Osprey Observer Brandon/Winthrop November 2022

FLORIDA SPECIAL OLYMPICS RECOGNIZES

MARY FRANCES SMITH FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Frances Smith, a Brandon resident, has been an active and de voted member of the Florida Special Olympics since she was 9 years old. Now, 24 years lat er, she continues to serve the orga nization and won the Florida Special Olympics Athlete of the Year award for her ef forts.

“The way she goes about the competition and the playing and the interacting with other athletes [has impressed me most]. She encour ages everyone to do their best, which is es sentially what Special Olympics stands for,” said mother Audrey Smith.

Smith, who has Down syndrome, joined the Special Olympics and began participating in track and field. Smith has also played tennis, bowling and swimming with the Special Olympics and played soccer with the TOPS Soccer League. Smith has been an active member of Tennis for Fun and has been involved with the organization since 2003.

Now, Smith is a part of the University of Tampa’s Unified Flag Football team. She is also trained and certified in the Athletic Leadership Program and is a health messenger.

“Mary Frances is a motivator and an excellent example to other [intellectually disabled] individuals about the possibil

By Lily Belcher

ities one can ac complish. Special Olympics has giv en Mary Frances the opportunities to excel and the confidence to ac complish so much. She is an inspira tion to everyone she meets,” said Judith Moore on her nomination form for the Athlete of the Year award.

Outside of her involve ment with the Special Olympics, Smith is ac tive in her community, serving in TRIDENT and the Nativity Catholic Church PB&J Ministry. One of Smith’s defining qualities is her leader ship skills, encouraging TRIDENT classmates to join the PB&J Minis try and supporting her teammates on the Spe cial Olympics team.

Smith is learning American Sign Lan guage to communicate with her nonver bal teammates so they feel included and supported in their own accomplishments through the Special Olympics. She has worked to include all her teammates and coworkers and support them in their ac complishments as well.

“You have given me a place where I feel included and respected and I can’t tell you how important that is to me and all my fellow athletes,” said Smith at the Orlando award gala on October 22.

For more information on the Florida Special Olympics, visit its website at www.specialolympicsflorida.org.

Kings Av enue Baptist Church of Bran don invites the community to experience the true meaning of Christmas at its 36th an nual Walk Thru Bethlehem (WTB) event. The city of Bethlehem will once again be brought to life at this nostalgic, free community event that has brought Christmas joy to count less families since it first began in 1986.

This interactive, fam ily-friendly holiday ex perience transports guests to the ancient city of Bethlehem as it existed during the time of Jesus’ birth. Guests will feel immersed in the WTB experience, such as the town’s realistic backdrop, the authentically dressed townspeople, Roman guards, potters, shepherds and live animals. Throughout the 30-minute guided tour, visitors will see the sights, sounds and smells of Bethlehem. The tour concludes with a visit to the manger with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

WTB Chairman Tracy Hoyt is thankful for the over 350 volunteers from multi ple churches and organizations that help make this event a success. “American Heritage Girls are a huge help in both set ting up, acting and cleaning up after the event,” said Hoyt. “We have volunteers from all over Florida and other states that come just to help share the story.”

Destin Van Den Bogaert is a Durant High School student and WTB youth vol unteer that is looking forward to volun teering again this year. “I help because it’s the right thing to do to show every one the amazing God that we believe in,” said Van Den Bogaert.

By Kelly Wise Valdes

four

of the event. “The reason why I do Walk Thru Bethlehem is the fel lowship and team work to put on such a true extraordinary story about the very first Christmas,” said Mathis. “We also want to keep the tradition going in so many families, and this is the only way a lot of people get to hear about Jesus.”

This free event drew more than 3,000 visitors last year, which marked the first year for the reservation system to streamline the tours. Reservations can be made by visiting www.walkthrubethle hem.com. Walk-up spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but regis tration can guarantee a tour.

Walk Thru Bethlehem takes place on Thursday, December 8 from 6:30-10 p.m.; Friday, December 9 from 6:30-10 p.m.; Saturday, December 10 from 3-10 p.m.; and Sunday, December 11 from 3-10 p.m. For more information, call 813-6849453. Kings Avenue Baptist Church is lo cated at 2602 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS

George Mathis one of the WTB volunteers that helps build the city scenes and acts as a tour guide on all

days

Mary

Mary Frances Smith has played tennis for 20 years now.

Mary Frances Smith was named Florida Special Olympics Athlete of the Year because of her dedi cation to the program and her teammates.

Te community is invited to register to attend Kings Avenue Baptist Church’s 36th annual Walk Tru Bethlehem event.

BLOOMINGDALE ART STUDENTS PAINT COMPANY WINDOWS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Blooming dale High School Art Club painted festive holiday designs on the windows of the Farmers Insurance Valentino Agency on November 5 as a service project for the students.

Art teacher Pa mela Reeves and seven of her stu dents visited the company on Fish hawk Boulevard in Lithia and painted fall designs on the windows. Art club students painted pumpkins with the names of the Farmers Insur ance agents, sur rounded by detailed leaves, flowers and a cornucopia on the door.

“Our FishHawk ofce understands how important it is to support local business es and encourage education so we can be successful together as a community,” said Colleen LaRosa.

LaRosa, Valentino Agency employee and mother of an art club student, approached Reeves with the idea of having Blooming dale High School students paint the win dows in October. The Valentino Agency purchased the art supplies and donated to the club before getting their windows painted by the students.

“It meant so much to me personally that the Valentino Agency could partner with the Bloomingdale High School Art Club to

By Lily Belcher

show support to our local school by showcasing these talented students’ artwork with hopes that as a re sult it helps draw new potential cus tomers’ eyes to our colorful windows and draws them into our ofce to hear about our products that we have to ofer,” said LaRosa.

The Blooming dale Art Club has been a part of the school since it was found ed, but this is Reeves’ first year as the teacher.

Reeves was a student and vice president of the art club in 1990 when they had a local window painting contest. Now, she is trying to re vive the program and is hoping to start a Bloomingdale window-painting contest af ter the new year.

“Bloomingdale Art Club has been around since the start of school. I recently moved to Bloomingdale to become the art teacher, so we are trying new things,” said Reeves.

The Bloomingdale Art Club is willing to paint additional windows for companies that are looking to bring some holiday cheer to their business.

For more information on the Blooming dale High School Art Club or to have com pany windows painted, email Reeves at pa mela.reeves@hcps.net.

CIGARS ON THE BOULEVARD TO HOST PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS FOR FUNDRAISING EVENT

Cigars on the Boulevard will host an autograph and photo session with famous wres tlers at the Apollo Beach store to raise money for the Cauliflow er Alley Club on Monday, Decem ber 5 at 6 p.m. Fans can pay $20 to receive auto graphs and photos from all the wres tlers and all prof its will be donated to the charity.

Fidel ‘The Cu ban Assassin’ Si erra, Haku, B. Bri an Blair, Hector Guerrero, Steve Keirn and Kahagas will attend the event, taking pictures with fans who pay the $20 fee. Some of the wrestlers will bring their championship belts for guests to pose with as well.

“It’s an association that wrestlers, boxers and stuntmen from Hollywood movies put together years ago,” said wrestling promoter Hal Je f ery.

The Cauliflower Alley Club aims to support wrestlers, boxers and stuntmen who do not have the financial resources to receive medical treatment or pay o f medical bills from their time in the pro fession.

“The money we raise goes through a private group of our leaders in the club that sipher money o f to them to pay

By Lily Belcher

their bills and get the medical help they need,” said Je f ery.

The $20 fee will allow guests to take a picture with all the wres tlers and receive an 8 x 10-inch photo of each wrestler for auto graph.

“We give away thousands a year to help support these retired ath letes. It’s a good organization, and most people don’t know about it be cause they are not behind the scenes with wrestling or boxing, … but it’s there, and it’s there to help others,” said Jef fery.

The autograph-signing event is being presented in association with Frontier Cigars, which are available at all Flori da Tobacco Depot and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits locations.

Cigars on the Boulevard is a clean, up scale cigar restaurant that invites guests to drink and socialize at its Apollo Beach lounge. It has over 130 types of cigars, including traditional and local cigars.

Cigars on the Boulevard is located at 1438 Apollo Beach Blvd. near Lands End Marina and is open from 3-11 p.m. every day. For more information, visit www. caulifloweralleyclub.org.

Seven Bloomingdale High School students painted fall designs on the windows of the Farmers Insur ance Valentino Agency.

Hector Guerrero

B Brian Blair

Haku Steve Keirn

DROP OFF LETTERS TO SANTA AT HIS SPECIAL OUTPOST LOCATED AT THE REGENT

The Regent, located at 6437 Watson Rd. in Riverview, is once again keeping alive the much be loved tradition of writing letters to Santa. The mail box at the special North Pole dropof location will be available the week of Thanksgiving.

Beginning on Sunday, November 27, a life-size Santa will be stationed at the door closest to the mailbox so children can see him watching as they drop their letters into the special mailbox. This is also a great pho to opportunity. There will be other spots around the building that will be good for photo opportunities.

Beginning the week of Tanks giving, children can mail letters to Santa at the very special North Pole outpost at Te Regent, conveniently located in Riverview. Letters received by Tursday, December 15 will get a special response crafted by Santa’s helpers.

Children whose letters are received by Thursday, December 15 will receive a specially drafted personal response from one of Santa’s helpers before Christmas. In addition, they will receive a special gift courtesy of Chick-fil-A. Teachers who want to use this as an opportunity for a class project, and who are not providing addresses, must have the letters delivered at least one week before school lets out for the winter holidays in order to get the responses.

By Kathy L. Collins

According to Shannon Keil, chief executive of cer for The Regent, “This event started in 2020 as a safe, kid-friendly activ ity during COVID, and it has continued to grow.”

Keil added, “We love see ing the kids drop of their letters and the excite ment they have on their fac es.”

The Re gent is the primary sponsor of the event.

Tammy Holmberg, own er/operator of Chick-fil-A at Lake Brandon Village, is also a sponsor. Keil said, “Tammy is always ready to help out the community. We love having Chick-fil-A partner with us.”

The Regent was once again named the number one wedding venue in Tampa Bay. Keil said, “We love our community, and we are very happy to be the place where peo ple celebrate the great moments in their life.”

The Regent is home to many commu nity-centric events including weddings, fundraisers, galas, retreats and sweet 16 celebrations. The Regent is a place for di verse interests to come together and build connections and a sense of civic pride.

For more information, please visit www. experiencetheregent.com.

A NEW AND IMPROVED RIVER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

In 1988, the first home was built in River Hills. The Riv er Hills Coun try Club was conceived as a daily-fee golf fa cility with ame nities that far surpassed any in what was a fair ly remote area of Hillsborough County at that time.

Te team at River Hills Country Club prides itself on making the club on of the best in the Brandon community.

River Hills Country Club opened the Joe Lee-designed course and clubhouse in 1989. The developer realized that Tampa was a burgeoning market and built a community that ofered a great golf course, superb dining, clay tennis courts, Junior Olympic-sized pool and tre mendous value just as it does to this day.

“We have a strong bond with our mem bers,” said River Hills HOA President Paul Brooks. “Our members are ambassadors for River Hills. They invite friends who are not member to come and check out our amazing facility. We ofer membership to people who live in River Hills as well as to people who live outside of River Hills. We also ofer membership options to fit most budgets.”

When the development was sold out, the developer sold the club to a growing golf course operator in 2000. That ownership resulted in multiple sales of the property over the past two decades until the River Hills Community Association (HOA) pur chased the club to enhance home-values

By Libby Hopkins

community and to create an ameni ty worthy of the lush and beautiful development. Mis sions of $2 million of improvements were initiated through 2020 to the property to renovate, refresh and rejuvenate a private country club within one of the most respect ed communities that prides itself on exquisite landscaping, nature and protecting the environ ment. “Our focus is still the same as it was when we started, and that is to make River Hills Country Club the best country club around,” Brooks said. “We continue to make improvements to River Hills, and it’s almost as if River Hills is new and improved.”

Brian McManis recently became the general manager of River Hills Country Club. “I’m excited to be a part of the team,” McManis said. “From the first day I started with the team, I jumped right in on making improvements to River Hills. We are very family friendly, and we pride ourselves on all of our programming, in cluding our junior programming for golf, tennis and swimming.”

If you would like to learn more about River Hills Country Club, you can visit its website at www.riverhillscountryclub. com or call 813-653-1554. River Hills Country Club is located at 3943 New Riv er Hills Pkwy. in Valrico.

GREATER RIVERVIEW AND GREATER BRANDON CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE HOST ‘FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION’ LUNCHEON Staf Report

On October 18, the Greater River view Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce together presented to their members and guests a meeting regard ing traffic and transportation at the ‘Future of Transportation’ Luncheon. Addressing them were representa tives of Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, South Shore Ferry, Hillsborough Transit Authori ty (HART), Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) and the meeting sponsor, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA).

The chambers presented this meet ing to encourage and educate the at tendees regarding this difficult issue facing Hillsborough County to help them make informed decisions as they take to the polls in the coming elec tion.

The meeting opened with GRCC President and CEO Tanya Doran, fol lowed by an invocation delivered by Liz Brewer, CEO of Angel Foundation FL. Joe Eletto of CENTURY 21 Beggins, and founder and chair of the GRCC Military Affairs Committee, led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Doran recognized the elected officials attending the meeting, including State Representative Andrew Learned and Hillsborough County Commissioners Gwen Myers and Kimberly Overman.

Next, Myers ex pounded upon the county’s need for additional funds to support all things relating to transpor tation and the effect upon the community and encouraged vot ing for the 1 percent transportation referendum to raise the sales tax in Hillsborough from 7.5 to 8.5 percent.

Ed Turanchik, project leader for South Swell and HMS Ferries, then presented the Tampa Bay Passenger Ferry Project, showcasing its intercity service and highlighting the current Cross-Bay Service from St. Petersburg and Tampa, with a future service to include a South County Ferry Terminal that will connect to MacDill Air Force Base and the intercity ferry service.

Matt Lettelleir, president and CEO of the Brandon Chamber, introduced the agency panel consisting of three industry professionals: Adelee Le Grand, CEO of HART; Greg Slater, CEO of THEA; and Chris Jadick, director of communications at TBARTA.

Lettellier also opened the panel to questions from the audience, followed by an introduction of Steve Manning of Master Garage Door Co. and Leader ship Brandon chair. Manning presented and explained Leadership Brandon to the attendees.

At the end, Lettellier thanked those in attendance, THEA and all the meet ing partners: 3 C’s Catering, An ABC Events, Fancy That Specialty Linens, Gerardo Luna Photography, Hillsbor ough Community College, IDVES Audio Visual Solutions and The Regent.

THEA Director of Public Affairs Sue Chrzan came to the podium and thanked the attendees for their attendance and support of the meet ing.

Photo courtesy of Gerardo Luna Photographs.

Attendees and presenters at the ‘Future of Transportation’ Luncheon held on October 18.

MAY THE FORCE INSPIRE YOU TO GIVE BACK DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Jessica and Bry

ant Bell are originally from New Jersey but moved to Lithia five years ago. The couple grew up loving the Star Wars movie fran chise. “We both grew up on the Star Wars franchise and are then we raised our boys to love and appreciate it the way we do,” Jessi ca said. “I also have a minor obsession with Christmas decor, trees in particular. I have 12 fully decorated trees in my house at Christ mas time, so this was a natural progres sion.”

In 2019, the couple discovered that their new neighbors had the same Star Warsthemed Christmas decorations, which led to a conversation about coordinating their displays. “We came home one night and saw our neighbors’ had an AT-AT Walker in flatable, with his legs tied up on the ground, and we looked at each other and said, ‘I think we found our people,’” Jessica said. “Fast-forward to 2020, socializing with said neighbors, all of our normal Thanksgiv ing travel plans were canceled and we were looking for a creative outlet. My husband, Bryant, said that he would one day love to have one of those Christmas light displays set to music and our neighbors, Dan Cheney and Kelly Cheney, immediately said, ‘We’re in!’”

As more neighbors noticed the Star Wars Christmas decorations of their fellow neighbors, they wanted to join in with all Force fun. “Our first year, we only had three houses, but we were featured on multiple

By Libby Hopkins

light display websites, including The Holiday Atlas,” Jessica said.

“We spent our nights and weekends updat ing and improving the show throughout that entire season. By the end of the 2020 hol iday season, we had verbal commitments from about 75 percent of our cul-de-sac to participate the follow ing year.”

With the recent damage Hurricane Ian caused to many areas of Florida, the cou ple decided they wanted to do some good during the holidays for those who were afected by the hurricane. “This year, we are supporting the Florida Disaster Fund, which is run by Volunteer Florida,” Jessi ca said. “We have a GoFundMe set up to benefit them directly. There is no fee to see the display; however, we are strongly en couraging donations towards our charity this year if people enjoyed the show. We are very aware of how lucky we were this year after Hurricane Ian while many of us have friends and family who were not so lucky, so, in the spirit of the season, we really hope to raise a lot of money for this worthy cause.” They hope to raise $5,000 for Volunteer Florida.

The Bells’ Merry Sithmus show starts on Thanksgiving night at 6 p.m. and runs night ly at 6 p.m. until New Year’s Day. If you’d like to learn more about the Bells’ Merry Sithmus, you can visit their Facebook page @merrysithmasfromquintessalane. If you would like to donate to their GoFundMe page, visit www.gofund.me/7cce31ca.

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA GOES DIGITAL WITH QR CODE CONCERT PROGRAM

With the start of its 55th sea son, The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is making a bold and exciting change that will improve access to a wealth of concert infor mation while reducing our impact on the environment. Now all concert information will be provided via digital program pages.

This change allows TFO to provide far more than it could print in a program book: videos, repertoire and sample mu sic; full program notes; full bios of guest artists, musicians and conductors; venue information and maps; resources about the orchestra; and much more.

Everything can be easily updated, so guests will always have the latest infor mation.

And it’s all in the palm of your hand on your smartphone, tablet or other device. The website is mobile responsive, which means it automatically adjusts content to look great and be readable at any point size on any device. In the concert hall lobby, simply scan the QR code with your phone camera and it will take you directly to the program page for that evening’s concert.

No need to wait until the concert, as digital program pages can be accessed at https://floridaorchestra.org/ from anywhere anytime at least a week before the performance. Take your time to read the excellent program notes for Mas terworks concerts and get to know the

guest art ists and music be fore you go. You’ll also find more resources on the web site to en hance your experience, including bios of TFO musicians, the TFO Blog, fre quently asked questions, more about the mission and history and education and community programs.

One of the many benefits of this change is less waste. Program books are useful for a few hours in the concert hall, yet they produce tons of trash. As an arts leader in our community, TFO is committed to doing more to increase en vironmental sustainability. The scarcity and high cost of paper also are factors that cannot be ignored.

If you prefer to have printed informa tion, you still have that choice. Before the concert, click on the printable pro gram notes with repertoire and print at home. The program will also be available at TFO’s information table in the lobby to view it or take a photo of it with your phone.

A lot of tradition surrounds playbills and program books, but TFO believes this change will give you better access to more information and make your con cert experience even more meaningful.

If you have questions or want to learn more about the digital program pages, please email TFO directly at admin@ floridaorchestra.org.

TFO is excited to announce the new all digital program pages

Lithia couple Jessica and Bryant Bell host a yearly Star Wars-themed Christmas light show, Merry Sithmus. Tis year, their light show hopes to help raise money for victims of Hurricane Ian.

GIVE KIDS THE WORLD’S NIGHT OF A MILLION LIGHTS RETURNS FOR YEAR THREE AT ISLAND H2O

Named by USA Today the “Number One Thing To Do in December in Orlando” when it debuted in 2020, Night of a Million Lights is back for its third year in a spectacular new venue, Is land H2O Water Park, now through January 1, 2023.

The park will be trans formed into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and nightly performances by Du eling Pianos Jingle and Jangle and the strolling a cappella group Santa’s Dancing Reindeer, with DJ Jack Frost Ice Block Party leading an interactive holiday hits dance party. The Emmy Award-winning RWS Entertainment Group will once again partner with Give Kids The World Village (GKTW Village) and Island H2O to produce the event.

Guests can view the lights, watch an allnew dancing lights show on a 5-story wa terslide, visit an interactive children’s holi day activities space, interact with strolling performers, explore themed lightscapes and create priceless holiday memories during visits with Santa.

Proceeds from Night of a Million Lights will benefit GKTW Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical, weeklong, no-cost wish vacations. Discounts are avail

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able for groups of 25 or more and Island H2O season pass holders. VIP ex periences, spon sorships and volunteer and vendor oppor tunities are also available.

“It has been a privilege to welcome in the public for a glimpse into our storybook Village during the holidays the past two years. Howev er, in order to preserve the life-changing experience we provide to wish families as increased numbers of guests are able to visit, we have made the decision to move Night of a Mil lion Lights of-site — and truly appreciate Island H2O Water Park’s generosity, hospi tality and support,” said GKTW President and CEO Pamela Landwirth.

“It’s an honor to help Give Kids The World deliver happiness and hope to critically ill children and their families by hosting Central Florida’s most popular new holiday tradition at Island H2O Water Park,” said Island H2O general manager Jim Kunau. “We invite the entire community to join us at Night of a Million Lights at Island H2O for 52 nights of family fun, live performances, delicious food and holiday cheer while helping to make wishes come true for families in our commu nity and around the world.”

Island H2O Water Park is located at 3230 Inspiration Dr. in Kissimmee. For more in formation and tickets, visit www.gktw.org/ lights.

2022-23 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HIKING SPREE HAS BEGUN

The 2022-23 Hill sborough County Hiking Spree is here. The Hiking Spree be gins on Tuesday, No vember 1 and runs through March 31, 2023.

The annual Hiking Spree began in 2016 as a way to encour age people to exer cise, explore the out doors and experience nature by visiting the many beautiful parks and preserves located in Hillsborough Coun ty. The Hiking Spree has grown in popular ity each year and now draws thousands of participants.

This year’s Hiking Spree trail list fea tures 26 trails. If you hike at least eight of the 26 trails between now and the end of March 2023, you can earn a patch, a medallion for a walking stick or a pet bandana. One of the hikes can be at a lo cation of your choice that is not on the list.

Residents are encouraged to bring their leashed dogs on the hikes.

The trails are designed to ofer some thing for everyone, from hiking rookies to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, with hikes rated easy, moderate or strenuous. Hikes range in length from 5 miles to less than a mile. The environmentally diverse sites are spread throughout the county and range from neighborhood parks like Do ver District Neighborhood Park to large preserves with multiple habitats like Ed

By Kathy L. Collins

ward Medard Conser vation Park. This year’s list has three state parks, including for the

According to Brad Lympany, recreation program supervisor with Hillsborough County Parks & Rec reation, “The Hiking Spree is timed to take advantage of the cool er, drier weather and to coincide with prime bird-watching season. Participants are en couraged to post pho tos from their hikes using the hashtag #TakeAHikeHC.”

There are 24 parks on this year’s list. The list includes several local destina tions, such as Edward Medard Conser vation Park, Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, Balm Boyette Nature Preserve, FishHawk Creek Nature Preserve, Do ver District Neighborhood Park, Ruskin Park & Recreation Center and Stephen J. Wortham Park.

The list of trails is higher because two of the parks each have two eligible trails.

Having completed the Hiking Spree for the last few years, I can tell you that it is a delightful way to see and experience all the beautiful nature that Hillsborough County has to ofer.

You can find information on the Hiking Spree and register to participate by visit ing www.hcflgov.net/hikingspree.

first time Egmont Key State Park, which is only accessible by boat.

Sea

COUNTY LAUNCHES DUFFELS OF DIGNITY TO HELP AT-RISK YOUTH

Hillsborough Coun

ty Children’s Services launched its Dufels of Dignity program on Octo ber 10. The program will collect donations of new or gently used dufel bags, suitcases and personal care items for children in foster care or who are es caping domestic violence and homelessness.

Hillsborough County Children’s Services as sists many local children who are in traumatic sit uations, facing homelessness or in need of emergency shelter. Often, these children do not have proper luggage to store their be longings and instead use garbage bags to carry their few personal items. Foster care youth in Hillsborough County face similar needs. To help these children and ofer them a bit of courage and dignity, Children’s Ser vices has launched its Dufels of Dignity pro gram and is now accepting donations.

Donations accepted include:

• New or gently used dufel bags (24-28 inches), suitcases (wheelie bags, suitcases with handles) and backpacks are all accept ed.

• Personal care items.

• Toothbrushes and toothpaste.

• Combs and brushes.

• Shampoo and conditioner.

• Deodorant.

All personal care items should be new and in their original packaging.

Dufels of Dignity also has an Amazon Wish List, which is linked at www.hillsbor oughcounty.org/en/residents/social-ser vices/children/dufels-of-dignity. Items or

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dered from the wish list will be mailed directly to the Chil dren’s Services cam pus.

“The idea was to create a program that Hillsborough County Children’s Services would do a year-round collection of new and gently used luggage, dufel bags and personal care items and pro vide them to at-risk youth and children in foster care. These kids have gone through so much, and the trauma they have experienced is severe. It’s important that they get something of their very own and know they are loved. Arriving at a new home with their own dufel bag or suitcase helps provide them with a little sense of dignity during one of the most dif ficult times in their young lives”, said Craig Jewesak, administrative services coordina tor with Hillsborough County Children’s Ser vices. Each bag will have a special label with their name on it as well.

Donations can be dropped of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Hillsbor ough County Children’s Services Adminis trative Ofce, located at 3191 Clay Mangum Ln. in Tampa. There will be signs directing people to the ‘Dufels of Dignity Drop-of Location.’

Children’s Services has also partnered with local nonprofits Mary & Martha House and The Spring of Tampa Bay, which help women and their children escape domestic violence. For more information, visit www. hcflgov.net/dufelsofdignity.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & SANTA’S VILLAGE RETURNS TO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ON S.R. 60

The Tampa Bay Fes tival of Lights will open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, and will run till Jan uary 1, 2023. Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights will transport guests into a beautiful winter wonderland with cus tom light displays and its enchanting Santa’s Village. The festival sur rounds guests in over 1 million twinkly lights as they drive 2 miles through a number of various themed light displays.

With fun for the whole family, the elaborate light displays feature ev erything from clever racoons toasting marshmallows to a giant gingerbread house with candy and cakes, and from a dynamic western display to a Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, the displays are sure to bring magic to everyone’s night. Santa’s Village is filled to the brim with activi ties and treats for those young at heart. Santa’s Interactive Barnyard features camel rides, crafting sections, hot choc olate, apple-cider donuts and even visits with Santa himself.

A few new additions to Santa’s Village have been made this year. Families can take the plunge on the Arctic Plunge In flatable Snow Tube, take a spin on the Reindeer Carousel, and take a ride on the special Holiday Train. Those more inclined to explore can take a self-guid ed walking tour of the enchanting

By Meghan Reyes

Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village. The village consists of the fairgrounds’ permanent display of antique farm ing equipment and rep licas of buildings from the past, all decked out in traditional decor. An other new addition to the festival is the Holi day Market, where fam ilies can find the perfect gifts for those they love. The market will take place on Friday and Sat urday evenings.

Along with Santa’s Village and the Christmas light spectacular, a few ad ditional events will take place during this year’s festival. Holiday movies and video shorts will be shown on the big screen, while picnic tables and fire pits have been added to allow for even more seating. Live music featuring Dennis Lee and Tampa artist Katie Lombardo will be available on select dates. Lee will be per forming on Friday and Saturday, Novem ber 25 and 26 and December 16 and 17. Lombardo will be performing on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10.

Further information regarding perfor mances by local organizations and spe cialty evenings will be announced this month.

Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now and cost $25 per car or $80 per bus. For more information about the festival, please visit www.hillsborough countyfair.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE

of Hillsborough County, As your Hillsborough County Tax Collector, it is my goal to deliver first-class service and professionalism as our team serves you, your families, and your businesses. Innovation, convenience, and accessibility to our services are some of my top priorities. We strive to make it as easy as possible to do business with the Tax Collector’s Ofice while ensuring fiscal accountability. Our team has made great strides in providing many options for you to conduct business with our ofice, including online or by mail.

It is my distinct honor and pleasure to serve as your Hillsborough County Tax Collector. I am dedicated to creating an exceptional customer experience and continually improving to better serve you.

Taxpayers

The 2022 Hillsborough County tax roll has been delivered to the Tax Collector by the Property Appraiser. Collection of the Ad Valorem Taxes and Non-Ad Valorem Assessments begins on November 1, 2022

Nancy C. Millan

Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County. Some of the bags and suitcases collected since the launch on October 10.

COME SHOP THE HOLIDAY MARKETS AND SEE THE TWINKLING LIGHTS

Jingle Bell Bazaar In Ybor City

Come and enjoy a free, fun, festive holiday event in Tampa’s historic Ybor City at the annual Jingle Bell Bazaar. The Jingle Bell Bazaar is Ybor City’s larg est family holiday festival with live music bands, en tertainment performances, food trucks, face painting, balloon artists as well as holiday-themed shopping. Santa arrives at 1 p.m. and children get free photographs with him. The event takes place on Sunday, December 11 from 12-6 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at 1800 E. 8th Ave. in Tampa. Additional information can be found at its website, www.jinglebellbazaar. com.

S’mores & Stores Event In River crest Community

Rivercrest Community in Riverview is hosting its annual S’mores & Stores event on Sunday, December 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Come and shop from a wide variety of local vendors, enjoy fresh food from food trucks and enjoy your free s’more. A special surprise guest will also be making an appearance; can you guess who? The event is being held at 11560 Ramble Creek Dr. in Riverview. Pro ceeds from the event go to West Florida Fos ter Care Services.

FishHawk Ranch Holiday Shopping Bazaar

With over 40 vendors with an array of wonderful and unique products you are sure to find something for everyone at the FishHawk Ranch Holiday Shopping Bazaar. Food trucks will also be outside in the parking lot so come hungry. This fun shopping experience is being held in the Palmetto Club Grand Ballroom, located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in Lithia, on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be accepting donations, so please consider donating blood to those in need.

Tampa’s Holiday Market

Includes Free Child Care Shop with local small busi nesses, artisans and crafters at the Tampa Holiday Market on Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is being held at Water Works Park, lo cated at 1701 N Highland Ave. in Tampa. Par ents can shop without worry of their children seeing the gifts by using the complimentary child-care tent. There will also be food trucks and holiday entertainment while you shop,

children can visit Santa and they can have cookies and milk with Mrs. Claus.

German-style Christmas At Old Castle Restaurant

Sun City Center’s popu lar German restaurant, Old Castle, is holding a Christ mas market in the Home Depot/Lowes parking lot outside the restaurant, located at 3830 Sun City Center Blvd. in Ruskin. Along with numerous vendors of a wide variety of Christmas items and gifts for all, there will also be awesome German food, wine, beer and music. The fun starts at 12 Noon on Sunday, December 4 and will run until 8 p.m.

C.A.R.E. Gift And Wine Fair

The Critter Adoption and Rescue Efort (C.A.R.E.) Gift and Wine Fair is back again this year on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Southshore Falls, located at 5831 Cascade Falls Ln. in Apollo Beach. Along with a wide selection of vendors that will help you to meet your holiday shopping needs, there will also be fabulous items avail able in the silent auctions and rafe baskets. Plus, there will be free wine tasting. Tickets are $10, with proceeds going to C.A.R.E., which includes a free rafe ticket. For more information, visit its website at www.careshelter.org.

Summerfeld Community Center Holiday Market

The Summerfield community will be hosting a holiday market on Saturday, December 3 at its community center, located at 13011 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview. The market will have a wide range of items, including, jewelry, candles, soaps, signs, wreaths, decorated tumblers, embroi dered items and more.

Timely Treasures Arts & Crafts Fair

inside and outside with one-of-a-kind, handcrafted trea sures, including jew elry, stained glass, holiday themed, artworks, doll cloth ing, cards, wood crafts, towels, ceramics and much more. The Ladies Friendship Circle will also be selling its amazing baked goods.

Tampa Bay Festival Of Lights

The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds is presenting its upgraded holiday light spec tacular at Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village, opening on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 24 and running through January 1, 2023. This year’s event features a nearly 2-mile drive-through of contin uous light features, fol lowed by a festive walk ing visit to Santa’s Village. Enjoy a visit with Santa’s favorite animals, camel rides, face painting, hol iday movies and holiday treats. The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds is located at 215 Sydney Washer Rd. in Dover.

Christmas In Te Park Light Show

The Christmas in the Park drive-through light show and outdoor market will take place from Friday, December 9 through Saturday, December 31, 5-9 p.m. The fun for all the family event is located at Masonic RV Park & Youth Camp, located at 18050 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Wimauma. Hot choc olate and other festive food and drinks will be available.

Christmas Lane Returns To Plant City

Christmas Lane is returning to Plant City. Over 2,000 volunteer hours have prepared this winter wonderland full of the magic of Christmas at every turn. With more than 1.5 million lights adorn ing over 200 Christmas trees ranging from 4-40 feet tall, the displays are sure to delight. Make sure that you visit and write your let ters to Santa, as well as decorate ornaments and have your face painted. There is also live entertainment on select nights. Christmas Lane is open Thursday through Sunday, 6-10 p.m. from November 25 through December 24 at the Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds in Plant City. Additional information can be

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

found on its website at https:// christmaslane.com/.

Barrington Oaks Lights Display

Each year, Barrington Oaks opens up in the spirit of the holiday to share its light display. The gates will be open from Sunday, December 11 through Monday, December 26, 6-11 p.m. As during this time Barrington Oaks will have many guests in the neighborhood enjoying the season, it asks that you make a right-hand turn as you enter the neighborhood.

‘Enchant’ At Tropicana Field

Let Enchant light up your holiday season. Bring your friends and family for a magical evening with over 4 million sparkling lights, its sto ry-themed walk-through light maze, ice skating and so much more. General admission includes access to the complete event, in cluding the maze, Santa, Village shops and games. Ice skating though is an additional price. ‘Enchant’ will be at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and runs from Friday, November 25 through January 1, 2023. For additional information and to purchase tickets, vis it its website at www.enchantchristmas.com.

Paloma Glade Christmas Lights And Music Show

This year, the Paloma Glade neighbor hood has almost 50 homes joining in with its Christmas light and music show. The thing that really makes Paloma Glade’s display spe cial is how you can tune in with your car ra dio and have the display synchronized to the music. Teenagers in the neighborhood are also collecting nonperishable food items for local char ity Seeds of Hope, such as boxed po tatoes, canned veg gies, desserts, bread mixes, pasta, mac ’n cheese and soups, so please bring an item to add to the collection for the event’s ham giveaway. Cash donations will also be accepted.

The display starts on Thanksgiving, Thurs day, November 24 and runs from 7-10 p.m., and then the regular times are Sunday through Thursday, 6-10 p.m., as well as Fri day and Saturday, 6-11 p.m. The last day of the light show is Saturday, December 31.

The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center will be hosting its Timely Treasures Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 26 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the church’s Life Enrich ment Center. There will be over 70 vendors

EXPERIENCE FESTIVE HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THIS SEASON

Busch Gardens Christmas Town

The holidays come to life at Busch Gardens Christmas Town, the park’s award-winning holiday event. Celebrate the year with holiday cheer and create merry memories for the whole family during this seasonal event which is in cluded with park admission. Guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist, from millions of sparkling lights throughout the park to holiday shows and visits with Santa and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Bus ch Gardens Christmas Town runs daily now through January 2, 2023. Visit its website, www.buschgardens.com, for more informa tion.

Church Street Christmas

Come cele brate the spirit of Christmas and enjoy the sights and sounds of this magical season. All are in vited to experience this free annual holiday event along Dade City’s historic Church Ave nue, where carolers, choirs, dancers and mu sicians perform along luminary lit sidewalks and brilliantly decorated homes. The street closes to vehicular trafc from Wednesday through Friday, December 21-23, 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit its website at www.churchstreetchristmas.org.

Te Ultimate Gift Presented By Love First Christian Center

What do snowstorms, time travel and a stubborn donkey have in common? They are all needed in telling the real meaning of Christmas. The Ultimate Gift is a fantas tic journey to find out the real meaning of Christmas. It will bring the family together

as it speaks to all ages from young to old. Bring your friends and family to see The Ul timate Gift on Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m. at Love First Christian Center, located at 12847 Balm Riverview Rd. in Riverview. Tickets are available from www.ultimate giftmovie.com.

Christmas In Te Wild At ZooTam pa

It’s the most won derful time of the year at ZooTampa with the return of Christmas in the Wild, featuring one of Tampa Bay’s largest light displays, delec table holiday treats, amazing wildlife and new festive adventures. This year is bigger, better and brighter than ever with enter tainment that the whole family can enjoy, in cluding festive realms, holiday shows and a visit with Santa. Christmas in the Wild runs on selective nights November through De cember. Visit www.zootampa.org for more information.

A Victorian Christmas Stroll

The Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa cel ebrates the warmth and spirit of an old-fash ioned holiday with its Victorian Christmas Stroll. Allowing visitors a glimpse into the magic of Christmas past, this holiday expe rience is a wonderful way to celebrate all the season has to ofer with a variety of de

lightful themes and displays in each exhibit room. Decorations include visitor favorites from past years as well as new marvels that are sure to amaze. The Victorian Christmas Stroll will be available at the Henry B. Plant Museum, located at 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, from Thursday, December 1 through Fri day, December 23, 10 a.m.8 p.m. daily. Its website, www.plantmuseum.com, has more information.

Santa Fest Christmas Parade And Tree Lighting

Be part of Tampa’s holiday tradition when Santa Fest returns to Curtis Hixon Water front Park again this year. It will open on Sunday, December 4, following the popular parade through downtown Tampa. The pa rade route steps of at 1:30 p.m. and begins at Morgan Street, travels west on Madison Street to Ashley Drive, turns north and ends at Ashley Drive and Cass Street. After the parade, enjoy the activities and entertain ment in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and stay for the tree lighting at 6 p.m. followed by a screening of The Grinch movie to end the day.

Lakeland Christmas Pa rade

Hosted by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, December 1 starting at 7 p.m. Participants step of from the RP Funding Center to begin the 1.25-mile course winding through the city’s streets, around Lake Mirror and back down Lemon Street. The floats are decked out to reflect this year’s theme of ‘Christmas Past, Present

Compiled By Jenny Bennett

and Future.’ The best, of course, is saved for last, as the parade wraps up with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Tampa Area Lighted Holiday Boat Parades

Tampa’s largest lighted boat parade will take place on the Saturday before Christ mas, December 17, along the Hillsborough River in down town Tampa. The parade begins at the southern tip of Davis Island, travels through the convention center basin and up to the Heights, where the boats will turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf. Public viewing locations include Ar mature Works, Water Works Park and Chan nel Drive.

The annual Apollo Beach Lighted Boat Parade takes place on Sunday, December 11. It will leave the south channel at 6 p.m. and proceed towards Lands End Marina before winding around Lake Sunrise Basin, back out around Bal Harbor and then up Flamingo Canal before returning and going around Dolphin House at the end of Grand Kaymen Drive, then up the canal leading to Symphony Isles. Come and meet the members of the Tampa Sailing Squadron before the parade at its club house, located at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach.

The Alafia Lighted Boat Parade is always very popular with local residents. It will take place along the Alafia River from the River view Civic Center to River’s Edge Bar and Grill on Saturday, December 3, departing at 5 p.m.

THE WAY 2 DANCE AND CELEBRATIONS VENUE OFFER THE COMMUNITY MANY WAYS TO HAVE FUN

Tatyana Frost runs two local businesses to enhance the lives of so many people in the area. The Way 2 Dance teaches salsa, ballroom and other types of dancing, and Celebrations Venue provides an alternate home for many people to cel ebrate their special day with their friends and family. “I love be ing a part of our com munity and ofering so many dance pro grams at The Way 2 Dance, and I like that people from our community have a place to host their events and family gatherings at Celebrations Venue,” Frost said. “Both of my business make lasting memories for our guests and this makes me very happy and proud.”

The Way 2 Dance is ofering holiday gift certificates for a great price to add a gift un der the Christmas tree for your loved ones. “‘Don’t think or talk about it anymore, just do it, just dance’ is something I always say,” Frost said. “Dancing is a great way to relieve stress, great exercise and not to mention fun. I’m not saying I’m Dr. Frost, but many of our clients have said they feel better both mentally and physically after taking classes.”

One of the latest programs that The Way 2 Dance ofers is its three-hour workshops of salsa, bachata, swing and other dances that are a great way to learn or improve a dance in one day. “It really helps a lot of peo ple that can’t come during the week but are

By Libby Hopkins

available for a crash course on week ends,” Frost said.

“Many students have started to work on their choreographed dance routines for a Valentine’s Day showcase that will take place on Sun day, February 5 at 3 p.m. at our studio.

Nothing is better than to learn how to lift your partner, dip and do lots of fancy moves just for fun. Tickets for spectators are only $18 per person. Start dancing today, meet new dance friends and add dancing to your exer cise routine, all while having fun.”

Celebrations Venue is a very afordable event space and is available for rent for many special occasions. “It comes with ta bles and chairs designed and setup for your event, a variety of lights, Bluetooth speakers built into the ceiling, kitchenette with a mi crowave, refrigerator and a sink,” Frost said.

“The venue is flexible. You just need to bring your decorations, food and have an amazing time with your loved ones. We encourage future renters to contact ASAP if they are looking for a rental venue because our calen dar is already getting full for 2023.”

If you would like to learn more about ei ther one of Frost’s businesses, you can visit their websites at www.theway2dance.com or www.celebrationsvenue.com. The Way 2 Dance is located at 6520 U.S. Hwy. 301, #102 in Riverview and Celebrations Venue is located at 610 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR ITS LARGEST MOBILIZATIONS EVER

The holidays are a time for celebra tion — unless you don’t have enough to eat. This holiday sea son, at-risk, hungry and hurting families all over Tampa Bay will need you, your prayers and your gen erosity.

The need continues to be great this year with the rising costs of rent, utilities, gas and food. For families who struggle to make ends meet on a day-today basis, the thought of not being able to enjoy a holiday meal can be painful.

Metropolitan Ministries has budgeted to serve 32,000 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it knows it will serve more — projections currently stand at over 37,000 families.

In addition to its main holiday distri bution tent in Tampa, Metropolitan Min istries is setting up pop-up tents in “the highest areas of need” in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Currently, 12 pop-up sites are planned, but the total could go as high as 17, which will include two in Lee County, in areas that families are struggling from the devastation by Hurricane Ian.

“It’s the largest mobilization that Met ropolitan Ministries has ever done in our 50-year history,” spokesperson Justine Burke said. “With the help of the commu

nity, we are able to do it. The only reason we are able to mobilize is because of all the collaboration. That’s what makes it so awe some. Everybody from all walks of life coming together to help some one that they don’t even know. It’s very unifying in the times we are in right now.”

To serve the thou sands of families who will reach out to Metropol itan Ministries for help this holiday season, the organi zation needs turkeys, canned vegetables and potatoes. Be sides the traditional fixings, the organization also likes to include a treat, like a healthy cereal, peanut but ter, bread and even dessert, in the holiday boxes given to families.

Those in need of help can register on line (www.metromin.org/holiday-central/ need-help/) or in person. To mitigate ad ditional travel, Metropolitan Ministries has partnered with strategic, like-minded organizations to ofer more sites across Tampa Bay.

The community can also help inspire hope this holiday season by either vol unteering at the tent, hosting a donation drive, donating food or toys or donating at www.metromin.org.

For more information on Metropoli tan Ministries’ holiday initiative, visit the Holiday Central section of its website at www.metromin.org/holiday-central/.

Tatyana Frost runs two local businesses to en hance the lives of so many people in the area. Te Way 2 Dance teaches salsa, ballroom and other types of dancing, and Celebrations Venue provides an alternate home for many people to celebrate their special day with their friends and family.

S A L S A B A L L R O O M S W I N G

A Metropolitan Ministries volunteer sorting food donations.

Happy Holidays From The Tony Baroni Team

“Kate always got back to me quickly and was able to answer my questions or concerns which were important in making my decision to purchase a property. She is more than a 5 star Agent !”

- Jerry S -

“Chris Jossi made our frst home buying experience unforgettably easy! We made a decision to move to Florida from the Midwest buying a house sight unseen only because Chris provided the quality of service and dedication to us to ensure we could make the right decision. So grateful to have worked with the Tony Baroni team and even more grateful to have a great friend in Chris!”

- Tyler Jensvold -

“

Te team were of great help to me in selling and f nding my new home. I’m glad I chose to work with them.”

- Steven Monica -

“Te team is awesome. Tey advise you based on your needs and what the market is like, not on how much commission they are going to make out of you.”

- John Basilyous -

“Chris J. was a pleasure to work with. His knowledge and friendly professionalism eased the stressed of my home buying journey!”

- Rose Cortes -

“I recommend Tony Baroni team wholeheartedly. From start to f nish, communication was excellent, and expectations were clearly explained. No surprises except for the good kind!

I felt that Craig Keller, with the help of Louis and Chelsea, truly advocated on my behalf. Te process was smooth, and the transaction was completed in a quick and painless way.”

- Elaine Waite -

FLORIDA TRADE ACADEMY OFFERS NEW PROGRAMS FOR YOUTHS IN THE COMMUNITY

By Libby Hopkins

Florida Trade Academy welcomed its frst cohort of 22 students earlier this month and held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in October.

This past October, Florida Trade Academy launched a pre-apprenticeship program to help open the door for untrained workers entering the construction industry.

Ninety-three percent of construction firms are reported to have open positions, according to a survey taken by the Associ ated General Contractors prior to Hurricane Ian. The pre-apprenticeship program will help address Florida’s skilled laborer short age, which was exacerbated by post-Ian re building eforts.

Chris and Bernadette Pello are the couple who started Florida Trade Academy and they are thrilled to see Florida Trade Acad emy’s pre-apprenticeship program come to life. “Chris and I were honored to have so many people from the community attend our ribbon-cutting,” Bernadette said. “The potential collaborations with community or ganizations are endless.”

The introductory program combines hands-on training with classroom-based instruction taught both virtually and in-per son. Students try out a range of trade spe cialties before homing in on their chosen field, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal, sprinkler fitting, roofing, car

pentry and pipe fitting. “There is a growing shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry as many talented individuals struggle to get their foot in the door.” said Chris Pello, CEO of Florida Trade Acade my. “This program ofers that firststep solution by providing trainees with the skills and connections to find employment and tran sition into a registered apprenticeship.”

The organization welcomed its first co hort of 22 students earlier this month and held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 26 at its East Tampa classroom. Upon com pletion of the nine-month program, FTA will help place students in jobs in their chosen field where they can then enroll in an ap prenticeship, having already completed sev eral prerequisite courses.

Florida Trade Academy is sponsored by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, which operates the apprenticeship program across the Gulf Coast region. “Florida Trade Acade my fills an important gap in training the next generation of skilled workers,” said Steve Cona, CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chap ter. “The program is structured to improve productivity, reduce turnover and lower re cruitment costs for employers.”

The program is open to high school grad uates entering the workplace for the first time, professionals seeking a career alter native and individuals interested in learning technical skills. If you would like to learn more you can visit its website at https:// floridatradeacademy.org/. FTA is located at 410 S. Ware Blvd. in Tampa.

By Erica Burruezo, Orderly Owl Organizing

Let’s be real, the holiday season can be stressful. The last few months of the year are packed with a lot of holidays and celebrations. It’s a joyous time of year, sure, but there is so much to do in a short period of time. I would love to share some tips to help you have a smooth holiday season this year and for years to come.

One good thing you can do is to give your home’s holiday hot spots a good de clutter before more gifts come in. That will help you keep your belongings at bay. If you have chil dren, take the time to declutter broken or unused toys. New year, new you? Go ahead and get rid of those clothes that ‘new you’ won’t be wearing. Make room for your seasonal favorites in the pantry and check to see if you have that oncea-year ingredient you always acciden tally buy a duplicate of. You don’t want to buy a fifth jar of nutmeg when you already have four sitting in the back of your spice cabinet right? While you’re in the pantry, make note of what is needed so you can get it now and not at the last minute.

Throughout the year, try making a list

of who you are buy ing for, any ideas you might have for them, and budget accord ingly. Keep it on your phone for easy ac cess when you may be out shopping. As you purchase gifts, mark o f who they were purchased for and what they are. This will keep you from trying to mem orize everything and make sure you stay on track with gift giving. We don’t want to miss anyone nor buy duplicates either. Speaking of gifts, spare yourself some headaches and come up with some specific gift ideas for you and your fami ly so when you are asked you can give some suggestions.

Fortunately, this fun will come back around next year. As you clean up and prepare for a new year, take note of what worked well this year and what didn’t. Leave ‘future you’ some nicely or ganized holiday bins to pull out next year and keep the gift list for next year as a starting point.

If you would like to learn more or would like some professional help get ting organized before or after the hol idays, feel free to contact us at www. orderlyowl.com.

LIFELONG FRIENDS START WHO’S YOUR DUMPSTER TO SERVE COMMUNITY

Childhood friends Christo pher LeBlanc and Chuck Harman started Who’s Your Dumpster Inc. in March af ter LeBlanc saw a need for their cleanup service in the community.

LeBlanc, who works in the home building and contracting industry, knew the communi ty needed help disposing of the debris and junk that contractors can leave behind when working on the house. With that realization, LeBlanc came up with the idea for Who’s Your Dumpster.

“We provide a casual dumpster delivery service that allows our clients to clean out their unwanted junk on their time,” explained Harman.

Who’s Your Dumpster ofers a three-day rental starting at $285 plus tax, with every additional day (up to a maximum of five days) costing $15 extra. The pricing includes tipping and dumping, along with zero hidden costs for dumpster renters. In addition to the daily rental, Who’s Your Dumpster recently added a pickup and delivery option for landscaping items, such as rocks and mulch, for $150.

“Our dumpsters are already on wheels, which allows for easy, clean, nonmarking and ease of use for our clients’ usage,” said Har

By Lily Belcher

man.

One of the unique characteris tics of Who’s Your Dumpster is the flexibility of its ser vice, which is per fect for residential and commercial cleanups. With the variable rental op tions, homeowners can utilize LeBlanc and Harman’s ser vice for household projects and yard work. Construction workers, roofers, builders and con tractors can also use their dumpster service for com mercial cleanups. Since its incep tion in March, the greatest challenge facing Who’s Your Dumpster has been the rising cost of tipping fees at the county dump and the competition in the market. Still, Who’s Your Dumpster serves roughly 30 customers and hopes to expand its customer base to include more commercial workers.

LeBlanc and Harman met when they were both in fourth grade at Nativity Catholic School in Brandon. Harman said the most rewarding part of Who’s Your Dumpster has been working with a lifelong friend.

For more information, please visit Who’s Your Dumpster on Facebook. You may con tact the residential and commercial dump ster rental service at 813-771-0123 or email Chuck Harman at chuckh@shiptbl.com.

Through next-generation sequencing, we take a deep look into your genes to create treatment plans personalized to you.

This provides a road map for immunotherapies that strengthen the way your cells fight cancer. Our patients also have access to the latest clinical trials delivering quality treatment and expertise in communities across Florida. We take care of the big things in cancer care, so you can make the most of the little moments—every step of the way.

Christopher LeBlanc and Chuck Harman started Who’s Your Dumpster. It ofers fexible rental option for commercial and residential customer with debris and junk cleanup.

The 2022-23 Bank of America Broadway at the Straz season, sponsored in part by the Tampa Bay Times, is back. Going for ward, the slate includes Tina — The Tina Turner Musical, Chicago, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Ain’t Too Proud and Jagged Little Pill and the Tony® and Gram my Award®-winning best musical Ha destown. The season also features Shear Madness in the intimate Jaeb Theater and special return engagements of Hamilton and Wicked

“Touring Broadway is back in Tampa in a big, big way,” said Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi. “We’ve got an astonish ing season planned that includes audience favorites, award winners, R&B, rock ’n’ roll and a couple of shows that were origi nally announced for the 2020-2021 slate and postponed due to the pandemic,” she continued. “This lineup truly is the best of Broadway, and we can’t wait to share it with Tampa Bay area audiences.”

The remaining 2022-23 Broadway sea son features: Hadestown, November 29-December 4

Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, in cluding Best Musical, and the 2020 Gram my Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and inno vative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) inter twines two mythic tales —that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife, Persephone.

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Jan. 31 – Feb. 5, 2023

This new musical reveals a comeback sto ry like no other – of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and age ism to become the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Featuring her much loved songs, TINA

– The Tina Turn er Musical is written by Pu litzer Prize-win ning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyl lida Lloyd.

Chicago, Feb. 21 – 26, 2023

After more than 25 years, Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, for tune and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonish ing dancing you’ve ever seen. Chicago has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, April 11 – 16, 2023

All rise for Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork. The New York Times Critic’s Pick To Kill a Mock ingbird is “the most successful American play in Broadway history.” (60 Minutes).

Emmy Award®-winning actor Richard Thomas will play the role of Atticus Finch in the national tour.

Ain’t Too Proud, May 2 – 7, 2023

Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner for Best Choreography, Ain’t

Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations is the elec trifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordi nary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Jagged Little Pill, May 16 – 21, 2023

Joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, LIFE — ev erything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show — is here in the exhilarat ing, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music. Direct ed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Pippin, upcoming 1776) with a Tony-winning book by Diablo Cody (Juno) and Grammy-winning score, this electrify ing production about a perfectly imperfect American family “vaults the audience to its collective feet.” (The Guardian).

The season also features:

Shear Madness, Feb. 15 – April 8, 2023

This unique comedy whodunit takes place today in the Shear Madness hairstyling sa lon and is chock-full of up-to-the-minute spontaneous humor. During the course of

the action, a murder is committed, and the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects and solve the funniest mys tery in the annals of crime. The outcome is never the same, which is why many au dience members return again and again to the scene of the mayhem.

In addition to the eight-show Broadway series, the Straz will present two special return engagements:

Hamilton, Dec. 28, 2022 – Jan. 22, 2023

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has tak en the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revo lutionary moment in theatre — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education. With the book, mu sic and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda; di rection by Thomas Kail; choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler; and musical supervi sion and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s ac claimed biography. It has won Tony, Gram my and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Wicked, March 8 – 26, 2023

Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz, but from a diferent angle. From the first elec trifying note to the final breathtaking mo ment, Wicked — the untold true story of the Witches of Oz — transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story that USA Today cheers is “a complete triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry and think.”

For more information about the Broad way season, individual shows, other Straz Center events and productions or to be come a season ticket holder, visit www. strazcenter.org.

Te 2022-2023 Bank of America Broadway at the Straz season features Hadestown, Tina — Te Tina Turner Musical, Chicago, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Ain’t Too Proud and Jagged Little Pill, as well as Shear Madness.

It all began with a book about a girl who ran a lemonade stand for pediatric cancer patients, a commercial on animal cruelty and a dream. On October 12, Delanie Dennis, the 10-year-old owner of Delanie’s Lemon ade Stand, was recognized as the ‘Kid of the Year’ by the American Society for the Pre vention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at the Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. At 12 Noon, she gave a speech discuss ing her continued involvement in supporting rescues in her community through her busi ness and special events.

“We had no idea — it was a complete surprise. We received a phone call from the ASPCA saying they’d been following Delanie for a long time, and that it was amazing to see what she’s accomplished,” said Delanie’s mother, Julie Dennis.

Running her business from her parents’ restaurant, Cafe Delanie, Delanie has raised over $50,000 since she first opened her lemonade stand in April 2019. Every month since, Delanie sits down with her mother and researches a handful of local rescues that are nonprofit organizations and choos es which she would like to donate 100 per cent of her proceeds to for that month.

Delanie and her family also assisted with the third annual RVR Horse Rescue ‘Barn-

By Madeline Gardner

o-Ween’ event on Oc tober 30. Located at 1710 W. SR 60 in Plant City, RVR Horse Rescue is a nonprofit geared towards rehabilitating severe cases and help ing rescue horses find a loving home after they’ve recovered. Dela nie planned to increase support for this non profit by setting up her lemonade stand as visi tors were encouraged to trick-or-treat and visit the rescues.

Additionally, her second annual ‘Squeeze the Day’ Lemonade Stand Adoption Fair was held on November 13 at Dallas Bull, lo cated at 3322 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Tampa. This event showcased local rescue groups and shelters that are free to the public and fea tured food trucks as well as an appearance by the Hillsborough County Police Depart ment alongside their K9 units for demon strations. For more information about Dela nie’s Lemonade Stand Adoption Fair, please call 813-957-8301 or email delanieslemon adestand@aol.com. Working to increase the number of animals adopted this year, Delanie hopes to spread the message that anyone can make a diference and achieve any goal.

“My two goals are to hopefully get some people to follow in my footsteps and start their own lemonade stand, and to get $100,000 donated to animals. Any kid at any age can change the world,” said Delanie.

To learn more about Delanie’s Lemon ade Stand, please visit the Cafe Delanie Facebook page or call 813-740-2233. Cafe Delanie and Delanie’s Lemonade Stand are located at 3016 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Tampa.

PET RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES 100,000 HOMES FOR PETS Staf Report

Hillsborough County recent ly celebrated a major milestone: the 100,000th pet saved at the Michael S. Mer rill Pet Resource Center since Hill sborough County committed to improving the live-release rate at the shelter a decade ago.

In 2012, the euthanasia rate at the shel ter, like at most public shelters throughout the country at that time, was painfully high. About 12,000 dogs and cats were eutha nized that year, nearly two-thirds of the pets brought to the shelter.

Today, the Pet Resource Center’s live-re lease rate is above 90 percent, among the highest in the nation. Those figures are even more remarkable because the Pet Resource Center is the only open-admission shelter in Hillsborough County, meaning it accepts all dogs and cats regardless of age, medical condition or breed.

On October 21, county and shelter of cials celebrated that accomplishment and recognized the local resident who adopted the 100,000th pet saved at the shelter since 2012.

Ray Villegas is the proud adoptive parent to Milo the dog, the 100,000th pet saved at the Pet Resource Center. “If you have the op portunity to love an animal and you have the capability, then please do because it saves a life and they add to your life,” said Villegas. The policy changes began with a commit ment to trust and rely upon people in the community — pet owners, veterinarians, rescue groups and many others — to band

together to build a lifesaving communi ty for pets. Among the policy and practical changes responsible for the dramatic improve ment in live-release rates and accompa nying drop in eutha nasia are:

• The creation of a pet support team that works to help residents keep their pets rather than turning them over to the shelter. Team members can help resolve issues with pet behavior, provide food and other supplies and even help arrange med ical care.

• Actively working with more than 300 pet rescue groups.

• Establishment of a foster program that allows residents to take pets home for as lit tle as a week. The program helps clear shel ter space and provides valuable information about the pets’ behaviors and personalities.

• Establishing pet-enrichment programs, such as dog play groups.

• Quickly spaying/neutering and evaluat ing pets.

• Allowing residents to view virtually all available dogs and cats at the shelter through an online kennel that includes pho tos, medical information and behavioral notes.

• A commitment to matching people with the right pet, which increases owner satis faction and reduces return rates.

• Increasing the number and variety of medical issues that can be treated at the shelter.

For more information or to adopt a furry friend, please visit hcflgov.net/adopt.

Hillsborough County commission ers are seeking residents to serve on several county citizen advisory boards, committees and councils. Residents interested in seeking ap pointment must reside in and be registered voters in Hillsborough County. These are voluntary posi tions, and members serve without compen sation. Applicants may apply to more than one group but may only serve on one group at a time unless specifically approved by the Hillsborough County Board of County Com missioners.

All applicants must submit a completed ‘Questionnaire for County Appointments’ and a ‘Standards of Conduct’ form. Addi tional requirements are in the information that follows.

Forms are available on the county’s web site at www.hcflgov.net. To download a form, click on the ‘Government’ and then the ‘Boards and Committees’ tabs/links.

All forms must be signed and dated, and all questions must be answered in entirety to be eligible. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you apply to a board, committee or council that requires a background check, you will be provided with a link to complete the online background check process. A re sponse within 48 hours is required, at which time the link will expire.

The application is due by close of business on Thursday, December 1. Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in January 2023.

Forms can be:

• Mailed to P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601.

• Faxed to 813-239-3916.

• Emailed to finleyl@hillsboroughcounty. org.

• Delivered to 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 2nd Floor, Tampa 33602.

In response to the COVID-19 pandem ic, meeting dates and times are subject to change.

Boards, committees and councils with va cant positions include:

• Hospital Authority.

• Anti-bullying Advisory Committee.

• Building Board of Adjustment, Appeals and Examiners.

• Child Care Licensing Hearing Ofcer.

• Code Enforcement Board.

• Code Enforcement Special Magistrate.

• Council on Aging.

• County Internal Audit Committee.

• Cross Connection and Backflow Control Board.

• Electrical Board of Adjustment, Appeals and Examiners.

• Health Care Advisory Board.

• Health Council of West Central Florida Inc. (District VI).

• Historic Resources Review Board.

• Human Relations Board.

• Industrial Development Authority.

• Land Use Appeals Board.

• Mechanical Board of Adjustment, Ap peals and Examiners.

• Plumbing Board of Adjustment, Appeals and Examiners.

• Tourist Development Council.

Left to right are Pet Resource Center director Scott Tre batoski, Ray Villegas, Hillsborough County Assistant Administrator Dexter Barge, Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.

“The Spirit of Christmas”, American Pickers & More...

Compiled by Jenny Bennett jbennett@ospreyobserver.com

Te Spirit Of Christmas With Te Ditchfelds Concert Comes

To Sun City Center

The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center (SCCUMC) welcomes The Ditchfield Family Singers to its campus for a concert on Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m. titled ‘The Spirit of Christmas with the Ditchfields.’ The Ditchfield Fami ly Singers are one of America’s most versatile vocal ensembles and one of Florida’s favorite family musical groups. They will be performing carols and hol iday favorites to capture the spirit and joy of Christmas. For additional infor mation and how to purchase tickets, visit its website at www.sccumc.com. The SCCUMC is located at 1971 Haver ford Ave. in Sun City Center.

Brandon Newcomers Meeting

If you are interested in making new friends or participating in its many in terest groups, such as local trips, book club, lunches, crafts and visits from guest speakers then the Brandon New comers Club would like to meet you. You do not need to be new to the area. It meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Brandon

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem Cell Therapy is no longer just for the rich and famous. While becoming increasingly popular with professional athletes, LEHEAL BIOGENIX provides affordable treat ment options for every one in need.

Our bodies are designed to heal themselves and we are always repairing, recycling, and regenerating cells that have been damaged. As we age, our body and cells lose their ability to repair and rebuild as effciently.

Stem Cell Therapy (Regenerative Medicine) is an noninvasive way of healing orthopedic injuries and conditions.

Regenerative medicine helps to rejuvenate aging cells and promote the healing process for long lasting pain relief.

Community Center, lo cated at 302 Sadie St. in Brandon. For addi tional information, email edeuerlein@gmail.com.

Horse Christmas Photo Fund raiser

A Horse’s Touch will be raising funds this holiday season by having a horse and barn-themed Christmas photo graph event and party. Sessions are available on Saturday and Sunday, Decem ber 17 and 18 at the barn in Wimauma; they are $25 and in clude the party.

A Horse’s Touch exists to pro vide therapeutic horsemanship instruction and is a f liated with numerous 501(c)(3) charities, including Horses4Heroes. For more information and to book your session, please email mmbarn4@gmail.com.

South Shore Concert Band To Perform Holiday Concert

The United Methodist Church of Sun

City Center, located at 1971 Haver ford Ave. in Sun City Center, wel comes the South Shore Concert Band for a holiday concert on Tues day, December 5 at 7 p.m. It’s the time of year to begin hearing music to get us into the mood for the most wonderful time of the year. What better way to do that than listening to the South Shore Concert Band bringing you your favorites? No ad vance tickets are needed; a dona tion of $5 at the door is all you need to start getting into the holiday mood.

‘Time For Change’ Opens At Tampa Museum Of Art Time for Change:

Art and Social Un rest in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection, is on view in the Tampa Museum of Art now through March 12, 2023. This exhibit looks at how artists explore conflicts and con tradictions of con temporary society as well as analyzes historical events and reframes them within the present. This exhibit opens the first of several new exhibition gal leries which were completed during the Tampa Museum of Art’s renovation. The Tampa Muse um of Art is located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plz. in Tampa. Ad ditional information about the museum can be found on its website at https:// tampamuseum.org/.

American Pickers Is Looking To Film In Florida

American Pickers is a documenta

ry series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking.’ The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business as they hunt for valuable antiques, and it’s looking for locations in Florida. As they hit the back roads, the pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and excep tional items.

If you or someone you know has a large private collection or accumulation of antiques that the pickers can spend the better part of a day looking through, American Pickers would love to hear from you.

If you are interested, contact Amer ican Pickers at americanpickers@cine flix.com or call 646-493-2184.

A Kitten Place Bingo Fundraiser

Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit A Kitten Place is hosting a bingo fundraiser at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company on Thursday, December 8, with bingo starting at 7 p.m. All proceeds from this event will go to care for the homeless, orphaned or those in need of medi cal-assistance kittens that it has in its care. Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company is located at 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.

LEHEAL BIOGENIX medical team specializes in comprehensive regenerative medicine treatments and therapeutic options to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

The innovative treatments target the source of pain while also treating system ically to stimulate growth factors and reduce infam mation, promoting a faster recovery and improved pain reduction.

The treatments at LEHEAL BIOGENIX are tailored to each patient based on their medical condition and individual needs.

SOUTH TAMPA HYDE PARK

2007 W Swan Ave Suite B Tampa, FL 33606

COMING SOON BRANDON 1115 Nikki View Dr Brandon, FL 33511 www.LeHeal.com 813-999-2192

Umar Rashid (Frohawk Two Feathers) (American, b. 1976), Te Palace of Quilombos, Gonalves 1793, 2015. Jorge M. Pérez Collection, Miami.

LOCALLY OWNED EGGS UP GRILL CELEBRATES 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

At Eggs Up Grill in Riverview, the smells of fresh ly brewed cofee, crispy bacon and sweetness hit the senses immedi ately upon enter ing. In addition to a massive menu featuring break fast and brunch classics, salads and lunch hot of the grill, guests can expect to experience genuine hospitality from people who live in the community.

As they celebrate their two-year anniversary, Eggs Up Grill franchise owners John and Priscilla Conyers are grateful for the community support in a time of recovery from a global pandemic.

By Sharon Still

Sweet Cream.

“Tampa Bay loves a good meal that is fresh and locally sourced, and that’s what we are bringing to our guests,” stated Priscilla.

Reflective of the demands of the lo cal foodie commu nity, the new menu will also feature more heart-healthy and gluten-free items, plus an added kids’ menu.

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“We are all about neighbors serving neighbors,” said franchise owners Priscilla and John Conyers.

The couple celebrated the restaurant’s two-year anniversary during the entire week of November 16. “The community has been so good to us, and we wanted to pay homage for helping us crack so many eggs,” said Priscilla.

“We have an egg counter, and we lit erally track how many eggs we’ve handcracked since day one, so it was a super fun celebration,” she added.

Stop by for breakfast, lunch or brunch; there surely is something for everyone. Priscilla pointed out that the shrimp-andgrits bowl, coastal crab cake benedict and Cali mac and cheese bowl are guest favor ites.

Along with its two-year anniversary, Eggs Up Grill is rolling out a new, expanded menu and premiering refreshing signature drinks including The Harvest Peach and

Eggs Up Grill also ofers catering for any size meeting or corporate event. A huge variety of catering options are available for breakfast, brunch and lunch, from bufet-style to individual boxed meals. Additionally, a private dining suite on-premises dubbed the ‘Community Coop’ is available for groups of up to 15 guests.

“Let Me Make You Smile”, the company’s mantra, starts with warm welcomes by friendly team members and continues with genuine hospitality throughout the dining experience.

“Service is our passion. We provide real service for real people and making them smile is job number one,” said John.

Eggs Up Grill is located at 3920 U.S. Hwy. 301. Its hours are 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., seven days a week. Stay up to date on spe cial promotions and details on Instagram and Facebook @eugriverview and check out the full menu online at www.eggsup grill.com.

ECHO OF BRANDON SEES INCREASE IN NEED FOR SERVICES DUE TO ECONOMY AND HURRICANE IAN

The Emergency Care Help Organi zation (ECHO) in Brandon has estab lished a reputation over its 35-year history as a place where people who find themselves in a life-altering finan cial crisis can turn to for resources to regain solid footing on their life’s jour ney.

The nonprofit operates a food bank and makes clothing available for those lacking the ba sics of daily living. ECHO also provides help with job searches and accessing appropriate government programs, as well as connect ing with specialized services ofered by oth er organizations that could benefit an indi vidual or family trying to navigate out of a difcult financial situation.

“At ECHO, we create opportunities and advocate for our neighbors to provide for themselves,” said Eleanor Saunders, ECHO’s executive director.

Recently, the ability of ECHO to fulfill its commitment to the people who turn to it is being challenged by an increased demand for services.

According to Saunders, the rise in re quests for assistance has been significant, with a 72 percent increase from 3,746 during the three-month total of July through September 2021 to the same time frame of this year, with 6,443 individuals served.

Saunders added that many of those re

By Brad Stager

quests for help come from people who are without shelter, citing a more than four fold increase in the past year for those cases, from 60 in the nonprofit’s first quarter last year to 250 for the same period in 2022, a 316 per cent increase.

As if the climb ing number of people in financial distress wasn’t enough, Hurricane Ian has made the prob lem worse, according to Saunders, with its impact on people who were on the edge of stability before the storm. Many of them lost hourly wages from business closings while Ian tracked through the state or had food spoilage from a lack of electricity to power their refrigerator.

“This is proving to be another setback,” she said in a video available on the ECHO of Brandon YouTube channel and Facebook page. Saunders added that ECHO and the neighbors it helps are counting on commu nity support to get through the current in crease in demand for services.

“When supporting an organization that stands in the gap for the struggling, my hope is that local residents would allocate their philanthropic giving to the Small but Mighty nonprofit community right here in the Greater Brandon community.”

To learn more about ECHO or to make a donation, visit https://echofl.org/.

GFWC

PRESENTS HOLIDAY BUNCO

The Greater Federa tion of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Brandon Service League will present its Holiday Bunco on Friday, December 2 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at The Bridges located at 11202 Dewhurst Dr. in Riverview.

Tickets are $20 per per son and can be obtained from any Brandon Service League member, at their website www.gfwcbran donserviceleague.org or even at the door. Your ticket will get you bun co games, refreshments, light food and an evening of fun.

Holiday Bunco will take place in the main dining hall at The Bridges. Jeri Robinson, co-presi dent of Brandon Service League, said, “The Bridges have a very lovely, open area for events. They are active in supporting the community, and they are supportive of lo cal non-profit organizations.”

Winners of the games will receive beautiful, oversized, handmade holiday wreaths. In addition, as is the tradition of the Brandon Service League, there will be several wonderful opportunity baskets on hand. Guests can buy tickets and try to win one.

Robinson said, “This will be a great eve ning to spend with friends and family and kick start the holiday mood and spirit. It is also a fun way to support Brandon Service League’s special community projects. You

By Kathy L. Collins

might even go home with a prize.”

In addition to Bunco, the evening is an oppor tunity for the Brandon Service League to pres ent checks to several de serving local non-profits. These include Winthrop Arts, Hope for Her, Choic es, New Horizons and Brandon Outreach Clinic. According to Robinson, “These organizations were chosen because of the community support they provide, their presence in the community and their mission.”

The Brandon Service League became a fed erated club in May of 1960. According to Robinson, “Greater Federation Women’s Clubs became a volunteer organization in 1890, or 132 years ago, with 63 women’s clubs meeting in New York City. Florida women’s clubs were admitted into GFWC in January 1898. GFWC members across the globe are united in their mission of improving communities through volunteer service.”

Its next event will be a BBQ Dinner and Clay Shoot on March 18, 2023. The Brandon Service League meets on the sec ond Thursday of the month at New Hope United Methodist Church, located at 213 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon. For more in formation on membership, please contact Betty White at betty.white39@gmail.com.

BE A HOLIDAY LIGHT

There’s a great need for help in our community, and Metropolitan Ministries is here to serve at-risk and homeless families who live closest to you. Help us Inspire Hope this holiday by either volunteering at the holiday tent, hosting a donation drive, donating food or toys, or donating at MetroMin.org.

#InspireHope

A group of neighbors in need of assistance wait for their turn to meet with ECHO volunteers Connie Talley, in the black shirt, and Mary Montufar, in the blue shirt, at the nonproft’s welcome center.

Te GFWC Brandon Service League invites you and your friends and family to join them at the second Holiday Bunco on Fri day, December 2 at 6 p.m., located at Te Bridges in Riverview.

Vine Vegan Now Open

Danielle Stevens, owner and chef of Vine Vegan, learned to cook from her family. As a daugh ter of a Latino and a Brit, who was born in Hawaii, raised in Europe and an Amer ican through and through, Danielle was sure to balance everything when creating the Vine Vegan menu. Her mission is to bring people together, capture the cul ture of community and use delicious veg an food to do it. Vine Vegan is located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information on opening hours and to view the menu, visit its website at www.vine vegan.com or follow it on Facebook and Instagram @vineveganfl.

Latitudes Tours Celebrates Four Years Of Cruising Tampa Bay

Come and enjoy a one-of-a-kind expe rience here in Tampa Bay with Latitudes Tours. Latitudes Tours has been ofering daily eco-tours, lunch and dinner cruises, small-group bus tours and private fishing charters in and around Tampa Bay for the last four years and has recently added guided kayak tours to its selection. The kayak tours leave from several departure points. While kayaking, keep an eye out for dolphin pods, manatees, sting rays, sharks and more. Latitudes Tours can be found at 580 Bahia Beach Blvd. in Ruskin.

For more information, visit its website at www.latitudestours. com or call 813-641-1311.

Law Ofce Of Samuel C. Higginbottom

Samuel C. Higginbottom is a maritime, insurance and boat ing injury lawyer who serves individuals and small busi nesses that rely on the Tampa Bay waterways. His ofce can be found at 10312 Bloomingdale Ave., Ste. 108315 in Riverview. With over a decade of experience working at large law firms in the Tampa area, Higginbottom has lots of experience in all types of cases that have involved legal issues, including in the ar eas of personal injury, insurance disputes, government contracts, professional lia bility, property damage and maritime law. For additional information, visit its website at www.lawsch.com or call 813-825-1267.

R Processor Inc. Helps You To Process Payments

R Processor Inc. makes it afordable for business own

ers to collect money. Whether you need a point of sales solution or maybe a mobile payment option, it has a solution for your business. It allows small to midsize business owners to streamline their busi nesses and increase cash flow. Richard Rohde, owner of R Pro cessor Inc., has been in the busi ness for over 30 years and ofers both equipment and software solutions. To find out more, visit its website at www. richrohde.com or call 813-405-5210.

Te Guess Who Are Coming To Lake land

The Guess Who, a group that’s connect ed with the masses throughout an exul

opened an additional disaster recovery center at HCC Regent, locat ed at 6437

Watson Rd. in Riverview, it is open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Disaster recovery centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA and the Small Business Adminis tration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about oth er resources available. Assistance is also available online at www.disasterassis tance.gov, through the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362.

Every Minute M atters Know where to

From heart attacks to strokes, AdventHealth provides comprehensive emergency care that leads to life-changing outcomes. At our convenient location in Brandon, our world-class specialists use state-of-the-art technology to deliver award-winning emergency care when you need it most — so you can get back to the life you love.

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go in an emergency.

Brandon emergency department is part of AdventHealth Tampa. It is not an urgent care center. Its services and care are billed at hospital emergency department rates.

CHRISTMAS TOWN AT BUSCH GARDENS

CELEBRATES HOLIDAY CHEER WITH NEW SHOWS, FIREWORKS & MORE

Celebrating its 10th anniversa ry, Busch Gardens

Christmas Town re turns as the longest holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area ofering brandnew experiences to celebrate the holidays and create memories to cher ish for a lifetime.

Christmas Town joyfully bundles millions of twinkling lights, uplift ing shows, iconic holiday light displays, culinary de lights and award-winning attractions such as Iron Gwazi every day now through January 9, 2023. Running for 57 consecutive days, the beloved event is in cluded with park admission.

Several all-new activities make this year’s Christmas Town its biggest celebration yet.

A reimagined Holiday in the Sky fireworks show comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks while an added spec tacular water fountain show dances to the rhythm of a reimagined soundtrack with classic holiday tunes. Holiday in the Sky will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights. A new mesmerizing and en chanting musical light and projection show will adorn the Serengeti Overlook building, running daily every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m. Christmas with the Celts is a won derful combination of Christmas Carols and Irish dance that will captivate guests. The renowned group of vocalists, musicians and dancers will perform live at Stanleyville The ater’s stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Friday, December 16 through Sunday, December 25.

In Land of the Sweets, guests will find the Sugar Plum ballerina stilt walker and her Cavalier soldier, the newest characters to join the Sugar Plum Princess in her mag nificent new realm. And, right in the heart of Jungala, guests will be in awe with a new 32-foot-tall Christmas tree surrounded by a red-and-white winter wonderland.

Returning again is Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Co ca-Cola, a unique experience where jolly elves guide guests to interact with Santa in his workshop. Holiday tales come to life for Storytime with Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer is joined by Clarice and Bumble at Rudolph’s Winter Won derland.

Also returning are ‘Christmas on Ice’ at the Moroccan Palace Theater, the home of Busch Gardens’ lon gest-running holiday show, Elmo’s Christ mas Wish in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park and Three Kings Jour ney, the musical tale of the three wise men’s famed journey to Bethlehem, at Dragonfire Grill during select nights now through Jan uary 8, 2023.

The Holly Jolly Express is back to trans port guests into the celebration as they loop around the park aboard this sing-along jour ney playing the favorite songs of the season.

Delicious eats and specialty cocktails await all guests at this year’s Christmas Town.

The absolute best way to experience the jolliest of all seasons at Busch Gardens is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $40 and redeemable at the nu merous cabins located throughout the en tire park, samplers ofer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of five and 10. An exclusive 12-item sampler for the same price as a 10-item is available for all pass members. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Guests are encouraged to please check Busch Garden’s website at www.christmas town.com before visiting to learn which event components are available at each date.

MONSTER TRUCKZ SHOW AT EAST BAY RACEWAY WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

Prepare to have your mind blown away at the big gest, mad dest and wildest event you will ever witness.

This adrenaline-filled show features the most massive Monster Truckz de stroying cars, flying over mind-boggling jumps and pushing drivers and trucks to the brink of destruction. The Extreme Motocross Team will amaze and aston ish as they soar 80 feet above your head doing things that shouldn’t be possible.

The Monster Truckz Chaos Tour is coming to the East Bay Raceway Park, located at 6311 Burts Rd. in Riverview, on Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27.

Witness extreme, freestyle moto cross, including right-side-up, sideways and even upside-down feats you never thought possible and the most thrilling and exciting tricks on two wheels. The Extreme Motocross Team will amaze and astonish as they soar 75 feet in dis tance and 35 feet above your head doing things that shouldn’t be possible.

Monster Truckz drivers will be pushing their trucks to do things that shouldn’t be possible, like big air, the two-wheel skill challenge, truck races and of course Monster Truckz Freestyle. Don’t miss Captain Chaos. Watch the captain drive his cars like a madman while crashing, destroying and hitting the wall of death.

For the first time on planet Earth, see a man fired from a Mon ster Truck Cannon. Was man meant to fly? Hope fully this guy is.

Come see Gold Digger, Ballistic, Av alanche, Country Boy and others take their Monster Truckz to the extreme.

Monster trucks are typically about 12 feet wide by 12 feet high and can weigh up to 15,000 pounds with speeds up to 100 mph. All monster trucks are equipped with three shut-o f switches: the RII (Remote Ignition Interrupt), one within the driver’s reach in the cab and another at the rear of the truck so that all electrical power may be shut o f in the event of a rollover. Drivers are required to wear fire suits, safety harnesses, hel mets and head and neck restraints.

Don’t miss the most insane trucks on Earth. There is even a Monster Truckz Tour Pit Party available. Ride in a mon ster truck, get up close to your favorite monster truck, get personal autographs and take pictures with the stars of Mon ster Truckz. Doors open and the pit par ty starts two hours prior to event times.

Seating is first come, first serve, so be sure to arrive early for the best seats and to experience the pit party and the kids’ fun zone.

For show and ticket purchasing infor mation, visit www.monstertruckz.com.

Experience the most insane monster trucks on earth in the Monster Truckz Chaos Tour on Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27 at East Bay Raceway.

Busch Gardens Christmas Town is back with both new and returning experiences for everyone.

Master Garage Door Company has served Hillsborough County customers for 25 years by installing, servicing and repair ing home and commer cial garage doors. The local family-owned and operated business was founded in 1997 by Steve and Tawnie Manning, who are dedicated to working hard and serving the community.

“We’re just being thankful to the com munity,” said Steve about the 25-year celebration. “…We’ll enjoy a celebration to gether [with our employees] just honoring them.”

Master Garage Door Company will also ofer a discount on service calls for a month to celebrate its silver anniversary.

In the last 25 years, Master Garage Door Company has received an A+ rat ing and has been an accredited business by the Better Business Bureau since De cember 2013. The A+ rating was based on both the status of business licenses and customer opinions. Master Garage Door Company is also a member of the Interna tional Door Association.

“Just being new in the market and the area [was the biggest challenge], but we connected with the community pretty quickly,” said Steve.

Now, Steve is on the board of directors for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Com

By Lily Belcher

merce and the chair of the Brandon Leader ship Program Class of 2022. For him and his company, community involvement and ser vice are key aspects of their business.

“I enjoyed the type of work. I enjoyed meeting people every day and to be able to provide a service,” said Steve about why he started Master Ga rage Door Company.

Steve was also involved in many churches and orga nizations. Owning his own garage door company allowed him to work around his schedule and continue to serve his church.

The company specializes in installing, servicing and repairing residential and light commercial doors. It also ofers services for garage door openers. It is li censed and insured to provide professional service for all its customers.

In addition to typical repairs, Master Garage Door Company installs doors that meet wind and hurricane specifications by Hillsborough County to protect customers. It will also inspect garage doors and po tentially recommend a reinforcing system to meet weather specifications.

For more information on Master Garage Door Company, visit https://masterga ragedoor.com/. To contact Master Garage Door, fill out the contact card on its web site or call 813-684-7744.

Tawnie and Steve Manning started Master Garage Door Company in 1997 to serve the local community.

BUSINESS ATTORNEY TAKES PRIDE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Law O f ce of Je f rey Dowd, P.A., located in Brandon, is a law firm for small businesses, handling everything from set ting up to selling and so much more.

Dowd was admit ted to The Florida Bar in 1996 and has experience at all phases of a business with all industries. He has expertise in handling all types of issues, including con tracts, employment, licensing and leasing, franchising and regula tions.

Dowd is passionate about business and vol unteers his time as a certified SCORE mentor with the SCORE Tampa chapter. “I love being a business owner in the Brandon community,” Dowd said. “Keep ing things local is very important to me because most of my customers are lo cal business owners. Many of my clients have become good friends as well, and that’s what community is all about.”

Dowd went to college to be an entre preneur and ended up working in a law firm at the age of 19 to help pay for col lege. He graduated from SUNY College at Bu f alo with a B.S. in business stud ies, but his time working at the law firm inspired him to go to law school.

He graduated from the University

By Libby Hopkins

of Akron School of Law in 1996. In law school, he focused on business, corporate and tax law while working at a law firm writing appel late briefs on work ers’ compensation claims.

If you ask Dowd what makes his firm di f erent from other firms in the area, he will tell you it’s the way his firm handles pricing for its ser vices. “We build our services on a flat fee,” Dowd said. “I bill for the service, not the time. Our clients don’t have to worry about how much money they are spending because they already know how much their service will cost them upfront.”

Meeting his clients’ needs is Dowd’s number one priority. “The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon ad vertisements,” Dowd said. “Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.”

If you’d like to learn more about the services o f ered at The Law O f ce of Je f rey Dowd, P.A., you can visit his website at www.dowdlaw.com or call 813-773-3529. Dowd’s o f ce is located at 523 E. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon.

Te Law Ofce of Jefrey Dowd, P.A., locat ed in Brandon, is a law frm for small busi nesses, handling everything from setting up to selling and so much more.

Discipline, confi dence and a positive mindset are traits par ents are noticing in their children who at tend the newly opened Freedom Martial Arts in Valrico. It celebrat ed its grand opening on November 12. There were bounce houses, food trucks, games and prizes.

“It takes a lot of courage to step outside of your comfort zone and to try new things,” said Amanda Myers, who owns and oper ates Freedom Martial Arts along with her hus band, Nick Myers. “We are dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching.”

Classes are available for all ages, from preschool students to adults, there is something for everyone. Tae kwon do, krav maga and Brazilian jiu-jitsu are ofered along with character develop ment and life-skills training. All classes are built upon the company’s philosophy to create freedom from mental limitations and to build confidence through the world of martial arts.

“We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels,” said chief in structor Nick, who is a sixth-degree black belt

He added, “Kids learn and develop strong,

By Sharon Still

healthy boundaries, and boundaries are essential to helping kids thrive.”

Nick’s passion for martial arts started at the age of 4 when he decided he wanted to be a Power Rang er. By the age of 7, he began studying tae kwon do with the American Taekwon do Association and spent all of his free time training, volun teering and instruct ing martial arts.

“We strive to not only teach martial arts and life skills but also to have fun,” commented Amanda. She began her martial arts journey in 2013, earning her first-degree black belt in tae kwon do.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great,” Amanda afrmed, adding that she and Nick love hearing how their program has helped students outside of the facility in everyday life.

“Many parents see huge improvements in their child’s behavior in just a month,” the couple said. “Hearing that makes our day.”

Freedom Martial Arts is located at 3212 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Ste. 102. The facility is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information or to book your first free lesson, visit www.free dom-ma.com or call 813-777-0887.

Freedom Martial Arts owners Nick and Amanda Myers invite area residents, from pre-school to adult to give their new facility in Valrico a try.

BEST BUDDIES PARTNERS WITH THE MOSAIC COMPANY IN SUPPORT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD

Best Buddies In ternational, a non profit organization dedicated to estab lishing a global vol unteer movement that creates op portunities for oneto-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership de velopment and inclusive living for peo ple with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce that it is partnering with The Mosaic Com pany to decrease barriers and improve ac cess for people with intellectual and devel opmental disabilities.

Through The Mosaic Company’s commit ment of $50,000, students will be provid ed ongoing opportunities to impact their schools and communities through oppor tunities that provide them with leadership, allyship, future employment and general life skills in Best Buddies’ School Friendship Pro gram.

“Best Buddies is grateful for partners like The Mosaic Company who have shown in credible fortitude and commitment through out the challenges stemming from the pan demic,” said Anthony K. Shriver, founder, chairman and CEO of Best Buddies Inter national. “With their support, Best Buddies will continue to reach thousands of partic ipants with IDD and provide them with the resources needed to feel included, confident and optimistic about the road ahead. I am confident that together we will continue to empower this community — connecting advocates and mobilizing our supporters to create a more inclusive world.”

“At Mosaic, we believe in decreasing bar

riers and increasing access for Hillsborough and Polk County stu dents in Best Buddies’ School Friendship Pro gram. These students seek to impact their schools and commu nities through oppor tunities that provide them with leadership, allyship, future em ployment and general life skills,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, vice pres ident of North America government and public afairs. “I am personally familiar with the impact that Best Buddies’ School Friend ship Program has on its participants and the ripple efect it has on the school, families and community, and I am thrilled to see Mo saic partner on this powerful investment.”

Best Buddies Friendship programs (www. bestbuddies.org/what-we-do/friendship/) represent one of Best Buddies’ four key mis sion pillars.

Founded in 1989 by Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school and college chap ters worldwide.

For more information, visit www.bestbud dies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twit ter.com/bestbuddies.

The Mosaic Company is one of the world’s leading producers and marketers of concen trated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single-source provider of phos phates and potash fertilizers and feed ingre dients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is avail able at www.mosaicco.com.

2022 HARVEST AWARDS PRESENTED AT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIR

On November 3, the Hillsborough County Fair was kicked of with the 2022 Harvest Awards Presentation and Luncheon. Jake and Melissa Rayburn acted as masters of ceremonies. Melissa said, “Over the years, I have watched the county fair grow. This is an opportunity to celebrate people who have done some ex traordinary things in the areas of agricul ture and farming.”

The Farm Family of the Year was presented by Hillsbor ough County Board of County Commis sion Commissioner Stacy White and was awarded to Sammy and Jef Busciglio.

Sixty-seven years ago, the Busciglio family started Tower Dairy in Palm Riv er. Back then, Hillsborough County was home to 60 dairy farms, and now there are none. The Busciglio family has relocat ed to Georgia. Tower Dairy was the last dairy farm in Hillsborough County. For their support of youth involved in farming, the family was given this year’s award.

Next, the Lifetime Achievement in Ag riculture was awarded to Helen Parke by Hillsborough County Sherif Chad Chro nister, who said, “It is an honor to present this award to an amazing lady and iconic figure, the matriarch of the Parke family dynasty.” Chronister added, “Even in her 90s, the farm spirit emerges. She remains active.” The Parkesdale Farm Market, which Parke helped build, was established

By Kathy L. Collins

in 1963.

The Outstanding Woman in Agricul ture was given by Jackie Barron of Mosaic to Michelle Williamson. She is the operations man ager for G&F Farms. She is also the secretary for the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. Williamson is active in promoting all areas of agricul ture and farming.

The Outstanding Young Farmer was awarded to Joshua Grifn by Simon Bollin, agriculture indus try development manager. Young started in farming at the age of 7 when he en tered his first swine at the Florida State Fair. He has travelled the world promoting agriculture and will receive his bachelor’s degree this fall.

The Outstanding Public and Community Service Award was given to St. Vincent de Paul Faith & Grace Garden in Temple Terrace. The award was presented by Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, who grew up in Temple Terrace. Ground was broken on the garden in 2019. It is 100 percent volunteer operated and serves 600 families each month.

In addition to these awards, Memorial Tributes were given to Al Berry, Vernon Blackadar, Perry Buttram and Bruce and Susan Harrell. Finally, Greg Messick, Hills borough County Fair president, presented 11 Friends of the Fair awards.

Te 2022 Farm Family of the Year was presented to Sammy and Jef Busciglio at this year’s Harvest Awards. Te presen tation was made at the Harvest Awards on November 3. Tis event kicks of the Hillsborough County Fair each year.

TALENTED YOUNG ACTRESS, MODEL AND ENTREPRENEUR STANDS UP FOR OTHERS THROUGH HER PLATFORM

Since making movies in the community, local film production company Showtown American Pic tures has stumbled across the next big star, Avaryana Rose, a young actor, model and entrepreneur who also works to make a diference in the world.

Rose has worked with Showtown American Pic tures before in The Beast Comes at Midnight and will be working with them again on its new film, Bitter Souls, a classic-style horror movie.

“The Showtown American Pictures fam ily is elated to be work ing with the talented young actress Avary ana Rose on our South ern Gothic Voodoo fea ture, Bitter Souls,” said Ed McKeever, executive producer at Showtown American Pictures, “Av aryana is a phenomenal actress with a tremen dously supportive fan base who cannot wait to see her in a good, old-fashioned Central Florida monster mov ie. Her fans have been blowing up our mes sage box since announcing.”

Rose said she never really planned on be coming an actor, but after working on her first project, she fell in love. By acting, she

By Makenzie Atkins

has learned to come out of her shell and find new ways to express herself so she can discover who she is.

Not only is Rose a tal ented actor, but she has also become an activist, most importantly against bullying. Rose said because she has been bullied since she was young, she feels a strong pull to speak for those who have been vic tims of bullying as well.

Rose started her compa ny, B.A.B.E., Badass Babe Empire, as a way to express her feelings against bul lying. At first, it was just an awareness social platform and has since turned into an online shop where she sells things like T-shirts and hats to raise awareness about bullying.

“I created Babes Against Bullying to fight back against bullying and to spread aware ness about just how bad models like me, male and female, are cyber bullied,” said Rose. “That led to the creation of my brand, B.A.B.E., where I sell merch with the in tention of further spreading awareness.”

For more information, follow Avaryana on socials or contact McKeever at 6092410-5471.

CELEBRATING LIFE THROUGH FOOD WITH VEGAN RESTAURANT CHOZEN FOODS

Zen Paul will tell you she wasn’t able to fry an egg until she was 14 years old. “I understood that cook ing food for someone was a true expression of love,” Paul said. “The memories of my maternal grandpar ents who cooked every weeknight showed me that food was hope. Those meals were a sure thing, calming many family trou bles.”

Paul is originally from Washington D.C., but she now calls Tampa home. She became a vegan at age 22, which forced her to cook to sustain her life. “Coming from a long line of cooks, I knew I had to bring out the grace and gratitude of my family’s fla vors,” Paul said. “I relocated to Tampa after visiting a few times, but something I could never understand was why there was an obvious lack of food and resources while so many people were living lavishly. I wanted to create a solution and take noth ing away from people who were already thriving, eating and living, but add to those who were down on their luck.”

Seeing those who were in need or food insecure made her want to give back to her new home and community. “This is where Chozen Foods was born,” Paul said. “I have been down and needed a simple act of kind ness, and it was nowhere to be found. If I can create a solution without asking any thing extra from people in a time where

By Libby Hopkins

we are all doing our best, maybe I can show that love is all around us and not limited to transactions and afordability.”

Chozen Foods’ goal is to provide a local sustainable food system that revolu tionizes how people invest in their community without compromising their lives.

“We ofer contemporary casual takeout and dine-in, highlighting vegan cuisine with flavors that celebrate life,” Paul said. “At Chozen Foods, we understand that food is much more than a few forkfuls but can be compassion, self-love and hope. Our mobile and laun dry services will also sup port those in need when you choose to eat with us.”

Chozen Foods has been a part of many local artisan markets in the Brandon area. “This work, feeding people, nurturing and lov ing on people through food, is a spiritual work,” Paul said. “I really enjoy preparing my dishes, ones that have mem ories of patrons dancing at the first bite or closing their eyes while eating my pineap ple upside-down cake. Cooking for others is such a blessing, being able to feed people who are experiencing food insecurity and even people who may be newly homeless.”

Chozen Foods can be found at Win throp Pop Up Market and other markets in Brandon. If you’d like to learn more about Chozen Foods, you can visit its website at www.chozenkitchen.com.

Avaryana Rose stars in Showtown American Pictures’ newest flm, Bitter Souls.

Avaryana Rose works with Dean Cain in J.C. Films upcoming Not For Sale, which debuts in 2023 to raise aware ness against human trafcking.

Zen Paul is the owner of Chozen Foods, a vegan restaurant that provides a local sustainable food system that revolutionizes how people invest in their community without compromising their lives.

For more than 25 years, Music Show case in Brandon has been the pre miere location for music, music les sons, instruments, repair and suppiles in our community.

Plus, with the on site Florida Acad emy of Perform ing Arts (FAOPA), Music Showcase o f ers programs where kids can participate in musical theater, classes, workshops and events.

With FAOPA, experienced the jazzy beats of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS on November 19. The performance, di rected by Rachel Battle, featured color ful characters and beloved songs from the movie. Regular tickets were $10 and VIP tickets, which seated attendees in the front two rows, were $12. Tickets were very limited, and sold quickly.

On Friday, December 2 from 5-10 p.m., kids ages 5-12 can enjoy Parent’s Night Out. The night includes dinner, snacks, games, crafts, the movie Polar Express and Santa’s Workshop, where they’ll be able to make Christmas gifts for friends and families. Registration costs $35 if not currently enrolled in a FAOPA pro gram or $30 if enrolled, and siblings are $15 each. Availability is limited, so regis ter early.

Next, look forward to a free Music Makers workshop on Saturday, Decem ber 3 from 9:30-11 a.m. There, children ages 4-10 will learn about and get to play

will be performances of A Story: The Musical, Ochalek and with performers ranging from 8-year-olds to adults. Based on the beloved Christmas movie, this show will add a new dimension to enjoy for fans of the movie and stand on its own for people who haven’t seen it. Regular tickets cost $15 and VIP tickets cost $20. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“We have spent over 25 years building relationships with families in this com munity and we are excited for the sea son with Polar Express, Santa’s Workshop, our annual Christmas recital and Amplify performing in the community. We hope you join us for one of these events,” said Ochalek, executive director of FAOPA.

Music Showcase is located at 402 Oak field Dr. in Brandon. To learn more about its gear, lessons and more, visit www.mu sicshowcaseonline.com or call 813-6855998. For FAOPA, visit https://faopa. org/ or call 813-490-2787.

ICE SKATING AND WINTER VILLAGE RETURN TO TAMPA JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

This year, celebrate the holiday season by visiting the Win ter Village and its outdoor ice-skating rink. It is a great hol iday activity for the whole family. The Winter Village is lo cated in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 600 N. Ashley Dr. in downtown Tampa. The Winter Village is open now through January 4, 2023.

Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is trans formed each year with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays, which is great for children and adults alike.

Each year, a giant ice-skating rink is erected on the perimeter of the park. You must purchase and reserve tickets for ice skating in advance. Tickets are $17, and the cost includes skate rentals. All hours are subject to weather and rink condi tions.

In addition to the 5,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, the Winter Village fea tures random Santa sightings, the Curtis Hixon Choo Choo, shopping and snack and beverage options. The Curtis Hixon Choo Choo ofers a five-minute ride through the park where riders can enjoy the sights, lights and sounds of the Win ter Village.

The Tampa The atre will ofer two holiday movies on the lawn on Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m.

Back this year is the popular Win ter Village Express. The family-friend ly excursion takes you from Whiting Station, located in downtown to Ybor City, and back on the TECO Line Streetcar.

The one-hour trip features a holiday singalong, holiday trivia, milk and cookies and added surprises along the way.

New to the holiday celebrations at the Winter Village this year is curling. This will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Equipment will be available for rental. There will also be a curling league. This will be available from Wednesday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 28. Games will be played every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m.

Katie Collins of Valrico said, “The Win ter Village is truly special. It really puts you in the holiday spirit and is a fun way to spend a few hours in downtown Tam pa.”

For more information on hours and rentals, please visit www.wintervillag etampa.com.

BRANDON BALLET TO PERFORM THE NUTCRACKER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The Brandon Bal let will present three live performances of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker

The performances will be held on Saturday, De cember 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Decem ber 11 at 2 and 5:30 p.m. All performances will be held at Riverview High School, located at 11311 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.

The Nutcracker is a magical Christmas production that is both imaginative and a timeless classic that is great for the whole family.

Photo courtesy of Ricardo Romero. Te Brandon Ballet is celebrating the Season of Discovery with three live per formances of Te Nutcracker at Riverview High School this December.

Tickets are available online at www.bran donballet.org. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under and seniors. Homeschool students can get tickets for $15 per person. For the latter, please email dance@brandonballet.org. Tickets are available at the door, but all prices increase by $5.

The Nutcracker is set on Christmas Eve with a gathering of friends and family. During the performance, toys come to life and rats grow to life size characters. Clara is given a toy soldier by her uncle, Herr Dros selmeyer, and is transported to magical lands, including the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets. The toy soldier turns into a magical nutcracker. Clara meets the Sugar

Plum Fairy, and the au dience is left wondering whether it was a real trip or just a magical dream.

This year, the role of Sugar Plum Fairy will be reprised by Courtney Moody. Drosselmeyer will be played by new company member An dres Gomez.

Hannah Townend, administrative director for the Brandon Ballet, said, “This performance is the company’s first Nutcracker under new artistic direction of Alice H. Bock and Brent wood Townend. Along with rehearsal direc tor Courtney Moody, they are proud to pres ent a production in which some of the lead roles in act two will be danced by student company members.”

Townend added, “Of special note is Jada Stevenson, a senior at Blake High School who has danced with Brandon Ballet for many years. Stevenson will be performing the lead Arabian role for the first time.”

“Our 2022 production will include a Nut cracker Prince, and Drosselmeyer will be included in the snow scene. This change has never been done in any other Nutcrack er production. Audiences will be surprised at the athletic and theatrical ability,” said Townend.

For information, visit www.brandonballet. org or call 684-4282.

into the holiday spirit with a visit to the Winter Village located along Tampa’s beautiful riverwalk at Curtis Hixon Wa terfront Park. You can enjoy holiday sights and sounds, ice skating and even curling this year.

COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO HELP KEEP CENTER PLACE TREE LIGHTING TRADITION ALIVE

Thanks to the Os prey Observer and lo cal business owners, Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 7 at Cen ter Place from 6:30-9 p.m. “Center Place’s executive board and I are thrilled to have so much community sup port,” said Libby Hop kins, Center Place’s Executive Director. “We are a community center, and our com munity has showed us so much love, it’s overwhelming. Thank you to the Osprey Observer for sharing our story of needing sponsors for our event.”

Tanks to the Osprey Observer and local business owners, Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association’s annual Christmas Tree

Lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 7 at Center Place from 6:30-9 p.m. Te event is free to attend.

Local businesses Curry Law, ABC Event Planning, Florida Trade Academy, Leg ends, Game Over Escape Rooms, RAZZLE DAZZLE Barbershop and 7th Sky Ven tures have all agreed to sponsor Center Place’s Christmas Tree Lighting.

Local Brandon residents Kelley Miller and Dorothy Rinaldi have also stepped up to be sponsors of the yearly event. “We still have many sponsorships available and there is still time to help us make this a wonderful holiday event for our commu nity,” Hopkins said.

Center Place’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting is a family holiday event that is free to attend. Center Place is working with local vendors to be on hand as well.

By Libby Hopkins

“If you are a local vendor and want to be a part of Center Place’s tree lighting event, we would love to have you join us,” Hopkins said. “We are looking for ven dors you can ofer our guests hot cocoa, Christmas cookies or other holiday snacks. We are also looking for vendors to be on hand the night of the event to do crafts with the children who will be there having fun.”

If you are interest ed in being a sponsor of Center Place’s an nual Christmas Tree Lighting, there are still three North Pole sponsorships for $750 each. This spon sorship level covers the mural that will be painted on the windows of Center Place’s Grand Room and indoor Christmas trees. There are also still three Santa Claus sponsorships for $500, which will cover pictures with Santa Claus at the event, and three Elves sponsorships available for $250, which covers snacks for guests of the tree lighting.

If you would like to be a sponsor of Cen ter Place’s annual Christmas Tree Light ing, you can contact Hopkins at libby. hopkins@centerplacebrandon.com or call Center Place at 813-685-8888.

Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Center is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B inside the Brandon Regional Library.

FEEL THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT DURING THE ARTS COUNCIL OF PLANT CITY 35TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

The Arts Coun cil of Plant City will present its 35th annual At Home for the Hol idays Home Tour on Sunday, De cember 11 from 1-4:30 p.m. The Holiday Home Tour will feature three festively decorated area homes plus the Sparkman House Luxury Bed & Breakfast. Tick ets for the event are $25 per person.

In addition to the tour, the Arts Council of Plant City will ofer refreshments at the Plant City Photo Archives, located at 106 S. Evers St. in Plant City. Refreshments are included in the cost of your ticket.

According to Maggie Carl isle, chair of the Holiday Home Tour, “Each home is festively decorated. All of the homes reflect the personality and traditions of the individual homeowners.” Carlisle added, “Each guest tours the homes on their own.” Once you pay for your ticket, you will receive a map showing where each home is located.

Last year, approximately 250 people toured the homes. According to Carlisle, “People from as far away as Homosassa Springs come to the tour. We never know how the homes will be decorated. One year, a dentist’s home featured a tree decorated with all types of dentistry tools. We tell the

By Kathy L. Collins

homeown ers to deco rate the way they normal ly would at Christmas.”

The funds raised at the Holiday Home Tour help the Arts Council of Plant City provide many diferent pro grams for the community. This includes high school scholarships given to four deserving seniors from Plant City High School, Durant High School and Strawberry Crest High School. Students must be interested in pursuing a degree in the arts. Applica tions can be obtained from each school’s guidance coun selor in March 2023. Awards are made at the end-of-theyear assembly at each school.

In addition, the Arts Council of Plant City is the sponsor of a variety of community events. It sponsors among other things, the annual Seward sculptures, banners on the light poles in downtown Plant City, Meals on Wheels, Empty Bowls and a caboose at Railfest.

Additionally, they provide youth develop ment at each of the above-mentioned high schools for drama, band and orchestra.

For more information, contact Carlisle at mcarlisle@trinkle-law.com or Marsha Pass more at mappmore@msn.com.

Te Arts Council of Plant City is proud to present the 35th annual At Home for the Holidays on Sunday, December 11. Ticket holders get to tour three private homes and the Sparkman House Luxury Bed & Breakfast. All locations are festively decorated and will put you in the holiday spirit.

TICKETS FOR THE 2022 UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL ARE NOW ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

With just over a month until the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, ESPN Events is proud to announce that tickets are now available for pur chase to the gener al public. The 15th edition of the bowl game will take place at Raymond James Stadium on Friday, December 23 at 6:30 p.m. Last year’s in-state matchup between the UCF Knights and Florida Gators hosted a soldout crowd of 63,669 fans.

The Gasparilla Bowl welcomes two teams from among the American Ath letic Conference (AAC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big 12, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference (MAC), Moun tain West, Pacific 12 Conference (Pac-12), Southeastern Conference (SEC) and inde pendent programs, Brigham Young Universi ty and Army. The event annually showcases many top college-football players who go on to play in the NFL.

The week leading up to the game ofers student-athletes and fans a variety of inter active events across the Tampa Bay area to celebrate Bowl Week and get into the game-day spirit. From visits to local sites and attractions to a loud and proud Block

Party at the Tampa Convention Center, Gasparilla Bowl activities honor the rich history of Tam pa’s famed Gaspar illa Invasion, our community’s rich waterfront and the fun of football in Florida. Stay tuned for more announce ments.

Fans can now purchase tickets for the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparil la Bowl tickets with lower bowl seating available starting as low as $40, making it an afordable option for holiday family fun. Club-level seating and access starts at $75. Taxes and service gees will apply.

College-football fans who want to catch all of the action with their favorite krewe of 10 or more can purchase discounted group ticket packages by calling 813-301-6900. Group ticket information is also available at www.gasparillabowl.com/tickets/.

Gasparilla Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN with a portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events nationwide.

For more information on this year’s bowl game and the bowl week events, please visit www.gasparillabowl.com or follow along on social media @GasparillaBowl.

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT RECOGNIZED BY IAOA AS MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Michelle Mosh er, licensed inde pendent insurance agent and owner of Southshore Insur ance Professionals in Riverview, was recently awarded Member of the Year by Insurance Agen cy Owners Alliance (IAOA) at its annual conference during the first week of October.

Mosher has 29 years of industry experi ence in the insurance sector and can provide her clients with auto, home and business in surance anywhere in Florida. She is not only known for her superior knowledge of insur ance and caring customer service but also for her online persona, the ‘Florida Insurance Chick,’ who helps people understand cover age options through social media videos and memes. “There are 8491 independent agen cy owners from across the county in this or ganization and to be chosen from all of those was overwhelming and an incredible honor,” Mosher said. “I have been in this group since its inception because of the selflessness and collaboration of the group. I’m simply hon ored to represent this group as their 2022 Member of the Year.”

The IAOA began as a Facebook group of agency owners who were dedicated to providing helpful insight with each other to encourage their agencies to thrive. Now, almost a decade later, the IAOA has more than 8,000 members nationwide, ofers online programming and holds a conference titled ‘INNOVATION’ in a diferent U.S. city

By Libby Hopkins

each year.

The 2022 con ference was held in Nashville, Tennessee and attended by over 400 independent insurance agency owners. It featured 18 speakers and over 100 vendors to help agency owners discover new ways to perform in an ev er-changing business arena.

Mosher’s award comes as no surprise to her peers and customers, who have watched her navigate the shaky Florida in surance market with precision over the last few years. She is a valuable asset not just to her local community but to her community of fellow agency owners as well. “We are a growing independent agency in Florida, and we are active in the Tampa Bay community with the ability to assist clients anywhere in Florida with auto, home and business insur ance needs,” Mosher said. “If you are active on social media, we invite you to follow our Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and/or Twit ter pages,” Mosher said. “We promise not to ‘sell’ to you there but provide you with information regarding industry news and sometimes just fun facts and good wishes.”

If you would like to learn more about Southshore Insurance Professionals, you can visit its website at https://south shoreins.com/ or its Facebook page at www. facebook.com/southshoreinsuranceprofes sionals. Mosher’s ofce is located at 11216 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview. To get a free quote, call Mosher at 813-448-7580.

Michelle Mosher was recently awarded Member of the Year by Insurance Agency Owners Alli ance (IAOA).

FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS & RESEARCH INSTITUTE: FINDING AN ONCOLOGIST

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. Choosing an on cologist is your first step to navigating this journey. They are vital in rec ommending and providing the treatments and services needed to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Here are three key tips to help you find the right oncologist for you.

1. Start with basic research.

Ask your primary care doctor for a re ferral, or more specifically, “Who would you recommend to a family member?”

You’ll want to make sure the oncolo gist you’re considering has ample train ing, experience and positive patient re views. Healthgrades.com, state websites and Google are helpful.

2. Ask questions in advance.

• How soon can you see me and start treatment?

• How many patients have you treated with my type of cancer?

• Will I be able to receive all the care I need at this location?

• Do you encourage family members/ caregivers to participate in appoint ments?

• Will I have the opportunity to partic ipate in clinical trials?

• What other emotional or social sup

Staf Report

port services are available?

3. Consider little things that make a big di f erence. Notice com munication style. How do they greet you and respond to questions? Do they provide clear an swers you understand? Do they show an interest in you as a person, and will they consider your treatment preferences?

Ask if they have an experienced team member to assist with understanding the expected cost of treatment and what your insurance will cover.

Also, cancer treatment can take a long time, with multiple appointments, so finding a location close to home is im portant. Think about the ease of parking and if it’s a space where you feel com fortable.

You’re well on your way to meeting a qualified oncologist who will help you through your cancer journey.

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute believes patients should have access to comprehensive care and clini cal trials without the burden of long-dis tance travel. Our nationally ranked doc tors care for patients with all forms of cancer and blood disorders. It brings the newest and most advanced cancer therapies — some not yet available else where — to communities across Florida, including Brandon.

Get to the heart of your burn, with reflux experts who care.

A little heartburn from time to time may seem harmless. But if you experience it twice a week or more, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have GERD. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions like esophageal cancer. The expert physicians at the George Mickle Center for Reflux and Esophageal Disorders, part of AdventHealth Digestive Institute Tampa are here to help. With services to help prevent, diagnose, and treat reflux and other esophageal disorders, our specialists ofer non-invasive screening tests, like EsoGuard, that can help us find pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus and definitive, minimally invasive robotic surgical treatments to stop cancer from ever being developed.

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