Valrico
See Page 23 17
May 2021
Volume 18,
Issue 5
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
VALRICO ELEMENTARY STUDENT’S BIRTHDAY WISH FILLS LOCAL RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE WITH JOY
A KID’S PLACE TEACHES KIDS HOW TO CULTIVATE PRODUCE
By Samantha Trezevant
kids loved this as it actually gave them a chance to play with their food. Soon, they will harvest their own fruits and veggies on harvest day. You can help support A Kid’s Place by
By Hayley Fedor ble character, and a certificate to receive free Happy Meals for a year. When it came to choosing Ronald McDonald House as his birthday charity, Logan said, “They go there because they have family members in the hospital that are sick. … I felt bad for them and I don’t really need anything, so I just wanted to give them stuff.” The children from A Kid’s Place learning all about how to plant fruits and veggies.
Logan Pinner’s parents, Valrico Elementary staff and representatives from the Caspers Company surround Logan to recognize his generosity.
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This year, as Valrico Elementary student Logan Pinner celebrated his 10th birthday, instead of asking for the newest toys on the market or the best birthday party on the block, he decided to do something bigger than himself; Logan decided to use his birthday to collect donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities as a way to give back to others in place of receiving birthday gifts. With the help of his mother, Heidi Pinner, Logan set up an Amazon Wish List, including items like books, gift cards, toys and even a TV to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. “He sees through his heart, I think,” said Heidi, “He encourages us to do better and be more compassionate, so I wasn’t surprised that he wanted to help, just really proud that he chose to do it.” On April 7, the day of Logan’s birthday, Caspers Company made a special visit to Valrico Elementary to surprise Logan with gifts and recognition to thank him for his selfless and generous contribution to the Ronald McDonald House. During the small celebration, Logan was awarded a Smile Ambassador T-shirt, representing his no-
Much of Logan’s compassion for the families in Ronald McDonald House comes from his own experience a few short years ago when he received emergency surgery to remove his appendix two days before Christmas. “I think some of his empathy comes from experiencing that and knowing that what these families are going through is so much more challenging and hard,” said Heidi. Through Logan’s efforts to use his birthday as a way to give back to the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay, over 50 items, worth more than $1,000 altogether, were donated. Although Logan’s birthday fundraiser has since ended, you can still help. To find out more about the local Ronald McDonald House Charities and how to become involved or donate, visit rmhctampabay.org.
Childhood is an era of growth and learning in every child. A Kid’s Place ensures that every child it cares for experiences the best learning experience possible. Since 2009, A Kid’s Place has been serving Tampa’s community by touching the lives of over 1,520 children and 665 families through providing a safe haven for foster children as well as an amazing educational program. The newest addition to the organization is a garden. This garden is rooted in the belief that it is important for every child to learn about the growth of produce. The mission of the garden program is to connect children with nature and promote an understanding of vegetable planting and their role in healthy eating habits. This aids A Kid’s Place’s overall mission of providing a safe, loving and nurturing home for foster children. It was a special experience for the children; “The kids have been so excited to check the progress of the garden and help take care of it,” according Laura Herres, kitchen coordinator. Jeff Krenz, property manager, even said that “There are little tiny blossoms and teeny-tiny tomatoes and peppers already.” ACF Tampa Bay Culinary Association is who made this experience possible, particularly Vanessa and Rene Marquis. Their team graciously provided the supplies and knowledge on how to plant and grow their own fruits and vegetables. The process allowed the children to explore their inner creative side by personalizing the buckets that their produce was planted in. The children enjoyed getting their hands dirty, and even playing food-themed games. The
donating to it, hosting a fundraiser, volunteering, hosting a drive and even shopping. To learn more, visit https://akidsplacetb. org/ways-to-help/, or visit its Facebook and Twitter pages @AKidsPlaceTB.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
Valrico Edition
May 2021
Page 3
BELL SHOALS, 3.1 MILE ROAD WIDENING UPDATE
By Brian Bokor
The project to widen the 3.1-mile stretch of Bell Shoals Rd. from Boyette Rd. north to Bloomingdale Ave. is moving along.
Work accomplished to date on the 3.1-mile stretch of Bell Shoals Rd. from Boyette Rd. north to Bloomingdale Ave. has been primarily associated with land clearing, utility relocation and retention pond construction necessary to accommodate the new four-lane divided highway. But more changes are ahead on this major project. Drivers traveling from Boyette Rd. towards Bloomingdale Ave. will notice the northbound Alafia bridge addition, including bike lanes and sidewalks, now under construction. Once this northbound portion of the bridge has been completed, traffic will shift and the existing southbound lanes will undergo similar renovations. Expect bridgework to be completed mid to late 2022. The large cleared area north of the bridge on the east side will become one of several retention ponds necessary for drainage of excess water runoff created by the project, with additional areas located adjacent to the south of Three Bulls plaza, between Rosemead Ln. and Jiffy
Lube, as well as north of the Bloomingdale Ave. intersection on the west side. When asked why so many ponds were needed and what the estimated timeframe was from this point going forward, Hillsborough County Design Manager of the Capital Programs Department Sandra González, P.E. told me the retention areas were a statutory requirement. “The ponds are designed to hold a certain amount of rainfall that is determined by the amount of impervious area (asphalt and concrete) that is being constructed,” she said. “The project began on schedule in late 2018 and is set to be completed on schedule by December 2022.” An idea of what a typical cross section of the new road will look like when complete can been seen between Bloom Hill Ave. and Three Bulls plaza, where the majority of engineering work is done. The design features 6 ft. wide sidewalks, curbs and gutters; 4 ft. wide bike paths; and two 12 ft. wide lanes on either side of a fully landscaped, raised center me-
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dian. The median from Glenhaven Dr. to Rosemead Ln. will be fully irrigated and maintained by the Bloomingdale Special Taxing District through a formal maintenance agreement with the county. This will allow the district control of landscaping upkeep and design, which is still in the formative stages. The median from Glenhaven Dr. south to Boyette Rd. will be nonirrigated and maintained by the county. From Glenhaven Dr. north to Bloomingdale Ave., utility relocation is ongoing, with the challenges ahead focused around completing the remaining northbound lane sections, renovating the existing southbound sections and widening the four signalized intersections at Glenhaven Dr., Rosemead Ln., Starwood Ave. and Bloomingdale Ave. The project will taper from four lanes to two near the end of the project at Knowles Rd. north of Bloomingdale Ave. and will widen from two lanes to four for drivers heading south at the same location.
The speed limit will be 45 mph for most of the new stretch of road and will be reduced to 35 mph in the areas closer toward Bloomingdale Ave. Maps of each neighborhood entrance located along Bell Shoals Rd. in the work zone can be found by visiting HCFLGov. net/CountyProjects, clicking on “Government” (top of page), then “County Projects” and then “Highlighted CIP Projects,” where you’ll find the link to the Bell Shoals Road Widening project with detailed maps available there for every community. Please contact Public Works at 635-5400 with any additional questions. The Bloomingdale intersection will be expanded to include dual left-turn lanes, dual center-thru lanes and single right-turn lanes for drivers headed in either direction on Bell Shoals Rd., which should alleviate some congestion, along with the retiming of the traffic signals at Rosemead Ln. and Starwood Ave. to allow for a smooth flow of traffic through this busy area.
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Valrico Edition
LIFELINK CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM HEART AND KIDNEY RECIPIENT COUPLE By Kate Quesada One local couple has made a habit of es of their loved one for being an organ volunteering with the group that saved donor, which gave me life,” said Bill. “I both of their lives. will always believe from the time of the Plant City residents Bill and Debbie Is- transplant, God had a plan for me with mer are both transmy transplant, inplant recipients cluding playing the who have dedicated portable keyboard the last 20 years for the patients, as LifeLink® ORfamilies and staff GANizer volunteers at TGH. If ever dedicated to public able, I would tell education about ormy donor family gan, eye and tissue that I’ve been livdonation. ing for two people “Bill met Debbie in and he’s the best 1999 while Bill was part of me.” in the hospital and Over the years in need of a heart Bill and Debbie transplant, and Debhave shared their bie was a nurse on stories and supthe transplant unit. ported donation By the time he left education. the hospital, he had “My entire adult a new heart, and life I have cherhad lost it…to Debished my time Bill and Debbie Ismer have been volunteerbie, as they fell in volunteering with ing at LifeLink for 20 years. The couple both love,” said Ashley LifeLink,” said received transplants that saved their lives. Moore, manager of Debbie. “I’m honPublic Affairs at LifeLink Foundation. ored to help in any way.” On the one-year anniversary of Bill’s LifeLink of Florida is the federally desheart transplant, they got married. Al- ignated, nonprofit community service ormost a decade later, Debbie, who had a ganization dedicated to the recovery of hereditary condition impacting kidney organs and tissues for transplantation in function, was in kidney failure. She need- West and Southwest Florida. LifeLink can ed a kidney transplant and received one be of assistance with scheduling virtual thanks to a living donation from a fellow interviews or webinar presentations to Tampa General nurse and friend. media outlets, local schools, civic groups Bill feels that the donation he received and businesses on the importance of donot only save his life but also enriched it. nations. For more information on LifeLink, “We have written many times to thank or to register as an organ and tissue domy donor family for upholding the wish- nor, visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.
Volume 18, Issue 5
TAMPA BAY SUMMER RV SHOW OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERY FAMILY By Sharon Still According to Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA) latest annual North American Camping Report, 10.1 million households camped for the first time in 2020; this is a five-fold increase over 2019. Additionally, the number of households that own RVs increased by 2.6 million compared to 2019. More than 60 percent of first-timer campers reported they planned to camp as much or more in 2021. Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, Those who have never been June 13 and head over to the Florida State Fairgrounds to enjoy RVing before will be amazed everything associated with RVing. at all the comforts of home in With the interest in Recreational Vehian RV these days and seasoned RVers can cles (RVs) on a constant rise, the Florida check out new products, shop for accessoRV Trade Association (FRVTA) expects this ries and more. It will be fun for the whole year’s Tampa Bay Summer RV Show to be family with a DJ, face painting and activities a big hit. Mark your calendars for Thursday, the kids. June 10 through Sunday, June 13 and head Admission is $5 per adult; children ages over to the Florida State Fairgrounds to en16 and under are free. Military and first rejoy everything associated with RVing. sponders are discounted $1 off the price of The Tampa Bay Summer RV Show will admission for all days of the show and sefeature multiple dealers showcasing severniors get a $1 discount on June 10. There al different brands and styles of RVs that also will be a $100 American Express Gift guests can tour, all in one location. There Card given away as a door prize each day. also will be a variety of vendor booths feaMasks will be required and social distancturing everything from RV necessities and ing will be in effect. Prior to the event, the accessories to RV rentals and campgrounds, entire show will be disinfected with KOCplus parts, household items and more. 86 sanitizer, which is EPA-Certified and “The RV Show is a great way for newbies lab-tested to kill human coronaviruses. to learn more about RVing or find the RV of Show hours are June 10 to June 12, 9 their dreams,” said Walt Williams, Suncoast a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, June 13, 10 a.m.-5 RV Rental co-owner and one of the vendors p.m. Leashed pets are welcome. in the show. “We have seen a lot of first-time The Florida State Fairground is located at RVers renting since the onset of COVID-19,” 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 N. To see a sneak peak he added. “In addition to RVing being the and opening day videos, subscribe to the safest way to travel, it is also a wonderful FRVTA YouTube page at https://www.youvacation alternative that many had not contube.com/frvta. sidered before.”
Valrico Edition
May 2021
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FWC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON SALTWATER FISHING RESTRICTIONS By Brad Stager
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Some of the most pop31,” she wrote in an ular fish to catch and email. eat along the Southwest Implementing a Florida coast may soon catch-and-release be back on the outdoor policy is part of living menu. FWC’s response to The Florida Fish and the risk that the fish Wildlife Conservation species were facing Commission (FWC) due to the presence wants to hear from fishof red tide from late ing enthusiasts about the 2017 through early next steps in managing 2019 that affected snook, redfish and spotSouthwest Florida’s ted seatrout, which are Gulf Coast. State currently fished legally officials enacted only on a catch-and-rethe restrictions as lease basis. a way to help reSome of the favorite species for saltwater The restrictions extend grow the species’ fishing are currently protected by a catchfrom the Hernando/Paspopulations and and-release policy in Southwest Florida. co County line south to fulfill its mission Gordon Pass in Collier County and affect statement of “Managing fish and wildlife fishing in state and federal coastal water resources for their long-term well-being areas through Monday, May 31. and the benefit of people.” As the FWC looks beyond the expiration Red tides develop from large concenof the catch-and-release measures, it has trations of algae that can discolor water been holding workshops in communities to a reddish hue. The algae are harmful affected by them to find out from anglers to marine life and can cause problems for how the fish are doing and to solicit ideas people who inhale airborne organisms or about how to protect them from excessive eat contaminated seafood. depopulation. FWC’s Southwest Region The workshop for residents of the Tampublic information director, Melody Kil- pa Bay area and points north was held onborn, said the input is an important part line on April 8. This and other workshops of the decision-making process. have been recorded and made available “Public comments provided during the for viewing online for people who cannot comment period will be used to help de- attend the live webinars. termine the future short-term manageYou can find links to live virtual workment of redfish, snook and spotted se- shops, recorded workshops and an online atrout in Southwest Florida immediately comment form at myfwc.com. You can following the expiration of the fisheries also email comments to Marine@MyFclosure FWC executive order on May WC.com or call 850-487-0554.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
By Brian Bokor, Founder www.facebook.com/bokorscorner Welcome to your May update of new developments in the Greater Brandon/Riverview area. Please check respective Facebook pages or websites for most recent information. April 19 saw the long-awaited opening of the Selmon Crosstown Gandy Extension, which will give Brandon commuters a nonstop straight shot from its entrance near the Westfield Brandon mall all the way to Derby Ln. in St. Petersburg. The 1.9-mile extension, which bypasses the Gandy Blvd. grind, has been in construction since 2018. Residential development plans overshadowed commercial projects this month, which, when completed, will provide necessary additional housing options to fill the demand we have seen in the Tampa Bay market since the onset of the pandemic. Construction plans have been submitted for three apartment complexes: Causeway Commons (289 units) and Courtland Magnolia (319), both located on Causeway Blvd., as well as Big Bend (400) across from East Bay High. These are in addition to two new townhome projects in Riverview Landing (92)—on Riverview Rd., between the I-75 overpass and 78th St.—and Edgewater (292), again on Big Bend Rd., west of I-75, along with eight potential single family subdivisions: Hidden Lakes (16 homes) and Bloomingdale Subdivision (25), both south of Bloomingdale Ave.; Stogi Ranch (109 homes, aged 55+) and Balm Boyette (204), where Boyette Rd. meets Balm Boyette Rd.; Creek Ridge Preserve (124) on Lithia Pinecrest Rd.; Balm River-
view (65), just south of Riverview High; and Spencer Ridge (90) and South Shore Pointe (190), both in Ruskin. This equates to 2,215 units for those keeping track, with no slowdown in sight. During the month of May, craft beer fanatics will be able fill up that growler and take it to-go at Gasparilla Pizzeria & Growlers thanks to its recently approved alcohol beverage permit which allows the restaurant to not only deliver beer but also fill to-go containers. Look for a ‘grand opening’ event soon in celebration of this achievement. Directly across the street, ice cream fans get a Bruster’s store near Firehouse Subs on the southeast corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd. Progress Blvd. and 78th St.—the old Red Barn location of Schiro’s Feed store— will feature a new fast-food drive-through restaurant along with space for four individual tenants. In the sea, Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay will be launching a new location at AJ’s on the River in Gibsonton to be ready in May, where folks who want to enjoy Tampa waterways but also want to skip the boat upkeep can choose from a variety of boat rentals. On the land, the River Car Show is held on the last Saturday of every month in the huge parking area of The River at Tampa Church. And in the air, anyone wanting to show off or sharpen their drone skills are invited to Heroes Paradise on Saturday, May 1 for a drone scavenger hunt with specials this month for Mother’s Day on the 9th and for members of law enforcement the week of Sunday to Saturday, May 9-15.
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Valrico Edition
May 2021
Page 7
KARINNA LANEÉ SINGS NATIONAL ROTARY GROUP OFFERS CRAWFISH ANTHEM AT TAMPA BAY RAYS GAME FESTIVAL MEALS TO-STAY OR GO By Kathy L. Collins
Staff Report
‘that’s her,’ and pointed to me. Everyone around us congratulated me and told me that I did great.” She explained, “I have sung the national anthem at the Lupus Walk in Tampa and at the Tony Saladino Baseball Tournament. This was so much better. I never dreamed I would get to perform at such a large-scale event.” Laneé released her song, “The Villain,” in January. Laneé said of her songs, “I try to write all of my songs based on my emotions and experiences that people can relate to. The Villain is a story of battling anxiety in places where you are not super comfortable. It is something a lot of people, Valrico resident Karinna Laneé is a junior at Blake High School in Tampa. She was selected to sing the national anthemincluding myself, struggle with. for a Tampa Bay Rays game against the Oakland Athletics I think it is important to write a this past April. It was a special and magical experience for this song someone can listen to and young singer/songwriter. think, ‘Hey, maybe I am not so Laneé is a junior at Howard W. Blake alone after all.’” High School in Tampa and an established Laneé hopes to get back into the stusinger/songwriter. She said, “I was cho- dio this summer. She said, “To me, music sen last year to sing live. However, due is like therapy. It is such a key thing in to COVID-19, the season was postponed. our lives. You hear it on the radio, on TV After the games came back, they asked and when you are singing in the shower. I if I still wanted to sing.” write when I am emotional, I dance when Of the experience, Laneé said, “It was I am happy and I play guitar when I am amazing. My family was there with me. stressed. I want to spread that message I had pre-recorded the national anthem of how important music is in our lives, because of COVID-19 restrictions, so I whether you are making it or just listengot to stand with my family and watch ing to it. It just makes everything better.” from our seats. There was this huge You can find her songs on multiple echo around the whole stadium, and the streaming platforms, including Apple whole thing was so surreal and magical.” Music, Spotify and YouTube. You can folLaneé added, “Everyone cheered. My low her on Instagram and Facebook @ stepdad was so excited he shouted, karinnalanee.
Seafood lovers potatoes). take note. The The event Rotary Club of has sold out FishHawk-Riverin the past, so view is offering residents are crawfish in two encouraged to ways at its annupre-order. al fundraiser this The title year. On Satursponsor is day, May 22 from Christopher Li11 a.m.-4 p.m., gori & Associthe group will be ates and addioffering crawfish tional sponsors as an all you can are a-fabco, eat event or to Inc., Rick’s Custake and enjoy at tom Meats and home. River’s Edge All proceeds Bar and Grill. from the event Sponsorship will be donated and volunteer to local chariopportunities, ties and scholarship including selling funds. tickets, are still A ticket to the available. all-you-can-eat The event will event is a donation take place at the of $100 at www. Winthrop Park in luvcrawfish.com Winthrop Town and includes crawCentre at 11109 fish, gumbo and Winthrop Market étouffée plus beer, St. in Riverview Hurricanes, soda and seating will and water. For a be extremely limThe Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview is crawfish meal to-go, ited in covered aroffering crawfish in two ways at its annual fundraiser this year. residents are asked eas at the park. to make a $20 donation online at www. For more information, please visit luvcrawfish.com before Saturday, May www.luvcrawfish.com, visit the group 15. Reservations will guarantee a craw- on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ fish meal available for pickup the day of RotaryClubofFishHawkRiverview or call event. This will include about 2-3 lbs. the event organizer, Christopher Jones, of crawfish with the fixings (corn and at 267-0107.
Karinna Laneé, a resident of Valrico, was selected to sing the national anthem for the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics on April 27.
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Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
CONGRATULATIONS TO AREA HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIANS & SALUTATORIANS
Staff Report
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” – Nelson Mandela. Congratulations are in order for this year’s area valedictorians and salutatorians from our local high schools. These students have put in the hard work, the dedication and shown the drive to be the best of the best of their high school graduating classes. The 2020-21 school year, with its masks, social distancing and other adaptions, has been filled with challenges that make this accomplishment even more impressive. We wish these students the absolute best of luck in their college careers and in their future, and we know that they will never forget graduating during a worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Unlike the Class of 2020, this year’s graduates will have a traditional ceremony at the Florida State Fairgrounds to mark the end of their high school career, although the number of tickets per graduate is limited. Visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/ for information on dates and times. Please join us in congratulating all of the Hillsborough County seniors and those who are the top of their class! Well done!
Valedictorian Valeria Cortes Durant High School GPA 9.58 Plans to attend Georgia Tech or USF
Salutatorian Shivani Persad Durant High School GPA 8.62 Plans to attend USF
Valedictorian Jude Delikat Bloomingdale Senior High School GPA 8.20 Plans to attend USF Honors College
Salutatorian Joseph Neidig Bloomingdale Senior High School GPA 8.16 Plans to attend UCF
Valedictorian Dua Bangash Strawberry Crest High School GPA 8.08 Plans to attend USF
Salutatorian Lizbeth Arriaga Strawberry Crest High School GPA 7.80 Plans to attend UCF
Valedictorian Sagnik Yarlagadda IB at Strawberry Crest High School GPA 9.34 Plans to attend Vanderbilt University
Salutatorian Srikar Parsi IB at Strawberry Crest High School GPA 8.60 Plans to attend Georgia Tech
Valrico Edition
May 2021
FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER MURMAN JOINS SHUMAKER ADVISORS FLORIDA, LLC
Page 9
45TH ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DINNER
By Kathy L. Collins
By Tatiana Ortiz
Former Hillsborough County Commis- orities that will surely move our communisioner Sandra Murman has joined the ty forward. It is a wonderful opportunity firm of Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC. and I cannot wait to get started.” Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC is a pubMurman stated, “My experience as a Hilllic affairs and sborough Coungovernment rety commissionlations firm speer and state cializing in adrepresentative, vocacy, business especially my development, time as speaker coalition building pro tem in the and communicaFlorida House tion strategies has given me while serving at keen insight to the federal, state find solutions and local levels of to our commugovernment. nity problems. Murman has Joining Shuprovided decades maker Advisors of public service Sandra Murman has joined the firm of Shumaker Ad- Florida, LLC is to the residents visors Florida, LLC. Murman, who has dedicated years a great fit for of Hillsborough of service to the residents of Hillsborough County, has me to use that been a leading figure in state and local government. County, especialexperience with ly the Greater She will bring those years of experience and expertise to an outstanding her new role. Brandon area. team of lawyers Murman was a member of the Hillsbor- and advisors to continue my work in the ough County Board of County Commission- community and to help the people that I ers from 2010 to 2020. She served as the have served.” board’s chair on two different occasions. Murman added, “I serve on numerous Prior to joining the county commission, boards that deal with our precious chilSandy served eight years in the Florida dren and families in our community and House of Representatives, where she was Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC will give the first Republican woman to hold the po- me that opportunity to assist them in even sition of speaker pro tempore. greater ways to help give them a chance Prior to her time in Tallahassee, Mur- for a better life and make Hillsborough man worked for a Fortune 500 company County the best place to live, work and and spent countless hours helping organi- play.” zations that dealt with child abuse in our Former County Commissioner Les Millcommunity. er, who has served in the both the FloriMurman said, “I am thrilled to be joining da House of Representatives and Florida the incredible team at Shumaker Advisors Senate as well as having been a member Florida, LLC and to begin the work of help- of the Tampa City Council, has also joined ing clients throughout the region with pri- Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC.
that I got chosen to receive this prestigious award,” Haskins said. The GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club president, Sharon Morse, mentioned her thoughts about winning the Non-Profit of the Year Award. “When The Community Roundtable announced that GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club won the Non-Profit of the Year Award, I thought I would explode with pride,” Morse said. Melissa Haskins receives Morse also the Alice B. Tompkins stated that with Community Service Award organizafrom the previous winner, the tion’s 66-year Paul Senory. history, it hopes to continue its hard work for the community for many years to come. In regards to the $1,000, it will be put to good use advancing a community service project. “These are the most dedicated, hardworking group of women that I have been associated with,” Morse said. The Community Roundtable was established in 1957. Besides the Community Affairs Dinner, it also hosts the annual Fourth of July Parade, Community Service Forum, The Honorary Mayor of Brandon and much more. On a side note, The Honorary Mayor of Brandon started in 1959. For more information, visit https:// thecommunityroundtable.org. To contact The Community Roundtable, call 661-4350 or email Roundtable2008@aol.com.
GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club members hold the Non-Profit of the Year banner. From left to right: Inetta Bullock, Becky Goble, Amy Lee, Jethe Perry, Pam Brooks, Karen Manget, Eva Ruiz, Marsha Lantz and Sharon Morse (president). Photo courtesy of Rose Smith.
A memorable night came about for many who attended The Community Roundtable’s 45th annual Community Affairs Dinner at Hilton Garden Inn on April 15 in Riverview. During this special evening, the Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award as well as the Non-Profit of the Year Award were presented. For those that received these awards, the event changed their lives in a positive manner. The Community Roundtable honors outstanding organizations and individuals at the dinner and presents it to them. Melissa Haskins received the Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award. The GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club won the Non-Profit of the Year and got a $1,000 check. Born and raised in Brandon, Haskins has always had involvement in numerous volunteer roles throughout her life. She currently is the president at ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) located in Brandon. For the past seven years, Haskins has been on ECHO’s board too. Haskins shared how she felt winning the Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award. “I was completely shocked and honored
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Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
THREE DURANT HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE PROJECTS WIN FIRST PLACE AT HILLSBOROUGH’S REGIONAL FAIR By Lily Belcher
Aizlyn Potter and Aidan Vaughan’s plants, studying the effects of mycorrhiza on drought resistance.
At the beginning of the year, Durant High School submitted three first-place projects to the Senior Division of the 41st Hillsborough Regional Science and Engineering Fair, two of which were chosen to represent Team Hillsborough at the Florida State Fair. Durant juniors Aidan Vaughan and Aizlyn Potter studied the role of mycorrhiza on increasing drought resistance in Brassica campestris and were awarded first place in the Plant Sciences category. “Mycorrhiza is a biofertilizer that has shown to be very beneficial in other studies. We compared the mycorrhiza to a traditional fertilizer and no fertilizer. Our results were pretty shocking, as we found that the control group provided the most plant growth and the most resistance to drought,” explained Potter. “Overall, the STEM fair was a very unique experience that we enjoyed.” Juniors Carey Bush, Samuel Hesse and
Samuel Hesse prepares alternate sugar fertilizers.
Jackson Lahsangah’s project studied the effects of sugar on Lumbricus terrestris and placed first in the Animal Sciences category. The goal of their project was the find the best sugar level to produce worm casts, which can be used as a natural fertilizer. “It gives a sense of accomplishment that I was able to help form an original idea, see it tested to completion and watch it be judged. Putting something together that was chosen to go to [the] state competition is farther than I thought we could go, and I am immensely proud to know that somewhere, ink was used to document our names for that,” said Bush. Seniors Savannah Still and Hannah Burbridge placed first in the Earth and Environmental Science category with their project on anthropogenic effects on aquatic life. “Our project examined the relationship between destruction of vegetation around retention ponds and the resulting aquatic health of the pond. We measured biodiver-
Jane Castor meets with Savannah Still and Hannah Burbridge to present the City of Tampa Water Department Water Conservation Award.
sity and nutrient levels to determine the respective health of the ponds,” said Still. “We chose this topic partly because we wanted something hands-on and interesting that dealt with aquatic life. The other part was because we genuinely value the health of our local aquatic ecosystems as they truly contribute to the health of not only the animals that rely on them but also the people that live near them.” Still and Burbridge’s project was recognized with five additional awards: The American Meteorological Society Excellence in Atmospheric Sciences Award, NOAA’s ‘Taking the Pulse of the Planet’ Award, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize Award, Dr. Carl Riggs Memorial Award and the City of Tampa Water Department Water Conservation
Award. The last award, from the City of Tampa, was presented to Still and Burbridge by Mayor Jane Castor on April 6. “[Still is] a wonderful student. She’s very much academically engaged,” said Durant AP Biology teacher and sponsor for Still’s project Kenneth Wood. “She thought, with the current situation with COVID, we were kind of limited with doing things in a lab or things like that, so she really wanted to do something outdoors [or] a field study/ investigation.” Two of Durant’s projects, one by Still and Burbridge and the other by Bush, Hesse and Lahsangah, were selected to represent Team Hillsborough at the 66th annual State Science and Engineering Fair. Durant was the only school represented in the nine Team Hillsborough projects that was not designated as a science magnet or International Baccalaureate school, an important accomplishment for both the school and student scientists who won. For more information on Team Hillsborough and the 66th annual State Science and Engineering Fair, visit ssefflorida.com.
May 2021
Valrico Edition
MULTIPLE CHURCHES ‘TO•GATHER’ TOGETHER FOR UNITY AND PRAISE
By Kelly Wise Valdes
On Sunday, May 23, a spe500 fellow worshipers. cial event called ‘To•GathThe churches that have er’ will be taking place in confirmed to attend the field outside of Overthis event are not hostflow Church in Valrico. This ing a Sunday morning unique praise and worship service; instead, they event will begin at 9 a.m. are choosing to come and will include more than together at this event. 17 other churches, where Participants are asked people of all denominations to bring a lawn chair will come together to celor blanket to sit on and ebrate and glorify God in childcare will be availLead Pastors of Abide Church Gio and unity. able inside Overflow Destiny Muñoz are excited about a This unique event was unique event taking place on Sunday, Church. According to the idea of Pastor Giovanni May 23 called ‘To•Gather,’ where more Gio, there will be no Muñoz, also known as Paspreaching, sermons or than 17 area churches will gather to tor Gio, lead pastor of Abide praise and worship in unity in the field agenda, just Jesus beof Overflow Church. Church in Lithia. The service ing lifted high through is taking place on the day known as Pente- praise. There will also be communion and cost Sunday. baptisms taking place during the event. “The event more about unity than any“I’m excited about the unity and sacrifice thing,” said Gio. “The heart of the event is to that is being birthed in our region,” said Gio. gather churches together to worship Jesus “For many of us, Pentecost Sunday is a big as one. We are believing that as we gather day wrapped up with a lot of expectations. as His church and see one another, some- I believe there is something powerful about thing special will happen.” all of us foregoing that to step into someGio explained that the idea for To•Gath- thing new.” er originated from sitting in a prayer room The most important thing to Gio is for and talking to God about Pentecost Sunday. people to know that this is a day that rep“Reading through [the Book of] Acts, the resents the church as united. “We all caronly thing that I found was missing was be- ry a different piece of His heart and every lievers being in one place and one accord,” voice is valuable,” said Gio. “We are better said Gio. “A dream landed in my heart about together and there is a commanded blesshow amazing it would be to have a gather- ing in unity. I believe Tampa Bay is stepping ing where there was no sermon, agenda or into that blessing as we gather on this day.” expectation except to come together as one If you want your church to participate, to worship Jesus. It wasn’t about a certain follow the To•Gather Pentecost Facebook denomination, church or group, it was sim- page @togatherpentecost and go to the ply about us coming together and offering link to register. The event is taking place up this day to be together and fix our eyes at Overflow Church, located on 4929 Bell on Him.” Shoals Rd. in Valrico. For more information, To date, there will be more than 17 church- visit www.togathertampa.com or email es in attendance with an estimated 400- togathertampa@gmail.com.
Page 11
KIDS BOWL FREE PROGRAM RETURNS TO
BRANDON CROSSROADS BOWL By Tatiana Ortiz Those with opportunity to some spare time learn the sport can receive two in hopes that free games of they will want bowling every to join our Satday this summer urday morning from now unbowling protil Wednesday, gram,” White September 15, said. through the Kids B r a n d o n Bowl Free proCrossroads Bowl gram at Brandon became estabCrossroads Bowl. lished in 1990. Kids Bowl Free, The 40,000 sq. a nationally recft. sports enterognized program tainment censince 2008, is ter features 40 Kids participating in the Kids Bowl Free program enjoygeared toward bowling lanes, ing themselves at Brandon Crossroads Bowl. kids ages 2-16. private event A parent or guardian must register their space for parties, billiards, a BCB Pub and child on the website. Times to bowl during Grill and more. In addition, for more than the program varies, depending on the day. two decades Brandon Crossroads Bowl Bowling shoe rentals will need to be paid dominated the league bowling market by for. consistently delivering the highest bowlAndy White, general manager at Bran- ing scores in the Tampa Bay area. With don Crossroads Bowl, mentioned how that in mind, it also led the market with many years that their bowling alley par- many of its youth programs and much ticipated in the Kids Bowl Free program. more. “This would be our third year being in“At Brandon Crossroads Bowl, we are volved with it,” White said. very community oriented,” White said. Select schools and bowling centers “Bowling is all about spending time with throughout the country offer the Kids your family and friends,” he added. Bowl Free program. The design of this To register, visit www.kidsbowlfree. program displays an avenue for the bowl- com/center.php?alley_id=6921. For more ing centers to give back to the communi- information, visit www.kidsbowlfree.com. ty. It also administers a secure, safe and It is located at 609 Crater Ln. in Tampa fun way for kids to spend their summer. and is open Monday through Thursday, White shared what would be one of the 11 a.m.-12 Midnight; Friday through Satgoals with the Kids Bowl Free program. urday, 9-2:30 a.m; and Sunday, 9 a.m.-12 “With this program, it gives the kids an Midnight. Call 621-2363.
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June 15, 2021
Page 12
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
LOCAL FARMS PROVIDE INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS By Samantha Trezevant
Roos and Coos Owner Christina Peters getting love from one of her cows.
Families looking to have some fun outdoors while learning a little too don’t have to look far. Two local farms are inviting residents to their property to learn about animals and more. Located in Plant City, Roos and Coos Farm is a farm experience for the books. It houses animals from around the world and offers tours on weekends. Roos and Coos Farm is also a USDA and FWC-licensed facility that breeds livestock as well as rescues and provides a sanctuary to exotic animals. The farm began as a livestock business, but has expanded into a rescue facility as well and was recently approved to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit exotic animal rescue and sanctuary. Visitors are welcome to bring fruits and veggies to feed all the animals and can also hold and pet many of them. The tours serve as a way to raise money to help care for the animals and are offered on the weekends by appointment, and although they are free, donations are appre-
Roos and Coos’ Miss Piggy dressed up and smiling for a picture.
ciated as they help to continue the care for the exotic animals. The farm’s mission is to educate people about the various animals that it has as well as to provide education about good animal husbandry and responsible pet ownership. Animals range from exotic livestock to exotic animals like kangaroos and different species of primates. Learn more on Facebook at Roos and Coos Farm and on Instagram @roosandcoosfarm and support it by donating through its Amazon Wish List. A second lovely local option is First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary in Riverview. For four years now, its owners and volunteers have made beautiful lives for rescued kittens and cats along with cultivating produce for the shoppers that come in. Not only is this farm a heartwarming facility, it is also honors the First Ladies of the United States. Thanks to donations and volunteers, the farm has been able to transform hundreds of lives, both humans and cats. First Ladies
A rescued kitten ‘driving’ around.
A cat hard at work on the farm.
Farm placed 13 kittens in new homes in 2018, 53 in 2019 and over 300 in 2020. Not only does it save cats, it is also the only rescue and sanctuary for domestic poultry on the Florida Gulf Coast. This means the farm is occupied by numerous chickens, ducks, geese and peafowl, as well as dogs, many with special needs having survived dumping, abuse and even arson—and, of course, kittens and cats. The amazing work of the farm is made possible through adoption of the kittens and support from the community. Donations are welcomed within the farm as it
is very costly to treat, feed, care for and house every animal that comes through the doors. Fresh produce, preserves, treats, clothes and more can be purchased on the farm site. All of these profits go directly to the care of the animals. Donations of money, food, litter and medicines are appreciated and residents can purchase items off its Amazon Wish List and volunteer. Every cat is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, healthy, microchipped and can be adopted, but cats cannot be dropped off at the location. firstladiesfarm.com or on FaceBook.
May 2021
Valrico Edition
DURANT THEATRE COMPANY PERFORMS TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND By Lily Belcher
Director Stephen Arment thanks seniors for their performance and the work they put in this year.
At 7 o’clock on April 22 and 23, the curtain rose at the beginning of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind , Durant Theatre Company’s first performance in front of a live audience in over a year. The adrenaline-filled performance by the cast of 20 Durant students lasted just an hour as the cast performed 30 audience interactive plays, ranging from thought-provoking monologues to comedic parodies of famous plays, such as Hamlet. “It’s really exciting,” said actor Sydni Burge. “We all have a pretty equal part in the show and it’s like a big ensemble show that mostly relies on the audience being interactive, so it’s like a lot of fun, especially for cast members just to see people be excited about theater too because they get to be a part of it.” At the beginning of the play, the cast asks the audience to call out a number between one and 30 to choose which play they would perform. They continue with the random audience selections throughout the show as the timer counts down on the side of the stage.
“It’s really fun,” said actor Jackson Hamilton. “It’s a lot of work, a lot of running back and forth; with the plays being random and in different orders every night, it’s a lot of ‘what are we doing now’ and it’s timed so you have to speed up.” Troop 5444 completed the entire performance in the allotted hour both nights, an accomplishment for the entire cast, especially the students who made their stage debuts and the seniors who are leaving in May. “[The seniors] definitely stepped up this year and this show is super senior-led because they’re the ones who pick all the numbers and it takes a lot of coordination,” said actress Isabelle Hoofnagle. The show debuted on Durant’s stage in director Stephen Arment’s first year as a teacher and completed its second performance in 2021, five years later. In January, students auditioned and began rehearsals in February, working towards their exceptional performance at the end of April. “The kids love being in it and the kids also love coming to see it,” said Arment. “It’s the kind of show that speaks to the high school audience more so than any other show. I’ve never done a show that’s so far reaching, as in, it reaches so many different types of high school students.”
Page 13
THE SHOW WILL SAFELY GO ON AT BUSCH GARDENS Staff Report As Busch Garvative and adaptable dens continues with bringing our to prioritize the productions to life in health and safenew ways and we’re ty of its guests, thrilled to expand our ambassadors and offering to include animals in its care, new programs in adsoon guests will dition to fan-favorite be able to enjoy shows.” indoor world-class Just in time for entertainment beMemorial Day weekginning on Friday, Starting at the end of this month, guests at Busch end, guests will be May 28. From Turn Gardens will again be able to watch live shows. able to enjoy the folIt Up!, the park’s award-winning ice skating lowing productions on select days beginproduction to an all-new acrobatic show, ning on May 28: Cirque Electric, modified operations in the Turn It Up! park’s theaters will make it possible for Thursday-Monday, multiple shows per guests to once again enjoy incredible shows day. The Moroccan Palace Theater will once as they explore Busch Gardens’ 300 acres again be home to Busch Gardens’ spectacuof exhilarating rollercoasters and fascinat- lar, year-round ice skating shows, including ing animal habitats. Turn It Up!, With contemporary perforIn addition to the park’s already strict mances, dazzling aerial moments and eclechealth and safety measures, which include tic pop music, it’s no wonder this producenhanced cleaning and sanitization, tem- tion has earned a spot on the USA TODAY perature checks and face covering require- 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. ments, many modifications will be in place ALL-NEW: Cirque Electric at Busch Gardens’ theaters upon reopening, Friday-Monday, multiple shows per day. including significantly limited capacity inFor awe-inspiring feats that spark the side the park’s expansive theaters to accom- imagination, the dynamic performance of modate plenty of space between parties; Cirque Electric, an all-new acrobatic stunt staggered entering and exiting procedures show exclusively produced for Busch Garto keep guests physically distant; protective dens, will soon thrill guests at the Stanface coverings required by all guests, am- leyville Theater. From the daring airborne bassadors and performers at all times, cov- aerialist to stunning displays of balance and ering the nose and mouth; and no eating or strength and a fascinating act on wheels drinking permitted inside the theaters. that cannot be missed, guests will be daz“Bringing more live entertainment safe- zled by world-class performers. ly back to the park is another huge step Guests can visit www.BuschGardenin returning to world-class entertainment sTampa.com for more information, reservaat Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” said Neal tions and tickets. Fans can stay up to date Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay park with park events, attractions and more by president. “Since our reopening in June, following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on our park teams have been incredibly inno- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Page 14
Valrico Edition
LOCAL RESIDENT INSPIRES WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY By Lily Belcher As a young teenager, J. Desiree RodriRodriguez has led an interesting life, to guez’s goal was to leave behind a lega- say the least. cy; something that “July 31, I will be would always remain competing in the Mrs. on Earth, even when All-Star United States she is gone. Pageant, representing “Eyes of Mine is a Mrs. Southeast. My collection of poems dream has always I wrote during adobeen to compete in a lescence; friendships, pageant, make a true relationships, home impact and be the and much more,” Ropositive representadriguez said. “As you As a young teenager, J. Desiree Rodriguez’s goal tion our youth need,” read it, the writing was to leave behind a legacy; something that Rodriguez said. “I develops into deeper would always remain on Earth, even when hope to inspire youth she is gone. Since then, she has published two thoughts. I couldn’t through my books more books, Sunshine Autobiography - A Quick believe I had actual- Guide and Story for Busy and First Time Moms while implementing ly produced a book as well as Alana’s Great Dream Adventure, a bi- diversity and discussall on my own at 17. lingual (English and Spanish) children’s novel. ing education as the I saved all my money foundation. As an edufrom my first job. My cator of six years, daily, goal was to be pubI understand what is lished before I gradulacking for our youth ated high school, and and I want to help be I was able to fulfill a part of the resolution. that dream. I collaboThrough author visits, rated with my English keynote speaking and teacher and friends producing more diverse for editing.” literature, I believe I Since then, she has can make an inspirapublished two more books, Sunshine Auto- tional impact in the community.” biography - A Quick Guide and Story for Rodriguez also volunteers a lot in the Busy and First Time Moms as well as Al- Brandon community. ana’s Great Dream Adventure, a bilingual “Last year was my first year in Florida, (English and Spanish) children’s novel. and with the help of the community, we Rodriguez struggled with being preg- produced more than 500 handmade sack nant, managing two jobs, entrepreneur- lunches and snacks for the homeless,” Roship, student life and becoming a first-time driguez said. “This is my ‘Give Thanks’ inihomebuyer. tiative I have developed for several years.” “Sunshine is about the light of pregnancy If you would like to learn more about J. that showed me how to adapt, learn about Desiree Rodriguez or if you’d like to read myself and, most importantly, conquer a her latest book, you can visit her website traumatic change in my life,” she said. at www.jdesiree.com.
Volume 18, Issue 5
CERTIFIED ROOFERS & GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC. CELEBRATES ITS 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY By Tatiana Ortiz
Alex Sanchez, owner of Certified Roofers, and his three sons.
A commitment to trustworthiness, stellar craftsmanship and honesty perfectly describes Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc., located in Valrico. As a third-generation family business of roofers, the business celebrates 40 years of service this year. A tradition of caring for neighbors and remaining hardworking is at the heart of Certified Roofers. Kathleen Carpenter, marketing manager at Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc., stated what makes the business set apart. “We are local to the community, family-owned and know the area well since the Sanchez’s started their roots here,” Carpenter said. Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. is a GAF Master Elite-certified company that became established in 1981. Prior to that, the patriarch of the family, Onidio Sanchez, started his 40-year journey utilizing his skills in building homes
and remodeling them in 1965. His career was much spent as a general contractor in the Tampa Bay area. He passed away in 2006. His son, Onidio Sanchez Jr., also had talents similar to himself, but focused on roofing. Sanchez Jr. founded Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. He passed away in 2015. Before he passed away, Sanchez Jr. and his son, Alex Sanchez, w o r k e d hand-inhand for more than a decade. Alex brought a new perspective to the business. This business model still sticks to his father’s dream too. Workers serve FishHawk, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Tampa as well as the surrounding communities. Services include roof repairs, roof replacements, storm damage repairs and more. Those interested can receive a free estimate. All are trained and educated. “All in all, we like to thank the community for allowing us to be involved in it for the past 40 years,” Carpenter said. “We also look forward to serving them now and in the future,” she added. For more information, visit https://certifiedroofers.com. It is located inside the River Hills Plaza at 4331 Lynx Paw Trl. in Valrico and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 643-8333.
Valrico Edition
May 2021
Page 15
REGISTER FOR MOVE! HILLSBOROUGH AND GET MOVING TO WIN A PRIZE
By Kathy L. Collins
The Hillsborough County Parks & Recre- and push themselves to be physically ation Department has come up with a new healthier. The activities include anything program to get residents moving. Move! that people can do anywhere, including in Hillsborough offers incentives or prizes our parks.” for anyone who While you are gets exercising. working toward The program your goal, be sure will run through to post your expeSaturday, July rience using the 31. hashtag #MoveThis is the ItHC. first year for McDonald addMove! Hillsbored, “We want ough. It is a new people to know health initiative that the Parks Move! Hillsborough is a new health initiative of the to get residents Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department Department is that is designed to get residents moving. You can enjoy exercising and fully invested in the great outdoors, have fun exercising and win a prize. moving. You can the health and bike, hike, walk, kayak, rollerblade or even wellness of our community. We want skip. If you like Zumba or just workout, people to come out and enjoy our parks keep track of it and use the Parks Depart- and programs. This program is a way to ment’s exercise to miles conversion sheet. encourage people to get active in their faJust keep track of your miles, because any vorite ways. You can count the miles you time of movement counts. earn while you walk, run, bike, hike, skip Residents simply select a goal—100 or canoe. But the great thing about this miles, 300 miles or 500 miles. Keep track program is we have a conversion chart on of where you go, what you do and your the website for activities like basketball, miles until July 31. Once you reach your pickleball, Zumba and much more. This goal, you win a prize, which includes a way all activity counts.” keychain for 100 miles, a bandana for Remember to get out there and explore 300 miles and a T-shirt for 500 miles. too. Hillsborough County is home to nuRegister for Move! Hillsborough online for merous Neighborhood Community Parks free at www.hillsboroughcounty.org. You such as Seffner CommUNITY Park and must be registered to receive your prize. Garden and FishHawk Sports Complex Dana McDonald, senior program coor- as well as Conservation Parks such as dinator for Hillsborough County Parks & Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park, LithRecreation, said, “We wanted to give peo- ia Springs Conservation Park and Apollo ple a way to get more active and get re- Beach Nature Preserve. warded for it. We wanted to do something Visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org and that anyone at any fitness level could do get moving.
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Page 16
Valrico Edition
Brunch And Coach Bag Bingo Coming To JF Kicks
JF Kicks Hosts Brunch, Bingo & More... Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com
B Street First Annual Shoot-Out To Benefit F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Families, Respect, Inspire, Education, Networking for Down Syndrome & Special Needs) is the leading voice for Down syndrome in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. FishHawk Sporting Clays is holding its B Street first annual Shoot-Out to benefit them on Saturday, May 22 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at their property at 13505 Hobson Simmons Rd. in Lithia. The registration for the event is $100 per person or $400 for a team of four and the event will include a safety briefing, tournament, lunch and a raffle with a variety of prizes. Registration for the event is via mail to Amanda Gilley, 2350 E. SR 60, Valrico, FL 33594 or email amanda@kenbrownlee.com.
JF Kicks in Valrico is hosting a Coach Bag Bingo fundraiser for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Families, Respect, Inspire, Education, Networking for Down Syndrome & Special Needs). The event will take place on Sunday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include over $6,000 in Coach bags, brunch and your choice of either a mimosa or a Bloody Mary, two bingo cards with the option to purchase more, raffles and lots of fun. Tickets for this event are $50 in advance, tables of eight are $350; or, if there are any left, tickets are $65 at the door. This event will probably sell out, so get your tickets today. To purchase tickets, call 413-4229 or email office@kenbrownlee.com.
Volume 18, Issue 5
NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY.
Have you taken the TIME to do your Will or Trust? Remember, you are not doing it for yourself... you are doing it for THEM.
Mary & Martha House Hosting Gala To Celebrate 39 Years
Mary & Martha House has been helping women and families escape domestic violence and homelessness since 1982. It provides individualized case management for each woman to identify personal barriers and overcome them. Mary & Martha House is not a one-size-fitsall or group program, each client receives individual counseling services to help her conquer her unique struggles. To celebrate its 39 years, Mary & Martha House is hosting a gala event, Passport to Freedom, at The Regent on Friday, June 11. The evening will include cocktails, dinner and a silent auction starting at 6 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information, call 645-7874.
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Valrico Edition
May 2021
DREW’S RV TECHS, EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST By Amy Schechter hicles that big box stores won’t try to replace.” If you’re ready to trade in or buy, Drew’s RV Techs has upfront pricing and financing options to fit your budget. Anklin and his team strive for their customers to have peace of mind when Whether it’s your it comes to buying home or your home and maintaining your away from home, a investment. recreational vehicle Not ready to jump (RV) makes for priceinto an RV of your less memories and own? Check out enjoyable adventures, Cruise America RV and Drew’s RV Techs Rental, located onhas what you need to site. It has a variety keep your family drivof small, standard ing for years to come. and large-size RVs, Family-owned and Drew’s RV Techs has what you need to keep so you can explore operated, Drew’s RV the open road whethyour family driving for years to come. Techs boasts an extener you want to rough sive inventory of new and pre-owned RVs it out in wilderness parks or camp in for sale plus knowledgeable and experi- style. It’s the perfect family vacation and enced technicians. Check out their com- a great opportunity to experience all of petitive prices and personalized service what RVs have to offer. the big box stores cannot complete with. For more information, call 645-7870 Drew Anklin, owner and operator, with or visit www.drewsrvtechs.com and over 30 years of experience working on www.cruiseamerica.com/rv-rental-loand around RVs, knows the difference. cations/florida/tampa. Drew’s RV Techs “We have a huge emphasis on family. and Cruise America are located at 1601 An RV is important to your family. We S. U.S. Hwy. 41 in Ruskin. They are on will take on projects from the roof to open weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and on the wheel bearings and everything in Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 Noon. between. We have parts for older ve-
Page 17
LACE UP TO SUPPORT BLOOMINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL WITH BULLS 5K
By Jan Owen
for the band, this year more than ever. “Funding for school programs is always a challenge. This year, our fundraising activities have come to a screeching halt, so being able to continue with the 5K is big for the program.” This year, due to school district COVID-19 protocols, the 5K had to be moved from Bloomingdale High School’s campus to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover. One hundred percent of The Running of the Bulls 5K will take place on Sunday, May 23 at 8 a.m. the profit benefits Bloomingdale students. Bloomingdale’s Running of the Bulls 5K Kim Harris, a Brandon Running Associreturns in May. The 5K is a local favorite bringing in runners and walkers from all ation member and BSHS alumnus (class over the area, current students and BSHS of 1990), has run the 5K every year and is signed up again. “I love Running of the alumni. Local runner Heather Berry has many Bulls because I’m giving back to my high reasons for why she enjoys the Running school. I have fun each year I’ve done it of the Bulls. “I enjoy participating in the because it’s like a mini runners’ reunion. I Running of the Bulls because it gives me see a lot of my friends out there—whether the opportunity to work on my person- they are walking, running or volunteering al running goals while running alongside at it. Everyone has a blast out there.” Made possible by local business sponmany of the cross country and track kids I cheer on each week. And it’s always nice sors, such as Gold Sponsors Acropolis to give back to the Rajun’ Bulls Marching Riverview and Heroes Paradise, registered Band that I marched with when I attend- participants receive a Dri-FIT shirt and finishers receive medals. The race is chiped Bloomingdale,” she said. Berry is avid runner and a member of timed by FITniche Events and age group Brandon Running Association, a mom of winners will receive awards. The event will take place on Sunday, May a current Bloomingdale track and cross country runner and a former flute player 23 at 8 a.m. at the Hillsborough County in the band at Bloomingdale (class of ’96). Fairgrounds located at 215 Sydney WashThe Running of the Bulls 5K is spon- er Rd. in Dover. For any questions, email Regsored by the Bloomingdale Band Boosters. BloomingdaleBulls5k@gmail.com. Bloomingdale’s director of bands, Jon Sev- istration is $30. To register, visit https:// er, said the 5K provides invaluable support fitniche.com/events/ and scroll to the May 23 date.
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Page 18
Valrico Edition
TAKE A STROLL ALONG S. EVERS ST. IN DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY AND VISIT THE MANY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BUSINESSES
Volume 18, Issue 5
BRING THEM INTO YOUR HOME OR YOUR HEART DURING NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH Staff Report
By Kathy L. Collins The historic district of downtown Plant ents; less sugar but plenty of fresh proCity is a delightful spot that offers so duce.” much. There is always something going Rambusch said, “We are basically a live on, and the area seems to be growing by baking store. You will see me prepping leaps and bounds with new businesses of and baking when you visit us. That way all types. you can enjoy One pargreat smells ticular spot, as well. We S. Evers St., do take orders has seen an but require at explosion of least 48 businew businessness hours ades along other vance notice. I established do all the probusinesses. In duce shopping this article, myself to enyou will meet sure we can intwo—one new corporate the and one estabbest available lished. quality in our Crumbles & baking.” Cream KaffeeIn addition haus, located to fantastic at 113 S. Evers baked goods, St., is owned the bakery and operated serves a deby Grit Ramlicious AusGrit Rambusch is the baking genius behind one of Plant busch. This detrian coffee City’s newest delectable treasures, Crumbles & Cream lightful bakery Kaffeehaus. This little café offers up some of the best baked brand, Julius is open Tuesday goods found in the area. After filling up, take a walk across Meinl, from through Satur- the street and visit the Plant City Photo Archives and History Vienna. Ramday from 7:30 busch said, Center. a.m. to 3 p.m. “Our guests Rambusch is a pastry chef who re- can sit inside our little store and spend ceived her pastry degree in Germany quality time eating, drinking and talking.” and worked all over Europe, California After you have a chance to have one and South Florida. Before opening the of Rambusch’s delectable treats, walk storefront in Plant City, Rambusch sold across the street and check out the Plant her products at local farmers markets. City Photo Archives and History Center Rambusch said, “I met vendors and cus- located at 106 S. Evers St. The Photo Artomers from Plant City and that is how chives has been open since 2009. Gil Gott I learned about it. I looked at several lo- is the executive director. Gott said, “The cations in the Lakeland/Tampa area, but Evers Street Cultural District is growing I instantly clicked with Plant City. The alongside McCall Park and the vibrant small-town setting appealed to me im- Plant City’s historic downtown. The area mediately, since I was looking for some- features a wine bar, craft beer purveyor, thing with character.” bakery, café, used bookstore, history cenRambusch added, “S. Evers St. is right ter and more, all in a friendly setting. It is in the middle of the historic downtown the place to be, right here in Plant City.” Plant City. It is unique to find an area Gott added, “It is all about making like this nowadays, especially in Florida. downtown Plant City the place to be. I love that it is so walkable and charm- Most people feel like they have to travel ing. We have great independently run outside of Plant City, to places like Tambusinesses all over downtown. The small pa or Lakeland, for a night out or a good business community is very supportive time. With the opening of these businessof each other, and the City of Plant City es on Evers St., we can show people that offered a great program to help me open- the place to be is right here in Plant City.” ing my store.” For more information on Crumbles & Crumbles & Cream Kaffeehaus is not Cream Kaffeehaus, please follow it on your typical German bakery. Rambusch Facebook @crumblesandcream. explained, “We offer a few breads and For more information on the Plant rolls, but our main focus is on great Ger- City Photo Archives and History Center, man and European pastry making (sweet please visit www.plantcityphotoarchives. and savory). We use all-natural ingredi- org.
Tampa, FL – “The people who put aside their personal lives to help out kids like me are beautiful people and greatly appreciated,” – A.Q., former foster child. May is National Foster Care Month and you can make a difference by opening your home or opening your heart and offering time and support to a child in the dependency system. These children are in a difficult and scary situation through no fault of their own and could use a consistent, caring adult to help them get through it. A child in foster care may have experienced physical, psychological and/or emotional trauma, only to endure long periods of uncertainty in the system as they wait to go home, be adopted or simply see what happens next. Some are fortunate to be placed in individual foster homes and others may be lucky enough to have a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to be an advocate for them. With approximately 3,000 children in foster care in Hillsborough County alone, there are not enough foster parents or Guardian ad Litem advocates for them all. Children need a safe place to live and an adult they can trust. Knowing a fos-
ter family cared enough to share their home makes a tremendous difference to a child, even if that isn’t immediately obvious. Having a GAL volunteer—someone who listens, checks in, follows up, holds the system accountable and puts the child’s best interests before all others’—can make a lasting difference as well. “Statistics show us that children with a Guardian ad Litem, [as opposed to a foster child who does not have one], do better in school, receive more services and often find a forever home more quickly,” said Tabitha Lambert, Guardian ad Litem 13th Circuit director. “GAL volunteers not only advocate for children within the court and child welfare systems but also form relationships with them that last for years. A number of young people who age out of the foster care system will maintain a relationship with their volunteer into adulthood.” When GAL volunteers are appointed by judges, they get to know the child and find out what they need to heal and thrive. Engaging youth and families can lead to increased family stabilization and expedite reunification or adoption. Now more than ever, it is important to recognize the selfless work of volunteers and help support foster families who experienced social isolation and financial instability while dealing with the challenges of school and childcare facility closures during the height of COVID-19. As the former foster child said, all of these efforts “are greatly appreciated.” To learn more about the Guardian ad Litem program and its volunteers, visit www. galtampa.org or call 813-272-5110. Information sessions are available via phone.
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May 2021
Valrico Edition
Page 19
Celebrating 40 Years Serving our Community Thinking it’s time for a new roof? Do you think your roof may have wind damage? DO NOT REPLACE YOUR ROOF WITHOUT LETTING US TAKE A LOOK!
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Page 20
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
Valrico See Story Pg 31
Herzing University Appoints Dr. ican Board of Dermatology Kurt Hubbard As Academic Dean and is a member of the AmeriOf Florida Campuses can Academy of Dermatology, Herzing University, an accredited, priAmerican Society for Mohs vate, nonprofit institution with locations Surgery and American Mediin seven states and an online division, cal Association. She has close has named Dr. Kurt Hubbard the acato 15 years of experience in demic dean of its Orlando and Tampa private practice. campuses. Hubbard has extensive exThe Watson Clinic Dermaperience in higher education and will tology at Brandon is located lead strategic initiatives that foster a at 675 S. Kings Ave. in Branpositive learning environment and supdon. It is open Monday to port culture for Herzing students and Dr. Kurt Hubbard, Herzing University acaThursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. employees. Hubbard will also ensure that demic dean. For more information, visit academic rigor, curriculum, instruction www.watsonclinic.com or call in the Westfield Brandon mall at and learning outcome standards are met in 655-3680. Dr. Felecia Hall, MD is board 459 Brandon Town Center. Re-Bath certified by the American Board of Paul Kimble recently celebrated 20 years collaboration with faculty, career developTampa is owned and operated by pre- Dermatology at Watson Clinic. with Averitt Express. ment and administrative staff. “I’m excited Averitt Express Honors vious industry colleagues Rhino Rubio to join an institution that truly takes a team Associate For 20 Years Of and Jackie Ruiz. Rubio is an industry leader in approach to ensuring students are supported Watson Clinic Opens New Office In Service the retail environment and Ruiz holds an inteand empowered throughout their educationTampa area transportation company Averrior design degree and brings over 20 years of Brandon al journey,” Hubbard said. “We will continue Watson Clinic is proud to introduce their itt Express recently honored associate Paul experience in the kitchen and bath industry. to make sure Herzing graduates singular brand of skincare to residents of Kimble of Valrico for 20 years of service. He “We are extremeare thoroughly prepared for reBrandon and surrounding communities. Watis now among the more than 1,300 active ly excited to be warding and in-demand careers son Clinic Dermatology at Brandon features Averitt associates who are members of the servicing homewhile also engaging with the the expertise of a board-certified dermatolcompany’s ‘Over 20 Team,’ an exclusive group owners again in communities we serve.” ogy specialist, a highly qualified nursing staff of associates who have served 20 or more the Greater TamFor more information about and the latest treatments and technologies years with Averitt. pa community by Herzing University’s Tampa camproviding a best to ensure healthy and vibrant skin. “This is a pus, call 407-641-5227. in class business convenient location in the center of the city Bay Area Trust, LLC Buys Houses Bay Area Trust, LLC has been in business to turn to for where patients can enjoy access to a diverse Re-Bath Makes A Splash In array of skincare services, including annual since 2008 and will buy any house within an their remodeling Tampa evaluations, the detection and treatments of hour of Tampa, whether they are occupied, needs,” said RuRe-Bath, the nation’s largest skin cancers, acne, eczema, psoriasis and othtrashed, have bad tenants, etc. It has purbio. complete bathroom remodeling er common disorders, dermatologic surgery chased hundreds of homes from $15,000 all To learn more company, marked the opening as well as the most popular noninvasive fathe way up to $400,000 and its funds are about Re-Bath for of its Brandon location with a grand opening cial rejuvenation options,” said Dr. Felicia Hall, available immediately. Local and reputable your bathroom remodeling needs, visit www. event on April 22 at its showroom located MD. Dr. Hall is board certified by the Amertitle companies are used and it is able to buy rebath.com/location/tampa.
Page 22
Valrico Edition
BUSINESS COLUMN CONTINUED... your home as quickly as you would like. It can buy houses as soon as the next day or can postpone until next year if you prefer. Bay Area Trust is located at 1902 W. Main St. in Tampa. For more information, visit its website at www.buy813.com or call 5407375. Salons By JC Celebrates Five Years And A New Salon Suite The Salons by JC owner, Denise Cooke, is thrilled to bring another salon suite concept to the area. It serves the Valrico community, offering luxurious suites to beauty and wellness professionals seeking professional independence for five years. Guests will love Salons by JC as it offers every beauty service under one roof. It is a premier choice for salon professionals to grow their business and their brand; the private suites provide one-on-one settings, and beauty professionals and customers are increasingly seeking out for their business. Salons by JC differentiates itself from other salon suite concepts through its signature salon concierge, who works full-time at the service of the beauty professionals and their clients. The concierge makes sure the salon is operating smoothly and is available to help the tenants as needed. “As the owner, I want to make sure the beauty and wellness professionals feel that they belong to a salon family where they are taken care of and happy,” stated Cooke. The new location in Brandon can be found at 1534 W. Brandon Blvd. in The Collection at Brandon Shopping Center, joining other businesses such as KeKe’s Breakfast Cafe and Home Centric. For more information, call 569-0103 or email dcooke@salonsbyjc.com. New Dental Office Coming To Valrico Dr. Amir Mostatabzadeh, DDS and Dr. Johnathan Tanner, DDS will soon be offering dental services to the community of Valrico at their brand-new office, Bloomingdale Dental Care. The new full-service, state-of-the-art family dental practice is set to open on Friday, May 28. Bloomingdale Dental Care will be fully equipped with the latest products and equipment available in the dental industry, offering Dr. Mostatabzadeh, Dr. Tanner and their dental team the opportunity to provide the most up-to-date procedures and services to their patients. From routine cleanings and simple fillings to the more in-depth restorative and cosmetic services, patients can expect individualized care to help them keep their teeth for a lifetime. “We are excited to be joining the Valrico community to offer high-quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” said Dr. Mostatabzadeh. “Our mission is to provide exceptional experiences to each patient who walks through our doors.” Bloomingdale Dental Care is located at 2184 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. The office is now accepting new patients; appointments can be made by calling 616-1097 or visiting www.BloomingdaleDentalCareFL.com.
London Baker Law Celebrates Six Years London Baker Law has provided concierge, custom and caring services in the area of estate planning and probate for six years. Services include wills, durable powers of attorney, living wills, health care surrogates and probate issues. Doing this type of planning can be scary and unsettling, but London Baker Law is committed to help people make difficult choices and decisions as they work through how they want their life handled if they’re incapacitated and how they want things to go after they are no longer here to do things. The London Baker Law office is at 6409 Eureka Springs Rd., Ste. 516 in Tampa. For more information, visit www.londonbakerlaw.com or call 586-1332. Pink Court Ballers Skills Academy Provides Mobile Training Does your child want to get stronger and faster, jump higher and improve their sports skills? Coach Marvin Lee with Pink Court Ballers Skills Academy is ready to take them to the next level, all without leaving your driveway. It offers 1:1 skills training from beginner to pro, and with group training, team camps and individual camps either on-site or via mobile, it brings the training to you. Many sports benefit from its VertiMax training, including basketball, football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse and track and field. To find out more, visit www.pinkcourtballers.com or call 334-303-8560. Mobile RV Repair And Services Co-Owner Awarded Master RV Technician Designation Mobile RV Repair and Services in Apollo Beach is proud to announce that its lead technician and co-owner, Julia Coheley, has been awarded the designation ‘Master RV Technician’ by Recreational Vehicle Service Academy (RVSA). RVSA-certified Master RV Technicians like Coheley have passed an extensive hands-on and written curriculum and a comprehensive final examination, and they have demonstrated proficiency, performance and professionalism. Mobile RV Repair and Services is a fivestar rated business serving Hillsborough and nearby counties. For more information, visit its website at www.mobilervrepairandservices.com or follow it on Facebook @mobilervrepairandservices. Honeyz Fortune 5 Bling, Paparazzi Accessories Offers Bling On A Budget Honeyz Fortune 5 Bling offers accessories for everyone regardless of your style or income due to the affordability of Paparazzi Accessories. It offers a variety of ways to shop its ever-changing inventory via its website; home, private or event gatherings; Facebook Live; and Zoom parties. “It’s a great way to have a funfilled fundraiser by offering jewelry,” said Yolanda Harris, owner of Honeyz Fortune 5 Bling. The items available are priced at $1, $5 or $25 and are nickel and lead-free, including earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces and even a children’s jewelry collection. Contact Honeyz Fortune 5 Bling at 317203-9678, email honeyzfortune5@gmail. com or visit https://paparazziaccessories. com/honeyz/.
Volume 18, Issue 5
AJ’S FINE WINE & LIQUOR TO HOST JACK DANIEL’S ENGRAVING EVENT
By Libby Hopkins
bottles and pick them AJ’s Fine Wine & up the night of the Liquor’s annual Jack event or the next day,” Engraving Daniel’s Jambhekar said. “This Event has become year, there are no requite popular in the strictions on how many communiValrico bottles customers can ty. This event offers purchase. This is why unique engraved liquor it’s best to purchase in bottles that make for advance. We will also great gifts for Father’s have pizza at the event housewarming Day, from Rosati’s Chicago gifts and corporate Pizza.” gifts. “We recently Jambhekar loves eddid bottles for Toyota ucating his customers and they used them as on the different liquors, corporate gifts,” said wines and beers he Ajay Jambhekar, ownoffers in his store. “In er of AJ’s Fine Wine & the liquor and food inLiquor. AJ’s Fine Wine & Liquor’s annual Jack dustry, the two most “I started this Daniel’s Engraving Event has become important things are event a few years quite popular in the Valrico community. ago and I do it two The bottle engraving event will take place taste and quality,” times a year, once on Saturday, June 12 at Jambhekar’s store he said. “I like to let my customers know at Christmas time from 6-9 p.m. about how different and the other around Father’s Day,” Jambhekar said. “These products taste and save them money at events are done basically as a way to say the same time.” Another part of this event that Jam‘thank you’ to our customers.” The bottle engraving event will take bhekar loves is that, each year, more place on Saturday, June 12 at Jamb- bottles are getting engraved and he hekar’s store from 6-9 p.m. This year’s loves beating his previous year’s bottle event will feature eight different liquors engraving goal. “I do my best to beat my to choose from for the bottle engrav- record every year,” Jambhekar said. If you would like to learn more about ing. The eight liquors that can be purchased for engraving are Jack Daniel’s, the bottle engraving event or if you Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Jack Daniel’s would like to pre-purchase a bottle to be Barrel Proof, Jack Daniel’s Frank Sina- engraved, you can contact Jambhekar at tra, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Gold, 654-6488. AJ’s Fine Wine & Liquors is Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Herradu- located at 3443 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in ra Tequila. “This is a one-day-only event The Shoppes at Lithia – Publix Plaza in and customers can pre-purchase their Valrico.
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Valrico Edition
Page 23
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Page 24
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
COMING SOON: THE MOTOR ENCLAVE – AN AUTOMOTIVE COMMUNITY OFFERING EXCLUSIVE PRIVATELY OWNED GARAGES By Brian Bokor
dairy farm into Tampa’s next destination location. The 1.6-mile performance circuit was designed by world-renowned Formula One track designer Hermann Tilke, with Oleshansky telling me it will feature “Fourteen turns and a half-mile straight away. The 80-acre off–road area will include a Rubicon Trail experience, a Rally Cross experience, a desert experience and a training course/area. The area will also have hiking and mountain biking trails for members to explore. Owners will enjoy an on-site swimming pool as well as members lounge in the event center” as part of the extensive amenity package. Oleshansky said there will be many opportunities for the public to visit the facility beginning with several free events, such as ‘Cars and Coffee,’ where guests are invited to enjoy a courtesy cup of coffee and view classic, luxury and exotic automobiles provided by local owners and sponsors. Other public events will include ‘Cars under the Stars,’ a variety of car shows and
periodic food truck rallies. Paid driving schools will be available, where individuals will be taught to drive both high-performance as well as off-road vehicles under the supervision of professionally trained instructors. The corporate events center will be available to rent for groups anywhere between 10 and 1,000 and will offer full-service amenities for its guests. All of the driving elements on the property are available for private rentals. Public track days will also be scheduled at various times throughout the year, with users wishing to drive on the track being able to register when the opportunities arise. For those interested in purchasing a garage, act fast as 150 of the planned 300 units have already been spoken for, with reservations coming from all parts of the country. The 25-foot-tall structures range from 625-2,400 square feet of ground
B We
rin g
floor space, allowing plenty of room to store cars below and create living/office arrangements above, including kitchens, bars and bathrooms. Units are sold as ‘white boxes,’ with interior design up to the end user. Examples of the endless garage possibilities as well as how to inquire about their availability can be found on The Motor Enclave’s website at www.themotorenclave.com. Interested parties are encouraged to sign up for The Motor Enclave VIP list in order to stay informed about project progress and learn more about future events and public track options. Oleshansky is also involved in several charitable organizations and wanted to invite all of our readers to join him and The Motor Enclave team, which includes Chas Ostezan and Winchester Stiens, on Saturday, May 1 for the inaugural ‘Road Rally for a Cure,’ benefitting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Fourty-three cars will participate in a sheriff-escort-led rally from Nova University in Clearwater to Sparksman Wharf in Tampa, culminating in a public car show from 12 Noon-2 p.m. Please visit www.nationalpcf.org for additional information about this event and other ways to help beat pediatric cancer.
AJ’s Fine Wines & Liquor Life
The Motor Enclave of Tampa, a 200-acre car enthusiast’s playground to include 300 private garages, a performance circuit, three offroad courses, a vehicle dynamics pad and a 35,000 sq. ft. corporate events center, is set to break ground this summer between the Tampa Executive Airport and I-75, just north of the I-75/I-4 interchange. The $100M project is led by Brad Oleshansky, corporate attorney and founder of M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. Oleshansky spent 7 years building M1 into the largest privately owned garage community in the world until he sold it in 2019 to expand the concept across the United States under The Motor Enclave brand. Oleshansky is a two-time winner of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the first time in 2012 for Big Communications and again in 2018 for M1 Concourse. Tampa will be the first of several cities targeted for his concept, and when asked why here, Oleshansky replied, “the demand is here and the data supports it. The (Central) Tampa area has one of the largest concentrations of car enthusiasts in the county,” adding the location worked perfectly adjacent to the airport and major interchange and presented an opportunity to repurpose the underutilized vacant
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May 2021
Valrico Edition
COUNTY REVIEW BOARD HELPS PRESERVE LINKS TO AREA’S PAST By Brad Stager HRRB for consideration, the review process includes determining the role that a site has played in Hillsborough County’s history. That’s where the board’s historian plays a significant role. Charles Nelson is currently the board’s historian and he said there are a few factors that come into consideration when reviewing an application. The A. P. Dickman House in Ruskin received funding from the “The property has to be at Hillsborough County Historical Review Board for repairs to least 50 years old and have eipreserve it for future generations. ther architectural significance As Hillsborough County’s population conor historical significance, or tinues to grow, more of what has existed both,” said Nelson, who also writes articles is giving way to new homes and shopping about Hillsborough County’s history that centers. Ensuring that current and future are published in the Osprey Observer. generations of residents are able to conOne example of local preserved history nect with the area’s past is a job that the is the A. P. Dickman House in Ruskin. It county’s Historic Resources Review Board was built in 1911 as a home for members (HRRB) performs. of the Dickman family who settled in the The HRRB is comprised of nine unpaid area to form a college and cooperative members selected by the Board of County community, creating the foundation for Commissioners who dedicate their pro- modern Ruskin. The waterfront 2-story fessional skills and interest in preserving wood structure is a blend of Queen Anne history by reviewing applications from and Colonial Revival architectural styles. residents seeking historical designation for In 2000, it was added to the National landmarks or financial assistance to pre- Register of Historic Places and continserve them. ues to serve as a home for descendants The board includes architects, historians, of the original owners. The current occureal estate and planning professionals as pants sought and received funding from well as positions designated for members the HRRB to help pay for needed repairs whose primary credential is a knowledge- to ensure the structure remained in good able interest in historic preservation. Mem- shape. bers serve three-year terms and there are You can learn more about how the HRRB no term limits, but some positions, such as helps preserve Hillsborough County’s hisarchitect, require professional licensing in tory as well as opportunities to serve on it Florida. and other boards and councils staffed by When an application comes before the residents by visiting hcflgov.net.
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Page 25
U-PICK BLUEBERRY SEASON IS HERE By Tatiana Ortiz book.com/keelandcurFlorida blueberry farmleyatkeelfarms. It is ers will produce about 10 located at 5202 Thonoto 12 million tons of bluetosassa Rd. in Plant City. berries annually in this Call 752-9100. state. And, according to Lyna Berry Farms the U.S. Department of Blueberry U-Pick Agriculture’s National AgFrom the end of April ricultural Statistics Serthrough May, people can vice, blueberries are about come to Lyna Berry Farms a $60 million-a-year indusfor U-pick and pre-pick try in Florida. blueberries. Exact dates Wish Farms Blueberry and times will be deterU-Pick mined. The U-pick prices People can come to will be $2.50 per pound Wish Farms in Plant City Owners of Lyna Berry Farms Lyna (weighted at checkout) and pick fresh blueberKnight (l.) and Susan Weicherding (r). and pre-pick will be $4 ries right off the plants. This occurs every Saturday through May 1 per pound (in 2 lb. and 5 lb. packaging). For more information, or to sign up for at 10 a.m. It costs $7 per pound, and cash or credit credit will be the type of payment email notifications on U-picks, pre-picks methods accepted. Picking buckets will also dates and more, visit www.lynaberryfarms. be provided. Those who attend will need to com. Check out their Facebook page www. bring a container to transport the berries facebook.com/lynaberryfarms. It is located home. Free parking will also be available and at 11920 Neal Rd. in Lithia (FishHawk) and 17928 Bill Taylor Rd. in Lithia (Fort Loneregistration is not required. For more information, visit www.wish- some). Wishing Well Barn Blueberry U-Pick farms.com/berry-u-picks. Check out the From now until the end of May, Wishing Facebook page www.facebook.com/wishfarms. It is located at 1301 S. Frontage Rd. Well Barn will be offering U-pick blueberries in Plant City. For questions, email market- Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. The blueberries will be at market price. ing@wishfarms.com. For questions, contact Michelle Welch at Keel Farms Blueberry U-Pick Visit the 20 acres of blueberry fields lo- 478-6554. Check out the Facebook page cated at Keel Farms in Plant City from now https://www.facebook.com/WishingWelluntil the entirety of its blueberry season for Barn. It is located at 4302 Pippin Rd. in U-pick. The blueberries will be on sale for $5 Plant City. Frosty Blue Farms Blueberry U-Pick per pound Monday through Friday beginThose interested in U-pick and ‘we-pick’ ning at 10 a.m. On Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., the blueberries will be $6 per pound. blueberries should reach out to Frosty Blue Parking will be free and it does not cost any- Farms as it typically takes place in mid-May thing for admission. In addition, the tasting and ends at the end of the month. Www.frostybluefarms.com/u-pick.html room will also be open at 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, for dining, tastings and to- FrostyBlueBlueberryFarm on FaceBook. It is located at 1907 Streetman Dr. in Lithia. Call go purchases. For more information, visit www.face- 689-7703.
Page 26
Valrico Edition
15TH ANNUAL FAMILY CAR SHOW AND CRAFT FAIR AT BAY LIFE CHURCH IS BETTER THAN EVER Staff Report
2021 COMMUNITY WATER WISE AWARDS PROGRAM By Lynn Barber, FL-Friendly Landscaping™ Agent The deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 30. You can complete your application now, which will take about five to 10 minutes, then submit it online at the link above. Attaching a photo or two is helpful. On-site landThe City of Tampa Community Water Wise Award winner is Anni Ellis. scape evaluDoes your landscape have what it takes ations will be scheduled and conducted to win? Enter today to find out. in July and August, with homeowners The 2021 Community Water Wise and business owners available. Winning Awards, sponsored by Tampa Bay Water, entries will receive a handmade mosawere created to recognize individuals and ic stepping stone for homeowners or a businesses committed to conserving our plaque option for businesses. If you have water resources and protecting the envi- questions regarding the Tampa Bay Waronment by using Florida-Friendly Land- ter Community Water Wise Award proscaping™ (FFL) principles. There are nine gram, please contact me at 744-5519, ext. FFL principles which include: right plant, 54105. right place; water efficiently; fertilize apToday is a great time to complete and propriately; mulch, attract wildlife; man- submit your application. For more inage yard pests responsibly; recycle; re- formation about the Florida-Friendly duce stormwater runoff; and protect the Landscaping™ Program, assistance with waterfront. Many of these principles are gardening and irrigation system-related used as part of the landscape evaluation questions, contact the UF/IFAS Extenprocess for this awards program. sion Hillsborough County at 744-5519, You can view photographs and watch and visit our website at http://sfyl.ifas. short videos of past winners at https:// ufl.edu/hillsborough/upcoming-events/ awards.tampabaywaterwise.org/. The top for upcoming workshops. We hope to rephoto on this link is the 2020 Unincor- ceive your entry soon. Thanks in advance porated Hillsborough County Community for participating. Contact Lynn Barber at Water Wise Award-winning landscape. barberL@hcflgov.net.
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Volume 18, Issue 5
Car lovers, mark your calendars. The annual Bay Life Car Show and Craft Fair is back and better than ever. The 15th annual car show, to take place at Bay Life Church, will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 29 and is open to the public with more than 500 show vehicles from around the state. Classics, hot rods, full custom vehicles, military vehicles, muscle cars, exotics, trucks and more on the shaded property will set up for a fun day for the whole family. “The Bay Life car show originally began as a community outreach to do something fun and involve our local car aficionados,” said Bay Life Church’s communications director, Stephen Stough. “Steve Hardy, the longtime Bay Life maintenance supervisor, took the initiative to organize our first event.” Over the years, other Bay Life members got involved and the event grew into a fundraiser for the church’s missions. In addition to the cars, guests will have the opportunity to purchase affordable food and shop at a full craft show with more than 50 vendors, including many offering auto-related items. After a special opening celebration with a color guard and the national anthem to honor the USA, fun for the whole family will include a DJ, a live band, a 50/50
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drawing, games and events just for the kids and more than 70 trophies to be awarded in many categories. Admission is free. Show car owners are encouraged to provide a voluntary $10 donation, with every penny from this event benefiting Bay Life Church missions. “Bay Life Church missions and student ministries send several trips throughout the U.S. and internationally to support our mission partners,” Stough said. “Every penny raised from food and beverage sales, raffles and donations goes to support Bay Life global missions.” You can preregister and see past event photos, property map and more at www. baylife.org/carshow. To learn more, contact Steve Schumm at sschumm@baylife.org or visit www.baylife.org/carshow. To learn about the missions at Bay Life Church, please visit www.baylife.org/missions. Bay Life Church is located at 1017 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon.
Valrico Edition
May 2021
T&J PAINTING
JOINS THE RIVERVIEW COMMUNITY
By Libby Hopkins
Tony and Jensaid. “T&J nifer Friedrichsen Painting are fairly new prides itself to the Riverview on being famcommunity. They ily-owned, are originally professionfrom Missouri alism at its and they are the finest, with owners of T&J family valPainting. “We met ues and a in college at the high-quality University of Miswork ethsouri and we got ic being the married and had motivation two kids,” Tony behind all we T&J Painting is Riverview’s latest commercial and said. “I got my do.” degree in com- residential painting specialist. If you’d like to learn more T&J Paintabout T&J Painting and the services it offers, visit www. munications and ing is also a tandjpaintingfl.com or call it at 723-9124. started working member of in sales. I got a master’s in business ad- the Riverview Chamber of Commerce. ministration and then, when the econ- “When my wife was looking for a chamomy tanked in 2008, I started doing ber to be a part of, she went to look some construction work and painting as into joining the Riverview Chamber and well. Since I was getting a lot of work ended up staying for a meeting,” Tony as a painter, we decided to start our said. “They made her feel very welcome own painting business.” From there, T&J and she called me and said, ‘I found the Painting was born. chamber I want us to join.’ The chamber T&J Painting is Riverview’s latest has been wonderful in helping us get our commercial and residential painting name out in the Riverview community.” specialist. “We have enjoyed working Keeping things local is very importwith a wide variety of unique clientele, ant to Tony and Jennifer. “We are still from the residential homeowner to mul- very new to the Riverview area and we tifamily apartments, as well as condo- will be here a year in November,” Tony minium housing and local restaurants said. “We want the Riverview commuto large commercial building and ware- nity to know we are here to help them house remodels,” Tony said. “We are with making their homes or commercial full-service paint professionals offering properties look great and to add more quality painting along with deck and value to them.” fence staining, wood rot replacement If you’d like to learn more about T&J and extensive repair services.” Painting and the services it offers, you T&J Painting is a licensed and insured can visit them on the web at www.tandlocal business. “We are true experts jpaintingfl.com or call Tony and Jennifer with over a decade of experience,” Tony at 723-9124.
Page 27
LOCAL FARM OFFERS ALL-NATURAL GOODS & SELF-SUSTAINABILITY
By Taylor Wells
The idea of trying to become self-sus- light—eat right, live right,” it offers a large tainable by growing your own food might variety of honey, eggs, produce, herbs, spicbe intimidating, and many may not know es, coffees, vitamins and more, along with where to begin, but local residents Drs. hundreds of different types of non-GMO, Eric and Jennidisease-free fer Gonyon have fruit trees so done very well you can grow with forming A your own fruits, Land of Delight such as manNatural Farm gos, lemons, & Nursery and moringa, kumwant to help quats, avocaothers become dos and many self-sustainable others. What’s as well. more, the farm Although most has free classmight not have es regarding the kind of land self-sustainthe Gonyons ability through have, Eric empha- Husband and wife Eric and Jennifer Gonyon, owners of teaching aquaA Land Of Delight Natural Farm & Nursery, with their sized that people ponics each children, Emily and Elliott Gonyon. could still learn Saturday at how to become self-sufficient 10:30 a.m. even without much space. “We’ve been very successful; “What I tell everybody is, evwe’ve trained a lot of people on ery single person should grow how to grow their own food, and some of their own food, even if we designed our own aquaponthey live in an apartment,” he ics systems, which people put in said. “Maybe not all of their own food, but their backyard,” said Eric. “It’s an experithey can grow some of their own food. ence and a teaching ground for people.” And that’s what I try to teach people.” He added, “I think our greatest strength With just one seed and no experience in is we’re just learning as we go and try to farming, Eric and Jennifer started A Land teach what we know, and we encourage of Delight six years ago for their family, everybody to do their own research and wanting to become self-sufficient as well find what works for them.” as show their children where food comes A Land of Delight Natural Farm & Nursfrom and help them discover a passion for ery, located at 2514 Leaning Pine Ln. in growing fresh, healthy, all-natural food, Plant City, is open from Thursday to Friday, such as produce, raw honey and pastured 1:30-6:30 p.m., and on Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 eggs. Then, when others expressed inter- p.m. Curbside service is also available from est and inspiration, the Gonyons opened up Tuesday to Saturday. For more informatheir farm to the community. tion, visit https://alandofdelight.com/ or Operating on its motto, “A Land of De- call 359-9120.
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Page 28
Valrico Edition
GFWC BRANDON SERVICE LEAGUE PRESENTS FUNDS TO AREA NONPROFITS AND HIGH SCHOOLS By Kathy L. Collins On April 19, the Each year, a GFWC Brandon committee Service League puts together held its first Spring a list of orgaSporting Clays nizations and Fundraiser Shoot presents them and Dinner at to club for seFishHawk Sportlection.” ing Clays in Lithia. Cheryl HickThe event was an man, founder opportunity for and executive the members to director of celebrate and Hope for Her, The GFWC Brandon Service present funds to League is made up of a group of said, “25 percent several area non- vivacious and caring women who work tirelessly to of homeless are profits and area serve the Greater Brandon community. After a year women. We help high schools. of no in-person gatherings, they were able to come them regain staThe event was together and celebrate at the first event of 2021 and bility and get them enjoyed by one present funds to area nonprofits and high schools. back on their feet. and all. The members of the club were ex- This donation will directly impact what we cited to present proceeds from the 2019 are able to do.” Holiday Home Tour. In total, $5,400 was Swanson said, “This was our first event presented to Brandon Outreach Clin- since the COVID-19 shutdown. We have ic, Hope for Her (formerly known as the held regular meetings live and via Zoom Women’s Resource Center of Brandon), since September 2020, but this was our Winthrop Arts, Choices Pregnancy Center, first community event.” New Horizons Group Homes and the arts Swanson added, “We want the commudepartments from six area high schools nity to know that GFWC Brandon Service (Brandon, Bloomingdale, Newsome, Du- League is still here. We have been quiet for rant, Armwood and Riverview). over a year, with no events and no club Bradlee Swanson, co-president of the news. We are cautiously opening up our GFWC Brandon Service League, said, “We doors, so to speak, with more club events were excited to be able to finally make and community outings. We are accepting those donations. As the world was put on new members and love to have visitors. hold for most of 2020, it is a wonderful Our club service year is winding down, feeling to know that we are back out in the but we be will working over the summer community trying to make a difference.” to plan events and club gatherings for the Swanson added, “We choose our non- fall. We meet the second Thursday of each profit recipients for a variety of reasons. month, September to May, at New Hope The needs of the nonprofit organization United Methodist Church in Brandon.” along with their involvement and commuVisit www.gfwcbrandonserviceleague. nity impact are taken into consideration. org.
Volume 18, Issue 5
CYPRESS CREEK CO OP OPENS ITS FIRST STOREFRONT By Lily Belcher
Six years ago, single mom of two Cassie Adams was working as a salesperson at a wholesale market. She would bring fresh produce home to her family by the bin, which would always leave her with too much. Adams reached out to a few families in her neighborhood and began to create a network of families that would buy the leftover produce. By the fourth week, she had 60 families involved, and Cypress Creek Co Op grew from there. Since the small neighborhood group started on Facebook, it has grown to over 28,000 members and opened its first permanent storefront at the end of April. The storefront, which is located in Apollo Beach just off Hwy. 41, will give customers the opportunity to shop for the produce the co-op offers or purchase full bins any time. Cypress Creek Co Op customers who cannot make it to the storefront can order bins online to pick up at walk or drive-through pop-up locations, which Adams and the co-op temporarily set up a day at a time, or have it delivered to them. Customers pay when the bins are picked up or delivered. Cypress Creek Co Op offers opportunities for families to purchase bins of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as
dairy, bread, meats and flan, from local farmers. “I try to buy local [first] based on what is in season. Most produce has a growing season and purchasing fruits/veggies in season at wholesale amounts can save you greatly,” explained Adams. “Not all produce is local. We do not have any apple orchards here in Florida … they grow in Washington and New York. Grapes grow better in California. I try to shoot for [five] veggies and [five] fruits every week; however, some weeks may differ.” It offers two different bin sizes: medium, which feeds a family of four, and large, which feeds a family of five to seven. Customers can also buy weekly special and extras bins when they make their purchase on Cypress Creek Co Op’s website after paying a $5 annual membership fee. Adams also offers volunteer opportunities for community organizations, such as the Girl/Boy Scouts of America, to help distribute the bins at the pop-up store locations. They also bring meals to first responders throughout the year and migrant families over the summer. For more information or to purchase produce bins, visit cypresscreekcoop. com or contact Adams at 252-258-0199 or cypresscreekcoop@gmail.com.
May 2021
Valrico Edition
Page 29
WINTHROP ARTS MOBILE ART FACTORY PARTNERS WITH ACHIEVE PLANT CITY TO PROVIDE ART CLASSES TO STUDENTS
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT PROTECTING THE EARTH BY WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE COLLABORATIVE ART PIECES
The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory they were learning basic techniques, but has once again expanded its reach. Win- by the third class, they were proud of their throp Arts began to provide free art classes accomplishments. Seeing their faces was to students whose families receive services amazing.” from Achieve Plant The Winthrop City in January. Arts Mobile Art FacAchieve Plant tory is a grant-fundCity was established ed program that to empower famiprovides free art lies and individuals classes to underto achieve success served children who through education. live in Southern and It focuses on famiEastern Hillsborly literacy. Children ough County. The whose parents atprogram is unique in tend adult literacy that the instructors classes at Achieve go to the children Plant City are eligiand provide the art ble to attend its afclasses. This elimter-school program. inates the barrier Once a month, these that many underchildren work with served children face Winthrop Arts Moin not being able to bile Art Factory’s get to art classes lead art instructor, Students whose families receive literacy assistance outside of school. Bryant Martinez, from Achieve Plant City have the opportunity to at- Funding for the Winto create beautiful tend free art classes provided by the Winthrop Arts throp Arts Mobile Mobile Art Factory. The students work with artist Art Factory comes works of art. Bryant Martinez to create beautiful works of art. Angelica Ibarra from the Arts Counis the executive director for Achieve Plant cil of Hillsborough County, Plant City Arts City. Ibarra said, “There are many reasons Council and Suncoast Credit Union. that moms come to us for help. They are Martinez said, “I love working with the often frustrated because they cannot com- students in the Mobile Art Factory classmunicate with their child’s teacher or be in- es. Their love of art and their creativity involved in medical care. They cannot set up spire me. We want all students to have the appointments, help with homework or even opportunity to dream, create and see the understand their child’s report card.” world through art.” At Achieve Plant City, children learn to Ibarra said, “The art classes have shown read, write and speak, and they learn com- our students that they can do so much puter skills. Ibarra said, “We want to help more. I look forward to continuing the parteverybody to better themselves through nership with Winthrop Arts.” literacy.” For more information on Achieve Plant She added, “Winthrop Arts has provid- City, please visit www.achieveplantcity.org. ed an opportunity for our children that has For more information on Winthrop Arts, never been available to them. I have seen please visit www.winthroparts.org. how art builds their self-esteem. At first,
Students in Lindsay Valentine’s art fact that scientific predictions say there classes at Nelson Elementary School in will be more plastic pieces in our oceans Dover are working on collaborative art than fish by the time they are the age projects using recycled materials, and of their parents. I want to teach our so Valentine and her students are asking students that you can find beauty in the community to ordinary objects and donate items such as that art is all around plastic bottle caps, you. It is my goal that plastic containers kids learn the skills to and lids, plastic wawork together to creter bottles, toilet paate things they can be per and paper towel proud to see at their rolls, bubble wrap, school.” wood pieces, frames The students are and exterior paints. currently working on Students and a bottle cap mosaic, teachers have been water bottle sculpchallenged this past tures and a collaborayear, but teachers tive piece with masks like Valentine keep to commemorate classes going and this year. All will be Students in Lindsay Valentine’s art classes strive to do the best displayed within the at Nelson Elementary School in Dover are they can with stuwalls of Nelson Eledents. One way to learning to be creative problem solvers, how mentary. to respect their neighbors and the earth by do this is to learn Valentine said, “We working on collaborative art pieces made to work together from items that are discarded, such as plastic hope the community on collaborative art knows how importbottle caps, paper rolls, bubble wrap and more. You can help the students with their projects. ant art programs are projects by donating some of these items. Valentine said, and the skills it builds. “There are many reasons that we chose In this ever-changing world, jobs their to do collaborative projects using recy- children will pursue have not even been cled materials. First and foremost, it is created yet. It is important to have the incredibly important that our kids know fundamental skills of using creative and how to work together to achieve a com- innovative thoughts, being able to use mon goal. This is a skill that will carry the materials you are afforded, making a them throughout their lives. Second, our difference in your environment and comschool is in need of artwork. Third, re- munity, collaborating and problem-solvcycled goods are something that we can ing.” collect. It is keeping harmful plastics out Nelson Elementary is located at of our oceans.” 5413 Durant Rd. in Dover. Items can be Valentine explained, ”We explored the dropped off between 7 a.m.-3 p.m. For ‘trash islands’ found in our oceans and more information, email Valentine at how long it takes for plastic to break Lindsay.Valentine@sdhc.k12.fl.us or call down. Students were shocked by the 651-2120.
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Exalting Christ Global located at 2326 S. Parsons Ave., in Hillsborough County, in the city of Seffner, FL 33584 intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida Dated at Valrico, Florida this 15th day of May 2021
Page 30
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PATRICK HORN
DURANT SOCCER STANDOUT GETS INVITED TO SOUTHEAST ALL-AMERICAN SHOWCASE IN DAYTONA Durant freshman standout Rachel Horn is turning heads in the soccer community. She was recently one of a select few to have been invited to the Southeast All-American Showcase that will occur from Thursday to Saturday, June 17-19 in Daytona Beach. The showcase will feature top players from the classes of 2021-24 and includes both high school and club soccer players from across the state. There were a total of 144 players invited (72 boys and 72 girls) and they will be divided into four teams. “Being selected for this showcase means so much to me,” said Horn. “I had really been wanting to get the chance to be in the All-American, and when I finally saw I had made it, I was beyond happy and honored.” Horn has always had the talent and drive to become a competitive force. The youth director of the West Florida Flames and Horn’s former coach, Rocco Pecora, always knew that she was a special soccer player. “Rachel has been a natural talent from a very early age,” said Pecora. “I remember her playing with boys and
Rachel Horn (center) was one of 72 girls to get invited to the Southeast All-American Showcase.
scoring a ton of goals since she was 5 years old. She’s always had an understanding of the game and brought a superior energy to every contest that remains true even to this day.” Horn had an outstanding season for the Durant Cougars, starting as a freshman and scoring 11 goals, which was
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Rachel Horn received her varsity letter after an amazing freshman season.
second on the team and third in Hillsborough County. She also earned Tampa Bay United Christmas Invitational All-Tournament Team honors. Horn has had success in the classroom as well, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.54 weighted GPA.
Coach Kevin Varnadoe, who coached Horn from when she was 5 to 8 years old, isn’t surprised at her success. “I could tell she had the soccer IQ and the vision of the game at a young age,” he said. “She was always hardworking and had a knack for scoring goals.” The super freshman’s ultimate goal is to play for a D1 college, and this showcase is a big opportunity for her to get exposure from colleges. According to the website, the All-Ame rican Showcase is open to college coaches, scouts and professional teams. In last year’s showcase, SEAA Sports confirmed that 90 college programs were in attendance from across the country, ranging from NCAA DI-D3, NAIA, NJCAA and NCCAA institutions. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play and be coached by some of the best,” said Horn. “This showcase is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m so excited to be able to be a part of it. I know it’ll expose me to new environments and ways of playing. Overall, I’m so happy for this opportunity, and it’s what I will be looking forward to until June 17.”
Valrico Edition
May 2021
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE UPCOMING LET’S PLANT SOME TREES PROJECT
By Tatiana Ortiz
Florida’s largBetty Jo Tompkins, exest single-day tree ecutive director at the planting event will Hillsborough Soil and occur on Saturday, Water Conservation DisJune 12 at the Lowtrict, shared when this er Green Swamp tree planting project beNature Preserve in gan. Plant City. A total “Since the inception of 20,000 longleaf of the Hillsborough 100 pine seedlings will Conservation Challenge be planted on 80 in 2017, planting trees of acres. The Let’s all sizes would be an elPlant Some Trees ement incorporated into project ties into it,” Tompkins said. the Hillsborough This project’s purpose Soil and Water would be to bring more Conservation Dis- The Gilmore family of Wimauma, Bryan, public awareness to the trict’s Hillsbor- Aimee and Anabelle, getting getting ready need to reforest areas. for the upcoming Let’s Plant Some Trees ough 100 ConserSecondly, it gives the project. vation Challenge. public the opportuniThose interested in volunteering must ty to plant trees, which in a few years preregister by Friday, June 4, as spots will create a renewed forest. Tompkins will be limited to the first 200 preregis- mentioned that the goal of it is to influtrants. COVID-19 protocols will also be ence the future generations and young implemented, such as social distancing people. The Hillsborough Soil and Water and the requirement of masks. Conservation District also wants to reVolunteers will receive a free com- mind people that conservation is everymemorative T-shirt while supplies last body’s business. and refreshments. Starting at 8:30 a.m. “Overall, we believe that those who volunteers can sign in. Two shifts will participate in the Let’s Plant Some Trees also be available, with one beginning at project will enjoy nature and have a 9 a.m. and the other at 12 Noon. Closed- real sense of satisfaction that they have toed shoes, hats, long pants and shirt helped the planet,” Tompkins said. “Each are recommended. To add, volunteers planting is positive for the environment,” are also encouraged to bring garden she added. gloves, insect spray, lip balm and sunFor more information, visit www.hillsscreen. Volunteers under the age of 16 boroughswcd.com, call 752-1474, ext. 3. must be accompanied by an adult and Contact Tompkins at 477-8332 or email sign a release. bjt6890@yahoo.com.
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Page 31
MOBILE MEALS IS LOCALLY-OWNED DELIVERY SERVICE BRINGING RESTAURANTS TO YOUR DOOR By Tatiana Ortiz What’s for dinner torestaurants may be night? Brandon residents available for catering and USF grads Jennior family-size meal defer Mekdeci Kalmbach livery only. Full details, and brother Christopher menus and pricing are Shelton found a need for available online. restaurant delivery with“Customer-centered in Southern Hillsborough service has always County and developed been at the heart of their successful business our company, along Mobile Meals 12 years with our number one ago. goal,” said Kalmbach, Business ownership who is proud of the runs in the family, as their partnerships with the grandfather started Salocal restaurants that bal Homes of Florida while her company has, which their grandmother estaballowed it to be ready lished Ann Lee Realty, Inc. for the pandemic, and Now, Kalmbach works is proud of the increase as the operations manin home delivery and ager and Shelton works no-contact drop-offs. as the IT technical offiCustomers can orcer. Kalmbach said that, der through the Mobile with Shelton’s technology Meals website, by callbackground, he felt online ing in or by submitting ordering and delivery was an order through the the future. app. Typically, there Mobile Meals delivers is a small delivery fee food from more than 100 Mobile Meals uniformed crew mem- that covers the cost of local restaurants to one’s transportation, which is ber delivering food to a customer. hotel, office or home. It delivers to the ar- listed on the website and is typically beeas such as Lithia, Apollo Beach, Brandon, tween $3.99-$5.99. Promotions and speSeffner, Valrico, Riverview, South Tampa, cials often offer free delivery. Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and more. “We treasure ourselves on working A uniformed Mobile Meals crew mem- with restaurants,” Kalmbach said. “We ber will deliver the food items in a timely also pride ourselves on being local too,” manner inside an insulated bag to keep it she added. fresh. For more information or to place an orOrders can even be placed for immedi- der, visit https://www.mobilemeals.com/. ate delivery or in advance for future de- Ordering is open Monday through Sunday, livery. Depending on your address, certain 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Call 907-MEAL(6325).
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Contact us today for your personalized home analysis. Michele Urbanowski (732) 757-5186
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For more information or tickets call 645-7874
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Top Producer 2002 - 2020
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 5