EYE ON BUSINESS....................PGS

ENTRY FORM IN SECTION 3

Brown Comfort Systems Heating And Air Celebrates 16 Years In Business

In 2005, Deforest Brown decided to start his own heating and air conditioning company as he did not like the way big box stores treated their customers and knew that he could do better by providing reliable and honest service. Sixteen years later, his vision is still the same as when he started: to give the consumer a fair price for awesome service and be committed to providing far greater value and service than any other air conditioning company used before. Brown Comfort Systems is located at 235 Apollo Beach Blvd., Ste. 230 in Apollo Beach. Additional information can be found at www.brownac. com or by calling 671-2555.

AJ’s Fine Wine & Liquor Holiday Engraving Event

Join Ajay Jambhekar, owner of AJ’s Fine Wine & Liquor, for his holiday engraving event featuring a wide selection of spirits to have engraved, including a variety of Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve Bourbons. These make for the perfect personalized holiday gift, thank-you present or a ‘just because.’ Buy one for someone special or treat the whole ofce. The engraving event will take place at AJ’s Fine Wine & Liquor, located at 3443 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, on Saturday, December 4 from 6-9 p.m. Preorders are highly encouraged and there are no quantity restrictions. Call AJ’s at 6546488 to make your preorder selection.

Citizens Bank & Trust Extends Into Hillsborough County

Citizens Bank & Trust has received full regulatory approval to acquire the Valrico and Dade City ofces of The Bank of Tampa. This move represents its first expansion outside of Polk County. “We have served the people of Polk County for the past century. We look forward to welcoming these new customers to the Citizens Bank & Trust family and developing new businesses and personal relationships within both communities,” said Greg Littleton, president and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust.

Vacations Made Easy

Kay Giordano knows how difcult it can be travelling with young children and all the equipment that comes with them. That is why she created Vacations Made Easy, a baby and young child equipment hire service based in Brandon. It ofers much-needed essentials such as portable crib, baby gates, strollers and monitors, it will also deliver and pick up free of charge within its service area. All equipment is cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines.

To find out more information about its services, visit www.BabyStufRentals.com or call 857-4614.

Canine Cabana Now Ofers FullTime Grooming Services

Canine Cabana is very excited to continue to meet the needs of its pet parents by adding exceptional services to enable it to be a full-service pet care facility. Kara Kontomichalos recently started working at Canine Cabana and has six years of grooming experience. Get your pup ready for the holidays, spa treatments include nail filing, shed control treatments and healthy skin and coat treatments. Appointments can be made in conjunction with any other Canine Cabana service or as a single service by visiting www.caninecabana.biz or calling 672-9663. Canine Cabana is located at 9708 Carr Rd. In Riverview.

Bill Lavender Credit Restoration Specialist

Looking to restore or repair your credit so you can buy a home? Get preferred rates? A better paying job? Lower your car insurance? Contact Bill Lavender, credit and financial specialist for over 30 years. He is HUD-certified and the recipient of the Best of Brandon Award 2021. Featured on radio, YouTube and television as the ‘Credit Doctor,’ Lavender has helped several thousand people reach their goals. Originally the owner of Bill Lavender ERA Mortgage Company, he later became a financial planner and investment advisor and 20 years ago established Credit Restoration Services using all his experience, knowledge and education to best help consumers. Lavender maintains relationships with home builders, realtors, mortgage companies, bankers and attorneys to provide comprehensive help for his clients. The main ofce is in Brandon at 710 Oakfield Dr., Ste. 135. Call 655-9451.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marianne George Citizens Bank & Trust 863.455.4215 Marianne.george@citizens-bank.com

Citizens Bank & Trust Receives FDIC Approval for Expansion into Hillsborough, Pasco Counties

LAKE WALES, FL – Citizens Bank & Trust has received full regulatory approval to acquire the Valrico and Dade City offices of The Bank of Tampa. These offices, formerly owned by Hillsboro Bank, are located in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, respectively. This move represents the first expansion outside Polk County, Florida for Citizens Bank & Trust. “This is such an exciting time for us at Citizens Bank & Trust,” said Greg Littleton, President and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust. “We have served the people of Polk County for the past century. We look forward to welcoming these new customers to the Citizens Bank & Trust family and developing new business and personal relationships within both communities.” Hillsboro Bank customers were previously notified of the pending acquisition of the Valrico and Dade City office locations. Both offices are expected to open for business as Citizens Bank & Trust on November 1, 2021.

About Citizens Bank & Trust:

Citizens Bank & Trust is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Banking Corporation, a one-bank

holding company located in Frostproof, Florida. The Bank currently operates 14 full-service offices

throughout Polk County, and proudly offers a full line of banking services, including residential and

commercial loans, mortgages, investments and trust services.

Citizens Bank of Frostproof, as the Bank was originally known, was established in 1920. Over the past

century, and three generations of family ownership, Citizens Bank & Trust has continued its tradition as

a reliable and dependable community partner. For more information, visit us at www.citizens-

bank.com.

100% Chiropractic Opens In Brandon

100% Chiropractic is a family of full-service wellness clinics that ofer cutting-edge chiropractic care, massage therapy and a full line of quality nutritional supplements. Its newest ofce has just opened at 911 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. Its doctors, assistants and therapists care about you and your individual health goals and will work with you to make sure you turn those goals into a reality. At 100% Chiropractic, it won’t just treat your pain, it will work to educate, inspire, empower and provide lasting care for you to live life to the fullest.

For more information, visit www.100percentchiropractic.com or call 662-4326. Follow it on Facebook @100chiropracticbrandonfl or Instagram @100chiropractic_brandonfl.

Fields & Table Donates To Cancer Charity

Fields & Table is a proud supporter of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Store Owner Mirna was thrilled to present the organization with a check for $5,000 to support their eforts to fund research to eliminate childhood cancer. Fields & Table thanks its amazing customers who supported the organization with donations every time they shopped there and appreciated the generosity shown.

Southshore Insurance Now Ofers Cyber Liability And Data Security

Southshore Insurance now ofers cyber liability and data security coverage. Forty-seven states, along with the federal government, have enacted legislation protecting personal information. Businesses that experience a breach of this personal information are subject to expenses to comply with these laws, not to mention regulatory action. Businesses that accept credit cards or payment cards are subject to fines and penalties for violations of the Payment Card Industries Data Security Standards. Businesses will find that claims arising from activity on its website are likely not covered under its general liability coverage if it concerns intellectual property or activity in a chat room. To discuss coverage for these issues, call Southshore Insurance on 448-7580 or visit www. southshoreins.com. Southshore Insurance is located at 11216 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview.

CZ’s Adventure Jumps Bounce House And Slide Rentals

CZ’s Adventure Jumps has the coolest bounce house rentals and water slide rentals. Its inflatables are brand-new and sure to wow your kids and guests. It is a family-owned party equipment rental service based in Ruskin that delivers to most of Hillsborough County. CZ’s Adventure Jumps can’t wait to make your party memorable with its selection of jumpers, inflatable water slides, combo inflatables, bounce castles and more. Visit its website at www.czsadventurejumps.com to book your rental today. Follow it on Facebook @czsadventurejumps.

10% OFF

entire purchase

Sunflower Cafe 3452 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico 813-65-SUSHI

Only valid with regular menu. With this coupon. Must present before submitting payment. Before tax. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other ofers Ofer expires 11/30/2021

MARY & MARTHA HOUSE DEDICATES BUILDING TO FORMER DIRECTOR

By Kate Quesada

The SouthShore community lost one of its most impactful citizens in September when Laurie Herring, executive director of the Mary & Martha House in Ruskin, passed away. But the staf and board of directors have made sure that Herring’s name will live on in the place where she changed the lives of hundreds of women.

Last month, one of the shelters Mary & Martha House uses to house women and their children fleeing domestic violence was named Laurie’s Magnolia House in her honor.

According to Bill Chini, who stepped up as Mary & Martha’s executive director, the decision to name the shelter after Herring was left up to the staf.

“Laurie created the name Magnolia House, much from her love of flowers, naming all the rooms in the house after diferent flowers,” said Chini. “That is Laurie’s house. That shelter would have never happened if it wasn’t for Laurie. She built that house. It’s her house, and now everyone will know that, forever.”

Herring, a Riverview resident, was 56 years old when she passed away on September 15. She touched many lives during her time at Mary & Martha House, where she aided women in becoming self-sufcient after escaping domestic violence.

“Next to the word ‘impact’ in the dictionary is a picture of Laurie,” said Chini. “She impacted everything she touched.”

But Chini feels that the biggest impact she made was on the lives that she changed, from the women and children she helped to those she inspired to help others. “She changed the lives of so many,” he said. “It’s nice to hear Mary & Martha House Executive Di- that, but actually think rector Laurie Herring passed away in about that, think about September. Last month, a shelter was actually changing somenamed after her. one’s life. It’s a very overwhelming thought, but something Laurie did on a regular basis. People like Laurie can’t be duplicated, we can only be thankful for the time we were able to learn from her and do our best to carry on her legacy.” As a way to continue Herring’s legacy, Mary & Martha House Fashion and Home Goods Store will host a retail sale event and market on the second Saturday of each month, starting from December 11 through April, in cooperation with Jen’s Market. The market will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the store, which is located at 312 S. U.S. Hwy. 41 in Ruskin. “We are super excited to be partnering with Jen and her huge following,” said Chini. “She always brings something special to her markets. I think the exposure for our store will be critical moving forward for our mission at Mary & Martha House.” To learn more about Mary & Martha House, call 645-7874 or visit www.marymarthahouse.org.