Osprey Observer Valrico June 2023

LIVINGSTONE ACADEMY TAKES STUDENTS TO CAPITOL FOR SENIOR CIVICS TRIP

A group of seniors from Livingstone Academy visited the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee on March 23 during the midst of legislative session for an up-close look at the inner workings of state government. “Our students learned a lot about civics during the school year and our seniors were very interested in visiting the capitol,” said Bernadette Pello, CEO and co-founder of Livingstone Academy.

The group of nine seniors had an early start, leaving campus at 4 a.m. to make the trip to the capitol. “For the first event of the day, the students had a private tour of the House of Representatives chamber,” Pello said. “They learned about the history of the capitol and the murals that adorn the chamber, which showcase Florida through the ages, including the arrival of the conquistadors to the launching of the space shuttle.”

While in the chamber, Representative Susan Valdes from Tampa met with the students. She congratulated them on their upcoming graduation and took photos with the group.

On the way into the senate ofce building, the students were joined by Hillsborough County Commissioners Michael Owen and Joshua Wostal. “The commissioners, along with Gasparilla pirates, Busch Gardens and many other iconic Tampa Bay businesses, were at the capitol for Hillsborough County Day,” Pello said. “The students also met with Representative Danny Alvarez from Brandon and took photos with him in front of the chamber entrances.”

The students then headed across the cap-

Valrico

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By Libby Hopkins

itol courtyard for a tour of the Historic Capitol. There they learned about the history of Florida and how the state government first convened, including why Tallahassee was selected as the capital and the transition into the new capitol building in the 1970s.

Next, the students joined the Hillsborough County Day at the capitol festivities in the courtyard, where the Gasparilla pirates were handing out beads and Cuban sandwiches from a large pirate ship.

In the afternoon, the student group visited the senate chamber gallery, where senators were gathered in session. They saw the legislative process up close as senators debated bills, and, to the students’ surprise, they were recognized by Senator Danny Burgess on the Senate floor, who made an announcement to the entire chamber that they were in the gallery. “Our students were amazing throughout their visit,” Pello said, “They asked questions, and the information they knew from their civic class was amazing.”

At Livingstone Academy’s recent graduation ceremony, the class valedictorian and class president spoke about the trip to Tallahassee. “The valedictorian said the trip to Tallahassee changed their life,” Pello said. “It was awesome, and the parents’ feedback we got was fantastic as well. We will be fundraising to take our 2024 senior class to the state capital because of the amazing time our seniors had this year.”

For more information, visit www.livingstoneschools.org.

Ph: 813-657-2418

STRAWBERRY CREST STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL STEM COMPETITION

Ten Strawberry Crest High School students won the national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition with their design for a device to monitor athlete’s temperatures. With the national recognition, the Chargers’ STEM program will receive $100,000.

The STEM students came up with the idea for the Human Health Band in the fall during football season. Every year, high school students hear about heat-related injuries and death. However, this topic is more personal for Strawberry Crest’s students, as one of their classmates died from heat illness in 2019.

The device is a temperature sensor that can connect with a band to the athlete’s uniform. The data from the sensor will be transmitted to an app on the coach’s phone to alert the coaches that an athlete is overheating.

“They learned project management, teamwork, presenting, speaking, networking and professionalism skills. This was a major project that required students to delegate tasks and come together for the finished project. It really was a special experience as a teacher to watch my students grow in these other capacities,” said their IB Biology teacher, Christina Rutledge.

To enter the competition, the team submitted a short, written explanation for their idea. They then put together a prototype, including a working sensor and app, and made a video pitching their device

By Lily Belcher

ahead of the national competition.

“All 10 team members played an important role in the success of the project, even though only three students were allowed to go and do the actual presentation,” said Rutledge.

The three students that went to the national competition were Patrick Cseh, Anna Steed and Mehar Chhabra. The announcement was streamed live for the rest of their team and classmates to watch. Rutledge said the watch parties and the congratulatory text messages made the team feel encouraged and supported.

“One of the best things that came from that part of the experience was that in the days since we have returned home, multiple students have come to ask how THEY can be on the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow team next year,” said Rutledge. “This contest has inspired so many other young minds to want to be in STEM and to do something really cool.”

For more information on Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition or to see Strawberry Crest’s pitch video, visit www. samsung.com/us/solvefortomorrow.

IN THIS ISSUE:

NEW BEALLS FLORIDA PG 3

VALRICO PLANS PG 5

2023 VALEDICTORIANS PG 12

EYE ON BUSINESS PG 25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PG 31

Mehar Chhabra, Patrick Cseh and Anna Steed represented their team’s Human Health Band device at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.

A group of seniors from Livingstone Academy visited the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee.

On May 23, Hillsborough County held a public information meeting at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library for the Lithia Pinecrest Road Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, Te turnout was tremendous with nearly 150 concerned residents, including Florida House Representative of District 69 Danny Alvarez, Hillsborough County Commissioner of District 4 Michael Owen. Full article is on Page 9.

Patrick Cseh, Anna Steed, Mehar Chhabra and Christina Rutledge traveled to Washington D.C. for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition.

PLANT CITY FUNDRAISER WILL RAISE MONEY FOR 13-YEAR-OLD WITH A BRAIN TUMOR

The AlexStrong Foundation and Big Red Barn Events are working to raise money for a 13-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the end of May. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 24 at 12 Noon at Big Red Barn Events, located at 4816 Deshong Rd. in Plant City, and will include live music, food trucks and rafe baskets for guests.

Plant City resident Avery Fales is “full of fire and sass,” according to her cousin, Brittany Wade. Fales loves working with her steer and heifer, singing and dancing.

“The family is extremely grateful and amazed with the outpouring love in our community. Witnessing everyone come together for Avery during this unimaginable time has been incredible,” said Big Red Barn Events event planner Lisa Taylor.

Big Red Barn Events heard about Fales’ diagnosis on social media and contacted the AlexStrong Foundation, a nonprofit organization owned by Lori Sumner that helps families dealing with their child’s illness, to coordinate a fundraiser.

FIRST BEALLS FLORIDA STORE CONCEPT OPENS IN BLOOMINGDALE SQUARE

By Lily Belcher

“Our family met Alex’s family when Alex was battling his battle with a brain tumor at a fundraiser event to help Alex,” Taylor said about the Sumners. “We have held a fundraiser in the past for the AlexStrong Foundation at our venue and when I heard about Avery, I knew just who to contact to help organize a fundraiser for her and her family.”

Taylor said Big Red Barn Events has seen an outpouring of support from vendors, including I Heart Cupcakes, Berry Sweet Memories by Dee Dee, Mission BBQ and other community stores and bakeries.

“The event is to get the community together and help lift Avery and her family up during this time,” said Taylor.

All the money raised by the AlexStrong Foundation from the beginning of June until the event will go directly to the Fales family.

Donations can be sent via check to the AlexStrong Foundation at P.O. Box 568, Balm, FL 33503 or online through PayPal, Cash App and Venmo. To become a vendor, sponsor the event or donate a rafe basket, contact Taylor at 813-763-4125.

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

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

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

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

By Marie Gilmore

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

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

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

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

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

Avery Fales, a 13-year-old Plant City resident, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the end of May.

Big Red Barn Events will host the fundraiser for the Fales family on Saturday, June 24.

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

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

• Tablet and bluetooth headphones

• Flat-screen TV, up to 42"

• Second month’s rent free

• Free Pack & Move, up to $1,500

SURVEY AVAILABLE FOR VALRICO COMMUNITY PLAN, MEETINGS TO TAKE PLACE IN JULY

On March 1, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, driven by recently elected District 4 Representative Michael Owen, requested sta f to initiate the process to create the Valrico Community Plan.

As of 2022, Valrico was home to about 50,000 people, 18,000 residences and 2,000 jobs.

A community plan is intended to be an extension and refinement of the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is general in nature and provides guidance on issues countywide from a very high level, sometimes referred to as a view from 30,000 feet, with a community plan more detailed in nature and intended to provide specific recommendations on issues raised by its residents at a local level.

The plan will be developed in a process that involves the community at each of three phases and discusses the special and unique characteristics of Valrico. Your participation and feedback is extremely important, as it will help the plan examine the issues and opportunities facing the area, provide localized strategies and portray a shared vision for the future.

The three phases to be covered include first indentifying existing conditions happening now through summer 2023 in conjunction with phase two’s public outreach continuing from now through winter 2023. The final phase will be drafting the plan and policy recommendations planned from fall 2023 through spring 2024.

The Planning Commission has developed a short survey about the Valrico area to help create the starting point for the plan and the strategies it will eventually recommend. The goal will be to create a community-wide vision for

Pest Control

By Brian Bokor

Valrico along with establishing goals and developing strategies that will both align with and further these goals, as well as creating a Community Concept Map.

This survey is found on the Plan Hillsborough webpage (https://planhillsborough.org/ planvalrico) and is accessed by clicking the “Take the survey” button. Your input is important. County planners invite you to read and provide feedback on the creation of the Valrico Community Plan.

The result of this study will be the creation of the Valrico Community Plan. The plan will be presented to the board of county commissioners for consideration and potentially result in amendments to the Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan and/or Land Development Code. Any final policy changes are at the discretion of the board of county commissioners. The county does not seek to purchase private property, nor is this a study for the use of eminent domain.

The Planning Commission asks that you stay current on this project by signing up for email updates at https://planhillsborough.org/planvalrico. You can also volunteer to be a plan ambassador to help lead the conversation in your community.

The initial public meeting is set for Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m.-12 Noon at the Mulrennan Middle School cafeteria, located at 4215 Durant Rd. in Valrico, with a follow-up set for Monday, July 24 from 5-7 p.m. at the same location. On Friday, July 28 from 12 Noon-1 p.m., a virtual meeting will be available to attend by registering at bit.ly/planvalrico. Please submit any questions to Alvaro Gabaldon from the Planning Commission at gabaldona@plancom.org for additional details.

service@repcopest.com

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY’S FIVE SIMPLE STEPS FOR USING YOUR CURBSIDE ROLL CARTS

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

For trash and recycling:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Staf Report

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

For yard waste:

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

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

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

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

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

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

For bulky trash:

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

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

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

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

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

In addition, the district is also using refrigerated trucks to deliver box meals

to community sites with summer programs. This includes YMCA programs and county parks and recreation sites.

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

A few of the area schools and participating YMCAs are: Alafia Elementary School, Nelson Elementary School, Mulrennan Middle School, Barrington Middle School, Bloomingdale Sr. High School, North Brandon YMCA and others.

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

CREATING THE BEST EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS

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

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

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

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

By Superintendent Addison Davis

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

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

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

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

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

First Baptist Church

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

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

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

Q: What is a critical structure?

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

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

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

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

Q: How are the structures operated?

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

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

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

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

FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM COULD MEAN SAVINGS ON PREMIUMS

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

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

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

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

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

The CRS is a voluntary incentive program

By Brad Stager

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

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

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

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

HUGE TURNOUT FOR THE LITHIA PINECREST WIDENING PROJECT

By Brian Bokor

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

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

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

Upon entering the room, several large posters lined the walls, each depicting one geographical section of the study area. This area includes Lithia Pinecrest Road from Fishhawk Boulevard 6.2 miles to Lumsden Road, and Bloomingdale Avenue 1.3 miles from Culbreath Road to Pearson Road. The total project length is 7.5 miles.

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

the paths were improved and better connected and another that showed turning movement volumes at intersections along the corridor.

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

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

These alternatives may include:

• Widening for additional through-lane capacity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

813-689-8131

plans may be developed and evaluated.

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

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

HEART OF ADOPTIONS ALLIANCE HOSTS FIRST-EVER ADOPTION SKATE PARTY EVENT

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

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

VALRICO COMMUNITY HELPS DAVIS FAMILY PURCHASE SLEEPSAFE BED FOR THEIR DAUGHTER

By Lily Belcher

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

placement services as well as post-adoption support for families adopting from foster care.

Join

In collaboration with Children’s Network of Hillsborough, Heart of Adoptions Alliance Inc. is hosting its first Adoption Skate Party on Friday, June 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Astro Skate Brandon. Along with a night of fun with skating and pizza, this event allows for children in foster care to meet with adoption-ready families in an organic way. By creating a fun and healthy environment, children and families alike are able to feel comfortable interacting and create connections.

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

A Valrico family was shocked by the outpouring of support they received after sharing their daughter’s story with a GoFundMe fundraiser.

ance would not cover the cost of the bed Olivia needs.

To participate, families must have an approved and current adoption home study at the time of registration; this is an essential component of the adoption process. Families are encouraged to reach out to their home study coordinator and request a copy to be submitted.

Heart of Adoptions Alliance ofers domestic and international adoption

The organization has many online resources, including a blog with educational information and tips for families and expectant parents.

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

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

If you are looking to adopt or are an expectant parent seeking help, please call 813-559-0035, text 877-202-9624 or visit https://heartofadoptions.com/. If you are interested in attending the Skate Party, please request for your home study to be submitted to amanda@heartofadoptionsalliance.com.

Olivia Davis was born with Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder that impacts her cognitive and motor development. Diane and Ronald Davis, two Buckhorn Elementary teachers, turned to the Valrico community for support as their 13-year-old continues to grow.

“We were just floored that, within minutes of posting it, so many of our friends and colleagues and parents of students that we have had were just on it so fast. We were so humbled and just amazed at the support we got,” said Diane.

Olivia sufers from seizures that often result in her getting stuck in her bed as she sleeps. With Angelman syndrome, she cannot remove her arms or legs if they get stuck, and it is no longer safe for her to sleep in a normal bed.

“She doesn’t have the same ability to pull it in. … She doesn’t have the same instinct to correct that. Her movements are more rigid,” explained Diane.

Olivia’s parents looked into purchasing a SleepSafe bed, a bed made for those with special needs to prevent falls and entrapments. The problem was that their insur-

At the beginning of May, the Davis’s reached their goal on their GoFundMe to purchase the SleepSafe bed for Olivia. They then ordered the bed for their daughter, and it will likely arrive in June.

Diane has continued to teach kindergarten at Buckhorn Elementary School, but her husband has had to take a leave of absence to spend extra time with their daughter. Ronald helps take his daughter to school each morning, since it is difcult for Olivia to ride the school buses in her wheelchair. Olivia is a student at Burns Middle School and is enrolled in its ESE program.

“When you have a child with special needs, everything is a little more difcult, … but we’re thankful that it all worked out,” said Diane.

While they had reached their goal, Diane and Ronald decided to keep the GoFundMe page active to help cover additional expenses insurance will not cover, like getting new wheelchairs as their daughter grows.

“They’ve made it feel like home with all of their support and kindness,” Diane said about the Valrico community. “It’s a really good place to be.”

Heart of Adoptions Alliance and Children’s Network of Hillsborough at Astro Skate Brandon on Friday, June 23 to meet with children who are looking to be adopted. Heart

Diane and Ronald Davis are thankful for their community helping their daughter, Olivia Davis, who was born with Angelman syndrome.

NAMED A NATIONAL FINALIST FOR EXCELLENCE IN PARK AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR ANNOUNCES

Nancy C. Millan, Hillsborough County tax collector, is proud to announce the winners of the Kids Tag Art Program for the 202223 school year.

This year’s top honorees are Aaliyah Greene-Walker from Dunbar Elementary School, who received the Sponsor’s Choice Award, and Kaitlyn Pace from McDonald Elementary School, who received the Tax Collector’s Choice Award. Both Greene-Walker and Pace were recognized for their exceptional creativity and artistic skill.

Te presentation to the Hillsborough County School Board of total funds raised to date for this school year’s Kids Tag Art Program.

The Kids Art Program is a creative fundraiser that allows students to showcase their artistic abilities by designing front license vanity plates in art class. The plate designs are then printed on metal plates and sold to family, friends and the public. Proceeds from the plate sales and sponsorships go back to the participating schools to help support their arts program.

This year’s Kids Tag Art Program raised, to date, over $37,800, and a total of 43 Hillsborough County schools participated in the program with over 1,000 plate design entries. In total, the Kids Tag Art Program across the state of Florida have raised over $2 million dollars to date since its inception in Polk County over 16 years ago.

“I am very proud of our Kids Tag Art Program and the support we are able to provide to school art programs,” said Millan. “Their artwork not only showcases

t t

their impressive talent but also promotes the importance of arts education in our schools.”

Suncoast Credit Union was the presenting sponsor for this year’s event.

“We are proud to support the Kids Tag Art Program again this year and its mission to promote arts education in our schools,” said Kourtney Berry, executive director of foundation and youth outreach for Suncoast Credit Union.

Other sponsors for this year’s event included: Derrick Brooks Charities, PDQ, Florida West Coast Credit Union, Wild Architecture and Ms. Peggy Land.

The judges for this year’s contest were Berry, Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsborough County School Board Chair Nadia Combs and Division Director of the Hillsborough County Arts Council Martine Collier.

Local area winners for this year’s Kids Tag Art Program were: Layla Kazbour, Bevis; Emily Sanchez, FishHawk Creek; Jacob Nieto, Gibsonton; Madison Odell, Kingswood; Harper Jacquin, Lithia Springs; Mia Diaz Ramierez, Lopez; Kaitlyn Pace, McDonald; Loreen Tumen, Nelson; Hazel Michelend, Ruskin; Diego Limon-Salazar, Sefner; James Bulmer, Thompson; Jazlyn Heredia; Wimauma; and Arianna Mina, Yates.

For information about the Kids Tag Art Program and other initiatives by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Ofce, visit the website at www.hillstax.org.

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO AREA HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIANS & SALUTATORIANS

Compiled

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,”

– Nelson Mandela.

Congratulations are in order for this year’s area valedictorians and salutatorians from our local area high schools. These students have put in the hard work, the dedication and shown the drive to be the best of the best of their high school graduating classes.

It’s great to see that our local students are still going strong and achieving academic excellence.

We wish these students the absolute best of luck in their college careers and in their future, and we know that they will never forget these graduation traditions.

Please join us in congratulating all of the Hillsborough County seniors and those who are the top of their class! Well done!

LAKE BRANDON CHICK-FIL-A CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

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

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

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

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

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

By Makenzie Atkins Noel

ly found success with both locations.

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

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

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

Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village is located 11325 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon and Chick-fil-A Brandon South is located at 2010 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.

Visit www.chickfilabrandon.com, stop by the restaurant or visit www. facebook.com/chickfilabrandon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Lily Belcher

swimming short distances.

“I just feel like every kid that we can get swimming is another potential tragedy avoided. So, I see it as we’re saving lives here,” said Sahab.

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

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

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

The Head Start program is a free public-school program that ofers specialized education to kids from ages 3 to 5 years old in low-income families. Teachers work with a small number of kids to maximize their development before beginning grade school. For more information on the Y and its swimming and summer programs, visit tampaymca.org.

Now Open in Riverview

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

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

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

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFERS MIGRANT EDUCATION PROGRAM

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

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

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

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

The definition of a ‘migratory child’ is

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER IS COMING TO TAMPA BAY

By Kathy L. Collins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The team will start playing in August 2024 in a temporary home until a permanent, soccer-specific stadium can be built. With that stadium, the team intends to create a year-round venue that will be used for a wide range of activities, including opportunities with youth and community soccer leagues and nonsoccer events. Engagement with stakeholders and exploration of stadium location and funding options can begin now that the team has been announced.

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

The USL Super League is developing the largest women’s soccer network in the world, including: 10-12 professional teams in the first season of USL Super League, 65 preprofessional teams in USL W League this summer and more than 80 USL Academy programs for elite players under the age of 20.

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

Care partners of those with any type of memory loss, whether family, friends or professionals, need to be equipped with the knowledge to best support their loved one. Gain this knowledge at our NEW hybrid support groups being held via Zoom and in person at Tessera of Brandon.

Hybrid Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Groups

Photo Courtesy of SuperLeague Tampa Bay.

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

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

DUFFELS OF DIGNITY DONATIONS FILL NEW CHILDREN’S HOME NETWORK DONATION CENTER

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

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

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

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

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

Staf Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Lily Belcher

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

“I’ve always not been a good test taker, so I was scared to death,” admitted Duncan. “But I had something to prove to myself pretty much.

… It’s a huge accomplishment for sure.”

Duncan started Missy’s Ink in 2017 after being a photographer for 20 years. Looking for a change, a door opened for her to start her career in permanent makeup. “God just lays it all out for you. When one door opens and another one closes, you kind of just run through it,” said Duncan.

Missy’s Ink ofers permanent makeup, including areola pigmentation for breast cancer patients, in addition to hair removal services.

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

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

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

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

FUN ONLINE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

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

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

Here are just a few online summer reading programs for you to explore:

Scholastic’s Summer Reading

Home Base

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

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading

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

By Dr. Raymond J. Huntington

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

Camp BOOK IT!

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

Half Price Summer Reading Camp

Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp, where online campers, and their trusty guardians, can get their fill of fun reads and activities to keep busy during lazy days of summer, including reading lists by age. The camp runs from now through July 31. Visit https://b. halfpricebooks. com/summer-reading/. A summer reading program is a great way to incentivize your child to stick with reading all summer long. These programs all strive to make reading enjoyable, reward progress and encourage children to commit to reading as a hobby of choice. The summer is upon us — get started now, and help your child start of on the right foot for a funfilled summer of learning and exploration.

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

PLANT CITY ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Plant City Arts Council has awarded its annual high school scholarships. High School seniors who have high achievements in academics, community service and more are eligible for consideration. This year, three seniors from Plant City High School were selected. Each scholarship recipient was given a $1,000 scholarship to help with fees and costs in college.

The Arts Council of Plant City awarded three scholarships to graduates of Plant City High School. The recipients include Katie Hamilton, Missy Shelton and Barie Fry.

The first scholarship was given to Katie Hamilton, who graduated fifth in her class with a weighted GPA of 8.1. Hamilton will attend the University of Florida and pursue a degree in advertising with a focus on sports marketing. Hamilton was president of both Girls Interact and National Honor Society. She also lettered all four years on the varsity swim team. Her main event was the 100-yard breaststroke.

The second scholarship recipient was Barie Fry, who was born and raised in Plant City. She grew up singing, acting and working on film sets. She will attend New York University and major in film and television.

Fry said, “If you had told me four years ago that in just three short months, I would be moving to New York City to attend NYU, I would have actually laughed

By Kathy L. Collins

in your face.”

Moving to New York City has been her dream. During high school, Fry ran her own business and volunteered with several nonprofits.

The third scholarship was awarded to Missy Shelton, who graduated 18th in her class with a 6.7 GPA. She also earned her A.A. degree from Hillsborough Community College. Shelton will attend Southeastern University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education. Shelton, throughout her life, has participated in various music opportunities. In high school, she was in the chorus, where she served as a section leader and student conductor, and she participated in show choir. She received a Superior rating for her solo vocal performance in 2022 and played the saxophone in the jazz band.

The mission of the Arts Council of Plant City is to bring arts to the Plant City community, to promote education in the arts and develop artists and art programs. The Arts Council of Plant City is committed to education and development of enthusiasm for the arts by the next generation.

For more information, please visit www.plantcityarts.com.

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

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

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

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

As the sun goes down, the park lights

up on 27 select nights with a dazzling display of colors and sound. From jaw-dropping colors to intricate patterns, the Summer Nights Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by Bad Boy Mowers, will leave guests in awe. Also new this summer is the Summer Nights

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

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

FINANCIAL FOCUS

BIGGEST THREATS TO A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

edwardjones.com/adam-benabram

‘SUNNY’S PJS’ DRIVE

COLLECTING

PAJAMAS FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN

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

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

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

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

813-974-7889

By Madeline Gardner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Bolts Brew Fest, Summer Camps & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Bolts To Hold Brew Fest At AMALIE Arena

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

Free Beer Returns To Busch Gardens For Limited Time

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

Summer Dance Camps

Dance Quest International is hosting a series of summer dance camps perfect for tiny dancers of all ages.

Join in with The Miracle That Is in You Dance Camp as campers dance the summer away learning fun dances inspired by favorite Encanto characters. Come experience a fusion of dance styles from creative movement, ballet, hip hop, to a splash of jazz! This camp will focus on beginner-friendly dances and lots of fun. For ages 3-9, it runs from Monday to Thursday, June 1922, with the times being 9 a.m.12 Noon, 1-4 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Next up, the SS DanceQuest is making

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fctiious name of SPRUCE IT UP CURB APPEAL located at 5118 Tari Stream Way, in Hillsborough County, in the City of Brandon, Florida, 33511, 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 June 2023

its way to Tampa Bay in the Pirates & Fairies Dance Camp. Climb aboard and decide be ye pirate or fairy? Will you spread your wings and sprinkle a little pixie dust or is it the plank for ye? Join in as it adventures past the second star to the right on a journey through music, movement and fun crafts. For ages 3-9, this camp runs from Monday to Thursday, June 26-29, with the times being 9 a.m.-12 Noon, 1-4 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

And lastly, Aerial Silks Camp will teach the basics of aerial acrobatics using silks. Your dancer will soar to new heights at this exciting camp, which is only for beginner/intermediate students ages 7-12. It will run from Wednesday to Friday, June 21-23, 1-4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.dancequestintl.com.

Summer Camps For Children And Young Adults With Special Needs

Johnson’s All Care, located at 1005 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon, will be hosting a summer camp for children ages 5-13 years with special needs. Camp will run from Monday, June 5 through Tuesday, August 4 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be indoor and outdoor activities, including bowling, movies, music and crafts. The cost is $350

per week and includes outings and lunch. For additional information, contact Freda Johnson at jacchildcarecenter@gmail.com or call 813-360-6340.

Teens and young adults ages 16-22 years of age with special needs can attend summer camp at K2 Escape Academy, located 516 Corner Dr. in Brandon. Camp will run from June 5 through August 4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; extended hours can be discussed. Activities will include themed celebrations, team sports, bowling and movies. For more information, contact Jasmine White at jwhite.k2escapeinc@gmail.com or register online at www.k2escape.org.

Sassy Cat Club Cafe Summer Events

The Sassy Cat Club Cafe will be hosting a variety of events this summer at its Brandon location at 735 W. Lumsden Rd. There will be reading hour with Molly, family movie nights, yoga with cats and a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Information about it and all of the events can be found on its website at https://sassycatclubcafe.com/ or by calling 813-409-3670. Reservations are required as spaces are limited.

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fctitious name of Natural2Soap located at 7825 Lithia Pinecrest Rd #755 , in Hillsborough County, in the city of Lithia, Florida intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Valrico, Florida this th day of June 2023

THE TONY BARONI TEAM CELEBRATES AN AWARD WINNING YEAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Lily Belcher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LOCAL RESTAURANTS OFFER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY MENUS IN THE AREA

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

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

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

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

Vine Vegan, Mellow Mushroom and Cali.

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

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

Justine

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

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

it www.vinevegan. com.

Another allergy-conscious restaurant is Mellow Mushroom.

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

By Ashley Abene

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida Trade Academy Hires Chief Academic Ofcer

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

Teachers Wanted

Southshore Charter Academy, a tuition-free K-8 public charter school, located at 11667 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, is hiring for open positions for the 202324 school year. For more information, to find a link to career opportunities or if you are interested in helping it to support students in striving

for scholarship and success, visit its website at www.southshorecharter. org.

Dream Tat Big Publishing Celebrates

Relaunch

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

on its website at www.dreamthatbigpublishing.com, by following on Facebook at Dream That Big Publishing or by calling 813-708-7167.

Home Care For Te 21st Century Now

Available

Home Care for the 21st Century is a woman-owned business located locally in Hillsborough County. It aims to keep our seniors safer and at home longer by ofering a wide range of services that match clients’ needs, including companion care, skilled nursing care, transportation, medical equipment, telehealth monitoring, dementia care and more. Families will enjoy peace of mind knowing that loved ones are safe and can maintain their independence in the comfort of their own home,

and costs are significantly reduced compared with alternatives.

At Home Care for the 21st Century, you are not just a number, you are part of the family. Visit its website at www.homecareforthe21stcentury.com or call 833-786-2121 for additional information.

Vogt Insurance Advisory

Kevin Vogt, owner of Vogt Insurance Advisory, provides his clients with an educational experience that leaves them more informed about health insurance. This leads to the discovery of the coverage options that best fit their needs, budget and lifestyle. Additional information about Vogt Insurance Advisory can be found on its website at www.vogtinsuranceadvising.us, on Facebook at Vogt Insurance Advisory and by calling 813-708-8070.

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

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

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

Vogt Insurance Advisory educates clients about health insurance.

Dream Tat Big Publishing celebrates relaunch with a ribbon-cutting.

TRASH CAN-VAS ART ADORNS DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY WITH ART

By Kathy L. Collins

paintings and digital art are found in local galleries and exhibits across Tampa Bay, including Lucid Vending Machines, Green Bench Brewing and Only Rain Down the Drain, a recently completed mural for the city of Pinellas Park completed in 2022.

NAVIGATOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HOSTED UNDER THE SEA ART SHOW

By Jane Owen

Plant City is a vibrant and growing downtown. Much of its charm is due to its hometown feel, but a lot also has to do with how the city partners with organizations and individuals to bring art to the downtown area.

The newest collaboration between Plant City Main Street, MAKE Plant City and the City of Plant city is called the Trash CanVas program. The first one is an art decorated trash dumpster located in a parking lot of of Palmer Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Plant City. The dumpster is part of an initiative to bring more public art to Downtown Plant City. The collaboration between Plant City Main Street, MAKE Plant City and the City of Plant City is a follow-up to the Electric Art Box project, which saw many of downtown’s electric boxes wrapped in vinyl artwork from a number of area artists.

The dumpster art is titled Always in Season. It features Florida-native flora and fauna painted by Courtney Dodson, a St. Petersburg visual artist. Dodson was selected from a pool of artists who responded to the project’s call for artists. Dodson’s bold colors and clean lines in her whimsical

“We were thrilled with the art community’s response to the Trash Can-Vas program,” said Arley Smude of MAKE Plant City. “With over 20 incredible submissions, it was another reminder of the vast, and pent-up, creative talent in the area,” added Smude.

“The Trash Can-Vas program adds a piece of unexpected beauty, which helps to make downtown a more interesting and vibrant place to walk, shop and enjoy,” said Dawn Hyatt, executive director of Plant City Main Street. “We are so appreciative of this collaboration to support the Downtown Vision Plan by adding public art,” added Hyatt.

MAKE Plant City is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire and connect people for a more creative and dynamic community. For more information, follow them on Facebook.

Plant City Main Street is an afliate of a national network that wants to create high-quality places and build strong communities through preservation-based economic development. For more information, please visit www.plantcitymainstreet.org.

For more information on the City of Plant City, please visit www.plantcitygov.com.

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

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

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

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

“The art show is always a success

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

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

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

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

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

Art, in any form, can transform a city. Te City of Plant City, in collaboration with MAKE Plant City and Plant City Main Street, is doing this one dumpster at a time.

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

LOCAL AUTHOR RELEASES BILINGUAL BOOK OF POEMS THE REFLECTION

Raising kids is a unique experience, and so is the evolving relationship their parents have with them. The parents’ generation and the next can seem so incredibly diferent; nonetheless, they reflect each other.

Asley L. Mármol, a Valrico resident and author of The Watchers, recently released a short book of poems about his own experiences as a father raising children, entitled The Reflection, or El Reflejo in Spanish.

Published by Iliada Ediciones (https://iliadaediciones.com/), the book is wholly written in Spanish alongside English translations by the author, ensuring his poems’ meanings and messages are kept true, intact, and powerful in both languages for all readers.

Te Refection,” or “El Refejo” in Spanish, is a book of poems about two generations — parents and their children — split into two points of view, ‘Tem’ (‘Ellos’) and ‘Us’

His poems are separated into two sections: first is ‘Ellos,’ ‘Them’ in English, and then ‘Nuevos,’ or ‘Us.’ In ‘Them,’ Mármol endeavors to see things through the children’s point of view, and in ‘Us,’ he is, of course, writing from his own view as a father. All the poems are centered around this ever-growing, sometimes tumultuous, but hopefully wonderful relationship between the two generations.

“It’s a book that touches on the philosophical relationship between two generations, basically. … In my own personal life, my daughters are growing, life is changing.

By Taylor Wells

That mindset that they bring about — which is, I believe, fantastic — and our mindset, they collide in a good way, a provocative way that enriches us all,” said Mármol. “That collision of sorts between two generations is because they are a reflection of us, in a way, but it’s a reflection that rebels.”

“At some point,” he continued, “we’ll all come together, as human beings, as father and children, as friends, … as political allies. The book has a hopeful message that we’ll all be one at the end. It’s almost like we are two sides of the mirror, but it’s still the same frame.”

Kids rebelling is no strange thing; however, Mármol views this not as a destructive act, but instead as them rebelling for self-construction. Yet, as they mature, they reunite with their past, needing that structure parents provide to rely on.

“It’s basically the experience of a father … of how the relationship evolves with the children, then they leave us, then they come back and then we continue in this enriching course all the way until the end of life itself,” Mármol said.

To purchase The Reflection, visit www. amazon.com/reflejo-reflection-spanish-asley-mármol/dp/b0c1dpr54d/. To learn more about the author or his works, visit www.asleylmarmol.com.

BLOOMINGDALE’S TRACK TEAM BREAKS A DOZEN SCHOOL RECORDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Lily Belcher

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

“Zekira is just a hardworking athlete, just a great kid. She’s out on the track every day.

… Just over the past four years, I’ve seen her grow and blossom into the athlete she is on the track,” said Porter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEHEAL BIOGENIX OFFERS PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLANS FOR ALL PATIENTS

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

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

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

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

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

By Lily Belcher

performance,” said Heald.

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

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

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

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

until June 30th

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

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

QUE FOR A CURE RETURNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview. “My goal this year is to raise more than last year,” said Roni-Kay Lopez, founder of the Seize the Moment Foundation. “I want it to keep growing every year to show that the awareness is getting out in our community.”

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

By Libby Hopkins

and development,”

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

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

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

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

Lopez is still looking for sponsors and donations for this year’s Que for a Cure.

“We are still looking for event sponsors, and any business or individual who would like to donate to our silent auction and rafe are welcomed to do so,” Lopez said.

“We can always use volunteers to help with the event as well. Areas of parking, rafe, merchandise sales — honestly, any and all help is appreciated. Donations are always welcomed and can be done on our website for those who cannot attend.”

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

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

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

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

demos. Rodeo royalty will be in the house as fans can meet and take pictures with Justin Thigpen, 22time world champion cowboy with more than $1 million in career rodeo winnings. An expanded, tented eating area will allow fans to eat and enjoy the live music featured on the Bartow Beer Barn entertainment stage protected from the sun or rain.

In addition to a monster truck, live music and meet and greets, guests can test their skills on the mechanical bull, ride ponies, speed down the giant slide or play oversized lawn games. Yummy vittles at the Family Festival include corn dogs, barbecue, tacos, funnel cakes, ice cream, pizza, hot-pressed Cuban sandwiches and more. There’s something for everyone at this summer spectacular.

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

• Bartow Ford.

• Acme Barricades.

• Bass Pro Shops. • Boot Barn.

• Hooters. • Duke’s Brewhouse.

• John Deere. • KC Coastal.

• US 103.5.

• Tampa Bay Times

• Russell’s Work & Western Wear.

For more information and tickets, please visit https://hillsboroughcountyfair.com/tickets.

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

TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVES SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING FOR TAMPA THEATRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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