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April 2020 Volume 15, Issue 4 Ph: 657-2418
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Osprey Observer Receives Facebook Journalism Project Grant To Continue COVID-19 Coverage
Keel Farms Offers Daily Community U-Pick While Founder Serves In Army Reserve
stories of hope in our comThe Facebook munity,” said Osprey Journalism Project Observer Managing Editor (FJP) recently Marie Gilmore. awarded This is the second Community round of grants from the Network grants to FJP. Fifty recipients were 400 North announced in late March. American local “The Facebook news rooms to Journalism Project support corondoubled the total avirus reporting. grant pool to $2 milThe Osprey after more than lion Observer team The Osprey Observer team, 200 publishers was thrilled to be which now holds staff meetings virtually, was recently awarded a grant applied in the first 48 among them. from the Facebook Journalism “I know right Program to aid in COVID-19 coverage. hours after the application launched,” said now newsrooms Berisha. “The expansion are working incredibly hard made it possible to help an and long hours to keep our even greater number of newscommunity updated in all rooms navigate the economic things COVID-19,” said Liz impact of the outbreak.” Berisha, account executive with the The grants will help fulfill needs such Moore Agency. “Facebook is trying to as remote work, increased frequency of relieve some of the financial burden by publishing, combatting misinformation giving grants to newsrooms across the and serving vulnerable and at-risk country.” groups. Each of the newsrooms, which are “This is a part of Facebook’s broader located in 48 U.S. states, Washington effort to provide support around COVIDD.C., Puerto Rico and several provinces 19, including a separate $1 million in and territories in Canada, will receive $5,000 to cover unexpected costs associ- grants to support fact checkers and a recently announced $25 million in relief ated with reporting on the crisis in their grants,” said Berisha. “Access to trustworcommunities. The Osprey Observer was thy, accurate and local information is critione of eight in Florida, including WEDU cal now more than ever in our state. Tampa and The Tampa Bay Times. These small investments can help fulfill The program is run in partnership immediate needs such as increasing frewith the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Local Media Association (LMA) in quency of publishing, tools to work remotely, combating misinformation and the U.S., News Media Canada and The Independent News Challenge in Canada. serving vulnerable and at-risk groups.” To learn more about the Facebook “The Osprey Observer was so honJournalism Program, search for the group ored to receive notification that we were on Facebook. Visit selected by the Facebook Journalism www.OspreyObserver.com to see updatProject to receive a newsroom grant to ed coverage of local news. continue our coverage of COVID-19 and
In his absence, the April is traditionally family-run Keel Farms conblueberry harvest seatinues its essential food son in Central Florida, and beverage production with crowds flocking to as Joe Keel, his father and Plant City’s beloved Keel Farms’ founder, and regional Blueberry other family members hanFestival. dle daily operations. But this year, On the home front, though the fields are Clay’s wife, Carmen Keel, ripe and overflowing a schoolteacher, has with berries, there is no adapted to the new norm festival, and no one to of staying home, teaching pick them. her students virtually and “COVID-19 has changed everything, so U-pick blueberries are available helping the Keels’ own now in Plant City. children—a high school we’ve expanded our Usenior, the other a third grader—with their pick hours to every day of the week to schoolwork. spread people out and keep them safe,” Blueberries are $6 per pound and said Clay Keel, owner of the Keel family’s may be purchased already picked too. essential business, which includes Keel Other produce and fresh eggs are for Farms, Keel & Curley Winery and Keel sale, subject to availability. The Keel Farms Agrarian Ale + Cider. “What could Farms kitchen, located at 5210 be better than taking the whole family on Thonotosassa Rd. in Plant City, opens at a fun, food-gathering outing in the sun11 a.m. daily (after being thoroughly shine and fresh air—picking antioxidantfilled, vitamin-rich, immune-boosting blue- cleaned and disinfected), offering its savory, pub-style options to-go. Enjoy a berries?” “It’s a win-win,” he said. “Picking is an delicious take-home lunch or dinner after an exciting day of berry picking. U-picking amazing family experience, and you is between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day come home with lots of healthy fruit for at Keel Farms. Visit www.keelfarms.com, snacking and maybe bring home a bottle call 752-3892, Facebook and Instagram. of wine or can of cider too.” Keel Farms has taken extra safety precautions for the U-pick experience. With its 15 acres, everyone can practice social distancing. U-pickers can park for free at the tasting room, come inside and grab a bucket. These are sanitized with a chlorine disinfectant between uses and then Thank you for your patience lined with a plastic bag to hold the berries. and understanding. Some of our Tape on the floor every six feet helps stories and advertisements were keep customers safely apart. Around the approved well before printing of this farm and retail area there are hand saniedition so please note times, locatizer dispensers, handwashing stations tions, dates and details may have and full bathrooms with soap and water. adjusted, changed or rescheduled Clay is an expert in proper healthsince publication. We appreciate safety protocol since he is also a medical your support and readership of planner. He is currently activated with the Your Community Newspaper. Army Reserves Medical Command, Marie Gilmore organizing hospitals being set up in response to COVID-19, like at the Javits www.ospreyobserver.com Center in New York City.
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Page 2
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2020
Page 3
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Schools Superintendent Addison Davis Facing New Job & County Crisis Head On
Local Food Trucks Thank Essential Workers With Free Meals
district and the rich diversity and focus that needs to be put in place for the system to work, which is why I’m excited to join the Hillsborough County School district.” The Davis family will make Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis sits Hillsborough with School Board Chair Melissa Snively as he signs his contract County home to take on his new position. starting this sumJust four weeks into his mer and includes new position as superinhis wife, Natalie, tendent of the country’s sevwho works in the enth largest school district, Insurance busiwith 280 schools, more than ness, and two 220,000 students and more daughters, includthan 24,000 staff members, ing one who will be and Addison Davis is loving a high school freshevery minute. man in the fall and He had two weeks plays travel volleybefore the COVID-19 ball and a daughter restrictions forced the closwho is a freshman ing of schools through at softball player at least Friday, May 1, and he the University of didn’t waste a minute. Central Florida. “Before the virus hit, I The Davis family is had cleared my schedule Hillsborough County Schools athletic and Davis from 7:30-12 Noon every Superintendent Addison Davis and his wife run day to get into the schools hands out school lunches during four miles per day and meet teachers and stuan unprecedented shut down. and make time for dents,” said Davis, who says that even the gym and yoga. “There are a lot of in that short period of time, he learned points of pride in athletics and we that the Hillsborough County staff is absolutely understand the work/life balfilled with high-quality, skilled teachers ance needed to have the energy to that deserve their district’s support. keep up with this job.” “We need to mainstream our curDavis is not all business, and riculum,” he explained. “We have a lot of independent contractors and we need though he typically doesn’t slow down enough for a sit-down lunch, he a centralized curriculum and support for absolutely has a sweet tooth. “People teachers and a method to allow us to are sometimes surprised that I like determine our overall return on investsweets. Give me some jelly beans or ment.” Sour Patch Kids, but my dentist certainIt’s this straight-to-the point and ly doesn’t recommend them for my matter-of-fact effort that made Davis a teeth.” very popular administrator in Duval Davis, the third of five siblings, grew County, where he had been a teacher up on the west side of Jacksonville. He and principal before becoming Chief of played football and baseball at Robert Schools. In 2016, he was elected to the E. Lee Senior High School and then Clay County superintendent position and was nominated for national awards. graduated from Guilford College in “I think that everyone wants to work Greensboro, North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in exercise science and in concert on behalf of the children and physical education and from we have to work alongside every stakeJacksonville University in Jacksonville holder in the district to achieve the with a master’s degree in educational same goal,” Davis said. leadership. In Duval, the 20th largest school For more information or to reach district, Davis had 170 schools to overDavis, visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us. see. “I understand the needs of a large
A local venue way,” said Hipp. worked with a “The concept was group of food to order online trucks last month and simply driveto feed those helpthru to pick up ing our community your order. It was through the corona great experiavirus quarantine. ence and we Tabellas, located were thrilled to off Causeway see our venue Blvd., hosted activated and food trucks doing some good from all over for our city and the Tampa Essential workers from the Brandon area were community.” Bay area for two invited to eat for free at food trucks last month. During the weeks in April, offering free meals for first event, the trucks, which included Station responders and medical workers in addiHouse BBQ, The Shred 813, Coco’s Latin tion to convenient, safe food for residents Cuisine Food Truck, Nico’s Arepas, Hoke to purchase. Poke and Just Smokin’ BBQ, served According to Tabellas representative close to 100 police officers, firefighters, Tess Hipp, the six-acre venue stopped EMTs, nurses and doctors. hosting events last month and decided to Tabellas, a new venue, hosts private open up to food trucks for no charge so parties of all sizes and styles, from corpothey could provide meals to essential rate gatherings to weddings to quinceanworkers. eras. “During this time, Tabellas has been “To us, Tabellas means togetheraffected by COVID-19 by having to postness,” said Hipp. “It’s the meeting space pone corporate and private events that for community, group interaction and celewere booked at our venue,” said Hipp. bration. It’s bringing people together to “With our venue being open, we saw this celebrate special moments and join in as an opportunity to give back to our unity to grow, share and celebrate life. community in some way.” With the times we are facing due to the Five food trucks participated during coronavirus, we wanted to extend our lunch hours on Wednesdays through mission to bring people together to join Saturdays for two weeks. forces to give back to workers on the front “The participating food trucks not only line risking their lives for ours.” provided free meals to people on the front To learn more about Tabellas, which line, but they were also offering delicious is located at 5818 Causeway Blvd. in food options for purchase to the public in Tampa, call 727-458-6927 or visit a very safe, convenient and contactless www.tabellas.com.
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Page 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 4
Local Company Responds To Need With Respirator Masks
Staff Report
A Tampa company is All components, down to continuing to help with the the raw materials, are COVID-19 response. from the USA and the SynDaver recently respirator itself will be announced it has begun assembled here in shifting manufacturing Tampa.” resources to alleviate a The SynDaver massive shortage of resemploys MERV 13 filtrapirator-type masks in the tion media that has been USA. shown to filter out virusIn early April, carrying particles and the SynDaver, the world’s mask is also compatible A SynDaver employee wearing a leading manufacturer of with filter cartridges proprototype respirator at the company’s Tampa location last duced by other manufachyper-realistic, synthetic week. human and animal modturers. However, at this els for medical education, training and point, neither the SynDaver respirator nor surgical simulation, made its first protothe filter it comes with have been tested type with a 3D printer. or certified by any accrediting agency. The company went on to offer the According to Sakezles, the company prototype for free online as a 3D printer plans to produce one million masks, template, which enables anyone with a emphasizing that, regardless of how 3D printer to make a safety respirator with many masks it produces, SynDaver will commercially available filter materials. never price gouge nor sell to the highest The company then began to investibidder. gate ways to expedite production, and “We will be using traditional manufacwithin an hour, thousands of masks had turing methods to create these respirabeen ordered by local law enforcement tors,” said Sakezles. “Additionally, we agencies and emergency service designed a ventilator several years ago to providers across the state of Florida. work with our SynDaver Synthetic Human “We’re currently prioritizing orders for and we are looking into producing these law enforcement, first responders, health- as well.” care institutions and companies that have The first version of the mask costs essential personnel interacting daily with $35 per unit, and bulk pricing is available. the public, like grocery stores and gas The mask is compatible with common stations,” said Dr. Christopher Sakezles, commercial filters for other respirators, CEO of SynDaver. “We will be focusing which feature a bayonet fitting. Additional purely on America first, when it comes to mask designs are planned. distribution. It’s also important to note that To order a mask, visit http://syndavevery aspect of our respirator has been er.com/syndaver-respirator. For more sourced and manufactured in the USA. information, visit syndaver.com.
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April 2020
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Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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ernment service. The foundation noted that these winners represent the most talented and accomplished of our country’s young leaders. The nonprofit foundation has awarded $80,000 this year to 36 students across 21 states.
The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of All Family Law Group, P.A. and its Payant Wealth owner and managing attorManagement Recently ney, Family Law Attorney announced that its chairman Lynette Silon-Laguna, as the and CEO, Thomas Payant, 2020 Best Family Law Firm has been elected to the board and Best Family Law of St. Joseph’s Hospitals Attorney for Client Foundation. The foundation is Satisfaction. The American a nonprofit, charitable organiInstitute of Family Law zation that serves as the philAttorneys is a third party anthropic arm of the five St. Thomas Payant was attorney-rating organization Joseph’s Hospitals and recently elected to that publishes an annual list the board of St. secures, invests, stewards and Joseph’s Hospitals of the top 10 family law attorgrants philanthropic support Foundation. neys in each state. One of given by contributors to benethe most significant aspects fit the healthcare mission of of the selection process the hospitals. involves attorneys’ relationships and reputation among Valrico Student Winner In their clients. AIOFLA places National Scholarship the utmost emphasis on on Rachel Stanton from selecting lawyers who have Brandon High School is a achieved significant sucwinner in the annual cess in the field of family Washington Crossing law without sacrificing the Foundation National Rachel Stanton, a win- service and support they ner in the annual Scholarship Competition. The Washington Crossing provide. prestigious awards are grantFor more information, Foundation National ed to high school seniors for Scholarship please view All Family Law Competition. the best all-round presentaGroup’s website at tions, including an explanation www.familymaritallaw.com or call 672of why they are planning careers in gov1900.
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Don’t Let Fears Drive Your Investment Choices First, it was the coronavirus. Then, oil prices fell more than 20 percent. The result? Big drops in the financial markets. As an investor, what should you do?
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Page 6
Volume 15, Issue 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
With Arts & Entertainment Editor Kathy L. Collins
Lots Of Cultural And Creative Social Distancing Things To Do In The Area
We are all so for children of all ages. lucky to live in an You can select from area rich with art, hisEat, Experiment, tory, theater and Explore, Make, Move world-class museand Solve. Please visit ums. Even while we glazermuseum.org for are all adhering to the more information. strict safer-at-home The Museum of order, we can still Science and Industry enjoy many unique is offering Virtual opportunities that the MOSI. These are live You can livestream an art house film, events featuring area has to offer. tell your story or take a class via the The historic internet from places like Winthrop Arts. STEAM (science, techTampa Theatre is Take your pick and keep life interesting. nology, engineering, offering theatrical exclusive screenings of art and math). Virtual MOSI is offered films that you would normally see on the Monday through Friday at 1:30 p.m. big screen. You can purchase a virtual Replays can be found online. Please visit ticket for just $12. The film is available for mosi.org for more information. $12, but viewing must be completed withIn celebration of its 20th anniversary, in 72 hours once you begin. Powerstories Theatre is providing everyAccording to Jill Witecki with the one with an opportunity to tell their stories Tampa Theatre, “We have 10 titles up and share it with others with its new right now, with more scheduled to be Positively Powerstories, which brings added every week for the foreseeable back the social to social distancing. You future.” Please visit tampatheatre.org for can write it, sing a song, draw it or even more information. record an audio or mobile phone video At the Tampa Bay History Center, (three minutes long at most). Send your you can log in to learn all about Tampa’s story via Powerstories’ Facebook history in the sport of wrestling. The Messenger. exhibit is called Sunshine State Winthrop Arts is offering weekly virtuShowdown. It has an actual ring set up al art classes for children. In addition, stuand guests can see and hear all about dents who are in sixth grade and above the exhibit. Please visit tampabayhistocan register for its Teen Drawing Classes. rycenter.org for more information. The classes are held on Saturday at 1:30 The Glazer Children’s Museum is p.m. via discord. For more information, offering GCM at Home, a resource center please visit winthroparts.org.
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Simple Ways To Support Arts Organizations And Artists Right Now Many busity can do, even nesses and organwhile staying izations have safe at home, to been forced to support their shut down due to local organizathe COVID-19 tions. So, how pandemic and the can you help? safer-at-home The Arts order that has Council of You can help support local arts organizations been issued. This such as the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin Hillsborough type of shutdown and local artists during these trying times in a County has variety of ways. hurts all businessoffered some es and organizations, but it is especially suggestions. hard on artists and arts organizations. You can make a donation to your Artists and arts organizations rely favorite arts organization. Also, for those on people to come to events such as hosting virtual classes such as Winthrop festivals, gallery openings and recepArts, it helps them pay the instructors tions, shows and even classes and when they cannot get volunteers. workshops to survive. This current situaIf they offer memberships, subtion has affected not only large, national scribe to them. TThe Firehouse Cultural organizations across the country, but Center in Ruskin offers memberships local small organizations such as the and it is a great way to see live enterFirehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin, tainment and other events. Winthrop Arts in Riverview and Center You can purchase items such as Place in Brandon. hats, T-shirts or even mugs from the Arts and cultural organizations are organization. This will even help you to great at adapting to all kinds of situaremember to visit them again. tions. Many are used to operating off With respect to artists, many have razor-thin margins and regularly deal websites or Facebook pages where with weather and dips in the economy. they post their work. If you see someHowever, many of these situations are thing you like, offer to purchase it or often temporary and do not last as long share their work. Someone else might as the current situation is expected to see it and offer to purchase it. last. For more information on how you There are things that the communican help, please visit tampaarts.org.
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Page 7
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
ACS Postpones Area Relay For Life Events But Keeps Online Portals Active
By Kate Quesada
won't publicly engage in the specific impact of our potential financial losses, but please know they may end up being significant.” The FishHawk and Bloomingdale area events were scheduled to take place this month and teams had already spent a significant amount of time fundraising, but they are also planning ways to raise money and have fun as a community during the Relay for Life events scheduled for this month events. were postponed due to concerns with “Equally important, we recognize COVID-19. the emotional attachment our volun“Cancer doesn't care about COVIDteers and supporters have to Relay for 19,” said Tammy Schoonover, Senior Life events,” said Schoonover. “They're Community Development Manager with more than fundraisers, they're grassroot the American Cancer Society (ACS). gatherings of strength and courage. As “People are still battling cancer, still on we look to reschedule events, we want cancer journeys.” to create opportunities that focus on Taking this into consideration, ACS is generating emotional support and bringasking for help from residents after making us together as a community. We will ing the tough decision to postpone all look to do that virtually. Once the social Relay for Life events scheduled to take distancing limitations are lifted, it will be place this spring. so important for ACS to help reignite our “The Cancer Society has to put the sense of community.” health and safety of its staff and volun“At this time, all Relay for Life events teers first,” she said, “so we've made the are reevaluating how best to move fordifficult decision to postpone all in-person ward with events and the Planning events. But we continue to do all that we Committees are working through those can in these unprecedented times to fulfill details at this time,” said our mission.” Schoonover. “However, participants, if Relay for Life events, which take interested in still supporting the mission, place at high schools and other locations can do so through virtual fundraising this throughout the country annually, are as it will give people a purpose and a some of the biggest fundraisers for the diversion at the same time. The fundraischarity. ing platforms are still in place for each “While the suspended events certain- Relay, so fundraising can continue ly create a financial concern, we remain through the Relay websites.” upbeat about attacking cancer from every For information, visit cancer.org or angle,” said Schoonover. “At this time, we call Schoonover at 319-5909 ext. 18001.
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Page 8
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
HCC Brandon Campus Interim President Fulfills Dream Of Singing Opera Professionally
By Linda Chion Kenney
A childhood have met otherfascination with wise,” Anzalone opera has said, “and it turned into a opened my second job and world to a a long-term, whole new propost-retirement fession.” goal for Now, Alessandro because of the ‘Alex’ Anzalone, coronavirus Hillsborough pandemic, Community Anzalone said Alessandro ‘Alex’ Anzalone, left, with Hispanic College’s intermembers of the chorus singing and famed Italian there is a halt to opera singer Andrea Bocelli at the Amalie Center rehearsals for im Brandon on Valentine’s Day. campus presihis next opera, dent. Aida, which he had already memorized Growing up as a youngster in and hopes to see rescheduled. Venezuela, Anzalone said he was age 7 Meanwhile, he has another memory or 8 when he started playing records to sustain him, a chance in February to “over and over again” in his family’s sing on stage with Andrea Bocelli, the home, learning to memorize two operas famed Italian opera singer, songwriter by age 10: Carmen and The Barber of and record producer. Seville. “They sent an email to everyone “I always liked classical music, and from Opera Tampa, anyone in the chorus, particularly opera, because there’s a story and said we need 60 people to sing with to it,” he said. him,” Anzalone said. “The moment I got In 1998, at age 31, he saw his first the email I replied, ‘Yes!’ That was anothopera at the Straz Center in Tampa, and er amazing experience, singing with about 16 years later took his first lesson. Andrea Bocelli at the Amalie Arena on “We were taking my son to music Valentine’s Day, with my family in the lessons and my wife started taking piano audience.” lessons,” he said. “One day, she said to Anzalone was named interim me, ‘Hey, you like singing opera, why Brandon campus president in June 2019 don’t you take lessons?’” after Nancee Sorenson left for another And so he did; starting at age 47, the job. He’s one of several candidates vying man with a doctorate degree and a longfor the job on a permanent basis. time career in teaching and chemical As for opera, it’s another venue for engineering started his opera studies. expanding his skill set and testing his “It takes about five years to be some- endurance. what decent in singing opera, and it takes “Every music lesson with a teacher is 10 years to be really good at it,” Anzalone one hour and in that one hour you’re said. “That’s the normal numbers, and I’m sweating like you don’t believe,” Anzalone in year six.” said. “You’re not moving, you’re not runIn September, he auditioned sucning, but you have to use your whole cessfully for Opera Tampa’s 2020 seabody to sing opera. It’s very hard work, son. but also very rewarding. For me, it’s a When it offered him a chorus role in dream come true.” Carmen, his childhood favorite, “it was a For more on Opera Tampa, visit very happy day for me,” Anzalone said. www.strazcenter.org/operatampa. Visit The opera sold out for its three-night the HCC Brandon campus’ website at run in February. Through the experience, www.hccfl.edu/campus-life/brandon-cam“I met a lot of amazing people I would not pus.
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Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2020
Page 9
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
May Is National Stroke Month: Learn To Act F.A.S.T. It May Save A Life
CFC037149
Staff Report
A stroke simple sentence, can happen such as, “Today suddenly and is Wednesday.” without warnTime to call ing. Because a 911 – If a person stroke means shows any of that oxygenthese symptoms, rich blood is call 911 immedinot reaching ately. Don’t wait the brain due to see if sympto a blockage toms subside. It’s or a bleed, AdventHealth Tampa’s Comprehensive Stroke important to get every minute Center offers neurologists, neurosurgeons and immediate medinterventional neuroradiologists to provide without treatical treatment. comprehensive care quickly when time matters ment is a higher “When dealmost. chance of death ing with a stroke, or disability. we say ‘time is Recognizing brain,’” said Dr. stroke signs and David Decker, acting quickly neurologist and can help prevent co-medical direcpermanent brain tor of damage and save your loved one’s life. AdventHealth Tampa’s Comprehensive So, how do you know someone is hav- Stroke Center. “Every minute during a ing a stroke? F.A.S.T. is an easy way stroke, when the brain is not receiving to remember the sudden signs of oxygen from the blood, thousands of stroke. F.A.S.T. stands for: brain cells are permanently damaged. Face drooping – During a stroke, The quicker we can get these patients one side of the face may droop or to treatment, the less likely it is they become numb. Ask the person to will die or suffer disability. That’s why smile. Make sure they can maintain the it’s important to recognize the sympsmile on both sides. toms and act quickly.” Arm weakness – One arm may At AdventHealth Tampa’s be weaker than the other during a Comprehensive Stroke Center, expert stroke. Ask the person to raise both neurologists, neurosurgeons and interarms. Can they keep both sides up ventional neuroradiologists work closeequally? ly with specially trained stroke Speech difficulty – A stroke can response teams to provide comprehencause speech to become slurred or sive care quickly when time matters incoherent. Ask the person to repeat a most.
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Page 10
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Local Resident Brings Cups Of Care To Local Healthcare Workers
By Libby Hopkins
Mother Teresa once financial effects of COVIDsaid, “Spread love every19 myself.” where you go. Let no one Leavens enlisted her come to you without leaving friend and local realtor happier.” Angela Leavens of Jessica Lingscheit to help Brandon would agree with her. “Jessica is a realtor in Mother Teresa because she, Tampa who is also very too, wanted to make sure all skilled with a sewing who come in contact with machine,” Leavens said. her leave happier. “She is sewing masks to With the recent COVIDhelp act as at least some 19 pandemic, Leavens form of PPE masks for the Local resident and mom wanted to do something to Angela Leavens created nurses the cups are going cheer up the local health“We Care Cups” for local to in the community.” healthcare workers. care workers who are part The response Leavens of the front line in fighting the virus. has been getting from the community “Seeing all of the news stories and social healthcare workers has been astounding. media posts about what our healthcare “So far we have been able to give the first workers are dealing with made me have round of cups to nurses at TGH and hope so much sympathy for all they are doing to share them at St. Joe’s for our next and sacrificing,” Leavens said. “It made round,” Leavens said. “My friend, who me wonder, what can any of us do for was able to get the cups to the nurses, them really besides stay home, and said they were crying when they got though there isn't much else besides that, them. One message she forwarded to me so, I wanted to give them something that said, ‘I had the worst day today. Please would hopefully make them smile at least thank your friend for the kind gift as it was for a minute.” the only good part of my day!’ Another Leavens created ‘We Care Cups’ for said, ‘It was nice to be appreciated.’” local healthcare workers. “The We Care Leavens hopes she can continue to Cups include a reusable cup, a pair of spread happiness to the healthcare workLuLaRoe leggings, a $10 Starbucks gift ers who need it most. “I want our healthcard, a face treatment, a hand-sewn care workers to know that though they mask and a thank-you note,” Leavens may feel alone, they really have a whole said. “In the note, I express how grateful lot of us who are carrying them in our we, the community, are for all that they thoughts constantly and that we are are doing and sign it from ‘All of us in indebted to them,” Leavens said. your community.’ Though I am the one If you would like to help Leavens assembling the cups, it has really been a make more We Care Cups, she has set community effort because I cannot afford up a Go Fund Me account at to fill them on my own as I am feeling the https://www.gofundme.com/f/we-care-cup.
Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2020
Page 11
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Bay Life Meets Needs During Crisis Time Online Services, Zoom Ministries
Staff Report
vide resources, teaching and opportunities to engage through the children’s Facebook group. The church is also offering assistance to those classified as the high-risk community who have chosen to selfquarantine. “Areas of Pastor Mark Saunders is leading Bay Life Church with video assistance may messages and onling streaming of services. include grocery In order to help its shopping, picking up premembers during these scriptions or other items that unprecedented times, need to be picked up and Bay Life Church, led by delivered to their home,” Pastor Mark Saunders, is said Saunders. putting faith into action. Anyone needing this Starting in mid-March, assistance is encouraged to in an effort to do its part email help@baylife.org or to curb the effects of the call 661-3696 ext. 320. coronavirus, the church Volunteers are needed to help with began offering all ministries that reguthe ministries and are asked to contact larly met on campus online services. Erica Watson Online church services are available at ewatson@baylife.org or call 661on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 9 3696 ext. 310. and 10:45 a.m. “Now more than ever we as a “We continue working behind the church need to prepare for what lies scenes to make all of our ministries ahead by continuing (and potentially available online as much as possible,” increasing, as God leads) our practice said Saunders, who mentioned that all of generous giving,” said Saunders. Life Groups, Women’s and Men’s To learn more about giving, visit Ministries and Student Ministries will baylife.org/give or give from your continue to meet through Zoom. phone by texting GIVE and the amount Children’s Ministries will also proyou want to give to 308-0608.
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Page 12
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Community Pet Project Helps Pet Owners In Need During Pandemic
By Libby Hopkins
Many pet owners would In June 2018, the organiagree that happiness starts zation incorporated alone with a wet nose and ends and became an independwith a wagging tail. With the ent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit. recent COVID-19 pandemic, “Our mission is to assist many people have found the pets of the homeless comfort in their pets but have and at-risk in Hillsborough also become worried about County by providing basic how they will be able to take needs such as food, treats, care of themselves and those collars, leashes, grooming pets. supplies, beds, crates, Many homeless and atmedical referrals, medical risk people of our community co-pays and anything else Community Pet Project is who have pets have become an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) we may have,” Eldridge charitable organization. increasingly worried about said. “All of the items we how they will be able to feed their pets distribute are donated to us.” during the pandemic. Community Pet It is a small nonprofit that does not Project has stepped up to help local pet receive any kind of grants, local, state or owners who are in need. “Our intake federal funding; the organization relies requirements normally state that the client solely on donations and the money it to be homeless or at risk,” said makes from fundraising. “During COVID, Community Pet Project’s president, the majority of our fundraising has been Rhonda Eldridge. “We define ‘at-risk’ by canceled,” Eldridge said. “Our community anyone that is receiving any kind of servcan support us by joining us at our ices, such as disability, food stamps, fundraisers, donating items or money to housing assistance, etc. us.” We are waving all normal requireEldridge hopes more people from the ments and simply ask if the client is community will help her nonprofit help the affected by COVID-19 either by loss or pet owners in need in our community. reduced income or medical issues, “Our vision is to keep the pets with their including doctor stay-at-home orders. families and out of the overcrowded They do not have to ‘prove’ anything; we county shelter,” Eldridge said. “For many, are taking their word for it. Since our these pets are the only reason that they requirements now cover a larger client get up in the morning. For some, they are base, the requests have risen dramatical- the only family that they have. Last year, ly. We have delivered to 23 clients that we helped with just over $10,000 in medhave 59 dogs, 19 cats and one ferret in a ical bills. This organization could not exist matter of eight days.” without our community.” Community Pet Project started in Visit its website at communitypetproJune 2017 as a division of a local rescue. ject.org or call 530-6722.
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Page 13
YMCA Welcomes Specially Fit Foundation Developmentally Disabled Fitness Program “It just made sense,” according to Campo Family YMCA Executive Director, Jarrod Williams, referring to the Y’s collaboration with local nonprofit Specially Fit. Williams continued, “We know the need is out in the community, and we’re always looking for ways to build a stronger community.” The need in the community Williams mentioned is providing individuals who have developmental disabilities the opportunity to grow their health, fitness and independence. In fact, that need is urgent all over Florida. Two national advocacy groups complied rankings which found that Florida dropped from 18th to 34th in the nation over the past dozen years in helping people with intellectual and developmental difficulties. Founder and CEO of Specially Fit Mark Oliver and the Campo Y believe that all Floridians should have the opportunity to fulfill their full potential. Oliver has been on a mission since 2018 to change lives through his 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation by involving individuals with special needs or children living in foster homes in exercise and sports. Oliver believes anyone can participate in some exercise despite perceived limitations or the fact that 60 percent of people with disabilities are overweight or obese. Oliver, speaking about the Specially Fit Foundation, said, “It’s my everything. It’s my baby. There are people with
By Gwen Rollings
autism, there’s people with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy…basically everything. We have people in our group who are stronger than I am. We have some people in our group who need help.” His motto is: “Changing the community one rep at a time.” Specially Fit relies on private support through grants as well as corporate and individual donations to include volunteering of time to continue providing its services to individuals in the Tampa area. The Campo Family Y expressed thanks for some generous community donors who provided free Y memberships and programming. Kelli Biandudi, communications manager at Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, said, “The partnership is new and the training sessions are not open to the public. We’re hoping it will grow from here within all the Tampa Metropolitan Area Ys with more donor support.” Williams said, “We have the facilities, we wanted to provide access. We knew we had some potential donors interested in providing memberships for these individuals, and it worked out pretty quickly, so it just made sense.” For more information on how to support this program, call Williams at the Campo Y at 684-1371 or email Jarrod.Williams@TampaYMCA.org
Page 14
Volume 15, Issue 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Education Foundation Donates Supplies To Local Achievement Schools
By Kate Quesada
The Hillsborough the Brandon area and Education Foundation multiple other schools (HEF) helped some in Southeastern Brandon area children Hillsborough County. who needed it most “These are some last month. The of the highest needs group, a nonprofit schools in our district,” focused on said Oestreich. strengthening public The teachers had education by supthe opportunity to porting teachers hand out the packand empowering stu- The Education Foundation packaged aged supplies to their and donated school supplies to 10,000 dents to achieve acastudents. students throughout Hillsborough County last month, including those at demic and personal “The need is Ippolito Elementary School. success, donated great in Hillsborough supplies to more than 10,000 students in County where two out of three students Achievement Schools throughout the rely on free or reduced-price lunch at county. school and they rely on the free supplies “This is an unprecedented time in we provide; that’s an estimated 145,000 education,” said HEF Media Contact students, and the number will continue to Kendra Oestreich. “COVID-19 concerns grow with the current economic sloware impacting how our students continue down,” said Oestreich. to learn, how teachers are providing lesThe group has been helping students sons and how Hillsborough Education in Hillsborough County, offering resources Foundation continues to provide supplies and financial support to enrich K-12 eduand resources to support students who cational experiences by providing opporneed them most.” tunities for all students, regardless of The group closed its Teaching Tools background or economic status, since Resource Center, an on-site store at HEF 1987. where Hillsborough County Public “Together with our community partSchools Title I teachers can shop for sup- ners, HEF strategically invests in initiaplies for free once a month throughout tives that impact teaching quality and the school year, due to social distancing increase graduation rates, bolstering a concerns, but it found a way to help anythriving workforce of tomorrow and the way. sustainable prosperity of Tampa Bay,” On the week that Hillsborough said Oestreich. County students started e-learning, HEF HEF is asking for the community’s staff began packaging and distributing support. For more information about how supplies to 41 Achievement Schools, you can help, visit including Ippolito Elementary School in educationfoundation.com.
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April 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Mask Makers Of Tampa Bay Provides Assistance To Healthcare Professionals
By Tatiana Ortiz
Brandon resident Carmen Wilson is doing what she can to bring the community together in this time of crisis, and she is asking for residents’ help. Wilson, known as Gigi, established the Facebook group Mask Makers of Tampa Bay recently to make disposable masks and shields that can be worn over N95 masks. These items will be distributed to local medical and Boki Pusac, an employee at Gigi’s Fabric Shop in doctors’ offices that Brandon, is helping the Mask Makers of Tampa Bay by sewing a shield for masks to be donated to medical request them. workers. Wilson, who owns gency room and Wilson was nice Gigi’s Fabric Shop in Brandon, startenough to get these made for the ed the group last month, and it staff,” Hubbard said. already has more than 200 members The group is also creating scrub with the goal of making as many caps for the emergency room doctors masks as possible. and nurses to cover their hair. The volunteers are working on Owner of New Age two types of masks. One will be creReprographics Alex Prieto and eight ated from the blue sterile wrap of his team members turned in more (Halyard H600), the same material than 500 shields for the Mask Makers that covers tools in operating rooms. of Tampa Bay. He feels this would be Tampa General Hospital’s Chief their way of giving back to the comNurse and Anesthetist, Nicole munity. Hubbard had the idea of incorporat“Since we are a printing compaing the blue sterile wrap because in ny, we came up with a rigid plastic the past she made beds for the that did get cut out through our homeless with it. machine for these shields,” said The second mask uses a cotton Prieto. fabric one with a pocket on the inside For more information, contact in which medical personnel can place Gigi’s Fabric Shop at 661-9000 or any kind of filter in it. check out the Mask Makers of Tampa “Many in anesthesia gave their Bay’s group Facebook page. scrub caps to our team in the emer-
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Page 15
Page 16
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2020
Page 17
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Local Businesses Adjust & Adapt With Drive-Thru & Delivery Options
By Kate Quesada
Comprehensive Center Offers Tele-Dermatology
In an effort to continue caring for patients during the coronavirus pandemic, the Comprehensive Center for Dermatology recently launched a teledermatology platform so that patients can get medical advice from the comfort of their own homes. The office, led by board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Conde, will remain open to assist with urgent or emergent dermatological needs. To learn more, call 530-6511 or visit www.ccdermatology.com. The Comprehensive Center for Dermatology is located at 5607 Skytop Dr. in Lithia.
Sage Cleaners Offers On-Demand Dry Cleaning & Laundry Service
Sage Cleaners, Eastern Hillsborough’s largest dry cleaning and laundry business with 12 locations from Seffner to Apollo Beach, is now the area’s first on-demand dry cleaning and laundry service. Customers can download Sage’s app and select a pickup and delivery day. Representatives will come by and pick up and return items in as little as 48 hours. “We are waiving all fees associated with the service through at least April 30 to encourage anyone with interest in social distancing and minimizing the COVID-19 spread to give us a try,” said Owner and CEO Cohen Wills. “We will pick it up on your porch and leave it hanging on a clothes hanger on your door on delivery so that you won’t have to interact with our drivers at all if you prefer to practice social distancing.” Wills also stated that it is an important time to use dry cleaning as home laundering may not reach temperates high enough to cause the virus to become inactive. “The CDC says that, similar to SARS, coronavirus can become inactive at temperatures between 138 and 150 degrees,” he explained. “The average household dryer will only reach 135 and most water heaters in a home are set around 120 degrees, so the virus could potentially remain on your clothes even after cleaning. We at Sage Cleaners have equipment that far exceeds those numbers in our pressing and cleaning process that eliminates any lingering viruses that could remain in your clothes. Our unique, eco-friendly cleaning process also has the highest flash point of any dry cleaning method, eliminating more bacteria and viruses than any other process.” Visit www.sagecleaners.com to learn more.
Auto Works Of Brandon Changing Operations To Address Coronavirus Pandemic
Auto Works of Brandon President Michael Rubio says, “For the next several weeks, Auto Works of Brandon will adjust our operations as needed.”
Through the month of April, Auto Works of Brandon is offering a 20 percent discount to all healthcare workers, first responders and those persons in the community who are providing critical services to area residents during the coronavirus pandemic. Auto Works of Brandon is located at 211 N. Kings Ave. and can be reached at 657-4399. For more information, visit www.BrandonAutoRepiar.com.
Grade A Spanish Tutors Goes Virtual
Looking for some help with learning Spanish while school is virtual? The employees of Grade A Spanish Tutors can lend a hand. The new business is offering virtual classes for children and adults struggling to learn the language. According to Owner Kevin Kemp, a Lithia resident, the business’ tutor has more than 40 years of teaching and tutoring experience. To learn more, call 763-5435 or visit www.GradeASpanishTutors.com.
Canine Cabana Offers Essential Workers Discount
Canine Cabana’s mission is to provide a safe, active and healthy recreational environment that meets canine physical and behavioral needs while improving the quality of life for both dogs and the owners who love them. Although the dog daycare, lodging and private training location in Riverview remains open for all, it is offering 20 percent off on services for any essential business workers, including nurses, first responders, pharmacists, grocery workers, childcare workers, delivery workers and postal workers. Call 672-9663 today.
Local Mathnasium Locations Offer Mathnasium@home
For parents with children at home, Mathnasium’s new service, Mathnasium@home, allows students to continue the same face-to-face Mathnasium instruction from anywhere with an internet connection. Mathnasium@home was developed over three years for customers who had difficulty bringing their children into centers, and thousands of students have found it to be as effective as in-center learning. Current concerns about public health have prompted the business to make it available to customers now. There are three local Mathnasium locations. Mathnasium of Riverview is located at 11446 US Hwy. 301 and can be reached at 844-684-3265, Mathnasium of West Brandon is at 10268 Causeway Blvd. and can be reached at
333-6676 and Mathnasium of Brandon is located at 1048 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico and can be reached at 655-MATH (6284). For more information, visit www.mathnasium.com.
seven BayCare Urgent Care locations across West Central Florida doing drivethru testing centers for COVID-19. BayCare will operate the service seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. BayCare patients will be directed @ Davenport’s Daily Delights Davenport’s to the testing by their physician or by a (813) 810-8513 Daily Delights Davenportsdailydelights@gmail.com physician from BayCareAnywhere, a Goes telemedicine app that allows patients Delivery-Only to obtain medical care via a smart In an effort phone, tablet or computer. To learn to serve the more, visit baycare.org/coronavirus/. community while keeping everyone safe, Davenport’s Daily Delights is working but No-Cost HR Advice implementing some changes to keep My HR Advisor invites small business everyone fed and safe. owners impacted by the coronavirus to The company has suspended its reach out to speak with an HR Advisor at pickup option and is delivery-only for two no cost. HR Advisors are able to assist weeks. It asks that customers leave a with answering general HR-related quescooler out and it will provide ice packs tions or help point you in the right direcwith the delivered meal. All payment will tion. It is here to help. Sign up for a basic also take place online. free member account at www.myhradviTo learn more, find the business on sor.com to get started or submit a contact Facebook or visit www.davenportsdailyrequest form. My HR Advisor will get back delights.com. to you to assist in any way it can. Stay safe.
HiTech Automotive Will Pick Up Your Vehicle
HiTech Automotive, located in Brandon, is offering assistance with pick up and/or delivery of vehicles in need of repair with our no contact concierge service. Call 684-1556 for availability or schedule online at www.hitechautomotiveofbrandon.com.
Big Frog Will Bring Custom Shirts To You
Big Frog Valrico, your one-stop shop for custom T-shirt designs and production, is working with customers to fit their needs at this time. Orders can be placed online and can be delivered or picked up on the curbside at the store. For more information, call 684-2873, email valrico@bigfrog.com or visit www.bigfrog.com.
Rolling Pin Offers Gift Cards And Curbside Delivery
For the health and safety of customers and employees, the Rolling Pin Cooking Emporium recently suspended cooking classes and events. However, for as long as possible, the retail store will remain open and orders can be placed over the phone and will be brought to the curbside. Gift certificates for the store and for future classes can be purchases at www.rollingpinonline. To learn more, call 653-2418 or email dwest@rollingpinonline.com.
BayCare Offers Drive Up Testing
BayCare patients who have been instructed by their doctors to be tested for COVID-19 are now able to provide a specimen for testing without leaving their cars. BayCare Urgent Care at 2442 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico is one of
Beat Cabin Fever With Latitudes Tours
Latitudes Tours has gift certificates are also available for purchase for future use at latitudestours.com. The group offers sunset dinner cruises, eco-tours and more.
Hypnotic Engagements Reduces Stress
Hypnotic Engagements wants to help residents reduce stress by engaging their minds. The company is offering a free session for anyone with the coronavirus. Hypnosis is offered for people dealing with cancer, pain, dementia, migraines and more. To learn more, call Daniel at 248-941-4246 or visit www.HypnoticEngagements.com.
Gecko Floor Care
If you have asthma, bad allergies or just want to make sure your house is as clean as possible, Gecko Floor Care can help. Service technicians take precautions that include wearing masks, gloves and sanitizing equipment after every job. For more information, visit geckofloorcare.com or call Dennis Napoli at 924-7344.
Rae’s Accounting Can Explain Tax Changes
Rae’s Accounting in Apollo Beach has all the information you need to deal with the IRS filing, payment delays and tax credits due to coronavirus concerns. With a lot of misinformation out there, the staff at Rae’s Accounting is keeping up to date and can help with all tax questions from who needs to file when to who is eligible for tax credits and payments. To learn more, contact Rae’s Accounting at 540-1040, email Robin@RaesAccounting.com or visit www.raesaccounting.com. Rae’s Accounting is located at 400 Frandorson Cir., Ste. 103 in Apollo Beach.
Page 18
Volume 15, Issue 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
What To Do While Distancing & From Home: Art-To-Go, LEGO & More
By Kate Quesada
With residents responding to calls to practicing social distance and staying home to prevent the spread of COVID19, many local businesses are adapting their services to offer ways their customers can have fun and be safe. From online classes to craft kits at home, businesses are answering residents’ requests to keep busy and stay connected in these changing and challenging times.
Pinot’s Palette Sells Paint At Home Kits
Pinot’s Palette, located at 2086 Badlands Dr. in Brandon, is offering clients the opportunity to bring their creativity home. Painting kits can be ordered online and picked up at the curbside with add-ons, including wine, beer and easels. To learn more, call 618-3064 or email brandon@pinotspalette.com.
YouTube so the shows can be watched on demand.
Tea Parties At Home From Camellia’s Tea Room Camellia’s Tea Room, located at 3102 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, recently started offering Tea Party To-Go packages, which can be picked up at the curbside, and daily family meals. To learn more, visit camelliastearoom.com or call 278-5213. You can also find regular updates on the business’ Facebook page.
Curbside Pottery To-Go Kits
Escape the ‘quarantine blues’ with The Pottery Patch’s new Curbside Paint Your Own Pottery To-Go Kits. Now available, purchase online or call 643-0014 and let representatives help you pick out some fun pottery to paint in the comfort of your own home. Studies have shown that Kerby’s Nursery Offers Garden Fun creating and painting is relaxing, calms For All our anxieties and, best of all, fun. Order With children home unexpectedly, online or call the studio to pre-purchase many people are looking for things to do. your pottery of choice. Drive to the studio Fortunately, outside everyone’s back door and call from your car, and workers will is a yard or garden for them to explore. bring out your to-go kit. Return it at your Kim and Joey Bokor of Kerby’s Nursery in convenience and employees will glaze Seffner offer 10 garden projects to do with and fire your projects. Projects will be kids. Suggestions include planting seeds, ready for pick up in seven days. All kits setting up a vegetable garden, planting a come with pottery paints, brushes, decogarden for butterflies, rounding up worms rating supplies and directions. Customers in the garden, going on a bug hunt, plant- can select the pottery pieces they want ing a miniature garden and creating your from its online listing or call the studio and own flower. its helpful staff will walk them through the For more information on these ideas process. Let your kids open their minds or to learn more about the nursery, call and explore their creativity, all while stay685-3265 or visit ing safe from illness at home. www.kerbysnursery.com. The Pottery Patch, a pottery painting studio, is one of the oldest paint and creThe Florida Aquarium ate studios in the Tampa Bay Offers Online area with over 17 years of Programming entertainment for all ages. With After making the hard over 600 different pottery and decision to close its doors to DIY wood projects in stock, it is the public in support of comthe perfect spot to create away munity efforts to limit the these quarantine blues. spread of the coronavirus To learn more, (COVID-19), The Florida contact Wendy Pettys, owner, Aquarium launches its first- Gardening is one way to at 643-0014 or 601-6691. Visit ever SEA-SPAN Facebook keep children active year www.potterypatchstudio.com. round. Live to keep kids learning The Pottery Patch is located at and adults entertained during these diffi2551 SR 60 E. in Valrico. cult times. Guests can visit the aquarium and be Bricks 4 Kidz Offers LEGO entertained and educated from the comChallenges With Prizes fort of their own living room. Stuck at home with the kids? Bricks 4 To watch live, just visit The Florida Kidz can help them stay busy and get Aquarium’s Facebook page at 10 a.m. you some prizes too. Each challenge The aquarium will also post the SEAlasts 24 hours. Post the picture of your SPAN sessions on its website and on completed challenge in the comments,
and the one with the most Facebook likes will win a free Bricks 4 Kidz Summer Camp. That’s a $300 value, so tag your fiends when you comment to get more likes. The winners will be announced daily. To learn more, find Bricks 4 Kidz Tampa on Facebook or visit www.bricks4kidz.com.
TADA Offers Online Arts Experiences
Five-year-old Rhett Gilmore works on a to go craft kit from Art Monkey in Lithia.
Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance (TADA) is always looking for new and creative ways to solve problems. This situation is no different. While TADA feels it is socially responsible to limit large numbers of students in dance studios and large groups in the lobby, it can still continue to deliver the exceptional dance, music and theater experience you know and love at Theatre Arts and Dance Alliance. Thanks to new technology, the studio is opening its digital doors and providing an online arts experience using Zoom.us as a platform. Email any questions to office@tadance.com. To learn more about TADA, visit www.tadance.com or call 571-0901.
AR Workshop Offers DIY To-Go
Crafters need not panic. During times of social distancing, AR Workshop has a solution. The business is putting together DIY To-Go Kits that can be picked up at the curbside at the Valrico location so that crafters can make projects in the comfort and safety of their own home. Kits can be ordered online and picked up during regular pickup windows. To learn more, visit www.arworkshop.com or call 775-7109. AR Workshop is located at 1046 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.
Art Monkey Emporium Adapts With Crafts And Ice Cream
Parents looking for fun crafts to do with their children while school is out should look no further than Art Monkey in FishHawk Ranch’s Park Square. The
business is offering to-go craft kits, from Easter-themed art work to night-light kits, that can be ordered in advance and picked up at the store to be assembled at home. The store also offers pint-sized containers of Big Olaf ice cream for pick up too. To learn more, visit www.artandicecream.com or call 315-9803.
Glazer Children’s Museum Takes Learning And Playing Online
Once the Glazer Children’s Museum closed its doors to the public last month, employees quickly started offering online programming for children and parents to enjoy safely with GCM at Home. GMC at Home, a new section of the museum’s website, hosts videos, printable activities pages, recipes and other fun ideas for families to try while complying with social distancing. Follow along at www.GlazerMuseum.org/GCMatHome.
Girls With Confidence Offers Online Classes
With the current pandemic we are experiencing and to encourage social distancing, Girls with Confidence recently decided to offer a series of virtual workshops for girls. The focus will be to continue the group’s mission of helping girls develop positive self-esteem and confidence at an early age. The goal of the online classes is to provide a creative outlet for the girls, share skills and strategies to manage through our new normal and allow girls to share and interact online with other girls and encourage one another. Each virtual workshop will be limited to 10 spots and will include a group discussion on the topic, fun interactive games and/or a demonstration for a creative craft or art project your girls can do on their own after the workshop is over. Some workshops may include a handout sent prior for the girls to complete before, during or after their time together. Each workshop is only $10. If your daughter is attending a Spring 2020 series right now, reach out for a coupon code. For more information, contact info@girlswithconfidence.com.
April 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
School District Offers Weekly Meal Pickups For Students
By Kate Quesada
“As Hillsborough strategies that protect County Public Schools our students, employ(HCPS) continues to ees and parents. I am navigate CDC recomexcited that we will be mendations for social extending nutritious distancing and the meals to our students state’s stay-at-home in a manner that proorder, our district motes and fosters safeis committed to ty. Our once-a-week keeping our stustop will give students dents, families Hillsborough County a weekly supply of food and our staff that will assist them Superintendent of School Addison Davis with remaining sharp safe,” said Tanya participating in the Arja, HCPS media spokesperGrab-and-Go lunch during the e-Learning son. program distribution process. Our district’s earlier this month. On Wednesday, April 15, the effort will continue to district will change its Grab-and-Go evolve as we seek to identify proactive meal distribution practices to minimize solutions to assist our community,” contact between families and staff. stated Hillsborough County Public Families will be able to pick up a Schools Superintendent Addison week’s worth of food once a week Davis. instead of traveling to a site every day. “Our district continues to adjust Families can pick up the meals every our way of work to better support our Wednesday between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. community during this unprecedented The district will continue to offer the national emergency. It warms my heart Grab-and-Go meals at 147 school to hear the stories of children excited sites. For locations, visit to see a familiar face at our Grab-andwww.HillsboroughSchools.org. Go pickup sites. I am grateful for the These meals will include one care and support our staff continues to pound of lunch meat, one loaf of provide our students,” said School bread, milk, juice and nutritious snacks Board Chair Melissa Snively. for the week. The bags will weigh more than 10 “Our district’s goal is to ensure pounds collectively, so parents and every learner has access to nutritious students who are walking up to meals, even when they are not physireceive meals should plan accordingly. cally at school,” said Arja. Meals are available to ALL chil“This decision demonstrates care dren 18 years old and younger as well from our organization. By reducing the as students with special needs under number of contact points within our the age of 21. Visit community, we will eliminate immediHillsboroughSchools.org/coronavirus/g ate concerns and continue to develop rabandgo.
Expiration: 4/30/2020
Page 19
Libraries Offer Access To Services Via The Internet During Closure
By Kathy L. Collins
Libraries classes and servhave always ices that will help been welcoming, you sharpen safe places skills, enhance where you can job skills or teach conduct you new skills. research, learn a We have everynew skill or thing from lanexplore a new guage classes, hobby. While the photography branches of the classes to techHillsborough Despite the closures, you can access all of the nical and comservices that the libraries have to offer by visit- puter skills classCounty Public ing hcplc.com. Library es.” Cooperative, which includes the While children are out of school, Bruton Memorial Library in downtown they can access Tumble Book Library Plant City, are closed due to the coroand Axis 360. These offer picture navirus pandemic, this does not mean books to get young children reading all that their services have come to a halt. the way to chapter books for older stuChely Cantrell, library branch inno- dents. vation officer for the Hillsborough There are multiple story time County Public Library Cooperative, options where young children can lissaid, “It is important that the communi- ten to a story. ty knows that the library is open 24/7 The library offers tutor.com, where online.” live tutoring sessions are given. You You can access a plethora of ecan also enter Learning Express books, classes, activities and more by Library and access full-length practice visiting hcplc.org. If you have trouble tests for the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT navigating the system, rest assured and GMAT. that there are staff members available Older patrons can learn a new to answer your questions or help guide skill. Visit lynda.com and enter the preyou. All you have to do is call 263miere site for building technical, busi3652. The staff is available Monday ness and creative skills. While the through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. libraries are closed, all holds are susYou can call or even chat online. pended, book drops are closed and no Cantrell said, “It is easy to associoverdue fines will be assessed or colate the library with just e-books. It is lected. easy to forget that the library has tons Get the latest updates by following of digital classes for both kids and the library at adults.” Cantrell added, “You can find Facebook.com/TampaHillsLib.
Expiration: 4/30/2020
Expiration: 4/30/2020
Page 20
Volume 15, Issue 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Publix, Winn-Dixie Adjust Policies, Shipments And Hiring To Address Coronavirus Crisis
By Linda Chion Kenney
Grocery stores Wednesdays. The are hiring, adjusting special shopping hour store hours, increasfor seniors and highing product shiprisk customers at ments, limiting highWinn-Dixie starts at 8 demand purchases a.m., Monday through and taking preventaFriday, with stores tive cleaning measclosing nightly at 9 ures to keep stocks p.m. shelved and cusWith reports of Signs limiting the purchase of hightomers safe during long lines and short demand items are commonplace at area grocery stores in the midst of the coronavirus outtempers at area the coronavirus outbreak. break. stores, company offi“We’re asking customers to shop as cials noted the need to focus on kind they normally would and not stockpile,” deeds and respect for front-line worksaid Maria Brous, spokesperson for ers. Publix supermarkets. “We are also look“We all (employers, drivers, etc.) ing to hire at least 2,000 associates by honestly are trying our absolute best,” the end of March to help serve our stores said one Publix worker in a recent and warehouse and distribution centers, Facebook post. “Just be kind and which in turn will better serve our cuspatient, and for the love of everything, tomers.” stop arguing with everyone.” Kaley Shaffer, spokesperson for In urging shoppers not to stockSoutheastern Grocers (SEG), the parent pile, Brous noted Publix “warehousing company of Winn-Dixie grocery stores, and distribution centers are working issued a similar sentiment, noting that around the clock to receive products through an expedited hiring process, the from our suppliers and to ship prodcompany aims to “provide jobs to those ucts to our stores.” Also, customers who have been impacted by the current are asked “not to arrive early, waiting situation.” in line for stores to open, since deliverSEG also announced that, to “supies are made throughout the day.” port the most vulnerable members of our And when shopping for food, community,” a $250,000 donation was Anthony Hucker, SEG president and given to Feeding America to support its CEO, said, “Please be kind to one network of southeastern food banks, another and take a minute to thank our including Feeding Tampa Bay. heroic associates for going above and Due to the health crisis, Publix beyond to serve our customers.” restricted store hours to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. To stay updated on changing polidaily in March, with shopping for seniors cies, visit www.publix.com and only from 7 to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and www.winndixie.com.
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April 2020
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Page 21
Photos courtesy of Cody Crouse.
Former Bloomingdale Baseball Star Crouse Takes Over As East Bay Head Coach Cody Crouse, once a baseball standout for the Bloomingdale Bulls, has taken over a struggling East Bay program, which he hopes to turn around. Crouse played for Bloomingdale High School from 2010-2013. He was then drafted by the New York Cody Crouse stands with his 2020 East Bay squad. Mets in the 19th round of the maybe seen there in a long, long time,” 2013 MLB draft but chose to play colsaid Wilken. “Cody is that guy.” lege baseball at Florida International Crouse feels that his pedigree as a University instead. He played at FIU for player will give him a lot of credibility as three years and later finished his fourth a coach. He relishes the opportunity to year of eligibility at Embry-Riddle pass on what he’s learned as a player University. to his own players. Last August, Crouse was officially “I relate to Coach Crouse because hired as East Bay High School’s basehe used to be in the same place as us a ball head coach after being the interim few years ago,” said junior catcher manager for most of the 2019 season. Carlos Campos. “He understands what Crouse’s former high school coach, Kris it’s like to play high school baseball and Wilken, says that Crouse’s competitivewhat it takes to go to the next level. We ness and consistency as a player will may not play the same position, but we translate with him as a head coach. both understand the importance for our “I feel like that program was in need positions and how serious we have to of a guy to come in who was not only take them on the field.” very knowledgeable, but also a guy who This first season for Crouse has has higher expectations than they’ve brought on many difficult challenges
time off has really made me miss being around the guys all the time, every day—missing practice, missing the highs and the lows and just going out there and competing.” Crouse’s team has already taken on the personality of their manager. Senior infielder Aaron Jackson has taken Coach Crouse’s lessons to heart. “Coach Crouse has taught me that no matter what position I am in, I will give 100 percent,” said Cody Crouse with his brothers, Logan Crouse (left) and Carson Crouse (right), after he led the Jackson. “He has also shown us Bulls to a 2013 Saladino Tournament win. that with hard work, we can compete anywhere. We have all with the season being halted due to the worked hard this year, making Coronavirus. His team had just gained changes to this team that matter, from momentum with a two-game winning working on the field to just becoming streak after starting the season 0-6. closer as a family. He always pushes The team is only allowed to talk on the us to be our best and to be ready for phone. They can’t workout together or anything.” meet up, so Crouse told them to conCrouse’s ultimate goal is to make tinue working out on their own in the some sort of impact on a player’s life. hope that the season may continue at “I just want a kid to remember me and a later date. He says that if the season say, ‘Hey, look, that guy really helped doesn’t continue, he will feel bad for me out,’” he said. “I want to look back his seniors who didn’t have a chance and have kids call me in the future to to finish out their last year on the field. share their success. That would be “I miss the camaraderie of being pretty awesome.” around the team,” said Crouse. “This
Brandon/Winthrop See Second Section
April 2020
Volume 15, Issue 4
Chill Caw-Fee And Hemp Store Opens
Ph: 657-2418 ner, cross fit junkie or couch potato looking to get started, it’s designed to serve your needs.
Lisa Henney is the owner of new coffee shop and CBD shop in Valrico called Chill Caw-Fee. She Financial Services lives with her husband, Office Opens In Tom, and over the past five Bloomingdale years she has been creatHeath Wealth ing new ways to help him Management LLC was with his ailments founded in 2019 by through more owner Elijah Heath La Villa Mexican Grill celebrates five years at natural soluRiver Hills Plaza. and recently opened Fit Niche relocates to 1934 E. tions and Lisa Henney and husband Tom Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. the doors to its new Quigley are the owners of Chill healthier office at 620 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in what we had and are proud of what we La Villa Caw-Fee, a new shop and options. She CBD store. Brandon behind Stonewood Grill & have accomplished. We appreciate the Mexican Grill has been Tavern. Heath has over 20 years of support and friendship of our loyal cusCelebrates Five Years In involved in the experience being a financial profestomers and look forward to making Valrico restaurant business for most of sional and also has the credentials of new friends.” After working for some her adult life and wanted to creCLU and ChFC, giving him the experiLa Villa Mexican Grill is open time in other restaurants, ate a place where the communience, education and designations that every day from 11 a.m. to 8p.m. in Estela Villegas and Juan ty could gather over a cup of many investors are looking for. He will River Hills Plaza on 4377 Lynx Paw Pingarron took a big step in 2013 and ‘cawfee’, freshly brewed tea and a invest time into understanding what is Trl. in Valrico. For more information, opened their own restaurant in simple pastry. If you ask what makes important to you and what you would contact it at 324-8839 or visit its webRiverview, La Villa Mexican Grill, Chill Caw-Fee different from other coflike to accomplish financially while site, LaVillaMexGrill.net. where they could prepare and serve fee shops in the area, Henney will tell reviewing your comfort zone for investauthentic Mexican food. After a sucyou that it’s not just her New York way ment fluctuation. Heath’s experience Fit Niche Relocates cessful year and a half at that location, of saying things, it also stands for through many different market cycles Fit Niche the specialty running they needed a larger space and Cannaboids And Wellness For Every provides him the understanding to help store has just relocated to 1934 E. moved to their current location in River Experience. Henney said, “We have a his clients structure the proper portfolio Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, next to Hills Plaza in 2015. Three years later, hemp store embedded in our shop and allocation. His services include retirethe Tide Dry Cleaners. As well as sellthey doubled their space to meet the will be providing education for ment planning, estate planning, goal ing shoes, apparel and other accesdemand for their great tacos, homepatients.” planning as well as financial advice sories, Fit Niche gives and shares its made tamales, fajitas and other To learn more about Chill Cawand planning. knowledge about walking, running, Mexican specialties. At a ribbon-cutFee, visit www.chillcawfee.com or call His office hours are Monday to shoes and other products, injury preting to celebrate their five years at this Henney at 549-9068. The shop is vention and beginning training princilocation, Villegas said, “We have located at 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Continued on next page ples. So whether you’re a walker, runalways done the best we could do with Valrico.
April 2020
Page 23
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
Business Column Continued...................
Flex Suites Business Center Opens In Gibsonton
needs of our online operations.” Brandon Honda, located at 9209 E. Adamo Dr. in Tampa, was recently named the 2020 Honda Dealer of the Year for Florida by DealerRater.com. For more information, call 6641234 or visit www.BrandonHonda.com/.
Dr. Sheree Wright, O.D. • Dr. Branning Hollis, O.D. • Dr. Mona Kardani, O.D. FAAO
RD EST ECR PIN HIA LIT
Introducing The Cinch Have you been Clasp looking for an office Heath Wealth Management LLC opens Do you struggle with putting space with the leasin Bloomingdale. on necklaces or bracelets? A lot ing flexibility to suit of people do, and the Cinch Clasp was your business needs? Newly opened created to help you. Valrico resident in Gibsonton, Flex Suites Business Maria Gibbs, founder and CEO of Center may have what you’ve been Celestial Clasp Inc., introduced the looking for. It offers premier executive office spaces, free parking, superior furnishings, inclusive amenities and outstanding services provided by their highly trained professional staff. This allows clients to fully focus on their business. Virtual office packages, executive conference rooms and training spaces are also available for tenants use. Flex Suites Business Center is located at 10668 New East Bay Rd. Gibsonton, located in the The ribbon-cutting at Flex Suites Business same plaza as Four Stacks Brewing Center. Company. For more information, Cinch Clasp Adapter to allow anyone you can visit its website, www.faceto put on or take off any necklace, book.com/FlexSuitesBusinessCenter, chain or bracelet in two seconds or or call 640-0010. less. With the adapter, your jewelry connects to a simple push-button Brandon Honda Promotes Marcos Enrique To Internet Sales Director clasp that easily slides open and close with no Brandon Honda General Manager fuss or fruSam Raabe is pleased to announce trations. that Marcos Enrique has been promotDesigned ed to internet sales director at Brandon to accomHonda. In his new position, Enrique modate up works closely with the internet sales to three and finance teams to finalize auto pieces of lease and purchase agreements that jewelry best meet customers’ needs. simultaneOriginally from Miami, Enrique first ously, the joined Brandon Honda nine months Cinch ago as a sales relationship manager, Clasp where he quickly distinguished himself Marcos Enrique, the new is Adapter as someone who works well with cusinternet sales director at easy to use tomers and colleagues. Brandon Honda. and mag“Marcos has a lot of positive enernet-free. Made to match a wide range gy and has made a seamless transiof jewelry designs, it is tion from floor sales to speavailable in many finishes, cialty internet sales,” said including gold and silver. Christine Conley, internet For more information director of Brandon Honda. about Celestial Clasp Inc. “His telephone communicaand the Cinch Clasp tions skills and problem-solvAdapter, visit ing capabilities have been a CelestialClasp.com. particularly good fit for the
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Volume 15, Issue 4
Brandon/Winthrop Edition
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Fun And Education At Busch Gardens And Adventure Island Summer Camps What could be more fun than spending the summer at one of the area’s most famous attractions? Starting in June, Busch Gardens and Adventure Islands are offering summer camps for students with a sense of adventure and fun. According to Rebecca Romzek, public relations and communications leader with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, camps are available for students from kindergarten to those heading to college. “This year, Florida’s best thrill rides and breathtaking upclose animal encounters make Busch Gardens Tampa Bay the fan favorite choice for summer camp,” said Romzek. “Campers at Busch Gardens explore inspiring, exciting and educational experiences with immersive, multi-day camp programs for all interests.” Camps, both day and residential, run weekly from June to August and offer students a wide variety of fun and educational options with the choice of signing up for three or five days at a time. “Camp is all about making memories
Staff Report
At Busch Gardens and Adventure Islands’ summer camps, students learn while getting to enjoy all the parks have to offer.
with new friends while enjoying thrilling rides and world-class shows that can only be found at our parks,” said Romzek. “Come face-to-face with a giraffe or take on all-new attractions opening this spring. Spin and splash on Solar Vortex, America’s first dual tailspin water slide at Adventure Island, or take on Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world at Busch Gardens.” Campers can explore even more with complimentary admission into the park each day following camp. Space is limited, so Romzek encourages residents to register today at www.buschgardens.com/tampa/summercamps.
A Great Array Of Creative Summer Camps Offered At The Patel Conservatory
By Kathy L. Collins
Spend your summer learning all about musical theater, dance, improv and more. The Patel Conservatory has a wide array of choices and would make a great option for people of all ages and abilities.
The Patel Conservatory, located at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Straz Center) in downtown Tampa, is offering a unique set of summer camp options. This includes, but is not limited to, Acting Camp with three productions, such as Galactic Battles, Myths and Legends and Within the Wizarding World. There is an afternoon enrichment class available. You can also choose to attend Improv Camp: ComedySportz or Making Movies and Music. Into musical theater? You can select from three Mini Musical Theater productions, featuring Backyard Beats, Troll Time Live! and Octo Exploration. There are 10 Musical Theater Camps as well, featuring Broadway Rocks!,
Broadway Today, Kids on Broadway, Magic and Muggles, Mystery and Mayhem, On The High C's, Patel's Got Talent, Remake Remix, Spooktacular Tunes and Wiz-O-Mania. You can also take part in camps featuring vocal musical instruments, dance and more. Suzanne Livesay, the Straz Center's vice president of education, said, "Patel Conservatory camps are worth the drive to downtown. Our camps are not only fun but also provide excellent training in the performing arts, which develops confidence, creates camaraderie and engages creativity. The term 'conservatory' can be a little intimidating, but do not let it prevent you from exploring the many camps we offer for all ages and abilities." Livesay added, "Our camps develop participants' performing arts skills at a variety of levels and always conclude with some form of showcase where campers demonstrate what they have learned throughout the session." The Patel Conservatory has been offering summer camp for the past 15 years. Each year, it averages approximately 1,200 campers. The Conservatory offers scholarships and the deadline is Monday, April 13. To apply, visit strazcenter.org/financialaid. For more info, please visit patelconservatory.org.
Camp High 5 At BSAC Offers A Summer Of Fun For Children In The Community
Kids Step Into Their Favorite Stories At Performing Arts Summer Camps
Brandon Sports works hard to provide and Aquatic Center low income families (BSAC) will have with the opportunity to the opportunity for participate on scholarlocal children to ship. “We offer scholattend Camp High 5 arships year-round,” at BSAC this sumParuas said. “We mer. have scholarships “Camp High 5 available for every at BSAC is going to program, from camps, be awesome,” said swimming lessons to BSAC’s Director of swim team.” This summer, children will have the Youth Programming, opportunity to attend Camp High 5 at Camp High 5 is in BSAC. Nicole Paruas. “Our the process of finalizsummer camp, as well as all our proing its summer camp program that will grams, let kids be kids and have fun. The begin once school is out for the summer. support staff we have for our camp are “We are finalizing our new camp webawesome and they make our camp and page, so families can begin registering for programs very enriching for everyone our camps very soon,” Paruas said. “This who attends.” year’s summer camp is going to have The Brandon Sports and Aquatic weekly themes, offer field trips and so Center is a community-based nonprofit much more, all while making an impact organization. Its mission is to impact lives on the lives of our campers.” daily through superior educational and Proposed field trips include Sky athletic programming that enhances Zone, a Rays game, Astro Skate, Tampa physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Zoo and trips to local splash park pads. BSAC focuses on four main pillars of To learn more about Camp High 5 and service: after-school care, youth drowning the fun summer camp it will be offering prevention, sports and recreation as well this summer, you can visit as special needs education. www.mybsac.org or call 689-0908. BSAC BSAC goes above and beyond tradi- is located at 405 Beverly Dr. in Brandon. tional programming to make a real impact Lobby hours of operation are weekdays, in the lives of children who attend any of 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 its programs or camps. There is a sport p.m. and camp hours are Monday or program available for everyone and it through Friday from 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
As summer available for your quickly approachconvenience. es and the school Have a child year ends, that wants to rock thoughts of sumout this summer? mer camp regis‘Rockin’ with tration might Alex’ is a come to mind. summer rock Budding thespiband proans or just a child FAOPA’s summer camps offer children the gram with who likes to enter- chance to step into the role of a character camps geared for all from one of their favorite stories. tain will enjoy The experience levels. Florida Academy of the Performing Arts at Director Debbie Evans said these Music Showcase’s (FAOPA) two types of programs offer children an outlet for summer camps for children ages 5 and expressing themselves and learning older. about emotions and public speaking. Located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in “Whether it’s for a career in the arts or Brandon, FAOPA offers two-week, halfjust for having fun, music and musical day musical theater camps, from 9 a.m.-1 theater are great ways for children to gain p.m., that are structured by age, ability, self-confidence,” she said. interests and progress and feature live Valrico resident Julie Howard’s three productions at the end. daughters, Lily (13), Addison (10) and In past years, shows have included Rachael (8), have all participated in the Willy Wonka, Mamma Mia, Matilda, academy’s summer programs including Seussical, Elf and Les Mis. The Lion King and Willy Wonka. The second type offered are the Music Showcase Owner Heather Music and More Camps, which are fullOchalek said the benefits to an arts eduday weeklong camps, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., cation can be seen in improved academic during select weeks. Campers will learn performance and increased self-esteem. to play instruments like drums, ukuleles “From our private lessons, rock band, and guitars. They can also learn to sing, string ensembles and musical theater to act, paint/make art, dance and more. The workshops and master classes, our two camp options can be combined to classes can spark creativity and innovacreate an entire day of fun and learning. tion,” she said. For further details, visit Free early drop-off and late pickup is FAOPA.org or call 490-2787.
By Libby Hopkins
By Michelle Caceres
Soccer Fun For Boys And Girls
The Florida Hawks Futbol Club has fun and educational camps for local soccer lovers. The club is driven to develop great people by building the skill and character of its players on and off the field. Soccer Fun with Coach Juan will take place Saturday to Wednesday, July 6-10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for girls and boys born between 2008 and 2013. It will feature age-appropriate technical and tactical instruction from a professional coaching staff with smallsided games and daily 5 v 5, soccer tennis and soccer golf competitions. Visit www.floridahawksfc.com to sign up or learn more.
Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium Is Cooking Up Some Summer Fun
Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium’s Summer Camps are a great way to learn new skills in the kitchen, create tasty recipes and meet lots of new friends. The only things you need to be prepared are closed toe shoes and a
restraint for shoulder-length hair. All of the ingredients, tools and even the fun are included. Students are taught how to properly use real kitchen tools, knives and appliances safely under adult supervision. Students will come away with the confidence to prepare dishes that are age appropriate and tasty. The goal is to encourage your child to be a help in the kitchen and to have fun while building a lifetime of good skills. Cooking camps for kids ages 6-11 will take place from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. daily and the tweens’ and teens’ summer camps, ages 11-15) will take place from 2-4 p.m. Camps will take place weekly for four days and run from Monday, June 1 through Thursday, August 6. Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium is located at Brandon Crossroads, 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. Call 653-2418 or visit www.rollingpinonline.com.
Straz Center Hosts Patel Conservatory Performing Arts Camps
The Patel Conservatory, located at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Straz Center) in downtown Tampa, is offering a unique set of summer camp options from acting to vocal musical instruments, dance and more. The Patel Conservatory has been offering summer camp for the past 15 years. Each year, it averages approximately 1,200 campers. Camps are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so signing up early is strongly encouraged. The Patel Conservatory offers scholarships for summer camp. You must apply, and the deadline is Monday, April 13. Please apply for a scholarship by visiting strazcenter.org/financialaid. For more information on all that the Patel Conservatory has to offer this summer, please visit patelconservatory.org.
Bricks 4 Kidz Offers LEGO® Summer Camps
Bricks 4 Kidz is back with awesome LEGO® Summer Camps being offered all over the Brandon, Riverview and Valrico areas. Join in for a different theme each week, such as Fortnite, Pokemon, Star Wars, Minecraft and much more. Each week, campers will be build-
ing signature Bricks 4 Kidz robotic LEGO® models, very popular LEGO® mosaics and 3D LEGO® sculptures, as well as playing fun games and creating arts and crafts projects they will get to take home. At the end of each week, every camper will get to take home their very own LEGO® minifigure. Each day and week will be a brand-new LEGO® adventure you won’t want to miss. Sign up at www.bricks4kidz.com/florida-tampa or call 545-4282.
Swimming To Horseback Riding And More At Local YMCA Camps
The Tampa Metropolitan YMCA summer camps are well known for offering something for every child. With multiple locations offering daily activities including swimming, science, high ropes, outdoor education, nature encounters, horseback riding, canoeing, visual arts and more the Y camps
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are always a local favorite with boys and girls alike! In addition to a traditional camp called Activity Central, the YMCA offers specialty camps such as basketball, equestrian, extreme team, gymnastics, leadership, soccer, swimming, visual arts, science and performing arts to name a few. Spots are filling fast with area locations including Brandon, Valrico, Riverview and SouthShore. To ensure your kids stay engaged socially, physically and academically throughout the summer, register today at www.tampaymca.org/letscamp.
Summer Fun At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay And Adventure Island
This year, Florida’s best thrill rides and breathtaking upclose animal encounters make Busch Gardens Tampa Bay the fan favorite choice for summer camp. From kindergarten to college-bound, campers at Busch Gardens will explore inspiring,
exciting and educational experiences with immersive, multi-day camp programs for all interests. Camp is all about making memories with new friends while enjoying thrilling rides and worldclass shows that can only be found at its parks. Come face-to-face with a giraffe or take on all-new attractions opening this spring. Spin and splash on Solar Vortex, America’s first dual tailspin water slide at Adventure Island, or take on Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world at Busch Gardens. Campers can explore even more with complimentary admission into the park each day following camp. Weekly offerings vary by camp but run from June to August with three and five-day camps with an overnight option available. Camps are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Space is limited. To register today, visit https://buschgardens.com/tampa/summer-camps/.
Fun And Education Spins Throughout The Summer At Kids ‘R’ Kids
Kids ‘R’ Kids is excited to launch a
new twist on camp where kids are redefining summer and turning ordinary days into the extraordinary. Just as fragments inside a kaleidoscope fuse together to captivate us with a new perspective, Kaleidoscope 360° will spin this summer into a unique dimension of discovery, fun and friendships through various weekly themes. This summer promises a well-supervised, engaging and enriching camp for preschool and elementary-aged children. Extended hours, meals/snacks, weekly field trips, sports and more are available. Summer camp is offered at both Kids ‘R’ Kids locations: Circa FishHawk on 5815 Kids Crossing Dr. (next to Stowers Elementary and Mosaic), visit www.KRKCirca.com or call 654-7000, and at 4321 Lynx Paw Trl. in Valrico (across from Lithia Springs Elementary), visit www.KRKValrico.com or call 6576200.
BSAC Offers Field Trips, Swimming And More
The Brandon Sports and Aquatics Center (BSAC) is offering Camp High Five this summer, using superior educational and athletic programming to enhance students’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Camp will have weekly themes,
offering field trips to locations including SkyZone, a Tampa Bay baseball game, Lowry Park Zoo and local splash park pads. To learn more about Camp High Five and the fun it will be offering this summer, visit www.mybsac.org or call 689-0908. BSAC is located at 405 Beverly Dr. in Brandon. The hours of operation are weekdays from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and it is closed on Sundays.
Music And Acting Camps Offered Through Music Showcase
Budding thespians or just children who like to entertain will enjoy The Florida Academy of the Performing Arts at Music Showcase’s (FAOPA) two types of summer camps for children ages 5 and older. Located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, FAOPA offers two-week, halfday musical theater camps, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., that are structured
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“Soccer Fun with Coach Juan”
Boys and Girls
born between 2013 and 2008 July 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 2020 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Soccer Fields of the FishHawk Sports Complex Lithia FL
Your child must bring: • Readiness to have a lot of fun playing soccer • Cleats, shin guards, and a ball • Snack • Water bottle
KIDS
Summer Camps (Ages 6-11) 10:30am - 1:00pm
June 1 - 4 June 8 - 11 June 15 - 18 June 22 - 25 June 29 - July 2 July 6 - 10 July 13 - 16 July 20 - 23 July 27 - 30 August 3-6
Summer Camps (Ages 11-15) 2:00pm - 4:30pm
$195.00 if registered before April 15, 2020 $215.00 if registered after April 15, 2020 CAMP FEATURES:
Age appropriate technical and tactical instruction • Small sided games • Daily 5 v 5 Competitions Daily Soccer Tennis and Soccer Golf Competitions • Professional coaching staff Athletic Trainer onsite • Hydration Station • Camp T Shirt Registration:www.floridahawksfc.com Contact Juan E De Brigard, Director of Coaching, Florida Hawks FC | doc@floridahawksfc.com • Cell # 754 244 3016
TWEEN’S & TEENS
Brandon’s Big Green “EggQuarters”
that are structured by age, ability, interests and progress and feature live productions at the end. Parents will enjoy watching their children bring the musical to life in the auditorium, which is equipped with a professional sound and lighting system, costumes, props and set design. The second type offered are the Music and More Camps, which are full-day weeklong camps, from 9 a.m.5 p.m., during select weeks. Campers will learn to play instruments like drums, ukuleles and guitars. They can also learn to sing, act, paint/make art, dance and more. The two camp options can be combined to create an entire day of fun and learning. Free early drop-off and late pickup is available for your convenience. For more information about summer camps or any of FAOPA’s other programs, visit FAOPA.org or call 490-2787.
Combat Dreaded Summer Slide With Mathnasium Of Brandon
Mathnasium Brandon offers a variety of ways students can power up their math skills and have fun this summer. From mini camps to summer
sessions, there is something for every student. There are two options for mini camps, which run from Monday, June 1 through Friday, July 31. Students can either do the traditional Camp Mathnasium or STEM Camp, which includes additional fun such as robotics, LEGO Mindstorm EV3, experiments and pizza parties. Summer sessions, where students attend 13 times during the first nine weeks of summer, start on June 1. Students can also sign up for Summer Power Math Workout Programs, which include Numerical Fluency, Multiplication Fact Fluency, ProblemSolving, Algebra and Geometry Readiness and SAT/ACT Workshops. Fun in the Mathnasium Sun will also offer weekly attendance contests, game time, Fun Fridays, chess club, summer bingo and movie nights. Experts say that the effects of a summer learning program, such as Mathnasium’s, will make a positive difference for students moving forward. Call 655-MATH (6284) or visit www.mathnasium.com/brandon/. Mathnasium of Brandon is located at 1048 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico (Plaza Bella shopping center).
dropped off at the MAC front desk. To learn more or to get the registration form, visit https://themac gym.org/summer-sportscamps/. MAC is located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon and can be reached at 315-3280. .
Sports Fun At The MAC
The MAC Gym in Brandon is offering basketball, volleyball and soccer camps in June and July. The basketball camps are open for 7 to 14-year-olds, soccer is available for 7 to 12-year-olds and volleyball, which has both co-ed and girls camps, is available for 8 to 14-year-olds. There will also be a basketball camp from Monday to Friday, July 27-31 for 10 to 14-year-olds. The camps run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and lunch is available to purchase, or campers may bring their own from home. An email will be sent on the weekend before camp with details. Camps fill up fast! Registration forms for MAC summer sports camps can be picked up at the MAC front desk or downloaded online. Form and registration fees may be
Center Place Fine Arts Offer Summer Art Camp To Brighten The Day
Who knew that art could be so much fun? This summer, register your 7 to 13-year-old to discover their love of painting, drawing, pottery and more. Classes are offered Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include Art Mural, Animal Paintings, Pencil Drawings Cruise Around the World, West & Wild Canvases, Ceramic Sculpture, Recycled Art, Landscape Drawings, Paper Sculptures, Space Art, Mixed Media and more. Center Place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B in Brandon. For more information or to register, visit www.centerplacebrandon.org or call 685-8888.
Editor’s Note: Are we missing a great Summer Camp opportunity? Email our Assignment Editor kquesada@ospreyobserver.com with subject line Summer Camp to add an additional camp to our guide. Please note dates and details subect to change.
Learn Baseball From The Pros At Ostingers Baseball Academy Summer Camp
Ostingers Baseball Academy will hold its baseball camp this summer to give your children a better understanding of the game of baseball through small group instruction, drills and games. Having a good time while learning the fundamentals will be the main focus of this camp. Ostingers’ staff is made up of all former professional players who will instruct, teaching the game from the ground up. The camp is not a fullday camp with video games and indoor activities. Jim Osting is a baseball instructor with 12 years of professional baseball playing experience, including two years of Major League Experience (Padres and Brewers).
Patrick Ryan is a baseball instructor with eight years professional pitching experience. Kris Wilken is the Head Baseball Coach at Bloomingdale High School and has six years of professional playing experience. College and high school players trained by Ostingers Baseball Academy will assist your children throughout their camp experience. Additional help is provided from Ostinger players current and past to make the campers’ experience one of a kind. With the instructors and the staff, the ratio per camper is around 6:1. This ratio allows for added reps for each player and helps to break up the groups in an age-appropriate format. Weeks of camp are Monday, June 15, July 13 and July 27. The camps run halfdays Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The camps are held from Monday to Wednesday at Ostingers Baseball Academy on 8711 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia and Thursday and Friday at the FishHawk Sports Complex fields, located at 16120
FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia (for games and other activities). The cost is $180 (sibling discounts available). For more information or to register, call 737-3000 or visit www.OstingBaseball.com.
Summer Camp At T.L.C.’s Gypsy Haven
T.L.C.’s Gypsy Haven is now registering for summer camp. The farm has been in business for more than 12 years, offering afterschool riding lessons, horseback riding camps, monthly horse leasing, pony parties and more. The camps will be made up of small groups (less than 10) and students will have their own horse for the entire week. Your kids, from ages 7 and up, will have a lot of fun enjoying weekly themed horseback riding camps. They will receive hands-on experiences, learning to ride as well as how to groom the horses. The camp takes place Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Monday, June 1 and running through Monday, August 3. Your kids will enjoy field trips each Friday they are at camp. With limited space (eight spots weekly), you will want to call early. Located 10 minutes from FishHawk, T.L.C. Gypsy Haven is on 4325 Keysville Rd. in Lithia. For more information, please call Tammi at 842-4236 or visit www.tlcsfarms.com.
TechPlayzone Offers Hands-On Learning
TechPlayzone, where bright kids play to learn, is offering six weeks of hands-on, high-tech camps planned for second to sixth grade students. The camps will take place at HCC Brandon Campus from 9 a.m.-12 Noon for $125 per week. Campers can register at www.techplayzone.com. TechPlayzone is celebrating 15 years of quality STEM camps, featuring 3D printing, drones, Minecraft for engineers, coding, LEGO robotics, and hands-on science experiments. For more information, email desh@techplayzone.com or call 444-CAMP.
Options
Camp Osprey Offers Overnight Camping
Camp Osprey is the area’s bestkept secret. At Camp Osprey, boys and girls ages 7-15 can enjoy a week of adventure at a traditional overnight camp. It is located on 204 acres of beautiful woodlands, nestled alongside the Little Manatee River on 18050 US 301 in Wimauma. While at camp, kids will enjoy horseback riding, paintball, a high ropes challenge course, canoeing, fishing, color games, archery, gaga ball and much more. Overnight camping runs from Sunday through Saturday for an allinclusive cost of $450. Day camp is also available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. for $195 or a daily drop-in fee of $39 per day. This includes breakfast and lunch. For more information, call 941928-6860 or visit www.camposprey.com.
WWW.CAMPOSPREY.COM -6860
941-928
t pt Secre Best Ke pa Bay! in Tam
All-Inclusive Kids Overnight Adventure Camp For Ages 7-15 $475 Week - Sunday 4pm - Saturday 10am Day Camp Available: Mon - Fri 8 am to 6 pm $220 - By the day $45 Breakfast and lunch is provided.
YMCA Offers Fun And Exciting Summer Camps At 16 Tampa Bay Locations
Bricks 4 Kidz Summer Camps are back with exciting themes like Minecraft, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Superheroes, Magic, and much more. Join us at one of our camp locations in Brandon, Riverview, or Fishhawk!
By Libby Hopkins
equestrian, extreme team, gymnastics, leadership, soccer, swimming, visual arts, science and performing arts, to name a few,” Llerena said. “Parents have the option to add on before and after-care activities, which include swimming, horseback riding, sports and high ropes. Activities and specialty options Tampa YMCA is hosting a summer full of great camps for vary by location.” children. The YMCA’s goal for Summer is just a few short months its summer camps is to make all who away, but the YMCA is already gearing attend happy. “We guarantee an excitup for months full of fun camps. ing summer filled with lots of memo“We offer children a day camp currable moments,” Llerena said. “Our riculum full of fun, educationcamp staff al activities,” said Lalita members are Llerena, senior communicakind, trustworthy tions director for the Tampa individuals comMetropolitan YMCA. “Activity mitted to creatspecialists lead campers ing a safe place through various unique for campers to experiences each day, practice social including swimming, sciskills and charence, high ropes, outdoor acter values.” education, nature encoun“Some kids ters, horseback riding, can experience canoeing, visual arts and learning loss more. These fun and unique and gain weight twice as fast than durexperiences give Y campers an opporing the school year,” Llerena said. tunity to explore the outdoors, meet “That’s why the Tampa YMCA offers new friends, discover new interests summer camp, to make sure kids and and create memories that last a lifeteens in the Tampa Bay area are time.” adventurous, active and healthy this In the YMCA summer camp, chilsummer.” Spots are filling up fast at 16 dren are in a welcoming environment locations across Hillsborough and East where they can feel like they belong, Pasco Counties. To ensure your kids build relationships, develop character stay engaged socially, physically and and discover their potential. “In addiacademically throughout the summer, tion to a traditional day camp called ‘Activity Central,’ the YMCA offers spe- register today at www.tampaymca.org/letscamp. cialty camps such as basketball,
Motorized LEGO® and LEGO® Art Projects
Full Week Camps Half Day and Full Day Options Ages 5-12
Camp locations all over Brandon • Riverview • Valrico Lithia • Fishhawk Early Bird Registration and Sibling Discounts To find out more and to register please visit
www.bricks4kidz.com/florida-tampa
or call us at 813-545-4282
Our instructors have 30 years combined professional playing and coaching experience.
Session 1 Session 2 June 15-19 (M-F) July 13-17 (M-F)
Session 3 July 27- 31 (M-F)
Location:
M-W Ostingers Academy • 8711 Lithia Pinecrest Road Th-F Field for games and other activities Space is Limited Age Group: 7 - 14 yrs Register Early Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm to hold your spot! Cost: $225/camper **(Second Child $200) **Multi week discounts
Daily Instruction • Games • Pitching/Catching Fundamentals Addressed • Drills For More Information:
Call 813.737.3000 or visit our website at www.OstingBaseball.com
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2020 Summer Camp