By Sandy Meyer
Cruise Planners Presents $10,000 Supporting Vetdogs and Veterans
In September, America’s VetDogs, a New York-based non-profit that trains and places specialized guide, hearing, service and PTSD service dogs to veterans with disabilities, received a check for $10,000 from small business owner and Riverview resident Sherry Leybovich, who owns a travel and vacation planning franchise of Cruise Planners. Leybovich presented the organization a check with money raised via Cruise Planners’ annual Classic Car Cruise and via a silent and live auction that are also matched by Leybovich’s local travel franchise company. Over 40 Tampa Bay residents, veterans, small business owners and members of the Valrico/FishHawk Chamber of Commerce, gathered at The Landing Bar & Grill in Valrico to support and learn about America VetDogs, a New York based non-profit that trains and places specialized guide, hearing, service and PTSD service dogs with disabled veterans. Business owners got to learn exciting new developments in the mission of America’s VetDogs, meet an Iraq veteran (Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient) who received a service dog through the VetDogs program, and meet some extraordinary volunteer puppy raisers and the puppies they are raising to become guide and service dogs, including Cruise Planners’ sponsored puppy “Tucker.” Call 888-464-1827 or visit www.cruisesforu.com.
Free Memory Screening and Virtual Dementia Tour
Superior Residences of Brandon is a unique, home-like community for those at all levels of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diagnosis. Beginning Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 6 Superior Residences and Senior Helpers will host a free Memory Screening from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Additionally on Thursday, November 5, a Virtual Dementia Tour will be offered by appointment from 2-7 p.m. This tour will allow caretakers to understand what a person with dementia is going through, how they feel and what they experience. Call 657-8587 to make a reservation. Superior Residence of Brandon is located at 1819 Providence Ridge Rd. in Brandon. Visit www.superioralf.com/location/Brandon.
Reliable Maid Services Available
You’ve Got it Maid offers home cleaning services to individuals and families who find themselves on the go and cannot seem to find the time to do it themselves. Owner Dorinda Frye treats her client’s home with the same respect and attention to detail that that she treats her own home. Her seven years in business have given her the knowledge to understand what is needed to get the job done. She is also available for clean out services for new homes, apartments and office spaces. References are available. Call 327-9899 or 671-2026 or find her on Facebook at Youve-Got-it-Maid.
Nia -Body-Mind Movement Practice Comes to Brandon
On Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m., licensed Black Belt Nia Teacher and Brandon resident, Kathryn Mansfield, presents the highly acclaimed fusion-fitness practice, Nia. Charged with power, grace and body-mind conditioning, this class is open to anyone interested in holistic movement, fitness, health and wellbeing. Created by Debbie Rosas Stewart and Carlos AyaRosas in 1983, the Nia Technique combines techniques and concepts from Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts, blending music, movements and self-expression into dynamic, hour-long routines. Revolutionizing the world of fitness and wellbeing, Nia trains students to choose pleasure as the path toward physical, mental and emotional health. Today, Nia is taught by over 3,500 certified teachers in over 48 countries. Nia classes include mindful intention, warm-up, aerobic conditioning, strength training, cool down and movements promoting flexibility. Nia movements are based on 52 moves designed to exercise every joint and muscle group in the body. Each workout brings mindfulness to your movement experience, leaving you feeling energized, mentally clear and emotionally balanced. It is typically practiced barefoot, is low-impact and adaptable to individual needs and abilities. Benefits of Nia include stress reduction, cardiovascular conditioning, improved self-esteem, improved muscle tone, greater flexibility and mobility, a more balanced nervous system, improved postural alignment and circulation, weight management and improved concentration.
Right now, MBJ Health and Fitness, located at 1530 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, is offering a free one-week trial class pass. Enjoy Nia, Yoga and Group Fitness classes. Visit mbjhealthandfitness.com/fitness/fitness-schedule/ to register or s
ee class schedule. Visit www.movewithkat.com.
Ashton Woods Releases New Floor Plans at FishHawk Ranch
Ashton Woods, one of the nation’s largest private homebuilders, has added three new single-family home plans to its lineup in the master-planned community of FishHawk Ranch. These floor plans range from 1,981 to 2,836 sq. ft. under air with three bedrooms and two baths to four bedrooms and three and one-half baths. Each Ashton Woods home also provides a high level of personalization and flexibility in design options tailored to buyers’ unique lifestyles. Among the available options is an expanded three-car garage, enlarged lanai and the addition of a pool bath or study. Call 438-8933 or visit www.ashtonwoods.com/tampa/fishhawk-ranch-manor.
America’s Epidemic Workshop At Lifetime Fat Loss Centers Of Brandon
On Wednesday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m., Lifetime Fat Loss Centers of Brandon will hold an America’s Epidemic Workshop at HealthSource of Brandon, located at 166 E. Bloomingdale Blvd., Ste. B, in Brandon. Discover why Americans are overweight, depressed, out of energy, and creating more illness than ever before. Hear the staggering statistics on the amount of deaths that are caused from obesity related diseases. The goal of the America’s Epidemic Workshop is simple: to educate the community on the importance of taking care of its health. All residents are encouraged to come and listen. The workshop is free. To reserve a spot, call 654-7121. Complimentary one-on-one consultations are also being offered to see if LFLC can help you on the journey to a healthier weight and happier you; to schedule call 654-7121.
My House Fitness Now Hiring In Brandon
My House Fitness, an Orlando-based fitness studio and healthy living brand, is currently hiring personal trainers and a business development specialist for its soon-to-open Brandon location. My House Fitness is outfitted with the latest equipment and highly trained specialists who are committed to clients’ fitness and lifestyle goals. Fitness specialists combine core techniques, and advances in nutrition and cardiovascular training to create the most effective personal training program. My House Fitness Brandon will open in November at 207 W. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon. Interested applicants should send their resumè to brandon@myhousefitness.com. Visit www.MyHouseFitness.com.
Humana Foundation Announces New Proposal Process for 2016 Funding
The Humana Foundation, located in Louisville, Ky., is focusing its grant making for 2016 in these cities: Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Louisville, New Orleans, San Antonio, Tampa Bay, and Broward County in South Florida. The foundation has chosen these locations because it recognizes opportunities to increase its impact on community health and well-being there. The Humana Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that promote healthy behaviors, health education, and access to health services, which are its priority areas of funding. In order to streamline operations and facilitate the application process for prospective grantees, the Humana Foundation will be requesting Letters of Intent (LOI from Tuesday, December 1 through Tuesday, December 15). Following a review of LOI’s, selected organizations will be invited to submit online grant applications Tuesday, December 15 through January 31, 2016. Nonprofits may visit www.humanafoundation.org to learn more about its priorities and sample grants. Letters of intent may be emailed to humanafoundation@humana.com. Contact 502-580-1245 or 502-580-3955 with questions.
National Salon Suite Franchise Opening in Valrico Area
Salons by JC, a national salon suite franchise, will be opening its first Central Florida location in January 2016 at the Lithia Crossing Shopping Center in Valrico. Salons by JC leases luxurious and fully customizable salon suites to beauty and wellness practitioners. The owner is Denise Cooke, a former corporate business executive, who along with her husband, is now devoted to opening multiple sites in the area. The salon totals 6509 sq. ft., with 36 fully out-fitted suites. Each suite is equipped with mirrors, shampoo bowls, chairs, cabinets for towels, hooded dryers and roll carts for other tools and supplies, and the suites can be customized by stylists to meet their own taste and style. Beauty and wellness services include hair styling, hair coloring, natural hair care, massage, esthetician services, nail care and cosmetics. Cooke is now pre-leasing individual, private suites to beauty and wellness professionals. For information about the suites and available leases, email dcooke@salonsbyjc.com.
Charity Invitational Golf Tournament
The community is invited to play in the Second Annual Collazo Charity Invitational on Thursday, November 12 at Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club in Valrico. This year’s format will be Two Man Scramble limited to 36 teams. Registration begins at 11 a.m. This event will consist of a private course with contests, prizes, lunch, dinner and entertainment. Entree fee is $100 per player. All proceeds will benefit The All Children’s Hospital.
Only paid entries will be registered as sponsors and players. Make checks payable to: The Collazo Group Mail to: 5664 FishHawk Crossing Blvd., Lithia FL 33547 Contact 944-2145 or playgolf@TheCollazoGroup.com.
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