma can be as a result of abuse, divorce or loss of income. Hope for Her provides women in need with strength, skills and support they need to rebuild their lives.
How does Hope for Her do this?
It helps women rediscover their strength and self-confidence. This is done by identifying and moving beyond barriers that limit financial, emotional, spiritual and physical healing.
Hope for Her connects women with a licensed counselor. It also ofers classes on coping, Bible study, support groups and exercise classes.
a personal job coach who will help them create a resume, search for a job and get ready for interviews, as well as provide appropriate clothing. Once a job is secured, she will receive two weeks of clothing appropriate for a business setting.
Women also receive financial coaching, which is customized for their situation. During this time, they learn how to create an appropriate budget, how to save and, most importantly, how to shop within their means. The women basically learn how to take control of their own finances.
In addition, Hope for Her ofers courses on nutrition and parenting.
reading efortlessly and with expression, you are modeling for your students how a fluent reader sounds. Reading is a gateway to academic success and can open the door for students in school.
Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certifed tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, algebra through calculus, chemistry and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confdence and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of the Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at https://huntingtonhelps.com/. For franchise opportunities, please visit https://huntingtonfranchise.com/.
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (never known to fail)
O Most beautiful fower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine,splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succeed me in my necessity (make request). There are non that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.
T.O.C.M.B.
The first step on the path is to make sure that the afected women and their children have the basic needs, such as food, clothing and housing. Hope for Her works with other local nonprofits and community resources to accomplish this.
Moreover, Hope for Her ofers oneon-one coaching and individualized programs, including an employment program. An individual in need will receive
Hope for Her was formed 16 years ago by Cheryl Hickman, who had it all until she lost it.
Her personal experience led her to create Women’s Resource Center, which is now known as Hope for Her. Over the years, Hope for Her has helped over 4,500 families.
For more information, please visit www.hopeforherfl.org.
strate Achievements
Hillsborough County Public Schools
(HCPS) students demonstrated impressive achievements in newly released statewide algebra and geometry assessment results, outperforming the state average. In addition, HCPS students throughout the district showed improvement over the course of the school year in English language arts (ELA) and math.
This was the baseline year of the FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking), a statewide progress monitoring tool given to students three times a year, in grades three through 10 in ELA and grades three through eight in math. Between the first administration of the tests in the fall of 2022 (PM1) to the third administration (PM3) in spring 2023, HCPS students showed growth and understanding of the B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards.
The FAST progress monitoring assessments provides teachers, students and parents with real-time, immediate and actionable data at the beginning, middle and end of the school year to drive student improvement.
The Alafia Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was pleased to announce the winners of its awards to JROTC students at seven local high schools.
The winners are:
Armwood High School — Cadet Makayla Gould; Bloomingdale High School — Cadet
Christine Allen; Brandon High School —
Cadet Mia Gontowski; Durant High School —
Cadet First Lieutenant Elizabeth Morris; Newsome High School —
Cadet Isabella Donnelly; Strawberry Crest High School — Cadet
First Lieutenant Cynthia Rivera-Trejo; and Tampa Bay Technical High School — Cadet
Maysa Bouslimi.
ROTC medals are awarded to student cadets of outstanding ability and achievements in high school JROTC programs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. They are selected by their JROTC leaders.
Cornhole Fundraiser
Back the Line Charity Events will be hosting a cornhole fundraising event on Saturday, August 12 starting at 12 Noon for a Plant City teenager battling cancer. Along with the cornhole tournament, there will be a silent auction, 50/50 rafe and barbecue lunch from Newman’s BBQ. Tickets are $60 per team of two and include a barbecue lunch. To register, use the QR code. The event will take place at the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center, located at 2508 W. Oak Ave. in Plant City. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available; please contact Heather Cropper at 813-625-1507 for more information.
Become Involved In Te Guardian Ad Litem Program
The foster care system touches every part of society. You can help, take action and make a diference in a child’s life by joining the Statewide Guardian ad Litem
Ofce Child Advocacy Team. Although every child appointed to the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Ofce is assigned a guardian ad litem attorney and a child welfare professional, not every child has a volunteer on their team. National research shows that children with a guardian ad litem are likelier to earn better grades, enroll in postsecondary education, receive more services while in foster care and be less likely to reenter foster care.
Through the collaboration of a national best-practice, multidisciplinary team that always includes a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child’s community, the team provides legal representation while assisting the child in expressing their needs and wishes.
Learn how to get involved at https:// guardianadlitem.org/ or call 813-272-5110.
Titus and Renee Pea served in the United States Air Force; Titus served for 26 years, and Renee served for 22 years. In 2021, they were asked by a friend to make all of the arrangements for her fairytale destination wedding at the Twickenham Estate in Jeferson, North Carolina. “When the guests and the bridal party walked into the reception hall, the looks on their faces were priceless,” Renee said. “As a team, my husband and I found our calling in floral design. We can design your dream flowers for any special occasion.”
The couple’s flowers are truly unique, as they are not real, they are fake — or faux. “These aren’t your grandmother’s flowers,” Renee said. “They have a natural look and touch and are eco-friendly.”
as they are not real, they are fake — or
— and you can rent them for your next event.
By Libby Hopkinser,” Renee said. “We had been looking at franchising, and we found FauxReal Flowers. I met with the franchise owners for two days and decided this was a perfect fit for us.”
The Peas are the owners of FauxReal Flowers in Brandon. “Our flowers will never wilt and are afordable for any budget,” Renee said. “We will customize, deliver, set up and pick up your arrangements for your events.”
Renee got into flower arranging as a way of relieving anxiety. “My husband is very active in the Brandon community, and we wanted something to do togeth-
The FauxReal Flowers model is a low-maintenance and fun business to be in, while ofering franchisees a low investment cost for a great turnaround. The profits are high and the costs are low, which makes investing in FauxReal Flowers worth it. “FauxReal Flowers are sustainable, rent-and-return flowers, so brides or event organizers get a luxury dream look at a fraction of the price,” Renee said. “Our goal is to give our clients everything they want and more without breaking the bank. This includes beautiful bouquets, arbors, walls, stands, accents and more at competitive prices.”
If you would like to learn more about FauxReal Flowers or hire FauxReal Flowers for your next event, you can visit the Peas website at https://brandon.fauxrealflowers.com or call them at 813-5956374. You can also stop by their showroom, located at 1363 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.
Local artists are invited to submit a proposal to be considered for Skyway 2024 exhibition, the Tampa Bay area’s celebration of contemporary art. This is an open call to artists and art collectives residing in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties to submit application materials for the exhibition.
There are five partnering institutions collaborating in this exhibition. These include the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; the Tampa Museum of Art; the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design; and the USF Contemporary Art Museum. The five art institutions will co-publish a fully illustrated catalogue to accompany the exhibition featuring the work of each exhibiting artist.
The deadline to enter is Monday, August 14. Artists working in diverse media and disciplines, including socially engaged art and participatory projects, are encouraged to submit original artworks and project proposals. Submissions can include, but are not limited to, works on paper, paintings, sculptures, photography, videos, performances, sound, research-based art and site-specific installations. Submissions can include examples of works and past projects that provide an overview of the artist’s practice. Only original works of art completed after De-
By Kathy L. Collins
cember 2020 will be considered for the exhibition in 2024.
Artworks and projects in the exhibition will be selected by an expanded curatorial team from the five participating art institutions, including Christopher Jones, Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan curator of photography and media artst, and Ola Wlusek, Keith D. and Linda L. Monda curator of modern and contemporary art, from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Katherine Pill, senior curator of contemporary art, from the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; Rangsook Yoon, senior curator from the Sarasota Art Museum; Joanna Robotham, curator of modern and contemporary art from the Tampa Museum of Art; and Christian Viveros-Fauné, curator-at-large from the USF Contemporary Art Museum.
Curator, writer and scholar Evan Garza is the guest juror for Skyway 2024. Currently a curatorial fellow at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Garza was a recent Fulbright scholar at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland and served as co-curator and artistic director of the 2021 Texas Biennial. Garza co-founded Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR), a New York nonprofit and the first residency program in the world exclusively for LGBTQ+ artists. Additional information and submission guidelines can be found at www.skywaytampabay.com.
The Florida Orchestra (TFO) has named Ignacio Barrón Viela as its new president and CEO, the orchestra announced. He brings global experience to lead the state’s largest professional orchestra in a new era of growth in Tampa Bay, joining TFO in August.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, Barrón Viela is a classically trained cellist who has spent more than a decade performing in orchestras and managing music projects worldwide. He comes to TFO from the Reno Philharmonic in Nevada, where, as president and CEO, he helped expand its artistic oferings with a wide variety of events and concerts, including a semi-staged opera. Post-pandemic audiences consistently grew, sometimes exceeding pre-pandemic levels. During his tenure, the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Before that, he was the executive director of the Billings Symphony in Montana, where he created key partnerships with local and national associations, cultivated donor relationships with record-setting donations and doubled the symphony’s net worth and endowment. Barrón Viela succeeds Mark Cantrell, who departed in April to be CEO of the Colorado Symphony.
“It will be an honor to lead Florida’s premier orchestra,” Barrón Viela said. “I am impressed by the orchestra’s stellar reputation and innovative programming, and I am inspired by TFO’s commitment to serving the needs of this growing community with such passion. I look forward to working closely with Michael Francis, the remarkable Florida
Orchestra musicians, a great board and an energetic staf.”
“I am delighted Ignacio Barrón Viela will join us as president and CEO of TFO,” said music director Michael Francis. “From our first meeting, it was clear that Ignacio has a genuine passion for music, a strategic mindset and a charismatic ability to communicate deeply about our wonderful art form. With his fascinating background as a musician, engineer, senior management consultant and successful orchestra CEO, Ignacio will bring a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic approach to leading The Florida Orchestra.”
Barrón Viela holds a Master of Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business, with an emphasis in arts leadership through the USC Thornton School of Music. In 2020, he was nominated as one of the ‘40 Under 40’ most successful leaders in Montana, and in 2022 he was recognized with the Community Builder Award by the Downtown Billings Association.
Barrón Viela and his wife, Brianna, enjoy exploring the great outdoors, running road races and learning from and engaging with people from all walks of life. They will make the move to Tampa Bay over the summer.
As the largest professional orchestra in the state with 71 full-time professional musicians and conductors, TFO performs more than 100 concerts a season and provides free music education and outreach programs to underserved areas throughout Tampa Bay all year long. For ticket information, visit https://floridaorchestra.org/.
What causes acne and what can be done to treat it?
Like most common medical problems, acne is surrounded by its share of myths.
Although acne can be aggravated by poor personal hygiene or by eating too many sweets, acne is a hormonal problem.
It develops when the sebaceous follicles — which are concentrated mostly in the skin of the face, neck and shoulders — begin producing too much oil. This excessive oil production is brought on when the levels of certain hormones in the blood increase.
These changes also trigger the sexual development that takes place during adolescence.
At the same time, there is over¬production of the skin cells that line the follicle. These excess skin cells, along with the excess oil, form a sort of paste which clots the follicle and forms a pimple.
Whiteheads are formed when the follicle opening is tight; blackheads form when the opening is large enough for oil and cells to push up to the surface.
Blackheads are dark in color not be-
By Dr. Robert Norman
cause of dirt but rather because they are made up of pigment producing cells.
Doctors classify acne as either noninflammatory or inflammatory. Noninflammatory acne, characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and perhaps an occasional red lesion – may be cleared up with over-the-counter remedies. Sulfur, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are good for drying the skin.
However, these chemicals can irritate the skin, so it takes a bit of trial-and-error to find the right product.
An exfoliant can also be helpful.
These drugs work by opening the follicles so that the excess oil can flow out.
For severe cases, such as inflammatory acne, you should seek our care.
There are several prescription medications that are highly efective in clearing up severe cases of acne, and we can give you information about them.
I want to stress that teenagers should not be blamed for having acne.
Acne is a biological condition that is not caused just by bad hygiene or improper diet. If you mislead your child to believe these myths, you may create an unhealthy situation of self-blame, while wasting time that you could spend treating the problem.
Brian Dunkley of Riverview is the owner of Dunkley Auto Detailing. You could say auto detailing is in Dunkley’s blood. “When I was a little kid, I would walk around our neighborhood with my Radio Flyer wagon and a bucket and wash neighbors’ cars,” Dunkley said. “As I got a little older and was able to drive, I started detailing my own car and my family’s cars.”
Dunkley Auto Detailing is proud to provide the highest-quality auto detailing in Tampa Bay with the convenience of coming to you at your home or work. Your time is valuable, and driving to a facility and waiting for paint cleaner to dry is boring. “We come to you so you can skip all of that hassle,” Dunkley said. “We service the Brandon community as well as Hillsborough County.”
Dunkley’s clients love the simplicity of his mobile service. “No more driving to a detail shop and waiting for hours for your vehicle to be serviced or having to arrange a buddy to pick you up and drop you of,” Dunkley said. “We’ll help you select the auto detail package that is right
By Libby Hopkins
for you.”
If you ask Dunkley what makes his business diferent from other mobile auto detailing businesses in the area, he will tell you it’s the quality. “There are a lot of great detailing businesses in the area, but what makes us diferent is our quality of work,” Dunkley said. “The look on my customers’ faces when they see their car after it’s been detailed is the best part of my job.”
Dunkley Auto Detailing ofers three different auto detailing packages, so there is a package that will fit your budget.
Dunkley is also believes in keeping thing local. “As a local small business, keeping things local is extremely important to me,” Dunkley said. “I buy all of my detailing supplies from local business. We need to support each other so we can help our businesses can grow and grow our community.”
If you’d like to learn more about Dunkley Auto Detailing and the services he offers, you can visit his website at https:// dunkleydetailing.com/ or call 304-7193464.
When unexpected moments happen, you can trust the ER experts at AdventHealth. Conveniently located in Brandon, we’re ready to care for you 24/7. And, we’ve made it easy to schedule an emergency room visit online so you can wait in the comfort of home and arrive at a time convenient for you.
Sam Goodwin is an Apollo Beach beekeeper who shares his love for saving bees and teaches classes after retiring from the Army as a command sergeant major and defense contractor. Goodwin, with his business, ‘Sam’s Honey Bees,’ started beekeeping around eight and a half years ago after retiring, finally being able to aford to work in a business he had always wanted to be a part of: agriculture.
“My goal is to spread the word on the importance of bees to our food supply and pollination; one third of our food supply depends on bees,” Goodwin said. “We’d have about four to five years left as humans without bees. So, if you like to eat, protect your bees.”
Goodwin spreads his message to those who attend his hands-on beekeeping-experience classes, where he explains to people as young as children the function of bees in our world and how they band together as colonies.
“About six to eight people come out and train with me,” said Goodwin. “Three have been licensed and have their own hives.”
Along the lines of beekeeping, Goodwin also sells local, raw and pure honey to the community, and he takes house calls to remove bees. His daily maintenance of the bees involves inspecting and cleaning the hives, looking for the queen, observing the queen’s progress in the hive laying eggs and assessing
whether boxes need to be added or taken from the hives (about three to five times a week).
“You look for normalcy, and if you don’t find normalcy, you fix it,” he said. With all this said, a lot goes on in Goodwin’s apiary in the Circle Pond Tiny Home Community.
“It’s definitely a challenge to keep them healthy; … beekeeping is both an art and a science. There’s certain parts of it that will always be the same in the book, but there’s a lot of art to it as well. Not everything is covered by the book,” Goodwin said.
About the struggles in the hives, like rough winters and mite infestations, Goodwin said, “Honey is their winter food. As long as they have honey, they won’t starve. They can generate their own heat and air conditioning in their hives, and the heat they create keeps the hive about 90-95 degrees even with a pile of snow on top. Some of my medicine is vapor; it kills the mites. Mites are their biggest enemy.”
Upon arriving at Goodwin’s apiary in Apollo Beach, it’s obvious that he’s passionate about bees. His hive setup and system are meticulous and well-organized with diferent labeling systems and charts filled with information on each hive. Visit the ‘Sam’s Honey Bees’ page on Facebook or email Goodwin himself at bees4sam@gmail.com; his hobby is truly amazing.
As a Florida State University (FSU) Valencia study-abroad student, I went to five countries, two continents and nine cities, all in the span of six weeks.
You could say that I made the most of these six weeks and learned the system of traveling throughout Europe.
Considering I had never traveled alone or even booked a flight prior to this, I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do in terms of living and traveling in Europe. Although everyone has their own advice on how to make the most while studying abroad, here are some things that I wish I knew before starting my journey.
My first recommendation is to only book a one-way ticket to Europe. Why, you may ask? Well, odds are, you will fall in love with the experience and never want to leave. I think that booking the return flight later is the best idea in case you decide to extend your trip and skip the hassle of switching flights.
When it comes to weekend travel, I suggest booking some flights and hotels several weeks in advance to save money. Although I often found that I made last-minute plans with trips, I think it would have been beneficial to plan at
By Bella Ferretti
least two trips in advance to avoid the headache of planning and the extra costs. Having a balance between spontaneous trips and planned trips allowed me to go places I would’ve never thought of, as well as have stressfree preplanned trips with friends.
Don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in di f erent cultures or go to places that are unfamiliar to you. From my experience, some of my most memorable days consisted of doing things I never thought I would in places that I had never even heard of.
I’m sure you will hear this a thousand times, but don’t leave your purse or belongings out of sight. My parents drilled this into my head before I left, but after three of my roommates left Europe missing their phones, wallets and purses, I realized the importance. Speaking of parents, don’t forget to call and send postcards to the people you care about (they appreciate it more than you know).
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where you have full control of your experience. If you take anything from these tips, remember to keep an open mind and live each day to the fullest.
“Our
LeHeal Biogenix Participates In Campaign To Support Veterans
LeHeal Biogenix is committed to giving back to the community and supporting those in need. That commitment has prompted it to join forces with the Brothers In Arms Foundation and Regenative Labs to provide much-needed services to veterans in the Tampa Bay area.
Through this donation campaign, the clinic hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of our veterans by providing health care services that address pain from damaged tissue.
“We are honored to be a part of this initiative to give back to our veterans who have given so much for our country,” said LeHeal Biogenix provider Gavril Green-Goodman, ARNP (combat veteran and flight nurse with U.S. Air Force).
The donation campaign is open to all Marine Special Forces and Recon veterans in the Tampa Bay area who are in need of health care services to treat missing or damaged tissue. Instead of covering up the pain with steroids, this type of care addresses the real tissue issue.
Veterans interested in receiving healthcare services from LeHeal Biogenix can contact Regenative Labs for more information by calling 1-800-891-3452, ext. 1700 or email-
ing info@regenativelabs.com.
Vine Vegan Celebrates Opening With A Ribbon-cutting
Vine Vegan of Brandon celebrated the opening of its plant-based eatery with a multichamber ribbon-cutting hosting the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce, Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Hearts & Heels. Owner Danielle Stevens opened Vine Vegan six months ago in the location that was previously Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium. Providing dishes that reflect a multicultural influence and feature many of the veggies, spices and techniques that we all enjoy, she promises you will love your dining experience! Stevens’ goal is to “blow the minds of carnivores all over Brandon,” and she guarantees even the most critical skeptic that they will not miss their meat-based meals. Visit Vine Vegan at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon on Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. You can read more about Vine Vegan’s story or view
its menu at https://vinevegan.com/.
New Christian Academy Opening
Tyndale Christian Academy is a new classical Christian academy that will be opening with a kindergarten class this fall at the First Baptist Church of Dover, located at 3223 Gallagher Rd. in Dover. The vision of the school is to add one grade level each year. As a ministry of First Baptist Church of Dover, the goal is to train virtuous leaders with Christ at the center of all subjects and curriculum. Through high academic expectations and a Biblical foundation, Tyndale’s desire is to help students develop to their fullest potential. Visit its website for additional information at https://tyndalechristianacademy.com/.
Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More of Brandon provides creative individual designs and unique selling points. The shop features direct-to-garment printing, screen printing, vinyl printing and direct-to-film printing on a wide variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, ball caps, tote bags and more, all with a fast turnaround, often within 24 hours. Embroidery services are also available. Customers receive free in-person design help, and there are no minimum quantities or setup fees. The grand opening is set for Sat-
From high fevers and breathing problems to abdominal pain and falls, our team is ready for every emergency. And, with 13 ER locations in Tampa Bay, we make it convenient to access award-winning care when you need it most. So you can get back to the life you love.
To find an AdventHealth ER near you, visit TheERExperts.com
urday, July 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be free T-shirts for the first 100 people and food, fun and drinks for all. Big Frog of Brandon is located at 935 E. Brandon Blvd. For more information, visit its website at www. bigfrog.com/brandon/, call 813-684-2873 or email brandon@bigfrog.com.
TRU Aesthetics is an aesthetics and wellness practice located at 1218 Millenium Pkwy., Ste. 2-14 in Brandon. It specializes in facial contouring, antiaging, skin rejuvenation and wellness. It ofers minimally invasive medical treatments, including Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling and wellness shots, to enhance a patient’s natural beauty and overall well-being. The goal is to help you look better, not diferent. For additional information, visit its website at https://mytruaesthetics. com/ or call 813-696-1710.
Hope
Supporting Women In Our Community
Hope for Her hosted a ribbon-cutting with the Valrico FishHawk Chamber Commerce, celebrating over 16 years supporting women in our community. As a nonprofit founded by women who have endured serious life challenges, Hope for Her is a safe place where women experiencing crisis and trauma find the strength, skills and support they need
to rebuild their best lives. Women who need help can call 813-309-3357 or visit its location behind Bay Life Church at 140 Yarbrough Rd. in Brandon. It is open for services from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. You can find out more about Hope for Her, what it ofers and how you can support its program by visiting www. hopeforherfl.org.
Small-pet Boarder Opens In Valrico
Valrico’s newest dog lodging facility, Adorable Ankle Biters Bed & Biscuit, is now open and operated by Dena Craig, veteran groomer and owner of Adorable Pets by Dena. Wanting to provide a safe and comfortable place for her small-pet clients to feel comfortable leaving their fur babies while they are away, Craig opened Adorable Ankle Biters Bed & Biscuit for small pets only and provides a warm, inviting feel of a Southern bed and breakfast with private bedroom areas and an indoor park that feels outdoorsy. Services ofered include tuck-in and cuddle time, doggy massages, Jacuzzi baths, breakfast in bed and ice cream treats. There is also a full-time paw-activities director to organize fun playtimes for your pups. Located at 3220 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Ste. 103 in Valrico, it is open from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and on weekends by appointment. For more information, call 813-3249400, email adorableanklebiters@gmail. com or visit https://adorableanklebiters. com/.
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is a full-service design, installation and maintenance outdoor lighting company. It knows that outdoor and landscape lighting is one of the most efective ways of adding beauty and value to your home. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is America’s most trusted residential outdoor lighting specialists, and it provides the perfect placement of lighting fixtures to transform your home.
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is located at 330 Pauls Dr., Ste. 113 in Brandon, additional information can be found on its website at www. outdoorlights.com/ brandon/ or by calling 813-755-4344.
Te Artzy Mermaid
The Artzy Mermaid is uniquely both a coastal art boutique and a paintand-sip-style venue where various types of fun painting and art classes are ofered. Classes are available for both children and adults in a wide variety of disciplines, including art made with seashells, crushed
By Jenny Bennett
glass, resin and beads. Private parties can also be arranged and are ideal for birthdays, bridal showers and corporate events, so stop by and unleash your creativity. The Artzy Mermaid also showcases local Florida artists’ work, which is for sale in the boutique.
For more information, visit its website at https://theartzymermaid.com/ or call 813-649-0366.
Riverview Woman’s Club Supports West Central Foster Care
Throughout the months of May and June, while everyone was preparing for and enjoying summer, the Riverview Woman’s Club prepared for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Supporting West Central Foster Care’s back-to-school drive, the goal of which is to supply local foster families with the many necessities their children need to be successful in school, the club raised money for and donated over 200 new lunch boxes for local students.
Bay Area Cardiology And Vascular Associates Joins Cardiovascular Associates Of America
Cardiovascular Associates of America (CVAUSA), a comprehensive cardiology practice management services organization, announced that Bay Area Cardiology and Vascular Associates (BACVA) has joined its elite physician alliance. BACVA has four ofces in Brandon, Sun City Center, Riverview and Tampa. The doctors are board-certified in cardiovascular diseases and provide diagnostic and customized treatment services for a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. They focus on individual patients’ needs and their long-term health and vitality.
“Bay Area Cardiology and Vascular Associates is excited to partner with CVAUWA as we continue to expand our ability to provide cutting-edge, high-quality and high-value cardiovascular care in the Tampa Bay area,” said Stephen Mester, MD, managing partner of BACVA.
“It’s a tremendous honor to partner with the outstanding physicians and staf at Bay Area Cardiology and Vascular Associates. They are ‘the’ leading cardiovascular group in the greater Tampa Bay area,” said Tim Attebery, chief executive ofcer of CVAUSA.
For additional information on Cardiovascular Associates of America, please visit https://cvausa.com/. For information on Bay Area Cardiology and Vascular Associates, visit www.bayareacardiology. net.
Plant City Main Street’s Last Friday events are always fun, but the July event, a celebration of the birthday of the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, is especially fun. The celebration will take place on Friday, July 28 from 5-9 p.m. in McCall Park, located at 100 N. Collins St. in historic downtown Plant City. Admission is free.
Come dressed as your favorite witch, wizard or muggle and take part in the costume contest. There will be live music from Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings. The Main Street Kids Zone comes complete with a bounce house and free activities for children, including an extreme gyrosphere. There will be over 60 exhibitors, including merchandise and delicious food.
Everyone, be they witches, wizards or muggles, can participate in the Harry Potter Birthday Celebration hosted by Plant City Main Street on Friday, July 28 from 5-9 p.m.
Downtown Plant City will be transformed into a magical Harry Potter-themed venue. Stop by the Union Station Depot and Viewing Platform (102 N. Palmer St.) and try to board the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ¾. Then head over to The Kandy Shoppe (106 N.E. Drane St., #2) and get a chocolate frog before they sell out. Mandy Keyes, owner of The Kan-
dy Shoppe, said, “The Harry Potter celebration is one of our favorite events.”
Tub Treats (106 N.E. Drane St., #1) and The Crafted Butterfly (102 S. Evers St., #106) will be offering lots of Harry Potter-themed merchandise.
You will not want to miss the Butterbeer ofered at Krazy Kup (101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.). Get there early though, as the delicious Butterbeer always sells out fast.
Frank Trunzo, owner of Krazy Kup, said, “It’s magical, it’s mystical, it’s Krazy Kup.”
For the witches, wizards and muggles over 21, stop by Three Hands Mead Company (111 S. Evers St.) for a quick tipple of mead. Three Hands Mead always goes all out on the decorating. You will feel as if you have been transported to Hogwarts and its Great Hall. Roots Tap Room and Wine Bar (101 S. Evers St.), just down the street, will be a good place to pop in for a cold beverage.
For more information on this event and others hosted by Plant City Main Street, please follow it on Facebook and visit its website at www.plantcitymainstreet.org.
As local families and college students face the fast-approaching event of college dormitory move-in day, many Florida colleges ofer support through helpful volunteer programs.
While moving possessions into their dormitory at the start of a new semester, attendees of the University of South Florida (USF) are assisted by student volunteers in the annual Bull Haul program.
Move-in day is crowded with students and their families, as everyone attempts to transport necessities and decor simultaneously. Organization and assistance are provided through the program as fellow Bulls direct the crowds, answer questions and ofer a hand.
“For students whose parents couldn’t come help them move in, they were glad to have the option for another student to help them,” said USF student Joseph Santarlas as he reflected on Bull Haul’s impact during past move-in days.
The cause not only benefits incoming residents but also the volunteers who sign up to help. To motivate the community to give their time, USF ofers the opportunity for those who register to move into their dormitories early. They will also receive community service hours and merchandise, such as free shirts.
“I got an email from USF saying that I could move in three days early by helping so that no one is stressed. We benefit
By Anna Edlund
by moving in early because move-in day is hectic,” explained Lilly Erwin, a past Bull Haul member.
The program unites the entire college community by making sure that the days run smoother for families, while providing perks to the people who choose to help out. The Bull Haul is a great opportunity to get involved with for USF students.
Similar organizations offer assistance in other Florida schools for the upcoming summer and fall terms. The University of Florida (UF) invites members of the college to be ‘move-in volunteers’” throughout terms. The University of Central Florida (UCF) ofers its own ‘Move-in Volunteer Program’ (known as MVPs), similar to USF’s Bull Haul.
Be sure to follow your college housing department’s website, as well as its Instagram and other social media, for upto-date information and to discover ways that it plans to help make moving in a breeze.
For more information on USF’s Bull Haul, visit its website at www.usf.edu/ housing/residential-experience/bull-haul. aspx.
For more information on UF’s Movein Volunteer opportunities, visit https:// housing.ufl.edu/volunteer/.
For more information on UCF’s Move-in Volunteer program, visit www.housing. ucf.edu/movein/free/.
By Avery Ranieri
ers and students through Zoom, I missed the sense of human connection. It’s simply not the same.”
However, missing his family and friends only led to a stronger drive to accomplish his goal. The mental and physical impact of hydraulic pressure along with the confined space were overwhelming, yet Dr. Dituri strived to prove his educated guess.
It’s an accomplishment in itself to become a college professor; however, to be one who breaks world records, studying underwater is a whole other. University of South Florida’s Dr. Joe Dituri, also known as ‘Dr. Deep Sea,’ spent 100 days in a submarine of the coast of Key Largo teaching, scrutinizing and living abroad. He broke the world record of residing underwater for 73 days.
On March 1, Dr. Dituri entered a 100-square-foot pod and was submerged into an underwater habitat in Jules’ Undersea Lodge. For over the next three months, this international story followed the professor who took care of approximately 5,000 students from online platforms and took care of himself through a groundbreaking sense of spur. These huge milestones involved personal sacrifice, resulting in cases of homesickness.
Dr. Dituri stated, “The feelings of isolation were definitely real while undersea. While I was fortunate enough to be able to connect with friends, family, research-
“We conducted blood samples, urine samples, saliva samples, electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, pulmonary function tests, blood pressure tests as well as hearing and ear tests, followed by a series of oxygen testing,” he explained.
Dr. Dituri spoke with many Ph.D.s and M.D.s to discuss ways to preserve and protect marine life. While studying hyperbaric pressure and its efect on the human body, he hypothesized that if it could increase blood flow, then it could be used as treatment for brain injuries and disease. His findings are planned to be shared in November at the World Extreme Medical Conference.
This dawn of a new era is expected to advance space exploration and find cures to treating disease. This uncharted level of technology furthers the scientific field. Dr. Dituri’s inspiring journey opens the doors for new innovations, dedication and the making of history.
In the midst of investigating and preserving marine life, his journey is a prime example of society’s progress, reminding us that the future is near.
The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center received the National Association of Counties’ Achievement Award for successfully rebuilding its volunteer program after the pandemic at the beginning of June.
The Building Back a Volunteer Program Post-Pandemic Award came after a twoyear-long rebuilding process after the coronavirus shutdown decimated the shelter’s volunteer program. Despite the lack of volunteers, animals continued to come to the shelters, emphasizing the need for a new program.
“It was all about building a strong program for the future,” explained volunteer coordinator Chelsea Waldeck. “I wanted to try to utilize technology as much as we could to assist with trainings and things like that so, that way, we could better utilize staf time and provide our resources to our volunteers.”
Waldeck was hired to revive the program and, last year, had over 250 volunteers who dedicated 14,000 hours of direct care and enrichment to the pets.
Waldeck established a volunteer application for volunteers 16 years old and older, as well as an online training process. The online application and training made the hiring of volunteers more efcient
and efective in order to introduce qualified volunteers to the newly revitalized program.
In April, the shelter applied for national recognition, highlighting how its volunteer program is not only back but also thriving.
“Trying to maybe be recognized at this level and maybe be able to help other shelters who are in the same boat as we were is really satisfying,” said Waldeck.
“I’ve had other shelters reach out with questions, … and I absolutely love being able to help others to help as many animals as we possibly can.”
The Pet Resource Center houses around 15,000 dogs and cats each year, relying on volunteer and community support to care for the animals. The shelter is actively seeking volunteers, so those who are interested can apply online.
“For me, to be able to build this program back up is more animals that we get to help on a daily basis, and that’s the most important aspect of the mission that we have here: helping pets of Hillsborough County. So, we really need all the volunteer support that we can have,” said Waldeck.
For more information on the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org.
Keel Farms is celebrating Keel & Curley Winery’s 20th anniversary with the ‘Cheers to 20 Years’ Sweepstakes from now through Saturday, August 5.
The statewide sweepstakes consists of simply entering to win on the Keel Farms website, along with runner-up prizes found on Keel & Curley Winery bottles’ peel-away stickers.
One winner selected at random will win an all-inclusive winemaking trip for two to Napa Valley on a date of their choosing. One runner-up winner will win a VIP experience at Keel Farms for two on a mutually agreed upon date, which includes a winery tour, tasting and dinner for the winner and one guest of their choosing.
Additional prizes found on bottles in stores include either a $5 coupon for a wine bottle online at www.keelfarms.com or a free drink in the Keel Farms Tasting Room.
Keel & Curley Winery at Keel Farms is a winery dedicated to handcrafting high-quality, locally grown fruit wines. Founded in 1984, the family-owned and operated Keel & Curley Winery is located 17 miles east of Tampa in Plant City at 5202 Thonotosassa Rd. Started with
just 10 gallons of blueberry wine in 2003, Keel & Curley Winery now produces over 500,000 bottles of wine annually and offers visitors lunch and dinner daily, as well as tastings, tours, events and more. The winery also produces Keel Farms Agrarian Ciders, a line of delicious hard ciders made using Florida fruits. Keel & Curley products are available online, at Keel Farms and in select grocery stores statewide.
“Our winery has grown tremendously over the past 20 years, and that’s because of support from our loyal customers,” said Keel Farms President Clay Keel. “This sweepstakes is our way of saying thank you. We have many exciting developments in the works, so we look forward to more milestones and fun giveaways in the future.”
There is no purchase required to participate in the sweepstakes. Participants can enter by filling out a form at https:// www.keelfarms.com/cheers-to-20years-sweepstakes.
The Cheers to 20 Years Sweepstakes will conclude with a celebratory Keel & Curley Winery birthday party on August 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Keel Farms. Parking and admission are free, and all are welcome.
The Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple, established in Tampa since 1981, offers Sunday markets, Thai culture and Buddhist services to the public.
Each Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., guests are able to buy traditional Thai food from volunteers at the market. The food includes a variety of noodle soups and rolls, as well as many other delicious options. All proceeds from the events are donated to propagate Buddhist practice and teaching.
“I recommend anyone go because sometimes it’s a culture shock to people. I feel like it’s something diferent for people to experience and new foods to try,” explained Mia Ramos, a temple visitor.
Being half Thai and Cambodian, Ramos appreciates being able to connect to her culture through events at the temple. She especially enjoys New Year’s celebrations filled with food, dance performances and parades. Ramos additionally recalls how people often buy peace oferings and donate money to the temple to maintain it as a beautiful place for the monks who live on the grounds.
Visitors can also be engaged in religious practices and educational sessions that promote mental development. The temple holds meditation workshops, weekly religious service and Buddhist chanting services.
By Anna EdlundBuddhist chanting is often performed in Thai temples through Pali, a sacred language of Buddhism. The Wat Mongkolratanaram is special, as it often includes recordings of an American monk performing Buddhist teachings in English. English-speaking visitors who seek the opportunity to participate in these sessions are able to comprehend words through this unique and inclusive method.
“Being able to understand what is being said has created a welcomed level of understanding to what is taking place that I have been missing out on for years,” stated Rich Tyson, who finds clarity at the temple.
As an English-speaker who has regularly attended Buddhist ceremonies, Tyson is used to just appreciating the rhythm of the monks’ chants and not being able to understand the language. He appreciates the inclusion that he experiences at this specific temple, especially as he attends alongside his daughter and strives to expose her to her Thai culture.
Whether or not identifying with Thai heritage, the Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple grants partakers a space to explore Buddhism. All are welcome and encouraged to become immersed in the culture in new and enjoyable ways.
For more information, visit https:// wattampainenglish.com/.
This year Florida saw some tremendous devastation in the form of hurricanes Ian, Nicole and Fiona. Families around the state were hurting and needed help and we are proud to say we ofered as much assistance as we could - coast to coast. We spent sleepless weeks consulting and repairing roofs all over the state. As always - we are in this together and we want to thank you for your continued trust and business.
