Riverview/Apollo Beach
December 2017 Volume 15, Issue 12 Ph: 657-2418
See Section On Pages 46-55 C E L E B R A T I N G
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Riverview Neighbors Vie For $50,000 Prize On ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight
By Michelle Colesanti
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If you stop by 9229 and 9231 Sunnyoak Dr. in Riverview on any night between now and January 2, you will no doubt see a light display that will bring your holiday spirit to life. Rob Silver and neighbor Mike Richards, who have been neighbors for five years, teamed up to bring their synchronized light show to the community after spending years trying to outshine each other. Deciding to work together this year, they applied to appear on ABC’s annual holiday reality show, The Great Christmas Light Fight, and were chosen for the competition. They teamed up and spent months decorating their homes in an amazing display with the hopes of beating out
other national contestants in the first ‘neighbors’ battle to be aired on the show. According to Silver, win or lose, this is a win-win situation. “I go crazy every year anyway with lights and this was a better reason to do more. I’m able to share with everyone nationwide.” There was plenty of ‘LightsCameras-Action’ when the filming took place in early October. Friends and neighbors gath
Photo by Tamas Mondovics
Hillsborough County Fire Chief, Dennis Jones, takes a peek at the turkey that was dipped into hot oil, just moments before. demonstrating the wrong way to cook the holiday bird, the stillfrozen turkey was lowered into the oil and immediately burst the fryer into flames. The event was part of HCFR’s annual fire safety presentation reminding residents to use caution while cooking this holiday season.
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Riverview Silver Ring Holds Fundraiser For Local Teen Needing Double Lung Transplant
By Kate Quesada
A favorite and care this Riverview restaufamily has showrant is helped a ered their chillocal family this dren with, I feel month. The Silver compelled to do Ring Cafe, something and I famous for its am asking for pressed Cuban your support,” sandwiches and said Neville who friendly service, chose the hosted a December 10, fundraiser on date for the Sunday, fundraiser December 10 to because of the benefit 13-yearTampa Bay old Riverview Buccaneers resident Noelia home football Whitlock who is game. Supplies in need of a dou- Riverview resident Noelia Whitman is waiting for the fundraiser ble lung transfor a double lung transplant and a fundraiser have been donattook place for her at the Silver Ring Cafe on ed by Four Star plant to help her December 10. fight her battle Meats, La with Cystic Fibrosis. Segunda Central Bakery and Captain Noelia, who is one of five medical- Ed’s. For more information, search for ly needy children in her family, is curNoelia’s Warriors Fighting Cystic rently in St. Louis at the Ronald Fibrosis on Facebook. McDonald apartments waiting for the The Silver Ring Cafe is located at transplant with her father, while her 7419 U.S. Hwy 301 in Riverview and mother is home with her siblings. She can be reached at 677-1487. was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at Noelia also has a Go Fund Me two years old and was adopted by her page located at family three years later. In September www.gofundme.com/noeliaswarriors. she was listed for a double lung transplant with St. Louis Children’s Hospital and is undergoing rounds of IV antibiotics every two weeks. “She always has a smile on her face, even on the toughest days,” said her mother, Sheri Whitlock who explains that Noelia is finishing up seventh grade through Florida Virtual Schools, an online homeschooling pro15 gram. “It’s hard to be away from her six siblings. She also has to share mom and dad between two states to NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROPOSED.........PG 4 make this transplant possible.” HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 7 Silver Ring owner Dana Neville is planning to open the restaurant, which WHERE TO SEE LIGHTS ....................PG 11 is usually closed on Sundays, and will NEW PARK .......................................PG 17 donate all proceeds to Noelia and her family. There will also be baked goods ALAFIA DRIVING...............................PG 35 for sale. EYE ON BUSINESS ............................PG 45 “Because I have watched the love