Valrico Press Releases
MEETINGS
Garage Sale Announced
The Buckingham Community Yard/Garage Sale, located south of Lumsden Rd., at the intersection of St. Cloud Ave. and Cliffdale Dr. in Valrico, will take place on Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
For more information, call Charlotte Sims at 655-6266.
Shop for the Holidays While Benefiting Organization
Word O Mouth Referrals presents its Holiday Shoppe on Sunday, November 1, from 2-5 p.m. at Music Showcase, located at 402 Oakfield Ave. in Brandon, with proceeds benefiting the Florida Academy of Performing Arts. We will have Mary Kay Cosmetics, Gold Canyon Candles and Just Jewelry and more. Fifteen percent of all sales will go to Florida Academy of Performing Arts.
For more information, email Bonnie Tekampe at bonnie@wordomouthreferrals.com.
Open House for Pilots
CAMS Flight, Inc., a Cessna Pilot Training Center at St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, will hold its annual Open House on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch is free and you can register for door prizes.
For directions and more information, call 727-507-8881.
Willy Wonka Visits Chocolate Store
Willy Wonka will be at the Original Leena’s Chocolates, located at 3476 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in the Lithia Crossings plaza, the weekends of October 17, 24 and 31, from 12 Noon-1 p.m. Free chocolates and samples will be available.
For more information, call 643-8500.
Ranch Hosts Halloween Party
R&R Ranch, located at 9805 Bryant Rd. in Lithia, is hosting its annual Horsey Halloween Party on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be hay rides, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, cart rides, games, prizes and more. Adults are free and children pay $7.50 each.
For more information, visit www.rrranchlithia.com.
Music Series Kicks Off at Westfield
Westfield, located at 459 Brandon Town Center in Brandon, will host its Fall Music Series within its Restaurant Courtyard on Saturday, October 24, from 6–8 p.m. There will be live music, family events and activities. The first 500 shoppers to register in the Restaurant Courtyard each weekend will receive a $5 restaurant gift card to one of the following restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, GrillSmith (opening fall 2009), Panera Bread, Ruby Tuesday or Siniqual Contemporary Mexican Cuisine.
For more information, call 661-MALL or visit westfield.com.
Garage Sale Aids Schools
A garage sale, put on by a local ladies bowling league, will be held Saturday, October 17, from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at 5306 Durant Rd. in Dover with all proceeds going towards area schools in Hillsborough County.
For more information, email BeansGravy@aol.com.
Ladies Night Out
South Florida Baptist Hospital invites all ladies to its series of educational seminars on health issues unique to women on Thursday, October 15, 6-8 p.m., held at the South Florida Baptist Hospital in the Administration Conference Room (2 North), located at 301 N. Alexander St. in Plant City.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 754-4444. Visit www.southfloridabaptist.com.
Mobile Meals Adds New Restaurant
Mobile Meals, a delivery service, is now offering Bonefish Grill within its delivery of participating restaurants. Other participating restaurants include California Pizza Kitchen, La Septima Café, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Olive Garden, First Choice Bar-B-Que, Pita’s Republic, Cherry’s, Tokai Japanese and many others. Mobile Meals is open for lunch and dinner Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 5-9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 Noon-9 p.m.
For more information or to place an order, call 907-MEAL (6325) or visit www.mobilemeals.com.
Brandon Ballet Announcements
Tickets for the Brandon Ballet’s The Nutcracker, taking place Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, are now on sale.
The Barnes and Noble Book Fair is supporting the Brandon Ballet on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m.-12 Noon, at the bookstore, located at 122 Brandon Town Center Dr. in Brandon. There will be The Nutcracker story time, tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy, autographs and pictures with costumed dancers and more. Present book fair ID 599100 from Thursday-Monday, November 5-9, and Barnes and Noble will donate a percentage to the Brandon Ballet.
Residents are also invited to Wine Exchange in Hyde Park for an afternoon of fine wine, food and company, on Sunday, November 1, from 2-4 p.m. for $50.
For tickets or more information, go to www.brandonballet.org or call 684-4282.
SBYA Gala Coming
On Thursday, October 22, the Small Business of the Years Awards Gala will take place starting at 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East, located at 10221 Princess Palm Ave. in Tampa.
For more information or to register, please contact Jamie Reid at 689-1221, ext. 8843.
Seminar Held for Businesses
Biz Ed 101: Human Resources and Employment Law Issues will be presented by Clark, Campbell, of Mawhinney & Lancaster, P.A. on Tuesday, October 27, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Buca di Beppo, located at 11105 Causeway Blvd.
For more information and ticket prices, call 689-1221, ext. 8815.
Luncheon Discusses Mass Transit Issues
The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 27, at 12 Noon to discuss “The Reality of Rail: A Discussion of Mass Transit,” held at Embassy Suites – Tampa/Brandon, located at 10220 Palm River Rd. in Tampa.
For more information and ticket prices, contact Crystal Colegrove at 689-1221, ext. 8824.
Halloween Parade Coming
The 12th Annual Halloween Horribles Parade will be held on Sunday, October 25, from 3-4 p.m. at Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon.
For more information or free tickets, call 685-8888.
Poker Run Helps Benefit Guide Dogs
Paws for Patriots Poker Run, sponsored by the Old Town HOG Chapter (Brandon) and Southeastern Guide Dogs, starts and ends at Harley-Davidson of Brandon, located at 9841 Adamo Dr. with registration starting at 8 a.m. This event will also feature a “poker walk” for those not able to ride, raffles, both a Chinese and silent auction, a swap meet, a chapter challenge, vendors and food.
Contact Cal Reimann for more information at 760-4757 or email fancy55@verizon.net.
1Caption for picture: After learning his mom’s friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, Valrico resident Tyler Cesky, 11, grew his hair out for two years, recently donating 10 inches to Locks of Love after getting a haircut at hair salon Dennis Et Al in Brandon.
Garage Sale Held for Bo
A community garage sale will be held in the parking lot of Hot Locks, located at 106 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon, on Sunday, October 25, from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. to aid Bo, who is suffering from stage III non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lost his job, vehicle and income.
For more information, call 684-3099.
Rotary Cleans Park
The Brandon Rotary Club ‘86 will be cleaning the All Children’s Park, located at 730 Parsons Ave. in Brandon, on Saturday, October 10, from 8 a.m.-12 Noon. The park will be closed during this time for safety reasons.
For more details, email tina4womenscare@verizon.net.
Coin Collectors Invited
The Brandon Coin Club is pleased to announce its next Coin, Currency & Stamp Show on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Brandon Elks Lodge, located at 800 Centennial Lodge Dr. in Brandon.
Contact Mark Palermo at 361-0740 for more information.
Foundation Unveils An Evening of Hope
The Greater Brandon Community Foundation presents An Evening of Hope on Saturday, November 7, from 6-9 p.m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon. Tickets are $50 per person. Corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Call 689-6889 for information.
Save the Date for Corks & Forks
The South America at 2009 Corks & Forks: Viva Carnivale! will be held poolside on Saturday, November 21, at the Campo Family YMCA’s Family Fun Pool, located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico. Tickets are $50 for YMCA members and $75 for non-members.
For more information, call Mags Oldman at 684-1371, ext. 208. Tickets are also available at www.tampaymca.org/corks.
Military Welcome to a Pancake Breakfast
Are you a military family member affected by a deployment? Then come to a
Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 24, from 8:30-11 a.m. at the MacDill
Family Resource Center, located in the Credit Union Building at 710 Oakfield Dr., Ste. 153, in Brandon.
Please RSVP by calling Gayle Cook at 655-9281 or Kris Keyser at 828-0122.
Oktoberfest Networking Event
The Oktoberfest Networking Event is being held to benefit the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) on Thursday, October 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Executive Park of Valrico, located at 1102 E. Bloomingdale Ave. Donations of $5 will be matched by Valrico Executive Park and nonperishable food items will be collected.
Please RSVP to echodirector1@verizon.net.
Residents Needed to Start Community Garden
Oracle Farms owner Andy Grim is asking those interested in starting a community garden to contact him, with his land, located at 1003 Myrtle Rd. in Valrico, being offered up to create the garden.
For more information, call 689-1814.
Chili’s Offers Fundraisers
Chili’s is offering Restaurant Nights with the local schools, where the restaurant gives the schools 10 percent back on the sales that they bring in to the restaurant on their particular day. The restaurant will be holding a fundraiser for Paws for Patriots on Tuesday, October 20, which funds the training of the Southeastern Guide Dogs for Veterans.
For more information, contact Managing Partner Cheryl Hammond at 653-7375.
Center Recognizes Breast Cancer Month
The Brandon Family Support & Resource Center, located at 1277 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon, invites residents to attend its upcoming Breast & Cervical Awareness meeting.
Call the center for more information at 740-4634.
Flotilla Seeks Volunteers
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 74 Brandon is seeking volunteers interested in becoming members to conduct various kinds of patrols on Tampa Bay waterways, assist with Homeland Security duties, teach boating safety programs, conduct free vessel safety checks for the public and assist in public affairs and administration. Members must be at least 17 years old and a U.S. citizen.
For information, or to become a member, call 1-800-704-4216 or go to www.cgaux74.org.
Collection Held for Metropolitan Ministries
The Brandon Credit Union Service Center, located at 710 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, is collecting monetary and canned goods for Metropolitan Ministries. The barrels will be picked up on Monday, October 26.
For more information, call 247-4414.
Foundation Hosts Fall Fancy
The South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation’s Fall Fancy will take place Sunday, November 15, from 12 Noon–3 p.m. at the home of Mayor Rick and Diana Lott in Polo Place, Plant City.
Any organization wishing to add their company to the sponsorship list should contact Judy Martin at 757-8478.
RELIGION
Auction Aids Missions and Children
St. Mark United Church, located at 2914 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, will hold a benefit auction on Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m. to benefit the work of St. Mark United Church in missions and outreach programming. Ten percent of all proceeds will go to the Brandon Guild of All Children’s Hospital.
For more information, call 685-0998.
Women’s Connection Hosts Local Talent
The Stonecroft Brandon Christian Women’s Connection announces Jeremy D. and Katie Silverman as the featured performing artists for its only 2009 fundraising event on Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 120 N. Knights Ave. in Brandon.
For more information, contact Michelle Burgess at 310-9518.
1Caption: Jeremy D. Silverman and wife Katie will perform at the Stonecroft Brandon Christian Women’s Connection fundraising event on Saturday, November 7.
Church Changes Locations
Ministerio Transformando Vida Asambleas de Dios Inc. will be relocating from 3805 Turkey Creek Rd. in Plant City to S.R. 60 in Valrico, hosting its first service on Sunday, November 1, at 10:30 a.m. Services include: Tuesday at 7 p.m. for prayer service, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for worship service, Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study and 10:30 a.m. for worship service.
For more information, call 707-9674.
Pink Ribbon Tea hosted at St. Andrew’s
On Sunday, October 4, from 1-3 p.m., a Pink Ribbon Tea will be hosted by St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, located on 3315 Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Funds from the Pink Ribbon Tea will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
For more information, contact Lynn Nankervis at 689-6849, ext. 207, or email Lynnleigh6@aol.com.
2Caption: Members of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church welcome residents to a Pink Ribbon Tea on Sunday, October 4, from 1-3 p.m.
Church Aids Homeless
Family Promise of Brandon will present “What We Can Do for Homeless Families in Our Community” at First Presbyterian Church, located at 121 Carver Ave. in Brandon, on Tuesday, October 20, at 7 p.m.
For information, please call 689-4597.
Meditation Offered
The class, entitled Learning to Cherish Others, will be presented to American Buddhist teacher, Angus Berry, on Thursday, October 22, from 7:05-8:30 p.m. at Unity in Brandon, located at 115 Margaret St. A suggested donation of $10 is welcome.
For more information, call (727) 797-9770 or log on to www.MeditationInTampaBay.org.
St. Stephen Announcements
St. Stephen Catholic Church, located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico, announces the following events: Theology of the Body for Teens will be held on Sunday, October 18, from 1-5 p.m. The cost is $25; and God’s Plan for Love, Life and Family will be held on Sunday, October 18, from 7-8:15 p.m. Donations accepted.
For tickets or more information, contact Cindy Wood at cwood@ststephencatholic.org or call 728-2056 or 671-4434.
Mass for Infertile Couples will be held on Wednesday, October 21, at 7 p.m.; Mass for Expectant Mothers is on Saturday, October 24, at 4 p.m.
Contact is Rosie Bridges at rbridges@ststephencatholic.org or 671-4434.
Angels Among Us is taking place on Saturday, October 24, at the Pepin Hospitality Center. Tickets are $75. The evening includes dinner, open bar, plenty of fun and fellowship.
If you have a donation that needs to be picked up, call Mel Williams at 597-8550. If you would like information on sponsorship, call Dena Craig at 767-4571.
XLT Adoration will take place on Sunday, October 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. All Souls Day Remembrance Mass will be held on Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m.
For more information, call 689-4900
Organizations Welcome Residents to Luncheon
Join Christian Concierge and All Pro Pastors at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, located at 801 Providence Rd. in Brandon, on Saturday, October 17, for a luncheon hosted by Travel By Horizon.
For more information, check out http://tinyurl.com/yb3nz9v.
SCHOOLS
Openings Available at Life Academy
Children’s Life Academy has openings in its preschool, located at 3120 S. Miller Rd. in Valrico, open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday – Friday for ages 2-5. It will be starting a free VPK program in November and any child who will begin kindergarten next year is eligible.
Please call 657-4802 or childrenslifeacademy@hotmail.com for more information.
NEW
Kids Welcome To Santa’s Workshop
The Second Annual Santa’s Holiday Workshop will be held at Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr., Ste. B, in Brandon, on Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for children grades kindergarten-fifth. Each child will receive a bag lunch and small gift. The price of admission to this event is two canned goods or one new toy that will be donated to a needy family that Center Place will sponsor for the holidays through the Cynthia Pinckney Ministries. A ticket is required.
Call 685-8888 for more information.
Scrapbook for Education
Scrappin’ 4 Education, a scrapbooking event to benefit Brandon High School PTSA, will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Brandon High School’s cafeteria, located at 1101 Victoria St. in Brandon, The fee is $25, with $5 off with a BHS PTSA card. The student fee is $10.
To register, contact Asunta Blanchard at asuntab13@hotmail.com or call 684-7528.
School Hosts Fall Festival
Cimino Elementary’s Fall Festival will take place on Friday, October 23, at Cimino Elementary, located at 4329 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico, from 4-8 p.m. The event will include games, prizes, bounce houses, a dunk tank, lots of great food, a fabulous silent auction and many other fun activities. Wristbands will be available for $10.
Call 740-4450 for more information.
1Caption for picture: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rubashkin visited the Jewish Community Center Preschool Brandon, located at 706 Bryan Rd., recently to teach the students about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. He taught the 3- and 4-year-olds how to make a Shofar, an ancient musical horn made from the horn of a ram. For more information, call 643-0522.
2Caption for picture: First grade student Noah Hamrick is surrounded by his grandparents as Bell Shoals Academy, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon, celebrated grandparents in the month of September, with more than 500 grandparents coming out. For more information, call 689-9183.
Tea Party Celebrates Book Series
Grace Christian School, located at 1425 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico, will be hosting a Girls ‘n Grace Tea Party with the creator and author of the Girls ‘n Grace dolls and book series Pam Davis on Saturday, November 7, at 12 Noon. There will be a fashion show of the girls with the dolls and their clothes. Adults cost $15 and children $10.
Please call the office at 689-8815 for reservations.
Performing Arts Academy Started
Brandon’s theatre and arts offerings are about to reach a whole new level with the arrival of the Florida Academy of Performing Arts. The academy will initially lease rehearsal and performance space from Music Showcase, located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, offering classes and programs in acting, film, television, musical theatre, orchestra, rock band, jazz band, chorus, showchoir and public speaking, as well as education in the business of entertainment, planning a performing arts career, audition and casting workshops and an exciting new WebTV show featuring local actors.
For more information, contact Janet Frenkel at 244-8669 or visit www.floridaacademyofperformingarts.org.
BSAC Announcements
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, will host a self defense class, taught by martial arts Black Belt Itamar Eylon, on Wednesdays from 7:15-8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
For more information, please call 689-0908 or 728-4275.
Also, the Battle of the Backyard Champions will take place on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with an awards dinner immediately following. Master of Ceremonies Ernest Hooper, of the St. Petersburg Times, will be in attendance. Competitive levels include: Youth 8-14, Teens 15-18, Adults 18-40 and Wise Warriors 40-plus.
For more information, contact Lori Bukaweski at 361-7450 or lbukaweski@mybsac.org.
Resident Advances to Semifinals
The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center’s Kara Cecil, 18, advanced to the semifinals at the Summer Smash Regional Championship Junior Tennis Tournament, hosted by the city of Del Ray, with a score of 6-4, 4-1. She trained in the HI Performance Junior Tennis Program at The Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, located at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, under the direction of Coach Alex Golub, and recently graduated from Durant High School, signing with Ohio State University.
For more information, please call 689-0908.
2SportsCaption: Georgia is available for adoption at C.A.R.E. in Ruskin, open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. from Tuesday-Saturday. For directions, visit www.CareShelter.org or call 645-2273.
3SportsCaption: Tiger is available for adoption at C.A.R.E. in Ruskin, open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. from Tuesday-Saturday. For directions, visit www.CareShelter.org or call 645-2273.
COUNTY UPDATES
County Unveils Updated Ecotourism Guide
Hillsborough County’s SouthShore: What a Difference a Bay Makes Ecotourism Guide, has been released. The brochures may also be picked up at the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce, located at 137 Harbor Village Ln. in the New Mirabay Village shopping plaza.
To view the guide, log onto www.hillsboroughcounty.org/econdev/tourism
Funds Available for First Homebuyers
Hillsborough County’s Affordable Housing Department will be releasing $716,000 to help eligible residents buy their first home in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Temple Terrace and Plant City through its Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program. The program provides a loan of up to $8,000 in down-payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers. These funds can then be paid off by the federal income tax refund available to homebuyers under the federal First-Time Homebuyer Credit program.
Additional program details can be found at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/afforablehousingoffice by clicking on “Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program.” For more information, contact Judy Jones, Housing Programs, at 274-6680 or via email at jonesj@hillsboroughcounty.org.
Bully Busters Bus Bench Kicks Off Campaign
Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officially kicked off the new anti-bullying initiative, Bully Busters, this morning with the unveiling of the first Bully Busters bus bench. The bench is one of 50 that will be placed in strategic locations around the county that are frequented by children and teenagers. In addition to the bus benches, the county is also distributing 10,000 Bully Buster bookmarks and 500 posters. Hillsborough Television (HTV) has also produced public service announcements that are airing on HTV, as well as several cable channels including Animal Planet, the Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, MTV and Nickelodeon. The project is funded through state justice grants.
For more information, contact Jan MacLeod, Hillsborough County Criminal Justice liaison, at 276-2539.
Changes for Hillsborough County Services
The following departments will be affected by change in hours of operation or locations, and/or new fee schedules: Animal Services; Library Services; Parks, Recreation & Conservation Services; and Veterans Affairs. In addition, Hillsborough County offices will close during the five furlough days that have been scheduled throughout the next fiscal year:
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
Emergency services, wastewater plants and some children’s services will not be affected by these furlough closures. Closures will affect all other Hillsborough County services, including Head Start centers, libraries, parks and recreation centers, neighborhood service centers and senior centers. In addition, book drop-off stations at libraries will not be in service.
For more information, the contact information for each department has is listed: Animal Services: 744-5660 or at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices; Parks, Recreation & Conservation Services: 635-3500 or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks; Library Services: 273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org; Solid Waste: 272-5680 or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/solidwaste; and Veterans: 975-2181 or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/veteransaffairs.
October is Head Start Awareness Month
As part of October is Head Start Awareness Month, many of Hillsborough County’s 24 Head Start/Early Head Start centers will host individual events to highlight what this unique program offers.
For a listing of all awareness events, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/headstart and click on “Latest News.” To find out about the nearest Head Start/Early Head Start center, residents should call 272-5140.
