7.12.18 PLCO by Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 6, NO. 2

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THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

YOUR TOWN

File photo

St. Mary’s Women’s Tea fundraiser At St. Mary’s Community Church’s fifth annual Women’s Tea fundraiser it wasn’t just a cup that runneth over. The July 8 event raised around $1,500 for the church to use in its various projects, including homeless outreach programs, tutoring services and more. It was open to the public and guests got to sip tea, dine together, play games and win prizes. Men were invited to this year’s event and, like the ladies, participated in a “best hat” contest.

Thirty-two roads across Plant City will soon be repaved. The program is scheduled to be completed in September. See Page 3.

Thanks to the Arts Council, 50 new banners will beckon visitors downtown to the historic district.

Smokey evening Walden Lake residents may have spotted tendrils of smoke drifting out of the sewer ventilation stacks on their roofs this week. Utilities maintenance conducted smoke testing on the mainline sewer system on a variety of streets from July 10-12. The smoke may have caused a pretty view, but it did not enter any of the homes unless there was a defect or they had a dried out p-trap.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

SFBH prioritizes stroke care South Florida Baptist Hospital has once again received an award for its care for stroke patients. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

When a patient has a stroke, they race against the clock for successful recovery. South Florida Baptist Hospital knows time is of the essence, a belief shown in both its designated stroke teams and repeated recognition for its care.

Welcome to Plant City

Last month, the hospital received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the third time. Competing with hospitals of similar size and capabilities across the country, SFBH set itself apart by its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to the new and constantly updating national guidelines. “We make stroke alerts the SEE STROKE PAGE 4

South Florida Baptist Hospital has received the Get with the Guideline’s Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award three times.

When you drive through the streets of St. Petersburg, the variety of murals and sun-themed light pole banners easily catch the eye, letting visitors and locals alike recognize they have arrived at an interesting location. During hockey season or major holidays, downtown Tampa erects flags and window displays so everyone who goes for a jaunt along the Riverwalk, or crosses Franklin Street toward the Tampa Theatre, feels like they are part of a community. Plant City is ready to join the movement. Thanks to the Arts Council of Plant City, 50 banners will soon be erected throughout historic downtown to draw recognition to the area. “We tried to select high traffic areas in the city to erect the banners,” Marsha Passmore, president of the Arts Council, said. “They will start at the library and go throughout downtown as part of the Lamppost Banner Program.” The banners will feature artwork that symbolizes Plant City. SEE ART PAGE 6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

NEWS BRIEFS

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

Justin Kline

MAD Zone Jumphouse held its soft opening July 4.

Madzone Jumphouse soft opening The former Kash n’ Karry building on Wheeler Street got new life on Independence Day when MAD Zone Jumphouse hosted its soft opening. The facility hosts over 15,000 square feet of games, slides, inflatable bounces and moonwalks, interactive entertainment and more fun options for kids, plus three party rooms and an 8,000 square-foot banquet hall. A “laser maze” and more games are going to be added in the coming weeks. Owner Dipak Patel said MAD Zone will host a grand opening kickoff party at 11 a.m. August 4.

OP EN

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

PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Panera fundraiser for foster care Plant City’s Panera Bread restaurant is participating in the chain’s latest fundraiser, which will help children in foster care. From July 13-27, all proceeds

WWW.PLANTCITYMARKET.COM

Area road closures A new traffic signal is being installed at the intersection of Park Road and South Frontage Road this week. The installation process started Monday and will continue to create lane closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow. The City of Plant City will close off the stretch of North Pennsylvania Avenue between East Reynolds Street and East Baker Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow for utility repair. Utility installations have also closed a portion of Charles Avenue for the next two weeks. The part of the road between South Plant Avenue and Charles Avenue’s dead end will undergo work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July 27.

Call in your order, go online or just drop by and see us— Walk-ins are always welcome!

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from the sale of Panera’s flip flopshaped cookies will be donated to A Kid’s Place Tampa Bay, which serves abused, neglected and abandoned children in the area. Plant City’s Panera is located at 2909 James L. Redman Parkway.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

‘THIS IS A BIG DEAL

FOR THE CITY’ Detours and roadwork signs will soon be up all over town as construction crews begin paving 32 Plant City roads. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

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SECTION OF UPCOMING ROAD REPAIR

South Florida Baptist Hospital

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ONLINE

Breanne Williams

Potholes like the one above, which is found on Knight Street, are set to be repaved by the end of September. The 32 roads selected are strewn throughout the city and are those with the lowest condition rating that do not need underlying utility repair.

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he wait is over. This we e k , P re fe r re d Materials began paving six of 32 selected streets in Plant City. The massive undertaking has a tight time frame so drivers should be prepared to have detours and delays as the sagging, pothole-filled and cracking streets are brought back to their high standard. Those selected for this round of resurfacing are in desperate need of more than a simple patch job and the city is anxious to begin the journey of restoring the roads to their former glory. “This is a big deal for the city,” city manager Bill McDaniel said. “We’re very happy we have started. We began (on Monday) with Amberjack Boulevard and as of (Tuesday) it was nearly completed. There are 32 roads approved and we should be bringing back at least three more with some of the money we saved to bring the total up to 35 roads.” McDaniel also wanted to remind residents that the city can only pave roads under its control. Though other roads, like Alexander Street, may require repair it is up to the state to begin construction. However, he said as of Monday the state had confirmed it plans to begin work on Alexander Street around the August/ September mark. When the city finalized bids the closing offer came in approximately $1.2 million less than prior bids, which allowed the city to select a few more roads it believed were in need of maintenance. It appears as if Airport Road and approximately one block of Knight Street and Pennsylvania Avenue between Baker Street and Reynolds Street will be repaired with the saved funds. Airport Road has heavy traffic due to large trucks that go to the warehouses and the block between Knight and Pennsylvania will soon be home to a new medical center, which will heavily increase traffic in the area. The road selection process has been underway for years. The plan began under former city manager Mike Herr, who held the position from 2014 to 2017. McDaniel related the process to “a complex algebra problem.” Once the funds were in place the city hired Kisinger Campo & Associates to assess each and every road in the city. On May 10 the group presented a finalized pavement assessment

The city has released its plan to pave 32 roads throughtout Plant City. For a full map of all the roads impacted visit plantcitygov.com.

publication, which color-coded each road according to its rating. Those that were considered to be in failed or poor standing were top priority for the city. However, that was simply the first step in the multi-phase process. Once the roads were all identified, the quality of the utilities under each road had to be considered. “We wouldn’t want to pay all that money to pave the road just

for the sewer to fail in less than a year, which would cause us to have to rip it up and start all over again,” McDaniel said. Underneath the pavement lies an intricate weave of water lines, septic pipes and a “rat’s nest” of phone lines and power cables. Repairing such a complex system costs quite a lot of money. “Grant Street, that’s a utilities paving project,” McDaniel said.

“You see how long that’s taking. It’s also taking a lot of work. Between Grant, MLK, Franklin, Shannon, Walter and portions of Alabama that was $4 million in just utility work. Just utility work. And we have to do all of that ahead of time and then we pave the street over.” A utilities assessment was done for the entirety of the city, which helped identify “low-risk streets.” The 32 roads selected by the city were those that were both in need of major repair and also considered low risk in terms of underlying utilities. McDaniel said it was the city’s goal to deliberately strategize so they would be fixing roads that they would not have to return to in less than two years because of a larger underground issue. As the utilities continue to be slowly repaired those roads can later be revisited for repair. The 32 selected roads are broken into four groups, which are all planned to be completed by the end of September. There are two paving and milling crews, an edge repair of Hitchcock Street crew and full depth reclamation and re-contour of the surface for Timberlane Drive. “We’re excited to get this process underway,” McDaniel said. “A lot will be going on in a short period of time, but the end result will be worth it.”

Check out the full schedule of street repairs at PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

PLANT CITY

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com

Courtesy of Beverly

Stroke

SPOT A STROKE F.A.S.T.

FACE DROPPING

Asking the person in question to smile can determine if the face is numb and sagging.

ARM WEAKNESS

If one arm is weak or numb or drifts downward when lifted it could indicate a stroke..

SPEECH DIFFICULTY

Slurred speech, lack of any vocal communication or having difficulty understanding what they are being told are common with strokes. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.

“We really are a community hospital. These are our friends and family. It’s so crucial to us everyone that walks in those doors gets the best treatment.” — Gidget Butler, RN. Emergency Services Nurse Manager.

BEYOND F.A.S.T. OTHER SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD KNOW n Sudden numbness or weakness of leg n Confusion or lack of understanding n Vision trouble n Dizziness or loss of balance n Severe headache

FROM PAGE 1

same as a code,” said Gidget Butler, R.N. Emergency Services Nurse Manager. “We do an awful lot of education and chart review. We literally look at every stroke patient’s chart and see how we handled it and where we could have gone faster.” A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is stopped or reduced, which can cause brain cells to die within minutes once brain tissues fail to receive oxygen and nutrients. The faster a stroke patient gets medical help, the higher chance they have of keeping brain cells from dying. Strokes are the fifthhighest cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association. In the U.S. someone suffers from a stroke on average every 40 seconds and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Doctors use the acronym FAST to explain how people can identify the sudden signs of a stroke. “F” stands for face drooping. Asking the person in question to smile can determine if the face is numb and sagging. “A” stands for arm weakness. If one arm is weak or numb or drifts downward when lifted it could indicate a stroke. “S” stands for speech difficulty. Slurred speech, lack of any vocal communication or having difficulty understanding what they are being told are common with strokes. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. “T” stands for time to call 911. If someone shows even one of the three symptoms they should call 911 immediately. Butler recommends calling an ambulance so medical assistance can be administered immediately. “We are a small town and people think they can just drive in because it doesn’t take very long to get here from any corner of the city,” Butler said. “But what they don’t realize is so often with medical emergencies — especially strokes — is that every second counts. If they come in an ambulance the EMT can begin

Littlejohn

TIME TO CALL 911

If someone shows even one of the three symptoms they should call 911 immediately.

treatment on the journey to the hospital.” She said occasionally the symptoms of a stroke may resolve on their own, which misleads people into assuming they are better or that it was just a fluke. More often than not the relief is temporary and the symptoms return in full force. It is better to call, come in and not need it than to wait because you are unsure of the severity of the situation. When a stroke patient is called in the designated stroke team meets them at the door, treating the situation as seriously as they would if a patient stopped breathing or flatlined. Last year alone SFBH saw nearly 450 stroke alerts, according to Beverly Littlejohn, communications coordinator for SFBH. Of those 162 were confirmed strokes and the other 281 were rule-outs. Of all the demographics, Butler said women are statically on the rise for the number of strokes called in each year. Risk factors such as obesity, smoking and stress often play a role in the diagnosis. Outside of the FAST acronym, the patient may also have trouble seeing with one or both eyes, have a severe headache or have trouble walking. Once they are met by the stroke team the patient is transported immediately for a computerized axial tomography scan (CAT scan) to determine if there is bleeding on the brain. If not, they are given a “clot buster” medicine, which dissolves the clot and returns the flow of oxygen to the brain. If there is bleeding, the patient is stabilized using certain medicines, blood pressure and other readings are checked to determine if they need to immediately go to a neurosurgeon or not. “It’s amazing watching a patient that comes in not moving and that can’t speak and after treatment I literally see them walk out of here in two or three days,” Butler said. “We really are a community hospital. These are our friends and family. It’s so crucial to us everyone that walks in those doors gets the best treatment.”

Hope Wooten, M.D., Allison Delvalle, paramedic, Gidget Butler, nurse manager, Margaret Stevens, RN, Michelle Brown, RN, Laura Mesias, RN, Marifel Juarbe, M.D., Jesus Ortiz, patient care technician, Saeid Farhadi, M.D., neurologist, Joyce Shoup, RN and Tiffany Henderson, CT technologist.

Editorial Designer / C.J. Major CMajor@yourobserver.com Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Chandler Workman CWorkman@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

Lions Auxiliary holds last chapter luncheon JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Though July 7 was the last time the Plant City Lions Auxiliary would meet for a luncheon, that Saturday afternoon get-together was anything but sad. The ladies of the Lions Auxiliary said “goodbye” to the 77-year-old group that afternoon at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center by sharing memories of the past in several ways. They shared scrapbooks of photos dating as far back as 1982, which have also been donated to the Photo Archives along with a check for $100. They sat in a circle at a table and reminisced about good times they had lending their helping hands. They were glad to see each other because doing so these days isn’t always easy. The Lions Auxiliary was chartered on March 20, 1941 by wives of the members of the Plant City Lions Club, who normally met on the fourth Tuesday of every month from September through

“We will always be here for the Lions Club when they need us to be.” — Laurette Valdez, Vice President

May at any member’s home. Its purpose was to cooperate with and encourage the Lions Club in its civic programs, which often led to behind-the-scenes work at some of Plant City’s biggest events. The auxiliary has long helped with the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant, doing everything from setting up stages to working individually with each contestant and offering scholarships to Miss Congeniality, as well as other graduating seniors at local high schools. “It was a team effort in everything we did,” historian Silvia Dodson said. “That’s the way we liked it.” The ladies have been heavily involved with local civic projects like Empty Bowls and Southeastern Guide Dogs, and also sponsored a cabin at Florida Lions Camp before it closed. “We did all these things because we love our husbands and the contestants, and we wanted above all to serve,” vice president Laurette Valdez said. The auxiliary decided to make 2018 its final year of organized service due to the Lions Club’s steady addition of women in recent years, which lessened the auxiliary’s duties. Valdez said the auxiliary is “passing on the torch to the next generation” by disbanding, but that the ladies are still planning to meet every so often “just for the fun of it” and will still be available to help. “We will always be here for the Lions Club when they need us to be,” Valdez said.

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Members reflected on the group’s 77-year run in Plant City on July 7.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

Demolition set for old MLK rec center During Monday night’s city commission meeting, the center’s cost estimate and new design were approved in a vote. BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

City commissioners approved the new MLK community center design cost estimate on Monday night and authorized City Manager Bill McDaniel to proceed with the final design of the project. The vote also allowed plans to begin for demolition of the existing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. McDaniel estimates the demolition will be complete in the next four weeks. The budget for the project was $4,500,000 and the estimated cost that was approved during the commission meeting totaled at $4,419,764. This is an estimate, so essentially it is what the Lunz Group architects believe the facility will look like. Now that the first step has been approved, they can finalize the plans and bring them back to the city commission with a complete plan and cost. If the commissioners approve that plan, they can begin accepting bids from construction companies. This process should only take a handful of months and Recreation and Parks

Director Jack Holland’s estimated opening date of July 9, 2019 is still on the table. The Lunz Group is drawing alternatives into the plan in case commissioners decide there is room in the budget to add these incentives. These alternatives include items like a wood sports floor and exterior fans. The current budget does not allocate for the addition of outdoor basketball courts, however, Holland said he plans to use future budgets to add those to the property. The nearly 30,000 square-foot building will have more than 100 parking spaces. There have been multiple questions regarding sustainability from community input meetings and the plan is to use elements like energy efficient lights and plumbing features as well as recyclable roofing materials and other construction materials to meet those needs. Timothy Wagoner, director and senior architect at The Lunz Group, said the current budget does not allow for solar to be added to the site, but that it could be added at a later date to either the roof of the gymnasium or to an exterior location. New technology allows the solar to be attached to the roof without it piercing the material. “It’s not every day you build a facility like that in this city,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “It’s a very proud moment for Plant City.”

Art FROM PAGE 1

Currently, they will feature a red and green background with a train locomotive behind the words, “Welcome to Historic Downtown Plant City.” At the top are the Arts Council and the City of Plant City logos and at the bottom is a picture of fresh strawberries. Paul Hetrick’s Hand Lettering created the graphic design and Benito Lubrano of Lubrano Designs mapped the proposed banner locations. The Arts Council met with City Manager Bill McDaniel, General Services Director Carla Rhoades and Planning & Zoning Manager Julie Ham to make sure there were no existing city codes or ordinances to prevent the new project. Rhoades said she believed the brackets required to hang the banners could be installed in one to two days. Each year the Council uses funds from the City Budget to bring the J Seward Johnson Sculptures to town. This year, the $6,000 will be used for the new Lamppost Banner Project. Passmore said this does not mean the sculptures won’t be coming. She hopes it will be back in town in either late fall or early spring. This request for aid from the city is a one-time ordeal, according to Passmore. The reason being the “tremendous cost for the sign brackets and the initial cost related to getting the project implemented.” Each bracket costs more than $100 and the total cost of this project is estimated to be between $7,500 and $8,000. The Council earmarked $3,000 to make the banners a reality, which Passmore

said will help draw more people to Plant City. Once the ball is rolling, the Council believes they will be able to raise enough via fundraisers to keep the project up to date. The material for the banners allows them to easily last 12 to 18 months and the group plans to purchase additional banners in case of detrimental weather that could wreak havoc on the cloth-like material. In the future, new designs could easily find a home on the everrotating artwork so the city stays fresh and the pieces reflect the current happenings downtown. When it was presented to city commissioners on Monday, Commissioner Mary Mathis said she hopes to see the project expand out of downtown to also highlight other sections of the city. Passmore said they hope to one day bring it toward midtown and other areas, but they view the current map as a great starting place for the project. The commissioners believe the new program is a great addition to the beautification of downtown, which McDaniel has taken as his own special project as city manager. “I can kind of picture having those bright, colorful banners downtown,” McDaniel said. “It ties in to the repair currently underway. We’re trying to dress up downtown. We’ve power washed the sidewalks, restriped the roads, added the greenery to the planters. Soon we’ll be tackling repairing some of the parking lots. Downtown is undergoing a transformation. It’s an important business corridor to the city and anything like these banners that will draw people downtown is a great addition to the city.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

FLORIDA E.N.T. & ALLERGY

experience it as well. There is no cure for tinnitus, but there are ways of managing it. The first step that an individual should take is to schedule an appointment for an audiological assessment. An audiologist will make sure there are no underlying medical issues that need to be treated. If someone has a hearing impairment and tinnitus, using hearing aids can help in several ways. Hearing aids can amplify sounds from the environment, which will help people pay less attention to the internal noise created by tinnitus. A second step when treating tinnitus is to learn stressmanagement techniques. These

For more information about Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, visit www. floridaentandallergy.com.

n Excessive noise exposure n Head and neck injuries n Ear infections n Medication side effects n Heart disease or high blood pressure n Underlying medical issues n Dental problems n Objects lodged in the ear canal or buildup of ear wax n Hearing loss

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innitus can be annoying, frustrating, and for some people, scary when it first occurs. A person with tinnitus often hears ringing in the ears, but they may also hear hissing, clicking or even whistling sounds. It can be temporary, or it can be chronic and persistent. The sound can be loud or soft, can change in pitch, and can be heard in one or both ears. Each person who has tinnitus describes it in a different way. It is estimated that 10-15% of the population experience tinnitus. Studies have shown that it increases with age, often occurring in people 50 years of age, but children and adolescents can

COMMON CAUSES OF TINNITUS:

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Tinnitus can be annoying, frustrating, and for some people, scary when it first occurs.

& Allergy, said. “An exam can determine the underlying causes of tinnitus and help guide treatment planning.” The audiologists at Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have been helping pediatric and adult patients in the Tampa Bay area for more than 40 years. With 11 convenient locations, our experienced team specializes in all aspects of hearing care.

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can be learned from an audiologist or from a variety of books and internet sources. For some people, stress may be a trigger for a reoccurrence of tinnitus. For others, high levels of stress can reduce their patience and increase their frustration with this condition. It is important to make time to relax and reduce your stress levels. “If tinnitus affects your quality of life by reducing your sleep, your performance at work, or reduces your ability to concentrate and makes tasks in your everyday life less enjoyable, seek treatment from an audiologist,” Dr. Sophia Escobar, an audiologist with Florida E.N.T.

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Adam L. Bantner, II

Good News…We’re Here to Help You!!!

for County Court Judge Adam has been endorsed by Rick Lott, Dan Raulerson, Jake Raburn and other leaders and he would like to meet you as well. He’s the only board certified candidate in the race and the only candidate with his extensive record of service to Hillsborough County. We hope to see you on:

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

SPONSORED BY HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME

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Please email the name, age, city of residence and short bio or resume to Forty@BusinessObserverFL.com In the subject line, type the name of the person you nominated and his or her city of residence.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JULY 20

JULY 12, 2018

SPORTS WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

When (and how) to walk away I know it’s pretty weird for a sportswriter to give advice about leaving a sport, but here we are. Though they may not all be vocal about it, there are definitely kids in our area who are having second thoughts about continuing to play a sport they’re involved with. Maybe they want to focus more on another sport, or maybe they just want to give up on sports altogether to go do something else. There’s nothing wrong with leaving one activity to focus on another, but it can be hard for kids to get the courage to tell someone how they really feel about it. They might feel pressured to keep playing, whether that pressure from parents, coaches or whoever it’s linked to, is real or not. Believe it or not, there’s a pretty good chance the people you’re dreading breaking the news to will work with you. Why bother putting all your energy into an extracurricular if you’re not enjoying yourself? If someone really cares about you, they’ll respect your decision and support you on your new path. First, though, look back at everything you’ve done in the sport. Did you give it an honest try and work hard at it? Did you stick with it through good times and bad times? If so, you already have a few good points to make when you have the talk with your parents and/or coaches. Do you already know what activity you want to focus on? Even better. That’s what most people are trying to hear — that you gave it your all and just don’t have the passion to keep going while you have other interests in mind. No one in their right mind could tell you that you’re wrong for wanting to walk away and try something new. It gets tricky when you have parents or coaches that don’t understand or sympathize. They may be a large reason why you’re considering walking away. I know there are plenty of parents out there who live vicariously through their kids in an unhealthy way and coaches out there who would see you walking away as a failure on your end. Telling those people you want out isn’t going to be a cakewalk. If you’re getting resistance, dig into your support system and seek help there. Maybe another adult in your life can help you get your point across in a way that works. Maybe you don’t have a backup activity just yet but are focused on leaving your sport right now. It’s going to be a much harder sell when you’re not sure what you’d rather be doing, but SEE MIND PAGE 10

Julie Karlson qualified for the USA national karate team. See Page 10.

Next stop on the road to Williamsport

Courtesy of Marc Estrada Photography

Dave Byars has enjoyed umpiring Little League baseball games since starting in 1995.

Dave Byars is getting ready to umpire the 2018 Little League Intermediate 50/70 World Series.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ust a few weeks ago, Dave Byars was umpiring district tournament games at his home field, Mike Sansone Park. Later this month, baseball fans can watch the Plant City resident work a Little League World Series on ESPN. Byars has been invited to work the Intermediate 50/70 World Series in Livermore, California from July 29 through Aug. 5. He’ll get to see some of the best young teams from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe and other countries around the world

play not only for glory but also for the love of the game. “It’s special. I don’t know how else to describe it,” Byars said. “I’ve had opportunities to go to Cooperstown, I’ve worked a World Series for a couple of the travel ball organizations and I want to say it’s special, but nothing compares to Little League.” It will be the second Little League World Series he’s worked and the first in baseball. He previously umpired the 12-year-old softball World Series in Portland, Oregon in 2011. Byars will work every position on the field during the tourna-

ment, sometimes umpiring two games each day. He said, for him and crewmates he’s worked with in the past, umpiring at the World Series doesn’t feel like work. Byars’ own love for the game, as well as the enjoyment he gets seeing kids love the game and have fun, keeps him and other umpires excited for every pitch. “We forget about that purity and it becomes about the stats, it becomes about getting selected to be on the all-star team or about your team advancing to the World Series. That’s not what it’s SEE UMPIRE PAGE 10

Chris Welbon Karate breaks 2016 record With 332 medals won in the 2018 season, the Plant City team set its highest bar yet. JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The 2016 season went so well for Chris Welbon Karate Clubs' competitive team, few thought the then-record mark of 235 medals would fall. Head coach Brian Warren was in that group, he said Monday night, until this year happened. After a strong performance at the AAU Karate National Championships at the end of June, the Plant City club learned it beat the old record by almost 100 medals in Fort Lauderdale. The total of 33 won at AAU Nationals brought the final 2018 count up to 332, an accomplishment the team celebrated Mon-

Justin Kline

Chris Welbon Karate Clubs’ competitive team just wrapped up its best season ever.

day night in the Mobley Street dojo. Six gold, 16 silver and 11 bronze medals came home with the CWKC team and, in a moment of "girl power," four girls won six national championships in sparring, weapons and forms. All this came against what Warren called SEE KARATE PAGE 10

NATIONAL CHAMPS Layla Coffey: Kobudo (Weapons), Sanbon (3 point) Kumite (Sparring) Jordan Dyer: Sanbon (3 point) Kumite (Sparring) Cadence Fortson: Kata (Forms) McKenna Mays: Kobudo (Weapons Form), Kata (Forms)

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I feel everyone is put here for a reason... I always thought my real calling was to help other people.” – Janet Jackson Puzzle Two Solution: “Be happy with being you. Love your flaws... you are just as perfect as anyone else exactly as you are.” – Ariana Grande

This week’s Crossword answers

Umpire FROM PAGE 9

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under fictitious name of The Choice Voice located at 5206 Vaughn Rd in the County of Hillsborough in the City of Plant City, Florida 33565 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

This week’s Sudoku answers

"by far the best and toughest competition we have ever faced." Warren and Welbon said this season was a product of just about everything that could go right going right, other than some injuries. Team chemistry and discipline, as well as parent involvement, were excellent, the coaches said, and that was a major reason

all about,” Byars said. “It’s really all about the individual things that the kids experience.” Byars is working toward the loftiest goal in youth baseball: the 12-year-olds’ World Series in Williamsport, which is Little League’s most well-known event. “My ultimate goal is to get to Williamsport before I’m 80 years old,” Byars said. Making the cut for a Little League World Series, whether it’s in Williamsport, Livermore or any other location is no easy task. Byars, who began umpiring in 1995, said getting considered for the job boils down to three things: volunteering, education and game performance. Because Little League relies heavily on volunteers, Byars said, umpires who work for money do not get considered for World Series events. With 23 years of

why the team was able to go well past its goal. "Our team motto for 2018 was 'Care about the details and don’t beat yourself,'” Warren said. "Our team motto for 2019 is going to be, 'If you want something you have never had, you have to do something you have never done.'”

ONLINE

members at PlantCityObserver.com

Two-a-day the right way In recent months, at the YMCA, I have noticed many regular exercisers who have ramped up their summer exercise regimens to two per day, rather than their usual morning or evening workout alone. I know most of us find it difficult to exercise even once per day, but there is a place for this type of training for regular people (i.e. non-athletes). I have used this method myself to shed extra pounds and, in the fitness industry, two-adays sometimes come with the job. Those instructing regular morning and evening classes pay special attention to workout intensity, hydration, diet and rest to avoid overtraining, and so should you. While it is not a plan that you should maintain for an extended time period, it can help to break through a weight loss plateau, gain muscle and even train for endurance events.

FROM MIND PAGE 8

why stick with an activity when you hate doing it and it’s taking its toll on your willpower? Just keep your eyes and mind open for something new to try. Not that it’s a sports-specific example, but in college I was a marketing major who got burned out and didn’t know what I wanted to do until I took my first

consistently perform well and, in some cases, achieve a certain rating to even get looked at for a higher-level event. If an umpire is good enough at the regional level, they can be considered for a Little League World Series gig with the right qualifications. If an umpire is fortunate enough to make it to Little League’s Southeast Regional in Warner Robins, Georgia, they have a chance to make the cut for Williamsport. At 55, Byars still has plenty of time to reach his goal. But no matter how long it takes him to get there, he’ll be grateful for the opportunity to help kids learn sports and have fun doing it. “To me, that’s where I feel the sense of satisfaction,” Byars said. “Knowing what I’m doing means something. It’s not about me. It’s not necessarily about the game as much as it is the experience that the kids are having and being a part of that experience…life’s made up of those moments, and every one of those moments adds up."

ANGELA FULGIERI

It’s best to do the first workout in the morning and the second in the evening. Give yourself a minimum of six hours’ rest between workouts. The more intense workout should always be the first one, and you will want to avoid training the same muscle groups in the same day. For your first workout, lift heavy weights in the morning and then the second workout can be light to moderate cardio, such as jogging. Another example might include HIIT training in the morning and flexibility, such as a yoga class, in the evening. Another option can be core training or a mat class like Pilates. For muscle gains you can split one workout, such as a leg workout, into two sessions. By doing one session in the morning and one in the evening, you will be able to work out harder and lift heavier. You can do this by work-

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

2018

List of AAU nationals winners and team

volunteer experience to his name, doing everything from umpiring and coaching at Plant City Little League to becoming PCLL’s president at one time, that part’s long been covered. Byars said Little League encourages volunteer umpires with World Series aspirations to hit the books hard. Though he wasn’t expecting to catch the bug when he was first asked to umpire tee-ball on a whim, Byars said he quickly found a passion for the work and wanted to learn as much as he could. He read books, scoured the Internet and attended clinics and schools sponsored by Little League. “They (Little League) advocate that if you want to do it at a high level, the next level, you need to go to these clinics and these schools,” Byars said. Then there’s the work itself, which starts at the local levels. Byars started with district tournaments before being considered for regional and state tournaments, which require umpires to

FOCUS ON FITNESS

The competitive team will now take a short break until August when they'll start a new offseason training program to keep in shape before the 2019 season begins. "As iron sharpens iron, we will continue to raise our skill level as well," Warren said.

ing quads and hamstrings in the morning and glutes and calves in the evening, for example. If you are training for an endurance event, you may not have a three-hour block of time to run in the morning but can still get your running time in by splitting it into two 90-minute sessions. Training twice per day is taxing on your body, so it is important to rest. You’ll also want to make sure you get plenty of sleep at night so your muscles can recover. Hydration and how you fuel your body is important, too. Pay attention to nutrition, protein intake and make sure that you are not overeating, as that will be counterproductive.

Angela Fulgieri is the Wellness Experience Director at the Plant City YMCA. Contact her at observerfitness@gmail.com.

JUSTIN KLINE

journalism course. I didn’t have the easiest time explaining my decision, but I’m still 100%sure I did the right thing. Let’s get one thing perfectly straight: what we’re talking about this week is not going to make you a quitter. You’re not storming out because you had one bad game or your team underperformed in a tournament. You’re just realizing you

might be better at and happier doing something else. There’s no shame in that. Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer. Email: jkline@ plantcityobserver. com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

EE NG F RR K I PA

SPONSORED BY SPORT CLIPS

Competing in the Female 15 year old Advanced division at the 2018 AAU National Karate Championships, Julie Karlson won a silver medal in three-point sparring and bronze in rotational team sparring. Karlson also found out she made the USA national karate team for her season performance. She’s settling into a leadership role with Chris Welbon Karate Clubs’ competitive team and hopes to dive deeper into coaching soon. How did you feel when you found out you made the USA team? Amazing. It’s the first time it’s happened. It only happens in black belt divisions so I’ve waited a few years to get up to this, just to have this opportunity.

I see a ton of little kids, especially little girls — I can see myself in them — I’m like, “Trust me, you’ll get better. You just have to push through it.” I just see myself in a lot of them. What are your goals for karate? I want to teach. I want to pass on my knowledge to the little kids. I love talking to them and all their questions, I can answer them. It’s great. What’s the first thing you’d tell one of these kids who might be new to karate? That you first have to have fun with everything. Then you’re gonna learn to defend yourself, you’re gonna come out of your shell. You’re gonna grow as a person. Karate helped me a lot. It’s a very good learning experience.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Julie Karlson

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

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Where do you think you’ve improved the most in karate? Sparring, definitely. I used to be so shy and you couldn’t get me to go in the ring. When I was a white belt and stuff I would cry…now I’m just like, “OK, let’s go.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

REAL ESTATE

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GILCHRIST The home at 702 E. Gilchrist St. sold June 12, for $59,000. Built in 1928, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,516 square feet of living area.

The home at 3201 N. Wilder Road sold June 8, for $199,000. Built in 1961, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,329 square feet of living area. MAGNOLIA GREEN The home at 3114 Magnolia Meadows Drive sold June 15, for $230,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, two and a half baths and 2,831 square feet of living area. OAKWOOD ESTATES The home at 1716 Oakwood Estates Drive sold June 13, for $230,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,003 square feet of living area.

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CEDAR RUN The home at 1908 Cedar Run Drive sold June 6, for $82,000. Built in 1987, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,180 square feet of living area.

HILLSBOROUGH The home at 1008 Robinson Road sold June 8, for $150,000. Built in 1962, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,366 square feet of living area.

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June 2018 real estate transactions

PINECREST The home at 10 Mays St. sold June 8, for $58,000. Built in 1952, it has one bedroom, one bath and

June 2018 sales information was obtained from the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Permit information was obtained from the City of Plant City. 600 square feet of living area. TRAPNELL RIDGE The home at 3414 Grove Blossom Lane sold June 8, for $188,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,550 square feet of living area. WALDEN LAKE The home at 3026 Spring Hammock Drive sold June 8, for $299,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,142 square feet of living area. WALDEN POINTE The home at 3025 Via Siena St. sold June 18, for $289,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,394 square feet of living area. WASHINGTON PARK The home at 905 N. Merrin St. sold June 6, for $109,000. Built in 1925, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,751 square feet of living area.

ONLINE See more transactions at PlantCityObserver.

com

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

CAMERON

These are the largest building permits issued in Plant City for the month of June 2018, in order of dollar amounts.

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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

community

is all about.

PlantCityObserver.com

Gladys M. Hyde

Taylor (Goethals) Adkins

HOPEWELL

Lillian ‘Pat’ Highsmith

Online condolences may be 19, of>Plant City, Plan passed away of Plant City, passed away on > 100% Service Guarantee National Transferability Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement left for the family at haught. on July 3, 2018. July 2, 2018. care. Visitation was July 7, 10 Online condolences may a.m. to 12 p.m. at City Pointe be left for the family at www. service Proudly supportingChurch. the PlantCelebration City Strawberry Festival. haught.care. was at 12 p.m.

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

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HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

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Deborah ‘Debbie’ Anne Anders Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy Deborah "Debbie" Anne Anders, James ‘Jim’ R. 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 52, of Dover, born on April 24, Bayne

Dorothy S. Adams

1966, entered into eternal rest on July 3, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Dorothy S. Adams, 87, of Plant City, born on July 12, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, entered into eternal rest on July 9, 2018. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

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HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

HOPEWELL

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

James “Jim” R. Bayne, 55, of Seffner, born on Oct. 10, 1962 in Washington, D.C., entered into eternal rest on July 2, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

we’re dedicated to helping families create a our community withM. personal, compassionate Gladys Hyde, 90, of Plant care since 1896. unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebratesAdkins, the life itage represents.Lillian “Pat” Highsmith, age 75, your Dignity Memorial professionals, City As died July 6, 2018. Taylor (Goethals) WE’R E PR OU D TO SERVE

Marie Butler Sloan-Morabito, 94, of Lakeland, formerly of Plant City, born in Arcadia on Jan. 6, 1924, entered into eternal rest on July 8, 2018. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

OBITUARIES

Marie Butler Sloan-Morabito

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

SPONSORED BY DIGNITY WELLS MEMORIAL ALL OBITUARIES ARE 10/27/15 10:42 AM SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

HOPEWELL 239042

FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

239042

Linda Bennett

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

239042

Linda Bennett, 73, of Plant City, born on July 7, 1944, entered into eternal rest on July 3, 2018. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

Yaricza Galindez Yaricza Galindez, 25, of Plant City, passed away on July 3, 2018. Online condolences may be left for the family at www. haught.care.

Florist

HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS

www.HopewellFuneraI.com

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

116 North Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563 ph: (813) 567-5735 allabloomtampa.com

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Historic Downtown

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

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MORE THAN 120 YEARS.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

Salt Lamps • Essential Oils Skin Care Line • Teas & Herbs

SUMMER SPECIAL

FOR 75 MINUTES

Cannot be combined with any other offers. With this coupon only. One (1) coupon per transaction, per visit. EXPIRES 12/31/18

10 OFF

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WELLNESS CENTER

Any Class

Cannot be combined with any other offers. With this coupon only. One (1) coupon per transaction, per visit. EXPIRES 8/31/18

110 E Reynolds St. • Suite 300 Plant City, FL 33563 • 813-659-4600 Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm • Extended Times by Appointment Only www.aromaticharmony.org Lic. #MM35770 70221524F825

FRIDAY, JULY 13

NIGHT AT NORMA’S 4:30 to 8:45 p.m. The monthly Night at Norma’s is back. Join Chef Andy Nassar and staff for a four-course meal at Norma’s. Reservation required. Cost is $35 per person, due by July 11. Bring your own wine. Stay tuned to Norma’s Facebook page for upcoming events.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS 8 p.m. Plant City Entertainment presents, “Once Upon a Mattress.” This musical comedy launched Carol Burnett’s career. If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and the Pea,” you may be in for a walloping surprise. This rollicking spin on the familiar classic will be performed July 13-15, July 20-22 and July 2729. Matinees are at 2 p.m. July 15, 22 and 29. All other performances are at 8 p.m. Online tickets can be purchased at www.pceshows. com.

JULY 1–27

SATURDAY, JULY 14

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTHY LIVING CENTERS KICK OFF 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come celebrate the Kick Off of the Hillsborough County Healthy Living Centers at Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave. Free event for everyone. It will include Feeding Tampa Bay, health screenings, activities for kids and free giveaways

Having to be in a health care setting is often a stressful and frightening experience for children and families. Recreation and play therapy give kids strategies for coping and bring a momentary escape from their illness. Donations to Christmas in July help dramatically alter a child’s hospital experience. Here’s how you can make a difference: n Sponsor an extraordinary child experience n Join our Office Challenge n Drop off toys and donations at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

279009

Benefiting:

StJosephsChristmas.org

THRIVENT FINANCIAL TAX REFORM WORKSHOP 12 p.m. Come to the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 N. Evers St., to enjoy a free workshop on how the U.S. Tax Reform could affect you. The session is hosted by James P Moore and features Stephen P. Miller, FIC Financial Associate.

EVERS STREET BLOCK P-ART-Y 6 p.m. The long anticipated Evers Street Block P-ART-y is here. See new downtown window art, meet the artists, enjoy food, drinks and music and take part in the maker market.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation

18-407436-0518

THURSDAY, JULY 12

SUNSET AT THE RANCH 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aspire Plant City is having its next event at Wishing Well Barn, 4302 Pippin Road. Join Aspire Plant City for a “Family Friendly” evening of watching the sunset, enjoying hay rides, picture opportunities and more. Guests are welcomed including friends, husbands and kids! Please register all guests attending, members can register guests at the member price

BEST BET THURSDAY, JULY 12

IMPROV NIGHT 7:13 p.m. Come out to Krazy Kup to enjoy Plant City’s first Improv group, “Under-Medicated Improv,” featuring special guest, “Alpaca Suitcase.” Join the area’s finest improv artists as they use audience suggestions to create scenes and play improv games. Every night is a world premiere. After the show audience members can take part in jam session and give improv a try.

through their account. Members are $15 and guests are $25. PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plant City Social Dance will be holding its July dances at Strawberry Square, 4401 Promenade Blvd. There will be a 3,000 square foot floating wood floor to dance on. DJ Ken Miller will play music for social dancers. Cost is $6. Bring your own snacks and drinks, but no alcohol is permitted. For more information visit strawberrysquaredancing.com. OPEN MIC NIGHT 8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Krazy Kup hosts its Open Mic Night on the second Saturday of each moth. Sign-ups for the mic happen around 8 p.m. and the night is open to everyone.

MONDAY, JULY 16

IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE OF PLANT CITY 6:30 p.m. The monthly meeting for the Improvement League of Plant City is hosted at the Bing Rooming House Museum, 205 S. Allen St.

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City 813 757 6677 tampaymca.org

276235

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