35 minute read
TURKEY TROT RESULTS
BACK THE LINE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT POLICE OFFICER’S FAMILY
By Brad Stager
The local community will have a chance to show its support to the family of deceased Tampa Police Ofcer Matthew McNeal by participating in an 18-hole charity golf tournament, promoted as the Back the Line First Annual Golf Tournament, on Saturday, April 2 at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview.
McNeal died of brain cancer at age 34 on January 2 and had been an ofcer with TPD since 2014. He was a member of the department’s Special Operations Unit’s Bicycle Operations and Response Team and earned two Life Saving Awards, an Excellent Duty Award, a Community Policing Award and a Unit Citation during his service as a police ofcer, according to a TPD Facebook post, which also describes McNeal as “a kind and humble man, who loved being a police ofcer.” McNeal was born in Tampa and also served as a corrections ofcer with the Hillsborough County Sherif’s Ofce after earning an Associate of Arts degree at Hillsborough Community College.
The event is being organized by Back the Line Charity Events and is sponsored by the Firemen’s Benevolent Association of the City of Tampa. According to organizers, the funds raised will go entirely to the family McNeal
leaves behind, including wife Mandy, a son and a daughter. Some of those involved with Back the Line Charity Events have family or close ties to the first responder community and their understanding of what a public safety career involves provides motivation to help others. “They give their lives to the community and A charity golf tournament will be held to it’s something I’ve alsupport the family of Tampa Police Of- ways wanted to do,” cer Matthew McNeal, who died of cancer said Founder of Back at the beginning of the year. McNeal the Line Charity Events served on TPD’s bike unit. Heather Cropper, who grew up in Valrico and played golf at Durant High School. Besides the golf tournament, the Back the Line event will include ticket drawings with prizes and dinner. Summerfield Crossings Golf Club is located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd., one mile east of U.S. 301, in Riverview. Tournament sign-in begins at 11:30 a.m., as do the silent auction and drawing of rafe and 50/50 tickets; the shotgun start is at 1 p.m.; and dinner is at 5:30 p.m. The cost to play is $125 per golfer or $400 for a team of four. The deadline to register is Saturday, March 26, and paid sponsorship opportunities for the tournament are available. For more information, send an email to backthelinecharity@ gmail.com or visit the Back the Line Charity Events Facebook page @BackTheLineCharityEvents.
Staf Report
Local SouthShore community Waterset by Newland welcomes runners and residents alike every Thanksgiving morning for their Turkey Trot 5K and Kids Fun Run. After going virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic, the race bounced back in a big way in 2021, drawing a crowd of almost 1,000 participants. The 2021 race raised over $25,000 in proceeds, benefitting three public schools near the Waterset community: Doby Elementary, Eisenhower Middle and East Bay High Schools. This brings Waterset’s total donations through the Turkey Trot to over $110,000 in seven years.
Waterset by Newland is owned in a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House, LLC (NASH) and Brookfield Residential, and it is proudly managed by Brookfield Properties. These partners share a deep commitment to sustainable development practices and apply these core values to the vision, planning, and development of their communities. Waterset by Newland is one of more than 20 communities this partnership manages together across the US.
The Waterset Turkey Trot raises money through race entry fees and sponsorships from local businesses. The schools received an even split of the proceeds and the FishHawk Ranch Road Runners running club, which helps facilitate the run, also received $1,000 for its annual scholarship fund. Each
school received over $8,000 this year, which can be used at the discretion of the school principals. Past uses have included technological and aesthetic upgrades, scholar2021 Waterset Turkey Trot raised money for local schools. ships and student incentives. “I continue to be humbled by the community support we receive each year,” said Amy Stevens-Cox, principal of East Bay School. “Waterset’s generosity speaks volumes. We have set a portion of the funds aside for scholarships for seniors, and we use the remaining monies to upgrade our building.” In addition to the Turkey Trot fundraiser, Waterset donates several iPads each quarter to deserving students at Eisenhower Middle and East Bay High School. Students from the schools also volunteer at a number of Newland-sponsored events at the community throughout the year, further fostering a strong sense of connection. “We’ve had the pleasure of partnering with our local public schools in a variety of ways since Waterset’s inception,” explained the Marketing Manager for Waterset Lynda McMorrow. “Our team and our residents care deeply about our SouthShore community. We all want to help our local schools, their staf and their students however we can.” For more information on Waterset by Newland, visit www.watersetfl.com or visit the Information Center in The Landing Club & Café, which is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 Noon-6 p.m.
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GOOD COUNTY PLANNING LEADS TO GOOD LIVING FOR RESIDENTS
By Brad Stager
When it comes to local governments fulfilling their obligations in providing safe, habitable communities for the residents they serve, proper planning has a role.
In Hillsborough County, that responsibility is borne in large part by the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission is an independent entity stafed by appointed representatives from the four local governments within Hillsborough County and is a resource used by the participating governments.
Members of the Planning Commission serve four-year terms and are apportioned as follows: four members each appointed from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, with one member each appointed from the municipalities of Temple Terrace and Plant City; a representative from Hillsborough County School District; and one from MacDill Air Force Base serve in ex-officio roles.
Meetings of the Planning Commission are held monthly in a hybrid format with commissioners and support staf able to meet in-person and the general public viewing and commenting virtually. Meetings can be viewed live or afterward via the YouTube channel Hillsborough County Meetings, Hillsborough TV (HTV) on the county’s website, as well as on select cable channels.
Housing needs of a growing population and the locations of commercial projects are among the topics discussed at the com-
mission’s meetings, as are issues related to the county’s infrastructure and natural resources, such as undeveloped land. Hillsborough County’s ofcial Facebook photo. Besides
Te Hillsborough County City-County Planning Com- serving as mission plays a role in local government decisions that an appointed afect how future growth is managed and what happens to commissioner, undeveloped parts of the county. the public can get involved in the county’s planning process by participating in online surveys available on the Plan Hillsborough website or connecting with one of the advisory committees addressing a variety of concerns, such as trafc congestion. The Planning Commission is one of three commissions that the agency known as Plan Hillsborough provides stafng and logistical support to. The other two commissions are the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization and the Hillsborough River Board & Technical Advisory Council. According to Melissa Dickens, senior planner with Plan Hillsborough, internal changes in the overall planning organization should facilitate the work of the Planning Commission and benefit county residents. “We’ve had a number of new staf join us over the past couple of years,” she said as part of her presentation during the February 14 commission meeting. “They have provided lots of opportunities to hear diferent perspectives from people who may have worked on similar projects at other places.” You can learn more about the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission by visiting planhillsborough.org.
SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS BUS DRIVER PAY INCREASE TO COMBAT SHORTAGE
By Superintendent Addison Davis
Our parents and families have faced a multitude of challenges as our community acclimates to the impacts of COVID-19. One of the more unexpected side efects of the worldwide pandemic has been a crippling labor shortage facing multiple industries across our nation. Our educational system has unfortunately not been immune to this development.
Parents in Hillsborough County Public Schools are keenly aware that this district is contending with a critical shortage of bus drivers. These hardworking and dedicated individuals are the backbone of our district, and without them our exceptional educators would not be able to change the lives of our learners.
However, it has always been a challenge to recruit and retain bus drivers. In fact, in other states this year, the National Guard has been called in to drive children to school because they simply do not have enough people to fill the positions.
Hillsborough County Public Schools is currently in need of approximately 130 bus drivers, which means those currently driving are performing double and triple runs to ensure students make it to school safely. Unfortunately, this creates angst for our learners and families as they experience delays both to and from school. It is for this reason I made the recommendation to our school board to raise the hourly rate for our bus drivers from $14.57 to $16.04 per hour. This will represent one of the highest pay rates in the state for bus drivers, which we in turn anticipate will help to alleviate a shortage while recruiting and retaining more highly qualified individuals to transport our learners to and from school. I want to remind our community that bus drivers have been on the front lines since the pandemic began. These talented and passionate individuals did not have the opportunity to work from home as they drove food and academic materials to families while our brick-and-mortar schools were closed. They deserve our respect and appreciation for the difcult work they have performed. This initiative will also impact veteran drivers who will receive a well-deserved raise from their current salaries.
This move will not only strengthen our transportation department; my hope is that your family will see a noticeable difference with time as we work diligently to combat these complex issues. Bus drivers are often the first smiling face a student encounters as their school day begins. We are excited to welcome new and highly qualified individuals to the HCPS family to make a diference in children’s lives every day.
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By Michelle Caceres
Newsome High senior Alexander Fraga faced a dilemma. While sitting in AP Macroeconomics class he glanced at his cellphone and noticed an email had come across from Congressman Vern Buchanan’s ofce. The moment had arrived when he would find out if he had received a nomination to the United State Merchant Marine Academy, his dream school.
He had to decide whether to open it or wait until he was home with his family.
“I saw a smiley face emoji in the title of the email and just couldn’t wait,” he said.
Fraga opened the email, and then he smiled. He had earned the nomination. “I was just so excited and trying not to disrupt class,” Fraga said.
In all, Buchanan made 22 nominations to the four U.S. service academies: the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval Academies. Unlike other service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for admission.
Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a nonpartisan service academy board appointed by the congressman.
In addition to Fraga, other local nominees include: Bell Creek Academy students Sebastian Correa to the United State Military Academy and Matthew Martinez to the United States Air Force Academy and United States Naval Academy; Durant High School student Austin Holcomb to the United States Air Force Academy; Sumner High School student David Tirado-Alonzo to the United States Military Academy and Unit-
ed States Naval Academy; Marion Military Institute cadet Francis Connor Dias of Lithia to the United States Military Academy and Congressman Vern Buchanan made 22 nomina- United States tions to four U.S. service academies. Naval Academy; Newsome High School students Colby Prince to the United States Naval Academy, Matthew Iocco to the United States Naval Academy and Cody Basquill to the United States Air Force Academy; and U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School cadets Ryan Matthews of Riverview, Yaideliz Lorenzo-Mendoza of Ruskin and Axeladiel Zengotita of Lithia to the United States Air Force Academy. Former United States Air Force Academy cadet Spencer Caceres, who left to serve a two-year church mission in Mexico, also received a nomination for re-entry to the United States Air Force Academy. The nominees’ names are forwarded to the service academies where they were nominated. “Here in Florida’s 16th district, we are fortunate to have so many driven and courageous students willing to serve in our armed forces,” said Buchanan. “Each of the nominees is deserving of the privilege of attending one of our nation’s prestigious service academies. I wish each of my nominees the best of luck throughout the remainder of the selection process and look forward to their future success.” For more info about Congressman Buchanan or the Service Academy nomination process, visit www.buchanan.house.gov.
COVID-19 TESTING COMES TO YOU AT HOME WITH BEEPERMD
By Libby Hopkins
Generations ago, health care professionals made house calls that were personalized, private, safe and convenient. That at-home type of service faded away decades ago and has only been available as a VIP service for a select few at a very high cost.
BeeperMD is a new at-home health care service that comes to you.
“We currently service patients in Florida and New York,” said Lauren Berger of BeeperMD. “We do have limited operations in other states that we are expanding to this year. BeeperMD also services businesses nationwide.”
BeeperMD is bringing house calls back for sick visits and medical testing.
“Originally, one of our founders, Jeremy Gelbart, ofered COVID testing to a local school to help get kids back in class. It took of from there, and before we knew it, we were testing thousands of clients at home as well as employees at some of the largest companies in the state and beyond,” Berger said. “Once Omicron hit, we were inundated with an unprecedented demand for testing. Despite successfully testing over 150,000 people across Florida during the Omicron phase of the pandemic, BeeperMD definitely experienced major operational challenges and a critical workforce shortage.”
As a small and growing company, this event was exponentially more than just growing pains. Most experts did not anticipate this demand to arrive as fast and furious as it has. Through this time of adversity, BeeperMD has learned how to be better prepared with managing and handling excessive demand. “However, we believe a demand event of this magni-
BeeperMD is a new at-home health care tude is very difcult service that comes to you. Tey are bringing house calls back for sick visits and medical testing. for any organization to maintain full preparedness along with successful execution,” Berger said. “We will always continue to improve every day and thankfully we have come out better on the other side of the Omicron phase of this pandemic.” For at-home urgent care and COVID testing, you can simply call or make an appointment at beepermd.com, submit your information and a BeeperMD clinician will come to your home to examine and/or test you to diagnose an illness. “Additionally, there is always a nurse practitioner or doctor connected to your appointment via video chat,” Berger said. “We generally test for symptoms related to COVID-19, flu, strep, respiratory infections and more. We also send appropriate prescriptions to your pharmacy.” If you would like to learn more about BeeperMD, you can visit its website at www.beepermd.com.
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HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES FOUR FLORIDA PREPAID SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH COMBINED $25,000
Staf Report
Hillsborough County Public Schools recently partnered with the Florida Prepaid College Program to announce four scholarships worth a combined $25,000. The Superintendent Addison Davis Future of STEM Scholarship will be awarded to three students. This scholarship is a twoyear Florida College Plan worth $8,000.
These scholarships are designed to encourage new teachers to join the education workforce in areas with critical shortages. To apply for this scholarship, students must meet criteria and write a 500-word essay about why they want to become a teacher in a STEM subject.
Superintendent Addison Davis’ Preparing Students for Life Scholarship is a $1,000 Florida 529 Savings Plan awarded to a parent or guardian who attends a kindergarten registration event or begins the registration process by Saturday, April 30 for the 2022-2023 academic year. An eligible student’s name will be drawn at random.
“The Florida Prepaid College Program is a proactive way that parents can begin to prepare their learner for postsecondary education. We are so fortunate to be able to provide students an opportunity to help pay for college, which is a pathway to a
lifelong career. With one scholarship aiding high school seniors and the other for one of our youngest learners, these awards truly recognize the spectrum of important work our Hillsborough County Public Schools recently partnered with the Florida Prepaid College Program to announce four scholareducators take part in here in Hillsborough County Public ships worth a combined $25,000. Schools,” said Davis. “Hillsborough County Public Schools has a laser-like focus on providing the most robust STEM programs for our students to prepare them for the careers of tomorrow. It is equally as important that we focus on cultivating STEM educators who have a passion for the subject and for teaching students a genuine love of science. This scholarship will help to support one of our future educators, who will in turn inspire our learners to excel in STEM,” said Larry Plank, director of K-12 STEM education. Florida Prepaid kicked of its annual open enrollment period by ofering families who purchase a 529 Prepaid Plan by April 30 up to $500 in a 529 Savings Plan to be used toward additional college expenses. Open enrollment runs through April 30 and is the annual window when families can lock in future tuition costs at today’s plan prices. Visit www.myfloridaprepaid.com for more information.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
By Catherine Wolden
Water is vitally important to every aspect of our lives. Monitoring the quality of our region’s water helps protect, manage and preserve our aquifers and spring systems. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has a dedicated team of scientists who collect water quality samples from groundwater and surface water bodies throughout the region.
Q: What is water quality and why is it important?
A: Water quality is a description of the condition of water. Water quality can refer to the chemical, physical and biological condition of water, including the suitability of the water to be used for a specific purpose like drinking, recreation or support of wildlife. The quality of our water is important because it has a direct impact on people and the environment.
Q: Why does the District monitor water quality?
A: The District’s Water Quality Monitoring Program, or WQMP, provides critical data to anyone making decisions about protecting, managing and restoring water resources within our region. District scientists collect samples from surface water bodies like lakes, nearshore estuarine areas, rivers and groundwater systems such
as springs and wells.
Q: What does the District look for in water quality monitoring?
A: The District assesses the quality of water in several ways. In the field, scientists record and collect the water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, Catherine Wolden is the Southwest Flor- concentration of ions ida Water Management District’s Water Quality Monitoring Program manager. A native of Florida, she has a Bachelor in the water (specific conductance) and of Science in environmental science and amount of material policy from the University of South Flor- suspended in the waida and has spent her entire 20-plus-year ter (turbidity). More career in various roles in the District’s complex measure-
Water Quality Monitoring Program. ments for nutrients and saltwater indicators are measured in a laboratory.
Q: What does the District do with the collected water quality data?
A: The District uses the data to help make decisions about protecting, managing and restoring water resources within our region. The data collected supports studies of ongoing issues like saltwater intrusion, impacts to aquifers in our region and evaluation of minimum flows and levels for our springs and surface water bodies.
Q: How can the public access the District’s water quality data?
A: The data collected by the District, including water quality data, can be accessed and downloaded from our Environmental Data Portal (EDP) at watermatters.org/edp.
FINANCIAL FOCUS USE YOUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY LIKE GPS
When you’re driving these days, it’s pretty hard to get lost because your smartphone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) can get you just about anywhere. And as an investor, you can have a similar experience by employing another directional tool – a personalized fnancial strategy. Let’s look at the parallels between your GPS and this type of strategy. To begin with, your GPS pinpoints your exact location at the start of your trip – in other words, it tells you where you are. And when you create a fnancial strategy, your frst step is to evaluate your current situation by answering these types of questions: What are your assets? How much do you earn? How much do you owe? How much are you contributing to your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement accounts? Once you’ve got a clear picture of your fnances, you’ll be ready to begin your journey toward your long-term goals. Once your GPS has identifed your starting point, it will then show you where you want to go and the routes to help you get there. And it’s the same with your fnancial strategy – you want it to help lead you to a particular place in your life. In fact, a well-designed strategy can show you the steps you need to take to help reach more than one destination – to a place where you can send your children to college, a place where you can retire comfortably, a place where you can leave the type of legacy you want, and so on. Here’s another element of your GPS that applies to your fnancial strategy – the warnings. You’re certainly familiar with those thick red lines your GPS shows to indicate trafc slowdowns ahead. And while they’re annoying, they’re also useful in cautioning you that you may arrive at your destination later than you had originally planned. Your fnancial strategy can also express “warnings” about events that could hinder you from reaching your goals. These obstacles might include an illness or disability that could keep you out of work for a while, or the need for some type of longterm care, such as a nursing home stay or the services of a home health aide. Your fnancial strategy can not only identify these threats, but with the guidance of a fnancial professional, suggest potential solutions. In addition to providing warnings about things such as heavy trafc and road construction, your GPS can change your route if you miss a turn or if you decide, for whatever reason, to go a slightly diferent way. Your fnancial strategy can also show you alternatives, if it’s comprehensive and overseen by a fnancial professional, who, using specialized software, can create hypotheticals – illustrations that provide alternative outcomes for diferent steps, such as retiring at various ages, investing diferent amounts each year or earning diferent rates of return. These hypotheticals can be quite helpful to you as your chart your course toward your goals, especially if you need to change your plans along the way. Your GPS and your fnancial strategy are two great tools for helping get you where you want to go.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones, its employees and fnancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualifed tax advisor regarding your situation.
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The Apollo Beach Woman’s Club (ABWC) has some exciting events coming up.
The group met at its new meeting location, the Ruskin Moose Lodge, located at 1212 E. Shell Point Rd. in Ruskin, on February 9. Guest Speaker Eric Hughes, MA, MLS, literacy liaison at Tampa Free Library, discussed Hillsborough County’s basic literacy and English Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) programs and providing women a second-chance scholarship.
During the Wednesday, March 9 luncheon, Anne McCarthy, FWC, Gulf Coast Marine Fisheries Hatchery and Enhancement Center at Apollo Beach Florida Conservation and Technology Center, will discuss her career history and setup of the Piney Point Hatchery. All luncheons are $22; however, the deadline for making reservations and payments for the March 9 luncheon has passed. For menu details and reservation information, contact Barbara DeOca at 892-1219 or abwclub2020@gmail.com.
Although, it may not be too late to purchase tickets to the ABWC’s inaugural Inspirational Women Gala on Saturday, March 12 from 12 Noon-2 p.m.
At the gala to be held at Del Webb Southshore Falls Ballroom in Apollo Beach, two remarkable women will be honored: Dr. Jennifer Wells China and Chrissy Millsaps, RN. China has been the campus president at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) - Southshore since 2018 and has a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas. Millsaps is a critical care registered nurse with a BSN at Tampa
Te Apollo Beach Woman’s Club’s (ABWC) February 9 luncheon at the Ruskin Moose Lodge. Top photo (left-right): Guest speaker General Hospital (TGH). She has been working at
Eric Hughes, Hillsborough Literacy Council, TGH for over 25 and Jeanette Doyle, ABWC vice president of years and has most programs. Bottom photo (left-right): ABWC recently been car-
Community Service Co-Chairs Mary Lou ing for COVID-19 Cunningham and Rebecca Crotwell display the patients. The tickdonations made by ABWC members for Back- et price is $15 per packs on a Mission. person. A bufet lunch will be served, advertising opportunities are available in the Gala Program Journal and there will be silent auction items available. Proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Advancement Scholarship given to an adult woman demonstrating commitment to improving herself and the lives of others through continuing education. For Gala Program Journal inquiries, contact Sally Coupal at 585-734-1646 or sally@gompc.net. For ticket inquiries, contact Sheila May at 847514-1475 or smay1180@gmail.com. For auction contributions, contact Karen Kelsey at 784-6454 or waterspout@verizon.net. For more information, visit www.apollobeachwomansclub.com or contact Liz Pedersen at 777-8215 or kenlizpedersen@msn. com.
NEW SCIENTIST JOINS SOUTHERN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESEARCHERS
By Brad Buck
Dana Choi grew up in South Korea but considers Florida her second home.
She spent several years on the main campus of the University of Florida, getting her master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural and biological engineering from the UF/ IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS).
After earning her Ph.D. in 2017, Choi spent four years as an assistant professor of agricultural engineering at Penn State University, where she used artificial intelligence to help apple farmers move toward more financially and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
Last month, Choi returned to UF, also as an assistant professor. She is just starting her artificial intelligence research and outreach at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC).
Her journey to UF/IFAS started in South Korea. Her grandparents used to be farmers, and her parents still own a rice farm, although they no longer do any of the farming themselves.
As a child, she liked math and physics, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue engineering as a career. All her classmates wanted to be teachers.
Now that she’s at GCREC, Choi will be using AI to help attenuate labor and environmental issues with all sorts of crops. She’s starting with strawberries and tomatoes because those are the most prevalent crops in West Central Florida. Through her Extension program, Choi is also doing outreach, already talking extensively with farmers
Dana Choi is starting her artifcial intelligence to find out research and outreach at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma. their concerns and how she can help address them. “I value working closely with growers and directly communicating with them,” she said. “This often inspires my research topics.” “I am really grateful for this research and education center environment. I dream almost every day what research projects I want to do in this center,” Choi said. Currently, agriculture faces a huge new challenge: produce more food on fewer acres while minimizing environmental impacts and dealing with a shrinking labor force and resources. “My research focuses on developing intelligent systems to improve the capacity of field robots and precision agriculture practices to ease the labor and environmental issues,” Choi said. “We ask such questions as, ‘Do farmers and growers have enough economic incentives to adopt this technology?’ This question has required my research to maximize leverage from lowcost but efective devices through AI and robotics.” To learn more about GCREC, visit ifas.ufl. edu.
Not to be combined with any other ofer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
By Tatiana Ortiz
First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary, located in Riverview, brought on the Senior Cats for Senior Laps Program, which provides older cats between the ages of 5-12 as companions for adults 65 and older, disabled or at-risk healthwise. The goal of this program aims to match older, less active and harder to place cats with seniors who are looking for lap cats that are docile.
An approved senior must pay a one-time adoption fee of $100 for the cat that they get matched with. The cat will already be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, health-checked and more. Also, once a year, First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary will follow up with the senior and provide transportation from one of the volunteers to take the cat to its annual checkup. In addition, the program provides an endof-life agreement so if the senior passes away and they have family or friends who cannot take care of the cat, First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary will accept the cat back.
Chelsea Edmonds, founder of First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary, mentioned what makes the program unique: “The fact that our commitment to the animal surpasses
the life of the owner.” First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary is a woman and veteran-owned rescue that opened in 2018 and grew out of a passion for rescuing cats and kitFirst Ladies Farm and Sanctuary runs a Senior Cats for tens. Since Senior Laps Program. its inception, more than 1,000 animals have been removed from the streets, specifically in Eastern Hillsborough County. It serves the Greater Riverview, Ruskin, Valrico, Brandon and Plant City areas. First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary is a community-supported, ‘no-kill’ rescue with supporters and followers from all 50 states and internationally. “We would like this region to give us first consideration when adopting,” Edmonds said. On Saturdays from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. the sanctuary hosts a small market as well as Adoption Day, which includes local produce and more. It is located at 13028 Shadow Run Blvd. in Riverview. For more information, visit https://firstladiesfarm.com, call or text to 477-9948 or email firstladiesfarm@ gmail.com.
By Libby Hopkins
Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association is excited to announce it has a new board president, Riverview resident Bernadette Pello. She is also the president and co-founder of Livingstone Academy as well as the marketing manager for KNOW Women Tampa Bay.
“I am originally from upstate New York,” Pello said. “I have been in Florida, specifically the Brandon area, for 28 years. I have 35 years of professional experience, 15 in corporate and 20 years as the co-owner with my husband, Chris, for almost 20 years. Chris and I founded and own Livingstone Schools.”
The couple started Livingstone Academy with 30 students and four staf members. “We now have 450 students, four locations and 85 employees,” Pello said. “We are starting up our fifth location next school year. It will be a trade academy focusing on preapprenticeship programs for anyone with a high school diploma or GED.
The couple also owns a food truck as a family with their son, Michael, called Pasta Monsta. “I served as the chairman of the board for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce in 2020 and I currently chair GEAC,” Pello said.
Pello has been a part of Center Place’s board for more than a year. When the current executive board president, Ryan Odiorne, stepped down, Pello was unanimously
voted in as Center Place’s new executive board president. “I love the opportunities that Center Place ofers not only to students but adults as well,” Pello said. “It is very important to engage our diverse members in the arts, whether it is our young students and adults, our veterans or our vulnerable populations. We partner Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association with other nonprofits is excited to announce it has a new board in the community to president, Bernadette Pello. provide quality programs. I love watching the collaboration with other nonprofits and organizations.” Ryan is still an active board member, as is his brother, Tom Odiorne, who is Center Place’s treasurer. Pello has many goals for Center Place during her term. “Some of my goals obviously need to continue our eforts to keep Center Place strong financially,” Pello said. “Without that, we cannot provide the programs needed in the community. I would love to see our monthly events grow, such as Artist Night. I want to see Center Place known for our quality art and community programs and our beautiful event space. We have been a part of the Brandon community for 49 years, and thanks to our committed board and other community members, we are here to stay.” For more information, visit www.centerplacebrandon.com or call 685-8888.
GREATER RIVERVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS DINNER ANNOUNCED AWARD WINNERS
Staf Report
This year’s Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) Annual Membership Dinner was a Down on the Bayou Night. Each year at this dinner, seven awards are presented to very deserving investors. The awards include the Businesses of the Year as well as Ambassador of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Citizen of the Year and a Shining Star.
Charismatic emcee E. Michael Isaak, Isaak Law PLLC, led the festivities throughout the evening. Current Board Chair Mike Broussard chose the bayou theme and showcased a fun night full of bayou and Cajun influences. Music was provided by Pete Snow. The Louisiana bayou-infused menu was catered by Tampa Catering.
The evening’s theme was also brought to life by the many dedicated members who creatively decorated tables throughout the venue. Guests were asked to participate in the contest by voting for their favorite table. AcuSystem Home Inspections, LLC was declared as the Table Decorating Contest winner for the 2022 Annual Dinner – Down on the Bayou.
The annual awards were presented on January 21. The winner in the Organizations With 5 or Less Employees category was Myers Law, P.A., and the finalists were Bikes For Christ and RGS Foods.
The finalists for Organizations With Up to 20 Employees were AcuSystem Home Inspections, LLC and Riverview Tire & Auto Service, and the winner was HiTech Automotive. For Organizations With Over 20 Employees, the winner was Align Right Realty Riverview, and the finalists were the Osprey Observer and YMCA Camp Cristina. The 2021 Ambassador of the Year was Lisa Jordan, Accent American, Inc., the 2021 Volunteer of the Year was Kristi McCart, McCart & Tesmer, P.A.; the 2021 Shining Star was Chris Nelson with LegalShield; and the 2021 Citizen of the Year was Clif Fletcher with Hillsborough County Sherif’s Ofce. The GRCC was able to accumulate $3,000 during the 50/50 rafe. The chamber was able to give away $1,500 to Dr. Bryan Thatcher of Thatcher Properties. The chamber would like to give special thanks to
Photos courtesy of Gerardo Luna Photo- its top sponsors: graphs and Bill Kirkland. Bayou presenting The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner in January. sponsor Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority; Pontchartrain Bar sponsor Christopher Ligori & Associates; and Backwoods sponsors The Bridges Retirement Community, Charity Clothing Pickup, The Flying Locksmiths, The Mosaic Company, OEL Heating and Cooling, Riverview Mortgage, South State Bank, Suncoast Credit Union, the evening’s beautiful Tabellas at Delaney Creek venue, Tampa Electric Company and Thatcher Properties. For more information on the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.riverviewchamber. com/ or call 234-5944.
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THE REGENT HOSTS THE SECOND ANNUAL WEDDING DRESS GIVEAWAY
By Lily Belcher
The Regent in Riverview has announced its second annual Wedding Dress Giveaway, which will give wedding dresses to selected teachers and soon-to-be-brides.
“Educators just became the next group of people who really have had to modify how they do things [due to the coronavirus] … so we figured it would be a great appreciation for them as well,” explained The Regent CEO Shannon Keil.
The Regent has collected around 50 donated wedding dresses from local bridal shops like Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique in Riverview and Flora’s Bridal in Brandon and preserved dresses from former brides in the area. These donated dresses will be given to teachers who were nominated by their peers and selected by a team outside of The Regent.
“We have had a lot of donations from people dropping them of, so it has become a community thing for people to feel like they’re connected to it,” said Keil.
Keil also mentioned that some of last year’s health care workers who received dresses have reached out and ofered to help The Regent with its second event. Nominations were submitted through The Regent’s website throughout February and brides will be selected and fitted for their gown in April. “I think the biggest part of it is just mak-
Wedding Dress Giveaway winner ing sure enough people
Jenna Rose received a dress from Te know about it … and Regent this year we give as many dresses as we can away,” said Keil. “I hope that it encourages others to give back and to do little unexpected things.” The event will conclude in May with a brunch for the brides, who will pick their dresses. “I love it when the girl comes in for the fitting and she puts on the dress and it fits her like a glove and her face lights up,” explained Keil. “There’s Bride Jenna Rose was the frst wedding just a look on her face dress recipient and stands with her dad when she puts ‘the one’ and Shannon Keil. on, and that moment is worth everything.” The Regent is still accepting dress donations. To donate, call The Regent at 571-2494 or drop of a dress between 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. For more information on the event, visit The Regent’s Facebook page or visit its website at www.experiencetheregent.com/wedding-dress-giveaway.
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