Riverview/Apollo Beach
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February 2021
Volume 19, Issue 2
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CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
RIVERVIEW LIBRARY— NEW AND EXPANDED EDITION
LOCAL COUPLE READY FOR SEASON TWO ON THEIR HIT HGTV SHOW By Karin Davis-Thompson
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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a lot in Plant City with more than 8 acres of land. With about 120 days before their wedding, they hoped to come back from their honeymoon to a new dream home. In exactly 100 days, their home was complete—a little more than 2,000 square feet, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office and a front and back porch. Working together to help clients make their dream home a reality is someBrian and Mika Kleinschmidt are two of the newest stars on HGTV. Their show, 100 Day Dream Home, follows families in the Tampa Bay area as the thing Brian and Mika said they love doing. The pair duo helps them build their dream homes in 100 days. admitted that while some After attracting nearly 23 million viewers in their debut season, Riverview cou- married couples may have trouble spending ple Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt are back their days working together, they actually for season two of their hit show, 100 Day really enjoy it and have been working sideby-side for the last 10 years. Dream Home. The two met as teenagers at Riverview The show follows the couple as they work with Tampa Bay area homeowners High School, and while Brian has often said to build their dream homes in 100 days or he knew she was special even then, the two less. Many of their clients featured on the didn’t really begin dating until they reconshow are residents of Apollo Beach, River- nected in 2011. They married in October 2015. view, Valrico and Brandon. Now, as one of the newest stars on HGTV, After touring the site for the new home and getting an understanding of their cli- the couple continues to help clients with ents’ needs, the couple gets to work and getting the home of their dreams, and in the clock starts ticking. Brian is in charge this season, the duo will also share the realof the construction and ensuring proper ization of their dream home. Mika said that as exciting as finding your permits are pulled, building materials are ready and that everything is completed to dream home can be, it’s tough to devote specification. Mika is in charge of all things the time she would like with so many other design-related. She works with the clients, irons in the fire. “It has been a challenge working on our taking them on what she calls inspiration tours, walking through various homes to dream home this season only because we get ideas on what they want their new have been putting a lot of our other projects first,” she said. homes to look and feel like. “Cameras or no cameras, we love what On one recent episode from the new season, Brian and Mika worked with an we do and we love working with our clients engaged couple looking to get out of their to create something from a blank canvas,” cramped camper and build their dream Mika said. You can watch Brian and Mika on 100 home before the wedding day. The couple, both deputies with the Hills- Day Dream Home on HGTV and all HGTV borough County Sheriff’s Office, purchased digital platforms.
By Bob Zoellner
Library staff at the new Riverview Public Library, which opened January 13, 2021. Karen Johnson Slaton, Tammy Cutlip, Allison Wever, and Jason Steward.
In 1881, there were only a few public libraries in the world. As Andrew Carnegie decided to give away most of his wealth and promote the idea of free public libraries, the idea grew rapidly to now virtually every community having its own library. Riverview has the newest one. Opening in mid-January, the new 35,000-square-foot building at 9951 Balm Riverview Rd. opened its doors to provide curbside service to the Riverview, Gibsonton and Apollo Beach areas. The previous facility on Riverview Dr. closed, which was a much smaller library with only 8,000 square feet that served its patrons for over 40 years. That building now reverts back to Mosaic, which donated the use of the building while it was a library. Librarians had already seen 72 customers take advantage of its services by 4 p.m. on opening day, January 13, more than any other day at the previous location during the COVID-19 protocols, according to staff. “The new branch features a recording studio, makerspace, Early Learning Hive and an expanded children’s room,” said Chely Cantrell, the Library Brand Innovation officer for the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system. Cantrell has spent 15 years working in libraries, including the last six with Tampa-Hillsborough County, focusing on community engagement, public relations and learning experiences. “Although not currently open to the public, the Riverview library is offering curbside pickup via appointment,” Cantrell said. “Customers can browse the library’s collections on HCPLC.org and place materials on hold.” “Once the items are ready for pickup they schedule an appointment and pick up their materials via a contact-free curbside option,” added Cantrell.
One of 27 libraries in the system, each one has different protocols in place, although none allow patrons to come in and linger with their materials. Some locations have a 25 percent occupancy, which is mainly to browse and for materials pickup or to use a computer for up to an hour. Others have curbside pickup only at the moment. With the uncertainty of COVID-19 still lingering, it is impossible to predict when each location will be full-service again, Cantrell said. The best way to see what is offered is to go onto the website at https://www.hcplc. org/locations and find the branch desired, including the Riverview Public Library. To reserve materials at the new Riverview location, call or text 955-4898 and provide your name and the last four digits of your library card.
IN THIS ISSUE: ALAFIA BREWING ............... PG 11 ABWC SCHOLARSHIPS ..... PG 15 EYE ON BUSINESS ...................PGS 25-26 SPORTS ...................................... PG 47
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It is almost that time of year again. The 86th annual Florida Strawberry Festival is kicking off next month and inviting residents to safely climb “All Aboard!” with delicious food and fun events for the whole family. Starting on Thursday, March 4 and running for 11 days, the event celebrates the strawberry harvest in Eastern Hillsborough County with vendors, livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, strawberry shortcake. See Page 17 for full story and COVID protocols.
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