Two Sections, 40 Pages of Community News
Valrico 37 28 C E L E B R A T I N G
November 2019 Volume 16, Issue 11 Ph: 657-2418 1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
County Hiking Spree Is Fun For The Whole Family, Hikes Start November 1
First Watch Brings Two New Locations To Bloomingdale Ave. Corridor
Hillsborough them as leashed dogs County is again are welcome at all encouraging residents Hillsborough County to get outdoors and parks. explore the beauty that The 2020 Hiking Florida has to offer at Spree will also feature this time of year. The a fun, new twist with annual Hiking Spree special weekly givewill kick off this month, aways for hikers. Each making it easier for week, Hillsborough Hillsborough County is kicking off its County will give Hiking locals to learn about annual Hiking Spree this month, and trails throughout the this year, dog owners are invited to Spree hikers clues county. And this year, through social media bring their pets with them on their hikes throughout the county. walkers are invited to on where to find the bring their canine official hidden Trail friends along for the Magic spot. ride. Giveaways will range “The goal of the from hiking supplies Hiking Spree is to get to massage gift cerHillsborough County tificates. residents to experi“The program ence the amazing promotes a fun way parks and trails that to engage in a are in their backyard,” healthy and active said Dana McDonald, lifestyle,” said program coordinator for Hillsborough McDonald. County Parks and Recreation. To start this year’s spree, the county Through the Hiking Spree, residents is hosting a kickoff event at the Upper are encouraged to explore 24 trails at 21 Tampa Bay Conservation Park, located at locations throughout the county. Trails 8001 Double Branch Rd. in Tampa, at 9 range from less than a mile to more that a.m. on Saturday, November 9. The four miles and vary from easy to strenuevent will include games, nature arts and ous. If, after signing up online, a hiker vis- crafts, outdoor workshops and classes on its at least eight trails between Friday, orienteering, knot tying, how to make November 1, 2019 and Tuesday, March your own hiking stick and more. 31, 2020, they can earn a patch, a There is no cost to participate in the medallion for a walking stick or a dog tag. Hiking Spree, but some parks have a $2 According to Todd Pratt, Hillsborough entrance fee. Participants are encourCounty’s media relations strategist, last aged to post photos from their hikes on year, between 3,300 and 3,400 people social media using the hashtag participated, hiking trails alone, with a #TakeAHikeHC. group or through one of the county’s To learn more or to sign up for the guided park staff hikes. program, visit https://www.hillsboroughThis year, organizers are encouragcounty.org/en/residents/recreation-anding dog owners to bring their pets with culture/recreation/hiking-spree.
The alcohol in the Bloomingdale company’s Avenue corridor restaurants is is getting not just one part of one, but two evolving to suit First Watch customers’ restaurants, tastes and with one of there are plenty them serving of fresh ingredialcoholic beverents to a First ages. Watch dining experiOne restaurant is ence. in Winthrop Town “If you haven’t been Centre at the forto a First Watch in mer The Egg & I five years you’re, location, with an going to find that opening scheduled everything within our for October 19. four walls has been The second impacted,” he said. restaurant will be Known for its located near the breakfast and lunchentrance to oriented menu, Bloomingdale The new Bloomingdale Square First served with a lot of Watch will serve curated cocktails, Square, with an natural light and an beer and wine. opening slated for open kitchen to set some time in November. It will be a the dining atmosphere, First Watch is newly-constructed 3,500 sq. ft. the largest daytime-only restaurant restaurant and is part of the shopping chain in the country with almost 400 center’s big makeover, which has restaurants across the country, and been going on for about the last year. as the two new locations opening in Its opening is scheduled for some short order within our neighborhood time in November. suggest, it is growing fast. First The Bloomingdale Square restau- Watch restaurants are open daily rant will serve alcoholic beverages to from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. go along with menu items like Braised Short Rib Benedict and Chile Chorizo Omelet. It is one of 25 locations where First Watch is serving alcohol and the only in the Tampa Bay area to do so. The drink menu will emphasize 15 curated cocktails, so diners can enjoy a Million Dollar Bloody Mary served with a slice of the restaurant’s highly NATIVITY’S NOVEMBERFEST ..............PG 4 valued Million Dollar Bacon. The WINTHROP AIRSTREAM MARKET....PG 10 restaurant will not stock a full bar, so mixed drink options will be limited, but CHALKLINES .....................................PG 22 beer and wine will be available. EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 36‐37 According to First Watch Corporate Chef and Vice President of READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE Culinary Strategy Chef Shane www.ospreyobserver.com Schaibly, the venture into serving
By Brad Stager
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Your Hometown Meeting Place for Great Food, Service, Sports & Entertainment!
DUELING PIANOS
1st Saturday of every month 9 p.m. www.JFKicksRestaurant.com
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. • Valrico • Located in the Sprouts Plaza • 813-643-7777
Exceptional Entertainment for the whole family! It’s time to enter the 2019 Our Favorite Things Holiday Sweepstakes. See Section 2 for an entry form and a chance to win prizes from more than 20 local retailers including an early bird prize from Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium-A Big Green Egg Mini Max grill.