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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
COMMISH ROUNDUP: SIGNAGE BRINGS NEW AESTHETIC TO PLANT CITY The Jan. 27 commission meeting led to the approval of two different signage programs throughout Plant City, which will spruce up ongoing projects in town. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Though most more than likely wouldn’t think to stop and comment on a lack of informational signage around town, commissioners agree the lack of updated displays is a weak spot in the city.
It’s one they set to remedy last week during the Jan. 27 commission meeting when they discussed and approved two new sign displays across town. One of the most used parks in Plant City, Brewer Park, will act as the launching point for the first new signage
2020 CELEBRITY
program the city hopes to unveil. While there is a new way finding signage program underway, that will be set up throughout downtown Plant City, this project will be used throughout the entirety of the community.
SEE PAGE 6
DINNER DRAWS BIG LAUGHS, BIG BUCKS BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
The 2020 Celebrity Chef Dinner was equal parts educational, entertaining and effective, which made for a Saturday night dinner show unlike any other around the Plant City area. Chef Amy Freeze, nationally renowned for her championship-caliber key lime pie, came to Plant City over the weekend to lead this year’s show and teach attendees how
to make her signature dish — even when they don’t have a lot of time on their hands. It was probably the first time all or most in the audience ever heard of making key lime pie using a blender, but the proof Freeze’s unconventional approach really works was right there in the finished product. Freeze also showed a quick and easy recipe for a cocktail one could make using some of the leftover ingredients from the pie-making process.
SEE PAGE 5
The United Food Bank of Plant City raised nearly $100,000 from the 12th annual event, which starred celebrity chef Amy Freeze and local strawberry growers Carl and DeeDee Grooms.
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
NEWS BRIEFS
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File photos
Left: Dean’s Ride is one of the Plant City Family YMCA’s most popular fundraising events. Above: Dr. Teo Kulyk, a Plant City resident, won the 2019 Unity in the Community raffle. Below: A film c ew camped out at McCall Park on Jan. 30 and had a set open to all.
Get ready for Dean’s Ride The eighth annual Dean’s Ride event, sponsored by the Plant City Family YMCA, has a set date and anyone age 15 and up can now register to ride. Dean’s Ride, a fundraiser for the LiveSTRONG at the YMCA program, will start at 7:30 a.m. March 14 at the parking lot of the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College’s Plant City campus, 1206 N. Park Road. This year, riders have four paths to choose from at distances to 19, 39, 46 and 62 miles which will let them “enjoy the scenic Plant City countryside and smell the sweet scent of the strawberry field ,” per a news release. Plant City resident Dean Snyder, who used cycling as a means to stay active during his own battle with cancer, created and participated in the inaugural event and the community has kept it alive and well in his honor. LiveSTRONG is a free 12-week wellness program for cancer survivors, those fighting the di ease and families affected by it. Register online at caamevents.com/ event/deans-ride/. You can guarantee a tshirt size if you register by Feb. 17 and only have to pay $45 if you register by March 1. Check-in and ride registration on-site
begins at 6:30 a.m. March 14 and the staggered starts begin at 7:30 a.m. Contact Jerilyn Rumbarger at 813-401-1477 or visit the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, for more information. The event is once again being held in conjunction with the Bike with the Mayor event, which will start at 7:45 a.m.
Corvette raffle now ope If you want to upgrade your daily driver in 2020, the annual Unity in the Community Corvette raffle is w up and running. For just $5 per ticket, you get a chance to win a brand-new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8. This berry-red beast packs a punch with 490 horsepower, an eight-speed dual clutch transmission, a 14-speaker Bose sound system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and much more. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Unity in the Community, one of Plant City’s most prolific chari y groups. Stingray Chevrolet has provided vehicles for the raffle or the past 11 years and has helped raise roughly $1.5 million for Unity in that time. Contestants are limited to 50 tickets each and you don’t have to be present at
the Florida Strawberry Festival during the March 8 drawing to win. You also don’t have to take that Corvette, as several recent winners have instead opted for other Chevrolet cars or SUVs. Tickets are available at Stingray Chevrolet during business hours until 6 p.m. March 6, at the Florida Strawberry Festival during all 11 days of the event through 4:30 p.m. March 8 or online at stingraychevrolet.com/chevroletcharity-raffle/ t ough 3 p.m. March 6. Visit the website for more information.
Black Veil filmin Dozens gathered at McCall Park last Thursday to be a part of upcoming horror anthology Black Veil, which had an open set that evening. Plant Citians became extras and showed off their acting cho s at a “Summer Harvest Fest” that used the north end of the park and was based at the gazebo area. Filming in Plant City concluded the following day.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
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MCCALL HONORED AT PCPD
Theodore Jeffers McCall wore a variety of hats in the City of Plant City. Last week, he was honored for his time spent as the city’s Chief of Police during a ceremony where his picture was hung on the Wall of Chiefs inside the department. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Theodore Jeffers McCall spent his life pouring back into the city he loved. He spent practically his entire life working for the City of Plant City. He was a fire fighter, a police officer, a member of the street and bridge department, the chief of the sanitary department, the chief of police, the assistant city manager and the city manager, along with several other positions. He worked as he served: tirelessly and without complaint. McCall Park is named in his honor and, for many, the name is synonymous with countless memories of him walking around town getting his hands dirty as he physically worked alongside his staff on the very improvements he helped put into action. Others remember his calm and professional attitude when he handled their cases at PCPD. His family, especially his son Charles McCall, has spent several years attempting to have his legacy at PCPD secured by having his official law enforcement photo hung on the Wall of Chiefs just inside the entrance to the department. For reasons unknown, the deed was never done. Charles McCall had nearly given up. He’d heard “no” too many times. But one night, he awoke from a troubled dream and knew he had to give it one more try. “I got in my vehicle and drove to City Hall one last time,” Charles McCall said. “I had dad’s photo with me and I thought I would go and see if I could leave it, along with my request, with the city manager’s assistant. I explained what I wanted and I thought, ‘That’s all I can do.’ But then she came back and said the city manager wanted to see me. She walked me right into his office and there he was, holding my father’s photo. So I told him what I was hoping for and he said he would send it to the police chief. It was as simple as that.” This time around, luck seemed to be on Charles McCall’s side. City Manager Bill McDaniel quickly passed the photo along with an informational sheet about McCall on to PCPD Chief Ed Duncan. Duncan had the photo framed to match the others proudly on display and then arranged with McCall’s family to come out to the department for a special ceremony. Charles McCall, his wife Nedra McCall, his brother Jim McCall and Jim’s two daughters, Lisa Lekarczyk and Carla McCall, all attended the event early last week. Chief Duncan explained to the family that McCall was one of their own, that he was a great officer and they were proud to have him on their wall as part of the legacy of the chiefs that made the department what it was today. He told them PCPD was proud to be able to not only hang his pho-
to, but soak in the moment with his entire family. Duncan also presented Charles and Jim McCall with official PCPD coins to commemorate the event. Charles shared a short speech with those in attendance. He joked that, growing up, there were times when he was a “little peeved” at the city taking his father away from them so often as he handled countless work projects around town. However, he went on to say they were always to proud of the work their father accomplished and knows that his legacy lives on all throughout the community. He shared a few memories of his father’s life and later added that the city “did him well” when he retired. The entire city came to a halt and they held a “McCall Day” celebration at the Mike E. Sansone Community Park that nearly every city employee attended. He received a few gifts throughout the day, including his old PCPD car and a TV set — the very first the family ever owned. “He was such a wonderful father and he was so dedicated to the city,” Charles McCall said. “He was an ‘on the job’ man. He didn’t just assign people to do jobs, he
went alongside them and made sure when things needed to be done, that they were done. And that they were done right. I think that’s a big part of what people remember about him. He always worked hard, day or night, if there was a job to be done.” His father lived a life that many would only ever read about in books or see on TV. He was a veteran of the first two World Wars and the son of a blacksmith. His father moved the family to Plant City from Georgia in 1913 and opened the last blacksmith shop in town on Pennsylvania Avenue between Reynolds and Baker streets. Theodore McCall was known by many names, like “T.J.,” “Mac” and, most popularly, “Theo.” He graduated from Plant City High School in 1923 and left to find work in Texas. He then worked in Miami with his uncle as a plumber before returning home to Plant City in 1926. He took a job at the Fire Department and began to eye the sky. He and his friend Clarence MacArthur wowed the masses with their barnstorming tricks. They’d fly a plane up off of Coronet Road and, once it was in the air, McCall would carefully walk along a wing, grab a parachute strapped to its underside, don it and jump to the amazement of the crowd.
The duo charged $1 a person for the show and felt like they had found a prosperous side-job. That is, of course, until they one day hit a cow grazing in a pasture while landing the plane and tore their aviation craft to bits. Flying was over. So, never one to sit still, McCall migrated over to PCPD. It was there he found his true calling. He worked for decades as a police officer and was Chief of Police in 1939 before he took over as assistant city manger for a year. From there, he became City Manger of the City of Plant City and served in the position for nearly 27 years. Though his time as police chief was short, his years of service at PCPD shaped McCall into the man that the entire community loved and respected. It was for that very reason that Charles McCall wanted so desperately to one day see his father’s photo hung up alongside the many men who left an impact on the department. After years of trying, his dream became a reality. The picture is now proudly on display and anyone interested in seeing it can swing by PCPD, 1 Police Center Drive.
Breanne Williams
Lisa Lekarczyk, Carla McCall, Jim McCall, Charles McCall and Nedra McCall with the photo of Theo McCall.
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
COPS CORNER
PLANT CITY
Observer
This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigated a ghost burglary, a grass fire, a cut tire and much more.
Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com
JAN. 24 HAUNTED HEIST 4400 block of Country Hills Boulevard Residential burglary: Officers responded to the above listed location — which is a vacant home — in reference to a burglary. DISAPPOINTING SMOKEY 1800 block of James L. Redman Parkway Brush fi e: Officers responded to the location in reference to a grass fi e in the field outh of the parking lot of Tractor Supply.
JAN. 25 KILLING TIRES, KILLING TIME 1500 block of East Baker Street Criminal mischief: Officers responded to the Dollar General in reference to a victim’s tire being cut. According to witnesses at the
scene, a male child was waiting in the parking lot in a car for his family. Officers were told he then got out of the car and walked over to the victim’s GMC Sierra truck and proceeded to cut the truck’s tire, causing damage. The child was identified and admit ed to causing the damage. The victim signed a waiver of prosecution.
JAN. 26 OH METH-Y LIFE Walden Woods Drive/ Chamdon Place Warrant/Possession of meth: Officers made contact with a man during a traffic top and found he had two active HCSO warrants. One was for Violation of Parole DUI Alcohol with property damage and injury. The other was an FTA battery domestic violence. He was also found to be in possession of meth.
JAN. 27 WINDOW WRECKAGE 200 block of Park Springs Circle Burglary residence, criminal mischief and petit theft: This victim reported that an unknown suspect entered her apartment by force through a bedroom window between 6:30 and 8 p.m. In the process, they damaged the screen and took the victim’s laptop, which was valued at $400.
JAN. 29 BACK TO SCHOOL 2200 block of North Warnell Street Vehicle burglary: Overnight, an unknown suspect entered an unlocked green Saturn Vue SUV and stole an HP laptop computer, camping supplies and a calculator. The stolen goods were valued together at approximately $400.
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BAT-TERY 1700 block of Cedar Drive Burglary with battery/waiver: Officers made contact with a victim who advised a man came into his house and struck him with a baseball bat, causing minor abrasions. The man in question admitted to the crime, but the victim declined to press charges and signed a waiver.
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RIFLING FOR A RIFLE 2200 block of Village Park Road Vehicle burglary: Officers made contact with a victim who advised that sometime between Sunday Jan. 26 and 30, an unknown suspect broke the rear side windows on his 1997 Ford Ranger truck and Steam Cleaned stole a Winchester rifl .
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AN UNSETTLING DISCOVERY 1900 block of Tangerine Court Warrant arrest: Officers made contact with a juvenile during another case and discovered that he had outstanding Polk County warrants for attempted homicide. The juvenile was arrested. A Polk County detective was notified and responded to conduct an interview.
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2020 CELEBRITY
DINNER
JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
What really kicked the show’s entertainment factor up a notch was that Freeze worked with some of the most unconventional sous chefs around. Carl and DeeDee Grooms of Fancy Farms joined Freeze onstage in matching flannel aprons and hammed it up for the audience, following all of the celebrity chef’s instructions with perfect comedic timing. On the menu for the diners that evening was a hearty meal of steak, chicken and potatoes with asparagus and a strawberry-tomato salsa, a strawberry walnut salad and a slice of Freeze’s “Sittin’ on a Sandbar” key lime pie drizzled with strawberry sauce on top. The food was prepared by 911 Catering and the tables’ centerpieces were made by Creative Flower Designs by Glenn.
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THURSDAY, FERUARY 6, 2020
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The United Food Bank of Plant City’s 12th annual fundraiser, paired celebrity chef Amy Freeze with local strawberry growers and amateur sous chefs Carl and DeeDee Grooms.
Justin Kline
Above: Items like sports and concert tickets, cookware and more were auctioned off at the vent. Right: Carl Grooms loves whipped cream. Below: Amy Freeze and DeeDee Grooms prepare the key lime pie with a blender.
As usual, the event also featured a raffle, a silent auction and a live auction in which people could bid to have Freeze at their home to cook for a party of up to eight people. Freeze sweetened that deal by throwing in a five-gallon keg of any style beer or cider brewed by her husband. The winning bid for that was $4,000 and, according to auctioneer and Plant City Mayor Rick Lott, an “anonymous donor” matched that with a $4,000 donation of their own. One of the pies Freeze and the Groomses prepared onstage, along with its Emile Henry dish, was also auctioned off for $400. According to UFB director Mary Heysek, the 12th annual event raised a whopping $98,000 to benefit the food bank. This year’s event was sponsored by Unity in the Community, the Florida Strawberry Festival, Gordon Food Services, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Mosaic and Star Distribution Systems.
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
COMMISH ROUNDUP:
SIGNAGE BRINGS NEW AESTHETIC TO PLANT CITY Two new signage programs throughout Plant City are expected to spruce up ongoing projects in Plant City and provide more information to passersby. FROM PAGE 1 While still being collaborative and cohesive with the other upcoming signage as far as fonts and color palettes go, these new signs will hopefully begin to pop up at parks throughout the city, according to City Manager Bill McDaniel. “Brewer is a heavily-used park and anybody that’s been out there knows we have all those ducks and pelicans coming, and there are a lot of people that would like to have more information available to them whenever they’re walking around the park,” McDaniel said. “We have an opportunity to improve the signage across town starting here at Brewer. I was talking to (Director of Parks and Recreation) Jack Holland and his parks crew and had them identify the birds and wildlife that one may see at the park. They’re going to have information on those animals as well as your standard park information, like the rules and hours of the park, all on display on a variety of signage throughout Brewer Park.” If the Brewer Park signage is a success, it will become the standard for similar signage across town. Residents will start
seeing the changes at Brewer Park soon. McDaniel said his team knew to begin work on the project as soon as possible and said it should take a few weeks to finish research for the content of the signs and to identify vendors. Then the procurement strategy would be underway and finally the signs would be produced. McDaniel said he was optimistic and hoped they would be installed by the fall, but that the end of the current fiscal year was his ultimate goal. The second program is currently only scheduled for the upcoming Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, but is sure to set the stage for how the city advertises upcoming cultural landmarks. There currently is a six-foot by 10-foot monument sign located at the southwest corner of South Park Road and East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but the city feels it does not meet the needs of the community. Its small size and nonrevolving messages were points of com-
plaint among city staff, so commissioners unanimously agreed to add two monument signs with digital LED message boards for the area. One will replace the above stated sign and the other will go on South Maryland Avenue to advertise the community center and will have the ability to revolve events and programming information for the public that passes through the area. The South Park Road and East Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard sign will by seven feet by 13 feet and will be double-sided. The South Maryland Avenue sign will be five feet by eight feet and double-sided as well. Both will be digital LED. “Both LED signs would be capable of promoting messages concerning Parks & Recreation programming, messages relat-
ed to city government meetings, and emergency announcements,” the agenda report read. “Both signs contain secure, cloudbased wireless data technology allowing staff to update the messages from any internet capable device. Electrical service is available at both locations.” The city will obtain the signs from EBSCO Sign Group LLC (DBA Stewart Signs) through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing. It will cost the city $70,316.81, with the large sign running at $44,385.46 and the small sign costing $25,931.35.
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‘WILL IT START?’ FOR MORE INFORMATION YouTube and Facebook: Bruce Wilson Website: brucewilsonshop.com. Email: brucewilsonshop@gmail.com. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A local YouTuber is changing the way the public views mechanics thanks to his comedic and down-to-earth vlogs on his unique projects. Bruce Wilson grew up with tools in his hand. His family owns Wilson’s Tractor & Supply Co. in Dade City and he said he’s been “working on things and fixing things” for as long as he can remember. Now he’s sharing that passion with the world with his YouTube channel, which currently has more than 348,000 subscribers. “A very good friend of mine, Cleatus McFarland, is a successful YouTuber and as I was watching him I realized this was something I might like to try, too,” Wilson said. “He really encouraged me and taught me how to get started. I think it’s always been a passion of mine and growing up with my family’s business, I learned really young how to do all kinds of things. Fixing things became my passion.” His father started the family business in 1992 and Wilson said he’s been tinkering around the shop since he was probably around four years old. He picked up some unique skills along the way and when he realized other people were just as interested as he was in learning how to take old vehicles and bring them back to life he decided to give this “YouTube lifestyle” a chance. He kicked off the channel in October 2017
and now dedicates his entire schedule to the ever-increasing project load. He films, edits and publishes content six days a week and you never know what he’ll tackle next. Over the years, he has done everything from working on an old-school bus to saving an old Ford Tractor from a viney grave to even purchasing an old fire truck. He will frequently be on calls with his family’s business, stumble upon a decaying truck, tractor or piece of equipment and then start chatting with the owner. Usually he discovers the owner simply didn’t have the knowledge on how to repair the broken machinery and let nature take over. Cutting back vines and weeds, Wilson will then buy the dilapidated product and take it home, where he’ll spend the next few weeks doing everything in his power to bring it back to the land of the living. If you drive the back streets of Plant City, there’s a chance you’ve seen him examining an old tractor or truck that he later took home to his shop. As his finds and projects continue to evolve and push the boundaries, so does his audience. Wilson is now able to do the channel full-time and it’s not uncommon to see someone around town rocking his merchandise. “The main thing I hear people say is they can’t believe that some of this stuff can be done in the back yard and with just a little bit of knowledge,” Wilson said. “I get tons of personal emails and messages on social media nearly every day from people thanking me for encouraging them to get back
Do not allow pain to come between you and the activities you cherish most…
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
Bruce Wilson’s YouTube channel is teaching the community that with some foundational knowledge and a lot of determination nearly any mechanic job — no matter how formidable — is doable.
on a project they had walked away from or for giving them the confidence to start a project they’ve been wanting to do for a long time. That’s what this is all about.” Wilson says his age has also played a role in making the videos accessible for all. He’s 25 years old and said that many younger viewers are inspired by seeing someone their age successfully pull off some of these massive repairs. Older viewers have reached out saying they’re thrilled to see someone of a younger generation perform skills they thought had become a lost art. His success is largely in part to his support system, Wilson said. Every day, there are things he feels he needs guidance with and his father is always just one phone call away. All of the knowledge at his fingertips and the skills he’s acquired came from learning from his dad and Wilson said it’s been amazing getting to explore some of these — admittedly insane — projects together. His younger brother Aaron Wilson also plays a key role in helping bring the videos to life. Though Bruce Wilson is always on camera, Aaron helps film and make the videos possible. Their cousin also recently came on as the team’s IT guru and they’re reaching wider audiences together. Over the years, the channel has brought some unique opportunities into Wilson’s
life. He was able to track down his father’s old truck, which Wilson had always dreamed would one day belong to him. It needed some major work, but he was able to restore it to its former glory and still uses it to this day. Like the rest of his family, Wilson said he has a big heart for the community and has been humbled by what the channel has allowed him to do. He said he’s making both his dreams and the dreams of those around him come true. Whether he is able to give back to a charity or donate one of his renovated projects — like he plans to do with the fire truck he’s working on — he said it’s been incredible to use his passion for good. As his reach has grown, he’s also had the opportunity to purchase vehicles for the channel that he said “every child” dreams of one day owning. “Little kids have always loved trucks, they love playing with those toys and dreaming of the real thing,” Wilson said. “I’ve had the opportunity to actually work on them, to own them and drive them. It’s incredible and I don’t take it for granted. One day maybe I’ll even get to own a steam locomotive. I’ve always loved trains and I think that would be an awesome project to take on one day.”
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
REYNOLDS FACES BUMP OUT MAKEOVER
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.
The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to fund some landscaping changes to Reynolds Street as part of the city’s downtown vision plan. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
fellow Plant Citian Trent Lott and the three posed for a quick photo with the Observer.
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In a further win for downtown, the Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to fund the bump outs and landscaping project pitched along Reynolds Street in downtown Plant City. The idea began to come to fruition when Community Design Solutions, a consultant group hired by Plant City Main Street and the City of Plant City, showed a mockup of what the street could look like if there was greenery strategically placed along the sides of the road. The hope is that landscaped bump outs will naturally slow the flow of traffic along the road and make pedestrians feel more at ease walking along the edge of downtown. Reynolds Street is a state-owned road, so all renovations would have to come from the Florida Department of Transportation. “FDOT agreed to focusing on the bump outs,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “We’ve been working with FDOT quite a while for various things and this was something we felt could be done quickly and easily and make a major difference in our city. That’s been an issue we have had our eye on for a while. We’ve seen the potential, but the vision plan we now have helps really focus our efforts.” The bump outs and landscaping will run alongside Reynolds Street between Evers
Street and Palmer Street. McDaniel said the plan is for FDOT to set aside funding for the project at the start of the upcoming fiscal year and then hopefully begin construction come October. The bump outs will hug both sides of the road except for the northeast intersection because of a traffic box and a double driveway at the location, which cannot be blocked by plant life. “In the overall scheme of things happening at FDOT, I’m sure this does seem like a simple project. I mean, they build interstates and tackle these massive projects,” McDaniel said. “But this is going to be a project that will directly affect our community and we are very thankful to have their support for the vision of our downtown. With them making it a point to start right away on this, it gives us the flexibility to look at the roadways we own and the area under our care to see where they fit in our vision. There’s a lot of changes coming to downtown and I think everyone is excited to see what is in store.” Evers Street, Collins Street, Palmer Street and the cross-streets of Drane and J. Arden Mays are all under the city’s care and McDaniel said he wants a cohesive design so they “flow with each other.” With FDOT on board, it appears that the ball has officially begun to roll and the other aspects of the vision plan will soon fall into place.
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TORT REFORM ED VERNER
When I hear people speak of tort reform, I wish them well. It is one of those areas of debate where giant swaths of time and mental energy can be wasted because any sweeping legislative tort reform in the U.S.A. is essentially an impossibility. This is due in part to how a debate-killing slice of legislators at the State and Federal levels are embroiled in the existing system either as practitioners of the law, or they have a vested interest in giant corporations that depend on the stability of the current status quo. All of that being said, I do have two proposals, hopefully, upon which it is worth wasting the words and your time. They address two horns of the bull: the value of a human life and a potential cap on punitive damages. MAJOR PROBLEM: THE VALUE GIVEN TO A LIFE
Often in civil cases where the defendant is accused of accidentally causing a plaintiff’s death (be it by ignorance, false advertising, malice, or crooked manipulation of science), if a jury finds in favor of a plaintiff and against a billion-dollar corporation with lots of insurance coverage, then the issue of the value of the dead is immediately raised. What is the value of a dead guy? Well, the argument often goes: how much would he have made during his lifetime?
How much did he suffer at the hands of the plaintiff before death? How much insurance coverage is out there being offered versus the cost of tying up the courts for the life of the starving widow in needless delays based on appealable inuendoes? A solution to this area of the problem would be to fix the value of a dead guy as a particular number and to have it be equal across all situations regardless of the previous level of achievement or failure in the dead guy’s life. A life is a life is a life, the future is uncertain and a child’s life is no more precious than an octogenarian’s. To say he could have been employable for three more decades totally negates the possibility of his getting struck by lightning the day after he fell down the clearlymarked staircase and cracked his skull on a railing a million other people had used safely while descending the stairs. All of this, mind you, after he downed three martinis and was walking while talking on his cell phone. I have a suggestion for this part of the puzzle. What value should be assigned for a tragically and legally significant dead guy? My answer is the amount should be equal to what our military pays as a widow’s benefit to any man killed in the line of duty. If it is a string of payments, then go with the present value thereof. My point is that our nation’s most valued dead guy should be one who dies in the service of our nation while wearing the uniform. I’m sure a serviceman’s widow’s benefit is likely currently quite pitiful, thus every ambulance-chasing, slip-and-fall law firm in the nation and their representatives would immediately want that number raised, (and damn quickly), especially if their law firm’s insurance settlement powers were dependent on that number being as high as possible. So, we get a double benefit if this idea were employed: the servicemen’s widow’s benefit would rise and the courts would no longer be subject to the huge waste of time arguing about how one dead
guy is worth more than another and why. We find in favor of the plaintiff… boom, money assigned, next. MAJOR PROBLEM: THE ISSUE OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Another aspect of civil cases needing tort reform lies inside the arena of punitive damages. In days of old (really old), most people believed life and death were the result of God unless a crime had been committed. No one was made to think that John Deere purposefully manufactured a wood chipper while laughingly omitting a sign telling the operators not to let their clothes get tangled in a limb before throwing it in, all in pursuit of saving the company 12 cents on a sticker. And/or if a new operator of a meat grinder put his finger into one and it took his arm off, in the days of old (really old), most Americans would have said, “well that will teach him… glad he didn’t get killed, and he’s still got one good arm.” But with unlimited punitive damages possible at the whimsy of juries, their sympathies can be aroused to increase a punitive damage award via the application of creative fiction, slanderous innuendo or pettifoggery in manufacturing a sinister motive on the part of a business. And so, plaintiffs often must be demonized as truly malicious malcontents with owners running their companies between séance sessions conjuring up Beelzebub and envy-arousing, jet-setting trips to Europe with their mistresses, all in pursuit of shooting the punitive damage award through the stratosphere. Of course, the plaintiff can never survive to pay it, but now a real negotiation for real money is perhaps possible, so says the law firm two years into a case on contingency. How to solve this issue is again to peg a punitive damage ceiling to some relevant number and I would propose it be no more than two times the dead guy number above. “What?” cry out the social justice warriors
trained to think punitive damages discourage truly malicious people from being mean and/or taking advantage of purchasers of products and services. “Wait a minute,” say I. The criminal system is the place intended to offer a negative incentive against malicious, evil, and criminal behavior, not our civil system. If a doctor has been giving medically inept surgeries and killing people for his jollies, then he should go to jail. If he killed somebody because sometimes the vagaries of the lifesaving arts create a dead guy, for which all concerned are sorry, then OK, dead guy payment. If he has been killing people because he has been demonstrably stupid, then the medical profession should strip him of his ability to do it anymore and perhaps a widow should sue the hospital or review boards in civil court, and punitive damages would cap out at two times the dead guy’s number if a jury felt those entities needed some sort of jolt to remain more diligent in the future. NOT A CURE-ALL, BUT A START
I admit that the above would not solve everything. But it would be a giant change in how much over-insurance there is and the ever-present over-litigation that it inspires. And it certainly would have a positive effect on military widow’s benefits. And whether or not the fixed rates were higher or lower than you might like, having the cap be a number known by all concerned would free up giant swaths of courtroom time now spent arguing about ridiculous numbers, and the fictions often conjured by the worst of the legal profession’s practitioners ever in pursuit of “the big one” full of the delusion that then they can pay off their Porsches, ex-wives and mistresses, then retire. And then, I woke and felt strangely like Jerry Maguire.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
VIPERS, RAIDERS
TEAM UP WITH FOOD BANK The Tampa Bay Vipers and Plant City Raiders football teams volunteered at the United Food Bank of Plant City Monday morning.
JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The XFL returns to action this weekend and the Tampa Bay Vipers are focused on getting their first-ever win. They’re not too busy in the film room to lend a helping hand when the United Food Bank of Plant City could use it, though. The Vipers visited the food bank Monday morning shortly before it opened and, after touring the Alsobrook Street facility, were put to work along with Plant City High School football players and coaches. “I think with everyone coming together, it’s such a happy thing to give back,” tight end Colin Thompson said. “To give is a lot more fulfilling than to receive. Our time is always precious during the season, but to be able to give back with our group of guys is really special.” Starting shortly before the food bank opened for the public to use its services,
the football teams tackled two projects. First, they put together roughly 200 tote bags in the kids’ room for local students to have while on their upcoming spring break vacations. Next, Vipers players helped with the heavy lifting of loading up trucks in the pick-up line just outside the food bank. It was the Vipers’ first community service event as a team and they couldn’t have been happier to help give a hand up to their new home community, especially just a few minutes away from their Plant City Stadium practice field. “Utmost respect for everybody here in Plant City,” Thompson said. “We’ve loved our time here, and then to come to this food bank and be a part of something special in this community… to give back to where we get to practice and play every day is pretty special.” For the Raiders, the event was a cool, fun way to get more involved in town. “I think it’s an awesome opportunity for our kids to mix it up here with the Vipers
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about coming back to the food bank soon to volunteer some more. Thompson said among the reasons being in Plant City has been a great experience for the team is that the community has welcomed the Vipers with open arms. “We’ve done a little bit in Plant City, a little bit in Lakeland, pretty much everything around (Plant City Stadium),” Thompson said. “I went to Fred’s for breakfast this morning. I’ve done a little bit of everything, the staples, but to support local business in the community is what we’re here to do. We’re working in Plant City, we’re giving back to Plant City, this is a super special place and it’s not far from us, so I’m sure the Vipers will be here all the time.”
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trying to do this community outreach,” Raiders head coach James Booth said. “It’s good for our kids to offer perspective for what the food bank does for Plant City High School and our community.” Raiders running back Zamir’ Knighten and his teammates were also grateful for the opportunity to meet professional football players who never gave up on chasing the dream of going pro in the game they love. “It’s been cool,” Knighten said. “They helped us football-wise and life-wise. We were talking to them for about 10 minutes before we started working. They taught us to believe in ourselves.” Many of the Vipers were thankful for the opportunity and even talked to each other
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PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
LIBRARY HOSTING RICHARD KESSLER EXHIBIT
The Plant City-based photographer’s portraits are on display at Bruton Memorial Library all month. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Richard Kessler will tell you the magic of photography doesn’t come from the camera. Anyone with a camera can take a picture of anything, after all. It’s all about what’s in front of the camera and who’s using it. “What I look for in a photo is a magic feeling,” Kessler said. “It’s not just a photo you’ll look at and walk away from… as a photographer, you put your own stamp on a photo. Everyone has a different technique. It’s not only the people you’re trying to sense emotion in, it’s also the photographer.”
The Plant City-based photographer has loaned some of his work to the Bruton Memorial Library this month for display on the art wall. A diverse selection of Kessler’s portraits line the wall, capturing scenes from horses in nature and still-life images to masked parade fun. Kessler, who’s been taking photos on and off since he was 15 years old, 1/9/2020 & 1/23/2020 Keiserdeeper – Lakeland into the craft started to dive 231-1854-PCO-NYNC-Nurs-5x6 after retiring from IBM nine years ago. Plant City Observer 5x6 Portraits, especially those of people sjb 12/18/19 and dogs, have been his bread and butter from the start and remain his favorite things to photograph. He’s done everything from professional
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headshots for large corporations to family reunions for friends and candid photos at My Pet’s Animal Hospital in Lakeland, one of his favorite places to go shoot as an animal lover. “You get the person to think about something they like and you’ll sense it in their eyes, in their face,” Kessler said. His favorite portrait — his dog, Jake — is on the wall for everyone to see. Though Kessler shot with Nikon products for many years, he’s spent the last three using Sony equipment and hasn’t looked back. He currently uses a Sony a7r-III.
More of his work is viewable online at RichardKessler.com and anyone interested in setting up a photo appointment is asked to call him at 813-477-0766.
FEBRUARY 6, 2020
SPORTS
Waylon Rogers placed first in his age group the 2020 Tri-Star basketball competition. See Page 15
Quick Hits
CREST GIRLS
WIN FIRST
SOCCER DISTRICT TITLE The Chargers beat Plant City, 3-1, in overtime on Monday night. CREST CHEER GOES SIX FOR SIX With a final core of 89.70 points in the Jan. 31 Class 2A Small Co-Ed state championships, Strawberry Crest has now won an incredible six consecutive state championships. The Chargers will wrap up the 2019-20 season by competing at UCA Nationals in Orlando this weekend. Last season, Crest finished that ournament in fourth place, the best showing in program history. Pick up next week’s issue to read all about the Chargers’ incredible FHSAA hot streak and to find out h w they did at UCA Nationals. Durant and Plant City also made it to the state championship series and placed third in the 2A Medium and 2A Small tournaments, respectively. Both will also compete at UCA Nationals this weekend.
AREA PARKS HOSTING TOURNAMENTS This weekend, U.S. Road Running will host the Ellis-Methvin Park Two-Person 10K Relay from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday at the park’s walking trail. Visit runsignup.com/ Race/FL/PlantCity/FebBFFEM to sign up and get more information. GSA Baseball’s Spring Season Warm-Up Tournament was moved to this weekend and will take place at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Mike Sansone Park and Ellis-Methvin Park on Saturday and Sunday. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days. Next weekend, the Plant City FC Lancers are hosting the Strawberry Classic youth travel soccer tournament on fields at Ellis-Methvin Park and the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. Games start between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16. GSA Baseball will also host the FishHawk Presidents Day Bash that weekend and will use the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Mike Sansone Park, Snowden Park and Ellis-Methvin Park on Feb. 15 and 16. Games start between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Photos by Justin Kline
The Strawberry Crest Chargers won the fi st district championship in the history of the girls soccer program and will soon host regional tournament quarterfinal action
JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The best season in Strawberry Crest’s girls soccer history just got better. Monday night’s 6A-District 11 finale at Tampa Bay Tech saw the Chargers pull off a comeback against a Plant City team that refused to go down without a fight. It took overtime to get that 3-1 win but, for the program, all the stress of the game was worth it when the girls got to touch that trophy. “The girls have worked hard all year,” head coach Sean Woodhouse said. “If you had asked at the beginning of the year, no one would have picked us to be in the finals. No one would have picked us to be the number one seed. Credit to the girls, they worked hard all year.” Plant City came out strong in the first half on both sides of the field. The Raiders took an early 1-0 lead thanks to the foot of
leading scorer Taylyn Strickland, who has now scored 20 goals in 14 games. Though the Chargers were able to break into PCHS territory for much of the half, goalkeeper Kathryn Hahn and the back line weathered a storm of shots on goal and kept the Raiders comfortable enough in front. The Chargers weren’t able to catch a break until a little more than halfway through the second half, when Ashley Parow cleaned up a loose ball on a Kali Vician corner kick Hahn was able to get a piece of. Plant City and Crest played to a dead heat for the remaining 19 minutes of regulation, setting up overtime and ramping up the stress in the air at Tampa Bay Tech. Overtime picked up right where the second half left off, but Vician turned the tides of the game for good by scoring on a penalty kick just before the end of the first period. Crest got an insurance goal in the second overtime period when freshman Ezra Carpenter beat Hahn to a ball shortly after the senior keeper played a high ball
sent her way by Vician, and that 3-1 score held for the remaining four minutes. “We got fired up once we got our first goal,” Vician said. “We started working better together. In the middle, me and Andrea and Avery, we were just unstoppable. From there, the team really nailed it.” SEE PAGE 14
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY 2020 SEE PAGE 15
Plant City and Strawberry Crest students made their college choices official on the biggest signing day of the yea .
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
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CREST GIRLS BEAT PCHS FOR FIRST DISTRICT TITLE
TRI-STAR BASKETBALL WINNERS Thirty-nine boys and girls competed in the 47th annual skills competition over the weekend.
The Chargers made school history on Monday night.
Courtesy photo
The Tri-Star Basketball Skills Competition is open to kids age 8-13 every year.
FROM PAGE 13 JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Plant City Optimist Club hosted its 47th annual Tri-Star basketball skills competition on Saturday morning in the Tomlin Middle School gymnasium. This year’s
competition had 39 total participants among boys and girls age 8-13 and the PCRPD rec league’s Cadet-Tigers, which had the most players come to the gym in uniform, won the attendance competition and a pizza party.
GIRLS WINNERS
BOYS WINNERS
Age 8
Age 8
1st: Kara Ouzts (74 points) 2nd: Abela Cisneros (33 points) 3rd: Makayla Siegel (25 points)
1st: Troy Meek (81 points) 2nd: Anthony Gonzalez (69 points) 3rd: Christian Rios (54 points)
Age 9
Age 9
1st: Melody Contreras (83 points) 2nd: Myla Lawrence (75 points) 3rd: Eliana Vicente (60 points)
1st: Brayden Marsteller (79 points) 2nd: Devin DuBose (64 points) 3rd: Caleb Guevara (51 points)
Age 10
Age 10
1st: Bailey Keys (61 points) 2nd: Lily Hart (18 points)
1st: Daron Cofield (95 poin s) 2nd: Jarvis Duff (80 poin s) 3rd: Anthony Ferguson (50 points)
Age 11 1st: Alyecia Wright (32 points) Age 12 1st: Emily Blair (124 points) Age 13 1st: Thalia Gonzalez (87 points)
Age 11 1st: Brody Holloway (145 points) 2nd: Akiem Young (140 points) 3rd: Jaden Martinez (125 points) Age 12 1st: Kyle Lewis (135 points) 2nd: Brayden Edgemon (126 points) 3rd: Brayden Keys (121 points) Age 13 1st: Waylon Rogers (120 points) 2nd: Logan Teeden (119 points) 3rd: Jonah Brett (111 points)
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Getting to this game was a huge achievement for both teams, which started the season with new head coaches. Woodhouse took over for longtime head coach Ebony Robinson and, keeping the system consistent with what Robinson had installed, led the Chargers to their firstever 10-win season. It was also the second season in school history with more wins than combined losses and ties (the first being last season). Cindy Burmann replaced Brooke Bennett this year and the Raiders improved from a 6-7-1 record in 2018-19 to this year’s 8-5-2 record, fielded an offense that scored 12 more goals than in 2018-19 and made it all the way to a district championship game despite being unable to use their home field for just about all of the season. The Raiders and Raider Nation shouldn’t treat this game as the end of their season, though: the FHSAA’s new postseason
ranking system with MaxPreps doesn’t guarantee district runners-up a regional tournament berth as the old one did, but the Raiders are still mathematically alive and could end up making the cut for regionals when the final rankings are announced on Feb. 9. Meanwhile, the Chargers will play the waiting game to find out who they’ll host in the 6A-Region 3 quarterfinal on Feb. 11. They may not all have thought early in the season that they’d be at this point in February, but the new district champs are ready for the next challenge — whatever that may be. “I was worried going into this season,” Vician said. “I didn’t know what this season was gonna hold. And then we came out with this, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team. These girls have been my best friends.”
ATHLETES PUT PENS TO PAPER ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY 2020
Waylon Rogers
Know someone who deserves an Athlete of the Week feature? Email Justin Kline at JKline@plantcityobserver.com by the Friday before the next issue.
Tell me about the competition on Saturday.
SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Plant City-area high schools celebrated 11 students taking a big step toward the next chapter of their lives on Wednesday. Both Plant City and Strawberry Crest hosted their annual National Signing Day events in the morning and afternoon, respectively. Six Raiders and fi e Chargers
PLANT CITY Baseball Tyler Dowdy — University of West Florida Cheerleading Grace Gainer — St. Leo University Alexandra Fryer — St. Leo University Cross Country Gage Rasmussen — Keiser University Football Emmanuel Baez — Tennessee State University Zamir’ Knighten — Ferris State University
STRAWBERRY CREST Football Jose Gonzalez-Mateo — Coffeyville Community College
signed their national letters of intent in front of cheering classmates, teachers, coaches and parents throughout the day. Durant High School does not hold a formal National Signing Day ceremony, but several Cougars have signed NLIs during the school year. More athletes from all three schools will likely sign NLIs by April.
I’ve done it a bit, so I know what goes on and it’s easy. It’s the basics of basketball. Dribbling, shooting, passing.
Look down the court. Which athletes do you look up to? My brother Wyatt, mostly, but I just kind of look up to Stephen Curry.
I play baseball, too. How do you get in the zone before a game?
Which is your favorite event of the three in the competition?
Gatorade dummies and music. Blueberry gummies are my favorite. I have some in my room right now. I just listen to whatever songs are on my playlist.
Probably dribbling because I like to dribble a lot. I good with my ball handling skills, better than shooting and stuff. How many times have you done the Tri-Star competition?
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done on the court?
Three or four times before.
Soccer Danielle Seunath — St. Andrews University
What’s some of the best advice a coach has given you?
Do you play any other sports?
Justin Kline
Strawberry Crest athletes signed their NLIs on Wednesday afternoon.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS
The Plant City Optimist Club’s annual Tri-Star Basketball Competition is always a fun one for the kids, as it puts their shooting, passing and handling skills to the test with a friendly competition. This year’s winner in the 13-yearold boys bracket was Waylon Rogers, who scored a combined 120 points in the 47th annual event.
JUSTIN KLINE
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
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How long have you been playing basketball?
Volleyball Rachel Bartlett — Covenant College Kassidy Bolling — Santa Fe College Madison O’Connor — Hillsborough Community College
Since I was 7. My brother got me into it. He pushed me to get better and so did my family. I love sports, I love to be outside and it motivates me to keep playing. I want to get to AAU but for now I’m playing for rec.
DURANT
Which positions do you play?
Baseball Ahmad Fitts — Florida Southern College
Point guard and shooting guard.
In a game, I did a snatch -back on a kid and he fell. That was like two years ago.
Softball Kelly Swank — University of Minnesota-Duluth Kayla Swinson — Webber International University
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Donald Lee Wyatt Born Feb. 24, 1958, Donald Lee Wyatt, 61, a native of Plant City, passed away peacefully Jan. 24, 2020. A Family Gathering was held Feb. 4, 2020 at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Plant City. Online condolences may be left at haught.care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
William Royal ‘Bill’ Redish
William Royal “Bill” Redish, 79, of Plant City, passed away Jan. 31, 2020. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, Full Gospel Tabernacle, 2311 Sammonds Road, Plant City, with services to follow at 3 p.m. Final interment will be in Mt. Enon Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for family at haught.care.
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Richard ‘Pep’ Pryor Richard “Pep” Pryor, 44, of Lakeland, passed away Jan. 30, 2020. The family will receive friends at 12:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, St Paul Lutheran Church, 4450 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, with funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. the same day at Mt Enon Cemetery, Plant City. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
Hilda Floyd Gaylord Christie
Hilda Floyd Gaylord Christie, 87, was set free from many years of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease on Jan. 30, 2020. Hilda will be greatly missed by her husband of 68 years, Pierce Christie, her daughter Jewell Christie and her partner, Melissa Greene, grandsons Pierce and Tedder Bridges, and daughter-in-law, Linda Smith. Hilda will be fondly remembered by her large extended family and many dear friends. Hilda was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Gayl Christie. The family asks, in lieu of fl wers, to please consider a donation in Hilda’s memory to help others who suffer from this horrible disease. Donations may be made directly to alzdn.org. Condolences may be sent to Pierce Christie at 4600 54th Ave. S., Apt. #502, St. Petersburg, FL. 33711.
YOUR CALENDAR
OBITUARIES
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BEST BET FRIDAY, FEB. 7 BLACK HERITAGE BANQUET GALA
6:30 p.m. The 17th annual Black Heritage Banquet Gala is at the Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road. Tickets are $40 per person. This year’s theme is “A Legacy of Strength, A Future of Hope.” The keynote speaker is the Honorable Lesley “Les” Miller.
THURSDAY, FEB. 6 STORY TIME (PRE-K)
10:30 a.m. Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., is hosting a story time for pre-K students. Stories and interactive activities make up this engaging 30-minute program that highlights early literacy skills and encourages reading readiness and social interaction. For children age 3-5 and their caregivers.
CHAMBER GALA
6 to 9 p.m. Celebrate the roaring 20s at the annual Plant City Chamber Gala. On Feb. 6, they will celebrate all that 2020 will have in store: a new Board of Directors, new Chair of the Board (Courtney Paat, State Farm Insurance Agent) and the winners of the 2020 Best of Plant City Awards. RSVP Required: plantcity.org/events/ details/chamber-gala-9987. Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 per table of eight. The event is held at the HCC Trinkle Center.
FRIDAY, FEB. 7 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.
AMVETS POST 44 FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS
6 p.m. The AmVets Post 44, 5521 FL-60, Plant City, FL 33567, hosts a weekly dinner on Friday nights. The fi st Friday of every month is a menu of steak and sides for $10. For more information visit amvetspost44. org.
WORSHIP NIGHT WITH ROBBY JOHN AND REDEEMED FLEA
6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Enjoy an evening of worship at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., led by Christian Rappers Robby John and Redeemed Flea. A Love Offering will be collected.
OPEN YOUR HEART YOGA
7 to 8:30 p.m. The Koa Yoga Studio, 2806 James L. Redman Parkway #205, will host an evening of self-love and care. This special class will focus on opening your heart as you “Relax and Restore by Candlelight.” You will use many yoga props to get nice and cozy as you move through a heart, chest and shoulder opening sequence. A discussion about the heart chakra and how this links mind/body/spirit will seal off the p actice. Wine and cheese to follow. There is a $20 class fee.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8 YOUTH SUMMIT
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Local youth are invited to the Youth Summit at the 1914 Museum, 605 N. Collins St. The students will register at 8:30 a.m. and will be given a free continental breakfast and lunch.
17TH ANNUAL BLACK HERITAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020
12 to 6 p.m. The annual Jazz Festival is held at the Robert W. Willaford Train Museum, 102 N. Palmer St. There will be a variety of live music and vendors will be on site throughout the event.
OPEN MIC NIGHT
8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Join Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., for its monthly Open Mic Night. The event is held the second Saturday of every month. The
WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT
UP N G I S AY!
TOD
event is open to everyone. They want to hear what you’ve got. Sign-ups for the open mic happen around 8 p.m. the night of the event.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9 BLACK HERITAGE GOSPEL CONCERT
4 p.m. The Black Heritage Gospel Concert will wrap up this year’s Black Heritage Festival. the event is held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St. Come on out for live worship, solos, praise teams and praise dances.
MONDAY, FEB. 10 PAWS FOR READING WITH TANNER THE THERAPY DOG!
6 p.m. Tanner the Therapy Dog is coming to Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St. Tanner enjoys listening to students read to him on the couch in the children’s area. Reading with Tanner can help children improve reading, communication skills and build confiden e. Tanner is an Australian Shepherd Reading Therapy Dog certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. For children of all ages.
MASTER GARDENER: AZALEAS
6 p.m. Master Gardener Volunteers will be presenting at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., on azaleas. 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.
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St., each Tuesday to play Shuffle ard. You’ll be an expert in no time. The club is hosted by Anita Balch and she can be contacted at 808-7225821 for more information.
THURSDAY, FEB. 13 PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS OPEN HOUSE
7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 S. Evers St. The open house will feature a light breakfast with an extra big welcome to guests. Invite your friends for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings.
LEARNING ABOUT HEART HEALTH CLASS
6 to 8 p.m. South Florida Baptist Hospital is hosting a Learning About Heart Health Class. This is part of the hospital’s Ladies Night Out series. Join their physician expert to learn how to keep your heart healthy and the importance of your blood pressure numbers. A light dinner will be provided. The event is held in the Administrative Conference Room. Registration is free, but required. Call 1-800-229-2273.
GALENTINE’S DAY WITH PC JUNIORS 6 to 8:30 p.m. the GFWC Plant City Junior Woman’s Club is hosting a Galentine’s Day event at Roots Tap Room & Wine Bar, 101 S. Evers St. This year’s theme is Lady in Red. Come in your best head-turning red attire. The PC Juniors will also share upcoming events and updates.
SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB
9 a.m. Come on out to the
FUN IS IN!
Bring your kids to the Plant City YMCA on most school holidays* for an exciting, enriching experience while you’re at work or out and about! PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City | 813 757 6677 | tampaymca.org
*See website for available dates.
Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 7, 2020 PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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FORECAST THURSDAY, FEB. 6 High: 84 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 20%
FRIDAY, FEB. 7 High: 64 Low: 42 Chance of rain: 10%
26 Fedora, for one 27 Playwright-turned-president Vaclav 30 Dorm VIPs 32 Ones with “superior” taste 35 “Garfield dog 36 Move with stealth 38 King, to Brigitte Macron 39 German guy who fi es things up? 42 Decide 43 Smart ___ (know-it-alls) 44 Almondlike color 45 What minimalists have a minimal amount of 47 Every other hurricane 48 Lip application
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
High: 70 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 10%
SUNDAY, FEB. 9 High: 78 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 10%
STRAWBERRY Shipping point: Central Florida $13.90-$14.90
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SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, Feb. 6
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Friday, Feb. 7
7:12a
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Saturday, Feb. 8
7:11a
6:14p
Sunday, Feb. 9
7:10a
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Monday, Feb. 10
7:10a
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Tuesday, Feb. 11
7:09a
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Wednesday, Feb. 12
7:08a
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MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
International Man of Mister-y by Paul Coulter
ACROSS 1 Next in line for a throne 5 “On the Origin of Species” author 11 Criticize harshly 14 ___ facto 15 “Me! Me!” 16 Game with +2 cards 17 Spanish guy who plays a certain basketball position? 19 Word after “living” or “dead” 20 Small couch 21 Some Mad magazine pieces 23 Like the math problem 1+ 1
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Feb. 23 New
Feb. 28 First
Feb. 8 Full
Feb. 19 Last
RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 27
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Tuesday, Jan. 28
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Wednesday, Jan. 29
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Thursday, Jan. 30
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Friday, Jan. 31
0.08
Saturday, Feb. 1
0.28
Sunday, Feb. 2
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YEAR TO DATE:
MONTH TO DATE:
2020 01.04 in.
2020 0.28 in.
2019 01.78 in.
2019 0.09 in.
WEATHER
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