Bloomingdale/FishHawk
C E L E B R A T I N G
24
September 2019 Volume 18, Issue 9 Ph: 657-2418
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Y E A R S
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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
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Bloomingdale Is First Driver’s Ed To Go Green With TECO Electric Car Donation
Local Nonprofit Gearing Up For Fourth Annual Fun Run And Buddy Walk
Lankford also said the LEAF will save the school money in terms of fuel and maintenances. For Bloomingdale Principal Sue Burkett, acquiring the latest in transportation technology for her students to maneuver on the school’s driving range and local roads is as important as what goes on inside of classrooms. Bloomingdale High School driver education “It’s innovative and teacher Mike Lankford charges up the will help us keep up with school’s new Nissan LEAF all-electric car, what is going on in sociwhile Tampa Electric Company Business Development Manager and Bloomingdale alumnus ety,” she said. Ken Hernandez looks on. The growing number of electric cars in use indicates supportWith the addition of a plug-in, alling that technology is part of Tampa electric Nissan LEAF compact car to its Electric’s future, according to Business fleet of six Dodge Durango SUVs, Development Manager and Bloomingdale Bloomingdale High School became the alumnus Kenneth Hernandez. first school in Florida to make electric “It’s our product going into the vehicle vehicle technology part of its Driver and we are looking at the right way to Education program. educate our customers about electric Along with a new set of wheels, transportation.” Bloomingdale is also the first high school According to Tampa Electric, it is the in Florida to offer Tampa Electric first electric utility in Florida to offer the Company’s Electric Vehicle and Energy Electric Vehicle and Energy Education Education program, a collaboration with program, and that the program is among the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition and the first of its kind in the country. the University of South Florida’s Center “This will give students hands-on for Urban Transportation Research. A curexperience that will help them make riculum and student handbook will help informed decisions when they’re ready to driver education teachers like purchase their own vehicle,” said Tampa Bloomingdale’s Mike Lankford navigate Electric President and Chief Executive the new technology with students. Officer Nancy Tower in a news release. “I think it’s going to be a really good Two other high schools in driver education course,” he said. “It’s the Hillsborough County, King and Sickles, future of where cars are going and we’re will also be acquiring electric cars and going to do everything we can to teach charging stations as part of the program. them about electric cars.”
Families what we are going Inspiring, Educating for,” said Foyt, a reg& Networking for istered nurse who Down Syndrome has a son with Down (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) will syndrome. host its fourth annuThe organization al Fun Run and is also looking for Buddy Walk on vendors for the event, Saturday, October especially nonprofit 26 at Raymond organizations with James Stadium. resources for the speThe 3.21K Fun cial needs communiRun is a timed race ty. around the stadium Foyt said volunwith age division teers are always awards. The Buddy Jason and Janelle Tucker are all smiles welcome to help Walk is in support of with their son, Logan, at last year’s Fun promote the event Run and Buddy Walk event. a team’s favorite and assist in making buddy or individual with special needs. sure the day runs smoothly. Each volThe top three Buddy Run/Walk teams unteer will receive a walk T-shirt and a will receive a plaque and their very Down syndrome awareness wrist own private tent with a buddy butler band. and a cooler filled with treats. The 3.21K Fun Run will take place Proceeds from the event benefit from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the Buddy F.R.I.E.N.D.S., an organization dediWalk beginning immediately afterward. cated to celebrating and advocating for Although attendees can register on the individuals with special needs, espeday of the event, early registration has cially those with Down syndrome. already begun. Ann Foyt, president of For more information on how you F.R.I.E.N.D.S., said this year it wants can register or to volunteer, become a to raise money to build its own comvendor or create a buddy team, conmunity facility to continue supporting tact F.R.I.E.N.D.S. at 245-2782 or visit individuals with special needs. Right the group’s website at www.friendsnow, when the organization hosts downsyndrometampa.com. events, it must use partner facilities for its activities, which include social activIn This ities for children ages 6-14 and a Issue dance each quarter for individuals 15 and up. “We are hoping to raise at least $100,000 this year,” Foyt said. “It will RANDALL PRINCIPAL AWARDED ........PG 3 allow us to host our own events and DRIVE SAFELY BY SCHOOLS................PG 7 expand the services we offer to people with special needs.” CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE ..................PG 13 Along with the walk, the day will OSPREY SUMMER INTERNS .............PG 21 include a train ride, petting zoo, face painting, bouncy houses and slides. CHALKLINES .....................................PG 30 Panera Bread, Gourmet Deli and TOUCHDOWN REVIEW .............PGS 44‐45 Dunkin' will provide food and D.J. Chuck Eckhart and M.C. Julian READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE McKenna are also back for another year. www.ospreyobserver.com “It’s going to be a family day, that’s
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