Bloomingdale/FishHawk
1 Pg 2 C E L E B R A T I N G
November 2017 Volume 16, Issue 11 Ph: 657-2418 1 5
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Spring Completion For $800,000 Park Square Fountain Renovation, Playground Also Planned
By Kate Quesada
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Thanksgiving Day Kicks Off With FishHawk, Waterset And YMCA Turkey Trot Runs
By Michelle Colesanti
Kick start your Thanksgiving holiday by walking (or running) to greet the new day at one of the many Walk/Runs taking place locally. Not only will you get a head start on the burning of calories for all the food you will later consume, but you will also be helping to support local charities.
FishHawk Turkey Trot
FishHawk's Most Wanted Turkey will greet you at the upcoming FishHawk Turkey Trot taking place on Thanksgiving morning at the Pubix Plaza, 5668 Fishhawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia. Come wobble with the turkey before you gobble the big meal. The race will support Seeds of Hope, which provides food assistance for the community and is primarily funded by the annual Turkey Trot. The chip timed 5K costs $30 and will begin at 8 a.m. The chip timed 10K will also begin at 8 a.m. and costs $35. If you wish to run the 5K untimed, the cost is $25 and will begin at 8:05 a.m. The 1M and 250 yd. mini run will begin at 9:15 a.m. There will be free crafts for the kids and medals for the kids that participate in the Fun Run. Packet pickup is Wednesday, November 22 from 4-8 p.m. at the Palmetto Club, 17004 Dorman Rd. in Lithia.
All turkey participants are encouraged to arrive an hour before their scheduled race A 2017 Turkey Trot Ornament will also be available to support Seeds of Hope. They cost $15 and available on the order form before entering payment (final design may be slightly different). To register, visit www.eventbrite.com and search FishHawk Turkey Trot.
Tampa YMCA Third Annual Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble
On Thanksgiving morning, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA invites community members to participate in the Third Annual Goody Goody™ Turkey Gobble 5K, 8K and 1 Mile Run/Walk sponsored by Goody Goody™ restaurant. Strollers and dogs are welcome to join the race,
Continued on Page 5
In This Issue SHOP LOCAL.......................................PG 3 ECHO..................................................PG 6 JOB OPPORTUNITY ............................PG 9 VETERANS MEMORIAL.....................PG 11 HOA HOT TOPICSR...........................PG 19 SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 32‐33 CHALKLINES .....................................PG 37 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 43 EYE ON BUSINESS ............................PG 45 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ................PGS 50‐56
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
of-the-art technology which will be easier to maintain and last over 20 years.” The new fountains will be simpler to operate and maintain. In addition, the controllers, nozzles and operating system will be commercial grade and nozzles will rotate. Some parts will also come with a warranty. Construction is underway for a new fountain and splash pad area “The Park in FishHawk Ranch’s Park Square. The project has a budget of $800,000 and is expected to be finished early spring 2018. Square Fountains serve as the centerVisitors to FishHawk Ranch’s Park piece for the FishHawk Ranch communiSquare will have noticed construction ty,” said Brown. “Since the District is underway on the fountains and splash responsible for maintaining the existing pad, which have not been operating corfacilities and amenities, it was important rectly since 2007. What residents may to rebuild it.” not realize is what has gone into the projThe project, which is expected to be ect and why it deserves its $800,000 completed by early spring 2018, was price tag. funded solely by the fees collected from According to Ruth Brown, Chairman the 2,551 homeowners and Park Square of FishHawk Ranch Community business units in FishHawk CDD II. Development District (CDD) II, which is In addition to the fountain construcoverseeing the project, demolition of the tion, which is being done by Western previous fountains alone cost $100,000. Aquatic Construction and Development “To say that the board was shocked at the price would be an understatement,” Inc. an Arizona-based commercial pool contracting company, the board also said Brown. “Unfortunately, that’s what it approved a complete renovation of the costs to build a quality commercial grade bathroom structure in Park Square due to splash pad these days.” wear and tear. The engineer is also workBrown stated that the fountains, ing on a master plan of Park Square, which were constructed in 2005, began including a playground in the area, which having problems years ago. Brown stated is subject to the board’s “The underground equipment vault, controllers, pump and filtrations failed and approval and will likely be phased over time depending on availability of funds. had to be completely replaced,” said To contact the FishHawk Ranch CDD Brown. “Since the fountain nozzles had II, visit www.fishhawkcdd.org or call 533exceeded their lifespan and soft decks 2950. Brown can be reached at are now available, the board decided to build an entirely new fountain using state- seat2@fishhawkcdd2.org.
P O S I T I V E
See Ad on Page 24
LITHIA
HGTV Design Star Winner Jennifer Bertrand (right) poses with G. Fried Flooring America president Rufus Ashby and Osprey Observer Managing Editor Marie Gilmore during the grand opening of the store’s new home in the Target Shopping Center just down from HoneyBaked Ham & next door to Mattress Firm near Westfield Brandon Mall.
Serving Our Customers in 4 Locations: Lithia • Big Bend, Riverview • 301, Riverview • Sun City Center