Annual Holiday Sweepstakes Highlights Best Of Shop Local
By Marie Gilmore
coming in and someone is going to be very excited to receive all of these great items from the businesses in our community,” said Kerrie Hoening, Advertising Sales Manager. “Last year was the first time we have ever done a proe z d Pri gram like this in the GranThings e m a c e , FL b Our Favorite ia h it the paper and L f . o rs l is family op Loca al retaile we are excited to The Dav of the 2016 Sh zes from 25 loc winners pstakes with pri share some of the treasures from Swee our local small businesses with our readers.” Bridget Jenkins Wilson, owner of Cardinal Roofing and a member of his holiday season, the Osprey the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Observer is once again partnering Commerce said the Chamber is with local businesses to highlight also focused on encouraging local the best of Shop Local gift giving. shopping this holiday season and in The campaign is called, A Few fact has a Shop Local Holiday Expo of Our Favorite Things and we have coming up on Saturday, gone to the best of our local busiDecember 9, 9 a.m.-12 Noon at nesses and asked them to give us Park Square in FishHawk Ranch. ideas of a few of the top items “Anything we can do to keep available this holiday season. our local businesses in the spotlight From now until mid-December, is great for our community,” she we will be collecting Our Favorite said. “And, this is a great opportuniThings all throughout the communi- ty for Osprey Observer readers to ty and putting them together in have a chance to win an amazing one giant gift basket that will be holiday gift.” given out in a Sweepstakes for our Already gathered this season, readers. gifts include a Ladies Seiko Watch “We have so many great items from McAuley’s Fine Jewelry val-
T
ued at $350 and a custom outdoor fire pit from Outdoor Impressions valued at $800. A pure Silver Christmas Coin from Corbin’s Coins valued at $30, DayDreams Day Spa Journey To Tranquility valued at $135, custom framing certificates from FastFrame, a Swarovski Crystal necklace from TMarie’s Boutique and a ukulele from Music Showcase, just to name a few of the great treasures already gathered together. Last year, more than 450 residents entered the Sweepstakes
and the Grand Prize, valued at more than $3,500, was awarded just before Christmas to FishHawk resident Tim Davis. To enter this year, email Sweepstakes to contest@ospreyobserver.com or fill out the entry form and send in by mail, fax or email. Good luck and thank you for shopping local! No purchase or contribution is necessary to enter and contest is subject to all rules & regulations as required by the State of Florida.
Legendary Kicking Coach Tom Feely
813-205-5008
Tom@FeelyAthletics.com Visit FeelyAthletics.com for more info!
Kick! Punt! Snap!
Private and Group Lessons Gift Certificates Available Whether you are a novice or a professional athlete looking to fine tune your skills, Feely Athletics will help you improve your game.
Headline Entertainment Lineup Announced For 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival
By Kate Quesada
The Florida Strawberry Festival released its lineup of headline entertainment artists performing on the Wish Farms Soundstage at the 2018 Florida Strawberry Festival. The 11-day community event will take place from March 111. Advance tickets for admission and for headline entertainment shows will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.flstrawberryfestival.com, at the Amscot Main Ticket Office located at 2209 W. Oak Ave. in Plant City or by calling 754-1996. “The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Building New Memories!’ with a strong emphasis on the construction of our new
GT Grandstands seating area,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President Paul Davis. The new bleacher-style seating will accommodate 9,200 total guests, is closer to the stage and will be more comfortable for guests, Davis said. Another change with the construction project is that the event will no longer offer free seating to headline shows. The 83rd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival will take place March 1-11. Beginning in January, specials, discounts and free entertainment will be announced at www.flstrawberryfestival.com.
2018 LINE UP:
Thursday, March 1 Friday, March 2 Saturday, March 3 Sunday, March 4 Monday, March 5 Tuesday, March 6 Wednesday, March 7 Thursday, March 8
10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 9 Saturday, March 10 Sunday, March 11
3:30 7:30 3:30 7:30
p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra Oak Ridge Boys DNCE Jerry Lee Lewis Justin Moore and Dylan Scott Cam The Band Perry Lee Greenwood REBA McENTIRE Jimmy Fortune Josh Turner Gaither Vocal Band Casting Crowns Engelbert Humperdinck Trace Adkins The Lettermen Drifters, Platters and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters I Love the 90s Tour featuring Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc and Salt-N-Pepa Charley Pride Earth, Wind & Fire Sawyer Brown Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Anthony Hamilton Chase Bryant Brad Paisley
KIDS CREATIVITY LAB Open Creative Free Play, Arts & Crafts Projects, Lego Brick Models, Enrichment Classes, Birthday Parties
10%
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Kraftologee
10312 Bloomingdale Ave, Ste 101
Brandon 813-252-3106
One coupon per visit. Not to be combined with any other offer. Exp 12/31/17
PURCHASE
LC’s Cafe & Supper Club 813.526.9395
1602 Oakfield Dr, #103 Brandon In the Divine Designs Salon Plaza Exp 12/31/17
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! On Stage Comes To Lakeland RP Funding Center Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang uncover the true meaning of Christmas in A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! On Stage at the RP Funding Center on Wednesday, December 20 at 7 p.m. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! On Stage is a fresh take on the timeless classic that gives the audience a completely new way of experiencing the storyline as portrayed by actors who maintain the integrity and spirit of each Peanuts character. This Emmy and Peabody award-winning story by Charles M. Schulz has been a longstanding tradition, warming the hearts of millions of fans since it first aired on television over 50 years ago. Now, this live on stage adaptation of the classic animated television special brings all your favorite characters to life - all set to the unforgettable sounds of the Vince Guaraldi musical score.
$30
EARLY BIRD DINNER FOR 2
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! On Stage encompasses each of your favorite scenes from the original animated television show. It even expands the storyline into greater detail with more fun, more music, more finding the true Christmas spirit exploding into a celebration of song as the audience is invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing Christmas favorites. Ticket prices are $42 and $31 (other fees may apply) and are available by visiting the RP Funding Center Box Office, tollfree 888397-0100, and online at www.rpfundingcenter.com. The RP Funding Center is located in Lakeland, off I-4 on Lime Street. The RP Funding Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For ticket information, call the Box Office at (863) 834-8111 or visit www.rpfundingcenter.com.
10% FREE $10 OFF
(You Pick): SIRLOIN (4oz), CHICKEN (4oz), or SHRIMP (6pc) 5PM-7PM EVERYDAY
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Ryuu Japanese Steakhouse at Brandon Mall 813-438-5934
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This offer may not be combined with coupons. Exp 12/31/17
By Jason Refermat
Not valid with any other offers. No cash value. Exp 12/31/17
REWARD CARD WITH THE PURCHASE OF $50 IN GIFT CARDS
PDQ - Brandon 813.864.8519
Good for a 14oz shake with this coupon. One coupon per person per visit. Must present coupon when ordering. Not to be combined with other offers. Valid at PDQ Brandon only. Exp 12/31/17
Cookson Hills Toy Run Continues To Provide Christmas Memories
By Michael Smith
As the Cookson Christmas, the joy Hills Toy Run preand magic when they pares to celebrate its are opened in your 24th anniversary next presence,” Brown month, event cosaid. founder Sheri Brown The day will consaid this year’s event clude with a drawing will return to the origifor several special nal traditions that raffle prizes at 4 p.m. have made it ‘the During the past best-kept secret in 23 years, Brown and Hillsborough County.’ her supporters have Brown and her provided more than husband, Bill, found8,000 people with ed the Cookson Hills Christmas presents A motorcycle loaded with Christmas Toy Run in 1993 and a barbecue picpresents at the Cookson Hills Toy Run. nic, creating wonderafter discovering a ‘need’ in the community. The Browns had ful Christmas memories for everyone in to step down from hosting the toy run in attendance. 2014 due to Bill’s health problems. He She said the event is about “touching passed away in November 2015 from a soul, making a difference, and paying it pancreatic cancer. forward.” This year’s event once again will be In addition to the presents and picnic, held at Veterans Memorial Park & this year’s event will feature free cotton Museum on U.S. 301 in Tampa, begincandy from the Egypt Temple Motorcycle ning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 3. Patrol, DJ entertainment, sleigh rides, A live auction and raffle will take face painting, super heroes provided by place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the Makers United for Children’s Hope motorcyclists going for a country ride at (MUCH) Foundation and more. 1p.m. Volunteers will pass out Christmas Brown, emphasizing that 100 percent gifts to the ‘forgotten’ veterans, children of everything received goes to the toy (newborn to 18 years old), special-need run, said that the event could not have individuals of all ages and seniors in made it for 23 years without the commuattendance at 2:30 p.m. The presents will nity’s support. be opened at 3:15 p.m. in the presence She still needs help with this year’s of those who donated them. event. To learn how you can help, contact “Instead of dropping your gifts in a Brown by phone at 643-5758 or by email box, bring your family and friends along at cooksontoyrun@aol.com. To learn with your gifts, personally hand them out, more about the Cookson Hills Toy Run, then experience the true ‘Spirit’ of visit cooksonhillstoyrun.com.
Holiday Coin Collections, A Daydreams Day Spa Escape & New Sporting Goods a gift card to Daydreams. Corbin’s Stamp & Coin Is Your With many different Source For Treasured types of spa Family Heirlooms packages to If you are looking for the choose from perfect gift - maybe for a famincluding ily with a new baby or to celmassage ebrate a momentous occatherapy, sion, a special coin may be body, therathe perfect keepsake? Start a py, skin care therapy, new family tradition by comnail and pedicure treatmemorating the Christmas ments, waxings & season each year. Holiday brows, airbrush tanning, coin collections are the permaternity fect way. One ounce pure silservices, ver coins are available for services for $29.95 in a gift box or also as men and for an ornament teens and that can be more, there is displayed. something for Corbin’s everyone. The Coins is shop in located at Daydreams also offers 209 N. Kings Ave. in Brandon and is open Monday to Gift Basket spa products which would also make Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Item: 1 oz. great gifts. Pevonia and Saturday from 9 Pure Silver Skin Care products a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas are offered. Coin Gift certificates are available Journey To Tranquility At Value: $30 at the Spa, located at 658 Oakfield DayDreams Day Spa With all the stress the holiDr. in Brandon or online at www.daydays bring, what better gift for somedreamsdayspa.com. one (or yourself) is to escape for a few A second DayDreams location is hours to DayDreams Day Spa & Bath in Lakeland at 1463 Town Center Dr. Shop. You can make that possible with For more information on this location,
CORBIN’S
Stamp & Coin
call 863686-5859.
Enhance Your Photos At Fast Frame For The
Perfect Holiday Gift Did you take a special picture this year while you spent time with your family, maybe on vacation or at a special event? Surprise your family this year with a wonderful family picture specially framed to order commemorating this special shared time. Once you have that beautiful photo, a frame becomes part of the bigger picture, so it’s imporGift Basket Item: tant to make sure Tranquility Journey in that it brings out Spa - 95 minute mas- the photo in just sage, hand therapy the right way. and hot stone foot When cusmassage. tomers bring in Value: $135 their personal items and they are not sure about how to decorate their art,
By Michelle Colesanti
Fast Frame owner Alex Roche helps to educate them on how to enhance their item through framing. He offers competitive pricing and has been assisting customers with frames for more than 28 years. Fast Frame also offers oil paint stretches, shadow boxes, needle points, restoration and repairs and cor-
porate art. Fast Frame has been a part of the community Gift Basket for 15 years. Item: Two $40 For more Gift Cards for information, Framing visit www.fastValue: $80 frame.com or call Roche at 655-6400. Fast Frame is located at 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave. in Riverview. Hours of operation are Sunday and Monday by appointment only with 24-hour notice and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Rolling Pin Cooking Class Gift Certificate, TMarie’s Special Gifts & Musical Music Showcase It is also Brandon’s Big Green ‘Eggheadquarters,’ the ultimate cooking experience. Rolling Pin Emporium is open for private events too. Gift cards are also available. Rolling Pin is located at 2080 Gift Basket Item: Badlands Dr. in Brandon. Gift Bundle of Items Call 653-2418 or visit & Cooking Class http://rollingpinonline.com/ Certificates for more information.
Great Gift Ideas And Classes Help Make Rolling Pin A Great Stop For Holiday Gift Needs If you are stuck coming up with creative gift ideas, make a visit to Rolling Pin and to find something for every chef in your life. Rolling Pin offers a gourmet retail store and cooking classValue: $547 ($447 es. Retail; $100 Stop by and browse Find Your Perfect the extensive collection of Cooking Classes) Holiday Ensemble At classic and unique kitchenTMaries Fashion & Gifts Boutique ware. You will find everything TMaries Fashion & Gifts from barware, bakeware, aprons, Boutique is towels & mitts, coffees & teas, cookyour one stop ware, electrics, gadgets, gifts for entertaining, knives & cutting boards, shop for all of your favorite outdoor cooking and more. Enjoy fashion outfits shopping in the specialty food and and acceswine departments. There are many great reasons to sories for the attend Rolling Pin’s cooking classes - upcoming holiday season. It offers a wide variety whether you enjoy cooking – or just of casual fashions, resort wear, plus eating - from great date nights to size fashions, swim suits and cover learning about new foods, this is a ups, accessories, shoes, gifts, formal great gift idea anyone would be dresses, and prom/homecoming excited to receive.
Give The Gift of
dresses, to help you define your own unique style. While you are in there shopping for those party clothes, you will also find many accessories including jewelry that would also make great gifts for friends and family members. Some brands available at TMaries include Tribal, Elan, Catherine Barclay, Julian Chang, French Dressing Jeans
Gift Basket Item:
30 inch 14K Gold Plated Chain and Statement Necklace with Swarovski Crystal Cabana Life. Gift Encrusted Rose Medallion and Large White Seashell Pearl. Certificates are also Value: $117 available. T. Marie’s Fashion & Gift Boutique is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 Noon-5 p.m. It is located at 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. For more information, call 530-0922. Visit www.TMariesfashions.com.
Get It Listed! Get It SOLD!
Fun
This Holiday Season!
Bowling! Games! Food! Drinks!*
By Michelle Colesanti
A Few Of Your Favorite Things Can Be Found At Music Showcase Music is the international language that is understood and enjoyed by all. Share your love of music by offering voice or instrument lessons to your favorite student. Instrument rentals start at $10 (if you don’t want to make a purchase). If you sign up online, the instrument will be delivered to your school. All of your music needs can be found at Music Showcase, which offers competitive pricing on sheet music and books. There is an in-house repair shop, and private and group lessons are offered.
Call “The Tracy Team” PATRICIA TRACY Realtor
(813) 748-9364
Where your experience is our priority!
MAKES A GREAT GIFT! Looking for the perfect home for the entire family to spread out? Look no further - this home has it all!
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This gorgeous gated, pool home resides on a large lake. Home offers 6 bds / 4 baths, 3 car detached garage. Main house 3 bds / 3 baths. Large kitchen w/granite countertops & island. There is an adorable one bedroom, one bathroom in-law suite connected to the main house that has a separate entry to the outside. Above the detached three car garage, there is a private one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. The home is conveniently located approx. one mile from I-75. Front iron gate entrance to home. Call today for showing! $679,900
FREE Home Value Estimates!
Selling the Neighborhood We Live, Work & Play Over 20 years Experience
LC’s Cafe Holiday Catering, McAuley Fine Jewelry Seiko Watch & Feely Athletics Is your child interested in musical theatre, acting, or maybe photography? Sign them up at the Florida Academy of Performing Arts at Music Showcase. Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. For more information, call 685-5998 or visit MusicShowcaseOnline.com and FAOPA.org.
home where LC’s Café will host with a waiter and attendant in your kitchen. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday Brunch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. It is closed on Sunday and Gift Basket Monday. Item: Ukelele LC’s Café is locatand Gift Card ed near Divine Value: $70 Designs Spa at 1602 (Ukelele $50 Dr. #103 in Oakfield and Gift Card Enjoy Home-Style Latin Brandon. Call 526-9395 $20) Inspired Holiday Catering or email From LC’s Cafe lcsupperclub@gmail.com. Enjoy simple, sweet and savory home style cooked, McAuley Fine Jewelry Is A Gem Latin inspired In The Community Gift Basket foods. LC’s This season design something Item: Catering Café will be uniquely ‘you’ to surprise your speGift Certificate glad to cater cial someone. your upcomValue: $50 McAuley Fine ing holiday (with $250 Jewelry (located in party either at the former Martin’s order) your work office Jewelers) will help or home. The staff is flexiyou plan your cusble in helping you to enjoy tom made piece of perfect meals to help celJewelry. Jewelry ebrate the season. repairs are also Enjoy holiday events done on premises. in the privacy of your own McCauley Fine
By Michelle Colesanti
Whether a one-on-one instruction on a Saturday or a week long camp or combine featuring hundreds of youths, Feely is nationally known for teaching the fundamentals and techniques of kicking and punting. To date, roughly 15 of Feely’s Gift Basket students have played profesItem: Seiko sional football. His most Ladies Watch notable pupil is son Jay Feely, Value: $350 a Jesuit High grad who went on to play 16 years in the professional ranks, including 14 in the Jewelry is NFL. “I know there’s nobody who’s located done more in the state of Florida to on kids get better in the last 15 help Oakfield Drive, in the Atlantic years from a kicking and punting Village Plaza, Kings Ave. & Oakfield standpoint,” Jay Feely said of his Dr. father. It is open from Tuesday to If your child is interested in Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and sports, help them achieve their Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 205-5008 or email dream. Call 689-8124 or visit Tom@FeelyAthletics.com. www.mcauleyfinejewelry.com. Gift Basket Visit www.feelykicking.com Item: Triplex for more information.
Feely Athletics Will Take Your Budding Athlete To Stealth Tee The Next Level Value: $65 Jesuit and national kicking coach Tom Feely has coached hundreds, perhaps thousands of youths in various sports, but he is known especially for his work in football.
Custom Firepit From Outdoor Impressions & Birthday Party Celebration At The Alley Outdoor Impressions Will Help You Create The Perfect Outdoor Space To Enjoy YearRound With the beautiful weather that we enjoy year-round, it makes sense to have an outdoor kitchen area specially created for you. The designers at Outdoor Impressions specialize in customizing the details of your outdoor kitchen to your specific needs and taste; everything from the location of appliances in the outdoor kitchen build, to the materials and color schemes that best compliment your home and outdoor living space. It also specializes in paver driveways, patios, walkways, entryways, pergolas, arbors, water features, fire pits, fire places and
design services. A different kind of gift idea for friends or family could be Outdoor Impression’s 30 inch Munich fire pit. Whether roasting marshmallows or sipping wine,
Gift Basket
memories Item: are sure to Outdoor Fire be created Pit year after Value: $800 year with this great feature added to any outdoor living space. Outdoor Impressions is located at 10020 Carr Rd. in Riverview. Call 684-6817 for more information. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Family Fun Awaits At The Alley At Southshore With over 42,000 sq. ft. of fun, the Alley should be your first choice in family entertainment during the
F F OL Y % 25 ALELR W JE
813-530-0922 www.TMariesFashions.com 3407 Lithia Pinecrest Rd Valrico (at Bloomingdale) HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm | Sunday 10am-5pm
By Michelle Colesanti
holidays. There are 32 bowlon-site. ing lanes along with a Have fun at Route 66 Mini Gift Basket Hurricane Alley 8 Lane Bowling, Tin Pan Alley Executive Suite. But Arcade and Billiards too. Item: Birthday bowling is only the Stuff your kid’s stockings Party For Up beginning of all the with passes to go bowling. To 12 People fun. While there, you The Alley is open Value: can also enjoy Alley Sunday to Thursday from 9 $129.99 Kat’s Pub & Grill or a.m.-12 Midnight and Friday Alley Scoops Ice Cream if and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2:30 you just want a snack. If you want a.m. It is located at 10221 Big Bend to host a private holiday party, Rd. in Riverview. Call 672-8353 or there is a private space for that visit purpose. Professional catering is http://thealleyatsouthshore.com.
Christmas C ins 1oz Pure Silver
$29.95
each
Gift Boxed or Ornaments
CORBIN’S
Stamp & Coin 209 N. Kings Ave. Brandon, Florida 33510
813-651-3266 corbincoin@verizon.net
Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
*Silver prices subject to change.
Backyard Birdseed Squirrel Buster, Jewelry In A Cinch & Daniella’s Mobile Massage Nature Lovers Will Delight In Gifts From Backyard Birdseed Backyard Birdseed is your go-to place for your friends and family who enjoy watching nature close up. It carries a wide array of products to increase backyard (and front yard) Gift Basket enjoyment for Item: Squirrel children, famiBuster lies, and birders Value: $50 of all ages. Premium birdseed, bird baths, bird and bat houses, hummingbird feeders and patio and garden décor are all available. In case you do not know what the perfect gift would be for your nature lover, gift certificates are also available. Backyard Birdseed is located at 3642 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. (next to Car Wash on the Greens) in Valrico. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and closed Sundays. Call 8162473 or visit www.backyardbirdseed.com.
Leaving Jewelry Frustration Behind Is A Cinch Cinch Clasp offers you the most valuable piece of jewelry you will ever own. We have all struggled with putting on or taking off necklaces, bracelets and or anklets. Those little clasps can be so hard to put on and take off. If you have longer nails or arthritis, these little clasps can be next to impossible to maneuver. Cinch Clasp lets you put on or take off any necklace, chain, bracelet in two seconds or less every time. Cinch Clasp is very secure and can handle multiple chains, so you can put on or take off all at the same time. Cinch Clasp would make a great gift to accompany a piece of jewelry you are giving someone dear to you or just on its own for someone who already has a lot of jewelry. Cinch Clasp comes in three different sizes and offers many different finishes. The Cinch Clasp was invented by local resident
aj westfall
rt the dai tors inn is Cool! te.wrhem re Clea ..
By Michelle Colesanti
Maria Gibbs. Visit celestialclasp.com or 352-9087.
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After driving thru the beautiful lights, stop by The Christmas Village and Enjoy: • • • • • •
Gift Certificates
... the Perfect Gift for ANYONE on your list!
Hot Cocoa & Donuts Fried Dough Camel Rides Popcorn & Cotton Candy Funnel Cakes A selection of Fair foods & more
• North Pole Express Train Ride • Pony Rides • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides • Visit with The Wolves of the World • Shop, Craft & Gift Vendors
Vehicles (up to eight passengers) $20 License #39122
Visit our website for Drive Thru Tickets and to view our Show Schedule: www.thewonderlando!lights.com
Big Green Egg Spices At Pinch A Penny, Bliss Costmetics, Sweet Treats & Pet Needs FishHawk PinchA-Penny Has Egg-cellent Christmas Ideas For your cooking enthusiast, FishHawk Pinch-APenny has got you Gift Basket covered. The 4-1 Item:A collection offered for the family including child Big Green Egg grills, roasts, bakes and of Big Green Egg care while you work out. There are a smokes a variety of Sauces & Spices lot of sports opportunities for the kids such as basketball, volleyball and Value: $110 more. food from desserts to burgers. Pinch-A-Penny The local Campo Y is truly a part of has all the accessories you our community so make it a part of your need along with sauces and seasonings family. Campo Y is located at 3414 to boot. Now through Dec 31, the store is Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. It is open having a 15 percent sale on all Big Green Egg grills and accessories. Pinch-a-Penny is located across from Newsome High School at 16715 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. Call 655-3700. Give The Gift Of Health At Campo Y The start of a New Year holds a lot of promise. Everyone makes resolutions to eat healthier and to exercise more. This year, it is time to do something Gift Basket about it. Give a gift of a Campo Y membership to someone you 3 Month Family care about to help them to live Monday to Friday from 5 their healthiest lives. Membership a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday Campo Y offers many from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and exercise options for all ages Value: $246 Sunday from 12 Noon-6 p.m. and body types such as Yoga, For more information, call cycling, Pilates, aerobics and much 684-1371. Visit more. www.tampaymca.org/locations/campo. Many programs and camps are
By Michelle Colesanti
the perfect place to find the perfect gift. Tasteful Gifts From Edible The store is smaller by choice and the Arrangements Make Great Holiday shelves are stocked with just the right Treats products specifically chosen to help get What better way to say you care you in and out and get home happy. It than with a healthy and tasteful gift of has the largest selection fresh fruit. With many of natural, holistic and assortments from Edible human grade foods, Arrangements, you will along with a friendly find something for knowledgeable team to everyone on your gift help you with all your list. pet’s needs. There is a Choose from many beautiful holiGift Certificate self-service dog wash day gift baskets such as the Christmas for a - you wash your pet, Tree Bouquet or the traditional Chocolate they clean up the Delicious Celebration® bouquet recipe, Dipped Fruit mess. You can also honeydew, cantaloupe, strawberries, Box: $35 join the Dirty Dog and grapes scattered throughout a Wash Club for half the beautiful arrangement to create an eyeprice of a regular wash and catching and wow-worthy effect. don’t forget its Nail Trim Club too. You Edible Arrangements can be found can also find everything you need for locally in the Shoppes at Lithia, located your small pets, bird, fish and reptiles. at 3455 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico Every other Sunday a pet shot clinic is held from 1-2:30 p.m. Pet Supplies Plus (571-7200), and also at 10273 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview (Bell Plaza)(672- is located in the Valrico Commons Plaza at 1937 E. S.R. 60 in Brandon (at 6111) or order online at www.ediValrico Rd.). It is open Mondayblearrangements.com. Gift Basket Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Item: Glo Fish and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 Shop Pet Supplies Plus This p.m. For more information, call Aquarium Holiday Season For All Your Pet Needs 540-0645. Value: $50 Holiday gift shopping is not just for your two legged family and friends. Your pets will enjoy receiving some new toys and snacks and Pets Supply Plus is
Enter To Win! 6128 Winthrop Town Center Ave.
Riverview
(813) 655-6400 ↑1820s Photo &
Autographed Letters
→Wedding Gift from
Grandmother to Grandson
Oil Paint Stretches Shadow Boxes Needle Points Restoration & Repairs Corporate Art 15 Years In The Area
Why would you like to win the Favorite Things Holiday Sweepstakes?
1026 Bloomingdale Avenue • Valrico (Located in the Plaza Bella)
813-324-8946
www.TheSaltGrotto.com
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Name: Address: Phone: Email: Community: Email to win at contest@ospreyobserver.com, fax to 657-4469 or mail to 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Brandon, FL 33511.
Email contest@ospreyobserver.com
Professional Photography, Breathe Easy & Don’t Forget The Pets This Holiday the special woman in your life. Call Urioste at 784-1845 to book a session.
turing all natural raw food diets. All foods are American made, corn, wheat, soy, and gluten free. You will find natural remedies Don’t Forget Boutique Style Studio Offers for worms, fleas Your Pet’s In The Holiday Glamour Makeover ticks. and Gift Basket Celebrations The holidays are a perfect time Kim’s also Salt Grotto Item: Gift Your pets are part of the to give yourself a gift of pamoffers a wide Basket & Gift Certificate family and you don’t want pering, along with a full glamvariety of Certificates our makeover. As you glow from Value: $50 them to miss out on the toys, dog and Value: $58 holiday celebrations. your special day, the photos taken cat bedding, Kim’s Natural Pet Foods has everywill make a great gift to your family apparel and supthing you need to give your or special someone. plies. pets a happy, healthy life Amber Urioste, the owner and phoGift Basket Kim’s Natural Pet Foods is locatand what better time to tographer behind AU Professional ed at 3110 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Item: Pet check out some new food Photography, brought this boutique in Valrico (next to Subway). For Treat Basket more information, call 684style studio to the area, and special- and treats to keep them as healthy and izes in glamour, boudoir and high Value: $100 3663 or visit kimsnatuhappy as possible. school senior portraits. ralpetfoods.com. Your day of pampering will include a Specializing in Visit The Salt holistic foods made professional hair and makeup artist, Grotto And from real ingrediand to experience what it is like to Breathe Easier ents like meat, fish, be a model for the day. Receive the This Holiday and healthful vegright amount of love and attention, Season etables; not with guidance in posing so you end Breathe byproducts, it offers up with images that they will love easier this holia great selection of and treasure for a lifetime. day season. all natural foods as The Studio specializes in showing Relax in luxury well as unique natthe client how beautiful they really ural chews and are, and of their transformation with at The Salt treats, including a a before and after photo. Grotto. Dig your toes frozen section feaThis will also make a great gift for into the sand like salt
and fill your lungs with
3642 Lithia Pinecrest Rd (next to CarWash on the Greens)
813-816-BIRD (2473)
www.BackyardBirdseed.com BackyardBirdseed@gmail.com
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By Michelle Colesanti
safe, naturally salty air. With each breath, inhale micro-particles that holistically address respiratory and skin ailments. Give the gift of good health to your loved ones. There are both adult and children’s Salt Room Therapy. Other gift ideas include unique salt related gifts including Himalayan Salt Lamps, cooking stones, seasonings bath salts and soaps. The Salt Grotto is located in Plaza Bella Shopping Center, 1026 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Call 324-8946 or visit http://thesaltgrotto.com
Local Bakers Offer Holiday Cookie Works Of Art For Shop Local Gift
By Kate Quesada
Custom cookies baked and decorated by Erin Cowan of The Butter Tree.
Kerry Williams of The Sugared Owl creates custom cookies based on customer requests.
With the holidays approaching and many occasions calling for sweet treats, these local entrepreneurs take cookie making to the next level creating custom works of art that taste great too.
decorating and drying each cookie. She asks for at least three or four days advance notice for orders. For more information, search The Butter Tree on Facebook, or call (646) 522-8952.
The Butter Tree
The Sugared Owl
FishHawk resident Erin Cowan owns and operates The Butter Tree, specializing in custom decorated sugar cookies for any occasion from birthday parties to weddings and showers. Cowan, a former lawyer who practiced in New York City before moving to Florida, started the business to keep busy while staying home with her children. “I got started after randomly coming across a blog post about decorated sugar cookies in 2001,” said Cowan. “I have no professional training and am self-taught from trial and error.” The Butter Tree offers vanilla or almond sugar cookies with royal icing. Each cookie is custom, hand created and takes several days to make as Cowan works from scratch, baking, coloring the icing and then
In addition to making decorated sugar cookies, Kerry Williams of The Sugared Owl, also offers Make and Take classes, where residents can learn to work with Royal Icing and pick up the techniques used to make their own delicious works of art. Williams, a FishHawk residents has been decorating cookies for four years and offers vanilla/orange, vanilla/almond, peanut butter and chocolate sugar cookies for the holidays. All cookies are decoded with a “Frankenfrosting,” which is a mixture of Royal Icing and glaze. “Customers contact me for any theme they would like and we work to come up with the designs they want,” said Williams. The Sugared Owl began offering cookie classes, which have been hosted in Cool Beans coffee shop in
FishHawk resident Paula Escobar makes cookies of any size, color and design.
FishHawk and Kraftology in Brandon, a year ago. “You gather some friends and come decorate your own dozen cookies,” said Williams. “We work on several together and decorate each cookie in sections. Everyone leaves with beautifully decorated cookies they made themselves.” The group is limited to 10 people and classes range from one-and-ahalf to two hours. In addition to regular adult classes, Williams also offers kids’ classes at Cool Beans and has a “Cookies for Santa” class planned this month. Search The Sugared Owl on Facebook, for more information, or contact Williams at (908) 328-2311 or jkwilliams78@hotmail.com.
2 Little Sweets When FishHawk resident Paula Escobar’s youngest daughter turned one four years ago, she decided to make cookies for the party. They were such a success that she decided to turn her hobby into a business and 2 Little Sweets was born. “After months of practicing at
night while my girls slept, so I wouldn’t be chasing them and baking, I began posting my creations on social media,” said Escobar. “Friends and neighbors began showing interest in the cookies and asked if I would sell them. Escobar’s cookies are custom orders to any design, color or size. “It is a labor of love,” she said, noting that each cookie is hand decorated and freshly baked. “It is a consuming and long process with cookie dough, icing, mixing, baking, decorating and packing.” 2 Little Sweets requests a minimum order of a dozen cookies, but can make any number higher than 12. “All the decorated cookies are custom and because they are custom, you won’t find my cookies to look, taste or feel like the cookies you would find at the supermarket,” said Escobar, who especially enjoys when her customers send her pictures of them enjoying her products. For information, contact Escobar at cookiesby2littlesweets@yahoo.com or search 2 Little Sweets on Facebook.