1.9.20 PLCO by Plant City Observer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

HCSO SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT IN CHURCH PARKING LOT SHOOTING One teen was shot in a church parking lot on Jan. 4. The teen is in critical but stable condition, but Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is searching for information on the driver of the shooter’s vehicle.

SEE PAGE 8

YOGA IN THE PARK Plant City Main Street is partnering with The Koa Yoga Studio to ensure that 2020 is a year of health and wellness. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Plant City Main Street has officially partnered with Koa Yoga Studio and is now offering a free monthly yoga class in the park. The class is held the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is completely free for all to attend. All you have to do is register on the Main Street’s event page on Facebook and you’re all set for what will arguably be the most relaxing morning of the month. “My goal for the upcoming year is to have more community events that bring people downtown,” Jerilyn Rumbarger, executive director of Main Street, said. “Koa is a new member of Main Street and when she joined I asked if she would host a yoga in the park in the hopes that it would bring people downtown. It all kind of flows under the ‘meet me in downtown’ concept that Main Street is fighting for. Just having people downtown and

seeing that there are people downtown and businesses downtown and fun events downtown, it can alter the community’s mindset and hopefully show them that downtown is a thriving and great place to spend time. Things like this event are immediate efforts we feel are going to impact the downtown core as a whole, both now and in our long-term goals.” Katie Medina, teacher and owner of Koa Yoga, has long sought to help Plant Citians navigate through this fast-paced society. The growing number of clients that flock to her doors are proving the relaxing and structured programming is making its mark.

SEE PAGE 5 Breanne Williams

Yoga in the Park had nearly 20 participants on Jan. 4.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

od. According to Hope, members prayed every day and added a special Advent prayer calendar to each bag. In every bag was a list of nonperishable food items the members could buy from and add into the bag. The bags were returned to the church on Christmas Eve and later donated to the food bank. "We were overwhelmed by the response of the congregation,” team leader George Hayes said in a press release. "The members of Hope once again showed their love and support for those in need in our community.”

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections announces scholarship

Hope Lutheran helps UFB with ‘reverse Advent calendar’

The Florida Supervisors of Elections are offering a new scholarship opportunity for Florida residents enrolled in or accepted to state senior colleges or universities as full-time students. Three $1,200 scholarships are available to applicants who meet the following requirements:

Last month, Hope Lutheran Church put a new twist on the traditional Advent calendar by working in “reverse,” and the United Food Bank of Plant City reaped the benefits. The church’s members pitched in to donate more than 1,250 pounds of food to the food bank throughout December 2019 with the “reverse Advent calendar” meth-

Registered to vote in Florida (applications must be submitted to the county in which they are registered to vote) Majoring in political science, mass communications, journalism or public/ business administration Have completed two years of junior college or undergraduate work with enough credits for enrollment as a junior

Must have had Florida residency for two years before the current academic year Must be able to demonstrate financial need

Students are encouraged to apply before Feb. 28 at votehillsborough.org. Visit the site or contact Ryan Bashore at 813367-8832 or rbashore@hcsoe.org for more information. Winners will be announced at the 2020 FSE Summer Conference.

Sign up for Dad-Daughter Date Night The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department is accepting registrations for the upcoming 11th annual Dad-Daughter Date Night event. Dads and daughters, grandfathers and granddaughters, uncles and nieces and other “father figures” in girls’ lives are welcome to visit the Trinkle Center at HCC, 1206 N. Park Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 for an evening of entertainment, food, dancing and a free photo. The theme for 2020 is “A Night in the Emerald City of Oz” and all guests are asked to dress to impress. The event is for girls age 3 and older and the cost is $35 per couple, plus $10 for each additional girl. Registration caps at 150 couples, so act fast before the cutoff date of Jan. 31 to secure a spot. Email recinfo@plantcitygov.com or call 813-6594255 to get a registration form and deliver completed forms with payment to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Contact Planteen Recreation Supervisor Maggie Morona at mmorona@plantcitygov. com or 813-659-4256 for more information or to help sponsor the event.

BayCare hospitals putting on play at PCE South Florida Baptist Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital have teamed up to perform “Holding On, Letting Go” at Plant City Entertainment this week. The play is about a man named Bobby Alexander and his “struggle to live fully while preparing to die” while his family also comes to grips with the event. The hospitals describe the play as an “intimate, compelling production” laced with humor to help an audience get comfortable thinking about end-of-life issues — including, perhaps, their own. Following the play is a facilitated panel discussion with the audience about end-of-life issues. “Part of our mission is to explore the myriad issues surrounding death and dying,” Linda Wilkerson, manager of Faith Community Nursing for St. Joseph’s Hospital and South Florida Baptist Hospital, said in a news release. “Producing this play is a great way to start a conversation focusing on the tension between ‘holding on’ and ‘letting go’ faced by both the person who is dying and those loved ones who must share the experience.” PCE veteran Lois Dunson is directing the play. Cast members include Jimmy Baumgartner, director of Operations for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital/St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, as Bobby Alexander, Alesia Bischoff as Alexander’s wife Lee, Debbie Scourtes as Alexander’s mother May, Coy Permenter as social worker Gabe, Gary Shepherd as Chaplain Roger and Patti Millin as nurse Virginia. Seating is limited, so registration is required. For more information and to register, visit BayCare.org/play or call 813356-7311.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

MLK FEST AROUND THE CORNER THE 34TH ANNUAL PLANT CITY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL IS ALMOST HERE.

File photos

Left: Members of Masonic Lodge #206. Right: Floats, cars, walkers and even big wheels are in the parade. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Each year, the community comes together for a week to celebrate diversity and unity throughout Plant City. The 34th annual Plant City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival will be held Jan. 11-25 and its lineup of events is one you won’t want to miss. This year, the festival has a new theme and will take a moment to honor those who have served the nation. “A Salute to Those Who Have Served” will act as a military tribute throughout the entire week. “Dr. King was about inclusiveness for everyone, not just African-Americans,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “He was out promoting inclusiveness and diversity and we want to make sure that we present that message each year. It’s something that will only benefit Plant City and we believe Dr. King’s message is exactly what you hear everyone talking about wanting for the future of Plant City. We want this to be a place where everyone can live, work and play.” Several of the volunteers with the Improvement League are military veterans and this year’s theme is one Thomas said they’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. The eightday celebration kicks off from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at Marshall Middle School. Thomas said the Marshall track will be open to accommodate parking due to the ongoing construction of the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center across the street. The honored guest speaker for the opening ceremony is a local Purple Heart recipient. The group is doing something new this year by offering a night event in historic downtown. Attendees are going to head to the Corner Store that evening for a night of music and poetry from local artists in the Rhythm & Rhyme event around 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and then around 10:30 p.m. the party is heading a few streets over to Roots Tap Room and Wine Bar for an event called “Diversity Among Friends.” Early the next morning, the most attended event of the week begins gearing up. The MLK Parade begins at 1 p.m. on Wheeler Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and will travel 1.5 miles up to the MLK Recreation Complex. Immediately following the parade is the MLK Battle of the Bands and then there will be live concerts in the recreation complex for the rest of the night. The MLK Street Fest vendors will open at 11 a.m. and many attendees park themselves along the parade route well before noon to ensure they have their favorite spot. The majority of the party will be down near the MLK recreation complex, as that is where part two of the celebration takes place, but

there will also be quite a crowd near the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 Allen St. The museum will be open to the public and the bathrooms are open as well for anyone who pops in. If you’re not a fan of thick crowds, consider camping out near the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center or near Samuel W. Cooper Park by the lake. Thomas said they’re expecting to have several prestigious car and bike clubs participate in the parade this year, so he’s anticipating a large turnout. The Battle of the Bands begins at the Recreation Complex promptly at 3 p.m. At 7:30 a.m. Jan.19, Plant City native Dr. Bernard Robinson will address the gathered crowd at the HCC Trinkle Center during the annual MLK Leadership Breakfast. It’s a highly anticipated event and seats go fast, but Thomas said a few tickets are still available. You can pick up your tickets at the Bing Museum or by calling Thomas at 813-757-6760 or Rashida Barnum at 863-398-2059 by Jan. 14. Robinson is a legend in the community. The retired U.S. Army neurosurgeon is known across the globe for the life-saving techiniques he’s developed for brain surgery. He also has made waves with his book “Two Ropes,” which chronicles his struggle toward equality in success. Those in the community who wish to lend a hand and give back are invited to participate in the annual Day of Community Service on Jan. 20. Groups will meet at the Bing Museum and will then split up to focus on two major projects. One group will stay at the Bing House to work on repairs and the other will head to the Glover School to work on modifications there. The groups will work from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thomas said their hard work will be on display mere weeks later. “The reason why we are focusing on those two projects is two weeks after the community service day Plant City will be hosting a statewide museum club, the Florida AfricanAmerican Heritage Preservation Network.” The conference will be hosted in town at the two locations so Thomas said it’s crucial they be in tip-top shape. The week will wrap up with a health fair at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 Ball St., on Jan. 25. The event has grown each year and Thomas said its important the local community take a moment to focus on their health. There will be more than 20 vendors and representatives from Moffitt Cancer Center, cooking experts with live demonstrations on healthy eating and health care professionals offering free diagnoses will all be on site. File photos

Above right: Marching bands like Strawberry Crest’s perform at the MLK Festival each year. Below right: The MLK Parade features people of all ages marching through downtown to spread Dr. King’s message.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY JANUARY 17, 2020 MLK Opening Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Marshall Middle School, 18 S. Maryland Ave. Diversity Among Friends: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. @ Roots Tap Room and Wine Bar, 101 S. Evers St. SATURDAY JANUARY 18, 2020 MLK Street Fest Vendors: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. MLK Parade: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. through historic downtown MLK Battle of the Bands: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Concerts: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The above noted activities will be held at the Plant City MLK Recreation Complex. SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2020 MLK Leadership Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. @ HCC Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road MLK Gospel Fest: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 911 E. Warren St. MONDAY JANUARY 20, 2020 Day of Community Service: Community Service Projects 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Bing House & Glover School SATURDAY JANUARY 25, 2020 Board Walk To A Better Health Fair: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

COPS CORNER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated a stolen green Kawasaki dirt bike, stolen catalytic converters,

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a stranger in a car,

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stolen vehicle registration

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and more.

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DEC. 28 REGISTRATION WOES 4400 block of Country Hills Boulevard Vehicle burglary: This victim reported that during the night of Dec. 27, an unknown suspect entered his vehicle and stole a blue pouch which held his vehicle registration. DIRTY DEED 3000 block of Forest Club Drive Stolen dirt bike: This victim reported the theft of a green Kawasaki KLX140 dirt bike from their garage.

SNEAKY SNEAKERHEAD 200 block of West Alexander Street Business burglary: An unknown suspect entered an employeeonly office at Famous Footwear on Alexander Street and stole approximately $250 worth of merchandise and the personal belongings of an employee.

DEC. 29 ONE TOO MANY Waller Street/Ball Street DUI: An officer made contact with a man while conducting a crash investigation. The man was charged with Driving Under the Influence and Refusal to Submit.

DEC. 31 OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND 2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway Theft: This victim reported to officers that she had left her purse in her shopping cart and it was taken while she was not looking. The purse and its contents were valued at $775. WHO ARE YOU? 2200 block of North Johnson Street Battery, Domestic: This officer responded to the parking lot and met with the victim who reported a subject was inside her vehicle. A man was taken into custody and transported to Orient Road Jail.

CAN I GET A WITNESS 1900 block of North Frontage Road DEC. 30 Edited by David Steinberg January 10, 2020 Business burglary: A representaJAN. 1 tive of the Jehovah’s Witnesses A GOOD HUNCH J.Lo’s 13 Crime ACROSS 44‘JOHN Kabul Church reported someone broke 49500 blockbae of North Palmer StreetlabASPIRING WICK’ VILLAIN *Deteriorating sample 1000 block ofresident where 1 Field into a secured building and stole 51Warrant arrest: Officers reNorth Wills Street a variety of items. They took three sponded Officers responded (6-9) to a suspicious 17 person “I did it!” Grand theft: many plays 45 Chinese backpack blowers, a pole runner, 54seen at City Pointe Church. A man to the above listed location in refUnleashes 21 Made happen? dish that a hedge trimmer, an edger, two who matched the description of a dog. A man (on) available erence to a theft 6 Treated, customers Stihl chainsawas trim, a Stihl chain- 58was locateddrink in the area. manLIKE was arrested cook and transported to Juniper 22The TALK a sprain saw medium a Stihl chainsaw 59had Hillsborough County SherOrient Road without incident. *Companion THIS 10 and Jamaican 46 Jail Texas A&M large. The items totaled a value of iff’s warrants for andone, ofOffice Hermione 24theft “Buy genre athlete $6,094. 13 One may burglary. He(4-7) was arrestedget and one Granger 47 Pork cuts transported to Orient Road Jail. e.g. 61 Tattoo free,” hold socks 48 Sty noises

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WANTED FOR... EVERYTHING 1400 block of Plantation Circle Warrant arrest: Officers made contact with a man who was arrested on an outstanding Polk County warrant for FTA burglary conveyance, two counts grand theft motor vehicle, six counts grand theft and resist officer without violence.

JAN. 2 SNIP OUT AND DIP OUT 400 block of East Baker Street Grand theft: This victim reported the theft of three catalytic converters valued at $1,500. They had been cut and stolen from the victim’s work vehicles, which had been parked at the above listed location.

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A GRAND AFFAIR 110 block of West Alsobrook Street Stolen recovered vehicle: Officers made contact with the victim, who advised his blue Mercury Grand Marquis was stolen from his residence at approximately 8:45 p.m. A man was later arrested and brought to Orient Road Jail without incident.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

CALLING ALL YOGIS

Plant City Main Street and the Koa Yoga Studio are teaming up to help Plant Citians soothe mind, body and spirit. STAFF WRITER

A storm was brewing. Black clouds drifted slowly over the heart of downtown on Jan. 4, bringing refreshing wisps of winds through McCall Park and gently whipping around a quiet crowd of nearly 20 stretching on yoga mats, starting their new year with a search for serenity. Thanks to the incoming storm, the weather was brisk Saturday morning and Medina casually weaved around the mats as she explained the poses and demonstrated what she wanted the group to do. Her calm voice acted like a foundation the attendees could latch onto as they slipped further and further into relaxation while also gently pushing their bodies into a firm stretch. Medina took several moments throughout the routine to explain the purpose behind some of the movements the attendees were reaching for. Unlike so many fast-paced workout routines, Medina’s class focused on how the flow moves the spine and muscles and what the true goal of some of the movements are. Regardless of skill level, everyone excelled under Medina’s tutelage and walked away feeling

like they’d had a healthy start to the day. “We want to bring yoga to Plant City and everyone wants to come downtown, so it seemed like a wonderful opportunity when Jerilyn reached out to us,” Medina said. “I think it’s a great way, even if we don’t get people in the community through our actual doors, to know that yoga is here in town for them. It’s all about the community. Health and wellness is so important and there’s no time like the present to start taking that seriously. We are doing an all levels flow during this session, which means it’s friendly for everyone. I’m more than happy to help anyone with modifications. Today we had someone who was pregnant so I had her do a few things slightly different than the group. If I ever have someone with special needs register that will work best with a chair, I’ll make sure I bring one so they can join us. This class is a nice combination because it really is accessible to everyone.” The Koa Yoga Studio, 2806 James L. Redman Parkway #205, is also offering specials for the new year. For the rest of the

month, it’s offering one year of unlimited yoga for $720 and 30 days of yoga for $30. You can learn more by heading to The Koa Yoga Studio’s Facebook or Instagram or by heading to thekoayoga.com. The once a month downtown is free, but Main Street asks that interested attendees register in advance so Medina will know what to expect when tailoring the session for the group. Walk ups are also welcome and a few of those who came Saturday morning stopped only because they saw the group gathering under the burgeoning clouds. Attendees are asked to bring their own mat and bottled water and are encour-

aged to wear flexible clothing. Medina also brings a small basket of mats for those who walk up or forgot their own though, so a few spontaneous drop-ins are welcomed. “We’re really just wanting to bring people downtown,” Rumbarger said. “The hope is these people come and have a relaxing session with Katie and then spend the rest of the morning and afternoon here. Maybe they’ll go get a cup of coffee or go shopping in the many businesses down here or go to lunch with their friends. It’ll be a relaxing Saturday morning for everyone and we’re really excited that we can offer this for the community.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019

YOUTH PREPARE FOR FESTIVAL SEASON Applications are now open for the Strawberry Youth Parade, and registration for the annual Baby Parade opens the night of Jan. 22. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

When the Florida Strawberry Festival comes to town, thousands flock with their loved ones to soak up the sweet event every year. Some of the annual highlights are in the unique family-themed events held throughout the 11-day affair. This year’s festival runs from Feb. 27 to March 8, so it’s officially time for locals — whether they be families, churches, businesses or organizations — to register to participate in a variety of the festivities. The Strawberry Youth Parade is always the first Saturday of the festival and will be held this year at 11 a.m. on Feb. 29. The parade will line up at the State Farmers Market as it has for the past several years, then begin its slow trek toward the festival grounds. This is the 47th year the parade has floated through town and applications are now open for those who wish to be a part of the jaunty journey. “The parade always has a great turnout and involves hundreds of area families and adults who supervise,” Pat Pogue, youth parade chairperson, said in a news release. “This cherished tradition for the communities surrounding eastern Hillsborough County is sure to continue its memory-

making fun for years to come. Bystanders along the secured route enjoy watching the marching bands, floats and especially the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court.” On top of the royal visitors, the ever-smiling Mr. and Ms. Berry from the festival and the abundance of non-profit youth clubs that frequent the route, some of the most creative paraders come from the local schools. Whether its cheering elementary school students waving with the energy only provided by a sugar high from the top of their decorated floats, or the precise and bellowing sounds of local marching bands showing off the fruits of their years of hard work as a unit, the schools bring a fervor to the parade that ensure the route is full of onlookers year after year. The Strawberry Youth Parade is coordinated by the Strawberry Youth Parade Committee and Pogue has been hard at work visiting local schools and encouraging participants to join the parade once again. The parade departs from the State Farmers Market on the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alexander Street at 11 a.m. and continues north on Alexander Street and west on Reynolds Street. Then it passes the festival grounds on Reynolds Street and disburse near Sammonds Road area or the floats can

disburse at the Farmers Market for the safety of everyone. For more information about the Strawberry Youth Parade, call Pogue at 813-754-4680 or email ppogue1559@aol.com. For 2020 Youth Parade applications, go to the Florida Strawberry Festival’s website at flstrawberryfestival. com, click on contest rules and scroll to 2020 Strawberry Youth Parade. This year, there will be winners for Best Club/Group Float (nonprofessional) with a $100.00 prize, trophy and rosette, a Best Church Float (non-professional) with a $100.00 prize, trophy and rosette, Best Marching Unit with a trophy and rosette and Best Band Entry with a trophy and rosette. Second and third place winners in each category will receive

rosettes. The Strawberry Youth Parade Committee will announce the winners in each category right after the parade at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds at the awards ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Stingray Chevrolet tent. Another major festival event for local families is the annual Strawberry Festival Baby Parade. Registration for the 2020 event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Arthur Boring Civic Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds. This “parade” is hosted each year by the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club. Entries are $25 and must be in cash. The Baby Parade is held the second Saturday of the Strawberry Festival rain or shine. The contestants gather at the Wish Farms Sound

Stage and their parents walk — or in many cases carry — the young paraders. The contest is open to children ages 1 to 4 and registration is limited to 50 children in each age group. The contestants are judges for “Most Beautiful Girl,” “Most Handsome Boy,” “Best Costume,” “Most Personality” and “Most Beautiful Float.” Trophies are awarded along with rosette ribbons to the winners in each category and the Baby Parade winners from the prior year participate in the Christmas and Youth parades. All the funds raised from the event are put toward the club’s annual Shoe Project.

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HUNGRY HOWIE’S

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

CUTEST CRITTER: NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS We asked some of our local critters to submit their New Year Resolutions. Here are some of the responses.

OWNER HELPS FAMILIES HAVE HAPPIER HOLIDAY

Cierra Craft/Emerald Eye Photography. Courtesy of Ali Sobh

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Santa Claus wasn’t the only one rounding up gifts on Christmas Eve for several Plant City families. Ali Sobh, owner of the Hungry Howie’s Pizza and buffet at 208 N. Alexander St., put on the iconic red hat and took almost a dozen kids and their families on a Walmart shopping spree on Christmas Eve. Sobh has helped families put food on the table for Thanksgiving in the past, but doing something like this for Christmas was a new endeavor. He issued a call-out for people to nominate Plant City families for the shopping trip — specifically ones who could benefit most from a helping hand at that time of year — and said the response was bigger than he thought it would be. Approximately 20 families reached out to him, he said, including some from as far away as Louisville, Kentucky with family members in Hillsborough County. Most of the selected families came from the nominations Sobh received, but he personally reached out to the family of Levi Delemo to invite them on the trip after reading about Delemo’s fight against cancer. The goals for this year were to keep it local for Plant City and to shop for 10 kids, but Sobh said they went over the mark for the latter.

“It was more than 10 because one of the kids that nominated a family, he acts like the father figure because they don’t have a dad,” Sobh said. He’s 15. I didn’t realize it was him requesting his own family.” As soon as the group got to Walmart, Sobh and the families wasted no time exploring the store. For the kids, it was all about getting whatever they wanted. Everything from coloring books to video game consoles was fair game, and that included a “ton of stuff” from Disney’s Frozen movies. For the families as a whole, Sobh also made sure to get them clothes and other essential items they could use every day. The shopping trip cost Sobh nearly $2,000. Though he went in with a budget, the desire to make sure everyone left with big smiles on their faces and everything they wanted was greater. “Most families were trying to be frugal with what they picked,” he said. “I had a budget in mind but when you’re with these kids and they’re talking to you, that goes out the window.” Though the specifics aren’t set in stone yet, Sobh has already said he plans to be the not-so-Secret Santa for families again this December. “I would do it again every year,” Sobh said. “It was exactly everything I thought it was gonna be.”

BAILEY: Bailey will try to not DAKOTA: Dakota will hopefulamputate all the arms and ly try to avoid peacock poop, legs off her toys in 2020. especially rolling in it!

LADY: Lady says she will try not to hog all the blankets in 2020.

ADOPT ME!

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BOWIE: Bowie hopes to find a forever home in 2020. He’s full of love and ready to find someone to love and a family of his own. Bowie is about two years old and while he’s not too sure about cats, has a great admiration for his fellow doggos. For information on how to adopt Bowie, visit www.saveaboxer.org

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KARAH: Karah vows to try and make her toys last for at least five minutes in 2020. Who knows... if she’s feeling crazy, she may even wait six minutes before destroying them.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

TEEN SHOT

WHILE IN PARKING LOT OF PLANT CITY CHURCH A teenager was shot Jan. 4 in a parking lot at Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

PHILIPPINES: Theresa Palmer and her family visited the Philippines last spring and brought the Observer along for the journey. “Three generations travel from the Plant City, The Winter Strawberry Capital, to Baguio, The Summer Strawberry Capital of the Philippines to retrace patriarch Rudy Mallare’s steps when he grew up there from the early 1930s to 1950,” Palmer wrote. “Theresa and Jenna Palmer, Rudy Mallare, and Vlada, John and Tina Pike embraced their family heritage while showing pride for their hometown paper.”

Around 8 p.m. on Jan. 4, Hillsborough County Sheriff deputies were called to Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5100 Horton Road, in reference to a shooting. Deputies said there were two juveniles in the parking lot and one had a gunshot wound in their upper body. The injured teen was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital where he is currently in critical, but stable condition, according to HCSO. The teens told officers an unknown make and model white van had driven

by the church and when it passed them someone began firing shots in their direction for an unknown reason, according to the news release. Deputies are working now on conducting interviews and verifying the victim’s statements. No suspect description was provided. The sheriff’s office did not release any information regarding the victims in the shooting. HCSO is asking that anyone with information on this incident call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-2478200 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH: CHAOS OR CALM Clean homes and clean hearts lead to the same thing: peace of mind.

DR. DANIEL MIDDLEBROOKS

It seemed to be a virus that swept throughout my home. It was not so much one of sickness as it was one of cleaning: de-cluttering, to be exact. Right after the decorations of Christmas began to come down, I went to work getting my office area back into order. After almost two years of accumulating stuff, it was time to clear it out for a fresh start in the new year. As I cleaned and de-cluttered, I opened space to help develop a calm environment necessary for me to prepare for the upcoming projects and possibilities of 2020. As I worked, so did my wife. In our bedroom, she moved boxes that had piled up in the corner due to the holidays — books that piled up during the long days and clothes from the good old days (you still have those, right?). The next thing I knew, my two daughters were doing the same. Box after box and trash bag after trash bag filled the living room. It seemed that after the rooms of Christmas decorations

came down, so did the walls of clutter hiding behind them. I wonder if the cleaning of space allows us the creation of calm. Does an uncluttered heart bring about the presence of peace? As we throw out the bags of old, broken, unused and unwanted items, are we willing to do the same for our files of frustrations and hurts? What about the bags of bitterness, broken dreams and wronged relationships? I believe that a new year can spread a virus of “victorious living” if we choose to conquer the chaos in our lives starting with the clutter in our hearts. I once saw a bumper sticker that stated, “When you get to the heart of the problem, it is usually the heart that is the problem.” No truer words were ever expressed both in our present times and in the days of old. King David, in Psalm 51, called out to a gracious Heavenly Father to do what he and all of God’s children cannot do: clear the clutter. David wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast 1/9/2020 & 1/23/2020 spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10 NKJV). It was Keiser – Lakeland only then231-1854-PCO-NYNC-Nurs-5x6 that the hallowed halls of David’s Plant City Observer heart were 5 x 6restored to the hope of living sjb 12/18/19

and loving life again (see verses 11-12). How about you? Do you need a little hope this year, a little piece of peace for the coming months and a bit of blessings for the days ahead? Why not start with the house of the heart? Go from room to room and see if the clearing of clutter creates the space of serenity we all need every hour of every day. With each garbage bag of “Grrr” you place by the driveway of deliverance, sing a song of victory. It could be “Let it Go” (if you don’t know the song, just ask any child anywhere to sing it for you). It may be the old hymn “Victory in Jesus” or even the lyrics from Keith Green’s praise song, “Create in Me a Clean Heart.” A clean room gives you space to see to possibilities. A clean heart gives you a space to sing about the promises. I have a rule in our home now: “If you can’t see the floor, clear it.” The same goes for the rooms in the house of our heart. If you can’t see the floor of God’s favor and feel the presence of His peace, it’s time to clear the complacent clutter of chaos to make way for the majestic momentum of a masterpiece in the making.

If you are interested in learning more about the “House of Your Heart,” email me at daniel@r3cc.org. I would love to share the practical principles of powerful living and relationships. Consider this closing thought. 2020 is a blessing from God to you. What you do with it will be a blessing back to Him. I have some extra trash bags if you need them.

Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks is the Senior Chaplain of First Call Church and the CEO/President of Chaplaincy Care, Inc.

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SPORTS Quick Hits COMING SOON TO A PARK NEAR YOU Taylyn Strickland had 21 points through the first seven games of the 2019-20 soccer season.See Page 12

Several sports tournaments are returning to Plant City parks in early 2020.

ELKS SOCCER SHOOT WINNERS Three Plant City kids have moved on to the Elks Soccer Shoot Southeast Regionals after winning first place in the statewide round over the weekend in Umatilla. Leslie Pena placed first in the U16 Girls bracket, Arely Salgado won the U14 Girls bracket and Gianni Jeronimo won the U12 Boys bracket.

SIGN UP FOR YOUTH SOCCER Registration has begun for the 44th annual Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist Club Youth Soccer Program. The league is open to all area youths age 4-18 as of June 1, 2020 (birth certificate required) and the players will be divided into 11 age groups. The season starts in late March and runs through the end of May, with games mostly played Saturdays for players age 4-11 and on Tuesday nights for players age 12-18. More than 1,300 kids participated last year in 100 total teams. Registration costs $35 per player and includes the costs for jerseys and supplemental accident insurance. Sign up by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the PCRPD office, 1904 S. Park Road, or by mail. For more information and to get a registration form, visit plantcitygov.com/parksrec/page/youthsoccer-league-ages-4-18, email recinfo@ plantcitygov.com or call 813-659-4255.

TRI-STAR BASKETBALL COMP COMING SOON Area hoopers age 8-13 are invited to the Tomlin Middle School gymnasium on Feb. 1 to put their skills to the test. The 47th annual Plant City Optimist Club Tri-Star Basketball Competition tips off at 9 a.m. and will showcase competitors’ shooting, passing and dribbling abilities. You do not have to be in the city’s rec basketball program to participate, but the city team with the most players in attendance and in uniform will get a free pizza party. The event is free and you can get a registration form by emailing recinfo@ plantcitygov.com or calling 813-659-4255.

File photos

The Tampa Bay Ultimate Frisbee Janus tournament is coming back to Plant City next weekend. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Want to spend a weekend watching live sports without paying a small fortune for tickets or fighting traffic for hours? You’re about to be in luck. Plant City-area parks will host a familiar slate of sports tournaments in the coming weeks beyond the usual crop of youth baseball events. There are two coming up in January, starting as early as next weekend, and three more in February to keep on the radar. All of the events have come to Plant City before. The first big tourney of 2020 is the Tampa Bay Ultimate Frisbee Janus XXVII Tournament, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 and 19 and will be held at both Ellis-Methvin Park and the neighbor-

ing Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. Last year, the tourney’s first in Plant City, 37 teams came to town to compete in a sport that combines elements of rugby and basketball with a frisbee. Just two days after that tournament ends, the International Senior Softball Association-World Baseball Softball Confederation World Tournament of Champions will start and use several ball fields in Plant City for six days. The tournament, which brings some of the United States’ top softballers age 50 and up together for games all over the Tampa Bay area, runs from Jan. 21-26 and will primarily use fields at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex and Mike Sansone Park with start times from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will be the tournament’s ninth year of hosting games in Plant City. Plant City FC’s annual President’s Cup Strawberry Classic returns to town from

Feb. 15-16 and will use fields at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews complex with games starting between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The tournament will feature boys and girls teams as young as U9 and as old as U19 in two division levels of play. Florida State Premier League soccer action comes to Ellis-Methvin Park the following weekend, from Feb. 29 through March 1, with start times from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last and certainly not least, the 2020 Spring Training Showcases for the National Club Baseball Association and National Club Softball Association will start Feb. 29 and bring dozens of college club teams to town over the course of four weeks. That tourney will primarily use fields at Mike Sansone Park and has also hosted games at the MLK complex and Plant City High School in the past.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

MAN’S BEST FRIEND — AND TRAINING BUDDY

Looking for one more excuse to get a dog? Need more motivation to work out? This is the column for you.

I’ve written much in the past about people losing a bunch of weight since I’ve been here. This is where the all-human streak comes to an end. You can make whatever case you want against this, but I believe the greatest and best dog in the world is my cousin’s pit bull, Paul, who lives with my family out in Arizona. He’s a lovable goofball with better clothes than me whose only character flaw is getting too jealous of dogs that are on TV (especially Brad Pitt’s dog from Once Upon a

Time… in Hollywood, we recently learned). He’s pretty tall and always carried his weight well, but I went out there two weeks ago to visit and saw my dude’s now looking kind of shredded. It was a little inspiring!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? MAN’S BEST FRIEND — AND TRAINING BUDDY

Need a reliable training buddy? Consider one with four legs. FROM PAGE 10 Granted, he still has a head the size of a bowling ball and a neck as strong as Takeo Spikes’s. But Paul went from being a little heavier than he should have been in 2018 to a lighter, nimbler version of himself in 2019. He lost close to 20 pounds between his diet and going for many more runs with my aunt and uncle, who will take any excuse to go do some cardio. Add in some resistance training — you don’t walk Paul, he walks you — and everyone benefits. So while I am writing about Paul because I finally found a good excuse to be able to do it, I’m also here to say getting a dog might give you that extra push you need to get going on your own fitness goals. Working out with other people is great and you should definitely do that, too. But when you want to do cardio, can you always count on someone else to run or walk with you? No, you can’t. But you know who won’t flake out on you at the last minute and leave you hanging while they catch up on The Witcher at home? That’s right, it’s the dog who doesn’t speak enough human to follow overarching plot lines but does know exactly what “go for a walk” means. The dog is excited to join you, and I’m fairly sure surrounding yourself with positive vibes is a resolution for 2020 that many of you posted on social media last week. You’ve always got a cardio buddy with the dog, and that’s a huge plus even with the fact that they can’t help you at all with weight training (though a Belgian Malinois is smart enough to fetch your phone and dial 9-1-1 when you need it).

Of course, dog ownership is also a huge commitment that not everyone is as ready for as they think they are. If you’re actively looking, this column should literally be the last thing you read after you’ve already carefully considered your situation and determined you can handle it. If you’re the classic grumpy dad who’s trying hard to be anti-dog for the family, don’t stress too much. You’re just gonna change your mind as soon as it comes home, naps with you in a chair and convinces you to go outside and play. That’s how they get you. If you can’t own a dog because of a strict HOA or a lack of time or whatever, or even if you have any shadow of a doubt about your ability to put that much time and energy into pet ownership, you can always run with a friend or family member’s dog. Maybe you’ll even run with those humans, too. I strongly suggest adoption and, if I can keep being biased, I recommend starting with a pit bull named Bowie who lives at our managing editor’s house and is featured in this week’s big Cutest Critter section. He’s a little sketched out by unfamiliar men but eventually comes around, and he has enough puppy energy to give you a heck of a workout on any given day.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Observer. Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

THURSDAY,JANUARY 9, 2020

Quick Hits COLTS TO HOST FREE FOOTBALL CAMP

USTA SEEKING ‘VOLUNTEER ACES’

The Plant City Colts are starting a new tradition with their first annual football camp for boys age 4-15. The camp, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 1, will be held at the MLK complex at 1903 E. Dr. MLK Blvd. and will cover all the football skills and drills athletes need to know to get better with help from the Colts coaching staff. Food will be available at the camp.

The USTA Florida Section is now running its new Volunteer Aces program and is looking for anyone willing to help out with state tennis events, regardless of prior tennis experience. “The reason why it’s important to bring in new leaders and volunteers is twofold really, I don’t think any of us could really be sitting here if somebody didn’t reach out to us, invite us in, mentor us, and help us grow and develop,” USTA Florida Executive Director Laura Bowen said in a news release. “I certainly wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for some of our longtime leaders who’ve mentored me and really encouraged and supported me, so I feel it’s my obligation to say how do we mentor and support others and bring them into the organization.” Using the MyImpact mobile app and online platform, volunteers can view work opportunities and engage with USTA personnel. The app will display all opportunities in a volunteer’s area and will also track their progress so they may be recognized and rewarded by the USTA. To sign up for the program, visit ustaflorida.com/volunteeraces.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

FOCUS ON FITNESS:

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Taylyn Strickland Plant City High School’s girls soccer team entered 2020 with a winning record (4-2-1), and a key cog in the Raiders machine has been senior forward Taylyn Strickland. Through the team’s first seven games, Strickland scored nine goals and added three assists to lead the team in both areas, also giving her a team-high total of 21 points. Her best game was the Nov. 14 season opener against Gaither, in which she scored four goals.

You’ve started the season strong. What’s working for you this year that’s better than before? I’m not really sure. I do play up top by myself kind of a lot more. We play with more of a defensive strategy, so maybe I have more opportunities because I’m up there all the time. I’ve just grown over the years, figured out where I need to be for through balls, anything like that. What does this team do really well overall? This team is definitely more together friend-wise. We get along more than any other team I’ve been on through the four years. What kind of role do you take with the team now as a senior? I’m not really like a verbal person as in, “Come on, ladies, let’s go.” I lead on the field. I’ll direct on the field but not too much off. Where have you improved most in four years? Definitely shooting to the corners. I used to just, I don’t know, happy kick it. Now I’m pretty good at picking my head up and placing it. I think that helps me score more.

Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.

It just feels good. That’s my favorite thing: how we hype each other up and make it fun. Do you have any pre-game rituals? I keep my jewelry on until we line up and I do not like to, like — I had the same cleats for a while that were ripped, I just got new ones — I don’t like to wash my cleats or anything. How did the jewelry thing come about? I just felt like I needed to have it on, and then it became a thing. And also, I wear jewelry that’s from family and stuff, so I like to have it with me until we have to line up. Any college plans? It is something I’m working on, but I did just visit Dalton State and on Jan. 19 I’m going to Nova Southeastern. I kind of want to stay close to home. What are you looking for in any program? I want to get better and develop. I want to play with people better than me so I can grow. Also, I want to major in business management so hopefully there’s a good program there, too. What advice would you give to someone joining the team next year? Just don’t think you’re too good for anyone. You always have to work really hard and hard work beats skill any day.

What’s been your favorite moment of your high school career? When we get a win and we’re together, it just feels like we’re all together as a team.

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A NEW ‘YOU’ FOR THE NEW YEAR If you want to keep that new year’s resolution of getting in shape, read on. What if I told you my favorite time of the year at the YMCA is January? If you are a regular at your Y or gym, you might wonder why. With so many “New Year’s Resolutioners” new to your fitness center, you can expect to wait for your favorite piece of equipment or lose your spot in a group exercise class to a newcomer. Most regulars know that after a few weeks, they will have their gym back. We have seen so many people start strong and then drop off that we expect it. But the truth is, we are rooting for you. Your motivation is contagious. We see you setting goals, following nutrition plans, getting into an exercise routine and vowing to get in shape this year. We want you to be successful (as long as we don’t have to wait for that leg press). So, how do we work out in harmony? Here’s my advice for the regulars: you know your gym is going to be extra crowded the first few weeks of the year. Rather than get irritated with the newbie using “your” Stairmaster, take a moment to remember where you started. How you welcome new members could make the difference between whether they decide to come back the next day or give up. You do not know what it took them to get themselves there. It might also give you an opportunity to try a new piece of equipment or take a group class you never tried before. After all, there will be many new people, so it is a great time to try something different. Now that you have made the decision to join and start exercising, how do you become a “regular”? This time of year, every fitness center is offering some kind of promotion. Truly consider what your needs are before joining so that you’ll choose the right place for you. Do you need childcare while you exercise? Will the family work out together? A gym you drive by every day would be a convenient place for you

to work out. Check the hours to make sure it will work with your schedule and definitely ask for a tour before joining so you can check out the equipment and class schedule. Most places will also let you try it out first with a free guest pass. Do you prefer working out alone, or do you need a group setting? If you are one of those people that feeds off the energy of others, group exercise classes are for you. In a group class, you’ll make new friends or get some ideas for exercises you can do on your own. If a group setting is not for you, consider working with a personal trainer. A PT can assess your current level of fitness and work with you one-on–one. If you have no experience, a trainer can really help by making sure you are doing the exercises properly, so you can avoid injury. Set realistic goals and break them down in to short-term, achievable goals and reward yourself along the way. Tell your friends you have joined a gym and maybe share your goals. You are more likely to stick to your routine if you know your friends are going to checking in on you. Most importantly, be patient. Change takes time. Many people assume exercise is not working if they do not see physical changes in their body immediately and give up after a month or so. Having reasonable expectations and making the gym a regular part of your routine will help you feel better and stick with it. Welcome to the club! Angela Fulgieri is a Program Director for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA. Write her at observerfitness@ gmail.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

JAN. 7

JAN. 3

BOYS SOCCER

Bloomingdale 65, Plant City 50

JAN. 9

Milton 47, Durant 32

Newsome 72, Durant 60 Alonso 66, Plant City 55 Strawberry Crest 56, Spoto 54

JAN. 4

Wharton at Plant City, 8 p.m.

DEC. 27

JAN. 10

Riverview 46, Plant City 30

JAN. 10

Navarre 62, Durant 36 Plant City 41, Wesley Chapel 33 St. John Paul II 73, Strawberry Crest 51

Durant at Riverview Sarasota, 7:45 p.m. Plant City at Riverview, 6:30 p.m. Lakeland at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

JAN. 7

King at Durant, 8 p.m.

George Jenkins 48 Plant City 39 Strawberry Crest 85, Lakeland 52

JAN. 14

WRESTLING

Durant at Brandon, 8 p.m. Armwood at Plant City, 8 p.m. Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

JAN. 10

JAN. 16

JAN. 15

Durant at Wharton, 8 p.m. Steinbrenner at Plant City, 8 p.m. Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

Durant at Strawberry Crest, 7 p.m.

DEC. 28 Pensacola Catholic 48, Durant 41 Zephyrhills 47, Plant City 35 Hillsborough 83, Strawberry Crest 55 DEC. 29 Freedom 59, Plant City 46 JAN. 2

JAN. 13 Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 8 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL DEC. 26

Gaither 63, Durant 60

St. Cloud 68, Strawberry Crest 56

JAN. 3

DEC. 27

Durant 56, Clearwater Central Catholic 46

Strawberry Crest 66, Edgewater 30

JAN. 4

DEC. 28

Plant 67, Durant 61

North Miami 48, Strawberry Crest 45

JAN. 6 George Jenkins 57, Plant City 50

JAN. 10 Durant at Riverview Sarasota, 6 p.m. Plant City at Riverview, 8 p.m. JAN. 13 East Bay at Durant, 7 p.m. Newsome at Strawberry Crest, 6:30 p.m.

CHEERLEADING JAN. 9 Strawberry Crest at Chamberlain, 6:30 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Durant at Wharton, 6 p.m. Steinbrenner at Plant City, 6 p.m. Robinson at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

Plant City at Blake through Jan. 11

JAN. 16 Plant City at Newsome, 7 p.m. Strawberry Crest at regional duals

JAN. 9

JAN. 17

Wharton at Plant City, 6 p.m.

Durant at Jerry Mita Invite through Jan. 18

JAN. 10

JAN. 16

King at Durant, 6 p.m.

Western Conference at Durant, 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 14 Durant at Brandon, 6 p.m. Armwood at Plant City, 6 p.m. Riverview at Strawberry Crest, 6 p.m.

JAN. 2 Newsome 35, Plant City 28

OMG IT’S WEDNESDAY! PLANT CITY FARM AND FLEA MARKET Highway 39 North at Sam Allen Road—1 mi. N. of I-4 Exit 21

WEDNESDAY FLEA MARKET OVER 40 ACRES . . . MORE THAN 500 VENDORS

OP EN

PM 7A M T O 1 708 W. SAM ALLEN RD. 1 MILE NORTH OF I-4 EXIT 21

LIKE KMART WITHOUT A ROOF!

287696-1

DEC. 26

JAN. 16

SPORTS SCORES

SPORTS SCORES AND MORE BOYS BASKETBALL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

WWW.PLANTCITYMARKET.COM

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked: What do you hope will come to Plant City this year?

“Chick-fil-A. I felt like they teased it, it fell through and I got mad.”

“A public bathroom for the train viewing platform that’s open 24/7.”

— Jamiee Salcido

— Edward Mascher

“I like it the way it is.” — Ilda Martinez

YOUR HOME COMMUNITY

BANK

“Chick-fil-A.”

“More restaurants downtown.”

— Tai Pergamot

— Barie Fry

Giacomo Puccini’s

Hillsboro BANK

The joys of love. The loneliness of life. The tragedy of death.

Personal Banking

JAN. 18, 2020 7 P.M.

Business Banking

Sung in Italian with English Surtitles

BRANSCOMB AUDITORIUM

Online Banking

TICKETS

Smart Banking at its BEST! 509 W. Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 (Main Office) (813) 707- 6506 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 - 6:00 Fri. LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 6:00 Fri.

1016 Bloomingdale Ave. Valrico, FL 33596 (Brandon Office) (813) 657-8989 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:30 Mon.-Thurs. 8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY: 9:00 - 4:00 Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 6:00 Fri.

Available from Imperial Symphony Orchestra box office

13844 7th Street Dade City, FL (352) 470-0990 DRIVE THRU: 8:00 - 5:00 Mon. - Thurs 8:00 - 6:00 Fri LOBBY 8:30 - 4:00 Mon - Thurs 8:30 - 6:00 - Fri.

(863) 688-3743 lakelandopera.com $60, $40, $25 | Students $15

Add a package from downtown’s Terrace Hotel to your ticket purchase!

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See the opera that inspired the Broadway hit Rent! SUPPORTED BY

Hillsboro

George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation

284972

BANK

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

hillsborobank.com

WWW.LAKELANDOPERA.COM

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

REAL ESTATE

December 2019 real estate transactions

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued in Plant City for the month of December 2019, in order of dollar amounts. Address

The home at 4713 Ever Lasting Trail sold Dec. 6 for $270,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,869 square feet of living area. CAREY AND WALTER The home at 2009 W. Oak Ave. sold Dec. 13 for $175,000. Built in 1930, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,010 square feet of living area. COUNTRY HILLS The home at 4613 S. Country Hills Court sold Dec. 16 for $181,300. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,292 square feet of living area. The home at 4704 N. Dawnmeadow Court sold Dec. 6 for $188,900. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,290 square feet of living area. COUNTRY HILLS EAST The home at 4408 Country Hills Blvd. sold Dec. 2 for $194,900. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. The home at 4406 Country Hills Blvd. sold Dec. 20 for $177,500. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,292 square feet of living area. EXPORT FARMS The home at 5906 W. Farkas Road sold Dec. 5 for $240,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 1,686 square feet of living area. GILCHRIST The home at 604 N. Pennsylvania Ave. sold Dec. 4 for $104,000.

Built in 1920, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,472 square feet of living area. HIGHLAND CREEK The home at 4513 Highland Creek Drive sold Dec. 3 for $340,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,442 square feet of living area. HILLSBOROUGH The home at 4352 Lott Ave. sold Dec. 12 for $280,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,852 square feet of living area.

Amount

2709 Thonotosassa Road

Amusement/social recreation

$10,473,947

2262 Pixie Way

Offices/banks professional

$8,100,000

2103 N. Park Road

Occupancy

$2,000,000

3304 Sydney Road

Completion

$617,756

302 N. Frontage Road

Roof

$617,182

PINECREST

3304 Sydney Road

Commercial alteration

$500,000

The home at 20 N. Edwards St. sold Dec. 2 for $227,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,944 square feet of living area.

2400 James L. Redman Pkwy Restaurant

$500,000

310 W. Alexander St.

Completion

$426,684

4021 Rice Road

Occupancy

$300,000

PLANT CITY HEIGHTS

1908 Industrial Park Drive

Plumbing

$231,000

The home at 1207 N. Orange St. sold Dec. 3 for $163,500. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,092 square feet of living area.

1901 N. Gordon St.

Occupancy

$160,000

501 W. Tever St.

Single family detached

$150,000

302 S. Maryland Ave.

Roof

$145,000

The home at 403 W. Cherry St. sold Dec. 6 for $170,000. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,064 square feet of living area.

1702 Teakwood Drive

Plumbing

$135,980

1704 Teakwood Drive

Plumbing

$135,980

1616 Teakwood Drive

Plumbing

$133,915

December 2019 sales information was obtained from the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Permit information was obtained from the City of Plant City. C.T. LEWIS ACRES

Permit

The home at 4003 El Shaddiai Square sold Dec. 13 for $196,000. The home at 407 W. Devane St. Built in 1988, it has two bedsold Dec. 9 for $199,500. Built in rooms, two baths and 1,136 1925, it has three bedrooms, two square feet of living area. baths and 1,456 square feet of The home at 901 W. Trapnell Road living area. sold Dec. 9 for $249,000. Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, two STAFFORD OAKS baths and 1,770 square feet of The home at 6501 Stafford living area. Terrace Ave. sold Dec. 9 for $535,000. Built in 2007, it has KINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VILLAGE four bedrooms, four baths and 3,184 square feet of living area. The home at 708 Bond Court sold Dec. 4 for $145,000. Built in SUGAR CREEK 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,599 square feet of The home at 3910 Creek Woods living area. Drive N. sold Dec. 5 for $175,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedMADISON PARK rooms, two baths and 1,402 square feet of living area. The home at 503 Waller St. sold Dec. 10 for $169,900. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two TRAPNELL RIDGE baths and 1,302 square feet of The home at 3705 Trapnell Grove living area. Loop sold Dec. 23 for $200,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedOSBORNE rooms, two baths and 1,885 square feet of living area. The home at 1016 N. Wills St. sold Dec. 6 for $180,900. Built in WALDEN LAKE 1932, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,152 square feet of livThe home at 2929 Forest ing area. Hammock Drive sold Dec. 2 for

VIEW MORE SALES ONLINE AT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM $319,500. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,209 square feet of living area. The home at 2703 S. Fairway Drive sold Dec. 10 for $340,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, three and a half baths and 2,869 square feet of living area. The home at 3009 Pine Club Drive sold Dec. 12 for $480,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three and a half baths and 3,928 square feet of living area. The home at 2803 Spring Meadow Drive sold Dec. 9 for $305,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,054 square feet of living area. The home at 2806 Brooke Pines Court sold Dec. 10 for $275,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,054 square feet of living area.

The home at 4105 Longfellow Drive sold Dec. 2 for $229,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,625 square feet of living area. WALDEN WOODS The home at 2052 Greenwood Valley Drive sold Dec. 3 for $120,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two and a half baths and 1,632 square feet of living area. The home at 812 Wiltonway Drive sold Dec. 6 for $215,500. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. WILDER OAKS The home at 2710 Majestic Oaks Court sold Dec. 3 for $392,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,806 square feet of living area.

CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

Outstanding Agents. Outstan Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results. Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results. R CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

CRAWFORD & ASSOCIATES

(813)967-0168 or (813)305-1616

2803-4 James L. Redman Parkway, Plant City Florida 33566 (813)967-0168 or (813)305-161 (813)967-0168 or (813)305-1616 (813)967-0168 or (813)305-1616 (813) 967-0168 (813) 549-9412 Office: (813) 305-1616 | Fax: (813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@Gmail.com

James L.Plant Redman Parkway, Plant 33566 City Flor 2803-4James James2803-4 L. Redman Parkway, City Florida 33566 2803-4 L. Redman Parkway, Plant City Florida Office: (813) 305-1616 |Office: Fax: (813)(813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@Gmail.com RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE 305-1616 | Fax: (813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@G

288047-1

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Office: (813) 305-1616 | Fax: (813) 754-8099 Email: Malissa.Crawford@Gmail.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

Cecil William ‘Bill’ Holley Jr.

Ruby Jean Bauer

Ruby Jean Bauer, 87, of Plant City, passed away on Dec. 17, 2019. A memorial service will be held Cecil William (Bill) Holley Jr. Jan. 10, 2020 at St. Clement Cathpassed into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on olic Church, 1104 North Alexander Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, at the age Street, Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left of 89. Mr. Holley proudly served in the for the family at www.haught.care. U. S. Army (1955-1956) rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

OBITUARIES

John Isbell Longest Judith Ann Johnson John Isbell Longest, 82, of Lakeland, passed away on Jan. 3, 2020. The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Springhead Baptist Church, 3106 South Wiggins Road, Plant City, FL 33566. Funeral services will follow at 7:30 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Robert Johnson HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Cherry Michelle Rademacher Cherry Michelle Rademacher, 39, passed away at her home in Dade City on Dec. 30, 2019. Cherry was born on Oct. 28, 1980 in Brandon to parents John Rademacher & Doris Basinger. Along with her mother, Cherry was preceded in death by one son, Josh Rademacher, and one sister, Ronda Rademacher. She is survived by her father, John Rademacher; one son, Jacob Rademacher; one daughter, Angel Jackson; one brother, Ron Rademacher (Sheila); and one sister, Carrie Miyasato. Cherry will be truly missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Robert Johnson, 67, of Plant City, passed away on Dec. 28, 2019. Robert was a United States Virginia Ellen Holter Army Veteran. The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 from 1:00 Virginia Ellen Holter, 77, of Tampa, p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. passed away on Dec. 29, 2019. Services were held Jan. 6, 2020 Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Online condolences may be left Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL for the family at www.haught.care. 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Judith Ann Johnson, 63, of Plant City, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 at Brandon Hospital. She was born in Miami to Mary Williams and Hershel Johnson on Nov. 20, 1956. Judy was a lovable, hardworking, boldly outspoken mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be loved and missed dearly.

Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith, 70, of Vinemont, AL passed away Ralph C. on January 7, 2020. The famOgletree, Jr. ily will receive friends Friday, January 10, 2020 from 10:00 Ralph C. Ogletree, Jr. will be funeralized Saturday, January 11, AM to 11:00 AM at Haught 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at New Grace Funeral Home, 708 W Dr MLK Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL CME Church 1214 East Laura 33563. St. Wake will be 10:00-11:00. A Online condolences may service of comfort by: Winslow be left for the family at www. Honors Funeral Home 1110 E. haught.care. Laura St. Plant City, FL 33563. Winslow & Marilyn Honors, Owners. Richard Mike Ritchie, LFD. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Carole Tracy

Victor Carrizales

Eldora Lynn, 93, of Lithia, born on April 14, 1926 in Crestview, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 19, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Carole Tracy, 89, of Plant City, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 20, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Victor Carrizales, 91, of Lakeland, born on April 12, 1928 in Nuevo León, Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 25, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Leola Chancey Leola Chancey, 92, of Valrico, born on July 4, 1927 in Sydney, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 19, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Robert L. Furney ‘Bob’

Robert L. Furney “Bob”, 87, of Lakeland, born on June 7, 1932 in Turkey Creek, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 26, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Kaleb ‘Kal’ Anthony Mary Frances Pedone (Dawson) Jones Kaleb “Kal” Anthony Pedone, 20, of Plant City, born on April 12, 1999 in Brandon, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 24, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Mary Frances (Dawson) Jones, 87, of Alachua, born June 29, 1932 in High Springs, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 25, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Danny Kinsman

Danny Kinsman, 50, of Tampa, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 31, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Jose Vazquez, 67, of Plant City, born on Sept. 12, 1952 in Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 19, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Mamie E. Muir Mamie E. Muir, 104, of Mulberry, born on Sept. 6, 1915 in Oxford, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 4, 2020. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Juan M. Rangel, 65, of Dover, born on Sept. 29, 1954 in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 3, 2020. Expressions of condolences at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Garnet Kay Allbright Garnet Kay Allbright, 68, of Plant City, born in Wheatland, Iowa in 1951, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 31, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Margie Booth Evans Margie Booth Evans, 91, of Plant City, went home to be with our Lord on Dec. 23, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Cole Alexander Brumbeloe

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Cole Alexander Brumbeloe, 21, of Lithia, born in Brandon in 1998, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 31, 2019. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

FAMILY. COMMUNITY. COMPASSION. VALUE. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Juan M. Rangel

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Jose Vazquez

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

OBITUARIES

Eldora Lynn

YOUR CALENDAR

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

BEST BET FRIDAY, JAN. 10 “HOLDING ON, LETTING GO”

6:30 p.m. St. Joseph’s Hospital/South Florida Baptist Hospital Faith Community Nursing program will present “Holding On, Letting Go” Jan. 10, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 11, 2020, at 3 p.m. at Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St., Plant City. “Holding On, Letting Go” is a play that explores with keen human insight the complicated family dynamics surrounding a man’s struggle to live fully while preparing to die. Registration for this free event is required due to limited seating. For more information and to register, visit BayCare.org/play or call 813-356-7311.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

Dance Lessons at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. No experience necessary. Cost is $7.00 per couple per lesson. Call Cindy at 864-7236965 to register.

BEGINNER FOXTROT DANCE LESSONS

CHAMBER NETWORKING LUNCH

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly Chamber Networking Lunch at the Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds in the TECO Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave. This month’s event features guest speaker Rob Higgins, executive director of Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Registration for members is $20 for early birds, $25 for normal members and $30 for nonmembers. Call 813-754-3707 for more information.

BIRTH EXPERIENCE CLASS

6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Birth Experience Class in ICU Conference Room, 2-South.This class covers various aspects of labor and delivery, such as labor signs, breathing techniques, pain control options and hospital policies and is held the second Thursday of every month. Participants may bring one guest to the class. Bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-855-269-4777.

FRIDAY, JAN. 10 DUPLICATE BRIDGE

1 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St., is now hosting a weekly Duplicate Bridge game, the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. Contact Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602 for more information.

SATURDAY, JAN. 11

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Beginner Foxtrot dance lessons at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. No experience necessary. Cost is $7.00 per couple per lesson. Call Cindy at 864-723-6965 to register.

AUTHOR VISIT WITH TIM DORSEY

1:30 p.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is welcoming back local author,Tim Dorsey. Dorsey will discuss his new book, “Naked Came the Florida Man.” He will also have copies of the book available for early purchase. No registration required.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plant City Social Dance will have a dance at Strawberry Square Dance Center. This dance will be social dancing on a 3,000 square-foot floating wood floor. Social dancing includes slow dances, waltzes, line dances, cha-cha and rumbas, two-step and country slow, swing, free style and some Latin dances. Ballroom dancers can dance to most of this music also. They will have a singles table set up. Singles and younger generation people are welcome. Complementary dance lessons, starting at 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Beginners to advanced. Basic fundamentals of social dancing to advanced social dancing. The dance and ballroom dance lessons, both for the $6.00.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for their Krazy fun Open Mic Nights every second Saturday. Open to everyone — they want to hear what you've got. Sign-ups for Open Mic happen at 8 p.m. that night.

BEGINNER COUNTRY PARTNER DANCE LESSONS

10 to 11 a.m. Beginner Country Partner

MONDAY, JAN. 13 PLANT CITY DAYBREAK ROTARY CLUB

7 to 8 a.m. The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club holds a meeting every Monday morning. Now the group will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room of the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place. Guests are welcome.

MASTER GARDENER: OPEN FORUM

6 p.m. During this interactive workshop at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., a panel of Master Gardener Volunteers will be available to answer your landscape questions. Class participants are encouraged to bring samples and questions for group discussion. Remember to bring a plant to exchange. Presented by the Master Gardeners of Hillsborough County Extension Services.

BEGINNING MODERN WESTERN SQUARE DANCE LESSONS

6:30 to 8 p.m. Come on out to Strawberry Square Dance Center for a Beginning Modern Western Square dance lesson. No experience necessary. Exercise and meet new friends. Cost is free for first three lessons, $6.00 per person per lesson thereafter. Children 8 and up are free with parents. Call 770-825-6513 for more information.

TUESDAY, JAN. 14 SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB

9 a.m. Come on out to the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Tuesday to play Shuffleboard. You’ll be an expert in no time. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-722-5821 for more information.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15 PAWS FOR READING WITH BONNIE THE THERAPY DOG

4 p.m. Bonnie the Therapy Dog will be at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Bonnie loves to snuggle up with anyone who wants to share a book and rub her

back. You can find her on the couch in the children’s area. Reading with Bonnie can help children improve reading, communication skills, and build confidence. Bonnie is a Shih Tzu Reading Therapy Dog certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. For children of all ages.

THE WALKER BROTHERS

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for a special evening of bluegrass with The Walker Brothers. Tickets are available online and in-house at Krazy Kup. As the Walker Brothers, Cory (banjo and dobro), Jarrod (mandolin) and Tyler (guitar) have played festivals and events in Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee and Florida, including the Florida Strawberry Festival as featured entertainers from 2009-2012.

THURSDAY, JAN. 16 YOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND POSTPARTUM ISSUES CLASS

6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Your Hospital Stay and Postpartum Issues Class in ICU Conference Room, 2-South. This class covers hospital policies regarding hospital stay, emotional changes and adjusting to the new parent role. Participants may bring one guest to the class. Bring a notepad to take notes. Snacks will be provided. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-855-269-4777.

PLANT CITY REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB

6:30 p.m. Plant City Republican Women’s Club is holding a meeting at Linda's Crab Shack in their private room. The speaker will be Terry Kemple. Kemple will speak about stopping the sexualization of children in public schools, about genderneutral bathrooms and showers and about boys competing against girls in girls sporting events. Like-minded conservatives are welcome to attend. For more information call president Sherry Scheitler at 214-5298372.

TEENS FRIENDSHIPS BONDS RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNITIES CHILDREN TODAY HEARTS CONNECTIONS

JOIN

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Valid through 1/20/20.

STRONG

FAMILIES

MINDS RESOLUTIONS ROUTINES GOALS BODIES PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 SMILES

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Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg January 9, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

I LOVE PLANT CITY

1/9

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 9 High: 78 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, JAN. 10 High: 82 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 10%

brandy cocktail 31 Messed up 32 Have the courage 33 Bravo personality Zolciak- Biermann 36 Bridle attachment 37 Mazda two-seater 39 Bring on board 40 Jazz style 41 Sour ___ whiskey 42 Palindromic numbers? 43 *Device seen on many car roofs 46 Lemon-lime sodas 49 Polygraph detection 50 One of 16 in a chess set 51 Creeps (around) 55 *Relay finale

58 Lilac, for one 60 Negotiation goal 61 Wharton’s school, informally 62 Chilling 63 2019 award for Serena Williams 64 Green growth 65 Night, in Nicaragua DOWN 1 “Enough oversharing!” 2 Boat for rapids 3 “Bearing gifts we traverse ___” 4 “Dibs!” 5 Rocket’s cargo 6 Floating aimlessly 7 Lane in Superman

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

High: 86 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, JAN. 12 High: 86 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 40%

STRAWBERRY Shipping point: Central Florida $14.90-$16.90

comics 8 1/1000 of a gig 9 Word before “gray” or “blond” 10 “It’s the truth!” 11 Golf lesson topic 12 Tilting weapon 13 Incited, with “on” 19 Number of little pigs 21 ___ Cruces 24 Part of a flying cloud 25 Taj Mahal locale 26 “Publish” or “perish” 27 Cookie since 1912 28 Faucet flaw 29 Filmmaker Burns 30 It separates Washington and Montana 33 Potter’s appliance 34 Steel element 35 Arizona landform 37 Constructed 38 Egyptian goddess whose son is Horus 39 Weeding tool 41 San ___ (city near Palo Alto) 42 Big name in cowboy hats 43 In an elaborate way 44 Straightens 45 Swig from a flask 46 Digging tool 47 Tree farm trees 48 Summary 51 Change for a twenty 52 “This is awful!” 53 “The Little Mermaid” prince 54 “No ___ luck!” 56 Tach readout 57 DiCaprio, to fans 59 Busy flier, or a hint to the starred answers’ ends

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 9

7:21a

5:49p

Friday, Jan. 10

7:21a

5:50p

Saturday, Jan. 11

7:21a

5:51p

Sunday, Jan. 12

7:21a

5:52p

Monday, Jan. 13

7:21a

5:53p

Tuesday, Jan. 14

7:21a

5:53p

Wednesday, Jan. 15

7:21a

5:54p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 11

Buzzwords by Mark McClain

ACROSS 1 Title dog in a 2019 Disney remake 6 ___ mater 10 One may have a single palm tree 14 Crime syndicate 15 Forest moms 16 Goodie bag contents 17 Phrase implying there may be none 18 *Ice hockey position named for a side of the rink 20 Structure for vines 22 From now on 23 Clumsy fellow 24 Stored inside, as a car 26 *Variation on a classic

Jan. 25 New

Jan. 29 First

Jan. 10 Full

Jan. 20 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Dec. 30

0.00

Tuesday, Dec. 31 0.00 Wednesday, Jan. 1

0.00

Thursday, Jan. 2 0.00 Friday, Jan. 3

0.00

Saturday, Jan. 4 0.65 Sunday, Jan. 5

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 00.65 in.

2020 0.65 in.

2019 00.37 in.

2019 0.37 in.

WEATHER

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

PlantCityObserver.com