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Janurary 2018 1 6

Y E A R S

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Volume 13, Issue 1 Ph: 657-2418 P U B L I S H I N G

Local Firefighters Team Together To Create American Flags From Firehoses

By Nick Nahas

vice, firehoses. They either purchase them or retired hoses are given to them by fire departments. “It has a history to it,” said Burton. “Every single flag is unique. The dyeing process and the way that the hose is laid out on the flag, and the way that the stars are put on there, it’s all done by hand and they are all individual to themselves.” The dyed hose is laid on the flag and the stars are individually spray painted on with a single template. Firehouse Designs has not only made a name for themselves in the local area, but all over the country as well. They have shipped flags to almost every state in the country. Their goal is to build up their local following in Tampa. The two donate a lot of flags to raise money for charity as well, including for the Honorary Mayor of Brandon, the charity golf tournament for the Tampa Fire Museum, a Tampa soccer club and an event for Shriners Hospital, as well as for Old Fire Station #5 for children of soldiers who were killed in action. have donated 20 to 30 flags. The price range varies from flag to flag. If you are interested in buying a flag, you can view Burton and Muzzy’s work and get in contact with them through their Facebook page, Firehouse Designs. If you would like to donate a firehose to Burton and Muzzy, contact them through Facebook as well. The pair also sells flags at the T. Marie’s Sunday Morning Market at the corner of Lithia Pinecrest and Bloomingdale in Valrico.

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Dave Burton started his business, Firehouse Designs, in early 2016 after he created an American flag out of repurposed firehose Photo for the Temple courtesy of Andy Muzzy Terrace Fire and Dave Burton Department. He Dave Burton and Andy got such a great Muzzy’s flags vary in size and color. response from his fellow firefighters that he decided to make several more flags and put them in a craft show. After a very successful show, the business took off. According to Burton, making these flags has been a fire service tradition for many decades. This inspired him to make a flag for his own fire station, where he currently serves. Burton forged a partnership with a fellow firefighter, Andy Muzzy. Together they have created many flags. Both work for the Temple Terrace Fire Department, Muzzy for 16 years as a captain, and Burton for three as a firefighter paramedic. Burton previously did some firefighting in the Navy before moving on to banking after leaving the military. He went to school at Hillsborough Community College to become a firefighter and later began his career. Muzzy was inspired by his firefighter family in New York to continue the family tradition to join the same profession. “It was in my bloodline to pursue a career in the fire service,” Muzzy said. According to Burton, 95 percent of the flags are made from used, out-of-ser-

Photo by Tamas Mondovics

Not worried about the cooler weather, Wonder Woman and Batgirl take a moment to strengthen their friendship while enjoying some fun with a handful of young cartoon characters during a recent party at Pump It Up of Brandon. Offering abouncing-good-time for young and apparently for the youngat-heart, Pump it Up, 729 W Lumsden Rd, in Brandon, is considered by many as one of the best local fun things to do.

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USAA Begins Expansion On Crosstown Center Campus In Brandon

By Tamas Mondovics

An artist’s rendition shows USAA’s new 240,000 sq. ft., office building expansion near the existing Crosstown Center campus, The new facility slated for opening in 2019.

The completion of USAA’s Tampa facility at Crosstown Center in Brandon, which created more than 1,200 new jobs in 2015, was a welcomed addition to the Bay area landscape. Thanks to continued growth throughout Hillsborough County, the company announced further expansion in Tampa, specifically at its current Crosstown Center campus. The original 420,000 sq. ft. office building served its purpose well, but according to USAA officials the new expansion is part of the “financial services provider’s strategy to meet the evolving needs of its growing membership by attracting the best people in talent-rich regions like Tampa.” Such is by no means idle talk. USAA currently employs 32,000 people worldwide and serves more than 12 million members as it provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Now taking shape at the corner of U.S. 301 and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, the construction of the new 240,000 sq. ft. office building promises to hold up to 1,000 additional employees. “When completed in early 2019, the project will bring USAA’s total potential capacity in Tampa to nearly 4,500 employees,” said USAA Communication Director Matt Hartwig. “Tampa has been a great market for us, and we are thrilled to be expanding our presence in the region,” said Yvette Segura, USAA vice president and general manager in Tampa. “Our growth here is part of our broader commitment to improve the products and services we

offer our members and strengthen our reputation as a great place to work.” As for the company’s future, USAA CEO Stuart Parker expressed full confidence in its success, when she said, “For 95 years, we have focused on serving the financial needs of the military community.” In addition to Tampa, USAA is constructing a new 150,000 sq. ft. office building adjacent to its existing location in Legacy Corporate Center in Plano, TX. When complete in early 2019, the building will have room for up to 850 employees. USAA opened its offices in Plano in 2014 and Addison in 2011. USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military – and their eligible family members. For more information about USAA, visit www.usaa.com.

In This Issue NO LIBRARY LATE FEES .....................PG 6 STRAWBERRY PICKING.......................PG 9 ASTRONAUT VISIT............................PG 10 DANCING FOR A CAUSE ...................PG 17 ORANGE GROVES............................ PG 19 EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 21‐22 STRAZ SERIES ...................................PG 24

YEAR IN REVIEW......................PGS 25‐29