Osprey Observer Valrico March 2023

NEWSOME AND BLOOMINGDALE CO-HOST SEVENTH ANNUAL INCREDIBULL GAMES

Newsome High School and Bloomingdale Senior High School co-hosted the seventh annual IncrediBULL Games on February 24. The IncrediBULL Games are a Special Olympics field day event for middle school and high school students in Eastern Hillsborough County.

‘Incredible’ hardly begins to describe the moments of joy and connection at the IncrediBULL Games.

“Our athletes and their buddies have said this is their favorite day of the year. The IncrediBULL Games promotes inclusion and has built many lasting friendships over the years,” said IncrediBULL Games event coordinator Donna Hart.

From the moment athletes arrive at the games, excitement grows. Cheerleaders and drumlines from both high schools welcome the athletes as they got of their buses. The athletes spend the day competing in track and soccer and enjoying games and activities at the ‘Olympic Village.’ Student volunteers, called buddies, are paired to spend time with athletes while they compete and have fun.

This year’s event at Newsome was the biggest yet with 475 athletes participating from 16 schools and 850 student volunteers. Hart said the partnership between Bloomingdale and Newsome broadened the community supporters and gave even

SPECIAL DAY AS SHAQ BARRETT AND UNITEDHEALTHCARE PARTNER TO BRING JOY TO A KID’S PLACE

By Jonathan Hurst

By Jane Owen

more students the opportunity to serve.

Bloomingdale Principal Marcos Rodriguez said the partnership allowed the event to double the number of student volunteers and club participation.

Newsome Principal Katie Rocha said she is proud the event had a positive impact on young lives.

“Our athletes were able to experience amazing moments of joy and connection as they competed, played games and proudly represented their schools. Our student volunteers were given the opportunity to experience the pure joy of helping another, which is an experience that will shape their character as they move into adulthood,” Rocha said.

Both Rocha and Rodriguez appreciate the unity brought by the schools co-hosting the event.

“Seeing all of our sports, clubs and athletes collaborate to make this a memorable event for students on our side of the county always puts a smile on my face. Working with Newsome to co-sponsor the games has created an opportunity for our communities to work together to support our students,” Rodriguez said.

Newsome and Bloomingdale will continue to host the games, alternating locations on a yearly basis. For more information about the IncrediBULL Games, contact Hart at donna.hart@hcps.net.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett recently teamed up with UnitedHealthcare in order to provide foster children at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay Inc. (AKP) with new athletic shoes, as well as an opportunity to have a fun-filled day with the NFL star.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve worked with A Kid’s Place, and I am sure it won’t be our last. They do great work; their mission is pure, and just to know that these kids have access to these resources is amazing. My wife and I just want to do what we can to help make things just a little better for the kids, and we are grateful to UnitedHealthcare for working with us on this event,” Barrett said.

Through this event, UnitedHealthcare was delivering the message that health care is not just about what happens inside a doctor’s ofce, as 80 percent of what influences a person’s health is not connected to medical care. In the spirit of this, the goal of the event was to help build the confidence of these kids and get them active.

“For us at UnitedHealthcare, it’s about making sure basic daily needs are met. It is extremely important for children to be able to play and grow healthy. Shoes that are too tight can hamper walking, running and playing and cause problems. More, having the right pair of shoes can boost confidence and encourage a healthier lifestyle,” explained Michael Lawton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community and State

Plans of Florida. This joint efort allowed Barrett and UnitedHealthcare volunteers to gift 60 pairs of new shoes to the children at the January 24 event. UnitedHealthcare also sponsored activities and giveaways, including face painting, caricature artists, a photobooth, T-shirt art, rock climbing, drawstring backpacks with small fun items, snow cones, food and a DJ, with Barrett onsite playing the games and having a great time with the kids.

“It was truly magical to see how the kids’ eyes lit up as they enjoyed a moment of normalcy. These children have been removed from unspeakable situations. For them to be able to create happy memories as they heal from trauma is a true blessing,” said Brad Gregory, CEO of A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay.

AKP is committed to doing what it can to aid children who were removed from their home for their safety with a priority of keeping siblings together. If you would like to help or gain more information, visit https://akidsplacetb.org/. A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay is located at 1715 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.

IN THIS ISSUE:

TECO FAMILY BBQ PG 3

TRANSPORTATION UPDATE PG 6 ST. PATTY’S DAY PARTY PG 11

EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 36 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE SEC 2

Shaq Barrett handing out sneakers to kids.

Newsome and Bloomingdale high schools co-hosted the seventh annual IncrediBULL Games feld day on February 24.

Bloomingdale Senior High School Principal Dr. Marcos Rodriguez and Newsome Principal Katie Rocha at the annual IncrediBULL games, hosted by Newsome this year.

Delivering a message of hope, Shaq Barrett speaks with the kids at the event.

Come experience the thrill on Busch Garden’s newest ride, Serengeti Flyer. Te park’s latest attraction, which opened recently, is the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, providing riders with breathtaking views of the park’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain. See Full Story in our Summer Guide Special Section

THE TECO FAMILY BBQ COOK-OFF FOR CHARITY RETURNS TO SUPPORT TWO CHARITIES

The TECO Family BBQ Cook-of for Charity is back once again, and its ready to reach new goals. This year, the semi-annual event will be taking place at the Showmen’s Association in Riverview on Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For the first time ever, there are two local charities set to benefit from this event, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and OASIS Opportunities. OASIS Opportunities is a local charity with a mission of helping Tampa-area students overcome barriers to success by providing clothing or other essentials that will aid in academic success and consistency. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will be there to answer any questions regarding animal rescue, fostering and adoption. OASIS Opportunities will also be on-site, accepting used uniform and nonuniform clothing and tennis shoes in youth and adult sizes from toddler 4T to adult 5XL at its booth.

Fun for all ages, there are a variety of activities that will be available to partake in at the event. Along with the headlining main event, the BBQ cook-of competition, there will be an expansive car show. This year, the committee is anticipating 16-18 BBQ teams competing and around 50 cars, bikes and slingshots participating in the car show with a trophy and un-

INTERACTIVE TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR PLAY COMING TO A LIBRARY NEAR YOU

By Jonathan Hurst

deniable bragging rights on the line for the competitions.

The fun does not stop there though, as there will be face painting, balloon art and craft building available for all to engage in. Throughout the event, there are also going to be photo opportunities and a variety of great rafes for those in attendance.

While the event did a lot of good last year, through which it raised $20,000 for Hooked on Hope, the committee hopes to exceed that this year as it continues to grow larger and larger. Tickets are available on-site for $15, and children under 10 are free. It’s a fun family day at this incredible event for a good cause, with loads of delicious BBQ samples as well.

The BBQ cook-of will be at the International Independent Showmen’s Association, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. Information about the event can be found at its Facebook page, BBQ Cook-of for Charity, or by emailing tecobbqcharity@gmail.com.

For more information about the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and OASIS Opportunities, visit their websites http:// www.humanesocietytampa.org and www. oasisopportunities.org, respectively.

The City of Tampa’s Creative Arts Theatre Company, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (HCPLC), is excited to present a live children’s theater experience. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Ernie Nolan is an interactive play that serves to remind the audience that mistakes happen, but no problem is too big if you ask for help.

This immersive and exciting show encourages children to participate by using props in the cozy, darkened performance space. In this story, a new galactic recruit, a missing star and a bit of unexpected mayhem create the world of the Star Keepers. The Star Keepers must ensure each star is awake and ready to shine every night, but what happens when one goes missing? You follow the procedures, of course!

This play is recommended for young audiences ages 2-6. Due to the interactive nature of this experience, the attendance is limited to 40 people for each performance.

Additionally, for those who may be sensory sensitive, the show will take place in a smaller four-sided, darkened space so that participants can see the glowing and twinkling lights (representing stars) held by the performers.

Local performances of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star can be seen at these libraries: Tuesday, March 28, 3 p.m. at the Brandon Regional Library; Saturday, April 1 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Regional Library; Tuesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at the SouthShore Regional Library; Wednesday, April 12 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Riverview Public Library; and Thursday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Ruskin Branch Library.

Creative Arts Theatre is the City of Tampa’s resident professional theater company for young audiences. A staf of five professional artists create and perform innovative theater experiences, inspired by classic and contemporary children’s literature, with a mission to encourage literacy throughout Hillsborough County through the magic of live performance. Over the past 50 years, they have performed for more than 1 million children and their families. Visit www.tampa.gov/ parks-and-recreation/activities-recreation/arts-and-theatre/creative-arts-theatre for more information and upcoming shows.

For additional showtimes and location details for Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and other HCPLC programs, visit https:// hcplc.org/.

Family Owned &

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Ernie Nolan will be performed as an immersive and exciting play by the Creative Arts Teatre Company throughout March and April at local libraries.

Hooked on Hope was the recipient of $20,000 from last year’s event.

UPCOMING FILMING OF I WANT TO JUMP MOVIE SHARES IMPORTANT MESSAGE

It’s a hard discussion. It’s uncomfortable, it hurts and it pulls on the heartstrings. But one local family wants to share the struggle, the suffering and the grief but also the memory of their son Justin Paulsen, who lost his battle with depression and OCD in 2019 at the age of 21.

To portray the message of loss but also of hope, support and community, mom Deborah Paulsen is working with JCFilms, a faithbased movie production company, to produce I Want to Jump , based on Justin’s life. The movie is a psychological drama film featuring Superman actor Dean Cain and is produced by the family of Justin to help educate parents on this issue. Production is set to begin in March between Tampa and Bridgeport, West Virginia. “ I Want to Jump is a true story about my son, Justin,” explained Deborah. “He suffered from OCD and could not shake off his suicidal thoughts.”

The movie will show how his deepest thoughts spiraled out of control, leaving a family shattered.

“The main purpose of the film is, of course, to help bring awareness to suicide and help people hopefully make a better choice than my son did,” said Deborah. “To help people find help. There are resources for help, and I am praying God allows me a platform to show this film in schools, and wherever it needs to be heard.” After her son’s loss, Deborah got involved in local grief therapy with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and she would like the organization to be highlighted as well.

By Marie Gilmore

“Suicide is a huge crisis in Florida and around the country, and we want to raise awareness and break the silence with this movie,” she stated.

Deborah is an educator, singer, actor and performer who has also appeared in other JCFilms productions and is a featured performer in the St. Petersburg Opera. In addition, Deborah is a writer, and her screenplay, A Still Small Voice , has won film festival awards.

Founder of JCFilms and writer of the screenplay Jason Campbell will executive produce and direct the movie alongside Deborah herself.

“This may be one of the most important films we’ve ever produced, as suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among teenagers. Debbie and Randy are so brave to share their story,” said Jason Campbell, president of JCFilms Studios.

Deborah hopes the movie will provide awareness. “My character has a message for anyone struggling with suicide, depression, PTSD, anxiety and other taboo mental health issues,” she said. “Not telling someone ‘you lack faith,’ but embracing them with the agape love God gives us and we are supposed to exemplify.”

In addition to Cain and Deborah, the film has also signed on stars Arabella Weaver, Eddie McClintock and Caryssa Beard, and opportunities for casting and crew are still available. For more information and to get involved, email Deborah at debp73@gmail.com, visit www.foreverandalwaysproductions. com or go to www.jcfilms.org/iwantjump.

Fishhawk Trails 2023 Garage Sale

Above: Deborah Paulsen, Dean Cain & Eddie McClintock have already signed on to star in a movie based on the true story of Justin Paulsen (below) who lost his life at age 21.

FORMER BLOOMINGDALE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL STANDOUT GONNELLA TRANSFERS TO USF

Former Bloomingdale football and baseball standout Dominic Gonnella transferred to the University of South Florida (USF) football program in January. The running back played for North Dakota State the last three seasons. The transfer has two years of eligibility left to play in newly minted head coach Alex Golesh’s revamped ofense. Gonnella rushed for five touchdowns and 1,134 yards in his career for the Bison.

Gonnella was excited for the opportunity to play for USF’s brand-new coaching staf and thinks he can thrive and be explosive in the team’s spread ofense that’s similar to the one he played in at Bloomingdale. He’s also happy to be back in his hometown where the weather is much warmer than North Dakota. The dual-sport athlete relishes the opportunity to help lead the program back to prominence after the team’s struggles the past few seasons.

“I wanted a better chance to showcase my talents and really help impact the team,” said Gonnella. “A lot of the guys are hometown guys too, and I know we’re all looking to really flip it around and make this city poppin’ again and get people to

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RECEIVES $19.7 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

By Kathy L. Collins

By Nick Nahas

come out to the games.” The star running back helped Bloomingdale to a 3313 overall record in his three seasons with the football program while leading the team in rushing. He was also instrumental in the baseball program winning its first district title since 2007 in 2018.

“Dom was a high-motor guy on the field. He was easily one of the most athletic guys I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Bloomingdale assistant baseball coach Austin Wilson. “His ability to make adjustments and move his body in space is what makes him so good.”

Gonnella is also pursuing a pro baseball career. He’s played for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization the past three years in the summer and during spring when he isn’t playing football. He said that he’s living the dream of trying to go pro in two diferent sports at the same time and hopes to be an all-star in both someday.

“It’s kind of what I’ve been planning to do my whole life,” he said. “I really just want to see how long I can make it or see if I can really make it to the next level and have a chance to really flourish. I want to try to be as great as I can possibly be.”

Hillsborough County has been awarded a grant totaling $19.7 million to implement low-cost and proven safety measures. These include improving and adding sidewalks, bicycle lanes and speed management. These measures are designed to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and drivers.

Hillsborough County will use grant money received from the competitive Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program established by the federal infrastructure law to improve safety and access on the county’s roads, including implementing Safe Routes to School at Brandon High School, Limona Elementary School and Riverview High School.

The measures are slated to be installed at 22 locations throughout Hillsborough County. Of the 22 locations, eight of them will be in the Greater Brandon area. Examples of these include implementing Safe Routes to School at Brandon High School, Limona Elementary School and Riverview High School; a pedestrian corridor safety improvements retrofit on West Bloomingdale Avenue from Las Brisas Drive to South Kings Avenue; and a Vision Zero high-injury network corridor safety improvements retrofit at Gibsonton Drive from Interstate 75 to Balm Riverview Road.

The competitive Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program was established by the federal infrastructure law. The grant provides $5 billion over five years to regional, local and tribal initiatives. It is designed for projects involving anything from redesigned roads to better sidewalks and crosswalks, all planned to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways.

Hillsborough County’s projects are designed to achieve several goals. These include reducing fatalities and severe injuries on county roads, providing a safe space for pedestrians and bicyclists, designing safe roads that require driver attention and encourage safe speeds, improving mobility for those dependent on public transportation, providing sustainable alternatives to driving and engaging the community for greater acceptance and efectiveness.

The projects will be completed within five years of when the grant is executed. This includes planning, designing, environmental permitting, construction and approval processes.

Josh Belotti, director of engineering and operations for Hillsborough County, explained, “Hillsborough County identifies its Vision Zero High Injury Network (HIN) corridors as opportunities to make the greatest strides toward eliminating fatalities and severe injury crashes.”

Belotti added, “Hillsborough County’s data-driven equitable transportation safety programs provide vulnerable road users safety and access to destinations for opportunities. This grant aims to address these concerns by focusing on implementing low-cost, proven solutions to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and drivers.”

Photo courtesy of USF Athletics.

Dominic Gonnella with his parents, Rachel and Joe, on his ofcial visit to USF.

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA CEO ACCEPTS POSITION AT COLORADO SYMPHONY

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) President and CEO

Mark Cantrell, who provided critical leadership to keep the orchestra performing during the COVID-19 pandemic, will leave TFO to take the next step in his career, the orchestra announced recently. He will depart in May to become CEO of the Colorado Symphony in Denver.

“This is a bittersweet moment for me. I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together at TFO, but I’m excited for the new challenge of a larger orchestra in an area that holds great meaning personally. In addition to music, my life has been dedicated to the great outdoors, and since I was a little boy, I have dreamed of living in the mountains. While I will miss working with Michael Francis, the musicians and the entire TFO team, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I have no doubt the orchestra will continue to grow and make a positive impact on this community,” said Cantrell, whose varied career includes professional musician, sled-dog racer, commercial pilot and furniture maker.

Core leadership remains strong for the orchestra, which celebrates 55 years this season. Internationally acclaimed music director Michael Francis, in his eighth season with TFO, will continue to lead the orchestra’s phenomenal artistic success with 71 full-time professional musicians and conductors. TFO’s senior staf will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the organization with oversight by TFO’s board of directors. The board has initiated a national search to identify a new CEO who will build on the orchestra’s successes and carry TFO’s momentum forward.

Board Chair Gregory Yadley expressed his appreciation for Cantrell’s contributions during his four years with TFO.

“Mark’s leadership during the COVID pandemic was critical to our success.

Mark galvanized TFO together as a team in partnership with Michael Francis and TFO’s board to boldly keep TFO performing when almost no other orchestras did. TFO played 86 concerts for live audiences in the 2020-21 season alone, before returning to full strength the following year. The orchestra emerged in a solid financial position thanks to Mark’s oversight, Maestro Francis’ creative programming and the steadfast support of donors and patrons.”

The orchestra continues to grow attendance post-COVID, attract new major sponsors and form partnerships with local organizations and museums to ensure TFO is meeting the needs of schools and diverse groups on both sides of the bay.

Francis expressed his gratitude for Cantrell. “Mark Cantrell has been a tremendous partner to help make TFO what it is today — a cultural arts leader in our community. He developed an outstanding relationship with TFO’s musicians, and one of his greatest achievements was to negotiate a successful contract that keeps our worldclass orchestra growing at the same pace as our thriving Tampa Bay. Mark leaves TFO in a great position to build on our success onstage and throughout our community. I wish him; his wife, Carolyn; and his family all the best in Colorado.”

For more information, visit https://floridaorchestra.org/.

Hillsborough County Public Schools

(HCPS) is proud to develop one of the largest talent pipelines in the country each year as high school seniors graduate with the skills and knowledge to accept in-demand careers right in our own community.

School board members and Superintendent Addison Davis recently joined with community partners, including leaders from Future Career Academy (FCA), city, county and state elected ofcials, local chambers of commerce, EDCs, trade associations, social service organizations and postsecondary partners for a call to action — connecting the jobs that Tampa-area businesses have to ofer with the multitude of committed, driven and energetic high school seniors who are ready to get to work.

As part of the call to action, Future Career Academy is seeking more local companies, elected ofcials and community leaders to take part in the upcoming Future Fair Hiring events to fill their jobs with HCPS graduates. Six Future Fair Hiring events in April are open to all Hillsborough County Public Schools graduating seniors. Businesses interested in working with FCA and its academic partners should contact Yvonne Fry, CEO and board chair of FCA, at yfry@workforcedevelopmentpartners.com.

“We are workforce champions here in Hillsborough County Public Schools and want to join hands with our community partners to make sure we are filling the talent pipe-

line when our students graduate. District and school leaders are deeply committed to providing meaningful preparation and connections for students to in-demand, living-wage, entry-level jobs with long-term career growth and sustainable employment,” said Davis.

So far this school year, 9,000 students have participated in the FCA program. Future Career Academy expanded its high school workforce program this year to cover all 32 Hillsborough County high schools and career centers. Each week, seniors in English 4 and English 4 Honors classes are immersed in a workforce development curriculum. Students have also participated in panel discussions with business executives and field trips visiting local companies, all with the goal of attending the Future Fair Hiring Events and securing jobs with local companies.

“We want to be part of the holistic lift of opportunity, economic development and creating a better quality of life and better outcomes for everybody,” said Fry.

In May, schools will hold signing days, where students will be able to sign a Letter of Intent with their new company and their chosen career path before they even graduate high school.

Existing FCA partners include TECO, The Mosaic Company, Publix, Patterson Companies, BayCare, Regions, RIPA & Associates, Tri-City Electric, Stingray Chevrolet, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County School District, Ace Hardware, the Hillsborough County Sherif ’s Ofce, Hillsborough Community College, Lennar Homes, Morgan Auto Group, Ajax, Tampa General Hospital, Bausch & Lomb and many others..

Superintendent Addison Davis at press conference announcing a call to action to connect local companies and students.

ALS Walk, Yard Sale, Bingo, Golf Tournament, & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

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as well as funding the organizations humanitarian activities in Ukraine and Afghanistan. The tournament will take place at Westchase Golf Club’s 18-hole course in Tampa. Tournament check-in and breakfast will begin at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The event will conclude with a lunch reception, silent auction and awards. Registration is $150 per player or $500 per foursome and includes breakfast, lunch and a swag bag. Golfers can win prizes and will have exclusive bidding access to the silent auction and rafe prizes. Space is limited; registration can be found at https://operationrecovery.org/golf/.

Community Service Forum

2:30 p.m. There will be a wide range of items for sale, including fabric, threads, notions, tools, sewing machines, magazines, patterns and more fabric. The event will be held inside the social hall (between the main buildings) at the New Hope church, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon. For additional information or to find out more about the Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Brandon, visit its website at www.brandonquiltguild.com.

Brandon Christian Church Hosts Flea Market

813-301-PETS (7387). The number for the Pet Resource Center is now separate from the number for animal control, increasing efciency and reducing wait time; animal control’s number remains 813-744-5660. In addition to the new number, residents can contact the Pet Resource Center by email at petinfo@hclflgov.net.

Operation Recovery To Host Its First Annual Golf Tournament

Operation Recovery, a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports American veterans, will host its first annual golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday, April 22. The event will benefit its 2023 initiatives: providing support and professional development to veterans and transitioning service members,

A Community Service Forum is being held on Monday, March 27 at Bloomingdale High School Cafeteria. The event will run from 6-8 p.m. Students will be able to connect with organizations who need high school student volunteers for their special projects/events. This helps the students earn their community service hours for Florida Bright Futures Scholarships. If you are an organization who needs volunteers, it would love to have you participate and give out your information. RSVP or ask additional questions by email to roundtable2008@aol. com.

Indoor Sewing Supplies Yard Sale

The Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Brandon is hosting a quilting and sewing supplies yard sale on Saturday, March 25 from 9:30 a.m.-

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fctiious name of TOWN HAUL located at 7020 Providence Rd, in Hillsborough County, in the City of Riverview, Florida, 33578, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Valrico, FL this 15th Day of March 2023

Brandon Christian Church, located at 910 Bryan Rd. at the corner of Bryan Road and Lumsden Road in Brandon, will host its much-anticipated annual flea market on Saturday, March 25 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. A wide variety of items will be available, so be sure to go and see what it has to ofer. For more information, contact the church ofce at 813-689-4021.

Plant City Community Chorale Presents Spring Concert

The Plant City Community Chorale is delighted to present its spring concert, Seize the Day. The concert will be presented on two separate dates: Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, located at 509 E. Twiggs St. in Tampa, and Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Nazarene, located at 4202 Mud Lake Rd. in Plant City. There will be well-known favorites from years gone by, and some newer songs

too. Tickets are available at www.pccchorale. org and cost $15; children 12 and under are free.

Tampa Bay HEAT Spring Market

Tampa Bay HEAT (Home Education Activities Teams) Inc. will be holding a spring market on Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Come and visit its small-business vendors and kid entrepreneurs at the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, located at 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. All proceeds from this event benefit the Tampa Bay HEAT’s dream of a larger facility for the homeschooling community. You can find the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/ events/698266621523685/.

Walk

To Defeat ALS

The ALS Association is holding the Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, April 22 along the Courtney Campbell Trail starting at Whiskey Joe’s at 7720 W. Courtney Campbell Cswy. in Tampa. The short walk is family friendly and will be followed by a celebratory after party. Free parking is also available for the event. Register at walktodefeatals.org.

COACHING SPOTLIGHT: COACH TANYA SKJEFTE DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

Since 2017, coach Tanya Skjefte has been at the helm of the Durant High School girls’ lacrosse team, but her involvement with the high school does not end there, as Skjefte has also worked as a teacher there since 2017 and helped coach the girl’s wrestling team this year as well.

Coaching is nothing new to Skjefte, as she has been involved with a variety of middle and high school sports teams for the last decade. This has led her to coaching all over the state, having had head coaching jobs in Collier County in addition to Hillsborough County at both the high school and middle school levels. At one point, she was also the head coach of the boys’ soccer team at Durant, which goes to show she is highly versatile as a coach.

“I started coaching when I started teaching at a middle school in Collier County. Once I moved to Hillsborough County, I wanted to continue coaching at the high school level,” Skjefte said.

Skjefte’s ability to influence and shape the young athletes on her team is not confined to the field either. She prides herself on the strides her players make personally and athletically from when

TEN DURANT ATHLETES SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT IN FEBRUARY

By Jonathan Hurst

they first show up to play lacrosse to the time they leave the program.

“I enjoy seeing the girls’ progression throughout the season. We notoriously have girls try out who have never played lacrosse, so it is very rewarding to see how they improve from the beginning of the season to the end,” Skjefte said.

This is actually very indicative of how Skjefte runs her team, as there are rarely, if ever, cuts during the tryout process, even with the number of players playing for the first time. This helps foster an environment where players are not afraid to make mistakes and allows them to truly grow and develop their skills and confidence.

There is a great environment and culture associated with the girls’ lacrosse team at Durant and a lot of that can be attributed to the coaching by Skjefte. With an efective mix of fun and hard work, she has managed to create a place where players are excited to practice the game and work on their skills, rather than look at it as something that they have to do. With no plans to move on, it is easy to say the future of the team is in great hands with coach Skjefte at the helm.

Durant High School hosted a spring signing day event for its 10 student athletes who committed to play their sport in college following their graduation.

Four basketball players, three football players, two softball players and a lacrosse player signed letters of intent to seven di f erent colleges.

The signing day took place on February 1. All 10 athletes gathered in the Durant High School auditorium with their family, friends and teammates who supported them. Principal Gary Graham also attended to congratulate his students for their athletic accomplishments that have opened the door for a playing career past high school.

“Signing day was great. It was nice to have a large group of athletes from different sports come together to celebrate all that they have accomplished on and o f the field,” said softball coach Olivia Cuellar.

Girls’ basketball athletes Maggie Lauber, Miani Mejia and Ki’ajanae Gordon signed to play at Hillsborough Community College.

Gordon and Lauber reached 1,000 points at Durant this season. Gordon was the team’s highest scorer and Lauber, a four-year veteran, will be the team’s honor graduate. Mejia was in the top five for steals and one of the team’s main contributors on the court.

By Lily Belcher

Cory O’Hehir signed from the boys’ basketball team, committing to play at Flagler College.

“He transferred to Durant at the start of his junior year and hasn’t stopped working since. He has battled through adversity with some injuries and has always responded in a positive manner and not let it slow him down. He could have given up multiple times but instead decided to stick to the course,” said boys’ basketball coach Jacob Baer.

Amy Bak and Emma Chisholm both signed to Lake Sumter State College. Cuellar described Bak as a quiet leader who showcases her skills on the mound and Chisholm as a vocal leader who brings energy to the entire softball team.

Football coach Clayton Varnum had three athletes sign, including team captain Greg Smith, who signed with West Virginia Wesleyan College. Son of two Durant alumni Ajai Brown committed to Benedict College, and Ty Merkle signed with Valdosta State after only two seasons of playing football.

Lacrosse Leah Gainer signed with Warner University in Lake Wales. Gainer was named Player of the Game for Durant’s team in 2021 as a freshman on the varsity team.

For more information on Durant’s athletics, visit the website at www.hillsboroughschools.org.

Tanya Skjefte, Durant High School girls’ lacrosse coach.

Ten Durant High School athletes signed alongside the coaches and administration that supported them on their journey.

Tree Durant High School football players signed to play at a collegiate level in February.

STRAWBERRY CREST CO-ED CHEER TEAM WINS NINTH STRAIGHT TITLE AT STATES

Strawberry Crest High School’s co-ed cheer team won its ninth consecutive states title at the beginning of February during the weekend competition at the University of Florida.

Led by coach Loveny Savarino, Strawberry Crest’s 23-person co-ed team performed the school’s hardest routine this season, featuring difcult skills from each of the athletes that performed. Prior to states, they achieved the highest score in the program’s history with 95.3 at regionals.

“The routine itself is the most difcult routine Strawberry Crest has ever matted. There are over 20 release moves throughout the entire routine. Every single stunt group is doing a super-elite skill throughout their routine,” said Savarino. While their challenging routine came together nicely by the end of the competition, the Chargers’ team struggled to perform at a competitive level confidently and consistently. Tryouts took place over the summer, but Savarino noticed her team struggling to gain the chemistry necessary for successful performances.

“Just getting [rookies] to gel with the vets and being able to have that chemistry on the floor, that’s really what we

SUPPORT MARY AND MARTHA HOUSE AND GET TEED OFF AT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

By Lily Belcher

were working on all year,” said Savarino. “We physically knew we could do all these skills; we were just working very hard towards our mentality and our performance aura.”

Savarino encouraged her team to participate in mat time, where they discussed how practices were going and what changes could be made. She also challenged her athletes to use only positive and encouraging words during practices and competitions, as well as to gently ofer constructive criticism.

“We really worked on the team dynamic as far as us taking time from practice in order to talk as a team to talk about how we’re feeling … or what, as a team, we needed,” said Savarino. “We talked together and we just listened to each other, and we would change our practices up and change our pregame rituals. We would change things up until we found the right groove.”

Following their ninth consecutive states title, Strawberry Crest went on to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championship held from February 10-12. They featured their challenging routine at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

Mary & Martha House, an emergency shelter and assistance organization, is hosting ‘Get Teed Of at Domestic Violence’ at Topgolf on Thursday, May 18 from 5-7 p.m. to support continued eforts in helping women escape from domestic violence and homelessness.

Mary & Martha House has been supporting women who need help since 1982 and provides not only a safe haven but also help for clients in learning skills that will assist with fnding a job, getting a new home.

“We have teamed up with a great community partner in Topgolf to provide a fun and exciting way for our community to continue to support our great mission, and the women and families we serve,” said Bill Chini, executive director at Mary & Martha House.

Tickets for the event at Topgolf are $99 per individual golfer or $499 for a bay that holds up to six golfers. Get Teed Of at Domestic Violence will not only get you access to a night at Topgolf, but it will also include a barbecue dinner, door prizes and rafes.

Get Teed Of at Domestic Violence will generate funds for Mary & Martha House’s mission and be used to ensure the team is able to provide every possible avenue of assistance to clients and help them on their path to independence.

“We are so fortunate to have such a caring community that has supported us for over 40 years,” said Chini. “This event is for the whole family, as there are many

fun games to play while soaking in the fresh air and helping out a great cause.”

There are also three larger sponsorship options, including the Albatross Sponsorship, which ofers one bay for six golfers, a BBQ dinner for six, 12 drink tickets, a large logo on the flyer, prominent at-event marketing and acknowledgment on social media; the Eagle Sponsorship, which ofers four tickets for golfers, a BBQ dinner for four, eight drink tickets, a medium logo on the flyer and at-event marketing; and the Birdie Sponsorship, which ofers tickets for two golfers, a BBQ dinner for two, four drink tickets, a small logo on the flyer and at-event marketing. These sponsorship opportunities range from $750-$2,500.

Mary & Martha House was established in 1982 to help women who are seeking help and refuge from domestic violence and homelessness. Everyone that Mary & Martha House serves works one-on-one with a case manager to identify their specific barriers, find ways to overcome these barriers and gain skills and empowerment so they can transition into their own permanent housing.

For more information please visit https://marymarthahouse.org/ or contact Bonnie Peacock at 813-509-1750 or moneymatesfl@outlook.com.

Strawberry Crest High School’s cheer team won ninth straight states title and scored a record high score at regionals.

FREEDOM PLAZA OFFERS AN ACTIVE, STRESS-FREE LIFESTYLE FOR RESIDENTS

By Lily Belcher

NEW HEIGHTS FOR SALTY SHAMROCK’S ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTIES

By Jonathan Hurst

Freedom Plaza is an active, stress-free and independent living community for senior and retired residents in the Tampa area. The retirement community is located in Sun City Center with the on-campus Freedom Fairways Golf Course and Tennis Club, along with a range of engaging activities.

Residents can fill their day with a blend of indoor and outdoor fitness activities, from walking the nature trail to taking fitness classes to playing pickleball with their neighbors. To support the healthy lifestyle of residents, Freedom Plaza ofers six dining rooms and full-size kitchens if seniors want to cook for themselves.

Freedom Fairways Golf Course and Tennis Club encourages an active lifestyle for Freedom Plaza residents.

“Some will hop on a bus to enjoy one of the many excursions that Freedom Plaza ofers. The calendar of opportunities is too full to list. Many residents enjoy visiting in the pub prior to having a wonderful chef-prepared dinner in one of the many dining rooms,” said marketing and sales coordinator Tifany Hernandez.

Residents have a number of living options, from small apartments to studios up to 1827 square feet. Families are encouraged to visit and stay with their loved ones in the apartments or book a guest room for a small cost.

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The retirement community was founded by the Retired Ofcers’ Corporation to ofer a stress-free and supportive lifestyle. Since being founded in the late 1980s, the support needed by seniors has evolved. Now, employees support residents in using technology and online resources readily available in the modern world. Through this flexible and adapting support, Freedom Plaza prevents its residents from being ‘lost in the progress.’

Freedom Plaza serves approximately 600 residents in varying levels of care and employes around 480 staf to support their residents. An EMT is located on-site 24/7 and 365 days a year.

“Freedom Plaza is the only community home to an organization like the Retired Ofcers’ Corporation. Many communities ofer the same services, but there is generally an additional charge,” said Hernandez.

Entrance fees for Freedom Plaza’s independent living starts at $101,000, but seniors can contact a community representative to learn more.

For more information on Freedom Plaza, visit its website at https://freedomplazafl.com/ or call 813-280-5009.

Back and bet ter than ever, the Salty Sham rock’s annual St. Puppy’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day Festival have re turned for more Irish fun. The first of the festiv ities kicks of at the Salty Shamrock at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 12 when St. Puppy’s Day gets underway. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival gets started later on in the week on Friday, March 17 at 11 a.m. before running through the weekend for the first time ever.

St. Puppy’s Day has been a tradition long before it came to the Salty Shamrock in 2016, as owners Sean and Aine Rice were putting on this event for years, even prior to owning the Salty Shamrock. A fun time for the whole family, there is an anticipated 200-300 dogs involved, as owners and contestants have come from as far as other states in the past to engage in the good times.

“Salty’s is extremely community-oriented, and most of our events serve the community, but it is so cool to see how it has grown outside the community and we are excited for people to enjoy the expanded experience,” general manager Terri Sherman said.

It has become somewhat of a tradition for some owners to take unique approaches to give their pups an edge by having them wear costumes that they will often match themselves. Free registration begins on-site at 1 p.m. on the day of the event, and all contestants must be signed up by 2 p.m. in order to try their luck at winning the trophy in one of the four competitions: Best Male Dog,

Best Female Dog, Best in Show and Best Owner/ Dog Look-alike.

The contestants begin by walking the parade that will take a route throughout the location and vendors before ending in front of the judges. There will be a variety of dog-oriented vendors on-site that will ofer things such as bandanas, collars and leashes, and there will also be adoption agencies and pet rescue organizations such as CARE Ruskin to allow for adoptions. Furthermore, you can expect great music throughout the day and a promotional event where there will be free samples of Guinness and Jameson Orange.

The fun does not stop there, because just five days later the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Festival that the Salty Shamrock has ever seen arrives, gets going and does not stop until the following Sunday, March 19 at 6 p.m. For $10, you receive a wristband that grants you full access to the three-day event, where there will be the typical green beer and Irish foods that only come out of the Salty Shamrock kitchen for one weekend a year, as well as live music throughout each day. The authentic Irish experience does not end there either, as performances from Blue Skye Pipes and Drums and the Irish Ramblers, on tour from Ireland, complete the experience. Salty Shamrock is located at 6186 N US Highway 41, Apollo Beach, FL near the corner of U.S. Hwy 41 and Apollo Beach Blvd. . For more information on these events, visit www.facebook.com/saltyshamrockFL.

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Sarasota-based all-female pipe band and Celtic performance band.

Freedom Plaza ofers a range of activities across its Sun City Center campus.

UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA TAKES A VALRICO FIELD TRIP

On February 17, the University of Tampa’s field ornithology class took a field trip to Valrico. The class is designed to use encounters with wild birds in nature to teach upper-level science majors, many of which are preparing for careers as professional biologists, about the biology of birds. Every week, they embark on a four-hour trip to a park or nature preserve in the Tampa Bay area.

Associate professor of biology Dr. Mark McRae brought the class to Sandy Reed’s yard in Bloomingdale because she is well known within the local birdwatching and bird conservation community.

“By being able to visit Sandy’s yard, I could teach my students about vagrancy in birds, as well as the role that backyard bird feeders can play in modern bird conservation,” explained Dr. McRae. “I also very much wanted my students to meet Sandy so that they could learn about the Tampa Audubon Society. But most importantly, I wanted them to meet a passionate individual like Sandy who has had such a positive impact on bird conservation and biology here in Central Florida.”

Dr. McRae believes that conservation of native species within the suburbs is important.

“Whenever I teach my field ornithology course, I spend one day demonstrating

By Jane Owen

to my students ways people can transform their patch of the suburbs into a space that can be valuable for the conservation of our native species. As suburbs continue to expand in our area, this topic is always increasing in importance,” Dr. McRae said.

Reed teaches backyard birding classes with USF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She is a long-term member and leader in the Tampa Bay Audubon Society. She is also the administrator of the Hillsborough County Birds Facebook group.

This trip marks the second time Dr. McRae has taken his class to Reed’s yard. This year, they also visited Steve Backes’ yard in Valrico.

“Steve has transformed his yard into a patch of habitat that draws in surprising numbers and a diversity of species of birds that can be observed up close. His experience with the study and conservation of hummingbirds has been significant,” Dr. McRae said.

For those interested in backyard birding, Reed highly recommends the booklet “Planting a Refuge for Wildlife,” which can be found at https://myfwc.com/viewing/habitat/refuge/.

For more birding information, check out the Tampa Audubon Society’s website at www.tampaaudubon.org/ and the Hillsborough County Birds Facebook group.

LOCAL ARTIST JOHN COSTIN HAS SOLO EXHIBIT AT THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER

A very unique art exhibit is on display at the Tampa Bay History Center in downtown Tampa. The exhibit is called Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird, and it features the artwork of Valrico resident John Costin. The exhibit is available for viewing in the Wayne Thomas Gallery now through Sunday, October 15.

Birds have mesmerized and inspired people and artists for centuries. Etched Feathers is solo exhibit of Costin’s original etchings and his personal collection of his antique bird prints. Costin’s latest etching of a mating pair of sandhill cranes depicted life-size, titled Verdant Landscape, is also included in the exhibit.

Costin said, “In addition to my pieces in the exhibit, there is also a collection of original antique prints that display the history of bird art from the 1600s up to the 19th century. The antique prints are from my personal collection and were selected for the exhibit because they give a general view of how avian art has progressed through history. My art continues that tradition of depicting birds through a personal contemporary vision. The antique prints displayed are all handmade, and like those pieces, my art is also handmade

By Kathy L. Collins

without the use of a mass-produced reproduction process.”

Costin explained his art process: “To create my etchings, I use an ancient printing process (c.1450) using two to five copper plates that are individually etched to allow application of color and detail on fine rag paper. After hand-applying ink to each plate, the inked plate is pressed (with a printmaking press) into wet paper, leaving an inked impression of that plate. After the ink has dried, the image is then meticulously hand-painted with transparent watercolors.”

Costin attended the University of South Florida, where he studied intaglio art, a process which combines graphics, painting, sculpting and engineering. Costin, who lives in River Hills, maintains a studio in Ybor City where he creates his fantastic pieces. He has a book of etchings depicting large birds of Florida registered with the Library of Congress.

The Tampa Bay History Center is located at 801 Water St. in downtown Tampa. For information on Costin, visit www.costingraphics.com. For information on the Tampa Bay History Center, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.

A male eastern Bluebird feeding a juvenile in one of Sandy Reed’s birdhouses.

John Costin, an extraordinary artist and resident of Valrico, has a solo exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center. His newest piece, Verdant Landscape, is included in the Etched Feathers: A History of the Printed Bird exhibit, which is available for viewing now through Sunday, October 15.

A University of Tampa feld ornithology class recently visited two Valrico homes for bird watching.

IMPOWERED MINDS GROUP HELPS LOCAL YOUTH

Impowered Minds

is a nonprofit youth organization that focuses on education, recreation and mental health. Its primary platform is fishing.

“We mentor, coach and help direct the youth on and of the water,” said Jason Glanton, Impowered Minds CEO and president. “Our mission is to establish a better comprehension of self for each child — self-integrity, self-respect, self-confidence — and ultimately lead to being a positive influence in life. We also teach and promote entrepreneurship, financial literacy and focus on each child learning a trade.”

Glanton’s father loved fishing and committed to taking him and his siblings fishing on Thursdays after work. “I looked forward to it because Tampa was a big city surrounded by big water,” Glanton said. “Fishing the Gulf of Mexico was much diferent than the lakes and ponds I knew. The taste of beach water was an adjustment too, but by the age of 10, I was slowly transforming into what’s known as ‘Salt Life.’”

Glanton learned a lot about life on the water. “Fishing kept me out of trouble,” Glanton said. “I had found something I loved that kept me busy while learning new skills.”

After Glanton’s parents passed away, he felt there had to be more he could do to keep both their legacies alive. “I took my

BLOOMINGDALE BAND DIRECTOR PROMOTED TO SUPERVISOR OF SECONDARY MUSIC

By Jane Owen

By Libby Hopkins

profession of training to the next level,” Glanton said.

“I figured, since I created programs for Verizon Wireless that were successful, why not duplicate what I did for Verizon, but do it to help the community? After years of teaching kids to fish and fishing with my own, it hit me, so in 2020, the vision came to me clearly: I am here to mentor the youth for the rest of my life.”

From there, Impowered Minds was born.

Glanton used to live in the Riverview area and loved fishing in the area, so he takes youth from all over Tampa Bay fishing in the Riverview area, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. “I loved the Riverview area and there are some great fishing spots, so whenever we get the chance we take the kids to Riverview to fish,” said Glanton.

Seeing the youth learn how to fish or make their first catch is one of his favorite parts of running Impowered Minds. “It’s an awesome feeling for me to see the kids learn how to bait a hook or catch their first fish,” Glanton said. “The parents love it to when their children tell them about the great day they had fishing.”

If you would like to learn more about Impowered Minds or want to volunteer, visit www.impoweredminds.org or contact Glanton at 813-906-0561.

Jon Sever, Bloomingdale High School’s music department head and band director for the last 19 years, is leaving Bloomingdale for a position with the Hillsborough County School District. Sever will be supervising all of the music in Hillsborough County for grades six through 12 as the supervisor of secondary music for Hillsborough County schools.

Sever announced his departure at the school on February 9, calling all current band and guard members to the auditorium to share his promotion. Understandably, his announcement was met with mixed emotions — lots of tears and gratefulness.

Bloomingdale Principal Dr. Marcos Rodriguez said Sever is an incredible band director for many reasons.

“He takes the time to get to know his students and families, which allows him to create long-lasting relationships with anyone in the program. His passion and love for music are infectious,” Dr. Rodriguez said.

Passion is what led Sever to become a high school music director.

“I always ask the kids what their relationship is with music. It is very much like a relationship with a human being. Are you friends? Are you more than friends? Do you use music? Are you deeply committed? My relationship with music is a deep commitment,” Sever said.

His commitment developed early in his life. He says he struggled in high school and music saved him. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music and master’s in music education from Florida State University.

“I know what I wanted to do in college, and to be honest, if I couldn’t find a high school job, I wasn’t just going to take a job because my heart wasn’t going to be in it,” Sever said.

Passion and dedication are cornerstones for Bloomingdale High School’s band. The Bloomingdale High School Rajun’ Bull Band has had straight ‘Superior’ ratings at Marching Band Music Performance Assessments (MPAs) since the school opened in 1987.

Ted Hope was the first band director at the school. He left Bloomingdale after 17 years to take the position of supervisor of secondary music for Hillsborough County schools — the very position that Sever is taking after being the Bloomingdale’s band director for 19 years.

“Jon was hired at Bloomingdale High School because we shared similar philosophies. Kids always came first, and eventually everything else lines up accordingly,” Hope said.

If asked what he will miss most after taking his new position, there is no hesitation from Sever: “The kids, 100 percent.”

Sue Burkett, Hillsborough County chief of schools and Bloomingdale principal from 2013-20, said Sever “gets it.” He gets kids and the structure needed to lead within music education.

“There is no way that Bloomingdale can absorb the impact of Jon Sever in that building and with the band. The good thing is, he will still be working with music education for the district, and I highly doubt he will allow his successor to be anything but superior,” Burkett said.

Impowered Minds is a youth organization that focuses on education, recreation and mental health. Its primary platform is fshing.

GREENBROOK MEDICAL BRINGS BACK QUALITY CARE INTO THE MODERN WORLD

Do you find the doctor’s ofce cold, unfriendly and missing that old-school connection? One doctor’s office in the Tampa area is trying to keep seniors from dreading the doctor as modern medical care becomes more robotic.

Greenbrook Medica is a family-run primary care group that has been serving seniors in Tampa Bay since 1991 and wants to give patients that comforting, oldschool care.

Greenbrook Medical was started by Dr. Prakash Machhar and his wife, Paresha Machhar, over 30 years ago and has now been expanded by their sons, Dr. Raj Machhar and Neil Machhar. Seeing the need for a comforting doctor office experience, Dr. Raj and Neil have grown Greenbrook Medical into four locations in the area, Riverview, Sefner, Hudson and New Port Richey.

Greenbrook Medical focuses exclusively on senior care, and the team specializes in treating senior health concerns like diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, COPD, lung disorders, high cholesterol and more. Not only will Greenbrook Medical ofer quality service to patients while in the ofce, but it will also go above and beyond for their clients all the time. Greenbrook Medical can help refer specialists, make sure you have reliable transportation to the ofce and more.

CARDINAL ROOFING HOSTS CLAY SHOOT FUNDRAISER FOR MY WARRIOR’S PLACE

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

“Raj and I were raised in the clinic, and we saw first-hand how important it is to have a great relationship between a doctor and their patients,” said Neil, CEO of Greenbrook Medical. “We’ve also seen seniors lose that over time as health care becomes more corporate.”

The Machhar family wants to bring back the neighborhood doctor experience but keep the conveniences and services of a modern health care center. By scheduling only 10-15 patients a day, Greenbrook Medical is able to ofer an experience that many ofces cannot. Instead of being rushed through your appointment, those at the ofce want to give the time and attention you deserve.

“With us there are no more machines, when you call you reach our staf right away and you’re greeted with a warm welcome,” said Neil. “When you visit the clinic, you see the same team every time and your doctor on every visit.”

Dr. Prakash built an amazing reputation, delivering outstanding care for patients with that old-school feel, and respect for his clients and Dr. Raj and Neil are proud to continue the legacy.

To learn more, view services and schedule an appointment, please visit https://greenbrookmedical.com/.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Cardinal Roofing is hosting its ninth annual Clay Shoot Fundraiser on Friday, April 14 at 11:30 am. Join in for a fun day of shooting sporting clay and help raise money for My Warrior’s Place.

My Warrior’s Place is a retreat center located in Ruskin that serves our veterans, military service members, law enforcement ofcers, firefighters as well as Gold Star, Blue Star and Silver Star families.

Additionally, My Warrior’s Place ofers several amazing programs for those who have put their life on the line, endured the death of a fallen warrior and/or experienced the horrors of war. Each program it ofers plays an important role in the healing and coping process, along with the ongoing support that is desperately needed.

According to Bridget Wilson, Cardinal Roofing president, giving back to the community and a local grassroots nonprofit that supports local veterans is so important. “It’s our way to shout our love of community by spending our time and efort to bring awareness of grassroots veterans’ charities,” said Wilson. “We donated to My Warrior’s Place last year for the first time to help get their dog kennels built to house the service animals of vet-

By Kelly Wise Valdes

erans who need them cared for during their own medical care.”

This year’s event is expected to raise $10K for A Warrior’s Place.

“I love the camaraderie of the event,” said Wilson. “We welcome all shooters, from beginners to advanced. We also love when other roofing companies come to shoot. Our industry is full of huge hearts, and it’s a great way to get our community together. Everyone is welcomed regardless of ability and skill.”

The event will also include rafes, an auction and great food. There are many local sponsors for the event this year, as there have been in past years. Jenifer Breaux with Dream Vacations is this year’s lunch sponsor. Other sponsors include Chick-fil-A of Lake Brandon Village and Brandon South, JF Kicks and Phillips Creative, and there is room for additional sponsorship spots.

To register, call 813-689-7663 (ROOF) or visit www.girlroofer.com to purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships. The event is taking place at FishHawk Sporting Clays, located at 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd. in Lithia. For more information about My Warrior’s Place, visit www.mywarriorsplace.org.

Cardinal Roofng is hosting a fun-day of clay shooting, rafes, an auction and lunch to raise money for My Warrior’s Place.

When you become a patient with Greenbrook Medical, you become a part of the family and can expect personalized care.

FISHHAWK-RIVERVIEW ROTARY HOLDS 13TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

The Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview is hosting its 13th annual Crawfish Festival at Founders Square Park at Winthrop Town Centre on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All information is available at www.luvcrawfish.com.

This event is sure to be the largest yet, with live music, free games and activities for children, and over 50 vendors. The event will feature a live performance by More is More a band with the right mix of talent, humor and a huge repertoire. There will be lots of fun, free games and various activities for children.

All proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, to fund and support local, national and international charities and activities.

“We welcome applications for vendor space and sponsorships,” said Christine Ans, longtime event vol-

SPECIALLY FIT EXPANDS AND CREATES SFA ACADEMY, ALONG WITH FOOTBALL PROGRAM

By Nick Nahas

unteer and rotarian. Vendor and sponsorship info available at www.luvcrawfish. com.

Crawfish tickets are $20 per person until March 15th and include crawfish, potatoes and corn. After March 15th, price increase to $25. A family pack of two dinners, two hot dogs or hamburgers, and four drinks is $50. Tickets available at www.luvcrawfish.com.

Staf Report The Specially Fit Foundation provides services such as Special Olympics training, weekly workout classes, housing for individuals with disabilities, job-shadowing opportunities, health care, job opportunities and a farm that gives animal therapy. The foundation’s latest endeavor includes a brand-new high school for grades nine through 12. The Specially Fit Academy (SFA Academy) will provide educational opportunities and extracurricular activities to all students with or without disabilities, as well as a high school diploma. SFA Academy will boast a football program that will play 11 games next season against local high schools.

The Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview has been involved in numerous service projects, including college scholarship programs, Student Dictionary Distribution, Rotary’s Camp Florida, Reading Is Fundamental, Project C.U.R.E., PolioPlus, and The Rotary Foundation.

For more information, including food pricing and pickup information, visit www. luvcrawfish.com. Don’t miss out on the best crawfish boil in town!

“Our Special Olympics program is currently the largest and fastest-growing Special Olympics team in Hillsborough County,” said Specially Fit CEO Mark Oliver. “The heart of Specially Fit has always been fitness and athletics.”

Oliver, a former D-I football player at the University of South Florida, has brought in an experienced coaching staf to lead the football program. The staf includes former North Carolina Panthers running back Lyndon Rowells, who will be the strength and conditioning coach; former Armwood JV head football coach Curtis Grooms, who will serve as the ofensive coordinator; and former ACA Academy head coach Kendrick Johnson, who will serve as SFA’s head football coach. The team, which is already practicing for the upcoming season, will play their first football game against Sebastian

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River High School. Home games will take place at the Dover Patriots football field and the Bealsville Eagles field.

The academy, which just announced a location partnership with the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center in Plant City, was already approved by the Florida Department of Education. According to Oliver, students will have unique opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. SFA will have traditional high school classes and college prep courses, in addition to ofering agricultural, nursing and entrepreneurship programs. Students have the option to learn from hands-on experience with livestock and in the community garden on a 7-acre farm. They also have the opportunity to shadow and learn from certified health-care providers and will be able to learn entrepreneurship skill sets, social skills and life skills from successful business owners.

“I have an amazing, well-trained and equipped staf to fill all the necessary roles,” said Oliver. “Together, we keep everything going, and work as a team. As long as we can make an impact on others’ lives, we will continue to build and grow.”

SFA Academy has many community partnerships that are being utilized to provide services, including Tampa General Hospital, BayCare HealthHub, Olive Health, Valor Fitness, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation and Plant City Parks & Recreation.

For more information about SFA Academy, email info@speciallyfitacademy or visit www.speciallyfitacademy.com.

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www.valricofshhawk.org

Photo courtesy of SFA Academy.

Te Specially Fit Foundation’s latest endeavor includes a brand-new high school for grades nine through 12.

BRANDON AREA SENIOR AND HOSPICE PETS FIND CARE AT RESCUE GARDEN

From their furry tail wags to their afectionate, albeit slobbery, kisses, it may seem next to impossible that our faithful canine friends sometimes struggle to find a loving home. Unfortunately, this reality becomes even more likely for injured and elderly pets in shelters.

Seeking to change that, Rescue Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that delivers both veterinary care and a comfortable home for senior and hospice pets in Brandon. Primarily geared toward assisting dogs, the rescue works with local animal shelters such as the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to provide companionship for animals deemed unadoptable.

“Rescue Garden is an important piece of the puzzle to help Brandon-area pets,” said Jona Bumstead, president and founder of Rescue Garden. “Our work benefits both the animal shelters and the pets in our community, as well as the people living here.”

Becoming a nonprofit in 2020, veterinary care provided to pets ranges from medication and supplements to surgeries. If the health of these pets improves, they can eventually be adopted.

These rescues spend most of their time in the care of Bumstead in her home, alongside occasional help from foster homes. Typically housing between three and seven pets at a given time, presently, Rescue Garden has four dogs in its care: Jameson, a 12-year-old chihuahua; Juliet (afectionately nicknamed JJ), a 12-year-old golden retriever; Timmy, a 12-year-old schnauzer mix; and Emi Rose, a

By Madeline Gardner

13-year-old Yorkie terrier, who has just recently been adopted.

To keep supporting these pooches, Rescue Garden is hosting an upcoming quarter auction at 12 Noon on Sunday, March 5. There is no RSVP required, and those interested can purchase quarters on-site to participate. This event will be held at TAT Civic Association Inc., located at 3210 Darlington Rd. in Holiday.

Rescue Garden also hosts various fundraisers throughout the year, including its annual Puppy Picasso event on social media, which viewers can watch as pets decorate items with colorful paw prints; last year, bookmarks were painted and then sold for donations. Usually hosted in October, the annual Pearls for Pups fundraiser pairs with Pearls for Pups Co. to sell handmade pearl earrings, the proceeds of which will go toward Rescue Garden.

The rescue is also currently finishing the construction of a cottage for the pets complete with air-conditioning, heat and electricity, a project Bumstead cites as the beginning of creating more spaces for the community to become involved.

“I envision building even more cottages in the future that our community can actively come and volunteer at and enjoy time with the dogs,” said Bumstead.

For more information, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RescueGarden, its Instagram page @Rescue_Garden or its Stay Connected page at https://linktr.ee/ rescue_garden. For more details, email rescuegardeninc@gmail.com.

Rescue Garden President and founder Jona Bumstead declared Juliet (JJ) a permanent resident after rescuing the golden retriever in 2017.

VALRICO FISHHAWK CHAMBER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS, ISSUES BUSINESS AWARDS, SELECTS ‘CHARITY OF CHOICE’

The Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce (VFCC) at its annual meeting presented awards as board members took their oath and a newly named nonprofit became the chamber’s 2023 fundraising focus.

In recognizing the VFCC’s 10-year anniversary, Elijah Heath, chairman of the board, presented an award of appreciation to Michael Holmes for his “ongoing commitment and dedication” to the chamber founded in 2012. Without Holmes’ leadership, Heath said, “We would not all be here today.”

Holmes presided over the chamber’s first meeting as the group’s founder and president. In a 2012 news report, Holmes said it was time to “push the needle,” noting that local business owners needed “foot traffic, access to our businesses and more sales in the cash registers.”

The chamber’s growth can be measured in part by the ballroom crowd at the January 27 annual meeting at The Regent in Riverview.

“This has been an incredibly successful event and I so appreciate all the businesses and people who participated and contributed,” said Patti Sutherland of QuiAri, the chamber’s president. “We have some big goals this year for the fastest-growing chamber in Eastern Hillsborough County, the Valrico FishHawk Chamber.”

The dinner allowed for the recognition of A Caring Touch Skin Therapy, for which Rhonda McDaniel, vice president of the VFCC, took home the award for Small-sized Business of Year, for operations with up to four employees. Shannon Keil, president and chief executive officer of The Regent in Riverview, ac -

cepted the award for Medium-sized Business of Year.

In the large business category, Hi-Tech Automotive received the award for enterprises with at least 10 employees.

Board mem -

ber Erica Jourdain, chair of the VFCC Shop Local committee, was named the chamber’s Ambassador of the Year. Meanwhile, Bill and Angie Kagey of the Impact Program received a check for $14,675.19.

By Linda Chion

As the chamber’s 2022 Charity of Choice, the Kageys’ Impact Program received proceeds from annual chamber fundraisers, including the newly instituted kickball event. The Impact Program promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships for teens.

The Charity of Choice for 2023 is Faces of Courage, a cancer patient support organization that runs annual camps for women and children at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon. Programming for men is set to begin this year as well.

Also at the annual dinner, highlights of chamber life were reviewed, including the VFCC Shop Local Holiday Expo, ribbon-cuttings, Midday Power Hour Networking, Business After Hours, general assembly meetings and the VFCC University schedule of 90-minute, grow-your-business classes for members and nonmembers.

Joining Heath, Sutherland, McDaniel and Jourdain on the 2023 VFCC Board of Directors are Jerry Rothstein, chairman of the board-elect; Sara Battaglia, secretary; Kevin Suba, treasurer; Kim Ruiz, ambassador chair; Brodie Gonzalez, awards and recognition chair; Kelly Anderson, Business After Hours chair; Amy Fabian, back-to-school chair; Denise Olson, general assembly chair; Brian Porter, Midday Power Hour chair; Carolyn Clarke, ribbon-cutting chair; Mechelle Thursby, VFCCU chair; and Kathy Vircik, VFCC administrative assistant.

For more information, visit the chamber’s website at www.valricofishhawk. org. The chamber is located at 3115 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. To reach it, call 813-324-7902.

Impact was 2022 President’s Choice winner for charity of the year.

Charity Business of the Year — Small but Mighty Heroes.

VFCC 2023 board members.

Business of the Year (small, one to four employees) — Rhonda McDaniel with A Caring Touch Skin Terapy.

Business of the Year (medium, fve to nine employees) — Te Regent.

Business of the Year (large, 10-plus employees) — HiTech Automotive.

Manny Polizzi, founder of Home Service Heroes, was honored with the Spotlight Business of the Year award.

THE EAST HILLSBOROUGH ART GUILD PRESENTED A FANTASTIC SHOW AT THE 2023 FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

The 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Arts Show, presented by the East Hillsborough Art Guild (EHAG), showcased the artwork of talented artists from all over the Tampa Bay region. The show was open to the public during the annual Strawberry Festival in Plant City.

The judges for this year’s show were Sherry Ross and John Aho. Ross is an art educator and curator of art shows, and Aho is an experienced visual art teacher. Aho also worked as a photographer for the Tampa Tribune

The Adult Best of Show was awarded to Shaeryl Unwin of North Port for her professional-graphics piece known as Reservations

The judges said of Unwin’s piece, “Reservations is a masterwork skill, composition and subject. The subtle shading of the skin tone reminded us of a hand-printed photo on pearl fiber paper. The subtle tones achieved created the illusion of an exquisitely done black-and-white photographic portrait. Had it been photo, it was still a strong contender, but when we realized it was a scratchboard piece, the elevation of an oft-overlooked medium with such superb handling of the delicate tonal range, it became an early front runner.”

BLOOMINGDALE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION 12U TEAM SWINGS BIG FOR COOPERSTOWN

By Kathy L. Collins

The winner of the Youth Best of Show went to Peyton Rice from Apollo Beach for the piece called Berry Blast. The Youth Best of Show award and all of the youth entries are sponsored exclusively by Jarret Scott Ford of Plant City.

The Strawberry Theme Award was presented to Beth Smedley of Valrico for her mixed-media piece called 5 Strawberries

Ross and Aho said of the show, “The caliber of artwork was outstanding and there were a wide variety of media on display. We looked for the traditional elements of art: composition, technical skill, originality and artist voice. We were looking for artwork with strong skills but also communicated and engaged with the viewer in a distinct and personal way, reflective of the artist’s intention.”

Karen Crumley, chair of the art show, said, “I am pleased that the quality of the art has been increasing over the years. We had a great representation of ages as well as submissions from amateur and professional artists. The youth art just keeps getting better and better each year.”

For more information on this year’s show and to get information on EHAG, please visit www.ehagfinearts.com.

Once again, the 12U AB team for Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association (BYSA) in Valrico is going to Cooperstown, New York. The Bloomingdale AB Bandits are excited to play in the annual tournament this summer, with this being the last chance for the 12-yearolds on the team to ‘hit it out of the park’ in Cooperstown. The tournament is occurring in early August, with 12 out the 13 players on the roster set to compete in the games.

While that tournament is almost half a year away, there is a lot coming up for the Bandits to focus on as they wrap up their AB season. The season is currently underway for the young players with a handful of upcoming games over the next few months, playing next on Sunday, March 5 and 26, and then the championship on Sunday, April 30.

Additionally, the Bandits have a lofty fundraising goal of $22,000 that they hope to achieve through a variety of methods. Some of their current plans consist of savings cards, hat drops at local grocery stores and a variety of rafes. Coach Tom Irwin also shared that they are currently in the planning process of actual events and spirit nights at local restaurants, such as Your Pie Pizza. Even with most of the fundraisers still in the planning stages, the players have

By Jonathan Hurst

already managed to raise $1,000 and are eager to go after the rest.

AB is short for advanced baseball, which functions as a hybrid of sorts between travel and recreation baseball. The players all tried out for the team before mak- ing it and play on rec- reational (rec) Little League teams simultaneously, and sometimes they will even face their AB teammates in the rec league. The rec games are played on Saturday, while the AB games are played on Sunday.

This group of kids have practiced and played together since December 2022 under Irwin and are starting to hit their stride. After the conclusion of the AB championship tournament, the players will continue practicing until their Cooperstown tournament.

“Coaching this team and preparing them to be competitive is a challenge I welcome. Developing these young men both on and of the field is a priority for me,” Irwin said.

For more information on the Bandits fundraising eforts, events and games, search for “Bloomingdale 12U AB Spring 2023” on Facebook; and if you would like to donate directly to the team, visit their GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/ c50a5330. For more information about BYSA, visit www.bysafl.com.

Te Best of Show winner for this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival Fine Arts Show is Shaerlyn Unwin of North Port for her scratchboard piece known as Reservations. Te Best of Show in the Youth Division went to Peyton Rice of Apollo Beach for Berry Blast.

COME SEE FREE MOVIES ON THE SECOND FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH IN PLANT CITY

Plant City Mainstreet ofers many events in downtown Plant City. This includes a brand-new event, Friday Night Flix. The free outdoor movies are held on the second Friday of each month starting at about 7 p.m., but you are encouraged to come early and shop or browse about the downtown area.

Plant City Mainstreet ofers lots of events for the community. It has been hosting Last Friday in Plant City for several years. Now, it has a new event on the second Friday of each month called Friday Night Flix.

Plant City Mainstreet will set up a big screen in McCall Park (on Evers Street and J. Arden Mays Boulevard). Families and friends can bring a blanket and enjoy a fun, family-friendly movie.

Dawn Hyatt, executive director for Plant City Mainstreet, said, “This is a way for our downtown to reintroduce itself to our community. Our downtown merchants will stay open until 7 p.m. for shoppers to enjoy, and then the movie will play at 7 p.m.” Hyatt added, “We wanted to create a fun family atmosphere while giving back to our entire community.”

Some of the merchants which will participate include Three Hands Mead Company, Roots, The Crafted Butterfly, Spirit Art Gallery, Aim Lighting, the Plant City Card Shop, The Side Quest, Rowan & Plum,

EDGE POOLS KEEPS POOLS IN SHAPE FOR YEAR-ROUND USE

By Brad Stager

By Kathy L. Collins

April, come see Star Wars. In May, an anime movie will be shown. In June, you can see The Goonies

In July, come celebrate the birthday of The Boy Who Lived with a showing of one of the Harry Potter movies. In August, it will show Avengers. In September, you can see Lord of the Rings. In October, get into the spooky spirit with a showing of Nightmare Before Christmas. In November, you will not want to miss A Christmas Story. Finish out 2023 in December with a showing of Christmas classics.

Hyatt said, “The mission of Plant City Main Street is to preserve, maintain and improve our historic downtown district and its quality of life by bringing our downtown into tomorrow without forgetting its yesterday. We accomplish this in many ways. Building strong relationships with our merchants, residents, property owners, city government and community is vital. Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and works of of a four-point approach: organization, design, economic vitality and promotion. The Main Street Approach helps guide us in revitalizing our downtown. We have many benefits to ofer.”

For information, visit www.plantcitymainstreet.org.

One of the great features of owning a home in the Tampa Bay area for many residents is the ability to have year-round use of an installed swimming pool. But what happens after construction of a family aquatic attraction is completed and the pumps, filters and other equipment associated with a pool need to operate smoothly?

If Edge Pools is responsible for maintaining your pool, probably nothing. That’s because Edge Pools does more than clean the sludge and slime that can turn a pristine pool into a cement swamp. Whether it involves routine cleaning and chemical treatment of the water or maintenance and repair of the equipment that keeps it flowing and circulating, Edge Pools has the state-licensed and industry-trained experts to complete a job with the goal of meeting or exceeding customer expectations.

For Eddie Edgerton, who co-owns Edge Pools with his wife, Heidi, servicing pools is a calling that came early in his youth with a job on a pool construction crew, and as he explains on the Edge Pools website, “I loved it the day I started.” Combining enthusiasm for the work with ongoing technical training that ranges from understanding pool

chemistry to rebuilding pumps or diving in to repair cracks has enabled the couple to grow their business and envision a future that eventually includes designing and building custom pools. Heidi attributes their success in part to being accountable to their customers.

“We like to be honest, fair. It’s not always about the money,” said Heidi. She added that they get a lot of professional satisfaction by solving problems, some of which keep the job interesting, especially when water and electricity are in close proximity to each other. “We see a lot of crazy stuf,” she said.

One of the things Edge Pools ofers is a program to start of a new pool right with an ongoing maintenance program that can keep a new or established pool ready for family fun.

To learn more about services provided by Edge Pools and even get a quote to take care of a pool maintenance or repair need, visit online at https://edgepoolsfl.com/ or the Edge Pools Facebook page. You can also call 813-230-2838 or send an email to edgepoolservice@gmail.com.

A swimming pool can be a backyard oasis if properly maintained.

Te diference between a properly maintained pool or spa and one that isn’t can be strikingly obvious.

SUMMER CAMPS OFFER SPECIALTY SKILLS & LEARNING FUN

It’s hard to believe but summer is just around the corner and camp registrations are open and gearing up for an active and busy camp season!

The staf at the Osprey Observer has collected the top recommendations for local summer camps and created this special pullout section.

Camp Osprey LLC

For a fun, traditional camp experience, check out Camp Osprey, which is located on 204 acres of beautiful woodlands alongside the Little Manatee River in Wimauma. Camp activities include high ropes courses, ziplines, horseback riding and much more.

Mathnasium Of Riverview And Brandon

Have your child’s math skills been impacted by the last school year? Have they fallen behind? Then Camp Mathnasium will be perfect for them, ofering a typical summer camp environment with diferent learning activities.

Music Showcase/FAOPA

The Florida Academy of the Performing Arts at Music Showcase ofers summer camps for aspiring actors and musicians. With a variety of camp options in full and half-day experiences, there’s something for every young entertainer.

Patel Conservatory

Center is hosting a variety of week summer camps for rising actors, mu sicians, and dancers starting May 30 and running through August 4. Weekly camps will take place Monday through Fri day and before and after care will be avail.

Kids ‘R’ Kids Cir ca FishHawk

Kids ‘R’ Kids has been ofering summer camps since 2004. This summer, students can sign up on a weekly basis or for the whole summer. Meals and field trips are included.

High 5 Inc.

Brandon’s High 5 Inc. is inviting students to sail away for the best summer of their lives, kicking of on May 30.

All camps begin on May 30 and run through August 4 with 10 separate sessions available Monday through Friday.

TLC’s Gypsy Hav-

TLC’s Gypsy Hafers weekly themed riding camps, ages 8-99, focusing on riding and grooming. The camps take place from 9 a.m.-2

Sidekicks Summer

Sidekicks Martial Arts is gearing up for its Summer Camp 2023 program with martial arts, field trips and more.

D-Bat South Shore

If you have a baseball or softball players, summer is a great time to develop skills in D-Bat South Shore’s state-ofthe-art facility in Ruskin.

Navigator Academy

Navigator Academy’s full-day camp will be open for K-8th grade students with lunch and field trips included.

River Hills Country Club

Budding tennis players and golfers will find summer camps for kids ages 7-13 for all levels of players, with half and full-day camps available.

Code Wiz FishHawk

Code Wiz FishHawk is ofering full and half-day camps for coding and computers with Roblox, robotics, Minecraft, gaming and more.

Cederkirk Camp

Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center is located on 170 acres of woodland along the Alafia River in Lithia and will hosts weekly camps starting June 11. Campers can sign up for a week or the whole summer. Camps include all meals and activities.

FishHawk Fellowship Church

Ofering a selection of half-day sports camps starting June 5 through August 4.

Look for our Summer Camp Sweepstakes link where the Osprey Observer will buy your child a week of camp at the summer camp of your choice! Or, enter now by emailing (subject line ‘Summer Camp Free’) contest@ospreyobserver.com. Did we miss a great summer camp option? Let us know by emailing (subject line ‘Summer Camp’) jhurst@ospreyobserver.com! Have a great summer of fun!

Make this a summer of creativity with one (or more) of the 50plus camps and classes ofered at the Patel Conservatory. If your child loves to dance, sing or emote, take a look at the courses Patel has scheduled this summer. Whether your child is a beginner or already practicing their Tony Award® speech, Patel has a class to fit their skill level.

Patel students enjoy the advantage of instructors who have real-world experience in the fields of dance, music and theater. Its professionals will teach your burgeoning star the skills necessary to excel in their field. Patel also can fill them in on the nuts-and-bolts aspect of a career in the arts.

It’s an ideal environment for a young person considering a career in the performing arts. Patel has an impressive track record in this regard, with alumni appearing on Broadway, television, national tours and more. Patel alumni also fill vital roles ofstage as well, such as being directors, producers, writers and technicians.

Patel’s Summer Intensives let young performers immerse themselves in their craft, whether the focus is on the voice,

CAMP MATHNASIUM OFFERS ACTIVITIES TO MAKE MATH FUN

By Lily Belcher

Staf Report

a musical instrument, acting or ballet. Many intensives conclude with a ticketed performance open to the public.

There are plenty of non-intensive opportunities as well: beginners’ classes in ballet, jazz and tap; a theater apprentice workshop; classes on adapting literature for the stage; workshops for repertory orchestra and opera; and so much more.

Individual instruction from members of our music and theater faculty is also available, as it is year-round. Learn oneon-one with a professional actor or musician. Individual lessons for musicians are available for beginners and intermediates, as well as more experienced players preparing for a professional career.

Scholarships are available to help cover the cost of tuition. The deadline for financial aid applications is Sunday, April 2.

Learn more about Patel by attending one of its summer open houses: Saturday, March 25 from 9-10 a.m. and Monday, May 22 from 6-7 p.m.

The Patel Conservatory is located at 1010 N. Macinnes Pl. in Tampa. For more information, call 813-222-1040 or visit www.patelconservatory.org.

Mathnasium is hosting its first summer camp since the coronavirus shutdown at the Brandon location from the end of May to early August to help fight ‘the summer slide.’

Camp Mathnasium will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 Noon for students through sixth grade with a ‘Wild About MATH’ theme. Additionally, the Brandon location will be adding the Great Foundations program for pre-K through kindergarten students following requests from parents and families.

Camp Mathnasium will help students fight the summer slide — the months of learning loss that occurs between the school years.

“I hope that [through] Camp Mathnasium they see how much fun math can be and that it helps keep their skills sharp during the summer,” said franchise owner, operator and center director Becky McDaniels.

Camp Mathnasium will run alongside the year-round Mathnasium program,

but camp days will o f er a typical summer camp environment with different learning activities. Students will begin their morning with an hour of the Mathnasium program to provide an individualized learning lesson for each student. They will then participate in an activity and finish the day with a STEAM activity.

During registration, students can enroll in a minimum of six and maximum of 12 STEAM activities throughout the summer. Students will be divided by age during these activities, allowing older students to take a more in-depth approach.

Families are encouraged to register early so Mathnasium can prepare for the right number of students. A $25 early-bird discount for those that register before Sunday, April 30 will be o f ered. For specific pricing or to learn more about Camp Mathnasium, Great Foundations or Mathnasium’s year-round program, visit www.mathnasium.com.

Patel students enjoy real-world experience in the felds of dance, music and theater.

Camp Mathnasium ofers fun and engaging STEAM activities throughout the summer.

SUMMER’S HERE AND THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR THE BEACH! VACATION! THE ARTS AT PATEL CONSERVATORY

HIGH 5 INC. SUMMER CAMP WILL FEATURE A CRUISE THEME FOR CAMPERS

High 5 Inc. is hosting its annual summer camp to bring kids “Around the World in 50 Days” with cruisethemed activities throughout the summer.

“Each week, the kids will be visiting a diferent country. During their trip, they will learn about its uniqueness, history, culture and so much more,” said director of family experience Jada Spano.

The camp will run from Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, August 4. Each day, participants can arrive as early as 7 a.m. and leave as late as 6 p.m. to accommodate parents’ work schedules over the summer.

Until the camp ofcially starts at 9 a.m., campers can take a High 5 Summer Cruise photo with their family and go to their stateroom, a High 5 classroom separating campers by grade level. The counselor-to-student ratio will be around 1-to-25, but it is often less since activity specialists will support employees during excursions.

Daily excursions will be available for all campers from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Each hour

RIVER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB JUNIOR SUMMER CAMP HELPS CHILDREN LEARN NEW SPORTS WHILE HAVING FUN

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

By Lily Belcher

will feature several diferent options for campers to participate in every day.

“Our travelers learn the basics for familiar and some new sports, such as cricket, soccer, handball, pickleball, tennis, even a little splashball. Meanwhile, travelers that would prefer the nonathletic route will have the opportunity to explore everything from creating their own boomerangs and rain sticks of Australia to carnival costumes and rhythms of the Caribbean islands,” said regional director Nicole Brown-Collins.

Campers will have the option to purchase a lunch or snack, but they are encouraged to pack one lunch and two snacks. They should arrive in a bathing suit and have a change of clothes in their backpacks.

The camp will cost $175 per camper each week for nonmembers, but High 5 members can register for $160.

To register, visit www.high5inc.org/ camp-3.

Sending your children to summer camp where they can get out of the house during those long summer days, make new friends and learn a new sport can be really beneficial at their young age.

River Hills Country Club in Valrico is ofering a Junior Summer Camp for children ages 7-13, Monday through Friday, with days packed full of golf, tennis, swimming and more. Summer camp can be attended in half or full days.

River Hills has multiple summer camp options, such as Golf Camp or Tennis Clinic and Sports Camp, which all involve learning a new sport and spending time with friends while also enjoying other summer camp fun.

The goal of the Junior Summer Camp at River Hills is to combine the right amount of sport instruction with other interesting activities in order to keep children engaged and excited about learning the sport and its etiquette.

River Hills’ Junior Summer Camp will take children from beginner players to competition-ready ones by starting small and building their individual skills. The coaches at River Hills pride themselves in ofering a low-pressure environment where children

can gain respect for the game and fellow players through practicing with their peers.

“Golf camps ofered this summer at River Hills Country Club will expose children to the great game of golf in a nurturing and educational environment,” said Bryan McManis, general manager at River Hills Country Club. “We want to introduce the game in a fun way so they can practice and apply their skills as they progress through the program.”

The River Hills U.S. Kids Golf Curriculum is taught by a PGA-certified instructor, and Tennis Camp will be led by a United States Professional Tennis Association-certified instructor. On top of golf, tennis and other sports lessons, the Junior Summer Camp will also include swimming, movies and other camp activities.

Golf, tennis and other sports at River Hills include instruction and conditioning to build stamina and endurance. Sports instruction will be provided based on the age and level of the children at the camp.

To enroll your children in a River Hills Country Club summer camp, please call 813-653-1554, ext. 242 or visit https://riverhillscountryclub.com/.

River Hills Country Club’s Junior Summer Camp can provide instruction for every level of player.

Daily excursions at High 5 Inc.’s summer camp will feature water and feld activities.

TLC’s

Gypsy Haven

Located at 4325 Keysville Rd. in Lithia, TLC’s Gypsy Haven ofers weekly themed riding camps, for ages 8-99, focused on riding and grooming. The camps take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. from Monday, June 5 to Friday, August 4. Students pack their own lunch, snacks and drinks and are encouraged to wear light pants or leggings, but boots are a must. The camp boasts one teacher, one aide and one volunteer per 10 students.

For more information, visit www.tlcsfarms.com, call Tammi at 813-842-4236 or email TLCS2867@aol.com.

Te Patel Conservatory

The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center is hosting a variety of weekly summer camps for rising actors, musicians and dancers starting Tuesday, May 30 and running through Friday, August 4. Weekly camps will take place Monday through Friday, with pre- and post-camp available for an additional $30 each or $50 for both extensions.

Information on the camps offered as well as specific dates, times and pricing are available in the 2023 summer camps and classes brochure on the Straz Center’s website at www. strazcenter.org. For more information on specific details of the camps, contact the admissions staf at 813-222-1040 or 800955-1045 (toll-free).

Tampa YMCA

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA has what kids crave at one of its many summer camp locations.

YMCA camps ofer an array of fun where activity specialists will lead campers through various experiences each day, including swimming, science, high ropes, outdoor education, nature encounters, horseback riding, canoeing, visual arts and more.

All camps begin on Tuesday, May 30 and run through Friday, August 4 with 10 separate sessions available from Monday to Friday. Book one weeklong session or book them all. Camp programming runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with free early-morning care beginning at 7 a.m. and free afternoon extended care until 6 p.m. Prices start at only $184 per week for YMCA members and are open to the public. Discounted rates for members, early registration, siblings, multicamp sign-ups and early-bird registration are available.

For more information on specific locations and pricing and to register, visit www. tampaymca.org/programs/camp/summer-camp.

Camp Osprey LLC

For a fun, traditional camp experience, check out Camp Osprey, which is located on 204 acres of beautiful woodlands alongside the Little Manatee River in Wimauma. Camp activities include high ropes courses,

ziplines, horseback riding and much more.

Camps take place every week starting on Sunday, June, and campers can sign up for a week or the whole summer. Day and overnight options are available, with day camp costing $325 a week and overnight being $795. Meals are provided and snacks can be purchased in the camp canteen.

New this year is COSMO Camp Osprey Smoky Mountain Outdoor adventures for groups of 12 campers ages 13-16 years old.

The camp is located at 18050 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. in Wimauma and can be reached at 941-928-6860. For more information, visit www.camposprey. com.

Kids ‘R’ Kids

Kids ‘R’ Kids has been ofering summer camps since 2004. This summer, students can sign up on a weekly basis or for the whole summer from Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, August 4.

“Camp will showcase unique weekly themes designed to make your campers smile, think, explore, collaborate and grow in exciting new directions,” said Fernandes. “Our camp includes all meals and field trips to a Rays game, Sea Screamer in Clearwater, Ringling Museum, Treasure Island Fun Center and much more.”

Kids ‘R’ Kids Circa FishHawk is located at

5815 Kids Crossing Dr. in Lithia and can be reached at 813-654-7000. Visit its website at wwwkrkcirca.com for more information and to register.

Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center

Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center is located on 170 acres of woodland alongside the Alafia River in Lithia.

Camps take place weekly from Sunday to Friday starting on Sunday, June 11 and finishing on Friday, August 4; campers can sign up for a week or the whole summer. Cedarkirk ofers overnight camps for older students, and younger campers in grades one through three can attend a shorter three-day camp. Camps range in price from $465 a week to $510 and include all meals plus two daily snacks. Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center is located at 1920 Streetman Dr. in Lithia and can be reached at 813-685-4224. For more information and to register, visit www.cedarkirk.org.

Code Wiz FishHawk

Code Wiz FishHawk is located in Park Square at 16132 Churchview Dr. in Lithia. It will be running full and half-day camps for students interested in computers and coding. Camp activities will include Roblox, robotics, Minecraft and building your own 2D/3D video games. The half-day camp runs from 9 a.m.-12 Noon and from 1-4 p.m.; a full-

JUUNNIIOOR R SUMMMER C CAMP

GOOLLF CAAMMP

US Kids Golf Curriculum taught by PGA Certified Instructors can take virtually any player from absolute beginner to an elite competition player in simple, incremental steps.

A positive no pressure learning environment where respect for the game of golf and fellow players is taught.

A fun experience that includes golf instruction, rules and etiquette with additional non golf fun activities in the afternoon available i.e. swimming, movies and other camp activities.

It is the goal of this camp to combine just the right amount of golf instruction to keep students engaged in enjoying the game of golf.

day is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A week of half-day camp is $350 and $550 for a full-day camp; discounts are available for siblings, multicamp and early-bird registrations. For more information, visit www.thecodewiz. com/fishhawk-fl or call 813-820-6583.

Mathnasium Of Riverview & Brandon Mathnasium’s personalized learning plans are proven to improve grades and give them a head start going into the new school year. With live face-to-face instruction, either in-center or online, its summer programs are designed to work in tandem with the other summer camps and activities. Just two or three one-hour sessions per week are all kids need to help keep their math skills on track for the upcoming school year, and your child will continue to enjoy summer because Mathnasium makes learning math fun. Space is limited so don’t delay in registering your child.

Call today for a free assessment.

Mathnasium of Brandon (www.mathnasium.com/brandon) is located at 1048 Bloomingdale Ave. and can be reached at 813-655-6284, and Mathnasium of Riverview (www.mathnasium.com/riverview) is located at 1388 U.S. 301 and can be reached at 813-565-1102. Coming soon is a new location at 13388 S. U.S. 301 in Riverview.

Music Showcase

The Florida Academy of Performing Arts (FAOPA) at Music Showcase ofers summer

camps for aspiring actors and musicians.

With a variety of camp options in full and half-day experiences, there’s something for every young entertainer.

The traditional camp exposes campers to music and more. You can sign up for one weeklong camp or you can sign up for multiple camps. Camps are structured by age, ability and interest.

Its other camp option is a musical theater camp, where campers work together over the course of a few weeks to put on a show.

For further details, visit www.faopa.org or call 813490-2787. Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

River Hills Junior Summer Camp

Do you have a budding tennis or golf player in your home? Sign them up for camp at River Hills Country Club, which aims to combine just the right amount of sport instruction with fun to keep your children loving the sport.

Camps are suitable for all ages from 7-13 years old and all levels of players, having a U.S. Kids Golf curriculum being taught by PGA-certified instructors and tennis instruction with drills and conditioning from a USPTA instructor. Half and full-day sessions are available. River Hills Country Club is located at 3943 New River Hills Pkwy. in Valrico. For more information on summer

camps, visit www.riverhillscountryclub.com or call 813-653-1554, ext. 242.

High 5 Inc.

Brandon’s High 5 Inc. is inviting students to go “Around the World In 50 Days,” kicking of on Tuesday, May 30 and running through Friday, August 4.

Each week students will be visiting a different country and learn about its uniqueness, history, culture and so much more.

Camp is ofered Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. at High 5, which is located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon. Campers can sign up for individual weeks throughout the summer or the entire summer. To register, visit www.high5inc.org/camp-3.

Camp costs $175 a week per child for nonmembers and High 5 members can register for $160.

To learn more, visit www.high5inc.org or call 813-689-0908.

D-BAT South Shore

Does your child love baseball or softball? Help them develop their skills this summer at D-BAT South Shore, located at 351 30th St. NE in Ruskin. Summer camp programs are being ofered from Monday, May 29 to Friday, July 28, and state-of-the-art technology will be used

to allow campers to enhance and improve basic baseball and softball skills. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved with others who share their desire to grow and develop their ball skills. Camp runs on a weekly basis from 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and costs $175 a week for platinum members. Additional information can be found on its website at https://dbatsouthshore.com/ or by calling 813-645-3228.

Navigator Academy

Summer camp at Navigator Academy is a full-day camp open for incoming kindergarteners to eighth graders. Weekly and daily rates are available, with field trips and lunch included. Navigator Academy is located at 1101 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Additional information can be found on its website at www.navigatoracademyvalrico.com.

FishHawk Fellowship Church

FishHawk Fellowship Church, located at 15326 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia is ofering a selection of half-day sports camps that include basketball, soccer and flag football running from Monday, June 5 until Friday, August 4. Most camps are for first through fifth graders, with some available for first through eighth graders from Monday June 26 to Friday, August 4. All camps run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and the price is $105 for the week. For additional information, call 813-655-7431.

HIT A HOME RUN WITH D-BAT SOUTH SHORE THIS SUMMER

Looking for a way to help fill your child’s summer? Look no further than D-BAT South Shore, where summer camp programs are being offered to help your child develop their baseball or softball skills while having a great time and making new friends. D-BAT ofers state-ofthe-art technology that is implemented into the training, which allows campers to enhance and improve basic baseball and softball skills. Some of this technology includes, but is not limited to, Hack Attack pitching machines and Blast Motion hitting technology. Another great aspect of this camp is that all it requires of the young players is to show up with the basic gear for the sport along with lunch and water, then they are good to go. This is a great opportunity for kids to get involved with others who share their same interest and a desire to grow and develop their skills while engaging in classic baseball and softball comradery. The facility features both indoor and outdoor setups to ensure that camp can continue unimpeded by the elements, while the indoor elements of the site are climate-con-

By Jonathan Hurst

trolled. With a camper-to-instructor ratio of 8-1, every player who comes through the camp will be well coached and attended to.

D-BAT South Shore also features nine batting cages along with pitching lanes to ensure that campers are getting their skill practice in. If they are doing well, there are also end-of-week prizes for the skill leaders of the week.

This summer camp runs on a week to week basis from Monday, May 29 through Friday, July 28, and can be attained for as little as $175 for the entire week for platinum members. Further discounts for early sign-ups, multicamp sign-ups and signing up siblings together. Every camp runs on the weekdays with the drop-of opening at 8:45 a.m. and the latest pickup being at 2:30 p.m.

D-BAT South Shore is located at 351 30th St. NE in Ruskin. For more information, visit its website at https://dbatsouthshore.com/, go to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DBATsports/ or call 813-645-3228.

TAMPA YMCA HOSTS SUMMER CAMPS TO TEACH KIDS SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN

It’s that time of year again where you have to begin to decide what summer camp is best for your children. With over 130 years of experience in providing a safe place for kids in the community, Tampa YMCA Summer Camp is a great choice for filling those long summer days with something exciting and educational.

The YMCA ofers a variety of summer camp options, from art camp to adventure camp there is something for everyone.

“Summer camp is more than singalongs and splash pads,” said Michelle Leahy, camp director at Campo Family YMCA. “Campers at the Tampa YMCA ACA-accredited summer day camps are given a safe space to discover who they are and what they want to become while experiencing fun, friends and adventure.”

Summer camps are open from Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, August 4 and range from $184-$225 a week for YMCA members and $235-$298 for non-YMCA members. Multiweek teen camps start at $330 for members and $410 for non-YMCA members.

Campers are expected to wear cool, comfortable clothing that can get dirty, closed-toe and closed-back shoes as well as

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

sunscreen, and they should bring a bathing suit and towel since campers will have the opportunity to swim in the YMCA pools.

Join in on the fun in one of the many locations in Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, Tampa and more.

Tampa YMCA

Summer Camps being ACA-accredited means they underwent a thorough review on operations by the American Camp Association (ACA), from staf qualifications and training to emergency management, and complied with the highest standards in the industry. With ACA accreditation, the YMCA is one of the safest places to get your kids to fun out of the house this summer, as not only are staf certified in first aid and CPR, but they are also certified fun and learning experts.

Tampa YMCA Summer Camp prides itself in helping kids explore personal interests, build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills, discover the creativity and health benefits of the outdoors and make lasting friendships and memories.

Visit https://tampaymca.org/letscamp or find the YMCA on social media at TampaYMCA.

Tampa YMCA Summer Camps help children learn about themselves while developing friendships.

EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OFFERS DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING APPOINTMENTS FOR

The Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County Inc. (ECC) was formed in 1983 with a focus on identifying and addressing service gaps for young children with disabilities. ECC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. Because of the funding ECC receives, it is able to provide services without imposing a financial burden on the family.

Greg Van Pelt, clinical director for ECC, said, “Our core areas of focus are supporting inclusion in the childcare community, access to early childhood developmental screening and supporting workforce capacity through professional development.”

Access to developmental screening is important. One in five children will develop some form of delay or disability prior to kindergarten. According to Van Pelt, “A developmental screening is a way of checking in on a child’s milestone progress and can be the very first opportunity to identify possible delays in development and then respond through guidance, early intervention services and support.”

Screening is done in the key domains of speech and language, hearing, vision, cognitive capacity, motor skills and social-emotional development.

Van Pelt said, “It is never too early. Screening can be started as early as 1 month old and have intervals going through 5 and a

CHILDREN

By Kathy L. Collins

half years old. The beauty of screening is that you do not have to wait to have a concern. You just need to be curious about where your child is developmentally and about what the continued path of development may look like.”

He added, “Sometimes, screening is not addressed until closer to 3 years of age, when concerns in development become more visible. If we wait too long, then there are so many potential opportunities that have been missed.”

With screening, you can celebrate developmental progress, and the caregiver knows what to expect and prepare for moving forward. Regular screening can identify potential hiccups as early as possible and put a plan in place to better support the child’s needs.

Van Pelt said, “Good screening empowers our families by arming them with information, involving them in the path forward and validating them as being the expert of their own child.”

ECC has a full screening calendar each month through July.

On Thursday, June 15, a screening will be ofered at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in Plant City. Parents can start an Ages and Stages Questionnaire through an online portal. Both the calendar and portal can be accessed at www.ecctampabay.org.

SUMMER OF SONG AND DANCE RETURNS WITH MUSIC SHOWCASE

For a summer of song and dance look no further than the Music Showcase from the Florida Academy of Performing Arts. Here, the campers will be immersed in the world of performing with a variety of options to get involved. Whether your child wants to just test the waters or is a full-fledged theater enthusiast, there are plenty of options.

For those who are a little unsure, there are full and half-day options for the weeklong camp Music and More, where students will interact with multiple avenues of performing, such as acting, singing, dancing and more. Students will also be exposed to instruments to see if anything clicks for them, as well as general art. Drop-o f time for Music and More opens at 8 a.m., and the latest pickup time is at 6 p.m.

Music Showcase has eight weeks of Music and More summer camp.

By Jonathan Hurst

ing about how to put on a production and all the elements that go into that. These students will work on skills such as acting, singing and various theater techniques and practices. This camp concludes with a performance of a play featuring the campers.

Musical Theater Camp runs from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

“There is something for all ages and abilities,” said academy director Danielle Sanchez.

For those with a bit more of a commitment to performing arts, there is the Musical Theater Camp, which is a bit more intensive when it comes to the theater aspect. This camp runs for two weeks and involves the students learn -

The Music and More camp runs weekly from Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, August 4, and Musical Theater camp has the same time frame but on a two-week schedule. There is a one-time $30 registration fee with the cost of the Music and More at $230 a week and $275 for the Musical Theater Camp. There are scholarships and discounts for siblings available as well.

For further details, visit www.faopa. org or call 813-490-2787. Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

TAMPA BAY RODEO AND FAMILY FESTIVAL RETURNS IN APRIL

Bigger and better than ever, the Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, gallops into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds from Friday through Sunday, April 1416 with three fun-filled days of action, activities and eats.

On the Friday and Saturday nights, cowboys and cowgirls compete in the rodeo through bull riding, barrel racing and bronco busting. Parents can register their littlest cowpokes on-site for the very popular mutton bustin’. The evenings begin with the Family Festival prior to the rodeo, with delicious food, exciting games, amusing animals and live music on the Bud Light Entertainment Stage. New this year, plan to come back on Sunday for the Family Festival to enjoy all the day’s oferings and live music from different musical artists.

Tampa-area and Nashville recording artist Randy McNeeley takes the stage on Friday and Saturday nights, and nationally touring country artists Craig Campbell and Canaan Smith each perform on Sunday afternoon. Everyone will have a rip-roaring good time at the Family Festival where guests can participate in a host of challenges, including riding the mechanical bull and axe throwing.

SUN ’N FUN AEROSPACE EXPO 2023 COMING IN MARCH

Staf Report

The littlest wranglers can have fun with face painting, an interactive barnyard where they can pet and feed the critters, camel and pony rides and other fun activities and games like giant Jenga and an inflatable slide.

Tasty grub that will please even the littlest wrangler is available throughout the entire event, including barbecue, corn dogs, fried Oreos, turkey legs, tacos, cotton candy and much more. There’s something for everyone at this spring extravaganza.

The Tampa Bay Rodeo is an EBA-sanctioned event. Bulls, broncs and barrels are presented by 5S Bucking Bulls, based in Lithia. Competitors in EBA rodeos range in age from 7-55 years old, and at the Tampa Bay Rodeo there will be around 40 men and women competing.

Gates open at 4 p.m., and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; Sunday’s Family Festival is from 12 Noon- 5 p.m.

The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds are located at 215 Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover at the intersection of State Road 60 and Sydney Washer Road, east of Brandon. Visit https://hillsboroughcountyfair.com/ for tickets and more information.

at

Save the date for one of one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world, the 2023 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, as it prepares to celebrate its 49th anniversary. The event, from Tuesday, March 28 through Sunday, April 2 in Lakeland, is the first major air show of the year. SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has also announced that E3 Aviation Association is the new title sponsor. This partnership allows for the more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy what has become known as Aviation’s Season Opener or Spring Break for Pilots.

Taking of for its 49th year, SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo showcases hundreds of aircraft on display, including vintage, homebuilt, aerobatic, warbird, jet and light sport.

One of the highlights of the five-day expo is the Blue Angels, the high-flying and awe-inspiring flight demonstration squadron of the U.S. Navy.

Additional special air show acts include U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightening II Demonstration Team, the U.S. Marine Corp F-35B Lightening II Demonstration Team and Doug Rozendaal flying Mr. Mulligan, the Howard DGA-6 pioneer racing plane.

SUN ‘n FUN also features more than 500 exhibitors, hands-on workshops teaching

building and maintenance skills and educational forums from pilots and maintainers about safety, new products and other timely topics.

“E3 Aviation Association is the perfect partner to join SUN ‘n FUN this year. It’s an amazing brand fit in every way with the experiential event we’ve created,” said Gene Conrad, president and CEO for SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. “At the core of it all is our shared passion for aviation. We have so many fun and interesting surprises waiting for our visitors this year.”

Tickets for SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo are available online at flysnf.org.

From its humble beginnings in 1974, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that market and supports dozens of yearround events, including the Aerospace Expo. Proceeds from these events are the primary source of funding for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education through its various learning centers, outreach programs, scholarships and summer camps aimed at engaging, educating and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals. For more information, please visit https:// flysnf.org/.

Te annual SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo brings thousands of visitors to see thrilling air shows along with hundreds of aircraft on display.

Te Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival, presented by Bartow Ford, gallops into Hills-borough County Fairgrounds from Friday through Sunday, April 14-16.

HCPS AWARDED SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT TO ASSIST THE NEEDS OF OUR DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION

Hillsborough County

Public Schools has been awarded a five-year School-based Mental Health (SBMH) grant for approximately $8.5 million. The grant is funded through the United States Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities-National Programs. Federal funds will contribute $8,562,135 (75 percent) towards the School-based Mental Health project and non-federal match funds will contribute $2,140,534 (25 percent). Inkind match funds include the salary of supplemental social workers providing mental health supports in the district.

This School-based Mental Health Service project will implement a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan with the goal of increasing the number of credentialed school-based mental health service providers serving Hillsborough County Public Schools students. The comprehensive strategy outlined in the project includes activities that focus on restructuring compensation, recruiting personnel from diverse backgrounds that reflect the demographic makeup of the district’s students and providing a robust array of professional development opportunities to support new and existing staf members.

The district expects that the project will result in the following outcomes:

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE VISITS THE FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM

Staf Report

• Increased recruitment of school psychologists, school counselors and school social workers to mirror student demographics.

• Stabilization of staf retention rates.

• Increased availability of school-based mental health resources for students, teachers and administrators.

• Improved local capacity to support school-based mental health service providers through the provision of high-quality professional development opportunities.

• Formalization of district partnerships with Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) to create a pipeline of future applicants.

Students’ mental health needs are increasing at an exponential rate, and there are simply not enough resources available within schools or through community providers to meet the identified needs. It is expected the implementation of this SBMH project will provide the funds to recruit new, highly qualified mental health-based employees, including approximately 30-40 school counselors, 10-20 school psychologists and 20-30 school social workers. In addition, the funds from the SBMH project will provide robust, supportive professional development to retain current staf, all to meet the growing mental health needs of our students throughout the district.

Ride along Thomas the Tank Engine during its Party Train Tour at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish on select weekends in April. Dates include Saturday, April 17; Sunday, April 18; Saturday, April 24; and Sunday, April 25. Prices range from $19 to $23, depending on the time of day for peak and non-peak pricing. To add, anyone 24 months old and up will need a ticket to enter. Advanced tickets will be required.

Florida Railroad Museum’s events director, Glenn Miley, mentioned how this event came into fruition.

“Thomas the Tank Engine has been visiting the Florida Railroad Museum for 10 years and is coming back in April,” Miley said.

While on board Thomas the Tank Engine, attendees will have a party pass to receive favors at numerous stops along the way. An array of activities that attendees could participate in would include crafts, checking out the party corner for lawn game fun and more. Those interested will also get an opportunity to say hello to Sir Topham Hatt or even visit the pop-up gift shop.

This event will be abiding by the local

government guidelines with enhanced safety protocols in place.

“There will be extra cleaning between trains. Sanitizer stations will also be placed around the grounds,” Miley said.

Founded as the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, the Florida Railroad Museum, Inc. was established with the goal to preserve Florida’s railroad history that existed in the 1940s and 1950s. The museum itself consists of exhibits that individuals can ride. The Florida Railroad Museum operates on a 6-mile line between Parrish and Willow in rural Manatee County. As a side note, this specific railroad line was the first to be built in Manatee County. The trains are operated by the Florida Railroad Museum volunteers, and throughout the year, special weekend events such as this one will occur.

For more information, visit http:// www.frrm.org. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.ticketweb.com/venue/florida-railroad-museum-parrish-fl/83825. It is located at 12210 83rd St. E. in Parrish and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 941-776-0906.

Tomas the Tank Engine makes an appearance during its Party Train Tour at the Florida Railroad Museum.

NEW INTERACTIVE SPLASH AND PLAY ZONE, SHAKA-LAKA SHORES, DEBUTS THIS

Adventure Island, Tampa’s premier water park, will open for the 2023 season on Saturday, March 4, and the park’s newest addition, Shaka-Laka Shores, opens in late March. The new splash and play zone, located in the heart of Adventure Island, will feature an area with 25 individual elements and a central kid-friendly play structure bound to entertain and engage even the youngest of guests. Shaka-Laka Shores will greet guests as they enter the park and showcase the waterpark’s overarching tropical paradise theme.

The newest addition will have more than two dozen playful elements and a variety of interactive aquatic components, all within a zero-depth area — ideal for smaller kids — as well as additional shaded areas. The newly constructed area will also house three new private cabanas featuring convenient access to the new area. Shaka-Laka Shores joins a comprehensive list of exciting water slides, Endless Surf’s 17,000-squarefoot wave pool, an additional kid-friendly option in Splash Attack and more.

“Shaka-Laka Shores’ vibrant and interactive elements are bound to provide our

SOMETHING BIG IS COMING TO ZOOTAMPA AT LOWRY PARK

Staf Report

youngest guests with a playful space to splash and explore,” said Neal Thurman, park president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island. “Shaka-Laka Shores will bundle the elements of excitement

and inter- activity to serve as another great option for families experiencing Adventure Island.”

The opening of Shaka-Laka Shores, along with recently opened attractions Rapids Racer and Wahoo Remix, is part of the waterpark’s largest expansion in more than four decades. Guests are quickly immersed in a revitalized and vibrant theme from a newly designed front entrance and carried over into the park with new lounging areas, additional cabanas and even new refreshment locations, such as the full-service Hang Ten Tiki Bar.

Adventure Island’s Annual Pass is the best way to enjoy an entire year of family fun under the sun, including the new Shaka-Laka Shores and exciting seasonal events.

Visit https://adventureisland.com/ to purchase tickets and learn more about the Annual Pass program benefits, new events, special deals and future announcements.

There’s always something new and exciting to look forward to at Florida’s most visited cultural institution, and one has just begun in ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Join in with ZooTampa to experience BUGTOPIA, a limited-time family-friendly event that opened on February 25. This larger-than-life exhibit is free with zoo admission or membership and features 13 enormous animatronic bugs that will amaze and educate guests in fun and unique ways.

BUGTOPIA enables guests to glimpse into the world from a bug’s perspective, delight in their bizarre beauty and reflect on what we can learn from their brilliant behaviors. Roles will be reversed as guests venture into a bug’s world where they will find themselves looking up into the eyes of a larger-than-life Mexican red-knee tarantula or at the tail of a mighty emperor scorpion looming more than 10 feet in the air.

“Bugs are fascinating creatures, and we’re proud to be able to share them with guests of all ages in BUGTOPIA,” said chief operating ofcer Scott Rose. “This exhibit is full of enormous animatronic bugs and insects that show what these animals look

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like close up and how they’ve perfectly adapted to the world around them — our guests will never look at bugs the same way again.”

In addition to all the buzz from BUGTOPIA, the zoo is kicking of its extended springtime hours. During the days of Saturday, March 11 through Sunday, March 19, guests can enjoy the zoo from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Also, during the months of March and April, the zoo will stay open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in conservation, education, recreation and research. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is recognized as Florida’s leading and most attended zoological cultural institution.

It is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave. in Tampa and is open seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours for select events. For more information, visit www. zootampa.org or follow it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

A rendering of Shaka-Laka Shores, Adventure Island’s new splash and play zone.

FUN AND LAUGHTER AWAIT FAMILIES AT THE 2023 EGYPT SHRINE CIRCUS

Come one, come all, and celebrate the 2023 Egypt Shrine Circus. The Egypt Shrine Circus has been ofering afordable family fun and entertainment for generations in the Tampa Bay area, and this year the 58th annual circus will be held for the first time at the International Independent Showmen’s Association grounds, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview, from Thursday through Sunday, April 6-9.

This three-ring circus is back in full swing after COVID-19 cancellations, and the new location under the big top at the Showmen’s grounds promises to bring a bigger and better circus than ever.

The Egypt Shrine Clowns will be performing and are sure to bring hijinks and hilarity as they perform under the lights in the big top. Along with traditional clown performances, there will be professional performances from Circus Hollywood.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partnership than with the Showmen’s Association. The grounds and location are perfect to put on family-fun performances with some of the best performers in the circus industry,” said Dennis McDermott, circus director.

In addition to the circus, there will be a carnival managed by Arnold International Carnivals, along with a petting zoo, food

SERENGETI FLYER, WORLD’S TALLEST AND FASTEST RIDE OF ITS KIND OPENS AT BUSCH GARDENS

vendors, games and more.

The circus show hours are on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, April 7 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 8 at 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 9 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Come early to the shows as seats are limited to the first 1,000 individuals.

What’s more, the Shriners are celebrating the opening of the new Egypt Shrine Center, located on the Palm River at 5017 E. Washington St. in Tampa, south of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. The building has many features, including a 30,000-square-foot facility that has multiple areas available to rent for events large or small. There is also the Palm River Oasis and Waterfront Grille, providing a full bar and limited food menu open to the public. The full kitchen is due for completion in March.

“Our new Shrine Center will bring new visibility and provide a central place for many activities, including Shrine-sponsored events like the ever-popular, annual Feztival of Trees,” said Dennis Bryant, the Egypt Shrine potentate.

For more information on the circus, visit http://egyptshrinecircus.com/. For information on the Shrine Center, visit www. esctampa.com.

Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay’s newest ride, Serengeti Flyer, is now open for all guests. The park’s latest attraction, which opened recently, is the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, providing riders with breathtaking views of the park’s expansive 65acre Serengeti Plain.

Serengeti Flyer features twin dueling arms that soar progressively higher, reaching speeds of 68 mph, a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak and the pulse-pounding thrill of multiple negative-G moments. The park’s new thrill features the capability to adjust the ride’s intensity level, giving guests the opportunity for a milder or wilder experience. Serengeti Flyer allows 40 guests to experience the ride at once, seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across two gondolas.

“Thrills are in full swing at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with yet another exciting, record-setting ride for our guests to enjoy,” said Neal Thurman, park president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “As the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, Serengeti Flyer joins a world-class portfolio of attractions, ofering breathtaking views

of the park and a oneof-a-kind experience for all our guests.”

Busch Gardens

Tampa Bay’s annual pass is the best way to enjoy an entire year of thrilling attractions and exciting seasonal events. Categorized in easy-to-use tiers, all options provide guests with unlimited yearround admission and unbeatable benefits like free parking, in-park discounts and monthly rewards starting as low as $15. Additionally, those interested in paying for a day and playing all year can take advantage of the current buy-one, get-one Fun Card ofer. For a limited time, guests purchasing a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card for free.

Guests can visit https://buschgardenstampa.com/ to purchase tickets and learn more about the annual pass program’s benefits and monthly rewards, the current special ofer for the 2023 Fun Card and stay in the know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and Twitter.

Te famous Shriners Circus Clowns are back for the circus from Tursday through Sunday, April 6-9.

Paulette Y. Merchant LLC

Provides Real Estate Services

Paulette Y. Merchant LLC is based at 109 Harbor Village Ln. in Apollo Beach. It provides representation for buying or selling real estate, whether for primary homes, second homes and/or investment properties, and shares with buyers and sellers what is happening in the housing market at any given time, ensuring that they can make educated decisions regarding their housing budget or sales price. It also takes the time to sit down with people to discuss their need and wants, as well as educate them about the process of buying and selling in Florida. Plus, it’s able to refer local vendors that may be required, such as movers, locksmiths and handyman services. For more information, visit its website at https://paulette.kw.com/ or call 813-652-

Jade Health Offers TED Hair Restoration

Transepidermal delivery (TED) is a new treatment o f ered at Jade Health. It works without needles and is completely painless. TED uses ultrasound and air pressure to push the topical hair-growth serum into dormant follicles. It improves blood flow to the scalp, which results in thicker, stronger hair. Anyone su f ering from hair loss who wants to improve the appearance of their hair is a great candidate. Jade Health is located at 10730 Ketchum Valley Dr. in Riverview. For additional information on services o f ered or to book a free consultation, visit its website at www.Jadetampa. com or call 813-741-3234.

Dr. Joonie’s Examinavan Recognized

June Bryant, APRN, owner of Dr. Joonie’s Examinavan, will be presenting at the 44th annual National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) in Orlando on Thursday, March

16 in the Practice Innovation podium presentation about the mobile van concept. She will also be recognized at the event as an emerging leader for being the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter president. Dr. Joonie’s Examinavan brings individualized health care to your doorstep; to find out more about it, visit www.drjoonies.com or call 813-551-3399.

Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness

Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness hosted a ribbon-cutting with the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its new owners, Drs. Keith and Helen Tong, DNM. Located in the Sprouts plaza at 3339 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, it offers a wide variety of spa, massage and wellness services, including IV, fillers and medical aesthetic services under the direction of Dr. Prudhvi Raja Karumanchi. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://bluindigospa. com/ or call 813-651-3258.

5472 (mobile) or 813-641-8300 (o f ce) to make an appointment.

Code Wiz FishHawk was excited to celebrate its opening alongside the Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon-cutting on January 27.

Cardinal Roofng recently celebrated its new ofce, located at 3108 Barkley Ln. in Valrico, with a ribbon-cutting. Visit its website at www.cardinalroofng f.com for more information on meeting your roofng needs.

Blu Indigo Spa & Wellness celebrates its new owners.

Campo Family YMCA in Valrico celebrates its newly renovated Youth Zone, sponsored by the GTE Financial Foundation, with a ribbon-cutting. Te new, reimagined room has a fresh look with engaging activities.

NEW LOCAL AWARD-WINNING SHORT FILM AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

A new 30-minute film based on a short story by bestselling author R.J. Hendricks II is making major waves on the film fest award circuit.

The film, The Hanging of William Cane, is now available as a cowboy series on Amazon along with another short film, Killer Miller . In fact, The Hanging of William Cane has brought home more than 40 awards for acting, directing, editing, screenplay, score and costume design to date.

The film is a western love story about a rancher, William Cane, on his Texas ranch in 1881. He’s about to lose his family farm and does one final cattle drive to try to save his home, but it fails. In an act of desperation, he agrees to accompany a bank robber to Dry Creek, but the deed takes a deadly turn and Cane must face the music.

Hendricks is an author of eight books and a huge fan of westerns. Hendricks said when he decided to start writing, westerns were the perfect genre for him.

“I was trying to send the message

CHILL CAWFEE TO HOST WOMEN-OWNED POP-UP MARKET

By Lily Belcher

By Marie Gilmore

that decisions have consequences,” Hendricks said.

Tampa-based director Preston Walden was pleased to be a part of the production and brought in many local actors and extras for the shoot.

One local extra, Jose Roldan Jr., was proud to be a part of the production. “Being a part of The Hanging of William Cane was awesome. It was like going back in time and reliving the old west,” said Roldan, who has been involved in local movie and short-film productions for almost a year.

The movie was shot over five days in March at Dry Creek Ranch — a Wild West movie set in Parrish — and created by Les McDowell, who also played the sheri f in the movie. For more information about The Hanging of William Cane , visit www.facebook.com/authorrj.hendricks.7. The movie is available as a special feature called Tales from the Old West on amazon.com and is available to rent for $0.99 or to buy for $2.99.

Chill Cawfee is hosting a popup market for 30 women-owned businesses on Sunday, March 26 to highlight locally owned businesses.

The registered vendors will set up on Chill Cawfee’s back patio under grandfather oak trees from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be a few food vendors as well, so marketing and brand advisor Thomas Quigley encourages attendees to come hungry.

Chill Cawfee’s pop-up market will feature 30 women-owned businesses on Sunday, March 26.

“[The pop-up markets] were a great way to bring the community together, and really that’s what we wanted when we opened our cofee shop. We wanted to be a place where the community could get together over a cup of cofee,” said Quigley.

This is the third year Chill Cawfee has hosted pop-up markets, but it has a history of markets and fairs to bring awareness to other locally owned companies. Before the coronavirus, the company hosted the Valrico Artisan Faire but has since turned the fair into a quarterly event.

The pop-up markets have ranged from art walks to pet vendors, but this time Chill Cawfee wanted to feature fellow women-owned businesses.

“We are a women-owned business. Lisa [Quigley] is basically our owner. This is her business, and she wanted us to support

other women she knew in the area. She started talking about it, and a few of our customers had suggested it,” said Quigley.

With all the vendor spots filled, Quigley expects 200-300 customers to come by on the last Sunday of March. In addition to supporting locally owned businesses, the pop-up market gives attendees the opportunity to meet their neighbors and make connections in their communities. Quigley said the opportunity to meet new people is the most rewarding part of hosting the markets.

“On a Sunday, when they’re out for something like this, everyone is out just to enjoy the day. So, you kind of feel that energy when we do the markets, which is nice,” said Quigley.

Due to the large number of expected customers, Quigley suggests people park at the Walgreens or Bank of America nearby to leave room in Chill Cawfee’s parking lot for those who cannot walk the extra distance.

The pop-up market will take place at Chill Cawfee’s Valrico location of Lithia Pinecrest Road and Bloomingdale Avenue on Sunday, March 26 at 9 a.m. For more information on the event, visit Chill Cawfee’s Facebook page @chillcawfee or https://chillcawfee.com/ events/.

“Te Hanging of William Cane” is now available on Amazon as a special feature called Tales from the Old West.

VINE VEGAN OFFERS FOOD RICH WITH CULTURE AND FAMILY VALUES

Three years ago, Danielle Stevens and her family decided to go vegan. A family decision to eat healthily and work to save animals quickly turned into a passion, prompting Stevens to start a vegan restaurant in Brandon.

Vine Vegan opened on December 1, 2022.

Stevens’ menu combines her passion for healthy, plant-based eating; bringing the community together; and creating dishes with a rich background of culture.

“I’m really excited to have a place where people can make memories with their families. … They get to do that in the comfort of a beautiful restaurant,” said Stevens.

Stevens was born and raised in Amer ica, but her mother is from England and her father was from South America. The Vine Vegan owner grew up in the kitch en creating flavorful dishes that honored all aspects of her heritage on the same menu.

“I kind of took things from all the dif ferent avenues of my life to come up with an eclectic menu that could satisfy any body’s taste buds,” said Stevens.

The diverse menu of Vine Vegan in cludes comfort foods, superfood bowls, specialty lattes and other dishes for all customers. Stevens said around 65 percent of her customers are not vegan but come to enjoy the flavorful, healthy foods

CUSTOM HAIR HELPS CUSTOMERS REGAIN CONFIDENCE AFTER HAIR LOSS

By Michelle Caceres

By Lily Belcher

ofered in her store.

Vine Vegan was originally scheduled to open on Veterans Day in 2022 to honor Stevens’ father, who served as a colonel in the army. However, an issue with the hood system two days before its grand opening delayed the opening three weeks.

In October of 2019, Stevens’ father died of heart disease despite a healthy and active lifestyle. a documentary and saw the benefits of plant-based eating. With her family, they decided to start eating vegan to reduce their own chances of getting heart disease and increase their lifespan.

Now, Stevens and her 17 employees serve the Brandon community every day by providing a comfortable, homely atmosphere and good food for all guests.

Vine Vegan is located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon of Brandon Parkway.

To view the menu or sign up for the newsletter, visit https://vinevegan.com/. For more information, call 813-939-8463 or email eat@vinevegan.com.

Things often get ‘hairy’ at Custom Hair Tampa Bay, but for this business that’s precisely the goal.

Owned by Dan and Lori Younkman, Custom Hair Tampa Bay ofers nonsurgical solutions for men and women with hair loss as a result of male and female-pattern baldness, chemotherapy, transplants and burn scars, alopecia, autoimmune diseases and other hair loss conditions.

Located at 117 N. Kings Ave. in Brandon, solutions that the Younkmans ofer include 100 percent Remy human hair wigs, toppers and custom hair solutions for men and women. Expert staf members are available to assist clients in choosing from its selection of wigs or one of its hair systems.

“We’re here to advise you every step of the way and walk you through the entire process,” said Lori, who is not just the owner but also a customer.

She understands exactly how a thick head of hair can restore confidence.

Customers meet with technicians in private consultation rooms where their heads are measured, hair color and texture are matched and hair systems are created to make each person look their best.

Hair replacement systems are lightweight, breathable and secure thanks to the surgical-grade adhesive that holds the

hair in place for four to six weeks.

“Wake up every morning with hair,” said Lori. “Wash it, swim with it and just live your life.”

Her favorite part of the process is when the hair system comes in and customers see the total transformation.

For Apollo Beach resident Jim Klein, his new hair has given him increased self-confidence. “I have the hair I used to have and look so much younger,” he said.

Brandon resident and longtime customer Susan Saylors, whose hair started thinning as a result of lupus, echoed Klien about the increased self-confidence from her hair replacement system.

“Stylists at Custom Hair have given me long hair, shorter hair, have changed the color,” said Saylors. “What’s great is it’s such a high quality that nobody knows it’s not my own hair unless I tell them.”

Custom Hair Tampa Bay has been helping customers enjoy long, thick and healthy hair worthy of a Pantene commercial for more than 50 years.

Custom Hair Tampa Bay is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.customhairtampabay.com or call 813-6519484.

Owned by Dan and Lori Younkman, Custom Hair Tampa Bay ofers nonsurgical solutions for men and women with hair loss.

Danielle Stevens opened Vine Vegan in December 2022.

Success 4 Kids & Families is a nonprofit organization that provides family-focused behavioral health and psychoeducational services to assist both individuals and families.

Success 4 Kids & Families focuses on case management and care coordination. It is like the general contractor who gathers the subcontractors together to construct a building. In other words, they help families navigate the system to ensure stronger families.

Pam Jefre, LCSW, executive director for Success 4 Kids & Families, said, “We are the people who walk with a family to find them the services. We make sure the families are connected with the right providers.”

So, if, for example, your child is having behavior issues in school, you can contact Success 4 Kids & Families and it will work with you. Jefre said, “Sometimes, we find that therapy is needed, but sometimes all the child needs is tutoring. In some instances, we will find that the real problem is a sibling. We help the whole family if needed.”

Jefre explained, “If a child is involved in multiple systems — school, the juvenile justice system and mental health — we can help the child and the family navigate the system and get the help they need.”

Success 4 Kids & Families’ services are provided for free. If a family does not have

By Kathy L. Collins

insurance, it can work with them to find providers who can help. All of the services that Success 4 Kids & Fam-

tation, if those are issues.”

The organization also provides pre- and post-natal care support for women and their infants. Its Healthy Start program of fers help for pregnant women and for up to a year post-pregnancy. Education and case management are provided at home. Je explained, “Every pregnant woman gets a Healthy Start screening at their OB-GYN’s ofce or at the hospital. Based on the re sults, and if the woman consents, we can provide assistance to ensure a healthy birth and a good first year.”

Additionally, Success 4 Kids & Families

ofers a program called Successful Families which supports the communities surround ing east and south Children’s Board Family Resource Centers with bilingual, culturally competent services, including counseling and parenting support through the Nurtur ing Parenting program.

For more information and to get assis tance, please visit www.s4kf.org.