Teach Your Doggie Manners
Dog Obedience classes will start the week of Monday, April 13, at the Brandon Recreation Center located at 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon. Running eight weeks, nasic classes will be held on Monday or Tuesday and Sub-Novice on Wednesdays. All classes are 7-8 p.m. The registration fee is $32.
For information and pre-registration, call 689-0731 or email sibesite@tampabay.rr.com.
Cat Lovers Welcome
Feline Folks, a non-profit dedicated to humane feline management, is conducting a free, educational program on Tuesday, May 12, at 2 p.m., with topic Ask a Vet and Kitty Nutrition, at the SouthShore Regional Library, off 19th Ave. NE. Also, a Feed the Tuna Chest cat food drive is running. Residents are asked to bring any and all unopened dry and canned cat food or tuna to the library between 2–3 p.m.
Contact Info@FelineFolks.org or 944-7651 if you have any questions.
Rotary Sends Thanks
The Rotary Club of SouthShore, which meets Wednesdays at 12 Noon at Cypress Creek Golf Club located at 1011 Cypress Village Blvd. in Ruskin, wishes to publicly thank Sonny Thompson, manager of Sweetbay Supermarket in Ruskin, for his ongoing and enthusiastic support of club events. Thompson’s in-kind donations have increased the club’s ability to raise money for its scholarship fund for local students. Guests and visiting Rotarians are always welcome with lunch costing $12.
For more information, call 645-3732.
Boot Camper Reaches “Elite” Status
Apollo Beach Boot Camp, located at 1661 Bonita Bluff Ct. in Ruskin, is proud to announce its first camper to reach the prestigious rank of “Elite” boot camper: Susan Merrick, co-owner of South Shore Day Spa. To become an “Elite” boot camper, you must complete five boot camp sessions in a row and perform several exercises. Apollo Beach Boot Camp would like to say congratulations to Merrick for becoming its first “Elite” boot camper.
To join the ranks, contact Heather Brandt at 727-480-3004 or Jimmie Romano at 230-5268 or visit www.apollobeachbootcamp.com.
Brandon Ballet Presents Raymonda
Brandon Ballet, located at 161 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon, will perform a two-act version of the classic Russian ballet Raymonda on Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Spoto High School, located at 8538 Eagle Palm Dr. in Riverview. Highlights include beautiful flowing waltzes, a breathtaking pas de deux and a variety of dance styles such as Hungarian, Spanish and Oriental divertissements. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for children, students with ID and seniors age 55 and older. Groups of 20 or more will receive a 10 percent discount.
For more information, call 684-4282 or go to www.brandonballet.org.
Local Boy Helps Homeless Animals
Sean Phillips, a sixth grade student at Eisenhower Middle School, had a recent birthday, asking friends at their birthday parties to bring gifts for the homeless dogs and cats at the CARE no-kill shelter in Ruskin, instead of gifts, along with supplies needed to keep the pet beds, dishes and living areas clean and sterile. All current dog and cat residents at CARE gave big thank you barks and meows to him for thinking of them and their needs while they are awaiting adoption.
For more information, call CARE at 645-2273 or visit www.CareShelter.org.
SouthShore Library’s Upcoming Shows
Come to the SouthShore Regional Library, located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin, on Saturday, April 7, at 2 p.m. for the Earthlings Washboard Band, on Saturday, April 8, at 2 p.m. for Acoustic Blues with local musician Scott Simon or on Thursday, April 9, at 2 p.m. to enjoy the antics of the irrepressible character, Peter Rabbit, presented by the Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre and cosponsored by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library. After the show, enjoy a brief puppet making workshop and create your own puppet to take home.
For more information, please call 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.
SouthShore Professional Welcomes Newbies
The SouthShore Professional LEADs Club provides its members with a forum to increase their business leads with specific business referrals and contacts, exclusive advertising within the chapter, developing and maintaining effective business relationships, specific materials to support effective networking, coaching for efficient use of the LEADs Club system, speaking opportunities, publicity and public relations programs to build membership, leadership training, online quarterly newsletter and more. The group meets on Wednesday for lunch between 12 Noon -1:15 p.m. at Ozzie’s Buffet & Grill located at 3074 College Ave. E. in Ruskin.
To learn more, contact Executive Director Laurie Versaggi at Laurie@leadsFL.com or visit www.LeadsFL.com.
Networking for Women
The South Hillsborough Executive Women’s Networking group provides its members with a forum to increase their business leads with specific business referrals and contacts, exclusive advertising, developing and maintaining effective business relationships, specific materials to support effective networking, coaching for efficient use of the LEADs Club system, speaking opportunities, publicity and PR programs to build membership, leadership training, online quarterly newsletter and more. The group meets on Mondays between 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at Beef O’Brady’s, located at 13326 Lincoln Rd. in Riverview.
To learn more, contact Executive Director Laurie Versaggi at Laurie@leadsFL.com or visit www.LeadsFL.com.
Chamber’s Tournament a Success
In March, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce held its 15th Annual Golf Tournament at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview. Chamber organizers would like to thank event sponsors: Pioneer Tire and Auto, TECO Energy and NAPA Auto Parts as well as the GRCC Golf Tournament Committee, hole sponsors, players, volunteers and Summerfield Crossing Golf Club staff for their support. With the help of Mike Lesko, a live auction was conducted and helped to raise $1,400 for the chamber.
For more information, call 234-5944.
Tournament Helps Pirates Educate
The Krewe of South Shore Marauders is hosting its Seventh Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 18, at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at the Renaissance Golf Club, located at 2121 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center. There will be a Four-Player Scramble with a cost of $95 per player. The event covers 18 holes of golf with cart, a buffet lunch and prizes. Your entry helps provide scholarships for community students to further their educations.
For more information, call 642-9192.
Interactive Beauty and Wellness Workshop
Celebrity make-up artist and TV personality Michelle Phillips will be holding an interactive beauty workshop at the Serenity Stream Yoga and Wellness Spa, located at 11954 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, on Sunday, April 19, from 1-3 p.m. This hands-on workshop will feature the tips, tricks and trends for $35.
To sign up, call 368-6546 or email info@serenitystreamstudio.com.
Rx Wanted
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is spearheading a community service program called Operation Medicine Cabinet (OMC), aimed at educating and encouraging the community to properly dispose of unwanted and/or expired prescription medications. The one-day event will be held on Friday, April 10, from 8 a.m.-12 Noon at the Sun City Center Community Association Community Hall, located at 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center.
For information, contact Kristi Campbell or Lea Kerr of Home Instead Senior Care at 684-1972.
AMVETS Tee Off
AMVETS Post 26 is holding its Second Annual Golf Scramble themed “Veterans Helping Veterans” at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, located at 13050 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview, on Saturday, April 11. The monies made will be used to support the club and its special projects. Sign in is at 7 a.m., with tee time starting at 8 a.m. The cost is $70 per person, which includes the following: greens fee, cart, range balls, gift pack and lunch.
For additional information, contact Dick Stein at 245-2862 or ldstein@verizon.net.
Manatee Festival a Success
The 17th Annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, held in March at the Tampa Electric SouthShore Community Events Center, brought in record crowds as patrons and VIPs were treated to individually prepared hot breakfast and luncheon specialties as well as beverages courtesy of Sally and Peter Florence of Accurate Air and Grace Guinto of Trustco Bank. The Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC Culinary Competition was won by East Bay High School, with the Riverview team coming in second. The winners of the Apollo Beach Chambers raffle were Sandra Kershaw of Apollo Beach, Ansel Dale of Riverview, Linda Vitale of Ruskin; the Petersens of Apollo Beach, Mary Ann Lepley of Owosso, MI; the Simones of Lake Orion, MI; Bruce Whitmore of Ontario, Canada and Mark Lucas of Apollo Beach. The Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts thanks all of those sponsors, participants and attendees for their support and look forward to its 18th festival on March 13-14 of 2010.
Chamber Posts Tournament Date
The Apollo Beach Chamber Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Club Renaissance, located at 2121 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center. Please plan to attend as event organizers need help, volunteers and sponsors to make this event a success.
For times and more information, call Terry Faulds at 503-4578.
A Call to All Hispanic Artists
The SouthShore Regional Library, located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin, will celebrate the work of Hispanic artists by offering this public venue for a special exhibition during September and October 2009. This will be an invitational artist’s exhibit. Artists’ work will be reviewed and selected for exhibit by the John Crawford Art Education Advisory Council. The application deadline is Monday, June 1.
Applications are available at the library’s information desk and by e-mailing prachs@hillsboroughcounty.org.
With questions, contact Suzanne Prach at 273-3652.
Walk to Benefit Diabetes Research
More than 3,000 walkers representing local corporations, families, schools and other organizations are expected to participate in the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) annual Walk to Cure Diabetes on Saturday, April 18, at the St. Pete Times Forum, beginning at 9 a.m. To register and participate, sponsor the event, build a Walk team or for more information, visit www.jdrf.org or call 727-344-2873.
visit www.abwasouthshore.com.
BCWC Breaks Out The Hats and Teapots
Brandon Christian Women’s Connection (BCWC) invites ladies to the Teapots and Hats luncheon on Monday, April 13, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a short demonstration by Joa Harpster, giving hints on brewing the best tea in the world. Wear a pretty hat and dress for a tea party, as speaker Linda Harrah from Port Richie describes how she found a new book which changed her perspective on life. Sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries, BCWC is a non-denominational group which meets at Bell Shoals Church, Special Events Room, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon. The cost is $12. Complimentary child care through age 5 is provided by reservation.
Please reserve your spot by Tuesday, April 7, contacting Bobbi at 657-8632 or e-mailing Barbara_gardner4@yahoo.com.
Easter Service At Center Place
The Greater Brandon Christian Ministerial Association will host a community Easter Sunrise service at Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon, on Sunday, April 12, with coffee and donuts served at 6:30 a.m. and the service starting at 6:50 a.m. Bring your lawn chairs and a flashlight. The message of “People Helping People for Christ” will be heard.
For more information, call Don Heald at 689-9552 or Ken Powers at 689-7469.
Musical Dramas Performed
The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, located at 1210 W. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City, will be presenting Love Encountered, a series of four musical dramas depicting the passion and resurrection of Jesus from Thursday, April 9, through Easter Sunday, April 12. It will be at 7 p.m. through Good Friday, at 4 p.m. on Holy Saturday and at 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. on Easter Sunday. All services are free and open to the public. The Methodist Communion Table is open to all who profess faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation.
For more information, please contact Jeff Jordan, director of Music and Worship Arts, at 634-2539.
Jubilee Cycle Fest Announced
In conjunction with the Eighth Annual Spring Jubilee, St. Stephen Catholic Church will host its first Jubilee Cycle Fest, a 25-mile bicycle ride through southeastern Hillsborough County scheduled for Sunday, April 19, starting at 8 a.m. The ride begins and ends at St. Stephen Catholic School, located at 10424 St. Stephen Cir. in Riverview. Registration is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event and includes water, snacks, a T-shirt and a post-ride breakfast. Riders must be 16 years old or older and must wear a helmet. All proceeds from the ride will benefit the St. Stephen Catholic Church Life Teen Ministry, which participates in community service work, missionary trips to Panama and New Orleans and attends a Christian summer camp at Camp Covecrest in Georgia.
For information or to register, visit ststephencatholic.org or call 671-4434.
Chorus Returns To Sun City Center
The South Shore Sound Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International Chorus, has returned to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Center. The group practices on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. and is looking for new members. All ladies interested in singing and having fun are welcome.
For further information, call 866-730-7464 or go to www.southshoresound.org.
Horizon Recreates Jesus’ Last Days
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 10, 11 and 12, Horizon Christian Church, located at 1720 S. St. Cloud Ave. in Valrico, will present Walk the Way of the Cross – an interactive portrayal of Jesus’ last days – nightly from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Walk the Way of the Cross is a dramatic re-creation of the final days Jesus spent on the earth. Be part of the triumphal entry and watch as Jesus celebrates the Last Supper with His disciples. You’ll feel the torment as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemene. Become part of the crowd as Jesus makes His way where ultimately, He is crucified. Then, rejoice with the disciples as Jesus is resurrected to live forevermore. The event is free to the public.
For more information, call 689-1457 or visit www.horizonchristianchurch.com.
GriefShare Starts Again
Another series of the Christian-based bereavement program called GriefShare begins in the Parish Center at St. Anne Catholic Church, located at 106 11th Ave. N.E. in Ruskin, on Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m. and again from 6:30-8 p.m. It is for those who are grieving the death of a loved one. GriefShare is a professionally produced program lasting approximately 13 weeks. One need not be Catholic to attend, nor do you need to start with the first week.
To register, please call 645-1714 or visit www.saintanneruskin.org/bereavement.htm for more information.
Church Posts Job Opportunities
In an effort to assist churches in reaching as many qualified possible employees as possible, St. Stephen Catholic Church, located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico, has created a link on its Website that allows employers to post open positions. The link does average more than a 100 hits per month from its parishioners. The church encourages other parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and their parishioners who own companies or are managers seeking employers to post open positions on the site.
To post a position, go to www.ststephencatholic.org and click on the “Job Board” link at the bottom of the page. Each job posting will be reviewed and posted within 24 hours of the request. For more information, call 789-4900, ext. 306 or email communications@ststephencatholic.org.
Resident Reaches Out For Good Cause
Lacey Dumas of Riverview will be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes for the third year with her friend Patricia Shepard and a team from her school. Her goal is to raise $1,000.
If you would like to support her effort, please go to walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=87285801.
Photography Students Place At Fair
Laura Iuzzolino’s fearless 4-H Photography students went on several photo shoots and completed an eight-week photo class, culminating in the entrance to the Florida State Fair’s photo contest. Each girl took amazing pictures, entering 20 pictures in the various categories and placing in 17. Now that they have completed this very competitive contest, they will go on to enter works in the National 4-H photo contest as well as the Hillsborough County Fair which is held in November. The girls have now graduated to photo II.
Kindergarten Countdown At Symmes
Symmes Elementary, located at 6280 Watson Rd. in Riverview, will be hosting the 2009 Kindergarten Countdown, an orientation meeting for all incoming kindergarten students and their parents, beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21. It will include important information, a tour of the school, a lunchroom food sampling and activities for incoming students. Parents will need to bring proof of residence, original birth certificate, shot record and a current physical to register their child.
To RSVP, call 740-4182.
Ruskin FSRC Unveils April Events
The Ruskin Family Support & Resource Center, located at 201 14th Ave. S.E., will offer the following events in the month of April: Little Amigos – Register your child for this bi-lingual playgroup for ages 2-5 on Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. (Registration required); Computer Classes (English) – Learn the basics of the compute – functions, Word, Web access, Spy Ware and maintenance of the computer – on Mondays from 12 Noon-2 p.m. (Registration required); College Exploration is on Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. (No registration required); and Dance Classes – Have fun while you learn some Hip-Hop moves. For ages 10 and up on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12 Noon (Registration required).
Register by calling 641-5600. Visit www.familysupporthc.org to find more information.
East Bay Breaks Out Golf Clubs
The East Bay High School Alumni Association is announcing its fifth annual golf tournament which will be held at Club Renaissance, located at 2121 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City Center, on Saturday, May 16. Registration will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. in a four person scramble format. Registration fee per golfer is $100 and includes a greens fee and cart rental, a wind breaker, beverages, a putting contest, a catered dinner, prizes for first and second place winners, closest to the pin prizes, chances for prizes and a silent auction. Sponsorship at various levels is available for this event. This fundraiser will benefit East Bay High School students and faculty.
Also, please mark your calendar for the East Bay High School Alumni Association’s annual meeting which will be held in the East Bay High School’s media center, located at 7710 Old Big Bend Rd. in Gibsonton, on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact Alberta Killebrew at 672-4659 or akillebrew@tampabay.rr.com or Shelley Alfonso at 641-1005 or sfalfonso@verizon.net.
Little League Goes To Bat For Hunger
On Saturday, April 25, Little League District 13 is sponsoring the Rally for Hunger to benefit the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) located at 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon. All players, coaches, parents and spectators are encouraged to bring canned, non-perishable food to the little league games from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Especially needed are donations of canned meat, peanut butter, jelly and mayo. Please drop off your food donations at any of the following little leagues locations: East Point LL in Mango/Seffner, North Brandon (near Seffner), South Brandon (by the hospital), Progress Village, Bloomingdale, East Bay (Riverview) or Pinecrest (Lithia).
Donations can also be made at ECHO, Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. You can also donate online at www.echofl.org. For more information, call 685-0935.
Camp Bayou’s Announcements
In March, visitors to Camp Bayou’s Citizen Science Symposium enjoyed beautiful spring mornings filled with educational fun while walking the trails, counting critters, making bubbles, talking with local science researchers and lots more. If you missed the event, you can still get involved in helping the scientists, right in your own neighborhood. Visit the Citizen Science Blog for a list of possibilities at http://citizenscienceatcampbayou.blogspot.com.
The next event at Camp Bayou, located three miles south of S.R. 674, at the end of 24th SE St. in Ruskin, is the Spring Open House on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Check out www.campbayou.org to see the calendar of events.
Summerfield Spring Activities Announced
Summerfield Community Center, located at 13011 Summerfield Blvd. in Riverview, is now holding registration for the following classes:
Ballroom Dance Classes: Classes for March include the Tango and Rumba and the Waltz and Swing during April. Classes are held Friday evenings at 6:45 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. The cost is $6/class/resident and $8/class/non-resident.
Contact instructors Bernice and Art May for more information at 634-3205.
Cardio Blast: Gunny’s Cardio Blast classes are held every Saturday morning from 9:30-11 a.m. for ages 10 and up. The cost is $5/resident/class and $10/guest/class.
Fitness with Gunny: Call 476-1706 for times and cost.
Guitar Lessons: Come learn electric, acoustic or bass guitar. All skill levels are taught in private 45-minute lessons, geared for ages 6 and up, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:45-8:45 p.m. The cost is $23/lesson/resident and $26/lesson/non-resident. Contact Doug Benroth at 401-7445 for more information.
Karate/Martial Arts Classes: Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. for age 6-adults. The cost is $55/resident/month and $60/non residents/month.
Line Dancing: Line dancing classes are held Monday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Wednesday afternoons from 12 Noon-1:45 p.m. The cost is $3/resident, $4/non-resident or $4/$5 respectively for both classes/session. An 8-week Dance Card for $30/residents and $35/non residents is also available.
Yoga: Join Summerfield’s Hatha Yoga Class which combines meditation, physical poses and breathing techniques to harmonize the mind, body and spirit. Both men and women are welcome. Classes are held Monday nights from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the South Cove Community Center, located at 12511 Cedarfield Dr. in Riverview. The cost is $7/class/resident and $10/class/non-resident. Call instructor Lynda Fishbourne at 417-9009.
Zumba: Classes held every Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-9 p.m. Basics and beginners are planned for the first half-hour, followed by one hour of Zumba Fitness. This is for ages 14 and up at a cost of $5 for non-residents.
Please contact Chelsea Greene, program administrator, at 671-4568 for more information.
Spoto Announces Holiday Line-Up
Spoto High School, located at 8538 Eagle Palm Dr. in Riverview, presents Tony and Tina’s Wedding dinner theatre this May. Hillsborough County School District employees can buy one and get one free for Friday performances at Spoto High School. Tickets are always available in advance or at the door with student discounts and concessions available.
For more information, email Lindsay.Warfield@sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Center Place Announcements
Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon, will present Johnny Appleseed on Friday, April 17, at 10:15 a.m. by Katie Adams Make Believe Theater featuring storytelling, quilting, puppetry, whirligigs, music and limberjacks in a heart-warming adaptation of the story of America’s beloved folk hero. Puppeteer and storyteller Katie Adams weaves the story of Johnny Appleseed from the early days of the United States. Tickets are $5.50 for members or $6.50 for non-members.
For more information, call 685-8888.
