Bloomingdale/FishHawk
22
March 2021
Volume 20, Issue 3
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CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
NEWSOME GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM COMPETES IN NFL SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE SHOWCASE
By Nick Nahas
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
NATIONAL FINALISTS IN NASA’S ARTEMIS APP DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE By Samantha Trezevant
After weeks of hard work and dedication, a group of local students and teachers known as Team Pardus has developed an application to map the surface of the moon. The team from Bell Creek Academy (BCA) is one out of 10 groups to make it to the finals, and the only group from Florida. NASA encourages young students to be the next generation of explorers. One way it does this is through their App Development Challenge, according to NASA. com. Team Pardus consists of nine high school students and two teachers. The students, Jon Santmyer, Peter Cross, Amanda Schultz, Estaban Acebedo, Alejandro Acebedo, Giovanni Borras, Malakai Overstreet, Kristina O’Connor and Ryan Leung, were assisted by teachers Melissa DiCenzo and Samuel Zucker. The team participated in the coding challenge on September 20, 2020 and completed it less than two months later. Their mission was to create an app to be used to explore the south pole of the moon. These developments will help NASA put its first woman on the moon. The team was recognised in a ceremony with Melissa Snively from the Hillsborough County School Board; Addison Davis, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools; Commissioner Corcoran; Michael Strader, president of Charter School Associates; and more. Peter Cross, a senior at BCA, demonstrated the app and recited a speech about his own obstacles and the team’s challenges as well. He talked about how
much time this project took, the effort and commitment of Team Pardus and the unexpected experience that he gained from this project. He said, “I learned that it takes time, effort and commitment to create a project so earth-shattering.” Another team lead, Amanda Schultz, gave a heartfelt speech about how proud she is of herself, her team, and the school. She gives credit to her supporters for allowing her to explore herself. “Personally, this experience continues to guide me to work hard for my future career path of space exploration and discovery,” said Schultz. Bell Creek Academy is located at 13221 Boyette Rd. in Riverview and can be reached at 793-6075.
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growing female sports. Currently, only six states have girls flag football programs at the high school level, including Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York. “I will remember the excitement our team had being a part of such a big The Newsome flag football team was one of four chosen to compete in the event and day, as NFL Super Bowl Experience exhibition. it was National The upstart Newsome High School girls Girls and Women in Sports Day,” said seflag football program was one of four nior captain Kate Ugo. “I will also rememteams chosen by the Tampa Bay Bucca- ber the moment I was standing with my neers Foundation to participate in an ex- teammates and a young girl asked to take hibition showcase at the NFL Super Bowl a picture with us. Inspiring her was the Experience in Julian B. Lane Park on the highlight of the evening.” week of Super Bowl LV. Newsome High School, Robinson High “Playing in the NFL fan experience was School, Alonso High School and Lennard an absolute thrill,” said junior quarter- High School’s flag football programs all back Devyn Silvestri. “This event was a participated in the event. The Wolves fantastic way to showcase not only our took on the Robinson Knights, which Newsome flag program, but also show won its fourth straight flag football title NFL football fans what girls flag football last season and its fifth in six years. The is really about. This once-in-a-lifetime op- Wolves came up a little short against the portunity is something I will always trea- Knights, but they will always remember sure, and I’m so grateful we were able to the opportunity to compete in front of an participate and play in front of the Tampa electric crowd. community.” “The atmosphere was amazing,” said The Wolves received $100,000 worth Newsome Head Coach Justin Shive. of new equipment from Nike and the NFL “There were a lot of people that came to as a part of the $5 million grant that will watch, people that have probably never go towards girls flag football programs watched flag football before, and the girls throughout the country. Nike equipped put on a show.” them with new uniforms, cleats, sports The Wolves are especially hungry for bras, compression shorts and headbands. their first district title since 2011, and a According to Nike, one million more boys run at a state title, because their last seaplay high school sports than girls do. This son was canceled due to COVID-19. campaign hopes to make girls flag foot“We are especially thankful to Nike for ball a varsity sport and spread it through- sponsoring us with new gear for the upout the country, as it is one of the fastest coming season,” said Ugo.
BELL CREEK ACADEMY STUDENTS
04/01/2021
Former FishHawk residents, the Boucek family have packed up their family of 5 and the family dog to take an adventure as a full-time catamaran family. They are currently in the Bahamas and are homeschooling the kids and learning to live life to the fullest. See the full story on Page 13 and follow their adventures at #theboucrew.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
COUNTY WIDENS SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY FOR STUDENTS
Staff Report
education, not paying bills. This includes first-time students and students returning to school. The scholarships can be used at trade schools, community colleges or fouryear universities. Over the past five years, 295 scholarships have been awarded to deserving high Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action school and college students Board are partnering again this year to offer scholarships of up across Hillsborough County, to $5,000 to eligible students. totaling about $1.29 million. Applications for the 2021 COVID-19 has had profound impacts on the Hillsborough County community, and scholarships will be accepted through that includes the ability of many students Wednesday, March 31. Recipients will be to afford attending college. However, Hill- notified in writing prior to the start of the sborough County Social Services and the fall semester. Applicants must meet these eligibility Community Action Board are partnering again this year to offer scholarships of requirements to be awarded a scholarup to $5,000 to eligible students. In re- ship: be between the ages of 16 and 24, sponse to the impacts of COVID-19, the have a high school diploma or GED equivprogram will feature expanded eligibility alent (16-year-olds may apply if they are graduating seniors), reside in Hillsborough criteria this year. The Community Action Board Schol- County, have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and arship program broadened its house- household income must fall within 200 hold income eligibility from 125 percent percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The following criteria will also be used to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and lowered the GPA require- to evaluate applicants: community serment from 2.5 to 2.0. The changes to vice and school involvement, application the program requirements aim to help and letters of recommendation, academic students who struggled academically be- record (transcript), essay response and cause of the pandemic’s unprecedented panel interview participation. Application materials can be downloadimpacts on schools as well as students from households that saw a reduction in ed on the county’s scholarship applicaannual income. These changes will help tion page at https://www.hillsboroughmany students overcome the impacts of county.org/en/residents/social-services/ COVID-19 and achieve their higher edu- education-and-training/action-folder/ apply-for-a-scholarship. Detailed instruccation dreams. The scholarships, worth up to $5,000, tions on how to apply can also be found are awarded to students to help alleviate on the page. Students may submit comsome of the financial burden of college tu- pleted applications online only. For quesition so they can focus on furthering their tions, call Irina White at 272-5074.
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RED LETTER TRADITION
FOR BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS By Libby Hopkins The Red Letter Envelope Project has been breakfast this year, fingers crossed.” a tradition at Bloomingdale High School Johnson knows how important it is for for more than 10 years. In the project, se- Bloomingdale seniors to get these red letniors are given red envelopes from family, ter envelopes because her child was a sefriends, past teachers or coaches that are nior last year at Bloomingdale. “My hope is filled with letters of congratulations and that each senior feels loved,” Johnson said, encouragement to help “that each one knows them prepare for colthey have people in lege or going off into their corner. Nowthe world. “It’s been a adays, we don’t tell tradition for at least our family and friends 10 years,” said Wendy enough how proud Johnson, Red Letter we are and how much Envelope Project coorwe love them. No gift dinator at Bloomingcards, no presents, dale High School. “It’s just words of encoura special thing for the agement, praise and seniors. The letters love, that is the gift.” The Red Letter Envelope Project has been a come from all their Seniors’ parents, tradition at Bloomingdale High School for family and friends guardians, family and more than 10 years. from near and far. friends still have time I have received letters from Japan and to get their red letter envelopes to their England. Many students get letters from senior. The red letter envelopes are due by past teachers and coaches. It means a lot Wednesday, April 14 at Bloomingdale High to the seniors that someone took the time School. “This will give them plenty of time to write them.” to think of what they would like to say to There is a little history about red enve- the graduate,” Johnson said. “We will collopes being a symbol of luck as well. In Chi- lect all letters and cards sent to the school nese culture, red envelopes are gifts pre- and keep them safe and confidential.” sented at social and family gatherings like If you would like to send a senior a weddings or holidays such as Chinese New red letter envelope, please make sure the Year. The red color of the envelope sym- cards or letters are no larger than 8”x10”. bolizes good luck. It is also gifted when a Packages, gift cards and cards with conperson is visiting as a gesture of kindness. fetti are not allowed. Please keep all enRed envelopes are usually given out to the velopes flat. Please do not send anything younger generation who are normally still of value, as the school is not responsible. in school. “We usually give the envelopes If you are sending several envelopes inside to the seniors during senior breakfast,” a large envelope, please put the student’s Johnson said. “COVID kept us from doing full name on all envelopes. If you have any that last year, so we had to do a drive- other questions, please contact Johnson through red letter pickup. We are hoping at dbandwendy@verizon.net or call 505to keep the tradition of having the senior 5184.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
THE ANGEL FOUNDATION HOSTS ITS 15TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA By Kelly Wise Valdes The Angel Foundation FL invites the and entertainment, but also highlights community to participate in its 15th an- the work taking place in the community. nual fundraising gala at The Regent event The fundraiser is vital to providing the center on Friday, April 23 from 7-10 p.m. much-needed resources. The annual fundThe Evening of Hope is a formal event and raiser normally raises more than $40K. this year’s theme is “Unfortunately, ‘Angels Among Us.’ we had to postThis much-anticpone the 2020 ipated affair was gala,” said Liz scheduled to take Brewer, executive place last Novemdirector of Angel ber; however, due Foundation FL. to the pandemic, “Because of this, the event had to we lost 50 percent be rescheduled to of our normal doApril so that sonation revenue.” cial distancing and According to safety protocols Brewer, the most The Evening of Hope is a yearly fundraising event would be in place. anticipated part for the Angel Foundation FL. Executive Director Liz The Angel Founof the evening Brewer, Emcee Candice Aviles from News Channel dation helps famincludes testimo10 and CEO of Brandon Regional Hospital Bland ilies and individ- Eng had a ball at the masquerade event from 2019. nials from famiuals affected by lies served by the a life-threatening illness or catastrophic Foundation Angel Program. “This year, we event. As part of its program, the founda- will also be spotlighting our community tion matches families with local businesses heroes,” said Brewer. “We call them our and individuals with available resources to ‘Angels Among Us.’” help meet practical needs. The semiformal event will include amazIn addition, the Angel Foundation works ing wine, food from local restaurants, cawith other nonprofit organizations in Hill- terers and bakeries, as well as live entersborough County to provide a variety of tainment and a silent auction. resources to meet the needs of individuals Tickets are $75 per person and tables of or families in crisis. This can only happen six for $750 (due to social distancing, tathanks to active Angel teams of caring bles will only seat six). community members, faith-based organiBrewer is also looking for additional zations and businesses with resources that sponsors for the event. For more informainclude volunteer time, financial donations, tion or to purchase tickets after Monday, services and goods. March 1, visit www.AngelFoundationFL. In order to provide these much-need- com or call 689-6889. The event can also ed services and resources, the foundation be found on Facebook through the Angel hosts its annual fundraising gala which Foundation FL page. The Regent is located not only provides an evening of fun, food at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview.
Volume 20, Issue 3
STUDENTS FROM
BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL COMPETE IN NATIONAL ESPORTS COMPETITION By Samantha Trezevant Esports have been increasing in pop- for the national Rocket League tournaularity within the last couple of years. ment. NASEF (North American Scholastic EsThe Grand Champion team worked ports Federation) organized a competi- tirelessly in order to prepare. tion to challenge each other in esports. According to one of the competitors, it The mission of NASEF took lots and lots of is to provide opportunidedicated practice. It ties for all students to was important to the use esports as a platform team that everyone to acquire critical comshowed up and was munication, collaboration consistent in their and problem-solving skills practice. The team needed to thrive in work valued each other’s and in life. desire to improve. Students from BloomingThis is a big deal dale High School expanded to the school, as it on this opportunity and is their first year as participated in a coma team. They were petition held by NASEF. able to get people toThey participated in a The Grand Champion team in action. gether and practice nationwide Rockhard enough et League competo win on a natition, which is a tional level in 3v3 online game the course of a where you play year. soccer with cars The team is and a giant soccer thrilled to have ball. made it this Merrick Bass, far. “I’m happy The Rocket League game. Brandon Belcher Rocket League and Nick Stephens are the three stu- has gotten the attention it deserves, it’s dents who entered the competition and such a great competitive game. I think won in their division. we will do well,” said one of the Grand These three students call themselves Champion team members. the GC team, which is short for the Grand This month, Bass, Belcher and SteChampion team. phens will be competing on the game’s This team is the only one from the largest platform. To check out their full Southeastern United States to qualify schedule, visit www.nasef.org/events/.
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
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The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir in Lithia has the capacity to store 15.5 billion gallons of water.
If you are out and about in the Lithia and FishHawk areas at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month and hear the wails of warning sirens coming from the vicinity of the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, there is no reason to be concerned about what might follow. That’s because Tampa Bay Water, which operates the reservoir, conducts monthly tests of the warning system so that if there is a need to sound the alarm about an actual emergency local, residents will be alerted about the need to immediately evacuate the area. Evacuation would be necessary if the 1,100-acre reservoir, which can hold 15.5 billion gallons of water, sprang a major leak that would threaten homes and businesses in its vicinity. The reservoir is located at 17611 Boyette Rd. in Lithia, east of Balm Boyette Rd. and west of S. County Rd. 39, in a part of Hillsborough County that was once mostly agricultural but is now becoming home to a growing number of people moving into newly built housing developments. While it is important to know that the reservoir—which stores water for use by residents—exists in the neighborhood, there is little need to give it
much thought, according to Brandon Moore, public communications manager for Tampa Bay Water. “Safety is our priority and providing advanced notice of any potential concerns is an important aspect of safety,” he wrote in an email. “It’s important to know that the reservoir facility is safe, as evidenced by more than 15 years of safe operations.” Moore added that the reservoir’s status is continuously monitored with technology and by daily visual inspections conducted by staff. The next tests will be conducted on March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1 at 9 a.m. The reservoir is named for C.W. Bill Young, the U.S. Congressman who represented Florida’s 10th Congressional District in 1993-2013. It collects water from the Alafia and Hillsborough Rivers and opened in October 2005. You can also receive reservoir alerts when out of earshot of the sirens by joining Hillsborough County’s HCFL Alert System at hcflgov.net/HCFLAlert. More information about Tampa Bay Water and the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir is available at tampabaywater.org.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS MULTIPLE INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS THIS MONTH
By Faith Miller
Throughout the Theatre Company, month of March, the City of Tampa’s Hillsborough County professional theater Public Library Coopcompany for young erative (HCPLC) is audiences. offering multiple on“Imagine a single line and take-home, balloon changing one events for children person’s life forevand their families. er, proving it’s never These events range too late to rediscover from at-home ‘borethe unbridled joy of a dom busters’ to an play,” said the HCPLC online play, and much website. more. Along with preVirtual play, “Balloonacy,” discusses the powBruton Memorial ers of friendship and shows that companion- senting the play, the ship can be found everywhere through the Library, located in Creative Arts Theatre use of imagination. Plant City, has reCompany will also cently begun offering its ‘Family Boredom be hosting several ‘mime’-themed events Busters’ kits, with each week having its throughout the month. The first one, takown themed activity kit for families to do ing place on Saturday, March 6, is titled together. ‘Act Out with Mime! Youth Workshop’ and According to the HCPLC website, the is explained to be teaching an array of themes for the month of March include mime basics. llamas, kites, flowers, spring and bunnies, “By using physical movement and fawith each new theme beginning every cial expressions, mime allows students to Tuesday. The kits include “puzzles, literacy express a variety of ideas and emotions activities, crafts and more” and are avail- without ever speaking a word,” said the able while supplies last. HCPLC website. Throughout the month, HCPLC libraries Students will get to take part and learn are also streaming the play Balloonacy by a range of well-known mime exercises, inBarry Kornhauser. The play is described as cluding walking an invisible dog, getting being “sweet, inventive and packed with trapped inside a box, invisible balloon and physical comedy.” more. The event is recommended for ages According to the HCPLC website, it fo- 4-8 and registration is available online. cuses on the exploration of how powerful Many more events are available throughfriendship can be and shows how imagi- out the month and can be viewed on the nation and acceptance can lead to friend- HCPLC website. For more information on ship. It is presented by the Creative Arts these events and more, visit hcplc.org.
Volume 20, Issue 3
THE CHILDREN’S BOARD OFFERS SUMMER PASSPORT PROGRAM By Kathy L. Collins For the third dren and families,” year, the Children’s added Parris. Board is funding “The Summer Passan opportunity for port Programs are residents in Hillssuccessful in providborough County to ing high-quality sumparticipate in their mer opportunities for Summer Passport youth and their famProgram. This proilies in Hillsborough gram is designed County. They make for children ages 6 This year, children who are members of the Chil- a significant impact to 14. The program dren’s Board Family Resource Centers can apply in children gaining allows children to to attend summer camp at one of eight locations knowledge and proin Tampa, including the Straz Center for Perapply for one to vide invaluable expeforming Arts, The Florida Aquarium and MOSI. riences that result in two weeks of camp at no cost to the families. Eligible children a fun and safe summer,” stated Parris. must be members of the Children’s Board The Summer Passport Program was Family Resource Centers. started after a board member, Andrew Registration begins on Saturday, March Mayts, identified a problem and present6 and takes place at the local Family Re- ed it to the Children’s Board. Families were source Center. In the Brandon area, the then surveyed regarding scholarship prefFamily Resource Center is located at 1271 erences for specialized summer programs. Kingsway Rd. in Brandon. Space is limitThe Children’s Board’s mission is to ined and availability is dependent upon the vest in quality programs and services to camp location. support the success of all children and This year, children can select to attend families in Hillsborough County. The Chilcamp at the Glazer Children’s Museum, dren’s Board invests in programs and reMOSI, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, The sources to ensure children are healthy and Florida Aquarium, Tampa Museum of Art, safe, developmentally on track, have family Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tam- support and are ready to learn prior to gopa Theatre and the Lightning/Vinik Sports ing to kindergarten. Group. Transportation is not provided. There are six Children’s Board Family Re“The Children’s Board Family Resources source Centers located throughout HillsCenters Summer Passport Program pro- borough County. They each offer programs vides members with wonderful opportuni- and services at no cost, such as vision and ties to prevent our children from regress- hearing screenings and mobile dental sering while out of school for the summer,” vices. said Kelley Parris, executive director of the To learn more about the Summer PassChildren’s Board of Hillsborough County. port Program and about the services “The Resource Centers are also a place to offered at the Children’s Board Family reinforce those informal supports that pro- Resource Centers, please visit www.famivide a connection to community for chil- lysupporthc.org.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
REBATES
Page 7
LAND USE APPEALS BOARD
PROVIDES REVIEW OF ZONING DECISIONS
AVAILABLE FOR SMART WATER USE
By Brad Stager
By Brad Stager Making smart choices about how water is used in a home or business can mean a little extra money in a budget thanks to a water-saving program offered by Tampa Bay Water, its member governments and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Known as Tampa Bay Water Wise, the program offers customers a chance to qualify for rebates on improvements made to plumbing and irrigation systems. The utility also said that customer savings will continue through lower water use resulting from the upgrades. With about 30 percent of indoor home water use resulting from flushing toilets, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tampa Bay Water is encouraging the use of high-efficiency toilets through a rebate program. The EPA puts potential savings in water costs for a family at about $140 per year by using high-efficiency toilets that meet the federal agency’s criteria for WaterSense certification. Rebates for residential properties include $100 for toilet replacements, and since irrigation is another big use of water, up to $250 is available for using smart irrigation controllers that help avoid things that are common in Florida, such as landscape watering during a
Consumers can receive rebates to help pay for plumbing improvements that save water through Tampa Bay Water’s Water Wise program.
thunderstorm. Shallow wells for outdoor irrigation are also eligible for rebates up to $1,000. Commercial customers of Tampa Bay Water are also eligible for rebates, ranging from $75 for switching to WaterSense toilets to $1,000 for a more efficient cooling tower. The food service industry also benefits, with $50 to $400 rebates available for using water-efficient dishwashers and spray valves. Tampa Bay Water is offering the rebates as part of an effort to achieve greater water conservation in the face of rapid population growth in the Tampa Bay area. The utility currently serves about 2.5 million customers in the region, which means widespread participation in the Water Wise program can add up to substantial savings. “Small individual changes can make a big impact,” said Amelia Brown, Tampa Bay Water’s demand management program manager. “Taking water-saving measures can positively impact our community now, and in the future. When we save water, we all win.” For more information, visit tampabaywaterwise.org or call 888-491-0033.
Hillsborough County Land Development mitted and the board will also determine Code sets forth the rules and requirements whether an individual or other entity has for properties within the county. When standing in an appeal. a property owner’s plans don’t match up Possible outcomes of a hearing before with existing land use rules, codes, laws the LUAB are that the board can uphold and neighborhood sentiments, the code also establishes procedures to resolve conflicts over things like permitted usage, fence heights or signage variances. Such conflicts often end with a determination by a Land Use Hearing Officer, but when a concerned party is not satisfied with that decision, the matter can go before what is known as the Land Use Appeals Board (LUAB). It is where appeals of decisions of the Land Use Hear- The rapid growth in Hillsborough County means its Land Use Appeals Board is kept busy as residents, businesses ing Officer on special exceptions and developers seek reviews of zoning and permitting and variances from zoning reguladecisions. tions, as well as special use permits, are heard. the hearing officer’s decision, send it back The seven members of the Land Use to the hearing officer with guidance from Appeals Board are local residents who the board or, under strict criteria, overturn are appointed by the Hillsborough County a decision. Board of Commissioners. They bring their “The key determination is whether the professional expertise in the areas of de- evidence in the record supports the decivelopment, business, construction, real es- sion made,” said Assistant County Attortate and law. ney Cameron Clark, prior to a recent meetSpecific professions represented by ing. members of the LUAB are: attorney, archiMeetings are held on the afternoon of tect or landscape architect, business own- the first Friday of each month, unless there er or operator, professional planner, civil or are no appeals to consider. Because of the environmental engineer, member of a civic pandemic, meetings are held in a hybrid or neighborhood organization and a devel- mode with those having a direct interest oper who is active in Hillsborough County in the hearing attending either remotely or a licensed general contractor. or online, while the general public can only As a board of appeal, the body can only attend virtually. consider the hearing officer’s decision and To learn how the LUAB operates or the existing official record of the original about serving on it, visit hillsboroughcounhearing pertaining to the topic of consider- ty.org or contact Citizens Boards Support ation. No new testimony or evidence is per- at 272-7181.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
LOCAL STORIES LIVE BUSINESS SERIES LAUNCHES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Staff Report industry, including fitness, healthy food choices and beauty. Registration is available online (see the address below). Upon registration, participants can choose to interact with the panelists via Zoom. “On February 12 at 9 a.m., The three panelists on the first in a series of Zoom meetings for Hill- we will showcase African sborough County small businesses consisted of business owners American business ownrelated to wellness, including Bayshore ers in recognition of Fitness, Bulk Food Superstore and Black History Month,” Amy’s Day Spa. said Lynn Kroesen, After a successful trial run at CEcD, manager of the the end of 2020, Hillsborough Economic Development County’s Entrepreneur CollaboDepartment’s Entreprerative Center (ECC) is turning its neur Collaborative Cenfree, virtual, small business panel ter (ECC). discussions into a monthly staple. The county is hosting the panel discusThe Local Stories Live series lets particsions to showcase Hillsborough County’s ipants connect with local successful small small business community as well as share business owners for lively discussions on the best practices with existing and startwhat it takes to survive and thrive as a up small businesses. Small businesses are small business. the lifeblood of Hillsborough County’s econFollowing the inaugural session on January 15, Hillsborough County will host the omy. More than 90 percent of employers in monthly live, virtual panel discussions, Hillsborough County are small businesses, each focusing on a different small business which employ more than 200,000 worksector, on the second Friday of each month ers. “The first session was incredibly sucat 9 a.m. cessful,” said Kroesen. “The audience inThe 30-minute discussions will each cluded fellow entrepreneurs as well as feature three different local business leadentrepreneur support organizations and ers and will be followed by a brief quesothers who are interested in learning, and tion-and-answer period. Established busisupporting, our local business community.” ness owners, entrepreneurs and anyone The ECC was established by Hillsborinterested in the local business community ough County Economic Development in are invited to participate in the sessions 2014 to provide entrepreneurs easy access and learn why supporting local businesses makes all the difference in Hillsborough to business service providers, resources, mentorship and specialty training. County. Learn more about available small busiThe January 15 session showcased business services and resources at HCFLGov. ness owners representing the self-care net/ECC.
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Volume 20, Issue 3
MEET FLORIDA STATE SENATOR JIM BOYD SERVING DISTRICT 21
By Kathy L. Collins
Jim Boyd, Republican, is the new FlorJim said, “My staff is available to proida state senator for District 21. District vide assistance with state-related issues. 21 covers all of Manatee County and East- If constituents need information from any ern Hillsborough agency in the County, including state of Florida Valrico and Lithia. or experience Jim is a lifelong communication resident of Manchallenges, my atee County. He office can facilserved as a member itate contact.” of the Florida House Jim added, “I of Representatives have a great beginning in 2010 team assemuntil 2012, reprebled, and they senting District 68. work very hard He then representto serve the ed District 71 from constituents in 2012 to 2018. my district.” Boyd comes from Jim has three a political family. legislative asHis grandfather, sistants. They Hugh Boyd, was a are Kathy Gastate representa- Jim Boyd is the Florida state senator who represents lea, Amanda District 21, an area that includes Eastern Hillsborough tive. His uncle, WilRomant and County, including Valrico and Lithia. ber H. Boyd, was Jack Rogers. both a state representative and a state Jim plans to hold town hall meetings senator. Jim served on the Palmetto City either in person or virtually, dependCouncil from 1989 to 1993. Jim is co-own- ing on the conditions in the state due to er and operator, along with his son, Aus- COVID-19. You can, however, sign up to tin, of Boyd Insurance and Investment receive an email newsletter called Boyd’s Services in Bradenton. Eye View. All you have to do is call his State senators serve six-year terms. office and ask to join by providing your Jim is looking forward to the upcoming email address. legislative session. He said, “I plan to inJim has been married to his wife, Sandy, troduce and support legislation that will for 37 years. He resides in Manatee Counenhance and protect the lives of my con- ty, where both of his children, Austin and stituents.” Ansley, were raised. He has one grandson, Residents of District 21 who are expe- Houston, who just turned 1 year old. Jim riencing difficulties or issues with state said, “We spend as much time together as agencies can call upon Jim or anyone in possible.” his district office for assistance. His disFor more information, please contact trict office is located in Bradenton, and Jim’s Bradenton office by calling 941-742the number is 941-742-6445. 6445.
March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
BUSINESS OWNERS INVITED TO NEW BNI NETWORKING GROUP
Page 9
FISHHAWK MAN ‘LV’ING THE DREAM WITH SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE
By Kate Quesada
By Bob Zoellner
Are you a local professional looking and vice versa.” to grow your business? If so, the BNI Because members get to know each Dream Team might be able to help. other and their services well, they feel FishHawk resident and realtor with confident in recommending other profesAbadi Realty Jennifer Abadi started the sionals to friends and business contacts. group, which has quickly grown to 15 “We hold ourselves to a high standard members, late last year. Her husband of customer service and we expect the participates in a BNI group in Brandon businesses we refer to do the same,” said and when Abadi noticed there wasn’t Abadi. “It reflects poorly on us and our a FishHawk business if I chapter, she refer someone decided to that has poor start one. communica“We both tion, or shodlove what BNI dy work ethic, stands for and etc. how it could For examhelp us grow ple, I know our business,” the painter in she said. my chapter Founded in well because 1985, BNI is I have built a The newly formed FishHawk BNI Dream Team currently a global netre l at i o n s h i p meets weekly on Zoom and is looking for more members. working orwith him. I ganization. Only one person from each know that if I help you purchase a home professional specialty is allowed to apply that needs to be painted, I could refer to a chapter of BNI, eliminating the pos- him and count on him to take care of you. sibility of competition among members. He will be responsive, priced competiThe FishHawk group meets every tively and do the job properly.” Wednesday morning, currently via zoom, The group still has many open seats for a 90-minute meeting. Members also and is currently looking for a CPA, fammeet individually to learn more about ily law attorney and representatives for each other and their businesses. most trades, including an electrician, Abadi feels the BNI model is very ef- plumber, HVAC and handyman, in addifective. tion to many other professions. “The thing I have learned that I find To learn more about BNI, visit www. most valuable is the value of building BNITampa.com. If you are interested in relationships within your networking joining the FishHawk BNI Dream Team group,” she said. “The more you know group, contact Chapter Launch Spesomeone and trust them and their exper- cialist Nick Campbell at campbelln89@ tise, the more likely you are to refer them gmail.com.
their hometown, and to be any kind of part [of that] was like nothing else,” he said. Getting his start in the industry back in high school, Bovelsky, also known as DJ Bolt for the Lightning, has worked at Power 96 in Miami, along with stints at Q105 and Mix 96 in Tampa. His work has also taken him to the 2002 Salt Lake City and 2010 Vancouver Olympics as the DJ for men’s and women’s hockey, as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics for several events. The Buccaneers played all their playoff games on the road, so he had a little break between the end Sean Bovelsky of FishHawk working at the Super Bowl LV, of the season and America’s bigwon by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9 over the Kansas gest sporting event. City Chiefs. Since the NFL brings in its own A once in a lifetime experience comes people to work the game, Bovalong, well, once in a lifetime. elsky didn’t get to perform his usual duties For most people. during Super Bowl LV. The league wants as Sean Bovelsky of FishHawk gets to do much neutrality as possible, but that didn’t what many people would call “livin’ the mean Bovelsky wasn’t busy. dream.” He works behind the scenes in the “I was involved as an audio assistant, television industry for his day job, then gets which entailed on game day making sure behind the mic as a DJ for the Tampa Bay the in-stadium guest hosts on the enterLightning and the Buccaneers for all their tainment stage and on the pirate ship had home games. As the music director for the communication with the main audio opBucs, he’s tasked with playing music for all erator,” Bovelsky said. “The week leading in-game situations to enhance the action up to the Super Bowl was all setup of the on the field, creating for fans a party at- equipment and lines of communication.” mosphere for their enjoyment. This wasn’t his first Super Bowl either, That Bucs gig was his ticket to the 2021 as he worked at the 2001 game at RaySuper Bowl, just one more experience Bov- mond James Stadium between the Baltielsky, with over 20 years in his role with more Ravens and the New York Giants. the team, got to enjoy that most people “There will never be another first of its just dream about. kind,” he added, still enjoying the home“The most amazing thing for me was town team’s Vince Lombardi Trophy. “That that this was the first time ever that a was what made it so incredible, and of team was the host for a Super Bowl in course the Bucs winning it.”
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
LOCAL HEALTHCARE WORKERS ATTEND SUPER BOWL By Kate Quesada The NFL found a very special way to thank many of the healthcare professionals who risked their lives on the front lines during 2020. In late January, 7,500 local essential workers received free tickets to Super Bowl LV where they were treated to a first-class experience at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, including free food and drinks,
and emotional working in healthcare,” said Alsup. “But I trusted science and didn’t pass up the first opportunity to get vaccinated, and then I was rewarded with a free Super Bowl ticket and the experience of a lifetime, and I was a part of history watching the Tampa Bay Bucs win at Raymond James Stadium. It felt like I won the lotto doing what I
FishHawk resident Melanie Bosely is a mechanical circulatory support coordinator with the heart transplant program at Tampa General Hospital and felt very appreciated while at the Super Bowl.
tickets to the TikTok tailgate featuring Miley Cyrus and more. Bloomingdale resident Blair Alsup is a registered dietitian who works in the Moffitt Cancer Center ICU and cared for COVID-19 patients during the worst of the pandemic. After receiving her second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in January, she learned that she had won a ticket to the Super Bowl from the NFL. “This whole year has been so stressful
Brandon Regional Hospital ER Nurse Veronica Trias lives in Channing Park and attended the Super Bowl.
“It was so organized and you truly felt like a VIP. In a way, it was also weird to be thanked for doing your job. I’ve been a nurse for 23 (almost 24) years. I’ve been threatened, yelled at, cussed at, hit, and when you see people in their worst moments you rationalize that behavior and get used to it in a way. But hearing ‘thank you’ often means, al-
Bloomingdale resident Blair Alsup is a registered dietitian who worked in the Moffitt Cancer Center ICU. She learned she won a ticket to the Super Bowl after receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
love … taking care of patients.” FishHawk resident Melanie Bosely has been a nurse for 23 years—critical care, ER, cardiac cath lab and interventional radiology. She is a mechanical circulatory support coordinator with the heart transplant program at Tampa General Hospital, and when she first received the email that she won a ticket to the Super Bowl, she thought it was a joke. “Everyone was so nice,” said Bosely.
the department and we were incredibly excited. Some were in tears.” The way she and other healthcare workers were treated at the event meant a lot to Trias. “During the game, the NFL made it a point to honor us in many ways through signs, videos and stadium staff continuously thanking us for our service,” she
FishHawk resident Melissa Bell, nurse and manager of ER 24/7 in Riverview, enjoyed the energy at the Super Bowl.
though we tried, it wasn’t enough. So to hear ‘thank you, we appreciate you,’ is a little weird. Nice, but weird.” Brandon Regional Hospital ER Nurse Veronica Trias lives in Channing Park. “I have never attended such a big event before and was very humbled and grateful to be chosen,” said Trias. “I was actually working when I found out. An email came out telling us we were chosen. Word spread quickly around
said. “We truly felt special and appreciated that day.” FishHawk resident Melissa Bell, nurse and manager of ER 24/7 in Riverview, and six of her co-workers also won tickets from the NFL. “The NFL did a great job representing all healthcare workers,” said Bell. “The energy sustained throughout the entire game. When the Bucs won, the crowd was wild. The cannons went off, fireworks were in the air and confetti was everywhere. Everyone was cheering.”
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March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Page 11
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL – SOUTH RECEIVES STROKE CERTIFICATION FROM DNV GL HEALTHCARE
Staff Report
St. Joseph’s Hospital – South has received Primary Stroke Certification from DNV GL Healthcare, an international accrediting body that emphasizes clinical best practices and a disciplined management system. The certification earned by St. Joseph’s Hospital – South signifies clinical excellence through diagnosis, stabilization and treatment by the hospital’s stroke team. In 2019, BayCare, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South’s parent, began the 18-month rigorous process of having all 12 of its stroke centers certified by DNV GL Healthcare. Prior to receiving the certification, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South underwent a rigorous review process by DNV GL. A team of DNV GL surveyors observed practices, interviewed teams and reviewed documentation. DNV GL’s survey incorporates standards from the guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and recommendations from the American Stroke Association. “This credential is a distinguished gauge of the high-quality stroke treatment given at our hospital,” said Philip Minden, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital – South. “The qualifications for this certification are very demanding. I am proud of the team’s accomplishment and grateful that BayCare pro-
vides the resources for our stroke center to attain this distinction. The communities we serve at St. Joseph’s Hospital – South can be confident of our skill, dedication and expertise when responding to and treating a stroke.” St. Joseph’s Hospital – South opened in February 2015 to bring high-quality healthcare services to Southern Hillsborough County in an environment designed to help patients heal. Part of BayCare Health System, St. Joseph’s Hospital – South features all-private patient suites and offers emergency care, surgical services, imaging, intensive care, obstetrics, cardiac catheterization and more in a peaceful, relaxing and family-centered environment. Located south of Tampa in Riverview, the all-digital, stateof-the-art facility is specially designed to make patients and visitors as comfortable as possible during their hospital experience. DNV GL is a world-leading certification body that helps businesses assure the performance of their organizations, products, people, facilities and supply chains through certification, verification, assessment and training services. Within healthcare, DNV GL helps its customers achieve excellence by improving quality and patient safety through hospital accreditation, disease-specific certifications and quality-management training. DNV GL operates in more than 100 countries. Our 16,000 professionals are dedicated to helping its customers make the world safer, smarter and greener. For more information about DNV GL Healthcare, visit https://www.dnvgl.us/assurance/healthcare.
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Page 12
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
LOCAL RESIDENT BATTLES CANCER DURING THE PANDEMIC By Libby Hopkins Stephanie Luke is vent colorectal cancer a 38-year-old mothis through screening colonoscopy.” er of two sons and a According to the full-time ultrasound American Cancer Socitech who was diagety, “colorectal cancer nosed with stage two is the third most comcolorectal cancer this mon cancer in the U.S. past November. Before and the second most her diagnosis, she was common cause of cancompletely healthy cer deaths. While the and had no family hisrate of people being tory of the disease. “I diagnosed with each noticed bleeding after year has dropped overusing the restroom and all, the incidence rates assumed it was caused in people younger than by hemorrhoids, so I Stephanie Luke is a 38-year-old mother of 55 have increased in wasn’t worried,” Luke two sons and a full-time ultrasound tech recent years.” who was diagnosed with stage two colsaid. “But a month latIn 2020, colorecorectal cancer this past November. Before er, I still saw blood.” tal cancer screenings Her gastroenter- her diagnosis, she was completely healthy plummeted because of and had no family history of the disease. ologist, Dr. Bhavtosh the COVID-19 pandemDedania of Gastroenterology Center of ic. Luckily, Luke was able to get the treatTampa Bay, recommended a colonoscopy. ments she needed to battle her cancer and What he saw projected from the minia- her mom was able to go to some of her ture scope camera worried him, and a pa- doctor appointments with her. “My family thology report confirmed his suspicions. and friends have been with me every step “Many patients are asymptomatic or have of the way,” Luke said. “They are my supminor signs that something may be wrong, port system.” A friend of Luke’s has started a GoFundlike bloody stool or nonspecific abdominal pain,” Dr. Dedania said. “In Stephanie’s Me page for her since she has not been case, she noticed something wasn’t right able to work and her step-father is making and made an appointment with us to find and selling T-shirts to help raise money for the source of the problem. It’s absolutely her as well. If you would like to donate to Luke’s critical for our communities to be informed GoFundMe page, you can visit her page of the risk factors and signs of this disease, at www.gofund.me/357304d1. If you’d however small they may be. People with like to purchase one of Luke’s T-shirts, you no symptoms should get screened starting at age 45. Those at high risk should talk to can visit https://oldgloryapparelusa.com/ a gastroenterologist about starting earli- collections/frontpage/products/not-toer. The number one way to find and pre- day-colon-cancer.
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Page 13
LOCAL FAMILY FINDS ADVENTURE WITH FULL TIME BOAT LIVING By Lily Belcher Julie and Bill ed the wheels of Boucek have alchange going, this ways loved boattrip on this old sailing, but it wasn’t boat drove it home,” until June 2020 she stated. that they decidAfter returning ed they wanted from their vacation, to live on the the Bouceks began water. Within a preparing for their matter of weeks, newfound dream, the Bouceks and, in November, sold their house the family of five and temporarily purchased the newThe Boucrew and their dog, Brandy Beth, watch moved to Anna ly christened Jubisunset on the bow of the Jubilee. Maria Island lee Catamaran. while they searched for the perfect home Julie and Bill’s children, eighth grader on the water, which they later found in Hendley, seventh grader Boss and fifth a Leopard 48 Catamaran that they plan grader Anna Bea, are homeschooled, or to take to the Bahamas before hurricane boatschooled in the Boucek’s case, which season. is possible because of the strong educaLiving on a boat was never their plan, tional foundation her kids experienced but they quickly realized boating was while they lived in FishHawk. On top of more than just a hobby when Julie was their schoolwork, the Boucek kids are litdiagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. erally learning the ropes of sailing and liv“Fortunately,” Julie explained, “I was ing on the water. diagnosed relatively quickly, and after a After their trip to the Bahamas, the week of treatments in the hospital, I was Bouceks had planned to return to shore in on the road to recovery. But the experi- time for Hendley to start highschool, but ence changed me. And all of us, really. We don’t see anyone in their family wanting to now had a tangible example of how fast leave the water any time soon. life can change. How one minute every“We wake up to the most beautiful thing is fine, and the next minute it’s all views every day. And each day is different. different.” And I get to experience things like a pod She made a bucket list of all her unfin- of dolphins escorting us into West Palm ished business, including a trip to the Flor- Beach with my whole family,” said Boucek. ida Keys. After postponing the trip due “And at the end of each day, I get to climb to the coronavirus hitting in the spring of up on top of our boat with my husband for 2020, the ‘Boucrew’ boarded a two-day sundown … and celebrate the fact that we charter sailboat in Key West. are actually out here, living a dream.” “If my illness and a pandemic startFollow the adventure #theboucrew.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
CULVER’S
RANDALL STUDENT ILLUSTRATES CHILDREN’S BOOK
THE FRIENDSHIP ADVENTURE
By Michelle Caceres
Randall Middle School eighth grader “There was a big learning curve and so Andre Ordonez has already accomplished much he had to learn,” she said. “He’s acone of his major career goals: becoming a complished so much in the extra time he’s published illustrator. had this year because of online learning.” Using digital technology, Ordonez illusIn addition to drawing, Ordonez is also trated The Friendship Adventure, written an avid skateboarder. by Carole G. Barton and published on “In illustrating and skateboarding, pracJanuary 26. The children’s book tells the tice makes perfect,” he said. adventure of Illustrating Bruno, who isn’t Ordonez’s finds himself final career in some tough goal. He plans situations on to use the monan adventure ey he earns to make a new illustrating to friend. help pay for “This was a college. wonderful opHe wants to portunity to go to art school practice charwith the dream acter design of one day and seeing the working in anifinished prodmation at a big uct from all studio. your hard work Randall Middle School student Andre Ordonez has illustratIn the meaned a children’s book, The Friendship Adventure. is really rewardtime, he will be ing,” Ordonez said. illustrating other books in Barton’s book He is grateful for his mother, who let series, Bruno’s Friendship Adventures, and him follow his individual passion while also working on his own webcomic series, other children were playing sports and A Day in the Life of a Teenage Boy. The video games. main character is loosely based on himself. “As soon as I could hold a pencil I was “I need to persevere,” he said. “I have drawing,” he said. “She has always sup- to put in the time to get better and keep ported me in my talents.” working at it.” His mom, Trish Perez, helps author and To learn more about The Friendship Adpublish books. She knew Barton wanted to venture, watch its trailer at https://youtu. find a student to illustrate her book, and be/deQ8SA_TeHk. knew her son would be perfect for the job. The book can be purchased at Barnes & Online learning, due to COVID-19, al- Noble or Amazon at https://www.amazon. lowed him more time to work on the proj- com/Friendship-Adventure-Carole-Barect. ton-ebook/dp/B08SKXDPZD.
RESTAURANT COMES TO THE RIVERVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD
By Tatiana Ortiz
Treating peodoes not comprople feel like family mise on quality when visiting one and the food there of the 740-plus is cooked to order. Culver’s locations Gravely menacross the United tioned what makes States would be a Culver’s unique. principle that the “We place a lot True Blue Crew of emphasis on exemplifies. On making sure that February 1, a new the community Culver’s joined the gets taken care Riverview neighof,” Gravely said. borhood. Owner In regards to Andrew Gravely community, GraveOwner of Culver’s in Riverview Andrew Gravely and his team of ly also belongs to and his family. 65 look forward the Greater Riverto building relationships and serving the view Chamber of Commerce. For the last community one meal at a time. year he has been assisting with Teaching Gravely stated how he got involved in to Excellence, which creates awareness for becoming the owner of this specific Cul- businesses in the area to give back to the ver’s. teachers. Gravely took note of the numer“With it being a family-owned and op- ous challenges both students and teachers erated restaurant, I just fell in love with have faced with the pandemic. He decided the brand and what it stands for,” Gravely give a total of 15,000 Valentine cards to said. students that included a coupon for one The first Culver’s opened in Sauk City, free scoop of custard. Every staff member Wisconsin in 1984 by Craig Culver and Lea also received a free value basket meal. Culver as well as Craig’s parents, George Two day cares and 11 schools, such as RivCulver and Ruth Culver. It is known for erview High School, Newsome High School its Fresh Frozen Custard, ButterBurgers as well as other tasty items on the menu. and more, were gifted with these items. For more information, visit https:// For instance, each day Culver’s has a difwww.culvers.com/restaurants/riverferent flavor of the day with its Fresh Frozen Custard, which could be butter pecan, view-fl-boyette-rd. It is located at 11620 chocolate-covered strawberry and more. Boyette Rd. in Riverview. Open Monday In addition, the custard is made in small through Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Call 252batches at the restaurant daily. Culver’s 8378.
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March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
TAX HAPPENS OFFERS SECURE, LOCAL TAX PROFESSIONAL SERVICES By Amy Schechter
Theresa Turner and the team at Tax Happens is here to make doing your taxes easy and cost-effective.
Most people want to write off all of 2020. Although that’s not realistic, Theresa Turner and the team at Tax Happens are here to make doing your taxes easy and cost-effective. “We’re doing things a little differently this year,” Turner said, but as always, Tax Happens maintains its client-focused approach that won it the Tampa Bay Times 2020 Best of the Best Award. With nearly 20 years in her field, Turner is both a certified public accountant and holds a master’s degree in taxation. She continually seeks to empower her clients to make informed decisions during every step of the process. She understands
COVID-19 impacts her customers both financially and personally, and she and her team want to do everything they can to maximize your success. With the challenges that come from a pandemic, Tax Happens is prepared and personally available to assist individuals and businesses. Whether you want to meet in person, online or by phone, Turner can guarantee the same upfront pricing and clear deadlines to help save you money. This year, Turner keeps convenient call hours from Monday through Friday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., where clients can request a call and expect their call returned within 24 hours during that window. Clients can make a specific appointment or just give the office a ring and expect to have questions answered shortly, no appointments needed. Customers also rave about TaxDome, the new, secure portal where you can complete tax organizers, share and sign documents as well as make payments online. You just cannot beat the ease and security of the new platform. For those who desire to meet in person, the office is open by appointment, allowing one customer at a time. For more information or to make an appointment, visit taxhappens.com or www. facebook.com/Taxhappensllc, call/text 603-2073 or email theresa@taxhappens. com. In addition to daily call hours listed above, its office is open Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tax Happens is located at 10018 Park Place Ave. in Riverview.
Page 15
STALK & VINE ON 39 SUPPLIES WHOLESOME & HEALTHY PRODUCE TO THE COMMUNITY
By Hayley Fedor Not just your avup on the property erage farm; Stalk & during the season. Vine on 39 makes “They can come providing the comsee where their munity with all-natfood comes from, ural, chemical and they see how it’s preservative-free grown, they know produce its priorwhere it is and its ity. Situated on a coming directly to 10-acre, biointentheir house,” said sive farm, Stalk & Strickland. Vine on 39 is able As a veteran to grow crops in with a big heart a more condensed for helping others, space which allows Strickland said, for larger harvests Owner Patrick Strickland presenting some of the “giving back and huge harvests this season. in the long run. being able to make The farm is owned and operated by Pat- a living by giving people something that is rick Strickland, who is no stranger to the very beneficial” is a significant motivator farming game given that his family are for the work put into the farm. some of the biggest watermelon growers In addition, Stalk & Vine on 39 often in the nation. donates a portion of its harvest to local “We saw here, in the FishHawk area, food banks. the demand was so high for quality fruits Currently, there is an abundance of and vegetables,” said Strickland, and as a different produce in season at the farm, result, in 2019, he and his family decided ranging from romaine lettuce and kale to start expanding their small home gar- to broccoli and bok choy, all of which are dening project into a full-fledged farm to free of toxic chemicals and additives. serve the community. During the growing season, the StrickOne of the unique features of the farm lands plan to open Stalk & Vine on 39, lois that it is a community-supported agri- cated at 14923 S. County Rd. 39 in Lithia, culture program which allows individuals twice a month, every other Saturday, for in the community to become members of the community to visit and purchase the the farm and in turn receive a different products. box of vegetables every week for a small To find out more about the farm and weekly fee. The boxes are able to be deliv- the different ways to get involved, visit ered straight from the farm to the mem- https://www.facebook.com/Stalk-Vineber’s table or are available to be picked on-39-102846614740150.
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Page 16
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
EXPRESS OIL & TIRE
ENGINEERS IS FAMILY OWNED
By Brian Bokor Most business owners like to keep the secret to their success hidden, but not Jeremy Persinger, owner and operator of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, located at 11690 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. When asked what makes his shop different from the rest, he quickly told me the secret was that there were no other operations that can complete a 10-minute oil change without having you get out of your car as well as handle any other mechanical needs on the spot when necessary. Not only is the shop is equipped with three independent oil change bays, but it also has six full-service bays along with 1,200 tires on the premises. As Persinger put it, “It’s a one-stop shop. Other than windshields and body work, we can fix it. We have the capacity to service any type of automobile, truck or van, with the exception of large commercial vehicles. We’ll even make you a cup of coffee if you ask.” In order to deliver a consistent customer experience every time, his advice is: “don’t do anything you don’t already do on a daily basis.” Persinger, a FishHawk resident, stressed the importance of customer service as one of the keys for developing and growing a successful family-run business. His daughter, Malea, works at the store part-time when not attending Newsome High and is one of 10-plus employees. The Riverview store is Persinger’s second location, opened in September 2020, with his first Express Oil having opened in Bradenton in 2018, as well as plans for a third in Parrish in the not-too-distant future. He hopes to reach eight to 10 locations within five years from Riverview South to Naples. Persinger is also active with the National Pediatric
Cancer Foundation and has been on the board since 2008, chairing two fishing events as well as the marketing committee for the foundation. Since becoming a part of the organization, they have raised over $30 Million towards fighting Pediatric Cancer and have watched the survival rate go from three out of five kids to four out of five kids in that time frame. Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers is open six days a week (closed on Sundays) from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Saturdays), offering several online coupons at expressoil.com, along with daily $10 off oil change promotions on its Facebook page, such as Military Monday and Teenager Thursday as well as one free, randomly selected oil change recipient each week.
Volume 20, Issue 3
GET YOUR SMARTPHONE FRIENDLY HEARING AIDS AT
A+ HEARING CENTER
By Tatiana Ortiz
Owners of A+ Hearing Center in Sun through an app designated for that speCity Center Don Guiley and his wife, Chris cific hearing aid brand and model. For exGuiley, have been involved in the hearing ample, if the hearing aid is connected to business for more than 45 years combined. a person’s phone, then they could directly The Guileys bring much commitment to get a phone call through it. The Starkey educating people about how their hearing Livio Edge AI can translate languages, should be treated the same as their eye- has superior sound quality and includes sight since it other unique is one of our features built main contacts in. with the outA+ Hearside world. ing Center The Guileys administers strive to profree hearing duce solutions evaluations for each hearthrough an ing impaired appointment. individual Other services they serve. that it proA+ Hearing vides would Center offers be assisting an array of with listening specialty prodevices, digital cedures and and programinstrumentamable hearing tions. It also Owners of A+ Hearing Center in Sun City Center Don Guiley systems and carries hearing and his wife, Chris Guiley, have been involved in the hearing much more. A+ business for more than 45 years combined. aid products Hearing Center that can be used through a smartphone. does follow all of the CDC (Centers for Chris shared what she hopes people take Disease Control and Prevention) guideaway from their experience at A+ Hearing lines too. Center. “All in all, we want the community to “If you are our client, then you become know that our concentration is on your our client for life and we treat them like conversation because it is the music of friends,” Chris said. life,” Don said. With that in mind, A+ Hearing Center For more information, visit https:// sells the Starkey Livio Edge AI, the Wi- aplushearingsuncity.com. It is located at dex brand and more. Chris mentioned that 1647 Sun City Center Plaza Bldg., Ste. since the last two to three years, some of 203A in Sun City Center and is open on these hearing aids are compatible to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 programmed with Androids and iPhones a.m.-2 p.m. Call 642-8200.
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
FAMILY-OWNED REPTILE
MEET STATE SENATOR
DANNY BURGESS SERVING THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 20
By Kathy L. Collins
Danny Burgess, a Republican, is the town hall meetings scheduled, you can renew Florida state senator for District 20. ceive updates from his office via a newsThe district covers parts of Pasco County, letter called The Burgess Bulletin. His Polk County and Hillsborough County, in- office will also post updates on Facebook cluding Plant City and Twitter @ and Thonotosassa. dannyburgessBurgess is a capfl. tain in the United Burgess has States Army Rethree legislaserves. When he is tive aides— not in session, he is Natalie Brown, a practicing attorMeagan Hebel ney with the firm and Kimberly Maggard & BurSimon. Burgess, P.A. gess explained, A state senator “Natalie and is elected to a sixMeagan travel year term. Senawith me to Taltors represent the lahassee and residents of the lead on legisarea within their lation and apdistrict. Burgess propriations. said, “I really want State Senator Danny Burgess represents District 20. He is There is no the residents of there to not only represent his constituents in the Florida problem Kim Hillsborough Coun- State Senate, but to also be a bridge with state agencies. cannot solve. He and his family are happy to serve. ty to be well repShe keeps the resented. I may live in Pasco County, but lights on and the trains running on time.” Hillsborough and Polk County residents Burgess is married to Courtney and are just as important to me. My wife grew they have three children—Adeline, who is up in FishHawk and her family still lives 7; Danny, who is 5; and Nora, who is 2. As in Lithia. My family and I look forward for being in Tallahassee during the legisto exploring Hillsborough this summer lative session, Burgess said, “We are all in and maybe meeting a few of you out and this together. I love my family and I hate about.” to be without them. My wife and children Burgess added, “My staff and I provide and our King Charles Cavalier, Briar, go to a variety of services. In addition to legis- Tallahassee with me. We actually bought lating, we are a bridge between the resi- an RV for [the] session this year and we dents of District 20 and state agencies. If are living in that.” you are ever having trouble with a state Residents of District 20 can contact agency, we are happy to help.” Burgess and his office by emailng danWhile Burgess does not currently have ny@flsenate.gov or by calling 779-7059.
HEADACHES!
Headaches can happen for many reasons which make it difficult to know what type of headache you have and the cause. Migraines, tension/cervicogenic headaches, and cluster headaches are the main forms of primary headache disorders. Commonly enough, many of them can be traced back to the neck or surrounding musculature. WHAT IT IS Posture plays a critical role regarding neck pain, which can cause pain in the head region, triggering a headache. Existing in today’s world with desk jobs, poor sleeping habits, and excessive technology use — to name a few — all can have potential influence on headaches. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments of our neck are pain sensitive and can send symptoms to other areas of the body. WHAT IT ISN’T Cervicogenic headaches, or secondary headaches which are caused by another illness or physical issue, are rarely a sign of something scary or dangerous. However, it’s important to distinguish the difference from other types of headache as they can share similar symptoms. Migraine headaches are typically more severe and have a known trigger, e.g., food, light, smells. Pain is usually on one side of the head with symptoms behind the eye and at the back of the head and nausea and vomiting are common. Some experience “auras” or visual disturbances preceding a migraine. Migraines can last a few hours to as long as a few days and can occur seldom or several times a year. Cluster headaches are very intense and commonly felt right behind one eye, and their underlying cause is unknown. They occur regularly over a period in “clusters” and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, occurring multiple times in a day over several weeks. If a headache occurs suddenly and accompanied by pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or unconsciousness — especially when associated with trauma — seek emergency medical care immediately. Treatment at Motion ChiroTherapy will always be in a
1-on-1 setting with the doctor for every visit. We believe in patient empowerment and autonomy and being able to control your own pain. We teach our patients how to catch the beginning stages of potential headaches and how to control them. We can’t all avoid bad postures and prolonged sitting or driving, but understanding your triggers will make you less susceptible to headaches!
CALL TODAY Dr. Robert Lutz
16765 FishHawk Blvd, Lithia • 813-793-7791 (Located in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza)
Page 17
www.MotionChiroTherapy.com
BUSINESS OFFERS UNIQUE ANIMALS By Faith Miller Matzen’s Morphs, located in Lakeland, is a family-owned business that features snakes along with multiple different kinds of reptiles. It features several different types of reptiles, including snakes, geckos and blue tongue skinks. There are currently 40 reptiles available for sale and, due to the breeding season beginning soon, it will have many more available within the next six months. The business began when the owner, Rene Matzen, was convinced by her oldest daughter, Emma MatPhoto Courtesy of Emma Matzen Image of a anerythristic (anery) kenyan sand boa. zen, to get a pet snake. She and the geckos are fed every few days. described that after both of “Snakes are a lot easier than lots of other her daughters had one, she was “hooked.” “They are easy to care for, and the fact pets for the fact that they only need to be that there are so many different kinds, and fed once a week, and they don’t shed on the so many patterns and colors, is a lot of fun,” furniture,” said Rene. The business participates in six to seven said Rene. She later went on to describe and define reptile shows throughout Florida through what a morph was within the reptile world. Repticon, a reptile event hosting company. “I love breeding to produce certain Its next show will take place in Lakeland patterns and colors, which are known as at the RP Funding Center from Saturday to Sunday, March 27-28. morphs in the industry,” said Rene. “It is interesting to see how many people The way the reptiles are contained varies, depending on the type of species. Most of come to the shows. There are lots of reptiles the snakes are kept in ‘rack systems,’ which at the show, such as geckos, snakes, moniare tall, black enclosures that feature many tors and other lizards. There are even frogs, drawers that are equipped with heat tape spiders, guinea pigs, birds, fish, goats and rats for sale,” said Rene. to keep the snakes healthy. For more information regarding reptile The snakes that are in their own personal glass containers have heat lamps, and the care and ownership, please visit www.facebook.com/matzensmorphs, or call (863) geckos are kept in glass enclosures. The snakes are fed about once a week 602-0259.
Page 18
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
RELAY FOR LIFE GETS READY TO KICK OFF THEIR 2021 EVENTS
By Libby Hopkins
transition from traMany local and dition and rely more national nonprofheavily on virtual its are looking to platforms, volunteer 2021 to be a new efforts and commuyear of hope and nity connections. “It’s prosperity. 2020 not the walk, it’s the saw many of their why,” Schoonover yearly fundraisers said. “Why we relay get cancelled due is what is important to the COVID-19 and there are many pandemic, but the ways to support that American Cancer ‘why’ and the AmerThe American Cancer Society saw its Relay For Society (ACS) is Life events go unfulfilled in 2020, but the passion ican Cancer Society gearing up for a of its volunteers and the focus on its mission never mission.” great 2021. wavered. The Bloomingdale The American virtual Relay For Life event is being held Cancer Society saw its Relay For Life on Saturday, April 30, from 6-10 p.m. via events go unfulfilled in 2020, but the pasFacebook Live. The event will be very simision of its volunteers and the focus on lar to an in-person event and will still have its mission never wavered. ACS and its the same ceremonies, such as the opening Southeast Hillsborough County supportceremony, luminaria and closing ceremoers continued to fund efforts that saved nies. “ACS is very grateful for its many suplives, celebrated lives and moved us closer porters, donors and volunteers, and withto a world without cancer. “Cancer hasn’t out their tireless help, we cannot do what stopped and many of the Relay teams have we do,” Schoonover said.“We know they’ve already signed up and begun fundraising,” had their own challenges, and that makes said ACS Development Manager Tamtheir support even more remarkable.” my Schoonover. “However, in the Greater The details for this event are still beBrandon area, we have started out slow ing worked out, but for more information as collectively to date we have raised just about the Bloomingdale virtual Relay For over $4,100 versus $22,000 at this same Life, you can contact Event Lead Kerry time last year.” Heron at www.relayforlife.org/bloomingACS will continue to use guidelines from dalefl or Student Ambassador Esha Saini the CDC and other government municipalat eshasaini13@gmail.com. The website ities to determine the future of Relay For for registration is www.relayforlife.org/ Life events and other in-person events. bloomingdalefl. Relay events for the 2021 season will
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Volume 20, Issue 3
CAREERSOURCE SEEKS TO HELP LOCAL YOUTH FIND SUMMER JOBS By Haley Fedor Originally created in 2019 by Career- virtual career exploration for four weeks Source Tampa Bay, the Summer Job Con- centered around networking for the youth, nection program is in full swing heading having the ability to build connections into its third year running. Backed by the with employers as well as peers and reHillsborough Counceiving compensaty School District as tion while doing it. well as the HillsborThe last program ough Board of County available for appliCommissioners, the cants is a six-week program is able to community or reach more youth and leadership project make a greater imthat consists of pact with each passstrengthening proing year. fessional skills of The main goal of participants along the program is to help with the compleHillsborough County tion of a commuyouth ages 16 to 24 nity-based project. One of the many youth impacted by the get connected with Summer Job Connection program hard at work. From accounting employment during to visual arts, these the summer. By not only assisting youth are just some of the diverse selection of but encouraging them to explore employ- jobs that youth in the area will be exposed ment opportunities, CareerSource hopes to by participating in the Summer Job to be “starting the pipeline of the work- Connection program this year. force in the new generation,” said Doug “Sometimes the first job can give ideas Tobin, director of public relations and mar- for what they want to do for the rest of keting at CareerSource Tampa Bay. their lives,” said Tobin. Through the 2021 Summer Job ConCareerSource Tampa Bay looks to pronection opportunities, youth receive more vide around 1,000 Hillsborough County than just an internship or a job. “We also youth with employment opportunities this have a program here that teaches them summer through the program. life skills like how to budget,” said Tobin. The 2021 Summer Job Connection proThe structure of the 2021 Summer Job grams are set to take place from June to Connection is broken up into three differ- July. The deadline for applications is Frient programs that Hillsborough County day, March 12. youth are able to apply to. The first proFor more information on the Careergram is a part-time, paid work experience, Source 2021 Summer Job Connection and earning $12 an hour for eight weeks and to find the online application, visit http:// gaining hands-on, real-world experience in www.careersourcetampabay.com/sumthe workforce. The second opportunity is mer-job-connection/.
Know Your CBD... Not All Are Created Equal Many products offer high-quality, low-quality and anything in between. Without trying every product on the market, how do you know good quality over bad? When it comes to CBD, be careful not to base your purchase on pretty labels or sale prices. Those tactics are an easy way to disguise low-quality products as high-quality. Even gas stations are cashing in on low-quality CBD products. As such, it is important for consumers to understand what to look for when shopping CBD. Here is a simple checklist for you: Certificate of Analysis The COA from a 3rd party lab is your window into the quality of the product. Companies are required to have their WHOLE end product lab tested. This test should be accessible by a QR code listed on the packaging. Ingredients Does the product use organic, natural ingredients or is it a long list of additives you can’t pronounce? Many companies cover up lower quality CBD by adding other ingredients. Who are you buying from? Many retail locations have added only a hemp CBD product due to its popularity.
However, if you ask those retailers questions like, “Where was that plant cultivated? Who grew it? How was it bred? Harvested?”, they will have a difficult time answering. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! There are less expensive products on the market, which are taking short cuts on the process, testing and distribution, to under-cut other retailers. Cheap products coupled with uneducated retailers makes for some BAD CBD on the market. Just be aware. If you are unsure of any product you have tried or currently use, come into CHILL CAWFEE and we will offer you a free consultation on what to look for in your CBD products.
Wellness Day Q&A with Dr. Kelly King, ReLeafMD
March 20th 11 am - 1 pm $5 to reserve your spot Includes pizza from Rosati’s Limited space available
Visit our Facebook page or website for a list of our in-store events.
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3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico
Mon-Thur 7:30 am-5 pm • Fri & Sat 7:30 am-7 pm • Sun 7:30 am-3 pm
10528 Lake Saint Charles • Riverview Mon-Fri 6 am-5 pm • Sat 7:30 am- 5 pm • Sun 7:30 am-3 pm
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
Local Resident Uses Art To Heal And Inspire
SANDRA MURMAN CONTINUES TO PUBLISH GOOD COMMUNITY NEWS NEWSLETTER By Kathy L. Collins While former Hillsborough sandymurman.com. Please County Board of County include your physical adCommissioner Sandra Murdress, email address and man is not currently holding telephone number. “This is public office, she continues my direct email, and I will to serve the public in sevpersonally read through eral ways. One such way is each and every one of these through the production of suggestions,” said Murman. her weekly Good CommuniMuran has a long history ty News newsletter. of community and public Murman emails the newsservice. She plans to stay letter just once per week, exactive in those roles. cept when there is breaking She served two terms as news of which the commua county commissioner. “I nity needs to be informed. Former Hillsborough County was gratified to have been Murman wants members Board of County Commission- twice chosen by my coler Sandra Murman continof the community to conleagues as its chair. Prior ues to serve the community tribute. She will accept to election to the county through her weekly Good information about events Community News newsletter. commission, I served in the that have broad community Florida House of Repreinterest, including special interest stories sentatives and was the first Republican about individuals who are making a dif- woman to be speaker pro tempore,” said ference in Hillsborough County. Murman. Murman explained, “I want to highlight In addition, Murman has been involved things that show the positive impacts in more than 30 organizations that supthat our citizens are and can have on port our community and enhance the our community. I also want to be able to lives of children and families. Murman exshare important information that others plained, “I am with Junior Achievement, will benefit from knowing. For example, Tampa Museum of Art, Dress for Success, when our community collects donations the Early Learning Coalition and more. I of toys and clothing for those less fortu- spearheaded the campaign to build the nate or who are experiencing a crisis or Glazer Children’s Museum and work with difficulties.” children in foster care through the ChilMurman started the Good Communi- dren’s Home Network, and I am a former ty News newsletter about 10 years ago. Guardian ad Litem.” Murman said, “It has proven to be very As for her future plans, Murman said, “I popular. Many of my friends, colleagues will never stop being a tireless advocate. and fellow community advocates have It is who I am.” asked me to continue, and I am more than To sign up to receive the Good Commuhappy to do so.” nity News newsletter, please email sanYou can submit information to sandy@ dy@sandymurman.com.
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By Libby Hopkins art here at Tessera, it wasn’t so hard,” Don Marlene and Don Zahn said. are just one of the many A lot of Don’s art happy couples enjoying before he came to life at Tessera of BranTessera of Brandon don. The couple recentwas done to illusly celebrated their 61st trate the poetry wedding anniversary. that God gave him Don is a retired archior a passage from tect who owned his own God’s word. Much business and also worked of the poetry was at Winn-Dixie in the deto help the children sign department. He is who attended his a pastor and has taught Sunday school classSunday school for more es remember their than 50 years. He has lessons. “God has Marlene and Don Zahn are just one of done art since he was in the many happy couples enjoying life at allowed me to write Tessera of Brandon, and they recently cel- over 300 poems as a grade school. Marlene is thankful ebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. way of sharing God’s Don had his art and poet- Don is an artist and poet who uses his art word,” Don said. and poetry to inspire others. ry to help keep him busy. One of the poems “My artwork is from a desire to create he wrote was to help him heal from the beautiful art and it also gives me some- pain of seeing his father battle Alzheithing to do to take up the time since mov- mer’s. “Why he got Alzheimer’s, I do not ing to Tessera,” Don said. “I enjoy sharing know,” Don said. “We never lost our faith the artwork with the residents, some of in God, and we never believed that God who seem to appreciate many of the pic- was punishing him or us. God has used tures and have started scrap books.” our experience to help others. As the Up until about a year ago, Don drew Scripture says in 2 Corinthians, ‘we are to with his right hand, but then he developed comfort those with the comfort that God an essential tremor and lost the ability to gives us.’” draw. But, not giving up, he switched to Don plans to continue writing poetry his left hand. “It is getting more and more and doing his “quarantine art,” as he calls difficult to use my left hand since they it, so he can keep sharing and inspiring both tremble. When I first started the others with the word of God.
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Page 20
Grace Market, Toy Train Show, Easter Of Hope & More ... Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com
Serving The Families Of Our Fallen Heroes
Attorney Ashley Ivanov recently spoke to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. about estate planning and probate: the freedom to plan and the importance of such. Ivanov, whose family members served in the U.S. military, gives back to at least one in-need Gold Star family every year by offering a complimentary estate plan. “While Gold Star families may be given medals and honoring words, few may receive practical services that serve them,” commented Ivanov. “These families lost a loved one in active military service to our country, and they know freedom well—the benefits of such and the ultimate price that is paid to maintain and keep it. It is an honor to give back to these families.” If you are a professional and are interested in providing complimentary services to Gold Star families, please reach out to Ivanov on 436-0288 and she will put you in touch with members of the American Gold Star Mothers.
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition profit organization committed to bringing together a community of support to make life coaching accessible and affordable for all women who are seeking positive change in their lives.
Register for the event online at https://fitniche.com/events.
Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at GracePoint Church, located at 1107 Charlie Griffin Rd. in Plant City from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com.
Grace Community Church in Valrico would like to invite everyone to its spring market on Saturday, March 27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It will be held at the church, located at 1425 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico, and will have a wide variety of vendors, including local produce and handmade arts and crafts. If you are interested in being a vendor, please register at www.GraceCommunityMarket.com.
Regal Railways is presenting a Toy Train and Toy Show on Saturday, March 20 at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds on Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover. Vendors will also be on hand selling model trains, various hobbies, collectibles and die-cast cars. There will be a running train layout for children and something for all ages to enjoy. The show is open from 9 a.m to 2 p.m.
Toy Train And Toy Show At HillsborGrace Community Spring Mar- ough County Fairket Returns grounds
St. Patrick’s Day Fun At The Salty Shamrock
St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal at Apollo Beach’s Irish bar, the Salty Shamrock, and this year it will be celebrating with two different events. St. Puppy’s Day is on Sunday, March 14 from 2-4 p.m.; bring your dog for a variety of free-to-enter competitions, including best dressed and owner and dog look-a-like. Live entertainment and vendors will also be on-site. St. Patrick’s Day itself is on Wednesday, March 17 and will feature live music all day, including Blue Skye Pipe and Drum Band at 4 p.m. Irish fare will be available all day long, and don’t forget to try the green beer. There will be a $5 cover charge starting at 1 p.m. The Salty Shamrock is located at 6186 U.S. Hwy. 41 N. in Apollo Beach. For more information, visit www.saltyshamrock. com.
Women Centered 4 Success Helps To Feed Hungry Families Free Easter Egg Hunt At SumLocal nonprofit Women Centered 4 merfield Crossings Golf Club Success partnered with a community of donors to feed hungry families in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy for social change via the third annual MLK Day of Service Student Pantry Project. In previous years it was able to organize a student food pantry that opened the door for local high school students to participate in a community service project. Due to COVID-19, it was not able to set up the Student Pantry Project in the schools, but through the help of community donors and volunteers it provided 60 pantry boxes to families and seniors. Women Centered 4 Success is a non-
Volume 20, Issue 3
The Summerfield Crossings Golf Club will be holding its annual Easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 28 from 3-6 p.m. The golf club is located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview. For tickets, information and more fun events, join the FunTampa Facebook page.
Bloomingdale 5K To Be Held At Bloomingdale High School
The Running of the Bulls 5K is happening in 2021. The event will be held on Saturday, May 5 at 8 a.m. at Bloomingdale High School. The 5K will be conducted within guidelines established by the CDC and special COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place. Both runners and walkers are welcome and all the proceeds will benefit Bloomingdale High School students.
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Free Electronic Recycling Event Benefiting Local Nonprofits
American Legion Giving Back To The Community
American Legion U.S.S. Tampa, Florida Auxiliary Unit 5 from District 15 came together to give back to the community recently. They were able to make up homemade Valentine’s Day cards and filled up goody snack bags for nurses who were administering the COVID-19 vaccine injections at the James Haley VA Hospital in Tampa.
Pronesis Technolongy Easter Of Hope Group is partnering with Family Event local Tampa Bay business, Just some of the 2,694 lbs. of e-waste colThe Lighthouse lected last year. Urban E Recycling, to offer Gospel Mission and its local community the opOperation Hope are portunity to recycle their excited to present Easter of Hope on Satelectronic equipment safely and securely urday, March 27 at 11 a.m. The free famfor free. “We look forward to hosting this ily event will include an Easter egg hunt, event every year, and with the rise in cy- games, giveaways, prizes, fellowship and ber use this year, it is even more more. The event will take place at the important to protect your data Lighthouse Freedom Center on 7211 S. and make sure you are not leaving 78th St. in Riverview. Visit www.lightbusiness or personal information housegospelmission.org for more inforon your old devices,” said Jeff mation. Sheffer of Pronesis Technology Group. While this is a free event, Pronesis Technology Group is asking that you The Cottonseed Marketplace bring a donation of nonperishable goods Introduces Its Airstream Mofor local community heroes, A Kid’s Place bile Marketplace of Tampa Bay and the Carrie and Joe Angel Foundation. Perkins, owners The event will take of the Cottonseed place on Thursday, Marketplace, inMarch 18 from 10 a.m. vite you to tour to 2 p.m. at Pronesis their renovated Technology Group on 1973, 23 ft. Air1463 Oakfield Dr., Ste. stream RV, nick101 in Brandon. For named Arrow, more information, inwhich showcases cluding a list of accepted equipment and their wooden and leather, laser-engraved the top needs for the community groups, gifts and home decor. The Cottonseed visit pronesisgrp.com/e-shred. Marketplace is a homegrown and handmade local small business based in ValSupport Group For Parents rico that began in 2015 by selling items on Etsy. The grand opening will take place With Estranged Family Join other parents who are estranged at the Bullfrog Creek Brewing Compafrom their adult children. The PEAK ny’s Sunday Market on March 21 from 12 (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) group Noon until 4 p.m. The celebration will also provides a safe place to listen, share and include raffle prizes from local small busisupport others going through the hurt of nesses, giveaways and complimentary family abandonment. Meeting will include beer. Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company is logroup discussions, self-care and positive cated at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valinfluencing activities to help cope with rico. the situation.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
TYSON DONATES CHICKEN FOR HUNGRY FAMILIES
By Michelle Caceres
“Although everyone was excited to receive the chicken, it was extra speTyson Foods donated 55,000 pounds of chicken to Feeding cial when I loaded it into the back of Tampa Bay. a car or van and children peering over the backseat got excited about it,” he Football fans may have seen chicken wing said. “They recognized the Tyson logo from shortages leading up to Super Bowl LV, but their chicken nuggets.” the charity Feeding Tampa Bay saw an overInside each case was 96 drumsticks. abundance of chicken thanks to a donation “I imagine they’ll be eating Tyson chicken from Tyson Foods. for weeks now,” he joked. “Our company is committed to giving Ordway said the company has donated back,” said Tyson Foods Team Lead for Publix more food this past year to support commuand FishHawk Trails resident Kevin Ordway. nities in response to the need created by the “We upped our donation from the normal coronavirus pandemic. 33,000 pounds of frozen chicken to 55,000 “In addition to donating chicken, my team pounds since Super Bowl LV was in town.” also dedicates their time by volunteering at Two tractor trailers full of chicken containthe charity’s warehouse as well as other local ing more than 2,500 cases of chicken weighcharities, including Seeds of Hope, the Roning 21 pounds each, valued at $113,000, ald McDonald House, Denard Span Foundarolled into Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mega Pantry tion and Habitat for Humanity,” he said. at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Ordway also started up a remote chapter Mabry Campus, located across the street of Tyson’s Veterans and Friends Resource from Raymond James Stadium. More than 2,000 families received a 21-pound box of Group, whose goal is to support veterans frozen chicken in addition to their normal and their families beyond cities where it has offices and plants and in communities where food boxes on February 6. “The donation was greatly appreciated,” remote team members live. Tyson also generously loaded an additional said Shannon Hannon-Oliviero, external af200 cases of product into the trucks, which fairs officer at Feeding Tampa Bay. “We were donated to Liberty Manor for Veterans, stand with Tyson Foods in the fight against an organization that assists disabled, honhunger,” she said. “It was magnificent to orably discharged veterans who have fallen launch thousands into a very special weekvictim to homelessness. end here in Tampa Bay, making it possible for For more information about Tyson Foods, families to celebrate Super Bowl LV with a visit www.tysonfoods.com. For more about protein-packed, nutritious meal.” Feeding Tampa Bay, visit www.feedingtamOrdway was on hand to assist with the pabay.org. For more information about Liberfood distribution and was touched by the rety Manor, visit www.libertymanor.org. action to his product.
Page 21
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Page 22
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL HCSO SGT. BRIAN LAVIGNE OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE REMEMBERED AND HONORED BY BOCC By Libby Hopkins It is almost that time tric Woodshed and of year again. The 86th Pastor Calvin ‘Pee annual Florida StrawWee’ Callins. There berry Festival is kicking will also be a talent off next month and inshow on both Saturviting residents to safedays of the festival ly climb “All Aboard!” and performances with delicious food and by The Detectives, fun events for the whole Bound No More, family. Joe’s Garage Band Starting on Thursday, and the First Baptist March 4 and running for Church of Plant City’s 11 days, the event celeWorship Team. The brates the strawberry Smithfield Strawberharvest in Eastern Hillry Tent will host The sborough County with Stephanie Ann Show vendors, livestock and Kazual. shows, exhibits of On grounds, commerce and, of guests will be course, strawberry able to see magic shortcake. shows, circus acts, “We wanted the pig races, a lumtheme this year to reber jack show, the flect our enthusiasm Dakin Dairy Farms for togetherness,” Milking Parlor, said Florida StrawRuna Pacha “Indiberry Festival Presian World,” Johnny dent Paul Davis. “So, D and Sheriff Max we thought it would Mr. and Miss Berry, the Florida Strawberry Festi- Magnum and can be fitting to play off val’s official mascots, are looking forward to wel- meet the festival’s coming residents to the 11-day event next month. of that with a railofficial mascots, road theme and we feel like this is a con- Mr. and Miss Berry. cept our community will really jump on “We look forward to seeing our guests board with, so to speak.” and hope they will enjoy all the 2021 Entertainment will kick off on March Florida Strawberry Festival has to offer,” 4 with Florida’s Frank Sinatra at 10:30 said Davis. “It is our goal for everyone a.m. on the Wish Farms Variety Stage. who walks through our gate to leave satOther performers on this stage include isfied, knowing we offered them someMike Walker and Jimmy Mazz, who will thing truly special.” perform on Thursday, March 11 at 10:30 For more information and a full scheda.m. ule of events, visit www.floridastrawberThe Showcase Tent will feature artists ryfestival.com or search for the festival such as Dennis Lee, Born Lonesome, Elec- on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
By Brad Stager
The first order thoughts of LaViof business for the gne’s wife, Cathleen February 3 meeting LaVigne; children, of the Hillsborough Caitlin and Erin Liam County Commission LaVigne; his mothwas to recognize er, Carol LaVigne; the ultimate sacriand siblings, Kevin fice made by Sgt. LaVigne and Pamela Brian LaVigne of the Weyh, as well as colHillsborough Counleagues and friends. ty Sheriff’s Office “This board hopes (HCSO), who was they take solace in killed in the line of the many cherished duty on January 11 memories and poswhile responding to itive impacts Sgt. a disturbance call in Hillsborough County Commissioners honBrian LaVigne made Brandon. Brian was ored Sgt. Brian LaVigne of HCSO for making during his lifetime.” the ultimate sacrifice while serving and fatally injured when Cathleen expressed protecting residents. the suspect allegedly appreciation to the rammed the deputy’s patrol car with his commissioners for honoring her late husown vehicle while fleeing the scene. band and to those in law enforcement “This is a very solemn day for us,” said who continue serving Hillsborough CounCommissioner Pat Kemp, who chaired ty residents. the meeting. “Thank you to Sheriff Chad Chronister “All of our hearts are broken because and his team for their support,” she said. when we lose one of our first responders, “And to the men and women who put on it profoundly affects us all. This board of- the belt and vest and head out the door, fers its sincerest condolences to his col- we thank you.” leagues and family who are here today,” A special plaque honoring Brian will she said. be presented to his family, who attendA memoriam signed by all seven mem- ed the ceremony online. It reads in part, bers of the Board of County Commission- “Hillsborough County honors the memoers (BOCC) was read and entered into ry of Sgt. Brian Roy LaVigne for his tirethe record. It highlights Brian’s devotion less dedication to the safety and well-beto his family, community and colleagues ing of others and giving his life for the during his 31-year career with HCSO. good of his community as a member of Besides recognizing Brian’s professional the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.” achievements, such as Deputy of the Half Brian was honored as part of the counin 1992 and the Sheriff’s Office Life Sav- ty commission’s Fallen Heroes Program, ing Award in 2017, the memoriam spoke which allows for official ceremonial recof his learning to play the bagpipes and ognition by the BOCC of the sacrifice developing martial arts skills. made by first responders who died while The statement concludes with performing their duties.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
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AR Workshop Under New Ownership
The popular boutique DIY studio AR Workshop now has new owners. Tiffany Gleason, Jennifer Beveridge and Dana Thornton are excited to own the business and move forward with their venture. It offers a wide range of project types, including wood framed or planked signs, wood porch signs, canvas wall hangings, totes, pillow covers plus centerpieces, picture frames, trays and lazy Susans. The workshops are perfect for birthdays, private parties, showers, team building events, date nights, you name it. You can order a DIY To-Go Kit online, pick up at The new owners of AR Workshop. the workshop’s doorstep and craft at home the link to if you would prefer that to a workshop. the Zoom meeting and visit www.tesserWith hundreds of designs to choose from, abrandon.com for more information on its and more being added, there is always services. something to do at AR Workshop. Visit its website at www.arworkshop. Inflated Expressions Offers Balcom/brandon for more information and to loons For All Occasions view the workshop schedule, or call 775Inflated Expressions, based in Riverview, 7109. is an affordable balloon delivery service that offers creative balloon designs for Tessera Of Brandon all occaOffers Memory Loss sions. No Support Groups matter Tessera of Brandon what size is an active, contempoor budrary-style assisted living facility located in get, it has a package that suits your needs, the heart of Brandon. Along with provid- and, best of all, it brings the balloons to ing care to its residents, it also supports its you. It offers creative balloon designs for families and loved ones by offering Alzhei- parties, birthdays, gender reveals, baby mer’s and dementia support groups. These showers, graduations, retirements, award groups are currently being held via Zoom. banquets and other celebratory events. Call Tessera of Brandon at 607-6880 for For more information, visit www.inflate-
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Missy’s Ink Celebrates Four-Year Anniversary
Missy Duncan, owner of permanent makeup salon Missy’s Ink, is excited to be celebrating the fouryear anniversary of her salon in Brandon. It specializes in brow, eye and lip makeup that will enhance your beauty. Missy knows that life is not always perfect, but she believes that your makeup can be. For more information, visit www.missyink.com, email missy@missyduncan.com or call 659-0648.
Popular Cuban Restaurant La Septima Cafe Celebrates 26 Years
La Septima Cafe is celebrating 26 years in business. It is well known as a Brandon staple for its delicious and authentic Cuban
fusion cuisine. Despite having to close the dining room due to COVID-19, the restaurant pivoted to serving family meals for four people that can be picked up and served at home. These have proven to be a success and are very popular, and a great deal at only $39.95. Another big reason to celebrate is that Kathy Jangraw, a popular employee, has been working at La Septima for 23 of those 26 years. Congratulations! La Septima Cafe is located at 702 W. Lumsden Rd. in the La Viva Plaza. For more information, visit www.laseptimacafe.com or call 685-0502.
Rachel Markley Earns Military Relocation Professional Certification
CENTURY 21 Beggins Enterprises is proud to announce that Rachel Markley, sales associate with the Apollo Beach office, recently added the Military Relocation Professional certification to her professional offerings. The Military Relocation Professional certification is for real estate professionals who work with current and former military service members and help them find the housing solutions that best suit their needs as well as take full advan-
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
BUSINESS COLUMN CONTINUED... tage of available benefits and support. “By earning the certification, I have a better understanding of the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices,” said Markley. Markley works with CENTURY 21 Beggins Enterprises and can be emailed at rachelmarkley@21be.com or called at 6458481. The office is located at 6542 N. U.S. Hwy. 41, Ste. 101 in Apollo Beach.
Fields And Table Opening Soon
Mirna and Brent Skinner, the owners of new grocery store Fields and Table, located in Riverview, are on a mission to provide the community with quality, fresh and affordable produce, meats, dairy and baked goods. “We believe every household should have the opportunity to have fresh, healthy and delicious food options at their table,” said Mirna and Brent. “Our priority is to source seasonal items from local area farms and distributors. Our focus is on the customer’s shopping experience.” Education about the produce, when and how to buy something in season, how to prepare it and healthy options will also be provided. Fields and Table is located at 11531 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview. For more information, visit www.fieldsandtable.com.
The Peterson Academic Center Opens
The Peterson Academic Center recently opened in Valrico. It offers targeted, systematic academic support in science, math, reading, FSA and SAT/ACT test prep with a personalized approach tailored to the unique needs of each student. Dr. Eric Peterson along with his wife, Mrs. Amanda Peterson, have over 50 years of combined experience in the educational field. Both Dr. and Mrs. Peterson have dedicated their lives to the education of young people and believe that every student can succeed with the right tools and support. The Peterson Academic Center is locat-
ed at 1806 Main St. in Valrico. For more information, visit www.petersonacademic. com, email tpacbrandon@gmail.com or call 703-2075.
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Celebrating 10 Years
The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Brandon is celebrating 10 years of sharing the joy of dance with the community. This award-winning studio has held up the iconic name and mission of Mr. Fred Astaire himself, promising a positive and fun experience for everyone who walks through the doors. It has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support throughout 2020 and is looking forward to continuing its journey in sharing the joy of dance for many years to come. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio can be contacted on 438-5963. For more information, visit www.fredastaire.com/Brandon.
Giddings Crawford, Personal Injury Law Firm Opens
Brian Giddings and Ben Crawford have partnered to create a new personal injury law firm, Giddings Crawford, PLLC, located in Brandon and focused on personal injury and wrongful death. Giddings grew up in the area and went to Bloomingdale High School, and he has practiced personal injury law for the last 10 years. Crawford grew up in Lakeland and has lived in Valrico for the last 14 years, practicing personal injury law for that time. They opened Giddings Crawford, PLLC in Brandon to better serve the people of Western Hillsborough Coun-
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Volume 20, Issue 3
ty where they are part of the community. They are dedicated to achieving the best results possible for your claim. The office is located at 510 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. 303 in Brandon. For more information, visit www.gclawpllc.com or call either 951-4033 or 863-860-6951.
FishHawk idents Owners Of ic Kinder school
ResNew MagPre-
FishHawk residents, Tom and Chelsea Nestor are the new owners of Magic Kinder Preschool, located on FishHawk Blvd. It provides childcare for ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, including VPK and after-school care. “We are a family-owned
Brian Giddings and Ben Crawford.
preschool with a focus on learning through play. Safety is our number one priority for your children while in our care. We have amazing and caring teachers who make each child’s learning experience one full of love, care, fun and adventures,” said Tom and Chelsea. Magic Kinder Preschool is currently allowing in-person tours by appointment and would love for you to come and tour the facility to see if it is a good fit
for your family. It is also doing something amazing for our community and offering four weeks of free tuition for new families. For more information, visit www. magickinderkids.com, follow its Facebook page www.facebook.com/MagicKinderKids/ or call 436-0309.
Enjoy A Perfect Pint Of Guinness At Strandhill Public
Strandhill Public is a modern day Irish pub that celebrates traditional Irish culture through authentic dishes and craft beverages, including the perfect pint of Guinness. The restaurant serves a mixture of traditional Irish dishes, such as shepherd’s pie, an all-day Irish breakfast including black pudding as well as some classic American dishes thrown in. “We are here to celebrate and sustain the spirit of the traditional Irish pub with enthusiasm for artisan Irish food and libations, paying tribute to times past while representing modern culture,” said Owners Rory Martin and Sharon Gaumond. Strandhill Public is located at 10288 Causeway Blvd. in Tampa and is open from 11-1 a.m. daily. For more information, visit www.strandhillpublic.com or call 4427080.
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March 2021
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
LOCAL RESIDENT USES TECHNOLOGY TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO BUCS SUPER BOWL SEASON
By Nick Nahas
FishHawk resident safety Antoine WinSpencer Dille has been field Jr. and receiver a part of the Tampa Tyler Johnson. Dille Bay Buccaneers orjoked that he was esganization for nine pecially happy with years as the director the Winfield Jr. and of football technology. Johnson picks beHis hard work with the cause they played for team behind the scenes his alma mater, the helped contribute to University of Minnethe team’s first Super sota Golden Gophers. Bowl win in 18 years. On game days, he Dille is in charge of works in the coachall the technology on es’ booth operating the football side of the the Microsoft Surbuilding, developing face tablets used by the in-house software players on the sideSpencer Dille holds the Lombardi Trophy with applications that the lines. Dille travels his wife, Deb, after the victory. scouts and coaches use with the team on the to download analyzed data, such as scout- road and is in charge of technical support ing reports and evaluations of college and as well. On every play he takes four picprofessional players. He was originally tures from the live video feed: pre-snap, hired by former Bucs General Manager when the quarterback drops back, when Mark Dominik nine years ago. He previ- the QB throws the ball and when the reously worked as a software developer for ceiver catches the ball. This season, Dille Kobie Marketing in St. Petersburg. has also been in charge of the distribution One of the biggest days of the year for and collection of the contact tracing chips Dille is the NFL draft, as he also develops that players, staff and coaches have and the draft software. Jason Licht, the Bucs he downloads the data every night to help general manager, uses Dille’s application prevent the spread if there is a positive to make an informed decision on which COVID-19 test. player the team should select, based on Dille enjoys working with scouts, the the player grades and evaluations that coaching staff and players. He started were previously downloaded. For this with the organization in 2012, the same past year’s virtual NFL draft, each gener- year that Bucs star linebacker Lavonte al manager and head coach had just one David was drafted, so he feels a special technical support member in their homes bond with him. The two embraced on to assist with the draft. Dille was Licht’s the field after the Bucs 31-9 win over the technical support. The team had an out- Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. He standing draft, picking three key players also got to hold the Lombardi Trophy and that helped contribute to the Super Bowl celebrate with his wife in front of the Rayrun, including right tackle Tristan Wirfs, mond James Stadium crowd.
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Page 29
LOCAL COUPLE READY FOR SEASON TWO ON THEIR HIT HGTV SHOW
By Karin Davis-Thompson
Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt are two of the newest stars on HGTV, 100 Day Dream Home.
After attracting nearly 23 million viewers in their debut season, Riverview couple Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt are back for season two of their hit show, 100 Day Dream Home. The show follows the couple as they work with Tampa Bay area homeowners to build their dream homes in 100 days or less. Many of their clients featured on the show are residents of Apollo Beach, Riverview, Valrico and Brandon. After touring the site for the new home and getting an understanding of their clients’ needs, the couple gets to work and the clock starts ticking. Brian is in charge of the construction and ensuring proper permits are pulled, building materials are ready and that everything is completed to specification. Mika is in charge of all things design-related. She works with the clients, taking them on what she calls inspiration tours, walking through various homes to get ideas on what they want their new homes to look and feel like. On one recent episode from the new season, Brian and Mika worked with an engaged couple looking to get out of their cramped camper and build their dream home before the wedding day. The couple, both deputies with the Hills-
borough County Sheriff’s Office, purchased a lot in Plant City with more than 8 acres of land. With about 120 days before their wedding, they hoped to come back from their honeymoon to a new dream home. In exactly 100 days, their home was complete—a little more than 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office and a front and back porch. Working together to help clients make their dream home a reality is something Brian and Mika said they love doing. The pair admitted that while some married couples may have trouble spending their days working together, they actually really enjoy it and have been working side-by-side for the last 10 years. The two met as teenagers at Riverview High School, and while Brian has often said he knew she was special even then, the two didn’t really begin dating until they reconnected in 2011. They married in October 2015. Now, as one of the newest stars on HGTV, the couple continues to help clients with getting the home of their dreams, and in this season, the duo will also share the realization of their dream home. Mika said that as exciting as finding your dream home can be, it’s tough to devote the time she would like with so many other irons in the fire. “It has been a challenge working on our dream home this season only because we have been putting a lot of our other projects first,” she said. “Cameras or no cameras, we love what we do and we love working with our clients to create something from a blank canvas.” You can watch Brian and Mika on 100 Day Dream Home on HGTV and all HGTV digital platforms.
By Brian Bokor, Founder www.facebook.com/bokorscorner Welcome to your March update of new developments and openings in the Greater Brandon/ Riverview area. Please check the respective Facebook pages for most recent information. On the retail side, several new shops and restaurants opened this year, including Culver’s on Boyette Rd. in Riverview, Brandon Vegan Deli in the Walmart Neighborhood market plaza on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. as well as three new stores in Bloomingdale Square (Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd. ), including The Flip Flop Shop, Caribbean Mystique Spa and The UPS Store. Gasparilla Pizzeria & Growlers on Bloomingdale Ave. has its alcoholic beverage permit hearing on Monday, February 22 and is hoping to be able to serve beer as well as fill your ‘growlers’ soon after. Stores currently in the construction phase include a RaceTrac at the SE. corner of Lumsden Rd. and Kings Ave. with four new businesses slated for the parcels in front of the Bloomingdale Walmart Supercenter. The standalone building will become a Heartland Dental with the other, a TD Bank, on one side and two as-of-yet unnamed retailers on the other. The bank will be located on the corner lot nearest Wendy’s. Developments in the early stages include a Hydrologic Warehouse, Distri-
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bution Center and Sales Showroom featuring plumbing and lighting and fans at its new location, just south of the TGH Ice Plex off of Falkenburg Rd. Apollo Beach will be welcoming a new restaurant in Finn’s Dockside Bar & Grill, to be located near Circles Waterfront Restaurant on Apollo Beach Blvd. In the Belmont area, new stores planned include a dental office, Dunkin’, Hungry Howie’s and BubbaQue’s on the SW. corner of Paseo Al Mar Blvd. and U.S. 301. On the multifamily residential side, a 66-unit townhome project off of Big Bend Rd. in Summerfield (Townes at Summerfield Creek) is in the presale stage, a gated 58-unit townhome community will be built off Krycul Ave. in Riverview, a 400unit apartment complex is already underway in Waterset and Belmont will see a new 160-unit townhome project behind the new Publix shopping plaza. Two separate, single-family subdivisions are set for the Simmons Loop area with 250 new homes planned southwest of Simmons Loop and another 48 planned just south of Simmons Loop off of Grace Sweat Rd. The area will also see construction begin on the I-75 flyover from U.S. 41 to U.S. 301, connecting Paseo Al Mar Blvd. in Apollo Beach with Balm Rd. in Wimauma (Waterset to Belmont).
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
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SPRING GARDENING IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BY LYNN BARBER, FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ AGENT March is ready, set… garden month in Hillsborough County. We’re past the last chance of frost, and we can put plans and plants into place as we recycle and redesign our landscape beds. It’s a good time to shape and reduce the size of landscape plants. Don’t prune gardenias and azaleas until after they have bloomed. For ornamental grasses, cut the stems to 4-12 inches above the ground, depending on the size of the clump. Recycle your landscape clippings in your compost bin. If you’re raking oak leaves, compost or use them as mulch in a landscape bed. To learn about the dos and don’ts of composting, sign up for a composting workshop offered once a month, currently via Zoom, with us, the UF/ IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, from February through November. Check our calendar of events at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/ hillsborough/upcoming-events/. It’s a great time to apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to your landscape beds. Move mulch away from the stems of your plants. It’s a great landscape addition because it adds nutrients to the soil when it decomposes, retains soil
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moisture, regulates soil temperature and suppresses weed growth. Check the Central Florida Gardening Calendar at https://edis. ifas.ufl.edu/ep450 for what to plant and activities to do month by month. View the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide at http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021 for veggie planting info, soil preparation, fertilization, irrigation, pest management approaches and more. We will be planting beans, southern peas, peppers and tomatoes in March. If you like to grow your own herbs and spices, consider basil, lemon balm, mint, oregano and rosemary. Bulbs provide color, form and texture. Some beauties are Amazon lily, crinum and agapanthus. Let’s get outside and get our hands dirty. Be sure to take time for a nice glass of iced tea and a good book (gardening, of course) on your front porch, lanai or in your garden. Enjoy! Life’s too short not to garden. For assistance with horticultural questions, call 744-5519. More gardening information is available at https:// sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/. Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat. Hope to see you at a workshop soon.
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Volume 20, Issue 3
LOCAL CHARITY RECOGNIZED BY SUPER BOWL COMMITTEE
Staff Report
survivors. “A sexual assault is one of the most traumatizing experiences a person can go through. As the certified rape crisis center in Hillsborough County, we know that anyone who comes through our doors is going to receive the compassion and support they need in that moment from our staff. Receiving something as simple Captain Fear, Lucile Malone from Rep. Fentrice Driskell’s office, as a new shirt in those hours Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, Tampa Mayor Jane after an assault can help aid in Castor, Crisis Center Board Chair Barbara Curts, Melissa Schiller from the NFL, Crisis Center CEO Clara Reynolds and Marcia Mejia the initial healing process for a from Rep. Kathy Castor’s office doing double-fives for Super Bowl LV. survivor. This donation from the NFL ensures that survivors have Ahead of Super Bowl LV, NFL staff collected brand-new clothing to be donated something brand-new and comfortable to to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Sex- go home in following their exam, making a ual Assault Services department. Captain difficult situation that much easier,” said Fear, the team mascot, also attended to Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the help deliver the significant donation with Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The mission of the Crisis Center of Tamrepresentatives from the NFL. To show their support of the donation pa Bay is to ensure that no one in our commade to the county’s only certified rape munity has to face crisis alone. The organicrisis center, Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsbor- zation is the community’s gateway to help, ough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, a hope and healing, and is Tampa Bay’s elite member of Representative Kathy Castor’s provider of crisis and trauma services. team and a member of Representative Responding to over 170,000 requests for Fentrice Driskell’s team were in atten- help each year, the nonprofit agency ofdance as well. The Crisis Center’s Sexual fers a range of evidence-based programs Assault Services department serves in- designed to meet community needs: • Gateway Contact Center (2-1-1: suidividuals 13 years and older within Hillsborough County who have been assaulted. cide prevention, crisis counseling as well Whether the assault occurred last week- as information and referral services). • Corbett Trauma Center (trauma counend or 15 years ago, survivors receive confidential support and resources. The seling and sexual assault survivor serclothing donated by the NFL will be pro- vices). • TransCare (9-1-1 emergency and menvided to survivors whose own clothing is collected for evidence as part of their rape tal health ambulance services, medical van kit. These clothes ensure they have some- transportation). For more regarding the Crisis Center of thing comfortable to change into after the exam. The NFL also provided journals that Tampa Bay, please visit www.crisiscenter. are used as an emotional healing tool for com.
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE VISITS THE FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM By Tatiana Ortiz Ride along Thomas the Tank Engine during its Party Train Tour at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish on select weekends in April. Dates include Saturday, April 17; Sunday, April 18; Saturday, April 24; and Sunday, April 25. Prices range from $19 to $23, depending on the time of day for peak and non-peak pricing. To add, anyone 24 months old and up will need a ticket to Thomas the Tank Engine enter. Ad- makes an appearance during its Party Train Tour at the vanced tickFlorida Railroad Museum. ets will be required. Florida Railroad Museum’s events director, Glenn Miley, mentioned how this event came into fruition. “Thomas the Tank Engine has been visiting the Florida Railroad Museum for 10 years and is coming back in April,” Miley said. While on board Thomas the Tank Engine, attendees will have a party pass to receive favors at numerous stops along the way. An array of activities that attendees could participate in would include crafts, checking out the party corner for lawn game fun and more. Those interested will also get an opportunity to say hello to Sir Topham Hatt or even visit the pop-up gift shop.
This event will be abiding by the local government guidelines with enhanced safety protocols in place. “There will be extra cleaning between trains. Sanitizer stations will also be placed around the grounds,” Miley said. Founded as the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, the Florida Railroad Museum, Inc. was established with the goal to preserve Florida’s railroad history that existed in the 1940s and 1950s. The museum itself consists of exhibits that individuals can ride. The Florida Railroad Museum operates on a 6-mile line between Parrish and Willow in rural Manatee County. As a side note, this specific railroad line was the first to be built in Manatee County. The trains are operated by the Florida Railroad Museum volunteers, and throughout the year, special weekend events such as this one will occur. For more information, visit http:// www.frrm.org. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.ticketweb.com/venue/florida-railroad-museum-parrish-fl/83825. It is located at 12210 83rd St. E. in Parrish and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 941-776-0906.
Page 31
HEAVY METAL FAIRY TALE DOCUMENTARY RELEASED ABOUT LOCAL BAND SIREN
By Kelly Wise Valdes
There’s an old saying, “You’re as young as your dreams.” In 1981, several local Brandon high schoolers had a dream of forming a heavy metal band. Back in the 80s, Tampa Bay was a hot spot for the metal music genre. After practicing in hot garages, backyards and metal sheds, their band, Siren, released its debut single in 1984, “Metro-Mercenary,” which was well-received throughout the metal underground. By early 1986, the band had landed its first record deal with a German record label. The resulting album, No Place Like Home, was released and the band toured and promoted the album throughout 1987. Unfortunately, a string of bad luck, shady business deals and inner politics led to the band’s decision to part ways. This break would ultimately span decades. And then fate intervened. Unbeknownst to any of the former band members, Siren still had a large and loyal following in Germany. In late 2015, Siren fans from different countries reached out to former drummer Ed Aborn on social media. Aborn was living a normal life in Valrico as a software engineer, husband and father to two daughters; his band days were long behind him. However, the inquires led Aborn to write the band memoirs that resulted in an e-book titled Siren – The Early Years. In 2018, a loyal fan from Germany reached out to Aborn with the opportunity to reunite the band and perform at the prestigious Keep It True festival in Germany. The only obstacle was that the band hadn’t existed or played together in more than 30
years. Recognizing that this was a once-in-alifetime opportunity, the band committed to be a part of the festival and got to work. “This has all been beyond imagination,” said Aborn. “When I was 18, it was my dream to be onstage and see thousands of people singing along with the songs I had written. That dream was set aside and forgotten as the obligations of life and family spanned the next 30 years.” The challenge of five guys, now all in their 50s, reuniting after more than three decades to perform before a festival audience in Europe is the premise for the full feature-length documentary, I’m Too Old for This Sh*t!: A Heavy Metal Fairy Tale. The documentary follows the band members— Ed Aborn (drums), Doug Lee (vocals), Gregg Culbertson (bass), Todd Grubbs (guitar) and Hal Dunn (guitar)—as they rekindle friendships and put aside animosity following the band’s breakup 35 years earlier to embrace their last chance at making their rock ‘n’ roll dreams come true. Siren released a new album in April 2020, Back from the Dead, on CD, vinyl and streaming. “We are very proud to have all grown up in the Brandon area,” said Aborn. “We enjoy the fact that the movie can shine a little light on our community.” Visit www.SirenBand.us or on Instagram @SirenBandUS, or visit SirenBandUS. bandcamp.com for merchandise. The documentary is available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU, Sling and several other streaming platforms. Email the band at SirenBandUS@gmail.com.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
TECO’S LAMB CAM IS BACK
TECO PLANS TO RETIRE ANOTHER COAL UNIT NEARLY TWO DECADES EARLY
culture or mining operations, which were the land’s previous occupants. Long-term, as the shift from power generation to solar continues, these investments will help insulate customers from fuel price volatility. Big Bend Unit 3 will retire in April 2023, which is 18 years early. It began operating as a coal unit in 1976; natural gas was added as a secondary fuel several years ago. The company accelerated its retirement Staff Report to save customers money. Keeping the unit operating after 2023 would have required additional capital-intensive improvements. This is the second Big Bend unit that is retiring: Unit 2 will retire in November 2021 as part of the $850 million Big Bend Modernization project. When complete in 2023, the project will have state-of-theart, highly efficient, combined-cycle natural gas units, capable of producing 1,090 megawatts of electricity. Tampa Electric recently announced its plans to retire one of the Modernizing power plants improves Big Bend units in 2023. fuel generation efficiency, which lowers fuel costs for customers and As part of the utility’s strategy to become cleaner and greener, Tampa Elec- lowers emissions. Manatees in the Big Bend discharge tric has achieved new sustainability milecanal will not be affected by these retirestones, including completing enough solar ments; the remaining Big Bend units will energy to power 100,000 homes, with plans to power another 100,000 by 2023 still produce plenty of warm water to proand plans to retire Big Bend Unit 3 in 2023, vide them refuge from the cold. These milestones are part of the compawhich is nearly two decades early. ny’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint, “These significant milestones are improving the land, water and air for all Tam- which started in 1999 with the repowering pa Electric customers,” said Nancy Tower, of the former coal-fired Gannon Station to president and chief executive officer of natural gas, and most recently included the Tampa Electric. “We are saving our cus- modernization of Big Bend Unit 1. This is tomers money while becoming cleaner and consistent with Tampa Electric’s strategic focus of transitioning power generation to greener in measurable ways.” Thanks to local solar projects, Tampa less carbon intensity while remaining afElectric has saved two billion gallons of fordable for its customers. To learn more, water that had previously irrigated agri- visit www.tampaelectric.com.
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triplets this year. Tampa Electric TECO’s Lamb Cam is back. TECO’s rented Katahdin doesn’t own the lambs; we just emsheep are flocking to TECO’s new solar fields at their Big Bend Solar site in Apollo Beach to maintain the fields. ploy them. They are rented sheep Grazing sheep provide significant cost savings over tradi- that help us keep the grass short.” tional mechanical lawn mowers and they are better for The sheep have adequate food, the environment. water, shade and shelter. A team of experts monitor their health several times a week. Tampa Electric has installed fencing to keep out most predators. This breed of sheep has hair, not wool, so they are better suited for Florida’s climate. “Our solar fields come in all shapes and sizes and all of them will benefit from our furry friends,” Jacobs said. “As of this month, Tampa Electric has about seven percent of its energy generated from the sun, which is the highest percentage of solar generation of any utility in the state.” Lamb Cam is extremely popular on TECO’s Facebook page. “Lamb Cam is very popular, among our most popular posts ever,” Jacobs said. “We have viewers from around the world, including some ‘super fans’ that count the days until Lamb Cam starts every year. In this crazy time we live in, who doesn’t need a moment of zen? Lamb Cam is a lovely, pastoral experience. You can listen to the lambs, the birds, the wind and even an occasional passing train. It is very calming.” If you would like to watch TECO’s Lamb Cam, you can visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tampaelectric.
When people can’t sleep, they tend to count sheep. Well, TECO wants its customers to get a good night’s sleep, so it brought back its Lamb Cam. “Lamb Cam debuted in 2019, and it was so popular—among our most popular posts ever—that some customers count sheep until it returns,” said TECO’s Cherie Jacobs. “And now it’s back.” TECO’s rented Katahdin sheep are flocking to TECO’s new solar fields at its Big Bend Solar site in Apollo Beach to maintain the fields. Grazing sheep provide significant cost savings over traditional mechanical lawn mowers and they are better for the environment. “This is the third year for Lamb Cam,” Jacobs said. “When we started, the sheep had been on-site for about a year and the team was excited to see the babies during lamb season. We thought our customers might enjoy seeing the baby lambs too.” Lamb Cam will feature footage of newborn lambs on Facebook Live from the Big Bend Solar site. “We have a few more babies this year, at least 50 so far,” Jacobs said. “Last year, we had about 40 babies. There seems to be a higher occurrence of
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
Page 33
ECHO OPENS NEW THRIFT SHOP
PRECIOUS COINS & GOLD
PROVIDES EDUCATION TO ITS CUSTOMERS ON THEIR VALUABLES By Tatiana Ortiz Apollo Beach residents and Owners of Gold is known for. Precious Coins and Gold in Sun City Cen“We are known for educating people on ter Cono Liguori and his wife, Cecelia Li- what they have and explain in a way that guori, bring more than 35 years of exper- makes them feel good when they leave tise in retail as they both managed large here,” Cono said. jewelry stores during their professional With the coins aspect, it can assist careers. Prior to people with deterstarting the busimining the value ness, the Liguoris on their coins from had somewhat reeither the United tired, but started States or foreign getting into gold ones. Any coins and silver items as older than 1964, a hobby due to an along with old and interest, which led obsolete paper curthem to opening rency older than their shop in 2013. 1934, are what Part of its mission Precious Coins and would be to help Gold seeks, for peopeople manage ple wanting to sell. their assets and “Overall, many give them the best Owners Cecelia Liguori and her husband, Cono Liguori of do not realize how Precious Coins and Gold in Sun City Center. deal available. much some of their Precious Coins possessions are and Gold provides free consultations for worth,” Cono said. “We pay a fair price those interested in selling their gold and and our clients become not only friends, silver coins, investment silver and gold but also repeat clients as well,” he added. jewelry as well as other items. Even if one For more information, please visit cannot go to this location for their con- http://www.preciouscoinsandgold.com. sultation, the Liguoris will come to them, Precious Coins and Gold is located at whether it be at their home or an assisted 1509 Sun City Center Plz., Ste. A in Sun living facility, just to name a couple. Pre- City Center near the Bella Cucina Italian cious Coins and Gold chemically tests and Family Restaurant. It is open Monday weighs people’s metals too. It also offers through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and on Satthe cash value of the items up front. urday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 863-899-8048 Cono shared what Precious Coins and or 373-2802.
By Laura Tamayo
Vintage clothing, edgy teenagers, molded books; what’s not to love about thrift stores? With its recent upwelling within popular culture, ‘thrifting’ has become a common activity across the country, offering an array of objects at a low price and supporting sustainable fashion at the same time. On January 22, ECHO, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County with emergency food, clothing and access to life-stabilizing programs and resources, saw its chance and opened its very own thrift store. “The planning for the thrift store started over 15 years ago. The organization started first with Saturday morning thrift sales, then Saturday morning thrift sales plus Boutique clothing sales, next came the social enterprise: ECHO Handmade. In June 2019, the ECHO Boutique opened, and now, finally, we have a thrift store,” said Eleanor Saunders, executive director of ECHO. ECHO as an organization has been serving the Tampa community for over 30 years. “Last year alone, ECHO distributed 1.2 million dollars worth of clothing, free of charge, to our neighbors in need,” boasted Saunders. Though ECHO enjoyed having its small boutique, Saunders emphasized that it
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needed a place to expand its vintage clothing collection (all the rage, nowadays). The ECHO thrift store will also offer men’s clothing, books, housewares and children’s clothing, all items that the boutique did not have. One hundred percent of all proceeds from the thrift store go directly to fund food donations, clothing, job coaching, and free GED classes. All in all, if you’re looking to thrift somewhere that isn’t plagued by the epidemic of the ‘alternative’ adolescent (yet), offers an extensive array of goods and contributes to the improvement of our community, head to ECHO Boutique at 424 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. Interested, but penniless? ECHO is always on the hunt for committed volunteers as well as donations. Contact volunteercoordinator@echofl.org for volunteering inquiries and drop off any donations you may have at the ECHO Riverview and Brandon locations.
Page 34
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
CHAMBER STARTS PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Staff Report
Are you a young professional looking to sionals as we are all navigating this new get involved in the Brandon community? endeavor. YP at the Brandon Chamber will The Greater Brandon Chamber of Com- be a place we can all grow in our profesmerce launched a leadership program sions together and learn from one anothtargeting young proer.” fessionals earlier this Kelly Peretz, the chammonth. ber’s membership and adAccording to Ina ministrative coordinator, Morrissey, the 2021 will be the staff liaison for Young Professionals the program. Of her new chair, this program role, Peretz shared, “I’m will provide recent looking forward to being a graduates and those resource and supporter for new to the workyoung professionals in the force an opportunity community. Building conto build connections nections is so important at with like-minded indithe early stages of a career viduals, grow profesand the chamber has the sionally and personally reach to attract young proas well as leave their fessionals from across the marks on the Brandon community to be a part of community. this program.” Membership in the Ina Morrissey, the 2021 Young ProfessionThe Greater Brandon chair, is looking forward to welcoming Brandon Young Profes- alsnew Chamber of Commerce is members to the Greater Brandon sionals provides access celebrating 61 years in the Chamber of Commerce group. to quarterly Off the Brandon community. Clock mixers and Power It is a membership orHour lunches. In addiganization that identifies tion to the events, young community needs and professionals will have builds services to meet access to a private onthem with nine various line group to encourage committees, councils, leads members to use each other as a resource, groups and leadership programs, so the share ideas and build relationships. chamber has something for everyone in The program kicked off with an Off the the community. Clock mixer at Fuzzy’s Tacos on February To learn more about the Young Profes10. sional Group or to sign up for future events, Morrissey stated, “I am so excited to be visit brandonchamber.com/young-profeslaunching Brandon Young Professionals. sionals. The Greater Brandon Chamber of Graduating this past year and diving into Commerce is located at 1463 Oakfield Dr., the professional world, I noticed a need for Ste. 134 in Brandon and can be reached at unity in the younger populations of profes- 689-1221.
Volume 20, Issue 3
YMCA OFFERS FREE DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM TO MEDICARE PARTICIPANTS
Staff Report
Qualified Medicare participants can ing to the CDC. Prediabetes is a condition partake in the YMCAs of Tampa Bay’s in which a person’s blood glucose is eleevidence-based, CDC-approved Diabetes vated, but not high enough for a diabetes Prevention Program at no cost to them. diagnosis. Only 7 percent of those with The 12-month lifestyle modification pro- prediabetes know they have it, but with gram has been proven to reduce the risk awareness and simple actions, people of developing with prediabetes may type 2 diabetes prevent the onset of for those who are diabetes, a leading at risk. cause of heart disThe Y’s Diabeease, stroke, blindtes Prevention ness, kidney disease Program is ofand nerve disease. fered both in-per“Committed to imson and virtually proving the health at YMCAs across and well-being of Tampa Bay. A Tampa Bay, the Y trained lifestyle wants all community The YMCAs of Tampa Bay’s evidence-based, CDC-apcoach will provide proved Diabetes Prevention Program is available at members to underno cost to qualified residents. a supportive envistand their risk for ronment where participants learn how prediabetes and steps to take to avoid to incorporate healthy eating, physical developing type 2 diabetes,” said Tampa activity and behavior modification into Metropolitan Area YMCA Healthy Living their daily lives. Proven results show the Director Dawn Kita. “Developing type program can prevent or delay new cases 2 diabetes not only puts a tremendous of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent strain on our healthcare system, but imand by as much as 71 percent in those pacts the lives of millions of people and over age 60. their families each year.” “365 days ago, I sat in a classroom at Many insurance providers offer this the YMCA and signed an agreement to program as a covered benefit for anyone join the Diabetes Prevention Program, go who has been diagnosed as having prediato meetings and follow their guidelines betes or who is at a high risk for developto be healthier and reduce my risk of de- ing type 2 diabetes. To qualify, Medicare veloping diabetes,” shared Cindy Reavis. recipients must have an A1C between “I’m thrilled to report success. To date, I have lost 87 pounds and lowered my A1C 5.7-6.4 or a fasting glucose of 110-125. from 5.8 to 5.5, which means I am no lon- Financial assistance and payment plans ger prediabetic. This program and my in- are available for other qualifying individuals based on household income. structors have literally changed my life.” For more information, email YDPP@ More than one in three Americans (88 million people) have prediabetes, accord- tampaymca.org.
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
Page 35
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The food and restaurant business is in Ginger Williams’ blood. Williams is the owner of Ginger’s Cafe Korean-American Mix Up food truck. “My mother, Kay Williams, owned and operated two restaurants while I was growing up,” Williams said. “Bong Hwang on Henderson Blvd. in Tampa and Yi Dynasty on Lumsden in LaViva Plaza in Brandon. One of my uncles owns Shilla Korean Restaurant in Sarasota. So, the food and the cooking are just in the blood, I guess.” Williams’ career didn’t start in the restaurant business; it started in the automotive business. “Before I started this journey, I spent the last 16 years of my life in the car business on the service side,” Williams said. “I spent a lot of time oneon-one with customers and that was honestly my favorite part of the job. I talked about starting a food truck for about the last 10 years and finally decided it was time.” Ginger’s Cafe Korean-American Mix Up is a cafe on wheels, serving a fusion of traditional Korean and American fare. “Growing up in a household in which we ate both Korean and American food and sometimes fusing the two made for some delicious eats,” Williams said. Williams left her job in the automotive business in April 2019. “I found my truck in June and the building began,” she
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Ginger’s Cafe Korean-American Mix Up is a cafe on wheels, serving a fusion of traditional Korean and American flare.
said. “I worked every day getting my truck ready to start my business. I even painted it myself. It was a lot of work. My savings, blood, sweat and tears were all spent during my nine-month project. I was finally ready to open, so excited to start and then hit the pandemic. So, I opened in March 2020 and the struggle began.” The cafe started as a mobile service, one night a week at the Korean American Journal and two days a week at the Brandon Oriental Market. “We did apartment complex dinner services, residential HOAs and anywhere else that we could get in,” Williams said. “I finally found my permanent location this past August. We had to wait until November to move in and get started. It’s been slow growing, but our customers all come back, so that’s the dream I chase, keeping the people and growing the relationships.” Williams couldn’t have made it this far without the help of her family. “I have made it this far only because of the help of my family,” Williams said “My mother, Kay, works with me everyday for lunch. My sister Suzie, sister-in-law Zaadia and aunt Sung Ae also work on nights and weekends. Without them, I don’t think I’d survive. The love and support of my family are everything to me.” To learn more about Ginger’s Cafe Korean-American Mix Up, you can visit www. facebook.com/GingersMixUpCafe or call Williams at 325-9633.
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Page 36
Do you get to the course early and get warmed up before your round? In reality, the proper procedure for the day you play should start when your alarm clock goes off. Every day should start with some sort of stretching. Flexibility is paramount for a good golf swing. Proper leg, back and arm stretching is important. Plan to get to the course at least 30 minutes early and work through a routine. Start with grabbing two wedges and take slow swings while holding both clubs. This is the same concept as putting a donut weight on a baseball bat before you get up to the plate. The extra weight of the two clubs not only make it easier when you go to swing just one club, but it also causes you to overswing, in turn stretching out your back. Proper leg and torso stretching is a must since most of your power comes from your core. After your stretching at the course, you want to warm up your swing. You want to use your time on the range to evalu-
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
ate your swing that day and make small tweeks, not broad swing changes. Always start with a wedge and a half swing and work your way up to your driver, not hitting more than a dozen balls at the most for each club. Finish your range warm up by hitting the shot you will be hitting off the first tee. At Summerfield, the first hole is a short par 4 and many golfers will hit a 3-wood off the tee, so I would hit that 3-wood last during your warm up. Don’t forget to leave yourself at least five minutes to practice putting before you tee off. It is important to become aware of the green speed and work on distances of 5, 10 and 15 feet to get the feel you need before heading out. A good warm up will set you and your body up for an enjoyable round and scores you will be happy with. Fairways & Greens Jason Blanchard, General Manager, Summerfield Crossings Golf Club
Volume 20, Issue 3
March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Page 37
SOUTH COUNTY SPARTANS FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING PROGRAM MOVES TO FISHHAWK IN MERGER WITH FISHHAWK WOLVES By Nick Nahas roll and gives them rewards for doing so. The new facility has a room where the athletes can receive tutoring and participate in study hall. They also have academic advisors and scholarship funds to The South County Spartans Athletic Program (SCSAP), in its fourth year of existence, is merging with the TBYL FishHawk Wolves. The South County Spartans’ football and cheerleading facilities will now be based at the FishHawk Sports ComThe Spartans will have a new logo and colors. plex, and the program will change its name to the FishHawk help their students. Spartans. The move was agreed upon in The Spartans are looking for commumid-January and will give the Spartans nity sponsors as well as more volunteer a football complex that they didn’t have football coaches and cheerleading coachin SouthShore. The merger will benefit es, football players and cheerleaders. both sides and, hopefully, bring in new The league will have nine levels of footstudents. ball, ranging from 4 to 5 year olds (flag “We finally have a home with an actual football) and 6 to 14 year olds (ages 13 football field with a full facility where we and 14 will play together). They will start can be more involved with our commuconditioning and training at the end of nity,” said FishHawk Spartans President February. Christian Beiter. The FishHawk Spartans are looking Beiter said that before the move, they to have different community outreach rented a baseball field that didn’t have events for current students, as well as a concession stand, a press box, stands potential students to help spread their or storage for the equipment, and they name throughout their new community. weren’t allowed to hang banners. The merging of the South County The SCSAP wasn’t able to compete in Spartans Athletic Program page and the 2020 due to COVID-19. The players and TBYL FishHawk Wolves Facebook page coaches associated with the program is currently underway. If your child is inplayed and coached for another team terested in joining the program, or if you during that time. The program includwant to become a volunteer football or ed sports such as golf, wrestling, footcheerleading coach, or become a commuball and cheerleading, but none of those nity sponsor, visit SouthCountySpartans. sports were able to compete last year. org or reach out through Facebook. The Spartans place a big emphasis on Donations can be made on the South academics in the program. They have an County Spartans Athletic Program Facehonor roll program that provides extra book page as well as PayPal. Monthly or incentives to the students for having one-time donations can be made to the good grades. Every quarter the program program for budget needs. recognizes athletes who make the honor
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
BRANDON SPORTS AND AQUATIC (BSAC) PUTS PARTNERSHIP IN PLACE WITH BRICKS 4 KIDZ Staff Report Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center (BSAC), a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing regional leadership in after-school programs and sports recreation, proudly announced a new partnership between Team T.R.I.D.E.N.T., the BSAC program for special needs adults, and the local chapter of Bricks 4 Kidz, part of a global LEGO® brick-based learning program. The partnership consists of sorting the thousands of LEGO bricks of all colors, shapes and sizes that get overwhelmingly mixed up after being used in various Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO brick-building programs, including after-school exercises, workshops, camps, birthday parties and more. According to Bricks 4 Kidz Owner John Fontana, reassembling all the LEGO bricks back into consistent groupings after any given high-volume exercise had always been a logistical headache of sorts. But, once he put his head together with BSAC CEO Chuck Burgess, the value of what Team T.R.I.D.E.N.T. could do presented itself. “After talking about the problem, Chuck and I arrived at the idea that the hands-on part of the problem had a natural solution in the hands of the special needs adults at BSAC,” Fontana
explained. “The labor-intensive sorting work by size, shape and color was something that was right up their alley, making all the difference in helping us prep previously intermixed LEGOs to be used in subsequent programs.” From Burgess’ perspective, the chance to give T.R.I.D.E.N.T. members a meaningful task they could do with confidence— but also one they take pride in—made the job a perfect fit from all sides. “Our special needs adults have a real hunger for learning and applying life skills,” Burgess shared. “By encouraging them to follow direction and check their work, we’re able to feed their appetite for being active while staying task-oriented.” He continued, “They also have a topnotch work ethic going for them, and a spirit of camaraderie that’s really uplifting to see.” Fontana agreed, and said, “If only everyone we worked with had the same heart and same commitment as these special individuals at BSAC. It’s almost magical, but thankfully, it’s no mystery.” To learn more about Bricks 4 Kidz, www.Bricks4Kidz.com/Florida-Tampa. For details about BSAC, log on to mybsac.org.
Volume 20, Issue 3
FLIP FLOP WOOD SHOP
JOINS THE BRANDON COMMUNITY By Libby Hopkins everyone needs to have one of my Justin Rhodes of Branbed swings on their don worked for the Hillsfront porch.” borough County Sheriff’s If you ask Rhodes Office for 17 years. When what he likes most he retired from the sherabout what he iff’s office in 2020, he does, he’ll tell you started to make his wife’s the challenges he Pinterest dreams come gets from his custrue. “Like a lot of wives, tomers’ requests. my wife spends a lot of “I like building new time in Pinterest,” Rhodes things,” Rhodes said. said. “She saw this bed “Every project has a swing on Pinterest and new challenge and asked me to build it for I like that because When Justin Rhodes of Brandon retired from her. I built one for her the Sheriff’s office in 2020 he started his business when I was workcalled Flip Flop Wood Shop. and then the next thing I ing for the sheriff’s knew, I was asked to build office, it was kind another one for someone else, and that’s of routine. Now, I get to do something new how Flip Flop Wood Shop got started.” and different every day.” He doesn’t have a website, just a FaceRhodes is thankful that the Brandon book page that he started in June of 2020, community has made this business grow so and since then he has been building non- quickly. “My wife and I were worried when stop. “I started to get tons of orders from I left the sheriff’s office for the first few Facebook and Marketplace,” Rhodes said. months. We thought we were going to be “This led to me branching off and doing eating ramen noodles for the rest of our other woodworking things like wood roofs, lives,” Rhodes said with a laugh. “This busiceilings, buildings, bookshelves, entertain- ness took off so fast that it’s hard for me ment centers and other wood creations. to get back to customers with estimates I’m currently booked out with projects quickly. It feels great that my customers through the end of March 2021.” like my work and then recommend me to Rhodes has been woodworking for more other people. It’s a wonderful feeling to than 15 years, but only built things for his know that people appreciate my work.” house. “Since I retired this past June, I’ve Visit his Facebook page at www.facebeen doing Flip Flop Wood Shop full-time,” book.com/FlipFlopWoodShopLLC or call Rhodes said. “It kind of blew up and I think him at 352-0248.
March 2021
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Page 39
LOCAL MILITARY FOUNDATION HOSTS FIRST GOLF TOURNAMENT
By Libby Hopkins
The Stano Foundation and J. T. Morton have joined as partners for the eighth annual J.T. Morton Charity Concert and Golf Tournament which will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 26-27 at the Silverado Golf and Country Club in Zephyrhills.
The Stano Foundation is a local military nonprofit that sends care packages to our troops all over the world and helps local veterans that are transitioning out of homelessness. Since its start in 2015, the foundation has sent more than 4,700 care packages to the troops and it couldn’t have done it without the help of the community. “Our community partners and volunteers are the most amazing people,” said President Paula Stano. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have been able to send our care packages or help our veterans.” The foundation recently formed a community partnership with J.T. Morton, the host of the annual J.T. Morton Golf Tournament. “We met J.T. through another one of our community partners and we were thrilled that he wanted to help our foundation,” Stano said. “We [are] thrilled that he chose our foundation to be the recipient of the proceeds from his golf tournament.
Our hope for this event to raise enough funds to support both of our programs [for] two quarters.” Morton has been hosting this event for eight years now and each year he picks a local charity to support with his tournament. “I started this event years ago when a woman I worked with had breast cancer,” Morton said. “We decided to host a golf tournament to help her and help pay some of her hospital bills. From there, it started to grow bigger and bigger each year.” Morton wanted to help The Stano Foundation because he was inspired by Stano and all the hard work her foundation did for our troops and veterans. “ Paula inspires us by what she puts into her foundation,” Morton said. Stano and Morton are looking to the Brandon community for golfers to participate in the tournament and local businesses to be local sponsors. “Even though this event is being held in Zephyrhills, we have had some great support from the Brandon community for our past events and we hope they will support us again with this event,” Stano said. The eighth annual J.T. Morton Charity Concert and Golf Tournament will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 26-27 at the Silverado Golf and Country Club in Zephyrhills. March 26 is the concert featuring the Jase Randall Band. The golf tournament is on March 27 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. If you’d like to be a tournament sponsor or if you’d like to play in the tournament, visit The Stano Foundation’s website at www.stano.org/golf-tournament or call 1-888-789-4994.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
Page 41
STILL TIME TO HIT THE TRAILS AND COMPLETE THE ANNUAL HIKING SPREE By Kathy L. Collins By Nitish S. Rele
nitishrele@gmail.com
HIGH-PERFORMANCE ECOBOOST
MUSTANG LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION It may not badges deck have the powup on both er of a GT, Bulfront sides. litt or Shelby And if you GT500 but step back, you the Mustang will admire EcoBoost with the eye-catchthe optional ing three-LED high-perforbar sequenmance package tial blinking will leave any signal light. potential ownThe cabin is er thoroughly equally pleasMUSTANG satisfied. We were reing with the traditional Wheelbase: 107.1 inches cently testing out the dual-cowl-style dashLength: 188.5 inches 2.3-liter inline-4 turbo board and easy-to-togWeight: 3,758 pounds EcoBoost, pumping gle switches. Sync 3, out 330 horsepower which accesses audio, Fuel capacity: 16 gallons at 6,000 rpm and 350 telephone, nav controls City: 20 mpg pounds-feet of torque via a voice command, Highway: 27 mpg at 3,000 rpm. Basi8-inch touchscreen tap Base price: $27,865 cally, it is a Focus RS or button click, is simWeb site: www.ford.com powertrain. Add Magple to use. neRide adaptive dampStandard ameniers to smoothen rough ties include dual auto surfaces, 19-inch Pirelli Corsa summer AC, leather seats, manual tilt/telescoptires and a 3.55 Torsen limited-slip rear ic steering column, power windows and axle and you are in for a thrill of a ride. locks, ambient lights, two USB ports and Standard was the seamless six-speed push-button start. manual gearbox. Drive modes in the fulDual front and side airbags, front knee ly-lined cloth convertible include normal, airbags, side curtain airbag, rearview sport, snow/wet, track and drag strip. camera, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with An independent double-ball-joint electronic stability and traction control, MacPherson strut front and integral-link front and rear three-point seatbelts, tire with coil springs rear suspension isolates pressure monitor and daytime running occupants from road noise. Guiding the light come at no extra cost. classic American muscle car toward its The iconic Mustang is renowned for destination is a three-mode electric pow- being exciting and nimble to engage with er, rack-and-pinion steering system. while having a cool and hands-on feel to That this is the ever-recognizable Mus- the cabin, and it has always been sold at tang is evident as you stare at the long, an unbeatable price. The same applies to sculpted hood meeting a blacked-out the EcoBoost and the alluring high-pergrille with the offset tri-bar pony crest formance bundle, which will impress even while 2.3L High Performance Package the hardcore GT and Bullitt fans.
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If you have not signed up for the an- cluding the Myron and Helen Gibbons Nanual Hiking Spree sponsored by Hillsbor- ture Preserve and the Trails of River Hills. ough County Parks & Recreation, never I plan to complete the Hiking Spree and fear, there is still time to do so. The Hik- get a patch or medallion. My fellow hiker, ing Spree ends on Wednesday, March 31. Katie Collins, said, “Who knew we had so For those many beautiful who have regparks and trails? istered and I want to visit all complete at of them.” least eight Dana McDonhikes from ald with Hillsthis year’s Hikborough Couning Spree trail ty said, “We list, you can want everyone choose to reto know that ceive a patch [there] is a fun or medallion. and easy way The annual Hiking Spree, sponsored by Hillsborough If you have to get outdoors County Parks & Recreation, is a great way to get out included your and explore new and see the natural habitat of Hillsborough County. four-legged trails right in Locations such as Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve in friend as a your own backPlant City are a great example. fellow hiker, yard. It is a great you can get a bandana. All of the prizes way to get out in nature and get exercise feature the green tree frog, which is the in your Hillsborough County parks.” designated animal for the 2021 Hiking McDonald added, “These parks are Spree. cared for by people who are dedicated So far, 5,128 residents have registered, to preserving nature and showing the along with 1,065 dogs. Approximate- community the importance of having ly 248 have submitted their completed these treasures so close. It is a great way forms. to see plants, trees or animals that you The annual Hiking Spree is fantastic might not see in your neighborhood.” way to get outside and explore all of the Hillsborough County Parks & Recregreat neighborhood parks, preserves and ation has been hosting the annual Hiking even a few state parks that are a part of Spree for five years. McDonald said, “We Hillsborough County. love showing people undiscovered gems. Since registering, I have visited Black- We plan on keeping the Hiking Spree and water Creek Nature Preserve in Plant City making it better each year.” and the Old Agrico Hiking Trail at Alafia To register for the Hiking Spree, please River State Park. I even discovered a few visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org and spots that are hidden in plain sight, in- click on Hiking Spree.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
WUSF CREATES
ARTS AXIS FLORIDA WUSF has recently created a new way for the community to stay connected to local arts organizations during the pandemic. Arts Axis Florida will provide the community with a way to see, listen to
portant now than ever. Arts Axis Florida is a free service that brings a welcome respite from the turmoil of our extraordinary year. It is a place where you can relax with incredible music and where you can find the intellectual stimulation of great performances.” Arts Axis Florida is a free service and will help bring attention to local organizations. WUSF encourages organizations to promote the site to their Arts Axis Florida is an arts hub that was created to connect the community to local arts organizations. Over 65 organizations are represented audiences who can share it to create and more are added each week. brand awareness. and enjoy all kinds of arts performances, WUSF creates a profile for each organiexhibitions and more. zation, keeps the website updated and JoAnn Urofsky, general manager for provides marketing materials. AdditionWUSF Public Media, said, “Early in the ally, WUSF is working with arts councils pandemic, we realized that our arts part- from each county to host webinar events ners in the community were being devas- in order to effectively train organizations tated by being shut down. Mid-March in on how to use the site. any year is jam-packed with performancArts Axis Florida is funded by the Comes of all kinds, fabulous art exhibits and munity Foundation of Tampa Bay. The endless cultural events. Arts Axis Florida funding will be used to provide more serwas born out of a need to help our com- vices, such as the launch of an Arts Axis munity by helping the nonprofit arts or- podcast, educational engagement and ganizations and performers stay in the alignment with good mental health. forefront and to provide them a space to Within the first two months of Arts share virtual and archive performances Axis Florida launching in mid-Novemand information. We wanted to bridge the ber, there were more than 25,000 page divide created by COVID-19 precautions views, 1,000 audio downloads and over and to help these organizations find new 2,000 email subscribers. Urofsky said, ways to reach their audiences and to find “Arts Axis Florida is here to stay. We have new audiences.” created an arts hub that will continue to Urofsky added, “WUSF has long appre- serve the community, to grow and to keep ciated the fortunate role we have in con- inspiring people.” necting people with the artistic treasures For more information and to sign up, of our state, and that mission is more im- please visit https://www.artsaxisfl.org.
Volume 20, Issue 3
THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION
HONORS BRYANT MARTINEZ Recently, local time, he works artist and educator tirelessly to Bryant Martinez collect items, was honored by The especially Home Depot Founduring the holidation for his work days, to give to with children and migrant famimigrant families. lies who live in The honor came as Wimauma and a result of a nomPlant City. ination by Debi Dolobach, Dolobach, custom- Bryant Martinez was recently honored with a grant a long-time from The Home Depot Foundation. He was nomier order specialist employee of for The Home De- nated by Debi Dolobach from The Home Depot store The Home De#6380 in Riverview. Shown here presenting the grant pot store #6380 to Martinez are (left to right) Jeremy Anderson, Debi pot, has known in Riverview (at Martinez for Dolobach, Bryant Martinez, Chris Gay and Gina the intersection of over 10 years Scrievers. Bloomingdale Ave. and U.S. Hwy. 301). and assisted in donations for area schools, Martinez was nominated by Dolobach for the underserved and organizations such as a grant through The Home Depot Founda- Winthrop Arts. Dolobach said of Martinez, tion’s Operation Surprise. A grant of $1,000 “I cannot believe all he does for people who was donated to Winthrop Arts in Martinez’s live in Wimauma and Plant City.” name. Gina Scrievers, manager of The Home DeThis year, Operation Surprise was re- pot store #6380, said, “We are grateful to imagined due to COVID-19. It was award- share this grant with you.” ed to veterans, first responders, healthcare Martinez said, “Debi is among a small workers and teachers. group of people who believed in what I was The campaign celebrates the selfless spir- doing. She has been a great advocate and it of those who serve. has helped me and countless others over Martinez served as a Navy corpsman with the years.” Martinez added, “This shows the 2nd United States Marines from 1990 that one person can truly make a differto 1994. He was honorably discharged in ence.” 1997. A Navy corpsman is an enlisted mediThe grant will be allocated to funding the cal specialist of the United States Navy who Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory program, may also serve in a United States Marine which provides free arts instruction to unCorps Unit. derserved children through partners such Martinez has worked as an educator since as Hispanic Services Council and Achieve 1999. He is currently the welding instruc- Plant City. tor for Pepin Academy and is the lead art For more information, please visit www. instructor for Winthrop Arts and the Win- winthroparts.org and www.homedepot. throp Arts Mobile Art Factory. In his spare com/foundation.
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Page 43
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Your Questions Answered Staff Report
Amongst the most intelligent of Florida wildlife would have to be the raccoon. With range throughout the state, raccoons are extremely common and can be found practically anywhere. Raccoons are a native species and live in urban, suburban and rural areas and have had success adapting to life within developed regions. Raccoons live in tree cavities and tend to inhabit areas that offer some tree coverage and provide quiet, dark and empty places for them to sleep. Raccoons also love water and are frequently encountered in areas with access to it. A fun fact about raccoons is that they often wet their food before eating it. This behavior heightens their senses in a similar way in which humans use light to enhance our vision. Raccoons have five toes on their front and back feet and noticeably use their long, dexterous fingers to explore their surroundings and are even able to open doors and latches. Easily identifiable by the black markings on their face and bushy, ringed tail, raccoons are most commonly spotted around dusk and dawn. Their diet consists of fruit, small animals, eggs, plants, crustaceans and even garbage. Due to their opportunistic, scavenging ways and masked appearance, they have lovingly earned the title of ‘trash pan-
das.’ These 10 to 15-pound creatures are generally, not strictly, nocturnal, but can also be active during daylight hours without cause for concern. Some reasons for witnessing a raccoon during the day could be that they have been disrupted or scared from their habitat, that a nursing mother is foraging while the babies sleep or juvenile raccoons have lost track of the time, much like human teenagers. Raccoons are considered a nuisance species in the state, but it is easy to co-exist with these curious, social critters. Conflicts with raccoons can be reduced with a few simple steps: Never leave food or pet food outside to eliminate artificial food sources. Keep grills clean and closed. Make sure all trash receptacles are secure and covered. Keep screen and pool rooms closed. Like all wild animals, if you stay away from them, they will stay away from you. Please remember, raccoons are part of our amazing ecosystem and should be respected and admired from afar. Once these animals become a problem, people report it and that often results in certain death for them. Together, we can help to keep our wildlife wild and free.
Brian J. Armstrong, P.G., executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, answers some common questions.
ad valorem property taxes. While the Florida Legislature allows a tax levy up to 1 mill. ($1 for each $1,000 of assessed land value), the current millage rate Q: What is the is far less than the Southwest Florida maximum at 0.2669 Water Management mill. For the owner District? of a $150,000 home A: The Southwest with a $50,000 Florida Water Manhomestead exempagement District (Distion, the District tax trict) was created in would be $26.69 a 1961 by the Florida year, or about $2.22 Brian J. Armstrong, P.G., executive director, Legislature to serve per month. as a local sponsor has more than 20 years of experience in water Q: How does the resource management, serving in various leadfor a series of federal ership roles with the Southwest Florida Water District use my tax flood control projects Management District and the Florida Depart- dollars? ment of Environmental Protection. after Hurricane DonA: More than half na caused massive flooding in the re- of the District’s current budget is dedigion. The District encompasses roughly cated to water resource projects such as 10,000 square miles in all or part of 16 restoring springs, reducing flooding and counties and serves a population of near- pollution and developing alternative waly 6 million people. Today, the District is ter supplies. responsible for managing the water reExamples include $15.9 million for sources for West-Central Florida as di- springs initiatives to restore springs and rected by state law, and its mission is to spring-fed rivers, improve water qualiprotect water resources, minimize flood ty and clarity as well as restore natural risks and ensure the public’s water needs habitats; $26.3 million for Watershed are met. Management Program plans to support floodplain management decisions and Q: Who oversees the District and initiatives as well as address potential where does its funding come from? and existing flooding problems; and A: A 13-member governing board over- $20.9 million for development of altersees District activities. Members are un- native water supplies to ensure an adepaid volunteers appointed by the gover- quate supply of water for both now and nor and confirmed by the Florida Senate in the future. to set policy and administer the budget. To learn more about the District, visit District funding comes primarily from WaterMatters.org.
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Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
Volume 20, Issue 3
SIMMONS HAMMOCK: COUNTY’S EARLIEST SETTLEMENT GREW SLOWLY
By Charles Nelson
In 1824, Fort Brooke (later Tampa) was established at the Hillsborough River’s mouth to keep an eye on native Seminoles confined to an interior reservation by the Treaty of Moultrie Creek. Although there were few settlers, tensions between Seminoles and settlers sparked from time to time. Yet, even with the Fort’s protection, settlers did not rush into lands that would eventually become East Hillsborough County. A Seminole raid’s potential was a genuine possi- “Site of 1857 raid in Simmons Hammock.” Source: The Tambility and a significant imped- pa Tribune, April 23, 2006: HC Veterans Memorial Museum. ately. The three families escaped to Fort iment to rapid settlement until Brooke for protection. shortly before the Civil War. That warning was all too real. One of the earliest Hillsborough County On December 28, 1835, Major Francis settlers to test that danger was a Baptist minister, Rev. Daniel Simmons. In 1829, he Dade led his troops east from Tampa, insettled on lands known as Simmons Ham- tending to relieve Fort King near present mock that lay near today’s Seffner and Do- day Ocala. A war party of determined ver, along U.S. 92. His goal was to convert Seminoles attacked the column near presnearby Seminoles to the Christian faith. ent-day Dade City and killed all but three Over the next seven years, the Howard and of the 100-plus man unit. A few weeks later, Major General EdSanders families settled nearby. Simmons’ early relationships with the mond Gaines led 980 soldiers through Seminoles seemed peaceful, but federal Simmons Hammock to investigate the atIndian policy would soon disrupt Sim- tack. He found the three Simmons Hammons’ relationships. In 1835, tensions mock homesteads burned to the ground. reached a boiling point when the United Simmons was lucky to have survived. He States reneged on promises and insisted never returned to Simmons Hammock. the Seminoles vacate reserved land imme- The message was clear. As the seven-year Seminole War neared diately. Many Seminoles chose to ignore its end in 1842, the government encourthat order through armed resistance. A small group of Seminoles, friendly to aged settlement through the passage of Simmons, warned him that fighting was the Armed Occupation Act. White settlers imminent and urged him to flee immedi- could receive 160 acres of free land if
County. Native threats persisted, and those tensions occasionally resulted in minor skirmishes; although, one of those attacks was more significant. In May 1857, during the Third Seminole War, a wagon train supplying a military garrison on Moore’s Lake (on the eastern side of Simmons Hammock) was attacked by raiding Seminoles. Fatal casualties included Simmons Hammock farmer Levi Starling; his son, James; and a Mr. Roach. Once, a historical marker sat along U.S. 92, just east of Seffner, to commemorate the battle, but is now, sadly, missing. While this was the last Seminole action recorded in Hillsborough County, the potential for violence was felt until 1858, when the war was over. But, white settlers had already begun to leave the area. The dislocations of the Civil War continued the flight of farmers abandoning “William Hooker cattleman, settled in Simmons their homes. Filling that void after the Hammock in 1843.” Source: TampaPix.com. war, a growing number of newly freed black slaves moved into abandoned they agreed to establish a farm and help Simmons Hammock farms as racial viodiscourage any further Seminole trouble. lence escalated in surrounding counties in This act brought a small number of setthe 1870s and 1880s. tlers into Simmons Hammock, once again. The Simmons Hammock area remained However, the armed homesteaders did not sparsely populated until 1883, when Henaltogether remove the danger of Seminole ry Plant brought his railroad through the action. region and established his company headOne Simmons Hammock claimant was quarters in the new town of Seffner. William B. Hooker, later an important Tampa and Hillsborough County politician. He parlayed his 160 acres into a large catCHARLES NELSON HOLDS A MA DEGREE IN tle ranch, becoming the second-largest HISTORY FROM GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY AND TAUGHT AS AN ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR AT cattleman in Florida. (He sold his 4,500 HCC (DALE MABRY). HE IS ALSO AFFILIATED head of cattle to Jacob Summerlin in WITH TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER AS A VOLUNTEER DOCENT, RESEARCHER AND 1855.) Nevertheless, from 1842 to 1860, COMMUNITY LECTURER, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON only 50 families established farms in SimSOUTH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HISTORY. mons Hammock and Eastern Hillsborough
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
EMBARK ON A UNIQUE ADVENTURE WITH LATITUDES TOURS By Tatiana Ortiz Those seeking a new type of excursion along the waterways of the Tampa Bay Estuary and Little Manatee River should check out Latitudes Tours in Ruskin. Captain Dave Lopez, who owns Latitudes Tours, has a passion for anything Tampa-related and especially for fishing and boating. Latitudes Tours provides its guests with a memorable experience through its guided kayak ecotours, dinner cruises, private charters for weddings, birthdays and more. It also educates guests on the history of Florida, its nature and much more. While on this journey, from time to time one may also spot manatees, dolphins and other wildlife. Latitudes Tours opened on October 2018. Since then, it has expanded to now offering Beach Bus and Paddle Bus tours. In 2020, Latitudes Tours received the Travelers’ Choice Award on Tripadvisor. The Paddle Bus stores all of the kayaks for those participating in the guided kayak eco-tours. It will travel to a total of six locations,
which include Robinson Preserve, E.G. Simmons Conservation Park and more. These tours take 2.5 hours, as much will be seen. Lopez explained how the Paddle Bus works. “The Paddle Bus does not take people to the location and all of the places do have parking available,” Lopez said. “Everything will also be set up in the water for those when they arrive,” he added. With the Beach Bus tours, it holds 15 passengers and travels to Anna Maria Island Hard Rock Casino, Strawberry Festival as well as other locations. It departs at Little Harbor Resort and Sun City. Those who take a ride on the Beach Bus will get to hear some history on the way to their destination and more. “All in all, I look forward to seeing how the future goes with our expansion,” Lopez said. For more information or to book a tour, visit https:// www.latitudestours.com or call 641-1311.
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Volume 20, Issue 3
Bloomingdale / FishHawk Edition
March 2021
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JANE OWEN
BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL HAS RECORD-BREAKING NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
TWELVE ATHLETES SIGN
Twelve Bloomingdale High School student-athletes signed on National Signing Day.
Bloomingdale High School had another successful National Signing Day in 2021. On February 3, 12 Bulls—11 football players and one lacrosse player—signed their National Letters of Intent. The Bloomingdale football team had a tremendous season, winning its first district championship in the school’s 33-year history, achieving a team-best 12-1 overall record, while making the program’s first state semifinal appearance in the school’s history. This was also the first season in which both the varsity and JV teams went undefeated in the regular season. Signees include: Britton Pascoe (North Dakota State University), Jayden Williams (Florida Atlantic University), Jordan Guerad (Florida International University), Tre Simmons (Tusculum University), Jac’son Boone (Tusculum University), Jayden Se-
garra (University of Findlay), Jon’athon Dixon (Baldwin Wallace), DJ McQueen (Warner University), Avant Bethea (Warner University), Unique Lewis (Warner University), Cullen Hicks (Trinity International University) and Nathan Pepe (Birmingham Southern College). Pepe is the first Bloomingdale lacrosse player to sign and play in college. He will attend Birmingham Southern College and major in either accounting or business finance. “I am extremely honored to be the first lacrosse player to sign at Bloomingdale,” said Pepe. “I have had this dream since middle school, and I am so happy I achieved it. It felt amazing to know where I was going to continue my athletic and academic career and very heartwarming to see all the support I Creative balloon designs for:
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was given throughout this process.” Senior quarterback Tre Simmons was the football team’s leader as the signal caller, and had the stats to back up his on-field play as well. The dual-threat QB completed 153 passes for 2,490 yards and an eye-popping 27 touchdowns, while carrying the ball 96 times for 400 yards and seven touchdowns. He will play for Tusculum University in the fall and will major in sports
management. “It’s a huge blessing to be able to play at the next level and gets me one step closer to my dreams of playing in the pros,” said Simmons. “What made Tusculum a great fit is the love and togetherness of the coaching staff and school. Everyone is on the same page and on one accord.” Bulls free safety Britton Pascoe only played in three games this past season due to an injury; however, that didn’t prevent him from moving on to the college level. He will play for Division 1-AA powerhouse North Dakota State, and he is leaning towards majoring in exercise science. “North Dakota State felt right because they not only recruited me, they recruited my family and really got to know me as a person before offering me a scholarship, and stuck with me after my injury,” said Pascoe. “That’s when I knew that I made the right choice.”
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