26 minute read
IMPACT SPRING TEA
FORMER NEWSOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CONTRIBUTES TO FIRST LIQUID-PROPELLED ROCKET MADE BY COLLEGE TEAM
By Lily Belcher
Samantha Dolski, Newsome High School Class of 2021 graduate and current student at the University of Texas, joined the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL) last semester as the co-lead of the Fluids Component Test Team. Dolski and the other 200 young engineers are building a 30-foot rocket named Halcyon which they plan to launch into space in September 2023 and will make them the first college team to launch a liquid-propelled rocket into space.
Dolski joined as TREL began its transition from the design phase to the test phase for the rocket, which they hope to launch above the 100-kilometer line that defines the beginning of space. They have been in contact with industry leaders like Blue Origin and Firefly, which have ofered advice on their project.
“What is more integral to our lab is the goal of building people who build rockets [by] learning and experiencing what it means to be an engineer,” explained Dolski. “It’s tackling a problem that is so large, and I think everyone is there for the experience of learning something new and being a part of a project.”
Since she was little, the freshman engineer has enjoyed watching space shows such as How the Universe Works and knew she wanted to be a part of the field. Dolski took physics and other STEM classes at Newsome to learn more about aerospace engineering and prepare for the program in college. Dolski said her physics teacher, Bibiane Darbouze, encouraged her to take up her own independent study and pushed her to hone her skills in both math and science to prepare. Scott Coonfare, Dol-
Samantha Dolski graduated from New- ski’s chemistry and some High School and has joined the Texas STEM club teachRocket Engineering Lab. er, was able to provide her with resources and mentorship through his connection with NASA. “Even though I had no clue what I was doing,” Dolski said, “I was at this high school level trying to work on Ph.D. work.” Through the guidance of her teachers in her early steps into the field and the dedication she had to her work, Dolski was able to join the University of Texas’ engineering team as a leader while a freshman. Dolski mentioned that, although she is a female entering into a field traditionally dominated by men, the University of Texas has made an efort to include both males and females of all races and promoted diversity in its program. Dolski has found a community of other female engineers that has made her feel at home and hopes to one day provide that same sense of community to rising female engineers.
IMPACT PROGRAM HOSTS SPRING FUNDRAISING TEA
By Kate Quesada
Are you looking for a delicious way to make a diference in your community? Then mark your calendars for Saturday, March 5 at 10 a.m. because Impact is hosting its Spring Tea fundraising event at the New Hope United Methodist Church.
“This is our fourth annual Spring Tea fundraising event, which will support our eforts in promoting healthy lifestyles and relationships to teens through Teen Impact, to parents through our parent program and to teachers and other youth leaders through classroom education,” said Angie Kagey, Impact executive director.
Tickets to the event, which will take place from 10 a.m.-12 Noon, cost $25 per person and, according to Kagey, include a traditional tea service presented with a tiered platter of sweets and savories.
The event will also include a rafe, silent auction and prize for the best hat.
Funds raised at the event will go to further Impact Program Inc.’s vision to educate, equip and empower and support students, parents and teachers in the area of sexual risk avoidance and healthy relationships.
“We serve the community in multiple venues, such as public and private middle and high schools, churches and community organizations,” said Kagey. “As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving Hillsborough County, Impact is supported by individuals, businesses, churches and community partners.” Sponsorship opImpact’s fourth annual Spring Tea fund- portunities for the raising event will take place on Saturday, tea are still available
March 5 at the New Hope United Methodist Church in Brandon. and more information can be found by contacting Kagey at 264-9368, ext. 102. The tea will take place at the New Hope United Methodist Church, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon, on March 5 from 10 a.m.-12 Noon. To purchase tickets and for more information on the event, visit https://impactspringtea.eventbrite. com. To learn more about Impact and other upcoming events, which include Impact’s Got Talent on Friday, April 22 at FishHawk Fellowship Church in Lithia and a Shred Day on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m.-12 Noon at Hough Financial Services in Brandon, visit www.whatisimpact.com or call 264-9368.
GOOD COUNTY PLANNING LEADS TO GOOD LIVING FOR RESIDENTS
By Brad Stager
When it comes to local governments fulfilling their obligations in providing safe, habitable communities for the residents they serve, proper planning has a role.
In Hillsborough County, that responsibility is borne in large part by the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission is an independent entity stafed by appointed representatives from the four local governments within Hillsborough County and is a resource used by the participating governments.
Members of the Planning Commission serve four-year terms and are apportioned as follows: four members each appointed from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, with one member each appointed from the municipalities of Temple Terrace and Plant City; a representative from Hillsborough County School District; and one from MacDill Air Force Base serve in ex-officio roles.
Meetings of the Planning Commission are held monthly in a hybrid format with commissioners and support staf able to meet in-person and the general public viewing and commenting virtually. Meetings can be viewed live or afterward via the YouTube channel Hillsborough County Meetings, Hillsborough TV (HTV) on the county’s website, as well as on select cable channels.
Housing needs of a growing population and the locations of commercial projects are among the topics discussed at the com-
mission’s meetings, as are issues related to the county’s infrastructure and natural resources, such as undeveloped land. Hillsborough County’s ofcial Facebook photo. Besides
Te Hillsborough County City-County Planning Com- serving as mission plays a role in local government decisions that an appointed afect how future growth is managed and what happens to commissioner, undeveloped parts of the county. the public can get involved in the county’s planning process by participating in online surveys available on the Plan Hillsborough website or connecting with one of the advisory committees addressing a variety of concerns, such as trafc congestion. The Planning Commission is one of three commissions that the agency known as Plan Hillsborough provides stafng and logistical support to. The other two commissions are the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization and the Hillsborough River Board & Technical Advisory Council. According to Melissa Dickens, senior planner with Plan Hillsborough, internal changes in the overall planning organization should facilitate the work of the Planning Commission and benefit county residents. “We’ve had a number of new staf join us over the past couple of years,” she said as part of her presentation during the February 14 commission meeting. “They have provided lots of opportunities to hear diferent perspectives from people who may have worked on similar projects at other places.” You can learn more about the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission by visiting planhillsborough.org.
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By Michelle Caceres
Newsome High senior Alexander Fraga faced a dilemma. While sitting in AP Macroeconomics class he glanced at his cellphone and noticed an email had come across from Congressman Vern Buchanan’s ofce. The moment had arrived when he would find out if he had received a nomination to the United State Merchant Marine Academy, his dream school.
He had to decide whether to open it or wait until he was home with his family.
“I saw a smiley face emoji in the title of the email and just couldn’t wait,” he said.
Fraga opened the email, and then he smiled. He had earned the nomination. “I was just so excited and trying not to disrupt class,” Fraga said.
In all, Buchanan made 22 nominations to the four U.S. service academies: the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval Academies. Unlike other service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for admission.
Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a nonpartisan service academy board appointed by the congressman.
In addition to Fraga, other local nominees include: Bell Creek Academy students Sebastian Correa to the United State Military Academy and Matthew Martinez to the United States Air Force Academy and United States Naval Academy; Durant High School student Austin Holcomb to the United States Air Force Academy; Sumner High School student David Tirado-Alonzo to the United States Military Academy and Unit-
ed States Naval Academy; Marion Military Institute cadet Francis Connor Dias of Lithia to the United States Military Academy and Congressman Vern Buchanan made 22 nomina- United States tions to four U.S. service academies. Naval Academy; Newsome High School students Colby Prince to the United States Naval Academy, Matthew Iocco to the United States Naval Academy and Cody Basquill to the United States Air Force Academy; and U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School cadets Ryan Matthews of Riverview, Yaideliz Lorenzo-Mendoza of Ruskin and Axeladiel Zengotita of Lithia to the United States Air Force Academy. Former United States Air Force Academy cadet Spencer Caceres, who left to serve a two-year church mission in Mexico, also received a nomination for re-entry to the United States Air Force Academy. The nominees’ names are forwarded to the service academies where they were nominated. “Here in Florida’s 16th district, we are fortunate to have so many driven and courageous students willing to serve in our armed forces,” said Buchanan. “Each of the nominees is deserving of the privilege of attending one of our nation’s prestigious service academies. I wish each of my nominees the best of luck throughout the remainder of the selection process and look forward to their future success.” For more info about Congressman Buchanan or the Service Academy nomination process, visit www.buchanan.house.gov.
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Kratom is a plant that is related to the coffee plant. Coffee releases a chemical called caffeine, however Kratom contains a chemical called mitragynine, an alkaloid that acts on the brain opiate receptors and alters mood. In Asia, people use it in small doses as an energy and mood booster and larger amounts for pain. A recent study by Hopkinsmedicine.org estimates up to 16 million people use Kratom. A recent survey of 2,798 people…of these participants, 91% reported taking kratom to alleviate pain for back, shoulder and knee pain, 67% for anxiety and 65% for depression. About 41% of survey responders said they took kratom to treat opioid withdrawal, and of those people who took it for opioid withdrawal, 35% reported going more than a year without taking prescription opioids or heroin. There are different strains and different methods to consume, as well as quality of product. Kratom is not FDA approved
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A NATURAL 250-ACRE PRESERVE LIES IN THE BACKYARD FOR RIVER HILLS RESIDENTS
By Kathy L. Collins
One of the nicest aspects of living in Florida is the ability to be outside and enjoy all that nature has to ofer most of the year. For residents of the River Hills community located in Valrico, there is a 250-acre preserve known as the Trails of River Hills. The trails are a natural gem and a sight to behold. There are six color-coded trails measuring over four miles in length.
The preserve and a small trail date back to when River Hills was established over 30 years ago. Two years ago, a group of ambitious residents rediscovered the trails and set out to clear them and make them accessible for the adventurous.
Fast-forward to today and now the trails are a pure delight complete with numerous boardwalks, 15 handmade benches, viewing platforms and 10 fitness stations.
The trails are a true escape. As you venture through, you see the Alafia River, both large and small; a 300 to 400-yearold cypress known as MOAC (Mother of All Cypresses); native palms and pine trees; and the occasional inhabitant, including the zebra longwing (the ofcial butterfly of the state of Florida).
On a recent Tuesday, I was treated to a personal tour guided by Trail Lead Paul
Worsfold, whose family has resided in River Hills for 20 years. We hiked the Orange Trail, which, according to Worsfold, is the most popular and is also known as the educational trail. It is complete with wooden signs that contain fun facts about the area, foliage and even water levels. During the rainy season, parts of the trail are impassable due to the water level of the Te Trails of River Hills are special Alafia River. thanks to the countless hours of hard Volunteers gather work put in by volunteers like Trail almost every week-
Lead Paul Worsfold and his dog, end to clean up the Caddo. trails and work on improvements such as boardwalks. In addition, they ofer monthly events such as hunting for fossils, plant identification in March, animal identification in April and a crafts class featuring wood burning in May. If you venture onto the trails, you need not worry about getting lost as there are over 1,000 color-coded trail markers. To keep up on all that is planned for the trails, you can join a Facebook group called Trails of River Hills. There you can find posts about upcoming events as well as volunteer opportunities for which students can earn hours for Bright Futures Scholarships.
FINANCIAL FOCUS USE YOUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY LIKE GPS
When you’re driving these days, it’s pretty hard to get lost because your smartphone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) can get you just about anywhere. And as an investor, you can have a similar experience by employing another directional tool – a personalized fnancial strategy. Let’s look at the parallels between your GPS and this type of strategy. To begin with, your GPS pinpoints your exact location at the start of your trip – in other words, it tells you where you are. And when you create a fnancial strategy, your frst step is to evaluate your current situation by answering these types of questions: What are your assets? How much do you earn? How much do you owe? How much are you contributing to your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement accounts? Once you’ve got a clear picture of your fnances, you’ll be ready to begin your journey toward your long-term goals. Once your GPS has identifed your starting point, it will then show you where you want to go and the routes to help you get there. And it’s the same with your fnancial strategy – you want it to help lead you to a particular place in your life. In fact, a well-designed strategy can show you the steps you need to take to help reach more than one destination – to a place where you can send your children to college, a place where you can retire comfortably, a place where you can leave the type of legacy you want, and so on. Here’s another element of your GPS that applies to your fnancial strategy – the warnings. You’re certainly familiar with those thick red lines your GPS shows to indicate trafc slowdowns ahead. And while they’re annoying, they’re also useful in cautioning you that you may arrive at your destination later than you had originally planned. Your fnancial strategy can also express “warnings” about events that could hinder you from reaching your goals. These obstacles might include an illness or disability that could keep you out of work for a while, or the need for some type of longterm care, such as a nursing home stay or the services of a home health aide. Your fnancial strategy can not only identify these threats, but with the guidance of a fnancial professional, suggest potential solutions. In addition to providing warnings about things such as heavy trafc and road construction, your GPS can change your route if you miss a turn or if you decide, for whatever reason, to go a slightly diferent way. Your fnancial strategy can also show you alternatives, if it’s comprehensive and overseen by a fnancial professional, who, using specialized software, can create hypotheticals – illustrations that provide alternative outcomes for diferent steps, such as retiring at various ages, investing diferent amounts each year or earning diferent rates of return. These hypotheticals can be quite helpful to you as your chart your course toward your goals, especially if you need to change your plans along the way. Your GPS and your fnancial strategy are two great tools for helping get you where you want to go.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones, its employees and fnancial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualifed tax advisor regarding your situation.
Two neighborhood staples, FishHawk Pizza and Uncle Louie G, are ofcially closed. Previously located in the Shoppes at Osprey, the plaza across from the FishHawk Ranch main entrance, both will continue operating in new locations.
Bay Street Commercial Broker Michael Braccia reported there is no vacant space available in the plaza, and he added that the sign advertising 1,500 sq. ft. of space for lease will soon be removed.
Word around the neighborhood is that Marty’s Pizza Rock, which also has a location in Brandon, will take over the space vacated by FishHawk Pizza. Braccia said that he could not divulge any information about new leases as these items need to be finalized between the landlord and the tenant before any announcements can be made.
After finding out that its lease would not be renewed as the landlord was seeking something fresh and new to fill the space, FishHawk Pizza secured a spot at 7013 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. with plans to open during the first week in March.
“We added new bathrooms prior to Christmas and made other improvements to the FishHawk location,” said John Urso, whose wife, Jennifer Zinerco, is the primary owner of FishHawk Pizza. “Now, we are hav-
ing new equipment and new ovens installed at the new location.” He added that the new restaurant The new location is just north of the intersection of Lithia Pinecrest and Bryan Rds. Its hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Uncle Louie G also has closed its doors in the Shoppes at Osprey. Owner Enza Leo said that there was some confusion about Te pylon sign will need amending as business changes at the Shoppes of Osprey. when its lease ended, and they were notified on December 30, 2021 that the lease would be terminated, and the business had until January 31 to vacate. After discussions with the landlord and neighboring restaurant The Scrambled Egg, Uncle Louie G decided it would be in their best interest to leave the plaza. If you are craving Uncle Louie G’s more than 90 flavors of ice cream, fabulous milk shakes and other sweet creations, the Leos encourage their fans to visit Frankie’s Italian Deli Tampa & Uncle Louie G. “We have already seen many of our regular customers from FishHawk at the new location,” commented Enza,. She added that Uncle Louie G will still do the concessions at the FishHawk Aquatic Center and the dessert truck will be out and about in the FishHawk area ofering neighborhood favorites. Visit Frankie’s Italian Deli & Uncle Louie G at 3930 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview. The hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week. View the menu and options for carryout at www.frankieandunclelouieg.com. Co-owner of The Scrambled Egg Joel Granata confirmed that The Scrambled Egg has assumed the lease for the adjacent unit, formerly Uncle Louie G. For more info on the plaza, contact Bay Street Commercial at 813-254-6756, ext. 13.
GOWNS FOR GIRLS HOLDS MARCH BOUTIQUES
By Kate Quesada
Preparing for a middle or high school dance is such a special life event, but it can be stressful for students who don’t have the money to go shopping. A group of residents is changing that by ofering free dresses with Gowns for Girls.
For just over three years, Gowns for Girls has been collecting dresses people no longer need and ofering them to those who do through a unique boutique hosted at a local church.
“Stephanie Brown, a teacher at Mulrennan Middle School, had a student who couldn’t aford a dress to go to the eighth-grade dance, so she took her shopping for one,” said Alicia Tew. “From that experience, we realized that there was probably a need for seniors who couldn’t aford their prom or homecoming dress.”
Tew also realized that many girls who have dresses from their proms and homecoming probably don’t use them anymore.
“We reached out to the community and the started collecting the dresses,” she explained. “It has been an amazing experience.”
The dresses are collected throughout the year and stored in a storage unit until they are needed. Dresses can be dropped of at Tide Dry Cleaners on Bloomingdale
Ave. or a pickup can be scheduled by contacting gownsforgirls.info@ gmail.com. The boutiques will be held on Saturday, March 5 and 12 at the Family Life Center at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located at 3315 S. Bryan Rd. in Brandon, from 10 a.m.-4 Gowns for Girls is holding events for local students p.m. to pick out dresses for dances this month at St. There are no Andrew’s United Methodist Church. qualifications for a girl to come and shop for a dress. “We work mainly on the honor system,” she explained. “If a girl comes looking for a dress, we will not turn them away. We have contacted some of the guidance counselors and social workers at the high schools to help us get the word out.” Tew would like to thank Tide Dry Cleaners on Bloomingdale Ave. Owners Barry and Sharon Wright, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church for making the boutiques possible and the community for the dress donations. “I spent the first year traveling around to collect the dresses from around the area when the thought came to mind to ask Barry and Sharon to be a dropof center,” she explained. “They agreed without hesitation.” For more information, email Tew at gownsforgirls.info@gmail.com.
LEAVEN BREWING BOTTLE CLUB IS A BIG HIT WITH FAMILIES
By Amy Schechter
When KJ and Jillian Lynch started Leaven Brewing they could not have imagined how soon their customers became like family. Jillian said, “We’ve realized quickly that we opened the brewery to make beer, but sometimes the beer takes a back seat because it’s more about the people that come through the tap room.” With a booming mug club, they have a loyal following of regulars eager for great conversations along with a great selection of beer.
However, with the birth of their daughter, Winter, they found they were missing out on something big. As new parents, they realized how hard it is meet up with other new parents. “It only seemed fair that if Mom and Dad had a mug club, Winter has her own club,” Jillian said. Then, with the help of mug club member Renee Noland, who is certified in early childhood education and has been teaching for 10 years, Bottle Club was formed.
Specifically designed for moms and dads and their kids 2 and under, Leaven Brewing’s Bottle Club is a fantastic place for you and your baby to bond with each other and socialize. You can expect 60 minutes of fun filled with music, exploration, reading and, of course, there’s a beer at the end—for the bigs, not the
littles. Noland makes sure to build a curriculum your littles will love though: “I put out sensory toys and items for them to play with to keep them busy in a stimulating fashion. After icebreakers, Winter Lynch invites you to Leaven Brewing’s Bottle Club. we do some sort of physical activity, whether that be just [a] fun song with movement. I’m also teaching the parents some great resources and videos that you can use at home.” If you’re looking for something similar, you have to drive into Tampa, and Jillian knew that just wasn’t an option. “The Riverview community is not going to wake up with their 9-month-old, pack a diaper bag, get themselves ready for the day and trek themselves across the bay and get back in time for nap time,” she said. Now they have the option right in their backyard. At only $25 per class, you won’t want to miss the next meeting scheduled for March. For more information and meeting dates, you can check out Facebook at www.facebook.com/leavenbrewing or Instagram at instagram.com/leavenbrewing. You can also call 677-7023 or visit it online at www.leavenbrewing. com. Leaven Brewing Co. is located at 11238 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.
FISHHAWK CREEK ELEMENTARY STUDENT PUBLISHES HIS SHORT NOVEL MONSTER APOCALYPSE
By Lily Belcher
Over the summer, Fishhawk Creek Elementary fifth-grader Kerem Topsakal only wanted to play video games, but his parents had other plans for his summer vacation: they wanted him and his brother to practice telling stories to build their imagination and creativity. After a summer of storytelling and lots of editing, young author Topsakal finalized his novel, Monster Apocalypse.
“[My father, Oguzhan,] invented this activity to see if we could tell stories spontaneously, and he thought it would boost our imagination. I do not want to admit [it,] but I enjoyed some parts of it,” said Topsakal in the “About the Author” section.
Topsakal expands on the origins of the activity within the section, noting that this was not his father’s first time trying to get his son to “utilize [his] time wisely.” Oguzhan has encouraged his son to take a break from his video games and attempted to pique Topsakal’s interest in other activities, such as novel writing.
Oguzhan encouraged him to continue inventing his story and recorded it on his iPhone 10 minutes at a time as he add-
ed to the story throughout the summer. Oguzhan used a transcription software to convert the audio recording of Topsakal’s story to text. “Even though he did that, he required me to edit it. Editing a story is one of the toughest jobs you can imagine,” wrote Topsakal. After all the hard work TopKerem Topsakal publishes his short novel “Monster sakal had put Apocalypse” into writing and revising Monster Apocalypse, his parents decided to publish it. Oguzhan hired an illustrator to create pictures to complement Topsakal’s story about the main character, Liam, and his battle against the king of the monsters. Topsakal said the plot was inspired by similar books he has read, such as Wings of Fire, Warriors and The Last Kids on Earth, and that Liam is his favorite because of his bravery and courage. “I don’t know if I am going to pursue a writing career, I am just a kid,” said Topsakal. “If people read this book and appreciate it, I can write another one.” Topsakal’s book, Monster Apocalypse, is available on Amazon and Kindle at www. amazon.com/dp/B09T2XGYBR.
